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Beijing's population drops for six consecutive years

Xinhua) 10:58, September 02, 2024

BEIJING, Aug. 31 (Xinhua) -- Beijing, China's first megacity to achieve population reduction, has kept its permanent population below the 23 million cap for six consecutive years since 2017, according to a municipal conference held on Thursday.

According to a report by the research team of the Beijing Municipal Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, while Beijing's population remains stable, its distribution is becoming more balanced.

The capital's core functional areas and central urban districts have witnessed constant population declines, while the city's sub-center, new towns, and ecological conservation areas have experienced population growth, according to the report.

The report showed that this shift is creating a more distributed population structure, with the proportion of residents in the six central districts decreasing from 60 percent in 2015 to 50 percent by 2023, while the share of the ten outlying districts increased accordingly.

Beijing also stands out for its high concentration of talent, boasting the highest density of talent in China. Three-quarters of this talent pool are concentrated in the six central districts. Additionally, the city's life expectancy in 2020 reached 82.49 years, which is 4.56 years higher than the national average.

The research team emphasized that Beijing should continue its dual approach of relieving overburdened areas while supporting emerging ones. Coordination between central urban districts and new towns as well as integration within the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region is crucial.

Gu Shuzhong, a researcher at the Development Research Center of the State Council, suggested that achieving a balanced distribution of work and residential areas across the city is essential, and the city should orderly relocate municipal universities and state-owned enterprises from central districts to outer areas.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
For some Washoe County School District students, free meals won't be available after this Friday, September 6.

As we reported earlier this year, Nevada governor Joe Lombardo vetoed the Universal School Meals Bill in June, which means Nevada K-12 students don't automatically get free meals like they did during the pandemic.

Governor Lombardo responded to criticisms in an open letter to families in August, highlighting the fact that families can still apply for meal assistance if their school is one of the ones no longer providing meals for free.

68 schools will still continue to offer free meals after the September 6 deadline.

For further information, including the school lists and how you can apply, check out Washoe County School District's Nutrition Services website.
The Sierra Battle Born chapter of the nonprofit group Women in Aviation has officially opened registration for the 3rd annual Girls in Aviation Day.

This year's event will be held at Reno-Stead Airport's Freedom Terminal from 10:00 a.m until 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 21.

The event is free, but registration is required to attend.

"The purpose of Girls in Aviation Day is to showcase and promote career fields and recreational pursuits within aviation to young women," said Rachael Moore, who is spearheading the event.

Through a variety of speakers, exhibits, and hands-on learning, girls of ages 8-18 will have the opportunity to meet and be inspired by women pilots, mechanics, air traffic controllers, aerospace engineers and more.

During her career in the United States Air Force, Moore flew F-16 fighters in more than ten countries, and served as an instructor in pilot training. Now, she flies passenger jets for a major air carrier.

"As an airline pilot, I get to meet so many great people from all walks of life," says Moore. "I love when kids want to see the flight deck and meet the pilots!"

Anyone interested in attending this year's Girls in Aviation Day can register at the Sierra Battle Born Women in Aviation website.
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Authored by Iftikhar Khan, Founder, Kintree

AI, or Artificial Intelligence, has helped brands move toward creating new and unique interactions with their audiences. Just the same, branding has also changed in India. In this competitive market, it is necessary for brands to invest in communication that makes their brand stand out and appeal to their target audience. Customers now have a say in what brands they choose to interact with, especially with the advent of social media. The key for brands is to adapt to these new technologies while retaining the element of human touch. Here, we explore how AI drives these adaptations for a better future of brand interactions.

Personalising Brand Experiences Through AI

By using vast amounts of data, brands are able to use this data to create unique experiences that are tailored to different customer profiles. Personalisation helps customers feel more connected to the brand. It shows that the brand understands their preferences and interests. Customisation and curation are the new way to encourage customers to consume a specific product. When audiences feel like they have a kinship with the brand, they are more likely to use that specific product.

Using AI for Brand Management

Machine learning and AI can analyse vast amounts of data effectively and in a timely manner. Therefore, it can be used to quickly analyse market trends, and stay current on the needs and wants of the target audience. As new trends arise daily, the brand can adjust its offerings on the fly, keeping up with coherent and opportune communication to an audience.

AI in Content Creation

Just as AI can be used to analyse and disseminate information and marketing, it can also create what needs to be sent out. Through its analysis, AI can suggest formats and topics that will work for their audience. Simplifying the process of content creation, in terms of social media posts, paid advertisements, and other marketing materials can make work faster and easier for the brand. Creative teams can use these tools to remove the ambiguity of content creation and make content that will have a higher success rate than a trial-and-error process.

AI-Driven Customer Engagement

AI-driven chatbots and virtual assistants are revolutionising the point of contact between brands and their customers to ensure personalised and responsive customer care. These have numerous benefits, including instantaneous, 24/7 service and an escalation procedure in case of complex issues. A good chatbot will provide an exceptional experience to visiting customers, and can be make or break for a brand. Having a smart assistant can solve queries quicker, leaving human agents more time to devote to higher-ticket issues.

Creative Design and Brand Identity

Maintaining a consistent brand identity across platforms can help brands build recognition and credibility with their audiences. AI can ensure that this consistency comes easily to brands, working in tandem with fresh and insightful designs for a human touch to the brand identity. Having a consistent brand narrative across platforms works for both the brand and their audience. In addition to recognition and credibility, it also brings comfort and a sense of stability to the brands audience.

In this article, we have discussed how AI can drive the future of brand interaction. However, it is also essential to discuss the ethical implications of using data and generative AI. The notion that AI can replace a human team with regard to brand identity and interaction is wrong. Humans bring sensitivity, empathy, and cultural understanding to any branding venture. Human effort and AI strategy must work together to improve strategic input and drive brand strategy.

Brands must adapt to these rapidly changing technologies to keep up with an audience that has a plethora of choices in the market. Emerging technologies should be monitored closely, and should be used to maintain relevance and a competitive edge. While there is still progress to be made on the AI front, brands may also find it prudent to keep abreast of data protection laws and ensure that there is no breach of privacy for their audience that gives their information trustfully and willingly. Companies that can embrace a good balance between AI and human-centric work, as well as ethical data practices, can revolutionise their strategy and efficacy, build a loyal audience, and position themselves as frontrunners in their respective industries.

DISCLAIMER: The views expressed are solely of the author and Adgully.com does not necessarily subscribe to it.
Vidyakul, Indias largest state board focused edtech startup, has academically empowered 1 million girls in UP, Bihar and Gujarat through its Project Saraswati initiative. The initiative has enabled girls from outlying communities to complete their high school education, who otherwise would have been forced to drop out of school for child labor or marriage. Project Saraswati offers low cost online education and offline assistance to each girl child across 500+ villages where Vidyakul operates. This initiative is in line with the Government of Indias Beti Bachao Beti Padhao campaign.

Launched in 2023, this was Vidyakuls first edition of Project Saraswati. The company aims to take it deeper in small towns in the next two years targeting 7-8 million girl students who are devoid of basic educational resources. Under this initiative, Vidyakul offers scholarships and free subscriptions to academically promising girls, making sure there are no barriers to education. With Vidyakuls help girls are now completing primary education and earning graduate degrees from top tier colleges/universities like SRCC, Miranda House, BHU, etc. A key impact of this initiative has been the shift of parental attitudes towards breaking resistance against girl education.

Vidyakul is an after-school tutoring app that offers online education to state board students of UP, Bihar, and Gujarat (grades 9-12). Often overlooked by mainstream education players, Vidyakul helps these students complete primary education at just 300/month, industrys lowest priced subscription. Some notable stories include Nutan Kumari (Bihar state rank holder), Misti Palak (district topper from Bihar) and Vaishnavi Dwivedi (UPs district rank holder). More than 50% learners on Vidyakul are girls which indicates girls in Tier-3, 4 and beyond have higher academic inclination.

Tarun Saini, Co-founder and CEO, Vidyakul said, Financial challenges in remote areas of Bharat often lead families to prioritize their sons' education over their daughters. Girls often juggle between household chores and overlook studies. Recognizing this unfortunate reality, we started Project Saraswati to deliver affordable, home-based, high-quality learning to girls. We want to unlock the potential girls in Bharat hold.

Manasvi Unadkat, a 100% visually challenged student who scored 94.93 percentile in 10th Gujarat Board exam using free education resources from Vidyakul, said My family did not have the courage to educate me because they thought it was impossible, but Vidyakuls free special educational resources for me made my dream possible. I am just one case, there are millions of fellow sisters who are going through worse situations, I hope Project Saraswati reaches them and protects their future.
Tanishq, Indias largest jewellery retail brand from the Tata Group, and De Beers Group, the worlds leading diamond company, have announced a long-term strategic collaboration to connect more Indian consumers with the rarity and preciousness of natural diamonds and amplify the growing opportunity in the Indian market.

The collaboration will focus on building extensive consumer outreach, deepening capabilities of Tanishqs retail staff to communicate about natural diamonds, educating consumers about authenticity, and shaping customer experiences as they explore their desire for natural diamonds and studded jewellery. This will also be supported by a compelling 360-degree marketing campaign to build awareness and target expanding the customer base in the country, including first time buyers.

The new collaboration builds on the existing relationship between Tanishq and De Beers, with Tanishq already using De Beers proprietary diamond verification technology to support the assurance of the authenticity of its products. The two parties are also in talks regarding opportunities to collaborate on traceability, how Tanishqs diamond supply needs can best be met and further opportunities to use De Beers proprietary technologies to support pipeline integrity.

In an exclusive conversation with Adgully, Pelki Tshering, Chief Marketing Officer, Tanishq, and Amit Pratihari, Managing Director, De Beers India, share insights into the latest collaboration, strategies for the upcoming Onam and wedding season, the evolving trends in the Indian jewellery market, what to expect in the second half of the year, and much more.

Tanishq consistently stays ahead of the curve: Pelki Tshering

Tanish has a strong presence in the Indian market. How does the Onam and the wedding season impact your market strategies and collections? Could you share your special plans for this season?

When we look at the jewelry market, it is heavily tied to the festival calendar throughout the year. No matter which festival we're talking about, depending on the customer or the region they belong to, we design and launch collections specifically for that market. For example, one of our most popular campaigns during the year is for Diwali. Each year during Diwali, we focus on understanding what excites the consumer, what is modern and trendy, because, at the end of the day, we're catering to a traditional yet modern Indian consumer.

Using this as an anchor, we create deeply designed story collections. Recently, for example, in Tamil Nadu, we launched the Arpunam collection during the Adi festival. Similarly, for Onam, we identify key pieces that we believe resonate with consumers, balancing traditional jewelry with modern elements. Both of these festivals are heavily gold-focused, so its essential to consider not only what the consumer wants to wear but also where she is in her jewelry journey. Does she prefer diamonds, or is it a traditional festival that calls for something more elaborate?

Whether it's Onam, Adi, Varalakshmi, or Diwali, we keep the consumer at the heart of our designs, launching collections or pieces that are rooted in the festival's significance yet aligned with modern sensibilities.

Tanishqs collaboration with De Beers is a significant move. How do you plan to leverage this partnership in your marketing efforts? What are the key messages you aim to convey to your audience?

At the end of the day, this is not just a marketing collaborationmarketing is just one of the elements. However, if we look at it purely from a marketing perspective, what are we really saying? We're saying that modern Indian consumers today still desire diamonds. They aspire to wear diamonds, but they may need some guidance to make the right choice and get what is best for them.

A large part of our marketing activities will likely focus on this, where we continue to sell what she desires and aspires to own through beautiful jewelry pieces that she likes. At the same time, we'll be doing major outreach and education, ensuring that consumers know exactly what they are paying for and what they are being told about the product. This is particularly important given the confusion between natural diamonds and other options. So, while we continue to build desire, education will be a key element in our strategy.

Tanishq has a strong retail network across India. How do you plan to address the needs and preferences of customers in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities through this collaboration?

In both tier-two and tier-three markets today, we're increasingly observing a significant trend. One of the key factors we've discussed is market penetration. This penetration and expansion are happening in tier-two and tier-three cities. The beautiful thing is that with the proliferation of media, this phenomenon is no longer confined to metros; it's spreading across segments. Its now a tier-one, tier-two phenomenon where everyone aspires to have a diverse repertoire of jewelry.

Unlike in the past, when it was predominantly a gold market, various kinds of jewelry, including diamond jewelry, are now becoming popular among consumers, whether in cities or smaller towns. For occasions like weddings, people are experimenting more with the materials they usebe it gold jewelry, diamond jewelry, polki jewelry, or emeralds incorporated into diamonds.

So, even in tier-one and tier-two markets, one of the biggest outcomes of this collaboration will be education. While consumers generally understand gold better than diamonds, we've introduced tools like the karat meter for gold many years ago. With diamonds, we've educated consumers about the four Cs and how to assess the kind of diamond they want. However, given the noise in the industry today, we believe that an association like this will help us explain the importance of natural diamonds and guide consumers on how to buy the right natural diamond if they wish to do so.

From Tanishqs perspective, what are the major trends or shifts you anticipate in the diamond jewelry sector in India? How do you plan to stay ahead of these trends?

When it comes to Tanishq, we've always believed in creating deeply meaningful design stories. For instance, our latest collection, Enchanted Trails, wasn't just designed on a whim. We've drawn inspiration from what resonates with the modern Indian consumer. Enchanted Trails is inspired by flora and fauna, like the Sundarbans and the forest. Last year, we introduced Tales of Mystique, which drew inspiration from royalty. Due to these deep design stories, each piece sometimes takes us eight to nine months to craft. This commitment to design is how Tanishq consistently stays ahead of the curve.

From a trend perspective, there's a beautiful balance emerging. When we talk about high-value jewelry, people are increasingly seeking intricate design stories combined with modern, versatile pieces. For example, if someone purchases a large piece, they want to be able to wear it with both ethnic and modern attire. On the other hand, diamonds being worn on a daily basis has become a significant trend. Whether it's a small pair of earrings or a simple pendant, like the one I'm wearing today, these pieces have become essential. The focus is on versatility, modern aesthetics, and creating designs that are deeply rooted in tradition while being adaptable to contemporary styles.

How has the H1 been for the entire jewelry industry? What are the key and notable trends and changes that you have observed?

At the sector level, we've all been discussing this from the company's perspective. For the industry as a whole, there might have been a bit of a slowdown, especially in gold, mainly due to the high gold rates, which led people to postpone their purchases. The wedding season, for instance, wasn't as robust as last year. Factors like the elections, the heat wave, and people simply not coming out to shop contributed to this. However, the beauty of the situation is that recently there's been a significant shift. People are either catching up on their postponed purchases or even preponing their shopping because the wedding season is around the corner. So, exciting times are ahead, and we're feeling very positive and upbeat about the way things are going.

What are the notable shifts in consumer behavior that you observe for the H2?

I don't think consumer behavior changes so quickly between the first and second halves of the year. What might change is when they choose to buy. So, when consumers buy, there are two lenses through which they make their purchase decisions: adornment and investment. The investment conversation and factors can impact what happens in the first half versus the second half of the year. However, when it comes to trends related to adornment, it's a slightly longer-lasting phenomenon, so it will remain consistent. But, of course, in the second half, you do have a very heavy wedding season approaching, along with Diwali.

In terms of growth ad spends, what are your expectation from H2?

I think the growth is already evident. Theres significant growth that will continue in the second half of the year. Quarter three has always been a crucial period for the entire jewelry industry, especially because of Diwali, weddings, and other events. So, there will definitely be ad spend and investment, aligned with how the yearly calendar unfolds.

Amit Pratihari

With the festive season of Onam and the upcoming wedding season, how do you see these occasions influencing diamond jewelry trends in India? Are there any specific collections or promotions that De Beers is focusing on during this time?

In India, when it comes to jewelry, we naturally find reasons and occasions to buy and celebrate with it. Jewelry, as a category, is a symbol of happiness, prosperity, and all the good things it can bring to life. The festive season of Diwali and the New Year is a significant time and a big business opportunity for brands. We have some exciting plans in the works, and we will be launching our collections in the coming months to cater to the Diwali season.

De Beers is renowned for its marketing innovations. Can you elaborate on how you plan to market this new collaboration in India? What strategies will be used to reach the target audience?

I believe this collaboration has been executed in a very thoughtful manner. As the leading jeweler in the country, Tanishq represents trust. If I may take the liberty to say, Tanishq is truly Indias jewelerevery Indian loves to buy from Tanishq and trusts it for the value it brings. Of course, the product is paramount, but the transparency with which Tanishq sells its products is equally important.

On the other hand, De Beers is the worlds largest diamond mining company, holding the top position for more than 130 years. This collaboration is not just about increasing the diamond business; its a partnership that happened because both companies share the same philosophy. Both Tanishq and De Beers believe in transparency, a consumer-first approach, and a commitment to giving back to society. These shared values are what brought us together, beyond just business opportunities.

Imagine two great companies coming togetherit will not only benefit the business but also elevate the entire category. This association is a reinforcement of both companies' commitment to natural diamonds, bringing transparency to the end customer. It ensures that when they purchase a product from Tanishq, it is responsibly sourced, possibly through De Beers. This partnership serves as a great confidence booster for the end customer.

How does De Beers plan to engage with consumers in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities in India? Are there any specific initiatives or strategies designed to cater to these markets?

For this collaboration, our approach is centered around leveraging Tanishq's extensive reach to connect with all customers. Tanishq will serve as the face of the entire communication effort, and we will work in parallel to ensure that the message is clearly conveyed and well-understood, thereby building consumer confidence. We will utilize Tanishq's platform to effectively build and reinforce this narrative.

What do you believe will be the key trends shaping the future of the diamond jewelry industry in India? How is De Beers preparing to adapt to these changes?

I believe there is a noticeable shift happening from purchasing large, one-time jewelry pieces to opting for everyday jewelry. This partnership with Tanishq represents a unique story. When you visit a Tanishq store, you'll find jewelry for every occasion. With this new association, we will ensure that these offerings are communicated more effectively, allowing us to better capture the opportunities present in the market.

How has the H1 been for the entire jewelry industry? What are the key and notable trends and changes that you have observed?

I believe the first quarter has been very positive for most retailers in the market, and as a company, we see it as a strong start. However, the last couple of months have been somewhat slow due to seasonal trends. Despite this, we are looking forward to the upcoming season with optimism, and I am confident that we will achieve double-digit growth.

What are the notable shifts in consumer behavior that you observe for the H2?

I mentioned earlier the types of jewelry that customers are now seeking. They are increasingly looking for pieces with a more meaningful design language. This is a new trendpeople no longer want to buy just any jewelry. They want to purchase jewelry that matches their personality and reflects their emotions. This is where the focus is shifting, and work is being done to cater to this emerging preference.

In terms of growth ad spends, what are your expectation from H2?

As I mentioned, we are expecting around 15% to 20% growth in the second half of the year, and the outlook appears positive.
Three people are dead and one is injured after a SUV veered off the road and crashed into a tree in south Alabama, according to police.

The single-vehicle crash happened about 6 a.m. Monday on Sam Avenue in Mount Vernon, about a mile east of Highway 43, according to the Mount Vernon Police Department.

Residents of the area told WKRG that they heard a loud explosion shortly before the crash.

According to officials, once the SUV hit the tree, it immediately caught on fire. Three people were confirmed dead, while the fourth was taken to an area hospital.

The injured persons condition is currently unknown at this time.

Officials with the Mount Vernon Police Department are still investigating the incident.
An Alabama Republican sheriff wants to see youths under age 21 required to purchase a permit to carry a concealed weapon, and hes gathering information to see if there can be an effort to change the permitless carry law in the Alabama Legislature.

Mobile County Sheriff Paul Burch told AL.com last week that young offenders have increasingly been those involved in gun and gang-related violence in the past year, and that requiring them to carry a permit would give law enforcement a tool to seize the firearms before they are used violently.

I agree with the argument that the people committing these crimes will get a gun regardless of what the law said, said Burch. But right now, we dont have the ability to take it from them.

He added, I think what would help in maybe moving in this right direction is to have some education for law enforcement, as well, that this isnt (targeted at) the school teacher who left a gun in their car. Common sense comes along with this. But when you got a group of people riding around at 2 in the morning with multiple guns in the car, there is no good intention there.

Burch said he plans to approach lawmakers to gauge interest in his proposal, including the primary contributors to the permitless carry bill that was approved by lawmakers in 2022, and signed into law.

One of the chief proponents of the bill was Rep. Shane Stringer, R-Citronelle, a former Captain within the Mobile County Sheriffs Office who was removed from his position in 2021, because of differing views about a statewide permitless carry law with then-Sheriff Sam Cochran. Stringer did not return a call for comment.

Alabama became the 25th state in the U.S. to approve a permitless carry law in 2022 amid a push by gun rights groups and a looming election that year. The approval came above the objection of law enforcement officials, particularly county sheriffs who were worried about public safety and revenue losses.

Its unclear if any effort to undo the permitless carry law will have any interest from the Republican-dominated Legislature.

The gun lobby will likely have pause.

NRA supports the right of all law-abiding adults to carry without government permission, said Randy Kozuch, executive director with the National Rifle Associations Institute for Legislative Action.

Former Baldwin County Sheriff Huey Hoss Mack, the new executive director with the Alabama Sheriffs Association, told AL.com last month that he didnt anticipate any legislation coming forward on permitless carry, saying the sheriffs have accepted the law that lawmakers passed. He said sheriffs have reached out to their county commissioners to handle the decreased revenues from the permit fees, and that taxpayers  via General Funds  are supplementing the losses.

Burch said hes just trying to gauge interest right now, and only recently came up with the idea about instituting a permit requirement for youths who carry concealed guns.

Related content: Alabamas permitless carry law stirs questions, concerns among law enforcement, gun rights group

I think it would help law enforcement toward tackling the gun violence and arresting and seizing those guns used in crimes prior to a shooting having occurred, Burch said. I dont know how it will be received, but I think its a discussion that needs to be had.
RAGLEY, La.  Investigators are trying to determine the cause of an explosion that destroyed a southwest Louisiana home, killing a teenage boy from Alabama and injuring five other people.

Louisiana State Fire Marshal Bryan J. Adams said the explosion happened Saturday morning. Firefighters arrived to find the house burning. The explosion leveled the house, throwing debris for some distance and seriously damaging nearby vehicles and a metal outbuilding.

Killed was Deuce Barrere, 16, of Theodore, Alabama, local news outlets reported. Five other people were taken to hospitals including Barreres older sister and mother. Adams said a toddler who was in the house was not injured and is being cared for by relatives.

This is an unimaginable tragedy for this family and community, Adams said in a statement.

Friends of Duece Barrere who gathered on Dauphin Island, Alabama, on Sunday to remember him told WALA-TV that he was a high school cheerleader.

When I was upset, he always made sure it was good before I left, and he always made sure everybody here was happy, said Adalynn Hall, who said she was Barreres girlfriend.

Some nearby residents told KPLC-TV that the explosion felt like an earthquake, and that the resulting shock wave knocked items to the floor in their homes and caused power outages.

Ragley is about 20 miles (32 kilometers) north of Lake Charles.
This is an opinion column.

Something smells in north Alabama.

A group recently formed in Albertville to voice concern for the state of the city. Haitians were coming to town to work in a nearby chicken processing plant.

The concern was pretty transparent.

If they are coming from Hati (sic)  THEY ARE GANG members and the ones they put out of the prisons, a now-deleted post on the group Concerned About Albertville Facebook page said. WHO KNOWS they are letting anyone come, could be the worst of the worst? They act like it.

Subscribe to John Archibald's free, weekly newsletter: In your inbox every Tuesday morning. By signing up, you agree to our user agreement and privacy policy

Some Albertville residents, up in arms, gathered at a public hearing on August 13 to air their grievances.

The issue today is the mass migration coming here and what were gonna do about it, one woman said. We have to cut off the housing and thats gonna be number one.

Others agreed.

We have got to stop the housing, a man said. If you stop the housing they wont bring them here because there aint nowhere for them to live.

And then there was this guy:

Im gonna tell you something else. Ive been to Haiti.  Its got a smell to it. These people have smells to them.  These people are not like us. They dont assimilate. They are not here to assimilate. Theyre not here to be Americanized. They are not here to learn Alabama history and they dont care about our schools.

Group members rode around town, a self-appointed posse, searching for zoning violations by immigrants to report to the city. Because they aint like us.

A second public hearing, on August 26, was less caustic, as residents and some immigrants tried to ease tensions and put a less stinky face on the mess. No apologies, little self awareness. The group formed a nonprofit that would try to, well, Americanize immigrants.

It changed its name, too. To Concerned About Alabama.

Stick with Albertville, people. Please.

You can slather lipstick on that piggishness, but its a stain. And its not the only one. Albertville, and Marshall County, have chosen the banners they are proud to hoist. Just look in the cage outside the county courthouse there to see whats important.

A cartoonish Civil War monument, etched into stone with neither artistic nor historical perspective and erected in 1996, 131 years after the war, is fenced off for its own protection. It stands between an Alabama flag left in tatters by neglect and a pristine Confederate Flag that serves not only as a middle finger to residents of color and those who believe in an inclusive Alabama, but a portrait of childish defiance.

KEEP OUT, the sign says. Do not cross, climb, or leave articles on the barrier.

The monument  Im pretty sure even Confederate vets would be shocked by their amateurish depiction on this rock  is protected in part by Alabamas monument preservations act. The flag is another story.

The Alabama flag is tattered and forgotten inside a fence that protects this monument at the Confederate Flag at the Marshall County Courthouse in Albertville.John Archibald

The history the battle flag represents is less about the Civil War than it is the rebellion against civil rights and Alabamas rewriting of history. It was flown as a way to fight desegregation, to glorify the past and justify the actions of ancestors who went to war against their own country rather than to release people from slavery.

Alabama is so afraid of divisive concepts that it wont let students study the sins associated with that flag. But counties can run em up the flagpole and call that history.

Things change fast.

In 2020 news stories proclaimed that the Confederate battle flag in Albertville had been removed from its pole, replaced by the Sons of Confederate Veterans with a less recognizable and controversial flag  a replica of one used during Alabamas secession convention.

But it was a bait and switch, said Unique Dunston, who has been fighting for the flags removal for years as founder of the group Reclaiming Our Time. The battle flag was down only briefly before it flew again.

We protested for weeks and months and nothing ever happened, she said.

Instead, the county passed a resolution limiting protest in front of the courthouse. And put a fence around it. And erected that warning sign.

I think the message is how deeply rooted white supremacy is in Albertville specifically, Dunston said. As late as the early 90s, Albertville was still 98% white. So, its apparently really hard for the local white people to think any differently.

The population in this town has changed, as immigrants came to work jobs at chicken plants that, frankly, many townspeople did not want. About 13% of city residents are now foreign born.

We saw the same pushback when the Hispanic community started coming in, Dunston said. Now were seeing that resurface with the Haitian community.

The reaction is disappointing. There had been signs of progress and acceptance.

In the wake of George Floyds killing in 2020, hundreds gathered in Albertville to acknowledge the injustice of his death, to show unity, Dunston said. But backlash quickly swallowed the progress, same as it did elsewhere.

Unique Dunston, founder of the group Reclaiming Our Time. has fought for removal of the Confederate Flag and the Civil War monument in Albertville, among other things.John Archibald

Things change fast. And not at all.

I always wondered, looking back on Alabamas troubled history, what could prompt white mobs to rail at children as they tried to register for school in places like Birmingham. I wondered what they thought when they saw pictures of themselves in the paper, the spittle flying from their mouths.

I think it serves as a reminder.

It has become popular now, in the name of being anti-woke, to embrace the words of xenophobia and symbols of white supremacy. Not just in places like Albertville but across the world.

It wont always be so popular. So be careful of the words you choose. They might leave a stench.

John Archibald is a two-time Pulitzer winner.
This is a guest opinion

Experience must be our only guide. Reason might mislead us. So said John Dickinson at the Constitutional Convention in 1787, some 237 years ago this month.

As we celebrate the birth of the United States Constitution, Dickinsons admonition is critical to understanding our Founding Fathers thoughts that served as the basis for our constitutional government.

Our Constitution, revered my many, detested by some and imitated worldwide, has stood the test of time. Even with disputes about its meaning and debates about its interpretation, its framework for government still works.

This document was not the product of political scientists or academicians with surveys and samples of how to form a government. Rather, the Constitution was an expression of the colonial experience based on the British structure of government which had enabled the American colonies to develop. Indeed, the constitutional framework was a distillation of the best of the British view of society, rule of law and government, stripped of the dross of monarchy, parliamentary overreach and the elitism of a ruling class.

Our founding fathers had been educated in English schools permeated by practical views of liberty, constitutional government and the common law. From the framework of how the colonies were governed and how colonial society was ordered, there was little innovation; the colonies mirrored the best practices of British society.

Most of the colonists would have been content to remain loyal subjects had Parliament not aggressively attempted to regulate colonial life and enforce impractical legislation on commerce and trade. The mercantile system, for all its economic faults, benefited the mother country by transferring great wealth, but as the cost of maintaining an empire grew, Britain was not content to reap the benefits of trade and sought to impose direct taxation.

The result was to unite what had been 13 separate and distinct colonies, challenge them to consider self-government and foment a revolution that resulted in independence. And, while achieving independence was celebrated wildly, cooler heads realized that with military victory, the easy part was over and now began the hard part of governing.

From the end of the Revolution until the enactment of the Constitution, great debates resounded throughout the colonies to determine how the states might act in concert, what their inter- relationship would be and how they would trade with other countries.

During all these debates, discussions and decisions, no one proposed a new or innovative system of governance. Rather, they harkened back to the tried and true of the colonial experience and used that as the basis for their Government.

One overriding concern was to clearly define how any new government would work. If there was one problem that stood out, it was that the English Constitution was not written down. Even today, students of government are shocked to learn that the English Constitution is not expressed in words on a page, but it is comprised of various traditions, court rulings and legislation from tensions between Parliament and the Monarchy.

Not having a written constitution was a liability when the colonists argued about their rights in the dialogue that created the various misunderstandings with Parliament. What rights did they have? The colonies were formed from separate charters granted by the reigning monarch, but the charters werent documents that created or defined rights. From the colonists viewpoint, Parliament was a nuisance, but at several thousand miles away, it could do little. And what it could do, the colonists ignored, until they sent troops!

But once the states were in charge, defining government took the English traditions and attempted to express them in a minimal sense as a framework going forward. Initially, most of the constitutional work took place on the state level with each state working to reduce to writing how their government would be organized. This was much easier since the states and their various communities of interest had existed before the Revolution and their institutions of government were already expressed in some form.

The unique challenge was how to create a national government. The Continental Congress had some authority, but Washingtons victory was achieved despite that body. Articles of Confederation were tried, but these failed miserably to create a cohesive government to produce stability and foster economic growth. The states initially prospered, but having 13 separate taxes, trade restrictions and currency retarded interstate growth, and with no organized national defense and no comprehensive foreign policy, the division of states power would limit progress and ultimately liberty.

So, in creating a national government, any number of issues had to be addressed. Resolving disputes between the various states and deciding questions about power in government required an exemplar; an appeal to something to support an idea. The delegates had two choices. They could base their new government on their previous experience and use these patterns and practices to develop a national government, or they could appeal to philosophy and the enlightenment theories of government, rights and liberty.

Dickinsons expression conveyed his belief that government based on any theoretical notion was unsound. Rather, he suggested that the new government must be based on practical ideas that worked and resolved problems. He did not view the Constitution as a lab experiment in combining various theories to achieve a result; rather, he wanted a form of government to provide a foundation for the states and the people of each state to produce a framework of limited government, expansive liberty and economic prosperity. In short, he did not see the Constitution as giving rights, but as defining rights already enjoyed and which the colonists had previously experienced.

If there was anything unique in our Constitution, it was creating three co- equal branches that would intentionally limit the power of government. The national government was designed to respect rights that already existed, not create ill-defined rights that could never be enforced.

Dickinsons admonition rings true today. Rather than be guided by theories, academic speculation or international reports, responsible government should look to past experiences and benefit from the tried and true.

Will Sellers is a graduate of Hillsdale College and an Associate Justice on the Supreme Court of Alabama. He is best reached at jws@willsellers.com .










English News China-Africa infrastructure cooperation fosters closer people-to-people connections

Alwihda Info | Par People's Daily - 2 Septembre 2024



Moving forward, by working together to deepen friendly cooperation and advance connectivity, China and Africa will open up more avenues of development and foster stronger people-to-people connections throughout the vast African continent.

By Yan Yu, People's Daily A rehabilitation and modernization project of the Mbuji Mayi-Nguba section of the N1 National Road in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) recently broke ground.



Alexis Gisaro Muvuni, minister of State for Infrastructure and Public Works, driving a wheel loader, personally launched the Chinese-built project.



Muvuni said the N1 National Road is an artery linking Kinshasa, the capital of the DRC, and Lubumbashi, the country's economic hub.



DRC-China cooperation in infrastructure has yielded fruitful results, and China is working to enhance road connectivity in the DRC, bringing benefits to the Congolese people, the minister added.



Across the vast African continent, such vibrant scenes of construction are unfolding almost daily. Building roads, erecting bridges, constructing buildings, establishing factories...



For many years, numerous Chinese engineers have ventured into Africa, bringing advanced technology and rich experience to help improve local infrastructure, connectivity and integration processes.



Improving infrastructure conditions is a common expectation and urgent desire of African countries. As Moussa Faki Mahamat, chairperson of the African Union (AU) Commission, stated, infrastructure development is the cornerstone of Africa's development.



For a long time, weak infrastructure has been a major bottleneck constraining Africa's economic and social development. A study by the Infrastructure Consortium for Africa showed that poor infrastructure such as roads, railways, and harbors has added 30 percent to 40 percent to the costs of goods trade among African countries.



At the opening ceremony of the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) held in 2018, Chinese President Xi Jinping said China will implement eight major initiatives with African countries in the next three years and beyond. Infrastructure connectivity is a key focus of the initiatives.



Under the framework of FOCAC, China has been working with African countries within its capacity to help them improve infrastructure, enhance their capacity for self-growth, and achieve sustainable development.



For instance, the Addis Ababa-Djibouti railway built by Chinese companies stands as Africa's first electrified transboundary railway, symbolizing a new era of regional connectivity and progress.



The New Wami Bridge in Tanzania opened to traffic in October 2022, helping boost local agriculture, mining, transportation and other sectors with great economic and social significance.



The Chinese-built Kafue Lower Gorge Power Station in Zambia was put into operation in March 2023, generating stable electricity that powers the lives of local residents.



Statistics showed that since the founding of FOCAC, Chinese companies have built and upgraded more than 10,000 kilometers of railways, nearly 100,000 kilometers of roads, roughly 1,000 bridges, nearly 100 ports, and a large number of hospitals and schools in Africa.



Today, the practical cooperation between China and Africa in infrastructure connectivity has achieved fruitful results.

Infrastructure plays a vital role in the growth of industries.



The Foundiougne Bridge in Senegal, constructed by China Railway Seventh Group, was officially opened in 2022. It has not only become one of the main arteries connecting the north and south of the country but has also reduced the time and cost of travel from Senegal to neighboring countries.



The 46MW Biovea biomass power plant currently under construction by China Energy Engineering Corporation in Cote d'Ivoire is expected to be completed and generate electricity by 2025. This project will provide power supply for 1.7 million local people and benefit 12,000 palm growers, increasing their income by about 20 percent.



Besides, China General Technology (Group) Holding Co., Ltd (Genertec) has participated in the design, procurement, construction, and operation of more than 2,000 communication towers in Ghana, which serve over 3 million people in the country's rural areas.



All of these vividly illustrate the cooperation between China and Africa to advance infrastructure connectivity and promote economic and social development of African countries.



Well-built infrastructure brings closer people-to-people exchanges.



Since its completion, the Addis Ababa-Djibouti Railway, linking Ethiopia and Djibouti, has provided job opportunities for over 55,000 people in local areas.



In Bissau, capital of Guinea-Bissau, local fishermen say that with the Bandim Fishing Port, constructed with Chinese assistance, it is more convenient to go fishing on the sea, and their income has improved significantly.



In the Kenyan coastal city of Mombasa, the Liwatoni Floating Bridge, the first floating bridge in East Africa built by a Chinese company, has greatly facilitated local residents crossing the sea.



The accelerated advancement of China-Africa infrastructure connectivity is bringing tangible benefits to African people.



It is thrilling to see the continuous development of infrastructure connectivity cooperation between China and Africa, which has been expanded from transportation facilities to production-oriented and life-service-oriented infrastructure connectivity, including logistics centers and industrial parks. Besides, such cooperation has extended into new infrastructure areas such as finance, internet, and digital information.



In recent years, China and Africa have been deepening digital cooperation. Chinese companies are actively participating in the construction of digital infrastructure in Africa, including submarine and land cables, 5G networks, and data centers, bringing more convenience to African users.



Moving forward, by working together to deepen friendly cooperation and advance connectivity, China and Africa will open up more avenues of development and foster stronger people-to-people connections throughout the vast African continent.



Dans la meme rubrique : < > Immersive cultural, tourism activities on the rise across China Fruit trade between China, ASEAN thrives U.S. tariff hike on China a protectionist move that goes against trend of times Pour toute information, contactez-nous au : +(235) 99267667 ; 62883277 ; 66267667 (Bureau N'Djamena)
There comes a time in a rocky relationship when one or both of the parties asks, Why am I doing this? If you listen carefully, the coming Great Educational Divorce whispers are everywhere as nearly 50 million American children return to American public schools this Fall.

After the Wuhan Flu pandemic and shutdown of 2020-21, many students who attended school before the outbreak still have not returned. Teachers disillusioned with the hall of mirrors profession that never met a leftist position it did not like have left to pursue other interests in unprecedented numbers. Parents fed up with the grooming and leftist indoctrination taking place in government schools are opting for homeschooling or other educational options.

Meanwhile, educrats continue whistling in the dark as if the problems voiced by students, parents, and taxpayers do not exist. They eagerly give each other awards to distract themselves from widespread indications that the quality of American Public Education is mediocre and getting worse.

Image by AI

Something similar is happening in our colleges and universities. The Democrats and the left-leaning members of our society are happy enough with whats being taught in these institutions, but even they wonder with conservatives why the cost of college education rises faster than other commodities in our society.

There have been times in American history when people have stuck their heads out the window and shouted, Im mad as hell, and Im not taking this anymore! (Network, Peter Finch, 1976). If you turn off your iPhone and your big-screen TV, you can hear Americans yelling about education.

Not long ago, for example, I was reporting to work as a substitute at a nearby high school. A young female, her mother, and her father were leaving the same high school. They were engaged in a lively discussion about how the administration was not hearing their complaints about the bullying the daughter was experiencing. They did not look happy.

I guess many educrats think to themselves, We run a monopoly, and anyway, where are the complainers going to go? As I suggested earlier, the exodus has already begun. The nonreturners from COVID are out there. Homeschooling is on the rise as public school attendance is decreasing.

The American educrats seem to forget that our nation was born in rebellion. King George III may have had his own version of We run a monopoly and anyway, where are the complainers going to go? How did that work out for him?

Since our beginning, Americans have encountered The Whiskey Rebellion, the Nat Turner Uprising, Bleeding Kansas, the publication of Uncle Toms Cabin, the election of Abraham Lincoln, the shelling of Fort Sumpter, the Secession of the Southern States, The Civil War, Reconstruction, Abolition, and The Great Depression.

Educrats forget that students and parents are their clients. What would happen, lets say hypothetically, if many other students joined those who have not returned to school since the pandemic? What would old Joe Biden do? What would Kamala do? What if truancy grew to the point that education became untenable? Would the educrats notice? Would they listen?

An Education Rebellion is coming. American parents are mad as hell, students are being cheated, and a tipping point is coming.

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.
While were focusing on the American election, interesting things are happening in Germanyand they reflect deep dissatisfaction with the current governments immigration policies (open borders for Islam) and its green policies (the destruction of Germanys once-thriving manufacturing sector). Whats especially fascinating is one of the biggest political changes is coming from the left, in the form of the Sahra Wagenknecht Party.

Im not particularly current on Germanys political scene and Ive always found its parliamentary system confusing. Theres also the problem of European nomenclature regarding the terms left and right, so lets start with those.

The terms left and right originated during the French Revolution, when the revolutionary members of parliament sat to the speakers left while the monarchy-supporting members sat to the speakers right. The former wanted a change to the system; the latter wanted to maintain the status quo.

However, none imagined liberty as we do in America, and thats true despite the revolutionaries motto of liberty, brotherhood, and equality. Both sides were about control, and thats continued to be how the system works in Europe. The American notion of liberty, which is freedom from government, is not a European concept, where left and right mean pure communism versus less pure communism.

Image: Sahra Wagenknecht. YouTube screen grab.

That less pure communism actually began in Germany under Otto von Bismarck, when he had the government start state welfare, the first of its kind in world history. To appreciate whats happening in Germany now, its important to understand that Germans have had soft socialism for 140 years.

Bismarck hoped that this social safety net would keep the real socialists out of power. He never intended to embrace all the tenets of socialism. His goal was to retain the traditional social and political structure, complete with obedience to the church and the monarchy. He failed in this goal but it still wove itself into Germanys warp and woof.

Since WWII, Germanys politics have seesawed between leftism and conservativismbut, again, you must remember that conservativism has always been soft socialism, not America-style liberty. The government is in charge.

Former German Chancellor Angela Merkel was raised in the former Eastern Germany under hard socialism, complete with the secret police and total government control. When she was chancellor, she governed under the banner of the Christian Democratic Union of Germany, which was called center-right but which, by American standards, is pretty left. (Are you still with me?)

It was Merkels government that opened Europe to the Muslim invasion that began in 2015 and continues to this day. That invasion, and the crime it begat, is one of the reasons that Italy voted in an anti-immigration conservative. (The nomenclature issue is the same in Italy as it is in Germany.)

Currently, Germanys Chancellor is Olaf Scholz, an open leftist. He came into office in 2021 under the banner of the Social Democratic Party of Germany, which is even more pro-immigration than Merkel was.

All these governments, of course, have been all-in on the whole green scheme. This has meant destroying Germanys hydrocarbon-based energy output in favor of green energy. In 2021 (the same year Scholz took over Germany), the government had to instruct people about how to make heaters out of flower pots using candles to offset the constant brownouts they were experiencing.

Although its been 35 years since the Berlin Wall came down and Germany was reunified, there are still differences between the two sides of Germany. For purposes of this post, the most important is that the former East Germans vividly remember totalitarianism, which saw the government control them so tightly that even their vocabulary had to conform to government mandates. Thanks to political correctness, the current government still mandates thought and language controls.

Saxony and Thuringia were once part of East Germany, and they created an earthquake on the German political scene this weekend during regional elections:

Berlins three governing parties received a combined total of around 10-13% of the vote. Meanwhile, the Right-wing Alternative for Germany (AfD) secured over 30% of the vote in both states, becoming the first party in Thuringia. Despite this strong showing the party remains isolated, as no other party is willing to form a coalition with it. This leaves the AfD in a paradoxical position: popular, but unable to translate its success into political power. The main opposition party, the centre-right Christian Democratic Union (CDU), maintained its hold on Saxony by a tiny margin. [snip] The CDU now finds itself weakened, unable to form coalitions without compromising its traditional stances or striking alliances that would have been unthinkable a few years ago. One such possible alliance is with the newly formed Left-populist Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance (BSW)  an option that is currently being explored by both parties. Incredibly, the BSW is now the third-largest party in both states: an impressive feat for a party that was launched just a few months ago.

So, what are the AfD and the BSW? Well, the AfD is painted as far right, a term that can mean anything from not communist to Nazi. (Ignore that the Nazis were fascist socialists as opposed to the socially acceptable communist socialists. Nowadays, Nazi is a shorthand for German white supremacists.) In this case, the AfD is actually both not communist and Nazi.

The AfD party espouses German nationalism and opposes immigration, purportedly supports democratic elections, opposes climate madness, and dislikes the EU. So far, so good. None of those things means that the AfD has to go full Nazi and kill Jews, gypsies, or homosexuals while seeking world domination. However, leaders of the AfD (e.g, Bjorn Hocke) are Holocaust deniers. So, while their country is flooded with Muslims who seek sharia control, they do the German thing and go after the Jews.

It appears that the AfDs wins in Saxony and Thuringia werent about Jews, though, but were about opposing governing coalition and having had a snootful of illegal immigration, the destruction of Germanys traditional culture, and the green war on the industrial sector.

The BSW is an even more interesting party, especially because its only a few months old: It basically harkens back to Otto von Bismarck. Sahra Wagenknecht was always a hardcore leftist, but she now wants a socialist economy with a traditional culture. I wouldnt be surprised if her party isnt the last party standing in a year or so.

The Democrat party should be worried about whats happening in Germany. It turns out that, even in a country with a very limited history and understanding of liberty, when people get the chance, they will vote out those who flood their country with people whose values are antithetical to theirs, who destroy the economy in service to the green ideology, and who mandate woke thought control.

If youre interested, this video offers a deeper dive into the election:
Knock knock, it's Governor Walzs brother. He is got something to say about Brother Tim, or Lady K's running mate. Let's check this one from Jon Levine:

Democratic vice presidential candidate Tim Walz is not the type of character who should make decisions about Americas future, his older brother warned in a series of damning Facebook comments this week. Im 100% opposed to all his ideology, Jeff Walz declared Friday evening about the far-left Minnesota governor and running mate of Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris. And he has so little faith in his kid brother, Jeff Walz is now considering publicly endorsing former President Trumps White House run, he told a Facebook poster who urged him to Get on stage with President Trump and endorse him.

Talk about a fastball between your eyes. I cannot remember the last time that a brother came out like this against his sibling on the ticket. I guess that you'd expect a brother to stay quiet or issue supportive statements. Not this brother.

According to Brother Jeff, Tim has a credibility, not grammar problem. As many of us believe, Governor Walz has not told the truth concerning his military service. Why are there videos of the governor talking about Afghanistan? It would be simple if Walz holds a press conference and clarifies the confusion. I am open minded and would love to listen, but he is hiding. A man hiding is afraid to answer questions and that's a problem.

So it's another Labor Day and politics in the air. The big issues are whether Madame K worked in McDonalds or Tims brother is going to spill the beans.

P.S. Check out my blog for posts, podcasts and videos.

Image: Lorie Shaull
All pro-life people need to support and vote for Trump in the 2024 election. They need to take the huge, giant W (aka the win) on abortion that the Supreme Court gave America with the Dobbs decision and carry their fight against abortion to the state level. They also must understand that the moral fight over abortion is inextricably intertwined with the greatest cancer of 20th-century American government, namely, judicial activism. If we lose this one, weve lost the nation.

This is how close we are:

They want to overthrow The Constitution pic.twitter.com/d1g35Vavwy  Elon Musk (@elonmusk) September 1, 2024

A vocal minority of pro-life supporters are claiming that Trump has turned his back on the pro-life cause. A number are threatening to withhold their vote for Trump because of it, while in the most extreme cases, some claim they will vote for Harris. Many of these people are well-meaning, but they dont understand the law nor why Trumps position is as pro-life as possible. And they do not appreciate the existential stakes at issue.

Our Constitution, at Article I Section 8, enumerates the limited areas in which the federal legislature may create laws. Abortion is not mentioned there, nor is it mentioned in the Bill of Rights. Thus, for 186 years after Americans ratified the Constitution in 1787, abortion was wholly an issue of state law. During this time, abortion was never mentioned in a Republican Party platform.

That changed in 1973 when seven activist judges used Roe v Wade to usurp the power of the people to amend the Constitution by penning a right to abortion on the margins. But in truth, this was just one of a series of radical and unconstitutional Supreme Court decisions that have dramatically altered our nations fabric.

Since they took root on our shores around 1900, progressives have always looked at the Constitution as an impediment to their goals and have sought a way around it. Progressive justices have been methodically removing Jewish and Christian religions from the public square for well over a century, turning our nation ever more secular and atheist. Roe v. Wade was the centerpiece of an equally long effort to use sex to attack religion and the role of the family. In the 1964 case of Reynolds v, Sims, the Court did away with geographical representation as the basis for state legislatures, turning our states into democracies akin to those our Founders decried. Indeed, we are eating its bitter fruit now as states become ever more dominated by their urban centers and ever more radical in their politics.

These are just a few of the ways in which progressives and judicial activists have unconstitutionally worked fundamental changes to our nation. And they promise to continue doing so if not stopped.

That hard stop may have come with Dobbs vs. Jackson Womens Health Organization. The decision accomplished two goals.

First, Dobbs moved abortion back to state law, where it had been for most of our nations history. That happened because Donald Trump, true to his word, appointed originalist judges who honored the Founders intentions. As Justice Thomas wrote in Gonzalez v. Carhart, abortion has no basis in the Constitution, and federal regulation of abortion was not a permissible exercise of Congress' power under the Commerce Clause...

Second, if Dobbs stands and is honored, it sounds the death knell for judicial activism. It gives teeth to the Tenth Amendments statement that any rights not explicitly written in the Constitution can only be recognized if they had a firm basis in law and custom at our founding. This makes Dobbs as important for abortion and morality as it is for the law and the continued existence of our Republic.

What Trump accomplished with Dobbs is to put the abortion question beyond the reach of federal legislators. It is up to those who oppose abortion to see that their policies are reflected in state law. The only other way to regulate or abolish abortion is through an Article V constitutional amendment.

To those who want to restrict abortion, this is everything that they could ask for under our constitutional Republic. They should not be upset that Trump will not sign federal laws restricting abortion; they should be thankful that the federal government does not have that power. And they should be mindful that if Harris gets elected, Dobbs will not be respected, judicial activism will return, and Harris will reinstate unlimited abortion in federal law.

Image by AI.
Dodgeballs Ben Stiller recently noted that he is supporting Kamala Harris because ... wait for it ... it is time for change.

The Zoolander star, when asked by a journalist why he was supporting the Harris campaign, stated that he is: Very excited about moving forward and all the energy and excitement that is around this movement right now, adding because it is time for change, and it seems like it is happening. Stiller seems very excited about the excitementand moved by the movement. In that sense, he sounds much like Harris. No wonder hes so fond of her. Neither of them seem ever to mention policies or substantive issues. Too wrapped up in the joy, I guess.

Then again, Stiller recently said the reason he was donating $150,000 to Harris campaign was because he wished he was black. He exclaimed: Its going to be the first woman president, and thats incredibly exciting. Shes Indian, shes black, shes everything. You can be more than one thing. Its incredible. Im Jewish and Irish. I wish I was black. Every white Jewish guy wishes he was black. Sounds like some kind of envy to me.

I doubt Harris is everything. In fact, I know she isnt highly intelligent. Nor is she a Buddhist. Or a radish, for that matter. Is Harris somehow unique in being more than one thing?

Well, Trump was the first orange president, and that was incredibly exciting to some of us. Moreover, he was the first president with the initials DJT to be born in Queens, N.Y. on June 14, 1946. (Is it a coincidence he was born on Flag Day? I think not.) And he was the first to be married to a first lady named Melania. Amazing.

Note to Mr. Focker: Kamala has been in office for going on four years now. (It seems like longer.) She is effectively part of the third Obama term.

It is time for a change. Thats for damn sure. A change from the divisive and pathetic Marxist Lite, America Last policies weve suffered through for nearly 12 of the past 16 years.

Image: Gage Skidmore, via Wikimedia Commons // CC BY-SA 2.0 Deed
Kamala, who has never spoken to the families of those who died during the Biden administrations botched withdrawal from Afghanistan, thought it would be a good idea to attack Donald Trump for accepting the Gold Star families ceremony at Arlington. The Trump response was to publish videos of those same families attacking Harris and Biden. This should have warned Democrats away from this topic, but they cant let go, right down to the fact that Rep. Jamie Raskin (who wants to change the law to keep Trump out of office) has decided to launch a formal investigation.

To catch you up on events, in 2021, rather than conducting a carefully phased withdrawal from Afghanistan, complete with keeping the Talibans testicles in a vice at all times to protect American gains, American allies, and American troops, the Biden administration bugged out. As well as abandoning Afghan allies to the Talibans revenge, as well as leaving behind a treasure trove of American weapons, the pullout was so chaotic that 13 American troops died during a final attack.

Memorably, when their bodies were returned to America, although Joe Biden did attend the dignified transfer service, he kept checking his watch:

It's true. Joe Biden checked his watch during the dignified transfer of the servicemembers killing in Afghanistan at the airport. You can see him jerk his left hand to pull the watch out from under his sleeve, then look down at it. pic.twitter.com/M3QVzJbTIm  Nicholas Fondacaro (@NickFondacaro) August 29, 2021

That was not dignified, kind, or respectful. Kamala Harris did not attend the service. Neither has had any contact with the Gold Star families since then. Fast forward to last week: The Gold Star families invited Donald Trump to a service at Arlington being held to honor their dead. Im unclear whether the families invited Biden or Harris. If they were not invited, its because the families are still angry over the incompetence that led to their loved ones deaths, as well as the administrations ignoring them in the years since. If they were invited, they chose not to go. While Kamala stayed home, Joe was lounging on the beach:

Guess which picture regime media are trying to pretend is the real scandal? pic.twitter.com/9iR1IW8epy  Sean Davis (@seanmdav) August 29, 2024

Once at Arlington, a Pentagon employee tried to block Trumps team, claiming that they could not film or take photographs there. Thats nonsense. The rule prohibits using Arlington for disrespectful political purposes, something obviously intended to prevent rallies, speeches, commercials, raves, etc. Filming happens constantly, as evidenced by news teams filming the ceremony. Biden used footage of himself at Arlington in his 2020 campaign.

The same employee now claims that the Trump team physically tussled with her, a claim that the Trump team says is defamatory. The Army chose to get involved by backing the employee in a passive-aggressive way. Im sure the Army response has nothing to do with the fact that Trump has repeatedly stated that he intends to remove woke people from the Pentagon so that the military can return to its job of defending the American people, not the deviant people.

The ceremony was respectful, and it was dedicated not to Donald Trump but to those who died on Kamalas and Bidens watch:

.@TulsiGabbard: "I was there from the beginning, with the laying of the wreaths with the family members... I was with them at Section 60 and what I saw was a very grave and somber remembrance and honoring of those lives that were lost. And I saw President Trump spending time  at pic.twitter.com/oMzpQM91NH  Trump War Room (@TrumpWarRoom) September 1, 2024

Yesterday, Kamala decided to wade into the fray by accusing Trump of politicizing his visit to Arlington:

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.



It is not a place for politics.



And  Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) August 31, 2024

This was a mistake, given that Kamala boasts about having been the last person in the room when planning the disastrous Afghanistan withdrawal:

Three years ago today, America lost 13 heroic servicemembers in the Abbey Gate terrorist attack.



We honor their memory and will never forget their sacrifice. pic.twitter.com/7KpTfXE8A7  Speaker Mike Johnson (@SpeakerJohnson) August 26, 2024

As noted, Kamala has never spoken to the families or apologized for her role in their deaths.

Several Gold Star families voiced their disgust with the way Kamala and the Democrats were trying to turn a respectful ceremony focused on their children into a political attack. Here are their videos (with more from me after the video embeds):

Jaclyn Schmitz, Mother of Lance Corporal Jared Schmitz https://t.co/CHNRzcTa0J pic.twitter.com/MeACvB310r  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 1, 2024

Steve Nikoui, Father of Lance Corporal Kareem M. Nikoui https://t.co/CHNRzcTa0J pic.twitter.com/e7uRJo8ViA  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 1, 2024

Mark Schmitz, Father of Lance Corporal Jared M. Schmitz https://t.co/CHNRzcTa0J pic.twitter.com/pRLF9tS7Jn  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 1, 2024

Jim McCollum, Father of Lance Corporal Rylee McCollum https://t.co/CHNRzcTa0J pic.twitter.com/BQWZIcZjka  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 1, 2024

Even though this has turned into a political landmine for the Democrats, they arent going to let go. This morning on Meet the Press, Kristen Welker tried to rehabilitate Harris and Biden and attack Trump, but Sen. Tom Cotton politely trampled her arguments:

Amazing video clip!

Senator Tom Cotton just destroyed Kamala Harris's mouthpiece Kristen Welker on Meet The Press this morning.

More of this, please! pic.twitter.com/bERf2aCo4l  Vince Langman (@LangmanVince) September 1, 2024

Now, Rep. Jamie Raskin, the radical Maryland Democrat who vows to keep Trump out of the White House when he wins the election, announced that he will launch a formal investigation into the matter:

Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.) asked the U.S. Army in a letter Friday for a full report and a briefing on former President Trumps visit to Arlington cemetery, after reports of a confrontation between his staff and cemetery officials surfaced. Raskin, the ranking member on the House Oversight Commitee, sent the letter, obtained by The Hill, to Secretary of the Army Christine Wormuth. The lawmaker asked her to provide a report on the incident, including whether the former presidents staff violated federal law or Cemetery rules and whether the Trump campaign informed the families of servicemembers buried at the Cemetery that their gravestones would be used in Mr. Trumps political campaign ads.

One wonders if the Pentagon has the capacity to answer Raskins request honestly. I have my doubts, but Pentagon personnel would be wise to tread carefully in case Trump wins (which I believe he will because I think Kamala has now passed her sell-by date).

The first rule of holes is to stop digging, but the Democrats cant seem to quit this one. They took a small, non-political event and elevated it into a cause celebre, even though it reflects poorly on the administration, the media, and the military. This is not a winning issue for them. They think theyve painted Trump as a monster, but theyve only succeeded in showing that they will stop at nothing, including using the honored dead to smear their political opponent.

Image by Andrea Widburg
What is it about the New York Times op-ed page and every crackpot idea under the sun.

Somehow, they always find each other.

So now we have their latest: kill your air conditioner to save the planet

The Times found some guy in Salina, Kansas, who praises going without and says he does it himself:

Whenever people ask me how my wife and I have endured 25 Kansas summers almost entirely without air-conditioning, I like to say we do it because air-conditioning makes it too hot outside. Were not ascetics, Luddites or misers; we just want to keep living comfortably, indoors and out. Its not just that air-conditioning is making our summers even hotter. (On a sweltering night in a city like Houston, the hot air that A.C. units blast out over the streets can raise outdoor temperatures up to three or four degrees.) Its also that air-conditioning has altered the way most Americans experience heat. Our bodies have grown so accustomed to climate-controlled indoor spaces, set at a chilly 69 degrees, that anything else can feel unbearable. And the greenhouse gases created by the roughly 90 percent of American households that own A.C. units mean that running them even in balmy temperatures is making the climate crisis worse.

Is he expecting some calamity that will leave us without air conditioning and so unadapted to that that we wouldn't be able to take it?

That's what it sounds like, what with greenie mandates from Democrats that would ensure that prices of air conditioning will soar so high there will be no air-conditioning for anyone except party elites.

Now, part of what he is saying is correct -- that if you live in a hot climate year round you get used to it.

I used to live in Singapore, for instance, out on the equator, where every plant in the ground is tropical and the temperature never varies from 100 degrees year round, summer, winter, or, in Singapore's case, rainy season or dry season.

It sounds horrible, but yes, you do get used to it and literally don't notice it after awhile. You adapt with light clothing, never putting on a jacket on the streets, and jogging only near sundown when it's a tad cooler. You feel grateful for the island-state's light sea breeze, because many sweltering places in Southeast Asia -- out in rural inland Thailand and Malaysia -- don't have that, and even for Singaporeans, those places offer the sensation of being baked in an oven.

But even with acclimatization to nonstop 100-degree weather, sensible Singaporeans also avail themselves of air conditioners year round and their government is very proud of having air-conditioned units in every apartment and indoor public space. Places just do better with air conditioning even if people are used to very continuously hot weather.

The writer does make the concession for Phoenix and Miami weather maybe not being practical for going without air conditioning. (He forgot Houston.) He even makes concessions for heat waves, which are pretty lethal.

But he broadly argues that people elsewhere should get used to going without because it's all better that way.

... if you live in the middle of the country, try leaving the air-conditioning off when its hot but not too hot.

So who's to decide what's "hot but not too hot"? He didn't say.

His prescriptions for cooling off in the hot sun instead of air conditioning are pretty bad, though:

During heat waves  such as the one that gripped the middle of the country this week, when temperatures rose above 100 degrees and our brains became heat-addled and the sheets sweat-soaked  we deploy a portable air-conditioner in the bedroom overnight. But this week was just the second time weve turned it on this year. To keep us going through the rest of the summer, we rely on electric fans, which consume only about 2 percent of the energy needed to air-condition one room. Theyre not only free of the refrigerants that amplify air-conditionings contribution to global warming; they can also save you money.

Sorry, that's fourth world. Fans? Portable air-con? You find that kind of cooling in places that have no access to air conditioning, or for that matter, electricity.

He's no longer talking about simply getting used to the sweltering heat (and smell) of zero air-conditioning, he's talking about cutting Americans' standards of living to fourth-world standards, matching those of eastern Nigeria or rural Burma now.

He even unwittingly offers a Hugo Chavez solution to zero air-conditioning:

When it gets too hot, we lightly spray water on our arms, legs and faces; the water helps dissipate a lot of heat. A quick, cold shower or a little time spent with that all-American favorite, the lawn sprinkler, also can bring relief.

When Caracas was enduring socialism-induced water and electrical shortages in 2009, the late unlamented Venezuelan dictator suggested that locals take three-minute showers and try dumping a bucket of water on themselves to cool off as he did during his mud-hut childhood, as it was "so refreshing."

What the whole argument underlines is that socialism is coming, and with socialism will come shortages of electricity, water and air-conditioning, so the sooner people get used to it on their own under the rubric of saving the planet, the better.

I doubt anyone really cares whether this guy in Salina, Kansas goes without air conditioning and stinks something fierce as a result. It's not a problem if he does that to himself, the problem is that he wants everyone else to do it, too. Normalize this idea in the New York Times and the coercion is coming.

His solution in some cases is to use more water, which is exactly what you don't do in places like Phoenix and Southern California where the prevailing problem is drought, and in California's case, socialist mismanagement of water resources, so it's all a matter of going back to mud huts in a reduced standard of living.

It's a bad idea yet far from the only bad idea the New York Times op-ed page has promoted. They've also promoted looting, the eating of bugs, and had a fit over a Tom Cotton op-ed. They've even defended Chavez from accusations of electoral cheating. Whenever a bad idea surfaces, the New York Times is there to promote it.

Now they're trying to get us to give up air-conditioning. This isn't their only bad idea, just their latest.

Image: Screen shot from Al-Jazeera video, via YouTube.
Is it possible for the government to touch something and not make it worse? I used to think that was hyperbole, but not so much anymore; heres the latest example, and from where else but the Democrat stronghold of New York.

Politicians recently blew $20 million in taxpayer funds to build two new park facilities: $17.8 million for Maspeth Park, and $2.5 million for a dog run at an established playground just a mile down the road. Theres a problem though, and quite a significant one: Both of these new facilities are very inaccessible to the public, for one reason or another.

Here are the details, from a report at the New York Post yesterday:

The $17.8 million state-funded Maspeth Park has been a virtual ghost town since opening under the Kosciuszko Bridge last year. It is in an isolated industrial and manufacturing zone at 54th Road and 43rd Street  over a mile from the nearest subway station and lacks the proper signage and lighting for passers-by to find it, locals told The Post.  Meanwhile, just over a mile from Maspeth Park is the L/CPL Thomas P. Noonan Jr. Playground in Sunnyside, which opened a $2.5 million dog run to fanfare last month.  The biggest concern surrounds a group of homeless men who live on the grounds and shower in the kids splash pad and trash the bathrooms and pass out  naked and high  in the toddler playground, residents said.  Illicit gatherings grow up to 25 people on the weekends and consist of the men fighting, doing drugs around young residents and littering the park with crack pipes and needles, locals said. Its bad, said Sunnyside resident Cristian Humala. 39. They use the sprinklers to shower all the time, even when there are kids.

Okay, so one of the facilities is built in the middle of an industrial park, with no easy access (sure its within walking distance of local housing but its not exactly walkable across a highway, and through a dark underpass), while the other one is overrun with bums who expose themselves to children, regularly erupt into fistfights, do drugs in broad daylight, and leave their dirty paraphernalia behind. And, these little gems cost the taxpayers a cool twenty million.

Sounds about right for progressivism!

Alright, so whats the remedy?

Well, more money for advertising and additional measures to rectify the safety concerns like the creepy tunnel in a city saturated in violent migrants:

We need to do more advertising, acknowledged Thomas Mituzas, who serves as secretary of the nearby Blissville Civic Association in Long Island City. More can be done.  We need to improve the 43rd Street underpass and make it more inviting to people [with] better lighting and better access, he said.

According to Mituzas, a good weekend draws a couple dozen people over the course of the day; a local reported that weeknights sees an average of 6 people at the skate park section. (For reference, Queens has about 2,361,000 people living in it.) Heres the silver lining though: For anyone who wants to brave the perilous journey to the park, he or she will get to enjoy a multi-million dollar complex all to themselves! At least, until the bums figure out where it is and move in, then its all over.

Now, heres what one of those progressive Democrats has to say about itin fact, the very Democrat who represents the neighborhoods affected by these boondoggles:

City Council member Julie Won, whose district includes both Maspeth Park and Noonan Playground, told The Post that individuals sleeping in parks is a pervasive citywide issue and is not isolated to Noonan Playground.

Translation: Like Sadiq Khan said of the Muslim terror attacks in London, its just part and parcel of living in a big city. After politicians open the borders and invite the scum of the world the colonize American neighborhoods, and permit druggies to dabble in their addictions with no punitive consequences, poopy sidewalks, heroin needles on playground slides, and maniacal knife-wielding men are just part and parcel of New York City life now.

Image from X.
The current film about the life of Ronald Reagan is wonderful.

The leftist critics, of course, have, and will continue to trash it, mock it, try to destroy it because they hated Reagan like they hate Trump. The Daily Beast called it "the worst movie of the year."

The film was originally set to be released in 2021 but the insane vagaries of COVID and then the actors strike kept delaying the filming. It is probably divine intervention that the film has now been released two months before a crucial election.

There is so much in this film that is relevant to what is happening today, the film could and should be a wake-up call for those Americans who are still asleep re: the Harris/Walz campaign vs. the Trump/Vance ticket.

Reagan was elected to repair the terrible damage done by the Carter regime, the administration of malaise, long lines for gasoline, hostages in Iran, etc.

Carter was a weak president like Biden who has been and remains a weak and easily manipulated president. Biden actually considers himself "a kindred spirit" of Carter.

Obviously, by now everyone knows he has not been running the country; hes just a front man. He has been afflicted by worsening dementia since the day he illegitimately took office.

Who is calling the shots? Most likely a cabal of Obama leftists  Susan Rice, Anita Dunn, Antony Blinken, Jake Sullivan, Ron Klain, etc.  pro-communists all, totalitarians at heart. They know, or believe, that their families will never be affected by the authoritarian policies they impose on us peons. They support Kamala Harris because they know she is inept, moronic and will be as easily controlled as Biden has been. If elected, she will do what she is told.

The left hated Reagan like they hate Trump.

Both were political outsiders against the swamp. They didnt play by the swamp rules. Neither Reagan nor Trump went along to get along. They could not care less about the continuing flow of lobbyist money. Both were/are among the few who actually care about the country, the Constitution.

The film critics hate this film because it shows Reagan as he really was; he was no buffoon. He was a fervent anti-communist from the time he represented the Screen Actors Guild as he was as governor of California and as president.

Trump is the current incarnation of Reagan, rougher around the edges, a man with far more business experience but equally well-read, equally as wise about the threat of communism which, thanks to Obama, has ever-so-unsubtly crept into the American government.

The premise of the film is that the spies of the Soviet Union were aware of Reagan as a potential threat to the USSR long before he became governor or president.

They recognized him as a true believer in America as founded and saw him as a potential threat to their plan to take over the U.S. from within.

That his triumph in goading Mikhail Gorbachev into tearing down that wall was a miracle in the end. The wall did come down and by 1991 the Soviet Union was a thing of the past. East Germany had been freed and the end of the horrific tyranny of communism that had plagued the East Germans, the Czechs, the Polish, Romanians, Hungarians, Bulgarians, Slovaks, Albanians, Lithuanians, Latvians, Estonians, Ukrainians, and the Russian people was ending.

Reagan did that!

He was a fighter for his principles just as Trump is  America first, freedom first. That is what Americas elected leaders are elected to do  represent Americans. That is what the Carter administration did not do and it is what the Biden administration has not done. They were/are both cowards on the world stage. They bend their knees to the globalists, to migrants who demand and get shelter, food, medical care, transport and the right to vote while escalating the crime wave that now plagues every American city. In California they are being offered $150k for a down payment on a home. Do American citizens qualify for such generosity? No. This will just add that $150k to the price of all homes in California which are already exorbitant and un-affordable.

Reagan was a one-off, like Trump is a one-off.

Men like these, however different on the surface of things, do not often come along and want to lead the nation at great sacrifice to themselves and their families. They are extremely rare. Why then, in 1980 and 1984?

Why in 2016 did Trump win despite the lefts massive cheating meant to ensure Hillary Clintons victory?

The Reagan film pretty much ignores the lives of his children, from his first marriage and his second. We all know those relationships were not perfect. But his marriage to Nancy was a love story, a true partnership. It is that loving marriage that speaks so well for the man Reagan was.

The leftists who regularly disparage traditional values, marriage, family and all that those commitments entail, loathed Reagan and loathe Trump. That fact alone should be enough for every American who does love his or her nation, their families, the Constitution, law and order, national security and American sovereignty to be moved to vote for Trump.

Go see the film.

Image: Screen shot from IGN official trailer, via shareable YouTube
Is CNN a news network or a public relations agency?

What else can one conclude but the latter, now that we learn that CNN did a 41-minute interview with Democrat presidential nominee Kamala Harris, but only released 18 minutes of it to the public, both in its broadcast and in its transcript.

That was its big news scoop, the first major interview of Kamala Harris since Joe Biden was forced to pull out of the race last month.

For a news agency to withold ... the news ... is strange stuff indeed, given that news is supposed to be what it does, and its bread and butter.

What's more, experienced journalists, such as Catherine Herridge, have arched their eyebrows over that strange aversion to releasing the news they had actually gathered.



Given the political stakes.



Will @CNN follow ProPublicas lead and release the full, unedited video interview and transcript with Harris and Walz?



Its about transparency, adding new reporting to the public discussion and journalists standing behind their final interview pic.twitter.com/90i7cKU5lc  Catherine Herridge (@C__Herridge) August 31, 2024

Herridge noted that this was what credible news agencies do, they release the full transcripts, even if their final broadcast doesn't include all the news gathered. The New York Times has called it all the news that's fit to print. 60 Minutes does an after-hours show for those interested in all the parts of its newsgathering that didn't make it into their shorter news segments.

They're in the news industry, after all -- CBS knows they need to monetize what they gather, and the more they release, the more money they make.

CNN doesn't seem to want to make that money.

That doesn't sound normal.

Now we get a purported leak as to the reason why:

BREAKING REPORT: @CNN had 41 MINUTES of Kamala Harris' and Tim Walz's joint interview and only released 18 minutes.



One of the edited segments is reportedly about the Green New Deal and fracking.



Only one way for us to know: RELEASE the unedited video and the FULL TRANSCRIPT! pic.twitter.com/WdB37ELsCE  Kyle Becker (@kylenabecker) August 30, 2024

So we learn that Harris's undoubtedly mangled and contradictory responses to questions about fracking were a mess, meaning, CNN was running cover for her in order to make her look better than she really was.

Worse still, CNN apparently gave Harris veto power over what went into the CNN interview and what didn't. That's the biggest no-no in news. That's not news, that's serving a client. That's public relations, and if the charge is true, CNN will have a lot to answer for.

Can you imagine CNN or any news network giving President Trump veto power over what went into his interviews with reporters after the fact? It's not done and it should not be done, and with Trump, it will never be done, but Democrats are something different.

The other thing is: If Kamala had to have editorial control of her interview with reporters serving as her handmaids, what does it say about her that she had to cut so much out? This is clearly amateur hour from her side.

Tom Bevan, a founder of RealClearPolitics, had exactly the right response.

If this is true, it's a major scandal.https://t.co/v2V4sIyI4u  Tom Bevan (@TomBevanRCP) September 1, 2024

It's time to start asking questions about just how much power Harris had over that final CNN report and if it's found to be true, then it needs to be listed as a campaign donation on Harris's and CNN's disclosure forms for federal authorities, and the public needs to be told, too. Will it happen? Not so long as Democrats retain power, but this stands exposed as another problem with the Washington swamp that needs a good hosing out.

Image: Screen shot from CNN video, via YouTube
Nobody knows the true motive behind Krishna Lal Adhikari's writing of Makaiko Kheti ("The Cultivation of Maize"). Was it merely an agricultural guide, or was it a veiled political satire aimed at mocking the then ruler of Nepal, Chandra Shumsher Jung Bahadur Rana? The Rana regime was convinced it was the latter, and ordered the book destroyed and sent Adhikari to prison, where he died three years later. Although no one had the chance to read the book, Makaiko Kheti became infamous, with only a few surviving quotes. To this day, its true content remains unknown.

Photo credit: Pixabay

Chandra Shumsher, just like his predecessors, ruled Nepal with an iron fist. His uncle Jung Bahadur Rana had seized power in a bloody coup in 1846 and his family quickly tightened its grip on the nation. They effectively sidelined the Shah monarchy, installing a line of hereditary Rana prime ministers who assumed the title of maharaja. Although the Ranas rule was long-lasting, it was all but stable. Power struggles among brothers, nephews, and uncles fueled a cycle of conspiracies, coups, and assassinations.

Chandra Shumsher himself rose to power by first orchestrating the murder of his uncle Sri Teen Maharaja Ranodip Singh, and then removing his brother Dev Shamsher in a swift coup d'etat. Despite his despotic reputation, Chandra Shumsher's rule was marked by a paradoxical blend of ruthless power plays and progressive reforms. His abolition of slavery and the outlawing of sati, the practice of burning widows on their husbands' funeral pyres, were radical shifts in Nepalese tradition and culture. He also played a pivotal role in securing the Nepal-Britain Treaty of 1923, which not only acknowledged Nepal as a sovereign state but also solidified its strategic alliance with Britain, ensuring the nation's independence at a time when much of South Asia was under colonial rule. However, these reforms and treaties did little to diminish the autocratic grip of the Rana dynasty. The ruling family continued to amass wealth and power, while the general populace remained largely disenfranchised.

Chandra Shumsher Jung Bahadur Rana

At that time, there was much censorship and any author who wished to publish a book had to first get it approved by the Nepali Bhasha Prakashini Samiti (Nepali Language Publication Committee). The committee would review the manuscript and, if deemed appropriate, grant permission for publication. Anyone caught publishing or printing a document without this permission faced a fine of 50 Nepalese rupees. If the work contained content considered offensive to the Rana dynasty, all copies would be seized by the Samiti and typically destroyed.

Krishna Lal Adhikari was a government official who worked in the Office of Foreign Affairs. Adhikari was reportedly inspired to write a book about maize cultivation after reading an Indian book his friend gave him. Following due process, Adhikari submitted the manuscript of his book to the Nepali Bhasha Prakashini Samiti and received their permission to publish it.

Krishna Lal Adhikari

Shortly after the book was published, two pundits at Chandra Shumshers court accused Adhikari of using the guise of an agricultural manual to launch a covert attack on the Rana regime. They alerted the Maharaja to what they claimed were double entendres and subversive remarks hidden within the text. For instance, the references to "Nepali dog" and "English dog" in the context of loyalty, as well as the descriptions of pests as "red-headed insects" and "black-headed insects" destroying crops, were flagged as veiled insults. The pundits argued that these terms were not merely about animals or pests but were instead aimed at Chandra and Bhim Shamsher, who were known for wearing red and black turbans, respectively.

Adhikaris observation that the native dog fiercely defends the maize crop from thieves, while the English dog, despite its refined appearance, fails to ward off intruders, was interpreted as a critique of Chandra Shumshers westernization. Chandras fondness for foreign customs and disdain for traditional Nepali values were seen as the underlying target of this allegory. Nepali scholar Prem Raman Uprety explains that Chandra himself "symbolized the ease and comfort" of the English dog, while the "ill-clothed, ill-fed, and poverty-stricken Nepali people represented the bhote kukur (native dog)." The native dog was thus viewed as an embodiment of true Nepali martial masculinity, unrefined but resilient, in stark contrast to the pampered English dog, which symbolized a Rana aristocracy that had grown weak and effeminate.

In 1920, the same year Makaiko Kheti was published, Krishna Lal Adhikari was sentenced to nine years in prison. The court offered to reduce his sentence to six years if he handed over all 1,000 copies of the book to the government. Adhikari complied, returning 999 copies, but one had gone missing. Those 999 copies were promptly burned by the authorities, erasing nearly all traces of the controversial text. The missing copy was never found.

No court records have survived to shed light on how Adhikari defended himself or whether he admitted to the charges of treason. What is known is that his imprisonment took a severe toll on his health. He contracted tuberculosis while incarcerated and succumbed to the illness three years later. Legend has it, that while on deathbed, the guards took him out one day for a sunbath. While lying on the ground, Adhikari scratched a curse in the dirt with his fingers Doom for the Ranas.

Anti-Rana sentiments were already on the rise, especially among the educated elite, including members of the Rana ruling class who had begun to support democratic ideals. These individuals, inspired by the broader movements for independence and reform across the subcontinent, were eager to see Nepal freed from the grip of the Rana dynasty. Many had been influenced by their involvement in the Indian independence movement and had spent time in exile, where they organized and strategized for the liberation of their homeland.

Political parties such as the Praja Parishad and the Nepali Rastriya Congress emerged from this exiled community, with the express goal of bringing about military and political revolutions in Nepal. The collapse of British rule in India in 1947, which had provided the Ranas with a powerful ally, left the regime vulnerable. Without British support, the Ranas control over Nepal became increasingly tenuous, and opposition forces gained momentum.

By 1951, just four years after India's independence, the Rana dynasty was overthrown in a swift and decisive revolution. King Tribhuvan, who had been a symbolic figurehead during Rana rule, returned to Nepal as the reinstated monarch, marking the end of more than a century of autocratic Rana dominance.

References:

# The Book on Makai Parba, Spotlight Nepal

# Maze on maize, The Himalayan Times

# The Ranas and the Raj, Historia

# Sanjeev Uprety, Masculinities of Jang Bahadur and Chandra Shumsher: British and Nepali representations, European Bulletin Of Himalayan Research
Google Chrome recently received a patch for a vulnerability targeting cryptocurrency platforms. The security hole was classified as zero-day, meaning it existed for a while without the companys knowledge. Now, it is known that North Korean hackers took advantage of Chromes zero-day to inject malware and a rootkit.

The vulnerability affected both Chrome and Chromium-based third-party browsers, like Edge. So Microsoft offered more specific details in a blog post. CVE-2024-7971, the tracked vulnerability, aims to remotely execute code and install the FudModule rootkit on the victims device. The attackers also took advantage of CVE-2024-38106, a vulnerability in the Windows kernel, to gain SYSTEM privileges. Microsoft patched that vulnerability recently, too.

North Korean hackers exploited Chromes zero-day vulnerability before it was spotted

A zero-day is a vulnerability that the software developer is not aware of. Therefore, malicious third parties could exploit it since there is no official patch yet. The name zero-day comes from the fact that the developer has zero days to fix it once spotted, since it may already be exploited. In the case of Chromium, the affected component was V8, the browsers JavaScript code execution engine.

Chromiums V8 engine was vulnerable to type confusion-based attacks. According to MITRE, this type of attack allocates or initializes a resource such as a pointer, object, or variable using one type, but it later accesses that resource using a type that is incompatible with the original type. Confusion-based attacks can trigger logical errors because the resource does not have expected properties, resulting in out-of-bounds memory access. After that, attackers could achieve remote code execution in the browser, which they took advantage of to redirect the user to the malicious website voyagorclub[.]space.

At this point, the attackers are looking to install an exploit targeting the CVE-2024-38106 Windows vulnerability mentioned above. If the attack was successful, the attackers would have managed to obtain SYSTEM privileges, which is bad news. The hackers even had advanced methods to bypass kernel-level security protections. They injected the FudModule rootkit, which allows them to write to the kernel and manipulate it at will. FudModule-based attacks are known as direct kernel object manipulation (DKOM) operations.

Microsoft blames South Korean group Citrine Sleet

According to Microsoft, the North Korea-based hacker group Citrine Sleet was exploiting the Chrome and Windows vulnerability combo. The Redmond giant says that the group primarily targets financial institutions, particularly organizations and individuals managing cryptocurrency, for financial gain. Similar groups often use attack methods such as platform cloning or trojanizing pop-uk software. They even infected X_TRADER, a popular stock trading automation software, after hijacking its official website.

Its notable that other cybersecurity vendors track these attacks under names like AppleJeus, Labyrinth Chollima, and UNC4736. This suggests that while they are different groups, they all share technologies and methods. It should be impossible to use the hackers trick now. However, it would be interesting to know how many platforms fell victim to related attacks. Since the FudModule rootkit was first detected in 2022, its possible that hackers have been exploiting the method for at least two years.
Google being one of the frontrunners in the AI race, it was obvious that the technology would make its way into the companys work culture at some point. Now, that seems to be happening. Google has reportedly introduced a new AI tool to moderate its monthly all-hands meetings. However, some employees are not happy about it.

Google introduces new AI tool Ask to moderate monthly all-hands meetings

Last Wednesday, Business Insider reported that Google recently introduced a new AI tool Ask to moderate monthly all-hands meetings internally called Thank God Its Friday (aka TGIF). For the uninitiated, the new Ask AI tool acts as a middleman between Googles senior executives and employees. It summarizes and rephrases the inquiry submitted by the employees before the leadership team looks into it.

Previously, Google employees used a tool called Dory to submit and upvote questions directed to upper management including the companys CEO, Sundar Pichai. However, the introduction of the new AI tool has changed the earlier approach within the companys work culture.

Googles spokesperson suggests that the new approach has doubled the interaction and engagement of employees in the TGIF meetings. Per the report, only 1% of employees earlier used to ask questions at the meetings. Although Google says that the new AI system is beneficial, not many employees are happy about it.

Employees are reportedly unhappy with the new AI tool

Some employees said that they rarely attend and ask questions in the meetings since it is all pointless now. Anonymous sources within Google hint that the new AI tool softens the tone of questions making them less concerning which has made executives address some sensitive questions quite easily. Additionally, it also has affected the idea of meaningful conversations between employees and the leadership team.

A Google employee anonymously told Business Insider Theyre just trying to dodge damaging context and questions from being seen by a larger audience. While another employee reportedly added, Execs have been dodging questions or giving very vague answers at TGIF for years now.

No doubt, most industry leaders see AI as a technology that can reshape the corporate future. However, it cant replicate the authentic interaction between leadership and the staff, at least for now.
The worlds first tri-fold smartphone will launch on September 10. This smartphone is coming from Huawei, of course, as was confirmed last month. Weve already seen that phone in Richard Yus hands, both in unfolded and folded forms.

The worlds first tri-fold smartphone is coming from Huawei on September 10

Huawei has confirmed via social media in China that the device is coming on September 10. Its coming right after IFA in Berlin, and one day after the iPhone 16 series launch.

The press event will kick off at 2:30 PM in China, which translates to 8:30 AM CET / 7:30 AM BST / 2:30 AM EST / 11:30 PM PST (the previous day). The event will be in Chinese and will be hosted in China.

The chances of this smartphone making it to markets outside of China are not good. The phone is rumored to be extremely expensive, and everything points to the fact that Huawei will keep it in its home market for now.

Huawei is not expected to make many units, though

This is, after all, the very first device of its kind. The company is also not expected to make a lot of units of this tri-fold handset. We do know for a fact it will be actually available to purchase, though, this is not a concept phone or anything of the sort.

TECNO did show off its concept tri-fold handset, while Samsung and OPPO are also said to be working on their iterations of the device. Huawei will be first to cross the finish line, though.

This smartphone doesnt seem to be that thick when folded, as Richard Yu unintentionally showed us. It remains to be seen how thin will it be, though, especially compared to regular foldable smartphones.

Ross Young, a well-known display analyst, also confirmed that the phone will include a 10-inch display. That display will be available when the device is fully unfolded, of course.
According to a new report, Samsung could actually ditch Exynos SoC for the Galaxy S25 series in order to use the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 exclusively. This report comes from Hankyung, from China.

The entire Galaxy S25 series is tipped to ditch Exynos SoC

Based on this report, all three Galaxy S25 smartphones will end up using the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4. The Exynos 2500 was rumored thus far, as it was supposed to fuel the Galaxy S25 and Galaxy S25+ phones in some regions.

Well, if this report is to be believed, that wont be the case. The report alleges that Samsung changed its direction. If that ends up being the case, it will differ from what Samsung did this year.

The Galaxy S24 and Galaxy S24+ are fueled by both a Snapdragon and an Exynos SoC. It all depends on in which region you end up buying each device. The Galaxy S24 Ultra is exclusively using the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy SoC.

We were expecting a similar setup for the Galaxy S25 series, but that may not be the case. Do note that nothing is set in stone at the moment. Take this report with a grain of salt, weve seen quite a few of them thus far.

The Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 is coming in October

The Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 is coming in October. Qualcomm confirmed that much way back at MWC this year. That chip is expected to bring notable AI and GPU performance improvements, by over 30%.

Were still not that close to the Galaxy S25 series launch, so things could still change. All three smartphones are expected to arrive in January next year. Well, thats if Samsung doesnt change its release cycle, of course.

The company is expected to change up the design of all three smartphones this time around, at least a little bit. We may already know what the Galaxy S25 Ultra will look like, as a well-known tipster revealed that info.
Arsenal have turned down a bid from Saudi Arabian side Al-Ittihad for Leandro Trossard, the PA news agency understands.

The offer for the 29-year-old was an initial 4million to take him on loan with an obligation to make the move permanent next summer for 25m.

However, it is understood that Arsenal did not entertain the bid and see Trossard as a key member of Mikel Artetas side as they seek to build on consecutive runners-up finishes in the Premier League and end their 20-year wait for the title.

Leandro Trossard gave a muted celebration after scoring against Aston Villa (David Davies/PA)

The club added Chelseas Raheem Sterling to their squad in the final hours of the transfer window on Friday but the club do not deem him to be a replacement for Trossard.

The Belgium international came off the bench to score his sides opening goal in their 2-0 win away at Aston Villa but gave a low-key celebration seemingly in response to having been left out of the starting XI.

He played from the start as Arsenal were held 1-1 at the Emirates by his former club Brighton  whom he left in January 2023 to move to north London  on Saturday.

The transfer window for clubs in Saudi Arabias Pro League closes on Monday.
A plaque paying tribute to writer, actor and musician Benjamin Zephaniah has been unveiled by Brunel University London.

The dub poet, who appeared in hit BBC show Peaky Blinders as Jeremiah Jesus, died at the age of 65 in December 2023, shortly after being diagnosed with a brain tumour.

The newly unveiled plaque has been placed in the universitys redeveloped outdoor community space, the Quad, now renamed Benjamin Zephaniah Square.

At the unveiling, Professor Andrew Jones, Brunels vice-chancellor and president, said: Benjamin joined Brunel in 2011 as chair of creative writing  his first academic position.

In that role, he brought his unique voice, his commitment to social justice and his belief in the power of words to inspire change.

His job, as he saw it, was to share his knowledge and to help our students to find their own voices.

To Benjamins family and friends, thank you for sharing him with us. I hope you can see that his impact here at Brunel is immeasurable.

As we unveil this plaque, we celebrate Benjamins extraordinary contributions, not only to literature and education but also to the causes he championed throughout his life.

A close-up of the new plaque (Brunel University London/PA)

He added: Let this be a lasting tribute to Professor Benjamin Zephaniah  a man who taught us all that poetry and performance is a force for good, for understanding and for change.

The poets widow, Qian Zephaniah, attended the event with family and friends and read from his poem People Need People, taken from his childrens picture book which won the Queens Knickers Award earlier this year.

Authors Bernardine Evaristo and Hannah Lowe, from Brunels creative writing department, also paid tribute to their former colleague.

Booker Prize-winner Evaristo introduced an anthology of poetry and prose titled Borderless, recently published by Brunel creative writing students and graduates in tribute to their professor.

The anthology features emerging writers and covers themes to do with belonging, home and environmentalism.

Professor Andrew Jones and Qian Zephaniah unveiling the plaque (Brunel University London/PA)

All profits from the anthology will be donated to Inquest, a charity providing expertise on state-related deaths, of which Zephaniah was a patron.

Zephaniahs first writings used dub poetry, a Jamaican style of work which evolved into the music genre of the same name.

The Birmingham-born poet was nominated for autobiography of the year at the National Book Awards for The Life And Rhymes Of Benjamin Zephaniah, and the work was also shortlisted for the Costa Book Award in 2018.

The writer, who rejected an OBE in 2003 due to the association with the British Empire and its history of slavery, was often outspoken on racial abuse and education.
Five seabird species have been added to the UKs red list of greatest conservation concern.

Scientists reviewing the status of the countrys breeding seabird populations revealed that the Leachs Storm-petrel, Common Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Arctic Tern and Great Skua are among Britains most at risk birds.

They join another five threatened seabird species already on the red list  the Kittiwake, Herring Gull, Roseate Tern, Arctic Skua and Puffin.

A Great Skua adult in flight in the Shiant Isles, Hebrides (Chantal Macleod-Nolan/RSPB)

The update, carried out by a coalition of the UKs leading bird conservation organisations and published in the journal British Birds on Monday, follows the recent assessment of 28 seabird species.

Apart from two species found to be no longer breeding in the UK, the seabirds were categorised as red, amber or green-listed depending on how threatened they were considered to be.

The five additions brings the total number of species on the red list to 73 of 245 regularly occurring bird species in the UK  equating to 30%.

To assess the seabird species, experts used data collected during the last national seabird census, published in November, alongside data from the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) and Joint Nature Conservation Committees (JNCC) seabird monitoring programme.

An Arctic Tern in The Skerries, North Wales (Chantal Macleod-Nolan/RSPB)

They also used a recent survey led by the RSPB to investigate the impacts of bird flu as a critical part of the evidence for some species.

The charity said the UK remains an internationally important place for breeding seabird populations, which face a growing list of threats and pressures, including climate change impacts, overfishing, entanglement in fishing gear, invasive predators and offshore renewable energy development in important foraging zones.

The vulnerability of UK seabirds to disease has also been seen, with the Great Skuas inclusion on the red list attributed to the widespread outbreaks of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) or bird flu between 2021 and 2023.

Katie-jo Luxton, global conservation director for the RSPB said: This latest health check on our seabird populations reveals devastating declines in the overall status of the UKs breeding seabirds.

A Great Black-backed Gull preening its feathers in Great Saltee, Ireland (Ben Andrew/RSPB)

As an island nation it is perhaps not surprising that we are globally important for seabird populations but what has really shocked us is the sheer number of our seabird species now on the red list.

We need urgent action from our governments to address this dire situation to tackle the drivers of these declines and enable recovery.

In better news, the Shag species moved from the red to the amber list and the Black Guillemot joined the Cormorant on the green list as new information helped to shed light on their populations.

Hopes for a turnaround in seabirds fortunes are also being found with clear actions to address the many pressures they are facing  a list of which is provided by the England Seabird Conservation and Recovery Pathway.

Nesting seabirds on a cliff edge in Bempton, Yorkshire (Robert Simmons/RSPB)

The decisions by the UK and Scottish Governments to close Sandeel fisheries has also been seen by conservationists as a significant step, as have the promising results from projects to remove invasive predators from seabird islands across the UK.

David Noble, principal ecologist at the BTO, said: Seabirds are an iconic part of nature along our coastlines, whether foraging on beaches and rocky shores, patrolling urban seafronts or breeding in spectacular colonies on cliffs.

The multiple pressures that they face from reductions in food sources caused by climate change and over-fishing, from invasive nest predators on islands and avian flu have resulted in some significant changes in numbers.

Continued monitoring, by volunteers as well as professionals, is essential to provide timely evidence of the impact of these and other threats, and to assess the effectiveness of any conservation actions.
Department store business Harrods handed its Qatari owners 180 million in dividends for the past year after it bucked weakness in luxury spending.

The Knightsbridge retailer is owned by the state of Qatar through its sovereign wealth fund  the Qatar Investment Authority  which bought the business in 2010.

Freshly filed Companies House accounts for the year to February showed the owners gave themselves a 180 million payment for the second consecutive year.

It came as Harrods reported an increase in sales and operating profits for the year.

Harrods revealed that turnover grew by 8% to 898.4 million for the year, a record high for the retail business.

It comes despite pressure at department store rivals including John Lewis and Harvey Nichols amid a shift in shopping habits and pressure on consumer budgets in the luxury market.

In the latest accounts, it also reported that operating profits rose slightly to 162.9 million from 158.4 million for the year.

Harrods increased its staff numbers significantly as a result of the recent growth, adding more than 700 to its workforce, taking it to 4,550 at the end of the year.

The accounts also showed that its top paid director, understood to be managing director Michael Ward, was paid 2.1 million for the year, down from 2.3 million a year earlier.
Hundreds of people have officially complained about how Oasis tickets were advertised after prices for the bands reunion tour soared due to dynamic pricing.

After some fans were left shocked by standard tickets more than doubling from 148 to 355 on Ticketmaster due to demand, the Culture Secretary pledged to look into the use of surge pricing in its forthcoming Government review of the secondary gig sales market.

Many fans also missed out on the reunion tour tickets as they battled with website issues, and being mislabelled as bots, before Oasis announced all 17 shows in the UK and Dublin had sold out.

Other international dates are still to be announced, but no more UK shows will be added to their tour, the PA news agency understands.

Brothers Liam and Noel Gallagher (PA Photos/PA)

Following the ticket furore, the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has received 450 complaints about Ticketmaster adverts for the Oasis gigs.

A spokesperson for the UKs regulator of advertising said the complainants argue that the adverts made misleading claims about availability and pricing.

They added: Were carefully assessing these complaints and, as such, cant comment any further at this time.

To emphasise, we are not currently investigating these ads.

Ticketmaster said it does not set prices and its website says this is down to the event organiser who has priced these tickets according to their market value.

Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy released a statement on Sunday calling the inflated selling of Oasis tickets incredibly depressing.

Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy (Tejas Sandhu/PA)

After the incredible news of Oasis return, its depressing to see vastly inflated prices excluding ordinary fans from having a chance of enjoying their favourite band live, she said.

This Government is committed to putting fans back at the heart of music. So we will include issues around the transparency and use of dynamic pricing, including the technology around queuing systems which incentivise it, in our forthcoming consultation on consumer protections for ticket resales.

Working with artists, industry and fans we can create a fairer system that ends the scourge of touts, rip-off resales and ensures tickets at fair prices.

House of Commons leader and Lord President of the Council Lucy Powell was among those hit by dynamic pricing on Saturday, and eventually forked out more than double the original quoted cost of a ticket for an Oasis show.

Ms Powell said she ended up buying two tickets for 350 each for Heaton Park in July, which were originally quoted at 148.50, not including a booking fee of 2.75.

The Manchester Central MP told BBC Radio 5 Live that she does not particularly like surge pricing, before adding: It is the market and how it operates.

Youve absolutely got to be transparent about that so that when people arrive after hours of waiting, they understand that the ticket is going to cost more, she said.

Oasis Live 25 UK and Ireland tickets have now SOLD OUT.Please be aware of counterfeit and void tickets appearing on the secondary market.Tickets can ONLY be resold, at face value, via @TicketmasterUK and @Twickets. pic.twitter.com/gWW5xDDzL8  Oasis (@oasis) August 31, 2024

It is believed the ticket prices for Oasis gigs were set by promoters.

The bands promoters, Manchester-based SJM Concerts, Irish MCD and Scottish DF Concerts & Events have all been approached for comment.

Brothers Noel and Liam Gallagher confirmed their reunion on Tuesday following the end of their more than a decade long acrimonious split.

There has also been concern about the non-official sellers Viagogo, who are listing resale tickets for thousands of pounds.

The secondary seller has defended the practice saying fans sell the tickets, and its global managing director added: Resale is legal in the UK and fans are always protected by our guarantee that they will receive their tickets in time for the event or their money back.

Oasis have told followers that Ticketmaster and Twickets should only be used for resales, and put up for prices at face value, otherwise they will be cancelled by the promoters.
Irish premier Simon Harris has said there should be probing into the ticketing industry after the price of tickets for Oasiss reunion gigs surged following high demand.

Fans who waited in 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 sky-rocketed by the time they finally got the opportunity to make a purchase.

Some were quoted at 415.50 euro each due to dynamic pricing for in demand tickets.

A spokesperson for the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) said it believes there are legitimate concerns around the consumer experiences of buying concert tickets this weekend.

We are actively reviewing the situation and we will consider all options to ensure consumer protection law is followed.

The Taoiseach said the Irish Government had taken several actions in recent years to tackle ticket touting.

The monopoly held by one company is something that I think does deserve probing and also the issue around surcharges and the like, he said on Monday.

I do think this needs to be reviewed and look, if theres actions government needs to take in terms of the future, lets look at that, lets take action in relation that.

But I think theres a bad taste in the mouths of people here in relation to pricing, surcharge, and we do have to be conscious we are dealing with a monopoly situation here as well.

So I would very much welcome a probe in relation to this, a full report being able to be provided, and of course, its deferred to my colleague the Minister for Enterprise in terms of how best that takes place.

Sinn Fein president Mary Lou McDonald said working class Oasis fans who got them where they are are being thrown under the bus over a crazy pricing system.

Sinn Fein president Mary Lou McDonald (Liam McBurney/PA)

She added: I saw somebody put it directly to Oasis that theyre a working class group, the working class got them where they are and theyre throwing them under the bus.

The dynamic pricing  to me its crazy that permission would be given for concerts, without any notification as to the cost of tickets.

I think it just needs to stop.

Weve raised this time and again.

Louise OReilly has been very active on this question with government.

This has happened with Oasis, but its happened with other concert and other acts as well.

Its completely unfair.

You enter into a lottery, really, in terms of getting your tickets, rather than a straight transaction.

Whether its Oasis or Taylor Swift, or the Wolfe Tones, or the man on the moon whos performing, the consumer should know what the price ranges are, that theyre fixed prices, and then everybody tries to get in first and get the tickets that they want.

A screengrab from the Ticketmaster website detailing information about Oasis concert tickets for sale in Dublin (PA)

But this dynamic pricing has to end. It needs to be dealt with.

Weve called for it before, and Im very glad now, maybe theyre all Oasis fans, that theyve actually find any woken up to the fact that this is happening.

About 500 quid nearly for a ticket. Come on.

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.

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.

Speaking in Dublin on Monday, Mr Harris also asked Oasis to announce extra Dublin gigs as part of their highly anticipated reunion tour.

Many Irish fans were left disappointed that they did not get one of 160,000 tickets on sale over two dates in August in Dublins Croke Park stadium.

I think with the level of interest in attending Oasis gigs in this country, one would hope that they might find it within themselves to put on a few more, Mr Harris said.

I certainly know of many people across the country who would be heartened were that to be the reality and with their strong Irish links, and now that theyre back together, I know they would be warmly welcomed here for an extended period of time.

I think their Dublin gigs are at the end of their UK-Ireland tour so if they have time to fit us in for a few more Im certainly aware of many people who missed out on tickets whod only be too delighted to go to a further gig.
Lloyds Bank has apologised to customers after online banking issues have left some unable to view their recent transactions.

According to the website DownDetector, more than 650 Lloyds outages were reported on Monday morning.

A spokeswoman for Lloyds said: We know some of our customers are having issues viewing their recent transactions and our app may be running slower than usual.

Were sorry about this and were working to have everything back to normal soon.

While customers can still make and receive payments, some may be experiencing delays when using the app and others have faced issues viewing their recent transactions or bank statements.

People took to X to complain that they could not see their transactions on the mobile app or online.

One user wrote: Unable to view any transactions via app or desktop this morning. Looks like a widespread fault.

Another said they were among the growing number of people who cant see their transactions under the all tab, on the new improved app after this weekend.

We know some of our customers are having issues viewing their recent transactions. We're sorry about this and we're working to have everything back to normal soon.  Lloyds Bank (@LloydsBank) September 2, 2024

Lloyds responded to customers to apologise for the issues and confirm that its IT team was working to fix them as soon as possible.

Meanwhile, Virgin Money also posted on X to apologise for some of its customers also having problems viewing their transactions through online banking.

Were aware that some customers are having issues with our mobile banking app and internet banking service this morning with customers not being able to view their transactions, the bank wrote.

We apologise for the inconvenience this is causing  were investigating and will keep you updated.

We're aware that some customers are having issues with our mobile banking app and internet banking service this morning with customers not being able to view their transactions. We apologise for the inconvenience this is causing  were investigating and will keep you updated.  Ask Virgin Money (@AskVirginMoney) September 2, 2024

In June, major technology outages affecting the digital services of several UK banks left some customers unable to send or receive money.

The problems stemmed from the faster payment system which enables digital transactions to be sent between banks and building societies within seconds.

Banks were also caught up in a global IT outage caused by a faulty update to widely-used cybersecurity software in July.

Lloyds chief executive Charlie Nunn recently said that IT failures and cyber attacks were a really important issue for the bank, which has about 22 million customers using its digital services.
Irelands deputy premier has urged restraint in the Middle East, saying there is an urgent need to de-escalate tensions in the region.

Micheal Martin has reiterated his calls for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, and for Hamas to release all hostages.

Mr Martin, Irelands Minister for Foreign Affairs, spoke to his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi by phone on Monday.

The urgent need (is) to de-escalate tensions in the region, Mr Martin said.

Tanaiste Micheal Martin at the department of foreign affairs in Dublin, after he called for the immediate and unconditional release of all remaining hostages being held by Hamas (Niall Carson/PA)

I spoke to him (Abbas Araghchi) in terms of both Gaza and Lebanon, and urging him to use all influence that the Iranian government has over actors in the region to desist from any attacks.

The war in Gaza has caused immense suffering, and that there was an obligation on all parties, and in particular Hamas, to release all of the hostages and to agree a ceasefire on the terms brokered by the UN and the US.

Also, the consequences for Lebanon would be devastating if a war broke out, and its the civilians in Lebanon (who) would lose out.

Mr Martin warned Mr Araghchi it would be absolutely catastrophic if a war broke out between Hezbollah and Israel.

He described their engagement as constructive.

He indicated that he wanted to open up and maintain a line of channel communication with Europe, and wanted warmer relations with Europe, Mr Martin added.

There seemed to be some sense of early signs of perhaps some movement again or re-engagement on the JCPOA (Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action) agreement, which is the nuclear issue, which I think would be helpful if that was to materialise but I got the sense it was early days.

Mr Martin, who is also the Minister for Defence, said the Irish peacekeepers based in Lebanon will stay in the region, and that no decision to pull out will be done unilaterally.

My statement following my call with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi this morning. pic.twitter.com/qxbKQlYBAw  Micheal Martin (@MichealMartinTD) September 2, 2024

Weve had discussions in terms of various scenarios and so on like that, but our job is to maintain the peace with others and Unifil (United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon) is committed to doing that, and our troops are committed to doing that, he added.

Obviously, force protection is the number one priority, and protection of our troops is a number one priority, and as long as they can continue to implement the mandate and the mandate has been renewed, then we will continue to honour our commitments.

Mr Martin added that all hostages in Gaza should be released as quickly as possible.

He added: We believe that what is happening is completely disproportionate and has resulted in the deaths of thousands of innocent people, and the slaughter must end.

Any pressure to that end, I think, is welcome to bring an end to the war.
Fench President Emmanuel Macron (L) makes a speech during a joint press conference with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz (R)

It is the worlds most important trade zone. It is our major export market. And without it, Britain is condemned to permanent stagnation, decay and decline.

Over the last few years, the UKs hardcore Remainers have relentlessly insisted that the European economy was in far better shape than ours, that we could not prosper without it, and that we would end up with little choice but to accept whatever terms were offered to rejoin. Indeed the Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer was in Germany only last week begging for a slightly better trade deal.

But as a slow-motion crisis unfolds in both Berlin and Paris, one point is becoming absolutely clear. The rest of Europe is in an even worse economic mess than we are  and the further away we are from the deepening catastrophe the better.

It will take a while for political analysts to work out the exact impact of the regional elections in Germany over the weekend. Support for Chancellor Scholzs ruling SPD, Green, and liberal Free Democrat coalition collapsed, with the far-Right AfD taking first place in Thuringia, and coming just a whisker behind the mainstream Conservative CDU in Saxony. It is now an open question whether Scholz will be able to hang on until a general election next year. And if the AfD continues to rise in the polls, Germany may well be heading for political deadlock, with no other major party willing to work with it.

France faces a very similar mess. Whoever President Macron chooses as Frances new prime minister, it wont solve the basic problem that French politics is stuck in an ideological stalemate, with all the parties jostling for a run at the presidency in 2027. With no mandate for anything, he or she will cling miserably to power for a couple of years, but wont be able to change anything of significance.

If both economies were in decent shape, that might not matter very much. The state generally only gets in the way of wealth creation, so the less it can do the better. The trouble is, both countries are in a deep structural slump, and need major reforms if they are to have any chance of restoring their competitiveness.

Only last week, the latest data out of Germany showed the economy shrinking once again over the summer. Even worse, investment fell sharply, and so did consumer spending, with only a rise in government spending restricting the overall fall in GDP to 0.1 per cent.

Germanys structural challenges are massive. Without cheap Russian gas or nuclear power (or fracking, despite its abundant shale oil, ironically located in AfD-friendly Saxony), it has brutally expensive energy costs, undermining heavy industry. Its auto giants are being destroyed by restrictions on petrol cars. And it has no digital industries to speak of.

France is in almost as bad shape. Its economy just about eked out a 0.2 per cent expansion in the latest quarter, despite a hoped for boost from the billions spent on the Olympics, but the confidence data suggests it will soon be shrinking again. Its credit rating has been cut twice in the last year, and the markets have started to worry about its ballooning debts, pushing up the cost of the 5 per cent or more of GDP that the government has to borrow every year to finance its extravagant welfare system.

President Macron valiantly tried to shift France onto a pro-enterprise, pro-tech, pro-growth path, but as his presidency comes to a close it is clear that he has failed.

The blunt truth is this. These are increasingly poor countries determined to get even poorer. There is no one with the ideas, strength or ability to tackle the challenges they face. The far-Right and hard-Right parties  the AfD in Germany, Marine Le Pens National Rally in France  concentrate only on immigration and, while that is an important issue, they have little to say about liberalising markets, controlling the size of the state, or cutting taxes, even though those are the only policies that are likely to restore growth.

In the meantime, Britain, largely by default, is likely to emerge as the fastest growing major economy in Europe. Despite all the trade barriers Sir Keir and his ministers seem to worry about, businesses are expanding faster over here than on the other side of the Channel.

The Remainers sole surviving argument is that we have to focus on Europe because it is close by. That, of course, is ridiculous. Post-war Japan didnt get richer by concentrating on Chairman Maos China, even if it was its biggest neighbour. Sony and Toyota were too busy selling into America and Europe. Likewise, American multinationals have never focused on the Mexican market. If your closest major neighbour happens to be a basket case, then you look to the global market instead.

Sir Keir Starmers new government is clinging to the belief that the EU is still an economic powerhouse, and that leaving it has wrecked the prospect of any kind of sustained recovery. The slow-motion political-economic car crash in Berlin and Paris should finally puncture those delusions. The British economy is in a dire state, weighed down by a hopelessly unproductive public sector that requires endlessly rising taxes to sustain itself. Even so, it is in better shape than the EU.

We should be distancing ourselves from the whole mess as far as possible. The only problem is, embittered Remainers stuck in the past cant see it.
Previously the face of Die Linke, the eponymous party of Sahra Wagenknecht has stormed the political charts. Photograph: Sean Gallup/Getty Images

It was, Sahra Wagenknecht declared on the social media platform X on Sunday, a historic result achieved from almost a standing start. Within eight months, her leftwing-conservative Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance (BSW) has gone from an upstart party of breakaway populists to a decisive player with the potential to upend the German political scene.

The BSW partys third place position in state elections in the eastern states of Thuringia (16%) and Saxony (12%), behind the centre-right Christian Democrats (CDU) and far-right Alternative fur Deutschland (AfD), now puts it in the position of kingmaker.

Like the other established mainstream parties, the BSW has scotched any possibility of entering into a formal coalition with the AfD, though it has not ruled out cooperation on subjects on which the parties are aligned. But its strong standing means negotiations in neither state can take place without it.

Asked on Sunday night whether she was ready to negotiate for a position in the states governments, Wagenknecht, 55, responded with an enigmatic smile. By Monday, she appeared triumphant, emboldened  and more open to the idea.

This is a magnificent day, she said at a press conference flanked by the partys lead candidates from both states. We have become a power factor in Germany  We can use that position to really move things in this country. The vote for the BSW, she added, was an expression of the mood in Germany.

Related: AfD leaders demand inclusion in state coalition talks after election success

Wagenknechts views are an eclectic mixture of left-leaning economics, anti-immigration rhetoric and a foreign policy grounded in suspicion of the US and residual support for Russia.

For years the face of Die Linke (The Left), the group born out of the former East German Communist party, Wagenknecht had often expressed frustration with conventional politics. In 2018 she launched Aufstehen (Get Up), a movement inspired by the gilets jaunes protests in France and the Jeremy Corbyn-supporting Momentum in the UK. And last autumn, after months of flirting with the idea, she quit Die Linke for good to form her eponymous party.

Under her leadership, and amid widespread dissatisfaction with the coalition government of Olaf Scholz, the BSW has stormed the political charts, quickly overtaking Die Linke, and efficiently using Junes European parliamentary elections as a springboard to more prominence and popularity.

It has been described as filling a gap in the political landscape, by combining both leftwing and rightwing policies  campaigning on everything from more generous pensions and an increase in the minimum wage to constraining climate protection measures and toughening asylum regulations.

Like the AfD, which rose to prominence on the coattails of disgruntlement over the former chancellor Angela Merkels open door policy for refugees in 2015, Wagenknecht has benefited from the growing perception that Europes largest economy is overburdened by refugees.

Born in Jena, in the state of Thuringia, Wagenknecht has been married for the past decade to 80-year-old Oskar Lafontaine, the former Social Democrats (SPD) finance minister under Gerhard Schroder, before he too defected to Die Linke in protest over the SPDs labour reforms.

That divisive move is seen as a reminder of the havoc Wagenknecht could yet wreak on the CDU if its leader, Friedrich Merz, moves towards a hitherto unlikely and ideologically fraught alliance with the BSW. The partys general secretary, Carsten Linnemann, has done nothing to win her over, describing her as left, and/or right-wing extremist, and communist. His stance was dismissed as absurd by BSWs chairwoman, Amira Mohamed Ali, who said it might well impede a collaboration.

Mondays press conference brought a flavour of the BSWs positioning. The partys successful candidates, Sabine Zimmermann for Saxony and Katja Wolf for Thuringia, spoke of the need to improve daily life, such as public transport, digitalisation in the health system, and standards in the classroom.

Related: The German problem? Its an analogue country in a digital world | Larry Elliott

For her part, Wagenknecht was keener to emphasise her goals beyond state level: tackling the governments ruinous energy policy, halting the decision to station medium-range US missiles on German soil and criticising the notion that sending weapons to Ukraine which plays into peoples rage when school buildings are so dilapidated  can end the Russian invasion.

Wagenknecht walks a fine line geopolitically, not advocating for Germanys exit from the EU or Nato (unlike the AfD), but calling emphatically for Ukraine to negotiate with Russia for an end to the war. Diplomatic means had by no means been exhausted, she said on Monday

A few years ago, Wagenknecht withdrew from the public arena, citing burnout, but now she has come back with a vengeance. The politician who was attacked with paint at an election rally in Erfurt last week, is now almost certain to be a leading  and deeply polarising  player in next years federal election, scheduled for September 2025.
Benjamin Netanyahu needs to do more to bring a hostage deal over the line, according to Joe Biden - Maayan Toaf/Israel Gpo/ZUMA Press Wire/Shutterstock

Joe Biden has accused the Israeli prime minister of not doing enough to reach a hostage deal as thousands of demonstrators shut down parts of the country.

A final hostage-release deal between Israel and Hamas was very close, Mr Biden said, but added that Benjamin Netanyahu is not doing enough to bring it over the line.

Asked by reporters at the White House, where Mr Biden was arriving for a meeting with US negotiators, if he thought the Israeli leader was doing enough on the issue, the US president responded: No.

Mr Bidens meeting with the negotiators on the hostage-release deal comes after the deaths of six captives in Gaza on Saturday, including an American citizen.

President Biden expressed his devastation and outrage at the murder, and reaffirmed the importance of holding Hamass leaders accountable, a White House statement said after the meeting.

Mr Biden arrives at the White House for a meeting with US negotiators - Michael Brochstein/ZUMA Press Wire/Shutterstock

On Monday, thousands of Israelis protested against Mr Netanyahus failure to free all Israeli prisoners in Gaza amid a nationwide strike.

Demonstrators blocked Tel Avivs main motorway, while others disrupted train services in Tel Aviv and Herzliya. Several people were detained by police in Tel Aviv for disrupting public order.

The mass demonstrations were staged in response to the killing of six hostages by Hamas in Gaza, with protesters blaming Mr Netanyahu, who they accused of torpedoing ceasefire talks to release them.

The general strike, announced by the Histadrut workers union, shut down kindergartens, banks, universities, the airport and many businesses.

It was scheduled to end at 6pm local time (4pm BST), but Israels labour court ordered the strike to end at 2.30pm local time.

Betzalel Smotrich, the Israeli finance minister, welcomed the courts decision, calling the strike political and illegal.

On Monday, thousands of Israelis protested against Mr Netanyahu's failure to free all Israeli prisoners in Gaza - Ronen Zvulun/REUTERS

Arnon Bar-David, the chairman of Histadrut, said that the union would respect the decision, adding: It is important to emphasise that the solidarity strike was a significant measure and I stand behind it.

The Hostages Forum said: This is not about a strike, this is about rescuing the 101 hostages that were abandoned by Netanyahu with the cabinet decision last Thursday.

In Jerusalem, Itamar Ben-Gvir, the Israeli national security minister, met Right-wing counter-protesters, telling them that his Jewish Power party is using all its might to prevent a reckless deal and to stop any negotiations altogether.

You give us the strength, so keep shouting, and we will do our job to ensure that Netanyahu doesnt fold and that there wont be a reckless deal, Mr Ben-Gvir said.

The mass demonstrations were staged in response to the killing of six hostages by Hamas in Gaza - Florion Goga/REUTERS

On Monday afternoon, Israels security cabinet met, with Mr Netanyahu telling ministers that there would be a strong response to the killing of six hostages, while insisting Israel keep control of the Philadelphi Corridor, the buffer zone separating Gaza from Egypt.

An Israeli official told The Telegraph that Mr Netanyahu said: Everyone who says that it is possible to leave the Philadelphi Corridor for 42 days, knows very well that it will be for 42 years.

Yoav Gallant, the Israeli defence minister, is the only member of the cabinet who has called for Israel to compromise on its control of the corridor to reach a ceasefire agreement.

An Israeli official told The Telegraph that Hamass execution of six hostages, and subsequent chaos in Israel, show how important it is for the US, Qatar and Egypt to use their influence to secure a ceasefire.

The talks at the moment have not reached their goals. The last two days have clearly illustrated that it is up to the mediators to pressure all parties to agree to a deal, the official said.

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A man takes cover as an explosion send smoke and dust skywards during an Israeli strike that reportedly targeted a school in the Zeitoun district on Sunday - Omar al-Qattaa/AFP via Getty Images

Israel has accused the UK of rewarding Hamas terrorists after it announced plans to suspend some arms export licences.

David Lammy, the Foreign Secretary, told MPs a two-month review had found a clear risk that UK arms may be used in serious violations of international humanitarian law.

He said Britain would immediately suspend 30 arms export licences to Israel, including components for military aircraft, helicopters and drones.

On Monday night, a senior Israeli official told The Telegraph the UK decision was a reward for Hamas, coming on the same day as the burial of six hostages executed by the terrorist organisation during the weekend.

It also prompted a backlash in the UK, where MPs accused the Government of having made the decision in response to demands from pro-Palestinian activists.

There were reports on Monday night of friction with the US over the decision. Washington has said there is no basis for a suspension of arms exports.

But US administration official pointed to different legal standards over arms sales in the UK and suggested there was no animosity between the White House and Downing Street over the decision.

Yoav Gallant, Israels defence minister, said: This comes at a time when we fight a war on seven different fronts  a war that was launched by a savage terrorist organisation, unprovoked.

At a time when we mourn six hostages who were executed in cold blood by Hamas inside tunnels in Gaza. At a time when we fight to bring 101 hostages home.

A senior Israeli official told The Telegraph that Israel was furious with the decision that the UK should think about the signal it sends to the world two days after hostages were executed.

Israel Katz, the foreign minister, said: A step of the type taken by Britain now sends a very problematic message to the terrorist organisation Hamas and its agents in Iran.

Yaakov Amidror, a former national security advisor to Benjamin Netanyahu, Israels prime minister, said it was another example of ignorance, anti-Semitism and a rotten moral attitude. He added: This is not about Israel, but about the UK.

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Asked on Monday night to define his vision of victory in the war, Mr Netanyahu said: I would define the end of the war when Hamas no longer rules Gaza. We throw them out.

He also revealed he had asked the families of the murdered hostages for forgiveness, saying: We were close, but we didnt achieve it. Hamas will pay a very heavy price for this.

During the general election campaign, Labour faced pressure from pro-Palestinian campaigners to take a tougher stance on Israel to win seats with large Muslim populations.

Five constituencies previously held by Labour MPs were taken by pro-Gaza independents. On Monday, the independents  including Jeremy Corbyn, the former Labour leader  formed an Independent Alliance to boost their voice in the Commons.

On Monday night, Conservatives accused the Government of appeasing the hard Left with the arms sale decision.

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Robert Jenrick, who is standing for the Tory leadership, said: This is shameful gesture politics to appease the hard Left. Britain should be standing with our ally Israel as it defends itself, and the world, against Irans war of state-sponsored terrorism.

Andrew Mitchell, the shadow foreign secretary, claimed the step had all the appearance of something designed to satisfy Labours backbenchers, while at the same time not offending Israel, an ally in the Middle East. I fear it will fail on both counts.

Government sources insisted the security assessment leading up to the decision was taken by the same officials, and using the same parameters, as under the Tories. However, it could make it easier for Mr Lammy to avoid an embarrassing defeat over Gaza policy at this months Labour Party conference.

Announcing the decision to MPs, he said: It is with regret that I inform the House today that the assessment I have received leaves me unable to conclude anything other than that for certain UK arms exports to Israel there does exist a clear risk that they might be used to commit or facilitate a serious violation of international humanitarian law.

I have informed the Business and Trade Secretary, and he is therefore today announcing the suspension of around 30 from a total of approximately 350 to Israel, as required under the Export Control Act. These include equipment that we assess is for use in the current conflict in Gaza.

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Boris Johnson accused Sir Keir and Mr Lammy of abandoning Israel with the decision.

The former Tory prime minister, added his voice to the criticism on Tuesday morning.

He tweeted: Hamas is still holding many innocent Jewish hostages while Israel tries to prevent a repeat of the 7th October massacre. Why are Lammy and Starmer abandoning Israel? Do they want Hamas to win?

While pro-Gaza MPs welcomed the move, a spokesman for Labour Friends of Israel said: We are deeply concerned by the signal this sends to Iran, the worlds leading sponsor of state terrorism and Vladimir Putins closest ally in Ukraine.

Phil Rosenberg, the president of the Board of Deputies of British Jews, said: We have relayed our deep concern to the Government at the highest levels about the decision, and its timing today, to institute a partial arms sales suspension against Israel.

Mr Lammy asked his departments lawyers to review advice on arms exports to Israel on the day he became Foreign Secretary.

The Foreign Office is understood to have concluded there is a risk of violations in the areas of humanitarian provision and access and treatment of detainees. There was not enough evidence to draw a definitive conclusion about Israels campaign in Gaza, but the scale of destruction and civilian suffering raised serious concerns.

The suspensions represent one tenth of the 350 UK arms licences to Israel.

Lord Polak, honorary president of Conservative Friends of Israel, said Mr Lammys announcement was appalling. He added: On the one hand they are saying they support Israels right to defend itself, but on the other they are deciding to tie one hand behind Israels back. Britain is supposed to be a friend of Israel.

Israeli protesters call for an end to the war in Gaza during David Lammy's visit to Jerusalem last month - IMAGO/SAEEDQAQ/Avalon

The Jewish Leadership Council said Mr Lammys decision could place in jeopardy the long-standing defence and intelligence partnership between the UK and Israel, which is key to the UKs own security.

Despite the anger in Israel at the decision, it is not believed the country is planning a diplomatic reaction.

The UK has exported arms worth over 576 million to Israel since 2008, issuing 108 arms export licences between October 7 2023 and May 31 this year.

The export, which totalled 18.2 million in 2023, ranges from components for submarines, helicopters, F-15, F-16 and F-35 fighter jets, as well as non-military equipment, such as telecommunications and chemical manufacturing equipment.

The F-35s are particularly important as they give Israels military air superiority in the region, being the only country in the Middle East to possess the fighters.

While Israel imports some 69 per cent of its arms from the US and less than one per cent from the UK, Giora Eiland, the former head of the Israeli National Security Council, told The Telegraph that the arms embargo could have critical implications and long-lasting effects for the Israeli army.

It might create a delay of months or even more, said Mr Eiland. For Israel, its very severe.

On Monday, Joe Biden accused Mr Netanyahu of not doing enough to reach a hostage deal as thousands of demonstrators shut down parts of Israel. The US president said a final deal to release Israelis held by Hamas was very close, but added that Mr Netanyahu was not doing enough to bring it over the line.

Thousands of Israelis held a protest over Mr Netanyahus failure to free all Israeli prisoners in Gaza on Monday amid a nationwide strike. The general strike, announced by the Histadrut workers union, shut down kindergartens, banks, universities, the airport and many businesses.

The Chief Rabbi, Ephraim Mirvis, said: It beggars belief that the British Government, a close strategic ally of Israel, has announced a partial suspension of arms licences, at a time when Israel is fighting a war for its very survival on seven fronts forced upon it on Oct 7, and at the very moment when six hostages murdered in cold blood by cruel terrorists were being buried by their families.

Sadly, this announcement will serve to encourage our shared enemies. It will not help to secure the release of the remaining 101 hostages, nor contribute to the peaceful future we wish and pray for, for all people in the region and beyond.

Britain and Israel have so much to gain by standing together against our common enemies for the sake of a safer world. Surely that must be the way forward, he added.

06:03 PM BST

Thats all for today

Thank you for following our live coverage of the UKs decision to suspend some arms exports to Israel and the general strike across Israel earlier today.

We will be back soon with more updates and analysis from the Middle East.

05:51 PM BST

Israeli official calls UK decision reward for Hamas

A senior Israeli official told the Telegraph that the UK decision is a reward for Hamas.

The official called it a miserable and insensitive decision which comes the same day as we bury hostages executed by Hamas.

05:46 PM BST

Gallant deeply disheartened by UK

Yoav Gallant, Israels defence minister, said he was deeply disheartened to learn of the UKs suspension of some export licenses to Israel.

He wrote on X: Deeply disheartened to learn of the sanctions placed by the U.K. Government on export licenses to Israels defense establishment. This comes at a time when we fight a war on 7 different fronts - a war that was launched by a savage terrorist organization, unprovoked.

At a time when we mourn 6 hostages who were executed in cold blood by Hamas inside tunnels in Gaza. At a time when we fight to bring 101 hostages home.

Deeply disheartened to learn of the sanctions placed by the U.K. Government on export licenses to Israel's defense establishment. This comes at a time when we fight a war on 7 different fronts - a war that was launched by a savage terrorist organization, unprovoked. At a time    - Yoav Gallant (@yoavgallant) September 2, 2024

05:39 PM BST

Israels foreign minister calls arms suspension very problematic

Israel Katz, Israels foreign minister, said Britains decision to suspend some arms exports to Israel sends a very problematic message.

A step of the type taken by Britain now sends a very problematic message to the terrorist organization Hamas and its agents in Iran, he said in a statement.

Israel is disappointed by the series of recent decisions made by the British government, including the latest decision on defense exports to Israel, its decision to withdraw its request to submit a friendly position to the ICC, and its position regarding UNRWA, as well as the recent British conduct and statements in the UN Security Council.

David Lammy, Foreign Secretary, meets with Israel Katz, Israel's foreign minister, on Aug 16 - Reuters

05:27 PM BST

UK also announces sanctions on IRGC officials

David Lammy also announced sanctions against three individuals within the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Quds Force and an IRGC unit for threatening the stability of the Middle East.

These targets seek to destabilise the region by sponsoring and providing weapons to Iranian proxy groups and partners across the region such as Lebanese-Hezbollah, the foreign office said in a statement following the Foreign Secretarys Commons speech.

05:19 PM BST

Israel furious with UK decision, says senior official

A senior Israeli official told The Telegraph that Israel is furious with the decision by the UK and that they should think about the signal it sends to the world following Hamass execution of six hostages.

05:18 PM BST

Arms export suspension will be kept under review

David Lammy said the Governments position on arms exports to Israel will be kept under review.

We will continue to work with our allies to improve the situation, he added. And foreign policy of course involves tough choices. But I will always seek to take such decisions in line with our principles  and I will keep this the House updated, in line with my previous commitment.

05:02 PM BST

Clear risk of serious violation of international law, says Lammy

Britain will immediately suspend 30 of its arms export licenses with Israel because there is a clear risk such equipment might be used to commit serious violations of international humanitarian law, Foreign Secretary David Lammy said on Monday.

David Lammy speaking in the Commons on Monday as he announced a partial suspension on arms exports to Israel

04:50 PM BST

We do not take this decision lightly

David Lammy told the Commons that the decision to suspend 30 out of 350 export licenses to Israel was not taken lightly.

We do not take this decision lightly, Mr Lammy said, adding that it was not an arms embargo.

Britain is among a number of Israels longstanding allies whose governments are under growing pressure to halt weapons exports because of the toll of the 11-month-old war in Gaza.

04:44 PM BST

Suspension will not affect F-35 components

David Lammy said the suspension of some export licenses will not be applied to UK-made components of the F-35 jet, unless they are bought directly by Israel.

Most F-35 components are sold via an international pool of parts to which Israel, and other countries, have access.

04:41 PM BST

Lammy: UK continues to support Israels right to self defence

Britain still supports Israels right to self defence in accordance with international law, David Lammy told parliament after he announced the suspension of 30 arms export licences to Israel.

Let me leave this house in no doubt: The UK continues to support Israels right to self defence in accordance with international law, he said.

We will continue to work with Israel to tackle the threat from Iran, Mr Lammy added.

04:37 PM BST

Watch: Commons live

Watch a livestream below inside the Commons after David Lammy announced a partial ban on arms exports to Israel.

04:28 PM BST

UK to suspend some arms exports to Israel

Britain will stop exporting some military equipment to Israel after concluding there is a risk they may be used in breach of humanitarian law in Gaza.

Around 30 licenses for the export of arms to Israel out of 350 will be affected, David Lammy has announced.

Aircraft, drones, helicopters and ground targeting equipment will be withheld.

The decision was made under the strategic export licensing criteria, which bans the export of items if there is a risk of them being used for violation of humanitarian law in the areas of humanitarian provision and access, treatment of detainees, and prosecution of military campaigns.

Mr Lammy asked his departments lawyers to review advice on exports to Israel the day he became foreign secretary.

03:33 PM BST

Netanyahu will not bow to pressure from a general strike

Benjamin Netanyahu has told his cabinet that Israel will not bow to the pressure of a general strike and dilute its negotiating position on a ceasefire with Hamas.

Israels security cabinet met on Monday afternoon as protesters staged demonstrations across the country in the wake of the killing of six hostages in Gaza on Saturday.

Mr Netanyahu told the ministers that Israel will not relent on its key demand  to keep control of the buffer zone separating Gaza from Egypt  as part of any ceasefire agreement.

The Israeli prime minister insisted there would be a strong response to the killing of the hostages but it would not involve ceding control of the buffer zone, known as the Phildadelphi Corridor.

Mr Netanyahu was referring to a US-led proposal that Israel would leave the corridor during the first six weeks of the first phase of a ceasefire with Hamas in Gaza.

An Israeli official told The Telegraph that Mr Netanyahu said: Everyone who says that it is possible to leave the Philadelphi Corridor for 42 days, knows very well that it will be for 42 years.

The world will not allow us to return. Everyone understands the importance of Philadelphi and [Hamas leader] Sinwar understands it best. That is why he insists, Mr. Netanyahu added, according to the official.

If we change the cabinets decision, it will be rewarding terrorists, you will not bring back the hostages.

03:28 PM BST

Biden says Netanyahu not doing enough to reach hostage deal

Joe Biden said a final hostage release deal between Israel and Hamas was very close but that Benjamin Netanyahu was not doing enough to complete it.

The US president was speaking to reporters at the White House after Israeli forces recovered the bodies of six murdered hostages in Gaza over the weekend.

Asked whether he thought Mr Netanyahu was doing enough, Mr Biden said no, without further elaborating.

Earlier, the US, Egypt and Qatar said they had planned to present a final take it or leave it deal to Hamas and Israel. You cant keep negotiating this. This process has to be called at some point, one official told the Washington Post.

03:10 PM BST

Israeli air strike kills two civilians in southern Lebanon

An Israeli air strike killed two civilians travelling in a car along Lebanons southern coast on Monday, security sources said. One was an employee of a cleaning company contracted by the United Nations peacekeeping force in Lebanon.

The force, known as Unifil, confirmed that a vehicle driven by the cleaning worker was hit near the southern Lebanon town of Naqoura, killing both the driver and passenger.

Unifil deplores that so many people have been hurt or killed since Oct 8. Attacks on civilians are violations of international humanitarian law. They must stop, said Unifil spokesperson Kandice Ardiel.

There was no immediate comment from the Israeli military.

02:59 PM BST

In pictures

Humanitarian aid is loaded onto a military aircraft for an airdrop over the Gaza Strip - Jordanian army/AFP via Getty Images

Israeli protesters light up smoke bombs as they block a road in Tel Aviv - ATEF SAFADI/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

Joe Biden arrives at the South Lawn of the White House on Marine One - AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein

People gather to pay their respects at the funeral of Hersh Goldberg-Polin, an Israeli hostage killed by Hamas - REUTERS/Ilan Rosenberg

02:21 PM BST

More on the funeral of hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin

Jon Goldberg-Polin (foreground), father of Hersh Goldberg-Polin - MENAHEM KAHANA/AFP via Getty Images

Scores of mourners waving Israeli flags held a procession on Monday from the home of US-Israeli man Hersh Goldberg-Polin, taken prisoner and killed by Hamas, to the Jerusalem cemetery where he was to be buried.

Some in the crowd that gathered on Monday wore red T-shirts with Goldberg-Polins picture and the word sorry.

Jean-Marc Liling, a friend of Goldberg-Polins family for two decades, told AFP that before Sunday he believed Hersh would come back alive.

Unable to hold back his tears, Mr Liling described Goldberg-Polin as someone who believed in co-existence with Palestinians.

02:06 PM BST

Opposition leader Lapid attends protests

Yair Lapid, the Israeli opposition leader, has been pictured at the nationwide strike.

Mr Lapid called on every Israeli whose heart was broken to join protests in Tel Aviv on Sunday, and on Israels main labour unions, businesses and city authorities to go on strike.

Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid attends a rally by families and supporters of hostages - JACK GUEZ/AFP via Getty Images

01:56 PM BST

Thousands attend funeral procession of murdered hostage

Israelis pay their respects near the family home of killed US-Israeli hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin - MENAHEM KAHANA/AFP via Getty Images

Thousands of people have lined Jerusalems streets to pay their respects to the murdered hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin.

Goldberg-Polin, a 23-year-old American-Israeli, was one of 40 people taken hostage at an outdoor dance festival where thousands of people were partying in the dawn hours of Oct 7 when the attackers struck.

He was shown in a hostage video released by Hamas earlier this year, with part of his left arm missing. He said he had been here for almost 200 days and called on his parents to stay strong for him.

On Sunday he and five other hostages were found dead in a tunnel in Rafah.

He is set to be interred at 4pm local time.

01:22 PM BST

Trade union chief thanks protestors

Arnon Bar-David  the chairman of Histadrut Labour Federation, Israels main trade union, which launched the strike  has thanked protestors and said he respects the decision by the labour court to end the strike at 2:30pm.

It is important to emphasise that the solidarity strike was a significant measure and I stand behind it. Despite the attempts to paint solidarity as political, hundreds of thousands of citizens voted with their feet, he said in a statement, reported by the Times of Israel.

I thank every one of you  you proved that the fate of the hostages is not Right-wing or Left-wing, there is only life or death, and we wont allow life to be abandoned, he reportedly said.

01:09 PM BST

Far-right minister welcomes court judgement

The labour courts ruling that todays strike must end has been welcomed by Israels finance minister.

In a post on social media, Bezalel Smotrich said the court agreed with him that the strike was political and illegal.

According to local media, Mr Smotrich had filed an injunction against the action with the court.

01:07 PM BST

ICYMI: Israeli protesters clash with police as fury over Gaza hostage deaths escalates

01:00 PM BST

Talks not reached their goals

An Israeli official has told The Telegraph that Hamass execution of six hostages, and subsequent chaos in Israel, show how important it is for the US, Qatar and Egypt to use their influence to get a ceasefire.

The talks at the moment have not reached their goals. The last two days have clearly illustrated that it is up to the mediators to pressure all parties to agree to a deal, the official said.

12:46 PM BST

Hostage families call on public to continue strike

The Hostages and Missing Families Forum has encouraged the public to continue the mass strike despite Israels labour court ordering it to end.

This is not about a strike, this is about rescuing the 101 hostages that were abandoned by [Benjamin] Netanyahu with the cabinet decision last Thursday, the forum said, referring to the vote on Israeli forces maintaining control of the Philadelphi Corridor, the strip of land between Egypt and Gaza.

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12:38 PM BST

48 Palestinians killed in 24 hours, say Gaza authorities

Israeli forces killed at least 48 Palestinians in the past 24 hours across the Gaza Strip as they battled Hamas-led militants, Palestinian officials claimed on Monday.

Seven Palestinians were killed in two Israeli air strikes on Gaza City, the officials said, while two air strikes killed six others in Bureij and Nuseirat, two of the Gaza Strips eight historic refugee camps.

There was no immediate comment from the Israeli military.

12:12 PM BST

In pictures: Mondays nationwide strike

Protesters at a rally in Tel Aviv call for a hostage release deal - JACK GUEZ/AFP via Getty Images

Demonstrators demand a ceasefire deal and the immediate release of hostages held by Hamas - AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg

Protetsors rally outside the defence ministry - REUTERS/Florion Goga

11:55 AM BST

General strike must end early, Israeli court rules

Israels labour court in Tel Aviv has ruled that the general strike must end at 2.30pm local time  three and a half hours earlier than expected.

11:43 AM BST

Saudi-owned vessel attacked in Red Sea

A Saudi-owned vessel has been attacked in the Red Sea, two sources with knowledge of the matter told Reuters on Monday.

It was unclear if the ship was attacked by Iran-aligned Houthi militants.

Earlier, British maritime agencies reported that a merchant vessel was hit by a drone some 50 nautical miles off Yemens Hodeidah, a Red Sea port just south of Saleef.

11:22 AM BST

Police clash with protesters in Israel as fury over hostage deaths grows

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10:52 AM BST

Gaza authorities claim 40,786 Palestinians killed since Oct 7

At least 40,786 Palestinians have been killed and 94,224 wounded in Israels military offensive on Gaza since Oct 7, the Hamas-run health authority said on Monday.

10:49 AM BST

Strike actions brings parts of Israel to halt

Protests on the Israeli costal road outside Kibbutz Yakum - Ilia yefimovich / Avalon

Strike action has brought parts of Israel to a halt in a bid to pressure the government to secure the release of the remaining hostages in Gaza, after the military recovered the bodies of six captives that the health ministry said had been murdered by Hamas.

Relatives and demonstrators have accused Benjamin Netanyahus government of not doing enough to bring the hostages back alive, and during mass rallies on Sunday called for a truce deal to help free dozens who remain captive.

Several major cities across Israel joined the strike, closing schools and other services for several hours.

10:45 AM BST

Israeli protester waves flag near blaze as protests in Israel continue

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10:37 AM BST

Ben Gurion International Airport begins checking people in

Ben Gurion International Airport has slowly begun checking people in after staff stopped working this morning as part of the general strike.

Long lines were seen at the airport, which has not announced when it will resume full work capacity. Services were planned to restart at 10:00 AM local time.

10:32 AM BST

In pictures

Members of the Australian Jewish community during a memorial service following the deaths of six hostages found in a tunnel under Gaza - DAVID GRAY/AFP via Getty Images

The remains of a car that was hit by an Israeli drone on the road leading to the southern Lebanese coastal town of Naqour - AFP via Getty Images

10:18 AM BST

US, Egypt and Qatar to present final take it or leave it deal

The US, Egypt and Qatar plan to present a final take it or leave it deal to Hamas and Israel, according to a senior US official.

You cant keep negotiating this. This process has to be called at some point, the official told the Washington Post, adding that Washington, Cairo and Doha had been preparing a final proposal before the execution of six hostages in Gaza.

Does it derail the deal? No. If anything, it should add additional urgency in this closing phase, which we were already in, the official added.

The White House said on Monday that Joe Biden, the US president, will sit down with Washingtons ceasefire negotiators.

09:58 AM BST

Strike to end tonight

The chairman of Histadrut, the General Federation of Labour in Israel, announced that the strike will end tonight at 6pm local time.

09:53 AM BST

Hamas claims responsibility for two attacks in West Bank

Hamass armed wing al-Qassam brigades claimed responsibility for two attacks against Israelis in the occupied West Bank on Friday, the group said in a statement on Monday.

Three Israelis were injured in two separate attacks that occurred in the Karmei Tzur settlement and the Gush Etzion Junction.

09:44 AM BST

Counter protestors say general strike is prize for Hamas

Right-wing counter-protestors in Jerusalem are calling on the public not to turn their anger against the government but against Hamas.

The protestors say the general strike is a prize for Hamas.

This is encouraging terror, said one protestor.

"    ":    ""            @VeredPelman

:   pic.twitter.com/FoCYDGacXT    (@kann_news) September 2, 2024

09:36 AM BST

Israel will respond with full force after hostage deaths

Israels foreign minister, Israel Katz, said his country will respond with full force after the discovery of the bodies of six hostages at the weekend.

Mr Katz wrote on social media:

The Hamas terror organization brutally executed six hostages to instil fear and attempt to fracture Israeli society. Israel will respond with full force to this heinous crime. Hamas is responsible and will pay the full price.

The Hamas terror organization brutally executed six hostages to instill fear and attempt to fracture Israeli society. Israel will respond with full force to this heinous crime. Hamas is responsible and will pay the full price.   " Israel Katz (@Israel_katz) September 2, 2024

09:15 AM BST

Israeli strike disrupts flights and buses

Services including banks, hospitals and transport in several Israeli districts have been disrupted by the countrys general strike, which is aimed at pressuring Benjamin Netanyahu into agreeing to a deal to bring Israeli hostages in Gaza home.

Some flights at Ben Gurion Airport, Israels main air transport hub, are suspended, although incoming planes are still landing. Bus and light rail services in many areas are either cancelled or only partially functioning.

An empty waiting area at the Ben Gurion International Airport - ABIR SULTAN/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

Workers at Israels main commercial port Haifa are also on strike.

Hospitals are only partially operating and banks are not working.

Many private sector businesses are open  but employers are allowing staff to join the strike.

08:51 AM BST

Government files injunction to halt general strike

Israeli media are reporting that the government has filed an injunction with the National Labour Court against the general strike.

Bezalel Smotrich, the finance minister, contacted Gali Baharav-Miara, the attorney general, on Sunday requesting a petition for an injunction. It appears she approved the request on Monday, according to Haaretz.

The Regional Labour Court will hear a request for injunctions at 10.30am local time (8.30am BST) submitted by the Gevurah Forum, a group which opposes the hostage deal.

Gevurah Forums request states this is clearly a political strike, blatantly illegal, carried out in a bullying manner.

08:38 AM BST

Biden and Harris to meet US negotiating team on Gaza hostage deal

Joe Biden, the US president, will sit down on Monday with US negotiators pushing for a hostage-release deal, the White House said, after the deaths of six captives in Gaza, including an American citizen.

Mr Bidens official schedule was revised to make time for the meeting at the White House, which will also be attended by vice president Kamala Harris, who is running to succeed him in Novembers presidential election.

A statement announcing Mr Bidens updated schedule said he and Ms Harris would meet the US hostage deal negotiating team following the murder of American citizen Hersh Goldberg-Polin and five other hostages by Hamas on Saturday, and discuss efforts to drive towards a deal that secures the release of the remaining hostages.

The United States, along with fellow mediators Egypt and Qatar, has spent months pushing for a hostage-prisoner exchange and ceasefire in the war in Gaza.

08:27 AM BST

Dozens protest against government of death

A number of protestors are carrying printed signs reading Against the government of death, according to The Times of Israel.

The protestors are gathered at Karkur Junction in northern Israel. Last night activists shut down traffic on Route 65 at the junction, the site of weekly rallies during the 2023 anti-government protests.

08:24 AM BST

Red Sea ship attack

A suspected attack by Yemens Houthi rebels targeted a ship in the Red Sea on Monday, authorities said.

Two projectiles hit the vessel, and a third explosion occurred near the ship, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations centre said.

Damage control is underway, the centre said. There are no casualties onboard and the vessel is proceeding to its next port of call.

The Houthis did not immediately claim responsibility for the attack. However, it can take the rebels hours or even days to acknowledge their assaults.

The Houthis have targeted more than 80 vessels with missiles and drones since the war in Gaza started in October.

The rebels maintain that they target ships linked to Israel, the US or the UK 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.

08:17 AM BST

In pictures: last nights protests

People block a road as they protest on Sunday night - AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg

Israeli Police officers detain a protester - JACK GUEZ/AFP via Getty Images

A drone view of protesters in Tel Aviv - REUTERS/Or Hadar

07:57 AM BST

Netanyahu to push for deal only when streets are burning

Benjamin Netanyahu will push for a deal with Hamas only when the streets are burning, an Israeli minister said as the countrys nationwide general strike began.

Its unpleasant to admit, but Netanyahu will push for a deal only when the streets are burning, one minister from the prime ministers own party told Haaretz newspaper. Right now, he fears [far-right ministers Itamar] Ben-Gvir and [Bezalel] Smotrich more than he fears the families of the hostages.

Mr Netanyahu is widely accused of making a deal with Hamas impossible, due to opposition from far-right cabinet members in his government. They have said they will leave his coalition should he agree to a ceasefire, meaning Mr Netanyahu may have to face long-standing corruption allegations.

07:51 AM BST

Watch: Protests erupt across Israel following hostage deaths

Israelis are holding a nationwide general strike in a bid to pressure Benjamin Netanyahu into accepting a Gaza ceasefire deal.

Arnon Bar-David, the head of the Histadrut labour union, on Sunday called for all civilian workers to join the strike, which is planned to last one day but could be extended.

07:37 AM BST

Protesters plan to block major roads

The Hostages and Missing Families Forum have announced more than a dozen protest locations around Israel.

These are mostly major roads and intersections around Tel Aviv and the north, where protesters plan to block traffic.

The protests are a continuation of those seen yesterday, in which thousands took to the streets to call for the government to accept a deal that would see the remaining hostages returned to Israel.

07:14 AM BST

Polio vaccine campaign under way in Gaza

A large-scale polio vaccine campaign started this weekend in the Gaza Strip, after it recently reported its first polio case in 25 years, which left a 10-month-old boy paralysed in his leg.

The World Health Organization says the presence of a paralysis case indicates there could be hundreds more who have been infected but are not showing symptoms.

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.

Gazas Health Ministry said more than 72,600 children received vaccines on Sunday.

The World Health Organization 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 on 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.

06:31 AM BST

Who is striking across Israel?

Unions have threatened to paralyse the economy with a nationwide shutdown on Monday.

The following groups are also reportedly backing the strike:

the Israel Business Forum, which represents most private-sector workers from 200 major companies

the Israel Bar Association, which called on all lawyers to stop work

the Teachers Union

the Association of University Heads

the Manufacturers Association of Israel

major bus companies

Disruptions to flights to and from the Ben Gurion international airport are also expected.

06:01 AM BST

Palestinians search for bodies in school rubble

The bodies of at least 11 Palestinians have been recovered from the Sadaf school so far following Israels strike on the Zeitoun neighbourhood of Gaza City on Sunday.

The search continues.

Palestinian residents of the area, together with civil defense teams, carry out search and rescue operations after the Israeli army attacked the Safad School

Palestinian residents of the area, together with civil defense teams, carry out search and rescue operations after the Israeli army attacked the Safad School

05:40 AM BST

Report: US planning to present a take it or leave it deal

The US is in discussions with mediating partners Egypt and Qatar about the details of a final take it or leave it deal that it could present to Hamas and Israel in the coming weeks, the Washington Post reports.

An unnamed Biden administration official told the Post that if Israel and Hamas fail to accept the proposal, the US could stop leading negotiation efforts.

You cant keep negotiating this. This process has to be called at some point, they were quoted as saying.

05:34 AM BST

Strike on ship

Were hearing reports of a ship being attacked northwest of Yemen.

Details are scant but an advisory note from the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said that a merchant vessel was hit by two unknown projectiles.

No casualties have been reported.

Iran-aligned Houthi militants have launched attacks on international shipping near Yemen since November in solidarity with Palestinians.

05:18 AM BST

PMs call for immediate ceasefire

Anwar Ibrahim, the Malaysian prime minister, and his New Zealand counterpart Chris Luxon said they were united in calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and an attempt to negotiate a two-state solution between Israel and Palestine.

We both are very united in calling for an immediate ceasefire, getting the parties around the negotiating table and finding a two-state solution, Mr Luxon said at a joint press conference.

Mr Anwar said prospects for a ceasefire did not look encouraging, saying there was a lack of commitment from governments who could exert influence to stop the conflict.

The only hope is to engage the United States to take a stronger stance, he said.

Muslim-majority Malaysia is a staunch supporter of the Palestinian cause and has long advocated a two-state solution to the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians.

05:14 AM BST

In pictures: protests across Israel

Israelis block a highway while protesting for hostage release

Protesters, wearing a yellow blindfold, sit on the ground during an anti-government rally

Protesters climb down a wall during an anti-government rally

05:09 AM BST

Protesters will block major roads

As well as staging walkouts, activists are planning to block city intersections.

The Hostages Families Forum Headquarters will stage a series of protests on at least 15 different roads and bridges from 7am local time, according to the Times of Israel.

05:04 AM BST

Strike begins

Many major businesses and schools are closed this morning and protesting Israelis are refusing to go to work.

Israels largest trade union, the Histadrut, called for the general strike with the aim to disrupt major sectors of the economy, including banking, health care and the countrys main airport. It began at 6am local time.

The Histadruts call was also taken up by the Israel Business Forum, which represents most private-sector workers from 200 of the countrys largest companies.

Israels Manufacturers Association said it supported a strike and criticised the government for failing to bring hostages back alive, which it called a moral duty.

There were reports on Sunday that flights would not take off from Ben Gurion Airport as of 8am, however local newspapers now report that services will likely continue.

04:55 AM BST

In pictures: protesters arrested in Tel Aviv

Israeli Police officers detain a protester during clashes following an anti-government rally calling for the release of Israelis held hostage by Palestinian militants in Gaza

Israeli Police officers detain a protester during clashes in Tel Aviv

Israeli police officers face protesters during an anti-government rally calling for the release of Israelis held hostage

04:47 AM BST

Largest demonstration yet

Tens of thousands of grieving and angry Israelis marched in the streets overnight, chanting Now! Now! as they demanded that prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu reach a deal with Hamas.



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.

An estimated 300,000 people gathered on the streets of Tel Aviv and another 200,000 took part in demonstrations in other cities.

04:45 AM BST

Good morning

Israelis began striking at 6am local time as grieving families of hostages killed in Gaza continued to express outrage at their governments failure to reach a ceasefire deal with Hamas.

Follow this blog for updates on Monday.
Benjamin Netanyahu has defied protests at home and criticism from Joe Biden by vowing that Israel would not relinquish control over a strategic corridor along the Gaza-Egyptian border.

In a combative press conference, the Israeli prime minister presented control of the Philadelphi corridor along Gazas border with Egypt as a primary war aim, entrenching a position that has emerged as a key obstacle to a ceasefire deal.

Israel will not accept the massacre of six hostages, Hamas will pay a heavy price, said Netanyahu, standing in front of a wall-sized map of the Gaza strip that included clip art of bombs and missiles crossing the border. Irans axis of evil needs the Philadelphi corridors  Israel must control it.

The remarks came hours after the US president met with his top advisers on the Gaza conflict and told reporters that he did not believe Netanyahu was doing enough to secure a ceasefire deal with Hamas.

Netanyahus remarks came after protests this weekend prompted by the discovery of the bodies of six hostages in Gaza. Tens of thousands of Israelis demonstrated against the governments handling of the war in Gaza and efforts to release dozens of hostages who remain in captivity.

Speaking to reporters on Monday, Biden said that his administration was very close to proposing a final hostage deal to both sides that has assumed new urgency since the discovery of the bodies, including that of Israeli-American Hersh Goldberg-Polin.

The Washington Post had previously reported that the Biden administration was preparing to propose a take it or leave it deal that, if it failed, could mark the end of US-led efforts to negotiate a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.

Biden did not reveal details of the new proposal and, asked why he thought a new deal could prove successful after months of unsuccessful attempts, said: Hope springs eternal.

The White House said that Biden received a briefing from top-level advisers including the national security advisor, Jake Sullivan, and the secretary of state, Antony Blinken, where they discussed next steps in the ceasefire efforts in collaboration with co-mediators Egypt and Qatar.

Netanyahu has remained defiant over Israeli claims to strategic points in Gaza, despite significant internal and international pressure to secure at least a temporary ceasefire in the 11-month-old war.

During his remarks on Monday, the Israeli prime minister apologised to the families of the six hostages found dead in Gaza over the weekend, but then quickly pivoted to defend his governments control over the Philadelphi corridor. That has been seen as a non-starter for a potential ceasefire deal with Hamas.

In the war against the axis of evil, in this specific war against Hamas and also in the north, we have set four goals: defeat Hamas; return our hostages; ensure that Gaza does not pose a threat; and to return residents to the south, he said. Three of these goals pass through the Philadelphi route, Hamass oxygen pipe.

The Israeli opposition leader, Yair Lapid, derided Netanyahus presentation as political spin with no relation to reality.

Not one professional buys this spin. Not the security personnel, not the international system, not the fighters who are actually in Gaza and know the reality there, Lapid said, according to the Times of Israel.

The Philadelphi corridor has only emerged as an Israeli government talking point in recent weeks, and was not part of the plan that Biden presented in May, which the Israeli government said at the time it accepted.

The Hostage Families Forum vowed that their protests would continue, but the far-right members of Netanyahus government coalition declared victory after a labour court ruling that the strike had to end at 2.30pm local time (12.30pm BST).

Even before the court ruling, the strike, called by the Histadrut trade union federation, was not seen as a significant threat to the government. It had only been due to last a day, and only a few local authorities took part.

Banks and many private businesses closed or gave their employees the option of taking the day off, but it was not the prolonged stoppage that activists hoped would have an impact on the economy and force the coalition into a ceasefire-for-hostage deal with Hamas.

Public anger erupted after the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) found the hostages bodies in a tunnel deep under the Palestinian city of Rafah over the weekend. According to Israels health ministry, they had been shot at close range about two days before their remains were discovered. Some of them  including Goldberg-Polin  would have been in the first batch of hostages to be released under the proposed ceasefire deal.

Goldberg-Polins funeral was held in Jerusalem on Monday. Addressing the family at the ceremony, Israels president, Isaac Herzog, apologised for his death on behalf of the state.

We are sorry we failed to protect you in the terrible failure of 7 October, Herzog said. We are sorry we failed to bring you home safely. We are sorry that the country you immigrated to at the age of seven, wrapped in the Israeli flag, failed to keep you.

About 250 hostages were seized by Hamas in its 7 October surprise attack on southern Israel, which killed 1,200 people, most of them civilians. In the Gaza war that followed, Israel forces have killed more than 40,000 Palestinians, the large majority of them civilians.

Other countries have slightly increased pressure on Israel since the botched rescue of the hostages. The UK foreign secretary, David Lammy, on Monday announced the suspension of 30 of 350 arms export licenses to Israel. Israels defence minister, Yoav Gallant, said he was deeply disheartened by the decision at a time when we fight a war on seven different fronts.

The extreme right members of Netanyahus coalition welcomed the decision of the Bat Yam labour court to order Mondays strike to end early. The finance minister, Bezalel Smotrich, said the strike had been political and illegal, serving the interests of Hamas.

The Hostage Families Forum said that protests would still continue after the strike, in the interests of the 101 hostages still unaccounted for in Gaza, of whom Israeli intelligence believes about a third are already dead.

The forum said the surviving hostages had been abandoned on Thursday last week, when Netanyahus cabinet voted to stand behind the prime ministers negotiating position insisting on Israeli control of the Philadelphi corridor. Gallant was the only cabinet member to vote against the stance, and has called for the decision to be reversed.

About 100,000 protesters took part in demonstrations in Tel Aviv on Sunday night, temporarily blocking the north-south motorway that runs through the city. On Monday, there were sporadic protests blocking key road junctions around the country and another big demonstration was called for Monday night.

Among even the most determined demonstrators however was an acceptance that they did not yet have the strength to threaten Netanyahus hold on power and force him to change course.

Im not sure the strike was as powerful as people expected, said Debbie Mason, a social worker for the Eshkol regional council, an area of southern Israel abutting Gaza, where many of the victims of the 7 October Hamas attack lived.

Unfortunately, there are too many things that are going to obstruct a deal. Whether its on our side, whether its on Hamass side, it just doesnt seem to be in anyones interest that something should happen, Mason said.

She was speaking in Hostages Square, a plaza between the national library and the Tel Aviv Museum of Art, where hostage families and their supporters gather every day.

Rayah Karmin, a vitamin supplement salesperson from Mabuim, a village near Netivot near the Gaza frontier, agreed that a one-day strike would change little.

Only a longer strike will make the people in government understand that the economy of Israel is going to go down, Karmin said.

She pointed out that all the protests faced an immovable political reality: that if a ceasefire were agreed, Ben-Gvir and Smotrich would lead a far-right walk-out from the cabinet and the coalition would fall, removing Netanyahus immunity against corruption charges he faces in Israeli courts.

Smotrich and Ben-Gvir will leave Netanyahu, and then he will be without a coalition, and he will have to go home, Karmin said. And he knows that next time he wont be elected, so he wants to stay as long as he can.
Bjoern Hoecke's AfD won the vote in Thuringia but mainstream parties refuse to work with the anti-immigrant party - JENS SCHLUETER/AFP via Getty Images

German parties attempting to block the far-Right AfD from power may have to partner with a Russia-friendly party that blames Nato for the war in Ukraine.

Bundnis Sahra Wagenknecht (BSW), a populist group that combines Left and Right-wing demands including an end to weapons supplies to Ukraine, says it is ready for talks on forming new governments in Saxony and Thuringia.

The far-right AfD won the vote in Thuringia, securing 33 per cent of ballots, and came second in Saxony on 31, just behind the centre-right Christian Democrats (CDU) on 32 per cent.

But mainstream parties refuse to work with the anti-immigrant outfit, leaving the centre-right Christian Democrats now dependent on the BSW for building stable majorities.

The BSW set out their stall on Monday, saying they will only work with parties willing to oppose arms supplies to Kyiv and the planned positioning of US mid-range missiles on German soil.

Any such opposition would be purely symbolic as state governments have no say in Germanys foreign policy.

However, party founder Sahra Wagenkencht said that of course state governments need to raise their voices.

Sahra Wagenknecht has repeatedly sought to blame Nato for Russia's invasion of Ukraine - JOHN MACDOUGALL/AFP via Getty Images

Victory in Thuringia was the first time the AfD won the most votes at a state election since its founding eleven years ago.

The local party is led by Bjorn Hocke, an extremist who has used Nazi slogans in speeches and advocates reducing the countrys population by 20 million by pressuring Muslims to leave.

The CDU has refused to contemplate any sort of cooperation with the AfD, with party leader Friedrich Merz pledging a firewall against the hard-Right party.

However, critics inside the CDU have said that the firewall policy exposes them to blackmail by parties on the Left.

Commenting on Monday, chancellor Olaf Scholz said: All democratic parties are now called upon to form stable governments without Right-wing extremists.

Mr Scholz Social Democrats won less than 10 per cent in both states, results the chancellor described as very bitter.

The remaining parties in his unpopular coalition suffered even worse results.

The Greens failed to win any seats in Thuringia and the liberal Free Democrats were wiped out in both states.

In an initial response, CDU leader Friedrich Merz made no mention of possible coalitions but described the results as a brutal fiasco for Mr Scholz.

CDU party leader Friedrich Mer has refused to contemplate any sort of cooperation with the AfD - CLEMENS BILAN/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

With the centre largely hollowed out, majority coalitions in both Saxony and Thuringia are now only possible with the BSW.

A Left-wing splinter party that emerged at the start of the year, the BSW won 16 per cent of the vote in Thuringia and 12 per cent in Saxony.

Founded by Ms Wagenknecht, a charismatic former communist, the party has sought to position itself as a voice of common sense via campaigns against gender-sensitive language and net zero policies.

However, critics accuse the party of pandering to dictators due to their advocacy of peace with the Kremlin.

BSW campaign posters demanded diplomacy instead of warmongering, while Ms Wagenknecht has repeatedly sought to blame Nato for Russias invasion of Ukraine.

She has also accused Israel of pursuing a war of annihilation in Gaza, a loaded term due to its use for describing Nazi war crimes in eastern Europe.

Reacting to the results on Monday, the countrys Jewish community called it a sucker punch of historic dimensions for the countrys democracy.

Joseph Schuster, head of the Council of Jews, described the AfD as extremists and said that what we know of the leadership of the BSW doesnt bode well for the future.
Chinas censorship regime is expanding to target the private followers of accounts considered unfavourable. Photograph: Oscar Wong/Getty Images

Late last year, Duan*, a university student in China, used a virtual private network to jump over Chinas great firewall of internet censorship and download social media platform Discord.

Overnight he entered a community in which thousands of members with diverse views debated political ideas and staged mock elections. People could join the chat to discuss ideas such as democracy, anarchism and communism. After all, its hard for us to do politics in reality, so we have to do it in a group chat, Yang Minghao, a popular vlogger, said in a video on YouTube.

Duans interest in the community was piqued while watching one of Yangs videos online. Yang, who vlogs under the nickname MHYYY, was talking about the chat on Discord, which like YouTube is blocked in China, and said that he would like to see where this group will go, as far as possible without intervention.

The answer to Yangs question came after less than a year. In July, Duan and several other members of the Discord group, in cities thousands of miles apart, were called in for questioning by the police.

Duan says that he was detained for 24 hours and interrogated about his relationship to Yang, his use of a VPN and comments that hed made on Discord. He was released without charge after 24 hours, but he  and other followers of Yang  remain concerned about the welfare of the vlogger, who hasnt posted online since late July.

The incident is just one sign of the growing severity of Chinas censorship regime, under which even private followers of unfavourable accounts can get into trouble.

I dont think Ive seen followers of influencers being questioned to this extent in the past, said Maya Wang, the associate China director at Human Rights Watch.

Chinas ministry of public security and the local public security bureau handling Duans case could not be reached for comment, but both he and his fellow online idealists fell foul of one of the foundational principles of Chinas internet: dont form a community, especially not one related to politics, even in private.

Being punished for comments made online is common in China, where the internet is tightly regulated. As well as a digital firewall that blocks the majority of internet users from accessing foreign websites like Google, Facebook and WhatsApp, people who publish content on topics deemed sensitive or critical of the government often find themselves banned from websites, or worse.

Last year, a man called Ning Bin was sentenced to more than two years in prison for posting inappropriate remarks and false information on X and Pincong, a Chinese-language forum.

Even ardent nationalists are not immune. In recent weeks, the influential, pro-government commentator, Hu Xijin, appears to have been banned from social media after making comments about Chinas political trajectory that didnt align with Beijings view.

Duan said that the call from the police was not entirely unexpected. Still, he says, the intensity of the interrogation caught him by surprise. Just complaining in a group chat on overseas software is not allowed.

The net of online surveillance widens

In February, Li Ying, who runs a popular Chinese-language X account, posted an urgent notice saying that his followers in China were being called in to drink tea with the police, a euphemism for interrogations. He urged people to unfollow him and take care to make sure that their X accounts didnt reveal their personal information.

Li, who is based in Italy, runs an account called Teacher Li is not your teacher, which posts a stream of unfiltered news about protests and repression in China, the likes of which would never be published in Chinas domestic media.

The police began to call all users who had registered with Chinese mobile phone numbers and asked them to unfollow me, Li said. People living overseas had their relatives in China contacted by the police, Li said. They were put pressure on to persuade the person overseas to unfollow Lis account.

Two other popular Chinese bloggers, including Wang Zhian, a Chinese journalist based in Japan, also said that their followers were questioned by police this year.

Part of this has to do with deepening repression  police have gone from harassing activists and people out there active in physical spaces to harassing those online because much of activism and dissent is now more deeply hidden, says Wang.

In December, Li Tong, an official at the ministry of public securitys cybersecurity bureau said that the government had designated 2024 as the year of a special campaign to combat and rectify online rumours. Local authorities have taken on this mantle with gusto: in July, Guangdong province said that it had dealt with more than 1,000 cases of online rumours and online trolls this year.

William Farris, a lawyer who studies state prosecutions of speech in China, said that internet cleaning campaigns are an annual, or semi-annual, tradition. Similar campaigns have been announced every year dating back to at least 2013. He noted that in several judgements against people who had been punished for their online activity, the authorities also paid attention to who the people followed. In 2019, a man called Jiang Kun was sentenced to eight months in jail for posts on X, with the court noting that he followed certain anti-Chinese forces on the platform.

Still, Wang said that the ongoing cat and mouse game between the authorities and those who think differently from them indicated an emerging set of shared values that cut across Chinas borders. Despite the fact that the authorities have always sought to stamp out these universal values, they have nonetheless persisted among significant portions of people in and from China.

The Discord crackdown has been widely discussed online, in forums blocked by Chinas firewall. On Reddit, one user wrote: I sincerely hope that all those who have lost contact can return to life safely. We will meet again, in a place where there is no darkness!

* Names have been changed.
Meghan and Harry Duchess during their visit to Colombia - Diego Cuevas

The Duke and Duchess of Sussexs four-day visit to Colombia cost the country almost 45,000, according to figures released by the vice-presidents office.

They were requested by Maria Fernanda Cabal, a Right-wing senator and political opponent of Francia Marquez, Colombias vice-president, who orchestrated the trip and hosted Harry and Meghan.

Ms Cabal, who has previously dismissed the quasi-royal tour as showmanship, branded it wasteful spending. The costs were released in response to a derecho de peticion, or right to petition.

Did you know that the visit of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex cost Colombians a total of $244,245,305 (44,419.26)? Ms Cabals office said.

The cost included internal transport throughout the visit and security.

Prince Harry and Meghan paid for their own flights, their accommodation in Bogota and general expenses, according to the vice presidents office.

The security costs for the engagements held in San Basilio de Palenque, the first African Freetown in the Americas, founded by escaped slaves, was almost 7,500.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex were in Colombia in August after an invite from vice-president Francia Marquez - RAUL ARBOLEDA/AFP

In Cali, where the couple attended a music and culture festival, a forum and a meeting with young people, the security bill was just under 4,500.

The total cost covers an eight-day period as it includes four days of advance visits from staff including security and logistics teams who organised transport, sound, refreshments and everything involved for each engagement, sources said.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex at the Petronio Alvarez Music Festival in Cali - Cali Mayor's Office

The Colombian government has previously stated that the Sussexes paid for their own travel but admitted that the extensive security operation - or technical requirements - was funded by the vice-presidents office.

It said the visit had contributed to continue demonstrating that Colombia is a country of confluence for global causes, a country capable of hosting diverse interests, as well as an attractive destination for investment, tourism and business.

During this visit, the country received the attention of international media and the world who were given the message that Colombia is changing positively, the government added.

The criticism comes in the wake of various domestic issues, including a healthcare and social housing crises.
The Centre for Social Justice has called for children 'scarred by lockdown' to have their lives put back on track - Sally Anscombe/Photodisc

The school day should be extended by an hour to help the lost generation of Covid children, a think tank has said.

A report by the Centre for Social Justice (CSJ) has called for teenagers scarred by lockdown to have their lives put back on track.

It urges the Government to add an extra five hours to the school week and for tackling truancy to be a priority in a series of proposals designed to give children a world class education.

The report, called A United Nation and produced by the CSJs Social Justice Commission, said lockdowns had left a generation feeling ill-equipped for life.

Covid-19 lockdowns stripped years from the childhoods of our most disadvantaged young people, and we continue to reap the whirlwind with over 140,000 children missing more school than they attend, soaring mental health problems, and a generation feeling ill-equipped for life, it said.

The cross-party report said that tackling the attendance crisis should be made a national priority, but that the Governments efforts to tackle it continue to fall short.

The level of severe absence  where children are off of school more than not  was still at crisis levels of around 140,000 children, it said.

It called for 2,000 attendance mentors to be deployed immediately, with a national parental participation strategy to be set up in the longer term to get schools and parents to engage with each other on truancy.

The report also recommends the extended school week should include a right to sport and include a minimum of two extra hours a week of sport and outdoor education.

This would help to close the activity gap, it said, with a third of children considered inactive because they do less than 30 minutes of physical activity per day.

The mental health of Britains youth also needs to be addressed, it said, with the report predicting that over one in four of five- to 15-year-olds will have a mental disorder by 2030 based on the current trend.

Sir Iain Duncan Smith MP, the chairman of the Centre for Social Justice, said lockdown 'harmed young people across the country'

Sir Iain Duncan Smith MP, the founder and chairman of the CSJ, said: Our response to Covid-19 with its lockdown isolating people in communities, while damaging to so many of all ages, has unquestionably harmed young people across the country.

Those in communities already suffering from poverty and social breakdown, have faced the greatest damage, he said.

Government must act upon the recommendations from the CSJs cross-party Social Justice Commission before the harm becomes irrevocable.

The report also calls for better financial incentives to get the best teachers working in the most challenged schools and additional funding to subsidise boarding school places for children in care.

It also said that regulator Ofsted should be inspecting employability as a key part of its reports on schools, with employers often complaining that pupils are poorly equipped for the world of work.

In other areas it recommends optional national military service that 15 to 20 per cent of 18-year-olds would sign up to, and for funding for quality youth services.

It also calls for 6 billion of government money to be switched from Whitehall to local government across the country in a bid to tackle economic inactivity driven by the post-pandemic surge in those of working age quitting the labour market.

The Social Justice Commission is made up of figures from across the political spectrum, such as Andy Burnham, the mayor of Greater Manchester, Sir Stephen Timms MP, the social security minister, Miriam Cates, former Tory MP, Tim Farron, former Liberal Democrat leader, and Lord King, former Bank of England governor.

It was produced after consultation with more than 300 front-line charities, social enterprises and local organisations and polling of more than 6,000 people.
Gisele Pelicot (centre) sits beside her daughter and son at the courthouse during the trial of her husband - AFP

A 72-year-old woman appeared in court to face 51 men accused of sexually assaulting her while she was drugged unconscious by her husband.

Gisele Pelicot has waived her right to anonymity to insist that her rape trial remains public so this never happens again.

In a case that has appalled France, Dominique Pelicot, 71, a retired electricity worker and father of three, is charged with inviting men to have intercourse with Gisele, his wife of almost 50 years, via a now-banned website in a section called a son insu (without her knowledge).

Police counted 92 rapes committed by 72 men, of whom 51 were formally identified, over 10 years.

According to her lawyers, Mrs Pelicot was so heavily sedated with date rape drugs that she had no recollection of the abuse she suffered at the couples large home with a swimming pool in the village of Mazan near Carpentras in Provence.

Defence lawyers and the prosecuting magistrate had called for the trial, which began on Monday at the Vaucluse Criminal Court in Avignon, to be held behind closed doors as is often the case in rape cases.

They pointed out that footage shot by the husband would be shown to the court and that not only would it be dangerous to hold the proceedings in public, but it would also undermine the dignity of the individuals concerned. Some defence lawyers also called for the trial not to become a spectacle.

Co-defendants speak with a lawyer at the courthouse. Fifty men stand accused of rape alongside Dominique Pelicot who is accused of drugging his wife and recruiting the men over 10 years of abuse - Christophe Simon/AFP via Getty Images

But Mrs Pelicot insisted the trial should not be shut to the public and journalists because thats what her attackers would have wanted, said Antoine Camus, one of her lawyers.

She is completely determined to face them and her husband with whom she lived for 50 years but whom she knew nothing about, as she discovered at 68, he added.

Before police revealed footage of the abuse she unwittingly endured, she had described her husband as a kind and caring father and grandfather. But Mrs Pelicot, who has begun divorce proceedings, told the judge: He disgusts me, I feel dirty, soiled, betrayed. Its a tsunami, Ive been hit by a high-speed train.

Stephane Babonneau, another lawyer, said: She was dreading this moment but is relieved that the hearing is open and that she will not be locked up for four months with her assailants.

She wants to raise awareness as widely as possible about date rape drugs so that this never happens again.

Mrs Pelicot arrived in court in dark glasses and with the couples three children, two sons and daughter Caroline Darian, who has written a book inspired by the case called And I Stopped Calling You Daddy.

Protesters from two feminist groups, Les Amazones dAvignon and Osez le feminisme 84, demonstrated outside the courthouse on Monday chanting: Rapists, we see you, victims, we believe you.

Caroline Darian and her brother Florian arrive at the courthouse for their father's trial - Christophe Simon /AFP via Getty Images

Mr Pelicot, a white-haired retiree in a black T-shirt, appeared only to confirm his address, telling the judge: You know my home, its prison.

The defendants, 18 of whom have been in detention awaiting the trial, were aged from 21 to 68 at the time of the alleged rapes. They include a fireman, lorry driver, municipal councillor, IT worker in a bank, prison guard, nurse and a journalist.

Some were single, others married or divorced, and some family men. Most participated just once in the alleged sexual assault of Mrs Pelicot, some up to six times.

Police began to investigate Mr Pelicot in September 2020 when he was caught by a security guard secretly filming under the skirts of three women in a shopping centre.

Examining his computer, they found thousands of pictures and videos of his wife, visibly unconscious. He would then meticulously film and archive their sexual acts, keeping the footage in a file called ABUSES on a USB.

According to the 400-page indictment, the abuse started in 2011 when the couple were living near Paris and continued after they moved to Mazan two years later until 2020.

The suspect is said to have given the men strict instructions when they abused his wife during the night. Tobacco and perfume were banned to avoid strong smells that could awaken her.

The men are accused of washing their hands in hot water to avoid a sudden change of temperature and undressing in the kitchen to avoid leaving any clothes in the bedroom. The prosecution claims they also parked near a school and walked in the dark to the house to avoid arousing neighbours suspicions.

Protesters outside the courtroom hold placards and detonate smoke bombs - Christophe Simon/AFP via Getty Images

Beatrice Zavarro, Mr Pelicots lawyer, said her client felt huge remorse.

He is ashamed of what he has done, its unforgivable, she told reporters, adding that his criminal acts were part of a form of addiction.

He recognises what he has done, she added.

Most defendants maintain they believed they were taking part in the consensual fantasies of a libertine couple. One denied it was rape, saying: Its his wife, he does what he likes with her.

However, Mr Pelicot told judges that everyone knew that his wife was drugged and unconscious.

The investigating magistrate also argued that each individual had free will and could have left the premises.

They face up to 20 years behind bars.

Mrs Pelictots lawyer, Mr Camus, said the family hopes the trial will shed light on the true nature of the patriarch.

Who is this man that they thought they knew? How far did he go? When did this all start and what else has he done? he asked.

In a separate case, Mr Pelicot has also been charged with raping and murdering a 23-year-old estate agent in Paris in 1991, which he denies, and an attempted rape in 1999, to which he admitted after DNA testing.

Experts said he does not appear to be mentally ill but reportedly concluded that he needed to feel all-powerful over the female body in assessments included in court documents.

Mr Pelicot, who said he himself was raped by a male nurse when he was nine, is ready to face his family and his wife said his lawyer, Ms Zavarro.

The trial continues.

03:59 PM BST

Thats all for today

Our live coverage has ended. We will be back soon with more updates from the trial.

03:57 PM BST

Trial ends for day

The trial has ended for the day.

On Tuesday, the presiding judge will read out her summary of the 400 page-long indictment.

The investigators will be interviewed on Wednesday and Gisele Pelicot and other family members starting on Thursday.

03:52 PM BST

Pictured: Gisele Pelicot arrives at the court house

Gisele Pelicot arrived at the courthouse on Monday for the trial of Dominique Pelicot and 50 other men. Ms Pelicot has expressed a wish for for complete publicity of the trial until the end.

Gisele Pelicot (centre) arrives at the courthouse during the trial of her husband accused of drugging her for nearly ten years - AFP

03:42 PM BST

Gisele Pelicot is dreading trial, but relieved

Stephane Babonneau, one of Gisele Pelicots lawyers, said: She was dreading this moment but is relieved that the hearing is open and that she will not be locked up for four months with her assailants.

She wants to raise awareness as widely as possible about date rape drugs so that this never happens again.

03:18 PM BST

Suspect admits giving wife powerful tranquilisers

Dominique Pelicot, the main suspect who is pleading guilty, admitted to investigators that he gave his wife powerful tranquillisers, especially Temesta, an anxiety-reducing drug.

The pills were allegedly crushed up into Gisele Pelicots food and drink to put her to sleep before he and others raped her, police said.

03:13 PM BST

Gisele Pelicot refused closed-door trial as thats what her attackers wanted

Gisele Pelicot, the wife of the suspect, did not want a closed door trial because thats what her attackers would have wanted, according to Antoine Camus, her lawyer.

The trial will nonetheless be a horrible ordeal for her, said Mr Camus.

For the first time, she will have to live through the rapes that she endured over 10 years, he told AFP, adding that his client had no recollection of the abuse that she discovered only in 2020.

02:29 PM BST

Children hold mothers hands in united front

The children of Dominique Pelicot have put up a united front in their fathers trial, according to reports.

Le Figaros Margaux dAdhemar wrote: The family, united and dignified, sat on the prosecution bench. Heads held high. They all held each other by the arms, the hands, close to each other. A united front, solid, anchored.

At the heart of the case is the issue of date rape drugs, namely any substances that incapacitate another person and render that person vulnerable to sexual assault, including rape.

One of Pelicots daughters, Caroline Darian, who has written a book based on her fathers crimes, is a leading proponent of raising awareness over such substances that lead to chemical submission.

02:08 PM BST

Suspect ashamed of actions

Speaking to the press on Monday morning, Beatrice Zavarro, Pelicots lawyer, said her client felt huge remorse.

He is ashamed of what he has done, its unforgivable, she told reporters, adding that his criminal acts were part of a form of addiction. My clients line of conduct is that he recognises what he has done and that has not been in dispute one iota since the beginning, she said.

Many defendants maintain that they believed they were taking part in the consensual fantasies of a libertine couple.

However, Pelicot told judges that everyone knew that his wife was drugged and unconscious. The investigating magistrate also argued that each individual had free will and could have left the premises.

Only two people contacted via the website coco.gg, used to recruit strangers to have intercourse with his wife, pulled out of coming to the couples home but neither filed a complaint to police.

01:53 PM BST

Tobacco and perfume banned to avoid strong smells that might awaken wife

Dominique Pelicot is alleged to have banned the other men from using tobacco or perfume to prevent strong smells from waking his wife while she was being abused.

The men are also accused of washing their hands in hot water to avoid sudden change of temperature, undress in the kitchen to avoid leaving any clothes in the bedroom, park near a school and walk in the dark to the house to avoid arousing neighbours suspicions.

01:20 PM BST

Main suspect pictured

Main suspect Dominique Pelicot

Dominique Pelicot, 71, stands accused of recruiting more than 50 strangers online to rape his wife in their Provence home.

01:14 PM BST

Welcome to the blog

Welcome to The Telegraphs live coverage of Dominique Pelicots trial in Avignon.
'I don't think there will even be a trial,' says Hisam Choucair, who lost six members of his family in the Grenfell fire - Antonio Olmos/Guardian/eyevine

Hisam Choucair witnessed six members of his family dying in Grenfell Tower; he watched the flames engulf the building, knowing his mother, his sister, her three young daughters and their father were trapped inside. No other family lost more members

Seven years on, Hisam, 46, has the look of a beaten man. He is by turns angry and tearful.

The public inquiry, which on Wednesday will produce its final, mammoth report on the Grenfell fire, will not bring him solace. In truth it has compounded his distress.

The inquiry has seriously delayed what Hisam really wanted: the prosecution of those responsible for the deaths of his loved ones.

Criminal charges - if any are ever brought - are at least a year away. Any trial and conviction could take a further two years, a full 10 years after the fire that killed 72 people.

Seven years after 72 people died in the Grenfell Tower fire, it could be still more years before any criminal charges are brought - Jeremy Selwyn/Evening Standard

Its like an extra dagger, said Hisam, They have impacted our justice by running a public inquiry in parallel to the criminal one.

As he sees it, the guilty parties have been given a get out of jail card, the pressure for criminal charges fading as time has passed, while he believes those in the frame have been able to rehearse their defence through the course of the public inquiry.

I dont think there will even be a trial, he says despondently.

The worst that these people will get is probably a fine and get charged with petty charges of health and safety. Theyve theyve taken the heat out of the situation. Theyve messed up, and theyve taken our justice away from us.

His is a sentiment that has been echoed by other survivors and bereaved. Seven years on, the loss of his family is huge.

On the night of the fire, the Choucairs were trapped on the 22nd floor of the tower block as it became engulfed in flames. Hisams mother Sirria, 60, a hospital caterer who lived in flat 191, died alongside her daughter Nadia, 33, who lived in a neighbouring flat on the same floor.

Hisam's sister Nadia Choucair, 33, died alongside their mother Sirria, 60, who was disabled and lived in a neighbouring flat

The fire also claimed the lives of Nadias husband Bassem Choucair, 40, and their three daughters Mierna, 13, Fatima, 11, and Zainab, who was just three.

Their bodies, says Hisam, were found in the sitting room with their hands all around each other in the form of a circle, trying to protect the children from the fire it was as if they were protecting the children in the corner of the living room. They formed a barrier.

In one night, half of Hisams family had been wiped out.

Hisam's nieces, Mierna, 13, Fatima, 11, and three-year-old Zainab, who died in the Grenfell fire alongside their father Bassem, 40

The first half of the inquiry, completed in 2022, said that the cyanide got to them before the fire. I disagree. I believe the fire got to them first, he says. Tears pour down his cheeks.

The day after the fire, on June 15, 2017, Theresa May announced the public inquiry to investigate the causes of the fire that will come to its conclusion on Wednesday. But Hisam points out he had no say on that, no idea what an inquiry meant or would entail.

At the time, he and his brother were searching every hospital in the desperate hope of finding family members alive. While he was looking for his family, lawyers, he says, were flocking to north Kensington to sign up clients. That too remains a cause of huge distress. A lesson for authorities to learn in the future.

Ive never seen so many solicitors in my life

Ive never seen so many solicitors in my life hanging around this area trying to get people signed up. Ive never seen so many solicitors come from all over London, trying to grab clients.

Some people didnt have homes. Some people were staying the night in that Westway Centre. Some people were looking for their families. Everyone was doing different things and they [lawyers] were hanging around like leeches, like vultures. The government, or should I say the justice minister, allowed this to happen.

We were vulnerable and they allowed these people to sort of pick our flesh at a time when we were vulnerable. And we were not protected by the government, the state or the system. There are lessons to be learned moving forward for future tragedies.

Hisam has not been able to work in the intervening seven years. He went back briefly to his job as an operations officer at Transport for London but couldnt hold it down.

His mental health has been affected dramatically, he says. The despair is clear; the agony unrelenting. The inquiry has not helped his healing. Others have told me the same.

Hisam says: Im no longer able to do the things that I once enjoyed. Im unable to go back to work. I feel I have no purpose in life. They have taken and rinsed every bit of resilience in me that was ever there.

They have just soaked me so dry that Im like dust. I just wish I could be the person who I was before.

A scene from hell

On the night of the fire, Hisam received a call at about 2.30am from his brother (who lived in east London) telling him the tower was on fire. He put his young children in their buggy, got dressed and walked the 15 minutes to the tower block.

By the time he got there, the flames were wrapped up around the tower like, like a cactus was swallowing it. It was like a scene from hell. There were people standing as close as they could get, screaming, and in panic.

I could hear pieces of the cladding falling from the building. It would cause, like a burning sensation in our eyes and a horrible taste in our mouths, he recalls.

He could see the tower and inside, his family - his mother was disabled - trapped in their apartment on the 22nd floor. They had no chance, kept in place for far too long, given the fire brigades failure to evacuate the building immediately - a stay put policy that contributed to the eventual death toll.

Members of the emergency services work amid the charred remains of Grenfell Tower - Tolga Akmen/AFP

The public inquiry gives him no solace. There are no words that can describe how angry I am, says Hisam.

He blames central government for failing to tighten up the regulations that allowed combustible cladding to be stuck on a high-rise building in the first place and, after that, the local authority and the corporates - as he calls them - for the botched Grenfell refurbishment.

There is no closure for Hisam. Theres no escaping the daily pain. His despair, shared by many of the bereaved, is clear.

Weve been robbed, left, right and centre. Moving forward is beyond my imagination, he says. Theyve messed up our heads, so we are no longer ourselves. I dont know whats keeping us going.

Justice would help.
James Cleverly said it was unacceptable that Labour had ended the Rwanda scheme so abruptly - Hollie Adams/Bloomberg

James Cleverly has said he would bring back the Rwanda scheme for deporting illegal migrants.

The former home secretary heavily criticised Labour for its arrogant and callous approach to relations with Kigali when it terminated the partnership days after taking office.

However, Mr Cleverly said that he would not commit to a migration cap, nor to leaving the European Convention of Human Rights (ECHR) to deliver migration policy.

In a speech in the Old War Office in Whitehall, the Conservative leadership contender said: I stand by what I have always said, we need to have a deterrent.

And as leader, as prime minister, I will use my contacts and my reputation with Rwanda to resurrect that incredibly important partnership.

I will rebuild a relationship so badly damaged by Labours arrogant and callous disregard to the diplomatic niceties that bind the world to inform the media that they were scrapping this partnership before they had the courage to inform the Rwandan government.

Its unacceptable and that would never have happened under my leadership.

The Rwanda scheme was devised under the Tories and a treaty underpinning the scheme was ratified under Mr Cleverly while he was in the Home Office.

The Safety of Rwanda Act was also eventually passed through the Commons in April 2024 but it faced the prospect of further legal challenge before any illegal migrants were removed.

No deportation flights took off before the election but two failed asylum seekers went to Rwanda after being paid to do so under a voluntary removals programme.

Robert Jenrick, one of Mr Cleverlys Tory leadership rivals, has been a fierce critic of the Rwanda scheme in its current form, saying that the UK must leave the ECHR to take control of its migration policy.

But Mr Cleverly declined to commit to leaving the ECHR and also dismissed the idea of a binding cap on migration.

Asked about leaving the convention, he said: The simple fact is that if we are trying to grab shorthand answers, quick fixes, the British people will look at us and say, Weve heard that before.

We need to be honest and open. We need to show where things are difficult and how they can be achieved.

He echoed his rival Kemi Badenoch, who had said hours earlier that she would not pledge to leave the ECHR.

People who are throwing out numbers and saying Oh, well we will leave the ECHR and so on are giving you easy answers. That is how we got in this mess in the first place. I am not going to do that, Ms Badenoch said.

A plane waits to take failed asylum seekers to Rwanda at a military base in Amesbury, Salisbury in June 2022 but the flight never took off - Justim Tallis/AFP via Getty Images

Her comments were a veiled swipe at candidates such as Mr Jenrick and Tom Tugendhat, who had said they would be prepared to leave the ECHR and would put targets on migration.

Her remarks, along with those from Mr Cleverly, reveal an emerging split among the candidates on policy.

Asked about the number of migrants he would want to see entering the UK, he said: As to the precise figure, there is no point in a leadership candidate, me or anybody else, plucking an arbitrary figure out the air and saying, If you elect me, I will get immigration down below this figure, because we tried that and the British people just dont believe us at the moment.

So we need to set out a credible plan. Im the best placed to set out a credible plan.

Mr Tugendhat has pledged to reduce net migration to below 100,000 a year, while Mr Jenrick has said the annual total should be in the tens of thousands.

Working on a plan

David Cameron, the former prime minister, promised to bring down net migration to the tens of thousands when he won the 2010 election but the target always eluded him.

Mr Cleverly said on Monday that he had been working on a plan while home secretary to allow more flights to take off which would not involve leaving the ECHR.

I had a plan as to why those small number of voluntary asylum seekers went to Rwanda, he said.

Because the Supreme Courts argument was that Rwanda was inherently dangerous for asylum seekers, and I was building an evidence base with asylum seekers in Rwanda to prove that was not the case.

Thats how we would have defeated the UK Supreme Court. Thats how we would have got the flights off. Not by quick fixes or sound bars, by graft and delivery and focus, which is what we have to do to gain credibility.

The six candidates  Mr Cleverly, Ms Badenoch, Mr Jenrick and Mr Tugendhat along with Mel Stride and Priti Patel  will be whittled down to five in the first elimination round on Wednesday.

MPs will vote in the first and second rounds of voting, with four candidates remaining by the end of next week.

The four hopefuls will then appear at the Conservative Party Conference at the end of September to make their case before members are able to vote to elect the next leader.

01:37 PM BST

That is all for today

Thank you for following The Telegraphs live coverage of James Cleverlys campaign launch.

Follow our main politics live blog here to keep up to date will all the latest developments.

01:24 PM BST

Cleverlys launch event ends

James Cleverly has now finished taking questions and his launch event is at an end.

01:22 PM BST

Cleverly: I want to return to Thatcherite pro-business era

James Cleverly has said he wants to return to the Thatcherite era of pro-business policies.

Im struck by the difference between that pro-business environment that Margaret Thatcher created and the massively anti-business environment under Gordon Brown and Labour, the shadow home secretary said.

And I want to go back to that Thatcherite era where entrepreneurs are rewarded, wealth creators are a key part of our society, and we get back into the habit of being on the front foot rather than the back foot.

01:18 PM BST

Abolishing stamp duty is not expensive, Cleverly says

James Cleverly has quipped that abolishing stamp duty is not expensive.

The shadow home secretary responded to a journalists remark that doing so would be expensive by interjecting: Its not expensive.

So youve got your maths back to front. Taxes are expensive? Cutting taxes is the opposite of expensive.

01:14 PM BST

Cleverly declines to commit to leaving ECHR

James Cleverly has declined to pledge to leave the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR).

The simple fact is that if we are trying to grab shorthand answers quick fixes, the British people will look at us and say, Weve heard that before, he said.

We need to be honest and open. We need to show where things are difficult and how they can be achieved. And I had a plan. I had a plan, which is why those small number of voluntary asylum seekers went to Rwanda, because the Supreme Courts argument was that Rwanda was inherently dangerous for asylum seekers, and I was building an evidence base with asylum seekers in Rwanda to prove that was not the case.

Thats how we would have defeated the UK Supreme Court.

Thats how we would have got the flights off, not by quick fixes or sound bites, by graft and delivery and focus, which is what we have to do to gain credibility getting back into government.

James Cleverly speaks at his leadership launch - James Manning/PA Wire

01:11 PM BST

No point setting arbitrary migration target, says Cleverly

There is no point setting an arbitrary net migration target, James Cleverly has said.

There is no point in a leadership candidate  me, or anybody else  plucking an arbitrary figure out the air and saying, If you elect me, I will get immigration down below this figure.

Because we tried that, and the British people just dont believe us at the moment, so we need to set out a credible plan.

Im the best placed to set out a credible plan and be believed, because I am the home secretary who actually delivered on the promises that I made.

01:06 PM BST

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01:03 PM BST

Tories wont win by doing passable impression of Farage

The Conservatives will not win the next election by doing a passable impression of Nigel Farage, James Cleverly has said.

The simple fact of the matter is we lost a lot of voters to Reform, but we also lost voters to other political parties, he said.

And we also lost a lot of voters to one of the most successful parties in contemporary politics, which is the stay at home not vote party, and we need to win them back from everywhere.

And we dont do that by trying to do a passable impression of other political leaders. We do that by being Conservatives, by highlighting our Conservative values, as Ive set out in this speech, and as I will do as leader, by pursuing the things that people know to be our agenda.

And the most important thing is to deliver on our promises, and in order to do that, we need to make fewer promises, but deliver on every single promise we make.

12:58 PM BST

Tories have turned into the grumpy party, says Cleverly

James Cleverly has said that the Conservatives have turned into the grumpy party.

Im a big fan of Margaret Thatcher, by the way, he said. But perhaps more than that, my real political hero of that era was Ronald Reagan.

And Ronald Reagan, particularly his re-election campaign, took a staunchly conservative agenda, but delivered it in an optimistic, passionate, upbeat, energetic way, and we should learn from that.

Weve never been the nasty party, Ive never subscribed to that, but we have turned into the grumpy party, and young people are turned off by that.

So lets change that. Lets be optimistic. Lets focus on them, attract them to the party, listen to their voices and deliver on their aspirations, and thats what I would do.

12:53 PM BST

Cleverly: Im happy to be judged on my record

James Cleverly has said he is very, very happy to be judged on my record.

Asked by Beth Rigby of Sky News if he was the very embodiment of what [voters] have just rejected, the shadow home secretary replied: My record has been delivery, delivery, delivery, delivery.

When I was at the Home Office, I perhaps break with tradition and spent less time shouting about what frustrated me and more time dealing with what frustrated the British people.

He added: I could go back, including the time as party chairman, I helped some fantastic candidates around the country, and of course,Boris Johnson was prime minister, to deliver the best election result that we had seen in decades.

So if we are judged on our records, I am very, very happy to be judged on my record.

12:47 PM BST

Cleverlys speech concludes

James Cleverlys speech has now concluded, with supporters waving placards in the air.

He will now take questions from the media.

12:47 PM BST

Cleverly: Declinist Farage and Starmer are both wrong

James Cleverly has attacked the declinism of Nigel Farage and Sir Keir Starmer.

I dont accept the shared declinism of Starmer and Farage, who both believe that our best days are behind us, he said.

Starmer thinks it was better before we left the EU, Farage thinks it was better before we joined the EU. Theyre both wrong.

I know that our best years can be ahead of us, but only if we replace this useless labor government.

And in order to win again, we need a leader who can unite the party, and Im the best placed to do that.

12:45 PM BST

I will make Britain the greatest power in Europe, says Cleverly

James Cleverly has vowed to make Britain the greatest power in Europe.

I will tackle the problems in front of us with concerted solutions, and I will make the UK the greatest power in Europe,. he said.

Strong in defense of our people, our allies and our interests, strong in defense of our values and our principles, strong on the international stage and secure and prosperous at home.

12:42 PM BST

Cleverly: Abolish stamp duty to give young a stake in Britain

James Cleverly has called for the abolition of stamp duty to give young people a stake in our society.

People will vote for Starmers statism if they dont feel that capitalism is working for them and for many people, especially the young, it isnt working, he said.

Home ownership has been a cornerstone of the Conservative Party offer since the war, and just as Margaret Thatcher enabled council tenants to buy their homes in the 1980s, we need to give young people a stake in our society and in our growing economy.

That is the conservative that is the capitalist approach, and it was right that we cut stamp duty for first time buyers. But we should go further.

It should be our mission to abolish stamp duty on homes altogether. Its a bad tax.

It stifles transactions in an already illiquid housing market. It deters people from downsizing, and like all taxes, it ultimately increases the cost to buyers, and of course, we need to build lots more homes.

12:39 PM BST

We need to turn young Britons into capitalists, says Cleverly

James Cleverly has said the Conservatives need to turn young Britons into capitalists.

We need to unlock real growth again, and we need to show young people that free markets, not planned economies, are their friends, he said.

We need to turn them into capitalists, because too many people think that high taxes help them rather than hold them down. They think that more regulation protects them rather than benefiting incumbent suppliers.

Protectionism drives up costs for them, drives down choice for them, benefits the already rich and harms the aspirational core, and I will make boosting our economic growth a defining mission of our party.

And I will make sure selling the benefits of free markets to a new generation is a key part of that because growth does not come from more quangos and nationalising services.

12:36 PM BST

Cleverly: I will resurrect the Rwanda plan

James Cleverly has vowed to resurrect the Rwanda plan.

When we deal with illegal migration, I stand by what I have always said, we need to have a deterrent, he said.

And as leader, as prime minister, I will use my contacts and my reputation with Rwanda to resurrect that incredibly important partnership.

He added: We must, of course, tackle the drivers of mass movement, war, famine, persecution, economic failure, because in this portfolio, as in so many others, prevention is better than cure.

And to those people who we do welcome into our country, we must make it clear our welcome comes with modest but non-negotiable conditions.

James Cleverly gives his campaign speech at the Old War Office in Whitehall - James Manning/PA Wire

12:35 PM BST

Treasury must be stopped from masking low growth with high migration, says Cleverly

The Treasury must be stopped from masking low growth with high migration, James Cleverly has said.

We have to be more honest in our conversation about the trade offs with regard to immigration, he said.

And that means changing how we measure our wealth. It means using GDP per capita as the metric for our economy, so that the Treasury cannot mask low growth with high migration.

Rising GDP overall is meaningless if the wealth per person is falling.

So we need to control legal migration. And when I was home secretary, I did under my leadership. Home Office applications fell, the backlog was cleared. The grant rate came down, deportations increased. I didnt talk tough. I took action.

12:33 PM BST

Cleverly: Britain would spend 3pc of GDP on defence under me

James Cleverly has said Britain would spend three per cent of its GDP on defence if he became prime minister.

I will commit as prime minister to spend 3 per cent of GDP on defence, he said.

If, because you cannot penny pinch your way to peace, security is delivered through strength by planning for the worst, not hoping for the best, then we will send a signal to our enemies and our allies alike that the UK is prepared. That we will not leave the field.

And just to put that commitment in perspective, we currently spend less than 2.5 per cent of our GDP on defence, but 10 times that much on our health system, welfare system, and on pensions.

Starmer says that we cannot afford to spend more on defense. I say we cannot afford not to.

12:28 PM BST

Public will look to Tories because of crony-filled Labour

The public will look to the Tories when they inevitably get fed up of Labours crony-filled government, James Cleverly has said.

People dont vote for divided parties, he said. They dont trust divided parties. They dont even listen to divided parties.

So we must unite if we want the British people to listen to us again, so when they are fed up, as they inevitably will be with Starmers inept, high taxing, red tape-loving, big state, crony-filled government, they will look to us again to be the change that they want to see in this country.

12:24 PM BST

Cleverly now on stage as speech begins

James Cleverly is now on stage and is starting his speech.

12:22 PM BST

Shapps: Cleverly is committed to 3pc defence spending

James Cleverly is committed to spending three per cent of Britains GDP on defence, Grant Shapps has said.

James has a saying, he said. Hes got many, but this one I like: prioritise the tasks that matter that most and tackle them in the right order.

And he knows the first responsibility of any government is defence, as well. So here today, in the Old War Office, James is missing our party to increase our defence spending to three per cent of GDP so we are better prepared for the challenges ahead.

12:18 PM BST

Shapps gives speech in support of Cleverly

Grant Shapps, the former defence secretary, is now giving a speech in support of James Cleverly.

I know the quality that is required [by] the leader that will bring us back to power, back to life, said Mr Shapps, who lost his Welwyn Hatfield seat to Labour at the election.

Weve got to have someone whos really clear minded, someone with a vision of what Britain should look like and could look like under the Conservatives, and someone who is capable of selling that vision, not through pessimism, but through the optimism of what this country can become.

Not through platitudes or sound bites, but through actual delivery.

12:15 PM BST

Cleverly not just a talker, but a doer

James Cleverly is not just a talker but a doer, a new Tory MP has said as she introduces him.

James has shown us that hes not just a talker, hes a doer, Shivani Raja, the Conservatives youngest MP, said.

No fuss, no drama, just getting the job done.

James is the leader who can help us tell the positive story of conservatism again.

12:13 PM BST

Cleverly introduced by new MP

James Cleverly is being introduced by Shivani Raja, the MP for Leicester East.

But lets be honest, I shouldnt have been the only one celebrating, she said.

We should have been toasting Conservative gains and holds across the country. Instead, we like internal squabbles and distractions overshadow the incredible things that successive conservative governments have achieved for our country.

12:01 PM BST

Inside Cleverlys launch: Tory blue backdrop and Union flags

In the room where James Cleverly is set to make his speech, the shadow home secretary will be flanked by a blue backdrop which also features Union flags.

A lectern is adorned by his campaign slogan, Cleverly for leader, and behind him reads, Unite our party with Conservative values.

His ambitions are also listed: Lower taxes. Smaller state. Higher military spending. A free and safe society.

11:55 AM BST

Watch live: James Cleverlys Speech

Our stream of James Cleverlys campaign launch is now live. Watch using the link above.

11:52 AM BST

Timeline: When will the new Tory leader be announced?

The Conservative leadership race is in full flight, with six senior Tory MPs on the ballot to replace Rishi Sunak.

The former prime minister officially stood down following Labours landslide election victory, but is staying on as acting leader until his replacement is chosen.

On 29 July, the 1922 committee of Conservative backbenchers announced that Kemi Badenoch, Robert Jenrick, Tom Tugendhat, Mel Stride, James Cleverly and Dame Priti Patel had secured the backing of the 10 Tory MPs needed to progress to the next stage of the contest.

A series of votes by MPs will now whittle the shortlist down to four candidates, who will attempt to woo the party faithful at the annual Tory conference at the start of October.

Further voting by the parliamentary party will then see four candidates become two, who will then be subject to a vote by Tory members with the leader announced on Nov 2.

Read the full story here.

11:45 AM BST

Pictured: Cleverly prepares for speech

It's time to unite our Party. pic.twitter.com/EVF1Brp9qG  James Cleverly (@JamesCleverly) September 2, 2024

11:42 AM BST

Who is James Cleverly?

The shadow home secretary and Army reservist seeking to become the next leader of the Conservative Party has pitched himself as the pragmatist candidate.

The MP for Braintree served in the Cabinet of the three previous prime ministers, and has held two of the four great offices of state.

Read The Telegraphs profile of the former home secretary here.

11:38 AM BST

Cleverly: I would abolish stamp duty

Conservative leadership contender James Cleverly has said he wants to abolish stamp duty on all homes, reports Political Correspondent Amy Gibbons.

Writing for The Telegraph, the former home secretary called for the bad tax to be eventually scrapped for all buyers of residential properties, in order to get more people on the housing ladder.

The leadership contest he is fighting is set to intensify this week. The first round of voting by MPs takes place on Wednesday and one candidate will be eliminated.

Mr Cleverlys vow to cut stamp duty comes with tax increases expected in the Budget in October.

Currently, stamp duty must be paid on homes worth more than 250,000, or 425,000 for first-time buyers. The rate gradually tapers up, from 5 per cent to 12 per cent for the most expensive properties.

Read the full story here.

11:32 AM BST

When does the speech begin?

James Cleverlys campaign speech will begin on X and will be livestreamed by The Telegraph here.

11:29 AM BST

Welcome to the blog

Welcome to The Telegraphs live coverage of James Cleverlys Tory leadership campaign launch.

You can follow Kemi Badenochs campaign launch on our live politics blog here.
Jeremy Corbyn's new grouping has the same parliamentary strength as Reform UK and the DUP - Benjamin Cremel/AFP

Jeremy Corbyn has formed an Independent Alliance with four other pro-Palestinian independent MPs to boost their voice in the Commons.

The hard-Left former Labour leader is joining forces with Shockat Adam, Ayoub Khan, Adnan Hussain and Iqbal Mohamed, giving the alliance the same parliamentary strength as Reform UK and the DUP. It is stronger than the Green Party.

Forming an official grouping should increase the MPs chances of being allocated questions and speaking slots in the Commons. However, it is not believed that they will receive any extra funding.

In a joint statement, the five MPs said: We were elected by our constituents to provide hope in a Parliament of despair. Already, this Government has scrapped the winter fuel allowance for around 10 million pensioners, voted to keep the two-child benefits cap and ignored calls to end arms sales to Israel.

Millions of people are crying out for a real alternative to austerity, inequality and war  and their voices deserve to be heard.

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They called for other MPs to join them after seven of Mr Corbyns allies were suspended from the parliamentary Labour Party for rebelling against Sir Keir Starmer over the two-child benefit cap.

The more MPs who are prepared to stand up for these principles, the better, they said. Our door is always open to other MPs who believe in a more equal and peaceful world.

All five members of the group beat Labour candidates in Julys general election with a pro-Palestinian stance in constituencies that have large Muslim populations.

Established parties of five MPs have previously been eligible for as much as 129,000 in short money  public funds given to opposition parties to support research.

According to the BBC, Parliaments rules currently appear to prevent these funds going to new groups formed between general elections. But by collaborating, the independents can secure more funds for campaign work by sharing resources and hosting joint fundraisers.

The group already tends to sit together on the back benches behind the Liberal Democrats and the Conservatives.
Starmer has chances in the coming weeks to show there are reasons for optimism. Photograph: House of Commons/UK Parliament/PA

Keir Starmer faces a full in-tray when parliament returns from recess on Monday with a packed legislative agenda, and more doom and gloom over Labours tough economic inheritance as he lays the groundwork for the budget.

But he faces unease in the Labour ranks over some of the decisions the government has made as a result, including on winter fuel duty and the two-child benefit cap, as well as more broadly on the lack of hope being offered to voters.

The prime minister has several opportunities in the coming weeks to show there are still reasons for optimism, and that while tax rises and spending cuts may be on the cards, his plans go further than dealing with economic challenges, with opportunities for radical change also ahead.

He addresses the TUC union federations congress next week, where he is expected to talk up Labours workers rights plans, while the chancellor, Rachel Reeves, will focus on growth as a counter to what is expected to be a grim budget on 30 October.

Related: Why are Starmer and Reeves so determined to bring Britain down? | William Keegan

There will also be a chance for both to be more upbeat about the countrys future at Labours first party conference since its landslide election victory in Liverpool at the end of the month, with MPs in the mood to celebrate.

The result of the US presidential election on 5 November will also be a pivotal moment globally, with a Donald Trump victory no longer a certainty after an energised Kamala Harriss entrance into the race for the White House. But first, Starmer has to deal with issues closer to home.

Grenfell inquiry

Survivors of the Grenfell Tower disaster in 2017, in which 72 people died, expect the public inquirys final report on Wednesday to finally halt a carousel of blame-pointing and damn the conduct of government, construction firms and multinational material manufacturers.

Starmers government has said it will carefully consider the recommendations, while the bereaved and survivors want a commitment to deliver all of them. The prime ministers initial response will be a key early test of his premiership.

School inspections

As schools return from their summer holidays this week, the education secretary, Bridget Phillipson, will announce that single-word Ofsted judgments  such as outstanding and inadequate  will be scrapped with immediate effect for state schools and replaced by report cards aimed at improving standards and helping parents to better understand strengths and weaknesses, after calls from teaching unions and the suicide of primary headteacher Ruth Perry. The Conservatives oppose the plan.

Winter fuel payments

Labour will continue to face pressure from campaigners and critics over its decision to means-test winter fuel payments worth 300 a year for millions of pensioners to help plug a fiscal black hole.

The Tories and Liberal Democrats are pushing for a parliamentary vote, but the Commons leader, Lucy Powell, said the government will not reverse the plan. Instead, it has launched a campaign to encourage retired people to check if they are eligible for pension credit, with 880,000 thought to be missing out on up to 3,900 a year.

However, she raised eyebrows when she suggested the UK faced a run on the pound or an economic crash if the payment had not been scrapped.

Legislation

The railway public ownership bill returns to the Commons on Tuesday, bringing ministers plans to bring all passenger rail into national ownership under Great British Railways, as contracts with private operators expire, one step closer.

The following day, MPs will debate the budget responsibility bill, under which any fiscally significant government measure must first be assessed by the OBR, the fiscal watchdog. Ministers are also expected to deliver statements on some of the big events over the summer, notably the August riots.

While Starmer may have been forced to cancel his family summer holiday as a result, No 10 insiders feel it gave him the chance to prove his tough law-and-order credentials. The government is also likely to face questions on its plans to ban smoking outdoors.
Canoe in Channel

A migrant believed to be fleeing British police tried to cross the Channel to France in a kayak on Sunday.

The Ukrainian refugee was first seen by a member of the public off the British coast, sparking an unsuccessful search by a Dover lifeboat in coastal waters.

It was not until he reached the middle of the Channel that he was picked up by crew on the survey vessel Marshall Art, who had spotted him frantically paddling towards their boat.

By Sunday night he was in Calais after being taken off the survey vessel, which was in French waters when it brought him on board.

The incident was caught on taped conversations between the Marshall Art and the French and British coastguards as they tried to figure out his intentions.

A Marshall Art crew member initially contacted Dover coastguard to ask whether they were aware of any kayakers doing anything that has been arranged.

We have just spotted a kayaker roughly 300 to 400 metres off our stern. We are quite a long way off and in the middle [of the Channel]. In this weather, I am not sure if he intends to be here, said the Marshall Art.

Dover coastguard contacted

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Dover coastguard replied that they were not aware of any kayakers and asked if there were any signs of distress.

None yet but he is making quite a direct course for our vessel so I would guess he is looking for help, said the Marshall Art, noting that he was working rather hard to get close to the vessel.

Looking for help

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Once brought aboard, the Marshall Art told Dover coastguard that the man was asking not to be arrested, adding: I suspect what he wants to do is after a rest, get back on his kayak.

He is unclear about his destination. He was asking for directions to France. He has come on board for a rest and a drink but he has expressed concern that we may arrest him.

Kayaker on board

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According to maritime sources, the man, who said he was Ukrainian, was fleeing police in the UK  although it was not clear what offence he might be suspected of.

It has been rare for migrants to use kayaks to try to cross the Channel as numbers have increased and people smugglers have been offering crossings via dinghies.

Eight tried to reach UK in kayaks

Between August and September 2018, around eight migrants were recorded as having attempted to cross in kayaks.

On each occasion they used an inflatable Decathlon model, costing between 200 and 300, according to BBC reports at the time.

Masoud Mohammadifar, an Iranian who represented his nation in international canoe competitions, paddled into British waters and was picked up by Border Force off the coast of Kent in August 2024.

However, he warned others not to follow him and said: I dont want to see people die. This kayak is really not working in the Channel.

The 39-year-old said anyone attempting the crossing in an inflatable kayak was playing with their life.

Since the first crossings were made in 2018, some 136,000 migrants have reached the UK from France via small boats. It is thought Sundays incident may be the first where a migrant has used a kayak to go in the other direction.
Mark Tyrrell was part of the parliamentary and diplomatic protection command, the same unit David Carrick and Wayne Couzens were attached to. Photograph: Andy Rain/EPA

A former Metropolitan police officer who served in the same elite unit as David Carrick and Wayne Couzens has been charged with a series of 21 offences, including rapes and multiple counts of sexual assault.

Mark Tyrrell, 55, who was part of the parliamentary and diplomatic protection command, will appear at Westminster magistrates court on Wednesday. The former police constable faces criminal allegations spanning across six years including two charges of rape and 15 of sexual assault.

As well as the two counts of rape, Tyrell is accused of 11 counts of sexual assault, four counts of sexual assault by penetration, three counts of perverting the course of justice and one count of misconduct in public office

He was a serving officer when the allegations first surfaced but retired last year during the criminal investigation into the claims against him. The charges all relate to one female victim he allegedly met through his duties as a police officer. The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said on Monday the alleged offences occurred between 2017 and 2023.

He is charged with misconduct in public office for allegedly entering an inappropriate relationship with the woman after meeting her during his policing duties.

The criminal charges come after an investigation by the IOPC, the police watchdog, which said it was alleged he knew her to be in a vulnerable position upon entering the relationship.

Tyrrell also faces three counts of perverting the course of justice, relating to allegations he deleted messages, put pressure on the woman to provide false accounts and lied during interview while under caution.

The parliamentary and diplomatic protection command is an elite unit of the Met police whose members are usually armed. Their main duties include guarding embassies and other diplomatic buildings across London, as well as parliament.



Couzens, who is serving a whole-life sentence for the rape and murder of Sarah Everard, was an officer in the unit, as was Carrick, the serial rapist who received 36 life sentences last year.

Scotland Yard has said the two jailed officers did not work together and that there was no evidence they knew each other. There is no suggestion Tyrrell knew either of them.

The Met said: Tyrrell was a police constable attached to the parliamentary and diplomatic protection command before he retired on 8 September 2023. Tyrrell was arrested in April 2023, while he was a serving officer, as part of an investigation by the Mets directorate of professional standards.
Benjamin Netanyahu's failure to free all Israeli prisoners in Gaza has led to mass protests in his country - Maayan Toaf/Israel Gpo/ZUMA Press Wire/Shutterstock

Joe Biden has accused the Israeli prime minister of not doing enough to reach a hostage deal as thousands of demonstrators shut down parts of the country.

A final hostage-release deal between Israel and Hamas was very close, Mr Biden said, but added that Benjamin Netanyahu is not doing enough to bring it over the line.

Asked by reporters at the White House, where Mr Biden was arriving for a meeting with US negotiators, if he thought the Israeli leader was doing enough on the issue, the US president responded: No.

Mr Bidens meeting with the negotiators on the hostage-release deal comes after the deaths of six captives in Gaza on Saturday, including an American citizen.

President Biden expressed his devastation and outrage at the murder, and reaffirmed the importance of holding Hamass leaders accountable, a White House statement said after the meeting.

Mr Biden arrives at the White House for a meeting with US negotiators - Michael Brochstein/ZUMA Press Wire/Shutterstock

On Monday, thousands of Israelis protested against Mr Netanyahus failure to free all Israeli prisoners in Gaza amid a nationwide strike.

Demonstrators blocked Tel Avivs main motorway, while others disrupted train services in Tel Aviv and Herzliya. Several people were detained by police in Tel Aviv for disrupting public order.

The mass demonstrations were staged in response to the killing of six hostages by Hamas in Gaza, with protesters blaming Mr Netanyahu, who they accused of torpedoing ceasefire talks to release them.

The general strike, announced by the Histadrut workers union, shut down kindergartens, banks, universities, the airport and many businesses.

It was scheduled to end at 6pm local time (4pm BST), but Israels labour court ordered the strike to end at 2.30pm local time.

Betzalel Smotrich, the Israeli finance minister, welcomed the courts decision, calling the strike political and illegal.

On Monday, thousands of Israelis protested against Mr Netanyahu - Ronen Zvulun/REUTERS

Arnon Bar-David, the chairman of Histadrut, said that the union would respect the decision, adding: It is important to emphasise that the solidarity strike was a significant measure and I stand behind it.

The Hostages Forum said: This is not about a strike, this is about rescuing the 101 hostages that were abandoned by Netanyahu with the cabinet decision last Thursday.

In Jerusalem, Itamar Ben-Gvir, the Israeli national security minister, met Right-wing counter-protesters, telling them that his Jewish Power party is using all its might to prevent a reckless deal and to stop any negotiations altogether.

You give us the strength, so keep shouting, and we will do our job to ensure that Netanyahu doesnt fold and that there wont be a reckless deal, Mr Ben-Gvir said.

The mass demonstrations were staged in response to the killing of six hostages by Hamas in Gaza - Florion Goga/REUTERS

On Monday afternoon, Israels security cabinet met, with Mr Netanyahu telling ministers that there would be a strong response to the killing of six hostages, while insisting Israel keep control of the Philadelphi Corridor, the buffer zone separating Gaza from Egypt.

An Israeli official told The Telegraph that Mr Netanyahu said: Everyone who says that it is possible to leave the Philadelphi Corridor for 42 days, knows very well that it will be for 42 years.

Yoav Gallant, the Israeli defence minister, is the only member of the cabinet who has called for Israel to compromise on its control of the corridor to reach a ceasefire agreement.

An Israeli official told The Telegraph that Hamass execution of six hostages, and subsequent chaos in Israel, show how important it is for the US, Qatar and Egypt to use their influence to secure a ceasefire.

The talks at the moment have not reached their goals. The last two days have clearly illustrated that it is up to the mediators to pressure all parties to agree to a deal, the official said.

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Jess Phillips made comments at 'An Evening with Jess Phillips' at a theatre in north London - Heathcliff O'Malley

Downing Street has said the NHS should not give any patients preferential treatment after Jess Phillips suggested she had received quicker care because she voted for a Gaza ceasefire.

Last month, the Home Office minister reportedly implied that her position on the conflict had helped reduce her waiting time in A&E, saying that a Palestinian doctor told her he approved of her voting record.

Asked about the case, and specifically whether Sir Keir Starmer would approve of medical staff triaging patients according to their political views, the Prime Ministers official spokesman said the NHS should treat everyone the same regardless of who they are.

Ms Phillips, the MP for Birmingham Yardley, quit her shadow ministerial role last November to vote in favour of an immediate Gaza ceasefire.

According to The Daily Mail, during An Evening with Jess Phillips, an event at the Kiln Theatre, in north-west London, she told how her decision had seemingly played a role in her A&E treatment.

Ms Phillips reportedly said she had gone to A&E because she was having trouble breathing and that the department was chaotic, adding: I have genuinely seen better facilities, health facilities, in war zones, in developing countries around the world.

Describing the situation when she got to the front of the queue, she said: I got through because of who I am. Also, the doctor who saw me was Palestinian, as it turns out. Almost all the doctors in Birmingham seemed to be. He was sort of like, I like you. You voted for a ceasefire. I got through quicker.

At the time the comments emerged, a source close to Ms Phillips said: This is nonsense and doesnt fairly reflect what the minister said.

At a briefing with journalists on Monday, Sir Keirs spokesman was asked whether the Prime Minister approved of medical staff triaging patients according to their political views.

He replied: I dont know the exact details of whats actually happened in this instance, but clearly wed always expect all NHS staff to provide the highest standards of care to all patients, regardless of who they are.

The Gaza vote last November 2023 was the biggest rebellion of Sir Keirs leadership. Ms Phillips was one of eight frontbenchers and dozens of backbench Labour MPs who defied him to back an SNP amendment calling for an immediate ceasefire.

In her resignation letter, she said: I must vote with my constituents, my head, and my heart, which has felt as if it were breaking over the last four weeks with the horror of the situation in Israel and Palestine.

I see no route where the current military action does anything but put at risk the hope of peace and security for anyone in the region now and in the future.

She returned to the Labour front bench after the partys landslide general election victory.
The guidelines also say two- to five-year-olds should be limited to a maximum of one hour of screen time, and six- to 12-year-olds to two hours. Photograph: Elly Godfroy/Stockimo/Alamy

Children under the age of two should not be exposed to any screens whatsoever and teenagers should have no more than three hours of screen time a day, according to guidelines announced by health authorities in Sweden.

Parents and guardians should think about how they use screens with their children and tell them what they are doing on their phones when they use them in their presence, the advice says.

The guidelines, announced on Monday, mark the first time that Folkhalsomyndigheten, Swedens public health authority, has stipulated how parents should regulate screen time.

Related: Switching off: Sweden says back-to-basics schooling works on paper

Screen use among two- to five-year-olds should be limited to a maximum of one hour, while children aged between six and 12 should not use screens for more than two hours. Among 13- to 18-year-olds, the limit is three hours.

This is a sharp reduction on the current average screen time figures among Swedish children and young people, which is estimated to be four hours a day for nine- to 12-year-olds and more than seven hours a day  not including schoolwork  for 17- and 18-year-olds.

For far too long we have allowed screens and apps to steal time and attention at the cost of what we know is needed to feel well. We know that use of digital media can have negative health effects, including worsened sleep and symptoms of depression, said the minister of social affairs, Jakob Forssmed.

With these age-appropriate recommendations there is now an important support for children and young people, parents and other caregivers, for a more healthy, conscious and responsible use of screens and digital media.

The health agency also recommended that children do not use screens before bedtime and that screens should not be allowed in bedrooms at night.

Childrens health is paying the price for tech companies profits, said Forssmed.

The guidelines, which are targeted at both adults and children, also include motivation and advice on how to think about the issue.

Related: Stop children using smartphones until they are 13, says French report

Forssmed said there were now concrete and clear recommendations to make it easier to start up conversations around the subject, including time spent online, what happens there and what children can be exposed to. There are important and needed conversations, he added.

Helena Frielingsdorf, a public health authority investigator, said parents must set an example to children when it comes to screen use. As parents you are a role model.

Earlier this year, a three-month scientific study in France, commissioned by the president, Emmanuel Macron, concluded that children under three should not be exposed to screens, including television, and no child should have a phone before the age of 11.

Schools in France are trialling a ban on mobile phones at school for pupils up to the age of 15, as part of a digital pause that could be rolled out nationally from January if successful.

The Swedish government has previously said it is considering a ban on smartphones in primary schools.
Abd al-Rahman Milad, known as Bija, was suspected of being responsible for the drownings of dozens of people, according to a UN report. Photograph: AP TV

One of the worlds most notorious people smugglers, who abused his position as a high-ranking member of the Libyan coastguard, has been shot dead in Tripoli, officials in Italy and Libya have said.

Abd al-Rahman Milad, known as Bija, was killed as he left the naval academy in Janzour, Tripoli, riding in a vehicle driven by a chauffeur. The car was hit by a barrage of heavy gunfire, Italian intelligence announced.

A UN security report accused Bija of being directly involved in the sinking of migrant boats using firearms. He was considered to be the leader of a criminal organisation operating in the Zawiya area in north-west Libya, about 28 miles west of Tripoli.

In 2017, the Italian newspaper Avvenire documented Bijas presence in Sicily. He had obtained a pass to enter Italy in his role in the Libyan coastguard to take part in a meeting attended by north African delegates from a handful of international humanitarian agencies.

The meeting was part of a series of summits after the deal signed in February 2017 by Marco Minniti, then the Italian interior minister, and Fayez al-Sarraj, then the leader of Libyas UN-recognised government, introducing a new level of cooperation between the Libyan coastguard and Italian agencies to intercept migrant dinghies at sea and bring them back to Libya, where aid agencies have said refugees suffered torture and abuse.

In 2020, after news of Bijas participation in the meeting emerged, officials in Tripoli issued an arrest warrant. He was released a year later and promoted from a captain to a major.

Two Italian journalists, Nancy Porsia and Nello Scavo, a reporter for Avvenire, who had extensively covered Bijas criminal smuggling activities, found themselves under protective escorts after receiving death threats.

Porsia wrote on Facebook: As a human being, I express a thought to his son who is not even two years old today for the loss of his father. His threats against me and my family are part of a story that is still being written.

The reasons behind Bijas killing are unclear. According to Scavo, Bija had frequently threatened to expose secrets about the dealings between Libyan authorities and human traffickers.
All 17 Oasis shows in the UK and Ireland have now sold out - Amer Ghazzal/Shutterstock

Sir Keir Starmer has vowed to make gig tickets affordable for all amid a row over dynamic pricing for the Oasis reunion tour.

Fans who waited hours in an online Ticketmaster queue were furious to discover that the price of a standing ticket had risen from the advertised 148 to 355.

Hundreds of fans have lodged complaints with the Advertising Standards Authority, while Trading Standards said that Ticketmaster may have breached the law by misleading consumers.

Meanwhile, on resale sites such as Viagogo, tickets are being offered for more than 7,000.

The Government has announced that it will look into the dynamic pricing strategy used by Ticketmaster as part of a forthcoming review.

A reported 14 million attempted to buy tickets after brothers Noel and Liam Gallagher announced that they were setting aside their differences and reuniting for the 2025 tour.

Asked about fans anger over inflated prices, the Prime Minister promised to get a grip on the issue.

Ticketmaster said the event organiser had 'priced these tickets according to their market value' - PA

This is really important because this isnt just an Oasis problem. This is a problem for tickets for all sorts of events, where people go online straight away, as soon as they can, and within seconds sometimes, sometimes minutes, all the tickets are gone, and the prices start going through the roof, which means many people cant afford it, he told Radio 5 Live.

You have to stop that, Were consulting on that. I do think there are a number of things that we can do and we should do, because otherwise you get to the situation where families simply cant go, or are absolutely spending a fortune on tickets.

So well grip this and make sure that tickets are available at a price that people can actually afford.

Asked if that could mean changing the law, Sir Keir replied: Were consulting, and it may well mean adjustments.

He added: And every parent will know, in relation to children, the pressure to get tickets for events. I certainly do.

Dynamic pricing - in which ticket prices rise when demand is high - is legal provided that businesses do not mislead consumers about what they will pay. The Competition and Markets Authority said that misleading consumers includes leaving out important information or providing it too late.

Fans on the Ticketmaster site were informed while they waited that some price brackets might not be available by the time they reached the front of the queue.

However, Sylvia Rook, lead officer for fair trading at the Chartered Trading Standards Institute, said: Whilst dynamic pricing is an accepted practice for holidays, flights and taxis, the difference here is that consumers are informed of the price before they decide to make a purchase.

In this case, the public were given a price for tickets and were not informed until they finally got to the front of the queue that the price had increased. This undoubtedly meant that many consumers have overreached and ended up spending much more than they originally intended.

Ms Rook went on: It is a breach of the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 if a trader misleads consumers regarding the price of goods and services if that causes the average consumer to take a different transactional decision.

In this case, many consumers would not have joined the queue had they known that the price would have increased by the time they were able to purchase, and many fans could not afford the increased price.

Ticketmaster has said the tickets were in demand tickets, which is why the price was higher but, to ensure consumer legislation is complied with, all relevant information about the price should have been given to consumers before they joined the queue.

The CTSI urged anyone who feels they were misled by the promotion of the Oasis tickets to report the matter to Trading Standards.

The consumer watchdog Which? also questioned the legality of the dynamic pricing policy.

Rocio Concha, director of policy and advocacy, said: This is an issue that really matters to consumers and the Oasis controversy is just one of a number of examples that demonstrate pricing rules are struggling to keep up with the latest technology-driven tactics used by businesses.

The Competition and Markets Authority [CMA] should urgently clarify whether this kind of dynamic pricing approach for concert tickets is legal under current rules.

Ticketmaster did not respond to a request for comment.

The company has said that it does not set prices, stating on its website that the event organiser had priced these tickets according to their market value.

The CMA said more protections are needed for consumers here, so it is positive that the government wants to address this. We now look forward to working with them to get the best outcomes for fans and fair-playing businesses.

The Advertising Standards Authority had received 450 complaints by Monday morning from fans who argued that Ticketmaster had made misleading claims about availability and pricing. The complaints are being assessed.

The band and their promoters have made no comment despite widespread anger from fans but Oasis earlier warned fans that tickets appearing on secondary ticketing sites such as Viagogo are either counterfeit or will be cancelled by the promoters.

The band directed fans to Twickets, an ethical resale site which offers face value tickets. However, after Twickets was accused by fans of charging hefty fees, its founder announced that it would cap its commission charge at 25 and offered refunds to buyers who had paid more.
Vladimir Putin has said the little ones in his family speak fluent Chinese in a rare remark about his personal life.

Some of my family members, the little ones, speak Chinese too  they speak it fluently, the Russian president told pupils at a secondary school on Monday in Kyzyl, Tuva, about 2,800 miles east of Moscow.

Putin has two daughters, Maria Vorontsova and Katerina Tithonova, with his ex-wife Lyudmila Putina, according to Russian media.

His children, whose lives are shrouded in secrecy, are believed to both be approaching the age of 40. They have both been added to EU and US sanctions lists following Russias invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

The Russian leader has rarely discussed his personal life and has a tight grip on any information made public.

He and Lyudmila divorced in 2014. They are believed to have at least three grandchildren.

Maria Vorontsova, one of Putin's children he shares with his ex-wife Lyudmila Putina - OLGA MALTSEVA/AFP

It is claimed that he may have had two or more children, possibly twins, with Alina Kabaeva, a former Olympic gymnast. It is thought that the pair have had a romantic relationship.

It is rumoured that Putin may have had children with Alina Kabaeva, a former Olympic gymnast - Kremlin.ru

There are also rumours that the Russian president allegedly fathered a love child named Luiza Rozova with Svetlana Krivonogikh, a former cleaner-turned-millionaire.

Suspicions were first raised about Rozovas existence by independent Russian media outlets. These rumours were later denied by the Kremlin.

A girl by the same name  believed to be at least 21  stopped posting on social media after news of Putins affair with Krivonogikh was made public.

Putins remarks about his family members language skills are also a nod towards Moscows blossoming relations with Beijing.

Russia and China declared a no limits partnership in February 2022, just days before Putin ordered the invasion of Ukraine.

In May, Putin and Xi Jinping pledged a new era in their countries relationship, including economic, political and societal initiatives.

Putin and Xi Jinping, the Chinese president, declared a 'no limits' partnership just days before the Russian invasion in Ukraine - SERGEI BOBYLEV/AP

The Russian president is known to be a linguist, fluent in German after being stationed there as a KGB officer, and well-spoken in English, with the help of lessons.

His family are said to speak Russian, English, German, and French.

Putin told pupils that they should not, however, disregard English as a language.

English is a great language, it has given humanity a great deal in terms of combining knowledge and uniting people in the field of culture, and so on, Putin said.

Russian, English, Tatar, German and Chechen are the most widely spoken languages in Russia, according to Russias 2022 census.

English is the worlds most spoken language with about 1.5 billion speakers, according to Ethnologue.

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Labour has pledged to simplify what it claims is a dehumanising gender recognition process

Record numbers of people are applying to legally change their gender, Government figures show.

Nearly 1,400 people applied in 2023-24 to the Gender Recognition Panel, which comprises doctors and lawyers who sign off changes.

Of those, 1,088 were granted, an approval rate last year of 89.3 per cent.

This was treble the 466 applications in 2020-21, when the application fee to obtain a gender recognition certificate dropped from 140 to 5.

Experts said the rise had also been driven by millennials and Gen Z, who made the majority of applications.

Full certificates

The data also showed that for the first time the number of females changing their gender to male was almost equal to changes the other way.

Some 119 (54 per cent) of the individuals granted full certificates in the first four months of this year were registered male at birth while 103 (46 per cent) were registered female at birth.

Of the 222 full certificates granted in January to March 2024, 22 were for married applicants and 197 for single applicants.

The figures are expected to rise further after Labour pledged during the election campaign to make the process simpler.

These changes are not expected in Parliaments first session.

Highest caseload

The data, for the year to the end of March, showed the panel had its highest ever caseload, with 888 open applications.

It will raise questions about how registrars, who are likely to be handed the sign-off in Labours reforms, will cope.

Labour said during the election that among reforms to the gender recognition process it will replace the panel with a registrar model, but is yet to set out what that will look like.

The party also wants to simplify what it claims is a dehumanising process. Currently, those wishing to change their gender on their birth certificate must provide proof they have lived in their acquired gender for two years, obtain two doctors reports and then have their application approved by the panel.

Under government proposals, applicants would only need one doctors report, which must be from a gender specialist, and will not have to prove they have lived in their new gender.

There will be a two-year cooling-off period to reflect the gravity of the decision.
Samantha Fox arrives at Uxbridge Magistrates' Court for sentencing - Jonathan Brady/PA

Samantha Fox, the former Page Three model, told a police officer I know where you live and threatened to knock his teeth out after a drunken incident on a British Airways flight, a court has heard.

Fox, 58, who appeared at Uxbridge magistrates court on Monday, had pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing to being drunk and disorderly at Heathrow airport in December.

She also admitted using threatening behaviour, causing harassment, alarm or distress to a police constable during the incident, which stopped the London to Hamburg flight from taking off.

Julianna Belinfante, prosecuting, said flight staff were made aware that Fox was having an argument and being rude towards the gate staff at 7pm. She was seen walking and behaving strangely and was slurring her words, and staff could smell alcohol on her.

Fox began behaving in a confrontational manner towards her wife, Linda Olsen, and after the former model began rocking back and forth in her chair, headbutting the seat in front of her, the decision was made to return the plane to the gate, the court heard.

The Celebrity Big Brother star had been due to stand trial at the same court after she denied assaulting Mrs Olsen during the incident, but the charge was dropped. It is understood this came after changes to the evidence meant there was no longer a realistic prospect of conviction.

Ill knock your teeth out

Alastair Smith, defending, said the suggestion of a punch was never substantiated and arose because there was an air stewardess who thought shed heard something which then got communicated as a physical act.

In security footage shown to the court, Fox could be heard telling one officer I know where you live as she was being led to the cells, telling officers to piss off and threatening to go on TV in two days and tell all about you.

The court heard she told Pc Ashley Smith I know where you live, Ill knock your teeth out and called the officer a ginger c--- a number of times.

Fox gave a no-comment interview while in custody but mentioned the flight was to a charity event in Germany and apologised for the incident, the court heard.

Mr Smith, defending, said Fox had purchased two drinks at the airport to calm her nerves as she was suffering from severe anxiety at the time.

British Airways said they had lost 1,718 and nine pence as a result of the incident, the court heard.

The singer said she had purchased two large vodkas at the airport and was having a panic attack by the time she boarded the plane, a probation officer told the court.

Sentencing, Tan Ikram, the district judge, handed down a fine and told Fox she had caused a great inconvenience for the airline and its passengers.
Police and rioters clash in Manchester on Aug 3

The sentencing of a 12-year-old twice involved in mob violence in July and August has been adjourned because his mother has gone on holiday to Ibiza, a court heard.

Joanne Hirst, the district judge, told Manchester magistrates court she was frankly astonished that the boys mother had decided to fly abroad for a five-day break, with her son due in court having admitted two counts of violent disorder. She told the 12 year-old: Boys like you need their mums in their lives.

Mr Hirst adjourned sentencing of the boy for two counts of violent disorder and ordered a parental summons so the mother must appear before the court when sentence is passed on Sept 11. The boy cannot be identified because of his age.

The youngster, who was accompanied to court by his uncle, had earlier admitted being part of a mob that attacked a bus outside a hotel housing asylum seekers in Manchester on July 31.

During subsequent disorder in Manchester city centre three days later on Aug 3, Ms Kenyon said the boy was filmed by police kicking the front window of a vape shop and was seen to throw a missile at a police van.

At a previous hearing Tess Kenyon, prosecuting, said the schoolboy was seen in footage handing a rock to another youth during the disorder and was part of a group that attacked a bus.

He kicks the bus at the side as it drove past him, Ms Kenyon added.

Im frankly astonished

Mr Hirst was told the boys mother was not present, having gone on holiday on Sunday, and was due to fly back to the UK on Thursday.

She thanked the boys uncle for accompanying him to court, but added: One day before the hearing we find out the mum has gone on holiday and is not with her son who played a greater part in the recent civil disorder than any adult or child Ive seen coming through these courts.

Im frankly astonished. I will require a full explanation from mum on her decision to go on holiday one day before her 12-year-old son comes to court facing a potential custodial sentence.

This is a serious situation. It has now deteriorated in my view because of the actions of the mother. She is on notice, and I will be challenging her about this decision.

Addressing the boy as she adjourned sentencing, the judge told him: Boys like you need their mums in their lives. I need your mum here.
The Starmer family's new pet will be a Siberian kitten, Sir Keir has revealed - E+

Sir Keir Starmer has let his children get a new kitten while they live at Downing Street, after a long summer of negotiations about a dog, the Prime Minister has revealed.

A Siberian kitten will be the Starmer familys new pet, Sir Keir revealed in a BBC 5 Live interview with Matt Chorley.

However, Downing Streets bomb-proof doors have presented a headache regarding feline comings and goings, the Prime Minister said.

The Prime Minister told BBC 5 Live that there had been 'a long summer of negotiations' with his family about pets

Sir Keir was asked for an update on remarks he made during the summer general election campaign that his children were lobbying him to get a German shepherd dog.

Well, those negotiations have been going on. Theres been a long summer of negotiations, back and forth, different options, he replied.

But now weve gone for - and this is agreed after long negotiations, I said wed get in the room and sort it out - we are now getting a kitten instead of a dog.

He later added: This is a Siberian kitten, which is being picked up today by my daughter and so thats where it ended up.

Resident mouser

Larry the cat, Downing Streets resident mouser, has become something of a celebrity figure over the last decade, often appearing in the street amid important political moments.

Sir Keir and his family moved into No 10 with their own family rescue cat, named JoJo.

Asked what the reaction had been from Larry to the news of a second new addition to Downing Streets feline population, the Prime Minister revealed the problems of living with pets in the high security environs of No 10.

The problem weve got, which is the same for JoJo the cat, is that the only door out of our new flat is bomb proof, he said.

Sir Keir added: Therefore, getting a cat flap in it is proving a little bit difficult.

But our daughters persuaded us that the problem isnt any bigger for two cats than one. And therefore, were now getting this kitten.

Larry the cat, a long-time resident of Downing Street, has often appeared amid important political moments - Karl Black/Alamy Stock Photo

Sarah Elliott, central veterinary officer for Cats Protection, said the charity was pleased to hear there will be another feline voice in Downing Street.

She added: As the junior member of the growing cat coalition at Downing Street, the Prime Minister and his family will need to take plenty of time to slowly introduce the new addition to JoJo and Larry.

Lots of positive experiences

The kitten will be joining a busy household, so they will also need to make sure they have lots of positive experiences around new people.

Kittens are full of fun and mischief, all of which can be quite exhausting, so they need plenty of time to rest.

As a long-haired breed, Siberian kittens will also need to get used to grooming from an early age to make sure their coat stays tangle-free.

And its really important that Sir Keir ensures the new family pet is microchipped and registered, a legal requirement for all pet cats over 20 weeks in England.

Young kittens can be exhausting for older statesmen like Larry, so hell also need a safe, quiet area to retreat to when the energy of a younger member of the team gets a bit too much.
Jas Athwal has a rental portfolio including 15 residential and three commercial properties in the capital - Yui Mok/PA

Sir Keir Starmer has called the state of rental properties owned by a London Labour MP unacceptable.

The Prime Minister said it was not good enough for Jas Athwal to allow tenants to live in flats that were infested with ants and had black mould on the walls.

Sir Keir said Mr Athwal, the MP for Ilford South, had to take action to put it right as quickly as possible but declined to remove the party whip from him.

Mr Athwal has a rental portfolio including 15 residential and three commercial properties in the capital, according to Parliaments register of MPs interests.

A BBC investigation found black mould in some of the properties, with dirty and dark communal areas, fire alarms hanging loose and ant infestations in a number of the seven flats in one block.

One resident said: The ants are everywhere. They are on my kids body and on their clothes.

Labour MP Jas Athwal owns a block of flats in Redbridge, east London - BBC

Sir Keir said: Its unacceptable for any landlord  and Ill be really clear about that, it doesnt matter whether its a Labour MP or anybody else  its unacceptable.

Whats happened in this case is this MP has now recognised that and is taking the necessary measures to put it right. The sooner thats done the better, but Im not going to pretend to you or anybody else that this is in any way acceptable.

Asked whether he would strip the Labour whip from Mr Athwal if the problems were not resolved, Sir Keir said: It has to be put right. Hes taking action to put it right, we need to do that as quickly as possible.

Mr Athwal has dismissed the agent responsible for managing the properties, saying he was shocked and sickened by the series of problems and furious not to have been made aware of them earlier.

In a statement posted online on Sunday, he wrote: 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.

Rosie Duffield, a Labour MP, criticised Sir Keir for not removing the whip from Mr Athwal, tweeting: A few months ago, several Labour colleagues had the whip removed for voting for a ceasefire in Gaza. Happened again to those who wanted to remove the hated and long-opposed Two-Child Limit on state benefits #Labour values.
Victoria Atkins has asked questions including whether the role had been advertised - Jeff Moore/PA

The Tories have written to a senior civil servant to demand answers about why a Labour party staffer was parachuted into a senior government job.

The move follows claims last month that a former member of Wes Streetings staff had been hired for a communications job in the Department of Health.

Victoria Atkins, the shadow health secretary, has written to Sir Chris Wormald, the departments Permanent Secretary, to ask questions including whether the role had been advertised.

Sir Keir Starmer faces growing questions over the number of Labour Party loyalists being parachuted into supposedly impartial Whitehall roles.

In the letter, headed politicisation of Department of Health civil servants, Ms Atkins wrote: Regrettably, allegations have emerged that a Labour Party worker has been parachuted into the Department in a Civil Service role through a closed recruitment process.

Having worked with you and other talented and experienced civil servants in the department, including in the communications team, I am concerned about these allegations.

The professionalism and political neutrality of the Civil Service is undermined with each of these allegations across Government. There must also be an impact on officials, as the rules of employment seem to be changing without consultation or transparency.

Ms Atkins also asked questions such as whether the role was advertised within the Civil Service or externally, or whether the new press officer was granted an exception from the normal rules.

She questioned whether the new appointee had declared his interests, including Labour Party membership, in line with Cabinet Office guidance and the Civil Service Code, and asked what other appointments had been made without fair and open competition in the department since July 5.

Many recent appointments have been made using an exceptions rule that allows ministers to circumnavigate the usual Civil Service recruitment process. Rules drawn up by the Civil Service Commission say they should only use the process for short-term hires or where highly specialist skills are required.

The latest example involves an official who worked for Mr Streeting before the election. Shortly after Labour won power, he took a job in the Department of Health. It is unclear whether he had to go through the full recruitment process, including an interview, or was hired under the exceptions rule.

The revelations will add to growing allegations of cronyism. Sir Keir has attempted to dismiss the allegations as Tory smears, but the appointments have also been criticised by independent experts.

A Department of Health and Social spokesman said: The department does not comment on individual personnel matters. Any appointments are made in line with the Civil Service rules on recruitment.
Lucy Connolly will be sentenced at Birmingham Crown Court on Oct 17

The wife of a Conservative Party councillor has pleaded guilty at Northampton Crown Court to publishing a social media post stirring up racial hatred against asylum seekers.

In a post on X, formerly Twitter, Lucy Connolly wrote: Mass deportation now, set fire to all the fing hotels full of the bs for all I care, while youre at it take the treacherous government [and] politicians with them.

At court on Monday, Connolly pleaded guilty to one count of inciting racial hatred and was remanded in custody.

Connolly, who was a childminder at the time, resigned her registration with Ofsted, the regulator, following her arrest.

The post was also shared by 26-year-old father-of-three Tyler Kay who was sentenced last month to 38 months after admitting publishing material intended to stir up racial hatred.

Connolly was interviewed by police on Aug 6 and admitted writing the inflammatory post. She was charged three days later on Aug 9.

Connolly apologised for comments

Connolly, the wife of Raymond Connolly, a Tory councillor, is said to have written the post on the same day multiple children were stabbed in an attack that killed three girls in Southport.

She later apologised for comments she had made, saying she had acted on false and malicious information.

Adjourning Connollys case for sentence at Birmingham Crown Court on Oct 17, Judge Adrienne Lucking KC told her the ordering of pre-sentence reports was no indication of the likely sentence.

The judge said the case was being transferred to Birmingham to avoid any potential appearance of bias given Connollys husband held a political post in the local area.

Judge Lucking told Connolly: Sentencing will entirely be a matter for the judge on the next occasion but its likely to be a substantial custodial sentence.

In the meantime, you are remanded in custody.

Shes not a racist

Speaking to the BBC, Mr Connolly, who is the vice chairman of the adult social care committee at West Northamptonshire council, previously said his wife had made one stupid, spur of the moment tweet out of frustration and quickly deleted it.

Shes a good person and shes not racist, he said. Shes got Somalian and Bangladeshi kids she looks after, and she loves them like theyre her own.

Frank Ferguson, head of the Crown Prosecution Services special crime and counter terrorism unit, said: Using threatening, abusive or insulting language to rile up racism online is unacceptable and is breaking the law.

During police interview Lucy Connolly stated she had strong views on immigration, told officers she did not like immigrants and claimed that children were not safe from them. It is not an offence to have strong or differing political views, but it is an offence to incite racial hatred  and that is what Connolly has admitted doing.

The prosecution case included evidence which showed that racist tweets were sent out from Mrs Connollys X account both in the weeks and months before the Southport attacks  as well as in the days after.

Connolly wrongly thought that she could escape justice by hiding behind a screen, but today she has pleaded guilty and admitted her crime. She will now face the consequences of her actions.
An Israeli F-35 fighter jet taking off. The suspension covers components for certain military aircraft. Photograph: Abir Sultan/EPA

The UK has broken with the Biden administration on a significant part of their tightly coordinated policy towards Israel by announcing it is suspending some arms export licences to Israel because of a clear risk they may be used to commit or facilitate a serious violation of international humanitarian law.

The Foreign Office said a two-month internal review had raised concerns about the way Israel had conducted itself in the conflict in Gaza and that the decision specifically related to concerns around the treatment of Palestinian detainees and the supply of aid to Gaza.

No definitive conclusion has been reached about whether UK arms export licences have contributed to the destruction in the territory. But the scale of the devastation and the number of civilian deaths caused great concern, the Foreign Office said.

The suspension, which is likely to cause tensions with the US government, covers components for military aircraft, helicopters, drones and targeting equipment.

The UK foreign secretary, David Lammy, said it applied to 30 of the 350 existing arms licences, but would almost entirely exclude all UK components for the F-35 fighter jet programme, seen as a significant loophole by pro-Palestinian groups.

F-35 components have been exempted, officials say, because they are part of a global programme and the UK does not have unilateral control of these components, which are sent to the US. They will, however, not be exempt on the rare occasion where the part is being sent directly to Israel.

Lammy, aware of the sensitivity of the issue in Israel and the US, stressed his decision was taken more in sorrow than anger, adding the conclusion did not amount to a full arms embargo, and did not even go as far as the suspension of licences made by Margaret Thatcher in 1982.

But the Israeli defence minister, Yoav Gallant, said he was deeply disheartened by the decision, adding: This comes at a time when we fight a war on seven different fronts  a war that was launched by a savage terrorist organisation, unprovoked. At a time when we mourn six hostages who were executed in cold blood by Hamas inside tunnels in Gaza. At a time when we fight to bring 101 hostages home.

Israels foreign minister, Israel Katz, said he was disappointed by the British decision, adding it sent a very problematic message to the terrorist organisation Hamas and its sponsors in Iran. The Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, is already under political siege after a general strike and fury that his stance over the Gaza ceasefire terms may have contributed to the Hamas killing of six Israeli hostages last week.

Lammy told the House of Commons that the suspension decision was based primarily on evidence concerning the treatment of Palestinian prisoners and restrictions on the supply of humanitarian aid to Gaza. He said Israels conduct of the war in Gaza including the wide-scale destruction of houses contributed to the assessment of a clear risk of a serious breach of international humanitarian law.

He appeared anxious for the decision not to lead to a collapse in Anglo-Israeli relations. Describing himself as a liberal progressive Zionist, he said: We have not  and could not  arbitrate on whether or not Israel has breached international humanitarian law. This is a forward-looking evaluation, not a determination of innocence or guilt. And it does not prejudge any future determinations by the competent courts.

In a brief summary of its legal advice the Foreign Office (FCDO) said it found Israel could have done more reasonably to facilitate humanitarian access and distribution.

It said for example Israel should establish a speedier and more effective system for protecting humanitarian aid from military operations.

The FCDO added: It could also better resource security control procedures and adopt a less restrictive approach to dual-use items (those with both military and civilian uses). The advice also said the amount of aid provided was not enough, even if it was sufficient to be essential to the populations survival.

On the maltreatment of Palestinian detainees, the summary found the volume and consistency of these allegations suggest at least some instances of mistreatment contrary to international humanitarian law. Israel has launched investigations into these allegations.

It added that the sufficiency of those investigations was unclear, partly because Israel continues to deny access to places of detention for the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). International humanitarian law requires such access except for reasons of imperative military necessity, and then only as an exceptional and temporary measure.

Israel has not provided satisfactory reasons, the FCDO said.

On the conduct of the war itself Lammy said: Israels actions in Gaza continue to lead to immense loss of civilian life, widespread destruction to civilian infrastructure, and immense suffering, but added: In many cases, it has not been possible to reach a determinative conclusion on allegations regarding Israels conduct of hostilities, in part because there is insufficient information either from Israel or other reliable sources to verify such claims.

Lammys statement was not condemned by opposition MPs, who described it as carefully calibrated, although Sammy Wilson of the Democratic Unionist party said the only people who would be overjoyed by this decision would be Hamas. MPs on the left saw the decision as a start or the bare minimum considering the loss of 40,000 civilian lives.

The move, which was coordinated between the FCDO, the business department and Richard Hermer, the attorney general, is likely to help Lammy overcome what may be a highly charged revolt on the floor of the Labour party annual conference. British companies sell a relatively small amount of weapons and components to Israel. Earlier this year, the government reported that military exports to Israel amounted to 42m in 2022.

But it will cause strains with the Biden administration in the US, and some Republicans close to Donald Trump. Both have repeatedly said they see no basis in international humanitarian law to suspend arms exports. Joe Biden is under pressure from the pro-Palestinian wing in the Democrats to use more leverage in the forms of arms sales to force Netanyahu to make concessions in the ceasefire talks.

In Europe only Belgium and Spain have taken the step of imposing an arms embargo, but Germany has refused.

The UK government is also facing a growing number of domestic court challenges, including proceedings due to start on Tuesday brought by Global Legal Action Network and the Palestinian human rights organisation Al-Haq.

Officials said Lammy and his aides had been given no access to the decision-making process on arms sales made by the previous Conservative government. But the clear implication is that Labour ministers will have reached a different decision on the basis of similar evidence.
The UK Government should lobby the US to give Ukraine permission to use long-range Storm Shadow missiles on Russian territory, Conservative MPs have told the Commons.

Former defence minister Mark Francois said that without the weapons, President Volodymyr Zelenskys forces were fighting with one hand tied behind their back more than two years after the Russian army began its full-scale invasion.

Mr Francois said: There is no third country exercising a veto on how (Vladimir) Putin uses long-range missiles, which he uses without compunction, even to attack childrens hospitals in Ukraine.

Conservative MP Mark Francois said Russia uses long-range weapons inside Ukraine without compunction (Lucy North/PA)

And yet the media consistently reports there is an American veto on Ukrainian use of Storm Shadow missiles to attack targets at depth in Russia, even though that will materially assist Ukraine.

Could the minister of the Foreign Office talk with our American allies to get that veto removed because the Ukrainians are fighting for our freedom too?

Foreign Office minister Anneliese Dodds said the UK Governments position was unchanged, and it was working with allies to supply Ukraine with munitions and support.

She said: We have been providing military aid to support Ukraines clear right of self-defence against Russias illegal attacks in accordance with international humanitarian law, and we are clear that the equipment provided by the UK is intended for the defence of Ukraine.

Mr Francois, who represents Rayleigh and Wickford, had echoed the words of the Father of the House, Conservative MP Sir Edward Leigh.

Sir Edward told the Commons: It seems to me that if you are attacked by a demented bear, you either run away or hit him so hard that he runs away. But our policy of the West and Ukraine appears to be to wound and not win.

In that context, will this Government make an unequivocal statement in public that Ukraine should be allowed to use Storm Shadow, and more importantly, the US-made army tactical missile system? Then we might actually win this war.

The Commons heard that the Government considers the Ukrainian incursion into the Russian region of Kursk a defensive move.

Responding to an urgent question from shadow foreign secretary Andrew Mitchell on support for Ukraine, referencing Ukrainian forces recently advancing about 22 miles into Russia, Ms Dodds said: Those actions were defensive actions. They would not have taken place if wed not seen the illegal invasion of Ukraine and therefore he is completely appropriate in the language he uses to describe them.

When it comes to equipping Ukraine in that defensive activity, of course we will continue and indeed have intensified commitment towards that.
The prospective next leader of the SDLP has said she is daunted, but looking forward to getting stuck in if selected.

Claire Hanna, one of the partys two MPs, confirmed at the weekend that she will put her name forward to become the next leader of the SDLP.

Current leader Colum Eastwood announced his resignation last week. He is to step down at the partys conference in November.

He has already backed the 44-year-old South Belfast and Mid Down MP to succeed him.

SDLP leader Colum Eastwood (Mark Marlow/PA)

Nominations to become the next leader will close on Friday.

Ms Hanna said she has worked very closely with Mr Eastwood, a fellow MP.

She also backed the SDLP stance of being the official Opposition at Stormont, and paid tribute to Opposition leader Matthew OToole as doing an incredible job.

Im not someone who thinks they have all the answers, it is daunting but I have been involved in the SDLP for many, many years and I have learnt a thing or two about the things that work in terms of organising people and in terms of motivating  so Im looking forward to getting stuck in if thats what the members decide, she told BBC Radio Ulsters Good Morning Ulster programme.

There is a process to run. Applications are open until Friday.

Ms Hanna described emerging from an unbelievably topsy-turvy decade.

Colum was at the helm for nine years and we fought 10 elections so you were nearly always recovering from one or preparing for another, or dealing with some of the major twists and turns of Brexit, so the context is what is primarily different, that we have hopefully three years without an election, she said.

Politics for everybody has drifted so far away from its purpose, and people have lost faith  and sometimes elections become a way of sending a message, more a picking a team than maybe people being able to put their values in more centrally.

The SDLP has seen a downturn in its fortunes since being the dominant nationalist party since its formation in 1970 to playing a major role in the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement in 1998 before falling behind Sinn Fein in the 2000s.

SDLP members Claire Hanna, Colum Eastwood and Matthew OToole. (Liam McBurney/PA)

It currently has two MPs, eight MLAs and 59 councillors.

Ms Hanna said humility is really important in political leadership.

I think humility is really important in political leadership  not to say, the people are wrong or theyre just not understanding it  to grasp that were not communicating it, she said.

Crucially a lot of it is about organisation, a lot of it is about the fact that for a variety of reasons people havent had a knock on the door from the SDLP for a while, they havent had something from their door, they dont see and know people in the community. In large part because the party has shrunk.

When you have a couple of hundred councillors, then there is one in every neighbourhood and when you have fewer, there isnt. That is a big part of it, the party was demoralised.

Its about motivating, giving the party a sense of purpose and motivation and its absolutely about going out and growing, recruiting new people.

Its largely structural. I did a big review of the SDLP in 2022, about our organisational capabilities and some of the deficits, and we have been working really hard with Colum and the whole party putting some of that in place.

She added: I know we need to clarify the message as well. This is a complicated place and quite often our answers to living in it have been complicated as well, and that doesnt always fit the modern and fast paced political world that we live in.

I know there is work to do, but I believe deeply in the SDLP mission of anti-sectarianism, being on the centre left and of a new Ireland, and I believe crucially that a lot of other people do as well.
The state of properties owned by Labour MP Jas Athwal is unacceptable, Sir Keir Starmer said.

The Prime Minister said it was not good enough for the MP to allow tenants to live in flats infested with ants and with black mould on the walls.

Sir Keir said Mr Athwal had to take action to put it right as quickly as possible.

Mr Athwal, 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.

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.

Sir Keir said: Its unacceptable for any landlord, and Ill be really clear about that it doesnt matter whether its a Labour MP or anybody else, its unacceptable.

Whats happened in this case is this MP has now recognised that, is taking the necessary measures to put it right.

The sooner thats done, the better, but Im not going to pretend to you or anybody else that this is in any way acceptable.

Asked if he would strip the Labour whip from the MP if the problems were not resolved, Sir Keir said: It has to be put right. Hes taking action to put it right, we need to do that as quickly as possible.

Mr Athwal has dismissed the agent responsible for managing the properties, saying he was shocked and sickened by the series of problems and furious not to have been made aware of them earlier.

As the landlord, the buck stops with me, and I unreservedly apologise to my tenants for the unacceptable experiences they have endured. (2/3)  Jas Athwal MP (@Jas_Athwal) September 1, 2024

In a statement posted online on Sunday, Mr Athwal said: 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.
Sir Keir Starmer defended himself against accusations of cronyism, saying we want the best people in the best posts.

The Prime Minister has come under pressure over appointments of people with Labour links to civil service roles and the provision of a Downing Street pass to a major donor.

A Whitehall watchdog is looking into appointments made outside the normal competitive recruitment process.

The First Civil Service Commissioner has today written to departments to inform them that the Commission will be carrying out a short review of appointments made by Exception at delegated grades. More details here: https://t.co/iga3FfJmaN  Civil Service Commission (@CivServComm) August 30, 2024

The Prime Minister told the media during a visit to a primary school in Orpington: I stood on the steps of Downing Street and said we would be a government of service, in the service of everybody, whether they voted for us or not.

Thats what were getting on with.

We want the best people in the best posts, for sure, but that government of service matters deeply to this government, matters deeply to me, because I came in to government to serve.

Recent appointments to the senior civil service include Jess Sargeant, who previously worked for the Labour Together think tank before she took a role in the Cabinet Office, and Emily Middleton, a consultant who was named a director general in the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, and worked closely with Science Secretary Peter Kyle in the months before the election.

Ian Corfield, who has donated more than 20,000 to Labour politicians in the last decade, was initially made a temporary director of investment at the Treasury but it has since emerged he would work as an unpaid adviser rather than a salaried civil servant.

And Labour peer Lord Alli  who has donated more than 500,000 to the party over the past 20 years and provided clothing, multiple pairs of glasses and accommodation for Sir Keir  was given a pass to Number 10, despite not having a formal job there.

Downing Street said the Government would co-operate with the Civil Service Commissions investigation into appointments by exception since July.

The Prime Ministers official spokesman said: We will fully support the commission with their review.

All civil service appointments should follow the correct rules and processes.

The Civil Service Commission is independent of government and is able to conduct regular reviews of recruitment processes in line with the powers theyve got.
Uygur women hit hardest by U.S. sanctions on Xinjiang

11:05, September 02, 2024 By Wu Baoshu, Pan Ying, Gao Han ( Xinhua

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.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
BEIJING, Sept. 2 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday met with Malian President Assimi Goita, who is in Beijing for the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC).

The two leaders jointly announced the elevation of bilateral relations to a strategic partnership.

During the meeting, Xi said China is willing to promote traditional friendship with Mali, continue to support each other firmly, and provide support within its capacity for Mali's economic development and improvement of people's livelihood. 
A business network has called for an independent task force to examine the plans for North Sea energy transition and to safeguard about 200,000 jobs.

The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) made the plea after publishing a report on Monday in which they said there must be a balance that preserves the investment and skills needed for the green economy and safeguards thousands of jobs.

The BCC report said it recognised the UK must fulfil its climate commitments, but said current plans for the oil and gas industry risk reducing investment and impacting energy security.

BCC officials have said the independent task force should bring together expertise of all sectors impacted by North Sea operations, including, but not limited to the energy sector, economists, environmentalists and unions.

The task force would produce a series of recommendations for the Government to an accelerated North Sea transition while maintaining jobs, skills and employment.

The report called for a national conversation about the North Sea as a critical asset.

It highlighted recent estimates that 200,000 direct and indirect jobs across the UK are reliant on the oil and gas industry.

Shevaun Haviland, director general of the BCC, said: The imperative for net zero is ratcheting up daily as fresh evidence of the damage caused by climate change emerges.

But its equally important that we manage this process to avoid catastrophic harm to our economy and workforce.

We need an effective energy transition which does not cut adrift the tens of thousands of highly skilled people across the UK who rely on the sector for their livelihoods.

It must also balance the diversity of our power supplies, so that the UKs energy security is not put at risk, and we do not become over-reliant on imported fuels.

She added: This means having a clear and integrated plan in place as soon as possible.

Politicians cannot keep kicking the can down the road. It is in everyones interests to get round the table and find pragmatic solutions.

There also need to be honest conversations about how this can be financed.

Plans to reduce capital and investment allowances will undermine business confidence in the sector and jeopardise a successful transition.

The director concluded that if private investment in the energy sector is put at risk, then the repurposing of infrastructure and the pathway forward are also put in doubt.

She said: We are therefore calling for the establishment of an independent task force to further our research and support the new Government.

A partnership approach can create a future for the North Sea which preserves the investment and skills needed for the green economy and safeguards thousands of jobs.

Last weeks announcement that Government will consult on new environmental guidance for the oil and gas sector, provides an opportunity for all parties to shape the fair and just future everyone wants to see. This report provides the framework for this to happen.

Independent recommendations from a task force will help create a route towards the certainty and confidence that businesses, the workforce, unions and environmental groups can all believe in.

A Department for Energy Security and Net Zero spokesperson said: We are engaging with industry, workers, trade unions and civil society to provide certainty through a phased and responsible transition in the North Sea.

Our highly skilled offshore workers will lead the world in a clean energy future with generations of good jobs in clean homegrown power.

Acting Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero and Energy Gillian Martin said: There can be no effective energy transition without drawing on the expertise of the workforce and investment from the oil and gas sector.

The Scottish Government is working to ensure a just transition for the workforce as we move to our future in green energy.

Our focus is on energy security, reducing emissions in line with our climate commitments, and delivering affordable energy supplies for households facing soaring bills in energy rich Scotland.

The Scottish Government will, later this summer, publish our Energy Strategy and Just Transition plan and we will carefully consider this report.
The wife of a Conservative councillor has admitted sending a social media message stirring up racial hatred against asylum seekers on the day of the Southport attacks.

Lucy Connolly, who is married to West Northamptonshire councillor Raymond Connolly, pleaded guilty at Northampton Crown Court on Monday to a charge of inciting racial hatred by publishing and distributing threatening or abusive written material on X, formerly Twitter.

Details of the offence were not opened by the prosecutor in the case but a previous hearing was told the 41-year-old childminder posted a message which read: Mass deportation now, set fire to all the f****** hotels full of the bastards for all I care If that makes me racist, so be it.

Conservative councillor Raymond Connolly leaves Northampton Crown Court after his wife, Lucy Connolly, pleaded guilty (Jacob King/PA)

Connolly, of Parkfield Avenue, Northampton, entered her guilty plea via a video-link to HMP Peterborough during a hearing lasting just seven minutes.

Wearing a flower-patterned short-sleeved dress, Connolly spoke only to enter her plea and confirm that she could hear the judge.

Adjourning Connollys case for sentence at Birmingham Crown Court on October 17, Judge Adrienne Lucking KC told her the ordering of pre-sentence reports is no indication of the likely sentence.

The judge said the case is being transferred to Birmingham to avoid any potential appearance of bias given Connollys husband holds a political post in the local area.

Judge Lucking told Connolly: Sentencing will entirely be a matter for the judge on the next occasion but its likely to be a substantial custodial sentence.

In the meantime, you are remanded in custody.

Speaking outside court after the case, Mr Connolly said the last few weeks have been quite traumatic for his wife and children and he feels kind of relieved.

He said his wife regrets making the post, which she deleted within two hours, is the opposite of a racist, and had been an upset housewife posting about what transpired to be misinformation about the Southport stabbings.

Conservative West Northamptonshire councillor Raymond Connolly speaks to the media (Jacob King/PA)

He told reporters: The stuff I hear on the TV is not really Lucy. She knows that she overstepped the mark and there is consequences for it.

Hopefully shell be able to learn from this and move on with her life.

The councillor, who represents Delapre and Rushmere, said he has received messages of support from residents asking him not to resign.

Ive had really good support from my fellow councillors, he added. Its not affected my role.

A father-of-three was jailed at Northampton Crown Court for 38 months on August 9 after re-posting part of Connollys X message.

Tyler Kay, 26, of Ellfield Court, Northampton, admitted a charge of publishing material intended to stir up racial hatred.

Passing sentence on Kay after he pleaded guilty, Judge Lucking told him: You posted as you did because you thought there were no consequences for yourself from stirring up racial hatred in others.

The overall tone of the posts clearly reveals your fundamentally racist mindset.

I am sure that when you intentionally created the posts you intended that racial hatred would be stirred up by your utterly repulsive, racist and shocking posts that have no place in a civilised society.

Tyler Kay was jailed last month for re-posting Lucy Connollys social media message (Northamptonshire Police/PA)

Connolly issued an apology for her X post before her arrest, saying she had acted on false and malicious information.

In a statement issued after the guilty plea, the Crown Prosecution Service said Connolly posted on X hours after the Southport killings, having encountered false information online that the perpetrator was a Muslim asylum seeker who had entered the country on a small boat.

Connolly was interviewed by police on August 6 and was charged three days later.

Commenting on the proceedings, Frank Ferguson, head of the Crown Prosecution Services Special Crime and Counter Terrorism Unit, said: Using threatening, abusive or insulting language to rile up racism online is unacceptable and is breaking the law.

During police interview Lucy Connolly stated she had strong views on immigration, told officers she did not like immigrants and claimed that children were not safe from them.

It is not an offence to have strong or differing political views, but it is an offence to incite racial hatred  and that is what Connolly has admitted doing.

The prosecution case included evidence which showed that racist tweets were sent out from Mrs Connollys X account both in the weeks and months before the Southport attacks  as well as in the days after.

Connolly wrongly thought that she could escape justice by hiding behind a screen, but today she has pleaded guilty and admitted her crime. She will now face the consequences of her actions.
Tom Tugendhat has promised a return of honesty to politics as he formally launches his campaign to be the next Conservative Party leader.

The Tory former minister will launch his bid to be Rishi Sunaks successor in a speech in central London on Tuesday, in which he will insist only under his stewardship can the Conservatives win back the trust of the public after recent games at Westminster which have plagued the party.

Mr Tugendhat, the shadow security minister, will touch on his ambition to increase defence spending to 3% of gross domestic product (GDP) and will also set out his vision for strengthening the Union.

The senior Tory is expected to emphasise the importance of public service in his leadership bid, telling the audience: My pledge, as leader, is to return to the honest state, the responsible state.

I will set out the agenda for government to win back the trust and confidence in the future because I know that this country has the greatest building blocks for future success.

He will add: Thats why I am standing not just to lead the Conservative Party. I am standing to be the prime minister of the United Kingdom.

The Tory MP for Tonbridge will also seek to reset the Conservatives image with the British public, saying: Politics matters to peoples lives.

Thats why I was so angry at the recent games We need a government that will serve, lead, and act.

Thats why I am standing before you today. Because this country can change. We must change.

Mr Tugendhat is expected to touch on the importance of standing up to hostile foreign states such as Russia and Iran, as he restates his commitment to increase defence spending to 3% of GDP.

We face a world becoming more dangerous by the day, and now need to invest in our own security and be clear that we cannot bet our future on the choices of others, he will say.

Lord Ben Houchen (Owen Humphreys/PA)

Mr Tugendhat is also likely to set out a vision for economic change, focusing on investing in skills and infrastructure across the UK, among other measures.

He will point to the record of the Tory mayor of Tees Valley, Lord Ben Houchen, as an inspiration for other efforts.

The security minister has made several televised speeches over the course of the summer which have allowed him to draw attention to his leadership bid, and has also canvassed Tory members during visits to regions across the UK.

Mr Tugendhat is joined in the race for the party leadership by former ministers Robert Jenrick, Mel Stride, James Cleverly, Dame Priti Patel, and Kemi Badenoch, who is widely tipped as the bookies favourite in the race.

Candidates have been urged not to attack one another during the contest, with the aim of avoiding the division on display in the 2022 leadership contest which resulted in the head-to-head between Liz Truss and Mr Sunak.

Mr Jenrick has however faced some criticism from his rivals over his support for leaving the European Convention on Human Rights.

He has said that attempting to reform the international agreement would take decades and be doomed to failure.
Kevin Mazur - Getty Images

Adele is taking a break from music. The Grammy winner announced the news to fans in Munich over the weekend, saying that she wont be performing for a minute after she wraps up her Las Vegas residency in just 10 shows.

I have 10 shows to do, an emotional Adele told the crowd. But after that, I will not see you for an incredibly long time, and I will hold you dear in my heart.

Adele laid the groundwork for her break back in July, when she told Germanys ZDF public broadcast service (via Deadline), I dont have any plans for new music at all. I want a big break after this and I think I want to do other creative things, just for a little while."

She also said that doing over 100 shows in Vegas (her residency has been going on since 2022!) has made her feel like her tank is quite empty.

That said, acting could be in her future. Back in December, Adele teased an unnamed movie shes interested in while chatting to The Hollywood Reporter. The guy whose movie it would be, hes not mentally ready to write the script for it, she explained. I bug him every now and then about it, but hes just not there yet. But thats the only role I ever want. Because I think Id nail it. I think Id do really, really, really good at it.

FYI, Adele will be heading back to Las Vegas for another month of Weekends With Adele, which runs from October 25 to November 23 so...grab tickets if you can!

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Roger O' Donnell of The Cure performs at Riot Fest 2023 at Douglass Park in Chicago on Sept. 17.

The Cure keyboardist Roger ODonnell revealed his lymphoma diagnosis in a series of posts Sunday on X in honor of September's being Blood Cancer Awareness Month.

"In September last year I was diagnosed with a very rare and aggressive form of lymphoma," O'Donnell wrote. "I had ignored the symptoms for a few months but finally went and after surgery the result of the biopsy was devastating."

Lymphoma is a type of blood cancer that affects the lymphatic system, which is part of the body's immune system responsible for fighting disease. Symptoms of lymphoma include fever; fatigue; painless swelling of the lymph nodes in the groin, neck, armpits and belly; losing weight without trying; and itchy skin, according to MayoClinic.org.

O'Donnell said he has completed 11 months of treatment, which included immunotherapy, medication and radiotherapy.

"Im fine and the prognosis is amazing," he said about his condition now. "the mad axe murderer knocked on the door and we didnt answer."

O'Donnell warned those who may be feeling symptoms of blood cancer to get tested as soon as possible.

"Cancer CAN be beaten but if you are diagnosed early enough you stand a way better chance, so all I have to say is go GET TESTED, if you have the faintest thought you may have symptoms go and get checked out," he wrote.

He also encouraged fans who know someone who is sick to talk to them, adding that "every single word helps."

ODonnell joined the English band The Cure in 1987 and was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame with the group in 2019. He performed with the band during its North American tour last year before he pulled out of the Latin American tour because of "health reasons in November, Rolling Stone reported.
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
CHICAGO (CBS)  Four people were killed in a mass shooting on a CTA Blue Line train in west suburban Forest Park on Monday morning.

All four victims were passengers on a Blue Line train as it was headed into the Forest Park terminal when they were shot shortly before 5:30 a.m., said Forest Park Police Deputy Chief Christopher Chin.

Police said three victims were found dead at the scene. A fourth victim was taken to a local hospital, where they died.

Officials had only identified one of the victims, Simeon Bihesi, a 28-year-old man, as of midday Tuesday. The Cook County Medical Examiner's office said one of the victims was a 52-year-old man and another was a 64-year-old woman.

Chin said the shooting appeared to be an isolated incident, and there was no threat to the community. Investigators believe there was only one shooter.

Police said it did not appear the shooter knew any of the victims, who appeared to be sleeping while riding the train. Police also said it did not appear that the shooter tried to rob the victims and that the attack was completely random.

"This obviously is shocking. You know, it is uncommon here to have a mass shooting like this, especially this close to home that we're actually investigating on a holiday. So, for people to feel unsafe, it's justified," Chin said. "It's a horrible situation. It's definitely something that you don't want to wake up to. It's a Monday morning on a holiday. Everyone's supposed to be enjoying their time off, time with their families. It's Labor Day, so to actually have to be here to address a situation like this, it's horrible."

CTA security and Forest Park Police found the suspected shooter using surveillance video. The suspect was located on a CTA Pink Line Train and taken into custody later Monday morning. A weapon was recovered.

"Surveillance video is vital in a lot of our investigations, especially in this one," Chin said.

Blue Line service was suspended between Forest Park and Austin. Shuttle buses were available and CTA trains will operate between O'Hare and Austin.

"It's a horrible tragedy that four people are dead on Labor Day weekend," Forest Park Mayor Rory Hoskins said.

In a statement, CTA said, "This morning's incident on the Forest Park Branch of the Blue Line is the definition of a heinous crime and tragedy. We extend our condolences to those who lost their loved ones as a result of this senseless act of crime  our thoughts and prayers are with them. The safety and security of our riders and employees is and remains our No. 1 priority. Although this matter remains under investigation, all current information points to the Monday morning incident along the Forest Park branch of the Blue Line as being an isolated incident. The quick and collaborative efforts of both the Forest Park Police Department and Chicago Police Department are to be commended. Thr CTA will continue to support local law enforcements as this investigation continues."

Chin asked anyone with information on the shooting to contact Forest Park police at 708-366-2425 or detectives@forestpark.net.

Calls for service surge at train station

Mayor Rory Hoskins said the tragedy should highlight the need for more resources in Forest Park. He pointed out that two major CTA train lines, the Blue Line and Green Line, both have final stops in Forest Park.

In recent years, there have been a string of incidents at the train station in Forest Park, the final stop for the Blue Line.

That's led to local police and fire personnel needing to respond to the station, more than any other location in its jurisdiction, for everything from mental health emergencies to opioid overdoses. One official told CBS News Chicago that first responders are called after such cases are discovered on the train when it makes its final stop.

The 911 call volume has also surged in recent years, averaging 4,300 calls a year to the Des Plaines Avenue site, which averages out to about 11 calls a day.

In light of the increased calls for service, Hoskins called upon state lawmakers to do more to help the village handle such incidents.

"We would ask them to consider investing additional resources in terms of safety, public safety, law enforcement personnel, what have you, to support a small community like Forest Park that has to respond to two major train lines," he said.

Editor's note: An earlier version of this story reported that authorities said the victims appeared to be dealing with homelessness. CBS Chicago has removed that reference, as it was unclear which victims this information may have applied to.

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You can always count on George Clooney and Brad Pitt to bring the Hollywood star power to the Venice Film Festival.

The tuxedo-clad Wolfs co-stars traversed the red carpet on Sunday night amid a barrage of blinding flashes, smiling and waving to photographers just hours after Clooney disputed a recent report that the A-list actors were each paid $35 million for their performances in the Jon Watts crime caper, which streams on Apple TV+ Sept. 27.

Clooney, 63, made a rare red carpet appearance with his wife Amal, 46, who wore a corset-style soft yellow gown with a ruffled neckline and train. The human rights lawyer held a glittering gold clutch and wore her hair long and highlighted, with dangling pearl earrings.

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George Clooney (right) and wife Amal stepped out on the red carpet at Venice Film Festival in a rare appearance.

Pitt, 60, surprised by stepping out hand in hand with his girlfriend Ines de Ramon, a jewelry designer. He wore a tux jacket with satin lapels and a gold button closure over a black T-shirt and flared trousers, while she donned a one-shoulder ruched white gown with triple-disc earrings.

The 81st annual film festival runs through Sept. 7.

'Wolves,' the new Apple TV+ movie starring Brad Pitt and George Clooney, will bypass a splashy theatrical run

Brad Pitt (right) brought girlfriend Ines de Ramon for the premiere of "Wolfs" at Venice Film Festival.

Earlier in the day, at a Venice news conference, Clooney and Pitt had expressed disappointment that the movie, which is showing out of competition at the festival, will be in theaters for just a week before streaming.

"It is a bummer," Clooney said, while also acknowledging that streaming services provide actors with greater opportunities and bigger audiences for their work. We need it, our industry needs this."

"We'll always be romantic about the theatrical experience, Pitt added. "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 theatrical release, as they had asked, Clooney quipped: "Clearly, we're declining."

George Clooney denies he and Brad Pitt received $35M payday for 'Wolfs': 'That's a terrible thing'

Pitt and Clooney, who last starred together in the 2008 Coen brothers comedy "Burn After Reading," said they jumped at the chance to reunite when they read Watts' script for "Wolfs."

"As I get older, just working with the people that I just really enjoy spending time with has really become important to me," Pitt said, while Clooney joked that Pitt is fortunate to be offered parts. "He's very lucky at this age to still be working."

Clooney also denied a New York Times story that said both stars had been paid more than $35 million to appear in Wolfs.

"It's bad for our industry if that's what people think is the standard bearer for salaries, the actor said. I think that's a terrible thing. It will make it impossible to make a film."

Contributing: Kim Willis, USA TODAY, and Crispian Balmer, Reuters

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: George Clooney, Brad Pitt walk red carpet with Amal, Ines de Ramon
As the Israel-Hamas war continues, the latest round of cease-fire discussions appears to have reached an impasse.

Meanwhile, after six hostages were found dead in Gaza, protests erupted in Israel. Protesters have demanded its government bring the hostages home.





Latest Developments





Sep 3, 4:57 PM

DOJ charges senior Hamas leaders over involvement in Americans' deaths in Oct. 7 attack

The Justice Department unsealed charges Tuesday targeting multiple senior members of Hamas' leadership for their alleged involvement in the kidnapping and murdering of Americans during the Oct. 7 attack.



The criminal complaint, unsealed in the Southern District of New York, names six members of Hamas' leadership structure and details extensively their terrorist activities on behalf of the group.



Click here to read more.



-ABC News Alexander Mallin





Sep 3, 3:46 PM

White House says Israel originally agreed to remove IDF from areas of Philadelphi corridor

The White House is pushing back on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus stance of keeping Israeli troops along the Philadelphi corridor -- a narrow strip of land on the Gaza side of the Gaza-Egypt border -- saying the prime minister originally agreed to removing troops in the Israel-approved framework that was announced in May.



I'm not going to get into a debate with the prime minister and what he said over the weekend about the Philadelphi corridor," White House national security communications adviser John Kirby said. "The deal itself, the proposal, including the bridging proposal that we started working with  included the removal of Israeli Defense Forces from all densely populated areas, and that includes those areas along that corridor. That's the proposal that Israel had agreed to."



Kirby acknowledged Israels belief that they need "some security" along the corridor, but Kirby did not give the U.S. position on whether the administration supports the IDF remaining in less dense areas along the border.



"The proposal says that they have to remove themselves to the east from densely populated areas -- and that core essential element of the proposal has not changed," Kirby said. "But the Israelis have said publicly that they believe that  they would need some security along that corridor."



-ABC News Justin Ryan Gomez





Sep 3, 3:46 PM

Gantz: Netanyahu is holding up a deal

National Unity party leader Benny Gantz slammed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday, claiming he is holding up a cease-fire and hostage deal.



Gantz said that on Monday, Netanyahu in his speech "did not look directly at the public and told the truth: That he will not bring the kidnapped alive, that he will not truly protect the southern bracket, that he will not return the residents of the north to their homes, that he will not deny Iran nuclear weapons."



"This did not surprise me, because during the period that we sat in the War Cabinet, Netanyahu delayed the ability to move forward with the abducted deals serially, including in the first outline," Gantz said. "This does not surprise me because already at the beginning of the war, when we asked to extend the military pressure to Khan Yunis and then to Rafah, Netanyahu hesitated and stopped."



"The time has come to say yes and move forward: we need to bring a deal - either in stages or in one stage," Gantz said.

PHOTO: People attend a rally demanding a cease-fire deal and the immediate release of hostages held by Hamas in the Gaza Strip in Tel Aviv, Israel, Sept. 3, 2024. (Ariel Schalit/AP)

Netanyahu in response laid out the Israeli military's recent successes.



"Since Gantz and his party resigned from the government, Israel has eliminated the Hamas Chief of Staff and the Hezbollah Chief of Staff, attacked the Houthis, captured the Philadelphia axis - Hamas's armament pipeline - and carried out a pre-emptive strike against Hezbollah that thwarted its malicious plan and destroyed thousands of rockets aimed at the Galilee," Netanyahu said. "Whoever does not contribute to the victory and the return of our hostages, it is better not to interfere."



-ABC News Will Gretsky





Sep 3, 3:00 PM

Thousands gather for new protest in Tel Aviv

Thousands gathered in Tel Aviv Tuesday for a new protest organized by the Hostages and Missing Families Forum.



The event was led by the younger members of the Hostages and Missing Families Forum who are calling for a deal to bring all of the hostages home, the organization said.

PHOTO: People hold placards as they protest 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, Sept. 3, 2024. (Florion Goga/Reuters)

PHOTO: Demonstrators light flares and wave national flags during an anti-government protest in front of the Israeli Defense Ministry in the coastal city of Tel Aviv, Sept. 3, 2024. (Jack Guez/AFP via Getty Images)





Sep 3, 2:15 PM

43 killed in Israeli operation in Gaza

Forty-three people have been killed from ongoing operations in the Gaza Strip on Tuesday, according to the Hamas-run Gaza Ministry of Health.



Israeli forces said its soldiers "struck a compound where Hamas terrorists were operating" and killed eight Hamas members. The strike was near the Al-Ahli hospital compound but wasnt within the hospital premises, the IDF said.



"Prior to the strike, numerous steps were taken to mitigate the risk of harming civilians, including the use of precise munitions, aerial surveillance, and additional intelligence," the IDF said in a statement.



-ABC News Sami Zayara and Jordana Miller





Sep 3, 1:56 PM

Kirby hedges on 'final proposal' reports, says Biden is personally still working on deal

White House national security communications adviser John Kirby hedged on reports that the U.S. is putting forward a "final proposal" when it comes to hostage negotiations, saying the administration -- including President Joe Biden  is still working to get a deal.

PHOTO: A demonstrator holds a poster as people rally to protest against the government amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza between Israel and Hamas, in Tel Aviv, Israel Sept. 2, 2024. (Florion Goga/Reuters)

Kirby refused to give any details about the current proposal, or how it might differ from previous offers put forward, but he stressed that the deal is "actively" being worked on with Qatar and Egypt.

"The president himself is personally involved in working with our team and working with leaders around the world to secure this deal, Kirby said, adding that this weekends recovery of six slain hostages "underscores the sense of urgency that we have."

PHOTO: A man looks at a billboard showing pictures of Israeli hostages held by Hamas in Gaza in Jerusalem, Sept. 3, 2024. (Abir Sultan/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock)

Asked about the United Kingdoms new restrictions on some arms exports to Israel, Kirby said he would not "comment one way or another on the decisions that our British counterparts made."



U.K. Foreign Secretary David Lammy told Parliament on Monday about 30 of its 350 export licenses were suspended because "there does exist a clear risk that they might be used to commit or facilitate a serious violation of international humanitarian law."



"I can just tell you that, No. 1: We're going to continue to do we have to do to support Israel's defensive capabilities," Kirby said. No. 2: We have, as I've said many times, reviewed individual reports as best we can, and talking to the Israelis about individual reports about compliance with international humanitarian law. And as we speak, there's been no determination by the United States that they have violated international humanitarian [law].



-ABC News Molly Nagle





Sep 3, 11:40 AM

Al-Shifa Hospital reopens 2 departments

Al-Shifa Hospital, the largest and most comprehensive hospital in the Gaza Strip, reopened two of its departments on Sunday after facing shelling, raids and two sieges in the ongoing war, Al-Shifa Medical Complex Director Dr. Marwan Abu Saada told ABC News.

PHOTO: A Palestinian medical worker checks a device at Shifa hospital following the repair and reopening of its emergency department, which was damaged in an Israeli offensive, amid Israel-Hamas conflict, in Gaza City, Sept. 1, 2024. (Mahmoud Issa/Reuters)

The reopened departments are the Emergency and Accidents Department -- which has 70 beds, two operating rooms, one intensive care unit room and one X-ray room -- and the Kidney Dialysis Department, which has about 22 kidney dialysis machines and serves 36 patients with kidney failure, Abu Saada said.

The hospital had capacity for 800 beds before the war, Abu Saada said.

"As for the medical staff, there is a large deficit in medical personnel, but at least we want to work and serve the community," he said.

PHOTO: Palestinians walk at Shifa hospital following the repair and reopening of its emergency department, which was damaged in an Israeli offensive, amid Israel-Hamas conflict, in Gaza City, Sept. 1, 2024. (Mahmoud Issa/Reuters)

The maternity building will undergo a six-month restoration to become a general surgery building, he added.



-ABC News Camilla Alcini





Sep 3, 6:32 AM

Cease-fire protesters plan action near Tel Aviv Defense Ministry

The Hostages and Missing Families Forum announced a fresh protest scheduled for 7 p.m. local time Tuesday in Tel Aviv, close to the entrance of the Defense Ministry building.



The action will be "led by the younger members of the families," the Forum wrote in a post on X, who will "call for a deal to bring all 101 hostages home."



Attendees will protest what the Forum called "the abandonment of the hostages in Hamas captivity."



PHOTO: Protesters hold photos of hostages during a rally on the second day of demonstrations demanding a Gaza deal on September 2, 2024 in Tel Aviv, Israel. (Amir Levy/Getty Images)



Additional demonstrations elsewhere will include a gathering outside the Weizmann Institute of Science in Rehovot, a protest outside Foreign Minister Israel Katz's residence in Kfar Ahim, one in front of Agriculture Minister Avi Dichter's home in Ashkelon and another outside Deputy Prime Minister Yariv Levin's home in Modi'in.



-ABC News' Jordana Miller and David Brennan





Sep 3, 3:20 AM

Gaza polio vaccination drive reaches 160,000 children

Some 160,000 Gaza children received their first vaccination for polio on Sunday and Monday, according to the Hamas-run health ministry.



The emergency rollout began on Sunday, facilitated by a partial pause in fighting in the strip. Medical teams in the central part of the territory said they were able to vaccinate 72,611 children on the first day of the campaign.



PHOTO:A health worker administers the Polio vaccine to a baby in Zawayda in the central Gaza Strip on Sept. 1, 2024, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas. (Eyad Baba/AFP via Getty Images)



Palestinian health authorities and United Nations agencies said they were hoping to vaccinate 640,000 children during the push. Israel agreed to some pauses in fighting to support the campaign, though airstrikes have continued in its first two days.

Israel has said the vaccination program will continue through Sept. 9 and last eight hours a day.

Polio is among the illnesses feared to be thriving in Gaza after 10 months of war. The strip's long-standing humanitarian difficulties have been exacerbated by the destruction of health care facilities, critical infrastructure, and the displacement -- sometimes repeated displacement -- of most of the territory's residents.



MORE: What to know about polio vaccination campaign in Gaza after 1st first case in 25 years



Gaza recently reported its first polio case in 25 years -- a 10-month-old boy, now paralyzed in a leg. The World Health Organization said the case suggests there could be hundreds more infected who are not symptomatic.



-ABC News' Will Gretsky and David Brennan





Sep 2, 3:12 PM

Netanyahu asks hostage families for forgiveness, says pressure should be directed at Hamas

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is asking for forgiveness from the families of the six slain hostages whose bodies were recovered this weekend.



"I ask you for forgiveness that we did not succeed to bring your loved ones back alive. We were close, but we did not succeed," Netanyahu said at a Monday news conference.

PHOTO: Jonathan Polin, father of hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin whose body was recovered with five other hostages in Gaza, speaks during the funeral in Jerusalem, Sept. 2, 2024. (Gil Cohen-Magen/POOL via Reuters)

Netanyahu again said the Israel Defense Forces must maintain a presence on the Egyptian border, but he said the IDF does not need a "large" presence of forces there. It needs groups of forces in key areas all along the border, he said. Netanyahu also reiterated that the IDF must maintain a presence in the Philadelphi corridor to reach the goals of the war.

When asked how he would define "total victory" in the war, Netanyahu responded, "When Hamas no longer rules Gaza -- we throw them out. I would define the end of the war of World War II when the Nazis no longer ruled Germany. To do that you need to have a military victory and you have to have also a political victory to destroy their governance."

PHOTO: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks during a news conference in Jerusalem, Sept. 2, 2024. (Ohad Zwigenberg/AP)

Netanyahu also said that international "pressure" must be directed at Hamas, not Israel.



"These murderers executed six of our hostages, they shot them in the back of the head. And now after this we're asked to show seriousness, we're asked to make concessions? What message does this send Hamas?" he said.

PHOTO: People gather to pay their respects on the street on the day of the funeral of Hersh Goldberg-Polin, one of six Israeli hostages whose body was recovered from Hamas captivity in Gaza, in Jerusalem, Sept. 2, 2024. (Ilan Rosenberg/Reuters)

Netanyahu added, "I don't believe President [Joe] Biden or anyone serious about achieving peace and achieving the release [of hostages] can seriously ask Israel to make these concessions. We've already made them. Hamas has to make concessions."



A Hamas military spokesman said in a new statement the Israeli hostages won't be freed by force.



"Netanyahu's insistence on freeing the prisoners through military pressure instead of concluding a deal will mean their return to their families in coffins, and their families will have to choose between dead or alive," the spokesperson said.



-ABC News Jordana Miller

Click here to read the rest of the blog.
In todays newsletter: Massive protests erupt in Israel to demand a cease-fire after six hostages held by Hamas were found dead in Gaza. The White House says Biden and Harris werent invited to Arlington National Cemetery. And former students report injuries at a Utah facility for troubled teens.

Heres what to know today.

Israelis begin nationwide strike as hostage deaths spark renewed calls for cease-fire

Protests in Tel Aviv, Israel over the killing of hostages held in Hamas captivity on Sept. 1, 2024. (Reuters; Bloomberg; Getty Images)

A nationwide strike has begun in Israel, with the countrys biggest union vowing to shut down the economy in a furious push for the government to agree to a cease-fire deal after the deaths of six hostages taken during Hamas Oct. 7 terror attack.

The strike is expected to bring much of Israel's economy to a grinding halt, and to shut government offices, schools and private businesses. Flights were also briefly halted from Israel's international airport this morning.

Hundreds of thousands of people took to the streets in cities across Israel last night, in one of the biggest eruptions of anger since the war began. Aerial footage showed Tel Avivs main highway filled with protesters holding flags with pictures of the slain hostages, while protesters in Jerusalem blocked streets and demonstrated outside the prime ministers residence.

A funeral will be held on Monday for Israeli American Hersh Goldberg-Polin, 23, whose body was recovered along with five other hostages from tunnels underneath Rafah.

Goldberg-Polin was among those taken during the attack on the Supernova music festival in the Israeli desert. His parents have been visible and outspoken advocates for bringing the hostages home via a cease-fire deal, making an impassioned plea for his release at the Democratic National Convention last month.

Follow the live coverage here.

Biden and Harris werent invited to join Trump and families at the Arlington cemetery, White House says

Joe Biden and Kamala Harris. (Brendan Smialowski / AFP - Getty Images)

Gold Star families did not invite President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris to Arlington National Cemetery to commemorate the third anniversary of the attack at Abbey Gate in Afghanistan, a White House official and a Harris aide told NBC News, rebutting separate claims made by GOP Sen. Tom Cotton and former Rep. Tulsi Gabbard.

During an interview on NBC News Meet the Press, Cotton told Kristen Welker: These families, Gold Star families, whose children died because of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris incompetence invited [Trump] to the cemetery and they asked him to take those photos... You know who the families also invited? Joe Biden and Kamala Harris. Where were they? Joe Biden was sitting at a beach. Kamala Harris was sitting at her mansion in Washington, D.C.

Gabbard echoed Cotton, telling CNN on Sunday: 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.

The two were speaking about former President Donald Trumps visit last week to Arlington National Cemetery, where he has drawn criticism for posing for photos with Gold Star families in a section of the cemetery where photos are traditionally prohibited.

Read the full story here.

More coverage related to the election:

Harris condemned Trump and his campaign for their actions at Arlington National Cemetery.

Public polls detail how the battleground map has re-expanded for Kamala Harris, as well as a familiar mark for Donald Trump.

Former students report injuries and isolation at Utah facility for troubled teens

Elevations Residential Treatment Center. (Kim Raff for NBC News )

Elevations Residential Treatment Center in Syracuse, Utah is part of Family Help & Wellness, a company headquartered in Oregon that operates 10 treatment programs in four states for adolescents with behavioral and mental health challenges. Many of these programs attract children from other states.

Former students who attended the treatment center say they were worse off once they left. They need to close their business down, said Chloe Gilliland, 18, who attended Elevations from July 2023 to June 2024. I dont understand how they can go to sleep at the end of the day.

Two recent attendees say they got serious injuries while being restrained by staff. Within the past five years, Elevations employees have failed to follow mandatory reporting requirements for child abuse and have conducted unauthorized strip searches, according to state records. Several other Family Help & Wellness programs have run afoul of state regulations for failing to notify the state of critical incidents, such as those in which children were injured or allegedly abused.

NBC News interviewed four former staff members and 11 former students who attended Elevations, and nearly all described a chaotic environment.

Extreme heat worsens chronic health conditions in millions of Americans

Large parts of the South and Southeast, including Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Texas, Virginia and the Carolinas, are under heat warnings today, according to the National Weather Service.

Extreme heat can be dangerous for anyone, of any age, but many people living in areas affected by extreme temperatures are especially vulnerable to their potentially life-threatening health effects.

In states such as Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, Georgia and South Carolina, the rates of chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease and kidney disease are among the highest in the U.S. Those diseases make it harder for bodies to cool themselves effectively during heat waves. Heres a reminder on how to stay safe in the heat.

Politics in Brief

Supreme Court: Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson said she is open to proposals to implement an enforceable code of ethics for justices.

Reproductive rights: Republican Sen. Tom Cotton, said he and most other Republicans would be open to supporting Trumps proposal to have either the government or insurance companies pay for in vitro fertilization services.

Labor Day ads: The DNC is using bilingual billboards calling Trump an anti-unionist in Spanish, putting them up on Labor Day in parts of Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.

Musk attacks: Elon Musks endorsement of former President Donald Trump was meant to buoy the candidates chances, but it may have backfired as the Democrats step up attacks focused on workers rights.

 WANT MORE POLITICS NEWS?

Sign up for From the Politics Desk to get exclusive reporting and analysis delivered to your inbox every weekday evening. Subscribe here.

Staff Pick: The psychological draw of extreme foods

Illustrated chip bags with fire burning within them. (Domenick Fini / NBC News)

From scorchingly spicy chips and sauces to mouth-puckering sour candies, extreme food challenges are proliferating across social media. Alexandra Byrne and Steven Romo wanted to know why some people are so drawn to these products, despite the pain. Psychologists say its akin to watching a horror movie: The experience stimulates a flight-or-flight response in the brain, leading to a flood of endorphins and dopamine that make people feel good.

 Sara G. Miller, health editor

In Case You Missed It

A man has been arrested in the fatal shooting <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/man-arrested-fatal-shooting-college-gymnast-wisconsin-whitewater-rcna169181?cid=eml_mrd_20240902" target="_blank"><strong>of a University of Wisconsin-Whitewater gymnast</strong></a> near campus, police said.

Adele said she'll perform at her Las Vegas residency for five more weeks <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/pop-culture/music/adele-says-fans-wont-see-incredibly-long-time-residency-ends-rcna169177?cid=eml_mrd_20240902" target="_blank"><strong>before taking a break.</strong></a>

Defending champion Coco Gauff <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/sports/tennis/defending-us-open-champion-coco-gauff-loses-emma-navarro-fourth-rcna169173?cid=eml_mrd_20240902" target="_blank"><strong>lost in the U.S. Opens fourth round</strong></a> to Emma Navarro.

The Cure keyboardist Roger ODonnell <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/news/-cure-keyboardist-roger-odonnell-reveals-lymphoma-diagnosis-rcna169162?cid=eml_mrd_20240902" target="_blank"><strong>revealed his lymphoma diagnosis</strong></a> in a series of posts on social media.

ESPN networks, ABC and Disney channels <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/business/business-news/espn-abc-disney-channels-go-dark-directv-busy-night-sports-rcna169185?cid=eml_mrd_20240902" target="_blank"><strong>went dark on DirecTV</strong></a> during a busy night for sports.

NBC Select: Online Shopping, Simplified

Work hard, shop hard. Today is the perfect day to use some of your hard earned money to take advantage of Labor Day sales before theyre gone. Some of the best discounts on camping and outdoor gear, mattresses and small kitchen appliances are happening today. For easy access, NBC Select rounded up all the best Labor Day Deals in one place, and the editors are updating the deals all day.

Sign up to The Selection newsletter for hands-on product reviews, expert shopping tips and a look at the best deals and sales each week.

Thanks for reading the Morning Rundown. Todays newsletter was curated for you by Elizabeth Both.
Chinese Vice President Han Zheng meets with Malawian President Lazarus Chakwera, who is in Beijing for the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 2, 2024. (Xinhua/Liu Weibing)

BEIJING, Sept. 2 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Vice President Han Zheng on Monday met with Malawian President Lazarus Chakwera, who is in Beijing for the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC).

Han said China is willing to further strengthen high-level exchanges with Malawi, continue to firmly support each other on issues of core interests and major concerns, and deepen mutually beneficial cooperation to better benefit the two peoples.

China's development experience has provided significant and valuable inspiration for Malawi, said Chakwera, adding that the two countries have enjoyed long-term friendship, respected each other and carried out mutually beneficial cooperation. 

Chinese Vice President Han Zheng meets with Malawian President Lazarus Chakwera, who is in Beijing for the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 2, 2024. (Xinhua/Liu Weibing)
BRASILIA (Reuters) -Brazil's Finance Ministry will submit proposals to Congress this year to tax big tech companies and implement a global minimum tax of 15% on multinational corporations to secure the 2025 fiscal goal if there is a revenue shortfall.

Speaking at a press conference, the ministry's executive secretary, Dario Durigan, said the plan aligns with discussions on global tax cooperation that Brazil has been addressing as chair of the G20 forum of the world's largest economies.

"They take time to be implemented given the difficulties in obtaining approvals from various countries, but the idea is to bring the lessons learned," he said of the tax discussions.

In a presentation on the 2025 budget bill sent to Congress on Friday, which projects a primary surplus of 3.7 billion reais next year, the Finance Ministry estimated potential revenue of 17.9 billion reais from the increase in certain income taxes.

In a separate bill submitted on Friday to lawmakers, the government proposed changes to the social contribution tax on corporate income (CSLL) and interest on equity payments (JCP).

According to Durigan, the government is counting on these revenues for next year as part of a package worth 46.7 billion reais that also includes the end or the due compensation of tax waivers on payrolls for companies in some sectors and smaller municipalities - a controversial tax advantage that the government has already tried, but failed, to eliminate.

A bill passed by the Senate but that pends greenlight from the Lower House maintains the tax benefits but only brings due fiscal compensation to 2024, said During, highlighting that the Supreme Federal Court had already stated that, without this balance, these tax waivers could not be granted.

The ministry estimated raising 58.5 billion reais from tax negotiations next year, including 30 billion reais from a new dispute resolution program for large taxpayers to be launched in 2025 following an agreement made this year with state-owned oil giant Petrobras.

"Companies that approached us estimated paying 130 billion reais in settlements, but we included 30 billion reais in the 2025 budget bill," the ministry said.

The ministry also forecast an additional 28.5 billion reais through rulings by Brazil's Federal Administrative Council of Tax Appeals (CARF), which handles taxpayer administrative cases.

According to the ministry, correcting tax distortions will add another 20 billion reais in revenue next year.

Rafaela Vitoria, chief economist at Inter Bank, said the 2025 budget bill includes tax increase measures, the approval of which is unlikely, and others that may be frustrated.

"Our estimate for 2025 is a deficit of 110 billion reais or 0.9% of GDP," she wrote in a note to clients.

Economists surveyed weekly by the central bank are also skeptical of the government's fiscal efforts, projecting a primary deficit equivalent to 0.76% of gross domestic product (GDP) in 2025, following a 0.6% shortfall this year, compared with a deficit target of zero in both years.

(Reporting by Marcela Ayres; Editing by Mark Porter and Andrea Ricci)
Jonathan Bailey, pictured during an interview on "Late Night with Seth Meyers" on Aug. 15, earned his first Emmy nomination for his role in Showtime's "Fellow Travelers."

Jonathan Bailey admits hes still grieving the loss of Tim Laughlin, the wide-eyed congressional staffer turned fervent gay rights activist he played in Showtimes groundbreaking limited series Fellow Travelers.

Playing a character who is always searching for truth and has something to fight for that is meaningful and important made me really think, How do you want to leave the world behind? Bailey told NBC News. Its a tiring thing for everyone to be like, I want to make the world a better place. But Tim is an example of someone whos a normal guy. He didnt come from wealth, and he lived life to its fullest, including loving in a way that was just spellbinding.

That love is the animating force of Fellow Travelers, which chronicles the decades-spanning romance between Baileys Tim and Matt Bomers Hawkins Hawk Fuller against the backdrop of key moments in queer history. After falling in love at the height of the Lavender Scare in 1950s Washington, D.C., Hawk and Tim weave in and out of each others lives for years at a time, unable to sever their bond. But after learning of Tims terminal AIDS diagnosis in the 80s, Hawk drops everything to take care of Tim in San Francisco, where the former lovers are forced to address the true nature of their volatile relationship.

Fellow Travelers was nominated for three Emmys in limited series categories last month: Bailey (who also won a Critics Choice Award) for supporting actor, Bomer for lead actor and creator Ron Nyswaner for writing.

Jonathan Bailey and Matt Bomer play gay men whose love story spans decades in Showtime's limited series "Fellow Travelers."

Following the success of Netflixs romantic drama Bridgerton, in which he played a rakish viscount looking for his viscountess, Bailey expressed a desire to tell a sweeping gay love story. He booked the coveted role in Fellow Travelers six weeks before the start of filming in Toronto, following an electric Zoom chemistry read with Bomer  one of the most prominent openly gay actors working today  that even brought one of the executives to tears.

While he said he inherited the inherent shame of the AIDS crisis as a gay man who came of age in the early aughts, Bailey, who is English, knew very little about the Lavender Scare. He credited the writing of Nyswaner for helping him capture the spirit of Tim, a devout Catholic struggling to reconcile his faith with his growing infatuation with the emotionally unavailable Hawk, who is adept at playing the system to avoid getting outed.

Theres something so childlike and full of wonder and unadulterated kindness about Tim that never leaves him, Bailey noted. When you see the huge effects of the societal pressure and control on gay people and how it affects Tim, I thought, How do you tell a story of someone whos bruised, battered and frayed by relentless, unforgiving control? I think the older he gets, the more painful it is for him.

Bailey, like many queer people, has had a complicated relationship with religion. He attended a Church of England school and, at 11, was a scholarship student at his local Catholic school, where he was completely aware of the lack of education around sexuality and gender identity. Like Tim, he began to question his own inherited beliefs in his 20s, when he came to terms with his own identity.

While Tims religion makes him believe that something is innately wrong with him, it also gives him the capacity to believe in a love that he has felt but cannot always see with Hawk, who complements him in a way that is both beautiful and painful, Bailey said. I think to say that they broke up a few times somehow assimilates it to a heteronormative relationship  they were completely not afforded that.

What Tim realizes is that the act of loving is the thing that you want to survive with and live alongside and to die with, and to be the more loving one is sometimes easier, added Bailey, who thinks there was no other man whom Tim loved as deeply as Hawk. I think the power of their dynamic  the brilliance  is that they met at that time, and its just a genius way of discovering and exploring how political and social attitudes really cant kill love.

Bailey and Bomer, who have both acknowledged that a show like this might not have even been made a few years ago, see Fellow Travelers as a kind of love letter to the queer actors who came before them.

The way we look at each other is also about the opportunity that weve got that wasnt there before, Bailey said of his and Bomers palpable on-screen connection, which has evolved into a close off-screen friendship. Theres a weight that comes to telling your own story or other peoples story that are similar or shares elements of your identity.

Matt Bomer and Jonathan Bailey both earned Emmy nominations for their roles in "Fellow Travelers."

On the day of the Emmy nominations, Bailey was in Malta  where he has been shooting the new Jurassic World film  with one of his best friends. They had already planned to find somewhere to grab a celebratory drink together in the late afternoon. But by the time they had settled in and tuned in to the livestream announcing the nominees, Baileys phone began to ring off the hook.

The thing that was special, if a little ridiculous, is that we took a little selfie, and I realized there was just a pride flag that was in the distance, Bailey recalled. Having now spent a lot of time in Malta, you realize theres only a few.

Now on the precipice of superstardom with his roles in Wicked and Jurassic World, Bailey is redefining what is possible for an out gay actor in Hollywood, becoming a heartthrob to male and female audiences alike  even if he doesnt often think about that label. Im excited to play more roles the older I get, and we will see what the heartthrob status is when Im in my 50s, he said cheekily.

As his profile has risen, Bailey has wrestled with which parts of himself he is willing to share publicly. His Olivier Award-winning turn in a gender-swapped West End revival of Company gave him an opportunity to speak openly about his sexuality  something he didnt feel the need to reveal unless it was tied to his work. Now, he feels much more confident in interviews to volunteer certain stories about himself, including a harrowing experience in which a Pennsylvania man called him an anti-gay slur and threatened his life in a Washington, D.C., coffee shop.

For Bailey, who is still adjusting to the privilege of being able to choose his next projects, the company he keeps going forward is just as important as the material he is given to work with. He will return to the stage next year in Nicholas Hytners London production of Richard II and will reprise his role as eldest sibling Anthony in the next season of Bridgerton. He will next be seen as Jack Maddox, a charming academic and celebrity crush of protagonist Charlie Spring (Joe Locke), in the sixth episode of the third season of Heartstopper, which premieres in October.

I recognized in the show something that I obviously didnt have growing up, which is aspirational, generous storytelling about queer identity and gender identity that wasnt necessarily a gay [show], Bailey said of his initial reaction to watching Heartstopper, which, like many older queer viewers, made him feel slightly melancholic. Theres so many people of that generation who just love it, because its brilliant and so well-performed by such an incredibly talented young cast.

But truth be told, Bailey doesnt think he will ever be able to let go of Tim Laughlin, who he likes to believe had a very happy end of his life fighting for AIDS awareness with the ACT UP movement without Hawk by his side. After having spent a year unpacking the life-changing experience of playing the character in post-screening Q&As and media interviews, Bailey has grown to feel the power of his work more than [hed] ever known.

When playing a character who is confronting his own mortality, you just think about how life is futile and quick, Bailey said, and if I can live a life as front-footed and as curious as Tim, then Ill be a lucky man.

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Shop clerk Angela Wu weighs raw herbs on a traditional handheld gram scale.

Based on the number of local L.A. content creators that have visited Tian Xiang  a small, nondescript herbal medicine shop in Los Angeles Chinatown  you might think it's the single best Chinese pharmacy in Los Angeles. Its TikTok star, in particular, is rising. You can find more than two dozen videos on the platform of customers touring the business and documenting their alternative healthcare journeys.

One TikTok user, who goes by mooneyegoddess, traveled 2 hours by train to L.A.s Union Station in May, then walked several blocks to Chinatown to see the herbal doctor at Tian Xiang. Why?

After being frustrated with modern doctors not listening to me when I go in, I decided to go to what my spirit connected best with, an herbal doctor, the caption for her video read.

And Im telling you guys, I feel amazing! she raved in the video.

Another customer gushed over the customization of the herbal prescriptions.

Oh, you cant find this in the store, uh-uh, not this, baby! the user actressamira voiced over a TikTok video of raw herbs being sorted.

From top, left: Dry herbs, roots, and spices inside Tian Xiang.

Huang at his desk inside the clinic.

From top, left: Dry herbs, roots, and spices inside Tian Xiang.

The appeal is clear. Tian Xiangs shelves are packed with dried herbs, roots and flowers that make a prism of colors and textures. A wall of wooden drawers stores loose herbs; bulk bins contain varieties of ginseng, goji berries and medicinal spices such as cinnamon and dried turmeric; a display behind the checkout counter showcases bottles of pre-made herbal supplements for nearly every imaginable condition: digestive issues, allergies, immune support, menopause, liver, heart and lung function among them.

What sets the store apart from other retail outlets, though, is the tiny clinic, jammed in a back corner beside a stack of unpacked boxes, barely larger than a walk-in closet. There, a man who goes by Dr. Huang  wearing a plastic surgical glove and medical mask  sits at a small desk behind a protective divider. (He did not go to medical school but has practiced traditional Chinese medicine, he says, for more than 50 years.)

Read more:L.A.'s magical sound bath scene has something for everyone. Here are 11 of our favorites

Theres no weeks-long wait to see him, as is so often the case with, say, the U.S. healthcare system. Customers simply drop by, sans appointment, and pay $15 for a few minutes for Huang to assess their condition and prescribe them a customized, herbal remedy. It runs, on average, about $80-$95 for 10 days of daily use. The pharmacy will mix the herbs right there and send customers home with directions for how to prepare the loose tea.

There are more than 50 Chinese herbal apothecaries in the Los Angeles area, according to Willie So, sales director of Chinatown-based Solstice Medicine, a leading distributor of traditional Chinese medicine products since 1979. (He said Solstice Medicine has been providing inventory to Tian Xiang since the store opened.) And while Tian Xiang is a well-stocked and conveniently located one, its social media success is a mystery  even to the people who work there.

David He, the store's manager, says Tian Xiang began seeing an uptick in business in 2020, at the start of the COVID pandemic, that has become amplified on social media over the last two years.

Store Manager, David He.

A container of dried fruit at Tian Xiang.

Many Asian people from China and Cambodia and Vietnam came to get medicine for COVID because they believe more in traditional herbs to boost the immune system," he said through a translator. "And at that time there was no vaccine. The customers felt good, and they posted about it, and then more people started coming. So its word of mouth.

The type of wellness that Tian Xiang was peddling at the time was ripe for TikTok, says Freddy Tran Nager, a digital media professor at USC.

A lot of alternative wellness trends do exceptionally well on social media, especially since the pandemic, as people look for new ways to be healthy, he says. And Asian culture, in particular, has been gaining more popularity online, whether thats boba drinks or K-pop music  and Asian wellness goes along with it.

That Tian Xiang is situated on Broadway, a main thoroughfare in Chinatown, didnt hurt, he adds.

I was intrigued and decided to check out Tian Xiang for myself. I'm currently nursing a gym injury and open to anything that might help ease the pain in my neck and shoulder.

Tian Xiang's location on Broadway, a main thoroughfare in Chinatown, provides it visibility to the curious wellness seeker.

Tian Xiang has been in the neighborhood for more than 40 years, though it has changed ownership multiple times. Its a lively place, with a steady stream of customers  mostly older, mostly repeat visitors and mostly Asian and Hispanic, He says. They come regularly to treat everything from colds and the flu to infertility and back pain. The late-August afternoon I visited, I saw customers perusing the aisles and consulting with He, who frequently steps out from behind the counter, rubbing his belly or tapping his chest to demonstrate how the herbs might aid their ailments.

Nearby, two employees prepared a prescription for a customer, moving with assembly line-like efficiency in a precise but fluid dance: one ground herbs with a mortar and pestle while the other measured slabs of marbled ginseng on a traditional handheld gram scale. They alternately layered scoops of one ingredient or a sprinkle of another onto pieces of pink paper laid out on the counter top. Side by side, the piles of mixed herbs were like still-life paintings, each sparking with texture. Finally, a third employee packaged the herbs, sealing them in plastic bags.

Read more:What is a head spa? The luxury L.A. treatment reveals the health of your scalp

The doctors ready for you, He told me, interrupting the mesmerizing show.

Our consultation was quick and to-the-point. Huang had me fill out my name and age on a small sheet of paper. Then he took my pulse. As he cradled my wrist, his forehead wrinkled in concentration. Then he tapped the keyboard on his phone for several minutes, writing into the Google Translate app, before pushing the phone toward me: Poor blood circulation, weak spleen and stomach, disordered hormones, and a bit, read the screen.

Huang inside the clinic.

Huang takes reporter Deborah Vankin's pulse.

Huang hands over his prescription.

Dry herbs, roots, and spices for Deborah Vankin's customized medicinal tea.

How did he know all this without examining me? He didn't even look at my tongue, which is typical of a traditional Chinese medicine, or TCM, tongue and pulse consultation," I learned from a doctor at UCLA's Center for East-West Medicine, while researching this piece.

Experience, he says through a translator. Huang has been working at Tian Xiang for more than 20 years. Before that, he practiced traditional Chinese medicine for 30 years in the city of Taishan in the Guangdong province of China. Hes a third-generation TCM doctor.

My neck stiffness, he says, is from poor blood circulation  he can tell that by listening to the rhythm and patterns of my pulse on each wrist, not just the number of beats per minute.

Read more:What is a Bojin facial? The luxury L.A. treatment feels like 'gua sha on steroids'

Herbal remedies in traditional Chinese medicine have been around for thousands of years, though their efficacy is debatable. Some, such as Dr. KaKit Hui, director of UCLAs Center for East-West Medicine, say the right combination of herbs for the appropriate ailment can save lives, though he stresses the importance of practitioners being properly educated.

Many conditions  coughing and upper respiratory infections or GI problems  can be helped," Hui says. "They use herbs for lupus and cancer in China. But you dont want to use herbs to replace necessary medications or [receive treatment] from someone who doesnt know what can be mixed with what  herbs can interact with medications  you need someone who knows how to monitor it.

Others, such as Dr. Craig Hopp of the National Institutes of Healths National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, which researches medical approaches outside the Western mainstream, note that Chinese herbs, like supplements, are not FDA regulated and there can be concerns about the purity of the plants and their provenance.

Read more:A magic mineral? What magnesium can  and cant  do for you

It can sometimes get a little murky as to where [the herbs] come from, Hopp says. Lots of plants look alike and are called similar things, so the taxonomy and the nomenclature can be confusing. Unless you have a very well-trained botanist who knows what theyre looking for, you could be getting something else by the time it gets to an apothecary.

My prescription  which came in three large plastic bags for six days worth of tea  was $63. It included 16 ingredients, Indian mulberry, golden eye-grass, the deciduous perennial Asian lizard's tail and the carrot-like plant Szechuan Lovage among them.

The interior of Tian Xiang, a Chinese herbal remedy shop.

He wouldnt say where, exactly, the herbs come from, just that the store gets them from distributors in Monterey Park and Alhambra, who source them mostly from China, with some coming from Korea, Vietnam and Japan. He did say the herbs are high quality.

My father, hes 80 and he just had gallbladder surgery and the herbs seem to help, one customer, Dericia Witalina, said while awaiting herbs her dad was prescribed. Her family lives in the San Fernando Valley and despite the drive, if we need something, we come here, she said.

Most, however, visit because it makes them feel healthier, He says.

Many customers come here not to kill this germ or kill this virus, but its more about boosting the general body function."

No matter how much better TikTok users claim to sleep or feel after drinking their prescribed herbal tea, the consensus on its taste seems to be less enthusiastic. One patron, who goes by 123aram5 on TikTok, summed up their review in two words: Uh-uh  nope! Others complained about the woodsy, pungent flavor.

I proceeded with caution, simmering the herbs for about an hour, per the store's instructions, until they were mushy and the tea was a deep, murky brown. My home smelled like a forest after the rain, which was actually kind of pleasant and soothing.

Read more:The nonalcoholic drink of the summer claims to help anxiety. But is the hype real?

The taste, however, was rank, nearly impossible to get down. I made a note to next time use a dollop of the honey and yuzu mixture, sold at the store. If there would be a next time.

That night I slept especially deeply. Was it the herbs? A placebo effect? The hot yoga I'd done earlier? Who's to say. But I'll take whatever I can get.

Grace Xue contributed reporting for this article, including translating interviews.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
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)
A career criminal and a fruit trader plotted to smuggle nearly a tonne of cocaine into the UK from Ecuador in consignments of bananas at a meeting in a Spanish hotel on Valentines Day shortly before lockdown, a court has heard.

James Stevenson, 59, pleaded guilty last week to a plot to import cocaine, and his stepson Gerard Carbin, 45, also admitted involvement in the production of Class C drug etizolam, known as street Valium  17 years after they were both jailed in 2007 for involvement in organised crime.

Fruit trader David Bilsland, 67, admitted a charge of agreeing to import cocaine, and co-accused Paul Bowes, 53, and Ryan McPhee, 34, entered guilty pleas to production and supply of around 13,462,000 street Valium pills, midway through a trial at the High Court in Glasgow last week.

Vehicle recovery firm owner Lloyd Cross, 32, pleaded guilty to involvement in the plot before the trial began. All the men were remanded in custody.

James Stevenson will be sentenced in October for a plot to import cocaine into the UK from Ecuador (Undated National Crime Agency handout/PA Wire)

Border Force officers at the Port of Dover seized 18 consignments of bananas addressed to Glasgow Fruit Market between May and September 2020  containing 119 foil packages of cocaine with a purity of 73%, and a street value of 76 million, weighing almost a tonne, the court previously heard.

Giving a narrative of events on Monday, prosecutor Alex Prentice told the court that Stevenson and market trader Bilsland met at a hotel in Alicante, Spain, to discuss the plan, on February 14 2020  with Spanish police carrying out surveillance.

Bilsland, a trader at Glasgow Fruit Market, colluded with Cross, who owned LM Recovery, to use their businesses to fund the importation of drugs, with recovery vehicles used to deliver and collect cash, the court heard.

French law enforcement officers infiltrated the secretive EncroChat network in April 2020, leading to the gang being brought to justice.

After Stevenson was arrested in June 2020 and later released, Carbin instructed that his stepfathers account was deleted remotely, and his own messages were wiped, the court heard.

Silver foil packages were found in consignments of bananas (COPFS/PA Wire)

Two of the men were extradited from Spain, while Stevenson, previously described by the National Crime Agency as a career criminal, was extradited from the Netherlands after being arrested in February 2022.

Mr Prentice said: The banana consignments, including that which contained cocaine, were arranged by David Bilsland on behalf of Glasgow Fruit Market Limited. Messages extracted from EncroChat data show Stevenson discussing with Cross the importation of kilo blocks of cocaine, and the use of Bilslands business experience to provide the appearance of legitimacy.

An EncroChat device  which resembled an Android phone  was obtained for Bilsland, who was removed as a company director and replaced with a vulnerable person in England who provided their identity but had no involvement, the court heard.

Mr Prentice said: The operation involved cash being provided by Stevenson, Cross and others, to fund Bilslands arrangement of apparently legitimate imports.

Stevenson sent an EncroChat message on March 31 2020 saying he had bought that wee guys company, with a picture of the Glasgow Fruit Market website, the court heard.

The unidentified EncroChat user responded: Thats life changing work.

The court heard that messages suggested Cross and Stevenson met in a park to discuss plans in April 2020, while Bilsland arranged the banana consignments on behalf of Glasgow Fruit Market Limited.

On April 27 2020, Carbin and Stevenson broke the lockdown to travel to London, and stayed in a flat leased by Bowes for around a month to co-ordinate delivery of the street Valium pills, which totalled around 13,462,000, the court heard.

A message from Cross to Stevenson, sent on May 5 2020, read: We can send one of our recovery trucks to meet your guy, if we leaves the doe in the van we will take it away for a pretend service then bring it back the next day if thats suitable?

Police carried out surveillance on May 26 2020 and observed a Glasgow Fruit Market van being collected and returned by LM Recovery, owned by Cross, before Bilsland entered the van and retrieved a box.

Cross wrote to Bilsland: All sounds absolutely perfect mate. You are doing some top work.

Bilsland responded: Thanks. You too. We are all a team. Will give you update on Tuesday. Have a good weekend.

Mr Prentice said: The messages show that one of Mr Bilslands primary roles was to engage in email and telephone communications with the shipping lines, port authorities and others involved in the logistics of legitimate importation.

A message from Stevenson suggested that McPhee would be paid 1,000 per one million street Valium pills, the court heard.

Stevenson wrote that he thought there was 35 mil to be made, and would result in a wage of 105,000 for an unidentified EncroChat user  who was arrested in Rochester, Kent, on June 12 2020 when police and the National Crime Agency launched a raid of a pill factory in an industrial unit.

Equipment capable of producing 258,000 pills per hour was discovered, the court heard.

The case was adjourned for sentencing on October 2 at the same court.
The deadly bus crash in Mississippi that killed seven people and injured dozens of others early Saturday occurred after the vehicle experienced a tire failure, causing it to run off the road and overturn, officials and authorities said.

Investigators with the National Transportation Safety Board, in coordination with the Mississippi Highway Patrol, are conducting a probe into Saturday's crash that left seven people dead and another 36 people injured. The collision occurred at about 12:40 a.m. on Interstate 20 near Vicksburg, Mississippi, when the bus left the roadway and overturned.

The bus, which authorities described as a 2018 Volvo commercial passenger bus, traveled westbound when its left front tire failed, NTSB member Todd Inman said at a news conference Sunday. The bus then moved onto an embankment and rolled over on its left side.

Inman added that investigators will be at the scene for at least another week and are looking into several factors of the crash, including the vehicle's mechanical condition, motor carrier safety, the condition and experience of the driver, and environmental factors.

According to U.S. Department of Transportation records, the bus was operated by Autobuses Regiomontanos. Records show that in the 24 months before Saturday, the transit company's vehicles were involved in one fatal crash, two injury collisions, and a crash requiring a tow truck.

The transit company has over 20 years of experience and provides trips between more than 100 destinations throughout Mexico and the United States, according to Autobuses Regiomontanos' website.

"Everyone at the NTSB sends their expressions of sorrow for everything that the survivors and victims of this crash went through," Inman said.

7 killed, 36 injured in bus crash

The bus carried a total of 41 passengers and two drivers, according to authorities. It was traveling from Atlanta to Dallas when the incident occurred.

No other vehicles were involved in the crash, according to Master Sergeant Kervin K. Stewart with the Mississippi Highway Patrol. Six people were pronounced dead at the scene and another person died later at a hospital, Stewart said.

Another 36 people were transported to area hospitals.

Warren County Coroner Doug Huskey said two victims killed in the crash were identified by their mother as a 16-year-old girl and an 8-year-old boy, according to The New York Times. Authorities were working to identify the other victims.

Contributing: Jeanine Santucci, USA TODAY

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Mississippi bus crash: Vehicle rolled over after tire failure
thedigitalprojectmanager

The Most Entrepreneurial States in America

Whether you're contemplating a side hustle, bootstrapping the development of the next killer app, or already have a pocketful of funding to launch your dream business, your location matters.

Recent research by The Digital Project Manager analyzed eight indicators for how entrepreneurial a state is, including:

Percentage of the population that starts a new business

Percentage of start-ups still active after one year

Number of small businesses per 100,000 people

Growth rate of business applications

Here's what the data showed.

DenisTangneyJr

10. Texas

Entrepreneurial Index Score: 56.38

Texas has the second highest population, and per 100,000 people there are 10,163 small businesses. There was a growth rate of business applications between 2019 and 2022 of 52%.

81% of new businesses will still be active after a year and will create 5.18 new jobs per 1,000 people, opening op further opportunity for residents of the state.

knowlesgallery

9. Idaho

Entrepreneurial Index Score: 56.63

In Idaho, start-ups will create 6.11 new jobs per 1,000 people in their first year. 89% of these start-ups are created by choice and not a necessity.

Although there was a much lower business application growth rate of only 0.20% from 2019-2022, there are still 9,320 small businesses per 100,000 people. (And learn more about Why Teams Hate Time Tracking & How To Change Their Minds.)

mlauffen

8. California

Entrepreneurial Index Score: 57.04

California is the most populous state in the U.S., which provides many opportunities for people to start businesses. There are 10,792 small businesses per 100,000 people in California.

82% of start-ups will still be active after one year, creating 5.7 new jobs per 1,000 people. 0.43% of Californians have started businesses and only 44% will fail after five years, which is one of the lowest failure rates.

Postoak at English Wikipedia

7. Colorado

Entrepreneurial Index Score: 57.21

In Colorado 0.42% of the population have started up a new business. 81% of these start-up businesses are still active after one year, and within that year create 6.09 new jobs per 1,000 people.

AnujSahaiPhotography

6. Wyoming

Entrepreneurial Index Score: 57.31

Wyoming has 12,357 small businesses per 100,000 people. From 2019 to 2022 there was a 120% increase in applications for businesses.

This is also reflected in the Google searches in the state. "How to start a business" has one of the highest levels of search interest in Wyoming compared to the rest of America.

Depositphotos.com

5. Montana

Entrepreneurial Index Score: 57.36

In Montana there are 11,336 small businesses per 100,000 people. Within the first year, start-ups will create 6.14 new jobs per 1,000 people, and 81% of those start-ups will still be active after the year mark.



After five years, only 45% of businesses will fail, which is one of the lowest failure rates across the US.

Wiki

4. Oklahoma

Entrepreneurial Index Score: 57.58

In Oklahoma, 0.44% of the population has started a new business. Of those, 82% are still active after one year, with 9,075 small businesses per 100,000 people.

84% of those in Oklahoma who start businesses do so by choice rather than a need to.

haveseen

3. Michigan

Entrepreneurial Index Score: 58.39

Michigan is the third most entrepreneurial state. In 2022, there was 1772% growth in business applications compared to 2019. 78% of start-ups are still active after one year and there are 9,091 small businesses per 100,000 people.

The national average for business failure after five years is 49%, but Michigan is slightly below that at 47%. (Need to talk to team members about how they're spending their time? Here's How to Give Feedback: 5 Ways to Remain Constructive in Difficult Conversations.)

SeanPavonePhoto

2. Georgia

Entrepreneurial Index Score: 59.31

Georgia is in second place, with 10,871 small businesses per 100,000 people, demonstrating a clear entrepreneurial drive.

This is supported by the second-highest percentage of the population that has started a new business (0.47%). Georgians also have a high search interest on Google for "how to start a business."

Depositphotos.com

1. Florida

Entrepreneurial Index Score: 65.12

Floridians clearly have an entrepreneurial mindset that not only benefits themselves, but also their communities through the jobs that they create.



Florida has the highest percentage of the population that has started a business (0.61%). Of those, 86% started their venture out of choice rather than necessity, i.e., because they were unemployed or required another stream of income.

These start-ups have the highest number of jobs created in the first year with 6.53 new jobs per 1,000 people. With 13,238 small businesses per 100,000 people, this is the most in any state.

You can find a full state breakdown and methodology here.

About the author

Im Ben Aston, a digital project manager and founder of thedpm.com. I've been in the industry for more than 20 years working in the UK at Londons top digital agencies including Dare, Wunderman, Lowe and DDB. Ive delivered everything from film to CMS', games to advertising and eCRM to eCommerce sites. Ive been fortunate enough to work across a wide range of great clients; automotive brands including Land Rover, Volkswagen and Honda; Utility brands including BT, British Gas and Exxon, FMCG brands such as Unilever, and consumer electronics brands including Sony. I'm a Certified Scrum Master, PRINCE2 Practitioner and productivity nut!

This article originally appeared on thedigitalprojectmanager.com and was syndicated by MediaFeed.org.

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More from MediaFeed
Ukraine launched one of its biggest-ever drone attacks on Russia over the weekend, hitting a refinery and power station deep inside the country, according to videos posted on social media and geolocated by CNN.

The short videos show plumes of smoke rising from targets in Moscow and the neighboring Tver region.

The Russian Defense Ministry acknowledged the size of the Ukrainian attack, but downplayed its effectiveness, saying Sunday that 158 Ukrainian UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles) were destroyed and intercepted by on-duty air defense overnight in 15 regions, including over the capital.

A view shows an explosion caused by a drone that hit the Moscow oil refinery in Moscow, Russia September 1, 2024, in this screengrab from a social media video obtained by Reuters. - Obtained by Reuters

Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin said two drones were shot down in the area of the Moscow Oil Refinery. No casualties were reported, but the second downed drone damaged a technical building at the refinery and caused a fire, which the mayor said had been localized and did not affect the plants operation.

The Tver regions governor, Igor Rudenya, said on social media that a fire caused by the drone attack on the Konakovo district has been extinguished and that gas and electricity services to the area were operating normally.

The Ukrainian drone strikes follow others in the past week, including one last Thursday that set fire to oil reservoirs at a refinery in the Rostov region of Russia, according to the Ukrainian Defense Ministry.

Social media video geolocated by CNN showed a large cloud of black smoke billowing from the Atlas oil depot in Rostov following the strike.

The recent wave of Ukrainian attacks on Russian territory began last month, when Kyivs troops launched a cross-border incursion into the Kursk region on August 6.

Just on Monday, Russian President Vladimir Putin acknowledged that people are going through tough ordeals, especially in the Kursk region, as Ukrainian forces attempt to destabilize the situation along the border. But the attack has not stifled Russias offensive in the eastern Donbas region, added Putin.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky the Kursk offensive is going according to plan, but admitted difficulty in the eastern Ukrainian cities of Pokrovsk and Toretsk.

Rostov Oil Fire - Telegram

Zelensky said the most recent drone assaults deep inside Russia were justified by Moscows repeated attacks on his country.

Just in the past week, Russia has launched over 160 missiles of various types, 780 guided aerial bombs, and 400 strike UAVs of different kinds against our people, Zelensky said in a post on X.

On Monday, at least three people were wounded by strikes in Kyiv, as well as the eastern Kharkiv and Sumy regions, according to Ukrainian authorities. Those came after 41 people were injured following a Russian attack on civilian infrastructure in Kharkiv, Ukraines second-largest city, local authorities said.

Russia is once again terrorizing Kharkiv, striking civilian infrastructure and the city itself, Zelensky said on X, calling on allies to give Ukraine everything it needs to defend itself.

It is entirely justified for Ukrainians to respond to Russian terror by any means necessary to stop it, Zelensky said, reiterating his call for Western countries to lift restrictions on the use of long-range weapons, which have that prevented their use to hit targets inside Russia.

This includes decisions to carry out long-range strikes on Russias missile launch sites, destroy Russian military logistics, and conduct joint efforts to shoot down missiles and drones  everything that will help us resist Russian evil, Zelensky said.

Russia has repeatedly targeted Ukraines energy infrastructure with missile and drone attacks since its invasion.

Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov told CNN last week that he has presented the Biden administration with a list of targets inside Russia that Kyiv wants to hit with US-supplied long-range weapons, including the Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS).

Fired from mobile launchers, ATACMS have a range of up to 300 kilometers (186 miles) and can deploy single high-explosive warheads or up to 900 submunitions, according to the Missile Defense Project at the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

Ukraines Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba also urged allies to abandon baseless fears and lift restrictions on the countrys legitimate right to self-defense.

Ukraine is forced to fight with hands tied behind its back, Kuleba said on Monday.

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 an interview with CNNs Alex Marquardt.

But a US official said many of Ukraines high-value targets in Russia are outside the range of ATACMS. Russias military has pulled its high-value military assets far away from the front lines, including the aircraft launching glide bombs that have wreaked havoc on Ukrainian targets.

Umerov has pushed back on the assessments, saying Ukraine has presented the US a list of targets they would use ATACMS to strike.

An analysis last month from a Washington-based think tank, the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), supported Ukrainian claims there are high-value targets inside Russia within range of ATAMCS.

ISW said it had identified 233 Russian targets  large military bases, communications stations, logistics centers, repair facilities, fuel depots, ammunition warehouses, and permanent headquarters  in range of ATACMS that are immobile assets, meaning Moscow cannot move them out of harms way.

And ISW said Ukraine would only need to use ATACMS to strike some of those targets to have a significant impact on Russias ability to fight on the front lines.

While it pushes for the US to lift the ATACMS restrictions, Ukraine has been developing new longer-range indigenous weapons.

Zelensky announced last month that his country has a new jet-powered drone that can strike deep into Russia.

He said the Palianytsia missile-drone had been used in combat for the first time and was much faster and more powerful than the countrys existing fleet of drones, according to Ukrainian state media.

The Ukrainian president said he wouldnt give any more specific details on the Palianytsia. But he hailed the new weapons long-range capabilities, hinting that it may surpass the up to 1,500-kilometer (932 miles) range of Ukraines current drone fleet.

CNNs Alex Marquardt, Isaac Yee, Darya Tarasova, Maria Kostenko, Chris Liakos and Anna Chernova contributed to this report.

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BEIJING, Sept. 2 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping and Togolese President Faure Gnassingbe jointly announced here on Monday the elevation of bilateral relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership.

China is ready to work with Togo to further enhance political mutual trust, expand practical cooperation in areas such as infrastructure, agriculture, water conservancy, and connectivity, deepen multilateral collaboration, and promote regional solidarity and stability, Xi said when meeting with Gnassingbe, who is in Beijing for the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). 
WASHINGTON (AP)  The U.S. government has seized a luxury jet used by Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro that officials say was illegally purchased through a shell company and smuggled out of the United States in violation of sanctions and export control laws.

The Dassault Falcon 900EX was seized in the Dominican Republic and transferred to the custody of federal officials in Florida, the Justice Department said Monday. The plane landed at Ft. Lauderdale Executive Airport shortly before noon Monday, according to flight tracking websites.

U.S. officials say associates of the Venezuelan leader in late 2022 and early 2023 used a Caribbean-based shell company to hide their involvement in the purchase of the plane, valued at the time at $13 million, from a company in Florida. The plane was then exported from the U.S. to Venezuela, through the Caribbean, in April 2023 in a transaction meant to circumvent an executive order that bars U.S. persons from business transactions with representatives of Maduro's government.

The plane, registered to San Marino, was widely used by Maduro for foreign travel, including in trips earlier this year to Guyana and Cuba. It was also involved in a December swap on a Caribbean airstrip of several Americans jailed in Venezuela for a close Maduro ally, Alex Saab, imprisoned in the U.S. on money laundering charges.

Attorney General Merrick Garland said in a statement the aircraft had been smuggled out of the U.S. for use by Maduro and his cronies.

Venezuela's government acknowledged the seizure in a statement Monday. It characterized the U.S. governments move as a repeated criminal practice that cannot be described as anything other than piracy.

State media footage from a December visit to Saint Vincent and the Grenadines shows Maduro, First Lady Cilia Flores and senior officials getting off the airplane ahead of a day of discussions over a territory dispute between Venezuela and neighboring Guyana.

"Let this seizure send a clear message: aircraft illegally acquired from the United States for the benefit of sanctioned Venezuelan officials cannot just fly off into the sunset, Matthew Axelrod, an assistant secretary for export enforcement in the Commerce Department, said in a statement.

CNN first reported the plane seizure.

The seizure announcement comes just over a month after ruling party-loyal electoral authorities declared Maduro the victor in presidential elections without showing any detailed results to back up their claim. The lack of transparency has drawn international condemnation. Meanwhile, the opposition managed to obtain more than 80% of vote tally sheets showing Maduro lost by a wide margin against former diplomat Edmundo Gonzalez.

Late Monday, a Venezuelan judge issued an arrest warrant for Gonzalez as part of a criminal investigation into the results of the disputed July election. The warrant was issued at the request of authorities who accuse Gonzalez of various crimes including conspiracy, falsifying documents and usurpation of powers.

The plane was previously registered in the U.S. and owned by Lorida, Florida-based Six G Aviation, a broker that buys and sells used aircraft. FAA records indicate it was exported to St. Vincent and the Grenadines and de-registered in the U.S. in January 2023.

Gary Gwynn, owner of Six G, declined to comment. Ive been instructed by the FBI not to speak to anyone, he said when contacted by The Associated Press.

In March, it flew to the Dominican Republic, along with a Venezuelan-registered plane, for what was believed to be maintenance, never to leave again.

Mondays action follows the U.S. government's earlier seizure in Argentina of a Boeing 747-300 cargo plane transferred from Iran to a subsidiary of Venezuelas state-owned airlines.

Federal prosecutors have also have seized several private jets belonging to top government officials and insiders who have been either sanctioned or indicted in the U.S.

The U.S. has sanctioned 55 Venezuelan-registered planes, mostly belonging to state-owned oil giant PDVSA. It has also offered a $15 million bounty for the arrest of Maduro to face federal drug trafficking charges in New York.

There is an overarching body of work and continued body of work, looking at the corrupt practices of the Venezuelan government, Anthony Salisbury, special agent in charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Miami, told the AP. Obviously, we are not done yet.

____

Garcia Cano reported from Mexico City and Goodman reported from Miami. Associated Press writer Gisela Salomon contributed to this report from Miami.
In Forty Hour Week (For a Livin), Alabamas patriotic tribute to Americas blue-collar workers, the country music band got it exactly right. Our nation is full of hard workers, men and women whose grueling jobs call for a shower after their workday is done rather than before it has begun.

I salute the strong backs and intrepid spirits that made and make this country anew. These stalwart laborers have the right stuff, something I know well because I do not. A drive earlier this summer from my home in Charlotte to visit family in nearby Knoxville, Tenn. made this distinction crystal clear.

Mike Kerrigan

As many readers know well, Charlotte roads are under seemingly constant construction of road and wastewater improvement projects undertaken to accommodate our charmed citys rapid growth. Slowed to a crawl as I exited town by toiling road crews bedecked in orange safety vests, I imagined my life on day-one at the job site with them:

Foreman: Scores of years ago, trenches were dug, pipes were laid, and an entire city was built above the vast effluent network. Today, we begin tearing up those roads and sidewalks and doing it all over again, only this time with bigger pipes.

Me: We begin doing what?

Sisyphus drew a no-show gig compared to this. Id fly through the grief cycles denial, anger, bargaining and depression before the mornings first water-break, exiting before acceptance at total despair. Yet hard work and impossible but necessary projects like wastewater improvement get done because tireless American workers dont quit.

West of Asheville, Interstate 40 is under repair near tunnels that were blasted through the Precambrian rock of the Blue Ridge Mountains. I watched in awe as my truck cruised past brave workers who hail from audacious ancestors. Long ago, a dauntless road engineer charged with building the interstate stared down sheer rockface in his path and bellowed bring me some TNT, rather than dusting his hands conclusively and saying well, thats that, as I would have.

His sense of fortitude is alive and well. The maintenance I marveled at continues on dangerous passes near the Tennessee border because a can-do spirit still dwells in the American workers heart. Similar thoughts occurred to me as I entered the Volunteer State. From I-40, I gazed down at bridge abutments that plunged deep into the French Broad River, and up at power lines that stretched like boney fingers across the Great Smoky Mountains.

Forget the resolve it first took to clear a path for utilities over highland hill and dale. Just keeping the grass cut under the endless easement seems plenty herculean to me. And the cofferdams that are needed to complete an underwater construction project are even more menacing than their ominous name suggests.

Ive driven this route countless times, but only when the student is ready will the teacher appear. Its American workers, past and present, whose courage and grit built the cathedrals of infrastructure that get me where Im going and give me the comfort I require once there.

A recent road trip through the beautiful Tar Heel state reminded me of not what, but who makes this great country special. Borrowing from Alabamas tuneful and grateful ode to Americas blue-collar workers, let me thank you for your time.

Mike Kerrigan is an attorney in Charlotte and a regular contributer to the Opinion pages.


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by John Ai

The New York-based sculptor arrested in his studio in the Chinese capital while he was back visiting family. According to his lawyer, he could be charged with damaging the reputation or honour of heroes and martyrs. The ruling Communist Party is tightening its grip on the narrative of history.

Beijing (AsiaNews/Agencies) - Chinese artist Gao Zhen () has been arrested for his sculptures criticising Mao Zedong, made years ago. Gao Zhen's younger brother, Gao Qiang (), confirmed that Gao Zhen was arrested for damaging the reputation or honour of heroes and martyrs. The charge is based on an amendment to China's Criminal Law of 2021. He is currently detained in Sanhe, a small town near the capital Beijing.

The Gao brothers - Gao Zhen (born 1956) and Gao Qiang (born 1962) - became famous for their sculptures depicting the image of Mao. Their works also reflected contemporary Chinese society. The Gao brothers live in the United States. Gao Zhen returned to China two months ago with his wife and son to visit family. They were scheduled to leave for New York on 3 September. Gao Zhen was arrested on 26 August after the police raided his art studio on the outskirts of Beijing.

The two artists lived for years in Beijing before moving to New York. The family personally experienced the cruelty of the Cultural Revolution. The Gao brothers' father was persecuted to death in prison when the two artists were still very young. The Gao brothers started their artistic activity in 1985. After the Chinese authorities' repression of the Tiananmen protest in 1989, they created paintings to commemorate the victims of the massacre. They used their sculptures to show their satirical attitude towards Chinese politics and society. Their works depicted politicians, policemen, migrant workers, dissidents, prostitutes, Olympic stars, from all walks of life. Among the works depicting the Chinese leader Miss Mao has large breasts and a long nose, showing a grotesque image of a monstrous and lying mother figure. The Gao brothers' best-known work dates back to 2009: the Execution of Christ, showing a team of Mao pointing weapons at Jesus. Another famous work shows Mao on his knees, confessing his sins.

According to the latest Chinese law, damaging the reputation or honour of heroes and martyrs carries a maximum of three years in prison. A lawyer met Gao Zhen during his detention and is not optimistic about his condition. According to the lawyer, the police brought photos of sculptures of Mao to the art studio of the Gao brothers in Beijing as evidence. Apparently, the authorities saw Mao as a hero and a martyr so that Gao could be sentenced to prison. However, the sculptures were created more than ten years ago and China only changed the articles on injury to the reputation or honour of heroes and martyrs in its legislation three years ago.

Since Xi Jinping came to power, the Chinese authorities have tightened their grip on ideology and the artists' space has largely narrowed. The accusation of damaging the reputation or honour of heroes and martyrs has become a weapon against discussions and opinions that differ from the authorities' narrative of their own history, as well as against current trends. Chinese investigative journalist Luo Changping was sentenced to seven months in prison for questioning the justification of the Chinese army's involvement in the 1950 Korean War. Qiu Ziming was jailed for eight months for questioning the death toll of the Chinese army in the February 2021 China-India border conflict. Qiu was the first person charged since the new law came into effect in March 2021.
Iran has threatened to appeal to the International Court of Arbitration if Pakistan does not comply with a bilateral agreement, but the United States, opposed to the project, would trigger sanctions, leaving Islamabad between a rock and hard place.

Islamabad (AsiaNews)  Iran has given Pakistan a final notice to build its part of a gas pipeline connecting the two countries, otherwise it will take its case to the International Court of Arbitration, which deals with trade disputes between states.

Pakistans position is complicated by the fact that importing Iranian gas would immediately trigger US sanctions.

Inaugurated in 2013, Iran said it had spent US$ 2 billion to build its part of the pipeline (1,150 kilometres).

Last year, Pakistan cited force majeure to avoid meeting its contractual obligations, but Iran refused to hear reason.

After Islamabad announced in February this year that it was ready to start construction of its 80-kilometre pipeline, Donald Lu, US Assistant Secretary for Central and South Asia, sent a notice to Pakistan and work has been at a standstill ever since.

In 2014, Pakistan had asked for a 10-year extension to build the structure, which is set to expire at the end of the month. Pakistani officials are trying to find a balance so as not to anger either Washington or Tehran.

Pakistan has violated the terms of a bilateral agreement for which it can be sued, economist Ikram ul Haq told Nikkei Asia.

If it loses the case, Pakistan, with an economy already in crisis, risks having to pay up to US $ 18 billion dollars. Pakistani officials hope, however, to strike another type of deal with Iran.

In 2019, for example, the South Asian nation was ordered to pay US$ 6 billion to Australia for cancelling agreements regarding copper and gold mining, but, thanks to a new agreement, it paid only US$ 1 billion.

Iran is rich in natural gas, but is isolated from the international community due to US sanctions. Despite this, the illegal gas trade between Iran and Pakistan is worth about US$ 1 billion, according to experts.

Pakistan is economically weak and dependent on the IMF," ul Haq added. "Unlike India, Pakistan cannot get any waiver from America." India is strong US ally against Chinese aims in the region.

Washingtons support is essential to keep funding coming in, leaving Islamabad little wiggle room on the issue.
The pontiff left Rome on the long flight to Jakarta. Tomorrow he will arrive at the nunciature; on Wednesday morning, he will be officially welcomed at the Presidential Palace. For President Joko Widodo, Francis is a top figure with whom he will discuss global issues, like Ukraine and Gaza". Much hope is placed in the meeting with the Grand Imam Nazaruddin Umar with whom the pontiff will sign a joint declaration after walking through the tunnel that connects the capitals main mosque to the Catholic cathedral.

Jakarta (AsiaNews)  Pope Francis left Rome this afternoon on his apostolic journey to Asia and Oceania, which will last until 13 September, taking him to Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Timor-Leste, and Singapore.

After a flight of more than 13 hours, the Holy Father is expected to land tomorrow around 11.30 local time (GMT 4.30) at Jakarta's Sukarno International Airport, where, in a welcome ceremony, he will be met by the Indonesian Minister for Religious Affairs Yaqut Cholil Qoumas on behalf of the Indonesian government, before he travels to the apostolic nunciature to rest for the remainder of the day after the long journey.

The first official event will be the meeting with President Joko Jokowi Widodo, Wednesday morning, at the Presidential Palace on Merdeka (Independence or Freedom) Square, in central Jakarta, near the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption as well as Istiqlal Mosque, the largest in Southeast Asia.

Indonesia is eagerly awaiting Franciss arrival. Speaking to local media while visiting a project in Tasikmalaya, West Java province, President Widodo stressed the importance of the visit for the whole country.

This is not only a state visit from the Catholic Churchs top leader, but also a visit in Jakarta from an internationally acknowledged top figure where we will discuss global issues, the president said, with wars in Ukraine and Gaza in mind.

In my opinion, those hot issues are the most relevant and urgent matters to be discussed with Pope Francis. Still, serious and violent political issues in other countries, which have also become our common concerns, need our attention, he added.

It is not yet clear whether and what role President-elect Prabowo Subianto will play in these talks; he is set to take office in a few weeks.

The president also personally expressed his desire to accompany Pope Francis on Thursday during the long-awaited visit to the Istiqlal mosque, where the pontiff  after walking through the tunnel of friendship that connects the mosque to the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption  will sign a joint declaration with the Grand Imam Nazaruddin Umar inspired by the Abu Dhabi document on Human Fraternity.

"The tunnel that connects Jakarta Cathedral and the Istiqlal mosque is significant for Indonesia as a symbol of life in harmony and tolerance in the acceptance of differences, said Bishop Antonius Subianto Bunjamin, president of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Indonesia.

Sr Wilma, a Carmelite missionary from Kerala, also stresses the great spirit of hospitality; since 2016, she has focused her ministry on teaching fellows Sisters in Kupang, Flores Island, a strongly Catholic area.

"Here people love men and women religious very much and show particular hospitality towards foreigners. I have learnt many beautiful things from this people who live the faith, simple people, very respectful, who live harmoniously with their brothers and sisters of other religions.

President Widodo also said that he wants to take part in the Mass Pope Francis will lead in Karno Stadium with 60 bishops and dozens of Indonesian and foreign cardinals and 800 priests.

About 88,000 Catholics are expected from all over the country for the service, while many more thousands will join virtually via online media platforms and in Eucharistic celebrations in parishes.

Pope Francis will stop only in Jakarta, but Indonesian Catholics also plan to travel to Dili, Timor-Leste, where the Holy Father will preside the Eucharist on Tuesday, 10 September.

The country's media are also watching the pontiff's visit with great interest, and not only focusing on the issue of good relations between Christians and Muslims.

In an editorial published today, The Jakarta Post invited its readers to look at the Pope's visit as an opportunity to reflect on the political controversies that have shaken the country in recent weeks.

The impending visit of Pope Francis to Indonesia this week could not be more timely, coming as it does after a tumultuous period during which the countrys democracy again rose up against an attempt by those with power to bury it, reads the article in The Jakarta Post, Indonesias daily English-language newspaper.

Of course, the pope is not going to address the democratic regression that Indonesia and its people have been enduring; nor does he plan to address the environmental and humanitarian disasters plaguing the country as a result of overexploitation of natural resources and rampant corruption. But his visit from Sept. 3 to 6 speaks volumes about his stance in upholding the values of democracy and human rights, which adhere to no national borders or to a single religion.

The newspaper expressly quotes Franciss harsh words following the recent European parliamentary election about populism and the fact that democracy is not in good health in today's world.

Though he did not refer to any region specifically, Indonesian democracy certainly has been ailing in recent years, with the political establishment bulldozing popular opposition to controversial bills deemed to strengthen the power of oligarchs, writes The Jakarta Post.

(Mathias Hariyadi and Nirmala Carvalho contributed to this article)
by Vladimir Rozanskij

Among the Bashkars, one of the least aggressive and most autonomous parts of the Tatar-Mongolian universe, unease is growing over Moscow's cancellation of any form of autonomy and the recruitment of its young men to go and die at the front. The former president of the House of Commons, Rostislav Murzagulov, now in exile: We were free men. I do not understand how we became slaves, or even murderers.

Moscow (AsiaNews) - In Bashkortostan, Russia's Tatar republic in the Urals, unease is growing over the conditions imposed by Moscow's Putin regime, whereby there is no longer a president but only a chief, and the local language becomes optional compared to the compulsory use of Russian. Discussions about forms of autonomy are strictly forbidden, and instead of support for local youth, there are the ever-increasing mobilisations, which cause much of the future generations of this and other peripheral regions of Russia to die in war.

August marked 30 years since the signing of the agreement on the forms of autonomy of the Bashkiri region from the central organs of power. The text was supposed to be automatically confirmed after 10 years, but by 2004 Vladimir Putin's power vertical was installed in the Kremlin, and no confirmation came not only for the republic of Ufa, but also for the other Tatar republic of Kazan. The political scientist Ruslan Gabbas, who has been living abroad for some time, and the former president of the Baskortostan House of Commons, Rostislav Murzagulov, also in exile, discussed this on Idel.Realii.

They recall the speeches of the 1990s and Putin's early years, when we wanted to be part of Europe and be friends with everyone, recognising the borders of all neighbouring states... All this was a trivial lie, a special operation to avoid facing reality. The president's Westernized rhetoric was a pretense due to the still preponderant strength of the oligarch elites that he struggled to control, then came the imperial ambitions and the formation of the KGB, which are evident to all today.

The two politicians in exile are surprised that most of their friends and associates have remained in Bashkortostan: either they keep quiet or repeat parrot slogans, or they have lost their bearings altogether, to the point of going out and killing people or getting themselves killed. Gabbas remembers how in 2006-2007 he had made a round of meetings in Europe and America, then suddenly everything changed, and this does not depend on the will of one person, around Putin there is a whole gang that suggests shameful ideas to him. This is why Murzagulov believes that it is not enough to declare independence from above, all citizens must be involved.

Both believe that in the future if a region really wants to secede from Russia, this will have to be respected, but the best solution would be to move towards real federalism for the whole of Russia: sooner or later this will come about. Rostislav recalls the past examples of the democratic republic of Novgorod, but also of Bashkortostan itself, which before it was suffocated by tsarist pressures was heir to one of the most liberal khanates in the Tatar world, people used to gather in the square and consider problems together, we were free men... I don't understand how we became slaves, or even murderers.

Gabbasov recalls that even before Putin, after the end of the USSR, a strong Russian chauvinist nationalism had grown up, which made films like Brat 1 and 2 popular, with strong elements of contempt towards non-Russian peoples, even the Ukrainians themselves, these are feelings ingrained in the soul of Russians. Hostility towards Asian peoples already existed in Soviet times, when they were called Curki (a derogatory term for Caucasians) or Uzkoglazye (Narrow Eyes), and many doubts remain about the possibility of building a true federalism.

According to the 1994 agreements, Bashkortostan, like Tatarstan, decided for itself what percentage of its budget could be allocated to the federal centre, there was its own citizenship at least on paper, and also its own foreign policy. The Bashkortostanis, one of the least aggressive and most autonomous parts of the Tatar-Mongolian universe, dream of one day becoming a free people again, able to live in peace with everyone.
Cai Qi, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and a member of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee, meets with Djiboutian President Ismail Omar Guelleh, who is in Beijing for the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 2, 2024. (Xinhua/Yan Yan)

BEIJING, Sept. 2 (Xinhua) -- Cai Qi, a senior official of the Communist Party of China (CPC), on Monday met with Djiboutian President Ismail Omar Guelleh, who is in Beijing for the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC).

China will work with Djibouti, in accordance with the important common understandings reached between the two heads of state, to continuously deepen political and strategic mutual trust, expand practical cooperation in various fields, strengthen coordination on regional issues and promote bilateral cooperation for more results, said Cai, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and a member of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee.

Guelleh expressed appreciation for China's assistance to the economic and social development of Djibouti, saying that his country is willing to expand bilateral practical cooperation in various fields to better benefit the two peoples. 

Cai Qi, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and a member of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee, meets with Djiboutian President Ismail Omar Guelleh, who is in Beijing for the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 2, 2024. (Xinhua/Yan Yan)
2 September 2024 20:00 (UTC+04:00)

Fatima Latifova Read more

Armenian terrorism has been threatening the world with violence and fear since the second half of the 20th century. Terrorist acts aimed at creating conflict and political confrontation have been present since the Ottoman period, but they began to emerge more broadly in the 1970s.

ASALA (Armenian Secret Army for the Liberation of Armenia) is one of the most well-known Armenian terrorist organizations from this period. The activities of ASALA expressed the Armenians' deep-seated desire for vengeance and demand for historical "justice."

Another Armenian terrorist organisation, JCAG (Justice Commandos of the Armenian Genocide), operated primarily in Turkiye and the USA, carrying out acts of terrorism against Turkish diplomats.

These terrorist organisations used bombings, assassinations, and other forms of violence to achieve their political goals and attract international attention.

The aim of recalling Armenian terrorism is to highlight the persistent terrorist mindset within the Armenian consciousness today. The news about Aram Brunson, an Armenian student from the University of Chicago, preparing bombs against Azerbaijanis and planning potential assassinations demonstrates how terrorist acts can be carried out on an international scale. The FBI's information reveals that Brunson was preparing explosives for various purposes and planning activities against Azerbaijani diplomatic missions.

Brunsons preparation of explosives to assist Armenians living in Garabagh aims to further aggravate the resolved Garabagh conflict and create renewed unrest. He made videos teaching his followers how to make bombs, form, fund, and arm a group, and even discussed potential assassination targets, including Azerbaijani military personnel and several Azerbaijani political figures.

He is currently hiding in Armenia, in the nest of many terrorists who are backlisted in Azerbaijan. According to prosecutors, federal authorities have tried to persuade him to return to the US and provide an explanation to law enforcement, but he has refused to return.

Armenia's failure to extradite this individual indicates support for the terrorist. Armenian terrorism, which has been a threat for over 100 years, continues today. Instead of fighting against terrorists, the Armenian government is harbouring ill-intentioned individuals pursuing the fantasy of "Greater Armenia."

To counter Armenian terrorism, it is crucial to strengthen international law enforcement, security organisations, and diplomatic cooperation. Additionally, public awareness, support for peace processes in conflict areas, and comprehensive strategic approaches to eradicating the culture of terrorism are important.

It should be noted that, over the past 30 years, Armenia has attempted to create a fictitious state on Azerbaijani land, displaced local Azerbaijanis from their homes, and committed numerous genocides and crimes.

The horrific actions of Armenian terrorist organisations have even caused the deadliest explosion in the Baku Metro in 1994. The terrorist attack on July 3 resulted in 13 deaths and 42 injuries. It was determined by Azerbaijani law enforcement agencies that the incident was organised by Armenian intelligence services.

Supporting peace and dialogue processes is crucial to preventing Armenian terrorism and other forms of violence in conflict regions. Peace negotiation between Azerbaijan and Armenia was resumed after 30 years, although it was overshadowed by these actions.

Terrorism has been a primary weapon for Armenians attempting to seize Azerbaijani territories for years. This helplessness has led to the Armenian nation being known for its cowardice and deceit.

---

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
2 September 2024 16:01 (UTC+04:00)

Elnur Enveroglu Read more

Although the Garabagh war started in 2020 after provocative attacks by Armenian armed groups, the conflict in the region ended 3 years later, on September 19, 2023.

A local military operation launched by the Azerbaijan Armed Forces about a year ago was remembered in history as an anti-terrorist measure. In November 2020, the Armenian leadership actually confirmed the fall of the occupying regime in Garabagh by signing the capitulation document. Clause 4 of the November 10 declaration confirmed the complete withdrawal of Armenian armed forces from Garabagh, which is the territory of Azerbaijan  but Armenia refused to comply.

On September 2, 2023, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan ignored the document he had signed as usual and again sent a congratulatory letter to the separatist regime (on the 32nd anniversary of the so-called Artsakh), compelling official Baku to take more serious measures. This was not limited to the arbitrariness of the Armenian authorities, even the separatist forces once operating illegally in Garabagh often resorted to provocations and threatened the soldiers of the Azerbaijani army.

Why was the anti-terrorist operation launched on September 19?

The announcement of a cease-fire immediately after the Patriotic War prevented the completion of a number of works. In fact, according to the signed document, Armenian armed groups should have been withdrawn from Garabagh, but the Armenian side tried to gain time by abusing it.

Yerevan hoped that the presence of separatist elements in Garabagh would create an opportunity for them to return. The separatist regime, which tried to involve Russian peacekeeping forces in its provocations, later realised that this was irrelevant. Before the anti-terrorist operations, Armenia first started spreading false statements to the world under the pretence of "blockade". This was a rumour created by Yerevan to gather power internally, and later Baku was able to successfully counter it. A group of separatists who did not accept the humanitarian aid provided by the peacekeepers by placing concrete blocks on Asgaran road soon revealed their nefarious plans.

Although their claim was related to the opening of the Lachin border crossing point, the alternative route offered by Baku on the Aghdam-Asgaran road has satisfied even many international organizations from the point of view of road surface and convenience.

Despite all these alternative proposals, Armenia was worried and considered every option for the separatist regime to remain in Garabagh. Until September 19, a number of footages taken by the Azerbaijani army using a drone confirmed that terrorist groups hiding in the forests in Grabagh had established military posts. A few days before the operation, even a group of Armenian soldiers carrying illegal weapons among the convoys of peacekeeping vehicles was clearly visible in the video shot by the drone.

Legal aspects of September 19 anti-terrorist operation measures

Both the Patriotic War in 2020 and the anti-terrorist operation on September 19, 2023, are completely legal from the international law point of view.

Azerbaijan exercised its inherent right to self-defence as stipulated in Article 51 of the U.N. Charter, leading to the liberation of territories that had been under occupation for three decades.

The conflict was brought to a halt on November 10, 2020, with the signing of a declaration, wherein both parties committed to resolving remaining issues through diplomatic means. The primary objective of these diplomatic negotiations was to ensure the full implementation of the conditions outlined in the November 10 tripartite declaration and ultimately secure a comprehensive peace agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia. These ongoing talks held the promise of entering an era of peace and cooperation in the South Caucasus, marking a significant turning point after years of conflict.

Unfortunately, Armenia, as always, did not comply with the terms of the document it signed. Whether it was the agreement document signed in Prague between Yerevan and Baku on October 6, 2022, or the declaration signed in Alma-Ata in 1991, none of them was of interest to Yerevan. Therefore, this resulted in Baku launching anti-terrorist operations.

Geopolitics of the South Caucasus changed in less than 24 hours

The military operation, which lasted for 23 hours and 47 minutes, culminated in the surrendering of the illegal armed forces and the dismantling of the self-proclaimed administration in Garabagh.

Adding to the legitimacy of Azerbaijans anti-terrorist operation, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken personally engaged with President Ilham Aliyev, seeking to understand Azerbaijans conditions for halting the operation. This interaction indicated that the operation was being considered legitimate from the perspective of the United States. In summary, the international communitys recognition of Garabagh as Azerbaijani territory, combined with the statements and actions of key political figures and leaders, underscores the legitimacy of Azerbaijans anti-terrorist operation in Garabagh in the context of international law.

Azerbaijan's anti-terrorist operation Garabagh also removed the concept of a gray zone that existed in Garabagh for more than 30 years. The aim of turning these areas into a terrorist nest through the patrons of Armenia was also wasted. The September 19 military operation created broad conditions for security, tranquility, and lasting peace in the South Caucasus, both politically and militarily. Although Armenia avoided a peace agreement with Azerbaijan, the conflict that ended in Garabagh has already reduced the impact of the threat in the region. Azerbaijan is as persistent as ever in peace talks, and the next step is Yerevan's.

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Elnur Enveroglu is AzerNews deputy editor-in-chief, follow him on @ElnurMammadli1

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2 September 2024 15:24 (UTC+04:00)

Nazrin Abdul Read more

A meeting was held with Professor Ilkay Dellal, head of the Agricultural Economics Department of the Faculty of Agriculture of Ankara University, Turkiye, at the Agricultural Research Center (ARC) under the Ministry of Agriculture, Azernews reports.

During the visit, Director of the Agricultural Research Center, Rashad Huseynov provided an in-depth overview of the Center. In return, Professor Dellal discussed the work of Ankara University and its Agricultural Economics Department.

The meeting focused on the impact of climate change on agriculture, ongoing research, and potential collaborative opportunities. ARC proposed a mutual exchange program for researchers between the two institutions and discussed integrating and developing new economic models through joint efforts.

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The QGalery in Baku has launched an exhibition featuring works from the Foundation Cancer collection, curated by renowned Bahraini artist and collector, founder of the Bahrain-based RAK Art Foundation Rashid Al Khalifa, Azernews reports.

The event saw the participation of notable artists, diplomats, members of the creative community, and youth, as well as esteemed guests from Bahrain.

This exhibition showcases around fifty pieces from twenty Bahraini artists spanning various generations and artistic styles, as well as several individual artworks from Bahraini creators. During the opening, a partnership between QGalery and the RAK Art Foundation was announced.

In his speech, Rashid Al Khalifa emphasised the significance of this initiative in Azerbaijan, aiming to foster cultural ties through collaboration with QGalery.

"This is my first visit to Azerbaijan, and I am genuinely grateful for the warm hospitality here, the opportunity to explore your beautiful capital, and to forge new friendships. I am excited to present the extraordinary talents of Bahraini artists to QGalery and art enthusiasts in Azerbaijan. This partnership is just the beginning of many successful cultural exchanges between Azerbaijan and Bahrain, facilitating mutual understanding through the universal language of art," he said

Co-founder of QGalery, Honoured Artist Emin Mammadov, stressed the importance of the collaboration with Rashid Al Khalifa and the RAK Art Foundation for advancing cultural relations between the two nations.

"We are thrilled to showcase some of the finest examples of Bahraini art in Azerbaijan and look forward to continued fruitful collaborations. Engaging with the rich diversity of contemporary Bahraini art allows lovers and collectors to appreciate the beauty and depth of this country's cultural traditions, ultimately supporting intercultural exchange and enhancing international partnerships through art," he stated.

Chairman of the Azerbaijan Artists' Union, People's Artist Farhad Khalilov, along with the Rector of the Azerbaijan State Academy of Arts, Natig Aliyev, and others expressed high regard for Bahraini artists' work and highlighted the importance of strengthening intercultural ties.

The RAK Art Foundation, a non-profit organisation, empowers artists worldwide and fosters international partnerships through various exhibitions, events, and collaborative initiatives. The Foundation aims to engage communities, educate the public, and provide a platform for critical discourse and social dialogue.

QGallery, founded in 1999 by the esteemed Azerbaijani artist and professor Salhab Mammadov, exclusively features the finest contemporary Azerbaijani art. The gallery is a dynamic center for exhibitions, collections, and commercial activities, actively participating in international art fairs and competitions to promote and share the rich Azerbaijani art landscape.

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Laman Ismayilova is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @lmntypewriterrr

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YAOUNDE, Sept. 2 (Xinhua) -- At least four civilians were killed early Monday by separatist fighters in Cameroon's two Anglophone regions of Northwest and Southwest, local and security sources said.

In Mbatu, a locality in the Northwest Region, the fighters opened fire at close range, killing three people, including a woman who was onboard a motorcycle. In Lyongo village in the Southwest Region, the fighters shot dead a commercial motorcyclist and torched his motorcycle, several security sources and local media reported.

"There were thunderous gunshots. It was like serious fighting was ongoing. It was scary," a resident in Bamenda, the chief town of the Northwest Region where Mbatu is located, told Xinhua and asked not to be named.

"The separatist terrorists have now resorted to attacking civilians. We have deployed additional troops to the regions," a senior military official in the Southwest Region told Xinhua but opted for anonymity.

Separatist leaders said on social media platforms that they have intensified the "ghost town" operation every Monday, during which all sorts of activities in the two Anglophone regions would come to a halt.

The Monday "ghost town" has been effective since 2017 when separatists began clashing with government forces to create an independent nation in the Anglophone regions. 
2 September 2024 10:00 (UTC+04:00)

Nazrin Abdul Read more

On the 33rd anniversary of the restoration of its independence, we are very pleased that the parliamentary elections held peacefully and securely across all of brotherly Azerbaijan, including in the liberated Garabagh region, have concluded successfully, Azernews reports, citing the post shared by Turkiyes Ambassador to Azerbaijan, Cahit Bagc, on his offcial X account.

 We hope that the election results and the composition of the Milli Majlis (Parliament of Azerbaijan) will be beneficial for the brotherly people and state of Azerbaijan," the ambassador added.

It should be noted that the voting process for the parliamentary elections in Azerbaijan ended on September 1 at 19:00. Voter turnout in the snap parliamentary elections held in Azerbaijan was 37.27%. The number of counted ballots was 2,196,771.

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2 September 2024 10:20 (UTC+04:00)

Akbar Novruz Read more

Mazahir Panahov, Chairman of the Central Election Commission (CEC) of Azerbaijan, held a press conference to announce the preliminary results of the snap parliamentary elections, Azernews reports.

Panahov stated that a total of 5,895 protocols regarding the election process had been submitted to the CEC. He further noted that 2,196,711 citizens cast their votes in the parliamentary elections, reflecting significant voter participation in the electoral process.

The polls, which opened at 8:00 AM on September 1, 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 mentioned date.

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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2 September 2024 11:55 (UTC+04:00)

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev sent a congratulatory letter to President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam To Lam, Azernews reports.

The letter reads:

"Dear Mr. President,

On behalf of myself and the people of Azerbaijan, I extend to you, and through you to the friendly people of Vietnam, our sincerest congratulations and best wishes on the occasion of your country's National Day.

Azerbaijan and Vietnam share a good tradition of friendship and cooperation. It is gratifying to see that our bilateral relations have reached their current level, developing along an upward trajectory. We are also pleased with our successful joint activities and mutual support within international organizations.

The high level of our political relations and active dialogue provide a solid foundation for expanding our fruitful cooperation in all areas, particularly in trade, economic, cultural, humanitarian, educational ones and beyond.

I am confident that we will continue our joint efforts to further develop Azerbaijani-Vietnamese friendly relations, which are rooted in mutual trust and confidence and built on a solid foundation, and deepen our cooperation both bilaterally and multilaterally.

On this festive day, I wish you good health, happiness, success in your endeavors, and lasting peace and well-being to the friendly people of Vietnam," the letter reads.

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2 September 2024 12:04 (UTC+04:00)

The meeting between Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov and Serbian Foreign Minister Marko uric has commenced, Azernews reports citing the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The discussions are taking place as part of Serbian Foreign Minister uric's official visit to Azerbaijan.

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2 September 2024 14:31 (UTC+04:00)

First Vice-President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Mehriban Aliyeva shared a post on her social media accounts about her visit to the Kalbajar district, Azernews reports.

The post reads: In beloved Kalbajar. 02.09.2024.

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2 September 2024 19:49 (UTC+04:00)

On September 2, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, President of the Republic of Turkiye, made a phone call to Ilham Aliyev, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

Azernews reports that Recep Tayyip Erdogan extended his congratulations to President Ilham Aliyev on the landslide victory of the New Azerbaijan Party in the parliamentary elections held in Azerbaijan.

The President of Turkiye underscored the significance of these elections as the first parliamentary elections held across Azerbaijans entire territory following the full restoration of the country's sovereignty. Recep Tayyip Erdogan emphasized that the elections were conducted in a free, open, and democratic environment, reflecting the will of the Azerbaijani people.

President Ilham Aliyev thanked the Turkish President for the congratulations.

During their conversation, the Presidents stressed the importance of interparliamentary ties between Azerbaijan and Turkiye, as well as the regular reciprocal visits of parliamentary delegations. They also noted the extensive participation of the Turkish Grand National Assembly's interparliamentary friendship group as observers in these elections held in Azerbaijan.

They exchanged views on the prospects for brotherhood and strategic alliance between Azerbaijan and Turkiye.

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2 September 2024 08:30 (UTC+04:00)

Akbar Novruz Read more

Recently we have come across news about Jerusalems Armenian Quarter, allegedly a historic community dating back to the 4th century, being under a serious threat. This was reported by Armenias famous lobbyist scales  The Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) and its Canadian Committee on X.

As it was reported, the major distress for Armenian Quarter residents is that it is the last undeveloped space of the Old City, a plot of 3 acres that has been the focus of takeover efforts by Jewish settler organizations. Recently, a company owned by an Israeli-Australian businessman has managed to lease the plot and several adjacent buildings from the Armenian Patriarchate into the next century, for the laughable sum of only $2 million. This may have sounded quite normal, until you come against a sentence claiming Armenian community is one of Jerusalems oldest, with the first Armenians arriving as early as the 4th century CE and the Armenian Patriarchate being active in the city since the 7th century. Just to note that the post also claims the quarter calls the violent attempt to seize Jerusalem's sacred Armenian Quarter represents an attack against all Armenians, each Christian, and every faith tradition around the world.

Its noteworthy to say that the Armenian American National Committee (ANCA), one of the largest political organizations of the Armenian lobby, was engaged in protecting the interests of the Armenian diaspora, Armenia, and Garabagh separatists. It has offices in many cities in America and Europe. Looks like this unfortunate organization deprived of all opportunities, now has decided to claim this quarter as Jerusalems so-called sacred place. But there it raises genuine questions: Is this quarter indeed, a sacred place as it was mentioned in the post? Or is it another provocative, separatist attempt of the Armenian lobby?

To analyze the issue in more detail, the Azernews correspondent decided to talk to an Israeli expert.





While an ordinary purchase and sale transaction in any other city would not make headlines, when it comes to Jerusalem, even a plot of land used as a parking lot can suddenly become "sacred," Dr.Hay Eytan Cohen Yanarocak of Tel Aviv University stated.

Dr. Yanarocak also suggested that the matter is being politicized.

The final decision will again be made by an Israeli court. However, it seems that when it comes to the Jewish state of Israel, Armenians are trying to weaken the sovereignty of this state in its capital on an international level by labeling a parking lot as "sacred."

Visit the Armenian neighborhood in Jerusalem. You will see Armenian flags and Armenian signs everywhere. ANCA's claims are no different than creating a storm in a spoonful of water, they are malicious, he concluded.

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2 September 2024 08:00 (UTC+04:00)

One of Libyas most wanted human traffickers was killed Sunday in the capital, Tripoli, Libyan officials said, fueling tension in the western part of the North African country, Azernews reports, citing ABC news.

Abdel-Rahman Milad, who commanded a coast guard unit in the western town of Zawiya and was sanctioned by the United Nations Security Council, was shot dead by unknown assailants, the officials said.

The circumstances of his death were not immediately known, and no group claimed responsibility for his killing.

Libyan media outlets reported that he was shot while he was in his vehicle in the Sayyad area, in the western part of Tripoli. Footage circulated online showed a white Toyota Land Cruiser for Milad with bullet marks on its side.

Both officials spoke on condition of anonymity for their safety. There was no comment from the Tripoli-based government of Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah.

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2 September 2024 17:12 (UTC+04:00)

Akbar Novruz Read more

"Armenia is constantly trying to involve the USA, the European Union, and Paris in the process of normalizing relations with Azerbaijan, but first of all, it is necessary to agree with Azerbaijan. There is no other way," Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said during his speech to the teachers and students of Moscow State University, Azernews reports citing TASS.

Lavrov emphasized that the delimitation of the state border between Azerbaijan and Armenia should involve consultations with Russia, but this process is stalled due to Armenia's refusal. "No, they don't want to, and at the same time, they are constantly trying to involve the West, the United States, the European Union, and Paris to take any processes under their auspices. It is their choice, but Yerevan must first negotiate with its Azerbaijani neighbors. There is no other way," Lavrov added.

He also highlighted the importance of restoring transport links between the main part of Azerbaijan and Nakhchivan, as stated in the Trilateral Declaration of the leaders of Azerbaijan, Russia, and Armenia. Lavrov pointed out that although it was agreed that railway and road connections would be restored, Armenia had previously refused the highway option.

"Azerbaijan did not see any reason here, but agreed," Lavrov continued. "Then Armenia said there will be no participation of Russian border guards, although this is clearly written. This issue is not clear to us. Azerbaijanis say that the level of mistrust and even hostility is still very high. When they pass through the territory of Armenia and go to Nakhchivan, they want to be sure of their safety in the first stage."

Lavrov stressed the importance of dialogue and negotiation between the parties to resolve issues, expressing concern that the tripartite agreements from several summits held between Russia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan from 2020 to 2022 are not being implemented. He noted, "The tripartite commission that deals with the restoration of transport links practically no longer holds meetings. If Yerevan believes that the issue should be resolved directly with Azerbaijan, for God's sake, but only if they can do it."

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2 September 2024 18:22 (UTC+04:00)

By Alimat Aliyeva

Thailand expects to receive 36 million foreign tourists by the end of the year and receive revenue from the tourism industry in the amount of 1.8 trillion baht ($53 billion), Azernews reports.

According to the head of the Tourism Authority of Thailand, Trapani Kiatphaibun, the introduced 60-day visa-free regime for citizens of 93 countries, as well as the restoration of air traffic to 82% of the level of 2019, should contribute to this.

Thus, the tourism authority adjusted the previous forecast, according to which Thailand expected 40 million foreign tourists to arrive in 2024 and an income of 2.3 trillion baht ($68 billion).

The total revenue of the Thai tourism industry in 2023, after the country received more than 28 million foreign visitors, amounted to 1.2 trillion baht ($35 billion).

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Fulani herdsmen on Aug. 23 killed six villagers in Benue state, Nigeria, the latest of 38 Christians slain in the same county in July and August, sources said.

The group of armed herdsmen attacked Iwari and Olegagbane villages in Agatu County, killing the six Christians and injuring many others, said area resident Joseph Adayi in a text message to Christian Daily International-Morning Star News.

Phillip Ebenyakwu, chairman of the Agatu Local Government Area Council, confirmed the killings.

Its true that there have been series of attacks on some of the communities in recent months by armed Fulani herdsmen, Ebenyakwu said. And during these attacks, many villagers were killed by the invaders who also set fire on houses. There are also currently over 2,000 villagers from the affected communities who are living in deplorable conditions in camps.

Residents said attacks in July and August displaced thousands of Christians whose homes were destroyed. On July 14 in Agatu Countys predominantly Christian village of Egwuma, Fulani terrorists killed 12 people and wounded 11 others, said resident Daniel Agyo.

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Fulani bandits also killed 13 Christians in the countys Olegomachi village on July 9, and seven others were killed in Aila village on July 4, he said. Seven Christians were also slain in separate attacks.

In the whole, 38 Christians were killed in the past two months in Agatu Local Government Area alone, Agyo said.

Godwin Edoh, a member of Benue State House of Assembly from Agatu, said attacks by Fulani herdsmen on the areas predominantly Christian communities have been incessant.

The Nigerian government needs to take decisive action regarding these unending attacks by armed herdsmen on our communities, Edoh said.

Catherine Anene, spokesperson for the Benue State Command, said police had been deployed to the communities in order to end this endless bloodletting.

Kidnapped Students

Also in Benue state, 20 Christian medical students abducted at gunpoint on Aug. 15 have been rescued without a ransom being paid, police said.

The students from one public university in northern Nigerias Borno state and one from Jos in the central part of the country were on their way to Enugu state in the southeast to attend the Federation of Catholic Medical and Dental Students (FCMDS) Annual Convention in Enugu city.

Police in Makurdi, Benue state said on Aug. 23 that the students were kidnapped along the Otukpo-Enugu Highway. Some of the students are from the University of Maiduguri in Borno state, and others are from the University of Jos, said Abass Omotiti, secretary-general of the University of Maiduguri Medical Students Association in a press statement.

The students left the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital on the morning of Wednesday, Aug. 14, and traveled to the University of Jos, where they spent the night, Omotiti said. The following morning Aug. 15, they continued their journey, joining 10 students from the University of Jos, making a total of 18 students in their group.

The Benue Medical Students Association later updated information, saying 20 Christians in total were kidnapped as some medical doctors joined the students on the trip.

Police rescued them on Aug. 23, said Olumuyiwa Adejobi, Nigeria Police spokesman in a press statement.

We confirm the release on Friday, 23 August, of the 20 students from the University of Maiduguri and University of Jos, and some other Nigerians who have been in captivity in Ntunkon forest, Benue state, Adejobi said. The students were freed without any ransom paid. They were rescued tactically and professionally.

In Open Doors 2024 World Watch List (WWL) of the countries where it is most difficult to be a Christian, Nigeria was ranked No. 6, as it was in the previous year. Nigeria remained the deadliest place in the world to follow Christ, with 4,118 people killed for their faith from Oct. 1, 2022 to Sept. 30, 2023, according to the WWL report.

More kidnappings of Christians than in any other country also took place in Nigeria, with 3,300. Nigeria was also the third highest country in number of attacks on churches and other Christian buildings such as hospitals, schools, and cemeteries, with 750, according to the report.

Numbering in the millions across Nigeria and the Sahel, predominantly Muslim Fulani comprise hundreds of clans of many different lineages who do not hold extremist views, but some Fulani do adhere to radical Islamist ideology, the United Kingdoms All-Party Parliamentary Group for International Freedom or Belief (APPG) noted in a 2020 report.

They adopt a comparable strategy to Boko Haram and ISWAP and demonstrate a clear intent to target Christians and potent symbols of Christian identity, the APPG report states.

Christian leaders in Nigeria have said they believe herdsmen attacks on Christian communities in Nigerias Middle Belt are inspired by their desire to forcefully take over Christians lands and impose Islam as desertification has made it difficult for them to sustain their herds.
2 September 2024 18:43 (UTC+04:00)

By Alimat Aliyeva

The Australian authorities announced the launch of a personnel training program for nuclear submarines in the light of the implementation of the AUKUS partnership agreements (a trilateral military alliance of Australia, Great Britain and the United States), Azernews reports.

According to him, 200 servicemen and graduates of Australian universities will take part in the first stage of the training and advanced training program.

"This initiative will allow over the next two years to train 200 people in the disciplines and professions necessary for the operation and maintenance of nuclear submarines," he said.

The Head of Government also noted that at the initial stage of the training and retraining program, industrial production and processing, project management and logistics will become priority areas. The authorities intend to involve employees in work at facilities related to the maintenance, repair, and then production of submarines.

It is expected that by 2040, within the framework of this and other educational programs, over 20,000 highly qualified employees will be employed in the country at facilities related to the construction and maintenance of the nuclear submarine fleet.

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2 September 2024 19:17 (UTC+04:00)

By Alimat Aliyeva

In the summer months, the price of gas in Europe increased by 16 percent and reached about $ 449 per thousand cubic meters, Azernews reports.

This figure is included in the data of the London ICE exchange. The main factors that influenced the price increase were the situation with gas transit through the territory of this country against the background of the attack of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on the Kursk region, hot weather and the redirection of supplies to Asia.

If on May 31, a thousand cubic meters of gas were sold at a price of $388, then on August 30 the price increased by 16 percent to $449.

In May, the average gas price in Europe was about $357 per thousand cubic meters. Then the price gradually increased: in June - $ 384, in July - $ 366, in August - $ 437.

However, underground gas storage facilities in Europe are currently more than 92 percent full. At the moment, more than 102 billion cubic meters of natural gas have been pumped into storage facilities.

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2 September 2024 19:41 (UTC+04:00)

By Alimat Aliyeva

The agreement on the supply of Turkish drones to Egypt is planned to be signed during the upcoming visit of Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi to Ankara on September 4, Azernews reports.

As part of al-Sisi's first official visit to Turkiye, a meeting of the council for strategic cooperation at the highest level between the two countries will be held to discuss the prospects for increasing bilateral trade from 10 billion to 15 billion dollars per year. The main issue in the program of talks between al-Sisi and his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan will be the settlement of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. The parties will also discuss in detail the situation in the Eastern Mediterranean, Libya and other regional issues, Milliyet notes.

Erdogan paid a visit to Egypt for the first time in 12 years in February 2024 during the process of normalization of relations. In 2013, both countries recalled their ambassadors after the overthrow of Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi. In March 2021, the Turkish Foreign Ministry announced the resumption of contacts with Egypt at the diplomatic level. In July 2023, both countries fully restored diplomatic relations, appointing ambassadors in Ankara and Cairo.

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2 September 2024 23:35 (UTC+04:00)

By Alimat Aliyeva

China is conducting joint naval exercises with Singapore, which started the day before and will last until Thursday, Azernews reports.

The opening ceremony of the exercises took place yesterday in the Zhanjiang City District in the Chinese province of Guangdong. They are attended by the Type 054 frigate and the Type 082-II minesweeper of the Chinese Navy, as well as the Singapore ship RSS Stalwart from the "stealth" series of frigates of the "Formidable" type.

This is the third of a series of similar events after they began in 2015. The previous time they took place in the Singapore area in May 2023, SCMP recalls.

The defense ministries of the two countries previously stated that the current exercises will include joint strikes on surface targets, resupply at sea, search and rescue operations, helicopter landing on deck, artillery firing and maneuvering in the coastal zone.

The publication notes that the maneuvers are taking place against the background of growing tensions between China and the Philippines in the disputed waters of the South China Sea. So, last Saturday, August 31, the coast guard of China and the Philippines again entered into conflict at Xianbin Reef (English name - Sabine Shoal) - for the third time in August, the parties accuse each other of deliberate attempts to ram.

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Two German states, Saxony and Thuringia held elections today (Sunday) and the exit polls are showing a resounding triumph for parties of the right and populism, while support for the parties of the left-liberal national coalition government has cratered. Key issues for the populist parties of both left and right, have been opposition to illegal immigration, opposition to the green agenda, and opposition to the woke agenda. The exit polls showed that the populist right AfD won big among the youth vote and the working class vote.

In Thuringia, the populist anti-immigration right Alternativ fur Deutschland (AfD) won its first state election with 33.5%, followed by the traditional conservative CDU at 26.5%. In third place was the new populist left BSW, which opposes illegal immigation, wokeness, and the green agenda but is more traditionally left on other issues, at 14.5%.

Two parties of the national government coalition, the leftwing Green Party and the liberal Free Democrats, lost all of their seats in the Thuringian parliament, while the lead party of the national coaltion, the Social Democrats, was humiliated with only 6.5%. The far left Left Party, which was the largest in the outgoing parliament was reduced to fourth place with 11.5%.

In Saxony, where the outgoing government was led by the CDU, that party narrowly came in first place at 32%, closely followed by the AfD at 31.5%. The populist left BSW was third at 11.5%. Among the national government coalition parties, the liberal Free Democrats lost all of their seats, and the Green Party was on the knife edge of losing all its seats, while the Social Democrats came in with a very unimpressive 7.5%. The Left Party also lost all its seats.

This was a drubbing for the national "traffic light coalition" and a huge vote against illegal immigration. In Thuringia, the total vote for all three parties of the national coalition government was 11.5% combined, and in Saxony it was 13.5%.

A third German state, Brandenburg, has its state election in a few weeks, and similar trends are expected there.

https://europeanconservative.com/articles/news/exit-poll-germanys-afd-wins-first-state-election/

https://rmx.news/germany/backed-by-youth-and-working-class-afd-wins-big-in-german-state-elections-while-far-left-government-crashes/

https://www.zerohedge.com/markets/german-ruling-coalition-crushed-regional-elections-afd-scores-first-victory-german-right
Democrat former Secretary of Labor Robert Reich has called for the arrest of Elon Musk for failing to censor users on Twitter / X. Reich, has stronly supported censorship over free speech for years but this is the first time he has called on someone to be arrested. This is a clear indication that the "Democratic" Party in the US is on the same globalist wavelength as those in other countries which have been cracking down on free speech. Free speech is an essential cornerstone of democracy and without it, democracy cannot exist.

Reich's last name is very appropriate because he would have fit right in with Josef Goebbels in Hitler's Third Reich.

https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/international/us/elon-musk-out-of-control-should-be-threatened-with-arrest-says-ex-clinton-secretary/articleshow/113000733.cms

https://jonathanturley.org/2024/09/02/robert-reich-calls-for-the-arrest-of-elon-musk-for-resisting-censorship/

Reich's statement comes hard on the heals of France's arrest of Telegram CEO and billionaire Pavel Durov for failing to censor his social media site. Irronically, Durov fled his native RUssia a decade ago when Putin demanded he censor the Russia opposition on another social media site he previously owned. Now, France's Macron is behaving just like Russia's Putin.

https://www.beaufortcountynow.com/post/82228/why-arrest-of-telegram-ceo-should-worry-everyone-including-the-left.html

It also comes hard on the heals of a totalitarian far left supreme court justice in Brazil getting in a snit over Musk refusing to censor a Brazilian senator and a 16 year old girl and banned Twitter in Brazil, as well as trying to ban StarLink.

https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2024/09/alliance-defending-freedom-announces-its-stand-brazilians-fight/

https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2024/09/alliance-defending-freedom-announces-its-stand-brazilians-fight/

https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2024/09/x-twitter-exposes-brazil-supreme-court-justice-alexandre/

Americans should remember that freedom of speech is on the ballot in November. Donald Trump is the candidate who supports it and Kamala Harris the candidate who opposes it.

https://x.com/shellenberger/status/1830742234561683628
The Bill will allow the Crown Estate to invest more in green energy, financial secretary to the Treasury Lord Livermore said (Anna Gowthorpe/PA)

A new Bill will allow the Crown Estate to invest more in green energy and help the UK achieve net zero, a Treasury minister has told Parliament.
Hollywood star Steve Buscemi intervened after a vicious fight started outside a pub in Dalkey over the weekend.

The 66-year-old actor, best known for his roles in movies such as Reservoir Dogs, Armageddon and The Big Lebowski, was spotted eating out at Bubbas Fish Market in the south Dublin town on Saturday evening.

The star is in Dublin for the filming of the new season of the Netflix hit, Wednesday, directed by Tim Burton and co-starring Jenna Ortega.

One fellow diner told the Irish Independent that nobody in the restaurant had recognised the famous actor in their midst.

No one at my table recognised him except for me; Im a huge movie buff, so I knew him straight away, Oisin Heavey said.

We were having dinner, and he was at the table beside us for 90 minutes.

After the star finished his meal and left, Mr Heavey said his wife noticed a crowd gathering outside.

We could see there were loads of people outside, kind of looking up towards where he had gone, so we assumed he was spotted, Mr Heavey said.

When we went outside, there was actually a very vicious fight going on, and thats what everybody was looking at.

Hollywood actor Steve Buscemi pictured in Dalkey on Saturday

The fight had started on the street outside The Dalkey Duck pub, and they noticed Buscemi watching the altercation.

Steve Buscemi was kind of standing there completely unnoticed, Mr Heavey said.

He was very close to it, but he held himself back from breaking it up. He stood over the guy on the ground for a few seconds, and the fight naturally broke up after that.

Some people said he broke up the fight, but he didnt. He tried to help, which is more than most people would do.

The actor then left and went around the corner from where the fight had happened.

He was very nice, friendly, and engaging. He looked me in the eyes and talked to me properly, Mr Heavey said.

I just wanted to say to him that its not a representation of Ireland and I hope he enjoys his trip.

Steve Buscemi has been spotted in Dublin where he joined the cast of the latest season of the hit Netflix series, Wednesday.

The show is relocating its production from Romania to Ireland for this season, and Buscemi will be making his debut as Barry Dort, the new principal of Nevermore Academy.

News Catch Up - Monday 2nd September
Guitarist-turned-town planner who played a role in careers of Eurovision winner Linda Martin and Snow Patrol became strong supporter of Parkinsons UK after being diagnosed with the disease

Bill Morrison with his book Big Hand for the Band

Tributes have been paid to musician Bill Morrison after his death at 82.

The Belfast man played a hand in the formation of Snow Patrol and gave Eurovision winner Linda Martin her first break.

Mr Morrison had fought Parkinsons for 13 years and campaigned to raise awareness of the disease.

He was a close friend of Jamie Dornans late father Professor Jim Dornan, once joking about taking turns to change the actors nappies on shared family holidays.

A founding member of the band Chips, which had Martin in the line-up, he also played with The Dominoes and The Group.

Bill Morrison with The Group's minibus in 1967 (Picture by Mark McCormick)

He wrote Big Hand for the Band, about the early days of pop music in Belfast, where he said a youthful Gerry Adams was a regular at dances.

He later scaled back his showbiz career to devote more time to his work as a town planner here and in St Lucia in the Caribbean.

His son Michael formed an early incarnation of Snow Patrol with Gary Lightbody and other friends at Dundee University.

Initially called Shrug And Polar Bear, Mr Morrison lent the band equipment for their first gigs, but Michaels association with them was ended by illness.

Fellow musician George Jones said: Bill was a lovely guitar player and friend to all.

And Albert Mills, who played at the famous Pound Music Club in Belfast along with Morrisons bands, said: Bill was a true gentleman and example to us all.

As for his work as a town planner, former Belfast Lord Mayor Alban Maginness said: Bill was a fine public servant  friendly, gracious and professional.

Dornans sister Liesa described him as a class gentleman.

Bill Morrison on stage in the 1960s (Picture by Mark McCormick)

She said he was one of her fathers best friends and recalled many fabulous holidays together and many serenades over my summer birthdays.

Prof Dornan frequently guested on vocals with The Dominoes.

Parkinsons UK also praised Mr Morrisons work on its behalf  writing articles and posting messages about the disease.

One local man, who didnt want to be named, said: Bill was an inspiration to me after I was diagnosed with Parkinsons.

He always advised me on how to try to cope and showed me how to seek help. We will miss him.

Mr Morrisons family said his diagnosis never held him back.

Wife Lyn, children Sara and Michael and daughter-in-law Liz said: He never complained about it.

Instead, he worked tirelessly to support Parkinsons UK locally and nationally and helped people more recently diagnosed to face the challenges and come to terms with the condition.

He never had a bad word to say about anyone and no one had a bad word to say about him.

Mr Morrison constantly reminded friends about other people with Parkinsons, including Muhammed Ali, Michael J Fox and Billy Connolly.

He wrote: Some days I feel fine; other days I am shattered and have to take cat-naps four times a day. I struggle with speech, both in terms of voice projection and in marshalling thoughts.

The family added: We will share arrangements for a celebration of Bills life as soon as possible.

News Catch Up - Monday 2nd September
From flights to destinations, Lauren Taylor has insider tips for peak times

The cost of holidays tends to rise outside school term

If your reception-age child is starting school this week, youve probably shuddered at the thought of half-term price hikes, inflated airline prices and packed resorts with limited availability.

So will you ever travel for a reasonable price again?

According to Mercedes Zach, travel expert at ASAP Tickets: In general, airfares for popular flight routes during the busy holiday and school break season can be up to 50%, or even more expensive, compared to other periods of the year.

But its not all bad. While some of the most popular destinations will inevitably see a rise in price over the school holiday period, there are still plenty of great deals to be found, reassures Kelly Cookes, chief commercial officer of The Advantage Travel Partnership.

How far in advance should I book?

For anyone looking to find the best value holidays for 2025, we recommend booking well in advance to take advantage of the early-booking discounts and free child places on offer, as well as increased availability of flights and accommodation, says Kelly.

Booking early also offers the added benefits of being able to budget appropriately in advance and stagger payments.

Lee Dobson, co-founder of Travel City recommends booking at least six months ahead for peak times like Christmas and Easter.

And Michele Massa, CEO of Ibiza Summer Villas, goes even further, saying: For summer holidays, I always say November is a great time to start looking for the best deals and availability. And if youre planning a half-term break [for October 2025], Id recommend starting your search in January.

What type of holidays offer the best prices for families?

For those looking to manage costs, all-inclusive is increasingly the most popular board basis across our travel agent partners as it allows travellers to manage their budgets and pay for the full cost of a holiday upfront, says Kelly. Cruises offer another good option for those looking for great value and the opportunity to budget in advance.

Self-catering might work out to be more budget-friendly, especially if youre travelling with a larger group. While hotels offer convenience, apartments or villas often provide more space and opportunities to prepare your own meals. This can significantly reduce costs, especially for families, says Michele.

And dont underestimate the value of free or low-cost activities. Many destinations offer fantastic outdoor spaces, parks, and beaches that wont cost a penny. Pack some picnic essentials and enjoy quality family time without breaking the bank.

Platforms like Home Exchange can remove the cost of accommodation entirely, by arranging a direct swap with a family who live where you want to visit.

Money-saving hacks

Keep an eye out for deals and discounts by subscribing to travel newsletters and setting up fare alerts, suggests Lee.

Flexibility with your travel dates can also help; flying mid-week instead of at weekends or choosing less popular travel times can lead to savings. Additionally, consider alternative airports or nearby destinations, as they might offer lower prices.

Its always worth comparing prices with several different travel agencies, airlines and search engines to find the best deals, says Mercedes.

If a direct flight is too expensive, look into connecting flights. You may even combine multiple airlines or different modes of transportation.

The more flexible you are, the better deals you can score. Keep in mind that flight rates tend to be significantly cheaper midweek. Because fares for the busy holiday season often fluctuate, its worth monitoring your route and setting up alerts to see when prices drop.

Sundays are typically the best days to book flights, as that saves you about 5% on domestic flights and up to 15% on international flights compared to other days of the week, Mercedes says.

Sunday, however, is not the best day of the week for flying, with lots of people aiming to fly out or go back home for the start of the week. And with increased ticket purchases and flights happening on Fridays, it is considered the worst day for booking flights or accommodation.

Where should we go for half terms, Christmas and Easter?

According to Kelly: October can still be a great month for weather in Spain and the Balearic Islands. Cyprus can also be sunny and warm and the Algarve in Portugal too.

Malta is often underrated, she says. Malta is a fantastic European destination which offers great value for money and has year-round options for travellers.

For Michele, destinations like the Canary Islands or mainland Spain usually offer fantastic weather and great prices in April [Easter holidays] and October [half term]. These are the best times to explore without the usual crowds.

For an ideal Christmas getaway, I would recommend cities like Vienna or Prague. They transform into winter wonderlands with must-visit Christmas markets. Its an unforgettable experience without the hefty price tag of the peak holiday season.

Last week, Jet2.com and Jet2CityBreaks announced that it will be providing flights and packages from Belfast International Airport to Vienna, Austria, in winter 2024.

Destinations such as Dubai and Egypt offer winter sun that isnt too far for a Christmas break. While, for Easter, Lee says: Springtime is ideal for destinations like the Netherlands to see the tulip fields.
Grand Canyon University (GCU) in Phoenix, Arizona, is marking its 75th anniversary with the private non-profit Christian college anticipating to enroll 125,000 for its fall semester, its largest-ever intake of students. While celebrating the continuous growth, GCU continues its fight against a historic $37.7 million dollar fine for allegedly misrepresenting the costs of its doctoral programs and against the defamatory criticisms by U.S. Department of Education Secretary who vowed to shut it down.

The interdenominational institution, which faced bankruptcy in 2008 due to low enrollment in one of the most economically deprived areas in Phoenix, now expects to welcome 25,000 students onsite and a further 100,000 students online, an increase of nearly six percent from the previous year, 2023 to 2024.

"To look at how far we have come from our humble beginnings in 1949 to where we were 15 years ago to becoming the largest Christian university in the country, it is clear that God has his hand on this place in a very special way," said GCU President Brian Mueller.

The 75th anniversary celebrations involve the release of a commemorative book called '75 Years of Purpose: 15 Years of Transformation.'

"With everything going on in the world today, I am convinced Gods plan was for us to be at this university, at this time, and in these circumstances," Mueller added.

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The celebrations for the 75th anniversary come after an ongoing public controversy following a fine of $37.7 million levied against the university by the U.S. Education Department (ED). The fine was given for GCU allegedly misrepresenting the true costs of its doctoral programs.

In a press release dated Oct. 31 2023, ED claimed a Federal Student Aid investigation found GCU lied to more than 7,500 former and current students about the cost of its doctoral programs over several years. GCU falsely advertised a lower cost than what 98 percent of doctoral graduates ended up paying.

GCU lied about the cost of its doctoral programs to attract students to enroll, said FSA Chief Operating Officer Richard Cordray at the time. FSA takes its oversight responsibilities seriously.

"GCUs lies harmed students, broke their trust, and led to unexpectedly high levels of student debt. Today, we are holding GCU accountable for its actions, protecting students and taxpayers, and upholding the integrity of the federal student aid programs.

Department of Education Secretary Miguel Cardona subsequently vowed to shut the university down, during a House Appropriations Committee hearing on April 10 this year.

Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro called GCU a predatory for-profit college at the hearing and asked Cardona how he would act over the schools failure to accurately disclose its cost to students, driving up the true cost for those students requiring for them to pay for continuation courses before they would graduate  scam courses added about USD $10,000 or more to the cost of education to these kids.

Cardona replied GCU had flashy marketing materials but the product is not worth the paper it is printed on.

We are cracking down not only to shut them down, but to send a message not to prey on students, Cardona said.

GCU has appealed against the fine and rebutted the claims by Cardona in a public statement posted on the university website in April, calling them both disturbing and defamatory.

It highlighted its professional reputation doing an exemplary job as a high education provider, which is not anti-government and has a record of cooperation and great relationships with 26 different regulatory and accrediting bodies, none of whom have corroborated what ED is claiming.

Calling the inflammatory comments by Cardona reckless, GCU stated that what he said was both legally and factually incorrect.

He is either confused, misinformed or does not understand the actions taken by his own agency.

There are no factually supportable allegations that warrant an attempt to shut down GCU and, in fact, ED has already granted a three-year extension of GCUs provisional program participation agreement that allows it to continue to receive Title IV financial aid dollars [federal financial aid funds].

Those Title IV funds go directly to students, who can use them at whatever institution they choose. More are choosing GCU than any other university in the U.S., which does not happen if you are deceiving a small number of students as ED claims.

GCU pointed out that it remained fully accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

In regards to Cardonas misguided comments accusing the university of lying and preying on students, GCU has requested evidence of intent and verified student complaints. That information had not been provided, according to the statement.

Rather, their accusations are based entirely on their own subjective opinion of GCUs financial disclosures for doctoral programs. As Mr. Cardonas comments confirm, those opinions reflect a deeply held bias against GCU, which has manifested itself in his departments selective and punitive enforcement actions against the university.

Two particular points were challenged by the university, in regards to the massive fine.

Firstly, the claims by ED were not corroborated by three significant factors, according to the university. These were that the federal court system refuted similar claims about GCUs finances in a court case, Young v GCU. Also the Higher Learning Commission described the GCU doctoral disclosures as robust and thorough in a review. The third factor was an audit finding no substantiated findings by the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Secondly, the university stated claims by the ED that the higher education provider lied to students and falsely advertised the cost to complete doctoral programs were a gross mischaracterizations of what GCU actually discloses.

GCU pointed out that doctoral programs rarely have a fixed cost because the continuation of studies varies for each doctorate student. A degree program calculator is used instead to estimate the finances involved.

In regards to Cardonas comments about so-called predatory for-profit schools marketing material not being worth the paper it is printed on, GCU agreed with him.

However, there were two important caveats: GCU is not a predatory school and it is legally authorized to operate as a nonprofit, which Cardona does not distinguish. GCU also outlined how its measurable academic metrics, such as in nursing, showed a high turnover in graduates and more than the national average, according to the university.

GCU reiterated its allegation that federal agencies of the Biden Administration were targeting the university.

Heres what we can tell you: Mr. Cardonas inflammatory comments make very clear the Department of Educations intentions and their disdain for institutions that do not fit their ideological agenda. Whats also clear is that ED has no lawful grounds to carry out those intentions based on their disingenuous and factually unsupportable allegations.

GCU also outlined again its achievements and approval by professional bodies within the wider community, such as 700 industry leaders on 20 advisory boards wanting access to the universitys graduates, and partnerships with schools and hospitals.

The university also made it clear that tuition had been frozen on the ground campus for 16 years because our innovative approach to managing this university, which ED objects to, has allowed us to do that for the benefit of our students.

GCU stated a federal government agency had fined both Liberty University and GCU: the two largest Christian universities in the country. The $37.7 million fine for GCU was not based on student complaints or evidence of misleading by the university, as confirmed by the ED. That is a shocking admission from an agency trying to impose the largest fine in its history, stated the GCU.

EDs conduct related to GCU goes well beyond normal regulatory activity, added the GCU in its statement. It epitomizes the weaponization of federal agencies power against a private Christian university. To borrow a term ED uses liberally to describe every for-profit institution it is trying to harm, the comments by Mr. Cardona and actions taken by his Department are predatory in nature and designed to achieve their own ideological agenda.

GCU stated confidence in winning an upcoming appeal in court and intended to fight these accusations all the way to the Supreme Court if necessary.

The Department of Educations intent, based on the frivolous nature of its accusations and defamatory statements from ED officials, seems to be to damage the universitys reputation, use its findings as a rationale to seek loan forgiveness for students under the borrowers defense to repayment program and impose unprecedented fines and legal fees. In other words, regardless of the inevitable legal outcomes in GCUs favor, the process becomes the punishment.



Corrections Sept 2, 2024:

> The article previously incorrectly referred to GCU as a Baptist-affiliated institution. However, GCU is no longer affiliated with the Baptists as it became an interdenominational institution in 2000.

> An earlier version incorrectly referred to GCU as for-profit although its status officially reverted back to non-profit as of July 1, 2018 as recognized by the IRS. A GCU spokesperson clarified to CDI, "The U.S. Department of Education, while approving the 2018 change of ownership transaction and acknowledging that GCU has the legal authority to operate as a nonprofit, has decided to still classify the university as a proprietary institution "for purposes of federal funding." This DOE classification does not overrule the other government agencies' classification and only means GCU must adhere to stricter guidelines for federal funding that only apply to for-profits. But, legally, GCU remains a nonprofit institution."




Agnes has lived through five British monarchs, 24 prime ministers and soon to be 20 US presidents.

Agnes Thompson - believed to be the oldest living woman on the island of Ireland - has celebrated her 109th birthday.

The Belfast-born centenarian, who has lived at Strathearn Carehome on the Belmont Road for the past six years, celebrated with friends and family on Sunday, while her carers and fellow residents presented her with a cake on her actual birthday, September 2.

John Cherian, manager of the care home, said all the staff are immensely happy to have been celebrating Agnes turning 109, and paid tribute to her resilience and strength because shes been through three Covid infections.

In 2020, our home was affected and shes done so well through it all, and is in the best of health now.

Angela Watt Activities coordinator at Strathearne Care home in East Belfast speaks with Agnes Thompson, who turned 109 and is Irelands oldest person. Picture by Peter Morrison

Care worker Sandra Montgomery dubbed Agnes the queen of Strathearn.

She likes to always look nice, have her hair done, to be dressed well and have a nice bed and all, Sandra said. Speaking to her family, shes always been like that, even at home, she always took her teacup with a saucer!

Weve always taken extra care of her because of that, and shes as strong as an ox, she really is.

Agnes has lived through five British monarchs, 24 prime ministers and soon to be 20 US presidents.

Her granddaughter Jean Hill previously told the Belfast Telegraph: She was born in 1915 before partition, so the Irish Government recognise my Granny as an Irish citizen and they sent coins and letters from President Michael D Higgins office,

Shes lived through so many things like the moon landing, the Berlin wall coming down, Dolly the sheep being cloned.

Family picture of Agnes Thompson with her daughter Janine, Agnes turned 109 Monday, Sep. 2, 2024 and celebrated her birthday at Strathearne care home in East Belfast. Picture by Peter Morrison

In her room at the home, Agnes is surrounded by photographs and marvellous memories from her life, as well as birthday cards from Queen Elizabeth II and King Charles III.

One is a black and white portrait from the mid-60s taken in the Isle of Man, showing a young Agnes with her late husband Rabbie, who worked in the shipyards.

There are also pictures of her two late sons, Ralph and Roy. Agnes was born on September 2, 1915, and grew up on Ravensdale Street in east Belfast.

(from left) Agnes Thompson, with her son Roy, son Ralph on his wedding day with his bride Mary, and standing behind is Agness husband Rabbie. Dec 1958. Image credit: Liam McBurney/RAZORPIX 

She married Rabbie Thompson in 1938, with whom she had two sons, Roy and Ralph. Sadly, her late husband passed away in 1989 at the age of 75. Both of their sons died in more recent years, living until their 80s.

Throughout her life, Agnes worked in linen mills, as well as factories making sweets and vacuum cleaners. Among the family montages, is another image of a smiling Agnes on top of a donkey while on holiday in Blackpool.

Agnes Thompson with her husband Rabbie and their sons, Roy (top) and Ralph (bottom), circa 1950. Image crediit: Liam McBurney/RAZORPIX 

Her grandson David Thompson put her long life down to a deep love of family.

She did enjoy a drink on a Saturday night back in the day, but I think she just loved her family. They kept her going, so she just kept going.

Today, Agnes has seven grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren and 13 great-great grandchildren.
Passengers from the Villa Vie Residences Odyssey cruise liner welcomed to City Hall by Lord Mayor of Belfast, Micky Murray, as their unexpected three-month stay in the city draws to a close.

Melody and John Hennessee from Florida, dressed to celebrate Labor Day in the USA, pictured with the Lord Mayor of Belfast, Micky Murray.

The Lord Mayor of Belfast has met with stranded cruise ship passengers who have been making the most of their extended stay in the city.

The Villa Vie Residences' Odyssey liner has been docked in Queens Island for the past three months after experiencing problems with its rudders and gearbox.

Micky Murray welcomed passengers to City Hall on Monday ahead of the ship finally setting sail later this week.

While three months is a long time to stay in any one place, these guests have been emphatic in their praise for our city, particularly the warm, friendly welcome they have received, said councillor Murray.

From our amazing food to our beautiful scenery, they have had ample time to soak up everything Belfast has to offer  but theyre still keen to return again, to experience more, and relive their unusual, but happy memories, of their stay here.

The vessel arrived in Belfast Lough to be outfitted before its scheduled departure on May 30.

A total of 62 guests have been exploring NI after the first leg of their round-the-world trip was delayed, with some now planning to return at a later date.

Councillor Murray said its good news for the travel sector.

Last week, we heard how tourism across NI is continuing to thrive, generating 1.2 billion of expenditure to our local economy in 2023," he added.

And, with continued investment into the sector through new hotels and visitor experiences, plus significant projects in the pipeline via the Belfast Region City Deal, there will be plenty more to entice passengers back here again.

Passengers have been allowed to spend time on the ship during the day, but must disembark in the evenings.

While many guests have enjoyed the sights, they have previously expressed shock over the cool and damp summer weather.

Travellers on the cruise ship were able to purchase their cabin outright, as opposed to the traditional method of paying a daily rate for their room.

It means theyll be able to remain onboard the vessel beyond the initial three-year voyage.

According to the companys website, cabin prices range from $99,999 to $899,000.

It previously said it was trying to do everything possible to "relieve the anxiety" of passengers by planning trips and other cruises or putting them up in hotels.

Some of those on-board have embarked on train trips around Europe with others taking up the chance to visit nearby places including England and Greenland.
First picture of man charged over brutal murder of Spanish woman in Derry

First picture of suspect also accused of arson with intent to endanger life

Murder accused Ciaran Murray

Ciaran O'Neill Mon 2 Sep 2024 at 14:26







This is the 28-year-old man charged in connection with the brutal murder of a Spanish woman in Derry.
Charity set up to specifically help male victims fears figure may actually be the tip of the iceberg

A domestic abuse charity focusing on male victims says up to 12% of the people seeking its help are in same-sex relationships.

Now the Mens Advisory Project NI is calling on more members of the LGBTQ+ community suffering abuse to come forward .

Chief executive Rhonda Lusty said that not only can it seem taboo or scary for males to seek help when it comes to domestic abuse, but it can be even more difficult for gay men.

She said: We see the largest number of gay men come to us for abuse.

Between 8-12% of the people we see every year are gay or bisexual men, or people who dont identify as gay or bi, but who have sex with men.

She pointed out this is the equivalent of 140 men from the LGBTQ+ community annually.

In July this year we were getting 50 significant calls a week from men in general  not people just asking for advice, but 50 calls needing real intervention and help.

For anybody who comes to us from the LGBTQ+ community, we would have always made sure they were aware of other specific services and support organisations, such as the Rainbow Project and Cara-Friend.

What we have seen in the last year is people asking: Why is the issue being made to be about their sexuality?

Obviously, there are things experienced by people who are in same-sex relationships that might be different from someone in a heterosexual relationship.

But, at the same time, the reality of domestic abuse is the same.

It doesnt matter regarding sexuality or gender, its more to do with: Is there power and control, and how is your partner using power and control over you?

We have had a fair few cases where not everyone in a mans life might know that they are gay, and they are then being abused by the person they are having sex with, in terms of threatening to out them to their whole community.

We also see a lot of violence within same-sex relationships, and its nearly normalised.

Its not spoken about enough, and certainly if you see any of our posters, we make sure that we have the rainbow Pride flag on it, so that everybody knows they are really welcome to come here for help.

Their needs will be catered for and there should never be a question as to whether we will help them or not, whether they are gay, bi, trans, pansexual, asexual  as long as they need help, we will be there for them.

Around 25% of LGBTQ+ people in the UK suffer through violent or threatening relationships.

As with opposite-gendered couples, the problem is under-reported.

Rhonda Lusty and Clare Corkey of Men's Advisory Project NI (William Cherry/Press Eye)

Speaking on a Belfast Pride panel last month, Cara McCann from HERe NI pointed to various reasons why people from the LGBTQ+ community might be loath to admit they are victims of domestic abuse.

HERe NI is a local charity dedicated to supporting lesbian and bisexual women.

She said: If youre a member of the LGBTQ+ community, you may have struggled for years yourself to come out, and your family may just be starting to accept you for who you are. Sometimes you almost feel guilty for disclosing something like domestic abuse.

She added people in this position should be able to disclose their situation to their employer, who shouldnt be afraid to say that they will treat it as a priority, and they can go and find out what services internally and externally are available.

Rhonda said this was a common theme they had noticed with gay men coming to her charity for counselling.

She explained: So many people didnt want to go to their own LGBTQ+ support charities, because those places can be their safe haven and such a positive community.

They have this idea that they are failing their community because theyre in a relationship with domestic abuse.

That can be the saddest chat ever, because thats the same chat that everyone who faces domestic abuse has  that somehow it is their fault, and it is just not like that.

We make referrals now for LGBTQ+ specific organisations if people talk about struggles with their sexuality and things that we maybe arent specialised in, but we have counsellors here who are gay and counsellors who have done pink therapy qualifications (specialists in working with gender, sex and relationship diversities).

Belfast Lord Mayor Micky Murray stressed the need for employers to be equipped with the knowledge and resources to support LGBTQ+ employees.

He added: This can include provisions for LGBTQ+ individuals, [such as] providing training to staff and management which can be critical for recognising signs of abuse and understanding these challenges faced by LGBTQ+ victims.

There is currently a consultation process over the Safe Leave Act, which will introduce the right to 10 days paid safe leave for workers who are victims of domestic abuse.

The consultation can be accessed on the Department for the Economys website and is running until September 27.

For further information visit MAPs social media pages or call the Belfast office on 02890 241 929, the Foyle office on 02871 160 001 or email rhonda@mapni.co.uk

News Catch Up - Monday 2nd September
Julie Hambleton who founded the Justice4the21 campaign group with her brother Brian. Pic by Liam McBurney/RAZORPIX.

The aftermath of one of the Birmingham pub bombings

A victims campaigner has invited the Prime Minister and King Charles to a memorial service to mark the 50th anniversary of the Birmingham pub bombings.

Julie Hambleton, who heads up the Justice 4 the 21 (J421) group, is asking everyone in the city to stop for a minutes silence on November 21 to remember the emergency service workers and taxi drivers who helped save many lives in the aftermath of no- warning IRA explosions in two public houses.

Some 21 people perished in the bombs which went off near the Tavern in the Town and the Mulberry Bush, and more than 200 were injured in the biggest act of mass murder in England of the 20th century.

"Wouldnt it be a thoughtful and decent gesture to see our Prime Minister; wouldnt it be even a greater gesture for our King Charles to be present, Miss Hambleton told GB News.

However the broadcaster said it has been told by a Labour spokesperson that Sir Keir Starmer is unable to attend due to a diary clash and has instead asked West Midlands Mayor Richard Parker to go in his absence.

Julie Hambleton who founded the Justice4the21 campaign group with her brother Brian. Pic by Liam McBurney/RAZORPIX.

Miss Hambleton, whose older sister Maxine was among those killed, is also trying to get Birmingham City FC and Aston Villa FC to mark the solemn occasion.

"Its a trauma that never goes away, she said.

"They should never be forgotten.

The conclusion of a police reinvestigation into the atrocity last year resulted in no criminal charges being brought forward in connection with one of the worst single losses of life during the Troubles.

Six innocent men, known as the Birmingham Six, were jailed over the bombings in 1975 in one of the biggest miscarriages of justice in the UK.

The were released in 1991 when their convictions were quashed.

During inquests finally held in 2019 and 2022, West Midlands Police submitted an evidence file to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) regarding an unnamed individuals suspected role in the bombings.

But then in 2023 the prosecution service said it could not positively identify who planted the bombs.

Miss Hambleton, whose sister was only 18 years old when she was killed, has spent almost five decades searching for justice.

"I chose not to have children because of Maxine, she previously told this newspaper.

"The thought of losing a child... I'm not strong enough for that."

Maxine Hambleton (18) who died in the Birmingham pub bombings.

The university lecturer founded her campaign group with her brother Brian and has previously claimed the authorities do not want the truth to come out.

"There are so many things that make it all the worse, Miss Hambleton previously said.

"So many levels.

There are so many factions to our anger and our grief and the harrowing manifestation of it all.

"Firstly the gutless b*****ds  and you can quote me on that  the gutless b*****ds who planned it, built the bombs, transported the bombs and then planted the bombs and then ran away like the spineless, lily-livered cowards that they are.

Because they haven't got the backbone or the courage of their convictions to stand their ground and not wear a mask and put their hands up and say, I did it. And this is why I did it.

"But not one of them has had the courage of their convictions to do that. So, what does that say about them?

And on the back of that, the government failed to do anything.

Buckingham Palace has been contacted for comment.
Members of the Royal Black Institution on parade in Killyleagh

The head of a loyal order in Northern Ireland has said equality of citizenship is being eroded in the UK, as the marching season came to a close.

Sovereign Grand Master of the Royal Black Institution, Rev William Anderson, was speaking at the Co Antrim Last Saturday demonstration in Ballymena, where around 4,500 participants were on parade.

Overall, around 17,000 members from 350 preceptories were involved in six traditional processions, with major events taking place in Killyleagh, Ballygawley, Holywood and Beragh, as well as Raphoe, in Co Donegal.

From the platform in Ballymena, Rev Anderson spoke of the importance of equality of citizenship, which he described as the glue that holds a nation together.

Royal Black Preceptory members Parade takes place on Saturday in Holywood Co Down. Picture: Arthur Allison/Pacemaker Press.

He said: Given the serious situations that have recently arisen across our nation, it has become apparent that equality of citizenship has been eroded.

It is evident that under our current Prime Minister that we have adopted two-tier policing.

Violence from any quarter is wrong and to be condemned, and those breaking the law should feel the full force of the law but that must include everyone who breaks the law, no matter who they are or what they represent.

Without that equality, then respect for law and order will further diminish.

Members of the Royal Black Institution on parade in Killyleagh

Rev Anderson said those taking a stand for the Reformed Christian Faith feel our faith is under attack from those who least understand what we believe.

He said: It seems perfectly fine for the media and others to attack and ridicule the Christian faith ... but dare anyone challenge or repudiate any other faith and, immediately, they will be attacked for holding racist views.

News Catch Up - Monday 2nd September
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
Fire crews back at scene after puffs of smoke spotted

Crews from the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service, and PSNI officers remain at the scene of a fire at The Church of the Holy Name, Church of Ireland, in Greenisland. Photo: PressEye

Crews from the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service, and PSNI officers remain at the scene of a fire at The Church of the Holy Name, Church of Ireland, in Greenisland.

Crews from the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service, and PSNI officers remain at the scene of a fire at The Church of the Holy Name, Church of Ireland, in Greenisland.

Aerial Images from NIFRS showing the extent of fire damage at the church in Greenisland

A little box of memories was all that remained in the ashes of a Co Antrim parish church that went up in flames on Sunday night.

The blaze at the Church of the Holy Name in Greenisland may have been caused by a bin being set alight and came just hours after the Church of Ireland congregation celebrated its 70th anniversary.

Last night, firefighters returned to the scene after neighbours spotted puffs of smoke coming from the wreckage.

In a Facebook post, the church said: Folks you wont quite believe this. The fire crews are back at the church.

Our neighbours noticed some puffs of smoke this evening and the NIFRS are back as there is still some concern that the fire hasnt completely died out.

Its understood there had been a small amount of smoke, and crews were re-dousing as a precaution.

The leader of the church yesterday vowed that the community will rebuild it from the ashes.

On Sunday evening, nine fire-fighting appliances and 49 firefighters attended the Church of the Holy Name in the Station Road area.

Photographs of the scene show substantial damage to its hall, where a section of the roof was destroyed in the blaze which began around 9pm.

A large fire burns through Greenisland Parish Church on Station Road, Greenisland. Photo: Kirth Ferris/Pacemaker Press

As the earlier party celebrating the churchs 70th anniversary had been also attended by people from an ethnic minority or foreign national background, there were initial suspicions that the arson could have been a race-related incident.

However, police said there was no suggestion of anything hate-related.

Despite the destruction caused by the flames, there was a small miracle: a beloved box of keepsakes was found intact despite being in the midst of the blaze.

On social media, the Greenisland church said: The miracle continues. Some of our most precious memories and photos were in a box under a table for safe-keeping.

Theyre a little bit soggy and singed, but some of the most irreplaceable items have been rescued. So incredibly grateful to the fire crews  and to the waterproof wonders of plastic boxes and poly pockets.

Speaking to the Belfast Telegraph, Rev Isobel Hawthorne-Steele, who has been at the helm of the church for the past three years, said it was like watching her own home go up in smoke.

Its very sad. Its hard to believe someone did this deliberately. But of course I cant speculate, as it could have been something gone wrong, she said.

We have been told it was a bin set on fire that caused it.

But we just have to wait for more information, and we would appeal to anyone with information.

The community is shocked at all this. What they have said is that they want to help  and that is everyone across it.

We will rebuild from these ashes with a lot of hope.

I have been a parishioner at this church since I was seven years old, and now I am the minister. This church is my home. [Sunday] night was like watching [my] house burn down.

But were a people church, not a building church. Not that we didnt love our hall, but its a place we can rebuild.

"We are devastated" - Greenisland Church gutted in overnight blaze

The Bishop of Connor, the Rt Rev George Davison, said he was at a loss to understand why a church that is such an integral part of the community, and a beacon of hope, positivity and goodwill, should be targeted for destruction.

He added: I want to say clearly, though, that the Church of the Holy Name is not a burnt building.

It is a vibrant group of people who love their God and love the community He has given them to serve.

They are devastated, but they are also strong and courageous and they will continue to worship together and reach out to others with Christs message of forgiveness and hope.

Crews from the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service, and PSNI officers remain at the scene of a fire at The Church of the Holy Name, Church of Ireland, in Greenisland.

Two local residents, Janice and Ron Elsdon, who live just yards from the parish grounds, also described their sadness over the blaze.

Its devastating... the fact that it was arson is heartbreaking, Janice said.

But this church is about community  we know it well and it will bring people together.

Ron added: We were here on Sunday for the thanksgiving service, which was all about looking forward to the future. The international people who came along provided food, music, dancing  they added to the occasion.

East Antrim Alliance MLA Stewart Dickson said it was upsetting to hear that arson was suspected.

Its a difficult situation, he said. We have to see where the investigation goes. I do understand it was a bin set on fire at the back of the building.

As far as the community and parish is concerned, they will be working hard to build back better. This church has been here for 70 years this week and it will be here for 70 years more.

Mr Dickson also hit out at nasty speculation that the church was targeted in a race-hate incident.

Nothing could be further from the truth. Anyone who believes these things is completely wrong.

Its a terribly sad suggestion that something like that could happen in Greenisland, he said.

Alliance Councillor Aaron Skinner reacts to Greenisland Church Fire
An anti-immigration sign that was left at the side of the road in Moygashel, Co Tyrone (Liam McBurney/PA)

Police have removed an anti-immigration sign that was erected at the roadside in a Co Tyrone village.

The sign, which carried the message no illegal immigrants for one mile with an image of a number of people in a small boat, was visible on the footpath in Moygashel on Monday.

It was left close to an Orange arch across the main road in the village.

PSNI officer removing the road sign on Monday (Liam McBurney/PA)

Police attended the scene shortly after 2.30pm and removed the sign.

A PSNI spokesperson said: The signage has been removed by officers, and the matter is being treated as a racially-motivated hate incident.

Our local policing team have been undertaking inquiries in the area and anyone who has any information is asked to contact police on 101, quoting reference 1011 of 02/09/24.

The incident happened during a time of increased concern over racist attacks and race-related incidents in Northern Ireland.

Recent figures showed that the region reported the highest number of race-related incidents on record last year.

Some 1,411 such incidents were recorded in the 12 months from July 1 2023 to June 30 2024, according to the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (Nisra).

The latest figures were recorded before the recent spate of race-related incidents in August which followed anti-immigration protests in Belfast.

Unrest in Belfast and attacks on some businesses owned by people from minority ethnic backgrounds came at a time of tension across the UK following misinformation on social media after the murder of three young children in Southport.

Meanwhile, politicians have condemned graffiti that appeared over the weekend on a number of properties in a new housing development in Londonderry.

Local representatives said the graffiti sprayed on some houses in the Church Brae area was racist and sectarian.

Sinn Fein councillor Christopher Jackson said: This is the latest vile and hate-driven attempt to intimidate people and families from living in brand new homes.

There is an onus on all political and community leaders to stand united in calling out racist and sectarian intimidation.

SDLP councillor Sean Mooney said: The people who carried this out do not speak for the people of the Waterside where people from a diverse range of backgrounds live and work alongside each other.

This attempt to create fear will be fully rejected and must be condemned by political leaders in the strongest possible terms.

DUP Foyle MLA Gary Middleton said such incidents are not representative of the area.

Its unacceptable and needs to be called out, Mr Middleton told the BBC.

We have to show as a society that this sort of behaviour will not be tolerated.

Police have said they are treating the incident in Derry as a hate crime.

A spokesperson said: This will not be tolerated. We will continue to work closely with our partners, community representatives and elected representatives.

Hate crime has no place in our society whatsoever. Be reassured, we will be relentless in our approach to identify those involved.
Politicians and anti-racism campaigners have condemned racist and sectarian graffiti that has appeared at a new housing development in Derry.

Images shared online show messages such as no migrants, no scum and enter at own risk sprayed on properties.

Police in Derry said they are investigating a report of criminal damage to a number of properties in the Church Brae area of the city.

Racist and sectarian graffiti is believed to have been spray-painted onto the exterior walls of a number of unoccupied new-build houses, sometime overnight on Sunday or in the early hours of Monday.

Chief Inspector McManus said: We are treating this incident as not only criminal damage, but as a hate crime which is totally unacceptable.

This will not be tolerated. We will continue to work closely with our partners, community representatives and elected representatives.

"Hate crime has no place in our society whatsoever. Be reassured, we will be relentless in our approach to identify those involved.

SDLP councillor Sean Mooney slammed the graffiti.

People in Derry are proud that at a time when we are seeing a rise in racist incidents in other parts of the north that our city has come together to reject the hateful message of a tiny minority who seek to divide communities and harass people who have chosen to make the north their home, he said.

It is extremely disheartening that we have now seen a housing development targeted with racist and sectarian graffiti in an attempt to intimidate.

People in this city are well aware of the housing crisis we are dealing with, and new housing developments, wherever they are, must be open to everyone.

The people who carried this out do not speak for the people of the Waterside where people from a diverse range of backgrounds live and work alongside each other.

This attempt to create fear will be fully rejected and must be condemned by political leaders in the strongest possible terms.

Sinn Fein councillor Christopher Jackson said he was absolutely appalled that the racist and sectarian graffiti has been sprayed on the new homes.

This is the latest vile and hate-driven attempt to intimidate people and families from living in brand new homes, he added.

There is an onus on all political and community leaders to stand united in calling out racist and sectarian intimidation.

Anyone with information on those behind these deplorable displays of hate should bring it forward to the PSNI.

Foyle MLA Gary Middleton said such incidents are not representative of the wider Waterside area.

It's unacceptable and needs to be called out," Mr Middleton told BBC News NI.

"We have to show as a society that this sort of behaviour will not be tolerated."

United Against Racism also condemned the graffiti.

Spokesperson Davy McAuley said the graffiti is not representative of the area

"This is close to where I grew up. It's a diverse and forward-looking community.

The person or persons responsible for this are pathetic and in no way representative of the area.

Cowards who skulk around at night trying to intimidate and frighten people are sad and tragic individuals, consumed by bigotry and hatred.

This graffiti should be removed at once. United Against Racism stands foursquare against all forms of division.

Sectarianism and racism are two sides of the one coin and we will not allow hatred to spread across our communities.

Police have appealed to anyone with any information which could assist with their investigation to contact officers on 101 quoting 600 02/09/24.
More than 30,000 children are currently waiting to be adopted in Canada, according to the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption-Canada. Yet, public misconceptions, financial hurdles and a complex legal landscape are posing challenges for potential adoptive parents. A new resource seeks to offer help navigating the various systems and access government support, such as tax credits and parental leave, while the efforts to correct common misunderstandings continues.

A 2022 survey by the Harris Poll also found that 68 percent of Canadian adults believe children waiting to be adopted are, indeed, adoptable  marking a 14 percent increase from 2017. On the other hand, another statistic shows that just over half of Canadians (51%) are mistaken in assuming that children placed in foster care are there because of juvenile delinquency.

The idea that these children have done something wrong, causing them to be placed in foster care, continues to permeate society, Rita Soronen, President and CEO of the Foundation, said. It is a misconception that we must continue to fight.

However, even for those ready to provide a forever home, the journey to adopting a child in Canada remains a complicated, costly and laborious. Processes for adoption vary between provinces and territories, according to Christian thinktank Cardus and this lack of cohesion is an unnecessary stumbling block.

Therefore, Cardus recently launched a new resource aiming to make it easier for adoptive parents and those seeking to support them. Titled Adoption Policies Across Canada, the online landing page provides a comprehensive overview of the adoption benefits at federal, provincial and territorial levels.

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Cardus aims to help simplify the process for families and policymakers just trying to find their way through the various adoption systems across the country, said Peter Jon Mitchell, Family Program Director at Cardus.

The resource provides information on financial benefits such as subsidies, tax credits and deductions to give financial leverage for the expenses that come with the adoption process.

A second category is information on direct and financial support services, alongside a third category outlining legal rights for unpaid parental leave under law. The Cardus resource provides information on taking such leave at the same time as paid parental leave via the federal Employment Insurance program.

Cardus pulled the information together by using openly available but scattered government resources and hosting roundtable discussions with adoption experts, family counselors and experienced adoptive parents.

Mitchell told Christian Daily International that the adoption process could be convoluted.

Adopting children in Canada can be complex and expensive, looking different in every province and territory and leaving many families needing post-adoption support, said Mitchell.

Thus, the creation of the Cardus resource is aimed to help streamline the process for would-be adoptive parents.

By placing all available benefits in one easy-to-access document, we hope to make it easier for families to get the information they need, added Mitchell. We also want to help governments and others dealing with adoption policy easily learn from jurisdictions other than their own.

Also, while government benefits highlighted in this report are important, community organizations working directly with families, and the informal network of relationships around adopting families are critically important.
Ashley Marshall, the district secretary for Killylea, appeared at Armagh Magistrates Court

A top Orangeman appeared in court last week to face an historic sex assault charge from 50 years ago.

Ashley Marshall, the district secretary for Killylea, appeared at Armagh Magistrates Court charged with a single count of indecent assault on a male.

The 69-year-old was pictured earlier this year in a commemorative booklet produced by Killylea LOL No 7 aimed at promoting the Twelfth celebrations.

Killylea hosted 2024s Co. Armagh celebrations which saw thousands of Orangemen, bandsmen and supporters converge on the village which is just a few miles from Armagh city.

Ashley Marshall, of Killylea Road, Tynan, is also a senior trustee of a local church and is a prominent member of the community in Killylea and Tynan where he has organised a number of charity events including a cycle and climb up Slieve Donard, which raised thousands of pounds for a cancer charity.

A second man from the Killylea area, James White, of Main Street, Tynan, faces two counts of the same charge against the same alleged injured party.

White (70), is a former UDR soldier and worked at the Ministry of Defence for more than 20 years.

Earlier this year Ashley Marshall helped organise the charity ride to Slieve Donard in Newcastle.

The event was organised to raise funds for the Leukaemia & Lymphoma NI charity, after the wife of a member was diagnosed with leukaemia last year.

Around 20 cyclists pedalled the 45 miles from Killylea to Newcastle before climbing up the Mournes highest peak.

A JustGiving page created to raise funds for the charity raised more than 5,000 after setting a target of 1,000.

Marshall said at the time he hoped these charity events would help increase awareness of the positive activities undertaken by the Orange Order in the community.

Its certainly something we are thinking of doing in the future because we feel sometimes the Orange Order gets a bad name and everybody thinks its just about the Twelfth of July.

Were also an organisation thats interested in people and we think the two charities we have supported to date are worthwhile.

Neither defendant used their rights to comment on the charges or to call evidence on their own behalf and freeing them on 500 bail, Judge Marshall returned the case to Newry Crown Court for trial with their arraignment to be heard on September 24.

News Catch Up - Monday 2nd September
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.
Stormont has no joined-up vision for tackling NIs problems, report says

Dire state of public services not down to lack of funding from London, think tank tells ministers as it urges them to stop avoiding the tough decisions

The Pivotal report examined Stormont's progress on tackling difficult issues facing public services

Andrew Madden Mon 2 Sep 2024 at 07:27







Local ministers blaming a lack of funding for all of Northern Irelands woes is not appropriate, a new report has said.
Tanaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs Micheal Martin spoke to his Iranian counterpart on Monday (Niall Carson/PA)

Irelands deputy premier has urged restraint in the Middle East, saying there is an urgent need to de-escalate tensions in the region.

Micheal Martin has reiterated his calls for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, and for Hamas to release all hostages.

Mr Martin, Irelands Minister for Foreign Affairs, spoke to his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi by phone on Monday.

The urgent need (is) to de-escalate tensions in the region, Mr Martin said.

Tanaiste Micheal Martin at the department of foreign affairs in Dublin, after he called for the immediate and unconditional release of all remaining hostages being held by Hamas (Niall Carson/PA)

I spoke to him (Abbas Araghchi) in terms of both Gaza and Lebanon, and urging him to use all influence that the Iranian government has over actors in the region to desist from any attacks.

The war in Gaza has caused immense suffering, and that there was an obligation on all parties, and in particular Hamas, to release all of the hostages and to agree a ceasefire on the terms brokered by the UN and the US.

Also, the consequences for Lebanon would be devastating if a war broke out, and its the civilians in Lebanon (who) would lose out.

Mr Martin warned Mr Araghchi it would be absolutely catastrophic if a war broke out between Hezbollah and Israel.

He described their engagement as constructive.

He indicated that he wanted to open up and maintain a line of channel communication with Europe, and wanted warmer relations with Europe, Mr Martin added.

There seemed to be some sense of early signs of perhaps some movement again or re-engagement on the JCPOA (Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action) agreement, which is the nuclear issue, which I think would be helpful if that was to materialise but I got the sense it was early days.

Mr Martin, who is also the Minister for Defence, said the Irish peacekeepers based in Lebanon will stay in the region, and that no decision to pull out will be done unilaterally.

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Weve had discussions in terms of various scenarios and so on like that, but our job is to maintain the peace with others and Unifil (United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon) is committed to doing that, and our troops are committed to doing that, he added.

Obviously, force protection is the number one priority, and protection of our troops is a number one priority, and as long as they can continue to implement the mandate and the mandate has been renewed, then we will continue to honour our commitments.

Mr Martin added that all hostages in Gaza should be released as quickly as possible.

He added: We believe that what is happening is completely disproportionate and has resulted in the deaths of thousands of innocent people, and the slaughter must end.

Any pressure to that end, I think, is welcome to bring an end to the war.
Taoiseach Simon Harris during a bilateral meeting with the Prime Minister of Luxembourg, Luc Frieden, at Farmleigh House, Dublin (Niall Carson/PA)

Irish premier Simon Harris emphasised cooperation with Luxembourg on cross-border issues and enlarging the EU as he welcomed its Prime Minister to Dublin.

Luc Frieden is one of the first EU leaders to visit Dublin since Mr Harris became Taoiseach, which he thanked him for at a one-on-one meeting at Farmleigh House during which they discussed issues including Ukraine and the Middle East.

Mr Frieden said he was an admirer of Ireland and said that at the European Council, the voice of Ireland is heard.

In his message in the visitors book, he thanked Mr Harris for the warm welcome and declared: This is the beginning of a new alliance of European partners.

It is my intention to bring a new spirit and to deepen the alliance between Ireland and Luxembourg, he later told a press conference, adding that the two countries shared values on the importance of rule of law, enlargement of the EU, and an emphasis on cross-border dimensions.

We very much share the view on Ukraine, Mr Frieden said.

We need to be on the side of Ukraine, because its about not only helping somebody who has been brutally and illegally attacked but its also about this fundamental principles of international law we just talked about  you cannot change borders by force.

He added: On the Middle East, I share the Taoiseachs view that the human suffering is extreme. And we, of course, support all the efforts to bring about a ceasefire in the short term.

Its extremely important that all the remaining hostages are as soon as possible liberated.

Mr Harris said that there was a need to see an immediate and lasting ceasefire between Israelis and Palestinians and said that it was his view that countries should use all leavers at our disposal to allow a peace deal to happen.

He said the EU must constantly be restless in deciding whether to use every option it has to determination to create an environment in which a ceasefire takes place.

Because the scale of humanitarian catastrophe is almost unimaginable.

Mr Frieden said there was no difference between Ireland and Luxembourg on Palestine other than the difference of timing.

He said that although Israel has a right to defend itself its clearly not anymore an element of of reacting, of defending yourself.

We, Luxembourg, believe in a two-state solution and obviously, if you believe in two-state solution, we need to recognise the two states.

We believe that that moment of recognition has to be part of a broader package in which, for instance, ceasefire, a release of the hostages is part of that, and we are coordinating our position with some of our direct geographical neighbours.

I do believe that that has to come, this recognition.

It has to come in the near future, but as part of a process.
England and Northern Ireland were hit by riots after three young girls were stabbed to death in Southport (Danny Lawson/PA)

The mother of one of Britains youngest criminals involved in last months riots has been summonsed by a judge after missing her 12-year-old sons court appearance to go on holiday to Ibiza.

District Judge Joanne Hirst told Manchester Magistrates Court she was frankly astonished that the boys mother had decided to fly abroad for a five-day sunshine break, with her son due in court having admitted two counts of violent disorder.

Judge Hirst adjourned sentencing of the boy and ordered a parental summons so the mother must appear before the court to explain herself.

The boy cannot be identified due to his age.

The youngster, who was accompanied to court by his uncle, had earlier admitted being part of a mob that attacked a bus outside a hotel housing asylum seekers in Manchester on July 31.

Days later on August 3, in Manchester city centre, he was part of a group filmed kicking the windows of a vape shop and throwing a missile at a police van.

Dozens of towns and cities saw violence erupt following the killing of three young girls at a Taylor Swift themed dance class in Southport on July 29.

District Judge Hirst was told the boys mother was not present, having booked a holiday in July and gone abroad on Sunday and was only due to fly back to the UK on Thursday, missing his sentencing hearing on Monday.

A police van was set alight as trouble flared during a protest in Southport, after the killing of three young girls (Richard McCarthy PA)

She thanked the boys uncle for accompanying his nephew to court in his mothers absence, but added: One day before the hearing we find out the mum has gone on holiday and is not with her son who played a greater part in the recent civil disorder than any adult or child Ive seen coming through these courts.

Im frankly astonished.

I will require a full explanation from mum on her decision to go on holiday one day before her 12-year-old son comes to court facing a potential custodial sentence.

This is a serious situation, it has now deteriorated in my view because of the actions of the mother.

She is on notice, I will be challenging her about this decision.

Addressing the boy as she adjourned sentencing to September 11, Judge Hirst told him: Boys like you need their mums in their lives. I need your mum here.

In a separate hearing in the same court, a 16-year-old boy was told he was being given the biggest chance in your life by Judge Hirst, who decided to pass a referral order rather than jail the youngster.

The teenager, accompanied by his mother, had admitted violent disorder by throwing a bottle at a police horse during widescale trouble in Bolton town centre last month.

The court heard the youngsters father had died and his mother, who accompanied him to court, was having treatment for cancer.

He was asked by the judge: What were you thinking?

The boy replied: I was not really thinking anything. We came into town and everything just erupted. Adrenaline. Im disgusted with myself.

The youngsters mother told the court: Hes frightened to death of going to prison. I think this has been a massive wake-up call.

The judge warned the youngster he had narrowly avoided custody and instead gave him a 12-month referral order with intensive supervision and a curfew.

She added: It was mindless violence. Im going to give you a chance. This is the biggest chance in your life that you will get.
Tom Tugendhat has promised a return of honesty to politics as his Tory leadership rival Robert Jenrick defended his desire for the UK to ditch a key human rights treaty.

Mr Tugendhat, one of the six Tory MPs vying to be Rishi Sunaks successor as Conservative leader, will formally launch his campaign in a central London event on Tuesday with a promise to reset the partys relationship with the public.

Former immigration minister Mr Jenrick meanwhile faced criticism for placing his desire to leave the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) at the heart of his campaign, with rivals questioning the move.

Kemi Badenoch, Robert Jenrick, Mel Stride, James Cleverly, Tom Tugendhat and Dame Priti Patel (PA)

The race for the Tory leadership has begun to heat up as MPs return to Westminster after the summer recess, after James Cleverly and Kemi Badenoch launched their campaigns on Monday.

Former ministers Mel Stride and Dame Priti Patel are also running for the leadership, though Mr Stride is yet to hold a launch event.

In his speech, Mr Tugendhat will insist that only under his stewardship can the Conservatives win back the trust of the public after recent games at Westminster which have plagued the party.

The senior Tory is expected to emphasise the importance of public service, telling the audience: My pledge, as leader, is to return to the honest state, the responsible state.

I will set out the agenda for government to win back the trust and confidence in the future because I know that this country has the greatest building blocks for future success.

He will add: Thats why I am standing not just to lead the Conservative Party. I am standing to be the prime minister of the United Kingdom.

The Tory MP for Tonbridge will also seek to reset the Conservatives image with the British public, saying: Politics matters to peoples lives. Thats why I was so angry at the recent games We need a government that will serve, lead and act.

Thats why I am standing before you today. Because this country can change. We must change.

Mr Tugendhat is expected to touch on the importance of standing up to hostile foreign states such as Russia and Iran, as he restates his commitment to increase defence spending to 3% of GDP.

Candidates have been urged not to attack one another during the contest, to avoid the public division on display in the 2022 leadership contest which resulted in the head-to-head between Liz Truss and Mr Sunak.

But Mr Jenrick has faced veiled criticism from his rivals over his position on the ECHR, which he has blamed for blocking efforts to crack down on illegal immigration and deport foreign offenders.

Mrs Badenoch and Mr Cleverly both spoke unfavourably of the plans, suggesting Mr Jenrick was offering easy answers or soundbites and quick fixes which would not deliver results.

Mr Jenrick hit back, telling reporters: On illegal migration if you come here illegally, youre detained, youre removed within days either back to Albania or to a safe third country like Rwanda, whatever is available in the years ahead.

To do that, I have come to the conclusion that we have to leave the European Convention on Human Rights. I dont believe its reformable.

He also claimed that the promise of a binding cap on legal migration is necessary to help win back votes from Nigel Farages Reform UK.

Mrs Badenoch, widely tipped as the bookmakers favourite, at her launch event claimed Labour is only in Government because people no longer believed in the Conservatives.

She said the previous governments mistake was that it talked right but governed left, sounding like Conservatives but acting like Labour.
More than 40,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israels counter-attack in Gaza, according to the territorys Health Ministry (Jeff Moore/PA)

The UK Governments suspension of around 30 arms export licences to Israel does not go far enough and is little more than window dressing, charities have said.

A total ban is the only way to categorically ensure arms sold to Israel are not used in violations of human rights, Christian Aids head of Middle East policy William Bell said.

He added that urgent steps were needed to end the suffering of people in the region.

Foreign Secretary David Lammy said a review by the UK Government could not arbitrate on whether or not Israel has breached international humanitarian law in Gaza, but ministers have a legal duty to review export licences.

Sacha Deshmukh, Amnesty International UKs chief executive, said the Governments action was riddled with loopholes including exempting the F-35 fighter jet programme.

Mr Deshmukh said the exemption represented a catastrophically bad decision for the future of arms control.

We need to see a complete halt  with no loopholes, including for components for F-35s supplied to the USA for onward export to the Israeli military  to all UK arms transfers to Israel.

Halima Begum, chief executive of Oxfam, said: Suspending just 30 licences out of 350, and crucially leaving loopholes for components in F-35 fighter jets that have been dropping 2,000lb bombs on Palestinians for months now, is nowhere near adequate.

In the time Parliament has been in recess alone, Oxfam estimates that over 1,100 people have been killed in Gaza by the Israeli military.

By leaving a loophole that allows Israel to order weapons via third parties, the suspension is little more than window dressing.

Mr Lammy said the criteria state the Government will not issue export licences if there is a clear risk that the items might be used to commit or facilitate serious violations of international humanitarian law.

He also announced new sanctions on four Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps force targets, who have a role in supporting Iranian proxy actions in Iraq, Syria and Lebanon.

The war began on October 7 last year when Hamas-led militants broke into Israel, killing around 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducting about 250 others.

More than 40,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israels counter-attack in Gaza, according to the territorys Health Ministry, which does not distinguish between combatants and civilians in its count.
The UK Government is suspending around 30 arms export licences to Israel amid concerns a clear risk exists that they could be used to breach international humanitarian law.

Foreign Secretary David Lammy said a review conducted by the UK Government could not arbitrate on whether or not Israel has breached international humanitarian law in Gaza, but ministers have a legal duty to review export licences.

Mr Lammy said the criteria states the Government will not issue export licences if there is a clear risk that the items might be used to commit or facilitate serious violations of international humanitarian law.

He also announced new sanctions on four Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) force targets, who have a role in supporting Iranian proxy actions in Iraq, Syria and Lebanon.

He told the House of Commons: It is with regret that I inform the House today that the assessment I have received leaves me unable to conclude anything other than that for certain UK arms exports to Israel there does exist a clear risk that they might be used to commit or facilitate a serious violation of international humanitarian law.

I have informed the Business and Trade Secretary and he is therefore today announcing the suspension of around 30 from a total of approximately 350 to Israel, as required under the Export Control Act.

These include equipment that we assess is for use in the current conflict in Gaza.

Mr Lammy said the Government does not take this decision lightly and stressed it is not an arms embargo.

On sanctions against IRGC-affiliated people and entities, the Foreign Secretary said: Weve sanctioned over 400 Iranian individuals and entities and through our work with partners, we are exposing and containing Irans destabilising weapons development, where soon well be introducing further regulations to bolster existing bans on the export of goods and technology significant to Irans production of drones and missiles.

So, let me be clear, we will continue to work with Israel and our partners to tackle the threat from Iran across the region. This Government will continue to stand for Israels security, and we will always do in a manner which is consistent with our obligations to domestic and international law.

Responding, Conservative shadow foreign secretary Andrew Mitchell warned conflict in the Middle East could go in two radically different directions.

He told MPs: We will look carefully at the limited arms embargo memorandum that the Foreign Secretary has promised the House.

The Opposition frontbencher added: It does feel as if we are at a point where this conflict could go in two radically different directions.

While the region faces a potential conflagration, it is also possible that cooler heads on all sides might prevail. Britains role must be to help facilitate a sustainable end to the current suffering.

Mr Mitchell also said: The only way this conflict will be brought to an end and for the suffering to end is though the release of those hostages.This is not a blanket ban but targets relevant licences that could be used in military operations in Gaza

Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds, in a written ministerial statement, said: This includes components for fighter aircraft (F-16s), parts for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), naval systems, and targeting equipment.

The Government condemned Hamas barbaric attack on October 7 and supports Israels right to defend itself in line with international law. The Government is also working intensively with international partners to encourage wider regional de-escalation in the context of recent events.

This is not a blanket ban but targets relevant licences that could be used in military operations in Gaza.

Assessments of Israels commitment to international humanitarian law will continue, including with regard to the provision of food and medical supplies to civilians in Gaza and the treatment of detainees, and may change over time to allow reinstatement of these licences.

He added: The UK stresses that there is no equivalence between Hamas terrorists and Israels democratic government. The UK remains committed to supporting Israels self-defence.

But to license arms exports to Israel, the UK must assess their compliance with international humanitarian law, notwithstanding the abhorrence of their opponents tactics and ideology.

The war began on October 7 when Hamas-led militants broke into Israel, killing around 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducting around 250 others.

More than 40,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israels counter-attack in Gaza, according to the territorys Health Ministry, which does not distinguish between combatants and civilians in its count.
Turks took to the streets to protest against the law (AP)

Thousands of demonstrators have gathered in Istanbul to protest against recent legislation that critics say is leading to the killing of stray dogs across Turkey.

Last month, legislators approved the new law aimed at removing millions of stray dogs from Turkish streets, citing safety concerns.

Animal lovers fear it will lead to widespread culling or dogs ending up in disease-ridden and overcrowded shelters.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said the law was necessary to deal with the countrys stray dog problem.

Animal lovers fear the move will amount to a cull (AP)

Sundays protesters called for the law to be repealed, brandishing posters reading shelters are death camps, and withdraw the bloody law.

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 Mr Erdogan, also showed up to protest against the move.

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.

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 four million stray dogs roam Turkeys streets and rural areas.

Although most are harmless, several people, including children, have been attacked.

Boards read in Turkish: She is your best friend and Have you ever seen a shelter? (AP)

A report released by the Safe Streets and Defence of the Right to Life Association, an organisation campaigning for the removal of all stray dogs from the streets, says that 65 people have died in street dog attacks since 2022.

The new legislation requires municipalities to collect stray dogs and house them in shelters to be vaccinated, neutered and spayed before making them available for adoption.

Dogs that are in pain, terminally ill or pose a health risk to humans will be euthanised. The initial draft bill included cats, but that article was changed after a public outcry.

However, many question where cash-strapped municipalities would find the money to build the necessary extra shelters required.

Animal rights activists worry that some municipalities might kill dogs on the pretext that they are ill rather than allocate resources to shelter them.

Videos showing dead cats and dogs buried in ditches have been circulating on social media recently. Animal rights activists say the animals were indiscriminately killed after the passage of the law.
Are EU leaders terrified of being held accountable for NATO? By Richard Holt

web posted September 2, 2024 Since the 2024 election cycle has begun, the left-wing media keeps reminding us that European leaders are terrified about the prospect of a change in administration because of the earth-shattering expectation that they may be pressured to pay their fair share for the NATO alliance. How unfair! Historically, NATO has been a cornerstone of transatlantic security, but the financial burden has been disproportionately shouldered by the United States. In 2020, the U.S. defense budget was a staggering $778 billion, compared to the combined $323 billion spent by all European NATO members (despite a population of 120 million more than the U.S.). This discrepancy underscores America's dominant role in NATO, a fact that has enabled European countries to allocate more resources to social services, such as free healthcare and education. Imagine walking through the immaculate streets of Berlin or Warsaw, marveling at their efficient public transportation systems and well-maintained infrastructure. One might ask, as I did, "How do they afford all this?" The answer, in part, lies in the U.S. defense expenditure. By covering a significant portion of Europe's defense costs, the United States inadvertently subsidizes European welfare states. Consider the financial aid the U.S. provides globally. Between 2014 and 2023, the U.S. sent $68 billion to Ukraine, a sum that could have been used to address domestic issues like fixing crumbling infrastructure in minority communities, veteran homelessness, and substance abuse problems exacerbated by open borders. The U.S. spent over $2 trillion on the war in Afghanistan alone  we got little for our precious blood and treasure. This isn't to say that U.S. defense spending in Europe is without merit. The presence of over 35,000 U.S. troops in Germany, for instance, plays a crucial role in maintaining regional stability. However, this military presence comes with significant financial and political costs. Are our leaders not tempted to perpetuate endless military engagements abroad and sustain a security state at home to justify these expenditures? Are we not always looking for dragons to slay? Does the military-industrial complex have undue influence over our political leaders? With the permanent occupation of European countries and dozens of bases across Europe, the temptation for U.S. leaders to exploit this power is ever-present. Such dominance can lead to a political overreach. To avoid such a scenario, it's imperative that European nations step up and contribute more equitably to their defense. This shift would not only alleviate the financial burden on the U.S. but also empower Europe to stand independently, fostering a partnership based on mutual respect rather than dependency. The narrative of Europeans "shaking in their boots" at the prospect of a new administration holding them accountable might be less about fear and more about the realization that they need to shoulder more responsibility for their defense. By encouraging Europe to take a more active role in its security, we can foster a healthier, more balanced transatlantic relationship  one that seeks partners in peace, not a subsidizer of Europe's welfare state. Project 21 Ambassador Richard Holt is a political consultant at Sirius Campaigns with over two decades of experience working on campaigns for local, state, and federal offices across the country. His work and opinions have been cited by major media outlets such as Fox News, the Washington Post, the Washington Times, National Journal, and Politico. This was first published at RealClearPolitics. Home
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Massachusetts lawmakers say accessory dwelling units can unlock the state's housing crisis one in-law suite at a time. But cities and towns need to move quickly, and zoning rarely does.

Signed into law earlier this month, the state's Affordable Homes Act greenlit construction of accessory dwelling units, or ADUs, statewide. The legislation removes restrictions cities and towns may have that hinder or slow the development of ADUs. The law's provisions go into effect Feb. 2, leaving cities and towns fewer than six months to amend such zoning bylaws to be in compliance with the new state law.

Some face one or two tweaks to their bylaws. Others will grapple with extensive changes. The deadline is challenging, too, because communities, planners and lawyers have questions and see gray areas in the law that the state has yet to clarify.

In Berkshire County, 21 towns have some provision in their zoning bylaws governing ADUs. Only three of them have existing bylaws that align with the Affordable Homes Act.

The other 18 face the deadline to make bylaw changes. Berkshire County has 11 municipalities without an ADU bylaw on the books.

Municipalities and planners would have benefited from a later deadline, perhaps June 30, 2025, according to Cornelius Hoss, community planner and development program manager at Berkshire Regional Planning Commission.

"Especially when you factor in that most of the communities in the region are volunteer planning boards with no staff support and they're doing it on their own," Hoss said.

Whether or not municipalities amend their bylaws will have no impact on residents' ability to build ADUs because state law supersedes local bylaws. But not amending bylaws could affect a town's ability to oversee and regulate the construction and rental of ADUs.

Just because ADUs are now allowed by-right doesn't mean municipalities shouldn't be thinking about "reasonable" restrictions, Hoss said. The state law leaves it to towns and cities to make some modifications to the law, as they see fit, such as additional size and dimensional setback restrictions, requiring a site plan review and restricting short-term rental of ADUs.

WHAT EXACTLY IS AN ADU?

The term "accessory dwelling unit" is relatively new, but the concept is not. Before they were called ADUs, people built garage apartments, granny flats and in-law apartments. Like those, an ADU is a secondary dwelling that accommodates sleeping, cooking and sanitary facilities on the same lot as a principal dwelling.

Massachusetts Housing Secretary Ed Augustus called ADUs "low-hanging fruit from a policy perspective," during an editorial board meeting with The Eagle in May. Augustus said removing some of the red-tape that comes with building ADUs was a "no brainer" in the state's push to create more housing quickly.

In practice, ADUs can take various iterations. Some are modified basements and attics. Some are apartments over garages. Others are cottages and converted barns.

Whatever it may look like, as long as the unit is self-contained and has its own entrance, its an ADU.

Beyond this basic definition, the state has long left it up to individual towns and cities to define ADUs, set restrictions and decide whether to allow them at all.

In Berkshire County, this has led to a mosaic of ADU bylaws. Four towns require that residents interested in constructing an ADU apply for a special permit. Four require special permits only when applicants are building new structures. Eleven allow ADUs by-right, requiring only a building permit, not a special permit.

Thirteen towns require that the owner of the property live in one of the units; eight do not.

Size restrictions and parking restrictions also vary widely from town to town.

With the passage of the Affordable Homes Act, Massachusetts has a comprehensive definition of what an ADU is and how towns and cities can regulate them for the first time.

No longer can towns and cities require special permits, except when building more than one ADU on a property.

Municipalities can no longer require that the owner of the property live in either the primary dwelling or ADU, nor can they require more than one parking space for an ADU.

The statute answers questions about size too  an ADU cannot be larger than half the gross floor area of the principal dwelling or 900 square feet, whichever is smaller.

Only three towns in Berkshire County have bylaws that do not require special permits, owner occupancy or more than one parking space, and match the statutes size requirement: Great Barrington, Williamstown and Lanesborough. The rest of Berkshire County has work to do to meet the state's requirements.

INCENTIVES TO AMEND

It is up to each town and city whether they amend  or create  their ADU bylaws by the date the statute goes into effect, said Alexandria Glover, a civil litigator at Lazan Law in Great Barrington. The statute will kick in either way.

But currently towns and cities have the opportunity to tailor the statute. While the Affordable Homes Act takes some control out of municipalities hands when it comes to regulating ADUs, it does provide municipalities the ability to adopt a handful of restrictions: additional size restrictions, site plan review, restricting the short-term rental of ADUs and other "reasonable" restrictions.

There are some protections built in that are critical to making sure the number of houses is not just increasing the number of hotel rooms, meaning short-term rentals, Glover said.

Glover said failing to take advantage of these provisions would be a mistake on the municipalities part.

A town doesnt have to amend the bylaw to address the new statute, [but] from my perspective it would be a terrible idea because the statute permits the towns to set some parameters, said Glover. If the towns dont set those parameters, the statute is going to permit owners to build ADUs without any restrictions at all except for whats set in the statute.

And if municipalities leave their pre-existing ADU bylaws on the books, certain provisions will be out-of-date and unenforceable.

If the towns dont rewrite their bylaws, youre going to have a lot of confusion, Glover said. Because when people go to the zoning bylaw online and look it up to see what they can and cant do in the town, the zoning bylaw will be inaccurate.

WILL MUNICIPALITIES AMEND?

Planning boards across the county are all asking a similar question: Do they amend  or create  their ADU zoning bylaw to be in compliance with the statute?

In Lenox, residents have long needed to qualify for a special permit in order to construct an ADU. The town required the owners of the property to live in the primary or secondary dwelling, and that the ADU be no larger than 50 percent of the primary dwellings gross floor area or 800 feet, whichever is smaller.

The special permit requirement has been a significant hurdle for people to overcome and has dampened interest in constructing ADUs, said Lenox Town Planner Gwen Miller.

The threshold for the special permit is high to achieve and theres some conservative size limitation in our current language, said Miller. So overall, I would say the states new regulations are a good thing and should ease the process for property owners.

Miller said the town already has plans to amend the zoning bylaw by a special town meeting in November or the annual town meeting in May, but doesn't feel rushed to address it by the Feb. 2 deadline.

Any amendment we make to bring it into compliance or congruence with the state law wont be big changes, Miller said. We have the framework there and I think what weve always intended to do anyway is to take away the special permit.

But the changes Lenox will have to make to the bylaw are not small. Besides removing the special permit requirement, the town will also need to adjust size limitations and strike out the requirement that the owner occupy one of the residences on the property.

The latter is a particularly sticky issue in Berkshire County, where many residents have expressed concern about the proliferation of short term rentals and absentee landlords.

When the town does draft the amendment, Miller said she hopes they do not pursue the site plan restriction the state left open to municipalities.

"[Site plan review] creates another layer of costs to home owners through the procurement of professionally prepared site plan materials and often lawyer fees," Miller said. "Site plan review still requires a public hearing, at which neighbors who would be suspicious toward any change sometimes are particularly alarmed over a simple accessory apartment above a garage or in a former stable/barn building on the property because 'they don't know who will be living there.'"

Some municipalities are taking a different approach.

ONE GAME PLAN: WAIT AND SEE

Florida is one of 11 towns and cities in the county that have no provision directly addressing ADUs in their bylaws.

Tim Zelazo, vice chair of the Florida Planning Board, said ADUs came up years ago at a town meeting. Residents response to ADUs then wasnt favorable.

Theyre concerned by the character of the neighborhood changing, Zelazo said.

Zelazo said hes not in a rush to add an ADU provision to the towns bylaw anytime soon. When the statute goes into effect in February, it will go into effect in Florida whether or not the town makes any local amendments.

That gives the town time to navigate opinion in town and update its bylaw later, Zelazo said.

What municipalities across the county do share is a feeling that the best game plan is to wait and see.

While the Affordable Homes Act has clarified queries about the definition and "unreasonable" restrictions for ADUs, it has left municipalities, lawyers and planners with a series of new questions about how to interpret provisions in the statute.

A line in the statute signals to further guidance that could come from the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities. Hoss, Glover and members of various planning boards said they hope to receive these clarifications in time to determine the best step forward.

The Berkshire Regional Planning Commission assists municipalities across the county in amending their zoning bylaws. With the passage of the Affordable Homes Act, Hoss said a number of towns have reached out regarding tweaking their ADU bylaws.

But the BRPC, like municipalities themselves, is still determining the best path forward  and hoping for news from the state.

Weve had a few different communities reach out to us and our response has been, were trying to formulate in the near term how we want to have a consistent response, Hoss said.

But that wait-and-see strategy is hard to balance with the impending deadline.

Most of the municipalities I work in are going to find this to be a big change, said Glover. Were all going to need to adjust our thought process about accessory dwelling units and how that affects the town. Thats going to be a thought process that has to happen pretty quickly since we have six months to address it in a zoning bylaw amendment.
PITTSFIELD  School is back, and so are student journalists. Whats in store for them this year?

Student journalists are incredibly important to maintaining a healthy press in the country. Theyre the future of the field, and they often break news in their communities that their professional counterparts arent able to. In some cases, student journalists also fill in news deserts, which Columbia Journalism Review defines as an uncovered geographical area that has few or no news outlets and receives little coverage.

With that being said, I dont envy student journalists in 2024. They face significant challenges that I didnt when I was in their shoes more than nine years ago at the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts.

Artificial intelligence is among their most prominent challenges. While the technology is still developing, it is increasingly difficult to tell whether certain content is generated by real people or AI. Artificial intelligence has seemingly limitless potential to package misinformation in a convincingly real way. Already, ChatGPT and similar applications can be used to create fake news reports good enough to dupe members of the public.

The loss of so many news organizations across the country also makes it more difficult than ever to hold those in power accountable, especially those who emulate former President Donald Trump, whose political life has been defined by his propensity for lying. In news deserts, who fact-checks those in charge? Even in areas with a healthy media market, there seems to be blunted consequences when those in power lie or mislead the public, especially those who follow the former president and repeat his falsehoods.

Sorting fact from fiction will be the greatest challenge student journalists face in their careers, especially as the needs of news literacy evolves. Social media already serves as a critical lens for reading the pulse of the community  in the Berkshires, large community online reactions often lead The Eagle to some of its most important stories  but it is also full of dead ends and misinformation.

The latter is only exacerbated by the fact that social media platforms are inadequate at self-policing. X, formerly known as Twitter, is arguably the worst offender: X sells its verified blue checkmark to anyone nowadays, which makes it difficult to distinguish imposter accounts from genuine ones. I criticized the move when Xs new owner Elon Musk implemented it last year, which saw myself and The Eagle lose our legacy and authentically verified blue checkmarks while simultaneously giving accounts that impersonated companies like Eli Lilly and Nintendo this symbolic stamp of approval, creating chaos for their investors. Recently, The Eagle also fell victim to an imposter account in its reporting on former FTX executive Ryan Salame. In 2024, Musk needs to admit Xs approach to verification is a poor one and change course.

Many of the challenges from my time as a student journalist still remain across the country, including ever-present threats of censorship from those in power, declining print revenues as well as a fundamental lack of understanding from the public that they are students engaging in this process to learn. That means making mistakes, which are inevitable for anyone. Journalists are people like everyone else; even those who work at the best newspapers in the world are not perfect. Thats why corrections exist. As journalists, we often strive for ideals that are unobtainable, but we still reach for them as close as we can. They serve as our North Star.

Student journalists are emerging into a media landscape forever changed by the pandemic and technology. There are choppy waters ahead for them, but thats precisely why we need them. We need people to report on the communities in which they live, to verify facts and to shed light on issues that impact peoples lives while holding those in power accountable. This rings specially true as the sheer volume of bogus material online makes it harder for the public to navigate our online world.

Journalism isnt for everyone. Many student journalists will try it out and realize they want to do something different with their lives  albeit enriched by their experiences in this field and a newfound depth of news literacy.

But for those that do take it up, I applaud you as you pick up a pen to join this never-ending fight for the truth. Im glad youre here.
Mokebe Thulo has been appointed as the new chief executive officer of Aware.org, effective immediately.

Thulo has extensive experience in strategic brand management, particularly in promoting responsible alcohol consumption, and holds a BCom law degree from the University of Pretoria.
Pope Francis gives his blessing as he says the Angelus midday prayer from the window of his studio. Photo: Andrew Medichini/AP/dpa Keystone

Pope Francis has begun the longest foreign trip of his term of office to date. The 87-year-old head of the Catholic Church plans to visit four countries in Southeast Asia and Oceania over the next twelve days. He is expected to start off in Indonesia - the most populous Muslim country in the world with more than 240 million Muslims. Further stops are Papua New Guinea, East Timor and Singapore.

SDA

Francis flew from Rome's Fiumicino Airport to Indonesia on Monday afternoon on a special flight operated by Italian airline Ita. The flight takes more than 13 hours. He is expected to arrive in the Indonesian capital Jakarta at 11.30 a.m. local time (6.30 a.m. CEST).

The trip will focus in particular on peaceful coexistence between the different religions. Only in East Timor, the third stop, is the majority of the population Catholic. In consideration of Francis' age and state of health, who is now often in a wheelchair, there are always longer breaks. The pontiff's last major trip abroad was a year ago. At that time, he visited Mongolia.

All in all, the Pope, who has been in office for eleven years, will cover more than 30,000 kilometers by plane on his 45th trip abroad. He is scheduled to return to Rome on September 13. The next foreign trip on the agenda is a visit to Luxembourg and Belgium later this month. Catholic faithful from Germany are also expected there.

SDA


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The Harris body-count warning

By Mark Alexander

web posted September 2, 2024

So, Kamala Harris was the mastermind behind Joe Biden's deadly Afghanistan surrender and retreat. At the time, Harris gloated that she was the "last person in the room" with Biden as he formulated his plan, adding, "This is a president who has an extraordinary amount of courage."

Only a cackling idiot would not hope to retract those words, but Harris stands by their deadly decision.

She doubled down last week, declaring, "Biden made the courageous and right decision to end America's longest war." Actually, Biden did not do that. Donald Trump set up the terms, and Biden/Harris discarded his requisite conditions for political expedience. Harris is proving to be every bit as magnanimous a liar as her lying mentor.

Recall that a year before this deadly debacle, Barack Obama declared, "Don't underestimate Joe's ability to f**k things up." That goes double for Kamala.

As for Biden's chronic malfeasance, recall that Obama's former defense secretary, Robert Gates, noted that Biden "has been wrong on nearly every major foreign policy and national security issue over the past four decades."

Given that context, now that Post Turtle Harris has been coronated queen of the Demos, along with her stolen valor sidekick, that "folksy socialist" Gov. Tim Walz, it's time to count the bodies left in Harris's wake over her tenure as vice president.

The bodies in question are those of the now-countless men, women, and children slaughtered in Afghanistan, and then in Ukraine and Israel.

None of those deaths would have occurred under a second Trump administration, and the cumulative body count is a bloody testament to the boundless Biden/Harris ineptitude.

Fact is, the United States and the rest of the free world would not be under dire national security threats from Vladimir Putin, the ChiComs, North Korea, Iran, and reemerging Jihadi terrorists if not for the feckless foreign policy of the Biden/Harris regime.

But let me be clear: The current body count is just the proverbial "tip of the iceberg" of the corpses that will pile up if the Harris/Walz low-information voters elevate that dullard duo to the executive branch. The failed policies of the current duo is just a warm-up for Harris/Walz.

Last week was a stark reminder of the bloody Afghanistan body count, both Americans and Afghan civilians. It was both the anniversary of the murder of 13 American military Patriots at the Kabul airport and the anniversary of our final military exfil on 30 August 2021  with then-Army Maj. Gen. Chris Donahue, commander of the 82nd Airborne, being the last soldier on the ground.

invite you to read my comprehensive column on this debacle: "The Deadly Biden/Harris Afghanistan Surrender and Retreat  Trump Was Right." It is a must-read not just for a thorough contextual understanding but also to fully refute all the historic revisionism coming from Biden and Harris.

Notably, the Biden/Harris compressed timeline was predicated on their desire to take a victory lap while claiming they ended the war before the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 Islamist attack on our nation. The only victory lap was the one taken by the Taliban celebrating 9/11 in our abandoned Kabul embassy.

Fact is, Trump, despite his unorthodox methods, or perhaps because of them, was our nation's strongest domestic and foreign policy leader since Ronald Reagan. His terms and conditions for the Afghan exfil, all of which were discarded by Biden, constituted the right way to make an exit.

Anyone  ANYONE  who believes that the resurgence of the Taliban and their ISK and al-Qa'ida thugs would have occurred under a second Trump term is so deeply deluded as to be in a state of complete denial.

When Trump left office, we had about 3,000 troops left in Afghanistan. There had not been an American military death in some 18 months prior to Biden's failed exfil, when our nation suffered the worst loss of American lives in a decade. Those deaths, and those of more than 150 civilians, were carried out by an ISK terrorist who was released from Bagram Air Base once Biden ordered it abandoned.

This week, in memory of the 13 Americans killed three years ago, President Trump attended a solemn ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery, along with family members of the slain Americans. He was joined by former Marines Tyler Vargas-Andrews and Kelsee Lainhart, both of whom were among the dozens of Americans wounded that day. Trump later issued strong rebukes for the failed Afghan exfil: "Caused by Kamala Harris, Joe Biden, the humiliation in Afghanistan set off the collapse of American credibility and respect all around the world."

And recall that the strike Biden ordered in retaliation for the Kabul attack killed 10 innocent Afghans, not Islamic terrorists. That sealed any questions about his ineptitude.

The families of slain service members also rebuked Biden and Harris, some confirming they never heard from either of them after the bombing.

Said the father of Marine SSgt Darin Hoover, who was killed in the blast: "I want to know why this current administration is unable to take responsibility for their actions in the days, the weeks, and the months leading up to this fatal fateful day."

Paula Knauss Selph, mother of Army SST Ryan Christian Knauss, said, "Several presidents preceded Mr. Biden in this 20-year war, but none of them are to be held accountable for the withdrawal. That is he and he alone. That is his burden."

Cheryl Juels, whose 23-year-old niece, Marine SGT Nicole Gee, was killed, said: "There's never even been condolences [from Biden or Harris]. They just want to pretend it didn't happen. They want to take credit for ending the war, but they don't want to take any responsibility for the way it all went down. The only person who has reached out to our family over and over again  and all 13 families  is Trump."

Meanwhile, Biden this week finished a vacation in California and flew to Delaware for another vacation. And Harris was AWOL.

Marine Veteran and Republican vice president nominee JD Vance concluded, "The fact that Kamala Harris can't even bring herself today to offer any real answer for what happened [is] insulting to the families who gave their loved ones in service of this country."

Notably, the disgraceful retreat from Afghanistan has been very hard on Veterans and their families, who sacrificed so much, especially those whose family members perished. As the Biden/Harris retreat was underway, Medal of Honor recipient Kyle Carpenter, who as a young Marine was severely injured in Afghanistan, offered a brief but compelling message to his fellow Veterans and all Americans. In short, he notes: "Was it worth it? ... As I search my own thoughts for the answer as the news plays in the background, I see the most clear and heartbreaking answer to that question as I watch a man fall from the sky, unable to hold onto a military plane leaving Afghanistan."

Never, ever, ever forget the deadly consequences of abject foreign policy ineptitude.

Again, let me remind potential Harris/Walz voters that they can stop the bloodshed.

The slaughter of thousands of men, women, and children in Afghanistan, Ukraine, and Israel is the direct result of the Biden/Harris regime's lethal foreign policy ineptitude. The violent assaults on thousands of Americans by illegal aliens are the direct result of the "border czar's" lethal open border policy. The dramatic surge of violent crime across America is the direct result of the Biden/Harris war on cops and appeasement of thugs.

The blood of all those victims is on the hands of the Biden/Harris regime, and those who voted for them.

Next time you vote for a president, vote as if the lives of our Military Patriots and tens of thousands of innocent civilians depend on it.

Mark Alexander is the executive editor of the Patriot Post.
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 3rd 2023.

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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.
Taoiseach Simon Harris has said there should be probing into pricing in the ticketing industry after the price of tickets for Oasiss reunion gigs surged.

Hundreds of thousands of fans who waited in 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.

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Some were quoted at 415.50 each due to dynamic pricing.

A spokesperson for the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) said it believes there are legitimate concerns around the consumer experiences of buying concert tickets this weekend.

We are actively reviewing the situation and we will consider all options to ensure consumer protection law is followed.

The Taoiseach said the Government had taken a lot of action in recent years to tackle ticket touting.

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The monopoly held by one company is something that I think does deserve probing and also the issue around surcharges and the like, he said

I do think this needs to be reviewed and look, if theres actions government needs to take in terms of the future, lets look at that, lets take action in relation that.

But I think theres a bad taste in the mouths of people here in relation to pricing, surcharge, and we do have to be conscious we are dealing with a monopoly situation here as well.

So I would very much welcome a probe in relation to this, a full report being able to be provided, and of course, its deferred to my colleague the Minister for Enterprise in terms of how best that takes place.

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He said that the Minister for Enterprise is contacting the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission.

Sinn Fein president Mary Lou McDonald said working class Oasis fans who got them where they are are being thrown under the bus over a crazy pricing system.

Sinn Fein president Mary Lou McDonald. Photo: Liam McBurney/PA.

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She added: I saw somebody put it directly to Oasis that theyre a working class group, the working class got them where they are and theyre throwing them under the bus.

The dynamic pricing  to me its crazy that permission would be given for concerts, without any notification as to the cost of tickets.

I think it just needs to stop.

Weve raised this time and again.

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Louise OReilly has been very active on this question with government.

This has happened with Oasis, but its happened with other concerts and other acts as well.

Its completely unfair.

You enter into a lottery, really, in terms of getting your tickets, rather than a straight transaction.

Whether its Oasis or Taylor Swift, or the Wolfe Tones, or the man on the moon whos performing, the consumer should know what the price ranges are, that theyre fixed prices, and then everybody tries to get in first and get the tickets that they want.

A screengrab from the Ticketmaster website detailing information about Oasis concert tickets for sale in Dublin. Photo: PA.

But this dynamic pricing has to end. It needs to be dealt with.

Weve called for it before, and Im very glad now, maybe theyre all Oasis fans, that theyve actually find any woken up to the fact that this is happening.

About 500 quid nearly for a ticket. Come on.

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.

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.

Speaking in Dublin on Monday, Mr Harris also asked Oasis to announce extra Dublin gigs as part of their highly anticipated reunion tour.

Many Irish fans were left disappointed that they did not get one of 160,000 tickets on sale over two dates in August in Dublins Croke Park stadium.

Ireland Working class fans thrown under the bus over Oas... Read More

I think with the level of interest in attending Oasis gigs in this country, one would hope that they might find it within themselves to put on a few more, Mr Harris said.

I certainly know of many people across the country who would be heartened were that to be the reality and with their strong Irish links, and now that theyre back together, I know they would be warmly welcomed here for an extended period of time.

I think their Dublin gigs are at the end of their UK-Ireland tour so if they have time to fit us in for a few more Im certainly aware of many people who missed out on tickets whod only be too delighted to go to a further gig.
The Tanaiste has urged restraint in the Middle East, saying there is an urgent need to de-escalate tensions in the region.

Micheal Martin has reiterated his calls for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, and for Hamas to release all hostages.

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Mr Martin, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, spoke to his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi by phone on Monday.

The urgent need (is) to de-escalate tensions in the region, Mr Martin said.

Tanaiste Micheal Martin at the department of foreign affairs in Dublin, after he called for the immediate and unconditional release of all remaining hostages being held by Hamas (Niall Carson/PA)

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I spoke to him (Abbas Araghchi) in terms of both Gaza and Lebanon, and urging him to use all influence that the Iranian government has over actors in the region to desist from any attacks.

The war in Gaza has caused immense suffering, and that there was an obligation on all parties, and in particular Hamas, to release all of the hostages and to agree a ceasefire on the terms brokered by the UN and the US.

Also, the consequences for Lebanon would be devastating if a war broke out, and its the civilians in Lebanon (who) would lose out.

Mr Martin warned Mr Araghchi it would be absolutely catastrophic if a war broke out between Hezbollah and Israel.

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He described their engagement as constructive.

He indicated that he wanted to open up and maintain a line of channel communication with Europe, and wanted warmer relations with Europe, Mr Martin added.

There seemed to be some sense of early signs of perhaps some movement again or re-engagement on the JCPOA (Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action) agreement, which is the nuclear issue, which I think would be helpful if that was to materialise but I got the sense it was early days.

Mr Martin, who is also the Minister for Defence, said the Irish peacekeepers based in Lebanon will stay in the region, and that no decision to pull out will be made unilaterally.

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My statement following my call with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi this morning. pic.twitter.com/qxbKQlYBAw  Micheal Martin (@MichealMartinTD) September 2, 2024

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Weve had discussions in terms of various scenarios and so on like that, but our job is to maintain the peace with others and Unifil (United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon) is committed to doing that, and our troops are committed to doing that, he added.

Obviously, force protection is the number one priority, and protection of our troops is a number one priority, and as long as they can continue to implement the mandate and the mandate has been renewed, then we will continue to honour our commitments.

Mr Martin added that all hostages in Gaza should be released as quickly as possible.

He added: We believe that what is happening is completely disproportionate and has resulted in the deaths of thousands of innocent people, and the slaughter must end.

Any pressure to that end, I think, is welcome to bring an end to the war.
Police have removed an anti-immigration sign that was erected at the roadside in a Co Tyrone village.

The sign, which carried the message no illegal immigrants for one mile with an image of a number of people in a small boat, was visible on the footpath in Moygashel on Monday.

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It was left close to an Orange arch across the main road in the village.

New statistics showed that the PSNI dealt with a record number of race-related incidents last year (Niall Carson/PA)

Police attended the scene shortly after 2.30pm and removed the sign.

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The incident happened during a time of increased concern over racist attacks and race-related incidents in Northern Ireland.

Recent figures showed that the region reported the highest number of race-related incidents on record last year.

Some 1,411 such incidents were recorded in the 12 months from July 1 2023 to June 30 2024, according to the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (Nisra).

The latest figures were recorded before the recent spate of race-related incidents in August which followed anti-immigration protests in Belfast.

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Unrest in Belfast and attacks on some businesses owned by people from minority ethnic backgrounds came at a time of tension across the UK following misinformation on social media after the murder of three young children in Southport.
Taoiseach Simon Harris emphasised cooperation with Luxembourg on cross-border issues and enlarging the EU as he welcomed its Prime Minister to Dublin.

Luc Frieden is one of the first EU leaders to visit Dublin since Mr Harris became Taoiseach, which he thanked him for at a one-on-one meeting at Farmleigh House during which they discussed issues including Ukraine and the Middle East.

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Mr Frieden said he was an admirer of Ireland and said that at the European Council, the voice of Ireland is heard.

In his message in the visitors book, he thanked Mr Harris for the warm welcome and declared: This is the beginning of a new alliance of European partners.

It is my intention to bring a new spirit and to deepen the alliance between Ireland and Luxembourg, he later told a press conference, adding that the two countries shared values on the importance of rule of law, enlargement of the EU, and an emphasis on cross-border dimensions.

We very much share the view on Ukraine, Mr Frieden said.

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We need to be on the side of Ukraine, because its about not only helping somebody who has been brutally and illegally attacked, but its also about this fundamental principles of international law we just talked about  you cannot change borders by force.

He added: On the Middle East, I share the Taoiseachs view that the human suffering is extreme. And we, of course, support all the efforts to bring about a ceasefire in the short term.

Its extremely important that all the remaining hostages are as soon as possible liberated.

Mr Harris said that there was a need to see an immediate and lasting ceasefire between Israelis and Palestinians and said that it was his view that countries should use all leavers at our disposal to allow a peace deal to happen.

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He said the EU must constantly be restless in deciding whether to use every option it has to determination to create an environment in which a ceasefire takes place.

Because the scale of humanitarian catastrophe is almost unimaginable.

Mr Frieden said there was no difference between Ireland and Luxembourg on Palestine other than the difference of timing.

He said that although Israel has a right to defend itself, its clearly not anymore an element of of reacting, of defending yourself.

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We, Luxembourg, believe in a two-state solution and obviously, if you believe in two-state solution, we need to recognise the two states.

We believe that that moment of recognition has to be part of a broader package in which, for instance, ceasefire, a release of the hostages is part of that, and we are coordinating our position with some of our direct geographical neighbours.

I do believe that that has to come, this recognition.

It has to come in the near future, but as part of a process.
Interview: China to accelerate promotion of new industrialization, says minister

Xinhua) 11:06, September 02, 2024

BEIJING, Aug. 31 (Xinhua) -- China is mulling efforts to promote new industrialization at a faster pace to provide solid support for the advancement of Chinese modernization, Minister of Industry and Information Technology Jin Zhuanglong has said.

The country will accelerate the development of a modern industrial system with advanced manufacturing as the backbone, promote deeper integration of the real economy and the digital economy, improve the resilience and security of industrial and supply chains, and promote the high-quality development of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), Jin said in an interview with Xinhua.

Jin said the country will carry out major technological upgrading and large-scale equipment upgrading projects in the manufacturing sector and enhance the competitiveness of the whole industrial chain in areas such as intelligent connected new-energy vehicles and lithium batteries.

New growth engines such as bio-manufacturing, commercial aerospace and the low-altitude economy, and new fields including humanoid robots, 6G and atomic-level manufacturing, will be developed, said Jin.

Noting that China's digital industry reported a total revenue of 32.5 trillion yuan (about 4.57 trillion U.S. dollars) in 2023, Jin said the country will accelerate the digital transformation of the manufacturing industry, promote the new industrialization enabled by artificial intelligence, and develop a new generation of information technology industries in fields such as integrated circuits, industrial software and satellite internet.

He added that the country will promote high-quality development of the information and communications industry, promoting the application of 5G, gigabit optical networks and mobile Internet of Things, among others.

Jin pointed out that although China has built a large-scale, comprehensive and competitive industrial system, the adverse impact of changes in the external environment is increasing, and the problems such as key and core technologies being controlled by others and a weak industrial foundation have not yet been fundamentally solved.

He noted the urgency of improving the resilience and safety of industrial and supply chains.

China will accelerate efforts to build independent and controllable industrial and supply chains in key areas such as integrated circuits and medical equipment, said Jin.

China has so far cultivated 12,000 "little giant" firms, which refers to the novel elites of SMEs that are engaged in manufacturing, specialize in a niche market and boast cutting-edge technologies, Jin said, adding that the ministry will support the digital transformation and healthy growth of these firms.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
Looming 'clean' energy disasters off our coasts By Paul Driessen

web posted September 2, 2024 Photos of oil-covered seals and birds from California's 1969 Santa Barbara blowout helped launch the environmental and stop-oil movements. Some 90,000 barrels polluted ocean waters and yet, when I was scuba diving beneath it two decades later, the same production platform support structure once again hosted a magnificent ecosystem with millions of anemones, mussels, starfish, crabs and fish.



The 2010 Deepwater Horizon drillship disaster killed eleven workers and blasted 3-4 million barrels of oil and enormous amounts of natural gas into the Gulf of Mexico. Yet within a surprisingly short time after the runaway well was capped, wave action, oil-dispersant chemicals, dust-covered oil droplets slowly sinking to the seafloor, and other natural forces had cleansed the waters of oil.



Those other forces were hydrocarbon-degrading microbes that are always present in ocean waters worldwide  but rapidly reproduce when they sense oil in their environs. After depleting the hydrocarbon food sources, the microbes die off to normal numbers, and new organisms degrade the byproducts the initial foragers created, until those nutrients are also gone. Then their populations also plummet, in a newly clean ocean.



The disasters spurred industry to implement better blowout prevention technologies and procedures.



Irrelevant, anti-oil activists say, they also emphasize why we must banish oil and gas  and replace fossil fuels with clean, green wind, solar and battery power. Otherwise, wildlife, beaches and tourism will be threatened repeatedly by oil spills.



It's becoming increasingly obvious that these supposed alternatives won't work  especially as AI, EVs, data centers, government-mandated electric heating and cooking, and charging grid-backup batteries, double or triple electricity generation demands. Intermittent electricity cannot power modern nations. Wind and solar cannot produce thousands of essential products that require petrochemical feed stocks. These energy sources are not clean, green, renewable or sustainable. They endanger wildlife.



A recent mishap off the Nantucket, Massachusetts coast underscores yet another reason why hundreds or thousands of monstrous wind turbines cannot be permitted in America's coastal waters.



Shards, chunks and finally the rest of a turbine blade fell into the ocean. One blade ... from a 62-turbine project that's only three-fourths completed ... broken by its own weight, not by a storm.



And yet beaches had to be closed amid peak tourist season, while crews picked up pieces of fiberglass-resin-plastic-foam blades, and boats dodged big pieces floating in the water. Worse, Vineyard Wind didn't tell Nantucket officials about the problems until two days after the blade began disintegrating.



Each blade is 350 feet long and 140,000 pounds. That's more than a fully occupied Boeing 737 jetliner. Vineyard Wind involves 186 blades: 65,000 feet (12 miles) in total combined length, weighing in at a combined 26,000,000 pounds!



The Biden-Harris offshore wind plan calls for 30,000 megawatts of generating capacity by 2030. That's 2,500 gigantic 12-MW offshore turbines. That won't even meet New York State's current peak summer electricity needs, before all these extra demands kick in. Offshore wind's contribution toward meeting future demands for all Atlantic Coast states could easily require 5,000 such turbines: 15,000 blades, weighing a combined 2 billion pounds and spanning a combined 5,250,000 feet (995 miles)!



Even more disturbing, the entire Atlantic coastline is hurricane country. Every year, almost without fail. The only questions are how many hurricanes, how powerful, and where each one will hit.



NOAA records for landfalling hurricanes  those that actually hit US 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 3-5 (111-157 or higher mph winds). Most struck Florida, Georgia and South Carolina. But 39 made landfall between North Carolina and Delaware  and 19 hit Northeastern States, including nine Category 2-3 monsters (96-129 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 3-1/2 years she's helped run an administration that's determined to convert the USA 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 never asked how many plastic straws it would take to equal 15,000 offshore wind turbine blades. (Using nautical terms, an unfathomable number.) Moreover, plastic straws don't contain dangerously sharp fiberglass shards, and can't sink fishing boats that collide with enormous but hard-to-see slabs of turbine blades.



Ms. Harris, Tim Walz and other wind zealots ignore worries about hurricanes wiping out forests of offshore wind turbines as anti-wind fearmongering. History says otherwise.



The 1935 Labor Day Hurricane clobbered Florida with 200+ mph devastation, 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. 1944's Great Atlantic Hurricane  punished the coast from North Carolina to New Jersey and Massachusetts with Category 2 winds.



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 summary includes just some that hit North and Mid-Atlantic States, and a few that slammed Florida, Georgia and South Carolina  all prime territory for forests of offshore turbines, fixed to the seafloor or insanely sitting atop enormous floating platforms off Maine and other states. They'd all flounder.



Replacing hundreds or thousands of torn, damaged and smashed turbines and blades would take years, perhaps decades. Meanwhile, there would be no electricity in a Harris-Biden-Walz-Democrat government-mandated all-electric Eastern Seaboard. The absence of heating, air conditioning and power for homes, hospitals and everything else would displace millions and kill thousands.



Hopefully, politicians and bureaucrats could expedite new gas turbine and modular nuclear power plants. That would mean only a few years of deprivation and blackouts, instead of many years, perhaps decades.



Otherwise, floating slabs of broken turbine blades would endanger boats for months or years, until they are retrieved, hauled ashore and landfilled. Cleaning up billions of sharp shards of fiberglass  each an inch to a couple feet in length, and nearly invisible  would likely take decades, during which time they would impale and imperil beach walkers, swimmers, fish, whales, dolphins and other marine life.



I'm not a microbiologist, but I'm not aware of any microbes that devour fiberglass, resin or plastic foam.



With no bonds or requirements that Big Wind cover cleanup and turbine removal costs, electricity-bereft taxpayers and ratepayers would be left holding the bag.



Before we rush any further into this "renewable energy transformation," can we first have some realistic, commonsense analysis? Can we at least think before casting our ballots this fall?



Paul Driessen is senior policy analyst for the Committee For A Constructive Tomorrow (www.CFACT.org) and author of books and articles on energy, environment, climate and human rights issues. Home
Ready to take the property plunge? Are you preparing to take that first daunting step on the property ladder? Are you looking for help in figuring out just how to buy a home?

Help is at hand.

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A new indispensable guide for homebuyers is now live. All episodes of a six-part podcast series - How to Buy a Home, with MyHome podcast - are now live.

Hosted by journalist Siobhan Maguire, this is The Ultimate Guide to Home Ownership.

In Episode 1, Home of the Years Hugh Wallace and Cairns James Benson talk about the options available to you when it comes to home ownership.

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In Episode 2, The Irish Times journalist Fiona Reddan and mortgage expert, Karl Deeter, discuss all things mortgages - from whats available to you in the marketplace at the moment and deciding whats best for you.

Michael Broderick, CEO of the First Home Scheme and grants expert with Fingal County Council Aoife Lawler. In Episode 3 , "What grants and supports are available to you", listen in to find out exactly what are the government grants, supports and schemes available right now to buyers that will boost your buying power, with, CEO of the First Home Scheme and grants expert with Fingal County Council Michael Walsh and estate agent, David Cantwell, as they take us, step-by-step, through the buying and selling process: what happens, when, why and how. In Episode 4 , "the buying process", solicitorand estate agent,, as they take us, step-by-step, through the buying and selling process: what happens, when, why and how.

In Episode 5, "location, location, location", Siobhan talk to new homes Director, Savills' Sarah Murray and MD of MyHome, Joanne Geary and hears how being open-minded could be the key to finding your new home.

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In the final Episode, join Home of the Year's Hugh Wallace and Personal Organiser, Hazel Burton as we talk you through the essential steps to packing up, moving out and preparing to move in. And as we wrap up our series, our experts offer up their top tips on How to Buy a Home.

Dont forget to give the series a follow and if you like what you hear, leave a review.

You can find all episodes of the How to Buy a Home podcast here.

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You can also access our How To Buy a Home buyers' advice hub here.

The Ultimate Guide to Home ownership

The podcast is part of an information-packed Home Buyers Advice Hub published online by myhome.ie aiming to bring you everything you need to know about the purchasing process in one, easy to access, location.

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Russia launched an overnight barrage of drones and cruise and ballistic missiles at Kyiv, officials have said, as children were returning to school across Ukraine.

Some pupils found classes cancelled because of damage from the attack.

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Several series of explosions rocked the Ukrainian capital.



A kindergarten was destroyed after a missile attack by Ukrainian forces in the city of Belgorod, Russia (Belgorod Region Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov Telegram channel via AP)

Debris from intercepted missiles and drones fell in every district of Kyiv, wounding three people and damaging two kindergartens, the Interior Ministry said.

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City authorities reported multiple fires.

After more than 900 days of war, Russia and Ukraine show no sign of letting up in the fight or moving closer to the negotiating table.

Both sides are pursuing ambitious ground offensives, with the Ukrainians driving into Russias Kursk region and the Russians pushing deeper into the Donetsk region of eastern Ukraine that is part of the industrial Donbas region.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Monday that Ukraines Kursk assault will not prevent Russian forces from advancing in eastern Ukraine.

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The main task that the enemy set for themselves  to stop our offensive in Donbas  they havent achieved it, Mr Putin told students during a trip to Siberia.

He predicted that the Kursk offensive will fail and that Kyiv officials will want to move to peace talks.

Speaking in the southern city of Zaporizhzhia, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said his countrys operation in Kursk had drawn Russian troops away from southern Ukraine, but acknowledged that it had not yet succeeded in diverting Russian forces from the eastern front lines, where the city of Pokrovsk is at risk of falling.



Rocket attacks also hit the Ukrainian city of Kharkiv (AP)

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We see that it is difficult there, and the most combat-ready Russian brigades have been concentrated in this area because it has always been their main target  Donbas. The complete, total occupation of Donbas: Donetsk and Luhansk regions, Mr Zelensky said.

He said last month that the aim of the Kursk incursion is to create a buffer zone that might prevent further attacks by Moscow across the border.

Russia launched 35 missiles and 26 Shahed drones at Ukraine overnight from Sunday to Monday, the Ukrainian air force said.

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Nine ballistic missiles, 13 cruise missiles and 20 drones were downed, it said.

Kyiv residents hurried into bomb shelters.

Oksana Argunova, an 18-year-old student, said she was still shaking after the scare.

I woke up, my neighbour was shouting: Lets go down (to the shelter), there are big explosions. We all ran, Ms Argunova told The Associated Press.

Monday was the first day back at school after the summer holiday.



Schoolgirls attend the first day at school in a cadet lyceum in Kyiv, Ukraine (Efrem Lukatsky/AP)

In Ukraine, the day involves ceremonies and rituals, with students and often teachers wearing traditional costumes.

But the massive air assaults have taken a toll.

In one last week, an F-16 warplane that Ukraine received from Western partners crashed.

The pilot, one of the few Ukrainians trained to fly the jets, was killed.

Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof, visiting Ukraine for the first time since taking office, travelled with Mr Zelensky to Zaporizhzhia, 40 kilometres (25 miles) from the front line.

They visited an underground school, and Mr Schoof announced his government would give Ukraine 200 million euros (168 million) to help protect and repair the electricity infrastructure targeted almost daily by Russian bombs.





Today, we are in Zaporizhzhia together with Dutch Prime Minister @MinPres, and this is a very tangible sign of the determination of the Netherlands and Prime Minister Schoof personally.



Being here now, just a few dozen kilometers from the front line, and working alongside us to pic.twitter.com/lvqk8wKCmH  Volodymyr Zelenskyy /   (@ZelenskyyUa) September 2, 2024

It must never be normal for children to have to go to school underground. It must never become normal for peoples homes to be cold because power plants have been bombed, Mr Schoof said.

He said the Netherlands would continue providing F-16 fighter jets and munitions to Ukraine and noted a plan floated last month by Republican US senator Lindsay Graham to let retired F-16 pilots from other countries join the fight in Ukraine.

That would be an interesting idea, because then you can just speed up the process of deploying the F-16s. But we have to look into those things, with all the countries involved with the F-16 coalition, Mr Schoof said.

In Kyiv, children and parents gathered outside a damaged school as firefighters put out flames and removed rubble.

One mother arrived with her seven-year-old daughter, Sophia, unaware it had been hit.

It was Sophias first day at a new school, her mother said, after a frightening night.





Today, Ukraine begins a new school year, despite the war and all the challenges. Today is one of the most important days of the year for millions of Ukrainian children, families, and teachers.



I am grateful to everyone who has made this school year possible for Ukraineto all pic.twitter.com/M5epJy6OyE  Volodymyr Zelenskyy /   (@ZelenskyyUa) September 2, 2024

We hid in the bathroom, where it was relatively safe, said the mother, who gave only her first name, Olena.

Ukraine and Russia are battering each other with regular long-range drone and missile strikes, sometimes launching more than 100 weapons in aerial attacks that suggest they are still pouring resources into weapon production.

Russian air defences intercepted 158 Ukrainian drones overnight, including two over Moscow and nine over the surrounding region, the Defence Ministry said.

The Ukrainian headquarters of the Danish humanitarian organisation DanChurchAid was destroyed by missile fragments, its head Jonas Noddekaer said.

Elsewhere, 18 people were injured in a Sunday evening strike on a centre for social and psychological rehabilitation of children and an orphanage in Ukraines northeastern city of Sumy, regional authorities said.

The regional prosecutors office said there were no children in the facility, and the injured included people in nearby homes.
News Corp-controlled online real estate group REAs shares have slumped after the group was forced to reveal it was considering a cash and share offer to buy UK counterpart Rightmove.

The realestate.com.au websites operator, in which News Corp owns a 61.4 per cent stake, paused its shares on the ASX 200 minutes before trading opened on Monday after a report in The Australian Financial Review on Sunday pointed to possible takeover activity by REA.

REA Group chief executive Owen Wilson, who the AFR on Monday revealed had been working with Deutsche Bank on a potential takeover of Rightmove. Credit: REA Group

In a statement to the ASX on Monday, REAs board announced the possible takeover bid but said it still had not approached, nor had any discussions with Rightmove, regarding any potential offer.

Shares in REA dropped more than 7 per cent once trading resumed and were trading at $202.98 in the afternoon session. On Londons FTSE overnight, Rightmove shares jumped 27 per cent on the news.
Recent soil sampling at Pan Asia Metals KT East lithium prospect in southern Thailand has stretched the sites pegmatite field by 50 per cent to 2.1km by 1.5km.

The field, which sits within the companys broader RK Lithium project, has also now been shown to feature a substantial Main Zone of about 2km in length and 500m in width, filled with lepidolite pegmatite sub-zones.

A picturesque view of the hills surrounding Pan Asia Metals RK lithium project in southern Thailand.

Management says the Main Zone is host to the most abundant number of lepidolite dykes, some of which are as wide as 20m and appear to frequently swarm from 1m to 10m in width. The pegmatites, which are stacked and dip mildly to the north-west, have given Pan Asia confidence that the target could favour an open-pit mine operation with a potentially low strip ratio  a crucial factor for cost-effective mining.

Exploration activities that included detailed soil and rock-chip sampling have also uncovered strong lithium markers, particularly in the western and north-western areas of the prospect. The sampling program extended to the sites western tenement boundary and around old tailings and alluvial material, suggesting that the prospective trends may continue beneath the old workings.
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Review Eating outBondi From breakfast to late-night lattes, this all-day eatery is a buzzy beachside spot Makaveli Bondis footpath window bench is the perfect perch, day or night, to enjoy a chia bowl or a plate of silky beef carpaccio. Lenny Ann Low September 2, 2024 Save Log in , register or subscribe to save recipes for later. You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share

1 / 8 The space is compact and buzzy with a touch of glamour. James Brickwood 2 / 8 Focaccia with oil. James Brickwood 3 / 8 Kingfish crudo. James Brickwood 4 / 8 Beef carpaccio. James Brickwood 5 / 8 Sweet potato gnocchi with beef ragu. James Brickwood 6 / 8 Gippsland blue cheese with honeycomb. James Brickwood 7 / 8 Makaveli sour and Makaveli margarita. James Brickwood 8 / 8 Owners Phill Cooke and Jacob Hill. James Brickwood Previous Slide Next Slide Contemporary$$$$ Makaveli Bondi is, without doubt, the restaurant and bar fulfilling any dream of a cosmopolitan life. Small, buzzy and, 10 minutes walk from Bondi Beach, slightly glamorous without feeling jumped-up or posh. Owned and run by friends Jacob Hill and Phill Cooke, both from the UK, it swings from breakfast to dinner, from coffee to cocktails (with late-night coffee). In a slender, wide window-fronted room with a long mirrored left wall, there is warm lighting, small tables and a central concrete-topped bar with counter seating. Kingfish crudo. James Brickwood

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On a springish Saturday night, with the Glenayr Avenue footpaths ringing to the sound of chatting Spanish, Italian and Irish passersby, Makaveli, which opened in 2023, is pumping. Makavelis dozen tables and seven counter stools are full. The music is loud. People who look like supermodels are arriving. Rhubarb and ginger spritzes and coconut margaritas are being drunk, and two dexterously busy chefs fill the tiny open kitchen. Hill and Cooke, behind the bar and on the floor with fellow staff, whiz left, right and centre in black T-shirts, making and pouring drinks, explaining the menu and ferrying food. Its like sitting in the centre of a small furnitured dance floor with excellent catering. Sweet potato gnocchi with beef ragu. James Brickwood Before us, at the counter seats, are a sunset-hued nogroni  a fine non-alcoholic negroni  and the Willowdene, a cocktail made with lemongrass and kaffir lime gin, elderflower liqueur and watermelon, and named after Hills childhood street in Manchester.

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The chefs pass us Sicilian olives and warm, garlic-buttered sourdough. No one, whether drinking Shifting Sands Victorian pinot noir or evening espressos, gives them any more attention than the rest of the room. All are far too busy consuming smooth Gippsland blue cheese with honeycomb; rouge meadows of silky beef carpaccio topped with shaved parmesan, herb aioli, fennel and walnut; or herby kingfish crudo with leek ajo blanco, capers and radish. We are digging into sweet potato gnocchi mains  one with brown butter, cherry tomatoes, crispy sage and ricotta salsa; the other with rich beef ragu, pesto, ricotta, parmesan and crispy kale. Strong on flavour and not overdone, it has a fine-dining feel  for dwelling upon rather than scoffing. This theory collapses when plates of light and melty burnt Basque cheesecake arrive. Gippsland blue cheese with honeycomb. James Brickwood

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Hill, who is opening a second venue with Cooke in September called Pocket Bondi, opposite North Bondi Beach, says Makavelis mood changes distinctly between breakfast and dinner. We put a lot of thought into that, he says. Its obviously different food but its also different music and changed lighting. I always remember one girl came in, looked around and said, Oh, I was here this morning and now it feels completely different. Anyone returning in the morning can eat Tuga pastries, a chia bowl and dishes that include eggs, avocado or cured meat. The toasted Brickfields foccacia with prosciutto, pesto, burrata and marinated cherry tomatoes is popular. The footpath window bench with cushions is a good spot, day or night. It is important to stress Makavelis coffee machine stays on into the night, a particularly happy instance for one US stock trader neighbour whose work starts after sunset. Makaveli sour and Makaveli margarita. James Brickwood

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Hill says Makaveli, which is essentially a buzzing bar with great food, was a long-held dream for him and Cooke. Wed go on holiday, to Bali, Bangkok, Singapore, even Noosa, and write notes about everything we tried, he says. This was before we even knew we were gonna have a bar. Wed set up a bar at house parties and thered be big queues and all the cocktails on there were special recipes wed made over the years. Theyve also leant heavily into community collaborations, with parts of the menu and decor made by locals. Theres a weekly 6.30am run club, special food nights and bottomless brunches. Hill says there are insatiable requests for Makaveli merchandise. Now they just have to finish gutting, designing and building Pocket Bondi for its opening in three weeks, while running Makaveli seven days a week. My girlfriend says I wont have time to sleep, Hill says. But the suns coming up earlier now its spring. The low-down Vibe: Seaside suburb all-day restaurant and bar with curated, casual food, good drinks and distinct mood-changes between breakfast and late-night dinner Go-to dish: Sweet potato gnocchi with beef ragu, pesto, ricotta, parmesan and kale Cost: $100 for two, plus drinks
Staying with the High Court challenge against the laws that plunged the CFMEU into administration, Greens federal leader Adam Bandt has declined to weigh in on the news.

One of his MPs, Max Chandler-Mather, was accused of grandstanding by the Labor government after he appeared at a CFMEU rally last week. In a speech on the day, he said the Albanese government had attacked every worker in this country by forcing the union into administration.

Greens leader Adam Bandt. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen

Earlier today, former leaders of the union said they would launch a High Court challenge against the laws that were pushed through parliament last month, allowing the government to appoint an independent administrator to the CFMEU for a minimum term of three years.

When asked whether the Greens would provide moral or financial support to the court challenge, Bandt said what they [union leaders] do is a matter for them.

They have made that decision and it is obviously now up to the court. Im not going to weigh in on something that is now a live court process, he told ABC News.

Civil liberties groups did express some really strong concerns about the principles behind the law, and also I guess it is the case that when you rush legislation through parliament that deals with such fundamental matters about the rule of law and separation of powers, that always is a concern.
Australian scientists and universities defend their right to work freely with international colleagues as integral to the advancement of science, and say they have followed all rules on informed consent. Members of the Uyghur community in Turkey hold banners in 2021 outside Chinas consulate in Istanbul showing Uyghurs feared detained in camps in Xinjiang. Credit: AP The right to share in and benefit from scientific advancement is enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, as is the right to engage in scientific enquiry, to communicate knowledge, and to associate freely in such activities, reads a position statement from the Australian Academy of Science. But other researchers call some work ethically questionable. I would think [collecting DNA] would be a red line for anyone who has read any news in the last seven or eight years  but clearly its not, said Monash Universitys Dr Kevin Carrico, who studies the ethics of research in China. I am baffled by how researchers could find themselves working in this context. Its genuinely beyond comprehension.

Forensic DNA profiling of minorities in Xinjiang In 2017, scientists in China collected blood from 1842 members of ethnic minority groups, not including Uyghur people, living in Xinjiang. The study was funded and ethically approved by Chinese institutions, and was designed to help build a forensic database to help identify DNA found at crime scenes. Professor Dennis McNevin, a highly respected forensic geneticist now at the University of Canberra, was called in by one of the researchers to help analyse the results. I considered it my professional duty to help my overseas colleagues, he told this masthead. He obtained the participants consent forms. All looked to be in order. Not all participants could read or write, so some signed by voice and others by thumbprint. McNevin later learned that a police officer may have been present in some cases.

Police are often involved in collecting such data, McNevin said. But Adam Turan, who is president of the East Turkistan Australian Association (the phrase Turan uses to refer to his homeland), said it was not possible for Uyghurs in Xinjiang to refuse a request from the government or police. If you say no, your name will be ticked that you have views against the government, he said. Adam Turan, president of the East Turkistan Australian Association, photographed in Adelaide. Credit: Kelly Barnes After concerns were raised about consent, the journal that published the study investigated and retracted it in June. China has been building a vast DNA database as part of a biometric surveillance strategy. The research itself could not directly contribute to that, experts said.

But where are the DNA samples? Where did they end up?, asked Kate Pippia, founder of DNA testing service Identilab. McNevin said he cannot discount the possibility the DNA collected is being used for other purposes. I am going to be reluctant now to collaborate with foreign colleagues where I do not have first-hand experience of everything that happens on the ground, he said. Perhaps I was naive in this respect. The papers retraction raises concerns about other Australian-Chinese research collaborations in Xinjiang. A satellite image shows a forced internment camp in the Xinjiang region of China. Experts say the Chinese government has detained up to 1.8 million Uighurs, ethnic Kazakhs and other Muslim minorities for what it calls "voluntary job training". Credit: Planet Labs via AP

In the past decade, Australian researchers have studied the human papillomavirus (HPV) in Uyghur people and screened them for genetic susceptibility to diabetes. The latter study had $572,000 of Australian government funding. In the context of ongoing crimes against humanity targeted at the Uyghur people, a high degree of scepticism regarding informed consent should be applied, said Dr Henryk Szadziewski, director of research at the Uyghur Human Rights Project. The universities and authors involved all said the consent process was checked by the journal before the studies were published. A spokesman for the University of the Sunshine Coast said that because the blood samples for the HPV study were collected in China, and the Australian researcher was involved only in an editorial capacity, Australian human ethics approval was not required. Edith Cowan University said it was investigating the specific details of the ethics approval process for the diabetes study. School children surveyed

In 2014 and 2016 a researcher from the University of Melbourne surveyed students at a Xinjiangban school in China. These boarding schools take ethnic minority children to try to suppress their ethnic identity; the UN has described the schools as a program of forced assimilation. Loading My brothers children were taken to a school like that when they were three or four, without consent, said Turan. The bottom line is they are going to destroy our ethnic identity. The researcher surveyed the students on how strong their sense of belonging to their ethnic group was, whether they loved China, and whether they felt angry if someone speaks ill of China. Daria Impiombato, an analyst who researches human rights issues in China at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, called the study absolutely outrageous.

Youre trying to inculcate a Chinese national identity into ethnic students and make them forget about their original ethnic identity, she said. The author is trying to verify whether this program has been effective. The University of Melbourne said it was looking into the details surrounding this matter. Funding for Australian institutions In a number of cases, academics at Australian institutions have collaborated on research funded by the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps. These include studies on cloud computing, self-driving vehicles and solar panels.

XPCC is under global sanction from the US government over alleged human rights abuses against Uyghurs in Xinjiang. Henryk Szadziewski described the XPCC as a paramilitary government entity known for its role in land expropriation and its deployment by the highest levels of the party-state to suppress Uyghur dissent. Workers install solar panels at a photovoltaic power station in Hami, Xinjiang. Credit: AP The Australian Renewable Energy Agency, which funded some of the research, said it did so three years before the sanctions were applied; other universities involved in the research said their academics either did not receive any direct XPCC funding or were unaware that XPCC was involved in funding the research. Solving the problem may prove harder than identifying it.
A new lobby group is targeting Greens candidates in key eastern and inner-city councils over their support of Palestinian causes, accusing them of focusing on international issues over local matters.

Ahead of the September 14 local council elections, Better Council, an association that government records show was incorporated in June, is recruiting volunteers to campaign against Greens candidates in Waverley, Woollahra, Randwick and Inner West councils.

Better Council is campaigning against Greens candidates in Sydneys east and inner west, and Randwick Greens Mayor Philipa Veitch. Credit: Better Council/Peter Rae

The war in Israel and Gaza, which was sparked following Hamas October 7 attacks last year, has been a point of contention among councillors in Sydney, who have publicly discussed whether their local governments should be involved in the debate surrounding the conflict.

Over the past year, Greens councillors in Randwick, led by Greens Mayor Philipa Veitch, moved motions to support a ceasefire in Gaza and to fly the Palestinian flag over council chambers (before the motion was reversed).
Victoria Police is claiming it cannot be held responsible in Nicola Gobbos long-running compensation lawsuit for failing to protect her identity and safety because she may have committed crimes while acting as a barrister-turned-informer.

The surprise legal tactic comes as Victoria Police is facing two lawsuits from Gobbo and one of her former clients, Faruk Orman, that could cost the state millions of dollars and have sparked a stalled attempt by the state government to halt the cases with a special new law.

Former criminal barrister Nicola Gobbo.

Victoria Polices attempt to deny it had a duty of care to Gobbo runs contrary to internal police reports, testimony and evidence it provided in the five-year legal battle it ran to suppress Gobbos key role as a supergrass and during the Royal Commission into the Management of Police Informants.

A source with knowledge of the case, who cannot speak publicly about confidential legal matters, said Victoria Police  through its legal firm Corrs Chambers Westgarth  has made a last-minute application to alter its defence in the Gobbo lawsuit. The suit was filed more than three years ago.
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.
J.D. Vance is mostly right about women having children, it's not controversial By Rachel Alexander

web posted September 2, 2024 Since Donald Trump chose J.D. Vance as his vice presidential running mate, Democrats have been eagerly digging up every remark he's ever said, looking for phrases to distort and take out of context. They've pounced on statements he's made praising women for choosing to have children, trying to use it as a wedge issue to alienate career women. But there's not actually a conflict. Everyone knows that children bring parents joy. Everyone knows that children turn out better on average if there is a parent at home raising them -- even better if homeschooled. You can be a career woman and admit this, there is no contradiction. Vance said during a 2021 interview with Tucker Carlson that the U.S. is run by people including "a bunch of childless cat ladies who are miserable at their own lives and the choices that they've made and so they want to make the rest of the country miserable, too." He criticized people without children running the country since they "don't really have a direct stake in it." In an interview with American Moment, Vance said , "You have women who think that truly the liberationist path is to spend 90 hours a week working in a cubicle ... instead of starting a family and having children." He called the former a "path to misery." There is nothing wrong with either of those statements. We have all worked with an unhappy childless feminist who takes her rage out on the rest of her co-workers. A job that requires 90 hours a week working in a cubicle is horrible for life happiness. And parents with children are more in tune about political issues related to children than nonparents. The problem is the left is taking Vance's remarks way out of context. Vance is only referring to women who have a clear choice whether or not to raise children, who instead abort them or refuse to change their minds about children even though their husbands really want them, etc. He's not referring to all of the alternative scenarios out there that do not involve selfish reasons. Many women don't have children because they can't afford them -- they have a lazy husband who can't hold a job, they have aging relatives who take up all their money and time caring for them or they've married a man who already has children of his own and so there is not enough money left over to have more children. Maybe they've just been unsuccessful dating. With DEI policies firmly in place across corporate America and in government, a lot of men can no longer find jobs in their fields, since a minority or woman is always hired before they are. This is forcing more women into the workplace. While women's employment numbers bounced back to pre-COVID-19 levels after COVID-19 ended, men's numbers never did , leaving 2.7 million out of the job market. About 14 percent of males age 25 are not in the workforce. When Boomers were that age, only 7 percent were unemployed. Unfortunately, the left has become quite skilled at doctoring studies to pretend that not having a parent at home raising children is better for the children. Since they control so much of the government now, they provide government grants to researchers who will produce the fake outcome they want. Most people see through it, but not all -- especially those who do not have children so they aren't around children much. Whose children are usually the best behaved and get the highest grades? It's the ones with stable nuclear families and a parent at home. Another important aspect missing from this debate in order to provide full context is that it doesn't have to be the mother who stays at home to raise the children; if a couple prefers a stay-at-home dad, that should be up to them. Dr. Warren Farrell, who has written extensively about families, especially men and boys, found that children who are deprived of their fathers' involvement in their lives suffer. Since 1948, 26 out of 28 of the deadliest mass shootings (between 8 and 58 killed) were marked by dad-deprivation. Farrell discovered that children raised predominantly by dads are 15 percent likely to have ADHD. Whereas children raised by moms are 30 percent likely to have ADHD. (This is despite the fact that dads get the more challenging children to deal with.) Farrell went over 10 different ways fathers' parenting style differs from mothers' in his book " The Boy Crisis ." Much of the irritation with childless cat ladies -- it's not just feminists' prickly personalities -- is due to their poor career choices. Many of them take out huge student loans they'll never be able to pay back (taxpayers bail out government-backed loans), majoring in fields like Women's Studies, Ethnic Studies, Sexuality and Gender Identity. The left whines about the so-called gender pay gap, claiming that women only make 86 percent of what men do, but continue to funnel women into those useless majors. Since employers are trying to fill quotas, they hire them over more qualified white males who have applicable college degrees or work experience. And since those degrees are obtained by progressives with an ax to grind, their colleagues are stuck in a work environment being preached at. We've all received those inappropriate mass emails, inserting their leftist politics into the professional environment. They pretend that promoting DEI is not political. Conservatives are waking up and realizing not everyone needs to go to college, especially since higher ed has become an indoctrination mill. Gallup found that Republicans' support for college began decreasing in the mid-2010s. Now, only 33 percent of Republicans have confidence in colleges, compared to 56 percent of Democrats. Vance's own wife continued working as a high-powered, Yale-educated lawyer after they had children, so clearly he wasn't stating that all women have to stay at home and raise children. But just like the Democrats gaslight women about abortion, they're preying on them with distortions and telling them how to think. Rachel Alexander and her brother Andrew are co-Editors of Intellectual Conservative. She has been published in the American Spectator, Townhall.com, Fox News, NewsMax, Accuracy in Media, The Americano, ParcBench, Enter Stage Right and other publications. Home
Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek is accusing the Greens of spending their time defending disgraced union leaders at the expense of working to pass environment reforms, threatening the minor party it will wear the blame if the government fails to pass its laws.

The Albanese government has drafted laws to deliver on a key election pledge to create a stand-alone federal Environment Protection Agency with new powers to make development decisions and enforce compliance. But the legislation is stalled in the Senate with the Coalition and Greens withholding their support.

Environment Minister Tanya Pliberseks proposed Environment Protection Agency is the second part of her three-stage reform agenda. Credit: Rhett Wyman

Plibersek has been trying to negotiate with the opposition with little progress and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese this week revived the prospect of watering down the promised agencys powers.

The Greens are demanding Plibersek end logging in native forests and include a climate trigger law to block approvals for fossil fuel projects if she wants their support for the bill.
Benjamin Netanyahus fear of losing his grip on power helps explain why the Israeli prime minister has failed to broker a ceasefire and hostage release deal with Hamas, according to one of Israels most prominent global defenders during the war in Gaza.

Eylon Levy, who shot to prominence as an official Israeli government spokesman early in the war, urged the Albanese government to put more pressure on Hamass key international backers to force the listed terrorist group to set the hostages free, accusing Australia of losing the initial moral clarity it showed after Hamas shock October 7 attacks.

Former Israeli government spokesman Eylon Levy proved too combative for the Netanyahu government. Credit: Kate Geraghty

The polarising spokesman, who eventually proved too combative for the Netanyahu government, said he was very critical of the Israeli governments communications strategy during the war, accusing it of giving up on trying to convey its message to the world.

A nationwide strike led by Israels largest union to pressure Netanyahu to reach a ceasefire deal began on Monday, as hundreds of thousands of protesters took to the streets after news that Hamas had killed six hostages in Gaza.
The tensions between free speech absolutism and the rules and laws that apply outside social media have been exposed quite explicitly by the arrest of Telegrams Pavel Durov in France a week ago and the shutting down of Elon Musks X in Brazil at the weekend.

X Corp announced on Saturday that it would close its Brazilian operations after Brazils Supreme Court gave it 24 hours to name a new legal representative in the country or face closure.

X owner Elon Musk was furious at the move by Brazils Supreme Court. Credit: Stephen Kiprillis

Justice Alexandre de Moraes, who had frozen Xs finances in Brazil, also ruled that anyone trying to circumvent the effect of his orders by using a virtual private network to access X would face daily fines of about $13,000.

X, which had an estimated 20 million average daily users in Brazil, has been engaged in an escalating dispute with the judge after he ordered the platform to remove some accounts as part of a broad crackdown on accounts deemed to be promoting hate speech and disinformation that relates to the 2022 Brazilian elections, where claims of hacking and vote stealing resulted in supporters of former president Jair Bolsonaro rioting and storming Brazils Congress and other government buildings.
Hiroko Abe, 81, remembers the moment on March 11, 2011, when a 9.1-magnitude earthquake shifted the ground beneath her feet. Abe runs a shop that sells traditional wooden dolls and other souvenirs to hot spring visitors. At 2:46 pm, the earth shook for six minutes, and merchandise clattered off the shelves all around her. Roughly 40 miles away, a 40-foot tsunami triggered a meltdown at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant, forcing more than 150,000 people to evacuate. Some of them fled to Tsuchiyu Onsen. For nearly a year, the town was full of evacuees staying at local inns until they could return home. Then they trickled away  but the usual tourists didnt return. Everything closed after the earthquake, Abe said. It wasnt because of the physical damage so much as the rumours about the nuclear plant and radiation. People stopped coming to Fukushima. Business tanked. Five of the towns 16 inns shut down. Local leaders looked for any idea that might raise money, attract visitors and save Tsuchiyu Onsen from oblivion. Meanwhile, Japan temporarily shut down all of its nuclear reactors, which had provided nearly a third of the countrys electricity and were the cornerstone of its clean power plan. Instead, energy regulators decided to focus on expanding wind, solar and geothermal power.

So, in 2015, Tsuchiyu Onsen developed a geothermal plant  one of the first built under a looser set of environmental regulations the Japanese government created after the earthquake. It was the first built in a Japanese national park. Throughout most of the country, the onsen industry is united in opposing geothermal development, saying they fear big drilling projects will damage their source of spring water, wreck their businesses and threaten an age-old cultural tradition. We dont intend to oppose geothermal energy for the sake of opposition, but we are concerned that there are currently no legal protections or relief measures in place for the onsens, said Yoshiyasu Sato, vice president of the Japan Onsen Association. We want to make sure the government is prepared to compensate if there is actual damage or a drop in temperature or water levels. The owners of inns and bathhouses worry that geothermal development could damage their source of spring water, devastating their businesses. Sato points to the example of the Takanoyu Onsen inn, which had to close temporarily after 135 years in business because its water temperature dropped a year after a big geothermal plant opened nearby in 2019. He acknowledged that theres no evidence linking the temperature change to the geothermal plant, but he said the news rattled the onsen industry.

But in Tsuchiyu Onsen, the families that own inns and bathhouses worked with the local tourism association to found an energy company, Genki Up Tsuchiyu, to build a plant with their own money. The community bonded together to shift from nuclear energy to a source of energy that seemed safer, said Watanabe, whose family has operated inns in Tsuchiyu Onsen for more than three centuries. If it wasnt for the nuclear meltdown, things might not have gone so smoothly. There may have been more opposition. Tsuchiyu Onsens geothermal plant, which opened in 2015, is tiny compared to the nuclear reactors that Japan shut down after the 2011 earthquake or the oil, coal and natural gas furnaces that still provide two-thirds of Japans electricity. Loading The Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant once generated 4.7 gigawatts of electricity, powering millions of homes and businesses. The Tsuchiyu Onsen geothermal plant generates 400 kilowatts of electricity, which Genki Up Tsuchiyu says is enough to power about 800 homes and provide warm water for a nearby shrimp farm.

Small plants like this one are unlikely to change the face of Japanese energy production on their own, according to Kolbrun Ragna Ragnarsdottir, who analyses geothermal energy at the International Renewable Energy Agency, an intergovernmental organisation that represents 168 countries. But they can play an important role in getting people to understand and accept geothermal power  and pave the way for bigger plants in the future, she said. This helps to [convince] local communities all over Japan, hopefully, that they can build something like this, and they will not destroy their natural, beautiful environment, she said. Japans volcanic islands rest on thousands of shallow pockets of underground heat radiating up from molten rocks. When groundwater flows into these hot spots, it shoots to the surface as steam - creating the perfect conditions for both hot spring baths and geothermal energy. Japans government estimates the country has enough underground steam to produce about 23 gigawatts of geothermal power, but in most of these places, theres already an onsen nearby. Tsuchiyu Onsen has the perfect conditions to combine its hot spring industry with a geothermal power plant. Unlike most onsen towns, where every inn and bathhouse digs its own well to draw hot water, Tsuchiyu Onsen has one central source of spring water that serves nearly all the local inns and bathhouses. Here, tanks collect mineral-rich steam pouring out of the earth at about 300 degrees Fahrenheit (148 degrees Celsius) and mix it with cold mountain water until it reaches a more comfortable temperature for bathing.

Tsuchiyu Onsen built its geothermal plant on top of that existing water system without drilling any new wells. Instead, steam rises from the existing well, heats a turbine that spins and generates electricity, and then gets mixed with mountain water and pumped into onsen baths. Residents say they havent noticed any change in the temperature or quality of their all-important water. At the Ryokan New Ogiya, Shizue Endo still uses the water to make onsen tamago, a traditional onsen dish made by dipping a basket of eggs directly into hot spring water to slowly soft-boil them until the whites reach a distinctive custardy texture. There hasnt been any effect on our water quality, so Im not really concerned about the geothermal plant, said Endo, who manages the inn. Tsuchiyu Onsen could be a model for other onsen towns, according to Tomio Sakuma, renewable energy area manager for Genki Up Tsuchiyu. Its very much possible if the local community is onboard, he said. But he acknowledges it would be harder for onsens that dont have one centralised source of spring water; in these places, geothermal developers would likely have to drill a new steam source on the outskirts of town, which could invite opposition from onsen owners.

Tsuchiyu Onsens geothermal plant uses a relatively new method for making power, which typically uses lower-temperature steam and requires less drilling. That means these plants can be built in more places with less risk of disrupting hot springs. Loading Since 2011, Japan has built more than 70 geothermal generators, nearly all of them like the one in Tsuchiyu Onsen. Only one large-scale plant opened in that time: a 46-megawatt system that produces about 100 times more electricity than Tsuchiyu Onsens system. Plans for bigger plants tend to stir up more anxiety from the hot spring industry. This spring water is our entire business, said Endo. Visitors are likely to notice any change in water quality. True onsen devotees travel from inn to inn to sample the subtle differences in the water in each place.

Chiaki Takaoka, a visitor who lives in a nearby hot spring town called Dake Onsen, says she prefers the water in her hometown. The smell is different, she said. The colour of the water is milkier, and it makes my skin feel softer and smoother. The properties of onsen water are so prized that in 2004, a minor scandal rocked Japan when it was discovered that some onsen inns were using tap water, not hot spring water, in their baths. Others were accused of enhancing their water with bath salts to give it a whiter, milkier colour. Several inns shut down in disgrace. Japanese people expect so much from onsens and believe in their healing power, said Mai Kato, deputy director of Tsuchiyu Onsen Tourism Association. Foreigners might not care, but for Japanese people, it really matters. On a recent Thursday afternoon, Tsuchiyu Onsen visitors eased their bodies into the slick, sulphury water that had, moments earlier, billowed out of the earth with enough fury to power hundreds of homes. But at one of the towns four public foot baths, there was no sign of the geothermal turbine spinning just a mile away.
London: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected calls to soften his demand to keep troops in the southern Gazan border area as the price for a ceasefire deal, saying it was vital for Israel to control a key lifeline for Hamas.

The issue of the so-called Philadelphi corridor, on the southern edge of the Gaza Strip bordering Egypt, has been a major sticking point in efforts to secure a deal to halt the fighting in Gaza and return Israeli hostages held by Hamas.

People at a Tel Aviv rally demanding a ceasefire deal and the immediate release of hostages held by Hamas. Credit: AP

Hamas has rejected any Israeli presence, while Netanyahu has insisted that Israel will not abandon the corridor, where Israeli troops have uncovered dozens of tunnels they say have been used to smuggle weapons and ammunition into Gaza.

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.
Chinese state-backed enterprises are alleged to have stolen American intellectual property; its government is accused of violating environmental and international trade laws; China has flooded domestic markets with cheap products; it has also sought to outpace the US in the development of cutting-edge technologies and the exploitation of critical minerals. Loading The attacks are also sometimes conspiratorial in nature, evoking Cold War-era fears of deep cover spies. Republicans are levelling unfounded attacks that Tim Walz, Kamala Harris running mate, may have been groomed by China. He travelled to China dozens of times over the past few decades, first as a young English teacher there and later as a member of Congress, where he served on a commission that focused on the countrys human rights issues. Representative James Comer, chair of the House Oversight Committee, and vice presidential candidate J.D. Vance have insinuated without basis Walz is a Chinese plant.

Now I know, and we all know, that Kamala Harris wanted to outsource our factories and jobs to China, but I didnt expect her to outsource the selection of her running mate to China too, Vance said at an August rally in North Carolina. Comer said in a Fox News interview, without evidence, that its possible China would be grooming an up-and-coming rising star in the political process to try to have a foothold in our government. Comer wrote a letter to the FBI seeking information about Walzs connections to Chinese officials, citing the years when Walz organised annual student trips to the nation. Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democrats presidential nominee, in Georgia last week. Credit: AP Walzs team pushed back on the allegations, and pointed out he has been critical of Chinese human rights abuses during his time in Congress and beyond. Throughout his career, Governor Walz has stood up to the [Chinese Communist Party], fought for human rights and democracy, and always put American jobs and manufacturing first, Walz spokesman Teddy Tschann said in a statement. Republicans are twisting basic facts and desperately lying to distract from the Trump-Vance agenda: praising dictators and sending American jobs to China.

Harris has not laid out her views in detail on the US-China relationship, but briefly mentioned in her speech to the Democratic National Convention that she wants to ensure America  not China  wins the competition for the 21st century. Loading The negative ads and attacks on China pervading the campaign trail raise the possibility that future Congresses will take an even more oppositional posture to the nation, in part to cater to voters increasing scepticism. Chinas unpopularity with Americans began growing around 2017 and only worsened after the COVID pandemic, which originated in Wuhan. About 80 per cent of Americans said they had an unfavourable view of the nation in a Gallup poll taken earlier this year. Republicans are more hostile toward China than Democrats are, with almost 60 per cent of them describing China as an enemy of the United States, compared to 30 per cent of Democrats, according to a Pew poll. Since 2019, Congress has taken a more sharply negative tone toward the rising superpower, and introduced six times as many bills on the subject in 2021 compared to 2013, according to an analysis published by the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. In recent years, Congress has set aside billions of dollars more in spending to defeat Chinas military, curtailed Chinas access to semiconductors and bolstered efforts to create an anti-China global coalition. Countering China is one of the few remaining bipartisan areas of agreement on Capitol Hill.

The American people have started to kind of wake up to the reality that China is not just a benign trading partner or a large market for our exports, but the Chinese Communist Party actually represents a national security threat, said Representative Andy Barr, a member of a special House committee created last year to focus on the threats posed by China. Loading But some worry about the slippery slope between targeting nefarious practises through policy and rhetoric, and casting broader blame upon Chinese people, including Chinese immigrants. The FBI reported a spike in hate crimes targeting Asian Americans after the pandemic. I think that that is something that we have to be very careful about, said Representative Norma J. Torres, who sits on the House subcommittee that appropriates US foreign policy spending. For some of my colleagues, it all starts and ends with China. And this is the dangerous part  It creates a lot of potential for violence in our communities again. The China-related battles are especially heated in the Midwestern Senate races where vulnerable Democratic incumbents are fighting to retain their seats  and the partys slim majority in the chamber. Blasting their Republican opponents on China is a way to try to disqualify them in the minds of Republican-leaning voters, who polls show are especially sceptical of the nation.

In Pennsylvania, senator Bob Casey (a Democrat) has been running a battery of TV ads bashing his opponent, Dave McCormick, for his investments in China while he was CEO of the hedge fund Bridgewater, tying the company to the states deadly opioid epidemic. In one Casey ad, Trump is heard criticising McCormick for working with a company that managed money for communist China, an attack Trump made when McCormick was running against Trumps preferred candidate in the 2022 Senate race primary. The ad also accuses McCormick of investing in Chinas biggest maker of fentanyl. Loading In another, a narrator describes the staggering death rate from fentanyl, which US officials say is primarily made from chemical precursors that originate in China. While law enforcement and grieving families see a killer, Dave McCormick saw a way to get even richer, says the ad, which accused McCormick of profiting off peoples pain. McCormick released his own ad saying his company never invested in producers of illegal fentanyl in China. The company invested in a Chinese pharmaceutical company that makes legal fentanyl, called Humanwell, for legitimate medical purposes. Washington Post
Eighty-five years since its outbreak, World War II continues to shape the world By Mark Wegierski

web posted September 2, 2024 World War II and one of its main ideological results  the general discrediting of Western traditionalism -- continue to shape events in the world today. Among the long-term effects of the war, there is the ongoing erosion of meaningful historical memory in most Western societies, and the delegitimizing of the possibilities of a "democratic Right" -- or of a "social conservatism of the Left" -- that is to say, various possible symbioses of traditionalism and liberal democracy. Indeed, a country such as Canada today can be seen to be on the "cutting edge" of late modernity. It has perhaps not yet felt its full impact and practical consequences. Nevertheless, it can be seen that Canada is increasingly becoming a nation without history, or historical memory. Lacking a context or mooring in a richly textured sense of history, most persons in Canada today are cast adrift on an ever-thinning, improvisational present moment, driven by consumerism, pop-culture, and a few "politically correct" cliches about the past. Although it may seem quite remote from many persons (especially young people) today, we are in fact living in the shadow of what have become the anti-traditionalist consequences of the Second World War. In our recoiling from the horrors of Nazism, an evil ideology that was clearly buried in the rubble of Berlin, Western countries such as Canada have increasingly plunged themselves into new kinds of nightmares. Most Western societies have reacted viscerally against anything smacking of "right-wing" or "traditional" notions, often conceived as grotesque caricatures, with the result that an almost continual, uninterrupted, unremitting left-liberal surge has overtaken those societies. As a person of Polish descent and having studied history extensively, it may be hoped that one has a certain insight into totalitarianism  whether of the Nazi, Soviet, or politically-correct left-liberal varieties. Although the latter is ostensibly non-violent  not producing mounds of corpses  it can nevertheless be seen as extremely thoroughgoing in the upholding and imposition of its ideas, as well as being what its critics would call "soul-killing". And some would indeed criticize the vast number of abortions in current-day Western societies as suggestive of actual mass-killing. As J.R.R. Tolkien has acutely observed -- "evil always takes on another shape and grows again." The new evil was not only the manifest cruelty of the Soviet empire, to which East-Central Europe had been notoriously betrayed, but also a rising miasma of trends and tendencies which would eventually drive most Western countries into a socially disintegrative mode. Three major prophets of this new mode were Dr. Kinsey (who -- according to critics like Judith Reisman -- manifestly misrepresented the reality of sexual behavior in an attempt to create the very tendencies he purported to describe); Dr. Spock (who introduced highly distempering errors into the understanding of how to raise children); and Timothy Leary (the Sixties' guru and "youth drug culture" advocate). As of 1945, the entire "right-wing option" stood as discredited in the eyes of the broad masses of most Western countries, although very many European patriots, conservatives, and traditionalists had fiercely opposed Nazi Germany. In today's world, those who continue to hold the ideals of such World War II heroes as Winston Churchill, Charles de Gaulle, or Wladyslaw Sikorski (the preeminent leader of the Polish Government-in-Exile and Commander-in-Chief of the Polish armed forces in the West) are often seen as retrograde reactionaries. Therefore, it is possible to see the respective histories of a country like Poland since September 1939 (the beginning of an ongoing calamity for that nation whose consequences continue even to this day) and Canada since the 1960s as being tragic in the case of Poland and tinged with tragedy in the case of Canada -- owing in both cases to forces, which although apparently dissimilar, often end up being quite alike in their disdain for living, breathing, actual societies and peoples. Many Western countries such as Canada  under the direction of their "politically-correct" elites (or pseudo-elites) -- appear to have lost their confidence and belief in themselves. They have been brought to embrace low birthrates, and high immigration policies, which, when coupled with the refusal to exert meaningful assimilatory pressures on the new immigrants, may indeed render their long term future as increasingly problematic. What may be particularly troubling is the unidirectional nature of developments such as social liberalism, multiculturalism, and high immigration, all of which tend in one direction seemingly, i.e., towards the ever-increasing subversion of traditional society. Indeed, it did not take too long for the Left's "long march through the institutions" to get underway. During one year at the alleged height of "McCarthyism" in the United States, a young William F. Buckley, Jr. went around talking to thousands of professors in the social sciences and humanities at prestigious U.S. universities. Only about two or three actually admitted being "conservative" to him. And that was at the height of the "reactionary Fifties"! What may be concluded from this is that, in almost every sector of society one can think of, left-liberalism has been winning one spectacular victory after another, rapidly pushing further and further into all areas of social terrain. Authentic traditionalist conservatism in the U.S., but especially so in Canada, has, despite some apparent electoral successes, been running ragged for at least the last quarter century. As to the outlook for some parts of Western Europe, it is quite dystopic indeed. The only exception to this appears to be the economic sector. However, it should be understood that, with their manifest social prevalence in educational, academic, media, cultural, judicial, and administrative sectors, especially in Canada, left-liberals can well allow the existence of a large, dynamic private sector that functions to efficiently produce the economic goods that they want to give to themselves and to their client-groups. There is also a major difference between social conservatism (emphasizing family, nation, local communities, and traditional religion), and fiscal/economic conservatism. If one looks closely enough, one can see that fiscal/economic conservatism alone can, in fact, coexist with a fair number of varieties of left-liberalism (as typified by the many technocrats in the Canadian Liberal Party today). And, while the Canadian Liberal Party held the federal government for many decades of the Twentieth Century, it embraced, for most of that time, what could be called a "traditionalist-centrist" consensus. So-called "right-wing Liberals" (such as John Turner, who invoked residues of a more substantive Canadian patriotism in his resistance to the Canada  U.S. Free Trade deal), as well as "social conservative" Liberals, had fragmentarily persisted into the later decades of the Twentieth Century. However, by today, it is manifestly clear that such residual tendencies in the Canadian Liberal Party are being driven out, especially social conservatism. It may also be noted that such parties as the Co-operative Commonwealth Federation (the predecessor to today's ultra-politically-correct New Democratic Party in Canada) were social democratic in economics, but mostly socially conservative on issues of family, nation, and religion. Some of these residues may be considered to have persisted in the NDP's criticisms of globalization, and their stated concern for "average, ordinary Canadians". As for today's Conservative Party, it in fact appears to have embraced fiscal/economic conservatism as virtually the sole "permissible" manifestation of conservatism. The leadership of the party has been running away from any overt manifestations of social conservatism. There is also today the somewhat unfortunate situation that sees social conservatism defined almost solely by the two highly-charged, flashpoint issues of opposition to abortion and same-sex marriage  issues which (especially in Canada now) seem to be entirely resolved in public debate. What gets lost in that definition of social conservatism is any notion of a more robust patriotism, a concept that has almost no register on the political scene in Canada today, but might putatively have a more widespread, non-denominational appeal. We have come to a social environment in Canada today where any more substantive notions of traditionalism and conservatism, have been purged with particular thoroughness from the academic world  as well as from the education system, of course, from most of the news media, and from the (so-called) high- and pop-culture. And, for a number of decades now, it could be perceived that the Canadian administrative and juridical structures have been deployed mostly on behalf of left-liberalism. The result of this is that conservative and traditionalist ideas, especially those embracing a more substantive patriotism, are usually only inchoately expressed, in an untutored fashion, by some of the general populace, and so can be easily subjected to pejorative scorn and discredited. The question that now faces Canada is sharp. Is it going to be "politics-as-usual", a continuing slide in the direction the country has been going for at least the last thirty years, or will there be a belated attempt to generate some real countervailing tendencies  such as an attempt to tame the excesses of multiculturalism and of social and cultural anomie? It is possible that an uninterrupted continuation of the slide will result, in the next twenty to forty years (a mere sliver of time in terms of world-history), in the almost-inevitable social and cultural dissolution of Canada. Mark Wegierski is a Toronto-based, Canadian writer and historical researcher. Home
China Warns Japan of Severe Repercussions if Semiconductor Restrictions Expand (Photo: Pixabay)

China has issued a stern warning to Japan over potential new restrictions on semiconductor equipment sales. The conflict centers around Japan's recent decision to tighten controls on exports of 23 types of chipmaking machinery, a move that aligns with broader Western efforts to curb China's access to advanced technology.

According to Bloomberg News, Chinese officials have communicated to their Japanese counterparts that severe economic retaliation could follow if Japan proceeds with further curbs on chipmaking tools. The warning comes amidst a backdrop of escalating global tensions surrounding semiconductor technology and trade policies.

China's Foreign Ministry has voiced strong opposition to what it describes as "artificial disruptions" of global production and supply chains. Mao Ning, a spokesperson for the Ministry, emphasized that China is committed to maintaining global trade stability and opposes any attempts to politicize economic cooperation. "China has always implemented fair, reasonable, and non-discriminatory export control measures," Mao said during a recent press briefing.

The dispute highlights the strategic importance of semiconductor technology, which underpins many modern industries, from automotive manufacturing to advanced computing. Japan's restrictions, effective since July, target a range of equipment essential for semiconductor production, including machines for depositing films on silicon wafers and systems for creating intricate circuit patterns.

Toyota Motor Corp., a significant player in Japan's industrial landscape, has reportedly conveyed concerns to Japanese officials regarding potential retaliatory measures from China. Bloomberg's sources indicate that Toyota fears Beijing might restrict Japan's access to crucial minerals needed for automotive production. This concern underscores the interconnected nature of global supply chains and the potential impact of trade conflicts on key industries.

Japan's chip policy aligns with broader Western strategies aimed at limiting China's technological advancement. The United States, along with its allies including the Netherlands, Germany, and South Korea, has been pushing for tighter controls on China's access to advanced semiconductor technology. The U.S. government has employed various tools, including the Foreign Direct Product Rule (FDPR), to regulate the export of American technology used in semiconductor manufacturing.

Despite ongoing negotiations, the U.S. has not ruled out the use of FDPR, which would allow Washington to control sales of products that incorporate American technology, regardless of where they are produced. This has sparked concerns among allied nations about the potential for such measures to strain diplomatic relations and disrupt global trade.

The Netherlands-based chip equipment maker ASML, a key player in the semiconductor industry, is facing its own challenges as the Dutch government considers further restrictions on its operations in China. ASML's dominance in manufacturing advanced semiconductor machines makes it a focal point in the broader trade dispute.

In recent developments, U.S. officials have been discussing additional restrictions on China's access to memory chips used in artificial intelligence (AI) and other advanced applications. This is part of a broader strategy to limit China's technological capabilities and maintain a competitive edge in critical technologies.

China's warning to Japan is part of a larger pattern of geopolitical maneuvering surrounding semiconductor technology. The industry's strategic importance has made it a central battleground in the ongoing trade tensions between major global economies. As Japan and China navigate their economic relationship, the potential for further disruptions in the global supply chain looms large.
In a sign that more occupiers now prefer to lease flexible offices, these spaces have reported their highest-ever share in overall office leasing volume in the first six months of 2024, a report released on Monday showed. Compared to 10.2 per cent in 2019, their share in total office leasing has gone up to 12.7 per cent between January and June this year.

The absorption of flex spaces by companies, both domestic and foreign, has been on a consistent rise since the Covid-19 pandemic hit. From 85,234 seats taken up across the top eight Indian cities in 2021, the number has significantly risen to 155,000 seats in 2023. Click here to connect with us on WhatsApp

In the first six months of 2024 alone, 106,554 seats have been taken up, according to a report by real estate consultancy Cushman & Wakefield, in collaboration with managed workspace operator Table Space. It was titled "From Flex to Managed - Evolution of the Flex Space Industry".

The biggest occupier of this type of workspace is Information Technology (business process management), accounting for 50 per cent of the total absorption this year. It is followed by engineering and manufacturing at 18 per cent and banking, financial services and insurance (BFSI) at 12 per cent.

During the Covid-19 pandemic, companies gave up part of their conventional office spaces due to less demand. After the pandemic, factors like high costs and working from home led to these companies opting for flexible offices.

These places also offer attractive space for freelancers, startups, and small businesses.

In a release last month, Crisil said that flex offices are more in demand due to their customisable workspace offerings and relatively flexible lease terms.

"Ongoing factors like talent access, flexible costs, risk-mitigated portfolios, and heightened business focus are pivotal drivers," said Sameer Singh, chief operating officer of another flex office operator, 91Springboard.

In the report on Monday, Cushman & Wakefield said that the supply of flex offices has also become strong. In the last five years, the total footprint of flex space operators in India has doubled.

In 2022 and 2023, the annual growth rates in the footprint of these spaces were 23 per cent and 18 per cent, respectively, the sharpest rise seen in history.

Several flex space operators have recently announced their expansion plans. For example, IndiQube and WeWork India both plan to add 1.5 million sq ft of flex space in 2024-25. Another operator, 315Work Avenue, plans to double its portfolio to 4 million sq ft in 18 months.

"With the first half of 2024 already accounting for 70 per cent of last year's total flex-space demand, we anticipate a potential record-breaking year for flex seat leasing," said Ramita Arora, managing director, Bengaluru and head of flex, India, Cushman & Wakefield.
A Del Rio man has pleaded guilty to conspiracy to traffic firearms after authorities found videos of him shooting a pistol with a machine gun conversion device attached. James C Hooper/Getty Images

A Del Rio man who reportedly posted videos of himself using an unlawfully possessed glock switch  used to convert a firearm for automatic operation  has pleaded guilty to violating federal weapons law, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.

Mark Anthony Jimenez, 23, pleaded guilty in a federal court to one count of conspiracy to traffic firearms, U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza of the Western District of Texas announced.

According to court documents, Jimenez, also known as M-Thang, obtained a pistol with a machine gun conversion device, or switch. The switch is designed to convert a semi-automatic weapon into a fully automatic one.

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Court documents also revealed that the 23-year-old bought two boxes of 9 mm ammunition in Del Rio.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives found videos of Jimenez firing the pistol with a switch on Facebook. In the video, co-defendant Alleena Nikole Soto, 20, and a juvenile also were seen shooting the converted automatic weapon.

Subsequently, ATF canvassed the property where Jimenez was seen firing the automatic pistol and found multiple 9 mm shell casings, which were consistent with the ammunition he had bought.

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The Justice Department said Jimenez knew it was unlawful to possess a firearm with a machine conversion device and that it was illegal for Soto to possess firearms because she is a convicted felon.
The 14-member IPEF bloc was launched jointly by the US and other partner countries of the Indo-Pacific region on May 23, 2022. | Photo: Bloomberg

The Union Cabinet has approved the commerce ministry's proposal to sign the 14-member IPEF (Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity) bloc's agreements on a clean and fair economy, an official said on Monday. In June in Singapore, 13 IPEF bloc members signed these agreements, while India said it would ink the deals after getting domestic approval. Click here to connect with us on WhatsApp The official, who does not wish to be named, said that the proposal to sign these agreements has been approved by the cabinet in its meeting here on Monday. Agreement on a clean economy intends to accelerate efforts of IPEF partners towards energy security and transition, climate resilience and adaptation, GHG (greenhouse gas) emissions mitigation, finding/developing innovative ways of reducing dependence on fossil fuel energy, promoting technical cooperation, workforce development, capacity building, and research collaborations, and collaborate to facilitate development, access, and deployment of clean energy and climate-friendly technologies.

The agreement will facilitate investments, concessional financing, joint collaborative projects, workforce development and technical assistance.

Further, the agreement on fair economy intends to create a more transparent and predictable business environment, which can spur greater trade and investment in the markets of member countries; enhance efforts to prevent and combat corruption by strengthening anti-corruption frameworks, support efforts to improve tax transparency and exchange of information for tax purposes between competent authorities.

The 14-member IPEF bloc was launched jointly by the US and other partner countries of the Indo-Pacific region on May 23, 2022, in Tokyo.

Together, they account for 40 per cent of the world's economic output and 28 per cent of trade.

The framework is structured around four pillars relating to trade, supply chains, clean economy and fair economy. India has joined all the pillars except the trade.

Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Fiji, India, Indonesia, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, the US, and Vietnam are members of the bloc.

On November 14, 2023, the IPEF concluded negotiations for a clean economy, a fair economy, and the overarching agreement on the IPEF for Prosperity.

These two agreements will enter into force after at least five IPEF partners complete their internal legal procedures for ratification, acceptance or approval.

The block has already signed the agreement on the supply chain in November 2023.
Apartment prices have increased by 170% and land prices have soared by an astounding 450% along the Yamuna Expressway in the Delhi-NCR region, revealed a report by property consulting firm GeetanjaliHomestate.

Key Findings: Click here to connect with us on WhatsApp The average price of flats/apartments has risen from Rs 2,800-3,000 per square foot in 2019 to Rs 7,900-8,100 per square foot in 2024.

Land prices have seen an even more dramatic increase, from Rs 1,200-1,300 per square foot in 2019 to Rs 6,900-7,100 per square foot in 2024.

Driving Factors: The growth is primarily driven by the upcoming Jewar Airport, improved infrastructure, and increased demand for suburban living.

Builder Floor Prices: Builder floor prices have also seen a significant rise, increasing by 35.6% in the last year.

Year-on-Year Breakdown of Property Prices





In 2020, despite the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, there was a slight appreciation in prices, with apartments averaging between Rs 3,200 - 3,300 per square foot and land prices remaining stable at Rs 1,250 - 1,300 per square foot.

The real estate market along the Yamuna Expressway began to gain momentum in 2021, driven by the gradual return to normalcy and increased interest in suburban properties. Apartment prices rose to Rs 3,400 - 3,600 per square foot, while land prices saw a notable increase to Rs 2,000 - 2,200 per square foot. "By 2022, the effects of improved infrastructure and the growing desirability of the Yamuna Expressway as a prime residential and commercial location became evident. Apartment prices surged further, reaching Rs 3,600 - 3,800 per square foot, while land prices nearly doubled to Rs 3,400 - 3,600 per square foot. This year was particularly crucial as it underscored the region's emergence as a preferred destination for investors and homebuyers," noted the report.

alike.

By 2023, the average price for apartments skyrocketed to Rs 4,900 - 5,100 per square foot, while land prices soared to Rs 5,900 - 6,100 per square foot. This was largely attributed to several key developments, including the upcoming Jewar Airport, the expansion of the Noida International Airport, and enhanced connectivity through the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC).

As of 2024, the report highlights that apartment prices along the Yamuna Expressway have reached an average of Rs 7,900 - 8,100 per square foot, with land prices now averaging between Rs 6,900 - 7,100 per square foot. This year-on-year surge reflects a 170% increase in apartment prices and a staggering 450% growth in land prices over the past five years, making the Yamuna Expressway one of the fastest-growing real estate corridors in India.

Builder floor prices have also shown a robust increase, with a notable 35.6% rise in just the last year and a 43.5% increase over the past three years.

" The remarkable price surge along the Yamuna Expressway can be attributed to several key factors. The strategic location, coupled with the upcoming Jewar Airport and other infrastructural developments, has significantly enhanced the area's connectivity and appeal. Additionally, the rising demand for residential and commercial spaces, fueled by the growing interest in suburban living, has driven property prices to new heights. The Yamuna Expressway is rapidly emerging as a real estate goldmine, offering substantial returns for investors," said Sunil Sisodiya, Founder of GeetanjaliHomestate.

The report further notes that the increasing preference for spacious living, driven by the remote work culture and the desire for a better quality of life, has played a crucial role in driving demand for properties along the Yamuna Expressway.
Molly Smith covers City Hall and government for the Express-News. She can be reached at molly.smith@express-news.net.

Molly joined the Express-News in January 2023. Previously, she wrote for El Paso Matters, El Paso Times and The (McAllen) Monitor.
The CBI on Monday arrested former principal of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital Dr Sandip Ghosh and three others for their alleged involvement in financial misconduct at the establishment, officials said.

Within an hour after Ghosh was arrested, CBI officers picked up his security guard and two vendors who used to supply materials to the hospital where the body of a woman medic, who was raped and murdered, was found on August 9.

The Calcutta High Court on August 23 ordered the transfer of the probe into the alleged financial irregularities at hospital from a state-constituted Special Investigation Team (SIT) to the CBI.
Roy Cisneros Elementary teacher Janie Delgado marshals 5th graders toward her bilingual math class. Delgado was a paraprofessional for 27 years before Edgewood ISD helped pay for her online courses to get her teaching certification. Robin Jerstad Roy Cisneros Elementary teacher Janie Delgado works with 5th graders during a recent math class. Delgado was a paraprofessional for 27 years before Edgewood ISD helped pay for her online courses to get her teaching certification. Robin Jerstad Roy Cisneros Elementary teacher Janie Delgado works with 5th graders during a recent math class. Delgado was a paraprofessional for 27 years before Edgewood ISD helped pay for online courses to get her teaching certification. Robin Jerstad Roy Cisneros Elementary teacher Janie Delgado works with 5th graders during a recent math class. Delgado was a paraprofessional for 27 years before Edgewood ISD helped pay for online courses to get her teaching certification. Robin Jerstad Roy Cisneros Elementary teacher Janie Delgado works with 5th graders during a recent math class. Delgado was a paraprofessional for 27 years before Edgewood ISD helped pay for online courses to get her teaching certification. Robin Jerstad Roy Cisneros Elementary teacher Janie Delgado works with 5th graders during a recent math class. Delgado was a paraprofessional for 27 years before Edgewood ISD helped pay for online courses to get her teaching certification. Robin Jerstad Roy Cisneros Elementary teacher Janie Delgado works with 5th graders during a recent math class. Delgado was a paraprofessional for 27 years before Edgewood ISD helped pay for online courses to get her teaching certification. Robin Jerstad Roy Cisneros Elementary teacher Janie Delgado works with 5th graders during a recent math class. Delgado was a paraprofessional for 27 years before Edgewood ISD helped pay for online courses to get her teaching certification. Robin Jerstad Roy Cisneros Elementary teacher Janie Delgado works with 5th graders during a recent math class. Delgado was a paraprofessional for 27 years before Edgewood ISD helped pay for online courses to get her teaching certification. Robin Jerstad Roy Cisneros Elementary teacher Janie Delgado marshals 5th graders toward her bilingual math class. Delgado was a paraprofessional for 27 years before Edgewood ISD helped pay for online courses to get her teaching certification. Robin Jerstad Roy Cisneros Elementary teacher Janie Delgado works with 5th graders during a recent math class. Delgado was a paraprofessional for 27 years before Edgewood ISD helped pay for online courses to get her teaching certification. Robin Jerstad Roy Cisneros Elementary teacher Janie Delgado works with 5th graders during a recent math class. Delgado was a paraprofessional for 27 years before Edgewood ISD helped pay for online courses to get her teaching certification. Robin Jerstad Roy Cisneros Elementary teacher Janie Delgado works with 5th graders during a recent math class. Delgado was a paraprofessional for 27 years before Edgewood ISD helped pay for online courses to get her teaching certification. Robin Jerstad Roy Cisneros Elementary teacher Janie Delgado works with 5th graders during a recent math class. Delgado was a paraprofessional for 27 years before Edgewood ISD helped pay for online courses to get her teaching certification. Robin Jerstad Roy Cisneros Elementary teacher Janie Delgado works with 5th graders during a recent math class. Delgado was a paraprofessional for 27 years before Edgewood ISD helped pay for online courses to get her teaching certification. Robin Jerstad Roy Cisneros Elementary teacher Janie Delgado works with 5th graders during a recent math class. Delgado was a paraprofessional for 27 years before Edgewood ISD helped pay for online courses to get her teaching certification. Robin Jerstad Roy Cisneros Elementary teacher Janie Delgado marshals 5th graders to her bilingual math class. Delgado was a paraprofessional for 27 years before Edgewood ISD helped pay for online courses to get her teaching certification. Robin Jerstad

Janie Delgado displayed a word problem for her fifth-grade math class and read it aloud in English  then in Spanish, translating on the fly.

The 15 students in the bilingual class at Roy Cisneros Leadership School for Boys followed her explanation of multiplication tables and long division to determine how many puzzle pieces belonged in each box produced by a puzzle factory.

They shot their hands up, eager to answer, and even more excited to catch Delgados mistake.

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Youre trying to trick us, Mrs.! one boy said. Porque es trece, no doce.

Why would I try to trick you? Delgado asked.

So they can learn.

Delgado had been a paraprofessional for 27 years at Edgewood Independent School District before the district got her into an alternative certification program it created to fill teacher vacancies in core areas.

School systems across San Antonio have been forced to come up with such solutions to combat a teacher shortage. All local school districts but one  Alamo Heights  are starting the new school year with unfilled teaching positions, especially in special education and bilingual classrooms.

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Hobbled by budget deficits, most still have managed to reduce staff vacancy rates that shot up during the pandemic, using both quick fixes and long-term investments.

Roy Cisneros Elementary teacher Janie Delgado got her teaching certification with the help of Edgewood ISD's Grow Your Own Pipeline program. Robin Jerstad. Roy Cisneros Elementary teacher Janie Delgado got her teaching certification with the help of Edgewood ISD's Grow Your Own Pipeline program. Robin Jerstad.

Delgado, 55, was part of the first cohort of Edgewoods Grow Your Own Pipeline program and began leading her own classroom two years ago when she got her certification.

Participants take an online course every six weeks while serving as a classroom instructor. They receive a $40,000 salary in exchange for a three-year commitment to the district. Edgewood covers their tuition at Indiana Wesleyan University.

READ MORE: San Antonio schools look for ways to repair broken teacher pipeline

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As a paraprofessional, Delgado had acquired a key skill, capturing and keeping students attention. She had wanted to be a teacher since she was in elementary school. She attended Roy Cisneros herself, back before Edgewood expanded its magnet choices and made it a boys school.

I was already doing the job, she said. And then, when I had to fill in the vacancies, it kind of pushed me, like, Hey, you know what? This is a great opportunity. Youre already doing the job. Lets just finish it. Lets just become the teacher you want to be.

Really competitive

With 142 of 7,450 teaching positions unfilled, Northside ISD, the areas largest, is starting the school year with a vacancy rate of less than 2% across its 132 campuses.

Its the lowest such rate since 2019, according to Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources Ben Muir.

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But the districts special education department, with 84 teaching and 80 aide vacancies, remains the toughest to staff. Muir said the pipeline for special education has run dry not only among college majors but in alternative certification programs.

The result is higher caseloads  and stress levels  for the ones doing the job.

You end up overloading the special ed teachers by putting more and more on them, which then leads to the problem of turnover, Muir said. The more you pile on somebody, the harder it is for you to retain them.

Northside ISD adopted a District of Innovation plan last year that gave it flexibility with probationary contracts for new teachers and educator certification requirements and allowed it to expand its alternative certification program, a pathway to the classroom for people looking for a career change.

Participants who sign a three-year contract with the district are reimbursed up to $5,000 for earning their certification.

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A majority of those programs that our teachers are in cost less than $5,000, so its a win-win situation, Muir said.

The district currently employs 95 teachers who came through the program. It has also brought back 45 retired teachers on one-year contracts.

To overcome recruitment challenges among recent college graduates, Northside ISD allows them to teach for one year if theyve completed their education program but havent yet taken or passed their certification exam. It has hired 47 teachers on such nonrenewable permits.

It used to be that when you went to these colleges, all these students that wanted to be teachers had their tests passed and they were ready to go, Muir said. Now its the opposite. You might have a handful of kids that have taken and passed their tests, but most have not.

Hiring has become really competitive amongst all our neighbors, Muir said. The struggle to recruit from the same limited pool of applicants has pushed local districts to increase salaries in recent years, though record budget shortfalls have slowed that trend.

At Northside ISD, the boards decision to grant a 2% raise and $1,100 retention bonus to full-time employees has added about $18 million to a $94 million deficit.

North East ISD has also leaned on nonrenewable permits to address the decline in certified college graduates, said Chyla Whitton, the districts executive director of human resources.

The district is attempting to expand its workforce by getting students interested in education careers at an earlier age. This year, students at the new MacUNITED Early College High School can pursue an education pathway culminating in the opportunity to earn an aide certification.

Of nearly 4,000 teaching positions, 180 are unfilled. The 4.5% vacancy rate is a sign of progress since the pandemic, Whitton said. But like everywhere else, demand for specialized teachers cant be met.

Thats nothing new for Texas schools. According to a 2021 University of Houston study, special education and bilingual/English as a Second Language programs have been shortage areas in every academic year since 1990.

To address the latter, North East has sponsored around two dozen H-1B, or specialty occupation, visas allowing teachers from outside the United States to work for three years as bilingual educators.

The district also received a grant to provide year-long clinical residencies to bilingual students from the University of Texas at San Antonio. The grant, which expired at the end of last school year, provided $20,000 for each resident and $1,000 for each mentor teacher. Federal pandemic relief dollars went towards extending job offers to all 15 students in the first cohort.

Now that the grants over, weve decided to invest in the same process with our own funds to have more students come through that, Whitton said. Weve seen great things occur with them feeling supported and obviously incentivized to come but also committed to the district because they spent one whole year with us.

Long-term effects

Judson ISD had 38 teacher, nurse, librarian or counselor positions vacant during its first week of school in August, according to a staffing report presented at its last board meeting.

The districts reported 3% vacancy rate includes 24 openings in special education. That leaves 241 educators responsible for providing required service minutes to thousands of special ed students.

Are we going to have to start banking service minutes until we can hire more people? And how are we going to communicate that to parents? trustee Monica Ryan asked at the meeting.

Judson ISD administrators emphasized that school systems nationwide face the same predicament. They said theyre working with outside agencies and contracting with behavioral technicians to serve students with Individualized Education Plans.

Jeanine Nepveux is beginning her first year as principal at Harlandale ISDs Terrell Wells Middle School. She inherited two special education vacancies, but filled them through the districts new Educational Partners program.

Launched in July, the program hires degreed professionals to lead classrooms. The district has employed 58 of them, many working toward their teaching certification.

For the first time in more than five years, every Harlandale ISD classroom will be taught by either a certified teacher or a degreed Educational Partner, the district said.

Nepveux praised the program, which spared her from a situation she faced last year as an academic dean in charge of substitute teachers at McCollum High School: 22 vacant positions that had to be filled with 17 long-term subs.

If we dont have that teacher in the classroom, that has long-term effects, she warned.

Both Nepveux and another Harlandale ISD principal, Felecia Joiner at Bellaire Elementary, said teacher vacancies top their list of concerns.

Staffing classrooms was a particular challenge for Joiner, who said Bellaire added more than 200 students last year as the district consolidated its declining enrollment by closing four campuses. Seven vacancies were filled before the school year by the Educational Partners program.
Kangana, the MP from Mandi in Himachal Pradesh, had recently posted a clip of her interview with Hindi daily Dainik Bhaskar in which she suggested that a "Bangladesh-like situation" could have erupted in India but for the country's strong leadership(Photo: PTI)

Senior Punjab BJP leader Harjit Singh Grewal has said that he had immediately spoken to his party high command after Mandi MP Kangana Ranaut's remarks on the farmers' protests and expressed his displeasure. Grewal said that he had spoken over phone to Union Minister and BJP president J P Nadda in this regard. Click here to connect with us on WhatsApp Kangana, the MP from Mandi in Himachal Pradesh, had recently posted a clip of her interview with Hindi daily Dainik Bhaskar in which she suggested that a "Bangladesh-like situation" could have erupted in India but for the country's strong leadership.

She then alleged that bodies were hanging and rapes were taking place during the farmers' protests against the now-repealed three farm laws.

"The first thing is that just by becoming a MP, one does not become a leader...connecting with (party's) ideology does not happen in one day. I have been with the BJP for more than 35 years," Grewal told reporters here on Sunday.

"When she said (made the remarks), I immediately reacted and opposed her that it is not ideology of our party," said Grewal, a member of the BJP national executive.

The BJP had last week denounced Ranaut for her disparaging remarks on the farmers agitation, as it expressed disagreement with her views and made it clear that she is neither permitted nor authorised to comment on the party's policy matters.

Speaking on Ranaut's yet-to-be-released movie "Emergency", for which the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) has sent a legal notice to the film's producers after the apex religious body of the Sikhs claimed misrepresents the character and history of the Sikhs, Grewal said it is up to the Censor Board to take a call.

"...Censor Board's job is whether they pass or not, the party has nothing to do with that," he said.

"Second thing is that anyone who speaks against 'Khalsa', against Punjab, on that every single worker of the BJP will take a stand," he added.

Meanwhile, taking on the Congress on the issue of 1984 anti-Sikh riots, Grewal claimed that the grand old party had 'honoured' those involved in the riots, whereas the BJP government ensured that those behind the riots are punished.
CBI investigates the crime spot of the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has investigated the crime spot of the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital where the alleged rape and murder of a trainee doctor took place on August 9. The CBI also inspected the hospital's emergency building, boys hostel, and the principal's office on Sunday, an official said. Click here to connect with us on WhatsApp Meanwhile, the West Bengal Minister and Trinamool Congress leader Chandrima Bhattacharya demanded that the Central Bureau of Investigation build a strong case in the RG Kar rape and murder case to ensure "the rapist is hanged." Earlier, on August 29, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) had arrived at the police morgue of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata for further investigation of the rape and murder of the doctor.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) concluded a second round of polygraph tests on former RG Kar Medical College and Hospital (RGKMCH) principal Sandip Ghosh as part of their investigation into the rape-murder of a woman doctor at the institution.

The test was conducted by a team from the Central Forensic Science Laboratory (CFSL). CBI officials had also conducted a polygraph test on the arrested accused, Sanjay Roy, in connection with the incident.



The Indian Medical Association (IMA) had suspended the membership of Kolkata's former RG Kar Medical College and Hospital principal, Dr Sandip Ghosh, amid a CBI probe into the alleged rape and murder of the doctor.

In an order, the Indian Medical Association said the committee constituted by IMA national president Dr RV Asokan suo-motu considered the rape and murder case of the postgraduate resident doctor and the subsequent developments at the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital Kolkata.

The sexual assault of the trainee doctor has sparked massive outrage and shaken the conscience of the country.

The case was transferred to the CBI from the Kolkata police following an order from the Calcutta High Court.
Elizabeth L. T. Moore is a Hearst Fellow in San Antonio. She can be reached at Elizabeth.Moore@hearst.com

Elizabeth did her first fellowship year as a reporter with the New Haven Register in Connecticut. Moore has published bylines with Bloomberg News, The Virginian-Pilot and The Daily Tar Heel, the student newspaper of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Moore placed nationally in the Hearst Collegiate Journalism Program, and she is fluent in Spanish.
Eight accused have been arrested till now in the mob lynching incident. Photo: Pexels

Eighth accused has been arrested in the mob lynching incident where a migrant worker from West Bengal was allegedly beaten to death in Haryana's Charkhi Dadri district over suspicions that he had eaten beef, police said. The eighth accused was arrested on Sunday. Click here to connect with us on WhatsApp Earlier, the police increased security in the area to prevent further unrest or any untoward incident. Badhra Deputy Supretindent of Police (DSP) Bharat Bhushan told ANI that both SSB and state police personnel have been deployed in the district and are closely monitoring social media posts.



"The victim, a resident of North 24 Parganas in West Bengal, worked as a ragpicker here. We have deployed a company of SSB and state police and are continuously monitoring social media," Bhushan said.

"On August 27, we received information that some people in the slums of Hansawas Khurd village were consuming prohibited meat. We have collected a sample of the meat, which has been sent to an FSL lab. Future proceedings will depend on the lab report. During this period, based on suspicion, the complainants visited other slums, kidnapped two persons, and assaulted them. One person died and the other was injured," he explained.

"The police immediately took action and arrested seven suspects. Three have been sent to judicial custody, while four are in police remand. We are interrogating them, and if other names emerge, further arrests will be made," he added.

The deceased has been identified as Sabir Malik. The arrested individuals are Abhishek, Ravinder, Mohit, Kamaljeet, and Sahil. The two others detained are minors.

Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Dheeraj Kumar had said that a case has been registered under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and that the investigation is ongoing.

"A case has been filed under BNS, and seven people, including two juveniles, have been arrested. The police are actively investigating, and the accused are being questioned while in remand," DSP added.
Observing that farmers' protest should not be politicised, the Supreme Court on Monday constituted a high-powered committee headed by former Punjab and Haryana High Court judge Justice Nawab Singh to amicably resolve the grievances of farmers agitating at the Shambhu border. A bench of Justices Surya Kant and Ujjal Bhuyan directed the five-member committee to convene its first meeting within a week and reach out to the agitating farmers to persuade them to immediately remove their tractors, trolleys etc. from the Shambhu border between Punjab and Haryana to provide relief to commuters. Click here to connect with us on WhatsApp

Both the Punjab and Haryana governments will be free to give suggestions to the committee, it added.

The farmers are agitating over a plethora of demands including legal guarantee of minimum support price (MSP) for their produce.

"We hope and trust that one of the major demands of the agitating farmers regarding constitution of a neutral high-powered committee having been accepted with the consent of both the States, they will immediately respond to the request of the high-powered committee and will vacate the Shambu border or the other roads connecting the two States without any delay.

"This gesture will provide huge relief to the general public who are facing extreme hardships due to the blockade of the highways. It will also facilitate the high-powered committee and both the States to consider the farmers' genuine and just demands in a dispassionate and objective manner," the bench said.

The committee also comprises retired IPS officer B S Sandhu, Mohali resident Devinder Sharma, professor Ranjit Singh Ghuman and Dr Sukhpal Singh, agricultural cconomist from the Punjab Agriculture University.

Asking the panel to formulate the issues for consideration, the bench also directed its chairperson to invite professor B R Kamboj, Vice Chancellor of the Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University, as special invitee as and when his expert opinion is needed.

"The chairperson may appoint a Member Secretary to the High-powered Committee for the purpose of coordinating amongst the members of the Committee, convening the meetings and maintaining records, etc," it said.

The Member Secretary of the committee shall place on record the proposed issues for which the committee may also consider the scope of its delineation, it added.

It also advised the protesting farmers to distance themselves from political parties, political issues, and to not insist on demands which are not feasible to be accepted outright.

"In other words, all their issues will be considered in a phased manner by this court after taking into consideration the recommendations that may be made by the committee," it added.

The top court said the issues facing the farmers should not be politicised and be considered by the committee in a phased manner.

Noting that both the state governments have identified alternative sites for peaceful agitations, the apex court said the farmers shall be at liberty to shift the venue of their protest there.

The bench said there is a sizeable population of people in Punjab and Haryana who are associated with agriculture, belong to the marginalised sections of society and live below the poverty line.

"Most of them are the strength and backbone of agricultural activities in their villages/areas. We acknowledge their contribution towards the agricultural growth and are of the view that their legitimate aspirations, if not enforceable rights, also deserve empathy and due consideration by the committee, while examining the larger issues which are confronting the farming community in the States of Punjab and Haryana," the bench said.

It also directed the chief secretaries and police chiefs of the two states to provide all logistical support to the committee.

"The ancillary issues like honorarium to be paid to the chairperson and members of the high-powered committee, keeping in view the volume of the work entrusted to them or the apportionment of the expenditure between the two States, will be considered by us in consultation with the chairperson and members of the committee and both the state governments," the bench said while posting the matter for further hearing on October 14.

The member secretary of the committee shall, meanwhile, place on record the interim status report, the bench said.

The court was hearing the Haryana government's plea challenging the high court's order asking it to remove within a week the barricades erected at the Shambhu border near Ambala where protesting farmers have been camping since February 13.

On August 22, the bench had asked the Punjab and Haryana governments to convey to the agitating farmers that the court as well as the two states are concerned about their issues and a forum is being constituted for redressing their grievances.

The Haryana government had set up barricades on the Ambala-New Delhi national highway in February after the 'Samyukta Kisan Morcha' (Non-Political) and 'Kisan Mazdoor Morcha' announced that farmers would march to Delhi in support of their demands, including legal guarantee of minimum support price (MSP) for their produce.
Dynacons Systems shares soar: Shares of Dynacons Systems surged as much as 4.12 per cent to hit an intraday high of Rs 1,589.95 per share on Monday, September 2, 2024.

The rise in Dynacons Systems share price came after the company announced that it has bagged an order worth Rs 142.55 crore from Bank of Maharashtra. Click here to connect with us on WhatsApp

In an exchange filing, the company said, Dynacons Systems & Solutions Ltd. (Dynacons) is proud to announce that it has been awarded a significant contract worth Rs 142.55 crore by Bank of Maharashtra.

The contract includes the design, deployment and management of a cutting-edge Hyper-Converged Infrastructure (HCI) system for the Private Cloud of the Bank.

Under the terms of order, the company will be responsible for supply, installation and maintenance of Hyper Converged Infrastructure (HCI) server and storage equipment at Bank's Data Center (DC), Near DR (NDR) and Disaster Recovery Site (DR); establishing the private cloud to accommodate new application requirements as well as existing application growth; and Implementation & maintenance with 5 years of support.

This strategic partnership underscores the banks commitment to digital transformation, secure banking operations, and robust data management. These will be deployed at the Data Centre, Disaster Recovery Centre and the Near DR of the Bank, Dynacons Systems said,

The project is expected to be completed in 5 years, the company added.

We are honoured to have been selected by Bank of Maharashtra for this pivotal project. This win reflects our expertise in delivering secure, scalable, and highly efficient cloud and data centre solutions. We look forward to a successful implementation that will drive innovation, operational excellence, and robust secured data management for the bank. This Win further strengthens our position in the BFSI Segment as a strong Data Center and Cloud Solutions and Services provider, said Parag Dalal, executive director of Dynacons Systems.

Dynacons Systems & Solutions is among the leading IT companies headquartered in Mumbai with a robust presence throughout India.

Specialising in IT infrastructure, Dynacons offers a comprehensive range of services including infrastructure design, consulting, turnkey systems integration, and the establishment of extensive Network and Data Centre infrastructures. The companys expertise extends to Hyper-Converged Infrastructure (HCI) solutions, Private and Public Cloud setup, Software Defined Networking (SD-WAN), Software Defined Storage (SDS), and VDI Solutions. They also provide onsite and remote facilities management for multi-location infrastructure.

Dynacons claims to have developed a strong customer base supported by a diverse and skilled team, backed by a capable service delivery infrastructure. The company offers various service models, including IaaS (Infrastructure as a Service), PaaS (Platform as a Service), and SaaS (Software as a Service).

With extensive domain knowledge across multiple industry sectors and proficiency in both traditional and cutting-edge technologies, Dynacons delivers end-to-end technology solutions and related services to corporations across diverse industries. Their large pool of technical resources is strategically located at over 250 sites across India.

At 12:08 PM, shares of Dynacons Systems were trading 0.59 per cent higher at Rs 1,535.90 per share. In comparison, BSE Sensex was trading 0.30 per cent higher at 82,613.75 levels.
SJVN, NHPC, and RailTel Corporation of India share prices gained up to 5.2 per cent in Monday's (September 2) intraday trade. The buying interest sparked after the Indian central government granted 'Navratna' status to the state-owned companies.

As of 9:32 AM, SJVN shares were up 3.3 per cent, NHPC stock 2.45 per cent, and RailTel Corporation 4.59 per cent. Click here to connect with us on WhatsApp

On Friday, August 30, the government upgraded the four Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs) -- Railtel Corporation of India, Solar Energy Corporation of India, SJVN, and NHPC -- to 'Navratna' status. This brings the overall number of Navratna CPSEs in India to 25.

"Classification as a Navratna CPSE enables SECI towards enhanced autonomy in financial and operational matters and will accelerate the companys growth path through better agility, improved geographical presence, and technology focus," the finance ministry said while announcing the Navratna status for the companies.

Meanwhile, the Department of Public Enterprises (DPE), in its statement, said that RailTel Corporation of India is the 22nd Navratna CPSE in the country. It had an annual turnover of Rs 2,622 crore and a net profit of Rs 246 crore for FY24.

"Meanwhile, Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) will be the 23rd Navratna amongst the CPSEs. SECI is a company of Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) with an annual turnover of Rs 13,035 crore and a net profit of Rs 436 crore for FY24, DPE said in its statement.

What are Navratna companies?

PSUs are classified into Maharatna, Navratna, and Miniratna firms. Navratna classification is granted to government-owned enterprises that were previously categorised as 'miniratna' category I, in recognition of their outstanding financial and market performance.

In 1997, the government launched the Navratna plan to select CPSEs with comparative advantages and to help them become global giants.

Navratna status empowers companies with faster decision-making, increased efficiency, and greater empowerment.

These companies are given the autonomy to establish joint ventures overseas, access new markets, and leverage local expertise. Furthermore, it will foster innovation through technological alliances, strengthen market positioning, and facilitate mergers and acquisitions, leading to growth with an increased market share.

SJVN, NHPC, and RailTel share price history

In the past one year, shares of SJVN have given a stellar return of 82 per cent, RailTel Corporation shares have gained over 155.8 per cent, and NHPC has rallied 86.1 per cent against Sensex's rise of 26.2 per cent.
The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) on Monday indicated its support for a caste census, terming it an important tool to ensure the welfare of marginalised communities. But there was one caveat from the Sangh  the exercise should not be exploited for political or electoral expediency.

On the speculation of friction with its ideological offspring  the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)  during the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, the RSS maintained that all was well. Click here to connect with us on WhatsApp

However, it asserted that it was the organisations prerogative whether to send its pracharaks, swayamsevaks, or volunteers, to serve in various capacities of the BJP.

The RSS qualified support for a caste census comes in the context of demands by the Opposition INDIA bloc, and also from some constituents of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), such as the Janata Dal (United) and Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), for a nationwide caste census.

Addressing the media in Keralas Palakkad after a three-day coordination conclave of the RSS, its Akhil Bharatiya Prachar Pramukh, or national publicity chief, Sunil Ambekar said caste and caste-relations were a very sensitive issue for the Hindu society. He added that it is an important issue for our national unity and integrity.

Ambekar said the RSS believes some communities and castes that are lagging behind needed special attention. To address this, the government needs data. He said it has been an established practice.

Earlier also, it (the government) has taken (such data), and so it can do it again. But it should be done only for the welfare of those communities and castes. It should not be used as a political tool for elections. So, we put this forth with a line of caution for everyone, Ambekar said.

Ever since the Opposition INDIA bloc demanded a caste census, the BJP leadership had talked of welfare of the four castes, namely, women, poor, farmers and youth.

Earlier, the BJP had alleged that the Opposition's demand would divide the Hindu society while it is trying to consolidate it. The BJP has been taciturn in its response to the Oppositions demand for a caste census after the Lok Sabha election results.

The meeting also discussed the recent Supreme Court order on the sub-classification of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, and said no steps should be taken without the consensus of the communities concerned.

Some of the BJPs allies, especially the LJP (RV), have opposed the sub-classification of SCs, while the BJP has remained tight-lipped on the issue.

Ambekars comments on Monday suggest that the RSS, which had a sustained Dalit outreach in the last couple of decades, favours seeking a consensus on the issue.

Ambekar said the three-day meet of the RSS discussed alleged conversions taking place in Tamil Nadu. Ambekar termed it very worrisome.

The RSS also urged the government to engage in dialogue with Bangladesh to ensure the safety and security of Hindus and other minorities.





From The Kerala Conclave



> RSS qualified support comes in the context of demands by the Opposition and some of its NDA allies for a nationwide caste Census > Says it believes some communities and castes that are lagging behind need special attention > Three-day RSS meet in Kerala discussed alleged conversions taking place in Tamil Nadu The RSS meet also condemned the rape and murder of a female doctor in West Bengal. Ambekar said laws needed amendment to ensure swift justice for women who suffer atrocities.

> On recent SC order on sub-classification of SCs and STs, RSS says no steps should be taken without the consensus of the communities concerned
China's business environment, market draw more German investments

Xinhua) 11:07, September 02, 2024

NANJING/BERLIN, Aug. 31 (Xinhua) -- 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.

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.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
Tom O'Driscoll poses for a photo Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2024, at his home in Sugar Land. He said he has competed in several Iron Man competitions. He also said he donated his kidney and part of his liver to strangers. Jon Shapley/Staff photographer An old family photo shows Tom O'Driscoll as a child with his parents and eight siblings Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2024, at his home in Sugar Land. Jon Shapley/Staff photographer Tom O'Driscoll poses for a photo Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2024, at his home in Sugar Land. He said he has competed in several Iron Man competitions. He also said he donated his kidney and part of his liver to strangers. Jon Shapley/Staff photographer Tom O'Driscoll poses for a photo with his bike Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2024, at his home in Sugar Land. He said he has competed in several Iron Man competitions. He also said he donated his kidney and part of his liver to strangers. Jon Shapley/Staff photographer A plaque commemorates Tom O'Driscolls sword from the U.S. Military Academy in West Point on Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2024, at his home in Sugar Land. Jon Shapley/Staff photographer Tom O'Driscoll poses for a photo Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2024, at his home in Sugar Land. He said he has competed in several Iron Man competitions. He also said he donated his kidney and part of his liver to strangers. Jon Shapley/Staff photographer

Tom ODriscoll climbed Mount Kilimanjaro last year to raise awareness for organ donation. As soon as he returned home to Sugar Land, though, he felt he needed to do more to help.

ODriscoll couldnt donate again because hed already given one of his kidneys and part of his liver to strangers in a pair of anonymous donations. As he scoured the internet for ideas, he came across the Coalition to Modify the National Organ Transplant Act, the 1984 statute that established the organ transplant system in the United States.

The group is backing a bill that would make anonymous kidney donors eligible for a $10,000 refundable tax credit in each of the first five years after they donate. The idea of offering financial incentives to organ donors is a controversial topic in the health care community, and buying or selling an organ is illegal in the United States. But ODriscoll, like other members of the group, believes the time is right to try something different to help the thousands of people who die each year awaiting a kidney transplant.

TOM ODRISCOLL: Sugar Land kidney and liver donor climbs Mount Kilimanjaro to raise awareness for organ donation

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I thought it was elegant, ODriscoll said. Almost immediately, I thought this is a good idea to alleviate pain and suffering and death.

Just last month, a bipartisan group of U.S. representatives introduced End Kidney Deaths Act, a bill that would create a 10-year pilot program offering a total of $50,000 in refundable tax credits to anonymous kidney donors. Members of the coalition are preparing to head to Washington this month for a lobbying day at Congress; ODriscoll is planning to meet with staff from the offices of Fort Bend U.S. Rep. Troy Nehls and U.S. Sens. John Cornyn and Ted Cruz to ask for their support.

Proponents of the legislation believe it will lead to an increase in kidney donations for the more than 89,000 adults and children in the U.S. awaiting a transplant, and reduce the number of people who die before they can receive one. Critics argue there is no evidence that financial incentives would encourage more donations; they believe the focus should be on preventing end-stage renal disease to reduce the number of kidney transplants needed in the first place.

Dr. Savitri Fedson, a professor at the Center for Medical Ethics and Health Policy at Baylor College of Medicine, worries that providing financial incentives for organ donations could be risky business.

Under the proposal, the $10,000 tax credit could either be used to reduce a tax bill or be given to the donor as a refund. Fedson is concerned that could appeal to someone who is already in a vulnerable financial situation. She also noted there is little data on how giving an organ might affect the donor down the line.

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If you look at those for whom a $10,000 tax credit per year  is substantially more important, they are going to be a lot more vulnerable population, she said.

Supporters argue the benefits of the End Kidney Deaths Act outweigh any concerns. The Coalition to Modify NOTA estimates the legislation would not only save lives, but also save more than $50 million per year that Medicare spends on dialysis, said Elaine Perlman, one of its founders.

Perlman, a New York resident who is also the executive director of the kidney transplant advocacy group Waitlist Zero, is hopeful the legislation can be passed within the next year  or possibly even sooner.

Im sort of sprinting to the finish line, said Perlman, who donated one of her kidneys to a stranger in early 2020. I want it signed this year, because every day that we dont sign this law, people are dying from preventable deaths.

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Tom O'Driscoll poses for a photo with his bike Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2024, at his home in Sugar Land. He said he has competed in several Iron Man competitions. He also said he donated his kidney and part of his liver to strangers. Jon Shapley/Staff photographer

The need for more kidneys

There are more than 103,000 adults and children in the United States on the waiting list for organ transplants, according to the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network. Approximately 86 percent of them  more than 89,000  need a kidney.

The number of kidney transplants performed annually has been gradually rising, reaching a record high of 27,332 last year, according to OPTN data. But theres still a long way to go to meet the need.

Over the past decade, an average of more than 4,700 people have died each year awaiting a kidney transplant, according to OPTN data. Thousands more were removed from the waiting list because they became too sick to survive the surgery.

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ORGAN TRANSPLANTS: What to know about organ transplants after Memorial Hermann hospital scandal

The End Kidney Deaths Act is seeking to change that. Most organ transplants come from family members or friends who have a clear motivation to give, Perlman said. The legislation is instead targeting anonymous donations, which have hovered between 250 and 400 annually since 2017, according to OPTN data.

There are federal programs and organizations that compensate organ donors for the cost of travel, hotels, meals and lost wages they incurred, but tax credits would take that compensation a step further.

One of the reasons ODriscoll supports the legislation is it offers a measurable benefit to kidney donors, he said. He noted that organ transplant centers and health care workers are paid for their efforts, while recipients benefit from a new kidney. For donors, the benefit is the good feeling they get from saving a life.

The only person in the whole value chain who gets no consideration at all is the person that made it happen. The donor, he said. By doing this, I think it recognizes the value of that donor.

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The legislation does not apply to former donors, so ODriscoll and Perlman would not be eligible for tax credits.

Perlman said other members of the coalition felt the tax credits should be available to all kidney donors, rather than just those who give anonymously. But she believes a more targeted approach has a better chance of garnering support in Congress.

We need to show first that it works. We need to build confidence in it, in this idea, she said. We cant start big. We need to start small.

No great, simple solution

There are some indications that the idea of financial incentives for organ donors is gaining traction, both within the medical community and among the public.

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The American Medical Association and the American Society of Transplant Surgeons support more studies into whether financial incentives could increase organ donations. The ethics committee for the OPTN and the United Network for Organ Sharing has previously said that pilot studies may be needed to break the stalemate in the debate over any ethical concerns.

We feel like the medical community is pretty solidly on our side, Perlman said, noting that health care workers account for a sizable portion of the 660 members of the Coalition to Modify NOTA.

Fedson said more data is needed to determine if financial incentives would be effective. She is concerned they might seem distasteful and dissuade someone who is considering an altruistic donation, even if theres no requirement to claim the tax credit.

Her primary concern, though, is for the donors. Tax credits may be alluring to someone in a precarious financial situation, she said. The National Kidney Foundation has said there is limited research into the long-term risks of kidney donation, so they could develop health problems later in life, Fedson said.

She believes that focusing on preventing kidney disease to reduce the need for transplants is a better long-term strategy.

Theres no great, simple solution, she said. I think that trying to focus on the tail end is good, but the focus on prevention  is probably more cost-effective.

ODriscoll said he understands the concerns, but with thousands dying every year on the waiting list, he believes its crucial to provide immediate help.
This summer is far from ordinary across the globe. Following a record-setting season in India, concerns have now shifted to Iran, where a troubling report has surfaced. Last week, a weather station near Dayrestan Airport in southern Iran recorded a heat index of 82.2 degrees Celsius and a dew point of 36.1 degrees Celsius.

If verified, these figures could set new records for the highest heat index and dew point ever documented on Earth, according to a post by US-based meteorologist Colin McCarthy on X (formerly Twitter). Click here to connect with us on WhatsApp

For reference, staying in temperatures with a heat index of 40-54 degree Celsius for too long can lead to a heatstroke.

The dew point is the temperature at which the air becomes fully saturated with moisture, leading to condensation. When the body overheats, it sweats to cool down, but if high humidity prevents sweat from evaporating, the body struggles to cool itself, making the temperature feel even hotter.

However, McCarthy has questioned the accuracy of these readings. He noted that nearby weather stations reported significantly lower dew points, emphasising that an official investigation is necessary to confirm the accuracy of these measurements.

The extreme readings, resulting from an air temperature of 38.9 degrees Celsius combined with 85 per cent relative humidity in a village in southern Iran, have sparked concerns and demands for an official investigation, as indicated by data released by the US National Weather Service.

What is the heat index?

The heat index, also known as apparent temperature, indicates how hot it feels to the human body when relative humidity is factored in with the actual air temperature. It reflects the combined effects of temperature and humidity, offering a clearer understanding of how the weather will feel.

For instance, high humidity can make temperatures feel hotter than they are because sweat doesn't evaporate as easily, making it harder for the body to cool down. In contrast, lower humidity allows sweat to evaporate more efficiently, making the air feel cooler than the actual temperature. The heat index is especially relevant in summer or tropical climates where high temperatures and humidity can lead to heat-related health risks such as heat exhaustion or heatstroke.

In drier regions, temperatures might be higher, but the lower humidity makes the air feel cooler.

Extreme heat in West Asia

During the Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia, the heat claimed over 1000 lives. More than 200 Indian pilgrims died during the Hajj pilgrimage 2024, with a majority of the deaths being attributed to cardio-respiratory and cardio-pulmonary arrests, the government informed the Lok Sabha.

The temperatures soared to 51.8 degrees Celsius in Mecca on June 17 this year, making it extremely difficult for the approximately 1.8 million people, many elderly and frail, to participate in the days-long, predominantly outdoor pilgrimage.

In response to the severe heat, authorities in Iran and neighbouring countries have issued warnings, urging residents to take precautions against heat-related illnesses. The Middle East, already grappling with conflicts, is now facing an unprecedented heatwave, with temperatures approaching 50 degrees Celsius in Iraq and Iran. This extreme heat has also triggered widespread power outages.

Delhi's summer reached 50 degrees

In June this year, Delhi endured a prolonged period of intense heat, with the capital experiencing persistently high temperatures. The IMD reported that the national capital recorded a heat index of 51 degrees Celsius.

Several regions in northwest India consistently saw maximum temperatures of 40 degrees Celsius or higher daily for over a month, marking this heatwave as the most intense since 1951 for Delhi and neighbouring states.

IMD data also revealed that on June 18, Delhi experienced its warmest night on record, with a minimum temperature of 35.2 degrees Celsius, which was eight degrees above the normal range.

The heatwave that gripped Delhi from June 11 to 19 claimed the lives of 192 homeless individuals, making it the deadliest on record for this period, according to a report by the NGO Centre for Holistic Development.
Mateo Tamez, 5, and Emilio Tamez, 2, wait out the rain at the Lone Star Flight Museum on Monday, Sept. 4, 2023, in Houston. Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer

Whether Texans spend Monday shopping for deals, attending a barbecue or otherwise enjoying the day off, Labor Day, celebrated on the first Monday of September, is much more than the unofficial end of summer.

The U.S. holiday is meant to be a testament to the American worker. But in Texas, the condition of that worker doesnt stand too well, according to a study conducted by the nonprofit Oxfam America. Based on three categories  wage policies, workers' protections and right to organize  Texas came in 46th overall.

And when it comes to union membership, the Houston area ranked 50th out of 55 major cities, according to 2023 data from Construction Coverage. Only 3.8% of Houstons 3.2 million employed citizens are union members.

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Texas is a right-to-work state, meaning union membership isnt compulsory. Federal law permits anyone to join or not join a union, but in states with right-to-work policies, non-union employees can receive the benefits of a union contract without paying dues.

According to research from the American Economic Institute, wages in right-to-work states such as Texas are 3.1% lower than states that do not have right-to-work. That means the average, full-time worker in Texas can make $1,558 lower annual wages than in a state without right-to-work policies. Gov. Greg Abbott has long supported right-to-work, arguing the state needs to protect workers from union coercion.

Christine Bolanos, communications director for Workers Defense, a statewide organization that organizes for immigrant and worker justice in Texas, works largely with construction workers, a majority of whom are migrants and Spanish-speaking.

Because of this, Bolanos says many arent aware they can join a union or theyre fearful of supervisor retaliation if they become involved in a union. On top of that, many are vulnerable to abusive workplace tactics, such as wage the lack of workers compensation and benefits, retaliation for speaking out against injustice in the workplace and a lack of proper training to keep themselves safe, Bolanos.

Despite poor national standing, union membership has been on the rise in Texas.

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In an Aug. 30 newsletter, the Texas chapter of the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations, applauded the growth of Texas union membership and recent wins in labor organizing, despite the states history of union suppression.

The stage is set for working people to improve their lives by speaking up together  not only through organizing their workplace, but by making their voice heard at the ballot box, Texas AFL-CIO President Rick Levy said.

Houston-area Kroger workers successfully bargained for a better contract in February. Through representation by the United Food & Commercial Workers Local 455, 13,000 Kroger workers opened the door to greater benefits, higher wages and lower health insurance premiums.

And right now, Houstons municipal workers union, HOPE AFSCME Local 123, are in the process of negotiating with Mayor John Whitmire for wage increases.

To Bolanos, these recent advancements could signal a shift in Texas. Still, she said she finds that Texas has a long way to go before truly exemplifying the true meaning of Labor Day.

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One construction worker dies every three days in Texas, making it the most dangerous state in the country for construction industry employees. The lack of worker protections has also made it an extremely hostile state for other day laborers  the very same workers who our state would cease to operate much less prosper without  such as those in domestic work, in restaurants, in factory and warehouse work.
AlephYa Education (AlephYa or Company), a leading pan-GCC education provider, today announced a majority investment from TA Associates (TA), a leading global private equity firm, to support its next phase of growth. As part of the transaction, existing investors Gulf Investment Corporation (GIC) and Oman International Development and Investment Company SAOG (Ominvest) will retain a meaningful stake in the business, partnering closely with TA. Ashmore Investment Saudi Arabia (Ashmore), an investor in AlephYa since 2017, will fully exit its investment in the Company.

Founded in 2017, AlephYa has become a fast-expanding school platform committed to providing high-quality, affordable education to local and expat families across the Middle East. The Companys network of schools offers a mix of American, British and local curricula designed to empower students with the skills to become future leaders while retaining their national heritage. Today, AlephYa owns and operates 13 schools across Saudi Arabia, UAE and Oman, with a combined enrollment of over 18,500 students.

Since AlephYas founding only seven years ago, the Company has established a strong, diversified platform driven by an impressive track record of M&A and operational excellence. As experienced investors in the education space, we see great potential for AlephYas continued expansion, both organically and through strategic acquisitions, said Dhiraj Poddar, Managing Director at TA. We are thrilled to partner with the AlephYa team to achieve further scale and bring high-quality, affordable education to more communities across the GCC, added Vishal Gupta, Director at TA.

TA shares our commitment to academic excellence, and their investment provides a major opportunity to enhance our educational infrastructure, improve our facilities and increase our impact on new and existing students, said Shailesh Doshi, CEO and Co-Founder of AlephYa. We are excited to welcome TA as an investor and look forward to leveraging their deep expertise in scaling companies to reach our full potential, added Nadeem Masud and Chandra Tiwari, Co-Founders of AlephYa.

Since investing in the Company in 2017, it has been a privilege to significantly scale AlephYa working alongside Ominvest and GIC during a period of such transformational growth, commented Ibrahim Assem, Head of Private Equity, MENA at Ashmore Group plc. We wish AlephYa and its shareholders the best as they solidify its position as one of the largest school groups in the region, added Kartik Patel, Head of Alternatives at Ashmore Investment Saudi Arabia.

We believe AlephYa is well-positioned to sustain its rapid growth as the demand for accessible, high-quality education continues to increase across the GCC. This transaction is part of GICs strategy to partner with leading global firms and we look forward to the next chapter ahead in partnership with TA, said Mohammad Al-Fares, Head of Diversified Projects Division at GIC.

We are pleased to welcome TA as a fellow investor in AlephYa. As knowledgeable investors in the education sector, we are confident TAs partnership will enable us to enhance AlephYas offering and further strengthen its footprint. This investment is aligned with Ominvests Purpose Statement of transforming businesses to enrich societies, commented Badar Al Shanfari, Chief investment Officer (Private Equity) at Ominvest.

PwC Middle East served as financial advisor to TA. Al Tamimi & Company and Goodwin Procter LLP provided legal counsel to TA. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

About AlephYa Education

Established in 2017, AlephYa is a leading educational group that owns and operates schools across the GCC. AlephYa has a core focus on nurturing global citizens and empowering students with the skills to become future leaders, providing high-quality education that is affordable and accessible to every child. The platforms approach to education is focused around the five attributes of academic excellence, community, collaboration, heritage and corporate and social responsibility. To learn more, visit www.alephyaeducation.com.

About Ashmore Investment Saudi Arabia

Based in Riyadh, Ashmore Investment Saudi Arabia was founded in 2014 and is part of Ashmore Group plc. Ashmore Group is one of the world's leading investment managers dedicated to Emerging Markets with USD 49.5 billion (as at 30 June 2024) invested for clients across the globe. These include central banks, government and corporate pension funds, institutions and high net worth individuals. Ashmore offers a number of investment themes, including External Debt, Local Currency, Corporate Debt, Blended Debt, Equities, Alternatives, Overlay/Liquidity and Multi-Asset. To learn more, visit www.ashmoregroup.com.

About Gulf Investment Corporation

Gulf Investment Corporation (GIC) is an investment company incorporated in the State of Kuwait on November 15, 1983 as a Gulf Shareholding Company. It is equally owned by the governments of the six-member states of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). GIC was formed to foster economic growth, economic diversification and capital markets development across the GCC region. To learn more, visit www.gic.com.kw.

About Ominvest

Founded in 1983 and listed on the Muscat Securities Exchange, Ominvest is a leading investment company in the region with a track record of consistent profits and dividend payments to shareholders. At Ominvest, we take a global approach to investing and hold a diversified portfolio of investments in markets beyond Oman, including the GCC, Asia and other international growth markets. Our investments are diversified across insurance, banking & finance, private equity, global capital market investments, real estate and technology. www.ominvest.com

About TA

TA is a leading global private equity firm focused on scaling growth in profitable companies. Since 1968, TA has invested in more than 560 companies across its five target industries  technology, healthcare, financial services, consumer and business services. Leveraging its deep industry expertise and strategic resources, TA collaborates with management teams worldwide to help high-quality companies deliver lasting value. The firm has raised $65 billion in capital to date and has over 150 investment professionals across offices in Boston, Menlo Park, Austin, London, Mumbai and Hong Kong. For more information, visit: www.ta.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240901234095/en/
Lyfe Hotels and Resorts, the newest gem in Bhubaneswars luxury hospitality landscape, has been honoured with the prestigious award for theat the Todays Traveller Awards 2024. This accolade, presented in a glittering ceremony at the Taj Palace, New Delhi recently, reinforces Lyfe Hotels' status as one of the fastest-growing hospitality brands in India.The award was graciously received byfrom the, further highlighting the brand's dedication to excellence. This recognition celebrates Lyfe Hotels' unwavering commitment to delivering luxurious experiences, exceptional culinary offerings, and unparalleled service to its global guests.Lyfe Hotels Bhubaneswar continues to push the boundaries of modern hospitality. From its impeccably designed accommodations to its world-class dining and wellness offerings, the hotel provides guests with an authentic and immersive experience that reflects the unique culture and spirit of the region.Speaking on this momentous occasion,, said, At Lyfe Hotels and Resorts, we create destinations that inspire and rejuvenate our guests, offering them an unmatched blend of luxury and authenticity. This award from Todays Traveller is a powerful recognition of our team's dedication to delivering exceptional experiences. It reflects our unwavering commitment to excellence, innovation, and personalized service. We believe this win will inspire our teams to continue pushing the boundaries of what luxury hospitality can offer. We are proud to offer experiences that resonate with travellers from across the globe and elevate the standard of luxury hospitality.As Lyfe Hotels & Resorts celebrates this remarkable achievement, the brand remains focused on its mission to redefine luxury travel and uphold its legacy of excellence. With a steadfast commitment to innovation, personalized service, and sustainable practices, Lyfe Hotels is poised to continue setting new benchmarks in the hospitality industry. Looking to the future, the brand is committed to expanding its portfolio and introducing innovative experiences that resonate with discerning modern travellers.
By Jonathan McCambridge, PA

Police have removed an anti-immigration sign that was erected at the roadside in a Co Tyrone village.

The sign, which carried the message no illegal immigrants for one mile with an image of a number of people in a small boat, was visible on the footpath in Moygashel on Monday.

It was left close to an Orange arch across the main road in the village.

New statistics showed that the PSNI dealt with a record number of race-related incidents last year (Niall Carson/PA)

Police attended the scene shortly after 2.30pm and removed the sign.

The incident happened during a time of increased concern over racist attacks and race-related incidents in Northern Ireland.

Recent figures showed that the region reported the highest number of race-related incidents on record last year.

Some 1,411 such incidents were recorded in the 12 months from July 1 2023 to June 30 2024, according to the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (Nisra).

The latest figures were recorded before the recent spate of race-related incidents in August which followed anti-immigration protests in Belfast.

Unrest in Belfast and attacks on some businesses owned by people from minority ethnic backgrounds came at a time of tension across the UK following misinformation on social media after the murder of three young children in Southport.
Original member of Houstons first Latino investigators, Chicano Squad, Jose Selvera Jr. and his son Sergio Selvera are photographed on Tuesday, Aug. 27, 2024 in Houston. Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer

As a young Houston robbery officer, Jim Montero frequently had to drop everything on the beck and call of his superiors to translate for fellow officers unable to understand Spanish-speaking crime victims and witnesses.

There was no effort 50 years ago to connect the department better with what is now the largest population in Houston. Eventually, he would become part of a team that revolutionized community policing when he landed on the Chicano Squad, a trailblazing group of bilingual detectives assembled and tasked with a swath of unsolved murders after the 1977 police killing of Vietnam veteran Jose Joe Campos Torres.

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Their story, which has gained renewed interest in recent years, is now the subject of a new two-part documentary set to air Monday on A&E.

The retiree recalled being detoured mid-arrest to translate for potential witnesses after two separate killings in Houstons Northside  his first homicide investigation. More death cases landed on his plate until Montero could barely handle them solo.

He convinced then-Chief Harold Caldwell, untangling the tumultuous fallout from Torres death, to let him assemble a team of detectives in 1979 to tackle unsolved crimes afflicting Houstons Latino community. About a quarter of the 660 homicides victims in Houston that year were Hispanic  and many of the cases had languished due to language barriers.

Original member of Houstons first Latino investigators, Chicano Squad, Jose Selvera Jr. is photographed on Tuesday, Aug. 27, 2024 in Houston. Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer

Recognizing the teams impact

The team, who had largely little investigative experience at the start, were given three months to do what they could.

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It was essentially a pilot program, said Jose Selvera, one of the founding members. I dont think they realized what they were beginning. They told us wed have 90 days and then wed go back to patrol. But we had an 80% clearance rate at the end.

Some of the detectives went on to build storied careers with the Houston Police Departments homicide unit. Though Robert Gatewood, one of the founding members, went on to be fired after being accused of urging a witness to lie. He also faced allegations that he stole thousands of dollars in drug cartel money.

Selvera, however, lauded their squads creation as absolutely revolutionary.

The unit went largely unheralded outside of Texas until after the 2020 murder of George Floyd, when a podcast documented the squads early days, starting with the beating and drowning of Torres following his arrest at an East End cantina, detailing the squads monumental success solving murder cases, the roadblocks they faced from HPD staff outside the squad, Gatewoods scandal and the dismantling of the unit in 2010 under ex-chief Harrold Hurtt.

CRIME IN HOUSTON: Violent crime continues downward trend in Houston and the nation.

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Pioneers in community policing

Veteran prosecutor Ruben Perez, who attended a screening of the documentary, handled many of the squads cases and took some to trial. Like the officers, bilingual prosecutors were scarce when Perez joined the Harris County District Attorneys Office in 1981. He sometimes doubled as an interpreter in court.

Original Chicano Squad member U. P. Hernandez is photographed on Tuesday, Aug. 27, 2024 in Houston. Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer

The squad was given little to no training and had fewer tools to get the work done, sharing one typewriter to log reports and interviews, Perez recalled, hailing their work as equal in quality to their colleagues.

I think they were probably set up for failure, Perez, 73, said.

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But unlike their non-Hispanic counterparts, the squad had a knack for navigating seedy cantinas in Houstons barrios and understanding Spanish slang. Perez doubts the officers earned extra just to translate (the squad accused the city of pay disparity and heavier workloads in 2006).

They could also track down witnesses when Perezs own investigators failed.

For one case, which Perez said wasnt theirs, the squad volunteered their time to find a Dominican witness on a name alone. It took them one night.

Without that witness, I dont think I could have made the case, Perez said.

He credited their success to having earned the Spanish speaking communitys trust.

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You can have all the resources, all the gear and so forth, but if youre not genuine with your witnesses, with the community  the community will know that youre not genuine. They can feel it, Perez said.

Original Chicano Squad member Cecil Mosqueda is photographed on Tuesday, Aug. 27, 2024 in Houston. Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer

Cecil Mosqueda, another founding squad member, said communication was at the heart of their success.

English-speaking detectives, white and Black, would go out and ask who saw what, Mosqueda said. Most of the people standing there had come over from Mexico and didnt speak English. Or few could.

They quickly solved one killing after realizing their predecessors had poked fun at a shooting victim who died clutching a case of beer, prompting several witnesses to remain silent until Mosqueda reviewed the case.

It was hard for them to accept that we were really there to help at first, another squad member, U.P. Hernandez, recalled.

The surviving officers said the department has made strides in diversifying their ranks. Mosqueda said his cadet class, which in 1974 was noted as the largest in years, made headlines for the departments push to recruit minority officers, including women. He graduated and joined about 100 sworn officers like him.

Now, about 2,000 Hispanics make up their ranks and mayors have hired two Latino chiefs, Art Acevedo and now Noe Diaz.
Disney-Pixars Inside Out 2 has surpassed The Lion King 2019 remake to become the highest-grossing animated feature of all time.

This weekend, the Kelsey Mann-directed IO2 grossed $9.8 million globally ($2.7m in the U.S. and $7.1m abroad) for a grand total of $1.66 billion, pushing it past the $1.65 billion global take of The Lion King.

Many media sources had erroneously reported back in July that Inside Out 2 had become the highest-grossing animated film of all-time after it topped the $1.45 billion gross of Frozen 2, because they dont consider cg animation to be animation, even though all three of the films under discussion were created using the same cg techniques. The Walt Disney Company itself also claims falsely that The Lion King remake is not an animated film.

Others have pointed out that The Lion King remake contains a single shot of live action film, which disqualifies the film from consideration, however Walt Disneys 1937 feature Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs contains two live-action shots, and not a single person has made the argument in the last 87 years that that it is not a fully-animated film.

In any case, it is now without doubt that Inside Out 2 is the highest-grossing animated feature of all time, a fact worth celebrating and an affirmation of the power of animation in the global marketplace. The film is also the ninth-highest-grossing film of all time globally, as well as the current highest-grossing film of 2024, both domestically and globally.
Negotiations for Loma Negra sale continue despite expiration exclusivity

Muriel Bal By 02 September 2024

The potential sale of Loma Negra to CSN has entered a new phase after the exclusivity term to negotiate a deal expired on 12 August after an automatic renewal but has not been renewed since, reports Noticias Financieras. While negotiations with the Brazilian group continue, the expiry enables other companies to bid for the Argentinian cement producer.



One candidate is Argentine businessman Marcelo Mindlin, owner of construction company Sacde, as he wants to vertically integrate all the operations of his company.



However, discussions are slow to advance as in addition the sale of Loma Negra, there is also the sale of the entire shareholding package of InterCement, which controls Camargo Correas cement business in Brazil and Argentina. While InterCement has positive results from its Argentinian operations, the company shoulders a US$1.6bn debt, with half of its liabilities in three Brazilian banks  Bradesco, Itau and Banco do Brazil  which will play a key role in the negotiations.



Loma Negra published its 2Q24 results recently with positive operational results boosting its net profit.

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BUA's pricing strategy comes sunder scrutiny amid Nigerian housing deficit

ICR Newsroom By 02 September 2024

BUA Cements pricing strategy has come under scrutiny as part of the ongoing debate over high cement prices in Nigeria.

Abdul Sam Rabiu, chairman of BUA Cement, addressed the issue at the companys 8th annual general meeting in Abuja, Nigeria. He attributed the escalating cement prices to middlemen, who have been selling cement at bag prices far above the intended NGN3500 (US$2.19), with some selling for as much as NGN8000.

Mr Rabiu noted, We were selling cement at NGN3500 with the expectation that dealers and retailers would pass the benefits of the low price to end-user customers, but some were selling at NGN7000 and NGN8000 per bag, making a lot of money from the very high margin. He added, I think we sold more than a million tons at NGN3500 before we realised what the dealers were doing.

Despite the chairmans claims, several industry stakeholders have expressed their skepticism. Kayode Animashaun, a major player in the countrys cement business, argued, The recent excuse advanced by the chairman of BUA Cement is unacceptable. There is no way dealers would buy at NGN3500 and sell at NGN8000. It is a feeble attempt at giving a dog a bad name to hang it.

Ahmad Magaji, a stakeholder in the cement distribution value chain, echoed this sentiment, saying, There is no way dealers would get a bag of cement for NGN3500 and sell for NGN8000. It is absurd.

BUA Cements critics suggest that the companys pricing policy might have been a strategic move to gain market share.

The broader economic context, including the devaluation of the naira and the removal of the fuel subsidy, has also contributed to the unsustainability of BUAs low-price strategy. Rabiu acknowledged that these factors made it impossible to continue selling cement at NGN3500 per bag. He stated that, Because of the issues Nigeria faced at the time, such as the devaluation of the naira and the removal of the fuel subsidy, we could not continue that policy. We wanted the price to stay at that level, but dealers refused.

The controversy surrounding BUAs pricing strategy has led to calls for the company to apologise. Several dealers and stakeholders argued that the Nigerian cement producer raised public expectations that were not met.

The controversy highlights the ongoing challenges in Nigerias cement market, where the high cost of building materials continues to worsen the countrys housing deficit. The International Human Rights Commission reported last year that more than 28m Nigerians lack access to decent and affordable housing. With the average bag price of cement increasing from NGN4300 in May 2023 to NGN7500-8000 by May 2024, the situation has only worsened. Industry experts have expressed concerns that this trend may force more Nigerians to settle for substandard living conditions.

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CRH completes final phase of European lime divestment

ICR Newsroom By 02 September 2024

CRH previously announced on 22 November 2023 that it has reached an agreement to divest its lime operations in Europe for a total consideration of US$1.1bn. CRH has now announced today that the third and final phase of the transaction, comprising the groups lime operations in Poland, is now complete.

CRH is one of the largest providers of building materials solutions. Employing around 78,500 people at 3390 different operating locations in 28 countries, CRH has market leadership positions in both North America and Europe. As the essential partner for transportation and critical utility infrastructure projects, complex non-residential construction and outdoor living solutions, CRHs unique offering of materials, products and value-added services helps to deliver a more resilient and sustainable, built environment. The company is ranked among sector leaders by environmental, social and governance (ESG) rating agencies.

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State building projects in Ireland must use low-carbon concrete under new rules

ICR Newsroom By 02 September 2024

Future state-funded building such as roads, schools and hospitals must use low-carbon concrete under new regulations which came into force yesterday. Concrete will be a key building material as Ireland spends billions of euros modernising its infrastructure, but it is already responsible for five per cent of greenhouse gas emissions, mostly because of the new type of cement used in its manufacture. New rules issued by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment demand that all government or state agency-funded building projects designed from the start of this month must use low-carbon concrete. The rules prohibit the use of CEM I, the cement with the highest emissions, and are legally binding.

Susan McGarry, director of public affairs and sustainability with Ecocem, said the new rules are a monumental step forward for government departments and other bodies, predicting that would aid construction in cutting down on emissions. Ms McGarry continued, explaining that these regulations would apply to organisations including the Land Development Agency, Transport Infrastructure Ireland and the Health Service Executive.

According to a department spokesperson, the rules, known as the public sector mandate, do not cover state companies such as the ESB or Bord no Mona. However she added that many of these organisations are already cutting or planning to cut carbon in their construction projects. She said that Ireland uses around 3Mta of cement out of the 5Mt it manufactures. Production is likely to grow 40 per cent up to 2030, much of it driven by demand from government-procured infrastructure. The department's mandate demands that concrete used in public projects replaces at least 30 per cent of the clinker with a low-carbon alternative. Ms McGarry said, A lot of private sector projects are already way beyond 30 per cent. Some of them are up at 50 per cent and 70 per cent clinker reduction. Ms McGarry believes the cement industry will be able to meet growing demand for low-carbon alternatives, particularly as the private sector is already switching to these products.

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When Isaac Martinez bought his first home in Montgomery County this year, its tree-filled yard seemed like an asset.

That quickly changed when two storms whipped through the Houston area. First came Mays derecho, which toppled old-growth trees along its destructive path, pulling down one of Martinezs pines and yanking branches from others. Hurricane Beryl rushed through soon after, throwing its weight at wooded areas with wind speeds that topped 80 mph.

Now, Martinez is battling his insurance company over tens of thousands of dollars in roof damage from the flying branches. He is even considering doing away with the trees he has left.

Four of them are very close to the house, Martinez said. It looked so beautiful, but we never saw this side of it.

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The new homeowner is one of many in the Houston area now disillusioned by the high cost of tree maintenance, the insurance battles raging over home damage from flying timber and the risks trees pose for the regions exposed electrical wires.

Matt Petty, a certified local arborist who has worked for years with Davey Tree Services, said the regions tree workers get a surge of calls every year starting in April from longtime Houstonians hoping to maintain their trees before hurricane season.

Still, he and other arborists think the extended stretch since the regions last major windstorm in 2008, combined with the number of new residents to the area, meant more trees than ever had not been checked for disease or weakness before the latest storms hit.

The level of anxiety going through this hurricane season  I havent experienced anything like this since Hurricane Ike, Petty said.

When the derecho hit, it created sort of a wake-up call, so we were receiving a massive amount of calls. Then Beryl hit, and it just increased it, he said. Theyre asking for help navigating their tree safety: Whats my likelihood of risk going forward?

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A fallen tree on the roof of a home in Meadowcreek Village, photographed on Tuesday, July 16, 2024, in Houston. Widespread damage from Hurricane Beryl and the May derecho has Houstonians uneasy about the foliage they have left. Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer

Why this seasons storms hit harder

The intensity of Beryl and the derecho meant that in some cases trees came down because they were simply in the path of the gusts, irrespective of their health or other features.

Still, a slew of factors weakened Houston-area trees prior to the heavy storm season.

Two consecutive summers of intense droughts, freezing winter temperatures and an explosion of new construction have put prolonged stress on the canopy, which makes trees more susceptible to secondary threats such as disease and pests. These all weaken the urban forest, killing some trees without toppling them or making limbs more vulnerable to high winds.

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This year's heavy winds also had an easier time heaving trees up from the regions clay-rich soil after an onslaught of heavy rains kept the ground oversaturated and weakened the trees support.

For Martinez, learning if any of his new trees were zombies would not have helped with the lofty price tag on their care. After speaking to a friend who recently paid $5,000 to fell a healthy-looking tree that was too close to his house for comfort, Martinez knew hed need to find other solutions. He has taken to clearing the fallen tree and limbs himself.

We've had to borrow trucks and trailers from friends, and equipment, and we've been doing it ourselves since we don't have the finances for it, he said. Theyre charging a lot.

In the meantime, he is still fighting his insurance company over the total claim value for his destroyed roof. A licensed public adjuster he hired from Tiger Adjusters found it would cost him 10 times more than his insurance company evaluated.

He knows he cannot risk the same situation again. If he had a way, he said, he would take the standing trees out today.

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Wallace Ervin carries a cut piece of a pecan tree as he and other union member volunteers work to clear Hurricane Beryl debris on Tuesday, July 16, 2024, in Houston. Widespread damage from Hurricane Beryl and the May derecho has Houstonians uneasy about the trees they have left. Melissa Phillip/Staff Photographer

Which trees came down during Beryl

John Culpeppers Georgia-based arborist service, Strategic Land Management, had crews working around the clock in Houston after Hurricane Beryl. The teams, who travel across the country to tend to tree damage after storms, saw the devastation up close.

It was a mixture of every kind of tree you can imagine, said Culpepper, who added that he personally saw more downed oaks and pines than other species. Those that fell often had large canopies that were susceptible to wind gusts.

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A hurricane doesnt really care about what species it is, its all about sheer wind power, he said. It's like having an umbrella in the storm.

Texas A&M Forest Service, which had to temporarily close Conroes W.G. Jones State Forest after Beryl hit, estimated that hurricane force winds affected 50% of Houstons urbanized area tree coverage and potentially affected over 400,000 acres of Texas rural forestland. An additional 7.4 million acres of forestland were hit with tropical storm force winds, the Forest Service said in its initial assessment on July 11.

The freeze and the droughts led to an urban forest that had been pretty beat up. We had a lot of trees that were already kind of predisposed, said Matt Weaver, a regional urban and community forester for the Forest Service who now covers Harris County and surrounding areas.

Weaver said he is hearing from a lot of residents and homeowners concerned about whether they can save the trees that have not yet been torn out. He worries about the older trees with large canopies that were wrecked by the years storms because they offer the most environmental benefits.

The big trees, the mature trees, what we call our canopy, those are giving us over three-quarters of the benefits environmentally and economically, he said.

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These benefits include providing shade, which reduces the urban heat island effect, and flood mitigation  neither of which can be replicated by newer, younger trees.

Though supercharged by Beryl and the derecho, the canopy reduction did not start this summer: A Rice University analysis of federal satellite data found that Harris County lost almost 10% of its overall tree canopy between 2011 and 2021. Researchers attributed the loss to factors including extreme weather, removal for development, insects, diseases and incorrect planting practices. 2011 in particular was the year of a devastating drought that killed hundreds of millions of trees across the state, including in the Houston area.

Workers with Davey Tree trim trees from utility lines along Champion Forest Tuesday, July 16, 2024, in Spring. Widespread damage from Hurricane Beryl and the May derecho has Houstonians uneasy about the foliage left untouched by the storms. Melissa Phillip / Houston Chronicle

What homeowners can do

Even when a tree looks perfectly healthy, it may already be diseased or dying. Healthy trees might still need a calculated trim to avoid picking up too much wind, or strategic treatment, fertilization or watering  during droughts, especially  that certified arborists can best recommend.

The trouble many homeowners now face is that arborists prices have surged and schedules have filled up. Less expensive but untrained crews sometimes make recommendations that can hurt in the long run, such as over-pruning or chopping branches away from a tree without looking out for its long-term health.

If you prune everything back too much, you end up stressing the trees out, said Culpepper of Strategic Land Management. Then you're creating a hazard, because parts of the tree are dying out.

Ben Plunkett had an advantage when dealing with his own backyard full of trees: He is an arborist himself. Still, he had not yet taken down some pines that should have come out before a storm as sharp as Beryl.

I had five trees that died. During the drought of last year, they became stressed, then I had a small outbreak of Ips 'engraver' beetles in my yard that ultimately dealt a final blow to my trees and killed them before the storms, Plunkett said.

Still, the trees had stood tall, and only a trained eye could tell they were already done for  until Hurricane Beryl came through.

During Beryl, I had two of those trees that snapped off about 30 to 40 feet high, so just the top broke off of them, Plunkett said. I would attribute that to the secondary invaders. In my opinion, they wouldn't have broken off if they hadn't been killed off by the Ips beetles.

Still, he explained that stronger trees would have been able to withstand the beetles, and likely the storm: It was the drought that weakened them to a point of no return.

Plunkett, who works as a district forester for the Forest Service, said that in his 13 years in the region he does not remember seeing tree mortality quite like this.
Chattanooga area songwriters Robert Thatcher and Tom Brown are among the five finalists in the Suwannee Riverkeeper Songwriting Contest. Their entry Roll On Echo River, evokes a common thread of the many people who have lived on and benefited from the river for hundreds of years through a minor melody and longing lyric. In our current changing times, its a plea to recognize the human role as stewards of the river. Finalists will play at the Finals of the Suwannee Riverkeeper Songwriting Contest, at the WWALS River Revue, Saturday, September 7, 2024, at the Turner Center for the Arts, in Valdosta, Georgia.



Robert Thatcher and Tom Brown began writing songs together in 2017 with the intention of combining their creative juices to enter songwriting competitions. Since that time, their collaborations have resulted in them placing three times in the John Hartford Songwriting Challenge, third place in the 2018 American Songwriter Contest, third place in the 2018 Woody Guthrie Songwriting Competition, runner up in the Podunk Bluegrass Festival, and numerous honorable mentions. In 2023 their song This Ol River, was selected as Best in the Folk/Bluegrass/Americana Category in the WWALS Watershead Coalition Songwriting Competition. Tom is also known for co-writing the bluegrass musical comedy Fat Shirleys: A Trailer Park Opera which has been staged at numerous theaters in the southeast and in the United Kingdom.



Since June 2012, WWALS Watershed Coalition, Inc. (WWALS) is an IRS 501(c)(3) nonprofit charity working for a healthy watershed with clean, swimmable, fishable, drinkable water. The organization advocates for conservation and stewardship of the surface waters and groundwater of the Suwannee River Basin and Estuary, in south Georgia and north Florida, among them the Withlacoochee, Willacoochee, Alapaha, Little, Santa Fe, and Suwannee River watersheds, through education, awareness, environmental monitoring, and citizen activities.






There are those among us who regard work merely as a necessary evil. They live for being able to declare, TGIF!  Thank Goodness Its Friday! But from its beginning, work has been an integral part of American life and culture. Its fitting that every year our nation designates Septembers first Monday as Labor Day.

To some folks, Labor Day is simply the last holiday before the beginning of the school year and the long slog through autumn until Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years. But Labor Day should also be a time for recognizing the efforts  the blood, sweat and tears  of countless millions who labored in steel mills, coal mines, factories, and shops; drove trucks, laid railroad tracks, built highways, designed and made clothing, and developed new technological innovations. The list could go on and on.

The significance of work has been put to melody and song in many ways, some positive and some not. Consider just a sampling of labor-related hit tunes from years past:

Working 9 to 5 by Dolly Parton; Chain Gang by Sam Cooke; Takin Care of Business by Bachman-Turner Overdrive; Workin For a Livin by Huey Lewis and the News; Take This Job and Shove It by Johnny Paycheck; Sixteen Tons by Tennessee Ernie Ford; A Hard Days Night by the Beatles.

Work has such universal value that it was the subject of not one, but two songs in the animated Walt Disney classic, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Many of us can still happily recall Heigh-Ho and Whistle While You Work. Snow White and her little friends were an industrious lot.

In more ways than we could count, weve all benefited from work. But work wasnt a concept conjured up by some caveman who stumbled across the possibility of making a fire or fashioning a primitive wheel. It wasnt thought up by the many captains of industry. It was Gods idea from the start, as we see in the opening chapter of the Bibles first book.

After creating humankind in His own image, God blessed them and said to them, Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living thing that moves on the ground. I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food (Genesis 1:27-30).

But God didnt create work as a burden or a punishment. He originally designed it as part of his purpose for humanity. Some theologians have termed it the cultural mandate  to serve as keepers or stewards of His creation. We also see this in the New Testament, where the apostle Paul declared, For we are Gods fellow workers; you are Gods field, Gods building (1 Corinthians 3:9)

Imagine being given the honor of being fellow workers with God?

Along with this amazing privilege comes great responsibility. Work is an obligation and a necessity as well. In this post-pandemic age when it seems fewer and fewer are motivated to work and seem to have figured out ways not to, the Bible offers numerous admonitions about the importance and intrinsic value of honest labor.

Writing to Christ followers in the ancient city of Thessalonica, the apostle Paul apparently was addressing a problem with people who had an aversion to work. That, he stated, could not be tolerated: For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: The one who is unwilling to work shall not eat (2 Thessalonians 3:10).

As an aside, this phrase was even incorporated into early Communist and socialist writings. Russian leader Vladimir Lenin wrote in his 1917 work, The State and Revolution, that he who does not work shall not eat was an essential principle under socialism. Somehow, it seems, the gravity of that conviction has been lost in contemporary thinking, socialist or otherwise.

The Bible, of course, does not endorse such ideologies, promoting instead the virtues of hard work and personal initiative. Proverbs 15:19 puts it this way, The way of the sluggard is blocked with thorns, but the path of the upright is a highway. Looking at this from a little different angle, Proverbs 16:26 observes, The laborers appetite works for him; his hunger drives him on.

Even nature affirms this reality. State and national parks feature signs that read, Dont feed the bears and Dont feed the animals. Left alone, these creatures are perfectly able to find food by themselves. Feeding them disrupts this natural instinct, making them lazy and dependent.

Bottom line: As we observe this Labor Day, most of us treating it as a lazy day  a much-needed break from our jobs  lets pause to appreciate the benefits and values we can derive from a hard days work, in whatever form it takes.

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Robert J. Tamasy is a veteran journalist, former newspaper editor and magazine editor. Bob has written, co-authored and edited more than 15 books. These include the newly published, Marketplace Ambassadors; Business At Its Best: Timeless Wisdom from Proverbs for Todays Workplace; Tufting Legacies, The Heart of Mentoring, and Pursuing Life With a Shepherds Heart. A weekly business meditation he edits, Monday Manna, is translated into more than 20 languages and sent via email around the world by CBMC International. The address for his blog is www.bobtamasy.blogspot.com. His email address is btamasy@comcast.net.
I first met Peggy Douglas 11 years ago. She wanted to meet me for coffee and chat, and the reason for that was she was considering renting our duplex in North Chattanooga. I was very nervous for several reasons; she would be the very first tenant we had, and we needed a tenant, but mostly I was nervous because she was a playwright, which was incredibly intimidating to me. She is also a musician oral historian, college professor musician and poet, which didnt help.

I wasnt nervous for long because Peggy is possibly the warmest, most interesting, most grounded and easiest person to be around, ever. She moved in the duplex and built a beautiful wooden planter at the front door and filled planted a few little grocery store pots of rosemary.

We still keep up with each other, and Im always glad when we connect. I recently got to hear her speak at a gathering for the Voices for a Safer Tennessee meeting. She was there to talk about her upcoming play, After Effects: Gun Violence Survivors Speak. This powerful monologue play is based on oral history interviews with individuals affected by gun violence. Peggy somehow spent hour after hour with people ranging from siblings of shooting victims to doctors treating them to policemen who are tormented by what they have witnessed. The folks Peggy talked to, transcribing their stories on paper all the while maintaining eye contact, will actually be sitting on the front row of the theatre, with actors portraying their stories. To say this will be a powerful, important performance is an understatement. It takes place at Barking Legs Theatre on September 28-29.

I first met Blake Harris about 14 years ago when he wrote and directed a play, Beautiful Child, and persuaded my friend Alice Smith to star in it. Hed seen her magnificent performance in Doubt, and vowed to work with her before leaving for the west coast to pursue his MFA in directing. Alice in turn doubted she would audition for the role  until she began reading Beautiful Child and couldnt stop.

Blake founded the dynamic theatre company Obvious Dad, and Peggy is the founder of Southern Exposure, a trailblazing performing arts program dedicated to celebrating the culture of our city and amplifying the voices of its diverse communities. And guess what? The two are merging!

Truly, a new chapter is unfolding in Chattanoogas vibrant arts community. This partnership marks a significant step forward, uniting two organizations with a shared mission to create bold, inclusive experiences that resonate with audiences and artists alike.

With this merger, Southern Exposure will now serve as the official community outreach initiative for Obvious Dad. This collaboration strengthens Blakes commitment to using theatre as a powerful tool for connection and change. Southern Exposures work is deeply rooted in the transformative power of oral history and storytelling, driven by a belief that true social justice begins with listening to those whose stories have been marginalized or overlooked.

Blake is also one of Peggys fans. It is a true honor to work alongside Peggy Douglas, the founder of Southern Exposure and one of Appalachia's most respected and prolific artists. At Obvious Dad, our goal has always been to amplify diverse perspectives, and Southern Exposure aligns perfectly with this vision, focusing on the powerful stories rooted in our own community. Together, were set to make a lasting impact through theatre.

Peggy is equally enthusiastic about Blake and the merger with Obvious Dad, adding, Our common missions align to offer aesthetically bold theater in Chattanooga that features engaging stories and experiences that spotlight marginalized voices.

Just so you know, that little pot of rosemary Peggy planted a decade ago has flourished year after year and is vibrant and intoxicating and adds a whole new depth to its surroundings. Not unlike Peggy Douglas.

* * *

Ferris Robinson is the author of three childrens books, The Queen Who Banished Bugs, The Queen Who Accidentally Banished Birds, and Call Me Arthropod in her pollinator series If Bugs Are Banished. Making Arrangements is her first novel. Dogs and Love - Stories of Fidelity is a collection of true tales about mans best friend. Her website is ferrisrobinson.com and you can download a free pollinator poster there. She is the editor of The Lookout Mountain Mirror and The Signal Mountain Mirror.
One of the most notable figures associated with the pilgrimage to the Santiago de Compostela is Bishop Teodomiro. However, not much was known about the elusive figure until recently. An analysis of the potential remains of the bishop has provided more information on the individuals identity and life.

Between 820 and 830 C.E., a hermit named Pelayo spotted a shower of stars plummeting downward upon a field.

When he went over to check it out, he discovered an ancient mausoleum and immediately informed the Bishop Teodomiro of Iria-Flavia, which is now in the modern municipality of Padron, Spain.

After he spent three days meditating and fasting, the bishop declared that the mausoleum contained the remains of the apostle James and two of his disciples. The news was relayed to King Alfonso II of Asturias, who then ordered that a small church was to be constructed near the tomb.

The event kickstarted the legend of the apostle Santiagos tomb, which was recorded in the 12th century, as well as the Jacobean phenomenon. To this day, the religious phenomenon continues to attract visitors to the cathedral in Santiago de Compostela in Galicia, Spain.

Even though the story is one of great significance, the existence of Bishop Teodomiro was questioned until a tombstone marking his death in 847 C.E. was found in the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela during the last half of the 20th century. It was determined that the remains of an elderly male were buried beneath the tombstone.

But then, in the mid-1980s, the remains were reexamined and thought to belong to a woman instead.

Now, an international research team led by Patxi Perez Ramallo from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology has conducted yet another analysis of the remains using advanced techniques.

The team is in collaboration with the Max Planck Institute of Geoanthropology, the University of Stockholm, and others.

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Engaging in arts and crafts could have a more positive impact on your mental well-being than being employed, according to a new study. People who participated in artistic activities for at least a year felt a greater sense of satisfaction than what employment could give them.

The study was inspired by the urgent need to boost public mental health, which has been in a poorer state than ever since the Covid-19 pandemic.

Previous research has shown that some crafts may be therapeutic for individuals with mental health issues. So, promoting general accessibility to artistic activities could significantly benefit public mental health.

For the first time, our paper demonstrates that engaging in general (rather than specific) crafting and arts activities may be beneficial in improving subjective well-being, over and above ones gender, health, age, employment status, and affluence. Importantly, we show that this pattern holds for the general (rather than clinical) population, said Helen Keyes, the studys lead author from Anglia Ruskin University, and colleagues.

Arts and crafts refers to activities such as drawing, painting, pottery, sewing, knitting, crocheting, embroidery, sculpture, printmaking, photography, filmmaking, calligraphy, jewelry-making, and wood carvings.

Around 20 percent of the general population in England engages in artistic activities. The arts and crafts industry contributes about $4.3 billion to the United Kingdoms economy. By the end of 2024, it is forecast to be worth $50.91 billion globally.

For the study, the researchers observed 7,182 adults who had participated in the annual Taking Part survey conducted by the U.K.s Department for Culture, Media and Sport, which recorded the countrys engagement in art, cultural, digital, and sporting activities.

Participants were asked to rate their levels of happiness, loneliness, anxiety, life satisfaction, and sense of whether life was worthwhile. Additionally, the participants were questioned about their involvement in creative activities.

The research team used their answers to measure each individuals well-being. They also controlled for several sociodemographic factors that could affect well-being, including age, gender, health, employment status, and level of deprivation.

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Home News American among 6 hostages executed by Hamas; Biden 'devastated and outraged'

The Israeli military confirmed the execution of six hostages, including an American, by Hamas in Gaza, a revelation that has plunged Israel into deep grief and ignited debate over its government's handling of ceasefire negotiations.

In a grim discovery beneath the Gaza city of Rafah, the bodies of two women and four men, including 23-year-old American-Israeli Hersh Goldberg-Polin, were found in a tunnel.

U.S. President Joe Biden confirmed Goldberg-Polin's death, saying in a statement that he is "devastated and outraged."

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"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," Biden stated, referring to Hamas' Oct. 7, 2023, attack in southern Israel that left over 1,200 people dead and sparked Israel's military offensive in Gaza.

"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."

The hostages were shot at close range about 48 to 72 hours before their discovery, according to Israeli officials who spoke with The Wall Street Journal.

Goldberg-Polin's family had been vocal advocates for a ceasefire, hoping for his and other hostages' safe return after an 11-month ordeal.

The health ministry, citing preliminary forensic results, reported the brutal manner of their deaths, which is leading to an escalating public outcry.

Tens of thousands gathered for an impromptu protest in central Tel Aviv, while major Israeli institutions and some coalition members urged the government to secure the release of the remaining 97 hostages through negotiations, The Jerusalem Post.

At the protest site near Israel's defense ministry, mourners displayed Israeli flags and the caskets of the six victims, demanding immediate action from the government.

Protestors wielded signs with messages like "They were alive," "Stop the war" and "Bring them home now." The scene was charged with emotion as protesters clashed with police, who deployed water cannons and flash grenades to manage the crowd.

This police response has sparked further outrage and calls for appropriate measures to maintain order during such highly charged events. Israel's largest union, law firms, and several universities have called for a nationwide strike.

Amidst the public's grief, Prime Minister Netanyahu addressed the nation, blaming Hamas for stalling the negotiations.

"Whoever kills hostages doesn't want a deal," Netanyahu stated in a video message.

Further complicating the situation, Hamas attributed the deaths to Israeli and U.S. airstrikes, a claim that intensified the already fraught negotiations over a potential ceasefire. The terror group's stance seemingly reduces its leverage in negotiations, having fewer hostages to bargain with, which could shift the dynamics of the ongoing talks.

In his statement, Biden pledged 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," he said.

Former President Donald Trump criticized Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris for their perceived weaknesses in handling international terrorism and hostage situations.

"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 stated on the social media platform X. "Make no mistake  This happened because Comrade Kamala Harris and Crooked Joe Biden are poor Leaders."

Billionaire hedge fund manager Bill Ackman also criticized the U.S. administration's handling of the hostage crisis on X, noting that the American hostage's parents "spoke at the DNC less than two weeks ago, while hostage negotiations were underway."

"Consider that the U.S. strategy over the last 330 days has been to pressure Israel to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza, including through the withholding of weapons from @Israel, and by periodically leaking our failure to support our ally to the media in the midst of hostage negotiations," he wrote.

"Consider what pressure if any the U.S. has brought to bear on Hamas and our friends in the region who harbor Hamas' leadership?" Ackman asked. "Why? Why has our leadership adopted this failed strategy?"
Home News UMC bishop says 'agitation' is reason why he left Nigeria amid leadership change

A United Methodist Church bishop who left Nigeria amid a church leadership change process says "agitation" from his opponents is to blame for his unplanned departure from the West African nation.

Zimbabwean Bishop Eben Nhiwatiwa was part of a three-person team overseeing the UMC Nigerian Episcopal Area until December. Initial reports indicated that Nhiwatiwa was deported for having the wrong visa for his journey and rumors that he was promoting acceptance of homosexuality, which is illegal in Nigeria.

In comments given to reporters in Zimbabwe last week after he returned to his home country, Nhiwatiwa blamed efforts to misrepresent his visit to Nigeria and disputes the narrative surrounding his departure.

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"There is a lot of misinformation, particularly in Africa, with others trying to blackmail the other side saying Nhiwatiwa supports homosexuality and that was the message that was spreading across Nigeria," said Nhiwatiwa, as quoted by The Herald.

The bishop said he told Nigerian officials he is "not aware of anyone who supports homosexuality among all the UMC members within and beyond Zimbabwe."

"So as time went on, the agitation seemed to be piling up, then I decided to leave [the Nigerian state of Adamawa] and I went back to Abuja," he continued. "My departure gave the impression that I had been arrested."

Earlier this year, the UMC General Conference voted overwhelmingly to remove denominational rules prohibiting the blessing of same-sex unions and the ordination of noncelibate homosexuals.

In July, Nigerian Bishop John Wesley Yohanna sent a statement to Nigerian officials explaining that the regional body had voted to leave the UMC at a special called session held that month.

"Therefore we want to make a statement that since the church has derailed from biblical principle we cannot be in this church where  homosexuality can be celebrated," Yohanna stated in July.

Yohanna claimed that the Nigerian Episcopal Area, comprised of four annual conferences and approximately 560,000 members, had joined the Global Methodist Church, a theologically conservative alternative to the UMC.

However, a group of Nigerian UMC officials released a statement disputing Yohanna's claims, arguing that only the former bishop and about 10% of the regional body had left the UMC.

Last month, Nhiwatiwa was detained by Nigerian authorities while helping to facilitate the transition of new leadership for the Nigerian Episcopal Area, which the UMC still claims as belonging to it.

Nhiwatiwa was accused of violating the conditions of his visa because of his involvement in the UMC regional body election process, News Agency Of Nigeria reported.

"However, it was discovered he participated in the Methodist Church leadership election process," stated Service Public Relations Officer Kenneth Udo, as quoted by the news agency. "This is in clear violation of the terms and privileges associated with the Tourist Visa as provided in the Nigeria Visa Policy 2024."

The Rev. Ande I. Emmanuel of the UMC Southern Nigeria Annual Conference claimed in a statement given to United Methodist Insight that a faction affiliated with the GMC was involved in the visa issue.

"Nhiwatiwa arrived in Nigeria successfully and was cleared at the airport with a visa on arrival. He entered Nigeria to commence his visit. But the Global Methodist Church (GMC) breakaway faction led by John Wesley Yohanna reported him to the immigration that he came to promote homosexuality in Nigeria," stated Emmanuel.
Caroline Wilburn is a breaking news reporter for the Houston Chronicle.

A May graduate of Texas A&M University, Caroline worked as an election stringer for the Associated Press and as a breaking news fellow at the Texas Tribune. At the Tribune, she got a crash course in interpreting data, distilling complicated policy and following statewide trends on a tight deadline. Shes also a skilled video editor and podcast producer.

She won a first-place award for audio news production at the Texas Intercollegiate Press Association.
Home Opinion Knowing the difference between judging and judgmentalism

Perhaps the most misunderstood and abused command of Jesus is, Judge not, that you be not judged (Matt. 7:1). Cultural thought has hackneyed this command of Jesus with great effect. When people wish to justify a preferred choice of behavior, they tell opposers not to judge. After all, who is one to judge another? We all know that nobodys perfect. Even Christians quote the command when they wish to advance something that fellow believers demur.



So, should Christians simply stop teaching about sin because its perceived as judging others?

Humankind has always been crafty at justifying ones own actions and evading accountability. Since biblical times we read, All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, but the LORD weighs the spirit (Prov. 16:2). I believe that any allusion to the command of Jesus not to judge should know the difference between judging and judgmentalism.

Judging others, or evaluating them by ones own personal preferences, seem inescapably part of being human. Whenever people meet, or read a bio on social media, most of them are judging. They also evaluate your clothes, education, job, your likes and dislikes, and whether you are actually as stellar as you purport. Almost all have personal biases that filter how they perceive everyone else. People who differ become labeled as sub-standard. That is the great error which is properly deemed judgmental. Everyone has imperfections and sin but their personhood should not be evaluated as unworthy or inferior by appearances.

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Cultural thought is unaware that Jesus also commanded, Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment (John 7:24). This builds on the foregoing Proverb where the LORD weighs the spirit. Personhood is defined by how it is valued by God. This value cannot be negotiated by appearances or by human evaluation. Gods value forms the basis of right judgment from judgmentalism.

For Christians, our character should be distinguished from the cultural tendencies that evaluate people based on appearances. Note that out messaging of Good News is heavily weighted by how we come across. As Paul noted, You yourselves are our letter of recommendation, written and read by all. And you show that you are a letter from Christ delivered by us (2 Cor. 3:2-3). Its our actions and conversations that will substantiate our credibility and the intended relevancy of our messaging.

Culturally, appearances and preconceived stereotypes will continue to evaluate us. These optics were captured satirically with great impact in The Screwtape Letters by C. S. Lewis. In his inimitable style, Lewis exposed the devilish nature in judgmentalism. In a letter, Screwtape, a senior devil, writes to his mentee, Wormwood, who had asked for advice on deceiving a seeker:

Your patient, thanks to Our Father below, is a fool. Provided that any of those neighbors sing out of tune, or have boots that squeak, or double chins, or odd clothes, the patient will quite easily believe that their religion must therefore be somehow ridiculous. At his present stage, you see, he has an idea of Christians in his mind which he supposes to be spiritual but which, in fact, is largely pictorial ... Keep everything hazy in his mind now. [1]

Allegorically, Lewis amusingly showed that the judging of appearances will always fail to appreciate the truth of the matter.

By definition, the Good News of grace makes judgments on humankind. That is why in cultural thought, the line between biblical judgment and judgmentalism must remain blurred or as Lewis put it, hazy. As Christians, we are thus burdened with the task of communicating a non-negotiable message in contemporary culture without ourselves being guilty of judgmentalism, and then to judge with right judgments.

A great way to begin is by appreciating profoundly what the wise Christian thinker, Thomas a Kempis said, How rarely we weigh our neighbor in the same balance in which we weigh ourselves. [2] Truth is, a Christian should understand that the only difference between oneself and neighbor is the wonderful grace of God within. Through these lenses of grace, every person has great worth, regardless of their appearance in societal or economic status. Believers are not in any way better than anyone else and all that they have that is special is the personal experience of Gods grace.

The brother of the prodigal son thought he was better. When his prodigal brother returned, he complained to their father that his brother was not worthy of a party. The appearance was that the prodigal spent his inheritance on wine, women, and song and so he was an unworthy human being. In the parable, Jesus was teaching (Luke 15) a lesson on mercy, grace, genuine repentance, and how ones judgment of another can fail to acknowledge the inestimable value of Gods grace for humankind.

In my daily interactions with people, I try to practice respect and genuine care for them by what I say and do. I often fall short, but I am getting incrementally stronger. Valuing others from Gods perspective will make us increasingly less judgmental, and increasingly like biblical Christians. When our care and concern become palpable, our teaching and preaching about sin and redemption will carry far more weight. Cultured people may disagree, but their minds and hearts will be impressed upon.

The Screwtapes and Wormwoods of the world will continue to confuse judgment with judgmentalism, and causing confusion by emphases on appearances. So may our biblical resolve begin with our Christian manners, genuine care and respect for others, and preaching and teaching about sin with proper tone.

[1] The Screwtape Letters: Letters from a Senior to a Junior Devil (Glasgow: Collins, 1977), 16-17.

[2] The Westminster Collection of Christian Quotations, compiled by Martin H. Manser (London: Westminster John Knox Press, 2001), 215.
Home Opinion When politics becomes your religion

I bet you think this could never happen to you.

C. S. Lewis, in a book written over 80 years ago  The Screwtape Letters  talked about the dangers of letting politics become your religion. Lewis put the following words in the mouth of his professorial devil-uncle who was instructing a nephew on one way to wreck his human target:

Let [your patient] begin by treating  Patriotism or Pacifism as part of his religion. Then let him, under the influence of partisan spirit, come to regard it as the most important part. Then quietly and gradually nurse him on to the stage at which the religion becomes merely part of the cause, in which Christianity is valued chiefly because of the excellent arguments it can produce. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe

Think that could ever be you one day? Or even today?

I hope not because youll be miserable when it occurs. But sadly, at least on the surface, it seems to be happening a lot right now.

Too many professing Christians on both sides of the political aisle seem to be convinced that theyre in the midst of a human life-and-death, global-existential battle, and if the other side (God forbid!) wins, the result will be certain cataclysmic destruction on a national level. Sovereignty of God be, um, darned.

They unknowingly descend to the point of defining themselves more by their social justice commitments than by their theological claims. And they have no problem either mentally or physically banishing an opponent should said person get one or more political positions wrong, with the exclusion being harsher than if the same individual uttered some theological heresy.

Even if that doesnt sound like you today,  let him who thinks he stands take heed that he does not fall (1 Cor. 10:12). This leads us to the question of, how can we all guard against getting to the place where politics puts God in second place?

The age-old lie

From MAGA and conservative disciples on the right to liberal social justice warriors on the woke left, theres no denying that shrieking, quasi-religious political activism is everywhere. Cultural commentators debate on why it seems to be so severe and growing.

Some say the ideological social media and news echo chambers have cordoned us off into warring factions. Others point to a growing spiritual emptiness inside of people that they try to feed with politics.

On that point, theres little doubt that the sense of political connection many find is replacing social relationships that they once found in church. This is especially true for those who completely jettison their faith and seek something with that same satisfying punch.

To them, political conventions can have an identical vibe to raucous and joyous church worship. A candidates inspiring speech warms the heart just like a fiery evangelists. Doling out funds regularly to politicians campaigns replaces tithing.

But from there, things can turn a bit darker. Its not long before a live-and-let-live mindset changes and the other side is seen as an enemy who needs to be put down.

Whether religious or political, sectarianism is about two hostile identity groups who not only clash over policy and ideology, but see the other side as alien and immoral, writes Nate Cohn of The New York Times. Its the antagonistic feelings between the groups, more than differences over ideas, that drive sectarian conflict.

And that conflict turns white hot when a group of people genuinely believe they have the only answer for societys ills. Pope John Paul II described the danger of such a scenario this way: When people think they possess the secret of a perfect social organization which makes evil impossible, they also think that they can use any means, including violence and deceit, in order to bring that organization into being. Politics then becomes a secular religion which operates under the illusion of creating paradise in this world.

When that point is individually reached, two things have typically occurred inside a person: 1. The primary object of deliverance from societal problems is the government vs. the Creator. People are tired of waiting on God to make things right; 2. Scripture has been discarded as absolute truth and moral authority. When cultural values clash with the Bible, the culture wins.

This metamorphosis has happened constantly throughout history, both on an individual and societal level. For example, listen to what historian Antonia Tripolitis has to say on the troubled Hellenistic-Roman world: The general populace no longer placed its hope or faith on the ancient gods, whom they believed could not alleviate their daily encounters with the vicissitudes of Hellenistic life  This was a period of general material and moral insecurity. The unsettling conditions of the time led people to long and search for soteria, salvation, a release from the burdens of finitude, the misery and failure of human life. People everywhere were keenly awake to every new message of hope and eagerly prospecting for a personal savior, someone who would bring salvation, i.e., deliverance or protection from the vicissitudes of this life.

Sound familiar?

The question is, how can we as Christians stop ourselves from getting to such a place? A first step can be an honest examination of ourselves and asking questions like:

Do I find myself witnessing more about Joe Biden, Kamala Harris, Donald Trump, etc., than I do about Jesus Christ?

Do I feel like the country is doomed more if the wrong people are elected vs. if the nation rejects God and His truth?

Do I view those on the opposing political side as enemies vs. people to be listened to and won for Christ?

Do I enjoy thinking about the defeat of my political opponents?

When I imagine how Gods higher purposes can be accomplished, do my thoughts immediately turn to political parties and politicians?

Are my political views, practically speaking, a key aspect of my identity?

Do I think that God is on my side politically and opposed to those who disagree with me?

If so, you may have already been captured by the enemy in the way Screwtape describes to his disciple: Once you have made the World an end, and faith as a means, you have almost won your man, and it makes very little difference what kind of worldly end he is pursuing. Provided that meetings, pamphlets, policies, movements, causes, and crusades matter more to him than prayers and sacraments and charity, he is ours.

Journalists Paul Huyghebaert and Bobby Harrington sum up such an unfortunate, end state this way:  the nature of politics, right or left, is to grow in importance to where it dictates your deepest hopes and fears. Left unchecked, it will claim your ultimate allegiance.

For Christians, at that point, youre now committing idolatry. So, lets not let politics become our religion, keep God in first place, and do as John says: Little children, guard yourselves from idols (1 John 5:21).
Home News African Methodist Episcopal Church reaffirms ban on same-sex marriage

The African Methodist Episcopal Church has rejected a proposal to strike down its ban on same-sex marriage.

At the AME Church's 52nd Quadrennial Session of the General Conference, held Aug. 21-28 at the Greater Columbus Convention Center in Columbus, Ohio, the historically black denomination voted down an amendment to its rules.

"It was noted that a motion was brought forward to delete. The reasoning was stated that the proposal has the potential to curb AMEC, and exegesis is a complication, even under great sensitivities," reported The Christian Recorder, the official news organ of the AME Church.

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"In contrast, it was argued deleting the legislation would create a culture of theological oppression. A motion was put on the floor by Frederick Sherrod to end the debate."

General Conference delegates voted 896 to 722 in favor of deleting the amendment to allow same-sex marriage, while another vote allowed for the continuing work of the Ad Hoc AME Sexual Ethics Discernment Committee to continue its work.

AME Church bishops issued a written statement to General Conference that seemingly questioned if a committee could make acceptable changes to church teaching on LGBT issues.

"Rational arguments on the matter of sexuality, sexual orientation, same sex marriage, the structure of the family, and the meaning of male and female will not resolve the controversy because the issues have deep theological and psychological roots," the bishops stated, as quoted by Religion News Service.

The AME Church's rule book, known as The Doctrine and Discipline, states that "the AME Church believes that unions of any kind between persons of the same sex or gender are contrary to the will of God."

Critics of the denominational rules on marriage include John Thomas III, editor at The Christian Recorder, who penned a column in advance of the vote encouraging the removal of the ban.

"This bill does not force pastors to perform gay marriages, but it would allow those who wish to do so where it is legally permissible the freedom to follow their conscience without fear of retribution," wrote Thomas.

"While the Connectional Church is not of one mind on same sex marriage, every Sunday, we remind ourselves that we are to love God and love our neighbors as ourselves. It is in this spirit of love for all of God's people in this church that this discussion must continue."

Over the last several decades, many Christian denominations have wrestled with their stances on same-sex marriage, with some mainline networks voting to affirm LGBT marriages and homosexuality and fracturing as a result.

Earlier this year, the United Methodist Church voted overwhelmingly to remove its ban on clergy performing same-sex wedding ceremonies, as well as allow for the ordination of noncelibate homosexuals.

The move came after approximately 7,500 mostly conservative congregations had left the UMC, and has led many more churches to disaffiliate from the denomination since the change was made.

For example, the UMC Cote d'Ivoire Conference, which had approximately 1 million members, voted to leave the denomination in late May in response to the General Conference decision.
Home News Feds sue pro-life activist who barricaded himself in abortion clinic bathroom

Prosecutors have taken action against a pro-life activist who barricaded himself in a Pennsylvania abortion clinic restroom, which required a SWAT team response.

The U.S. Department of Justice filed a civil lawsuit against Minnesota resident Matthew Connolly for violating the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act by participating in a Red Rose Rescue at an abortion clinic in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in August 2021.

The FACE Act subjects those who "by force or threat of force or by physical obstruction, intentionally injures, because that person is or has been" providing "reproductive health services" to federal charges.

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"The defendant engaged in conduct calculated to shut down a reproductive health clinic for an entire day, forcing the evacuation of the clinic's patients and obstructing access to reproductive health services," Assistant Attorney General of the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division Kristen Clarke said in a statement.

"The Justice Department is committed to enforcing the FACE Act to ensure that providers can continue to provide legal reproductive health services and that patients can obtain them."

The complaint, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, details how Connolly "obtained illegal access to a secure patient space at a Planned Parenthood facility in Philadelphia without staff permission or knowledge and barricaded himself in a restroom" for over three hours.

Officials say Connolly refused to leave the restroom despite multiple pleas from clinic staff and a security officer, prompting the abortion center to evacuate all patients and staff.

After the Philadelphia Police Department arrived at the facility and unsuccessfully attempted to get Connolly to leave the restroom, they shut down the streets surrounding the clinic and brought in a SWAT team.

The SWAT team broke down the door and removed Connolly from the facility by carrying him out on a stretcher.

Following Connolly's removal from the clinic, staff members found red roses in the waiting room, suggesting that the pro-life activist is affiliated with the pro-life group Red Rose Rescue.

The lawsuit identifies Red Rose Rescue as "an anti-abortion group that organizes events across the country in which participants trespass on the property of reproductive health facilities and refuse to leave voluntarily in order to cause the facilities to stop operating."

Red Rose Rescue took responsibility for orchestrating the events that unfolded at the Philadelphia Planned Parenthood in a post published a week later, expressing gratitude that "Due to the Red Rose Rescue, no unborn children were killed at this PP clinic."

The complaint stated that "at least 44 surgical and other appointments had to be rescheduled as a result of the Locust Street facility's closure."

According to the legal filing, Connolly has been arrested at least eight times by police in at least four states. He has been charged with several violations, including trespassing, resisting arrest and interference with a business. He has four convictions on his record.

The DOJ is seeking a civil penalty of up to $18,444 for first violations and no more than $27,750 for subsequent violations. It also seeks damages up to $5,000 for each person aggrieved by Connolly's actions and "appropriate injunctive relief."

Monica Miller, director of Red Rose Rescue affiliate Citizens for a Pro-Life Society, accused authorities of trying to twist and stretch the language of the law in their lawsuit.

This lawsuit against Matthew Connolly is another instance of a weaponized Department of Justice obsessed with persecuting nonviolent pro-lifers, she told The Philadelphia Inquirer.

On Tuesday, New York's Democratic Attorney General Letitia James filed a memorandum of law in support of a motion for contempt against Connolly and other pro-life activists affiliated with Red Rose Rescue.

The motion asks the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York to hold the defendants in contempt for violating a December 2023 order prohibiting them from going within 15 feet of the doorways or walkway entrances of an abortion clinic.

The document alleges that Red Rose Rescue activist Bernadette Patel violated the order on four occasions. Two violations occurred at a Planned Parenthood in Brooklyn, and the other two took place at a Planned Parenthood in Manhattan. It seeks fines of $500 against Red Rose Rescue per violation for a grand total of $2,000, suggesting that Patel's rhetoric made it clear that she was aware of the legal proceedings involving the organization.

Patel wrote an op-ed addressing the prosecution of Red Rose Rescue asserting that "Like Satan trying to tempt and lead all followers of Christ to sin, the state is persecuting is, hoping we will falter in our beliefs or stop doing pro-life work." The pro-life activist vowed, "I certainly won't, and neither will my friends."

In a statement announcing the motion, James lamented that "Red Rose Rescue will stop at nothing to interfere with anyone seeking or providing reproductive health care."

"If Red Rose Rescue and its members want to flagrantly disregard a court order, then they must also be prepared to face the consequences," James stated. "Too many New Yorkers have suffered at the hands of this hateful group  it is time they be held accountable for their blatant disregard of our laws, our courts, and our bodily autonomy."

Abortion has been a significant focus point in American politics following the U.S. Supreme Court's 2022 Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organizationdecision, which determined that the U.S. Constitution does not contain a right to abortion. The Dobbs ruling has caused pro-life activists to call for the repeal of the FACE Act.

Pro-life activist Terrisa Bukovinac insisted to The Christian Post in a previous interview that "there's no basis for FACE anymore" because "FACE is predicated on the ruling in Roe v. Wade that the Supreme Court now said was 'egregiously wrong' from the beginning." Bukovinac was referring to the 1973 Supreme Court decision that legalized abortion nationwide, which Dobbs overturned.
Home News MorningStar founder Rick Joyner slams Chris Reed for disrespecting ministry with resignation

Founder of MorningStar Ministries in Fort Mill, South Carolina, Rick Joyner, alleged Sunday that the ministry has mounting evidence that the ministry's former leader, Chris Reed, lied about a physical relationship with a former student, which enabled him to be elevated in leadership when he should have been "disqualified."

"I don't believe in getting into the details; you get what I'm saying? I'm not going to go there. I don't want to go there. I don't want to slime people, but  I feel like things were done that should have disqualified Chris from being made the leader of this ministry," Joyner said in an address to MorningStar Fellowship Church. "We were fooled."

Joyner's address to the church follows Reed's abrupt resignation as president and CEO of the ministry last week, citing, among other things, the sexual abuse of minors by a former volunteer and police officer.

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A lawsuit filed against MorningStar Ministries last month accuses Joyner, several top officials of the organization, and multiple other staff members of gross negligence for allegedly engaging in the cover-up of multiple incidences of sexual abuse in the ministry.

A copy of the 40-page lawsuit names as defendants: Joyner, MorningStar Fellowship Church, Joyner's second in command David Yarns; the former volunteer, Erickson Douglas Lee; the volunteer's father and MorningStar Fellowship Church's head of security, Douglas Lee; Erickson Douglas Lee's assistant, Chase Portello; along with unidentified defendants James Smith 1-10 (any other agents and/or employees of the ministry associated with the complaint).

Last Monday, Reed, who took over leadership of the ministry over a year before his resignation but had worked with the ministry since 2021, announced that he was returning leadership of the ministry to Joyner to focus more on what God called him to do, which is "to prophesy, pastor, teach, preach and write."

Reed also pointed to the 2023 arrest of former church volunteer and police officer Erickson Douglas Lee, who is accused of sexually abusing multiple male minors connected to a youth group of MorningStar Fellowship Church. Reed revealed that both he and his wife, Missy, had "experienced the evils of sexual abuse" as children.

"I did not want to be leading the ministry that would be in a case against four victims who were abused as children by a former volunteer of the ministry who is a policeman as well. This happened before I came to MorningStar, and I could not [defend the lawsuit] because I know the families," Reed said in a video statement he shared on YouTube with his wife by his side last Thursday. "I know the victims. Many of them we've got to know them. I made a tough, painful, painful choice, and I just didn't care."

In his Sunday address, Joyner painted Reed as a disloyal, self-centered liar who disqualified himself from leadership.

"What alarmed me even more was that in this [resignation] letter, there was almost no regard for the church, no regard for the ministry, no regard for a lot of people. It was all about him and his future and what he needed to do," Joyner said.

"I want him to have the brightest future he could have, but I did not feel that that there was a shepherd's heart revealed. A shepherd lays down their life for the sheep and certainly has regard for them. I didn't feel like there was regard for me, for our board, any of this stuff. We had entrusted a lot to him. I don't think to just quit like that is what we ever need to do with anyone with no notice," he added.

Joyner stated that before Reed was promoted to president and CEO of MorningStar Ministries over a year ago, he was restored to ministry after they learned of an inappropriate relationship between him and a former MorningStar University student.

Joyner said both Reed  who is married with six kids  and the student had assured him and the organization's board that the relationship was just based on texts, but they later discovered it was physical. Reed has stated to The Roys Report that he sexually pursued the woman in 2021, kissed her and sent her "terrible" sexual texts while he was the senior pastor of MorningStar Fellowship Church. He denied claims of sexual touching.

"We had to take their word that they cut it off, drawn a line, nothing physical had happened. Well, now I can say with a lot of confidence that's not true. Neither one of them were telling us the truth then. It appears and I say there's a lot of evidence and it's mounting, that yes there was physical stuff that happened," Joyner told the church Sunday.

"Maybe not intercourse. Maybe it was not sex like one of our former presidents defined that he 'did not have sex with this woman.' I say he did  that's me. I would say that's sex, but  what I'm saying, read between the lines," Joyner explained.

"The evidence is mounting, and I don't know where it's going to lead, but we're gonna not cover up anything. ... We were lied to. And I would have never turned this ministry over to them if I had known what I know right now," Joyner added.

A release from the York County Sheriff's Office in South Carolina said they arrested 25-year-old Erickson Douglas Lee after he turned himself in to detectives on May 2, 2023. He was charged with dissemination of obscene material to a person younger than 18, assault and battery first degree, and criminal sexual conduct with a minor second and third degree.

Warrants connected to Lee's arrest cited by WSOC-TV said between December 2020 and June 2022, Lee allegedly committed a sex act with a victim younger than 16 as many as 30 times over 1.5 years.

Investigators allege that around July 22, 2022, Lee, who served as a 17-year-old victim's youth leader, hurt him through "nonconsensual touching" while the victim was intoxicated at his home. Lee also allegedly played a pornographic video for the teenager.

Warrants show that Lee did the same thing to at least three other victims younger than 18 at his home from August 2021 through January 2023.

In the lawsuit filed on behalf of John Doe #1, who is now an adult, his attorneys argue that he will likely need psychological care for the rest of his life because of the abuse he suffered.

"Plaintiff John Doe #1 has suffered immeasurable harm and will likely have to undergo psychiatric/psychological care for the remainder of his life due to actions or inactions of the Defendants. Defendants acted in dereliction of their duties to Plaintiffs by failing to prevent the foreseeable harm perpetrated by Erickson Lee onto Plaintiff John Doe #1," the lawsuit argues.

The lawsuit alleges a pattern of coverup by MorningStar Fellowship Church leaders, citing the sexual assault of two women by a MorningStar employee sometime in the 2000s.

"Both of these incidents of sexual abuse and assault were covered up by the church. In both instances, the victims were encouraged not to report these instances to law enforcement," the lawsuit alleges, pointing to a separate alleged sexual assault of a minor by a MorningStar University volunteer.

"Upon information and belief, Joyner, Yarns, and Doug Lee knew of these assaults and helped orchestrate the victims not reporting the criminal incidents to law enforcement. The actions by MorningStar, Joyner, Yarns and Doug Lee in the investigation and actions of them after each assault incident involved neutral principles of law," the lawsuit argues.

The lawsuit alleges that before Erickson Douglas Lee's sexual assault of John Doe #1 and the other minor boys, MorningStar Fellowship Church swept other sexual abuse and exploitation cases under the rug and never reported them to law enforcement.

Still, the leaders allowed Erickson Douglas Lee to lead a program called "Young Special Forces" that allowed him to spend significant time alone with "young minor males with no oversight," which allowed him to carry out his abuse.

Joyner insisted on Sunday, however, that the claims in the lawsuit have not yet been proven to be true and said the reason they are going to court is that "the accusations in the lawsuit were wildly untrue."

"I believe it was one of the most atrocious, terrible things that we've ever had happened, but the accusations in the lawsuit were wildly untrue. I mean, way out of the box untrue," Joyner said, noting that he had the case reviewed independently.

"We want the truth. We're looking at this from [the point of view that] we need the truth. We're not going to, if we go to court, we're not going to be against these victims. We're not going to be on one side and them [another], we're on the same side. We want the truth," he insisted.

Joyner suggested that keeping sexual abuse from happening is "almost impossible" today with the ubiquity of pornography in society.

"We're looking at we got to protect our people. We got to keep this kind of thing from happening, and I'll be frank with you, in this day and time, that's almost impossible," Joyner said. "You can do the best you can; stuff is going to happen. It is an onslaught of sexual, in my opinion, sexual perversion and sexual promiscuity and everything else that surrounds you almost continually."

He argued, however, that he is a big believer in restoration and forgiveness, and if Reed were to come back to the ministry, he would be welcomed back with Christian grace.

"If Chris asked to come back here, I would say, 'absolutely, we welcome you back, but you're not going to be in leadership.' I mean, you've disqualified yourself from that,'" Joyner said.

"You can qualify yourself with your good behavior and really submitting to the process and where we really know you're telling us the truth about everything. ... Anybody we will take back and work with and be happy to, and we would love to help Chris in that way. He needs help right now," he continued. "Chris was the closest thing I had to a spiritual son. I just thought the world of Chris, and in some ways, I still think he had some of the best qualities for leadership that I'd seen in a young person."
Home News Israel says goodbye to murdered hostages as thousands gather for funeral of Hersh Goldberg-Polin in Jerusalem

Thousands of Israelis lined the streets of Jerusalem on Monday afternoon to pay their last respects to murdered Israeli-American hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin.

Lining the roads leading to the Givat Shaul Cemetery, people waved Israeli flags, with some singing the national anthem, HaTikva (The Hope). Even those who didn't know him personally were moved to tears.

At the funeral, Hersch's father, Jon, spoke about his son's two good friends and classmates, one of whom, Aner Shapira, was killed after he threw several grenades out of a bomb shelter to save those inside. The other friend, Ben Zussman, was killed while fighting in Gaza on Dec. 3.

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Hersh, Aner and Ben grew up together and now we join the Zussman and Shapira families. Zvi and Sarit, thank you for taking on the struggle for the release of the hostages and Hersh's release. It's not the end we wanted, but we take comfort that Hersh and Aner are together forever. There is symbolism that you finish saying Kaddish [the traditional mourners prayer] for Aner, while we are just beginning.

Hersh, I'm sorry, Jon said. We're sorry. We failed, you didn't fail. You would push harder, and we will push so that your death and that of all the soldiers will not be in vain. We will bring home the remaining hostages. Our hope has not yet been lost. The life we had with you was a blessing and now we will work to make your legacy a blessing. I love you," he said.

His mother, Rachel, spoke of her joy in being Hershs mother.

Hersh wasn't perfect, but he was the perfect son for me. I am grateful to God. For 23 years, I had the privilege of being Hersh's mother, even though I wanted it to be for longer.

During these months, I was worried about you. Missed you. Now I don't have to worry anymore. Now you'll forever be a beautiful boy, she said. I love you and will miss you for the rest of my life.

President Isaac Herzog also spoke at the funeral of Goldberg-Polin, delivering a moving eulogy.

Beloved Hersh, with a torn and broken heart, I stand here today as the president of the State of Israel, bidding you farewell and asking for your forgiveness, from you, and from Carmel, from Eden, from Almog, from Alex, and Ori, and from all your loved ones.

I apologize on behalf of the State of Israel, that we failed to protect you in the terrible disaster of October 7, that we failed to bring you home safely. I apologize that the country you immigrated to at the age of 7, wrapped in the Israeli flag, could not keep you safe."

"Rachel, Jon, dear Leebie and Orly, grandparents, and the whole family  I ask for your forgiveness, forgiveness that we could not bring Hersh back home alive," Herzog continued.

Know this, we are witnesses and we will never forget it. There is no door in the world that your beloved family has not opened for you, your rescue and your well-being. There is no stone that they have not turned, there is no prayer and no supplication that they have not cried out, from the end of the world to the end, in the ears of God and man.

Herzog also spoke about Israel's duty to settle accounts with the despicable murderers who slaughtered you, Hersh, your friends, sisters and brothers.

The news of the murdered hostages devastated many in Israel on Sunday morning. Frustration over the hostage situation, the deaths of the six hostages who were alive just days before, and the perceived lack of progress in the war, spilled out in protests across Israel.

The nation began to say goodbye to the hostages on Sunday evening, as thousands gathered in Raanana for the funeral of Almog Sarusi, together with his parents, Yigal and Nirah, his two brothers, Amit and Lavah, and his sister Shaked.

His mother, Nirah, bitterly accused the government of abandoning him as she eulogized him.

My dear son, my beloved. How we prayed to hug you, to see your smile. We hoped to see you happy, surrounded by family and friends, but you were abandoned  every day, she said.

You were abandoned on the altar of the destruction of Hamas, the Philadelphi Corridor, and Rafah. You and hundreds more. I hope we will be the last. We need a deal to release the hostages. Almog, return to the arms of your beloved and your friends. We love you so much. You will always be etched in our hearts.

The funerals of Ori Danino, Alexander Lobanov, and Eden Yerushalmi were held at the same time.

A huge convoy of bikers rode in solidarity with Danino's body to the funeral on Mount Herzl in Jerusalem. Former Chief Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef said Israel must do everything possible for the release of the abductees, even to release hundreds and thousands of murderous terrorists with blood on their hands. That's what needs to be done.

Danino's brother Aharon said he hasnt found any reason to smile since Oct. 7.

In the last 330 days, I didnt find any reason to smile. I didnt find anything to hold onto or anyone to trust, apart from God. You were the pillar of the home, of your friends, and of myself, he said.

In Petah Tikvah, outside Tel Aviv, thousands of friends and family of Eden Yerushalmi gathered to pay their last respects.

Family members held signs saying, Sorry Eden. Her mother, Shirit, apologized to her daughter.

Eden, my beloved. So many people wanted to get to know you, but not like this. Im sorry we couldnt save you.

The wife of Alexander Lobanov, Michal, eulogized him in tears.

Love of my life, we swore until death do us part so how did it separate us? Im talking about you in the past tense. God takes the best ones. I want to focus on you, on the love of life, on the freedom that was taken from you on October 7th by these scoundrels. I knew and told everyone you were coming back, Michal said. I want to say thank you. You were the best husband in the world, the best person I knew, and everyone here will testify. Sorry I couldn't get you back.

She promised to raise their children with your values.

You will be our hero, our one and only.

This article was originally published by All Israel News.
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.
Nearly 17,000 Christians killed in Nigeria in last four years - report

Nearly 17,000 Christians lost their lives because of violence in Nigeria between 2019 and 2023, a major study has reported.

The Observatory for Religious Freedom in Africa (ORFA) said that over half the deaths (55%) were at the hands of radicalized Muslim Fulani herdsmen.

"Islamist extremists enjoy relative freedom to carry out atrocities against civilians in large regions of Nigeria," ORFA said.

The study recorded a total of nearly 10,000 attacks and 56,000 fatalities, of which over 30,000 were civilians. The number of Christian victims (16,769) more than doubled the number of Muslim fatalities (6,235).

"In states where attacks occur, proportional loss to Christian communities is exceptionally high. In terms of state populations, 6.5 times as many Christians are being murdered as Muslims," said ORFA.

Much of the violence is concentrated in Nigeria's North Central Zone and Southern Kaduna. Yet there is "markedly little security engagement at the scene of attacks".

"Millions of people are left undefended," said senior ORFA analysit Frans Vierhout. "For years, we've heard of calls for help being ignored, as terrorists attack vulnerable communities. Now the data tells its own story."

It is not only killings, though, as 21,000 abductions were also recorded during the four-year period of the study and Christians are 1.4 times more likely to be abducted than Muslims.

ORFA partner and analyst, Rev Dr Gideon Para-Mallam, said that Christians are being targeted by the Fulani Ethnic Militia (FEM), although Muslims "also suffer severely at their hands".

"Kidnappers work to Islamist goals. Where young women are kidnapped, tortured and sexually violated, hope for normal married life, and family, may vanish," he said.

The scale of the violence has left a staggering 3.3 million Nigerians displaced from their homes and forced to live in makeshift camps.

ORFA called on the international community to heed the findings and "do more to fully understand the scale of the challenge to Nigeria".
Nicaraguan Evangelical Alliance caught up in crackdown on organisations

The Nicaraguan Evangelical Alliance is one of the latest Christian organisations to be affected by the cancellation of their legal status.

Some 1,651 organisations had their legal status withdrawn by the Nicaraguan government earlier in August. This was then followed by another 169 in the last few days of the month.

Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) said that the affected organisations include dozens of Protestant churches and the Latino-Islamic Cultural Association.

It brings the total number of organisations that have lost their legal status since 2018 to 5,552. Many of them are churches or affiliated with churches. They include major institutions like the Episcopal Church of Nicaragua and the Moravian Church of Nicaragua, which have had a presence in the country for centuries.

CSW's head of advocacy Anna Lee Stangl said the cancellation of legal status was "arbitrary" and had left members with no place to gather.

Stangl was especially concerned about children who were served by church-affiliated schools and hospitals.

"Many of the affected associations form a key part of the social fabric and culture of their locales. We continue to stand in solidarity with those who have dedicated their lives to the improvement of their communities only to see it all arbitrarily taken away by a totalitarian government interested only in its own survival," she said.

She said that the actions of the Nicaraguan government must be condemned by the international community.

"Once again CSW strongly condemns the Nicaraguan government's arbitrary cancellation of the legal status of another 169 independent civil society organisations. We call on the international community to do the same," she said.

Another affected Christian institution is the First Baptist Church of Managua, which was founded in the Nicaraguan capital in 1917, and which operated schools, a seminary, a hospital, and a radio station.

The Shalom First Presbyterian Church of Nicaragua, the Gospel Eternal Message of the Three Angels Adventist Church, and the Christian Reformed Church of Nicaragua have all lost their legal status.

Vatican News reports that the "repressive measures" have been used to target the Catholic Church and its affiliated organisations.

"In general, these organizations are accused of failing to provide transparent financial reports and of diverting funds to undermine the Sandinista regime," it reports.

"From now on, if they wish to continue operating, they will need to do so in close collaboration with state and governmental bodies."
What the Bible says about being religious

The Bible has some interesting, and for some people surprising, things to say about being religious. This is the story ...

Meaning of Religious

The word 'religious' can mean different things to different people. For many people being religious means having a faith and practising it. When some people are seen as being religious it is seen in a positive light, especially when they are loving, wonderful people who help others in the community. However people outside the Church, and even sometimes inside it, see being religious in a negative light as being dogmatic and judgemental.

In colloquial English the word 'religious' has come to mean doing something regularly because you feel you have to, or because it is a matter of habit or belief. For example we might say 'he religiously watches his local team every Saturday' or 'she does her exercises religiously'.

For people of faith, being religious is often associated with attending a place of worship, usually once a week, whether that is a church or chapel, synagogue, mosque or temple. People are also seen as religious if they wear a religious symbol or clothing such as a cross, skullcap or hijab. Actually the Bible has some surprising things to say about being religious.

Isaiah

In the book of Isaiah, he says, 'I'll tell you what it really means to worship the LORD.' He then goes on to say, 'Remove the chains of prisoners who are bound unjustly. Free those who are abused! Share your food with everyone who is hungry; share your home with the poor and homeless. Give clothes to those in need; don't turn away your relatives' (Isaiah 58:6-7 CEV). Then he says, 'Don't mistreat others or falsely accuse them or say something cruel. Give your food to the hungry and care for the homeless' (Isaiah 58:9-10 CEV). Isaiah explains that this is what it means to worship God.

Amos

In the book of Amos, it says, 'I hate, I despise your religious festivals; your assemblies are a stench to me. Even though you bring me burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them. Though you bring choice fellowship offerings, I will have no regard for them. Away with the noise of your songs! I will not listen to the music of your harps' (Amos 5:21-23 NIV).

This sounds rather surprising but then it goes on to say: 'But let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream!' (Amos 5:24 NIV). The point is that religious ceremonies are worthless unless the religion is put into action. If the people were not being just and righteous then, in that case, God would not like their religious festivals.

Micah

In the book of Micah, he asks the rhetorical questions: 'With what shall I come before the LORD and bow down before the exalted God? Shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves a year old? Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams, with ten thousand rivers of oil? Shall I offer my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?' (Amos 6:6-7 NIV).

The answer is then given, 'He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God' (Micah 6:8 NIV).

Jesus

In the New Testament we see that Mary and Joseph observed the religious rites with Jesus who was taken to the Temple as a child, circumcised and dedicated. Later he was baptised by his relative John the Baptist. Jesus attended the synagogue and the Temple himself and observed religious festivals.

He does not condemn being religious in this sense, but we see that Jesus did not like religious hypocrisy. He did not like it when it was just show. He overthrew the tables in the Temple when the religious authorities were abusing their power financially. Jesus did not like the legalism of the Pharisees. He warned people from judging others (Matthew 3:1-3).

Paul

In Acts, St Paul went to Athens and stood up at a meeting of the Areopagus and said: 'People of Athens! I see that in every way you are very religious. For as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: To an unknown god' (Acts17:22-23 NIV). They were religious, but their religious worship was misdirected. He did not condemn them for being religious but he tried to redirect their worship and explained who that unknown god was.

Which religious festivals are partaken of are a choice. In his letter to the Colossians St Paul wrote, 'Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day' (Colossians 2:16). In Romans 14, St Paul says that Christians should hold their own views with good conscience, and not judge our fellow believers because they think differently.

James

In his epistles, James echoes some of the words of the prophets. James was Jesus's own brother who became leader of the church at Jerusalem, so his words hold authority. He asks in his letter: 'Do any of you think you are religious? If you do not control your tongue, your religion is worthless and you deceive yourself' (James 1:26 GNB). He then explains, 'What God the Father considers to be pure and genuine religion is this: to take care of orphans and widows in their suffering and to keep oneself from being corrupted by the world' (James 1:27 GNB). By 'orphans and widows' we can include the homeless, the hungry, refugees, asylum seekers, the unemployed, single parents, the abused and others. Later James explains that faith without actions is meaningless (James 2:26).

The Message phrases it like this: 'Anyone who sets himself up as "religious" by talking a good game is self-deceived. This kind of religion is hot air and only hot air. Real religion, the kind that passes muster before God the Father, is this: Reach out to the homeless and loveless in their plight, and guard against corruption from the godless world' (James 1:26-27 The Message).

Being religious

So in the Bible, being religious can mean performing religious duties, but it is more than that. Too often people view many of those of faith as religious because they are being narrow-minded, legalistic, dogmatic and judgemental. This is a negative way of being religious.

Rather, for Christians, the Bible explains that being religious is about being humble, caring for others, showing hospitality, standing up for justice, and keeping a holy lifestyle. It can be summarised as the need to care for others, share with others, bear with others, and being fair to others. This is a positive way of being religious.

What God considers to be religious

To be truly religious in God's eyes we are required not to be judgemental, intolerant, dogmatic and legalistic. Rather Amos said that we are required to 'let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream'. Micah said that we are required to 'act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly' with our God. James wrote that 'What God the Father considers to be pure and genuine religion is this: to take care of orphans and widows in their suffering and to keep oneself from being corrupted by the world' (James 1:26-27 GNB).

The way we are religious can make all the difference to whether others are attracted or repelled by our religion.
This photo provided by NASA shows Boeing's Starliner spacecraft which launched astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams to the International Space Station docked to the Harmony module's forward port on July 3, 2024, seen from a window on the SpaceX Dragon Endeavour spacecraft docked to the adjacent port. Associated Press

An unusual sound coming from Boeing's Starliner space capsule is nothing to worry about, NASA said Monday morning.

On Saturday, astronauts about the International Space Station radioed Mission Control at Johnson Space Center about a strange pulsing noise coming from the Starliner.

Astronaut Barry "Butch" Wilmore told Mission Control that he heard a "strange noise" coming through a speaker.

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"I don't know what's making it," Wilmore said, according to a report from Ars Technica.

Mission control listened to the noise through Wilmore's microphone, and could be heard describing the sound as a "pulsing noise, almost like a sonar ping."

In a statement to Space News' Jeff Foust on Monday morning, the agency said it had identified the noise as feedback coming from the ship's audio system.

"The feedback from the speaker was the results of audio configuration between the space station and the Starliner," the agency said. "The space station audio system is complex, allowing multiple spacecraft and modules to be interconnected, and is is common to experience noise and feedback."

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It's normal for the space station's crew to report noises to mission control, the statement said. The noise will not affect the crew, the ship or the station, the statement said.

Starliner and its crew has been stuck in space since its inaugural manned spaceflight on June 5 launch because of thruster issues and helium leaks aboard the ship.
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Stewardship Generosity Report 2024 cover Stewardship

In 2021, the UK census revealed that less than 50% of the UK population considered themselves to be a Christian for the first time. But despite their falling numbers, Christians still play a significant role when it comes to charitable giving. A 2017 report from TMH Media , Europes largest Christian advertising agency, found that 87% of Christians regularly donated to charity, compared to 61% of the UK population. However, little research has been done into the UK Christian giving landscape.
RoadPeace hires chief executive

National charity for road crash victims RoadPeace has hired Kate Davidson as its new chief executive officer. Davidson will officially begin her role on 30 September.

Davidson will succeed Nick Simmons, who stepped down as CEO earlier this year after six years in the role.

Davidson brings with her over 15 years of experience in the bereavement and end-of-life sector.

Her career began in local government bereavement services before she transitioned to Dignity Plc, where she rose from chief operating officer to chief executive in 2022.

Rape Crisis South London appoints CEO

Rape Crisis South London, a charity that supports women and girls, has appointed Red Godfrey-Sagoo as its chief executive.



Most recently, Godfrey-Sagoo was the director of responsible business at Thomson Reuters Foundation. She was also the former CEO of Sophie Hayes Foundation.



Godfrey-Sagoo said: I am deeply honoured to be joining an organisation so deeply rooted in the support of women and girls that have suffered rape and sexual abuse.

Maudsley Charity chief executive steps down

Rebecca Gray will step down as Maudsley Charitys chief executive after almost nine years to take up a new role as director of the NHS Confederations Mental Health Network.



Under Grays leadership, the charity became independent in 2018 and has since developed its priorities around the needs of adults with severe mental illness and children and young people, with a particular focus on improving care and support for those who experience the impact of deprivation and racism.



Gray leaves the charity in December. The process to recruit her successor will take place this autumn.

She said: I hope my new role will give me the opportunity to support mental health providers to share the great work happening in the sector, to influence and promote excellence in mental health services across the UK.

Fairtrade Foundation appoints chair and bids farewell to CEO

The Fairtrade Foundation has appointed Nyagoy Nyongo as the new chair of its board of trustees.



Nyongo succeeded Lord Mark Price, whose term ended recently. Nyagoy will take up her role on 1 October.



Nyongo said: I am delighted to take this opportunity to steer the future of Fairtrade in the UK.



Having worked with Fairtrade for a long time, we have a vision for Fairtrade to get closer to producers, and for the decision-making and leadership to be increasingly driven from the global South.



Meanwhile, CEO Michael Gidney will leave the charity at the end of the year to take up a new role, which will be announced soon.



Gidney has been acting as the CEO of the charity for the past 12 years.

Pathway Fund appoints Lord Hastings as chair

The organisation is an impact investment wholesaler dedicated to catalysing opportunities for Black and ethnically minoritised communities across the UK.



Lord Hastings said: Im delighted to have been appointed as the Chair of Pathway Fund. However, this comes at a time when we need to take drastic action, to support Black and ethnically minoritised communities.



Pathway co-founder, Kunle Oluolde said: Its fantastic to welcome Lord Hastings to Pathway  his extensive expertise will be absolutely invaluable in ensuring that Pathway is able to achieve its mission of revolutionising the impact investment sector, by channelling finance to Black and ethnically minoritised organisations.

Terrence Higgins Trust appoints trustee

HIV charity Terrence Higgins Trust appointed Thomas Waite, current deputy chief medical officer for England, to its board of trustees.



Waite is an epidemiologist and public health physician, as well as an honorary professor at the University of Bolton.



Waite said: I am thrilled to have been appointed to Terrence Higgins Trusts board of trustees in this critical time as the UK strives to end new cases of HIV by 2030.

Protects advisory council welcomes new member

Whistleblowing charity Protects advisory council as welcomed Josie Stewart, former Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office whistleblower, to its council.



Stewart said: I am looking forward to getting stuck in and being a critical friend to an organisation I respect and admire.



Whistleblowing is mired with hazards and peril and the systems our country has in place are in real need of updating. I am hopeful that our new government will take this need seriously.

Bone Cancer Research Trust appoints policy and awareness officer

The cancer charity appointed Silvia Kraft as its first policy and awareness officer.



The new role will deepen the charitys work with government and NHS England targets, helping more bone cancer patients receive a diagnosis at stages I and II.



Kraft has experience in political engagement alongside previous non-profit work including campaign finance, community organisation and policy development for elected officials.



Kraft said: Im thrilled to take on this new role which will allow me to advocate for bone cancer patients to drive meaningful change.

Girls' Brigade Ministries appoints patron

Girls Brigade Ministries, a 130-year-old charity, has appointed Margaret Casely-Hayford as its new patron.



Casely-Hayford is the former chair of international development charity ActionAid UK and was director of legal services and company secretary for the John Lewis Partnership for nine years.



I am convinced that the need for the Girls Brigade and its relevance in the lives of girls is as important today as it was 130 years ago, she said.



I want to help the charity fulfill its mission to help girls and women explore and engage with real life and Christian faith in fun, informative and hopeful ways.



Campaign Against Living Miserably announces Wilfred Webster as ambassador

Suicide prevention charity, Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM), has announced that content creator and TV personality Wilfred Webster will join the charity as their latest ambassador.



Webster is best known for starring in the first series of the Traitors on the BBC.



The announcement comes as Webster prepares to walk 274 miles over two weeks from 2 to 14 September, beginning at CALMs office in London to its original headquarters in Liverpool.



The walk is part of an effort to raise funds and awareness for suicide prevention.

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Georgia lawmakers this year put an end to direct-action lawsuits against trucking companies insurers, but that did not come soon enough to bar litigation brought by people involved in accidents with ride-sharing services.

The Georgia Court of Appeals this week found that the ride-sharing service Lyft is considered a motor carrier under the wording of a 2015 statute. That means that a motorist injured by a Lyft driver can sue the Lyft drivers insurance company, which in this case is State Farm Fire and Casualty Co.

Because State Farm has not met its burden of proving that Lyft is exempt from the Georgia Motor Carrier Acts definition of motor carrier, it was proper for Barnes to directly name State Farm in her lawsuit. We therefore reverse the trial courts decision, the appeals courts third division wrote in the Aug. 26 opinion.

Aundray Barnes was involved in a collision with Lyft driver Rome Leite-Brown in 2020. Barnes sued the driver, Lyft and State Farm, arguing that Lyft is a motor carrier, similar to a trucking company.

At the time, Georgia was one of four states that allowed direct-action lawsuits against trucking firms insurance carriers. The rationale behind the 1937 law was that truckers could often not be found to be served with lawsuits, and may have had few assets that could be used to pay damages.

In recent years, though, those direct lawsuits have been blamed for soaring insurance premiums for truckers. One state official said the litigation had destroyed our market, especially for mom-and-pop trucking companies.

In March, the Georgia General Assembly gave almost unanimous approval to a change in the statutes. Senate Bill 426, now law, allows direct-action civil suits against insurers only when the trucking company has gone bankrupt or on the rare occasion when a driver cannot be located. Supporters hailed it as a way to encourage more insurers to write trucking lines in the state and bring down premiums.

But the law is not retroactive and does not cover the 2020 Lyft accident. Still, State Farm attorneys have argued that the previous law, written in 2015 to help govern the burgeoning world of Uber and Lyft, exempts ride-sharing services from the definition of motor carriers. Ride-share networks are governed by only one part of Georgias Motor Carrier Act, not another part, State Farm contends.

The trial court agreed with the insurance carrier and held that Lyft is not a motor carrier. But the appeals court judges strongly disagreed, noting that the different sections of the statutes have to be considered as a whole. Lawmakers specifically exempted taxicabs and limousines from the definition of motor carriers, but they did not include ride-sharing services in that exemption, appeals court Judge Kenneth Hodges III wrote for the panel.

The language of the statute does not declare that ride share network services are not motor carriers as defined by OCGA  40-1-100 (12) (A) of the Georgia Motor Carrier Act, nor does it exempt such companies from the Acts definition of motor carrier, Hodges explained. It simply preempts the field of administration and regulation for certain types of transportation services to the extent that the rules are different from other portions of the Motor Carrier Act, as the General Assembly did for limousine carriers in Part 3 of the Act.

The fact that some of the standards spelled out in the statutes differ from each other is not dispositive. It is implausible that the General Assembly would have allowed ride share network services to remain operational under no public safety standards, the appeals court noted.

Its clear that lawmakers intended for regulations in different parts of the law to coexist and be applied together, the judges said. The legislative branch chose to exempt certain taxis and limousines from the motor carrier definition but did not exempt ride share networks from the definition.

If the General Assembly had wanted to exempt ride share network services like Lyft from the definition of motor carrier, it could have included those services in the list of exemptions in OCGA 40-1-100 (12) (B), as it did for certain taxicabs and limousines, the court said.

This suggests that the General Assembly intended for the Motor Carrier Act to be read as a whole, with specific regulations applicable to certain transportation carriers, and general regulations applicable to all motor carriers, the opinion reads.

State Farm lawyers had argued that the interpretation will unfairly put Lyft and Uber in a different category from taxis.

While State Farm correctly asserts that our decision will subject ride share network services like Lyft to laws from which other transportation service providers, such as certain taxicabs and limousines, are expressly exempt, such as permitting a plaintiff to directly sue a ride share network services liability insurer, this Court cannot read new exceptions into a statute which has already clearly enumerated its exceptions, the opinion notes.

The court noted that other states have put ride sharers in the same boat as other for-hire transport services. In 2016, a California court rejected the argument that Uber was only a broker of transportation services.

The court ruling did not explain how many other pending accident suits may be affected by the ruling. State Farm could not be reached for comment Wednesday.
Main Street America Insurance said Thursday it will stop offering personal lines insurance in favor of a commercial lines strategy.

The Jacksonville, Florida-based insurer founded about 100 years ago in Keene, New Hampshire said it is tightening its focus and leaning into what it called a tremendous opportunity in commercial lines.

Main Street America is doubling down on commercial lines and clearly defining our future direction in the marketplace, said Chris Listau, president and CEO, in a statement.

As a trusted and respected brand in the independent agent channel, were continuing to move forward confidently in an area that enables us to take advantage of the incredible potential that exists in the commercial lines space, Listau added. This will further support our agents in solving the unmet needs of small business owners.

The insurer, which became part of Madison, Wisconsin-based American Family Insurance Mutual Holding Co. in 2018, said concentrating on commercial lines will allow it to innovate and serve the market faster. Main Street America Insurance commercial insurance, as well as fidelity and surety bond products throughout the U.S. The company said it writes more than $1.1 billion in annual premiumall via independent agents.

Were excited to marry current market opportunities and a refined focus with the independent agency channels ability to dominantly handle complicated, complex risks often associated with commercial lines customers, said Richard Vaughn, head of sales at Main Street America.

Attempts to reach Main Street America for additional information were forwarded to American Family, who said the information it could provide was in the press release.

According to industry rating agency AM Best, Main Street America Protection Insurance Co. and Main Street America Assurance Co. are each members of American Family Insurance Group, which holds a financial strength rating of A (Excellent). According to AM Best data, about 30% of Main Street America Protections book was commercial multiperil in 2023. The line accounted for more than 81% of Main Street America Assurances 2023 direct premiums.

With more direct premiums attributable to personal lines, Main Street Protection posted a combined ratio of 104.7 in 2023. Main Street America Assurances 2023 combined ratio was 97.3.

In 2020, Main Street America Group rebranded to Main Street America Insurance.

According to local news sources, Main Street America earlier this year listed for sale its Keene office building. The company said it planned to continue operating in Keene but did not need the large building after adopting a hybrid workplace following the pandemic.
As litigation and regulation increase around per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), insurance underwriting is tightening across lines. Insurance professionals who specialize in PFAS say insurers are mandating coverage exclusions and, in some cases, declining to write liability policies at all in PFAS-exposed industries.

Robin Kelliher, environmental solutions group counsel at USI, described the current insurance landscape as being hit by a superstorm of factors related to PFAS.

The insurance underwriters are just seeing lawsuits, lawsuits, lawsuits, she said, and they dont know how those lawsuits are going to play out.

Industrial manufacturing company 3M reached a $10-plus billion settlement in June 2023 with a collection of U.S. public water systems to resolve PFAS water pollution claims. Around the same time, Dupont reached an estimated $1.19 billion settlement with a collection of U.S. public drinking water systems.

A new EPA rule and recent Insurance Services Office changes are also shaping how underwriters view the risk. Just a few months ago, the EPA set a limit on how much PFAS can be in drinking water. And, last year, ISO published endorsements broadly excluding PFAS-related claims for insurers to use in CGL policies.

Read the full version of this article on the Carrier Management website.

It touches everything, Kelliher said of PFAS. And the carriers are seeing the lawsuits. Their insureds are being sued, and theyre submitting them as claims. Thats why the carriers are reacting the way they are. Because its coming from all different avenues.

PFAS Background

The EPA reports that PFAS are widely used, long-lasting chemicals, the components of which break down very slowly over time. Studies have shown that exposure to the chemicals may be linked to harmful effects in humans and animals.

PFAS can be found in drinking water, fire extinguishing foam, food, personal care products and more. Per the EPA, it can be found in the air and soil. On its website, the EPA said current peer-reviewed studies link certain levels of exposure to reproductive and developmental effects, as well as an increased risk of some cancers and reduced immune system ability.

Current scientific research suggests that exposure to certain PFAS may lead to adverse health outcomes, the EPA reports. However, research is still ongoing to determine how different levels of exposure to different PFAS can lead to a variety of health effects. Research is also underway to better understand the health effects associated with low levels of exposure to PFAS over long periods of time, especially in children.

Lisa Williams, global head of casualty at Zurich Insurance Group, explained that PFAS exposure predominantly tends to fall in two major categories: premises exposure and products liability exposure.

Premises exposure occurs where PFAS is present on site, either through the products and raw materials associated with the occupation or from sources like fire-fighting foams. The escape of these PFAS into the nearby environment can cause pollution damage.

Products liability exposure occurs when a product contains PFAS, and people are exposed to it, potentially suffering injury because of PFAS in that product.

Increasing Underwriting Exclusions

A recent USI report shares that litigation is prompting the reassessment of approaches to PFAS underwriting, coverage, risk management and claim handling. The report says that most insurers are mandating exclusions on general liability and products liability policies on all renewal accounts, regardless of industry or exposure to loss, but especially manufacturing, hospitality, retail and owners of real estate.

USI anticipates that finding PFAS coverage in the environmental insurance marketplace will be more difficult for product exposure, including supply chain and distribution risks and site-specific risks.

Kelliher said that PFAS surfaced on pollution liability underwriters radar around 2018and as state regulations on the coasts began to surface, carriers began to pay attention. Underwriters used to be more willing to write the exposure, she said, but that has changed in the past year because of the liability that stems from the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act.

When the EPA started talking about adding PFAS as a hazardous substance under CERCLA, then, all of a sudden, the underwriting scrutiny became tenfold more, Kelliher said. And we started seeing PFAS exclusions being added to our pollution policies. Increased litigation is also creating what she described as a reactive market.

Kelliher has seen exclusions extend beyond the pollution liability line and into contracting operations, product liability and more. She sees a connection between this and ISOs approval of PFAS-specific exclusions for commercial general liability and umbrella policies.

So, this year, all of our clients are starting to see, on their standard lines of business like their GL policies, a PFAS exclusion, she said. That is really causing a lot more havoc in the marketplace.

Kelliher said she doesnt know if carriers are adding PFAS exclusions carte blanche to standard policies, but if youre a manufacturer, youre seeing a PFAS exclusion. And its for your products, so that becomes really problematic for our insureds.

In email correspondence, Mike Jackman, head of governance, sustainability and standards for QBEs North America Chief Underwriting Office, explained that to the extent that there are classes of business within appetite that may have PFAS exposure, were likely to see exclusions. The higher the risk of exposure, the more likely it is that the carrier will mandate the exclusion, he said.

Across QBE, we ask underwriters to ensure that they remain up to date with the evolution of PFAS litigation and regulation in their regions, familiarizing themselves with industries, sectors, and products where PFAS could be an issue, he added.

Jackman expects that industry exclusions will be most common with insureds seeking general liability, products liability or pollution liability coverage. Insureds operating in chemical manufacturing, food packaging, cosmetics and waste management are among those more likely to see exclusions.

Brownyard Group, a program administrator that provides specialized liability insurance to the domestic cosmetics industry, including manufacturers and distributors, has seen carriers become more strident with exclusions.

Teri Pereira, account manager of the Brownyard Groups foundation program, said that from what we have experienced with our own carriers and with others, most carriers are adding the PFAS exclusion form to policies.

When it comes to Brownyards pest program, our carrier is adding an Insurance Services Office exclusion to our policies with no buyback option available at this time, explained John Culotta, the programs manager.
Justin Ballard is the Houston Chronicle's first ever newsroom meteorologist. He can be reached at justin.ballard@houstonchronicle.com.

He brings five years of experience forecasting tropical systems, severe weather outbreaks, and blizzards to the Houston Chronicle. His unique experience in forecasting will serve him well in his role at the Chronicle, as Houston has experienced a number of impactful weather events in recent years.

Justin looks forward to his work with the Houston Chronicle, where he'll be responsible for posting daily weather forecasts. On top of daily forecasts, he is excited to tackle more in-depth weather and climate stories that impact the residents of Southeast Texas.

A North Carolina native, Justin joined the Chronicle in July 2023. He graduated with his bachelor's degree in meteorology from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte in December 2017.
The National Hurricane Center was watching three areas of tropical activity, including a storm system near Houston, shown in yellow. But a system in the Caribbean, center, has much higher chances of developing into a tropical cyclone. National Hurricane Center

An offshore system of low atmospheric pressure in the northwestern Gulf of Mexico that was producing rain in Southeast Texas was one of three areas of tropical activity in the Atlantic Ocean being monitored for further development Monday by the National Hurricane Center.

The low pressure system was expected to linger in the same corner of the Gulf of Mexico on Monday, all the while soaking the Houston metro area with potentially heavy rainfall.

Bands of rain had moved onshore earlier in the day, dumping a few inches of rainfall across parts of Galveston Island and the Bolivar Peninsula, according the National Weather Service office overseeing the Houston and Galveston metro areas.

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Additional isolated heavy downpours will be possible along the immediate coast through late this afternoon, forecasters Tim Cady and Wendy Wong said Monday. Widespread totals of 1 to 3 inches are expected along the coast, with isolated higher amounts of 3 to 6 inches possible.

The weather service also warned of possible localized street flooding, and the agencys Weather Prediction Center, which specializes in flood forecasts, deemed portions of the Southeast Texas coast at risk for excessive rainfall.

On Tuesday, the low is forecast to move inland, and further development is not expected, the hurricane center said in an update Monday.

What about the other tropical hot spots?

Two other storm systems of interest in the Atlantic, though, had the best chances of developing into something stronger and more dangerous.

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The first system was a tropical wave of low pressure centered near the Lesser Antilles and Puerto Rico in the eastern Caribbean Sea. It was producing thunderstorms and gusty winds but environmental conditions are forecast to become more conducive for development when the system reaches the western Caribbean Sea and southwestern Gulf of Mexico late this week and over the weekend, the hurricane center said Monday.

Forecasters gave the system a 40% chance of becoming a tropical depression over the next seven days.

A second tropical wave, just offshore from the westernmost coastline of Africa, also was producing thunderstorms and high winds. It was expected to pass over warm ocean waters and encounter reduced atmospheric wind shear, which could foster further development.

As the tropical disturbance moves slowly west-northwest over the eastern tropical Atlantic, it also had a 40% chance of becoming a tropical cyclone in the next seven days, the hurricane center said.

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What is a tropical cyclone?

Tropical waves are basically elongated areas of low atmospheric pressure that form in the Atlantic and get pushed westward by prevailing winds. If these tropical atmospheric disturbances garner enough heat energy and moisture, they can organize into cyclones with stronger winds that rotate counterclockwise.

Once a tropical wave has organized deep thunderstorm activity and begins to form rotating winds around a well-defined center, it becomes a functioning tropical cyclone that can extract heat energy from the atmospheric moisture over warm ocean water.

A tropical depression is the earliest, weakest kind of a tropical cyclone, with maximum sustained winds of up to 38 mph. If the winds grow stronger, the system is designated a tropical storm, which can pack sustained winds of 39 to 73 mph. The cyclone attains hurricane status once maximum sustained winds reach and exceed 74 mph.
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 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."
CEO of Swedish defence and security company Saab, Micael Johansson, speaks during the presentation of Saab's interim report on February 9, 2024 in Stockholm. Jessica Gow | Afp | Getty Images

Russia's ongoing war in Ukraine has resulted in a profound shift in the way defense stocks are viewed by mission-driven fund managers, according to two European defense giants. Defense stocks have typically been excluded from portfolios based on environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors due to ethical concerns over their association with warfare. In recent months, however, ESG fund managers appear to have become increasingly comfortable with holding defense companies  at a time of soaring industry profits and higher defense spending, as governments respond to elevated geopolitical risk. Nonetheless, the inclusion of defense stocks in sustainably-minded portfolios remains controversial. Micael Johansson, CEO of the Swedish defense and security company Saab, said Russia's decision to launch a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 had brought about a "dramatic" change in the ESG debate. "I think we had, like, 45,000 to 50,000 shareholders before this tragic war happened and now, we have, like, beyond 175,000 shareholders. Of course, the interest in investing in us is very different now, but there is still some sort of hesitation in the market," Johansson told CNBC's Silvia Amaro on Aug. 21.

It's really important that we see the role that defense companies play in protecting a free society. Brad Greve Chief financial officer at BAE Systems

Johansson said some pension funds, for example, were still unwilling to invest in defense stocks, adding that there hasn't been a sudden "all-in" approach to recognizing defense firms as sustainable businesses. "Not everyone is viewing it that way. There is still more to do in that area, which is to me really frustrating  because if you don't have any security and a deterrents effect, then you can't talk about the ESG from other perspectives. That's sort of the foundation of sustainability in my eye," Johansson said. Shares of Saab, which produces missiles, submarines and fighter jets, have skyrocketed since the start of Russia's war with Ukraine  up around 330% between Feb. 20, 2022 and Aug. 29, 2024.

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'I don't have any problem with our reputation'

"Traditionally, ESG investors and especially retail investors do not want to be associated with companies that produce weapons," Ida Kassa Johannesen, head of commercial ESG at Saxo Bank, told CNBC via videoconference. "Ultimately, [these are] companies that cause the death of people [and] innocent victims in the Middle East at the moment, in wars waged in Africa, for example in [the Democratic Republic of the] Congo, and a few other places in the world. Retail investors just do not want to have anything to do with these types of companies." As a result, Johannesen said that fund managers have typically been reluctant to include some defense stocks in their portfolios in order to avoid being questioned by their clients.

A Pro-Palestinian supporter gestures as he is reflected on a window during a "Day of Action for Palestine" demonstration outside the British multinational arms, security and aerospace company BAE Systems, in London, on January 20, 2024. Justin Tallis | Afp | Getty Images

Asked whether defense firms may have more work to do to improve their reputation, Saab's Johansson replied: "Maybe, I don't know. I think I wouldn't have worked 39 years for this company if I hadn't been extremely committed to what we do, and what we actually stand for, and what we contribute with in terms of resilience and great capabilities." Johansson said that, if politicians recognize a threat environment, then it is imperative to have "professional" and "serious" companies capable of delivering the necessary resources to defense forces. "So, we stand for something really important  and I don't have any problem with our reputation. I don't know about others," he added.

'Big villains' vs. firms that are 'not that bad'

ESG investments have become a polarizing political issue in recent years, particularly in the U.S. Republican lawmakers have labeled mission-driven investments as a form of "woke capitalism" that seeks to prioritize liberal goals over financial returns. Democratic lawmakers have sought to push back, describing attacks on a range of ethically responsible business practices as "an attempt to manufacture a culture war and protect corporate special interests," according to the Democrats' Committee on Oversight and Accountability. Analysts expect the outcome of the U.S. presidential election in November to determine whether the political backlash against ESG will have a deep and lasting effect.

A T-650 designed by Malloy Aeronautics, an all-electric heavy lift uncrewed aircraft system (UAS) is displayed at the British Aerospace BAE Systems hall during the Farnborough International Airshow 2024 at Farnborough International Exhibition and Conference Centre on July 22, 2024 in Farnborough, England. Farnborough International Airshow 2024 is host to leading innovators from the aerospace, aviation and defence industries. John Keeble | Getty Images News | Getty Images

"You couldn't even have those conversations pre-Ukraine because even though you might be doing great things across the E, the S and the G. You couldn't even talk about it," Brad Greve, chief financial officer at British defense group BAE Systems , told CNBC in an interview on Aug. 14. "What's happened since Ukraine, there has been a real change in attitude. I think people have now reflected. It's really important that we see the role that defense companies play in protecting a free society," he said. Greve noted that while fund managers will always have the right to invest as they see fit, "what's good now from my perspective is that we can have these conversations about the role we the positive role we play in society." Shares of BAE Systems, which makes nuclear-powered submarines, fighter jets and supplies munitions, have climbed roughly 130% over Feb. 20, 2022 to Aug. 29, 2024.

Stock Chart Icon Stock chart icon Share performance of BAE Systems from Feb. 20, 2022.
Airfare, departure times, flight length  these are the usual considerations for travelers who want to book a flight. But now, more are looking at a new factor: the aircraft itself. One in five travelers said they are doing more research into the plane they may be flying on before they book, while slightly more (22%) said they are limiting air travel for the rest of the year, according to a survey conducted in June by the digital analytics company Quantum Metric. Overall, 55% of travelers said they have changed the way they book flights because of recent news about aircraft and airlines, the survey showed. The survey did not directly mention Boeing, but a steady stream of media coverage about the company  from its quality control to business ethos  have dominated headlines since a door panel blew off a Alaska Airlines flight on Jan. 5, 2024.

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These stories have directed consumers' focus to Boeing's aircraft, which was something travelers didn't use to pay attention to, said Danielle Harvey, global vice president and head of travel and hospitality strategy at Quantum Metric. "Our research infers that fliers are doing more research to understand and potentially avoid Boeing aircrafts," she said. The survey also showed 13% of respondents are avoiding discount carriers to feel more secure about flying. But this doesn't really make sense, said Brendan Sobie, independent aviation analyst and founder of Sobie Aviation. "First of all, there are more discount carriers operating Airbus (A320s) than Boeing (737s) particularly in Asia," he said. "And the Boeing issues, of course, impact all airlines regardless of their business model."

Fears up, risks down

As unnerving as recent headlines about Boeing may be, aviation safety is improving by the decade, according to Arnold Barnett, a professor of statistics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and co-author of a research paper about the risks of commercial flights. The paper, published in the Journal of Air Transport Management in August, states that the risk of dying on a commercial flight globally was 1 per 13.7 million passenger boardings from 2018 to 2022  a significant improvement from the decade before, and far cry from the one death for every 350,000 boardings that occurred between 1968-1977. Commercial safety standards can be evaluated by a variety of metrics  from miles flow to flight hours  but according to MIT News, Barnett chose "deaths per passenger boarding" because it answers a simple question: If you have a boarding pass for a flight, what are your odds of dying?

Barnett suggests several factors have made flying safer, according to MIT News, including "technological advances, such as collision avoidance systems in planes; extensive training; and rigorous work by organizations such as the U.S. Federal Aviation Agency and the National Transportation Safety Board." But geographical disparities exist, according the report, which divides the world into three tiers when it comes to flight safety: Tier 1: United States, the European Union and other parts of Europe, plus Australia, Canada, China, Israel, Japan and New Zealand

Tier 2: Bahrain, Bosnia, Brazil, Brunei, Chile, Hong Kong, India, Jordan, Kuwait, Malaysia, Mexico, Philippines, Qatar, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates

Tier 3: Every other country For Tier 1 and Tier 2, the death risk for flights between 2018-22 falls to 1 per 80 million passenger boardings, according to MIT researchers. In Tier 3 countries, fatality risks were 36 times higher that of Tier 1 countries from 2018-2022, according to the report. But even among those countries, fatalities per boarding nearly halved during this time period, Barnett noted.

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The study is a historical analysis of commercial flight safety, which does not predict how Boeing's issues may play out in the future. But Barnett indicated he's confident about the future of commercial aviation. "While the Alaska Airlines incident was certainly an emergency, the pilots responded immediately and landed the plane safely. Thus, the event shows that, even when things go terribly wrong, other elements of the air-safety system typically avert disaster," he told CNBC Travel. "Viewed in full, the incident says more about the safety of flying than its dangers," he said.

Why avoiding Boeing is difficult

Though competition among airlines is fierce, aircraft manufacturing has long been dominated by the United States' century-old Boeing company and its European competitor, Airbus. Together, the two companies manufacture nearly all large passenger aircraft. Thus, avoiding Boeing-manufactured aircraft is possible, but not necessarily easy. However, a number of platforms, from Kayak to Alternative Airlines, allow travelers to filter flights by aircraft, an option added after two Boeing 737 Max airliners crashed within a six-month period in 2018 and 2019.

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German Chancellor Olaf Scholz (R), Finance Minister Christian Lindner (L) and Economy and Climate Action Minister Robert Habeck speak to the media. Sean Gallup | Getty Images News | Getty Images

The ruling coalition in Berlin is likely to struggle onward until a nationwide vote next year, according to political commentators, following a historic state election win for the far-right AfD over the weekend. The populist and anti-immigration AfD (Alternative for Germany) recorded successes in two state elections Sunday, securing far more votes than the parties currently in the national ruling coalition behind Chancellor Olaf Scholz. Marcel Fratzscher, president of The German Institute of Economic Research, told CNBC's "Street Signs Europe" on Monday, the result means the Scholz coalition will be challenged between now and the next general election in 2025.

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"It will be very hard for the national government to implement any major reforms to push ahead," he said. Deutsche Bank economists shared a similar view in a note published Monday, noting that the results would likely put "further strains" onto the already fragile coalition. "Weak election results are likely to accelerate the switch into campaign mode for next year's federal election, reducing the scope for meaningful reforms until then," they said.

Results

Preliminary results from the eastern German states of Thuringia and Saxony show that the far-right AfD garnered over 30% of votes in both states, even emerging as the biggest party in Thuringia with 32.8%. The results would confirm an increase in votes for the far-right AfD since the last state elections in 2019, when it won around 28% in Saxony and 23% in Thuringia. The AfD's win in Thuringia was the first time the party won a state election, and marked the first far-right win in a state election since World War II. Despite the AfD's success, it is unlikely to become part of the ruling state coalitions in both Saxony and Thuringia as most other, it not all, parties have said that they do not want to partner with the far right. The election outcome also comes at a time where Germany's economy  the largest in Europe  is struggling. Data released last week by the national statistics office Destatis reflected that Germany's gross domestic product fell by 0.1% in the second quarter of 2024 from the previous quarter. Figures published Monday also showed that a German manufacturing PMI fell further into contraction territory in August, coming in at 42.4, a multi-month low. Scholz's center-left SPD (the social democrats) garnered just 7.3% of votes in Saxony and 6.1% in Thuringia, with other national government coalition partners, the Greens and the FDP (free democrats), faring even worse.

13 August 2024, Thuringia, Suhl: Bjorn Hocke (AfD), state parliamentary group and party leader as well as his party's top candidate, speaks at the AfD Thuringia election campaign on the market square in front of the slogan "Der Osten macht's". Michael Reichel | Picture Alliance | Getty Images

Another anti-establishment party, the BSW (Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance), which is a left-nationalist party that was only set up earlier in 2024 also recorded successes on Sunday  securing 11.8% of the vote in Saxony and 15.8% in Thuringia. "Voters vented their anger at the continuously infighting Berlin coalition, amid conflicts over migration and major challenges associated with the Russian invasion of Ukraine," Carsten Nickel, deputy Director of Research at Teneo, said in a note on Monday.

Election outlook

Even after the next national election, policymaking could still be difficult for the federal government, Fratzscher added. Germany's political climate is marked by "a strong atmosphere" of conflict and frustration, he explained, including growing anti-immigration sentiment. It is "very hard to see" how governments can be formed, including at the federal level, Fratzscher added. "This means there is really a political stalemate. and that's a big concern for an economy that needs reform, that needs deregulation, that needs a massive push on investment, that needs to engage more in Europe," he added. The state election results come ahead of a national election in Germany in 2025, which will likely happen in September. This plan is unlikely to change, with experts saying there is barely any chance of this new state election result leading to a snap nationwide vote.

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Demonstrators lift flags and placards during a protest calling for the release of Israelis held hostage by Palestinian militants in Gaza since October, in Tel Aviv on August 31, 2024, amid the ongoing conflict in the Gaza Strip between Israel and the Palestinian militant Hamas movement. (Photo by Jack GUEZ / AFP) (Photo by JACK GUEZ/AFP via Getty Images)

Protests have spilled into Israel's streets, as the Jewish state braces for a nationwide strike amid mounting pressure on the administration of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to broker a cease-fire deal with Hamas and return hostages from the Gaza Strip.

Arnon Bar-David  the head of Israel's biggest union Histadrut that represents hundreds of thousands of workers in areas including health care and banking  called for a general strike across Israel's economy on Monday, the organization said on social media, amid a swelling wave of national frustration over the perceived failure of Netanyahu's government to clinch a deal and bring captive loved ones back home.

"It is impossible to stand in front of the cries of our children who are being murdered in the tunnels in Gaza, this is unacceptable," Bar-David said, according to a Google translation.

Peter Lerner, director general of the international relations division at Histadrut, told CNBC's Dan Murphy that the industrial action began as of 6 a.m. local time in Israel on Monday affecting the private and public sector in regions spanning from Beersheba in the south up to Haifa in the north, and also impacting the port of Haifa and Israel's main international airport, Ben Gurion.

"Clearly, the impact of the war on the economy of Israel is devastating. We are worried for the jobs of the workers and obviously where the government is leading us," he said, adding that the discovery of the bodies of further hostages had triggered "serious concerns" about the ongoing negotiations to secure the freedom of the remaining captives.

"We have a very clear perspective that people need to come first. That is what we do in our union work, and that's what we expect from the government to do in bringing home the hostages," Lerner said.

Israel's Manufacturers' Association endorsed the movement, with President Ron Tomer saying, "Too long we have been waiting for the right deal - it's time to bring the kidnapped home. The government must ensure that it does everything, for the return of the kidnapped as soon as possible, also under the restrictions of a limited cease-fire. We call on all businesses in Israel to act so."
LONDON  Rupert Murdoch-owned REA Group said Monday it is contemplating a takeover offer for U.K. property portal Rightmove in a bid to create a global digital real estate business.

The Australian property listings company, which is controlled by Murdoch's News Corp, said in a statement to the Australian stock market that it was considering a possible cash and share offer for Rightmove, but it has not yet had any discussions with the company.

Shares of Rightmove jumped 25% in early deals following the announcement. The stock was 27.4% higher by the close of Monday's session and ended at the top of the FTSE 100. Shares of REA Group fell as much as 6%.

Rightmove has not released a statement nor did it immediately respond to CNBC's request for comment.

REA Group's announcement comes after reports emerged that it was working with Deutsche Bank on a large overseas acquisition, according to the Financial Times.

Rightmove is the U.K.'s leading property portal, used by estate agents to advertise properties for sale and rent. Melbourne-headquartered REA Group did not say how much it was considering offering for Rightmove, but the U.K. platform was valued at 4.34 billion ($5.7 billion) as of market close Friday.

In its statement, REA Group said it saw the potential acquisition as a "transformational opportunity" and cited "clear similarities" between the two firms, including strong brand awareness, market share and "highly aligned cultural values."

REA Group, in which News Corp owns a more than 61% interest, operates a number of property websites in Australia, as well as several brands in India and the U.S.

However, REA Group's previous venture into the U.K. faced stiff market pressure. The company sold its real estate site PropertyFinder Group to Rightmove rival Zoopla in 2009, during the Global Financial Crisis.

The U.K. property market now appears more favorable, with lower interest rates expected to boost transactions. But Rightmove is set to confront headwinds following the acquisition of rival site OnTheMarket by U.S. property firm CoStar .

Jefferies analysts said in a note Monday that REA Group appeared undeterred by the increased market competition., having previously faced rivalry from CoStar in the U.S., via its investment in realtor.com.

Despite limited "cross-border synergies" between the two firms, the Jefferies analysts also noted that Rightmove could benefit from REA's strong management and expertise within Rightmove's "strategic growth areas," namely mortgages, commercial and rental services.

"It is worth crediting REA with being a strong operator in Australia, having taken revenue share from the #2 player DHG in the last six years," the analysts said, referencing rival Australian property portal Domain Group .

Under UK takeover laws, REA now has until the end of September to formally make an offer or walk away following its public expression of interest.
LONDON  British Foreign Minister David Lammy said Monday the country would immediately suspend some arms export licenses to Israel over fears they could be used in a way that would breach international law.

Lammy said 30 of around 350 U.K. licenses to export arms to Israel will be suspended.

"This is not a blanket ban. This is not an arms embargo," Lammy said as he addressed lawmakers in the House of Commons.

Lammy said a review had found that there was a "clear risk" that some export licenses "might be used to commit or facilitate serious violations of international humanitarian law."

The suspended export licenses only involved those that could be used in the conflict between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas in Gaza, Lammy said.

"Let me leave this house in no doubt: The U.K. continues to support Israel's right to self-defense in accordance with international law," Lammy said.

Israel's foreign ministry did not immediately respond to CNBC's request for comment on Monday.

The decision comes as protests continue in Israel, with demonstrations taking place in a bid to force Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government to secure a hostage deal with Hamas.

Massive crowds rallied in key Israeli cities on Sunday, with over 300,000 people gathered to demonstrate in Tel Aviv, according to a Google-translated update from the Hostage Families Forum, which organized some of the protests.

The ongoing Israel-Hamas war has left Israel increasingly isolated from an international community that urges a cease-fire amid concerns over the country's military response in the Gaza enclave and harm to Palestinian civilians.

 CNBC's Ruxandra Iordache contributed to this report.
Sensex, the benchmark index for India's biggest stocks, is up over 11.86% in the last six months compared to a 6.6% fall in Shanghai Composite, its peer in China. Indian stocks are widely believed to expensive but Geoffrey Dennis, an independent commentator on emerging markets, advises against moving money to China."I think we have got to see a better economic performance from China before that market's really going to recover. So, for me, a switch from India into China doesn't make a lot of sense, frankly, right now," he said in a conversation with CNBC-TV18 on September 2.China's economic woes have not just hurt its own stock market, they have also curbed the returns for global investors who bet on emerging markets. Returns from EM investments are still at least 700 basis points behind those from developed markets, according to Dennis. In relative terms, China is just up 2% in dollar terms this year, as of August 30, and China needs to break out more to the upside for the emerging markets to catch up with the developed markets, he added.The unprecedented rally in Sensex is powered by the country's optimistic middle class. Retail investors in India bought more stocks in August than foreign investors, who have so far pumped in just $5.16 billion in 2024 into Indian equities."I still think India is a great place to be for the long term. Of course, as we have said before, there are concerns about valuation levels. .. I still think EM investors want to believe the Indian story, want to see it moving higher and are probably position for that," Dennis said.
The helicopter crash in which Iran's late President Ebrahim Raisi was killed was primarily caused by weather conditions that included thick fog, Iran's state TV said on Sunday, citing the final investigation report on the incident.Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, a hardliner who was seen as a potential successor to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, died when his helicopter crashed in May in a mountainous region near the Azerbaijan border."The main reason of the helicopter crash was complicated weather conditions in the region," the final report concluded, according to Iran's state TV.A thick mass of fog caused the helicopter that was carrying Raisi and his companions to crash into the mountain, the report issued by a high committee charged by Iran's military with investigating the incident said.A preliminary report by Iran's military had said in May that no evidence of foul play or an attack had been found during the investigation.
Surround yourself with the right sensors, and they might just save us all

All around you are signals you have no way of perceiving on your own. For example, did you know that invisible waves travel through the air, transmitting words and images, decodable by the right device?

Whats that  you did know that, and youre using a device to decode those signals at this very moment? Fine. But there are also signals out there that no one was supposed to detect, and which weve managed to detect nevertheless.

5 Seismometers Spot Quakes and Save Trains Don't Miss Not a single person has died in an accident aboard Japans bullet trains. True, someone once got his finger stuck in a door and got dragged to his death when the train took off, but when we talk about train accidents, we mean collisions and derailments. The system hasnt had even one fatal collision or derailment in its 60 years of operation. LERK Still, RIP Yusuke Kawarazaki, for that fatal slip of the thumb. One reason thats surprising is Japan has its share of earthquakes, and trains are vulnerable to them, since they usually travel over the earth. But the Shinkansen rail system has its own early earthquake detection system, which responds to the seismic waves that come ahead of the ground shaking. Within two seconds of these waves reaching the sensors, every train hits the emergency brakes. Even in 2011, when that 9.0 earthquake hit Japan, collapsing a bunch of bullet train stations and ripping up the track, seismometers on the ocean floor detected the first tremors and shut down the trains in time. Only one bullet train derailed, and that was a test train, so no one cared about it.

4 The Mountain Pool of Ultrapure Water Japan is also home to Super-Kamiokande, an observatory for detecting neutrinos. Its a tank a hundred feet tall and hundred feet wide, located in a mine a thousand feet under a mountain. Even looking at a photo of it is guaranteed to cause insanity unless youre holding a protective talisman. Super-Kamiokande Those three little white cylinders on the left are human beings. Neutrinos travel at the speed of light and pass through the planet without affecting much of anything, but we still manage to detect them using Super-Kamiokande. Super-K contains ultrapure water, water so pure that if we spot an electron in it, it can only have appeared because a neutrino shot through the water from space and created the electron, using its neutrino powers. Advertisement Thanks to Super-K, we discovered that there are non-electron neutrino components in solar neutrinos, and that the total flux of the active 8B-neutrinos was 5.440.99  106cm2s1. That last sentence obviously sounds like complete gibberish to all reasonable people, so lets just add that if we spot the right neutrinos, that tells us a star is collapsing and about to turn into a black hole, and thats something anyone should want to know.

3 ShotSpotter, the Gunshot Detector Advertisement Sometimes, you hear a gunshot outside, and you shrug your shoulders, saying, Eh, what can you do? If you call the police and report what you heard, they might not have enough information to respond properly, and going outside brandishing guns of your own might land you in trouble. Starting in 1997, several cities in the U.S. set up a system of sensors that pick up the sounds of gunfire and relay the location of the source directly to police. In D.C., for example, the sensors picked up some 40,000 shots in a 20-square-mile area over the course of seven years. A person who calls the shot in might say, I heard a shot somewhere north of me, I dont know exactly where, but ShotSpotter tells cops the exact location. They can sweep in and look for a victim, or at least look for evidence. Advertisement Parker J. McCauley Okay, everyones dead, but lets collect these shell casings. So, does ShotSpotter reduce crime, or at least help us solve crimes? We dont have much evidence of that. It keeps alerting cops to false alarms, and a Houston investigation suggests that it actually diverts police from calls that matter more. This surveillance might not even be legal either. Advertisement The company behind the system continues to market it hard, though. Last year, they changed their name to SoundThinking, to give off a better impression. That sounds like a joke about euphemistic language, but then you realize sound has a double meaning, and its an entirely different joke: a pun.

2 The Detectors that Detect Radar Detector Detectors Police also use a far more familiar sort of sensor in their everyday duties  radar guns, for clocking the speed of passing cars. If you want to be on the lookout for speed traps, you might want to invest in a radar detector, which spots the radio waves these guns use to measure your speed. TaitaFkm/Wiki Commons Its legal, apparently, but cops who see it may find some other excuse to arrest you. Naturally, such devices use waves of their own, which means theyre vulnerable to being spotted by radar detector detectors. Of course, that means you should equip your radar detector with a radar detector detector detector, which will shut your device down as soon as it realizes its being spotted. Advertisement Advertisement
After doing battle with Michael Myers, alien Jon Stewart and the concept of not having sex for just over a month, Josh Hartnetts latest role finds him struggling against the confines of a pop-music concert. In M. Night Shyamalans Trap, Hartnett plays a serial killer known as The Butcher who takes his daughter to a Lady Raven show, only to discover that the entire event is part of a police ploy to snare him.

Now that the movie is available on VOD, more people are discovering that the movie is actually quite funny  and also deeply relatable for any parent whos ever taken their kid to a concert only to severely embarrass them.

Don't Miss

In addition to the objectively ridiculous plot line, the movie does feature some overtly comic scenes, including a brief tension-cutting moment in which Kid Cudis flamboyant rapper character The Thinker pauses to make eyes at Hartnetts beefy girl dad.

And since its release, Trap has spawned a number of social media memes, many of which feature Jamie the overly-helpful merch guy.

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Its no wonder that some have branded Trap a modern camp classic. But the movies biggest goof might be in its casting. The role of Dr. Josephine Grant, the FBI profiler in charge of taking down The Butcher, is played by Haley Mills, the former child star who appeared in 60s Disney classics like Polyanna and The Parent Trap.

As a lot of critics pointed out when Trap first came out, it sure seems like Shyamalan cast Mills purely to make one big dad joke  which is fitting for a movie about a dad, written and directed by a dad attempting to boost his daughters music career. After all, Mills was famously in The Parent Trap, and this movie calls for her to literally trap a parent.

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It has to have been a pun, right? They have to have cast her knowing this, right? questioned NPRs Linda Holmes. She also suggested out that the movie blew a big opportunity by not having Mills character deliver the line: Now thats a parent trap.

The casting of a now 78-year-old Mills does seem to be a conspicuous decision, considering that she isnt exactly known for appearing in psychological thrillers, or many major Hollywood productions at all these days. Mills told The Hollywood Reporter that, until Trap came along, she didnt think she would star in a film ever again.

When asked about casting Mills, Shyamalan didnt cop to his meta pun work, but instead, claimed that he just likes to do unexpected things with casting and loves showing familiar actors in a new light.

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Even if Hayley Mills was cast to fulfil a sly wordplay gag, shes quite good in the movie. Had she turned Shyamalan down, presumably the role would have gone to Lindsay Lohan.

You (yes, you) should follow JM on Twitter (if it still exists by the time youre reading this).
India's domestic flight diverted following bomb threat message

Xinhua) 11:22, September 02, 2024

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.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
A zero-day flaw in open source browser, Chromium, which was patched recently, was exploited by a financially motivated North Korean threat actor, Citrine Sleet, to deliver the FudModule rootkit.

The vulnerability, tracked as CVE-2024-7971, is a type confusion flaw in the V8 JavaScript and WebAssembly engine that received a critical rating of CVSS 8.8 out of 10.

On August 19, 2024, Microsoft identified a North Korean threat actor exploiting a zero-day vulnerability in Chromium to gain remote code execution (RCE), said a Microsoft Threat Intelligence report. Our ongoing analysis and observed infrastructure lead us to attribute this activity with medium confidence to Citrine Sleet.
Have you ever wondered how to jump the queue in an overrun NHS Accident and Emergency department? The answer has been provided by the Labour MP for Birmingham Yardley, Jess Phillips.

As my colleague Richard Eden revealed last week, at an event titled An Evening With Jess Phillips, the Home Office minister told her audience at a London theatre that, when she had recently sought treatment for breathing difficulties at an overcrowded Birmingham hospital, she managed to get to the front of the queue 'because of who I am.

'Also, the doctor who saw me was a Palestinian, as it turns out. Almost all the doctors in Birmingham seem to be.'

Why should this be relevant to her preferential treatment? Phillips, last November, had resigned from Sir Keir Starmer's shadow cabinet in protest at the Labour leader's refusal to back a vote in Parliament for a 'ceasefire in Gaza': that is, for Israel to cease its military pursuit of Hamas, barely a month after they had murdered 1,200 Israelis and kidnapped hundreds more.

Jess Phillips resigned from Sir Keir Starmer's shadow cabinet in protest at the Labour Leader's refusal to back a vote in Parliament for a 'ceasefire in Gaza'

Or, as Phillips described her encounter with that 'Palestinian doctor' in Birmingham: 'He was sort of like, 'I like you. You voted for a ceasefire'. [Because of that] I got through quicker.'

Jess Phillips appears to think this speaks well of either the doctor, herself, or both. Otherwise, why would she show off about it?

In fact, it is scandalous. Not just because preferential treatment in the NHS on purely political grounds is morally odious as well as medically inappropriate, but because a decent MP would refuse to jump the queue ahead of her own constituents.

Dr David Jeffrey (not a medical doctor, admittedly) tweeted about the Mail story: 'So what Jess said is that the NHS in Birmingham will see you quicker if you're Pro-Palestinian Which begs the question: what type of care will you receive if you are perceived to be Jewish?'

Indeed, my thoughts immediately turned to an incident at Royal Manchester Children's Hospital in March. It was reported that nurses wearing pro-Palestinian badges forced a Jewish child out of a hospital bed while he was receiving a blood transfusion (for a rare blood disorder).

The nine-year-old was wearing his kippah, so was identifiably Jewish.

His uncle, Elliott Smus, said that the nurses told the boy he could not sit on the hospital bed and 'forced him on to the floor'.

Healthcare workers wearing medical scrubs stage a protest outside St Thomas' Hospital in London to highlight the plight of Palestinian healthcare workers detained by Israeli forces

Mr Smus went on to say that the next time the child went there for his treatment, he did not wear any sign of his Jewish identity and was treated well.

Afterwards, Manchester University NHS Trust said: 'Following on from a family's recent experience at Royal Manchester Children's Hospital . . . we have taken action and offered prompt reassurance.'

What that action was, we do not know. But as the Jewish Chronicle observed at the time: 'The evidence suggests that this is far from a one-off.'

It noted that in 2022 not a single doctor had been reported to the General Medical Council over alleged anti-Semitism, but in the four months following Hamas's massacre on October 7 last year there were 66 such incidents logged.

They included the case of Dr Najmiah Khaiessa Ahmad, who shared a video asserting that the Rothschild family 'made up the so-called 'Holocaust' to serve as a mind-control trigger to thwart and resist any criticism of their Zionist ways'.

Dr Ahmad may be an extreme case but it is clear that a large number of medics have been on the pro-Palestinian marches in London  and last weekend almost 200 of them demonstrated in their medical scrubs outside St Thomas', Parliament's 'local' hospital.

They are, of course, entitled to take part in such political events in their own time  but not to use their medical practice as an extension of their struggle against 'Zionism'.

Jess Phillips has yet to respond to questions from the Mail about her remarks to that theatre audience. Last month, she did at least admit to a 'mistake' after she appeared to defend the harassment of a female television reporter by masked men, some of whom chanted 'Free Palestine'.

Phillips  whose ministerial responsibility is 'safeguarding women'  said that the men were responding to 'misinformation'. Later, she said she 'would choose my words more carefully' in the future.

Such self-restraint, as the later Evening With Jess Phillips demonstrated, is beyond her.

One of her parliamentary colleagues said to me: 'The challenge in politics is to speak plainly and to be authentic whilst still exercising judgment and being disciplined. She lets the 'plain-speaking Jess Phillips' stuff go to her head. None of us can understand why Starmer made her a minister. We are all certain it will end in tears.'

But there is something more important at stake here than the job of a politician who seems startlingly unsuited to the responsibilities of being a minister of the crown.

The question is: are doctors in the NHS really allowing their views on the war in Gaza to pollute their clinical practice? Because, if so, they should be struck off the medical register.

Kirstie Allsopp had nothing on my mum!

Kirstie Allsopp must regret revealing to the world that she had let her 15-year-old son Oscar go interrailing around Europe with a 16-year-old friend.

Some appalling busybody reported her to social services for 'child neglect' and Kensington and Chelsea children's services department duly got in touch with a furious Allsopp 'about a referral we have received in relation to your son'. This made me wonder what would have happened to my mother, at the hands of the same council, if such matters had then been dealt with as officiously as they are now.

When I was six, she decided it was time I walked to school on my own. It was only about three-quarters of a mile away, although, being Chelsea, it involved crossing a number of busy roads (unsurprisingly, my first recorded word as an infant was 'bus').

That first morning, my mother drew on my wrist, with a felt pen, a rudimentary map of my journey: very practical.

When I got home that afternoon, also on my own, she asked me how it had gone.

I said that at one point 'an old lady helped me across the road'. My mother burst out laughing: 'It's meant to be the other way around.'

Nowadays, she might have been arrested.
Just as Gordon Brown had his 'prawn cocktail offensive' to seduce the City ahead of the landslide 1997 victory, so Sir Keir Starmer played footsie with corporate grandees before this election.

He was desperate to convince business leaders they had nothing to fear from a Labour government. Now he is firmly in power, bosses are belatedly grasping that the transformation was only skin deep.

An Institute of Directors poll finds business confidence collapsing as the Prime Minister's true Leftist agenda becomes clear.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer speaks during a press conference in Berlin, Germany on August 28, 2024

Labour's plans to hike taxes, boost trade union power and strengthen workers' rights are 'scaring off' entrepreneurs. This will hold back plans for new jobs and investment.

Sir Keir has said he wants to encourage the private sector to create wealth. Yet since entering No 10, this self-proclaimed socialist has simply placed obstacles in its path.

Captains of industry who lauded Labour were warned its claim to be the party of business was a lie. Now they  and the rest of the country  will literally pay the price.

Dunces on education

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson says she is determined to drive up standards for school children.

By caving in to the Left-wing teaching establishment, she risks doing the precise opposite.

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson speaking to pupils of Loreto Sixth Form College in Manchester, as they receive their A-level results on August 15, 2024

In what amounts to a war on numeracy, the unions are urging the Government to scrap the requirement for primary schools to teach times tables, because they say it causes pupils 'anxiety'.

This would deprive children of an essential life skill. Moreover, rigorous testing reintroduced by the Tories has seen England bound up the international league tables for educational attainment.

Meanwhile, ministers are scrapping one-word Ofsted verdicts on schools, a system they say is neither fair, nor accurate.

The teaching 'blob' claim inspections are 'harmful'. But Ofsted ratings remain the best indicator parents have of a school's performance  and a vital safeguard against dumbed-down teaching.

Ms Phillipson must bear in mind one question: Who are our schools run for?

Is it pupils  who benefit from a demanding, knowledge-based education  or Labour's pals and paymasters in the teaching unions?

Excuses leave us cold

The excuses that Labour is coming up with to justify callously axing winter fuel payments for 10 million pensioners grow ever more ludicrous.

Yesterday it was the turn of Commons Leader Lucy Powell, who claimed failing to cut the allowance could have caused a run on the pound and crashed the economy.

This is self-evident drivel. The measure is expected to save 1.4billion  a drop in the ocean compared to total Government spending of 1,200billion.

Commons Leader Lucy Powell arrives at the Houses of Parliament ahead of the State Opening of Parliament on July 17, 2024

Ms Powell insists ministers had 'no alternative', but of course they did. It was entirely their choice to leave hard-pressed OAPS (who typically vote Tory) to shiver.

Labour prioritised bumper pay deals for striking public sector workers and squandering billions on foreign aid.

Having targeted society's most vulnerable, the Government is desperately trying to defend the indefensible.

In an example of perverse priorities, police are investigating dozens of 'virtual reality' crimes. These 'offences' have not taken place in real life, but to characters that represent people in computer games. Shouldn't officers focus on cracking crime in the real world  not waste time patrolling the land of make-believe?
Why does Labour hate older people? Not content with stripping pensioners of their winter fuel payments, it is now being reported that concessionary rail fares for the over-60s are also about to be cut.

Train operators, which these days are wholly-owned subsidiaries of the Treasury and soon to be nationalised fully, are reducing the railcard discounts of up to 35 per cent.

OAPs arent the only passengers affected, admittedly. The savings are also being withdrawn from the disabled, military veterans and young people.

So thatll teach Kirstie Allsopps teenage son the next time he fancies swanning round Europe on a budget.

I have no idea what the disabled have done to justify cutting cut-price travel. Perhaps, like ex-soldiers and older folk in general they are suspected of voting Tory  or, worse, Reform UK.

Maybe it only applies to disabled people over the age of 65. If it does, it would be entirely consistent with Labours vindictive policies designed to make pensioners on fixed incomes poorer and colder.

When Martha Reeves and the Vandals got rid of the 300 winter fuel allowance in order to shovel money to train drivers, junior doctors and other favoured public sector client groups, we should have realised the rest of the cash was going to have to come from somewhere.

Withdrawing the winter fuel allowance is alleged to save Starmer and Reeves 1.5bn a year

Presumably, trimming railcard discounts is one way of off-setting the cost.

So, in future, hard-up pensioners will miss out on taking the train to visit their grandchildren because fares have gone through the roof. Theyll just have to stay home and watch Bargain Hunt, if they can still afford the BBC licence fee.

Only those on pension credit enjoy free TV licences, but theyre probably next in line for the chop. The money for Gary Linekers seven-figure salary doesnt grow on trees, you know.

No doubt Labour will come up with some other implausible excuse, such as the fictitious 22 billion black hole Marthas always banging on about.

Just how stupid do they think we are?

Yesterday it was the turn of someone called Lucy Powell (nope, me neither), described as Leader of the House of Commons, to insult our intelligence.

She claimed that had the payments continued, they would have caused an economic crisis and a run on the pound.

Oh, for goodness sake. Grow up, love.

Withdrawing the winter fuel allowance is alleged to save the Treasury 1.5 billion a year. Thats not even a round of drinks in the context of 1,200 billion in public spending annually. Its also pennies compared to Aslefs backdated, trebles-all-round pay deal, which puts train drivers on 70,000 a year for a basic four-day week.

(The biggest rail union, the RMT, is about to get a similar no strings attached pay rise, at a cost of goodness-knows-how-much, and one for yourself.)

And the fuel allowance is dwarfed by the 8 million a day spent putting up asylum seekers who have crossed the Channel illegally in luxurious four-star hotels. Theyre all about to be given an amnesty by Pixie Balls-Cooper, so theyll be cashing in their benefit cheques any day now. How much is that going to cost?

As for causing a run on the pound, do Labour really expect us to believe that global hedge fund bandits like George Soros  the man who broke the Bank of England on Black Wednesday 30-odd years ago  are going to crash Sterling because Howard and Hilda from Hemel Hempstead are continuing to receive 300 quid towards keeping both bars of their electric fire on this winter?

Shamefully, the Government is even refusing to allow a vote in the Commons on the withdrawal of the fuel allowance, fearful of a revolt by angry backbenchers.

Meanwhile, Labour ministers will keep on reading out the ludicrous, doom-laded Starmer script about how things can only get worse before they get better. If they keep running down the economy, then a run on the pound will be nailed on.

The truth is that by comparison with our European rivals, Britain is booming. The pound is rising against the euro and is predicted by the big banks to go back above $1.40 against the US dollar in a few months time  its highest level since pre-Covid.

Yet, as if scrapping the fuel allowance and cheap rail fares isnt enough, there are also reports that in her emergency Budget, Martha is planning to tax state pensions, get rid of the tax-free lump sum and launch another Gordon Brown-style raid on private pension funds.

Dont believe them, either, when they tell you that the triple-lock is safe. Meanwhile, public sector and civil service pensions will be ring-fenced, index-linked and gold plated. Nice work, etc.

Back in 1997, I dubbed Gordon The Man Who Stole Your Old Age. Martha and her stone-faced boss Starmer are set to take Gordons assault on pensioners one step beyond.

Were on the Last Train To Clarksville under Labour. It can only be a matter of time before it hits the buffers.

Cheered on by the vermin-loving Queen guitarist Brian May, Labour is ending the badger cull. Instead, its setting up something called a badger vaccinator field force to inoculate them against bovine tuberculosis.

Good luck with that.

Youve got to catch the buggers first. Which is why farmers aren't keen on vaccination. Bovine TB spread by badgers has killed around 300,000 cattle.

For the past few years, badgers have been digging up my back lawn in search of grubs. This summer my English Country Garden looks like the Somme in 1917.

We blocked off the area under the fence where it (they?) was getting in, to no avail. Then I read Jeremy Clarksons column about a badger climbing an 8ft, chain link fence, topped with razor wire. How on earth did it manage that without getting torn to shreds? His Diddly Squat Farm sidekick Gerald explained that badgers have a hide like a rhino and if you could make a pair of shoes out of badger skin theyd last forever.

Maybe I should ask Jezza to pop over to Littlejohn Towers with his 12-bore before the end of the cull takes effect. When it comes to my lawn, vaccination is obviously about as much use as razor wire.

Perhaps I could ask Brian May to come round and play one of his famous prog-rock guitar solos in the garden.

If that doesnt frighten away the badgers, nothing will.

A croissant a day is a heart attack waiting to happen, according to health experts. Which can only be more bad news for Gails the bakery chain.

The firm is already under attack from far-Left Nimbys in Walthamstow, Worthing and beyond for threatening independent bakers and having links to the Zionist Entity  aka Israel.

Sorry, but cant help chuckling that an upmarket bakers which charges a fiver a loaf and is beloved of those we used to call yuppies has become a pariah.

That was once the fate of cheap-and-cheerful burger bars, which activists in fashionable suburbs like Hampstead tried and failed to keep out of their High Streets.

I cant imagine that Gails is too thrilled about becoming the new McDonalds.

Police officers take off a week every year with Mental Elf ishoos. Perhaps

if they spent more time walking the beat in the fresh air and less time investigating computer-generated avatars raping and killing on the dark web they might retain their sanity. Mind how you go.
Angela Rayner (Lab, Ibiza Town), back from the Balearics, had swapped her disco garb for a more sober mien.

But was our new deputy PM on top of her parliamentary game? She seemed jaded. Her replies at Housing and Communities questions were read lifelessly from civil-service notes.

She put little wallop into her replies. Ayoub Khan (Ind, Perry Bar) referred to her as 'the Secretary of Straight' and you could understand his slip of the tongue. This Rayner was not the human volcano of popular acclaim.

Any vulcanologists hoping to witness Parliament's very own Eyjafjallajokull  it is a volcano in Iceland, not a Raynerish insult about capitalists  will have been disappointed.

There was barely a wisp of smoke rising from her summit .At one point she actually started dribbling on about how she wanted to 'celebrate our differences and bring communities together' and how the Tories were guilty of 'stoking division'.

Our volcanic new Deputy PM Angela Rayner looked jaded. Her replies at Housing and Communities questions were read lifelessly from civil-service note

Had Mrs Rayner (Lab, Ibiza Town) been outmanoeuvred in Whitehall and told that pensioners living on their own will have to pay more council tax?

This from the woman whose political popularity has been built on jaunty aggression and calling opponents 'scum'. Quizzed about racial tensions, she resorted to some stuff about Islamophobia, but then was unable to define that term.

Asked why the Government was diluting a planning requirement for new buildings to be beautiful, she almost whimpered an answer about officialdom fearing such things could 'lead to inconsistencies in decision-making'.

Had Mount Angela been capped? Those hoping for dramatic eruptions had travelled in vain. As the session played out, we were possibly given a hint as to what might have muted the ginger dynamo.

Had she been outmanoeuvred in Whitehall and told that pensioners living on their own will have to pay more council tax? More of this in a moment.

It was Westminster's first day back after the summer break and the Conservatives were starting a leadership election. It's what they do. House martins nest in eaves, sloths dangle upside-down from trees and Tories hold leadership elections.

Kemi Badenoch and James Cleverly's beard both held their campaign launches.

Mr Cleverly's beard, which has assumed complete control of the former home secretary, exuded blowy confidence.

James Cleverly's beard, which has assumed complete control of the former home secretary, exuded blowy confidence during his campaign launch on Monday

Kemi Badenoch had ditched her spectacles for her launch, making her look a bit startled but much less like Ronnie Corbett; the lack of glasses also accentuated the gap in her upper front teeth

'I know I'm the best candidate,' averred the beard. Mr Cleverly was certain he was going to win! Uh-oh. They only say that when things are really bad.

He also talked of 'granularity deliverables' and claimed that he liked his team to contain 'alphas'. And yet his MP supporters included that fruity little fellow Simon Hoare (North Dorset), who is more one of life's beta minuses, and South West Hertfordshire's Gagan Mohindra, who dresses like an Epsom bookie.

Mrs Badenoch had ditched her spectacles. This made her look a bit startled but much less like Ronnie Corbett; the lack of glasses also accentuated the gap in her upper front teeth.

You could park the top of a ballpoint pen in between those teeth or store a folded twenty-pound note there. Jolly useful. Gappy teeth did Terry-Thomas and Dame Jilly Cooper no harm but it must make eating corn on the cob a little messy.

And Mrs Badenoch, chuckling and exuding a certain modernity, was there in the Commons to irritate the sub-par Mrs Rayner.

She invited the deputy PM to reassure the House that the Government had no plan to increase council tax.

Mrs Rayner snapped 'yes' and looked pleased to have caused surprise with the brevity of her reply.

But when Graham Stuart (Con, Beverley) pressed her further on this and hoped that widows and their ilk would not lose the council-tax discount they currently receive for single-occupancy of a property, Mrs Rayner would do no such thing.

Instead she blustered against the Opposition. This ignited immediate suspicion that Mrs Rayner has lost a battle with the Treasury.

As with beauty in planning decisions, bureaucracy (ie Sue Gray) perhaps regards the single-occupancy discount as an 'inconsistency'.

Oh, and Speaker Hoyle mistook Aldridge's Wendy Morton (woman) for Mel Stride (man).

New monocle for Mr Speaker, please. That or a change of hairdresser for poor Mrs Morton.
An influencer with a stoma has slammed a swanky Mayfair eatery after claiming she was told the disabled toilet was inaccessible and being used as 'storage'.

Holly April, 30, from Barnet, North London, took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to share her experience at the Japanese restaurant, KOYN, a luxury Asian restaurant in Mayfair.

Holly, who goes by the nickname Stoma Babe on social media, went to use the toilet while visiting the award-winning sushi restaurant, where a tasting menu costs 75, on Tuesday - but she found that the disabled toilet was full of furniture.

Taking to X, Holly claimed she was subject to 'disgusting' treatment when she asked to use the disabled toilet in the restaurant.

She explained this isn't the first time she's been denied access to a disabled toilet at a restaurant or venue, but suggested this was 'the worse [experience] yet'.

A woman has taken to X, formerly known as Twitter, to share her experience at the Japanese restaurant, KOYN, a luxury Asian restaurant in Mayfair

Holly April, 30, from Barnet, North London, pictured, has previously run into problems when trying to access disabled toilets. The social media influencer wears a stoma bag

Recalling the experience, she said she had initially asked restaurant staff if she could use the toilet but was told 'it's a storage cupboard'.

She claimed that she was met with a disgruntled response when she asked staff to make room for her to use the facilities.

Holly wrote: 'When I asked them about it, they said, "Its not the disabled toilet; its a storage cupboard". I then asked them to show me where the disabled toilet was. They responded, "Uhhh, well, we can clear it out".'

She continued: 'Disgusting attitude. It is high time that councils go around and inspect restaurants' disabled toilets and give on-the-spot fines for misuse!'

Holly was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis in 2020 and now uses a stoma, which is often concealed by her clothes, meaning many aren't aware of her disability.

After posting the incident on her social media account, the team at KOYN responded via DM, telling the influencer that they took such issues 'very seriously' and would 'continue to take the necessary measures to ensure this does not happen again.'

The restaurant did not respond to request for comment when contacted by FEMAIL.

Holly was not pleased by KOYN's comment on her story and shared her disappointment on X.

After posting the incident on her Instagram story, the team at KOYN responded telling the influencer that they took such issued 'very seriously' and would 'continue to take the necessary measures to ensure this does not happen again'

'The half-arsed response from them to me, paired with absolutely no action plan of how they will make amends to the disabled customers they have humiliated with these toilets, says it all! Sorry, it isn't good enough anymore,' she said.

Those who saw Holly's post were quick to head to the comments, where several other people shared their similar experiences.

One remembered a long and traumatic experience using disabled toilets writing: 'One of my old workplaces were like this, they were shocked when I started working there so there was someone who needed to use the disabled toilet.

'It took them 12 months to sort. Luckily I dont use a wheelchair as I had to step over vacuums and boxes.'

A furious second wrote: 'Given councils already inspect food outlets regularly for hygiene compliance surely they could allocate a few minutes to spot check disabled toilets for such egregious acts?! Like, we shouldn't have to also bear the burden of policing the discrimination we face day in, day out.'

The latest figures show that 16 million people in the UK live with some form of disability, making up for 24 per cent of the population.

Other data suggests around 10 millions of those disabled people are living with a disability which is hidden.

While some restaurants do offer disabled facilities, a Government survey in 2022 found 40 per cent of disabled people found it difficult to access restaurants, cafes or bars.

Viewers of Holly's post went straight to the comments where they shared similar experiences, along with words of sympathy

Holly shares pictures and videos of her life, showing how 'normal' things can be living with a stoma bag. She now boasts over 100,000 followers on her TikTok account

Holly recently appeared on Good Morning Britain in an effort to raise awareness about people with hidden disabilities, following a nightmare experience at a Taylor Swift concert earlier this month.

During her appearance on ITV, the influencer raised awareness about hidden disabilities, alerting other's to be more understanding of struggles that aren't so obvious.

During a Taylor Swift gig, Holly said she was 'harassed' by other fans who repeatedly told her to 'hurry up' while using the disabled toilet.

She said on the show: 'There was a lot of people there so it was very difficult to get out of the crowd to even get to the toilet but then once I did get there, there was only one near where I was standing.'

There are 2,618 toilets at Wembley stadium, 147 of those are for disabled users. However, Holly explained that the toilets were always busy with the disabled facilities even worse.

'The queue for that disabled toilet in particular was very very long. So when people were in the disabled toilets, there was lots of people knocking saying things like "Hurry up, come on". So obviously anxiety was through the roof.'

After her nightmare experience trying to use the toilet, her next challenge was to reunite with her friend, which was made near impossible by fans who tried to block her re-entry into the crowd.

Holly, pictured at Wembley area where she attended a Taylor Swift concert last month. She said she was 'pushed and harassed' by other's who didn't pay any attention to her disability, even after telling them

'When I was trying to get back to the spot where my friend was, people just weren't letting me through, even though I was wearing a lanyard.'

Holly was wearing a green medical lanyard to alert others to her hidden disability. However, the details on the lanyard may have made it difficult to differentiate from other's wearing similar lanyards, she acknowledged.

A Wembley person spokesperson told ITV: 'We pride ourselves on being an inclusive stadium and we've adapted the venue to ensure it is accessible to all guests.'

They urged guests who might require special assistance to contact their customer engagement team who are fully trained in disability awareness and have undertaken training to support all their guests whether their disability is visible or non visible.

There are more than 120,000 people in the UK living with a stoma, and up to a million in the US, which inspired Holly to help raise awareness.

Holly first started posting videos about her day-to-day life with a stoma to 'give people hope', combat stigma and encourage those who need the 'life-saving' surgery to get it.

Clips include the influencer sharing things such as changing her stoma bag - a small, waterproof pouch used to collect waste from the body. She now boasts over 100,000 followers on her TikTok account.
My daughter was six weeks old, she was lying on the changing mat and, as I leaned over her, she smiled for the first time.

The wave of love that washed over me was literally breathtaking, it was the strongest emotion I had ever felt in my life. I knew in that instant that I would do anything for this tiny creature in front of me, even laying down my own life.

It sounds melodramatic but it was a seismic moment  this was a love that really did conquer all.

I am sure that many mothers have experienced the same tsunami of love.

Its the thing that gets you through the sleepless nights, the colicky crying and the moment when, faced by the endless tedium of motherhood, you realise that youre having a meaningful conversation with your washing machine.

Daisy Goodwin, 6, with her mother Jocasta Innes and half-sister Tabitha in 1967

Daisy with her youngest daughter Lydia, who is now 24

Its the evolutionary safety net that somehow makes it all worth it. Now there is scientific proof parental feelings run deeper than any other emotions.

A university in Finland recruited 55 people aged 28-to-53 who had at least one child and were all in a loving couple relationship. Twenty-seven had pets. They had MRI brain scans as recordings were played of actors reading scenarios designed to prompt feelings of love, including: Your child runs to you joyful in a sunny meadow. You smile together and the sunrays flicker on their face. You feel love for your child.

Parttyli Rinne, a researcher at Aalto University in Espoo, Finland, who led the study, said: In parental love, there was activation deep in the brains reward system, in the striatum area, while imagining love and this was not seen for any other kind of love.

The other kinds of love tested were romantic love, friendship, love of strangers and love for pets and for nature. There may be some pet owners who are dubious about the findings but, for me, this rings true. Children come first.

Of course, not every woman is struck by that thunderclap of maternal love that means nothing will come between you and your child. Plenty suffer postpartum depression that interferes with bonding, which must make the stress of early motherhood a thousand times worse. But, in the end, most of these women find that all-important connection.

Yet, as I know only too well, there are some women who, while loving their children, do not put them first. My mother, author Jocasta Innes, was one of them.

She was married with two children under five, living in a Georgian house in south London, when she went to a party in Islington and met a man whom she fell passionately in love with.

At 26, he was six years younger, a novelist living in a bedsit. They were from different worlds. She was Cambridge-educated, married to a film producer with a vigorous social life.

Joe Potts, who became my stepfather, was an angry young man from Newcastle (this was the 1960s), who had published two bleakly comic novels. But the attraction was intense and they started an affair.

My mother felt she had met the love of her life and she decided to leave my father and move in with Joe. So far, so understandable. Plenty of marriages end when one partner falls in love with someone else  and its still common for men to leave their wives and children behind for a new woman.

It is much less common for a woman to leave her husband and her children. But that is what my mother did. She claimed later that she had no choice, that she didnt have the money to take me  then aged five and my brother aged two  with her.

She was bitter about the divorce, saying that the courts had discriminated against her because she was the one who had left and that my father had been able to afford better lawyers.

Daisy with her mother Jocasta who was married with two children under five when she went to a party and met a man whom she fell passionately in love with

Jocasta (pictured with Daisy) left her husband and children for another man. She claimed later she didnt have the money to take Daisy and her brother with her

Daisy's father was granted custody of his two children and, after that, they never lived with their mother again, except for visits every other weekend and half of holiday

When Jocasta left her husband, it was at a time when wives who were unfaithful were portrayed as scarlet women, while straying husbands were simply obeying natural instincts

I am sure all these things were true. This was before no-fault divorces and wives who were unfaithful were portrayed as scarlet women, while straying husbands were simply obeying natural instincts.

My father was granted custody of my brother and I and, after that, we never lived with my mother again, except for visits every other weekend and half of holidays.

My mothers narrative that I did everything I could to get custody but the courts were against me was one that I accepted pretty much without question, until the day I experienced that extraordinary moment of maternal love with my own daughter. It was a moment of intense joy, but it was also underpinned by anger.

As I realised that nothing was more important to me than my baby, I could not understand why my mother had chosen to leave her five-year-old and toddler behind. I know she loved us, I have pictures of her looking radiant with my brother as a baby and me as a toddler, but the love she felt for us simply wasnt as strong as the passionate love she felt for her lover.

I remember holding my own baby and wondering why she just didnt take us with her. But my mother was in love with a younger man living in a bedsit.

Having two small children was incompatible with their passionate relationship. Either my mother was in the grip of a physical passion so all-consuming there wasnt room for anything else or she didnt experience the same kind of overwhelming love for her children that I had experienced with my daughter.

It was exquisitely painful to realise that the mother I loved so much didnt love us enough to keep us. She made a choice and it didnt include her children.

For years, I wondered if it had been something about the way I was as a baby that had stopped her feeling the way that I felt about my own baby. But I have come to realise, with the aid of much therapy, that she was the adult in the situation and I was just a baby. She was the one who decided to leave and I had nothing to do with it.

There is a part of me, a feminist part, that feels that women have the right not to be maternal, that they shouldnt have to define themselves as mothers first and everything else second.

Men leave their children and start second families all the time. So I dont want to stigmatise women like my mother. It takes courage to start over like that.

There is a French saying that the children of lovers are orphans. A couple who have an intense relationship can find it hard to give children priority.

And it is hard being a mother. It must be almost impossible if you dont feel that rush of love for your children when they are small. Its that extraordinary sense of joy and purpose that makes motherhood so rewarding. I know that it made me realise that I wanted my childs happiness more than my own.

Of course, non-parents can experience that just as intensely, but I think it is difficult to be a parent if you dont feel it at all.

I dont feel angry at my mother any more, I just feel sad she never got the chance to feel the lasting happiness I found in my children.

Her second marriage lasted for 12 or so years and then she moved on to someone else but, this time, she took her children (my half-sisters) with her. Perhaps she had learnt something. Romantic love can run out just as suddenly as it begins, but the feelings you have for your children are for life.
Taylor Swift fans who travelled to the UK for the pop billionaire's Eras Tour set themselves a mission during their 10-day stay to see one of the nation's top tourist attractions - Larry the Cat.

Molly, who is from Georgia, US, recently travelled to London for Taylor Swift's mammoth world tour, but took time out with her friends to visit Downing Street in Westminster every single day to try and catch a glimpse of Number 10's Chief Mouser.

Taking to TikTok Molly explained she was in London for nine days and would visit the official residence and the office of the British Prime Minister every day until she spotted Larry.

In the clip, which racked up 124,000 views, she wrote: 'Looking for Larry the cat while in London for the Eras tour. We have nine days to find him, will we succeed?'

She started the video by saying: 'Day number one, no Larry, day number two, no Larry - but we saw a dog.

Molly, who is from Georgia, US, has shared her mission to catch a glimpse of Larry the Cat while visiting London for the Eras tour

'Day number three, still no Larry but there is a protester, apparently Larry was out there but just not at this moment. Day number four - still no Larry the cat.

'Day number five - still no Larry the cat but the police officer behind us swears it's not a conspiracy. Day number six - still no Larry the cat, however they saw him outside this morning and they said he likes to chase crows.

'Day number seven - we missed Larry by 20 minutes and they said he even came up to the gate. Day number eight - still no Larry the cat but they gave this sick pin which is the next best thing.'

As they approached their final day in the UK, the Swifties were feeling deflated after seven unsuccessful days in a row - but it seems the feline had heard their calls.

On their ninth visit to Downing Street, the three pals finally caught a glimpse of Larry as he patrolled the road - and a police officer picked him up to make sure they had a good view of him.

Molly added: 'Day nine, we finally saw Larry the cat! He's so cute, he's so cute! Look at him just sitting there.'

Many cat lovers flocked to the comments after they were left impressed by Molly's mission.

One person said: 'Not the officer looking startled by you guys screaming for Larry! LARRY IS SO CUTE.' To which Molly replied: 'Larry is the best thing ever. The officer is the same one who gave me the pin the day before!'

Another said: 'Larry all nonchalant at the end wondering what all the fuss was about.' Molly replied: 'Little does he know how iconic he is.'

Molly was recently in the capital to see her idol, but she and her friends took time out every day to try and catch a glimpse of the beloved feline resident of Downing Street

Eventually on their final day the tourists caught a glimpse of Larry when a police officer picked him up to show him off

Many cat lovers flocked to the comments after they were left impressed by Molly's mission

Someone else said: 'In London for the Eras Tour? No I think you were in London for Larry.' Molly added: 'Shhhhh, dont tell anyone.'

Known affectionately as 'Chief Mouser,' Downing Street's most beloved resident may not rule over the country, but he certainly rules over the nation's hearts.

Larry the Cat has been a permanent resident at Number 10 for the past 12 years, and has seen six prime ministers come and go, from David Cameron to current occupant Sir Keir Starmer - who has recently moved his rescue cat Jo Jo.

Larry's journey at the famous address began in 2011 when he was adopted from Battersea Cats and Dogs Home, initially as a pet for Cameron's children.

Over time, however, the brown and white tabby has become synonymous with Number 10, not only for his mousing skills but also for his endearing antics, tense stand-offs with four-legged rivals and occasional brushes with international stardom.

As the 17-year-moggy now faces the challenges of old age, including a battle with arthritis, Downing Street officials have begun quietly preparing for his eventual passing.

While his funeral plans remain shrouded in mystery, there's no doubt that Larry's legacy will be honoured in a manner befitting his long and distinguished service.
The Deliverance, the new new Lee Daniels horror with an all-star cast, has been panned by critics as a 'mess of a movie', with viewers baffled by Glen Close's 'cartoon character' role in the film.

As well as the Oscar-nominated Glen Close, the Netflix horror movie also stars Andra Day and Mo'Nique in the new horror that has been (unfavourably) compared to 1973 film The Exorcist.

The Fatal Attraction star plays the role of Alberta, a white woman who has a Black daughter, played by Andra, and is 'a white woman who has lived her life in the Black community', explained Glenn in an interview with PEOPLE.

After moving into a new home, the family encounter a malevolent spirit who torments them throughout the film - involving some particularly harrowing scenes of Glenn possessed by the evil demon.

But despite its tried-and-tested horror plot and a talented cast (Andra Day, MoNique and Glenn Close are also joined by celebrated former ER actor Omar Epps) The Deliverance has failed to impress with some scathing reviews from both audiences and critics.

Glenn Close plays the role of Alberta, who has a Black daughter, played by Andra, and is 'a white woman who has lived her life in the Black community'

'Theres nothing more frustrating than a movie ending that leaves you with too many unanswered questions,' writes HuffPost culture reporter Njera Perkins, in a review entitled, 'The Deliverance Is A Mess Of A Movie,' with the caveat, 'Glenn Close and that wig are just one (big) part of the problem.'

The writer also went on to say how Glenn Close's role as Alberta 'makes no sense' and 'adds nothing' to the film.

The Deliverance was roughly based on the true story of LaToya Ammons, whose Indiana home was allegedly haunted by spirits, as the end credits reveal. But Glenn's character was written into the story by Lee Daniels.

Njera Perkins continued: 'Alberta acts so ridiculous throughout the movie that all you can do is laugh through the nonsense.'

Meanwhile, film critic Tim Robey called the film 'truly diabolical' writing for The Telegraph, giving the film just one star.

The reaction on X (Twitter) has been mixed, with some applauding the film (in particular, Glenn Close's portrayal of possessed grandmother Alberta with some viewers calling her 'the best thing about the movie' and a 'sexy senior'), while others claimed it's the 'worst movie they've ever seen'.

'The Deliverance is the absolute worst movie I've ever seen in my entire life,' wrote one Netflix subscriber on X (Twitter).

Anthony B. Jenkins stars in a breakout role as Andre in The Deliverance

(L to R) Andra Day as Ebony and Anthony B. Jenkins as her son Andre in The Deliverance

Viewers had mixed feelings on The Deliverance, which dropped on Netflix earlier this month

While another wrote: 'The deliverance is disturbing because the script and acting is ridiculous.'

And a third said: 'If you haven't watched The Deliverance you absolutely need to because it's complete dogs**t and one of the worst movies you will probably see in your lifetime.'

While another commented in response to the wave of approval from fans on the social media platform, 'The deliverance is not good. Twitter be lying.'

But not everyone was so scathing, with fans of The Deliverance impressed with Glen's portrayal of Alberta.

'This is a great movie! As usual Glenn Close didn't disappoint! She is a sexy senior..77 is the new 57 Rock on Sista,' wrote one on the social media platform.

While another asked for a 'prequel' of the film, commenting, 'Can we get a prequel with @moworldwide and Glen Close's character so we can understand how they got here??'

And another wrote approvingly, 'Glenn was slaying in those outfits.'

Glen has previously discussed how she approached the role of Alberta, explaining to PEOPLE that she had 'no clue' how to play a 'white woman who lived her life in the black community'.

She shared that when Lee 'told me that there are white women like this in every black community, I was intrigued and I wanted to do her justice. And so the journey began.'

Lee told Glen that 'every black person knows a white woman like this, but not every white person knows a white woman like this!'

The actor continued: 'Alberta is a white woman who has lived her life in the Black community and she's only dated Black men.

'The character is also a woman who has been abused and I think she has become an abuser. She has found God in a very real way, and she's hoping that her daughter will be able to clean up as well.'

The Deliverance was roughly based on the true story of LaToya Ammons, whose Indiana home was allegedly haunted by spirits, as the end credits reveal.

'Because this was based on a true story, there was some hesitation on my end around touching it. So I let it sit for a while,' director Lee Daniels told Netflix.

But the filmmaker decided to go ahead with the film due to its powerful message around faith.

'In the story, LaToya Ammons finds Jesus,' he explained to the streaming platform.

'And I felt, with everything going on in the world, we all needed that. We all need to find a higher power.'
Millennials sick of swiping are looking for meet people through Google forms

While dating apps were once considered the ultimate antidote to single life, there has been a wave of revolt against them in recent months as singletons look for new ways to find a partner.

From running clubs to inventive supermarket games, singletons are forever finding new ways to meet potential love interests - and the newest trend reintroduces formality to dating as people looking for love issue their suitors questionnaires via Google Forms and pay for targeted ads on social media.

The strange style of dating - which has gathered 19.6 million posts on TikTok - encourages individuals to find love matches by getting suitors to fill out Google Form quiz style Q&As.

It comes amid a growing trend of young people distancing themselves from dating apps, as 79 per cent of young people report being sick of swipe culture, according to a Forbes survey.

The concept is simple, rather than having to do the swiping yourself, a Google Form allows you to create a personalised questionnaire of all the things you might ask someone in the initial stages of a date or chat online.

People are trying to find relationships by getting potential suitors to fill out Goggle forms

As well as asking the obvious, such as age, location and career, the forms also love lusting singles to ask more specific questions or about 'non-negotiables' for a partner

As well as asking the obvious, such as age, location and career, the forms also allow singletons on the hunt for love to ask more specific questions about a partner, or what their 'non-negotiables' are.

Some Google form addicts looking for love have recently gone one step further, swapping swiping for the less complicated approach of attaching their 'relationship applications' to social media adverts.

Some hopeful singletons have opted to make themselves known by placing sponsored adverts on Instagram and Facebook of themselves attached to a Google form with information about themselves, and a place to offer details if interested.

'I feel like this is one of the most clever uses of ad targeting,' one TikToker said discussing the self-promotional Google forms.

In 2021, Business Insider reported that one young lady, Philippa Wilson, had received 505 responses in 24 hours after posting a 'bae application' Google form on social media.

It was reported that Philippa, 28 at the time, curated a list of questions which she then took online, sharing a list of X, formerly known as Twitter, in the hopes of finding her true love.

The millennial had compiled a list of her 'non-negotiables' and asked questions for her suitors to see who met her standards. For example, Philippa didn't want a smoker so added a question about in her form, so she could tease out people who were not matches.

She also asked a number of questions about their lifestyles and hobbies, as well as requesting their social media handles so she could check their appearances before meeting.

Two weeks after her initial applications, Philippa, who is from Jamaica, had filtered down to 33 suitors, later whittling it down to 10 after an initial brief conversation online to discover compatibility.

She then discovered there were only four in her native Jamaica and continued to chat to and refine her suitors.

The concept is simple, rather than having to do the swiping yourself, a Google forum allows you to create a personalised questionnaire of all the things you might ask someone in the initial stages of a date or chat online

One TikToker received a positive response from viewers after she requested her partner fill out a 'current satisfaction' form

Others have also joined in on the 'post-date survey'. One TikToker (pictured) joked that she didn't know 'how to communicate like a normal person'

She told the publication that she would recommend the unusual style of dating.

She said: 'I definitely would recommend it, even if it's just on the basis of knowing who's out there and being more active in our love lives and the love life we want especially since this method is totally customisable.'

And the trend isn't just being used to find matches, but is being used by people who've already been on dates, for their potential partners to 'review' them.

After going on the date, individuals will send a Google form asking for a non-confrontational 'review' of how it went.

In one clip, an American man, Moe Poolo, explained that he had been using the technique, sending the form to 'every girl I've ever been on a date with,' in the hopes of receiving 'constructive feedback'.

He said his aim was to improve his dating ability so he could go on to have 'successful dates moving forward'.

His questionnaire included questions about his hair, outfit, location, banter and whether he 'smelled'.

He explained: 'The reason being is that I went on a date with this girl and I thought it went really well and then she kind of disappeared and I'm sitting here thinking, did I do something, did I say something, did I dress weird, what was the vibe?'

After finding out from his date that the disappearance wasn't to do with him, Moe said he wanted to 'find a way to get away with this without making it awkward' and so had the idea to send a list of questions.

Others using the Google form template to bolster their love lives also revealed using it to find out 'what went wrong' with exes, and even one to discover 'relationship satisfaction' in current relationships.
The most 'catfished' states, where people fall for phony romance scams, have been revealed.

Believe it or not, the golden state of California took the top spot, with its scams totaling out to nearly $200 million in economic losses, according to the researchers at Emisil.

A 'catfish,' is a person who pretends to be someone different online, by using fake pictures and made-up profiles, in order to lure their victims into a romantic relationship, often for financial gain.

The researchers at Emisil, used a combination of the Google Keyword Planner, and reports from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, to create a ranking system for the states.

During the brand's investigation, three things were studied - the number of annual victims per 100,000 residents in each state, how much money was lost, and the number of times anything 'catfished' related was searched online, such as, 'How do I know if I'm being catfished.'

The most 'catfished' states, where people fall for phony romance scams, has been revealed (stock image)

Believe it or not, the golden state of California took the top spot, with its scams totaling out to nearly $200 million in economic losses, according to the researchers at Emisil (pictured)

Out of all the states, California victims reportedly lost the most amount of money, which totaled to $183,928,230.

The Golden State also got the highest rank when it came to romance scams, while totaled to 3,023.

Alaska had the highest number of victims at 11.9 out of 100,000.

Nevada had the highest number of 'catfished' searches at 141.7 out of 100,000.

New Mexico residents lost the least amount of money at $1,978,627.

Alaska had the lowest number of romance scams at 87.

Texas had the least number of victims at 5.9 per 100,000.

New Mexico had the least amount of 'catfished' searches at 118.1 per 100,000.

A 'catfish,' is a person who pretends to be someone different online, by using fake pictures and made-up profiles, in order to lure their victims, often for financial gain (stock image)

When it comes to avoiding catfishes online, the researchers of the study have provided several helpful suggestions.

The first is to do a reverse image search on Google, so that you can discover if the person has a different name, or profile anywhere else online.

Their second suggestion is to schedule a video call with the person to confirm that they're who they say they are.

Lastly, the researchers advised in their study: 'Avoid sharing sensitive personal information (address, financial details, etc.) with someone youve only met online.

'Use trusted dating and social platforms that offer additional verification features and remove fake profiles.'

Despite your best efforts, at times a catfish can unfortunately still be difficult to spot.
It comes amid fierce drama with It Ends With Us costar Blake Lively

Actor and director Justin Baldoni has penned a touching letter to survivors of domestic abuse amid the ongoing drama with It Ends With Us costar Blake Lively - with fans praising him for his 'empathetic and responsible' efforts.

The 40-year-old Hollywood actor has been at the center of headlines after starring and directing in the movie based on the Colleen Hoover book of the same name, which follows Lily Bloom (played by Blake) through an abusive relationship.

Although It Ends With Us, which hit theaters on August 9, was highly anticipated by film fanatics and book lovers, it was met with a fierce wave of controversy as rumors of a feud between Blake and Justin continued to heighten.

As Justin's costar Blake has been furiously scrutinized online for not speaking out enough about domestic abuse, the 40-year-old has let victims know that he is here to support them on their difficult journey in a moving letter shared to Instagram.

In collaboration with Survivor Love Letter, which is an organization that posts letters addressed to domestic violence survivors, he voiced his solidarity by telling victims that they were 'inspiring' and sent them 'gratitude, strength and love.'

Actor and director Justin Baldoni has penned a touching letter to survivors of domestic abuse amid ongoing drama with It Ends With Us costar Blake Lively

The 40-year-old has been at the center of headlines after starring and directing in the film, which follows Lily Bloom (played by Blake) through an abusive relationship

The powerful letter read: 'Dear Survivor, You embody resilience and courage, qualities that shine bright even on the darkest days. In the tapestry of your life, each thread tells a story of endurance, strength, and hope.

'Every step forward you take, no matter how small, is a declaration of your unyielding spirit and an inspiration to others. Every step forward you take, no matter how small, is a declaration of your unyielding spirit and an inspiration to others.

'You may not always see the impact you have, but your journey encourages and motivates, lighting the path for those of us still searching for the light. While I can never fully understand your pain and all you have endured, I want you to know that you are never alone in this fight. We are with you.'

At the end of the note, Justin encouraged survivors to continue 'thriving' as he sent them a flood of 'love and strength.'

He added: 'You are not just surviving; you are thriving, and in your thriving, you inspire us all. May your journey forward be filled with moments of profound peace. And may you remember that as you fight for joy you are liberating us all.

'Sending you gratitude, strength, and love.'

The uplifting letter pulled on heart strings as people on the web applauded the actor for speaking out.

One fan wrote: 'This is the proper way to handle a domestic violence project. You sincerely care about the victims and it shows.'

In collaboration with Survivor Love Letter, which is an organization that posts letters addressed to domestic violence survivors, he showed his support

The uplifting letter pulled on heart strings as people on the web applauded the actor for speaking out

Another user added: 'I don't think you understand how much your words mean to me and to so many, Justin. Thank you.'

Someone else commented: 'Thank you for being so empathetic and responsible in your promotional efforts of this film. It speaks volumes to your character and your desire to make a change for survivors.'

'This survivor didn't know how much I needed to read this. Puddle of tears. But thank you for this,' another person said.

For the past month, Blake has faced criticism for how she has promoted the film amid allegations of a rumored rift with Justin, who plays her on-screen love interest, after the actors took part in separate promotional work on the summer hit and are said to not be talking.

The drama began with rumors of onset tension between the stars after Blake allegedly felt Justin was 'fat-shaming' her when he asked his personal trainer for guidance on how to protect his back during a scene in which he had to lift her.

That animosity appears to have poured out into post-production and publicity to the extent, with Blake now being accused of 'bullying' Justin out of his first major movie.

Additionally, the Gossip Girl alum endured backlash over her past 'mean girl' behavior and comments in multiple resurfaced interviews over the years, including her 'humiliating' words to one reporter.

For the past month, Blake has faced criticism for how she has promoted the film amid allegations of a rumored rift with Justin

That animosity has appeared to pour out into post-production and publicity to the extent, with Blake now being accused of 'bullying' Justin out of his first major movie

Amid the drama, award-winning journalist Kjersti posted the old interview to her YouTube channel, which she titled, 'The Blake Lively interview that made me want to quit my job.'

'First of all, congrats on your little bump,' Kjersti, who is the founder of Content Now TV, gushed during the chat.

'Congrats on your little bump,' Blake fired back, as the interviewer giggled nervously.

After the moment went viral, Kjersti told DailyMail.com exclusively that Blake's response was especially hurtful because she cannot conceive.

'[Her comment] left me almost paralyzed. To be honest it hurts because I obviously wasn't pregnant and I could never get pregnant so to me that comment was like a bullet,' she shared.

'I didn't know how to react. I felt very uncomfortable throughout the interview and all I wanted to do was leave and get out of there as fast as I could.

'It made me feel like a complete failure. I kept going through the interview in my head afterwards trying to figure out what I had said or done to make them behave like that. It made no sense to me.'

She said Blake made her feel 'belittled and ignored' throughout the entire sit-down, and ultimately, it resulted in her questioning if she 'ever wanted to do these types of interviews again.'

A source has previously told DailyMail.com that Justin and Blake may never work together again following their It Ends With Us feud

Despite the drama, the film has already taken in more than $180 million worldwide, showing a massive profit for the movie that cost only $25 million to make

A source has previously told DailyMail.com that Justin and Blake may never work together again following their It Ends With Us feud.

'It's hard to imagine Justin wanting to work with Blake - or vice versa - after all this bad blood. Whatever started this feud, there certainly has been no obvious rapprochement between the pair,' the industry insider said.

It Ends With Us has already taken in more than $180 million worldwide, showing a massive profit for the movie that cost only $25 million to make and so the ready-made sequel would normally follow.

But Colleen has sided with Blake  which is a problem because Justin's company has already bought the rights to It Starts With Us, according to insiders.

Blake is said to be in a fit of tears over her new mean girl image and is desperately searching for a way to correct the situation.
Princess Sofia of Sweden is expecting her fourth child, the palace announced

Princess Sofia of Sweden is pregnant with her fourth child, the Swedish Royal Household has announced.

Prince Carl Philip's wife, 39, is 'doing well' and the baby is due in February 2025, according to the palace's statement, which was shared to the Royal Family's Instagram account this afternoon.

The couple, who married in 2015, already have three sons, Prince Alexander, seven, Prince Gabriel, five, and two-year-old Prince Julian.

Carl Philip, 45, is the only son and second child of Sweden's King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia. His older sister Princess Victoria, 47, is the heir to the Swedish throne and he is currently fourth in the line of succession.

A statement shared by the Swedish Royal Household read: 'Prince Carl Philip and Princess Sofia have the great pleasure to announce that the Princess is expecting the couple's fourth child.

Princess Sofia of Sweden (pictured with Prince Carl Philip) is pregnant with her fourth child, the Swedish Royal Household has announced

'Princess Sofia is doing well and the birth is expected in February 2025. No changes are expected in Princess Sofia's official program during the autumn.'

The statement was shared alongside a sweet photograph of the couple, with Carl Philip smiling at the camera, while his wife leaned her head on his face. The background featured a stunning lake and several mountains.

Over the weekend, the couple attended the wedding of Princess Martha Louise of Norway and Shaman Durek Verrett on Saturday.

Princess Sofia 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.

She paired the vibrant dress with a pair of nude platform pumps by Gianvito Rossi and a pale gold Susan Szatmary Port Dore Clutch.

Prince Carl Philip's wife (pictured with her family), 39, is 'doing well' and the baby is due in February 2025, according to the palace's statement, which was shared to the Royal Family's Instagram account this afternoon

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 on Saturday

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.

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.
Queen Mary and King Frederik of Denmark have been slammed by critics as they finish their 'hypocritical' summer tour.

Many are claiming the popular royal couple appeared to be backtracking on their 'royal promise' to focus on environmental sustainability at every turn.

The problem lies in the couple's royal yacht, the Dannebrog, a 92-year-old ship which experts say is 'far from environmentally friendly'.

King Frederik, 56, and Queen Mary, 52, spent much of the summer on the ship, cruising from port to port as they visited other countries.

They dubbed it 'a summer to remember' and thanked their fans for lining the streets and coming to meet them along the way.

But royal house commentator Thomas Larsen told Danish tabloid BT's royal podcast that the extensive trip on the old boat is at odds with their promise of a clean future.

'This can quickly become a boomerang [issue] that can hit them,' he said of the regular ship jaunts.

The commentator did admit, however, that for now most Danes don't appear bothered by the hypocrisy.

Queen Mary and King Frederik cut a casual figure on the 92-year-old ship during their 20th wedding anniversary

Queen Mary leaving The Royal Yacht Dannebrog for a state banquet at the royal palace in Stockholm, on the first day of the first state visit by the Danish Royals to Sweden in May

This is because the ship acts as a stage for the royals and represents the family's long history.

'I think most people are happy and [are seen] standing and smiling when the ship enters the port," he said.

But he noted the mood could change, and quickly.

Following the end of the royal tour, Queen Mary was officially back to focusing on the environment.

The palace posted a photo of the stylish mother-of-four smiling across a desk during a meeting with the University of Copenhagen.

'Her Majesty the Queen today hosted a meeting with the Centre's Advisory Committee, which advises the Queen Mary's Centre on partnership and development opportunities,' they said.

The royal couple arrive aboard the Royal Yacht Dannebrog in Roenne for their visit of Bornholm Regional Municipality, on the Danish island of Bornholm in the Baltic Sea, on August 19

'The theme of the meeting was green solutions, and on the agenda was, among other things, a new initiative that brings scientists and students out of the laboratories and auditoriums, so they can work closely with practitioners on the green transition.'

Last year, during the family's trip to New Zealand and Australia, they were criticised for using private jets excessively.

Many complained that the family are staunch environmentalists in front of the camera but are happy to fly around the world on holiday.

The Royal Yacht Dannebrog on the day of the couple's visit to Assens Municipality

Queen Mary greets children as they visit Peter Willemoes School in Assens - people lined up to meet the royals at every stop

During the latest tour the couple were criticised online after the city of Vejle put on a fireworks display as they sailed out of the harbour.

'Don't they care about CO2?' one person asked.
A London wellness clinic is offering ketamine, more commonly known as an illicit party drug, to help treat depression, anxiety and other mood related disorders.

Silva Wellness, which is due to open this week in Farringdon, offers bespoke ketamine therapy packages in various 'gold', 'silver' and 'bronze' formats, with a med-tier 'silver' option costing almost 3,700.

The drug is provided by a nurse prescriber, who also supervises therapy sessions  in which patients discuss traumatic experiences immediately after taking the drug.

Representatives for the clinic say a doctor is 'on call' for cases of 'rare' negative reactions.

Concern has been raised over private clinics that offer the drug following the death of Friends star Matthew Perry, whose team of medics injected him with ketamine 21 times in the week before he died.

Special K, Ket, or Kit Kat (pictured), as it is also known, was popular as a party drug in the late 1990s, when it was commonly taken at all-night raves

One of the doctors selling Perry the 'medicine' reportedly texted another of his medical team asking, 'I wonder how much this moron will pay?'

There has been growing interest in ketamine, also known as Vitamin K, Special K or Ket, as a potential treatment for various mental health conditions over the last few years.

Ketamine increases levels of a glutamate in the brain, a neurotransmitter crucial to mood regulation, learning, memory, and information processing.

Ketamine therapy works by taking an extremely low dose of the drug, to provoke its glutamate boosting effects, and then working through issues with a trained psychotherapist.

By taking the drug, a patient opens up emotionally and becomes more receptive to therapy, a concept known as psychedelic medicine.

The treatment has attracted high-profile endorsements from the likes of celebrities like of Sharon Osborne, Chrissy Teigen and Elon Musk.

However, British experts have warned of the potentially 'deadly consequences' of using the 'highly addictive' drug to treat depression, even in a controlled environment, saying they have seen patients 'work well with ketamine initially, only to later develop severe dependency issues'.

Dr Sham Singh, a psychiatrist at the Winit Clinic, previously told MailOnline: 'It may be highly addictive because it is a dissociative anaesthetic that has euphoric and hallucinatory effects, and hence it becomes dangerous.'

Here, we reveal how the substance  now used in private clinics for its alleged anti-depressant effect  can wreak havoc on the body within an hour of taking one large hit, leaving users paralysed, unable to breathe and choking on their own vomit

He also pointed to a range of physical risks, including increased blood pressure and heart rate, as well as bladder and kidney damage.

Ketamine is allowed to be prescribed as a so-called 'off-label' treatment in the UK.

This means when a drug that is approved for another use is prescribed by doctors for another purpose.

Ketamine is already used by doctors as anesthesia for medical procedures.

A nasal spray for of the drug is also approved by drugs safety watchdog the MHRA for treating treatment-resistant depression, alongside traditional antidepressants. However this is not approved for NHS use.

This has led to some clinics, as well some parts of the health service, popping up to offer the treatment privately. Silva Wellness is the latest such clinic to offer ketamine assisted therapy in this way.

Silva Wellness described ketamine 'lozenge therapy' as having 'changed the way we view mental health treatment'.

It states: 'Those with treatment-resistant depression, anxiety, and a variety of mood disorders can benefit from this cutting-edge approach to care.

'Ketamine Assisted Therapy is highly effective, showing incredible results and long-term benefits.

'Quick-acting results are just the beginning for anyone embarking on a course of ketamine assisted therapy.

'Long-term healing is possible due to its many abilities to help reduce and eliminate symptoms associated with these disorders.'

The drug is attracting fresh attention due to its role in the death of Friends star Matthew Perry (pictured), who was supplied with ketamine up to six times a day in the week before he died

Ketamine therapy works by taking an extremely low dose of the drug, to provoke its glutamate boosting effects, and then working through issues with a trained psychotherapist. Stock image

Silva Wellness chief executive and psychotherapist trained in ketamine therapy, Lucy da Silva, also told MailOnline the clinic takes a number of precautions with any patient seeking ketamine assisted therapy.

The first is that they are screened both during their initial consultation and on the day of their treatment by a trained mental health nurse prescriber, who also gives ketamine if appropriate.

This screening involves ensuring a patient has no medical or mental health conditions that might make taking ketamine dangerous, as well as ensuring they are not taking any medications that will interact with the drug.

If this screening is passed, a patient will then take a low-to-moderate dose ketamine lozenge, that sits under the tongue allowing the drug to slowly release into their system.

The clinic's 3,669 'silver' includes the ketamine therapy, including assessment checks to ensure a patient is suitable, review sessions, and two 'breathwork' classes.

Ms da Silva added that while a therapist is conducting a session a nurse will come in at regular intervals to check a patient's blood pressure for any changes that suggest a potentially dangerous reaction.

She also noted while a doctor is not on site the treatment centre will have medics on call.

But MailOnline has discovered that the clinic's nurse prescriber and medical lead of the ketamine sessions, Danny Kungebeharry, has retweeted anti-vax messages in the past.

On an X account Mr Kungebeharry retweeted a post by Dr Aseem Malhotra, a well-known Covid vaccine sceptic who often shares antivax sentiment on his social media profile.

In one such retweeting Mr Kungebeharry shared a 2022 post from Dr Malhotra talking about the 'biggest story in the world', with the medic sharing a video of Neil Oliver on GB News discussing 'mounting evidence' of vaccine related injuries and deaths.

Dr Malhotra said the clip was 'a powerful and extraordinary call to action on the Covid mRNA vaccine scandal'.

Ketamine, even in low doses, does carry some hazards.

Long-term use can cause severe, irreversible damage to the bladder and kidneys, and excruciating abdominal pain  sometimes known as k-cramps.

Ketamine works as an anaesthetic by blocking the neurotransmitter N-methyl-D-aspartate (NDMA), which controls actions in the nervous system.

This can rapidly diminish sensations, prevent pain, induce sleep or even inhibit memory.

For this reason, it is usually taken in small doses for non-anaesthetic purposes, and large doses as an anaesthetic in a medical setting, such as before an operation.

At smaller doses, it gives users a feeling of euphoria, out-of-body experiences, and hallucinations.

If injected, ketamine's effects can take control within just a minute.

Users typically feel such effects within five to 15 minutes if snorted and half an hour if swallowed.

Snorting ketamine results in a more potent 'rush', may present a higher addiction risk and can damage the nasal passage.

Elon Musk has said he has a prescription for ketamine for when his 'brain chemistry goes super negative'

Former X-Factor judge Sharon Osborne (left) underwent three months of ketamine therapy. Model Chrissy Teigen (right) revealed that while she was using ketamine for her 38th birthday, she 'saw' her late son Jack, who died in the womb three years earlier

While its effects  when taken in smaller doses  can last around an hour, a user's coordination or senses may be affected for up to 24-hours after initial use.

Signs and symptoms of a ketamine overdose or toxicity can vary depending on how much Ket is consumed.

Typically, within a couple of minutes of taking the drug users experience an increase in heart rate and even palpitations.

At the same time, blood pressure drops over 10 to 20 minutes, resulting in a woozy and faint feeling. A dramatic quick drop acts as a key sign of an overdose or toxicity, which can happen with one, large dose.

Its numbing effect also makes users unresponsive more quickly.

When in this state, users experience involuntarily rapid eye movement, dilated pupils, and stiffening of the muscles such as them 'freezing up'.

Its effect on muscle relaxation also suppresses the respiratory system, leading to sudden difficulty swallowing and making it harder for people to breathe.

This lack of oxygen, in turn, may even result in permanent brain damage.

Tolerance to the drug, which usually comes as a crystalline powder or liquid, recreationally is known to build quickly.

This leads to users needing more and more to feel the same high, which increases the risk of overdosing or experiencing adverse side effects.

Higher doses can also lead to a phenomenon dubbed the 'k-hole', an intense feeling of dissociation, delerium and being disconnected or unable to connect to reality.

British experts have said they are alarmed that ketamine's image is becoming sanitised - given the potential for patients to quit pricey treatment and self-medicate with the widely available street drug, which costs as little as 10-20 per gram.

Figures, released by the Office for National Statistics, show one in twenty (4.8 per cent) 20 to 24-year-olds in England and Wales last year admitted to taking the drug, more popular among men.

This compared to just 0.9 per cent across all age groups.
Dentists and opticians will now offer blood pressure tests in a bid to slash the risk of Brits suffering a heart attack and stroke.

Under the scheme, more than 60 practices in England will offer the checks as part of routine appointments.

Officials estimate it could see 100,000 patients tested over the next 12 months, who may otherwise have gone unchecked.

Dubbed a 'silent killer', more than 14 million adults in the UK have the potentially deadly condition  known medically as hypertension.

But as many as five million of these are thought to be undiagnosed, according to the British Heart Foundation.

Under the scheme, more than 60 practices in England will offer the checks as part of routine appointments. Officials estimate the pilot could see 100,000 patients tested over the next 12 months, who may otherwise have gone unchecked

Often high blood pressure has no symptoms until it is too late but is also linked to a higher risk of kidney disease and even vascular dementia.

The checks will be carried out by trained staff including dental nurses, optical assistants and technicians, at no extra charge.

The rollout was announced at the European Society of Cardiology Annual Conference in London.

Helen Williams, NHS national clinical director for cardiovascular disease prevention, said: 'These convenient checks at dentists and optometrists will enable thousands of people to monitor their blood pressure and could potentially be life-saving.

How much does NHS dentistry cost? There are 3 NHS charge bands: Band 1: 25.80 Covers an examination, diagnosis and advice. If necessary, it also includes X-rays, a scale and polish, and planning for further treatment. Band 2: 70.70 Covers all treatment included in Band 1, plus additional treatment, such as fillings, root canal treatment and removing teeth (extractions). Band 3: 306.80 Covers all treatment included in Bands 1 and 2, plus more complex procedures, such as crowns, dentures and bridges. For comparison, check-ups can cost between 20 and 120 at private dentists, according to Which?. Dentures and bridges can also cost up to 2,520, the consumer watchdog says. Advertisement

'Many otherwise healthy people over 40 only visit their GP when they're feeling unwell, but offering these vital checks as part of routine dentist or eye test appointments means we can identify and support more people at risk.

'High blood pressure is a significant factor in many cardiovascular diseases but as it usually has no symptoms, many people don't know they have it, so I would urge anyone offered a check to come forward.'

Sonya Babu-Narayan, associate medical director at the British Heart Foundation and a consultant cardiologist, added: 'Concerningly, up to 4.2 million people in England may be living with high blood pressure and don't know it.

'High blood pressure is usually easy to treat, and that's why it is vital to get yourself checked.

'Blood pressure tests are very simple and easy, so if your dentist or optician can provide it, do take up the opportunity to get yourself tested  it could save your life.

Health officials are concerned about a rise in heart deaths among men since the pandemic, with men less likely than women to take up the offer of an assessment.

Dental chiefs, however, warned proper funding would be needed for the scheme to work effectively.

British Dental Association chair Eddie Crouch said: 'Shrewd investment here could prevent disease and save our NHS a fortune.

'Dentists are ready to play their part, but any gains will remain purely theoretical without the funding and reform required to save this service.'

Latest NHS figures also show roughly 26million adults  roughly 60 per cent of the population  haven't had a check-up in the last two years.

This is one of the lowest proportions since modern records start in 2006.

NHS dentistry has been in crisis for years, with leaders claiming the sector has been chronically underfunded, making it financially unviable to carry out treatments.

Exacerbating the problem is that, as more dentists leave the NHS, those that remain become swamped by more and more patients.

More patients longing for an NHS dentist turned up today but were met with a sign on the door saying: 'We are not enrolling anymore patients.' Pictured, the sign outside St Pauls Dental Practice earlier this year

The crisis in NHS dentistry has been brewing for years, with some Brits forced to pull out their own teeth with pliers or travel abroad to see a dentist due to a lack of slots in the UK. Others have queued from 4am to gain a spot at dentistry practices that have opened up their list to NHS patients. Pictured, the line of people outside of Saint Pauls Dental Practice, in St Paul's, Bristol, which police were forced to break up earlier this year

Brits have also told how they have been sat on waiting lists for months and travel abroad to see a dentist after finding it impossible to get an NHS appointment, slamming the system as 'Victorian'.

Others have been forced to pull out their own teeth with pliers or travel abroad for treatment.

It comes as the NHS last week also announced it would roll out health MoTs to offices and factories from next month as part of a major drive to catch heart disease and diabetes early.

Checks including blood pressure, BMI and blood tests for cholesterol and blood sugars will be offered to middle-aged workers, from bus drivers to care workers.

Health chiefs hope by targeting 130,000 people in their workplaces, they will reach those at highest risk.

Under the launch of Pharmacy First earlier this year, nine in ten chemists across England also now offer the checks.

Between January and June, 1.4 million walk-in tests were delivered.
A 12-year-old boy was left fighting for his life after a dangerous social media deodorant trend went disastrously wrong, causing a cardiac arrest.

Cesar Watson-King, from Doncaster, had allegedly inhaled a can of anti-perspirant last month after being shown the craze, 'chroming', by an older boy.

The trend involves inhaling toxic fumes, from deodorant cans, hairspray and nail polish remover in order to achieve a 'high'.

But moments after the inhalation, Cesar's mother, Nichola King, discovered him on the kitchen floor having a seizure. The 36-year-old performed CPR to restore his breathing as his brother rang for an ambulance.

Cesar was rushed to hospital where he suffered further seizures and a cardiac arrest before being placed in a medically induced coma.

Moments after the inhalation, Cesar's mother, Nichola King, discovered him on the kitchen floor having a seizure. The 36-year-old performed CPR to restore his breathing as his brother rang for an ambulance

The mum-of-four has now shared horrifying images of paramedics performing chest compressions in a bid to save him, to serve as a warning of the trend's dangers.

Chroming has been used as a slang term to describe the trend of inhaling toxic fumes, with it first appearing on Urban Dictionary in 2006.

But more recently 'chroming' found popularity with younger generations on social media platforms, where youngsters post videos of themselves inhaling toxic fumes.

Recalling Cesar's ordeal, Ms King said: 'I had just finished breastfeeding my baby and was drifting off to sleep when I heard this really loud bang. I thought one of the kids had done something.

'I had heard Cesar creeping downstairs and thought he'd gone downstairs for something to eat. The bang sounded like someone had fallen over.

'I heard like a moaning sound from downstairs and thought Cesar had broken a bone or something.

The mum-of-four has now shared horrifying images of paramedics performing chest compressions in a bid to save him, to serve as a warning of the trend's dangers

Cesar Watson-King, from Doncaster, had allegedly inhaled a can of the anti-perspirant last month after being shown the social media craze, 'chroming', by an older boy

'I started going downstairs and saw Cesar lying on the floor and his eyes were rolling back into his head.

'It was terrifying. He was having a seizure. I ran upstairs to get my phone. I couldn't even unlock my phone to ring an ambulance because my hands were shaking so much so my eldest rang 999.

'I thought he'd fallen over and hit his head. I had no idea what had happened. He went blue and stopped breathing. I thought he'd died.

'I was in complete shock. I'd watched my son die and watched the light go out of his eyes.'

Paramedics rushed him to Doncaster Royal Infirmary where he suffered several seizures and went into cardiac arrest a number of times, she said.

She also claimed she was told by police that officers found a can of deodorant and other chroming paraphernalia on the kitchen floor  leading them to believe Cesar had inhaled the anti-perspirant before falling unconscious.

The word 'chroming' is an informal word that originates from Australia.

After being transferred to Sheffield Children's Hospital, Cesar was placed into a medically induced coma for 48 hours

Ms King has now also issued a warning about the dangers of the social media 'chroming' challenge, warning children 'it's not worth it'

The dangerous trend can result in slurred speech, dizziness, hallucinations, nausea and disorientation but can also cause suffocation. Pictured, Ms King with Cesar and two-year-old daughter Casi

When the inhalants are abused, they affect the central nervous system and slow down brain activity, which results in a short-term 'high.'

The dangerous trend can result in slurred speech, dizziness, hallucinations, nausea and disorientation but can also cause suffocation.

Breathing in toxic fumes can also cause more serious symptoms such as forcing the heart to go out of rhythm, potentially causing a heart attack or cardiac arrest.

England's drug and aerosol abuse charity Talk to Frank reports there are more than 50 deaths in the country each year involving glues, gases, solvents and aerosols.

Last September, 14-year-old Sarah Mescall, from County Clare, Ireland, died after she also took part in the online craze

The harmful effects of solvent abuse Solvent abuse is the inhalation of volatile substances that contain chemicals such as butane or propane gas, nitrous oxide (laughing gas) and acetone. It is deliberate inhalation for the purpose of getting intoxicated or 'high'. The short-term effects of solvent abuse vary but can include hallucinations, blackouts, sickness, dizziness, disorientation, slurred speech, dilated pupils and headaches. People can suffocate, choke and suffer heart attacks. Long-term use of some solvents can cause brain, lung, liver and kidney damage. Sources: Re-solv and West Yorkshire Police Advertisement

The charity stresses that it takes just a little too much of an aerosol to result in coma and even death.

In March, 11-year-old Tommie-lee Gracie Billington from Lancaster died after allegedly trying the trend during a sleepover at a friend's house.

Tommie-lee's family is now desperate to prevent the tragedy from taking any other young lives.

Following his death his grandmother urged social media platform TikTok to 'do more' to protect children.

She said: 'He died instantly after a sleepover at a friends house. The boys had tried the TikTok craze "chroming".

'Tommie-Lee went into cardiac arrest immediately and died right there and then. The hospital did everything to try and bring him back but nothing worked. He was gone.

She added: 'We don't want any other children to follow TikTok or be on social media.'

Last September, 14-year-old Sarah Mescall, from County Clare in Ireland, also died after she also took part in the online craze.

Sarah collapsed after inhaling fumes and was put into an induced coma, but sadly died three days later.

Recalling Cesar's terrifying ordeal, Ms King said: 'I'd not heard of [chroming] before this. An older boy had showed him how to do it.

'When police told me what he'd inhaled, I thought he was going to die. I knew it said on the back of cans "solvent abuse kills instantly".'

After being transferred to Sheffield Children's Hospital, Cesar was placed into a medically induced coma for 48 hours.

But he was discharged after just eight days in hospital, able to breathe again on his own as well as walk and talk.

Ms King added: 'I was over the moon. He was almost back to completely normal when he was discharged  eating, drinking, having a laugh. He just feels tired.

'We don't know about long-term damage, but his short-term memory is very bad. He couldn't remember what had happened.

'If I hadn't heard something that night, I'd have come downstairs to a dead body the next morning.

'I've spoken to Cesar and asked him to never do anything like this again. I've thrown out everything in the house that sprays.'

She has also issued a warning about the dangers of the 'chroming' challenge, warning children 'it's not worth it'.

She added: 'I'd say to the kids, it's not worth it. It might feel good but it definitely doesn't when you're in the hospital trying to breathe for yourself and the pain you cause to your parents.

'And I want to stress the importance of parents being first-aid trained.

'I think anyone with kids should attend a course as it could be the difference between life and death.'
Three cases of 'sloth fever' have been detected in the popular European holiday destination, the Canary Islands.

Health officials in the Spanish archipelago, located just 60miles (100km) off the African coastline, confirmed the cases of the oropouche virus, related to dengue and zika viruses, in three people who had travelled from Cuba.

These cases were among a 36-year-old man, a 32-year-old woman from Tenerife, and a 52-year-old man from Gran Canaria.

The trio reportedly started suffering symptoms including fever, diarrhoea, and joint pain before lab results confirmed they had the oropouche virus.

While all three have responded well to treatment and not needed hospitalisation, authorities said a further three cases in the Spanish islands are still awaiting testing.

Health officials in the Spanish archipelago, located just 60miles (100km) off the African coastline confirmed the cases of the oropouche virus, related to dengue and zika viruses, in three people who had travelled from Cuba. Pictured: Tenerife

The new cases in the Canary islands, which is just a short direct flight from London, are the latest in a string to hit the European region in recent months.

Cases have been reported in at least 19 people in Europe over the past two months, according to the European Center for Disease Control (ECDC), not including the latest cases.

Twelve were reported in Spain, five in Italy, and two in Germany.

While nicknamed 'sloth fever' oropouche isn't spread directly by the animals themselves.

Instead, it is transmitted by small flying biting insects like midges that can carry the disease from the sloths to other animals, including people.

Oropouche symptoms typically start four to eight days after being bitten and in severe cases illness can result in meningitis, according to the NHS Travax website.

Although potentially deadly, the ECDC said fatal outcomes are extremely rare and recovery from the disease is common. In most cases symptoms subside within four days.

Outbreaks of the virus to date have been reported in several countries across South America, Central America and the Caribbean.

In 2024 specific outbreaks have been recorded in Brazil, Bolivia, Colombia, Peru, and more recently in Cuba where the Canary Island cases recently travelled from.

Eighteen of the cases recorded in Europe reported recent travel to Cuba and one case in Italy had travelled to Brazil.

According to a report in the Lancet, on July 25 two deaths caused by oropouche were reported for the first time in Brazil in two young women who had no other underlying health conditions.

Although the cases remain low in Europe, between January and mid-July this year more than 8,000 cases have been recorded in Brazil, Bolivia, Peru, Columbia and Cuba.

Due to these high numbers the ECDC has said the likelihood of infection for EU citizens travelling to or residing in epidemic areas is currently assessed as moderate.

The European authority is advising those travelling to affected areas to wear insect repellent and long-sleeved shirts and long trousers to reduce the risk of bites.

While experts say the virus is unlikely to 'take hold' in nations with cooler climates like Britain, it could become a problem for those travelling abroad who could then fall sick upon their return to the UK.

There is no vaccine for the disease which originates in pale-throated sloths, non-human primates and birds

Pattern of spots on the insect's wings is a characteristic nature of midges and mosquitos that carry 'sloth virus'. Photo: Ceratopogonidae Collection of IOC/Fiocruzi

Experts have warned the spread of disease could become 'unstoppable' due to the absence of vaccines against it.

The US has also been hit by a string of cases. In total, 21 Americans have been diagnosed with the oropouche virus in recent weeks.

The US Centers for Disease Control said, much like the European cases, the patients were diagnosed after returning from Cuba.

Twenty of the cases were in Florida and one is in New York. The most common symptoms were fevers, muscle aches, headaches, fatigue and stiffness.

Three patients were hospitalized, but there were no deaths.

The strain behind the recent outbreak was first spotted in the tiny village of Oropouche, in Trinidad and Tobago, back in 1955.

Five years later, during the construction of the Belem-Brasilia highway, a sloth was tested as carrying Oropouche.

Within a year people in the area became ill with the virus and since there have been around 30 outbreaks, all centred in the Amazon basin.

It's unclear which insects spread the virus in the jungle where it circulates between sloths, birds and primates. But in an urban setting midges and mosquitos spread the disease among humans.

But due to deforestation and increased urbanisation, host animals such as sloths are more displaced, causing midges and mosquitoes to feed on humans rather than wildlife.

Soaring temperatures caused by climate change has also meant midges are flying further afield and increased rainfall and flooding provides the perfect breeding ground for the biting insects.
For years, Rich Bugay struggled with a burning mouth he thought was due to acid reflux.

But no matter how often the father-of-three, from Michigan, used cough drops the symptom never seemed to go away.

Doctors failed to diagnose him for years  some thought he had chronic reflux, and he even underwent a colonoscopy which 'ruled a lot of stuff out'.

But then his symptoms got worse and developed into an extreme fatigue that was so bad he could barely walk on some days.

It was only when he was referred to Mayo Clinic that doctors spotted he had a 'timebomb' heart condition that could kill him at any moment.

Rich Bugay, from Escanaba, Michigan, drove nearly seven hours to see doctors over a pain in his mouth that he had been suffering from for years

After he was diagnosed with an aortic aneurysm, he was rushed through for open heart surgery. He is pictured above before the procedure

He was diagnosed with an aortic aneurysm  a swollen bulge in the main artery leading from the heart that measured 2.8inches in diameter.

This raises the risk of a rupture because, as it swells, the artery wall becomes thinner and is put under increased stress.

Aortic aneurysms are deadly in 80 to 90 percent of cases when they rupture because of the severe internal bleeding they cause.

Revealing his diagnosis, Mr Bugay said: '[The doctor] encouraged me that it was fixable, but said "you don't have a lot of options as far as waiting because you are basically a timebomb".'

Doctors at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, rushed him through for open-heart surgery just four days after the diagnosis.

He spent a few days in the hospital to recover, and has now been discharged home  with doctors saying he is continuing to recover well.

Doctors told him his burning sensation in the mouth because the aneurysm may suppress nearby nerves linked to the area, triggering pain and discomfort.

It was not clear what led to Mr Bugay's swollen artery, but in previous cases this has been linked to smoking, high blood pressure and an infection.

A family history of the disease and genetic factors are also thought to raise someone's risk.

Doctors determined that his alleged acid reflux was not a stomach issue after detecting a heart murmur, or an unusual sound when listening to the heart.

Mr Bugay is pictured above ahead of his surgery

And this scan shows the swollen area that indicated he had an aortic aneurysm

Scans also revealed that Mr Bugay was born with a congenital heart disease called bicuspid aortic valve syndrome.

This is when a person has just two flaps of tissue for valves to ensure that blood flows correctly instead of the typical three.

Doctors told Mr Bugay they also thought that this had caused some of his blood to flow backward every time his heart beat, leading to his extreme tiredness.

Mr Bugay said: 'I wasn't feeling well, I had a lot of acid reflux, stomach discomfort, going to a lot of different doctor visits like my family practitioner and wasn't getting any answers.

'So, at some point I decided I wanted to go to the best place I could go.'

After receiving the heart condition diagnosis, he said: 'I was a little disgusted because, geez, I wanted some relief for what I had and I didn't think it was anything, you know, life threatening.

For the open-heart surgery, doctors first made a large incision in the chest and cut open the breastbone to access the heart.

Then they clamped the aorta above and below the aneurysm and cut out the damaged section, before replacing it with a graft  or a tube made of durable material.

The clamps stop blood flow during the surgery, with doctors relying on a heart-lung machine to keep blood flowing to the rest of the body. The heart does not stop.

Surgeons also treated his bicuspid aortic valve syndrome by removing his old heart valves and implanting a mechanical version that opens and closes more completely.

Mr Bugay is pleased with the surgery, and says he now feels like he is nearing 100 percent again.

About 200,000 Americans have an aortic aneurysm, of which most are male and over 65 years old.

But in many cases the condition has gone undiagnosed because it has not triggered any symptoms.

In cases when it does cause symptoms, these include shortness of breath, dizziness and difficulty swallowing.
There are no shortage of health horror stories - from doctors removing the wrong limb to prescribing a potentially deadly medication.

While medical errors harm 1.2million Americans and result in the death of 250,000 patients per year, millions more endure bad medical advice and awkward doctor encounters.

Reddit user u/FragmentedTungsten asked the community for the 'most out of pocket thing your doctor has said to you.'

And Redditors did not hold back.

Nearly 6,000 people responded, describing how they had been on the receiving end of expletive-filled exams, inappropriate sexual innuendos, rude and offensive questions and instances of doctors delivering devastating news insensitively.

Redditors detailed instances of doctors ignoring symptoms and incorrectly diagnosing them (stock image)

One user said she began seeing a new doctor when she was suffering from pneumonia. During her exam, the doctor asked if she was on birth control, when she replied 'no' because she and her husband were planning on having a baby, the doctor responded: 'You should be on birth control. No one has babies on purpose.'

When the patient responded she had already planned two previous pregnancies, the physician responded: 'Oh, you have two? So no time for intimacy. You could just read a book and let your husband go at it for 10 minutes.'

Another user was told by their doctor that he likely wouldn't be able to operate before the patient's appendix burst - a potentially deadly complication. The man asked: 'When your appendix ruptures, don't you die?'

To which the doctor responded: 'Oh, that is a very good possibility.'

User u/straight_blanchin described when her boyfriend accompanied her to a doctor's consultation about having her breasts reduced.

The doctor ignored the patient and asked the boyfriend if he 'was okay with me getting a reduction.' The doctor then denied her the surgery because they said she 'might regret it' given most people prefer the look of large breasts.

Another Redditor described a time she visited a gynecologist at 13 years old and told the doctor she was not sexually active.

The physician's response was: 'I don't believe you.'

When the patient's mom began arguing with the doctor, she responded: 'Your daughter is a pretty girl. I doubt you know what she gets up to.'

The doctor then proceeded to tell the girl and her mother she had herpes, despite not running any tests.

User u/SkrodLaDa posted: 'Fingers deep in me during a routine checkup, [doctor] says "Yep! It's a girl," referring to me.'

Another described a time when their doctor left the room to 'go YouTube it' in the middle of applying a cast to the patient's arm.

User u/cafeconpanna wrote: 'When I was 14 I had a yeast infection. An old man doctor told me to stop putting things like hair brushes inside me.'

However, there were some users who said they appreciated their doctor's blunt and straightforward manners.

User u/Old-Chapter-7431 said he appreciated that when he told his dentist he had neglected his teeth the doctor responded: 'Well I guess you f***** up, didn't you?'

The poster added: 'I just laughed because he wasnt wrong and I can appreciate the bluntness.'

Another wrote that he had cursed while his doctor was examining him and the doctor asked: 'Wait, I dont have to watch my language with you?'

When the patient said no, the doctor 'visibly relaxed and loudly proclaimed, THANK F****** GOD and started discussing my health frankly, but with enough swears to make a sailor blush.

'My favorite [doctor] ever, made sure I saw him yearly until he left the practice.'
A father has developed a new drug to treat his young son's slow progressing neurodegenerative disorder.

Terry Pirovolakis, 44, received regulatory approval for the clinical treatment this past December - first, in hopes of saving the life of his six-year-old son, Michael, and now to help all affected by the rare disease, Fox News reported.

Spastic paraplegia 50 (SPG50) affects children's development, leading to cognitive impairment, muscle weakness, and paralysis over the course several years. Affecting fewer than 100 worldwide, the disease often ends in death, usually before a patient reaches 30.

Such a fate awaited Michael before his dad, an IT director in Toronto, Canada stepped in. He emptied his life savings to start researching potential cures rooted in gene therapy, reading countless journals on the subject.

Meeting with experts as well, he soon signed a contract to start a gene therapy program, consisting of injecting cerebral spinal fluid into the patient's back. After years of lab work, the treatment started to take, and on December 30, 2021, the government moved it forward.

Terry Pirovolakis, 44, received regulatory approval for the clinical treatment this past December - first, in hopes of saving the life of his six-year-old son, Michael, and now to help all affected by the rare disease

The rare disease affects children's development, leading to cognitive impairment, muscle weakness, and paralysis over the course several years

'On March 24, 2022, my son was the first person to ever get treated with gene therapy at SickKids in Toronto,' Pirovolakis, a father of three, told Fox News in detailing his medical odyssey.

'They said he'd never walk or talk, and would need support for the rest of his life,' he recalled of the 2018 diagnosis.

'They told us to just go home and love him - and said he would be paralyzed from the waist down by age 10, and quadriplegic by age 20,' he continued.

'We then liquidated our life savings, refinanced our home and paid a team at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center to create a proof of concept to start Michael's gene therapy.'

This all happened within the span of a month, the doting dad said - recalling how he flew to Washington, D.C., for a gene therapy conference and met with several experts.

He then went overseas, visiting the National Institutes of Health at the University of Cambridge, where scientists have been studying the disease.

After months of testing, Pirovolakis and the experts he enlisted saw some success - with the therapy seen stopping the debilitating disease's progression in mice and human cells.

Pirovolakis went on to work with a small drug company in Spain to manufacture the drug, which is injected directed into the patient's spine - paving the way for the procedure to one day become commonplace.

Pirovolakis realized the disease was slowly affecting his son a year and half after he was born, when he saw he was having difficulty lifting his head

When his son was diagnosed in 2018, Pirovolakis was told the boy would be paralyzed from the waist down by the age of 10 and quadriplegic by the age of 20. Georgia Pirovolakis is seen here with her son

He also detailed how the disease was slowly stealing his son's movement for the first year and half of his life, and how he only realized something was amiss when he noticed Michael was having difficulty lifting his head.

It took months of doctors' appointments, physiotherapy, and even genetic testing to discern the cause - a process he billed as an '18-month diagnostic odyssey' predating his quest for a cure.

Time was of the essence for him and Michael, however, as those stricken with SPG50 more often than not die by the time they reach their 20s.

'The prognosis varies from person to person, but it's generally a progressive condition, meaning symptoms can become more severe over time,' Texas Department of State Health Service epidemiologist Eve Elizabeth Penney told Fox News.

'Over time, these symptoms can worsen, making it hard for affected individuals to walk and perform daily activities,' she added.

Since there is no cure currently, families are forced to manage symptoms through a combination of physical, occupational, and speech therapy, along with medications designed to lessen side effects like seizures.

In the US currently, there is no treatment for SPG50 that is approved by the Food and Drug Administration.

Now six, the boy is showing signs of improvement, his father said - though the treatment remains costly

In Canada, Michael was the first to receive his father's one-time treatment, after Pirovolakis quit his job and started a nonprofit in California to devote himself to the cause.

The company - named Elpida Therapeutics, after the Greek word for 'hope' - now has five employees and 20 consultants, with Michael now on the mend.

Since being treated, the youngster's condition seems to have stabilized, his dad said. Michael is now able to use a device to communicate with his family and caregivers

The same can be said for three others who were able to receive the remaining doses from Pirovolakis' first batch, as the drug still costs about $1million to make for each child.

'When I heard that no one was going to do anything about it, I had to - I couldn't let them die,' Pirovolakis said. 'We decided that we had to help other kids.'

Pirovolakis opened a Phase 2 study in the U.S., which treated the three children in 2022.

Among them was 6-month-old Jack Lockard, whose mother, Rebekah Lockard, told Fox News that the treatment works.

'Jack has thrived since then,' said the mom of two, whose other child, 3-year-old Naomi, has the disease as well, said.

Pirovolakis opened a Phase 2 study in the U.S., which treated the three children in 2022. Among them was 6-month-old Jack Lockard, seen above in the lap of mom Rebekah Lockard

'He is sitting independently, banging toys together, drinking from a straw cup and working really hard on crawling.'

'Doctors and therapists share the same sentiment,' she added. 'The treatment works!'

Despite it being approved, big pharmaceutical companies have been slow to manufacture the drug, with several firms rejecting the prospect when proposed, Pirovolakis said

'No investor is going to give you money to treat a disease that is not going to make money,' he said. 'That's the dilemma we're in.'

As he searches for grants and investors, parents are forced to pay out of pocket.

'The treatment is here, just literally sitting in a refrigerator, ready to go,' Lockard said, as the drug is now poised to undergo clinical trial at the National Institutes of Health.

'Doctors are ready. There just isn't enough money to make it happen.'

Pirovolakis said 'time is of the essence,' noting that eight doses have already been flown to the US. 'We want to make sure the trial moves on and these kids get treated.'

Pirovolakis - seen here with his family - will now see his drug undergo a clinical trial at the National Institutes of Health, as big pharmaceutical companies have been slow to sign off on making the drug

'We were told he would never speak or walk, and that he will have severe developmental delays. I just couldn't accept that fate for my child,' Pirovolakis said of his son

Pirovolakis said that when his son was diagnosed, he was told the boy would be paralyzed from the waist down by the age of ten and quadriplegic by the age of 20.

'We were told he would never speak or walk, and that he will have severe developmental delays. I just couldn't accept that fate for my child,' he said.

'The technology to cure our children is already here. I hope that someone with immense wealth - and more importantly, the vision and influence - will step in.'

The Phase 3 study for SPG50 will be conducted at the National Institutes of Health in November.
Labour's planned hike in the windfall tax on North Sea oil and gas producers will deal a 13billion blow to the economy, according to analysis by the industry.

Offshore Energies UK (OEUK), which represents the sector, said most investment plans over the next five years would be scrapped if the increase goes ahead, undermining the government's goal of boosting growth.

The industry faces an increase in the headline tax rate from 75 per cent to 78 per cent and the loss of tax breaks for investment.

OEUK said that while it would mean a 'very short-term' boost to Treasury tax revenues, that would soon be thrown into reverse  and end up leaving the public purse 12billion worse off.

That could jeopardise plans to use windfall tax income to pay for investment in green energy and other growth plans, it warned

Blow: The North Sea oil industry faces an increase in the headline tax rate from 75 per cent to 78 per cent and the loss of tax breaks for investment

David Whitehouse, OEUK's chief executive, said: 'This is a government that has made economic growth its main priority and yet our analysis shows that its policy will ultimately reduce this sector's contribution to the UK economy.'

The figures were released as Chancellor Rachel Reeves prepares to deliver her autumn Budget next month.

According to the OEUK analysis, Labour's plans would see capital investments in the sector fall from the expected 14.1billion to just 2.3billion over 2025 to 2029. That would mean the overall value added by the sector to the economy falls to 16billion  13billion lower than it would have been.

The Treasury would see its North Sea tax take continue to rise until 2026 before declining compared with the current scenario, OEUK found, meaning it would ultimately collect 12billion less in taxes cumulatively over the five-year period.

Whitehouse said: 'For more than two years UK oil and gas operators have paid three times the rate of corporation tax of any other sector. Time is running out to mitigate damage and to avoid escalation.'

A Treasury spokesman said: 'We are committed to maintaining a constructive dialogue with the oil and gas sector to finalise changes to strengthen the windfall tax.'
A parish priest has been convicted of stealing 200 from his church's Sunday collection after being caught on CCTV helping himself to the cash.

Father Fortunato Pantisano fought the charge but was so unconvincing in the witness box, magistrates said his evidence assisted the prosecution against him.

The Italian-born priest, who was ordained at Westminster Cathedral in 2013, was based at Our Lady of Perpetual Help church in Tynemouth Street, Fulham.

The 44-year-old was found guilty at City of London Magistrates Court of stealing the money, which was never returned, after the second mass of the day on January 7.

Father Pantisano, who has had to move to accommodation at St. Edward's Convent, Harewood Avenue, Marylebone, was bailed until September 17 for a pre-sentence report.

The trial heard he was reported to police by parish volunteer John McGranaghan, who had placed the two wicker baskets in a locked office, which could also be accessed from the priest's house.

Father Fortunato Pantisano (pictured arriving at court) fought the charge but was so unconvincing in the witness box, magistrates said his evidence assisted the prosecution

Father Pantisano was ordained at Westminster Cathedral in 2013 - pictured speaking in church

Pantisano pictured arriving at City of London Magistrates Court

'This was the collection from the parishioners for the two masses that morning,' he told the trial. 'We went back to count the offertory and there were two empty baskets and the collection had gone.'

He suggested collection money had been going missing at the church recently. 'Because of what had been happening in the previous weeks I decided to go back to count the money that day.'

Fortunately CCTV in the office showed Father Pantisano enter via an adjoining door, remove the two baskets containing cash from the room, then return them empty.

The Diocese of Westminster Director of Resources, Robert Walker told the court there are strict rules regarding the cash collections and individual priests cannot simply help themselves to the money.

'Basically I see the money going from one hand to the other and it is taken without authorisation,' he said regarding the CCTV. He is taking individual notes from the baskets and leaves with the money.

'There is no reason for him to be in there at that time, particularly as he was suspended.'

The trial heard he was reported to police by parish volunteer John McGranaghan (pictured)

The Italian-born priest pictured arriving at City of London Magistrates Court

Father Pantisano was arrested on April 30 and gave a 'no comment' interview at Hammersmith Police Station.

He told the trial he was not suspended and was entitled to be in the office, but could not recall if he had taken any of the collection money.

'I do not remember taking any money. If I did it was not my intention to be dishonest, it was to buy food maybe, I don't remember.

'Sometimes there are emergencies like homeless needing money or charities or the priests need to buy food.'

Prosecutor Nathan Paine-Davey asked the priest: 'It is not credible to say you do not remember taking the money, is it? It is what has brought you here today.

'You have gone into that office by unlocking the door from your side and taken that money. That's the truth isn't it?'

Father Pantisano replied: 'I am the parish priest and I have a right to be there. The money is given for the priests to decide what to do.

'I deny stealing and I have no other comment.'

Fortunato Pantisano pictured with his lawyer Nina Reinach outside court

Mr Paine-Davey told the magistrates: 'The defendant cannot tell you why he had his hands in the baskets and took them out of view. That is not credible.

'The purpose of removing the baskets was to steal money out of sight of the CCTV and only today we hear this vague, rambling account of what happened.

'You just can't put your hand in a collection basket. That is dishonesty.'

Father Pantisano's lawyer Nina Reinach said: 'To be found guilty of this offence would be incredible serious. This is a man of good character who has never been in trouble and that has to be counted to his credit.'

Finding him guilty bench Chairman Stuart McCaighy told the priest: 'You took money and envelopes of money from the wicker baskets into a room outside the view of the CCTV.

'You took money from those baskets and you could not give us any reason why you were in the office or a credible explanation why you were taking the money.

'You gave no reason for handling the money or any examples of why the 200 was missing. Your lack of credibility strengthened the case against you.

'We are sure beyond reasonable doubt you dishonestly appropriated this money. The bench find you guilty of this offence.'

In his impact statement Mr Walker said: 'This has caused an incredible amount of mistrust between the church and the parishioners. It only takes one person to do something wrong to ruin the reputation of the rest.'

Mr Paine-Davey added: 'Clearly this defendant hold a position of trust within the church community. That is an aggravating factor as far as sentencing is concerned.'
After the dramatic shake up at the top of the Democratic presidential ticket, Democrats are growing more confident in their ability to hold the White House and Senate and flip the House with Kamala Harris as their presidential nominee.

But two congressional districts could help decide the country's fate not just at the top of the ticket come November but also both chambers of Congress: Pennsylvania's eighth congressional district and Nebraska's second congressional district.

The case for watching these two districts to know where the election is headed was first made by former New York Congressman and Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee chair Steve Israel.

He wrote in June 'when the dust settles, the only information you will need in order to conclude who won the 2024 election will be the results of Pennsylvanias 8th and Nebraskas 2nd Congressional District. For the next five months, they are the center of the political universe.'

The path to the White House could run through two Congressional districts, one in Pennsylvania and one in Nebraska

While the top of the Democratic presidential ticket has changed, the importance of both districts have not.

PENNSYLVANIA'S 8TH DISTRICT

Population: 766,586

Pennsylvania's eighth Congressional district is represented by Democratic Congressman Matt Cartwright.

He flipped the north eastern Pennsylvania district, which includes Scranton, blue in 2018 amid the Democratic wave in response to the 2016 election of Donald Trump after the district was red since the 2010 midterms.

Since then, he has been able to hold the district in 2020 and 2022 even as Republicans were able to make some gains in the House in the last midterm.

This fall Cartwright will face off against Republican Rob Bresnahan Jr. Cook Political Report rates the race as a toss up.

Former President Donald Trump's campaign has signaled just how important the district is for his chances to win the battleground state.

The ex-president held a rally in Wilkes-Barre, PA just two weeks ago as the race in the keystone state remains razor-thin. During the rally, the Republican House candidate Bresnahan also spoke.

Former President Donald Trump campaigning in Wilkes-Barre, PA on August 17, 2024. The town is part of Pennsylvania's Eighth Congressional District

The swing district is represented by Democratic Congressman Matt Cartwright but Republicans are looking to flip it with GOP candidate Rob Bresnahan Jr.

NEBRASKA'S 2ND DISTRICT

Population: 658,116

Meanwhile, Nebraska has been a reliable red state in presidential elections since 1964, but because of the unique way it doles out Electoral College votes, it could play a significant role at the top of the ticket as well as in the House.

Nebraska is one of two states that assigns some Electoral Votes by congressional district, meaning while the majority of the votes have gone to Republicans in years past, one electoral vote from Nebraska's second congressional district went to Biden in 2020 as one also went to former President Obama in 2008.

As both presidential nominees look for a path to 270 Electoral College votes in an extremely competitive race, that one vote from the district including Omaha could be crucial.

Democratic vice presidential nominee Tim Walz holds a campaign event in Omaha, NE on August 17, 2024

Nebraska gives out some of its Electoral College votes by Congressional District so Democrats could pick up one vote in the district that includes Omaha even as the state goes red

The Harris campaign recently signaled as much when it dispatched Democratic Vice Presidential nominee Tim Walz to Omaha for a campaign event earlier this month.

The district is also a battleground in the House as Republicans hold a slim majority and Democrats look to flip it.

Nebraska's second congressional district is currently held by Republican Don Bacon who has managed to keep the seat since first being elected in 2016 by less than 4,000 votes over an incumbent Democrat who held the district for one term.

Bacon will face a rematch against Democrat Tony Vargas who also ran against him in the 2022 midterms but lost by less than 6,000 votes.

Cook Political Report rates the House race as lean Republican even as Democrats set their sights on an electoral vote.
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A planned explosion on a film set next to the O2 Arena that spread out of control and left locals terrified was organised by a convicted paedophile  who was being filmed naked as part of the stunt.

Sex offender Jacky Jhaj stood naked as a terrifying explosion was triggered by using gun powder and a detonation cord, which sent the roof of a police van 50ft in the air at an open-air yard in Silvertown, Newham.

Jhaj, who was jailed for four years in 2016 for having sexual activity with two 15-year-old girls, was filming a scene entirely naked for a production dubbed 'Project Dover', according to sources.

The 38-year-old was sat at a typewriter surrounded by hundreds of newspapers on the floor before he flicked cigarettes at a police car, a police van and a BBC World News branded lorry which all exploded into a huge blaze.

The filming was first due to take place on August 24 with Jhaj wearing a 'grotesque evil villain mask'.

But the special effects and film crew pulled out when Jhaj removed his prosthetic mask and one of the cast recognised who he was. He had been using the name Toby until that point.

Jhaj is said to have offered cash incentives for people to continue, including engineers who he offered 5,000 instead of their usual 750 fee.

Have you been involved in the stunt? Email aidan.radnedge.mol@mailonline.co.uk

A naked Jacky Jhal struts in front of a BBC World news lorry as part of a warped stunt in Silvertown, Newham, on Saturday night

The enormous blast left locals terrified with many likening it to a bomb going off or an earthquake

Sex offender Jhaj, 38, stood naked and triggered a terrifying explosion by using gun powder and a detonation cord, which sent the roof of a police van 50ft in the air at the open-air yard

One source described the explosions as a 'complete disaster' and said'So all in all, it was, pardon my French, a bit of a s**t show'

One video posted on Reddit shows a naked Jhaj (circled) casually walking nearby as firefighters battle the searing flames while black smoke billows into the sky

A naked Jhaj walks in front of the flames after the planned explosion which had terrified locals

It is understood Jhaj drafted in a different team of special effects technicians from Eastern Europe for the 'reshoot' on Saturday night with the set being rigged with 'high explosives'

A source exclusively told MailOnline: 'He has apparently got form in terms of setting up fictitious films and things like that, hiding the agenda and his identity from the legitimate and professional businesses and individuals that get booked via a separate production company to carry out the film work.

'Now we think this one was a giant F U to the BBC, the police and the newspapers for outing him for the offences that he was committed or charged with.'

It is understood Jhaj drafted in a different team of special effects technicians from Eastern Europe for the 'reshoot' on Saturday night with the set being rigged with 'high explosives'.

But some did not initially fire, MailOnline understands, with a lorry cab exploding two or three minutes after the initial blast and delaying access to the contracted firefighters from tackling the blaze earlier.

One source described it as a 'complete disaster' and said: 'So that could have been very, very nasty had the fire crew been allowed to get in any closer.

'So all in all, it was, pardon my French, a bit of a s**t show.'

One video posted on Reddit shows a naked Jhaj casually walking nearby as firefighters battle the searing flames while black smoke billows into the sky

The BBC said it had no involvement in the event. A spokesman said: 'There is no BBC News involvement in the events of this evening in docklands.'

Residents living close to last night's blast were last night furious as they likened the explosion just across from the Thames to a 'bomb going off' and an 'earthquake'.

Residents living close to last night's blast were last night furious as they likened the explosion just across from the Thames to a 'bomb going off' and an 'earthquake'

One resident fumed: 'This was not planned properly and scared a lot of people and wasted a lot of emergency services time'

The terrifying explosion was triggered by using gun powder and a detonation cord, which sent the roof of a police van 50ft in the air

The remains of a fire damaged BBC World News lorry on a film set next to the river Thames

The BBC said it had no involvement in the event. A spokesman said: 'There is no BBC News involvement in the events of this evening in docklands'

A source exclusively told MailOnline they think 'this one was a giant F U to the BBC, the police and the newspapers for outing him [Jhaj] for the offences that he was committed or charged with'

A BBC branded lorry and police car on a 'film set' near the O2 Arena before they blown up in a planned explosion

Videos from the scene showed flames and huge black clouds swirling above opposite the London 02 Arena

But some did not initially fire, MailOnline understands, with a lorry cab exploding two or three minutes after the initial blast

The blaze 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.

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.

MailOnline has asked the council why the pre-planned 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.

'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?'

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.

It is understood Jhaj drafted in a different team of special effects technicians from Eastern Europe for the 'reshoot' on Saturday night with the set being rigged with 'high explosives'

Thick plumes of smoke could be seen billowing into the sky above the iconic music venue

The blaze 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

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

'Apparently a load of gas canisters exploded. I thought I was going to have a heart attack.

'It sounded like a bomb going off.'

A spokesman for the Met Police said: 'The Met was made aware of the pre-planned filming, including the use of explosives, prior to the event taking place on the evening of Saturday, 31 August.

'It appears this information was not disseminated as widely as it should have been and we are looking at the systems currently in place to establish why this was the case in this instance.'

A spokesman for the London Fire Brigade said: 'In terms of the 24th, firefighters were called to reports of a fire at an open air yard on a filmset in Canning Town.

'The Brigade was called at 20.03 and the incident was over for firefighters by 20.22. Two fire engines from Plaistow and Poplar fire stations attended the scene.'

In June, Jhaj, 38, was arrested on suspicion of breaching a sexual harm prevention order after he was accused of attending a casting session with children where he videoed and photographed them.

He was pictured with a large group of children gathered around him and a 3.2million Bugatti Chiron outside dance school The Hub Studios in east London, where he is said to have got them to cheer for him as he gave them golden envelopes and even a necklace.

Jhaj, who poses as a film producer, faces trial at Isleworth Crown Court on 4 August 2025, for breaching notification requirements and a sexual harm prevention order.

The convicted paedophile, of Feltham, was jailed after supplying the two 15-year-olds with alcohol and taking them to parties in Hounslow, west London, in his silver Range Rover.

He pretended he was 21 and a top Hollywood producer before assaulting them.

MailOnline revealed in April he had used an internationally renowned casting platform Backstage to hire child actors in order to stage an elaborate 10,000 fake funeral at the London Oratory.

Dozens of child actors as young as six were recruited as supposed film extras dressed in school uniforms for the event

Jhaj was filmed in October last year with as many as 200 children and young women playing his fans as he hosted a fake movie premiere at Leicester Square, in London

In June, Jhaj was pictured with a large group of children gathered around him and a 3.2million Bugatti Chiron outside dance school The Hub Studios in east London

The sick hoax a month earlier sparked international media attention when it emerged that the presiding priest had dramatically stopped the service upon realising that it was being filmed, that the mourners were paid actors and the coffin was empty.

Jhaj paid for a horse-drawn hearse to carry the empty coffin.

Jhaj was filmed on 17 October last year with up to 200 children and young women playing his fans during a fake movie premiere at Leicester Square, in London.

He was spotted outside the Odeon Luxe cinema, where a red carpet was set up with barricades.

Jhaj can be seen repeatedly parading up and down in different outfits and then greeting some of the extras, in videos and photographs seen by the BBC.

But casting agencies have said actors were kept safe and children had chaperones.
Perched among the brightly coloured houses on Manarolas hillside, the Church of San Lorenzo is a reminder of this tiny Italian towns ancient history.

Dating from 1338, the finely decorated church testifies to a time when the village was supported by its flourishing wine industry. Once Manarolas greatest attraction, for centuries it attracted travellers from far and wide who marvelled at its Ligurian Gothic architecture and beautiful surroundings.

However, when the Mail visited this month, barely any sightseers were lingering outside. This might suggest that tourism is on the decline in Manarola, a Unesco World Heritage site, one of the five famous picture-postcard villages that make up the stretch of rugged coastline known as Cinque Terre on the Italian Riviera. But that couldnt be further from the truth.

Just a short walk down the winding cobbled hill from the church, hordes of rucksack-toting visitors are flooding out of Manarolas small train station.

Colourful buildings in the tiny town of Manarola

An enormous cruise ship not far from the picturesque Cinque Terre coastline

They flock towards the tiny harbour, where others are already competing to get the perfect shot at one of Cinque Terres most Instagrammable locations.

The rocky promontory of Punta Bonfiglio, with its breathtaking backdrop of buildings cascading down the cliffside toward the glistening sea, has become the focal point of tourism in the village.

A series of mini photoshoots are in full swing as tourists frantically preen their hair and strike poses for the camera.

While the Church of San Lorenzo was once a must-see on visitors itineraries, now its just another building in the background for the thousands who rush to Manarola to snap iconic social-media image before swiftly moving on.

Giancarlo Cielano, 79, who lives in the shadow of the church, has witnessed the rise of what locals call fast tourism with a heavy heart. He remembers when visitors would stay for weeks, immersing themselves in local culture.

Before, the five villages were little-known, he says. They were known by word of mouth. It has been a drastic change. Now, tourists come and go in a day. They take their pictures and leave. You no longer see the locals around. Theres no exchange, no greetings, no sense of community any more.

He adds: Normally, when there is a such transformation, it comes in stages, gradually over years. You dont even notice if you do it well because people have time to adapt. But its happened over the space of two years. Its stressful.

Manarola, along with the other Cinque Terre villages of Riomaggiore, Corniglia, Vernazza, and Monterosso, was once largely isolated from the rest of the world, accessible only by footpaths, boats or the occasional train.

But today, the area is among Italys most visited destinations, attracting a record four million tourists in 2023, a staggering increase of one million on the previous year.

And this tourist boom feeds on itself as more and more tourists are lured to the coastline after seeing the photos and videos taken by previous visitors that increasingly saturate Instagram and TikTok.

Nowadays, getting there is straightforward. The Cinque Terre Express train connects the five villages with nearby Levanto town and the city of La Spezia.

One worker in Monterosso tells me many tourists buy a day ticket for 32 (27) and stop at each village for just an hour to say theyve been there and get the picture. The arrival of giant cruise ships has exacerbated the problem, flooding the narrow streets with thousands of visitors daily, most of them hopping from village to village on the train.

They descend in large groups, causing overcrowding on train platforms and making it difficult for locals to complete daily errands, such as attending hospital appointments. Extra attendants have had to be employed to help manage the vast crowds.

Its impossible to get on a train in the peak times. We feel trapped, says a bakery owner who has lived in Manarola her whole life. Cruise ships are the worst. They just come for ten minutes to take a picture. They are always in a rush and order takeaways, demanding that we hurry because they need to get back to their ship.

A bakery owner who has lived in Manarola her whole life says that cruise ships are the worst as they come for just ten minutes to take a picture

More and more visitors are lured to the coastline after seeing the photos and videos taken by previous holidaymakers that increasingly saturate Instagram and TikTok

Its a phenomenon that has left locals grappling with the issue of how to preserve their way of life in the face of this hit and run tourism. While the elderly tend to retreat into their homes, the younger generations have left the villages altogether.

For people like Giancarlo, the impact has been jarring. Like many from his generation, he had looked forward to enjoying his retirement in Manarola, where he was born and brought up. He had settled near the marina to enjoy the tranquillity and rhythm of village life. However, as tourism boomed post-Covid, this peace was shattered.

I want to go in the sea, to take the boat, catch some fish and have a swim, he says. I can go early in the morning but I have to leave before 10am because by then there are too many people.

The increase in tourist numbers has turned the once-serene marina into a heaving mass of humanity and Giancarlo has been forced to retreat to an apartment up the hill. Life has changed for the worse  fewer local inhabitants, too many tourists, lots of business but much less social life.

He admits, though, that the tourists bring cash to the local economy. We see that people around are earning money, so its OK, but its a sacrifice, he says.

His sentiments are echoed by other residents throughout Cinque Terre, who have seen their once peaceful villages transformed into tourist hotspots.

Consuelo Bordigoni, who runs the tourist information centre in Vernazza, is all too familiar with the new breed of visitor.

Tourists come with screen-grabs on their phones of the views theyve seen on TikTok and Instagram, asking for directions so they can emulate the image, she says. Its all they seem to be interested in.

One local newspaper highlighted a competition among bemused tour guides in Liguria for the most absurd questions asked by visitors  mainly Americans.

One guide recounted how cruise passengers disembarking in Portofino ask if they are in Positano, a village on the Amalfi coast some 450 miles away. Similarly, when they dock in Porto Venere, 60 miles down the coast, they will insist they are in Portofino.

Italian-American guide Karen Nilson is particularly frustrated by tourists in Cinque Terre who ask to try a local Aperol Spritz instead of the regions famous Sciacchetra wine. The now ubiquitous cocktail originates from Padua, on the other side of Italy.

Some of the ignorance is perhaps understandable. But the priorities of social-media tourism only seem to encourage it. Nilson tells of one Asian tourist who insisted they werent in Manarola because the colours of the buildings didnt match a Photoshopped image she had seen online. Meanwhile, the crowds continue to grow  to the disenchantment of many who live here all year round.

Many are elderly, and they cant go out until the evenings when its quieter. It becomes so crowded its crazy, Bordigoni says.

Local authorities have tried to manage the influx by increasing train prices but this has only sparked protests from disgruntled locals, who demonstrate carrying signs bearing the words: Cinque Terre is not for sale.

Bordigoni agrees that raising prices isnt the solution. Cruise ships need to work together to spread out the footfall across the day and maybe even limit the number of passengers they bring ashore at one time, she says.

Even the tourists responsible for the chaos are complaining. Alison Pariseau came to Manarola in search of the pastel-coloured homes and rock-jumping scenes she had seen on social media. Instead, the 26-year-old from Boston, Massachusetts, was reduced to tears after finding herself crushed by throngs of tourists.

I found it very overwhelming  the sheer volume of people . . . the pushing on the trains. I just couldnt cope with how claustrophobic it was, she says.

Urgent talks are being held to find ways to prevent the villages from being overcome, with measures such as daily caps on visitors being mooted or schemes that would involve controlling access via ticketing systems.

Eugenio Bordoni, vice president of the Manarola Foundation, says it is a complex phenomenon being driven by digital word of mouth on social media.

He says the only solution is to divert crowds to surrounding areas, adding: In reality, there are many other places nearby that are just as beautiful. I dont see any other way to decongest the area. Its not as if you can remove the desire from peoples heads.

Even so, other villages already have their own problems. An hour away from Cinque Terre, the village of Portofino  which has just over 400 permanent residents  is already deeply embroiled in the debate about over-tourism.

With its enchanting piazza and upscale boutiques, it has long been a jewel of the coast but in recent years it has been overrun by visitors. Last month, a staggering 14,000 tourists descended upon its tiny piazza in 72 hours via six colossal cruise ships.

But Mayor Matteo Viacava insists he has successfully negotiated the redistribution of ship arrivals, prioritising smaller, luxury cruises to ease the problem. I believe this is the ideal standard for Portofino, which cannot be invaded by an excessive number of people, he told a local newspaper.

But he remains opposed to capping numbers or banning cruises, despite a petition from 700 locals demanding exactly that. Portofino must be enjoyed by everyone . . . a restricted number will never be implemented, he argues.

His stance has raised eyebrows among locals, particularly as he closed Portofinos famous public square for a private party to celebrate the engagement of Indian billionaire Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant. Viacava has not disclosed whether the Ambanis paid for the privilege.

Alison Pariseau (left) and her friend, Ava Parent, both 26, from Boston, Massachusetts, were reduced to tears after finding themselves crushed by throngs of tourists

Giancarlo Cielano ahd his wife, Carla, have witnessed the rise of what locals call fast tourism with a heavy heart

The mayor has previously introduced rules to ease congestion, including a ban on selfies in red zones in the village. In an attempt to force tourists to show more respect, wearing swimwear in the village was banned, as was sleeping on public benches. Both offences carry fines of up to 500 (420).

But when I was there last month, as selfie-stick-wielding tourists took pictures in the congested piazza and people alighted from ferries in their bathing suits, no such fines were being issued.

Perhaps the police were too busy enforcing the mayors new crackdown on air-conditioning units. A number of them have been illegally installed on the exterior of Portofinos iconic pastel buildings, a practice that he claims is sullying the villages beauty.

The irony is not lost on locals, who watch as the constant flow of giant ships disgorges endless thousands more passengers.

One letter to daily newspaper Corriere Della Sera captures the growing frustration over the mayors priorities: The mayor has announced his battle against air conditioners which disfigure the village... But then I turn around and I see giant cruise ships, a couple every day disembarking 14,000 passengers in 72 hours.

The writer added that the crowds were crushed like anchovies in a few square metres.

Despite the rising discontent, Portofino is set to be visited by 18 more cruise ships this month and a further 15 in October, bringing the yearly total to a record 117. As these ships depart, many more will plot a course for Cinque Terre, those beautiful and ancient fishing villages that are so ill-prepared to accommodate them.
A woman was held captive and raped in a barn for over four years after meeting a suspect dubbed 'Poland's Josef Fritzl' on a dating website, it is claimed.

The 30-year-old victim, only known as Malgorzata, met Mateusz J in 2019 after connecting on the dating site.

The woman, then in her 20s, travelled to visit him in the village of Gaiki, near Glogow in western Poland.

Afterwards, she was reportedly held in a disused animal barn, and was subject to regular beatings, rape, and mental abuse.

During her imprisonment, the victim had also been impregnated by the 35-year-old suspect.

A victim, only known as Malgorzata, 30, was imprisoned in a disused barn after meeting a man via a dating website in 2019

The suspect only known as Mateusz J, who denies the charges of mental, physical and sexual abuse, was arrested on August 30

Malgorzata was reportedly held in a disused animal barn, and was subject to regular beatings, rape, and mental abuse

At the time, he took the victim to a nearby hospital to give birth, where she was forced to give up her child for adoption, local news outlet myGlogow reports.

'I couldn't tell the doctors the truth, I was afraid, and he threatened me that if I complained, it would get even worse,' the victim told the Telegraph.

Prosecutors say Malgorzota had been held captive in a stone barn previously used to house animals, only four metres away from Mateusz J's unsuspecting neighbours.

They said she had no access to hygiene products, running water, a toilet, electricity or heating during her captivity in the stone structure devoid of light.

They added that he humiliated and controlled the victim, keeping her in complete isolation and only bringing her outside with a hood over her eyes.

Locals described the suspect, who was arrested this week and is facing a 25-year prison sentence for his crimes, as a 'loner' and a 'freak'.

The case has been compared to one of Austria's most infamous crimes, which saw Josef Fritzl keep his daughter imprisoned beneath his home.

During her four year imprisonment, she also fell pregnant and was forced to give up the child

On one occasion Mateusz J allegedly broke her arm, her leg. Last year, she also previously required surgery for a damage to her anus

The sickening criminal then went on to father seven children with his daughter in the dungeon.

Malgorzata was allegedly taken to hospital on several occasions over the course of her captivity.

On one occasion Mateusz J allegedly broke her arm and her leg.

Last year, she also previously required surgery for damage to her anus after it was left scarred by a stake.

On Tuesday, she was brought to hospital once again for a dislocated shoulder, where she alerted staff, who then called the police.

Mateusz J, who has denied any wrongdoing, was arrested and charged with mental, physical, and sexual abuse on August 30.
Senator Linda Reynolds has given at times 'demonstrably wrong' evidence to the WA Supreme Court in her defamation fight against Brittany Higgins, a lawyer for the former staffer has said.

Senator Reynolds is suing Ms Higgins and her husband David Sharaz over a number of social media posts the pair made in 2022 and 2023, which were critical of her handling of Ms Higgins' allegation she was raped in Parliament House in 2019 by her then-colleague Bruce Lehrmann.

Rachel Young SC, acting for Ms Higgins, told the court on Monday Senator Reynolds should be found to be an unreliable witness unless the information she gave had been corroborated by other witnesses.

Ms Young said the senator gave answers throughout her evidence about the conduct of other people, particularly Ms Higgins and the Attorney General, when they were not called for.

She said the senator even told the court that these events had led to Senator's Kitching's untimely death.

Ms Young told the court the senator's evidence was 'problematic, unreliable and self-serving' and at times were 'demonstrably wrong.'

Mr Lehrmann was charged with rape and faced trial in 2022, but the trial was aborted due to juror misconduct.

The charge was dropped and Mr Lehrmann continues to maintain his innocence.

Linda Reynolds is suing her former staffer Brittany Higgins (right) and her husband David Sharaz (left) over social media posts the pair made in 2022 and 2023.

Senator Linda Reynolds (pictured) has given at times 'demonstrably wrong' evidence to the WA Supreme Court in her defamation fight against her former staffer

Mr Lehrmann lost a subsequent civil defamation case in April this year when the Federal Court determined, on the balance of probabilities, that Mr Lehrmann had raped Ms Higgins at Parliament House. He is appealing that decision.

SENATOR'S EVIDENCE 'PROBLEMATIC': DEFENCE

Ms Young argued Senator Reynolds' evidence was problematic because she knew or suspected a sexual assault had taken place.

During her evidence, Senator Reynolds denied knowing there could have been a sexual assault in her office, and had not wanted to jump to conclusions.

Ms Young said the answer was 'problematic.'

She said the senator told the court she was 'gobsmacked' and 'angry' because she had never heard of staffers entering Parliament House after hours while drunk.

Ms Young said there was evidence that the most probable inference the senator knew or suspected that Ms Higgins had been sexually assaulted.

Some of the evidence included the DPS Report, which the senator said she had carefully read, which documented that Ms Higgins was clearly affected by alcohol and was found undressed in the senator's office.

Ms Young told the court the senator had thought counselling should be offered to Ms Higgins, despite her not mentioning anything about a sexual assault.

She said the senator had invited Ms Higgins' father to a meeting, and it would not make sense to invite him if that meeting had just been about the security breach.

The lawyer also argued the senator's meeting with Australian Federal Police deputy commissioner Leanne Close revealed she had prior knowledge which was corroborated by what the senator said to the AFP officer.

Brittany Higgins lawyers Rachael Young (right), Kate Pedersen (left) and Carmel Galati (behind) arrive at the Supreme Court on Monday. Picture: NewsWire / Sharon Smith

'We say you should accept the evidence of deputy commissioner close over the senator's evidence which can't be believed,' she said.

'Close had a particular memory of this meeting, contrary to the plaintiff's submission.'

Ms Young argued the senator told Ms Close during their meeting that they became aware of the incident on Tuesday, that it happened on Saturday on my couch.

'The deputy commissioner's records state the senator pointed to the couch and says we found out through a DPS report,' she said.

'What is important about that comment... is that Deputy Commissioner Close explained that she had not thought it occurred in the senator's office,' she said.

'She was quite surprised because she did not realise they were talking about a sexual assault in her office and they were sitting in a crime scene.

'This evidence is entirely believable from an officer with 33 year's experience.

'A highly experience police officer with that kind of memory peg that we were sitting in a crime scene is entirely believable.'

SENATOR'S ACTIONS QUESTIONABLE, DEFENCE SAYS

Ms Young said the court should find Ms Higgins' justifications were made out through evidence that the senator harassed her client.

She said the senator had leaked confidential material to the media and carried out questionable conduct during the criminal trial by interacting with the lawyer representing Mr Lehrmann.

She said the senator's submission in the Sofronoff inquiry demonstrated she wanted to make it a criminal offence for complainants to speak out to the media or parliament.

'The senator wished to silence sexual assault victims,' she said.

Ms Young told the court Ms Higgins' posts were protected by qualified privilege, and defences of fair comment and honest opinion.

Lawyers for Senator Reynolds and Ms Higgins will deliver their closing arguments in the case this week. Picture: NewsWire / Sharon Smith

'MISHANDLING' ALLEGATIONS

Ms Young told the court the senator mishandled Ms Higgins' allegations by being aware of the alleged incident in her office, but still chose to have the meeting there.

She said the meeting with Ms Higgins and chief of staff Fiona Brown took place just metres from the couch.

Ms Young argued it was clear from the DPS report that Ms Higgins was found undressed on the couch in the senator's office.

She said it was also clear in Ms Close's evidence that the senator knew it happened on the couch in her office.

'If there was any suspicion that the activity occurred in her private office, the fact the senator chose her office for the meeting was problematic,' she said.

'The office was an inappropriate place for a private meeting.'

SENATOR LEAKED 'CONFIDENTIAL' COMMUNICATIONS

Ms Young said an interview Senator Reynolds gave on spotlight also formed part of the harassment justification.

She said the senator gave her view point on Ms Higgins' allegations against her, but it went much further when she talked about the veracity of Ms Higgins' rape allegation.

She said during the TV interview, the senator responded 'yes' to a question that asked her about the multimillion-dollar Commonwealth settlement being paid on 'the basis of crime that may not have been committed'.

Ms Young said the senator's statement had undermined Ms Higgins' claim and the settlement she received.

Ms Young argued there was nothing wrong with putting an alternative viewpoint to the media, but it crossed the line and became harassment when the comments undermined Ms Higgins rape allegation.

She said the senator could have said she thought she had done everything to support her former employee or had tried to give her agency and left it at that.

'That view would have been accepted as a defensible comment,' she said.

'The line is crossed when the senator's position is to deploy communications that are confidential to defend her position.

'These were very particular things the senator disseminated.'

Ms Young said the communciations that were leaked by the senator were confidential and privileged.

'When the line is crossed when she has obtained this communication as her former employer, then they are disseminated,' she said.

SENATOR DISTRESSED BEFORE POSTS

Ms Young told the court Senator Reynolds had felt distressed and upset about allegations she mishandled Ms Higgins rape prior to the social media posts in question.

She said the senator had blamed her former employee for her political demise.

Ms Young said evidence provided by 25 witnesses that were called during the trial did not provide much material about the impact the social media posts had on the senator.

Ms Young said the actual issue that needed to be resolved was the impact of the scrutiny which was most acute in 2021.

She argued those factors were born from questioning in the senate and her own conduct when she called Ms Higgins a 'lying cow'.

Ms Young said it was also significant that the senator had pre-existing mental and health issues, and could not continue in her defence portfolio.

Ms Young said during the trial the court was told how the senator had improved in 2022 and 2023.

'By the time we get to the publication of Ms Higgins' posts which she is being sued upon the position is vastly different for the senator,' she said.

'PLAN' NOT PROVEN

Ms Young told the court allegations by the senator about a 'plan' contrived by Ms Higgins her husband to destroy the senator and bring down the Morrison Government was not proved.

She said publicity about the allegations is what should have been expected on the grounds of accountability.

Ms Young said the senator was fixated on the politicisation of this matter, which she consistently brought up during her evidence by attacking the Attorney-General, Labor senators and the Commonwealth settlement in respect to the alleged rape.

Ms Young said that focus did not assist the court to deal with matters in the defamation proceedings.

The court has been told Senator Linda Reynolds' evidence in court was 'problematic'. Picture: NewsWire / Sharon Smith

HIGGINS' HEAVY BURDEN

Ms Higgins defence lawyer Rachael Young began her closing remarks saying that the rape of her client in 2019 has caused and continues to cause her much suffering.

Ms Young told the court when her client spoke out it brought attention to gendered violence and safety issues and how they are handled in Australian workplaces that led to reforms.

She argued the scrutiny senator Reynolds' faced in the aftermath about her conduct should have been expected as the employer of the accused and victim.

'Without question the heaviest burden will continue to be faced by Ms Higgins, throughout her life and on her mental health,' said.

Hundreds of documents were tendered to the WA Supreme Court last week which saw lawyers argue over last minute evidence before they deliver their closing statements over three days from Monday.

Text messages and correspondence between various players were submitted to the court as lawyers set out to prove their case.

The week had been set aside to hear evidence from Ms Higgins, but her lawyers told the court she would not longer be called to the witness stand and provided medical reports to excuse her from giving oral evidence.

Instead, Justice Paul Tottle agreed to accept portions of evidence from Ms Higgins that had been provided to other courts during the criminal trial and Mr Lehrmann's defamation case against Network 10.

HIGH PROFILE WITNESSES

Over the course of the trial, high profile witnesses gave evidence including former prime minister Scott Morrison, former senator Marise Payne and award-winning news.com.au political editor Samantha Maiden who broke the story after she interviewed Ms Higgins about her allegations in 2021.

From Monday to Wednesday this week, the court will hear from lawyers representing the senator and Ms Higgins as they deliver their closing statements in the high-stakes case.

Both parties risk losing their homes, with Senator Reynolds revealing she had to mortgage her home to cover legal fees for the trial which could run to more than $1m.

Ms Higgins revealed she would be forced to sell her $700,000 house in France in order to defend the case brought by Senator Reynolds.

The pair purchased the five-bedroom chateau in Lunas after moving overseas last year for a 'fresh start'.
Two Romanians have been jailed after using 'shimming' devices to clone their victims' card information at ATMs and steal $36,000.

A 34-year-old man and 33-year-old woman were respectively sentenced to four years and two years behind bars on Friday after installing shimmers on ATMs across Sydney and Melbourne.

'ATM shimmers are thin, card-sized metal devices that act like a spacer when inserted into the card slot of an ATM,' the Australian Federal Police said in a statement.

'The devices are designed to record the data on the card magnetic stripe and chip, which can then be accessed later by the offender when the shimmer is retrieved.'

AFP officers raided a home in Rhodes, Sydney's Inner West, and the man and woman's rented car in August 2023.

They seized $12,935 in cash, multiple shimming devices, false identity documents, electronic devices, card readers and SIM cards. The pair were arrested shortly after.

AFP launched its investigation into the scam after receiving an alert from the United States Secret Service about a consignment of ATM shimmers sent to Australia.

Investigators were able to identify the Romanians through a series of suspicious packages sent from the United Kingdom, China and the United States.

Two Romanians have been arrested after using 'shimming' ATM devices to clone victims' card information and steal $36,000 (pictured, one of the scammers)

A 34-year-old man and 33-year-old woman were respectively sentenced to four years and two years behind bars on Friday after installing shimmers on ATMs (pictured, cash recovered from their property)

Officers later witnessed the pair installing the shimming devices in ATMs in Melbourne and Sydney before attending banks to withdraw or transfer money using stolen card data.

Both the man and woman pleaded guilty to several fraud charges in May and were sentenced to jail in Campbelltown District Court, Sydney, on Friday.

The man faces four years and two months' imprisonment, with a non-parole period of two years and six months'.

The woman was sentenced to two years and six months' imprisonment, with a non-parole period of one year and six months'.

She will be eligible for parole from 3 February 2025.

Both are expected to be deported after serving their sentences.

AFP detective superintendent Tim Stainton said the arrests were a 'great example' of the AFP-led Joint Policing Cybercrime Coordination Centre's ability to crackdown on financial crimes.

Both the man and woman pleaded guilty to several fraud charges in May and were sentenced to jail in Campbelltown District Court, Sydney, on Friday (pictured, one of the scammers)

The pair used a 'shimming' device (pictured) to clone ATM users' card information

'The intelligence sharing and joint investigation between the USSS, banks and state and territory police partners has helped us identify and prosecute cyber criminals scamming, stealing and defrauding innocent Australians,' he said.

'Criminals will unashamedly use any tools they have available to exploit people for their own greedy profit, at the expense of Australians who are already doing it tough.

'This should serve as a reminder that no matter where you are, your criminal actions can always be traced, and the AFP will not hesitate to bring you before the courts.'
Nat Barr has grilled Tanya Plibersek over her decision to issue an Indigenous heritage protection order over a proposed $1billion gold mine in New South Wales.

Regis Resources, the company behind the project, near Blayney, in central western NSW, insists it could take a decade to get it back on track.

The Environment Minister had issued the protection order rejecting the proposed site of a tailings dam at the mine in mid-August.

The Wiradjuri Traditional Owners Central West Aboriginal Corporation asked the minister to protect the headwaters and the springs of the Belubula River as a site central to creation stories.

That's despite the NSW Independent Planning Commission originally approving the mine in March 2023, a process that involved consultation with the Orange Local Aboriginal Land Council, the elected body for local Indigenous leaders.

Orange Local Aboriginal Land Council representative Roy Ah-See said Ms Plibersek's decision undermined the recognised authority of the council.

'Not all Aboriginal people are about environmentalists, we're about economic empowerment for our people,' Mr Ah-See said.

'Our kids want to be a part of the economic base for future generations.'

A war of words broke out on Sunrise on Monday morning after Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek issued an Indigenous heritage protection order over a proposed $1billion gold mine in New South Wales

The issue was brought up on Sunrise on Monday morning where former deputy prime minister Barnaby Joyce slammed Ms Plibersek's decision to issue the order as 'nonsensical'.

'The company warned the government in June that a decision like this would end the project. They advised you not to make this order that the tailings dam could not be put in that spot. Why did you ignore that advice?' Barr asked Ms Plibersek.

Ms Plibersek hit back:'It is a 2,500 hectare site and I said that they can't put a waste dump on 400 hectares of the site,' Ms Plibersek said.

'The company said to us that they have looked at four different sites and 30 different designs for the tailings dam and I'm sure if there is $7billion worth of gold in the ground as they said, it is in their interests to find a new spot for the tailings dam.'

Barr noted the NSW Environment Protection Authority said the impact on the Belubula River would be 'minimal'.

'Three of the four other sites are in the declare area that you are talking about according to the company. The fourth site would apparently have more impact than this site.

'So where are you suggesting that the tailings dam could be?' the Sunrise host asked.

Ms Plibersek then said it was not up to her to design the project.

'The company said it would be five to ten more years to get a site through,' Barr said.

'That's nonsense,' Ms Plibersek interrupted.

'I have doubled on time approvals since coming to government. Just recently I approved a project in nine weeks because it was in the right location and had the right environmental protections and we can do it quickly if the project is designed properly.'

Regis Resources, the company behind the project, near Blayney, in central western NSW, insists it could take a decade to get it back on track

Earlier in the interview, Mr Joyce had blasted Ms Plibersek over the halting of the goldmine.

'You can't have this arbitrary blocking of issues that put the threat of economic prosperity of our nation as it happened in Blayney with the goldmine,' he said.

'Once you have an arbitrary decision that doesn't make sense, that is nonsensical, that doesn't stack up it and it seems like it was plucked out of the thin air for the benefit of a pressure group rather than benefit of the local community.'

Regis chief executive Jim Beyer earlier said the order rendered the project unviable because the alternative sites for the tailings dam also fell under the exclusion area.

'We've got quite a task ahead of us to understand what the alternative is to the tailings facility,' Mr Beyer told reporters in Orange last week.

It would take years to complete the necessary geotechnical drilling and environmental surveys to identify a new location, he said.

'Right now we're not exactly sure what direction we can take,' he said.

'We will look at it because it's a project worth pursuing, but we just don't know how long. It could be five to 10 years.'

Regis executives have met with several NSW government ministers to consider potential ways forward.

Premier Chris Minns said the company should be able to 'get on with it' and file a new development application without re-starting the lengthy planning process.

'The planning system in NSW is too complex, too difficult, too long, too many hoops for people to jump through,' Mr Minns told the conference.

'We've said to the company, ''we don't want you to start at stage one''.'
Channel Seven bosses in contact with complainants from Nine and ABC

EXCLUSIVE

Seven's main rivals have been dragged into the scandal surrounding its sacked star crime reporter as fresh claims continue to emerge about his allegedly 'inappropriate conduct'.

Daily Mail Australia can reveal the network has been in contact with women from both Nine and the ABC regarding complaints about their past interactions with Walkley Award-winning journalist Robert Ovadia.

It is understood their concerns relate to conversations they allegedly had with Ovadia while covering news events in Sydney.

'This is no longer just a Channel Seven problem,' one source familiar with the case told Daily Mail Australia. 'This is now (allegedly) an industry-wide problem.'

It is not known whether any of the women complained about the interactions at the time or reported their concerns to senior staff at their own networks.

Ovadia has repeatedly and vehemently denied any wrongdoing or inappropriate conduct on his part during his award-winning, 23-year career at Seven.

It comes as sources revealed Seven has unearthed a number of allegedly damning historic text and email comments made by their former reporter during his time at the network.

Seven sacked its former star crime reporter Robert Ovadia following an investigation in June

The scandal surrounding Seven's former reporter had now spread to rival networks

The messages were uncovered by an exhaustive internal audit of all the veteran reporter's previous work communications following his shock sacking in June.

According to sources close to the investigation, the married 51-year-old allegedly made a number of 'inappropriate remarks' about young female colleagues in the correspondence.

It is understood the exchanges occurred a number of years ago and no concerns have ever been previously raised about the conversations.

His lawyer, John Laxon, told Daily Mail Australia they were unaware of the latest allegations as Seven had repeatedly refused to furnish them with details of its claims against the embattled reporter.

'I'm aghast Seven is making these allegations and they shouldn't be,' Mr Laxon said.

The startling developments come after Daily Mail Australia last week revealed Seven was determined to 'draw a line in the sand' and slug it out in court with Ovadia after he launched an unlawful dismissal action against the network.

Seven had initially been open to a conciliatory resolution with its former staffer but had a change of heart after its months-long internal audit revealed - what it will claim is - repeated instances of inappropriate conduct.

At least one woman at competitor Nine has allegedly come forward with claims against Ovadia

Ovadia was sacked by Seven on June 21 following an internal investigation into his conduct, prompted by inquiries from the ABC's flagship Four Corners program.

The show's investigative reporter Louise Milligan had asked Seven about a series of email and text exchanges between Ovadia and a young female producer.

The messages allegedly included cartoon images depicting the junior staffer as a pole dancer and Ovadia as a chiselled Spartan warrior and the hammer-wielding Norse god Thor.

Question were also raised about an 'inappropriate' image Ovadia allegedly sent a male colleague of a flaccid penis he had downloaded from the internet.

The interaction had come after the male colleague asked for an image of a man named 'Dick' for an upcoming story.

Ovadia launched legal action against Seven on August 9, claiming the broadcaster had breached the terms of his contract and had no basis for axing him.

He also claimed the network's newly-appointed news boss, Anthony De Ceglie, deliberately made statements 'calculated to demean, offend and injure' him.

Seven is defending both of those allegations.

Ovadia is accused of sending inappropriate cartoon images to a young female producer

His text and email exchanges also allegedly included images of him as a Spartan warrior

Sevens barrister, Vanja Bulut, last Thursday told the Federal Court that 13 more women had come forward with complaints about Ovadia since he was fired.

'Subsequent to the applicants dismissal, 13 more females came forward. The applicant has been put on notice to that,' Ms Bulut told Justice Elizabeth Raper.

'My client has written setting out the additional allegations that have come to light. Those documents have been provided to the applicant.

'Even if they (Seven) didnt have a basis to primarily terminate the applicants employment at that time, the conduct that has come to light subsequently does provide a basis.'

Ovadia's barrister, Andrew, Gotting, said that while his client had received some of the material, many of the particulars had been redacted.

It is understood Seven made the extensive redactions to protect the privacy of the complainants.

The courtroom drama unfolded after the Fair Work Commission failed to settle the dispute through mediation six weeks earlier in July.

Its attempt to resolve the matter during a video hook-up between the opposing parties quickly broke down, with Seven refusing to participate in any further sessions.

Ovadia has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing or inappropriate conduct on his part

Ovadia - who did not attend the directions hearing - claimed the allegations against him were part of a plot to 'bully' him into dropping his case against his former television employer.

'The claims are baseless and Seven has never provided evidence despite repeated requests,' he said last Thursday.

'Even in court today, no evidence to support any of this  just a dirty tactic to try to bully me away from defending himself.'

The television industry has long been dogged by allegations female staffers' careers are often defined by senior male colleagues' views about their appearance, rather than being judged on their professional merits.

Nine's former head of news and current affairs John Westacott was accused of saying female reporters had to be 'f***able' during a 2008 unfair dismissal action brought against the network by reporter Christin Spiteri.

'To make it in this industry you gotta have f***ability. To make it in this game, women have to be f***able,' the late Nine News boss was alleged to have said.

Australia's leading broadcasters are all conducting reviews of their newsroom culture

The spreading scandal has come after the industry was rocked by a raft of serious complaints about bullying, harassment and horrendous workplace culture.

Nine network chief Mike Sneesby announced an independent review into its newsroom culture in May.

Although Nine was initially expected to report its findings by next month, it now looks certain that the investigation will continue into the new year.

It is understood the delay follows an unexpected deluge of bullying and harassment complaints from past and present Nine staffers about some of the network's sitting senior managers.

The ABC is also reviewing its newsroom culture after an internal survey in June found widespread allegations of bullying and sexual harassment within the national broadcaster.

Meanwhile, Ten last week reached a private settlement with former political reporter Tegan George, who claimed she had suffered severe trauma after covering the deadly 2019-2020 NSW bushfires.
A 'glitch' at Chase bank's ATMs which allowed customers to withdraw money from their account after depositing fake checks for large sums has seen a wave of people flaunt their cash online.

It appears some Chase customers wrote checks with outlandish amounts and deposited them to get tens of thousands of dollars that weren't theirs, which had some calling it an 'infinite money hack.'

But experts say this isn't a harmless life hack but rather a case classic check fraud, which is punishable by fines and jail time in serious cases.

Social media users who 'tried' the hack reported seeing the money initially reflected in their account balance or were able to get cash from ATMs before their fake checks cleared.

However Chase, one of the oldest banks in the country, was quick to crack down, leading to many customers posting update videos where they're devastated over huge negative balances in their accounts.

'We are aware of this incident, and it has been addressed. Regardless of what you see online, depositing a fraudulent check and withdrawing the funds from your account is fraud, plain and simple,' a Chase spokesperson told DailyMail.com.

One of the most recognizable videos to come out of this short-lived trend showed a man walking out of a Chase branch in Yonkers, New York, and cheering as he fanned out a wad of cash

Later in the video, they cruise through the streets with hundred dollar bills in their hands and their Chase debit cards in their mouths

Multiple images and videos have emerged of dozens of people lining up outside Chase bank branches, allegedly hoping to exploit the so-called money glitch

Chase declined to comment any further on how people were able to circumvent its safety protocols.

One of the most recognizable videos to come out of this short-lived trend showed a man walking out of a Chase branch in Yonkers, New York, and cheering as he fanned out a wad of cash.

Three of his friends surrounded him as they all celebrated their ill-gotten gains.

They then cruise through the streets hanging out of their car holding hundred dollar bills in their hands and beaming with their Chase debit cards in their mouths.

Other videos showed dozens of people lining up outside Chase branches, allegedly hoping to exploit the supposed glitch.

The euphoria was short lived though, as people began to share screenshots of their Chase accounts with scarily large negative balances.

Both of these people are showing their negative account balances after they allegedly engaged in the Chase money glitch

Many people also took the opportunity to make fun of the people who fell for get-rich-quick scheme through snappy memes

This person joked that people are putting themselves in 'generational debt to buy a nice car they'll own for two days before all their assets are seized by the bank.'

One visibly distressed man showed pending deductions from his account's balance, one for $31,000 and another for over $7,000. Both were due to an ATM or deposit error.

'F**k man,' he said as he rubs his face. 'They really told me to tap in, the next day it was supposed to clear, but look at my account.'

Another person showed that his account was nearly $11,000 in the red after taking part in the trend.

Many people also took the opportunity to make fun of the people who fell for get-rich-quick scheme through snappy memes.

One person joked that people are putting themselves in 'generational debt to buy a nice car they'll own for two days before all their assets are seized by the bank.'

Others didn't quite see the humor in it, instead opting to warn people what may be coming for them.

This woman said Chase is going to ' put a hurtin' on ' anyone who engaged in this fraud

Jim Wang, a popular financial educator on TikTok, posted his own take on the Chase glitch mania and warned people that they'll face serious consequences for what they've done

One woman said Chase is going to 'put a hurtin' on' anyone who engaged in this fraud and criticized people for being foolish enough to post their stealing on social media.

'Go ahead and spend that money now,' she said. 'Who told you this was going to be a safe way to get money. You don't think that this is going to be trackable?'

Jim Wang, a popular financial educator on TikTok, posted his own take on the Chase glitch mania and warned people that they'll face serious consequences for what they've done.

'In the case of this "glitch," it was just check fraud. Youre going to get in huge trouble if you do something like this,' he said.

'Just because money appears in your account, doesnt mean its literally yours,' he said. 'If you spend it and are forced to pay it back youre going to have to figure out a way to pay it back.'

Many people who did the glitch complained that they were now in debt, but that could be the least of their worries.

Check fraud can be prosecuted at the state or federal level.

The maximum punishment for large thefts of money from financial institutions is a fine of $1 million and 30 years of imprisonment.
A Florida dive boat captain is facing charges of 'seaman's manslaughter' more than four years after he reversed into a couple and left the wife stuck in moving propellers.

Dustin McCabe, 49, was only on his third trip aboard the Southern Comfort in March 2020, when he took Sean Flynn and Mollie Ghiz-Flynn to an area known as Breaker's Reef for a diving trip.

The couple resurfaced after finishing their first dive, and the crew onboard the ship waved them back to the boat, a now settled-lawsuit claims, according to Click Orlando.

But as the couple tried to re-board, McCabe allegedly put the boat in reverse, causing both Sean and Mollie to get sucked under.

Ghiz-Flynn then got pulled into the moving propellers, and her husband was unable to free her.

Dustin McCabe, 49, is facing federal charges of 'seamen's manslaughter'

Two people onboard then jumped into the water to help pull her out, and gave her CPR, Florida Today reported at the time.

Unfortunately, the lawsuit says their efforts to save Ghiz-Flynn were in vain, and Sean 'watched in horror to the futile efforts to save his wife, who was declared dead by the time the vessel returned to the marina.

'Cause of death was determined to be "drowning" with "chop wounds of the lower extremities as a significant contributing factor,"' read the lawsuit, which was settled in November 2020.

But McCabe is now facing charges of manslaughter, with federal prosecutors claiming his negligence 'caused the life of [Ghiz-Flynn] to be destroyed,' the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports.

Federal prosecutors say he was acting negligently when he took Sean Flynn and Mollie Ghiz-Flynn on a dive on March 29, 2022

Prosecutors say he bought the 48-foot boat named the Southern Comfort in March 2020, which he told the US Coast Guard he would use for recreational purposes.

But he instead used the ship to conduct paid scuba charters out of Palm Beach County.

Federal prosecutors further allege that following the tragedy, McCabe was suspended from providing paid services with his boat, but he still used his business, Florida Scuba Charters Inc., to apply for two loans under the COVID-era Payment Protection Program.

He received two separate loans that were both later forgiven, one for more than $18,000 and another for more than $20,000, according to the Sun-Sentinel.

As such, McCabe is now also facing one count of making false statements and three counts of wire fraud.

He was arrested late last month by Coast Guard Investigative Service special agents and is now facing up to 35 years behind bars.

McCabe is scheduled to make his first court appearance on September 12.

Ghiz-Flynn was sucked into the propellers of the boat after McCabe allegedly put the boat in reverse

He had previously settled a wrongful death suit filed by Flynn.

The terms of the settlement were never disclosed, according to the Palm Beach Post.

The suit had also named North Palm Beach Marina as a defendant, because at the time of the fatal accident, there was a ban on dive boats as part of a COVID lock down.

It claimed the marina never should have facilitated the dive in the first place.

DailyMail.com has reached out to the marina for comment.

But following the settlement, an attorney representing Flynn said he is 'pleased we were able to obtain some semblance of justice for Sean and for Mollie's family.

'Mollie's life was taken too soon and it was important to seek full accountability for what was a preventable tragedy,' Michael Winkleman told the Palm Beach Post.

An online obituary described Ghiz-Flynn as a devoted wife to her husband, whom she married in July 2017

Ghiz-Flynn's father, Jack Ghiz, remembered his daughter in the aftermath as 'the most wonderful, beautiful person in the world.

'She could do no wrong,' he told Florida Today. 'She was glue to the family. Everybody loved her.'

An online obituary also described her as a selfless woman and a devoted wife.

'If you were in her presence, you knew she was special from her beauty to her no-nonsense personality; you always knew where you stood with her,' it said.

It went on to say that Ghiz-Flynn was a teenage model, who loved swimming.

'Her bravery was unbelievable, and from a young age, she had no fear,' the obituary says.

'Her family would frequent the waterparks, where she barely made the height restrictions on the scariest rides. But nothing was going to stop her from getting on and riding them; she was fearless.'

Later in life, Ghiz-Flynn worked with students who had disabilities and taught young adults with Asperger's Syndrome life skills.

'She was always looking out for others, sometimes before herself.'

She married Flynn on July 1, 2017 in a wedding she planned herself.

'Mollie treasured Sean and the life they shared,' the obituary says.

'Sean was the only one who broke through her hard, outer persona, and he fell in love with the sweet, loving, compassionate and beautiful Mollie her and her family had always known.'
A murder investigation has started following the death of a man who was stabbed in east London.

Police were called to reports of an incident in Romford Road, Forest Gate, near the junction with Woodgrange Road, on August 10.

Officers and London Ambulance Service attended and found 38-year-old Saley Beya with stab injuries.

He was taken to hospital for treatment but died on Thursday, the Metropolitan Police said.

On Sunday, the force said a 28-year-old man has appeared in court charged with section 18 GBH and it will be liaising with the Crown Prosecution Service to amend the indictment.

Officers and London Ambulance Service attended and found 38-year-old Saley Beya (pictured) with stab injuries

Police were called to reports of an incident in Romford Road, Forest Gate, near the junction with Woodgrange Road, (pictured) on August 10

Detective Chief Inspector Kelly Allen, from the Met's Specialist Crime Command, is leading the investigation and said: 'We still need people with information to come forward and tell us what they know about this tragic incident.

'Our inquiries have established that there was traffic in Romford Road, including two buses, and people would have seen these events unfold. There was also a car which had to stop in the road as the attack took place.

'I would urge anyone who saw this incident, or anyone who took images or footage of the attack, to get in contact immediately.'

Hamza Shahmonhiran Kamali, 28, of Henniker Road, E15, appeared at Stratford Magistrates' Court on August 19 charged with section 18 GBH.

He was remanded in custody to next appear at Snaresbrook Crown Court on September 16.
Tim Walz's older brother has warned that the Democratic vice presidential hopeful is 'not the type of character' you want in the White House.

Jeff Walz, 67, took to Facebook last week to share his concerns about his younger brother running alongside Kamala Harris.

'The stories I could tell,' he stated in one of the posts, a five-word warning that may send shudders down the spines of staff at Harris HQ.

The married father-of-two was urged to throw his weight behind the Trump campaign by other Facebook users when he declared Friday evening: 'I'm 100% opposed to all his ideology.'

Jeff, who lives in Freeport, Florida, with his wife Laurie, followed up that post by replying to others who told him to 'speak up ... at this pivotal moment in history.'

Tim Walz has an estranged brother named Jeff (pictured left with wife Laurie) who says the Minnesota governor is 'not the type of character you want making decisions about your future'

'I've thought long and hard about doing something like that! I'm torn between that and just keeping my family out of it,' Jeff said.

'The stories I could tell. Not the type of character you want making decisions about your future.'

He stated that he and Tim haven't spoken in eight years.

Jeff and his wife Laurie live on the Florida panhandle in Freeport.

In a post to his social media, Jeff was seen fishing in Costa Rica earlier this year.

'Its been a dream for many years. Most exciting fishing Ive ever done!' he wrote.

The couple formerly owned a musical instrument store from 2001 to 2010, public records show.

In addition to Jeff, Tim has a sister Sandy Dietrich, 63, who lives in Nebraska, where the Walz family grew up. Another brother, Craig, 44, died when a tree fall on him at a campsite in Minnesota eight years ago.

Jeff previously attracted attention for a post he wrote in May of 2023 when Trump was indicted over payments to porn start Stormy Daniels by a Manhattan grand jury.

He wrote: 'We've just become a third world banana republic'.

His latest comments blew up after his liberal 60-year-old younger brother became Harris' running mate.

A commenter wrote on the post on Friday that he should 'have a talk' with his brother over the situation.

Jeff Walz responded: 'Haven't spoke to him in eight years. I'm 100% opposed to all his ideology. My family wasn't given any notice that he was selected and denied security the days after'.

Another commenter seized upon the opportunity and asked him to 'get on stage with President Trump and endorse him', arguing it would 'Help MAGA' and 'save this country'.

'I've thought hard about doing something like that', Walz explained. 'I'm torn between that and just keeping my family out of it.'

Federal Elections Commission records show that the elder Walz brother has donated to Trump in the past.

He then teased the possibility of more gossip about a man who has already stretched the truth about his military service and fertility treatments, as well as having a DUI in his younger days.

'The stories I could tell', he said. 'Not the type of character you want making decisions about your future.'

He also admitted that he and his brother have not spoken to one another in eight years, though he did not elaborate on why.

Walz's brother said that he hasn't spoken to the Democrat in eight years and is '100% opposed to all his ideology'

Much like his brother, Walz has worked as a teacher in the past, even serving as an assistant principal.

Jeff has told reporters reaching out to him since the posts that he does not plan to do interviews.

The story recalls Barack Obama's half-brother Malik, who often spoke out of his disapproval of his brother's policies.

He's not the first family member of this presidential ticket to disown someone over their ideology.

It was revealed earlier this week in a DailyMail.com exclusive that Kamala Harris' father Donald owns a home less than a mile away from Harris' office in the West Wing but has never visited.

Donald has kept a deliberate distance, determined to stay away from what he has described as the 'political hullabaloo' surrounding his daughter, whose controversial comments he once criticized as 'a travesty'.

For her part, Harris has previously described their relationship as 'not close'.

Her father, who turned 86 in recent weeks, is a former professor of economics whose politics do little to persuade the Democrats' critics that Kamala is not a proponent of hard-left beliefs.

The far left Minnesota leader has polled relatively well since joining Kamala Harris' ticket but you might see his brother Jeff Walz on the campaign trail for Donald Trump

The story recalls Barack Obama's half-brother Malik , who often spoke out of his disapproval of his brother's policies

Forged in 1960s academia, his aggressively Marxist outlook makes him a lightning rod for attacks by Republicans.

The rupture between them dates back to Kamala's early childhood.

In 2018, Donald made his only public intervention in his daughter's political career to date  brutally scolding her for comments she'd made about marijuana.

While promoting her memoir, the then-Senator rejected the idea she was opposed to legalizing pot, saying in a podcast interview: 'That's not true. And look, I joke about it, half joking  half my family's from Jamaica, are you kidding me?'

That 'half of her family' is her father's side and Prof Harris was not amused by the apparent reference to a marijuana-smoking stereotype.

In a statement to a Jamaican news outlet, he raged: 'My dear departed grandmothers, as well as my deceased parents must be turning in their grave right now. Speaking for myself and my immediate Jamaican family, we wish to categorically dissociate ourselves from this travesty.'

There was no public response from his daughter or her campaign team. But the familial broadside was shocking. Soon enough, Prof Harris was forced to walk back his anger.

In a statement to Politico, he said: 'I have decided to stay out of all the political hullabaloo by not engaging in any interviews with the media.'

Kamala's true feelings for her father remain opaque. In 2021, the Vice President told the Washington Post that they were on 'good terms'.

Two years later, a statement to the San Francisco Weekly was more nuanced. 'My father is a good guy, but we are not close,' she said.
Police are investigating dozens of 'virtual reality' crimes as serious as rape and threats to kill, new figures show.

Multiple forces across England and Wales have launched investigations into crimes related to virtual reality as more people turn to the immersive world of gaming.

Figures released under Freedom of Information show that crimes including rape, threats to kill, child sexual offences, stalking and even 'violence against the person' are being probed, even though many of the alleged offences took place in a computer-generated environment rather than the real world.

The figures show that at least five forces have investigated virtual reality linked offences in the last year.

The development comes after the Mail revealed earlier this year that a police force in the UK was investigating a rape in the metaverse for the first time.

The figures show that at least five forces have investigated virtual reality linked offences in the last year (Stock Image)

Chair of the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners Donna Jones (pictured) said the growth of online harm has been 'really concerning'. She warned parents to be 'alive' to what their children are exposed to

A girl under the age of 16 went to police last year saying she had been gang raped by strangers in a virtual reality game.

Although the victim did not suffer any injures as there was no physical attack, officers decided to investigate as she was assessed as suffering the same psychological and emotional trauma as someone who has been raped in the real world.

New figures show that further offences connected to virtual reality gaming have since been reported to police in Cambridgeshire, West Mercia, Northamptonshire, West Midlands and West Yorkshire.

West Mercia Police received the most reports linked to virtual reality gaming, with 17 offences including arranging or facilitating the commission of a child sex offence, making or distributing 'indecent photographs or pseudo- photographs of children' and assault.

Although two of those cases related to residential burglaries when virtual reality handsets were stolen from properties.

Officers only brought charges in relation to one case of arranging or facilitating the commission of a child sex offence.

Northamptonshire Police have investigated four crimes relating to virtual reality including threats to kill, disclosing private sexual images including photographs and videos to cause distress, stalking involving fear of violence and harassment without violence

Last year West Yorkshire recorded 'crimes occurring in virtual reality' of 'violence against the person' and 'sexual offences'.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer (centre) walks with police officers from the West Midlands Police Force. The force recorded three 'crimes occurring in virtual reality' since 2021 - although no charges were brought

Experts warned that 'predators don't just seek to prey on children and the vulnerable in the real world'

Cambridgeshire Police also investigated three cases including a sexual offence.

West Midlands Police has recorded three offences since 2021 including harassment, 'taking, making or distributing indecent photographs or pseudo- photographs, of children' and 'causing or inciting sexual activity with a child aged 13 -15'.

Due to 'evidential difficulties', no charges have been brought by the force.

In total, 29 offences linked to virtual reality gaming have been recorded, but many forces were unable to provide details, warning that their results may not be accurate because 'virtual reality' is not marked as a specific category in crime recording.

Earlier this year Interpol warned that virtual reality crimes 'could become a major issue' for forces as more people turn to an immersive world of gaming.

National Crime Agency boss Graeme Biggar has also said law enforcers need to prepare for such incidents to be treated as crimes because of the real-life impact on victims.

He warned people can already 'feel a physical manifestation' of an attack while wearing a haptic suit - which allows a wearer to sense actions carried out in virtual reality, adding: 'If you are in the Metaverse wearing a haptic suit where you can sense what is happening to and then you are sexually assaulted, raped or murdered, even if you are not wearing a haptic suit is that ok?'

Yesterday Chair of the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners Donna Jones said: 'There are now games in which you can physically and sexually assault someone in the virtual world.

National Crime Agency boss Graeme Biggar (pictured) said law enforcers need to prepare for such incidents to be treated as crimes because of the real-life impact on victims as they can already 'feel a physical manifestation' of an attack while wearing a haptic suit

'The growth of online harm particularly to children over the last three to four years has been really concerning and now the technology of AI and virtual reality has presented offenders with new opportunities, especially as more and more families across Britain get VR headsets for their children.

'Parents need to be alive to what children can be exposed to, particularly of a sexual nature.

'Predators don't just seek to prey on children and the vulnerable in the real world.

'Whilst the Government has brought in the Online Harms Bill, that was really a starter for 10, because the growth of AI and the virtual reality world means that this legislation will need to be constantly under review.'
A music producer fraudster was apprehended after over a decade on the run when he returned to the UK for his daughter's wedding.

Stephen Pigott, 61, who was a well-known songwriter and record producer, had worked with a star-studded roster, including Celine Dion, Rod Stewart, and the Pet Shop Boys.

But when the crook was jailed for leading a 40 million tax scam, involving other music industry bosses, he disappeared - still owing HMRC over a million pounds.

However a new court ruling unearthed that he had been living abroad under a fake name and was only captured when he visited the UK for his daughter's wedding, The Times reports.

Pigott was first sent to prison in 2005 after confessing to money laundering and dodging tax payments in an elaborate scheme where he purchased mobile phones VAT-free in the EU before flogging them in the UK.

Music producer fraudster Stephen Pigott, 61, had written for the likes of Celine Dion (Pictured), Rod Stewart and the Pet Shop Boys

Pigott, who evaded jail for over ten years was apprehended after over a decade on the run after returning to the UK for his daughter's wedding (Pictured: Rod Stewart)

He carried out this plot, recruiting music industry lawyer Stacey Haber-Hofberg, and record label founders, Theresa Igbanugo and Joanna Harris, whilst not handing a dime over to HM Revenue & Customs, according to the Times.

In a similar scheme told in Frederick Forsyth's The Day Of The Jackal, Pigott submitted a request for a passport using the name of a dead child who shared his birthday.

With his fake identity he set up 'clone' companies in Hong Kong, which came across as lawful British telephone businesses.

According to the publication, Pigott was discovered to have made 27.3 million from the plot, where he and his crew enjoyed a lavish lifestyle, sipping on luxury wine, driving high-priced cars, and illustrious hotel stays.

Despite reportedly raking in an exorbitant amount, a 2007 hearing determined his assets, which included, houses, cars, amounted to 1.54.

It was also found he had assets hidden abroad to the tune of 1 million, The Times reports.

Pigott, who wrote 1987 hit Living In A Box, was previously warned that if he didn't repay the 1.54 million, he would be handed another ten years in jail.

When Pigot was jailed for leading a 40 million tax scam, involving other music industry bosses, he disappeared - still owing HMRC over a million pounds (Pictured: The Pet Shop Boys)

However, this was later lessened to eight years following an appeal two years later.

But shortly after the sentence was reduced, he fled, abandoning his wife and their two daughters in their family mansion in Sheffield, South Yorkshire.

A new court ruling has since unveiled that he was detained after coming back to the UK for his daughter's 2019 nuptials, where he was stopped by authorities in connection to an unrelated incident.

According to the publication, he alleged that he had travelled to Spain because one of his children had 'gone missing'.

He then claimed that she was quickly discovered, so he made his way to Berlin, before heating to Hong Kong, the Middle East, Australia and finally setting up base in Thailand.

During his time as a fugitive, he alleged that he was appointed as a co-manager of a web design company with bases in Bangkok, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Sydney.

Pigott also continues to be paid 15,000 a year in royalties for his work as a record producer and songwriter.

In an application for a 'certificate of inadequacy' given to the High Court in London, the former songwriter represented himself, The Times reports.

An approved certificate of inadequacy means Pigott would not be responsible for repaying the remainder of the money he owes.

The crook's application 'certificate of inadequacy' given to the High Court in London was dismissed (Pictured: The Royal Courts of Justice)

In the application, he said it was 'a paradoxical quandary' as he insisted he was locked up for not handing over cash which he did not have, the publication said.

He also alleged he never had 1 million of hidden overseas and that all of his assets had been discarded 15 years ago.

His application was dismissed by Mr Justice Sweeting, who said: 'What exactly became of the large sums which undoubtedly came his way as a result of the fraud remains opaque.'

Pigott is currently serving the remainder of his prison sentence.
Two drivers were killed in a crash after a satnav audio directed one the wrong way down a slip road.

Tracey Haybittle, 58, died in hospital last year after her Volkswagen Tiguan was in a head-on crash with Amal Mohamed Ahmed's Peugeot 2008 in November.

The 38-year-old had 'mistakenly' driven the wrong way down the 'off' slip road of the A5 near the village of Little Brickhill, just south of Milton Keynes.

She died instantly at the scene. A female passenger who was critically injured survived the crash.

In a 'prevention of future deaths report' to TomTom, Apple, Google, and National Highways, assistant coroner for Milton Keynes, Sean Cummings, slammed satnavs for 'frequently' giving verbal commands that 'confuse' drivers.

Tracey Haybittle, 58, died in hospital last year after her Volkswagen Tiguan was in a head-on crash with Amal Mohamed Ahmed's Peugeot 2008 in November.

'Further enquiries by the police and information volunteered by members of the public who made the same incorrect manoeuvre led to the finding that while the visual map display on commonly used satnav applications at this junction displayed the correct information, the verbal commands gave information likely to confuse and direct drivers down the wrong slip road into the path of oncoming traffic,' he said.

'This was observed to happen frequently.'

Mr Cummings said Ms Ahmed had been following audio directions from her satnav and 'proceeded to drive down the slip road at speed and collided head on with Mrs Haybittle's vehicle'.

In the report, the coroner told the organisations action should be taken to prevent future deaths.

National Highways has already narrowed the 'mouth' of the junction to one lane in an attempt to prevent motorists driving the wrong way.

Large 'no entry' and 'do not use satnav' signs have also been put up with CCTV monitoring drivers' behaviour.

The 38-year-old had 'mistakenly' driven the wrong way down the 'off' slip road of the A5 near the village of Little Brickhill, just south of Milton Keynes (stock photo)

But Mr Cummings said despite the measures motorists are still 'frequently' travelling the wrong way down the slip road, reported The Telegraph.

TomTom, Apple, Google, and National Highways have until October 17 to respond to the report and outline what measures they will be taking.

Milton Keynes Council in February said in the aftermath of the fatal crash that it had found 'no safety issues' at the junction, reported the MK Citizen.

The local authority's chief executive Michael Bacey told the coroner the council had held talks with Thames Valley Police and National Highways in which they all agreed the signage had complied with regulations.

'If at any time we identify an urgent safety hazard on a road where National Highways has responsibility for doing any works we would engage with them,' he said.

MailOnline has contacted TomTom and National Highways for comment.
Heart-stopping footage captured the moment a tour guide was flung out of the water and into the air by a 30-tonne humpback whale.

The guide was among several staff that had been leading a 'swim with whales' excursion off the coast of Southport, on the Gold Coast, last week.

The group didn't need to travel far before they came across a pod of three whales - with several tourists and the guide then jumping into the water.

Max Persyn and Jacqueline Payne were among the group sharing their excitement in a video posted to their YouTube channel.

The whales had been swimming around us constantly for about 20 minutes coming closer and closer, Ms Payne told Daily Mail Australia.

The tourists were all attached to a rope that was connected to the boat.

We didn't expect them to get that close, but they were the most curious whales, our guide mentioned it's quite rare for them to be so curious,' Ms Payne said.

As the group marvelled at the whales swimming around them, screams from the boat alerted them to look behind them.

We heard the commotion and saw our guide was in the air on top of the whales tail, Mr Persyn said.

A tour guide was bucked out of the ocean by a whale last week on the Gold Coast, Queensland

A massive humpback whale could be seen lifting the guide about a metre into the air.

The whale then flicked him into the ocean with its tail.

It was a bit scary because we didn't know at the time why it had happened,' Ms Payne said.

'From what I could tell everyone just had a lot of adrenaline and shock at what happened.

'It was exciting once we realised everyone was safe and that it wasn't an act of aggression.

Tour staff then called all the tourists back to the boat.

When everyone was out of the water the snorkellers and staff high-fived and called the experience an incredible encounter.

Later, the Youtubers were told why the whale had launched their guide into the air.

The guide explained to us after the event that the whale tail was about to hit another swimmer, he pushed her away and the rope we were holding onto brushed the tail,' Mr Payne said.

The chaotic footage shows the instructor on the tail of an estimated 15 metre humpback whale

Max Persyn and Jacqueline Payne said they've snorkelled with sea lions and scuba dived with sharks, but never so close

'We guess the whale wanted to flick away that unfamiliar feeling like we might flick away a fly that landed on us.

So, I guess the guide saw it coming but was kind of helpless to do much.'

A staff member could be heard telling the tour group how lucky everyone was to see the majestic animals from so close.

For whales to be that interested in us and to come that close to us, obviously very close in the end, but most of the time they were just coming to a point where they were just a few metres away from us, one said in the clip.

The Youtubers said in their years recording adventures, this was one of the most memorable experiences.

We've been snorkelling with sea lions and penguins, scuba dived with sharks, but this is by far the closest any animal has gotten to us,' Ms Payne said.

When you're in their territory the interaction is 100% on their terms, they can swim away if they don't want to be near you or hang around if they're curious.'
A convicted paedophile co-wrote a taxpayer-funded guide on coming out' as transgender for children as young as 13.

Andrew Easton, 39, was snared by cybercrime officers over internet chats with someone he believed to be a vulnerable 13-year-old he called 'baby boy'.

Easton, who was convicted at Aberdeen Sheriff Court last month, helped to produce a guide for LGBT Youth Scotland (LGBTYS), which receives thousands of pounds from the Scottish Government and local authorities.

He contributed to an early version of 'coming out' guidance issued by the controversial organisation, whose former chief executive James Rennie is serving life for sexually assaulting a baby boy.

Schools, local authorities, the Care Inspectorate and government-run health and social care authorities have been given an updated version but LGTBYS admits the original guide, co-written by Easton, may still be in use.

A convicted paedophile co-wrote a taxpayer-funded guide on coming out' as transgender for children as young as 13 (file image)

Easton, who was convicted at Aberdeen Sheriff Court (pictured) last month, helped to produce a guide for LGBT Youth Scotland (LGBTYS), which receives thousands of pounds from the Scottish Government and local authorities

Last night Tory MSP Meghan Gallacher said: 'This is a deeply disturbing situation it is long overdue that we audit just how much public money this organisation receives and seek assurances over what safeguarding assessments are in place.'

Easton of Kennethmont, near Huntly, Aberdeenshire, distributed 32 video files featuring children aged between four and eight years old, to other paedophiles.

He was handed a Community Payback Order with supervision for three years and ordered to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work and will remain on the sex offenders register for three years.

Educational psychologist Carolyn Brown told the Sunday Post that the guidance is full of 'misinformation' which she branded 'manipulative and influencing'.

LGBTYS was contacted for comment. A statement on its website says Easton 'has never been, at any point, an employee or volunteer with LGBTYS'.

It said: 'We condemn anyone that exploits or harms young people.'

The Scottish Government said education authorities are responsible for ensuring visitors undergo disclosure checks and LGBTYS's safeguarding policy is an opera- tional matter for the organisation.
Female handler was walking the animal when it attacked

A woman has been rushed to hospital after being mauled by a tiger at Dreamworld on the Gold Coast.

The tiger attacked the 47-year-old experienced handler at about 9am on Monday, leaving her with several deep cuts and scratches.

Queensland Ambulance said the woman was rushed to Gold Coast University Hospital with 'multiple deep lacerations'.

It's understood the woman had been walking the animal with another handler when she was attacked.

QAS acting district director Justin Payne said the woman was in a stable condition, but the biggest risk was her wounds becoming infected.

'She was quite pale and feeling unwell, but generally well and was able to be transported to hospital,' he said.

'Thankfully, on (the paramedics') arrival, the bleeding had been managed very well by first aid providers there at Dreamworld, which was excellent to see.'

In addition to being a theme park, Dreamworld is home to more than to nine Sumatran and Bengal tigers.

A woman has been rushed to hospital after being attacked by a tiger at Dreamworld on the Gold Coast (pictured, a woman feeds a tiger at the Queensland theme park)

The popular park offers viewing areas on 'Tiger Island' where people can get 'so close you could feel the breath of a tiger'.

Visitors over the age of 13 can also choose to tong feed the tigers or watch them 'jump, climb and swim' during daily presentations.

The incident comes after a malfunction of the Thunder River Rapids Ride at the theme park resulted in the deaths of four people in September 2016.

The female handler sustained several deep cuts and scratches during the incident at the park

Cindy Low, Luke Dorsett, Roozi Araghi and Kate Goodchild all died when a water pump failed and caused the raft they were in to overturn.

Kieran Low, who was 10 at the time, was on the ride when his mother was killed but miraculously only suffered minor injuries.

Dreamworld parent company Ardent Leisure was fined $3.6million in 2020 after pleading guilty in a Brisbane court to breaching the Work Health and Safety Act.

As of 2020, Ardent Leisure had reportedly paid more than $5million in compensation claims to family members of the victims, witnesses and emergency responders.
A former Miss Universe contestant who traded in the catwalk for the tough but lucrative work in the red dirt mines of outback Australia says her new life had its downsides but would recommend it to anyone.

Hailing from County Donegal, in Ireland's province of Ulster, Grainne Gallanagh moved to Perth with her fiance Ryan Coleman in March last year.

After a brief holiday and taking on short-term jobs, the pair started FIFO (fly-in, fly-out) work together at a mine in Western Australia.

The 12-hour work days in the belting Aussie sun was a far cry from Ms Gallanagh's glamorous life on the runway.

The 29-year-old won Miss Universe Ireland in 2018 before placing in the top 20 at the Miss Universe contest later that year.

However, she said her time as a truck driver at the mine was the first time she 'didnt have an ounce of anxiety or stress' while going to work.

Ms Gallanagh said the high-paying mine work was great for saving money because most costs are covered onsite, while the extensive time off - to compensate for long shifts and no weekends - allowed her time to travel.

The Irish model admitted it does come with some downsides in a candid Q&A post on her Instagram.

She said the long shifts, especially during the gruelling summer heat, while being swarmed by flies were some of the setbacks of the job.

Ireland's representative for Miss Universe 2018, Grainne Gallanagh (pictured), has revealed the positive experience she had working FIFO in a West Australian mine

Ms Gallanagh added that the nature of the job - being on-site more than at home - made it hard to 'make friends, join classes, clubs'.

Despite that, she said she will 'miss' her time in FIFO when she moves back to Ireland in July this year to get married.

Ms Gallanagh said she was apprehensive and had 'no idea what to expect' when taking the three-hour flight from Perth to the worksite for the first time.

Her anxieties were quickly quelled after meeting her fellow workers and finding them 'so nice, they were so friendly'.

'I was like, "Grand! I know I'll be absolutely fine",' she told Doireann Garrihy in a podcast in July.

Facing temperatures well above 40C in the summer, Ms Gallanagh said she was lucky after being given a job that kept her in an air conditioned truck.

'The boys might need supplies or tools and they're down in the field... so I'll bring it down to them, it is busy and it is good,' she said.

'And when it was really hot I got to do the icy pole run which was my favourite job. I would just drive around with a big bunch of icy poles and hand them out.'

Despite being one of the few women on site, her positive attitude helped her fit in and earn 'Employee of the Year'; an honour that she intends to frame on her wall.

She made the move to Australia with her now-fiance Ryan Coleman (both pictured) who she worked with on site until July this year

Ms Gallanagh said the high-paying job was great for saving money because most costs are covered on site while extended time off site allowed time to travel

Having come to Australia on a working visa, Ms Gallanagh and her partner were required to work 88 days in a rural area within their first year.

She told her social media followers in April that they had both long since fulfilled that visa condition but chose to continue FIFO work because they enjoyed it.

The pair even got engaged on their R&R in November and have since moved back to Ireland for their wedding.

'I had no idea what I was doing and it was mostly men,' she wrote.

'But I was so pleasantly surprised, they have genuinely been so unbelievably patient, helpful, kind and have made me laugh every single day.'

She also recommended others to come to Australia and try out FIFO work.

'It's not easy to leave your family and what you know, especially if you love it at home and have a great job and you're surrounded by your family, it's never easy,' she said.

'Australia's great and I love it, the weather is amazing. You need to go into it with a with a bit of a realistic mindset, and a plan.'
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'.
More than 100 families have been left with unfinished homes after a major building company collapsed.

Grandeur Homes Pty Ltd fell into external administration on Friday.

The Victorian-based construction company had up to 110 projects ongoing at the time of its insolvency, news.com.au reported.

Grandeur Homes had been operating since 2014 but its most recent reviews posted to its website were from 2021.

One customer left in limbo is Abhishek Marpally, who paid close to $340,000 for a house, with construction beginning in June last year.

He said his home was supposed to have been ready this month.

He and his wife are now struggling to keep up with mortgage repayments, property and lax tax, and gas and electricity bills.

'The new home excitement is not left at all now. I am just working full time and driving Uber to catch up with ongoing expenses,' he told the publication.

Grandeur Homes Pty Ltd fell into external administration on Friday (pictured is a build from Grandeur Homes)

The Victorian-based construction company had up to 110 projects ongoing at the time of its insolvency

Less than 10 days before the company went under, Grandeur Homes denied it was in trouble, claiming delays for builds were out of their control and an impact of the industry as a whole.

'Grandeur Homes is working hard to mitigate the impact of delays, and it maintains regular and open communication with its clients to keep them informed of progress,' lawyers on behalf of the company told the publication.

'Grandeur Homes sympathises with the frustration and hardship of those who have been affected by the industry-wide delays experienced in recent years.

'They assure all of their clients that they are doing everything possible to complete all outstanding projects.'

On its website, the company describes itself as the 'leader in custom built homes'.

'From design and plans to the finished Product, we work with you to bring everything you want in a home to reality,' the company said.

'No nasty surprises or compromises. We remember the most important thing - seeing you in the home you love.'
One of the stranded NASA astronauts aboard the International Space Station has reported a 'strange noise' coming from Boeing's Starliner aircraft.

Butch Wilmore contacted Johnson Space Center in Houston on Saturday to share his concerns just days before the faulty aircraft is set to undock from the ISS, unmanned, and attempt to return to Earth on autopilot.

'I've got a question about Starliner. There's a strange noise coming through the speaker and I didn't know if you can connect into the Starliner... I don't know what's making it', he said.

Mission control confirmed to Butch that they could configure a way for the sound to be played. Wilmore then held the phone up to the Starliner's speakers.

After a failed first attempt, mission control responded: 'Butch, that one came through. It was kind of like a pulsating noise, almost like a sonar ping'.

Wilmore and fellow astronaut Suni Williams (pictured) have been marooned on the ISS since June 6 when they arrived on Boeing's aircraft for what was supposed to be a week-long stay. But the Starliner is now set to return to Earth without them after being plagued by thruster troubles and helium leaks

Wilmore contacted Johnson Space Center in Houston about what he called a 'strange noise' just days before they undock from the ISS, empty, and attempt to return to earth on autopilot

Butch played the sound one more time which was successfully received by mission control.

'I'll let you figure it out,' Wilmore said.

'Good recording, thanks Butch,' mission control replied. 'We will pass it onto the team and let you know what we find.'

They asked one more time if there was any other noise and confirmed that it was coming from the Starliner's speaker.

Wilmore's call to Houston was first reported by Ars Technica, which stated that the recording was first captured and shared by Michigan-based meteorologist Rob Dale.

Wilmore and fellow astronaut Suni Williams have been marooned on the ISS since June 6 when they arrived on Boeing's aircraft for what was supposed to be a week-long stay. But the Starliner is now set to return to Earth without them after being plagued by thruster troubles and helium leaks.

The pair are not due to return back to Earth until 2025 - when one of Elon Musk's SpaceX ships is scheduled to ferry them home.

In the latest audio about the problem aircraft, Wilmore tells mission control he hopes they will 'scratch [their] heads and see if you can figure out what's going on.'

Mission control can only tell Wilmore that they will pass the news along and report back.

Wilmore and Williams launched toward the ISS aboard Boeing's Starliner three months ago.

The scandal-laden Starliner - which was built and developed using over $4 billion of taxpayer money - was beset by technical difficulties in the weeks leading up to launch, and even on the day of.

The spacecraft safely delivered Wilmore and Williams to the ISS, but by the time it got there, it had sprung more helium leaks and five of its 28 thrusters had failed.

In a press conference on August 24, NASA officials announced that it would be too risky to bring the astronauts home on faulty Starliner.

Instead, they will return home on SpaceX's Crew Dragon spacecraft, which is scheduled to launch NASA astronaut Nick Hague and Russian cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov toward the ISS on September 24, according to a NASA statement released last week.

Suni Williams (pictued) and Wilmore launched toward the ISS aboard Boeing's Starliner on June 5

The scandal-laden Starliner - which was built and developed using over $4 billion of taxpayer money - had been plagued by helium leaks and thruster issues in the weeks leading up to launch, and even on the day of

That means that Wilmore and Williams will remain on the ISS until at least February 2025.

Their empty Starliner capsule is set to undock on September 6 and will attempt to return on autopilot and land in the New Mexico desert.

The decision was humiliating for Boeing, which has struggled for years to get their Starliner program off the ground only to be bailed out at the eleventh hour by their biggest competitor.

'We have had so many embarrassments lately, we're under a microscope. This just made it, like, 100 times worse,' one employee anonymously told the New York Post.

'We hate SpaceX,' he added. 'We talk s*** about them all the time, and now they're bailing us out.'

At this point, it's unclear whether Starliner will ever be able to complete a crewed mission to the ISS.

NASA is planning to decommission the ISS by 2030, giving Boeing just five years to fix Starliner's technical issues and successfully send and return astronauts to space.

To put that in perspective, it's already been five years since Starliner's first failed uncrewed test flight.

But it's possible that Boeing could retire Starliner before they even hit that deadline, as the company has already sunk $1.6 billion into the spacecraft's development.
Sydney Airport down to one airport

More than 45 flights cancelled due to high winds

Dozens of flights out of Sydney Airport have been cancelled as wild weather strikes the east coast.

The airport is down to just one runway as high winds batter the city.

'Due to high winds Airservices Australia are operating our east-west runway, which may cause some delays throughout the day,' a Sydney Airport spokeswoman said.

'We encourage passengers to check with their airline regarding the status of their flight.'

Qantas has cancelled at least 25 flights departing from Sydney Airport including 10 to Melbourne, four to Canberra, and 11 to other Australian destinations.

Virgin Australia has also cancelled 13 flights from Sydney, with eight bound for Melbourne and three for Canberra.

Jetstar has cancelled three flights from Sydney to Melbourne, along with seven additional departures from Sydney.

Two Rex Airline flights from Sydney have also been cancelled.

Qantas has cancelled at least 25 flights departing from Sydney Airport. That includes 10 to Melbourne , four to Canberra, and 11 to other Australian destinations

A tree has fallen through a home in Craigieburn during the wild weather

Strong winds in Melbourne may also cause a headache for airport staff, triggering even more delays at two of the country's busiest airports.

Senior meteorologist Christie Johnson on Monday said wild weather had already hit NSW but the strongest winds were still to come.

'The strongest winds for NSW are expected this morning with the potential for damaging wind stretching up from the Victorian border up to the Hunter district,' Ms Johnson said.

The wild weather smashing three states has claimed a woman's life, caused rivers to break their banks, hundreds of properties to be damaged and 100,000 residents to be left without power.

The extreme weather, which began on Sunday night, left a 63-year-old woman dead after a tree struck a cabin at a holiday park in Moama, on the NSW-Victorian border.

In Victoria, 120,000 people are without power and 660 homes have been damaged, following a night of strong winds, with some schools and kindergartens forced to close.

SES crews in NSW were called to nearly 1300 incidents last week as powerful winds continue

A carport in Melton has also been damaged by the severe weather. Picture: Facebook

Victoria's State Emergency Service received 2,800 calls for help between 7pm Sunday and 10am Monday, 1,350 of them related to fallen trees. Warragul, Moe and Emerald are the worst affected areas.

Crews are working to restore power to 34,600 customers in Victoria's west after destructive winds brought down trees and branches over power poles, wires and other infrastructure.

A severe weather warning is still in place in parts Victorian as residents are urged to prepare for another storm front expected to hit on Monday night.

Tasmania was also battered by severe weather on Sunday with significant damage to trees, properties, power lines and infrastructure.

Peak wind gusts overnight reached 157km/h at King Island Airport and 130km/h at Launceston Airport.
A woman has died, river banks are breaking, hundreds of properties have been damaged and 100,000 residents are without power as wild weather smashes three states.

The extreme weather, which began on Sunday night, left a 63-year-old woman dead after a tree struck a cabin at a holiday park in Moama, on the NSW-Victorian border.

More than 120,000 Victorians are without power and 660 homes have been damaged following a night of strong winds, with some schools and kindergartens forced to close.

Victoria's State Emergency Service received 2,800 calls for help between 7pm Sunday and 10am Monday, 1,350 of them related to fallen trees. Warragul, Moe and Emerald are the worst affected areas.

Premier Jacinta Allan thanked emergency crews for supporting their community in tough conditions.

'They've worked overnight and are continuing to work through the day - thank you for their incredibly selfless work during this difficult time,' she said on Monday.

The state's emergency services have warned against unnecessary travel after winds brought down trees and powerlines across the state, reaching 146km/h at Wilsons Promontory National Park.

Gusts above 100km/h were also recorded in suburban Melbourne, including 113km/h at St Kilda.

One woman is dead and thousands of properties are without power as severe weather pummels three states. A tree through a home in Craigieburn, Victoria. Picture: Facebook

A carport in the Melbourne suburb of Melton has also been damaged by the severe weather. Picture: Facebook

Significant delays are expected across Victoria's public transport system with debris affecting numerous train and tram lines.

A severe weather warning is still in place in parts of Victoria as residents are urged to prepare for another storm front expected to hit on Monday night.

Senior meteorologist Christie Johnson said wild weather had already hit NSW but the strongest winds were still to come.

'The strongest winds for NSW are expected this morning with the potential for damaging wind stretching up from the Victorian border up to the Hunter district,' Ms Johnson said on Monday.

Dozens of flights out of Sydney Airport have been cancelled with just one runway in operation as high winds batter the city.

'Due to high winds Airservices Australia are operating our east-west runway, which may cause some delays throughout the day,' a Sydney Airport spokeswoman said on Monday.

'We encourage passengers to check with their airline regarding the status of their flight.'

SES crews in NSW were called to nearly 1300 incidents on Wednesday. Picture: NSW SES

Qantas has cancelled at least 25 flights departing from Sydney Airport including 10 to Melbourne, four to Canberra, and 11 to other Australian destinations.

Virgin Australia has also cancelled 13 flights from Sydney, with eight bound for Melbourne and three for Canberra.

Jetstar has cancelled three flights from Sydney to Melbourne, along with seven additional departures from Sydney.

Two Rex Airline flights from Sydney have been cancelled.

Tasmania was also battered by severe weather on Sunday with significant damage to trees, properties, power lines and infrastructure.

Peak wind gusts overnight reached 157km/h at King Island Airport and 130km/h at Launceston Airport.

The River Derwent, below Meadowbank Dam, is likely to exceed the major flood level of 7.3 metres on Monday, while emergency services are warning those in White Hills, near Launceston, to remain vigilant over the next 12 hours.

TasNetworks said there were about 10,000 customers without power, with emergency services expected to provide an update on Monday afternoon.
EXCLUSIVE

A former NSW Liberal MP accused of rape and assault has rubbished claims that he actively campaigned for a Sydney candidate who was under investigation over child sex allegations.

Liberal-turned-independent MP Gareth Ward slammed resurfaced claims that he called the party's State Executive to make sure his former colleague Rory Amon was the only candidate for the seat of Pittwater ahead of the March 2023 election.

On Friday, Amon resigned from his Northern Beaches seat after he was charged with 10 child sex offences against a boy who was known to him in Mona Vale 2017.

Claims that Ward - who was separately hit with five sexual assault-related charges in 2022 - actively supported Amon were reported in Nine Newspapers in 2022, and reemerged in print again this weekend, and on 2GB on Monday morning.

Radio host Ben Fordham said: 'The Herald is reporting that the former Liberal MP Gareth Ward was calling people in the party to support Rory Amon in his pre-selection.'

Now, Ward has told Daily Mail Australia he wasn't aware those 'salacious' claims were reported at the time, but he categorically denies them and plans to take legal action.

By the time Amon flagged he wanted to run for the seat of Pittwater after September 2022, Ward had left NSW Liberal and joined the crossbench amid the fallout over his sexual assault allegations - which he has pleaded not guilty to.

'This claim is rubbish. It's just a smear campaign. I'm seeking legal advice,' he said.

Rory Amon (pictured) was asked to resign from the NSW Liberal Party on Friday following ten child sex charges

Independent MP Gareth Ward (pictured) has denied helping Amon get preselection for the seat of Pittwater

Amon expressed an intention to run for pre-selections when the former state MP Robert Stokes announced his retirement in 2022, even though Mr Stokes and NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet had wanted a woman to run for the seat.

NSW Police investigated the child sex claims against Amon for two years. He was under investigation by the time he was nominated for preselection.

On Monday, Fordham spoke with ousted NSW Liberal member Kyle Kutasi, who said: 'There was a very funny process that took place with that pre-selection to ensure that [Amon] was the only candidate.'

'We went for a period of six months where we had no candidate in a marginal seat.

'We kept being told that nominations needed to reopen because the premier wanted a woman candidate, but when we asked who that was, we never got an answer.'

Mr Kutasi told Daily Mail Australia wasn't aware of any involvement in the situation by Ward, but doubled-down on his claims that Liberal wanted Amon to be the only candidate.

He said there were originally three candidates - one who was ruled out, another forgot to renew his membership, and a third withdrew.

'Every meeting we didn't have a candidate and they were holding off on it. It was never explained,' he said.

Former NSW Liberal MP Rory Amon is pictured on Sunday, while reporting for bail in Dee Why

Amon (pictured with his bail documents) was charged with assaulting a teenage boy who was known to him in Mona Vale in 2017

A spokesperson for the NSW Liberal Party denied any knowledge of Amon's charges prior to Friday, when he was arrested and charged.

They also denied any 'conspiracy' surrounding Amon's pre-selection and said he was the only candidate because he was the only one who nominated himself in time.

The NSW Liberals faced criticism in August when it was revealed they failed to get about 150 candidates to the electoral commission before the deadline.

Amon's application was one of the 300 that was submitted in time, but he complied with a request to resign his seat following the charges on Friday.

They include five counts of having sexual intercourse with person over the age of 10 and under 14, and two counts of attempted sexual intercourse with a child over 10 and under 14.

There were also two counts of indecent assault on a person under 16 and committing an act of indecency with a person under 16.

Pictured: Kyle Kutasi, who claimed NSW Liberal Party ensured Amon was the only candidate for Pittwater

His lawyers had tried to ban the media from identifying him and reporting the allegations, but the application was withdrawn and dismissed in Manly Local Court.

He then released a statement maintaining his innocence.

'I deny all charges, and will make my case in the courts, not in the media. Accordingly, I will make no further comment on the case,' he said.

'The nature of the charges against me are such that I will be unable to continue to fully represent my community in parliament.

'As a result, I have tendered my resignation as the Member for Pittwater, effective immediately.'

On Sunday, he reported for bail at Dee Why Police Station just before the deadline at 8pm - holding his bail papers and sporting what appeared to be a fresh haircut.

His matter will return to court on August 30.
An historian who's been called the 'Nostradamus' of predicting winners of presidential elections has dropped a major hint as to who he thinks will take the White House come 2025.

Allan Lichtman, who has correctly called nine out of the 10 last elections, said in a YouTube livestream Thursday he is nearing his 'final prediction' for the 2024 race.

'You don't have to be patient for a whole lot longer. Enjoy your Labor Day weekend ... and within days after that the prediction should be out,' the American University professor said on the stream with his son, Sam. 'And this will be a final prediction.'

While being coy about his ultimate forecast, Lichtman gave away a big clue by slamming a rival pollster, Nate Silver, who recently said Trump was his favorite.

'I just saw today the most absurd prediction,' Lichtman said, referring to Silver.

According to Nate Silver's model, former President Donald Trump has the edge on Vice President Kamala Harris

Allan Lichtman, who has correctly called nine out of the 10 last elections, strongly disagrees with Silver's methodology, perhaps betraying who he thinks has the best chance this cycle

'Just a few days ago, he said the probability is that Kamala Harris is going to win the election. Now, just a few days later he switched.'

His first issue with Silver's latest prognosis is that it's 'not a real probability.'

'If you flipped a coin a million times, it would converge on 50 percent heads and 50 percent tails. But you can't play the election a million times, you can only play the election once and in fact, you haven't even played it at all since no one has voted. So he just fabricated this probability from the polls,' he said.

Lichtman added that Silver's model during the 2016 election said Hillary Clinton was overwhelmingly likely to beat Trump.

In the months and years since Trump's upset victory, Silver said he gave Trump a 30 percent chance to win, which was much more than what other outlets thought was possible.

But Lichtman doesn't buy that explanation.

'The predictions mean nothing because he disavows them if he's wrong and trumpets them if he's right,' he argued.

Nate Silver, pictured, believed Hillary Clinton was overwhelmingly likely to win in 2016 based on polls. Lichtman thinks his model is superior because it doesn't rely on polls at all

Lichtman also took issue with the very specific number Silver threw out as Trump's probability of victory: 52.4 percent.

'Is it possible, Sam, to measure the probability of a Trump victory down to the tenths of a percent?' he asked rhetorically. 'It makes it look scientific. It makes it look real. It makes it look "my God this guy is very precise." In fact, it is exactly the opposite of precision.'

Before President Joe Biden dropped out, Lichtman was saying a lot would have to go wrong for him to lose and that Democrats would be making 'a huge mistake' if they decided to replace him.

He's also said Trump's 34 felony convictions aren't likely to sway the election in any meaningful way.

Lichtman first correction prediction came in 1984 when he said Ronald Reagan would win the presidency.

He also predicted Trump would win in 2016 a little over month before the election, then accurately thought Biden would unseat him 2020.

Lichtman's system of predicting presidential races, which he calls the '13 Keys,' have been around since the 1980s.

He says the technique enables him 'to predict the outcome of the popular vote solely on historical factors and not the use of candidate-preference polls, tactics or campaign events.'

Silver's model certainly takes influence from polls, the most recent of which have found Trump ahead in six crucial swing states.

Another hint from Lichtman as to which way he thinks the winds are blowing came when he condemned Trump for his campaign stop at Arlington National Cemetery last Monday.

Trump is pictured at Arlington National Cemetery on Monday, August 26, during a ceremony honoring Sgt. Nicole Gee's sacrifice. Following the visit, Trump's team posted a video to his TikTok with clips of his visit to the cemetery, which is considered hallowed grounds for the US Military

Arlington National Cemetery is considered hallowed ground in the US military and is managed by the Army. As such, it's illegal to conduct any sort of campaign activity there.

In an unusually forceful rebuke of the former president, the Army defended a cemetery staff member who clashed with Trump advisers when they took photos and video in a restricted area.

'There's claims that there was a physical altercation with the staffer who quite properly was trying to stop them from violating federal law and using Arlington cemetery shamelessly for political purposes,' Lichtman said.

A member of Trump's team said the staffer tried to 'physically block' them, adding that a private photographer of theirs had been granted permission to be on the premises.
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A vile childcare predator who abused children he looked after in multiple centres across Queensland has admitted to hundreds of counts of child sex offences at court.

Ashley Paul Griffith was initially slapped with a handful of child abuse-related charges when first arrested by the Australian Federal Police in August 2022.

But thousands of additional charges were laid following a protracted police investigation, where more child abuse material was allegedly found on devices belonging to the Gold Coast man.

It was standing room only in Brisbane District Court, with family members of victims filling up the public gallery for Griffith's arraignment.

Federal police are also in attendance.

Griffith was due to enter pleas to 320 charges before the court, but 13 of the indecent treatment charges were dropped by prosecutors on Monday morning.

He answered 'guilty' to each of the charges as they were individually read into the record.

Griffith pleaded to a total of 307 charges, including 190 counts of indecent treatment of children, 67 counts of making child exploitation material, 28 counts of rape, 15 counts of maintaining an unlawful relationship with a child, 4 counts of producing child exploitation material, one count of distributing child exploitation material, one count of possessing child exploitation material and one count of using a carriage service to access child pornography material.

Ashley Paul Griffith entered guilty pleas to charges at Brisbane District Court on Monday

Griffith answered 'guilty' to a total of 307 charges, and offered no further response to court

Some of the indecent treatment charges date back to 2003, while others cover dates between 2008 and 2009.

Asked if he had anything to say in response, Griffiths shook his head and silently said 'no' before sitting down.

The court was told a sentencing date was being organised in November for the Director of Public Prosecutions to take charge of the matter.

Crown prosecutor Stephanie Gallagher said the court would need to accommodate a large number of victims, who may give impact statements to the court.

She also asked for pre-sentence and psychiatric reports for Griffith to be prepared.

District Court Judge Anthony Rafter organised a further mention for September 9.

Police initially charged him with two counts of making child exploitation material and one count of using a carriage service for child pornography material in August 2022.

It is alleged more child abuse material was found on devices belonging to Griffith a year later, resulting in more than 1600 additional charges being laid - including rape, indecent treatment of children and making child exploitation material.

These offences are included in the 320 charges remaining against him.

Griffith is alleged to have recorded his abuse of children - all of them allegedly pre-pubescent girls - while working at ten childcare centres in Brisbane between 2007 and 2013 and from 2018 to 2022.

Police allege further offences took place at a location in Europe between 2013 and 2014 and in a Sydney centre between 2014 and 2017.

Videos and photographs allegedly produced by Griffith were first spotted on a dark web platform by investigators in 2014.

They were only traced back to a Brisbane childcare centre when he was first arrested.

The AFP in a statement said it was confident all 87 Australian children allegedly recorded had been identified and their parents informed.

Some are now over 18.

Griffith pleaded guilty to hundreds of offences committed while working at childcare centres

Griffith has worked at other childcare centres but is not alleged to have offended there.

In a since-deleted staff profile at one of the centres he worked at, Griffith said he was a 'firm believer in play-based learning'.

'I love engaging children in meaningful experiences that inspire their play and learning,' he said.

'Young children are natural inquirers, exploring the world through their senses, seeking answers and building theories.

'As an early childhood teacher I hope to share this journey, learning side-by-side children and inspiring them.'

Under Queensland law, Griffith initially could not be identified due to legislation preventing alleged sexual offenders from being named until they are committed to stand trial in a higher court.

Changes to legislation in October last year allowed him to be identified.
Don Lemon angered liberals as he warned them that Kamala Harris may not be able to count on large margins of black voters in her quest to beat Donald Trump.

Recent polling figures have showed Harris improving the Democrat ticket's standing with black people by double digits after Joe Biden quit his re-election campaign.

However, Lemon - a former fixture on CNN and darling of liberal media - has poured cold water on that data with his recent interviews of black voters across the country with remarks which have triggered an outpouring of fury.

He presented his findings to Jen Psaki, former White House Press Secretary and now MSNBC host, last week, saying many black voters 'don't know' Harris and black male voters credit Trump for pandemic relief checks.

'I am not quite sure that the polls are accurate as it relates to the tightening of the polls and who will support whom,' he told Psaki.

Don Lemon angered liberals like Jen Psaki as he warned them that Kamala Harris may not be able to count on large margins of black voters in her quest to beat Donald Trump

Lemon explained that black men, especially, were 'supporting Donald Trump because he gave them a stimulus check'.

'He gave them $1,200 back when he was president. They did not somehow remember that the current president also gave them a stimulus check, except his name wasn't on it,' he said, referring to Biden.

'So, when they got the check, and his name was on it, they automatically thought it came directly from Donald Trump, which I think is good marketing,' Lemon said.

Lemon, citing his interviews with black people from the Jersey Shore to the battlegrounds of Pennsylvania and Ohio, said black people don't really know Harris.

'For the most part, in Pittsburgh, or the Jersey Shore, in Ohio, many people did not know who she was. They were not familiar with her,'

He then pivoted back to Trump and said: 'With him, they thought that he's better for the economy. That he brought money into the community, that he was on Black people's side.'

Lemon then complained of these voters falling for what he called misinformation about Trump.

The former CNN host, however, pointed out that many of the reasons voters cited for supporting Trump were based on misinformation.

One clip going viral on X shows broadcaster Don Lemon interviewing strangers in Atlantic City, NJ, and finding many agreed they felt more financially stable under Trump's presidency

'I think it's important for them to understand and go to the voting booth with some knowledge that they are informed as an electorate. And for other reasons they were telling me, the information was all false. They didn't understand the correct reasons why they might vote for him.'

His remarks spurred a series of furious reactions.

One person shared online: 'My, how the mighty have fallen. Remember when mainstream news mocked content creators and influencers? Now, Don Lemon, formerly of CNN, is on the street doing content creator-style interviews, asking people if they support Kamala Harris or Donald Trump.'

Another said Lemon was 'clinging on for dear life'.

'Lets be realistic, he could have fished that boardwalk all day and night and gotten probably all the answers he wanted,' said someone else.

'He actually published both sides, despite making it clear he is still on his own side.'

Conservatives appeared to delight in Psaki's bafflement with Lemon's findings on social media.

'Psaki gets visibly upset after Don Lemon reveals that voters don't know who Kamala is AND that Black voters are flocking to Trump,' wrote one X user. 'That's not the story. Story is she has NO IDEA this is happening.'

Another added: 'Jen Psaki does not look pleased when Don Lemon tells her most people in battleground states dont know who Kamala is, and they believe Trump is better for the economy.'

A recent Pew Research survey shows Harris leading Trump with black voters by a margin of 77% to 13%.

In their last polls of Joe Biden's flailing campaign, he only had about 64% of the black vote.

Harris had largely taken voters from then-third party candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr., whose support dropped from 21% to 7%.

Kennedy Jr. has since dropped out of the race and endorsed Trump, though his name remains on the ballot in several states.

Harris' numbers are still a far cry from the 92% of the black vote Joe Biden got in 2020 and Lemon's recent videos show that these polls may not be an accurate representation of black voters.

One clip going viral on X shows broadcaster Lemon interviewing strangers in Atlantic City, NJ, and finding many agreed they felt more financially stable under Trump's presidency.

And in one toe-curling exchange, a voter laughs in Lemon's face after the journalist tried to argue with his personal experience. In another instance he sensationally asks a male interviewee if his resistance to Harris is because 'she is a woman.'

The clip of Lemon, which has 2.1 million views, begins with him asking a stranger on the street: 'Who do you support?'

The man replies: 'Trump for the win.'

When Lemon probes him further, he continues: 'I can't really call that right now. But I just feel like [Harris] isn't good for President. She's good for Vice. But not the actual lead role in the country.'

The journalist then asks the young man if his opinion has 'anything to do with her being a woman' to which he responds resolutely: 'no.'

He added: 'Because I feel like women, nah I'm not going to give you that.'

Lemon complained of these voters falling for what he called misinformation about Trump

Lemon explained that black men, especially, were 'supporting Donald Trump because he gave them a stimulus check'

Another voter explained that 'she doesn't have any experience.'

An incredulous Lemon replied: 'She's the Vice President! She's the Senator.'

A female voter is then filmed telling the journalist: 'I want Donald Trump. I just feel we need somebody who has a stronger background with the military and the world in general.'

She later added: 'I know nobody likes him but we had good times with Donald Trump. Our economy was good. Life was good.'

A fourth voter tells the journalist: 'I want to support the Democratic party, but I mean Trump looks like he's got it in the bag right now.'

Lemon is heard telling two voters that the 'stats show' the economy was stronger under Biden than Trump to which they both dismiss his assertions.
A trio of masked gunmen were caught on camera raiding a home in a Denver suburb and stealing a motorcycle as the Democrat city is overrun by migrant gangs.

Cops in Commerce City shared surveillance footage showing three masked and hooded suspects pull up to a suburban home with its garage door left open early Thursday morning.

Two of them were seen carrying what police described as a handgun and an AR-style rifle, then using flashlights to look around the garage.

Eventually the suspects kneeled down and dragged a motorcycle out of the garage, before fleeing in what police describe as a dark-colored, older-model Ford pickup with a silver stripe on the bottom.

'We always take property crime seriously... but when you bring an AR-style rifle to a home burglary/motor vehicle theft, we can't help but wonder how much worse this could have been and how dangerous you really are,' police wrote in an apparently since-deleted post, according to KDVR.

Commerce City Police are searching a trio of masked gunmen who were caught wielding weapons as they broke into a suburban home on Thursday

The trio are accused of stealing a motorcycle from the home, which had its garage door open

It remains unclear whether the motorcycle thieves were part of a Venezuelan migrant gang that have taken over the nearby city of Aurora.

In July, the Tren de Aragua gang was blamed for a shooting in a Target parking lot.

'Those Venezuelans is taking over,' a man can be heard saying in a video posted to TikTok by user 100packsavvy.

The July 29 footage shows bedlam in a Target parking lot in Aurora where Venezuelans had gathered in a weekend demonstration over the elections in their homeland.

The thieves were caught on camera shining their flashlights as they searched through the garage

While the demonstration was mostly peaceful, migrants swarmed the shopping center, completely taking it over, with cars sardined, bumper-to-bumper.

This forced Target and other retailers in the area to close early, fearing their customers might get caught up in the demonstrations, according to Telemundo Denver.

As night fell, the trashed parking lot littered with garbage turned from disgusting to dangerous.

Police wound up responding to several incidents, including gun shots being fired, the Spanish-speaking outlet reported.

The TikTok users who made recorded the video claimed he and his companions were almost run over.

'We almost just got hit,' one man says.

In July, the migrant gang was also blamed for a shooting in a Target parking lot

Then just last week, a heavily armed-mob was seen storming through an apartment complex in Aurora brandishing guns.

A man in a hoodie could also be seen lugging a high-powered rifle and pounds on a door in the building, while several others wield pistols.

'A GANG HAS TAKEN OVER several apartment complexes in Aurora!' local council member Danielle Jurinsky wrote on X.

The couple who filmed the takeover at The Edge at Lowry in Wednesday, Cindy and Edward Romero, also told Fox 31 that it was recorded shortly before a shootout at the complex - which left one person grievously wounded and damaged several vehicles were also damaged.

'It's been a nightmare, and I can't wait to get out of here,' Cindy Romero said as she packed up her possessions to flee the crime-torn city.

Footage appears to capture an armed Venezuelan gang seizing control of an apartment complex in Aurora, Colorado

Members of the gang rush up the stairwell, bearing weapons. In the background, the men can be heard speaking in Spanish to one another

The couple had placed an elaborate system of locks running from the top of the door to the bottom before the shooting.

'Every day when we come home, we have to do this every time we go outside to take out the garbage,' Cindy said, demonstrating how the locks worked.

'Every time we go to bed at night. We have to keep like this so that nobody can kick in the door,' she added.

Cops have refused to confirm whether the gunmen in the video from the apartment complex belong to the infamous Tren de Aragua cartel, but council member Jurinksy told Fox 31 that the building had been overrun by a Venezuelan gang.

'This isnt just Americans. Other Venezuelans are being extorted by this gang, Jurinsky said.

Aurora Mayor Mike Coffman also told FOX News on Thursday there are 'several buildings' that have 'fallen to these Venezuelan gangs' in the city.

He said he believed the buildings were used as taxpayer-funded migrant housing, which is what gave the gangs a foothold.

'This is an organized criminal effort,' the Republican mayor said. 'Whether it's a trend, a drug war, that remains to be seen.

'They've, in fact, have kind of pushed out the property management through intimidation and then collected the rents.'

Aurora Mayor Mike Coffman said there are 'several buildings' that have 'fallen to these Venezuelan gangs' in the city

Coffman claimed the city is a 'victim' of federal policy and Denver's sanctuary city policy.

'I think we're a victim of a failed policy at the southern border,' he said, arguing: 'Venezuela does not cooperate with the United States in criminal histories.

'You've had these massive waves of migrants coming across the border that many of them crossed the border illegally, we were arrested, asked for a political asylum, were not adequately vetted, were released into the country, the city of Aurora.

'We did everything we could to quite frankly, keep them out of the city because it's not our problem. This is a federal problem.'

Under the Biden administration - which appointed Vice President Kamala Harris its 'border czar' - illegal immigration into the US ballooned into 8million crossings. It is now expected to rise to 10million by the end of September.

The migrant crisis has since moved into the city, with more than 40,000 reportedly arriving to the Denver area since December 2022.

The problem in Colorado has been bolstered by Democrat Gov. Jared Polis' policies making it easier for migrants to get drivers' licenses, attend school and obtain taxpayer-funded resources.

But Polis has argued that the migrant takeover is a figment of Councilwoman Jurinsky's 'imagination.'

'The governor ha already let the mayor know that the state is ready to support the local police department with assistance from state troopers and the Colorado Bureau of Investigation,' Shelby Wieman, a spokeswoman for the governor, told the New York Post.

Venezuela's most violent gang Tren de Aragua has moved its headquarters to just across the US border in the Mexican town of Ciudad Juarez

'But according to police intelligence, this purported invasion is largely a feature of Danielle Jurinsky's imagination.'

The spokesperson went on to say that 'it is illegal to take over buildings in Colorado' and if Jurinsky has 'knowledge of such activity' the governor's office is 'ready to assist cops in taking them back.'

When the Post asked again whether Polis wants to backtrack his statement, given the video evidence of the takeover, Wieman said the governor 'really hopes that the city council members in charge stop trashing their own city when they are supposed to keep it safe.

'Over the last month, Gov. Polis has been in regular contact with the City of Aurora and the Aurora Police Department and has offered all state assistance to support their efforts if requested,' she said, adding that the governor's office expects to see violent crime continue to drop in the city, as it had in 2022 and 2023.
A baby boy who was scalded by boiling hot coffee in an alleged random attack in a Brisbane park is back up 'walking and causing chaos' while awaiting his third surgery.

Nine-month-old Luka was with his mother and a friend at Hanlon Park on August 27 when he was allegedly attacked by a man who poured a Thermos of coffee over him.

The man allegedly fled from the scene and, despite police releasing images of an individual they wish to talk to about the incident, is yet to be located almost a week later.

In an update on Monday, the boy's mother said the infant was walking again ahead of a third surgery that she hoped would deliver 'more information about the next steps'.

'Luka has been incredibly resilient. He's up and about, walking and causing chaos. He is such a strong little boy and we are so-so proud of him,' she said.

In an earlier update, the woman said Luka suffered serious burns, with those under his neck and chest likely to scar. The prospect of a skin graft has bee raised, the mother said.

She said she had been 'blown away' by the support she and her family had received through a GoFundMe campaign set up to pay for Luka's medical expenses.

'This GoFundMe will be able to support Luka with all of his ongoing care needs which is truly a weight lifted off our shoulders,' the woman 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

'Not only that it will also support myself, my family, and ongoing mental health, given the nature of the event this will be an extremely long journey ahead for us all.'

The campaign was launched in the days after the alleged attack with a target of just $5000; by midday on Monday, it had raised more than $110,000.

Police earlier described the man they wish to speak to as between 30-40 years old, of a proportionate build, with tanned skin. He was wearing a black hat, glasses, a shirt and shorts.

Queensland Police Detective Inspector Paul Dalton described the attack as being 'almost like an ambush', while Premier Steven Miles added that officers were 'working hard'.
The parents of one of dozens of young girls raped by a childcare worker say the system is broken and they can't fathom how he got away with prolific offending over years in a 'room full of horrors'.

Ashley Paul Griffith, 46, on Monday pleaded guilty in Brisbane District Court to more than 300 child sex offences including 28 charges of rape, as well as ongoing sexual abuse and making child exploitation material.

Griffith committed the crimes at childcare centres in multiple Brisbane suburbs over a span of more than 19 years.

The parents of one of the victims, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, spoke outside court after Griffith spent more than two hours entering his pleas to each individual charge.

'We certainly feel there's something broken in the system,' the victim's father said.

'How someone like that could get away with that for so long, it's hard to believe it's being run as effectively as it could be'.

The victim's mother said she wanted to stand outside the childcare centre where her daughter was attacked in order to warn other parents

'It happened to my child in that room. It's a room full of horrors,' she said.

Ashley Paul Griffith, 46, on Monday pleaded guilty in Brisbane District Court to more than 300 child sex offences including 28 charges of rape, as well as ongoing sexual abuse and making child exploitation material

The mother said her complaint about Griffith's behaviour in 2018 was not acted upon and she accused the centre of being run 'as a business, not as a place that was looking after children'.

Griffith faced court on Monday for arraignment and replied 'guilty' when each charge was read to Judge Anthony Rafter and a courtroom overflowing with victims' families and police detectives.

He admitted to offences against multiple children while working in childcare centres across Brisbane between January 2003 and August 2022.

Dressed in a striped polo shirt and jeans, the Gold Coast resident stood for two hours while hundreds of charges were read out.

Griffith was arrested in August 2022 by Australian Federal Police and originally charged with more than 1000 offences against 91 young girls, but hundreds of charges were later dropped.

He pleaded guilty to 190 counts of indecent treatment of children aged under 12 while a carer, 67 counts of taking indecent photos and videos of children, and 15 counts of repeated sexual abuse of a child.

Griffith also admitted to seven counts of possessing child exploitation material and distributing the material outside of Australia to locations in Italy.

Crown prosecutor Stephanie Gallagher told Judge Rafter a pre-sentence report and psychiatric evaluation would be ready by November.

'It would be appropriate to list (the sentencing to last) for two days  There is a large number of victims in this case and family members who I suspect will be interested in providing impact statements,' Ms Gallagher said.

Judge Rafter said he would take that into account as 'sometimes there is a request for victim impact material to be read out'.

The parents of one of the victims, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, spoke outside court after Griffith spent more than two hours entering his pleas to each individual charge

Defence barrister Sarah Cartledge submitted that sentencing should be delayed at least a month after the reports were provided.

'Defence have taken active steps to make sure this matter is expedited  pushing that sentence out another month isn't a significant delay,' she said.

Judge Rafter adjourned the matter to September 9 to discuss a sentencing date.

Griffith did not seek bail and was returned to custody.

Outside court, the parents of one victim welcomed the guilty plea, saying it would allow them to move on to the next step.

The father was relieved the guilty pleas avoided a trial as 'it would have been awful if he didn't plead (guilty)'.

The mother said the evidence against Griffith was overwhelming and she was thankful not to have the added trauma of a trial.

'The idea of him being able to see the pictures of all these children again (at trial) would be heartbreaking.'

1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732)

National Sexual Abuse and Redress Support Service 1800 211 028

Lifeline 13 11 14

Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800 (for people aged 5 to 25)
A law graduate turned influencer has been spotted riding a motor scooter in Bali without a helmet on.

Tahlia Skaines, originally from the Gold Coast, has been living in Bali with her boyfriend while building a luxurious villa that overlooks Dreamland Beach.

She was pictured driving a scooter with her mother on the back, both without helmets, near the popular Bingin Beach last week.

Ms Skaines was wearing a short grey dress with a black bag hung around her shoulder and sandals, with a shopping bag at her feet.

Helmets are compulsory while riding scooters or motorbikes in Bali, with a 250,000 rupiah fine, the equivalent of $23, at risk for those caught breaking the rules.

While many riders, both locals and tourists, are often seen without helmets, those visiting the Indonesian country won't be covered by travel insurance if an accident was to occur if they weren't wearing the right protection.

Daily Mail Australia contacted Ms Skaines for comment.

Perth man Shane Ramsey, 30, sadly had his life support turned off last week after he suffered catastrophic brain injuries from a motorcycle accident in Bali.

Tahlia Skaines, originally from the Gold Coast, was spotted riding a motor scooter in Bali with her mother without a helmet on

She was pictured driving a scooter with her mother on the back, both without helmets, near the popular Bingin Beach last week

The tradie had been visiting the Indonesian island for a wedding and was riding a moped in Seminyak when he crashed into a roadside pole.

He was not wearing a helmet and did not have travel insurance, which would have only cost about $50 a week.

Mr Ramsey was rushed to hospital where he underwent brain surgery and was placed in a coma, racking up huge hospital bills.

His family paid $70,000 for him to undergo emergency neurosurgery and secured a medical evacuation flight, believed to cost around $150,000.

Mr Ramsey landed in Perth shortly after 5pm on August 22 and was taken by ambulance to Royal Perth Hospital's intensive care unit.

However, his mother, Catherine Ramsey, said she and her family were left 'broken' after deciding to switch his life support off in the early hours of Tuesday morning.

It is understood Shane will donate all of his organs to those in urgent need of a transplant.

Ms Skaines completed her law degree in 2016 but quickly found herself making a lucrative career as an Instagram influencer, which saw her travel the world.

Ms Skaines completed her law degree in 2016 but quickly found herself making a lucrative career as an Instagram influencer, which saw her travel the world

Shane Ramsey (pictured), 30, had been visiting Bali for a close friend's wedding and was riding a moped in Seminyak last month when he crashed into a roadside pole

'I had every intention of being a lawyer and if a few years ago you told me that this would be my career, I honestly wouldn't have believed it,' she earlier told FEMAIL.

'I am so glad I completed my law degree, I have used elements of it while building Villa Tahmi and in my day-to-day life and I can always go back to it down the track if I need to.

'But it isn't something I see myself needing to do with the way my career is progressing.'

Ms Skaines has more than 830,000 Instagram followers and two million likes on TikTok.
This video is no longer available

This video is no longer available

Convicted paedophile Jacky Jhaj has been behind a bizarre series of stunts - the latest being a BBC lorry explosion causing chaos alongside the Thames in London.

The serial prankster has previously hit the headlines for organising a fake movie premiere as well as a funeral featuring an empty coffin.

The sex offender, 38, was previously jailed for four years in 2016 for having sexual activity with two 15-year-old girls - while his warped filmed events have seen him condemned by critics and branded a 'self-aggrandising fantasist and conman'.

In his latest stunt, Jhaj, from Feltham in west London, stood naked as an explosion was triggered by using gun powder and a detonation cord on Saturday evening.

The blast sent the roof of a police van 50ft in the air at an open-air yard in Silvertown in Newham, east London, across the river from the O2 Arena in Greenwich.

Convicted paedophile Jacky Jhaj has been behind a bizarre series of the stunts including a lorry explosion alongside the Thames in east London on Saturday night

A vehicle with BBC branding was set ablaze with Jhaj appearing to be filmed naked in front of it

Jhaj was previously revealed to be behind a fake funeral held at the London Oratory in west London, involving paid actors and an empty coffin

Jhaj previously held a similar event in which he hired young girls to pretend to faint as he walked up and down a red carpet in Leicester Square in central London

Jhaj was filming a scene for a production dubbed 'Project Dover', according to sources.

He was seen sitting at a typewriter surrounded by hundreds of newspapers on the floor before he flicked cigarettes at a police car, a police van and a BBC World News branded lorry which all exploded into a huge blaze.

The filming was first due to take place on August 24 with Jhaj wearing a 'grotesque evil villain mask'.

But the special effects and film crew pulled out when Jhaj removed his prosthetic mask and one of the cast recognised who he was. He had been using the name Toby until that point.

Jhaj is said to have offered cash incentives for people to continue, including engineers who he offered 5,000 instead of their usual 750 fee.

A source exclusively told MailOnline: 'He has apparently got form in terms of setting up fictitious films and things like that, hiding the agenda and his identity from the legitimate and professional businesses and individuals that get booked via a separate production company to carry out the film work.

'Now we think this one was a giant F U to the BBC, the police and the newspapers for outing him for the offences that he was committed or charged with.'

The explosion was the latest in a string of bizarre London events involving Jhaj.

He was arrested in June on suspicion of breaching a sexual harm prevention order after he was accused of attending a casting session with children where he videoed and photographed them.

He was pictured with a large group of children gathered around him and a 3.2million Bugatti Chiron outside dance school The Hub Studios in east London.

The enormous blast on Saturday night in east London left locals terrified with witnesses likening it to a bomb going off or an earthquake

One source described the explosions as a 'complete disaster' while Newham Council has said it is investigating the incident

A video posted on Reddit shows a naked Jhaj (circled) casually walking nearby as firefighters battle the searing flames while black smoke billows into the sky

A naked Jhaj walks in front of the flames after the planned explosion which had terrified locals

He is said to have got them to cheer for him as he gave them golden envelopes and a necklace.

The Hub Studios, the choreographer and the cameraman were not aware of the nature of the session.

One father, whose eight-year-old daughter attended the session, said he was 'horrified' by the scene.

His daughter - who has previously appeared in short films - did not take part in the group around Jhaj after they became aware of who he was.

The father said: 'If you saw it on a programme, you'd be like, this is ridiculous - there's no way that would be allowed to happen.

'I feel disgusted, angry, let down, to the point now where she probably won't do another audition for a long time.'

Jhaj, who poses as a film producer, faces trial at Isleworth Crown Court on August 4 next year accused of breaching notification requirements and a sexual harm prevention order.

He was previously filmed last October 17 with up to 200 children and young women playing fans of his during a fake movie premiere at London's Leicester Square.

He was spotted outside the Odeon Luxe cinema, where a red carpet was set up with barricades.

Dozens of child actors as young as six were recruited as supposed film extras dressed in school uniforms for an event involving Jhaj last October

Jhaj was filmed in October last year with as many as 200 children and young women playing his fans as he hosted a fake movie premiere at Leicester Square, in London

In June, Jhaj was pictured with a large group of children gathered around him and a 3.2million Bugatti Chiron outside dance school The Hub Studios in east London

Jhaj was seen repeatedly parading up and down in different outfits and then greeting some of the extras, in videos and photographs seen by the BBC.

Dozens of child actors as young as six were recruited as supposed film extras dressed in school uniforms and asked to pretend to faint.

Casting agencies insisted actors were kept safe and children had chaperones.

MailOnline then revealed in April that he had used internationally renowned casting platform Backstage to hire child actors in order to stage an elaborate 10,000 fake funeral at the London Oratory in west London.

The hoax a month earlier sparked international media attention when it emerged that the presiding priest had dramatically stopped the service upon realising that it was being filmed, that the mourners were paid actors and the coffin was empty.

Jhaj had paid for a horse-drawn hearse to carry the empty coffin.

Father Rupert McHardy, who was conducting the ceremony meant to be for missing Latvian man Lauris Zaube, 23, said of the man who organised it: 'I saw him in the church and he was wearing dark glasses and whenever I looked at him he turned away.

'I have no idea who he is and why he would do such a thing.'

Father McHardy, 49, had prepared a sermon and was in his robes, ready to start the service when the choirmaster took him aside to raise concerns.

Father Rupert McHardy, 49, (pictured) had prepared a sermon and was in his robes ready to start the funeral at the London Oratory in west London when the choirmaster took him aside

Video footage from inside the fake funeral showed people dressed in smart suits for mourning

Some of the mourners  who turned out to be hired actors  have not been paid for attending the funeral service at the London Oratory (pictured)

He has since said he did not initially suspect the funeral was fake but after speaking to some of the mourners  who said they had been hired  he realised the whole event was being staged.

He told MailOnline: 'I have no idea why anyone would want to stage a false funeral.

'When I knew nothing was going to happen I went to try and speak with the person who said his brother was being buried, but he had gone.

'I have never been involved in anything like this and it is very disrespectful to the church.

'We haven't lost any money but it's very, very weird. I was quite shaken afterwards. I felt very disturbed by it. Normally you take people at their word.

'No expense was spared - top hats, a horse-drawn hearse, two expensive vintage cars, a full choir.

'I was worried there was going to be some sort of violence. I thought, I have got to stop it because it's all fake. It was very spooky.'

Mr Zaube went missing after a New Year's Eve party near an iced-over dam, but his body has seemingly not yet been found.

Pictured: Police in Riga search for missing Latvian man Lauris Zaube

The fake funeral was meant to be that of 23-year-old Latvian man Lauris Zaube (pictured)

The 23-year-old went missing near an iced-over dam after a New Year's Eve party

His body has seemingly not yet been found, according to Latvian police

When MailOnline showed pictures of Jhaj at that Leicester Square event to another church regular who witnessed Monday's funeral at the Chelsea church, they immediately replied: 'That's him.

'He's the guy who was organising the funeral. Definitely the same man who did the Leicester Square fake film premiere.'

A movie industry source who knows of Jhaj said: 'This man is not a film star or a pop star. He's a self-aggrandising fantasist and conman.

'The motivation last time when he hired all those children in Leicester Square seems to have been to boost the profile of his alter ego on social media.

'I have no idea what he was trying to do here but it's certainly the same kind of fake enterprise.'

Convicted paedophile Jhaj was jailed after supplying two 15-year-olds with alcohol and taking them to parties in Hounslow, west London, in his silver Range Rover.

He pretended he was 21 and a top Hollywood producer before assaulting them.

The BBC has said it had no involvement in Saturday night's film set event.

Residents living close to the blast told of their fury as they likened the explosion just across from the Thames to a 'bomb going off' and an 'earthquake'.

It is understood Jhaj drafted in a different team of special effects technicians from Eastern Europe for the 'reshoot' on Saturday night with the set being rigged with 'high explosives'

Thick plumes of smoke could be seen billowing into the sky above the iconic music venue

The blaze 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

Videos from the scene showed flames and huge black clouds swirling above opposite the London 02 Arena

But some did not initially fire, MailOnline understands, with a lorry cab exploding two or three minutes after the initial blast

A BBC branded lorry and police car on a 'film set' near the O2 Arena before they blown up in a planned explosion - the BBC has said it had no involvement in Saturday night's incident

The remains of a fire damaged BBC World News lorry on a film set next to the river Thames

The terrifying explosion was triggered by using gun powder and a detonation cord, which sent the roof of a police van 50ft in the air

Residents living close to last night's blast were last night furious as they likened the explosion just across from the Thames to a 'bomb going off' and an 'earthquake'

The blaze sparked mass confusion as Greenwich Council had warned residents that there would be a 'loud explosion' during filming on August 24 rather than Saturday.

Newham Council, which manages the Silvertown area, has said it would be working with the film company, fire brigade and Greenwich Council to 'understand what led to the incident'.

A spokesperson for the Met Police said it was a 'pre-planned filming event in the Canning Town area' and that there was no risk to the public.

Scotland Yard added: 'It appears this information was not disseminated as widely as it should have been and we are looking at the systems currently in place to establish why this was the case in this instance.'
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The sister of headteacher Ruth Perry held back tears as she spoke of her relief that one-word Ofsted inspection grades will be scrapped.

From today, all new school inspections will no longer brand them 'outstanding', 'good', 'requires improvement' or 'inadequate' as per a Government ruling.

Instead, schools will get ratings for individual sub-categories  and from next year the grading system could be scrapped altogether.

The change follows the suicide of Ruth Perry, 53, who took her own life after an Ofsted report downgraded her Caversham Primary School in Reading from its highest rating to its lowest rating over safeguarding concerns.

Speaking to BBC Breakfast today, Ms Perry's sister Professor Julia Waters, said it was a 'relief that no other headteacher will have to go through what Ruth went through'.

She said: 'She [Ruth] had a really bruising inspection that left her very fragile and that word 'inadequate'  she just went over and over it, she kept repeating it, she wrote it down.

'It was that feeling not just that she'd had the terrible shock and trauma of a completely unexpected bad Ofsted, but that she was still anticipating the public humiliation that came with that.'

Professor Waters added it 'should not take a bereaved family member to push for change' for something to be done, but confirmed Ruth's family were delighted by the news.

Speaking to BBC Breakfast today, Ms Perry's sister Professor Julia Waters (pictured), said it was a 'relief that no other headteacher will have to go through what Ruth went through'

Professor Waters added it 'should not take a bereaved family member to push for change' for something to be done, but confirmed Ruth's family were delighted by the news - she spoke to the BBC today

Ruth Perry, 53, (pictured) took her own life after an Ofsted report downgraded her Caversham Primary School in Reading from its highest rating to its lowest rating over safeguarding concerns

The move has delighted teaching unions, which have campaigned for it but were snubbed by the previous Tory government.

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.'

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.

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'

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'.

The Government could intervene if a school is judged to be 'inadequate' in one of four areas, the Education Secretary has said.

Bridget Phillipson said she will not hesitate to 'take action where schools are failing'.

Ms Phillipson told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that action could be taken this year if a school is rated as 'inadequate' in any of the four sub-categories.

She said: 'I want to make sure that we drive up standards, that we make sure schools are getting the support that they need to make improvement.

'I won't hesitate to take action if schools are not making that improvement because our children only get one chance when they're at school, one chance, and we have to get that right.'

Asked whether an inadequate judgment in the sub-categories could lead to a school being forced to become an academy, the Education Secretary said: 'It can do, or it could involve support being put in place.

'I retain the power to issue an order to convert that school into an academy.'
Disgruntled Harry Potter fans let out a chorus of boos after the traditional countdown to the Hogwarts Express departure was scrapped at Kings Cross station.

Draped in cloaks and circular glasses, the wizarding fans gathered in the London station on Sunday to look at the departure board for the 11am train to Hogsmeade - leaving from Platform 9 3/4.

However those in attendance were left disappointed as no such sign was displayed after organisers had decided to call off the live gathering last week.

Traditionally, hundreds of fans gather in fancy dress at the busy London transport hub to recreate the scene of students pushing through the wall to the hidden Platform 9 and 3/4 where the Hogwarts Express train waits.

The Back to Hogwarts tradition, which celebrates the start of each academic year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry every September 1, has previously involved the train service being displayed on departure boards.

But this year Warner Brothers Discovery, the company that owns the Harry Potter franchise, announced the cancellation of the public event in order to stop a huge crowd from swarming the station.

Harry Potter fans were left disappointed after the traditional countdown to the Hogwarts Express departure was scrapped at Kings Cross station

Draped in cloaks and circular glasses, the wizarding fans gathered in the London station on Sunday to look at the departure board for the 11am train to Hogsmeade - leaving from Platform 9 3/4

Traditionally, fans gather in fancy dress at the busy London transport hub to recreate the scene of students pushing through the wall to the hidden Platform 9 and 3/4

A statement released in July on the Wizarding World website advised fans to stay away from Kings Cross.

In place of the usual celebration, reality star Sam Thompson hosted a special event that fans could watch on YouTube.

It said: 'Come 1st September, fans are strongly discouraged from attending Kings Cross Station this year, as there will be no event, departure board or countdown held at the station.

'Instead, we've recruited our resident Hufflepuff (and recently appointed King of the Jungle! ) Sam Thompson to be with you all in spirit once again in a specially recorded online programme made in celebration of Back to Hogwarts.'

The statement did not stop fans from turning up in droves to Kings Cross on Sunday to countdown to the traditional 11am announcement.

A video posted on social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, shows an expectant crowd count down to 11am, and then booing when nothing happens.

In the past, fans young and old put on their Hogwarts uniform and capes - with many wearing Harry Potter style glasses.

Those in attendance were left disappointed as no sign was displayed after organisers had decided to call off the live gathering last week.

Hogwarts traditionally opens its doors every year on September 1 and is celebrated with a Back To Hogwarts Day

Despite being told the annual event was cancelled, fans in droves to Kings Cross on Sunday to countdown to the traditional 11am announcement

Fans gather in Spetmeber 2023 at the busy London transport hub to recreate the scene of students pushing through the wall to the hidden Platform 9 and 3/4 where the Hogwarts Express train waits

Hogwarts traditionally opens its doors every year on September 1 and is celebrated with a Back To Hogwarts Day (pictured: Fans attend the Back to Hogwarts event in 2023)

While train strikes have severely affected services, with 13 operators shut down all day, the Hogwarts Express was running on time. A fan is pictured at Platform 9 3/4 (A fan trying to get onto the platform in 2023)

Others would opt for scarves from their favourite Hogwarts houses, while some even dressed up as Dobby and other creatures from the seven-book series.

Many social media users failed to sympathise with these fans after footage emerged online of them expressing their disappointment at the announcement not happening this year.

One person wrote: 'Bunch of sad acts.', another said: 'People were warned.a week in advance'
Parties on either side of Germany's political spectrum scored major victories in regional elections last night as voters in the east of the country express their distaste with the government of the floundering Chancellor Olaf Scholz.

The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) stormed to victory with 32.8% of the vote in the former East German state of Thuringia, the state election commissioner's data showed, with the conservative CDU coming in second place with 23.6%.

That result marked the first time a party deemed far-right won a regional election in Germany since World War II.

Meanwhile, the fledgling far-left BSW party, named after its founder Sahra Wagenknecht who launched the outfit earlier this year, scooped incredible gains with 15.8% of votes.

In neighbouring Saxony, the AfD took home just over 30% of the vote, coming in a close second to the CDU with 31.9%, while the BSW secured 11.8% of votes.

By comparison, Scholz's ailing SPD party walked away with a measly 6.1% and 7.3% of votes in Thuringia and Saxony respectively, only just managing to scrape its way over the mandatory 5% hurdle needed to secure a place in the regional parliaments.

Despite the AfD's and BSW's fierce opposition when it comes to social and economic policy, they happen to share similar stances on several key issues that give the pro-EU Scholz and Brussels itself cause for concern.

Both parties are firm advocates against Germany's longstanding support of uncontrolled immigration and are determined to reduce or end economic and military aid to Ukraine while shoring up relations with Vladimir Putin.

They are also highly critical of the EU, with the AfD going as far as to call for German sovereignty from the bloc it has described as a 'failed project'.

Right-wing Alternative for Germany (AfD) top candidate Bjoern Hoecke gives thumbs up on the day of the Thuringia state election in Erfurt, Germany, September 1, 2024

Both AfD and BSW parties are firm advocates against Germany's longstanding support of uncontrolled immigration

An explosion after a Russian missile strike is seen in the sky over the city during a Russian missile attack, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine September 2, 2024

Germany's 'Buendnis Sahra Wagenknecht' (BSW) party leader Sahra Wagenknecht, the party's top candidate Katja Wolf and Steffen Schuetz walk on the day of Thuringia state elections, in Erfurt, Germany, September 1, 2024

In the wake of yesterday's regional elections, Chancellor Scholz will be holding onto hope that the AfD will remain unable to find willing partners in government.

'We are ready and willing to talk to all parties,' the AfD co-leader Tino Chrupalla said late last night, warning there would be 'no politics without the AfD'.

The AfD's controversial local leader, Bjoern Hoecke, meanwhile declared that 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'.

But other parties have repeatedly ruled out collaboration with the hard-right outfit.

The memory of the Nazis, who also scored an initial state election success in Thuringia, makes working with far-right elements highly taboo.

'Voters know that we do not form coalitions with the AfD,' said Carsten Linnemann, the general secretary of the conservative CDU.

Regional AfD leader Hoecke appears to be a lightning rod for controversy, with his divisive personality presenting a barrier to the party's collaboration with other political factions.

He has caused outrage in Germany with a slew of outspoken statements and was fined twice this year for deliberately using a banned Nazi slogan.

BSW leader Wagenknecht has already said her party 'cannot work together' with Hoecke and has long ruled out a coalition with the AfD.

Her radical left outfit, formed earlier this year as a breakaway from the ex-communist Linke party, has rapidly gained traction and is now seen as a key building block in any coalition.

But the BSW still maintains serious differences with the more established parties, with its pro-Russia stance and opposition to the planned stationing of US missiles in Germany a sticking point that could prevent collaboration with moderate factions.

Besides their opposition to EU oversight, support for crackdowns on immigration and rapprochement with the Kremlin, both the AfD and BSW are harsh critics of Islam amid Germany's growing Muslim population and are wary of support for the LGBTQ+ movement.

In the wake of yesterday's regional elections, Chancellor Scholz will be holding onto hope that the AfD will remain unable to find willing partners in government

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

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)

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

Mario Voigt (C), top candidate and regional leader of Germany's conservative Christian Democratic Union (CDU) in the eastern federal state of Thuringia shows double thumbs up during the Germany's conservative Christian Democratic Union (CDU) party's election night at the Cultural centre 'Zentralheize' in Erfurt, eastern Germany

Political divisions and the complicated electoral maths mean 'forming a government will be difficult' after the two regional elections, said Marianne Kneuer, a professor of politics at the Dresden University of Technology.

Besides delivering an 'alarming' win for the AfD, the election result was a 'big slap for the entire government and Olaf Scholz', Kneuer said.

The Chancellor's partners in a fractious coalition - the liberal FDP and the Greens - struggled even more.

The FDP fell below the five-percent threshold for seats in both elections, while in Saxony the Greens only scraped in.

The results were 'nothing to celebrate', Social Democrats party chair Lars Klingbeil said, adding that the party had to be 'better'.

'We have to take care of people's everyday concerns,' Klingbeil said.

The run-up to the elections was dominated by a bitter debate over immigration stirred up by a suspected Islamist knife attack a few days before the vote.

Opposition parties, including the AfD and the CDU, seized on the deadly stabbing in the western city of Solingen to criticise the government for its supposedly lax border regime.

The government has sought to respond to the alarm by announcing stricter knife controls and rules for migrants in Germany illegally.
A large-scale emergency operation is underway after two sailors on board a yacht sent a distress signal.

The pair on the 19 metre yacht, which is about 150km offshore from Nowra, on the NSW south coast and made emergency contact at 12.40pm on Monday.

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (ASMA) received the emergency alert from the two sailors.

Officers from the Marine Area Command and Australian Defence Force were informed by the Joint Rescue Co-ordination Centre that the sailor had activated a distress beacon.

The yacht is believed to be taking on water due to a mechanical issue.

There are no reports of any injuries.

A NSW Ambulance spokesman told Daily Mail Australia teams are en route to assist the yacht.

'We've sent two of our helicopter teams over. They made initial contact but they had to return due to fuel,' he said.

Two people on a yacht made contact with emergency services at 12.40pm on Monday

ASMA also confirmed in a statement the sailors were unable to be retrieved because of fuel issues.

'Two helicopters tasked by AMSA, one from Nowra, another from Wollongong, along with third from Sydney, tasked by NSW Ambulance, arrived on scene and were able make contact with the two crew on board the yacht,' it said.

'But (they) were not able to retrieve them due to fuel considerations.'

There is also a RAAF C130 aircraft that later departed and made contact with the yacht at 4.30pm.

'There are also the Royal Australian Navy ships Arunta and Canberra also on route to the scene,' the NSW Ambulance spokesman said.

HMAS Arunta is expected to reach the yacht at about 6pm on Monday night.

NSW Police who are involved in the operation said 'Officers are expected to rendezvous with the vessel about midnight'.

Both HMAS Arunta and HMAS Canberra on their way to rescue the sailors (pictured HMAS Arunta during a training exercise)

Conditions in the region have been treacherous.

Brutal winds knocked out power and phone lines across Tasmania and Victoria overnight and into Monday, while the area of the New South Wales coast where the yacht has gotten into trouble is subject to wind warnings.

Nowra is the firing line of wind warnings for the NSW south coast, which experienced 60 to 70km/h breezes with 100km/h gusts on Monday.
A severely malnourished four-year-old girl with down syndrome had been dead in her bedroom for likely two days before authorities were alerted, a court has been told.

The body of Willow Dunn was found in her Cannon Hill home in Brisbane on May 25, 2020.

More than four years later, her stepmother Shannon Leigh White fronted court over the young girl's death, pleading guilty to manslaughter.

She's also pleaded guilty to one count of possessing a dangerous drug, namely cannabis, and another charge of cruelty to children under 16 - concerning a different child to Willow.

Willow's father, Mark Dunn, was charged with Willow's alleged murder.

Crown prosecutor Nathan Crane told the court White failed in her duty of care to provide the necessaries of life and other medical treatment to her stepdaughter.

Mr Crane said White 'wasn't paying attention or caring for Willow' in the days leading up to her death and only found out her stepdaughter had died after Mr Dunn allegedly told her.

The court was told Willow died from severe malnourishment, and also likely from acute pancreatitis.

Four-year-old Willow Dunn (pictured) died from severe malnourishment in 2020

Willow Dunn's stepmother, Shannon White, has plead guilty to the little girl's manslaughter

'She weighted 6.5kg, which was 45 per cent less than an acceptable weight on a down syndrome specific scale,' Mr Crane said.

The court was she should have weighed between 13.6kg and 15kg.

Mr Crane said it's estimated the child was malnourished for months compared to weeks.

'If Willow was conscious at that time, the likely symptoms would have been nausea, vomiting, upset stomach, inability to eat and pain,' he said.

The court was told Willow also had several bed sores on her back and her hips, which due to the malnourishment, were likely caused by nappies, clothing or bedding.

Mr Crane said Willow also likely experienced 'reduced mobility of weeks' before her death because of her level of malnourishment and also experienced 'severe immobility in the days before her death'.

Mr Crane said when authorities found her body, she was dirty and covered in lice, indicating she hadn't been regularly washed.

The court was told Willow had been isolated from social gatherings for several months in the lead up to her death, including preschool and family birthday parties.

Mr Crane said 'no one saw Willow' because, as the Crown alleged, White and Mr Dunn were 'preventing others from seeing her' because she'd begun to lose weight.

The court was told Willow would be left in the house.

Mr Crane said White had even began to tell a 'lie of deceit' when asked by others about where her stepdaughter was.

'It can't be excluded that Ms White didn't see Willow at all,' he said.

'She should have cared for Willow ... or intervened.

'She was a stepmother, someone who was acting as Willow's mother.'

Little Willow weighed just 6.5kg when her body was discovered

Willow's father Mark Dunn (pictured with Shannon Leigh White) is expected to stand trial in 2025 over the little girl's death

White's barrister Paula Morreau said her client expressed her remorse over the death of Willow.

'Ms White does wish to apologise to the Dunn family. for the harm and damage she's caused to them,' Ms Moreau said on her client's behalf.

'She accepts her failure in her duty to care for (Willow) ... and is so sorry for her part and ... so sorry for causing that harm.'

Ms Morreau said her client had not been the legal guardian for Willow but had begun to observe reduced mobility in her stepdaughter 'around 2020'.

'About two months before (Willow's Death) she told (Mr Dunn) to take her to a doctor on a number of occasions,' Ms Morreau said.

'Of course she should have called emergency services any time but she didn't consider that.

'There were a confluence of factors that were impacting on her mental health state at the time.

'The possibility of death was unlikely to be considered by her.'

Willow's father Mark Dunn has been charged with her murder. Picture: Supplied

Ms Morreau said White and Mr Dunn had been living in separate parts of the family home when Willow died, leaving her feeling isolated herself but she admitted she did not enter the child's bedroom for days before her death.

In a victim impact statement read aloud to the court, a young relative of Willow said the four-year-old was a 'playful and cheeky' girl.

The relative said they've been experiencing nightmares ever since 'losing Willow'.

'I'm very sad that Willow passed away, she's always in my heart but she's safe with (her) mum now and is with her,' he said.

Justice Peter Davis adjourned his sentencing decision to a later week.

'The case is a difficult one which raises all sorts of issues and I'll need time to consider it,' he said.

It comes as White was due to stand trial in the Supreme Court but during her arraignment on in August she entered a plea of guilty to a single charge of manslaughter.

Willow's father, Mark Dunn, is expected to stand trial charged with Willow's alleged murder in 2025.
A Welsh ex-pat living in Tenerife accused of hypocrisy for leading an anti-tourism campaign started moaning about holidaymakers because he was fed up with a hotel being built on his doorstep, say his neighbours.

Brian Harrison, 57, is secretary general of Salvar La Tejita, a group calling for curbs on the number of visitors to the Canaries.

It started in 2016 in protest against the 883-bed La Tejita Beach Club Resort which is being built yards from the apartment where Mr Harrison has called home for the last 30 years.

Yet neighbours of Mr Harrison in the gated compound, where properties are worth around 430,000 (500,000), told MailOnline the campaigner fears it will see property prices plummet 'because it will block a lovely view of the mountain.'

The hotel, once complete, will also see large swathes of the beach packed with tourists for much of the year.

Brian Harrison is a Welsh ex-pat who moved to Majorca more than 30 years ago. Mr Harrison (left) is campaigning against tourists visiting the island - and has been accused of hypocrisy

Neighbours of Mr Harrison in Majorca says he only started the movement against tourists visiting island when developers wanted to build this hotel (pictured) close to his apartment

Anti-tourist graffiti in Majorca which reads 'this site must be destroyed'

Mr Harrison, who is secretary general of Salvar La Tejita which is campaigning to limit the number of tourists allowed into Tenerife, is seen here speaking to ITV

Locals Jose Antonio Rodriguez and Jose Luis Rodriguez (pictured) say it doesn't make sense to block the hotel given that it's half built

Local parking attendant Jose Perrera Herandez (pictured) says the protests against the hotel have delayed the building of it - and he branded the site a 'terrible eyesore'

Accusing him of being a NIMBY, Mr Harrison's neighbours say his campaigning against the proposed hotel has led to years-long delays, which have resulted in the plot looking like a building site and an 'eyesore'.

Isabel Martin, 56, a local teacher, told MailOnline: 'I hate that it's been left unfinished.

'It was literally a rubbish dump before they started building, these activists like Brian only care now because it's being turned into a hotel, they didn't protest when trash and dog mess were being left everywhere.'

Local parking attendant Jose Perrera Herandez, 52, branded the site a 'terrible eyesore', adding: 'Now that it's half built they should at least finish it, it's been like that for too long and it really bothers me having to look at it every day.'

The hotel, once complete, will also see large swathes of the beach packed with tourists for much of the year

The outside gate to Mr Harrison's home which is near to the site where the hotel is being built

Manolo Regalado, one of Mr Harrison's neighbours, pictured next to the site

A shot of Mr Harrison's home which is near to the beach and next to the site where a hotel is being built

La Tejita is in the south of the island and around 20km east of the popular Playa de los Cristianos.

The controversial hotel site is little over five metres across the road from Mr Harrison's gated community.

Despite Mr Harrison's protests, locals support the hotel, saying it will bring jobs and money to the area.

They accused Mr Harrison and other residents of only becoming upset by the plans due to 'economic interests.'

Local Jose Antonio Rodriguez, 33, said: 'He clearly has a vested interest, it doesn't make any sense to block the hotel, it's stupid when it's already half built.'

Mr Harrison's neighbour, Robert Hasslover, 59, suggested expats shouldn't concern themselves with local planning rows, telling MailOnline: 'I don't feel like it's right for me to protest because I'm a foreigner, even though I've been here for 25 years.'

Local Jose Luis Rodriguez, 65, who owns a driving school, suggested Mr Harrison had a grudge, saying he 'woke up one day and decided the hotel was bad news' and decided to rally against it.

He added: 'It's all run by well-organised left wingers, and they're only using him because he's foreign and he's a character.

The hotel (right) which is being built close to Mr Harrison's home (left) and a stone's throw away from the beach

'He can kick up a fuss because he's already moved here.'

He added: 'If we stopped tourism for three months they would be on their knees begging to bring it back, even those protesting, there's no other industry here.'

The hotel, a project by Grupo Viqueira, was granted building licences in 2018 and work began one year later.

It was soon stopped in May 2021 after protests from Mr Harrison's group cast doubts over the legality of the project.

The eco-warriors claimed the La Tejita Beach Club Resort was constructed on the protected Montana Roja nature reserve.

However, work was restarted in February this year after the Canary Islands' Supreme Court confirmed everything was above board.

Anti-tourist graffiti can be seen next to the construction site where the hotel is being built

The pool at Mr Harrison's home in Tenerife

People march on a street during a demonstration for a change in the tourism model in the Canary Islands, in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain, April 20, 2024

The court did however order the developers to remove some of the building work which had 'breached public space', also imposing a 252 (300) fine.

Grupo Viqueira has already invested 16million (20 million) into the project, a third of the total budget.

Despite the Canary Islands' Parliament affirming the ruling in May this year, when they voted against selling the land to the local authorities, the building work was halted once again in March 2024.

It followed conflict between Salvar La Tejita, local coastal protection authorities and the investment group about the need for new building licences.

While Grupo Viqueira claims no licences are needed, coastal authorities in Madrid disagree, and a legal battle is ongoing.

Grupo Viqueira is behind many of the town's principal infrastructures, including, ironically, Mr Harrison's community, which is itself filled with Airbnb-style flats and tourists.

The hotel, a project by Grupo Viqueira, was granted building licences in 2018 and work began one year later

Eco-warriors claimed the La Tejita Beach Club Resort was constructed on the protected Montana Roja nature reserve, but work was restarted this year after the Canary Islands' Supreme Court confirmed everything was above board

Another view of the construction site where the hotel is being built

'It's properties like this that are the real problem,' local Susana Alfaro told MailOnline.

'On my street it used to be all Spaniards but now there's just two of us and the rest are tourist flats or expats. We need to regulate this because rent has become so unaffordable it's almost a luxury, many locals have had to leave.'

Mr Harrison, a Welsh engineer, has lived on the island for 30-plus years, during which time he has also run multiple jazz music festivals - benefitting from the tourism trade he is now rallying against.

The events, which ran until at least 2019, were sponsored by the Arona Town Hall.

He also runs local radio station Qfm and is a big name in the expat community.

But his recent appearances on UK television calling for tourism restrictions are likely to raise eyebrows among his contacts at the local government.

Mr Harrison has denied claims that his group is completely against tourists, saying that instead it is taking issue with the number of people flocking to his adopted home

Mr Harrison this week told the Telegraph he understands that his involvement seems ironic, but argued that the number of years he has lived in the country entitles him to campaign on the issues.

'Why wouldn't anyone want to take care of a place they've lived in for over 30 years?' he said.

A bar owner, 47, who asked not to be named, said without tourism the island 'wouldn't even have telephones.'

He added: 'Sometimes it makes people uncomfortable and they want the beach to themselves, but this is what happens with tourism. Actually, 95-97% of people think well of the tourism industry.'

Mr Harrison has denied claims that his group is completely against tourists, saying that instead it is taking issue with the number of people flocking to his adopted home.

Figures show that the 11 million international visitors travelled to Spain in July alone, 2.6 million of whom came from the UK - up 4.6 per cent on the year before.

Mr Harrison said that the number of people coming to Tenerife every year was around two million when he first arrived in 1991, but that the number has since jumped to around six million.

'The problem is not the people who come here, but the huge numbers of people who come, the volume,' he said.

'For an island that has limited space, it is unsustainable. This is the problem,' he said.

Mr Harrison refused to comment when contacted by MailOnline.
Hewlett-Packard Enterprise (HPE) could pursue the widow of British tech tycoon Mike Lynch for up to 3billion after his death in the Bayesian superyacht disaster.

The US firm won a multi-billion-pound UK High Court claim against Dr Lynch in 2022, accusing him of fraud over its 8billion purchase of his company Autonomy in 2011.

His death on August 19, when his 30million vessel sank during a freak storm off the coast of Sicily, means his family could be liable for any payout decided by the judge.

And HPE is now expected to continue its case against his widow Angela Bacares for money stemming from the ruling - despite the likely negative press for the firm.

Dr Lynch, 59, who was cleared in a separate criminal trial over the Autonomy case in the US in June, died on the yacht with his 18-year-old daughter Hannah on August 19.

Now, HPE has confirmed it will continue with its legal case, with a spokesman telling MailOnline today: 'In 2022, an English High Court judge ruled that HPE had substantially succeeded in its civil fraud claims against Dr Lynch and Mr Hussain.

Mike Lynch with his wife Angela Bacares, who managed to escape from the disaster off Sicily

Hannah Lynch with her father Mike Lynch. Both died in the sinking of his superyacht last month

Hewlett-Packard Enterprise has now confirmed it will continue with its legal case

'A damages hearing was held in February 2024 and the judge's decision regarding damages due to HPE will arrive in due course. It is HPE's intention to follow the proceedings through to their conclusion.'

Just one week ago, a spokesman for HPE was asked by the Daily Mail whether it would rule out pursuing Dr Lynch's estate for damages, but said: 'We do not think it appropriate to comment on legal matters in these tragic circumstances.'

MailOnline contacted HPE today to confirm its latest stance on the matter.

Last week friends of Dr Lynch, including Conservative MP Sir David Davis, called for HPE to drop the claim. One said it would be a 'terrible shame' for it to continue.

HPE won its civil case over claims that Dr Lynch and Autonomy's former finance chief, Sushovan Hussain, inflated the revenues of the Cambridge-based business before the takeover.

The US firm initially sought 4billion in damages though Mr Justice Hildyard ruled the amount would be 'substantially less'. It is thought to have spent more than 50million on legal fees.

A fire service dive team leaves Porticello, heading to the rescue site in Sicily on August 23

The Bayesian (file picture) sank on August 19 off the coast of Sicily amid severe stormy weather

At a hearing earlier this year to discuss the level of the payout, HPE said it was still seeking 3billion. It had sales of 22billion last year and profits of 1.5 billion.

The corporate hardware and services business is separate from computer and printer maker HP Inc after a split in 2015.

The judge is expected to rule on damages before the end of the year.

A source close to the case said: 'It is with the judge. We are waiting to hear from him. There is no decision to be made until he makes his decision.'

Tory grandee Sir David said given that the judge ruled that the sum awarded to HP would be 'a lot smaller than they were claiming', the company should drop the case.

'I would think the wise thing for Hewlett-Packard to do in their own interest is to drop the case because they are not going to make a great deal of money out of it but they are going to make themselves very unpopular with the ordinary members of the public, picking on a bereaved family.'

Banking boss Jonathan Bloomer and his wife Judy died in the superyacht disaster on August 19

Clifford Chance lawyer Chris Morvillo and his wife Neda Morvillo were also among the dead

The body of chef Recaldo Thomas was discovered on the day of the sinking last month

The former Cabinet minister  who supported Dr Lynch in his battle against extradition to the US  said he had lunch with the entrepreneur just three weeks ago, following his acquittal, and they were due to meet again soon.

Seven people were killed in the Bayesian disaster - and which the ship's captain, New Zealander James Cutfield, was the first crew member to be put under investigation for possible manslaughter and culpable shipwreck charges.

Tim Parker Eaton, the engineer who was in charge of securing the yacht's engine room, and sailor Matthew Griffith, who was on watch duty on the night of the disaster, were also the placed under investigation for the same possible charges last Wednesday.

The three crew members were among 15 survivors of the sinking of the Bayesian, a 56-metre British-flagged luxury yacht, which went down near Sicily in the Mediterranean.

Investigators are focusing on how a sailing vessel deemed 'unsinkable' by its manufacturer, Italian shipyard Perini Navi, sank while a nearby sailboat remained largely unscathed.

Prosecutors said the event was 'extremely rapid' and could have been a 'downburst' - a localized, powerful wind that descends from a thunderstorm and spreads out rapidly on hitting the ground.

All crew members survived except for the chef, but six passengers were trapped in the yacht's hull and died.
Israel has been brought to a standstill due to a nationwide general strike after the country erupted with protests over Benjamin Netanyahu's failure to secure a hostage release deal with Hamas.

The unions on Sunday announced the strike which has today fallen into action - leaving Israel facing mass disruptions and closures, including at its international airport.

The strike action was called after the bodies of six hostages who were snatched during the October 7 massacre were found in a Gaza tunnel on Saturday.

On Sunday, Israel's largest trade union, the Histadrut, called for the general strike for Monday in a bid to shut down and disrupt major sectors of the economy, including banking, health care, and the country's main airport.

Airlines at Israel's main international airport Ben-Gurion were halting outgoing flights between 8:00 and 10:00am, with images from the scene showing large crowds of people waiting for updates alongside their luggage.

Israel has been brought to a standstill after a nationwide lockdown was announced yesterday for Monday in a bid to pressure Netanyahu to secure a hostage release deal

Passengers wait for flights at the Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv during a nationwide strike on September 2, 2024

An Israel protester carries a poster reading in Hebrew 'Netanyahu's Legacy' at a mass demonstration last night condemning Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his handling of the hostages

According to the Israel Airports Authority, outgoing flights either departed early or were slightly delayed, and arriving flights were continuing as usual during that time.

Banks, some large shopping centres and government offices were all closed due to the strike action and public transport was limited.

Municipalities in Israel's populated central area, including Tel Aviv, were participating in the strike, leading to shortened school hours and cancellations for public daycares and nurseries.

Speaking at a press conference following a meeting with the Hostages and Missing Families Forum in Tel Aviv on Sunday, Histadrut Labor Federation chief Arnon Bar-David made the strike announcement.

He said: 'Jews are being murdered in the tunnels of Gaza. It is impossible to grasp and has to stop'.

He chillingly continued: '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.

'It is impossible to stand by anymore and neglect as our children are murdered in the tunnels of Gaza... a deal needs to be reached, a deal is more important than anything else.

'Therefore, I have decided that starting tomorrow, the entire Israeli economy will go on strike'.

People block a road as they protest, calling for a deal for the immediate release of hostages held in the Gaza Strip by Hamas in Tel Aviv

Protesters set a fire on a main road during a demonstration demanding a hostages deal while denouncing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu

An Israel protester carries a poster reading in Hebrew 'Netanyahu's Legacy' at a mass demonstration condemning Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his handling of the hostages

Histadrut Labor Federation chief Arnon Bar-David made the strike announcement on Sunday

As a result of the nationwide strike, restaurants, cinemas, and other popular venues are set to close early today.

A large Israeli law firm also said it will support the protests by offering legal assistance to anyone targeted by Israeli Police during their show of activism.

The mayor of Tel Aviv publicly backed the strike move, saying the municipality will join tomorrow's action, in a post on X.

Ron Huladi goes on to accuse the Israeli government of 'abandoning' the six hostages whose bodies were discovered on Gaza, while adding the planned strike action is a 'sign of solidarity' with the victims and their families.

He called for people to take to the streets of Tel Aviv from morning until noon.

Many municipalities, however, including Jerusalem, were not participating in the strike. Israeli media reported that the state appealed to a labor court to cancel the strike, saying it was politically motivated.

The movement comes after mass demonstrations on Sunday became what is thought to be the largest since the start of the war, with organisers estimating that up to 500,000 people joined nationwide events and the main rally held in Tel Aviv.

Tens of thousands of devastated Israelis pored into the streets overnight, blocking roads and carrying posters demanding Israeli President Benjamin Netanyahu reach a deal to return the remaining roughly 100 hostages held in Gaza - a third of whom are believed to be dead.

Netanyahu has pledged 'total victory' over Hamas and blames it for the failure of the negotiations, which have dragged on for much of this year.

The army identified the hostages as (TL-R) Ori Danino, Carmel Gat, Hersh Goldberg-Polin, (BL-R) Eden Yerushalmi, Alexander Lobanov, and Almog Sarusi

People take part in a protest in Tel Aviv, demanding a cease-fire deal

The aftermath of an attack on the Supernova music Festival by Hamas gunmen, October 9

Israel said Hamas killed all six hostages shortly before Israeli forces arrived in the tunnel where they were being held.

Three of them, including an Israeli-American, were reportedly scheduled to be released in the first phase of a cease-fire proposal discussed in July, but the Israeli Health Ministry said autopsies had determined the hostages were shot at close range and died on Thursday or Friday.

Netanyahu blamed Hamas, saying 'whoever murders hostages doesn't want a deal', but but Senior Hamas official Izzat El-Reshiq said that Israel, in its refusal to sign a ceasefire deal, was responsible for the deaths.

The Israeli military named the deceased as Hersh Goldberg-Polin - an Israeli-American - Eden Yerushalmi, 24, Carmel Gat, 39, Almog Sarusi, 26, Alex Lubnov, 26, and Master Sergeant Ori Danino, 25.

They were among 251 hostages seized during the October 7 attack on southern Israel by Palestinian militants with the Times of Israel reporting that autopsies have shown the hostages were murdered in the last 48 hours.

Goldberg-Polin, 23, a native of Berkeley, California, lost part of his left arm to a grenade in the attack and in April, Hamas issued a video that showed him alive, sparking protests in Israel.

He was one of the best-known hostages, and his parents had led a high-profile campaign for the captives' release, meeting with President Joe Biden, Pope Francis, and addressing the Democratic National Convention last month.

Biden on Sunday said he was 'devastated and outraged' by the deaths.

'It is as tragic as it is reprehensible. Make no mistake, Hamas leaders will pay for these crimes,' he said.

'And we will keep working around the clock for a deal to secure the release of the remaining hostages.'

The brutal Israel-Hamas war broke out on October 7 when the Palestinian Islamist group attacked an Israeli music festival in southern Israel, killing 1,200 and snatching around 250 hostages, according to Israeli figures.

At least 40,691 Palestinians have now been killed and 94,060 injured in Israel's counter offensives in Gaza, the enclave's Hamas-run health ministry said in a statement on Saturday.
A distressed mother and her seven-year-old daughter have been brought to safety after they were stranded nearly 1,000 miles off the coast of Hawaii as Hurricane Gilma made landfall.

Authorities received a emergency signal from the 47-foot sailboat just past midday on August 24, notifying them that the family was stranded.

The US Coast Guard broadcasted the alert to all ships in the area and deployed an airplane to search for the family. The plane found the ship, a French-flagged vessel named Albroc, around 9am on August 25.

The mother, who in her mayday call said the boat had been 'beset by weather', was seen lighting distress flares on the drifting boat as water washed over the beam of the ship. She and her daughter waved their arms before going back inside the cabin.

Crews were initially unable to reach the family due to rough conditions. But the woman, 47, her young daughter and their pet cat and tortoise were finally rescued and brought to Honolulu around 5am the next day.

The ship's male captain, whose relationship to the pair is unclear, died while on board, the Coast Guard said. His body was unable to be recovered due to weather conditions.

A woman and her daughter, who were stranded nearly 1,000 miles off the coast of Hawaii as Hurricane Gilma made landfall, embrace on the deck of the USS William P. Lawrence as the ship approaches the Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam in Honolulu on August 28, 2024

The French-flagged sailing vessel Albroc is pictured during rescue operations in the Pacific Ocean on Aug. 26, 2024. Authorities received a emergency signal from the 47-foot sailboat just past midday on August 24, notifying them that the family was stranded

Authorities at the Joint Rescue Coordination Center Honolulu received the Albroc's distress signal at 12.33pm on Saturday, August 24.

The mother said that she and her daughter were in need of rescue after weather caused them to be stranded. She also revealed there was a deceased man on board.

The Coast Guard launched an airplane crew from the Coast Guard Air Station Barbers Point which found the Albroc stranded about 925 miles east of Honolulu around 9am on Sunday.

But Hurricane Gilma was approaching the region and conditions were too rough for rescuers to reach the vessel. Officials reported waves of up to 6 feet high and 20mph winds.

The Coast Guard called in additional assistance from the Navy, including a 754-foot liquid petroleum gas tanker which arrived on scene at 5.20pm - over eight hours after the plane had first spotted the boat.

The tanker, however, was unable to reach the boat due to the weather conditions.

A small Navy crew was finally able to carry out the rescue mission around 5am on Monday, August 26. Officials say that due to the condition of the boat, they only had a six hour window to get the family to safety.

A 7-year-old girl hugs a Navy sailor on Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam in Honolulu on Aug. 28, 2024. The Navy ship launched a small boat crew to rescue the girl, her mother, their cat and tortoise after their sailboat became beset by weather in the path of an approaching hurricane

A small boat crew sails away from the French-flagged sailing vessel Albroc after recovering the mother and daughter during rescue operations in the Pacific Ocean on August 26, 2024

The mother, who in her mayday call said the Albroc (pictured) had been 'beset by weather', was seen lighting distress flares on the drifting boat as water washed over the beam of the ship. She and her daughter waved their arms before going back inside the cabin

The woman, child and their pets were rescued and safely arrived at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam in Honolulu on Wednesday evening. Representatives from the Coast Guard and the Honorary Consul of France in Hawaii provided care for the survivors.

The captain's body was left on the vessel, which remains adrift in the ocean. Authorities did not reveal if there are any plans to recover the ship.

His cause of death and the circumstances surrounding why the family were out on the boat in the path of a hurricane remain under investigation.

'Through tireless planning, coordination and teamwork, our watchstanders pieced together the key elements needed for such a dynamic search and rescue case,' search and rescue mission coordinator Kevin Cooper said.

'We are grateful 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.'

At the time of rescue operations, Gilma was located roughly 480 miles east of the vessels and had sustained a maximum wind speed of 110mph.

'I am extremely proud of the crew's professionalism in planning and executing the safe recovery of two persons at sea on a disabled vessel in worsening conditions,' US Navy Cmdr. Bobby Wayland said.

The USS William P. Lawrence (DDG 110), an Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer homeported in Honolulu, Hawaii, approaches the pier on Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam after completing the rescue of a woman, child and their pets on August 28, 2024

'My boat crew  in particular the coxswain  demonstrated deft boat handling and good judgement in approaching the distressed vessel and transferring the survivors. I also appreciate the remarkable coordination and information provided by the USCG throughout the entire operation  very cool to see the Navy/Coast Guard team work together so smoothly.'

Vice Adm. John Wade, commander, US 3rd Fleet, added: While saddened by the loss of the sailing vessel's master, I couldn't be prouder of the combined efforts of the U.S. Coast Guard and US Navy who saved the lives of two other passengers.

'I'm particularly grateful for the professionalism exhibited by the crew of USS William P. Lawrence who executed the rescue flawlessly under extremely dangerous conditions.'
Japan is attempting to address staff shortages by coaxing more people and companies to adopt four-day workweeks.

The Japanese government first expressed support for a shorter working week in 2021, after lawmakers endorsed the idea.

The concept has been slow to catch on, however, as roughly 8% of companies in Japan allow employees to take three or more days off per week, while 7% give workers the legally mandated one day off, according to the labour ministry.

It comes after it was revealed that employees in the UK will be allowed to demand a four-day week under new 'compressed hours' plans by Labour.

The Japanese government has launched a 'work style reform' campaign that promotes shorter hours and other flexible arrangements along with overtime limits and paid annual leave.

Japan is looking to bring in a four-day week to tackle staff shortages. Pictured: people cross a street in Osaka Japan

Japan is renown for its hardworking culture. People commute in a train in Tokyo on April 23, 2021

The labour ministry recently started offering free consulting, grants and a growing library of success stories as further motivation.

'By realizing a society in which workers can choose from a variety of working styles based on their circumstances, we aim to create a virtuous cycle of growth and distribution and enable each and every worker to have a better outlook for the future,' states a ministry website about the 'hatarakikata kaikaku' campaign.

The department overseeing the new support services for businesses says only three companies have come forward so far to request advice on making changes, relevant regulations and available subsidies, illustrating the challenges the initiative faces.

Perhaps more telling, of the 63,000 Panasonic Holdings Corp. employees who are eligible for four-day schedules at the electronics maker and its group companies in Japan, only 150 employees have opted to take them, according to Yohei Mori.

The government's official backing of a better work-life balance represents a marked change in Japan, a country whose reputed culture of workaholic stoicism often got credited for the national recovery and stellar economic growth after World War II.

Conformist pressures to sacrifice for one's company are intense. Citizens typically take vacations at the same time of year as their colleagues - during the Bon holidays in the summer and around New Years - so co-workers can't accuse them of being neglectful or uncaring.

A recent government white paper on 'karoshi,' the Japanese term that in English means 'death from overwork, said Japan has at least 54 such fatalities a year, including from heart attacks.

Last week, Gail's chairman Luke Johnson warned proposals for a four-day week would strangle businesses with more red tape and particularly harm start-ups.

Business groups also called for caution over the potential Labour plans to open up a 'compressed hours' four-day work week to more of the workforce.

And Tory MPs said it was 'as mad a way to run an economy as a three-wheeled car', adding: 'Customers expect a five day service and that means five day working.'

Commuters walk in a passageway during a rush hour at Shinagawa Station, Feb. 14, 2024, in Tokyo

Pedestrians cross a street in Tokyo's Shinjuku area on April 23, 2021

Some officials consider changing that mindset as crucial to maintaining a viable workforce amid Japan's nosediving birth rate.

At the current rate, which is partly attributed to the country's job-focused culture, the working age population is expected to decline 40% to 45 million people in 2065, from the current 74 million, according to government data.

Proponents of the three-days-off model say it encourages people raising children, those caring for older relatives, retirees living on pensions and others looking for flexibility or additional income to remain in the workforce for longer.

Fast Retailing Co., the Japanese company that owns Uniqlo, Theory, J Brand and other clothing brands, pharmaceutical company Shionogi & Co., and electronics companies Ricoh Co. and Hitachi also began offering a four-day workweek in recent years.

The trend even has gained traction in the notoriously consuming finance industry. Brokerage SMBC Nikko Securities Inc. started letting workers put in four days a week in 2020. Banking giant Mizuho Financial Group offers a three-day schedule option.

Critics of the government's push say that in practice, people put on four-day schedules often end up working just as hard for less pay. But there are signs of change.

A annual Gallup survey that measures employee engagement ranked Japan as having among the least engaged workers of all nationalities surveyed; in the most recent survey, only 6% of the Japanese respondents described themselves as engaged at work compared to the global average of 23%.

That means relatively few Japanese workers felt highly involved in their workplace and enthusiastic about their work, while most were putting in their hours without investing passion or energy.

Kanako Ogino, president of Tokyo-based NS Group, thinks offering flexible hours is a must for filling jobs in the service industry, where women comprise most of the work force. The company, which operates karaoke venues and hotels, offers 30 different scheduling patterns, including a four-day workweek, but also taking long periods off in between work.

To ensure none of the NS Group's workers feel penalized for choosing an alternative schedule, Ogino asks each of her 4,000 employees twice a year how they want to work. Asserting individual needs can be frowned upon in Japan, where you are expected to sacrifice for the common good.

'The view in Japan was: You are cool the more hours you work, putting in free overtime,' Ogino said with a laugh. 'But there is no dream in such a life.'
A woman who was mauled by a tiger in a terrifying attack at a popular theme park has been identified as a veteran handler.

Melissa Reynolds, 47, was rushed to hospital following the harrowing ordeal at Dreamworld on the Gold Coast an hour before doors opened to visitors on Monday morning.

The veteran handler was walking the five-year-old 180kg tiger with another trainer when the animal bit and scratched her.

It has since been reveled that Ms Reynolds suffered injuries to her forearm and shoulder, including multiple deep cuts and lacerations.

She has worked at the theme park for at least 12 years and has been photographed by local publications multiple times posing with the tigers.

Dreamworld is home to a number of Sumatran and Bengal tigers, including three five-year-olds named Khan, Javi and Zakari.

It's not known which tiger attacked Ms Reynolds.

She previously appeared on Channel Nine's Today Show along with another handler and two young cubs.

Melissa Reynolds, 47, (pictured) has been identified as the veteran tiger handler, who was mauled by the creature, at Dreamworld on the Gold Coast, on Monday morning

'It is amazing, you get the opportunity to spend time with them, feed them and play with them,' she told the program in 2012.

Ms Reynolds remains in hospital in a stable condition.

QAS acting district director Justin Payne said the biggest risk to the injuries Ms Reynolds sustained was the likelihood of her wounds becoming infected.

'She was quite pale and feeling unwell, but generally well and was able to be transported to hospital,' he said.

'Thankfully, on (the paramedics') arrival, the bleeding had been managed very well by first aid providers there at Dreamworld, which was excellent to see.

'We believe she was well-trained, and it's good to see that she was able to be looked after by other support staff there.'

Dreamworld is providing support for Ms Reynolds.

'This was an isolated and rare incident, and we will conduct a thorough review accordingly,' a spokesperson said.

Daily Mail Australia has contacted Dreamworld for further comment.

Earlier, police were seen at the theme park which later to visitors. WorkSafe Queensland has launched an investigation into the incident.

Head of Campaigns at World Animal Protection Australia Suzanne Milthorpe, told Daily Mail the incident was a stark reminder that interactions with wild animals should not be encouraged.

he veteran handler was walking the the five-year-old animal, who weighs 180kg, with another staff member, when she was attacked (stock image)

'Tigers are wild animals and should not be trained to perform, be used as photographic props or be handled by visitors,' Ms Milthorpe said.

'We call on the tourism industry to stop promoting close encounters with wild animals.'

It's not the first incident at Dreamworld involving tigers.

Two staff were rushed to hospital in separate incidents in 2011 after they were attacked by the same Bengal tiger.

The popular park offers viewing areas on 'Tiger Island' where people can get 'so close you could feel the breath of a tiger'.

Visitors over the age of 13 can also choose to tong feed the tigers or watch them 'jump, climb and swim' during daily presentations.

The wildlife park first opened almost 30 years ago and is one of just two interactive tiger exhibits in the world.

The incident comes after a malfunction of the Thunder River Rapids Ride at the theme park resulted in the deaths of four people in September 2016.

Cindy Low, Luke Dorsett, Roozi Araghi and Kate Goodchild all died when a water pump failed and caused the raft they were in to overturn.

The latest incident comes after a malfunction of the Thunder River Rapids Ride at the theme park resulted in the deaths of four people in September 2016 (stock image)

Kieran Low, who was 10 at the time, was on the ride when his mother was killed but miraculously only suffered minor injuries.

Dreamworld parent company Ardent Leisure was fined $3.6million in 2020 after pleading guilty in a Brisbane court to breaching the Work Health and Safety Act.

As of 2020, Ardent Leisure had reportedly paid more than $5million in compensation claims to family members of the victims, witnesses and emergency responders.
On the last weekend of September 1914, as British soldiers on the Western Front were digging the trenches in which so many thousands would meet their end, Prime Minister H. H. Asquiths thoughts could not have been further from their impending fate.

While those brave young men might have imagined that he was in London, deeply immersed in the work of running the country during one of the most serious crises it had ever known, he was instead in rural Wales, being led into a woodland glade by his young lover Venetia Stanley.

Hidden away on the vast estate owned by her parents, Lord and Lady Sheffield  and a world away from the bloody battlefields of France  the spot appears to have been perfect for a tryst.

Can we ever forget those divine hours on Saturday & Sunday?! Asquith wrote to Venetia two days later. The little sheltered slope with the long grass and the delicious alternations of silence & speech.

How I try to recall all you said, and every turn of your head, and every look of your face, and the touch of your hand, and the contrast makes things look so drab.

So read one of the 500 or so letters Asquith sent to the woman who was 35 years his junior but became the lover and confidante to whom he addressed gushing declarations of love throughout the First World War.

I love you more than words can tell, he sighed in one missive, declaring that without you I am only half a pair of scissors.

Affairs of state: Venetia was privy to secret information

In another, he pleaded for letters that come every day, for letters full of your counsel & understanding & your sympathy and your love.

And then, as if his very life depended on it: Do my most darling write me one line tomorrow.

His passion for Venetia is the subject of Precipice, the new novel from thriller writer Robert Harris. While Harris is known for skilfully interweaving fact and fiction, the true story of their relationship needs little embellishment, not least because while Asquith was so ardently pursuing Venetia, she is believed to have been equally besotted with his daughter Violet.

The two women met as debutantes, Venetia being just four months younger than Violet, one of Asquiths five children from his marriage to his first wife Helen, who died of typhoid in 1891.

Exact contemporaries whose fathers shared Liberal sympathies, Venetia and Violet were both tall and fond of outdoor pursuits, the theatre and opera.

Expressing undying love for one another, they also gave each other little presents. Ive sent you a tiny and very humble gift which you must wear always (in your bath and in your bed), wrote Violet in one apparent billet-doux. If you think it too ugly you may tuck it in under your combies [undergarments].

In their letters they referred to each other as darling and darlingest, and historian Stefan Buczacki argues (in his book My Darling Mr Asquith, an account of Asquiths affair with Venetia) that they were far more than friends: Even allowing for the much more effusive style that was practically de rigueur at the time, these were unusual expressions of deep affection.

Whatever the truth of their relationship, Venetia was just one of the young female friends whom Violet brought to Downing Street, and her father went out of his way to spend time with all the members of this little harem as it was described by his second wife Margot.

A baronets daughter and celebrated socialite who swore copiously and had a reputation for being fast before her marriage to Asquith in 1894, she was well aware of his reputation for being what the debutantes called NSIT (Not Safe In Taxis).

According to Winston Churchills wife Clementine, he was unable to sit next to a pretty woman at a dinner party without peering down Pennsylvania Avenue  as a ladys cleavage was known.

Infatuated: Asquith and his daugher Violet (above) both adored Venetia Stanley

Lady Diana Cooper, widely acknowledged as the most beautiful woman in Edwardian England, complained of his fumbly hands and mouth, while Lady Ottoline Morrell, another It girl of the day, protested that Asquith would take a ladys hand as she sat beside him on the sofa, and make her feel his erected instrument under his trousers.

To be left alone with him was to invite immediate and bold approaches, recalled Angela Lambert, a close friend of Asquith and his wife. He was simply an importunate lecher. If he found no resistance to his advances  or even active encouragement  he would take the relationship to its fullest conclusion.

None of this appears to have perturbed Margot. Some of my friends wondered why I was not jealous of the women he was fond of, she wrote years later. On the contrary, I welcomed them, as they fitted the theory which I have always held about wives. No woman should expect to be the only woman in her husbands life.

But even her tolerance was tested as her husband became increasingly obsessed with Venetia.

Attractive but not outstandingly beautiful and in possession of what one friend described as a gruff, baritone voice, she was no Diana Cooper. But she was highly intelligent, and her upbringing as the daughter of intellectually rigorous Liberal parents had more than equipped her to hold her own with Asquith, the Oxford-educated son of a Yorkshire clothing manufacturer.

You are the only woman who never asks a stupid question, and always understands, he once informed her.

What Venetia felt is unknown because Asquith destroyed all her letters. But there was no question about the depth of his feeling as he declared repeatedly: I love you more than life.

On Friday afternoons his chauffeur took them for drives to rural parts of London in Asquiths prized Napier limousine.

Robert Harris claimed at the weekend that these assignations were more passionate than previously thought. There was, he said, a fixed glass screen between the driver and the passengers, with a curtain. Blinds on all the other windows. You communicate with the driver by console . . . Its a bedroom on wheels.

Herbert Henry Asquith and his wife Margot Asquith

The public had no idea about the affair. There were no photographers to catch them at her house in London, and if rumours did reach newspapers they were far too deferential to print them.

Some colleagues believed Venetia had a steadying influence on Asquith, whose heavy drinking had earned him the nickname Squiffy. In 1911, the PM had appeared in the Commons too drunk to speak and a scandal had been narrowly averted.

During their affair he became more abstemious and instead turned to Venetia as a source of happiness.

Only two days before Britain declared war on Germany in August 1914, he found the time to send her a note in which he looked forward to seeing her at the weekend, perhaps in your new striped dress, not the yellow peril.

On another occasion, he admitted to day-dreaming about her during important meetings and after a moment of vain reverie I realise that I am in the Cabinet room.

His colleagues watched with horror as a messenger would bring a letter from Venetia, which Asquith would immediately read and reply to at length, while matters affecting the lives of multitudes of young soldiers were discussed around him.

Often going into elaborate detail about the highly confidential discussions, he was appallingly indiscreet in what he told her.

By October he was warning her  strictly between you and me  that Britain was weak in arms and ammunition in the event of a German invasion.

She was frequently sent top-secret documents so she could better understand the challenges he faced. This dangerous breach of protocol led Winston Churchill, then First Lord of the Admiralty, to describe his letter writing as Englands greatest security risk.

On February 25, 1915, the day his son Raymond was going off to war, he turned down the opportunity to say goodbye and instead arranged a spurious official visit to the London hospital where Venetia had volunteered to work as a nurse. I dont believe that you thought that I should have the courage to clinch it, and to risk the vision of you in your Aunt Sally costume, he wrote afterwards, oblivious to the disruption his visit must have caused. This dependence left Venetia feeling increasingly overwhelmed, with Asquith even threatening suicide if she ever left him.

She began encouraging the advances of Asquiths friend  Edwin Montagu, a brilliant if somewhat ugly man who had already proposed to her twice. When she decided to accept, Asquith was distraught. No hell could be so bad, he wrote, mourning the loss of the most perfect and heavenly intimacy that could ever exist between man and woman.

Once known for his calm under pressure, he suddenly appeared indecisive. A scandal was brought to light by the founder of the Daily Mail, Lord Northcliffe, when he wrote a powerful leader on the shortage of adequate munitions at the Front. It was a final straw that saw Asquith give in to Conservative pressure to form a coalition.

Asquith later claimed he would never have made the decision if he had consulted Venetia, my best counsellor; and when his son Raymond was killed at the Somme in 1916, he became still more withdrawn. In December, Lloyd George ousted him as Prime Minister.

Venetias marriage, meanwhile, had gone off the rails. There were rumours it was never consummated, and she taunted Edwin with a string of lovers, including press magnate Lord Beaverbrook and the immensely rich scientist, spy and polymath Victor Rothschild.

Throwing wild parties and consuming chloroform, morphine and champagne with her dissolute friends, she spent thousands on her appearance and at the gaming tables. Flying her own De Havilland Gipsy Moth biplane and even keeping monkeys, she blew so much money that, by the end of the war, the once wealthy Edwin owed her creditors 60,000  the equivalent of 2 million today.

Asquith and Venetia eventually resumed their friendship, especially after the death of Montagu in 1924. And Venetia was one of the last people to see Asquith before he died of a stroke in 1928.

Years after Venetias own death in 1948, her daughter discovered the letters from Asquith. They were passed to Violet Asquiths son Mark Bonham Carter (uncle of the actress Helena), who in turn passed them to Asquiths biographer Roy Jenkins.

Many feature in the new novel by Harris. So extraordinary are they that he feels compelled to explain that all are authentic  damning evidence against a prime minister who compelled a generation of young men to do their bit for King and country while letting his doomed obsession with the woman he loved put thousands of their lives at risk.
A tourist helicopter that was carrying 22 passengers and crashed near a volcano over the weekend has been located in Russia's far east Kamchatka region, officials said Sunday.

Russia's Emergencies Ministry said the bodies of 17 people have been found and that rescuers were continuing to search for the remaining occupants.

The helicopter, which was operated by Vityaz-Aero, was carrying tourists, Russian news agencies TASS and Interfax said, with the rescue team stating yesterday that there were no survivors.

Russian state news agency RIA Novosti said, citing the Emergencies Ministry, that the helicopter had likely crashed due to poor visibility in bad weather conditions as rescuers spotted the remains of the chopper on Sunday morning in a hilly area.

'According to preliminary data, the cause was crew error. In conditions of poor visibility, the helicopter crashed into a hill,' a source from the Emergencies Ministry told TASS.

The remains of a missing tourist helicopter carrying 22 passengers was found in Russia's far east Kamchatka region, officials said Sunday.

Russia's emergencies ministry said the bodies of 17 people have been found and that rescuers were continuing to search for the remaining occupants

The Mi-8 helicopter took off on Saturday but did not arrive at its destination as scheduled

The helicopter remains were found near a volcano in a hilly area on Sunday morning

The helicopter took off close to the Vachkazhets volcano in the Kamchatka region

The crew did not report any malfunctions to the aircraft, operational services said.

'The wreckage of the previously missing helicopter was discovered from the air. It is located at an altitude of 2,950ft near the place where it was last contacted,' the Emergencies Ministry wrote on Telegram.

More than 60 specialists were deployed to look for the helicopter, alongside 15 units of search equipment, it added.

They were searching for the missing aircraft while a cyclone was in effect, with fog and rain causing disruption to their efforts.

Aerial footage released by Russia's Emergency Situations Ministry showed helicopter debris lying on a slope near the top of a large, wooded hill

The Mi-8 helicopter took off close to the Vachkazhets volcano in the Kamchatka region on Saturday but did not arrive at its destination as scheduled, Russia's Federal Air Transport Agency earlier said in a statement.

Rescuers arrived at the scene of the devastating crash

The chopper was located in Russia's far east Kamchatka region, officials said Sunday

There were believed to have been 19 passengers and three crew members on board the chopper at the time of the crash

The agency said it believed that 19 passengers and three crew members were on board.

The Mi-8 is a two-engine helicopter designed in the 1960s. It is widely used in Russia, where crashes have been frequent, as well as in neighboring countries and many other nations.

Russian media describe Vityaz-Aero as one of the largest air carriers in the Kamchatka region.

After a helicopter crash in 2021, in which eight people were killed, authorities banned the company from transporting passengers pending an investigation into a possible violation of flight safety rules.

Vityaz-Aero is the biggest of several local carriers which fly tourists to the Kronotsky reserve, a top tourist attraction that houses Russia's only geyser basin.

Kamchatka, a pristine peninsula with numerous volcanoes, is known for its rugged beauty and rich wildlife.
Single-headline Ofsted grades for schools were scrapped by the Government today despite warnings it could harm pupils by dumbing down standards.

The watchdog previously awarded one of four headline grades to schools it inspects: 'outstanding', 'good', 'requires improvement' and 'inadequate'.

But schools will now get ratings for individual sub-categories - and from next year this grading system could be scrapped altogether in favour of report cards.

The move has delighted teaching unions, while the family of headteacher Ruth Perry said they were 'relieved' by the end of one-word judgements, after a coroner's inquest found the inspection process had contributed to her death.

However, as the Tories warned scrapping it is 'not in the best interest of pupils or parents, MailOnline looks at what it means for you and your children's school:

Single-headline Ofsted grades for schools will be scrapped with immediate effect (file image)

How are Ofsted inspections changing?

The Government has announced single-headline Ofsted grades for schools will be scrapped with immediate effect.

What was the previous Ofsted system?

Until now, Ofsted has awarded one of four headline grades to schools it inspects: outstanding, good, requires improvement and inadequate.

What will happen at inspections this year?

For inspections this academic year, the Department for Education (DfE) said parents will see the four grades - outstanding, good, requires improvement and inadequate - given across the existing sub-categories: quality of education; behaviour and attitudes; personal development; leadership and management.

What about inspections next year?

School report cards will be introduced from September 2025, which will 'provide parents with a full and comprehensive assessment of how schools are performing and ensure that inspections are more effective in driving improvement', the DfE said.

Why are the changes being made?

Single-phrase grades 'fail to provide a fair and accurate assessment of overall school performance across a range of areas and are supported by a minority of parents and teachers', the DfE said.

It added that the change 'delivers on the Government's mission to break down barriers to opportunity'.

The announcement also follows engagement with the sector and family of headteacher Ruth Perry, after a coroner's inquest found the Ofsted inspection process had contributed to her death.

Mrs Perry took her own life after an Ofsted report downgraded her Caversham Primary School in Reading from its highest rating, 'outstanding', to its lowest rating, 'inadequate', over safeguarding concerns.

Support for Ofsted reform gathered momentum after the death of headteacher Ruth Perry

What has Ruth Perry's family said?

The family of headteacher Ruth Perry have said they are 'delighted and relieved' at the scrapping of one-word Ofsted judgements.

Mrs Perry's sister, Professor Julia Waters, said: 'We are delighted and relieved that the Government has decided to take this important and long-overdue step.

'Single-word headline judgments are dangerous and reductive. They are unpopular with parents and teachers, and their simplistic impact has made the daily job of improving school standards harder for everyone except the bureaucrats.

'The shame, injustice, and high-stakes consequences of an 'inadequate' judgement, together with the rude and intimidating conduct of the inspection itself, were the cause of my sister's mental deterioration and suicide.

'Single-word judgments are just the most visible feature of a fundamentally flawed inspection system. Ofsted's reign of terror has caused untold harm to headteachers and school staff for too long, with a negative impact on children's education.'

What about other educational settings?

It is understood the removal of single-headline grades for other settings inspected by Ofsted - independent schools, early years settings, colleges, children's social care providers and initial teacher training - will follow.

Professor Julia Waters, the sister of Ruth Perry, said the family are 'delighted and relieved'

How will struggling schools be helped?

Where schools are identified as struggling, the Government will prioritise getting plans in place to improve the education and experience of children, rather than relying on changing schools' management, the DfE said.

From early 2025, the Government will also introduce regional improvement teams that will work with struggling schools to address areas of weakness.

In cases of the most serious concern, the Government will continue to intervene, including by issuing an academy order, which may in some cases mean transferring to new management.

Ofsted will continue to identify these schools - which would have been graded as inadequate.

The Government also currently intervenes where a school receives two or more consecutive judgments of 'requires improvement' under the '2RI' policy.

With the exception of schools already due to convert to academies this term, this policy will change. The Government will now put in place support for these schools from a high-performing school.

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson, pictured in July, said the Government will 'make inspection a more powerful, more transparent tool for driving school improvement'

What has the Government said?

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said: 'The need for Ofsted reform to drive high and rising standards for all our children in every school is overwhelmingly clear.

'The removal of headline grades is a generational reform and a landmark moment for children, parents and teachers.

'Single-headline grades are low information for parents and high stakes for schools. Parents deserve a much clearer, much broader picture of how schools are performing - that's what our report cards will provide.

'This Government will make inspection a more powerful, more transparent tool for driving school improvement. We promised change and now we are delivering.'

The Government said it will work closely with Ofsted and relevant sectors and stakeholders to 'ensure that the removal of headline grades is implemented smoothly'.

How have teaching groups responded?

Paul Whiteman, general secretary of the National Association of Headteachers, said: 'We have been clear that simplistic one-word judgments are harmful and we are pleased the Government has taken swift action to remove them.

'We are equally pleased that the Government intends to place a stronger emphasis on supporting schools to improve where they need help, rather than defaulting to heavy-handed intervention or knee-jerk changes of governance structures.'

NASUWT general secretary Dr Patrick Roach said: 'It has been abundantly clear that the high-stakes system developed under the previous government was damaging, distracting and unfairly penalised schools for the failures of the system.

'For more than a decade, the NASUWT has called for a move towards a balanced report card system which would be informative to both parents and schools.

'Whilst today's announcements are an important step in the right direction, it remains the case that in the absence of root-and-branch reform to fix the foundations of the broken accountability system, teachers and school leaders will continue to work in a system that remains flawed.'

Shadow education secretary Damian Hinds said the headline inspection is 'a vital indicator'

What are the Conservatives saying?

In April, the previous Tory government insisted the ratings must stay because they brought 'significant benefits'.

And today, shadow education secretary Damian Hinds said the headline inspection outcome is 'a vital indicator for parents' and scrapping it is 'not in the best interest of pupils or parents'.

He said: 'Ofsted already inspects the quality of schools against four key areas and gives an accompanying narrative but the headline inspection outcome is a vital indicator for parents.

'The last Conservative Government made important changes to inspections and welcomed Ofsted's Big Listen to further evolve inspection practice, so it could continue its vital work in driving up school standards.

'While we do believe the system could be further improved, scrapping the headline inspection outcome is not in the best interest of pupils or parents.'

And former Tory schools minister Nick Gibb warned: 'If the Ofsted judgments are not crystal clear, the danger is that they cease to be something that parents look at when choosing a school, and therefore the accountability system is weakened. You run the risk of overall standards declining.'

He added there was also a risk that that parents wouldn't have 'the full information that they need to make a decision for their child's education.'

When do schools return?

Pupils in England and Wales are returning to the classroom today or over the next few days. Schools in Scotland already went back in mid-August.

* What do you think of the changes? Please email: mark.duell@mailonline.co.uk *
A migrant who was 'fleeing British police' tried to cross the Channel on a kayak to France.

The refugee, who is believed to be from Ukraine. was first seen off the British coast by a member of the public, which sparked a search by a Dover lifeboat.

When the man reached the middle of the Channel, he was then picked up by crew on a survey vessel in French waters, the Telegraph report.

It comes after a dangerously overcrowded boat with 60 migrants on board narrowly avoided sinking in the Channel last week.

On Sunday, the migrant was taken to Calais. Taped recordings document the moment French and British coastguards try to figure out his intentions.

Pictured: migrants on a small boat cross the English Channel on 30 August

Pictured: A group of people thought to be migrants are brought in to Dover, Kent, by Border Force on August 21

A Dover coastguard said the man was 'making quite a direct course for our vessel so I would guess he is looking for help'.

Maritime sources then claimed the man was fleeing police in the UK, although it was not specified what offence he was suspected of.

Last week it was revealed 614 migrants crossed the English Channel, bringing the total number of crossings to 20,433 so far this year.

The milestone was passed after 10 boats were intercepted in the Strait of Dover. The dangerous crossing was made by an average of 61 people per inflatable.

The number of arrivals crossing the Channel is 3 per cent higher than at the same point in 2023 (19,801) and 18 per cent lower than 2022 (25,065), according to analysis of Government data.

It is the second-highest number of arrivals on a single day since the General Election, after 703 arrivals on August 11.

The highest number on any day so far this year was 882 on June 18.

A Home Office spokesman said: 'We all want to see an end to dangerous small boat crossings, which are undermining border security and putting lives at risk.

'The new Government is taking steps to boost our border security, setting up a new Border Security Command which will bring together our intelligence and enforcement agencies, equipped with new counter-terror-style powers and hundreds of personnel stationed in the UK and overseas, to smash the criminal smuggling gangs making millions in profit.'

It comes after it was reported that a female migrant died after allegedly being thrown overboard in the Channel last week on Tuesday.
The mother of a 'seasoned' NASA astronauts aboard the International Space Station has revealed how her daughter is keeping busy after being stranded in space.

Suni Williams and fellow astronaut Butch Wilmore have been marooned on the ISS since June 6 when they arrived on Boeing's Starliner aircraft for what was supposed to be a week-long stay.

The Starliner is now set to return to Earth without them after being plagued by thruster troubles and helium leaks, but Suni's mother Bonnie Pandya says she is unconcerned and believes 'they're safe coming back'.

She says her daughter and Butch have 'jobs to do' and 'experiments' to conduct while they remain trapped on the ISS, and that even though the Starliner malfunctioned and 'has a problem, we still don't feel that there's a big problem'.

'She knows what to do. She is a seasoned astronaut,' Bonnie said of Suni in an interview on NewsNation's Cuomo, adding: 'She told me not to worry about her. Everything's going to be fine.'

The faulty Starliner, which Butch reported has been making a 'strange noise', is set to undock from the ISS, unmanned, and attempt to return to Earth on autopilot. The astronauts are not due to return back to Earth until 2025 - when one of Elon Musk's SpaceX ships is scheduled to ferry them home.

Bonnie Pandya, mother of stranded astronaut Suni Williams, says her daughter and fellow astronaut Butch Wilmore have 'jobs to do' and 'experiments' to conduct while they remain trapped on the ISS. Bonnie and Suni are pictured together

Buth Wilmore and Suni Williams (pictured together) have been marooned on the ISS since June 6 when they arrived on Boeing's aircraft for what was supposed to be a week-long stay. But the Starliner is now set to return to Earth without them after being plagued by thruster troubles and helium leaks

Bonnie, during her appearance on Cuomo last Wednesday, revealed that she had spoken to her daughter just two days prior.

'She told me not to worry about her. Everything's going to be fine,' she said of Suni.

She explained that the pair have 'jobs to do', suggesting that although they are stranded, they still remain focused on their work.

Even though she will not see her daughter for several more months, Bonnie remains seemingly optimistic about the whole situation.

'I've been an astronaut mom for 20 years, and this is her third flight,' she said. 'I don't give her any advice. She knows what to do. She is a seasoned astronaut. She's been up over 400 days in space.'

Over the weekend, Butch contacted Johnson Space Center in Houston to report a 'strange noise' coming from the Starliner aircraft.

'I've got a question about Starliner. There's a strange noise coming through the speaker and I didn't know if you can connect into the Starliner ... I don't know what's making it,' he said on Saturday.

Mission control confirmed to Butch that they could configure a way for the sound to be played. Wilmore then held the phone up to the Starliner's speakers.

After a failed first attempt, mission control responded: 'Butch, that one came through. It was kind of like a pulsating noise, almost like a sonar ping'.

Even though she will not see her daughter for several more months, Bonnie remains seemingly optimistic about the whole situation. Suni is pictured with her family

Bonnie revealed that this is Suni's 'third flight' and says, 'I don't give her any advice. She knows what to do. She is a seasoned astronaut. She's been up over 400 days in space. Suni Williams is pictured in space

Wilmore contacted Johnson Space Center in Houston about what he called a 'strange noise' just days before they undock from the ISS, empty, and attempt to return to earth on autopilot

NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, Boeing's Crew Flight Test Commander and Pilot respectively, inspect safety hardware aboard the ISS on August 9, 2024

Butch played the sound one more time which was successfully received by mission control.

'I'll let you figure it out,' he said.

'Good recording, thanks Butch,' mission control replied. 'We will pass it onto the team and let you know what we find.'

They asked one more time if there was any other noise and confirmed that it was coming from the Starliner's speaker.

Butch's call to Houston was first reported by Ars Technica, which stated that the recording was first captured and shared by Michigan-based meteorologist Rob Dale.

In the latest audio about the problem aircraft, Butch tells mission control he hopes they will 'scratch [their] heads and see if you can figure out what's going on.'

Mission control can only tell Butch that they will pass the news along and report back.

Butch and Suni launched toward the ISS aboard Boeing's Starliner three months ago.

The scandal-laden Starliner - which was built and developed using over $4 billion of taxpayer money - was beset by technical difficulties in the weeks leading up to launch, and even on the day of.

The spacecraft safely delivered Butch and Suni to the ISS, but by the time it got there, it had sprung more helium leaks and five of its 28 thrusters had failed.

In a press conference on August 24, NASA officials announced that it would be too risky to bring the astronauts home on faulty Starliner.

Instead, they will return home on SpaceX's Crew Dragon spacecraft, which is scheduled to launch NASA astronaut Nick Hague and Russian cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov toward the ISS on September 24, according to a NASA statement released last week.

Suni Williams (pictued) and Wilmore launched toward the ISS aboard Boeing's Starliner on June 5

The scandal-laden Starliner - which was built and developed using over $4 billion of taxpayer money - had been plagued by helium leaks and thruster issues in the weeks leading up to launch, and even on the day of

That means that Butch and Suni will remain on the ISS until at least February 2025.

Their empty Starliner capsule is set to undock on September 6 and will attempt to return on autopilot and land in the New Mexico desert.

The decision was humiliating for Boeing, which has struggled for years to get their Starliner program off the ground only to be bailed out at the eleventh hour by their biggest competitor.

'We have had so many embarrassments lately, we're under a microscope. This just made it, like, 100 times worse,' one employee anonymously told the New York Post.

'We hate SpaceX,' he added. 'We talk s*** about them all the time, and now they're bailing us out.'

At this point, it's unclear whether Starliner will ever be able to complete a crewed mission to the ISS.

NASA is planning to decommission the ISS by 2030, giving Boeing just five years to fix Starliner's technical issues and successfully send and return astronauts to space.

To put that in perspective, it's already been five years since Starliner's first failed uncrewed test flight.

But it's possible that Boeing could retire Starliner before they even hit that deadline, as the company has already sunk $1.6 billion into the spacecraft's development.
A 17-year-old boy massacred his parents and little brother in a savage knife rampage just hours after the family celebrated his father's 51st birthday.

The teen, from Paderno Dugnano, near Milan, Italy, confessed to the horror killings on Sunday, chillingly telling investigators: 'There is no real reason why I killed them. I felt like a foreign body in my family. Oppressed. I thought that by killing them all I would free myself from this discomfort'.

According to local reports, the young boy had initially told authorities the fabricated story that he had witnessed his father, Fabio Chiarioni, 51, killing his mother, Daniela Albano, 49, and brother, 12 - before taking a knife and stabbing his father.

The 17-year-old explained to investigators that he entered his brother's room on the second floor of the family home to find Chiarioni sitting on a chair with the knife next to him.

He told officers the body of his mother was on the ground by his father's feet, and his brother was laying dead in his bed before he launched his attack on his father.

A boy, 17, (pictured bottom left) slaughtered his entire family early on Sunday morning, just hours after they celebrated his father's (pictured top left) birthday

Officers dashed to the family home after the teen called authorities and informed them he had killed his father

But the police were left unconvinced at the story as the boy had no signs of struggle on his body and the truth emerged during a second interrogation.

The teen revealed to investigators that he had felt 'discomfort' within his family, and that these emotions had erupted just a few hours after the family celebrated Chiarioni's 51st birthday.

He also said he had been thinking about carrying out the killings 'for a while,' reports Il Messaggero.

The boy explained how at around 2am on Sunday morning, he grabbed a large kitchen knife and lunged first at his little brother, plunging the weapon into him at least ten times.

He then made his brutal attack on his parents who were also in his brother's room, but the young brother was found to have the most stab wounds.

The teen called authorities immediately after the savage killings, telling Italian emergency services that he had knifed his father to death.

L'unione Sarda reported the boy had told authorities: 'I killed my dad, come,' following the attack.

When officers arrived outside the family home, they found the 17-year-old on the pavement in his underwear and with his bare back covered in blood.

He was reportedly still holding the blood-soaked knife in his hand until the authorities arrived, where he then dropped it to the ground.

Officers then found the parents and brother dead in their nightwear in the brother's room.

The teen's mother, Daniela Albano, 49, was found dead in her nightwear in the room of her youngest son, who had also been killed

Family friends and the mayor of Paderno Dugnano, Anna Varisco, expressed shock at the news of the devastating killings

Father Fabio Chiarioni, 51, was killed by his son just hours after celebrating his 51st birthday

Speaking to investigators during his confession, he said: 'I realized it a minute later. I understood that it was not by killing them that I would be freed.'

According to a report by Ansa, the boy has now been arrested for his killing spree after being questioned all of Sunday by investigators headed by Milan juvenile prosecutor Sabrina Ditaranto.

Judicial sources said they yet to understand the motive behind the triple homicide.

'It will be necessary to wait for a long time before explaining such an atrocious gesture', they said.

Ditaranto said during a press conference Sunday: 'The boy understood that he had done something irreversible, he expressed his own discomfort, not related to the family.

'From a judicial point of view we do not have a technically valid motive. From a sociological and psychological point of view obviously the investigations are open'.

Family friends and the mayor of Paderno Dugnano, Anna Varisco, expressed shock at the news of the devastating killings.

'They were a normal, serene family, not followed by social services and described by everyone as not having problems', Varisco told the outlet.

Neighbors described the family as quiet, well-off , hardworking people, reports Il Messaggero.

'They were a fantastic, happy family. It's impossible, I don't know what could have happened,' said the father of a classmate of the 17-year-old.

'He went to school with my daughter, elementary and middle school, we vacationed together, I saw the father a month ago for the last time.

'We spent good days together in the past.'
A TikToker has boasted he managed to get his hands on four 150 tickets for Oasis' reunion tour - and resold them for more than six times the price.

Fans were left distraught over the weekend when they missed out on 'gold dust' tickets for the 17-date tour in UK and Ireland - with around 14 million people trying to buy just 1.4million tickets.

But a row was sparked when unscrupulous touts nabbed highly sought-after tickets - and then put them up for sale on reselling sites such as Viagogo for astronomical prices.

One man has faced backlash after gloating how he made 'easy money' by selling Oasis tickets for 4,000 - making a tidy 3,400 profit.

In a now-deleted post, the TikToker ty_kix told his 28,000 followers: 'Four grand. Four grand I've just made on Oasis tickets.'

The profile claimed to have purchased four standing tickets for Oasis' Cardiff gig at the Principality Stadium, costing 150 each, and selling them for 1,000 apiece.

Fans were left distraught over the weekend when they missed out on 'gold dust' tickets for the 17-date tour in UK and Ireland

Fan were left furious after Oasis tickets were found on Viagogo for more than 7,000 each

Tickets on Stubhub are being sold for more than 6,300 - while others on Viagogo appear to be up for grabs thousands of pounds

He said: 'I'm absolutely buzzing. I got four standing tickets for Cardiff, and I've managed to sell them for a grand each.

'Honestly, it's a goldmine this Oasis stuff. You lot are crazy. You're going to be standing up getting covered in p***.

'You're insane. 1,000, and I bet that will be cheap in a few months time.

'I don't get it, I honestly don't get it. It was so easy to get them this morning. I actually got four, I could have got eight. I should have got eight.'

The Daily Mirror reported that Ty spent the morning outside Starbucks using their wifi to secure the tickets, and paid for them almost 'straight away.'

Since posting, his video has faced furious backlash and the account has since been deleted.

One user commented: 'I don't agree with this, and I'm not a big Oasis fan. Shouldn't be allowed. People getting payouts for 3x the ticket price.'

Oasis has warned fans to only buy tickets from the official websites - and say any appearing on secondary ticketing sites at over face value will be 'cancelled by promoters'

Another added: 'I don't get itbuying tickets and not going.'

A third suggested: 'Oasis should cancel the tourgreedy.'

Others shared their own ticket-flipping success stories, with one saying: 'Mate, I sold four for 6k each, I'm mad for it.' Another chimed in, 'Just sold four. 2,600.'

After fans spent hours trying to secure tickets on Saturday, the band addressed the issue, confirming that tickets could only be resold at face value.

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.'

There was a massive rush on Saturday morning as fans flocked online to secure seats for the Gallagher brothers' first performance together since their split in Paris in 2009.

Pre-sale tickets went live on Friday night, with 14 million users vying for the band's 17 UK shows in London, Manchester, Edinburgh, Cardiff, and two Dublin gigs.

Despite the high demand, fans were still trying to get tickets at 5pmhours after they went on sale.
News and commentary on organized crime, street crime, white collar crime, cyber crime, sex crime, crime fiction, crime prevention, espionage and terrorism.
A 17-year-old girl jumped to her death from a shopping centre and killed another woman as she landed on the pedestrian below.

The teenage high school student jumped from a building in a crowded shopping district in the Japanese city of Yokohama, hitting a 32-year-old woman who was out with her friends on Saturday evening.

Both women were taken to hospital, where the girl died an hour later and the other woman died soon after.

Though it is not clear why the girl committed suicide, more people under the age of 18 kill themselves in Japan on 1 September more than any other day, just ahead of the new school term, the BBC reports.

The British broadcaster said last year, 513 children were reported to have taken their own lives in Japan. 'School problems' were cited as the most common factor, it said.

A 17-year-old girl jumped to her death and killed another woman as she landed on her in a shopping district in Japan. Pictured: Yokohama (stock image)

A look at the residential district of Nishi-ku in Yokohama city, Japan (stock image)

According to police, the girl was said to have jumped from the 12th floor deck of NEWoMan Yokohama, a shopping center directly connected to JR Yokohama Station, just before 6pm, Japan Today reports.

Police said the teenage girl lived in Kimitsu City, Chiba Prefecture, and the woman was a company employee who lived in Midori Ward, Yokohama.

It is also said that the scene was crowded with many shoppers at the time.

In July, a global suicide report found that Japan had the fourth highest rate with 15.4 deaths per 100,000, followed by Hungary, at 14.8 deaths per 100,000.

Researchers said: 'South Korea recorded the highest rate of deaths from suicide at 24.1 per 100,000 people, followed by Lithuania, Slovenia, Japan, and Hungary.'

South Korea and Japan have particularly high-pressure educational and work environments as well as social stigma around mental health that may be driving up suicide rates there.

In 2020 it was also reported that Japan had a female suicide crisis, after more people committed suicide in a month than those who died from Covid-19 over the entire year.
Police have ruled out further investigations into an explosion near the O2 Arena organised by a convicted paedophile who was filmed naked during the stunt.

Sex offender Jacky Jhaj was filmed as a blast was triggered by using gun powder and a detonation cord, only for it to spiral out of control and send the roof of a police van 50ft in the air at an open-air yard in Silvertown in Newham, east London.

Jhaj, who was jailed for four years in 2016 for having sexual activity with two 15-year-old girls, was filming a scene entirely naked for a production dubbed 'Project Dover', according to sources.

The 38-year-old was sitting at a typewriter surrounded by hundreds of newspapers on the floor before he flicked cigarettes at a police car, a police van and a BBC World News-branded lorry which all exploded into a huge blaze that terrified locals.

The Metropolitan Police said today it would not be investigating the incident further but would carry out an internal review to improve how it shares public information about such incidents, after complaints from neighbours over not being warned.

Have you been involved in the stunt? Email aidan.radnedge.mol@mailonline.co.uk

A naked Jacky Jhal struts in front of a BBC World news lorry as part of a warped stunt in Silvertown, Newham, on Saturday night

The enormous blast left locals terrified with many likening it to a bomb going off or an earthquake

Sex offender Jhaj, 38, stood naked and triggered a terrifying explosion by using gun powder and a detonation cord, which sent the roof of a police van 50ft in the air at the open-air yard

One source described the explosions as a 'complete disaster' while the London Fire Brigade has revealed it received about 100 calls in response to the incident

One video posted on Reddit shows a naked Jhaj (circled) casually walking nearby as firefighters battle the searing flames while black smoke billows into the sky

A naked Jhaj walks in front of the flames after the planned explosion which had terrified locals

It is understood Jhaj drafted in a different team of special effects technicians from Eastern Europe for the 'reshoot' on Saturday night with the set being rigged with 'high explosives'

Scotland Yard said in a statement: 'The Met was made aware of the pre-planned filming, including the use of explosives, prior to the event taking place on the evening of Saturday, 31 August.

'It appears this information was not disseminated as widely as it should have been and we are looking at the systems currently in place to establish why this was the case in this instance.'

The force told MailOnline today there was no investigation into the event itself.

Newham Council officials are understood to be meeting today to discuss the incident.

The filming was first due to take place on August 24 with Jhaj wearing a 'grotesque evil villain mask'.

But the special effects and film crew pulled out when Jhaj removed his prosthetic mask and one of the cast recognised who he was. He had been using the name Toby until that point.

Jhaj is said to have offered cash incentives for people to continue, including engineers who he offered 5,000 instead of their usual 750 fee.

A source exclusively told MailOnline: 'He has apparently got form in terms of setting up fictitious films and things like that, hiding the agenda and his identity from the legitimate and professional businesses and individuals that get booked via a separate production company to carry out the film work.

'Now we think this one was a giant F U to the BBC, the police and the newspapers for outing him for the offences that he was committed or charged with.'

It is understood Jhaj drafted in a different team of special effects technicians from Eastern Europe for the 'reshoot' on Saturday night with the set being rigged with 'high explosives'.

But some did not initially fire, MailOnline understands, with a lorry cab exploding two or three minutes after the initial blast and delaying access to the contracted firefighters from tackling the blaze earlier.

One source described it as a 'complete disaster' and said: 'So that could have been very, very nasty had the fire crew been allowed to get in any closer.

'So all in all, it was, pardon my French, a bit of a s*** show.'

One video posted on Reddit shows a naked Jhaj casually walking nearby as firefighters battle the searing flames while black smoke billows into the sky

The BBC said: 'There is no BBC News involvement in the events of this evening in docklands.'

Residents living close to Saturday night's blast were left furious as they likened the explosion just across from the Thames to a 'bomb going off' and an 'earthquake'.

Residents living close to Saturday night's blast were last night furious as they likened the explosion just across from the Thames to a 'bomb going off' and an 'earthquake'

One resident fumed: 'This was not planned properly and scared a lot of people and wasted a lot of emergency services time'

The terrifying explosion was triggered by using gun powder and a detonation cord, which sent the roof of a police van 50ft in the air

The remains of a fire damaged BBC World News lorry on a film set next to the river Thames

The BBC said it had no involvement in the event. A spokesman said: 'There is no BBC News involvement in the events of this evening in docklands'

A source exclusively told MailOnline they think 'this one was a giant F U to the BBC, the police and the newspapers for outing him [Jhaj] for the offences that he was committed or charged with'

A BBC branded lorry and police car on a 'film set' near the O2 Arena before they blown up in a planned explosion

Videos from the scene showed flames and huge black clouds swirling above opposite the London 02 Arena

But some did not initially fire, MailOnline understands, with a lorry cab exploding two or three minutes after the initial blast

The blaze 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-planned 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.

'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?'

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.

It is understood Jhaj drafted in a different team of special effects technicians from Eastern Europe for the 'reshoot' on Saturday night with the set being rigged with 'high explosives'

Thick plumes of smoke could be seen billowing into the sky above the iconic music venue

The blaze 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

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

'Apparently a load of gas canisters exploded. I thought I was going to have a heart attack. It sounded like a bomb going off.'

A London Fire Brigade spokesperson said: 'The first of four engines from the Brigade responded after Control Officers received multiple calls about a fire in the Silvertown area on Saturday. Firefighters attended and were able to safely extinguish the fire.'

The brigade said it received about 100 calls regarding the blaze and received assistance from other fire rescue services due to the volume of alerts.

Jhaj, who poses as a film producer, faces trial at Isleworth Crown Court on 4 August 2025, for breaching notification requirements and a sexual harm prevention order.

The 38-year-old was arrested in June on suspicion of breaching a sexual harm prevention order after he was accused of attending a casting session with children where he videoed and photographed them.

He was pictured with a large group of children gathered around him and a 3.2million Bugatti Chiron outside dance school The Hub Studios in east London, where he is said to have got them to cheer for him as he gave them golden envelopes and even a necklace.

The convicted paedophile, from Feltham in west London, was previously jailed after supplying the two 15-year-olds with alcohol and taking them to parties in Hounslow, west London, in his silver Range Rover.

He pretended he was 21 and a top Hollywood producer before assaulting them.

MailOnline revealed in April he had used an internationally renowned casting platform Backstage to hire child actors in order to stage an elaborate 10,000 fake funeral at the London Oratory.

Dozens of child actors as young as six were recruited as supposed film extras dressed in school uniforms for the event

Jhaj was filmed in October last year with as many as 200 children and young women playing his fans as he hosted a fake movie premiere at Leicester Square, in London

In June, Jhaj was pictured with a large group of children gathered around him and a 3.2million Bugatti Chiron outside dance school The Hub Studios in east London

The sick hoax a month earlier sparked international media attention when it emerged that the presiding priest had dramatically stopped the service upon realising that it was being filmed, that the mourners were paid actors and the coffin was empty.

Jhaj paid for a horse-drawn hearse to carry the empty coffin.

He was also filmed on 17 October last year with up to 200 children and young women playing his fans during a fake movie premiere at Leicester Square in London.

He was spotted outside the Odeon Luxe cinema, where a red carpet was set up with barricades.

Jhaj could be seen repeatedly parading up and down in different outfits and then greeting some of the extras, in videos and photographs seen by the BBC.

Casting agencies have said actors were kept safe and children had chaperones.
A French pensioner who allegedly drugged his wife and allowed dozens of strangers to rape her while unconscious went on trial today in France in a case that has horrified and captivated the country.

Dominique P. is accused of orchestrating a sick rape ring, using an online forum to invite a horde of men aged between 26 and 74 to his home in Mazan near Avignon, before filming them assaulting his wife over nine years between 2011 and 2020.

Police counted a total of 92 rapes committed by 72 men, 51 of whom were identified and are being tried alongside the main suspect, a 71-year-old former employee at France's power utility company, EDF.

The trial will be 'a horrible ordeal' for the victim, said her lawyer Antoine Camus.

'For the first time, she will have to live through the rapes that she endured over 10 years,' he said, adding that his client had 'no recollection' of the abuse which she only discovered in 2020.

The woman, now aged 72, could have opted for a trial behind closed doors, but 'that's what her attackers would have wanted', Camus said.

She will be present at the trial in Avignon, supported by her three children.

Dominique P. is accused of orchestrating the sick rape ring, filming strangers he met online attacking his wife while she was drugged between 2011 and 2020

A black and white facial reconstruction of a younger Dominique P is seen in this handout image

A wonan arrives at the courthouse before the trial of a man accused of drugging his wife for nearly ten years and inviting strangers to rape her at their home in Mazan, a small town in the south of France, in Avignon, on September 2, 2024

Police began to investigate the defendant Dominique P. in September 2020 when he was caught by a security guard secretly filming under the skirts of three women in a shopping centre.

Police said they found hundreds of pictures and videos of his wife on his computer, visibly unconscious and mostly in the foetal position.

The images are alleged to show dozens of rapes in the couple's home in Mazan, a village of 6,000 people roughly 20 miles from Avignon in Provence.

Investigators also found chats on a site called coco.fr, since shut down by police, in which he recruited strangers to come to their home and have intercourse with his wife.

Dominique P. admitted to investigators that he gave his wife powerful tranquilisers, especially Temesta, an anxiety-reducing drug.

The abuse started in 2011, when the couple was living near Paris, and continued after they moved to Mazan two years later.

The husband took part in the rapes, filmed them and encouraged the other men using degrading language, according to prosecutors.

No money changed hands.

The accused rapists included a forklift driver, a fire brigade officer, a company boss and a journalist.

Some were single, others married or divorced, and some were family men. Most participated just once, but some took part up to six times.

This photograph taken on September 2, 2024 shows a road sign at the entrance of the town of Mazan, southern France. Dominique P, accused of drugging his wife for nearly ten years and inviting strangers to rape her at their home in Mazan, faces a French court in Avignon

Beatrice Zavarro, lawyer for the accused Dominique P, waits at the courthouse during the trial of her client accused of drugging his wife for nearly ten years and inviting strangers to rape her at their home in Mazan, a small town in the south of France, in Avignon, on September 2, 2024

Their defence has been that they simply helped a libertine couple live out its fantasies, but Dominique P. told investigators that all were aware that his wife had been drugged without her knowledge.

An expert said her state 'was closer to a coma than to sleep'.

Her husband told prosecutors that only three men left the house quickly after arriving, while all others proceeded to have intercourse with his wife.

Dominique P., who said he was raped by a male nurse when he was nine, is ready to face 'his family and his wife', his lawyer Beatrice Zavarro said.

But this trial may not be his last.

The defendant has also been charged with a 1991 murder and rape, which he denies, and an attempted rape in 1999, to which he admitted after DNA testing.

Experts said the man does not appear to be mentally ill, but reportedly concluded that had a need to feel 'all-powerful' over the female body in assessments included in court documents.

The shocking trial is due to last until December 20.
Former Page Three model Samantha Fox will be sentenced today for drunkenly grounding a British Airways flight to Munich.

Fox, 58, had been due to stand trial after reportedly assaulting her wife Linda Olsen on a flight from Heathrow to Munich on December 3, 2023.

The incident reportedly stopped the London to Munich flight from taking off, but it is understood the assault charge was discontinued after changes to the evidence meant there was no longer a realistic prospect of conviction.

While Fox denied assault, she 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 be sentenced for the two charges at Uxbridge Magistrates' Court today.

Samantha Fox, 58, seen today, had been due to stand trial after reportedly assaulting her wife Linda Olsen on a flight from Heathrow to Munich on December 3, 2023

Fox stepping out of a black cab outside Uxbridge Magistrates' Court this morning

The incident reportedly stopped the London to Munich flight from taking off, but it is understood the assault charge - which Fox denied - was discontinued. She is seen with Ms Olsen on Loose Women in 2022

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

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

Sources told The Sun that Fox '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.

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

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

While Fox denied assault, she 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

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

Fox 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

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

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

Fox 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 Ms Olsen 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.'
Fears have been raised that firms face thousands of pounds in fines if they break Labour's workers' rights rules.

A new watchdog is set to oversee enforcement of the package, including the right to flexible working from day one.

But there have been concerns about the potential penalties that businesses could be hit with if they fall foul of the protections.

Deputy PM Angela Rayner has previously pledged that the Fair Work Agency will have 'real teeth' - although sources suggested that fines will only be imposed if there are abuses of the minimum wage.

The reforms - now being overseen by Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds - include a ban on 'exploitative' zero-hours contracts, bolstered sick rights and protection again unfair dismissal, and a presumption of flexible working unless it is unreasonable.

There will also be a 'right to switch off' outside of normal working hours.

The reforms - now being overseen by Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds (pictured) - include a ban on 'exploitative' zero-hours contracts, bolstered sick rights and protection again unfair dismissal, and a presumption of flexible working unless it is unreasonable

Deputy PM Angela Rayner has previously pledged that the Fair Work Agency will have 'real teeth'

Craig Beaumont, from the Federation of Small Businesses, told The Times: 'We must prevent any changes that add risk to employment, as that's a perfect storm that hits economic growth, wealth creation, jobs and worker participation all at once.

'A public agency should not be fining UK small businesses thousands of pounds simply because they don't provide formal corporate tick-box bureaucratic policies and paperwork. That overreach would (have) a devastating inadvertent consequence.'

A Department for Business and Trade source said ministers had 'no desire to beat business round the head with excessive fines'.

'This is about getting the balance right to crack down on the cowboys undercutting a fair market and supporting employers and businesses to do what they do best - grow our economy,' they said.

The source added that there was no intention of having fines for any element except for flouting the minimum wage.

A department spokesman said: 'We are working in close partnership with business and trade unions to find the balance between improving workers' rights while supporting the brilliant businesses that pay people's wages.'

Shadow business secretary Kevin Hollinrake said: 'We absolutely deserved to lose at the general election, but business and the country does not deserve this.

'Together with the rest of the tidal wave of regulations coming down the track, I can't think of a better way to damage business confidence and stifle growth, business and job opportunities.'
For the SNP, things can only get worse is not so much a pun as a prediction.

Introducing John Swinneys big speech, Keith Brown noted an undeniable optimism at the SNPs post-election conference. I would say it was very deniable indeed.

In fact, if there was any optimism at Edinburgh International Conference

Centre it must have slipped out early to top up the parking meter.

Before long the Nationalists deputy leader was replaced by the man of the hour, though given how often they seem to change leaders these days, man of the minute might be more apt.

All the Ps: However Swinneys big speech lacked positivity

He began by saying he wished to pay tribute to his predecessor as First Minister. Havent heard much about her in a while, I thought to myself, when Swinney remin-ded me and, I imagine, much of the country that, implausible as it sounds, Humza Yousaf was First Minister for a while there.

Yousaf, he said, had served our country with distinction. Yes, his tenure was definitely distinctive. The first five or so minutes of Swinneys speech reflected on the war in Gaza and the best way to conclude hostilities: Israelis and Palestinians had to live side by side in peace. Hard to believe this conflict has been raging for generations and they never thought to try that.

Swinney urged the creation of a Palestinian state, the first viable independence proposal weve heard at an SNP conference in years.

There was a modicum of reflection on the results of the UK general election. He called July 4 a tough night. True enough. I almost did myself an injury laughing.

This was followed by some pieties about the riots down south. This party will never denigrate people who honour us by choosing to make this their home, he proclaimed. If theres one thing everyone knows about the SNP, its a history of being welcoming to people who relocate to Scotland.

Much of the address was taken up by embittered Labour-bashing, the SNP having pivoted effortlessly from shaking their fists at a blue straw man to a red one.

While UK health secretary Wes Streeting had indicated an openness to health service reform, Swinney announced: The SNP will keep the health service in public hands. Our NHS will never be up for grabs. The Scottish NHS is only ever under threat of privatisation during election campaigns and independence referendums.

Developing his theme, Swinney quipped: Labour should be ashamed to show either of their two faces in Scotland ever again. Labour doesnt have to worry about that. After the general election, its got 37 faces to show in Scotland.

Turning, at last, to matters closer to home, he told delegates: I want my ministers out there getting investment, investment, investment in the future of Scotland. Just as long as they arent meeting with anyone from Israel, Israel, Israel.

Independence wasnt far from his lips, of course, and he spoke of his vision for the future. The sentence began with an independent Scotland working in harmony with our closest friends in the rest of the UK, but before he even got to the first comma he was denouncing broken Brexit Britain, hinting that the harmony might not be all that enduring.

As for the SNP, it would be taking forward its priorities of people, prosperity, public services and planet. Anything not beginning with a P would have to take a seat and wait for another alliteration train to come along.

And just when it seemed like he was done heaping scorn on his opponents, he mused that where a former Labour prime minister had entered Downing Street to the strains of Things Can Only Get Better, the new PMs message to the country was: Things can only get worse.

Weve finally reached it: the point where the SNP has to talk up Tony Blair so it can get in a dig at the current Labour PM.

Makes a change from them calling him a war criminal. Still, it was a bold line to include. The way its looking for the SNP, things can only get worse is less of a pun and more of a prediction.
Outspoken commentator Prue MacSween has slammed the decision to release a man who killed a teenage girl and later attempted to rape a woman at knifepoint months after he was last let out into the community, amid fears no woman will be safe.

'Medium to high-risk' killer Terrence John Leary, now 57, will soon be freed from jail for the second time after a decision by the New South Wales State Parole Authority last Thursday.

Leary was sentenced to 24 years jail for the 1990 murder of 17-year-old Vanessa Hoson.

He entered her family home at Kenthurst in Sydney's north-west and bashed her to death with a hammer after the teen refused to have sex with him.

Leary was granted parole after serving 22 years.

Just 10 months after he was released, he violently assaulted a woman who he dragged behind a bus stop in an attempted rape.

The Thai woman, 30, had just finished a babysitting shift in North Sydney on June 19, 2013 and was listening to music at a Hunters Hill bus shelter.

In an 'explosive and ferocious' attack, Leary grabbed her by the neck, pulled her behind the bus stop, punched her in the face, ripped her jeans down so hard her belt snapped and stabbed her in the neck as he tried to rape her. A passer-by intervened and called police.

Vanessa Hoson (pictured) was just 17 in 1990 when Terrence John Leary entered her family's home and killed her for refusing to have sex with him

Terrence John Leary (pictured) violently assaulted a woman and tried to rape her the last time he was out on parole

The young woman survived and Leary was sentenced to another 15 years for the assault and attempted rape.

Having served 11 years for that brazen 2013 attack, Leary will be freed on September 18, almost four years before his sentence was due to end.

The parole board granted him release with the highest level of supervision after concluding it was 'inevitable' that he would eventually re-enter the community, potentially without supervision if his full sentence had ended.

Leary is expected to walk free on September 18.

Ms MacSween said the decision showed ineptitude in keeping Australians safe.

'It shows you how inadequate our legal system is and how its failing our community that now he's free to go and rape other women. No woman will be safe to roam the streets,' she told Daily Mail Australia.

'That mongrel should be chemically castrated as far as I'm concerned. How many times do you have to forgive these people and give them another chance, just for these things to happen again.

'He should be locked up and they should throw away the key. Those people don't deserve to be allowed the same freedoms as the rest of society.'

Ms MacSween added there was no chance Australians can feel comfortable with the parole board's decision.

Commentator Prue MacSween (pictured) said the convicted murderer should be 'chemically castrated' and branded the NSW legal system as 'inadequate'

'Women will not be sleeping as peacefully, knowing that mongrel is free to walk around,' she said.

She asked if the parole board had considered whether their family members could be his next victim.

Vanessa Hoson's shattered family has long fought to keep Leary locked up for fear he would strike again if released.

They have tirelessly campaigned against his release over the years.

Vanessa's sister Fiona Walker warned in a submission to the board that 'it will happen again'.

She quoted the judge who last sentenced him in her submission, who stated 'he is a continuing danger to society' and 'it cannot be said he has any real prospects of rehabilitation'.

'There's no benefit for us to keep fighting for the community, but we know someone else will go through what we went through,' Ms Walker told the Sydney Morning Herald.

'It's just disappointing that someone who is a medium to high-risk offender will be out there in the community, where he poses a danger to more young girls.

'He'd be better off dying in jail and it would solve all the problems,' Walker said.

However, authority chair Justice Geoffrey Bellew found an earlier parole the safest pathway for Leary's reintegration.

'The alternative is to keep the offender in custody and release him at some later point in time either with a shorter period of parole supervision or at the end of his sentence with no period of supervised parole at all,' he said.

'The offender will be released at some point. That is inevitable.'

Vanessa Hoson's sister Fiona Walker (pictured) has long fight for Leary to remain behind bars

Leary is classed as a serious sex offender and will be subject to electronic monitoring while he resides in a Corrective Services NSW-supported facility as part of his parole conditions.

Alongside a curfew and other terms, Leary's mental health will also be monitored.

Leary was denied parole six times over the 1990 murder before he was finally released.

Ms Walker argued Leary should be declared a repeat serious sex offender and held on a Continuing Detention Order.

The authority confirmed it had considered the expert advice of the Serious Offenders Review Council (SORC) which recommended parole as appropriate.

'The offender has successfully completed programs to address his offending, including a sex offender program,' it said.

In addition to normal parole conditions a number of other rules were imposed including that he must not have any contact with the victim or her family, not go to certain council areas and participate in psychology sessions.

Justice Bellew denied Leary would walk free on September 18.

'The reality is far from that and the suggestion he will be walking free is nothing more than a misunderstanding of the process,' he said, according to the Sydney Morning Herald.

1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732)

National Sexual Abuse and Redress Support Service 1800 211 028
Haunting footage has captured the terrifying moment a missing teenager was swept off the rocks at a popular beach by giant waves as his brother watched on in horror.

Mehdi Habibi, 17, was last seen walking on the large rocks at Granite Island, near Victor Harbour in South Australia on Sunday afternoon.

His distraught brother Sahil recorded the moment Mehdi was struck by the wave on his phone as the teen tried to stand up on the rock surface.

'My brother said 'take my photo' and I [took] his photo,' Sahil told 7 News.

Mehdi was dragged into the ocean seconds later before emergency services were called to the scene.

Police are yet to find him two days on from the horror incident after the family travelled from Adelaide to celebrate Father's Day.

The siblings were at the beach for a family picnic and were walking along the water when tragedy struck.

The teenagers, who are originally from Afghanistan, arrived in Australia last year from Pakistan, where they were reunited with their father and other relatives.

Mehdi Habibi, 17, (pictured) was pulled into the sea after he was struck by giant waves while he was on the rocks at Granite Island, in South Australia, around 3.15pm, on Sunday

Mehdi's aunt Fahima Habibi said his parents are struggling to come to terms with what happened.

'Everyone is worried, everyone is not sleeping,' she said. '(His mother) is very upset. Everyone is upset,' Ms Habibi told the Adelaide Advertiser.

Friends and loved ones, including Mehdi's mother, gathered at the beach on Monday while rescuers resumed the search effort.

Abdullah Fakhri, who is a close family friend, described Mehdi as a 'caring' boy who helped his father.

Mr Fakhri said Mehdi's family are hoping he will be found soon.

'They are very devastated, very sad at this time because they have lost a loved one,' e told the newspaper.

Mehdi's brother Sahil captured the terrifying moment his brother was swept into the water after he was struck by the giant waves (pictured)

Mehdi's distraught younger brother Sahil (pictured) revealed Mehdi asked him to take a photo while he was on the rocks just moments before the horror unfolded

Dangerous weather conditions and the choppy waves have made the ongoing search and rescue effort difficult for responders.

South Australia Police said in a statement earlier on Monday that police and SES volunteers conducted searches of the area on foot.

'Volunteer Marine Rescue and Surf Lifesaving SA vessels are on standby,' they said.

Police inspector Gene Vaninetti said police helicopters have also been deployed. The search will resume again on Tuesday.

The search for missing teen Mehdi Habibi (pictured) will enter its third day on Tuesday

Granite Island has been closed to visitors due to the ongoing rescue effort.

The area is a popular scenic destination frequented by locals and tourists to hike, fish or enjoy the stunning view.

South Australia has been hit by wild weather that has been brought about by a strong cold front that is moving across southern parts of Australia's east coast.

Victoria and parts of NSW were also hit by damaging wind gusts of more than 100km/h on Monday that produced dangerous surf conditions.
X owner Elon Musk has been critiscised by the Commons Speaker for failing to tackle threats levelled at MPs on the social media platform.

Sir Lindsay Hoyle said that Twitter used to take down 92 per cent of threatening posts and leave 8 per cent up, but that now the numbers were reversed.

In an interview with the BBC Sir Lindsay said the platform had 'changed for the worse' and said the government had to 'think long and hard' about what to do with it and other social media.

Speaking to Matt Chorley for his new show on 5Live, the Speaker, who is in charge of MPs welfare, said that in the wake of the Southport riots the companies had to 'take their responsibilities more seriously'.

'If these social media platforms aren't going to work ... I think the government have got to think long and hard about what they're going to do with social media.'

'The platforms have got to clean themselves up  X is not the platform that I knew.

'It's completely changed. I'd love to say it's changed for the better, it's not. It's changed for the worse.'

Sir Lindsay Hoyle said that Twitter used to take down 92 per cent of threatening posts and leave 8 per cent up, but that now the numbers were reversed.

It came after a judge in Brazil ordered the suspension of X as part of a long-running spat between Mr Musk and authorities in the South American country.

In an interview with the BBC Sir Lindsay said the platform had 'changed for the worse' and said the government had to 'think long and hard' about what to do with it and other social media.

After July's general election every new MP was given a panic alarm as they face unprecedented levels of abuse and threats to their safety.

The devices were supplied as part of Commons 'welcome packs' for the first time, as officials beef up security measures for politicians increasingly facing intimidation and death threats.

They have been available to all MPs on request since the murder of Labour MP Jo Cox in 2016. Now they have been automatically handed to the 335 new MPs who entered Parliament after an election campaign marred by menacing behaviour.

'My view is that those social media platforms are responsible. We've seen it,' Sir Lindsay told the BBC.

'At one time X as they now call it, we used to be able to go online and say ''these things are up there; can you take them down?'' - threats against MPs.

'In fairness they were very good at taking down the majority of what we asked. Eight per cent would remain up, the rest came down. We're now looking the other way round, that 92 per cent of it stays up and only 8 per cent comes down. If that.'

Abuse reported by candidates and volunteers included death threats, being sworn and spat at and being followed and intimidated in the street.

Earlier this year, the Home Office announced a 31 million package of measures to counter the threat to MPs' security and Sir Lindsay last month said he has 'never seen anything as bad' as the present threat level.

'If there's something that keeps me awake at night, it is the safety of MPs,' he added.

The devices  which are understood to contain unique codes to identify which MP triggers them  were handed out during induction sessions last week, with demonstrations on how to use them.

New MPs who did not attend were given alarms as part of their welcome packs, along with their laptops and introductory information.

It came after a judge in Brazil ordered the suspension of X last Friday as part of a long-running spat between Mr Musk and authorities in the South American country.

Every new MP has been given a panic alarm as they have been supplied as part of Commons 'welcome packs' for the first time

Jo Cox was stabbed and shot by neo-Nazi thug in her constituency and hometown of Batley, West Yorkshire, on June 16, 2016, just days before the EU referendum

Justice Alexandre de Moraes had warned Musk on Wednesday night that X could be blocked in Brazil if he failed to comply with his order to name a representative, and established a 24-hour deadline.

In his decision, Jude De Moraes gave internet service providers and app stores five days to block access to X, and said the platform will remain blocked until it complies with his orders.

He also said people or companies who use virtual private networks, or VPNs, to access X will be subject to daily fines of 50,000 reais (6,800).

X has been approached to comment.
A dog has died just 40 minute after eating a poisonous plant dubbed 'dead man's fingers' while on a beach walk.

Lula, a Collie-Labrador cross, died shortly after eating hemlock water dropwort - one of the most poisonous plants in Britain.

She was a walk in Lyme Regis, Dorset, with a dog sitter when she ate the plant.

Lula then started having fits and spasms before she tragically died in the car while on the way to the vets.

The discovery of dead man's fingers has led to Lyme Regis Town Council to order the removal of the plant from the bank of the River Lim and sending out warning letters to local landowners.

Lula (pictured), a Collie-Labrador cross, died shortly after eating hemlock water dropwort - one of the most poisonous plants in Britain

The remains of the hemlock water dropwort that Lula ate while on a beach walk in Lyme Regis, Dorset

Lula's owner, Dr Kirsten Young, was away working for Greenpeace and Exeter University in the Azores when the sad accident occurred.

Flora Bamford, 60, a family friend, received a panicked call from Dr Young after hearing that Lula had become ill on the walk.

She said: 'Kirsten had just flown to Portugal where she works.

'She had a dog sitter take Lula down to Church Beach in Lyme Regis.

'I got a call from Kirsten, she said the dog sitter had rung in panic and Lula was having fits and spasms.

'She had been walking on the beach and eaten something which turned out to be hemlock water dropwart's root.

'It is really dangerous, the time between eating that plant and her being affected was only 15 minutes.

'People were amazing, a man emptied his beach trolley and put Lula in it. I picked them up from the clock tower and managed to get her into my car.

Pictured, the plant's parsnip-like root, The plant has been described as Britain's most toxic, with no British plant accounting for more fatal accidents. Humans have died in the past from ingesting it

The discovery of dead man's fingers has led to Lyme Regis Town Council to order the removal of the plant from the bank of the River Lim and sending out warning letters to local landowners

HEMLOCK WATER DROPWORT Hemlock water dropwort (Oenanthe crocata) has been called 'the most poisonous indigenous plant in Britain'. It is a member of the Umbellifer family and is found in ditches, damp meadows, in steams, by riverbanks, and in marshes. It is a large, stout plant between three and five feet high that flowers in July. The lower stem is usually thick and joins to clusters of fleshy tubers that gives rise to the popular name 'dead mans fingers' The entire plant is poisonous. The tubers, stems, and leaves contain oenanthotoxin, a highly unsaturated higher alcohol, which is known to be poisonous and a powerful convulsant. Source: Emergency Medicine Journal/Mid Argyll Hospital Advertisement

'I went to drive to Axminster vets and she was having awful fits and blood was coming out of her mouth. Lula died before we made it to the A35.

'It was awful, in about 40 minutes from eating the plant, she was dead.'

The plant has been described as Britain's most toxic, with no British plant accounting for more fatal accidents. Humans have died in the past from ingesting it.

Miss Bamford added: 'The vet didn't even know what it was, the dog sitter went back to the beach and managed to find the remains of the plant.

'It grows on the River Lim, it is the roots that are dangerous to both dogs and humans. A storm must have blown them all onto the beach.

'Who knows how much of it there is on there but it is so worrying because it is a popular beach for dogs.'

Mark Green, deputy town clerk at Lyme Regis Town Council said: 'We have never had any serious occurrence in the past like this from this plant, it is fair to describe it as a one-off.

'It came as a huge shock to everybody.

'The River Lim is not our responsibility, however we are clearing this plant from the river bank wherever we are able to.

'We have also put together a letter, which we are handing to all landowners adjoining the river, which provides information about the plant and its potential risks.

'We are requesting that they do not cut it and throw it into the river. We are also putting up signs, warning people to look out for this plant.'
Chinese journalists begin tour on ethnic unity news coverage

Xinhua) 13:09, September 02, 2024

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.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
Police chiefs have insisted a centralised unit established earlier this year is beginning to 'turn the tide' against prolific shoplifters who steal for organised criminals.

The team at Operation Opal have identified 152 people involved in organised crime in just the first three months of operation, The Times reported.

It comes as police forces across the UK have come under fire from members of the public over a lack of enforcement against shoplifting.

The team collect and analyse CCTV footage, as well as crime reports, dashcams and other evidence from all 43 police forces in England and Wales.

Among the serial offenders was a Romanian man who arrived in the UK last year and within 12 months stole 60,000 worth of products from Boots.

Alexandru-Iulian Dima, 25, was jailed for four years after pleading guilty to 32 shoplifting offences.

Home Office officials are now in the process of securing a deportation order to return him to Romania.

Footage from South Wales Police shows Alexandru-Iulian Dima, 25, putting items into his bag before walking out the store

Footage shows the moment Dima was arrested by South Wales Police in a nearby car park

Alexandru-Iulian Dima, 25, was jailed for four years after pleading guilty to 32 shoplifting offences

Almost 444,000 shoplifting offences were recorded by forces in England and Wales in the year to March, up from 342,428 in the previous 12 months

Dima was tracked down by the team at Operation Opal who identified similar patterns to his shoplifting and alerted South Wales Police of his whereabouts.

Officers at South Wales Police then mounted a sting operation, believing their town would soon be targeted by a travelling criminal.

Staff at the Boots store in Pontypridd spotted Dima inside their shop and alerted police using a radio system used by retailers across the town which gives them direct access to patrolling officers.

Dima made a run for it but officers caught him in a nearby car park.

Pontypridd officer, PC Liam Noyce: 'We looked at intel around his offending and chose the day we believed he'd come to town.

'Low and behold, we had the call from staff at Boots and we arrested him, bringing an end to the campaign of crime committed in towns and cities the length and breadth of the UK.

'We understand how vital retailers both large and small are to the town and are determined and committed to ensure they are protected from criminality.'

Alex Goss, assistant chief constable at Merseyside Police and the NPCC's lead for retail crime, told The Times: 'This renewed focus, working alongside Opal's highly effective intelligence workis showing a marked improvement in our response, dealing robustly with offenders and supporting retailers of all sizes.'

A shoplifter empties the shelves of a Greggs store in south east London into a giant holdall in July

Phone footage from July shows young shoplifters battling past staff to steal trainers from a Nike shop in the shadows of Wembley Stadium

Stephanie Coombes, head of intelligence at Opal added: 'Opal has been carrying out this role for other crime types for a number of years and we have seen significant successes from having a national overview of what's happening in the organised crime world.'

MailOnline revealed in July that a joint operation between the police and 15 of the biggest retailers had established that a quarter of all shoplifting in England and Wales is being carried out by criminal gangs.

A taskforce, known as Project Pegasus, has sifted through thousands of hours of CCTV and bodycam footage, as well as testimonies from staff to create a 'shoplifting map'.

After two months of analysis, including use of facial recognition software, the taskforce discovered that the crime wave is being turbo-charged by as few as 12 gangs.

Britain is currently in the midst of a shoplifting crisis, as police figures recently showed offences have soared by 30 per cent in a year to the highest level in two decades.

Almost 444,000 crimes were recorded by forces in England and Wales in the year to March, up from 342,428 in the previous 12 months.

This is the highest figure since records began in 2003, according to the Office for National Statistics.

But industry figures say underreporting means shoplifting is even more endemic than currently thought, with many store owners not bothering to report offences to overwhelmed police and criminal gangs operating without any fear of being caught.

Professor Joshua Bamfield, Director, Centre for Retail Research, said the rise of shoplifting was being driven by the perception that it was a risk-free crime.

Footage filmed in July shows a group of men brazenly grabbing goods from a Boots store in north London before loading them into bags in front of shocked shoppers

He told MailOnline: 'At one time, shoplifting used to be a sort of craft where people didn't want to get caught because they knew they'd be trouble, but now people don't even bother because there's a perception nothing much will happen to you.

'A lot of retail crime now is organised, with people stealing large quantities of products like alcohol, meat and designer clothes. They are linked to other criminals who sell it on elsewhere.

'The fact thefts below 200 are not pursued and there are a lot of demands on officers mean retailers have found it very difficult to get the kind of support they require.

'Meanwhile, managers have become increasingly concerned about the violence that apprehending shoplifters can involve so are telling their employees not to risk it.

'So you've got two issues - shoplifting being partly decriminalised and the fact the police are too busy, then retailers telling shop staff not to intervene.

Professor Bamfield suggested the latest police figures may actually underplay the seriousness of the situation due to underreporting.

'Shops are rationing their use of police, which means offences are going unreported,' he said. 'I spoke to one retailer who said police had told them only to report two shoplifting offences a day because they don't have enough time.'

The retail expert suggested the only way to tackle the epidemic was to make it a priority for law enforcement.

'Shoplifting is often an individual's way to becoming a serious criminal so if you stop them at 15 or 16 that may get them off that path,' he said.
Britain's strictest headteacher has warned the end of single-headline Ofsted grades is an 'indulgence of the tyranny of ''feelings being more important than facts''.

Katherine Birbalsingh, the outspoken founder and headteacher of the high-achieving Michaela Community School in Brent, North London, said today that 'abolishing judgements because of leaders 'feeling bad' is a nod in the wrong direction'.

She added that the reasoning behind the move, which is coming in with immediate effect, 'worries' her regarding the new Labour Government's future decisions.

Ms Birbalsingh also said plans for new school 'report cards' from September 2025 will 'not give more clarity to parents' and this was 'bluster from the politicians'.

Also responding today was Amanda Spielman, Ofsted's chief inspector of education from 2017 until 2023, who backed the changes but pointed out that parents prefer one-word school ratings. Previously, Ofsted awarded one of four headline grades to schools it inspects: outstanding, good, requires improvement and inadequate.

Katherine Birbalsingh, headteacher of Michaela Community School in North London, said that 'abolishing judgements because of leaders 'feeling bad' is a nod in the wrong direction'

Amanda Spielman, Ofsted's chief inspector of education from 2017 until 2023, said parents prefer one-word school ratings which gave 'simplicity and clarity' to inspection reports

The announcement today follows engagement with the sector and family of headteacher Ruth Perry, after a coroner's inquest found the Ofsted inspection process had contributed to her death.

Who is 'Britain's strictest headteacher' Katharine Birbalsingh? Katharine Birbalsingh, who has been commonly described as Britain's strictest headteacher, is no stranger to controversy. Ms Birbalsingh, headteacher of Michaela Community School in Brent in North London, was at the centre of a legal challenge - which failed - after she decided to ban prayer rituals at the secondary school. The high-profile school leader has attracted a lot of media attention over the years for her outspoken views on education and 'woke' culture. She first grabbed the headlines at the 2010 Conservative Party conference with a damning speech on the state of England's schools where she said standards had been 'so dumbed down that even the teachers know it' and the education system was broken 'as it keeps poor children poor'. A few weeks after her speech to delegates at the Tory conference, Ms Birbalsingh left her post as deputy headteacher of St Michael and All Angels Church of England Academy in south London. In 2014, she founded Michaela Community School - a free school which has been dubbed the strictest in the country. Year 7 pupils at Michaela are required to attend a behaviour 'boot camp' which teaches them how to walk to lessons quickly in single file, how to sit properly on a chair, and how to concentrate in class. Students at the school get detentions if they talk in the corridor or if they forget their pencil case or ruler. The high-achieving school, which has been rated 'outstanding' by Ofsted, has been praised by a number of Tory ministers in the past for its academic success, and in 2020 Ms Birbalsingh was made a CBE. In October 2021, Ms Birbalsingh was appointed as chairwoman of the Government's Social Mobility Commission (SMC). Liz Truss, who was equalities minister at the time, celebrated the headteacher for 'expecting high standards and not indulging the soft bigotry of low expectations'. But Ms Birbalsingh, who describes herself on social media as having 'small c conservative values', faced criticism for comments she made as the Government's social mobility tsar. In April 2022, she found herself in hot water over comments to a Government committee which implied girls do not choose to study A-level physics because they dislike 'hard maths'. In her inaugural speech as the SMC chairwoman, Ms Birbalsingh, an Oxford University graduate, said understanding of social mobility needed to move beyond a 'rags to riches', 'Dick Whittington' approach where there is a 'focus on big-leap-upward mobility from the bottom to the top in one generation'. She quit her role as the Government's social mobility tsar in January 2023, citing the fact that she came with 'too much baggage' and was doing 'more harm than good'. She added that some of her 'controversial' statements had put the commission in 'jeopardy'. Just four months later, Ms Birbalsingh made headlines again when she told the National Conservatism conference that parents should be willing to take their children out of schools if they are 'too woke'. Ms Birbalsingh is not afraid to speak her mind - especially on social media - and the events surrounding her school on the prayer ban are no exception. In January, on X, Ms Birbalsingh defended the school's policy on prayers as she said it came amid a backdrop of violence, intimidation and racial harassment of teachers. In the same week that the case against the school was heard in the High Court, then-Education Secretary Gillian Keegan hailed Ms Birbalsingh's leadership of Michaela School as 'incredible' on social media. Advertisement

Mrs Perry took her own life after an Ofsted report downgraded her Caversham Primary School in Reading from its highest rating, 'outstanding', to its lowest rating, 'inadequate', over safeguarding concerns.

Responding to the Government's announcement today, Ms Birbalsingh - a former government social mobility tsar - made seven points in a post on X today as follows:.

'This 'report card' will NOT give more clarity to parents. That's bluster from the politicians. 'BUT, those Ofsted judgements were not necessarily accurate and made schools the victims of whimsical, or inexperienced, or tired, or poor inspectors, giving parents bad advice. 'AND, schools would get distracted by the race for an Ofsted judgement and would often do the wrong things, trying to please Ofsted. 'The assumption that the inspectors 'know all' and have a foolproof system is silly. They don't. If the inspectors are so great, why aren't they running their own school? Good heads remain as heads or executive heads. 'BUT, abolishing judgements because of leaders 'feeling bad' is a nod in the wrong direction. It is an indulgence of the tyranny of 'feelings being more important than facts'. The reasoning behind the decision worries me re this government's future decisions. 'I am pro abolishing judgements but ONLY when accompanied by transparency as one has with the market. Open up the schools. Allow us in the schools when we want to visit and let us see ALL of the classrooms. Can't do that? Well then you can't abolish Ofsted judgements. Except they can. And they just have. Yet they haven't opened up the schools. That's bad news for parents and bad news for us all. 'Sunlight is the best disinfectant.'

Ms Birbalsingh's school hit the headlines in April after a Muslim pupil lost a High Court challenge against a ban on prayer rituals.

The student had taken legal action against Michaela, claiming the policy was discriminatory and 'uniquely' affected her faith due to its ritualised nature.

She argued the school's stance on prayer  one of the five pillars of Islam  unlawfully breached her right to religious freedom and was 'the kind of discrimination which makes religious minorities feel alienated from society'.

The school argued its prayer policy was justified after it faced death and bomb threats linked to religious observance on site. And Mr Justice Linden dismissed the pupil's arguments against the prayer rituals ban.

Also today, Ms Spielman said the 'simplicity and clarity' of the old ratings made it clear how schools were doing.

She told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: 'When you survey parents, generally, they like the simplicity and clarity. Various surveys have shown stronger support from parents for models with overall effectiveness judgments.

'But nevertheless, they had become  because of the weight of consequences that government had hung on them  they had become more of a problem than a help.'

Ms Spielman said the change would be 'beneficial' for inspectors, schools, parents and children - but parents could now find it harder to know the quality of their children's school.

She said: 'That's the risk, and this shouldn't be about simply putting the interests of schools and their staff ahead of children.

'It's really important that inspection is first and foremost for children, but I believe that you can do that provided you have this full set of judgments.'

For inspections this academic year, the Department for Education (DfE) said parents will see the four grades - outstanding, good, requires improvement and inadequate - given across the existing sub-categories: quality of education; behaviour and attitudes; personal development; leadership and management.

School report cards will be introduced from September 2025, which will 'provide parents with a full and comprehensive assessment of how schools are performing and ensure that inspections are more effective in driving improvement', it added.

Mrs Perry's sister, Professor Julia Waters, said: 'We are delighted and relieved that the Government has decided to take this important and long-overdue step.

'Single-word headline judgments are dangerous and reductive. They are unpopular with parents and teachers, and their simplistic impact has made the daily job of improving school standards harder for everyone except the bureaucrats.

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson, pictured in July, said the Government will 'make inspection a more powerful, more transparent tool for driving school improvement'

'The shame, injustice, and high-stakes consequences of an 'inadequate' judgement, together with the rude and intimidating conduct of the inspection itself, were the cause of my sister's mental deterioration and suicide.

What do Ofsted's new inspection ratings mean for YOU? How are Ofsted inspections changing? The Government has announced single-headline Ofsted grades for schools will be scrapped with immediate effect. What was the previous Ofsted system? Until now, Ofsted has awarded one of four headline grades to schools it inspects: outstanding, good, requires improvement and inadequate. What will happen at inspections this year? For inspections this academic year, the Department for Education (DfE) said parents will see the four grades - outstanding, good, requires improvement and inadequate - given across the existing sub-categories: quality of education; behaviour and attitudes; personal development; leadership and management. What about inspections next year? School report cards will be introduced from September 2025, which will 'provide parents with a full and comprehensive assessment of how schools are performing and ensure that inspections are more effective in driving improvement', the DfE said. Why are the changes being made? Single-phrase grades 'fail to provide a fair and accurate assessment of overall school performance across a range of areas and are supported by a minority of parents and teachers', the DfE said. It added that the change 'delivers on the Government's mission to break down barriers to opportunity'. The announcement also follows engagement with the sector and family of headteacher Ruth Perry, after a coroner's inquest found the Ofsted inspection process had contributed to her death. Mrs Perry took her own life after an Ofsted report downgraded her Caversham Primary School in Reading from its highest rating, 'outstanding', to its lowest rating, 'inadequate', over safeguarding concerns. Advertisement

'Single-word judgments are just the most visible feature of a fundamentally flawed inspection system. Ofsted's reign of terror has caused untold harm to headteachers and school staff for too long, with a negative impact on children's education.'

The announcement comes as pupils return to the classroom this week.

It is understood the removal of single-headline grades for other settings inspected by Ofsted - independent schools, early years settings, colleges, children's social care providers and initial teacher training - will follow.

Single-phrase grades 'fail to provide a fair and accurate assessment of overall school performance across a range of areas and are supported by a minority of parents and teachers', the DfE said.

The change 'delivers on the Government's mission to break down barriers to opportunity', the DfE added.

As part of the announcement, where schools are identified as struggling, the Government will prioritise getting plans in place to improve the education and experience of children, rather than relying on changing schools' management, the DfE said.

From early 2025, the Government will also introduce regional improvement teams that will work with struggling schools to address areas of weakness.

In cases of the most serious concern, the Government will continue to intervene, including by issuing an academy order, which may in some cases mean transferring to new management.

Ofsted will continue to identify these schools - which would have been graded as inadequate.

The Government also currently intervenes where a school receives two or more consecutive judgments of 'requires improvement' under the '2RI' policy.

With the exception of schools already due to convert to academies this term, this policy will change. The Government will now put in place support for these schools from a high-performing school.

Ofsted also said yesterday it will confine inspections to Tuesdays and Wednesdays, with heads informed on Mondays  to ease fears over upcoming visits.

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said: 'The need for Ofsted reform to drive high and rising standards for all our children in every school is overwhelmingly clear.

'The removal of headline grades is a generational reform and a landmark moment for children, parents and teachers.

'Single-headline grades are low information for parents and high stakes for schools. Parents deserve a much clearer, much broader picture of how schools are performing - that's what our report cards will provide.

'This Government will make inspection a more powerful, more transparent tool for driving school improvement. We promised change and now we are delivering.'

Support for Ofsted reform gathered momentum after the death of headteacher Ruth Perry

The Government said it will work closely with Ofsted and relevant sectors and stakeholders to 'ensure that the removal of headline grades is implemented smoothly'.

Paul Whiteman, general secretary of the National Association of Headteachers, said: 'We have been clear that simplistic one-word judgments are harmful and we are pleased the Government has taken swift action to remove them.

'We are equally pleased that the Government intends to place a stronger emphasis on supporting schools to improve where they need help, rather than defaulting to heavy-handed intervention or knee-jerk changes of governance structures.'

NASUWT general secretary Dr Patrick Roach said: 'It has been abundantly clear that the high-stakes system developed under the previous government was damaging, distracting and unfairly penalised schools for the failures of the system.

Professor Julia Waters, the sister of Ruth Perry, said the family are 'delighted and relieved'

'For more than a decade, the NASUWT has called for a move towards a balanced report card system which would be informative to both parents and schools.

'Whilst today's announcements are an important step in the right direction, it remains the case that in the absence of root-and-branch reform to fix the foundations of the broken accountability system, teachers and school leaders will continue to work in a system that remains flawed.'

Daniel Kebede, general secretary of the National Education Union, said: 'Scrapping the headline grade is a step in the right direction. Ultimately, the NEU still thinks that Ofsted needs to be abolished and replaced.

'Ofsted is toxic for teachers and school leaders and no amount of rebrand or reform will help Ofsted win back the trust of the profession. We need to see Ofsted replaced with a system of accountability that fosters a culture of collaboration between all stakeholders. One that creates a culture of trust, transparency, and a shared responsibility for the quality of education.'

Shadow education secretary Damian Hinds said the headline inspection is 'a vital indicator'

Children's Commissioner Dame Rachel de Souza called the removal a 'significant step forward in rebuilding trust between Ofsted and the teaching profession'.

She said: 'For too long, the inspection process has been high stakes and over-simplified, instead of an opportunity to properly reflect the diverse experiences of children's education and their wellbeing.'

Jason Elsom, chief executive of charity Parentkind, said: 'Parents have been very clear that they want to see changes to the way Ofsted reports back after visiting a school and it is welcome to see a clear timetable being set out today for moving towards a report card that will give parents greater clarity of the performance of their children's school.'

But shadow education secretary Damian Hinds said the headline inspection outcome is 'a vital indicator for parents' and scrapping it is 'not in the best interest of pupils or parents'.

He said: 'Ofsted already inspects the quality of schools against four key areas and gives an accompanying narrative but the headline inspection outcome is a vital indicator for parents.

'The last Conservative Government made important changes to inspections and welcomed Ofsted's Big Listen to further evolve inspection practice, so it could continue its vital work in driving up school standards.

'While we do believe the system could be further improved, scrapping the headline inspection outcome is not in the best interest of pupils or parents.'

* What do you think of the changes? Please email: mark.duell@mailonline.co.uk *
READ MORE: An hour of screen time can lead to sensory problems in toddlers

Toddlers should not be allowed to watch any television or screens and older children's screen time should be limited, Sweden has told parents.

Children under the age of two should be kept away from digital media and television completely, the country's Public Health Agency said.

Kids between the ages of two and five should be limited to a maximum of one hour of screen time a day, it said in new recommendations, while those aged six to 12 should spend no more than an hour or two a day in front of a screen.

'For too long, smartphones and other screens have been allowed to enter every aspect of our children's lives,' Public Health Minister Jakob Forssmed said.

It comes after it was revealed that children who use their phones or watch television at mealtimes are much more likely to be overweight, a study has found.

Children under the age of two should be kept away from digital media and television completely, Sweden's Public Health Agency has said (stock image)

Jakob Forssmed, Minister for Social Affairs and Public Health, said: 'For too long, smartphones and other screens have been allowed to enter every aspect of our children's lives'

The agency also claimed teenagers aged 13 to 18 should be limited to two to three hours per day.

The minister said that Swedish teens aged 13 to 16 spend six and a half hours a day on average in front of their screens, outside of school hours.

Forssmed said that didn't leave 'a lot of time for communal activities, physical activity or adequate sleep', and lamented a Swedish 'sleep crisis' noting that more than half of 15-year-olds did not get enough sleep.

The health agency also recommended that kids not use screens before going to bed and that phones and tablets be kept out of bedroom at night.

It cited research showing that excessive screen use can lead to poor sleep, depression and body dissatisfaction.

Sweden's government has previously said it is looking at a ban on smartphones in primary schools.

In January, a study found that giving a toddler an iPad for as little as an hour a day can impair their ability to make sense of the world around them.

Researchers at Drexel University in Philadelphia found that any amount of screen time starting at a year old was linked with a two-fold increased risk of unusual sensory behaviors, such as an inability to respond to their name being called.

Each additional hour of screen time doubled the risks of later sensory behavior issues compared to children not exposed to digital media.
A Labor Day shooting has left six people injured in Nashville early on Monday.

Shots were fired in the parking lot of the SkyBar & Lounge in Antioch at about 3am, officials said.

One injured person was taken to the hospital in an ambulance while the other five went to area hospitals in private vehicles, the Metro Nashville Police Department said.

All the victims are expected to survive.

Shots were fired in the parking lot of the SkyBar & Lounge in Antioch

All the victims are expected to survive, Nashville police said. The bar's interior is pictured

No suspects have been arrested.

Security cameras in the area may have caught the shooting and police are in the process of the reviewing the footage, per WSMV.

Police have asked that anyone with information on the shooting contact them.

This is a developing story.
This is the shocking moment a 300ft superyacht crashes into another boat, as terrified passengers can be hears screaming.

In a video shared to social media, a 95m Lurssen superyacht can be seen gliding through the water as it heads towards another boat just off the coast of Yalkavak, Bodrum in Turkey on Saturday.

Moments later, disaster strikes as the vessels bow crashes into the stern of a 101ft motor yacht.

It is unclear why the collision occurred, but the smaller boat has suffered major damage at the stern. Those onboard were left uninjured.

It comes after a 30m superyacht sank during a freak Sicily storm, killing British tech billionaire Mike Lynch, 59, and his daughter Hannah, 18.

A look at the damage that was left behind to the 101ft motor yacht

The super yacht, named Ice, was designed by Tim Heywood (exterior) and Terence Disdale (interior). It can accommodate 14 guests and 27 crew members.

It is reportedly worth $125m (95m) with impressive features such as a large helipad, beauty salon and bathtubs carved out of solid limestone.

There is also a state-of-the-art gym, jacuzzi and countless lounge and relaxation areas, both in- and outdoors.

The motor yacht that was struck is also a luxurious boat with a sundeck, lounge and room for up to eight people.

The Coast Guard has launched an investigation into the incident.

This is the shocking moment a 300ft superyacht crashes into another boat

The 95m Lurssen superyacht can be seen gliding through the water as it heads towards another boat just off the coast of Yalkavak, Bodrum in Turkey

Terrified passengers on board the smaller boat can be seen shouting and panicking
A 90-year-old veteran has been shot and run over with his own car in a violent attack outside his retirement home - and the suspect remains on the loose.

Great-grandfather Nelson Beckett was killed by a gunman close to the Lone Star Living complex in Houston around noon on Saturday, police said.

He was sitting in his car when the man approached him, assaulted him and shot him, according to Fox News. The perpetrator then stole Beckett's belongings and his vehicle before mowing him down with it.

Beckett's car was later found abandoned at an apartment complex on Dunlap Street, around three miles away. The 90-year-old was taken to the hospital where he was pronounced dead, according to ABC13.

Ninety-year-old veteran Nelson Beckett has been shot and run over with his own car in a violent carjacking outside his retirement home - and the suspect remains on the loose

Nelson Beckett's daughter, Tami Freund, said he served in the Navy. He was killed by an unknown gunman close to the Lone Star Living complex in Houston around noon on Saturday, police said. (Pictured: Beckett when he was in the Navy)

Great-grandfather Nelson Beckett was killed by an unknown gunman close to the Lone Star Living complex in Houston around noon on Saturday, police said

The suspect has been described as a black man aged between 25 and 30, per Fox News, and he is still on the loose two days later.

Beckett's daughter, Tami Freund, said the 90-year-old had served in the Navy and had five grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren with another on the way.

'He loved big and loved his family so much,' Freund told Fox News. 'To him, everyone had value, and he would do anything for anyone.'

Freund added that her father was a Christian and the kindest, funniest man she had ever met.

He loved meeting new people and often greeted them with jokes or by handing out his business card which read 'my card'.

Freund said he spent much of his retirement helping others, including by driving people without cars to doctor's appointments and Sunday church service.

'He loved big and loved his family so much,' Freund said of her slain father Nelson Beckett (pictured). 'To him, everyone had value, and he would do anything for anyone'

Nelson Beckett was a Christian family man. His daughter, Tami Freund, said he had five grandchildren and six great-grandchildren with another on the way

He even offered his home as a halfway house, taking lodgers to panhandle and driving them to church where he even baptized some of them.

Houston has a homicide rate of 19 murders per 100,000 people, according to the most recent available data, making it the most dangerous city in Texas.

It compares with 16.6 murders per 100,000 people in Dallas, 15.9 per 100,000 in San Antonio, 10.8 per 100,000 in Fort Worth, and 6.8 per 100,000 people in Austin.

Anyone with information in this case is urged to contact the HPD Homicide Division at 713-308-3600 or speak anonymously to Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS.
A French woman whose husband is on trial for drugging her and allowing dozens of strangers to rape her while unconscious appeared in court for the first time after waiving her right to anonymity.

Gisele P., 72, was seen standing in the courtroom supported by her three children to witness the opening day of the trial of Dominique P., 71, which began this morning in Avignon.

He is accused of orchestrating a sick rape ring, using an online forum to invite a horde of men to his home in Mazan near Avignon before filming them assaulting his wife over nine years between 2011 and 2020.

Police counted a total of 92 rapes committed by 72 men, 51 of whom were identified and are being tried alongside the main suspect, a former employee at France's power utility company EDF.

Presiding judge Roger Arata announced that all the hearings would be public, granting Gisele her wish for 'complete publicity until the end' of the court case, according to her lawyer, Stephane Babonneau.

Gisele could have opted for a trial behind closed doors given the nature of her husband's alleged crimes, but 'that's what her attackers would have wanted', another lawyer named Antoine Camus said.

Still, the trial will be 'a horrible ordeal' for Gisele.

'For the first time, she will have to live through the rapes that she endured over 10 years,' Camus said, adding that his client had 'no recollection' of the abuse which she only discovered in 2020.

Gisele P. - a French woman whose husband is on trial for drugging her and allowing dozens of strangers to rape her while unconscious - is seen arriving in court today

Gisele P. (left) speaks to her lawyer (right) as she sits to the side of the courtroom

Gisele P., 72, was seen standing in the courtroom supported by her three children to witness the opening day of the trial of Dominique P., 71

Dominique P. is accused of orchestrating the sick rape ring, filming strangers he met online attacking his wife while she was drugged between 2011 and 2020

A black and white facial reconstruction of a younger Dominique P is seen in this handout image

Co-defendants speak with a lawyer at the courthouse during the trial of a man accused of drugging his wife for nearly ten years and inviting strangers to rape her at their home in Mazan, a small town in the south of France, in Avignon, on September 2, 2024

The President of the Vaucluse Assises Court Roger Arata speaks at the courthouse during the trial of Dominique P. in the south of France, in Avignon, on September 2, 2024

The couple met in 1971 and married two years later before having three kids together.

Gisele previously said her husband had asked her to try swinging - a request she refused.

But she also described him as a 'great guy' with a 'normal sexuality'.

Their eldest son said nothing in his father's behaviour suggested any deviance and that 'he had always fulfilled his role as a father', while their daughter spoke fondly of her father's presence in her life as a young girl.

The heinous campaign of sexual abuse masterminded by Dominique P. is said to have begun in 2011 when the couple was living near Paris, and continued after they moved to Mazan two years later.

Police began to investigate the defendant Dominique P. in September 2020 when he was caught by a security guard secretly filming under the skirts of three women in a shopping centre.

Police said they found hundreds of pictures and videos of his wife on his computer, visibly unconscious and mostly in the foetal position.

The images are alleged to show dozens of rapes in the couple's home in Mazan, a village of 6,000 people roughly 20 miles from Avignon in Provence.

Investigators also found chats on a site called coco.fr, since shut down by police, in which he recruited strangers to come to their home and have intercourse with his wife.

Dominique P. later admitted to investigators that he gave his wife powerful tranquilisers, especially Temesta, an anxiety-reducing drug.

Demonstrators hold placards and smoke bombs during a protest outside the courthouse during the trial of a man accused of drugging his wife for nearly ten years and inviting strangers to rape her at their home in Mazan, a small town in the south of France, in Avignon, on September 2, 2024

Demonstrators hold placards during a protest outside the courthouse during the trial of a man accused of drugging his wife for nearly ten years

Beatrice Zavarro, lawyer for the accused Dominique P, waits at the courthouse during the trial of her client accused of drugging his wife for nearly ten years and inviting strangers to rape her at their home in Mazan, a small town in the south of France, in Avignon, on September 2, 2024

The husband took part in the rapes, filmed them and encouraged the other men using degrading language, according to prosecutors.

In previous hearings, he explained how he took a range of precautions to avoid his wife or family from discovering the dark deeds.

French outlet Le Point reported how Dominique P. imposed strict rules on each of the men who he invited to rape his wife: no perfume or tobacco, cut and clean nails, hands first run under hot water so as not to risk waking the victim.

The attackers would park a few minutes from the couple's home and undress in the kitchen. No money changed hands.

The accused rapists included a forklift driver, a fire brigade officer, a company boss and a journalist.

Some were single, others married or divorced, and some were family men. Most participated just once, but some took part up to six times.

Their defence has been that they simply helped a libertine couple live out its fantasies, but Dominique P. told investigators that all were aware that his wife had been drugged without her knowledge.

An expert said her state 'was closer to a coma than to sleep'.

Her husband told prosecutors that only three men left the house quickly after arriving, while all others proceeded to have intercourse with his wife.

This photograph taken on September 2, 2024 shows a road sign at the entrance of the town of Mazan, southern France. Dominique P, accused of drugging his wife for nearly ten years and inviting strangers to rape her at their home in Mazan, faces a French court in Avignon

Dominique P., who said he was raped by a male nurse when he was nine, is ready to face 'his family and his wife', his lawyer Beatrice Zavarro said.

'He is ashamed of what he did, it is unforgivable,' Zavarro told reporters on Monday morning, adding that the case was 'in a form of addiction'.

'My client's line of conduct is that he recognises what he did and there has not been an ounce of protest since the beginning,' she said in comments carried by French press.

But this trial may not be his last.

The defendant has also been charged with a 1991 murder and rape, which he denies, and an attempted rape in 1999, to which he admitted after DNA testing.

Experts said the man does not appear to be mentally ill, but reportedly concluded that had a need to feel 'all-powerful' over the female body in assessments included in court documents.

The shocking trial is due to last until December 20.
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Several cars in vice presidential candidate Tim Walz's motorcade have crashed on the way to an event in Milwaukee.

Reporters travelling with Kamala Harris' running mate said a van slammed into the back of a van carrying press and staff, leaving passengers injured.

Walz was not hurt, and his vehicle carried on to the event.

Meanwhile President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris met the US hostage deal negotiating team in the White House Situation Room on Monday morning after six Hamas captives - including an American-Israeli - were murdered.

Follow all the developments in politics in DailyMail.com's live blog
A childminder married to a Conservative councillor has pleaded guilty to publishing a social media post stirring up racial hatred against asylum seekers.

Lucy Connolly was remanded in custody after admitting the offence at Northampton Crown Court today - having called on X, formerly Twitter, for hotels housing migrants to be set on fire.

Connolly, from Northampton, posted after last month's Southport knife killings. saying: 'Mass deportation now, set fire to all the f***ing hotels full of the b******s for all I care...'

The 41-year-old added: 'If that makes me racist, so be it.'

She is married to Conservative councillor Raymond Connolly, who serves as vice chair of West Northamptonshire Council's adult social care committee.

Lucy Connolly (pictured) has pleaded guilty to stirring up racial hatred with a social media post

The 41-year-old has since deleted her post and blamed it on 'a moment of extreme outrage and emotion' when she was acting on 'false and malicious' information

Lucy Connolly's Conservative councillor husband Raymond Connolly, pictured today outside Northampton Crown Court, had watched as she pleaded guilty to stirring up racial hatred

After posting the vile tweet, Connolly was suspended on the platform Childcare.co.uk where she advertised her childminding services.

Frank Ferguson, head of the Crown Prosecution Services Special Crime and Counter Terrorism Unit, said after Connolly's guilty plea today: 'Using threatening, abusive or insulting language to rile up racism online is unacceptable and is breaking the law.

'During police interview Lucy Connolly stated she had strong views on immigration, told officers she did not like immigrants and claimed that children were not safe from them.

'It is not an offence to have strong or differing political views, but it is an offence to incite racial hatred  and that is what Connolly has admitted doing.

'The prosecution case included evidence which showed that racist tweets were sent out from Mrs Connollys X account both in the weeks and months before the Southport attacks  as well as in the days after.

'Connolly wrongly thought that she could escape justice by hiding behind a screen, but today she has pleaded guilty and admitted her crime. She will now face the consequences of her actions.'

Adjourning Connolly's case for sentence at Birmingham Crown Court on October 17, Judge Adrienne Lucking told her the ordering of pre-sentence reports was no indication of the likely sentence.

The judge said the case was being transferred to Birmingham to avoid any potential appearance of bias given Connolly's husband held a political post in the local area.

The judge told her: 'Sentencing will entirely be a matter for the judge on the next occasion but it's likely to be a substantial custodial sentence. In the meantime, you are remanded in custody.'

The defendant's husband Raymond Connolly watched from the public gallery in courtroom four at Northampton Crown Court as she pleaded guilty, entering her plea via video-link to HMP Peterborough.

Lucy Connolly's husband Raymond Connolly (pictured outside Northampton Crown Court today) is an elected member of West Northamptonshire Council

The councillor serves as vice chair of the local authority's adult social care committee

Wearing a flower-patterned short-sleeved dress, Connolly spoke only to enter her plea and confirm that she could hear the judge during a hearing lasting seven minutes.

Speaking outside court after the case, Mr Connolly said the last few weeks had been 'quite traumatic' for his wife and children - and that he now feels 'kind of relieved'.

He said his wife regrets making the post, which she deleted within two hours, describing her as 'the opposite' of a racist' an 'upset housewife' posting about what transpired to be misinformation about the Southport stabbings.

He told reporters: 'The stuff I hear on the TV is not really Lucy. She knows that she overstepped the mark and there is consequences for it. Hopefully she'll be able to learn from this and move on with her life.'

The councillor, who represents Delapre and Rushmere, added that he had received messages of support from residents asking him not to resign, saying: 'I've had really good support from my fellow councillors. "It's not affected my role."

Connolly had earlier deleted the offending post and issued an apology, saying: 'Acting on information that I now know to be false and malicious, and in a moment of extreme outrage and emotion, I posted words that I realise were wrong in every way.

'I am someone who cares enormously about children, and the similarity between those beautiful children who were so brutally attacked and my own daughter overwhelmed me with horror but I should not have expressed that horror in the way that I did.

'This has been a valuable lesson for me, in realising how wrong and inaccurate things appearing on social media can be, and I will never ever react in this way again.'

Connolly's husband previously told the BBC after an online backlash against her that she had made one 'stupid, spur of the moment tweet out of frustration and quickly deleted it'.

He added: 'She's a good person and she's not racist. She's got Somalian and Bangladeshi kids she looks after and she loves them like they're her own.'

Flames erupted beside Sunderland police station during the riots breaking out on August 2 - part of widespread disorder across the country following the Southport stabbings

The disturbances in the north-eastern city were among a series of clashes earlier this month

The aftermath of violent disorder in Hull city centre which saw rioters tear through the shopping district

Father-of-three Tyler Kay, 26, was jailed for 38 months on August 9 after sharing online Lucy Connolly's social media post about burning down hotels housing asylum seekers

Courts have been packed with defendants after far-right yobs rioted in towns and cities across the UK following the killings of three young girls at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in Southport on July 29.

The attack was wrongly blamed on a fictitious Islamist migrant, a theory spread through online misinformation.

Violence broke out in cities across England and also in Northern Ireland - and has been followed by a hundreds of charges including for children as young as 11, while those arrested also include a 69-year-old accused of vandalism in Liverpool.

A father-of-three was jailed at Northampton Crown Court for 38 months on August 9 after re-posting part of Connolly's X message.

Tyler Kay, 26, of Ellfield Court, Northampton, admitted a charge of publishing material intended to stir up racial hatred.

Passing sentence on Kay after he pleaded guilty, Judge Lucking told him: 'You posted as you did because you thought there were no consequences for yourself from stirring up racial hatred in others.

'The overall tone of the posts clearly reveals your fundamentally racist mindset.

'I am sure that when you intentionally created the posts you intended that racial hatred would be stirred up by your utterly repulsive, racist and shocking posts that have no place in a civilised society.'
Naples mayor Teresa Heitmann has been arrested for driving under the influence after she allegedly drove over someone's mailbox.

The Republican, 61, was pulled over on Wednesday night after a couple told police she had followed them home, stopped her car on the grass in front of their house and appeared inebriated.

'I think the mayor is drunk and she just, she just literally... oh, she just drove over our mailbox,' the caller said on the 911 call, as reported by WBBH. 'She's claiming to the mayor... I don't know who she is.'

Heitmann is then heard in the background saying she is 'mayor Teresa Heitmann.'

Dashcam footage captured the interaction between Heitmann and responding offers.

Naples mayor Teresa Heitmann has been arrested for driving under the influence after she allegedly drove over someone's mailbox

Dashcam footage captured the interaction between Heitmann and responding offers

When one of the officer referred to her as 'Mayor,' Heitmann replied: 'No, don't call me mayor. I am Teresa Heitmann right now, I am not the mayor.'

Heitmann reportedly told officers the couple had cut her off in traffic.

She also claimed she had only had one glass of wine but failed a field sobriety test which led to her arrest.

The mayor then agreed to do a breath test at the Naples Jail Center.

Her breath test results were 0.155 and 0.169 - above the legal limit in Florida which is 0.08.

Heitmann was bonded out of jail at $500 on Thursday.

She has yet to comment on her arrest.

Her breath test results were 0.155 and 0.169 - above the legal limit in Florida which is 0.08

Heitmann was first elected in 2020 and re-elected as mayor last March. She is pictured with her family

Naples City Manager Jay Boodheshwar said in a statement: 'City employees were saddened to learn about the incident involving the Mayor. We know this is a difficult time for Mayor Heitmann and will give her the space she needs.

'The Naples community should rest assured our City team is committed and dedicated to serving our residents. I have 100% confidence that our City employees will not let this incident affect service delivery to our community.'

Heitmann was first elected in 2020 and re-elected as mayor last March.
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NBC News has been forced to issue a correction after a host made a false claim on 'Meet the Press' involving President Biden, Vice President Harris, and the families of fallen American troops.

Republican Senator Tim Cotton has accused Biden and Harris of snubbing the dignified transfer ceremony for the 13 service members killed during the Afghanistan withdrawal.

That's when host Kristen Welker incorrectly claimed that both the President and Vice President had attended the event.

'You know who the families also invited? Joe Biden and Kamala Harris. Where were they?' said Cotton. 'Joe Biden was sitting at a beach. Kamala Harris was sitting at her mansion in Washington, D.C. She was four miles away  ten minutes.'

'She could have gone to the cemetery and honored the sacrifice of those young men and women, but she hasn't. She never has spoken to them or taken a meeting with them,' he continued.

NBC News has been forced to issue a correction after a host made a false claim on 'Meet the Press' involving President Biden, Vice President Harris, and the families of fallen American troops

Republican Senator Tim Cotton (pictured) has accused Biden and Harris of snubbing the dignified transfer ceremony for the 13 service members killed during the Afghanistan withdrawal

'It's because of her and Joe Biden's incompetence that those 13 Americans were killed in Afghanistan,' Cotton added.

Welker tried to interject, stating 'Well, they did meet with them during the dignified transfer. They were with them at the dignified transfer.'

But the NBC host was off the mark and in a rare admission of error, 'Meet the Press' issued a correction on X, formerly known as Twitter.

'On our broadcast this morning, we incorrectly implied that both President Biden and Vice President Harris attended the dignified transfer of 13 American service members killed during the Afghanistan withdrawal. Biden was in attendance but Harris was not.'

But users weren't satisfied with the apology.

Host Kristen Welker incorrectly claimed that both the President and Vice President had attended the event

Last year, a damning watchdog report claimed poor planning by the US military before the 'abrupt' Afghanistan withdrawal led to the rapid collapse of the Western-backed government as the Taliban overran the country in August 2021

'She didn't 'imply' it. She outright said it. She lied to protect Kamala. Shame on you,' the X account Libs of TikTok commented.

Last year, a damning watchdog report claimed poor planning by the US military before the 'abrupt' Afghanistan withdrawal led to the rapid collapse of the Western-backed government as the Taliban overran the country in August 2021.

The scathing analysis by the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR) found the American decision to pull out 'destroyed the morale' of the Afghan National Security Force (ANDSF), and the 300,000 local troops were destined to fail without U.S. support.

It also details the more than $7 billion in weapons and equipment left for the Taliban to use, and the widespread corruption that dominated the Afghan military and government.
Comes after they were hit with massive medical bills

The grieving family of an Aussie tradie who died in a moped crash in Bali are relieved they will not be forced to sell their home to pay mounting medical bills.

Shane Ramsey, 30, from Perth had been visiting the Indonesian island for a wedding and was riding a motorcycle in Seminyak on August 18, when he crashed into a roadside pole.

Mr Ramsey was on his way to watch a UFC fight with friends when tragedy struck.

The carpenter suffered catastrophic head injuries and was rushed to BIMC hospital in Kuta, where he was placed into a coma.

His family paid $70,000 for him to undergo emergency neurosurgery and secured a medical evacuation flight back home to Australia, which is believed to cost around $150,000.

Doctors at the Royal Perth Hospital told Mr Ramsey's family that he wouldn't regain his brain function, forcing them to make the heartbreaking decision to turn off his life support.

One week on, his parents, who faced the likelihood of having to sell their home to cover the costly medical bills, have been able to remortgage the property after kind-hearted Aussies raised almost $130,000.

It givs the family peace of mind as they prepare to farewell Mr Ramsey this Friday.

The grieving family of Aussie tradie Shane Ramsey (pictured left), who died in a horror moped crash in Bali last month, won't have to sell their house to pay off his massive medical bills

The medical expenses soared to more than $350,000 because Mr Ramsey didn't have travel insurance, which would have only cost about $50 a week.

Mr Ramsey's mother Catherine said they were looking at the possibility of being made homeless in a bid to pay off the debt.

'You do what you have to and we did what any parent would in that situation,' she told 7news.com.au.

'You're on autopilot a bit (amid the grieving). The banks were great and everyone was understanding and trying to help out.'

Shane Ramsey, 30, (pictured) was riding a motorcycle in Seminyak, on August 18, when he crashed into a roadside pole

Ms Ramsey uploaded a heartbreaking post to Facebook to announce her son's funeral, which will be held this Friday afternoon at Pinnaroo West Chapel, Whitfords Avenue, Padbury, at 2.30pm,' she wrote.

'All are welcome to come and say a final goodbye to a precious son, brother and friend that was taken from us too soon'.

A private wake will be held for close family members and friends at .

Ms Ramsey thanked everyone, who contributed to assisting them in her desperate quest to get her son back home.

She also issued a warning to Aussies travelling to Bali to think twice before getting on a scooter.

Friends and loved ones will gather in Perth Friday to farewell carpenter Shane Ramsey

'Take care. This happens in the blink of an eye,' Ms Ramsey said.

Mr Ramsey's death was followed by another horror incident after fellow Aussie Thomas Cossins, 30, was killed in a motorcycle crash on Friday.

Mr Cossins reportedly lost control of the motorbike he was riding while he was travelling on road from Denpasar to Singaraja, in Gitgit Village, Buleleng Regency.

He approached a sharp turn in the road and hit a concrete barrier.
Warmonger Vladimir Putin today warned he is a 'bad example' to children while teaching a lesson to the young students in a Siberian school to mark the first day of the new Russian academic year.

Although the 71-year-old's private life is strictly off limits, he gave a glimpse behind his mask during the appearance by admitting to his own bad habits.

The tyrant leader was full of advice for the students at Secondary School No. 20 in Kyzyl, Tuva, urging them not to copy him by working on limited sleep and organising his time badly, while also telling them to avoid motorcycles and quad bikes.

'[I am] a bad example, you shouldn't follow my example,' said the former KGB spy.

'Today I slept, let's say, for four hours - that's not enough,' he said, advising them to stay in good shape.

Russian President Vladimir Putin held an open lesson at the secondary school No 20 in Kyzyl, Republic of Tuva, Russia, where he warned children he was a 'bad example'

Putin (pictured centre) shared his advice with the pupils during his lesson today

'The fact that I slept only four hours today, and usually sleep six, isn't because I'm such a busy person, but because I can't properly organise my workday,' he continued.

'Every person should be critical of everything they do, of themselves, and draw conclusions. I'll try to do that, and I advise you to do the same.'

Putin also told pupils how he is fostering closer ties with neighbour China, and wants them to learn the language.

'Look, we have a growing interest in Chinese now,' he said in a school in Tuva region.

'And in China, by the way, there is also a growing interest in the Russian language, and we have a growing interest in Chinese.'

Putin said children should also learn 'great language' English as well as Chinese.

Then he said: 'Members of my family, the little ones, speak Chinese too. They speak it fluently.'

A boy was slapped down when he told Putin his dream is to own a motorbike.

'A motorcycle is a dangerous form of transport. It's better to save up for a car instead. That way, both your mum and dad will feel more at ease,' he told the lad.

'A quad bike is also dangerous, don't ride it. They constantly flip over. It's an unstable vehicle.'

Putin told the boy to use his money from collecting and selling scrap metal to buy a car.

Divorced Putin's family life is taboo for the Russian media, and he long ago decreed that Russian journalists with 'snotty noses and erotic fantasies' should not 'prowl' into his affairs.

Despite this, some Russians strongly suspect he has a family with glamorous gymnast Alina Kabaeva, three decades his junior.

Rumours suggest Kabaeva gave birth to his son in a Swiss clinic in March 2015, appearing in public with a postpartum look two months later.

Another boy was believed to have been born in Moscow in 2019, though some accounts say she gave birth to twins.

Putin did not add any more context to his statements today about his 'little ones', and may possibly have been referring to his grandchildren.

Vladimir Putin's gymnast 'lover' Alina Kabaeva is believed to be the mother of at least three of Putin's children

Alina Kabaeva shakes hands with Vladimir Putin during a meeting with other gymnasts at the Kremlin (undated)

Putin also spoke to the students about how Russian forces are advancing faster in eastern Ukraine than they have done for a long time - taking several square kilometres per day.

Russian forces, which control 18 per cent of Ukraine, have been advancing in the eastern region since the failure of Kyiv's 2023 counter-offensive to achieve a major breakthrough.

Despite a major Ukrainian incursion into Russia's Kursk region that began on August 6, the numerically stronger Russian army has in recent weeks been pushing through settlements on the approach to the crucial city of Pokrovsk.

'We have not had such a pace in the offensive in Donbas (region) for a long time,' Putin told the children.

'Now we are not talking about moving 660 or 1,000ft forward... The Russian armed forces are already bringing territories under control not by 200-300 metres but by square kilometres,' he boasted.

But roughly 3,000 Russian citizens are said to have fled their homes amid the Ukrainian strikes, according to Kursk's acting governor Alexei Smirnov, who declared a 'federal level' emergency in the region.

The sudden Ukrainian offensive in Kursk has sent thousands of Russians fleeing their homes in border towns

A view shows a building on fire in the town of Sudzha following an incursion of Ukrainian troops into the Kursk region, Russia, in this still image from video taken August 7, 2024

A view shows a building on fire in the town of Sudzha following an incursion of Ukrainian troops into the Kursk region, Russia, in this still image from video taken August 7, 2024

A view shows destroyed buildings in the town of Sudzha following an incursion of Ukrainian troops into the Kursk region, Russia, in this still image from video taken August 7, 2024

The Ukrainian offensive in the Kursk region is thought to be the most significant attack on Russian soil since the war in Ukraine began in 2022 and prompted thousands of Russians to flee their homes.

Kyiv did not officially take responsibility for the operation in Kursk, but Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said an evening address earlier this month that Russia needed to feel the consequences of its invasion.

'Russia brought the war to our land and should feel what it has done,' Zelensky said, without directly referring to the offensive.

Pro-Russian military bloggers said on Monday that Russian forces were now fighting in the eastern Ukrainian towns of Selydove and Ukrainsk.

Yuri Podolyaka, an influential Ukrainian-born, pro-Russian military blogger, said that intense battles were underway in Selydove, about 12 miles south of Pokrovsk, and in Ukrainsk, about nine miles south of Selydove.

He said both sides were pushing forces into the battles for the towns, which had populations of over 20,000 and 10,000 respectively before full-scale war began in February 2022.

The pro-Russian blogger Rybar also said that fighting was going on in both towns

Russian state news agency TASS said that Ukrainian forces had been driven out of a part of Selydove.

By pushing south towards the town of Kurakhivka, Russian forces are seeking to break through Ukrainian defensive lines while increasing their sway over the Pokrovsk-Donetsk road and encircling a chunk of territory, Russian bloggers said.

Russia has been trying to expel Ukrainian forces from its southern Kursk region after Kyiv's August 6 incursion, which was designed partly to pressure Russian generals to scramble forces from other parts of the eastern front in Ukraine.

Russian forces have taken control of the village of Skuchne in the eastern Donetsk region, RIA news agency cited Russia's Defence Ministry as saying on Monday.
CNN and The New York Times were blasted for their wording of reports about the killing of Israeli hostages by Hamas.

Comments poured in on social media Sunday, following reports that the body of Hersh Goldberg-Polin, 23, had been recovered in Gaza along with five others.

The Israeli American had been one of the most well-known hostages, with his parents recently speaking at the Democratic National Convention (DNC). They pleaded for a ceasefire and the hostages' safe return.

A group representing the families of the hostages blamed Israeli Prime Minster Benjamin Netanyahu, leading the Israeli Prime Minister to issue a statement Sunday saying Israel 'would not rest' until justice was brought on those responsible.

CNN and The New York Times were met with accusations of soft-pedaling news of Goldberg-Polin's slaying for saying he 'died' rather than being murdered.

Scroll down for video:

CNN and The New York Times are receiving criticism for their wording of reports surrounding the slain Hamas hostages

The reaction poured in on social media Sunday, following reports that the body of Hersh Goldberg-Polin, 23, had been recovered in Gaza alongside five others

'When @CNN reports that someone "has died," it's usually from old age or cancer,' wrote one person, whose reply to CNN's post was re-shared dozens of times.

'Hersh was kidnapped, tortured, and murdered by Hamas, and CNN can't even be honest about that.'

Others were similarly upset by the language used.

'He was at the Nova music festival,' wrote another user on X. 'Palestinian terrorists threw grenades into the shelter where he was hiding and blew off his hand.

'They kidnapped him to Gaza and held him for 11 months before executing him but CNN makes it sound like he died of natural causes.'

Another added: 'He didn't simply "die." He was murdered by Hamas after being tortured for almost a year in captivity.'

The CNN headline several took issue with was 'Israeli-American hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin has died'

The flood of negative replies continued.

'Hersh was kidnapped and murdered,' one observer wrote. 'This is disgraceful journalism. Correct the article.'

'Yes, he died,' added another, as the post was viewed nearly 3.5million times. 'But he died because Hamas murdered him and not by natural causes or some unfortunate accident as your post suggests.'

A similar dynamic played out in response to The New York Times' coverage, after the publication posted that 'Hersh Goldberg-Polin was among the six hostages who were found dead in Gaza over the weekend.'

A similar dynamic played out in response to The New York Times' coverage

'Found executed not just dead. Do better,' a commenter wrote.

'And by "found dead," you actually mean murdered by Hamas terrorists,' added another.

The other victims were identified as Ori Danino, 25; Eden Yerushalmi, 24; Almog Sarusi, 27; Alexander Lobanov, 33; and Carmel Gat, 40.

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.

A group representing the families of those still in captivity demanded that Netanyahu 'address the nation and take responsibility for abandoning the hostages.'

The victims were identified as Ori Danino, 25; Eden Yerushalmi, 24; Almog Sarusi, 27; Alexander Lobanov, 33; and Carmel Gat, 40; and Hersh Goldberg-Polin, 23

Goldberg-Polin parents recently spoke at the DNC, pleading for a ceasefire and the hostages' safe return

A group representing the families of those still in captivity demanded that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin 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,' the group wrote.

'[The victims] were murdered in the last few days, after surviving almost 11 months of abuse, torture, and starvation in Hamas captivity.'

Netanyahu, meanwhile, has remained intent on resolving the conflict his own way.

'Whoever murders hostages - does not want a deal,' he said Saturday after the six hostages' deaths were confirmed.

He added that Israel was committed to achieving a deal to release remaining hostages while ensuring his country's security.

No such deal has been drafted as of yet.
Kamala Harris' viral moment in her debate against Mike Pence in 2020 is proof the current vice president is horrible,' according to Donald Trump.

The ex-president tore into his 2024 rival for telling his then-VP to stop speaking over her at their single debate.

'Now they have Kamala, who they say has many deficiencies, but she's a nasty person,' Trump told Fox News host Mark Levin on his Sunday night show Life, Liberty and Levin.

'The way she treated Mike Pence was horrible,' he continued. 'The way she treats people is horrible.'

During the debate in Salt Lake City, Utah on October 7, 2020, the two candidates were seated for the duration and at one point Harris rebuked Pence's interruption with: 'Mr. Vice President, I'm speaking.'

Donald Trump said proof that Kamala Harris is 'vicious' and 'nasty' is how she interacted with Mike Pence during their 2020 debate and her questioning of Brett Kavanaugh when he was a Supreme Court nominee in 2018

The moment has been largely shared and now used by Harris' supporters as a catch phrase of sorts for women empowerment.

Potential interruptions likely won't be an issue at Trump's debate with Harris on September 10 since ABC News is keeping the microphones muted when it is not a candidates' turn at speaking.

Harris' team also pressed to be seated during the debate with Trump like she was at the Pence showdown, according to the former president's campaign. But the two will remain standing behind podiums.

Also during his interview with Levin, the former president went after Harris for her questioning of Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh during the confirmation process  when the vice president was still a U.S. Senator from California.

'Oh, she was vicious,' Trump said. 'Oh, she was the most vicious. She was going after them.'

He later added: 'The way she treated Justice Kavanaugh during that hearing in the history of Congress, nobody's been treated that way.'

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During the vice presidential debate in Salt Lake City, Utah on October 7, 2020, Harris rebuked Pence's interruption with: 'Mr. Vice President, I'm speaking'

During the 2018 confirmation hearing, Harris, a former prosecutor and once California's Attorney General, was serving as a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee and made headlines for her grilling of Kavanaugh.

Harris' campaign has used her questioning of Kavanaugh in videos and ads painting her as a tough prosecutor that will hold officials accountable as president.

Trump's comments to Levin about that tense moment echo those he made on the campaign trail in the 2020 cycle, when he also called Harris 'horrible' and 'nasty' for berating his appointee.
Oasis fans have been expressing buyers' regret after shelling out hundreds of pounds for the band's reunion gigs amid a row over 'dynamic pricing'.

Hundreds of people have now officially complained about how tickets were advertised after prices for the comeback tour soared when going on sale on Saturday.

And experts today suggested thousands of people were 'misled' as the Ticketmaster system pushed up the prices due to the huge demand, while consumers told how they would be paying off the costs for as long as a year.

Buyers were left shocked by standard tickets more than doubling from 148 to 355 on Ticketmaster due to demand, the Culture Secretary pledged to look into the use of surge pricing in a forthcoming Government review of the secondary gig sales market.

Many fans also missed out on the reunion tour tickets as they battled with website issues, and being mislabelled as bots, before Oasis announced all 17 shows in the UK and Dublin had sold out.

Noel (left) and Liam Gallagher (right), pictured here at a Teenage Cancer Trust charity concert at London's Albert Hall in March 2003, have faced flak over their reunion tour ticket prices

The brothers announced last Tuesday they were reuniting for a series of gigs next year, after the Britpop band split 15 years ago

Fans found themselves in queues of up to 11 hours when tickets went on sale on Saturday

Some have already been expressing regret about shelling out hundreds of pounds

Social media users shared their dismay after committing to tickets despite prices surging far higher than originally expected.

Danilo Rocha told how he wanted to resell his tickets after buying them, posting to Ticketmaster's account on X, formerly Twitter: 'Why can't I put my tickets on the market place?

'I was able to get 2 tickets, but later came the regret to have paid over 100% of the listed price. Your dynamic pricing sucks!'

A different X user wrote: 'May have just seriously overpaid for Oasis Tickets in Dublin.'

And another shared how they felt 'total regret and doubt' after paying hundreds of pounds for a Dublin ticket - but hoped to 'pay off a little every week over next 12 months and should be OK'.

Journalist Tom Halliday paraphrased a lyric from Oasis hit Cigarettes And Alcohol as he reflected on his ticket purchases: 'Was it worth the aggravation?'

He told of receiving a sobering alert from his bank after splashing out a four-figure sum on four standing tickets for one of their gigs in Heaton Park, Manchester.

He said: 'The overdraft alert from my bank this morning reminded me that I had chosen the latter: 1,423.55 for four "in-demand standing" tickets  of which 73.55 is service charges and processing fees.

Noel Gallagher (left) and brother Liam (right) appear to have ended their 15-year feud by agreeing to the reunion taking in live concerts across the UK and ireland including Wembley

The official Oasis account on X, formerly Twitter, announced on Sunday evening that all the reunion concerts had now sold out

'The total, including insurance, came to a stomach-churning 361.13 per ticket. Thats the same price as Glastonbury festival and more expensive than four nights in Sharm El Sheikh.'

The ticketing approach was condemned today by the Chartered Trading Standards Institute, who told how one of their members queued for five hours before being charged 348 for a standing ticket at Wembley when he had expected to pay 151.

Sylvia Rook, the institute's lead officer for fair trading, said: 'Whilst dynamic pricing is an accepted practice for holidays, flights and taxis, the difference here is that consumers are informed of the price before they decide to make a purchase/

In this case, the public were given a price for tickets, and were not informed until they finally got to the front of the queue, that the price had increased.

'This undoubtedly meant that many consumers have overreached and ended up spending much more than they originally intended. Many other consumers ended up disappointed after deciding not to proceed to pay the vastly increased prices.

'It is a breach of the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 if a trader misleads consumers regarding the price of goods and services, if that causes the average consumer to take a different "transactional decision".

'In this case many consumers would not have joined the queue had they known that the price would have increased by the time they were able to purchase, and many fans could not afford the increased price.'

Other international dates are still to be announced, but the PA news agency reported this afternoon that no more UK shows are expected to be added to their tour.

Liam and Noel Gallagher, pictured here at the V Festival in Chelmsford in Essex in August 2005, have not played together after Oasis broke up in 2009

Fans have been expressing doubts online about their expensive Oasis ticket purchases

Following the ticket furore, the Advertising Standards Authority has received 450 complaints about Ticketmaster adverts for the Oasis gigs.

A spokesperson for the UK's regulator of advertising said the complainants argue that the adverts made 'misleading claims about availability and pricing'.

They added: 'We're carefully assessing these complaints and, as such, can't comment any further at this time.

'To emphasise, we are not currently investigating these ads.'

Ticketmaster said it does not set prices and its website says this is down to the 'event organiser' who 'has priced these tickets according to their market value'.

Bands have been urged to oppose dynamic pricing of concert tickets - with the concept previously criticised by artists such as The Cure frontman Robert Smith.

Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy earlier released a statement calling the inflated selling of Oasis tickets 'incredibly depressing'.

She said: 'After the incredible news of Oasis' return, it's depressing to see vastly inflated prices excluding ordinary fans from having a chance of enjoying their favourite band live.

Group portrait of British rock band Oasis at Nomad Studios in Manchester in 1993

Many fans have expressed frustration online over struggles to secure tickets - and soaring prices - when they were made available on Saturday

'This Government is committed to putting fans back at the heart of music. So we will include issues around the transparency and use of dynamic pricing, including the technology around queuing systems which incentivise it, in our forthcoming consultation on consumer protections for ticket resales.

'Working with artists, industry and fans we can create a fairer system that ends the scourge of touts, rip-off resales and ensures tickets at fair prices.'

House of Commons leader and Lord President of the Council Lucy Powell was among those hit by dynamic pricing on Saturday, and eventually forked out more than double the original quoted cost of a ticket for an Oasis show.

Ms Powell said she ended up buying two tickets for 350 each for Heaton Park in July, which were originally quoted at 148.50, not including a booking fee of 2.75.

The Manchester Central MP told BBC Radio 5 Live that she does not 'particularly like' surge pricing, before adding: 'It is the market and how it operates.

'You've absolutely got to be transparent about that so that when people arrive after hours of waiting, they understand that the ticket is going to cost more.'

It is believed the ticket prices for Oasis gigs were set by promoters.

The band's promoters, Manchester-based SJM Concerts, Irish MCD and Scottish DF Concerts & Events have all been approached for comment.

Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy (pictured) has promised that concerns over 'dynamic pricing' brought to the fore by the Oasis reunion shows will be part of a government review

In a round of interviews, Lucy Powell revealed she managed to bag two tickets for the hotly-anticipated reunion tour

Brothers Noel and Liam Gallagher confirmed their reunion last Tuesday following the end of their more than a decade long acrimonious split.

There has also been concern about the non-official sellers Viagogo, who are listing resale tickets for thousands of pounds.

The secondary seller has defended the practice saying fans sell the tickets, and its global managing director added: 'Resale is legal in the UK and fans are always protected by our guarantee that they will receive their tickets in time for the event or their money back.'

Oasis have told followers that Ticketmaster and Twickets should only be used for resales, and put up for prices at 'face value', otherwise they will be 'cancelled by the promoters'.
One of Mexico's most notorious drug lords has been released from a United States prison despite not serving his full 25-year sentence - and it is unclear if he will be returning to Mexico.

Osiel Cardenas Guillen, who once led the Gulf Cartel and Los Zetas gang, was released from prison in Terre Haute, Indiana on August 30 and placed in the custody of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Mexican news outlet Milenio confirmed.

'Osiel Cardenas was handed over through the staff door of the prison, where we officers enter, and they handed him over to ICE, because he is going to stay in the United States indefinitely,' a Homeland Security Investigations official told the outlet.

The transfer of custody is a normal procedure that leads to deportation. As of Monday, Mexico's Attorney General's Office had not said whether it requested the 57-year-old kingpin's return.

Mexican security forces escort Osiel Cardenas Guillen during his extradition to the United States on January 20, 2007. The former leader of the Gulf Cartel and founder of Los Zetas was released from a Terre Haute, Indiana prison and it is unknown if he will be deported to Mexico

Osiel Cardenas Guillen leaves a Houston courthouse on February 9, 2007. The notorious leader of the Gulf Cartel was found guilty of money laundering, drug trafficking and threatening to murder two federal agents and sentenced to 25 years in 2010

A Mexican official, who was not authorized to be quoted by name, told the Associated Press that Cardenas Guillen would most likely be taken into custody upon setting foot in Mexico, where he faces two arrest warrants.

Cardenas Guillen, who was known as 'El Mata Amigos' (The Friend Killer), was arrested in 2003 following a shootout with the Mexican military and extradited to the United States in January 2007.

A Texas federal court found him guilty of money laundering, drug trafficking and threatening to murder two federal agents. He was sentenced to 25 years in 2010 and ordered for forfeit $50 million.

It's unknown why he did not complete his full sentence.

Osiel Cardenas Guillen imported thousands of kilos of cocaine and marijuana from Mexico to the United States as the leader of the Gulf Cartel

As leader of the Gulf Cartel, he orchestrated the delivery of thousands of kilos of cocaine and marijuana from Mexico to the United States, including Houston and Atlanta. At least 2,000 kilos of cocaine were seized between July 2000 and September 2001.

Evidence retrieved in Atlanta in June 2001 showed that the criminal organization made $41 million during a three-month period in the Atlanta area.

In May 1999, Cardenas Guillen threatened to kill a Texas sheriff's deputy who was working as undercover with ICE after the agent declined to deliver 988 kilos of marijuana.

Later, a DEA agent and an FBI agent in Matamoros were intercepted and threatened by Cardenas Guillen and his henchmen.

He eventually called off his men, but not before reportedly saying: 'You gringos, this is my territory.'

Cardenas Guillen also founded Los Zetas, perhaps the most bloodthirsty gang of hitmen to ever operate in Mexico.

The gang was made up 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 hacked-up bodies on roadways.

The Zetas remained criminally active following Cardenas Guillen's arrest and formed their own cartel by 2010, 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.

Cardenas Guillen's Gulf Cartel eventually splintered during more than a decade of bloody infighting between factions known as The Metros, The Cyclones, The Reds and The Scorpions.
The family of an eight-year-old boy who drowned after falling into a river have called him 'beautiful in every single way' in a heartbreaking tribute.

Joshua Hillstead fell into the River Arrow in Alcester, Warwickshire, on July 22.

He was pulled from the water and rushed to Birmingham Children's Hospital where he sadly died the following evening in his father's arm - just two days before his ninth birthday.

Warwickshire Police said Joshua, from the Maypole area of Birmingham, had 'complications resulting from drowning'.

Now his family have paid tribute to him by issuing a statement through the police.

Joshua Hillstead (pictured) fell into the River Arrow in Alcester, Warwickshire, on July 22. He was pulled from the water and rushed to Birmingham Children's Hospital where he sadly died the following evening - two days before his ninth birthday

Warwickshire Police said Joshua, from the Maypole area of Birmingham, had 'complications resulting from drowning'

In a tribute to Joshua his family said: 'We miss you so, so much and would do anything for one more smile, one more cuddle, or just to talk to you one last time'

They said: 'Our darling boy Joshy,There are no words to describe the devastation we are feeling for your loss.

'We miss you so, so much and would do anything for one more smile, one more cuddle, or just to talk to you one last time.

'Mommy and daddy are lost without you. You were such a big part of our family, and we will never be the same again.

'The day we lost you, we all lost a part of ourselves along with you.

'The thought of having to carry on life without you breaks our hearts every day.'

The tribute carries on by saying Joshua's amazing personality and beautiful nature leave a 'big space that only you can fill.'

They added: 'There are no words to describe the devastation we are feeling for your loss.

'We miss you so, so much and would do anything for one more smile, one more cuddle, or just to talk to you one last time.

'Mommy and daddy are lost without you. You were such a big part of our family, and we will never be the same again.

'The day we lost you, we all lost a part of ourselves along with you.'

The family end the statement by paying tribute to the emergency services that helped rescue Joshua from the water.

Billy Hutt, headteacher of The Coppice Primary School in Hollywood, where Joshua was a pupil, previously paid tribute to a 'popular' student with a 'beautiful smile'

Joshua's headteacher said: 'We are deeply shocked to hear the news that one of our pupils, Joshua Hillstead, had sadly lost their life as a result of a tragic accident. Our thoughts and sympathies are with Joshua's family and friends at this very sad time'

The River Arow near Alcester where Joshua fell into the river. Detective Inspector Heidi Twynham said previously: 'Losing a child is devastating, and we offer our condolences to the family after this tragic accident - we are liaising with the family to provide support'

He said: 'We are deeply shocked to hear the news that one of our pupils, Joshua Hillstead, had sadly lost their life as a result of a tragic accident.

'Our thoughts and sympathies are with Joshua's family and friends at this very sad time.

'We will make sure that we surround Joshua's family with our love, care and compassion and will make sure that we are there for them every day.'

Mr Hutt added: 'The loss of Joshua has left a hole in our school community which we will never be able to fill and we now need to concentrate on ensuring that we support Joshua's family and siblings in every way we can.'

Detective Inspector Heidi Twynham said previously: 'Losing a child is devastating, and we offer our condolences to the family after this tragic accident - we are liaising with the family to provide support.

'Fast, unpredictable currents and invisible deeper sections make rivers dangerous places, particularly for children and non-confident swimmers.

'Please take caution around our waterways.

'Thank you to our officers, members of the emergency services, and the hospital staff for everything you've done over the past few days.'
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A business owner has slammed the increasing level of violence sweeping across Melbourne after a horrifying brawl broke out at his cafe.

The wild fight erupted inside the Homm dessert bar in Melbourne's CBD on Saturday night.

A man was repeatedly punched by what appeared to be several hooded men after the group chased him inside the cafe.

Footage of the incident, which was later uploaded to social media, showed the man ducking for cover as the group of about 10 threw a flurry of punches and shoved him into the glass door of the cafe.

Horrified diners watched on before staff members and customers intervened and forced the group out of the eatery. No injuries were reported.

Owner Bass Sakdatorn took to social media to vent his frustration about the rise in violent and anti-social behaviour impacting on businesses.

'This is why we can't have nice things in Melbourne anymore,' he said.

'I feel like no one deserves to actually see violence that close.

The vicious fight broke out inside the Homm desert bar, in La Trobe street, in Melbourne's CBD, around 9pm on Saturday (pictured)

Homm dessert bar owner Bass Sakdatorn fears that Melbourne has become one of the most dangerous cities in Australia

'Seeing a person getting jumped one to two metres away is actually pretty bad

He expressed his fears that Melbourne has become one of the most dangerous cities in Australia and said he is disappointed over the ongoing threats to public safety.

'As a person who lives in Melbourne, that hurts me,' he said.

'If this happened to a small business that just started  the owner would have to spend more money trying to fix the place. What did they do to deserve that?

'Australia used to be one of the safest places  I don't know how we got to this.'

Mr Sakdatorn was at home on Saturday night when a staff member rang him about the unfolding incident.

The offenders fled the scene by the time police arrived five minutes later.

It's understood the victim was kicked and pushed into a glass door, which caused minor damage.

The latest incident comes as residents and business owners in the southern end of Elizabeth Street express growing safety concerns.

Bass Sakdatorn (pictured) is fed up with the rise in violent and anti-social behaviour in the Melbourne CBD

Offences have increased by 50 per cent in Elizabeth Street over the last five years, according to figures from Victoria's Crime Statistics Agency.

Offences include assault, criminal damage and theft.

The number of criminal incidents registered by police in the 12 months to March 31 this year rose by 10.1 per cent to 396,238 from the previous period.

Locals have blamed a lack of police presence in the area and ongoing construction works for the rise in crime, The Herald Sun reported.

Earlier this year, a survey conducted by the City of Melbourne Council found that safety, cleanliness and making public spaces more pedestrian friendly were the main priorities for residents in Elizabeth Street.

A Victoria Police spokeswoman told Daily Mail Australia officers are always committed to the safety of citizens, who live and work in Melbourne.

'There is a dedicated 24/7 robust police presence in the city, supported by regular proactive operations to prevent crime, target offenders, and improve overall safety in the city,' the spokeswoman said.

'Operation MY City continues to provide a high visible policing presence around late night precincts, working with licensed venues to provide a safe and vibrant late-night environment within the Melbourne CBD'.
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A grieving dad whose teenage son took a pill laced with a dangerous and highly potent drug has issued a harrowing warning in the hope that other families don't through a similar tragedy.

Nitazenes, dubbed the Frankenstein of opioids, are 500 times more potent than heroin and are being cut into party drugs and counterfeit prescription medication.

Authorities are bracing for a new wave of deaths in Australia with 17 lives already lost to the synthetic street drug in Victoria alone - many not suspecting substances they were taking had been laced with it.

This was the case for Jetson Gordon, 18, who took a pill to help him sleep two years ago.

The apprentice carpenter, who had recently moved to Melbourne from northern NSW, ordered oxycodone online but was unaware the pills sent to him were cut with nitazenes - which are 43 times stronger than fentanyl.

Jetson's flatmate found him unresponsive the next morning and couldn't revive him.

'It's been a living hell, you lose your son... it's so preventable, just unfathomable,' Jetson's father John Gordon told Nine News.

'I don't want this to happen to anyone else or any other family go through what we have had to go through.

Jetson Gordon, 18, (left) with his dad John Gordon (right) took a pill to help him sleep - but he didn't know that it contained powerful nitazenes. He died from an overdose

The Australian Federal Police have issued a warning that there could be an influx of nitazenes (pictured) hitting the streets of Melbourne within months

'It's horrendous, I never planned on this, we don't get to have grandchildren anymore and we've got to prevent it from ever happening again.

Jetson died from n-pyrrolidino etonitazene toxicity- less than three months after celebrating his 18th birthday.

After his unexpected death, his parents were cleaning out his bedroom when they came across a package from the UK. There were 24 pills inside, and half a pill in his bed.

Penington Institute chief executive John Ryan warned that nitazenes are killing other Australians like Jetson who had no idea they were consuming the drug.

'They're the Frankenstein of opiods, they're made in the lab and they're now out in the community actually killing people,' he said.

Mr Ryan warned inaction could cause Australia to sleep walk into 'an overdose catastrophy'.

Jetson Gordon's (pictured) flatmate found him unresponsive and couldn't revive him

John Gordon (right) is on a mission to raise awareness about the deadly dangers of nitazenes. He's pictured with partner Emily and his son Jetson, who died two years ago

WHAT ARE NITAZENES? Nitazenes are a synthetic opioid made in clandestine Chinese labs. They have been blamed for fuelling an 'unusual' increase in overdoses and deaths over the past few months. They are mixed into heroin and has also been detected in oxycodone pills and Xanax powders, according to charities. Nitazenes were originally developed as painkillers by Swiss pharma company Ciba in the 1950s but they never reached the market. Available in powder, tablet and liquid form, they can be injected, swallowed, placed under the tongue, snorted and vaped. The drugs trigger feelings of pain relief, euphoria, relaxation and sleepiness. But they can also lead to sweating, itching and nausea. Advertisement

The Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine's Jennifer Shumann said their testing lab was showing nitazenes present in cocaine and ecstasy tablets.

The drug has also been found mixed into MDMA, ketamine, heroine, counterfeit pharmaceuticals and even vapes.

And all Aussies should be worried - just two milligrams of nitazenes can be deadly.

Victoria Police is bracing for a wave of overdose deaths across the state in the coming months.

Commissioner Shane Patton described nitazenes as a 'huge issue' and has deployed a task force to investigate where the drugs are coming from.

Drug overdose deaths have almost doubled in Australia over the last 20 years.

In 2022, the latest data available, more than 300 deaths occurred which is more than the year before.

Eighty per cent of those deaths were recorded as accidental.

The main drugs responsible for overdoses are opioids, followed by benzodiazepines and then methamphetamines and other stimulants.

Australian Federal Police Commander Paula Hudson has previously said nitazenes were never approved for medical use because of the high potency.

'We are warning the community that there is no such thing as a safe dosage when it comes to this drug,' Commander Hudson said.

The pills and black package they came in (pictured) were found in Jetson Gordon's room

Health authorities started seeing nitazenes in Australia in 2021.

Victoria, New South Wales, the ACT, Queensland and South Australian have issued multiple health alerts for various types of nitazenes since 2022.
A new report reveals a wide majority of officials in the Biden-Harris administration have scarcely any business experience including vice president Kamala Harris, who is now the Democratic nominee for president.

The report, conducted by economists Stephen Moore and Jon Decker for the Committee to Unleash Prosperity, analyzed the resumes 66 top officials in the administration who deal with economic policy, regulation, commerce, energy and finance.

Fifty-eight percent have virtually no business experience, the report notes, while only 12 percent of officials have extensive business experience and 30 percent have some business experience.

The report, subtitled Amateur Hour, unveils a critical weakness on the Biden-Harris team, as it argues there is a co-relation between the lack of business experience I the administration to the four years of bad economic news for Americans.

The Committee to Unleash Prosperity works to promote public policies that boosts economic prosperity, including supply side economics.

Democratic presidential nominee and U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris reacts as she visits Dottie's Market in Savannah, Georgia,

Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris talks as she makes a stop at a volunteer appreciation event at The Gray in downtown Savannah, Ga.

The report also flags Harris advisors as also lacking business credentials, which they argue is part of the reason her policy agenda is so radical.

Her calls for price controls, more stringent regulations, and higher business tax rates only reinforces our worries about her teams knowledge of how the economy works, the report concludes.

Harris and her running mate Gov. Tim Walz of Minnesota have virtually zero business experience.

The report singles out Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg for only having the experience as serving as the mayor of South Bend before putting in charge of a $1 trillion industry and significant funding from the Biden administration to fund infrastructure.

Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg attend a speech by President Joe Biden about supply chain issues

U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas is sworn in before testifying to the House Homeland Security Committee

Other top officials singled out for lacking business experience include Secretary o Agriculture Tom Vilsack, Secretary of Treasury Janet Yellen and Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas.

The rare exceptions to the team include President Bidens new chief of staff Jeff Zients, who has experience in venture capital, tech and health care.

But the institution is gravely concerned about the future of an administration under the leadership of Harris, warning that it would likely continue bad economic policies from inexperienced government officials.

When it comes to the government: Ignorance is not bliss, the study concludes. 'These skills are solely lacking in the Biden-Harris administration. The cascade of policy and management mistakes that are piling up in the Biden-Harris government are at least in part a consequence of this lack of basic skills and competency.'
Vice President Kamala Harris is headed to Michigan on Monday where new polling shows Donald Trump could flip the crucial swing state come November.

The poll by EPIC-MRA shows a razor-thin race with the Republican presidential nominee holding a slight edge in a head-to-head matchup.

The poll has Trump at 47 percent to Harris at 46 percent with seven percent of Michigan voters undecided or declining to say who they support. But there is a 4 percent margin of error, so the presidential hopefuls are essentially in a statistical tie.

Both campaigns have signaled just how important the swing state is with its 15 electoral votes. Biden flipped the state back to blue in 2020 after Trump carried the state in 2016.

The vice president is holding a campaign event in Detroit on Monday. The ex-president held a rally in the state last week.

Poll out of Michigan shows Trump and Harris neck-and-neck in the crucial battleground state

When it came to the issues, more respondents said Trump would do better with handling the wars in Ukraine and Gaza as well as dealing with China, Iran and North Korea.

They also gave him better marks on policies to help the economy and even suggested he would be more likely to propose bipartisan legislation to secure the border even though he tanked a bipartisan border security deal earlier this year which Harris supports.

At the same time, Michigan voters said Harris would be better with nominating justices to the U.S. Supreme Court, addressing climate change, legislation on reproductive rights, affordable housing and ensuring access to health care.

The polling found that neither nominee's choice of running mate has played a major factor in whether they support the candidate.

Sixty-five percent of respondents said Trump selecting Ohio Senator J.D. Vance will not influence their vote while 55 percent said Harris choosing Minnesota Governor as her running mate had no impact.

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A poll of active and likely Michigan voters conducted August 23 to 26

As the EPIC-MRA poll shows a virtually tied race, it is closely in line with several other polls out of Michigan in recent weeks as the presidential campaign heads into the final stretch.

The Real Clear Politics average of recent polls out of the swing state has Harris with a just over one point lead head of Trump in Michigan.

An Emerson poll and a separate Bloomberg poll conducted around the same time both show Harris three points ahead but are also within the margin of error.

Meanwhile, Democrat Congresswoman Elissa Slotkin has a slight lead over Republican former Congressman Mike Rogers in the Michigan Senate race.

Both are vying to fill the seat being vacated by retiring Senator Debbie Stabenow.

The EPIC-MRA poll has Slotkin polling at 46 percent to Rogers 42 percent.
Former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has joined a new 'Independent Alliance' group of pro-Palestinian MPs in the Commons, it was announced today.

The hard-left icon, 75, has joined forces with four other independents elected on July 4 on pro-Gaza platforms, with the aim of providing 'a real alternative to austerity, inequality and war'.

He is linking up with Shockat Adam, Ayoub Khan, Adnan Hussain and Iqbal Mohamed in a five-strong grouping called the Independent Alliance - putting it on a par in the Commons with Nigel Farage's Reform UK.

In a statement they attacked the Labour government of Mr Corbyn's Labour successor Sir Keir Starmer over issues including arms sales to Israel.

'Millions of people are crying out for a real alternative to austerity, inequality and war  and their voices deserve to be heard,' they said.

'As individuals we were voted by our constituents to represent their concerns in Parliament on these matters, and more, and we believe that as a collective group we can carry on doing this with greater effect.'

And they said they were open to being joined by other MPs who 'believe in a more equal and peaceful world'. This will be seen as an appeal to Mr Corbyn's remaining supporters in Labour to quit and cross the Commons.

The hard-left icon, 75, has joined forces with four other independents elected on July 4 on pro-Gaza platforms, with the aim of providing 'a real alternative to austerity, inequality and war'.

Shockat Adam, 51, caused one of the Election's biggest shocks by defeating Labour's Jonathan Ashworth in Leicester South.

Ayoub Khan, who quit the Lib Dems over Gaza, is the new MP for Perry Barr who left Labour rival Khalid Mahmood close to tears in a defeat where he used TikTok to harness the youth vote.

Mr Adam, 51, caused one of the Election's biggest shocks by defeating Labour's Jonathan Ashworth in Leicester South.

The former optician is one of five new independent MPs who campaigned on a pro-Gaza ticket.

A Mail on Sunday investigation last month revealed he was the Leicester chairman for Muslim Engagement and Development (MEND), which former Tory minister Michael Gove labelled as 'Islamist' this year.

Mr Adam is also the brother of Ismail Patel, 62, founder of the extremist Friends Of Al-Aqsa, one of the groups to have organised pro-Gaza protests since October 7.

Mr Adam, who left MEND in March, said: 'MEND is an organisation which encourages Muslims to participate in Britain's liberal democracy, the exact opposite of Gove's accusations.

Adnan Hussain unseated Labour's Kate Hollern in Blackburn having campaigned against Labour's stance on the Israel-Gaza war.

Barrister Mr Khan, who quit the Lib Dems over Gaza, is the new MP for Perry Barr who left Labour rival Khalid Mahmood close to tears in a defeat where he used TikTok to harness the youth vote.

IT consultant Mr Mohammed quit Labour after Sir Keir Starmer attempted to justify Israels actions in Gaza on LBC and won Dewsbury and Batley after splitting the Muslim vote.

While another lawyer, Mr Hussain, unseated Labour's Kate Hollern in Blackburn doing the same.

He was elected as an independent having campaigned against Labour's stance on the Israel-Gaza war.

According to the Telegraph, Mr Hussain told a rally in Hyde Park, London in 2014: 'Isis are terrorists and so are the Israeli government  there is no difference between them.' He defended his comments at the time by saying that 'acts of violence inflicted upon a civilian population for political motivations should be classed as terrorism'.
Russia is set to amend its doctrine on the use of nuclear weapons in response to what it regards as 'Western escalation' in the war in Ukraine, a top official declared yesterday.

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.

But some of Moscow's more hawkish military analysts - not to mention politicians - 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 the doctrine was a 'living instrument' that could change depending on world events, and now Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov appears to have confirmed that work on a new document outlining adjustments is underway.

'The work is at an advanced stage, and there is a clear direction to make adjustments, which are also conditioned by the study and analysis of the experience of conflict development in recent years,' Ryabkov said in comments carried by Russia's TASS news service yesterday.

'This includes everything related to the escalation course of our Western opponents in connection with the ''special military operation''.'

October 2022 - the launch of a Russian nuclear capable Yars missile at Plesetsk cosmodrome

Soldiers stand next to a Russian RS-24 Yars ballistic missile parked along Tverskaya street prior to a rehearsal for the Victory Day military parade in Moscow, on Thursday, May 2, 2024

Drills of Russia's strategic missile forces in the Irkutsk region

Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, Tuesday, Aug. 27, 2024

Putin said in June the doctrine was a 'living instrument' that could change depending on world events, and now Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov appears to have confirmed that work on a new document outlining adjustments is underway

Though the news that Russian lawmakers are considering adjustments to the nuclear doctrine may give Western politicians cause for concern, Ryabkov did not say when the updated document 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.

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 US 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.

But Ukrainian officials and pro-Ukrainian analysts have asked why the West was so reluctant to green-light the delivery of such hardware, arguing that Ukraine could have defended itself far more effectively had the likes of F-16s and missile systems been provided earlier in the war.

As if to prove its enduring military capabilities, Ukraine shocked Moscow last month by piercing its western border in a lightning incursion into the Kursk region.

More than 10,000 Ukrainian troops flooded the border region and secured hundreds of square kilometres of land in an offensive that Russia is still fighting to repel.

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky said the operation made a mockery of Putin's 'red lines' and has doubled down on his efforts to lobby the US and European lawmakers to grant Kyiv permission to use advanced Western weapons to strike targets deep inside Russia.

The Ukrainian offensive in Kursk came less than two months after Putin vowed to go 'to the end' on the battlefield in Ukraine and signalled that the Kremlin may review its doctrine for the use of nuclear weapons.

Russian media handout of a Yars ICBM test launch

A Russian Yars intercontinental ballistic missile system drives in Red Square during a military parade on Victory Day

Russia boasts a fearsome nuclear arsenal with more atomic weapons than any other country (Pictured: the mushroom cloud from the Soviet Union's Tsar Bomba - the largest nuclear weapon ever tested)

Russia is believed to have some 5,800 nuclear warheads, more than 1500 of which are operational and ready for deployment with Putin declaring in March that his nation was ready for the eventuality of a nuclear war

Speaking at the conclusion of a pair of summer state visits to North Korea and Vietnam, the Russian President accused Western countries of 'lowering the threshold' for the use of nuclear devices against Russia - a charge for which he provided no evidence - and announced that defeat in Ukraine would mean 'the end of Russia's statehood'.

'It means the end of the 1,000-year history of the Russian state. I think this is clear to everyone... Isn't it better to go all the way, until the end?' he asked rhetorically.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said in an interview published on Sunday that the West was 'going too far' in its support for Ukraine and that Russia would do everything to protect its interests.

Russia boasts a fearsome nuclear arsenal with more atomic weapons than any other country.

It is said to have some 5,800 nuclear warheads, 1500 of which are operational and ready for deployment with Putin declaring in March that his nation 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.

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.
The fed-up family of an American held hostage by the Taliban are taking matters into their own hands as they accuse the Biden administration of leaving their loved one to 'languish in a cell' in Afghanistan.

George Glezmann, a Delta Air Lines mechanic, was seized by the Taliban in December 2022 while touring Afghanistan.

The Glezmann family now want to negotiate directly with the Taliban after waiting years for the Biden administration to free him.

George Taylor, a Glezmann family representative, wrote an email last week to senior US officials, informing the White House of their intention to negotiate directly with the Taliban.

'We are in the process of finalizing a meeting in Doha with the [Taliban] to try to recover George,' he wrote, as reported exclusively by the Wall Street Journal.

The fed-up family of an American held hostage by the Taliban , is taking matters into their own hands as they accuse the Biden administration of leaving their loved one to 'languish in a cell' in Afghanistan (Pictured: George Glezmann)

George Glezmann, a Delta Air Lines mechanic, was seized by the Taliban in December 2022 while touring Afghanistan

He pleaded with the government 'to exhibit the necessary courage and leadership that it takes to facilitate the release of George.

Despite being designated as 'wrongfully detained' by the State Department, his family claims they've been left in the dark about efforts to bring him home.

The family's desperate move comes as Glezmann's health reportedly deteriorates.

His wife, Aleksandra, described his ailments including a tumor, vision loss, and breathing difficulties.

The Glezmanns' plight highlights a growing sentiment among families of hostages that there's a 'tiered system' in place, with celebrity captives receiving the majority of attention.

The Glezmann family now want to negotiate directly with the Taliban after waiting years for the Biden administration to free him

Despite being designated as 'wrongfully detained' by the State Department, his family claims they've been left in the dark about efforts to bring him home

The family's desperate move comes as Glezmann's health reportedly deteriorates. His wife, Aleksandra, described his ailments including a tumor, vision loss, and breathing difficulties

'We are not wealthy or famous people,' she wrote in a letter to President Biden. 'I beseech you to intervene personally in George's matter and do everything in your power to bring him home.'

As the 2024 election approaches, the Glezmann case has become more urgent for his family.

Aleksandra pleaded to the Biden administration, 'Now is the time to bring George Glezmann home.'

National Security Council spokesman Sean Savett said: 'The Biden-Harris Administration is actively working to secure the release of George and all Americans wrongfully detained and held hostage around the world.'

There are about 175 Americans still held in Afghanistan with many held captive by the Taliban, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said last year.

The Glezmanns' plight highlights a growing sentiment among families of hostages that there's a 'tiered system' in place, with celebrity captives receiving the majority of attention

As the 2024 election approaches, the Glezmann case has become more urgent for his family

There are about 175 Americans still held in Afghanistan with many held captive by the Taliban, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said last year

Ryan Corbett, 40, was captured and arrested by the Taliban in 2022 while visiting Afghanistan, where he had lived with his family as an aid worker for nearly a decade.

Corbett was held in the same cell as Glezmann.

In September of 2023, the State Department secretly designated Corbett a wrongful detainee, giving presidential hostage envoy Roger Carstens sweeping powers to push for his release, according to the Wall Street Journal, which first revealed Corbett's detention status.

Those negotiations appear to have stalled, however, because the Taliban is unrealistically seeking to trade Corbett for the release of Muhammad Rahim al Afghani, a former aide to Osama bin Laden, the Journal reported.

Corbett and his wife lived in Afghanistan for more than a decade, after moving there in 2010 with their two daughters for Corbett's work with a Christian-affiliated nongovernmental organization.

Ryan Corbett, 40, (above with wife Anna) was captured last year while visiting Afghanistan, but his plight was not publicly disclosed until Tuesday

The Taliban is unrealistically seeking to trade Corbett for the release of Muhammad Rahim al Afghani (above), a former aide to Osama bin Laden who is extrajudicially detained in Gitmo

Corbett and his wife lived in Afghanistan for more than a decade, after moving there in 2010 with their two daughters. Their son was later born in Afghanistan

Corbett learned Pashto, the main language of Afghanistan, and handled administrative duties for the NGO while teaching English. The couple's third child, a son, was born during their time in the country.

The family fled and returned to their home in western New York when the Taliban swept back into power in 2021, but nearly a year later, Corbett visited Afghanistan to explore the feasibility of a permanent return.

In the summer of 2022, he was visiting Sheberghan, a remote city 300 miles northwest of Kabul, with a German colleague when Taliban security forces detained both men.

The Taliban accused them of proselytizing Christianity, a claim denied by Corbett's family and the colleague, who has since been released.

Locked in a local jail as the Taliban tortured inmates in neighboring cells, Corbett frantically texted his family as the reality of his predicament set in, according to the Journal.
Gas, electricity, and even water has now been cut to residents of a California coastal city who have been warned to evacuate at a moment's notice after land movements left areas virtually uninhabitable.

Rancho Palos Verdes, south of LA, has been dubbed America's richest retirement town, but many poorer residents have been left with nowhere to go after surging groundwater knocked out its utility network.

Gas was cut to 135 homes at the start of August before their power and water supplies were switched off on Sunday.

California Governor Gavin Newsom has been urged to intervene with a further 105 homes due to lose their electricity at 7pm on Monday as the chaos spreads across the city.

'I have no idea where in the hell I'm going,' said resident Nikki Noushkam as she prepared to abandon her home. 'Why do you think it's ok to ignore us? We have lost everything and we are not rich, we are working professionals.'

The ground under California's Rancho Palos Verdes has been disintegrating under the pressure from more than a year of floods and landslides

Resident Mike Hong has accused utility companies of abandoning the city's residents

The coastal community has been blighted by landslides since torrential rain hit the area in spring of last year.

Dozens of homes were destroyed by landslides in July last year and floods tore through the area during the storms that hit California in February causing 'considerable land movement' under the homes that survived.

Southern California Edison made the decision to cut the supply after a fire was sparked by a power line that toppled on Thursday and 10,000 gallons of sewage spewed from a ruptured tank on Palos Verdes Drive South.

'At this point land movement has created such a dangerous situation that we must make the difficult decision to disconnect power indefinitely,' said spokesman David Eisenhauer.

'We never want to have to turn off power unless we absolutely must. In this case, we absolutely must. 'We have an obligation that's higher than providing electric service, and that obligation is safety.'

But resident Mike Hong said his neighbors were given just an hour's notice that the plug was being pulled.

'They are giving us even less time than the gas company,' he told the LA Times.

'Don't abandon us. Where's the humanity in this?'

More than a quarter of the city's residents are over 65 and some have been ordered to start packing their bags.

Nikki Noushkam has been left with nowhere to go as she prepared to abandon her home

LA County Sheriff Robert Luna promised a fleet of drones to patrol the neighborhood and warned opportunist thieves against targeting the growing number of abandoned homes

'SCE has determined there is a public safety threat,' the city told them in a notice on Saturday.

'Do not use water or plumbing after the power is shut off -- this could result in a sewer spill.

'All persons in these zones should prepare to evacuate and seek alternative housing.

'Pack important documents, medications, and essential items. Make arrangements for pets and animals.'

The city of 42,000 has a median income of $166,747, and was labeled the country's richest retirement town in a recent survey by CNBC.

But residents say its wealthy reputation has left it ignored by politicians and placed its vulnerable residents at particular risk.

'Everybody must assume that everybody who lives in Rancho Palos Verdes is infinitely wealthy and that is not the case, especially for me,' Craig Cadwallader told CBS News.

'So I literally don't know where I'm going.'

County Supervisor Janice Hahn said she had committed another $5 million in county funds to help with the disaster and repeated her demands for Governor Newsom to step in.

'There is no playbook for an emergency like this one,' she told a news conference on Sunday.

County Supervisor Janice Hahn has demanded intervention from Governor Gavin Newsom

The coastal city of 42,000 has a median income of $166,747, and was labeled the country's richest retirement town in a recent survey by CNBC

But resident Craig Cadwallader said that the city's poorer residents are being overlooked

'We're sparing no expense. This is bigger than Rancho Palos Verdes. This land movement is so gigantic and so damaging, that one city should not have to bear the burden alone.

'You'd figure if this was an earthquake or if it was a fire or a flash flood I feel like we might have got a different response.'

SoCal Edison will cut power to another 105 customers on Monday evening in the Seaview area on Monday evening, blaming the 'accelerated land movement that is causing damage to our electrical equipment.

The company was unable to give an estimate for when some would have their power restored

'It's just kind of mind-blowing,' said one resident. 'It doesn't feel legal.'

LA County Sheriff Robert Luna promised a fleet of drones to patrol the neighborhood and warned opportunist thieves against targeting the growing number of abandoned homes.

'We are ready to arrest you, and you are going to go to jail if you come here to steal anything,' he added.

'Do not think about it.'
A glamorous lawyer couple from Toronto have been accused of embezzling nearly $7million from their clients to fund their lavish lifestyle.

Nicholas Cartel and his wife Singa Bui, partners at the now defunct, Cartel & Bui, LLP, reportedly spent more than a million dollars on luxury wares from Hermes and Christian Dior, $2,190 a month on child care, and took out a $1.2 million mortgage for a posh home in affluent midtown Toronto.

In 2022, when money started to go missing from the firm's trust account, a court-ordered forensic audit was conducted revealing a 'misappropriation of funds,' Law Society of Ontario reported.

Last month, the couple were found in contempt of court for failing to answer questions or hand over any financial records.

Cartel - whose wife managed the finances of their firm and various accounts, as well as their household - has repeatedly denied any involvement, while Bui said through a lawyer, 'he isn't at fault.'

However, Ontario Superior Court Justice William Chalmers called it 'inconceivable' that Cartel doesn't know what happened to the money and 'inconsistent with common sense' that he wouldn't have asked his wife about it, CBC reported.

The couple was accused of embezzling $7million from their real estate clients

Bui was responsible for the real estate side of their practice while Cartel handled class actions and litigation.

At one point, when Cartel took out the million-dollar mortgage on his family's home, he testified under oath that the loan was to pay for repairs in his home. He claimed that 'massive pipes blew up spewing a street's worth of sewage into the house.'

The forensic audit found that the money was deposited into the firm's trust account, revealing that the couple was mixing business with their personal finances.

Last fall, Cartel & Bui had represented seven sellers, but never paid off its clients' mortgages as they were supposed to, according to lawsuits by the buyers.

Instead, the lawsuits alleged, the couple took the buyers' cash, paid out the home equity to the sellers and pocketed the rest, amounting to a staggering $3.3 million.

In what CBC described as 'perhaps the worst alleged embezzlements,' would-be homeowners sent more than $2million to the firm for the purchase of a Toronto home.

Most of the money went missing within days, the property purchase never closed and the buyers did not get their money back.

The former office of Cartel & Bui, LLP in Toronto

'Although they must know what happened to the funds, they have refused to provide this information,' a judge said in a ruling last month.

'Instead of attempting to comply with the orders to the best of their ability, I find that the defendants have taken active steps to hide their finances and to frustrate the court's efforts to determine what happened.'

Cartel said his wife was hospitalized in February with a mental health condition after she became unwell in November - making it difficult for him to recover all the work files, as well as to speak to his wife about the missing money.

In December, Bui said through her lawyer that Cartel was 'not responsible for the improper transferring of trust funds, nor is any other associate or employee of the firm.'

In April the couple had their law licenses suspended.

Last week, Cartel told the news outlet that he plans to challenge the the judge's decision, claiming 'he ignored the facts.'

'I've delivered all documents in my possession, delivered thousands of pages of real estate files I will be bringing a motion to either address this, to have it set aside or varied in some regard,' he said.

Two experts who specialize in professional legal discipline told CBC News that they believe that the couple could face penalties that could include fines or even imprisonment.

They also explained that they will also likely draw misconduct charges from Ontario's professional regulatory body for lawyers
An Uber customer was shocked after she discovered the price of her Uber had doubled after booking the car on the ride-sharing app.

Myah Elliot spotted the price difference while looking at her receipt the day after her 12-minute Uber ride in Los Angeles last July.

Elliot explained in her TikTok video that she ordered an Uber so that she wouldn't have to wait for a bus.

'I opened Uber, and it said the ride was going to cost me $12. I'm like, "You know what, that's worth it because I'm not waiting here,"' Elliot said.

The TikToker explained that the sudden price hike was allegedly due to expenses associated with California's commercial auto insurance requirements.

A TikTok user revealed that the price of an Uber in Los Angeles doubled after she booked the ride during her California trip last July

Elliot, a Canadian native, explained in her August 6 video that she missed a bus while on her trip.

The following bus would not arrive until 30 minutes after Elliot got to the spot, which is why she used her Uber app.

The TikToker safely made it home and assumed she paid for her $12 ride.

Unfortunately, the Uber ride she did pay for ended up coming out to $23.34.

'And what if my card declined the new total THEN WHAT,' Elliot wrote in her video description.

After reading her receipt, she found a message from Uber at the bottom: 'As a result of expenses associated with California's commercial auto insurance requirements, the Booking Fee has increased.'

'When I see "increase," I think a couple of dollars, not double the price I was quoted,' she stated.

She then questioned why Uber didn't initially apply this expense to her original Uber booking, which allegedly said it would be $12.

Elliot, a Canadian native, explained in her August 6 TikTok video that she missed a bus, and ordered an Uber after she saw the trip would only be $12

Uber has given specific reasons for the price hike, but TechCrunch revealed that the company described California's commercial insurance costs 'baselessly higher' than other states.

'Up to thirty times that of taxis and thirty times that of personal vehicles,' a TechCrunch spokesperson told Daily Dot.

'As a result of these lopsided requirements, personal injury attorneys have created a cottage industry specializing in suing rideshare platforms like ours, pushing Uber's California state-mandated commercial insurance costs to rise by more than 65% in just two years.'

The company also covers accidents and the cost of injury or damage or parties in the vehicle.

Uber will usually give victims $50,000 per person, $100,000 per accident for injuries, and $25,000 in property damage per accident.

However, California laws require the company to pay $30,000 in property damage per accident instead.

TikTok users shared their own Uber experiences, and multiple commenters explained hacks that could allegedly get her money back (stock image)

Other TikTok users shared their frustration over the Uber price surges, some of which were based on personal experience.

'There used to be an option to wait for a few extra minutes to get a cheaper ride, and they removed it. Now, Im paying extra every single morning cause of "increased demand,"' wrote a TikToker.

'I was just in Miami, got Ubers pretty much everywhere, and literally spent almost 250 can in Ubers, I almost cried,' another person commented.

Other TikTok users insisted Elliot use Lyft for now on, and more than one person made suggestions on how she could allegedly 'get it changed back.'

'I screenshot everything and every price before and while riding, and Uber gave me my money back. The system was glitching. I know my ride was $60, but it said $11 so I took it anyway and got my money back,' a commenter wrote.

DailyMail.com has reached out to Uber for comment.
A five-year-old girl clung to police officers who saw her in hospital and begged them not to return her to the Oregon couple that had tortured her for three years, a court has heard.

Father Javon Markquez Ingram and stepmother Larissa Danielle Duncan were sentenced to 15 and ten years respectively last week for the prolonged abuse of the girl whose weight had dropped below 30 pounds by the time she was rescued.

Detectives were immediately horrified on seeing her condition when they were called by staff at Randall Childrens Hospital in Portland.

A raid on their home uncovered zip ties, duct tape and a dog shock collar which had been used on the girl along with nearly 30 videos on Ingrams phone of the torture he had inflicted.

I could say I tied her up, could say put a dog collar on her, Ingram, 31, told police. I mean, I dont know what else to do, dude, cos I dont have an answer for you.

Father Javon Markquez Ingram and stepmother Larissa Danielle Ingram were sentenced to 15 and ten years respectively last week for the prolonged abuse of the girl whose weight had dropped below 30 pounds by the time she was rescued

The little girl told police that she would often be restrained with zip ties, chains, blindfolds, gags and duct tape, and described being beaten with a belt

The girl was found to have suffered 33 different types of injuries including open sores, a fractured pelvis, and brain bleeds when she reached hospital in November 2021.

Her hands and feet were swollen while her ankles had completely broken down, due to what doctors concluded was being tied up an affidavit noted.

Ingram initially told police that the girl had inflicted the wounds on herself, but Multnomah County deputy DA Rachna H Hajari told the court that Ingram continually inflicted unimaginable violence against his child.

She has lasting and prominent scars all over her body, including visible scars on her face between her eyes above the bridge of her nose from the blindfolds, and on the sides of her mouth from being gagged, Hajari wrote.

One video showed the little girl in a state of near delirium as she was forced to run laps inside the dilapidated home, crashing into objects as her father ordered her to keep going, keep going, according to Portland Police Detective Todd Christensen.

I was horrified when I saw her, he told the Oregon Circuit Court for Multnomah County.

She told him she would be tied up with 'dollar store zip ties and duct tape' and an electric dog collar that would shock her, before being left in a bathroom or shed restrained in a highchair.

The girl had not been properly weened or potty-trained and would be beaten with a belt when she urinated or defecated.

Ingram initially told police that the five-year-old had inflicted the wounds on herself

An attorney for the girl has launched a $15 million lawsuit claiming officials missed opportunities to end her horrific ordeal

She would be chained to a door in the loft and would have socks stuffed in her mouth when her father decided she was being whiny, Hajari wrote.

According to reported court documents, the girl said she would be tied up with 'dollar store zip ties and duct tape' and an electric dog collar that would shock her, before being left in a bathroom or shed restrained in a highchair.

Ingram told police that the girls natural mother was unable to look after her daughter because of a methamphetamine addiction and that he had gained custody of the girl when she was two.

He shared the house on Southeast Liebe Street with Ducan, 47, who he described as his mother, although the couple were not biologically related.

The pair were arrested after Ingram eventually took his daughter to the hospital when she began suffering seizures.

Its not like I have beaten her up to the point she is unconscious because she pooped in her diaper or had an accident or anything, he told investigators.

But he admitted his guilt after being confronted with photographs of his daughters multiple injuries.

Ive done some horrible things in these pictures, he told officers. I know what I did was f***ed up.

So what am I being charged with? Torture?

Ingram pleaded guilty earlier this year to four counts of assault and two counts of criminal mistreatment.

Ingram admitted to police that 'I know what I did was f***ed up', after he was confronted with evidence of the shocking abuse he had filmed on his phone

One video showed the little girl in a state of near delirium as she was forced to run laps inside the dilapidated home as her father ordered her to keep going

Duncans attorney William Walsh claimed that she had a 'more passive' role in the abuse and that alcohol and prescription drug abuse were contributing factors as she was sentenced on Tuesday.

The girl was moved into the care of her grandmother, with an attorney representing her since launching a $15 million lawsuit claiming officials missed opportunities to end the horror ordeal.

Attorney Paul Galm claimed that Human Services caseworkers had received reports that the young girl was exhibiting developmental delays, was spotted with ligature marks on her wrists, was exposed to drug abuse, denied food, and was often confined to a bathroom.

'These reports were ignored by DHS who never investigated' Galm's suit alleged.

In response to The Oregonian, a DHS spokesperson said the state operates a 24-hour hotline for reports of child abuse, but only those that meet the legal criteria for investigation are assigned to a caseworker.

It is unclear if any caseworkers were assigned the case of the young girl, and it is unexplained why such reports of her ordeal would not meet the 'legal criteria.'
This video is no longer available

This video is no longer available

A married HMP Wandsworth officer who romped with an inmate on camera has been spotted mocking her ankle bracelet at a London party.

Linda De Sousa Abreu, who had sex with serial burglar Linton Weirich in his cell at the scandal-hit jail, is now facing criticism over her latest video.

The 30-year-old was seen partying at a daytime club and quoted the TikTok trend 'very mindful, very cutesy, very demure' while pointing to her electronic tag.

De Sousa Abreu wore a cream, off-the-shoulder dress at Neverland London in Fulham where she was seen with friends who also have OnlyFans pages.

It comes after she pleaded guilty to misconduct in a public office at Isleworth Crown Court in July and is set to return to court for sentencing in November.

Linda De Sousa Abreu has been snapped mocking her ankle bracelet

The married prison officer, who was caught romping an inmate, showed off her electronic tag at a London party

The officer (pictured) had sex with an inmate on video in HMP Wandsworth

The x-rated clip shows De Sousa Abreu dressed in full uniform and performing a sex act on Linton Weirich, who has a pregnant girlfriend, at the Category A jail

A friend of De Sousa Abreu shared the video of her stroking her tag as she put her leg on the table.

She is seen lifting up her dress and saying: 'Very mindful, very cutesy, very demure.'

The phrase has become very popular on TikTok after it was first used by Joolie Lebron, who made a funny video about workplace beauty etiquette.

But De Sousa Abreu has been criticised over the reference. 'It's disgusting she has no shame,' a source told The Sun.

'She is laughing her head off and looks happy she has a tag to show off.

'She disgraced herself in a public office and now she has no care whatsoever for the punishment.

'Clearly if she thinks her ankle tag is like a piece of jewellery, she didn't think it was a big deal.'

De Sousa Abreu was allegedly 'having problems in her marriage' when the x-rated clip was filmed.

She admitted to having sex with burglar Weirich but says she only agreed to take part after lags threatened to expose her career as an amateur porn star.

Close friend Hayley, who only wanted to give her first name, told MailOnline that De Sousa Abreu had allegedly been going through a 'very hard time' at work, claiming prisoners knew her husband's name and about her OnlyFans account.

The former prison officer can be seen showing off her bracelet at a party at the weekend

In the clip, she say a popular TikTok phrase 'very demure'

A close friend of the prison officer (pictured) told MailOnline she was having 'marriage problems' when she filmed the x-rated clip with the inmate

De Sousa Abreu was a prison officer at HMP Wandsworth (pictured) when the explicit footage was recorded - her friend alleged she was 'coerced' into doing so by prisoners

Hayley said the alleged 'pressure' and 'coercion' had a knock-on effect on DeSousa Abreu's marriage around the time the scandalous footage was recorded.

'Linda was going through a very hard time at work because of all this. And she was also having problems in her marriage,' Hayley told MailOnline.

'She's absolutely devastated by what happened and is full of remorse. It's absolutely devastated her and she's trying to rebuild her life.'

The ex-prison officer, who holds Portuguese citizenship, is still married to her husband with whom she shares an eight-year-old daughter.

Hayley continued: 'They're a lovely couple and working hard to save their marriage. It's not been easy for them.

'People are trying to make out that Linda is some kind of sex monster but that's not the case at all.'

Her close friend is adamant the circumstances surrounding the incident will become public when De Sousa returns to court for sentencing in November.

She said: 'There's a lot more to this story than people think. Some of the prisoners had got hold of Linda's personal details.

'They knew her address, her husband's name and that she had an OnlyFans account.

She was put under a lot of pressure and there was a lot of coercion involved.'

De Sousa Abreu lives on a sprawling council estate in Fulham near where Weirich grew up.

Hayley added: 'It wasn't hard for the other prisoners to get Linda's details and find out things about her personal life.'

She was filmed on a mobile phone having sex with prisoner Linton Weirich (pictured)

De Sousa Abreu, a Portuguese national living in South-West London, is a married former prison officer

'She is a very kind and caring person who has made a terrible mistake. We all get things wrong in life and people shouldn't be so quick to judge her.'

The encounter on June 27 was filmed by another inmate and went viral on social media. MailOnline later revealed that De Sousa Abreu has appeared on TV swinging programs and has an OnlyFans account.

She was subsequently identified by HMP Wandsworth staff and was arrested by the Metropolitan Police at Heathrow Airport attempting to fly to Madrid.

She telephoned the prison to say she was not returning to work and that her husband would return her equipment.

Hayley also revealed that since her arrest, De Sousa Abreu has 'found faith in God' which is providing her 'with a lot of comfort'.

The explicit clip begins with her dressed in full uniform and performing a sex act on Weirich, who has a pregnant girlfriend, at the Category A jail.

It then shows her having sex with the serial thief while his cellmate films on a mobile phone. Footage of the cell shows a TV and piles of clothes heaped over a bunk bed.

The friend who is smoking while recording says: 'Guys we've made history, this is what I'm telling you.'

Her radio, left on a side table, crackles constantly with her colleagues heard on the other channels above the din of the other prisoners on the landing unaware of what is going on in the cell.

Linda De Sousa Abreu leaves Isleworth Crown Court on July 29

De Sousa Abreu (pictured in a court artist sketch) pleaded guilty to one count of misconduct in a public office and was bailed ahead of her sentencing in November

De Sousa Abreu lives on a sprawling council estate in Fulham near where Weirich (pictured) grew up

At one point, someone appears to try to come into the cell, at which the man filming, can be heard saying to the person on the other side of the door 'give me a minute, one second.'

The prisoner filming tells his friend to carry on and then pans the camera round momentarily and, grinning, says: 'This is how we roll in Wandsworth.'

During her hearing at Isleworth Crown Court, Judge Martin Edmunds, KC, the Recorder of the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, bailed De Sousa Abreu ahead of her November 7 sentencing hearing.

He also ordered a pre-sentence report and will hear any mitigating circumstances before passing sentence.

De Sousa Abreu is subject to 'stringent' bail conditions. Her Portuguese passport must remain in police possession, and she is not allowed to apply for any international travel documents.

She is barred from entering any UK travel ports and the judge also made her subject to an electronically monitored curfew between 7pm and 9am each day.

Her lawyer Gayathri Yogarajah earlier described her a 'young mother' and 'a person of good character'.

Tetteh Turkson, of the Crown Prosecution Service, said: 'This was a shocking breach of the public's trust. De Sousa was clearly an enthusiastic participant who wrongly thought she would avoid responsibility.

'The CPS recognises there is no excuse for any prison officer who conducts themselves in such a manner, and we will never hesitate to prosecute those who abuse their position of power.

'After working closely with the Metropolitan Police to build the strongest possible case, De Sousa had no option but accept she was guilty. She will now rightly face the consequences of her actions.'
San Franciscos Union Square draws visitors a day after 49ers rookie wide receiver Ricky Pearsall was shot in the chest during a robbery attempt. The area has a special police unit working out of a mobile station with a lieutenant and two sergeants assigned to the area on top of regular patrols. Stephen Lam/The Chronicle An evidence marker is attached to a building near where San Francisco 49ers rookie wide receiver Ricky Pearsall was shot in the chest Saturday during a robbery attempt. Stephen Lam/The Chronicle Surveillance cameras on buildings along Geary Street in San Francisco may hold clues to the shooting Saturday of 49ers wide receiver Ricky Pearsall. Stephen Lam/The Chronicle

On Sunday morning, Alexandra Fradelizio and Jonathan Dahan left their room at San Franciscos Palace Hotel, crossed Market Street, turned left at Lottas Fountain and walked up Geary Street toward Grant Avenue. They knew what they were looking for because they had seen the police cars Saturday afternoon and had gotten a call from parents in San Rafael. In front of 77 Geary they saw it.

Bloodstains on the sidewalk by the mailbox.

More of it than just drops. There were patches of it, apparently involving two people. Both 49ers rookie wide receiver Ricky Pearsall and his alleged 17-year-old assailant were shot there in a tussle during an attempted robbery. Fradelizio and Dahan were mesmerized to the point that they did not notice the four apparent bullet holes, marked A, B, C and D, in the facade of the building.

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Its the surrealness of it. Union Square is where we always shopped at Christmastime, said Fradelizio, who grew up in San Rafael and still lives there. It just feels like the area is getting worse and there is no end in sight.

Alexandra Fradelizio and Jonathan Dahan visit Union Square on Sunday, a day after 49ers wide receiver Ricky Pearsall was shot nearby. It just feels like the area is getting worse and there is no end in sight, said Fradelizio, who grew up in San Rafael and still lives there. Stephen Lam/The Chronicle

There were several layers to the surrealness of Saturdays shooting that shoppers and passersby expressed Sunday. It was surreal that it involved a professional athlete and the incident was thus immediately elevated to national news. It was surreal that the attempted robbery happened around 3:30 p.m. on a busy holiday weekend afternoon. It was surreal that the victim had fought back against an assailant holding a firearm.

It was a robbery. He pointed a gun  and Ricky fought back. Hes very lucky to be alive, said Glen Park neighborhood resident Bill Hamilton, who took a detour in walking from his gym to BART to get a look at the crime scene. If it had been anyone else and he hadnt reached for the gun, we would have all moved on by now. Its crazy, and the whole daylight thing makes it even more crazy.

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One more aspect to the craziness is that Union Square, which is just one block west of the crime scene, already has a special police unit working out of a mobile station with a lieutenant and two sergeants assigned to the area on top of regular patrols.

Its fair to say that Union Square already has the most police of any place in the city, San Francisco Police Department spokesperson Evan Sernoffsky said Sunday.

There were at least four security cameras pointed at the south side of Geary, where the shooting happened just down from the corner of Grant. Dita San Francisco, an eyeglasses store on the southwest corner, was open for business Sunday morning but the other businesses in the immediate vicinity  Dolce & Gabbana, Valentino, Yves Saint Laurent, Diptyque  were all still closed at 11 a.m. There were no uniformed police officers or police cars in sight, but Jonathan Ramirez, a clerk at Dita, predicted that will change.

For the time being, it will be safer, he said. The police presence will heighten.

Dried bloodstains mark on the sidewalk Sunday, a day after San Francisco 49ers rookie wide receiver Ricky Pearsall was shot in the chest during a robbery attempt. Stephen Lam/The Chronicle

The Golden Goose, a high-end sneaker shop outside of which the suspect dropped his gun as he tried to flee, was keeping its door locked and allowing in customers only at the managers discretion Sunday.

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It was getting a lot better, and its such a shame that this happened for Union Square, said the manager, who gave her name as Callie.

State Sen. Scott Wiener, passing by on his way to an event in Chinatown, predicted that the underage suspect, who remained hospitalized Sunday, will face a tough prosecution.

Its tragic that this will overshadow a lot of the great public safety work that has been happening in the city, he said. I walk around the city day and night through every neighborhood and always feel safe.

But Wiener did not see the bloodstains that Fradelizio and Dahan saw. Ive walked the city and seen needles on the sidewalk, but Ive never seen anything this bad, she said. Its a reminder of how the city has changed.

A married couple of immigrants from India, who live in the East Bay and declined to give their names, said they no longer bring their two children, under age 10, to the city, and even without the kids they dont come as often as they used to.

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We used to love coming to the city as a family, the wife said before mentioning crime, homelessness and filth as deterrents. And that was before Saturdays shooting.

The fact that it happened in broad daylight with people around makes it worrisome, she said.

San Francisco police officers patrol Union Square on Sunday, a day after 49ers rookie wide receiver Ricky Pearsall was shot in the chest during a robbery attempt there. Stephen Lam/The Chronicle

Cassandra and Cory Glieden had just arrived from Minneapolis when they got a call from a friend back home.

I have Ricky on my fantasy team. I got the news that way, Cory said as they headed to Market Street to catch a trolley to Fishermans Wharf. They did not want to linger around Union Square.

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Israel has responded furiously to Britain's decision to clamp down on arms sales, saying it is deeply disheartened by the drop in support.

Foreign Secretary David Lammy told the Commons this afternoon that the government is halting 30 out of around 350 licences for military equipment in light of new legal advice.

The move triggered an angry response from Israel, which is mourning six hostages murdered by Hamas at the weekend.

It also risks a rift with the United States, which has so far rejected calls from campaigners to limit arms sales to Israel as the country seeks to respond to the October 7 attack by Hamas terrorists.

Isarel's minister of defence, Yoav Gallant said he was 'deeply disheartened' by the UK Government's decision.

'This comes at a time when we fight a war on seven different fronts  a war that was launched by a savage terrorist organisation, unprovoked,' he said.

Isarel's minister of defence, Yoav Gallant said he was 'deeply disheartened' by the UK Government's decision

Thousands of Israelis protesting against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his government for not signing the ceasefire agreement with Gaza in front of Defense Ministry in Tel Aviv, Israel yesterday

Foreign Secretary David Lammy told the Commons this afternoon that the government is halting 30 out of around 350 licences in light of new legal advice.

It comes as Israel is rocked by a wave of massive protests against prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his conduct of the war since the Hamas terror attack last October.

Protesters set fires during a rally on the second day of demonstrations demanding a Gaza deal on September 2, 2024 in Tel Aviv, Israel

'At a time when we mourn six hostages who were executed in cold blood by Hamas inside tunnels in Gaza. At a time when we fight to bring 101 hostages home.'

Comment

Mr Lammy's decision sends a dreadful message that Britain will casually betray our allies. Even worse, it seems to be driven not by our strategic interests, but by our cynical political calculations. Advertisement

Israel's foreign minister Israel Katz added that the partial arms embargo is 'a step that sends a very problematic message to the terrorist organisation Hamas and its agents in Iran.'

Some experts said the move was largely symbolic. British arms sales to Israel totalled just 18.2million last year.

The action comes after widespread calls from pro-Palestinian groups for sales to the Netanyahu regime to be halted to try to prevent more bloodshed in Gaza.

Mr Lammy told the Commons that the change would affect 'important components which go into military aircraft, including fighter aircraft, helicopters and drones, as well as items which facilitate ground targeting'.

'Facing a conflict such as this, it is this Government's legal duty to review export licences,' he said.

'It is with regret that I inform the House today the assessment I have received leaves me unable to conclude anything other than that for certain UK arms exports to Israel, there does exist a clear risk that they might be used to commit or facilitate a serious violation of international humanitarian law.'

But he stressed that the action taken under the Export Control Act did not amount to an 'arms embargo' or a blanket sales ban.

An Israel protester carries a poster reading in Hebrew 'Netanyahu's Legacy' at a mass demonstration last night condemning Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his handling of the hostages

Protesters use a smoke torch during a rally on the second day of demonstrations demanding a Gaza deal on September 2, 2024 in Tel Aviv, Israel

It comes as Israel is rocked by a general strike in protests against prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his conduct of the war since the Hamas terror attack last October.

The strike action was called after the bodies of six hostages who were snatched during the October 7 massacre were found in a Gaza tunnel on Saturday.

On Sunday, Israel's largest trade union, the Histadrut, called for the general strike for Monday in a bid to shut down and disrupt major sectors of the economy, including banking, health care, and the country's main airport.

Airlines at Israel's main international airport Ben-Gurion were halting outgoing flights between 8am and 10am, with images from the scene showing large crowds of people waiting for updates alongside their luggage.

Thousands took to the streets in the general strike yesterday, saying the 101 remaining captives had been abandoned by Mr Netanyahu.

Mr Netanyahu asked his people for forgiveness yesterday but the Israeli prime minister did not accept the blame for the deaths of the six hostages.

He insisted Hamas doesnt want a deal and vowed that it would pay a heavy price.

He also called the protesters a disgrace and the strike was later halted by a court order which ruled that it was political.

People protest against the government yesterday 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

Thousands of Israelis protesting against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his government for not signing the ceasefire agreement with Gaza in Tel Aviv, Israel yesterday

Three of those killed were likely to have been released if Mr Netanyahu and Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar had agreed to a deal put forward by the US last week.

The bodies of the six were found in a tunnel in Rafah, southern Gaza, on Saturday and a post-mortem examination suggested they had been killed only a few days before.

It came as Israels president Isaac Herzog spoke at the funeral of one of the six, American-Israeli Hersh Goldberg-Polin.

He called on leaders to save those who can be saved. He added: I apologise on behalf of the State of Israel, that we failed to protect you. Though the president is head of state, it is the prime minister who holds the executive power.

Meanwhile, Mr Lammy, who has clashed with the Netanyahu government since taking office in July, also said Israel's 'actions in Gaza continue to lead to immense loss of civilian life, widespread destruction to civilian infrastructure, and immense suffering'.

'In many cases, it's not impossible to reach determinative conclusion on allegations regarding Israel's conduct of facilities, in part because there is insufficient information, either from Israel or other reliable sources to verify such claims,' he said.

Israel's President Isaac Herzog and his wife Michal attend the funeral of Israeli-American hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin yesterday

Jonathan Polin and Rachel Goldberg, parents of killed US-Israeli hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin whose body was recovered with five other hostages in Gaza, and his sisters Orly and Leebie speak during his funeral in Jerusalem on Monday

The body of Hersh Goldberg-Polin, 23, (pictured) was recovered from Gaza on Saturday

'Nevertheless, it is the assessment of His Majesty's Government that Israel could recently do more to ensure life-saving food and medical supplies reach civilians in Gaza, in light of the appalling humanitarian situation.

'And this Government is also deeply concerned by credible claims of mistreatment of detainees, which the International Committee of the Red Cross cannot investigate after being denied access to places of detention.

'Both my predecessor and all our major allies have repeatedly and forcefully raised these concerns with the Israeli government. Regrettably, they have not been addressed satisfactorily.'

Conservative shadow foreign secretary Andrew Mitchell vowed to 'look carefully' at the Foreign Secretary's announcement on arms export licences to Israel, as he promised his party's support for Israel's security is 'rock solid'.

Layla Moran, the Liberal Democrat foreign affairs spokeswoman, urged the Government to 'go further' following the suspension of some arms exports licences to Israel, by ending trade with illegal settlements in the West Bank.

She told MPs: 'I urge the Government to go further. Will they not ban goods produced in the legal Israeli settlements? If the settlements are illegal, why are we allowing trade with them?

'And will they sanction Ben-Gvir and Smotrich, as the EU's Josep Borrell is considering, or can (Foreign Secretary David Lammy) at least say that when it comes to violent extremists, nothing and no one is off the table?'

Mr Lammy replied: 'We condemn the settler expansion, the record levels that we've seen this year, particularly, and of course, the increase in settler violence.

'And I condemn the language that's been used by ministers in the Israeli government, Smotrich, Ben-Gvir, particularly in relation to this. It's entirely unacceptable language and should be condemned by the Israeli government as a whole.

Biden spoke to reporters as he left the White House Monday afternoon for a Labor Day event in Pittsburgh

'(Ms Moran) raises important issues, and she recognises that, of course, in terms of labelling, we do label in relation to goods from settlements alongside the 1967 borders particularly, but the issues are very, very complex.'

Meanwhile, Senior Tories accused ministers of bowing to anti-Israel sentiment within Labour, rather than acting in the UKs interests.

Tory leadership contender Robert Jenrick described the move as shameful gesture politics to appease the hard Left.

He added: Sir Keir has put party management first, and Britains interests second.

Britain should be standing with our ally Israel as it defends itself, and the world, against Irans war of state-sponsored terrorism.

Former home secretary Suella Braverman said: Only days after Hamas brutally murdered Israeli hostages, this Labour government has chosen to abandon Israel. The UK benefits from Israeli co-operation so this is a retrograde step for our vital security partnership. Labour should be ashamed.

Former deputy prime minister Oliver Dowden said he was very concerned by Labours decision to suspend some arms export licences to Israel just days after six hostages were murdered by Hamas.

In the Commons, Labour MPs lined up to welcome Mr Lammys intervention. Labour Friends of Israel said it was deeply concerned by the signal this sends to Iran, the worlds leading sponsor of state terrorism.

The Mail understands the legislation will target components in military aircraft including fighter jets, helicopters and drones.

Since assuming power, Labour has already dropped the UKs objections to an ICC arrest warrant being issued for Mr Netanyahu.

It has also restored funding to the UNRWA relief agency, despite Israel uncovering evidence that members of it were involved in the October 7 terror attack.

Yesterday, there was a further blow to Israel from a major ally. When asked if the Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu was doing enough to secure a peace deal, US President Joe Biden responded bluntly: No.

Mr Biden said the US is are very close to presenting a take it or leave it final hostage deal by the end of the week. It comes after a senior US official said they cant keep negotiating this.
The U.S. has seized Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's jet and flown it to Florida in an escalation with his regime.

Multiple federal agencies took the airplane dubbed Venezuela's Air Force One into custody after deeming its purchase violated sanctions, two U.S. officials disclosed to CNN.

The aircraft, believed to be worth $13million, was seized in the Dominican Republic and brought to the U.S. on Monday amid growing tensions between the Biden administration and the South American government after recent

'This sends a message all the way up to the top,' one of the officials described to CNN.

Multiple federal agencies involved in the seizure of the foreign leader's aircraft determined that acquisition was in violation of U.S. sanctions, according to a new report

'Seizing the foreign head of state's plane is unheard-of for criminal matters,' they added. 'We're sending a clear message here that no one is above the law, no one is above the reach of US sanctions.'

Maduro's plane has been pictured during his state visits around the world.

It was not disclosed as to the exact reason why it was taken, but U.S. officials determined the aircraft's presence in the Dominican Republic in recent months presented the opportunity for seizure.

Agencies involved in seizing the plane include Homeland Security Investigations, the Department of Justice and Commerce agents within the Bureau of Industry and Security.

The Dominican Republic notified Venezuela of the seizures, one U.S. official described.

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's airplane was seized in the Dominican Republic by the United States and brought to Florida on Monday

The plane was described as 'Venezuela's Air Force One' and was often pictured with Maduro during his state visits to other countries

Now, after the aircraft landed in the U.S., the Venezuelan government has a chance to pursue forfeiture and petition for the plane.

The seizure comes after the controversial reelection of Maduro on July 28.

The U.S. placed pressure on the Central American country to 'immediately' release election data over concerns of the credibility of Maduro's victory.

After he was reelected last month, Venezuela suspended commercial flights to and from the Dominican Republic.

The U.S. already restarted sanctions against Venezuela's oil and gas sector for the Maduro regime blocking 'an inclusive and competitive election'.
Former President Donald Trump issued a blunt statement in a Fox News interview that he had 'every right' to interfere in a presidential election, while expressing amazement at how his poll numbers jumped after getting indicted.

Trump made the comment in an interview with conservative host Mark Levin, while complaining about the new superseding indictment from Special Counsel Jack Smith's team.

'Whoever heard you get indicted for interfering with a presidential election where you have every right to do it, you get indicted and you poll numbers go up. When people get indicted, your poll numbers go down. But it was such a such nonsense,' Trump said in the interview.

He called it 'bad precedent' that he got charged in the January 6 case, and took personal credit for Secretary of State Hillary Clinton not being charged with crimes during his own tenure.

'I had to make a decision. Do I want to do this? Do I want to put the wife of the president of the United States and Secretary of State, by the way. Do I want to put her in prison? And I'm trying to unify a country that really was broken badly,' Trump said.

Trump's statement echoes arguments by his legal team in an immunity case that his interventions with state election authorities fall within the purview of his office

Trump also visited the aftermath of the attempt on his life at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.

'Whoever heard you get indicted for interfering with a presidential election where you have every right to do it, you get indicted and you poll numbers go up,' former President Donald Trump told Fox News interviewer and radio host Mark Levin

Levin asked him if he got a call or a note from Harris.

'No,' Trump responded. 'Not that I know of.'

Then he mentioned 'that I did get one from Biden.' Biden has spoken previously about reaching out to Trump after the assassination attempt.

Trump called his own prosecution 'the worst case of election interference anyone has ever seen.'

Do I want to put the wife of a president of the United States in prison? I didn't want to do that.

Trump also spoke about the Georgia election interference case and his New York Stormy Daniels hush money trial. 'This is all coming out of the Department of Dustice in order to get their political opponent, me,' he said, bringing back an accusation that the Justice Department and AG Merrick Garland have denied.

Trump said he had 'every right' to interfere in the 2020 election. The statement echoes arguments by his legal team in an immunity case that his interventions with state election authorities fall within the purview of his office

Trump said VP Kamala Harris did not call him after the attempt on his life

Trump said he was 'surprised' at Garland, then claimed he considered renominating him to the Supreme Court after Senate Republicans stalled the Obama nominee at the end of Obama's term.

The result was to ultimately give Trump the first of three Supreme Court nominations.

I'm surprised at Merrick Garland because I thought he was  I knew he was very liberal. There were those that said, you know, because when I came in, I put three Supreme Court justices in. And they've been very brave, actually, in many ways. But they're very, you know, highly thought of people. But there were some people that wanted me to put him in when I first came in. And they thought that could unify the country,' Trump said.

'I had a decision to make, and I didn't know if if it would be accepted or  people would say, what's he doing? Why is he doing it? And then I said, I wonder if they do it, and you know that if they had that option, which is in the conservative vein, you know, they wouldn't do it.
A 34-year-old British tourist has told Paris police that she was allegedly raped after she was drugged by a man she went to a bar with a female friend.

The woman, who has not been named, was found on Saturday afternoon by her friends who had reported her missing from a night out in the French capital on Friday.

She had gone to dinner with her pals that night, and took one of the group to a hookah bar in the 16th arrondissement at around 4am on Saturday morning after being invited by a man they had met that night.

She told police that her next memory was waking up in an unfamiliar room, before realising she had been raped, according to local media.

It is not currently known if anyone has been charged for the alleged attack.

It comes on the day that France was gripped by a shocking mass rape trial, which saw a husband plead guilty to drugging his wife and letting dozens of men rape her in their home.

The woman, who has not yet been named, was found on Saturday afternoon by her friends who had reported her missing from a night out in the French capital on Friday (File image)

Dominique P. is accused of orchestrating a sick rape ring, using an online forum to invite a horde of men aged between 26 and 74 to his home in Mazan near Avignon, before filming them assaulting his wife over nine years between 2011 and 2020.

Police counted a total of 92 rapes committed by 72 men, 51 of whom were identified and are being tried alongside the main suspect, a 71-year-old former employee at France's power utility company, EDF.

The trial will be 'a horrible ordeal' for the victim, said her lawyer Antoine Camus.

'For the first time, she will have to live through the rapes that she endured over 10 years,' he said, adding that his client had 'no recollection' of the abuse which she only discovered in 2020.

The woman, now aged 72, could have opted for a trial behind closed doors, but 'that's what her attackers would have wanted', Camus said.

She will be present at the trial in Avignon, supported by her three children.

Police began to investigate the defendant Dominique P. in September 2020 when he was caught by a security guard secretly filming under the skirts of three women in a shopping centre.

Police said they found hundreds of pictures and videos of his wife on his computer, visibly unconscious and mostly in the foetal position.

The images are alleged to show dozens of rapes in the couple's home in Mazan, a village of 6,000 people roughly 20 miles from Avignon in Provence.
Two U.S. service members were attacked in western Turkey Monday - as video circulated online purportedly showing a soldier swarmed by a group of men who placed a hood over his head.

The U.S. Navy confirmed that two Marines out on liberty were victims of an assault in Izmir and are now safe. They had been aboard the USS Wasp, which had arrived in the port city after completing a training at sea.

The Izmir governor's office told Reuters that members of the Turkey Youth Union (TBG), a youth branch of the nationalist opposition Vatan Party, 'physically attacked' two U.S. soldiers dressed in civilian clothes in the Konak district.

It added that five U.S. soldiers joined in after seeing the incident, and that police intervened. All 15 attackers had been detained and an investigation was launched.

'The two Marines were aided by other Marines in the area and were subsequently taken to a local hospital for evaluation as a precaution but were not injured and have returned to the USS Wasp,' U.S. Navy Cmdr. Timothy Gorman, U.S. Sixth Fleet spokesperson, told DailyMail.com.

The group can be heard chanting 'Yankee, go home!' as the put a hood over the man's head

Multiple videos of the chaotic scene show an unidentified man being surrounded by a group who appear to be restraining him

U.S. officials have yet to confirm if the video shows the same assault that the U.S. Embassy confirmed

Multiple videos of the chaotic scene - including one posted by TBG - show an unidentified man being surrounded by a group who appear to be restraining him on a bustling street.

The group can be heard chanting 'Yankee, go home!' as they put a hood over the man's head.

'WE PUT SACKS ON THE US SOLDIERS SERVING ON THE LARGEST ATTACK SHIP OF THE USA, USS WASP!,' the group said in the post.

'US soldiers, who carry the blood of our soldiers and thousands of Palestinians on their hands, cannot defile our country.

'Every time you step into these lands, we will welcome you as you deserve!'

U.S. officials have yet to confirm if the video shows the same assault confirmed by the U.S. Embassy.

'We thank Turkish authorities for their rapid response and ongoing investigation,' the U.S. Embassy said in a post on X.

The USS Wasp is on a scheduled deployment to the Naval Forces Europe-Africa area to support the U.S. and its allies and continue promoting regional stability and deterring aggression.

The service members are from the USS Wasp (pictured in Cyprus) - an amphibious assault ship docked in Izmir for a regularly scheduled port visit

Members of the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit onboard the USS Wasp recently completed completed a bilateral training exercise with Turkey in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea.

The U.S. military has increased its presence in the Mediterranean Sea amid rising tensions in the Middle East over the war is Gaza.

Israel has been brought to a standstill due to a nationwide general strike after the country erupted with protests over Benjamin Netanyahu's failure to secure a hostage release deal with Hamas.

The strike action was called after the bodies of six hostages - including Israeli-American Hersh Goldberg-Polin - who were snatched during the October 7 massacre were found in a Gaza tunnel on Saturday.
A man wanted for murder and other crimes in Brazil has been captured in Philadelphia.

Ramon Correia was arrested at his home last week by Enforcement and Removal Operations, a division of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

The 28-year-old remains in ICE custody while the agency and Brazilian authorities work on his deportation.

Ramon Correia was arrested in Philadelphia by Enforcement and Removal Operations, a division of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement

Ruan Melo was shot dead in Ipatinga, Brazil on November 23, 2021

Correia is wanted for November 23, 2021, killing of a man in Ipatinga, a city in the southern state of Minas Gerais.

He and two members of his drug trafficking network are accused of fatally shooting Ruan Melo, 28, and wounding a 26-year-old owner of a snack bar where Melo worked as a cook.

Witnesses told authorities at the time that Melo was friends with two people who would rent motorcycles to criminals in the area.

'It was proven that the crimes were motivated by disagreements involving drug trafficking,' the Public Ministry said in a statement.

Ramon Correia remains in custody of ICE in Philadelphia and is awaiting to be deported to Brazil, where he is facing murder and drug trafficking charges

An ICE spokesperson told DailyMail.com that Correia was apprehended by the U.S. Border Patrol on February 22, 2022 near Lukeville, Arizona and was released with a notice to appear before an immigration judge.

Correia is facing a prison sentence of 24 to 60 years if convicted.

He was also a suspect in the January 31, 2020, double murder of Aspasia Ferreira and Aline de Souza, both 20, who were targeted because of their connections to local drug dealers.

Correia was acquitted of all charges, a Public Ministry spokesperson told DailyMail.com.

Two suspects, including one who had fled to Spain, were arrested and convicted.
Pontins has apologised to the Gypsy and Traveller communities after an investigation by the equality watchdog found it barred people with Irish surnames from its resorts.

The holiday firm cancelled bookings made by people with an Irish accent and blocked customers with surnames on a list titled 'undesirable guests' between 2013 and 2018.

The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) investigation found 11 unlawful acts which discriminated against Irish Travellers and served Pontins with an 'unlawful act notice' in February.

Now the holiday firm has apologised to the Traveller and Gypsy communities for its 'clearly wrong' actions and said it will promote an 'inclusive and welcoming environment' for all guests.

The holiday firm cancelled bookings made by people with an Irish accent and blocked customers with surnames on a list titled 'undesirable guests'. (Stock photo of a Pontins Holiday camp sign)

Pontins was found to have had an internal list of 40 common Irish surnames titled 'undesirable guests' (stock photo)

A Pontins spokesman said: 'We want to apologise directly to the Traveller and Gypsy community. The refusal to allow guests to stay at our parks because we suspected they were Irish Travellers was clearly wrong.'

Pontins was found to have had an internal list of 40 common Irish surnames titled 'undesirable guests' which required staff to block any potential customers with the names from booking.

The names included Connors, Doherty, Gallagher, McDonagh, O'Brien, O'Donoghue and O'Reilly.

Some 115 people with the surnames were refused access to Pontins holiday resorts in the UK due to their suspected Traveller roots, the EHRC found.

As well as this list, the watchdog found there was a 'banned list' containing the names of people thought to be Irish Travellers and their associates.

Pontins was also found to have monitored calls in its contact centre and refused or cancelled any bookings that were made by people with an Irish accent or surname.

The holiday firm also introduced an electoral roll requirement in its booking terms as an attempt to 'disguise' its discrimination against the Traveller community, the EHRC said.

Baroness Kishwer Falkner (pictured), chair of the EHRC, said race and ethnicity should never be a barrier to going on holiday

Now Pontins has agreed an action plan with the equality watchdog that includes the removal of the electoral roll policy, engagement with the Traveller community, and monitoring of its booking policies.

Baroness Kishwer Falkner, chair of the EHRC, said: 'Race and ethnicity should never be a barrier to going on holiday.

'Pontins has today apologised to the Irish Traveller community it discriminated against and has begun work to introduce strict safeguards and guarantee a zero-tolerance approach to discrimination.

'I hope those affected are reassured that when the EHRC find evidence of such flagrant discrimination, we act to hold those responsible to account.

'The wider holiday sector should ensure that their policies and procedures do not breach Equality Law.'

A Pontins spokesman added: 'On behalf of the owners, directors, senior managers and all of us here at Pontins, we would like to reiterate our apologies regarding the serious issues raised by the EHRC in their report. In particular we want to apologise directly to the traveller and gypsy community.'
A holiday in Cornwall brought another frightening episode in the turbulent life of Alexandra Tolstoy.

The socialite has revealed that her daughter, Maria, almost drowned after being caught in a riptide.

The 11-year-old was rescued by her brothers after adults failed to intervene.

'Her brothers were absolute heroes,' Alexandra, 50, says of teenagers Alexei and Ivan.

'With no exaggeration, [they] saved her life, running back into the sea to haul her out, whilst grown men blankly watched me hysterically screaming for help.'

A holiday in Cornwall brought another frightening episode in the turbulent life of Alexandra Tolstoy. Countess Tolstoy pictured in London in 2016

The socialite has revealed that her daughter, Maria, almost drowned after being caught in a riptide. The 11-year-old was rescued by her brothers. Countess Tolstoy pictured at her Oxfordshire home in 2021

The broadcaster, a kinswoman of War And Peace author Leo Tolstoy, adds: 'The Coastguard were also phenomenal, with the local lifeguard running more than a mile barefoot across the sand and a rocky headland to reach us.'

The children's father is Sergei Pugachev, 61, once known as 'Putin's banker', who's been holed up in France since he was accused in Russia of embezzling more than 655million.

Alexandra, a kinswoman of War And Peace author Leo Tolstoy, says of the incident, which took place in an area not watched by lifeguards: 'It was traumatising for all, especially my poor daughter.'

She adds, jokingly: 'But it did quell my fears that her brothers don't like her.'

'Rips', as the tides are commonly known, are said to have the ability to pull a swimmer hundreds of yards into the ocean at speeds of up to 8ft per second.

Alexandra advises: 'Always swim sideways out of a riptide and float on your back with your ears submerged if you can't - the all-important lesson we learned from HM Coastguard.'

When she was the girlfriend of the Russian oligarch, Alexandra lived a billionaire's lifestyle, enjoying a chateau on the French Riviera, a beachfront house in St Barths and a multi-million-pound home in Chelsea.
Horror master Stephen King was shocked to learn that 23 of his books have been banned in Florida - as his publisher joins a massive lawsuit against the state.

'What the f**k?' the famous author posted on X in response to learning the news.

Hundreds of books have been removed from schools as a result of the Florida law known as the 'Don't Say Gay' bill.

Some of King's novels that have reportedly been taken off the shelves include Carrie, It, The Gunslinger, The Running Man and The Long Walk.

King's publisher, Simon & Schuster, along with five other major publishers launched a lawsuit challenging the Florida law last week.

Stephen King was shocked to learn that 23 of his novels - including Carrie and It - have been banned in Florida

The other publishers to sign on are Penguin Random House, Hachette Book Group, HarperCollins Publishers, Macmillan Publishers, and Sourcebooks.

Others who have joined the suit include bestselling authors Julia Alvarez, Laurie Halse Anderson, John Green, Jodi Picoult, and Angie Thomas, as well as the Authors Guild, two students and two parents.

The list of banned books includes classics such as Brave New World by Aldous Huxley, A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens, For Whom the Bell Tolls by Ernest Hemingway and The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain, according to the publishers.

'As publishers dedicated to protecting freedom of expression and the right to read, the rise in book bans across the country continues to demand our collective action,' the group said in a joint statement.

'Fighting unconstitutional legislation in Florida and across the country is an urgent priority.

'We are unwavering in our support for educators, librarians, students, authors, readers - everyone deserves access to books and stories that show different perspectives and viewpoints.'

In 2022, Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a law known as the 'Don't Say Gay' bill that limits access to materials containing 'sexual conduct' in classrooms

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed the 'Don't Say Gay' bill in 2022, limiting access to materials containing 'sexual conduct' in classrooms.

Florida's legislature passed an expanded version of the law in May 2023, restricting in-classroom instruction of gender identity and sexual orientation for all public school grad -levels.

Additionally, the law also makes it easier for parents to remove books that they feel are inappropriate from school bookshelves.

Any person can challenge a book for any reason within their county. Once a challenge is levied, the book in question must be pulled from the shelves during the review process, which could take weeks or months.

PEN America tracked 3,135 bans across 11 school districts in Florida from July 1, 2021 to December 23, 2023.
Sir Keir Starmer has vowed to make concert tickets 'at a price people can afford' following the row over Oasis dynamic pricing.

The Prime Minister promised to 'grip this', hinting at possible changes to legislation to stop fans being fleeced.

Tickets for the band's reunion tour next summer went on sale on Saturday morning, triggering a huge frenzy to secure seats.

But fans were left distraught when prices to see Liam and Noel Gallagher shot up due to 'high demand', leading to calls for so-called 'dynamic pricing' for shows to be banned.

Sir Keir said there were 'a number of things we can do' to and we should do' to fix the issue which he said is 'not just an Oasis problem', the Sun reported.

Sir Keir Starmer has vowed to make concert tickets 'at a price people can afford' following the row over the dynamic pricing of Oasis tickets

Tickets for the band's much anticipated reunion tour next summer shot up due to 'high demand', leaving fans distraught

Referring to the Oasis chaos, Sir Keir promised to 'grip this' , adding there were things that could be done to make pricing fairer

He said: 'This is a problem for tickets for all sorts of events where people go online straight away as soon as they can and within seconds sometimes, if sometimes minutes, all the tickets are gone and the prices start going through the roof, which means many people can't afford it.

'On that, I do think there are a number of things that we can do and we should do because otherwise you get to the situation where families simply can't go or are absolutely spending a fortune on tickets, whatever it may be.

'So we'll grip this and make sure that actually, tickets are available at a price that people can actually afford.'

Cabinet member Lisa Nandy said the Government would review the policy of dynamic pricing and the queueing technology 'which incentivise it' following what she called 'depressing' inflated Oasis ticket prices.

'This government is committed to putting fans back at the heart of music', she said.

Cabinet member Lisa Nandy branded the Oasis pricing fiasco 'depressing' and said the Government would review dynamic pricing practices

Standard tickets for the Manchester band's reunion tour more than doubled from about 150 to 350 on the Ticketmaster website on Saturday

Standard tickets for the Manchester band's reunion tour more than doubled from about 150 to 350 on Ticketmaster's website amid a scramble on Saturday.

Among millions hit by sudden price surges was Leader of the House of Commons and Manchester Central MP Lucy Powell, who said she had to pay double the originally quoted price for a ticket.

The band and Ticketmaster confirmed at 7pm on Saturday that all remaining tickets had been sold.

Tickets on retail websites were being advertised after even more extortionate prices, with some being shown for as much as 14,104 yesterday.

The Liberal Democrats branded the pricing shambles 'scandalous', calling for it to be 'watershed moment' and for an official investigation into the practice of dynamic pricing.

Its culture spokesperson, Jamie Stone said: 'The Oasis ticket fiasco must be a watershed moment and lead to an official investigation, either by the watchdog or a parliamentary body .
People wait at a bus stop in Union Square the morning after San Francisco 49ers rookie wide receiver Ricky Pearsall was shot in the chest during an attempted robbery at Geary and Grant. Stephen Lam/The Chronicle

When Alexandra Fradelizio learned that San Francisco 49ers rookie Ricky Pearsall had been shot in a Union Square robbery on Saturday, the news fueled her belief that crime in the shopping district had spun out of control.

It just feels like the area is getting worse and there is no end in sight, the San Rafael resident told the Chronicle while visiting the area over the weekend.

Breed is going to get blamed: How Ricky Pearsall shooting complicates S.F. mayors race

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While many locals may share Fradelizios beliefs about Union Square, especially after Pearsalls near-fatal shooting, reported crime data tells a more complicated story that is driven by changes in shopping habits and wider public safety trends.

Robberies and other crimes have actually declined significantly in the district over the past six years, according to data maintained by the police and analyzed by the Chronicle. In fact, Union Square has seen steeper declines across most crime categories than the rest of San Francisco, which has itself experienced sharp drops in most crime types since 2018.

Thats not to say that crime is rare in Union Square  its just less common than it used to be. Take robberies: Through Aug. 15 of this year, police recorded over 80 robberies, or more than two a week.

However, thats a steep drop from 2018, when police recorded closer to 130 robberies over the same time period. The FBI defines a robbery as the attempt to take something of value from a person by force.

While robberies across the rest of San Francisco declined by just over 30% from 2018 to 2024, in Union Square they dropped by slightly more: 35%.

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Overall violent crime, too, fell in the area by wider margins than San Francisco as a whole. Through mid-August of this year, Union Square saw fewer violent crimes across FBI-defined major categories than it did in 2018, and almost as few as it did in the height of the pandemic.

Violent crime in the rest of San Francisco has also decreased over the past several years, and thats on top of the city having a relatively low violent crime rate to begin with. In 2022, San Franciscos violent crime rate was about 15% lower than the average city with at least 600,000 people.

While San Franciscos violent crime rate is lower than most cities, its property crime rates consistently rank among the highest of major cities. Thats why residents and visitors to San Francisco are urged to leave nothing in their cars.

Still, in Union Square, even property crime has gone down. Reported burglaries, car thefts and larcenies (a category that includes shoplifting, pickpocketing and other forms of low-level theft) are collectively down by more than 41% since 2018, slightly more than the rest of the city, where property crimes are down 37%. Again, Union Square still sees a lot of reported theft  about three reports a day on average. But thats down from nearly five average reports a day in 2018.

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The likeliest explanation for these outsized drops in crime in Union Square is also the simplest: Fewer people are around, making for fewer victims and perpetrators of crime. Pandemic increases in remote work and online shopping led to fewer people visiting the neighborhood. In the first half of this year, estimated foot traffic to the district fell by 9% compared with the same period in 2023, according to cellphone data from location tracking software company Placer.ai previously shared with the Chronicle.

The troubled district has seen a rash of store closures over the past several years, mirroring a nationwide trend of retail firms shifting out of downtown locations.

Union Square doesnt need to exist in the modern framework of local consumer demand, Christopher Thornberg, an economist and founder of Beacon Economics, previously told the Chronicle.

Jeff Cretan, a spokesperson in Mayor London Breeds office, added that SFPD boosted police presence in the district to address worries about crime. What happened on Saturday was an unfortunate incident, but there were police officers right there to not only provide aid to the victim, but to arrest the suspect immediately, he wrote in an email.

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In the past, prominent Bay Area residents and public officials have expressed concern that documented declines in San Franciscos crime rates do not reflect reality, and instead show that residents are no longer reporting crimes to police, fed up with slow response times and a perceived culture of permissiveness around wrongdoing.

But while under-reporting certainly takes place in San Francisco and and across the U.S., particularly for lower-level crimes, theres no evidence so far that people are less likely to than they once were.

According to the National Crime Victimization Survey, about four in 10 victims of violent crime reported their experience to police in 2022, the same share as in 2018.

Pearsalls shooting echoed another recent high-profile episode of violence in San Francisco: the fatal stabbing of former Square executive Bob Lee, allegedly by fellow tech worker Nima Momeni in Rincon Hill.

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Then, too, local stakeholders reacted to the incident with an outpouring of frustration and fear, with Elon Musk blaming the murder on what he called San Franciscos horrific violent crime rate.

Still, San Francisco, for all its other problems, is host to less violence than most other major U.S. cities  and violent crime today is lower than in previous decades.
Autopsies have been carried out on two victims who drowned when the super yacht Bayesian sank last month in a freak storm with the loss of seven lives.

Tech billionaire Mike Lynch, 59, and his daughter Hannah, 18, who was due to start at Oxford University later this month were among those who died.

Mr Lynch's wife Angela Bacares, Hannah's mother, survived along with 14 others after the 30 million vessel sank off the coast of the Italian island of Sicily at Porticello near Palermo on August 19.

The first autopsies were carried out on lawyer Chris Morvillo and his wife Neda, and confirmed that they drowned, sources said on Monday.

There were 'no signs' of any other injuries and autopsies on the other victims will continue for the rest of the week alongside the judicial investigation.

The first autopsies were carried out on lawyer Chris Morvillo and his wife Neda (both pictured) and confirmed that they drowned, sources said on Monday

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

Recaldo Thomas, chef on the Bayesian, was the first person to be recovered after the yacht sunk

Who are the nine surviving crew members

Captain James Cutfield, 51, a New Zealander Sasha Murray, 29, from Ireland Kyaw Htun Myin, 31 from Myanmar Matthew Griffith, 22, from France Leo Eppel, from South Africa Onboard hostess Leah Randall, 20 from South Africa Hostess Katja Chicken, 23, from Germany Tus Koopmans, from the Netherlands Eaton Parker, believed to be from the UK Advertisement

All the victims were passengers except for the boat's cook Recaldo Thomas.

His body was the first to be recovered after the yacht sank.

Three crew members are currently under investigation in Italy for suspected multiple negligent manslaughter and causing a shipwreck, including captain James Cutfield.

Cutfield exercised his right to remain silent when questioned by prosecutors on Tuesday, his lawyers said.

They explained that he was 'worn out' and that they needed more time to build a defense case.

One of the Bayesian yacht survivors previously said the crew 'saved who we could' as the boat sank.

Matthew Griffiths was one of 22 people on board the Bayesian when it was devastated by a freak waterspout just a few hundred metres away from Porticello port in the early hours of August 19.

The 22-year-old, who was on watch duty on the night of the tragedy, told investigators that the crew members did everything they could to save those on board the Bayesian, according to comments reported by Italian news agency Ansa.

'I woke up the captain when the wind was at 20 knots (23 mph). He gave orders to wake everyone else,' Ansa quoted Griffiths as saying.

'The ship tilted and we were thrown into the water. Then we managed to get back up and tried to rescue those we could,' he added, describing the events of the fateful night, when the Bayesian had been anchored off the Sicilian port.

'We were walking on the walls (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. In all there were 15 survivors of the wreck.

Hannah (pictured), 18, was due to start at Oxford before tragedy struck the Bayesian superyacht

A handout photo made available on August 19 by Perini Navi Press Office shows the 'Bayesian' sailing boat, in Palermo, Sicily, Italy

The 30 million vessel sank off the coast of the Italian island of Sicily at Porticello near Palermo on August 19

The 18-year-old's body was found alone in her own cabin on board the super-yacht after it sank 50 metres below the surface of the Mediterranean, rescue workers said

James Cutfield, a 51-year-old New Zealander, was in charge of the Bayesian when it sank off the coast of Sicily during a storm

Pictured: Hannah with her father Mike Lynch who both died on the yacht

Chief engineer Tim Parker Eaton, 56, has insisted all 'doors and hatches were closed' on the doomed Bayesian ahead of a violent storm

Matthew Griffiths was one of 22 people on board the Bayesian when it was devastated by a freak waterspout

Prosecutor Raffaele Cammarano said last week that the vessel was most likely hit by a 'downburst,' a very strong downward wind.

However, the sinking has puzzled naval marine experts, who said a vessel like the Bayesian, built by Italian high-end yacht manufacturer Perini, should have withstood the storm and, in any case, should not have sunk as quickly as it did.

Prosecutors in the town of Termini Imerese, near Palermo, have said their investigation will take time, with the wreck yet to be salvaged from the sea.

They are currently 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.

Chief engineer Tim Parker Eaton, 56, who is from the UK was also been named as one of the crew members who is under investigation.

Mr Parker Eaton, 56, has told prosecutors he followed procedures and made sure all was watertight as the storm engulfed the yacht.

According to excerpts from Mr Parker Eaton's statement, leaked to the Italian media, he insisted all doors and openings on the yacht were shut.

CCTV captured the last moments of the Bayesian superyacht before it sank beneath the waves

The British-flagged Bayesian superyacht (pictured) was owned by tech magnate Mike Lynch

Rescue workers standing by after recovering the body of Hannah Lynch off the coast of Porticello on August 23

Search teams at the site of the Bayesian sinking as they prepared to continue looking for Hannah Lynch on August 23

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.'

Lynch, 59, had invited friends and family onto the boat to celebrate his recent acquittal in a huge US fraud case when the tragedy occurred earlier this month.

The 56-metre (185-foot) yacht was struck by a storm when 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.
A retired Colorado police officer has been freed after being accused of sexually abusing his daughter, but his ex wife claims she has been arrested for refusing therapy.

Rachel Pickrel-Hawkins says she was sent to jail after she refused to send her two youngest sons to court-ordered therapy with their father, former Aurora police sergeant Michael Hawkins, 55.

Pickrel-Hawkins was found in contempt of court after she decided not to continue with reunification therapy ordered as part of her divorce proceedings, which started before criminal charges were filed against Hawkins.

She told the Denver Gazette the therapy has been harmful and accused the therapist of supporting Hawkins' efforts to gain custody of the children and pressuring them to forgive their father.

Hawkins, who is free on bond, is also accused of sexually assaulting Pickrel-Hawkins' two eldest daughters, who he adopted.

Rachel Pickrel-Hawkins says she was sent to jail after she refused to send her two youngest sons to court-ordered therapy with their father, who is accused of raping their daughter

Former Aurora police sergeant Michael Hawkins (pictured) is free on bond after being charged with sexually assaulting his daughter and adopted daughters

The couple has four children, three of which are minors, and Hawkins is seeking custody of the two youngest boys, aged 10 and 13.

Court documents claim Hawkins sexually abused his 17-year-old daughter throughout her childhood, starting when she was five, and almost drowned the couple's older son, now aged 19.

The 19-year-old said Hawkins used police tactics to hold him under water during a 2018 trip to Costa Rica.

The teen claims he believed his father was vengeful because he had previously confronted him about seeing his hand down his sister's underwear.

Pickrel-Hawkins currently has custody of the minor children, who are living in a domestic violence shelter. She told the Denver Gazette she has arranged for her relatives to care for her children while she is in jail.

Aside from sending Pickrel-Hawkins to jail for seven weekends, the judge ordered her to pay the full $370 cost of any sessions her sons attend alone and to split the bill with her ex for any sessions he attends

Pickrel-Hawkins currently has custody of the minor children, who are living in a domestic violence shelter

Aside from sending Pickrel-Hawkins to jail for seven weekends, the judge ordered her to pay the full $370 cost of any sessions her sons attend alone and to split the bill with her ex for any sessions he attends.

In his decision Larimer County District Court Judge Daniel McDonald cast doubt on the claims against the former cop.

McDonald wrote on July 6: 'The court also notes that no criminal charges have been filed and the Department of Human Services finding can be based on statements of the child alone with no corroborative evidence.'

While the judge's decision came before the criminal charges against Hawkins, Pickrel-Hawkins claims the judge was aware of the criminal probe.

Criminal charges were filed against Hawkins later on July 29 after a nearly two-year investigation.

Hawkins was hailed as a hero after he was one of the cops who responded to the Aurora movie theater shooting in 2012 where 12 people were killed

In his decision Larimer County District Court Judge Daniel McDonald cast doubt on the claims against the former cop

@mount.simon.minis My first weekend of a seven weekend sentence is complete. Thank you to all the support that showed up before and after!! Thank you for the gofundme account and all thisr that have given! I need representation to stop the abuse of the courts, Christine Bassett of Lighthouse Christian Counseling in Fort Collins, CO, Attorney Christophe Estoll- possibly an upcoming judge, and their abuser! I will not stop fighting and I will continue to fight for ALL the children and the mamas! This has to stop!!! Together we can stop the abuse and hold accountable ALL thise bad actors exploiting our children for money. Too many children have been murdered by their abusers AFTER the courts and the likes of Bassett have ignored the protective mothers! https://denvergazette.com/colorado-watch/reunification-therapy-colorado-child-abuse/article_96e08e26-66f4-11ef-b15c-ab5c4905bfc1.html https://www.coloradoan.com/story/news/2022/12/19/candlelight-vigil-honors-2-girls-killed-in-northern-colorado-murder-suicide/69732013007/ #solidaritywithrachel #reunificationtherapyabuse #courtcorruption #justiceforthechildrennow #justiceforruby #justiceforcameronandaudrey  original sound - Mount Simon Ministries ZIKgvbgQ6AjH1g7AcYW5C-Sv5g0solDoSA_aem_6EMdlERD8_0FOff0WZzvcA] ZIKgvbgQ6AjH1g7AcYW5C-Sv5g0solDoSA_aem_6EMdlERD8_0FOff0WZzvcA]

Hawkins was charged with six felony counts of sexual assault of a child by a person in a position of trust and a single count of misdemeanor child abuse.

Hawkins was hailed as a hero after he was one of the cops who responded to the Aurora movie theater shooting in 2012 where 12 people were killed,

His daughter told investigators she was raped the same year after her father experienced post-traumatic stress disorder

Criminal charges were filed against Hawkins later on July 29 after a nearly two-year investigation

Hawkins was on the news in 2017 after a woman accused him and three other officers of stomping on her head after she was falsely accused of assaulting Hawkins

Hawkins was back on the news in 2017 after a woman accused him and three other officers of stomping on her head after she was falsely accused of assaulting Hawkins.

Aurora paid the woman $335,000 to settle the lawsuit.

Hawkins retired the next year after he filed a fit-for-duty medical exam.

DailyMail.com has contacted the Aurora Police Department for comment on this story.
An Ohio meteorologist who was charged with operating a vehicle under the influence after she crashed her SUV last Thanksgiving has been fired.

Hollie Strano revealed on Monday morning that television station WKYC terminated her employment 'after 22 plus years of dedicated work.'

Strano pleaded guilty to the misdemeanor after crashing her car into a utility poll as the police were pursuing her in Cuyahoga Falls last November.

She reached speeds of 70 mph in a 35 zone, and had a blood alcohol level of 0.244 per cent - more than three times the legal limit.

Hollie Strano revealed on Monday morning that television station WKYC terminated her employment 'after 22 plus years of dedicated work.'

Strano pleaded guilty to the misdemeanor after crashing her car into a utility poll as the police were pursuing her in Cuyahoga Falls last November

Speaking about the station's decision to axe her, Strano said WKYC and Tegna's actions 'demonstrate the stigma surrounding addiction that so many in our community experience every day.

'I have been honest and authentic about my journey, and I will continue to do so For me, but also for you and everyone who is struggling in silence for fear of this type of conduct by your own employers.

'Thank you for welcoming me into your home for all of these years. It's been the privilege of a lifetime.'

Strano vowed to 'continue prioritizing [her] sobriety and health.'

Some have suggested she should pivot her career into social media influencing, while others have assured her she'll be snapped up by a rival network

Strano's fans have rallied behind her after she revealed the news

Following her guilty plea, Strano was fined $375, ordered to pay court fees, had her license suspended for a year and had to complete a six-day driver intervention program.

She said at the time she was 'deeply remorseful for what happened the evening of November 23, 2023.

'As tragic as it was and as cliche as it may sound, I believe that had to happen to me to put me on this healing journey of sobriety and introspection.'

Just two weeks ago, Strano celebrated a milestone 'nine months sober.'

Strano's fans have rallied behind her after she revealed the news.

Strano vowed to 'continue prioritizing [her] sobriety and health'

She reached speeds of 70 mph in a 35 zone, and had a blood alcohol level of 0.244 per cent - more than three times the legal limit

Some have suggested she should pivot her career into social media influencing, while others have assured her she'll be snapped up by a rival network.

One fan told Strano via her Instagram page: 'When one door closes another opens. You got this. Your viewers love you. Thank you for sharing your journey.'

Another wrote: 'Just know you have an entire community of people who are in recovery and will be always by your side. Thanks for making watching the weather worthwhile.'
How much is alcohol-free beer at YOUR local?

Alcohol-free Guinness is to be sold on draught for the first time in the UK but drinkers might be shocked by the price.

Famed London pub, The Devonshire, is introducing Guinness 0.0 after signing a deal with drinks-giant Diageo.

Previously the alcohol-free stout was only available on draught in Ireland with pub-goers in the UK having to opt for a canned version.

But a pint of Guinness 0.0 at The Devonshire will set you back 6.35 - which is just 55p less than a regular pint.

How much is alcohol-free beer at YOUR local? Email: olivia.christie@mailonline.co.uk

A pint of Guinness 0.0 at The Devonshire (pictured) will set you back a whopping 6.35 - which is just 55p less than a regular pint

Non-alcoholic Guinness in cans is already the best-selling non-alcoholic beer in shops in the UK (stock photo)

It comes as questions have already been asked about the high prices of alcohol-free alternatives at pubs in the UK, given that no alcohol duty is paid on them.

But brewers have said the prices are justified by the 'complex production process' and 'research' that goes into them.

Non-alcoholic Guinness in cans is already the best-selling non-alcoholic beer in shops in the UK.

Sales of the product doubled in the year up until June, fuelled by an increase in sobriety levels, particularly among young people, The Telegraph has reported.

The Devonshire in Soho, which opened late last year, has already earned acclaim for its Guinness.

It reportedly pours more than 15,000 pints of the beverage a week, making it one of the biggest sellers of Guinness in the world.

Diageo has previously said that they are working to shake off its reputation as a drink for 'older, male customers'.

'We are seeing more and more Guinness drinkers that are women. I certainly notice this in pubs', said Deborah Crew, the company's chief executive.

Spokesperson for The Devonshire Oisin Rogers responded saying: 'I think it's unfair to imply that our business is expensive especially when we have a pints of excellent beer available at 4.95.

'We have sold hundreds of pints of Guinness zero and nobody has complained about the price, in fact, they are very happy that we can offer a really premium product without alcohol poured through a system in which we have hugely invested.

'Most people would expect to pay the same price as a regular pint, as they did at the rugby internationals earlier this year.'

Alcohol-free drinks in England are currently defined as not exceeding 0.5 per cent alcohol, whereas in countries such as the US, Denmark, Germany, Australia, Sweden, Portugal, and Belgium the limit is just 0.05 per cent.

The drinks have become increasingly popular among Gen Z who are increasingly swapping their usual pints for an alcohol-free alternative.

Diageo has previously said that they are working to shake off its reputation as a drink for 'older, male customers' (stock photo)

This week furious punters took to social media over the price of mocktails in London with some in Mayfair priced as high as 20 (stock photo)

However, drinkers have been shocked by the prices of 0.0 options which are often nearly as much as a regular pint.

This week furious punters took to social media over the price of mocktails in London with some in Mayfair priced as high as 20.

Meanwhile, cocktail bar chain The Alchemist charges a whopping 12.50 for a French Kiss in central London.

And Greene King - one of the biggest pub chains that has more than 2,700 locations across England, Wales and Scotland - has just a 1 difference between their cocktails and mocktails.

One person wrote on social media: 'It doesn't matter how loudly you shout at us, If a cocktail is 15, a mocktail has no business being 12.'

Another penned: 'The concept of mocktails is hilarious. 10 for mixed juice?!'

A third said: 'I can't believe restaurants really charge 10 for mocktails. That really has to be one of the biggest scams alive because what costs that much in the drink? Juice???'

A fourth commented: 'The gentrification of juice into mocktails is really starting to p*** me off. That's an $18 Capri Sun.'
Kamala Harris is facing more allegations of flip-flopping, but this time it's with her voice.

Critics claim the vice president nominee used a 'fake accent' when speaking to a teachers union during a swing state campaign push in Michigan on Monday.

Social media erupted with accusations the Democratic presidential candidate altered her voice during the remarks praising teachers union members at a Detroit high school.

Harris has faced allegations and mockery of allegedly using different accents before, and the claims, and they are now emerging with just two months until election day.

'New Kamala accent just dropped,' one X user wrote in response to a clip of Harris speaking to a teacher's union at a high school in Detroit, Michigan on Monday.

In her remarks, social media users claim that Harris adopted an urban accent to relate to the working class crowd.

'You may not be a union member but you better thank a union member for the five day work week,' Harris said in a tone of voice atypical of the one she uses in her usual stump speeches.

Vice President Kamala Harris is once again being accused of 'code switching' by using an accent to appear more relatable to a working class, urban and predominantly black audience

She went on: 'You better thank a union member for sick leave. You better thank a union member for paid leave. You better thank a union member for vacation time.'

'I'm from California. We all talk like this,' an X user sarcastically wrote alongside a phonetic spelling of how Harris spoke in her remarks: 'I'm gonna make sure to thanka union memba today.'

At another point an audience member shouted something about her future beyond just the 2024 election.

Harris, still employing this new accent, replied with a large smile and laugh before leaning over the podium and saying: 'Let's just get through the next 64 days.'

'New Kamala accent just dropped,' one user wrote on X.

Harris was in Detroit on Labor Day speaking with union members at Northwestern High School's gymnasium about the contributions of unions to the labor force.

The vice president is half Jamaican and half Indian. The Trump campaign has accused her of using her blackness to her advantage when it suits her and has pointed to the fact that she touted her Indian-American heritage when she became a U.S. Senator in 2017.

Trump also said during a hostile interview with the National Association of Black Journalists in Chicago last month in an interview that Harris only started 'promoting' her blackness when she ran for president.

'I didn't know she was Black until a number of years ago when she happened to turn Black and now she wants to be known as Black,' he said during the annual convention. 'So, I don't know, is she Indian or is she Black?'

Discovery Institute journalist Jonathan Choe noted on X, formerly Twitter, that it was a code switch Harris was using to relate more with a predominantly black and urban audience listening to her remarks on Monday.

'Kamala Harris code switching again as she busts out a new accent at a rally in Detroit,' he wrote.

Harris has been accused in the past of using a more 'urban accent' to appear more relatable when speaking to black and working class crowds

The latest criticism comes after Harris was also mocked in July for faking a southern accent during a campaign rally in Atlanta, Georgia.

'You all helped us win in 2020 and we gonna do it again in 2024,' Harris told voters in her fake Southern accent.

Harris commonly slips into a Southern accent when speaking to voters in Southern communities. The VP grew up in San Francisco, California and spent her high school years in Montreal, Canada.

She faced similar criticism on the campaign trail in 2020 when she extending her vowels during an even in Florida when she said: 'We will tell them we were hangin' out in a parking lot this particular Saturday afternoon with Kamala and all our friends.'

Outkick writer Ian Miller posted of the latest accent use on Monday: 'At some point, Kamala's going to speak in England and adopt a full on British accent and everyone will pretend like it's totally normal.'

Outkick writer Ian Miller posted of the latest accent use: 'At some point, Kamala's going to speak in England and adopt a full on British accent and everyone will pretend like it's totally normal.'

'BREAKING: Kamala Harris unveils a new urban accent in Detroit,' the pro-MAGA account End Wokeness wrote.

'This is cringe pandering,,' another wrote. 'Kamala is using her new 'accent' when talking to a certain demographic of people.'
More human remains have been discovered at the home of a man accused of killing an elderly couple who vanished from a nudist resort.

The home belongs to 62-year-old Michael Royce Sparks, located next door to the California nudist ranch where Stephanie Menard, 73, and Daniel Menard, 79, had been living before going missing. Both are presumed dead.

A four-day search ensued after the pair failed to show up at church on August 25. In ended Thursday when cops received a tip pointing to Sparks.

His home was damaged following a heated standoff as the suspect was armed and barricaded inside.

Amid the rubble, cops found a bunker that contained human remains were uncovered. Police now say more remains were uncovered as Sparks remains in custody suspicion of murder.

Scroll down for video:

Stephanie Menard, 73, and Daniel Menard, 79, disappeared from Olive Dell Ranch nudist resort in Colton California late last month. Both are presumed dead

The home where human remains were found belongs to 62-year-old Michael Royce Sparks. It is located next door to the California nudist ranch

'A Sheriff's Department cadaver dog was deployed this morning at the site of the suspect's arrest,' the Redlands Police Department wrote in a statement at 11am Monday.

'The dog alerted on the area where the suspect was taken into custody, indicating the presence of at least one body.

'RPD currently has various resources on site to determine whether the structure is safe before teams enter to search for bodies.'

Two hours earlier, cops in the city located eight miles from where the pair were last seen, the Olive Dell Ranch nudist resort, stated their intent to 'complete the search for evidence at the site of the suspect's arrest'.

The statement mentioned how police had already recovered the remains of two people on Friday, which they said were 'believed to be Dan and Stephanie Menard

'Other evidence' was found as well, cops said, while not offering any more detail.

Identification of the remains and the cause of death were awaiting an autopsy that would be completed 'sometime this week,' they said.

'There has been no sign of the couple's dog, Cuddles, during the search,' cops added of the pair's still-missing Shih Tzu.

The home was left in tatters after police forced their way in Thursday, after the suspect barricaded himself inside. Underneath, cops found a bunker that contained human remains

The home is located near where the couple had been living, at the Olive Dell Ranch nudist colony (pictured)

It remained unclear whether the new remains belonged to a different individual or individuals.

On Saturday, police in the city located in San Bernardino County about 50 miles from Los Angeles ceased operations after it 'showed signs of a potential collapse.'

Heavy equipment and machinery were then brought in to remove the debris, paving the way for the discovery on Sunday.

DailyMail.com has reached out to The Redlands Police Department for more information.

In Sparks' bunker, he armed himself with a rifle while refusing to let officers inside, forcing police to use a drone and then a battering ram to physically tear though the house.

Cops were then able to make an arrest, after Sparks attempted to take his own life but was unable when his gun misfired, investigators said.

A motive for the alleged killings has not been announced, but fellow residents told KTLA the trio had been engaged in a long-running feud.

Authorities had already confirmed human remains were found at the suspects home on Friday after it was turned to rubble following the lengthy police standoff

The couple's beloved dog, Cuddles, is still missing

The unnamed insiders added how Sparks never liked the couple, though others said their were surprised to hear he was a suspect in the case.

'I don't really know him a whole lot, but he's a very soft-spoken guy,' said Jim Hynd, a neighbor who lives in the nudist colony. 'He would probably be the last person that you would think would do something like this.'

The elderly couple were also said to have had health issues, with Daniel suffering from both dementia and diabetes, and Stephanie needing a cane to walk.
It sounds more like a plot for a fictional Hollywood movie.

But the story of an ancient Scottish clan and its quest to find a new heir after a 340-year absence has been documented by filmmakers and aired on the big screen.

Meet the Buchanans, which chronicles the first crowning of a Buchanan clan chief since 1681, complete with ceremonial regalia and ritual, has premiered at the Tartan Film Festival in Los Angeles.

Organised by the St Andrews Society of Los Angeles, the event celebrates the best in Scottish cinema.

To mark the occasion, Chief John Michael Baillie-Hamilton Buchanan, his wife Lady Paula Buchanan and their four teenage children travelled from their family seat in Perthshire to the US for the inaugural screening of the critically acclaimed documentary.

Clan chief John Michael Baillie-Hamilton Buchanan and his wife Lady Paula Buchanan travelled to LA for the inaugural screening of a new documentary about the family

Family affair as the Buchanans land in the United States for the Tartan Film Festival

Co-directed and produced by Bafta award-winning producer and director Barbara Orton and backed by Screen Scotland, the fly-on-the-wall programme captures the elaborate ceremony, featuring a stone throne, coronet and swords- all specially commissioned for the event - as well as a pipers procession and a medieval fanfare.

Mr Buchanan was identified after more than a decade of genealogical research, with the inaugural ceremony attended by more than 300 clansmen from around the world - the first time they had come together in centuries.

John Michael Baillie-Hamilton Buchanan was crowned the first Buchanan clan chief after a 340-year absence

It followed a 340-year absence after his predecessor, John Buchanan, died in 1681 without a male heir.

His identity as clan chief was approved by the Lord Lyon in 2018 but the official ceremony at his ancestral home was delayed by the pandemic.

Mr Buchanan, who is manager of Cambusmore Estate, near Callander, Perthshire, hailed the premier as an incredible opportunity to promote Scotland.

He said: Meet the Buchanans not only showcases the rich heritage of our clan, it also serves as a bridge connecting our storied past to the vibrant present.

Premiering as part of the Tartan Film Festival has given us an incredible opportunity to promote Scotland to a global audience and share our traditions, landscapes and spirit with the world.

He added that America had a unique affinity with the quirks, nuances and heritage of Scottish culture and said it was an honour to premier the clans story in the home of showbusiness in celebration of that relationship.

The clan, which dates back to 1010, has a global community of more than five million and is considered one of the largest in the world.

Meet The Buchanans will also be shown at the forthcoming Pleasanton Highland Games in California and has been announced as the lead title in Macroberts Central Scotland Documentary Festival in Stirling, later this year.
A high school teacher in Texas made her students perform makeshift surgery on her cat as it screamed in pain.

Emily Marie Benner, 25, an agriculture teacher in Palestine, about 110 miles southeast of Dallas, instructed her students to staple shut her cat's open wound while the animal was fully awake.

The disturbing incident, which happened on Friday during class, was captured on video.

Benner was arrested on Sunday charged with animal cruelty to non-livestock.

The blonde teacher was seen smiling in her mugshot at the Anderson County Jail. She was released the same day after she posted the $7,500 bond.

Emily Marie Brenner was arrested on Sunday and charged with animal cruelty

Video captured the cat being held down after the students were instructed by Benner to do so

The graphic video starts with Benner instructing her students to each grab the cat and lay it down on the metal table, despite the animal's resistance.

The students reportedly held the cat down and were instructed to turn it on its back and staple the incision - all as the cat wailed in pain.

After the henious act, the students were heard cheering.

According to CBS 19, the cat is now under the care of a local veterinarian

Superintendent Wade Standford issued a letter to parents, students and the community on Monday that he was made aware of the 'deeply troubling incident' and that it wouldn't happen again.

The letter did not mention Benner by name, KTLV reported.

Westwood High School is located in Palestine, about 110 miles from Dallas

'This behavior is not in line with the values and standards we uphold within our district, and we are committed to taking immediate and decisive action to address this issue,' Stanford said.

Benner received her Texas Educator Certificate in June 2022, and is certified to teach agriculture, food and natural resources for sixth through 12th grade.

As of Monday, Benner's photo and bio were no longer up on the school's website. It is unclear if she is still employed at the school.

A school representative said that the investigation is ongoing, the The New York Post reported.
Police Scotland is facing a staffing crisis as almost a quarter of officers are either eligible to retire by next summer, off sick or are on modified duties.

New figures show that of the forces 16,207 officers, 945 are approaching retirement, 656 are on long-term sick leave and 2,183 are on reduced duties, mostly because they are recovering from illness or injury.

Concerns have already been raised about staffing levels as the Scottish Police Federation has warned that efforts to recruit more officers are not keeping pace with those who are leaving.

The savage and sustained cuts imposed by the SNP government have been blamed for worsening the staffing headache for police chiefs.

There are fears that a vicious circle of falling police numbers has made Scotlands streets less safe and contributed to over-stretched officers being more likely to leave or fall ill.

Chief Constable Jo Farrell accepts Police Scotland faces challenges in terms of staffing levels

Separate figures show that the number of people applying to join Police Scotland fell by 17 per cent between 2022/23 and 2023/24, from 3,841 to 3,189.

Official statistics also show that the overall police headcount slumped to its lowest level since 2007 at the end of June, with 16,207 full-time equivalent (FTE) officers.

According to Justice Secretary Angela Constance, Police Scotland has indicated that there had been a modest increase in numbers to around 16,400 by the start of August, which was still short of the target of 16,600.

There are now fears the problems could be worsened if all officers eligible for retirement opt to leave the force after figures were obtained through Freedom of Information requests by Scotlands justice and social affairs magazine 1919.

David Threadgold, chair of the Scottish Police Federation, said: Efforts to bring Police Scotland back up to its establishment figure of 16,600 are being hampered because the service simply cannot recruit the number of officers it needs to replace those who are leaving.

This will be exacerbated if the number of officers who can retire actually do.

Policing has got some well-rehearsed challenges at the moment: officer numbers, pay, workload, demand, officer sickness and ill-health, police assault has been on the increase.

But we should still be able to retain officers who could retire, and the service has done nowhere near enough work to look to retain those who potentially can retire.

The situation is made even more difficult because the number of people applying to join the organisation is reducing, and Police Scotland has work to do to ensure that we are making the job of police officer as attractive as it can be to as broad a spectrum of the communities of Scotland as we can.

Liberal Democrat MP Wendy Chamberlain, a former police officer, said: Officers feel unsupported, overwhelmed and stretched dangerously thin. It is no surprise that so many are quitting. It is no wonder that policing bodies are warning of a public safety crisis.

Its time for the Scottish Government to listen and commit to resourcing the service properly.

Scottish Conservative deputy justice spokesperson Sharon Dowey said: The SNPs shameful long-term neglect of policing in Scotland has seen officer numbers plummet and our streets become less safe.

This has created a vicious circle where officers are over-stretched and more likely to have their duties restricted, be off sick long term, change career or retire early.

On top of that, we have a high proportion of natural retirements looming.

This is a huge headache for Police Scotland bosses and it stems from the savage and sustained cuts they have faced at the hands of the SNP government.

Chief Constable Jo Farrell told a meeting of the Scottish Police Authority board earlier this year: We know a number of factors, going back to recruitment and training being paused during the pandemic and COP26 and an increase in retirement following pension changes, along with a recruitment pause to ensure we delivered a balanced budget in 2023/24, have contributed to greater volatility in officer numbers than would otherwise be the case.

Police Scotlands retention rate is in line with other large police services. So far in 2024, as with previous years, we continue to see the majority of officers leave for retirement.

Although our retention rate is good, I do recognise policing is a demanding job and Im focused on improving the experiences of officers and staff. I want to bring the frontline of policing to its strongest possible position.

Justice Secretary Angela Constance said: Record police funding of 1.55 billion this year - an increase of 92.7 million - means Police Scotland will take on more recruits this year than at any time since 2013.

Police Scotland indicated that there were around 16,400 officers at the beginning of August, with over 550 new officers recruited since March and further intakes planned throughout this year.

At a Scottish Police Authority Board meeting in June, Police Scotland described the number of candidates and applicants looking to join as really positive.

Scotland continues to have more police officers per capita than England and Wales and this continues to be a safe place to live, with recorded crime at one of the lowest levels since 1974 and down 40 per cent since 2006/07.
The owner of a celeb hotspot is in a bitter battle with locals and police as they wage war on his swanky new restaurant.

Scott Sartiano, the 49-year-old owner of NYC's ultra-exclusive Zero Bond club, is facing backlash over his new venture at the historic Hedges Inn in East Hampton.

The entrepreneur leases the property and hopes to buy it soon. His original plan was to create a spinoff of the infamous Zero Bond, the Wall Street Journal reported.

But the hotspot, called Sartiano's at The Hedges Inn, has become ground zero for a clash between big city glitz and small town vibes since it opened in July.

'I don't trust this guy,' said East Hampton Village Mayor Jerry Larsen to the outlet. 'The residents don't trust him.'

The chic restaurant, located in the Hedges Inn that's owned by John Cumming, has been frequented by celebs like Taylor Swift and Kim Kardashian and figures like Meghan Markle and Elon Musk - who can nibble on $52 caviar cannoli.

The owner of a celeb hotspot, Scott Sartiano (pictured), is in a bitter battle with locals and police as they wage war on his swanky new restaurant.

The entrepreneur leases the property and hopes to buy it soon. His original plan was to create a spinoff of the infamous Zero Bond

'I don't trust this guy,' said East Hampton Village Mayor Jerry Larsen to the Wall Street Journal. 'The residents don't trust him'

'The Hedges Inn transforms into a culinary stage for Sartiano's, an off-shoot of the exclusive SoHo restaurant that brings a dynamic dining experience to East Hampton,' their website reads.

'This weekly experience is a celebration of innovative cuisine curated by the renowned talent behind Sartiano's.'

But locals fear it's a celeb-packed party palace that is shattering their tranquil paradise.

The drama kicked off when Sartiano first floated plans to bring a Zero Bond-style club to the quaint village.

Local residents had immediate concerns of late-night outings disturbing their village.

Village officials quickly circled the wagons, passing new laws to kneecap Sartiano's plans - such as no service after 11 pm and banning nightclubs in the historic district.

'I'm sure he impresses a lot of people in New York City,' village administrator Marcos Baladron said to the outlet, 'but we're not budging.'

Sartiano pivoted his plans of opening a private club and opened a restaurant instead. But the battle was far from over.

On opening night, building inspectors swooped in, forcing diners mid-meal to abandon the outdoor area over a floral installation dispute.

But the swanky spot, called Sartiano's at The Hedges Inn, has become ground zero for a clash between big city glitz and small town vibes since it opened in July

The drama kicked off when Sartiano first floated plans to bring a Zero Bond-style club to the quaint village

But locals fear it's a celeb-packed party palace that is shattering their tranquil paradise

Since then, it's been all-out war.

Police cars hover nearby, ready to pounce on the slightest noise complaint.

One night, officers even claimed Sartiano's liquor license forbade any music.

But when he whipped out a decibel meter showing 'background office noise' levels, they were forced to retreat.

'I don't know how to make pasta. I may not know what wine is paired with branzino. But there are a few things I know a lot about, and one of them is liquor licenses,' Sartiano said.

'And the other thing is noise. Because I owned nightclubs for 25 years, sometimes in residential neighborhoods,' he added.

The hostilities have reached a new level, now with conspiracy theories flying right and left.

Village officials are even accusing Sartiano of staging fake noise complaints to make them look foolish.

But Sartiano insists he's just a family man looking to create a wholesome spot.

The Mayor insists he has no vendetta.

'I don't have a vendetta. Like, is it because I don't like veal parmigiana? Or is it because of some other reason? I don't know. Why don't they explain to me what the vendetta is?' he said.

Anti-night club bumper stickers have appeared on car throughout the neighborhood, calling for 'Zero Chance, Neighbors United Against Nightclubs.'

The chic restaurant, located in the Hedges Inn that's owned by John Cumming, has been frequented by celebs like Taylor Swift and Kim Kardashian and figures like Meghan Markle, Mayor Eric Adams (pictured) and Elon Musk - who can nibble on $52 caviar cannolis

'He is absolutely dead set on bringing Zero Bond (pictured) to the village of East Hampton,' village administrator Baladron said.

Many believe Sartiano's restaurant is simply a 'placeholder' as he prepared to open a late-night club.

'He is absolutely dead set on bringing Zero Bond to the village of East Hampton,' village administrator Baladron said.

According to Baladron, Sartiano told him he would go up against the town and open a late-night spot even if the village fought against his idea.

'He told me, 'Well, you know, I'll just go nuclear,' Baladron said.

The mayor has emphasized he has no plans on visiting the restaurant anytime soon - at least on his personal time that is.

'I am not going to the restaurant,' he said.
Mentaiko crab pasta at Kuma Nori, a Hawaiian-Japanese restaurant in Burlingame. It closed in August. Benjamin Fanjoy/The Chronicle Wagyudon is prepared at Kuma Nori, a Japanese-Hawaiian restaurant in Burlingame. It closed in August. Benjamin Fanjoy/The Chronicle

The following is a list of notable Bay Area restaurants that closed in August. Click here for a list of restaurants that closed in July.

A unique restaurant mixing Hawaiian and Japanese influences is now closed. Kuma Nori announced it served its final customers on Saturday, Aug. 24. Its message thanked patrons of the 9-month-old business, and explained that operating at the current space in a Burlingame mall was not financially feasible. At Kuma Nori, owners Chad and Monica Kaneshiro, best known for their San Bruno Hawaiian brunch spot Diamond Head General Store, offered dishes like a briny, spicy mentaiko crab pasta and kaisendon layered with a colorful assortment of fish cuts over white rice. The owners told Palo Alto Online that they will bring some of those items to the Diamond Head menu soon, and that they hope to eventually reopen Kuma Nori in a new location.

An Oakland bar serving cocktails in a sex-positive environment is now closed. Feelmore Social owner Nenna Joiner told SFGate that low foot traffic and a 50% jump in insurance premiums spelled the end of the year-old venue. (Hearst owns both SFGATE and the Chronicle, but the two newsrooms operate separately.) The closing follows the recent end of sibling business Feelmore Adult, a queer-friendly sex shop located near the bar.

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Bubble tea specialist Tiger Sugar closed in Cupertino. A brief social media announcement said Aug. 12 was its final day of serving iced tea, matcha drinks and milk tea with tapioca pearls. The Taiwanese company will still run its four other California franchise locations in the Los Angeles area, per its website.

An everything bagel from San Franciscos Daily Driver. Russell Yip/The Chronicle

San Francisco bagel maker Daily Driver closed its short-lived Cow Hollow location on Aug. 12, management told Eater SF. Business at the Union Street shop, which featured sandwiches on wood-fired bagels with freshly churned schmears, was reported to be relatively slow. The now-shuttered location opened in early February. Locations at the San Francisco Ferry Building and in Dogpatch remain open.

Mission District vegan restaurant Beloved Cafe closed after nearly eight years of serving quinoa and roasted vegetable bowls, kale salads and smoothies. The last day of business was Aug. 18. The restaurants managers have started a crowdfunding campaign in the hope of keeping the restaurant afloat and saving employees jobs.

Spanish restaurant Bellota served its last sherry cocktails and split pans of paella Aug. 17. The SoMa restaurant, on the first floor of Airbnbs headquarters at 888 Brannan St., suffered from low foot traffic and a slow return to office. Eric Vreede, operations director of Bellotas parent company Absinthe Group, said there are plans to open a completely new restaurant at the same location, although Bellota might live on through popups and events.

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Neighborhood brewery and bar Sunset Reservoir Brewing Co. has poured its last beers and served its last drag brunch. Owner Hillary Passman told the Chronicle that the business wasnt failing but that she chose to shut down the Sunset District business after a decade to devote herself to her other business, Devils Teeth Bakery. Passman also said the space at 1735 Noriega St. will have a new restaurant tenant by the end of the year, declining to disclose further details.

The braised pork shoulder at Shakewell, an Oakland restaurant that closed in August. John Storey/Special to the Chronicle

Shakewell, which has lured Oakland diners with Mediterranean dishes and cocktails for 10 years, closed on Aug. 31. A manager told the Chronicle rising costs and a downturn in business led to the restaurants closing.

The Chronicle confirmed that San Francisco French restaurant Cocotte is now closed. The restaurant underwent a seismic retrofit in January, but it is unclear whether it ever reopened. The S.F. Business Times reported that the owner of Mission District Vietnamese restaurant Thanh Tam II has plans to take over the restaurant.

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A teenager has been charged with terrorism offences over an alleged plot to attack a school in Brisbane's north.

A 16-year-old boy was allegedly attempting to buy firearms online with an intention to carry out an attack, according to the Courier Mail.

The Queensland Joint Counter-Terrorism Team has charged the boy with one count of acts done in preparation for, or planning, terrorist acts.

He fronted Brisbane Children's Court on August 17.

The maximum penalty for the offence is life in prison.

There is reportedly no ongoing threat to public safety.
Larry had better watch out. The Prime Minister added a Siberian kitten to the Downing Street family yesterday in addition to the official mouser and his own family cat Jojo.

Sir Keir Starmer had promised his children a German Shepherd when they moved into Number 10.

But after intense negotiation over the summer, they were instead rewarded with the cat which was collected by his daughter yesterday.

The new addition to the Starmer family will take up residence with Jojo who moved with them from their home in north London and Larry, the resident mouser.

Speaking to Matt Chorley on BBC Radio 5 Live, Sir Keir Starmer said that the only issue was with installing a cat flap because the door to the Prime Ministers flat is bomb-proof.

Sir Keir Starmer has bought a new Siberian kitten to live with his family at Downing Street

Despite promising his children a German Shepherd, Sir Keir purchased a Siberian kitten which was collected by his daughter yesterday (file photo)

The kitten will join Downing Street's Chief Mouser Larry, who has previously fought with other cats

Larry fighting with Foreign Office Chief Mouser Palmerston, with whom he had a longstanding rivalry until 2019

Their confinement may be of some comfort to Larry, Downing Sts resident mouser, who is territorial and has fought with other cats.

Originating from Russia, Siberian cats have long and fluffy coats to protect from the cold. They are hypoallergenic, so compatible with those with allergies.

They are known for being dog-like, which may have helped lessen the blow of not getting a dog for Sir Keirs children.

Sir Keir revealed during the election campaign that his children wanted a dog, with their sights set on a German Shepherd if they moved into Downing Street.

But there had been a long summer of negotiations with a back and forth over different options since his win in July, the PM said.

We are now getting a kitten instead of a dog, he said.

And this is an agreement after long negotiations - I said wed get in the room and sort it out.

The new kitten becomes the third cat living in Downing Street - joining Jojo the Starmer family cat and Larry, who has held the role since 2011.

However, Sir Keir said that getting a cat flap was proving difficult: The problem weve got, which is the same for JoJo the cat, is that the only door out of our new flat is bomb proof, he said.

But our daughters persuaded us that the problem isnt any bigger for two cats than one - and therefore, were now getting this kitten.

Former prime minister Rishi Sunak taking a run with his Fox Fed Labrador Nova

Boris Johnson kissing his Jack Russell Dilyn, who took up residence during his tenure

Cats Protection said: Young kittens can be exhausting for older statesmen like Larry, so hell also need a safe, quiet area to retreat to when the energy of a younger member of the team gets a bit too much.

The Downing Street pet has become a tradition for new residents.

Former prime minister Rishi Sunak bought Nova, a Fox Red Labrador, while his chancellor Jeremy Hunt moved in a labrador named Poppy.

Boris Johnsons adopted Jack Russell Dilyn took up residence during his time in power.

During the war years, Sir Winston Churchill kept two cats, Nelson and Munich Mouser, and a poodle named Rufus at Downing Street.

Elsewhere in the interview, Sir Keir revealed that it was his 62nd birthday and that he hoped to take a holiday later in the year, probably at Christmas.

Asked by reporters how Starmer would be marking the event, his official spokesperson admitted: Regrettably, I think we all forgot to wish him a happy birthday at the 08.30 this morning, which I feel a bit embarrassed about.
Leon Brittans widow has launched a stinging attack on the police watchdog over how it has yet again failed victims of Scotland Yards disastrous VIP abuse inquiry.

Lady Brittan made her comments as the tenth anniversary of the worst Met investigation in living memory approaches.

She said the hold-ups in bringing gross misconduct proceedings against the gaffe-prone officer who led Operation Midland were deeply troubling.

Delays in the case against ex-Met deputy assistant commissioner Steve Rodhouse by the watchdog  the Office for Police Conduct (IOPC)  raise serious questions about the effectiveness of the disciplinary system, she added.

For nearly a decade, Operation Midland has been mired in allegations of criminality, misconduct and incompetence, yet not one officer involved in the fiasco has been held to account.

Lady Brittan (pictured left) whose husband (right) was a respected former Tory home secretary, issued a withering statement. (Leon and Lady Diana Brittan pictured at the book launch of Ex-Wives in Marlyebone High Street, London)

Lady Brittan said the delays in bringing gross misconduct proceedings against the gaffe-prone officer who led Operation Midland are 'deeply troubling'

Lady Brittan, whose husband was a respected former Tory home secretary, issued a withering statement a fortnight after it emerged that Mr Rodhouse had been awarded a 10,000 pay rise, taking his salary to nearly 200,000. He has also received a huge boost to his near-3 million pension pot, newly published documents revealed.

The pay increase makes him one of Britains highest-paid law-enforcement figures, despite being removed as director-general of operations at the National Crime Agency (NCA) because he faces a disciplinary hearing.

Despite the gravity of the allegations, Mr Rodhouse has not been suspended by the NCA but allowed to continue in a non-operational strategic role. He is the highest-paid NCA officer, earning more than his boss, director-general Graeme Biggar.

It is 15 months since the IOPC announced that Mr Rodhouse would face a gross misconduct charge over allegations that he lied in public at the conclusion of Operation Midland.

Yet no date has been fixed for a tribunal hearing. The controversy comes two years after MPs demanded a shake-up at the IOPC after a string of scandals.

The decision to instigate disciplinary proceedings against Mr Rodhouse followed an explosive Mail investigation.

The decision to instigate disciplinary proceedings against Steve Rodhouse (pictured) followed an explosive Mail investigation

Mr Rodhouse led the disastrous probe into the lies of a fantasist known as 'Nick'  real name Carl Beech (pictured)  whose wild accusations of an establishment paedophile ring were deemed 'credible and true' by the Met

At the behest of shamed ex-Met chief Cressida Dick, he led the probe into the lies of a fantasist known as Nick, real name Carl Beech, whose wild accusations of a murderous Establishment paedophile ring were described as credible and true by the Met.

The investigation launched in 2014 severely damaged the reputations of innocent public figures, including ex-Armed Forces chief Field Marshal Lord Bramall, Lord Brittan, ex-PM Sir Edward Heath and former MP Harvey Proctor.

The 2.5million inquiry closed in March 2016 with no arrests or charges and Beech was later jailed for 18 years for perverting the course of justice, fraud and child sexual offences.

Last night, Lady Brittan told the Mail: The delays in resolving the Rodhouse case are deeply troubling and raise serious questions about the effectiveness of the police disciplinary system.

Operation Midland has been a stain on the Metropolitan Police for a decade, and those who

suffered are still waiting for someone to be held to account. The IOPC has failed again.

Mr Proctor  paid 500,000 compensation by the Met  said: What adds insult to injury is the complete lack of transparency surrounding the inordinate delay of Mr Rodhouses hearing.

The IOPC apologised for the delay, and said gross misconduct papers were served last month.

The Met has told the Mail that Simon Chesterman, chief constable of the Civil Nuclear Constabulary, will lead the hearing.
Two stranded sailors have been safely retrieved from a stricken yacht in a rescue operation off the New South Wales south coast.

Early on Tuesday morning, emergency services made contact with the man and woman on the 19-metre racing yacht Spirit of Mateship, but rescue efforts were hampered due to extreme weather conditions.

By 7.25am, the pair had been safely rescued with no injuries reported.

NSW Police said they are taken onto the patrol vessel OPV Nemesis and travelling to Sydney.

'It is anticipated the NEMESIS will arrive at NSW Police Marine Area Command late tonight,' police said in a statement.

The pair were forced to spend an anxious night on the yacht, which began taking on water after a mechanical issue on Monday afternoon.

Rescue efforts were complicated by five metre seas and 70km/hour to 90km/hour winds.

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority received an emergency alert from the yacht at 12.40pm on Monday, with NSW Police confirming a distress beacon was received about 150km offshore from Nowra.

A rescue helicopter attempted to reach the yacht on Monday night but it was not safe to try to retrieve the passengers.

Pictured is the 19-metre racing yacht Spirit of Mateship during a Sydney to Hobart race

Wounded Veteran Craig McCarthy is seen on the deck of the 'Spirit of Mateship' in 2013

Both HMAS Arunta and HMAS Canberra on their way to rescue the sailors (pictured HMAS Arunta during a training exercise)

Two Royal Australian Navy ships and an RAAF C-130J Hercules aircraft were also involved in the rescue operation.

The Spirit of Mateship yacht has taken part in a number of Sydney to Hobart races since 2013.

Ahead of its inaugural race, the then-prime minister Tony Abbott launched its name in honour of the crew - which is made up of injured Defence Force personnel.
Four veterans who served with Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz came forward Monday to publicly criticize the description of his service in the National Guard, as well as his decision to retire from service and run for Congress right before the unit was deployed to Iraq.

Retired Command Sergeant Major Tom Behrends, retired Brigade Sergeant Major Paul Herr, retired Sergeant First Class Tom Schilling, and retired National Guard veteran Rodney Tow, appeared on The Megyn Kelly Show to detail their criticisms of Walz and the exaggerations of his service record.

The group detailed their frustrations with Walz, particularly after he decided to retire shortly after he learned that the unit would be deployed to Iraq in 2005. All four of them were deployed to Iraq without him.

'[H]e told me and other Sergeant Majors in the meetings that you can count on me, I will deploy with my unit. His words to my ears and others,' Herr said.

The four veterans spoke about men in their unit who lost their lives in Iraq, while Walz remained in the United States, using his military service for political gain.

Pictured: L-R, Paul Herr, Rodney Tow, Tom Behrends and Tom Schilling. September 2, 2024: The Megyn Kelly Show

They described his decision to leave the unit as devastating for military morale.

'That's a morale crusher. It chews away at the fabric of the military and its ability to do its mission. And it's just it may not legally be wrong, it is morally indefensible,' Herr said.

Schilling was in the unit led by Walz when he left and said he was shocked to hear the news.

National Guard veterans who served with TIm Walz detailed their complaints about frequent exaggerations about his record

National Guard veterans who served with Tim Walz criticized him for retiring after he learned the unit was deploying to Iraq

'He just quit and turned his back on us,' he said. 'I don't understand how he could do it morally, or where you have absolutely no integrity.'

They also criticizes Walz' decision to describe himself as a 'retired Command Sergeant Major' even though he was just a Sergeant Major when he officially retired. (Although Walz ultimately received the title of Command Sergeant Major, he did not retire as one.)

'He was literally a Sergeant Major, on paper, conditionally promoted for 14 days,' Herr said.

The group condemned Walz for repeatedly describing himself as a retired Command Sergeant Major, even though he had been called out by veterans for exaggerating his record.

Walz has been accused of skipping out on his National Guard unit in 2005 to begin his political career just before it deployed to Iraq. He served 24 years after enlisting at the age of 17

Walz, who is currently serving as the Governor of Minnesota , joined the National Guard after high school and served 24 years in the 1st Battalion, 125th Field Artillery, rising to the rank of command sergeant major

'If you knew my blood was boiling right now because Walz has done nothing but lie to feather his own bed his entire career,' Herr said. 'That's how I know. I was there.'

They said it was inconceivable that it was a innocent mistake, and that Walz should have corrected the record and apologized years ago.

The group also condemned him for allowing others to describe him as he a veteran of Operation Enduring Freedom, the military mission in Afghanistan, and Operation Iraqi Freedom in Iraq. Walz was deployed to Italy in 2003, but never served in Afghanistan or Iraq.

'You were in Italy ... when you're sucking down a latte, and people are getting shot at, there's a big difference,' Herr said.

Megyn Kelly is joined by four veterans who served in the National Guard with Gov. Tim Walz and in his unit that deployed to Iraq

Democratic presidential nominee and U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris and vice presidential nominee Minnesota Governor Tim Walz

The veterans also called out Walz' initial refusal to deploy National Guard troops during the George Floyd riots in Minneapolis, describing the force as '19 year olds who were cooks.'

During his political career, Walz also spoke about using a weapon of war in combat, even though he was never deployed overseas.

'This guy he's a military impersonator he said it so many times that it just makes a person sick hearing it,' Behrands said.

The veterans also called out Walz' initial refusal to deploy National Guard troops during the George Floyd riots in Minneapolis, describing the force as '19 year olds who were cooks.'

Tim Walz and his wife Gwen Walz wave before boarding a campaign plane

Democratic vice presidential nominee Gov. Tim Walz speaks at the Milwaukee Area Labor Council's Laborfest

They described Walz' description of the force as an 'insult' to the entire state National Guard.

When Kelly asked the four veterans to raise their hand if they believed that Walz had 'cut and run,' all four of them did so.

'Fear is a reaction. Bravery is a decision,' Herr said. 'And Walz has made the wrong decision. He's not brave. I call him a coward because he is. Because he took the easy path. He took the path of least resistance.'
Keir Starmer is running scared at the growing backlash over his plans to axe winter fuel payments for 10 million pensioners, the Tories said last night.

As Parliament returned after its summer break, the Prime Minister warned panicking Labour MPs that he would not tolerate dissent over the raid on the elderly, saying he would be really tough on this.

In a move which has infuriated opposition MPs, government sources indicated ministers would reject calls for a Commons debate and vote on the controversial plan, which was pushed through during the summer while Parliament was in recess.

Both the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats have pushed for a vote on the issue. But the sources said there was no need for a vote as the contentious regulations had already gone through and will come into force unscrutinised in a fortnight.

A growing number of Labour MPs are uneasy over the plan, which will cost millions of pensioners up to 300 this winter. Only the poorest pensioners will receive the payment.

The Prime Minister warned panicking Labour MPs that he would not tolerate dissent over the raid on fuel payments for 10 million pensioners, saying he would be really tough on this'

Government sources indicated that ministers would not allow a Commons debate and vote on the move, which will cost millions of pensioners up to 300 this winter (file photo)

Tory leadership candidate Mel Stride said ministers appeared to be terrified of exposing divisions in Labours ranks over the issue.

Labour are running scared, he said. Not only do they want to block Parliament having a say on their plans, they have not published an impact assessment as they want to hide the true costs to pensioners.

There is no reason not to grant this debate and vote on this other than to ride roughshod over Parliament  the only reason Labour arent granting one is because they are running scared of asking their own MPs to vote on this. Labour know axing the winter fuel payment is the wrong thing to do. Theyve made this choice and they cannot defend it.

The decision to means-test the payment was unveiled in late July by Chancellor Rachel Reeves, who said savings were needed to help fill an alleged 22 billion black hole left in the public finances by the previous government.

Commons leader Lucy Powell faced ridicule at the weekend after suggesting the 1.4 billion saving had been essential to prevent a run on the pound.

Julian Jessop, economic fellow at the Institute of Economic Affairs think-tank, said: This is idiotic. Claiming this was necessary to prevent a run on the pound is just daft. Left-wing economist Jonathan Portes described the claim as total bull**** scaremongering.

Only a handful of Labour MPs have spoken out publicly against the cut, but dozens more are thought to have raised concerns privately after being bombarded with angry complaints from constituents.

Poole MP Neil Duncan-Jordan yesterday tabled a Commons motion calling for the plan to be shelved, saying ministers need to acknowledge the worrying annual excess winter death figures among pensioners.

The decision to means-test the payment was unveiled in late July by Chancellor Rachel Reeves, who said savings were needed to help fill an alleged 22 billion black hole left behind by the previous government

Commons leader Lucy Powell faced ridicule at the weekend after suggesting the 1.4 billion saving had been essential to prevent a run on the pound

Labour peer Lord Sikka condemned the lack of debate  and warned the plan would save little, if any, money once the cost of treating pensioners hit by the cold had been factored in.

But Sir Keir indicated he would not back down.

Asked whether rebel MPs could be disciplined, he told BBC Radio Five Live: Im really tough on this... We were elected on a mandate of change. Were elected to take tough decisions and bring about the change this country needs over five years.

We will not be able to do that if we dont do the tough stuff now. Its not easy. And I understand why it feels difficult, but its got to be done. He warned there were more tough decisions to come in next months Budget.

On a visit to a primary school in Orpington, Kent, the Prime Minister defended the cut, telling reporters: We have found a 22 billion black hole in the economy. Weve got to fix it. What were not going to do is pretend it isnt there or paper over it. Thats what the last government did and it made it worse. That means weve got to make tough choices.

I dont want to cut the winter fuel allowance... but weve got to fix the foundations of our economy and... then, having done that, we can build a better future that pensioners and so many other people voted for in this election.

Almost half a million people have signed an Age UK petition on the issue, with hundreds of thousands signing similar petitions from other groups.

Labour dissenters warned that the plan to axe winter fuel payments would save little money once the cost of treating pensioners hit by the cold had been factored in (file photo)

The Conservatives yesterday launched their own petition urging the Government to reverse the move. Rishi Sunak said: Under the Conservatives, all pensioners received winter fuel support. It was the right thing to do and Im proud we did it.

Its Labours choice to now end that support. If you disagree then help us stop it.

Dennis Reed, of campaign group Silver Voices, said: It seems like the new Government is using this as a virility test to show how tough they are  they think older people are a soft target. But the more they double down, the less sense it makes.

Rachel Reeves now says they had to do this to put the economy on the right footing, Lucy Powell says there might have been a run on the pound if they didnt. It is ridiculous. This is a lot of money to millions of pensioners but it is small beer in terms of the public finances  and a lot less than is being spent on public sector pay rises.

The more they come out with this stuff, the more angry people are getting.
Russell Findlay last night shot down claims he is the establishment candidate to be the next Scottish Tory leader, telling rival Murdo Fraser to his face he was being fanciful.

Mr Findlay, a former crime reporter, said he was not a career politician, noting Mr Fraser had been in parliament for almost a quarter of a century.

The West Scotland MSP also had the best line in an STV leadership debate.

Asked if he thought he could become First Minister in 2026, Mr Findlay replied: Humza Yousaf was First Minister for goodness sake. I think all of us have a chance.

The event saw Mr Fraser launch a vicious blue-on-blue attack against the outgoing leader, Douglas Ross, accusing him of not listening to colleagues and making serious mistakes.

Scottish Tory leadership hopefuls Murdo Fraser, Meghan Gallacher and Russel Findlay clashed during an STV debate

Former deputy Meghan Gallacher revealed she had been subject to negative briefings, saying it had not helped party unity.

In the cross-examination section, Mr Fraser put it to Mr Findlay that although he said he was standing for change, he was actually backed by the party hierarchy.

He said: If press reports are correct, youre even backed by Douglas Ross as his preferred successor. So arent you just the establishment candidate whos going to stop the change that our members want to see?

Mr Findlay, the frontrunner in the race, shot back: Its a curious charge. Im not a career politician, you know. Ive got a life outwith the Holyrood bubble.

I spent almost 30 years working as a journalist, helping people across Scotland understand their needs. And thats why I actually bring a fresh perspective to politics.

The thought of framing me as some kind of establishment character, I think its a bit fanciful to say the least.

Ahead of the general election, Mr Ross told the public and his MSPs that he was giving up his Westminster seat to focus solely on Holyrood.

But after Scottish Tory HQ ruled MP David Duguid was too sick to stand for re-election in Aberdeenshire North and Moray West, Mr Ross took his place.

The move led to a furious backlash from colleagues, and Mr Ross agreed to step down as leader during the election campaign - he then lost the seat to the SNP.

Asked about the episode, Mr Fraser was scathing.

He said: I was very disappointed. I thought Douglas let us down. I thought he made a mistake going for the candidacy in the Aberdeenshire north and Moray East constituency.

I said that to him at the time. Unfortunately, he didnt listen to his colleagues who warned him that was the wrong move, and when three days later, he announced that he was stepping down as leader, I thought that was another serious mistake.

I think we need to change the style of leadership in this party, to have much more collegiate leadership, where we have a leader who listens to the people around him, rather than taking decisions on his own.

He wasnt good at building a team and consulting with colleagues.

Ms Gallacher and Mr Findlay declined to indulge on blue-on-blue attacks.

In his losing leadership campaign against Ruth Davidson in 2011, Mr Fraser proposed a breakaway Scottish party, an idea rubbished by senior Tory figures and donors.

He is currently advocating a Commission to look at the Scottish Tory partys constitution which his critics suspect is a Trojan Horse to revive his old obsession.

But he denied he was going to split the party away from Westminster or set up a new one.

Meanwhile Ms Gallacher said she wanted a close relationship with our UK counterparts.

All the candidates said they wanted a stronger economy and lower taxes.

Mr Fraser said: Lets have more millionaires coming to Scotland, people who can contribute to the economy.

Mr Findlay and Ms Gallacher refused to say if they had tried drugs, but Mr Fraser said he had smoked cannabis as a student adding: It did nothing much for me, and I didnt do it again, but Ill give you an honest answer.
Irish teacher Enoch Burke has been jailed for a third time after he was arrested outside the school that sacked him for refusing to 'call a boy a girl'.

The Evangelical Christian was yesterday placed inside a Garda vehicle outside Wilson's Hospital School in Ireland's Co Westmeath and driven to the Four Courts in Dublin, reported the Irish Independent.

He was back behind bars at Mountjoy Prison last night having already spent more than 400 days incarcerated there for repeatedly defying a High Court injunction banning him from the school's grounds.

Justice Michael Quinn jailed him for contempt of court after the history and German teacher refused to give a 'yes' or 'no' answer when asked if he intended to return to the Westmeath school again.

As the order was passed, Mr Burke told Justice Quinn: 'You will answer to God for imprisoning me for my religious beliefs.'

Irish teacher Enoch Burke has been jailed for a third time after he was arrested outside the school that sacked him for refusing to 'call a boy a girl'. (Mr Burke pictured here arriving at the court of appeal in Dublin in February 2023)

Mr Burke leaves court in June 2024 with members of his family after his release from prison

Mr Burke - who had only been released from prison in June - was sacked from the school for gross misconduct in January 2023 after he refused to use a transitioning pupil's new name and chosen pronoun 'they', saying it was against his religious beliefs.

Despite his dismissal, a court heard in February he was still being paid his salary pending his appeal against the school's decision to sack him. At that time, he had been paid around 72,000 while still on administrative leave.

Justice Quinn said there was an 'urgent requirement' for him to deal with the difficulties Wilson's Hospital School has been experiencing, due to Mr Burke's continued presence there.

He said Mr Burke was disrupting day-to-day activities and duties performed by teachers and staff in the school.

During the hearing, he and his family protested that the many judges who have dealt with the case had failed to deal with a report made by the then school principal Niamh McShane.

Mr Burke said Ms McShane had claimed he was guilty of gross misconduct due to his refusal to call a transitioning student by a new name and the pronoun 'they'. He said the legality of that demand was never considered by the court.

However, last year, Judge Owens found the school was right to suspend Mr Burke over fears of 'harmful and disruptive conduct'.

He cited Mr Burke's challenge to the principal during a staff meeting, a chapel service and at a dinner.

Mr Burke yesterday insisted: 'This court is simply denying me my religious beliefs, and my right to my religious beliefs. I am a Christian. I have Christian beliefs. My belief is male and female, God made them male and female.'

He quoted passages from the Bible, including Genesis and the Gospel of Matthew, and claimed teachers in Ireland were being 'commanded to force transgenderism on students'.

Mr Burke pictured at Wilson's Hospital School gate in 2023. He has repeatedly defied a High Court injunction banning him from the school's grounds

Enoch Burke's mother, father, sister and brother seen protesting outside Ballinrobe Community School in November on the day it was being visited by Norma Foley, the Minister for Education

He said this was a 'hellish ideology' which resulted in children taking puberty blockers and being 'scarred for life'.

He said his religious beliefs would not lead children 'down the road of suicide, mutilations, regret' and a breakdown of relationships with their parents.

'I did not force my beliefs on anyone,' he said. 'That belief was forced on me. I was commanded to feed that poison to young people in my care.'

The court heard Mr Burke has not paid 88,000 in fines he incurred for attending the school in defiance of the court order last year.

Rosemary Mallon BL, for the school, confirmed there were 'difficulties' in collecting it.

She said the law allowed for a debt collection agency to recoup fines handed out in the District Court, but sequestration of assets was more generally used against a company rather than an individual, and there was no simple way to do it.

She confirmed Mr Burke is still being paid his salary by the Department of Education, while his appeal against his January 2023 dismissal remains on hold.

The court was told that appeal cannot be heard until the Court of Appeal rules on Mr Burke's challenge concerning members of the appeal board.

Enoch Burke being removed by Gardai on January 25 2023 after following a bus through school gates

Enoch Burke seen arriving at Wilson's Hospital School in January 2023 and ignoring the court order after being dismissed

Wilson's Hospital School in County Westmeath, Ireland. The former teacher took issue with the former headteacher asking staff to refer to a transgender student by their new name and pronouns

Burke seen arriving at the High Court, Dublin, in September 2022 after he was committed to Mountjoy Prison in Dublin for breaching a temporary court order that he was to stay away from his workplace

Former History and German teacher Enoch Burke seen outside Wilson's Hospital School in January 2023, violating their court order to stay away

Mr Burke became caught up in a gender row at Wilson's Hospital School in May 2022.

He told his headteacher that he 'opposed transgenderism' due to his religious beliefs and stated he would not address the student, who was transitioning, by their new name and using 'they' pronouns.

Burke publicly criticised the school's 'demand' that he use the student's chosen pronouns.

It came following an email to staff from headteacher Niamh McShane, in which they were asked to address the pupil in question by their new pronouns.

He was first jailed in September 2022 and spent 100 days in prison before his release. He was jailed for a second time in September 2023 in which he spent Christmas behind bars before he was released in June this year.

Mr Burke is appealing his dismissal from the school.
Outraged Texas officials have stumped up the reward for any information about the suspect who killed a military veteran outside his retirement home.

Nelson Beckett, 90, a US Navy veteran, was shot and killed by an unidentified carjacker outside the Lonestar Senior Living Apartments in Houston on Saturday.

He was sitting in his car when the man approached him, assaulted him and shot him, according to Fox News. The perpetrator then stole Beckett's belongings and his vehicle before mowing him down with it.

Beckett's car was later found abandoned at an apartment complex on Dunlap Street, around three miles away. The 90-year-old was taken to the hospital where he was pronounced dead, according to ABC13.

As the search continues for the thief, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott announced on Monday that anyone with information who could bring him to justice will receive $10,000.

Ninety-year-old veteran Nelson Beckett was shot and run over with his own car in a violent carjacking outside his retirement home

The great-grandfather was killed by an unknown gunman close to the Lone Star Living complex in Houston around noon on Saturday, police said

'Cecilia and I are deeply saddened to hear of the murder of 90-year-old Navy vet Nelson Beckett in Houston,' the governor told Click 2 Houston. 'Our hearts go out to his family and loved ones, and the entire Houston community during this difficult time.'

He added that the state 'is already working with our local partners and providing full support in bringing this criminal to justice.

'Texas will always support the brave men and women who answered the call to serve in our nation's military, and with the public's help, we will capture the murderer and put them behind bars.'

Crime Stoppers of Houston is also offering those with information about the suspect a $5,000 reward - bringing the total reward money up to $15,000 for anyone who could help police track down the suspect.

He has been described as a black man aged between 25 and 30, per Fox News.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott announced on Monday that anyone with information who could bring the murderer to justice will receive $10,000

In the meantime, family and friends are remembering the veteran as a kind and funny man.

He spent much of his retirement helping others, including by driving people without cars to doctor's appointments and Sunday church service.

Beckett even offered his home as a halfway house, taking lodgers to panhandle and driving them to church where he even baptized some of them.

'He loved big and loved his family so much,' his daughter, Tami Freund told Fox News. 'To him, everyone had value, and he would do anything for anyone.'

He also loved meeting new people and often greeted them with jokes or by handing out his business card which read 'my card,' Freund said.

'Nelson was a comedian of sorts,' Steve Sandifer, a friend of Beckett's for 47 years, added to Click 2 Houston.

'He always had a funny story. And so when he started talking about, well, "there was this man..." you knew it was a story, not a true thing. And you'd get around to the point eventually.

'But he was a very loving man, a very caring man. He was just a good, faithful Christian man. He loved Jesus. He loved his church.'

Beckett served in the Navy as the US tested atomic bombs, his friend said

Beckett is survived by five grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren

Sandifer also shared a story about Beckett's time in the Navy.

'He was in the Navy when they were doing the atomic bomb tests that went on. He was on a ship when the Bikini Atoll bomb was detonated,' he said.

'He talked about all the guys getting on the deck of the ship, and they told them to turn their back to the island.

'Evidently, they were human guinea pigs to see what was going to happen,' Sandifer said.

'He remembered the light was very, very bright. And it was like, some of the x-rays you'd see in the cartoons where the light was just immense.'

Beckett grew up in Oklahoma City, where he married his wife of 55 years.

The two then moved to Houston in the early 1960s with their two children.

At the time of his death, Beckett had five grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren with another on the way.
Up to 50,000 fares to the United States have been slashed with the launch of a brand new Qantas direct flight.

Fares have been discounted across Qantas from Tuesday after the Flying Kangaroo launched a seven day North and South America Red Tail Sale.

Economy return flights from Sydney start at $1,199 for Los Angeles, with other fares including $1,599 to Vancouver, $1,699 to New York, and $1,999 to Santiago.

The sale comes after Qantas announced direct flights from Melbourne to Honolulu in a move that will bring in 40,000 extra seats to Hawaii per year.

Economy return fares for the new flight route begins at $1,049, with flights set to take off three times per week with an Airbus A330 aircraft from early May 2025.

Qantas chief executive officer international Cam Wallace said he's 'thrilled' to announce the direct flights, which will bring a 'new, tropical destination to our Melbourne customers'.

Travel periods for the sale fares begin from October 2024 to June 2025, with flights including checked baggage, complimentary food and beverages and seat selection.
Sydney Trains are experiencing major delays this morning due to a man on the tracks at Redfern Station.

'Allow extra travel time due to a person near the tracks at Redfern,' a spokesperson for Sydney Trains said.

'Stops may change at short notice, and services may be delayed. Please listen for announcements and check information screens and transport apps before boarding trains.'

The incident is affecting the T8, T9, T3, T2, and T1 lines.

Earlier this morning, trains were stopped between Hornsby and Berowra due to an incident requiring emergency services at Mount Colah.

Trains have since resumed but are not stopping at Mount Colah.
A US Marine stationed at a California base has mysteriously disappeared.

LCpl Bailey Cameron, 23, was reported missing to officials at Camp Pendleton on August 25, hours after he was seen leaving The Coyote Bar & Grill in Carlsbad in civilian clothes at around 1.30am.

His parents said they then found his phone, glasses and backpack the next morning on the curb outside Vigalucci's, an Italian restaurant about a block away, but Cameron was nowhere to be found, according to KGTV.

Cameron's father now believes he was later spotted at another business in the area wearing the same clothing he had on when he disappeared.

'We have a photo of him after he went missing, but there's been no contact, there's been no communication with buddies or family,' Kevin Cameron told the local news station as he handed out flyers bearing his son's photo on Friday.

LCpl Bailey Cameron, 23, was reported missing to officials at Camp Pendleton on August 25

'We don't know if he's under duress,' the worried father added. 'We don't know if he's 100 percent or not.'

He admitted that his was not behaving normal that night 'and that's what has his buddies and his family worried.'

'So as a father, the hard part is running hundreds of scenarios of what could be... through your head,' Kevin said.

'As a dad, I don't care what the situation is... I just need him back.'

In an update on his Facebook profile on Monday, Kevin said he and his wife are now 'very concerned on our son's well-being and are relying heavily on the professionals involved that are assisting us.'

Cameron's father, Kevin, said he is worried about his son's well-being

Cameron was last seen leaving The Coyote Bar & Grill in Carlsbad in civilian clothes at around 1.30am that morning

Cameron is described as six-feet-one-inch tall, weighing about 190 pounds with green eyes and brown hair.

He was last seen wearing a black t-shirt and jeans, according to NBC San Diego.

The Carlsbad Police Department's Crimes of Violence Unit - which handles all adult missing person cases in the city - is now in communication with the US Marine Corps and Cameron's family, a spokesperson told Fox 5 San Diego.

'We are actively following up on all potential leads regarding relevant locations,' the department also told KGTV.

Cameron is described as six-feet-one-inch tall, weighing about 190 pounds with green eyes and brown hair

'This includes ongoing communications with friends and family, reviewing video surveillance and staying connected with the USMC for any updates.'

Capt. James C. Sartain of Camp Pendleton, meanwhile, said notifications about Cameron's disappearance have also been passed along to hospitals and the Naval Criminal Investigative Service - which is now investigating his disappearance.
A council will admit guilt after three people died on a controversial bus lane.

Their lives could have been saved if the local council had spent a 'few quid' on a safety barrier, a grieving relative said on Monday.

Cambridgeshire County Council was accused of penny-pinching as it revealed it would be pleading guilty to charges brought by the Health and Safety Executive.

The 16-mile bus-only route, which links Cambridge, Huntingdon and St Ives, uses buses steered by external means and is the longest of its kind in the world. A tarmac cycle track and bridleway runs alongside some sections.

The first death was in November 2015, four years after it opened, when Jennifer Taylor, 81, was killed as she crossed the busway on foot with her husband John at Fen Drayton.

The 16-mile route between Cambridge, Huntingdon and St Ives uses buses steered by external means and is the longest of its kind in the world. A tarmac cycle track and bridleway runs alongside some sections

(Left to right) Jennifer Taylor, Kathleen Pitts and Steve Moir, died in separate incidents on a guided busway in Cambridgeshire

Cyclist Steve Moir, 50, was killed when he clipped the kerb and fell into the pathway of an oncoming bus in September 2018.

Another pedestrian, Kathleen Pitts, 52, was hit by a bus on a section near Cambridge railway station in October 2021.

The following month a teenage cyclist was left with life-changing injuries when he was hit by another bus in Cambridge.

Representatives of the council - which recently revealed it had already spent 617,000 on legal fees and faced another 1million in a trial - are due to appear at Cambridge Magistrates Court on September 12.

But the authority has confirmed it will admit two charges of failing to avoid risks to people not in their employment.

The bus-only route links Cambridge, Huntingdon and St Ives

Representatives of Cambridgeshire County Council are due to appear at Cambridge Magistrates Court on September 12

Alistair Moir, 85, the uncle of married father-of-three Steve, took no solace in the announcement, telling the Mail: 'He was a wonderful fellow. It was a waste of a good life.

'You've got the footpath there and buses go past at 52mph, which is their top speed.

'There should have been a railing there a long while ago, just something to keep my nephew falling into the way of it. A few quid would have saved lives.'

The HSE announced plans to prosecute last year following an 'extensive investigation'.

The council subsequently announced a new safety railing was being installed along some sections at a cost of 920,000.

Chief executive Dr Stephen Moir said: 'The county council has a duty and responsibility to uphold the highest standards of health and safety at work.

'We fully recognise... that we fell far short of meeting these standards. For that, we are truly sorry.'

An HSE spokesman said: 'We won't be commenting publicly until after the matter has been sentenced.'
Kemi Badenoch has refused to put a number on her preferred level of immigration as she rejected the politics of easy answers.

Launching her campaign to be Tory leader, she also insisted that leaving the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) would not solve the problem of securing Britains borders.

She admitted the previous Government, in which she served as a Cabinet minister, had talked like Conservatives but acted like Labour - including by setting a legal target to reach net zero by 2050 without knowing how to reach it.

Instead of managerialist politics that wasnt rooted in principles, she vowed to govern the party according to her values of personal responsibility, equality, family and truth.

Mrs Badenoch was the surprise star of the 2022 Tory leadership race and after serving as Business Secretary and Equalities Minister under Rishi Sunak she is now the bookies favourite to replace him.

Kemi Badenoch also refused to put a number on immigration numbers as she launched her leadership campaign on Monday

Her leadership rival James Cleverly said the net migration figure should be lower than 300,000 a year

She was introduced by party grandee Lord Maude and ex Cabinet minister Claire Coutinho at her launch event yesterday [mon] with a dozen other MPs in the audience.

As the contest heats up, the frontrunner is likely to face attacks from her rivals over her stance on immigration, with Robert Jenrick calling for a legal cap to keep net migration below 100,000 a year, Tom Tugendhat in favour of the same level and James Cleverly saying it should be lower than 300,000.

Asked what she specific number she would propose, Mrs Badenoch replied: Im really glad you asked the migration question, because what you said shows and demonstrates quite well where things went wrong.

We had a cap of tens of thousands when David Cameron came in. We need to ask ourselves why didnt that work rather than just saying, well make another promise.

So its not just about throwing out numbers and throwing out targets. Something is wrong with the system. People who are throwing out numbers and saying, oh, leave the ECHR and so on, are giving you easy answers.

She insisted she had been thinking about the issue however and suggested that part of the problem was that many Home Office staff had come from refugee charities.

And she claimed that even leaving the ECHR, which Mr Jenrick has called for and Mr Tugendhat has suggested he could support, would not be enough.

Thats why I dont want to throw that promise out there. Its another thing that well end up doing that doesnt actually solve the problem.

Former immigration minister Robert Jenrick called for a legal cap to keep net migration below 100,000 a year

Mrs Badenoch suggested that leaving the ECHR, a move rival Tom Tugendhat (pictured) has suggested he could support, would not be enough to solve the immigration problem

However she also said that people should not feel guilty for questioning levels of immigration if it is changing the place they know and love and that foreign criminals should be deported and locals given priority for housing if thats what the public wants.

Mrs Badenoch said the central failure of politics for 25 years, maybe even longer has been the failure to tell voters the truth.

And she said one of the mistakes of the Tory administration had been that it talked right but governed left, sounding like Conservatives but acting like Labour.

In an apparent criticism of Mr Sunaks policy of increasing free childcare for parents of two-year-olds, she said: Sometimes government just doesnt get family. It wants to help with childcare, not because it loves children but so that their mums can get back to work quickly. We need to celebrate families. We need to place them at the centres of our policies and our actions for the good of society, not for the good of the Treasury.
James Cleverly pledged to axe stamp duty and resurrect the Rwanda scheme as he launched his Tory leadership bid on Monday.

Branding the levy on property purchases a bad tax, the shadow home secretary said he would make it the partys mission to abolish it on homes altogether.

Its a bad tax that stifles transactions in the housing market. It deters people from downsizing. And like all taxes, it ultimately increases costs to buyers, he told supporters.

The leadership hopeful said his priorities as prime minister would be to boost national security, reduce migration and restore confidence in capitalism.

Mr Cleverly vowed to resurrect the Rwanda deportation scheme - saying he would use his contacts and reputation to bring back the partnership.

James Cleverly also pledged to axe stamp duty and resurrect the Rwanda scheme as he launched his Tory leadership bid on Monday

Mr Cleverly accused Labour of an arrogant and callous disregard for diplomatic niceties by allegedly telling the media it would scrap the Rwanda scheme before the Rwandan government (pictured: Sir Keir Starmer)

He said Britain needs a deterrent to reduce illegal migration, and described the Rwandan scheme as an incredibly important partnership.

Mr Cleverly accused Labour of an arrogant and callous disregard for diplomatic niceties by allegedly telling the media it would be scrapped before notifying the Rwandan government.

But when asked when he could get people on planes if he became PM, Mr Cleverly said he couldnt possibly know how long it would take to repair the relationship with the East African state.

Taking aim at Labour, he said: They sent a message across the whole continent of Africa that this Labour government does not take you seriously.

There is no way that this Labour government would have acted with such discourtesy if that partnership had been with a European country - no way.

The emerging economies, whether they be in Africa or Asia, would have taken notice of the arrogance and disregard of this Labour government.

How long it takes to repair that damage I cant possibly know, but I will make sure we put a deterrent in place because the National Crime Agency says we need one. I will make sure we look to build that safe third country partnership.

Mr Cleverly also suggested that promising to leave the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) was offering soundbites and quick fixes rather than working to resolve a complex issue - a key pledge of leadership rival Robert Jenrick.

Launching his leadership bid in the Old War Office on Whitehall - once used by Sir Winston Churchill, Mr Cleverly pledged to spend 3per cent of GDP on defence.

He accused Sir Keir Starmer of an act of vandalism by ditching the Tories promise to spend 2.5per cent on defence by 2030.

Mr Cleverly said he would go further than his party had previously, telling supporters: I will spend 3per cent of GDP on defence. You cannot penny pinch your way to peace.

Security is delivered through strength. By planning for the worst. Not hoping for the best. We will send a signal to our enemies that the British are prepared. We will not leave the field.

Mr Cleverly also suggested that promising to leave the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) was offering soundbites and quick fixes' instead of a solution to a complex issue

Mr Cleverly added that the UK currently spends ten times more on health, welfare and pensions than on defence, adding: Starmer says we cant afford to spend more on defence. I say we cant afford not to.

And he suggested that he would reform childcare support - saying that he wanted to make it easier for families and friends to look after each others children.

Lets back off from interfering, over regulating, burdensome, high-taxing government, he said.

The leadership hopeful also insisted that only a united Conservative Party would be taken seriously by a public he believes will quickly lose faith in Labour.

He said: We must unite if you want the British people to listen to us again, so when they are fed up, as they inevitably will be with Starmers inept, high-taxing, red tape-loving, big state, crony-filled government, they will look to us again to be the change that they want to see in this country.
The German Chancellor last night demanded mainstream parties avoid working with 'right-wing extremists' after the Alternative for Germany's historic victory in state elections.

The hard-right party has insisted they should be included in state coalition talks after securing 32.8 per cent of Sunday's vote in Thuringia.

They also came a close second in neighbouring Saxony, taking home 30 per cent of the vote after the conservative Christian Democratic Union (CDU).

Alice Weidel, the AfD's national co-leader, has called on opponents not to freeze the party out, insisting 'firewalls are undemocratic'.

And fellow co-leader Tino Chrupalla said there would be 'no politics without the AfD'.

Bjoern Hoecke, the AfD's top candidate in Thuringia, hailed the 'historic result'

Chancellor Olaf Scholz's Social Democratic Party (SDP) walked away with just 6.1 and 7.3 per cent of votes in Thuringia and Saxony respectively

Bjoern Hoecke, the AfD's top candidate in Thuringia, where the Nazi party first came to power in 1930, hailed the 'historic result'.

'We need change and change will only come with the AfD,' said Mr Hoecke, who was twice fined this year for using a banned Nazi slogan at political events, but is appealing.

The party's large share of the vote in Thuringia means it will hold a 'blocking minority' in the regional parliament, giving it special powers including the right to block judicial appointments.

The AfD is against Germany's support for uncontrolled immigration, is sceptical of the European Union and wants to curb German aid to Ukraine in favour of cosier relations with Russian president Vladimir Putin.

The party's branches in Thuringia and Saxony are classified as 'right-wing extremist' groups by Germany's domestic intelligence agency.

Chancellor Olaf Scholz's Social Democratic Party (SDP) walked away with just 6.1 and 7.3 per cent of votes in Thuringia and Saxony, respectively  just above the mandatory 5 per cent hurdle needed to secure a place in the regional parliaments.

His coalition partners in the Bundestag, the Free Democratic Party (FDP) and Greens, were also punished at the polls in both states.

Mr Scholz lamented the 'bitter' results and appealed to mainstream parties to avoid working with 'right-wing extremists'.

He added: 'The AfD is damaging Germany. It is weakening the economy, dividing society and ruining our country's reputation.'

The votes in Thuringia and Saxony came a week after three people were killed in a knife attack claimed by Islamic State in the western city of Solingen, which has fuelled a bitter debate over immigration in Germany.

Alice Weidel, the AfD's national co-leader, called on opponents not to freeze the party out, saying 'firewalls are undemocratic'

Tino Chrupalla, her fellow co-leader said there would be 'no politics without the AfD'

The alleged attacker, a 26-year-old Syrian asylum seeker, reportedly slated for deportation but evaded attempts by authorities to remove him.

The government responded by unveiling stricter knife controls and harsher rules for migrants in Germany illegally.

Sunday's results come ahead of Germany's national elections next year and another eastern state election in Brandenburg later this month.

Voters went to the polls on the 85th anniversary of Nazi Germany's invasion of Poland at the start of World War II.

The AfD's victory sent shockwaves through the political classes in Europe, where leaders fear a resurgence of nationalism that could shake the foundations of the EU.

Business leaders have warned of looming economic disaster in eastern Germany, saying the prospect of an AfD-led government could deter investors and skilled workers.

Religious and civil rights groups have also sounded the alarm, warning the AfD poses a direct threat to Germany's democratic values and could spark a rollback in rights for immigrant and LGBT+ communities.

Hundreds of anti-AfD and left-wing protesters have staged demonstrations in cities including Hamburg, Dresden and Leipzig, with further marches planned in the coming days.
She is often seen with her daughter Meghan Markle and son-in-law Prince Harry.

Though earlier this year Doria Ragland, who turns 68 today, posed with another well-known and influential woman - Beyonce's mother, Tina Knowles.

Doria had attended a star-studded event hosted by Meghan and Harry in Los Angeles.

She wore a classic cream cardigan as she stood with her arm around Tina who looked glamorous in a fitted black blazer and chunky belt.

This isn't the first time Doria has rubbed shoulders with celebrities. She was also pictured with power-mother Kris Jenner and her A-list daughter Kim Kardashian at a charity event last year.

Doria wore a vibrant, paisley shift dress in stunning yellow, orange and pink shades to attend the This Is About Humanity's fifth annual soiree.

Doria Ragland, 68 today, posing with Beyonce's mother, Tina Knowles at an event in honour of the The Kinsey African American Art and History Collection earlier this year

Doria last year with power-mother Kris Jenner and her A-list daughter Kim Kardashian at a charity event

The mother-of-one with Prince Harry and Meghan at the Ms. Foundation Women of Vision Awards in 2023

The yoga teacher shares a close relationship with her daughter and reportedly has a granny flat at the couple's home in Montecito.

Doria even stayed with the couple at Frogmore cottage for more than a month when her grandson Archie was born, Harry's book Spare revealed.

She was also described as a 'rock' for Meghan and Harry during the difficult months when they departed as working royals and moved to California.

A former confidant of Doria told the Mail on Sunday: 'She is like the Queen - she never complains and never explains.'

This became apparent when she was the only member of Meghan's family to attend her daughter's wedding in May 2018 and remained silent on any family tension - even as other relatives did speak out.

Doria linking arms with King Charles at her daughter's wedding in May 2018

Doria is close to the couple and even spent a month with them at Frogmore Cottage after the birth of her grandson Archie

The yoga teacher shares a close relationship with her daughter and reportedly has a granny flat at the couple's home in Montecito

Doria and Meghan making their way by car to St George's Chapel in May 2018

Born in Ohio on September 2, 1956 to Jeanette, a nurse, and Alvin, an antique dealer, Doria grew up in Los Angeles after her family moved there when she was still a baby.

Doria attended Fairfax High School in Hollywood during a time when racial tensions were high.

Her friend Jennifer Caldwell said: 'She was part of an all-black group of students which would regularly protest.

'She had this beautiful Afro hairstyle she was so proud of and she was always into fashion. She was always smiling, whip-smart and sociable.

'Doria was very aware of her own identity and confident in her body and where she was going. She wanted to make something of her life.'

She met Meghan's father when she was working as a secretary at ABC Studios - Thomas Markle was working as a lighting director at the time.

The pair married in 1979 in a Buddhist ceremony and had Meghan two years later.

Doria accompanying Meghan and Harry to an event marking the launch of a Grenfell Tower cookbook in September 2018

The mother of one met Meghan's father when she was working as a secretary at ABC Studios

The Duchess once wrote about how her mother would take her out in a pushchair and be mistaken for a nanny because of the colour of her skin.

At one point, Thomas's two children from his previous marriage joined the household and Doria took on the role of stepmother.

However, Doria and Thomas divorced after just two years. At 11 years old, Meghan moved in with her father but her parents remained friends and she spent her weekends with both of them.

A trained yoga teacher, Doria also has a master's degree in social work from the University of Southern California and previously had a dress-making business.

She is also a doting grandmother to Harry and Meghan's children, Archie, five, and Lilibet, three.

A former confidant previously said: 'She's laid-back, and people see her nose ring and dreadlocks which are cool  but make no mistake, she has a core of steel. Underestimate her at your peril.

Prince Harry and Meghan on their wedding day looking back towards their family as Doria, Charles and Camilla leave the chapel

A doting grandmother to Archie and Lilibet, Doria is pictured smiling with Meghan as a child

'Meghan has always trusted her completely but she has become a rock to Harry who, of course, lost his own mother so young.

'Doria has a great warmth. She's a brilliant cook and is very motherly, but she isn't someone who seeks attention, and for Harry, her discretion and silence mean the world.'

In 2022, she spoke out about her daughter's mental health struggles in Harry and Meghan's Netflix docuseries.

She wiped tears away as she said it had been hard for her to hear that her daughter was suffering from low mental health while she lived in the UK.
A Dallas TV reporter broadcasting live from the scene of where an officer had been been killed the night before had to duck for cover as a second shooting played out during her live shot.

KXAS reporter Allie Spillyards was wrapping up a story about a Dallas police officer who had been shot and killed for the local NBC station during its 10 p.m. Friday newscast.

That's when what founded like a spray of gunfire erupted on air.

Spillyards was in a spilt screen with the anchor back at the studio when she looked over her shoulder and her jaw dropped the the ground.

Clearly in fear, she began to duck.

What sounded like a shooting interrupting a live newscast could be heard on KXAS, the NBC station in Dallas Friday night

As she sought cover, the reporter can be heard cursing.

'Oh sh-t,' the journalist can be heard saying on live TV.

Using expletives during a live newscast can result in an FEC violation for the station.

It's unclear what the reporter saw when she looked over her shoulder or whether she was hurt.

Spillyards did not respond to a request for comment from DailyMail.com.

Her station also did not immediately respond.

Reporter Allie Spillyard could be seen looking over her shoulder in horror

Later, Spillyards ducked for her cover and moved out of the camera's view

The shooting was edited out of the video the station posted to its website.

However, the Texas viewers who saw the live broadcast were concerned for the TV crew.

'Is she and the crew okay?' asked juanmtz214 on a Dallas Instagram account.

Colleagues confirmed that she was safe, but no other details have been released.

Ironically, Spillyards was reporting on Dallas Police Officer Darron Burks, who was ambushed at the same spot the night before.

Burks had been sitting in his patrol car when he was approached by a man, identified as Corey Cobb-Bey, 30.

Cobb-Bey talked to the cop, before leaving and then returning to shot Burks.

Two other officers who later arrived to check on Burks were also shot, although they did survive.

Cobb-Bey was later killed in a shootout with Dallas police.
As a new study has suggested that the famous Turin Shroud might not be a Medieval forgery, renewed attention has fallen on other relics of Jesus's clothing - including one that might 'prove' the story of the Shroud.

This week, many highlighted the connections between the shroud and the Sudarium of Oviedo - a relic held in a Spanish cathedral, which scientists have shown 'matches' the face on the Shroud.

A new review by researchers from France and Italy has revisited a landmark 1988 UK study of the Turin Shroud which found the shroud was a Medieval forgery and not the cloth Jesus was buried in - suggesting the result is not definitive.

Tristan Casabianca, a French independent researcher, who made the find, told DailyMail.com that his findings do not confirm the shroud is older or the burial cloth used to lay Jesus to rest.

But could other relics, including the Sudarium of Oviedo, offer evidence of Jesus's life and death - or even prove that the Turin Shroud is real?

Could other relics, including the Sudarium of Oviedo, offer evidence of Jesus's life and death - or even prove that the Turin Shroud is real?

Sudarium of Oviedo

The Sudarium of Oviedo has been described as 'the Shroud of Turin 2' and some have claimed that the markings on the cloth - which is said to have been wrapped around Jesus's head as he died - suggest that it was used alongside the Turin Shroud.

This week, posters on social media have highlighted how it 'matches perfectly' with the Shroud - and could even prove its authenticity.

A 'sudarium' is a sweat cloth, believed to have been put over Jesus's face.

The Sudarium is kept in a cathedral in Oviedo (Alamy)

Thee sudarium is kept in a Cathedral in Oviedo: unlike the Turin Shroud, there is no clear face to be seen, but distinctive stains.

In John Chapter 20, verses six and seven, the Bible says, ' 'Simon Peter, following him, also came up, went into the tomb, saw the linen cloth lying on the ground, and also the cloth that had been over his head; this was not with the linen cloth but rolled up in a place by itself.

The history of the cloth was documented by a 12th-century bishop who claimed it was in Palestine until the year 614 AD when it was taken from Jerusalem and given to the bishop of Seville.

The sudarium is in the Arca Santa, an elaborate reliquary

The Sudarium has several details which suggest that it may have covered the same face as the Turin Shroud.

While no face is visible on the Sudarium, stains offer clues to the person whose face it covered - who seems to have died in a position which corresponds to crucifixion.

The blood group is the same (AB) and the length of the nose of the person whose face was covered by the Sudarium is the same as the Turin Shroud.

In 1984, Dr Alan Whanger of Duke University used a polarized overlay technique to compare the two.

Whanger said, We noted about 130 points of congruence between the shroud and the facecloth. We feel this is hard evidence that both were in contact with the same person.'

The Sudarium is known to date to at least the 9th century, but there are earlier references to it also.

Radiocarbon dating suggested an origin around 700AD, but researcher Cesar Barta suggested this could be due to contamination with oils, as there are references to its presence in Jerusalem as early as 570AD.

The Image of Edessa

Other icons showing Jesus's face were supposedly not made by hand - but imprinted miraculously.

But could one of these actually have been the Turin Shroud - showing where it has been in earlier centuries?

The Mandylion of Edessa from the private chapel of the pope in the Vatican

Author Ian Wilson has suggested that the Image of Edessa, also known as the Mandylion and first mentioned in the fourth century, may actually have been the shroud folded over four times.

The Image of Edessa supposedly dates from an ancient king, King Abgar of Edessa, requesting that Jesus cure him of an illness.

Jesus declined, but a letter supposedly from Jesus was sent - and an image was either painted or 'God-made'.

Some have argued that the image venerated as the Image of Edessa was in fact the Turin Shroud.

The Holy Coat

In John 19:24, the Bible says that the soldiers at Jesus's crucifixion 'said to one another, 'Let us not tear it, but cast lots for it to see whose it shall be.'

Several churches around Europe claim to have either the Holy Coat (or seamless robe) itself, or pieces of it.

The collarless neck of the seamless robe of Jesus

In Argenteuil in France, the church contains pieces of the robe, which was supposedly gifted to Holy Roman Emperor Charlemagne in 800.

The robe was preserved until the French Revolution, when a parish priest cut it into smaller pieces, fearing it might be destroyed.

Veil of Veronica

The Veil of Veronica is shown off in Vatican City during Lent - believers claim it carries the image of Jesus's face after a woman called Veronica wiped his face with a cloth.

believers claim it carries the image of Jesus's face after a woman called Veronica wiped his face with a cloth

Safeguarded by the Vatican, it dates back to the 14th Century, and Pope Innocent II composed a prayer in its honor in 1207 - but there was a 'Veronica chapel' as far back as the reign of Pope John VII in 705-708.

The image supposedly shows a bearded face, but during Lent, only the frame is visible.
Britons have been issued an urgent warning amidst an invasion of Asian hornets.

Scientists from the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (UKCEH) have urged citizens to remain vigilant and report any sightings to combat the growing threat of these invasive insects.

With at least 25 sightings in the UK already this year, scientists warn that the peak months for Asian hornet sightings are yet to come.

Without early detection and rapid response, the species could soon gain a foothold here in the UK.

Kate Wilson, Head of the National Bee Unit, says: 'Please continue to be vigilant for any Asian hornets and if you think you've spotted one, report your sighting through the Asian hornet app.'

Britons have been urged to be on the lookout for invasive Asian hornets (pictured) as 25 sightings have already been reported this year

Experts say that Asian hornets are dangerously close to becoming established in the UK, and urge citizens to report any suspected sightings

Asian hornets were first introduced to the UK in 2016 but began to spread far more aggressively in recent years.

Since their arrival, there have been 126 confirmed sightings including the discovery of 89 nests - with 72 of those sightings made in 2023 alone.

This sudden increase in citings has now raised concerns that the invasive species may become established in the UK.

Those concerns were raised further when scientists discovered the first evidence that a hive of Asian, or yellow-legged, hornets had 'overwintered' in the UK.

Researchers discovered that hornet queens found in East Sussex were strongly related to those found in the town of Rye the previous year.

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So far one hornet nest has already been identified and destroyed. Pictured, an Asian Hornet nest on a roadside cafe near Canterbury in May this year

How to spot Asian hornets Asian hornets can appear similar to the native European hornet, but there are a few key differences: Asian hornets are smaller than European hornets.

Asian hornets have an orange head when viewed from the front.

Their bodies are almost entirely black with fine yellow stripes and an orange 4th segment near their stinger.

Their legs are bright yellow like they have been 'dipped in paint'. If you see an Asian hornet you can report it through the 'Asian Hornet Watch' app. Source: The British Beekeepers Association Advertisement

This shows that at least one nest produced mated queens, called gynes, who survived the winter to create their own nests in spring - a serious step towards the population becoming established.

However, Professor Helen Roy, an ecologist at UKCEH and the University of Exeter, says that there is still time to stop the invasion.

She says: 'Evidence of overwintering yellow-legged hornet queens is concerning, but that doesn't necessarily mean we have an established population here in the UK.

'The strategy is to destroy nests to prevent queens from spreading, and so the role of the people in reporting potential sightings through the app is critical so we can pass that information onto the National Bee Unit to respond as quickly as possible.'

Thanks to over 10,000 reports via the Asian Hornet Watch, the National Bee Unit has been able to identify 25 confirmed cases and destroy one nest.

Professor Roy adds: 'Citizen scientists provide valuable information on the presence of yellow-legged (Asian) hornets across the UK, even though only a fraction of reports are confirmed sightings every record counts and ensures that the few confirmed sightings are managed effectively.'

As a 2023 report from Exeter University points out, the National Bee Unit is extremely efficient at tracking nests but the agency's resources are already stretched thin.

There have already been 25 sightings this year, compared to less than 10 for the same period last year. Modelling (right) now predicts that hornets could spread to almost every part of the UK by 2026 if these nests are not eradicated

The National Bee Unit is effective at removing nests but their resources are already stretched thin. It is not yet clear at what point they will become overwhelmed by multiple incursions. Pictured: expert teams remove a next on Guernsey

The authors write: 'It is so far untested at which stage their current resources would become over-stretched by multiple simultaneous incursions of Asian hornets in the UK.'

As we enter September, when Asian hornet colonies increase in number, sightings are expected to hit their peak.

If nests cannot be tracked and destroyed before they have a chance to breed, a single nest can produce up to 350 mated queens, each capable of starting a nest of their own.

Asian hornet activity has so far been restricted largely to the South East of England, with Kent being the most affected.

However, they have also appeared in Sussex, Surrey, Hampshire and London, with isolated confirmed sightings across parts of South-West England and as far north as Yorkshire and Northumberland.

Recent modelling shows that every part of the UK, with the exception of some areas in Scotland, has a habitable climate for these invasive insects.

That is particularly worrying since Asian hornets feed on our native pollinators like wasps and honey bees.

Each hornet nest can eat about 11 kilos of insects in a year and they prefer to predate social insects honey bees which have little defence against these fierce hunters.

Asian hornets are particularly worrying for the UK since they prey on our native pollinators including wasps and honey bees

The invasive Asian hornet is often mistaken for the native and ecologically important European hornet.

Professor Roy says: 'One of the easiest ways to identify them is by looking at their legs.

'Yellow-legged hornets have yellow and brown on their legs, whereas European hornets' legs are only brown.'

Asian hornets are also smaller and more slender than their European counterparts and will appear orange when viewed from the front.

If you do see an insect you believe to be an Asian hornet, you are urged to report it via the Asian Hornet Watch app or online via UKCEH's online reporting form.

All sightings reported on the app are double-checked by UKCEH, but ensuring you only report genuine sightings helps resources be used more effectively.

Professor Roy adds: 'The vast amount of data we receive from citizen scientists is helping to develop the alert system and our experiences are proving useful for sharing with others in developing similar systems around the world.'
An orange sky hangs over downtown San Francisco and the Bay Area on Sept. 9, 2020, due to multiple wildfires in California and Oregon. Climate change is driving extreme weather and wildfires around the world. Gabrielle Lurie/The Chronicle 2020

Extreme weather, biodiversity loss, increasing global temperature  many of us are seeing the effects of climate change and recognizing its human causes.

As a Catholic, I see this crisis and know its my responsibility to act not just with prayer but with my civic voice. My faith informs my decision-making, guiding my actions to support the flourishing of all life and uplift a comprehensive vision of justice and equity.

I encourage Catholics to broaden their political engagement and take on a multi-issue stance. This traditions teachings shape an authentic, engaged response to the various social challenges of our day.

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As the U.S. bishops Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship resource points out, promoting the common good, uplifting solidarity, and seeing the worth and dignity of all people are moral frameworks that build a society of love and liberation.

A Christian response to moral questions requires active participation in civic life. The challenges of today, including the climate crisis, require our action through civic engagement.

In this election season, join me in holding a broader vision of what it means to be a Catholic voter.

Diana Marin, San Francisco

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Mediate on Ukraine

If the usually vociferous American anti-war movement needed a Ukraine war wake-up call, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. gave it one by including the need to negotiate an end to the conflict in his short list of reasons for endorsing Donald Trump.

Hopefully, this will remind otherwise reliable critics of American foreign policy that while support for Ukraine may be laudable, it is woefully insufficient.

While the Russian invasion was indefensible, it is also the case that the U.S. had itself meddled in Ukraines internal politics for some time  all the while denouncing Russian interference in American politics.

It is also true that there are Ukrainians and Russians in the border areas of the two countries who would have preferred to have been citizens of the other country.

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The United Nations was created for just this sort of situation and could certainly conduct a plebiscite in the region  if the warring parties agreed to one. Is this likely? Possibly not. But should the now largely muted antiwar movement opt to make the case for one, it would resume its vital function of promoting an alternative to continued war.

Tom Gallagher, Oakland

Do tariffs work?

Tariffs are confusing. The liberal media likes to describe tariffs as a tax paid by consumers on imported items, like Chinese cars. The conservative media likes to describe tariffs as a strategy to keep foreign goods expensive so American manufacturing grows.

Guess what? Theyre both right.

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But, of course, it is even more confusing. There is the argument that China subsidizes its car industry more than the U.S., so tariffs are necessary to even the playing field.

If we really believe in free enterprise and competition, we should buy the best product we can find for the best price regardless of where it is made. This spurs innovation in manufacturing and product improvement.

But if we want to support American manufacturing and jobs, we should buy American-made products.

So what should we do? Thank god I dont have to make these difficult decisions. But like most people I know I will buy the best product for the cheapest price I can find.

Elliott Halpern, Martinez

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Rein in Big Oil

As a concerned citizen and a climate activist, I support President Joe Bidens decision to pause new natural gas export permits, which a federal judge has blocked.

The measure is not only prudent but essential for our national security, economic stability and the habitability of our climate.

Unrestricted exports pose a significant threat by increasing domestic energy prices and depleting our natural gas reserves, which are critical for energy independence.

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

The relentless pursuit of profit by large oil and gas corporations compromises more than our economic interests  it jeopardizes the health and safety of American communities through toxic pollution and exacerbates global warming, threatening our long-term survival.

I salute President Biden for taking this necessary step to ensure that Americas natural resources serve our national interests.
Boeing's doomed Starliner craft hit the headlines once again this week, after it started making strange noises.

Butch Wilmore, one of the two astronauts stuck on the International Space Station (ISS), recorded the capsule emitting an eerie ping, reminiscent of a submarine radar.

NASA has now confirmed that the noise was the product of feedback from the speaker.

However, many concerned space fans - including former astronaut Chris Hadfield - have been rattled by the issue.

In a post on X, formerly Twitter, Mr Hadfield, who was the commander of the ISS back in 2013, wrote: 'There are several noises I'd prefer not to hear inside my spaceship, including this one that Starliner is now making.'

As Boeing's Starliner started to make strange noises, former astronaut Chris Hadfield posed on X saying these are sounds he'd 'prefer to hear inside my spaceship'

On Saturday morning, Wilmore radioed to Mission Control at Johnson Space Centre to ask why there were now unexplained noises coming from Starliner's speakers.

In a recording, originally captured by a member of NASA Space Flight forums, Wilmore says: 'I've got a question about Starliner, there's a strange noise coming through the speaker ... I don't know what's making it.'

After a few minutes, Mission Control radioed back to confirm that they were now calling via 'hardline' and could listen to the audio inside the spaceship.

As Wilmore held the microphone up to the speakers, the sound of a strange rhythmic clang could be clearly heard.

'Butch, that one came through. It was kind of like a pulsating noise, almost like a sonar ping,' Mission Control responded.

On Saturday, Starliner commander Butch Wilmore (pictured with Suni Williams) radioed down to mission control to report that the Starliner capsule had begun to make a strange sonar-like clang

NASA has now confirmed that the strange noises heard aboard Starliner were the product of feedback caused by an audio configuration issue

In an emailed statement, NASA said that the sound heard on Saturday was caused by 'an audio configuration between the space station and Starliner', adding that it has caused no further technical impact

Wilmore then told Mission Control he would 'do it one more time, and I'll let y'all scratch your heads and see if you can figure out what's going on', before playing the sound again.

Mission Control did not seem to immediately know what was causing the noise, only telling Wilmore they would let him know what they found.

In an emailed statement shared today, NASA has now confirmed that it has managed to identify the source of the issue.

A NASA spokesperson wrote: 'The feedback from the speaker was the result of an audio configuration between the space station and Starliner.

NASA's statement did not come soon enough to prevent many on social media, including Elon Musk, reacting with shock to news of strange sounds on the ISS

Many leapt to some less-than-scientific theories about what might be causing the strange clanging noise

One social media user bluntly wrote that the noise was the product of 'space ghosts'

'The space station audio system is complex, allowing multiple spacecraft and modules to be interconnected, and it is common to experience noise and feedback.'

NASA notes that the 'pulsing sound' has now been stopped, but this has not prevented commenters on social media from leaping to some outlandish and terrifying theories.

On X, one commenter wrote: 'Could starliner be haunted by a space ghost?'

Another added: 'That is some Stanley Kubrick level horrorshow right there...'

And one, perhaps inspired by the recent release of Alien: Romulus, shared the film franchise's iconic tagline, writing: 'In space, no one can hear you scream.'

Other social media commenters drew cinematic comparisons to legendary director Stanley Kubrick's terrifying works

Others made a comparison to the Alien film franchise, quoting the series tagline: 'In space, no one can hear you scream'

Some darkly joked that the unusual noise was being made by 'unspeakable cosmic horrors

Meanwhile one commenter joked darkly: 'That's the sound of impending unspeakable cosmic horrors.'

Especially worrying for Boeing is the fact that this comes just days before Starliner is scheduled to undock and return to Earth under autopilot, leaving its crew aboard the ISS.

The NASA spokesperson added that the feedback reported by Wilmore has had 'no technical impact to the crew, Starliner, or station operations, including Starliner's uncrewed undocking from the station no earlier than Friday, Sept. 6.'

However, the issue will still be unwelcome news to Boeing, who have already faced months of delays and technical issues with the craft.

The spacecraft successfully delivered Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams to the ISS in June but not before it had sprung more helium leaks and five of its 28 thrusters had failed.

In a press conference on August 24, almost two months after the crew began their 'eight-day' mission, NASA officials announced that it would be too risky to bring the astronauts home aboard the faulty Starliner.

In an embarrassing blow to Boeing, Wilmore and Williams will return aboard a SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft due to launch towards the ISS on September 24.

Two female NASA astronauts, Zena Cardman and Stephanie Wilson, have been bumped from the Crew 9 mission in order to free up space to bring the stranded astronauts home.

After originally planning to remain on the station for eight days, Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams (pictured) will now have to remain aboard the ISS for eight months

Wilmore and Williams will not return to Earth with Starliner when the spaceship disembarks from the ISS under autopilot sometime after Friday, September 6

In August, NASA Administrator Bill Nelson (pictured) announced that Starliner was not considered safe enough for Wilmore and Williams to return aboard the spaceship

Even then, Wilmore and Williams will have to wait until the end of the Crew 9 mission which is not scheduled to return to Earth until at least February 2025.

To pass the time until then the pair have been incorporated as regular crew members of NASA's Expedition 71/72 aboard the ISS.

This means the Wilmore and Williams will work to a regular NASA astronaut schedule working on scientific projects and maintenance for the station.

The decision was humiliating for Boeing, which has struggled for years to get its Starliner program off the ground and spent more than $4 billion of taxpayer money in the process.

'We have had so many embarrassments lately, we're under a microscope. This just made it, like, 100 times worse,' one employee anonymously told the New York Post.

Wilmore and Williams will now have to remain aboard the ISS (pictured) until at least February 2025

'We hate SpaceX,' he added.

'We talk s*** about them all the time, and now they're bailing us out.'

Both Boeing and SpaceX were commissioned to develop a new spacecraft for NASA as part of the Commercial Crew Programme.

However, it is now not clear whether Boeing will have time to finish the development of Starliner before the ISS comes to an end.

NASA plans to use a SpaceX craft to tow the station out of orbit in 2030, giving Boeing just five years to get its commercial programme up and running.

But with $1.6 billion of their own budget invested and five years of development already passed, these setbacks render the future of Boeing's Starliner uncertain.
If you've found yourself reaching for your jumpers more than your T-shirts this summer, you're not alone.

The Met Office has confirmed that this summer was the coldest in Britain since 2015.

The average temperature across the UK was just 14.37C over June, July and August - 0.22C below the long-term average.

'I don't think it will surprise anyone that this summer has been cooler than average for the UK,' Met Office Scientist Emily Carlisle explained.

'Mean temperatures in both June and July were below average, with temperatures in August only slightly above.'

Average temperatures across the UK were just 14.37C over June, July and August - 0.22C below the long-term average

If you've found yourself reaching for your jumpers more than your T-shirts this summer, you're not alone. The Met Office has confirmed that this summer was the coldest in Britain since 2015

Summer 2024: The coldest in Britain since 2015 Area Average temperature (C) UK 14.37 England 15.66 Wales 14.25 Scotland 12.38 Northern Ireland 13.61

According to the Met Office, the last time a summer with this cold was back in 2015, when the average temperature hit just 13.91C.

'Although we had some heatwaves and bursts of hot weather, these were fairly short-lived and conditions across the whole three months were pretty unsettled,' Ms Carlisle added.

'August was the wettest month of the summer, with some places in Scotland experiencing double their average summer rainfall during the month and Storm Lilian bringing strong winds and heavy rain at the end.'

While the average temperature across the UK was low, the Met Office points out that there was some regional variation.

'I don't think it will surprise anyone that this summer has been cooler than average for the UK,' Met Office Scientist Emily Carlisle explained

While the average temperature across the UK was low, the Met Office points out that there was some regional variation. England was just 0.07C below average, while Scotland and Northern Ireland were 0.40C and 0.45C below average, respectively

England was just 0.07C below average, while Scotland and Northern Ireland were 0.40C and 0.45C below average, respectively.

Cambridge saw the highest temperature of the year so far, with 34.8C recorded on 12 August.

This summer's average temperature is cold compared to the 1991-2020 average, but would actually be considered warmer than average if compared to the 1961-1990 average.

'While this summer may have felt cool compared to recent years, it's important to note where it sits in a historical context, with the changing climate of the UK increasing the frequency of warmer summers, as can be observed through our observations,' Ms Carlisle explained.

Summer 2024 experienced 241.3mm of rainfall, while there were 491.6 hours of recorded sunshine

'While climate change increases the frequency of warmer weather in the UK, our natural variability means that we'll still experience cooler than average summers at times.'

In terms of rainfall, summer 2024 experienced 241.3mm of precipitation, which is actually five per cent less than average.

However, Scotland was particularly wet, with 373.8mm of rainfall  19 per cent more than its average.

In contrast, England saw just 159.4mm of rainfall  23 per cent less than its seasonal average.

Meanwhile, this summer saw around average hours of sunshine, with 491.6 hours recorded  97 per cent of the long-term average.

Southern England was marginally sunnier than Wales and Scotland, while Northern Ireland experienced the least sunshine, at just 82 per cent of its long-term average.

According to Ms Carlisle, June and July's cold conditions were caused by a blast of cold air from the Arctic.

'This was largely due to northerly winds bringing cold Arctic air to the UK in June and July, while August saw an increase in westerly winds bringing slightly warmer Atlantic air,' she added.
A tantalizing, but badly damaged tablet dating back to, at least, 5079 BC could predate the earliest known human writing by millennia.

That's if researchers can decode it.

Known to archeologists as the 'Dispilio Tablet,' this approximately nine-by-seven inch block of cedar wood was first dredged up from a bog in July of 1993, during the careful  and still ongoing  excavation of a late Stone Age village in Greece.

But this engraved tablet, whose 10 rows of apparent linear 'signs' are still debated as art or language, quickly began to decay upon its exposure to the open air, leading to a painstaking conservation effort that has slowed down study of this rare artifact.

Models and reproductions of the Dispilio Tablet, seen above, have also been made as part of the local museum and archeological park at the Dispilio site (photo credit - CC4.0 ). But the site does have true artifacts preserved and on display at its museum as well

The Greek art and antiquities preservationists still working to restore this tablet argue it may completely revise our definition of 'pre-historic man'  proving that 'Neolithic societies can no longer be considered "societies without writing."'

Comparative analysis of the Dispilio Tablet alongside symbols seen on Neolithic cave paintings and clay tablets, they argue, may yet decipher this lost language.

But such a breakthrough would require more and more similar discoveries with which to compare and contrast against the tablet, despite the known similarities between its signs and the markings on 'a large number of Neolithic clay finds.'

According to the late Greek archaeologist Dr George Hourmouziadis, who scrutinized the tablet until his death in 2013, its etchings resemble 'symbols' etched by a Neolithic people who once lived in the southern Balkans called the Vinca.

Dr Hourmouziadis saw parallels not only with the Vinca's three 'Tartaria tablets' discovered in Transylvania, but also 'Linear A,' a form of writing associated with the Minoans who inhabited the Greek island of Crete much later, from 1800 to 1450 BC.

Given that the very definition of 'prehistoric' means 'the period before written records,' proof of a true language on the tablet would literally rewrite the Stone Age.

It could reset what we mean by 'prehistory' by at least two thousand years or more.

But the late Dr Hourmouziadis voiced some pessimism on the chances of truly understanding this ancient etchings as 'text,' as it's lost truly to the sands of time, calling them 'Neolithic "messages" that we will never be able to decipher.'

The duty remains to his successor at the Dispilio dig site, Dr Konstantinos Kotsakis, to improve upon what Dr Hourmouziadis called 'the scattered unscientific and rather naive efforts made until now' to decipher the tablet.

The lakeside, late Neolithic settlement at Dispelio has become an educational tourism hot spot in Greece - adorned with recreations of homes once built by its Stone Age inhabitants (above)

The over thirty-year quest to explain the Dispilio Tablet, sometimes also called the 'Dupyak Tablet,' had its first breakthrough in 2014, when collaborative research by two Greek universities revaluated decades of radiocarbon-dating at the dig site.

'The piece of wood sampled from the wooden tablet gave an age of 5202  123 BC,' wrote Professor Yorgos Facorellis, an expert in chemical analysis and the carbon dating of ancient artifacts at the University of West Attica in Athens, Greece.

The technique involves hunting for traces of differing versions, or isotopes, of carbon atoms, which are present in all living organic matter, like this wood tablet.

The rate of decay of the carbon-14 isotope (C14) is constant and easily measured  making it a reliable tool for estimating the age of samples likely to be 'between 500 and 50,000 years old,' according to forensic scientist Dr Danielle McLeod-Henning.

Regardless, the dating suggests the tablet predates the previously oldest known language crafted by humans, ancient Sumerian, which dates back to, at least, 3100 BC based on artifacts unearthed from southern Mesopotamia, in modern-day Iraq.

And yet, while the tablet dates back thousands of years before Sumerian and still more thousands of years before the ancient Greek alphabet emerged around 770 BC, researchers said the Dispilio Tablet bears markings 'resembling the letters , , or .'

Above, the actual cedar wood Dispilio Tablet - carved with 10 rows of linear (vertical and horizontal) apparent symbols, some resembling the Greek letters Delta, Epsilon and Lambda

In Column A, above, are examples of the carved, possible 'symbols' detected on the wooden tablet and other clay finds from Dispilio; Column B shows samples of an ancient Minoan script called 'Linear A' and in Column C samples of Vinca culture engravings found in the Balkans

Markings from late Neolithic Greece resembling these classical Greek letters, Delta, Epsilon and Lambda, they argued, could further complicate prehistory's relationship to classical ancient Greece, linking it to the Vinca via their Tartaria tablets.

'The dating of the Dispilio engraved finds is similar to those that appeared in southeastern Europe around 5300 BC,' Professor Facorellis and his team wrote in the journal Radiocarbon, 'some 2000 [years] earlier than any other known writing.'

'These signs and inscriptions,' they noted, 'are considered by some scholars a specific script of literacy.'

The question drags this tablet  and the lakeside Stone Age settlement of Dispilio from which it was excavated  into a heated debate over the origins of the written word.

Some scholars, like Paleolithic archaeologist Dr Alison Brooks of the Smithsonian and Professor Peter Mitchell at Oxford, contend that humans could have developed written language as far back as 70,000 to 90,000 years ago in South Africa.

But others, like Richard Klein of Stanford and Nicholas Conard of Tubingen University in Germany, have advocated for a theory called 'the Great Leap Forward,' which suggests a major renaissance occurred around 35,000 years ago in Europe.

Mitchell at Oxford has blasted the Great Leap idea as 'Eurocentric nonsense.'

Above, an elevated panorama of Aristotelian University of Thessaloniki's modern excavations at the dig site. The Dispilio Tablet was found northwest of the 'Eastern sector' in marsh mud

'When you look at the symbols on the caves in France and Spain, you have to realize that these are things our ancestors were already comfortable with,' according to Canadian Stone Age art and language expert Genevieve von Petzinger.

'They had been using them for a long time,' she contends.

Now an official explorer with National Geographic, von Petzinger visited caves across Europe to compile a database of the symbols scrawled on cave walls up to 25,000 years ago.

As she told The Guardian, she sees in these cave etchings direct echoes back to still more ancient symbols  including an 'open-angle' symbol seen carved into Blombos cave in South Africa, where 75,000-year-old artifacts have also been found.

'Previous symbols tended to be carved into perishables, such as wood and skins, which have now disintegrated,' according to von Petzinger.

In her study of European caves, the NatGeo paleo-anthropologist found 32 distinct symbols that appear to have remained almost unchanged for tens of thousands of years, suggesting Stone Age humans used a written language or alphabet of sorts.

'If these were random doodles or decorations we would expect more variation, but instead we find the same signs repeating,' she noted.

'[About] 65 percent of these signs stayed in use over the whole 30,000-year time period,' according to von Petzinger.

The vital importance of the Dispilio Tablet, or any other case of preserved 'signs' found on ancient wood, would be to help confirm exactly this theory.

In other words, the tablet could help prove that much more ancient language really did exist, only to be lost and written out of the history books because it had been written on perishable material.

Professor Facorellis's collaboration between his department and peers at the Aristotelian University of Thessaloniki 'reanalyzed' the tablet alongside other nearby 'finds bearing engraved "signs," together with new information.'

'However,' as the researchers noted, 'during the drying process most of their engraving depth has been lost.'

But their carbon dating has at least confirmed, in their words, that it is 'the oldest known engraved wooden tablet.'

Only further finds like it, prehistoric equivalents of a Rosetta Stone, could help confirm that the markings are truly symbolic language.

A 'full academic study regarding the Dispilio Tablet,' according to an article this month in the Greek Reporter, 'awaits the completion of conservation work.'

This painstaking process speaks to how precarious the fate of the tablet has been since it was first discovered.

According to Professor Facorellis and Dr Hourmouziadis, the wood tablet bore 'traces of fire' when it was first unearthed.

The tablet was dredged from 'a trial trench into the water very near the lakeshore' near the modern Greek city of Kastoria which is also along Lake Orestiada.

Water was continuously pumped away from 'an excavation square' held separate by wooden boards when, to the team's surprise, 'the wooden tablet appeared floating on the water surface.'

The Dispilio Tablet and the enduring mystery of how it might just redefine what we think of as 'prehistoric,' they said, was 'the most unexpected of the finds' at this site.
Millions of people have long suspected it, but now a leak suggests that our phones really are listening to us.

An apparent pitch deck from one of Facebook's alleged marketing partner appears to detail how the firm eavesdrops on users' conversations to create targeted ads.

In a slideshow, Cox Media Group (CMG) claims that its 'Active-Listening' software uses AI to collect and analyze 'real-time intent data' by listening to what you say through your phone, laptop or home assistant microphone.

'Advertisers can pair this voice-data with behavioral data to target in-market consumers,' the deck states.

The pitch deck goes on to tout Facebook, Google and Amazon as clients of CMG, suggesting they could be using its Active-Listening service to target users.

The first slide of CMG's leaked pitch deck describes how their Active-Listening software listens to your conversations and extracts real-time intent data

The deck goes on to break down the process step by step, from identifying a 'data trail' left behind by consumers conversations and online behavior to creating targeted digital ads

The pitch deck was leaked to reporters at 404 Media that showcases the capabilities of Active-Listening software to prospective customers.

Since the story broke, Google removed the media group from their 'Partners Program' website.

In an emailed statement to DailyMail.com, a Meta spokesperson said 'Meta does not use your phone's microphone for ads and we've been public about this for years. We are reaching out to CMG to get them to clarify that their program is not based on Meta data.'

Amazon responded to 404 Media by stating that its ads arm 'has never worked with CMG on this program and has no plans to do so.'

But the spokesperson added that that if one of its marketing partners violates its rules, the company will take action, leaving the status of Amazon's relationship with CMG somewhat unclear.

The slideshow details the six-step process that CMG's Active-Listening software uses to collect consumer's voice data through seemingly any microphone-equipped device, including your smartphone, laptop or home assistant.

It's unclear from the slideshow whether the Active-Listening software is eavesdropping constantly, or only at specific times when the phone mic is activated, such as during a call.

Advertisers then use these insights to target 'in-market consumers,' which are people actively considering buying a particular product or service.

If your voice or behavioral data suggests you are considering buying something, they will serve you advertisements for that item.

For example, talking about or searching for Toyota cars could prompt you to start seeing ads for their newest models.

Google, Amazon and Facebook are explicitly touted as CMG clients, but these tech giants have denied accusations that they are listening to users' conversations

Daily Mail tech reporter Rob Waugh tested whether Google was listening to him last year

Smartphone users have long suspected that their devices are listening to them and serving up targeted ads. But tech giants like Facebook, Google and Amazon have denied these claims.

'Once launched, the technology automatically analyzes your site traffic and customers to fuel audience targeting on an ongoing basis,' the deck states.

So, if you feel like you see more ads for a particular product after talking about it with a friend, or searching for it online, this may be the reason why.

For years, smart-device users have speculated that their phones or tablets are listening to what they say. But most tech companies have flat-out denied these claims.

For example, Meta's online privacy center states, 'We understand that sometimes ads can be so specific, it seems like we must be listening to your conversations through your microphone, but we're not.'

But this leak is just the latest development in a wave of reporting that suggests your phone really is listening to you, and that sites like Facebook may be cashing in on what you say.

404 Media first revealed the existence of CMG's Active-Listening service in December 2023.

A day later, they exposed a small AI marketing company called MindSift for bragging on a podcast about using smart device speakers to target ads.

Although it may seem surprising, Active Listening is perfectly legal, CMG claimed in a since-deleted blog post from November 2023.

'We know what you're thinking. Is this even legal? The short answer is: yes. It is legal for phones and devices to listen to you,' the post reads.

'When a new app download or update prompts consumers with a multi-page terms of use agreement somewhere in the fine print, Active Listening is often included.'

This could explain how CMG is getting away with this in states with wiretapping laws that prohibits recording somebody without their knowledge, like California.

CMG did not immediately respond to DailyMail.com's request for comment, and has not yet responded to similar inquiries from other news sites, including Futurism and Gizmodo.

CMG is a an American media conglomerate based in Atlanta, Georgia. The company provides broadcast media, digital media, advertising and marketing services, and it generated $22.1 billion in revenue in 2022.
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How often should you really wash your dog? An Australian veterinarian has revealed the surprising answer - and it's probably less than you think.

Dr Claire Jenkins, VetChat founder and CEO, explained how bath time depends on the type of breed you own - but can range anywhere from twice weekly to twice yearly or even never.

However, she warned a healthy dog with no skin conditions should be cleaned at least once every month.

'In general, if your dog has no skin issues, once monthly is more than enough,' Dr Jenkins said.

'Do what suits your lifestyle but too frequent washing of a dog with normal skin and an inappropriate shampoo can still lead to drying or irritation of their skin.'

Dogs suffering from an allergy or a form of skin disease may need to be washed with a medicated or a moisturising oatmeal shampoo two to three times weekly.

'How oatmeal calms itch isn't known (but) it's thought to reduce inflammatory mediators and benefits can last from hours to a day or two,' she explained.

How often should you really wash your dog? Australian veterinarian Dr Claire Jenkins has revealed the surprising answer - and it's probably less than you think (stock image)

Human foods that are safe for dogs Lean proteins: Boneless, unseasoned cooked chicken, turkey, or lean beef Fruits: Apples, bananas, blueberries, and watermelon Vegetables: Carrots, broccoli, green beans, and sweet potatoes, either cooked or raw Rice and pasta: Plain, cooked rice or pasta Dairy: Small amounts of plain yoghurt or cheese Credit: VetChat Advertisement

Dr Jenkins said medicated shampoos are used to treat bacterial and yeast infections while a gentle hypoallergenic variety with active ingredients such as oatmeal will benefit an itchy dog as well as breeds with a normal skin type.

The animal expert - who has 19 years experience as a veterinarian in Australia and the UK - urged pet owners to never bathe their dogs with human shampoo.

'Why you shouldn't use baby shampoo or human shampoo has a lot to do with the pH,' she explained.

'Your dogs' skin has a much higher pH than human skin, so human products aren't pH balanced for pets. They can damage the coat and sensitive skin.'

The best way to wash your dog is to rinse them with warm water, then massage the shampoo into their coat from nose to tail.

'Be very careful around the eyes and ears to keep them clear of product, leave on five to 10 minutes and then thoroughly rinse off,' Dr Jenkins advised.

'It's not necessary to use a shampoo with every bath. After a play in the mud or a swim in the ocean, rinse with warm water only to remove the dirt and leave the natural oils alone, you could try this every other bath.'

Dr Claire Jenkins (right) is the founder of VetChat, a telehealth service offering pet owners 24/7 access to certified veterinarians via an easy-to-use online platform

Dr Jenkins founded VetChat in 2015, which is a telehealth service offering pet owners 24/7 access to certified veterinarians via an easy-to-use online platform.

Whether it's a sudden illness or a minor concern, the revolutionising pet care service promises instant connection with an Aussie vet in just two minutes.

VetChat offers round-the-clock expert advice without the frantic late-night searches for a vet or unnecessary trips to the clinic.

'Our goal is to blend technology with compassion, ensuring every pet owner has immediate access to top-tier veterinary advice,' Dr Claire Jenkins said.

'We're transforming pet healthcare by cutting costs, reducing stress, and supporting traditional vet clinics.'

For $59 per consultation or $25 a month for unlimited access as a VetChat member, pet owners can get access to veterinary care from the comfort of their home.

To video call an experienced Aussie vet 24/7, click here.
British Airways transformed into British Bearways recently when it reunited a nine-year-old boy with his beloved teddy, Postman Bear, after he was accidentally left behind in a BA airport lounge.

The treasured teddy was discovered in the British Airways' Club Lounge at London Heathrow's Terminal 5 and was taken on an exciting airport 'adventure' before an emotional reunion with nine-year-old Alex back home in Dubai.

After a new flight and boarding pass was sorted for Postman Bear, members of the BA team gave the teddy the 'VIP treatment' with a journey on an airport buggy to 'catch up' with the Cabin Crew Operations team in the Crew Report Centre.

Postman Bear was then taken to meet the cabin crew on his new flight to Dubai and was pictured 'patiently' waiting for his flight at the gate, drinking a cup of coffee and enjoying 'some great views of the aircraft' while waiting to board.

The adventurous bear's airport journey was captured in the form of a travel diary by British Airways customer manager, Ed Tumath, who sent the holiday snaps to Postman Bear's family to reassure owner Alex.

British Airways transformed into British Bearways recently when it reunited nine-year-old Alex with his beloved teddy, Postman Bear (above, with Alex). The treasured teddy was discovered in the British Airways' Club Lounge at London Heathrow's Terminal 5

Postman Bear (pictured above) went on an exciting airport adventure before being reunited with Alex in Dubai

After touching down in Dubai, cabin crew took Postman Bear to reunite with Alex and the rest of the family in arrivals for a 'bear-y happy reunion'.

Stuart, Alex's parent, said: 'My son had left his teddy bear - huge sentimental value as he has had the teddy since birth - in the British Airways lounge ahead of the flight. We noticed as the aircraft doors were closing so nothing could be done at that point.

'This was very distressing to my son who uses the teddy as a calming item, especially when flying. This was incredibly stressful and we feared that his beloved teddy may be lost forever.

'Whilst onboard the flight, I took to a series of Facebook groups to seek help in finding the teddy. A member of the group contacted Ed who came the rescue. I managed to communicate with Ed on the flight and received a picture showing that the teddy had been found, which calmed my son.

Postman Bear was snapped 'patiently' waiting for his flight at the gate. After touching down in Dubai, cabin crew took Postman Bear to reunite with Alex and the rest of the family in arrivals for a 'bear-y happy reunion'

The bear was photographed enjoying some 'great views of the aircraft'

'Not only did Ed go out of his way to find the teddy but he communicated so well throughout. He genuinely cared about the situation and worked so hard to get the teddy back to us.

'He arranged for the teddy to board a flight to Dubai a couple of days later and a crew member handed the teddy back to us. Not only did Ed excel in his caring manner and communication, he even provided a few pictures of the teddy's journey, which my son will treasure forever.

'My son was so relieved - words could not express how grateful we are to Ed for his kind act and dedication to getting the teddy back to us. I have been flying with BA for many years - this is the best experience I have had by far and I am overwhelmed by Ed's efforts.

'Sometimes amazing people do incredible things and show such kindness along the way... these things matter. This meant a huge amount to my family and I, and we will be forever grateful.'
Jeremy Clarkson confronted his 'sobbing' co-star Richard Hammond as they rounded up their final show of The Grand Tour.

Adventurous trio, Jeremy, 64, Richard, 54, and James May, 61, are completing their series with a stunning road trip through Zimbabwe in three luxury cars they have always wanted to own.

They will take a Lancia Montecarlo, a Ford Capri 3-litre, and a Triumph Stag around beautiful landscapes in their final escapade together.

The Grand Tour: One for the Road, which launches September 13 on Prime Video, will conclude the former Top Gear co-hosts' 21 year partnership.

Speaking about their final hurrah, Jeremy shared that Richard was bought to tears while James showed zero emotion.

Jeremy Clarkson, 64, confronted his 'sobbing' co-star Richard Hammond, 54, as they rounded up their final show of The Grand Tour

Adventurous trio, Jeremy, Richard and James May, 61, are completing their series with a stunning road trip through Zimbabwe in three luxury cars they have always wanted to own

He said: 'I'm not saying this in a derogatory way by any means, but James has the emotions of a stone.

'He just doesn't do emotions, so there were no tears from him. Hammond, yes.

'I was surprisingly unemotional in a weird way because I can see James and Hammond any time I want to, theyre only a phone call away, and Im sure we will.'

Sharing his heartache, Richard added: 'I'll be really honest, and theyll mock me for this, but I'll miss them terribly. Weve worked together for twenty years.

'Weve worked hard, and we have to egg each other on, and its never just loafing about. So, it'd be difficult to recreate that situation.

'If I go over and visit Jeremy at his farm, it would be to go over and relax. That's not the same as having to get up at five in the morning and drive for eight hours through the jungle.'

James said: 'We haven't planned anything, but I don't think it will be possible to completely shake them off. I could try.

'I mean, Hammonds already asked me if I want to join him in France to drive a car back and I'm thinking, well, maybe I do.

They will take a Lancia Montecarlo, a Ford Capri 3-litre, and a Triumph Stag around beautiful landscapes in their final escapade together

The Grand Tour: One for the Road, which launches September 13 on Prime Video, will conclude the former Top Gear co-hosts' 21 year partnership

Jeremy previously claimed he is 'too old and fat' to continue with the adventurous show

They have hosted 44 episodes of the series, which has taken them around the world on specials to Cambodia and Vietnam, Reunion and Madagascar, Scandinavia, and eastern Europe

Jeremy, Richard and James shot to superstardom after taking over BBC's Top Gear , turning it from a niche car programme into one of the corporation's hottest properties and selling spin-offs around the world (pictured)

'We can do that without anybody filming it. We can just do it for fun.'

Jeremy previously claimed he is 'too old and fat' to continue with the adventurous show.

He told The Times: 'I've driven cars higher than anyone else and further north than anyone else. We've done everything you can do with a car. When we had meetings about what to do next, people just threw their arms in the air'.

He also branded himself 'unfit, fat and old' as another reason that it was time for the 'immensely physical' show to end, following the hosts camping on beaches and racing speed boats in pervious series.

Jeremy, Richard and James shot to superstardom after taking over BBC's Top Gear, turning it from a niche car programme into one of the corporation's hottest properties and selling spin-offs around the world.

They have hosted 44 episodes of the series, which has taken them around the world on specials to Cambodia and Vietnam, Reunion and Madagascar, Scandinavia, and eastern Europe.

The Grand Tour: One for the Road launches globally from 13 September only on Prime Video
Pete Wicks revealed the 'toughest thing he has ever been through' as he spoke about his upcoming memoir on Monday's installment of Lorraine.

The former TOWIE star, 36, who is gearing up for 2024 Strictly Come Dancing, also shared his 'devastating' fears ahead of the competition this month.

In a very candid discussion, Pete admitted he has struggled with his emotions over the years, especially when he lost his 'best friend' and grandmother Doreen in 2022.

To help him cope, Pete said he has 'a very good circle of strong women' around him who help him process his feelings.

He said: 'She was amazing Doreen, just an angel on earth. She had a major impact on my life and loosing her is the toughest thing I've ever been through.

Pete Wicks, 36, revealed the 'toughest thing he has ever been through' as he spoke about his upcoming memoir on Monday's installment of Lorraine

The former TOWIE star, who is gearing up for 2024 Strictly Come Dancing, also shared his 'devastating' fears ahead of the competition this month

'She was more than a grandma she was my best friend. You can't really understand your own emotions and feelings. Mine came out as anger because I couldn't process what I was feeling.

'I surround myself with a very good circle of strong women, it's really important.

'Women are so much more important at understanding and getting through difficult situations.

'The boys go to the pub and it's like "you alright, how are you" and that's it. It does make a massive difference, it's not just about talking it's having someone just to listen.'

His upcoming book Never Enough: My Words Unfiltered, which covers raw topics including suicide and grief, releases September 5.

Pete also spoke to Lorraine about his exciting journey ahead on Strictly and revealed Zara McDermott 'pushed him' to sign up.

Zara - girlfriend of Pete's bestfriend Sam Thompson - is at the centre of the misconduct probe after her former pro dancer Graziano Di Prima 'hit and kicked' her in rehearsals last year.

But remaining in full support of the BBC show and her close friend Pete, Zara was the person who persuaded the reality star to join in the first place.

In a very candid discussion, Pete admitted he has struggled with his emotions over the years, especially when he lost his 'best friend' and grandmother Doreen in 2022

To help him cope, Pete said he has 'a very good circle of strong women' around him who help him process his feelings

His upcoming book Never Enough: My Words Unfiltered, which covers raw topics including suicide and grief, releases September 5

Pete also spoke to Lorraine about his exciting journey ahead on Strictly and revealed that Zara McDermott 'pushed him' to sign up

Zara (centre right) - girlfriend of Pete's bestfriend Sam Thompson (centre left) - is at the centre of the misconduct probe after her former pro dancer Graziano Di Prima (left) 'hit and kicked' her in rehearsals last year

But remaining in full support of the BBC show and her close friend Pete, Zara was the person who persuaded the reality star to join in the first place

He said: 'I am petrified. I'm like a Ferrari from the waist down and Volvo from the top half. I've got the hips but nothing else.

'Zara pushed me to do it. The first time I saw Strictly was live show when Zara was on it and I thought wow this is amazing.

I had a photoshoot the other day and wow it was interesting. It's a brand new challenge and it's something I never thought I would do.'

Pete is experiencing something of a career boom in recent months, gracing shows on four UK channels.

He has featured on ITV's Bad Boyfriends, hosted by Olivia Attwood, UKTV's upcoming documentary For Dogs' Sake, Channel 4's upcoming Celebrity SAS, and of course Strictly later this year.

What's more his podcast with Sam Thompson, Staying Relevant, has hit a whopping 8 million monthly streams.
Social media users who've watched Worst Ex Ever have expressed their outrage at the show - which highlights domestic abuse and law enforcements' reactions.

The new Netflix docuseries features four episodes of horror stories told by survivors who were abused by their former significant others.

Each real-life case is different, and nearly all of the show's dreaded exes are currently serving prison sentences. But the show has stirred outrage online.

'I am furious watching because the Police clearly don't give a damn about this women. #WorstExEver,' wrote an X user.

The new Netflix docuseries tells four significant other horror stories, one being about Seemona Sumasar and her then-boyfriend and future rapist Jerry Ramrattan

Worst Ex Ever introduced Netflix users to four unhealthy partners - Benjamin Foster, Jerry Ramrattan, Rosa Hill, and Kevin Lewis.

Foster went from a charming boyfriend to a man who tortured his then-girlfriend for three days after she discovered his violent past.

Ramrattan also seemed like the perfect man until he raped his then-girlfriend and framed her for a series of robberies while out on bond, leading to her arrest and indictment in 2010.

Hill and her husband Eric, had a seemingly happy family life, but that changed after a judge granted him primary physical and legal custody of their child while divorcing.

She retaliated by murdering Eric's 91-year-old grandmother and teamed up with her mother to attack him when he came home with their child.

Lewis was the 'monster' who attacked his ex-wife Amanda Canales several times after she asked for a divorce in 2016.

After Canales finally secured a protection order, Lewis hired his cousin to murder Canales in retaliation, which resulted in the death of her sister, Alisha.

The only torturer featured on the show not serving a jail sentence is Foster, who evaded police for days before he shot himself in the head.

Various X users were angered with law enforcement for their actions, many tweets primarily focusing on Benjamin Foster and Kevin Lewis

'The Netflix show "Worst EX Ever' is Insane but for everybody whos ever said to call the police on an abuser the 1st episode is evidence why sometimes its just isnt enough,' an X user tweeted right after the series debuted in August.

'I'm two episodes in on Netflix's "Worst Ex Ever" and the common theme so far is that police are useless and incompetent,' a person tweeted this morning.

Another X user wrote: 'This show #WorstExEver is absolutely insane. I thought it was a documentary but turns out its a series. The stories just get worse and more absurd. Whats wrong with people?!.'

X users also ferociously targeted the criminals in their tweets, primarily Foster and Lewis.

'Watching #WorstExEver and Im so pissed off. Look how useless the police and court system is. Multiple reports, different women, and they still let Ben Foster out into the population,' an X user wrote.

Another case that social media users had a problem with was the Lewis/Canales ordeal, which led to the death of an abuse victim's sister.

'The justice system once again failing women. So much could have been avoided if police had listened to the women and taken them seriously. Amandas story breaks my heart. She lost her sister in all of this,' tweeted an X user.

One person wrote: 'The one relative who could tell something was off about Kevin was the one who ended up dying because of him. The family dismissed her concerns because "she was always opinionated." Society hates women who speak up when they should be listening to them.'

Some X users claimed, in general, that law enforcement allegedly don't take women seriously when it comes to domestic violence.

Other social media users claimed law officials do not take domestic violence complaints seriously when a woman accuses her partner of being the abuser

'Worst Ex Ever is basically just a cautionary tale for women and the lesson is that police may not listen to or even attempt to protect you, and even if they do, the judges and the DA's office will still let your abuser off easy almost every single time. Absolutely infuriating,' wrote an X user.

Another person tweeted: 'Currently watching this series, which is rough. But the first two episodes should be called "Worst Cops Ever." Netflix missed the theme: it's not abusive exes; it's the justice system that lets them run free or allows them to make their victims' lives a living hell.'

'In the Worst Ex Ever docuseries on Netflix, you see how the judicial system can fail domestic violence survivors,' one person wrote.

'Even when the women were able to get away they dealt with some bulls**t. I was shocked.'
An Antiques Roadshow guest was dumbfounded to learn the shocking truth behind a painting she bought for 18 during Sunday night's episode.

The contestant clasped her hand over her mouth in utter disbelief after expert Lawrence Hendra told her what the painting's true value was.

During the episode, a guest shared the backstory of her painting and revealed she purchased the item within a bundle of artwork for 18 in 2018.

While she gave most of the pieces to charity, the guest shared she had a special inkling to keep one back.

And it was certainly lucky that she did, as Lawrence revealed that the painting was in fact worth a whopping price.

An Antiques Roadshow guest was dumbfounded to learn the shocking truth behind a painting she bought for 18 during Sunday night's episode

During the episode, a guest shared the backstory of her painting and revealed she purchased the item within a bundle of artwork for 18 in 2018

The contestant was in utter disbelief after expert Lawrence Hendra told her what the painting's true value was

Lawrence prompted the guest's shocked response as she shared the artwork was estimated to be value at 3000-5000.

The owner said: 'No, no, no! Okay, thank you, Lawrence!'

Last week on the show, another guest was left speechless when she learned the eye-watering value of her unloved paintings.

The artwork, which had been hidden away in her loft for 14 year, was hailed as the most amazing thing Ive seen in ages,' by expert David Battle.

The guest joined the series at Ightham Mote in Ivy Hatch to have the car boot painting valued.

'Do you have these hanging on your wall?,' David asked.

The lady admitted: 'No. Theyve been in my loft for about 14 years!'

Explaining that she 'didn't really like them,' she added: 'My husband bought them in a boot sale about 15 years ago.

While she gave most of the pieces to charity, the guest shared she had a special inkling to keep one back

And it was certainly lucky that she did as Lawrence revealed that the one painting was in fact worth a whopping price

Lawrence prompted the guest's shocked response as she shared the artwork was estimated to be value at 3000-5000

'My son-in-law thinks theyre Indian and that theyre about mid 18th Century because he thinks he is the expert.'

David explained: 'The frames are Chinese, 18th Century. They enclose an inner mount which is enamel on copper, very, very beautifully done.

'Then theres another border, this time with rough cut garnets probably in gilt beading.

'The frame encloses these two scenes. Whats going on? I find the iconography deeply puzzling.

'The obvious thing is this elephant. Could this be, as it has been suggested, an Indian painting? No.

'How do I know its not an Indian painting? By the eyes of the elephant. Only the Chinese painted elephants eyes like that, so this is definitely Chinese.

'The white elephant is symbolic of the Buddha.

He then took a look at the second painting, and continued: 'But here? Whats going on here? Weve got a man presenting a military gentleman with a silver urn.'

Last week, another guest was left speechless when she learned the eye-watering value of her unloved paintings

The artwork, which had been hidden away in her loft for 14 year, was hailed as the most amazing thing Ive seen in ages,' by expert David Battle

David explained: 'Its not just a silver urn hes going to put soup in. I think that these two are symbolic of the death of this girl and that is symbolic of the husband receiving her soul.

'And that neo-classical urn is typical of the symbolism that you find of mourning. I think theyre just the most amazing things Ive seen in ages.'

Revealing the true value, the expert said: 'Id get them out of the attic. I think you should spend a bit of money getting them cleaned, because I think they would fetch between 15,000 and 20,000.'
Hotel workers and union members march to demand higher wages and a fair work contract at Union Square on Monday, Sept. 2, 2024. Manuel Orbegozo/Special to the Chronicle

Why Labor Day?

It was supposed to be May Day.

The May Day holiday  International Workers Day  is celebrated by over 100 countries. Only in the United States and Canada is a similar holiday  Labor Day  held in September.

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This is ironic because the events inspiring the birth of May Day occurred here.

Most people have a vague understanding of the problems faced by the working class in the 19th century before any meaningful laws regulating the workday or limiting the ability of capital to control the lives of workers. But the realities were often far worse than we might imagine today.

Workdays of 10, 12 and even 14 hours, six or sometimes seven days a week, were the norm in many industries. Factories were filled with machines tended by workers. Moving parts were exposed, and employers considered protections like guardrails too expensive to install. No laws required such measures, and no penalties came with worker casualties. In those regulation-free workplaces, each year brought a bloody harvest of worker injuries and deaths, with most occurring in the final hours of the long workday as workers grew tired and careless.

This is why, beginning in the 1860s, shortly after the Civil War, arose a movement for a standard eight-hour workday. As the slogan of the time had it, workers wanted Eight hours for work, eight hours for rest, eight hours for what we will.

California, with the second state law in the country (following Illinois), established the eight-hour day in 1867. But without any enforcement mechanisms, it proved meaningless when the newly completed Transcontinental Railroad carried unemployed workers by the thousands seeking jobs across the country to the Golden State a few years later. The glut of labor reduced wages and lengthened the workday.

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The arrogance felt by employers toward their employees at the time was exemplified by statements like that of George Baer, owner of the Reading Railroad, who promised, The rights of the laboring man will be protected, and cared for, not by the labor agitator but by the Christian men to whom God has given control of the property interests in this country.

Workers and their unions saw things differently. In 1886, the American Federation of Labor called for a general strike by its member unions on May 1 to support the campaign for the eight-hour day.

A third of a million workers answered the call and walked off the job, hoping to achieve the limit with their actions.

But in the wake of the strike, a demonstration in Chicago protesting police violence against strikers was disrupted by a bomb in Haymarket Square. Although no one was ever identified as the bomb thrower, during a lynch mob atmosphere whipped up by anti-union employers, eight immigrant radical worker leaders were put on trial, and several were hung. Prosecutors admitted that no evidence connected these leaders with the bomb, but they wanted to make an example of them. The nations first Red Scare, predating McCarthyism by some six decades, took hold. Advocacy for workers was equated with anarchism and communism. Eight hours for work had to wait for another day.

The Socialist International federation of unions, condemning the martyrdom of the Chicago eight-hour day leaders, in 1889 proposed commemorating their cause with a workers holiday on May 1.

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After immense labor-capital battles like the Homestead Steel Strike in 1892 and during the Pullman strike in the summer of 1894  in which workers were killed by police, the National Guard and armed thugs employed by the railroads  President Grover Cleveland thought a little steam might be let out of the pressure cooker of class struggle. He put his pen to a bill proclaiming that the first Monday in September would be a holiday celebrating the contributions of workers to America. This bill made no mention of the eight-hour day or the repression of the workers movement. Under these circumstances, Labor Day was, in effect, an employer-friendly substitute for May Day.

In other countries, worker movements pushed their governments to sign May 1 into law as a paid workers holiday, in many cases via the same general strike tactic.

It took 50 years before the eight-hour day became the law of the land in the U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the Fair Labor Standards Act in 1938 after the largest upsurge of worker militancy since the 19th century. But May Day never even came close.

The history of May Day was not taught in our schools. Its public memory was suppressed by selective association with Communist countries that celebrated it, ignoring both its American origins and the democracies that observed it as well. During the Cold War, seeking to drive a final stake through the coffin of May Day memory, President Dwight D. Eisenhower proclaimed May 1 to be Law Day.

In recent years, May Day  like the labor movement itself  has been making something of a comeback. Here in the Bay Area, central labor councils have jointly called May 1 marches and demonstrations  something unthinkable during the long years of the Cold War.

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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

As we celebrate Labor Day, by all means, lets go get the deals at big Labor Day savings sales and grill hot dogs or meatless substitutes over our backyard barbecues. Take the day off work. We all deserve it.
Nikki Garcia's twin sister Brie Garcia desperately wants her to leave her husband Artem Chigvintsev following his arrest for domestic battery, with insiders claiming their marriage had been plagued by arguments.

Artem, 42, was released on a $25,000 bond on August 29, after his early morning arrest in Yountville, California on Thursday.

Due to laws protecting the identity of domestic violence victims, officials at the Napa County Sheriff's Office have not released the name, gender or age of the alleged victim, but reports indicated he was charged with corporal injury to a spouse.

An insider close to former WWE star Brie, 40, has said she is 'disgusted' by the news of Artem's arrest, and wants her twin to have nothing to do with him.'

'Nikki's sister Brie is disgusted, shocked, disappointed and just sad that this happened,' they told DailyMail.com.

Nikki Garcia's twin sister Brie Garcia desperately wants her to leave her husband Artem Chigvintsev following his arrest for domestic battery, insiders have told DailyMail.com

Dancing with the Stars professional Chigvintsev, 42, was released on bond on August 29

'She loves Artem, and for this to be going down is so out of the realm of possibility of the person who she knows. Brie is very concerned about it all and is there for her sister at all costs.'

The added: Brie, who is obviously the closest to Nikki, as anyone would, is telling her to leave Artem, if this is as bad as it seems, and if it happened before, once she finds out everything that happened, she will be the first to tell Nikki to leave him.

Nikki and Artem's marriage was reportedly plagued by arguments, but his violent outburst has shocked the WWE star and her family.

One thing Nikki never showed was the verbal troubles that she had with Artem,' the source continued. 'They wouldn't treat each other very nice and they never built on a friendship.

'Their sole focus has been on their son and not on each other. That caused arguments, but as far as everyone knows it never got physical.

'Family and friends are very surprised things got physical, but they're not exactly surprised that they were having trouble, it just seemed like normal relationship issues to outsiders.

Brie's concern for her sister comes as a representative speaking on behalf of Nikki called for privacy following the arrest.

'This is a private matter, and Nikki asks for privacy for her and her family at this time,' a rep told Us Weekly.

Officials with the Napa County Sheriff's Office confirmed Artem's arrest with Dailymail.com on Thursday, noting that deputies clearly witnessed physical evidence of domestic violence prior to taking the ABC star into custody.

The DWTS pro was arrested just three days after he and Nikki, 40, had celebrated their second wedding anniversary (Pictured in 2019)

An insider close to Nikki's twin Brie told DailyMail.com that she wants her sibling to leave Artem and that she is concerned for her safety

The longtime Dancing With the Stars pro was arrested in Yountville, California in connection with suspicion of felony domestic violence by deputies with the department.

'When it comes to felony domestic violence, it's not based on hearsay,' said Henry Wofford, a spokesperson for Napa County Sheriff's Office.

'The deputies saw something that is apparent.'

He explained: 'I'm not telling you this is what happened in this particular case, but sometimes there would be evidence of blood, sometimes scratches, sometimes it's bruises - it's something visible where the deputies said, "OK, we're making this arrest".'

A 911 call made from the premises at around 8:30 a.m, insiders close to the probe told TMZ on Thursday, after an unidentified caller reported a 'medical emergency' from their $1.5 million marital home.

Sources told the outlet that 'paramedics and the fire department were on route, someone from the house called 911 again to cancel the request, and both agencies went back to their stations.

Over the weekend, Nikki was seen boarding a JSX flight to Sin City at Oakland airport without her wedding ring. She was accompanied by her son Matteo, four, and an assistant

Artem and Nikki have been arguing - but this has never previously, to anyone's knowledge, turned physical

According to the Napa County arrest database, the specific state penal code applies to suspects who 'willfully [inflict] corporal injury resulting in a traumatic condition' toward a 'spouse or former spouse;' 'cohabitant or former cohabitant;' 'fiance or fiance;' 'someone with whom the offender has, or previously had, an engagement or dating relationship;' or 'the mother or father of the offender's child.'

Three days prior to his arrest, Artem celebrated his second wedding anniversary with wife Nikki, who formerly wrestled in the WWE under the name Nikki Bella alongside Brie. The siblings were known as the Bella Twins.

Artem and Nikki initially crossed paths in 2017 when they were paired up on the 25th season of Dancing with the Stars.

The couple are parents to son Matteo, four.

Artem had previously been in high-profile relationships with other celebrities, including dancer Giselle Peacock, 43, between 2004 and 2005. He also dated DWTS judge Carrie Ann Inaba, 56, between 2006 and 2008.

Over the weekend, Nikki was seen boarding a JSX flight to Sin City at Oakland airport without her wedding ring. She was accompanied by her son and an assistant.
Zac Efron made a stylish appearance at the amfAR Gala during Venice Film Festival on Sunday, marking his first public outing since his recent hospitalization.

The High School Musical star, 36, looked dapper in an elegant black suit worn over a black t-shirt.

The actor completed the look with a pair of black sunglasses, and sported a light smattering of facial hair.

Inside the event he was pictured mingling with Pretty Woman star Richard Gere, 75, and his wife Alejandra Gere, 41.

It comes a month after Efron was taken to hospital following an incident while swimming at luxe villa in Ibiza.

Zac Efron, 36, made a stylish appearance at the amfAR Gala during Venice Film Festival on Sunday, marking his first public outing since his recent hospitalization

The High School Musical star looked dapper in an elegant black suit worn over a black t-shirt

Efron was hospitalized in Ibiza at the begging of August, after he dove deep into a pool at a villa, with his chest striking the pool's bottom, leading to him ingesting water in his lungs.

Insiders told TMZ the actor dove into the pool during an outing with friends on the Spanish island.

The San Luis Obispo, California-born entertainer had taken in 'a large amount of water into his lungs' after he made contact with the bottom of the pool.

The Iron Claw leading man had 'showed signs of distress' in the wake of the incident, sources told the outlet, at which point security officials rushed in to assist him.

He had been 'momentarily dazed' and subsequently transported to a medical facility 'as a precautionary measure,' sources told the outlet.

Medical officials examined Efron with X-rays to his chest in an effort to determine that his lungs were clear of water, insiders told the outlet.

Efron had been medically cleared by doctors, but took his time departing the medical facility after a group of photographers in the area had learned he was there and congregated outside.

He later took to Instagram Stories with an image of himself working out at a resort, as he lifted dumbbells while balancing on an exercise ball.

The actor completed the look with a pair of black sunglasses, and sported a light smattering of facial hair

It comes a month after Efron was taken to hospital following an incident while swimming at luxe villa in Ibiza

Inside the event he was pictured mingling with Pretty Woman star Richard Gere , 75, and his wife Alejandra Gere, 41

The actors were seen chatting it up

The actor updated fans on his condition after his hospital trip, saying, 'Happy and healthy - thanks for the well wishes.'

A source previously revealed to TMZ that the actor was 'found inside the swimming pool by two people working at the villa who pulled him out of the water.'

Efron's representative confirmed to the outlet that the actor was hospitalized 'as a precautionary measure' following the 'minor' incident and is 'recovering just fine;' as he was released from the hospital.

Ahead of the incident, he joined Dutch DJ, Martin Garrix, on stage during one of his shows.

The Disney Channel alum had been spending time in Ibiza and Europe over the summer.

The actor has past shared his experiences participating in extreme sports, including dives, via his social media accounts.

The incident comes more than a decade after he 'shattered' his jaw in 2013 after he slipped on a pair of socks while running at his home, which caused him to smash his chin into a granite fountain.

In 2022, he told Men's Health Magazine that he lost consciousness only to wake up with 'his chin bone hanging off his face.'

Efron was hospitalized in Ibiza in early August, after he dove deep into a pool at a villa, with his chest striking the pool's bottom and ingesting water in his lungs; Pictured in LA in June

He later appeared to be on the mend in the wake of the incident, as he was pictured exercising on social media, and thanked his fans for the well wishes

Efron said that when he was injured, the masseter muscles on the inside of his face and jaw then 'compensated' for his injury causing them to grow in size - hence his remarkable transformation.

He says this explains why he looked so different at the time. 'The masseters just grew. They just got really, really big.'

Following the accident, Efron has been at the center of plastic surgery rumors, but the hunky actor the star insisted that the changes are just the result of shattering his jaw.

The Gold actor also claimed to not know that he was a huge talking point on social media and had in fact gone viral for his different-looking jaw, until his mother called to ask if he had gone under the knife.

'If I valued what other people thought of me to the extent that they may think I do,' he told the magazine, 'I definitely wouldn't be able to do this work.'

In April 2021, Efron started trending on Twitter after he was seen on a video for Earth Day! The Musical displaying a more prominent square chin and heavier jawline.

In the clip, Efron eagerly called Bill Nye a 'genius' after hearing that he and Justin Bieber were working on a fictional Earth Day musical.

It led fans to speculate that the handsome star had sought plastic surgery.

The actor has past shared his experiences participating in extreme sports, including dives, via his social media accounts; pictured in March of 2022

Efron's pal Kyle Sandilands had also spoke on his behalf - saying the Baywatch star would never do such a thing, comparing him to an oil painting by one of the Old Masters. The Australian radio host, who has known Zac for years, shut down speculation during The Kyle and Jackie O Show at the time.

'I would know if he'd had any plastic surgery,' Kyle declared, before telling his co-host Jackie 'O' Henderson that 'of course' Zac hadn't had work done.

He then said it would be pointless for the High School Musical heart-throb to have surgery because he's already so good looking: 'It's like getting a Picasso and having a kid finger paint all over it. Why bother?'

Last month, fans once again raised questions about his appearance after watching his new Netflix film, A Family Affair, alongside Nicole Kidman.
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Kyle Sandilands and Jackie O Henderson have revealed the final words of Fatman Scoop, after the US rapper tragically died onstage in the US over the weekend.

Speaking about the tragedy on Monday morning's Kyle and Jackie O Show, the radio hosts played a short clip from what would be Fatman Scoop's final performance in Hamden Connecticut on Friday.

Fatman, real name Isaac Freeman III, can be heard breathlessly hyping the excited crowd up with: 'I said Hamden make some noise!'

He then shouted 'If you came to party,' before taking a long pause to catch his breath.

'Make some noise,' he continued before collapsing on the stage.

Before playing the clip, Jackie, 49, said that it the rapper's final words were 'ironic.'

'It's just so ironic, not ironic, but it's like so funny that his last words were also the most iconic words that we know him for,' she said.

'It's hard to listen to in a way.'

Radio hosts Kyle and Jackie O have revealed the chilling final words of Fatman Scoop, after the US rapper tragically died onstage in the US over the weekend

After the clip, a clearly shocked Kyle, 53, added: 'Everyone was wondering what's going on and someone's given him CPR behind the DJ box and they just couldn't get him back.'

Jackie added that at least the rapper died doing what he loved - hyping up crowds on stage.

'It's sad, isn't it,' she said. 'But then I guess maybe that would be, if he could choose a way to go out, doing what he loved.'

Fatman Scoop passed away, aged 53, after suffering a medical emergency on stage on Friday.

Speaking about the tragedy on Monday morning's Kyle and Jackie O Show, the radio hosts played a short audio clip from Fatman Scoop's final performance in Hamden Connecticut on Friday

The artist collapsed on stage in Hamden Town Center Park, Connecticut and was rushed to hospital.

Screams rang out at his final show as the legendary hype man was seen struggling after he climbed onto a platform before disappearing from view, as medics raced to revive him.

His tour manager announced his passing on Saturday, saying he was 'lost for words.'

Freeman's manager, DJ and producer Birch Michael, announced the rapper's death 'with the heaviest of hearts' in posts to social media on Saturday morning.

Shortly after, the artist's family said in a statement that he was 'not just a world class performer - he was a father, brother, uncle and a friend.'

'Last night, the world lost a radiant soul, a beacon of light on the stage and in life,' the family said. 'He was the laughter in our lives, a constant source of support, unwavering strength, and courage.'

Born in New York City in 1971, Freeman made his name through collaborations with mega-stars including Missy Elliot and Mariah Carey in the early 2000s, and was known for his deep, roaring vocal presence.

Fatman, real name Isaac Freeman III, can be heard breathlessly hyping the excited crowd up with: 'I said Hamden make some noise!'

His family described him as 'the undisputed voice of the club', and said his 'music made us dance and embrace life with positivity.'

A three-time Grammy Award winner, in recent years Fatman Scoop ventured into podcasting and reality TV, including appearing on Channel 5's Celebrity Big Brother: UK vs USA in 2015.

The artist's exact cause of death is not clear, however it came after he suffered the medical emergency on stage.

Around 8:33pm, authorities were dispatched to the scene. They wheeled the rapper out from venue on a stretcher and rushed him to the hospital.

Hamden Mayor Lauren Garett said following the incident that Scoop was undergoing emergency care and asked fans to 'keep him in your thoughts and prayers.'

Tributes quickly poured in for the artist as news of his death was shared, with UK's Reminisce Festival - where he was set for perform on September 7 - sharing that his 'absence will be profoundly felt by everyone.'

'He was not just one of our most popular performers, he was a cherished member of the Reminisce family,' the festival said.
An Australian woman has revealed she was 'extremely horrified' when she found out her son was fathered by a 'serial' sperm donor.

Netherlands sperm donor Jonathan Meijer, 43, is the subject of Netflix documentary 'The Man With 1000 Kids' after his obsession with donating his seed has led to concerns he has fathered over 1,000 babies.

On Monday, a woman named Laura appeared on KIIS FM's The Kyle and Jackie O Show, to reveal Meijer was the father of her son.

Laura explained that she and her wife Kate used an international sperm bank to import the sperm donation to a clinic in the ACT and successfully fell pregnant.

Hosts Jackie O Henderson and Kyle Sandilands asked Laura how she worked out Meijer was the father of her child if sperm donor identities are usually kept anonymous until the child has turned 18.

'My partner and I were extremely horrified and shocked because we were tipped off on a Facebook group looking for siblings. Obviously, we wanted to find siblings as soon as we could for our son,' the mother said.

As Laura navigated the Facebook groups to find brothers and sisters across the world for her son, a fellow member of the group informed her.

'[My son] was very small at the time, and unfortunately, someone said, "I'm really sorry to tell you this but [Meijer] is a serial sperm donor in the Netherlands and there are hundreds, if not thousands, of children out there."'

An Australian woman has revealed she was 'extremely horrified' when she found out her son was fathered by serial sperm donor Jonathan Meijer

A woman named Laura (pictured) appeared on The Kyle and Jackie O Show to reveal Meijer was the father of her son. Laura explained that she and her wife Kate used an international sperm bank to import the sperm donation to a clinic in the ACT

Jackie then asked if this was before the Netflix special was released and Laura confirmed that it predated the documentary.

The hosts then wondered if Meijer had fathered any other children in Australia.

'We haven't found any others in Australia yet, but we expect there's up to between 5 and 10, you know, maybe 5 to 10 families in Australia,' answered Laura, leaving Jackie and Kyle shocked.

Hosts Jackie O Henderson (pictured) and Kyle Sandilands asked Laura how she worked out Meijer was the father of her child if sperm donor identities are usually kept anonymous until the child has turned 18

Last month, the radio hosts were left stunned when Meijer hung up on them during a heated interview on their show.

Kyle did not hold back during the confrontational interview and bluntly asked Meijer why he is 'addicted' to donating sperm, as it could lead to future inbreeding among his children.

'Why are you doing it, what tells you that women want your seed? I think you're addicted,' Kyle bluntly said.

However, Meijer was having none of it and told Kyle he was doing it because he loved helping couples out: 'There's an enormous shortage. There's so few men who want to do it. I help so much.'

Last month, Kyle Sandilands and Jackie 'O' Henderson were left shocked when infamous Netflix star Meijer hung up on them during a heated chat

A furious Kyle then shot back: 'You're addicted to this! You're addicted to jerking... for the ladies.'

Meijer then told the stars he was done with the chat and abruptly ended the call: 'You know what? I'm done with this interview. Goodbye.'

Kyle told his co-star Jackie O that Meijer was a 'seed spreading lunatic'.

Meijer is the subject of the recently released Netflix documentary titled The Man With 1000 Kids, which investigates the families who have had children by him.

He donated sperm on a mass scale, defrauding dozens of parents and eleven clinics across the globe.

The radio stars were chatting to Netherlands sperm donor Jonathan Meijer whose obsession with donating his seed has led to concerns he had fathered over 1,000 babies. After he was pressed on his motivations, Meijer hung up on the radio duo. Pictured: Kyle Sandilands

In the explosive Netflix documentary investigating this 'murky world', women told how they felt 'betrayed' and 'angry' after discovering how many other children the now 43-year-old musician has fathered.

But in an interview Meijer, who has also been labelled a 'public health risk' and 'narcissist' claimed he had 'no protection' as a private donor, making him 'very vulnerable'.

Meijer argued there was 'absolutely nothing wrong' with fathering hundreds of children.

However, one of the potential issues that could arise is inbreeding, if two of his children meet later in life and have children of their own, not realising they are genetic half-siblings.

Meijer was banned from donating sperm in the Netherlands in 2017, external after it emerged he was the father of 102 children, born from donations made to 11 clinics around the country.

He continued donating in other countries until 2023, when one woman and a foundation supporting her filed a civil suit against Meijer, arguing he was increasing the risk of incest for his children.

In his testimony, Meijer admitted having between 550 and 600 children - However, the court said he may have fathered up to 1,000 across several continents.
Married At First Sight's Jayden Eynaud has offered a cryptic hint about his family plans.

The 28-year-old kickboxer was paired with Eden Harper on the hit reality dating show, but split with her shortly after the show aired.

And on Father's Day, his brother Mitch Eynaud, who is also a MAFS alum, shared a post to Instagram that suggested Jayden might be starting a family soon.

Mitch shared a tribute to his father, showing a picture of him alongside Jayden.

'Father's Day,' he wrote, followed by a love heart.

But it was another mysterious message that set tongues wagging.

Underneath Mitch's father, he wrote 'dad', but underneath Jayden, he wrote 'soon to be dad,' followed by a hush emoji.

Jayden has not yet publicly announced who he may be expecting a child with, or even divulged that he's in a new relationship.

Married At First Sight's Jayden Eynaud (pictured) has offered a cryptic hint about his family plans. The 28-year-old kickboxer was paired with Eden Harper on the hit reality dating show, but split with her shortly after the show aired

Daily Mail Australia has contacted Jayden for comment.

But the family plans are unlikely to involve Jayden's on-screen wife Eden, from whom the kickboxer parted ways earlier this year.

Eden, 28, who met her partner on season 11, confirmed the news on Instagram in April, after eight months together.

On Father's Day, Jayden's brother Mitch Eynaud, who is also a MAFS alum, shared a picture to Instagram that suggested Jayden might be starting a family soon. Underneath Mitch's father, he wrote 'dad', but underneath Jayden, he wrote 'soon to be dad,' followed by a hush emoji

'When I made the decision at final vows to be with Jayden, I really did that with the intention of it being forever,' Harper began.

'Jayden & I spent many months together after the experiment, Cub gained a dad and I gained a whole second family who I'm truly grateful for.

'I'm saddened to share that toward the end of the show airing, our relationship came to an end. The reality is, the person I chose, didn't choose me.'

But the family plans are unlikely to involve Jayden's on-screen wife Eden, whom the kickboxer parted ways with earlier this year. Eden, 28, who met her partner on season 11, confirmed the news on Instagram in April, after eight months together. Both pictured

'Whilst I'm disappointed that what you saw didn't translate in the real world, I will never regret this experiment, the people I met, the lessons I learnt and the growth it has had on me.

She concluded the post thanking fans for their support.

Later, Jayden released a similar statement, posting: 'Sometimes in life, things don't always go the way you had hoped for.

'After the experiment, Eden and I went back to the Gold Coast and continued to enjoy living our lives together and getting to know each other every day.

'However, unfortunately, our relationship ended not long before the end of the experiment airing.

'As sad as it is, Im so glad I got to go through this with such an amazing woman and a beautiful son [DOG EMOJI].'

He concluded, 'You will both always have a second family on the Gold Coast'.
CCTV footage of Bianca Censori has revealed she wears completely different clothes to her usual scantily clad ensembles when husband Kanye West isn't around.

The 29-year-old often makes headlines for wearing next to nothing in public while the American rapper, 47, completely covers himself while they are out and about.

However, during a visit to Melbourne on May 24, College Dropout Burgers owner Mark Elkhouri captured Bianca fully clothed on his store's security camera.

The architect could be seen going incognito as she walked down the sidewalk wearing black flared leggings and an oversized black jumper.

She hid her face beneath the black hood as she paired her surprisingly demure look with a pair of crisp white sneakers.

CCTV footage of Bianca Censori, 29, (right) has revealed she wears completely different clothes to her usual scantily clad ensembles when husband Kanye West, 47, (left) isn't around

During a visit to Melbourne on May 24, College Dropout Burgers owner Mark Elkhouri captured Bianca fully clothed on his store's security camera (pictured)

Kanye commenced legal action against Mark and College Dropout Burgers on the grounds he engaged in 'misleading and deceptive conduct' by representing the business had the rapper's sponsorship or approval.

The restaurant's name, burgers and signage borrowed titles from Kanye's albums and songs, including his debut 2004 album The College Dropout.

However, an Australian judge dismissed the case in March last year when Kanye took 'no steps' in advancing the litigation since initiating proceedings in 2022.

The case was dismissed in the Federal Court of Australia after lawyers representing Mark told the court Kanye had not responded to them - despite several attempts - and had 'no genuine interest' in progressing the case.

Footage of her visit to the burger restaurant emerged on Thursday when the owner shared the clip to the store's TikTok page.

'I got spies all around me. Yeezy, how you doing, huh?' Mark captioned the video, saying it 'might be the unofficial music video' for Kanye's song Back To Me.

Mark then went on to joke the CCTV footage was actually the music video for his made up song They Come From Ivanhoe, which is where Bianca was spotted.

Bianca's family is from the Melbourne suburb of Alphington which shares a border with the suburb Ivanhoe.

Mark revealed to the Herald Sun on Saturday that he briefly spoke with Bianca on the day she strolled past College Dropout Burgers.

'College Dropout is so iconic that even the most unexpected people will go there just to walk past and check it out,' he said.

The business owner went on to say he decided to release the video last week after seeing images of Bianca and Kanye eating at a KFC in the US.

'Going to KFC is like going to a public bathroom, everyone's been to one, but not everyone has experienced college dropout  yet,' he said.

It isn't the first time Mark and his burger store have had a run-in with the Wests, as Kanye very nearly sued him in October 2022.

The architect often makes headlines for wearing next to nothing in public while the American rapper completely covers himself while they are out and about

College Dropout Burgers owner Mark (pictured outside of court) was once almost sued by Kanye for naming his restaurant after the rapper's debut 2004 album. The case was dismissed

It follows fears Bianca is being 'controlled' by her husband Kanye as she steps out in a range of skimpy outfits (here she is pictured in Paris in June)

Bianca went braless in a nude bodysuit as she joined Kanye for the Prototypes menswear show in June

In January, Kanye shared a series of revealing snaps of his wife on Instagram

Kanye declared Bianca will be wearing less clothes than ever before in 2024 as he posted a slew of racy snaps captioned 'No pants this year'

Bianca's loved ones have expressed their fears after she married Kanye in December 2022

It follows fears Bianca is being 'controlled' by her husband Kanye as she steps out in a range of skimpy outfits.

Bianca's loved ones have expressed their fears after she married Kanye in December 2022 - with some going as far as staging an intervention, while her father Leo was reportedly keen to confront the rapper over his daughter's X-rated clothing.

In March this year, Bianca's mother flew from Australia to the US with the intention of 'saving' the Yeezy designer, according to insiders, who claim she is taking time 'to see for herself' whether her daughter truly does have everything under control.

'Bianca's mum had to see for herself after Bianca told her family she has this under control,' a source told DailyMail.com. 'This has been a wonderful opportunity for Alexandra to get to spend time with Bianca and assess the situation for herself.'

The insider continued: 'Right now is a pivotal time and Alexandra was lowkey believing she would come to save her daughter. But this is not the case.

'Kanye has started to turn things around since the release of Vultures in the sense that he is not going off on as many unhinged rants.

'He also knows how to sweet talk a mum. This has been really a good experience, and everyone is so relieved to see her with Alexandra.'

More recently, insiders claim Bianca's family are concerned Kanye is 'dragging her into the adult film world' and using her to promote his new Yeezy Porn venture.

The Grammy winner has been lambasted by fans for appearing to dismiss the Christian beliefs he had previously prioritized so publicly.

Bianca's family and friends are said to be among the critics and fear the architectural designer will be 'used' to 'promote sexual indecency' by the controversial musician.

'Bianca's family was willing to give Kanye the benefit of the doubt after her mom's recent visit to LA,' an insider told DailyMail.com exclusively.

'For Bianca's sake they were willing to overlook his anti-Semitic remarks and inappropriate behavior.

'They were even trying to accept that he was not forcing Bianca to do anything. They were aware of Kanye and Biancas project to create and sell their own brand of clothing.

'But with two feminist sisters and an equally feminist mother, it is hard to rationalize or accept her involvement in this new venture.'
Natalie Bassingthwaighte says ending her marriage to Cameron McGlinchey and going public with new partner Pip Loth has been 'scary but rewarding.'

Natalie, 48, split with her former Rogue Traders bandmate Cameron in 2023 after 12 years of marriage, before revealing a new relationship with Pip Loth in April this year.

Speaking to the Daily Telegraph, Natalie admitted that while it had been challenging helping children Harper, 14, and Hendrix, 11, adjust to the new normal, it had ultimately been a worthwhile experience.

'I mean, it can definitely be scary, really breaking down some of those old patterns and traumas and delving into it,' Natalie told the publication.

'But at the same time, it can be incredibly rewarding and fulfilling.'

Natalie, who is set to star on the upcoming Channel Nine reality show Amazing Race Australia: Celebrity Edition, added she is proud of the person she had become.

'It's not even in the last year but I think in life, we go through so much  in relationships, in friendships, in just growing as a human and as a person,' the former Neighbours star said.

Natalie also revealed that she was a constant work in progress, with self-reflection always high on the agenda.

Natalie Bassingthwaighte has revealed that ending her marriage to Cameron McGlinchey and going public with new partner Pip Loth had been 'scary but rewarding'

'I've done a lot of soul-searching and a lot of deep-diving over the last little while  and I'm still doing it, I'm not stopping,' Natalie admitted.

'I still have my regular therapy sessions and try and make sense of this crazy mind of mine and the life that I've had.'

Last August it emerged that Natalie had quietly split from her husband Cameron McGlinchey.

Natalie then revealed she was dating a woman in an interview with Stellar magazine on November 19, and later disclosed Pip's name on Instagram 10 days later.

Natalie, 48, split with her former Rogue Traders bandmate Cameron (pictured) in 2023 after 12 years of marriage, before revealing a new relationship with Pip Loth in April this year

'I'm in a beautiful relationship with a woman who makes my heart smile and makes me really happy,' she revealed to the magazine.

During her Stellar interview, Natalie confirmed that Cameron was aware of her new relationship.

When media interest intensified about her private life, Natalie said she immediately rang her ex-husband in 'hysterics' in fear she might be outed.

'He said, "It's okay. This is your truth and you now have to sit in it and stand in it and own it,"' she revealed.

'It's not even in the last year but I think in life, we go through so much  in relationships, in friendships, in just growing as a human and as a person,' the former Neighbours star said. Natalie is pictured with Pip Loth

A friend of the soap star and her ex told Daily Mail Australia: 'They were never really in a conventional relationship.

'They both nested the kids in a happy home and have been able to come and go, sharing parenting and other responsibilities.

'The way in which they have been able to stay friends has been impressive.'

Natalie and her husband married back in 2011, and met while they were in the band Rogue Traders together.

Rogue Traders formed in Melbourne in 2002, with Neighbours star Natalie joining them in 2004.
Jackie 'O' Henderson has revealed which Hollywood superstar was 'desperate' for a coffee date following a meet-up in Los Angeles.

The radio star, 49, said on her Kyle and Jackie O Show on Monday that actor Chris Noth, who plays Mr Big in Sex and the City, was very 'needy' when they met in LA.

Co-host Kyle Sandilands brought up their run-in with the HBO star when Jackie raised concerns about Chris, 69, being 'desperate' to have a coffee with Kyle.

'You know Mr. Big, right? That guy. Remember when we had dinner with him years ago?' Kyle, 53, asked.

Jackie confirmed she did indeed remember their meeting, but had some reservations about Chris due to his 'neediness.'

'You were jealous he wanted to be my coffee buddy,' Kyle said.

'I just was surprised that he was quite needy, you know? Like, he was a needy guy. He was so desperate to hang out with Kyle for a coffee the next day.'

'He's like, "Be my coffee buddy. Will we be coffee buddies?" And I thought, "Surely this guy has his own friends. He's [Mr] Big!"'

Jackie 'O' Henderson, 49, (pictured) has revealed which Hollywood superstar was 'desperate' for a coffee date following a meet-up in Los Angeles

Kyle remembered asking Chris what being coffee buddies entailed and was told it involved meeting daily at a specific time.

'I thought, "I can't commit to a daily coffee!"' Kyle said.

Jackie added: 'And I just thought it was strange because I thought someone like him surely would have great friends that he could catch up with.'

The radio star said on her Kyle and Jackie O Show on Monday that actor Chris Noth, 69, (pictured) who plays Mr Big in Sex and the City, was very 'needy' when they met in LA

It comes just a few weeks after Jackie announced she is set to release a new 'tell all' memoir.

The radio host revealed she'll be releasing the book titled 'The Whole Truth' on October 29.

She also teased fans with the new contents during the Kyle and Jackie O Show on Wednesday.

Jackie said fans can look forward to reading more of the gritty details about her personal life she doesn't share on the radio, including an in depth look at her former marriages to Phil O'Neil and Lee Henderson.
Katie Holmes paid homage to her former Dawson's Creek co-star Obi Ndefo, following his death at 51.

The actress, 45, took to her Instagram Stories, re-sharing a snap posted by her other co-star Mary-Margaret Humes, 70, and wrote, 'He was wonderful to work with and such a kind man.'

'I send prayers and grace to his family. Rest in peace,' the actress added, along with a heart emoji.

Ndefo appeared in Dawson's Creek between 1998 and 2002, where he played Holmes' character's brother-in-law Bodie Wells.

Earlier in the day Mary-Margaret, who played Dawson Leery's mother in the hit teen drama alongside Katie, James Van Der Beek and Joshua Jackson, also hailed Obi as a 'dear friend' after it was revealed he had died.

Katie Holmes, 45, paid homage to her former Dawson's Creek co-star Obi Ndefo, following his death at 51; she is seen in June in NYC

Ndefo appeared in Dawson's Creek between 1998 and 2002, where he played Holmes' character's brother-in-law Bodie Wells; they are seen in a 1998 still from the show

His sister Nkem Ndefo announced his death on Facebook on Saturday (31.08.24), saying: 'Heartbroken at the loss of my younger brother and knowing he's finally at peace.'

In her tribute on Instagram, Mary-Margaret wrote: 'These words don't come easy. It's hard for me to conceive that you have left us, my dear friend.'

'You always were and always will be a bright shining light. What an example of pure unfiltered love and tenacity you set as you faced life's challenges of recent.'

'I will cherish all of our messages of love and support to each other over the past few years. Rest in peace sweet warrior.' Mary-Margaret accompanied her tribute with a video of him and his 'Dawson's Creek' co-stars and a throwback selfie of her with the actor.

Obi's character dropped in and out of the show before it saw him settle in the Capeside community with his family.

While announcing his passing, his sister also shared a photo of her and Obi smiling together.

The actor's cause of death is not yet known.

Obi's passing comes after he lost both his legs after he was hit by a car in August, 2019, following a trip to a supermarket in Los Angeles, and after he had come from teaching a yoga class.

The actor was putting groceries into his parked SUV when he was struck by a hit and run driver who sped off after the accident, which left Obi's left leg hanging off and his right totally severed. He lost his left leg during his recovery from the horrific incident.

Obi's acting career started after he studied drama at Yale University.

The actress took to her Instagram Stories, resharing a snap posted by other co-star Mary-Margaret Humes, 70, and wrote, 'He was wonderful to work with and such a kind man'

Earlier in the day Mary-Margaret paid tribute to Obi by hailing him as a 'bright shining light'; she shared this snap of her with Obi in the post

His sister Nkem Ndefo (left) announced his death on Facebook on Saturday (31.08.24), saying: 'Heartbroken at the loss of my younger brother and knowing he's finally at peace'

The cause of the actors death is unknown at this time

He lost both of his legs in an August 2019 hit-and-run crash

The actor has also featured in episodes of The West Wing, NYPD Blue, Crossing Jordan and The District

Dawson's Creek's revolved around the lives of a group of friends growing up in the fictional town of Capeside, Massachusetts; (L-R) Michelle Williams, James Van Der Beek, Joshua Jackson, and Katie seen in a 1999 still

He went on to founder Los Angeles-based Arts Alliance for Humanity, a non-profit group that supports arts education in public schools and communities.

Along with becoming a yoga teacher despite being a double leg amputee, lifelong fitness fanatic Obi was also a writer.

Dawson's Creek's revolved around the lives of a group of friends growing up in the fictional town of Capeside, Massachusetts.

It followed main characters Dawson Leery (Van Der Beek) an aspiring filmmaker; Joey Potter (Holmes), his best friend and love interest; Jen Lindley (Michelle Williams) and Pacey Witter (Jackson).

Along with 'Dawson's Creek', Obi's other notable TV appearances included roles on the shows 'Angel', 'The West Wing', 'Stargate SG-1', '3rd Rock from the Sun' and 'Star Trek: Deep Space Nine'.
Australian actress Toni Collette cut a casual figure on Saturday when she was spotted at Sydney Airport.

The Hereditary star, 51, was dressed for comfort as she arrived to check in at the international terminal.

Toni wore a pair of three-quarter length navy blue cargo pants and a plain white T-shirt for her overseas trip.

Leaving her long, windswept locks loose to cascade down her shoulders, Toni also wore a pair of large black cats-eye style sunglasses.

Toni augmented her travel ensemble with a gold link chain necklace and a second gold chain around her neck that appeared to be carrying a ring.

Wanting to avoid blisters on her long-haul flight, Toni opted for a pair of well-worn sparkly silver sneakers from Golden Goose.

The Muriel's Wedding star looked happy as she wheeled her luggage through the international terminal.

As she carried her luggage, a sweet tattoo tribute to her children could be spotted.

Australian actress Toni Collette, 51, (pictured) cut a casual figure on Saturday when she was spotted at Sydney Airport

Located on her right forearm, the handwritten tattoo is of her children Arlo, 13, and Sage's, 16, names.

The cute tribute looked to have been penned by one of her children in their younger years.

Toni shares Arlo and Sage with ex Dave Galafassi.

The About A Boy star announced her separation from Dave, 46, after 19 years of marriage back in December 2022.

The Hereditary star was dressed for comfort as she arrived to check in at the international terminal

As she carried her luggage a sweet tattoo tribute to her children Arlo, 13, and Sage, 16, could be spotted

At the time of the split, Dave was pictured passionately kissing chiropractor Shannon Egan at Manly Beach in Sydney.

Daily Mail Australia contacted Toni's management about the photos, and hours later she announced the couple had split in a joint statement posted to Instagram.

'It is with grace and gratitude that we announce we are divorcing,' the pair wrote. 'We're united in our decision and part with continuing respect and care for each other.

'Our kids are of paramount importance to us and we will continue to thrive as a family, albeit a different shape.

'We're thankful for the space and love you grant us as we evolve and move through this transition peacefully. Big thanks.'

Toni shares Arlo and Sage with ex Dave Galafassi (pictured)

The pair met in 2002 at the launch of Galafassi's band Gelbison's debut album Metal Detector in Sydney and their second encounter came just a few days later at a house party.

The pair were married with Buddhist rituals on Toni's property at Berry on the NSW south coast, less than a year after they met, in January 2003.

The ceremony was followed by a weekend of partying which featured dancing monks, fireworks and a vegetarian banquet for 100 guests.

Actor Rachel Griffiths, who starred alongside Toni in Muriel's Wedding, was among those to attend the nuptials.

Dave has since been romantically linked with Love My Way star Claudia Karvan, 52.
Michael Turnbull has celebrated his first Father's Day after welcoming his son earlier this year.

The Bachelorette star, 43, took to Instagram over the weekend to pay tribute to his baby boy, Winston Wolf, whom he shares with Charlotte Cushing.

In an adorable picture he shared to the social media platform, Michael showed off his muscular arms in a singlet as he cradled his young son.

'Thank you for making me a dad Winston Wolf, you are truly my happiness,' the reality star wrote in the caption.

Michael's partner Charlotte, sounded off in the comments in response to the cute picture.

'My boys! Happy Father's Day to our rock and shining light. We love you endlessly,' she wrote.

The former reality star and former Ms Galaxy Australia welcomed the baby boy in March of this year.

The little tyke's name appears to be based on a character in Quentin Tarantino's 1994 dark-comedy hit Pulp Fiction.

Michael Turnbull (pictured right) has celebrated his first Father's Day after welcoming his son earlier this year. Pictured with his girlfriend Charlotte Cushing

Winston Wolfe, better known as The Wolf, was memorably portrayed by actor Harvey Keitel.

The proud parents shared a gallery of intimate family images to announce their baby boy's arrival.

In the first pictured Michael is seen cradling the sweet newborn in his muscular, well-inked arms.

In a second frame, Charlotte looked every inch the proud mother as she held Winston.

'Thank you for making me a dad Winston Wolf, you are truly my happiness,' he wrote alongside a sweet image with his baby boy

Michael announced Charlotte's pregnancy back in October.

The star, who appeared in multiple incarnations of the Bachelor franchise, made the announcement with an adorable polaroid image.

'Baby Turnbull, Due April 2024,' the image read.

The polaroid faded to show himself and Charlotte holding a sonogram of their baby, looking overjoyed at the news.

Charlotte was previously Ms Galaxy Australia/Australasia 2020-22 and a Miss Hawaiian Tropic in 2017. She also held a Miss Supercars title in 2016.

Michael was runner-up on Sam Frost's season of The Bachelorette in 2015 before returning for a stint on Bachelor In Paradise in 2018.
Zara McDermott looked sensational in a series of swimwear snaps on Sunday as she continues to her enjoy her holiday in Biarritz, France.

The former Love Island star, 27, shared the jaw-dropping photos with her 2million Instagram followers and captioned the post: 'this weeks camera roll'.

The brunette bombshell was spotted make-up free as she posed in a low cut white and black swimsuit.

In another snap she posed under a beach-side shower and flaunted her figure in the stunning one-piece as she washed her hair.

The reality star was also seen on a surfboard on the beach showing off her ample cleavage in a low-cut electric blue swimsuit which she paired with a pair of elegant gold earrings.

Zara McDermott, 27, showed off her figure in swimsuit snaps as she enjoyed holiday after it was revealed she doubled her wealth following her troubled Strictly appearance

The reality star also posed on a surfboard on the beach showing off her ample cleavage in a low-cut electric blue swimsuit and a pair of elegant gold earrings

In another snap Zara posed under a beach-side shower and flaunted her figure in the stunning one-piece as she washed her hair

She then shared another photo of herself in a tiny red bikini as she relaxed on a sun lounger, accessorising with nothing but a pair of sun glasses as she topped up her tan.

Zara also made sure to show off her long legs with a series of snaps in a red and white halterneck mini dress.

The documentary maker complimented her look with a bright red lipstick and tiny white handbag as she strolled around the picturesque French town.

The media personality's French getaway follows reports that she doubled her wealth after her time on Strictly Come Dancing which was hit by scandal.

Zara 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.

It came at a time of crisis for the show after Amanda Abbington's complaints about her partner Giovanni Pernice had come to light.

But despite a tough time on the show, since the appearance she has boasted some impressive financials.

The beauty saw her wealth grow from 142,726 in 2022 to 309,913 in 2023, according to new accounts filed to Companies House, reports The Sun.

The former Love Island star relaxed in a tiny red bikini as she sat on a sun lounger, accessorising with nothing but a pair of sun glasses as she topped up her tan

Zara showed off her long legs with a series of snaps in a red and white halterneck mini dress as she strolled through the picturesque French town

The star added a with bright red lip and a mini white bag to her red and white dress as she posed in the sun

Zara has reportedly doubled her wealth after her time on Strictly Come Dancing which was hit by scandal

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

Since her time on Love Island Zara has become a documentary maker for the BBC and recently released a fitness clothes range Rise with Tesco.

Her latest documentary Ibiza: Secrets of the Party Island followed her uncovering the dark side of the holiday destination.

A representative for Zara has been contacted by MailOnline for comment.

It comes after the bombshell accusations of abuse towards her from her Strictly partner Graziano.

She had remained silent about the ordeal but shared her side of the story after she was confronted by BBC bosses during an investigation into their professional dancers' conduct.

She released a statement to her two million Instagram followers which explained she had 'wrestled with the fear of opening up' because she was 'scared about public backlash and of victim shaming'.

The documentary presenter wrote: 'Reports have been made about my treatment on the show and there were witnesses to some events, as well as videos of particular incidents which are incredibly distressing to watch.

'After a lot of conversations with those I love, I've gained the strength to face these fears.

But despite a tough time on the show, since the appearance she has boasted some impressive financials

Since her time on Love Island Zara has become a documentary maker for the BBC and recently released a fitness clothes range Rise with Tesco

'And when I was asked to speak to the BBC, I spoke candidly about my time on the show.'

Last month it was also revealed that the former Made In Chelsea star competed in a dance off with a fractured leg and her professional dancer partner kicked her during their training sessions.

The Sun revealed Zara needed painkillers to get through ten-hour training sessions after breaking a leg bone on the show.

Professional dancer Giovanni has also been let go from the show following an ongoing investigation into his conduct after actress Amanda told the broadcaster she had been mistreated.

The findings of a BBC probe regarding the allegations are set to be released soon.

Zara and her boyfriend Sam Thompson's close pal Pete Wicks is now among the next set of stars to take part in the show.
George Clooney sprung into action at the premiere of his new film Wolfs after a photographer took a tumble in front of him.

The Hollywood legend, 63, was walking the red carpet with wife Amal Clooney at Venice Film Festival on Sunday when he spotted the accident and was quick to rush over and help.

Crouching down and offering his hand, the Oscar-winning star helped the photographer to his feet while Amal, 46, watched on.

George then ensured that the photographer would get a series of great snaps as he pulled hilarious facial expressions on the red carpet before giving the job a go himself and grabbing the camera.

While he was larking around, Amal was the epitome of elegance as she strode past in a yellow corseted gown.

George Clooney sprung into action at the premiere of his new film Wolfs at Venice Film Festival on Sunday after a photographer took a tumble in front of him

George then decided to give the job a go himself as he grabbed the camera and took snaps

The dress was constructed from delicate lace and nipped in at her waist before falling into a dramatic ruffled skirt.

She styled her hair into a voluminous blow dry and carried a glitzy box clutch bag to top off her glamorous look.

Wrapping her arm around George, the couple looked as loved-up as ever while posing for photos at the highly-anticipated event.

In the film George joins Brad Pitt to play criminal 'clean up' specialists who are unexpectedly hired for the same job  disposing of a body in a hotel room.

Leading men Brad and George were reportedly paid $35 million each to act in the caper film, and had insisted on a release in cinemas.

But makers 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.

Apple's 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.

The Hollywood legend, 63, was walking the red carpet with wife Amal Clooney at Venice Film Festival on Sunday when he spotted the accident and was quick to rush over and help

George then ensured that the photographer would get a series of great snaps as he pulled hilarious facial expressions on the red carpet

He was joined by festival staff and photographers for a hilarious group shot

While he was larking around, Amal was the epitome of elegance as she strode past in a yellow corseted gown

George 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' the way it had worked out. 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.

'It's a bummer, of course it's 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.'

Brad 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 it's a delicate balance.'

Asked what the fact that a film with two huge stars was going straight to streaming said George 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.

The couple joined George's co-star Brad Pitt and his girlfriend Ines de Ramon at the premiere

In the film they play criminal 'clean up' specialists who are unexpectedly hired for the same job  disposing of a body in a hotel room (Wolfs stock image)

George said: '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 Brad 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.'
Charlotte Dawson has hit back at 'nasty messages' from fans accusing her of 'milking' her pregnancy amid her fiance Matthew Sarsfield's sexting scandal.

The reality star, 31, has been with the rugby league player, 32, for eight years, but was left hurt and humiliated after discovering last month that he had sent intimate texts to another woman.

But just weeks after the news broke, Charlotte shocked fans by revealing she is pregnant with their 'surprise' third child - already sharing sons Noah, three, and one-year-old Jude.

On Sunday, she took to her Instagram to share a glimpse at her photoshoot with OK magazine, posing with her two little boys and showing off her blossoming baby bump.

But the influencer was hit by a wave of 'nasty' comments on the post, accusing her of 'milking' her pregnancy and Matt's sexting scandal, even suggesting it was all a 'publicity stunt'.

Charlotte Dawson has hit back at 'nasty messages' from fans accusing her of 'milking' her pregnancy amid her fiance Matthew Sarsfield's sexting scandal

The reality star, 31, has been with the rugby league player, 32, for eight years, but was left hurt and humiliated after discovering last month that he had sent intimate texts to another woman

But just weeks after the news broke, Charlotte shocked fans by revealing she is pregnant with their 'surprise' third child - already sharing sons Noah, three, and one-year-old Jude

Charlotte took to her Instagram Stories to defend herself and ask fans with negative opinions to simply unfollow her.

She insisted she had been forced to speak publicly on Matt's actions after the woman he was messaging sold the story, and lamented that she 'can't win' as she faced criticism for staying quiet and for addressing it.

In the lengthy post, she wrote: 'A lovely picture I wanted to share of my boys & I... turned into a negative. I just want to address a few things, a stupid comment about me "milking this".

'Just to remember here I've had my heartbroken [sic] & been embarrassed publicly whilst growing my 3rd child & trying to remain as calm as possible.

'I was always going to be announcing my pregnancy with ok mag, but this was different to how it was meant to be.

'I wanted my fiance & baby daddy in the shoot - it broke my heart he wasn't, I didn't as for this... but obviously I had to talk about it in the interview as that is what's actually happening right now.

'And I've addressed things on my podcast because I felt like it's a safe place to get how I'm really feeling out & off my chest.

'The girl sold the story to the papers so made it public to the press & social media. If this had happened in private not one of you would have known about this.

But the influencer was hit by a wave of 'nasty' comments on the post, accusing her of 'milking' her pregnancy and Matt's sexting scandal, even suggesting it was all a 'publicity stunt'

Charlotte took to her Instagram Stories to defend herself and ask fans with negative opinions to unfollow her, lamenting she 'can't win' as she faced criticism for staying quiet and for addressing it

'I can't win I'd be getting slagged off if I wasn't addressing it then I'm getting slagged off for addressing it. Another one saying I'm hiding Matthew away what do you all want?'

Continuing, Charlotte said that she was trying to focus on staying calm for the sake of her unborn baby and two kids, while adding that the situation was more complicated than 'simply walking away' - admitting she still hadn't made a decision.

She said: 'I don't get it... trust me this is no publicity stunt I wish it was, but please remember I have 2 children with one on the way with him & things are a lot harder than just simply walking away.

'I've not even said anything about 100 percent sorting it out yet, just trying to take each day at a time and keeping myself not stressed with this baby in my belly and my boys happy. Like I've said it's nothing to do with anyone what decision I make it's my family & my life not yours.

'I appreciate it's public so people will have negative comments and opinions but this is my Instagram & if you don't like what you see on here then simple unfollow me I really won't be offended. Go & slag me off elsewhere.

'This is the last time I'll explain myself, any nasty comments will get deleted & you will get blocked because I don't need the extra stress right now.'

Concluding by thanking her fans for their supportive comments, she said: 'But thank you for all your nice & lovely comments I love you all, remember even if you don't want to be... just be kind it makes the world a lot better place. X'

She also hit back directly at one comment on her post, which read: 'Ive always been your biggest fan and adored you. but wow! I really think youre milking it now, half me is feeling is it a stunt.'

Continuing, Charlotte said that she was trying to focus on staying calm for the sake of her unborn baby and two kids, while adding that the situation was more complicated than 'simply walking away' - admitting she still hadn't made a decision

She also hit back directly at one comment on her post, which read: 'Ive always been your biggest fan and adored you. but wow! I really think youre milking it now, half me is feeling is it a stunt'

Charlotte replied: 'I announced my pregnancy with ok which I was doing the whole time before Matthew unfortunately did this.

'As I'm 15 weeks now so Ive known for some time so I had to talk about it which I didnt want to but had to address it. Also I didnt have my fiance & baby daddy on these pictures which hurt so much.

'What I do from now is nothing to do with you or with anyone, its public because this girl sold it to the papers so Ive had to address it - this is not what I wanted. Now if you dont like it or me now unfollow me I wont be offended x'.

In the aftermath of the sexts being revealed, Matthew moved back into his parents' house, but the couple are 'considering couples' counselling' with the Swinton Lions now player living back at the family home.

When Charlotte revealed her pregnancy to OK! Magazine, she admitted that Matthew has begged her to give their relationship another go.

She explained she wants to do 'what's best for my kids' but was still unsure about whether to give Matthew another chance, and admitted she hoped the new baby could 'make him a better man.'

She said: 'It's been a crazy time horrible, having to deal with the heartache, the hurt, and being pregnant too. Noah was asking where Daddy was and I don't want a broken home. I want to do what's best for my kids.

'Matthew says he's going to give everything he's got to make this work. But I've not made a decision on the future of our engagement yet. He needs to change.

In the aftermath of the sexts being revealed, Matthew moved back into his parents' house, but Charlotte admitted that Matthew has begged her to give their relationship another go and he is back living at the family home

It's the second time Charlotte has begged her followers to 'be kind' following her pregnancy announcement, admitting her first trimester had been 'the worst time of my life'

'It would be amazing to have a little girl  for Matthew, too. I think being a girl dad will make him a better man, but we'll see.'

But, according to The Sun the star has taken her fiance back, with a source saying: 'Charlotte has missed Matt so much and he's been spending lots of time back at the house.

'She knows he has done wrong and she won't forget it, but she's pretty much forgiven him already.'

It's the second time Charlotte has begged her followers to 'be kind' following her pregnancy announcement, admitting her first trimester had been 'the worst time of my life.'

She took to her Instagram Stories to write: 'Thank you for all the support, lovely comments and messages! I'm overwhelmed and will try get back to everyone but just so you all know I love you all and very grateful for you all.

'For the negative ones, remember I've had to deal with all this whilst being in my first trimester which has been extremely tough, what meant to be the most happiest time of your life has been the worst time of my life.

'But every baby is a blessing and I'm so blessed right now. And I'm really trying to remain as calm as I can right now and look after this baby.'

Begging her followers to keep negative comments to themselves, she insisted that the decisions about her relationship were hers to make, pointing out that 'it's my life not yours'.

Charlotte spoke out for the first time on the scandal on her My Naughty Corner podcast last month, where she recalled the devastating moment she found out Matt had been sexting another woman

She concluded: 'Please be kind, if you have nothing nice to say please just don't say it. Also whatever I decide to do has nothing to do with anyone else, it's my life not yours.

'I appreciate all your advice and support but some people get far too involved and nasty. Just no need x'.

Charlotte spoke out for the first time on the scandal on her My Naughty Corner podcast last month, where she recalled the devastating moment she found out Matt had been sexting another woman.

She said: 'I don't get why he's done it, it drives me mad because he's got everything. He doesn't want to lose his family over this.'

She explained she was walking to meet Matthew at the barbers when she got a call from her manager who broke the news of his betrayal.

'My whole world came crashing down, I was so shocked. I felt really shocked, hurt and disappointed. His family were really shocked with him,' she said.

Charlotte revealed Matthew had met the blonde woman through rugby as he played on the team with her ex, with them messaging on Instagram, and said: 'I've seen the messages they're not nice, it really hurt'.

She admitted their relationship has been strained for the past two years, with her sometimes turning down sex as she was exhausted from raising their young kids, but pointed out the lack of intimacy was 'no excuse' for his actions.

She said: 'We haven't had a good relationship this past two years, but it's no excuse. Children come in the middle of the relationship. It hasn't been good for a while. It's hard to get that intimate time that's been a massive thing.'

Charlotte revealed Matthew had met the blonde woman through rugby as he played on the team with her ex, with them messaging on Instagram, and said: 'I've seen the messages they're not nice, it really hurt'

She admitted their relationship has been strained for the past two years, with her sometimes turning down sex as she was exhausted from raising their young kids, but pointed out the lack of intimacy was 'no excuse' for his actions

Matthew then moved into his mum and dad's house and was begging for Charlotte to take him back.

She said: 'He's absolutely broken. He doesn't even look like himself at all. He's really upset, but so he should be. He's hurt it family. It's whether I can forgive and forget.

'I need to switch off from all the background noise. I don't want this affecting Noah at nursery. He keeps saying 'When is Daddy coming home?' He's literally ripped my heart out and stamped on it. He's trying to make amends every single day.'

Charlotte added: 'The past couple of weeks have been very, very tough. It's a massive shock because I never expected him to do this. I thought we were a little family unit.'

The reality star confessed she still hadn't made a decision on whether to forgive Matthew and give their relationship another go.

She said tearfully: 'I feel like he doesn't love me, it drives me mad when I think about it. I still love him but I don't know where my head is at.'
George Clooney and Brad Pitt proved they were every inch the comedy act on Sunday night as they took on the job of being waiters after hiring out a restaurant.

The Hollywood hearthrobs paid a visit to Ristorante Da Ivo in Venice with Amal, 46, and Brad's girlfriend Ines de Ramon, 34, on Saturday, a day before the red carpet premiere of their Apple TV+ film Wolfs.

George, 63, took his hosting duties seriously as he took orders from Apple TV executives who had also headed for a bite to eat there.

'George took over the running of the restaurant for about half an hour. He went around to all our tables pretending to take the orders,' an Apple TV party member told People.

'The menu that had been established had a whole complicated and long explanation on it for each dish  but George just made his interpretation of it and it was absolutely hilarious. He had us all in tears laughing,

George Clooney and Brad Pitt proved they were every inch the comedy act on Sunday night as they took on the job of being waiters after hiring out a restaurant

Brad chose the Venice Film Festival to go red carpet official' with his girlfriend Ines de Ramon, 34, on Sunday night

George and Amal hit the red carpet, a day after enjoying their meal at the restaurant

'Oh, and by the way, his sidekick was Brad Pitt... Who is ever going to believe us?'

The restaurant is a regular spot for George when he visits Venice and previously paid a visit with Amal in August last year.

George and Brad, 60, even posed for a photo with staff at the restaurant after enjoying a three course meal.

The group had fiori di zucca in pastella (zucchini flowers in batter stuffed with mozzarella), porcini mushrooms and truffle risotto, tagliata di manzo (sliced beef) and paccheri pasta as well as red and white wine.

What the Hollywood stars ate

Fiori di zucca in pastella (zucchini flowers in batter stuffed with mozzarella)

Porcini mushrooms and truffle risotto

Tagliata di manzo (sliced beef)

Desert

Tiramisu (George and Brad)

Wild strawberry sorbet (Amal and Ines) Advertisement

George and Brad opted for tiramisu for desert while Amal and Ines enjoyed a wild strawberry sorbet.

The A-list double act held the Venice Film Festival in the palm of their hand on Sunday as they premiered their new caper film, Wolfs.

In the film they play criminal 'clean up' specialists who are unexpectedly hired for the same job  disposing of a body in a hotel room.

George teasingly said of Brad, who is three years his junior: 'He's 74 years old so he's very lucky at this age to be working.'

And he joked of their reunion: 'The restraining order ran out. No, it was just cash, money will do it.'

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

But makers 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.

The restaurant is a regular spot for George when he visits Venice and previously paid a visit with Amal in August last year

The group enjoyed fiori di zucca in pastella (zucchini flowers in batter stuffed with mozzarella), porcini mushrooms and truffle risotto, tagliata di manzo

In the film they play criminal 'clean up' specialists who are unexpectedly hired for the same job  disposing of a body in a hotel room (Wolfs stock image)

Apple's 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.

George denied that their fees were as high as $35 million, saying the true figure was 'many many millions below' that amount.

But he added it was a 'bummer' the way it had worked out.

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.

'It's a bummer, of course it's 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.'
Holly Willoughby made a rare return to Instagram on Sunday after taking a step back from social media following her terrifying kidnap threat.

The television presenter's deranged stalker Gavin Plumb, 37, who had plotted to kidnap, rape and murder her, was jailed for a minimum of 16 years in July.

Holly bravely released a statement following the ordeal and has been focusing on her wellness business, Wylde Moon.

The former This Morning star, 43, sported a whole new look as she rocked wet, tousled hair for a photoshoot to plug her brand's fragrance.

Holly showed off her sexy side as she posed for the camera in a tight fitting white vest top.

Holly Willoughby made a rare return to Instagram on Sunday after taking a step back from social media following her terrifying kidnap threat

The former This Morning star sported a whole new look as she rocked wet, tousled hair for a photoshoot to plug her brand Wylde Moon's fragrance

She wrote: 'We know how special our (borrowed from) The Wild perfume is - but we love hearing it from you the most!' before sharing a customer review'

She wrote: 'We know how special our (borrowed from) The Wild perfume is - but we love hearing it from you the most!' before sharing a customer review.

Selling exotic candles, 'wax melts' and 'diffusers', the brand has been compared to Goop, the brand launched by Oscar-winning Hollywood actress Gywneth Paltrow in 2008.

Holly stepped down from presenting This Morning after 14 years on the show due to her terrifying kidnap threat and subsequently took time out from the spotlight.

After Gavin was sentenced, Holly released an empowering statement, thanking the police and her legal team who brought him to justice.

She said: 'As women we should not be made to feel unsafe going about our daily lives and in our own homes.

'I will forever be grateful to the undercover police officer who understood the imminent threat, and to the Metropolitan and Essex police forces for their swift response.

'Thank you to the Crown Prosecution Service, the Rt Hon Mr Justice Murray, Alison Morgan KC, the members of the jury and all involved in this case for ensuring that justice was done and that the defendant will not be able to harm any more women.

'I would also like to commend the bravery of his previous victims for speaking up at the time. Without their bravery this conviction may not have been possible.'

The television presenter's deranged stalker Gavin Plumb, 37, who had plotted to kidnap, rape and murder her, was jailed for a minimum of 16 years in July

Holly stepped down from presenting This Morning due to her terrifying kidnap threat after 14 years on the show and took time out from the spotlight

Cat, 47, who took over from Holly full time in March this year, revealed the touching gesture her predecessor made before she started on the show

The presenter made her TV return in January with Dancing On Ice and has been busy filming Netflix show Bear Hunt with Bear Grylls

The presenter made her TV return in January with Dancing On Ice and has been busy filming Netflix show Bear Hunt with Bear Grylls.

The show will see former SAS trooper Bear hunting down the celebrity contestants in order to eliminate them from the programme.

She is also set front an ITV reboot of the iconic 90s challenge show, You Bet!, alongside her Dancing On Ice co-host Stephen Mulhern.

Previously fronted by Darren Day, as well as the late Bruce Forsyth and Matthew Kelly, the beloved programme will return to ITV1 and ITVX with two action-packed primetime event specials this autumn.

As the classic show gets a revival, members of the public will use their unique abilities to pull off the most outrageous challenges imaginable, all for the chance of winning a big cash prize.

The last episode of You Bet! aired in 1997 and follows the comeback of Gladiators, Survivor, Wheel Of Fortune and Deal Or No Deal.

Meanwhile, Cat Deeley and Ben Shepherd took over from Holly and Phillip Schofield on This Morning.

Cat, 47, who started the gig full time in March this year, revealed the touching gesture Holly before she started on the show.

She told the Sunday Times: 'Holly sent me a beautiful bunch of flowers and a handwritten card. It was a really classy move, it really touched me.'

Cat also detailed her plans to meet up with Holly, adding: 'At some stage, once the dust settles, I'm sure we will get together. People always talk about women being pitted against other women but actually it's just not true.'
Married At First Sight star Domenica Calarco has bravely detailed her experience in a mental health ward.

The 31-year-old former makeup artist shared her harrowing journey through depression and anxiety in a candid interview on the Today Extra on Monday.

Domenica revealed the depths of her struggle, describing a moment when she realised she needed more help than her friends and family could provide.

'It was a moment where I just was in a sadness that I'd never felt before,' Domenica shared.

'And things that would generally make me happy, like my dog or having my morning coffee, those little things couldn't even get me out of it. I just knew I needed a circuit breaker.'

Calarco admitted she was in such a dark place that she didn't want to be here anymore.

Reflecting on where she was just four months ago, she expressed disbelief at how far she has come.

'It's really sad even when I think back to four months ago where I was at I'm a changed person now.'

Married At First Sight star Domenica Calarco has bravely detailed her experience in a mental health ward. Pictured

The 31-year-old former makeup artist shared her harrowing journey through depression and anxiety in a candid interview on the Today Extra on Monday

'I think I'm still dealing with the anxieties and the depression, like I feel like that'll be my journey for a while. But having all of those new tools in my tool kit now to help me through is just, oh my god, it's amazing.'

Living in the public eye has only added to the pressure, Domenica admitted, but she has found solace in the very platform that often draws criticism.

'People are really quick to judge and say get off social media, get out of the limelight,' she explained.

'But hang on, this is a career that I've chosen and that I really enjoy. And social media has actually been a great part of my healing.'

'It was a moment where I just was in a sadness that I'd never felt before,' Domenica shared. 'And things that would generally make me happy, like my dog or having my morning coffee, those little things couldn't even get me out of it. I just knew I needed a circuit breaker'

Domenica revealed that group therapy during her stay in the mental health ward was a turning point for her, and she now uses her social media platforms as a form of extended group therapy, where she fosters a safe space for her followers to share their struggles.

'I've built this really amazing community on there, and it's something I'm very proud of,' she said, highlighting the positives of social media in contrast to its often negative reputation.

Looking to the future, Domenica is determined to use her platform to make a difference in the mental health space.

Domenica revealed that group therapy during her stay in the mental health ward was a turning point for her, and she now uses her social media platforms as a form of extended group therapy, where she fosters a safe space for her followers to share their struggles

She acknowledged how fortunate she was to have access to private health insurance, which allowed her to receive the care she needed, but she expressed concern for those who are not as privileged.

'Being in a mental health ward, knowing how hard it was to even get into one I think Australia really has a lot to learn when it comes to mental health,' she said.

Domenica also touched on the impact of the cost-of-living crisis, noting how it exacerbates mental health struggles.

She called for greater focus on equipping people with the tools to help those in need.

'I really want to partner with a charity We need to focus on that mental health first aid,' she urged.

'If your friend, your wife, your sister comes to you and says I'm really not struggling, we don't have the tools to help that person. To triage them.'

As she continues her own healing journey, Domenica is committed to sharing her story in the hope that it will help others.

'Just being open and vulnerable I know that it helps so many people. And if sharing my story can help one person, then I'm just going to keep doing it.'

For those struggling with mental health, help is available. You can reach Lifeline on 13 11 14
Married At First Sight expert Mel Schilling has provided fans with an uplifting update on her health as she returns to Sydney to film the 2025 series.

Taking to Instagram, Mel shared her excitement about being back in Australia, specifically at Bondi Beach, where she will be living for the next couple of months.

The TV personality, who recently moved back from the UK, opened up about how she's focusing on her health and recovery after recent battle with colon cancer.

'So here I am in Sydney, Bondi to be specific. The gorgeous Bondi Beach and this is now my home for the next couple of months,' Mel began.

'Just had a gorgeous month with my family here in Australia. My hubby and daughter came out with me for the first month of my filming journey here, and they've just returned to the UK, so it's very bittersweet.'

Mel, who is well-loved for her compassionate yet no-nonsense approach on MAFS, candidly spoke about the challenges of being separated from her family, though she noted that this time apart would be shorter than in the past.

'It's only six or seven weeks this time around, and certainly, I've done longer than that. We've had three-month separations before, so this one is much shorter,' she explained.

Married At First Sight expert Mel Schilling has provided fans with an uplifting update on her health as she returns to Sydney to film the 2025 series. Pictured

The TV personality, who recently moved back from the UK to begin filming, opened up about how she's focusing on her health and recovery after recent battle with colon cancer

Determined to make the most of her time in Australia, Mel revealed that she is dedicating these months to prioritising her health and wellness.

'I'm determined to make this couple of months all about my health and recovery,' she said.

'I'm so excited to get into some yoga. I'm doing the yin class this afternoon and meeting up with a personal trainer to start training and really starting to build my strength again,' she added.

'Just had a gorgeous month with my family here in Australia. My hubby and daughter came out with me for the first month of my filming journey here in Australia, and they've just returned to the UK, so it's very bittersweet.' (Mel pictured with her husband Gareth Brisbane and daughter Maddie)

The relationship expert also shared how much she's enjoying feeling revitalised and energetic again.

'My energy is definitely returned, which is wonderful to feel like myself, to feel like I want to go for walks is an amazing feeling.'

Mel concluded her update by expressing her joy at being back at work with the MAFS Australia team.

'I'm determined to make this couple of months all about my health and recovery,' she said

'It's great to be back at work here in Australia. Working with the MAFS family again is just brilliant and really is helping me feel like I'm moving into the next chapter.'

Mel underwent surgery to remove a tumour and recently completed her chemotherapy.

It comes as Daily Mail Australia revealed next year's series is already shaping up to be one of the most chaotic and controversial series to date.

The upcoming series, already labelled the most chaotic in the show's history, promises a level of turmoil that producers are struggling to contain.

Viewers are going to see things very early on that have never happened before.

'It's truly amazing how every year, despite having done this for so long, we encounter storylines that are entirely new,' John Aiken teased of the new season.

'There are quite a few of those [next year]. I've been part of this for 12 seasons now, and even I witnessed a couple of things this time around that I've never seen before.'
The Venice Film Festival has hosted the premieres of some of the world's greatest films.

Yet Richard Gere was only interested in what was happening outside the theatre as he marvelled at his wife Alejandra Silva on the red carpet on Sunday.

The Hollywood star, 75, appeared to be overcome by his 41-year-old wife's beauty, stopping to bow down to her as they attended the premiere of Brad Pitt and George Clooney's new AppleTV+ film, Wolfs.

He also couldn't resist scooping Alejandra up for a kiss as they cosied up together.

Yet Richard didn't just lark around with his wife but also his son Homer, with the pair posing for a series of sweet snaps together on the red carpet.

Richard Gere, 75, bowed down to wife Alejandra Silva, 41, on the red carpet as they attended Sunday's premiere of Wolfs at Venice International Film Festival

He also couldn't resist scooping Alejandra up for a kiss as they cosied up together

Yet Richard didn't just lark around with his wife but also his son Homer, with the pair posing for a series of sweet snaps together on the red carpet

The actor and his son, 24, looked equally as dapper while walking the red carpet at the Filming Italy Venice Award event.

Richard opted for a black tuxedo, white shirt and a black bow tie, with Homer matching his outfit.

Meanwhile, Alejandra, who married the star in 2018, stunned in a Grecian-style white gown with a thigh high split.

She later changed into a semi-sheer mesh gown with navy floral detailing as the trio headed to the amfAR gala.

The cinema icon and Alejandra wed after two years of dating, and later welcomed two sons Alexander, five, and James, four.

Richard shares Homer with his ex-wife and model Carey Lowell, and decided to name him after his grandfathers as well as the Tibetan name "Jigme" - which is his middle name.

He and Carey married in 2002 but later separated in 2013 after 11 years of marriage.

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

Alejandra, 41, who married the star in 2018, stunned in a Grecian-style white gown with a thigh high split as she cosied up to her husband

The cinema icon and Alejandra wed after two years of dating, and later welcomed two sons Alexander, five, and James, four

The actor and his son, 24, looked equally as dapper while walking the red carpet at the Filming Italy Venice Award event

The trio seemed in good spirits on their night of red carpet events, which started at the Wolfs premiere, went on to the Filming Italy Venice Award (pictured) and ended at the amfAR gala

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.

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

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 Beetlejuice Beetlejuice cast there is an array of A-listers expected to descend in Venice over the coming days.

George Clooney is already in town, alongside his wife Amal, for the debut of his anticipated new movie Wolfs - the Jon Watts-directed heist thriller that reunites him with Oceans 11 co-star Brad Pitt.

Both George and Brad were in attendance at the September 1 screening.

Brad's ex wife Angelina Jolie is also due in Venice to promote the film Maria, in which she plays opera legend Maria Callas.

Sources indicate that the schedules have been arranged so that the warring couple - who continue to be embroiled in legal action eight years after they split - will not be at the film festival at the same time.

Alejandra later changed into a semi-sheer mesh gown with navy floral detailing as the trio headed to the amfAR gala

She posed for a sweet snap with her stepson as they headed into the glamorous gala

Richard shares Homer with his ex-wife and model Carey Lowell, and decided to name him after his grandfathers as well as the Tibetan name "Jigme"

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.
Katie Price enjoyed an outing in her famous pink Range Rover on Saturday despite being ordered by the courts to return it amid her bankruptcy battle.

The glamour model, 46, was previously summoned to court over an unpaid tax bill of 750,000.

As part of the court case, Price was ordered to give back her six cars - including her famous pink Range Rover.

However, she was seen being driven in the car as she visited her former neighbour on the weekend, forcing her to go past her notorious Mucky Mansion - which has since been repossessed.

Price was just a stones throw from her 2 million former home, which was seized by bailiffs in June.

Katie Price enjoyed an outing in her famous pink Range Rover on Saturday despite being ordered by the courts to return it amid her bankruptcy battle

The glamour model, 46, was previously summoned to court over an unpaid tax bill of 750,000. As part of the court case, Price was ordered to give back her six cars

The mother-of-five has since moved into a smaller, rented home in a sleepy Sussex village.

Her finances have come under scrutiny of late after she was declared bankrupt for the second time.

As part of her case, she was also ordered to hand over her six cars in early July, which include a Volkswagen Beetle, a Nissan, two Range Rovers, Suzuki Vitara and Infiniti FX50.

However, she has been posting that she is still on possession of her pink Range Rover.

Taking to social media last month, Katie reshared a snap taken by an account called Pkautosmart of her car which detailed that she had had new brakes installed.

'New brakes for this beaut done today,' the post on her Instagram Story was captioned.

MailOnline has contacted Price's representatives for comment.

Last week, Price's bankruptcy hearing at the High Court was adjourned so she can attend a 'private interview' after her lawyers warned a public examination of her finances would affect her 'mental wellbeing'.

The model appeared at the Royal Courts of Justice in central London on August 27 dressed in an all-black outfit and sunglasses.

She was accompanied by her lawyer Bertie Beor-Roberts who asked for an adjournment during the proceedings and it was granted by Chief Insolvency and Companies Court Judge Nicholas Briggs.

However, she was seen being driven in the car as she visited her former neighbour on the weekend, forcing her to go past her Mucky Mansion (left) which has since been repossessed

Price was just a stones throw from her 2 million former home (pictured) which was seized by bailiffs in June

Price was previously arrested at Heathrow airport on August 8 over a failure to attend a hearing in relation to her enormous 760,000 debt.

She was told by a judge she must appear on August 27 with 'no ifs or buts, no going abroad, no holidays'.

Price was accompanied to Court 15 of Rolls Building, part of the Royal Courts of Justice, by her lawyer.

Beor-Roberts immediately asked Judge John Briggs to grant an adjournment and argued she should be allowed to have a private meeting with her creditors and the official receiver - which would keep details of her income and spending over the last five years from being aired in a court.

The lawyer referenced her mental health and said it would be made worse having to undergo a public examination in front of the media and giving evidence in person.

'Ms Price has long been subject to intense media scrutiny', he said.

He referred to her 'PTSD and ADHD' and told the court that 'these conditions would be exacerbated by a public examination of her personal affairs.'

'She's able to give more considered answers in the security of a private interview where she's not under pressure from the media.'

He also said she should be given more time by the court to deliver documents required by her creditors that reveal how she has run up a six figure tax bill and failed to pay any money to creditors from her failed companies.

She has been posting that she is still on possession of her pink Range Rover. Taking to social media last month , Katie reshared a snap taken by an account called Pkautosmart of her car

Beor-Roberts argued that Price had complied with a previous court instruction to hand over documents.

He said her finances were complex and complicated and more time was needed for her to locate documents requested by her creditors.

The former model showed no emotion during the hearing and played with her long black hair as her counsel argued to have the hearing adjourned.

Price had been due to be quizzed by lawyers over her finances and why she has failed to pay her creditors and the taxman.

Her ex-husband Alex Reid turned up at the court and sat in the public gallery in the Rolls Building, part of the Royal Court of Justice in London.

Price, who sat alongside her appropriate adult, Lynne Rickwood, was unaware he had walked into court 15 of the insolvency court dressed in a pink T-shirt and shorts.

He is one of her creditors and is owed over 250,000.

Chief Insolvency and Companies Court Judge Nicholas Briggs listened to the arguments by Prices lawyer and noted there had been other delays.

My concern is that we have been here before, he said.

Last week, Price's bankruptcy hearing at the High Court was adjourned so she can attend a 'private interview' (pictured arriving at court on August 27)

Derragh O'Connell, for the trustees, accepted the idea of a private interview but said that 'late developments have been the consistent theme' across the bankruptcy hearings.

He continued: 'We need progress in relation to this matter as quickly as possible.'

O'Connell told the judge that there 'has been engagement from Ms Price' since her arrest but asked for the private interview to 'take place on very firm grounds.'

Judge Briggs granted the adjournment and asked Price whether she would give an undertaking to the court that she would attend the private interview on September 24.

Price replied: 'I do.'

The public examination hearing dealing with her bankruptcies was scheduled for February 11, next year.

As she left the courtroom, she said 'I hope you reporters write a good story today, won't you, all the bulls*** that you write, scumbags.'

Her ex-husband Reid spoke to reporters following the hearing and said: 'She is living the high life with victims seeing no reimbursement.

'How is she funding her legal team today. Time we asked these questions - what is she hiding?'

Her ex-husband Alex Reid turned up at the court and sat in the public gallery in the Rolls Building, part of the Royal Court of Justice in London

Price was arrested upon her return to the UK from Turkey last month and remanded in custody at a west London police station. She was then bailed a few hours later by an out-of-hours magistrate.

She arrived at the Royal Courts of Justice the next day where she turned up wearing a beige outfit and black head covering to conceal her injuries caused by a 10,000 facelift she had in Turkey.

Deputy Insolvency and Companies Court Judge Daniel Schaffer ordered the model to give an 'undertaking' to the court that she would attend a further hearing to face questions over her finances on August 27 at 10.30am.

Price confirmed that she understood she must attend and later said: 'I will move my diary for it.'

It led to Judge Schaffer discharging the arrest warrant issued against her on July 30 by a different judge after she failed to attend a previous hearing.

Price previously said she was 'not running from matters', but was 'away working for a documentary on corrective surgeries' during the court hearing.

In a now-deleted statement on Instagram, Price wrote: 'I am aware that I am about to be detained at the airport which is obviously what the courts feel is necessary.

'I do hope of course for my son's sake who is with me that they will allow some dignity and protection for at least his sake as this will be extremely disturbing for him to see.

'Whilst I understand the importance and severity of the matter I do feel like I am being treated like a criminal.'

Price was arrested upon her return to the UK from Turkey last monthand remanded in custody at a west London police station. She arrived at the Royal Courts of Justice the next day (pictured)

Photographs from August 8 show the former model being taken away by police after landing at about 7.45pm with her son Harvey, 22, and boyfriend JJ Slater, 31, who was left to pick up her bags.

Previously, Price was served an eviction notice that ordered her to leave her 'Mucky Mansion' by the end of May and has since moved into a 5,000 per month new Tudor-style property.

She was declared bankrupt for a second time in March over an unpaid tax bill of 761,994.05 after first being declared bankrupt in 2019.

However, at the end of July she claimed 'everything is sorted' with her second bankruptcy after being evicted from her Sussex home.
Mainland resumes import of Wendan pomelo from Taiwan

Xinhua) 13:29, September 02, 2024

BEIJING, Sept. 2 (Xinhua) -- The General Administration of Customs (GAC) has decided to resume the import of Wendan pomelo from Taiwan starting Monday, a mainland spokesperson confirmed.

Wendan pomelo to be imported into the mainland from Taiwan must come from registered orchards and packaging plants, said Chen Binhua, a spokesperson for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office.

The decision to resume imports of this fruit was based on the overall evaluation of rectification measures from the Taiwan side after Hualien County had submitted relevant documents, and is in accordance with the quarantine regulations of the mainland, Chen said.

The GAC had previously suspended the import of Taiwan citrus fruits, including Wendan pomelo, with effect from Aug. 3, 2022 due to biosecurity and public health concerns. It said mainland customs authorities had detected harmful substances in such fruits on several occasions.

Since this suspension took effect, the Taiwan side repeatedly expressed their desire to resume the export of Wendan pomelo to the mainland and took measures aimed at rectification of the situation, Chen said.

He also noted that the mainland is willing to discuss the import of Taiwan farm produce with relevant authorities on the island, with the goal of seeking benefits for Taiwan compatriots, especially those at the grassroots level.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
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.
Daniel Craig looked more loved-up than ever with Rachel Weisz as they enjoyed a romantic lunch date in Italy on Monday amid the Venice Film Festival.

The couple were spotted dining al fresco along along the Grand Canal, with the James Bond star, 56, lovingly feeding his wife, 54, a bit of his dish.

Daniel continued to sport the shaggy blond locks he has been rocking of late, and kept his ensemble casual in a plain white T-shirt and jeans.

He 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.

Rachel also looked effortlessly stylish as she modelled a peach slip dress with circular white sunglasses.

Daniel Craig looked more loved-up than ever with Rachel Weisz as they enjoyed a romantic lunch date in Italy on Monday amid the Venice Film Festival

Daniel continued to sport the shaggy blond locks he has been rocking of late, and kept his outfit casual in a plain T-shirt and jeans, while Rachel looked stylish in a peach slip dress

The couple's fun day out in Venice coincided with Daniel's former love rival Jude Law leaving the festival, as he was spotted at Venice's Marco Polo airport

The couple's fun day out in Venice coincided with Daniel's former love rival Jude Law leaving the festival.

Jude was spotted at Venice's Marco Polo airport as he left the city after attending the premiere of his film The Order, the night before.

It's been 10 years since Jude and Daniel were revealed to have been in a love triangle with the actress Siena Miller.

Sienna admitted in 2014 that she and Daniel enjoyed a 'brief affair' in 2005 having met during the filming of 2004's Layer Cake.

It's assumed this took place after the revelations that Jude had cheated on her in 2004.

The News of the World claimed that the actress was cheating on her then-boyfriend Jude after a reporter listened to the message by hacking in to Daniel's inbox.

The actress told a court during the phone hacking enquiry that she had a 'brief encounter' with her friend and co-star Daniel, but added that she often said 'I love you' at the end of phone conversations with friends or family.

She said: 'The thing that's been slightly misconstrued about this voicemail message is the fact that I said "I love you" and that this was some incredibly important declaration of love. I've always ended my phone calls to Daniel saying "I love you".'

Sienna denied the message meant she was in a relationship with Daniel but she did tell the court they were 'briefly involved'.

'Whether or not I was in a relationship with Daniel Craig, it was not a relationship, it was a very brief encounter, and he was my best friend,' she said.

'Me saying I love you, whether anything romantic happened briefly or not, there was nothing significant.'

Neither Jude nor Daniel commented publicly on the matter.

It's been 10 years since Jude's ex Sienna admitted that she and Daniel enjoyed a 'brief affair' in 2005 having met during the filming of 2004's Layer Cake (pictured at the premiere)

It's assumed this 'brief affair' took place after the revelations that Jude had cheated on her in 2004 (pictured together in 2004)

Jude had been in Venice to promote The Order.

He stars as FBI agent Terry Husk in the thriller, which is set in the Eighties and follows the authorities as they spot a pattern in bank robberies, counterfeiting operations and armored car heists terrorizing communities across the Pacific Northwest.

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 is being held on the Lido di Venezia from August 28 to September 7.
Rebel Wilson, 44, will be walking down the aisle soon.

DailyMail.com has learned exclusively that she plans to tie the knot with her 40-year-old fiancee Ramona Agruma this month.

And the two are having a destination wedding as they will say 'I do' in Sardinia, a large Italian island in the Mediterranean Sea.

The women were supposed to get married next year but Rebel moved up the date.

'Rebel doesn't want to wait any longer, she is happy to marry this month because she is very much in love with Ramona and wants to be wed,' said a source.

'It will be a small ceremony with close friends and family, and also very elegant,' the insider added.

Rebel Wilson will be walking down the aisle soon. DailyMail.com has learned exclusively that she plans to tie the knot with her fiancee Ramona Agruma this month; seen in 2023

And the two are having a destination wedding as they will say 'I do' in Sardinia, a large Italian island in the Mediterranean Sea

In the past she has said she wanted to wed in 2025 on the beach.

The Pitch Perfect actress has daughter Royce Lillian, almost two.

Rebel came out as queer in June 2022.

She shared the news on Instagram: 'I thought I was searching for a Disney Prince but maybe what I really needed all this time was a Disney Princess.'

The star recalled how she challenged herself to date 50 men, before she fell in love with a woman.

On her dating history, the blonde beauty said: 'I was a late bloomer in love, so dating was something I felt very, very shy about going on dates. That's why in 2019, when I was really single I realized I need to go on more dates!...

'I did my own little experiment, when I dated like 50 men - not at the same time - but anyone who asked me out, I had to say yes. I got more and more comfortable dating. I did lose my virginity late compared to a lot of people - 35 years old.'

In the memoir, she divulged that she didn't lose her virginity until she was 35.

Rebel first met Ramona in 2021, and they announced their engagement in February 2023

The women were supposed to get married next year but Rebel moved up the date

'Rebel doesn't want to wait any longer, she is happy to marry this month because she is very much in love with Ramona and wants to be wed,' said a source; seen July 2 in London

Rebel then explained that she had shared the detail in the hopes that it will help young people because 'not everybody has to lose their virginity as a teenager.'

She said: 'People can wait till they're ready or wait till they're a bit more mature...

'And I think that could be a positive message. You obviously don't have to wait until you're in your thirties like me, but you shouldn't feel pressure as a young person'.

In the past, she even lied about having had sex just to not have to talk about it.

Rebel first met Ramona in 2021, and they announced their engagement in February 2023.

Rebel confirmed news of Rebel in a gushing social media post at the time.

'Beyond proud to announce the birth of my first child, Royce Lillian, born this past week via surrogate,' she wrote.
Gemma Arterton cut a chic figure as she joined her co-stars Ian McKellen and Mark Strong at The Critic European premiere at The Curzon Mayfair in London on Monday night.

The actress, 38, opted for a sleek of-the-shoulder black dress which showed off her gorgeous curves as she posed up a storm.

The flowing number featured a sheer panel over her midriff to flaunt her toned abs and was teamed with a pair of simple pointed heels.

She wore her short brunette tresses slicked back and opted for a glowing makeup look complete with a slick of light pink lip.

The new movie is set in 1930s London following the life of theatre critic Jimmy Erskine portrayed by Sir Ian, 85.

Gemma Arterton cut a chic figure as she joined her co-stars Ian McKellen and Mark Strong at The Critic European premiere at The Curzon Mayfair in London on Monday night

The actress, 38, opted for a sleek of-the-shoulder black dress which showed off her gorgeous curves as she posed up a storm (L-R: Gemma Arterton, Ian McKellen and Mark Strong)

Sir Ian looked smart at the event in a checked suit which he wore with a bright coloured scarf.

His appearance comes after he was left injured recently after falling off stage at a West End show.

He was playing John Falstaff in the production at the Noel Coward Theatre in London's West End on June 17 when he lost his footing in a fight scene and plunged from the stage into the audience.

In The Critic a whirlwind whodunnit story line starts to unravel as the newspapers and actors of the day, including Gemma who plays actress Nina Land in the film, attempt bribe and blackmail to stop the scandalous reviews from surfacing.

The film is an adaption of the 2015 novel Curtain Call by Anthony Quinn.

Earlier this year Gemma spoke very candidly about the sexism still present in the film industry and slammed the 'dinosaurs' still working with outdated attitudes.

The actress admitted she was told to be less vocal about feminism before the #MeToo movement and shared her frustration about the 'hypocrisy' in the industry.

She said although things are getting better, there are still 'old dinosaurs' who have outdated attitudes and behaviours and said it is 'tragic' people are still facing sexism.

The flowing number featured a sheer panel over her midriff to flaunt her toned abs and was teamed with a pair of simple pointed heels

She wore her short brunette tresses slicked back and opted for a glowing makeup look complete with a slick of light pink lip

The new movie is set in 1930s London following the life of theatre critic Jimmy Erskine portrayed by Sir Ian, 85

Sir Ian looked smart at the event in a checked suit which he wore with a bright coloured scarf and tie

His appearance comes after he was left injured recently after falling off stage at a West End show

In The Critic a whirlwind whodunnit story line starts to unravel as the newspapers and actors of the day, including Gemma who plays actress Nina Land in the film, attempt bribe and blackmail to stop the scandalous reviews from surfacing

Anand Tucker, Gemma Arterton, Sir Ian McKellen and Mark Strong posed together at the premiere

The film is an adaption of the 2015 novel Curtain Call by Anthony Quinn

He was playing John Falstaff in the production at the Noel Coward Theatre in London's West End on June 17 when he lost his footing in a fight scene and plunged from the stage into the audience

He seems back in good health after the fall earlier this year

The Lord of The Rings star said he has been left with 'agonising' pain which puts him off going outside, and even leaves him questioning whether he is 'too old to act'

In his first interview since the fall in June, the Ian told Saga Magazine that he chipped his vertebrae and fractured his wrist when he plummeted off stage

He added: 'I don't go out because I get nervous in case someone bangs into me, and I've got agonising pains in my shoulders to do with my whole frame having been jolted'

Anand Tucker, Patrick Marber, Gemma Arterton, Sir Ian McKellen, Mark Strong, David Gilbery and Jolson Symonds

They had great chemistry at the premiere

And chatted away on the red carpet

The trio posed together

Gemma stunned in her sleek black dress

The film will be released later this month

Anand Tucker, Patrick Marber, Gemma Arterton, Sir Ian McKellen, Mark Strong, David Gilbery, Jolyon Symonds, Zygi Kamasa and Marie Claire Benson

They then headed to an afterparty

Gemma was the belle of the ball

Speaking on the Reign with Josh Smith podcast, she said: 'There are certain dinosaurs that are still working to this day.

'It has changed a lot thankfully since the sixties but there's definitely still things where I feel like it's more about the old dinosaurs that are still working where you kind of have to shake them and go, "hello this is 2023, we don't do that anymore!"'

Gemma revealed she was also told to be less opinionated about feminism by a Hollywood manager and said she was told it could 'hold' her career back.

She fumed over the 'hypocrisy' in the industry as she said the same manager then supported the #MeToo movement years later, when feminism became 'fashionable'.

She said: 'I think back when all of this Times Up, #MeToo stuff was happening, it just felt like this is the time to speak up but even before then, I was speaking up and I remember I was speaking up about equal pay or something, you know, just feminist s**t.

'And this American manager came to see me in a show and he literally said, "can you stop the feminism thing because it's not doing you any favours".

She dazzled in the sweeping black dress

Earlier this year Gemma spoke very candidly about the sexism still present in the film industry and slammed the 'dinosaurs' still working with outdated attitudes

The actress admitted she was told to be less vocal about feminism before the #MeToo movement and shared her frustration about the 'hypocrisy' in the industry

She said although things are getting better, there are still 'old dinosaurs' who have outdated attitudes and behaviours and said it is 'tragic' people are still facing sexism

Mark wore a smart navy suit for the occasion

He cut a dapper figure as he arrived

He completed the look with a purple and white spotted tie

Producer Jolyon Symonds attends the European premiere of The Critic

Anand Tucker wore a bright blue suit for the premiere

Nikesh Patel and his partner Nicola Thorp made a glamorous arrival together

Love Island's Amber Gill wore a chic co-ord

It featured a plunging neckline

Executive Zygi Kamasa wore a blue suit
Ryan Gosling and his wife Eva Mendes stunned the small London borough of Clapham at the weekend after they were spotted dining at the Michelin-star Trinity restaurant located at the edge of the crowded common on Sunday.

Trinity is a favourite among the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and was no doubt recommended to Gosling by his Barbie co-star, Margot Robbie, who has been seen there on multiple occasions.

The A-listers enjoyed the sunshine and award-winning menu which boasts an array of Mediterranean dishes with a flair of Asian influence which cost up to 28.

The Fall Guy star, 43, is in the UK filming an upcoming project Hail Mail opposite Anatomy of a Fall's Sandra Huller.

Gosling is said to be in the UK to shoot a new film, Project Hail Mary, where he plays a science teacher turned astronaut, Ryland Grace.

Ryan Gosling and his wife Eva Mendes stunned the small London borough of Clapham at the weekend after they were spotted dining at the Michelin-star Trinity restaurant located at the edge of the crowded common on Sunday

Trinity is a favourite among the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and was no doubt recommended to Gosling by his Barbie co-star, Margot Robbie, who has been seen there on multiple occasions

In early August he fueled rumours that he and his family are planning to move to the London after 'he was spotted house-hunting' in Barnes.

The actor, 43, seemed to be on a mission as he checked out luxury properties in the South-West London area.

A source said: 'Ryan and Eva would certainly add an A-list element to an already well-to-do area.

'The couple have several property contact they are utilising to help them find the perfect place, along with a budget of over 10 million.'

A rep later confirmed to MailOnline that Ryan is not moving to the area.

Ryan Gosling and Eva met in 2011 when they filmed the movie The Place Beyond The Pines together.

A source told The Sun that the Hollywood couple are looking for the perfect place with a budget of over 10 million

It comes after Ryan explained one of the reasons he took on his role in Netflix's The Gray Man, was to spend time with his children and take them to new destinations.

He added that his role as Ken in the Barbie movie was also partly inspired by his kids, as it's how he can start introducing his work to them.

Speaking to heat magazine, he said: 'I'm like a dad first, and part of the reason for doing the film [The Gray Man] was this opportunity for us to go to these interesting places and be there with my kids.'
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Salma Hayek celebrated her 58th birthday on Monday by sharing a stunning collection of swimsuit photos.

The From Dusk Till Dawn star  who recently had an unexpected encounter with her friend Gerard Butler  took to Instagram to mark the occasion, giving her 28 million followers a glimpse into her luxurious vacation life.

In a series of striking bikinis and elegant one-piece swimsuits, the Hollywood icon showcased her incredible figure.

She posed like a supermodel on opulent yachts against the backdrop of breathtaking coastal destinations.

'Birthday bikini dump, happy 58th birthday to me!' Salma captioned the carousel. 'P.s none of these are throwbacks'.

Salma Hayek celebrated her 58th birthday on Monday by sharing a stunning collection of swimsuit photos

The From Dusk Till Dawn star  who recently had an unexpected encounter with her friend Gerard Butler  took to Instagram to mark the occasion, giving her 28 million followers a glimpse into her luxurious vacation life

On one of her recent holidays to Ibiza, she bumped into none other than Olympus Has Fallen star Gerard Butler, 54.

The Frieda star was all smiles as she snapped pictures with Gerard during a casual outdoor hangout with friends.

'Nothing better than unexpected run-ins with friends on vacation,' the beauty captioned the post, tagging Gerard.

In one shot, Salma leaned in, her arm resting on Gerard's shoulder, while he struck a smoldering pose in a relaxed blue linen shirt, adding a laid-back charm to their impromptu moment.

It comes after Salma looked glamorous as she cosied up to her husband Francois-Henri at the Kering Women In Motion event during the Cannes Film Festival.

She stunned in a gorgeous caped lilac gown as she posed for snaps with the French businessman.

Salma commanded attention in the light purple dress which had a flattering one-shoulder design and pretty sheer cape detailing.

Salma wore her long dark tresses in a half up half down style and opted for stylish dangly green earrings.

'Birthday bikini dump, happy 58th birthday to me!' Salma captioned the carousel. 'P.s none of these are throwbacks'

She had a sheer print coat and sunglasses on for her coastal pinup photo shoot in the sun

The star had on a maroon red pedicure at sunset

Meanwhile, Francois-Henri looked dapper in a black suit and bow tie as he put on a loved-up display with Salma during his event.

The couple, who married in 2009, recently appeared on The Sunday Times Rich List for 2024 with a combined net worth of approximately $7.7 billion.

Their fortune has decreased from around $10.1 billion in 2023, causing their rank to drop from 21st to 31st on the list.

Pinault has served as the chairman and CEO of Kering since 2005, while Salma Hayek's personal net worth is estimated to exceed $125 million, thanks to her successful film career and lucrative beauty and fashion endorsements.

In a series of striking bikinis and elegant one-piece swimsuits, the Hollywood icon showcased her incredible figure

The actress looked incredible in her pink bikini

She posed like a supermodel on opulent yachts against the backdrop of breathtaking coastal destinations

Despite the drop, the couple remains among the wealthiest in the world, with their influence extending across multiple industries.

Salma and Francois-Henri's love story began in 2006 when they met at a gala in Venice.

The couple quickly fell for each other and announced their engagement the following year.

They welcomed their daughter, Valentina, in September 2007 and tied the knot in a private ceremony on Valentine's Day in 2009, followed by a lavish second wedding in Venice in April.

On one of her recent holidays to Ibiza, she bumped into none other than Olympus Has Fallen star Gerard Butler

It comes after Salma looked glamorous as she cosied up to her husband Francois-Henri at the Kering Women In Motion event during the Cannes Film Festival

Salma and Francois-Henri's love story began in 2006 when they met at a gala in Venice

Before meeting Salma, Francois-Henri had been previously married to Dorothee Lepere, with whom he shares two children, Francois and Mathilde.

He also had a brief relationship with supermodel Linda Evangelista, with whom he has a son, Augustin.

Salma, on the other hand, was romantically linked to actor Edward Norton.

The birthday celebration also comes after Salma revealed one of the last thoughts she had when she believed she was going to die in a plane crash with her pal Penelope Cruz.

Salma and fellow Hollywood star Penelope, 50, who have been friends for more than 20 years, had a terrifying experience when their plane was forced to make an emergency landing in Mexico.

Penelope already had a fear of flying and the pair realised something had gone wrong when a member of the crew dashed out of the cockpit and put on an oxygen mask.

During an interview for Vogue Arabia, Penelope asked Salma what she had learned from the hair-raising experience.

Salma told her: 'Youve always had a fear of flying and you always give me instructions of what to do if you die in a crash!.

They welcomed their daughter, Valentina, in September 2007 and tied the knot in a private ceremony on Valentine's Day in 2009, followed by a lavish second wedding in Venice in April

Before meeting Salma, Francois-Henri had been previously married to Dorothee Lepere, with whom he shares two children, Francois and Mathilde

He also had a brief relationship with supermodel Linda Evangelista, with whom he has a son, Augustin

]Salma, on the other hand, was romantically linked to actor Edward Norton

The birthday celebration also comes after Salma revealed one of the last thoughts she had when she believed she was going to die in a plane crash with her pal Penelope Cruz

'That day we were together on a flight and the plane had an emergency and had to land in the middle of nowhere in Mexico.'

'I knew it was going to happen because I saw the flight attendant coming out of the cockpit and grabbing oxygen.'

'So, I took your hands and said to you that were going to be OK. There is something wrong with the plane, but I need you to calm down. And I was so proud of you because I could see you struggling to calm yourself down.'

'We could do a whole movie about this! And then you said something so beautiful that I will never forget. You said, "I thought maybe we were going to die. But we were going to die together. And we were going to be OK".'
An Aussie radio duo has revealed Fatman Scoop made an eerie prediction about his own death in one of his final interviews in Melbourne last year.

The American rapper passed away, aged 56, after he collapsed on stage in Hamden Town Centre Park, Connecticut on Friday and was rushed to hospital.

Now Mix94.5 FM show Pete & Kymba have released one of the hype man's last interviews, during which he said he wanted to 'die by my own sword'.

Radio duo Pete Curulli and Kymba Cahill dug up the interview from 2023 which saw Fatman promoting the annual R&B event Fridayz Live.

During the candid chat, he revealed he was on a quest for a healthier lifestyle as he lost weight and enjoyed bike riding down Perth's West Coast Highway.

As the trio discussed plans to go bike riding together, Pete said: 'Mr Scoop, I've got a suggestion for you. I've just found a tandem, a three person bike.'

'You want the three of us to ride on a bike?' said Fatman, real name Isaac Freeman III, to which Pete enthusiastically agreed.

However, Fatman appeared to have some trepidations, saying: 'If the three of us ride on a bike and one of us messes up everybody's taking a dive.'

An Aussie radio duo has revealed Fatman Scoop, 53, (pictured) made an eerie prediction about his own death in one of his final interviews in Melbourne last year

He then made the eerie statement: 'If I'm gonna take a dive, if I'm gonna die - I want to die on my own sword. I don't want to die on your sword, sir.'

It comes after another Aussie radio duo, Kyle Sandilands and Jackie 'O' Henderson, revealed the final words of Fatman before he tragically collapsed onstage.

Speaking about the tragedy on Monday morning's Kyle and Jackie O Show, the radio hosts played a short clip from what would be Fatman's final performance.

The US rapper could be heard breathlessly hyping the excited crowd up with: 'I said Hamden make some noise!'

He then shouted, 'If you came to party,' before taking a long pause to catch his breath.

'Make some noise,' he continued before collapsing on the stage.

The American rapper passed away, aged 53, after he collapsed on stage in Hamden Town Centre Park, Connecticut on Friday and was rushed to hospital

Fatman Scoop passed away, aged 53, after suffering a medical emergency onstage in Hamden Town Centre Park, Connecticut.

Screams rang out at his final show as the legendary hype man was seen struggling after he climbed onto a platform before disappearing from view.

Medics raced to revive him, but Fatman's tour manager finally announced his passing on Saturday, saying he was 'lost for words'.

Freeman's manager, DJ and producer Birch Michael, announced the rapper's death 'with the heaviest of hearts' in posts to social media.

Shortly after, the artist's family said in a statement that he was 'not just a world class performer - he was a father, brother, uncle and a friend'.

'Last night, the world lost a radiant soul, a beacon of light on the stage and in life,' the family said.

'He was the laughter in our lives, a constant source of support, unwavering strength, and courage.'

Now Mix94.5 FM show Pete & Kymba have released one of the hype man's last interviews, during which he said he wanted to 'die by my own sword'

Born in New York City in 1971, Freeman made his name through collaborations with mega-stars including Missy Elliot and Mariah Carey in the early 2000s.

He was known for his deep, roaring vocal presence and his family described him as 'the undisputed voice of the club'.

The three-time Grammy Award winner recently ventured into podcasting and reality TV, including appearing on Channel 5's Celebrity Big Brother: UK vs USA in 2015.

The artist's exact cause of death is not clear, however it came after he suffered the medical emergency on stage.

Authorities were dispatched to the scene at around 8:33pm and they wheeled the rapper out from venue on a stretcher as they rushed him to the hospital.
Kate Winslet cut a cool figure in a baggy white suit for a preview and Q&A of her 2023 film Lee at the BFI in Southbank on Sunday.

The English actress, 48, exposed some chest in the double-barrelled trouser suit she wore with a black shirt.

She finished her look with black loafers and accessorised with a silver sun necklace with a blue nucleus and a large pair of gold hoops.

Lee is biographical drama telling the story of American ex-model Lee Miller who took photographs of poignant moments during World War II for Vogue magazine.

Starring Kate in the titular role, Lee also boasts Josh O'Connor, Marion Cotillard, Andy Samberg, and Alexander Skarsgard.

Kate Winslet, 48, cut a cool figure in a baggy white suit for a preview and Q&A of her 2023 film Lee at the BFI in Southbank on Sunday

The English actress exposed some chest in the double-barrelled trouser suit she wore with a black shirt

She finished her look with a silver sun necklace with a blue nucleus and a large pair of gold hoops

On stage at the British Film Institute, Kate donned a pair of black thick-framed glasses to connect with her audience

Kate was joined onstage by Anna Smith, a film critic, broadcaster, and host of Girls On Film podcast UK.

Lee premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in September 2023 but will hit UK cinemas on September 13.

During filming, Kate personally paid all the crew's salaries for two weeks due to 'precarious' financing.

In August, it was revealed that Kate will be heading to Australia to further promote the film.

Lee was directed by Ellen Kuras and was written by Liz Hannah, John Collee, and Marion Hume.

It is based on The Lives Of Lee Miller by Antony Penrose, 76, the son of Lee and Sir Roland Penrose.

Lee died in 1977 in East Sussex at the age of 70.

Lee is biographical drama telling the story of American ex-model Lee Miller who took photographs of poignant moments during World War II for Vogue magazine

Starring Kate in the titular role, Lee also boasts Josh O'Connor, Marion Cotillard, Andy Samberg, and Alexander Skarsgard

On stage at the British Film Institute, Kate donned a pair of black thick-framed glasses to connect with her audience

She laughed and gesticulated as she discussed aspects of the film from questions posed by the eager audience

Kate was joined onstage by Anna Smith, a film critic, broadcaster, and host of Girls On Film podcast UK

Kate told Vogue: 'Lee was a woman who lived her life on her terms and she paid a horrific emotional price for all of it.

'I wanted to tell the story of a flawed middle-aged woman who went to war and documented it.'

Antony said: 'When I saw Kate all those years ago in Titanic, what I loved was that she wasnt afraid to get wet, to get dirty, to fall in the water, to get roughed up.

'I thought she would make a fantastic Lee Miller.'
The Sunshine State continues to face a potentially catastrophic real estate crisis that could soon cause a mass exodus.

Real estate expert and realtor Steven Kupchan has revealed what he thinks the 'worst case scenario' would be as the costs of condos have soared, especially in southern Florida.

Homeowner association fees (HOAs) - paid by residents for general maintenance of the neighborhood or for condos in the shared building - have also caused skyrocketing insurance costs for residents.

Kupchan, an agent for One Sotheby's International Realty, told DailyMail.com he thinks the Florida housing market will become severely affected and cause an intense domino effect.

'In the worst-case scenario, a significant number of condo associations could go bankrupt due to the inability to cover the costs of necessary repairs and maintenance,' Kuplan said.

Real estate expert and realtor Steven Kupchan has revealed what he thinks the 'worst case scenario' would be as the costs of condos on the market have soared , especially in southern Florida. (pictured: A high rise condominium tower in St. Petersburg)

'This could lead to widespread foreclosures, plummeting property values, and a ripple effect throughout the local real estate market.

Recently, a new law was introduced that requires increased safety checks on Florida condos.

The legislation was brought in following the 2021 collapse of the Champlain Tower South in Surfside, which killed 98 people.

It later emerged that the condo association had postponed crucial repairs to avoid increasing costs, prompting lawmakers to introduce new regulations that are set to take effect at the end of the year.

Because of this, many residents have had to leave their condos and look elsewhere to call home.

'If the crisis deepens, there could be a mass exodus of residents from affected condo buildings, leading to a glut of unsold properties and further declines in prices,' he said.

The legislation was brought in following the 2021 collapse of the Champlain Tower South (pictured) in Surfside, which killed 98 people

'Insurance companies could refuse to cover certain buildings or raise premiums to unsustainable levels, making it difficult for buyers to obtain financing,' Kupchan said

He also predicted that buyers will face insurance nightmares due to the already soaring costs.

'Insurance companies could refuse to cover certain buildings or raise premiums to unsustainable levels, making it difficult for buyers to obtain financing.

'This could lead to a further contraction in the market and increased financial pressure on existing owners,' Kupchan added.

As for the state's real estate market as a whole, he suspects the industry will endure a series of changes because of the calamity.

Kupchan believes there will be 'market volatility,' or an unpredictable climate in the state's real estate industry, that could eventually 'affect property values in other sectors of the real estate market as well.'

Florida condo owners recently started slashing prices by up to 40 percent in an effort to dodge massive incoming repair costs. (Pictured: Vitas Building full of graffiti)

He also predicted the crisis will cause 'increased scrutiny and new regulations' in regard to financial and safety stability of condos in the Sunshine State, which could also 'impact the overall real estate market.'

As buyers start to turn away from condos, Kupchan thinks interest in single-family homes will start to trend, 'leading to a potential shift in the types of properties being bought and sold.'

Florida condo owners recently started slashing prices by up to 40 percent in an effort to dodge massive incoming repair costs.

Some units have had almost half a million wiped off their asking price as safety fears trigger a wave of sell offs in what realtors have described as the 'worst real estate crisis in decades.'

One three-bedroom, two-bathroom condo in Saint Petersburg was listed at around $1.2 million at the start of the year.

But still without a buyer, the owner slashed the asking price first to $898,000 and then $715,000.

DailyMail.com revealed an estimated 360,000 property owners in south Florida alone - the home of the condo boom - may not be able to afford the repairs required by the new law

Many could face fees greater than their mortgage payments, sparking a wave of distressed sales in the Sunshine State.

Karen Shipman, who bought a second-story condo in Venice, Florida, with her husband for their retirement in 2021, said she was no longer sure they could afford to keep their home.

'I feel like it's paradise lost now,' she told ABC Action News.

Most of those cut price sales were in Saint Petersburg, Sarasota and Venice on the west coast and Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Boca Raton and West Palm Beach on the state's south and east coast.

A Saint Petersburg property that has slashed its price by 40 percent was built in 1975.

It was highlighted on X by real estate expert Nick Gerli, who pointed out that the owner was selling their unit for less than they bought it for in 2020.

'Worst of all: check out the HOA fee. $2,300/month. Ouch,' he added.

ISG World recently reported that there were 20,293 condo listings in Palm Beach, Broward and Miami-Dade in the second quarter of the year, up from 8,353 in the same time frame in 2023.

DailyMail.com revealed an estimated 360,000 property owners in south Florida alone - the home of the condo boom - may not be able to afford the repairs required by the new law.

Nearly 90 percent of the 20,000-plus units listed for sale in Palm Beach, Broward and Miami-Dade are in buildings aged 30 years and above

The increased safety checks are pushing up Homeowners' Association fees, prompting many to sell

The Champlain Tower disaster lifted the lid on the widespread neglect of old condominiums, with associations postponing crucial repairs to save cash.

It prompted lawmakers to introduce the SB 4-D Bill in May 2022, which requires all Florida condos aged 30 years and older to undergo an inspection by the end of the year.

Condo owners and associations must start repairs and maintenance works flagged in the report within a year of receiving it.

Nearly 90 percent of the 20,000-plus units listed for sale in Palm Beach, Broward and Miami-Dade are in buildings aged 30 years and above.

In Tampa, the median monthly HOA fee jumped 17.2 percent over the year to July 31, according to Redfin.

In Orlando, the fees soared by an average of 16.7 percent, and in Fort Lauderdale they rose by 16.2 percent, it found.

This is compared to an average hike of 6 percent across the 43 most populous metro areas which Redfin analyzed.

HOA fees also rose in West Palm Beach by 12.8 percent, by 7.6 percent in Jacksonville and by 5.7 percent in Miami.
India's 21 major listed real estate developers have together sold properties worth nearly Rs 35,000 crore during the latest June quarter with Godrej Properties reporting highest sale bookings.

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.

According to the data compiled from regulatory filings, India's 21 major listed realty firms have reported combined sale bookings of Rs 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 Rs 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 Rs 6,404 crore in the first quarter of this fiscal.

Mumbai-based Macrotech Developers, which sells properties under 'Lodha' brand, clocked pre-sales of Rs 4,030 crore. Gurugram-based Signature Global, which recently got listed, achieved sale bookings of Rs 3,120 crore in June quarter, more than three times from the year-ago period.

Bengaluru-based Prestige Estates Projects clocked sale bookings of Rs 3,029.5 crore in June quarter, down from the corresponding period of the previous year.

Bengaluru-based firms Sobha Ltd and Brigade Enterprises sold properties worth Rs 1,874 crore and Rs 1,086 crore, respectively, during the April-June period of this fiscal.

Bengaluru-based Puravankara Ltd achieved sale bookings of Rs 1,128 crore, almost flat compared to the year-ago period.

Mumbai-based Oberoi Realty, which is into luxury housing segment, sold properties worth Rs 1,067 crore last fiscal.

Mumbai-based builders Mahindra Lifespace Developers Ltd and Keystone Realtors (Rustomjee) clocked sale bookings of Rs 1,019 crore and Rs 611 crore, respectively.

Pune-based Kolte-Patil sold properties worth Rs 711 crore while Mumbai-based Sunteck Realty sold properties worth Rs 502 crore.

Bengaluru-based Shriram Properties achieved sale bookings of Rs 376 crore.

Delhi-based TARC Ltd and Ashiana Housing achieved sale bookings of Rs 310 crore and Rs 235 crore, respectively.

Ahmedabad-based Arvind Smartspaces Ltd sold properties worth Rs 201 crore, while Mumbai-based Ajmera Realty & Infrastructure Ltd reported pre-sales of Rs 306 crore.

Lucknow-based Eldeco Housing & Industries Ltd sold properties worth Rs 59 crore while Mumbai-based Equinox India Developments Ltd (earlier Indiabulls Real Estate Ltd) achieved pre-sales of Rs 82 crore.

Mumbai-based Suraj Estate Developers Ltd has reported a sale bookings of Rs 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.
The 4th Asia Pacific Feminist Forum seeks to challenge the patriarchal systems that dominate the world today, writes SHOBHA SHUKLA

The 4th Asia Pacific Feminist Forum (APFF) is set to take place next month in Chiang Mai, Thailand, under the theme "Feminist world-building: Creative energies, collective journeys." This theme highlights the importance of uniting people of all genders who are dedicated to defending human rights and promoting gender equality. The forum aims to collectively resist the patriarchal, militarized, and greed-driven world we currently inhabit, envisioning instead a feminist world order.

What is a Feminist World Order?

A feminist world order envisions a different kind of development model, one rooted in sharing and caring rather than power and violence. Unlike the patriarchal systems that dominate today, where power is concentrated in the hands of a few through violence and exploitation, a feminist system emphasizes care, solidarity, and the equitable redistribution of power. This system aspires to be socially just and ecologically sustainable, ensuring justice and sustainability for everyone, everywhere. At its core, this vision is grounded in the principles of development justice.

Abia Akram, founder and CEO of the National Forum of Women with Disabilities in Pakistan, describes a feminist world as a place where women and all diverse genders can fully realize their strength and contribute meaningfully at the grassroots level. In her view, such a world would bring about systematic changes through transformative laws and legal practices that are aligned with human rights.

Migrant rights activist Eni Lestari, Chairperson of the International Migrants Alliance, shares her perspective on the feminist world order based on her decades of experience in feminist movements. She observes that neoliberal globalization has exacerbated structural exploitation, with each new crisis worsening poverty, displacement, and unemployment. Having migrated from Indonesia during the 1997 Asian financial crisis, Eni highlights that migration has become an integral part of the economic development strategy for many capitalist countries, with nearly 300 million people now living as migrants worldwide.

Eni envisions a feminist world as one where economic and political environments treat everyone with fairness and equality, eliminating the need for migration or displacement as a means of survival. In such a world, women would lead and ensure that justice and equality are upheld for all members of society.

Feminist World: A Joyous and Inclusive World

Ivy Josiah, a women's rights activist and former President and Executive Director of Malaysia's Women's Aid Organisation, describes a feminist world as a joyous and inclusive one, where no one is left behind-not just as a tagline, but in reality. She believes that if feminists lead the world, it would be a peaceful one, as war is a choice, and so is peace. Feminist World: Anti-Capitalism

A feminist world would stand in stark opposition to capitalism, which prioritizes profit maximization for a tiny elite while subjecting the majority of people and the planet to unbridled exploitation. Ivy argues that a feminist world would not serve the interests of the wealthy few but would instead be characterized by equitable resource distribution.

Shrinking Spaces for Civil Society: Abia Akram raises concerns about the shrinking spaces for civil society organizations under the current political systems. She argues that creating an enabling environment where everyone has equal rights and opportunities is missing from the agendas of many countries. Budgetary allocations often fail to include a gender perspective, resulting in inadequate resources and opportunities for women and girls with disabilities, transgender individuals, and LGBTQIAP+ communities. Abia asserts that meaningful engagement and equitable representation from feminist movements are essential for ensuring justice for all.

The Present World Order:

The present world order, driven by patriarchy, fundamentalism, militarism, and corporate capitalism, stands as the anti-thesis of a feminist world order. This model has transferred wealth, power, and resources from the working people to the rich, and from developing countries to wealthy ones. The resulting financial, environmental, food, and energy crises have devastated the lives of women, particularly in the Global South.

Transformative Shifts of the Development Justice Model

The current world order urgently needs to be replaced with a development justice model that addresses the inequalities of wealth, power, and resources between countries, between rich and poor, and between men and women and gender-diverse communities. This model is grounded in five transformative shifts: redistributive justice, economic justice, social and gender justice, environmental justice, and accountability to the people.

The Asia Pacific Feminist Forum (APFF) plays a crucial role in advancing the vision of a feminist world order. Organized by the Asia Pacific Forum on Women, Law and Development (APWLD), this tri-annual event brings together feminists and women's rights activists of all genders from across Asia and the Pacific.

(Shobha Shukla is the founding Managing Editor and Executive Director of CNS. Views are personal)
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.
In an era where "post-truth" and "Big Brother" have transcended fiction to become disturbing reality, Orwell's vision stands as relevant as ever

In his seminal work *1984*, George Orwell posits that "those who control the present control the past; those who control the past control the future." This powerful assertion underscores the terrifying consequences of manipulating history and truth. In the dystopian world of *1984*, the ruling Party wields absolute power by constantly rewriting history to align with its agenda, erasing inconvenient truths, and ensuring that its version of reality is the only one that exists. This manipulation of truth is key to maintaining the Partys unchallenged dominance, as it keeps the population ignorant and compliant.

As we examine contemporary international politics, it is impossible to ignore the striking parallels between Orwell's dystopian vision and our current reality. Concepts such as Big Brother, doublethink, and post-truth have transcended Orwell's novel and become disturbingly relevant in today's world. The manipulation of truth, pervasive surveillance, and the rise of populist authoritarianism are phenomena that closely mirror the dangers Orwell warned against.

The term "post-truth" has become a defining characteristic of modern political discourse, echoing Orwells portrayal of a world where objective truth is malleable. In *1984*, the Ministry of Truth constantly altered historical records to match the Party's shifting narrative, keeping the populace in a state of ignorance and making it impossible for them to challenge the Party's authority. Today, the concept of post-truth is equally relevant. In 2016, the Oxford Dictionary even named "post-truth" the Word of the Year, highlighting its prevalence in contemporary discourse.

In this post-truth era, emotional appeals and personal beliefs often overshadow objective facts, making it easier for those in power to manipulate public opinion. Politicians and media outlets selectively present information, distort facts, or even fabricate narratives to support their agendas. This erosion of truth creates a divided society, much like the world Orwell depicted, where consensus on basic facts becomes increasingly elusive.

Orwell's concept of Big Brother  the omnipresent surveillance state that monitors every aspect of citizens lives  is also frighteningly relevant today. In *1984*, the Party uses telescreens and hidden microphones to ensure that no dissenting thought or action goes unnoticed, fostering a climate of fear and paranoia that effectively silences opposition. In our contemporary world, mass surveillance has become a reality on a global scale, with governments implementing extensive surveillance programs under the guise of national security.

The revelations by Edward Snowden in 2013 exposed the extent to which governments were spying on their citizens, collecting vast amounts of data on phone calls, emails, and internet activity. The boundaries between state and corporate surveillance are increasingly blurred as tech giants like Google, Facebook, and Amazon collect vast amounts of data on users online behavior, often with minimal transparency.

Today's populist leaders have mastered the art of doublethink, often making contradictory promises or statements that their followers accept without question. They may decry the "elite" while simultaneously benefiting from elite status themselves or champion "freedom" while implementing policies that curtail personal liberties. This ability to manipulate and distort reality is a hallmark of populist rhetoric, much like it was for Orwell's Party.

The rise of populism in the 21st century has also brought a resurgence of authoritarian tendencies. Leaders who once espoused democratic values increasingly resort to autocratic measures to consolidate power. Whether it's the undermining of judicial independence, the suppression of the free press, or the erosion of checks and balances, these actions mirror the totalitarian regime depicted in *1984*.

Orwell's *Animal Farm*, while serving as an allegory for the Russian Revolution and the subsequent rise of the Soviet Union, offers themes that are universally applicable. The story of the farm animals rebellion against their human oppressors, only to find themselves under the tyranny of their fellow animals, is a powerful commentary on the cyclical nature of power and corruption. In contemporary politics, the concept of Snoopgate  a term used to describe politically motivated surveillance scandals  is reminiscent of the betrayal and manipulation seen in *Animal Farm*.

Orwell's dystopian novels were products of their time, reflecting the anxieties and political realities of the 20th century. However, their relevance has only grown with time, as the themes they explore have become increasingly pertinent today. The rise of surveillance states, the erosion of truth, the manipulation of language, and the rise of authoritarianism are all issues that transcend national borders.

In China, for example, the government's use of technology to monitor its citizens has created a digital dystopia reminiscent of Orwell's vision.

The implementation of a social credit system, where citizens are scored based on their behavior and loyalty to the state, is a chilling example of how technology can be used to enforce conformity and suppress dissent. Similarly, in Russia, the government's control over the media and its use of propaganda to shape public opinion is a textbook case of Orwellian doublethink.

The global reach of Orwell's ideas is a testament to the universality of his concerns. Whether in the context of a liberal democracy or an authoritarian regime, the themes of *1984* and *Animal Farm* resonate deeply with those who value freedom and truth.

(The writer is an associate professor, views expressed are personal)
Yoga and meditation can light up the dull and often tense atmosphere at workplaces

In todays fast-paced, high-stress work environments, organizations are increasingly seeking ways to support the well-being of their employees. Among the most effective and holistic approaches are the practices of yoga and meditation. These ancient techniques, rooted in mindfulness and physical wellness, have transcended their spiritual origins to become powerful tools for enhancing mental and physical health in modern workplaces. Incorporating yoga and meditation into the daily routine of employees not only benefits individual well-being but also significantly impacts organizational productivity and culture.

The modern workplace is often characterized by high levels of stress, tight deadlines, and the pressure to constantly perform. A study published in the Journal of Occupational Health Psychology found that employees who participated in the workplace yoga program experienced significant reductions in perceived stress levels. Participants even reported reductions in musculoskeletal pain, particularly in the lower back, neck and shoulders, areas commonly affected by prolonged sitting. The study found that employees who practised yoga reported higher levels of emotional well-being and lower levels of psychological distress. Another study published in the Journal of Managerial Psychology examined the effects of workplace yoga on organizational culture.

It found that yoga contributed to a more positive and supportive work environment by fostering better communication, teamwork and a sense of community among employees.Many office workers spend long hours sitting at desks, which can lead to a range of physical issues, including poor posture, back pain and repetitive strain injuries. Over time, these physical ailments can decrease productivity and increase absenteeism. Yoga addresses these issues by improving flexibility, strength, and posture. The various poses and stretches in yoga help to relieve tension in the neck, shoulders and lower back, common problem areas for office workers. Additionally, the emphasis on breathing exercises improves circulation and oxygenation, leading to increased energy levels and overall vitality. This can strengthen workplace relationships, improve communication, and foster a sense of community and mutual support.

A positive work environment, where employees feel valued and connected, leads to higher morale, reduced turnover and a more cohesive and productive team. The benefits of meditation in the workplace are well-documented. Regular meditation practice has been shown to reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression, lower blood pressure and improve sleep quality. Employees who meditate regularly are more likely to exhibit improved focus, emotional intelligence, and the ability to manage stress. This not only enhances individual performance but also contributes to a more harmonious and collaborative work environment. Mentally, yoga promotes relaxation and reduces stress by regulating the autonomic nervous system, which governs the bodys stress response. The mindful breathing techniques and meditative aspects of yoga help calm the mind, reduce anxiety and enhance mental clarity.

For employees, this means better focus, improved decision-making and greater resilience in the face of workplace challenges. The cumulative effect of these benefits is a more productive, engaged, and satisfied workforce. The modern workplace is often characterized by high levels of stress, tight deadlines, and the pressure to constantly perform. Moreover, prolonged stress can have severe consequences on employees' mental and physical health, leading to issues such as anxiety, depression and chronic illnesses. Therefore, investing in employee well-being through practices like yoga and meditation is not just a trend but a strategic move that can yield substantial returns .

(The writer is an educator, views expressed are personal)
In an effort to improve the lives of farmers and increasing their income, the Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday approved around `13,966 crore outlay for seven big-ticket programmes related to the farming sector, including a `2,817-crore digital agriculture mission and a `3,979-crore scheme for crop science. These programme will focus on harnessing public-funded digital infrastructure to research focussed on emerging challenges in the farm sector.

The emphasis of these programmes would be on research & education, climate resilience, natural resource management and digitisation in the agriculture sector along with emphasis on growth of horticulture and livestock sectors.

Addressing a press conference after the Union Cabinet meeting, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced that the Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved seven schemes to improve farmers lives and increase their incomes at a total outlay of `13,966 crore.

The Cabinet has approved crop science for food and nutritional security programmes with a total outlay `3,979 crore.

In this programme, six pillars have been included in the programme with a focus on preparing the farmers for climate resilient crop sciences and food security by 2047. These six pillars are  Research and Education; Plant Genetic Resource Management; Genetic improvement for food and fodder crop; pulse and oilseed crop improvement; Improvement of commercial crops; and research on insects, microbes, pollinators.

A part of the fund will be utilised for improving productivity of pulses and oilseeds, apart from plant-genetics management. India seeks to end its dependence on costly imports to meet local pulses demand by 2027, a key agriculture-sector priority.

In the financial year ended March, imports went up 84% year-on-year to 4.65 million tonne, the most in six years. In value terms, the countrys spending on imports rose 93% to $3.75 billion. India largely imports from Canada, Australia, Myanmar, Mozambique, Tanzania, Sudan and Malawi. Extreme weather linked to the climate crisis has dented farm output in Asias third largest economy, hurting crops such as wheat and stocking prices.

The Cabinet also approved an outlay of Rs 2,291 crore for strengthening agricultural education, management and social sciences. This programme will be under Indian Council of Agricultural Research. The aim is to modernise agri-research and education in line with New Education Policy 2020. The use of latest technology like Digital DPI, Al, big data, remote, etc will be promoted and the programme includes natural farming and climate resilience.

Under AgriStack, farmers will be given a digital identity (Farmer ID) similar to Aadhaar, which will be a trusted Kisan ki Pehchaan, the statement said. This Farmer ID will be linked dynamically to the States land records, livestock ownership, crops sown, demographic details, family details, schemes and benefits availed etc. Crops sown by farmers will be recorded through mobile-based ground surveys i.E. Digital Crop Survey to be conducted in each season. For the creation of Farmer IDs, pilots have been conducted in one district each across 6 States: Uttar Pradesh (Farrukhabad), Gujarat (Gandhinagar), Maharashtra (Beed), Haryana (Yamuna Nagar), Punjab (Fatehgarh Sahib), and Tamil Nadu (Virudhnagar). It is targeted to create digital identities for 11 crore farmers: six crore farmers in FY 2024-25, three crore farmers in FY 2025-26, and two crore farmers in FY 2026-27, the statement said.

The third project worth Rs 1,702-crore has also been cleared for sustainable livestock health and their production. The scheme aims to increase farmers income from livestock and dairy. Under this scheme, the focus will be on animal health management and veterinary education; dairy production and technology development; animal genetic resource management, production and improvement; and animal nutrition and small ruminant production and development.

The Cabinet also approved the Digital Agriculture Mission with a total investment of Rs 2,817 crore. There are two foundation pillars in the project -- Agri Stack and Krishi Decision Support System. A major component of DAM mission is the creation of an Agri Stack, which includes a Farmers Registry, Village Land Maps Registry, and Crop Sown Registry. The Agri Stack will serve as a comprehensive database through detailed records of farmers, land usage, and crop patterns. Another crucial aspect of the mission is the Krishi Decision Support System. This system will leverage geospatial data, drought and flood monitoring, weather and satellite data, and groundwater availability information to assist farmers in making informed decisions. Additionally, the system will include modeling tools for crop yield and insurance, helping farmers to better plan their activities and mitigate risks.

A project worth Rs 1,702 crore has also been cleared for sustainable livestock health and their production. The scheme aims to increase farmers income from livestock and dairy. Under this scheme, the focus will be on animal health management and veterinary education; dairy production and technology development; animal genetic resource management, production and improvement; and animal nutrition and small ruminant production and development.

Another major scheme cleared by the Cabinet relates to sustainable development for horticulture. With a total outlay of Rs 860 crore the measure is aimed at increasing farmers income from horticulture plants. The programme comprises of tropical, sub-tropical and temperate horticulture crops; root, tuber, bulbous and arid crops; vegetable, floriculture, and mushroom crops; and plantation, spices, medicinal, and aromatic plants

Other decisions taken by the Cabinet pertains to strengthening Krish Vigyan Kendra (Rs 1,202 crore), and Natural Resource Management (Rs 1,115 crore). There are more than 700 KVKs across the country.
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Monday arrested former RG Kar Medical College and Hospital principal Sandip Ghosh on charges of financial misconduct before the September 5 hearing in the Supreme Court, sources said.

He was later escorted to the CBI's Nizam Palace office in Kolkata which houses the agency's anti-corruption wing and was shown as arrested.

Ghosh, an orthopaedic surgeon, is not only charged with financial misconduct and other illegal acts, including illegal sale of bio-medical waste, running organ trade and selling of bodies by his former colleague Akhtar Ali, but he has also been accused of controlling all the illegal syndicates that were active in most of the State-run medical colleges of West Bengal.

In March 2023, Ali, a Non-Medical Assistant Superintendent at RG Kar Medical College wrote a letter to the authorities, including the vigilance commission and even the Chief Minister's office accusing the former principal of corruption that included illegal body trafficking and biomedical waste disposal.

The Monday's arrest comes days after the CBI named Ghosh in the FIR in connection with its probe into alleged financial irregularities at the hospital during his tenure. The CBI arrested Ghosh after grilling him for more than 150 hours over days.

The arrest of Ghosh comes in the midst of a movement against the rape and murder of an on-duty postgraduate lady doctor of RGKMCH.

He is the second person to be arrested in the rape and murder case. Earlier, a civic volunteer was arrested on charges of raping and murdering the lady doctor.

Ghosh's arrest is significant given his close proximity to the State's political establishment. He had reportedly treated a top politician for leg injuries during the State election a few years ago.

A few days after the rape and murder case surfaced, the State Government transferred Ghosh, who had resigned earlier, with a prize-posting to another medical college in Kolkata, leading to an outcry in the medical fraternity.

There was a strong demand for his dismissal and arrest.

More trouble awaits Ghosh as the Enforcement Directorate too has filed a money-laundering case to probe his alleged role in financial irregularities inside the RGKMCH.

Recently, the Indian Medical Association had suspended his membership.

Protesting junior doctors, people and medical fraternity celebrated after news surfaced of the arrest of Ghosh.

Meanwhile, the CBI is likely to submit a closed envelope before the Supreme Court on September 5 detailing its preliminary findings, sources said.

The envelope may contain names not only of the prime suspects of RGKMCH who might have played a role in destroying evidence but also of some big guns in the political echelon who are the ultimate beneficiaries of the syndicate raj  that was plaguing the State-run medical colleges  but for which the rape and murder might not have taken place.

According to sources the CBI officials who had subjected a number of people including prime accused Sanjoy Roy and former RG Kar principal Ghosh to polygraph tests are still in doubt about the truth that is being dished out to them.

It is quite intriguing how the accused went up to the seminar hall on the third floor breaking the security rings. Getting inside the hospital area is difficult as even doctors own relatives who are familiar to the security persons are not allowed in, said one source.

The arrested accused in the alleged rape and murder of the woman medic would likely plead not guilty in the court since he was framed in the case, his counsel said on Monday.

The accused, who is currently lodged in the Presidency Correctional Home, has told the lawyer that the doctor was not known to him, she added.

We will fight our case based on the documents produced by the prosecution lawyers before the court, she said, claiming that the accused has maintained his innocence during the polygraph test.

His counsel also claimed that Roy had gone to the floor where the seminar hall of the RG Kar Hospital is located to find out the health condition of his friend's father who was operated on that day. He went to the pulmonary department which is on the same floor where the seminar hall is situated. It was then when he saw the woman lying there, she said.

The body of the post-graduate trainee, who was allegedly raped and murdered, was found in the seminar hall of the hospital on August 9. Roy, a civic volunteer of the Kolkata Police, was arrested the next day. The gruesome crime resulted in nationwide protests by doctors and citizens.
At least two Mata Vaishno Devi-bound pilgrims died and a minor child received injuries when they were hit by a massive landslide on the Himkoti track to the cave shrine in Jammu and Kashmirs Reasi district on Monday.

The incident took place near the Panchi colony in the Himkoti area around 2.15 p.m. The pilgrims were struck by the massive iron bar structure as it crumbled under the weight of the large tumbling stones.

The pilgrim traffic was halted for some time to carry out rescue operations in the area.

The disaster management teams of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB) were pressed into action to carry out the rescue operations and shift the injured to the nearby health care center. However, the pilgrimage continued through the traditional route along the track.

According to official sources deceased pilgrims have been identified as Sapna (27) of Dhianpur village in Punjabs Gurdaspur, and Neha (23) of Kanpur in Uttar Pradesh. The injured girl  Sanvi , a resident of Kanpur  is undergoing treatment in the hospital. Her grandfather L Prasad said they were taking a break from trekking to the shrine when police started clearing the track due to a monkey scare.

Suddenly, there was a landslide and the debris fell on the tin shed which collapsed, he said.

On New Years Day in 2022, a stampede at the shrine left 12 pilgrims dead and 16 injured.
The Government has summoned the content head of OTT platform Netflix over the series IC-814: The Kandahar Hijack, which has triggered a row over the depiction of hijackers, contending that nobody has the right to play with the sentiments of the nation.

Official sources said the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has summoned the content head of Netflix India on Tuesday, seeking an explanation on the allegedly contentious aspects of the OTT series portraying the 1999 hijack of an Indian Airlines flight by Pakistan-based terror outfit Harkat-ul-Mujahideen.

The depiction of hijackers of the Indian Airlines flight from Kathmandu to Delhi has stirred controversy with a section of viewers objecting to the humane projection of the perpetrators.

Nobody has the right to play with the sentiments of the people of this nation. Indian culture and civilisation should always be respected, another official source said. Should we allow any foreign people to slipshod over our cultural values, the source said without elaborating.

The sources said filmmakers have to think before portraying something in a wrong manner. You may be liberal, but you cannot portray institutions in a wrong manner, the source said.

Using hashtags #BoycottNetflix, #BoycottBollywood and #IC814, several X users shared posts claiming the filmmakers changed the names of the hijackers to Shankar and Bhola to allegedly protect the terrorists who belonged to a certain community.

BJP IT Cell chief Amit Malviya said the hijackers of the IC-814 flight were dreaded terrorists, who acquired aliases to hide their Muslim identities.

Filmmaker Anubhav Sinha, legitimised their criminal intent, by furthering their non-Muslim names. Decades later, people will think Hindus hijacked IC-814, Malviya posted on X.

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, Malviya said.

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.

Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said it was really amusing to see the people who took movies like Kashmir Files as the gospel truth having a meltdown at the way the events of IC814 are depicted in the Netflix show.

Now suddenly they want accuracy and nuance packaged in the script, Abdullah said in a social media post.
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) are at loggerheads over the arrest of MLA Amanatullah Khan by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in a money laundering case related to financial irregularities in the Delhi Waqf Board as the former has called him as revolutionary who won't surrender before a dictator, while the latter has said that if there are any allegations against him, then the court would decide on it. Reacting to the news of the arrest of senior AAP leader, Delhi Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj on Monday criticised the Centre for allegedly "misusing" agencies to harass the AAP leaders, describing it as "open hooliganism" and claimed the investigative agencies have till date found no evidence against his party leader in the alleged money laundering case.

Questioning the central agencys raid at Khans residence in Okhla, the senior AAP leader asked, He lives in a three-room flat in Okhla. His mother, who is suffering from cancer, was seen lying on a bed during the search. How many times will you go there to search and harass the family?" With Delhi assembly elections expected to be held early next year, Bharadwaj further said the BJP's downfall has begun and people will soon give the party a befitting reply.

Meanwhile, accusing the AAP of having corrupt and criminal individuals, Delhi BJP President Virendra Sachdeva said, AAP leaders behave like birds that rush to peck at grain, forgetting that there is also a trap around, and that trap does its job. Amanatullah Khan has fallen into the legal trap for illegally recruiting people in the Delhi Waqf Board and misusing funds that could have been spent on public welfare.

He added that AAP has a long list of criminals and corrupt individuals, and whenever action is taken against them, they start making noise. Once again, that drama has unfolded before everyone, Sachdeva claimed, adding that in India, the rule of law prevails, and whenever you loot, steal, or indulge in corruption, you will have to answer for it.

New Delhi BJP MP Bansuri Swaraj held EDs raid at the AAP MLAs house as a valid legal step and claimed that the AAP leaders are engaged in propoganda, publicity and corruption instead of working towards the welfare of the people.

Amanatullah Khan faces several serious allegations. During his tenure as the Chairman of the Waqf Board, he made illegal recruitments and misused funds meant for social and public welfare, which was being investigated by the CBI. Today, the ED has arrested him as part of a legal process. However, it is an old habit of the AAP to be completely immersed in propaganda and corruption, and they have done no work for the people, Bansuri asserted, adding that no one is above the law, and thus, Amanatullah Khan is accountable for why he looted the Waqf Board.

Northwest Delhi BJP MP Yogendra Chandolia claimed that the MLAs and councillors of the AAP in Delhi are all corrupt. When the investigating agency arrested him today, he started making a fuss. In reality, AAP leaders are habitual offenders and are used to making noise, he added.

Leader of Opposition (LoP) in Delhi assembly Vijender Gupta questioned the AAP, asking why they are compelled to shelter such criminal-minded people. When he was the Chairman of the Waqf Board, four members of the board filed complaints against him, but it is regrettable that AAP members themselves are trying to protect him, he said.
The Delhi Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB) on Monday took cognisance of a complaint regarding rampant corruption in the state Health Department under AAP leaders including Saurabh Bhardwaj and Satyendra Jain.

The complaint was lodged with the ACB by Leader of Opposition (LoP) in Delhi Assembly Vijendra Gupta. The branch also said they have sought prior approval for conducting enquiry into the matter has been sent to the competent authority.

Earlier, Gupta wrote a letter to the ACB and said, We are writing to demand an immediate and thorough investigation into the rampant corruption plaguing the Health Department of the Government of NCT of Delhi. The scale of financial misconduct under the current Health Minister, Saurabh Bhardwaj, and the former Health Minister, Satyendra Jain, is staggering and requires urgent attention.

Delhi BJP President Virendra Sachdeva said, Vijender Gupta, had filed a complaint with the ACB regarding scams in the Delhi government's health department. Now, an FIR is about to be registered, and Kejriwal's dark truths will be revealed.

He alleged that healthcare services in Delhi have completely collapsed and whether it is operational hospitals, those under construction, or Mohalla Clinics, all have become centres of corruption.

Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj and the ministers of Kejriwal's Government, whose health department projects are all delayed, should take responsibility and resign. Forget the construction of new hospitals, even the upgrading of existing ones has been delayed by years, Sachdeva said.

He called AAP leaders including Delhi Health Minister as Ministers of press conferences. Delhi's Mohalla Clinics, and their patient bills, pathology tests, and X-rays, have all become subjects of corruption, and an investigation is ongoing. Such scams are not possible without the silent consent of the Minister and the Chief Minister, he said.

Gupta, in a press conference, highlighted numerous cases of mismanagement and corruption. The 24 approved hospital projects, with a total cost of Rs 5,590 crores, many are still incomplete and have incurred significant cost overruns. A clear example is the case of seven ICU hospitals, with 6,800 beds, approved at a cost of Rs 1,125 crores, but even after three years, only 50 per cent of the work has been completed, he alleged.

Further, he claimed that out of the 94 planned multipurpose clinics, only 52 have been constructed. Another issue raised was the Health Information Management System (HIMS) project stating that the transparent system hasnt been implemented even after eight years, resulting in a waste of Rs 130 crores.

He highlighted the Delhi government's failure to utilise central funds, particularly Rs 2,406 crores sanctioned under the PM-Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM). He demanded the immediate resignation of Health Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj and Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, as criminal negligence and corruption have put countless lives at risk and wasted taxpayer money.

Reacting to Health Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj's attempts to distance himself from the allegations, Gupta said that the AAP ministers are completely stunned by these revelations and are now on the back foot.
Bokaro MLA Biranchi Narayan announced the launch of the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) "Manifesto Suggestion Campaign" ahead of the upcoming Jharkhand Assembly elections here on Monday. The campaign, aligned with the party's commitment to fulfilling public aspirations, will see active participation from citizens, ensuring that their suggestions shape the party's manifesto.

Addressing the media, Narayan said, The suggestions will come from the public, but the commitment will be ours. He highlighted the party's intent to craft a manifesto that truly resonates with the needs and expectations of the people of Jharkhand.

The campaign, which officially begins on September 3, in Bokaro, invites citizens to submit their suggestions either directly at the party office or via WhatsApp at 6202750671. The initiative will extend beyond general public participation, engaging a wide array of community groups and stakeholders.

He detailed that BJP workers will reach out to various segments of society, including key members of thought groups, organizations, Scheduled Tribes, Scheduled Castes, Other Backward Classes, farmers, women, youth, athletes, traders, and business organizations. The campaign will also focus on students, particularly those residing in hostels and those preparing for competitive exams, as well as private educational institutions, folk artists, social media influencers, YouTubers, contract workers, government employees, retired servicemen, differently-abled individuals, organized and unorganized labor groups, ration dealers, NGOs, SHG dialogue in aspirational districts, self-help groups, street vendors' associations, Panchayati Raj representatives, village heads, online trading workers, e-rickshaw drivers, RMP doctors, traditional priests, Anganwadi workers, mid-day meal cooks, intellectuals like lawyers and professors, industrial groups etc .

Narayan assured that the feedback collected from these diverse groups will be carefully considered and incorporated into the BJP's manifesto, ensuring it is comprehensive and representative of the people's will.

Also present at the press conference were BJP District President Jaydev Rai and District General Secretary Sanjay Tyagi, who echoed Narayan's sentiments and encouraged widespread public participation in the campaign.
Bharatiya Janata Party's State Minister cum South Chhotanagpur division in-charge Ganesh Mishra today said that anarchy has spread in the state. Development has been stunted. Illegal infiltration of Rohingya Muslims continues.

Mishra was speaking in the planning meeting held under the chairmanship of District President Manir Oraon in the BJP district office regarding the upcoming assembly elections. He said that only the BJP government can do the complete development of the state. In 58 months, the current coalition government of Hemant Soren has not completed even 10 percent of its manifesto plans. They have cheated assistant policemen, unemployed people, farmers and assistant teachers. He said that Bangladeshi Rohingya Muslims are illegally infiltrating the state and torturing women and the government is supporting them for vote bank.

He said that it is certain that BJP will form the government in the state this time. He asked the workers to get involved in the work of the organization in a planned manner to ensure the victory of BJP. District in-charge cum state minister Sunita Singh said that the present Hemant government has made Jharkhand an ugly state. To make it a developed state, it is necessary to form the Bharatiya Janata Party government. He asked all the workers to start working for the party with a spirit of service from today itself. District President Manir Oraon said that workers are paramount in BJP. The party will contest the assembly elections in a planned manner and will win the election.

Former Legislative Councilor cum Vishunpur and Sisai Legislative Assembly election in-charge Praveen Singh said that Bangladeshi infiltrators are attacking sisters and daughters. They are playing with our culture, our religion and occupying our land. Hemant government has worked to make tribals and non-tribals fight over local policy. State Working Committee member cum Khunti Assembly election in-charge Om Singh said that we need to work among the tribal society. The meeting was conducted by District General Secretary Pashupatinath Paras and vote of thanks was given by General Secretary Sanjay Kumar.
September 2, 2024: The world has gone through many unexpected changes since Russia invaded Ukraine in early 2022. The war is not over and Russia is losing. But theres more, a lot more. Ukraine was the first near-peer war since World War II ended in 1945. Near-peer means a war between somewhat equal nations, each with roughly the same level of military technology and capabilities.

As happened during World War II, near-peer wars provide a reality check on existing ideas of how you fight a war. This means both sides were forced to innovate in ways no one expected. That happened in the Ukraine war, whose most surprising innovation was the rapid evolution of drones, otherwise known as Unmanned Aerial Vehicles. The changes were wide ranging, including Ukraine modifying its military organization to accommodate all these changes. The most obvious example of this was Ukraine creating a new branch of their military, the Drone Force. This is in addition to the Ukrainian Air Force that consists of manned aircraft. The Drone Force does not control the drones Ukrainian forces use regularly but does contribute to developing new drone models and organizing mass production for those new models that are successful. Drones were an unexpected development that had a huge impact on how battles in Ukraine's current war are fought. Drones were successful because they were cheap, easily modified, and expendable.

Both Russian and Ukrainian forces were soon using cheap, under a thousand dollars, quadcopter drones controlled by soldiers a kilometer or more away using FPV (First Person Viewing) goggles to see what the day/night video camera on the drone can see. Adding night vision at least doubles the cost for each drone, so not all of them have that capability. Each of these drones carries half a kilogram of explosives, so it can instantly turn the drone into a flying bomb that can fly into a target and detonate. This is an awesome and debilitating weapon when used in large numbers over the combat zone. If a target isnt moving or requires more explosive power that the drones can supply, one of the drone operators can call in artillery, rocket, or missile fire, or even an airstrike. Larger, fixed wing drones are used for long range, often over a thousand kilometers, operations against targets deep inside Russia. Ultimately, the drones caused more casualties than conventional artillery. Overall the drones were cheaper and more flexible than howitzers and mortars.

A major limitation to the expansion of drone operations was the need for trained drone operators. These operators need over a hundred hours of training before they are able to start operating these drones, and another hundred hours of actual use before they are able to make the most out of the system. These small drones are difficult to shoot down until they get close to the ground and the shooter is close enough, as in less than a few hundred meters, away to successfully target a drone with a bullet or two and bring it down. Troops are rarely in position to do this, so most of these drones are able to complete their mission, whether it is a one-way attack or a reconnaissance and surveillance mission. The recon missions are usually survivable and enable the drone to be reused. All these drones are constantly performing surveillance, which means that both sides commit enough drones to maintain constant surveillance over a portion of the front line, to a depth, into enemy territory, of at least a few kilometers.

This massive use of FPV-armed drones has revolutionized warfare in Ukraine, and both sides are producing as many as they can. Earlier in the Ukraine War Russia used Iranian Shahed-136 drones that Iran sold for about $200,000 each. Ukraine demonstrated that you could design and build drones with similar capabilities at less than a tenth of what the Shahed-136 cost. The Iranian drone was more complex than it needed to be and even the Russians soon realized this and turned from the Shahed-136 for more capable drones they copied from Ukrainian designs or ones Russians designed. Ukrainian drone proliferation began when many individual Ukrainians or small teams designed and built drones. The drones served as potential candidates for widespread use and mass production. This proliferation of designers and manufacturers led to rapid evolution of drone capabilities and uses. Those who could not keep up were less successful in combat and suffered higher losses.

Military specialists from the 32 NATO nations supporting Ukraine with, so far, about $200 billion in aid, were able to examine the new developments personally and also receive technical details. NATO leaders realized that the Ukraine War produced many changes that no one anticipated. This happens every time there is a war. NATO and military organizations worldwide are now increasing their spending and modifying what they buy. Drones are in, many pre-Ukraine technologies are out. Defense manufacturers have had to revamp their production and research efforts. Worldwide defense spending went from $2 trillion in 2021 to over $2.5 trillion in 2024.

Military leaders are scrambling to equip their own forces with the most effective examples of this new drone technology. Not having enough of these to match the number the enemy has in a portion of the front means you are at a serious disadvantage in that area. These drones are still evolving in terms of design and use and becoming more effective and essential.

One countermeasure that can work for a while is electronic jamming of the drones control signal. Drone guidance systems are constantly modified or upgraded to cope with this. Most drones have flight control software that sends drones with jammed control signals back to where they took off from to land for later use. The jammers are on the ground and can be attacked by drones programmed to home in on the jamming signal. Countermeasures can be overcome and the side that can do this more quickly and completely has an advantage. That advantage is usually temporary because both sides are putting a lot of effort into keeping their combat drones effective on the battlefield.

The emergence of drones as a new, novel, and decisive form of air power is the most recent of similar events that took place during the last century. During the last century the U.S. Air Force has advocated military victory achieved mainly with air power. This attitude took root after the 1914-19 World War I when the Army Air Corps, predecessor of the USAF, got rid of most of its numerous reconnaissance aircraft and concentrated on bombers and fighters. Then came the popular belief that larger bomber aircraft would dominate future wars. This never came to pass and, every time there was a war, the air force had to scramble to expand its meager peacetime reconnaissance force to meet the realities of war. This was not so bad during World War II because the air force was still part of the army but, after World War II, the Army Air Force became the independent U.S. Air Force and sought to control everything that flew over land. That meant army attempts to retain small reconnaissance aircraft and cargo aircraft were constantly opposed by the air force. The army valued prolific and prompt aerial reconnaissance more than the air force and this led to a dispute that was not settled until quite recently.

Back in the 1950s, after a decade of bickering, the Department of Defense ordered the army to stick with helicopters while the air force got nearly all the fixed-wing aircraft. The army was allowed to keep some single-engine artillery spotter aircraft and some twin-engine transports and intelligence collecting aircraft. That was it. But four decades later, in the 1990s as electronic components became smaller, cheaper, more capable, and reliable, drones became practical and reliable aircraft for military use. The U.S. Army, and the CIA, quickly got a lot of them. Drones have no aircrew in them so the army does not consider them part of the half-century old compromise with the air force. At first, the air force paid little attention to the growing capabilities of drones. That was because the air force was run by pilots who took it for granted that nothing in the air was really useful unless it had a pilot flying it. The army and the CIA soon delivered an unexpected reality check to the air force. At that point, the CIA was already arming their large Predator drones with Hellfire missiles and the army eventually did the same.

With the army again flying armed aircraft in the form of armed drones, in addition to the armed helicopters it has always had, the air force began to notice. The army argument was that these larger drones work better for them if they are under the direct control of army combat brigades. The air force saw that as inefficient, and preferred to have one large pool of larger drones which are deployed as needed. This difference of opinion reflects basic differences in how the army and air force deploy and use their combat forces. The army has found that a critical factor in battlefield success is teamwork among members of a unit, and subordinate units in a brigade. While the air force accepts this as a critical performance issue for their aircraft squadrons, they deem it irrelevant for army use of drones. Seeing army MQ-1C Grey Eagle drones doing visual and electronic reconnaissance and firing missiles at ground targets, the air force sees itself losing control of missions it has dominated since its founding in 1948.

One thing the army acquisition of thousands of reconnaissance drones does not change is the air force loss of interest in aerial reconnaissance and surveillance after each war. Air force reluctance to develop, build and maintain a large strategic reconnaissance force led the CIA to using its considerable clout and budget developing strategic reconnaissance aircraft like the U-2 and SR-71 manned aircraft and surveillance satellites. The CIA also pioneered the use of larger drones like the 1.1-ton Predator and armed them. This helped the army win permission from the Department of Defense to expand its force of armed aircraft beyond helicopter gunships.

The army managed to keep its drones and that proved extremely important because, with the war on terror winding down, the air force is spending a lot less on aerial reconnaissance. The air force is buying fewer RQ-4 Global Hawk, and RQ-170 Sentinel strategic recon drones. The 17 elderly E-8 JSTARS battlefield surveillance aircraft, which proved so valuable after their first combat use in 1991, last flew in late 2023 and all these aircraft have been retired. JSTARS used an AESA ground radar that could track friendly and enemy forces from the air. While this was great for the army, it was not seen as a high priority item for the air force.

The army replaced the JSTARS capabilities with ABMS (Advanced Battle Management System) software that networked larger numbers of drones and presented what the drones had observed or were observing to multiple users. It was another example of drone quantity and versatility replacing older, very expensive, individual systems like JSTARS. For the army this was a major plus because the 1950s agreement prohibited army operation of large aircraft like the four-engine JSTARS. This changed because during major conflicts the air force did not oppose the army use of many smaller, two-engine versions of these specialized electronic warfare or surveillance aircraft. The army has learned that lesson and is now retaining more of those two-engine aircraft and equipping some of their larger drones to do this work. Now drones are replacing all aircraft except those that transport people and equipment.

In spite of negative air force attitudes, the air force did have some solid accomplishments to its credit. In some areas, it has been extremely successful. This includes gaining, since 1945 and maintaining ever since, air supremacy wherever it operates. Maintaining that capability is not easily accomplished or cheap and the air force gives air supremacy its highest priority, except in wartime when it has a lot more money and is redirected to accommodate army needs.

These air force attitudes have hurt the army in other ways. When it comes to influencing the war on the ground the air force is much less dominant. This is despite air force efforts to maintain its ability to bomb targets in direct support of ground operations. The air force blind spot when it comes to air reconnaissance has hurt its overall effectiveness. Blame this on a bad attitude towards BDA (Bomb Damage Assessment). This is the business of figuring out what to bomb, and what the impact on the enemy is after you bomb. The problem of the air force leaders being deceived by the people on the ground being bombed began during World War II. This was when air forces used large scale aerial bombing for the first time. Right after that conflict, the U.S. did a thorough survey of the impact of strategic bombing on Germany and Japan. It was discovered that the impact was far different from what air force BDA during the war had indicated.

The air force vowed to do better next time but, as experience in Korea (1950-3), Vietnam (1965-72), Kuwait (1991) and Kosovo (1999), Iraq (2003) and throughout the war on terror demonstrated, the enemy on the ground continued to have an edge when it came to deceiving the most energetic BDA efforts. The only proven technique for beating the BDA problem was to have people on the ground, up close, checking up on targets, while the fighting was going on. Those with powerful air forces do not want to do this because of the risk of some of their commandos getting killed or captured, and because the intel and air force people were sure that they knew what enemy was up to down there.

The people on the ground have consistently demonstrated an ability to deceive aerial surveillance. Even during the early 21st century, when the U.S. developed persistent drone surveillance, the irregular forces they were facing proved capable of reducing the effectiveness of the drone effort. This spotlights another useful fact; airpower can be useful on the ground but that happens over time and not quickly. The problem here is with voters and the media. Both demand quick victory and in the U.S. that has developed into the three year rule in that public support for a war, no matter how enthusiastic it was at first, is largely gone after three years. If an air campaign cant get it done in three years that effort comes under media and political attack no matter how effective it has been.

But there's another problem. The army and air force have a different outlook on planning and risk. The air force sees warfare as a much tidier and predictable affair than the army experiences regularly. In this respect, the air force and navy are closely aligned. Both are technical services, who are used to exercising more control over their forces than do army generals. The army sees warfare as more unpredictable and has adapted to that unpredictability. The army generals are usually skeptical of the air force's ability to take down foes from the air and the army is usually right.

Despite being a successful high-tech operation, American air forces, especially the Navy and USAF, frequently have trouble adjusting to changes they do not agree with. When the Cold War ended in 1991 the air force was still largely thinking about continuing to operate as they had done in the Cold War, but the technology and tactics of warfare were changing. The post-Cold War enemy no longer consisted of large, organized forces spread over huge areas. The enemy was increasingly irregulars who were harder to spot from the air. The air force reluctantly adapted, in part because the army and CIA adopted new reconnaissance and surveillance techniques like drones and persistent surveillance. This pattern is returning as the air force reorganizes after the decade of heavy combat and big budgets the war on terror produced. Now the air force is turning its attention to a near-peer opponent in the form of a rapidly expanding and modernizing China's military. Unexpectedly the Ukraine War emerged first with Russia and Ukraine fighting each other.

Ukrainians had the advantage of material and intellectual support from NATO countries. In the end the winner of any stage of the war was the side that was the most resourceful and innovative. This process has been present in warfare for centuries but during the last century the changes and innovations came so quickly that the process was visible. This disrupted the long-established missions each of the military services had established.

For example, as successful as these new air reconnaissance tools were they did not seem like a suitable long-term job for the air force. The other services disagreed, and it took the better part of a decade after 2001 to get the air force to come around. In 2005 the air force deployed its first Predator drone unit and in 2009 it put its first Reapers to work. They were following the CIA in this area, which caused some misgivings among senior air force leadership. But the army and Congress were calling for more of what the CIA was doing with armed drones for surveillance and attack and the air force joined in.

What the CIA pioneered was persistent surveillance with armed drones. The 24/7 observation by the drones enabled CIA or air force intel analysts to compile information about the target and order one or more missiles fired as soon as the key target was identified and located. This led to an ever-growing list of terrorist leaders and their key subordinates killed in this way. At the same time, this use of surveillance and precision weapons led to lower collateral, as in nearby civilian casualties, which plummeted to historical, and remarkable, lows.

Air force traditionalists warned that in a conventional war this sort of thing would not work. Where the enemy had modern air defense systems and jet fighters the Predator and Reaper drones would be impractical because they would be quickly shot down. But that was not the type of war being waged twenty years ago and it was pointed out to the air force that the military has to deal with what they are faced with, not just with what they prefer. Moreover, even in a conventional war there is still work for these new tactics and the tech that makes it possible. The air force still disagreed but did not have a persuasive alternative. The air force still wanted more money for the stealthy F-35 fighter and a new stealth bomber. This is despite the fact that other nations were developing more and more sensors that could nullify stealth.

The air force has been in this position before. This was seen during the 1960s when the air force and navy aviation suffered unexpectedly high aircraft losses over Vietnam because their aircraft and pilots were not prepared for the lower-tech Russian aircraft used against them by the Vietnamese. This led aircraft to be again equipped with cannon because the new air-to-air missiles were not yet reliable enough to replace the old fashioned cannon.

Then came the concept of using your own aircraft for aggressor, or dissimilar tactics, training. This began in 1969 when the U.S. Navy established the original Top Gun fighter pilot school. This was done in response to the poor performance of its pilots against North Vietnamese pilots flying Russian fighters. What made the Top Gun operation different was that the training emphasized how the enemy aircraft and pilots operated. This was called dissimilar training. In the past, American pilots practiced against American pilots, with everyone flying American aircraft and using American tactics. It worked in World War II because the enemy pilots were not getting a lot of practice and were using similar aircraft and tactics anyway. Most importantly, there was a lot of aerial combat going on, providing ample opportunity for on-the-job training. Not so in Vietnam, where the quite different Russian-trained North Vietnamese were giving U.S. aviators a difficult time. The four week Top Gun program solved the problem. The air force followed shortly with its similar Red Flag school. In the early 1980s, the Russians established a dissimilar air combat school, and the Chinese followed in 1987.

After a century of trying, the ground forces and non-aviation naval forces still cannot get the people up there to come down and get a much needed reality check on what is happening down below where battles and wars are still decided. Meanwhile the proliferation of surveillance and armed drones have in many cases replaced conventional air forces, at least for operations close to the ground and requiring more urgency to find and attack targets.
DGP Summoned Over Kotakpura Corruption Case

Speaker Sandhwan summoned Punjabs police chief to report by Tuesday on a corruption case involving an Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) from Kotakpura. The Speaker ordered a detailed report on 180 cases registered at the Kotakpura police station and directed the DGP to present the findings personally.

Call for Action Against Bishnois Interview from Jail

Bajwa also demanded action against the officer who conducted an interview with gangster Lawrence Bishnoi using his phone at the CIA Kharar office. Criticizing the lack of regulation within the jail system, Bajwa highlighted the grave issue of a senior police officer facilitating such interviews. He questioned how the family of Sidhu Moosewala can expect justice under these conditions. Bajwa revealed that he has sent 31 letters to the Chief Minister, 11 to Ministers, 28 to the Speaker, 14 to the Chief Secretary, and seven to other secretaries, yet has received no responses. What could be a greater insult to democracy than this? he asked. Countering, Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema said that the matter is currently sub judice in the High Court, thus limiting the scope for immediate legislative action.

Agricultural Policy and Land Compensation

A prominent topic was the demand for public disclosure of the state's agricultural policy, which has been pending for three months. Congress MLA from Abohar Sandeep Jakhar urged that the policy be made public and debated thoroughly, reflecting the farmers' persistent demands in Chandigarh. Additionally, SAD MLA from Dakha Manpreet Ayali raised concerns over inadequate compensation for land acquired by the National Highway Authority of India under the Bharat Mala Project. He stressed that farmers should receive fair market value for their land, particularly given the high land prices in Punjab.

Chair for Bhai Jaita ji

On a different note, AAPs Bhadaur MLA Labh Singh Ugoke proposed establishing a chair at Patiala University in honour of Bhai Jaita Singh, a historical figure who fought alongside Guru Gobind Singh. Ugoke also called for the completion of a memorial in Ropar dedicated to this revered figure.

Enforcing Punjabi Language Act

AAPs Ropar MLA Dinesh Chadha highlighted the non-compliance of central agencies with the Punjabi Language Act, urging the Assembly to develop a policy to enforce the act effectively.

Chaudhary appointed Congress Dy Leader in House

Congress has appointed former Minister and Dinanagar MLA Aruna Chaudhary as the Deputy Chief of the Legislature Party (CLP). The appointment came after the departure of Dr Raj Kumar Chabbewal to the Aam Aadmi Party and his subsequent election victory from Hoshiarpur parliamentary seat.

House Paid Tributes to Patar, others

The session commenced with a solemn tribute to several distinguished individuals, including former Speaker Surjit Singh Minhas, Padma awardee poet-writer Dr Surjit Singh Patar, former parliamentarians Kamal Chaudhary and Gurcharan Kaur, besides freedom fighters.
Director General, Eastern Zone, Press Information Bureau, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India, T.V.K. Reddy, on his two-day visit to Ranchi today inspected the offices of Press Information Bureau (PIB) and Central Bureau of Communication (CBC) located in Ranchi. On his arrival at the PIB office, he was welcomed by Akhil Kumar Mishra, Additional Director General, PIB-CBC, Ranchi by presenting a bouquet of flowers.

The Director General gave necessary guidelines in a meeting with the officers and employees of PIB, Ranchi. Thereafter, Reddy reached CBC Ranchi office where he was duly welcomed. The Director General introduced himself to all the officers and employees. On this occasion, all the people were also administered the 'Vigilance Pledge' by the Director General under the 'Vigilance Awareness Week' celebrated in the Government of India.

Today, a special awareness campaign was organized by CBC Ranchi at Acharyakulam Vidyalaya, Ranchi under the 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' campaign launched by the Prime Minister, in which Director General of Eastern Zone, T.V.K. Reddy participated as the Chief Guest. Additional Director General PIB Ranchi, Akhil Kumar Mishra and the Principal of the school, Sujata Kaura participated as special guests.

On this occasion, the Director General planted a sapling in the school premises under the 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' campaign. He also awarded the winners of painting, essay etc. competitions organized by CBC in the school on National Space Day, and encouraged everyone.

In his address, he thanked the Principal of the school for cooperating in this campaign, and described it as an essential campaign for environmental protection in the long term, in which all citizens and institutions should participate enthusiastically.

Additional Director General Akhil Kumar Mishra thanked the Chief Guest, Director General Eastern Zone TVK Reddy for joining this campaign of CBC Ranchi, and gave information about the programs being conducted by the regional offices of CBC Ranchi under this campaign in the state.

Principal of Acharyakulam School, Sujata Kaura appreciated this campaign of the Prime Minister and thanked CBC for giving her school the opportunity to participate in it.

CBC Ranchi and PIB Ranchi officials Rajesh Sinha, Shahid Rehman, Gaurav Pushkar and Omkar Nath Pandey played a role in the conduct and coordination of today's programs.
DGP Anurag Gupta is for a public friendly police. He wants cops and officials to behave well with the public.

Misbehaviour of a cop with the public is simply unpardonable. It has no place now in the Jharkhand police set up, DGP reminds.

All this and more are enshrined in the 2 page letter of DGP Jharkhand Anurag Gupta written and sent to the SSPs and SPs along with DG CID / Special Branch.

DGP's letter is dated 31.8.24 where the letter concedes that various information reaching PHQ suggested a downgrade behaviour of police with public and time loss in registering the FIR, in some cases deferring the registration to another day.

The letter singularly pinpoints Thana Munshi for half of the mess as it is the Munshi who receives the application / petition but declines to give receipt for it. The result is a petitioner has to go extra for it.

Again the registration of the FIR is delayed where the case is of the nature of cyber crime, SC/ST affair, Human Trafficking, Crime against women etc as in these events a police officer redirects a victim to visit the right Thana for relief.

The police officer by redirecting the victim to a specific Thana tries to keep himself free. Here the DGP Anurag Gupta cracks his whip.

He has asked in his letter as to where it is not to register the FIR where a specific Thana is and why a victim would be so inconvenienced just because there is a Thana for it.

DGP asks his officers to shun this practice of causing inconvenience to victims all in the name of the specificality of the Thana.

DGP has diagnosed the ill. He has suggested a bitter pill but no placebo. The pill initiates strict and stringent administrative action. The errant police officer is shown the door.

The ill/ malaise is not to do work in time by the cops. And how not to do work in time is to raise frivolous issues of territorial jurisdiction etc.

DGP's letter refers to section 173 of the Bhartiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita 2023. It asks for registering FIR / 0FIR irrespective of the territory and whereupon any police officer is not obeying it, means in the simplest term the police officer is a defiant. He is to be excited without any second thought.

DGP's letter has a terrible reminder to one and all in the state police set up. His letter reads that the police is a public servant and saviour and not master of the public.

Anurag Gupta has maintained in his letter that police must put a stop to making inventions or pretexts for not doing or performing in time.

The punch line of the letter is act in time or go.
Chief Minister Mohan Yadav said that this is the 300th birth anniversary year of Lokmata Ahilya Devi. On this occasion, work will be done to take the public welfare works of Lokmata to the people. In his message, Yadav said that Lokmata Ahilya Devi was one such ruler who preserved the cultural pride of the country including Rameshwaram, Jagannathpuri, Ujjain, Banaras during the period of external attacks on the temples. She engaged in activities like arranging puja in all temples as per Sanatan culture, developing the food sector, and constructing ghats for bathing. These activities which she undertook for peoples welfare, including the tribals, earned her the status of Lokmata.

Yadav said that the Madhya Pradesh government will undertake various activities on the occasion of the 300th birth anniversary of Lokmata Ahilya Devi. A committee has been formed for this work that will not only empower women, but provide them with various rights, and present examples of better good governance.
The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Patna, in collaboration with Absolute Gramya Private Limited, successfully hosted the workshop titled "Empowering Compatible Rural Governance, Health, and Skilling through Developing E-Panchayat" here on Monday.

The event marked a significant milestone for rural empowerment in Madhya Pradesh.

Prof. TN Singh, Director of IIT Patna and Chairman of the Foundation for Innovators in Science and Technology (FIST), followed with remarks on the developmental role of FIST and IIT Patna in advancing rural governance through technology.

Prof Singh remarked, IIT Patna, through its collaboration with FIST, is committed to fostering innovative solutions for rural governance. The E-Panchayat initiative is a prime example of how technology can bridge gaps in governance and bring about meaningful change. We are excited to support this endeavour and work towards a more inclusive and efficient governance model.

The workshop aimed to enhance rural governance, healthcare, and skill development through the E-Panchayat system. The governments commitment to digital transformation in rural governance is already in place.

The E-Panchayat system is a cornerstone of our vision for modernizing rural administration. By integrating digital technology, we are making governance more transparent, efficient, and accessible. This initiative will not only enhance the delivery of public services but also empower rural communities to participate more actively in their own development.

The session began with a welcome address by Dr. Pankaj Shukla, CMD of Absolute Gramya, who outlined the events objectives and the importance of the E-Panchayat initiative stated, The E-Panchayat system represents a transformative leap towards modernizing rural governance. By leveraging technology, we are not only streamlining administrative processes but also empowering communities with better access to essential services. Our goal is to create a robust, efficient system that can significantly uplift rural areas and drive sustainable development.

The workshop featured a detailed technical briefing on the development of the E-Panchayat system, offering attendees in-depth insights into its implementation. A key highlight was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between FIST, IIT Patna, and Absolute Gramya Private Limited, formalizing their commitment to advancing the E-Panchayat initiative. The event included two focused sessions: Session I addressed the practical applications of E-Panchayat, while Session II concentrated on strategic planning and roadmap development.

The workshop also marked the beginning of Absolute Gramyas ambitious plan to establish an E-Panchayat network across Madhya Pradesh, fostering a renewed sense of purpose and collaboration among all stakeholders. This initiative is set to usher in a new era of modernized rural governance and enhanced community development.
Slug: Haryana Assembly election





The upcoming Haryana Assembly elections scheduled to be held on October 5, seem to be a battle for survival for the Jannayak Janata Party (JJP), which is facing the ire of its core voters for its anti-farmer stance during the year-long stir against the Centres now-withdrawn farm laws. The JJP, which has a support base in the rural areas of Hisar, Jind, Charkhi Dadri, Fatehabad and some other parts of the State, has been facing protests from their core voters Jats for backing the BJP during the farmers and Women wrestlers stir.



The JJP  led by Ajay Singh Chautala  came into existence in December 2018 after a vertical split in the INLD following a feud in the Chautala family. In the 2019 Assembly elections, JJP won 10 seats and became the junior partner of the Manohar Lal Khattar-led BJP Government after the latter fell short of a majority. The post-poll alliance led to Dushyant Chautalas elevation as Deputy Chief Minister. The JJP capitalised on its position and secured about a dozen-odd portfolios, including 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, 2024, in a strategic move to counter rising anti-incumbency ahead of the Lok Sabha elections. This 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 from October 27, 2019 to March 12, 2024.



After BJP snapped ties with JJP, many party leaders including seven MLAs and state party Chief Nishan Singh quit the party. From having 10 MLAs in 2019, JJP is now down to just three: Dushyant Chautala, his mother Naina Chautala and Julana MLA Amarjeet Dhanda. The resignations indicate significant discontent with JJP leader Dushyant Chautala's leadership. Moreover, the resignation of party MLAs ahead of fresh State polls was not surprising as they knew the party had lost its ground-level support and were now looking for opportunities in other parties to secure their political career, leaving the party in tatters.



The latest turmoil was witnessed with the resignation of Anoop Dhanak, an MLA from Uklana in Hisar district, which surprised many as he was among Chautalas most trusted aides.



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. Gautam, Jogi Ram Sihag and Anoop Dhanak, defected to the BJP recently. The Tohana MLA Devender Singh Babli, who later became a minister, publicly raised concerns about corruption in the state government. He also joined BJP on Monday.



On condition of anonymity, A JJP MLA, who resigned recently from the party, said, Dushyant had enjoyed power for over four years while completely ignoring his party MLAs. All of Haryana knows how he behaved with leaders and workers when he was deputy CM. He worked for a select few people and failed to do anything on the promises made to voters during elections. He had to face the music for not supporting farmers and wrestlers during their agitation.



In the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, JJP could manage just 0.87 per cent of the total vote share and all 10 candidates lost their security deposit. This drastic fall has left the party struggling to maintain relevance in a political landscape dominated by the well-organised BJP and Congress. However, Dushyant had consistently defended the alliance as a strategic move to fulfill the aspirations of the partys vote bank. The stance was recently echoed by JJP national president Ajay Chautala in Rohtak, who highlighted the partys role in ensuring that Haryana now has the highest old-age pension (Rs 3,000) in the country. He further claimed that had the JJP held a full majority, the pension would have been Rs 5,100 from Day 1, alleging collusion between the BJP and former chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda in undermining the JJP.



Talking to reporters, Dushyant Chautala recently said, Our party paid the price of anti-incumbency against its former coalition partner BJP in the parliamentary elections. In fact, anti-incumbency was against BJP but we also paid the price,



Political Observers opine that the emergence of the BJP as a dominant force has disrupted the prospects of regional parties in Haryana and they are scrambling for relevance. They stitched alliances wherever they did not have a base and gradually pushed coalition partners to political margins. JJP is in crisis and does not have a bright future. As the assembly elections approach, the JJPs ability to evolve and respond to the challenges will be crucial in determining its long-term viability.



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, he added.



Another Observer said that senior JJP leadership has failed to sense the mood of the people during farm agitation. The sympathy vote from once-loyal INLD supporters and its anti-BJP stand were the major reasons behind the JJP getting a decent 15 per cent vote share and winning as many as ten seats during the 2019 assembly elections. The first major mistake the JJP made was to enter into a post-poll alliance with the BJP and form an alliance government when its mandate was anti-BJP. JJP had a chance to resurrect itself during the peak of the farmers protests in 2020 when several party supporters were asking it to exit from the alliance government, but it did not do so, earning the ire of its core peasant support base.



Moreover, with the Congresss resurgence after its better-than-expected Lok Sabha performance and the subsequent fall in the JJPs political graph, the chances of a division of the anti-incumbency vote against the BJP stand reduced. This was seen during the Lok Sabha polls as well when there was a massive consolidation of Jats and farmers behind the party, which made them win as many as five parliamentary seats. If the JJP fails to rebound, it may help the Congress consolidate anti-incumbency votes against the ruling BJP and give a formidable challenge to the saffron partys poll prospects, Observers added.
Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi today approved the new railway line project under the Ministry of Railways at a cost of approximately Rs 18,036 crore. The proposed new rail line will provide direct connectivity between Indore and Manmad. <

This project is in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modis vision of a New India, which will make the people self-reliant along with comprehensive development of the region. The project is an outcome of the PM-Gati Shakti National Master Plan for multi-modal connectivity, made possible through integrated planning, and will provide seamless connectivity for the movement of people, goods, and services. The project will cover 6 districts of Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh, adding approximately 309 kilometers to the existing network of Indian Railways. 30 new stations will also be built along with the project, which will provide better connectivity to Barwani, the Aspirational district of Madhya Pradesh. The new railway line project will directly benefit about one thousand villages and a population of about 30 lakh.

Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav has expressed his heartfelt gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the approval of this new railway line project which will give further impetus to the development of Madhya Pradesh.

The project will boost tourism in the region by providing a short route connecting the western south-western part of the country with Central India. It will increase the tourist influx at various tourist/religious places in the Ujjain-Indore region including Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga Temple. The project will provide direct connectivity to Pithampur Auto Cluster (90 large units and 700 small and medium industries) to the Gateway port of JNPA and other state ports. The project will also provide direct connectivity to the millet-producing districts of Madhya Pradesh and onion-producing districts of Maharashtra, thereby facilitating its distribution in the northern and southern parts of the country.

It is an essential route for the transportation of agricultural products, fertilizers, containers, iron ore, steel, cement, and POL.

The capacity addition work will result in additional freight traffic of approximately 26 MTPA (million tonnes per annum). Railways are an environment-friendly and energy-efficient mode of transport, which will help in achieving climate goals and reducing the country's logistics costs, reducing oil imports (18 crore litres), and reducing CO2 emissions (138 crore kg) which is equivalent to planting 5.5 crore trees.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the party's organisation festival by taking membership from the hands of BJP's National President Jagat Prakash Nadda in New Delhi. After Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BJP's National President Jagat Prakash Nadda, Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah and the country's Defense Minister Rajnath Singh took membership of the party.

The live telecast of the inauguration program of the organisation festival at the BJP state office was seen by Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, BJP State President and Khajuraho MP Vishnudutt Sharma, party's state in-charge Mahendra Singh, State Organization General Secretary Hitanand and Deputy Chief Minister Rajendra Shukla, including senior party leaders and officials and listened to the speech of the central leadership.

During this, BJP State President and MP Vishnudutt Sharma, party's state in-charge Mahendra Singh and State Organization General Secretary Hitanand took membership of the party. After Prime Minister Narendra Modi took membership in Delhi, the festival was celebrated by fireworks at the BJP state office.

After the inauguration of the Sangathan Parv program, Chief Minister Mohan Yadav said that the Sangathan Parv of Bharatiya Janata Party has started today. In New Delhi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was made a member by the party's National President Jagat Prakash Nadda.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has started the Sangathan Parv by becoming the first member of BJP. After this, the party's National President Jagat Prakash Nadda, Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah, Defense Minister Rajnath Singh became members of the party.

This Sangathan Parv is a campaign to expand the family. I believe that Sangathan Parv will leave an indelible mark in the process of family expansion. While wishing the workers on the inauguration of Sangathan Parv, the Chief Minister said that the organization will be launched in Madhya Pradesh on Tuesday at 1 pm and the work of strengthening the BJP family by making more members than the target set by the party will be done by the BJP workers.

We will work with the resolve to make more members than the target - Vishnudutt SharmaState President of Bharatiya Janata Party and Khajuraho MP Vishnudutt Sharma said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has started the Organisation Festival by becoming a member at the hands of BJP National President Jagat Prakash Nadda.
As the Punjab Vidhan Sabhas three-day monsoon session kicked off on Monday, it was clear that the proceedings would be anything but ordinary. The session, which commenced with a respectful two-minute silence for distinguished figures, including Padma Shri awardee Surjit Patar, quickly turned into a battleground of political contention. Opposition sharply criticized the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Government for convening a notably brief session, despite its previous advocacy for longer sessions during its time in opposition against the Congress regime.

The session, initially planned to last only three days, faced sharp criticism from the Opposition, with Bajwa registering his dissatisfaction with the brief duration during the Business Advisory Committee (BAC) meeting, held prior to the session. During the meeting, Bajwa had urged for a minimum of 10 days for the session.

Even though the duration has not been increased, the Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan decided to extend the session by one additional sitting. Mondays sitting, which was to be adjourned for the day after paying tributes to those who have passed during the intervening period of the two sessions, witnessed an additional sitting. As per the revised agenda for the day, it included only a Zero Hour discussion, calling attention notices, and departmental reports, with no formal business scheduled. The days proceedings ended after little over an hour.

The sessions first day saw the Opposition targeting the AAP Government on multiple fronts, demanding accountability for unresolved issues such as the prolonged delay in prosecuting the Dera Sacha Sauda chief, the controversial interview of jailed Lawrence Bishnoi, rampant illegal mining, pollution, law and order, agriculture, among many others  placing it under intense scrutiny.

The debate over the sessions duration took center stage as the Leader of Opposition and Congress MLA from Qadian Partap Singh Bajwa proposed extending it to be of 10 days at least to ensure all 117 members have adequate time to address their constituencies issues. He argued that with each legislator needing at least 10 minutes, the session should be extended by eight to nine days.

Echoing the same sentiment, Congress MLA from Bholath Sukhpal Singh Khaira emphasized the urgent need for extended sittings to address pressing concerns such as law and order, agricultural issues, and unresolved cases like the Bargari sacrilege incident. He reminded AAP leaders how they used to demand longer sessions when AAP was principal opposition during Congress-led Government.

Bajwa, outside the House, accused the Speaker of revealing that the government had minimal business to address. In a pointed critique, Bajwa remarked, If the government has no business to conduct, then like the youth of Punjab who are forced to seek opportunities abroad, the Government should also consider closing the Assembly and heading home.

During their time in opposition, AAP had consistently advocated for longer sessions, yet the current government has only managed 39 sittings in its two and a half years, falling short of the recommended 40 annual sittings as per legislative norms, he pointed.

Bajwa further criticized the government's handling of law and order issues, citing the controversial interview of gangster Lawrence Bishnoi by the CIA staff, which he argued contradicts the Chief Ministers claims of no such interview taking place. He also pointed to ongoing farmer protests in Chandigarh, lamenting that the Chief Minister has yet to find time to address their grievances.

Mann vs Pargat Singh

As the session progressed, one of the most contentious issues was the long-pending approval for prosecuting the Sirsa-based Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh. Congress MLA from Jalandhar Cantt Pragat Singh raised concerns over the lack of progress on the said file pertaining to pending prosecution against Dera chief. He pointed out that despite being filed two and a half years ago, approval for proceeding with the case has yet to be granted.

Pargat Singh also highlighted severe illegal mining activities in his constituency, where deep pits have emerged despite the absence of rivers. He raised concerns about the cleaning of the Buddha Nullah and illegal mining in his constituency, pressing the government for answers.

In response, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann dismissed the allegations, asserting that he will personally address these issues during his weekly visits to Jalandhar, including an inspection with MLA Pragat Singh. Mann emphasized that, despite water and environmental issues not being key electoral concerns, his government is committed to improving the situation, including reviving old irrigation channels and ensuring clean water supply.

Mann, who claimed that he has been working on these issues even before he came to power, criticized the Central Government for merely holding press conferences without tangible solutions, urging for prompt resolution of the pressing matters.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, on Monday, said that the Uttar Pradesh Police force had played a key role in shaping the state as a model of good governance.

Speaking at the passing out parade of 74 deputy superintendents of police at the Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar Police Academy in Moradabad, the chief minister said, Today, through the implementation of the rule of law, Uttar Pradesh has transformed its image.

He highlighted that the newly appointed officers in the Uttar Pradesh Police, recognised as the worlds largest civil police force, must embrace smart policing in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modis vision.

We have to move towards smart policing, which is techno-savvy and trendy, which is strict but also sensitive, modern but also mobile, alert but equally accountable towards its work, reliable as well as responsive, he stressed.

Chief Minister Yogi expressed satisfaction with the appointment of 18 women as deputy superintendents of police and noted that with the recruitment of 1.60 lakh personnel in the police force over the past seven years, there has been a significant increase in resources available to the force.

We have also achieved considerable success in tripling the capacity of police training, he added.

Chief Minister Yogi honoured Shrishti Akanksha Pandey for excelling in classroom training and Udit Narayan Paliwal for outstanding performance in outdoor training. Prakhar Pandey was awarded the Sword of Honour for his excellence in both indoor and outdoor subjects.

During the training, these 74 deputy superintendents of police received specialised instruction in law, human disorder, cybercrime, language and three new laws.

The chief minister emphasised the adage often associated with the police force: The more you sweat in training, the less blood is shed in the field. Congratulations on joining the ranks of the worlds largest police force  this is a remarkable accomplishment!

He also noted: The law is offering us continuous and clear direction for future reforms. Shifting from traditional methods of investigation and punishment to modern forensic technology and evidence is not only more effective for delivering justice but also helps prevent the misuse of justice. To support this approach, the State Institute of Forensic Sciences has been established in Lucknow, the capital of Uttar Pradesh.

The chief minister underscored the significance of the new recruits new roles as police officers, urging them to approach their duties with unwavering dedication, discipline and integrity.

In addition to controlling crime, you will play a significant role in delivering justice to victims by upholding law and order. We expect each of you to contribute fully to protecting the public, ensuring peace and harmony in society, and preserving the image of a friendly police force. While performing your duties, it is essential to balance strictness with politeness, he said.

Emphasising that challenges in police service are ongoing, Chief Minister Yogi stated that the police force must always remain steadfast in its duties and be prepared to sacrifice for the cause. The presence of a police uniform should instill a sense of security and trust in the public and it is your responsibility to uphold that trust, he added.

You must ensure their safety. Only through your efficiency and dedication can you alleviate the suffering of victims and bring smiles to their faces. A sensitive police officer has ample opportunities to excel. By meeting public expectations through your conduct, you can faithfully fulfill your duties, he said.

Chief Minister Yogi further noted that the foundation of good governance in any state is built on crime prevention and the maintenance of law and order. This foundation is solidified when the state has a responsible policing system and a professionally skilled, sensitive police force, he added.

Strong law and order is a top priority for our government. We have a zero-tolerance policy towards criminals, which has proven effective. To enhance the police system, our government has implemented numerous reforms and modernisation. Over the past seven years, there has been a significant increase in resources for new police recruitments, with 1,60,000 personnel added to strengthen the force, he said.

The chief minister added, Recently, you may have observed that the written examination for more than 60,200 positions has been successfully conducted in Uttar Pradesh. Over the last seven years, we have tripled the capacity of police training. Additionally, under Mission Shakti, the establishment of women PAC battalions in Lucknow, Gorakhpur and Budaun for women empowerment has progressed rapidly.

Chief Minister Yogi emphasised that these efforts are part of the Uttar Pradesh police reform and modernisation campaign.

Over the past seven and a half years, Uttar Pradesh has seen no riots, and festivals and celebrations are being held peacefully, with no room for anarchy or hooliganism. As a result, Uttar Pradesh is emerging as a model of good governance, largely due to the contributions of the Uttar Pradesh Police force, the chief minister added.

He noted, Today, Uttar Pradesh has transformed its image through the rule of law. We had set a benchmark for having about 20 per cent women personnel in the police force. I am pleased that, following the selection process by the Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission, 18 daughters of the state have become deputy superintendents of police. I extend my heartfelt congratulations to them and their families. I am confident that your training will be invaluable in establishing a police force that is efficient, justice-oriented, transparent, accountable, dedicated to public service, and sensitive to the needs of the community.

The convocation ceremony at Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar Police Academy in Moradabad began with the national anthem, followed by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath taking the salute during the parade. The newly appointed deputy superintendents of police took their oaths during the ceremony.

The parade showcased the skills of the newly appointed deputy superintendents of the Uttar Pradesh Police. The police band played various parade tunes, including the patriotic song Saare jahan se achha Hindustan hamara,,, The parade was led by Udit Narayan Paliwal.

Various groups of the newly appointed deputy superintendents also participated in the parade, demonstrating their skills under the leadership of Ayushi Singh, Prakhar Pandey, Rohan Chaurasia and others.

The event was attended by Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Deepak Kumar, Director General of Police Prashant Kumar, Director General (Training) Tilottama Verma, Additional Director General Rajiv Sabharwal, along with other senior police officers, selected deputy superintendents, their families and other public representatives.
September 2, 2024: The Chinese navy has been rapidly growing since the 1980s and currently has more ships than the U.S. navy. China has not yet caught up in total tonnage because American warships tend to be heavier. The eleven American nuclear aircraft carriers are something China may never match. China is also way behind when it comes to experience. China admits that it will take decades to match and then surpass the American fleet. China often mentions 2050 as the year Chinese naval power surpasses the United States. Meanwhile China is encountering a lot of expected, and some unexpected problems.

For example, Chinese leader Xi Jinping was shocked and surprised by the growing number of problems in the military. Xi has openly complained about corruption, poor work habits and lack of discipline. Xi ordered a purge of military personnel responsible for these problems and demanded that officials in charge of military combat and support operations make the changes, or else. Efforts to identify and eliminate corrupt practices and officials responsible for them have not been successful.

For over a year now there have been multiple purges of corrupt officials, including nine generals and four senior aerospace industry officials. This included officers and officials in charge of the rocket forces that maintain short and long range missiles. Many of these missiles were found to be, on closer inspection, inoperable. In late 2023 a former defense minister was removed from the national legislature because of corruption charges.

Xi has found that there are few officials he can trust to be free of corruption and accusations of incompetence. The dismissed senior officers obtained their positions by pretending to get things done but failing to do so in the belief that there would not be a war or threat of war to expose their misdeeds.

This is a serious matter because the government has spent hundreds of billion dollars to build the largest fleet in the world. This process began in 2012 and Xi expects the Chinese fleet to be the worlds largest modern force by 2050. Such a navy built by corrupt shipyard officials and commanded by corrupt admirals will be an expensive and useless force. On paper the Chinese seem headed for success. Currently the Chinese navy has two aircraft carriers, 75 submarines and 300 other warships. The total number of ships is 743, including a large number of support ships so the navy can operate far into the Pacific or Indian Oceans. China has never had a high seas fleet like this before. This large naval fleet was made possible by China becoming the world's largest builder of commercial ships. Currently about half the world's supply of new cargo, tanker and specialized ships are built in Chinese shipyards. China has become the worlds largest importer of raw materials and exporter of manufactured goods, all of which is moved by ships through seas easily blockaded by ships and aircraft of the United States and Japan. Chinas growing fleet is intended to deal with that if necessary.

Another, but less immediately serious, problem with Chinas naval expansion is obtaining the well-trained manpower to operate it. This is much truer of Chinas navy than its other military services because China lacks a naval or even maritime seagoing tradition of the sort that the United States, Japan, Britain and a few other European nations have. Effective navies must drill at sea constantly, but that requires their ship crews to spend months at a time at sea away from their families. China has discovered a major problem recruiting the necessary well-educated young men willing to do this. The on-going collapse of Chinas population size makes this recruitment problem even worse as the yearly pool of males coming of military age plummets.

If China seeks to disrupt the shipping of other nations there could be other problems. The rest of the world regards this new Chinese shipping fleet as a threat if the equally large navy is used to threaten the merchant fleets of other nations. China decides what is offensive to them and other nations often disagree with the Chinese assessment. This could escalate to violence, as it already has in the South China Sea against the Philippines. Chinese and Filipino warships recently clashed over who could do what in the South China Sea and other nations in the region and worldwide fear this Chinese misbehavior will spread.
Soft Skills- Humanities Educational Training workshop was organised for the second year M.Sc. Nursing students of AIIMS Bhopal. The primary objective of this training was to make students aware of the essential soft skills required to prepare a generation of nursing professionals who can emotionally connect with patients and provide better care.

Professor (Dr.) Ajai Singh, Executive Director of AIIMS Bhopal, highlighted the significance of soft skills in nursing, stating, "Soft skills are extremely important for nursing staff as they contribute to effective patient care along with clinical expertise. These skills, including communication, empathy, teamwork, and problem-solving, play a crucial role in building trust and harmony with patients and their families."

Prof. Singh further emphasized that nursing staff with strong soft skills are better equipped to understand the emotional and psychological needs of patients, enabling them to provide more compassionate and holistic care. He added, "These skills also promote collaboration, fostering a positive environment in the workplace and improving overall healthcare outcomes.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath convened a high-level meeting with Forest department officials on Monday to address the recent surge in incidents of human-wildlife conflict in several districts of Uttar Pradesh. He directed the forest minister and officials concerned to take decisive action to prevent and monitor such incidents.

The chief minister also asked the Forest department officials to analyse the causes behind the increase in such conflicts to curb them effectively.

Following the chief ministers directives, several district magistrates swiftly mobilised teams, initiating combing operations in affected areas and launching public awareness campaigns in villages.

Chief Minister Yogi highlighted the recent reports of attacks by wolves in various state districts. He emphasised the urgent need to control such incidents by taking effective steps to capture the wolves.

The chief minister directed the administration, police, Forest department, local panchayats and revenue officials in the affected districts to launch extensive public awareness campaigns and educate people on safety precautions.

Following the meeting, the forest minister and officials concerned promptly took action. The forest minister ordered the immediate deployment of additional Forest department personnel in Bahraich, Sitapur, Lakhimpur Kheri, Pilibhit, Bijnor and other affected districts, along with increased joint patrolling.

Senior officials were instructed to camp in these districts, coordinate with public representatives and arrange for Petromax lamps in rural areas facing lighting issues.

It is noteworthy that Uttar Pradesh is the first state to declare human-wildlife conflict as a disaster, ensuring comprehensive support to families affected by wild animal attacks or untimely deaths.

The district magistrates of Bahraich, Sitapur and Lakhimpur Kheri, Monica Rani, Abhishek Anand and Durga Shakti Nagpal, respectively, are at the helm of districts grappling with human-wildlife conflict. They have issued crucial directives to the police, Forest department, local panchayats, and Revenue departments, underscoring the urgency of the situation.

These guidelines, while emphasising the role of forest personnel in daily patrolling and awareness meetings, also stress the importance of villagers in managing the conflict. Villagers are advised to work in groups when going to their fields, making noise to scare off wild animals, thereby actively participating in their own safety.
From leading corporate giants to shaping culinary excellence, Pawan Soni's journey is a celebration of passion and innovation in the food industry, says SAKSHI PRIYA

In the culinary world, where flavours tell stories and meals become cherished memories, Pawan Soni has forged an extraordinary path. A former Vice President at global giants like HSBC and GE Capital, Soni made a bold yet passionate shift from the corporate boardroom to the vibrant food scene. Driven by his love for discovering hidden gastronomic gems, he founded Indian Food Freak, a blog that has since grown into one of Indias most influential food and travel platforms. His journey took a remarkable turn in 2014 when he launched The Big F Awards, a celebration of culinary excellence that has now become one of Delhi NCRs most prestigious events.

Now entering its 11th year, The Big F Awards have distinguished themselves with an unwavering commitment to transparency and integrity. Built on the principle of not imposing any financial burden on nominees, these awards have earned a reputation as a fair and respected platform for recognising excellence in the food industry. Over the past decade, they have become synonymous with culinary credibility, highlighting the regions finest dining establishments and championing new talents, including home chefs and bakers who bring fresh flavours and creativity to the table.

This year, The Big F Awards embark on an exciting new chapter by expanding their reach to encompass the entire Delhi-NCR region, reinforcing their vision of inclusivity and growth. This grand event will showcase a diverse array of culinary talent, with new categories that reflect the latest trends and celebrate the art of both dining out and home cooking. Attendees can look forward to an immersive experience where innovation, artistry, and passion are celebrated in a truly memorable way.

At the heart of this celebration is a distinguished jury, featuring some of Indias most renowned culinary experts, such as Chef Kunal Kapur, Chef Nita Mehta, Rocky Singh, and many others. These esteemed judges will rigorously evaluate each nominee, visiting the restaurants and sampling the dishes before casting their votes. This commitment to fairness ensures that the awards remain a beacon of trust and excellence in the food industry.

For Pawan Soni, The Big F Awards are more than just an event, they are a community and a platform for supporting genuine connections and inspiring culinary creativity. As he prepares for the upcoming awards in September, Soni envisions an evening that brings together the best of Delhi NCRs food scene, offering an opportunity to celebrate, connect and elevate the standards of culinary excellence. With a legacy of integrity and innovation, The Big F Awards continue to shine as a cornerstone of the regions vibrant food culture.

Founded in 2014, The Big F Awards have become a symbol of credibility and fairness, consistently upholding the highest standards in the industry. This years edition promises to build on this legacy, with new surprises, new talents, and new stories to be told. Join Pawan Soni and his esteemed panel in this grand celebration of culinary brilliance, where the finest in food artistry come together to create an unforgettable experience.

A Conversation with Pawan Soni

Pawan Soni shares insights into his transition from corporate life to food blogging, the challenges he faced in the early days and his commitment to transparency and excellence in The Big F Awards. He provides valuable perspectives on the growth of his blog, the influence of his corporate background and what to expect from this years prestigious event.

You left a successful career as Vice President at MNCs like HSBC and GE Capital to follow your passion for food. What motivated this career shift, and how did your corporate experience shape your approach to food blogging and awards?

Back in our day, social media wasnt a thing. Like many, I followed the conventional routecompleting an MBA and then diving into the corporate world. But food was my escape. Traveling the world, I discovered hidden culinary gems and started writing for newspapers and magazines. Eventually, I launched my own blog, Indian Food Freak. Before I knew it, my passion for food had grown into a full-blown career.

In foodie terms, my corporate career was a recipe for success, but my love for food was the secret ingredient. I traded PowerPoint for paprika and now, Im serving up a plate of purpose. Jokes aside, my corporate experience was invaluable. It taught me critical skills in sales, operations, and more, which I still use in my second career.Having worked with ethical companies, Ive always prioritized transparency. Even after 11 years of running the food awards, I ensure theres no money exchange involved, whether for nominations, attending the awards or in any other aspect.

When you started Indian Food Freak food blogging was relatively new in India. How did you introduce the concept to an unfamiliar audience, and what strategies did you use to build your initial following?

Introducing food blogging to India was like adding a new spice to a traditional recipeinitially unfamiliar, but now indispensable. I focused on creating content that was relatable, authentic, and sprinkled with humor. I remained honest and objective in all my reviews, even if it meant ruffling a few feathers among friends in the industry. By avoiding fancy jargon and staying true to my readers, I built trust and loyalty. My guiding principle has always been to write for my readers, not for the restaurants.

How did you address the skepticism or resistance from both the public and industry professionals during the early days of food blogging, especially when it was an emerging field?

Skeptics are like stale spices - they need to be replaced with fresh perspectives. I proved that food blogging wasnt just a flash in the pan by consistently delivering quality content and building a loyal community. Facebook played a significant role in this, as I created a space where food enthusiasts could exchange opinions and learn from each other.

What were some of the biggest challenges you faced in creating content for your blog in the early days, and how did you overcome issues related to resources, technology or audience engagement?

The early days were like cooking with limited ingredientscreativity was key. I tackled challenges by infusing my content with storytelling, leveraging social media, and engaging with my audience like a master chef. Content was never an issue because food is something we encounter daily. To improve the visual appeal, I invested in a DSLR. As the saying goes, a picture is worth a thousand words.

Indian Food Freak has grown into one of the largest food and travel blogs in India. What were some of the initial challenges you encountered when starting your blog and organising The Big F Awards, and how did your corporate experience help you navigate these obstacles?

My corporate experience was the yeast that helped Indian Food Freak rise. The biggest challenge in organizing the awards was securing sponsors who believed in the vision but didnt influence the results. My sales and marketing skills were crucial here. Convincing people of the brand visibility that our awards could offer was key, and looking back, Im proud to say that I delivered on those promises.

This year, The Big F Awards has expanded to cover the entire Delhi-NCR region. What motivated this expansion, and what new opportunities and challenges do you anticipate?

Expanding The Big F Awards to Delhi-NCR was like adding a new course to the menua natural progression. Since it takes nearly six months to organize the awards, with our jury visiting each restaurant to taste the food before delivering a verdict, venturing into other cities wasnt feasible. However, Delhi-NCR should be treated as one city, with people frequently traveling for work and pleasure. Including Delhi has given us broader and, in some cases, better choices, helping foodies make informed decisions when they dine out.

The introduction of categories for home bakers and home chefs is a unique and thoughtful addition. What inspired these new categories, and how do they reflect current trends in the food industry?

Home bakers and home chefs are the new spice merchantstheyre driving innovation and shaping trends. These categories reflect the democratisation of food and the rise of culinary entrepreneurship. Im pleased to see that home chefs and bakers are now taken seriously. Not only have their businesses expanded, but many new ventures are focused solely on this segment, helping them grow by organising pop-ups at five-star hotels, developing apps for delivery, and introducing them to wider audiences.

Winning the Best Influencer Award by BBC Good Food in 2018 is a significant achievement. How did this recognition impact your career and the growth of Indian Food Freak and The Big F Awards?

We all seek acknowledgment and appreciation. Winning the award was a validation that I was on the right path. It boosted my morale and increased confidence in the products and content I deliver.

The Big F Awards are known for their transparency and integrity. How are you ensuring these values are upheld in this years expanded edition, especially with the addition of new categories?

Transparency and integrity are the secret ingredients in The Big F Awards recipe. We ensure fairness by using a robust judging process, clear criteria, and a commitment to accountability. From selecting the right jury to deliberating each result, we remain steadfast in our dedication to honesty and transparency.

As you prepare for the 11th edition of The Big F Awards, what are your personal goals for the event, and what do you hope attendees and participants will take away from this years awards?

My personal goal for The Big F Awards is to foster a culinary community thats the icing on the cake. I hope attendees and participants leave inspired, with new connections and a renewed passion for the food industry. People dont mind losing as long as they know they lost to a worthy opponent. Our aim is to be fair and just while building camaraderie among all industry professionals.
The Enforcement Directorate on Monday produced AAP MLA Amanatullah Khan before a Delhi court in a money laundering case.

Khan was produced before Special Judge Rakesh Syal as the ED sought his 10-day custody, saying he was required to be confronted with other accused people and evidence in the case.

The counsel appearing for the accused challenged his arrest in the case.

The arguments in the case are currently underway.

Khan was taken into custody under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) after the agency conducted a search at his residence in the Okhla area of the national capital earlier in the day.

The ED told the court that some questions were put to Khan during the searches but he remained "evasive" and hence was arrested.

The ED told the court that Khan was the main accused of the entire controversy in the case.

"The proceeds of crime have been used and laundered to buy property. Cash (is) also used. There was an attempt to misguide the agency," the ED told the court.

The agency further accused Khan of non-cooperation, saying 14 summons were issued to him, and he appeared only once, that too after a Supreme Court direction.

The money laundering case against the 50-year-old legislator stems from two FIRs, one by the CBI in the Wakf Board related to alleged irregularities and another by the Delhi ACB related to a case of alleged possession of disproportionate assets.

Khan joins several other party leaders who were arrested by the federal agency in different money laundering cases, including Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, former Deputy Chief Minister Sisodia, Sanjay Singh and former minister Satyendar Jain.

Sisodia and Sanjay Singh are out of jail on bail.

The ED, which conducted raids on his premises earlier too, has claimed Khan acquired "huge proceeds of crime" in cash through illegal recruitment of staff in the Delhi Waqf Board and invested those to purchase immovable assets in the name of his associates.

The agency had alleged in a statement that "illegal recruitment" of staff took place in the Waqf Board and "illegal personal gains" were made by unfairly leasing the Waqf Board properties during Khan's chairmanship (2018-2022).

The agency filed a charge sheet in this case in January and named four people including three alleged associates of Khan -- Zeeshan Haider, Daud Nasir and Jawed Imam Siddiqui.
A 2.5-year-old girl was killed and a 70-year-old woman was injured in separate incidents of wolf attacks in Mahsi division of the district, officials said on Monday.

The first incident took place in Garethi Gurudutt Singh village of Hardi area on Sunday night, when Anjali was sleeping outside the house with her mother and a wolf snatched her, they said.

The child's mutilated body was found 1 km away from the village, officials said, adding that the wolf had eaten both her hands.

District Magistrate Monika Rani said this is the eighth incident of death due to wolf attacks since July 17, with eight people, including seven children, killed in these attacks and about 30 injured.

In another incident, Kamala Devi from Mauja Kotiya village of Barabigha area was injured when a wolf entered inside her house and attacked her on Monday morning, they added.

She has been admitted to a district hospital with injuries on her neck, mouth and ears and her condition is stated to be stable, officials said.

The administration is working to catch the attacking wolves, with four already caught, she said, however the problem is there are more than hundred revenue villages and the wolves are attacking new villages within a span of four to five days.

People are being made aware to sleep with the doors closed or on rooftops and remain alert, Rani said.

Till now, two wolves are being reported to be attacking, but the forest department is specially collecting information about the number. The correct number can be told after the investigation is complete, she added.

Meanwhile, Superintendent of Police Vrinda Shukla and DM Rani took stock of the situation and went to meet the family members of the victims. They have ensured proper treatment of the injured woman.
The government has summoned the content head of OTT platform Netflix over the series 'IC-814 -- The Kandahar Hijack', which has triggered a row over depiction of hijackers.

Official sources said the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has summoned the content head of Netflix India on Tuesday, seeking an explanation on the allegedly contentious aspects of the OTT series.

The depiction of hijackers of the Indian Airlines flight from Kathmandu to Delhi has kicked off a row with a section of viewers objecting to the 'humane' projection of the perpetrators.

BJP IT Cell chief Amit Malviya said 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," Malviya posted on X.

"Decades later, people will think Hindus hijacked IC-814," he said.

"Left's 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," Malviya said.

"This will not just weaken / put in question India's security apparatus in the long run, but also shift the blame away from the religious cohort, that is responsible for all the bloodshed," he said.

Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said it was really amusing to see the people who took movies like 'Kashmir Files' as the gospel truth having a melt down at the way the events of IC814 are depicted in the Netflix show.

"Now suddenly they want accuracy and nuance packaged in the script," Abdullah said on X.
Graypoint LLC boosted its stake in shares of American Tower Co. (NYSE:AMT  Free Report) by 8.4% during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The firm owned 3,299 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock after purchasing an additional 256 shares during the period. Graypoint LLCs holdings in American Tower were worth $641,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of AMT. Northwest Investment Counselors LLC purchased a new position in American Tower during the first quarter valued at approximately $25,000. Gold Investment Management Ltd. purchased a new stake in shares of American Tower during the 4th quarter worth about $28,000. Cultivar Capital Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of American Tower during the 2nd quarter valued at about $25,000. Private Wealth Management Group LLC purchased a new position in shares of American Tower in the 4th quarter valued at about $31,000. Finally, Hobbs Group Advisors LLC acquired a new position in American Tower in the 2nd quarter worth about $29,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 92.69% of the companys stock.

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Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research firms have recently commented on AMT. Barclays cut their price objective on American Tower from $234.00 to $223.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, May 30th. StockNews.com raised shares of American Tower from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, July 31st. BMO Capital Markets reaffirmed an outperform rating and set a $246.00 price objective (up from $225.00) on shares of American Tower in a report on Wednesday, July 31st. Royal Bank of Canada boosted their target price on shares of American Tower from $225.00 to $236.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Thursday, August 15th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company raised their price target on shares of American Tower from $225.00 to $245.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 31st. Two analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, twelve have issued a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, American Tower presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $231.14.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, CEO Steven O. Vondran sold 21,537 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Friday, August 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $230.00, for a total value of $4,953,510.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 61,843 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $14,223,890. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. In related news, CEO Steven O. Vondran sold 21,537 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Friday, August 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $230.00, for a total value of $4,953,510.00. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 61,843 shares in the company, valued at approximately $14,223,890. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Also, EVP Sanjay Goel sold 3,504 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, June 4th. The stock was sold at an average price of $200.36, for a total transaction of $702,061.44. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 28,413 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $5,692,828.68. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 37,227 shares of company stock valued at $8,497,458 over the last quarter. 0.18% of the stock is owned by insiders.

American Tower Price Performance

Shares of American Tower stock traded up $0.54 on Friday, hitting $224.06. 1,796,764 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 2,367,787. American Tower Co. has a 1-year low of $154.58 and a 1-year high of $236.13. The company has a quick ratio of 0.81, a current ratio of 0.81 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.42. The stock has a market capitalization of $104.65 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 50.69, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.51 and a beta of 0.81. The company has a 50-day moving average price of $212.85 and a 200 day moving average price of $197.88.

American Tower (NYSE:AMT  Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, July 30th. The real estate investment trust reported $1.92 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $2.44 by ($0.52). The firm had revenue of $2.90 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $2.82 billion. American Tower had a return on equity of 23.06% and a net margin of 21.95%. American Towers revenue for the quarter was up 4.7% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the firm earned $2.46 earnings per share. As a group, sell-side analysts predict that American Tower Co. will post 10.05 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

American Tower Company Profile

(Free Report)

American Tower, one of the largest global REITs, is a leading independent owner, operator and developer of multitenant communications real estate with a portfolio of over 224,000 communications sites and a highly interconnected footprint of U.S. data center facilities.

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Commonwealth Equity Services LLC cut its stake in General Dynamics Co. (NYSE:GD  Free Report) by 3.1% in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 150,498 shares of the aerospace companys stock after selling 4,832 shares during the quarter. Commonwealth Equity Services LLCs holdings in General Dynamics were worth $43,666,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD grew its stake in General Dynamics by 2.5% in the first quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 4,782,612 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $1,351,041,000 after purchasing an additional 115,063 shares during the period. Sanders Capital LLC boosted its holdings in shares of General Dynamics by 3.7% during the 4th quarter. Sanders Capital LLC now owns 4,164,857 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $1,081,488,000 after buying an additional 147,800 shares in the last quarter. Norges Bank bought a new position in shares of General Dynamics in the 4th quarter worth about $728,284,000. Northern Trust Corp lifted its position in General Dynamics by 1.1% during the 4th quarter. Northern Trust Corp now owns 2,282,757 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $592,764,000 after acquiring an additional 24,395 shares during the period. Finally, Boston Partners boosted its stake in General Dynamics by 1.4% during the first quarter. Boston Partners now owns 1,680,666 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $474,927,000 after acquiring an additional 23,262 shares in the last quarter. 86.14% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

GD has been the subject of a number of analyst reports. Sanford C. Bernstein raised their target price on shares of General Dynamics from $290.00 to $302.00 and gave the company a market perform rating in a research note on Thursday, May 23rd. Robert W. Baird reiterated an outperform rating and set a $345.00 price objective on shares of General Dynamics in a research note on Tuesday, July 2nd. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reissued a hold rating on shares of General Dynamics in a research note on Monday, July 29th. Morgan Stanley raised General Dynamics from an equal weight rating to an overweight rating and lifted their price target for the stock from $293.00 to $345.00 in a research report on Friday, August 9th. Finally, BTIG Research assumed coverage on shares of General Dynamics in a research report on Wednesday, June 26th. They set a buy rating and a $345.00 price objective on the stock. Six research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and thirteen have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $315.06.

General Dynamics Stock Performance

GD stock opened at $299.36 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.33, a current ratio of 1.33 and a quick ratio of 0.80. General Dynamics Co. has a 1 year low of $214.53 and a 1 year high of $302.75. The company has a market cap of $82.26 billion, a P/E ratio of 24.42, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.64 and a beta of 0.60. The stocks fifty day moving average price is $290.64 and its 200-day moving average price is $288.05.

General Dynamics (NYSE:GD  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, July 24th. The aerospace company reported $3.26 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $3.30 by ($0.04). General Dynamics had a net margin of 7.89% and a return on equity of 16.74%. The firm had revenue of $11.98 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $11.46 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $2.70 earnings per share. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 18.0% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities analysts forecast that General Dynamics Co. will post 14.52 earnings per share for the current year.

General Dynamics Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, November 15th. Shareholders of record on Friday, October 11th will be given a $1.42 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, October 11th. This represents a $5.68 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.90%. General Dynamicss payout ratio is presently 46.33%.

About General Dynamics

(Free Report)

General Dynamics Corporation operates as an aerospace and defense company worldwide. It operates through four segments: Aerospace, Marine Systems, Combat Systems, and Technologies. The Aerospace segment produces and sells business jets; and offers aircraft maintenance and repair, management, aircraft-on-ground support and completion, charter, staffing, and fixed-base operator services.

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D.A. Davidson & CO. lifted its stake in shares of EOG Resources, Inc. (NYSE:EOG  Free Report) by 8.4% in the 2nd quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The fund owned 196,634 shares of the energy exploration companys stock after acquiring an additional 15,261 shares during the period. D.A. Davidson & CO.s holdings in EOG Resources were worth $24,750,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other large investors also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Riverview Trust Co bought a new stake in shares of EOG Resources during the 2nd quarter worth about $27,000. MFA Wealth Advisors LLC bought a new stake in EOG Resources during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $28,000. Gladius Capital Management LP bought a new stake in EOG Resources during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $30,000. Sachetta LLC bought a new stake in EOG Resources during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $33,000. Finally, Triad Wealth Partners LLC bought a new stake in EOG Resources during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $35,000. Institutional investors own 89.91% of the companys stock.

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EOG Resources Price Performance

EOG traded down $1.16 during trading on Friday, hitting $128.82. The companys stock had a trading volume of 2,820,225 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,864,373. The firms 50 day moving average price is $126.84 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $125.72. The stock has a market capitalization of $73.25 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 10.18, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.22 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 1.89, a current ratio of 2.12 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.11.

EOG Resources Dividend Announcement

EOG Resources ( NYSE:EOG Get Free Report ) last released its earnings results on Thursday, August 1st. The energy exploration company reported $3.16 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.98 by $0.18. The company had revenue of $6.03 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $6.07 billion. EOG Resources had a return on equity of 25.42% and a net margin of 30.33%. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 8.1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the firm earned $2.49 EPS. Sell-side analysts forecast that EOG Resources, Inc. will post 12.2 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, October 31st. Stockholders of record on Thursday, October 17th will be paid a $0.91 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, October 17th. This represents a $3.64 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.83%. EOG Resourcess dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 28.75%.

Insider Activity

In other news, EVP Michael P. Donaldson sold 11,037 shares of EOG Resources stock in a transaction 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 sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 74,250 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $9,615,375. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. In related news, EVP Michael P. Donaldson sold 11,037 shares of EOG Resources stock in a transaction on Monday, August 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $129.50, for a total transaction of $1,429,291.50. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 74,250 shares of the companys stock, valued at $9,615,375. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, COO Jeffrey R. Leitzell sold 4,000 shares of EOG Resources stock in a transaction on Friday, August 9th. The stock was sold at an average price of $126.48, for a total value of $505,920.00. Following 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. In the last ninety days, insiders sold 21,537 shares of company stock valued at $2,751,612. Company insiders own 0.30% of the companys stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several analysts recently weighed in on the company. Royal Bank of Canada restated a sector perform rating and set a $147.00 target price on shares of EOG Resources in a research note on Wednesday, July 10th. Mizuho upped their price target on EOG Resources from $140.00 to $156.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Monday, May 13th. Bank of America reaffirmed a buy rating and issued a $151.00 price target on shares of EOG Resources in a report on Friday, June 14th. Scotiabank cut their price target on EOG Resources from $155.00 to $150.00 and set a sector perform rating for the company in a report on Friday, July 12th. Finally, Susquehanna increased their target price on EOG Resources from $155.00 to $159.00 and gave the stock a positive rating in a report on Monday, August 5th. Thirteen equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eight have assigned a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $144.00.

Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on EOG Resources

EOG Resources Profile

(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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JPL Wealth Management LLC raised its holdings in shares of Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY  Free Report) by 38.1% during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 783 shares of the companys stock after buying an additional 216 shares during the period. JPL Wealth Management LLCs holdings in Eli Lilly and Company were worth $709,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of LLY. Massachusetts Wealth Management lifted its position in shares of Eli Lilly and Company by 35.1% during the second quarter. Massachusetts Wealth Management now owns 2,215 shares of the companys stock worth $2,005,000 after purchasing an additional 575 shares in the last quarter. Valmark Advisers Inc. lifted its position in shares of Eli Lilly and Company by 2.6% during the second quarter. Valmark Advisers Inc. now owns 5,736 shares of the companys stock worth $5,193,000 after purchasing an additional 146 shares in the last quarter. Retireful LLC acquired a new position in shares of Eli Lilly and Company during the second quarter worth $1,048,000. SeaBridge Investment Advisors LLC acquired a new position in shares of Eli Lilly and Company during the second quarter worth $206,000. Finally, Obermeyer Wood Investment Counsel Lllp increased its stake in shares of Eli Lilly and Company by 1,772.2% in the second quarter. Obermeyer Wood Investment Counsel Lllp now owns 14,903 shares of the companys stock worth $13,493,000 after buying an additional 14,107 shares during the last quarter. 82.53% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of analysts recently issued reports on the stock. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their price target on shares of Eli Lilly and Company from $875.00 to $1,000.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Friday, August 9th. Barclays lifted their price target on shares of Eli Lilly and Company from $913.00 to $1,025.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 10th. Truist Financial reiterated a buy rating and set a $1,000.00 target price (up previously from $892.00) on shares of Eli Lilly and Company in a research note on Tuesday, June 25th. BMO Capital Markets boosted their target price on shares of Eli Lilly and Company from $1,001.00 to $1,101.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Friday, August 9th. Finally, Berenberg Bank boosted their target price on shares of Eli Lilly and Company from $1,000.00 to $1,050.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, August 14th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seventeen have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $961.76.

Eli Lilly and Company Price Performance

LLY stock traded up $19.82 during trading on Friday, hitting $960.02. The company had a trading volume of 2,555,073 shares, compared to its average volume of 3,625,430. The firm has a market capitalization of $912.43 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 141.39, a P/E/G ratio of 2.91 and a beta of 0.41. The business has a 50 day moving average of $892.64 and a 200 day moving average of $822.08. Eli Lilly and Company has a fifty-two week low of $516.57 and a fifty-two week high of $972.53. The company has a current ratio of 1.11, a quick ratio of 0.87 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.74.

Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, August 8th. The company reported $3.92 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.64 by $1.28. Eli Lilly and Company had a net margin of 18.86% and a return on equity of 67.52%. The business had revenue of $11.30 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $9.83 billion. As a group, research analysts predict that Eli Lilly and Company will post 16.51 earnings per share for the current year.

Eli Lilly and Company Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, September 10th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, August 15th will be issued a $1.30 dividend. This represents a $5.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.54%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, August 15th. Eli Lilly and Companys payout ratio is 76.58%.

Insider Buying and Selling at Eli Lilly and Company

In other Eli Lilly and Company news, 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 value of $614,602.50. Following the completion of the sale, the chief accounting officer now directly owns 7,130 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $5,842,821.10. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. In other Eli Lilly and Company news, 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 sale, 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 legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Also, major shareholder Lilly Endowment Inc sold 192,794 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Monday, June 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $829.77, for a total transaction of $159,974,677.38. Following the sale, the insider now directly owns 98,208,810 shares of the companys stock, valued at $81,490,724,273.70. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last three months, insiders sold 1,097,883 shares of company stock valued at $972,022,568. 0.13% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Eli Lilly and Company Profile

(Free Report)

Eli Lilly and Company discovers, develops, and markets human pharmaceuticals worldwide. The company offers Basaglar, Humalog, Humalog Mix 75/25, Humalog U-100, Humalog U-200, Humalog Mix 50/50, insulin lispro, insulin lispro protamine, insulin lispro mix 75/25, Humulin, Humulin 70/30, Humulin N, Humulin R, and Humulin U-500 for diabetes; Jardiance, Mounjaro, and Trulicity for type 2 diabetes; and Zepbound for obesity.

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Fairhaven Wealth Management LLC lifted its stake in Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE  Free Report) by 13.1% in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 9,391 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock after purchasing an additional 1,091 shares during the quarter. Fairhaven Wealth Management LLCs holdings in Pfizer were worth $263,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of PFE. Olistico Wealth LLC acquired a new position in Pfizer in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $25,000. MFA Wealth Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Pfizer during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $29,000. Creekmur Asset Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Pfizer during the 4th quarter worth approximately $32,000. Trivant Custom Portfolio Group LLC grew its stake in shares of Pfizer by 100.0% during the 1st quarter. Trivant Custom Portfolio Group LLC now owns 1,200 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $33,000 after purchasing an additional 600 shares during the period. Finally, Financial Connections Group Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Pfizer during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $34,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 68.36% of the companys stock.

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Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of equities research analysts have recently commented on the stock. Daiwa Capital Markets raised shares of Pfizer from a neutral rating to an outperform rating and raised their price objective for the stock from $28.00 to $34.00 in a research note on Wednesday, August 7th. Cantor Fitzgerald reissued an overweight rating and issued a $45.00 price target on shares of Pfizer in a research note on Monday, August 19th. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their price target on shares of Pfizer from $28.00 to $30.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 31st. Barclays lifted their price target on shares of Pfizer from $30.00 to $32.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 31st. Finally, UBS Group lifted their price target on shares of Pfizer from $30.00 to $31.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 31st. Eight analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, seven have issued a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $34.54.

Pfizer Price Performance

PFE stock traded up $0.29 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $29.01. The stock had a trading volume of 37,137,599 shares, compared to its average volume of 26,838,326. The companys fifty day simple moving average is $28.99 and its 200 day simple moving average is $28.01. The company has a current ratio of 0.86, a quick ratio of 0.60 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.65. The company has a market cap of $164.39 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -483.42, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.02 and a beta of 0.69. Pfizer Inc. has a 52-week low of $25.20 and a 52-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 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 analyst estimates of $12.96 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $0.67 EPS. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 2.1% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, sell-side analysts predict that Pfizer Inc. will post 2.66 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Pfizer Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, September 3rd. Stockholders of record on Friday, July 26th will be issued a dividend of $0.42 per share. The ex-dividend date is Friday, July 26th. This represents a $1.68 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 5.79%. Pfizers dividend payout ratio is presently -2,799.53%.

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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Gouws Capital LLC grew its position in Stryker Co. (NYSE:SYK  Free Report) by 4.5% during the second quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 19,924 shares of the medical technology companys stock after buying an additional 852 shares during the period. Stryker accounts for about 4.9% of Gouws Capital LLCs portfolio, making the stock its 7th largest position. Gouws Capital LLCs holdings in Stryker were worth $6,779,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of SYK. Mill Capital Management LLC increased its position in Stryker by 15.6% during the 2nd quarter. Mill Capital Management LLC now owns 4,819 shares of the medical technology companys stock valued at $1,640,000 after buying an additional 649 shares in the last quarter. Essex Financial Services Inc. grew its stake in shares of Stryker by 12.3% during the second quarter. Essex Financial Services Inc. now owns 3,256 shares of the medical technology companys stock worth $1,108,000 after acquiring an additional 356 shares during the last quarter. Turtle Creek Wealth Advisors LLC increased its holdings in shares of Stryker by 2,521.7% during the second quarter. Turtle Creek Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 15,966 shares of the medical technology companys stock valued at $5,432,000 after acquiring an additional 15,357 shares in the last quarter. Aptus Capital Advisors LLC raised its position in shares of Stryker by 30.2% in the 2nd quarter. Aptus Capital Advisors LLC now owns 66,801 shares of the medical technology companys stock valued at $22,729,000 after purchasing an additional 15,506 shares during the last quarter. Finally, CWS Financial Advisors LLC boosted its stake in Stryker by 4.3% in the 2nd quarter. CWS Financial Advisors LLC now owns 256,789 shares of the medical technology companys stock worth $87,373,000 after purchasing an additional 10,693 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 77.09% of the companys stock.

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Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research analysts have issued reports on SYK shares. Needham & Company LLC raised their price target on shares of Stryker from $392.00 to $393.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Thursday, August 1st. Truist Financial reduced their target price on Stryker from $364.00 to $345.00 and set a hold rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, August 1st. BTIG Research boosted their price target on Stryker from $360.00 to $374.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday. Evercore ISI reduced their price objective on Stryker from $370.00 to $365.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, July 2nd. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada reaffirmed an outperform rating and set a $386.00 target price on shares of Stryker in a report on Wednesday, July 31st. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and sixteen have given a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Stryker has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $373.84.

Insider Activity at Stryker

In other Stryker news, insider Viju Menon sold 600 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Tuesday, August 27th. The shares were sold at an average price of $355.00, for a total transaction of $213,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now directly owns 9,069 shares in the company, valued at $3,219,495. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. In other Stryker news, insider Viju Menon sold 600 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, August 27th. The stock was sold at an average price of $355.00, for a total transaction of $213,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 9,069 shares of the companys stock, valued at $3,219,495. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, Director Ronda E. Stryker sold 190,000 shares of Stryker stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, August 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $323.46, for a total value of $61,457,400.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director now directly owns 3,316,608 shares in the company, valued at $1,072,790,023.68. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last quarter, insiders have sold 210,600 shares of company stock valued at $68,330,400. 5.90% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Stryker Stock Performance

SYK traded up $2.49 on Friday, reaching $360.42. The stock had a trading volume of 1,307,583 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,185,878. The businesss 50-day moving average price is $337.13 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $341.57. The company has a market cap of $137.35 billion, a P/E ratio of 41.14, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.78 and a beta of 0.89. Stryker Co. has a 12-month low of $249.98 and a 12-month high of $361.41. The company has a current ratio of 1.68, a quick ratio of 0.95 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.51.

Stryker (NYSE:SYK  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, July 30th. The medical technology company reported $2.81 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.79 by $0.02. The firm had revenue of $5.42 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $5.40 billion. Stryker had a return on equity of 22.89% and a net margin of 16.12%. Strykers revenue for the quarter was up 8.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $2.54 EPS. Sell-side analysts forecast that Stryker Co. will post 12 earnings per share for the current year.

Stryker Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, October 31st. Stockholders of record on Monday, September 30th will be given a dividend of $0.80 per share. The ex-dividend date is Monday, September 30th. This represents a $3.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.89%. Strykers dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 36.53%.

Stryker Company Profile

(Free Report)

Stryker Corporation operates as a medical technology company. The company operates through two segments, MedSurg and Neurotechnology, and Orthopaedics and Spine. The Orthopaedics and Spine segment provides implants for use in total joint replacements, such as hip, knee and shoulder, and trauma and extremities surgeries.

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IFG Advisory LLC acquired a new stake in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (NYSE:GS  Free Report) during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm acquired 1,605 shares of the investment management companys stock, valued at approximately $726,000.

A number of other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. First Personal Financial Services purchased a new position in The Goldman Sachs Group in the first quarter valued at about $25,000. First United Bank & Trust purchased a new position in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $26,000. POM Investment Strategies LLC acquired a new stake in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group during the second quarter worth approximately $26,000. Versant Capital Management Inc increased its stake in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group by 106.3% in the first quarter. Versant Capital Management Inc now owns 66 shares of the investment management companys stock worth $28,000 after buying an additional 34 shares during the last quarter. Finally, SJS Investment Consulting Inc. raised its holdings in The Goldman Sachs Group by 103.3% in the second quarter. SJS Investment Consulting Inc. now owns 61 shares of the investment management companys stock valued at $28,000 after acquiring an additional 31 shares in the last quarter. 71.21% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Insider Buying and Selling at The Goldman Sachs Group

In other The Goldman Sachs Group news, major shareholder Goldman Sachs Group Inc sold 4,000,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Thursday, June 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $6.34, for a total transaction of $25,360,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 12,981,022 shares in the company, valued at approximately $82,299,679.48. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. In related news, Director Thomas K. Montag sold 10,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, July 16th. The shares were sold at an average price of $505.04, for a total transaction of $5,050,400.00. Following the transaction, the director now owns 12,450 shares in the company, valued at $6,287,748. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, major shareholder Goldman Sachs Group Inc sold 4,000,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on 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 sale, the insider now directly owns 12,981,022 shares in the company, valued at approximately $82,299,679.48. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 4,013,500 shares of company stock valued at $32,181,365 in the last quarter. Corporate insiders own 0.54% of the companys stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several brokerages have weighed in on GS. Royal Bank of Canada reissued a sector perform rating and set a $500.00 price objective on shares of The Goldman Sachs Group in a report on Tuesday, July 30th. Oppenheimer lifted their price target on The Goldman Sachs Group from $504.00 to $559.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Tuesday, July 16th. UBS Group upped their price objective on The Goldman Sachs Group from $490.00 to $535.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, July 9th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods lifted their target price on The Goldman Sachs Group from $485.00 to $520.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Thursday, June 27th. Finally, BMO Capital Markets upped their price target on The Goldman Sachs Group from $360.00 to $373.00 and gave the company a market perform rating in a research report on Wednesday, July 17th. Five analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and fourteen have issued a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, The Goldman Sachs Group has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $495.94.

Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on GS

The Goldman Sachs Group Stock Up 0.6 %

The Goldman Sachs Group stock opened at $510.25 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.20, a quick ratio of 0.72 and a current ratio of 0.72. The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. has a one year low of $289.36 and a one year high of $517.26. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $485.69 and a 200-day simple moving average of $444.43. The firm has a market capitalization of $161.14 billion, a P/E ratio of 19.92, a P/E/G ratio of 0.79 and a beta of 1.37.

The Goldman Sachs Group (NYSE:GS  Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Monday, July 15th. The investment management company reported $8.62 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $8.52 by $0.10. The Goldman Sachs Group had a net margin of 9.36% and a return on equity of 10.56%. The firm had revenue of $12.73 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $12.60 billion. As a group, equities analysts expect that The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. will post 35.07 earnings per share for the current year.

The Goldman Sachs Group Increases Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, September 27th. Investors of record on Friday, August 30th will be given a $3.00 dividend. This is a boost from The Goldman Sachs Groups previous quarterly dividend of $2.75. This represents a $12.00 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.35%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, August 30th. The Goldman Sachs Groups dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 42.95%.

The Goldman Sachs Group Company Profile

(Free Report)

The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc, a financial institution, provides a range of financial services for corporations, financial institutions, governments, and individuals worldwide. It operates through Global Banking & Markets, Asset & Wealth Management, and Platform Solutions segments. The Global Banking & Markets segment provides financial advisory services, including strategic advisory assignments related to mergers and acquisitions, divestitures, corporate defense activities, restructurings, and spin-offs; and relationship lending, and acquisition financing, as well as secured lending, through structured credit and asset-backed lending and involved in financing under securities to resale agreements.

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Interchange Capital Partners LLC decreased its holdings in BlackRock, Inc. (NYSE:BLK  Free Report) by 14.0% in the second quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 474 shares of the asset managers stock after selling 77 shares during the quarter. Interchange Capital Partners LLCs holdings in BlackRock were worth $373,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

Other large investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Carolinas Wealth Consulting LLC boosted its stake in shares of BlackRock by 25.0% during the 4th quarter. Carolinas Wealth Consulting LLC now owns 200 shares of the asset managers stock valued at $163,000 after purchasing an additional 40 shares in the last quarter. Zhang Financial LLC grew its holdings in shares of BlackRock by 24.0% during the 1st quarter. Zhang Financial LLC now owns 883 shares of the asset managers stock worth $736,000 after acquiring an additional 171 shares during the period. California State Teachers Retirement System raised its position in shares of BlackRock by 0.7% in the 4th quarter. California State Teachers Retirement System now owns 237,740 shares of the asset managers stock worth $192,997,000 after acquiring an additional 1,647 shares in the last quarter. Farrow Financial Inc. purchased a new position in shares of BlackRock in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $2,228,000. Finally, Axxcess Wealth Management LLC boosted its position in shares of BlackRock by 35.8% during the first quarter. Axxcess Wealth Management LLC now owns 4,732 shares of the asset managers stock valued at $3,945,000 after purchasing an additional 1,248 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 80.69% of the companys stock.

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Insider Buying and Selling at BlackRock

In other news, Director Pamela Daley sold 1,531 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Friday, August 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $842.08, for a total value of $1,289,224.48. Following the transaction, the director now owns 5,732 shares of the companys stock, valued at $4,826,802.56. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. In other news, Director Pamela Daley sold 1,531 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Friday, August 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $842.08, for a total transaction of $1,289,224.48. Following the sale, the director now directly owns 5,732 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,826,802.56. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, Director Mark Wiedman sold 27,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Tuesday, July 16th. The stock was sold at an average price of $834.42, for a total transaction of $22,529,340.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 6,480 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $5,407,041.60. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last quarter, insiders sold 93,042 shares of company stock valued at $79,387,117. Company insiders own 0.90% of the companys stock.

BlackRock Stock Performance

BlackRock stock traded up $6.94 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $901.81. 478,238 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 473,496. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.37, a current ratio of 5.06 and a quick ratio of 5.06. BlackRock, Inc. has a 12 month low of $596.18 and a 12 month high of $903.46. The firm has a market capitalization of $133.59 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 22.92, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.97 and a beta of 1.32. The business has a 50 day moving average of $839.20 and a two-hundred day moving average of $808.74.

BlackRock (NYSE:BLK  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Monday, July 15th. The asset manager reported $10.36 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $9.96 by $0.40. BlackRock had a net margin of 32.36% and a return on equity of 15.44%. The firm had revenue of $4.81 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $4.85 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned $9.28 EPS. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 7.7% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, research analysts predict that BlackRock, Inc. will post 41.34 earnings per share for the current year.

BlackRock Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, September 23rd. Investors of record on Monday, September 9th will be issued a $5.10 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Monday, September 9th. This represents a $20.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.26%. BlackRocks dividend payout ratio is currently 51.84%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of equities analysts have issued reports on BLK shares. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods increased their price objective on BlackRock from $915.00 to $934.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Tuesday, July 16th. UBS Group decreased their target price on shares of BlackRock from $842.00 to $837.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, July 10th. Barclays started coverage on BlackRock in a research report on Tuesday, August 27th. They issued an overweight rating and a $985.00 price target on the stock. Morgan Stanley lowered their price objective on BlackRock from $1,025.00 to $1,013.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, July 11th. Finally, Citigroup lifted their price target on BlackRock from $920.00 to $930.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Tuesday, July 16th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eleven have issued a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, BlackRock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $881.47.

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BlackRock Profile

(Free Report)

BlackRock, Inc is a publicly owned investment manager. The firm primarily provides its services to institutional, intermediary, and individual investors including corporate, public, union, and industry pension plans, insurance companies, third-party mutual funds, endowments, public institutions, governments, foundations, charities, sovereign wealth funds, corporations, official institutions, and banks.

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Fielder Capital Group LLC increased its position in iShares Gold Trust Micro (NYSEARCA:IAUM  Free Report) by 36.0% during the second quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The fund owned 236,357 shares of the companys stock after purchasing an additional 62,548 shares during the quarter. iShares Gold Trust Micro comprises approximately 2.1% of Fielder Capital Group LLCs investment portfolio, making the stock its 16th largest position. Fielder Capital Group LLCs holdings in iShares Gold Trust Micro were worth $5,483,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other large investors have also modified their holdings of the company. Slagle Financial LLC increased its stake in iShares Gold Trust Micro by 11.9% during the 2nd quarter. Slagle Financial LLC now owns 22,257 shares of the companys stock valued at $516,000 after buying an additional 2,369 shares during the period. Vicus Capital increased its stake in iShares Gold Trust Micro by 52.5% during the 2nd quarter. Vicus Capital now owns 46,042 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,068,000 after buying an additional 15,854 shares during the period. Fifth Third Bancorp increased its stake in iShares Gold Trust Micro by 4.5% during the 2nd quarter. Fifth Third Bancorp now owns 341,626 shares of the companys stock valued at $7,926,000 after buying an additional 14,817 shares during the period. China Universal Asset Management Co. Ltd. increased its stake in iShares Gold Trust Micro by 28.1% during the 2nd quarter. China Universal Asset Management Co. Ltd. now owns 41,000 shares of the companys stock valued at $951,000 after buying an additional 9,000 shares during the period. Finally, Sinecera Capital LLC increased its stake in iShares Gold Trust Micro by 2.4% during the 2nd quarter. Sinecera Capital LLC now owns 64,322 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,488,000 after buying an additional 1,478 shares during the period.

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iShares Gold Trust Micro Stock Down 0.8 %

iShares Gold Trust Micro stock traded down $0.19 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $24.96. 1,617,149 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,230,204. The firms 50-day simple moving average is $24.15 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $23.11. iShares Gold Trust Micro has a 1-year low of $18.11 and a 1-year high of $25.25.

iShares Gold Trust Micro Profile

The iShares Gold Trust Micro (IAUM) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the LBMA Gold Price index. The fund tracks the gold spot price, less expenses and liabilities, using gold bars held in vaults. IAUM was launched on Jun 15, 2021 and is managed by BlackRock.

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MEAG MUNICH ERGO Kapitalanlagegesellschaft mbH raised its position in shares of Kimberly-Clark Co. (NYSE:KMB  Free Report) by 129.8% in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 71,238 shares of the companys stock after purchasing an additional 40,236 shares during the quarter. MEAG MUNICH ERGO Kapitalanlagegesellschaft mbHs holdings in Kimberly-Clark were worth $9,845,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Rise Advisors LLC boosted its stake in Kimberly-Clark by 926.3% during the 1st quarter. Rise Advisors LLC now owns 195 shares of the companys stock valued at $25,000 after purchasing an additional 176 shares in the last quarter. New Millennium Group LLC bought a new position in Kimberly-Clark during the 2nd quarter valued at $28,000. Crewe Advisors LLC bought a new position in Kimberly-Clark during the 1st quarter valued at $27,000. Fortitude Family Office LLC boosted its stake in Kimberly-Clark by 333.3% during the 2nd quarter. Fortitude Family Office LLC now owns 325 shares of the companys stock valued at $45,000 after purchasing an additional 250 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Northwest Financial Advisors bought a new position in Kimberly-Clark during the 4th quarter valued at $40,000. 76.29% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

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Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, insider Gonzalo Uribe sold 1,780 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Monday, July 29th. The stock was sold at an average price of $140.84, for a total transaction of $250,695.20. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 7,377 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,038,976.68. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. In related news, insider Gonzalo Uribe sold 1,780 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Monday, July 29th. The stock was sold at an average price of $140.84, for a total transaction of $250,695.20. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 7,377 shares in the company, valued at $1,038,976.68. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, insider Jeffrey P. Melucci sold 37,699 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, July 25th. The stock was sold at an average price of $141.42, for a total value of $5,331,392.58. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now directly owns 19,935 shares of the companys stock, valued at $2,819,207.70. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders own 0.62% of the companys stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research firms have recently weighed in on KMB. TD Cowen began coverage on Kimberly-Clark in a research note on Tuesday, July 23rd. They set a buy rating and a $161.00 price objective for the company. Royal Bank of Canada reissued an outperform rating and set a $165.00 price objective on shares of Kimberly-Clark in a research note on Wednesday, July 24th. Piper Sandler raised their price objective on Kimberly-Clark from $167.00 to $174.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Thursday, July 11th. Barclays reduced their price objective on Kimberly-Clark from $136.00 to $135.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research note on Friday, July 19th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their target price on Kimberly-Clark from $123.00 to $135.00 and gave the stock an underweight rating in a research report on Monday, July 22nd. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have issued a hold rating and seven have given a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $145.67.

Read Our Latest Stock Report on Kimberly-Clark

Kimberly-Clark Stock Up 1.0 %

KMB traded up $1.44 during trading on Friday, reaching $144.66. 2,421,722 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,754,962. The stock has a market cap of $48.72 billion, a price-to-earnings 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. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 5.59, a current ratio of 0.85 and a quick ratio of 0.58. The stocks 50-day simple moving average is $140.70 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $133.62.

Kimberly-Clark (NYSE:KMB  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, July 23rd. The company reported $1.96 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.71 by $0.25. Kimberly-Clark had a return on equity of 223.55% and a net margin of 11.28%. The firm had revenue of $5.03 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $5.10 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $1.65 earnings per share. The businesss revenue for the quarter was down 2.0% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, equities research analysts expect that Kimberly-Clark Co. will post 7.25 EPS for the current year.

Kimberly-Clark Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, October 2nd. Shareholders of record on Friday, September 6th will be given a $1.22 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, September 6th. This represents a $4.88 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.37%. Kimberly-Clarks dividend payout ratio is currently 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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Mizuho Securities Co. Ltd. decreased its position in Arista Networks, Inc. (NYSE:ANET  Free Report) by 27.8% in the second quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 520 shares of the technology companys stock after selling 200 shares during the period. Mizuho Securities Co. Ltd.s holdings in Arista Networks were worth $182,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other large investors have also recently modified their holdings of the company. FCG Investment Co increased its position in shares of Arista Networks by 2.3% during the second quarter. FCG Investment Co now owns 1,271 shares of the technology companys stock worth $445,000 after purchasing an additional 29 shares in the last quarter. Old Port Advisors grew its holdings in shares of Arista Networks by 3.5% during the first quarter. Old Port Advisors now owns 955 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $277,000 after buying an additional 32 shares during the last quarter. Fortitude Family Office LLC grew its holdings in shares of Arista Networks by 33.3% during the second quarter. Fortitude Family Office LLC now owns 132 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $46,000 after buying an additional 33 shares during the last quarter. Modera Wealth Management LLC grew its holdings in shares of Arista Networks by 2.1% during the second quarter. Modera Wealth Management LLC now owns 1,782 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $625,000 after buying an additional 37 shares during the last quarter. Finally, NBC Securities Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Arista Networks by 21.5% during the first quarter. NBC Securities Inc. now owns 215 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $62,000 after buying an additional 38 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 82.47% of the companys stock.

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Arista Networks Stock Up 2.0 %

ANET stock traded up $6.79 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $353.38. The companys stock had a trading volume of 1,548,752 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,486,699. Arista Networks, Inc. has a 52-week low of $168.25 and a 52-week high of $376.50. The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of $344.05 and a 200-day simple moving average of $308.70. The firm has a market capitalization of $111.01 billion, a P/E ratio of 49.22, a PEG ratio of 2.78 and a beta of 1.11.

Arista Networks ( NYSE:ANET Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, July 30th. The technology company reported $2.10 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.72 by $0.38. Arista Networks had a net margin of 39.01% and a return on equity of 30.50%. The business had revenue of $1.69 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.66 billion. During the same period last year, the business earned $1.41 EPS. The companys revenue was up 15.9% on a year-over-year basis. On average, sell-side analysts expect that Arista Networks, Inc. will post 7.38 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Arista Networks declared that its board has approved a share repurchase plan on Tuesday, May 7th that allows the company to repurchase $1.20 billion in outstanding shares. This repurchase authorization allows the technology company to repurchase up to 1.4% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock repurchase plans are usually an indication that the companys board believes its stock is undervalued.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of equities research analysts have recently weighed in on ANET shares. Rosenblatt Securities boosted their price objective on shares of Arista Networks from $220.00 to $265.00 and gave the company a sell rating in a report on Wednesday, July 31st. Jefferies Financial Group boosted their price objective on shares of Arista Networks from $340.00 to $380.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, July 31st. UBS Group upped their price target on shares of Arista Networks from $275.00 to $285.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Wednesday, May 8th. Wells Fargo & Company upped their price target on shares of Arista Networks from $340.00 to $390.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Wednesday, July 24th. Finally, KeyCorp upped their price target on shares of Arista Networks from $349.00 to $432.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Wednesday, July 17th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, four have given a hold rating and sixteen have issued a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, Arista Networks presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $353.38.

Check Out Our Latest Research Report on Arista Networks

Insider Activity

In related news, Director Kelly Bodnar Battles sold 216 shares of Arista Networks stock in a transaction on Tuesday, August 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $324.02, for a total transaction of $69,988.32. Following the sale, the director now directly owns 2,726 shares in the company, valued at approximately $883,278.52. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. In other Arista Networks news, CEO Jayshree Ullal sold 25,000 shares of Arista Networks stock in a transaction on Thursday, June 27th. The shares were sold at an average price of $347.00, for a total value of $8,675,000.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 1,600,800 shares in the company, valued at $555,477,600. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Also, Director Kelly Bodnar Battles sold 216 shares of Arista Networks stock in a transaction on Tuesday, August 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $324.02, for a total transaction of $69,988.32. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 2,726 shares in the company, valued at $883,278.52. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last three months, insiders have sold 128,296 shares of company stock worth $44,532,174. 3.54% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Arista Networks Company Profile

(Free Report)

Arista Networks, Inc engages in the development, marketing, and sale of data-driven, client to cloud networking solutions for data center, campus, and routing environments in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the Asia-Pacific. Its cloud networking solutions consist of Extensible Operating System (EOS), a publish-subscribe state-sharing networking operating system offered in combination with a set of network applications.

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Montag A & Associates Inc. lowered its stake in Vanguard Real Estate ETF (NYSEARCA:VNQ  Free Report) by 0.8% in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 30,161 shares of the exchange traded funds stock after selling 252 shares during the period. Montag A & Associates Inc.s holdings in Vanguard Real Estate ETF were worth $2,557,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in the company. ORG Partners LLC bought a new position in Vanguard Real Estate ETF in the second quarter valued at approximately $26,000. Pathway Financial Advisers LLC bought a new stake in Vanguard Real Estate ETF in the first quarter valued at about $28,000. Triad Wealth Partners LLC acquired a new position in shares of Vanguard Real Estate ETF during the 2nd quarter worth about $28,000. Fortis Group Advisors LLC increased its stake in shares of Vanguard Real Estate ETF by 100.0% in the 4th quarter. Fortis Group Advisors LLC now owns 334 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $30,000 after acquiring an additional 167 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Pineridge Advisors LLC bought a new position in Vanguard Real Estate ETF during the 4th quarter worth approximately $33,000.

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Vanguard Real Estate ETF Stock Up 1.0 %

Vanguard Real Estate ETF stock traded up $0.91 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $95.13. 3,489,966 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 4,247,506. Vanguard Real Estate ETF has a fifty-two week low of $70.61 and a fifty-two week high of $95.37. The firm has a market capitalization of $37.44 billion, a P/E ratio of 22.09 and a beta of 1.03. The companys 50 day simple moving average is $89.00 and its 200-day simple moving average is $85.45.

About Vanguard Real Estate ETF

Vanguard REIT ETF (the Fund) is an open-end investment company. The Fund invests in stocks issued by real estate investment trusts (REITs), companies that purchase office buildings, hotels, and other real property. It tracks the return of the MSCI US RIT Index, a gauge of real estate stocks. The Vanguard Group, Inc provides investment advisory services to the Fund.

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Montag A & Associates Inc. raised its position in shares of Danaher Co. (NYSE:DHR  Free Report) by 6.2% during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 28,375 shares of the conglomerates stock after purchasing an additional 1,652 shares during the quarter. Montag A & Associates Inc.s holdings in Danaher were worth $7,097,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of DHR. Cape Investment Advisory Inc. purchased a new stake in Danaher in the 4th quarter worth about $25,000. Tsfg LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Danaher by 733.3% during the first quarter. Tsfg LLC now owns 100 shares of the conglomerates stock worth $25,000 after purchasing an additional 88 shares during the period. CarsonAllaria Wealth Management Ltd. acquired a new position in Danaher in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $25,000. nVerses Capital LLC purchased a new stake in Danaher in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $25,000. Finally, Redmont Wealth Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Danaher during the 1st quarter valued at $30,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 79.05% of the companys stock.

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Insider Buying and Selling at Danaher

In related news, CEO Rainer Blair sold 9,007 shares of Danaher stock in a transaction on Wednesday, July 31st. The stock was sold at an average price of $280.00, for a total transaction of $2,521,960.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 97,983 shares of the companys stock, valued at $27,435,240. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In other news, SVP Georgeann Couchara sold 952 shares of Danaher stock in a transaction on Monday, August 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $268.37, for a total transaction of $255,488.24. Following the transaction, the senior vice president now directly owns 4,212 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,130,374.44. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Also, CEO Rainer Blair sold 9,007 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Wednesday, July 31st. The shares were sold at an average price of $280.00, for a total transaction of $2,521,960.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 97,983 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $27,435,240. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last ninety days, insiders have sold 39,659 shares of company stock valued at $11,042,433. 11.10% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several analysts recently issued reports on DHR shares. The Goldman Sachs Group increased their price objective on Danaher from $225.00 to $250.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a report on Wednesday, July 24th. Royal Bank of Canada increased their price target on shares of Danaher from $297.00 to $300.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 24th. Jefferies Financial Group started coverage on Danaher in a report on Monday, June 3rd. They issued a buy rating and a $295.00 target price for the company. Leerink Partners lifted their target price on shares of Danaher from $275.00 to $280.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Wednesday, July 24th. Finally, StockNews.com downgraded shares of Danaher from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Tuesday, June 25th. Seven analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eleven have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, Danaher has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $278.94.

View Our Latest Research Report on DHR

Danaher Trading Up 0.9 %

Shares of NYSE DHR traded up $2.29 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $269.31. The stock had a trading volume of 4,600,180 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,915,256. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.33, a current ratio of 1.43 and a quick ratio of 1.04. Danaher Co. has a fifty-two week low of $182.09 and a fifty-two week high of $281.70. The firm has a market cap of $194.50 billion, a P/E ratio of 45.65, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 4.43 and a beta of 0.83. The companys 50-day simple moving average is $260.05 and its 200 day simple moving average is $255.19.

Danaher (NYSE:DHR  Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, July 23rd. The conglomerate reported $1.72 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.57 by $0.15. Danaher had a net margin of 16.94% and a return on equity of 11.06%. The company had revenue of $5.74 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $5.59 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $2.05 EPS. The companys revenue was down 2.9% compared to the same quarter last year. Research analysts anticipate that Danaher Co. will post 7.59 EPS for the current year.

Danaher Company Profile

(Free Report)

Danaher Corporation designs, manufactures, and markets professional, medical, industrial, and commercial products and services worldwide. The Biotechnology segments offers bioprocess technologies, consumables, and services that advance, accelerate, and integrate the development and manufacture of therapeutics; cell line and cell culture media development services; cell culture media, process liquids and buffers for manufacturing, chromatography resins, filtration technologies, aseptic fill finish; single-use hardware and consumables and services, such as the design and installation of full manufacturing suites; lab filtration, separation, and purification; lab-scale protein purification and analytical tools; reagents, membranes, and services; and healthcare filtration solutions.

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National Bank of Canada (TSE:NA  Free Report) had its price target hoisted by Royal Bank of Canada from C$113.00 to C$116.00 in a research note issued to investors on Thursday, BayStreet.CA reports.

Other equities research analysts have also issued reports about the stock. TD Securities raised their price objective on shares of National Bank of Canada from C$123.00 to C$129.00 in a report on Thursday. Jefferies Financial Group reduced their price objective on shares of National Bank of Canada from C$121.00 to C$119.00 and set a hold rating on the stock in a report on Monday, August 12th. CIBC reduced their price objective on shares of National Bank of Canada from C$124.00 to C$122.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, August 20th. Scotiabank raised their price objective on shares of National Bank of Canada from C$120.00 to C$129.00 in a report on Thursday. Finally, BMO Capital Markets reduced their price objective on shares of National Bank of Canada from C$121.00 to C$115.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, June 18th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have issued a hold rating and four have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of C$121.33.

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View Our Latest Research Report on National Bank of Canada

National Bank of Canada Stock Down 0.4 %

National Bank of Canada stock opened at C$123.49 on Thursday. The firm has a market cap of C$42.03 billion, a PE ratio of 12.02, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 17.04 and a beta of 1.13. National Bank of Canada has a 52-week low of C$84.27 and a 52-week high of C$127.22. The companys 50 day moving average is C$113.71 and its two-hundred day moving average is C$112.15.

National Bank of Canada (TSE:NA  Get Free Report) last released its earnings results 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 company 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 net margin of 34.50% and a return on equity of 15.18%. On average, equities research analysts anticipate that National Bank of Canada will post 10.4784081 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

National Bank of Canada Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, November 1st. Shareholders 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 yield of 3.56%. National Bank of Canadas dividend payout ratio is presently 42.84%.

Insider Buying and Selling at National Bank of Canada

In other National Bank of Canada news, Senior Officer Lucie Blanchet sold 8,800 shares of National Bank of Canada 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. In other news, Senior Officer Lucie Blanchet sold 8,800 shares of National Bank of Canada stock in a transaction dated Thursday, June 20th. The shares were sold at an average price of C$107.59, for a total value of C$946,792.00. Also, Director Yvon Charest bought 325 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, August 19th. The stock was purchased at an average cost of C$117.24 per share, for a total transaction of C$38,103.00. 0.21% of the stock is currently owned by company 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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Telos Capital Management Inc. lifted its position in Prologis, Inc. (NYSE:PLD  Free Report) by 14.4% during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 8,873 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock after acquiring an additional 1,118 shares during the period. Telos Capital Management Inc.s holdings in Prologis were worth $996,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Other hedge funds have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Vanguard Group Inc. grew its position in Prologis by 1.2% during the 1st quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 120,945,384 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $15,749,508,000 after purchasing an additional 1,460,229 shares during the period. Valeo Financial Advisors LLC grew its position in shares of Prologis by 182,067.2% during the 1st quarter. Valeo Financial Advisors LLC now owns 48,877,279 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $6,364,799,000 after acquiring an additional 48,850,448 shares during the period. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD grew its position in shares of Prologis by 3.0% during the 4th quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 12,532,773 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $1,670,621,000 after acquiring an additional 365,904 shares during the period. Principal Financial Group Inc. grew its position in shares of Prologis by 1.0% during the 4th quarter. Principal Financial Group Inc. now owns 12,325,559 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $1,642,997,000 after acquiring an additional 123,902 shares during the period. Finally, Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. grew its position in shares of Prologis by 1.9% during the 4th quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 9,519,818 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $1,268,992,000 after acquiring an additional 175,276 shares during the period. 93.50% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Insider Transactions at Prologis

In other news, CIO Joseph Ghazal sold 5,200 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, August 23rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $129.07, for a total transaction of $671,164.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive now owns 13,187 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,702,046.09. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Insiders own 0.50% of the companys stock.

Prologis Trading Up 2.0 %

Shares of NYSE PLD traded up $2.49 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $127.82. 3,618,100 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 2,840,916. The company has a 50 day simple moving average of $121.00 and a 200 day simple moving average of $119.10. The stock has a market capitalization of $118.35 billion, a P/E ratio of 37.37, a PEG ratio of 3.28 and a beta of 1.06. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.52, a quick ratio of 0.36 and a current ratio of 0.36. Prologis, Inc. has a twelve month low of $96.64 and a twelve month high of $137.52.

Prologis (NYSE:PLD  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, July 17th. The real estate investment trust reported $0.92 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $1.33 by ($0.41). The firm had revenue of $2.01 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.86 billion. Prologis had a return on equity of 4.88% and a net margin of 36.37%. The firms quarterly revenue was down 18.1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned $1.83 EPS. As a group, equities analysts expect that Prologis, Inc. will post 5.42 earnings per share for the current year.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of equities research analysts have recently commented on PLD shares. Royal Bank of Canada cut Prologis from an outperform rating to a sector perform rating and raised their target price for the company from $124.00 to $127.00 in a research report on Monday, August 5th. Bank of America restated a neutral rating and set a $128.00 target price on shares of Prologis in a research report on Monday, August 12th. Evercore ISI raised their target price on Prologis from $122.00 to $124.00 and gave the company an in-line rating in a research report on Wednesday. Truist Financial raised their price target on shares of Prologis from $125.00 to $137.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Monday, August 5th. Finally, BMO Capital Markets reaffirmed a market perform rating and issued a $115.00 price target on shares of Prologis in a research note on Monday, July 15th. Seven equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, ten have issued a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Prologis currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $133.12.

Read Our Latest Research Report on PLD

Prologis Company Profile

(Free Report)

Prologis, Inc is the global leader in logistics real estate with a focus on high-barrier, high-growth markets. At March 31, 2024, the company owned or had investments in, on a wholly owned basis or through co-investment ventures, properties and development projects expected to total approximately 1.2 billion square feet (115 million square meters) in 19 countries.

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Sage Mountain Advisors LLC boosted its position in The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (NYSE:GS  Free Report) by 13.6% in the second quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The firm owned 1,670 shares of the investment management companys stock after buying an additional 200 shares during the quarter. Sage Mountain Advisors LLCs holdings in The Goldman Sachs Group were worth $755,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. First Personal Financial Services bought a new position in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group during the 1st quarter valued at approximately $25,000. First United Bank & Trust bought a new position in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $26,000. POM Investment Strategies LLC bought a new position in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $26,000. Versant Capital Management Inc grew its position in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group by 106.3% during the 1st quarter. Versant Capital Management Inc now owns 66 shares of the investment management companys stock valued at $28,000 after acquiring an additional 34 shares during the period. Finally, SJS Investment Consulting Inc. grew its position in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group by 103.3% during the 2nd quarter. SJS Investment Consulting Inc. now owns 61 shares of the investment management companys stock valued at $28,000 after acquiring an additional 31 shares during the period. 71.21% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

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Insiders Place Their Bets

In other The Goldman Sachs Group news, insider Brian J. Lee sold 3,500 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Tuesday, July 16th. The shares were sold at an average price of $505.99, for a total value of $1,770,965.00. Following the sale, the insider now owns 12,095 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $6,119,949.05. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. In other news, Director Thomas K. Montag sold 10,000 shares of The Goldman Sachs Group stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, July 16th. The shares were sold at an average price of $505.04, for a total transaction of $5,050,400.00. Following the sale, the director now owns 12,450 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $6,287,748. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, insider Brian J. Lee sold 3,500 shares of The Goldman Sachs Group stock in a transaction dated 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 directly owns 12,095 shares in the company, valued at approximately $6,119,949.05. 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 quarter. Insiders own 0.54% of the companys stock.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research analysts have recently weighed in on the stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their target price on shares of The Goldman Sachs Group from $461.00 to $464.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Tuesday, July 16th. Evercore ISI raised their price objective on shares of The Goldman Sachs Group from $475.00 to $520.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Tuesday, July 16th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods raised their price objective on shares of The Goldman Sachs Group from $485.00 to $520.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Thursday, June 27th. Oppenheimer raised their price objective on shares of The Goldman Sachs Group from $504.00 to $559.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Tuesday, July 16th. Finally, Barclays raised their price objective on shares of The Goldman Sachs Group from $493.00 to $565.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Tuesday, July 16th. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and fourteen have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, The Goldman Sachs Group currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $495.94.

Check Out Our Latest Report on GS

The Goldman Sachs Group Price Performance

GS stock opened at $510.25 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.20, a quick ratio of 0.72 and a current ratio of 0.72. The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. has a 52 week low of $289.36 and a 52 week high of $517.26. The firms fifty day moving average is $485.69 and its 200 day moving average is $444.43. The firm has a market cap of $161.14 billion, a P/E ratio of 19.92, a P/E/G ratio of 0.79 and a beta of 1.37.

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 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $8.52 by $0.10. The Goldman Sachs Group had a net margin of 9.36% and a return on equity of 10.56%. The company had revenue of $12.73 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $12.60 billion. Research analysts predict that The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. will post 35.07 earnings per share for the current year.

The Goldman Sachs Group Increases Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, September 27th. Shareholders of record on Friday, August 30th will be issued a $3.00 dividend. This represents a $12.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.35%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, August 30th. This is a positive change from The Goldman Sachs Groups previous quarterly dividend of $2.75. The Goldman Sachs Groups dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 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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SeaBridge Investment Advisors LLC trimmed its holdings in Oracle Co. (NYSE:ORCL  Free Report) by 2.9% in the second quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The fund owned 13,802 shares of the enterprise software providers stock after selling 419 shares during the period. SeaBridge Investment Advisors LLCs holdings in Oracle were worth $1,949,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Auxano Advisors LLC grew its stake in shares of Oracle by 2.9% in the second quarter. Auxano Advisors LLC now owns 11,305 shares of the enterprise software providers stock worth $1,596,000 after purchasing an additional 319 shares during the last quarter. Claro Advisors LLC increased its stake in shares of Oracle by 2.5% during the second quarter. Claro Advisors LLC now owns 17,235 shares of the enterprise software providers stock valued at $2,434,000 after buying an additional 426 shares during the period. Summit Financial LLC raised its holdings in shares of Oracle by 95.3% during the second quarter. Summit Financial LLC now owns 33,230 shares of the enterprise software providers stock valued at $4,692,000 after acquiring an additional 16,219 shares in the last quarter. Montag A & Associates Inc. lifted its stake in Oracle by 2.2% in the second quarter. Montag A & Associates Inc. now owns 28,616 shares of the enterprise software providers stock worth $4,041,000 after acquiring an additional 610 shares during the period. Finally, Interchange Capital Partners LLC boosted its holdings in Oracle by 193.5% in the second quarter. Interchange Capital Partners LLC now owns 6,809 shares of the enterprise software providers stock valued at $961,000 after acquiring an additional 4,489 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 42.44% of the companys stock.

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Oracle Trading Up 1.3 %

Shares of NYSE:ORCL traded up $1.87 during trading on Friday, hitting $141.29. The company had a trading volume of 7,980,679 shares, compared to its average volume of 5,303,795. The company has a fifty day simple moving average of $138.57 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $127.44. Oracle Co. has a one year low of $99.26 and a one year high of $146.59. 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 2.55 and a beta of 1.02. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 8.25, a current ratio of 0.71 and a quick ratio of 0.72.

Oracle Announces Dividend

Oracle ( NYSE:ORCL Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, June 11th. The enterprise software provider reported $1.63 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.65 by ($0.02). Oracle had a net margin of 19.76% and a return on equity of 223.01%. The firm had revenue of $14.29 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $14.57 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $1.35 earnings per share. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 3.3% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, equities analysts forecast that Oracle Co. will post 5.02 earnings per share for the current year.

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, July 25th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, July 11th were issued a $0.40 dividend. This represents a $1.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.13%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, July 11th. Oracles payout ratio is presently 43.13%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

ORCL has been the topic of a number of research reports. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft lifted their target price on shares of Oracle from $150.00 to $165.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Monday, June 17th. Evercore ISI upped their target price on Oracle from $145.00 to $160.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Wednesday, June 12th. TD Cowen raised their target price on Oracle from $145.00 to $165.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, June 12th. Morgan Stanley reiterated an equal weight rating and issued a $125.00 price objective on shares of Oracle in a report on Tuesday, June 25th. Finally, BMO Capital Markets boosted their target price on shares of Oracle from $142.00 to $160.00 and gave the company a market perform rating in a report on Monday, June 17th. Fourteen investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seventeen have issued a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Oracle has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $145.83.

View Our Latest Stock Report on ORCL

Insider Buying and Selling

In other news, Director Leon E. Panetta sold 15,000 shares of Oracle stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, July 18th. The shares were sold at an average price of $137.89, for a total transaction of $2,068,350.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director now owns 58,090 shares of the companys stock, valued at $8,010,030.10. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. In other news, insider Edward Screven sold 37,221 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, June 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $140.19, for a total value of $5,218,011.99. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now owns 2,626,764 shares in the company, valued at approximately $368,246,045.16. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at 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 transaction of $2,068,350.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 58,090 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $8,010,030.10. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 1,862,500 shares of company stock valued at $266,776,624 in the last 90 days. Company insiders own 42.80% of the companys stock.

Oracle 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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Spire Wealth Management lessened its stake in Philip Morris International Inc. (NYSE:PM  Free Report) by 12.8% during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 18,311 shares of the companys stock after selling 2,696 shares during the quarter. Spire Wealth Managements holdings in Philip Morris International were worth $1,855,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of PM. Iron Horse Wealth Management LLC raised its position in shares of Philip Morris International by 684.4% during the 2nd quarter. Iron Horse Wealth Management LLC now owns 251 shares of the companys stock valued at $25,000 after buying 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 first 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 during the period. Fortitude Family Office LLC boosted its stake in shares of Philip Morris International by 57.4% during the 2nd quarter. Fortitude Family Office LLC now owns 318 shares of the companys stock worth $32,000 after purchasing an additional 116 shares during the period. Northwest Financial Advisors purchased a new stake in Philip Morris International in the 4th quarter worth about $33,000. Finally, Olistico Wealth LLC bought a new stake in Philip Morris International in the second quarter worth about $34,000. 78.63% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, insider Wilde Frederic De sold 20,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction 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 completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 158,447 shares of the companys stock, valued at $17,906,095.47. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. In related news, insider Wilde Frederic De sold 20,000 shares of Philip Morris International stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, July 25th. The stock was sold at an average price of $113.01, for a total transaction of $2,260,200.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now directly owns 158,447 shares in the company, valued at $17,906,095.47. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, 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 value 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 disclosure for this sale can be found here. 0.13% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of equities research analysts recently weighed in on PM shares. StockNews.com upgraded shares of Philip Morris International from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Monday, July 22nd. Bank of America boosted their price target on Philip Morris International from $110.00 to $118.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, July 24th. Stifel Nicolaus raised their price objective on Philip Morris International from $115.00 to $120.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, July 24th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their target price on Philip Morris International from $110.00 to $125.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Thursday, July 25th. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft raised their price target on Philip Morris International from $116.00 to $118.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, July 25th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have issued a hold rating and eight have assigned 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 $109.80.

View Our Latest Research Report on Philip Morris International

Philip Morris International Price Performance

Philip Morris International stock traded up $0.74 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $123.29. The companys stock had a trading volume of 5,602,949 shares, compared to its average volume of 4,567,073. The stock has a market capitalization of $191.69 billion, a P/E ratio of 24.08, a PEG ratio of 2.41 and a beta of 0.58. The stocks 50-day simple moving average is $111.52 and its 200-day simple moving average is $101.06. Philip Morris International Inc. has a 52-week low of $87.23 and a 52-week high of $123.45.

Philip Morris International (NYSE:PM  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results 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 analyst estimates of $9.19 billion. Philip Morris International had a net margin of 9.41% and a negative return on equity of 113.32%. Philip Morris Internationals revenue for the quarter was up 5.6% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $1.60 EPS. As a group, equities research analysts expect that Philip Morris International Inc. will post 6.45 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Philip Morris International Dividend Announcement

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, July 8th. Investors of record on Friday, June 21st were given a $1.30 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, June 21st. This represents a $5.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 4.22%. Philip Morris Internationals dividend payout ratio is currently 101.56%.

Philip Morris International Profile

(Free Report)

Philip Morris International Inc operates as a tobacco company working to delivers a smoke-free future and evolving portfolio for the long-term to include products outside of the tobacco and nicotine sector. The company's product portfolio primarily consists of cigarettes and smoke-free products, including heat-not-burn, vapor, and oral nicotine products primarily under the IQOS and ZYN brands; and consumer accessories, such as lighters and matches.

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Spire Wealth Management reduced its stake in The Southern Company (NYSE:SO  Free Report) by 7.0% during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 13,157 shares of the utilities providers stock after selling 997 shares during the quarter. Spire Wealth Managements holdings in Southern were worth $1,021,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Vanguard Group Inc. grew its position in shares of Southern by 0.5% during the 1st quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 100,089,634 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $7,180,430,000 after purchasing an additional 481,071 shares in the last quarter. Capital International Investors grew its position in Southern by 45.9% during the first quarter. Capital International Investors now owns 23,994,733 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $1,721,382,000 after buying an additional 7,550,570 shares in the last quarter. Norges Bank bought a new position in Southern during the 4th quarter worth $631,068,000. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. raised its holdings in Southern by 1.9% in the 4th quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 6,089,460 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $426,993,000 after acquiring an additional 111,311 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Wellington Management Group LLP lifted its position in shares of Southern by 36.0% during the 4th quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 3,529,052 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $247,457,000 after acquiring an additional 934,447 shares during the period. 64.10% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Southern Trading Up 0.7 %

NYSE SO traded up $0.60 on Friday, reaching $86.40. The company had a trading volume of 4,137,355 shares, compared to its average volume of 4,204,716. The firm has a market cap of $94.47 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 22.33, a P/E/G ratio of 3.10 and a beta of 0.51. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.66, a current ratio of 0.91 and a quick ratio of 0.66. The Southern Company has a fifty-two week low of $61.56 and a fifty-two week high of $89.68. The business has a 50 day moving average of $82.97 and a two-hundred day moving average of $76.58.

Southern Announces Dividend

Southern ( NYSE:SO Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, August 1st. The utilities provider reported $1.10 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.91 by $0.19. Southern had a return on equity of 12.88% and a net margin of 17.67%. The company had revenue of $6.46 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.10 billion. During the same period last year, the company earned $0.79 earnings per share. The firms revenue was up 12.4% compared to the same quarter last year. Analysts forecast that The Southern Company will post 4.02 EPS for the current year.

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, September 6th. Stockholders of record on Monday, August 19th will be given a dividend of $0.72 per share. This represents a $2.88 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.33%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, August 19th. Southerns dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 74.42%.

Insider Activity at Southern

In related news, EVP Sterling A. Jr. Spainhour sold 2,380 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Monday, August 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $88.99, for a total transaction of $211,796.20. Following the sale, the executive vice president now owns 12,500 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,112,375. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In related news, EVP Sterling A. Jr. Spainhour sold 2,380 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Monday, August 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $88.99, for a total transaction of $211,796.20. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 12,500 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,112,375. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, EVP Sloane N. Drake sold 12,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Wednesday, July 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $77.61, for a total transaction of $931,320.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now owns 16,771 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,301,597.31. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold a total of 21,280 shares of company stock worth $1,678,625 over the last quarter. Company insiders own 0.18% of the companys stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of research analysts recently commented on SO shares. Barclays boosted their price target on Southern from $66.00 to $71.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research note on Tuesday, July 9th. Wolfe Research downgraded shares of Southern from an outperform rating to a peer perform rating in a report on Friday, August 2nd. BMO Capital Markets lifted their price objective on shares of Southern from $87.00 to $94.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Friday, August 2nd. Argus boosted their price objective on shares of Southern from $75.00 to $90.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, May 15th. Finally, Scotiabank raised their target price on Southern from $87.00 to $96.00 and gave the company a sector outperform rating in a report on Tuesday, August 20th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have given a hold rating and seven have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $83.71.

Read Our Latest Report on Southern

About Southern

(Free Report)

The Southern Company, through its subsidiaries, engages in the generation, transmission, and distribution of electricity. The company also develops, constructs, acquires, owns, and manages power generation assets, including renewable energy projects and sells electricity in the wholesale market; and distributes natural gas in Illinois, Georgia, Virginia, and Tennessee, as well as provides gas marketing services, gas distribution operations, and gas pipeline investments operations.

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StockNews.com initiated coverage on shares of Barnwell Industries (NYSE:BRN  Free Report) in a research report sent to investors on Friday morning. The firm issued a hold rating on the stock.

Barnwell Industries Stock Performance

NYSE:BRN opened at $2.52 on Friday. The company has a fifty day moving average of $2.32 and a two-hundred day moving average of $2.48. The stock has a market capitalization of $25.27 million, a PE ratio of -7.64 and a beta of 0.15. Barnwell Industries has a fifty-two week low of $2.06 and a fifty-two week high of $3.20.

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Barnwell Industries (NYSE:BRN  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, August 13th. The company reported ($0.12) earnings per share for the quarter. The company had revenue of $5.53 million for the quarter. Barnwell Industries had a negative return on equity of 22.12% and a negative net margin of 15.55%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Barnwell Industries

About Barnwell Industries

A hedge fund recently raised its stake in Barnwell Industries stock. Renaissance Technologies LLC raised its holdings in shares of Barnwell Industries, Inc. ( NYSE:BRN Free Report ) by 1.9% in the second quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 355,534 shares of the companys stock after buying an additional 6,612 shares during the quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC owned about 3.55% of Barnwell Industries worth $836,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. 40.71% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

(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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Summit Financial LLC increased its position in United Rentals, Inc. (NYSE:URI  Free Report) by 15.8% in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 9,707 shares of the construction companys stock after buying an additional 1,328 shares during the quarter. Summit Financial LLCs holdings in United Rentals were worth $6,278,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

A number of other large investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the business. First Financial Corp IN acquired a new position in United Rentals in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $25,000. Crewe Advisors LLC bought a new position in United Rentals during the 1st quarter worth $27,000. RFP Financial Group LLC lifted its holdings in United Rentals by 115.8% during the 2nd quarter. RFP Financial Group LLC now owns 41 shares of the construction companys stock worth $27,000 after buying an additional 22 shares during the period. Rise Advisors LLC bought a new stake in shares of United Rentals in the 1st quarter valued at about $28,000. Finally, Riverview Trust Co acquired a new stake in shares of United Rentals in the first quarter valued at about $31,000. Institutional investors own 96.26% of the companys stock.

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Insiders Place Their Bets

In other United Rentals news, SVP Joli L. Gross sold 360 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, August 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $690.00, for a total value of $248,400.00. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president now owns 4,090 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,822,100. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this link. Insiders own 0.53% of the companys stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of analysts have weighed in on URI shares. Citigroup started coverage on shares of United Rentals in a research report on Wednesday, June 26th. They set a buy rating and a $745.00 target price for the company. Truist Financial lifted their target price on shares of United Rentals from $785.00 to $873.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Friday, July 26th. Evercore ISI upped their price target on shares of United Rentals from $774.00 to $795.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Monday, August 19th. Raymond James began coverage on United Rentals in a research report on Friday, June 28th. They issued an outperform rating and a $750.00 price objective for the company. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group upped their target price on United Rentals from $790.00 to $905.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Friday, July 26th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, five have assigned a hold rating and eight have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $675.15.

Read Our Latest Research Report on United Rentals

United Rentals Stock Up 1.7 %

URI stock traded up $12.52 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $741.26. 338,023 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 390,089. The company has a quick ratio of 0.76, a current ratio of 0.81 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.39. The firms fifty day moving average price is $696.98 and its 200-day moving average price is $680.97. United Rentals, Inc. has a 52 week low of $387.01 and a 52 week high of $789.80. The company has a market cap of $49.03 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 20.08, a P/E/G ratio of 1.71 and a beta of 1.71.

United Rentals (NYSE:URI  Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, July 24th. The construction company reported $10.70 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $10.48 by $0.22. The company had revenue of $3.77 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $3.77 billion. United Rentals had a net margin of 17.35% and a return on equity of 35.87%. The firms revenue was up 6.2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $9.88 EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts forecast that United Rentals, Inc. will post 44.5 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

United Rentals Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, August 28th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, August 14th were paid a dividend of $1.63 per share. This represents a $6.52 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.88%. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, August 14th. United Rentalss dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 17.66%.

United Rentals Company Profile

(Free Report)

United Rentals, Inc, through its subsidiaries, operates as an equipment rental company. It operates in two segments, General Rentals and Specialty. The General Rentals segment rents general construction and industrial equipment includes backhoes, skid-steer loaders, forklifts, earthmoving equipment, and material handling equipment; aerial work platforms, such as boom and scissor lifts; and general tools and light equipment comprising pressure washers, water pumps, and power tools for construction and industrial companies, manufacturers, utilities, municipalities, homeowners, and government entities.

Further Reading

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Superdry (OTCMKTS:SEPGY  Get Free Report) and Arkema (OTCMKTS:ARKAY  Get Free Report) are both retail/wholesale companies, but which is the better investment? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their dividends, valuation, profitability, earnings, risk, institutional ownership and analyst recommendations.

Profitability

This table compares Superdry and Arkemas net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

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Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Superdry N/A N/A N/A Arkema 3.80% 8.18% 4.30%

Risk and Volatility

Superdry has a beta of 2.4, meaning that its share price is 140% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Arkema has a beta of 1.27, meaning that its share price is 27% more volatile than the S&P 500.

Analyst Recommendations

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Superdry 0 0 0 0 N/A Arkema 0 0 1 0 3.00

This is a breakdown of current ratings and price targets for Superdry and Arkema, as reported by MarketBeat.com.

Valuation and Earnings

This table compares Superdry and Arkemas revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Superdry $655.98 million 0.01 -$177.94 million N/A N/A Arkema $10.30 billion 0.68 $452.40 million $5.06 18.41

Arkema has higher revenue and earnings than Superdry.

Summary

Arkema beats Superdry on 7 of the 8 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Superdry

(Get Free Report)

Superdry plc designs, produces, markets, and sells clothing, footwear, and accessories primarily under the Superdry brand for men and women in the United Kingdom and internationally. It operates through Retail and Wholesale segments. The Company operates through stores, concessions, various Internet sites, multi-brand independents and distributors, franchise, and license stores. It operates 213 owned, and 410 franchised and licensed stores; and 18 international websites. The company was formerly known as SuperGroup Plc and changed its name to Superdry plc in January 2018. Superdry plc was founded in 1985 and is headquartered in Cheltenham, the United Kingdom.

About Arkema

(Get Free Report)

Arkema S.A. manufactures and sells specialty chemicals and advanced materials worldwide. The company operates in three segments: Adhesive Solutions, Advanced Materials and Coating Solutions, and Intermediates. The Adhesive Solutions segment provides solutions for construction, renovation of buildings, DIY, durable goods, and packaging and non-woven applications; and supplies technologies used in building activities for businesses and individuals, including sealants, tiles, flooring adhesives and waterproofing systems, and technologies used in industry, which include automotive, textiles, glazing, flexible and rigid packaging, and hygiene markets. This segment also offers performance polymers, such as specialty polyamides, PVDF, polyimides, fluorospecialties, and polyetherketoneketone; and performance additives which includes molecular sieves, organic peroxides, thiochemicals, and hydrogen peroxide. The Advance Materials and Coating Solutions segment offers coating solutions, including comprising EU/US acrylics and coating resins; coating additives, such as sartomer photocure resins and coatex rheology additives. This segment also provides decorative paints, industrial coatings, and adhesives; and solutions for applications in the paper, superabsorbent, water treatment and oil and gas extraction, and 3D printing and electronics industries. The Intermediates segment provides fluorogases and acrylics; and industrial intermediate chemicals used in construction, refrigeration and air conditioning, automotive, coatings, and water treatment sectors. Arkema S.A. was incorporated in 2003 and is headquartered in Colombes, France.

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Tandem Investment Advisors Inc. grew its stake in Accenture plc (NYSE:ACN  Free Report) by 3.2% during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 247,241 shares of the information technology services providers stock after purchasing an additional 7,664 shares during the period. Accenture comprises approximately 3.0% of Tandem Investment Advisors Inc.s investment portfolio, making the stock its 18th largest holding. Tandem Investment Advisors Inc.s holdings in Accenture were worth $75,015,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of the stock. JPL Wealth Management LLC boosted its position in Accenture by 10.7% in the 2nd quarter. JPL Wealth Management LLC now owns 6,959 shares of the information technology services providers stock worth $2,111,000 after purchasing an additional 675 shares in the last quarter. Valmark Advisers Inc. boosted its position in Accenture by 2.8% in the 2nd quarter. Valmark Advisers Inc. now owns 14,642 shares of the information technology services providers stock worth $4,443,000 after purchasing an additional 404 shares in the last quarter. Obermeyer Wood Investment Counsel Lllp boosted its position in Accenture by 265.1% in the 2nd quarter. Obermeyer Wood Investment Counsel Lllp now owns 6,560 shares of the information technology services providers stock worth $1,990,000 after purchasing an additional 4,763 shares in the last quarter. Auxano Advisors LLC lifted its position in shares of Accenture by 28.1% during the 2nd quarter. Auxano Advisors LLC now owns 2,477 shares of the information technology services providers stock valued at $752,000 after buying an additional 544 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Fairhaven Wealth Management LLC lifted its position in shares of Accenture by 6.2% during the 2nd quarter. Fairhaven Wealth Management LLC now owns 737 shares of the information technology services providers stock valued at $224,000 after buying an additional 43 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 75.14% of the companys stock.

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Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

ACN has been the topic of a number of recent analyst reports. Bank of America decreased their target price on Accenture from $419.00 to $365.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, June 5th. BMO Capital Markets decreased their target price on Accenture from $375.00 to $350.00 and set a market perform rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, June 21st. Barclays decreased their target price on Accenture from $390.00 to $350.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, June 17th. Piper Sandler Companies reduced their price objective on Accenture from $379.00 to $320.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research note on Monday, June 17th. Finally, Piper Sandler reduced their price objective on Accenture from $379.00 to $320.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research note on Monday, June 17th. Eleven research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eleven have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $352.33.

Accenture Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:ACN traded up $1.74 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $341.95. 2,004,144 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,997,440. The firms 50 day simple moving average is $319.98 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $325.26. The stock has a market cap of $214.30 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 31.31, a P/E/G ratio of 3.81 and a beta of 1.23. Accenture plc has a fifty-two week low of $278.69 and a fifty-two week high of $387.51.

Accenture (NYSE:ACN  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, June 20th. The information technology services provider reported $3.13 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $3.15 by ($0.02). The business had revenue of $16.47 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $16.55 billion. Accenture had a return on equity of 27.48% and a net margin of 10.79%. The firms revenue for the quarter was down .6% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the business posted $3.19 earnings per share. Equities research analysts predict that Accenture plc will post 11.95 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Accenture Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced 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 of this dividend was Thursday, July 11th. Accentures dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 47.25%.

Insider Activity at Accenture

In other news, CEO Julie Spellman Sweet sold 3,776 shares of Accenture stock in a transaction dated Friday, July 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $309.05, for a total value of $1,166,972.80. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 11,819 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,652,661.95. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. In other Accenture news, General Counsel Joel Unruch sold 8,145 shares of Accenture stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, July 22nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $331.05, for a total transaction of $2,696,402.25. Following the transaction, the general counsel now owns 22,849 shares of the companys stock, valued at $7,564,161.45. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. Also, CEO Julie Spellman Sweet sold 3,776 shares of Accenture stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, July 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $309.05, for a total value of $1,166,972.80. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 11,819 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,652,661.95. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 21,421 shares of company stock worth $6,912,635 in the last three months. 0.07% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Accenture Profile

(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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Telos Capital Management Inc. increased its holdings in iShares Russell Mid-Cap Value ETF (NYSEARCA:IWS  Free Report) by 0.6% in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 17,461 shares of the companys stock after buying an additional 101 shares during the period. Telos Capital Management Inc.s holdings in iShares Russell Mid-Cap Value ETF were worth $2,108,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of IWS. BCGM Wealth Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of iShares Russell Mid-Cap Value ETF during the 4th quarter valued at $308,000. STAR Financial Bank raised its position in shares of iShares Russell Mid-Cap Value ETF by 3.9% during the 4th quarter. STAR Financial Bank now owns 19,059 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,216,000 after buying an additional 723 shares in the last quarter. Envestnet Portfolio Solutions Inc. raised its position in shares of iShares Russell Mid-Cap Value ETF by 29.5% during the 4th quarter. Envestnet Portfolio Solutions Inc. now owns 3,127,508 shares of the companys stock valued at $363,698,000 after buying an additional 712,662 shares in the last quarter. Ieq Capital LLC raised its position in iShares Russell Mid-Cap Value ETF by 13.5% in the 4th quarter. Ieq Capital LLC now owns 5,962 shares of the companys stock worth $693,000 after purchasing an additional 707 shares during the period. Finally, Cassady Schiller Wealth Management LLC raised its position in iShares Russell Mid-Cap Value ETF by 16.5% in the 4th quarter. Cassady Schiller Wealth Management LLC now owns 743 shares of the companys stock worth $86,000 after purchasing an additional 105 shares during the period.

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iShares Russell Mid-Cap Value ETF Stock Performance

NYSEARCA:IWS traded up $0.96 during trading hours on Friday, reaching $130.41. The companys stock had a trading volume of 154,453 shares, compared to its average volume of 433,569. The firm has a market capitalization of $13.65 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 17.15 and a beta of 0.97. The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of $124.41 and a 200-day simple moving average of $122.36. iShares Russell Mid-Cap Value ETF has a 1 year low of $97.40 and a 1 year high of $130.50.

iShares Russell Mid-Cap Value ETF Company Profile

iShares Russell Mid-Cap Value ETF (the Fund), formerly iShares Russell Midcap Value Index Fund, is an exchange-traded fund (ETF). The Fund seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance of the Russell Midcap Value Index (the Value Index). The Value Index measures the performance of the mid-capitalization value sector of the United States equity market.

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Valmark Advisers Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF (BATS:EFG  Free Report) by 15.7% during the 2nd quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The firm owned 49,737 shares of the companys stock after purchasing an additional 6,755 shares during the quarter. Valmark Advisers Inc.s holdings in iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF were worth $5,088,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in EFG. Riverview Trust Co acquired a new position in iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF in the first quarter worth about $26,000. LifeSteps Financial Inc. bought a new position in iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF during the 1st quarter worth approximately $27,000. Atlantic Edge Private Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF in the 4th quarter worth approximately $33,000. Harbor Investment Advisory LLC grew its position in shares of iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF by 44.6% in the 1st quarter. Harbor Investment Advisory LLC now owns 389 shares of the companys stock worth $40,000 after acquiring an additional 120 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Janiczek Wealth Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $40,000.

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iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF Price Performance

EFG traded up $0.28 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $107.46. 229,301 shares of the stock were exchanged. The stock has a market cap of $12.64 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 24.36 and a beta of 0.97. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $103.12 and a 200-day simple moving average of $102.63. iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF has a 12 month low of $67.58 and a 12 month high of $85.81.

About iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF

iShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF (the Fund), formerly iShares MSCI EAFE Growth 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 Growth Index (the 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.

Further Reading

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Van ECK Associates Corp decreased its holdings in Canadian Pacific Kansas City Limited (NYSE:CP  Free Report) (TSE:CP) by 0.8% during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 255,015 shares of the transportation companys stock after selling 2,016 shares during the quarter. Van ECK Associates Corps holdings in Canadian Pacific Kansas City were worth $20,085,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other large investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in CP. Norges Bank bought a new position in Canadian Pacific Kansas City in the 4th quarter valued at about $979,890,000. TD Asset Management Inc lifted its position in Canadian Pacific Kansas City by 47.7% in the 4th quarter. TD Asset Management Inc now owns 21,170,926 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $1,682,256,000 after acquiring an additional 6,835,271 shares in the last quarter. DZ BANK AG Deutsche Zentral Genossenschafts Bank Frankfurt am Main lifted its position in Canadian Pacific Kansas City by 757.9% in the 4th quarter. DZ BANK AG Deutsche Zentral Genossenschafts Bank Frankfurt am Main now owns 4,303,549 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $342,191,000 after acquiring an additional 3,801,910 shares in the last quarter. Meritage Group LP bought a new position in Canadian Pacific Kansas City in the 4th quarter valued at about $207,850,000. Finally, Mirova US LLC bought a new position in Canadian Pacific Kansas City in the 2nd quarter valued at about $168,063,000. Institutional investors own 72.20% of the companys stock.

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Canadian Pacific Kansas City Stock Performance

Canadian Pacific Kansas City stock traded up $0.63 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $82.94. The companys stock had a trading volume of 1,561,756 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,629,845. Canadian Pacific Kansas City Limited has a 12-month low of $68.92 and a 12-month high of $91.58. The company has a market capitalization of $77.39 billion, a P/E ratio of 26.58, a PEG ratio of 2.36 and a beta of 0.96. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.42, a quick ratio of 0.44 and a current ratio of 0.51. The firms fifty day moving average price is $80.62 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $82.58.

Canadian Pacific Kansas City Cuts Dividend

Canadian Pacific Kansas City ( NYSE:CP Get Free Report ) (TSE:CP) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, July 30th. The transportation company reported $1.05 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.74 by $0.31. Canadian Pacific Kansas City had a net margin of 24.45% and a return on equity of 8.77%. The business had revenue of $3.60 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $3.58 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $0.62 EPS. Canadian Pacific Kansas Citys revenue was up 13.5% compared to the same quarter last year. Sell-side analysts predict that Canadian Pacific Kansas City Limited will post 3.09 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, October 28th. Shareholders of record on Friday, September 27th will be issued a $0.1373 dividend. This represents a $0.55 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.66%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, September 27th. Canadian Pacific Kansas Citys payout ratio is 17.31%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

CP has been the topic of several recent analyst reports. Stifel Nicolaus lifted their target price on shares of Canadian Pacific Kansas City from $82.00 to $83.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a research report on Wednesday, July 17th. Scotiabank raised shares of Canadian Pacific Kansas City from a sector perform rating to a sector outperform rating in a research report on Wednesday, July 10th. Sanford C. Bernstein lifted their target price on shares of Canadian Pacific Kansas City from $88.50 to $89.06 and gave the stock a market perform rating in a research report on Monday, July 8th. Susquehanna reissued a neutral rating and set a $80.00 target price on shares of Canadian Pacific Kansas City in a research report on Wednesday, July 31st. Finally, Barclays dropped their target price on shares of Canadian Pacific Kansas City from $96.00 to $95.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, July 16th. Ten investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and twelve have given a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $96.56.

Get Our Latest Stock Analysis on Canadian Pacific Kansas City

Canadian Pacific Kansas City Profile

(Free Report)

Canadian Pacific Kansas City Limited, together with its subsidiaries, owns and operates a transcontinental freight railway in Canada, the United States, and Mexico. The company transports bulk commodities, including grain, coal, potash, fertilizers, and sulphur; merchandise freight, such as forest products, energy, chemicals and plastics, metals, minerals, consumer products, and automotive; and intermodal traffic comprising retail goods in overseas containers.

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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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ALS (OTCMKTS:CPBLF  Get Free Report) and Booz Allen Hamilton (NYSE:BAH  Get Free Report) are both industrials companies, but which is the better investment? We will contrast the two businesses based on the strength of their risk, earnings, analyst recommendations, dividends, profitability, institutional ownership and valuation.

Analyst Recommendations

This is a breakdown of recent ratings and recommmendations for ALS and Booz Allen Hamilton, as reported by MarketBeat.com.

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Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score ALS 0 0 0 0 N/A Booz Allen Hamilton 1 2 7 0 2.60

Booz Allen Hamilton has a consensus target price of $156.56, indicating a potential downside of 1.40%. Given Booz Allen Hamiltons higher possible upside, analysts plainly believe Booz Allen Hamilton is more favorable than ALS.

Dividends

Profitability

ALS pays an annual dividend of $0.39 per share and has a dividend yield of 4.6%. Booz Allen Hamilton pays an annual dividend of $2.04 per share and has a dividend yield of 1.3%. ALS pays out 134.9% of its earnings in the form of a dividend, suggesting it may not have sufficient earnings to cover its dividend payment in the future. Booz Allen Hamilton pays out 44.3% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Booz Allen Hamilton has raised its dividend for 13 consecutive years.

This table compares ALS and Booz Allen Hamiltons net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets ALS N/A N/A N/A Booz Allen Hamilton 5.57% 65.80% 10.51%

Institutional and Insider Ownership

23.2% of ALS shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 91.8% of Booz Allen Hamilton shares are held by institutional investors. 1.6% of Booz Allen Hamilton shares are held by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, endowments and large money managers believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term.

Valuation and Earnings

This table compares ALS and Booz Allen Hamiltons gross revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio ALS N/A N/A N/A $0.29 29.44 Booz Allen Hamilton $10.66 billion 1.92 $605.71 million $4.60 34.52

Booz Allen Hamilton has higher revenue and earnings than ALS. ALS is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Booz Allen Hamilton, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Summary

Booz Allen Hamilton beats ALS on 12 of the 13 factors compared between the two stocks.

About ALS

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ALS Limited provides professional technical services primarily in the areas of testing, measurement, and inspection in Africa, Asia/Pacific, Europe, the Middle East, and the Americas. It operates in two segments, Commodities and Life Sciences. The Commodities segment offers assaying and analytical testing, and metallurgical services for the mining and mineral exploration companies. Its testing and consulting services cover the resource life cycle, including exploration, feasibility, optimization, production, design, development, trade, and rehabilitation. This segment also provides coal sampling, analysis and certification, formation evaluation, and related analytical testing services. The Life Sciences segment offers analytical testing and sampling, and remote monitoring services for the environmental, food, pharmaceutical, and consumer products markets; and microbiological, physical, and chemical testing services. This segment provides analytical testing data to assist consulting and engineering firms, industries, and governments. ALS Limited was founded in 1863 and is headquartered in Brisbane, Australia.

About Booz Allen Hamilton

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Booz Allen Hamilton Holding Corporation provides management and technology consulting, analytics, engineering, digital solutions, mission operations, and cyber services to governments, corporations, and not-for-profit organizations in the United States and internationally. It focuses on artificial intelligence services comprising of machine learning, predictive modeling, automation and decision analytics, and quantum computing. The company offers artificial intelligence, machine learning, and computer network related operations. In addition, it provides data science, engineering, visualization, and analysis related capabilities. Further, the company engages in user experience, user interface, graphic and web design, design thinking, sketching, and digital product design capabilities. Additionally, it architects and engineers help accelerate, scale, secure, and transform mission and business outcomes using the technologies and partner offering; offers software engineering in agile practices, DevSecOps, automation and Cloud, and Low/No Code Platform engineering; systems and digital engineering; and tech strategy and product management. Booz Allen Hamilton Holding Corporation was founded in 1914 and is headquartered in McLean, Virginia.

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ASGN Incorporated (NYSE:ASGN  Get Free Report) has been given an average recommendation of Hold by the ten ratings firms that are currently covering the stock, Marketbeat reports. Two analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, three have assigned a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the company. The average 12-month target price among brokers that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $97.22.

Separately, Canaccord Genuity Group reaffirmed a buy rating and set a $115.00 price objective on shares of ASGN in a research report on Thursday, July 25th.

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ASGN Stock Performance

ASGN stock opened at $96.16 on Wednesday. The company has a quick ratio of 2.34, a current ratio of 2.34 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.57. The businesss fifty day simple moving average is $92.36 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $95.72. ASGN has a twelve month low of $76.70 and a twelve month high of $106.42. The firm has a market cap of $4.41 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 22.26, a PEG ratio of 15.63 and a beta of 1.40.

ASGN (NYSE:ASGN  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, July 24th. The business services provider reported $1.36 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.33 by $0.03. ASGN had a return on equity of 14.30% and a net margin of 4.56%. The business had revenue of $1.04 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.05 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $1.59 EPS. The businesss revenue was down 8.5% compared to the same quarter last year. Analysts predict that ASGN will post 5.17 earnings per share for the current year.

Institutional Trading of ASGN

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Argent Capital Management LLC boosted its stake in shares of ASGN by 43.8% in the second quarter. Argent Capital Management LLC now owns 9,417 shares of the business services providers stock worth $830,000 after acquiring an additional 2,868 shares during the last quarter. SG Americas Securities LLC boosted its stake in shares of ASGN by 1,851.6% in the second quarter. SG Americas Securities LLC now owns 19,887 shares of the business services providers stock worth $1,753,000 after acquiring an additional 18,868 shares during the last quarter. LRI Investments LLC acquired a new stake in shares of ASGN in the first quarter worth approximately $154,000. Meadow Creek Wealth Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of ASGN in the first quarter worth approximately $512,000. Finally, Reinhart Partners LLC. boosted its stake in shares of ASGN by 0.9% in the first quarter. Reinhart Partners LLC. now owns 548,300 shares of the business services providers stock worth $57,440,000 after acquiring an additional 4,931 shares during the last quarter. 95.36% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

ASGN Company Profile

(Get Free Report

ASGN Incorporated engages in the provision of information technology (IT) services and solutions in the technology, digital, and creative fields for commercial and government sectors in the United States, Canada, and Europe. It operates through two segments: Commercial and Federal Government. The Commercial Segment provides consulting, creative digital marketing, and permanent placement services primarily to enterprise clients.

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Nabors Industries (NYSE:NBR  Get Free Report) and Archer (OTCMKTS:ARHVF  Get Free Report) are both oils/energy companies, but which is the better investment? We will contrast the two businesses based on the strength of their analyst recommendations, dividends, earnings, profitability, institutional ownership, valuation and risk.

Analyst Recommendations

This is a summary of recent ratings and recommmendations for Nabors Industries and Archer, as reported by MarketBeat.

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Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Nabors Industries 0 4 2 0 2.33 Archer 0 0 0 0 N/A

Nabors Industries presently has a consensus target price of $108.50, suggesting a potential upside of 43.96%. Given Nabors Industries higher probable upside, equities analysts clearly believe Nabors Industries is more favorable than Archer.

Profitability

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Nabors Industries -4.73% -28.10% -3.08% Archer N/A N/A N/A

Valuation and Earnings

This table compares Nabors Industries and Archers net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

This table compares Nabors Industries and Archers revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Nabors Industries $3.05 billion 0.24 -$11.78 million ($13.81) -5.46 Archer N/A N/A N/A ($0.76) -2.91

Archer has lower revenue, but higher earnings than Nabors Industries. Nabors Industries is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Archer, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Insider & Institutional Ownership

81.9% of Nabors Industries shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 10.9% of Archer shares are held by institutional investors. 7.3% of Nabors Industries shares are held by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, endowments and large money managers believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term.

About Nabors Industries

(Get Free Report)

Nabors Industries Ltd. provides drilling and drilling-related services for land-based and offshore oil and natural gas wells in the United States and internationally. The company operates through four segments: U.S. Drilling, International Drilling, Drilling Solutions, and Rig Technologies. It provides tubular running services, including casing and tubing running, and torque monitoring; managed pressure drilling services; and drilling-bit steering systems and rig instrumentation software. The company also offers drilling systems comprising ROCKit, a directional steering control system; SmartNAV, a collaborative guidance and advisory platform; SmartSLIDE, a directional steering control system; and RigCLOUD, a digital infrastructure to integrate applications to deliver real-time insight into operations across the rig fleet. In addition, it operates a fleet of land-based drilling rigs and marketed platforms rigs; manufactures and sells top drives, catwalks, wrenches, drawworks, and other drilling related equipment, such as robotic systems and downhole tools; and provides aftermarket sales and services for the installed base of its equipment. Nabors Industries Ltd. was founded in 1952 and is based in Hamilton, Bermuda.

About Archer

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Archer Limited, together with its subsidiaries, provides various oilfield products and services to the oil and gas industry in Norway, Argentina, the United Kingdom, and internationally. The company operates in three segments: Platform Operations, Well Services, and Land Drilling. It provides oil tools, wireline services, and coil tubing and pumping services, as well as well construction and completion, well intervention and workover, slot recovery, well plug and abandonment, and surface, geothermal, and CCUS applications. It also offers platform drilling, plug and abandonment/decommissioning, modular drilling rigs, and mobile offshore drilling unit management services comprising project management consultancy, engineering and operations, and maintenance to rig owners, investors, and operating companies, as well as drill pipe pool and integrated services. In addition, the company provides engineering services, such as project management, construction and installations, multidiscipline engineering, consulting, and inspection services; and land drilling and directional drilling services. Further, it offers equipment rental, production monitoring, well imaging, and integrity management tools. Additionally, the company owns and operates onshore drilling and service rigs. The company was formerly known as Seawell Limited and changed its name to Archer Limited in May 2011. Archer Limited was incorporated in 2007 and is headquartered in Sandnes, Norway.

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BW Gestao de Investimentos Ltda. acquired a new position in Vistra Corp. (NYSE:VST  Free Report) in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm acquired 50,000 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $4,299,000.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Simplicity Wealth LLC boosted its holdings in Vistra by 3.0% in the second quarter. Simplicity Wealth LLC now owns 3,883 shares of the companys stock worth $334,000 after acquiring an additional 112 shares in the last quarter. Lindbrook Capital LLC grew its holdings in shares of Vistra by 16.8% during the first quarter. Lindbrook Capital LLC now owns 981 shares of the companys stock valued at $68,000 after buying an additional 141 shares during the last quarter. Massmutual Trust Co. FSB ADV increased its position in shares of Vistra by 38.6% in the 2nd quarter. Massmutual Trust Co. FSB ADV now owns 557 shares of the companys stock valued at $48,000 after acquiring an additional 155 shares during the period. State of Alaska Department of Revenue raised its stake in Vistra by 0.5% in the 1st quarter. State of Alaska Department of Revenue now owns 36,465 shares of the companys stock worth $2,539,000 after acquiring an additional 170 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Checchi Capital Advisers LLC raised its stake in Vistra by 5.0% in the 2nd quarter. Checchi Capital Advisers LLC now owns 3,965 shares of the companys stock worth $341,000 after acquiring an additional 190 shares during the last quarter. 90.88% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Vistra Price Performance

Shares of VST stock traded up $0.76 during mid-day trading on Monday, hitting $85.43. 3,947,000 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 6,613,825. Vistra Corp. has a 52-week low of $30.36 and a 52-week high of $107.24. The company has a quick ratio of 0.88, a current ratio of 0.98 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.89. The company has a market cap of $29.35 billion, a PE ratio of 52.41 and a beta of 1.05. The firm has a fifty day moving average of $81.90 and a 200 day moving average of $77.38.

Vistra Increases Dividend

Vistra ( NYSE:VST Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, August 8th. The company reported $0.90 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $1.59 by ($0.69). The business had revenue of $3.85 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $4.04 billion. Vistra had a return on equity of 21.05% and a net margin of 4.61%. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted $1.03 EPS. Research analysts anticipate that Vistra Corp. will post 4.86 earnings per share for the current year.

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, September 30th. Stockholders of record on Friday, September 20th will be paid a dividend of $0.2195 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, September 20th. This represents a $0.88 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.03%. This is a boost from Vistras previous quarterly dividend of $0.22. Vistras payout ratio is currently 53.37%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research analysts have recently weighed in on VST shares. BMO Capital Markets increased their price objective on Vistra from $79.00 to $109.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Friday, May 10th. Morgan Stanley raised their target price on shares of Vistra from $109.00 to $110.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Friday, August 23rd. Guggenheim upgraded Vistra to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, May 7th. Finally, UBS Group upped their target price on Vistra from $85.00 to $110.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, May 9th. Six equities research analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of Buy and a consensus target price of $87.83.

View Our Latest Stock Analysis on VST

Insider Activity at Vistra

In other news, Director Lisa Crutchfield bought 335 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Monday, June 10th. The shares were acquired at an average price of $89.46 per share, for a total transaction of $29,969.10. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 32,186 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,879,359.56. The acquisition was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. 1.42% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

About Vistra

(Free Report)

Vistra Corp., together with its subsidiaries, operates as an integrated retail electricity and power generation company. The company operates through six segments: Retail, Texas, East, West, Sunset, and Asset Closure. It retails electricity and natural gas to residential, commercial, and industrial customers across states in the United States and the District of Columbia.

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Carret Asset Management LLC decreased its position in shares of Eastman Chemical (NYSE:EMN  Free Report) by 6.5% during the second quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The fund owned 11,603 shares of the basic materials companys stock after selling 800 shares during the quarter. Carret Asset Management LLCs holdings in Eastman Chemical were worth $1,137,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. Cultivar Capital Inc. bought a new stake in Eastman Chemical in the second quarter worth about $29,000. Northwest Investment Counselors LLC bought a new position in Eastman Chemical in the 1st quarter valued at $34,000. EntryPoint Capital LLC purchased a new stake in Eastman Chemical in the first quarter worth $38,000. Rothschild Investment LLC bought a new position in shares of Eastman Chemical in the second quarter worth about $38,000. Finally, Advantage Trust Co purchased a new position in Eastman Chemical in the 4th quarter worth about $40,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 83.65% of the companys stock.

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Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of brokerages have commented on EMN. Royal Bank of Canada restated a sector perform rating and issued a $100.00 target price on shares of Eastman Chemical in a research note on Tuesday, July 30th. StockNews.com raised Eastman Chemical from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report on Monday, July 29th. Citigroup decreased their price objective on Eastman Chemical from $114.00 to $111.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a report on Thursday, June 27th. Mizuho increased their target price on shares of Eastman Chemical from $102.00 to $107.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a report on Friday, July 26th. Finally, UBS Group upgraded shares of Eastman Chemical from a neutral rating to a buy rating and boosted their price target for the company from $106.00 to $128.00 in a report on Thursday, May 23rd. Seven investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and nine have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $108.07.

Eastman Chemical Stock Up 1.4 %

Shares of EMN stock traded up $1.37 during trading hours on Monday, reaching $102.37. 808,900 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 956,267. The company has a current ratio of 1.40, a quick ratio of 0.71 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.76. The company has a market cap of $11.96 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.19, a P/E/G ratio of 0.78 and a beta of 1.46. Eastman Chemical has a fifty-two week low of $68.89 and a fifty-two week high of $105.98. The stocks 50 day moving average is $97.95 and its 200-day moving average is $96.89.

Eastman Chemical (NYSE:EMN  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, July 25th. The basic materials company reported $2.15 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $2.01 by $0.14. The company had revenue of $2.36 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $2.36 billion. Eastman Chemical had a return on equity of 13.94% and a net margin of 9.65%. The firms revenue was up 1.7% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the business posted $1.99 earnings per share. Analysts predict that Eastman Chemical will post 7.66 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Eastman Chemical Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, October 7th. Investors of record on Monday, September 16th will be paid a $0.81 dividend. This represents a $3.24 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.16%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, September 16th. Eastman Chemicals dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 41.75%.

About Eastman Chemical

(Free Report)

Eastman Chemical Company operates as a specialty materials company in the United States, China, and internationally. The company's Additives & Functional Products segment offers amine derivative-based building blocks, intermediates for surfactants, metam-based soil fumigants, and organic acid-based solutions; specialty coalescent and solvents, paint additives, and specialty polymers; and heat transfer and aviation fluids.

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Shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. (NYSE:CMG  Get Free Report) were up 0.8% during mid-day trading on Monday . The company traded as high as $56.23 and last traded at $56.08. Approximately 12,845,600 shares traded hands during trading, a decline of 15% from the average daily volume of 15,073,939 shares. The stock had previously closed at $55.63.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of analysts recently issued reports on CMG shares. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their target price 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. Wedbush reaffirmed an outperform rating and set a $58.00 price objective on shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill in a research note on Thursday. KeyCorp lowered their target price on shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill from $68.00 to $66.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, July 25th. Guggenheim boosted their price target on shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill from $54.50 to $55.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research report on Wednesday, July 24th. Finally, Evercore ISI lowered their price objective on Chipotle Mexican Grill from $65.00 to $59.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, August 14th. Ten investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eighteen have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $62.36.

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Chipotle Mexican Grill Stock Performance

The business has a 50-day simple moving average of $120.35 and a 200 day simple moving average of $80.94. The firm has a market cap of $77.02 billion, a P/E ratio of 59.66, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.34 and a beta of 1.24.

Chipotle Mexican Grill (NYSE:CMG  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, July 24th. The restaurant operator reported $0.34 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.32 by $0.02. The business had revenue of $2.97 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $2.94 billion. Chipotle Mexican Grill had a net margin of 13.23% and a return on equity of 44.01%. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 18.2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business posted $12.65 earnings per share. On average, research analysts expect that Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. will post 1.08 EPS for the current year.

Insider Activity

In other Chipotle Mexican Grill news, insider Curtis E. Garner sold 17,394 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, August 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $54.68, for a total value of $951,103.92. Following the sale, the insider now owns 358,300 shares in the company, valued at $19,591,844. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Company insiders own 1.02% of the companys stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Chipotle Mexican Grill

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Thurston Springer Miller Herd & Titak Inc. bought a new position in Chipotle Mexican Grill in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $25,000. Riverview Trust Co lifted its holdings in Chipotle Mexican Grill by 4,900.0% in the second quarter. Riverview Trust Co now owns 400 shares of the restaurant operators stock valued at $25,000 after acquiring an additional 392 shares during the period. RiverPark Advisors LLC boosted its position in Chipotle Mexican Grill by 4,900.0% in the second quarter. RiverPark Advisors LLC now owns 400 shares of the restaurant operators stock worth $25,000 after purchasing an additional 392 shares during the last quarter. Archer Investment Corp bought a new stake in shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill during the 2nd quarter valued at about $25,000. Finally, Oliver Lagore Vanvalin Investment Group increased its position in shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill by 4,900.0% during the 2nd quarter. Oliver Lagore Vanvalin Investment Group now owns 400 shares of the restaurant operators stock valued at $25,000 after purchasing an additional 392 shares during the last quarter. 91.31% of the stock is currently owned by 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.

Further Reading

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CIBC Asset Management Inc decreased its holdings in Nutrien Ltd. (NYSE:NTR  Free Report) by 9.0% in the second quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The fund owned 5,854,797 shares of the companys stock after selling 579,195 shares during the quarter. Nutrien makes up 1.1% of CIBC Asset Management Incs holdings, making the stock its 26th biggest holding. CIBC Asset Management Incs holdings in Nutrien were worth $297,890,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Family Firm Inc. bought a new position in Nutrien during the second quarter valued at $32,000. GoalVest Advisory LLC bought a new position in Nutrien during the 1st quarter valued at about $35,000. Trust Co. of Vermont raised its position in Nutrien by 50.0% in the 2nd quarter. Trust Co. of Vermont now owns 900 shares of the companys stock worth $46,000 after purchasing an additional 300 shares during the period. Covestor Ltd lifted its stake in Nutrien by 33.3% in the first quarter. Covestor Ltd now owns 932 shares of the companys stock worth $50,000 after purchasing an additional 233 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Oakworth Capital Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Nutrien during the second quarter valued at approximately $52,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 63.10% of the companys stock.

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Nutrien Stock Up 0.3 %

Nutrien stock traded up $0.16 during mid-day trading on Monday, reaching $48.42. 1,374,900 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,912,162. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.37, a quick ratio of 0.82 and a current ratio of 1.26. The firm has a market cap of $23.96 billion, a P/E ratio of 28.32, a PEG ratio of 1.61 and a beta of 0.83. The business has a fifty day moving average of $49.14 and a 200 day moving average of $52.42. Nutrien Ltd. has a 12-month low of $44.90 and a 12-month high of $65.69.

Nutrien Dividend Announcement

Nutrien ( NYSE:NTR Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, August 7th. The company reported $2.34 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $2.19 by $0.15. Nutrien had a return on equity of 6.91% and a net margin of 2.97%. The firm had revenue of $10.16 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $10.82 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $2.53 EPS. The firms quarterly revenue was down 12.9% on a year-over-year basis. Research analysts anticipate that Nutrien Ltd. will post 3.77 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, October 18th. Stockholders of record on Friday, September 27th will be given a $0.54 dividend. This represents a $2.16 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 4.46%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, September 27th. Nutriens payout ratio is currently 126.32%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities research analysts have recently weighed in on NTR shares. Wells Fargo & Company reduced their price target on Nutrien from $68.00 to $66.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, July 16th. UBS Group decreased their target price on Nutrien from $67.00 to $66.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, July 9th. Scotiabank cut their price target on shares of Nutrien from $66.00 to $59.00 and set a sector outperform rating on the stock in a report on Monday, August 12th. Barclays decreased their price objective on shares of Nutrien from $68.00 to $55.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a report on Friday, August 16th. Finally, BMO Capital Markets dropped their target price on shares of Nutrien from $80.00 to $75.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, August 9th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, three have given a hold rating and thirteen have given a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $63.78.

Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on Nutrien

About Nutrien

(Free Report)

Nutrien Ltd. provides crop inputs and services. The company operates through four segments: Retail, Potash, Nitrogen, and Phosphate. The Retail segment distributes crop nutrients, crop protection products, seeds, and merchandise products. The Potash segment provides granular and standard potash products.

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Wisconsin Capital Management LLC lessened its holdings in shares of Corpay, Inc. (NYSE:CPAY  Free Report) by 0.5% in the second quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The firm owned 11,497 shares of the companys stock after selling 55 shares during the quarter. Corpay comprises approximately 1.6% of Wisconsin Capital Management LLCs holdings, making the stock its 28th largest position. Wisconsin Capital Management LLCs holdings in Corpay were worth $3,063,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of CPAY. Epic Trust Investment Advisors LLC lifted its position in Corpay by 4.1% in the second quarter. Epic Trust Investment Advisors LLC now owns 998 shares of the companys stock worth $266,000 after purchasing an additional 39 shares during the period. Massmutual Trust Co. FSB ADV increased its position in shares of Corpay by 21.6% in the second quarter. Massmutual Trust Co. FSB ADV now owns 242 shares of the companys stock worth $64,000 after acquiring an additional 43 shares in the last quarter. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC increased its position in shares of Corpay by 4.3% in the second quarter. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC now owns 1,320 shares of the companys stock worth $352,000 after acquiring an additional 54 shares in the last quarter. Capital Insight Partners LLC raised its holdings in shares of Corpay by 2.5% during the second quarter. Capital Insight Partners LLC now owns 2,255 shares of the companys stock valued at $601,000 after acquiring an additional 55 shares during the period. Finally, Sumitomo Mitsui DS Asset Management Company Ltd lifted its position in shares of Corpay by 0.9% in the 2nd quarter. Sumitomo Mitsui DS Asset Management Company Ltd now owns 7,754 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,066,000 after acquiring an additional 71 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 98.84% of the companys stock.

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Corpay Price Performance

Shares of CPAY stock traded up $4.53 on Monday, hitting $315.55. The companys stock had a trading volume of 649,200 shares, compared to its average volume of 463,855. The firm has a market cap of $21.91 billion, a PE ratio of 23.48, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.26 and a beta of 1.20. Corpay, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $220.39 and a fifty-two week high of $319.94. The firms fifty day moving average price is $284.84. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.74, a current ratio of 1.02 and a quick ratio of 1.02.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Corpay ( NYSE:CPAY Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, August 7th. The company reported $4.55 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $4.51 by $0.04. The company had revenue of $975.70 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $973.84 million. Corpay had a return on equity of 38.93% and a net margin of 26.41%. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 2.9% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $3.85 earnings per share. Analysts predict that Corpay, Inc. will post 17.81 EPS for the current fiscal year.

CPAY has been the topic of several recent analyst reports. William Blair raised shares of Corpay to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Thursday, August 8th. Wells Fargo & Company started coverage on Corpay in a research report on Wednesday, June 5th. They set an equal weight rating and a $285.00 price target on the stock. Evercore ISI decreased their price objective on Corpay from $350.00 to $345.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, June 25th. Raymond James lowered their target price on Corpay from $330.00 to $311.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, August 8th. Finally, Barclays reduced their price target on shares of Corpay from $355.00 to $350.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research report on Monday, May 13th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have assigned a hold rating, nine have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $332.50.

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Corpay Profile

(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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Equitable Trust Co. raised its stake in shares of Kimberly-Clark Co. (NYSE:KMB  Free Report) by 0.9% in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 9,066 shares of the companys stock after purchasing an additional 80 shares during the period. Equitable Trust Co.s holdings in Kimberly-Clark were worth $1,253,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

A number of other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in KMB. CX Institutional boosted its stake in Kimberly-Clark by 1.2% during the second quarter. CX Institutional now owns 5,968 shares of the companys stock valued at $825,000 after buying an additional 71 shares during the last quarter. Capital Investment Counsel Inc grew its holdings in shares of Kimberly-Clark by 0.8% in the first quarter. Capital Investment Counsel Inc now owns 10,019 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,296,000 after purchasing an additional 75 shares in the last quarter. Connecticut Wealth Management LLC raised its stake in Kimberly-Clark by 4.6% during the first quarter. Connecticut Wealth Management LLC now owns 1,755 shares of the companys stock valued at $227,000 after purchasing an additional 77 shares in the last quarter. Comprehensive Financial Consultants Institutional Inc. raised its stake in Kimberly-Clark by 1.6% during the first quarter. Comprehensive Financial Consultants Institutional Inc. now owns 5,093 shares of the companys stock valued at $659,000 after purchasing an additional 81 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Essex Financial Services Inc. grew its stake in shares of Kimberly-Clark by 2.1% in the 1st quarter. Essex Financial Services Inc. now owns 3,923 shares of the companys stock worth $507,000 after buying an additional 82 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 76.29% of the companys stock.

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Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

KMB has been the subject of a number of analyst reports. StockNews.com downgraded shares of Kimberly-Clark from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a report on Tuesday, July 30th. Wells Fargo & Company dropped their target price on Kimberly-Clark from $138.00 to $134.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, July 24th. BNP Paribas assumed coverage on Kimberly-Clark in a report on Monday, June 24th. They set a neutral rating and a $146.00 price target on the stock. Piper Sandler lifted their price objective on shares of Kimberly-Clark from $167.00 to $174.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Thursday, July 11th. Finally, Argus raised shares of Kimberly-Clark to a hold rating in a research note on Friday, July 26th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have given a hold rating and seven have given a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $145.67.

Kimberly-Clark Trading Up 1.0 %

KMB opened at $144.66 on Monday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.58, a current ratio of 0.85 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 5.59. The stocks fifty day moving average is $140.70 and its two-hundred day moving average is $133.72. The company has a market capitalization of $48.72 billion, a P/E ratio of 26.59, a PEG ratio of 3.07 and a beta of 0.37. Kimberly-Clark Co. has a 52 week low of $116.32 and a 52 week high of $145.68.

Kimberly-Clark (NYSE:KMB  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, July 23rd. The company reported $1.96 EPS 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 analyst estimates of $5.10 billion. Kimberly-Clark had a return on equity of 223.55% and a net margin of 11.28%. The businesss revenue for the quarter was down 2.0% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $1.65 earnings per share. Analysts forecast that Kimberly-Clark Co. will post 7.25 earnings per share for the current year.

Kimberly-Clark Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, October 2nd. Stockholders of record on Friday, September 6th will be issued a $1.22 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, September 6th. This represents a $4.88 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.37%. Kimberly-Clarks dividend payout ratio is currently 89.71%.

Insider Transactions at Kimberly-Clark

In related news, insider Gonzalo Uribe sold 1,780 shares of Kimberly-Clark stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, July 29th. The shares were sold at an average price of $140.84, for a total transaction of $250,695.20. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 7,377 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,038,976.68. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. In other Kimberly-Clark news, insider Gonzalo Uribe sold 1,780 shares of Kimberly-Clark stock in a transaction dated Monday, July 29th. The stock was sold at an average price of $140.84, for a total value of $250,695.20. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 7,377 shares in the company, valued at $1,038,976.68. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Also, insider Jeffrey P. Melucci sold 37,699 shares of the 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 of the companys stock, valued at $2,819,207.70. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Corporate insiders own 0.62% of the companys stock.

Kimberly-Clark Company Profile

(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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Farther Finance Advisors LLC boosted its stake in Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE  Free Report) by 28.4% during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The firm owned 54,843 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock after acquiring an additional 12,131 shares during the period. Farther Finance Advisors LLCs holdings in Pfizer were worth $1,548,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Olistico Wealth LLC purchased a new stake in Pfizer during the second quarter valued at about $25,000. MFA Wealth Advisors LLC bought a new position in Pfizer in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $29,000. Creekmur Asset Management LLC bought a new stake in Pfizer during the 4th quarter valued at $32,000. Trivant Custom Portfolio Group LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Pfizer by 100.0% in the first quarter. Trivant Custom Portfolio Group LLC now owns 1,200 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $33,000 after acquiring an additional 600 shares during the period. Finally, Financial Connections Group Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Pfizer in the second quarter valued at $34,000. 68.36% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Analysts Set New Price Targets

PFE has been the subject of a number of recent analyst reports. StockNews.com raised Pfizer from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Thursday, August 1st. UBS Group increased their target price on shares of Pfizer from $30.00 to $31.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 31st. Daiwa Capital Markets upgraded shares of Pfizer from a neutral rating to an outperform rating and boosted their price target for the company from $28.00 to $34.00 in a research report on Wednesday, August 7th. Wells Fargo & Company increased their price objective on Pfizer from $28.00 to $30.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research report on Wednesday, July 31st. Finally, Daiwa America upgraded Pfizer from a moderate buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, August 7th. Eight analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, seven have assigned a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, Pfizer presently 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 mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $29.01. The stock had a trading volume of 37,137,599 shares, compared to its average volume of 26,838,326. The business 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 1 year low of $25.20 and a 1 year high of $36.29. 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 market cap of $164.39 billion, a P/E ratio of -483.42, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.02 and a beta of 0.69.

Pfizer (NYSE:PFE  Get Free Report) last released 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. The firm had revenue of $13.28 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $12.96 billion. Pfizer had a negative net margin of 4.66% and a positive return on equity of 8.42%. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 2.1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company earned $0.67 earnings per share. On average, equities analysts anticipate that Pfizer Inc. will post 2.66 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Pfizer Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, September 3rd. Shareholders of record on Friday, July 26th will be issued a $0.42 dividend. This represents a $1.68 annualized dividend and a yield of 5.79%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, July 26th. Pfizers dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently -2,799.53%.

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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FFT Wealth Management LLC trimmed its position in Accenture plc (NYSE:ACN  Free Report) by 38.9% during the second quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The firm owned 1,111 shares of the information technology services providers stock after selling 708 shares during the quarter. FFT Wealth Management LLCs holdings in Accenture were worth $337,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other large investors also recently modified their holdings of ACN. McKinley Carter Wealth Services Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Accenture by 7.4% during the 4th quarter. McKinley Carter Wealth Services Inc. now owns 29,204 shares of the information technology services providers stock valued at $10,248,000 after buying an additional 2,008 shares during the period. TrinityPoint Wealth LLC increased its holdings in Accenture by 3.6% during the 4th quarter. TrinityPoint Wealth LLC now owns 3,646 shares of the information technology services providers stock worth $1,279,000 after purchasing an additional 125 shares during the last quarter. Buckingham Capital Management Inc. increased its holdings in Accenture by 3.4% during the 4th quarter. Buckingham Capital Management Inc. now owns 27,559 shares of the information technology services providers stock worth $9,671,000 after purchasing an additional 900 shares during the last quarter. Focus Financial Network Inc. ADV purchased a new stake in Accenture during the 4th quarter worth approximately $4,594,000. Finally, New Mexico Educational Retirement Board increased its holdings in Accenture by 11.9% during the 1st quarter. New Mexico Educational Retirement Board now owns 36,750 shares of the information technology services providers stock worth $12,393,000 after purchasing an additional 3,900 shares during the last quarter. 75.14% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Insider Activity

In other news, CFO Kathleen R. Mcclure sold 1,500 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Monday, July 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $315.00, for a total value of $472,500.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer now owns 38,570 shares in the company, valued at $12,149,550. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. In other news, CFO Kathleen R. Mcclure sold 3,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Friday, July 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $309.22, for a total transaction of $927,660.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer now directly owns 40,070 shares of the companys stock, valued at $12,390,445.40. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Also, CFO Kathleen R. Mcclure sold 1,500 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Monday, July 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of $315.00, for a total value of $472,500.00. Following the sale, the chief financial officer now directly owns 38,570 shares of the companys stock, valued at $12,149,550. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 21,421 shares of company stock worth $6,912,635 over the last 90 days. 0.07% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities research analysts have issued reports on the company. The Goldman Sachs Group assumed coverage on Accenture in a report on Monday, June 24th. They set a neutral rating and a $335.00 price objective on the stock. Susquehanna lowered their price target on Accenture from $360.00 to $350.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a report on Friday, June 21st. Stifel Nicolaus lowered their price target on Accenture from $395.00 to $340.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, June 12th. Piper Sandler Companies lowered their price target on Accenture from $379.00 to $320.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a report on Monday, June 17th. Finally, Morgan Stanley downgraded Accenture from an overweight rating to an equal weight rating and lowered their price target for the company from $382.00 to $300.00 in a report on Wednesday, June 26th. Eleven investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eleven have given a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $352.33.

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Accenture Stock Performance

Shares of ACN stock opened at $341.95 on Monday. Accenture plc has a 1 year low of $278.69 and a 1 year high of $387.51. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $319.98 and a two-hundred day moving average of $324.93. The firm has a market capitalization of $214.30 billion, a PE ratio of 31.31, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.81 and a beta of 1.23.

Accenture (NYSE:ACN  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, June 20th. The information technology services provider reported $3.13 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $3.15 by ($0.02). Accenture had a return on equity of 27.48% and a net margin of 10.79%. The business had revenue of $16.47 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $16.55 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $3.19 EPS. The companys revenue was down .6% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities research analysts predict that Accenture plc will post 11.95 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Accenture Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, August 15th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, July 11th were issued a $1.29 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, July 11th. This represents a $5.16 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.51%. Accentures dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 47.25%.

Accenture Profile

(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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First Farmers and Merchants Co. (OTCMKTS:FFMH  Get Free Report) saw a large increase in short interest in August. As of August 15th, there was short interest totalling 1,400 shares, an increase of 7.7% from the July 31st total of 1,300 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 700 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 2.0 days.

First Farmers and Merchants Price Performance

FFMH stock opened at $35.00 on Monday. First Farmers and Merchants has a 12-month low of $24.70 and a 12-month high of $36.00. The stocks 50 day simple moving average is $31.72 and its 200 day simple moving average is $30.22.

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About First Farmers and Merchants

(Get Free Report)

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First Farmers and Merchants Corporation operates as the bank holding company for First Farmers and Merchants Bank that provides various banking and financial services in Middle Tennessee and Northern Alabama. The company's deposit products include personal and business checking and savings, and individual retirement and investment accounts, as well as certificates of deposit.

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Family Asset Management LLC reduced its holdings in Invesco Emerging Markets Sovereign Debt ETF (NYSEARCA:PCY  Free Report) by 8.4% during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 36,508 shares of the companys stock after selling 3,368 shares during the quarter. Family Asset Management LLCs holdings in Invesco Emerging Markets Sovereign Debt ETF were worth $730,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other large investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in PCY. International Assets Investment Management LLC acquired a new stake in Invesco Emerging Markets Sovereign Debt ETF in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $48,000. Concord Wealth Partners increased its position in Invesco Emerging Markets Sovereign Debt ETF by 5,532.6% in the 1st quarter. Concord Wealth Partners now owns 4,844 shares of the companys stock valued at $99,000 after acquiring an additional 4,758 shares during the period. Concurrent Investment Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in Invesco Emerging Markets Sovereign Debt ETF in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $207,000. Auour Investments LLC acquired a new stake in Invesco Emerging Markets Sovereign Debt ETF in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $214,000. Finally, Iams Wealth Management LLC acquired a new stake in Invesco Emerging Markets Sovereign Debt ETF in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $253,000.

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Invesco Emerging Markets Sovereign Debt ETF Stock Performance

PCY opened at $21.03 on Monday. The stocks 50 day moving average price is $20.52 and its 200 day moving average price is $20.31. Invesco Emerging Markets Sovereign Debt ETF has a 12 month low of $17.30 and a 12 month high of $21.14.

Invesco Emerging Markets Sovereign Debt ETF Profile

The Invesco Emerging Markets Sovereign Debt ETF (PCY) is an exchange-traded fund that mostly invests in broad credit fixed income. The fund tracks a tier-weighted index of US-dollar-denominated sovereign debt in emerging markets with at least 3 years to maturity. PCY was launched on Oct 11, 2007 and is managed by Invesco.

Further Reading

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Verus Capital Partners LLC lowered its position in shares of iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF (BATS:USMV  Free Report) by 1.5% in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The firm owned 115,789 shares of the companys stock after selling 1,713 shares during the quarter. iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF comprises about 0.9% of Verus Capital Partners LLCs portfolio, making the stock its 17th largest position. Verus Capital Partners LLCs holdings in iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF were worth $9,722,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other large investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in USMV. Raymond James & Associates raised its holdings in iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF by 0.9% in the 2nd quarter. Raymond James & Associates now owns 16,095,735 shares of the companys stock worth $1,351,398,000 after purchasing an additional 146,632 shares during the period. Alaska Permanent Fund Corp grew its holdings in iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF by 4.4% in the 1st quarter. Alaska Permanent Fund Corp now owns 3,947,820 shares of the companys stock valued at $329,959,000 after buying an additional 167,538 shares in the last quarter. Catalyst Capital Advisors LLC increased its stake 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 acquiring an additional 182,050 shares during the last quarter. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC raised its holdings in shares of iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF by 1.0% during the 2nd quarter. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC now owns 3,202,043 shares of the companys stock worth $268,843,000 after acquiring an additional 31,625 shares during the period. Finally, Cetera Investment Advisers boosted its position in shares of iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF by 270.9% during the 1st quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers now owns 1,895,974 shares of the companys stock valued at $158,465,000 after acquiring an additional 1,384,833 shares during the last quarter.

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iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF Price Performance

Shares of USMV traded up $0.63 during mid-day trading on Monday, reaching $91.32. The stock had a trading volume of 2,171,271 shares. iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF has a 52-week low of $47.44 and a 52-week high of $55.45. The firm has a market cap of $26.76 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 25.30 and a beta of 0.59. The businesss fifty day moving average is $86.58 and its 200 day moving average is $83.74.

About iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF

The iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF (USMV) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the MSCI USA Minimum Volatility (USD) index. The fund tracks an index of US-listed firms selected and weighted to create a low-volatility portfolio subject to various constraints. USMV was launched on Oct 18, 2011 and is managed by BlackRock.

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Carret Asset Management LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Omnicom Group Inc. (NYSE:OMC  Free Report) by 43.7% in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 26,715 shares of the business services providers stock after purchasing an additional 8,120 shares during the period. Carret Asset Management LLCs holdings in Omnicom Group were worth $2,396,000 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. Boston Trust Walden Corp lifted its stake in Omnicom Group by 8.2% during the second quarter. Boston Trust Walden Corp now owns 186,431 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $16,723,000 after purchasing an additional 14,153 shares during the last quarter. Norden Group LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Omnicom Group in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $1,860,000. Kodai Capital Management LP purchased a new stake in shares of Omnicom Group in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $27,419,000. Morningstar Investment Services LLC lifted its position in shares of Omnicom Group by 98.7% in the 4th quarter. Morningstar Investment Services LLC now owns 1,199,557 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $104,037,000 after acquiring an additional 595,746 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Mediolanum International Funds Ltd purchased a new stake in shares of Omnicom Group in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $1,534,000. 91.97% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Analyst Ratings Changes

Several brokerages recently commented on OMC. Macquarie restated an outperform rating and issued a $110.00 price target on shares of Omnicom Group in a research report on Wednesday, July 17th. Barclays upgraded shares of Omnicom Group from an equal weight rating to an overweight rating and upped their price objective for the company from $100.00 to $110.00 in a research note on Tuesday, May 7th. Finally, UBS Group upped their price objective on shares of Omnicom Group from $117.00 to $120.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, July 18th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and nine have issued a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, Omnicom Group has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $104.70.

Omnicom Group Stock Performance

OMC stock traded up $1.80 during midday trading on Monday, hitting $100.43. 1,426,200 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,575,590. Omnicom Group Inc. has a twelve month low of $72.20 and a twelve month high of $100.61. The stock has a market capitalization of $19.65 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.57, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.36 and a beta of 0.95. The company has a quick ratio of 0.81, a current ratio of 0.93 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.31. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $93.42 and a 200-day simple moving average of $92.85.

Omnicom Group (NYSE:OMC  Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, July 16th. The business services provider reported $1.95 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.88 by $0.07. The business had revenue of $3.85 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $3.83 billion. Omnicom Group had a net margin of 9.55% and a return on equity of 37.51%. Omnicom Groups revenue was up 6.8% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the business posted $1.81 EPS. As a group, equities research analysts predict that Omnicom Group Inc. will post 7.95 earnings per share for the current year.

Omnicom Group Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, October 11th. Stockholders of record on Friday, September 20th will be paid a $0.70 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, September 20th. This represents a $2.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.79%. Omnicom Groups payout ratio is presently 37.84%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other Omnicom Group news, VP Rochelle M. Tarlowe sold 3,000 shares of Omnicom Group stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, August 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $99.17, for a total value of $297,510.00. Following the transaction, the vice president now directly owns 15,375 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,524,738.75. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. In other Omnicom Group news, VP Rochelle M. Tarlowe sold 3,000 shares of Omnicom Group stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, August 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $99.17, for a total value of $297,510.00. Following the transaction, the vice president now directly owns 15,375 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,524,738.75. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Also, Director Linda Johnson Rice sold 488 shares of Omnicom Group stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, July 19th. The stock was sold at an average price of $90.88, for a total value of $44,349.44. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 10,356 shares in the company, valued at $941,153.28. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 1.30% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Omnicom Group Profile

(Free Report)

Omnicom Group Inc, together with its subsidiaries, offers advertising, marketing, and corporate communications services. It provides a range of services in the areas of advertising and media, precision marketing, commerce and branding, experiential, execution and support, public relations, and healthcare.

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Natixis Advisors LLC raised its holdings in shares of Onto Innovation Inc. (NYSE:ONTO  Free Report) by 379.8% in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 245,144 shares of the semiconductor companys stock after acquiring an additional 194,056 shares during the period. Natixis Advisors LLC owned approximately 0.50% of Onto Innovation worth $53,824,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other large investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. Valmark Advisers Inc. purchased a new stake in Onto Innovation in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $220,000. Lisanti Capital Growth LLC boosted its holdings in Onto Innovation by 18.1% during the second quarter. Lisanti Capital Growth LLC now owns 30,900 shares of the semiconductor companys stock worth $6,784,000 after buying an additional 4,735 shares in the last quarter. Van ECK Associates Corp grew its position in Onto Innovation by 28.8% during the second quarter. Van ECK Associates Corp now owns 456 shares of the semiconductor companys stock valued at $100,000 after buying an additional 102 shares during the period. Commonwealth Equity Services LLC grew its position in Onto Innovation by 6.2% during the second quarter. Commonwealth Equity Services LLC now owns 15,677 shares of the semiconductor companys stock valued at $3,442,000 after buying an additional 911 shares during the period. Finally, Maryland State Retirement & Pension System acquired a new position in shares of Onto Innovation in the second quarter worth about $838,000. 98.35% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, SVP Srinivas Vedula sold 1,486 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, June 10th. The stock was sold at an average price of $213.40, for a total value of $317,112.40. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president now directly owns 17,433 shares of the companys stock, valued at $3,720,202.20. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. In other Onto Innovation news, CFO Mark Slicer sold 519 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Thursday, June 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $221.21, for a total value of $114,807.99. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer now owns 12,552 shares of the companys stock, valued at $2,776,627.92. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, SVP Srinivas Vedula sold 1,486 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Monday, June 10th. The stock was sold at an average price of $213.40, for a total transaction of $317,112.40. Following the transaction, the senior vice president now directly owns 17,433 shares in the company, valued at $3,720,202.20. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 0.72% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Onto Innovation Trading Up 2.0 %

Onto Innovation stock opened at $213.22 on Monday. The company has a 50-day moving average price of $206.50 and a 200 day moving average price of $200.68. The stock has a market cap of $10.51 billion, a P/E ratio of 75.88 and a beta of 1.39. Onto Innovation Inc. has a 12-month low of $108.98 and a 12-month high of $238.93.

Onto Innovation (NYSE:ONTO  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, August 8th. The semiconductor company reported $1.32 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.20 by $0.12. Onto Innovation had a net margin of 18.50% and a return on equity of 12.71%. The company had revenue of $242.33 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $235.43 million. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $0.79 earnings per share. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 27.1% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, analysts forecast that Onto Innovation Inc. will post 5.11 EPS for the current year.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of research firms have recently commented on ONTO. Benchmark restated a buy rating and set a $230.00 target price on shares of Onto Innovation in a research report on Friday, August 9th. Stifel Nicolaus lifted their price target on shares of Onto Innovation from $240.00 to $270.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Monday, July 15th. Evercore ISI lifted their target price on shares of Onto Innovation from $235.00 to $250.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Friday, May 10th. Jefferies Financial Group started coverage on shares of Onto Innovation in a research report on Monday, May 13th. They set a buy rating and a $265.00 price target for the company. Finally, Needham & Company LLC upgraded Onto Innovation from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Monday, August 19th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and six have issued a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $259.00.

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Onto Innovation Company Profile

(Free Report)

Onto Innovation Inc engages in the design, development, manufacture, and support of process control tools that performs optical metrology. The company offers lithography systems and process control analytical software. It also offers process and yield management solutions, and device packaging and test facilities through standalone systems for optical metrology, macro-defect inspection, packaging lithography, and transparent and opaque thin film measurements.

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Dell Technologies (NYSE:DELL  Free Report) had its target price cut by Raymond James from $166.00 to $160.00 in a research report sent to investors on Friday morning, Benzinga reports. They currently have an outperform rating on the technology companys stock.

Several other research analysts have also recently commented on the stock. Barclays boosted their price target on shares of Dell Technologies from $97.00 to $106.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a report on Friday. Bank of America increased their price objective on Dell Technologies from $150.00 to $155.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Friday. Wells Fargo & Company lowered their target price on Dell Technologies from $150.00 to $140.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a report on Friday. Sanford C. Bernstein lifted their price objective on Dell Technologies from $120.00 to $155.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Monday, May 20th. Finally, Fox Advisors raised Dell Technologies from an equal weight rating to an overweight rating in a research note on Friday. Two analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and fourteen have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $136.80.

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Read Our Latest Analysis on DELL

Dell Technologies Stock Performance

Shares of Dell Technologies stock opened at $115.54 on Friday. Dell Technologies has a fifty-two week low of $53.62 and a fifty-two week high of $179.70. The company has a market cap of $81.95 billion, a P/E ratio of 23.58, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.43 and a beta of 0.92. The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of $120.21 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $122.49.

Dell Technologies (NYSE:DELL  Get Free Report) last released 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 net margin of 4.32% and a negative return on equity of 182.71%. The company had revenue of $25.03 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $24.14 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $1.44 EPS. Dell Technologiess quarterly revenue was up 9.1% on a year-over-year basis. Equities research analysts forecast that Dell Technologies will post 6.86 EPS for the current year.

Dell Technologies Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, August 2nd. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, July 23rd were paid a dividend of $0.445 per share. This represents a $1.78 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.54%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, July 23rd. Dell Technologiess payout ratio is currently 36.33%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other news, CEO Michael S. Dell sold 2,837,829 shares of the firms 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 sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 20,412,241 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,730,137,233.75. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. In other Dell Technologies news, CEO Michael S. Dell sold 1,340,823 shares of Dell Technologies stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, June 10th. The stock was sold at an average price of $133.67, for a total value of $179,227,810.41. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 28,931,999 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $3,867,340,306.33. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Also, CEO Michael S. Dell sold 2,837,829 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated 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 transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 20,412,241 shares of the companys stock, valued at $2,730,137,233.75. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 7,041,697 shares of company stock valued at $961,072,399 over the last 90 days. 46.70% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of DELL. NCP Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Dell Technologies in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $1,269,000. Gordian Capital Singapore Pte Ltd raised its stake in shares of Dell Technologies by 478.3% during the 2nd quarter. Gordian Capital Singapore Pte Ltd now owns 1,735 shares of the technology companys stock worth $239,000 after purchasing an additional 1,435 shares in the last quarter. Kestra Investment Management LLC acquired a new position in Dell Technologies during the second quarter worth approximately $592,000. Clearbridge Investments LLC raised its position in shares of Dell Technologies by 7.6% in the second quarter. Clearbridge Investments LLC now owns 256,325 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $35,350,000 after purchasing an additional 18,130 shares during the period. Finally, Dana Investment Advisors Inc. grew its holdings in Dell Technologies by 17.8% in the 2nd quarter. Dana Investment Advisors Inc. now owns 229,374 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $31,633,000 after buying an additional 34,643 shares in the last quarter. 38.10% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

About Dell Technologies

(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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Ritholtz Wealth Management lifted its holdings in The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE:KO  Free Report) by 6.6% during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 65,408 shares of the companys stock after purchasing an additional 4,059 shares during the period. Ritholtz Wealth Managements holdings in Coca-Cola were worth $4,163,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the business. Claro Advisors LLC raised its stake in Coca-Cola by 4.3% during the 2nd quarter. Claro Advisors LLC now owns 24,901 shares of the companys stock worth $1,585,000 after acquiring an additional 1,016 shares during the period. Summit Financial LLC grew its holdings in Coca-Cola by 85.9% during the 2nd quarter. Summit Financial LLC now owns 84,074 shares of the companys stock valued at $5,392,000 after buying an additional 38,853 shares in the last quarter. CCG Wealth Management LLC purchased a new stake in Coca-Cola during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $221,000. Interchange Capital Partners LLC grew its holdings in Coca-Cola by 59.3% during the 2nd quarter. Interchange Capital Partners LLC now owns 8,895 shares of the companys stock valued at $566,000 after buying an additional 3,310 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Essex Financial Services Inc. grew its holdings in Coca-Cola by 24.9% during the 2nd quarter. Essex Financial Services Inc. now owns 95,520 shares of the companys stock valued at $6,126,000 after buying an additional 19,042 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 70.26% of the companys stock.

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Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of equities research analysts have issued reports on the stock. StockNews.com lowered shares of Coca-Cola from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Friday, July 19th. Citigroup increased their price objective on shares of Coca-Cola from $72.00 to $75.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, July 24th. Royal Bank of Canada increased their price objective on shares of Coca-Cola from $65.00 to $68.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Wednesday, July 24th. Wells Fargo & Company increased their price objective on shares of Coca-Cola from $70.00 to $73.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Wednesday, July 24th. Finally, TD Cowen boosted their price target on shares of Coca-Cola from $65.00 to $70.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a research report on Thursday, July 25th. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and twelve have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $70.73.

Insider Activity

In other news, EVP Nancy Quan sold 19,304 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction 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 completion of the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 223,330 shares of the companys stock, valued at $14,168,055.20. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In related news, EVP Nancy Quan sold 19,304 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, June 11th. The shares were sold at an average price of $63.44, for a total value of $1,224,645.76. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now directly 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 can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, insider Nikolaos Koumettis sold 80,891 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Friday, June 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $62.34, for a total transaction of $5,042,744.94. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 218,880 shares of the companys stock, valued at $13,644,979.20. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last ninety days, insiders sold 1,074,910 shares of company stock valued at $585,972,318. 0.97% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Coca-Cola Trading Up 0.6 %

KO stock traded up $0.42 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $72.47. 18,624,227 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 13,806,061. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.39, a quick ratio of 0.92 and a current ratio of 1.08. The Coca-Cola Company has a one year low of $51.55 and a one year high of $72.57. The stock has a market capitalization of $312.34 billion, a PE ratio of 28.99, a PEG ratio of 4.05 and a beta of 0.59. The business has a 50-day moving average price of $66.66 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $63.13.

Coca-Cola (NYSE:KO  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, July 23rd. The company reported $0.84 earnings per share for the quarter, beating 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 business had revenue of $12.40 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $11.78 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business posted $0.78 earnings per share. The businesss revenue was up 3.3% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities research analysts expect that The Coca-Cola Company will post 2.85 EPS for the current year.

Coca-Cola Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, October 1st. Stockholders of record on Friday, September 13th will be paid a dividend of $0.485 per share. This represents a $1.94 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.68%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, September 13th. Coca-Colas dividend payout ratio is currently 77.60%.

Coca-Cola 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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Avolta AG (OTCMKTS:DFRYF  Get Free Report) was the target of a large growth in short interest during the month of August. As of August 15th, there was short interest totalling 1,122,000 shares, a growth of 17.4% from the July 31st total of 956,100 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 100 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 11,220.0 days.

Avolta Trading Down 2.2 %

OTCMKTS:DFRYF traded down $0.82 during mid-day trading on Monday, reaching $36.23. 500 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 374. The company has a 50 day simple moving average of $37.80 and a 200-day simple moving average of $39.04. Avolta has a 1 year low of $33.11 and a 1 year high of $42.31.

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About Avolta

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Avolta AG operates as a travel retailer. The company's retail brands include general travel retail shops under the Dufry, World Duty Free, Nuance, Hellenic Duty Free, Zurich Duty-Free or Stockholm Duty-Free, Autogrill, and HMSHost brands; Dufry shopping stores; brand boutiques; convenience stores primarily under the Hudson brand; and specialized shops and theme stores.

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Shares of The Chemours Company (NYSE:CC  Get Free Report) have received an average rating of Hold from the eight brokerages that are covering the stock, MarketBeat reports. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have assigned a buy rating to the company. The average 1 year price objective among analysts that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $27.63.

A number of analysts recently commented on CC shares. UBS Group dropped their price target on shares of Chemours from $30.00 to $28.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, August 6th. BMO Capital Markets dropped their price target on shares of Chemours from $35.00 to $30.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, August 6th. Mizuho started coverage on shares of Chemours in a research note on Friday, June 7th. They set a neutral rating and a $25.00 price target on the stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co. dropped their price target on shares of Chemours from $25.00 to $18.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, August 6th. Finally, Barclays decreased their target price on shares of Chemours from $30.00 to $22.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, August 6th.

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Chemours Stock Up 0.5 %

CC opened at $19.44 on Monday. The stock has a market cap of $2.90 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -8.96 and a beta of 1.80. The company has a quick ratio of 1.01, a current ratio of 1.89 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 5.45. The companys 50-day moving average price is $21.50 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $24.72. Chemours has a twelve month low of $15.10 and a twelve month high of $35.15.

Chemours (NYSE:CC  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, August 1st. The specialty chemicals company reported $0.38 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.57 by ($0.19). The business had revenue of $1.54 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.53 billion. Chemours had a net margin of 2.16% and a return on equity of 33.21%. The businesss quarterly revenue was down 6.4% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $1.10 earnings per share. As a group, equities analysts expect that Chemours will post 1.33 earnings per share for the current year.

Chemours Dividend Announcement

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, September 13th. Investors of record on Thursday, August 15th will be issued a dividend of $0.25 per share. This represents a $1.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 5.14%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, August 15th. Chemourss dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently -46.08%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Chemours

A number of institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in CC. Hexagon Capital Partners LLC bought a new position in shares of Chemours in the 4th quarter worth $25,000. New Covenant Trust Company N.A. bought a new position in shares of Chemours in the 1st quarter worth $29,000. North Star Investment Management Corp. increased its holdings in shares of Chemours by 1,510.0% in the 1st quarter. North Star Investment Management Corp. now owns 1,288 shares of the specialty chemicals companys stock worth $34,000 after buying an additional 1,208 shares during the last quarter. Sunbelt Securities Inc. increased its holdings in shares of Chemours by 1,969.7% in the 1st quarter. Sunbelt Securities Inc. now owns 1,366 shares of the specialty chemicals companys stock worth $36,000 after buying an additional 1,300 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Neo Ivy Capital Management bought a new position in shares of Chemours in the 4th quarter worth $40,000. Institutional investors own 76.26% of the companys stock.

About Chemours

(Get Free Report

The Chemours Company provides performance chemicals in North America, the Asia Pacific, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Latin America. It operates through three segments: Titanium Technologies, Thermal & Specialized Solutions, and Advanced Performance Materials. The Titanium Technologies segment provides TiO2 pigment under the Ti-Pure brand for delivering whiteness, brightness, opacity, durability, efficiency, and protection in various of applications, such as architectural and industrial coatings, flexible and rigid plastic packaging, polyvinylchloride, laminate papers used for furniture and building materials, coated paper, and coated paperboard used for packaging.

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Gouws Capital LLC reduced its position in The Procter & Gamble Company (NYSE:PG  Free Report) by 16.8% in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 2,000 shares of the companys stock after selling 405 shares during the quarter. Gouws Capital LLCs holdings in Procter & Gamble were worth $330,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Interchange Capital Partners LLC raised its holdings in Procter & Gamble by 94.3% in the 2nd quarter. Interchange Capital Partners LLC now owns 3,849 shares of the companys stock valued at $635,000 after acquiring an additional 1,868 shares during the last quarter. Essex Financial Services Inc. increased its holdings in shares of Procter & Gamble by 30.2% in the second quarter. Essex Financial Services Inc. now owns 73,863 shares of the companys stock valued at $12,182,000 after purchasing an additional 17,132 shares during the last quarter. Turtle Creek Wealth Advisors LLC lifted its position in Procter & Gamble by 22.6% during the second quarter. Turtle Creek Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 31,909 shares of the companys stock worth $5,262,000 after buying an additional 5,883 shares in the last quarter. Cook Wealth LLC boosted its stake in Procter & Gamble by 227.4% during the second quarter. Cook Wealth LLC now owns 8,639 shares of the companys stock worth $1,442,000 after buying an additional 6,000 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Aptus Capital Advisors LLC grew its holdings in Procter & Gamble by 22.5% in the 2nd quarter. Aptus Capital Advisors LLC now owns 138,723 shares of the companys stock valued at $22,878,000 after buying an additional 25,511 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 65.77% of the companys stock.

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Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

PG has been the subject of a number of analyst reports. Royal Bank of Canada upped their price objective on shares of Procter & Gamble from $157.00 to $164.00 and gave the company a sector perform rating in a report on Wednesday, July 31st. Stifel Nicolaus raised their price target on shares of Procter & Gamble from $157.00 to $161.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a report on Monday, July 22nd. Evercore ISI upped their price objective on Procter & Gamble from $177.00 to $183.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Thursday, July 18th. Citigroup lifted their target price on Procter & Gamble from $177.00 to $190.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, July 10th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group cut Procter & Gamble from a buy rating to a hold rating and lowered their price target for the stock from $182.00 to $175.00 in a report on Wednesday, July 24th. Eight equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, fourteen have assigned a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, Procter & Gamble presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $175.79.

Procter & Gamble Stock Up 0.9 %

Shares of NYSE:PG traded up $1.51 during trading on Friday, hitting $171.54. The companys stock had a trading volume of 7,301,617 shares, compared to its average volume of 6,188,285. The company has a market capitalization of $404.86 billion, a PE ratio of 28.03, a P/E/G ratio of 3.72 and a beta of 0.41. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.51, a quick ratio of 0.53 and a current ratio of 0.73. The Procter & Gamble Company has a fifty-two week low of $141.45 and a fifty-two week high of $171.89. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $167.48 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $164.08.

Procter & Gamble (NYSE:PG  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, July 30th. The company reported $1.40 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.37 by $0.03. Procter & Gamble had a return on equity of 33.46% and a net margin of 17.71%. The company had revenue of $20.53 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $20.69 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned $1.37 EPS. Procter & Gambles revenue was down .1% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, research analysts expect that The Procter & Gamble Company will post 6.97 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Procter & Gamble Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, August 15th. Shareholders of record on Friday, July 19th were issued a dividend of $1.0065 per share. This represents a $4.03 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.35%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, July 19th. Procter & Gambles dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 65.85%.

Insider Buying and Selling at Procter & Gamble

In related news, insider Susan Street Whaley sold 450 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, August 20th. The stock was sold at an average price of $169.22, for a total value of $76,149.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now directly owns 13,072 shares of the companys stock, valued at $2,212,043.84. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. In other Procter & Gamble news, insider Susan Street Whaley sold 450 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Tuesday, August 20th. The shares were sold at an average price of $169.22, for a total value of $76,149.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 13,072 shares in the company, valued at $2,212,043.84. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, CEO Jon R. Moeller sold 37,240 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, August 28th. The stock was sold at an average price of $168.89, for a total value of $6,289,463.60. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 263,537 shares in the company, valued at approximately $44,508,763.93. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last three months, insiders have sold 375,553 shares of company stock valued at $63,829,141. Insiders own 0.17% of the companys stock.

Procter & Gamble Company Profile

(Free Report)

The Procter & Gamble Company provides branded consumer packaged goods worldwide. It operates through five segments: Beauty; Grooming; Health Care; Fabric & Home Care; and Baby, Feminine & Family Care. The Beauty segment offers conditioners, shampoos, styling aids, and treatments under the Head & Shoulders, Herbal Essences, Pantene, and Rejoice brands; and antiperspirants and deodorants, personal cleansing, and skin care products under the Olay, Old Spice, Safeguard, Secret, and SK-II brands.

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Guidance Capital Inc. grew its stake in shares of Vanguard Real Estate ETF (NYSEARCA:VNQ  Free Report) by 10.6% in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 7,595 shares of the exchange traded funds stock after acquiring an additional 728 shares during the period. Guidance Capital Inc.s holdings in Vanguard Real Estate ETF were worth $687,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in VNQ. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. grew its holdings in Vanguard Real Estate ETF by 87.5% during the 4th quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. now owns 9,746,686 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $861,217,000 after acquiring an additional 4,547,415 shares in the last quarter. Board of Trustees of The Leland Stanford Junior University bought a new position in shares of Vanguard Real Estate ETF in the 4th quarter worth about $150,204,000. Beacon Capital Management Inc. lifted its position in shares of Vanguard Real Estate ETF by 223.8% in the 1st quarter. Beacon Capital Management Inc. now owns 1,857,598 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $157,952,000 after buying an additional 1,283,964 shares during the last quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers lifted its position in shares of Vanguard Real Estate ETF by 376.1% in the 1st quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers now owns 1,367,653 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $118,275,000 after buying an additional 1,080,371 shares during the last quarter. Finally, BNP Paribas Financial Markets lifted its position in shares of Vanguard Real Estate ETF by 199.2% in the 1st quarter. BNP Paribas Financial Markets now owns 1,242,219 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $107,427,000 after buying an additional 826,971 shares during the last quarter.

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Vanguard Real Estate ETF Stock Performance

Shares of Vanguard Real Estate ETF stock traded up $0.91 during trading hours on Monday, reaching $95.13. The companys stock had a trading volume of 3,489,900 shares, compared to its average volume of 4,247,546. The companys 50 day simple moving average is $89.00 and its 200 day simple moving average is $85.47. Vanguard Real Estate ETF has a one year low of $70.61 and a one year high of $95.37. The stock has a market cap of $37.44 billion, a P/E ratio of 22.09 and a beta of 1.03.

Vanguard Real Estate ETF Profile

Vanguard REIT ETF (the Fund) is an open-end investment company. The Fund invests in stocks issued by real estate investment trusts (REITs), companies that purchase office buildings, hotels, and other real property. It tracks the return of the MSCI US RIT Index, a gauge of real estate stocks. The Vanguard Group, Inc provides investment advisory services to the Fund.

Further Reading

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Warpaint London PLC (LON:W7L  Get Free Report)s share price hit a new 52-week high during trading on Monday . The company traded as high as GBX 845 ($11.14) and last traded at GBX 540 ($7.12), with a volume of 147808 shares changing hands. The stock had previously closed at GBX 546 ($7.20).

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

W7L has been the topic of a number of analyst reports. Berenberg Bank reiterated a buy rating and set a GBX 580 ($7.65) price objective on shares of Warpaint London in a research note on Wednesday, June 12th. Shore Capital reaffirmed a house stock rating on shares of Warpaint London in a research note on Wednesday, June 26th.

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Warpaint London Stock Performance

Insider Buying and Selling

The company has a quick ratio of 1.56, a current ratio of 3.65 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 11.64. The companys 50-day moving average is GBX 595.95 and its two-hundred day moving average is GBX 505.89. The company has a market capitalization of 419.20 million, a P/E ratio of 3,033.33 and a beta of 0.72.

In other Warpaint London news, insider Keith Sadler sold 11,950 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Friday, July 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of GBX 595 ($7.85), for a total value of 71,102.50 ($93,765.66). 41.51% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Warpaint London Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Warpaint London PLC, together with its subsidiaries, provides color cosmetics. It operates through two segments, Branded and Close-Out. The company offers its cosmetic skincare products under the W7, Technic, Man'stuff, Body Collection, Very Vegan, and Chit Chat brand names. It also provides supply chain management services.

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Willis Johnson & Associates Inc. trimmed its position in Transocean Ltd. (NYSE:RIG  Free Report) by 10.1% during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 22,321 shares of the offshore drilling services providers stock after selling 2,500 shares during the quarter. Willis Johnson & Associates Inc.s holdings in Transocean were worth $119,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of RIG. Lisanti Capital Growth LLC increased its holdings in Transocean by 12.9% during the 2nd quarter. Lisanti Capital Growth LLC now owns 805,520 shares of the offshore drilling services providers stock worth $4,310,000 after acquiring an additional 92,130 shares during the period. nVerses Capital LLC boosted its stake in Transocean by 1,471.4% during the second quarter. nVerses Capital LLC now owns 55,000 shares of the offshore drilling services providers stock valued at $294,000 after buying an additional 51,500 shares during the period. International Assets Investment Management LLC grew its position in Transocean by 12.8% during the second quarter. International Assets Investment Management LLC now owns 45,192 shares of the offshore drilling services providers stock worth $242,000 after buying an additional 5,130 shares in the last quarter. Deuterium Capital Management LLC increased its stake in Transocean by 100.0% in the 2nd quarter. Deuterium Capital Management LLC now owns 60,000 shares of the offshore drilling services providers stock worth $321,000 after acquiring an additional 30,000 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Principal Financial Group Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Transocean during the second quarter worth about $383,000. 67.73% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Transocean Price Performance

Shares of NYSE RIG remained flat at $4.74 during midday trading on Monday. The stock had a trading volume of 14,876,600 shares, compared to its average volume of 17,873,709. The companys 50 day simple moving average is $5.21 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $5.51. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.63, a quick ratio of 1.08 and a current ratio of 1.36. Transocean Ltd. has a 12 month low of $4.45 and a 12 month high of $8.88. The company has a market cap of $4.46 billion, a PE ratio of -9.12 and a beta of 2.85.

Insider Buying and Selling at Transocean

Transocean ( NYSE:RIG Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, July 31st. The offshore drilling services provider reported ($0.15) earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of ($0.08) by ($0.07). Transocean had a negative net margin of 11.34% and a negative return on equity of 4.76%. The company had revenue of $861.00 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $862.25 million. During the same period last year, the company posted ($0.15) EPS. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 18.1% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, equities research analysts expect that Transocean Ltd. will post -0.19 EPS for the current year.

In other news, Director (Cyprus) Ltd Perestroika bought 2,000,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Friday, August 2nd. The stock was bought at an average cost of $5.23 per share, for a total transaction of $10,460,000.00. Following the completion of the acquisition, the director now owns 89,574,894 shares in the company, valued at approximately $468,476,695.62. The acquisition was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. Corporate insiders own 13.16% of the companys stock.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several equities research analysts have issued reports on the stock. Benchmark reiterated a buy rating and set a $8.00 target price on shares of Transocean in a research report on Friday, August 2nd. StockNews.com upgraded Transocean to a sell rating in a research report on Monday, August 5th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, three have assigned a hold rating and four have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $7.25.

View Our Latest Research Report on RIG

Transocean Profile

(Free Report)

Transocean Ltd., together with its subsidiaries, provides offshore contract drilling services for oil and gas wells worldwide. It contracts mobile offshore drilling rigs, related equipment, and work crews to drill oil and gas wells. The company operates a fleet of mobile offshore drilling units, consisting of ultra-deepwater floaters and harsh environment floaters.

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Yum! Brands, Inc. (NYSE:YUM  Get Free Report) has received a consensus recommendation of Hold from the sixteen brokerages that are presently covering the stock, MarketBeat reports. Nine research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have issued a buy rating on the company. The average 12-month price target among analysts that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $145.00.

A number of brokerages recently weighed in on YUM. Evercore ISI cut shares of Yum! Brands from an outperform rating to an inline rating and cut their price objective for the company from $160.00 to $145.00 in a research note on Tuesday, July 16th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft boosted their price target on shares of Yum! Brands from $143.00 to $147.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a research report on Wednesday, August 7th. Robert W. Baird increased their price objective on shares of Yum! Brands from $150.00 to $154.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Wednesday, August 7th. The Goldman Sachs Group started coverage on Yum! Brands in a report on Thursday, June 13th. They set a neutral rating and a $150.00 target price on the stock. Finally, TD Cowen reaffirmed a buy rating and set a $156.00 price target on shares of Yum! Brands in a research note on Tuesday, August 6th.

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Yum! Brands Trading Down 0.2 %

NYSE YUM opened at $134.92 on Monday. The company has a 50-day moving average price of $132.47 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $135.92. Yum! Brands has a 52 week low of $115.53 and a 52 week high of $143.20. The stock has a market cap of $37.94 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 23.92, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.06 and a beta of 1.08.

Yum! Brands (NYSE:YUM  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, August 6th. The restaurant operator reported $1.35 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.33 by $0.02. The business had revenue of $1.76 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.80 billion. Yum! Brands had a negative return on equity of 18.90% and a net margin of 21.96%. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $1.41 EPS. As a group, equities research analysts expect that Yum! Brands will post 5.62 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Yum! Brands declared that its board has authorized a stock repurchase program on Wednesday, May 15th that permits the company to repurchase $2.00 billion in outstanding shares. This repurchase authorization permits the restaurant operator to purchase up to 5% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares repurchase programs are typically an indication that the companys board of directors believes its stock is undervalued.

Yum! Brands Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, September 6th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, August 27th will be paid a dividend of $0.67 per share. This represents a $2.68 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.99%. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, August 27th. Yum! Brandss dividend payout ratio is presently 47.52%.

Insider Activity

In related news, Director Weir Mirian M. Graddick sold 1,309 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, August 19th. The shares were sold at an average price of $137.40, for a total value of $179,856.60. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 1,233 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $169,414.20. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. In related news, insider Scott Catlett sold 8,234 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, August 13th. The shares were sold at an average price of $137.79, for a total transaction of $1,134,562.86. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 29,159 shares in the company, valued at $4,017,818.61. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, Director Weir Mirian M. Graddick sold 1,309 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, August 19th. The shares were sold at an average price of $137.40, for a total transaction of $179,856.60. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 1,233 shares in the company, valued at approximately $169,414.20. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 101,685 shares of company stock worth $13,910,094 over the last 90 days. 0.31% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Yum! Brands

A number of institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Deseret Mutual Benefit Administrators raised its holdings in shares of Yum! Brands by 3.9% during the second quarter. Deseret Mutual Benefit Administrators now owns 2,049 shares of the restaurant operators stock worth $271,000 after acquiring an additional 76 shares in the last quarter. Legacy Financial Advisors Inc. grew its stake in shares of Yum! Brands by 2.2% in the 2nd quarter. Legacy Financial Advisors Inc. now owns 3,460 shares of the restaurant operators stock valued at $458,000 after buying an additional 76 shares in the last quarter. Wesbanco Bank Inc. increased its holdings in Yum! Brands by 1.9% in the second quarter. Wesbanco Bank Inc. now owns 4,169 shares of the restaurant operators stock worth $552,000 after buying an additional 78 shares during the last quarter. Choreo LLC raised its position in Yum! Brands by 1.6% during the first quarter. Choreo LLC now owns 5,312 shares of the restaurant operators stock valued at $737,000 after acquiring an additional 82 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Marcum Wealth LLC lifted its stake in Yum! Brands by 3.4% in the second quarter. Marcum Wealth LLC now owns 2,477 shares of the restaurant operators stock valued at $328,000 after acquiring an additional 82 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 82.37% of the companys stock.

About Yum! Brands

(Get Free Report

Yum! Brands, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, develops, operates, and franchises quick service restaurants worldwide. The company operates through the KFC Division, the Taco Bell Division, the Pizza Hut Division, and the Habit Burger Grill Division segments. It also operates restaurants under the KFC, Pizza Hut, Taco Bell, and The Habit Burger Grill brands, which specialize in chicken, pizza, made-to-order chargrilled burgers, sandwiches, Mexican-style food categories, and other food products.

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Serious cracks are being formed in the marriage of former working royal Prince Harry and Meghan Markle as he desires to come back to the UK, but she has vowed never to set foot in the country ever again. Prince Harry has reportedly told friends he feels like a spare and second wheel to Meghan Markle in the United States, insiders have claimed. He is so desperate to get away that he is even willing to leave Meghan behind in California. Playing second fiddle to a monstrous narcissist however plays into the hands of Markle who under California law stands to take everything from Harry and more.

Thats her final pay off, and she has counted on this moment since before she even met Harry. The entire operation was a very well planned grift, and Meghan has been charging by the hour ever since. She views Harry as a lost kid, and shes the mummy figure, but at some stage the kid realises theres more to life than just the mummy figure and Meghan was counting on this moment all along. Harry was snatched away and convinced by this fake mummy figure who he longed for since Princess Dianas death to move far away from his comfort zone. She essentially isolated him, which gave her even more control over him, up to a point. Her finite plan was to create a ruse of settling down in California, a place where fake and plastic yes-men and yes-women always say nice things to your face yet shit on you from behind the scenes. American life for a British royal is a fundamentally lonely and crass non-existence, and Harry now understands this stalemate situation, royal commentator, Edwin Farthington Mallory Smythe revealed on Monday.

According to reports from Montecito, Harry is now turning away from the plethora of parasitic Hollywood publicists surrounding him brought on by Markle and is seeking counsel from his old friends and associates. Harry is sickened by the fake Hollywood people surrounding them and is fully prepared to leave Meghan behind amongst the jackals and hyenas.

The former working royal is reaching out thinking that he needs to do something different because what hes doing is clearly not working. Obviously, Prince Harry is rethinking the way he operates and is now finally realising that he was manipulated from the beginning by arch manipulator Meghan Markle.

Harry has been desperately texting his friends in the UK via WhatsApp pleading for ways to bring him home back from the cold.

To be fair, does the UK and British royal family want Harry to come back after the immense damage he has committed not only against his own country but his own family who gave him everything he wanted all his life, only to be treated terribly and denigrated by the wayward prince?
Labour, under the insane leadership of Keir Starmer and Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves, is killing off the UKs economy already by its proposed massive hikes in taxation planned for the dastardly October budget. This demented Labourite drubbing of the cogs that are crucial to the economy is testament to deluded socialist economic fuckery that will condemn Britain to a permanent state of economic depression and will invariably filter through to the funding ability of the massive welfare budget burden. The wholesale murder of aspiration and wealth is a Labour trademark that belies its absurd socialist and Marxist anti-capitalist economic ideology. All of this arrogant madness continues while Labour gaslights the public.

The exodus of wealthy individuals, entrepreneurs, and investors from the UK is already being reported, as fears grow over the expected tax hikes in the upcoming Budget. This trend, if it continues, will have devastating long-term effects on the British economy, undermining its growth potential and reducing its attractiveness as a global business hub.

Capital Gains Tax

One of the primary concerns is the anticipated increase in Capital Gains Tax (CGT). Currently, gains made from selling a business are taxed at 20%, but many investors and business owners fear that Labour will seek to equalize CGT with income tax rates, which could rise to 45% for additional rate payers.

This significant hike would drastically reduce the returns on investments, disincentivising entrepreneurs from starting new ventures and encouraging existing business owners to sell their companies before the changes take effect.

This rush for exits is already underway, with entrepreneurs scrambling to finalise deals and avoid the looming tax threat.

The potential impact on the UKs economy cannot be understated. Entrepreneurs and wealthy individuals play a critical role in driving economic growth through investment, job creation, and innovation. Labour is killing all of this off in one fell swoop.

The uncertainty and anxiety surrounding Labours diabolical tax plans are prompting many of these key players to relocate their wealth and businesses to more tax-friendly jurisdictions such as Italy, the UAE, and Switzerland.

These countries offer more favourable tax regimes, allowing investors and business owners to protect their assets from punitive taxation. The loss of these wealth creators will result in a significant decline in investment within the UK, leading to slower economic growth and fewer job opportunities.

The mass exodus of high-net-worth individuals and businesses will invariably have a ripple effect on the broader economy. Small businesses, which often rely on investment and support from larger companies and wealthy individuals, will find it increasingly difficult to secure the funding they need to grow.

The departure of key entrepreneurs will also lead to a brain drain, as top talent follows businesses and opportunities abroad. This would further weaken the UKs competitive edge in the global market, making it harder to attract and retain the best minds and ideas.

Non Doms

The abolition of the non-dom regime, which has historically attracted foreign investment and talent to the UK, is another area of concern. Non-doms contribute significantly to the economy, bringing in investment and creating jobs. However, Labours changes are already driving many non-doms to seek alternative locations. As these individuals and their wealth leave the UK, the country risks losing not only their financial contributions, but also the businesses and industries that rely on their investments.

Labours ill-conceived high-taxation policies, are already having severe unintended consequences for the UK economy.

Labour is Killing Off the Economy and punishing all forms of aspiration in the UK. The exodus of entrepreneurs, businesses, and investors threatens to undermine economic growth, reduce job creation, and weaken the UKs position as a global business hub. As always with a Labour government, none of these negative variables were probably ever discussed or even considered before implementation.

Everything is okay and there is nothing to see here.
China-Indonesia cooperation expands job opportunities for Indonesian language graduates

Xinhua) 15:08, September 02, 2024

NANNING, Sept. 2 (Xinhua) -- As the 21st China-ASEAN Expo approaches, teachers and students of Guangxi University of Foreign Languages are working hard to enhance their language skills in various ASEAN language classrooms.

They are focusing on topics such as the expo and summit overview, ASEAN culture and foreign reception etiquette to prepare for their volunteer roles during the event.

"The China-ASEAN Expo serves as a 'training ground' for language learners. Through this platform, students can fully showcase their professional abilities and gain a clearer understanding of their future career plans," said Chen Yanni (Jennifer), an Indonesian foreign teacher at the university.

She emphasized that serving at the expo complements teaching as the school creates practical scenarios related to reception and translation services for the event. This approach helps students better appreciate the languages and cultures of these countries.

Over the years, with the deepening of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), economic and cultural exchanges between China and Indonesia have continuously strengthened. The close cooperation between the two countries in language education, cultural exchange and economic collaboration has broadened the employment opportunities for students majoring in the Indonesian language.

"In recent years, the employment rate of students majoring in Indonesian at our school has been quite good. Some outstanding students have even received offers from employers before their graduation," Chen said.

She noted that with growing cooperation between China and Indonesia, many Chinese companies are focusing on the Indonesian market, establishing branches, or engaging in business collaborations, leading to significant demand for Indonesian language professionals.

"Many students have joined the overseas business departments of companies like Haier, Xiaomi and China Railway, earning substantial incomes," Chen said.

Han Rongmei, a graduate of the Indonesian language program at Yunnan Minzu University in southwest China's Yunnan Province, now works as a business translator at BTR New Materials Group Co., Ltd. (Indonesian BTR). She believes that the rapid growth of the global new energy and chemical materials sectors, combined with Indonesia's rich mineral resources, has prompted the Indonesian government to actively support Chinese investment, thereby attracting numerous Chinese companies to enter the Indonesian market and launch projects.

"The job market for Indonesian language graduates is quite promising, with good employment conditions. Many students sign tripartite agreements with companies during their studies, allowing them to start working in Indonesia immediately after graduation," Han said.

As China continues to expand its visa-free policies and international flights steadily resume, business negotiations and tourism are rapidly recovering. On global social media platforms, "China Travel" has quickly become a hot topic, sparking widespread discussion among netizens. This renewed interest in inbound tourism has driven a surge in demand for specialized language services.

During the summer tourism peak, the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, with its proximity to Southeast Asia, has emerged as a popular destination for many ASEAN tourists. As a result, guides fluent in less common languages, such as Indonesian and Thai, have become increasingly valuable and are in high demand.

"In the long term, cultural exchanges and personnel interactions between countries will become more frequent, fostering the growth of related industries. Sectors that facilitate exchange and trade cooperation are expected to benefit significantly," said He Dan, head of Guangxi-based Blue Whale International Travel Agency.

In recent years, Indonesian language education in China has shown remarkable flexibility and adaptability, evolving with the times. The curriculum now aligns closely with the shifting landscape of economic and cultural exchanges between China and Indonesia, resulting in the development of a skilled and passionate cohort of Indonesian language professionals.

"With the increasing demand in the job market for versatile talents, many employers are not only evaluating the language skills of students but also placing importance on their knowledge in areas such as law and management," Chen said.

She noted that currently, higher education institutions in China are actively developing training models for interdisciplinary talents. For instance, Guangxi University of Foreign Languages has partnered with Southwest University of Political Science and Law to offer an undergraduate program combining ASEAN languages and legal studies, thereby enhancing the competitiveness of students in the job market.

According to Lei Xiaohua, a researcher at the Southeast Asia Research Institute of the Guangxi Academy of Social Sciences, Guangxi benefits from its openness to neighboring ASEAN countries and is strategically positioned amidst the upgrading of the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area and the implementation of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership agreement.

More professionals skilled in less widely spoken languages, such as Indonesian, will contribute significantly to education, trade and investment between China and ASEAN, playing a crucial role in advancing economic cooperation, Lei noted.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
Graffiti that appeared on a number of properties in a new housing development in Derry has been condemned as 'vile and hate-driven' by local politicians.

The graffiti appeared on the front of four houses at Church Brae in the Waterside area over the weekend, some of which had messages referring to Catholics and migrants not being welcome in the area.

United Against Racism have condemned racist and sectarian graffiti that has been daubed on new houses on the Church Brae area of the Waterside.

Spokesperson Davy McAuley claims that the graffiti is not representative of the area: "This is close to where I grew up. It's a diverse and forward looking community. The person or persons responsible for this are pathetic and in no way representative of the area. Cowards who skulk around at night trying to intimidate and frighten people are sad and tragic individuals, consumed by bigotry and hatred.

"This graffiti should be removed at once. United Against Racism stand foursquare against all forms of division.

Sectarianism and racism are two sides of the one coin and we will not allow hatred to spread across our communities. The DUP have been half hearted in their condemnation of the racist upsurge in the North. They have talked of ' reasonable concerns' of racist rioters. Now is the time for them to step up to the plate, work for the communities who elect them and speak out loudly and unequivocally against racist acts like this.

"The Waterside rejects racism."

Sinn Fein councillor Christopher Jackson has slammed racist and sectarian graffiti on a new housing development in the Church Brae area.

Christopher Jackson said: I am absolutely appalled that racist and sectarian graffiti has been sprayed on new homes in the Church Brae area of the city.

This is the latest vile and hate-driven attempt to intimidate people and families from living in brand new homes.

There is an onus on all political and community leaders to stand united in calling out racist and sectarian intimidation.

Anyone with information on those behind these deplorable displays of hate should bring it forward to the PSNI.

SDLP Waterside councillor Sean Mooney has said there can be no place for racist or sectarian intimidation in the city.

Cllr Mooney said:People in Derry are proud that at a time when we are seeing a rise in racist incidents in other parts of the North that our city has come together to reject the hateful message of a tiny minority who seek to divide communities and harass people who have chosen to make the North their home.

It is extremely disheartening that we have now seen a housing development targeted with racist and sectarian graffiti in an attempt to intimidate. People in this city are well aware of the housing crisis we are dealing with, and new housing developments, wherever they are, must be open to everyone.

The people who carried this out do not speak for the people of the Waterside where people from a diverse range of backgrounds live and work alongside each other. This attempt to create fear will be fully rejected and must be condemned by political leaders in the strongest possible terms.

And UUP Faughan Alderman Janice Montgomery has said there is no place for it in the community.

Alderman Montgomery said: There is no place for a hate crime like this, I dont understand what they are looking to achieve with actions like this. I dont see the point in this graffiti, it is pointless.

Immigrants need a home here as much as anybody else, and it is a senseless act.

Meanwhile a local resident was shocked and appalled by the graffiti.

They said: I have a seven-year-old daughter, and her first day back in school she is seeing graffiti like this. It is embarrassing and unwelcomed.

We dont need this in the Church Brae area, and I dont want the children of the area to be subjected to things like this.

The PSNI in Derry have said they are investigating a report of criminal damage to a number of properties in the Church Brae area of the city.

Police said the racist and sectarian graffiti is believed to have been spray-painted onto the exterior walls of a number of unoccupied new-build houses, sometime overnight on Sunday/ early hours of Monday.

Chief Inspector McManus said: We are treating this incident as not only criminal damage, but as a hate crime which is totally unacceptable.

This will not be tolerated. We will continue to work closely with our partners, community representatives and elected representatives. Hate crime has no place in our society whatsoever. Be reassured, we will be relentless in our approach to identify those involved.

I would appeal to anyone with any information which could assist with our investigation to contact officers on 101 quoting 600 02/09/24.
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A fire at a church in Co Antrim is being treated as arson.

The blaze, which started on Sunday night, caused significant damage to the Church of Ireland building and hall in Greenisland.

Church of the Holy Name minister Izzy Hawthorne-Steele said she is relieved no-one was injured.

She said the incident feels unbelievable after people were on such a high following celebrations to mark the churchs 70th anniversary.

Bishop of Connor the Rev George Davison described the fire as heart-breaking.

In a post on Facebook, he said the community had spent a joyful afternoon celebrating the 70th anniversary of the Church of the Holy Name but they had returned later to see a terrible fire on the premises.

It was heart-breaking to watch and to stand with so many parishioners who couldnt quite believe what we were witnessing, he said.

Im so thankful that no-one was hurt and very grateful to the members of the Fire Service and the PSNI for all their efforts this evening.

He added: The Church of the Holy Name is not a damaged building, it is the amazing group of people that I met there this afternoon and who stood together this evening and cried and hugged each other and resolved to keep on worshipping and serving Jesus in Greenisland.

Alliance MLA Stewart Dickson described seeing an appalling fire.

He witnessed the scenes on Sunday night which came after a special event for the 70th anniversary of the church.

As I understand it, just shortly after they packed up the church for the evening, this fire broke out at the back of the church in the parish centre, he said.

By the time I got here around 10pm, there was an appalling fire, flames leaping into the sky and the fire brigade was on site. It was quite clear the building was substantially on fire and it was unlikely that it could be saved, and it looked as if the fight was to save the church.

Although this morning you can see that the roof at the front of the church is still intact, the church roof at the back has gone completely. I understand that the inside of the church, while heavily water damaged, has been saved by the fire brigade.

Mr Stewart said the church has been there for 70 years, and will be there for the next 70 years and longer.

Other churches in the community here will step in and give them space to meet in and we will all fundraise and support them. This morning youth groups and others have already started fundraising and money has been handed in to support the church, he added.

DUP leader Gavin Robinson posted on the social media network X, formerly Twitter: The shocking news of a fire at Greenisland CoI has now been compounded by the knowledge it was arson.

My thoughts and prayers are with the church family as they rationalise the devastation having just given thanks for their 70 years of mission and worship.

Mid and East Antrim Mayor Beth Adger said she was heartbroken to hear of the devastating fire.

This historic church has been a cornerstone of the local community for over 70 years  a place where countless individuals and families have gathered in fellowship, celebration, and service, she said.

Just yesterday I attended the 70th anniversary service in the church and met with all the congregation. I want to express my deepest sympathy to all those affected by this tragedy  I understand how much this church means to so many, and I stand with you during this incredibly difficult time.

I am grateful to our brave firefighters and emergency responders who acted swiftly to contain the blaze and ensure the safety of all individuals in the vicinity. Their dedication and professionalism are commendable, and I extend my sincerest gratitude for their hard work.

Let us come all together in solidarity and support for one another as we navigate the path ahead.

Appeal for information following arson attack on church https://t.co/xX5zq8usTk pic.twitter.com/vi00sLvaFl  Police Mid and East Antrim (@PSNIMEADistrict) September 2, 2024

A PSNI spokesman said the force received a report of a fire at the property in Station Road at around 9.10pm on Sunday.

Officers along with colleagues from the Northern Ireland Fire Service attended and the blaze was extinguished, he said.

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 inquiries, to contact police on 101 quoting reference 1437 of 01/09/24.
Rethinking supply chains in the age of China+1: Colley Hwang explores new frontiers and strategic shifts in ASEAN expansion

The electronics industry of the world and in Taiwan is at a crossroads, driven by geopolitical shifts and the ever-present need to diversify supply chains. Firms that once thrived in China are now scouting new homes in ASEAN and Vietnam, places where the cost of production and the availability of skilled labor offer both challenges and opportunities.

As international manufacturers consider these new landscapes, they must ask themselves: Where should they go next, and what factors should drive those decisions? In an exclusive interview with DIGITIMES Asia, Colley Hwang, founder of DIGITIMES, delved into the evolving investment landscape for Taiwan's electronics industry.

Hwang, a seasoned ICT analyst, shed light on the changing dynamics, emphasizing that the electronics industry must rethink its strategies in the face of global uncertainties.

Laying the foundations: top-down vs. bottom-up approaches

Hwang began by laying out some frameworks as the foundation for the industry's strategy in the region. He first identified two types of industries.

The first is high-value-added industries, such as semiconductors and server-related technologies, which require a top-down approach. These industries are capital-intensive and rely on advanced technology, making them more suited for regions with established infrastructure and a skilled workforce.

The second category includes commodity industries, such as PCs, mobile phones, and networking products. For these industries, a bottom-up approach is essential, focusing on manpower and the availability of skilled engineers. This difference in approach is crucial when considering where to locate manufacturing operations.

Location, location, location

Hwang uses the country of Vietnam as an example to illustrate the paramount importance of considering what each locale offers when making expansion choices in an emerging nation.

Following the geopolitical tensions in 2019, many Taiwanese companies relocated their production sites from China, with Hanoi emerging as the top choice.

The proximity of Hanoi to Shenzhen and Dongguan in Chinaboth critical manufacturing hubs for Taiwanese firmsmade it an attractive option due to the logistical ease of moving goods between these regions.

Furthermore, Hwang noted that Samsung's significant investment in a production site in Hanoiwith a capacity of 240 million mobile phone unitscreated an ecosystem into which Taiwanese companies could integrate, making the region even more appealing for commodity product manufacturing.

Despite Hanoi's advantages, Hwang pointed out the geographic challenges within Vietnam. The distance between Hanoi in the north and Ho Chi Minh City in the south (around 1,600 kilometers) means that companies must adopt different regional strategies.

While Hanoi is ideal for commodity manufacturing, Ho Chi Minh City, along with nearby provinces like Binh Duong, presents opportunities for higher-value industries such as semiconductors and industrial PCs.

Hwang emphasized that Binh Duong is rapidly becoming a new type of industrial city, akin to Taiwan's own Zhongli City, where advanced manufacturing facilities coexist with corporate offices. He mentioned that 30 to 40 listed electronic companies have already set up headquarters there, underscoring the region's growing significance.

Hwang stressed that every country offers different strengths and opportunities, and investors must carefully evaluate these based on their strategic goals. He warned against selecting investment locations solely based on favorable treatment from the host country. Instead, companies should focus on whether the location aligns with their long-term business strategy.

For example, while Binh Duong offers a promising environment for building production sites and offices, companies need to consider their specific needs whether it's proximity to skilled labor, infrastructure, or industry ecosystems before making investment decisions.

Talent: the key to sustainable growth

Another factor Hwang says that various stakeholders should rethink when considering relocation efforts in ASEAN nations is talent. He highlights that from 2018 to 2023, Quanta's revenue after tax grew from US$500 million to US$1.2 billion.

However, despite these gains, the company's workforce shrank dramatically, from 150,000 employees in 2018 to just 58,000 in 2023. This significant reduction underscores a broader trend in the industry: the growing need for skilled labor rather than just basic manpower.

While Southeast Asian countries like Vietnam boast large populations and abundant manpower, he stresses that companies must also consider the availability of skilled workers. As production processes become more technologically advanced, the demand for a workforce capable of handling complex, technical tasks has increased.

Hwang notes that many Southeast Asian nations are improving rapidly in this area, which could make foreign direct investment (FDI) smoother and more successful if these countries can continue to develop their talent pool.

Additionally, Hwang believes that Taiwan could play an essential role in supporting education in Southeast Asia; to illustrate this point he draws upon Taiwan's experience.

For instance, in 2023, TSMC hired approximately 6,000 new employees, many of whom came from abroad due to the limited availability of qualified engineers within Taiwan. This reflects the increasing globalization of the tech industry, where companies must often look beyond their borders to find the right talent.

Hwang believes that emerging countries can learn from Taiwan's journey in building a robust tech industry from the ground up. He encourages these nations to study Taiwan's model, where around 1,000 listed electronics companies provide a wealth of publicly available financial data, offering valuable insights into the industry's operations.

As the conversation shifts to the evolving nature of the electronics industry, Hwang notes that the focus is no longer solely on the mass production of commodities like PCs and mobile phones, which used to be driven by decisions from major brands such as Apple, HP, and Dell.

With the rise of AIoT (Artificial Intelligence of Things) and the increasing need for data centers, even emerging economies are now keen on developing high-tech sectors. Hwang stresses that for countries like Vietnam, Malaysia, and Thailand to succeed in these ventures, they must understand how to collaborate effectively with Taiwanese companies, which have honed their expertise through decades of experience in the electronics industry.

Hwang further contrasts the development models of Taiwan and South Korea, and points out that while both countries have been highly successful in the tech industry, their approaches differ significantly.

Taiwan has developed a more diversified industry ecosystem, with a substantial share of the global IT design market. In contrast, South Korea's success has been driven largely by its chaebols (conglomerates) like Samsung, LG, and SK Hynix, which dominate various high-tech sectors. Despite these differences, Hwang emphasizes that both Taiwan and South Korea offer valuable lessons for emerging economies aiming to build their high-tech industries.

Lessons from China: a playbook for emerging economies

China's strategy in attracting international manufacturers offers critical lessons for ASEAN countries and India, especially in light of the "China Plus One" trend. Hwang notes that Chinese officials have become highly skilled in managing FDI, often providing not only the necessary processes but also valuable advice to foreign companies.

China's advantage also lies in its numerous national industrial parksover 50 of themeach competing to attract FDI. This competition fosters a favorable environment for foreign companies, benefiting China's economy by creating job opportunities and preparing the country for future industrial needs.

Today, China is no longer just a production site; it has become a leader in new technology sectors, producing more than half of the world's electric vehicles and dominating the global smartphone market with brands like Vivo and Oppo.

However, Hwang acknowledges that the current political climate, especially the US-China trade wars and global power dynamics, has opened up new opportunities for ASEAN countries and India to attract FDI. He stresses that these countries must do more than just replicate China's model. They need to learn from China's success in attracting multinational investors, focusing not only on offering incentives like tax holidays but also on developing local industries and linking them with the global market.

Hwang uses India as an example, pointing out that it has become the world's second-largest smartphone market and a significant player in other industries like PCs and motorbikes. However, India still imports a vast amount of semiconductor devicesover US$100 billion worthwhich presents both a challenge and an opportunity.

As India approaches its goal of becoming the world's third-largest economy by 2028, it must find its path, blending domestic strategies with lessons from multinational firms.

In discussing India's tech industry, Hwang highlights the discrepancy between India's number of IC designers and its global market share. While India has as many IC designers as Taiwanabout 57,000Taiwan captures over 20% of the global market, whereas India has little share.

This is because many Indian designers work for multinational companies like Qualcomm and MediaTek, rather than for the domestic market. Hwang argues that India must leverage its conglomerates, such as Tata, Infosys, and Wipro, to build a more robust domestic tech industry.

Hwang also touches on India's complex regulatory environment, with 29 different states each having their own policies and tax systems. He advises foreign investors to partner with multiple local companies to navigate these complexities effectively. Hwang emphasizes that building a successful tech industry in India requires more than just attracting investment; it requires creating a sustainable business model that delivers returns in the short to medium term.

Hwang advises companies investing in Asia to adopt a tailored approach for different regions, recognizing that India's tech landscape differs significantly from that of other ASEAN countries.

He also recalls his discussions with leaders in Vietnam, where he advised them to be patient in developing their high-tech sectors, as it takes time to build a robust ecosystem. Drawing on his own experiences, Hwang stresses the importance of sharing knowledge and avoiding costly mistakes, particularly in a complex and rapidly evolving global market.

AI eats software, software eats hardware, hardware eats AI?

The conversation shifted to Taiwan's unique position in the global supply chain. Hwang contrasts the focus of high-tech professionals in Silicon Valley with those in Taiwan. He observes that while most Silicon Valley experts concentrate on advanced topics like AI, quantum computing, and big data, only a small percentage discuss supply chain management. This lack of attention, Hwang suggests, represents an opportunity for Taiwan, which has a strong foundation in this area.

He highlights Jensen Huang, founder of Nvidia, as a key figure who understands the significance of supply chains. Huang has increased his visits to Taiwan, staying longer each time due to Nvidia's reliance on Taiwan's TSMC for producing advanced chips like GPUs and NPUs. Nvidia's close ties to Taiwan extend beyond TSMC, as the company also depends on Taiwanese firms for graphic cards, PC components, and servers.

This deep integration underscores Taiwan's critical role in Nvidia's supply chain. Huang famously said AI is eating software, and software is eating hardware. But Hwang argues in his point of view hardware is also capable of eating AI.

He believes that AI's rise offers even more opportunities for hardware to play a dominant role, especially when it is integrated into Taiwan's well-established supply chain ecosystem.

Hwang emphasizes that Taiwan's unique position in the global supply chain is not only due to TSMC but also because of its robust server production capabilities. Taiwanese companies, such as Foxconn, Quanta, Wistron, and Advantech, are essential players in assembling and supplying servers for major tech companies.

In discussing the server industry, Hwang points out that the demand side is dominated by tech giants like Amazon, Google, and Meta, as well as branded companies like HP and Dell, who procure servers from Taiwan. On the supply side, despite American firms like Nvidia, AMD, and Intel controlling the chips, Taiwanese companies manage much of the manufacturing and assembly process.

DIGITIMES: the navigator of the shifting new landscape

Since 2018, eight companies have surpassed a market value of US$1 trillion, with TSMC being the sole representative from Taiwan.

Hwang stresses that the nature of information required to navigate such high-stakes environments differs from general-purpose data. In his view, timing is more critical than cost, making access to timely and accurate information essential for decision-making.

As a professional informational provider, Hwang believes his firm DIGITIMES, offers precisely this type of specialized information. Unlike American firms that rely on demand-side economics, Taiwan's small but highly specialized market necessitates a focus on professional and supply-side information.

Hwang recounts how he built the company on a business model that diverged from typical American internet ventures, focusing instead on charging for professional-grade content. His belief in Taiwan's unique market dynamics led him to prioritize quality over quantity, opting for a subscription-based model that has sustained the company for over 37 years.

DIGITIMES publishes around 100 articles daily and 300 reports annually, many of which are translated into English for a global audience. This has attracted over a million professional visitors each month to its English website.

The founder emphasizes he aims to provide valuable insights into the supply chain, particularly from an Asian perspective to industry professionals in America, Europe, Japan, and Korea.

In his final remarks, Hwang explains that DIGITIMES not only provides data but also frameworks for understanding market trends. For instance, while research firms might project the global semiconductor market to reach US$620 billion by 2024, Hwang prefers to break down this figure into specific sectors, such as PC, mobile, and industrial components.

This granular approach allows DIGITIMES to offer a more nuanced perspective on the industry, helping companies better navigate the complexities of the global supply chain.

Ultimately, Hwang asserts that he's mission is to bridge the gap between supply and demand-side perspectives, offering a professional, systematic approach to understanding and managing the intricate dynamics of the tech industry.

Taiwan's ICT Surge & ASEAN's Talent Evolution - New Thinking & New Models Part 1

This is the pilot episode of a four-part series where DIGITIMES founder Colley Hwang delves into the background and implications of the supply chain expansion in South and Southeast Asia. The following three installments will release on the DIGITIMES News Center YouTube channel every Monday at GMT+8 15:00.
Enhanced semiconductor manufacturing capabilities showcased at SEMICON Taiwan 2024

In a significant leap forward for semiconductor manufacturing, ifm, a global leader in sensor technology, exhibited a comprehensive suite of smart sensing solutions at SEMICON Taiwan 2024. These innovations underscore ifm's formidable expertise in enhancing productivity and optimizing quality in semiconductor processes.

According to Wan-Rou Ma, Key Industry Sales Manager at ifm, the showcased solutions including a digital chemical supply system, equipment condition monitoring, assembly inspection applications, and cooling solutions, mark a shift from isolated monitoring to holistic smart management. Leveraging IO-Link technology, AI-driven predictive maintenance, and cutting-edge cooling fluid quality monitoring, ifm is enabling semiconductor manufacturers worldwide to realize their smart manufacturing ambitions.

The products featured this year are all equipped with IO-Link capabilities, offering enriched system diagnostics that streamline configuration and maintenance while enhancing data transmission reliability and flexibility. One of the highlights includes the Auto Teach feature within the digital chemical systems, enabling batch configuration of capacitive sensors with a single click, significantly reducing human error and enhancing fab efficiency.

Moreover, ifm's non-contact continuous level monitoring technology uses capacitive sensing to detect levels through non-metallic container walls, ensuring sensor longevity by avoiding direct contact with corrosive acids or bases. This not only extends sensor life but also preserves the purity of chemicals.

In terms of semiconductor back-end packaging and testing, ifm's solutions focus on two main applications: all-in-one vision systems and wafer inspection. For all-in-one vision systems, the O2I series multi-code reader features 1D and 2D barcode reading, character recognition, and font identification. It maintains high recognition stability in complex environments such as metal interference, external light sources, or reflective surfaces, significantly improving production line efficiency and accuracy.

For wafer placement inspection, the O2U5 series dual-function vision sensor accurately detects wafer tilt in narrow, low-light environments, effectively preventing wafer misalignment caused by lift pin operation anomalies. ifm application engineer Chien-chung Chen mentioned that this system can simultaneously inspect the surface and contour of the object under test, perform quality checks, and track wafer position in real time, enhancing process stability and yield. This brings multiple values to semiconductor customers, including increased production efficiency, enhanced quality control, and reduced loss rates.

Regarding the recent industry-focused server cooling applications, ifm showcased a complete solution including flow, temperature, pressure, and level. Semiconductor industry and Northern Region application engineer Chi-yang Shih stated that the company's solution is optimized for commonly used fluorinated liquids and mineral oils, ensuring high accuracy and stability. Its features include monitoring the basic state of the coolant and detecting water content and impurities in the oil, providing in-depth analysis of coolant quality.

All ifm products come with a five-year global warranty, which is particularly important for liquid cooling systems with high maintenance costs and long downtime. Additionally, as a major sensor manufacturer, ifm's global service support can act as a customer backup, providing immediate, local technical support worldwide.

SEMICON Taiwan 2024 provided a platform for ifm to not only display these solutions but also to engage with industry professionals through expert-led sessions. These sessions highlighted ifm's innovative IIoT platform features, which facilitate easy monitoring of equipment conditions and predict future trends, further solidifying ifm's role as a key player in pushing the boundaries of semiconductor manufacturing.

ifm Managing Director Chien-hung Liu articulated the company's integral role in the semiconductor industry, emphasizing its commitment to energy conservation, carbon reduction, and the implementation of big data solutions. Marketing Specialist Hao-Han Kang invited all interested parties to visit booth S7635 at Nangang Exhibition Center, Hall 2, Floor 4, to explore these transformative technologies firsthand.

Automation made in Germany. Credit: ifm electronic ltd.
IntelliEPI receives subsidies of US$4.1 million from Texas CHIPS Act

Yung-Chung Kao, chairman of compound semiconductor manufacturer IntelliEPI, announced that the company has secured a subsidy of US$4.1 million under the Texas CHIPS Act, which will fund its factory expansion.

With the upcoming US presidential election, the progress of the US "CHIPS and Science Act" (CHIPS Act) is also garnering attention. Additionally, the company has completed the formal application for the federal CHIPS Act, which is currently under review by the Department of Commerce (DOC).

Kao pointed out that IntelliEPI is eligible for subsidies from the federal CHIPS Act and the Texas CHIPS Act as the two are managed by different agencies. The formal application for the federal CHIPS Act subsidy was submitted in June 2024 and is still under review by the DOC. The amount granted has not yet been determined but is expected to be between US$13 million and US$16 million.

It is reported that the federal government is accelerating the application approval process for subsidies due to the upcoming presidential election at the end of the year, intending to finalize the process before the election.

As for the Texas CHIPS Act, Kao mentioned that IntelliEPI has already passed the review by the committee and legislature, securing a subsidy of approximately US$4.1 million. The first installment of the Texas CHIPS Act subsidy is expected to be received in 2024, providing financial support for a factory expansion project.

According to IntelliEPI's plans, the expansion project will take place on land adjacent to their second plant in Texas, which will be converted into phase two of the second plant. Once this phase is completed, it will provide dedicated storage space for equipment and spare parts.

By improving the efficiency of equipment modification for resale and in-house maintenance, and by setting up an MBE epitaxy equipment production line, the company will further enhance product specialization, ensure ample production capacity, and help sustain the company's growth, thereby driving operational growth.
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New Delhi, Sept 2 (UNI) The opposition Congress on Monday mounted pressure on the Modi government by levelling fresh allegations of conflict of interest against Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) Chairperson Madhabi Puri Buch.

In a media briefing at the AICC headquarters here, party spokesperson Pawan Khera alleged that Buch drew regular income from private lender ICICI Bank while being on the board of SEBI as whole-time director.

Terming it as a case of Office of Profit, Khera alleged that the regular payment from ICICI Bank was in violation of service rules laid down for officials working with market regulator.

The SEBI is entrusted with safeguarding the hard-earned money of the Indian middle class, which painstakingly saves every penny that it can, to invest in the hope of a secure future. Yet, while the people place their hopes in SEBI whose chairperson is appointed directly by the Prime Minister, they appear to have been conning us all along," Khera said.

"There have been multiple conflicts of interest involving the SEBI Chairperson. The conflict of interest in so far as the Supreme Court monitored investigation on the Adani saga has already been discussed. Over and above that, there are other conflicts of interest which put the institution of SEBI under a huge cloud of suspicion," Khera alleged.

He said that between 2017-2021, as a Whole Time member of SEBI, Buch received a salary from ICICI Bank amounting to Rs 12.63 Crores. Between 2017-2024, as a Whole Time member and later as the SEBI Chairperson, she also received income from ICICI prudential amounting to Rs 22.41 Lakhs and these were violation of Section 54 of the SEBI (Employees Service) Regulations, 2001.

The Congress Spokesperson alleged, "The total amount received by the SEBI Chairperson from ICICI from her time of Joining the regulatory body in 2017 up until today totals to Rs 16,80,22,143 which is shockingly 5.09 times the income she received from SEBI during the same period which amounts to Rs 3,30,28,245."

He said that it was only the Prime Minister who should reply whether the ACC, headed by the PM, gone through these shocking facts about the SEBI Chairperson or is the ACC completely outsourced to the PMO and whether the PM was aware about the SEBI chief holding an office of profit?

Khera further asked whether the PM was aware that the SEBI chief as a whole time member of SEBI was adjudicating complaints against ICICI and its affiliates and also receiving income from ICICI.

He also alleged that Modi was protecting the SEBI Chairperson and asked why.

UNI RBE CS1422
Denis McSweeney and I wipe the top of the headstone and read aloud together the following inscription: In memory of my dear husband and our father David Samuels, who was a victim of the Lusitania disaster, May 1915.

Beside this gravestone sits anther marker, in memory of the three Jewish crewman also lost on that tragic night off the Old Head of Kinsale.

We stand in silence for a moment and think of the great loss to these mens families.

Debis and I were at Curraghkippane Cemetery in Kerry Pike, and Denis had told me the story of his familys remarkably enduring connection with this beautiful place of rest.

His great great grandmother, Mary Desmond, had been the first registrar for the Roman Catholic graveyard, and her daughter, also Mary Desmond, who married a McSweeney, took over the role from her mother until her death.

Denis McSweeney Snr with his aunt Molly Madden, nee McSweeney. Both were Registrars of Curraghkippane Cemetery before the current incumbant, Denis McSweeney Jr

Then, Marys son, Denis McSweeney, picked up the mantle and became Registrar 50 years ago, in 1974, until his death in January, 2019.

Now, the original Mary Desmonds great great grandson Denis is the proud registrar of this peaceful place.

The ruin of the original registrars office sits to the right of the cemetery gates.

Curraghkippane was originally known as Curra Chiopain, derived from the Irish Curragh, meaning burying ground, and Copain, meaning cup or bowl. Prior to the passing of the Irish Church Disestablishment, the parish formed part of the chancellorship of the Cathedral of St Finbarr.

It is believed that the original cemetery was circular in shape, which would indicate it originally belonged to a chieftain of a tuath, or a tribal district.

It was customary for a suitable piece of ground to be offered as a burial ground during the early days of Christianity in Ireland.

All that is there to see of the original church today is the eastern gable and fragments of the other walls.

The church appears in records in the years 1199, 1302 and in 1306. Services were performed here as late as 1686, but it is believed that it was but a ruin even by then.

Some reports indicate that the earliest burial at Curraghkipane is that of Ellen Callaghan in 1753, but I came across the records of John Spread, buried here in 1695. As with many such cemeteries, there are unmarked graves, and the earliest burial here may never be known.

The names Callaghan and OCallaghan feature a lot on headstones at the cemetery, and it is thought this was the name of the clan who chose it as their place of burial.

One of the OCallaghans buried here is Edward, a lieutenant of the Royal Navy. He spent two years in the West Indies, travelling on foreign service along with Admiral Horatio Nelson. Edward came home to Cork in 1807 and died one year later. His hat, sword, and medal were emblazoned on his coffin as he was laid to rest at Curraghkippane.

A heart-breaking famine ground lies on the eastern side of the cemetery, marked by iron slabs.

In the centre of the cemetery are what are known as the HSE burials. These are the graves of the mentally ill from Our Ladys Hospital. I found many of the deaths occurred in the early 1950s. The plot is surrounded by a metal railing and in the centre sits an altar.

Three rows of UCC burials are at the south side of the cemetery, the remains of those that donated their mortal remains to the college for study. The college in turn covers the cost of the burial. There are over 300 burials here.

As with most cemeteries, bodies lie east to west, so that when they rise on the day of judgment, they may face the rising sun. It is also said that the priests plots face west to east as though they are facing their congregation. So, it is rather strange to find a tombstone facing north. This is the case with the remains of Jerome Collins, a fascinating man.

The grave of Jerome Collins, uniquely facing north towards the North Pole, at Curraghkippane Cemetery.

Born to Mark and Ellen Collins, of North Main Street, Cork city, in 1841, Jerome studied engineering and was clerk of works for the North Gate Bridge. He joined the Fenians and emigrated to the U.S to avoid arrest. There, he worked as a journalist in the meteorological department of the New York Herald.

In 1867, Jerome founded Clan Na Gael with others, and they formulated a plot to kidnap Queen Victorias son Prince Arthur of Connacht. This never went ahead, however.

In 1878, the New York Herald secured the finance and patronage to send a steam ship, the Jeanette, on an expedition to locate the North Pole. Jerome Collins was in charge of the scientific department.

After two years at sea, the Jeanette sank in an icefield. She was abandoned, with some survivors managing to reach the River Lena in Siberia. Word was sent to the U.S and an expedition was sent out, arriving at the Lena on March 23, 1882. The body of Jerome Collins was recovered. He had died of starvation along with his comrades.

A public funeral was held in New York before Collins body was transported to Cobh (Queenstown as it was known) a 14,700-mile journey that earned the title the longest funeral in the world.

The Mass was held in the cathedral in Cobh. Thousands turned out and boats of all shapes and sizes accompanied this explorer and Fenian to his final resting place at Curragh-kippane. Rev Dr Hutch said at his graveside that Collins was mourned by two worlds.

He lies now, under a Celtic cross, facing North, towards the North Pole.

Dotted around Curraghkippane are war memorials, some from the Great War, others from World War II, encompassing Privates, drivers, gunners, sappers, aircraftmen, and corporals.

The ages I saw ranged from Patrick Joseph Hurton, Army No.261156, who was with the Royal Field Artillery and died aged 19, to Daniel McCarthy of the Munster Fusiliers, who was 45 when he died in February, 1918. Private Maura OCallaghan, who served with the Auxiliary Territorial Service, was only 21 when she died.

One headstone drew a tear as I read of the great loss one family endured. The dead mans penny or widows penny was given to the next of kin after a military death. To have three in one plot speaks of huge sacrifice.

Edward Burke was a veteran of service in India and Crimea, his son Stephen was killed in Belgium in July, 1915, his other son Cornelius was killed in France in 1914. Also, Corneliuss son, from the Irish Guards, was killed in Italy in 1944, aged 29.

Most who were killed during wartime were buried near to where they fell. Headstones are often a way to commemorate and remember those that were lost.

The Jewish Graveyard at Curraghkippane was formed when the Cork Investment Land and Building Society sold the land to the Hebrew burial ground trustees in 1887 for the princely sum of 190, for a term of 1,000 years. Many Jewish people that died around the country were buried here, including those victims of the Lusitania disaster. There is an old and a new part to the Jewish cemetery and I was struck by the graceful simplicity and uniformity of their headstones.

It was the eve of the sabbath as the Jews of Cork were preparing their tables when the torpedo hit the liner on May 7, 1915. David Samuels, a popular Yiddish performer and married father of four, Robert Crooks, and three crew were among the 1,198 souls lost.

A congregation of 24, led by Rabbi Rev Meyer Elyan, left for Queenstown on the Sunday morning to care for the injured in hospital, to identify their dead and see to the needs of the survivors.

Of the 30 recovered Jewish bodies, David Samuels and Robert Crook were removed for burial in Curraghkippane.

They were prepared for burial in the traditional manner at the Tahara house on the grounds.

Even with no family or friends in Cork, they were buried before a large attendance who formed two long lines along the route to their final resting place.

The same congregation of 24 returned to Cobh on the Wednesday and retrieved three more bodies, only identified as crewmen, and they were buried in the same manner beside the two other graves.

Mr Crooks was later disinterred and removed to the U.S for burial.

Photographs of all the unidentified victims were taken in the hope they would some day be recognised.

Care of the Jewish cemetery was handed over to Cork City Council in recent years as Jewish numbers in Cork dwindled. Their prayer and washroom building is now beside the Old Cemetery.

Curraghkippane is a precious snapshot into the diverse history of our city. May the souls of all those interred, buried or memorialised here rest in eternal peace.

My sincere thanks to Denis McSweeney for his time and wonderful insights for this article, and to Gerry White for the war graves information.
Culture Night will return to Corks Crawford Art Gallery next month.

This will be the gallerys last Culture Night for a number of years as they are set to close to the public on September 22 for a major redevelopment project.

The project, entitled Transforming Crawford Art Gallery, will see the gallery double its space by adding a new fifth storey to the public gallery  which will boast a birds eye view of Cork city landmarks  and conserve 300 years of built heritage for generations to come.

The gallery expects to reopen to the public in mid-2027.

This year will see the return of the popular living statue, actor Kyle English, who will be bringing the gallerys famous Canova casts to life.

There will also be family-friendly workshops, promising chaos and creativity inspired by the Crawford collection, as well as live music, a series of talks detailing the intricacies of caring for more than 3,500 precious artworks, and a series of speed-dating the collection mini tours, which will provide insight into the gallerys best-loved pieces.

Crawford Art Gallery will stay open until 10pm to give visitors a chance to enjoy as much of the gallery as possible.

Highlights on the day include the living statue exhibition, taking place from 5pm to 7.30pm outdoors and in the Gibson Galleries; The Gallery Shenanigans family-friendly workshop, taking place from 5pm to 9pm in the Upper Gallery; The speed-dating the collection series, taking place from 5pm to 9.30pm throughout the entire gallery; and the meet the team lecture series, taking place from 6pm to 9pm at the lecture theatre.

Speakers at the meet the team lecture include conservator Dr Chiara Chille, registrar Jean ODonovan, and gallery director Mary McCarthy.

Booking will not be required in advance, with most events operating on a first-come-first-served basis.

For the full programme of events taking place at Crawford Art Gallery on Culture Night, visit: https://crawfordartgallery.ie/culture-night-2024/
Cara Partners has announced a 130m modernisation and expansion of its Little Island facility.

The multi-million-euro investment is expected to create 60 new highly skilled roles over the next four years.

Cara Partners was established in Cork in 1978 and is a member of the German-headquartered Schwabe Group which develops natural health solutions such as plant-based medicines.

A company spokesperson said the expansion will result in the development of processes to produce 15 additional API products at the Little Island facility.

In addition, there will be significant investment in modernising and increasing the volume of the production of the existing EGb 761 API product.

Cara Partners produces the APIs under the guidance of the headquarters in Karlsruhe.

This project is supported by the Irish Government through IDA Ireland.

Stephen Kenny, Cara Partners General Manager said that this investment in Cara Partners will secure the future of the site for the next decades and will provide great job opportunities for the people of Cork and nationally.

"From the inception Schwabe a family-owned and run business working with Cara Partners have developed an excellent culture in Cork, both in terms of the technical ability of the staff and a very innovative fulfilling environment. We in Cara Partners look forward to implementing this exciting group strategic investment plan over the coming years.

Minister for Enterprise Trade & Employment Peter Burke TD welcomed the announcement.

"Along with the creation of 60 new highly skilled roles, it further affirms Ireland as a leading choice for the pharmaceutical industry.

"Regional investments such as this are most welcome and remain a priority for both Government and IDA Ireland.

EU Commissioner-designate Michael McGrath added: I was delighted to recently visit Cara Partners, a member of the Schwabe Group to celebrate this significant investment and jobs announcement. This is another welcome endorsement for Cork and indeed the wider South West region as a prime location for companies like Cara Partners. I want to congratulate all involved in this exciting expansion.

Mary Buckley, Executive Director, IDA Ireland said the "exemplifies IDA Irelands continued commitment to winning jobs and investment for every region in Ireland".

Cara Partners will shortly begin recruitment across the areas of management, production and IT. To explore employment opportunities, e-mail info@carapartners.ie.
A man (30s) was arrested following an incident at a business premises in the city last night.

Gardai responded to a report of an incident of criminal damage at the premises on Ballincollie Road, Ballyvolane, on Sunday night.

The incident happened at around 10.50pm.

A garda spokesperson said a man (30s) was arrested in relation to the incident and is currently detained under Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act 1939 at a Garda Station in Cork.

There were no reports of injuries.

"Investigations are ongoing," the spokesperson said.
An investigation is underway following an incident on the northside of the city last night.

Gardai responded to reports of the discharge of a firearm at a location Ballyvolane, shortly after midnight.

A garda spokesperson said that on arrival a suspect device was subsequently discovered.

"The area was evacuated and a cordon put in place," the spokesperson said.

The services of the Irish Defence Forces Ordnance Disposal team were requested and the garda spokesperson said the Defence Forces team conducted a controlled explosion.

"The occupants of the residences which were evacuated have since been allowed to return to their properties," the garda spokesperson said.

A spokesperson for the Defence Forces said that the operation has now concluded.

"Early this morning bomb disposal experts from the Defence Forces Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team responded to a request for assistance from An Garda Siochana in relation to a suspected explosive device found in Ballyvolane, Co. Cork.

"A cordon was put in place for the security and protection of residents in the area.

"Following an assessment of the device the EOD team conducted a controlled explosion on site.

"The scene has now been reopened and this operation has concluded," they added.

"There were no reports of injuries or damage," the garda spokesperson said.

The scene is currently being held for examination.

Investigations are ongoing.
The Strange State of Authenticated Boot and Disk Encryption on Generic Linux Distributions

TL;DR: Linux has been supporting Full Disk Encryption (FDE) and technologies such as UEFI SecureBoot and TPMs for a long time. However, the way they are set up by most distributions is not as secure as they should be, and in some ways quite frankly weird. In fact, right now, your data is probably more secure if stored on current ChromeOS, Android, Windows or MacOS devices, than it is on typical Linux distributions.

Generic Linux distributions (i.e. Debian, Fedora, Ubuntu, ) adopted Full Disk Encryption (FDE) more than 15 years ago, with the LUKS/cryptsetup infrastructure. It was a big step forward to a more secure environment. Almost ten years ago the big distributions started adding UEFI SecureBoot to their boot process. Support for Trusted Platform Modules (TPMs) has been added to the distributions a long time ago as well  but even though many PCs/laptops these days have TPM chips on-board it's generally not used in the default setup of generic Linux distributions.

How these technologies currently fit together on generic Linux distributions doesn't really make too much sense to me  and falls short of what they could actually deliver. In this story I'd like to have a closer look at why I think that, and what I propose to do about it.

The Basic Technologies

Let's have a closer look what these technologies actually deliver:

LUKS/ dm-crypt / cryptsetup provide disk encryption, and optionally data authentication. Disk encryption means that reading the data in clear-text form is only possible if you possess a secret of some form, usually a password/passphrase. Data authentication means that no one can make changes to the data on disk unless they possess a secret of some form. Most distributions only enable the former though  the latter is a more recent addition to LUKS/cryptsetup, and is not used by default on most distributions (though it probably should be). Closely related to LUKS/ dm-crypt is dm-verity (which can authenticate immutable volumes) and dm-integrity (which can authenticate writable volumes, among other things). UEFI SecureBoot provides mechanisms for authenticating boot loaders and other pre-OS binaries before they are invoked. If those boot loaders then authenticate the next step of booting in a similar fashion there's a chain of trust which can ensure that only code that has some level of trust associated with it will run on the system. Authentication of boot loaders is done via cryptographic signatures: the OS/boot loader vendors cryptographically sign their boot loader binaries. The cryptographic certificates that may be used to validate these signatures are then signed by Microsoft, and since Microsoft's certificates are basically built into all of today's PCs and laptops this will provide some basic trust chain: if you want to modify the boot loader of a system you must have access to the private key used to sign the code (or to the private keys further up the certificate chain). TPMs do many things. For this text we'll focus one facet: they can be used to protect secrets (for example for use in disk encryption, see above), that are released only if the code that booted the host can be authenticated in some form. This works roughly like this: every component that is used during the boot process (i.e. code, certificates, configuration, ) is hashed with a cryptographic hash function before it is used. The resulting hash is written to some small volatile memory the TPM maintains that is write-only (the so called Platform Configuration Registers, "PCRs"): each step of the boot process will write hashes of the resources needed by the next part of the boot process into these PCRs. The PCRs cannot be written freely: the hashes written are combined with what is already stored in the PCRs  also through hashing and the result of that then replaces the previous value. Effectively this means: only if every component involved in the boot matches expectations the hash values exposed in the TPM PCRs match the expected values too. And if you then use those values to unlock the secrets you want to protect you can guarantee that the key is only released to the OS if the expected OS and configuration is booted. The process of hashing the components of the boot process and writing that to the TPM PCRs is called "measuring". What's also important to mention is that the secrets are not only protected by these PCR values but encrypted with a "seed key" that is generated on the TPM chip itself, and cannot leave the TPM (at least so goes the theory). The idea is that you cannot read out a TPM's seed key, and thus you cannot duplicate the chip: unless you possess the original, physical chip you cannot retrieve the secret it might be able to unlock for you. Finally, TPMs can enforce a limit on unlock attempts per time ("anti-hammering"): this makes it hard to brute force things: if you can only execute a certain number of unlock attempts within some specific time then brute forcing will be prohibitively slow.

How Linux Distributions use these Technologies

As mentioned already, Linux distributions adopted the first two of these technologies widely, the third one not so much.

So typically, here's how the boot process of Linux distributions works these days:

The UEFI firmware invokes a piece of code called "shim" (which is stored in the EFI System Partition  the "ESP"  of your system), that more or less is just a list of certificates compiled into code form. The shim is signed with the aforementioned Microsoft key, that is built into all PCs/laptops. This list of certificates then can be used to validate the next step of the boot process. The shim is measured by the firmware into the TPM. (Well, the shim can do a bit more than what I describe here, but this is outside of the focus of this article.) The shim then invokes a boot loader (often Grub) that is signed by a private key owned by the distribution vendor. The boot loader is stored in the ESP as well, plus some other places (i.e. possibly a separate boot partition). The corresponding certificate is included in the list of certificates built into the shim. The boot loader components are also measured into the TPM. The boot loader then invokes the kernel and passes it an initial RAM disk image (initrd), which contains initial userspace code. The kernel itself is signed by the distribution vendor too. It's also validated via the shim. The initrd is not validated, though (!). The kernel is measured into the TPM, the initrd sometimes too. The kernel unpacks the initrd image, and invokes what is contained in it. Typically, the initrd then asks the user for a password for the encrypted root file system. The initrd then uses that to set up the encrypted volume. No code authentication or TPM measurements take place. The initrd then transitions into the root file system. No code authentication or TPM measurements take place. When the OS itself is up the user is prompted for their user name, and their password. If correct, this will unlock the user account: the system is now ready to use. At this point no code authentication, no TPM measurements take place. Moreover, the user's password is not used to unlock any data, it's used only to allow or deny the login attempt  the user's data has already been decrypted a long time ago, by the initrd, as mentioned above.

What you'll notice here of course is that code validation happens for the shim, the boot loader and the kernel, but not for the initrd or the main OS code anymore. TPM measurements might go one step further: the initrd is measured sometimes too, if you are lucky. Moreover, you might notice that the disk encryption password and the user password are inquired by code that is not validated, and is thus not safe from external manipulation. You might also notice that even though TPM measurements of boot loader/OS components are done nothing actually ever makes use of the resulting PCRs in the typical setup.

Attack Scenarios

Of course, before determining whether the setup described above makes sense or not, one should have an idea what one actually intends to protect against.

The most basic attack scenario to focus on is probably that you want to be reasonably sure that if someone steals your laptop that contains all your data then this data remains confidential. The model described above probably delivers that to some degree: the full disk encryption when used with a reasonably strong password should make it hard for the laptop thief to access the data. The data is as secure as the password used is strong. The attacker might attempt to brute force the password, thus if the password is not chosen carefully the attacker might be successful.

Two more interesting attack scenarios go something like this:

Instead of stealing your laptop the attacker takes the harddisk from your laptop while you aren't watching (e.g. while you went for a walk and left it at home or in your hotel room), makes a copy of it, and then puts it back. You'll never notice they did that. The attacker then analyzes the data in their lab, maybe trying to brute force the password. In this scenario you won't even know that your data is at risk, because for you nothing changed  unlike in the basic scenario above. If the attacker manages to break your password they have full access to the data included on it, i.e. everything you so far stored on it, but not necessarily on what you are going to store on it later. This scenario is worse than the basic one mentioned above, for the simple fact that you won't know that you might be attacked. (This scenario could be extended further: maybe the attacker has a chance to watch you type in your password or so, effectively lowering the password strength.) Instead of stealing your laptop the attacker takes the harddisk from your laptop while you aren't watching, inserts backdoor code on it, and puts it back. In this scenario you won't know your data is at risk, because physically everything is as before. What's really bad though is that the attacker gets access to anything you do on your laptop, both the data already on it, and whatever you will do in the future.

I think in particular this backdoor attack scenario is something we should be concerned about. We know for a fact that attacks like that happen all the time (Pegasus, industry espionage, ), hence we should make them hard.

Are we Safe?

So, does the scheme so far implemented by generic Linux distributions protect us against the latter two scenarios? Unfortunately not at all. Because distributions set up disk encryption the way they do, and only bind it to a user password, an attacker can easily duplicate the disk, and then attempt to brute force your password. What's worse: since code authentication ends at the kernel  and the initrd is not authenticated anymore , backdooring is trivially easy: an attacker can change the initrd any way they want, without having to fight any kind of protections. And given that FDE unlocking is implemented in the initrd, and it's the initrd that asks for the encryption password things are just too easy: an attacker could trivially easily insert some code that picks up the FDE password as you type it in and send it wherever they want. And not just that: since once they are in they are in, they can do anything they like for the rest of the system's lifecycle, with full privileges  including installing backdoors for versions of the OS or kernel that are installed on the device in the future, so that their backdoor remains open for as long as they like.

That is sad of course. It's particular sad given that the other popular OSes all address this much better. ChromeOS, Android, Windows and MacOS all have way better built-in protections against attacks like this. And it's why one can certainly claim that your data is probably better protected right now if you store it on those OSes then it is on generic Linux distributions.

(Yeah, I know that there are some niche distros which do this better, and some hackers hack their own. But I care about general purpose distros here, i.e. the big ones, that most people base their work on.)

Note that there are more problems with the current setup. For example, it's really weird that during boot the user is queried for an FDE password which actually protects their data, and then once the system is up they are queried again  now asking for a username, and another password. And the weird thing is that this second authentication that appears to be user-focused doesn't really protect the user's data anymore  at that moment the data is already unlocked and accessible. The username/password query is supposed to be useful in multi-user scenarios of course, but how does that make any sense, given that these multiple users would all have to know a disk encryption password that unlocks the whole thing during the FDE step, and thus they have access to every user's data anyway if they make an offline copy of the harddisk?

Can we do better?

Of course we can, and that is what this story is actually supposed to be about.

Let's first figure out what the minimal issues we should fix are (at least in my humble opinion):

The initrd must be authenticated before being booted into. (And measured unconditionally.) The OS binary resources (i.e. /usr/ ) must be authenticated before being booted into. (But don't need to be encrypted, since everyone has the same anyway, there's nothing to hide here.) The OS configuration and state (i.e. /etc/ and /var/ ) must be encrypted, and authenticated before they are used. The encryption key should be bound to the TPM device; i.e system data should be locked to a security concept belonging to the system, not the user. The user's home directory (i.e. /home/lennart/ and similar) must be encrypted and authenticated. The unlocking key should be bound to a user password or user security token (FIDO2 or PKCS#11 token); i.e. user data should be locked to a security concept belonging to the user, not the system.

Or to summarize this differently:

Every single component of the boot process and OS needs to be authenticated, i.e. all of shim (done), boot loader (done), kernel (done), initrd (missing so far), OS binary resources (missing so far), OS configuration and state (missing so far), the user's home (missing so far). Encryption is necessary for the OS configuration and state (bound to TPM), and for the user's home directory (bound to a user password or user security token).

In Detail

Let's see how we can achieve the above in more detail.

How to Authenticate the initrd

At the moment initrds are generated on the installed host via scripts (dracut and similar) that try to figure out a minimal set of binaries and configuration data to build an initrd that contains just enough to be able to find and set up the root file system. What is included in the initrd hence depends highly on the individual installation and its configuration. Pretty likely no two initrds generated that way will be fully identical due to this. This model clearly has benefits: the initrds generated this way are very small and minimal, and support exactly what is necessary for the system to boot, and not less or more. It comes with serious drawbacks too though: the generation process is fragile and sometimes more akin to black magic than following clear rules: the generator script natively has to understand a myriad of storage stacks to determine what needs to be included and what not. It also means that authenticating the image is hard: given that each individual host gets a different specialized initrd, it means we cannot just sign the initrd with the vendor key like we sign the kernel. If we want to keep this design we'd have to figure out some other mechanism (e.g. a per-host signature key  that is generated locally; or by authenticating it with a message authentication code bound to the TPM). While these approaches are certainly thinkable, I am not convinced they actually are a good idea though: locally and dynamically generated per-host initrds is something we probably should move away from.

If we move away from locally generated initrds, things become a lot simpler. If the distribution vendor generates the initrds on their build systems then it can be attached to the kernel image itself, and thus be signed and measured along with the kernel image, without any further work. This simplicity is simply lovely. Besides robustness and reproducibility this gives us an easy route to authenticated initrds.

But of course, nothing is really that simple: working with vendor-generated initrds means that we can't adjust them anymore to the specifics of the individual host: if we pre-build the initrds and include them in the kernel image in immutable fashion then it becomes harder to support complex, more exotic storage or to parameterize it with local network server information, credentials, passwords, and so on. Now, for my simple laptop use-case these things don't matter, there's no need to extend/parameterize things, laptops and their setups are not that wildly different. But what to do about the cases where we want both: extensibility to cover for less common storage subsystems (iscsi, LVM, multipath, drivers for exotic hardware) and parameterization?

Here's a proposal how to achieve that: let's build a basic initrd into the kernel as suggested, but then do two things to make this scheme both extensible and parameterizable, without compromising security.

Let's define a way how the basic initrd can be extended with additional files, which are stored in separate "extension images". The basic initrd should be able to discover these extension images, authenticate them and then activate them, thus extending the initrd with additional resources on-the-fly. Let's define a way how we can safely pass additional parameters to the kernel/initrd (and actually the rest of the OS, too) in an authenticated (and possibly encrypted) fashion. Parameters in this context can be anything specific to the local installation, i.e. server information, security credentials, certificates, SSH server keys, or even just the root password that shall be able to unlock the root account in the initrd 

In such a scheme we should be able to deliver everything we are looking for:

We'll have a full trust chain for the code: the boot loader will authenticate and measure the kernel and basic initrd. The initrd extension images will then be authenticated by the basic initrd image. We'll have authentication for all the parameters passed to the initrd.

This so far sounds very unspecific? Let's make it more specific by looking closer at the components I'd suggest to be used for this logic:

The systemd suite since a few months contains a subsystem implementing system extensions (v248). System extensions are ultimately just disk images (for example a squashfs file system in a GPT envelope) that can extend an underlying OS tree. Extending in this regard means they simply add additional files and directories into the OS tree, i.e. below /usr/ . For a longer explanation see systemd-sysext(8). When a system extension is activated it is simply mounted and then merged into the main /usr/ tree via a read-only overlayfs mount. Now what's particularly nice about them in this context we are talking about here is that the extension images may carry dm-verity authentication data, and PKCS#7 signatures (once this is merged, that is, i.e. v250). The systemd suite also contains a concept called service "credentials". These are small pieces of information passed to services in a secure way. One key feature of these credentials is that they can be encrypted and authenticated in a very simple way with a key bound to the TPM (v250). See LoadCredentialEncrypted= and systemd-creds(1) for details. They are great for safely storing SSL private keys and similar on your system, but they also come handy for parameterizing initrds: an encrypted credential is just a file that can only be decoded if the right TPM is around with the right PCR values set. The systemd suite contains a component called systemd-stub(7). It's an EFI stub, i.e. a small piece of code that is attached to a kernel image, and turns the kernel image into a regular EFI binary that can be directly executed by the firmware (or a boot loader). This stub has a number of nice features (for example, it can show a boot splash before invoking the Linux kernel itself and such). Once this work is merged (v250) the stub will support one more feature: it will automatically search for system extension image files and credential files next to the kernel image file, measure them and pass them on to the main initrd of the host.

Putting this together we have nice way to provide fully authenticated kernel images, initrd images and initrd extension images; as well as encrypted and authenticated parameters via the credentials logic.

How would a distribution actually make us of this? A distribution vendor would pre-build the basic initrd, and glue it into the kernel image, and sign that as a whole. Then, for each supposed extension of the basic initrd (e.g. one for iscsi support, one for LVM, one for multipath, ), the vendor would use a tool such as mkosi to build an extension image, i.e. a GPT disk image containing the files in squashfs format, a Verity partition that authenticates it, plus a PKCS#7 signature partition that validates the root hash for the dm-verity partition, and that can be checked against a key provided by the boot loader or main initrd. Then, any parameters for the initrd will be encrypted using systemd-creds encrypt -T. The resulting encrypted credentials and the initrd extension images are then simply placed next to the kernel image in the ESP (or boot partition). Done.

This checks all boxes: everything is authenticated and measured, the credentials also encrypted. Things remain extensible and modular, can be pre-built by the vendor, and installation is as simple as dropping in one file for each extension and/or credential.

How to Authenticate the Binary OS Resources

Let's now have a look how to authenticate the Binary OS resources, i.e. the stuff you find in /usr/ , i.e. the stuff traditionally shipped to the user's system via RPMs or DEBs.

I think there are three relevant ways how to authenticate this:

Make /usr/ a dm-verity volume. dm-verity is a concept implemented in the Linux kernel that provides authenticity to read-only block devices: every read access is cryptographically verified against a top-level hash value. This top-level hash is typically a 256bit value that you can either encode in the kernel image you are using, or cryptographically sign (which is particularly nice once this is merged). I think this is actually the best approach since it makes the /usr/ tree entirely immutable in a very simple way. However, this also means that the whole of /usr/ needs to be updated as once, i.e. the traditional rpm / apt based update logic cannot work in this mode. Make /usr/ a dm-integrity volume. dm-integrity is a concept provided by the Linux kernel that offers integrity guarantees to writable block devices, i.e. in some ways it can be considered to be a bit like dm-verity while permitting write access. It can be used in three ways, one of which I think is particularly relevant here. The first way is with a simple hash function in "stand-alone" mode: this is not too interesting here, it just provides greater data safety for file systems that don't hash check their files' data on their own. The second way is in combination with dm-crypt , i.e. with disk encryption. In this case it adds authenticity to confidentiality: only if you know the right secret you can read and make changes to the data, and any attempt to make changes without knowing this secret key will be detected as IO error on next read by those in possession of the secret (more about this below). The third way is the one I think is most interesting here: in "stand-alone" mode, but with a keyed hash function (e.g. HMAC). What's this good for? This provides authenticity without encryption: if you make changes to the disk without knowing the secret this will be noticed on the next read attempt of the data and result in IO errors. This mode provides what we want (authenticity) and doesn't do what we don't need (encryption). Of course, the secret key for the HMAC must be provided somehow, I think ideally by the TPM. Make /usr/ a dm-crypt (LUKS) + dm-integrity volume. This provides both authenticity and encryption. The latter isn't typically needed for /usr/ given that it generally contains no secret data: anyone can download the binaries off the Internet anyway, and the sources too. By encrypting this you'll waste CPU cycles, but beyond that it doesn't hurt much. (Admittedly, some people might want to hide the precise set of packages they have installed, since it of course does reveal a bit of information about you: i.e. what you are working on, maybe what your job is  think: if you are a hacker you have hacking tools installed  and similar). Going this way might simplify things in some cases, as it means you don't have to distinguish "OS binary resources" (i.e /usr/ ) and "OS configuration and state" (i.e. /etc/ + /var/ , see below), and just make it the same volume. Here too, the secret key must be provided somehow, I think ideally by the TPM.

All three approach are valid. The first approach has my primary sympathies, but for distributions not willing to abandon client-side updates via RPM/dpkg this is not an option, in which case I would propose the other two approaches for these cases.

The LUKS encryption key (and in case of dm-integrity standalone mode the key for the keyed hash function) should be bound to the TPM. Why the TPM for this? You could also use a user password, a FIDO2 or PKCS#11 security token  but I think TPM is the right choice: why that? To reduce the requirement for repeated authentication, i.e. that you first have to provide the disk encryption password, and then you have to login, providing another password. It should be possible that the system boots up unattended and then only one authentication prompt is needed to unlock the user's data properly. The TPM provides a way to do this in a reasonably safe and fully unattended way. Also, when we stop considering just the laptop use-case for a moment: on servers interactive disk encryption prompts don't make much sense  the fact that TPMs can provide secrets without this requiring user interaction and thus the ability to work in entirely unattended environments is quite desirable. Note that crypttab(5) as implemented by systemd (v248) provides native support for authentication via password, via TPM2, via PKCS#11 or via FIDO2, so the choice is ultimately all yours.

How to Encrypt/Authenticate OS Configuration and State

Let's now look at the OS configuration and state, i.e. the stuff in /etc/ and /var/ . It probably makes sense to not consider these two hierarchies independently but instead just consider this to be the root file system. If the OS binary resources are in a separate file system it is then mounted onto the /usr/ sub-directory of the root file system.

The OS configuration and state (or: root file system) should be both encrypted and authenticated: it might contain secret keys, user passwords, privileged logs and similar. This data matters and contains plenty data that should remain confidential.

The encryption of choice here is dm-crypt (LUKS) + dm-integrity similar as discussed above, again with the key bound to the TPM.

If the OS binary resources are protected the same way it is safe to merge these two volumes and have a single partition for both (see above)

How to Encrypt/Authenticate the User's Home Directory

The data in the user's home directory should be encrypted, and bound to the user's preferred token of authentication (i.e. a password or FIDO2/PKCS#11 security token). As mentioned, in the traditional mode of operation the user's home directory is not individually encrypted, but only encrypted because FDE is in use. The encryption key for that is a system wide key though, not a per-user key. And I think that's problem, as mentioned (and probably not even generally understood by our users). We should correct that and ensure that the user's password is what unlocks the user's data.

In the systemd suite we provide a service systemd-homed(8) (v245) that implements this in a safe way: each user gets its own LUKS volume stored in a loopback file in /home/ , and this is enough to synthesize a user account. The encryption password for this volume is the user's account password, thus it's really the password provided at login time that unlocks the user's data. systemd-homed also supports other mechanisms of authentication, in particular PKCS#11/FIDO2 security tokens. It also provides support for other storage back-ends (such as fscrypt), but I'd always suggest to use the LUKS back-end since it's the only one providing the comprehensive confidentiality guarantees one wants for a UNIX-style home directory.

Note that there's one special caveat here: if the user's home directory (e.g. /home/lennart/ ) is encrypted and authenticated, what about the file system this data is stored on, i.e. /home/ itself? If that dir is part of the the root file system this would result in double encryption: first the data is encrypted with the TPM root file system key, and then again with the per-user key. Such double encryption is a waste of resources, and unnecessary. I'd thus suggest to make /home/ its own dm-integrity volume with a HMAC, keyed by the TPM. This means the data stored directly in /home/ will be authenticated but not encrypted. That's good not only for performance, but also has practical benefits: it allows extracting the encrypted volume of the various users in case the TPM key is lost, as a way to recover from dead laptops or similar.

Why authenticate /home/ , if it only contains per-user home directories that are authenticated on their own anyway? That's a valid question: it's because the kernel file system maintainers made clear that Linux file system code is not considered safe against rogue disk images, and is not tested for that; this means before you mount anything you need to establish trust in some way because otherwise there's a risk that the act of mounting might exploit your kernel.

Summary of Resources and their Protections

So, let's now put this all together. Here's a table showing the various resources we deal with, and how I think they should be protected (in my idealized world).

Resource Needs Authentication Needs Encryption Suggested Technology Validation/Encryption Keys/Certificates acquired via Stored where Shim yes no SecureBoot signature verification firmware certificate database ESP Boot loader yes no ditto firmware certificate database/shim ESP/boot partition Kernel yes no ditto ditto ditto initrd yes no ditto ditto ditto initrd parameters yes yes systemd TPM encrypted credentials TPM ditto initrd extensions yes no systemd-sysext with Verity+PKCS#7 signatures firmware/initrd certificate database ditto OS binary resources yes no dm-verity root hash linked into kernel image, or firmware/initrd certificate database top-level partition OS configuration and state yes yes dm-crypt (LUKS) + dm-integrity TPM top-level partition /home/ itself yes no dm-integrity with HMAC TPM top-level partition User home directories yes yes dm-crypt (LUKS) + dm-integrity in loopback files User password/FIDO2/PKCS#11 security token loopback file inside /home partition

This should provide all the desired guarantees: everything is authenticated, and the individualized per-host or per-user data is also encrypted. No double encryption takes place. The encryption keys/verification certificates are stored/bound to the most appropriate infrastructure.

Does this address the three attack scenarios mentioned earlier? I think so, yes. The basic attack scenario I described is addressed by the fact that /var/ , /etc/ and /home/*/ are encrypted. Brute forcing the former two is harder than in the status quo ante model, since a high entropy key is used instead of one derived from a user provided password. Moreover, the "anti-hammering" logic of the TPM will make brute forcing prohibitively slow. The home directories are protected by the user's password or ideally a personal FIDO2/PKCS#11 security token in this model. Of course, a password isn't better security-wise then the status quo ante. But given the FIDO2/PKCS#11 support built into systemd-homed it should be easier to lock down the home directories securely.

Binding encryption of /var/ and /etc/ to the TPM also addresses the first of the two more advanced attack scenarios: a copy of the harddisk is useless without the physical TPM chip, since the seed key is sealed into that. (And even if the attacker had the chance to watch you type in your password, it won't help unless they possess access to to the TPM chip.) For the home directory this attack is not addressed as long as a plain password is used. However, since binding home directories to FIDO2/PKCS#11 tokens is built into systemd-homed things should be safe here too  provided the user actually possesses and uses such a device.

The backdoor attack scenario is addressed by the fact that every resource in play now is authenticated: it's hard to backdoor the OS if there's no component that isn't verified by signature keys or TPM secrets the attacker hopefully doesn't know.

For general purpose distributions that focus on updating the OS per RPM/dpkg the idealized model above won't work out, since (as mentioned) this implies an immutable /usr/ , and thus requires updating /usr/ via an atomic update operation. For such distros a setup like the following is probably more realistic, but see above.

Resource Needs Authentication Needs Encryption Suggested Technology Validation/Encryption Keys/Certificates acquired via Stored where Shim yes no SecureBoot signature verification firmware certificate database ESP Boot loader yes no ditto firmware certificate database/shim ESP/boot partition Kernel yes no ditto ditto ditto initrd yes no ditto ditto ditto initrd parameters yes yes systemd TPM encrypted credentials TPM ditto initrd extensions yes no systemd-sysext with Verity+PKCS#7 signatures firmware/initrd certificate database ditto OS binary resources, configuration and state yes yes dm-crypt (LUKS) + dm-integrity TPM top-level partition /home/ itself yes no dm-integrity with HMAC TPM top-level partition User home directories yes yes dm-crypt (LUKS) + dm-integrity in loopback files User password/FIDO2/PKCS#11 security token loopback file inside /home partition

This means there's only one root file system that contains all of /etc/ , /var/ and /usr/ .

Recovery Keys

When binding encryption to TPMs one problem that arises is what strategy to adopt if the TPM is lost, due to hardware failure: if I need the TPM to unlock my encrypted volume, what do I do if I need the data but lost the TPM?

The answer here is supporting recovery keys (this is similar to how other OSes approach this). Recovery keys are pretty much the same concept as passwords. The main difference being that they are computer generated rather than user-chosen. Because of that they typically have much higher entropy (which makes them more annoying to type in, i.e you want to use them only when you must, not day-to-day). By having higher entropy they are useful in combination with TPM, FIDO2 or PKCS#11 based unlocking: unlike a combination with passwords they do not compromise the higher strength of protection that TPM/FIDO2/PKCS#11 based unlocking is supposed to provide.

Current versions of systemd-cryptenroll(1) implement a recovery key concept in an attempt to address this problem. You may enroll any combination of TPM chips, PKCS#11 tokens, FIDO2 tokens, recovery keys and passwords on the same LUKS volume. When enrolling a recovery key it is generated and shown on screen both in text form and as QR code you can scan off screen if you like. The idea is write down/store this recovery key at a safe place so that you can use it when you need it. Note that such recovery keys can be entered wherever a LUKS password is requested, i.e. after generation they behave pretty much the same as a regular password.

TPM PCR Brittleness

Locking devices to TPMs and enforcing a PCR policy with this (i.e. configuring the TPM key to be unlockable only if certain PCRs match certain values, and thus requiring the OS to be in a certain state) brings a problem with it: TPM PCR brittleness. If the key you want to unlock with the TPM requires the OS to be in a specific state (i.e. that all OS components' hashes match certain expectations or similar) then doing OS updates might have the affect of making your key inaccessible: the OS updates will cause the code to change, and thus the hashes of the code, and thus certain PCRs. (Thankfully, you unrolled a recovery key, as described above, so this doesn't mean you lost your data, right?).

To address this I'd suggest three strategies:

Most importantly: don't actually use the TPM PCRs that contain code hashes. There are actually multiple PCRs defined, each containing measurements of different aspects of the boot process. My recommendation is to bind keys to PCR 7 only, a PCR that contains measurements of the UEFI SecureBoot certificate databases. Thus, the keys will remain accessible as long as these databases remain the same, and updates to code will not affect it (updates to the certificate databases will, and they do happen too, though hopefully much less frequent then code updates). Does this reduce security? Not much, no, because the code that's run is after all not just measured but also validated via code signatures, and those signatures are validated with the aforementioned certificate databases. Thus binding an encrypted TPM key to PCR 7 should enforce a similar level of trust in the boot/OS code as binding it to a PCR with hashes of specific versions of that code. i.e. using PCR 7 means you say "every code signed by these vendors is allowed to unlock my key" while using a PCR that contains code hashes means "only this exact version of my code may access my key". Use LUKS key management to enroll multiple versions of the TPM keys in relevant volumes, to support multiple versions of the OS code (or multiple versions of the certificate database, as discussed above). Specifically: whenever an update is done that might result changing the relevant PCRs, pre-calculate the new PCRs, and enroll them in an additional LUKS slot on the relevant volumes. This means that the unlocking keys tied to the TPM remain accessible in both states of the system. Eventually, once rebooted after the update, remove the old slots. If these two strategies didn't work out (maybe because the OS/firmware was updated outside of OS control, or the update mechanism was aborted at the wrong time) and the TPM PCRs changed unexpectedly, and the user now needs to use their recovery key to get access to the OS back, let's handle this gracefully and automatically reenroll the current TPM PCRs at boot, after the recovery key checked out, so that for future boots everything is in order again.

Other approaches can work too: for example, some OSes simply remove TPM PCR policy protection of disk encryption keys altogether immediately before OS or firmware updates, and then reenable it right after. Of course, this opens a time window where the key bound to the TPM is much less protected than people might assume. I'd try to avoid such a scheme if possible.

Anything Else?

So, given that we are talking about idealized systems: I personally actually think the ideal OS would be much simpler, and thus more secure than this:

I'd try to ditch the Shim, and instead focus on enrolling the distribution vendor keys directly in the UEFI firmware certificate list. This is actually supported by all firmwares too. This has various benefits: it's no longer necessary to bind everything to Microsoft's root key, you can just enroll your own stuff and thus make sure only what you want to trust is trusted and nothing else. To make an approach like this easier, we have been working on doing automatic enrollment of these keys from the systemd-boot boot loader, see this work in progress for details. This way the Firmware will authenticate the boot loader/kernel/initrd without any further component for this in place.

I'd also not bother with a separate boot partition, and just use the ESP for everything. The ESP is required anyway by the firmware, and is good enough for storing the few files we need.

FAQ

Can I implement all of this in my distribution today?

Probably not. While the big issues have mostly been addressed there's a lot of integration work still missing. As you might have seen I linked some PRs that haven't even been merged into our tree yet, and definitely not been released yet or even entered the distributions.

Will this show up in Fedora/Debian/Ubuntu soon?

I don't know. I am making a proposal how these things might work, and am working on getting various building blocks for this into shape. What the distributions do is up to them. But even if they don't follow the recommendations I make 100%, or don't want to use the building blocks I propose I think it's important they start thinking about this, and yes, I think they should be thinking about defaulting to setups like this.

Work for measuring/signing initrds on Fedora has been started, here's a slide deck with some information about it.

But isn't a TPM evil?

Some corners of the community tried (unfortunately successfully to some degree) to paint TPMs/Trusted Computing/SecureBoot as generally evil technologies that stop us from using our systems the way we want. That idea is rubbish though, I think. We should focus on what it can deliver for us (and that's a lot I think, see above), and appreciate the fact we can actually use it to kick out perceived evil empires from our devices instead of being subjected to them. Yes, the way SecureBoot/TPMs are defined puts you in the driver seat if you want  and you may enroll your own certificates to keep out everything you don't like.

What if my system doesn't have a TPM?

TPMs are becoming quite ubiquitous, in particular as the upcoming Windows versions will require them. In general I think we should focus on modern, fully equipped systems when designing all this, and then find fall-backs for more limited systems. Frankly it feels as if so far the design approach for all this was the other way round: try to make the new stuff work like the old rather than the old like the new (I mean, to me it appears this thinking is the main raison d'etre for the Grub boot loader).

More specifically, on the systems where we have no TPM we ultimately cannot provide the same security guarantees as for those which have. So depending on the resource to protect we should fall back to different TPM-less mechanisms. For example, if we have no TPM then the root file system should probably be encrypted with a user provided password, typed in at boot as before. And for the encrypted boot credentials we probably should simply not encrypt them, and place them in the ESP unencrypted.

Effectively this means: without TPM you'll still get protection regarding the basic attack scenario, as before, but not the other two.

What if my system doesn't have UEFI?

Many of the mechanisms explained above taken individually do not require UEFI. But of course the chain of trust suggested above requires something like UEFI SecureBoot. If your system lacks UEFI it's probably best to find work-alikes to the technologies suggested above, but I doubt I'll be able to help you there.

rpm/dpkg already cryptographically validates all packages at installation time ( gpg ), why would I need more than that?

This type of package validation happens once: at the moment of installation (or update) of the package, but not anymore when the data installed is actually used. Thus when an attacker manages to modify the package data after installation and before use they can make any change they like without this ever being noticed. Such package download validation does address certain attack scenarios (i.e. man-in-the-middle attacks on network downloads), but it doesn't protect you from attackers with physical access, as described in the attack scenarios above.

Systems such as ostree aren't better than rpm/dpkg regarding this BTW, their data is not validated on use either, but only during download or when processing tree checkouts.

Key really here is that the scheme explained here provides offline protection for the data "at rest"  even someone with physical access to your device cannot easily make changes that aren't noticed on next use. rpm/dpkg/ostree provide online protection only: as long as the system remains up, and all OS changes are done through the intended program code-paths, and no one has physical access everything should be good. In today's world I am sure this is not good enough though. As mentioned most modern OSes provide offline protection for the data at rest in one way or another. Generic Linux distributions are terribly behind on this.

This is all so desktop/laptop focused, what about servers?

I am pretty sure servers should provide similar security guarantees as outlined above. In a way servers are a much simpler case: there are no users and no interactivity. Thus the discussion of /home/ and what it contains and of user passwords doesn't matter. However, the authenticated initrd and the unattended TPM-based encryption I think are very important for servers too, in a trusted data center environment. It provides security guarantees so far not given by Linux server OSes.

I'd like to help with this, or discuss/comment on this

Submit patches or reviews through GitHub. General discussion about this is best done on the systemd mailing list.
If youve ever dreamed of running away with the circus, a Cork cultural centre is offering you a chance to get a taste of life in the big top.

Starting next Monday, September 9, the Circus Factory on the Centre Park Road is hosting a week of circus taster classes, with classes entitled hula hoop, aerial silks, handstands, trapeze, acrobatics, and more on offer.

Corks Circus Factory will swing its doors open for adults to try out different circus classes before committing to a 12-week term.

The taster classes take place in the evenings and are open to over 18s.

The classes welcome those with no prior experience in circus and they cost up to 17.50 per taster class, but discounts are available, with details available on the circus factorys website.

Taster

Tamsin OCallaghan, a current member at Circus Factory, started a taster class two years ago with no experience and then signed up for the term.

Everyone has always been so welcoming and nice and supportive, she said.

Its a really lovely community to be a part of.

Circus member Mags Daly said the classes are perfect for those looking to try something new, improve their fitness, or explore their creative side in a supportive and inspiring environment.

My favourite thing about circus is the freedom to play and find my own movements and shapes, Ms Daly said.

At the end of the 12-week term of classes, students are invited to participate in a student showcase where they show off skills and routines they develop during their training, or volunteer backstage if performing doesnt appeal.

Circus Factory offers classes for adults and youth as well and hosts in-house cabarets and showcases all year round, while every autumn they hold an annual festival, Pitchd Circus and Street Arts Festival.

For more information visit https://circusfactorycork.com.
Corks greatest rock star is to be honoured at an awards ceremony on his home street in January, marking the start of the 30th anniversary of his passing.

The annual Cork Person of the Year awards lunch will be held on Friday, January 24, in The Metropole Hotel on MacCurtain Street, the street where Rory Gallagher grew up, and the ceremony will honour the life of one of the citys favourite (adopted) sons.

Rory was born in the Rock Hospital in Ballyshannon, Co Donegal, on Tuesday, March 2, 1948, and he moved to Cork with his mother Monica and his younger brother Donal in 1956.

They lived at 27 MacCurtain Street, over the pub that Rorys grandmother owned, The Modern Bar.

Rory passed away on Wednesday, June 14, 1995, at the age of 47, three decades into a career that saw him tour the world, release 14 solo albums during his lifetime, and become one of the worlds most influential musicians.

Januarys Cork Persons of the Month annual awards will mark the start of the year of the 30th anniversary of his death and will see the blues legend honoured by the Lord Mayor and the Mayor of Cork County.

The mayors will remember Rory Gallaghers career and make a presentation on stage to Rorys brother and manager, Donal.

The organiser of the awards ceremony, Manus OCallaghan, told The Echo the love for Rory in his hometown was as great now as it had ever been.

Rory Gallagher was Irelands first international star and led the way for many others such as U2, and we found a groundswell of opinion in Cork that people just wanted to recognise his greatness, he said.

I remember often seeing Rory on MacCurtain Street, as I worked at number 26 and Rory often visited his granny who had a pub next door in number 27.

So its very appropriate that his special honorary event should happen in his home street," Mr O'Callaghan said.

There has been some controversy over the summer about the planned sale in London next month of Rorys 1961 Sunburst Fender Stratocaster, which is expected to fall into private hands for an estimated 700,000 (833,110) to 1m (1.19m).

That guitar was sold to a 15-year-old Rory for 100 by Michael Crowley at Crowleys Music Centre on Merchants Quay in 1963.

Now, a fundraiser set up by Michaels daughter, Sheena, proprietor of Crowleys Music Centre on Friar Street, to purchase the guitar has already raised over 32,500 and a concert night in Rorys honour will take place in Cork City Hall on Sunday, September 15. Tickets are 25, with all proceeds going toward the fundraiser, and are on sale at Crowleys Music Centre and on Eventbrite.
An East Cork primary school today reopened under its new status as a community national school in what was described as a new chapter.

Back in May, The Echo reported that Kyle National School, now Kyle Community National School, was to move from Catholic to Cork Education and Training Board (Cork ETB) patronage.

Speaking at the time, school principal Joanna Kelly said the planned transfer of patronage marked a significant milestone in the schools history.

Pictured on her first day is Izzy Fleming, Junior Infants, with her mum, Anita Godinho and dad, Faolan Fleming, during the first day at school, under the new patronage of Cork Education and Training Board (Cork ETB), at Kyle Community National School, Kyle, Youghal, Co. Cork. Picture: Jim Coughlan.

Were very excited. Its a time of great nostalgia as well.

The school has been here for so long and it definitely feels like a new chapter in our story, she told The Echo.

Its just lovely for a small school to be progressive and looking to diversify and offer a choice of education to the community that we serve.

The school, situated between Killeagh and Youghal, officially reopened today under its new status as a community national school.

This transition, which has been in the making for some time, brings 48 students, including 12 Junior Infants, into a new period of the school's long history, which dates back to its founding in 1870.

Pictured in class on his first day at school is, Arthur Martin, Junior Infants, during the first day at school, under the new patronage of Cork Education and Training Board (Cork ETB), at Kyle Community National School, Kyle, Youghal, Co. Cork. Picture: Jim Coughlan.

Cork ETB said the shift in patronage is part of the Department of Education's broader initiative to divest Catholic primary schools, aligning with the Programme for Government's commitment to fostering community national schools.

The board said the process leading to this change involved thorough consultations between the Department of Education, the Diocese of Cloyne, Cork ETB, and the local school community.

Chief executive of Cork ETB, Denis Leamy, expressed his delight at being present for the historic occasion today.

Principal Joanna Kelly also addressed the community, acknowledging the emotional significance of the day.

She expressed her optimism for the future, highlighting how the school's values align with the ETB model.

Pictured on her first day is Reidin O'Tuama, Junior Infants, with her mum, Lorraine O'Tuama, during the first day at school, under the new patronage of Cork Education and Training Board (Cork ETB), at Kyle Community National School, Kyle, Youghal, Co. Cork. Picture: Jim Coughlan.

In its new multidenominational role, Kyle Community National School will introduce the Goodness Me Goodness You programme, which explores various beliefs in place of traditional faith formation.

Sacraments such as communion and confirmation will continue to be celebrated, but these will now be organised outside school hours with the support of the parish and parental volunteers.
The investigative file in the cases against ten men accused of conspiring to import drugs into Ireland arising out of a major international investigation has been sent to the DPP in compliance with a legal deadline.

Detective Sergeant Michael Lyons was present in Cork District Court today where one of the ten accused men appeared by video link from prison on a conspiracy charge.

Det. Sgt. Lyons previously gave evidence on how the investigation had been progressing.

Sergeant Gearoid Davis told Judge Mary Dorgan, The file has gone to the DPP on August 30.

Anar Rahui of Calle Jaen, Marbella, Malaga, Spain, was represented in court by Frank Buttimer who explained to the accused through a Spanish interpreter the significance of the file going to the Director of Public Prosecutions.

The police file has now been sent to the DPP  the public prosecutor. That means the police have made the deadline on what was required to be done. The prosecutor must now consider the investigation file and give a direction to the judge as to what is to happen to this case.

They must obey the obligation to deal with the matter as rapidly as possible. Realistically, that may take some weeks. I recommend that there would be consent (by the defendant) to a four-week adjournment so that consideration could be given by the prosecution, Mr Buttimer said.

Through the interpreter, Mr Rahui said he would follow whatever his solicitor recommended.

Judge Dorgan remanded him in custody until September 30 and said, Obviously, this is a complex investigation and it is good to hear the file has now gone to the DPP.

The defendant is one of ten men charged with the same offence. Some co-accused are due to appear on other dates at Cork District Court, others are before different courts in County Cork. One of the ten is on bail and all of the others are in custody on the charge.

Each of the accused is accused of conspiring with nine others to import drugs. The charge in each case states, That you (defendants name) on dates between February 27 and March 14, both dates inclusive, within the state, did conspire with one or more persons, namely (nine other names) to do an act in the state that constitutes a serious offence, namely the importation of controlled drugs in excess of 13,000, an offence contrary of Section 15B (1) of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1977 as amended and contrary to Section 71 (1) (a) (4) of the Criminal Justice Act 2006 as amended by Section 4 (b) of the Criminal Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions ) Act 2023.

Det. Sgt. Lyons said previously that there had been more than 175 interviews with the prisoners involving 62 members in charge and 48 interviewing members of An Garda Siochana, 350 plus statements have been taken, 310 plus lines of enquiry were being followed, more than 700 exhibits were seized and 50 plus electronic devices are being forensically analysed.

Numerous enquiries undertaken with Europol and Interpol and case conferences have taken place with British, Spanish and Danish police forces, as well as enquiries conducted in South America and North America.
Friendly Call Cork has reported a surge in demand for the service with over 4,000 calls made monthly, as loneliness and isolation remain significant issues among older people.

The free telephone support service, operated by Cork City Partnership, is seeking new volunteers to help with the high volume of calls made every month.

It comes following the publication of new research from the Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing (Tilda) at Trinity College Dublin, which explored the impacts of social disconnection and its link to a wish to die among older people.

Depression

Out of the 8,000 people questioned, 4% reported feeling that they would rather be dead while 10% exhibited clinically significant levels of depression.

Friendly Call Cork was established in 2010 in response to the growing concern about loneliness and social isolation among older adults in the community.

Volunteers and staff members call clients at a pre-arranged time to check in on them.

The calls are usually brief, but can be extended based on the clients needs.

Clients can self-refer or they can be referred by family, friends, or healthcare professionals.

The service is confidential and is available for older people and anyone feeling lonely, isolated, or vulnerable  including those who have a chronic illness or who cannot engage actively with the local community.

If a call is not answered, the volunteer will phone a member of the clients family, neighbour, or friends.

They may also advise on other services available in their locality such as Meals on Wheels, dementia supports, day centres, or social events.

Volunteers

Friendly Call Cork is now seeking volunteers to help operate the service. Volunteers are offered flexible working hours and can work from home.

Support development worker of Friendly Call Cork, Fiona ORourke, said: Loneliness and isolation remain significant issues among older people, particularly since the pandemic.

These feelings can have a profound impact on both mental and physical health, increasing the risk of depression, anxiety, and other health conditions. Cork, like many areas, has seen an increase in the number of older adults living alone, which exacerbates these problems.

Friendly Call Cork plays a crucial role in combating this by providing regular social interaction and support to those who need it most.

Friendly Call Cork coordinator Jacqueline Fitzgibbon said that the conversations during check-ins can cover a wide range of topics such as general wellbeing, updates on daily activities, concerns about health, or any other issues the client might be facing.

Sometimes clients just want to chat about their day, discuss local news, or reminisce about their past experiences. The goal is to make the clients feel connected and supported, she said.

Anyone who wishes to avail of the service or who wants to sign up as a volunteer can contact Friendly Call Cork on 021 430 1700 or

https://corkcitypartnership.ie/all-programmes/friendly-call-cork.
I was listening to Fine Gael Senator Maria Byrne being interviewed recently. She was promoting the idea of pop-up garda stations, which she said could be used to deter crime and restore confidence in communities.

Senator Byrne said that the link between anti-social behaviour and a lack of policing presence was clear.

It would be a temporary Garda station, a unit that isnt on the main street in our towns, villages, and cities, which gardai could use to have a presence and provide information, she said.

Its all about having a greater presence on the street, it increases confidence which is something we all want.

The roll out of more pop-up stations on a temporary basis would provide those living in rural communities (with) greater access to Garda services and provide a greater sense of security, especially to the elderly in these communities.

That last sentence caught my attention. Had she forgotten who was responsible for closing those rural garda stations in the not-too-distant past? It was the security of those very same elderly people that many of us were concerned about at the time of those closures, but our concerns fell on deaf ears.

The then Minister for Justice, France Fitzgerald, assured the rural communities they would have a better garda service as a result of the closures, but Senator Byrne seems to have doubts about how that worked out.

The main point she was trying to get across, though, was that the physical presence of gardai on the streets increases public confidence and deters criminality. She wont get any argument from me there.

The various garda representative associations have been saying that for years.

Having gardai on the beat was a strategy An Garda Siochana followed for decades. It was an essential element in maintaining law and order. Towns and cities were divided into small sections called beats, which were patrolled by gardai on foot, 24 hours a day.

Gardai on foot patrols prevented and detected crime, built a rapport with the local community, and gave communities a sense of safety. The patrols were easily organised and didnt cost much, but not everyone appreciated their value.

There were many who wanted to change the policing style under the guise of modernisation.

The Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland (CoFPI), the Garda Siochana Inspectorate, the Irish Policing Authority, the Garda Siochana Ombudsman Commission and endless policing plans over the years have had their say on how policing should be managed.

Many reports have been published, strategies identified, proposals and recommendations adopted, and plans for the future of the policing in Ireland unveiled. Vast quantities of ink and paper were used to print forest loads of paper and what did we end up with?

Well, for starters we have an under-resourced police force, led by senior officers from outside jurisdictions, and we have a force that is struggling to recruit new membership because it is not seen as an attractive career.

We have reached new depths too. For the first time ever, a motion of no confidence was expressed in the garda commissioner by the rank-and-file membership.

We have a leadership that cant find a candidate to replace the current commissioner when he retires because of a financial issue which, if it isnt resolved, is likely to result in the appointment to the top job of another officer from outside the jurisdiction.

Its fair to say that, despite all the restructuring, the organisation is in crisis.

Between them all, they have managed to strangle An Garda Siochana with paperwork and oversight, and in my opinion, policing has been set back 30 years.

And the future isnt looking too bright either when the politicians think the solution lies in pop-up garda stations, especially without considering the implications.

In her recent interview, Limerick Senator Maria Byrne said that her aim was for people to have confidence by seeing gardai on the street, adding: A garda presence on the street is very welcome and has started to increase, especially here in Limerick. I do believe that having a garda station where guards can come and go is really important.

She criticised how commonplace drug dealing has become on the streets.

We need to keep fighting against it. the Senator said. The presence of gardai on the street and the roll-out of body cams is beginning to help deter it, and thats something we need to build on.

She also suggested that these pop-up garda stations would be handy if gardai wanted to interview someone or bring them in for questioning.

As a legislator, Senator Byrne should be more familiar with the legal requirements surrounding the detention and questioning of people in custody.

Specifically, The Criminal Justice Act 1984 (Treatment of Persons in Custody in Garda Siochana Stations) Regulations 1987 might have something to say about having prisoners in pop-up stations

She also suggested recruiting more civilians to run some of the offices, to put more gardai back out on the street, but I was under the impression that the civilianisation programme in An Garda Siochana was well underway. Not before time either.

I can remember being told that civilianisation was imminent when I was stationed in Dublin more than 40 years ago, but maybe the senator is better informed.

If her opinion on policing is indicative of the current thinking of our legislators, then the future of policing in Ireland looks bleak.

The new Policing, Security and Community Safety Bill 2023 is due shortly, which will add to the growing pile of consultants reports, expert working group findings, strategies, and designing programmes - and who knows what that will bring?

In the meantime, I have a suggestion. Lets return to the best strategy of them all - put gardai back on the beat where they belong.
The Vendor Map, the official place to go for information on SRCI.

With the SRCI interface, users can program robot systems from different manufacturers in a standardised way using a PLC. The supporting user organisation PI has now established the SCRI Vendor Map for the interface on its website with up-to-date information on the SRCI range.

Robot programmers are rare, and the lack of specialists is further intensifying the situation. This is why a host of robot manufacturers and Siemens, as a PLC manufacturer, joined forces a few years ago to establish a standardized interface: SRCI (Standard Robot Command Interface). For three years, PI (Profibus & Profinet International) has been supporting the still young technology and advancing its development, standardization and international distribution.

With the more than 115 robot functions offered by the SRCI, users can call these functions in the PLC while the robot controller reports back the required robot status information to the PLC. This simplifies day-to-day work considerably and ensures that users can get started in robotics much more easily, explained Gunes Bilgen, head of the SRCI Working Group at PI. With the SRCI, users can program robot systems from different manufacturers in a uniform way using a PLC. In the meantime, seven manufacturers have already launched products with this interface on the market - and products from even more manufacturers are expected over the coming months. A logo has also been registered as a trademark so that manufacturers and users can identify products with the new interface even faster.

The SRCI Vendor Map, which was anticipated by both users and manufacturers alike, has also been established. All the important information on released SRCI implementations is always made available at the PI website www.profibus.com. The SRCI Vendor Map is the central place to go for the latest information on the SRCI. At any time, you can see which manufacturers already support the SRCI and which functions they provide and you can search for a manufacturer which supports a specific function. With a single click, you can also find out which functions are available in a specific setup of an SRCI client and interpreter, according to Gunes Bilgen.

The website is being updated continuously, and other SRCI news can be found there as well. For example, about the Get Together for Robotics Conference taking place on October 23 and 24, 2024. Robot experts, users, PLC manufacturers, startups and participants from universities are expected to attend the event in Erlangen, Germany. Over 140 participants have already registered, and online participation is possible as well. While the focus of the conference was on the cross-organizational standardization of the SRCI interface at the beginning of the events history, this years focus will be trends and innovations in robotics.

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The company reversed course after initially saying it would not block the social media site.

Update, September 3, 5:15PM ET: Starlink has reversed course on its decision to not comply with Brazils block of X. In a statement posted to X, the company said:

To our customers in Brazil (who may not be able to read this as a result of X being blocked by @alexandre):



The Starlink team is doing everything possible to keep you connected.



Following last weeks order from @alexandre that froze Starlinks finances and prevents Starlink from conducting financial transactions in Brazil, we immediately initiated legal proceedings in the Brazilian Supreme Court explaining the gross illegality of this order and asking the Court to unfreeze our assets. Regardless of the illegal treatment of Starlink in freezing of our assets, we are complying with the order to block access to X in Brazil.



We continue to pursue all legal avenues, as are others who agree that @alexandres recent orders violate the Brazilian constitution.

The original story, "Starlink is refusing to comply with Brazil's X ban," as published on September 2, continues below unedited.

After the countrys Supreme Court ordered internet service providers to block access to X, the platform was largely unavailable in the country by Sunday night. The only ways to access X since then have been through VPNs (for those willing to risk huge fines) and Starlink, the satellite internet service thats also run by X owner Elon Musk.

The president of Brazils telecom agency, Anatel, said that Starlink refused to comply with the court order until officials released its frozen assets, The New York Times reports. Alexandre de Moraes, the Supreme Court justice who has been on the warpath against X, also blocked the local bank accounts of Starlink, which is a SpaceX subsidiary. Moraes, who has accused X of disseminating hate speech and disinformation, is said to have done so with the aim of collecting $3 million in fines levied against X for ignoring his orders to block certain accounts.

Starlink petitioned the court to unblock its assets but the court dismissed the request. Musk called the Starlink account freeze "illegal," arguing that SpaceX and X are separate entities while claiming he owns 40 percent of the former.

There are around 250,000 Starlink customers in Brazil. The service has proven popular there in rural areas and among Indigenous tribes in the Amazon. Starlink pledged to provide free internet access to its Brazilian customers while its accounts in the country remain blocked.

If Starlink maintains its stance on X, Brazil could revoke the internet services license. If it continues to operate after that, officials could seize equipment from 23 ground stations. The gear helps Starlink improve the quality of its satellite connections.

Meanwhile, a majority of a Supreme Court panel upheld the X ban, which Moraes issued after Musk defied several of his orders, at a trial on Monday. X will have the right to appeal the decision. The panel also approved an order by Moraes to fine anyone caught using a VPN to access X in Brazil a daily fine of 50,000 Brazilian Real (around $8,900).
Prince Harry wants to return to the royal fold and has reached out to his former aides from his time as a working royal for help, a new report has claimed.

The Duke of Sussex and his wife Meghan Markle have had a busy four years since stepping back from their royal roles and moving to Montecito, California, in 2020.

Royal experts and reporters said that their relationship with the royal family remains strained after they gave interviews and released a Netflix docuseries and memoir discussing, in part, their royal exit and grievances with Prince William, King Charles III, and "the Firm."

However, the Mail on Sunday, citing anonymous sources, reported that Prince Harry was now plotting a temporary return to royal life.

According to the royal insiders, Prince Harry is consulting trusted ex-aides and advisers in the U.K. instead of Hollywood publicists for help in rehabilitating his reputation in his home country.

"Harry is turning away from all sorts of Hollywood publicists and is seeking counsel from his old friends and associates," one source told the outlet.

RELATED: Prince Harry Struggling Financially? May Return To UK To Ask King Charles For Money: Royal Expert

Prince Harry reportedly contacted people he worked with when he was a working royal after losing his chief of staff Josh Kettler and former head of communications Christine Weil Schirmer.

"He is clearly reaching out thinking, 'I need to do something different because what I'm doing is clearly not working,'" the insider explained. "In short, he is rethinking the way he operates."

The source claimed that one friend, who was not identified, advised Prince Harry to return to the U.K. with "zero fuss" and "zero publicity" to "prove himself and win over the British public again."

The adviser reportedly believes that this will help Prince Harry reenter British circles and potentially lead to him doing "very low-key royal duties" again.

RELATED: Prince Harry, Prince William 'Discreetly' Arrive, Reunite At Uncle's Funeral: 'They Were Keeping Their Distance'

However, this would only happen "if certain members of the family" -- likely King Charles and Prince William -- "could find it in themselves to allow it," the source noted.

But even if he is welcomed back, the insider said Prince Harry is unlikely to represent the royal family in a major event anytime soon.

In February, The Times U.K. reported that Prince Harry told friends that he was willing to return to a temporary royal role to support his family after King Charles was diagnosed with cancer and Kate Middleton remained out of the public eye.

However, unnamed sources close to King Charles told the Daily Mail at the time that while the monarch was open to fixing his relationship with Prince Harry, he doesn't hold the same opinion when it comes to his younger son returning as a working royal.

"Have the king and Harry been speaking? Yes. Does this mean a return to the fold even on a temporary basis? No," one insider said.

Meanwhile, pals of the royal brothers recently told the Sunday Times that Prince Harry and Prince William remain "estranged" and have not spoken in almost two years.
Norwegian Princess Martha Louise has tied the knot with an American self-professed shaman over the weekend and their wedding was plagued with controversy.

Princess Martha Louise, the eldest child of King Harald V and Queen Sonja of Norway, marked her marriage to 49-year-old Durek Verrett at a ceremony in Geiranger, a popular tourist attraction in Geirangerfjord, Norway. The three-day festivity was attended by influencers and celebrities, while Norwegian and U.S. artists performed at the event, the Associated Press reported.

Who Is Princess Martha Louise's Husband Durek Verrett?

Verrett is a self-proclaimed sixth-generation shaman who has written books on wellness and has appeared on the show "The Doctors."

"Shaman Durek is redefining what wellness means by putting the power back into the hands of the people, so that they may live consciously, authentically, and in alignment," his website indicated.

While he lists stars like Nina Dobrev and Gwyneth Paltrow as his clients, his teachings and publications have been controversial. In his 2019 book "Spirit Hacking: Shamanic Keys to Reclaim Your Personal Power, Transform Yourself, and Light Up the World," Verrett allegedly wrote that children get cancer because they're unhappy.

A Norwegian translation of the book was not published due to its controversial claims.

"When I read through the Norwegian translation and found the parties dealing with the causes of cancer and treatment, it became impossible to publish this book," Publishing Manager Knut Ola Ulvestad told a Norwegian newspaper at the time, per the Daily Mail.

"What Durek writes about, for example, is that when children have cancer, it's because they're unhappy and thinking about it, so yeah, I just don't have an adequate comment on this."

The shaman, who is also bisexual, started training to be a shaman at age 11. He also claims to have come back from the dead, the Daily Mail noted. He also allegedly said that cocaine is "a medicine."

Princess Martha Louise Wedding Controversy

Martha Louise and Verrett met through a mutual friend and have been dating since 2019.

Ahead of their wedding, the couple revealed that Hello! Magazine will have exclusive access to the wedding, angering Norwegian media and accusing them of breaking tradition.

The local press has regularly been given access to cover royal weddings, The Independent said.

Media were only allowed to take photos outside the ceremony and will be provided with one photo of the newlywed with their family, the outlet added.

Responding to the backlash, the princess posted on her Instagram account in April that they will "not comment on anything the press throws at us."

"We know that parts of the press will intensify with lies about us, as our wedding draws nearer. As we prepare for our Big Day, we are dedicated to taking care of each other, prioritizing our mental well-being and love for each other," Princess Martha Louise wrote.

Verrett is the second husband of Princess Martha Louise, who welcomed three daughters in her first marriage with author Ari Behn. The couple announced their separation in 2016, three years before Behn died by suicide in 2019.
"Dawson Creek" alum Obi Ndefo has died, his family announced. He was 51.

The actor's sister, Nkem Ndefo, confirmed his death via a Facebook post Saturday.

"Heartbroken at the loss of my younger brother and knowing he's finally at peace," she wrote alongside a photo of her with her brother.

No cause of death was disclosed.

Following his passing, some of Ndefo's former "Dawson Creek" co-stars shared tributes to the late actor via social media.

RELATED: Nelons Tragedy: Haunting Final Video Before Plane Crash That Killed 3 Of Gospel Family Band's 4 Members

Mary-Margaret Humes  who played Dawson Leery's mom Gail Leery on "Dawson Creek"  took to Instagram to post a montage of clips featuring Ndefo on the set of the series, which aired from 1998 to 2003.

"These words don't come easy," she wrote alongside the footage. "It's hard for me to conceive that you have left us, my dear friend."

"You always were and always will be a bright shining light," Humes continued. "What an example of pure unfiltered love and tenacity you set as you faced life's challenges of recent. I will cherish all of our messages of love and support to each other over the past few years. Rest in peace sweet warrior."

Katie Holmes also remembered her late co-star in a post on her Instagram Stories.

Alongside a screenshot of Humes' post, Holmes wrote: "He was wonderful to work with and such a kind man. I send prayers and grace to his family. Rest in Peace [heart emoji]."

RELATED: Royal Family Member Confirmed Dead; Prince Who Renounced Throne For Love Passes Away

In the teen drama, Ndefo played Bodie Wells, the boyfriend of Bessie Potter (Nina Repeta).

Bessie was the older sister of Holmes' character Joey Potter.

A graduate of Yale University's drama school, Ndefo appeared in other television series, including "NCIS: Los Angeles," "The West Wing," "NYPD Blue," "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine" and "Stargate SG-1."

Ndefo passed away five years after he lost both of his legs due to a hit-and-run in Los Angeles.

The actor was loading groceries into his parked car outside of Erewhon Market on Aug. 17, 2019, when a car slammed into him, the Los Angeles Times reported.

His right leg was severed in the crash, and his left leg was later amputated at the hospital.

A GoFundMe page helped Ndefo raise enough funds to cover his hospital expenses and get a pair of prosthetic legs.

Despite the traumatic incident, the actor became active again just a little over a month after the crash and began documenting his recovery and workouts on social media.

"I so clearly could have died....I had to instantaneously accept the reality of loss," Ndefo told the L.A. Times in 2020.

"I started to realize day by day that...who says that this isn't an opportunity?" he continued. "I'm in a new body now. Life goes on."

In addition to being an actor, he also worked as a yoga teacher.
Martin Lawrence insisted during his latest standup comedy show that he has never had a stroke but failed to completely quell fans' concerns over his health.

The "Bad Boys: Ride or Die" star, 59, once again addressed the rumors about his health during his "Y'all Know What It Is!" tour stop in Detroit Friday.

In fan-taken footage shared on X, formerly Twitter, Lawrence began his set by shutting down the stroke rumors and show fans that they have nothing to worry about.

"Motherf**kers talking about me and s**t. Talking about I had a stroke and s**t," the actor said in the video. "Does this look like a motherf**ker that done had a stroke?"

Lawrence then proceeded to jump several times across the stage and dance, causing the audience to laugh and cheer him on.

Martin Lawrence addressed rumors that he had a stroke during his comedy show in Detroit. pic.twitter.com/bBaOFRjdkE  The Art Of Dialogue (@ArtOfDialogue_) August 31, 2024

"I be stroking. That's what I be doing," he joked, seemingly referencing the hit 1986 song by Clarence Carter.

RELATED: Martin Lawrence Dared A Rowdy Heckler To Come Onstage During Comedy Show After Interrupting Show

Lawrence went on to claim that his slow and slurred speech in some recent interviews was due to him being "high" at the time rather than an effect of stroke.

"Then they talking about I'm talking slow and lethargic and all that," he told the audience, "I'm probably high."

However, many X users said they were not buying Lawrence's claim, though they were happy to see him doing well and performing shows.

"[I don't know] why he always feels the need to lie," one person commented.

"This isn't helping him beat the allegations lol, but I'm glad he's back outside and seems in good spirits. Hopefully he's healthy," another wrote.

A third user asked, "Right how you gonna say '[motherf**ker saying I'm taking slow' while talking slow[?]"

"Actually, now I'm more convinced that yes you did have a stroke," another wrote, while a fifth user shared, "My dad had two strokes when I was a teenager....he is exactly what a [motherf**ker] looks like after recovering from a stroke."

"[I don't know] if Martin realizes that he actually does sound like he's had some health issues...but I'm happy he's confident and powering through," another wrote.

RELATED: Martin Lawrence's Health Questioned After Fans Claim His Speech Was 'Slurred' And 'Slow' During Radio Interview

One X user shared their theory on why Lawrence would not disclose a potential health issue, suggesting: "He doesn't want to come off weak. He doesn't even sound like himself either."

But others simply praised Lawrence over his comedy show.

"Brought the house down last night," one fan wrote, while another declared, "He still got it!"

"What a way to turn it around," a third user gushed. "An icon."

"More good health and life to Martin. He's a comedic legend and his own people denigrated him. Glad he's well and still doing shows," another tweeted.

Some also urged other fans and social media users to respect Lawrence's privacy when it comes to his health.

"Even if he had a stroke, if he doesn't wanna talk about it, it's not everyone's business," one person pointed out.

Questions about Lawrence's health first surfaced while he was promoting "Bad Boys: Ride or Die" with co-star Will Smith around late May and early June.

At the time, a video of Smith appearing to help a seemingly unsteady Lawrence walk during the premiere of their film went viral.

Days later, Lawrence denied claims that he was ill as he responded to the speculation during a sit-down with Hot 97's Ebro Darden.

"I'm fine," the actor said in June. "I'm in God's hands. I'm blessed. I'm glad to be waking up every day. I'm all good. No need for people to be concerned."
Monday, September 2, 2024

The first Million Broken Hearts Monument is Finally Here. The idea for the monument was first realized when Jill proceeded to the Memorial Monument company in Pocatello, Idaho. She looked at various monument ideas and designs. She then brought her ideas to the Malad Cemetery Committee and presented the idea to the Malad City Council. The idea was approved, and fundraising began by The American Legion holding a Bingo night and donating all the proceeds to the monument.

The saying: Each Life that is Ended Through Violence, Suicide or Accidental Death, Leaves Behind A Million Broken Hearts.  Was originally published in Jill Vanderwoods book, Off Target: The Path You Choose #1.

Other activities included: a raffle quilt, selling ice cream and water bottles on the Fourth of July and the Welch Festival. Donations came in from the Nell J. Redfield Hospital and Long-term care, and individuals and businesses around Malad City.

The whole project was derailed during the pandemic

When it resumed in 2022, the City became involved with a donation. Brad Horsely from Horselys Funeral Home ordered the stone monument at a great discount and donations were made directly to the Malad City Foundation so that the monument was tax free.

The Million Broken Hearts monument was placed in a prominent spot at the Malad Cemetery in May of 2024, and was dedicated on May 27th.

https://www.idahostatejournal.com/news/local/a-million-broken-hearts-malad-to-dedicate-monument-for-victims-of-suicide-domestic-violence-or/article_f9cc24de-08d8-11ef-88fc-af0a7ca29700.html

During the Suicide Prevention week, in September 2024, members of the community will meet at Malad High School at 6:00 on Tuesday, September 3. There will be speakers and information booths set up. Each participant will be given Walking Tacos and annual Suicide Walk for Awareness, Prevention and Remembrance will begin at 7:15, where we will gather at the Million Broken Hearts Monument at the Malad, Idaho City Cemetery.
Scottish sheep farmers are being urged to donate lambs to schools across Scotland this autumn as part of an annual St Andrews Day initiative.

Since its inception in 2020, the 'Lamb Bank' has delivered over 2.75 tonnes of lamb to dozens of Scottish secondary schools.

It is part of the Lamb for St Andrews Day initiative to promote the merits of Scottish-produced lamb to UK consumers.

Farmers can donate the value of store, prime and breeding lambs, cull and breeding ewes and tups to the Lamb Bank.

Donation can be done via any Scottish auction market or by getting in touch directly with the Institute of Auctioneers and Appraisers in Scotland (IAAS).

The campaign has also been credited with supporting and improving the prime lamb price throughout autumn, with the price usually tracking upwards.

Neil Wilson, executive director of Institute of Auctioneers and Appraisers in Scotland (IAAS), has called on more farmers to participate for 2024.

"Every year the Lamb Bank has gained momentum, and we are extremely grateful to all those who donate and spread the word," he said.

It makes a huge difference to what we can achieve, and the response we get from teachers and school pupils shows the power of a really tangible, hands-on project like this.

To date, marts across Scotland have made a significant donation themselves towards the initiative, in addition to the donations from the industry.

Again, for this year, more farmers and others in the supply chain are being asked to donate for the overall benefit of the sector.

"The greater the number of young people we can reach, the more we can encourage them to choose lamb from butchers chillers and shop shelves," Mr Wilson said.

Nicola Wordie, an advocate for sheep farming with a big following through her Livestock_farmher channel on social media, has supported the Lamb Bank since 2020.

She said: Since this campaign started, we have supported it as it allows children to try and taste Scottish lamb, learn about the qualities of red meat and how important local food chains are.

"I would encourage other farmers to support where they can, and to have fun getting creative on social media as well, posting and resharing as much as possible to spread the word and widen the support.
Foxes remain the most likely culprit for lamb attacks on Scottish farms rather than badgers, a new study by the Royal Veterinary College (RVC) has suggested.

Twenty-seven farms across Scotland that suspected they had previously lost lambs to badger predation volunteered to take part in the research.

The study used a questionnaire to better understand farmers concerns regarding potential badger predation.

In recent years, there have been growing concerns in the Scottish farming sector about the suspected role badgers play in killing lambs.

This was supported by a survey in 2019 indicating that 11% of wildlife attacks on livestock were attributed to badgers, increasing to more than 30% in regions with higher badger density.

But new research facilitated by the RVC, released today (2 September), has found that despite farmer perceptions, foxes remain the most likely culprit for lamb attacks.

The research, which was led by Science and Advice for Scottish Agriculture (SASA), in partnership with NatureScot, NFU Scotland and Scottish Land and Estates (SLE), set out to assess the role of badgers in lamb predation.

Post-mortem examinations were carried out to confirm if predation was the cause of death, or if the lamb had died from another reason and had then been scavenged.

DNA analysis was also conducted by researchers to identify what species had been in contact with the carcass.

The findings revealed that predation was confirmed in 48% of lambs. Thirty-one percent were found to be scavenged after death and predation could not be ruled out for the remaining 21%.

Fox DNA was present on 87% of the lambs, including all the lambs that showed evidence of predation.

Meanwhile, badger DNA was only detected on 5% of lambs but not on any of the lambs where predation was confirmed.

The results suggest that foxes remain the most likely culprit for lamb predation where it occurs on Scottish farms.

Henny Martineau, head of veterinary forensic pathology at the RVC, said the research had provided 'vital evidence' to ease concerns that badgers are the main culprit of lamb attacks on Scottish farms.

"Working as a team with multiple specialists in the field together with good farmer engagement, helped us to interpret our findings quickly and effectively.

The patterns of injury recorded during post-mortem examination will also serve as a reference for working out what predator species could be responsible for lamb attacks in the future.

Sheila George, wildlife biologist at SASA, added that while livestock predation can be distressing for farmers, understanding the species responsible was needed.

She said: We did not find DNA evidence that badgers killed lambs or regularly scavenged carcasses, but DNA analysis indicated that foxes were responsible where predation occurred.

"The findings show the importance of taking an evidence-based approach and should help identify appropriate mitigation to reduce future predation risk.
Demand for pulses is increasing around the world, providing opportunities for new and old pulse market players, a new report by Rabobank states.

Pules have become an important factor in making agriculture more sustainable due to their natural soil-enhancing and greenhouse gas-absorbing properties.

However, they still remain a highly fragmented niche segment within the global grains and oilseed space.

According to the new report, more market transparency is needed to attract investment to the industry, meet the growing demand for pulses, and improve trade volumes.

Vito Martielli, senior analyst grains and oilseeds for Rabobank who wrote the report, said there are two major factors driving demand for pulses globally.

In emerging markets, pulses are increasingly sought after as an affordable and essential protein source.

Meanwhile, in developed nations, pulses are becoming a staple in the burgeoning plant-based meat and dairy substitute sectors.

Mr Martielli said: Prices are volatile and there is a lack of transparency in the price discovery process. In addition, there are few sources of data to provide market insights at a global level.

Consequently, creating more market transparency will be the key to attracting investment to the industry, meeting the growing demand for pulses, and improving trade volumes and market functionality.

Since 2015, the global trade of pulses has seen a remarkable 29% increase. Between 2015 and 2024, the trade's compound annual growth rate (CAGR) is pegged at 3%.

By 2024, Rabobank's report anticipates that global pulse trade will hit around 21 million metric tons, representing 20% of the world's pulse production.

Dry peas, chickpeas, and lentils are expected to make up 68% of this trade volume, and there are only a few countries active in the import and export of pulses.

However, the landscape of global trade is evolving, with new key players emerging, the report explains.

Russia has increased its share of dry peas exports, while Argentina is now a key exporter of different kinds of beans.

Turkey is now a central hub for first-degree processing and distribution of pulses in the Middle East and North Africa, while Egypt has claimed the title of the world's largest fava bean importer.

Unlike grains, pulses are not (yet) considered commodities, and there are still barriers to entry in this niche industry, the report concludes.
The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) has worked with rural stakeholders to develop a new Rural Conflict Avoidance Process (Rural CAP) service.

Relationships between landlords and tenants are increasingly under strain; expanding diversification, rising costs and the push for new farming techniques are just a few of the pressures contributing to this tension.

When disputes arise, traditional methods of resolution, such as arbitration or expert determination, often lead to prolonged, costly, and adversarial proceedings that can damage these crucial relationships.

Recognising these challenges, RICS has worked with industry bodies, including the Tenant Farmers Forum (TFF), to develop the new Rural CAP service.

The Rock Review's recommendations, which emphasised the need for a more effective, cooperative approach to dispute resolution in the rural real estate industry, served as a catalyst for this initiative.

Rural CAP is a proactive service which helps landlords, tenants, and rural business partners to resolve disputes before they escalate into more serious conflicts.

The process is designed to intervene at the earliest possible stage, offering a structured yet flexible approach that can be tailored to the unique circumstances of each case.

To facilitate a quicker and less contentious conclusion, Rural CAP appoints an unbiased professional with experience in rural concerns who collaborates with the parties to make non-binding recommendations that aim to address disputes at an early stage.

This approach is particularly beneficial in the rural sector, where the relationships between landlords and tenants can be long-term and require careful management to ensure ongoing cooperation and mutual benefit.

Unlike traditional methods of dispute resolution, Rural CAP is flexible and can be adapted to meet the specific needs of the parties.

Whether the dispute is in its early stages or has already advanced towards legal action, it provides a quick and more affordable solution that maintains important relationships.

The primary advantage of Rural CAP lies in its ability to prevent disputes from escalating into costly and adversarial proceedings.

The process assists landlords and renters in avoiding the financial burden and possible harm to their relationships that can precede arbitration or litigation by resolving disputes early on.

This early intervention is crucial, as it helps to defuse tensions before they can escalate into more serious conflicts.

It is the impartial professional's responsibility to lead the parties to a fair, practicable, and mutually acceptable agreement; the emphasis is on finding a solution rather than imposing a decision that may not fully address the issues.

Rural CAP is also designed to be accessible and straightforward, as the process is less formal than traditional dispute resolution methods.

This makes it easier for all parties to engage and participate fully, which saves time and money whilst encouraging a positive atmosphere where both parties can work together towards a solution.

This accessibility makes it easier for all parties to engage in the process, ensuring that their voices are heard, and their concerns are addressed.

In a sector where maintaining strong relationships is vital, Rural CAP provides a valuable tool for ensuring that disputes are resolved in a manner that benefits everyone involved.

By choosing Rural CAP, landlords and tenants can protect their interests while preserving the collaborative spirit that is essential to the success of the rural community.

For more information on how Rural CAP can support you, visit the website or contact the Dispute Resolution Service team at drs@rics.org.
The NI government has extended the switchover date for UK' to XI' prefix livestock tags to 30 June 2025 following concern from the farming industry.

From that date, only XI prefix tags can be used on newborn cattle, sheep and goats, with the new tags available to purchase from suppliers since June.

Existing stocks of UK tags held by livestock keepers can, however, continue to be used alongside the new XI prefix tags until the switchover date.

Northern Ireland's Department of Agriculture (DAERA) initially set the switchover date for January 2025, but has extended it following concerns it was too early.

A DAERA spokesperson said: We have listened to concerns raised by industry that the provisional switchover date of January 2025 was too early and didnt allow livestock keepers sufficient time to use up stocks of UK tags.

"We appreciate the financial impact on keepers who currently hold large quantities of UK tags, which would become obsolete on the switchover date, and we are therefore pleased to announce an extension of this date until 30 June 2025.

DAERA continues to recommend, however, that XI prefixed tags are applied to all newborn animals, particularly if it is likely that the animal will be exported in the future, otherwise they may have to be re-identified prior to export.

Exporters to continental Europe are advised by the department that all livestock must be identified with the new 'XI' tags prior to their export.

Any such animals previously tagged with 'UK' tags must be re-identified with XI tags, DAERA says, adding that for cattle this must be done under veterinary supervision.

Exporters to Ireland are advised that from 30 June 2025, all sheep must be identified with the new 'XI' tags prior to their export.

Any such sheep previously tagged with 'UK' tags must be re-identified with XI tags, the department explains.

However, cattle identified with UK tags prior to 30 June 2025 can still be exported to Ireland after this date without being re-identified with XI tags.

However, for all animals identified in Northern Ireland with UK tags prior to 30 June 2025, which are remaining within the UK, it says there is no requirement to re-identify any such animals as a result of the implementation of XI tags.
Predicting where future flooding and droughts will strike next in the UK will be made easier thanks to a new 40m network focused on extreme weather.

The Floods and Droughts Research Infrastructure will help key bodies, such as farming groups and the Environment Agency, to stem adverse weather.

It is set to become the first UK-wide network which will be able to pinpoint where weather incidents are likely to occur next, as well as planning to limit their impact.

Led by the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) and the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (UKCEH), it is being backed by 40 million of government funding.

The complexity of climate makes forecasting floods and droughts a major challenge, with climate change only further complicating the picture.

Floods wreak havoc on communities across the UK by destroying farming businesses, homes and public infrastructure, which in turn costs consumers.

The number of flood warnings on Englands best farmland during the 2023-2024 winter hit a record high of over 1,000, exceeding the previous record by a fifth.

Similarly, droughts have a major impact on British agriculture, as well as the country's water supply and ecosystem.

Researchers will use the latest technologies, including sensors and real time computer monitoring, to form a clearer impression of where and when extreme weather will strike.

Their findings from the project will be shared with key bodies to steer the UK response to extreme weather.

It will also act as a hub for researchers to pursue new innovations with discoveries shared across the world and marking the UK as a leader in the field.

Peter Kyle, the Science and Technology Secretary, said flooding and droughts can devastate UK communities.

"There is no time to waste in backing our researchers and innovators to ensure we are better prepared for floods and droughts striking," he said.

"This project will help drive that progress, with dedicated teams using the most advanced tech to crunch data gathered from our rivers and paint a clear picture of its likely impact."

Executive chair of NERC, Prof Louise Heathwaite, added: "Predicting location and measuring intensity and impact needs the sort of scientific advances that this programme will bring to overcome the data and analytical constraints that are currently very challenging.

"The project will transform the way we understand the impact of these events by building a significant bank of data and improving our monitoring capability, and so helping to protect those affected."
Trying to remember something can prevent the memory from being retrieved.

Thinking hard about something is unlikely to jog the memory

A Cambridge scientist suggests that people desperately trying to recall something are better off letting their mind focus elsewhere or relaxing in order to improve their memory.

Professor Jon Simons, the head of the Cambridge University Memory Lab, told the Rosebud podcast: "What happens when we're really really trying to remember something, is often by that very effort block the memory from being retrieved.

"And it's only when that effort that we've put in gradually subsides and we maybe think about other things or we just calm down and relax that the memory is able to be retrieved."

He added: "It is interesting how often you can puzzle and puzzle and puzzle over something and really, really try to remember it and struggle - and then the moment you think about something else, suddenly it pops into your head and that's quite a common experience."
Elsa Pataky has paid a glowing Father's Day tribute to Chris Hemsworth.

Elsa Pataky has paid tribute to Chris Hemsworth

The 48-year-old actress - who has ten-year-old twins Sasha and Tristan, as well as India Rose, 12, with the actor - took to social media on Sunday (01.08.24) to heap praise on Chris, admitting that the Hollywood star is "almost perfect".

Alongside a series of family photographs, Elsa wrote on Instagram: "Happy Fathers Day to the dad who does it all!! He is almost perfect!!! [tongue-out emoji] We love you soooo much! Hope all the dads had an amazing Fathers Day! (sic)"

Australia celebrated Father's Day on Sunday and Chris also took to X to mark the occasion.

Chris posted a photograph of himself, his dad and his brother Luke on a motorcycle ride.

The actor - who was born in Melbourne - wrote on the micro-blogging platform: "Happy Fathers Days here in Australia!

Fun ride with dad and bro. (sic)"

Chris previously admitted that he loves the challenges of fatherhood.

The movie star also confessed that it's changed his entire outlook on life and his movie career.

Speaking to E! News in 2015, the actor explained: "I think it makes you less selfish, because it's no longer about you.

"It can't be. It's about someone else, which is refreshing. It's nice to not spend all your time thinking about your own problems and garbage up there and I just have so much fun doing it. It's the best. And now I'm a bit more choosy, I think, with when I work and how I work because it better be worthwhile to take me away from them."
Applications for Research Projects Open on September 2



Closing November 30, applications will be accepted for research projects that will bring about innovative evolution in new technologies and product development in the area of precious metals and contribute to the creation of a sustainable future



TOKYO, Sept 2, 2024 - (JCN Newswire) - TANAKA Memorial Foundation (Representative Director: Hideya Okamoto) announced that it will take applications for research themes for FY2024 Precious Metals Research Grants between September 2 (Mon) and November 30 (Sat). Applications for the grants are open to Japanese educational institutions and public research institutes that will bring about innovative evolution in new research and development, and product development, in the area of precious metals.



"Forging a better tomorrow with 'hirameki' and 'kirameki'" has been made the catchphrase for this 26th year of the research grant. The foundation looks forward to seeing research and development themes that contribute toward the continued creation of a better future using the creativity of researchers and the potential of precious metals.



Recipients this year will receive a total of 20 million yen in research grants, including up to 10 million yen under the Umekichi Tanaka Award. There are also new awards being offered this year: the Ichiro Tanaka Award, Innovative Precious Metals Award, KIRAMEKI Award, and HIRAMEKI Award. The Umekichi Tanaka Award is named after company founder Umekichi Tanaka, who strove to expand industrial use of precious metals, while the Ichiro Tanaka Award is named after the company's second president Ichiro Tanaka, who strove for overseas collaboration.



Applications can be submitted using the application form on TANAKA Memorial Foundation website (https://tanaka-foundation.or.jp), and, after strict examination, award recipients will be announced at the end of March 2025.



TANAKA Memorial Foundation aims to contribute to the development and cultivation of new fields for precious metals and to the development of science, technology, and the social economy by conducting activities that enable more people to experience a prosperous society. This grant program aims to support a range of endeavors that can contribute to the creation of a sustainable future.



Last year, the Umekichi Tanaka Award was presented to "Research on bonding wire with electromagnetic wave shielding function" which sought to make it possible to use bonding wire in the high-frequency band, which was not previous possible, by coating the surface of bonding wire with a magnetic thin film containing precious metals.



Overview of the 2024 Precious Metals Research Grants



Theme

- Themes that involve any of the following: new technologies to which precious metals can make a contribution, research related to precious metals that will bring innovative evolution to products, or research and development of new products using precious metals



Grant Amounts (Maximum amounts from a grant pool of 20 million yen)

- Umekichi Tanaka Award 10,000,000 yen

- Ichiro Tanaka Award (Previously Gold Award) 3,000,000 yen

- Innovative Precious Metals Award (Previously Silver Award) 1,000,000 yen

- KIRAMEKI Award (Previously Young Researcher Award) 1,000,000 yen

- HIRAMEKI Award (Previously TANAKA Special Award) 300,000 yen

* The grant amount is treated as a scholarship donation.

* Awards may not be granted in some cases.



Eligible Candidates

- Personnel who belong to (or work for) educational institutions in Japan (universities, graduate schools, or technical colleges) or public and related research institutions may participate.

* As long as the applicant is affiliated with a research institution in Japan, the base of activity can be in Japan or overseas.

* HIRAMEKI Awards are for researchers under the age of 37 as of April 1, 2024.



Application Period

- 9am, September 2, 2024 (Mon) - 5pm, November 30, 2024 (Sat)



Application Method

- Enter the required information on the application form available on the TANAKA Memorial Foundation website (https://tanaka-foundation.or.jp) and upload details of the research (papers and supplementary material on the theme).



Announcement

- Results will be announced on the TANAKA Memorial Foundation website around the end of March 2025.

* TANAKA will contact the award recipients directly.



Conditions

New research and development themes - either using precious metals or which can be applied to precious metals - that contribute to the creation of a sustainable future, with research content that falls under any of the following.

- New technology related to precious metals (new materials, processing methods, process development, etc.)

- Research that brings about innovative evolution in product development (new functions, process development, computational science, etc.)

- Research and development of new products using precious metals

* Precious metal refers to eight elements of platinum, gold, silver, palladium, rhodium, iridium, ruthenium and osmium.

* If development is conducted jointly (or planned to be) with other material manufacturers, please indicate so.

* Products that have already been commercialized, put to practical use, or that are planned are not eligible.



About Umekichi Tanaka



After learning his trade at Ejimaya pawn brokerage in Tokyo, company founder, Umekichi Tanaka, opened Ejimaya Tanaka Shoten at Kitajima-cho, Nihonbashi-ku, Tokyo, (now Kayabacho, Nihonbashi, Chuo-ku, Tokyo), which remained the headquarters of TANAKA Kikinzoku Kogyo K.K. until 2006. The company's business originally entailed buying copper coins (one-hundredth of a yen) and nickel coins (five-hundredths of a yen), and exchanging them, in lots of 100 yen, with merchants for a fee. It went on to engage in the bullion trading business, and began melting down foreign gold coins from Yokohama's foreign quarter and other places, and then refining and selling the metal. The technologies developed at this time went on to play a significant role in later industrial use of precious metals.



About Ichiro Tanaka



Tanaka Shoten's second president Ichiro Tanaka began negotiations around 1920 to directly import platinum from the Soviet Union, which accounted for approximately 70% of the world's platinum production during that time. Three years later, in April 1923, the Soviet government signed a contract on sales rights with Tanaka Shoten. Through this contract, Tanaka Shoten became Japan's sole sales agency for platinum and palladium and gained sales rights for the entirety of East Asia, which were the same terms as with the United States and the United Kingdom. Subsequently, Ichiro Tanaka strove for overseas collaboration in platinum group precious metals such as platinum and palladium.



Inquiries Concerning the Research Grant Program

Precious Metals Research Grants Office

Global Marketing / R&D Supervisory Department, TANAKA Kikinzoku Kogyo K.K.

2-6-6 Nihonbashi Kayabacho, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 103-0025

E-mail: joseikin@ml.tanaka.co.jp

TANAKA Memorial Foundation website: https://tanaka-foundation.or.jp



TANAKA Memorial Foundation

Established: April 1, 2015

Address: 2-6-6 Nihonbashi Kayabacho, Chuo-ku, Tokyo

Representative: Hideya Okamoto

Incorporated: 2015

Purpose of Business: To provide grants for research related to precious metals to contribute to the development and cultivation of new fields for precious metals, and to the development of science, technology, and the social economy.

Areas of Business:

- Provision of grants for scientific and technological research related to precious metals.

- Recognition of excellent analysis of precious metals and holding of seminars and other events.



TANAKA Kikinzoku Kogyo K.K.

Headquarters: 2-6-6 Nihonbashi Kayabacho, Chuo-ku, Tokyo

Representative: Koichiro Tanaka, Group CEO

Founded: 1885

Incorporated: 1918

Capital: 500 million yen

Employees: 2,498 (December 31, 2023)

Sales: 217,204,581,000 yen (FY2023)

Main businesses: Manufacture, sales, import and export of precious metals (platinum, gold, silver, and others) and various types of industrial precious metals products.

URL: https://tanaka-preciousmetals.com



Press Inquiries

TANAKA Holdings Co., Ltd.

https://tanaka-preciousmetals.com/en/inquiries-for-media/



Press Release: https://www.acnnewswire.com/docs/files/20240902.pdf



Source: Tanaka Memorial Foundation



Copyright 2024 JCN Newswire . All rights reserved.





 2024 JCN Newswire


EQS Newswire / 02/09/2024 / 10:23 UTC+8



After a company is listed on the stock exchange, it is merely a newcomer in the capital markets. Future success depends not only on its own efforts but also on the collaboration of various professional teams leveraging their strengths to shine in the stock market. RaffAello Securities (HK) Limited, known as a designated placing agent for tycoons, has become the intermediary that enterprises most desire to partner with for financing and strategic partnerships. Recently, the name of RaffAello has grown beyond Hong Kong, reaching the affluent circles in mainland China, with Ziyuanyuan Holdings Group Limited (ZYY) (HKSE: 8223) expressed their confidence in RaffAello.

Shenzhen Ziyuanyuan Investment Group Co., Ltd. is a comprehensive investment holding group headquartered in Shenzhen, China. The core business of the group is real estate development, with diversified interests in property investment, financial technology, and other sectors. ZYY, a listed company in Hong Kong, operates in the medical equipment and supplies sector, representing just the tip of the iceberg of the group's overall business.

Earlier, ZYY announced a proposed rights issue of 5-for-1, aiming to issue up to 86 million rights shares, which would represent approximately 16.67% of the enlarged share capital. The total proceeds are expected to be around HKD 86 million, with a net amount of approximately HKD 79.5 million intended for financing lease services for medical equipment, trading of medical devices and consumables, and general working capital. RaffAello Securities (HK) Ltd. serves as the underwriter for the rights issue.

RaffAello works to enhance the visibility of major corporate branches in the secondary market, often attracting the attention of star funds and family offices, facilitating strong partnerships that result in a win-win situation for all parties involved. Numerous examples abound. A recent case is China Wantian Holdings (HKSE: 1854), whose chairman, Hooy Kok Wai, is the vice chairman of Perfect Group in China. Wantian serves as its flagship publicly listed entity in Hong Kong. After RaffAello facilitated the rights issue for China Wantian last year, the stock price surged more than threefold, becoming a notable case despite the prevailing weakness in the Hong Kong stock market. The firm subsequently attracted investments from ChinaAMC, Franklin Templeton Fund, and Lee Ka Kit of Henderson Land, making headlines in the financial community.

RaffAello's ability not only earned the trust of its clients, but it also led to being awarded the Best Small Medium Cap Broker at The Hong Kong Fund Managers Awards 2023. Additionally, RaffAello Investment Management (HK) Ltd. received the accolade for the Best Hong Kong Investment Team. These recognitions reflect the market's appreciation for RaffAello.

02/09/2024 Dissemination of a Financial Press Release, transmitted by EQS News.

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.



Media archive at www.todayir.com


Kupfer wird oft als das Gold der Energiewende bezeichnet, weil es aufgrund seiner hervorragenden elektrischen Leitfahigkeit eine zentrale Rolle in vielen Technologien spielt, die fur nachhaltige Energiesysteme entscheidend sind. Experten gehen aufgrund der Angebotsknappheit von einem Superzyklus aus.

Korrektur als Einstiegschance

Nach Hochststanden im Mai korrigierte das rote Metall stark. Die Abwartsspirale verstarkte sich in den vergangenen Tagen aufgrund schwacher Konjunkturdaten aus den USA und China. Langfristig konnte sich die aktuell laufende Korrektur als exzellente Einstiegsmoglichkeit herausstellen.

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Handeln Sie jetzt und sichern Sie sich Ihren kostenfreien Report!
Ghent, Belgium, Sept. 02, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Press release

Biotalys) an Agricultural Technology (AgTech) company developing protein-based biocontrols for sustainable crop protection, today announced it received approval by the Dutch regulator CTGB (College voor de Toelating van Gewasbeschermingsmiddelen en Biociden) for large-scale demonstration trials in greenhouses of its first biofungicide candidate, EVOCA*. Importantly, the harvested fruits and vegetables can be sold for human consumption.



Jeannette Vriend, Plant protection specialist at Dutch growers association Glastuinbouw Nederland, said: "We are very pleased that this innovative technology can now be tested at large scale by growers. Given the many challenges to adequately control fungal diseases in tomatoes, cucumbers and strawberries, due to a sharply shrinking crop protection product package, we really need the acceleration of new, green solutions. These trials offer an ideal opportunity to properly implement such solutions in these high-value integrated crops."

The CTGB granted Biotalys the approval to test EVOCA against powdery mildew in 40 hectares of tomatoes, 20 hectares of cucumbers and 10 hectares of strawberries. Produce from these greenhouse trials is allowed to be sold for human consumption, an exemption to standard practices requiring crop destruction when a crop protection product is used that has not yet received regulatory approval.**

Eva Van Hende, Head of Regulatory and Sustainability of Biotalys,said: "The ability to test EVOCA in large-scale demonstration trials while allowing the sale of the harvested produce for consumption reinforces our confidence that the product is safe to use. This decision by the Dutch authority is particularly relevant as the Netherlands is both the rapporteur Member State for our regulatory dossier at the European level and one of the largest exporters of fruits and vegetables worldwide."

EVOCA is a novel protein-based biofungicide which earned an entirely new resistance classification by the Fungicide Resistance Action Committee (FRAC). The product helps control the fungal diseases botrytis and powdery mildew in fruits and vegetables. Demonstrating strong performance in trials across multiple regions, climates, soil types, production types, pathogen pressure and crops to date, EVOCA is currently under review by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Dutch College voor Toelating van Gewasbeschermingsmiddelen en Biociden (CTGB) in the European Union for regulatory approval. EVOCA will pave the way for EVOCA NG, which is expected to be Biotalys' first commercial fungicide from its AGROBODY technology platform.

* EVOCA: Pending Registration. This product is not currently registered for sale or use in the United States, the European Union, or elsewhere and is not being offered for sale.

**Decisions of the CTGB are subject to appeal during a period of six weeks following the publication of the decision.

For further information, please contact:

Toon Musschoot, Head of Investor Relations and Communications

T: +32

About Biotalys

Biotalys is an Agricultural Technology.

Important Notice

Biotalys, its business, prospects and financial position remain exposed and subject to risks and uncertainties. A description of and reference to these risks and uncertainties can be found in the annual reporton the consolidated annual accounts published on the company's website.

This announcement contains statements which are "forward-looking statements" or could be considered as such. These forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology, including the words 'aim', 'believe', 'estimate', 'anticipate', 'expect', 'intend', 'may', 'will', 'plan', 'continue', 'ongoing', 'possible', 'predict', 'plans', 'target', 'seek', 'would' or 'should', and contain statements made by the company regarding the intended results of its strategy. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties and readers are warned that none of these forward-looking statements offers any guarantee of future performance. Biotalys' actual results may differ materially from those predicted by the forward-looking statements. Biotalys makes no undertaking whatsoever to publish updates or adjustments to these forward-looking statements, unless required to do so by law.

Attachments
Ahead of the second batch of LEGO DREAMZzz Season Two episodes, rolling out globally from August 30 onwards, the LEGO Group is on a mission to help all kids guide their dreams - or "dream craft" - just like the series' characters

New global study[1] finds only 1 in 3 kids practice "dream crafting" while sleeping

BILLUND, Denmark, Sept. 2, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- In the lead-up to the final 10 episodes of LEGO DREAMZzz Night of the Never Witch, a new study reveals that children can learn how to guide and change their dreams, similar to the characters in the series. Now, the LEGO Group is on a mission to educate parents and guardians on how they can help their children develop and strengthen the real world skills needed to be able to guide their dreams - or as coined in the series, "dream craft."

The ability to dream craft is a concept from the LEGO DREAMZzz show, whereby the characters have the ability to form and change various objects or scenarios using their creativity. The first part of Season Two saw the high-school-friends-turned-dream-chasers being taught how to harness their powers of dream crafting in the R.E.M trials by forming different items to help defeat their opponents, bringing them a step closer to taking on the Never Witch and defending the dream world.

Just like the characters of the series - Mateo, Izzie, Cooper, Logan, and Zoey - who use their dream crafting abilities to protect the dream world, children are also able to guide and control their dreams. However, a new global study by the LEGO Group found that only around half (57%) of children aged 6 to 12 are aware of their own abilities.

Of those who are utilising their "dream crafting" powers, 41% of kids said they are able to consciously change their dream when it's turning into something they fear and 38% guide their dream if they simply don't like what they are dreaming of.

With the study discovering that only 1 in 3 kids are practicing "dream crafting" in their sleep, the LEGO Group is on a mission to educate children and parents on what "dream crafting" is and how they can improve their skills.

Dream Psychologist, Ian Wallace, who has analysed over 400,000 dreams across his 30 years of research, explains that children can guide their dreams by using a plethora of skills developed in the real world. This can be done by tapping into their creativity and confidence more, particularly through three methods: Dream Play, Imaginal Play and Active Play.

The first method, Dream Play , involves exploring and analysing an image from a dream, preferably as the child is waking. This is done by re-imagining the dream in various scenarios. As the child does this, they will realise that they have power over the images that they are creating in their mind and can explore different ways of how they feel about those images.

, involves exploring and analysing an image from a dream, preferably as the child is waking. This is done by re-imagining the dream in various scenarios. As the child does this, they will realise that they have power over the images that they are creating in their mind and can explore different ways of how they feel about those images. Imaginal Play focuses on the child playing around with a remembered image from a dream once they've awoken. As a parent, you can encourage the child to imagine various aspects of a scene in their dream, such as its surroundings, inhabitants and possible elements within it.

focuses on the child playing around with a remembered image from a dream once they've awoken. As a parent, you can encourage the child to imagine various aspects of a scene in their dream, such as its surroundings, inhabitants and possible elements within it. Finally, Active Play takes this further by inviting the child to reconstruct and enact imagery from their dreams, using creativity to build comparisons and resemblances through role play. This hands-on approach deepens emotional connections and strengthens their imaginative skills, which shows kids how their creativity can guide their dreams into whatever they want.

According to Ian, these methods enhance children's creativity and confidence by encouraging them to experiment, play and explore using their imagination. In turn, these real life skills can then be subconsciously applied when asleep to help the child guide or change their dream.

Through Ian's years of research, he has uncovered that the ability to "dream craft" not only makes dreaming more exciting and enjoyable, but also has a whole host of other real life benefits for children. When asleep, a child's imagination allows them to develop their problem-solving abilities, explore their inner thoughts and feelings which builds a stronger sense of self-identity and emotional resilience, and even improves their brain health by advancing their complex cognitive skills.[2]

Cerim Manovi, Creative Director for LEGO DREAMZzz franchise, said: "As we release the final episodes of LEGO DREAMZzz Season Two Night of the Never Witch, our mission is still to inspire kids and families on how to bring the creativity and imagination of 'dream crafting' into their daily lives and into their play time. At the LEGO Group, we celebrate dreaming as the awesome and tangible playground for children to freely explore and witness their creative powers, so let's turn bedtime into an adventure full of possibilities!"

So, what are kids crafting in their dreams? As part of the LEGO Group's study on children's dreams, it found the top ten most common things kids across the globe are dreaming about:

Friends (67%)

Family members (61%)

School (61%)

Parents / guardians (58%)

Home (57%)

Pets (56%)

Toys (56%)

Playing a game (50%)

A park or playground (48%)

Monsters (46%)

The LEGO DREAMZzz series first launched in May last year. The show follows the adventures of a group of high-school friends as they discover the dream world is a real place. Together, the crew learn how to use their dream crafting skills to defend the dream world against chaos caused by the Nightmare King and, most recently, the Never Witch.

In anticipation for this latest season, earlier in the year, the LEGO Group also revealed nine new LEGO DREAMZzz sets: Zoey's Cat Motorcycle, Logan the Mighty Panda, Cooper's Robot Dinosaur C-Rex, Zoey's Dream Jet Pack Booster, Mateo and Z-Blob the Knight Battle Mech, The Never Witch's Midnight Raven, Izzie's Dream Animals, The Never Witch's Nightmare Creatures and Castle Nocturnia. Inspired by dream crafting in the show, each product has two or three building options and a story-led building instruction to encourage young dreamers to change their build as they change the story, thus dream crafting in real life.

The sets are available to purchase now via LEGO stores, LEGO.com/DREAMZzz and from select leading retailers around the world.

The latest instalment of Season Two (Part Two) episodes will be available to watch from September 6 via LEGO YouTube, LEGO.com and streaming platforms. Season One and the first 10 episodes of Season Two (Part One) are available on LEGO YouTube now.

To mark the new products and content, the LEGO Group is hosting a Night Bureau Adventure event in Sydney's Pit Street Mall store on September 8. The largest LEGO store will be transformed into an enchanting dream world for one day only, where attendees have the chance to meet their favourite LEGO DREAMZzz dream chaser, Mateo, in his very first live chat and press conference. With the support of Cerim Manovi, children will be given a chance to develop their "dream crafting" skills, flex their creative superpowers and participate in some super fun LEGO brick building challenges.

DISCLAIMER: The information provided on "dream crafting" is for general information purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice.

1. Independent research was conducted by Opinium on behalf of the LEGO Group, from 24thJune 2024 to 17thJuly 2024, among kids aged 6-12 years old and their parents across ten global markets including; UK & ROI (n=1,000), Germany (n=1,000), Romania (n=500), Poland (n=1,000), Australia & New Zealand (n=1,000), South Korea (n=1,000), China (n=1,000), US (n=1,000) and Mexico (n=1,000).

2. Analysis provided by Ian Wallace, Dream Psychologist, who shared his expert perspective on the importance that dreaming has on stimulating kids' creativity and how parents / kids can guide their dreams through real-life activities.

About the LEGO Group

The LEGO Group's mission is to inspire and develop the builders of tomorrow through the power of play. The LEGO System in Play, with its foundation in LEGO bricks, allows children and fans to build and rebuild anything they can imagine.

The LEGO Group was founded in Billund, Denmark in 1932 by Ole Kirk Kristiansen, its name derived from the two Danish words LEg GOdt, which mean "Play Well."

Today, the LEGO Group remains a family-owned company headquartered in Billund. Its products are now sold in more than 120 countries worldwide. For more information:?www.LEGO.com.

Ian Wallace Biography

Ian Wallace is a psychologist who specialises in dreams and dreaming. Since graduating in Psychology, Ian has analysed over 400,000 dreams for his clients during his professional career as a dream psychologist.

His experience and insight from this work leads Ian to believe that exploring our dreams is the most powerful and accessible way to realise what we want in life and how to achieve it. As Ian says to his clients, "A dream is just a dream until you put it into action."

Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/654744/1266245/LEGO_Group_Logo.jpg

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/the-lego-group-reveals-how-children-can-dream-craft-their-way-to-amazing-adventures-in-their-sleep-302234207.html
LONDON, Sept. 2, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- A report from Xinhua:

As two performers in dark cheongsams and cloth shoes executed a fist technique bout with both power and grace, the audience at Sadler's Wells Theatre in London seemed to hold their breath, captivated, before erupting into long-lasting cheers and applause.

These movements were not part of a martial arts show but a Chinese original dance drama titled "Wing Chun," named after one of the most renowned forms of Chinese Kung Fu.

"It blew my mind," Ellen Costa told Xinhua after watching the show, adding that she was impressed "from start to finish" and had a "very emotional moment."

Created in Shenzhen, the production made its Europe debut in London on August 30 and will run for 12 shows until September 7.

Incorporating martial arts elements, including Tai Chi, Bagua Zhang and Praying Mantis, into both classical and contemporary dance, the show mainly tells the life story of Yip Man, the grand master of Wing Chun.

The show intertwines the journey of people pursuing their dreams with the philosophies of Chinese Kung Fu masters, emphasizing righteousness, kindness, modesty, love, and peace.

"I think it was a very non linear, beautiful representation," Vita Henderson Chan told Xinhua after the show. "It leaves a lot for interpretation, for the viewer to be able to project their own meanings onto some movements and to understand the emotion."

She said it was "masterful" in terms of "the skillful transition of the emotions of dance into intense practice movements of the martial arts."

She added that the performers demonstrating movements in a synchronized manner was "impressive" and "so powerful in one breath."

During the two-hour show, some viewers sobbed as the characters experience heart-wrenching lows. When the final curtain fell, almost everyone stood up to applaud and cheer, while the performers made two encores in response to enthusiastic audiences.

"It's creating a story which people understand, which is not too complicated or abstract," Farooq Chaudhry, a dance producer in the United Kingdom (UK), told Xinhua.

Since its premier in Shenzhen in 2022, "Wing Chun" has been staged in dozens of major cities across Asia, including Beijing, Hong Kong and Singapore. It will celebrate its 200th performances in London on September 6.

In its French leg of this tour, the show will have four performances at the Palais des congres de Paris in early October.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/chinese-dance-drama-about-wing-chun-stuns-london-audience-at-debut-302235785.html
Pennington, New Jersey--(Newsfile Corp. - September 2, 2024) - Thaddeus Mikulski Injury Firm is marking its 40 years of dedicated legal service in the state of New Jersey this month.

Thaddeus Mikulski Injury Firm Celebrates 40 Years of Practice in the State of New Jersey

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8814/221850_cdc913e5b422ba81_002full.jpg

Established in 1984, the firm has built a reputation for representing clients in personal injury, employment law, and legal malpractice cases throughout central New Jersey and southeastern Pennsylvania.

In a press interview, Thaddeus P. Mikulski Jr., the law firm's founder, discussed how the office, for the past 40 years, led the way in advocating for the rights of individuals who have been injured due to negligence, wrongfully terminated, or poorly represented by other legal professionals.

"Within those forty years, I'm proud of what this law office has made in New Jersey's legal landscape. Our team has immensely contributed to various practice areas such as car accidents, motorcycle crashes, and wrongful deaths," shared Mikulski.

Mikulski, who leads a team of top-notch New Jersey personal injury lawyers, said as the law office enters a new era, it aims to sustain the gains while making sure clients receive the justice they deserve.

"This anniversary serves as a testament to the trust our clients have placed in us over the years. And this is everything for us. As we turn another page in the legal industry, we commit to boosting our efforts to make clients receive the justice they deserve, whether they've been injured in an accident, mistreated at work, or wronged by another attorney," added Mikulski.

Over the past 40 years, Thaddeus Mikulski Injury Law Firm has expanded its reach across New Jersey. Currently, the law office serves Pennington, Fairless Hills, and all of Mercer County. There is no legal fee unless the law office recovers compensation for clients.

The firm continues to specialize in personal injury law. It offers services to those affected by car accidents, slip-and-fall incidents, workplace injuries, and other types of negligence.

However, apart from personal injury cases, the legal firm also represents clients in employment law and legal malpractice cases. These areas of practice are particularly critical for individuals who have been wronged by their employers or by other legal professionals.

Mikulski, who is certified by the New Jersey Supreme Court as a civil trial attorney, has a wealth of experience in both settlement negotiations and courtroom trials. In his more than 40 years of practice, he has recovered, by way of settlement or trial, compensation ranging from $100,000 to $2.5 million for his clients in personal injury, wrongful termination, professional malpractice, consumer fraud, discrimination, civil rights, and other types of legal matters.

Those who want to learn more about Thaddeus Mikulski Injury Law Firm's 40 years in the legal industry may visit https://thaddeuslegal.com/ for more information.

About Thaddeus Mikulski Injury Law Firm:

Thaddeus Mikulski Injury Law Firm is a US-based law company focusing on personal injury, employment, and legal malpractice claims. The law firm is led by Attorney Thaddeus P. Mikulski Jr., certified by the New Jersey Supreme Court as a Civil Trial Attorney, and provides large-firm quality service on a personal, one-to-one basis.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/221850

SOURCE: Plentisoft
VICENZA, Italy, Sept. 2, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Jewellery Boutique Show (VOS), Europe's premier international jewellery exhibition, will take place from September 6th to 10th 2024 in Vicenza, Italy. Organized by the Italian Exhibition Group (IEG), this flagship event, will feature over 1,200 exhibitors and attract buyers and visitors from more than 130 countries. Vicenzaoro serves as a global showcase for the latest trends, innovations, and craftsmanship that define the jewellery market.

EMPOWERING GROWTH IN THE GLOBAL JEWELLERY MARKET

VOS will bring together the entire jewellery and contemporary watchmaking supply chain, which generated approximately 725 billion in global revenues in 2023. Analysts* project further growth of 5% by 2030, driven by emerging markets such as India and China. The exhibition will cover all facets of the industry, from fine jewellery and gold manufacturing to wristwatches, components, gems, diamonds, and packaging. This comprehensive showcase will preview the trends set to influence store windows in 2025, making VOS a must-attend event for industry professionals.

(*On different segments: Cognitive Market Research, GlobeNewswire, Grand View Research, IMARC Group, Future Market Insights, Custom Market Insights, Exactitude Consultancy, OMR Global)

STRATEGIC RENEWAL AND EXPANSION

As Vicenzaoro celebrates its 70th anniversary, it continues to evolve as a vital forum for business development, networking, and knowledge exchange. To accommodate ongoing growth, IEG has launched a major renewal project at the Vicenza exhibition center, scheduled for completion in 2026. This project will replace the historic Halls 2 and 5 with a new 22,000-square-metre hall on two floors, ensuring the event's capacity and breadth remain unaffected during the transition. This renewal underscores Vicenzaoro's commitment to maintaining its leadership in the industry and enhancing the experience for exhibitors and visitors.

SPOTLIGHT ON TRENDS AND INNOVATION

A key highlight of VOS will be the world preview of the Trendbook 2026+, offering insights into the future of the jewellery market. Additionally, from September 6th to 8th, the event will host VO'Clock Prive, a free-entry public event dedicated to contemporary watchmaking. This segment will feature the latest market news, talks, and technical seminars, appealing to a growing community of watch enthusiasts.

Vicenzaoro September 2024 remains at the forefront of the global jewellery market, driving innovation, setting trends, and supporting growth in this dynamic sector. It continues to be an indispensable event for industry professionals worldwide.

For information www.vicenzaoro.com/en

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BERLIN, Sept. 2, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Global consumer tech brand HAVIT is set to unveil its latest technological achievements at IFA Berlin 2024, from September 6 to 10. Attendees can visit HAVIT at booth H12-211 to explore a range of advanced products, including the brand's newest headphones equipped with spatial audio and head tracking technology, along with various other smart consumer electronics.

Empowering Superior Listening Experiences Through Advanced Technology

Driven by continuous investment in research and development, HAVIT has consistently delivered innovative smart products over recent years. At this year's IFA Berlin, HAVIT will introduce several groundbreaking products, including the highly anticipated OPENBUDS 02A Open-Ear Clip Headphones and H2002U PRO USB 7.1 Gaming Headphones. Both products are equipped with cutting-edge spatial audio and head tracking technologies, allowing for the simulation of multidirectional sound sources that adjust to the users' head movements in real time. This combination creates an unparalleled immersive listening experience. Designed under HAVIT's philosophy of smart aesthetics, these products cater to a wide range of user scenarios. Whether enjoying music, watching movies, playing games, or exploring other audio experiences, OPENBUDS 02A and H2002U PRO deliver an immersive audio experience to the listener.

HAVIT: A Global Consumer Tech Brand Loved by Over 100 Million Users

HAVIT, a global and well-known brand in consumer technology, focuses on four core areas of innovation: audio devices, gaming gear, mobile accessories, and smart life electronics. Known for its innovative design and exceptional performance, HAVIT has earned widespread acclaim globally. The company's operations extend to over 100 countries and regions, partnering with 40+ key retail chains and boasting over 150 global distributors. With more than 100 million users worldwide, HAVIT has firmly established itself as a leader in the international market.

As the brand continues to evolve, it consistently delivers high-quality products that adhere to international standards. HAVIT's distinctive design approach has garnered 61 design awards, underscoring its extraordinary innovation and aesthetic excellence, and solidifying its position as a trendsetter in the consumer tech industry.

HAVIT invites customers to visit its booth at IFA Berlin 2024 to experience its new products firsthand and discuss potential collaborations. The company looks forward to engaging in meaningful conversations and exploring opportunities for cooperation. For more information, visit www.havitsmart.com.

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Der Goldpreis haussiert und schwingt sich von Hoch zu Hoch. Getrieben von geopolitischen Unsicherheiten sowie der Aussicht auf eine lockere Geldpolitik der FED gehen Experten aktuell von weiter steigenden Notierungen bis sogar in den Bereich von 3.000 US-Dollar je Unze Gold aus.



Im Schatten des Basispreises notieren Goldproduzenten aus der zweiten Reihe sowie Explorationsunternehmen noch weit weg von ihren historischen Hochststanden entfernt und bieten dadurch erhebliches Aufholpotential.



In diesem kostenlosen Report geben wir Ihnen Favoriten an die Hand, die aufgrund von Sondersituation die Chance auf eine Kursvervielfachung besitzen.



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EQS-Ad-hoc: ZhongDe Waste Technology AG / Schlagwort(e): Kapitalmanahme/Sonstiges

ZhongDe reached an amendment agreement with Capital Yield Group Limited on equivalent exchange between the equity of King Trade Group Ltd and the remaining balance for share purchase price of Chung Hu



02.09.2024 / 10:00 CET/CEST

Veroffentlichung einer Insiderinformation nach Artikel 17 der Verordnung (EU) Nr. 596/2014, ubermittelt durch EQS News - ein Service der EQS Group AG.

Fur den Inhalt der Mitteilung ist der Emittent / Herausgeber verantwortlich.





ZhongDe reached an amendment agreement with Capital Yield Group Limited on equivalent exchange between the equity of King Trade Group Ltd and the remaining balance for share purchase price of Chung Hua Group

Frankfurt, 02 September 2024 - ZhongDe Waste Technology AG (the "Company") and Capital Yield Group Limited (the "Capital Yield Group") have today entered into an amendment agreement on equivalent exchange between the 100 % equity of King Trade Group Company Limited (the "King Company"), a subsidiary company in Hong Kong of Capital Yield Group and the balance of Euro 104 Million for the equity purchase of Chung Hua Environmental Protection Assets (Holdings) Group Ltd (the "Chung Hua Group"), a subsidiary of ZhongDe Waste Technology AG.

This amendment agreement was approved by the Supervisory Board of ZhongDe Waste Technology AG.

King Company holds indirectly three mining rights in the Galshar Coal Mine in East Gobi, Mongolia, the equity in a freight train station platform, as well as related right and interests in the land, property, ownership and management rights, facilities and equipment related to the aforementioned right through its subsidiary company in Mongolia. According to an independent assessment, the market values of the mineral assets aforementioned as of the valuation date of 30 September, 2023 is RMB 2.48 billion which equals approx. EUR 317 million under the premise of implementation of coal quality improvement and humic acid production systems.

Through this agreement, not only has the company's long-standing accounts receivable problem been resolved, but it has also gained access to coal resources in Mongolia. Under the influence of the Russia Ukraine war, the importance of coal resources in global energy consumption has significantly increased, and the coal prices have also risen sharply. King Company provides ZhongDe with opportunities and space for development in the coal industry, opening up new areas for the company's business model.

In addition, to develop chemical products such as humic acid with the coal resources owned by King Company in Mongolia not only provides higher value than selling raw coal, but also allows ZhongDe to continue playing an active role in the field of environmental protection, ensuring a smooth transition for the company in its new strategic transformation and providing strong support for its sustainable development.

With the slowdown of urbanization in China, the waste to energy industry is becoming saturated, which increases the difficulty for the company to win new EPC projects in the Chinese market. However, the company will continue to expand its EPC engineering business. In addition, the company will also develop mineral resources and chemical products mainly based on humic acid in Mongolia, and use its own advantages to try to develop the solar energy and other renewable energy markets in Europe.

In the past few years, due to changes in the company's management and the pandemic, the company was unable to carry out audit work properly for a long time and has therefore been penalized by BaFin and the Federal Bureau of Justice. Therefore, after the end of the epidemic, the company started immediately to clean up the financial issues in the past and prepare for the smooth implementation of audit work.

At present, the company is in contact with German accounting firms. Once a new auditor is determined, the company will immediately begin with financial report auditing from 2017 to 2023 and disclose all financial information, allowing shareholders and investors to fully understand the company's financial situation and restore confidence in the company's business development.





Contact:

ZhongDe Waste Technology AG

Ying Sun

Investor Relations

Barckhausstrasse 1,

60325 Frankfurt

Tel.: +49 (0) 69 2475689 - 630

Fax: +49 (0) 69 2475689 - 499

Email: ying.sun@zhongde-ag.de

Additional Information:

ISIN: DE000ZDWT018

WKN: ZDWT01

Listing: Regulated Market (General Standard) at Frankfurt Stock Exchange

Approved by CEO Zefeng Chen



02.09.2024 CET/CEST Die EQS Distributionsservices umfassen gesetzliche Meldepflichten, Corporate News/Finanznachrichten und Pressemitteilungen.

Medienarchiv unter https://eqs-news.com


NEW YORK, Sept. 2, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Silkland, a tech brand specializing in cables and accessories, has released the first-ever 16K VESA-certified USB C to DisplayPort 2.1 cable to support the future of visual display technology, now available on Amazon.

With support for 16K resolution, users can expect an unparalleled level of detail and realism, making the cable ideal for high-end computing, gaming, and professional applications. It is also backward compatible with 8K and 4K resolutions, ensuring a versatile and future-proof solution for all display needs.

One of the standout features of this cable is its bi-directional support, allowing it to connect USB C devices like laptops, phones, and tablets to DisplayPort monitors or connect DisplayPort devices like PC to USB C monitors. This flexibility makes it a versatile tool for a wide range of applications. Additionally, it is compatible with Thunderbolt 5/4/3, offering a plug-and-play experience with no drivers needed.

DisplayPort 2.1 integration elevates connection speeds up to 40Gbps and supports 16K@30Hz, 8K@120Hz, 4K@240Hz, crucial for reducing screen tearing in fast visuals. The stable signal transmission facilitated by gold-plated plugs paired with thicker copper wires minimizes signal loss while maximizing quality.

This innovative product also supports HDR (High Dynamic Range) and HDCP2.3 (High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection), along with G-Sync and Free Sync technologies ensuring seamless video playback without flickering issues across all formats of content display. Moreover, it facilitates Multi-Stream Transport (MST) allowing users to daisy-chain multiple monitors - enhancing productivity spaces or creating immersive gaming setups.

The cable also works seamlessly under Clamshell mode, and with DSC 1.2a, users can enjoy high-resolution and high-frame-rate video through existing physical interfaces.

Silkland has always prioritized high-end cable R&D, and this USB C to DisplayPort 2.1 cable is no exception. Certified by VESA, it guarantees top performance and reliability. The E-braided design prevents tangling, while the ergonomic aluminum shell ensures easy plugging. Gold-plated plugs and thicker copper wires enhance image transmission stability and quality.

For more information, please visit: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D8164MC1

About Silkland

Founded in 2019, Silkland integrates design, R&D, and sales, specializing in high-end cable development. Focusing on cutting-edge technology products, it leads the high-end cable market across the US, Europe, Japan. As a member of VESA and USB-IF, Silkland has demonstrated its commitment to quality and innovation by developing certified DP 2.1 cables, USB4 cables, and HDMI 2.1 cables.

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2493235/CD41P.jpg

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LONDON, Sept. 2, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Global Brands Magazine (GBM), a premier brand publication and research company based in London, is pleased to announce that submissions are now open for the prestigious Global Brand Awards 2024. These awards celebrate the remarkable achievements of companies and leaders across various industries, including real estate, banking, education, hospitality, automotive, lifestyle, and technology.

How to Participate

Nominations are accepted from companies across various categories and regions. All nominations are evaluated at the national level by an independent external research agency.

Companies interested in participating in the awards are invited to submit their nominations through the following link: Global Brand Awards - Nomination Link

Awards Process:

Nomination Review: The internal research team verifies the validity of each nomination and ensures sufficient data is available. External Scrutiny: Shortlisted nominations are assessed by an independent external research agency, based on various parameters. Jury Decision: An internal jury reviews the results and decides on the award winners. Announcement: Winners are announced on the website under the Award Winners section.

Benefits of Participating in the Global Brand Awards:

Global Recognition: Showcase the brand's achievements on a global platform.

Showcase the brand's achievements on a global platform. Enhanced Credibility: Strengthen the brand's reputation and build relationships with partners and consumers.

Strengthen the brand's reputation and build relationships with partners and consumers. Extensive Media Exposure: Enjoy widespread global media coverage and promotional opportunities across social media.

View the previous years' winners here: Global Brand Awards Winners section

GBM's Prestigious Awards Events

Past awards ceremonies have been hosted at some of the world's renowned venues, including The Athenee Hotel in Bangkok, Thailand; Waldorf Astoria, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai; JW Marriott Marquis Hotel, Dubai; Emperor's Palace, South Africa; Banyan Tree, Macau; and Address Downtown, Dubai, witnessing some of the global brands, like Mercedes Benz, Malaysia Airlines, Swarovski, Microsoft, Harley Davidson, SAP, HP, Standard Chartered, AUDI and many more. The awards night not only celebrates achievements with the award but also offers exceptional networking opportunities with industry leaders.

The next spectacular event is scheduled for Q2 2025. Updates will be shared on GBM's social media channels.

Find a curated selection of leading brands across various categories, including the top 10 laptop brands, best mobile brands, top air conditioner brands, and more, on the website. This resource may assist visitors in selecting the best brands for their needs.

Follow us on:

Facebook | Linkedin | Instagram | Twitter

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Regulatory News:

Sopra Steria (Paris:SOP), a major player in the European tech sector, has announced the finalisation today of the sale of most of Sopra Banking Software's activities.

This sale concludes Sopra Steria's process of refocusing its activities on digital services and solutions, as announced on 21 February 2024.

It follows Sopra Steria's sale to Sopra GMT, on 19 July 2024, of 3.619 million Axway shares and, on 26 July 2024, of the pre-emptive subscription rights held as part of the capital increase carried out by Axway in August.

Since the end of H1 2024, Sopra Steria has received a total of 410.5 million arising from these sales.

Sopra Steria retains an 11.1% stake in Axway's share capital.

As a reminder, the activities sold, which accounted for 336.3 million in revenue in 2023, were recognised as discontinued operations (under IFRS 5) in the H1 2024 accounts released on 24 July 2024.

Upcoming financial releases

Thursday, 31 October 2024 (before market open): Publication of Q3 2024 revenue

About Sopra Steria

Sopra Steria, a major player in the European tech sector with 56,000 employees in nearly 30 countries, is recognised for its consulting, digital services and software development. It helps its clients drive their digital transformation and obtain tangible and sustainable benefits. The Group provides end-to-end solutions to make large companies and organisations more competitive by combining in-depth knowledge of a wide range of business sectors and innovative technologies with a fully collaborative approach. Sopra Steria places people at the heart of everything it does and is committed to putting digital to work for its clients in order to build a positive future for all. In 2023, the Group generated revenue of 5.8 billion.

The world is how we shape it.

Sopra Steria (SOP) is listed on Euronext Paris (Compartment A) ISIN: FR0000050809

For more information, visit us at www.soprasteria.com

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240902861060/en/

Contacts:

Investor Relations

Olivier Psaume

olivier.psaume@soprasteria.com

+33 (0)1 40 67 68 16

Press Relations

Caroline Simon (Image 7)

caroline.simon@image7.fr

+33 (0)1 53 70 74 65
Erinnern Sie sich, als Moderna und BioNTech von unbekannten Unternehmen zu globalen Marktfuhrern wurden und fruhzeitige Investoren reich belohnt haben?



Die Branche steht vor einem erneuten Innovationsschub  von bahnbrechenden Medikamenten bis hin zu revolutionaren Therapien.



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Sie sollten jetzt in Biotech-Aktien einsteigen, weil wir am Beginn einer neuen Ara der medizinischen Innovation stehen konnten! Gen- und Zelltherapien, personalisierte Medizin und bahnbrechende Technologien konnten das Gesundheitswesen revolutionieren  und die Aktienkurse in die Hohe schieen lassen.



Die nachste Erfolgsgeschichte im Biotechbereich warten nur darauf, entdeckt zu werden. Wer jetzt investiert, hat die Chance, von gigantischen Durchbruchen und enormen Renditen zu profitieren. Warten Sie nicht, bis es zu spat ist - der nachste Biotech-Superstar konnte morgen schon durchstarten!



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Kunstliche Intelligenz hat spatestens nach dem Raketenstart von Chat GPT das Leben aller verandert. Doch der Superzyklus steht nach Meinungen von Experten erst am Anfang. Wahrend Aktien wie Nvidia von der ersten Aufwartsentwicklung stark profitieren konnten, versprechen aussichtsreiche Player aus der

zweiten Reihe noch enormes Aufwartspotenzial.



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Trotz der jungsten Erfolge steht die Entwicklung der kunstlichen Intelligenz noch am Beginn eines neuen Superzyklus. Experten gehen davon aus, dass der Sektor bis 2032 global auf 1,3 Billionen US-Dollar explodieren wird, wobei ein groer Teil auf Hardware und Infrastruktur entfallen wird.



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Regulatory News:

emeis (Paris:EMEIS):

Effective 2 September, Jean-Marc Boursier joins Laurent Guillot and his management team as Group Chief Financial Officer (CFO). Jean-Marc will take over from Laurent Lemaire who is leaving the Group.

He will oversee the transition in parallel with the recruitment of a new Chief Financial Officer. Jean-Marc has extensive experience at listed companies in the services sector, and solid expertise in finance and steering cross-functional activities as well as experience in operations which he will draw on to elevate the Group's performance. Jean-Marc will mainly be tasked with strengthening the transformation of our Finance, IT and Procurement Departments, while giving his full support to the Group's refoundation.

An engineer, Mr. Boursier graduated from Telecom Sud Paris, and also holds a Master's in Finance from HEC Paris. Earlier in his career, Jean-Marc worked as CFO and COO at SUEZ Group.

emeis thanks Laurent Lemaire for his professionalism and commitment in supporting the Group's teams over these last three years of significant transformation, as well as his contribution to the success of the Group's financial restructuring.

About emeis

With nearly 78,000 experts and professionals in healthcare, care, and supporting the most vulnerable among us, emeis operates in around 20 countries with five core activities: psychiatric clinics, post-acute and rehabilitation clinics, nursing homes, home care services, and assisted-living facilities.

Every year, emeis welcomes 283,000 residents, patients, and other beneficiaries. emeis is committed and is taking action to rise to a major challenge facing our society, i.e., the increase in the number of people placed in vulnerable positions as a result of accidents or old age, and the rising number of cases of mental illness.

emeis is 50.2% owned by Caisse des Depots, CNP Assurances, MAIF, and MACSF Epargne Retraite. It is listed on the Euronext Paris stock exchange (ISIN: FR001400NLM4) and is a member of the SBF 120 and CAC Mid 60 indices.

Website: www.emeis.com/en

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240902706640/en/

Contacts:

Press contacts

Isabelle Herrier-Naufle

Director of Press Relations

e-Reputation

+33 7 70 29 53 74

isabelle.herrier@emeis.com

IMAGE 7

Charlotte Le Barbier // Laurence Heilbronn

+33 6 78 37 27 60 // +33 6 89 87 61 37

clebarbier@image7.fr // lheilbronn@image7.fr

Investor Relations

Benoit Lesieur

Investor Relations Director

benoit.lesieur@emeis.com

Toll-free number for shareholders (from France only)

0 805 480 480

NEWCAP

Dusan Oresansky

+33 1 44 71 94 94

emeis@newcap.eu
The Saudi Fund for Development (SFD) celebrated its 50th anniversary in Riyadh today, under the theme "50 Years of Global Impact." The event brought together key development partners to reflect on the SFD's significant contributions to sustainable development worldwide. Over the past five decades, the SFD has allocated over $20 billion, financing more than 800 development projects and programs in vital sectors, including social infrastructure (education, healthcare, water and sewage, and housing and urban development), communication and transportation (roads, railways, airports and seaports), energy, agriculture, mining and industry, and others.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240902588222/en/

Saudi Fund for Development Celebrates 50 Years of Global Impact with Over $20 Billion in Development Contributions (Photo: AETOSWire)

Since its inception in 1974, the SFD has been the international development arm of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and has provided critical support to over 100 developing nations around the world. With a strong focus on supporting countries to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the SFD has played a pivotal role in driving sustainable development in Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and Small Island Developing States (SIDS).

During the event, SFD Chairman H.E. Ahmed Al-Khateeb emphasized the importance of collaboration in driving global development. He highlighted that SFD's success is deeply rooted in its partnerships, with 27 development projects and programs in 23 developing countries in 2023 co-financed with other funders. He also underscored the need to forge new partnerships and strengthen existing ones to create a world where every individual has the opportunity to reach their full potential.

Reflecting on this significant milestone, the SFD CEO Mr. Sultan bin Abdulrahman Al-Marshad, stated: "As we celebrate five decades of impactful work, we are committed, now more than ever, to supporting developing countries on their journey to economic self-reliance and resilience. Our goal is to ensure that all children can go to school, that education is not a privilege but something every child should have access to, and that families have access to healthcare and basic vital services. Equally, we focus on critical infrastructure development, like building roads and enhancing airports and sea ports, so that countries can thrive and engage in economic activities and trade. This work is not just about financing; it's about tangibly improving lives, creating opportunities, empowering communities, and building a more prosperous future."

On the sidelines of the 50th Anniversary Gala, the SFD and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) signed a new $25 million agreement to co-finance a renewable energy development project in the Solomon Islands. This marks the first project for SFD in the Solomon Islands. The primary aim of the project is to develop renewable energy infrastructure, reduce dependency on fossil fuels, and promote sustainable development in the region.

This agreement builds on SFD'50 years of transformative impact through development projects that have spanned Africa, Asia and the Pacific, Latin America and the Caribbean, and Eastern Europe.

This includes key projects such as the Metolong Dam in Lesotho, which received $25 million in funding and now provides potable water to 280,000 people, enhancing water security and public hygiene and health in the region. This is just one of the 433 projects across Africa, with a total funding of $11.5 billion, which focuses on critical areas such as infrastructure and water security.

In Asia, the SFD has funded 271 projects with a total funding of $7.8 billion. One notable example is the SFD's contribution to the Mohmand Dam Hydropower Project in Pakistan, which has an overall project cost of $240 million. The projects contributes to the country's energy security and flood resilience by generating 800 megawatts of renewable energy and storing 1.6 million cubic meters of water.

In Latin America and the Caribbean, the SFD has financed 21 projects, totaling $951 million USD. This includes rehabilitating the Water and Sewage System in Havana, Cuba, where the SFD has allocated $35 million to enhance public infrastructure. Another significant initiative is the rebuilding of St. Jude Hospital in Saint Lucia, supported by $75 million funding, which will contribute to providing high-quality health services to citizens in a modern and sophisticated facility and providing sufficient medical supplies and equipment to support the effective operation of the hospital.

In Eastern Europe, the SFD has contributed to 14 projects with a total investment of $303 million. A key initiative is the construction of the Tirana-Elbasan-Chokos-Chalf-Ploce Road, where the SFD provided $73.8 million to rebuild essential roads and bridges, thereby boosting regional economic activities.

During the celebration, esteemed speakers shared insights on the SFD's pivotal role in global development, and in championing critical partnerships and collective action and response. Keynote speakers included:

HRH Prince Turki bin Faisal Al Saud, Founder and Trustee of the King Faisal Foundation

H.E. Ahmed bin Aqeel Al-Khateeb, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the SFD

H.E. Akinwumi Adesina, President of the African Development Bank Group

H.E. Muhammad Al Jasser, Chairman of the Islamic Development Bank

These global development leaders emphasized the SFD's commitment to fostering sustainable growth in countries and communities with the most pressing developmental needs.

The gala was attended by more than 500 people, including ministers, heads of regional and international organizations, ambassadors, representatives of the United and other distinguished guests.

As the SFD looks to the future, it reaffirms its mission and pledge to drive international development efforts, on behalf of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and to contribute to global stability, social progress, and economic prosperity for future generations.

Note to editors

For additional information, please reach out to us at media@sfd.gov.sa

Access the media kit, including collateral from the anniversary, via the following link: media kit

*Source: AETOSWire

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240902588222/en/

Contacts:

Abeer Alqahtani

Email: aalqahtani@apcoworldwide.com

Mobile: +966580089661
Singapore, Singapore--(Newsfile Corp. - September 2, 2024) - Crown88, a premier online gaming platform in Southeast Asia, is proud to announce its strategic initiative to embrace and focus on digital currencies, hoping to position itself at the forefront of industry innovation.





Crown88

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

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As the online gaming landscape evolves globally, digital currencies are increasingly becoming a preferred method of transaction for their speed, security, and ease of use. However, the Southeast Asian market has been notably resistant to change, with players expressing reluctance toward significant shifts in the gaming experience.

"Our players are at the heart of everything we do," said Malcolm Lau, Commercial Director at Crown88. "We understand the hesitation around adopting new technologies, but we believe that by being one of the first to implement these changes, we can offer our users a more secure and convenient gaming experience. Our goal is to lead by example and show that innovation can go hand-in-hand with the quality and reliability that our players expect."

Crown88's phased approach to integrating digital currencies will include comprehensive educational resources, 24/7 customer support, and a series of incentives to encourage gradual adoption. This ensures that players can familiarize themselves with the new system at their own pace, with the assurance that their gaming experience remains top-notch.

As part of this initiative, Crown88 is also exploring partnerships with leading digital currency providers to offer exclusive promotions and rewards to early adopters. This move aligns with Crown88's vision of being not just a participant but a pioneer in the digital transformation of the online gaming industry in Southeast Asia.

"We're excited to take this bold step and are confident that our players will see the long-term benefits of this transition," added Malcolm Lau. "Crown88 has always been about pushing boundaries and setting new standards, and this is just the beginning of our journey toward a more innovative and player-centric future."

About Crown88

Crown88 is a leading online gaming platform in Southeast Asia, known for its commitment to innovation, quality, and user satisfaction. With a deep understanding of the region's gaming culture, Crown88 has built a reputation for delivering a top-tier gaming experience while staying ahead of industry trends. Crown88 is dedicated to providing a safe, secure, and enjoyable environment for all players.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/221178

SOURCE: 500Newswire, LLC
The "Europe Green Hydrogen Market: Focus on Application, Technology, Renewable Energy Source, and Country Analysis and Forecast, 2023-2033" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The Europe green hydrogen market was valued at $253.8 million in 2023, and it is expected to grow with a CAGR of 66.72% during the forecast period 2023-2033 to reach $42.10 billion by 2033. Green hydrogen market growth is expected to be driven by low variable renewable energy (VRE) electricity costs, global plans for net-zero emissions by 2050, and increased awareness of green hydrogen.

Market Introduction

The European green hydrogen market is expanding rapidly as the region works to transition to a more sustainable energy future. Green hydrogen, produced by electrolysis of water using renewable energy sources such as wind and solar power, is emerging as a critical solution for carbon neutrality. This clean and versatile energy carrier has the potential to significantly reduce carbon emissions in a variety of sectors, including transportation, industry, and power generation.

Several European countries are at the forefront of green hydrogen production and utilization, propelled by ambitious climate goals and significant investments in renewable energy infrastructure. The European Union's Green Deal and Hydrogen Strategy aim to promote the development of a strong hydrogen economy, with plans to install gigawatts of electrolyzer capacity by 2030.

The market is primarily driven by financial incentives, public-private sector collaborations, and supportive government policies. The region's commitment to lowering greenhouse gas emissions and increasing energy security fuels the demand for green hydrogen.

As Europe continues to innovate and expand its renewable energy capabilities, the green hydrogen market is expected to thrive, creating significant opportunities for stakeholders throughout the value chain, from electrolyzer manufacturers to end users in a variety of industries.

How can this report add value to an organization?

Product/Innovation Strategy: In the realm of the Europe green hydrogen market, technological advancements are transforming agricultural landscapes to create winning products, choose the right unmet needs, target the right customer group, and compete with substitute products. The product segment helps the readers understand the different types of technology used for the green hydrogen market. Also, the study provides the readers with a detailed understanding of the Europe green hydrogen market based on application and product.

Growth/Marketing Strategy: The Europe green hydrogen market has witnessed remarkable growth strategies by key players. Business expansions, collaborations, and partnerships have been pivotal. Companies are venturing into global markets, forging alliances, and engaging in research collaborations to enhance their technological prowess. Collaborative efforts between hydrogen manufacturers and suppliers' experts are driving the development of cutting-edge monitoring tools. Additionally, strategic joint ventures are fostering the integration of diverse expertise, amplifying the market presence of these solutions. This collaborative approach is instrumental in developing a comprehensive, user-friendly, and efficient green hydrogen market.

Competitive Strategy: In the competitive landscape of the green hydrogen market, manufacturers are diversifying their product portfolios to cover various applications. Market segments include application, technology, and renewable energy sources. Competitive benchmarking illuminates the strengths of market players, emphasizing their unique offerings and regional strengths. Partnerships with research institutions and agricultural organizations are driving innovation.

Key Attributes:

Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 82 Forecast Period 2023 2033 Estimated Market Value (USD) in 2023 $253.8 Million Forecasted Market Value (USD) by 2033 $42108.6 Million Compound Annual Growth Rate 66.7% Regions Covered Europe

Market Dynamics: Overview

Market Drivers

Low Variable Renewable Energy (VRE) Electricity Cost

Global Plans for Net-Zero Emissions by 2050

Increasing Awareness Regarding Green Hydrogen

Trends: Current and Future Impact Assessment

Decarbonization on the Horizon

Infrastructure Development

Falling Renewable Energy Costs

Market Restraints

High Cost of Production

Limited Dedicated Transport Infrastructure

Market Opportunities

Wide Application of Green Hydrogen

Scaling Up of Technologies

Supply Chain Overview

Market Map

Research and Development Review

Patent Filing Trend (by Country and Company)

Regulatory Landscape

Consortiums and Associations

Regulatory Bodies

Government Programs

Start-Up Landscape

Key Start-Ups in the Ecosystem

Impact Analysis for Key Global Events: COVID-19

Companies Featured

Linde plc

Air Liquide

Engie

Uniper SE

Siemens Energy

Green Hydrogen Systems

Nel ASA

Aker Horizons

HY2GEN AG

Fusion-Fuel

Market Segmentation

Application

Oil and Gas

Industrial Feedstock

Ammonia

Methanol

Steel

Others

Mobility

Power Generation

Others

Technology

Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) Electrolyzer

Alkaline Electrolyzer

Anion Exchange Membrane

Solid Oxide Electrolyzer

Renewable Energy Source

Wind Energy

Solar Energy

Others

Country

France

Germany

U.K.

Spain

Italy

Russia

Rest-of-Europe

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/mbqxnk

About ResearchAndMarkets.com

ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240902743797/en/

Contacts:

ResearchAndMarkets.com

Laura Wood, Senior Press Manager

press@researchandmarkets.com

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The Dominican Republic is much more than just a tropical holiday destination. Nestled in the heart of the Caribbean, the nation has developed an extremely attractive infrastructure for innovation and entrepreneurial opportunities for businesses.

With close connections to the United States, scores of international trade agreements, and a talented workforce to unlock, the Dominican Republic is fast becoming one of the most appealing locations to do business internationally.

Following a growth slowdown in the wake of the pandemic, GDP projections for the Dominican Republic have climbed to 5% in 2024, illustrating the sheer potential that the nation offers businesses.

As one of the jewels of the Latin American economy, the benefits of doing business in the Dominican Republic are constantly growing. Lets take a deeper look at some of the biggest positives associated with the Caribbean paradise:

Welcoming International Business

The Dominican Republics strong gross domestic product of $120 billion reported in 2023 makes the nation the second-largest economy in the Caribbean, and its market has been buoyed by imported goods and technology innovation in recent years.

Through the 2017 launch of ProDominica, the Dominican Republic has actively sought to improve conditions for foreign investment and business within its legal frameworks. As a result, foreign business and investment are welcomed in virtually all sectors domestically.

Businesses can also enjoy tax incentives for operations in renewable energy, industrial, tourism, and film production sectors.

Tax rates in the Dominican Republic are also lower than the regional average of 45.3%, weighing in at 42.2%. However, the best part of welcoming international business in the country stems from the frictionless processes involved in getting a startup off the ground.

The time it takes to open a business in the Dominican Republic is just 14.5 days, as opposed to the Latin American average of 30 days.

This makes building a business in the Caribbean for international companies far more effective than elsewhere in the region.

The Dominican Republic also has a series of multilateral agreements with World Trade Organization members, as well as free trade agreements with CARICOM, CARIFORUM European Community, and Central America. These agreements and treaties open the door to seamless trading with France, Italy, Spain, South Korea, Chile, Panama, the Netherlands, Morocco, Finland, and many other nations.

Breaking Down Dominican Tax Incentives

In the 21st Century, the Dominican Republic has sought to offer tax incentives to businesses as part of its strategic economic growth plans. Incentives can be accessed if the state recognizes that foreign investment and technology transfer can contribute to economic growth and social development.

This is acknowledged within the nations legal framework in Law No. 16-95. Additionally, Law No. 84-99 offers incentives for exports that can establish new mechanisms and modernize existing ones, and Law No. 8-90 allows for exoneration of all taxes for exportation, imports, and re-exports throughout Free Trae Zones of Exportation.

Other tax incentives are available through legislation surrounding textile, clothing, and accessory industries, as well as cinematographic activity. Law No. 480-08 also allows for a legal framework for the establishment of International Financial Zones to lower tax burdens on foreign investment.

The Dominican Republic offers plenty of opportunities for foreign investment within its tax legislation, and they can be unlocked when you hire a specialist law firm that will help you expand your business to the Dominican Republic.

Accessing Skilled Workers

With a skilled domestic workforce throughout a diverse range of industries, the Dominican Republic is also an excellent resource for recruiting top talent with more budget-friendly wage demands.

Workers in the Dominican Republic are generally multilingual, with the ability to speak both Spanish and English, helping to boost operations internationally further into Latin America.

The emergence of information technology, engineering, and healthcare in the Dominican Republic has also helped to generate a skilled workforce domestically for businesses to utilize.

Additionally, Dominican Republic workers are among the best educated in Latin America. USAID data shows that the Dominican Republic ranks fourth in the region for bachelors educational attainment and 12th among the global average for its income group.

Geographic Benefits for US Entrepreneurs

Another excellent quality of the Dominican Republic is its close proximity to the United States and favorable time zones for US residents. This can help unite international businesses without having to make out-of-hours calls and travel across the world to liaise with staff.

Theres even a comfortable time zone overlap with Europe, helping to keep Dominican offices in touch with much of the Western Hemisphere without the risk of communication issues.

Building into Untapped Markets

The Dominican Republic is the perfect gateway for North American businesses to reach the vast untapped potential of Latin America.

Many markets within the LATAM region could benefit from foreign investment, including technology, consumer goods, and sustainable initiatives.

With a population of over 650 million residents, accessing these untapped markets could be lucrative for businesses while building a more comprehensive customer base around the region.

Utilizing the Potential of LATAM

There are many advantages that the Dominican Republic can offer businesses of all sizes seeking to grow on an international scale.

Alongside growing markets, competitive wages, conducive laws, and geographical perks, the Dominican Republic features an improving infrastructure thats focused on boosting the global appeal of businesses that choose to open up operations domestically.

While there are plenty of places that can be explored for entrepreneurs worldwide, its difficult to replicate the geographical, infrastructural, economic, and demographic perks that the Dominican Republic has to offer.
Dedication of plateau patrollers moves filmmakers

16:04, September 02, 2024 By Yan Dongjie and Palden Nyima ( China Daily

Editor's note: As protection of the planet's flora, fauna and resources becomes increasingly important, China Daily is publishing a series of stories to illustrate the country's commitment to safeguarding the natural world.

A wildlife ranger pets an injured female Tibetan antelope in Changtang National Nature Reserve in the Xizang autonomous region in June. The antelope had been attacked by a wolf en route to its birthing ground. (TENZIN/XINHUA)

July is not only one of the busiest times of year for wildlife rangers on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, but also a time of great care and responsibility. Here, rangers and researchers at the Xizang Changtang National Nature Reserve, located at an altitude of 5,000 meters above sea level, observe and monitor the mass migration of Tibetan antelopes.

Some 150,000 Tibetan antelopes, also known as chiru, live high up on the plateau and migrate from Qinghai province to the Changtang reserve to birth their young.

The species used to be listed as endangered due in part to them being hunted for their fur, but years of conservation work has lifted their number and they are now classified as near threatened by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature.

This year, the wildlife rangers have been joined by a team of photographers and filmmakers to document the migration, typically ranging from several hundred kilometers to about 1,000 km, across what is known by many as the "roof of the world".

Starting from a patrol station in Rungma township, documentary filmmaker Zhang Lina and two photographers, Guo Peng and Xu Qianbo, ride by motorcycle across hills and streams for 3 hours to catch up with the migrating herds.

"Although the flow of the rivers along the way is not particularly strong, the river channels are deep and long. Adult Tibetan antelopes can generally leap over easily, but young ones are at high risk of being swept away by the currents and drowning," Zhang said.

"The rangers wait downstream to try and rescue them."

Ranger Kelsang Lhundrup takes photos of wildlife during a patrol in the Changtang reserve in December. (JIANG FAN/XINHUA)

Zhang's aim on her filming trip is to learn and better understand the stories of these rangers and the role they play in protecting Tibetan antelopes.

"Most of the wildlife rangers in Xizang speak Tibetan and are not proficient in Mandarin, so their stories are pretty scarce outside of their own language," she said.

"But when we personally accompany them into the wilderness, although there isn't much verbal communication, in the scenes of rescue, their respect for life is very touching and inspiring to us."

Zhang and her team are passionate about nature, and often task themselves with staking out in the wild to capture the behaviors of wild animals as well as local flora.

During their 5-day journey across the plateau, Zhang and her team were able to assist the rangers in rescuing 43 Tibetan antelopes.

There are over 100 patrol stations in the Changtang National Nature Reserve, where thousands of wildlife workers patrol by motorbike tasked with protecting nature, preventing poaching, and documenting the development of biodiversity.

"Unlike the rangers, we are photographers and want to take great photos, but when confronted with an animal in trouble we are left with a choice. However, when it is right in front of you there is no hesitation," Zhang said.

"In our work, the people we interact with the most are the front-line rangers engaged in wildlife conservation. They work year-round in the cold and high-altitude protected areas, carrying out patrols and rescue missions. They are intimate partners of wildlife, as well as our good companions and guides," she said.

A year ago, Zhang and cofounder Yang Xu set up Friends of the Himalayan Wilderness, a group aimed at documenting the stories of wildlife rangers.

Through their lenses, the lives of rangers are being better understood as well as their heart-pounding experiences in nature, such as rescuing snow leopards, discovering rare animals, sharing local folklore about deer, and reminiscing about the ancient fairy tales told by their grandmothers.

"Their attitudes don't change whether they are caring for 'flagship' species or little-known ones. Whenever they encounter an animal in need of help, they wholeheartedly assist. They also give nature so much respect, maintain a distance until an animal's injuries heal, and then promptly release them back into the wild, rather than treating them as pets," Zhang said.

A snow leopard is released back into the wild in the Changtang reserve in May. The leopard had broken into a local herder's sheepfold and killed four sheep two nights prior. Local authorities captured it and released it to the reserve far from human activities. (JIANG FAN/XINHUA)

Tsultrim Tharchen is a close friend of Zhang. He is the captain of 42 wildlife rangers in the Xizang Serling Tso National Nature Reserve and has been working there for over 15 years.

"Having spent so much time with animals, it seems that Tibetan antelopes and black-necked cranes are not afraid of him. He has developed a sensitive eye for any changes in nature. He loves photography, and we have discovered that he has a unique eye as a wildlife photographer," Zhang said.

Therefore, Zhang and her team began teaching him how to use high-definition cameras and drones for aerial photography.

In April, they collaborated to produce a public service short film titled Giving Voice to the Voiceless Wildlife, which garnered hundreds of thousands of views online. One comment read, "We never expected there to be such a group of people in Xizang who genuinely love and protect wildlife."

Since last year, Zhang and her team provided free photography training for wildlife rangers, hoping that by empowering those closest to nature to capture more precious moments, they can enhance their skills and increase their income.

"Many rangers hadn't a clue when we first gave them these cameras, but now they can proficiently capture the animals they encounter on patrol. We also teach them how to publish their work on resource websites, where users pay to download it. We hope that in the future, they may even win prizes in photography competitions," Zhang said.

Over the past 2 years, Zhang has spread the stories of these Tibetan wildlife rangers to cities such as Lhasa, Beijing, and Shanghai, garnering greater attention to the valuable work that they do.

Consequently, they have secured sponsorships and have been able to purchase three cameras, a camcorder, and 10 night-vision cameras.

Some clothing brands and companies producing cultural products have been moved by the stories of the rangers and provided them and their families with opportunities for remote work, asking them to produce locally distinctive handicrafts.

"We are continuously expanding collaborative public welfare projects related to ecological reserves and rural sustainable development, hoping to attract more social enterprises and individuals to participate and contribute," Zhang said.

In August, Zhang began designing and producing Tibetan language courses on how to shoot and produce videos with mobile phones. Perhaps in the future, more wildlife rangers will have access to these skills, and more precious wildlife images will be recorded and shared, she said.

(Web editor: Tian Yi, Zhong Wenxing)
From politics to sports, science to arts, these women have carved out spaces for themselves in traditionally male-dominated arenas, proving that gender is no barrier to greatness. The lineup for SheShakti 2024 is truly inspiring, featuring a diverse array of influential women leaders and changemakers from various fields read more

The stage is set, and the excitement is building for one of the most anticipated events of the year  Lions International Presents News18 SheShakti 2024. Scheduled for September 16, this years conclave is not just another event. Its a powerful movement that celebrates and amplifies the voices of women who are breaking barriers and redefining success across various fields, making their mark globally.

Themed Breaking Barriers, SheShakti 2024 perfectly encapsulates the spirit of resilience and innovation that our esteemed speakers bring to the table. From politics to sports, science to arts, these women have carved out spaces for themselves in traditionally male-dominated arenas, proving that gender is no barrier to greatness.

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The lineup for SheShakti 2024 is truly inspiring, featuring a diverse array of influential women leaders and changemakers from various fields. From Smt Annpurna Devi, a formidable advocate for womens rights, to Her Excellency Smt Radhikaraje Gaekwad, a champion of heritage conservation, and Nigar Shaji, a trailblazer in STEM as the Project Director for ISROs Aditya mission, each speaker brings a unique perspective.

Well also hear from renowned personalities such as Usha Uthup, Bhawana Somaaya, and Palak Muchhal, who have made significant contributions to the arts and social change. Young leaders like Shambhavi Choudhary and Bansuri Swaraj will discuss the impact of women in politics, while Ruchira Kamboj will provide insights from the diplomatic world. Nithya Menen and Pabiben Rabari will share their journeys in cinema and entrepreneurship, respectively, and young prodigies like Geet, Namya Joshi, and Abhijita Gupta will showcase the innovative spirit of the next generation.

The event will also feature a special performance by Maithili Thakur, celebrating cultural heritage and artistic expression.

Why you shouldnt miss the event

SheShakti 2024 is more than just a platform  its a celebration of the power, strength, and spirit of women who have dared to challenge the status quo. This event promises to be a day of inspiring stories, thought-provoking discussions, and actionable insights on how to continue breaking barriers in every field.

Stay tuned for more updates and join us in celebrating the indomitable spirit of women at Lions International Presents News18 SheShakti 2024. Together, lets create a world where every woman can realise her full potential without limits. Mark your calendars for September 16, and prepare to be inspired.
Mammootty, in a Facebook post, said there was no power group in the film industry and that he wholeheartedly welcomes and supports the recommendations and solutions in the committees report read more

Actor Mammootty and the Film Employees Federation of Kerala on Sunday denied the presence of any power group in the cinema world as claimed in the Justice Hema Committee report, while BJP chief J P Nadda accused the Left government in Kerala of delaying release of the panels findings to protect some CPI(M) leaders.

Breaking his silence, Mammootty, in a Facebook post, said there was no power group in the film industry and that he wholeheartedly welcomes and supports the recommendations and solutions in the committees report.

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He called upon everyone working in the film industry to be vigilant so that nothing untoward happens there and urged all associations in the cinema world to join hands in implementing the panels recommendations.

The actor praised the state governments 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.

The Women in Cinema Collective (WCC), an outfit of women professionals in the industry, called for rebuilding our workplace saying that change is necessary.

In a Facebook post, the WCC said that now was the time for the state government and other film organisations to stand together and realise their responsibility in transforming the film industry into a gender-just workplace.

Film Employees Federation of Kerala (FEFKA) general secretary B Unnikrishnan too echoed similar views when he called for implementation of the panels recommendations. He said there was no power group in the industry, but conceded that there were some strong alliances of some production houses with certain directors, writers and actors to make big movies and said that these were present in all film industries.

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He also admitted to the presence of the casting couch in the industry and emphasised on the need to disclose the names of the perpetrators in the Hema Committee report. Their responses came a day after actor Mohanlal, broke his silence over the shocking revelations in the committees report and had denied the existence of a power group.

BJP chief and Union Health Minister J P Nadda, on the other hand, questioned the delay in release of the panels report and the alleged lack of implementation of its recommendation, by asking the state government what is stopping you? What is haunting you?

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Nadda alleged that CPI(M) leaders were mentioned in the panel report and in order to hide their involvement, the Left government delayed publication of the report.

It is because they are part and parcel of it (adverse findings in the report). They want to hide something because their people are involved.

I am sorry to say that the Hema Committee report has specifically said that CPI(M) leaders are involved. The Chief Minister should come out in black and white. He should say what actually happened, the Union Minister said while speaking at a public meeting with industrialists and civic leaders of the district.

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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.

Meanwhile, actor Jayasurya, accused in two cases of sexual harassment in the wake of the release of the report, broke his silence and refuted the allegations against him.

He said that the accusations have shattered him, his family and everyone close to them.

The actor, who has been in the US with his family for the past one month, said he will face the allegations legally and his lawyers will take care of the proceedings in the cases against him till he returns.

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In a note put up on his Facebook page to thank all those who wished him on his birthday on August 31, Jayasurya said, 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.

A lie always travels faster than the truth, but I believe truth will prevail. The first FIR against the actor was registered on August 28 under section 354 (assault or criminal force on woman with intent to outrage her modesty) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) at Cantonment police station here on a complaint by a female actor who has appeared in a handful of movies.

The second case was lodged at Karamana police station here under sections 354 and 354 C (voyeurism) of the IPC on a complaint by another female actor who had alleged that Jayasurya molested her at a movie set near Thodupuzha during 2012-2013.

Jayasurya said that he has complete faith in the judicial system and sarcastically thanked 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, he added.
Mukesh Chhabra, a prominent casting director in the industry, said the terrorists used nicknames or fake names to address each other read more

The content head of the streaming giant Netflix Monica Shergill has been summoned by the Union government after social media users accused the makers of IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack for changing the identities of the terrorists that hijacked the flight on December 24, 1999.

Amid demands by a section of social media users for boycott of the series IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack for allegedly hiding the real identities of the terrorists involved in the 1999 incident, casting director Mukesh Chhabra on Sunday claimed the perpetrators used nicknames for each other and proper research was done for the show.

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Directed by Anubhav Sinha, the series is based on the 1999 hijack of an Indian aircraft by five terrorists on December 24, 1999, 40 minutes after it took off from Kathmandu. It started streaming on Netflix from August 29.

Using hashtags #BoycottNetflix, #BoycottBollywood and #IC814, many X users shared posts claiming the makers changed the names of the hijackers to Shankar and Bhola to allegedly protect the terrorists who belonged to a certain community.

A user accused Sinha of deliberate distortion of facts as well as termed the series propaganda.

Names of IC814 Hijackers changed to Shankar & Bhola by @anubhavsinha. This is how Bollywood let the TERRORISTS WIN: #BoycottBollywood #IC814TheKandaharHijack, wrote another.

IC 814 Terrorists names - Ahmed Omar Saeed Sheikh, Masood Azhar and Mushtaq Ahmed Zargar. In Movie - Shankar & Bhola! read a post.

Mukesh Chhabra, a prominent casting director in the industry, said the terrorists used nicknames or fake names to address each other.

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 namesnicknames or fake names, whatever you want to call them. 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 wrote on X.
Renowned filmmaker Sunil Bohra and writer Akhilesh Jaiswal are reuniting after 12 years for an electrifying new gangster drama, Badshah of Begusaraian original web series read more

In an exciting week for cinema, the iconic film Gangs of Wasseypur has made a highly anticipated return to theaters, earning widespread acclaim across the nation. As this cinematic classic reclaims the spotlight, a new era of storytelling is about to begin.

Renowned filmmaker Sunil Bohra and writer Akhilesh Jaiswal are reuniting after 12 years for an electrifying new gangster drama, Badshah of Begusaraian original web series. Set against the raw and gritty landscape of Bihar, the series introduces a powerful and multi-layered character, often referred to as the Pablo Escobar of Bihar. This gripping tale has been meticulously developed over the past two years and is slated for production in early 2025.

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Sunil Bohra, Producer, Bohra Bros says, The excitement of returning to a world reminiscent of Gangs of Wasseypur is palpable, with a similar mix of thrill and anticipation driving this collaboration. The team aims to create a groundbreaking and unforgettable experience, capturing the essence of the criminal underworld with even greater intensity.

Akhilesh Jaiswal, Writer-Director says, Im beyond excited to dive back into this familiar yet ever-evolving space. This project allows me to explore a world and a character that are both dark and deeply rooted, yet complex and unique. The layers of this story are rich with depth and intrigue, making this journey both challenging and exhilarating.

With Badshah of Begusarai, the powerhouse maker is set to craft yet another timeless masterpiece, promising a gripping narrative that will captivate audiences and leave a lasting impact on the world of crime dramas. The legacy of Gangs of Wasseypur lives on, and the journey ahead is one to watch.
The Supreme Court has slammed bulldozer justice in the country, saying properties cant be demolished just because they belong to a person who is accused of a crime. The apex courts remarks refer to the practice, also known as bulldozer politics, in which state authorities raze properties of alleged criminals and communal violence rioters read more

A bulldozer demolishes the house of a Muslim man that Uttar Pradesh state authorities accuse of being involved in riots that erupted following comments about the Prophet Muhammad by BJP's Nupur Sharma. The Supreme Court on September 2 sugested drawing up guidelines on demolitions to address this issue of bulldozer justice. File image/Reuters

How can a house be demolished just because he is accused? Cant be demolished even if hes a convict. Even after telling SC Bar is  we dont find any change in attitude. The Supreme Court issued these stern words today (September 2) hearing a petition challenging bulldozer action against accused individuals in various cases.

The bench of Justice BR Gavai and Justice KV Viswanathan stated that no property can be demolished just because the accused is involved in a criminal offence. Even if he is a convict, still it cant be done without following the procedure as prescribed by law, said the Supreme Court.

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The apex court added that it proposed to lay down certain guidelines on a pan-India basis so that concerns about the issues are taken care of.

The court, however, clarified it wasnt defending illegal constructions. We will not protect any illegal structure obstructing public roads, that includes a temple, but there should be guidelines for demolition.

But what exactly is bulldozer justice? How did it emerge in India? And which states have dabbled in it?

What is bulldozer justice?

Bulldozer justice, also known as bulldozer politics, refers to the practice of using the heavy-duty piece of machinery to demolish houses of alleged criminals, communal violence rioters and accused criminals.

As part of bulldozer justice, houses, shops and small establishments have been bulldozed across India, especially in the states of Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Assam and Maharashtra.

However, the practice has come under strong criticism, with many questioning how the action can be taken even before allegations against a person are proven. They have also questioned why the administration must punish the whole family for the crime of one.

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When did bulldozer justice first emerge?

In September 2017, a few months after he became the chief minister of Uttar Pradesh, Yogi Adityanath, issued a warning about using bulldozers against those involved in crime. He was then quoted as saying, My government will bulldoze houses of anyone even thinking of perpetuating crime against women and weaker sections of the society.

In the following years, several properties were razed by the Adityanath government, including those linked to gangster-turned-politician Mukhtar Ansari. It is reported that after coming to power, Yogi with the help of bulldozers freed up over 67,000 acres of government land from the clutches of land mafia in the state.

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UP Chief Minister earned the nickname Bulldozer Baba in 2017 after he came to power and used the machinery to flatten several structures. File image/PTI

Soon, the UP chief minister earned the nickname of Bulldozer Baba, through which he attempted to convey his no-nonsense hard taskmaster style of working. Interestingly, in the 2022 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections, it became a part of the BJPs campaigning strategy to reiterate Yogis bulldozer credentials, with top leaders making it a point to declare how the illegally acquired properties of criminals like Mukhtar Ansari and Atique Ahmad were brought under the bulldozer.

And when the BJP stormed to a second consecutive win in the 2022 polls, many BJP workers celebrated the partys triumph with bulldozers.

How did Bulldozer justice become a national trend?

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It was in May 2022 that bulldozer justice grabbed national headlines. Back then, Nupur Sharma, the then-spokesperson of the BJP had made offensive remarks about Prophet Muhammad during a TV debate.

Her comments angered a few Muslims, who then carried out protests. It was after these demonstrations, which also turned violent, that the UP government carried out state-wide demolitions. The state claimed that the demolitions were part of a drive to remove illegal structures from the state.

But bulldozer justice hasnt been restricted to UP alone. In 2022, Madhya Pradeshs former Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan turned into bulldozer mama when he ordered authorities to demolish 16 houses and 29 shops across four locations in Khargone following communal clashes.

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A bulldozer demolishes an illegal structure at a residential area of Jahangirpuri in New Delhi, during an anti-encroachment drive following clashes between members of two communities on April 16 during a Hanuman Jayanti religious procession. File image/AFP

In Delhi, bulldozer justice was on display in April 2022 following the communal clashes in North West Delhis Jahangirpuri. On the orders of the BJP-led North Delhi Municipal Corporation, seven bulldozers were sent in to raze parts of several structures, including the gate of a mosque. At the time, officials had stated that the demolitions were a regular exercise against illegal encroachments, targeting only temporary structures. The drive led to Communist Party of India (Marxist) leader Brinda Karat reaching the spot and blocking the drive from going on any further.

And as recently as January, the Maharashtra authorities resorted to bulldozer politics in Mumbais Mira Road suburb, two days after the area saw communal clashes. Police reported that 15 illegal properties were razed.

A bulldozer being used to demolish the illegally constructed Sahara hotel in violence-hit Nuh district. File image/PTI

In Haryanas Nuh too, bulldozer justice was also on display, days after communal violence broke out, killing six people. The then Manohar Lal Khattar government demolished scores of homes and other structures.

What do critics say about bulldozer politics?

Bulldozer justice has received its fair share of criticism with many questioning the validity of these demolitions. Justice Madan B Lokur, former judge in the Supreme Court. Bulldozer justice is contrary to all canons of law. A persons home cannot be demolished only because he has participated in communal violence or a riot or committed some illegal act, he has been quoted as saying.

In 2023, the Supreme Court had raised concerns over the UP governments actions regarding bulldozing houses.

Additionally, in February, the Madhya Pradesh High Court pulled up the local administration of Ujjain for demolishing a property without complying with the principles of natural justice and law. It stated, It has become fashionable for the local administration to demolish any house by drawing up proceedings, without complying with the principle of natural justice, and publicise the demolition in the papers.

With inputs from agencies
Data released by the US Customs and Border Protection has revealed that an all-time high of 5,152 Indians attempted to enter America through Canada in June, showing that it has become a more preferable route than the conventional US-Mexico border. This surge is owing to the easy access to a Canadian visa and a mostly unguarded boundary area read more

People at the Roxham Road border crossing in Champlain, New York, A rising number of Indians are using the US-Canada border to illegally gain access into America. Representational image/AFP

In December 2023, Bollywood director Rajkumar Hirani through his movie Dunki shone light on the phenomenon of donkey routes  an illegal immigration technique to gain entry into countries like the United States, the United Kingdom and other countries.

And it seems that a record number of Indians are now using this technique to gain access to the US, using the less-explored Canada-US border crossing. The number of Indians using this route has surpassed the number of infiltrations from the more conventional path of using the Mexico border route.

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This trend, which has been noted since December last year, now puts the focus on Canadas visa screening process.

Heres what we know so far.

Indians illegally in US, via Canada

Data released by the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) reveals that an all-time high of 5,152 Indians attempted to illegally enter the US on foot using the Canada border in June alone. What is even more significant is that the number of Indians using the Canada border is considerably higher than the traditional Mexico route, as per an Indian Express report.

The US-Canada border is the longest open border in the world  over 9,000 kilometres long  and double the length of the US-Mexico border.

The Indian Express report citing CBP data states that the number of Indians caught at the US-Canada border between January and June 2024 has increased by 47 per cent  there were 3,733 incidents  compared to 2,548 last year for the same time period. Notably, theres been a 13-fold jump compared to 2021.

But this isnt a new trend. In fiscal year 2023, US border agents encountered nearly 97,000 undocumented Indian migrants nationwide, including more than 30,000 at the Canadian border. And since then, the number of people using this border has been high. Between October 2023 and February 2024, nearly 14,000 Indians were encountered at the US-Canada border.

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The rise in unauthorised Indian migration has made Indians the third-largest group of undocumented immigrants in the US. According to a Pew Research report, there were about 725,000 undocumented Indians in the US in 2021.

Immigrants from India wait to board a US Border Patrol bus to be taken for processing after crossing the border from Mexico. Earlier, the Mexico border was used by those seeking illegal entry into the USA. File image/AFP

Why Canada though

But what is it about Canada that makes it a preferred choice for Indians to gain illegal entry into the US? An immigration consultant registered with the Canada Regulatory Council told Indian Express, Canada offers the ideal combination of an accessible visa and a soft border. Its a much safer option than taking one of those dunki (illegal) routes via West Asia, Africa or the Caribbean, to join the crowd waiting to cross the heavily guarded Mexico border.

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Gaurav Khanna, an assistant professor of economics at the University of California at San Diego, whose research concentrates on immigration also concurred on this point. He told NBC News that the Canadian border has large stretches that are virtually unguarded at times.

Experts also note that using the Canada route is far safer than using various donkey routes. Political scientist Shinder Purewal told VOA News that many seek visas to Canada so that they can cross into the US.

However, the Canada route isnt without peril. In February 2022, an Indian family of four with two young children was found dead near the US border with Canada. As per reports, they had made the journey from a village in Gujarat through a similar illegal pathway, but were separated from the rest of the group during a blizzard. Their bodies were found just 13 yards from the border.

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Canada has seen a steady rise in Indians seeking visas, especially Indian students. In 2023, the number of Indian students in the North American country was nearly 319,000. However, the Justin Trudeau-led government earlier this year capped the number of approved study permits at approximately 360,000, a 35 per cent reduction from the previous year. Moreover, last week, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced a reduction in the temporary foreign worker visa programme.

Indians wishing for an American Dream

However, who are the Indians trying to gain illegal entry into the US?

Experts note that most of those who try to make their way into the US are those belonging to the states of Gujarat and Punjab. US investigators recently uncovered a smuggling network wherein Gujarati migrants were being ferried from the Canadian border to Gujarati American-owned business establishments in the Chicago area.

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Moreover, the success of previous migrants draws others to make the journey and use the same route. As Gaurav Khanna notes in an NBC report, People in Punjab might know people who went from their village, cousins and aunts and uncles and so forth, Khanna said. That creates more waves of movement.

Some other experts also note that most of those who attempt to enter the US illegally are often from middle-class families. In many cases, they sell their land to pay for the journey, hoping that working in America will increase their wages, and produce a secure future for their children.

Devesh Kapur, a South Asian studies professor at Johns Hopkins University who focuses on the Indian diaspora, was quoted as telling the Washington Post that these migrants are not the desperately poor. Facing a shortage of attractive jobs and a struggling agricultural sector, they find that the wealth they have in India is not enough to transform their lives, and this creates a culture of migration, he said.

With inputs from agencies
Nasas DART mission, which successfully altered the orbit of the asteroid Dimorphos in 2022, might also lead to an extraordinary phenomenon: the first human-made meteor shower, dubbed the Dimorphids. New research suggests that debris from the impact could reach Earths atmosphere within the next decade, potentially creating a unique meteor shower visible from the southern hemisphere read more

NASA planned the DART, or Double Asteroid Redirection Test, mission to carry out a full-scale assessment of asteroid deflection technology. Representational Image/NASA

Nasas Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) mission, which intentionally crashed into the asteroid Dimorphos in 2022, might lead to the first human-made meteor shower.

The collision, part of a planetary defense strategy, has resulted in debris that could eventually reach Earth and Mars, creating a potential meteor shower known as the Dimorphids.

Nasas DART mission marked a significant achievement in human history by successfully altering the orbit of a celestial body for the first time.

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What was the mission about?

The mission, designed to test asteroid deflection technology, targeted the tiny asteroid Dimorphos, a moonlet orbiting the larger asteroid Didymos.

By crashing a spacecraft into Dimorphos at a staggering speed of 13,645 miles per hour (6.1 kilometers per second), Nasa aimed to assess whether such a kinetic impact could effectively change the motion of a potentially hazardous asteroid.

The last complete image of asteroid moonlet Dimorphos. NASA

The experiment was a success. Ground-based telescopes confirmed that DART had altered Dimorphos orbital period around Didymos by 32 to 33 minutes.

However, the collision also generated a significant amount of debris  over 2 million pounds (nearly 1 million kilograms) of rocky material. This debris, blasted into space, has raised intriguing possibilities about its future trajectory and its potential to create a meteor shower.

Could Dimorphos fragments reach Earth and Mars?

New research indicates that the debris from the DART impact could arrive in the vicinity of Earth and Mars within the next few decades. According to a study accepted by the Planetary Science Journal, some fragments might reach Mars as soon as seven years from now, while others could reach Earths atmosphere within ten years.

CNN quoted the studys lead author, Eloy Pena Asensio, a postdoctoral researcher at Italys Polytechnic University of Milan, who explained, This material could produce visible meteors, commonly called shooting stars, as they penetrate the Martian atmosphere.

This just in: The #DARTmission impact is confirmed to have changed the orbit of moonlet Dimorphos around its asteroid Didymos.



For the first time ever, humans changed the motion of a celestial object. More details: https://t.co/aQj8N7fnuV pic.twitter.com/NLR6AqEcaO  NASA (@NASA) October 11, 2022

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The particles range in size from tiny grains of sand to fragments as large as smartphones. Although none of these fragments pose a risk to Earth, they could create a visible meteor shower, which would be particularly unique given its human-made origin.

Pena Asensio stated that while the debris is unlikely to reach Earths surface, its potential to create a meteor shower is a fascinating possibility. 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, he said.

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When will the meteor shower occur?

Predicting the exact timing and impact of the debris on Earth and Mars is complex and depends on various factors, including the velocity and trajectory of the fragments. The research team utilised data from the LICIACube satellite  a small companion to the DART spacecraft that captured crucial footage of the collision and the resulting debris cloud  to simulate the paths of 3 million particles across the solar system.

These simulations, conducted using the supercomputing facilities of the Consortium of University Services of Catalonia, revealed that faster-moving particles, traveling at speeds of up to 3,579 miles per hour (1,600 meters per second), could reach Earth in less than a decade.

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While the possibility of a Dimorphids meteor shower reaching Earth is considered unlikely, it cannot be entirely ruled out. If it does occur, it would be a small, faint meteor shower, primarily visible from the southern hemisphere and peaking in May.

The resulting meteor shower would be easily identifiable on Earth, as it would not coincide with any known meteor showers, Pena Asensio noted.

The study also hinted at the possibility of the debris reaching other celestial bodies, including nearby asteroids.

Coauthor Michael Kuppers, a planetary scientist at the European Space Astronomy Centre, remarked on the unexpected trajectory of the debris, telling CNN, Personally, initially I was surprised to see that, although the impact happened close to Earth (at about an 11-million-kilometer distance), it is easier for the impact ejecta to reach Mars than to reach Earth.

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Whats next?

The Hera mission, led by the European Space Agency, is set to launch in October and will reach the Didymos-Dimorphos system by late 2026. This mission will provide further insights into the aftermath of the DART impact, including a detailed analysis of the debris, its composition, and how the impact has reshaped Dimorphos.

Is there an impact crater, or was the impact so large that Dimorphos was globally reshaped? Kuppers told CNN, who is also a project scientist for the Hera mission. From ground-based data, we have some evidence for the latter. Hera will tell us for sure.

Also Watch:

Future observations and missions will play a crucial role in refining our understanding of the debris and its potential to create a meteor shower. As Pena Asensio stated, In any case, whether the DART impact has launched Dimorphos particles at velocities high enough to reach Earth will be determined in the coming decades through meteor observation campaigns. If it does happen, we may witness the first human-made meteor shower.
The findings of the Hema Committee report have rocked Malayalam cinema and its reverberations are now being felt beyond Kerala. A similar report on sexual harassment of women in Tollywood was submitted to the Telangana government in 2022 but has remained under wraps read more

The pervasive sexual harassment and atmosphere of fear in the Malayalam film industry revealed by the Hema Committee report has stirred a massive storm. The ripples of the report are being felt beyond Mollywood.

Now, calls for releasing a similar report on sexual harassment in the Telugu film industry have gained momentum. Several women film personalities from the Telugu Film Industry (TFI), including Samantha Ruth Prabhu and Lakshmi Manchu, have urged the Congress-led Telangana government to publish the findings of the sub-committee on sexual abuse.

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Lets take a closer look.

Whats happening?

Kushi actor Samantha Ruth Prabhu hailed Mollywoods Women in Cinema Collective (WCC) for its efforts which led to the findings of the Hema Committee report.

Taking to Instagram, Prabhu on behalf of The Voice of Women, a support group for women in the Telugu film industry, wrote, 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.

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, she added.

Actors Manchu, Anchor Suma and Jhansi and director Nandini Reddy have also called on the state government to publish the sub-committees report. Like Prabhu, they shared the statement by The Voice of Women on their respective social media accounts.

Keralas WCC had led to the formation of The Voice of Women in the Telugu film industry spanning Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.

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How panel came to be in Tollywood

In April 2019, the Telangana government led by then chief minister K Chandrashekar Rao (KCR) set up a high-level committee to investigate sexual harassment and exploitation within Tollywood.

This came a year after actor Sri Reddy participated in a semi-nude protest outside the Telugu Film Chamber of Commerce in Film Nagar, Hyderabad. She had accused a producer of assaulting her at her Chennai residence.

The protest created a huge stir, leading to a larger movement on sexual abuse in the film industry. Many Telugu actors spoke about the practice of casting couch in Tollywood at the time, reported ThePrint.

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As per Indian Express, the Women and Transgender Organisations Joint Action Committee moved the Telangana High Court seeking a probe into the exploitation of women in Tollywood.

The high-level committee, formed by the Telangana government, comprised filmmakers, producers, women and child welfare department officials, police commissioners, and representatives from the Telangana State Film Development Corporation, film industry unions and the television industry, according to the newspaper.

This panel created a sub-committee with more than 25 members from Tollywood, including the women development and child welfare department, police department, the labour department, and SHE teams, a division of Telangana Police dedicated to womens safety, as per ThePrint.

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ALSO READ: How Hema Committee report has left Keralas ruling CPI (M) in a fix

What did the panel find?

The sub-committees work faced obstruction due to the COVID-19 lockdown and was finally completed in 2022.

In June 2022, it submitted the report titled Sexual Harassment and Gender Discrimination in the Telugu Film and Television Industries to the KCR government to help formulate policies to make workplaces safe for women.

The sub-committee found people faced harassment in the industry over unequal wages, payment of salaries, lack of written employment contracts, and poor working conditions with many women complaining of no separate rest areas or toilets for them, reported Indian Express.

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Several women interviewed by the panel did not detail the kind of harassment they were subjected to or name those who demanded sexual favours from them, noted the newspaper.

The KCR government did not make the report public. Speaking to Indian Express, former Telangana minister Talasani Srinivas Yadav claimed the report was very vague. The sub-committee did a lot of work and interviewed many people but the report did not provide anything specific that required action, he said.

Actor and television presenter Jhansi, who was a member of both the committees, told ThePrint, Theres no sense of urgency, unfortunately. The report is waiting on someones desk, for a kick or a shove. Our systems need to work on need-based issues. But the push is lacking from within the fraternity and the bureaucracy. The only people pushing for the report to be published are the activists, associations, and feminist NGOs, who were part of the committees.

While the government sits on the report, many stakeholders have introduced redressal mechanisms, including creating WhatsApp support groups, to help women open up.

While were putting systems in place, were also sending out a strong note to habituated offenders, who ask for sexual favours, that what theyre doing is a crime. After the fallout of the Hema Committee report in Kerala, we believe that now everything will start to shake up in Tollywood. And we are here for the women who want to speak up," Jhansi told the news outlet.

With inputs from agencies
BJP IT cell chief Amit Malviya has criticised the makers of the Netflix show, IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack, for using Hindu names  Bhola and Shankar  for the Pakistani terrorists involved in the 1999 hijacking. The BJP leader alleges that it legitimises the criminal intent. But who were the real Kandahar hijackers and what aliases did they use? read more

A scene from the Netflix series IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack. The serial deals with the December 1999 hijacking an Indian Airlines flight. Image Courtesy: Netflix

The Netflix series IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack is all anyone is talking about currently in India. The multi-starrer series, which relives the 1999 hijacking of an Indian Airlines flight by terrorists, has got rave reviews. However, not everyone is happy with the series  least of all the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

The six-episode series has run into controversy with the ruling party alleging that the makers of the show have whitewashed the crimes of Pakistani terrorists through cinema. Now the Union Information and Broadcasting Ministry has reportedly summoned Netflix Indias head of content.

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Whats going on? Whats the row all about? What has the BJP and other netizens accused the Netflix series of? We take a closer look and get you all the answers.

IC-814, the series and the row

On August 29, Netflix released the six-episode series titled IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack, which has been directed by Anubhav Sinha and stars Vijay Varma, Naseeruddin Shah, Pankaj Kapur, Manoj Pahwa, Arvind Swami, Anupam Tripathi, Dia Mirza, Patralekhaa, Amrita Puri, Dibyendu Bhattacharya, Kumud Mishra in key roles.

The serial delves into the harrowing hijacking of an Indian Airlines flight in December 1999 that took seven days to resolve, remaining the longest seizure of an aircraft in Indian aviation history. On December 24, 1999, five masked men hijacked the aircraft  IC 814  40 minutes after it took off from the Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, bound for New Delhi.

While the show has received critical acclaim, it has also invited the wrath of some netizens and the BJP. But why?

Anger and outrage emerge over the names of the terrorists involved in the hijacking, with some calling it an attempt to whitewash the terrorists involved in the hijacking.

In the Netflix serial, two of the hijackers have been named Bhola and Shankar, which some have alleged is an attempt to whitewash the terrorists involved in the hijacking. Image Courtesy: Netflix

In the serial, the five hijackers are referred to as Chief, Doctor, Burger, Bhola, and Shankar. Herein lies the problem. Many allege that the makers deliberately chose Hindu names for the hijackers, rather than their actual names.

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As per a report in the Swarajya, historian Hindol Sengupta called the film pathetic for what he sees as its glorification of terrorists. He added that the series doesnt acknowledge the long-term impact of the terrorists released during the hijacking, diminishing the severity of the real-life events.

Vir Sanghvi, a veteran journalist, accused the Netflix serial of serving as propaganda for Pakistans spy agency, the ISI. He has slammed the filmmakers for being naive and misleading, suggesting that the series offers a whitewashed portrayal of an ISI operation while failing to accurately represent the threat posed by the hijackers.

BJPs IT cell chief Amit Malviya also expressed outrage at the serial. On X, he wrote: 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.

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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

In the same post, he added that the show will weaken Indias security apparatus and in the long run also shift the blame away from the religious cohort, that is responsible for all the bloodshed.

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Serial makers speak

The outrage over the names of the Kandahar hijackers in the show prompted people associated with the serial to react. Casting director Mukesh Chhabra has defended using the codenames of the hijackers, saying they had done their research.

He wrote on X: 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. 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.

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There has been massive outrage over the names of the hijackers in the show, leading to #BoycottIC814 becoming a viral trend on X. Image Courtesy: Netflix

Writer Neelesh Misra, who penned a book on the Kandahar hijacking titled 173 Hours in Captivity: The Hijacking of IC814, also backed this claim. 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, Neelesh shared on X.

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 https://t.co/fZgUZiXxPm  Neelesh Misra (@neeleshmisra) August 31, 2024

Anubhav Sinha then shared the same post on his X account.

Truth behind the names

As the outrage grows and #BoycottIC814 becomes a trending topic on social media platforms, what is the reality behind the names of the hijackers? Were they given Hindu names in the serial?

Heres the real story: The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on January 6, 2000, stated that the terrorists involved in the Kandahar hijacking were: Ibrahim Athar, Shahid Akhtar Sayed, Sunny Ahmed Qazi, Mistri Zahoor Ibrahim and Shakir.

The MEA adds that to the passengers of the hijacked place these terrorists came to be known respectively as Chief, Doctor, Burger, Bhola and Shankar, the names by which the hijackers invariably addressed one another.

Members of the Taliban stand guard as Indian Airlines flight IC814 sits on the tarmac in Kandahar in 1999. The incident remains the longest seizure of an aircraft in Indian aviation history. File image/AFP

Hijacking of IC 814

The Netflix series directed by Anubhav Sinha recounts Indias longest hijacking dating back to 1999. The series looks at the crisis from various perspectives  from the politicians and bureaucrats in Delhis War Room to the terrified hostages on board.

In reality, on December 24, 1999, five terrorists hijacked the Indian Airlines plane shortly after it took off from Nepal and was heading to Delhi. The hijackers forced the Captain of the flight  Devi Sharan  to fly the plane into Pakistani airspace, where he did not receive clearance to land. The plane then landed in Amritsar, with barely 10 minutes worth of fuel left.

After refuelling the plane, the hijackers forced the pilot to fly the plane to Lahore, where the pilot made a desperate landing despite not getting permission from Pakistans ATC, which turned off all lights and navigational aids at the airport.

But at the last moment, they were given permission and it was here that they refuelled and made their way to Dubai. After being denied permission, the flight landed at the Al Minhad Air Base in the UAE. The hijackers released 27 of the 176 passengers on board, including the body of 25-year-old Rupin Katyal, who had been fatally stabbed by the hijackers.

After this, the plane finally landed in the hijackers original destination, Taliban-controlled Afghanistans Kandahar airport.

It was here that the hijackers negotiated with the then Atal Bihari Vajpayee government, which eventually ended on December 30 with the release of all the hostages for three terrorists  Ahmed Omar Saeed Sheikh and Masood Azhar and Mushtaq Ahmed Zargar.

The government received flak over failing to resolve the crisis earlier. It remains a day that very few can forget and has been etched into Indian aviation history.

With inputs from agencies
The forest department has implemented innovative plans to capture wolves amid a spate of attacks in Uttar Pradeshs Bahraich. One of the methods is to use colourful teddy dolls soaked in childrens urine as false bait. This comes after the wild animals have killed at least eight people, including seven children read more

Uttar Pradeshs Bahraich is reeling from a series of wolf attacks that have claimed at least eight lives, including of seven children and a woman, in the past two months. A three-year-old girl became the latest victim of the wild animal.

Her mother told ANI that her child was taken by one of the wolves early on Monday (September 2). She was bitten on both hands. We are poor people who work as labourers. There is no door to our home, she said.

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The deadly wolf attacks have increased in the Mahsi Tehsil of Bahraich since July, with officials saying the wild animals have killed several people and injured numerous villagers.

The Uttar Pradesh government has launched Operation Bhediya to hunt the pack of man-eating wolves. The forest department has reportedly captured four of the six wolves linked to the attacks, while two remain at large. Officials have now introduced a notable initiative to hunt the predators.

Lets take a closer look.

UPs plan to catch wolves

The forest department officials are using colourful teddy dolls soaked in childrens urine as a false bait to capture the wolves.

These urine-covered dolls have been kept near riverbanks, close to the resting places and dens of these wild animals, to mimic natural human scent.

Since these animals have primarily been targeting children, we have introduced large soft toys dressed in colourful clothes, soaked in childrens urine, to create a false sense of human presence near the traps. The natural human scent may attract the wolves closer to the traps, Divisional Forest Officer Ajit Pratap Singh told the news agency PTI.

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They are also burning elephant dung to ward off the wild animals from populated areas.

The wolves are constantly shifting locations, typically hunting at night and returning to their dens by morning. Our strategy is to mislead them and lure them away from residential areas toward traps or cages placed near their dens, Singh said.

He said they were setting off firecrackers and making noise to drive the wild animals towards deserted areas.

Villagers are also bursting firecrackers at night to keep the wolves at bay.

#WATCH | Uttar Pradesh: Drone visuals from Bahraich where a search operation is underway to catch the wolves left. So far 4 wolves have been caught. There are 2 wolves left.



Late last night, a wolf attacked a 7-year-old boy and a woman, residents of Barbigha Hardi PS area of pic.twitter.com/wthuykjNDs  ANI (@ANI) September 2, 2024

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Task force formed

The divisional forest officers of four dsitricts are part of Operation Bhediya.

As per a Times of India (TOI) report, a specialised task force, consisting of 200 personnel from forest, police, and fire departments, is tracking down the wolves that have terrorised the villagers.

The officials are conducting patrols in the vicinity of huts and settlements to stop further attacks.

UP has formed a task force to catch wolves amid a rise in attacks, especially on children. Representational Image/Wikimedia Commons

The task force has deployed thermal drones and CCTV cameras to monitor the movement of the wolves.

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An unusual but effective tactic being employed involves the use of elephant dung and urine, which is sprinkled around villages to deter the wolves. When set aflame, the dung produces a scent that mimics the presence of elephants, a species known to repel pack predators like wolves. The idea is to create the illusion of elephants nearby, Akashdeep Badhawan, Barabanki DFO, told TOI. Wolves tend to avoid large animals, and by simulating this, we hope to push the pack away from human habitats. Weve laid baited traps in remote areas to capture the wolves, he said.

ALSO READ: Grabbed my child by the neck: How a pack of man-eating wolves is spreading terror in UP

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Panic in Bihar

The reports of deadly wolf attacks in Uttar Pradesh have triggered panic in neighbouring Bihar. A jackal was baten to death Bihars Maksudpur amid reports of the killer wolves of Bahraich.

Experts have criticised the sensational coverage of the wolf attacks by the media.

Media has a huge responsibility to stop the spread of unnecessary panic The recent spate of alleged killings of children by wolves in Bahraich and the extensive coverage it has got in national and regional media are responsible for such barbaric acts in places that are hundreds of kilometers away, Anish Andheria, President and CEO of Wildlife Conservation Trust, told NDTV.

There are many wrong things about this incident  mindless clobbering of an animal in cold blood, the criminals have mistaken a jackal for a wolf, the act highlights absolute disrespect towards the law [Wildlife (Protection) Act (1972)], (and) videographing the entire act shows sadistic tendencies in the perpetrator/s, he said.

Indian scientist and former Dean of the Wildlife Institute of India, Dr YV Jhala, an expert on Indian wolves, also criticised the media over the coverage. Its time to take responsibility and not sensationalise and exaggerate. Simple solution to reducing the attacks and deaths is to be vigilant, take care of children always accompanied by adults, sleep indoors with doors closed or blocked with thorn hedge, he said to NDTV.

With inputs from agencies
According to a new study, symbiosexuality is a new phenomenon that is increasingly becoming common. Symbiosexuals are attracted romantically and sexually to a pre-existing couple rather than an individual. It re-evaluates the idea that human attraction and desire are limited to just one-to-one encounters read more

The concept of symbiosexuality originated from recognising in academic and cultural discussions that certain persons are more attracted to the relationships between others than to other people. Representational Image/Pixabay

Peoples romantic and sexual interests are constantly changing along with society.

These days, a lot of people are attracted to couples as opposed to simply one person.

Known as symbiosexuality, researchers believe this new phenomenon is becoming increasingly common.

This new concept re-evaluates the idea that human attraction and desire are limited to just one-to-one encounters.

Heres what it means.

What is symbiosexuality?

According to a new study conducted at Seattle University in the United States, people may get attracted romantically and sexually to a pre-existing couple more rather than an individual.

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Published in the Archives of Sexual Behaviour, the study explains this new form of sexuality is an attraction to the energy, multidimensionality and power shared between people in relationships.

They are in love with the love between the two people in the relationship and want to immerse themselves in that love, the research said, as per NDTV. Dr Sally Johnston, an adjunct professor of anthropology and sociology who conducted the study, explained that it is a genuine desire towards the whole of the relationship.

The concept of symbiosexuality originated from recognising in academic and cultural discussions that certain persons are more attracted to the relationships between others than to other people.

That being said, the phenomena has not received much attention, with most talks about human attraction concentrating on one-to-one dynamics.

According to The Post, the study found that out of 373 participants, 145 of them expressed theyve had a feeling of attraction to couples rather than the individuals in the relationship.

The study author also found that people who identify themselves as symbiosexuals consider themselves extroverted, desire intimacy, care and attention. They are also less likely to experience jealousy.

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Symbiosexuality is found in diverse age groups, racial groups, socio-economic classes, and gender identities.

Some participants, who consider themselves queer and sexually open, reported being mainly attracted to queer and non-heterosexual couples, the study said.

Eden, a symbiosexual participant in the study, shared their thoughts on the emerging sexuality.

I have this desire to be desired, and I seek a lot of validation, a lot of validation, and when there are multiple people like that, I feel like, oh, yes, yes, Im doing things right, Eden confessed, as per New York Post.

In contrast to polyamory, which allows an individual to be in numerous romantic and/or sexual relationships at the same time, symbiosexuality values each relationships unique dynamics over the dynamic of another.

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Symbiosexual relationships are portrayed in Zendayas April release Challengers, Gossip Girl and Tiger King.

Is it a unicorn?

Johnstons initial experience with symbiosexuals came from the research she conducted on the treatment of unicorns in polyamorous relationships.

Symbiosexuality is given the label of unicorn in literature.

In non-monogamous cultures, on the other hand, this same term is used negatively to refer to those who are willing to have sex with a couple but do not participate in other areas of their relationship.

While the term only implies a willingness or interest to engage in dynamics with couples and not (necessarily) an attraction to their pre-existing relationship, the existence of the term both evidences symbiosexual attraction and discredits it.

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Evoking notions of myth and fetish, the term unicorn perpetuates invalidation of and discrimination against people who seek these dynamics whether they are motivated by symbiosexual attraction or not, the paper continues.

According to Johnstons study, although there are sexual benefits in these relationships, the third party experiences mistreatment, objectification, and exclusion.

Is there more to sexuality?

Yes, there is.

According to the New York Post, Johnston believes theres more to sexuality than we know.

We need to rethink the nature of human attraction and desire as only one-to-one experiences, she said.

Now, as research continues into a bigger initiative, The Pleasure Study, Johnston plans to study the relationship dynamic more for the general public to get a better understanding of this evolving sexual identity regarding mental health and relationship satisfaction.

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I hope that this work will reduce stigma in both monogamous and non-monogamous communities and expand conceptualisations of desire in sexuality studies, she said.

With inputs from agencies
The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) has previously given mixed signals regarding its stand on the demand of caste census read more

In an apparent softening of stand on caste census, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) has said the government may collect caste-related data if required.

Over the past one year, the caste census has emerged as one of the most politically-charged issues. The Congress and Oppositions INDIA bloc campaigned on a platform of caste census. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi led the campaign with the twin promises of a caste census and the national redistribution of wealth as per the findings of the caste census.

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While the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) as well as its ideological parent RSS initially opposed the caste census, they have softened their stand in recent months. The softening of the stand comes as at least three member-parties of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) the Janata Dal-United (JD-U), Lok Janshakti Party-Ramvilas (LJP-R), and Apna Dal-Sonelal (AP-S) have demanded caste census.

Now, top RSS leader Sunil Ambekar has said that the organisation has no problem if the government wants to conduct a caste census to get numbers for welfare purposes.

Speaking at an RSS conclave in Keralas Palakkad, Ambekar cautioned that the caste census should not be politicised and should only be used for developmental purposes.

For all welfare activities particularly addressing a particular community or caste which are lagging and needs special attention, so for that, if sometimes the government needs the numbers, it can take them. It (the government) has taken (the numbers) earlier also, it can take it, no problem. But it should be only to address the welfare of those communities and castes. It should not be used as a political tool for electioneering. And so we put a caution line for everyone, said Ambekar.

#WATCH | Palakkad, Kerala: On caste-based census, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, Akhil Bharatiya Prachar Pramukh Sunil Ambekar says, "In our Hindu society, we have a sensitive issue of our caste and caste relations... It is an important issue of our national unity and integrity so pic.twitter.com/cJDkAe4Vg4  ANI (@ANI) September 2, 2024

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Previously, in December 2023, the RSS had opposed the caste census.

We do not see any benefits in it, instead see harm. It is the root of inequality and it is not justified to promote it, said senior RSS leader Shridhar Ghadge at the time, as per Hindustan Times.

For the past one year, the Opposition has made caste their primary platform against the BJP. Rahul, who is now the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, has been raising the issue of appropriate representation of Dalits, tribals, and other backward classes (OBCs) in government as well as private sectors. This is part of his jitni aaabadi utna haq (your right as per your population) agenda where he plans to redistributes the national wealth as per a communitys share of the population.

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First, we will conduct a caste censusto know the exact population and status of backward castes, SCs, STs, minorities and other castes. After that, the financial and institutional survey will begin. Subsequently, we will take up the historic assignment to distribute the wealth of India, jobs and other welfare schemes to these sections based on their population, said Rahul in April, as per The Times of India.
In Manipur, insurgents used drones to drop explosives in a deadly attack on security forces, killing a woman and injuring six others. This unprecedented escalation in the ongoing ethnic conflict between the Meitei and Kuki communities has drawn attention to the increasing use of advanced technology in the violence read more

Insurgents in Manipur state have carried out a deadly attack on security forces, using drones to drop explosives in what police called a significant escalation of violence in the restive northeastern region.

A 31-year-old women was killed and six people were wounded Sunday in what police said was an unprecedented attack by rebels who used drones to drop the heads of rocket-propelled grenades.

Fighting broke out in Manipur in May 2023 between the predominantly Hindu Meitei majority and mainly Christian Kuki community, an ethnic conflict that has since killed at least 200 people.

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Rival militias have set up blockades in parts of the state, which borders war-torn Myanmar.

Longstanding tensions between the two groups revolve around competition for land and public jobs, with rights activists accusing local leaders of exacerbating ethnic divisions for political gain.

While drone bombs have commonly been used in general warfare, this recent deployment of drones to deploy explosives against security forces and the civilians marks a significant escalation, Manipur police said in a statement Sunday.

The attack outside the state capital Imphal was carried out by alleged Kuki rebels, the statement said.

Those injured included an eight-year-old girl  the daughter of the woman who was killed  as well three civilians and two police officers.

The involvement of highly trained professionals, possibly with technical expertise and support, cannot be ruled out, the police said.
Despite earlier government assurances to improve hospital security, the measures were not implemented at Kolkatas R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital, where a female doctor was recently raped and killed. The incident has sparked nationwide outrage and highlighted ongoing safety concerns for female medical professionals in India read more

Five years ago, the government of West Bengal state in India pledged to clamp down on violence against doctors. It promised public hospitals better security equipment, female guards to support female physicians and controlled entry points, according to an internal government memo seen by Reuters.

None of these measures had been implemented at the public hospital where a young female doctor was sexually assaulted and killed on Aug. 9, allegedly by a police volunteer, four trainee doctors there told Reuters.

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Instead, in the days leading up to the homicide-assault, which prompted nationwide outrage and a doctors strike, only two male guards manned R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital, they said. They were supplemented by a few closed circuit cameras that did not comprehensively cover the sprawling premises, according to the trainees.

One of the doors of the lecture hall where the doctor had been resting during a 36-hour shift when she was attacked had no lock, said two other trainee doctors who had also slept there. The air conditioning in the designated break room had malfunctioned, they said.

After two doctors at a different hospital were assaulted by a patients relatives in 2019, West Bengal had promised to install effective security equipment and systems, regulate entry and exit to hospital premises and create a compensation policy for assaulted staff, according to the state health department memo dated June 17, 2019.

The two-page document, which is reported by Reuters for the first time, was prepared after chief minister Mamata Banerjee met that day with trainee doctors protesting the attack on their colleagues as a record note of the interaction. The memo did not state to whom it was addressed.

Banerjee had directed officials to take effective and prompt action within a specified timeframe, according to the document. It did not detail the preparation period.

If those measures had been taken, this incident may never have happened, said Dr Riya Bera, a postgraduate trainee at R.G. Kar, of her colleagues death.

Asked by Reuters about the 2019 assurances, West Bengal Health Secretary N S Nigam said the COVID-19 pandemic had disrupted improvements for two years but a lot had been done since 2021, including strengthening CCTV coverage and engaging private security in hospitals.

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We are committed to do the remaining work and fill the gaps that emerged after the R.G. Kar incident, he said.

Banerjee on Aug. 28 also announced that $12 million would be spent to begin work on improvements such as better lighting in health facilities, resting spaces and female security staff.

The chief ministers office, as well as R.G. Kar hospital, did not respond to calls seeking comment.

Authorities continue to investigate the Aug. 9 incident, for which no charges have yet been filed.

PATRIARCHAL ATTITUDES AND BIASES

The assault on the doctor in Kolkata, who cannot be named under local laws, recalled memories of the 2012 gang rape of a physiotherapist in a Delhi bus, which convulsed India in anger and triggered protests.

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Reuters interviewed 14 female doctors at government hospitals in West Bengal and elsewhere in India about their challenges in a country where womens safety is a long-standing concern.

They described poor working conditions, including aggressive treatment from the families of patients and having to sleep on benches in dimly-lit corridors due to a lack of rest facilities.

Some doctors spoke of napping in break rooms with no locks during lengthy shifts, only to have people barging in. Others described confronting male patients who photographed them without permission, claiming that they were documenting evidence of their treatment.

Indian Medical Association (IMA) President RV Asokan told Reuters that while the Aug. 9 homicide-assault appeared to be unique in its brutality, the fact that anybody can walk in shows the vulnerability of the place, and this when more and more women are joining the profession.

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Some doctors have taken self-defense measures: One doctor at a hospital in Odisha state, which neighbours West Bengal, said her father gave her a knife to ward off potential attackers.

And Dr Gauri Seth, a post graduate trainee at Medical College, Kolkata, told Reuters that after the Aug 9. incident, she would not go on duty again without carrying a pepper spray or scalpel to defend herself.

About 60% of Indias doctors are female, and three-quarters of them have described being victims of verbal abuse, physical attacks and other harassment while on duty, according to the IMA, the nations largest group of physicians.

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Due to ingrained patriarchal attitudes and biases, relatives of patients are more likely to challenge women medical professionals(they) also face different forms of sexual violence at the workplace, Indias Supreme Court wrote in a Aug. 20 ruling ordering the creation of a taskforce on medical workers safety.

India introduced tough laws governing crimes against women following the 2012 Delhi gang rape, including expanding the definition of rape to include all penetration without consent, as well as criminalizing voyeurism and stalking.

But the situation remains bleak, according to activists and government data.

Almost 450,000 crimes against women were reported in 2022 - the most recent year for which data is available - up 4% on 2021, government data show. More than 7% of the alleged crimes were rape-related.

Lawyer and rights activist Vrinda Grover blamed inadequate training for police investigators and broader cultural issues.

What is very disturbing in this case is the ordinariness of what the victim was doing: she was in her workplace, she said. There is something wrong with a society where such conduct is so commonplace.

LIVING HER DREAM

The 31-year Kolkata physician, whose battered, half-naked body was found by colleagues, had always wanted to be a doctor, family members and friends told Reuters.

When I bumped into her last year, she told me she was very happy and was living her dream, said Somojit Moulik, who had studied with the victim in medical school.

When Reuters visited the victims family home, the nameplate bore only her name with the prefix Dr, in an indication of how highly her relatives valued her achievements.

Her aunt said in an interview that her niece had been set to marry a physician she had studied with later this year, and that she had not complained about safety issues at work.

But in the wake of her death, colleagues are speaking out. Dr Shreya Shaw, a postgraduate trainee at R.G. Kar hospital, said she found two strangers shaking her awake at around 3 a.m. when she was sleeping in a designated rest room, which did not have locks.

It was initially quite scary to wake up to unknown men in the dark, she said, adding that she was shocked the patients could enter the floor where she was resting without being stopped.
Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal has alleged that Bibhav Kumar had assaulted her at Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwals residence read more

Recently, Bibhav Kumar made headlines after he was sacked from his job as Delhi CM Kejriwal's personal secretary by the Delhi Vigilance Department, which cited his "illegal appointment." X

The Supreme Court on Monday granted bail to Bibhav Kumar, a close aide of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, in the case of alleged assault of MP Swati Maliwal.

In May, Maliwal had alleged that Kumar assaulted her at Kejriwals official residence. The Delhi Police filed a case in the matter and arrested Kumar.

The case became a political firestorm in the midst of general elections as Kejriwals Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) said Maliwal was acting at the behest of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and accused Maliwal and police of being in league with the BJP. On her part, Maliwal accused the AAP of questioning her character.

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In the order on Monday, the Supreme Court also set out the conditions for Kumars bail. The Bar & Bench listed the following conditions:

1. Kumar shall not be restored as private secretary of Kejriwal or reinstated to the political office associated with the CM Office.

2. Kumar shall not enter the CMs residence until all the witnesses have been examined

3. The AAP shall not comment on the matter till the trial court disposes it.

The SC further ordered the trial court hearing the case to finish the examination of the vulnerable witnesses within three months, according to Bar & Bench.

As per the FIR, Maliwal has alleged that Kumar screamed at her without any provocation and slapped her seven-eight times and kicked her in her chest, stomach, and pelvis, as per the Hindustan Times.

The further states the allegation that Kumar dragged Maliwal and her shirt was pulled up as well as she screamed for help, according to the newspaper.
The Hyderabad district collector announced the closure of schools as a precautionary measure to ensure the safety of students as heavy rainfall continued on Monday read more

Heavy rains battered the state of Telangana, leading to the closure of all primary and secondary schools in Hyderabad along with severe damage to a railway track. Several trains had to be cancelled after the railway track between Kesamudram and Mahabubaba was damaged due to the rains. Amid the chaos, Telanganas Transport and Backward Classes (BC) Welfare Minister Poonam Prabhakar met with the stranded passengers at Kazipet Junction in Hanumakonda on Sunday evening.

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Meanwhile, the Hyderabad district collector announced the closure of schools as a precautionary measure to ensure the safety of students as heavy rainfall continued on Monday.

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, formerly known as Twitter.

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

Heavy rains cause floods in several areas

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In Khammam, Deputy Chief Minister Bhatti Vikramarka Mallu visited flood-affected areas and relief shelters that were created in his constituency. He also directed officials to make necessary arrangements for flood victims. On Sunday, Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy ordered all the government departments to remain on high alert after the water flow of Hussain Sagar Lake in Hyderabad increased at an alarmingly high rate.

Red warnings have been issued for today and tomorrow in Telangana. East and Northeast districts are under red warnings, while north and south districts have been issued orange warnings for the same period. All districts are under heavy rainfall warnings. GHMC is expected to see moderate to heavy rains at times. Hyderabad is under an orange warning for today and tomorrow, Dr K Nagaratnam, Director of the Hyderabad Meteorological Centre said, on Sunday.

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He mentioned that the state may witness light to moderate rainfall over the next three days. Deputy Chief Minister of Telangana, Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka also conducted an on-site inspection of flood-affected areas in Errupalem Mandal in Madhira Constituency.

PM Modi assures Centres help for Telangana & Andhra Pradesh

On Sunday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu and Telangana CM Revanth Reddy about the situation in both states. During the talks, the PM assured all possible assistance from the Centre to overcome the challenge. " Prime Minister @narendramodi called Chief Minister @revanth_anumula. He inquired about the rains and flood conditions in the state and the details of the damage. The Chief Minister brought to the attention of the Prime Minister the basic details of the heavy rain and flood damage in many districts," Telangana CMs office wrote on X.

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The Chief Minister informed the Prime Minister that the state government has taken precautions to avoid any loss of life and inconvenience to the people, immediate relief measures have been taken, and Khammam district has suffered most of the damage.

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The Prime Minister assured that help will be provided on behalf of the Central Government and helicopters will be sent to Telangana to provide services even in adverse weather conditions. Modi congratulated the Telangana state government administration for acting vigilantly to prevent loss of life, the CMO added.

With inputs from agencies.
In view of the rising challenges in the Indian Ocean region, it is only obvious that cooperation with other friendly countries as part of initiatives like the Colombo Security Conclave should increase read more

Rising powers often seek a wider canvas to project their influence and the same is proving to be true for India as well. There was a time when the country was denied its natural prominence even in the Indian subcontinent by adversarial great powers such as the United States. But that was the era of the Cold War when India was still recovering from a bruised history of colonisation. Today, India has matured into a thriving democracy with robust institutions and most importantly an economy which is giving its great power ambitions new wings.

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As per certain reports, India is all set to become the third largest economy in the world in a few years by leaving Germany and Japan behind. India has already outpaced its former coloniser economically, with the UKs GDP at $3.5 trillion falling slightly short of Indias GDP at $4 trillion. Still the countrys potential is much larger and India is actually aiming to achieve a double-digit GDP growth by the end of this decade. But all this requires a peaceful and stable neighbourhood for which India has to invest a lot of effort. Here the neighbourhood doesnt only refer to the countries in the Indian subcontinent but today Indias definition of neighbourhood has expanded to include the entire Indian Ocean Region (IOR) as its immediate region.

This understanding of IOR as Indias neighbourhood is best captured by the notion of SAGAR that is Security and Growth for All in the Region as articulated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the year 2015.

While speaking about Indias role in shaping the future of IOR, PM Modi constantly refers to it as our region. The logic behind his vision becomes quite clear when we take Indias geography into account. India has a coastline of 7,500 km that touches the Indian Ocean with around 1,200 islands and 2.4 million square kilometres of exclusive economic zone. The region is also key to Indias economic security as around 90 per cent of Indias trade by volume and 90 per cent of its oil imports takes place through this ocean.

IOR is a crucial region even at a global level because it is home to around 40 countries and hosts around 40 per cent of the global population. It is at the centre of global commercial flows with around 100,000 ships transiting the space annually carrying 30 per cent of the worlds cargo containers. Due to its significance for a large population of the world, the Indian Ocean Region has emerged as one of the most important geopolitical nerve-centres. Here by virtue of being the largest economy as well as military, India naturally occupies a prime position.

In recognition of the same, India has started taking more and more responsibility for the stability and security of the region. In the words of PM Modi, Our capabilities will be there for those struck by the oceans fury. Or, caught in distress on the seas. In the same spirit, India has joined or is leading multiple initiatives to ensure freedom and prosperity in the IOR.

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One of these initiatives is the Colombo Security Conclave whose latest edition just concluded this week in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Originally set up in 2011 as a trilateral dialogue between India, Sri Lanka and Maldives, this security dialogue has now come very far. In 2021, it expanded to include Mauritius, a strategically located Island nation in the Indian Ocean region. This year in July it further got a boost when Indias neighbour on the east, Bangladesh also joined it. Besides these five countries, Seychelles also attends the meetings of the conclave as an observer state. This shows that CSC has evolved over the years from just a grouping of states in the Indian subcontinent to one that now represents countries across the Indian Ocean.

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In fact, this week has proved to be a landmark in its journey with it being converted into a formal organisation with a secretariat to be set up at Colombo shortly. A charter to guide its activities was also adopted by the member-nations at the meeting of National Security Advisors held this week. No doubt this formalisation will lead to a more intensive cooperation in the years to come.

The CSC focuses on five essential pillars that include maritime security, counter-terrorism, combating Trafficking and Transnational Organised Crime, besides cyber security and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief. In each of these pillars, India has demonstrated its capability to be a reliable security partner. In the last decade, it has also emerged as the first responder to various humanitarian crises.

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Meanwhile, the Indian Navy has also evolved into a combat-ready and cohesive force which is ensuring freedom of navigation in the high seas especially in the face of mounting challenges from non-state actors. Every other week, there is a report of Indian Navy ships rescuing merchant vessels from the wrath of pirates. Due to the attacks by Houthi rebels in the Red Sea area, India has also deployed a considerable force to escort cargo ships so that they can reach their destination safely.

Although a key focus for India at the Colombo Security Conclave is to ensure security from non-state threats, one cant also deny the geopolitical angle behind it. After all, Chinas String of Pearls strategy to encircle India in the Indian Ocean has become a cause of permanent strategic anxiety for New Delhi. In fact, a lot of geopolitical watchers credit the China challenge for the revival of the conclave. Just this week, three ships belonging to the Chinese military force  He Fei, Wuzhishan, and Qilianshan  docked at the Colombo port. The same day, an Indian warship INS Mumbai was also at the same port to provide spare parts and other material for the Dornier maritime surveillance aircraft operated by the Sri Lankan Navy. While regular visits of Chinese vessels to the neighbourhood is a cause of immediate concern, the China challenge is only going to increase in the coming years with the country planning to back up its presence in the Indian Ocean region by deploying an even larger task-force. This assumes a greater significance with the countrys plan to bolster even Pakistans capabilities.

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As per some reports, by 2028-29 Pakistan will have the same number of assets as Indias Western Naval Command. This means India is all set to face a two front challenge not only in the mountains but at the sea as well. In view of the rising challenges in the Indian Ocean region, it is only obvious that cooperation with other friendly countries as part of initiatives like the CSC should increase. The setting up of a permanent secretariat is a welcome step in the same direction. Now all hopes are hinged on achieving concrete outcomes and greater coordination through this.

(The author is a New Delhi-based commentator on geopolitics and foreign policy. She holds a PhD from the Department of International Relations, South Asian University. She tweets @TrulyMonica. The views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views.)
An open conflict between Egypt, Ethiopia and Somalia, with the possibility of Eritrea joining in, will not only be a geopolitical and security disaster but also a humanitarian one read more

The African coast of the Gulf of Aden is now almost at war as tensions heat up between Somalia and Ethiopia. The Bab al Mandab terminates into the Gulf of Aden with Yemen on the West Asian coast of the Red Sea and Eritrea and Somalia on the African coast. Houthis (Ansar Allah), an Iran-funded Shia terrorist militia, control the Yemeni coast of both the strait and the Gulf of Aden, whereas the Somali coast has reported increased piracy incidents since the Israeli-Hamas conflict spilled over into the Red Sea.

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Two weeks ago, Somalia and Egypt signed a defence pact and after 40 years Egypt has sent defence aid to the beleaguered African nation. The root of the crisis in the Horn of Africa now is Ethiopias need for a seaport. Ever since Eritreas independence in 1993, Ethiopia has been landlocked, and it has craved an independent port. In January 2024, it surprised observers by signing a Memorandum of Understanding with the self-declared Republic of Somaliland, which is considered a province of the Federal Republic of Somalia, recognising its independence in return for a lease of 20 km of seacoast for its sovereign cargo/military port.

Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud immediately criticised the deal, calling it a blatant violation of Somali sovereignty. Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has repeatedly underlined that Ethiopia cannot live in a geographic prison, and that the Nile and the Red Sea are the foundation of Ethiopias development or its annihilation. His attempts to obtain a port from his neighbors (Somalia, Eritrea, Djibouti) have so far failed.

The August 14 defence pact between Cairo and Mogadishu brings Egypt back to the Horn of Africa after four decades, increasing its strategic depth. On the Somali end, the strategy is to replace Ethiopian troops with Egyptian and Djibouti troops. Somalia continues to have endless security problems with the Al Shabab, an Al Qaeda-linked Sunni terrorist group, which Egypt may have expertise combatting.

According to Abdul Wahab Sheikh Abdul Samad, Executive Director of the Nairobi-based Afro-Asian Institute for Strategic Studies, Egypt plans to deploy up to 10,000 troops to Somalia, including air and ground troops equipped with heavy machinery, as part of its peacekeeping force. He said in a post on X that they would be stationed along the Ethiopian-Somali border in the Gedo, Hiran, and Bay Bakool regions. Experts have confirmed the arrival of two Egyptian military transport aircraft on Tuesday with 300 special forces commandos, arms and ammunition.

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While Somalia has national unity interests in expelling Ethiopian peace-keeping forces from its territory, Egypt has a bone to pick with Ethiopia. One of the worlds driest countries, Cairo has said that the construction of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam on the Nile threatens its existence. Ethiopia has defended its right to build the dam, stating that the $4.5 billion project was crucial to its development. It has also accused Egypt of helping secessionist rebels in its western Tigray region.

Since Tuesday at least 10 Egyptian military transport aircrafts have been confirmed to have landed in Mogadishu with over 1,000 Egyptian military personnel with weapons, transport and armoured vehicles. Apart from training Somali military in anti-terrorism and peacekeeping operations, joint border missions will bring Egyptian troops in proximity of Ethiopian troops, increasing the chances of a new regional war in the Horn of Africa; this will also increase shipping and transport risks in the Gulf of Aden and the Bab el-Mandeb. The conflict in West Asia has already increased the porosity of the Horn of Africa. Sources have indicated that Yemeni Houthi-trained terrorists use Somalia to travel to Iraq to join a new foreign legion, created by Iran of fighters from Iraq, Syria, Yemen and Lebanon, and coordinated by Hezbollah.

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Egypts latest actions could also have been encouraged by the United Arab Emirates, which sees its relevance dwindle in the Horn of Africa. After the Ethiopia-Somaliland MoU, the Somali President had signed an agreement allowing Turkey to patrol its shores, allowing Ankara to extend its influence into the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan had a close relationship with Abdullahi Farmajo, the previous Somali President, who has succeeded in expelling Emirati military advisors from Somalia. The current President, Hassan Sheikh Mahmoud, is largely seen to be close to the UAE. Egypt is strongly supported by the UAE and works in coordination with Abu Dhabi on several strategic issues.

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The latest move brings land control in Somalia under the influence of the UAE, while Turkey continues to patrol Somali coasts. Turkish attempts at informal mediation between Somalia and Ethiopia have so far failed. A war or skirmishes in the Horn of Africa will add to security concerns in the Indian Ocean, with India already keenly observing Houthi aggression. It will further destabilise trade between Europe and India, increasing tensions in the Indo-Mediterranean.

An open conflict between Egypt, Ethiopia and Somalia, with the possibility of Eritrea joining in, will not only be a geopolitical and security disaster but also a humanitarian one.

The author is a writer, who has worked closely and continues to advise various governments in Europe, Middle East and Africa. He is the founder of the Dialogue on Democracy. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views.
The fall of the Hasina government and the long-term threat of climate change compel India to rethink its Bangladesh policy read more

It was startling to hear from retired Ambassador G Sankar Iyer on Asianets programme with Ambassador TP Sreenivasan that the celebrated Malayalam writer Vaikom Mohammed Basheer (once nominated for the Nobel Prize in Literature) said in 1973: In Bangladesh, we have created yet another enemy. With his novelists insight, Basheer understood that the Two-Nation Theory held sway among certain sections of Bengalis.

In the current crisis situation in 2024, the ongoing pogrom against Hindus (amounting to a virtual genocide) and the forced resignation of teachers, police officers and other officials based only on the fact that they are Hindus (there are videos that show them being beaten and humiliated even after resigning) suggests that anti-Hindu feeling is running rampant in Bangladesh.

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This is coupled with anti-India feeling. For instance, the current floods in Bangladesh are being blamed on India opening a dam in Tripura after torrential rains, although the Indian government has said that it provided all the hydrological data that it always has.

The fact of the matter is that the departure of Sheikh Hasina is a blow to Indias geo-political ambitions. It now appears as though India erred in putting all its eggs into one basket by cultivating only her Awami League, and not the Bangladesh National Party of her arch-rival Khaleda Zia.

The indubitable fact that Indian influence in Bangladesh has now been supplanted by forces inimical to India raises the question of who might be behind the regime change operation. Beyond that, there is the question of whether it was indeed a popular uprising based on the suppressed ambitions of the people that led to the ouster of Sheikh Hasina.

The third question is what this means for Bangladesh, India and the region going forward, especially as climate change may alter the very geography of the area. It is predicted that as much as 11 per cent of the land area of Bangladesh could be underwater by 2050. This could displace 18 million people, which would lead to unprecedented migration of their population into India.

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Regime Change operation: Who benefits from it?

Cui bono? Who benefits? That Latin phrase is used to consider who might be motivated to commit a crime (the other part is who has the means to commit it). In this case of regime change in Bangladesh, there are several entities who might benefit.

Obviously Pakistan. That country has never lived down its balkanization in 1971, and it had a number of its sympathizers already in place at that time. There were many who collaborated with the Pakistani Army in identifying Hindus and facilitating their killing or rape or ethnic cleansing, and also Muslims who were their political opponents. These are the people Sheikh Hasina referred to as Razakars, and they are essentially in control now.

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China is a clear winner whenever something happens that hurts Indias interests. There is the perennial issue of the Chickens Neck, that narrow strip of land that connects the Seven Sister states of Indias Northeast to the Gangetic Plain. It is a permanent threat to India that somebody (most probably China) will cut this off and truncate India, with the Northeast then becoming part of a Greater Bangladesh, with associated genocide of Hindus and Buddhists.

Former Ambassador Veena Sikri spoke to Ambassador TP Sreenivasan about something very odd indeed: Sheikh Hasina made a state visit to China in mid-July, and she was thoroughly humiliated there. Xi Jinping refused to meet her; and she cut her visit short by one day and returned to Dhaka. This is an unheard-of protocol violation for a State visit; what it suggests is that China had decided that Sheikh Hasina was on the way out. This is in sharp contrast to a Xi visit in 2016 when he made grand promises about Belt and Road Initiative investments.

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The United States also has interests. Sheikh Hasina had alleged two things:

An unnamed Western power wants St Martins Island (aka Coconut Island) off Coxs Bazaar as a military base to keep an eye on both China and India, An unnamed Western power intends to form a new Christian Zo nation (for Mizo, Kuki, Chin) just like Christian homelands were carved out in East Timor and South Sudan.

The implication was that the unspecified Western power was the US.

It is not entirely clear that the US benefits greatly from a military base in the Bay of Bengal but there has been a long-running Great Game initiated by the British to keep India down as a supplier of raw materials and a market for their products. The US may have inherited this mantle.

Intriguingly, the US Deep State and its proxies in the Western media had built a narrative around Sheikh Hasina as a model leader for developing Asia, a woman who also succeeded in improving the economic status of her country. That Bangladeshs per capita GDP had overtaken Indias, and that its garment industry was doing well were used to mock Indias own economic achievements. The switch to Hasina being a dictator was a sudden change in narrative.

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There is, therefore, enough circumstantial evidence to suggest that there was a foreign hand in the happenings in Bangladesh, although we will have to wait for conclusive evidence.

Was this indeed a regime-change coup or a popular uprising?

It is true that Bangladesh under Sheikh Hasinas 15-year rule was not a perfect democracy. But there are mitigating factors, including a violent streak that led to the assassination of her father and independence hero Sheikh Mujibur Rahman just four years after the bloody birth of the new State after the Pakistan Armys assault on its Bengali citizens. The toppling and desecration of his statue shows that his national hero status may not be accepted by the entire population: in fact, it looks like friends of Pakistan wish to erase his entire legacy.

The history of democracy in independent Bangladesh is checkered and marred by violence. Before he was deposed and killed in 1975, Mujibur Rehman himself had banned all opposition parties. After Mujib, there was outright military rule till 1986, when the erstwhile Chief Martial Law Administrator Hussain Mohammed Ershad became the elected President.

When Ershad was deposed after (student-led) agitations in 1991, Khaleda Zia (BNP or Bangladesh National Party) became the PM and after that she and her arch-rival Sheikh Hasina (Awami League) alternated in power. The BNP boycotted the 2018 elections partly because Khaleda Zia was jailed on allegations of corruption.

In all of these twists and turns, students were involved. In 1971, when Yahya Khan launched Operation Searchlight, the Pakistani army went straight for students and professors in Dhaka University, especially if they were Hindus. Later too, student protests were instrumental in the overthrow of Ershad.

The proximate cause of the troubles in 2024 was also a student uprising. There had been a 30 per cent quota in government jobs for the children of freedom fighters; along with other such set-asides e.g. for minorities and women, a total of 56% of government jobs were reserved by 2018. This reservation system was largely abolished by Sheikh Hasinas government in 2018 after yet another student agitation.

In June 2024, a High Court in Bangladesh overturned the 2018 judgement as unconstitutional. Even though the Supreme Court reversed it, and restored the status quo ante (of drastically reduced reservations to 7 per cent in total), the peaceful student agitation suddenly morphed into a violent confrontation led by members of the Jamaat-e-Islami (an Islamist party) and the BNP. There was police firing. The Daily Star, a respected daily, found out that 204 people were killed in the first few days, out of which only 53 were students.

It appears the supposed student revolution was taken over by professional agitators and agents provocateurs, and it rapidly led to the overthrow of Sheikh Hasina, with escalating violence, especially against Hindus, and the Army getting involved. Even though the Army is in charge now, there is a smokescreen of an interim government that allows entities like the UN an excuse to not impose sanctions on Bangladesh.

It is hard to take it on face value that this was a popular uprising; circumstantial evidence suggests that there was a clear agenda for regime change, and since it suits both China and the US to keep India constrained, either of them could have been behind it. The diplomatic snub to Hasina in July suggests the Chinese were well aware of the coming coup.

On the other hand, the sudden U-turn in the narrative about Hasina in the Western media suggests that the US might have decided to dump her. The process by which the regime change happened is also similar to what happened in other countries that experienced color revolutions. The actions of the National Endowment for Democracy (NED), and of some diplomats in supporting the BNP, have been offered as possible evidence of US bad faith.

What is obvious is the role of the fundamentalist group, the Jamaat-e-Islami, which has strong connections with Pakistan. It seems likely that they were the enforcers, and had invested assets within the armed forces. They have called for the secular Bangladesh constitution to be replaced by Islamic Sharia law, and for non-Muslims to be treated as second-class citizens.

The attacks on Hindus, including large numbers of lynchings, rapes, and abductions of women, suggests that there is a religious angle and the Jamaat-e-Islamis prejudices are coming to the fore. Notably, the entire Western media, Amnesty International, the United Nations, and the USCIRF, human rights specialists all, had nothing at all to say about the horrific oppression of Hindus.

The New York Times even had a headline about revenge killings of Hindus, as though somehow the 8 per cent minority Hindus had been responsible for whatever Sheikh Hasina was accused of. Upon being called out, the NYT changed the headline to just killings of Hindus with no explanation or apology.

The role of Professor Mohammed Yunus is also intriguing: he had been invited to head an interim government in 2007 but abandoned the attempt and in fact left politics. He had been close to Sheikh Hasina at one point, for instance he got the licenses for his Grameen Phone during her rule, but they later fell out. Yunus Nobel Peace Prize and his earlier stint in the US have raised questions about whether he is in fact managed by US interests.

Given all this, it is much more likely that it was a coup than a popular agitation. It remains to be seen who was behind the coup.

What next for India and the region?

There are several long-term challenges for India. None of this is positive for India, which is already facing problems on its periphery (eg. Maldives and Nepal). The coup in Bangladesh also makes the BIMSTEC alliance as unviable as SAARC.

Deteriorating India-Bangladesh Relations: The overthrow of Sheikh Hasina, seen as a close ally of India, has led to a rise in anti-Indian sentiment in Bangladesh. The new government may not be as friendly towards India, especially on sensitive issues like trade and security. This could jeopardise the gains in bilateral ties over the past decade. The presence of hardliners among the advisers to the interim government suggests that India will have little leverage going forward. Increased Border Security Risks: India shares a long, porous border with Bangladesh. The political instability and potential increase in extremist groups could lead to more infiltration, smuggling, and illegal migration into Indias northeastern states, posing internal security risks. Monitoring the border region will be critical. As it is, there are millions of illegal Bangladeshis and Rohingya residing in India, which actually poses a threat to internal Indian security. Economic Fallout: Bangladesh is Indias largest trading partner in the region, with $13 billion in commerce under the Hasina government. A deterioration in relations could hurt Indian exports and investments. The economic interdependence means India also has a stake in Bangladeshs stability and prosperity. Brahma Chellaney pointed out that Bangladesh is in dire straits, and has requested $3 billion from the IMF, $1.5 billion from the World Bank, and $1 billion each from the Asian Development Bank and the Japan International Cooperation Agency to tide over problems. Climate Change Challenges: Both countries are vulnerable to the effects of climate change, including rising sea levels, floods, droughts and extreme weather events. Bangladesh is especially at risk due to its low-lying geography. Millions of climate refugees could seek shelter in India, straining resources and social cohesion. Geopolitical Implications: The regime change has opened up space for China to expand its influence in Bangladesh. India will need to balance its ties with the new government while countering Chinese inroads in the region. The US is also closely watching developments in Bangladesh. Instability in the region plays into the hands of Pakistan, whose medium-term ambition would be to detach Indias Northeast as revenge for the creation of Bangladesh and increasing normalization in J&K. Quota Implications: Indians, especially those agitating for proportional representation should note that the Bangladesh quota system was abolished in its entirety by Sheikh Hasinas administration in 2018 in response to student demands. India has a constitutional limit of 50% for reservations, but some are agitating for even more, which is a sure recipe for resentment and possibly violence. It is not inconceivable that it could be the spur for regime change in India as well. Human rights for Hindus and Buddhists; Citizenship Amendment Act and the Right to Return: The Hindu population in Bangladesh has fallen dramatically from about 28 per cent in 1971 to about 8 per cent now, and there is every indication that this is a demographic under extreme duress. Buddhist Chakmas in the Chittagong Hill Tracts are also under stress. India should enhance the CAA or create a formal Right to Return for Hindu and Buddhist Bangladeshis. Writing in Open magazine, Rahul Shivshankar pointed out that Hindus had faced attacks and threats in 278 locations across 48 districts.

In summary, the fall of the Hasina government and the long-term threat of climate change compel India to rethink its Bangladesh policy. Fostering stable, democratic and economically prosperous neighbours is in Indias own interest. Rebuilding trust and deepening cooperation on shared challenges will be key to navigating the new realities in the region.

The writer has been a conservative columnist for over 25 years. His academic interest is innovation. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views.
Prime Minister Modi is slated to visit Singapore on September 4-5 at the invitation of his Singaporean counterpart Lawrence Wong read more

Building on new anchors of partnership identified under the India-Singapore ministerial roundtable framework, the relation between the two countries is poised for an even bigger take-off, the MEA said Monday ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modis visit to the island nation.

Prime Minister Modi is slated to visit Singapore on September 4-5 at the invitation of his Singaporean counterpart Lawrence Wong.

Before that, he is scheduled to visit Brunei on September 3-4 at the invitation of His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah to further strengthen bilateral cooperation in all existing sectors.

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Secretary (East), Ministry of External Affairs, Jaideep Mazumdar, at a media briefing here, said India and Brunei are working towards setting up a joint working group in defence.

Prime Minister Modi is visiting Singapore after nearly six years, he said.

His last visit to Singapore was in his first term. And an early visit on his third term is something that has been welcomed by the Singaporean side.

Also, this comes at a time when a new leader is in Singapore and this is an opportune time to set the stage for the next stage of our vibrant bilateral relations, Mazumdar said.

The Secretary (East) said India-Singapore ties have evolved and there is a dynamic strategic partnership encompassing various areas from shared history and people-to-people ties that form an important link between the two countries.

Our trade and investment flows have shown a steady growth, we have a robust defence cooperation and growing exchanges in culture and education. We have identified new anchors of our partnership under the India-Singapore ministerial roundtable framework, he said.

Four Indian ministers participated in the recently held second India-Singapore ministerial roundtable.

During the roundtable, the ministers from both sides discussed new thrust areas that we can identify in futuristic areas of cooperation, Mazumdar said.

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A number of new, forward-looking futuristic areas of cooperation were identified in digitisation, sustainability skill, health, advance manufacturing and connectivity, and we are likely to exchange a number of MoUs during the forthcoming visit of the prime minister, he added.

Singapore is Indias largest trade partner in the ASEAN bloc and the country is a leading source of foreign direct investment.

It is Indias sixth largest trade partner worldwide and was the largest source of FDI during the last financial year valued at USD 11.77 billion, he said.

We also expect the visit (to Singapore) to give thrust to the cooperation in the field of semiconductors, the top official of the MEA said.

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India-Singapore relations are poised for an even bigger takeoff, than what it has been in the last 10-15 years or so. That is because, we have gone to the next level of identifying areas of bilateral cooperation whether it be in food security, renewables, green hydrogen and semiconductors. These are areas where we have great complementarities, said Mazumdar.

He said that he could see the relationship between the two sides taking off to the next stage.

For Singapore, India presents tremendous opportunities and for India, Singapore presents with many options, whether it is value chain, digital technology, and semiconductors, he added.

There will be an interaction with the CEOs and other business leaders in Singapore during Prime Minister Modis visit.

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The visit will also take place in light of our 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations which we are celebrating in 2025, and the 10th year of our strategic partnership with Singapore, he added.

Asked if the South China Sea and Myanmar issues are expected to come up during discussions, Mazumdar said that he expected so.

Modis visit to Brunei will be the first bilateral visit of an Indian prime minister to that country. It will also mark 40 years of diplomatic ties between India and Brunei.

Brunei is an important partner in Indias Act East Policy and its vision for the Indo-Pacific. And, as we mark a decade of our Act East policy, the visit assumes additional significance, the MEA official said.

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Brunei had been our country coordinator in ASEAN from 2012-2015, and played a key role in our further engagement with ASEAN and continues to do so today.

The visit will further strengthen Indias cooperation with Brunei in all existing sectors, including defence cooperation, trade and investment, energy, space technology, health cooperation, capacity building, culture as well as people-to-people exchanges and explore avenues for cooperation in newer sectors, the MEA said earlier.

We have received a valuable contribution from Brunei in our space programme. We have three MoUs with Brunei in this area. We have established a telemetry tracking and command station in Brunei in 2000 and this tracks and monitors all our eastward launches of satellites and launch vehicles, Mazumdar said.

Defence is another important pillar in the cooperation. We are still in discussion with Brunei in setting up a joint working group in defence. But, nothing specific yet, he added.
While the audio of the back-and-forth between Wilmore and the mission circulated online, it is still unclear why the noises are coming out of the space capsule read more

This photo provided by NASA shows the Starliner spacecraft docked to the Harmony module of the International Space Station, orbiting 262 miles above Egypt's Mediterranean coast, on June 13, 2024. File Photo- AP

Boeings troubled Starliner capsule, which is currently docked at the International Space Station since June, is now reportedly emitting strange noises. On Saturday, NASA astronaut Butch Wilmore detected some strange noises, which were coming from a speaker inside the spacecraft, The Sydney Morning Herald reported.

Ive got a question about Starliner, Wilmore told mission control in Houston. Theres a strange noise coming through the speaker  I dont know whats making it, he added. After some deliberation, Wilmore worked his way to make the mission control listen to the sound themselves. Alright Butch, that one came through, mission control radioed up to Wilmore. It was kind of like a pulsing noise, almost like a sonar ping.

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The reason behind the noise remains unclear.

While the audio of the back-and-forth between Wilmore and the mission circulated online, it is still unclear why the noises are coming out of the space capsule. Ill do it one more time, and Ill let yall scratch your heads and see if you can figure out whats going on, Wilmore replied. Alright, over to you. Call us if you figure it out, he concluded.

A series of thrust failures and helium leaks in the new but problematic space capsule has left Wilmore and astronaut Sunita Williams stranded in the space station. Because of these technical difficulties, what should have been an eight-day mission has now been extended to eight months.

Meanwhile, Boeings rival, SpaceXs Falcon 9, is due to launch two NASA astronauts in late September on a Crew Dragon spacecraft, which is expected to bring Wilmore and Williams home next year in February. Meanwhile, the damaged Starliner is expected to return to Earth with no crew aboard.

Keeping the plan in mind, NASA cut two astronauts from the next crew on Friday to make room for the two stuck at the International Space Station on the return trip. The space agencys Nick Hague and a Russian astronaut will board a SpaceX rocket for the orbiting laboratory. The duo will then return with Williams and Wilmore.

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NASA astronauts Zena Cardman and Stephanie Wilson were the ones who were bumped from the SpaceX flight to make room in the spacecraft. However, the American space agency assured them that they could fly on future missions. Over the years, Russia and the US have continued to trade seats, even as relations between the Kremlin and Washington deteriorate. Next month, NASAs Don Pettit will be launching to the space station while NASAs Tracy Dyson will be returning to Earth in Russian capsules.
Israel has recovered six bodies of hostages in the Gaza Strip who were killed sometime last week by their captors read more

US President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris will on Monday meet US negotiators working on a peace deal for the Gaza Strip, according to the White House.

For months, the United States, along with mediators Qatar and Egypt, has been working to strike a deal between Israel and Hamas for a ceasefire in Gaza and the return of hostages held by terrorists. The deal is being negotiated under the broad framework outlined by Biden in May.

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Bidens and Harris meeting with the negotiators comes after Israeli recovered the bodies of six hostages in a tunnels Gazas Rafah last week. The authorities said the autopsies showed the six hostages including one American national were shot sometime last week at close range by their captors.

In a statement, the White House said Biden and Harris would on Monday meet with the US hostage deal negotiating team following the murder of American citizen Hersh Goldberg-Polin and five other hostages by Hamas on Saturday, and discuss efforts to drive towards a deal that secures the release of the remaining hostages, according to AFP.

During the October 7 attack, the terrorists abducted around 250 persons and took them to Gaza as hostages. While around 100 were released in a brief truce in November last year, around 100 still remain in Gaza, around a third of whom are presumed dead by the Israeli military. Even as the return of hostages remains one of the two principal objectives of the war, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has inserted a series of demands into the original proposal outlined by Biden that has stalled the talks.

The most contentious of these demands is for Israel to retain control of the Philadelphi Corridor, a narrow strip of land along the Gaza-Egypt border. Even as Israeli military and Defence Minister Yoav Gallant have repeatedly stated that such a control at the cost of lives of hostages is not required, Netanyahu has remained firm with the demand and his stand has stalled the talks as both Hamas and Egypt have rejected the demand.

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Following the recovery of six bodies, Biden in a statement said the killing of hostages, including the US national Hersh Goldberg-Polin was tragic as it is reprehensible. He further said that Hamas would pay for the killings.

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, said Biden.
The charges include 190 counts of unlawful and indecent dealing with a child under 12, 28 counts of rape, 67 counts of creating child exploitation material, four counts of producing such material, and one count of distributing it. Griffith was also charged with possessing child exploitation material and using a communication service for this purpose from 2005 to 2022 read more

Ashley Paul Griffith, a former childcare worker from the Gold Coast, has confessed to committing 307 sexual offenses against numerous children under his care in Brisbane and Italy from 2007 to 2022.

The 46-year-old Griffith pleaded guilty to all charges at a Queensland District Court hearing on Monday morning. The courtroom was filled to capacity, and the reading of all 307 charges took over two hours, with some attendees standing due to a lack of seating. Several people in the audience were visibly emotional during the proceedings.

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Griffith, dressed in a striped polo shirt and jeans, listened as each charge was read by a judges associate. He responded with a calm guilty and nodded occasionally. He was formally convicted for offenses committed at various childcare centers between January 2007 and August 2022.

The charges include 190 counts of unlawful and indecent dealing with a child under 12, 28 counts of rape, 67 counts of creating child exploitation material, four counts of producing such material, and one count of distributing it. Griffith was also charged with possessing child exploitation material and using a communication service for this purpose from 2005 to 2022.

Griffith did not make a statement when asked and merely shook his head to indicate he had nothing to say.

Sixty victims were named in court, although their identities remain confidential for legal reasons. The Australian Federal Police (AFP) believes Griffith, who had the necessary childcare qualifications, recorded his offenses using phones and cameras at his workplaces.

An additional 13 charges were withdrawn at the beginning of the hearing. Griffith was employed at childcare centers in Brisbane, Sydney, and Pisa, Italy, and was arrested in October 2022 by AFP and Queensland police officers.

The AFP has confirmed that all victims have been identified and their families notified. Griffith worked at some centers where he did not commit offenses.

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A sentencing date has not yet been set, but Griffith will appear in court again for a mention on September 9. At the request of Crown Prosecutor Stephanie Gallagher, the court has ordered a psychiatrists report as part of a pre-sentencing evaluation. Judge Anthony Rafter indicated that sentencing could extend over two days to accommodate the potential reading of victim impact statements.

Defense barrister Sarah Cartledge noted that the defense has been working to expedite the case as swiftly as possible.
Bangladeshs interim government has announced plans to soon re-investigate the 2009 mutiny within the Bangladesh Rifles (BDR), which resulted in the deaths of 74 people, including 57 army officers. The move comes amid increasing calls for a fair trial and justice for the victims of the rebellion read more

Army soldiers take their positions on a street near the headquarters of the paramilitary Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) in Dhaka, February 25, 2009. REUTERS

Bangladesh interim government on Monday said it will soon start re-investigation and fair trial into the 2009 mutiny in the paramilitary Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) that had killed 74 people, including 57 army officers serving in the force.

Home and Agriculture Affairs Advisor to the interim government Lt Gen (retd.) M Jahangir Alam Chowdhury said that as a citizen and a former member of the military, he was committed to ensuring justice for the tragic event.

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The proper re-investigation and fair trial process into the BDR carnage will start soon, he told the media after a meeting with Swedish Ambassador to Dhaka Reto Siegfried Renggli at his office here.

The mutiny started on February 25-26, 2009, when army officers refused to fulfil the demands made by the BDR jawans. The rebel soldiers staged the revolt at the BDRs Pilkhana headquarters in Dhaka and it quickly spread to sector headquarters and regional units of the frontier force across the country.

The rebellion saw the paramilitary soldiers turn their guns to their commanders, shooting them from close ranges or hacking and torturing them to death, hiding their bodies in sewers and hurriedly dug graves and captivating and humiliating their frightened family members in barracks. The mutiny left 74 people, including 57 army officers, killed.

Under a massive reconstruction campaign, the government renamed the mutiny-stained BDR as Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) in 2012, changing its logo, uniform, flag and monogram to free the force from the rebellion stigma.

Alam, who previously served as the (BGB) chief, said, Not only as an adviser but as a former member of the army and a general citizen, I want a just trial of the BDR killings as well.

His comments came as demands for a re-investigation mounted particularly on social media, though a special three-judge High Court bench in 2017 upheld 139 BDR soldiers death penalties after their trial in the lower court.

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The lower court had given death sentences to 152 BDR members and two civilians, and life imprisonment to 158 others in the case, which is pending before the apex Appellate Division of the Supreme Court for a review.

The accused were tried on charges like masterminding the mutiny, torturing and killing their officers, looting their belongings or captivating their family members during the two-day rebellion. They also killed eight civilians, eight BDR soldiers, who were opposed to the revolt, and an army soldier apart from the 57 military officers.

Legal experts earlier called it Bangladeshs biggest-ever criminal trial in which some 800 ex-paramilitary soldiers stood accused of killing 74 people.

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The rebel soldiers staged the revolt for what they said was deprivation, coinciding with the annual Darbar or meeting of ordinary soldiers with the top brasses. The then BDR chief Maj Gen Shakil Ahmed was the first victim of the rebellion.

The mutiny occurred weeks after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasinas Awami League government came into power in the December 2008 elections. In 2012, Bangladesh concluded another phase of the trial of the rebellion with 11 paramilitary courts sentencing 6,011 rebel soldiers of 57 units to jail terms of up to seven years under the relatively lenient BDR Act. PTI AR ZH ZH

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Widely expected to be in October, voters will cast ballots for president and local authorities in the polls in which current 63-year-old President Mokgweetsi Masisi can stand for another term read more

Botswana's President Mokgweetsi Masisi holds the 2,492-carat diamond that was unearthed at one of its mines and will be put on show, Thursday in Gaborone. File Image: AP

The ruling Botswana Democratic Party on Sunday launched its manifesto in the southern African nation which goes to the polls in a general election later this year.

Widely expected to be in October, voters will cast ballots for president and local authorities in the polls in which current 63-year-old President Mokgweetsi Masisi can stand for another term.

The presidential contest will see Masisi face off against the opposition coalition Umbrella for Democratic Changes leader Duma Boko, 54, and Dumelang Saleshando of the small Botswana Congress Party.

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Speaking at the Royal Aria stadium in the countrys capital Gaborone, Masisi called the partys manifesto a blueprint for a future in which every (Botswanan) can thrive.

I offer a promise by voting for the BDP you are selecting a vision of hope, the political veteran said.

In April 2018 Masisi became leader under the BDPs carefully choreographed succession process in which then-president Ian Khama would step down 18 months before the next elections.

His ruling BDP on Saturday re-elected Masisi as their candidate during a party conference.

We promise you an economy that works for everyone, fair wages, rule of law where all enjoy the dignity of their humanity in a secure home and country the BDP said in its manifesto.

Among other key issues, the party plans to focus on creating more jobs, strengthening financial systems and democracy.

At Sundays rally Masisi sported his party colours, addressing a sea of red-geared supporters decked out in a red shirt, blazer and sunglasses with a black hat and pants.

Our brightest years are yet to come, Masisi told the crowd.

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We pursued with vigour mineral beneficiation, we created partnerships with companies for diamond processing and we renegotiated with De Beers, Masisi added, referring to the South African-British diamond company.

Botswana is one of the worlds largest producers of diamonds which are its main source of income, accounting for 30 percent of GDP and 80 percent of its exports, according to International Monetary Fund figures.

Masisi said that the country had hired a record 20,000 people in the diamond sector.

Masisis predecessor Khama has previously vowed to bring the opposition parties into an electoral alliance to remove Masisi through the ballot box in this years polls.

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In a 2023 interview with AFP, Khama accused Masisi of being a threat to Botswanas democracy, vowing to dethrone him in the 2024 election.

The government dismissed Khamas claims as outrageous and unfortunate.
X was taken down in Brazil, one of its largest markets, in the early hours of Saturday following a decision by Moraes, after the platform missed a court-imposed deadline to name a legal representative in Brazil as required by local law. read more

The majority of the five-member panel of Brazils Supreme Court on Monday voted to uphold the ruling made by Justice Alexandre de Moraes to suspend the operations of social media platform X in Brazil due to its failure to comply with local regulations.

Justices Flavio Dino and Cristiano Zanin joined Justice Moraes in forming a majority opinion, even though Justices Luiz Fux and Carmen Lucia had yet to cast their votes. With three votes in favour, the majority was secured, upholding the initial ruling to shut down the social media platform in Brazil.

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Access to the platform, formerly known as Twitter, was no longer possible for some users in the South American country, who were presented with a message asking them to reload the browser without being able to log in successfully.

Moraes and X owner Elon Musk have been locked in a months-long feud after X was required to block accounts implicated in probes of alleged spreading of distorted news and hate.

It is not possible for a company to operate in the territory of a country and intend to impose its vision on which rules should be valid or applied, Justice Dino said as he sided with Moraes.

A party that intentionally fails to comply with court decisions appears to consider itself above the rule of law. And so it can turn into an outlaw.

The shutdown of Elon Musks platform started early Saturday, making it largely inaccessible on both the web and through mobile apps after the billionaire refused to name a legal representative to the country, missing a deadline imposed by Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes.

The blockade marks an escalation in a monthslong feud between Musk and de Moraes over free speech, far-right accounts and misinformation.

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With inputs from agencies.
Finlands government is proposing a ban on most Russian citizens buying property in the country to protect national security, following strained relations with Russia since its 2022 invasion of Ukraine. The ban, which will exempt dual citizens and permanent residents, is still subject to expert consultations and a parliamentary vote read more

A view of closed gates at the Raja-Jooseppi international border crossing station before its opening in Inari, northern Finland on November 24, 2023. REUTERS

Finlands government is proposing to ban most Russian citizens from buying property in the Nordic country in a move to protect national security, Defence Minister Antti Hakkanen said on Monday.

Relations between Finland and neighbouring Russia have soured since Moscows invasion of Ukraine in 2022, which prompted Helsinki to join the NATO military alliance after decades of non-alignment.

The proposed ban on real estate purchases would exempt dual citizens and Russians with permanent residence in Finland or other European Union nations, and is subject to expert consultations before a later vote by parliament.

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The regulations are aimed at preventing possible hostile influences against Finland, Hakkanen told a press confrence.

Finland is already monitoring some 3,500 properties in the country linked to Russian owners, the minister said without elaborating.

Helsinki has for some time sought to limit Russian citizens property acquisitions near strategic locations based on existing regulations, blocking three in October last year and another three in January this year.

Finland, which shares a 1,340 km (830 miles) border with Russia has shut all crossings between the countries and accused the Kremlin of weaponising migration by encouraging Asian and African migrants to seek asylum there.
The result is historic since this is the first time a far-right party won in a state parliament elections since World War two read more

Bjorn Hecke (AfD) after the publication of the first forecasts for the state election in Saxony and Thuringia, in Erfurt, Germany, Sunday Sept. 1, 2024. AP

Germanys far-right party Alternative for Germany (AfD) celebrated the historic performance by the party in the state elections of Thuringia. The anti-immigration party has clinched almost a third of the vote and was nine points ahead of the conservative CDU in the state. The party was also way ahead of Germanys three governing parties.

The result is historic since this is the first time a far-right party won in a state parliament elections since World War two. However, it still has little scope for forming a government in the state because other parties are less likely to form a coalition government with AfD.

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While the party created history in the state of Thuringia, it came a close second in the more populous neighbouring state of Saxony. Both East German states went to polls on Sunday. In Saxony, CDU won 31.9 per cent of the vote, just ahead of the AfD, again far ahead of the three parties running the national government - the Social Democrats, Greens and liberal FDP, BBC reported.

Scholz calls the result bitter

While reacting to the poll results German Chancellor Olaf Scholz urged mainstream parties right-wing extremists", calling the results bitter and 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, Scholz said, adding that the direst predictions, that his centre-left Social Democrats (SPD) might fall out of a state parliament for the first time, had not materialised.

Last year, the 11-year-old AfD clinched its first mayoral and district government posts. The results in both states also reflect the brewing divide between East and West Germany, with left-wing parties maintaining dominance in the West.

Bjorn Hocke lauds the win

The right-wing partys top candidate in Thuringia, Bjorn Hocke hailed the historic victory. While Hocke failed to clinch a direct mandate for the state parliament, he has managed to secure a seat because he was at the top of his party list.

Hocke became a controversial figure after he was fined for using a Nazi slogan, although the former history teacher denied doing it knowingly. With the nationwide elections only a year away, several polls are predicting AfD to be the second-most favourable party. AfD party leader Alice Weidel said the result was a requiem for the three parties running Germany and it was clear that voters in both eastern states wanted her party in government.

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Without us, a stable government is no longer possible at all, she remarked. Meanwhile, Hocke hinted that many voters in the region would be happy to see AfD working with CDU in the state governments. It is pertinent to note that while AfD cannot form a government without the support of other parties in Thuringia, the CDU has made it clear that it wont come in alliance with the controversial party.

Hence, the conservatives will need support from parties on the left to form a majority.

With inputs from agencies.
Bangladeshs ambitious attempt to overhaul its education system through the National Curriculum 2022 has encountered significant challenges threatening to undermine the countrys educational progress. The recent review by the Education Ministry, prompted by widespread criticism and implementation failures, exposed critical gaps that may lead to a rollback of the curriculum, signalling a major setback in educational reform.

Failures of National Curriculum 2022

The National Curriculum 2022 was introduced with the goal of modernising education in Bangladesh aiming to better prepare students for the demands of the 21st century. However, the reality of its implementation has fallen far short of expectations. According to feedback gathered from educators across the country as reported by The Dhaka Tribune, one of the primary issues is the severe lack of preparedness among teachers. Despite extensive training programmes, many educators have found themselves ill-equipped to handle the new curriculum. The education ministrys review underscored this point revealing that teachers were not sufficiently trained to meet the new curriculums demands leaving them unable to effectively deliver the revised content.

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Adding to the woes, the content of the curriculum itself has been criticised for its lack of clarity. Educators and students alike have expressed confusion over the objectives and execution of the new curriculum, which has led to widespread dissatisfaction and negative perceptions of its effectiveness. This confusion has been compounded by the inadequacies in the assessment methods introduced alongside the curriculum. Critics argue that these methods fail to accurately measure student performance, resulting in ineffective evaluations that further contribute to the decline in educational quality.

Moreover, the institutional capacity to support such a sweeping change has been woefully inadequate. Many schools lack the necessary resources and infrastructure to implement the curriculum effectively, creating a significant barrier to its success. The education ministrys review pointed out that these shortcomings in institutional capacity have made it nearly impossible for the curriculum to achieve its intended outcomes.

Government response and potential rollback

In light of these critical issues, the government has been forced to reconsider the viability of the National Curriculum 2022. On August 18, 2024, Deputy Secretary Rahima Akhter issued a notice acknowledging the curriculums deficiencies and marking it as unfeasible. This notice has opened the door to potentially rolling back to the previous National Curriculum 2022, a move that reflects the deep concerns within the government about the current curriculums sustainability.

According to The Dhaka Tribune, Education Adviser Wahiduddin Mahmud has been particularly vocal in his criticism, describing the 2022 curriculum as not feasible and suggesting that a return to the previous standards may be necessary to stabilise the education system. The governments immediate response includes revising textbooks for grades 4 and 5 to align with the 2012 curriculum, while continuing with the current textbooks for grades 6 to 9 until 2025 when revised versions are expected to be introduced.

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The government has also decided to overhaul the assessment methods that have come under heavy criticism. The incomplete subject-based assessments will be discontinued, and new assessment frameworks are being developed to better evaluate student performance. These changes are expected to be implemented by December 2024, aiming to restore some measure of confidence in the educational assessments.

Broader impact on Bangladeshs education system

The crisis surrounding the National Curriculum 2022 is not just a reflection of its own failures but also indicative of broader, systemic issues within Bangladeshs education sector. The country continues to grapple with severe literacy and numeracy gaps, as highlighted by the National Learning Assessment of 2022, which found that over 70 per cent of grade 2 and 3 students struggle with basic literacy. This troubling statistic underscores the urgent need for educational reforms that go beyond curriculum changes to address foundational learning deficits.

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Azwa Nayeem, chairperson, Alokito Hridoy Foundation and adviser, SAJIDA Foundation said in an article that child marriage remains a significant barrier to girls education in Bangladesh, with 51 per cent of girls marrying before the age of 18. This contributes to high dropout rates at the secondary level, which stood at 36.97 per cent in 2022. Efforts to reduce child marriage and keep girls in school are crucial for improving educational outcomes and ensuring that reforms have a lasting impact.

Another pressing issue is the shortage of qualified teachers. Corruption and inadequate training have led to a disconnect between theoretical training and practical classroom demands. This gap highlights the need for continuous professional development and a more merit-based approach to teacher recruitment. Without addressing these fundamental issues, any new curriculum is likely to encounter the same challenges that have plagued the National Curriculum 2022.

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Furthermore, Bangladeshs vulnerability to climate change necessitates the inclusion of climate education in the curriculum. As one of the most climate-vulnerable countries in the world, Bangladesh must prepare its students to face environmental challenges. The integration of climate education and the development of green skills are essential for equipping the next generation with the tools they need to contribute to sustainable solutions.

Path forward

As Bangladesh stands at this critical juncture, the governments response to the failures of the National Curriculum 2022 will shape the future of its education system. The proposed revisions and potential rollback to the 2012 curriculum are steps toward stabilising the situation, but they also highlight the need for a more comprehensive approach to educational reform. Addressing the systemic issues of teacher preparedness, resource allocation, and foundational learning is essential for creating an education system that can meet the challenges of the 21st century.

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Ultimately, the success of Bangladeshs educational reforms will depend on the governments ability to learn from the mistakes of the National Curriculum 2022 and to implement changes that are informed by the realities on the ground. Only through sustained and strategic efforts can Bangladesh hope to build an education system that is both effective and equitable, providing all students with the opportunities they need to succeed.
As President Cyril Ramaphosa embarks on his State Visit to China and participates in the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Summit, the spotlight shines brightly on the evolving relationship between China and South Africa. This visit, scheduled from September 2 to 5, 2024, marks a significant moment in a partnership that has continually grown in both scope and significance. From their historic ties dating back to South Africas struggle against apartheid to their current role as leading players in the Global South, the bilateral relationship between these two nations is redefining the landscape of international cooperation. With China as South Africas largest trading partner and South Africa being Chinas foremost partner in Africa, their collaboration is set to influence development strategies and global policies. As they sign new agreements and co-chair key discussions at FOCAC, their strengthened alliance promises to set new benchmarks for economic and strategic partnerships worldwide.

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Economic ties: Backbone of the relationship

Economic cooperation forms the bedrock of China-South Africa relations, with both nations benefitting from a robust trade partnership. China is South Africas largest trading partner globally, while South Africa holds the position of Chinas number one trading partner in Africa. Bilateral trade has seen impressive growth, rising from R614 billion in 2022 to R692 billion in 2023. This trade relationship is marked by mutual benefit and win-win results, with South African products such as wine, rooibos tea and aloe vera gels gaining popularity in China while Chinese automobiles and home appliances are increasingly common in South African households.

The partnership extends beyond trade with significant Chinese investments in South Africa contributing to local economic development. Over 200 Chinese companies operate in South Africa creating more than 400,000 jobs. These investments, valued at approximately $10 billion, have positioned South Africa as one of the leading African nations in terms of Chinese investment. On the flip side, South African companies are also exploring opportunities in the Chinese market, eager to tap into its vast consumer base and growing demand for diverse products.

Strategic cooperation in development and modernisation

The China-South Africa partnership is not limited to economic ties but extends into areas critical for national development and modernisation. The bilateral cooperation is underpinned by a Ten-Year Strategic Programme of Cooperation (20202029), which aims to strengthen collaboration in sectors such as infrastructure, logistics, manufacturing, agriculture and science and technology. This strategic framework aligns with both Chinas Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and South Africas Economic Reconstruction and Recovery Plan, creating synergies that drive forward the development agendas of both countries.

During President Ramaphosas visit beginning on 2 September, several key agreements are expected to be signed, particularly in human settlements, agriculture and science and technology. These agreements are designed to enhance technical cooperation, support South Africas efforts in modernisation and build the foundation for sustained economic growth. The visit to Shenzhen, Chinas economic technology hub, highlights South Africas commitment to embracing technological advancements and integrating them into its development strategies.

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China-South Africa cooperation in a global context

The bilateral relationship between China and South Africa also plays a critical role in the broader context of global governance and South-South cooperation. Both nations have consistently advocated for a more equitable international order and have championed the interests of developing countries in global forums. This shared commitment was evident during the recent BRICS Summit, where both countries emphasised the importance of multilateralism, the need for greater representation of Global South countries in international organizations, and the pursuit of sustainable development goals.

President Xi Jinping has repeatedly stressed the importance of China and South Africa being global partners that uphold justice and work together to address common challenges. The two nations have collaborated on initiatives such as the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilisation Initiative, all of which aim to promote peace, security and sustainable development on a global scale. Chinas support for South Africas role in international and regional affairs is a testament to the deep mutual respect and strategic alignment between the two countries.

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FOCAC and the future of China-Africa relations

The Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) serves as a crucial platform for enhancing the relationship between China and the entire African continent. The 2024 FOCAC Summit, held under the theme Joining Hands to Advance Modernisation and Build a High-Level China-Africa Community with a Shared Future, reflects the commitment of both China and Africa to work together towards modernisation and sustainable development.

South Africa, as a key participant in FOCAC, plays a significant role in shaping the agenda and ensuring that the outcomes align with Africas development priorities as outlined in the African Unions Agenda 2063. The Declaration and Action Plan (20252027) that will be issued at the conclusion of the summit is expected to focus on areas such as industrialisation, agricultural modernisation, green development and technological innovation. These initiatives are designed to propel Africa towards a more prosperous and sustainable future, with China serving as a critical partner in this journey.

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A relationship poised for greater heights

As President Ramaphosas State Visit to China unfolds, it is clear that the China-South Africa relationship is entering a new phase of strategic cooperation and mutual benefit. The strong economic ties, coupled with shared commitments to development and global governance, position both nations as key players in shaping the future of the Global South. The outcomes of the FOCAC Summit which begins on 4 September and the bilateral agreements signed during this visit will likely further strengthen this partnership, setting the stage for even deeper cooperation in the years to come. As the world faces increasing challenges and uncertainties, the China-South Africa relationship stands as a testament to the power of collaboration, solidarity and shared vision in achieving sustainable development and global stability.
The whale nicknamed Hvaldimir, was first spotted off the shore of Norway wearing a harness, which ultimately prompted rumours that it can be a Russian spy read more

A beluga whale which was first spotted in Norway and was rumoured to be a Russian spy was found dead on Saturday. The whale nicknamed Hvaldimir, was first spotted off the shore of Norway wearing a harness, which ultimately prompted rumours that it could be a spy from Moscow.

The Norwegian public broadcaster NRK reported that the sea creatures body was found floating in the Risavika Bay which is located in southern parts of Norway. The body was discovered by a father and son who were fishing in the region. Interestingly, the nickname of the whale was a combination of the Norwegian word for whale  hval  and the first name of the Russian president, Vladimir Putin.

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The local authorities lifted the whale out of the water by crane and took it to a nearby harbour for examination by experts. 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. He also mentioned that there were no major external injuries that were visible on the animal.

Hvaldimir was in good condition a day before his death

Strand who has monitored Hvaldimirs adventures for the past three years said that he was deeply affected by the death of the whale. Its absolutely horrible, Strand, who works for Norway-based non-profit organisation Marine Mind, 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-metre (14ft), 1,225kg (2,700lb) whale was first spotted back in 2019 by fishermen near the northern island of Ingya. At that time, he was wearing a harness and what appeared to be a mount for a small camera and a buckle marked with the words Equipment St Petersburg. This sparked speculations that Hvaldimir was a spy whale.

However, Marine Mind, which followed the whales journey noted that it was tame and might have been held in Russian captivity. 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, the body said.

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Due to this behaviour, many believed that Hvaldimir may have been used as a therapy whale of some sort in Russia.

With inputs from agencies.
The proposed sovereign wealth fund could potentially boost Indias ability to invest in infrastructure projects abroad, particularly in neighbouring countries and regions like Africa, which are key priorities for the Indian government. read more

The Indian government has started preliminary discussions with key stakeholders, including the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), and officials from GIFT City, to examine the viability of establishing a sovereign wealth fund (SWF) for the country, as reported by CNBC-TV18.

These discussions are part of a broader strategy to position India as a $30 trillion economy by 2047. The concept of a sovereign wealth fund has gained significant traction since the swearing-in of Prime Minister Narendra Modis third-term cabinet.

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Officials involved in the discussions believe that such a fund could be instrumental in boosting Indias financial influence on the global stage, CNBC-TV18 reported.

The proposed SWF could potentially boost Indias ability to invest in infrastructure projects abroad, particularly in neighbouring countries and regions like Africa, which are key priorities for the Indian government.

To gauge interest and potential success, the government has sought feedback from over 30 Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs). Though initial proposals suggest that a $5 billion fund could generate $10 billion worth of investment opportunities annually, attracting substantial global interest.

A key consideration is whether the SWF would provide India a greater leverage in supporting friendly nations compared to current methods, such as lines of credit and grants.

The fund is expected to operate via the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) mode, enabling India to make strategic investments abroad. While discussions are still in the early stages, sources said momentum has been building over the past month.

While discussions are still in the early stages, the momentum has been building over the past month, sources said.

The government is expected to take further steps in the coming weeks to explore the funds potential, initially focusing on PSUs and later expanding to institutions like JICA and listed companies.
Tehrans warning is the latest escalation in the long-standing dispute over the 1,900-kilometer (1,180-mile) pipeline, a project vital to Pakistans energy future as its own gas reserves are expected to deplete in just over a decade, according to a report read more

Iranian workers stand at a 2013 groundbreaking ceremony to mark the inauguration of the Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline. Reuters File

Iran has issued a final warning to Pakistan to complete its section of the cross-border gas pipeline or risk international arbitration and potentially face billions of dollars in penalties.

According to a Nikkei Asia report, Tehrans warning is the latest escalation in the long-standing dispute over the 1,900-kilometer (1,180-mile) pipeline, a project vital to Pakistans energy future as its own gas reserves are expected to deplete in just over a decade.

Iran has said it invested $2 billion in building its 1,150-km section of the pipeline, which was inaugurated in 2013. However, Pakistans portion remains incomplete due to US sanctions imposed on Tehran over its nuclear programme.

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Last year, Islamabad invoked a force majeure clause to suspend its contractual obligations, citing uncontrollable circumstances. Tehran promptly rejected this claim, added the report.

In February, Pakistan announced the commencement of construction on the 80-kilometer initial phase of the pipeline within its territory.

According to the report, in March, Donald Lu, the US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs, warned Pakistan against importing gas from Iran, which holds some of the largest reserves globally. Since then, no additional progress has been made on Pakistans portion of the pipeline.

Now, Iran is threatening to take the dispute to the International Court of Arbitration if Pakistan fails to meet the imminent deadline to complete the pipeline. Pakistan had requested a 10-year extension to finish the project in 2014, and this extension is set to expire this month.

Delicate balance

Pakistani officials face a delicate balance trying to avoid Washingtons ire over doing business with Iran but they also want to sidestep huge court fines that would hammer the crisis-hit economy - Islamabad recently agreed to a $7 billion International Monetary Fund (IMF) bailout.

Irans case is pretty much straight forward that Pakistan has violated the terms of a bilateral agreement for which it can be sued as clearly mentioned in the written contract, Nikkei Asia quoted Ikram ul Haq, an expert on economy and taxation who holds a doctorate in law, as saying.

According to the report, citing local media, Paris-based court could impose penalties of up to $18 billion on Pakistan if it loses the case. Those figures are based on contractual daily penalties for not completing the project, plus interest and damages.

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Pakistan and Iran have robust channels of communication, including (on the pipeline notice), Nikkei Asia quoted a spokesperson for Pakistans Ministry of Foreign Affairs as saying in a statement on Thursday. We have always said we would like to resolve all issues through friendly consultations, added the spokesperson.

A government official privy to the late August notice told the media outlet that Islamabad was taking it seriously and exploring its options, but added that the $18 billion figure was pure speculation.

Pakistan made to pay in the past

In 2019, the arbitration court ordered Pakistan to pay nearly $6 billion to an Australian mining company for breaching a contract after revoking the firms access to a copper and gold mine. Pakistan later settled by paying $1 billion to the companys parent.

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The US sanctions are central to Washingtons broader strategy to isolate Iran, and the pipeline has become a casualty of this strategy, Nikkei Asia quoted Ahsan Hamid Durrani, executive director of Islamabads Policy Research Center, as saying.

Sanctions have led Iranian traders to smuggle up to $1 billion worth of natural gas into Pakistan annually, according to the report, citing Pakistani intelligence agencies earlier this year.

Haq noted that Pakistan would face challenges obtaining a sanctions waiver from Washington to complete the pipeline project. Pakistan is economically weak and dependent on the IMF, he said. Unlike India, Pakistan cannot get any waiver from America.

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Durrani concurred, highlighting that countries under IMF programs must adhere to international sanctions.

Pakistan doesnt have any leverage with the US to circumvent the current sanctions regime, he said. With the IMF loan agreement still in process, Pakistan needs all the support it can get from the US and cannot risk violating the sanctions.

With inputs from agencies
Thousands of mourners lined the streets of Jerusalem on Monday to bid farewell to slain American-Israeli hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin, one of the best-known faces of those seized by Hamas-led gunmen on Oct. 7. read more

Demonstrators march during a protest in Tel Aviv calling for action to secure the release of Israeli hostages on September 2. Image- AFP

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday sought forgiveness for failing to save six hostages whose bodies were recovered from a Gaza tunnel at the weekend.

I ask for your forgiveness for not bringing them back alive, Netanyahu said at a televised press conference. We were close but we didnt succeed. Hamas will pay a very heavy price for this.

Goldberg-Polins body, along with the bodies of fellow hostages Carmel Gat, Eden Yerushalmi, Alexander Lobanov, Almog Sarusi and Ori Danino, were recovered by Israeli troops on Sunday, triggering an outpouring of grief and rage among Israelis traumatized by one of the most devastating attacks in their countrys history.

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I feel he was like a symbol of the hostages, Amnon Sadovsky, a 70-year-old teacher told Reuters. We need to have humanity for all people - for Jews and for Arabs.

Goldberg-Polin, 23, who immigrated to Israel from California at the age of seven, was at the Nova music festival in southern Israel on Oct 7, celebrating his birthday when Hamas-led militants launched their onslaught, killing 1200 people and taking 253 hostages.

Footage shot during the onslaught showed several Hamas terrorists surrounding the roadside bomb shelter where he was hiding, and throwing grenades through the doorway. Most of those hiding inside were killed, while Hersh lost the lower part of his left arm.

Video showed him being loaded with other hostages onto a pickup van, his injury clearly visible.

He was last seen alive in a Hamas video released in April, addressing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and then his family, giving the first public sign that he had survived his injuries.

In a picturesque Jerusalem neighbourhood close to where his family lived, red and white banners bearing his image - a smiling young man with an open shirt and a small beard - dot the streets and hang from balconies, with the message Free Hersh.

The death of the six, after nearly 11 months in captivity, sparked a wave of protests, with around 500,000 people taking to the streets in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv on Sunday night that continued into Monday with a general strike to pressure Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to bring the hostages home.

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Earlier today, Israels president on Monday apologised on behalf of the government for failing to protect a 23-year-old US-Israeli hostage whose funeral drew thousands to a Jerusalem cemetery.

I apologise on behalf of the State of Israel, that we failed to protect you in the terrible disaster of October 7, that we failed to bring you home safely, Isaac Herzog said during the service, referring to Hamass unprecedented attack on southern Israel in which Hersh Goldberg-Polin was taken hostage.

I apologise that the country you immigrated to at the age of 7, wrapped in the Israeli flag, could not keep you safe.

Directly addressing Goldberg-Polins parents, Herzog said: I want to say how sorry I am. How sorry I am that we didnt protect Hersh on that dark day.

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Israeli authorities on Sunday announced the death of Goldberg-Polin along with that of five other hostages seized on October 7.

With inputs from agencies.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus demand regarding Israeli control of Philadelphi Corridor is behind the deadlock in the hostage-release and ceasefire deal read more

Following the deaths of six Israeli hostages, Defence Minister Yoav Gallant has slammed Prime Minister Netanyahus demand related to the Philadelphi Corridor.

Last week, the Israeli military had discovered six dead hostages in a tunnel in Rafah in the Gaza City. They were among around 250 people abducted by Hamas terrorists during the October 7 attack and taken to Gaza as hostages.

At an Israeli governments meeting following the discovery of dead hostages, Gallant stressed that the time to secure the release of hostages was slipping and the persistence of the demand of Israeli control of Philadelphi Corridor was a moral disgrace, according to reports.

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In the original Gaza ceasefire and hostage-release deals proposal floated by US President Joe Biden in May, Netanyahu has inserted the demand for Israel to retain the control of Philadelphi Corridor, an eight- or nine-mile-long (13-14 kms) strip of land along the Gaza-Egypt border. Even as talks continue, both Hamas and Egypt have rejected the demand so far, as per reports. The demand has become the main sticking point in reaching a ceasefire and hostage-release deal.

In the Cabinet meeting on Sunday, Gallant said that the demand was an unnecessary constraint that weve placed on ourselves and as a result the government will not live up to the war goals we set for ourselves, according to The Times of Israel.

Hostages have no time, Philadelphi demand is moral disgrace

Gallant said that the hostages in Gaza have no time.

Referring to the recovery of the bodies of six hostages, Gallant said we got proof of that yesterday, according to Axios.

Gallant further said that one goal of the war to bring all hostages home and prioritising the Philadelphi Corridor over hostages is a moral disgrace.

Continuing to impose constraints such as the decision on the Philadelphi corridor will result in us not meeting the goals of the war. The fact that we prioritize the Philadelphi corridor at the cost of the lives of the hostages is a serious moral disgrace, said Gallant, as per Axios.

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They further said that hostages were intentionally executed at short-range and were not killed in any exchange of fire.

Netanyahu doubles down on demand

Even as Gallant, the senior-most minister in the Cabinet, has continued to condemn the Netanyahus position, Netanyahu has continued to double down on his demand.

In the meeting, after Gallant made his remarks, Netanyahu said that after the terrible murder of our hostages, such a step will send a dangerous message to Hamas and will lead to more and more concessions that will endanger Israels security, according to Axios.

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Netanyahu further said, There is flexibility in the negotiations, but not on the principle of the Philadelphi corridor which is Hamas lifeline.

Along with the control of Philadelphi Corridor, Netanyahu has demanded the setting up of checkpoints along an east-west Netzarim Corridor in Gaza to screen the Palestinians returning northwards to their homes from southern parts where they have been sheltering. The idea is to check the flow of weapons and terrorists in the midst of civilians. He has also demanded a veto over the Palestinians to be released in lieu of hostages. These demands have complicated the peace talks.
The judicial overhaul, proposed by outgoing president Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador and backed by incoming president Claudia Sheinbaum, has sparked a strike by judicial workers, strained relations with the United States and spooked foreign investors read more

People march during a student-led protest against the judicial reform proposed by the Mexican government, in Mexico City, Mexico. Reuters

Mexicos Lower House of Congress is slated to open debate on Tuesday on a controversial judicial reform and is expected to pass the legislation later in the week, Ricardo Monreal, the ruling party leader in the chamber said on Sunday.

The judicial overhaul, proposed by outgoing president Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador and backed by incoming president Claudia Sheinbaum, has sparked a strike by judicial workers, strained relations with the United States and spooked foreign investors.

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The backbone of the constitutional reform would see more than 7,000 judges and magistrates elected by popular vote. It would reduce the number of judges on the Supreme Court from 11 to 9, and shorten their terms from 15 to 12 years. It would also create a new body to supervise judges.

Supporters of the reform say it is necessary to address Mexicos high level of impunity for violent crimes.

Monreal said on Sunday that lawmakers would debate and vote on the reform on Tuesday and Wednesday and then send the legislation to the Senate. The ruling Morena party and its allies hold a two-thirds supermajority in the lower house and are only one seat short in the Senate.

On Sunday, university students and judicial workers protested in front of the Senate headquarters in opposition to the measures.

Obrador says the reforms are necessary because the judicial system is not at the service of the people and instead responds to the interests of organized crime.

But experts say that much of this impunity is driven by prosecutors, police and state-level attorney general offices, who have limited resources and whose offices are often plagued with corruption. These entities would not be affected by the judicial reform.

The unions representing judicial workers say the proposed changes would trample on labor rights and that the popular election of judges risks allowing special interests - including criminal groups - to seize control of the judiciary.
Israels main international airport suspended flights on Monday as part of a nationwide strike triggered by public outrage over the killing of six hostages by Hamas. The strike, organized by the Histadrut union, aims to pressure the government into securing a ceasefire-for-hostages deal, reflecting growing dissatisfaction with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus handling of the crisis read more

Israels main international airport, Ben Gurion International Airport, suspended flights on Monday as part of a nationwide strike in response to public outrage over the killing of six hostages by Hamas in Gaza.

The strike, organised by the Histadrut labor union, reflects growing frustration with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus handling of the hostage situation.

Histadruts chairman, Arnon Bar-David, warned that the union could shut down the entire economy, stating that Israel is in a downward spiral amid ongoing violence. The airport confirmed it would halt both departures and arrivals for two hours starting at 8 a.m. local time (1 a.m. ET).

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The general strike, which began Monday morning, aims to pressure the government to negotiate a ceasefire-for-hostages deal. This follows the discovery of six dead hostages, including Israeli-American Hersh Goldberg-Polin, whose bodies were found in a Hamas tunnel in Rafah. Their deaths have intensified calls for action and strained ongoing ceasefire negotiations.

Protests erupted across Israeli cities on Sunday, with demonstrators demanding Netanyahus resignation and a more effective response to the hostage crisis. In Tel Aviv, some protesters blocked a major avenue on Monday morning.

The strikes impact extends beyond the airport, affecting various public services and institutions. Municipalities including Tel Aviv and Haifa have joined the strike, and government ministries responsible for essential services, such as parts of the Prime Ministers Office and the Interior Ministry, are also participating.

Healthcare facilities may also face disruptions, although they will continue to operate on an emergency basis.

The countrys teachers union has announced it will not participate in the strike, though support staff at schools will, potentially impacting educational activities.

Major universities, including Hebrew University of Jerusalem and Tel Aviv University, have confirmed their participation in the strike. The Hebrew Universitys spokesperson indicated that this shutdown will be more extensive than previous measures, including all activities except for essential exams.

In response to the strike, Israels far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has requested the countrys Attorney General, Gali Baharav-Miara, to seek urgent injunctions to block the action.

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Smotrich argues that the strike will harm the wartime economy and set a dangerous precedent. A legal hearing on this request is scheduled for Monday morning.
New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has announced enhanced defence collaboration with Malaysia, including the deployment of a P8 Poseidon aircraft for a joint exercise in Butterworth. At a press conference with his Malaysian counterpart, Luxon also emphasised the urgent need for a ceasefire in Gaza read more

New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said on Monday his country would expand defence cooperation with Malaysia and was deploying one its air forces P8 Poseidon patrol and reconnaissance aircraft to Butterworth for a joint exercise.

Speaking at a joint press conference with his Malaysian counterpart during a visit to the country, Luxon also stressed the need to see an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.
Nigerians blame economic reforms by President Bola Tinubu, in office since May 2023, for economic hardship, worsened by double-digit inflation after the currency was devalued and the cost of petrol and electricity rose. read more

Nigeria charged 10 people on Monday with treason and conspiring to incite the military to mutiny, following last months nationwide protests against the rising cost of living. The demonstrations, which drew thousands to the streets, were met with a deadly crackdown by security forces.

Amnesty International reported that at least 13 people were killed, although security forces denied using lethal force. The 10 men appeared in the Abuja Federal High Court, where they pleaded not guilty. If convicted, they could face the death penalty, according to human rights lawyer Inibehe Effiong.

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State prosecutors said in court papers seen by Reuters that the protesters intended to destabilise Nigeria and conspired together to commit felony to wit, treason.

Pro-Russian sentiments have been growing in parts of West Africa, where Moscow is increasingly welcomed by militaries that have staged coups and severed ties with the West. One is in Nigerias northern neighbor, Niger, where French and American troops have been asked to leave and Russia has been chosen as a new security partner.

Meanwhile, prosecutors also laid five other charges against the accused under the countrys penal code, including inciting the military to mutiny, burning government buildings and disturbing public peace.

Lawyers for the protesters sought their release on bail, which was opposed by the state. The court will make a ruling on Sept. 11 when their trial is expected to begin.

Amnesty urged the government to unconditionally release all the people arrested during the protests. It said the trial was meant to unlawfully justify detaining protesters.

These are blatantly trumped-up charges that must be immediately withdrawn, said Isa Sanusi, director for Amnesty International Nigeria.

Inspired by protests in Kenya in June that led to the government there scrapping some planned tax increases, Nigerians are mobilising online to demand the reinstatement of subsidies for petrol and electricity, free primary and secondary education and measures to combat insecurity, among other demands.

With inputs from agencies.
As per the Auditor General of Pakistan, the audit for the fiscal year 2023-24 scrutinised expenditures totalling Rs 566.29 billion. This amount includes Rs 335.63 billion from the latter part of the 2022-23 audit and Rs 230.66 billion from the initial phase of the 2023-24 audit read more

Pakistan-made surface-to-surface missiles Fatah-1 and the launcher displayed during a military parade on Match 23, 2024. Source: AP.

The Auditor General of Pakistan (AGP) has released over 300 pages of an exhaustive audit report detailing severe financial irregularities, opaque procurement processes, and unauthorised expenditures within various branches of the countrys defence services.

The extensive report reveals widespread issues and calls for immediate reforms and accountability.

Overview of audit findings

The audit for the fiscal year 2023-24 scrutinised expenditures totalling Rs 566.29 billion. This amount includes Rs 335.63 billion from the latter part of the 2022-23 audit and Rs 230.66 billion from the initial phase of the 2023-24 audit.

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The report exposes numerous financial mismanagement issues, including advance payments made before the completion of work, failures to recover rents and allied charges, and violations of public procurement rules.

It also highlights irregularities in the execution of unauthorised work and non-compliance with Defence Services Regulations and A-1 land policy.

Budget allocation & compliance concerns

For the 2022-23 fiscal year, Pakistans Ministry of Defence was allocated Rs 1.563 trillion, which was later increased to Rs 1.592 trillion through supplementary grants. Despite this significant budget, the AGP report raises concerns about the ministrys persistent non-compliance with audit objections.

The AGP noted that the Ministry of Defence complied with 659 directives of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of the parliament out of 1974, which indicates that compliance of PAC directives is very slow. The principal accounting officer should take necessary steps to expedite compliance with PAC directives.

Additionally, the Ministry of Defence Production performed poorly, complying with only 109 out of 372 PAC directives.

Procurement irregularities

The audit uncovered significant procurement-related irregularities. Many procurements exceeding Rs 500,000 were not advertised as required by the Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA). In several instances, contracts were divided and awarded to preferred contractors to bypass transparent bidding processes.

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The audit also found cases where procurement was conducted without formal contract agreements or proper estimates, such as the renovation of a Foreign Trainees Mess Shed at an Army School.

The report criticised management for inadequate responses to audit objections, citing missing or incomplete documentation.

Unimplemented recommendations

The Departmental Audit Committee (DAC) had recommended holding inquiries and regularising expenditures to address these issues. However, by the time the audit report was published, these recommendations had not been acted upon.

The report also highlighted discrepancies such as cash receipt vouchers (CRVs) issued without receiving items and the issuance of 5 per cent super check certificates without proper verification.

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The AGPs findings underscore an urgent need for reform within the Defence Services to address financial mismanagement and improve procurement transparency.
Pope Francis left Rome on Monday for Jakarta, where the 87-year-old leader of the global Catholic Church will start an ambitious 12-day tour to four countries in Southeast Asia read more

Pope Francis boards the papal plane ahead of his apostolic visit to Asia, at Fiumicino airport in Rome, Italy, on Monday. Reuters

Pope Francis left Rome on Monday for Jakarta, where the 87-year-old leader of the global Catholic Church will start an ambitious 12-day tour to four countries in Southeast Asia.

The flight carrying the pope and his entourage left Fiumicino airport for an overnight flight of more than 13 hours to the Indonesian capital.

The pope will be in Indonesia until Friday. He is then scheduled to visit Papua New Guinea, East Timor and Singapore before returning to Rome on September 13.

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Francis, who has stressed the importance of environmental issues throughout his 11-year papacy, is expected to urge global action on climate change during the voyage.

Each of the countries on his tour is facing dangers from the warming global climate, including rising sea levels and increasingly severe and unpredictable heat waves and typhoons.

Francis is set to travel nearly 33,000 km (20,500 miles) throughout the visit, and will headline more than 40 events. It is the longest trip yet by the pontiff, who now regularly uses a wheelchair due to knee and back pain and has had bouts of ill health.

He was in a wheelchair as he boarded the flight on Monday, using a mobile lift to gain access to the aircraft.

At a press briefing on Friday, the Vatican said it was not taking any unusual medical precautions for the pope on this trip.

We are taking the same precautions that we always take, said Matteo Bruni, director of the Vatican press office.
Russia has frequently accused Western countries of imposing unfair restrictions on its media abroad, including bans on some state-backed news outlets read more

The West is openly persecuting Russian journalists, President Vladimir Putin said in remarks published on Monday, days after Moscow banned dozens of U.S. journalists from entering the country.

In order to hide from inconvenient facts, from truthful information, the West, which considers itself the standard of freedom, has launched an open persecution against Russian correspondents, Putin told the Mongolian newspaper Onoodor on the eve of his visit to the country, according to a transcript provided on the Kremlins website.

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His remarks come after Moscow said on Wednesday it was banning entry to Russia for 92 U.S. citizens, including journalists, lawyers, and the heads of what it said were key military-industrial firms, over what it described as Washingtons Russophobic stance.

They also follow years of the Kremlins suppression of independent media and Moscows swift blocking of dissenting voices in Russian-language media outlets at the start of Russias invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

Putin said that in Russia, media are free.

The only requirement for them is compliance with Russian legislation, he said. Foreign correspondents accredited in our country should understand this.

Russia has frequently accused Western countries of imposing unfair restrictions on its media abroad, including bans on some state-backed news outlets.

Putin told the Mongolian newspaper that Russian journalists face direct censorship in almost all Western countries.

The only thing our media do is to convincingly convey the Russian point of view on current modern problems and processes taking place in the world, Putin said.

In May, Russian lawmakers passed a bill giving prosecutors powers to shut foreign media bureaus in Moscow if a Western country has been unfriendly to Russian media.

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Washington has imposed sanctions against some state-run Russian TV stations, which it says have spread disinformation to bolster Russias war in Ukraine.
Amid a growing partnership between China and Russia, Mandarin has been growing in popularity across Russia as a foreign language of choice read more

Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Monday that young members of his family speak fluent Mandarin, though he told school children they should not forget the importance of English too despite the growing popularity of Chinese.

Putin has two daughters with his ex-wife Lyudmila and they speak Russian, English, German, and French. Putin, who divorced his wife in 2014, rarely speaks about his family but has at least three grandchildren, according to Russian media.

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Some of my family members, the little ones, speak Chinese too - they speak it fluently, Putin told pupils of Secondary School No. 20 in Kyzyl, Tuva, about 4,500 km (2,800 miles) east of Moscow.

Amid a growing partnership between China and Russia, Mandarin has been growing in popularity across Russia as a foreign language of choice, a trend Putin said was due to developing contacts across economics, politics and society.

Putin, who speaks fluent German but has also taken lessons to improve his English, said that pupils should not forget the importance of English.

English is a great language, it has given humanity a great deal in terms of combining knowledge and uniting people in the field of culture, and so on, Putin said.

Russian, English, Tatar, German and Chechen are the most widely spoken languages in Russia, according to the 2022 census. While Mandarin is spoken far less, it has been growing swiftly in popularity in recent years as a foreign language.

Putin and Chinas President Xi Jinping in May pledged a new era of partnership between the two most powerful rivals of the United States, which they cast as an aggressive Cold War hegemon sowing chaos across the world.

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China and Russia declared a no limits partnership in February 2022 when Putin visited Beijing just days before he sent tens of thousands of troops into Ukraine, triggering the deadliest land war in Europe since World War Two.

English is the worlds most spoken language with about 1.5 billion speakers, followed by Mandarin Chinese with about 1.1 billion speakers, and then Hindi, Spanish, Arabic, French, Bengali, Portuguese, Russian and Urdu, according to Ethnologue, a language research centre.
At least 10 top Russian defence officials have been arrested in April, including former Deputy Defence Minister Pavel Popov read more

At least 10 senior officials have been arrested since April in corruption cases in defence matters (Photo: Reuters)

Russia has detained another senior military official on suspicion of bribery, authorities said Monday, the latest in a string of arrests linked to alleged corruption in the defence ministry.

Major General Valery Muminjanov, who worked in the defence ministrys resources department, helped arrange state contracts for private companies that supplied army uniforms, according to investigators.

For the above assistance he received a bribe of a particularly large amount totalling over 20 million rubles ($223,000), Russias Investigative Committee said.

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During the investigation it was established that Muminjanov and his family members own numerous real estate properties in Moscow and Voronezh worth more than 120 million rubles, the legality of which is being checked, it added.

He faces up to 15 years in prison if convicted.

Moscow has arrested at least 10 military officials since April, part of what analysts have called a purge of inefficient or corrupt army leaders amid Russias Ukraine offensive.

In May, President Vladimir Putin replaced longtime defence minister Sergei Shoigu with Andrei Belousov, an economist, widely seen as a bid to make the armed forces more economically efficient.

The defence ministry has been marred by repeated corruption scandals since the collapse of the Soviet Union, a problem that has come under intense scrutiny since Moscow launched its offensive in Ukraine.

Last week, former deputy defence minister Pavel Popov was arrested on fraud charges linked to the construction of an army-themed amusement park outside Moscow.
The final investigation report of the Supreme Board of the General Staff of the Armed Forces on Iranian president Ebrahim Raisis helicopter crash said that the chopper followed the planned route and did not change its flight path read more

The helicopter which was carrying 63-year-old Iranian president Ebrahim Raisi crashed on May 19 primarily due to challenging climatic and atmospheric conditions, the country state TV said citing the final investigation report on the incident.

Raisi, a hardliner who was seen as a potential successor to Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, his foreign minister Hossein Amirabdollahian, and six others died in the crash in a remote mountainous area near Azerbaijan border.

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The main reason of the helicopter crash was complicated weather conditions in the region, Irans state TV cited the final report of the Supreme Board of the General Staff of the Armed Forces.

The report also mentioned the sudden appearance of a thick mass of dense fog moving upwards as the helicopter collided with the mountain.

It further said that there were no signs of sabotage in parts and systems and ruled out the possibility of the helicopter being targeted by offensive and defensive systems.

It also mentioned said that the parts and systems from the crashed helicopter - including engines, power transmission systems, fuel systems, and electronic equipment - were tested thoroughly by experts from the Ministry of Defence. Also, the possibility of the helicopter being targeted by offensive and defensive systems has been ruled out.

Also, a forensic committee conducted toxicological and pathological tests on the remains of the victims and the results indicated no suspicious findings.

The investigation report further said that the helicopter followed the planned route and did not change its flight path.

In May, the Irans army had also said it had found no evidence of criminal activity in the crash that killed Raisi and Hossein Amir-Abdollahian.

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The wreckage was found only on the morning of May 20.

Raisi was buried at the Imam Reza Mausoleum in Mashhad, his hometown, on May 23.

With inputs from agencies.
While Switzerland has maintained neutrality since 1515, a study committee recommended the countrys government work on a common defence capability with the EU and NATO read more

Amid the growing animosities between Russia and Europe, Switzerland is rethinking its centuries-long neutral stance over global conflicts. In a bombshell report published on Thursday, a group of experts urged the government to rethink its defence stance. While the country has maintained neutrality since 1515, the group encouraged the government to work on a common defence capability with the EU and NATO.

Since the Russian attack on Ukraine, neutrality has once again become the subject of political debate, both at home and abroad. Pressure on Switzerland to clarify its position is growing, read the report put forward by the countrys study commission.

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The group noted that Switzerlands neutrality has also negatively impacted the arms sales of the country. It also puts the European nation in a complicated spot to defend itself while being surrounded by two parties to which it doesnt belong.

The recommendations came months after Russias growing aggression in Ukraine prompted Sweden and Finland to ditch their neutrality and join the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO). The experts involved in the report included diplomats, senior officials, a former head of the Swiss army and Wolfgang Ischinger, the former director of the Munich Security Conference. Heres a look at some of its recommendations.

Allow arms exports

The group mentioned that Switzerlands arms exports fell last year by 27 per cent to less than 700 million Swiss francs (746 million) compared to 2022. One of the major reasons for the decline was the countrys strict arms export policies.

The country bans the sale of weapons to any countries involved in war. It also prohibits other countries from sending arms that have Swiss components in them, to a warring nation. The re-export ban must be lifted, urges the report.

Bern imposed the same restriction when the Russia-Ukraine war commenced. It took months of pressure for Switzerland to agree to ship surplus Leopard tanks to Germany to replace those sent to Ukraine. The experts noted that the country needs to gain access to the European Union and NATO armament programs to boost its own arms industry.

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Strengthening ties with the EU and NATO

The committee insisted that Switzerland has to get out of its neutral position and build ties with the EU and NATO. Interestingly, the report came months after the Swiss federal council, which runs the country, signalled a willingness to cuddle up to both NATO and the EU on security and defence.

On Wednesday, a Swiss delegation travelled to Luxembourg to hold talks with NATOs Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA). Meanwhile, the federal council also approved participation in two of the EUs Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO) projects, last month. One on military mobility that aims to facilitate border crossings and another one on cyber defence.

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Jean-Marc Rickli, the Geneva Centre for Security Policys head of global and emerging risks emphasised that Switzerland wants to prove its playing its part in case the neutral country needs military help from EU countries or NATO. Theres a reputational element of Switzerland potentially seen as a free rider who doesnt cooperate with European states, he told Politico.

If it wants to benefit from the help of its European partners, it has to give something back, he furthered.

The proposal might not sit well with everyone

The report garnered negative attention even before it was released. Opposition parties in the countries accused Swiss Defense and Security Minister Viola Amherd of appointing mainly NATO and EU enthusiasts to the experts committee. Amherd has already been under fire for the countrys increasingly close ties with NATO.

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In the report, the group insisted that the military expenditure of the country should at least reach 1 per cent of GDP by 2030. Currently, Berns defence sector gets a mere 0.76 per cent of GDP. The figure is far less than any NATO member except Iceland which does not have its own military.

The report stated that while the European nation has remained out of several conflicts, in recent years, it has become the target of hybrid warfare including disinformation, espionage and cyberattacks. Hence, the experts finally recommended that Switzerland should move towards global defence, meaning preparing the whole of society for a potential conflict

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On Thursday, the findings were delivered to Amherd, who is also president of the Confederation for 2024. The recommendation lays out plans for the countrys defence strategy for 2025.

With inputs from agencies.
Ko has denied wrongdoing in the case, which involves approvals given for a property project when he was mayor read more

Ko Wen-je, presidential candidate of Taiwan People's Party (TPP), looks on during the day of a press conference ahead of the presidential and parliamentary elections, in Taipei, Taiwan January 12, 2024. File Image: AP

A court on Monday released a former mayor of Taipei who now heads a small opposition party after he was arrested in a graft probe of a major property development in the Taiwanese capital, saying there was a lack of evidence.

Ko Wen-je, mayor from 2014 to 2022 and who came third in Januarys presidential election, was arrested on Saturday after investigators raided his home and his Taiwan Peoples Party (TPP) and questioned him for hours.

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Ko has denied wrongdoing in the case, which involves approvals given for a property project when he was mayor.

Speaking to reporters and supporters after being released, Ko reiterated that he had done nothing wrong and said there was no reason for the raid by the prosecutors.

I dont understand the aim, he said.

Taipei prosecutors said they will appeal the courts decision.

In a separate case, Ko and the TPP have also acknowledged that campaign funds during the presidential campaign were misreported. Ko said last week he would temporarily step down as party chairman while that case is investigated and apologised to party supporters.

Ko has been widely expected by Taiwan media to seek the presidency again at the next election in 2028. But opinion polls have shown that the campaign fund scandal in particular has hammered support for him and the TPP, which he founded in 2019 in an attempt to create a third force in Taiwanese politics.

The TPP has only eight lawmakers in Taiwans 113-seat parliament but has an outsized role as neither the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) nor the largest opposition party, the Kuomintang (KMT), has a majority.

The TPP and KMT joined forces this year to push through reforms to give parliament greater oversight power prompting mass protests. Those reforms, opposed by President Lai Ching-tes DPP, are being reviewed by Taiwans constitutional court.
The probe will examine whether it had been abetting distribution of sexually explicit deepfake content, Yonhap said, quoting the head of the National Office of Investigation read more

Telegram chatrooms are being used in South Korea to share deepfake pornographic content targeting young women. Representational Image/Reuters

South Korean police have launched an investigation into the messaging platform Telegram over deepfake online sex crimes, Yonhap news agency reported on Monday, citing a senior police official.

The probe will examine whether it had been abetting distribution of sexually explicit deepfake content, Yonhap said, quoting the head of the National Office of Investigation.

An official at the National Police Agencys cyber investigation bureau declined to confirm the report when reached by telephone.

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South Korean authorities have called on Telegram and other social media platforms for cooperation in fighting sexually explicit deepfake content.

The steps follow reports by several domestic media outlets that sexually explicit deepfake images and videos of South Korean women were often found in Telegram chatrooms.

Telegram could not immediately be reached for comment but the company last week said it actively moderates harmful content on its platform including illegal pornography.

Moderators use a combination of proactive monitoring of public parts of the platform, sophisticated AI tools and user reports in order to remove millions of pieces of harmful content each day, it said in a statement.
Tunisian authorities have placed presidential candidate Ayachi Zammel in police custody on suspicion of lying about details of his campaign for next months election, local media reported Monday read more

Tunisian authorities have placed presidential candidate Ayachi Zammel in police custody on suspicion of lying about details of his campaign for next months election, local media reported Monday.

The prosecutors office in Manouba, west of Tunis, ordered that Zammel be placed in police custody for 48 hours alongside a manager from his electoral campaign, the media reported.

The prosecutors office did not reply to AFPs request for comment.

Zammel, one of two candidates approved to challenge President Kais Saied on the October 6 poll, was arrested outside the capital Tunis on Monday morning, campaigner Mahdi Abdeljaouad told Mosaique FM radio.

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He was suspected of forging endorsement signatures required under Tunisian law to show he had enough support to stand for election, according to his campaign.

Saied, who is seeking a second term, won power in a 2019 election but orchestrated a sweeping power grab in 2021 and has since ruled by decree.

Later in the day, the electoral board, ISIE, said it upheld its rejection of three other candidates whose appeals were granted by the countrys administrative court last week.

The court had allowed the previously dismissed hopefuls to join the race in a verdict it called definitive.

But on Monday, ISIE chief Farouk Bouasker said the boards initial list of candidates was also definitive and not subject to appeal.

The treasurer of Zammels Azimoun party was also arrested last month on charges of forging ballot signatures.

To appear on the ballot, candidates are required to present a list of signatures either from 10,000 registered voters, 10 parliamentarians or 40 local officials.

Several would-be candidates have been accused of forging these signatures.

HRW has said at least eight prospective candidates have been prosecuted, convicted or imprisoned.

On Saturday, a petition signed by prominent Tunisians and civil society groups urged that rejected candidates be allowed to stand in the presidential election.

The rejected candidates whose appeals were granted are Imed Daimi, an adviser to former president Moncef Marzouki, former minister Mondher Zenaidi and opposition party leader Abdellatif Mekki.

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The petition said the administrative courts rulings on appeals are enforceable and cannot be contested by any means whatsoever.

It also called on ISIE to respect the law and avoid any practice that could undermine the transparency and integrity of the electoral process.

But ISIEs announcement of the official list of candidates on Monday dashed such hopes.
Israels foreign minister Israel Katz reacted to the statement saying that his country was disappointed by a series of decisions made by the UK government including to suspend arms export licences to Israel. read more

Following a review of arms sales to Israel, the United Kingdom has suspended 30 arms sale licences to Israel, announced British Foreign Secretary David Lammy.

As the ongoing Israel-Hamas War has killed several thousands of Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip, the British government has been under pressure regarding arms sales to Israel.

Speaking in the House of Commons, Lammy on Monday said the British government has decided to suspend 30 of the total 350 arms sale licences to Israel.

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Lammy said that the rules state that the government will not issue export licences if there is a clear risk that the items might be used to commit or facilitate serious violations of international humanitarian law. He said that as certain arm sales carried the risk, their licenses have been suspended.

It is with regret I inform the House today the assessment I have received has been unable to conclude anything other than that with certain UK arms exports to Israel, there does exist a clear risk that they would be used to commit or facilitate serious violations of international humanitarian law, said Lammy.

BREAKING: Foreign secretary David Lammy has announced the UK will halt some arms sales to Israel.



 https://t.co/5yJERprJZK



 Sky 501, Virgin 602, Freeview 233 and YouTube pic.twitter.com/IQU0FWYTzs  Sky News (@SkyNews) September 2, 2024

Lammy said that the now-suspended arm sales were meant to be used in Gaza and comprised those used by military aircraft, including fighter planes, military helicopters, and military drones.

However, Israels foreign minister, Israel Katz, said his country was disappointed by a series of decisions made by the UK government after the announcement that it was suspending 30 arms export licences to Israel.

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Katz said the move sends a very problematic message to Hamas and its patrons in Iran, Reuters reported.

Deeply disheartened to learn of the sanctions placed by the U.K. Government on export licenses to Israels defense establishment. This comes at a time when we fight a war on 7 different fronts - a war that was launched by a savage terrorist organization, unprovoked. At a time    - Yoav Gallant (@yoavgallant) September 2, 2024

Throughout the war in Gaza, which is now in its 11th month, Israel has been criticised the world over for its bombing campaign that has flattened large swathes of Gaza and killed thousands of civilians. In May, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu admitted that more civilians have been killed in Gaza than terrorists. He said the civilian deaths were more than twice that of terrorists deaths.

Weve killed about 14,000 terrorists. Unfortunately, because of the fact they use human shield, theres slightly bigger number about 16,000 for civilians that were killed in places where terrorists will not let them leave, said Netanyahu in an interview with Dr Phil, an American chat-show host.

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This is notable admission from #Netanyahu:



* Civilian death toll (16K) outnumbers terrorists' (14K)



* #Gaza's Total toll (32K), as per Netanyahu, is not very far from the figures that #Hamas-run authorities have released (35K in latest bulletin)  Madhur Sharma (@madhur_mrt) May 12, 2024

The terrorist group Hamas-run Gazan authorities say that more than 40,000 Palestinians have been killed in the war so far. The figures by Hamas-run authorities do not differentiate between civilians and terrorists deaths.
Russia launched an overnight barrage of drones and cruise and ballistic missiles at Kyiv on Monday as children were returning to school across Ukraine, according to reports. read more

Schoolgirls sing the national anthem on the first day at school in a cadet lyceum in Kyiv, Ukraine, Monday, Sept. 2, 2024. - AP

As the new academic year commences, children in Kharkiv, Ukraines second-largest city, attended classes in an underground school due to relentless Russian bombardment.

Despite the challenging situation, students in Kharkiv celebrated the first day of school, a stark contrast to the violence unfolding elsewhere in the city. A Russian strike on the same day injured 13 people. At the same time, another attack on Friday resulted in seven fatalities and dozens of injuries when a glide bomb struck a residential high-rise building.

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Kharkivs schools have been teaching children online since the start of Russias full-scale invasion in February 2022. The northeastern city has been near the front lines of fighting throughout the ensuing war.

Only one Kharkiv school, purpose-built in May 2024 in an underground metro station, offers in-person lessons.

On Monday, it held the traditional first day of school festivities that are commonplace in Ukraine and other post-Soviet states, with parents bringing bouquets and children arriving in their best clothes.

We brought them here because we thought it is safe and our children wont be afraid of missiles and strikes, said Tetiana Hubina, a mother of a first-year student starting school.

They will be safe here, she said.

Wide swathes of Kharkiv, whose population is around 1.3 million, were devastated by heavy shelling in 2022 as Russian forces bore down on the city. Although Ukraine managed to beat that assault back, Kharkiv remains just 30 kilometres (18 miles) from the Russian border and is regularly struck by bombs and missiles.

We are more worried about the time that we spend at home. It was not quiet recently in the area where we live, said Alina Patrusheva, a mother of one of the children at the underground school.

After more than 900 days of war, Russia and Ukraine show no sign of letting up in the fight or moving closer to the negotiating table. Both sides are pursuing ambitious ground offensives, with the Ukrainians driving into Russias Kursk region and the Russians pushing deeper into the Donetsk region of eastern Ukraine which is part of the industrial Donbas region.

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With inputs from agencies.
Jacksons support came after some of her colleagues on the bench have faced scrutiny over failure to disclose luxury gifts and trips read more

US Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson said that she would be open to considering supporting an enforceable mechanism of the Supreme Courts code of ethics. In a candid interview with CBS News, Jackson touched upon her time in the apex court and reacted to US President Joe Bidens push for a binding code of ethics for the justices.

She also expressed displeasure over the courts controversial judgement to grant broad immunity to former US President Donald Trump. Jacksons support came after some of her colleagues on the bench have faced scrutiny over failure to disclose luxury gifts and trips.

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So, you know, a binding code of ethics is pretty standard for judges. And so I guess the question is, Is the Supreme Court any different? And I guess I have not seen a persuasive reason as to why the court is different than the other courts, Jackson told CBS News in the interview which aired on Sunday.

When asked further, if she would support an enforcement mechanism for the implementation of the codes, the Supreme Court justice gave an affirmative response. I am considering supporting it as a general matter. Im not gonna get into commenting on particular policy proposals. But from my perspective, I dont have any problem with an enforceable code, she added.

Jackson on Trumps immunity case

During the interview, the US Judge also lamented over her conservative colleagues decision to grant broad immunity to Trump at a time when he is facing a plethora of legal cases. She noted that the immunity is essentially protecting one individual under one set of circumstances when we have a criminal justice system that had ordinarily treated everyone the same.

I mean that was my view of what the court determined, Jackson said in the pre-recorded conversation. I was concerned, she remarked. The court  declared for the first time in history that the most powerful official in the United States can (under circumstances yet to be fully determined) become a law unto himself.

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The comments came after she joined fellow liberals Elena Kagan and Sonia Sotomayor in voting against the immunity ruling, handed down by the court as Trump seeks a second presidential term while grappling with a host of legal battles. However, the recent push to block the judgment was overruled by the Supreme Courts conservative supermajority  Samuel Alito, Amy Coney Barrett, Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh, John Roberts and Clarence Thomas. Out of these justices, Trump appointed Barrett, Gorsuch and Kavanaugh to the apex court.

The push to make ethics code enforceable

Last month, Supreme Court Justice Elena Kagan called for a way to enforce the Supreme Courts code of ethics. While speaking at an annual judicial conference held by the 9th Circuit last month, the US judge said that the establishment of the system makes sense.

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Both in terms of enforcing the rules against people who have violated them but also in protecting people who havent violated them  I think a system like that would make sense, Kagan said, according to the AP. Last year, the US Supreme Court adopted a code of ethics. However, the decision did not include an enforcement mechanism.

Following this, in July, US President Joe Biden unveiled a three-pronged proposal which also included the introduction of term limits for Supreme Court judges along with a binding code of ethics.

With inputs from agencies.
The US has seized the airplane of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in the Dominican Republic after finding that its acquisition was in violation of US sanctions and was linked to other criminal activities read more

The US has seized the airplane of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in the Dominican Republic after finding that its acquisition was in violation of US sanctions and was linked to other criminal activities.

According to a CNN report, citing two US officials, the aircraft was transported to Florida on Monday.

The latest development has further strained the long-standing tense ties between the US and Venezuela. The planes seizure is a significant escalation as the US probes alleged corrupt practices within Venezuelas government, added the report.

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The officials have described the plane as Venezuelas version of Air Force One, saying that it has featured prominently in state visits by Maduro worldwide.

This sends a message all the way up to the top, CNN quoted one of the US officials as saying.

Seizing the foreign head of states plane is unheard-of for criminal matters. Were sending a clear message here that no one is above the law, no one is above the reach of US sanctions, added the official.

According to the report, CNN has reached out to the Venezuelan Government, US Department of Homeland Security, Department of Justice, and State Department for comments.

The situation in Venezuela has had implications for US politics as millions flee the country, many of whom have chosen to migrate to the US-Mexico border.

For years, US officials have sought to disrupt the flow of billions of dollars to the regime.

The seized plane, a $13 million Dassault Falcon 900, was recently in the Dominican Republic, presenting an opportunity for the US to act. The seizure involved multiple federal agencies, including Homeland Security Investigations, Commerce, and the Justice Department, in coordination with the Dominican Republic.

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According to the report, citing one of the US officials, US worked closely with the Dominican Republic, which notified Venezuela of the seizure.

Upon arrival in the US, the plane will be subject to forfeiture proceedings and evidence collection. The US has pressured Venezuela for election data and reimposed oil and gas sanctions after the controversial reelection of Maduro on July 28.

Federal agencies have targeted Venezuelan corruption, disrupting $2 billion in illicit resources. In March 2020, the Justice Department charged Maduro and 14 officials with narco-terrorism and corruption.

For more than 20 years, Maduro and a number of high-ranking colleagues allegedly conspired with (Colombian left-wing guerrillaa) the FARC, causing tons of cocaine to enter and devastate American communities, CNN quoted then-Attorney General William Barr as saying at the time.

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According to the CNN report, the State Departments Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs has offered a reward of up to $15 million for information leading to Maduros arrest or conviction.

In 2017, two nephews of Maduros wife Cilia Flores, were sentenced to 18 years in prison by a federal court in New York City for attempting to smuggle up to 800 kg of cocaine into the US on a private jet. They were later released by the US in a prisoner exchange in 2022.

We see these officials and the Maduro regime basically fleecing the Venezuelan people for their own gain, the US official was quoted as saying.

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You have people who cant even afford a loaf of bread there and then you have the president of Venezuela jetting around in a high-class private jet, the official added.

Poor economic conditions, food shortages, and limited access to healthcare have driven more than 7.7 million people to flee Venezuela, resulting in the largest displacement in the Western Hemisphere.

With inputs from agencies
CCTV: In a joint letter to President Xi Jinping, 63 scholars from 50 African countries highly commended the historic achievements of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) and said they keenly look forward to the upcoming FOCAC Summit. In his reply letter, President Xi Jinping expressed the hope that they will continue to offer important intellectual support for building a high-quality China-Africa community with a shared future and upholding the common interests of the Global South. Some of those African scholars said that President Xi Jinpings reply letter shows the importance China attaches to academic exchanges with Africa, and that people-to-people exchanges have contributed to Africa-China dialogue and cooperation. How does China view the role of people-to-people exchanges in the development of China-Africa relations?



Mao Ning: China and Africa share a long-standing friendship and our two peoples enjoy natural affinity. As President Xi Jinping said in the reply letter, China and Africa have always been a community with a shared future.

People-to-people exchange is part and parcel of China-Africa cooperation in the new era. Thanks to joint efforts, the two sides have had fruitful education cooperation, expanded the variety and range of cultural exchanges and continued the long tradition of exchanges between the Chinese and African civilizations. Mutual understanding and friendship between our two peoples have further deepened. Inspiring events such as the China-Africa Youth Festival and Shared space, China-Africa dreams provide fresh impetus to China-Africa friendship.

China believes the upcoming FOCAC Summit will further strengthen the cultural bond, write a new chapter of understanding and affinity between the Chinese and African people, and give a strong boost to the relations and building of a community with a shared future between China and Africa.

AFP: Chinese authorities repeatedly said that the recent collisions between Chinese and Philippine coast guard ships in the South China Sea are entirely the Philippines fault. And both sides have released video footage now of the relevant collisions in the last few days, but these videos do clearly seem to show the front of the Chinese coast guard ship colliding with the side or back of a Filipino coast guard ship. So is this truly unintentional? Is this not intentional ramming on the part of the Chinese side? Can the Foreign Ministry explain the actions of the Chinese coast guard boats in these situations? And does China still hold the Philippines entirely responsible for these collisions?



Mao Ning: Xianbin Jiao is part of Chinas Nansha Qundao. On August 31, the Philippine Coast Guard vessel, which has been illegally anchoring in the lagoon of Xianbin Jiao for weeks now, acted unprofessionally and dangerously by deliberately ramming China Coast Guard vessel which was there to safeguard Chinas sovereignty and lawful rights, resulting in the collision of the vessels. The Chinese side responded with necessary measures in accordance with the law, which was fully justified, lawful and beyond reproach.

The Philippines moves gravely infringe upon Chinas sovereignty and violate international law and the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC). China asks the Philippines to immediately withdraw the vessel illegally anchored in the lagoon, and stop infringement activities and provocations at once. China will continue to take resolute measures in accordance with law to safeguard our territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests, and uphold the sanctity and effectiveness of the DOC. Meanwhile, we are ready to maintain dialogue and communication with the Philippines through diplomatic channels to properly address relevant issues and put the maritime situation under control.

AFP: I just want to follow up because it sounds as though the Chinese sides position is unchanged. So Im just curious how would the Philippine ship deliberately ram the front of the Chinese boat from the back or from the side. Why would the Philippine sailors expose themselves to that sort of danger? The Foreign Ministry must be aware of the footage itself. So how do you explain what you say is the Philippines actions in this regard?



Mao Ning: Xianbin Jiao is part of Chinas Nansha Qundao. The Philippines sent its Coast Guard vessel to the lagoon of Xianbin Jiao which has been illegally anchored there for many days now in an attempt to permanently occupy the area. This is the root cause of the current escalatory situation at Xianbin Jiao. The measures China took at Xianbin Jiao are aimed at protecting its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests. They are fully legitimate and lawful.

Reuters: Bloomberg reported that China has threatened severe economic retaliation against Japan if Tokyo further restricts sales and servicing of chip-making equipment to Chinese firms. Senior Chinese officials have repeatedly outlined that position according to the report. Could the Ministry comment on this? Will these discussions target Japans access to critical minerals used in automotive production?



Mao Ning: I am not sure where that report came from. China is committed to keeping the global industrial and supply chains secure and stable, and has kept our export control measures just, reasonable and non-discriminatory. Certain country, in order to perpetuate its supremacy, has been turning normal economic cooperation and trade into political and security issues, co-opting other countries to join the tech blockade against China and deliberately disrupting global industrial and supply chains. China firmly rejects this. We hope relevant countries will uphold market principles and the spirit of contract, say no to economic coercion, and jointly uphold the stability of the global industrial and supply chains.

China News Service: The EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell recently said that the West needs to recognize the success of the Chinese system and that the different European and Chinese political systems and the differences in many issues should not push us into a systematic confrontation, and the two sides must be partners. Borrell noted Chinas rise is a fact and to oppose ourselves to the rise of China as a power is impossible. Borrell stressed as China and the US are competing with each other, the EU must bear in mind its own interest and act in its own way. Whats Chinas comment?



Mao Ning: China commends High Representative Josep Borrell for his objective understanding of Chinas development and his positive remarks on China-EU relations.

China will stay committed to the development path it has chosen, which is a path completely different from that of traditional powers. Chinas development adds to the force for global peace, stability and progress. Chinas development is integral to the growth of developing countries as a whole and a just endeavor for better human development. On this particular front, China needs the world, and the world needs China.

China attaches great importance to China-EU relations, and believes that in the context of China-EU relations, the two sides should be characterized rightly as partners, not rivals. Cooperation, rather than competition, should be the defining feature of the relationship, autonomy, rather than reliance, its key value, and win-win, rather than confrontation, its future. The 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China recently held its third plenary session with a focus on further deepening reform across the board, building a high-standard socialist market economy, and improving the institutions and mechanisms for high-standard opening up. This will provide more opportunities for Europes prosperity and China-EU cooperation. China is ready to be the EUs key partner in economic and trade cooperation, priority partner in scientific and technological cooperation, and reliable partner in industrial and supply chain cooperation. The EU is welcome to share the opportunities provided by Chinas mega-sized market and take an active part in Chinas high-standard and institutional opening up.

Next year marks the 50th anniversary of China-EU diplomatic relations. China stands ready to work with the EU to remain each others partners, deepen strategic communication, carry out dialogue and cooperation, properly settle differences and frictions, in particular deepen cultural and people-to-people exchangeswe expect to find people who will follow Marco Polos steps in the new era, and make sure the China-EU relations will become more stable and constructive, deliver more mutual benefit and contribute more globally. By working together, China and the EU can and will contribute more to the wellbeing of the two peoples and a stable and prosperous world.

Yonhap News Agency: Senior official from the office of the ROK President said yesterday that after the ROK-China-Japan trilateral summit meeting and the ROK-China leaders meeting in May in Seoul, there has been ongoing high-level exchanges between the ROK and China. The official added that China also intends to restore its ties with the ROK and if the relationship is restored, it is believed that Chinese leader will perhaps visit the ROK. Whats Chinas response?



Mao Ning: I noted the media reports. China and the ROK are close neighbors and each others important cooperation partners. Advancing the sound and steady growth of China-ROK relations serves the common interests of the two countries. High-level exchanges play an important role in growing relations between countries. They require sound preparation, a favorable atmosphere, and sufficient potential deliverables. On future high-level exchanges between the two sides, I have nothing specific to share.

Ukrinform News Agency: Russian Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergei Ryabkov yesterday in a comment to the TASS News Agency stated that Russia will make changes to its nuclear doctrine in response to the so-called escalation course of the West. This has no doubt that its about intention to further expand the possibilities for the use of nuclear weapons. How do you comment on such a statement with threats of nuclear weapons?



Mao Ning: We noted the media report. China has been very clear that nuclear weapons should not be used and nuclear war must not be fought. In January 2022, the leaders of the five nuclear-weapon states released the Joint Statement on Preventing Nuclear War and Avoiding Arms Races, which stated that a nuclear war cannot be won and must never be fought. Under the current circumstances, all parties must exercise calm and restraint, and jointly seek to cool down the situation through dialogue and consultation to reduce strategic risks.

Global Times: The US State Department issued days ago a statement marking the second anniversary of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Assessment on the Human Rights Situation in Xinjiang and attacked the human rights situation in Xinjiang. Whats Chinas comments?



Mao Ning: The US statement lacks factual basis and its accusations are wrong and false. The statement is a blatant interference in Chinas internal affairs, and a malicious attack on Chinas Xinjiang policy. China deplores and opposes it, and has protested to the US. The so-called assessment report is a patchwork of disinformation invented by the US and some in the West as a political tool to strategically use Xinjiang to contain China, and is illegal, null and void. The 51st session of the Human Rights Council voted down a Xinjiang-related draft decision tabled by the US and a few other Western countries. That says a lot about the worlds attitude on the assessment report. The US keeps using the assessment report to make an issue. That fully reveals their calculation of using Xinjiang-related disinformation to contain and suppress China and makes it clear enough that they themselves are the ones behind this false report.

Of all people, the people in Xinjiang, whatever their ethnic backgrounds, are in the best position to tell the world what the human rights conditions are like in Xinjiang. Xinjiang today enjoys social stability and economic growth and the people there live a happy life. It is enjoying development progress like never before, and Chinas Xinjiang policy is widely supported by the people. The USs attempt to undermine Xinjiang is bound to fail. We urge the US to stop such attempts at once, stop using Xinjiang-related issues to interfere in Chinas internal affairs and harm Chinas interests, and stop propagating lies about Xinjiang.

AFP: Japan has said that a Chinese naval ship sailed through its territorial waters on Saturday. This incident has been just a few days after a Chinese surveillance aircraft is alleged to have briefly entered Japanese airspace. How does China explain the latest incidents with the alleged ship incursion? Was that incident also unintentional on the Chinese sides part? And are these incidents part of a more deliberate pattern by China? Whether were talking about contested parts of the East China Sea, or contested parts of the South China Sea, there seems to be an increasing amount of alleged violations by the Chinese side in these areas. Im wondering if that means that the Chinese side is trying to step up the pressure a little bit in these areas?



Mao Ning: Pursuant to relevant UNCLOS articles, the Tokara Strait can be sured for international navigation, and by sailing through the strait, the Chinese vessel was exercising its right of transit passage, which is fully lawful and legitimate. Regarding Japans claim about the entry of a Chinese military airplane into Japanese airspace, the Chinese side responded to the question and made its position clear last week. There is no need to arbitrarily link or interpret them. China remains firmly committed to the peace and stability in this region.

Bloomberg: Just on the FOCAC. I just wanted to see if you could help me with the size and scope. Previously it was said by MOFA official that the upcoming FOCAC is the largest diplomatic event in recent years. I was just wondering if you could maybe add some specifics to that? Is this largest in terms of the number of foreign leaders? And also can you specify since what year? This kind of details is helpful for us to put it into context.



Mao Ning: Thank you for your interest in the FOCAC Beijing Summit. FOCAC is a platform for China-Africa friendly cooperation and consists of China, 53 African countries and the African Union Commission. African leaders attach great importance to the cooperation under the framework of the forum. The FOCAC Summit has always been a large gathering of African leaders. Please stay tuned to find out what exactly this years attendance will be and other specifics of this years summit.

Bloomberg: Id just like to ask about the news of the killing over the weekend of the six hostages in Gaza, including one American national. Does the Foreign Ministry have any comment on this development?



Mao Ning: China expresses deep regret for the death of the six captives. The pressing imperative is to fully implement relevant UN Security Council resolutions, bring about an immediate ceasefire, and create conditions for the early release of those held captive. We will continue working with the international community to play a constructive role in efforts towards deescalation.
On the morning of September 2, 2024, President Xi Jinping met at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing with Malian President Colonel Assimi Goita, who is in China for the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). The two heads of state announced the elevation of the China-Mali relationship to a strategic partnership.

Xi Jinping pointed out that the China-Mali friendship was personally forged by the elder generation of leaders of the two countries. Sixty years ago, the two sides issued a joint communique, which for the first time included China's eight principles in foreign aid, advocating respect for national sovereignty, development of an independent economy and non-interference in internal affairs. These principles not only serve as a guide for the long-term friendly cooperation between China and Mali, but also set the tone for China-Africa cooperation in promoting the establishment of a new international order. Under the current circumstances, China is ready to carry forward traditional friendship with Mali, continue to firmly support each other, and provide support within its capacity for Mali's economic development and improvement of people's livelihood. China will continue to encourage Chinese companies to invest in Mali, and deepen cooperation in agriculture, energy, mineral development, infrastructure construction and other fields. China hopes that Mali will provide security guarantees and policy facilitation for Chinese companies.

Xi Jinping stressed that China has always supported the African people in independently deciding their future and destiny, and is ready to work with Mali and other African countries to support each other and jointly pursue modernization paths suited to their respective national conditions. This FOCAC summit is dedicated to drawing a new blueprint for China-Africa cooperation in the new era, advancing modernization together, and building a high-level China-Africa community with a shared future. China is ready to work with Mali and other parties to make the summit a complete success.

Colonel Assimi Goita thanked China for hosting this FOCAC summit and for the warm and friendly reception. The people of Mali and China enjoy a brotherly friendship and bilateral cooperation is sincere and pragmatic. He thanked China for providing various and valuable assistance to Mali's economic and social development. Mali hopes to further consolidate the friendship with China, elevate the strategic partnership, and deepen mutually beneficial cooperation in agriculture, energy, mining, security and other areas. There is but one China in the world, and Mali firmly pursues the one-China principle. Both Mali and China respect national sovereignty and independence and oppose interference in other countries' internal affairs. Mali appreciates China's efforts and contributions to promoting regional and world peace and development and looks forward to closer multilateral cooperation with China.

Wang Yi was present at the meeting.
Qualcomm has silently announced the Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 SoC in the Snapdragon 6 series, after introducing the Snapdragon 6s Gen 3 in June.

The Kryo CPU promises 10% improved CPU performance, the Adreno GPU promises over 30% better performance and the Hexagon NPU promises 20% better AI performance from the Qualcomm AI Engine compared to the predecessor Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 from 2022. The company has skipped the Snapdragon 6 Gen 2.

It still has triple 12-bit ISPs and Qualcomm FastConnect 6700 offering 802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6E) and Bluetooth 5.2 with dual antennas and NFC.

Highlights of Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 (SM6475)

4 x Kryo Performance CPUs (Cortex A78-based) at up to 2.4GHz, 4x Kryo Efficiency CPUs (Cortex A55-based) at up to 1.8GHz

4nm (Samsung 4LPX) process technology

Built-in Qualcomm Snapdragon 5G modem-RF system, 5G mmWave and sub-6 GHz

5G download speeds of up to 2.9Gpbs

Qualcomm Adreno GPU, OpenGL ES 3.2, OpenCL 2.0 FP, Vulkan 1.1

Hardware-accelerated H.265 and VP9 decoder; HDR Playback Codec support for HLG

Qualcomm Aqstic audio codec, New Qualcomm Aqstic smart speaker amplifier, Total Harmonic Distortion + Noise (THD+N), Playback: -108dB, Snapdragon Sound Technology Suite

Up to 16 MP triple camera, Up to 32+16 MP dual camera, Up to 48 MP single camera with ZSL, Up to 200MP Photo Capture, Qualcomm Spectra Image Sensor Processor (Triple 12-bit ISPs)

On-Device Display Support: FHD+ @ 120 Hz

4K HDR Video Capture + 48 MP Photo Capture, HEVC video capture, Video Capture Formats: HEVC, H.264, 4K HDR Video Capture @ 30 FPS, Slow-mo video capture at 720p at 240 FPS

Qualcomm Hexagon NPU: Fused AI Accelerator, Hexagon Tensor Accelerator, Hexagon Vector eXtensions, Hexagon Scalar Accelerator, Support for mix precision (INT8, and INT16), Qualcom Sensing Hub

LPDDR5 up to 3200 MHz, LPDDR4x up to 2100 MHz, up to 12 GB

Wi-Fi 6E, 802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6) Multi-gigabit, Integrated 802.11ax, 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz and 6GHz, Bluetooth 5.2, LE Audio, LE Audio, Snapdragon Sound Technology Suite, with support for Qualcomm aptX Voice, aptX Lossless,

aptX Adaptive, NFC

aptX Adaptive, NFC GPS, Glonass, BeiDou, Galileo, QZSS, NavIC capable, Dual Frequency GNSS (L1/L5), Sensor-Assisted Positioning: Urban pedestrian navigation with sidewalk accuracy, Global freeway lane-level vehicle navigation

USB-C 3.1 Gen 2, UFS 3.1

Qualcomm Quick Charge 4+ technology

Availability

Qualcomm has not officially revealed any details about the availability of the Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 SoC, but we can expect it to power devices starting from Q4 2024.
The Union Cabinet today approved the proposal of Kaynes Semicon Pvt Ltd to set up a semiconductor unit in Sanand, Gujarat with an investment of Rs 3,300 crore.

This unit will have a capacity of 60 lakh chips per day and will cater to various applications like industrial, automotive, and consumer electronics.

The government launched Programme for Development of Semiconductors and Display Manufacturing Ecosystem in India on 21.12.2021, with a total investment of Rs. 76,000 crore.

Back in June 2023, the Union Cabinet had approved the first proposal for setting up a semiconductor unit in Sanand, Gujarat. Earlier this year, the Union Cabinet authorized the establishment of three semiconductor units as part of the initiative.

Semiconductor Fab by Tata Electronics Private Limited (TEPL) and Powerchip Semiconductor Manufacturing Corp (PSMC) will be built in Dholera, Gujarat, with an investment of Rs.91,000 crore.

Semiconductor ATMP Unit by Tata Semiconductor Assembly and Test Pvt Ltd (TSAT) in Assam will be set up at an investment of Rs.27,000 crore and Semiconductor ATMP Unit for Specialized Chips by CG Power, Renesas Electronics Corporation, and Stars Microelectronics will be established in Sanand, Gujarat, with an investment of Rs.7,600 crore.

Construction of all 4 semiconductor units is progressing at a rapid pace and a robust semiconductor ecosystem is emerging near the units, said the government.

These 4 units will bring an investment of almost Rs 1.5 Lakh crore. The cumulative capacity of these units is about 7 crore chips per day, it added.
Overloaded truck parking lots along Germanys highways are a huge challenge for transportation companies, as they are required to factor available parking and strict driving time requirements into their route scheduling. Nationwide road haulage, logistics, and disposal association Bundesverband Guterkraftverkehr, Logistik und Entsorgung (BGL) e. V. puts the shortfall of parking spaces on and around highways in Germany at 40,000. And that figure is rising. Finding a regular truck parking space for mandated rest periods is a constant headache for drivers. With parking spaces so hard to find, the search alone can often take so long that drivers run the risk of violating driving time regulations, which can bring hefty fines or even cost them their license. And often, overcrowding at rest stops leads drivers to park illegally and even dangerously. The Smart Optimized Lorry Parking, or SOLP, project aims to address this issue. Researchers from Fraunhofer HHI are working with BLUE Consult GmbH, KRAVAG, and SVG Assekuranz Service GmbH to develop an AI-supported prediction tool for truck drivers and shipping companies to provide information about available public and private parking spaces. The solution is intended to help make it easier for truck drivers to find a place to park and utilize existing space more efficiently, thereby preventing accidents and improving the flow of traffic on the highways. The project is receiving funding from the German Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport (BMDV) as part of the mFUND innovation initiative.

Unlike previous approaches, the SOLP recommendation system does not consider the relevant route as a static sequence of roads and parking lots. Instead, it calculates a dynamic forecast of potentially usable parking spaces based on interdependent factors including traffic density, parking space availability, and driving and rest times. The innovation consists in displaying a recommendation with regard to truck parking lot occupancy levels along the route so drivers can proceed directly and quickly to those spots with an eye to legal requirements, says Thomas Meiers, a scientist at Fraunhofer HHI in Berlin. He and his team are responsible for the AI modeling.

Color-coded display shows parking space occupancy

The system supplies color-coded information on available parking. The AI-supported digital recommendation tool is built into either an app or an on-board unit, where it displays parking lot occupancy along a drivers route using color coding. Red stands for a fully occupied rest stop, yellow for tolerated parking, and green for available rest stop space. Forecasts are updated every 15 minutes for the next two hours. The AI is trained with information on the location and features of induction loops, which count the number of vehicles passing through, and parking spaces within the highway network, with traffic flow data from induction loops and telematics and parking lot occupancy data. To produce a forecast, the current information is then analyzed and linked in real time with the routes traveled by truck drivers.

As the next step, the pilot application is to be tested by selected truck drivers in various states around Germany before the system is rolled out nationwide. The project partners objectives include improving the efficiency of parking lot occupancy and reducing the risk of traffic jams. The innovative AI forecast is also intended to prevent accidents due to improper parking in parking lot entrances. The smart parking space search assistant will also significantly ease the burden on truck drivers, giving them a way to comply with legal break time requirements and helping to reduce stress. Logistics companies will be able to plan their deliveries more reliably while conserving fuel and cutting costs.


Iti doresti o presa libera si independenta, care nu da inapoi cand vine vorba de respectarea standardelor profesionale, refuza sa se lase cenzurata, sustine independenta justitiei, transparenta decizionala si valorile democratice. Alege sa o sustii.
Welcome to my genealogy blog. Genea-Musings features genealogy research tips and techniques, genealogy news items and commentary, genealogy humor, San Diego genealogy society news, family history research and some family history stories from the keyboard of Randy Seaver (of Chula Vista CA), who thinks that Genealogy Research Is really FUN! Copyright (c) Randall J. Seaver, 2006-2024.
Peking Duk's Bunnings Warehouse rave was an absolute banger this weekend, and we're straight-up manifesting for an NZ version ASAP.

ICYMI - Aussie legends Peking Duk teamed up with DJs Whatsonot, Kaila, and a crew of locals to host at an actual Bunnings Warehouse in Melbourne over the weekend.

The dream gig came about from Aussie producer Kaila, who created the absolute banger that is the 'Bunnings Warehouse Kaila Remix' on TikTok.

After the track went viral and captured the attention of both the Peking Duk lads and Bunnings, the rave was ON with a whopping 1,000 tickets sold out in just four minutes.

The Bunnings crew were on the tools cooking snags, and the mosh was full for the most incredible 3-hour rave ever to exist - IMO

Here are the best moments from the Bunnings Warehouse rave:

Bunnings Remix

Of course, the star of the show has to be the track that kicked the whole thing off!

Peking Duk spun the viral track and LED rave sticks and phones were up ready to capture the glorious moment.

The crowd nailing the iconic 'do-do-ru-do-do-do' bit from the jingle has to be the night's most iconic moment.

And of course, it couldn't just have one moment to shine, the man himself Kaila had to play his viral track alongside Whatsonot - and it went nuts!

On the tools

Aside from your classic saussie sizzle hosted by the Bunnings staff, punters brought the tools to celebrate the special occasion.

I couldn't tell ya if these tongs were snagged at the snag station, or if they made the journey from home, but either way, the utensil stood out, glistening in the shine of the rave lights.

Kick ons

Like all great parties, they must continue. DJ Whatsonot grabbed a whole bunch of local acts to join him at kick ons at Melbourne's PICA industrial centre.

It quite genuinely might be the largest afters we've ever seen!

"Melbourne that Rave was biblical," Peking Duk wrote on an Instagram recap.

The whole thing quite genuinely will be going down in the Aussie rave hall of fame. I don't know if they could top that.

But I reckon if they ever came to NZ we'd give it a freaking good run for its money!
Biden's meeting with the negotiators on the hostage-release deal comes after the deaths on Saturday of six captives in Gaza
Rules for implementing state secret law come into effect

Global Times

Tech innovation encouraged to address info breach

By Fan Anqi Published: Sep 01, 2024 10:41 PM

A new set of rules for implementing China's Law on Guarding State Secrets took effect on Sunday, further refining the management of classified information, encouraging technological innovation in this field and enhancing cyberspace management to avoid information breach.

Chinese Premier Li Qiang signed a decree of the State Council to unveil the regulations on July 22, consisting of six chapters and 74 articles, aiming to ensure the effective implementation of the newly revised Law on Guarding State Secrets.

A special clause on the Communist Party of China's leadership in confidentiality work is added to the regulation, further emphasizing the adherence to and strengthening of the Party leadership, improving the system and mechanism of Party leadership, and specifying the responsibilities of central and local levels of relevant institutions. This will ensure confidentiality work follows the correct political direction, a spokesperson with the National Administration of State Secrets Protection said.

It also specified the requirements to establish and promptly update a list of state secrets, as well as clarifying the responsibilities of designated personnel, while outlining specific scenarios for derivative classification.

The "list of state secrets" is one of the highlights of the new regulations, which clearly and visually lists state secret contents, classification levels, confidentiality periods, scope of knowledge and the basis for classification, Liu Changsong, a lawyer from the Beijing Mugong Law Firm, told the Global Times on Sunday.

Furthermore, it clarifies the scope and specific responsibilities of individuals accountable for classification, help prevent issues such as shirking responsibilities due to unclear definition of duties, Liu said.

Meng Bo, a lawyer at Beijing Jingsh Law Firm, added that another highlight of this regulation is the management of network information and data confidentiality, strengthening the confidentiality management of network usage. This management clarifies the obligation of network operators to cooperate in investigating and alerting on confidentiality violations, and enhances the data confidentiality management system.

"These are important measures to adapt to the era of informatization and digitalization, effectively protecting information and data security," Meng told the Global Times.

Responding to Western media hypes that the new regulation could "scare away" foreign enterprises in China, Liu said such "worries" are completely unnecessary.

"It only makes it clearer for foreign enterprises to understand what areas involve China's national security concerns and which do not," Liu noted.

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September 1, 2024

Release

Readout of Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III's Call With Israeli Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant

Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh provided the following readout:

Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III spoke with Israeli Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant today.

Secretary Austin and Minister Gallant discussed Israel's recovery of the remains of six hostages in Gaza murdered by Hamas, including the 23-year-old American citizen Hersh Goldberg-Polin. The Secretary passed along his deepest condolences to the families of all of the slain hostages, and he expressed outrage at their vicious, illegal, and immoral execution at the hands of Hamas. The Secretary affirmed that Hamas leaders must be held accountable for their crimes. And Secretary Austin and Minister Gallant reaffirmed their mutual commitment to swiftly reaching a ceasefire deal to secure the release of all of the hostages.

Secretary Austin also conveyed his condolences for three Israeli police officers killed in an apparent terrorist attack in the West Bank this morning and expressed his concern over rising tensions and increased terrorist activity there this week.

https://www.defense.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/3891924/

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US Navy aircraft spotted during Philippine provocation at Xianbin Jiao: report

Global Times

Experts slam Manila, Washington for repeated trouble-stirring in South China Sea

By Liu Xuanzun Published: Sep 01, 2024 10:20 PM Updated: Sep 01, 2024 11:15 PM

A US Navy patrol aircraft was reportedly spotted as a Philippine Coast Guard ship rammed into a China Coast Guard (CCG) vessel in the lagoon of China's Xianbin Jiao in the South China Sea on Saturday, with experts saying the US plane serves as encouragement for the Philippines to conduct bolder and riskier provocations.

The Philippine Coast Guard ship MRRV-9701, which has been illegally stationed at China's Xianbin Jiao, on Saturday lifted its anchor and conducted continuous maneuvers, stirring up troubles in the lagoon of Xianbin Jiao. CCG Vessel 5205 took measures including verbal warnings, monitoring and control in accordance with the law and regulations, Liu Dejun, a CCG spokesperson, said in a statement on Saturday.

In the process, the Philippine MRRV-9701 deliberately rammed into CCG Vessel 5205 in an unprofessional and dangerous manner, causing a collision for which the Philippines bears full responsibility, Liu said.

Liu demanded the Philippines to immediately withdraw its ship from the Chinese reef.

The CCG also released a video showing the Philippine ship sailing into the path of the Chinese vessel, causing the collusion.

The Philippines has repeatedly attempted to send supplies to the MRRV-9701 that has been illegally anchored in the lagoon of China's Xianbin Jiao since April, first using ships then using a helicopter, marking serious violations to China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests, as well as the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea.

The latest movement by the MRRV-9701 showed that, unlike the Philippines' old warship illegally grounded at China's Ren'ai Jiao, the MRRV-9701 is capable of moving on its own, observers said.

Xue Chen, a research fellow at Shanghai Institutes for International Studies, told the Global Times that if the MRRV-9701 runs short of supplies, it should withdraw from Xianbin Jiao and return to the Philippines.

It exposed that the Philippine ship's deployment at Xianbin Jiao is aimed at creating a false concept to smear China in the international community, with the aim of violating China's sovereignty, Xue said.

During the incident, a US Navy P-8A maritime patrol aircraft was spotted on-site disrupting the CCG's law enforcement operations, according to Yuyuan Tantian, a social media account affiliated with state broadcaster China Central Television.

A Beijing-based military expert who requested anonymity told the Global Times on Sunday that the US military aircraft could gather intelligence and potentially carry out jamming on Chinese vessels.

The P-8A's presence serves as an encouragement to the Philippines to conduct harder provocations, the expert said, noting that US aircraft could also serve as an aerial military "journalist" contributing to its scheme of throwing mud on China.

Such moves will only sabotage peace and stability in the South China Sea, experts said, predicting new rounds of provocations by the Philippines in near future, backed by the US.

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Press Briefing by IDF Spokesperson RAdm. Daniel Hagari- September 1, 2024

IDF Press Release

September 1, 2024

01.09.24

IDF

This morning, our hearts are broken alongside the families of Ori Danino, Alex Lobanov, Almog Sarusi, Hersh Goldberg-Polin, Carmel Gat, and Eden Yerushalmi, may their memories be a blessing.

A few hours ago, we informed the families that the bodies of their loved ones had been located by IDF troops in an underground tunnel in Rafah. According to our initial assessment, they were brutally murdered by Hamas terrorists shortly before we reached them.

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 Alkadi a few days ago. 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. 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.

Last night, IDF troops located and retrieved the bodies of the hostages from the tunnel and brought them to Israeli territory for further identification. After the process, which was conducted by medical officials and the Lahav 443 Unit of the Israel Police, IDF representatives informed the families.

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



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Israelis plan general strike as protesters demand Gaza truce deal

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Sep 1, 2024

Tehran, IRNA -- Israelis have packed streets across the occupied territories to demand a truce deal for the release of captives still held in Gaza, while planning a general strike to increase pressure on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to accept an agreement with Hamas.

Protests erupted on Sunday night in different cities including Tel Aviv, Haifa and occupied Al-Quds.

In Tel Aviv alone, 300,000 people were estimated to attend, with some blocking a major highway. Police used water cannons to disperse the crowd. Arrests were also made in Haifa.

The demonstrations took place after the Israeli military said that it had located and recovered the bodies of six captives in the southern Gaza Strip on Saturday.

The protesters urged Netanyahu to urgently accept a deal with the Palestinian Hamas Resistance Movement for a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of the remaining captives.

The Sunday demonstrations were among the biggest rallies in Israel in the past months since Hamas captured some 250 people, including Israelis and non-Israelis, during its October 7 Al-Aqsa Storm Operation on southern Israeli-occupied territories.

Dozens of captives have already been released, while around 100 remain in Gaza.

Israelis blame Netanyahu for the prolonged captivity of their loved ones, as he insists on his demand for keeping the regime's control of Philadelphi corridor, a 14-kilometer area along Gaza-Egypt border. Netanyahu is accused of blocking a ceasefire-captive deal by setting Israel's maintaining control of the Philadelphi corridor as a condition for any such deal.

Israel's largest labor union has called for a general strike beginning on Monday to increase pressure on Netanyahu, saying that the entire Israeli economy will shut down. Opposition leader Yair Lapid is said to be among those calling for the strike action.

Meanwhile, a senior Hamas official has said that the six captives had been killed by Israeli fire and bombing.

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Netanyahu, Biden responsible for deaths of captives: Hamas

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Sep 1, 2024

Tehran, IRNA -- The Palestinian resistance movement Hamas blamed Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Joe Biden for the deaths of captives in Gaza.

According to the Palestine Information Center, a member of the Hamas Political Bureau Izzat al-Rishq stressed on Sunday that the responsibility for the death of captives held by the resistance in Gaza lies with the Zionist regime's cabinet, which insists on keeping up the genocide and evading the ceasefire agreement, as well as the US administration because of its support for the Israeli regime and its participation in the war against the people of Gaza.

Al-Rishq went on to say that if President Biden cares about the lives of the captives, he should stop providing financial and military support to the Israeli regime and put pressure on the regime to stop the war immediately.

He argued that those who will pay the price for 11 months of brutal crimes and genocide against the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip are Netanyahu, his hardline cabinet, and all the supporters of the war against Gaza.

The Hamas official holds the US administration and President Biden personally responsible for the daily crimes of the Israeli occupying regime and the genocide in Gaza, as a result of which more than 150,000 people have been martyred and injured, 69% of whom are women and children.

On Sunday morning, the regime's army announced the discovery of the bodies of six captives in Rafah, who were captured on October 7, 2023, during Operation Al-Aqsa Storm. The White House announced that one of the dead captives was an American.

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Anti-Israel operation kills 3 Zionists in southern West Bank

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Sep 1, 2024

Tehran, IRNA -- Three Israeli policemen have been killed and some others injured in a shooting operation near the southern West Bank city of al-Khalil.

According to reports, the fighters of the Palestinian resistance movement Hamas targeted a vehicle in al-Khalil on Sunday.

Also, Israeli radio reported that a Hamas shooting operation took place at a checkpoint in the southern West Bank, in the west of the Jordan River.

Hamas's two operations near two Zionist settlements in the north of al-Khalil carry a clear message that the resistance will fight powerfully as long as the Israeli regime continues aggression against the Palestinians, the resistance movement said in a statement.

The Al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades, the military wing of the Fatah movement, has claimed responsibility for a dual attack on Friday in the Israeli settlement of Gush Etzion in al-Khalil.

According to a report on Sunday by Al-Mayadeen, the Al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades said that the purpose of this martyrdom operation, carried out by two Palestinian youths was to avenge the blood of Palestinian martyrs and respond to the Israeli crimes in Gaza and the West Bank.

It also emphasized that Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank can expect nothing from Palestinian fighters but death, bullets, and gunpowder.

Since the start of the war in Gaza last October, at least 40,700 Palestinians, mostly women and children, have been killed in the enclave.

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Israeli airstrikes kill 8 Palestinians in Gaza

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Sep 1, 2024

Tehran, IRNA -- Eight Palestinians have been killed after the Israeli regime's airstrikes against the Gaza Strip.

According to the Sunday report of some news outlets, six Palestinians were killed after Israel bombarded southern Gaza and two others after bombarding the Jabalia camp in northern Gaza.

Also, major attacks were carried out by the regime's army against the northwest of Rafah in southern Gaza, the Palestinian Samaa news agency reported.

According to the Health Ministry of Palestine, the death toll from the Gaza war passed 40,700 in the past 330 days.

After 11 months of massacre in Gaza, Israel has not yet achieved its two goals which were the annihilation of the Palestinian resistance movement Hamas and the release of the Israeli captives.

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PM Netanyahu: "Whoever murders hostages - does not want a deal."

Israel - Prime Minister's Office

Press Releases

The 37th Government

01.09.2024

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:

Carmel Gat,

Eden Yerushalmi,

Hersh Goldberg-Polin,

Alexander Lobanov,

Almog Sarusi,

and Master-Sergeant Ori Danino.

May G-d avenge them.

Together with the entire nation, my wife and I share in the families' deep mourning.

I would like to express deep appreciation for our forces, for the brave IDF soldiers and ISA fighters, who risked their lives in order to return our sons and daughters.

I say to the Hamas terrorists who murdered our hostages and I say to their leaders: You will pay the price. We will not rest, nor will be silent. We will pursue you, we will find you and we will settle accounts with you.

Citizens of Israel,

We are fighting on all fronts against a brutal enemy who wants to murder us all. Only this morning, it murdered three police officers in Hebron. My wife and I send heartfelt condolences to their families.

We saw the inconceivable brutality of the Hamas murderers on October 7 and we have seen it again in the tunnels under Rafah.

The fact that Hamas is continuing to perpetrate atrocities like those it carried out on October 7 requires us to do everything so that it will be unable to perpetrate these atrocities again.

Citizens of Israel,

Our efforts to free our hostages are continuing constantly. Since December, Hamas has refused to hold genuine negotiations.

Three months ago, on May 27, Israel agreed to a hostage release deal with full backing from the US. Hamas refused.

Even after the US updated the deal framework on August 16 - we agreed, and Hamas again refused.

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.

For our part, we will not relent. The Government of Israel is committed, and I am personally committed, to continue striving toward a deal that will return all of our hostages and ensure our security and our existence."

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PBBM orders peaceful resolution of maritime dispute - NMC

Philippine News Agency

By Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos

September 1, 2024, 7:53 am

MANILA -- President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Saturday maintained his stance to pursue "peaceful" resolution of disputes in the contested waters, including the West Philippine Sea (WPS), despite China's latest aggression in Escoda Shoal.

"As directed by the President, the Philippines will fully utilize and continue to pursue diplomatic channels and mechanisms under the rules-based international order and pursue the peaceful resolution of disputes," the National Maritime Council (NMC) said in a statement.

The NMC, nevertheless, assured the public that the Philippines "will not succumb to acts of harassment and aggressive behavior."

It said the Philippines would continue upholding its sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction in the WPS.

"China's latest actions are uncalled for as the Philippine vessel was engaged in a peaceful and lawful patrol within its own maritime jurisdiction," the NMC said.

In a press briefing, Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Commodore Jay Tarriela said Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) vessel 5205 "deliberately" rammed PCG vessel BRP Teresa Magbanua (MRRV-9701) thrice in the vicinity of Escoda Shoal.

The CCG vessel's aggressive maneuver endangered lives and caused significant damage to BRP Teresa Magbanua while conducting routine patrols within the Philippines' exclusive economic zone.

The NMC asserted that the presence of BRP Teresa Magbanua in Escoda Shoal, which lies just 75 nautical miles from the Philippine baselines, is "legal and is in accordance with international law, the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the 2016 Arbitral Award."

The NMC called on the CCG to "exercise restraint and prioritize the safety of vessels at sea and aircraft within our airspace".

"The Philippines will continue its sovereign operations in its maritime zones. The BRP Teresa Magbanua will remain and maintain its operations in the West Philippine Sea," it said, adding that the Philippines would continue carrying out its routine maritime activities, protecting its territory and maritime zones, and defending its waters against environmental degradation and other illegal activities.

Stronger measure

House of Representatives Speaker Martin Romualdez backed the commitment to peace but urged stronger measures to protect the country and its sovereignty.

"The Philippines remains committed to dialogue and a peaceful resolution, but we also stand ready to safeguard our sovereignty. We call for respect, and we are determined to meet any challenges that may arise," he said in a news release.

It is about time that stronger measures must be considered, he said.

"We should enhance our presence in the [WPS], reinforce our alliances, and ensure that our capabilities are sufficient to protect our sovereign rights," he added.

He also urged all Filipinos to stand for the country, its future and sovereignty.

At the same time, Romualdez appealed to the international community to hold China accountable for its actions, urging the Department of Foreign Affairs to escalate the issue to the highest levels of global diplomacy. (With a report from Zaldy De Layola/PNA)

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Sept 1: 'Axis of Resistance' operations against Israeli occupation

Iran Press TV

Sunday, 01 September 2024 11:49 PM

By Press TV Website Staff

Amid Israel's genocidal war on Gaza, which has killed at least 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 Sunday, September 1, are as follows:

Al-Qassam Brigades' operations on Sept 1:

- Ambushed an Israeli infantry force after it advanced toward a house where resistance fighters were present in the Al-Damj neighborhood of Jenin camp in the occupied West Bank. This followed intense clashes with occupation forces using light weapons.

Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades' operations on Sept 1:

- Targeted Israeli military personnel and vehicles positioned along the "Netzarim" axis with two 107mm rockets and heavy-caliber mortar shells.

- Engaged in fierce clashes with Israeli forces near the Cinema Roundabout in central Jenin, occupied West Bank, using machine guns and explosive devices.

- Engaged in intense confrontations with Israeli forces that had penetrated Kafr Dan, Al-Yamoun, and Al-Sila Al-Harithiya areas of Jenin, occupied West Bank, using machine guns and explosive devices.

- Clashed fiercely with Israeli forces storming the Mahawer area in central Al-Khalil, occupied West Bank, using machine guns.

- Targeted a gathering of Israeli soldiers along the "Netzarim" axis with a 107mm rocket.

- In a joint operation with the Mujahideen Brigades, targeted Israeli soldiers advancing in the Zaytoun neighborhood east of Gaza City with 60mm mortar shells.

- Engaged in fierce clashes with Israeli forces that had penetrated combat zones in the city of Jenin and its camp, occupied West Bank, using machine guns and explosive devices.

Al-Quds Brigades' operations on Sept 1:

- Engaged in fierce clashes with Israeli forces on combat fronts in Jenin, occupied West Bank, launching heavy bursts of gunfire at Israeli infantry.

- Detonated a pre-prepared explosive device against Israeli occupation forces near the Tawalbeh Mosque in Jenin, occupied West Bank, followed by a barrage of gunfire at regime forces across various battlefronts.

Mujahideen Brigades' operations on Sept 1:

- In a joint operation with the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, targeted gatherings of Israeli forces advancing in the Al-Zaytoun neighborhood southeast of Gaza City with 60mm mortar shells.

- Targeted Israeli forces along the "Netzarim" axis with a Haseb-111 rocket.

Al-Nasser Salah Al-Din Brigades' Operations on Sept 1:

- In a joint operation with the Al-Qassam Brigades, targeted an Israeli military bulldozer of the "D9" type with a tandem warhead near Al-Quds Open University in the Tal al-Sultan neighborhood west of Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip.

Hezbollah's operations on Sept 1:

- Targeted surveillance equipment at the Ruwaysat al-Alam site in Lebanon's Kfar Shuba with appropriate weaponry.

- Targeted Israeli soldiers near the Kafrioufal checkpoint with appropriate weapons.

- Launched rockets at Israeli soldiers near the Al-Marj site.

- Targeted surveillance equipment at the Hadab Yaroun site with a drone.

- Attacked the Jal Al-Alam site with artillery shells.

- Targeted the Ramia site with artillery shells.

- Launched rockets at the Samaka site in Lebanon's Kfar Shouba.

- Targeted Israeli military buildings in the Manara settlement.

- Targeted Israeli military buildings in the Shtula settlement with rockets.

- Fired rockets at the 8200 Intelligence Battalion of the Galilee Division in the Meitat barracks.

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Aug 31: 'Axis of Resistance' operations against Israeli occupation

Iran Press TV

Sunday, 01 September 2024 5:46 AM

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 Saturday, August 31, are as follows:

Al-Qassam Brigades' operations on August 31:

In a joint operation with Al-Nasser Salah Al-Din Brigades, targeted an Israeli military D9 military bulldozer with a tandem shell in the vicinity of Al-Quds Open University in Tal Al-Sultan neighborhood, west of the city of Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip.

Targeted an Israeli military force in the town of Kafr Dan, west of the city of Jenin in the occupied West Bank, with appropriate weapons.

Al-Quds Brigades' operations on August 31:

Targeted Israeli forces on the Al-Mayhoub axis in the city of Jenin, occupied West Bank, with a heavy barrage of bullets.

In a joint operation with Al-Qassam Brigades, sniped an Israeli soldier in the area of advance in Al-Zaytoun neighborhood in Gaza City.

In a joint operation with the Martyr Omar Al-Qasim Forces, targeted Israeli soldiers and their military vehicles in the "Netzarim" axis with a number of heavy-caliber mortar shells.

Sniped an Israeli soldier in the vicinity of the Saqallah Mosque on Tutah Street south of Al-Zaytoun neighborhood in Gaza City.

Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades' operations on August 31:

Targeted a gathering of Israeli occupation forces that stormed the new Askar Camp in the city of Nablus, occupied West Bank, using highly explosive devices.

Targeted gatherings of Israeli soldiers in the "Fajjah" military site with a barrage of K132 rockets and 144 mm caliber shells.

Targeted the supply lines of the Israeli forces on the "Netzarim" axis with an Asif rocket.

Engaged in fierce clashes with the Israeli forces that had penetrated the Al-Damj neighborhood in the city of Jenin, occupied West Bank, using machine guns.

Killed an Israeli soldier in the well-executed ambush in the Al-Damj neighborhood area of Jenin Camp, occupied West Bank.

Engaged in fierce clashes with Israeli forces that had penetrated the town of Kafr Dan, south of Jenin, using machine guns and explosive devices.

Mujahideen Brigades' operations on August 31:

Targeted an Israeli infantry force in the vicinity of Jenin camp - Horse Roundabout - with machine guns and fired directly on the members of the force.

Martyr Omar Al-Qasim Forces' operations on August 31:

In a joint operation with Al-Quds Brigades, targeted a gathering of Israeli soldiers and their military vehicles in the west of the "Netzarim" axis with a number of heavy-caliber mortar shells

Targeted a gathering of Israeli forces that had infiltrated the vicinity of Salah al-Din Gate in central Rafah, southern Gaza Strip, with mortar shells.

Hezbollah's operations on August 31:

Targeted the Al-Marj site with rockets.

Carrier out an aerial attack with a squadron of attack drones on the command center of the "Sahel" Battalion at the "Beit Hillel" base.

Targeted the Birkat Risha site with appropriate weapons.

Targeted the "Branit" barracks with rockets.

Targeted the Zebdine site in the occupied Lebanese Shebaa Farms with rockets.

Targeted the Ramtha site in the occupied Lebanese Kfar Shuba Hills with rockets.

Yemeni military's operations on August 31:

Carried out a military operation targeting the ship "GROTON" in the Gulf of Aden with missiles and drones as it violated the decision prohibiting entry of vessels into the ports of occupied Palestine.

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Retaliatory operation near al-Khalil 'natural response' to Israeli crimes: Palestinian factions

Iran Press TV

Sunday, 01 September 2024 2:31 PM

Palestinian factions have praised the resistance fighters for their recent retaliatory shooting operation in the southern occupied West Bank city of al-Khalil, describing it as a "natural response" to the massacres and acts of genocide committed by the Israeli regime against Palestinians.

The factions made the remarks in separate statements released on Sunday after three Israeli police officers were killed in a drive-by shooting at the Tarqumiya checkpoint, west of al-Khalil, earlier in the day.

The Palestinian resistance movement Hamas asserted that Palestinians will continue "their path of jihad and resistance" against Israel until their complete liberation from the regime's occupation and aggression, stressing that Israel's crimes against Palestinians will only make the resistance grow stronger.

The Popular Resistance Committees (PRC) echoed Hamas's statement, saying that the latest operation at the Tarqumiya checkpoint affirms the resistance's "strength, significant effectiveness, innovative resilience, and legendary steadfastness."

The Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) also noted that the operation "proves the enemy's helplessness in the face of the resistance and redefines equations of deterrence in the West Bank."

It added that this operation sends a strong message to Israel "that the train of resistance operations is moving relentlessly, and no one can stop it."

Fatah al-Intifada, another Palestinian resistance movement, said the operation demonstrates "the determination of our resistance and its ability to strike the enemy with full force and precision."

It also stressed that this operation "sends a message of defiance that there will be no security or stability" for the occupying regime as long as it continues its crimes against Palestinians.

On Sunday, Palestinian resistance fighters targeted a vehicle near the Tarqumiya checkpoint, leaving two Israeli police officers dead and another seriously injured who later succumbed to his wounds.

An Israeli security source said several gunmen opened fire toward a car on Route 35, and that the occupation forces are in pursuit of the shooters.

The Palestinians who carried out the operation managed to flee the scene despite significant Israeli security and military presence in the area.

The operation comes amid heightened tensions in the West Bank caused by an ongoing Israeli aggression in the occupied territory.

On Wednesday, the Israeli army launched its largest military offensive since 2002 in the cities of Tulkarm and Jenin, as well as in the al-Far'a refugee camp near Tubas, killing 22 Palestinians, according to Palestinian figures.

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 675 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.

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Supporting Hezbollah constitutes Iran's core policy, says FM Araqchi

Iran Press TV

Sunday, 01 September 2024 2:20 PM

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi says the country's core policy is based on the continuation of support for the Lebanese resistance movement Hezbollah.

Araqchi made the remarks on Sunday in a meeting with Abdullah Safioddin, the representative of Hezbollah in Iran.

He expressed Iran's support for the resistance front and the legitimate fight of regional nations against the Israeli regime's occupation.

Safioddin, for his part, said Hezbollah chief Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah and other officials have extended their congratulations to Araqchi over his appointment as Iran's new foreign minister.

During the meeting, the top Iranian diplomat and Hezbollah representative discussed the latest developments in the region, particularly the resistance front's battle against Israel in Lebanon, and the ongoing incidents in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank.

In a meeting with Iran's former acting foreign minister Ali Bagheri Kani back in June, Nasrallah expressed his gratitude to Iran for its "steadfast" support for peoples and resistance movements in the region in defiance of sanctions and threats.

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Israeli forces keep targeting ambulances in West Bank amid 'alarming' incursion: MSF

Iran Press TV

Sunday, 01 September 2024 2:09 PM

Israeli forces delay people's access to care by obstructing access to health facilities, blocking traffic and targeting ambulances in the West Bank city of Jenin, amid the regime's deadly assault on the city that has entered its fifth day, says Doctors Without Borders.

The international organization, known by its French initials MSF, said in a statement on social media platform X that the regime's brutal assault on Jenin is "alarming."

The charity said that "in the MSF-supported Khalil Suleiman Hospital, which has been surrounded by Israeli Forces since the start of the incursion, electricity and water supplies are compromised."

"The medical team has been forced to halt dialysis operations, key for the treatment of kidney failure."

"Israel must adhere to its obligations as an occupying power in the West Bank, including access to medical care. Hospitals, ambulances and the medical humanitarian mission must be respected and protected," MSF said.

On Saturday, the Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) said Israeli troops fired at one of its ambulances in Jenin, despite its entry was coordinated ahead of time.

Israel's invasion of the West Bank, the largest seen in the city in decades, has killed at least 24 people since Wednesday.

The UN human rights office, (OHCHR) has warned that the regime's hostilities in the West Bank risked further enflaming an "already explosive situation," in the territory.

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Hamas says Israeli airstrikes killed six captives in southern Gaza

Iran Press TV

Sunday, 01 September 2024 11:04 AM

A high-ranking official with the Palestinian Hamas resistance movement says the six Israeli captives found dead in a tunnel in the southern Gaza Strip were killed in Israeli airstrikes against the besieged coastal territory.

"The ones who kill our people daily are the Israeli colonizers with American weapons. The captives found in Gaza were not killed by us but by the relentless Zionist bombardment," Izzat al-Rishq, a member of the political bureau of Hamas, said in a statement on Sunday.

He further criticized the United States, saying, "If President [Joe] Biden truly cares about the lives of Israeli hostages, he should cease his support for this enemy with money and weapons and pressure Israel to end its aggression immediately."

Rishq emphasized that Hamas had been more concerned about the lives of the hostages than Biden himself, citing Hamas's agreement to a ceasefire proposal and the UN Security Council's resolution, both of which were rejected by Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Earlier on Sunday, Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, the Israeli military spokesperson, alleged that Hamas murdered the six captives, whose bodies were found inside a tunnel in the southern Gaza city of Rafah.

The Israeli army identified them as 23-year-old Hersh Goldberg-Polin, Ori Danino, 25; Eden Yerushalmi, 24; Almog Sarusi, 27; Alexander Lobanov, 33; and Carmel Gat, 40.

Hamas has offered to release Israeli captives in return for an end to the genocidal war on Gaza, the withdrawal of Israeli forces and the release of a large number of Palestinian prisoners.

Netanyahu has taken a tough line in Gaza ceasefire negotiations, and repeatedly said that military pressure is needed to bring home the captives.

According to Israeli media, he has feuded with the regime's high-profile officials who have said a deal should be struck urgently.

Hamas has said that dozens of captives were killed by Israeli airstrikes targeting Gaza.

Israel launched the war on Gaza on October 7 last year after Palestinian resistance groups carried out a surprise retaliatory operation into the occupied territories.

So far, the regime has killed at least 40,691 Gazans, most of them women, children, and adolescents. Another 94,060 Palestinians have sustained injuries as well.

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Israeli forces destroyed over 70% of Jenin's streets, infrastructure, says municipality

Iran Press TV

Sunday, 01 September 2024 9:57 AM

Israeli forces have destroyed more than half of the streets and essential infrastructure in the occupied northern West Bank city of Jenin during their ongoing offensive, leaving residents in dire conditions, according to the local municipality in Jenin.

Bashir Matahen, Director of Public Relations and Media at the Jenin Municipality, told the official Palestinian news agency WAFA on Saturday that Israeli troops have completely demolished more than 70% of the city's streets to a depth of nearly one to 1.5 meters.

The demolition of roads, Matahen said, has destroyed water and sewage networks, as well as communication and electricity outages in many districts.

He added that water supplies have been cut off for 80% of Jenin and the entire refugee camp due to the destruction of networks and that the technical teams have been unable to reach these networks to redirect them to other areas.

"The municipality teams are unable to access the damaged network areas despite several attempts... They were subjected to gunfire from the occupying (Israeli) forces," Matahen noted.

He also pointed out that the Israeli forces "have burned parts of the central vegetable market in the city, and initial estimates indicate extensive damage."

"Israeli actions have also led to the destruction of hundreds of houses and vehicles."

Jenin Government Hospital halts dialysis services amid Israeli aggression

Moreover, the Jenin Government Hospital announced on Sunday the suspension of its dialysis services due to ongoing disruptions in essential supplies caused by the Israeli military offensive in the city.

In a press statement, the hospital explained that it had to take the decision because of a prolonged power outage.

Israeli forces have damaged the electricity supply line to the medical facility, and the backup generators have been running continuously for the past four days.

This came a day after the Israeli military blocked water trucks from reaching the hospital.

According to the Palestinian news agency WAFA, Israeli forces stopped water tankers from the Jenin Civil Defense from reaching the medical center.

Dargham Zakarneh, Director of the Jenin Civil Defense Center, said Israeli soldiers stationed at Jenin Government Hospital's gate blocked the water delivery.

He highlighted that the hospital's kidney dialysis department requires a daily 100 cubic meters of water to operate.

On Wednesday, the Israeli army launched its largest military offensive since 2002 in the cities of Tulkarm and Jenin, as well as in the al-Far'a refugee camp near Tubas, killing 22 Palestinians, according to Palestinian figures.

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 675 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.

At least 40,691 Palestinians, most of them women and children, have also been killed in the Israeli genocidal war against the Gaza Strip during the past 11 months.

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Israel's deadly onslaught on West Bank shifts into high gear

Iran Press TV

Sunday, 01 September 2024 8:06 AM

The Israeli occupation forces have killed two young Palestinian men and shot a child in a violent raid on the West Bank city of Jenin and its refugee camp as the regime's onslaught drags on in the northern area for the past consecutive days.

Israeli soldiers killed Mohammad Amin Talal Abdullah, 19, and Amjad Mustafa Ibrahim Saleh, 23, in the Jenin refugee camp on Saturday afternoon, according to a statement by the Palestinian Health Ministry.

The spokesperson for the Palestinian Red Crescent Society (PRCS), Ahmad Jibril, said earlier in the day that the occupation forces had prevented paramedics from evacuating the bodies of the two slain men from the camp.

Local media also reported that the Israeli soldiers had confiscated the bodies of the two young Palestinians and taken them to an unknown location.

The Israeli forces had shot a child in the head with live ammunition in Jenin and the child was later transported to the hospital for treatment, PRCS said.

Reports indicate that Israeli forces have launched a large offensive across the northern occupied West Bank over the past few days, attacking three cities - Jenin, Tulkarm, and Tubas - from land and air and killing more than 20 Palestinians.

The Israeli occupation forces have maintained a tight siege on Jenin city and its camp, sending in additional reinforcements, including bulldozers and front-end loaders.

Media sources said the forces detained several citizens in the al-Damj neighborhood of the Jenin refugee camp, using them as human shields, amid the intense fire of live ammunition.

Sources added that the al-Damj neighborhood has been subjected to a total siege and bulldozers have destroyed roads and vital infrastructure.

In the eastern neighborhood of the city, Israeli forces conducted a large-scale search campaign, invading and searching many citizens' homes, while bulldozers continued to destroy roads and parts of citizens' homes.

Bashir Matahin, the director of public relations and media in Jenin Municipality, was quoted by the official Palestinian news agency WAFA as saying that the occupation forces have destroyed 70% of the city's streets.

Matahin added that the bulldozers destroyed water and sewage networks, in addition to communication and electricity networks.

He also said that occupation forces burned several commercial stalls at the central vegetable market in the city, causing severe damage.

On Saturday evening, the Israeli soldiers injured an unspecified number of Palestinians in a violent raid and armed settlers also attacked cars near the city of al-Khalil (Hebron) in southern West Bank.

Media sources said several Israeli military jeeps invaded the al-Arroub refugee camp north of al-Khalil and fired rubber-coated steel bullets, gas bombs, and concussion grenades, causing scores of Palestinians to suffer the effects of tear gas inhalation.

In Halhoul town north of al-Khalil, a group of Israeli settlers from the Karmie Tzur illegal colony attacked many cars and caused damage.

Elsewhere in the occupied West Bank, Israeli soldiers on Saturday night shot a Palestinian teenager with a live round in the back in the Askar refugee camp, east of Nablus.

The PRCS reported that its crews dealt with a 17-year-old who was shot in the back, with the medics treating the wounded before transferring him to a hospital in Nablus.

The teenager was shot after many Israeli military vehicles, accompanied by an armored bulldozer, invaded the refugee camp and destroyed infrastructure, leading to protests.

The latest fatalities brought the tally of Palestinians killed by Israeli forces in the Jenin, Tulkarm, and Tubas governorates since the dawn of Wednesday to 22.

The heightened tensions in the occupied West Bank come as the Israeli regime has since October last year been conducting a barbaric onslaught on the besieged Gaza Strip, claiming the lives of more than 40,000 people, most of them women and children.

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Three Israelis killed in retaliatory shooting operation near al-Khalil

Iran Press TV

Sunday, 01 September 2024 5:41 AM

At least three Israeli policemen have been killed in a retaliatory shooting operation near the southern West Bank city of al-Khalil.

The attack took place close to the checkpoint in Tarqumiyah city on Sunday morning.

Two officers were killed at the scene and the third succumbed to injuries later at the hospital.

An Israeli security source said several gunmen opened fire toward a car on Route 35, and that the occupation forces are in pursuit of the shooters.

According to Israeli media, the gunmen opened fire from a passing vehicle at the police car, before fleeing the scene on foot.

The shooting comes amid heightened tensions in the West Bank caused by an ongoing Israeli aggression in the occupied territory.

In the early hours of Wednesday, the Israeli army conducted its biggest operation - dubbed "Camps of Summer" - in the West Bank in over 20 years, deploying hundreds of troops and airstrikes on Jenin, Tulkarem, and Tubas, which are major centers of Palestinian resistance against the usurping entity.

So far, at least 22 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli raids and strikes in several West Bank towns, and many more sustained injuries.

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Israeli commander killed during West Bank escalation

Iran Press TV

Sunday, 01 September 2024 12:48 AM

An Israeli military commander has been killed during the regime's now-four-day-old deadly escalation across the occupied West Bank.

In a statement on Saturday, the Israeli army said 20-year-old Elkana Navon "fell during operational activity" in the city of Jenin in northern West Bank earlier in the day, describing the fatality as a "squad commander."

Another trooper was "severely injured" in the same incident, it added.

The statement described the incident as an encounter that took place between the Israeli forces, who had invaded a house in the city's refugee camp, and Palestinian resistance fighters.

Saturday marked the fourth day of the escalation by the regime, which has seen its forces bringing various areas across the West Bank, especially those lying in its northern parts, under intensified airstrikes and ground attacks.

Also on Saturday, Herzi Halevi, Israeli army chief of staff, who was visiting Jenin, said the regime's attacks featured going "from city to city, refugee camp to refugee camp, with excellent intelligence, with very good operational capabilities, with a very strong air intelligence envelope..."

At least 22 Palestinians have been killed so far during the escalation.

Reacting to the massacres, the Gaza Strip-based Palestinian resistance movement Hamas has warned that the regime was seeking to expand its October-present genocidal war on Gaza, which has so far claimed the lives of at least 40,691 Palestinians, to the West Bank.

On Friday, however, the Islamic Jihad, Hamas' fellow Gaza-headquartered resistance group asserted that the Israeli aggression would only further embolden the resistance in its ongoing endeavor to liberate the Palestinian territories from Israeli occupation.

Such crimes, the group said, "will not achieve its (the regime's) goals, but will only increase our determination and resolve to resist until the occupation is expelled from our land."

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Azerbaijani Official Shocked At Armenia's Emergency Nuclear Shutdown, Questions 'Certain Technologies'

By Andy Heil September 01, 2024

PRAGUE -- Azerbaijan's deputy minister for renewable energy has expressed surprise at the emergency weekend suspension of operations at a nuclear plant in neighboring Armenia and hinted at concerns over "certain technologies that Armenians are using currently."

Deputy Minister Elnur Soltanov warned in the comments to RFE/RL on September 1 that "nuclear plants in the neighborhood" might not be up to world standards and "it's not just Armenia that will suffer" in the event of an accident.

The comments follow the emergency shutdown and temporary disconnection from the grid of Caucasus neighbor Armenia's only functioning nuclear reactor, at Metsamor, after a lightning strike late on August 30. The facility was put back online the next day.

Soltanov was speaking to RFE/RL on the sidelines of the Globsec security conference in Prague early on September 1.

Approached as he left a panel discussion on navigating climate change and the upcoming UN climate conference, COP29, which his country is hosting in November, Soltanov was initially unclear what "crisis" he was being asked about.

Informed that neighboring "Armenia's only nuclear power plant suffered a safety-related shutdown" about 36 hours earlier, he said, "Really? I have no idea. Oh my God."

Soltanov continued to discuss the COP29 cooperation including "mutual support" that resulted in the lifting of Armenia's veto on Baku hosting the event.

Then he argued the importance of nuclear technology in the climate fight as "sine qua non" to reach net zero emissions by 2050.

"But it has to be secure. It has to be safe. It should be answering the global standards," Soltanov said.

"Because we know what happened in certain technologies that Armenians are using currently. So in that sense, yes. Anything that is constructively contributing to the process, pushing the situation to the world standards, which we believe that may not be the case with the nuclear plants in the neighborhoods, would be very great."

"Because...it's not just Armenia that will suffer, right?" Soltanov said. "Everybody will suffer, and the consequences could be dire for everybody."

Armenia's only nuclear power plant is located 36 kilometers from the capital, Yerevan, and is less than 100 kilometers from Azerbaijani territory.

The plant's initial Soviet-era construction with VVER-440 plant technology with no secondary containment building and with technology designed to withstand quakes of limited magnitude was controversial in a region regarded as heavily earthquake-prone.

Both of Metsamor's reactors were closed in the late 1990s but Armenia reopened one of them in 1995 as energy demand grew.

Longtime bitter foes Armenia and Azerbaijan are currently locked in tough discussions around a possible peace treaty following Azerbaijan's decisive operation to retake Nagorno-Karabakh and surrounding areas controlled for decades by Yerevan-backed ethnic Armenians.

Soltanov has been deputy energy minister since 2018 responsible for renewable energy and energy efficiency.

He was also appointed chief executive officer for the 2024 United Nations Climate Change Conference, known as COP29, which Baku will host in mid-November.

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/azerbaijan-armenia-nuclear- shutdown-metsamor/33101584.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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Voting Ends In Azerbaijani Elections Amid Reports Of Irregularities

By RFE/RL's Azerbaijani Service September 01, 2024

Voting has concluded in Azerbaijan's first parliamentary elections since it reclaimed full control of its breakaway Nagorno-Karabakh region, with reports of irregularities taking place at polling stations in the highly controlled electoral process.

The balloting offered Azerbaijan's 6 million-plus voters limited alternatives to loyalists of President Ilham Aliyev and came early in a fifth term built for decades on petro-wealth and carefully choreographed elections.

Although the outcome was never in doubt, one exit poll showed the ruling party winning 63 of 125 seats, down from 69 in the current legislature, the Milli Mejlis parliament, which is dominated by Aliyev's New Azerbaijan party. Most of the rest belong to small pro-government parties or independents.

RFE/RL's Azerbaijani Service said instances of alleged vote tampering were being reported. It posted several videos that appeared to show the same voters casting ballots more than once.

When asked by RFE/RL whether he had voted twice as it appeared in a video, a man in the Neftchala region refused to answer. A member of the election commission denied that a person had voted twice.

A woman in Baku and one in Sumgait were also filmed apparently voting twice. The woman filmed in Sumgait gave her name as Shahnaz Mammadova and indicated to RFE/RL that she had voted at two different voting stations and said she was sent by people from her work office.

An RFE/RL correspondent also filmed what appeared to be two people entering a single voting booth at the same time in the city of Sumgait.

An hour before polls closed, election officials reported a turnout of 33.8 percent.

The national election commission said 50 organizations would conduct observer missions. The largest observer contingent, from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, is scheduled to present its preliminary assessment of the election on September 2.

The Musavat party, the major opposition grouping, put forward 34 candidates for the election but only 25 of them were registered. The Republican Alternative opposition party has 12 candidates. 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.

Aliyev was himself reelected to another seven-year term in a snap poll in February that was widely deemed to have been unfair and flawed.

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.

Aliyev has sought a boost in popular support following Azerbaijan's victory over ethnic-Armenian separatist forces in the breakaway Nagorno-Karabakh region in September 2023 in a lightning offensive.

Baku has been negotiating with Yerevan on a peace treaty looking to end decades of violence in the region.

With reporting by Reuters

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/azerbaijan-election-nagorno- karabakh-aliyev/33101439.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 Andy Heil and RFE/RL's Moldovan Service September 01, 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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Spain condemns the death of six Israeli hostages kidnapped by Hamas

Spain - Ministry of Foreign Affairs

PRESS STATEMENT 047

1 Sep 24

Spain firmly condemns the death of six Israeli hostages who had been held captive since the Hamas terrorist attacks of 7 October.

The Government of Spain sends a message of condolence and support to the families of the victims.

We reiterate our call to the parties and mediators for a permanent and lasting ceasefire agreement, which will allow the immediate release of all hostages, the massive influx of humanitarian aid and progress towards peace in the Middle East.



-NON OFFICIAL TRANSLATION-

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Polio Vaccination Underway in Central Gaza's Nuseirat Refugee Camp

Sputnik News

20240901

GAZA (Sputnik) - 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.

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.

 Sputnik

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Hamas Holds Israel Responsible for Hostage Deaths in Gaza Strip

Sputnik News

20240901

CAIRO (Sputnik) - 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.

"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.

 Sputnik

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Lithuania's Base Construction Provocative Amid NATO Expansion - Russian Foreign Ministry

Sputnik News

20240901

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The construction of a military base in Lithuania for the possible deployment of Bundeswehr soldiers is seen as a provocative act due to the increase in NATO's military capabilities near Russia's borders, the Russian Foreign Ministry told Sputnik.

Earlier in August, media reported that Lithuania had begun construction of a military base, with 4,000 Bundeswehr soldiers to be stationed there by the end of 2027.

"We consistently emphasize that the increase in activity and military potential of NATO and its member states near the Russian borders is provocative in nature," the ministry said, adding that "this also applies to the planned deployment of a Bundeswehr brigade on Lithuanian territory, for which military bases are being built."

 Sputnik

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UN officials repeat calls for peace as Gaza polio vaccinations gets underway

1 September 2024 - The first phase of a UN-led polio vaccination campaign has begun in the middle areas of Gaza. The operation aims to inoculate 600,000 children in the coming days.

Hundreds of Gazan families have been queueing to await the turn of their child to receive a polio vaccination since early Sunday morning, in a campaign designed to stop the resurgence of a virus whose re-emergence has been blamed on insanitary conditions.

Speaking to international media on Sunday, Sam Rose, a spokesperson for UNRWA, the UN agency for Palestine refugees, said that over 200 teams are administering the vaccine in 25 locations in the middle areas of Gaza.

A race against time

In order to stop the polio outbreak in Gaza, and to prevent an international spread of the virus, health workers will need to vaccinate at least 90 percent of children during each round.

Reacting to the launch on social media, Philippe Lazzarini, the head of UNRWA described the campaign as "a race against time".

The campaign will be delivered in stages, over three days each, covering three different areas of Gaza. Vaccination coverage will be monitored and analyzed every day, and vaccination drives will be extended by one day if necessary.

The operation - organized by UNRWA, the World Health Organization (WHO), the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) and the Palestinian Ministry of Health -will continue in the coming days, if the temporary pause in fighting between Hamas and Israeli forces holds.

Security concerns

The UN bodies involved in the campaign and senior officials have underlined the importance of maintaining security for health workers and the Gazan population.

"For this to work, parties to the conflict must respect the temporary area pauses," wrote Mr. Lazzarini on social media. "For the sake of children across the region a lasting ceasefire is overdue". In another post, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the head of WHO, wrote that "ultimately, the best vaccine for these children is peace."

UN chief reacts to hostage deaths

On the same day that the campaign launch was confirmed, news broke of the death of six of the hostages taken by Hamas in the October 7 2023 attacks on Israel.

The UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, reacted to the news by recollecting his meeting with the family of Hersh Goldberg-Polin, one of the hostages reported dead on Sunday. The reports, he wrote in a social media post, are "a devastating reminder of the need for the unconditional release of all hostages and an end to the nightmare of war in Gaza."

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USS Laboon Returns Home from Deployment

US Navy

01 September 2024

From U.S. Fleet Forces Command Public Affairs

NORFOLK, Va. -- The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Laboon (DDG 58) returned to Naval Station Norfolk, Virginia, from an independent deployment to the U.S. 2nd, 5th, and 6th fleet areas of operation, Sept. 1.

Laboon deployed for 279 days to the Arabian Gulf, Red Sea, Gulf of Oman, Gulf of Aden, Arabian Sea and the Mediterranean Sea providing deterrence and defense to U.S. partners.

Rear Adm. Kavon Hakimzadeh, commander, Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 2, was on the pier to welcome home the crew of Laboon.

"We are honored to welcome back the men and women of USS Laboon who have proven their proficiency and resolve throughout a demanding deployment," said Hakimzadeh. "From safeguarding critical maritime routes to deterring threats in volatile regions, Laboon's crew has exemplified the very best of our Navy's tradition of excellence. We are deeply proud of what they have accomplished, and we thank each Sailor and their families for their unwavering dedication to our nation's security."

While independently deployed, Laboon participated in the multi-national Operation Prosperity Guardian to protect international shipping lanes in the Red Sea, the Bab al-Mandeb, and Gulf of Aden. In support of freedom of navigation, Laboon and her crew countered multiple attacks carried out by Iranian-backed Houthi terrorists in the Red Sea.

"It has been a challenging nine month deployment to hostile waters, but this team demonstrated time and again just how capable our warships are and that we have the best trained most professional warfighters in the world ready to bring the fight to any enemy," said Cmdr. Eric Blomberg, Laboon's commanding officer.

Chief Petty Officer Rickey Gisclair attributes Laboon's success to training and teamwork.

"This deployment really embodied why we train so hard and every Sailor stepping up to fulfill their role in a challenging environment," said Gisclair.

While on deployment, a refrain heard frequently onboard was: "If we have to fight; we fight and we win!" Laboon is named for Pittsburgh, Pa. native John Francis Laboon who left to serve his country as a U.S. Naval officer. After attending Carnegie Technical Institute (now Carnegie Mellon University), he was commissioned at the Naval Academy and served as the communications officer, gunnery and torpedo officer and executive officer on USS Peto (SS 265), a Gato-class submarine in World War II. During a Western Pacific patrol, while under intense enemy fire, he rescued a downed pilot from heavily-mined waters and was awarded the Silver Star. Shortly after the war, he left the Navy only to be called back to duty as a Chaplain to become Father John Francis Laboon or "Father Jake."

During their 5th Fleet operations, Laboon upheld the tradition of Father Jake, rescuing three mariners in distress in the Gulf of Aden who had been stranded adrift at sea for ten days.

U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations encompasses about 2.5 million square miles of water area and includes the Arabian Gulf, Gulf of Oman, Red Sea and parts of the Indian Ocean. The expanse comprises of 20 countries and includes three critical choke points at the Strait of Hormuz, the Suez Canal and the Bab al-Mandeb.

NAVEUR-NAVAF, headquartered in Naples, Italy, operates U.S. naval forces in the U.S. European Command (USEUCOM) and U.S. Africa Command (USAFRICOM) areas of responsibility. U.S. Sixth Fleet is permanently assigned to NAVEUR-NAVAF, and employs maritime forces through the full spectrum of joint and naval operations.

U.S. 2nd Fleet, reestablished in 2018 in response to the changing global security environment, develops and employs maritime forces ready to fight across multiple domains in the Atlantic and Arctic to ensure access, deter aggression, and defend U.S., allied, and partner interests.

U.S. Fleet Forces Command (USFFC) is responsible for manning, training, equipping and employing more than 125 ships, 1,000 aircraft, and 103,000 active duty service members and government employees, and providing combat-ready forces forward to numbered fleets and combatant commanders around the globe in support of U.S. national interests. USFFC also serves as the Navy's Service Component Commander to both U.S. Northern Command and U.S. Strategic Command, and providing naval forces in support of joint missions as Commander, Naval Forces Northern Command (NAVNORTH) and Commander, Naval Forces Strategic Command (NAVSTRAT). USFFC is the Strategic Command Joint Force Maritime Component Commander (JFMCC STRAT), and executes Task Force Atlantic in coordination with U.S. Naval Forces Europe.

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US transfers 'some aircraft' used by former Afghan army to Uzbekistan

By Samiullah Jalalzai, Roshan Noorzai September 01, 2024

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 Defense's 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 Taliban's 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 Taliban's 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 Uzbekistan's 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 Uzbekistan's economy and foreign policy," Hamidov added.

Uzbekistan has cultivated close relations with the Taliban, though it does not officially recognize the Taliban's government in Afghanistan.

On Thursday, the Taliban's deputy prime minister, Abdul Ghani Baradar, attended the inauguration ceremony of the Termez International Trade Center in Uzbekistan's 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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Tens of thousands protest in Israel, as Netanyahu vows to 'settle the score' with Hamas

By VOA News September 01, 2024

Tens of thousands of Israelis protested in the streets Sunday night, chanting "Now! Now!" as they demanded that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reach a cease-fire with Hamas after six more hostages were found dead in Gaza.

Thousands of people gathered outside Netanyahu's office in Jerusalem. In Tel Aviv, hostages' relatives marched with coffins to symbolize the death 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!'" Shlomit Hacohen, a Tel Aviv resident, told The Associated Press.

The protest appeared to be the largest such demonstration in nearly 11 months of war.

Earlier Sunday, Netanyahu vowed to intensify the fight with Hamas after the Israeli military recovered the bodies of six hostages, all of whom were apparently shot to death by the militants just as troops were zeroing in on their location in Gaza.

"Those who kill hostages do not want an agreement" for a Gaza cease-fire, Netanyahu said in a statement, telling Hamas leaders, "We will hunt you down, we will catch you and we will settle the score."

A military spokesperson, Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, told reporters in a briefing, "According to our initial estimation, they were brutally murdered by Hamas terrorists a short time before we reached them." They were found in a tunnel in the southern city of Rafah.

By evening, grieving and angry Israelis surged into the streets, chanting, "Now! Now!" and demanding that Netanyahu reach a cease-fire with Hamas to bring the remaining hostages home and halt nearly 11 months of fighting in Gaza.

Israel's largest trade union, the Histadrut, called a general strike for Monday to try to bring economic pressure on the government. The strike is expected to shut down or disrupt major sectors of the economy, including banking, health care and the country's main airport.

Netanyahu also accused Hamas of carrying out a shooting attack earlier Sunday that killed three police officers near the city of Hebron in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. Hamas has not claimed responsibility for the attack but called it a "heroic operation by the resistance."

Netanyahu said, "We are fighting on all fronts against a cruel enemy who wants to murder us all. 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 Israeli military said the West Bank attackers fired at a vehicle at the checkpoint near Hebron. "Security forces have begun to search for the terrorists," it said in a statement.

While the fighting in Gaza and the West Bank remained at the forefront, "humanitarian pauses" were started at several locations in Gaza so that the U.N. agency for Palestinians and the World Health Organization could start vaccinating 640,000 children under the age of 10 over the next several days against the threat of polio.

The disease was recently detected in Gaza for the first time in 25 years.

An Israeli military spokesman, Lt. Col. Nadav Shoshani, told CNN's "State of the Union" show that Israeli forces are continuing to search tunnels near where the bodies of the hostages were found, only a kilometer from where a living hostage, Qaid Farhan Alkadi, a member of the Bedouin community in southern Israel, was rescued last week.

Oma Neutra, the mother of another hostage, Omer Neutra-Oma, said on CNN, "It's time for the leaders to get this done," to reach a cease-fire to halt nearly 11 months of fighting in Gaza precipitated by the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel that killed 1,200 people and led to the capture of about 250 hostages.

"Enough is enough," she said.

The Israeli counteroffensive has killed nearly 41,000 Palestinians in Gaza, most of them women and children, according to Gaza health officials, while the Israeli military says the death toll includes several thousand Hamas combatants.

Israel says it believes 101 Israeli and foreign hostages remain in Gaza, but about one-third of them is believed to be dead, while the fate of the others is not known.

Senior Hamas officials said that Israel, in its refusal to sign a cease-fire agreement, was to blame for the newest 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."

Hamas has offered to release the hostages in return for an end to the war, the withdrawal of Israeli forces and the release of dozens of Palestinian prisoners, including high-profile militants, jailed by Israel.

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.

Defense Minister Yoav Gallant called on the government to reverse a decision last Thursday to keep Israeli forces in the Philadelphi Corridor along the border with Egypt, a key point of contention in negotiations for a cease-fire in Gaza.

"The Cabinet must gather immediately and reverse the decision made on Thursday," Gallant said in a statement. "We must bring back the hostages that are still being held by Hamas." Gallant and Netanyahu got into a shouting match over the corridor issue, but other security officials sided with Netanyahu.

U.S. President Joe Biden, who has closely followed the fate of the hostages, said the six bodies found in the Gaza tunnel included Israeli American Hersh Goldberg-Polin. Biden said he was "devastated and outraged."

"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.

Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic presidential nominee, said she and her husband, Doug Emhoff, spoke to Goldberg-Polin's parents, Jon and Rachel, to express their condolences.

"My heart breaks for their pain and anguish," Harris said. "I told them: As they mourn this terrible loss, they are not alone. Our nation mourns with them."

Some material in this report came from The Associated Press, Reuters and Agence France-Presse.

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Statement from President Biden on Hersh Goldberg-Polin

August 31, 2024

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. 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.

###

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Statement by Vice President Harris on Hersh Goldberg-Polin

August 31, 2024

On October 7, Hersh Goldberg-Polinan American citizenwas 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. His body was recovered today in the tunnels under Rafah, along with five other hostages.

Doug and my prayers are with Jon Polin and Rachel Goldberg-Polin, Hersh's parents, and with everyone who knew and loved Hersh. 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. 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 Hersh's 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. 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.

As Vice President, 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.

###

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3 Israeli police officers killed by Palestinian gunmen in West Bank

People's Daily Online

(Xinhua) 09:13, September 02, 2024

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.

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Rafale - United Arab Emirates

A doctored social media video  falsely attributed to Al Jazeera  alleged that the UAE froze a $17 billion contract with France for Rafale fighter jets in retaliation for its citizen's arrest, putting the close military ties between the two countries at stake. Analysts were closely monitoring the situation for any further developments, particularly as this decision may affect other nations considering similar deals with France. It has been determined that the #Russian intelligence was behind the fake news. They even created a fake Al-Jazeera report to make it more.

The disinformation campaign began around 8:00 PM Moscow time 28 August 2024 with a leak on certain dubious Telegram channels. The publishers are not known for maintaining information hygiene, often spreading unverified fakes (that are sent to them by their followers) for the sake of hype and subscribers. The portal http://Avia.pro, cited by several Russian media outlets, published the news at 20:48, also without any reference to the original source. (Simply because there wasn't one). Andrew Korybko wrote :" If I knew it was connected to Avia Pro then Id have never given it any credence since thats an infamous fake news factory from the good ole Syrian days! Theyve pushed tons of fakes about Russia allegedly plotting to shoot down attacking Israeli jets and even bomb Israel!"

Amir Tsarfati wrote "The United Arab Emirates has completely FROZEN the implementation of a contract to purchase 80 fighter jets from France following the arrest of Pavel Durov!" Kim Dotcom wrote on X: The French Govt just lost $17 billion over the arrest of Pavel Durov. The UAE froze a deal to purchase 80 Rafale fighter jets and says that the arrest of Pavel Durov is outrageous. Pavel is a citizen of the UAE and a close friend of Deputy Prime Minister Hamdan Al Maktoum. From there, the fake started seeping into Twitter (X). The news was picked up by opposition opinion leaders (and even politicians!) in the US and Europe. Considering how rapidly it spread across credible public channels and being picked up by conservative opinion leaders who don't bother with verification, relying on each other, it's a blatant setup that damages right-wing and opposition thinkers.

United Arab Emirates (UAE) was reported to have unexpectedly canceled its US$20 billion agreement with France for the purchase of 80 Rafale fighter jets, a decision that has sent shockwaves through the global defense industry. The cancellation followed the brief detention of Pavel Durov, the CEO of Telegram, by French authoritiesan incident that has strained diplomatic relations between the UAE and France, despite Durovs subsequent release on bail.

Telegram founder Pavel Durov was arrested on 24 August 2024 regarding 12 alleged criminal activities involving his widely recognized Telegram application, Durov was born in Russia, yet he spent much of his formative years in Italy. He holds citizenship in the United Arab Emirates, France, Russia, and the Caribbean nation of St. Kitts and Nevis.

The arrest of Telegram founder and owner Pavel Durov triggered a spate of conspiracy theories and disinformation campaigns on the internet. Amid the prevailing confusion in the wake of the high-profile arrest, which had allegedly ruffled some feathers in the UAE due to Durovs Emirati citizenship, a doctored video surfaced on social media. The doctored social media videofalsely linked to Al Jazeeraclaimed that the UAE had decided to cancel its deal with France for 80 Rafale fighter jets. The report stated that the decision was based on a diplomatic fallout between the two countries following Durovs arrest. Additionally, media reports added that, in light of Durovs detention, military-technical cooperation between the Emirati Kingdom and France could totally cease. The report also asserted that the UAE had requested consular access to Durov.

France had viewed the Rafale deal as a cornerstone for boosting its defense industry, with significant implications for both economic growth and international standing. The suposed freezing of this contract represents a major setback for French President Emmanuel Macron, who had championed the deal as a symbol of France's strategic partnership with the UAE. The decision also seemed to deliver a blow to Dassault Aviation, the manufacturer of the Rafale jets, which now faced uncertainty regarding future orders. The UAEs claimed cancellation of the deal is seen as a clear message that geopolitical tensions can rapidly influence major business agreements.

The United Arab Emirates agreed to buy 80 French-made Rafale fighter jets in a deal worth 16 billion euros (Dh66 billion), the biggest international order ever made for the warplanes, officials said on 03 December 2021 during a visit by French President Emmanuel Macron. The French presidency said in a statement "This is an outcome of the strategic partnership between the two countries, consolidating their capacity to act together for their autonomy and security". The Rafale order is the biggest made internationally for the aircraft since it entered into service in 2004. The agreement was signed by Dassault Aviation director-general Eric Trapier as Macron held talks with Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed on the first day of a visit to the Gulf. The fighter jets manufactured by Dassault Aviation will be delivered to the UAE between 2026 and 2031. The UAE will be the first user of the Rafale F4 outside France.

The UAE Air Force and Air defence had been operating MIRAGE 2000 for many years and had contracted with Dassault Aviation for the delivery of 30 new MIRAGE 2000-9 aircraft and for the modernisation of its existing fleet of 33 MIRAGE 2000 up to the latest-9 standard. The UAE will be the first 2000-9 operator following its $2-billion order for the aircraft. Delivery of the new 2000-9s was scheduled for late 2001.

In June 2008, the UAE said it was "seriously considering" the possibility that the Rafale could enter service in about 2013. By early 2010 it was reported that the United Arab Emirates and France were discussing the joint development of a more capable, new-generation Dassault Rafale strike fighter. The jets would replace the Mirage 2000-9s bought from France in 1998. The discussions had moved forward from buying the Rafale to co-developing the next-generation Rafale. The prospective new model would meet UAE requirements, and would be a big boost for the twin-engine fighter jet. Dassault Aviation had entered the Rafale in bidding for contracts in Brazil and India, and had offered it to Kuwait and Libya, but as of early 2011 failed to find foreign customers. The main upgrades for the UAE were an active electronically scanned array radar, frontal sector optronics and an electronic warfare suite, systems supplied by Thales, and a 9-ton-thrust M88 engine, up-rated from the 7.5-ton engine that powers the French Air Force and Navy Rafales.

One report suggested that Paris had agreed to buy back the Mirage 2000-9s for service with the French Air Force, putting its own Mirage 2000-5s on the secondhand market and retiring the Mirage 2000N nuclear strike variant. The consortium of French aerospace companies hoping to sell as many as 60 Rafale fighter jets to the UAE offered to set up facilities to make the aircraft in Abu Dhabi.

As of 2011 Dassault was still looking for customers to buy the Mirage 2000-9 aircraft that the United Arab Emirates (UAE) intended to replace with Rafales, Chief Executive Charles Edelstenne said March 19, 2009. A first delivery of the Rafale to the UAE would not be before 2012; and the UAE Air Force would probably need about three year's time to train aircrews on the new aircraft. "We have time to prospect," he said. DGA Chief Executive Laurent Collet-Billon said March 17, 2009 that the French Air Force would not be taking the Mirage 2000-9s from the UAE.

In September 2011, it was widely predicted that Rafales selection would be announced at the Dubai Airshow. But the UAE said in November 2011 that the offer for Rafales from France's Dassault Aviation was uncompetitive and opened up the tender to competition. The UAE has pressed for the aircraft's engines to be upgraded with extra thrust and for better radar.

Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed was quoted by the UAEs official news agency WAM in N0vmber 2011 : Thanks to French President Sarkozy, France could not have done more diplomatically or politically to secure the Rafale deal. Bilateral relations have never been stronger and his constant personal intervention in this process has sustained Dassault at the forefront of our considerations. Regrettably Dassault seems unaware that all the diplomatic and political will in the world cannot overcome uncompetitive and unworkable commercial terms.

Qatar and Kuwait were considering buying French Rafale fighter jets, but were waiting to see whether the United Arab Emirates would make a purchase first. French defence minister Gerard Longuet said 09 January 2012 that "They are in effect interested but they won't know for sure until the first one jumps in." The UAE was in talks with France to buy 60 Rafales. Industry experts have estimated that Kuwait needed 18-22 new fighter jets and that Qatar needed 24.

France could seal a long-awaited deal for Dassault to sell at least 60 Rafale fighter jets to the United Arab Emirates by April, turning around what appeared to have been a lost cause, French newspaper La Tribune reported in February 2012.

By early 2015 the United Arab Emirates had restarted talks on ordering the Dassault Rafale, with a planned major upgrade of the fighter jet in contrast to the off-the-shelf deals for Egypt and India. France had been in talks for more than five years on a sale of 60 Rafales, with the UAE requiring a more capable fighter with an extensive weapons suite. The Rafale would replace the fleet of Mirage 2000-9s.

UAE was looking at upgrades of the systems and engine of the Rafale. These might include active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar, frontal sector optronic and an electronic warfare suite, systems supplied by Thales. A 9-ton-thrust M88 engine would be uprated from the 7.5-ton engine that powers the French Air Force and Navy fighters.

By November 2015 the United Arab Emirates (UAE) was said to be in the final stages of negotiations to buy French Rafale fighter jets. Separately, Abu Dhabi [one ofthe UAE Emirates], which was looking to purchase 60 fighters worth an estimated $10 billion, was studying the Dassault-built Rafale after rejecting the four-nation Eurofighter.

By November 2021 negotiations with Abu Dhabi were reportedly "very advanced" for the order of the French combat aircraft, most likely to the F4 standard, the version planned for the Air Force by 2025. If negotiations continue to advance at this rate, it could not be announced before the end of the year. The next tour of Emmanuel Macron in the Gulf, the last of his five-year term, was due to visit Abu Dhabi on December 2, followed by a trip to Doha (Qatar) and then to Riyadh (Saudi Arabia) on December 3 and 4.

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Serbia Air Force - Rafale

Serbia signed a contract 29 August 2024 to purchase 12 Rafale warplanes from Frances Dassault Aviation. The widely anticipated deal will see Serbia receive nine single-seat and three two-seat jets by 2029 for an undisclosed sum, according to Dassault chief executive Eric Trappier. The dozen multi-role fighter aircrafts will help Serbia modernise its air force and replace ageing Soviet-era combat jets. During that tender attempt for the procurement of new fighter planes, from 2011, the expert part of the team preferred Rafale. The same ones that Croatia bought a little earlier, for about the same cost: about three billion dollars.

Serbia has long been close to Russia and China and purchased arms from both countries over the years, while relying on the two countries for diplomatic backing over its dispute with Kosovo. Serbia remains an outlier in Europe after refusing to join sanctions against Russia in the wake of its invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The Balkan country has been reliant for years on support from the Kremlin and Beijing to prevent the United Nations from recognising Kosovo as an independent state.Serbia has been a candidate to join the European Union since 2012, but its prospects are seen as bleak without a normalisation of relations with Kosovo.

Serbia's signing of an agreement to purchase Rafale aircraft from France will not have a negative impact on relations between Belgrade and Moscow. The Russian leadership's reaction to the deal confirmed Russia's respectful attitude toward the Balkan republic, Serbian Deputy Prime Minister Aleksandar Vulin told TASS. "The purchase of Rafale aircraft was carried out for military and practical reasons and will in no way have a negative impact on relations between the Republic of Serbia and the Russian Federation. Serbia remains military neutral and will not join the anti-Russian hysteria or any form of anti-Russian sanctions," Vulin emphasized. "In this case, Russia has shown how dear Serbia is to it, and why it is a country led by people respected all over the world, because Russia has once again expressed respect for Serbia and has not put its interests above Serbia's. If it had been different, if Serbia had bought the MiGs, would NATO and the EU have behaved in the same way? Would they have sent Serbia words of understanding or threats?" the Deputy Prime Minister said. "Russia behaves towards Serbia as an equal partner, and the Serbs are grateful to it for this," Vulin concluded.

In December 2021, Serbian Defense Minister Nebojsa Stefanovic announced that the country's armed forces were planning to purchase fighter jets and were choosing between Russian and French ones . At the time, he noted that Belgrade was leaning more toward the Rafale, but the final decision would only be made after a thorough analysis of the situation, since "we are talking about very expensive things."

In the spring of 2022, Vucic said that Serbia was negotiating with France to buy 12 new fighters, as well as with "another country for another 12 aircraft," but used ones. He did not specify which country he was talking about.

In the summer of 2023, Vucic said that Serbia was discussing with France the price of the fighter jets and the type of missiles that could be used on these aircraft. According to him, Paris would not like to sell its Meteor air-to-air missile to a country that is not a NATO member. Vucic then noted that the purchase of Rafale "would make Serbia a different country and a much greater force."

The President of Serbia, Aleksandar Vucic, visited France in April 2024. Vucic laid a wreath on the memorial plaque "Loyalty for Loyalty", which is dedicated to Serbian soldiers. This is the 20th meeting between the two presidents so far, and the Serbian president said it may be the most important meeting for the country in the last three decades. Serbia expects to sign a "huge" deal for French fighter jets during a visit this week from France's leader, President Aleksandar Vucic told AFP.

The President of France, Emmanuel Macron, hosted a formal reception, on 08 April 2024 for the President of Serbia, Aleksandar Vucic, at the Elysee Palace. Before the meeting, the two presidents addressed the media. Macron said that Serbia has a place in Europe, but also pointed out that "the issue of Kosovo is a promise and a pledge for the future of the region". Vucic thanked the French president for always wanting to listen to the Serbian side.

During the second day of his official visit to Paris, on 09 April 2024 the President of Serbia Aleksandar Vucic had discussions on dedicated industry and defense, as well as on the improvement of economic cooperation with French companies. The conversation with the Minister of Defense was good and meaningful, President Aleksandar Vucic said. "A good and meaningful conversation with Minister Sebastien Lecornu about the cooperation between our Ministry of Defense and the Ministry of Defense of France, our dedicated industries, various experiences and technologies, as well as the procurement of the most modern weapons and tools for defensive purposes," wrote Vucic on Instagram.

President of France Emmanuel Macron arrived in Belgrade on 29 August 2024 at the invitation of the President of Serbia, Aleksandar Vucic. The two statesmen said at a joint press conference in Belgrade that they believe in Serbian-French friendship and that they want to write new pages in the relations between the two countries, which is confirmed by the exchange of bilateral documents on cooperation, among which is the contract for the purchase of new fighter planes "Rafal" worth 2.7 billion euros. The first installment will be 421 million euros. Vucic did not answer the media's question about when the first aircraft is expected to be delivered.

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic told RTS before French President Emmanuel Macron's visit to Belgrade that he will discuss very important issues with him, as well as that the purchase of Rafale aircraft is still being discussed and that it is no longer a question of price, but of certain guarantees.He noted that not everything is over when it comes to military-technical cooperation and the purchase of Rafal aircraft.

"The sleepless night is ahead of us and it is not over yet. It would be a big thing for us, because it would mean a huge progress in the combat readiness and military power of Serbia, the security of our country. We are not causing problems anywhere, nor do we plan to do so, nor do we intend to do so. This is a huge signal of trust between France and Serbia. We only want to preserve our country, but this would make Serbia many times, many times stronger. We have one more thing that we do not agree on. It is not a question of certain guarantees. If we manage to solve it, it will be fine, but we have been struggling with this for four days," said Vucic.

On the eve of Macron's two-day visit to Serbia, Vucic said that most of the planes Serbia has, or all the interceptor and fighter planes, come from Russia. "Most of our planes, or all our aircraft, all our interceptors and all our fighter planes came from Russia and now we have to change ourselves, our habits and everything else in order to prepare our army," said the President of Serbia.

The contract will most likely, financially speaking, be the most expensive single contract for the procurement of a weapon system and its supporting elements in the history of Serbia. About two billion and eight hundred million euros were given for all armaments for Serbia from 2014 to 2023. The Serbian Air Force and Air Defense will receive newly manufactured fighters, that is, in the case of the Rafale, new multi-purpose fighter planes, for the first time since 1987, when the Yugoslav People's Army's Air Force and Air Force acquired MiG-29 fighters .

French President Macron welcomed the potential of a strategic change with the signing of the deal during his state visit to Belgrade. Serbia has been a candidate for EU membership since 2012 and hopes to strengthen ties with France. Macron said that Serbia has a place in the EU and that the EU needs a strong Serbia, but also that Serbia needs a strong and sovereign EU. It is an opening towards a strategic change despite a lot of pressure, which must be underlined. It is real strategic courage and an opportunity for Europe, said Macron during a press conference in Belgrade.

Defense Minister Bratislav Gaic signed a contract for the purchase of "Rafal" aircraft with the general director of the French company "Dassault Aviation" Erik Trapij, the total value of which is 2.7 billion euros. In the presence of the President of the Republic and Commander-in-Chief of the Serbian Armed Forces, Aleksandar Vucic, and the President of the Republic of France, Emmanuel Macron, a ceremony for the exchange of signed bilateral documents was held in the "Serbia" Palace. The Minister of Defense, Bratislav Gaic, exchanged the signed Agreement on the procurement of the Rafal aircraft and accompanying goods and services with the general manager of the Daso Avijacija company, Erik Trapij. The total value of the contract is 2.7 billion euros for 12 completely new aircraft, along with all the accompanying equipment, the Ministry of Defense announced.

The signing of the Agreement on the purchase of "Rafal" was attended by Assistant Minister for Material Resources Nenad Miloradovic, Commander of the Air Force and Air Defense Lieutenant General Duko arkovic and representatives of the company "Dassault Aviation". Equipping the Air Force and anti-aircraft defense with "Rafals" will provide long-term protection of the airspace of the Republic of Serbia and contribute to the overall security of our country and its citizens, according to the statement of the Ministry of Defense.

President Vucic said 30 August 2024 that "we are happy to become part of the "Rafal" club". He added that the contract signed with the French manufacturer, which includes a complete auxiliary logistics package, spare engines and other parts, is worth 2.7 billion euros. Macron emphasized that the choice of "Rafala" is a clear choice that represents the will for a long-term alliance between our two countries as part of a strong, sovereign European Union, and that choice participates in our strategic autonomy.

"We know how important Serbia is for the peace of the entire continent. Serbia has moved closer to the 'Rafala club' and it is very important that we have a strategic partner. I respect Serbia's sovereignty and partnerships with other countries. This is an indicator of the European spirit," Macron said. The French president thanked Vucic for his strategic decisions, for the commitment he has made, and that he appreciates the fact that he always does what he says.

"The decisions we made today in a modest way continue this glorious past and our friendship, which is really strong. I am your sincere friend and I respect you, we want to write new pages of our friendship at a time when it is important to have historical solid friends and that we have among to you," said Macron, who reminded us of the Olympic Games and heroic athletes like Novak Djokovic who connect us.

Macron and Vucic, at the end of the two-day official visit of the French statesman to Belgrade on 30 August 2024, emphasized the importance of friendship and cooperation between the two countries, and in that spirit unveiled a plaque - a symbol of the completion of the modernization of Nikola Tesla Airport. Macron said that his visit to Serbia fundamentally improved the relations between the two countries.

Vucic, said "Thank you very much for your visit, I see that everyone in the world is only commenting on 'Rafale', thank you for your trust in Serbia, thank you for your good will to spend time with us and thank you for the respect and honor you have shown to our small country". Vucic added that we are proud of our friendship and that we can't wait for another opportunity to warmly welcome Macron again in Serbia.

Macron thanked Vucic for his hospitality during the visit. "I want to tell you that France is a friend of Serbia and I am personally a friend of Serbia," Macron said and emphasized that he thinks the visit has fundamentally improved relations between France and Serbia.

Belgrade-based analyst Vuk Vuksanovic said that Vucic likely saw the Rafale deal as crucial for ensuring Frances support in the future. The president believes that by purchasing these Rafales, which are an extremely expensive product of the French military and industry, he will buy President Macrons favour and political protection, Vuksanovic, a senior researcher at the Belgrade Centre for Security Policy, told AFP.

Vucic sought to assure that Serbia will not share Rafales technology with Moscow. "We are not Russian spies to transfer technology, we paid for this with Serbian citizens' money," Vucic said. Belgrade curtailed military cooperation with Moscow after Russia invaded Ukraine.

Le Mode editorialized 30 August 2024 "No one will dispute the benefits to France and Europe of equipping the Serbian air force with French rather than Russian  or even American  aircraft. Such a sale implies a prolonged link with the producing country, in terms of training, maintenance and the supply of spare parts. But we must hope that every precaution has been taken to guarantee the protection of the technology and know-how involved in the Rafale, in a country where Russian nationals have free rein, and where Chinese and Russian producers of anti-aircraft defenses will be able to verify their performance at their leisure."





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Operation Iron Swords - September 2024

A polio vaccination campaign began in the Gaza Strip under the auspices of international organizations after cases of the virus were recorded, while the occupation continues to refuse to agree to a truce to facilitate its access to all areas. The Ministry of Health in Gaza says it aims to vaccinate 600,000 children in the Strip, but acknowledges that this will be difficult due to the difficulty of accessing areas such as Rafah (south of the Strip), Al-Maghazi and Al-Bureij (central governorate), and others.

The Israeli army confirmed that six hostages had been killed as Israeli troops closed in on the tunnel where they were being held. The bodies of six hostages captured by Hamas militants on October 7 had been retrieved from a tunnel in the Rafah area of southern Gaza, the Israeli military said on 01 September 2024. All the victims have been named. According to the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF), Hersh Goldberg-Polin, aged 23, Eden Yerushalmi, 24, Ori Danino, 25, Alex Lubnov, 32, Carmel Gat, 40, and Almog Sarusi, 25 were killed by Hamas a short time before the military found them. Some of them were supposed to be released if a new exchange deal was reached with the Islamic Resistance Movement ( Hamas ).

The Israeli Health Ministry said that autopsies conducted on the bodies of the six hostages found in Gaza and then transferred to Israel showed that they were killed "at very close range." "The six hostages were killed by Hamas terrorists who shot them at very close range," spokeswoman Shira Solomon said in a statement. She added that they "apparently died between 48 and 72 hours before the autopsy, that is, between Thursday and Friday morning. The Israeli newspaper Haaretz reported on Sunday, quoting informed sources, that the autopsies of the bodies of the six hostages who were recovered from Gaza proved that they were all killed by bullets to the head.

The Islamic Resistance Movement ( Hamas ) held Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu responsible for the lives of the prisoners killed in Gaza on Sunday , after the occupation army announced the recovery of the bodies of 6 detainees after they were found inside a tunnel in the Strip. Hamas said in a statement that it holds Netanyahu fully responsible for the lives of the prisoners killed by Israeli bombing, stressing that US President Joe Biden "should, if he cares about their lives, stop his support for the enemy."

According to activist Mohammed Hassani, a ceasefire and complete withdrawal is the way to bring them back alive. He wrote, The way to free the prisoners is through a ceasefire, withdrawal, and lifting the siege. He continued the tweet, explaining his idea, As for military action, you will not bring them back except as lifeless bodies. While tweeter Ahmed Al-Husseinawi believes that Israel has certain intentions behind the negotiations and military operations, he said, Their goal from the deal is to return their prisoners, and then exterminate most of the residents of Gaza after that, because there is nothing to fear after the hostages leave Gaza. For his part, activist Mohammed Master held the occupation responsible for killing the prisoners and wrote, "This is the result of the Zionist enemy's crimes. If they had agreed to exchange them for Palestinian prisoners instead of bombing Gaza, they would have returned to their families like everyone else."

Netanyahu remained silent for hours. Faced with unprecedented criticism from the opposition camp headed by Yair Lapid, the head of the "National Camp", Benny Gantz, and even from sources in the Likud party, he was forced to issue a video in which he apologized to the families of the kidnapped for not returning them to the country while they were alive. Public anger and resentment against Netanyahu and his government escalated with the revelation of the Israeli armys initial assessment, which states that the six kidnapped individuals were killed 24 to 48 hours before Israeli forces found them inside a tunnel in Rafah, about a kilometer from where the kidnapped Kayed Farhan al-Qadi was found.

Amid these developments and the revelation of information about the army's initial assessment, which revealed the military failure and failure to search for the prisoners and return them alive, calls were raised by former Prime Minister Ehud Barak for civil disobedience, paralyzing the economy, and a strike by the local government, in addition to expanding the scope of protests to include all parts of the country.

The news of the recovery brought calls for a massive demonstration from the Hostage Families Forum, which has criticized Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for failing to agree a hostage-for-peace deal with Hamas that had been under negotiation several months. It has demanded a complete halt of the country and the immediate implementation of a deal to release the hostages.

The Federation of Trade Unions in Israel [Histadrut] announced a comprehensive economic strike in Israel in response to a call from the Forum of Families of Prisoners and Detainees in the Gaza Strip, to pressure Netanyahu's government. "I will not tolerate abandoning the Israeli prisoners held in Gaza," said Histadrut (Israel's trade union federation) chairman Arnon Bar-David in a statement issued by his spokesman, in an attempt to pressure Benjamin Netanyahu and his government into concluding a prisoner exchange deal with Hamas.

In a related context, the Israel Business Forum, which includes 200 leading businessmen, decided to hold an emergency meeting this evening to support the protests. The forum confirmed, in a statement, its support for the demonstrations of the families of prisoners held in Gaza, calling on the public to "not remain silent" in the face of what it described as "the daily loss of life and the abandonment of prisoners and leaving them to their fate," noting that they could be saved according to the security services' estimates.

The family of Hersh Goldberg-Polin, the 23-year-old American-Israeli who was taken hostage from the Nova music festival on Oct. 7, has announced his death. With broken hearts, the Goldberg-Polin family is devastated to announce the death of their beloved son and brother, Hersh, the family said in a statement posted to the Bring Hersh Home Instagram account on Sunday morning. The family thanks you all for your love and support and asks for privacy at this time. Rachel Goldberg and her husband addressed the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, holding the convention center in rapt silence and gaining the attention of 20 million TV viewers as they called for a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war and she buckled in pain as she addressed Hersh directly.

President Joe Biden acknowledged Goldberg-Polins death in a statement, saying, I am devastated and outraged. He revealed that Goldberg-Polin and other murdered hostages had been found in a tunnel below the southern Gaza city of Rafah. Praising Goldberg-Polins parents as relentless and irrepressible champions of their son and of all the hostages, Biden said, 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.

US Vice President Kamala Harris stressed that the Goldberg family "will not be alone in grieving this terrible loss." "Hamas is a terrorist organization based on evil," she said. "With these killings, Hamas has more American blood on its hands." Harris said: "The threat posed by Hamas must be eliminated and it cannot control Gaza,"adding that "the Palestinian people have also suffered under Hamas rule for nearly two decades."

The Hostages and Missing Families Forum blamed Netanyahu and said it would mount protests. Netanyahu abandoned the hostages! the forum, the largest of several bodies representing the 107 or so hostages believed to be remaining in the Gaza Strip, said on X, in Hebrew. That is now a fact. Starting tomorrow, this country will quake. We call on the public to get ready. We are bringing the country to a stop! The abandonment is done!

Israeli news anchor and author Amnon Levy was even more critical of Netanyahu, saying in an article on the Yedioth Ahronoth website, The truth must be told: the gun that fired the shots belonged to Hamas, but the one who made the killing possible was Netanyahu, who preferred other goals to the lives of the kidnapped. "Netanyahu left the kidnapped to die. After all, they were still alive until last week, according to the assessment of the IDF spokesman. They remained in the death tunnels for almost a year, and managed to survive the terror, hunger, and fear, until death came to them, due to Netanyahu's procrastination and evasion," he added.

Political affairs analyst at the Walla website, Tal Shilo, who directed harsh criticism at Netanyahu and his management of the prisoner exchange deal negotiations file, and his insistence on fighting and promoting that military pressure is the only guarantee and sufficiency to return the kidnapped Israelis while they are alive. Under the title The opposite, Netanyahu, the opposite: Military pressure does not bring back the kidnapped, but kills them, Shilo wrote an article in which she reviewed the repercussions of the cabinet vote to keep Israeli forces on the Philadelphi corridor, saying that in the last 48 hours and up until the news of the bodies being recovered, we finally became certain that Netanyahu simply does not want a swap deal and sacrificed the kidnapped to save his government. She believes that finding the bodies of the six kidnapped soldiers inside a tunnel reflects another fact, which is that "Netanyahu does not intend to withdraw from Gaza in the next decade, and is preparing for a permanent Israeli military presence in the Strip."

An Israeli security cabinet meeting about the hostage-release and Gaza ceasefire deal erupted on 29 August 2024 and turned into an unprecedented shouting match between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant. At the cabinet meeting Gallant presented the case for moving forward toward a deal as soon as possible, Israeli officials said. The officials said the defense minister said the deal is not merely about the release of the hostages, but it is also a "strategic juncture" for Israel.

Gallant accused Netanyahu of forcing the maps of the IDF deployment along the Egypt-Gaza border on the IDF, despite the fact that the military's position is it can mitigate the risks of withdrawing forces from the area in order to reach a hostage deal. Netanyahu got mad, banged his hand on the table, accused Gallant of lying and announced he was bringing the maps to a cabinet vote on the spot, according to the prime minister's aides.

Gallant responded with a sharp attack of his own. "As the prime minister you are authorized to bring to a vote any decision you want  including executing the hostages," the defense minister told Netanyahu. "We have to choose between Philadelphi and the hostages. We can't have both. If we vote, we might find out that either the hostages will die or we will have to backtrack to release them," Gallant said. In the vote that followed, Gallant found himself isolated. Netanyahu and seven other ministers voted in favor of maintaining full military control over the Philadelphi corridor. Gallant was the only one who voted against the resolution, officials said.

Palestinian factions announced in successive statements that their fighters were engaged in violent clashes in a number of areas in the West Bank, especially in the city of Jenin. The WAFA news agency said that the Israeli forces "shot two young men after opening fire on their vehicle at the entrance to the town, and prevented the Red Crescent crew from providing them with first aid, which led to their martyrdom. They were Abdullah Nasser Hammou and the child Muhammad Mahmoud Hammou, who was in the fifth grade from the town of Yamoun." "The two martyrs were distributing bread to citizens besieged on the outskirts of Jenin before they were assassinated," she said.

The Israeli army evacuated homes in Jenin camp in preparation for expanding the invasion. Witnesses said the army blew up a house near the club in Jenin camp, and also booby-trapped the Al-Ansar mosque in the camp in preparation for blowing it up. "Our fighters are engaged in fierce clashes with enemy forces in the axis of Al-Ansar Mosque, and are showering infantry forces with heavy direct fire," the Al-Quds Brigades (Jenin Battalion) said in a statement. The Al-Quds Brigades (Tubas Battalion) also announced that its fighters "carried out 5 operations to detonate explosive devices against enemy soldiers and vehicles." The Al-Quds Brigades (Tulkarm Battalion) confirmed that its fighters "entrapped a group of enemy foot soldiers in a tight ambush... and shot down a Zionist soldier in a sniper operation during the clashes."

Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir responded to the news of the six prisoners deaths with calls for settlement building in Gaza. Those who blame the Israeli government are repeating Hamas propaganda, Ben-Gvir wrote on X (formerly Twitter). In Gaza, too, the price for killing the kidnapped must be the occupation of more land and the establishment of a Jewish settlement in Gaza.

Netanyahu's considerations are clear in his rejection of any settlement. He is the one who wants to involve American forces in a war with Iran. Netanyahu considers this his historic opportunity that will not be repeated, because the Americans have mobilized their aircraft carriers and submarines in the region, to deter Iran and its allies from waging a large-scale war on Israel. For him, this scenario is a valuable opportunity that will achieve what he has been demanding since 2012, to strike Iran before reaching the point where "regret is of no use" and Tehran has possessed a nuclear bomb.

Anger erupted in Israel over the killing of six prisoners in Gaza, after the Israeli military recovered their bodies. About 300,000 people took to the streets on 01 Septembre 2024 to protest against Netanyahu's government, which they accuse of failing to reach a ceasefire agreement in Gaza. Israel's main labor union called a strike on Monday, bringing the country's economy to a halt for several hours before a labor court ordered strikers to return to work. The general strike  the first nationwide call to stop work since October 7  represents the latest challenge to Netanyahus grip on power in Israel, but analysts say the full impact of the protests and strikes will only be known in the coming days.

The Histadrut (General Organization of Workers in Israel) is Israel's national trade union center, founded in 1920 during the British Mandate for Palestine. It is one of the most powerful and influential institutions in Israel and played a significant role in the development of the Israeli economy, labor movement, and society. Over the years, the Histadrut's economic role has diminished as Israel's economy has become more privatized. However, it remains a powerful trade union federation, representing a significant portion of Israeli workers. In recent years, estimates suggest that the Histadrut represents approximately 25% of Israel's labor force.

In July 2024, a poll showed that 72 percent of Israelis felt Netanyahu should resign over his failure to prevent the Hamas-led operation on October 7. However, Netanyahus polls have slowly climbed, and as of the end of August he still held a strong lead over his main rival, Benny Gantz. Netanyahu also retains the support of the far right, whose ministers include National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich.

The Israeli Prime Minister said, "Whoever demands that we make concessions after Hamas killed 6 of our kidnapped people is encouraging it to kill more," according to his expression. Al-Qassam Brigades spokesman Abu Obeida said on 02 September 2024 that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's insistence on releasing prisoners through military pressure instead of concluding a deal would mean their return in coffins, referring to the six detainees whose bodies were recovered by the occupation. Abu Obeida added that after the Nuseirat incident in the middle of the Gaza Strip, instructions were issued to the prisoners' guards regarding how to deal with them if the occupation army approached.

Mahmoud Al-Mardawi , a leader in the Islamic Resistance Movement ( Hamas ), said 02 September 2024 that the conditions of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the ongoing negotiations "will disappear and fall," pledging to impose the will of the resistance and the Palestinian people on him. Al-Mardawi stressed - during an interview with Al Jazeera - that the release of Israeli prisoners in the Gaza Strip will only take place through a prisoner exchange deal, stressing that any agreement will only be reached through a complete Israeli withdrawal from the Netzarim and Philadelphi axes. Al-Mardawi continued, threatening, We will break Netanyahu, and he will submit to us, and we will force him to act according to our will, and he will not achieve any of his goals.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu insisted that Israeli forces must retain control over the Philadelphi Corridor along the Egypt-Gaza border, vowing "not to give in to pressure" over the issue in Gaza ceasefire talks. "The achievement of the war's objectives goes through the Philadelphi Corridor," he said at a televised press conference on 02 Septembe 2024. "Control of the Philadelphi axis guarantees that the hostages will not be smuggled out of Gaza," he added. Palestinian resistance group Hamas is demanding a complete Israeli withdrawal from the area as part of the stalled talks mediated by the United States, Qatar and Egypt. "I will not give in to pressure," Netanyahu said, referring to the strategic Philadelphi Corridor. In response, US officials involved in negotiating a hostage release-ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas said that Netanyahu torpedoed their efforts, CNN reported. "This guy torpedoed everything in one speech," the source said in an initial reaction.

Hostilities between Israel and Hamas in Gaza flared up when the Palestinian militant group conducted a surprise incursion into southern Israel ten months ago, killing around 1,100 people and taking more than 200 others hostage. Some were later released through prisoner swaps or rescued by the Israeli army. By the end of August 2024, the massive Israeli military response claimed nearly 40,700 lives, while 94,060 people have been wounded, according to Palestinian health officials.

Talks to bring about a truce and secure the release of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners have been conducted for months with mediation from Qatar, the US, and Egypt. Last month, Hamas rejected a renewed US proposal for a hostage release and ceasefire deal, accusing Netanyahu of sabotaging negotiations, and blaming Washington for supporting him. Israel said it could not accept Hamas demand to end the war in Gaza as a condition for a deal. According to Israel, 251 Israelis and foreign nationals were taken during the 7 October raid, and 103 are still being held in Gaza.

While the circle of protests in Israel expanded to demand a prisoner exchange deal, the return of detainees, the overthrow of the right-wing government headed by Benjamin Netanyahu and the move towards early elections, the popularity of the Prime Minister in Israeli society continues to rise shockingly, and opinion polls show that he is the best for his position, despite internal and international pressures demanding an end to the war on Gaza. There is no strong or unified opposition in the Israeli political scene, nor does it present any political alternative to what Netanyahu is presenting, regardless of the war, so it appears clearly that Netanyahus political proposal and project is the dominant one in Israeli society.

In contrast to the fragility and weakness of the opposition camp and the lack of harmony between its parties and movements. Netanyahu had a cohesive right-wing government coalition, even if there are some gaps in it, noting that the parties participating in the government refrain from risking the coalitions collapse, as they are convinced that going to early elections means that such a coalition may not be repeated.

The far-right parties represented by the "Religious Zionism" movement headed by Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich , and the "Jewish Power" party headed by National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir , have an interest in the cohesion of the government and not dismantling the coalition, as they control the keys to government in Israel and the reins of power, and in their hands are the ministries of finance, defense, settlement, national security, police and civil administration.

Netanyahu continues to hide behind the "existential battle" and "absolute victory", and creates a state of fear and terror among the Israelis, exploiting the state of emergency and endless fighting in order to continue his policy and agenda, without having the courage to face the facts, and refraining from any measures that might threaten the disintegration of the government coalition.

Despite not achieving any of the war's goals, and being accused of obstructing the exchange deal and giving up the detainees for personal and political reasons, Netanyahu was still leading the Likud Party and the right-wing camp that dominates the political scene, amid the decline of the center and the absence of the Zionist left.

The conditions for a ceasefire demanded by Hamas, according to the writer, are that Israeli forces leave the Philadelphi Corridor between Gaza and Egypt, leave Rafah, and stop the war, which means a Hamas victory and Israels surrender. Yahya Sinwar, the new Hamas leader, is continuing his strategy of using the ordeal of the detainees as a supreme psychological weapon to force Israel to surrender, to tighten the noose on Netanyahu, who is stirring up more fear and anger among the general public in Israel, which increases the pressure on him to surrender.

Netanyah does not have the courage to acknowledge reality. He set two simultaneous goals for the war: returning the captives and defeating Hamas. But these two goals were always in potential contradiction, and so Israel faced a hideous dilemma: winning the war would likely require killing most of the captives, while prioritizing the release of the hostages would mean Israels surrender. Netanyahu made a grave mistake in that he never told the people the truth, which is that his two goals in the war conflicted, and he never told them that he could not sacrifice the country to save the detainees, because he was not the kind of leader who had the moral courage to say that.

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Chinese, Singaporean warships launch harbor phase of joint drill

Global Times

By Liu Xuanzun Published: Sep 01, 2024 10:25 PM Updated: Sep 01, 2024 11:05 PM

Warships of the Chinese and Singaporean navies have launched the harbor phase of a joint exercise ahead of the sea phase off the southern Chinese coast, a move experts said on Sunday displays how China and Southeast Asian countries can have military cooperation that contributes to peace and stability.

After the frigate Sanya and the minesweeper Hejian of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy as well as the frigate RSS Stalwart of the Singaporean navy assembled at a naval port in Zhanjiang, South China's Guangdong Province on Thursday for the China-Singapore Exercise Cooperation 2024 joint maritime exercise scheduled from Friday to September 5, these vessels, together with the PLA Navy's destroyer Zhanjiang, opened to the public as a part of the harbor phase of the exercise on Saturday, China Central Television (CCTV) reported on Sunday.

The harbor phase will last until Tuesday, after which the participating vessels will embark on the sea phase in waters off Zhanjiang, CCTV reported.

The exercise aims to consolidate a mechanism that sees the two navies host joint drills alternately in their countries every year, expand the drills' the scale and influence, and build a good situation for China's military cooperation with countries in Southeast Asia, the PLA Navy said in a press release.

The two sides will organize training courses including joint anti-surface strike, replenishment-at-sea, joint search and rescue, as well as VBSS (visit, board, search and seizure), Senior Colonel Wu Qian, a spokesperson at China's Ministry of National Defense, said at a regular press conference on Thursday. He noted that as it is the third edition of this exercise, this year's drill will further enhance mutual trust and friendship, and promote pragmatic exchanges and cooperation.

A Chinese military expert who requested anonymity told the Global Times on Sunday that the frigates and the minesweeper sent by the two sides could serve to maintain the openness of key international shipping lanes in the South China Sea and the Strait of Malacca, demonstrating the two navies' capabilities in safeguarding peace and stability in the region.

It will set a good example for military exchanges and cooperation among Southeast Asian countries, especially the Philippines, against the background of tensions in the South China Sea, the expert said.

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China-Africa cooperation to foster common development

Global Times

FOCAC to have great significance to world grappling with challenges: expert

By Yang Sheng and Shen Sheng Published: Sep 01, 2024 11:41 PM

Several national leaders of African countries have arrived in Beijing to attend the upcoming 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) which will be held in Beijing from Wednesday to Friday, as analysts from both China and Africa said the event will inject much needed new impetus into global economic recovery and set an example for South-South cooperation.

According to the Xinhua News Agency, from Saturday night to Sunday, leaders including Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema, South Sudanese President Salva Kiir, Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki, Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, President of the Comoros Azali Assoumani, and Mali's transitional president Assimi Goita, have already arrived in Beijing to attend FOCAC. Experts said the 2024 Summit of the FOCAC will be a major diplomatic event that will not only gather Chinese and African leaders and representatives of relevant regional and international organizations, it will also bring together business executives, scholars and youths from both China and the continent to boost high quality cooperation among the Global South, and these will have great significance to the world that is experiencing profound change and turbulence.

At a briefing for Chinese and foreign media on the 2024 Summit of the FOCAC on August 23, Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Chen Xiaodong said that "The leaders of China and Africa will discuss major cooperation strategies, explore cooperation plans together and strengthen exchanges on state governance, which will provide important guidance for the development of the Forum in the next stage."

Chen said the Summit will introduce a series of new cooperation initiatives to deepen mutual understanding, respect and affinity between the peoples of China and Africa, so that the China-Africa friendship will be passed on from generation to generation and the flower of China-Africa friendship will blossom with renewed brilliance. According to public information, African members of the FOCAC include 53 African countries that have established diplomatic relations with China, and the Commission of the African Union.

He Wenping, a director with the Institute of West Asian and African Studies under the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, said that the FOCAC summit this year will elevate China-Africa cooperation to new heights. "It's likely we will see China and African countries boosting cooperation in new areas like the digital economy and green development based on existing infrastructure."

Li Haidong, a professor from the China Foreign Affairs University, said that "the world is still experiencing profound change and turbulence, with numerous uncertainties, and there are serious challenges confronting globalization and global economic recovery. China and African countries are developing countries that share common interests and the stance that multi-polarization of the world should be boosted, and to jointly build a community with a shared future for mankind." Therefore, the upcoming FOCAC summit will surely send an encouraging message to not only China and Africa, but also the Global South and the rest of the world, as this is a successful example for cooperation within Global South with global significance, Li noted.

All-round cooperation

The President of the Central Africa Republic Faustin-Archange Touadera had already kicked off his trip in China with visits to Chongqing and Shandong Province from August 28 to Sunday to learn about China's achievements in areas such as urbanization, new energy, cultural industries, agriculture and the digital economy.

Experts said this shows that African leaders are taking their attendance at FOCAC as an opportunity to explore China in different ways. In addition to diplomacy, they are also very interested in learning about China's development and modernization from a broader and more comprehensive perspective, said the experts.

Endalkachew Sime, ex-State Minister of Ministry of Planning and Development of Ethiopia and founder and deputy CEO of the Africa-China Trade and Investment Facilitation Center, said that the FOCAC summit is crucial for two main reasons: First, they capture the focus and attention of the nations involved. Each leader attends these meetings with their own notes.

"Second, these events help create a better image of the cooperation at the grassroots level in each country. With high-level media coverage and significant signatories, these platforms send a strong message to citizens [of different countries], encouraging them to take the partnership seriously," Sime said.

Munetsi Madakufamba, executive director of the Zimbabwe-based Southern African Research and Documentation Center, said that "The development approach and cooperation between China and Africa are a win-win partnership, emphasizing the importance of understanding each other's context, circumstances, and development priorities. If you look at the development experience of Africa and in terms of cooperation with the West, it has been a kind of relationship of one side exploiting the other, which is unbalanced development."

Chinese analysts said that China has always seen Africa as a vibrant continent of hope, and treats African countries as equal partners.

They said now it is time for Africa to embark on their journey of modernization. Since other major economies, especially Western ones, have failed to play very constructive roles to support Africa, China-Africa cooperation that is marked by high-level mutual trust and traditional friendship will become more all-round and profound.

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Cmdr: Iran's Air Defense Force ready to repel encroachments

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Sep 1, 2024

Tehran, IRNA -- Commander of the Iranian Army's Air Defense Force Brigadier General Alireza Sabahi Fard said that the powerful air defense force of the Iranian army is ready to repel and stand against any possible aggression on the country.

Today, the powerful Iranian air defense force has all its equipment made by Iranian specialists domestically and is ahead of the most advanced and up-to-date defense in the world, Sabahi Fard told reporters on the sidelines of the ceremony to renew their allegiance to the Founder of the Islamic Revolution.

The Iranian defense equipment is built based on the existing threats, he said, adding that the country is "even ahead of these threats and we will use them against the threats."

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Bad weather, thick fog main cause of late president Raeisi's helicopter crash, final report says

Iran Press TV

Sunday, 01 September 2024 5:37 PM

The final investigation by the Iranian Armed Forces into the helicopter crash that claimed the lives of President Ebrahim Raeisi and his companions in May says the incident was caused by weather conditions that included thick fog.

The helicopter carrying 63-year-old Rarisi, former foreign minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian and six others came down on May 19 on a fog-shrouded mountainside in northwestern Iran. Their bodies were found the following day after a massive search operation.

The report, published by the General Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces on Sunday, ruled out sabotage or tampering as the reason behind the tragic incident, saying the "complex climatic and atmospheric conditions of the region in the spring was the main cause of the crash."

It added that "the sudden emergence of a thick mass of dense and rising fog" caused the helicopter to crash into the mountainside.

According to the report, all documents related to the helicopter's repairs and maintenance since its purchase and use before the incident were thoroughly reviewed by military and civilian experts, who announced that all the measures had been conducted under standard regulations.

It noted that experts also examined the helicopter's flight path and confirmed that it adhered to its predetermined route and had no deviation during the flight.

Experts have also recovered the pilot's iPad which proved the correctness of information on the helicopter's flight path throughout the flight, the report said.

It added that Iran's Defense Ministry's experts precisely examined the remaining parts and systems from the crashed helicopteraincluding engines, power transmission systems, fuel systems, and electronic equipmenta and found no defects that could have caused the crash.

It explained that the reports of Iran's Meteorological Organization from the day before and the day of the accident have been examined by experts.

The report further said a forensic committee conducted toxicological and pathological tests on the remains of the victims and found no suspicious case.

The investigation also ruled out the possibility of any act of sabotage of the crashed copter's parts and systems. It also rejected that the helicopter may have been targeted by offensive and defensive systems, cyber-attacks, or magnetic fields and lasers.

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Iran's Air Defense Force conquering peaks of self-reliance: Army chief

Iran Press TV

Sunday, 01 September 2024 9:10 AM

The Iranian Army chief commander has congratulated the advent of the National Air Defense, saying the occasion is a reminder of the force's capability to record achievements based on self-reliance.

Major General Abdolrahim Mousavi made the remarks in a message issued on Sunday to commemorate the National Air Defense Day, which is celebrated annually on August 30.

This day "is a reminder of the proud history of dozens of air defense operations during the imposed war [in the 1980s] and thousands of days and nights of guarding against, discovering, identifying, monitoring and countering aerial threats, along with protecting critical sites and ... the country' sky," he said.

"It is a day of hope in the capability of the Islamic Republic of Iran Air Defense Force in the path of ... self-reliance."

He added that the increased interaction of Iran's Air Defense Force with knowledge-based and academic companies, as well as the Defense Ministry, has resulted in the success of the Islamic Republic establishment in delivering responses to its enemies.

'Iran among 6 countries with highest range of surface-to-air missiles'

On Saturday, Commander of the Air Defense Forces in Northwestern Iran Brigadier General Abbas Azimi said the country ranks among the world's top six regarding the range of its surface-to-air missiles.

Before the 1979 Islamic Revolution, all air defense equipment was imported from abroad, but he noted that they are produced by Iranian scientists and specialists today.

The range of Air Defense radars has also increased from 45 kilometers to more than 300 kilometers over the past 45 years.

Azimi further said, "Iran is among the world's six countries in terms of the range of surface-to-air missiles, and this important and proud achievement was recorded after the Revolution and the Sacred Defense," referring to the eight-year war imposed by former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein.

Iran's Air Defense kept surveillance on only 30 percent of the country's sky, but today the figure is 100 percent, he emphasized.

Iranian military experts and engineers have in recent years made remarkable breakthroughs in manufacturing a broad range of indigenous equipment, making the armed forces self-sufficient.

Iranian officials have repeatedly underscored that the country will not hesitate to strengthen its military capabilities which are entirely meant for defense, and that Iran's defense capabilities will be never subject to negotiations.

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IRGC forces arrest member of Jaish al-Adl terror group in SE Iran

Iran Press TV

Sunday, 01 September 2024 3:23 AM

The forces enlisted with Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) have arrested a member of the so-called Jaish al-Adl terrorist group in Sistan and Baluchestan Province in the country's extreme southeast.

The arrest took place in the Pishin District of the province's Rask County, the Corps reported on Saturday.

It followed intelligence surveillance operation and prompt action by the forces of the Quds Headquarters of the IRGC's Ground Force in the province, the report added.

Upon facing imminent arrest, the terrorist wounded himself with a self-inflicted gunshot, but was transferred to the hospital, where he is receiving treatment, it noted.

According to the report, the arrestee had in the past engaged in armed attack against the headquarters of the Basij volunteer force and the police station in Pishin.

In May, the Corps' Ground Force captured primary sponsors of the terrorist group in Sistan and Baluchestan during two separate joint operations conducted by intelligence and security forces.

Jaish al-Adl is a notorious terrorist group with headquarters in Pakistan, and has been involved in numerous terror attacks against Iran.

The latest of the attacks took place in April, when at least five police officers were killed in an attack staged by members of the group in the province.

On January 16, two major strongholds of the group in Pakistan's southwestern province of Balochistan were precisely struck and completely wiped out by a salvo of missiles as well as a squadron of combat drones.

That occurred after the group claimed responsibility for an assault on Rask County's police headquarters on December 15 last year that had claimed the lives of 11 police forces and injured at least six others.

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The Rise Of The Baloch Liberation Army In Pakistan

By Abubakar Siddique September 01, 2024

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 Pakistan's 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 BLA's 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 BLA's 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 BLA's suicide squad, is believed to have carried out most of the group's 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 Balochistan's 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 state's 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 Islamabad's 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 Pakistan's 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.

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/pakistan-balochistan-baluch- liberation-army/33099973.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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Russia to change its nuclear doctrine in response to West's 'escalation course'

Iran Press TV

Sunday, 01 September 2024 7:18 PM

Russia has decided to shift its nuclear doctrine in response to the West's "escalation course" in the Ukraine conflict.

Russian TASS state news agency cited Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov as saying on Sunday that Moscow had decided to revise its nuclear doctrine to reach a new balance in line with the escalation course adopted by the West.

"The work is at an advanced stage, and there is a clear intent to make corrections", Ryabkov was cited as saying by TASS.

Ryabkov pointed out that Russia's decision on the matter is "connected with the escalation course of our Western adversaries" in connection with their proxy war using Ukrainian forces against Russian troops.

He did not specify what the new changes in mind for Russia's new nuclear doctrine would include. Ryabkov's comments came after in the recent meeting of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization's (NATO) members, they reaffirmed their commitment to stepping up their military aid to Ukraine.

The NATO meeting was arranged at Kiev's request last week. NATO countries' ambassadors met with Ukrainian officials.

NATO Chief Jens Stoltenberg emphasized in an official statement from the meeting in Brussels on Wednesday, "We must continue to provide Ukraine with the equipment and munitions it needs to defend itself against Russia's invasion. This is vital for Ukraine's ability to stay in the fight."

In response to Kiev's insistence on using warplanes, weapons and ammunition provided to the former Soviet Republic by the West to strike targets deep inside Russia, several NATO member states agreed to lift the restrictions placed on Kiev in using the long-range military hardware supplied by Western allies, especially the missiles.

Meantime, the present nuclear doctrine for Russia, which was approved in 2020 by President Vladimir Putin, specifies that Russian forces may use nuclear weapons in response to an enemy nuclear attack, or a conventional attack that threatened Russia's sovereignty.

Russia, which sees the West's full out support for Kiev as a proxy war by the Western countries against the Russian nation, has repeatedly warned of Moscow's intention to make changes and upgrade its nuclear deterrence forces to balance the new status quo.

Ryabkov's comments were the most categorical statement on Russia's plan to proceed with a new nuclear doctrine to date.

Russia's message to the US-led NATO bloc has been clear till now: "Refrain from providing excessive military aid to Ukraine, lest you risk provoking a confrontation with Russia that could rapidly turn into a nuclear conflict."

Moscow launched its special military operation in Ukraine on February 24, 2022, planning to liberate the Donbas region where the People's Republics of Donetsk and Lugansk had been living under regular attacks staged by the forces loyal to the neo-Nazi regime in Kiev.

In the past two-and-a-half years since Russia's launched its campaign, the US-led NATO Western allies have provided Kiev with a huge and steady flow of weapons and ammo, pouring fuel on the fire in Ukraine and turning the conflict into a full-fledged war between the two neighboring countries, leaving heavy casualties on both sides.

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Taiwan top NSC official links Indo-Pacific, European security in speech

ROC Central News Agency

09/01/2024 04:23 PM

Taipei, Sept. 1 (CNA) Taiwan's National Security Council (NSC) secretary-general highlighted the correlation between Europe's prosperity and peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region in a public address he gave in the Czech Republic on Saturday.

"Your future is our future, and our future is your future," Joseph Wu () said at an international forum organized by the Slovakia-based non-governmental organization (NGO), GLOBSEC, in Prague.

Wu said that in the face of China's all-out warfare, "Taiwan's understanding of the Chinese Communist regime, as well as Taiwan's experience in tackling Chinese malign influence, is of great value to all."

Taiwan's lone effort, however, is not enough as Europe holds the key "to building integrated deterrence against the PRC," he continued.

Many European countries have already carried out measures to improve investment or merger screenings involving China, passed laws on securing critical minerals for strategic sectors, and taken steps to expose China's industrial spies capable of intellectual property theft and reverse engineering, according to Wu.

The European Union also developed anti-economic coercion instruments as a countermeasure to PRC economic coercion, he added.

In contrast to the People's Republic of China (PRC), Taiwan has been a reliable and like-minded partner to Europe, Wu argued, adding that Taiwan also received "unanimous support from the European Parliament last December for a resolution on deepening EU-Taiwan bilateral trade and investment relations."

Taiwan is committed to enhancing cooperation with European countries in areas such as supply chain resilience, countering economic coercion, and economic security, the NSC official said.

In closing his address, Wu highlighted the fact that the Indo-Pacific is a "consequential region for the world's future. And this is a consequential moment for us all."

"While war is neither imminent nor inevitable, democratic unity and tenacity are closely monitored by the revisionist and adventurist PRC.

"European countries must put a price tag on aggression against Taiwan. Only a prosperous Taiwan can ensure a prosperous Indo-Pacific, and only a prosperous Indo-Pacific can ensure a prosperous Europe," he underscored.

"Ladies and gentlemen, your future is our future. And our future is your future," he concluded.

Wu's address was made during the ongoing 19th edition of the GLOBSEC Forum, being held from Aug. 30 to Sept. 1 in Prague, Czechia.

This marks the second time Wu has spoken publicly at the annual forum. The last time was in 2021 as then-foreign minister of Taiwan.

According to the event organizers, the GLOBSEC Forum aims to underscore Central and Eastern Europe's growing significance in upholding global stability. This year, more than 1,500 participants, including leaders from government, business, academia and NGOs, from over 70 countries attended the event.

(By Yeh Su-ping and Joseph Yeh)

Enditem/cs/AW

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Taiwan signs pact with Pacific Islands Forum to extend support to 2027

ROC Central News Agency

09/01/2024 03:39 PM

Taipei, Sept. 1 (CNA) Taiwan has signed a cooperation agreement with the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) Secretariat to continue its ongoing support of the organization from 2025 to 2027, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) announced on Sunday.

The pact was signed by Deputy Foreign Minister Tien Chung-kwang (caa) and a representative from the PIF Secretariat during the annual Taiwan/Republic of China-Forum Countries Dialogue held in Tonga on Aug. 30, MOFA said in a press release.

MOFA did not provide other details on the three-year pact, including how much financial support is involved, saying only that the deal "serves as a concrete demonstration of Taiwan's commitment and support toward the development of the Pacific region."

The Aug. 30 meeting was the 29th edition of the Taiwan/Republic of China-Forum Countries Dialogue organized by the PIF Secretariat.

President Hilda Heine of the Republic of the Marshall Islands and PIF Secretariat Deputy Secretary General - Governance, Desna Solofa, co-hosted the Aug. 30 meeting, which was also attended by representatives from Palau and Tuvalu, two diplomatic allies of the Republic of China (Taiwan) in the Pacific, MOFA said.

Tien is currently leading a delegation to visit Tonga to attend the Aug. 30 meeting, which is being held alongside the annual PIF summit which ran from Aug. 26 to 30.

The 18-member PIF, an inter-governmental organization, held its 53rd summit this year in Tonga. Despite being a nonmember, Taiwan has been an active participant at the annual event as a "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."

Over the years Taiwan has supported projects across the Pacific, including in agriculture, education, medical care, public health, ICT, women's empowerment, clean energy, and basic infrastructure, improving the well-being of people in the region, MOFA said.

During this year's summit, the Solomon Islands, a former Taiwan ally that ditched Taipei in favor of Beijing in 2019, proposed preventing Taiwan from attending future FIP events, allegedly under the instructions of China, according to MOFA.

The proposal was later rejected thanks to the support of Taiwan's three allies in the PIF, namely, the Marshall Islands, Tuvalu and Palau, and two non-allies, Australia and New Zealand, MOFA said.

However, a PIF communique released at the conclusion of the summit that initially mentioned support for Taiwan was later withdrawn and republished with the country's name no longer mentioned, due to pressure from China.

MOFA said that the removal of the line supporting Taiwan in the communique will not affect Taiwan's status in the PIF or its right of future participation.

(By Joseph Yeh)

Enditem/AW

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Ukraine launches mass drone attack on Russia

Iran Press TV

Sunday, 01 September 2024 3:03 PM

Ukraine's military has launched a massive drone attack on Russia as Russian troops take more Ukrainian territory.

Ukrainian forces overnight on Saturday leading to Sunday, launched one of their biggest drone attacks against Russia since the full-scale war began in 2022.

The Ukrainian drones targeted Russia's energy infrastructure, including power plants and an oil refinery.

The assault caused fires at several facilities, including in Moscow.

Officials said dozens of the Ukrainian drones were shot down.

On Sunday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy pleaded on Telegram for "a decision on long-range strikes on missile launch sites in Russia, destruction of Russian military logistics, joint shooting down of missiles and drones."

In addition to military and intelligence aid, Kiev seeks more support from the West, insisting on full-out engagement on the field, joint operations and permission to use its Western-supplied warplanes, weapons and ammunition to strike targets deep inside Russian soil.

On the opposite side, Russian officials said its military air defense units had destroyed 158 drones launched by Ukraine overnight, and that debris caused fires at the Moscow Oil Refinery and the Konakovo Power Station in the neighboring Tver region.

The strikes prompted military offices to put temporary restrictions in place at Moscow's Vnukovo, Domodedovo and Zhukovsky airports overnight.

The restrictions were lifted on Sunday morning, according to aviation watchdog Rosaviatsia.

On the frontline, military officials said on Sunday that Russian troops had made further advances towards a key town in eastern Ukraine.

Meanwhile, Russian troops are pressing forward in eastern Ukraine while pushing out Ukrainian forces that broke through its western border in a surprise incursion on Aug. 6.

Ukraine had hoped that its surprise incursion into Russia's Kursk region launched last month would force Russia to re-deploy troops and take the pressure off besieged forces in the east, but so far it does not appear to have had the desired effect.

Russia's defense ministry said on Sunday its forces had captured two more settlements in the Donetsk region, including Ptyche, just 21 km southeast of Pokrovsk, and were "continuing to advance deep into the enemy defenses."

Russian forces also seized the settlement of Vyimka, it said.

Two-and-a-half years have passed since the conflict gained steam and turned into a full-fledged war between the two neighboring countries, leaving a multitude of casualties on both sides.

Russia launched a special military operation in Ukraine on February 24, 2022, aiming to liberate the Donbas region where the People's republics of Donetsk and Lugansk had been living under regular attacks from the forces under the command of Kiev's new neo-Nazi leaders.

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Russian Defence Ministry report on repelling an invasion attempt of the AFU on the territory of the Russian Federation (1 September 2024)

01.09.2024

Units of the Sever Group of Forces supported by Army Aviation and artillery repelled four attacks launched by the enemy's assault detachments in the direction of Korenevo and Aleksandrovka.

Moreover, three attempts of the enemy to launch attacks were thwarted in the direction of Nizhnaya Parovaya and Pogrebki. As a result, the AFU losses amounted to up to 30 troops killed and wounded, two armoured fighting vehicles, and two motor vehicles. One AFU serviceman surrendered.

Aviation and artillery strikes and actions of troops inflicted losses on manpower and hardware clusters of 22nd, 61st, 115th mechanised brigades, 80th, 82nd air assault brigades, 152nd Jaeger Brigade, and 1st National Guard Brigade near Apanasovka, Borki, Vishnyovka, Gordeyevka, Ivashkovskiy, Lyubimovka, Lebedevka, Martynovka, Mikhailovka, Novoivanovka, Obukhovka, Orlovka, Plekhovo, Cherkasskoye Porechnoye, Russkoye Porechnoye, and Snagost.

The Armed Forces of the Russian Federation continue reconnaissance and search operations in forestry areas to locate and eliminate enemy sabotage groups attempting to get to the depth of the Russian territory.

Operational-Tactical Aviation delivered strikes at concentration areas in Sumy region of reserve manpower and military hardware of the 21st, 22nd, 41st mechanised brigades, 17th Tank Brigade, 80th, 82nd, 95th air assault brigades of the AFU, 36th Marine Brigade, 103rd, 107th, 129th territorial defence brigades near Belopoliye, Boyaro-Lezhachi, Glukhov, Luka, Obody, Orlovka, Svessa, Pershe Travnya, Sumy, and Yunakovka.

Over the past 24 hours, the AFU losses amounted to up to 360 troops and 23 units of hardware, including four tanks, one infantry fighting vehicle, two armoured personnel carriers, 16 armoured fighting vehicles, six artillery guns, including two Polish-made Krab self-propelled artillery systems, three mortars, one electronic warfare station, one ANT/PQ-50 counter-battery radar station, and seven motor vehicles.

Since the beginning of hostilities in Kursk region, the AFU losses amounted to more than 8,500 troops, 80 tanks, 37 infantry fighting vehicles, 69 armoured personnel carriers, 537 armoured fighting vehicles, 249 motor vehicles, 62 artillery guns, 16 multiple-launch rocket system launchers, including four of HIMARS system and two of MLRS system, five SAM launchers, 13 electronic warfare stations, six counter-battery radars, one air defence radar station, six 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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Ukrainian Attack on Russia's Belgorod Leaves 11 Civilians Injured

Sputnik News

20240901

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The number of civilians injured on Sunday in a Ukrainian attack on the Russian border city of Belgorod and its suburbs has risen to 11, Belgorod Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov said.

"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.

"Two children are in extremely serious condition: one boy received a penetrating shrapnel wound to the abdomen and an open fracture of the right foot, the second one has extensive wounds to both legs. Both children are now in the operating rooms. Consultations have been held with federal clinics, and if necessary, we will send them to Moscow for treatment," the regional governor said.

A Sputnik

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Russian Troops Free Settlements of Viyemka, Ptichye in Donetsk People's Republic

Sputnik News

20240901

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Russian forces have freed the settlements of Viyemka and Ptichye in the Donetsk People's Republic (DPR), eliminating up to 1,920 Ukrainian soldiers over the past 24 hours, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Sunday.

"As a result of successful actions of units of the Southern Group of Forces, the settlement of Viyemka of the DPR was liberated ... Units of the Central Group of Forces actively liberated the village of Ptichye of the DPR and continue to advance deeper into the enemy's defense," the statement read.

The Southern Group of Forces defeated Ukraine troops in the settlements of Hostre, Zaliznyanskoe, Chasov Yar, Stupochky and Antonovka in the DPR, eliminating up to 660 soldiers. In addition, one US-made 155-mm M109 Paladin self-propelled artillery mount, two Polish-made 155-mm Krab self-propelled artillery mounts, two 152-mm D-20 guns, two 122-mm D-howitzers and one 105-mm L-119 howitzer made in the UK as well as and two electronic warfare stations were hit. Three ammunition depots were destroyed.

The Central Group of Forces eliminated up to 560 Ukrainian troops. The enemy lost one tank, four armored vehicles, five motor vehicles, two 122-mm Gvozdika self-propelled artillery mounts and five 122-mm D-30 howitzers.

The Western Group strengthened its military foothold near the settlements of Petropavlovka and Kruhlyakovka of the Kharkov region and near the settlements of Yampil and Krasny Liman of the DPR. The Ukrainian military lost up to 510 soldiers as well as a tank, an armored vehicle and nine motor vehicles. During a counter-battery fight, a UK-made AS-90 Braveheart self-propelled artillery mount, US-made howitzers M777 and M198, 2 D-30 howitzers, a UK-made L-119 howitzer, a US-made AN/TPQ-36 counter-radar station and an electronic radio station were hit. Six ammunition depots were destroyed.

The Eastern Group of Forces improved its tactical positions near the settlements of Vodyanoe, Novoukrainka and Rozliv in the DPR, eliminating up to 100 Ukrainian troops.

A Sputnik

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Zelensky Sees 4 Difficult Directions of Front for Ukrainian Forces

Sputnik News

20240901

MOSCOW, (Sputnik) - Volodymyr Zelensky said on Saturday that due to the active military actions of the Russian army in the Kramatorsk, Kupyansk and Toretsk directions, a difficult situation has developed for the Ukrainian forces, the most difficult for Kiev is in the Krasnoarmeysk sector (Ukrainian name Pokrovs'ke).

"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.

A Sputnik

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Moscow accuses Kyiv of launching massive drone attack on Russia

By VOA News September 01, 2024

Russian officials said Ukraine launched a massive drone attack early Sunday, hitting several regions in Russia, including power and refinery plants in Moscow and the nearby city of Tver.

Russia says air defenses intercepted and destroyed 158 Ukrainian drones, including two over Moscow and nine over the surrounding area. Forty-six drones were intercepted over Kursk, which has seen increased Ukrainian activity.

Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin reported that falling debris from two drones caused a fire at an oil refinery. He explained that the fire was in a "separate technical room" at the plant, but operations were not affected.

State news agency TASS later quoted emergency services as saying the blaze had been contained.

Three drones attempted to strike a coal-fired power plant at Kashira, but no injuries or damage were reported.

It was not possible to independently confirm the Russian reports. There was no immediate comment from Ukraine.

Separately, Russian missile strikes on Ukraine's Kharkiv region injured more than 40 people, including five children. Overnight shelling in the Sumy area left one person dead and four wounded, according to local officials.

Elsewhere, at least three people were killed and nine wounded Sunday in Russian shelling in Kurakhove, about 33 kilometers south of Pokrovsk, Donetsk regional Gov. Vadym Filashkin said.

The Ukrainian air force also shot down eight of 11 drones launched by Russia overnight.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is calling for more advanced Western missiles to target more deeply into Russian territory.

It has also been nearly a month since Ukraine went on the offensive in Russia's Kursk region, even as Russian troops are reported to be making advances in eastern Ukraine, especially in the Donetsk region.

Russia's defense ministry said Sunday it had taken control of the towns of Pivnichne and Vyimka, in Ukraine's Donetsk region. The Associated Press could not independently verify the claim.

Russian forces have been driving more deeply into the partly occupied eastern region; one of the Kremlin's primary ambitions is the total capture of the area. Russia's army is getting closer to Pokrovsk, a critical logistics hub for the Ukrainian military in the area.

Kyiv is urging Washington to lift restrictions on using allied-supplied weapons to strike deep inside Russia. Ukraine argues such strikes would greatly impede Moscow' s ability to continue its attacks on Ukraine.

Senior officials from Zelenskyy's administration were in Washington last week, appealing to the United States for what Zelenskyy called "capabilities to truly and fully" protect his country.

Some information for this report came from Reuters, The Associated Press and Agence France-Presse.

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Stuttgart, Germany, Sept. 02, 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 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 for two 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.
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Sept. 02, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Bedford Metals Corp. (TSX-V: BFM, FWB: O8D, ISIN: CA0762301012) (the Company or Bedford) is pleased to announce it has engaged Grander Exploration to assist in the planning of a fall exploration program at the Ubiquity Lake Uranium project. The Company believes its strategic focus on uranium exploration and development is exceptionally well-timed, as nuclear power is poised to play a crucial role in greening the global power grid and meeting the substantial energy demands of rapidly advancing AI technologies.

Recognizing the timeliness, Bedford is advancing its next exploration plans at Ubiquity Lake. The Company is preparing for another exploration program in the coming weeks, with final details to be determined once the assay results from the recent sampling are received. This upcoming program aims to further explore and define the potential of the Ubiquity Lake project.

A recent article by The New York Times on August 23, 2024, by Delger Erdenesanaa, highlighted the immense electricity consumption projected for AI in the coming years. The article notes, "OpenAIs ChatGPT exploded onto the scene nearly a year ago, reaching an estimated 100 million users in two months and setting off an A.I. boom. Behind the scenes, the technology relies on thousands of specialized computer chips. And in the coming years, they could consume immense amounts of electricity." The analysis estimated that by 2027, new AI servers could require between 85 to 134 terawatt hours (TWh) annually, comparable to the yearly electricity use of countries like Argentina or Sweden.

As AI continues to integrate into daily life, the energy needed to power AI systems will become a significant factor in global electricity consumption. The article underscores that the source of this electricitywhether fossil fuels or renewable resourceswill considerably impact global carbon emissions. Nuclear power, known for its reliability and low carbon footprint, is increasingly seen as a vital energy source that could support the growing demands of AI while contributing to the global transition to sustainable energy.

Peter Born, President of Bedford , commented, The explosion of AI and its associated energy demands further validate the growing need for reliable, low-carbon energy sources like nuclear power. Our focus on uranium exploration and development is not only timely but critical. As the world turns to nuclear power to meet both green energy goals and the rising electricity needs of AI technologies, we are strategically positioned to capitalize on these trends. The initial results from our recent exploration program at Ubiquity Lake have been promising, therefore we are commencing plans for a fall work program there.

Bedford remains committed to advancing our exploration and development projects in the Athabasca Basin, a region known for its high-grade uranium deposits. The recent developments in the energy market only strengthen our resolve to continue exploring these projects.

Bedford conducts all exploration activities with a focus on environmental stewardship and in close collaboration with local communities and stakeholders. The Companys goal is to develop our projects responsibly and sustainably, ensuring that our operations benefit the regions in which we operate.

Dr. Peter Born, P.Geo., is the designated qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 and the President of the Company and is responsible for and has approved the technical information in this release.

About Bedford Metals Corp.

Bedford Metals Corp. is a mineral exploration company. We create value for our shareholders by identifying and developing highly prospective mineral exploration opportunities. Our strategy is to advance our projects from discovery to production.

The Close Lake Uranium Project lies on the eastern side of the Athabasca Basin, adjoining claims held by Cameco Corporation, the largest uranium producer in the world. The claim is approximately 245 hectares and lies within the primary exploration corridor, which hosts the Keys Lake Mine, the Cigar Lake Mine, and the McArthur River Mine. Access to the property is done through a network of roads and trails.





The Ubiquity Lake Uranium Project, covering 1382 hectares, lies just south of the bottom lip of the Athabasca Basin, adjacent to ALX Uraniums Carpenter Lake Project to the east. Situated near the Cable Bay Shear Zone, parallel to the Virgin River Shear Zone, which hosts Camecos Centennial uranium deposit, the project holds immense potential. Furthermore, it is located 100 km west of Camecos past-producing Key Lake uranium mine, underscoring the strategic significance of its location.

The Sheppard Lake Uranium Project covers an area of approximately 2250 hectares and adjoins the Ubiquity Lake Project to the southeast. The project area is characterized by rocks of the Mudjatik domain, where uranium mineralization is typically basement-hosted, situated within shears or faults, and formed through hydrothermal redistributions of dissolved metals and subsequent redox reactions.

For further information, please contact the Company at info@bedfordmetals.com or 604-622-1199 or visit the Companys website at www.bedfordmetals.com .

On behalf of the Board,

Bedford Metals Corp.

Peter Born

President

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

This news release may include forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties. All statements within, other than statements of historical fact, are to be considered forward looking. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those in forward-looking statements. There can be no assurances that such statements will prove accurate and, therefore, readers are advised to rely on their own evaluation of such uncertainties. We do not assume any obligation to update any forward-looking statements except as required under the applicable laws.

CONTACT:

MRKT360 INC

https://mrkt360.com

Alex Zertuche

alexz@mrkt360.com

For E.S.T Office Hours, Call 1 416-477-0587

Photos accompanying this announcement are available at

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/a69855bb-3171-46a1-8ab2-219e4d771ccc

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/30475ce0-78bc-49ad-9d7b-710485aa8539


Cambridge, MA, Sept. 02, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Do you trust fact-checkers? It might not matter. A new Nature Human Behaviour paper from MIT Sloan School of Management PhD candidate Cameron Martel and professor David Rand reveals a surprising truth: fact-checker warning labels on social media can significantly reduce belief in and spread of misinformation, even among those who harbor doubts about the fact-checkers themselves.

The promise and peril of fact-checking

Rumors and falsehoods can spread quickly on social media, making it difficult for users to separate fact from fiction. In response, most major platforms have partnerships with third-party fact-checking organizations and attach warning labels to content found to be false or misleading, an approach that Martel and Rands previous research suggests works on average.

However, trust in fact-checkers is not universal or consistent across the political spectrum  and neither is exposure to misinformation. In the United States, research has shown that political conservatives are more likely to see and share misinformation and less likely to trust fact-checking, raising concerns that these interventions could potentially backfire.

Most people dont see much misinformation, explained Martel. And if the people who are more likely to be exposed to misinformation are less likely to trust fact-checkers, its important to understand whether warning labels are effective for that group.

Measuring mistrust in fact-checkers

To answer those questions, Martel and Rand used a two-part approach. First, they conducted a correlational study to validate a measure of trust in fact-checkers and identify correlates of mistrust.

In line with previous studies, the researchers found that Republican-leaning survey participants were less likely to trust fact-checkers  regardless of whether the fact-checking organizations skewed right or left. They also saw that other traits interacted significantly with respondents political affiliations to shape their attitudes. Republican respondents who knew more about news production, who scored more highly on a cognitive reasoning test, and who had higher web use skills were even less trusting of fact-checkers. These factors did not predict differences among Democratic respondents. However, higher self-reported digital media literacy was correlated with increased trust in fact-checkers, regardless of political affiliation.

Attitudes vs. actual responses

Next, Martel and Rand conducted a series of experiments with over 14,000 participants across the United States to test how media warning labels impacted responses to false headlines. Participants were exposed to a mix of politically balanced true and false headlines. Participants either saw most false headlines accompanied by warning labels similar to those used by Facebook, or no warning labels at all. Participants then rated the accuracy of each headline or indicated their willingness to share it.

While warning labels were somewhat more effective for individuals who scored higher on trust in fact-checkers, they also consistently and significantly reduced belief in and willingness to share false headlines among participants who demonstrated distrust in fact-checkers. This held true even among participants who scored in the bottom quartile for trust in fact-checkers.

Misinformation warning labels worked for even the respondents in our sample who were least trusting of fact-checkers and farthest right politically  and we saw no evidence of any backfire effect, said Rand. This research builds on our existing body of work demonstrating the efficacy of warning labels, and gives us reassurance that their impacts arent one-sided.

So, what explains the discrepancy between users attitudes toward fact-checkers and their response to warning labels?

Martel and Rand point to several possible explanations. The labels could prompt a more critical evaluation of the headlines, or individuals might refrain from sharing or expressing belief in headlines labeled as false because of the risk of reputational harm. Its also possible that politically engaged Republicans are more likely to express distrust in fact-checkers because they have been cued to do so, rather than because of a deeply held belief.

Regardless of the reason, says Martel, the research findings are good news for those concerned about the spread of misinformation.

Labels arent perfect, he noted. Its important that platforms also have other options, like downranking or removal, for content that is potentially more harmful. However, this work shows that content warnings are a useful tool that can work for a broad range of people, even if they say they dont trust them.

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CALIFORNIA CITY, Calif., Sept. 02, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Jartoo, an innovator in parenting technology, announces the launch its revolutionary video baby monitor with camera and audio. It features a 2K Full HD camera with two-way audio capabilities. This cutting-edge device gives parents the peace-of-mind they deserve by ensuring that they never miss a single moment of their babys development.



A New Era of Clarity and Communication



Jartoo Video Baby Monitor No WiFi is a new industry standard with its stunning 2K camera Resolution, which provides over four times more visual clarity than traditional baby monitors. The 5.5-inch screen provides parents with a superior viewing experience that captures every precious detail in incredible sharpness. The Jartoo monitor allows parents to observe their child's surroundings with unmatched accuracy and confidence.



Each image is delivered in vibrant and natural colors, delivering lifelike visuals which accurately depict real-world environments. This allows parents to monitor their child's health with precision and foster a closer connection.



Revolutionary Audio Communication



Jartoo baby camera monitor is not only visually impressive, but also features advanced audio technology. The realistic sound quality allows parents instant communication with their baby, soothing them instantly with a familiar voice and responding to their needs. This feature transforms a monitor into something more than a visual tool. It becomes an essential part in the parenting experience.



Unmatched Safety & Convenience



Jartoo's design philosophy is based on safety and convenience. The 2K camera provides a wide-angle, allowing parents more coverage with fewer blindspots. This comprehensive coverage ensures every angle of the nursery can be seen, adding an extra layer to security.



The monitor has night vision, which ensures high-quality images in low-light situations. This allows parents to keep an eye on their children at all times, without compromising clarity. Jartoo Video Baby Monitor is easy to use and has a simple control system.



A Commitment To Quality and Innovation



Jartoo's commitment towards quality and innovation can be seen in every aspect of this Video Baby Monitor. It is designed with the latest technology to meet the demands of modern parents while providing reliable performance. The sleek, compact design is a stylish addition to any nursery.



Jartoo Video Baby Monitor - A Reliable Companion on the Go for Parents

Modern parenting requires tools that are both reliable and flexible enough to accommodate a variety of lifestyles. Jartoo Video Baby Monitor is a great choice for parents on the go. Its portable design, extra long range, and lack of Wi-Fi requirements make it a unique combination of convenience and safety.

Portable for parents on the move

The Jartoo portable Baby Monitor for travel is one of its most notable features. This monitor was designed with travel in mind. It is lightweight and compact so it can easily be packed into a diaper bag or suitcase. Jartoo monitor allows you to keep an eye on your child, whether you are camping, visiting relatives or staying in a hotel. Its portability doesn't compromise on screen size or the battery life. You can stay connected to your child no matter where you are.

Extra-Long Range for Unmatched Flexible

Jartoo long range baby monitor is ideal for parents who want to monitor their children from a distance. This feature is especially useful for larger homes or when you are outside doing chores. The extended range allows you to maintain a stable connection between the baby unit and your device, giving you peace of mind that you can always hear and see your child without interruption.

No Wi-Fi required for enhanced security

Jartoo's Baby Monitor is a welcome addition to a world where digital security has become a major concern. This monitor is independent of internet connections. This reduces the risk of hacking and unauthorized access, which can be associated with WiFi enabled devices. Parents can be assured that their privacy will be protected and their baby's feed on the monitor is safe from external threats.

User-Friendly Features

Jartoo Video Baby Monitor was designed with the user in mind, as well as its core features. It is easy to use and has intuitive controls. Its functionality is enhanced by additional features such as night vision and temperature monitoring.

About Jartoo



Jartoo is committed to enhancing parenting experiences through innovative technology and thoughtful design. Jartoo is committed to developing products that nurture children and support parents. They focus on safety, convenience and innovation.



Visit jartoo.com for more information on Jartoo's upgraded No WiFi connectivity technology or other innovative products.





Contact Person: Jack Franky



Company Name: Arknology LLC



Brand Name: Jartoo



Website URL: https://jartoo.com



Business Email: support@jartoo.com



Phone Number: +1 (213) 394-5088



Location: 30 Donovan, Irvine, California, 92620, United States

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/5da11cbc-5395-4b7e-a5ab-7753f413a2e5
Dublin, Sept. 02, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Dairy Herd Management - Global Strategic Business Report" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.



The global market for Dairy Herd Management was estimated at US$3.8 Billion in 2023 and is projected to reach US$5.4 Billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 5.1% from 2023 to 2030. This comprehensive report provides an in-depth analysis of market trends, drivers, and forecasts, helping you make informed business decisions.





Modern dairy herd management utilizes sophisticated software and hardware to monitor herd health, track production metrics, and streamline operations. For instance, wearable sensors on cows can track their movement, temperature, and milk yield, providing data that help farmers make informed decisions about nutrition, medical care, and breeding. These technologies not only enhance animal welfare and farm efficiency but also ensure the production of high-quality milk and dairy products.



What Challenges Do Farmers Face in Dairy Herd Management?



The primary challenges in dairy herd management include the high costs of technological implementation and the complexity of data management. Advanced systems like automated milking machines and health monitoring devices require significant upfront investment and ongoing maintenance. Additionally, the vast amounts of data generated by these technologies need to be effectively managed and analyzed to be useful, requiring farmers to have or develop a certain level of technical expertise or hire specialists. There's also the challenge of integrating new technologies with existing farm practices and systems, which can be disruptive and time-consuming.



What Are the Latest Advances in Dairy Herd Management Technologies?



Advancements in dairy herd management are focusing on automation, real-time data analysis, and improved animal welfare. Automated milking and feeding systems not only reduce labor costs but also increase milking efficiency and accuracy in feed dispensation. Real-time data analysis tools help in early detection of diseases, optimizing breeding periods, and improving overall herd health. Innovations such as machine learning models predict and prevent potential health issues before they become serious, thus maintaining a healthier herd and reducing veterinary costs. Moreover, the integration of cloud computing allows farmers to access information remotely, facilitating better management decisions regardless of location.



What Drives the Growth in the Dairy Herd Management Market?



The growth in the dairy herd management market is driven by several factors, including the increasing global demand for dairy products, the need for enhanced operational efficiency on dairy farms, and the growing emphasis on animal welfare. As dairy consumption rises worldwide, farmers are pressured to increase productivity without compromising quality, driving them to adopt advanced management solutions.

The implementation of strict animal welfare regulations across many countries also necessitates more precise and humane management practices, further propelling the adoption of technology in herd management. Additionally, environmental concerns push for more sustainable farming practices, which efficient herd management can help achieve by optimizing resource use and reducing waste.



Key Insights:

Market Growth: Understand the significant growth trajectory of the Automated Systems segment, which is expected to reach US$3.5 Billion by 2030 with a CAGR of a 6.0%. The Standalone Software segment is also set to grow at 3.6% CAGR over the analysis period.

Regional Analysis: Gain insights into the U.S. market, which was estimated at $1.0 Billion in 2023, and China, forecasted to grow at an impressive 8.7% CAGR to reach $1.2 Billion by 2030. Discover growth trends in other key regions, including Japan, Canada, Germany, and the Asia-Pacific.

Report Features:

Comprehensive Market Data: Independent analysis of annual sales and market forecasts in US$ Million from 2023 to 2030.

In-Depth Regional Analysis: Detailed insights into key markets, including the U.S., China, Japan, Canada, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Middle East, and Africa.

Company Profiles: Coverage of major players such as Afimilk Ltd., Boumatic Robotics, B.V., Dairymaster USA Inc.,, and more.

Complimentary Updates: Receive free report updates for one year to keep you informed of the latest market developments.

Key Attributes:





Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 163 Forecast Period 2023 - 2030 Estimated Market Value (USD) in 2023 $3.8 Billion Forecasted Market Value (USD) by 2030 $5.4 Billion Compound Annual Growth Rate 5.1% Regions Covered Global





Key Topics Covered:



MARKET OVERVIEW

Influencer Market Insights

Dairy Herd Management - Global Key Competitors Percentage Market Share in 2024 (E)

Competitive Market Presence - Strong/Active/Niche/Trivial for Players Worldwide in 2024 (E)

Global Economic Update

MARKET TRENDS & DRIVERS

Increase in Herd Size to Drive Demand

Increase in Funding and Investments towards Dairy Farms Development to Spur Market Demand

Integration of IoT and Big Data in Dairy Herd Management Enhances Efficiency

Advances in Animal Health Monitoring Systems Propel Market Growth

Growing Importance of Sustainable Farming Practices Drives Adoption of Management Solutions

Expansion of Automated Feeding Systems in Dairy Management

Rising Global Demand for Milk and Dairy Products Strengthens Need for Efficient Herd Management

Adoption of Mobile Applications for Real-Time Herd Management

Challenges in Labor Shortages and Increasing Automation in Dairy Farms

Innovations in Dairy Herd Health Management and Preventative Care Practices

Expansion of Dairy Farms in Emerging Markets and the Need for Scalable Solutions

FOCUS ON SELECT PLAYERS(Total 22 Featured)

Afimilk Ltd.

Boumatic Robotics, B.V.

Dairymaster USA Inc.,

DeLaval

Farmtec a. s.

Farmwizard

Fullwood Ltd.

GEA Group AG

Lely Holding S.a.r.l.

Pearson International LLC.

SCR (Engineers) Ltd.

Sum-It Computer Systems, Ltd.

Trioliet B.V.

Valley Agricultural Software (VAS)

Waikato Milking Systems NZ LP.

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/wy3wre

About ResearchAndMarkets.com

ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends.

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Monday, September 2, 2024







Dear Shareholders and Investors,





Thursday September 12, 2024, we will host an Investor Conference Call with the main objective of providing an update on Nordic American Tankers Ltd, including prospects going forward.

Time: 8 AM US Eastern Standard Time (EST) / 2 PM Central European Time (CET)



Dial-in details to be provided later.



Sincerely,



Herbjorn Hansson

Founder, Chairman & CEO

Nordic American Tankers Ltd. www.nat.bm

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Matters discussed in this press release may constitute forward-looking statements. The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides safe harbor protections for forward-looking statements in order to encourage companies to provide prospective information about their business. Forward-looking statements include statements concerning plans, objectives, goals, strategies, future events or performance, and underlying assumptions and other statements, which are other than statements of historical facts.

The Company desires to take advantage of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and is including this cautionary statement in connection with this safe harbor legislation. The words believe, anticipate, intend, estimate, forecast, project, plan, potential, will, may, should, expect, pending and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements.

The forward-looking statements in this press release are based upon various assumptions, many of which are based, in turn, upon further assumptions, including without limitation, our managements examination of historical operating trends, data contained in our records and other data available from third parties. Although we believe that these assumptions were reasonable when made, because these assumptions are inherently subject to significant uncertainties and contingencies which are difficult or impossible to predict and are beyond our control, we cannot assure you that we will achieve or accomplish these expectations, beliefs or projections. We undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Important factors that, in our view, could cause actual results to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements include the strength of world economies and currencies, general market conditions, including fluctuations in charter rates and vessel values, changes in demand in the tanker market, as a result of changes in OPECs petroleum production levels and worldwide oil consumption and storage, changes in our operating expenses, including bunker prices, drydocking and insurance costs, the market for our vessels, availability of financing and refinancing, changes in governmental rules and regulations or actions taken by regulatory authorities, potential liability from pending or future litigation, general domestic and international political conditions, potential disruption of shipping routes due to accidents or political events, vessels breakdowns and instances of off-hires and other important factors described from time to time in the reports filed by the Company with

the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the prospectus and related prospectus supplement, our Annual Report on Form 20-F, and our reports on Form 6-K.

Contacts:

Bjrn Giver, CFO

Nordic American Tankers Ltd

Tel: +1 888 755 8391

Alexander Kihle, Finance Manager

Nordic American Tankers Ltd

Tel: +47 91 724 171




Dublin, Sept. 02, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Global Palm Oil Market Report by Application (Personal Care, Animal Feed, Household Cooking, Oleo Chemicals, Food & Beverages, Bio-fuel) Countries and Company Analysis, 2024-2032" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.



Global Palm Oil Market Analysis



Palm Oil Market is predicted to reach US$ 84.98 billion in 2032, up from US$ 58.73 billion in 2023, with a compound annual growth rate of 4.19% from 2024 to 2032.



Worldwide palm oil production has steadily increased over the past five decades. Between 1995 and 2015, annual production rose from 15.2 million tons to 62.6 million tons, expected to reach 240 million tons by 2050. Palm oil plantations cover 10% of permanent global cropland, and 3 billion people in 150 countries use products containing palm oil.

Indonesia is the largest producer and exporter of palm oil and has experienced significant environmental and social impacts due to the rapid expansion of palm oil plantations. While the government supports palm oil cultivators, the industry's expansion has led to deforestation, loss of biodiversity, and social issues, highlighting the complex nature of the industry's impact.







Palm oil consumption has steadily increased worldwide, driven by its versatile properties and widespread availability. Due to its functional benefits and versatility, it is used in many everyday products, such as food, detergents, and cosmetics. Palm oil contains high saturated and unsaturated fats, vitamin E, and beta-carotene. These components offer various health advantages, such as increased energy, prevention of premature aging, improved eye vision, immune system stimulation, and a lower chance of heart disease and cancer. The rising customer perception of these health benefits and the flourishing food sector drive market expansion. The United States consumes approximately 1.7 million metric tons of palm oil annually.



Increase the use of Palm Oil in personal care and cosmetic products:



Consumer demand for cosmetic products and personal care using palm oil is increasing globally, representing about 10% of the global and 7% of the European markets. Palm oil is used for its nourishing, emollient, and protective properties and its ability to add texture and moisturize in various cosmetic products, including makeup, body oils, hair products, and face and body creams. The INCI for palm oil is Elaeis Guineensis fruit oil on cosmetic product labels, while palm kernel oil's INCI is listed as Elaeis Guineensis kernel oil.



Indonesia Palm Oil Market



Indonesia is increasing the use of palm oil in biofuel production to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and support renewable energy goals. Advanced biofuel production from palm residues offers a sustainable alternative, contributing to Indonesia's renewable energy and biodiesel blending targets. However, this expansion poses risks to biodiversity and deforestation.

Sustainable practices and policies are crucial to mitigate these impacts, emphasizing the responsible utilization of palm residues for biofuel production to support emission reduction goals and environmental sustainability. In October 2023, Indonesia launched its crude palm oil futures exchange to improve price transparency domestically and challenge the two widely used global price benchmarks over the long term.

Key Attributes:

Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 330 Forecast Period 2023 - 2032 Estimated Market Value (USD) in 2023 $58.73 Billion Forecasted Market Value (USD) by 2032 $84.98 Billion Compound Annual Growth Rate 4.1% Regions Covered Global

Company Analysis: Overview, Recent Development & Strategies, Financial Insights

Archer-Daniels-Midland Company

Boustead Holdings Berhad

IJM Corporation Berhad

IOI Corporation Berhad

Kulim Malaysia Berhad (Johor Corporation)

Sime Darby Plantation Berhad

United Plantations Berhad

Univanich Palm Oil Public Company Ltd.

Wilmar International Ltd.

Application - Global Palm Oil Market breakup in 6 viewpoints:

Household Cooking

Food & Beverages

Oleo Chemicals

Personal Care

Animal Feed

Bio-fuel

Country - Global Palm Oil Market breakup in 25 viewpoints:

North America

United States

Canada

Europe

France

Germany

Italy

Spain

United Kingdom

Belgium

the Netherlands

Turkey

Asia Pacific

China

Japan

India

Australia

South Korea

Thailand

Malaysia

Indonesia

New Zealand

Latin America

Brazil

Mexico

Argentina

Middle East & Africa

South Africa

Saudi Arabia

United Arab Emirates

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/qub14a

About ResearchAndMarkets.com

ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends.

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New Delhi, Sept. 02, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The global convex ostomy care bag market is projected to hit the market valuation of US$ 4,840.3 million by 2032 from US$ 3,174.1 million in 2023 at a CAGR of 4.8% during the forecast period 20242032.

The global convex ostomy care bag market is experiencing significant evolution, driven by technological advancements, increasing healthcare awareness, and a growing aging population. In 2023, the market was valued at $3.17 billion, with North America and Europe leading in terms of demand and innovation. The introduction of advanced materials, such as skin-friendly adhesives and odor-neutralizing filters, has enhanced user comfort and convenience, leading to higher adoption rates. In Japan alone, over 500,000 individuals have adopted ostomy care solutions, underscoring the demand in regions with advanced healthcare systems. Moreover, the market is witnessing growth in emerging economies, with countries like India and Brazil reporting an annual increase of around 200,000 new users, driven by improved healthcare infrastructure and accessibility.

Request Sample Report: https://www.astuteanalytica.com/request-sample/convex-ostomy-care-bag-market

Colon cancer prevalence plays a pivotal role in shaping the convex ostomy care bag market. With over 1.9 million new cases of colon cancer diagnosed globally in 2023, the demand for ostomy care products is on the rise. In the United States, approximately 150,000 individuals were diagnosed with colorectal cancer, necessitating surgical interventions that often lead to ostomy operations. Furthermore, China reported 376,000 new cases, highlighting the significant healthcare challenge and subsequent demand for ostomy care. Advanced screening and early detection have increased the survival rate, thereby boosting the market for post-operative care products. The rising survival rates mean more long-term users of ostomy care products, fueling market growth and innovation.

The convex ostomy care bag market's evolution is also influenced by increasing investments in research and development. In 2023, leading manufacturers allocated over $500 million towards R&D to develop more efficient and user-friendly products. The rise of e-commerce platforms is facilitating access, with online sales accounting for 600,000 units sold annually. Additionally, government initiatives in countries like Germany and Canada, where healthcare systems support ostomy care, have contributed to the market's expansion. As the population ages, with 703 million individuals aged 65 and over worldwide, the demand for ostomy care is set to grow, ensuring sustained market evolution and adaptation to meet diverse patient needs.

Key Findings in Convex Ostomy Care Bag Market

Market Forecast (2032) US$ 4,840.3 million CAGR 4.8% Largest Region (2023) Europe (37.5%) By Type Skin Barrier (56.8%) By Application Ostomy Leakage (39.3%) By End Users Hospitals and Ambulatory Care (63.3%) By Distribution Channel Offline (83.9%) Top Trends Growing adoption of personalized ostomy care products tailored to individual needs.

Increasing focus on environmentally friendly and biodegradable ostomy bag materials.

Expanding online platforms for purchasing ostomy care products and accessories. Top Drivers Increasing global aging population requiring advanced ostomy care solutions and products.

Rising prevalence of colorectal cancer and inflammatory bowel diseases worldwide.

Advancements in ostomy bag technologies improving patient comfort and usability. Top Challenges High cost of advanced ostomy care products limiting access for patients.

Stigma and social challenges experienced by patients using ostomy care bags.

Need for continuous innovation to address diverse patient needs and expectations.

Skin Barrier Segment Witnessing Immense Growth in Market Share and is Poised to Generate More than 56.8% Market Revenue

The global convex ostomy care bag market is witnessing significant growth, with skin barrier convex ostomy care bags at the forefront due to their enhanced functionality and patient-centric design. The increasing preference for these products is driven by the rising incidence of colorectal cancer and inflammatory bowel diseases, which necessitate ostomy surgeries. In 2023, it was reported that over 4 million people worldwide are living with an ostomy, with a substantial portion opting for convex ostomy care bags due to their superior fit and leak prevention capabilities. The demand is further fueled by the aging global population, as individuals over 60 are more prone to conditions requiring ostomy procedures. Additionally, improvements in medical reimbursement policies in countries like the U.S. and Germany have made these products more accessible, thereby boosting sales.

Technological advancements have also played a crucial role in the dominance of convex ostomy care bag market. Innovations such as hydrocolloid adhesives and odor-resistant materials have enhanced user comfort and discretion, leading to higher consumer satisfaction. Companies like Hollister Incorporated and ConvaTec Group reported sales exceeding $1 billion in ostomy care products last year, reflecting the robust market demand. Moreover, the rise of e-commerce platforms has facilitated easier distribution, with online sales accounting for a significant share of the market. The Asia-Pacific region is emerging as a major growth hub, with over 500 thousand new ostomy patients annually, driven by increasing healthcare expenditure and awareness. With continuous R&D investments and strategic collaborations, the market for skin barrier convex ostomy care bags is poised for sustained growth, making them the most consumed and sold category in the ostomy care sector worldwide.

Homecare End Users are Reshaping the Convex Ostomy Care Bag Market and Set to Grow at Highest CAGR of 5.1%

The shift towards home care in the ostomy care sector is being driven by several key factors, reflecting broader trends in healthcare and patient preferences. One significant driver is the aging global population, with the World Health Organization reporting that 1 in 6 people will be aged 60 years or older by 2030. As people age, the incidence of conditions that require ostomy surgery, such as colorectal cancer and inflammatory bowel disease, increases. With over 10 million people globally living with an ostomy, there is a growing demand for convenient and accessible care solutions that can be managed at home. Moreover, advancements in telemedicine and digital health technologies, which have seen a global adoption increase of 45% over the past five years, enable patients to receive care and consultation remotely, reducing the need for frequent hospital visits.

The demand for convex ostomy care bag market in home care is further propelled by the increasing emphasis on personalized and patient-centric care. The convex design offers enhanced comfort and security, particularly for patients with recessed or flush stomas, which is crucial for improving quality of life. A recent survey indicated that 70% of ostomy patients prefer products that offer better skin protection and leak prevention, features that convex bags provide. Additionally, the rise of e-commerce has made it easier for patients to access a wide range of ostomy products, with the online medical supplies sector growing by $25 billion in recent years. Social media platforms, where patient communities share experiences and recommendations, play a vital role in product awareness and preference. Together, these factors highlight the home care sector's potential to meet the evolving needs of ostomy patients, driving its rapid growth and market shift.

Asia Pacific is Making Stride in Global Market, Projected to Keep Expanding at Highest CAGR of 5.2%

The Asia Pacific region has emerged as the fastest-growing convex ostomy care bag market due to a confluence of demographic, economic, and healthcare factors. The region's population is aging rapidly, with countries like Japan and South Korea experiencing significant increases in their elderly populations, who are more likely to require ostomy care. In China, there are now over 260 million people aged 60 and above, and India has seen its elderly population exceed 140 million, driving demand for ostomy products. Additionally, the rising prevalence of colorectal cancer and inflammatory bowel diseases in the region is a contributing factor; Japan alone reports over 140,000 new colorectal cancer cases annually. Economic growth in these countries has led to increased healthcare spending, with Chinas healthcare expenditure reaching over $930 billion in 2023. This financial capacity allows for better access to advanced medical products, including ostomy care solutions.

Moreover, improvements in healthcare infrastructure and the proliferation of medical facilities have bolstered the convex ostomy care bag market growth. The number of hospitals in India has surpassed 70,000, and China's hospital count now exceeds 33,000, facilitating broader distribution and access to ostomy care products. The region's embrace of digital health solutions and e-commerce is also noteworthy, with over 1.2 billion internet users in Asia Pacific, enhancing product accessibility and consumer awareness. Furthermore, government initiatives and policies supporting healthcare improvements, such as Japan's "Health and Medical Strategy," are fostering an environment conducive to market growth. Research and development investments by key market players are substantial, with leading companies like Coloplast and Convatec expanding their operations in the region. This growth trajectory is underscored by the increasing number of ostomy care workshops and training programs, with more than 500 events held across major cities in the past year alone, indicating a robust and expanding market landscape.

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Coloplast, Alcare, B. Braun, ConvaTec are Top 4 Players in Convex Ostomy Care Bag Market: Accounts for More than 32% Market Share

Coloplast, Alcare, B. Braun, and ConvaTec dominate the convex ostomy care bag market due to their strong brand reputation, extensive research and development capabilities, and comprehensive product portfolios that address diverse patient needs. Coloplast, in particular, holds the largest market share of over 9.4%, driven by its innovative product offerings and customer-centric approach. The company's growth strategy focuses on expanding its product line, enhancing distribution networks, and investing in emerging markets, which has allowed it to maintain a competitive edge. Their commitment to quality and patient comfort has established them as a trusted choice for healthcare professionals and patients alike.

In recent years, Coloplast has demonstrated consistent sales growth, attributed to its strategic acquisitions and partnerships that have expanded its market presence globally. The company has also invested significantly in digital transformation, enhancing its supply chain efficiency and customer engagement. Similarly, Alcare, B. Braun, and ConvaTec have pursued strategic initiatives such as product innovation, mergers, and acquisitions to bolster their market positions. For instance, ConvaTec's focus on developing advanced ostomy care solutions and its robust customer support services have contributed to its strong market performance.

Other factors contributing to the dominance of these four players include their global reach, regulatory compliance, and strong relationships with healthcare providers. Their ability to adapt to changing market dynamics, such as the increasing demand for personalized healthcare solutions and sustainable products, has further solidified their leadership in the convex ostomy care bag market. As of 2023, these companies continue to prioritize research and development, leveraging technological advancements to enhance product efficacy and patient outcomes, ensuring their continued market leadership amid evolving industry trends.

Global Convex Ostomy Care Bag Market Key Players

ConvaTec (UK)

Coloplast (Denmark)

Hollister Incorporated (US)

B. Braun (Germany)

Alcare (Japan)

Nu-Hope (US)

Marlen (US)

Welland Medical (UK)

BAO-Health (China)

Flexicare Medical (UK)

Cymed (US)

Perma-Type (US)

3M (US)

Smith & Nephew (UK)

Other Prominent Players

Key Segmentation:

By Type

One-piece System

Two-piece System

Skin Barrier

By Application

Ostomy leakage

Retracted stoma

Peristomal skin creases

Surgical scars and flaccid

Loop ostomies

Others

By End User

Home Care

Hospitals & Ambulator

Surgical Centers

Others

By Distribution Channel

Online e-Commerce

Offline

By Region

North America

Europe

Asia Pacific

Middle East & Africa (MEA)

South America

Inquire Before Buying This Research Report: https://www.astuteanalytica.com/inquire-before-purchase/convex-ostomy-care-bag-market

About Astute Analytica

Astute Analytica is a global analytics and advisory company which has built a solid reputation in a short period, thanks to the tangible outcomes we have delivered to our clients. We pride ourselves in generating unparalleled, in depth and uncannily accurate estimates and projections for our very demanding clients spread across different verticals. We have a long list of satisfied and repeat clients from a wide spectrum including technology, healthcare, chemicals, semiconductors, FMCG, and many more. These happy customers come to us from all across the Globe. They are able to make well calibrated decisions and leverage highly lucrative opportunities while surmounting the fierce challenges all because we analyze for them the complex business environment, segment wise existing and emerging possibilities, technology formations, growth estimates, and even the strategic choices available. In short, a complete package. All this is possible because we have a highly qualified, competent, and experienced team of professionals comprising of business analysts, economists, consultants, and technology experts. In our list of priorities, you-our patron-come at the top. You can be sure of best cost-effective, value-added package from us, should you decide to engage with us.
SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 02, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Hagens Berman urges Spire Global, Inc. (NYSE: SPIR) investors who suffered substantial losses to submit your losses now. The firm also encourages persons with knowledge who may assist the investigation to contact its attorneys.



Class Period: Mar. 6, 2024  Aug. 14, 2024

Lead Plaintiff Deadline: Oct. 21, 2024

Visit: www.hbsslaw.com/investor-fraud/SPIR

Contact the Firm Now: SPIR@hbsslaw.com

844-916-0895

Class Action Lawsuit Against Spire Global, Inc. (SPIR):

Spire, a provider of space-based data services, announced that its accounting errors are more extensive than previously disclosed. On August 27, the company revealed that virtually all of its previously reported financial statements for 2022 and 2023 would need to be restated due to improperly recognized revenues for pre-space mission activity.

This revelation marks a substantial escalation from the company's initial announcement on August 14, when Spire announced that it would not timely file its Q2 2024 quarterly report as previously planned. The company said then it was in the process of reviewing its accounting practices and procedures with respect to revenue recognition related to certain contracts in its Space as a Service business. The company further explained that [t]he re-evaluation relates to the potential existence of embedded leases of identifiable assets in the Contracts and the related recognition of revenue for pre-space mission activities.

Further, Spire said that, based on preliminary information, it believes it may be in violation of the maximum debt to EBITDA leverage ratio financial covenant under its financing agreement with Blue Torch Finance. The company said it is attempting to secure waivers or amendments to the financing agreement but could give no assurances of success.

This news sent the price of Spire shares about 33% lower on August 15, 2024.

But on August 27, 2024, Spire disclosed the accounting errors were more extensive than initially revealed. The company: (1) admitted that it improperly recognized revenues for pre-space mission activity; (2) said its financial statements for the quarters and nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, the quarters and six months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022, and for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 should no longer be relied on; and (3) also said that it would restate its financial statements for these affected periods.

Spires most recent disclosure comes on the heels of an investor class action filed earlier this month. The complaint, filed on behalf of investors in Spire between March 6, 2024 and August 14, 2024, inclusive, alleges that Spire misrepresented and failed to disclose that: (1) there were embedded leases of identifiable assets and pre-space mission activities for certain Space Services contracts; (2) the company lacked sufficient internal controls for revenue recognition for these contracts; and (3) as a result, the company overstated revenue for certain Space Services contracts.

This news drove the price of Spire shares down over 5% during intraday trading on August 28, 2024.

Spires admitted accounting errors has prompted shareholder rights firm Hagens Berman to commence an investigation into whether the company and its executives violated U.S. securities laws.

We are looking into whether Spires most recent disclosures justify extending the alleged class period, said Reed Kathrein, the Hagens Berman partner leading the investigation.

If you invested in Spire Global and have substantial losses, or have knowledge that may assist the firms investigation, submit your losses now 

If youd like more information and answers to frequently asked questions about the Spire Global case and our investigation, read more 

Whistleblowers: Persons with non-public information regarding Spire Global should consider their options to help in the investigation or take advantage of the SEC Whistleblower program. Under the new program, whistleblowers who provide original information may receive rewards totaling up to 30 percent of any successful recovery made by the SEC. For more information, call Reed Kathrein at 844-916-0895 or email SPIR@hbsslaw.com.

About Hagens Berman

Hagens Berman is a global plaintiffs rights complex litigation firm focusing on corporate accountability. The firm is home to a robust practice and represents investors as well as whistleblowers, workers, consumers and others in cases achieving real results for those harmed by corporate negligence and other wrongdoings. Hagens Bermans team has secured more than $2.9 billion in this area of law. More about the firm and its successes can be found at hbsslaw.com. Follow the firm for updates and news at @ClassActionLaw.
SINGAPORE, Sept. 02, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- We are excited to announce that Swiss Cash Coin (SWC) will soon be listed on XT Exchange. The SWC/USDT trading pair will be available in the Innovation Zone (DeFi). Please take note of the following go-live schedule:



Deposit: 10:00 on September 03, 2024 (UTC)

10:00 on September 03, 2024 (UTC) Trading: 10:00 on September 04, 2024 (UTC)

10:00 on September 04, 2024 (UTC) Withdrawal: 10:00 on September 05, 2024 (UTC)



About Swiss Cash Coin

Swiss Cash Coin is a revolutionary digital currency designed to provide security, efficiency, and enhanced financial inclusion. Built on the Binance Smart Chain, SWC leverages the advanced capabilities of blockchain technology while offering user-friendly features that make it versatile and robust. SWC aims to bridge the gap between traditional finance and the digital economy, ensuring users benefit from a secure, transparent, and accessible financial system.

About SWC

As the core token of the Swiss Cash Coin ecosystem, SWC facilitates fast and secure transactions, bringing the benefits of decentralized finance (DeFi) to a broader audience. Utilizing the Binance Smart Chain allows SWC to offer low transaction fees and high-speed processing, making it an ideal choice for users looking for an efficient and cost-effective cryptocurrency. SWC is more than just a digital currency; it is a comprehensive financial tool designed to empower users worldwide.

The listing of SWC on XT Exchange marks a significant milestone for Swiss Cash Coin and its community. This partnership allows SWC to reach a broader audience of traders and blockchain enthusiasts, enhancing liquidity and supporting its growth within the DeFi space. By joining XT Exchange, Swiss Cash Coin is poised to play a crucial role in digital finance's ongoing evolution, bringing users secure and inclusive financial solutions globally.

Albin Warin, CEO of XT Exchange, shared his thoughts on the listing:

"We are excited to have Swiss Cash Coin join our platform. SWCs commitment to combining security, efficiency, and financial inclusion aligns with our vision of supporting innovative and impactful projects. We believe this listing will provide substantial value to our users and contribute to the broader adoption of decentralized financial solutions."

About XT

Founded in 2018, XT serves more than 7.8M registered users, over 1M monthly active users, 40+ million users in the ecosystem, and more than 800 tokens with 1000+ trading pairs. XT crypto exchange offers a rich variety of trading categories to provide a secure, trusted, and intuitive trading experience for its large user base. This includes crypto futures trading (USDT-M Futures and coin-M futures perpetual contracts) and copy trading that allows users to replicate top traders in real time with just one click. Additionally, the futures grid allows users to automate the buying and selling of futures contracts for profits.

Website: xt.com

X: twitter.com/XTexchange

Telegram: t.me/XTsupport_EN

XT Exchange

Bella Wei

Listing@xt.com

Swiss Cash Coin

Info@swcoin.us

Disclaimer: This content is provided by XT exchange. The statements, views and opinions expressed in this column are solely those of the content provider.The information provided in this press release is not a solicitation for investment, nor is it intended as investment advice, financial advice, or trading advice. It is strongly recommended you practice due diligence, including consultation with a professional financial advisor, before investing in or trading cryptocurrency and securities.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/b4306c7b-45f9-466d-8a42-636525583929
Newark, Sept. 02, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Brainy Insights estimates that the USD 500 million in 2023 global high-integrity pressure protection system market will reach USD 983.57 million in 2033. One type of safety system is the High-Integrity Pressure Protection System (HIPPS). When more traditional means of protecting equipment from high pressure are ineffective, it is applied. safety valves for traditional pressure safety systems. They do not, however, always function in every circumstance. Sometimes they are insufficient, or they are not applicable because of unfeasible or inadequate circumstances. HIPPS is far more accurate and complex than traditional systems.



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Because it provides real-time monitoring, it is extremely safe and responsive. Pressure sensors, a control system, and shutdown valves are some of the parts that make up HIPPS, which is a system for safeguarding machinery and equipment in industrial environments. Because HIPPS is proactive, it is far safer than traditional systems. HIPPS is an extremely dependable safety system that works well. The highest safety requirements set forth by national, regional, and international organisations are met by HIPPS.



Key Insight of the Global High-integrity pressure protection system Market



North America will dominate the market during the forecast period.



The well-developed industrial infrastructure in the region fosters a greater adoption of HIPPS in the market. The region is also home to sizable chemical, petrochemical, and oil and gas industries, all of which heavily rely on HIPPS systems to adhere to local safety regulations. The market's expansion is further aided by the strict regulatory environment and the world's top safety requirements. The industry's growth is further encouraged by the existence of major firms who are spearheading HIPPS innovation and offering HIPPS systems that are easily accessed in a variety of industrial settings.



In 2023, the components segment dominated the market with the largest market share of 64% and revenue of USD 320 million.



The type segment is divided into components and services. In 2023, the components segment dominated the market with the largest market share of 64% and revenue of USD 320 million.



In 2023, the oil and gas segment dominated the market with the largest market share of 38% and revenue of USD 190 million.



The end user industry segment is divided into oil and gas, chemicals, power, metal and mining, food and beverages and others. In 2023, the oil and gas segment dominated the market with the largest market share of 38% and revenue of USD 190 million.



Browse Detailed Summary of Research Report with TOC: https://www.thebrainyinsights.com/report/high-integrity-pressure-protection-system-market-14522



Report Scope and Segmentation 



Report Coverage Details Forecast Period 2024-2033 Forecast CAGR 7% 2033 Value Projection USD 983.57 Million Market Size in 2023 USD 500 Million Historical Data 2020-2022 No. of Pages 238 Report Coverage Revenue Forecast, Company Profiles, Competitive Landscape, Growth Factors and Latest Trends Segments Covered Type, End-User Industry, Regions Regions Covered The regions analyzed for the market are Asia Pacific, Europe, South America, North America, and Middle East & Africa. Furthermore, the regions are further analyzed at the country level. High-Integrity Pressure Protection System Market Growth Drivers Stringent safety regulations

Advancement in market



During the hydrogen post-production process, IMI introduced what is regarded as one of the earliest high integrity pressure protection systems (HIPPS) to guard against overpressure propagation. In the event of an overpressure occurrence, the new HIPPS is specifically designed to isolate the source of dangerously high pressure rather than alleviating the excess flow. This encourages the safe post-production storage of hydrogen before it is transported to the place of use and provides a vital layer of protection for pipelines and downstream components. Consequently, hydrogen producers will be able to prevent containment loss while increasing safety and availability in comparison to conventional pressure safety release valves.



Market Dynamics



Driver: Strict safety guidelines.



The regulatory push to guarantee a clean, safe, and non-aggressive workplace for all workers as a fundamental human right will be beneficial to the HIPPS industry. The number of industrial accidents that result in property damage and fatalities has increased, bringing attention to the level of safety in different economic sectors. Together, activists, unions, NGOs, businesses, and governments have raised safety standards and implemented them more locally to lower the number of accidents, fatalities, and property losses. Without requiring human intervention, HIPPS activates its proactive measures to maintain safety in industrial environments. It is an excellent option for businesses as a safety tool on their property since it is a dependable, dependable, and effective safety system that satisfies the safety standards set by regulatory bodies. The strong accountability requirements also encourage businesses to implement safety precautions in order to avoid paying large fines and running afoul of the law, which raises demand for HIPPS. Strict safety laws will therefore support the expansion of the sector.



Restraints: High HIPPS investment costs.



HIPPS is an extremely clever, smart, and advanced piece of machinery. Safety valves are automatically activated without the need for human interaction in response to hazardous pressure levels through the use of sophisticated control systems, sensors, and integrated safety valves. It takes money to integrate these components with the current systems. In comparison to traditional safety valves, HIPPS requires more money for operation and maintenance. The majority of industry participants continue with reasonably priced conventional safety measures since they lack the funds to invest in HIPPS. Consequently, the market's expansion will be constrained by HIPPS's high investment costs.



Opportunities: developments in technology.



The need for advanced safety systems like HIPPS has increased due to the strict regulatory framework that aims to raise the standards of safety in industrial settings. A further factor in HIPPS's ongoing innovation to improve its features and adapt to new industrial settings has been the growing demand. As a result of ongoing innovation, sophisticated sensors that improve pressure measurement precision and accuracy have been developed, boosting HIPPS's dependability. The market's pressure systems operate more efficiently when smart technologies are integrated. Thus, during the projected period, technological developments will positively impact the growth and development of the worldwide HIPPS market.



Challenges: Integration challenges.



HIPPS is relatively new and advanced systems with components and systems that are not compatible with old equipment and machinery of industries. integration of existing infrastructure with HIPPS is challenging and complex as the existing infrastructure needs to modified so it becomes suitable for relaying information through HIPPS. The modifications and necessary tweaks might be complicated, time consuming and costly with the requirement of specialized engineering and skilled talent making it a less desirable process for many. Therefore, the integration challenges will challenge the markets growth.



Some of the major players operating in the global high-integrity pressure protection system market are:



 Apollo Fire Detectors Limited

 Electro Detectors Ltd

 EMS Security Group Ltd

 Halma Plc.

 Hochiki Corporation

 Honeywell International, Inc.

 Robert Bosch GmbH

 Siemens AG

 Sterling Safety Systems

 Wagner Group GmbH



Key Segments covered in the market:



By Type



 Components

 Services



By End User Industry



 Oil and Gas

 Chemicals

 Power

 Metal and Mining

 Food and Beverages

 Others



By Region



 North America (U.S., Canada, Mexico)

 Europe (Germany, France, the UK, Italy, Spain, Rest of Europe)

 Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, India, Rest of APAC)

 South America (Brazil and the Rest of South America)

 The Middle East and Africa (UAE, South Africa, Rest of MEA)



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About the report:



The market is analysed based on value (USD Million). All the segments have been analysed on a worldwide, regional, and country basis. The study includes the analysis of more than 30 countries for each part. The report analyses driving factors, opportunities, restraints, and challenges to gain critical market insight. The study includes Porter's five forces model, attractiveness analysis, Product analysis, supply and demand analysis, competitor position grid analysis, distribution, and marketing channels analysis.



About The Brainy Insights:



The Brainy Insights is a market research company, aimed at providing actionable insights through data analytics to companies to improve their business acumen. We have a robust forecasting and estimation model to meet the clients' objectives of high-quality output within a short span of time. We provide both customized (clients' specific) and syndicate reports. Our repository of syndicate reports is diverse across all the categories and sub-categories across domains. Our customized solutions are tailored to meet the clients' requirements whether they are looking to expand or planning to launch a new product in the global market.



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Head of Business Development

Phone: +1-315-215-1633

Email: sales@thebrainyinsights.com

Web: www.thebrainyinsights.com
VANCOUVER, August 30, 2024 - Camino Minerals Corp. (TSXV:COR)(OTC PINK:CAMZF)(WKN:A116E1) (" Camino " or the " Company ") and Nittetsu Mining Co., Ltd. (" Nittetsu ") announce a one-week extension to their exclusive rights to finalize negotiations and documentation for the acquisition of the Puquios Project (the " Proposed Acquisition "), a construction-ready copper mine located in Chile (see news release dated June 27, 2024 ). The exclusivity period has been extended to September 7, 2024.

About Nittetsu Mining CO., Ltd.:

Nittetsu is a Japanese corporation listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange with an 85-year history as a mining and trading company. Nittetsu is the operator of the Atacama Kozan mine located in the prolific Candelaria-Punta del Cobre copper district which is known to host iron-oxide-copper-gold type ore deposits. In addition, Nittetsu has made a decision to start construction of its 80% owned Arqueros copper mine in Chile. Nittetsu has expertise in processing, distributing, importing, and exporting copper and other mineral products. Other businesses include: purchasing and distributing coal and petroleum products; developing and distributing equipment, machinery and environment-related products; real estate; power generation using renewable energy; the supply and sale of electricity; and mining and distributing industrial minerals including limestone.

About Camino Minerals Corporation:

Camino is a discovery and development stage copper exploration company. Camino is focused on advancing its high-grade Los Chapitos copper project located in Peru through to resource delineation and to add new discoveries. Camino has also permitted the Maria Cecilia copper porphyry project for an exploration drilling program which is currently underway. In addition, Camino has increased its land position at its copper and silver Plata Dorada project. Camino seeks to acquire a portfolio of advanced copper assets that have the potential to deliver copper into an electrifying, copper intensive global economy. For more information, please refer to Camino's website at www.caminocorp.com.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD For further information, please contact: /S/ "Jay Chmelauskas" Camino Investor Relations President and CEO info@caminocorp.com Tel: (604) 493-2058

Completion of the Proposed Acquisition is subject to a number of conditions, including but not limited to, TSXV acceptance and if applicable, disinterested shareholder approval. Where applicable, the Proposed Acquisition cannot close until the required shareholder approval is obtained. There can be no assurance that the Proposed Acquisition will be completed as proposed or at all. Investors are cautioned that, except as disclosed in the management information circular or filing statement to be prepared in connection with the Proposed Acquisition, any information released or received with respect to the Proposed Acquisition may not be accurate or complete and should not be relied upon. Trading in the securities of Camino should be considered highly speculative.

The TSX Venture Exchange Inc. has in no way passed upon the merits of the Proposed Acquisition and has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this news release.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements: Certain disclosures in this release constitute forward-looking information. In making the forward-looking disclosures in this release, the Company has applied certain factors and assumptions that are based on the Company's current beliefs as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to the Company. Forward-looking information in the release includes statements with respect to the entering into of the definitive agreements in respect of the Proposed Acquisition and acquisition of the Puquios Project. Although the Company considers these assumptions to be reasonable based on information currently available to it, they may prove to be incorrect, and the forward-looking information in this release is subject to numerous risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause future results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in such forward-looking information. Such risk factors include, among others, risk that the Proposed Acquisition will not be completed as anticipated, or at all; risk that the Company will not be able to complete its due diligence and negotiate definitive documentation by September 7, 2024 in respect of the Proposed Acquisition; risk that the Company will not receive requisite regulatory and shareholder approvals or satisfy the customary conditions in respect of the Proposed Acquisition as anticipated, or at all; risk that the Company and Nittetsu will not be able to establish a 50:50 joint venture in respect of the Puquios Project and the sharing of copper off-take for the Puquios Project as anticipated, or at all; risk that the consideration payable by Nittetsu and Camino, respectively, in respect of the Proposed Acquisition will not be as anticipated; risk that the anticipated synergies between Nittetsu and Camino in respect of the Puquios Project will not be realized as contemplated, or at all; risk that actual results of the Company's exploration activities may be different than those expected by management; risk that the Company may be unable to obtain or will experience delays in obtaining any required authorizations and approvals; and risks related to the state of equity and commodity markets. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company does not intend, and expressly disclaims any intention or obligation to, update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

SOURCE: Camino Minerals Corp

View the original press release on accesswire.com
The Company will host an update for shareholders on September 19

KINGSTON, August 30, 2024 - Focus Graphite Inc. (TSXV:FMS)(OTCQB:FCSMF)(FRANKFURT:FKC0) ("Focus Graphite" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that Mr. Dean Hanisch will join the Company as a Special Advisor and Business Development Consultant, effective September 3, 2024. Mr. Hanisch will work on advancing Focus Graphite's assets through strategic business development initiatives and fostering collaborations with industry and government partners.

Dean Hanisch is an entrepreneur with a successful 30-year record of assisting private and public companies in a broad range of industries, and at all stages of growth from seed and commercialization to operation and monetization. Mr. Hanisch has assisted a number of junior mining companies to enhance their market presence, and was instrumental in the growth and eventual sale of U.S.-based Paramount Gold and Silver Corp. Previously, Mr. Hanisch held a variety of senior executive positions in the IT industry, again assisting companies to grow, prosper and maximize shareholder return through acquisitions by public companies - for example, Titan Consulting Group acquired by Calian CTY.

"As the buzz around critical minerals grows ever louder, we are delighted to welcome Dean to the team here at Focus," said Marc Roy, president and CEO of Focus Graphite. "Dean's expertise in developing partnerships will benefit the Company as we continue to advance our Lac Knife and Lac Tetepisca natural large-flake graphite projects."

Shareholder update session

Shareholders and other stakeholders will have the opportunity to hear a corporate update and ask questions during a webinar on September 19, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. (Eastern Time). Attendees will need to register for the webinar in advance at the following link:

https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0lfu6hqTgpG93H11JCRloro6YMrPsEBae3.

About Focus Graphite

Focus Graphite Inc. is an advanced exploration company with an objective of producing flake graphite concentrate at its wholly owned Lac Knife and Lac Tetepisca flake graphite projects located in the Cote-Nord administrative region of Quebec. In a second stage, to meet Quebec stakeholder interests in developing second transformation industries within the province and to add shareholder value, Focus is evaluating the feasibility of producing value added specialty graphite products including battery-grade spherical graphite.

Focus Graphite is a technology-oriented graphite development company with a vision for building long-term, sustainable shareholder value. Focus also holds a significant equity position in graphene applications developer Grafoid Inc.

For more information about Focus Graphite and the Company's Lac Tetepisca and Lac Knife projects, please visit Focus's website at www.focusgraphite.com/ or contact:

Kimberly Darlington

Communications, Focus Graphite

kdarlington@focusgraphite.com

Judith Mazvihwa-MacLean

CFO, Focus Graphite

jmazvihwa@focusgraphite.com

(613) 581-4040

Neither the TSX-V nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX-V) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation. All information contained herein that is not clearly historical in nature may constitute forward-looking information, including references to the plans and project of the Company such as proceeding with production at the Company's Project, proceeding with exploration activities on its permits on Lac Tetepisca. Generally, such forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "potential", "high-potential", "expected", "optimistic", "looking forward", "moving forward", or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would" or "might". Forward-looking information is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information, including but not limited to: (i) volatile stock price; (ii) the general global markets and economic conditions; (iii) the possibility of write-downs and impairments; (iv) the risk associated with exploration, development and operations of mineral deposits; (v) the risk associated with establishing title to mineral properties and assets; (vi) fluctuations in commodity prices; (vii) the risks associated with uninsurable risks arising during the course of exploration, development and production; (viii) competition faced by the issuer in securing purchasers, off-taker markets, clients and experienced personnel and financing; (ix) access to adequate infrastructure to support mining, processing, development and exploration activities; (x) the risks associated with changes in the mining regulatory regime governing the issuer; (xi) the risks associated with the various environmental regulations the issuer is subject to; (xii) risks related to regulatory and permitting delays; (xiii) risks related to potential conflicts of interest; (xiv) the reliance on key personnel; (xv) liquidity risks; (xvi) the risk of litigation; and (xvii) risk management.

Forward-looking information is based on assumptions management believes to be reasonable at the time such statements are made, including but not limited to, continued exploration activities, no material adverse change in metal prices, exploration, and development plans to proceed in accordance with plans and such plans to achieve their stated expected outcomes, receipt of required regulatory approval, and such other assumptions and factors as set out herein. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such forward-looking information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking information. Such forward-looking information has been provided for the purpose of assisting investors in understanding the Company's business, operations and exploration plans and may not be appropriate for other purposes. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Forward-looking information is given as of the date of this press release, and the Company does not undertake to update such forward-looking information except in accordance with applicable securities laws.

SOURCE: Focus Graphite, Inc.

View the original press release on accesswire.com
VANCOUVER, August 30, 2024 - Victory Battery Metals Corp. (CSE:VR)(FWB:VR6)(OTC PINK:VRCFF) ("Victory" or the "Company") announced that it has closed its previously announced acquisition of the Yellow Chief Uranium Inc. properties located in Utah and Saskatchewan. The Company issued 8,000,000 common shares at a deemed price of $0.05 in accordance with the terms of the June 26, 2024 Option Agreement.

The common shares are subject to a four-month and one-day hold period.

The Company advised that when originally signed, the agreement was an arms length transaction, but the Yellow Chief. CEO subsequently became the CEO of the Company. If the transaction were to be classifed as a related party transaction, the Company would note that as such participation was less than 25% of the market capitalization of the Company at the time, the Company would rely on the exemptions from the valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements of MI 61-101 contained in sections 5.5(a) and 5.7(a) of MI 61-101 in respect of such insider participation.

About Victory Battery Metals

Victory is a publicly traded diversified investment corporation with mineral interests in North America. The Company's head office is located at 1780-355 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC, V6C 2C8, and its Common Shares are currently listed on the CSE.

Contact Information

For further information, please contact:

David Stadnyk, President

Phone: +1 (236) 317-2822 or toll-free +1 (855) 665-GOLD (4653)

E-mail: info@victorybatterymetals.com

www.victorybatterymetals.com

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information

Statements in this press release regarding the Company which are not historical facts are "forward-looking statements" that involve risks and uncertainties. Such forward-looking information can be generally identified by terms such as "may", "expect", "estimate", "anticipate", "intend", "believe", and "continue" or the negative thereof or similar variations. Since forward-looking statements address future events and conditions, by their very nature, they involve inherent risks and uncertainties. The Company provides forward-looking statements for the purpose of conveying information about current expectations and plans relating to the future, and readers are cautioned that such forward-looking statements may not be appropriate for other purposes. By its nature, this forward-looking information is subject to inherent risks and uncertainties that may be general or specific and which give rise to the possibility that expectations, forecasts, predictions, projections or conclusions may not prove to be accurate, that assumptions may not be correct, and that objectives, strategic goals and priorities may not be achieved. These risks and uncertainties include but are not limited to those identified and reported under the Company's disclosure documents available on its SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.com.

Neither the CSE nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release.



NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES



SOURCE: Victory Resources Corporation


VANCOUVER, Sept. 02, 2024 - Novo Resources Corp. (Novo or the Company) (ASX: NVO) (TSX: NVO) (OTCQX: NSRPF) is pleased to advise that the Company's Executive Co-Chairman and Acting Chief Executive Officer Mike Spreadborough will present at the Resources Rising Stars Gold Coast Investor Conference, being held on Tuesday 3rd and Wednesday 4th September 2024.

Mike will provide an update on the Company's current and future exploration programs across Novo's highly prospective Pilbara and Victoria gold portfolio.

Refer to the Corporate Presentation dated 3 September 2024 available at www.asx.com.au that provides an in depth update on Novo's activities and business outlook.

Mike will be presenting on Tuesday 3rd September at 4pm AEST.

The Conference will be live-streamed and shareholders and investors can attend either in-person or virtually through the Conference Livestream. There is no charge to attend either the live-stream or in-person event for investors, however registration is essential.

Conference location: RACV Royal Pines Resort, Ross St, Benowa QLD 4217

Registration details: www.rrsinvestor.com (In-person and online)

A recording of the presentation will be sent to all registered attendees shortly after the conclusion of the presentation through the Online Conference platform.

It is recommended that online investors pre-register prior to the commencement of the presentation.

Authorised for release by the Board of Directors.

CONTACT

Investors:

Mike Spreadborough

+61 8 6400 6100

info@novoresources.com North American Queries:

Leo Karabelas

+1 416 543 3120

leo@novoresources.com Media:

Cameron Gilenko

+61 466 984 953

cameron.gilenko@sodali.com



ABOUT NOVO

Novo is an Australian based gold explorer listed on the ASX and the TSX focused on discovering standalone gold projects with > 1 Moz development potential. Novo is an innovative gold explorer with a significant land package covering approximately 6,700 square kilometres in the Pilbara region of Western Australia, along with the 22 square kilometre Belltopper project in the Bendigo Tectonic Zone of Victoria, Australia.

Novo's key project area is the Egina Gold Camp, where De Grey Mining is farming-in to form a JV at the Becher Project and surrounding tenements through exploration expenditure of A$25 million within 4 years for a 50% interest. The Becher Project has similar geological characteristics as De Grey's 12.7 Moz Hemi Project1. Novo is also advancing gold exploration at Nunyerry North, part of the Croydon JV (Novo 70%: Creasy Group 30%), where 2023 exploration drilling identified significant gold mineralisation. Novo continues to undertake early-stage exploration across its Pilbara tenement portfolio.

Novo has also formed lithium joint ventures with both Liatam and SQM in the Pilbara which provides shareholder exposure to battery metals.

Novo has a significant investment portfolio and a disciplined program in place to identify value accretive opportunities that will build further value for shareholders.

Please refer to Novo's website for further information including the latest Corporate Presentation.





Refer to De Grey ASX Announcement, Hemi Gold Project Resource Update, dated 21 November 2023.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/7145ee04-ae65-41a3-bc2f-ad46603df14a
Audi names two rookie contenders for 2025 F1 seat

Two young drivers have been formally named as leading candidates to complete the 2025 lineup at Audi-owned Sauber.

Theo Pourchaire, Abu Dhabi GP 2023

 Alfa Romeo

At Monza, former Ferrari team boss Mattia Binotto attended a grand prix for the first time in his new overseeing Audi role - along with Audi CEO Gernot Dollner.

Sauber will not be rebranded as Audi or powered by works Audi engines until the new regulations come into force in 2026. But Binotto admits it is alarming that Sauber is now the last-placed team in 2024, and the only outfit yet to score a single point.

Of course we cannot afford that, said the Italian, as he and Dollner faced the media at the Italian GP.

We have to move up the field and gain muscle in every respect. The team's current position is unacceptable, he said. It hurts.

Binotto, however, admitted that it is very difficult to estimate just how long the turnaround will take.

But although there have been rumours about just how strong Audi's commitment to the project is, CEO Dollner indicated that he has the patience to wait a little longer for success than originally expected.

Our commitment to Formula 1 was never in question, he insisted. "Audi in Formula 1 is a long-term project for us. What we have looked at is how we set it up, but it was never a question of whether we really wanted to do it or not.

We took a close look at our previous structure and realised that changes were needed. We have also adjusted the timeframe, Dollner revealed. We have to remain realistic, because in Formula 1 you need time to be successful.

Sauber is expected to once again struggle in 2025, with the highly experienced team newcomer Nico Hulkenberg already signed up for one race seat.

As for the other seat, that is the final vacancy on next year's F1 grid, with experienced incumbent Valtteri Bottas regarded as a favourite.

But Binotto insisted: "We are looking at all of our options.

"We're weighing up whether we want to rely on experience or youth. Nothing has been decided yet, but we should decide soon, because it is not in our interest for there to be any more speculation.

We are looking at numerous drivers, he added. "Theo Pourchaire is our reserve driver today and already part of our family, and there is no doubt that he is on our list.

Gabriele Bortoletto is also a possibility, he added. "He is doing very well in F2 and has shown that he has great talent. We are certainly watching what he does as we do with many others, but they are not the only names we are looking at.

There are people with great potential, experience. Once again, it's about judging what is most important for us in the short, medium and long term.

Finally, Binotto admitted that until departing Red Bull sporting boss Jonathan Wheatley takes up his role as Audi F1 boss in July next year, he will serve as the interim team principal.

I know dual roles in Formula 1 well, so I will take on this job, even if I probably won't be at all the grands prix, he said.

(GMM)
Even Newey won't be quick fix for Aston Martin says Alonso

Fernando Alonso insists Aston Martin will not be able to rely on Adrian Newey to put the team back on the right track in Formula 1.

Fernando Alonso, Italian GP 2024

 Aston Martin Racing

It is now widely expected by insiders that the Silverstone based team will admit this week that it has successfully secured the services of the departing Red Bull technical guru.

It's all still just rumours, team driver Alonso declared at Monza on Sunday.

The two-time world champion had just told the throng of Spanish journalists that he was alarmed about Aston Martin's current performance in 2024.

We need to be patient and understand that the big target is 2026, said Alonso, 43. "As a team, we need to accept that we are not in the battle for the top four teams. They are the top teams for a reason because they are way ahead of us.

But us being behind Williams, Haas and Alpha Tauri (RB)? he added. I think in that case we need to raise our level. We need to improve.

Explaining his Italian GP, Alonso said he expected to be 16th or 17th at the chequered flag - but ultimately he managed maybe my best race of 2024 and finished P11.

Tomorrow, Alonso said, "I will be the only one who remembers 'Alonso's Monza 2024'. Our car eats up the tyres, we slide in the corners, we have no grip. We have hardly any strong points.

Let's see if there is a response, some action, and not always coming with the same car, he added.

As for those intensifying Newey rumours, Alonso warned that there are no silver bullets in Formula 1.

I think it's not just one person's job to fix things, he answered, when asked about the rising prospect of the famous 65-year-old Briton wearing green from 2025.

It's more about what we have now, what we're producing, understanding what's going in the right direction, what's going in the wrong direction, and trying to prepare for 2025 in a better way, Alonso concluded.

(GMM)
F1 drivers say Magnussen's race ban very unfair

Two Formula 1 drivers insist Kevin Magnussen's one-race ban is unfair.

Kevin Magnussen, Italian GP 2024

 Haas

The FIA confirmed late on Sunday that the Haas driver's super license will be suspended for the forthcoming Azerbaijan GP at Baku.

The ban is automatic, as the 31-year-old Dane received two penalty points against his mandatory F1 credential for a clash with Alpine's Pierre Gasly at Monza on Sunday.

The points raise his tally to 12, resulting in an automatic ban.

Magnussen was gobsmacked. It doesn't change anything now, he said, "but I've spoken to the stewards so many times and I still don't understand what the rules are. It seems that they are interpreted arbitrarily.

"It also seems to me that they don't want racing. If what happened between Pierre and me isn't a racing incident, I honestly don't know what is.

"There was hardly any contact, no damage to the cars and no problems for other drivers. We simply missed the corner - so what? We were racing.

Then I saw that Nico (Hulkenberg) was pushed off the track by (Daniel) Ricciardo at almost 300kph, and I'm not saying he did it on purpose, but he got five seconds and I got ten seconds.

Magnussen insists he has no regrets, and has understood all season that he was getting close to a ban.

I've always said that it wouldn't hold me back, he said.

When he heard that Magnussen was heading for a Baku race ban, Gasly was similarly horrified.

To be honest, it was nothing, said the Frenchman immediately after Sunday's race. "I hope that they can somehow change it, because it would certainly be very unfair. I'd like to stand up for him.

I have to spend an hour for the doping control now, and after that, I'll see what I can do.

Ultimately, Gasly's efforts were to no avail, and a source at Haas indicated that the small American team does not intend to appeal the decision.

F1 veteran Fernando Alonso agreed with Magnussen and Gasly's assessments of the automatic suspension.

As I've said many times, penalty points should be for dangerous behaviour - something that poses a danger to the sport and to others, said the Aston Martin driver and two-time champion.

"I think some of the points Magnussen has picked up, I don't have the list here, but some of them were just for things like speeding, white lines, starts. These sorts of things that are part of racing - that is a drive-through, that is a five-second penalty.

I understand penalties, but points for these sorts of penalties are a bit hard to understand.

Haas will almost certainly revert to its confirmed 2025 rookie, current F2 driver Oliver Bearman, to stand in for Magnussen at Baku.

We will inform about our second driver for Azerbaijan at a later date, a team spokesman said.

(GMM)
Horner, Ford CEO, meet to patch up broken relationship

Red Bull team boss Christian Horner and Ford CEO Jim Farley are beginning to patch up their fractured relationship.

Christian Horner, Italian GP 2024

 Red Bull

In the heat of the scandals surrounding Horner earlier this year, Farley wrote a letter to Red Bull Racing expressing his concerns.

As we have previously stated, and without receiving a satisfactory response, the values Ford is committed to are non-negotiable, Farley wrote in late February.

We are also frustrated by the lack of full transparency around this issue from us, your business partners, and look forward to a full report of all findings.

Red Bull and Ford are collaborating for the all-new Formula 1 engine project called Red Bull Powertrains, which will power both of the energy drink company's F1 teams from 2026.

According to De Telegraaf, Horner and Farley did not exchange a single word since the Ford CEO wrote the letter, which would obviously be a spanner in the words of the Red Bull-Ford collaboration.

But that has now changed, with Farley having attended the Italian GP at Monza. The Dutch newspaper said the 62-year-old Ford CEO and Horner sat down for a meeting on Saturday.

And on Sunday, Red Bull majority Thai shareholder Chalerm Yoovidhya, and Red Bull co-CEO Oliver Mintzlaff also met at Monza, as the team now tries to calm the remaining rough waters of the damaging leadership spat.

It has to be said quite clearly that all this bickering in the team over the last six months has obviously left its mark, Gerhard Berger, who was the first-ever Red Bull-backed athlete, told Kronen Zeitung at Monza.

The fire alarms must be going off now, he added.

A Red Bull spokesman confirmed that Farley and Horner spoke extensively on Saturday.

The meeting went well, he said. They talked for about an hour about the plans for next year and for 2026.

Former F1 driver Ralf Schumacher, however, believes Red Bull will now struggle to implement the changes required to fix the nose-diving performance of the 2024 car.

For me, the situation is set for the time being, he told Sky Deutschland.

With all this uncertainty, more heads will roll and many people will be unhappy. They are under pressure from all sides.

(GMM)
Huawei scheduled a "grand ceremony" for September 10 where it will reveal new products. The main poster depicts a triple-fold device with two opposing hinges, meaning the new smartphone is really coming in September, just like the CEO promised.

Another teaser hinted at a new version of the Aito M9 electric vehicle with five seats instead of six. We could also see the rumored Watch GT 5 and Watch D2 with the newly announced TruSense hardware.



Huawei invitation for September 10

Huawei has kept the new groundbreaking device under wraps, and we know virtually nothing about it, aside from the fact that it will have a Z-type fold.

There haven't been any rumors or leaks, suggesting that either Huawei is keeping a tight grip on leaks or the more realistic option  the phone is still a prototype, and we'll see only a product demo.

The new Aito M9 is expected to be similar to the initially launched version but with a five-seat layout, as the official poster states, to "satisfy every imagination of your extravagant life."

The flagship SUV is a joint project between Huawei and Seres. The tech company brings HarmonyOS on the dashboard with voice assistant Celia, as well as expertise in chips, LiDAR sensors, face recognition to start the vehicle and other crucial components.

Source (in Chinese) | Via
The 52nd annual Southern Decadence rolled through the streets of New Orleans on Sunday, Sep. 1, with participants decked in barely-there costumes, brightly-colored feathers and rainbows galore.

What began as an impromptu street party in 1972 is now one of the countrys largest celebrations of LGBTQ+ culture, held each Labor Day weekend in the French Quarter.

Following the 2024 Southern Decadence theme "Birds of a Feather Flock Together," parade participants are decked out in bright plumage. Emily Topping

After being tossed confetti blasters from the crowd, Southern Decadence attendees make it rain from their balcony in the French Quarter.Emily Topping

On St. Ann St., parade-goers choose a spot with the best view. Emily Topping

Harnesses, leather, face masks and oversized fans are the costumes du jour at Southern Decadence. Emily Topping

A Ft. Lauderdale resident named Jerry offers donut holes to fellow festival-goers. This is his 19th trip to Southern Decadence.Emily Topping

No New Orleans parade is complete without a brass ensemble.Emily Topping

A Southern Decadence 2024 parade participant smiles for the camera.Emily Topping

Kelly Boyett and Brooke Barrios, co-founders of the queer women's pop-up Her Haus, wear Charli XCX-themed t-shirts for the parade.Emily Topping

Forget a balcony spot: Giant stilts are the best way to ensure a good parade view. Emily Topping

Members of the "Whinestone Cowboys" perform a Texas-style dance.Emily Topping

Sean D. displays his homemade costume.Emily Topping

Outfitted in the official 2024 colors of blue, pink and gold, a festival-goer walks in support of Grand Marshall Vanessa Carr Kennedy. Emily Topping

These (leather) boots are made for walking. Emily Topping

Shaded beneath a rainbow parasol, a parade-goer rings a cowbell.Emily Topping

Despite the sweltering August heat, attendees are seen in elaborate head-to-toe period pieces.Emily Topping

A very stylish poodle matches their owner in yellow boots, while walking with NOAGE, a New Orleans nonprofit advocating for LGBTQ+ elders.Emily Topping

One festival attendee goes all out embodying the parade's color theme. Emily Topping

There's always time to pause for a mid-parade twirl.Emily Topping

The leather community shows up in chaps, harnesses, dog masks and knee-length boots.Emily Topping

The Royal Street Ropers march during the 52nd Southern Decadence parade.Emily Topping

An attendee strikes a pose while marching with the Allways Lounge & Cabaret.Emily Topping

The Whinestone Cowboys tip their hats during a dance performance. Emily Topping

Southern Decadence is mostly catered towards men, but there's room for the ladies too.Emily Topping

A marcher strikes a pose at the 52nd annual Southern Decadence Parade.Emily Topping

A parade-goer flies through the route on roller skates.Emily Topping

On the balcony of Oz, parade-watchers gather for a selfie.Emily Topping

Bubbles and brightly-colored feathers take over the French Quarter.Emily Topping

A parade-goer hands out a chip for the "Human Horse Races."Emily Topping

Staff and patrons of Phoenix, a gay bar catering to the leather crowd, march through the French Quarter.Emily Topping

As the parade dies down, attendees clap for the final marchers.Emily Topping




Haiti - FLASH : Results of the 9th A.F. exams for 5 departments





The Ministry of National Education published on Saturday, August 31, 2024 the results of the 9th Year Fundamental (AF) 2023-2024 exams for 5 departments: North, North-East, North-West, Nippes and Grand'Anse



According to the figures provided by the National Bureau of State Examinations (BUNEXE), the success rates for the 5 departments are down with the exception of Nippes:



North : Success rate 90% down, the previous year 92%;

North-East : Success rate 84% down, the previous year 87%;

North-West : Success rate 81% down, the previous year 87%;

Nippes : Success rate 75% up the previous year 72%;

Grand'Anse : Success rate 73% strong decline, the previous year 95%.



The Ministry informs that the results of the 9th grade fundamental exams for the other Departments will be published as they come in.



School directors are invited to collect their school's rankings from the Departmental Directorate of Education (DDE) concerned.



HL/ HaitiLibre






















Haiti - Security : Statement by the Kenyan Commander of the Support Mission





Godfrey Otunge, the Kenyan Commander of the Multinational Security Support Mission (MSSM) in his weekly media statement explained :



"Our commitment to decisively deal with the gangs in Haiti has just begun. The MSS and PNH are conducting clearance operations in Delmas, Bel-Air, Solino, and their environs to weed out gangs and return normalcy in these zones.



[...] We thank the US government for its continued support by heeding our call for additional equipment. MSS has received additional vehicles and equipment over the last one week, leading to more sustained joint operations between HNP and MSS personnel.



I wish to reiterate that operations to counter and clear gang activities across entire Haiti is taking shape while noting that it will be a process and a journey that needs all of us to walk together [...]



Our officers remain committed to their mandate and are professionally adhering to the International Human Rights Law as outlined under the Human Rights Due Diligence Policy. This is to ensure and guarantee that civilian security remains our number one priority.



The pacification operations will be conducted by sea, land and air [...] the security operations being conducted road to road, street to street and house to house, leaving no room for the gangs to operate. It is therefore incumbent upon the gangs to put down their weapons and surrender to the government to face the rule of law. [...]"



HL/ HaitiLibre






















Haiti - News : Zapping...





Visit to the Palace of Finances

On Friday, August 30, 2024, Prime Minister Garry Conille, accompanied by Ketleen Florestal, the Minister of Economy and Finance, visited the new premises of the Palace of Finances located in downtown Port-au-Prince.



Busy agenda for Hercules

"During my tour of Cap-Haitien, I met with Mayors, Delegates, Vice-delegates, CASECs and ASECs. During the discussions, I advised them to set up Municipal Security Committees in order to develop the necessary synergy in the fight against serious crime. I also met with actors from the judicial system, departmental directors of the PNH, members of the Office of Citizen Protection, the coordination of the Legal Assistance Office, civil society in the Great North around security and the functioning of justice [...]" declared Carlos Hercule, Minister of Justice and Public Security.



The Minister of Defense salutes the commitment of young people

"I salute the commitment and determination of the thousands of young men and women who presented themselves today [Sunday https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-43107-haiti-flash-intellectual-tests-for-the-entrance-exam-to-the-fad-h-soldiers-class.html ] at the College Canado-Haitien to take the intellectual test of integration into the Haitian Armed Forces. This shows their great motivation to serve the country, to contribute to its security and development," Minister of Defense, Jean-Marc Berthier-Antoine



New Ambassador of France to Haiti

"Very happy to have taken up my duties this week as Ambassador of France designated to Haiti. I am committed to contributing to strengthening the relationship between Haiti and France," declared Antoine Michon, Ambassador of France to Haiti. His first days were devoted to meeting with the teams of the Embassy, the French Institute, the Lycee Alexandre Dumas, the French Development Agency and Expertise France. A French team committed to the partnership with Haiti.



CEP : The Protestant sector divided

The organizations of the Protestant sector have not reached an agreement on the choice of a representative to the Provisional Electoral Council (CEP). The Presidential Transitional Council (CPT) has expressed its intention to proceed by drawing lots. An approach rejected by the Protestant Federation of Haiti.



Intervention by Chancellor Dupuy in Brazil

Dominique Dupuy, Minister of Foreign Affairs, at the 6th Conference of the African Diaspora of the Americas in Salvador, Brazil, on the theme of "Memory, restitution, reparation and reconstruction" addressed "[...] our collective traumas, the systemic obstacles that persist, and the need to face together the wounds of the past. From Africa, we recalled that our soul still carries the indelible essence of our common belonging. May we draw strength, courage and light from this heritage; Peace, prosperity and justice. Ayibobo !"



HL/ HaitiLibre


















As of September 1 , 2024, Finland has implemented a new border procedure aimed at expediting the processing of asylum applications. This follows recent legislative amendments to the Aliens Act, marking a significant shift in how asylum claims are handled at the countrys external borders.

Additionally, the changes include provisions for an accelerated procedure that can be applied to all asylum applications, regardless of when they were submitted.

The Finnish Immigration Service (Migri) emphasizes that these measures are designed to enhance the efficiency of assessing asylum applications that are likely to be unfounded. The goal is to quickly return individuals whose applications are rejected, thereby reducing the burden on the asylum system and addressing concerns about secondary movements of asylum seekers within the EU.

Under the new border procedure, Migri is required by law to reach a decision on an asylum application within four weeks. During this period, asylum seekers are restricted to specific reception centers and are not allowed to leave without special permission. This approach is part of a broader strategy to manage what the government describes as "instrumentalized migration"situations where migration flows are manipulated for political purposes.

Despite the expedited timelines and restrictions, Migri assures that each asylum application will be examined thoroughly, with asylum seekers receiving the same legal advice and support as those in the standard process. However, the criteria for referring an application to the border procedure are stringent. Only cases where the application appears to lack sufficient grounds, or where an accelerated process is deemed appropriate, will be considered for this expedited handling.

If an application is deemed inadmissible during a preliminary examination, Migri will not proceed with a full asylum interview. Instead, the application can be dismissed outright if it is determined that there are no valid grounds for further examination.

These legislative changes reflect Finlands efforts to balance humanitarian responsibilities with national security concerns, particularly in the context of growing migration pressures across Europe. While the new procedures aim to streamline the asylum process, they also underscore Finlands commitment to ensuring that all asylum claims are handled with due diligence, regardless of the circumstances under which they are submitted.

HT
Launched on Midsummers Eve in 2017, Aalto-1 was a groundbreaking project led by students and researchers from Aalto University.

Finlands pioneering satellite , Aalto-1, is set to make its final pass over the country today, marking the end of a remarkable seven-year journey in space. The satellite, which was the first to be registered in Finlands space registry, will re-enter Earths atmosphere and burn up, closing a chapter that began a new era in Finnish space exploration.

The satellite carried scientific instruments developed by the Finnish Meteorological Institute, the University of Turku, and VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland. This launch was a significant milestone, initiating Finlands entry into the small satellite sector.

As Aalto-1 re-enters the atmosphere in early September, it will disintegrate due to friction, with most of it burning up completely. If this event occurs at night, the satellites descent could resemble a slow-moving, bright meteor streaking across the sky. Todays pass over Finland is expected to be the satellites last.

Professor Jaan Praks, who led the project, reflects on the moment with mixed emotions. Its bittersweet, but Im also happy that Aalto-1 is making way for a new generation of Finnish satellites instead of becoming space debris, he says.

Aalto-1, roughly the size of a large milk carton and weighing four kilograms, made significant contributions to Finnish space history. It led to the creation of Finlands space law and space object registry, and was the first Finnish space object listed in the international space registry. The satellites success spurred the development of a vibrant space industry in Finland, inspiring numerous commercial satellite projects.

Today, Finland has dozens of satellites in space, almost all of them built in Otaniemi. Companies like ICEYE, Kuva Space, Arctic Astronautics, and Aurora Propulsion Systems owe their existence to this student project that brought together passionate future space engineers, Praks proudly notes.

The momentum continues, with students at Aalto University still deeply involved in satellite development. Finlands space sector is bustling, with Otaniemi producing up to ten satellites a year, mostly commercial radar satellites by ICEYE. Moreover, Finnish institutions are creating instruments for international space missions, with roots tracing back to the instruments aboard Aalto-1.

Aalto University is actively participating in major space science projects, including software development for the European Space Agencys Comet Interceptor and HERA satellite missions. The universitys student satellite team is also gearing up for new projects, with the potential for two student-led satellites to launch next year.

Aalto-1 carried three scientific instruments into space: an imaging spectrometer developed by VTT, a radiation detector created in collaboration with the universities of Helsinki and Turku, and a plasma brake designed by the Finnish Meteorological Institute. The development of these instruments has continued, with advanced versions featured in new space missions, including asteroid imaging projects.

Finlands journey into space was built on collaboration, Praks emphasizes. We received support from various experts, research centers, and companies, often without dedicated funding. The Aalto project was primarily funded by Aalto Universitys Multidisciplinary Institute of Digitalisation and Energy (MIDE), with additional launch support from Finnish companies and institutions. We owe them all a huge thank you.

As Aalto-1 concludes its mission, Finlands space ambitions continue to rise, propelled by the legacy of this pioneering satellite.

HT
DAME Mary Berry said it was an honour to be a guest and judge at the diamond anniversary of the Binfield Heath Flower Show.

The food writer and chef cut the ribbon on the produce and flower tent on Saturday to officially open the 75th anniversary show.

This was followed by the theme of the Great British Bake Off, the BBC competition she judged for seven seasons, being played on speakers to an eruption of cheers and applause.

Dame Mary, who lives in Henley, was joined by another special guest at the show, model and actress Jerry Hall.

She presented the prizes and cups across the flower, produce and handicraft categories in the afternoon, which attracted more than 800 entries  100 more than last year.

More than 1,000 people attended despite persistent rain and enjoyed a variety of traditional fairground games.

Dame Mary, 89, said: I feel very honoured to be here. Its pouring with rain. Rain was forecast and weve got this amazing crowd here who are very enthusiastic and the standard of the whole show is exceptional.

Theres such a community spirit. Everybody is smiling and making the most of the day. Everybodys supported the show and its crowded, its fun.

As you can see the standard has been amazing. Its been very difficult to judge. People have put their heart and soul into it.

Weve had a lot of selfies and theyve all got a smile on their face. Its great to be out on this Saturday because the pouring rain has made no difference to anybody at all. It shows what a great village it is. Its been very, very well organised. They were prepared for all weathers.

This is the 75th show. Its very important that village shows continue. It brings the community together. They had absolutely no difficulty in getting volunteers. Theyre all local and theyve all given their time and the money thats made all goes to local charities, which the people who live here choose.

The winning produce entries included the heaviest marrow by Peter Webb, from Shiplake, and a pair of table marrows grown by Nigel Head, which people stopped to photograph.

Brothers Stephen and Nigel Head, who both live in Binfield Heath and have their own allotment there, have entered the show for the last 20 years. They both won more than 12 individual classes between them.

Stephen took first prizes for his plum jam, jar of bottled fruit, pot of flavoured curd and three spikes of gladioli flowers.

Nigel won the Mrs Makower Cup for a collection of salad vegetables and the Eye & Dunsden Challenge Cup for onions.

He took first prizes for his six tomatoes, five white potatoes, six dwarf beans and runner beans, three globe beet, pair of table marrows and set of vegetables.

Nigel, 57, said: Its complete luck. But its a lot of watering and its a lot of hard work like weeding.

Its just maintaining and keeping good watering and keeping the leaves clear.

We spend most evenings during the summer months at the allotment doing watering and weeding. I do this because I like competition. I like to take part because this is a community and Im local. I like to compete against local people and its helping a good cause and its good for the community.

Stephen, who won the Shakler Memorial Cup for preserves and cookery, said: Theres no secret. Its just luck of the draw. I grow to enjoy and I cook to enjoy so its nothing special for the show. I enter because its a local show and Ive supported it for many years.

Me and my brother have followed in family tradition because my mother and then grandfather entered the show. Im most proud of chutneys and preserves because I really enjoy making them.

Elisabeth Ransom, from Binfield Heath, won the Fred Denton Cup for her five dessert apples, five cooking apples and five pears.

She said: It grew itself and I was quite lucky this year with the pears because a lot of people didnt get them this year because of the late frost. Mine were protected so its just luck, really.

Im delighted. I knew Fred Denton (a former show committee member) and he was a lovely man. Its luck that I got this because last year I got a prize for my plums. This year, we had one plum left by the pigeons.

Rev Robert Thewsey, the rector of Shiplake, took home the first prize for one of the handicraft classes with an ornament he made with 13 handsewn birds and dancing figurines hung on a tree frame.

He entered alongside his wife Margaret, who entered 25 times and his daughter Rebecca, who entered 20 times and won the embroidered or decorated bag category, handmade clothing category and best dollys pram blanket.

Rev Thewsey said: We enter because its a lovely community thing. The more people that enter it, the better it is for the community and we always try to enter as many as possible. Hours and hours went into making it. Each one of those is about nine hours to make.

There was also a fun dog show with prizes awarded in categories, including the best young dog handler which went to Elsa, a four-year-old labrador, being looked after by Lottie Jamieson, from Binfield Heath.

Lottie won The Conserk Cup for the best local dog last year at the show. She said: I feel really good. You had to walk across the field and turn her around and bring her back and be in control of her. We had an old dog called Saffy and Elsa always used to be beside her and watch what she was doing.

I most liked being with Elsa and making her feel good about herself. I felt really happy and I was feeling really good for her because shes done a lot today.

When the judges came up I was just thinking, please, please, please. It was a little bit nerve-wracking. Im going to put the rosette somewhere in my room.

Alex Morgan, 25, from Berkshire, competed with her labrador retriever, Tato, one, who has a following of nearly 590,000 people on Instagram.

She said: Im really happy for him. Its nice to prove that labradors can be in good condition too.

Hes the youngest dog to qualify for Crufts in obedience but hes not won many actual shows. For shows like this, we practice socialisation, good waiting and getting comfortable being touched.

He performed very well. Hes usually a little bit naughty so its nice to see him performing well around the ring. Its a nice local show and its nice to see everyone having fun with their dogs.

I compete in obedience and agility with him so weve trained every day pretty much but shows like this are just for fun.

Attractions at this years show included a petting zoo featuring goats, chickens, guinea, pigs, rabbits and Shetland ponies, which visitors could feed, run by Basil and Crew animal farm.

Children enjoyed a bubble display from Juggling Inferno and there was a whack-a-mole competition, face-painting, pottery painting, hoopla and a tombola.

The Binfield Heath Village Society ran the tea tent, barbecue and bar and Orwells ran a tent selling fried chicken. There was also ice cream from Gelato Henley and alcohol from Jessecco Prosecco, based in Wallingford.

Music was provided by Woodley Concert band, who played arrangements of pop songs like Take on Me by A-Ha, Sir Duke by Stevie Wonder and music by Shirley Bassey.

Show chairman Caroline Dowling said that Dame Mary was due to attend in 2020 but for covid. She said: Its been a complete success. The spirit shown was amazing. The number of people on the field is similar to what we normally get, which is amazing considering the rain.

The highlight is that the entries have been fabulous and Mary coming to judge the cakes in the diamond cake competition because she was very fair and kind with everybodys entry.
Set in the Republic of Gilead, a totalitarian patriarchal theocracy that has replaced the United States, the story follows Offred, a handmaid assigned to Commander Fred (from whom the protagonist derives her name, Of Fred) and his wife, an elite couple unable to conceive, as infertility has plagued the society.

In Gilead, handmaids are fertile young women reduced to mere symbols of reproduction, and all womens rights, regardless of their social status, are severely restricted, with their limited movements in public monitored by a secret police force known as the Eyes. Offred, who recalls her freedom and life prior to Gilead, is eventually rescued by Mayday, a secret underground resistance organisation, seeking to overthrow Gileads fundamentalist regime.

Similarly, the Taliban administration mirrors Gileads oppressive regime, while their Ministry for Propagation of Virtue and Prevention of Vice (PVPV) functions much like the Eyes. And, as for Mayday, well, the National Resistance Front of Afghanistan, the Talibans chief opposition, is currently too weak and without considerable support to be considered a parallel force.

Living in a dystopia

A little over three years ago, on August 15, 2021, the Taliban swept to power in Afghanistan, with some nursing hopes that a Taliban 2.0 would adopt a more moderate modus operandi, as opposed to Taliban 1.0, often referred to their stint from 1996 to 2001. All that came crashing down, when the Taliban, by imposing some of the worst institutionalised gender-discriminatory policies, showed to the world that they had evolved little since the mid-1990s. And, they continue to do so with impunity, even as nations withhold formal recognition of the Taliban regime, principally because of the war they have unleashed against Afghan women and girls.

More recently, in late August 2024, the Taliban introduced the new vice and virtue law, ratified by their supreme leader Hibatullah Akhundzada, which is a 114-page, 35-article document detailing a lengthy list of restrictions, particularly targeting women.

Article 13, the most controversial of the lot, virtually prohibits women from singing, reciting, or reading aloud in public, as their voices are deemed awrah (intimate parts of the human body that must be covered according to Islam). Many Afghan women inside and outside the country, in a brave act of defiance, have posted videos on social media of them singing songs.

Article 13 goes on to further stipulate that womens bodies be covered at all times in public, and faces veiled to avoid fitna (temptation), while their clothing should not be thin, short, or tight. Muslim women, on top of that, are instructed to steer clear of 'non-Muslim' women to prevent being corrupted and conceal their faces and bodies in the presence of male strangers, with both men and women forbidden from looking at members of the opposite sex who are not family members.

Under Article 17, the publication of images of living beings is prohibited, a move that is set to strengthen the Talibans crackdown on Afghanistans media landscape. Article 19, on the other hand, bans the playing of music, transporting unveiled women and those without a male guardian, intermingling of unrelated men and women, along with requiring drivers and passengers to perform prayers at designated times. This law extends to men as well (though less stringently), obliging them to cover their bodies from their navels to knees when outside, and not shave their beards beyond a certain threshold.

The law also grants the muhtasib (morality police), working under the PVPV ministry, sweeping powers to enforce it by detaining or punishing individuals as they see fit. A UN report released in July had already brought to the forefront the role of the morality police and the unpredictability of enforcement measures in creating a climate of fear and intimidation among Afghans.

Roza Otunbayeva, who heads the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), condemned these laws stating that they signal a distressing vision for Afghanistans future, and extend 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. The Taliban have characteristically dismissed criticisms pouring in from many quarters, labelling them as an expression of arrogance, and going forward, they have declared to no longer cooperate with UNAMA, which they now regard as an opposing side due to its continued propaganda.

The latest edict prior to the new vice and virtue laws was issued in March this year via an audio broadcast from the supreme leader, who decreed that women would be publicly flogged and stoned to death for adultery. It bears recalling that between August 2021 and now, girls have been prohibited from education beyond the sixth grade, while women have been banned from attending public and private universities, and going to gyms, parks and beauty salons - the latter by dint of them being ordered to shut down. In addition, women are barred from working with local and international non-governmental organisations (NGOs), and have also been detained for not wearing the hijab properly.

The engagement conundrum

Human rights watchdogs are of the opinion that the Taliban are committing the crime against humanity of gender persecution, arguing that their regime could be classified as one practising gender apartheid. But, leaders on the global stage continue to parrot outworn shibboleths, convincing themselves that their words of condemnation will somehow bring about tangible change on the ground.

Countries are now increasingly courting the Taliban, with two nations - China and the UAE - having accepted Taliban-appointed diplomats as Afghanistans ambassadors. Others are taking a supposedly measured approach by recognising Taliban charges d'affaires (Kazakhstan being the latest), allowing the Taliban to run their Afghan embassies, striking business deals and considering removing the Taliban from their list of proscribed organisations (like Russia).

Despite initial optimism that increased engagement would lead the Taliban to make some concessions on the human rights front, this has not been the case. Instead, they have become more empowered to expedite womens erasure from public life. This does not imply that the world should cease meaningful communication with the Taliban, for that risks pushing Afghanistan deeper into the abyss. It, however, calls for redefining the nature of engagement, where countries, for starters, need to leave some wiggle room in their diplomatic meetings to flag concerns about womens rights and offer inducements to reinforce policy changes. For this to work even limitedly, the global community must appear united, as perceived divisions only serve to benefit the Taliban, wherein they might exploit the fact that some countries are willing to engage with them unconditionally, even as others object, especially if these countries hold geopolitical heft.

According to Human Rights Watch, other alternatives include bringing the Taliban before the International Court of Justice; incorporating Afghan women in international meetings on Afghanistan (unlike the Doha III meeting held from June 30 to July 1); skipping photo ops with the Taliban; earmarking targeted funds to support women and girls, and establishing a new accountability mechanism within the United Nations to collect and preserve evidence of crimes committed in Afghanistan.

So, as the status of Afghan women deteriorates from bad to worse, with them being relegated to voiceless and faceless sub-humans, can the international community, when all is said and done, overcome its indifference towards Afghanistan and conceive creative solutions, or will it take the easier route of looking the other way?

Bantirani Patro is a research associate at the Centre for Air Power Studies, New Delhi. The views expressed are personal
Tell us about your book. What was the driving force behind it? Historian Josephine Quinn at the Jaipur Literature Festival earlier this year. (Jaipur Literature Festival)

Well, I think there were two different things. Ive been thinking about this book for about 20 years, because every time I read the applications for students applying to Oxford to do Classics, always a number of them will say, I want to do Classics because Greece and Rome are the roots of Western civilization.

And every year I turn to the guy I interview with and I say, I just wish that people would understand that theres a bigger world out there, and that Greece and Rome is so interesting, but as part of a bigger world and so on. So, for a long time Ive been thinking I wanted to write a book that was -- not so much decentring Greece and Rome as contextualising them -- putting them into the bigger context of ancient and medieval history and showing what a huge world of connections and contacts and meetings and so on, wars, explorations, pilgrimages, all these things, contributed to people exchanging ideas that made up new societies, in particular Western society, because thats the one that my own students tended to be interested in. Thats something Ive been thinking about for years.

But the thing that actually made me sit down and write the book is realising only about five or six years ago that the way of splitting the world up into civilisations is actually an incredibly recent one. And the word civilisation itself was only invented in the 18th century. It was only in the 19th century that people started to talk about multiple civilisations.

I also realised that ancient history, my own profession, was much more interesting before that. In the 18th century, there are incredible works of ancient history selling huge numbers of copies, immensely popular, being translated into many languages. Some of the absolute bestsellers of the Enlightenment are in ancient history, but they are ancient history of the Carthaginians, the Assyrians, the Persians, the Greeks...

One of the biggest-selling books of the 18th century in England was a thing called the Universal History, which was an attempt to tell the whole history of the world, including the early Americas. A huge thing; 60 different authors, the first editor was an Arabic specialist, and it starts off with Creation of the World by God, of course, because its an 18th century kind of book, but it then covers the whole world, assumes that people want to know about the whole world. And suddenly, how did it happen that we went from a situation where if I wanted to pick up a book on ancient history, I would find out about the whole world, to a book where I would just find out about two small Mediterranean societies in them? That was what made me think, OK, Im going to do this.

So, its not, in the end, a book about the whole world, but it is a book about how, even from a Western perspective, you can see a much bigger world in your own history.

You also spoke about now as well theres a certain civilizational thinking which has led to this problematic, linear narrativization of history. Please elaborate on the idea of the civilisation, how it came about, how its been ossified in the ways in which we look at history as a discipline?

Yes, so civilisation first appears in the 18th century, and it first appears in French, and its a term. Its related to the old term civility, its an idea of politeness and refinement, but its a kind of development of that concept, and it becomes something that people, philosophers, intellectuals, and so on in Europe, believe that everyone should aspire to, even if it means helping people to do that. So, its a great favourite of early European imperialists in places like India. James Mill thinks its wonderful.

The idea is that all humans are potentially equal; its just that were helping other people recognise their potential, mostly by stealing all their stuff, but a little bit by helping them with civilisation. So thats stage one (laughs), which isnt great, but then stage two is where it gets really dodgy. Stage two is where people start using this plural idea of civilisation. It also starts among French scholars in the 1820s, but it catches on pretty quickly in the 19th century in Europe.

There the idea is that everyone has their own culture, and what that means is that you no longer have to believe that everyone can progress to the same extent. People are very interested in progress in this period. Thats what were all supposed to be doing, progressing, improving ourselves, and so on. I dont know if theyd look back from today and see where that got them, if they would still think that, but thats the idea.

But once youve got multiple civilisations, you can say, well, of course, some of them just dont have the capacity to progress in the same way. You know, not their fault, of course, its just an unfortunate fact about the world that Europeans appear to be best at this civilisation thing, and so European civilisation is really the most impressive one. And that justifies this really kind of brutal turn in European colonialism, not that it wasnt pretty violent to start off with, but the kinds of things that are happening in the Belgian Congo and so on in the late 19th, early 20th century are really helped along by this kind of thinking.

And it comes along at exactly the same time as scientists are also dividing the world into different races at the same time, who also are seen as having some natural limits of their progress and so on, also put in a hierarchy. And then in the 20th century, the hierarchy disappears. It has come back quite a lot now, but for most of the second half of the 20th century, it wasnt fashionable to rank civilisations. But there was still a very firm idea that these were separate, they developed relatively separately, and they kind of were a good thing. It wasnt just a neutral categorisation of history.

It was also a sense that this is the way the world is and the way it should be. And that ends up, I think, in the end of the 20th century with things like Samuel P Huntingtons Clash of Civilizations theory, where you imagine that the world is going to become about these clashing cultures. I think in some parts, at least, that theory is responsible for the fact that that kind of is whats happened in the 21st century.

Now the world is so much about civilisations. We hear so much about individual civilisations, appeals to Western civilisation, in connection with Israel-Palestine at the moment, that sort of thing. And all of this comes out of an invention.

830pp, 1799; Bloomsbury Publishing

Theres an interdisciplinary approach to how you go about this scholarly investigation. The Intimacies of Four Continents by Lisa Lowe also delved into how the histories of trade connect to the making of Western liberalism. Are there any other works or authors who, in your opinion, are undertaking similar projects?

I think the book Ive just been talking about, Brian Catloss new book, The Sea in the Middle, is almost a kind of continuation of what Ive been doing; looking at Mediterranean history as a product of all the societies around it in the kind of medieval into sort of early modern period. That would be the immediate example that I give. But I think it is becoming more common to think about the world in these terms.

Now we understand that if you learn a few more languages, look at a few different archaeologies and so on, bring in the science, youll be able to get a fuller picture of the past. What Id really like is for people to actually think about the future in those terms as well.

We can think about a world without civilisations.

Will such projects help in decentring the West from the discourse around knowledge production and dissemination?

I think it really should because theres no reason to centre the West in those discussions. There isnt any reason in the modern world and there isnt any reason in the past either.

One of the first scripts in the world was invented, disseminated in India. And thats not something people talk about nearly as much as they talk about the alphabet or the Egyptian hieroglyphs and so on that are much closer to the West. I think it would have looked really different if we were sitting here 1,000 years ago, because then we could have talked about the way that storytelling across the world, certainly from India to the British Isles, if not even further east, its really a joint project at that point, that, you know, stories that start off in India, like the Panchatantra, they get to Persia and they have a slight... You know, everything is recontextualised, slightly different lessons, different messages.

But the Persians take up this idea of advice given to a monarch by a wise man through animal fables. And so the Persians use these stories, these original Indian stories, these animal fables, to talk about political theory and so on. Then the Arabic scholars pick it up from the Persians and they write this wonderful book, Kalila wa-Dimna, about two jackals called Kalila and Dimna, but who originally come from the Indian stories.

It becomes a huge story in the Arabic traditional set of interlocking stories. And then it comes to Europe and it gets translated into Latin and into Catalan and into Spanish and into Italian. And at the same time, its being translated into Armenian and Hebrew and so on. So, its going off in different directions. You get different versions. Every time someone tells you these stories, its going to be a slightly different story.

Some of them end up in Chaucer. So its these stories kind of just making their way around the world. Its not even that theyre really travelling. In this particular case, you could tell a story about how its travelling from east to west, but then its also travelling back again and around and so on. Theres this whole interlocking world where people are producing these stories together, essentially. I think thats something that weve lost in the modern world and I would love it if we could get it back.

Do you also think the ways in which literary studies curricula is ossified in its categorisation of ancient Greek literature, with the epics and the myths entailed within them belonging to the Mycenaean cycle or the Minoan cycle, gives rise to this historical conception of the West?

Yes, I mean, its funny. I think thats absolutely right. I think, in fact, you know, classics was the first degree, the first humanities degree in Western universities.

A lot of its to do with Latin stopping being a living language and kind of finally getting categorised with Greek.

It was just at the time when universities were reorganising themselves and so it became an obvious set of knowledges. It was not really at the time seen as being particularly even about necessarily the Romans and the Greeks, but being more about things that are discussed in these languages that are now no longer living languages. Over time, it really has ossified into an idea that the only classics that really matter are Greek and Roman classics.

Theres sometimes a nod to Gilgamesh. But very rarely are there discussions of any other Asian tradition or African storytelling traditions. So, in the modern world, that has been an unfortunate consequence of the way that university studies developed.

The thing that is really important to me is that the Greeks and Romans themselves did not see the world this way. If people do actually study the Greeks and Romans, one thing theyll find out very quickly is how interested they are in other people and how they see themselves as enormously interconnected. I mean, you know, you just sort of touch a Greek myth and suddenly all these other... The Phrygians turn up, the Amazons, the Phoenicians.

You know the stories of Europa and the bull? The name of Europe itself is a Phoenician princess who kind of jumps on the back of Zeus appearing as a bull and gets brought to Crete. But then she goes back to Turkey at a certain point with her son.

And so these stories that were getting from the Greek and Latin tradition, particularly the Greek tradition, are all about connections and exchange and the importance of entangled pasts and so on. This is a world of immense movement and travel, whether people are travelling as traders or as pilgrims or as imperial bureaucrats, or as soldiers. Soldiers go all around the Mediterranean and well into Europe, well into Asia, well into North Africa with the Roman army.

And those people are often themselves from nowhere near Rome or even necessarily Europe. There are people up on Hadrians Wall in the far north of England. Some of them are coming from Europe, some of them are coming from Syria. Theyre coming from all over the world.

Theyre going such a long way and theyre meeting all these other soldiers from all over the world. So theyre not only kind of engaging with the local populations where they go, theyre also engaging with each other. And then they retire. Soldiers retire early. They have the rest of their lives. Even in antiquity, people could have reasonably long lives.

And then what theyre bringing to the rest of their lives is this knowledge of a very big and entangled world, many languages, many stories. And I think thats something that... I dont want to kind of blame the study of classics for the sort of bad situation that we get in because I think you can get so much from the study of classics to make it better.

When you say lets look towards the future and see how such projects can help us embody that, do you feel that the categories such as the Global South or the Global North, or non-inclusive terms such as globalisation also perpetuate then the West and the others binary in global political and economic thought?

Yes. The thing is, nobody thought in terms of Western East until the 5th century CE. And St Augustine is really one of the first, certainly the first person to kind of disseminate the idea that you could divide the world into West and East. But hes not remotely interested in this as a political or ideological or cultural thing.

Its about categories of knowledge. Hes like, well, theres the continents, which of course themselves are entirely made up as categories. And Africa is a continent now, since the Suez Canal, but until then it wasnt a continent.

Europe has never been a continent in real terms. But, you know, people had invented, back in the first millennium BC, this idea of continents. OK, youve got that, says Augustine.

But partly hes trying to show how really coincidental these ideas are. He said, well, you could think of things in terms of continents or you could divide the world into spheres of East and West. And that would be interesting because then youd have Africa and Europe together and then Asia would be separate and so on. Hes not saying this would help us understand anything about Africa or Europe or Asia. One of the points that comes out of his work is that all of this is arbitrary. So, in a way, East and West were invented precisely to illustrate the kind of arbitrary nature of the sort of boundary that its become.

Your upcoming book is on anarchic politics. Can you share a bit more about that project?

Yes. Well, this is really a project that Im just starting. And what Im interested in is the ancient Mediterranean. This is not yet quite such a big-scale project in terms of world history.

Going back to the centre of my own studies in the ancient Mediterranean, how many phenomena would look different if you took seriously the idea that anarchy might not just be a modern idea? Its sort of the opposite of what Im doing in How the World Made the West, where Im talking about how we should really understand that civilization is a 19th-century idea. What I want to do with this project is say, what if anarchy isnt a 19th-century idea? What if people actually are trying to resist power in the ancient Mediterranean by resisting the states? And not just states particularly, but the state itself.

Im still at a very exploratory stage. But Im interested in the way that Athenian democracy, for instance, has been seen as being the democracy nonpareil, so all democracies go back to it. This is something you can read a lot about in Greece as well. But if you look at Athenian democracy, its very odd.

An awful lot of it works by lottery. So, anyone has a chance of becoming a magistrate. The only people that were elected were the generals, which is such a strange idea in our world.

I think we could imagine electing almost everyone except the generals. But otherwise, almost every position, its filled by a lottery system. And so that in itself adds a kind of level of randomness and luck into things, which means that you cant rely on the kind of coercive power of democracy, where 51% of people want this, so thats what were going to do.

Or as we found out in Britain with Brexit, 52% of people want something, then thats what were going to do. Thats not necessarily pretty good for the 49% or 48% who are left over. Whats really interesting about a system that introduces luck into the equation is that it requires more consensus, more discussion. Everyone has to know a bit about politics, everyone has to have some ideas, because you might be president of the council next week. But it also means that people have to work together. People dont grow up in political parties or systems that are going to then give them a framework.

When people become involved in politics, perhaps rather to their surprise, they have to work out with other people what they want to do. And I think there are some crazy things about the Athenian system, like the way that people chose which play won the annual dramatic competition. Sometimes, my students will say to me, Oh, well, this particular play, by Aeschylus or Sophocles, was very popular. I say, how do you know that? They say, well, it won the competition. I say, do you know how they decided who won the competition? It wasnt like everyone in the audience was pressing a buzzer or raising their hands and so on. They had an extraordinarily complicated system of choosing representatives of representatives of representatives, and then drawing opinions out of a hat. It wasnt actually a hat, it was a jar. But in a way that meant that, OK, you couldnt win if literally nobody thought your play was any good at all. But you could win on a very, very few people happening to like your play and having their votes count in that thing.

And I think thats so obvious that thats about luck, not about democratic thinking, that it has to be deliberate. You dont do that by mistake. I think its not just that this happens in Athens, but that its a very knowing system.

Thats one example. I could tell you about piracy and just how much of what is now talked about as very proper ancient colonisation, ancient Phoenician colonisation, ancient Greek colonisation, for good, state-sponsored, expanding like a good civilisation should. But, actually, a lot of it is that people decided that it was more fun to be pirates than to be farmers back where they lived.

If you do a map of the Mediterranean and where the first colonies are placed from Phoenicia and from Greece, from the Aegean, you then map it on to where we know historically in later periods the pirates hang out. Theres pretty much a direct corollary. These people are moving to places often on very narrow straits where it is easy to control. Where you, with quite small boats and so on, can control the major trade thats coming through by harassing it, essentially. So Im kind of rethinking these early Greek, early Phoenician colonies as sort of pirates, pirate nests (laughs). Well see how it goes, but Im excited about it at the moment.

Simar Bhasin is an independent journalist.
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. California's Democratic-controlled Legislature passed bills to regulate AI, address deepfakes, and safeguard workers. The measures include bans on election deepfakes, requirements for AI data transparency, and protections for workers against AI replacements. Gov. Newsom must decide on the bills by Sept. 30.

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.

Setting 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.

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.
Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar has set a 15-day deadline for Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) to fill all the potholes in the city. He said he would tour the city after 15 days and asked officials to fix the damaged roads. All Bengaluru potholes will be filled within 15 days, says Karnataka Deputy CM DK Shivakumar(PTI)

Speaking to reporters, Shivakumar said, I asked the BBMP commissioner to fill all the potholes in Bengaluru in the next 15 days. The civic body found 2,795 potholes across the city and they will be filled with the cost of 660 crore. Compared to previous years, people are now less affected due to rains.

Also Read - Bengaluru's Outer Ring Road Companies Association cries for help from civic bodies, urges to fix roads in tech corridor

Shivakumar also asked residents to report potholes through the Raste Gundi Gamana app so that BBMP would attend and fill them. There is a dedicated mobile app for reporting about potholes, and I request people to use it. Within 15 days, I will tour the city and personally monitor the pothole situation on the ground, Shivakumar added.

This came after Bengalurus Outer Ring Road Companies Association urged the Karnataka government to fix the condition of roads, especially on the IT corridor. In a letter to the government, ORRCA earlier wrote, The Outer Ring Road requires urgent attention! We urge all relevant authorities to prioritise infrastructure maintenance and upgradation works, including road repairs, pothole filling, waterlogging solutions, footpath and service road upkeep, flyover micro-surfacing, and stormwater drain clearance.

Also Read - 100 wealthiest Bengalureans make it to 2024 Hurun India Rich List, city home to 27 billionaires. Full details

Bengalurus Outer Ring Road, home to thousands of IT companies, has been facing issues like waterlogging, flooding, and traffic gridlocks for the last few years. Though many organisations have requested action, the problems remain unchanged, especially during monsoon season, when the roads turn into death traps with a series of potholes. The recent rains across the city made it worse for the daily commuters who travel for work in ORRs IT parks.
Bengaluru, the city also known as silicon city or IT-BT city is poised for a significant expansion in its IT infrastructure with the introduction of 89 new IT Tech Parks across 54 sectors over the next few years. Bengaluru is set to enhance its tech industry with the addition of 89 new IT parks over the next few years. (Representational photo)(Pexels)

These cutting-edge facilities will be strategically located in prominent zones such as the North Zone, Mahadevapura, and Bommanahalli, with anticipated completion within the next two to three years, the News 18 reported. Bengaluru, already a leading software exporter and a key semiconductor centre, will further solidify its position as a tech hub with this development.

ALSO READ | Three integrated townships coming up in Bengaluru's outskirts, says DK Shivakumar: Report

Key areas slated for growth include Yeshwantpur and Whitefield, where over 10 IT firms are expected to establish operations. Additionally, the Bellandur area will see five new IT companies, Tumkur Road will host two, Koramangala one, and Kundalahalli three, the report noted. The influx of these companies is also expected to boost employment opportunities throughout the city.

ALSO READ | All Bengaluru potholes will be filled within 15 days, says Karnataka Deputy CM DK Shivakumar

This comes in the backdrop of another decision wherein the Bangalore Metropolitan Region Development Authority (BMRDA) is moving forward with a long-deferred plan to create three self-sufficient townships on the outskirts of the city. This initiative, which had been dormant for two decades, will now see development in Bidadi, Solur near Magadi, and Nandagudi in Hoskote.

ALSO READ | Wedding bells or fraud smells? Know all about Bengaluru's latest door-to-door scam

The BMRDA has initiated preliminary work by contacting the Namma Metro to explore the possibility of extending metro services to these areas. According to the Metropolitan Commissioner of the BMRDA, these locations were selected due to their strategic connections to the Satellite Town Ring Road (STRR).
The Karnataka High Court on Monday extended till September nine the interim stay on trial court proceedings against Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in connection with the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) case. The Court adjourned for a week the hearing on Chief Minister's petition challenging the legality of Governor Thaawarchand's sanction for his prosecution in the case. The Court adjourned for a week the hearing on Chief Minister's petition challenging the legality of Governor Thaawarchand's sanction for his prosecution in the case. (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

ALSO READ | Bengaluru to get 89 new IT tech parks in Yeshwantpur, Whitefield, Bellandur, Koramangala, other areas: Report

Appearing for the Respondent number 4 (R-4) Snehamayi Krishna, senior advocate K G Raghavan made submissions when the hearing resumed. "Heard the learned senior counsel K G Raghavan, the learned Advocate General seeks a week's time to make his submissions.

List the matter on September 9 at 2:30 pm. Interim order granted on August 19 shall continue till the next date of hearing," Justice M Nagaprasanna said. The Governor on August 16 accorded sanction under Section 17A of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 and Section 218 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 for the commission of the alleged offences as mentioned in the petitions of Pradeep Kumar S P, T J Abraham and Snehamayi Krishna.

ALSO READ | Wedding bells or fraud smells? Know all about Bengaluru's latest door-to-door scam

On August 19, Siddaramaiah moved to the High Court challenging the legality of the Governor's order. In the petition, the Chief Minister submitted that the sanction order was issued without due application of mind, in violation of statutory mandates, and contrary to constitutional principles, including the advice of the Council of Ministers, which is binding under Article 163 of the Constitution of India.

ALSO READ | All Bengaluru potholes will be filled within 15 days, says Karnataka Deputy CM DK Shivakumar

Siddaramaiah sought quashing of the Governor's order contending that his decision is legally unsustainable, procedurally flawed, and motivated by extraneous considerations.
For the first time in the history of Haryana -- a first of its kind of participatory, grassroots democratic exercise has taken place before the assembly elections -- wherein inputs of rural and urban stakeholders from 17 of the 22 districts and diverse experts in the field of ecology, agriculture, urban planning, sustainable architecture, waste and water management, have been taken to spell out a green vision for the state. The Aravallis, Haryanas only barrier against desertification, critical water recharge zone, pollution sink and wildlife habitat, are being razed to the ground by mining and real estate development and poisoned as a result of toxic landfills and burning of waste. (HT file photo)

Green Manifesto 2024 is a critical response to the escalating environmental crisis in Haryana.

Lifelines under attack

The Aravallis, Haryanas only barrier against desertification, critical water recharge zone, pollution sink and wildlife habitat, are being razed to the ground by mining and real estate development and poisoned as a result of toxic landfills and burning of waste. Cattle and wildlife living in the Aravalli foothills have been dying drinking the poisonous waste water and villagers are suffering from cancer, skin and liver diseases. Groundwater levels have fallen to 2,000 feet in many villages in south Haryana, where mining is rampant and the rural population is suffering from lung ailments, including the killer silicosis disease, as a result of lethal pollution caused by blasting of hills and stone-crushing units.

To protect the essential ecosystem services provided by the Aravallis and Shivaliks for Haryana, the key demands given in the Green Manifesto are to legally designate the two as critical ecological zones where no destructive activities and commercial projects are allowed; mainstream the use of alternative building material to save what is left of our hills; designate Mahendergarh district as a pahadi dark zone and cease all mining and stone-crushing operations due to critically low groundwater levels of 1,500-2,000 feet; withdraw the states appeal in the Supreme Court to legalise mining in the national capital region (NCR); stop all mining activities and stone-crushers near human habitation and wildlife-sensitive zones; remove encroachments; restore degraded areas, remove landfills in Bandhwari, Pali, near ITI colony on the Old Sohna-Alwar road; and stop illegal dumping and burning of chemical waste of industrial units from Bhiwadi in Khori Khurd and other villages of Nuh district. Villagers whose farm lands have been impacted should be given compensation and allotted quality farmland in the same or adjoining village.

Lungs being destroyed

Despite Haryana having the lowest forest cover in India, a mere 3.6% as compared to the national average of 21%, deforestation and tree-felling continue blatantly. In May and June this year, the state experienced extreme heatwaves, with temperatures reaching 50C, negatively impacting public health and livelihoods. The state is highly climate sensitive with 95% of Haryanas 22 districts having a high and medium climate risk score.

For protecting Haryanas existing forest and tree cover, the Green Manifesto asks for legal protection be given to all the states forests by including un-notified forests as deemed forests under the Punjab Land Preservation Act (PLPA); legislate a Tree Act for Haryana on the lines of the stringent Delhi Preservation of Trees Act, 1994; declare all open natural ecosystems (ONEs), such as the blackbuck natural habitat in Fatehabad district, as conservation or community reserves, ensuring that Haryanas ONEs are taken out of the Wasteland Atlas of India which maps these crucial ecosystems as unproductive land to be converted for agricultural or industrial use; besides making a plan to manage invasive species across the state.

To increase Haryanas extremely low forest cover, ecologists have asked for an action plan to reach a target of 10% native forest and tree cover in four years. It is critical to revive Haryanas dharohar of having a bani in every village with the involvement of local communities and legally designate them as community reserves, provide monetary incentives in the form of tree pension to encourage farmers to grow native trees on their fields, bring back traditional trees of Haryana, such as Lesoda, Khejri and Aravalli species like Indrok and Jaal that are disappearing, and do native planting in an ecologically correct manner: Tall trees, under-storey trees, shrubs, climbers, grasses to create biodiversity-rich spaces across the state.

Food security under threat

The Desertification and Land Degradation Atlas of India, 2021, shows that 8.24% (3,64,154 hectares) of the total geographical area of Haryana has degraded, negatively impacting food security. Decades of chemical farming and spraying of insecticides has poisoned our soil and water, causing cancer among our people.

The Green Manifesto asks for promoting crop diversification as a key climate-change adaptation strategy by ensuring guaranteed purchase of every crop grown by the farmers on the MSP announced by the Centre, creating an action plan to restore soil and its microbial diversity, incentivising natural farming practices that improve soil health, scaling up keeth pathshalas operating for the past 15 years in a few villages in Haryana to all districts to educate farmers about natures balance of vegetarian and non-vegetarian insects so that there is no need for spraying insecticides.

We are hoping that all our leaders cutting across party lines make a public commitment in their party manifestos to protect and revive Haryanas natural and farming ecosystems. peopleforaravallis@gmail.com

Neelam Ahluwalia. (HT Photo)

The writer is founder member of People for Aravallis, an NGO of rural and urban citizens and ecological experts, working to conserve the oldest mountain range in India. Views expressed are personal.
At least two women pilgrims died and another injured after they were hit by a landslide on Himkoti track of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi shrine on Trikuta Hills of Katra in Reasi district on Monday, said officials. The collapsed structure on the Himkoti track to the Vaishno Devi shrine following a landslide in Reasi district on Monday. Two pilgrims were killed and one was injured in the incident. (PTI Photo)

A landslide occurred on the new Himkoti track to Shri Mata Vaishno Devi shrine due to heavy rains in Katra over the last two days. The track was briefly closed, and helicopter services were suspended, said officials.

Chief executive officer of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi shrine board, Anshul Garg said, Yatra was disrupted on the Himkoti track owing to landslide caused by shooting stones in the wake of rainfall over the past few days.

Disaster management teams of the board are on the spot for rescue and relief measures. Yatra, however, continues uninterrupted on the old Sanjhichatt track, he added.

The CEO informed that two women pilgrims died, and another pilgrim was injured in the incident.

The two women, who died, hailed from Punjab and Uttar Pradesh.

They were identified as Sapna, wife of Sudarshan of Dhianpur in Gurdaspur, and Neha, wife of Amit Kumar of Kanpur.

The seriously injured, a minor girl, is being treated at a hospital in Katra.

The incident took place around 2:40 pm when a big bounder fell on the track due to a landslide.

The incident took place near the Purani Panchi Colony area on the pilgrimage route. The landslide caused a shed built on the track to collapse, completely blocking the path.

The administration has also initiated an investigation into the matter.

LG expresses grief, announces 5 lakh ex-gratia

Lieutenant governor Manoj Sinha has expressed grief over the loss of lives of the pilgrims due to the unfortunate incident of shooting stones on Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine track.

Sinha has also approved ex-gratia of 5 lakh to be given to each of the next of kin of the deceased and other assistance, as provided in the rule, to the affected families.

In a condolence message, Sinha said: Extremely pained to learn about the loss of precious lives of pilgrims due to the unfortunate incident of shooting stones on Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine track, today. My deepest condolences to bereaved families in this hour of grief. Praying for the early recovery of the injured. I have directed the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board and the district administration Reasi to provide all necessary assistance, as provided in rule, to the affected families and ensure best care for the injured.
Toronto The former chief minister of Punjab Beant Singh who was killed on August 31, 1995. (HT File)

The pro-Khalistan radical groups in Canada took assassination floats on Saturday paying homage to the suicide bomber responsible for the killing of then Punjab chief minister Beant Singh in 1995.

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 assassination took place on August 31, 1995.

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.

Gosal, one of the principal organisers of the referendum and an associate of Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) general counsel Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, had 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 organisation 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 stormed 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.

On June 4 last year, 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.
Observing that the issue of farmers protest should not be politicised, the Supreme Court on Monday constituted a high-powered committee headed by former Punjab and Haryana high court judge justice Nawab Singh to amicably resolve the grievances of protesting farmers at Shambhu border. The Supreme Court on Monday constituted a high-powered committee headed by former Punjab and Haryana high court judge justice Nawab Singh to amicably resolve the grievances of protesting farmers at Shambhu border. (HT file photo)

A bench of justices Surya Kant and Ujjal Bhuyan directed the committee to convene its first meeting within a week and asked the panel to reach out to the agitating farmers to immediately remove their tractors and trolleys from the Shambhu border between Punjab and Haryana to provide relief to commuters.

Both the Punjab and the Haryana governments will be free to give suggestions to the committee, it added.

The committee comprises retired IPS officer PS Sandhu, Devender Sharma, professor Ranjit Singh Ghuman and Sukhpal Singh, agricultural economist from the Punjab Agricultural University.

Asking the high-powered committee to formulate the issues for consideration, the bench also directed its chairman to invite professor BR Kamboj, vice-chancellor of Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University, as special invitee as and when his expert opinion is needed.

It cautioned the protesting farmers to keep themselves at a safe distance from political parties and not to insist on demands that are not feasible.

The top court said the farmers; issues should not be politicised and be considered by the committee in a phased manner.

The court said farmers will be at liberty to shift their peaceful agitations to alternative sites.

The court was hearing the Haryana governments plea challenging the high courts order asking it to remove within a week the barricades erected at the Shambhu border near Ambala, where protesting farmers have been camping since February 13.

On August 22, the bench had asked the Punjab and Haryana governments to convey to the agitating farmers that the court as well as the two states are concerned about their issues and a forum is being constituted for the redressal of their grievances.

The Haryana government had set up barricades on the Ambala-New Delhi national highway in February after the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha announced that farmers would march to Delhi in support of their demands, including legal guarantee of minimum support price (MSP) for their produce.
The Uttarakhand police have registered a first information report (FIR) against over 300 unidentified men at Nandanagar police station in Chamoli district over Sundays attack on shops belonging to members of the Muslim community by a large group of protestors who sought arrest of a man accused of flashing at a 14-year-old girl. The FIR said the protestors vandalised shops belonging to members of a particular community. (PTI)

The FIR said the attack lasted for around 12 hours and some people in the crowd were carrying sticks, iron pipes, and axes. The protestors also vandalised a place of worship of the minority community and assaulted a Muslim man, it added.

The FIR was registered on the complaint of station in charge Sanjay Singh Negi.

Negi, in the complaint, said that at 9.03 am, he first received information from a constable that over 100 people had gathered at Band Bazaar and were furious as the barber accused of flashing at a minor girl belonged to a particular community.

They wanted to harm the people from the community of the accused. I soon reached the Band Bazaar in my government vehicle and instructed the entire police force at the police station to reach the spot. The crowd of protestors had already swelled to 250-300. They were abusing a particular community. They then moved in a procession towards Purana Bazaar. When I tried to stop them, they pushed me aside. I informed my senior officials about the incident and demanded additional force for deployment, he said.

He said as the crowd continued to move ahead, they beat a Muslim man, Haroon, a resident of Najibabad, at Kurur bridge and he was saved by cops from the clutches of the crowd. They then started raising slogans against people of a particular community and vandalised shops, he added.

The angry mob was targeting a particular community. The women and men of their community in the houses were frightened and screaming. The mob was successful in carrying out their plans even though the police tried to stop them. Even my uniform was torn in attempt to stop them. Some of them in the crowd were carrying sticks, iron pipes, axes, etc,...with the help of my fellow policemen I snatched one axe from two men to avoid any untoward incident, Negi said.

The rampage went on from 9am to 8.30 pm when the police managed to disperse the crowd, the FIR said.

Chamoli superintendent of police (SP), Sarvesh Panwar, said they have registered the FIR against over 300 unidentified men under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for spreading anarchy in the town.

Our efforts to identify them are underway. We have videos (of the incident). Strict action will be taken against them, he said.
The monsoon trough is expected to return close to Delhi-NCR on Monday, bringing with it more rainfall, as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a yellow alert for the Capital, predicting light to moderate rainfall. The region is likely to record light rain till Thursday, with isolated parts receiving moderate showers, IMD said. Commuters at Delhis Connaught Place on Friday, August 30, 2024.(Raj K Raj / Hindustan Times)

Delhi did not record any rain in the 24 hours till 8.30am on Sunday or between 8.30am and 5.30pm, the standard measurement intervals. IMD, in a statement, said the monsoon trough was hovering near south Odisha, south Chhatisgarh and north Andhra Pradesh.

The trough is expected to return close to Delhi-NCR again, with more rain likely this week in the region, an IMD official said.

Also Read | Centre rushes inter-ministerial team to Gujarat to assess damage caused by flood

Mahesh Palawat, vice president at Skymet meteorology, said Delhi would record light rain till Thursday at most places, with moderate rainfall likely as well. This was a temporary break in rain, as the trough moved closer to central India due to a deep depression there. With the trough expected to return close to Delhi-NCR by Monday, we will again see cloudy skies and rain, he said.

Humidity remained high, hovering between 60% and 94% on Sunday. Delhis maximum temperature was 36.3C, which was two degrees above the normal and up from 35C recorded a day earlier. The minimum temperature on Sunday was 26.5C, which was around the normal, but up from 25.4C recorded a day earlier.

Also Read | PM Modi speaks to Telangana, Andhra Pradesh CMs as rain wreaks havoc

Delhi has so far recorded 882.1mm of annual rainfall, of which 837.4mm has been recorded in the monsoon months of June, July and August. IMD has forecast above normal rainfall in northwest India for September, which may see Delhi cross the 1,000mm annual rainfall mark.

The long-period average (LPA) for rainfall in September in the Capital is 123.4mm.

Delhis air quality remained satisfactory on Sunday, with an air quality index of 99, according to the Central Pollution Control Board.
Uniformed in blue, he is stationed at the posh neighbourhoods entrance, here in central Delhi, attending to his day shift as a gateway guard. Saurabh is 23. He arrived in Delhi five days ago from his home district of Rewa in Madhya Pradesh. It is his first time here. (HT Photo)

Saurabh is 23. He arrived in Delhi five days ago from his home district of Rewa in Madhya Pradesh. It is his first time here, he says. He informs he did his postgraduate masters degree in Commerce from Rewas Awadhesh Pratap Singh University.

Saurabh was awarded the degree a year ago, but he did not immediately try to search for a suitable employment. Instead, he stayed home, pressing pause on his private plans to focus on performing a grandsons duties. My babba was ill for some time. He was bedridden, he could barely move. I was looking after his needs, caring for him.

The grandfather died three months ago, freeing Saurabh to start thinking about his future. While all seemed uncertain, he was certain about one thing, he says, and that was that he did not wish to continue to live in his district. I wanted to go to a big city. I wanted to be in a new world, and build my life there. So I came to Delhi.

Saurabh also leaned towards Delhi because some of his relatives were already working in the capital, including a friend from Rewaa guard himselfwho in fact arranged for him to get his current job as a guard. Saurabhs responsibilities include manning the colonys entry barrier, and noting down the number plate of each vehicle driving into the neighbourhood. It is likely to be a temporary arrangement but this early job might help him find a footing in the new place, he believes. (The aforementioned friend is extremely supportiveone recent afternoon the friend stopped a passerby and asked if he could help Saurabh land an office job.)

Turning to a small temple built under a roadside tree, Saurabh says he is hopeful about his prospects. Im a fresher. Experience will take me to right kinds of jobs it will not be easy.

He now agrees to pose for a photo but requests that his face remains hidden from view.
A 21-year-old Pakistani national, who strayed into India on August 25 by crossing the international border will be sent back to his country, officials aware of the details said. It was found that he had gone to meet a friend in a village in Pakistan but fled after the friends family found out about them. (AFP photo)

After interrogation, the Border Security Force (BSF) handed Jagsi Kolhi to police and asked its Pakistani counterparts to facilitate his return.

BSF officials are now awaiting confirmation from the Pakistani Rangers, after which Kolhi will be repatriated, according to officials familiar with the matter.

On August 25, the BSF and Rajasthan Police apprehended a man who had illegally crossed the fencing at the international border and reached an Indian village.

The man was caught in Jadpa village in Barmer.

During interrogation, it was found that he had gone to meet a friend in a village in Pakistan but fled after the friends family found out about them.

Also Read: Nearly 1,000 Indian students return from Bangladesh as protests claim 115 lives

Out of fear, the man escaped and entered India where he was subsequently caught by the BSF.

Kritika Yadav, circle officer of Chohtan, told HT that the BSF has informed them that they have decided to repatriate Koli back to Pakistan.

After joint interrogation, the Pakistani man has been handed over to the police, and he is now under the observation of the Bhakhasar Police. The BSF has informed the Pakistani authorities, and now awaiting the confirmation from the other side, and after completion of certain formalities, he will be sent back to Pakistan, Yadav said.

Superintendent of police (SP) in Barmer, Narendra Meena, has also written a letter to BSF officials to expedite the process of the mans repatriation.
A doctor, who was on duty in the emergency department of the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata on the intervening night of August 8 and 9 when a trainee doctor was allegedly raped and murdered, has raised questions over the three-hour delay in declaring the victim dead after her body was spotted lying in a half-naked condition in a seminar room. RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata (File Photo)

HT had earlier reported that according to the document submitted by the Kolkata Police in the Supreme Court, the victims body was first spotted at 9.30am on August 9 by a first-year trainee doctor. At 10.10am, the Tala police station was alerted by the police outpost in the hospital. While the local police reached the spot at 10.30am, sleuths of the homicide squad arrived at 11am.

It was only at 12.44pm that the on-duty emergency medical officer (EMO) of the hospital declared the victim dead.

Dr Tapas Pramanik was on duty in the general emergency department on the ground floor of the building. He was on duty from 8pm on August 8 and left the hospital by 9am on August 9. At around 11.45am he came to know about the incident from a message on a social media group.

The body was found at 9.30am and the police were informed at 10.10am. The victim was, however, declared dead at 12.44pm by the hospital. Questions may arise over this almost three-hour delay. All these while she was lying there. The parents may raise questions what if the victim was alive for some time during that period? Dr Pramanik told a media outlet.

Read more: Kolkata murder case: Mamata govt proposes death penalty for rape convicts in draft bill

Last week three audio clips had gone viral, in which hospital authorities could be purportedly heard telling the victims parents over phone, to come to the hospital. While in one audio the parents were told that their daughter was ill, in a second audio they were told that the victim may have died by suicide.

As I was on duty that night and had just returned home, I immediately called the EMO who was on duty when the body was discovered. She confirmed that such an incident had happened. We are used to seeing accident victims and dead bodies. But the sight of a co-worker, who was also on duty the previous night, being found in that condition was shocking. Both of us were surprised as to why the parents were told that it may have been a suicide case. From no angle it looked like a suicide case, he said while speaking to reporters.

The post-mortem report of the victim revealed that she was strangulated and smothered to death. Multiple injuries were found on her body. The autopsy report also revealed some forceful penetration or insertion in her genitalia which suggest that the victim was sexually assaulted.

He also said that what surprised some of the doctors, who were on duty that night, was that no one had any inkling till 9.30am on August 9 about the crime.

That is the most surprising part. RG Kar caters to a heavy rush of patients every night and doctors and nurses are always on the move. It is always dynamic. But such a heinous crime took place on the third floor, and no one had any inkling! he said.

Earlier the Supreme Court had pulled up the hospital authorities and Kolkata Police over the 14-hour delay in lodging the FIR. The FIR was registered on the basis of the victims fathers complaint at 11.45pm that night.

Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, representing the West Bengal government, however, had told the apex court that the police had started a case of unnatural death promptly and were waiting for the victims father to lodge a formal complaint to register the FIR.
A search operation for senior Uttar Pradesh bureaucrat Aditya Vardhan Singh continued Monday, two days after he was swept away by strong currents in the Ganga at the Nanamau Ghat in Bilhaur town of the Kanpur Nagar district. File Photo: River Ganga (Rajesh Kumar/HT)

According to police, Singh, a deputy director in the health department of Uttar Pradesh, moved towards deeper waters to get a photo clicked by his friends and slipped in the process.

Our preliminary investigation has revealed that he wanted to be photographed while offering arghya to the sun and crossed the warning mark. Though he knew how to swim, he got trapped in a strong current, The Times of India (TOI) quoted Rajesh Kumar Singh, DCP (West), as saying.

Bilhaur ACP Ajay Kumar Trivedi said that the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), flood unit, police, and private divers, were searching for the missing officer.

We resumed the search Sunday morning. However, we have not been successful in locating Aditya Vardhan Singh, he stated.

Also Read: Bhagalpur boys drown in Ganga after going for a holy dip

The friends of the bureaucrat, 45, who was from Lucknow and posted in Varanasi, claimed that private divers at the ghat demanded 10,000 to save him and refused to go in without being paid first.

When we informed that we didn't have cash, they demanded online payment. By the time they went in after we transferred the money, Aditya had already been swept away, the friends alleged.

Reacting to the friends' charge, Trivedi, the Bilhaur ACP, said that the divers wanted money to purchase fuel for their steamer.

If there is any truth in the allegations, we will take legal action against the divers, the senior police officer added.
MUMBAI: Before deciding who will take on the oppositions candidates, the BJP and the Ajit Pawar-led NCP are fighting a battle between themselves in as many as 21 assembly constituencies. The two allies were in a close fight in these constituencies in the 2019 assembly polls when they were opponents, and hence both have staked a claim to them. Most of these seats are from western Maharashtra. Mumbai, July 06 (ANI): Maharashtra chief minister Eknath Shinde with state deputy chief ministers Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar during the Mahayuti meeting, at Shanmukananda Auditorium, in Mumbai on Saturday.(ANI)

The rivalry has led to an escalation of discord between the parties. At least four senior leaders from both sides have openly spoken against each other or are on the verge of quitting the party, and the friction is expected to intensify as the elections near.

After BJP leaders Harshavardhan Patil, Samarjit Ghatge and Ganesh Hake voicing their opinions, it was the turn of senior NCP (Ajit Pawar) leader Ramraje Naik Nimbalkar, who on Sunday spoke out against the BJP. Patil and Ghatge, who are aspirants from the Indapur and Kagal assembly constituencies respectively, are formally joining the NCP (Sharad Pawar) this week, as the seats they have claimed are with the Ajit Pawar-led NCP.

Also Read | Maharashtra elections: Mahayuti leaders close to finalising seat-sharing deal

Both Patil and Ghatge had lost the 2019 assembly elections by a slender margin to NCP candidates. This time, when they thought they had a chance to win, they were told that the sitting NCP MLAs would get the seats, as the two parties are now allies. Hake, who is eyeing the Ahmedpur seat in Latur, has also spoken against the alliance with the NCP, saying that if it continued, the BJP would have to pay a high price.

Nimbalkaronce a confidant of Sharad Pawar, who then went with Ajit Pawarthreatened to consider joining the NCP (SP), as he was not comfortable with BJP leaders Ranjitsinh Nimbalkar and Jaykumar Gore in the local politics of Solapur and Satara. He is believed to be unhappy with the NCPs political equation with the BJP. Two other Solapur leaders of the BJP, Uttamrao Jankar and Prashant Paricharak, are on the way to joining the NCP (SP) in the wake of changed equations in the district.

Also Read | Maharashtra elections: Mahayuti leaders close to finalising seat-sharing deal

The 21 sitting MLAs of the Ajit Pawar faction won against the BJP in the 2019 assembly elections, and some of them lost by wafer-thin margins, said a BJP leader from Marathwada. The two parties and their workers have been fighting against each other for years at various levels in electoral politics. They have different ideologies and voter profiles and cannot gel with each other. This was evident in the Lok Sabha elections.

The leader said that several BJP leaders and workers were upset with the party leaderships decision to join hands with Ajit Pawar last July. They have now begun to express their anger openly, as they can see their lost opportunities owing to the entry of Ajit Pawars NCP faction, he said. They are also worried about the party losing base in these constituencies if the NCP (AP) is allowed to capture them for five more years.

An NCP (AP) leader said that 19 of the NCP MLAs now with Ajit had won against the Shiv Sena (undivided) in the 2019 election, but the tussle between these two parties was not fierce at the local level. The aspirants from the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena in the constituency currently held by the NCP (AP) have already shifted to the NCP (SP) or the Shiv Sena (UBT), he said. Maybe they are not as loyal to their parties as BJP leaders are.

A BJP leader said that many in the party could not stomach the fact that Ajit Pawar toed the so-called secular ideology line or continued with Muslim appeasement. It also disturbs our traditional vote share in our constituencies, he said. It is an accepted fact in the party that a few more leaders may quit the party as the election nears.

The leader added that the alliance with the Ajit Pawar-led NCP was a faulty decision, a sentiment he claimed was shared by party workers across the state. According to him, although it was not possible for the leadership to backtrack from the decision, many leaders at the local level had been demanding the snapping of ties at least for the elections. If this happens, we could save ourselves the loss of a few good leaders, he said. However our leadership is trapped in a peculiar situation.

Senior BJP leader Rajkumar Badole, who lost the Arjuni Morgaon assembly seat in Gondia district by just 718 votes to the NCP (AP)s Manohar Chandrikapure, has staked a claim to the seat. Though the NCP (AP) has a sitting MLA, our strength is intact while the NCPs strength has dwindled after the split and without the Congress, he said. Elective merit matters more than a sitting MLA. I am sure that our leadership will succeed in convincing Ajit Pawar to concede the seat to us.

Badole said that the situation varied in every constituency, and there would not be a rebellion in all 21 constituencies, as the BJP leadership was handling it skilfully. The BJPs state unit chief Chandrashekhar Bawankule said, The leaders who are quitting the party know well that they will not be accepted by voters.

Soon after Ramraje Naik-Nimbalkar raised a red flag, Ajit Pawar swung into action and held a meeting with him. Ajit assured Naik Nimbalkar that he would speak to the BJP leadership in Delhi to resolve the differences.
Mumbai: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Sunday facilitated the return of a wanted alleged kingpin of an international criminal gambling network, Deepakkumar Dhirajlal Thakkar, from Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE). CBI sources said that he is accused of using hawala channels for the dispersal of proceeds of crime worth 2,273 crore generated in his illegal activities. HT Image

He was named as an accused in a criminal case registered on March 25, last year, at Gujarats Madhavpura police station in Ahmedabad, for being the kingpin of an international criminal gambling racket, which allegedly operated using custom-made software applications and employed illicit hawala channels for transacting proceeds of crime worth over 2,273 crore, CBI sources said.

On a request from the CBI, Interpol issued a Red Corner Notice (RCN) against Thakkar, which led to his location, detention and deportation to India. CBIs Global Operations Centre coordinated with the Gujarat police, the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) and the authorities of Abu Dhabis National Central Bureau for the return of a Red -Notice subject, Dipakkumar Dhirajlal Thakkar, from the UAE to India on September 1, a CBI official said. An RCN warrants the detention /arrest of any listed subject across its 195 member countries for subsequent deportation /extradition.

Thakkar faces cases involving offences relating to criminal breach of trust, cheating, forgery, criminal conspiracy, causing disappearance of evidence and offences related to the Information Technology Act and Prevention of Gambling Act, according to the CBI. The Interpol General Secretariat had on December 15, 2023, issued a Red Notice against Thakkar on a request from the CBI.

The Red Notice was circulated to all Interpol member countries for the location and arrest of the accused. The subject was geo-located in Dubai through Interpol, after which a security mission from the Gujarat Police travelled to the UAE and returned with Thakkar. As the National Central Bureau for Interpol in India, CBI coordinates with all law enforcement agencies in India for assistance via Interpol channels, the CBI official said.
In the second consecutive attack in as many days, a two-and-a-half-year-old girl child was killed on Monday in a wolf attack in Bahraich. With this killing, the death toll in the district has risen to 10 since March 18. Among the deceased, nine are children below eight years of age and a woman aged 55 years. Officials of the district administration consoling distraught family members (HT Photo)

A wolf attacked and killed a two-and-a-half-year-old girl, Anjali, around 4 am, while a woman sustained injuries in a separate incident of wolf attack late on Sunday night.

According to forest officials, a wolf attacked and took away the girl from Garethi Gurdattsingh village under Hardi police station area. The girl was sleeping with her mother when she was allegedly lifted by a wolf. Later, the mutilated body of the girl was found about 500 meters from the village.

Divisional forest officer (DFO) Ajit Pratap Singh said both hands of the deceased girl were eaten by the animal and several puncture wounds were found on the body. On getting information, the police reached the spot and sent the body for a post-mortem examination.

Talking about the girls killing, village head Uma Kant Dixit said that there was no door in the house. A wolf easily entered it and lifted the girl. He said, People in the area are scared after the incident.

Dixit said teams of forest officials had reached the village and a search operation was being carried out in the area.

District magistrate, Bahraich, Monika Rani and SP, Vrinda Shukla, visited Nauwan Garethi hamlet of village Garethi Gurdattsingh and consoled the family members of the girl killed.

Earlier, late on Sunday night, one Kamla Devi, 56, wife of Mohan Lal, was attacked by a wolf in Kotiya village, under the same Hardi PS area. She was rushed to the community health center (CHC) Mahsi, from where she was referred to the district hospital.

The DM said all the teams deployed for the Operation Bhediya were working round the clock and soon the wolf would be captured. The DM also visited the district hospital and enquired about the woman who was attacked and injured in village Kotiya late on Sunday night.

Even though the forest department has captured four wolves, incidents of wolf attacks continue unabated in the Mahsi Tehsil area. Four persons including two children were attacked and injured and a girl child was killed in the past two days.

On Sunday, two of the elusive wolves were picked up in an infrared drone camera and the forest department teams were very close when the wolf managed to sneak from the trap.

Dr Deepak Verma, a veterinary expert, who was also deployed for the operation, said there is a pattern in wolf attacks. They repeat the attack after two or three days. He said after the recent attack we are trying to trace the location along the River basin. He said the location of the wolves was found in the morning but they disappeared after a while. He said every time wolves choose to attack a new village and at a distance five to six kilometers from the previously attacked village.

A pack of six wolves was identified in drone camera footage and it was supposed that the pack was responsible for all the killings and attacks. Out of the six, the forest department has captured four wolves but two are still running free.

Dist admn bandobast

Police and PAC have been deployed in the area covering about 100 villages of Mahsi Tehsil. BJP MLA from Mahsi, Sureshwar Singh, is also camping and making people aware in the area.

Chief wildlife conservator Renu Singh, district magistrate Monica Rani, superintendent of police Vrinda Shukla and other concerned officials are also visiting the affected area. Forest teams of five districts have been patrolling round the clock, crackers were being burst all night to keep the predators at bay but despite all precautionary measures the wolves have remained elusive.

Shariq Rais Siddiqui
A Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) youth worker, also a property dealer, was shot dead by unidentified assailants when the victim was asleep in his shop along with his four-year-old son in Mungers Gogachak-Navtolia village on Monday. Representative image.

The deceased has been identified as Fantush Kumar alias Baunti Singh (35), a resident of Tarapur Dhobai locality of Munger. The incident took place about 1km from Tarapur police station area.

Police suspect old enmity and property as the motives behind the murder.

Two youths fired at the victim from point-blank range, and he was declared dead on arrival after he was rushed to the hospital, witnesses told the police.

None of the witnesses could recognise any of the two assailants. They said the youths fled towards Banka after committing the crime, the police said.

Acccording to family members, Singh was the town president of the Bhartiya Janata Yuva Morcha, the youth wing of the BJP and had recently entered the real estate business.

Munger SP Syed Imran Masood said that an FIR under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) had been registered with the Tarapur police station based on the statement of the kin of the deceased. One person has been detained for interrogation, they said.
Directorate of Medical Education, West Bengal will release WB NEET UG 2024 seat allotment result for Round 1 on September 2, 2024. Candidates who have registered themselves for Round 1 counselling process can check the result on the official website of WBMCC at wbmcc.nic.in. WB NEET UG 2024 seat allotment result for Round 1 today, heres how to check

The seat allotment result will be released after 2 pm today, September 2. Candidates can report and take admission to the allotted institute with requisite original document, college requisite fee and bond on September 3, 4 and 5, 2024.

TS LAWCET 2024 first phase seat allotment result releasing today at lawcetadm.tsche.ac.in, heres how to check

WB NEET UG 2024 seat allotment result: How to check

To check the seat allotment result, candidates can follow the steps given below.

Visit the official website of WBMCC at wbmcc.nic.in.

Click on WB NEET UG 2024 seat allotment result for Round 1 link available on the home page.

Enter the login details and click on submit.

Your seat allotment result will be displayed on the screen.

Check the seat allotment result and download the page.

Keep a hard copy of the same for further need.

As per the official notice, the individual allotment letters shall be made available for download for the successful candidates from the counselling website by individual login till closure of the schedule of Round 1 admission.

The allotted candidates will have to attend the allotted colleges within the round 1 admission schedule if they wish to get admitted, along with all required original documents with one set self-attested photocopy of the documents mentioned in the notice. They also have to bring a successfully verified slip and allotment letter for admission ( 1 set original and 1 set self-attested photocopy) for admission along with 4 copies of recent passport size photographs.

Also Read: Purnea University Merit List 2024 for B.Sc, BCom and BA courses releasing today at purneauniversity.ac.in

A separate notice regarding the schedule for seat surrender will soon be published on the counselling website. For more related details, candidates can check the official website of WBMCC.
ADRE Assam Grade 3 Admit Card 2024: The State Level Recruitment Commission (SLRC) has released the Assam Direct Recruitment Examination (ADRE) Grade 3 Admit Card 2024 for the HSSLC level. Candidates who will appear for the written examination for recruitment of the posts of HSSLC level can download the admit card through the official website of SEBA Assam at sebaonline.org. ADRE Assam Grade 3 Admit Card 2024 out for HSSLC level, heres how to download

The HSSLC level examination under ADRE will be conducted on September 15, 2024, in a single shift- from 10.30 am to 1.30 pm.

SLRC Assam grade 3 admit card for HSSLC or 12th level posts out on sebaonline.org, direct link here

As per the official notice, the candidates have to download and take printouts of their admit cards by using their application number and password used while filing the forms for applying for the posts. The hard copy of the admit card has to be produced at the exam centre to appear for the written test.

ADRE Assam Grade 3 Admit Card 2024: How to download

Candidates can follow the simple steps below to download the hall tickets.

Visit the official website of SEBA Assam at sebaonline.org.

Click on Assam Grade 3 Admit Card 2024 link available on the home page.

Enter the login details and click on submit.

Your admit card will be displayed on the screen.

Check the admit card and download the page.

Keep a hard copy of the same for further need.

The written test will comprise 150 questions, and the total marks will be 150. The exam will last 3 hours and include questions on social studies, general knowledge, logical reasoning and mental ability, general English, and general mathematics.

Negative markings will be awarded for wrong answers. The negative marking for each wrong answer will be equivalent to 1/4th of the marks allotted for that question. The exam will be held in Assamese, Bengali, English, Bodo, and Hindi. For more related details, candidates can check the official website of SEBA Assam.
TS SET Hall Ticket 2024: Osmania University, Hyderabad has released hall tickets or admit cards for the Telangana State Eligibility Test (TS SET or TG SET 2024). Candidates who have applied for the examination can download the admit cards from telanganaset.org. The direct link and other details are given below. TS SET hall tickets 2024 live updates. Telangana SET hall ticket 2024 have been released. Candidates can download via the direct link.

To download the Telangana SET admit cards, candidates need to use their Application Number, Password and Security Key as login credentials.

Here is the direct link to check TS SET hall tickets.

The state-level eligibility test in Telangana was originally scheduled for August 28, 29, 30 and 31 but the exam conducting authority had to postpone it as the dates were clashing with the University Grants Commission National Eligibility Test (UGC NET 2024) conducted by the National Testing Agency ((NTA). The test will noe take place on September 10, 11, 12 and 13.

Due to the postponement of the examination, the admit card release date, which was previously mentioned as August 20, was also rescheduled. The application form correction window was postponed as well.

Steps to download TS SET hall ticket 2024

Open the Telangana SET examination portal, telanganaset.org

Go to the TS SET hall ticket download link given on the home page.

Enter your login credentials.

Submit the details and download the TS SET hall ticket.

Telangana SET is a state-level examination for those aspiring to join/get promoted as Lecturers/Assistant Professors at universities and degree colleges of Telangana.
TS SET Hall Ticket 2024 Live: TG SET hall tickets are out, direct link to download is given here

TS SET Hall Ticket 2024 Live Updates: Osmania University, Hyderabad has released the Telangana State Eligibility Test (TS SET or TG SET 2024) hall tickets on Monday, September 2. Candidates can download the TS SET hall tickets from telanganaset.org. To download, candidates need to enter details such as Application Number, Password and Security Key. ...Read More

DIRECT LINK TO DOWNLOAD TS SET HALL TICKETS 2024

The examination, previously scheduled for August 28, 29, 30, and 31, has been postponed in view of the UGC NET examination. It will now be held on September 10, 11, 12, and 13, 2024.

The hall ticket release date was also rescheduled due to the postponement of the examination from August 20 to September 2. The application form correction window was postponed as well.

How to download TS SET hall ticket 2024?

Go to telanganaset.org

Open the TS SET hall ticket download link given on the home page.

Enter your login details

Submit it and download the TS SET hall ticket.

The Telangana SET is for recruiting and promoting Lecturers and Assistant Professors at Telangana's universities and degree colleges.

Follow this live blog for TS SET hall tickets.
IDBI Bank Ltd. has invited applications for Specialist Cadre Officers posts. Eligible candidates can apply online for Assistant General Manager and Manager posts through the official website of IDBI Bank at idbibank.in. This recruitment drive will fill up 56 posts in the organization. IDBI Bank SCO Recruitment 2024: Apply for 56 Assistant GM & Manager posts

The last date to apply online is till September 15, 2024. Read below for eligibility, selection process and other details.

RSMSSB Rajasthan 12th level CET registration begins today at rsmssb.rajasthan.gov.in

Vacancy Details

Assistant General Manager: 25 posts

Manager- Grade B: 31 posts

Eligibility Criteria

Assistant General Manager: Candidates who want to apply for the posts should have post graduate degree from any University recognized by Govt. of India or its regulatory bodies. The age limit should be between 28 to 40 years.

Manager: Candidates should have graduation degree from any University recognized by Govt. of India or its regulatory bodies. The age limit to apply is between 25 to 35 years.

Selection Process

The selection process will comprise of preliminary screening of stipulated eligibility criteria of age, educational qualifications and working experience etc. as declared by the candidate in the application form. Most suitable candidates will be called for the selection process i.e. Group Discussion and/ or Personal Interview.

Application Fee

The application fee is 200/- including GST for SC/ST category candidates and 1000/- including GST for General, EWS and OBC category candidates. The payment should be done online through Debit Card, Credit card, internet banking, IMPS, Cash Cards/ Mobile Wallets.

How to Apply
Space science and technology in India have steadily progressed since the establishment of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on August 15, 1969. To date, ISRO has completed 124 spacecraft missions, 96 launch missions, 432 foreign satellite launches and facilitated 17 satellite launches by private players and students. With India on the pedestal as one of the global space leaders and the national space economy booming, now is the perfect time for students to pursue space sci-tech careers.(HT_PRINT)

Recently, big missions like Chandrayaan-3, Mangalyaan, and Aditya-L1 have made headlines worldwide, brought recognition to Indias space program, and fueled national pride. With keen anticipation, all eyes are on the upcoming ambitious missions such as Ganganyaan and Shukrayaan, to name a few, where India is gearing up to send astronauts to space and launch a spacecraft to orbit Venus.

In 2020, after the government of India opened its doors to private sectors and startups, the landscape of the Indian space industry completely transformed. Today, the number of space startups in the country has skyrocketed to nearly 200, with investments totalling $380.25 million.

With India on the pedestal as one of the global space leaders and the national space economy booming, now is the perfect time for students to pursue space sci-tech careers. But why is space education relevant? Are there enough avenues? Where to begin? Find all answers below.

What is the role of space science and technology in the current times?

Space science and technology are making everyones lives easier, transforming the world into a better place. They have helped with tremendous advancements in various sectors, including communication, navigation, weather, healthcare, and beyond. Discover how the space industry in India is making an impact that directly or indirectly benefits the human race.

 Communication: Communication satellites have made services like television, radio networking, and telecommunication widely accessible, especially in remote and underserved areas of the country.

 Healthcare: Space technology, particularly satellites, has significantly advanced telemedicine and remote healthcare services, making it possible to deliver care in rural villages, disaster-stricken regions, and more.

 Navigation: GPS satellites simplify navigation and improve safety in aviation, railways, roadways, waterways, and spacecraft.

 Weather forecasting: Meteorological satellites help monitor climate and predict extreme weather events efficiently. The forecasting allows the government to take proactive measures and reduce the impact of natural occurrences.

 Disaster management: Satellite remote sensing monitors significant events such as floods, cyclones, forest fires, landslides, and earthquakes, thus helping with effective disaster management.

 Agriculture: The space sector is actively working towards revolutionising the agricultural field with innovations like precision farming, production forecasting, crop management, resource optimisation, and disaster mitigation. These technological advancements aim to enhance yield and profits, supporting our agrarian country.

Space Sci-Tech education can take you places: Explore the exciting scope!

Space science and technology in India have come a long way in the past half-century. Until a few years ago, the career opportunities were limited and focused on government and research institutions involved with ISRO. Moreover, our countrys space technology and infrastructure were still in the early stages of development, resources were limited, and financial challenges were evident. As expected, people did not consider it a stable, viable, and lucrative field.

Today, space-related careers are booming in India after several successful missions by ISRO, increased investments, international collaborations, global recognition, and the rise of private companies. The public perception of the Indian space industry has also turned positive, with more students attracted towards pursuing education in the field. Explore the immense opportunities in the ever-evolving space sector below.

 Space agencies and centres: India has many space agencies and centres, with a select few being the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC), Space Applications Centre (SAC), and Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC). They are at the forefront of space exploration, technological advancements, and scientific research in the country. Career opportunities include designing, developing, and testing spacecraft like satellites and launch vehicles, satellite data analysis, producing remote sensing technologies, conducting atmospheric research, and more.

 Private space ventures: Besides government-run organisations, several space tech startups have emerged in India in the past few years. Notable players include AgniKul Cosmos, Pixxel, Skyroot Aerospace, Bellatrix Aerospace, and Dhruva Space. With solid backing from the government and private investors, these startups are now actively scouting for new talent to join their team and fuel the growth of the space industry in India.

 Entrepreneurship: In a quest to stay ahead in the space race, the government of India is making various provisions to support space entrepreneurs. Students and professionals with innovative space business ideas can expect funding, technology access, infrastructure support, and collaboration initiatives to grow their venture.

As the shift towards space science and technology increases, the potential for innovation and discovery in this field continues to expand, offering an array of opportunities.

(Author Suresh Ukarande is Principal, K J Somaiya College of Engineering, Somaiya Vidyavihar University, Views expressed are personal.)
The National Medical Commission, NMC, has published a set of new guidelines for the Competency-Based Medical Education (CBME) curriculum for students pursuing MBBS which will be implemented from the 2024-25 academic session. The goal of the CBME curriculum is to create an "Indian Medical Graduate" (IMG) who possesses the requisite knowledge, skills, attitudes, values, and responsiveness to function appropriately and effectively as a physician. (Photo Credit: Unsplash)

An official notice dated August 31 stated that Under Graduate Medical Education Board after due deliberations with the Expert Groups and in the exercise of powers conferred by the National Medical Commission Act, 2019, particularly by sections 10, 24, 25 and 57 of the NMC Act, publishes the Competency-Based Medical Education Guidelines, 2024 along with CBME Competencies Volume-I, II, and III.

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The objective of the new CBME guidelines is to transform medical education to address the needs of the healthcare sector in both the national as well as international landscape.

The CBME Curriculum 2024 explained:

As per NMC, the thrust of the new guidelines is put on the continuation and evolution of medical education based on feedback and experience of CBME in the last 5 years since its inception in 2019. It intends to make medical education more learner-centric, patient-centric, gender-sensitive, outcome-oriented, and environment-appropriate, thereby conforming to global trends.

Through the CBME curriculum, the goal is to create an "Indian Medical Graduate" (IMG) who possesses the requisite knowledge, skills, attitudes, values, and responsiveness to function appropriately and effectively as a physician of first contact with the community while being globally relevant.

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The CBME curriculum, in its official notice, has also charted out National and Institutional goals that IMGs are expected to adhere to. These are as follows:

NATIONAL GOALS:

The Indian Medical Graduate should be able to recognize "health for all" as a national goal and the health right of all citizens.

He/she should learn the key aspects of National policies on health and devote himself to its practical implementation.

The IMG must achieve competence in the practice of holistic medicine, encompassing promotive, preventive, curative, and rehabilitative aspects of common diseases.

The IMG must develop a scientific temper, acquire educational experience for proficiency in the profession, and promote healthy living.

He/she should become an exemplary citizen by observance of medical ethics and fulfilling social and professional obligations, so as to respond to national aspirations.

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INSTITUTIONAL GOALS:

The IMG should be competent for working in the health care team from Phase 1 MBBS to Compulsory rotatory medical internship (CRMI) in a gradual manner with increasing complexity in an integrated multi-department involvement.

Be competent to practice preventive, promotive, curative, palliative, and rehabilitative medicine with respect to the commonly encountered health problems.

Appreciate the rationale for different therapeutic modalities and be familiar with the administration of the "essential medicines" and their common adverse effects.

Appreciate the socio-psychological, cultural, economic, and environmental factors affecting health and develop a humane attitude towards the patients in discharging one's professional responsibilities.

Has the attitude for continued self-learning and to seek further expertise or to pursue research in any chosen area of medicine, action research, and documentation skills.

Be familiar with the basic factors which are essential for the implementation of the National Health Programs including practical aspects of Family Welfare and Maternal and Child Health (MCH), Sanitation and water supply, Prevention and control of communicable and non-communicable diseases, Immunization, Health Education and advocacy, Indian Public Health Standards (IPHS) at various level of service delivery, Bio-medical waste disposal, Organizational and institutional arrangements.

Acquire basic management skills in human resources, materials, and resource management related to health care delivery, general and hospital management, principal inventory skills, and counseling.

Can identify community health problems and learn to work to resolve these by designing, instituting corrective steps, and evaluating the outcome of such measures with maximum community participation.

Be able to work as a leading partner in health care teams and acquire proficiency in communication skills.

Be competent in working in a variety of healthcare settings.

Have personal characteristics and attitudes required for professional life including personal integrity, sense of responsibility and dependability, and ability to relate to or show concern for other individuals.

For more information, click on this direct link to read the official notice.
BITS Pilani has appointed Prof Souri Banerjee as the institutions New Director for its Dubai campus. Prof Souri Banerjee appointed new director of BITS Pilani, Dubai Campus.

Prof Banerjee assumed his new role in August 2024 and will be serving as the Director of the BITS Pilani, Dubai campus for the next 5 years, replacing Prof Srinivasan Madapusi who has served as the director since July 2021.

A press release issued by the BITS Pilani, Prof Banerjee began his professional journey at BITS Pilani in 2024 from the Pilani campus.

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He was appointed the founding Department Head of Physics at the Hyderabad campus in 2008. Following this, Prof Banerjee took on the role of Associate Dean of Faculty Affairs in 2013 and later became Dean of Faculty Affairs in 2018.

Professor Banerjee has had a prolific career serving in a range of postdoctoral positions at the University of Electro-Communications and the Tokyo Institute of Technology, Japan.

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He was a Visiting Professor at the University of Electro-Communications. Not just this, he also served as a Research Scientist at the Central Research Laboratory, HITACHI, Tokyo.

Prof Banerjee was awarded a Ph.D. in Condensed Matter Physics from the Indian Association for Cultivation of Science, Kolkata in 1997.

Also read: NMC issues new guidelines for CBME curriculum, aims to create medical graduates who are globally relevant

Meanwhile, Professor V. Ramgopal Rao, the Vice Chancellor of BITS Pilani, welcomed Prof Banerjee for his new assignment and wished him success. He said, I am confident that his leadership and expertise will be instrumental in further enhancing our academic programs and research initiatives.

Prof Rao also expressed his gratitude to Prof Srinivasan Madapusi who he said has had a successful tenure.
A minor girl was stabbed to death allegedly by her partner who later died by suicide at Kanchanpur in North Tripura district on Monday. The 16-year-old deceased minor was going to her private tuition when she was stabbed by a college student with a kitchen knife. (Representational image)

Police identified the deceased murder accused as a 21-year-old college student who reportedly had an affair with the minor girl.

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The incident occurred on Monday morning when the 16-year-old deceased minor was going to her private tuition and was stabbed by a college student with a kitchen knife.

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Later, he allegedly slit his throat with the same knife.

The minor girl was declared dead after she was brought to Kanchanpur sub-divisional hospital. Whereas the murder accused succumbed to his injuries after he was brought to Dharmanagar district hospital.

Also read: TS LAWCET Counselling 2024: Phase 1 seat allotment result released at lawcetadm.tsche.ac.in, direct link to check here

"We have taken a murder case for now. Our investigation is underway to find the motive of the murder", said the superintendent of police of North Tripura district Bhanupada Chakraborty.
Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Lucknows Enterprise Incubation Centre has introduced a Centre of Excellence in Blockchain Technology (CoE-BT), an initiative supported by the Government of Uttar Pradesh under its StartInUP Policy. In line with the CoE-BT initiative, the Enterprise Incubation Centre will partner with Microsoft India to establish three outreach centers across Uttar Pradesh to promote and nurture blockchain-based innovation. (File image)

The new facility is aimed at creating and nurturing 100 startups in the blockchain domain over the next five years, thereby fostering innovation and entrepreneurship throughout Uttar Pradesh.

The initiative comes in line with the state government's objective to enhance e-governance by ensuring trust, transparency, and reliability across various sectors as use cases, informed a press release issued by IIM Lucknow.

Also read: IIT JAM 2025 registration from tomorrow on jam2025.iitd.ac.in, details here

As part of the CoE-BT initiative, the Enterprise Incubation Centre will partner with Microsoft India to establish three outreach centers across Uttar Pradesh to promote and nurture blockchain-based innovation, the release informed.

The proposed centres will be located at Gorakhpur, Lucknow, and Greater Noida/Meerut.

Notably, the IIML EIC will lead the training and onboarding of startups, and provide full support that includes mentorship from over 50 industry and academic experts, industry connections, VC funding, and specialized training programs for students and aspiring entrepreneurs across various sectors with Blockchain-based applications.

Also read: NMC issues new guidelines for CBME curriculum, aims to create medical graduates who are globally relevant

Prof Ashish Dubey, Faculty-in-charge of IIML-EIC said that the collaboration with Microsoft under CoE BT helps in identifying new opportunities for innovations and support new technologies to stay ahead of the curve in the rapidly evolving field of blockchain.

Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Lucknows Enterprise Incubation Centre has introduced a Centre of Excellence in Blockchain Technology (CoE-BT), an initiative supported by the Government of Uttar Pradesh under its StartInUP Policy.

The new facility is aimed at creating and nurturing 100 startups in the blockchain domain over the next five years, thereby fostering innovation and entrepreneurship throughout Uttar Pradesh.

Also read: TS LAWCET Counselling 2024: Phase 1 seat allotment result released at lawcetadm.tsche.ac.in, direct link to check here

The initiative comes in line with the state government's objective to enhance e-governance by ensuring trust, transparency, and reliability across various sectors as use cases, informed a press release issued by IIM Lucknow.

As part of the CoE-BT initiative, the Enterprise Incubation Centre will partner with Microsoft India to establish three outreach centers across Uttar Pradesh to promote and nurture blockchain-based innovation, the release informed.

The proposed centres will be located at Gorakhpur, Lucknow, and Greater Noida/Meerut.

Notably, the IIML EIC will lead the training and onboarding of startups, and provide full support that includes mentorship from over 50 industry and academic experts, industry connections, VC funding, and specialized training programs for students and aspiring entrepreneurs across various sectors with Blockchain-based applications.

Prof Ashish Dubey, Faculty-in-charge of IIML-EIC said that the collaboration with Microsoft under CoE BT help in identifying new opportunities for innovations and support new technologies to stay ahead of the curve in the rapidly evolving field of blockchain.
Kangana's Emergency is based on the life of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. It has been pushed from its release date of September 6. Produced by Zee Studios and Manikarnika Films, the film is set against the backdrop of one of India's most tumultuous political periods.

Heres everything you need to know about the stir around the film.

No green signal from CBFC

The film has been pushed, and Kangana claimed that the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) revoked its certificate post multiple petitions. Sometime back, while responding to a plea seeking revocation of the screening certificate, CBFC told the Punjab and Haryana high court that the film has not yet been cleared for public viewing.

The certification of the movie is under consideration. It has not been granted as of now. It will be granted as per rules and regulations, as applicable in this case. If anyone has any grievance, the same can be sent to the board, additional solicitor general of India Satya Pal Jain, who appeared for the CBFC, told the court. He asserted that the CBFC takes into account all aspects and ensures that sentiments of a religious or any other group are not hurt before issuing certificates to any film.

Stir over portrayal of the Sikh community

The first few glimpses of the film caused furore in Punjab and among Sikhs, who have objected to the portrayal of the community in the film. In the trailer, slain Sikh militant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale has been shown to be in cahoots with Indira Gandhi. This has irked a lot of people.

The Delhi unit of Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) sent a legal notice to the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) seeking to stop the release of the film citing its concerns over the portrayal of historical figures. In the notice, which was signed by the Delhi unit chief Paramjit Singh Sarna, SAD alleged that the film misrepresents the Sikh community and promotes hatred.

In addition to this, Sarabjit Singh Khalsa, who was elected as an independent MP from Faridkot this year, took to Facebook to share that the film seemed to be portraying Sikhs in a wrong light, and this could create tension among communities in Punjab.

Calls for ban

Multiple Sikh organisations across India, including those in Punjab, Telangana, New Delhi, and Uttar Pradesh, have called for a ban on the film, saying that the film misrepresents their community and distorts historical facts. They have also reached out to the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) and the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, urging a ban on the film's screening.

Kanganas remarks on farmers protest

Kanganas controversial remarks on the farmers' protest caused a stir. She suggested that a "Bangladesh-like situation" could have erupted during the farmers' protest had it not been for India's strong leadership. She alleged that "bodies were hanging and rapes were taking place" during the agitation, insinuating that foreign forces like China and the US were involved in the movement. The BJP rapped her for her disparaging remarks and made it clear that she is neither permitted nor authorised to comment on the party's policy matters. Her comments have played a big role in the controversy around her film, and the calls to ban it.

Kangana Ranaut is ready to fight back

Kangana has been vocal about her struggle to release the film. On Shubhankar Mishra's podcast, she said, Meri film pe hi Emergency lag gayi hai. Bahut hi nirashajanak ye sthiti hai. Main toh khair bahut hi zyada disappointed hu apne desh se, aur jo bhi haalaat hain (An Emergency has been imposed on my film too. It's a very hopeless state. I'm quite disappointed by our country and whatever the circumstances are).

She claimed that she is being singled out as the events she has showcased in her movie have already been documented in movies like Madhur Bhandarkar's 2017 political thriller Indu Sarkar (imposition of 1975 Emergency) and Meghna Gulzar's Sam Bahadur (1971 India-Pakistan War) last year. She shared that while she'd already gotten her film certified by the CBFC, her certificate was revoked after review because of multiple petitions.

I've made this film with a lot of self-respect which is why the CBFC can't point out any contention. They've stalled my certificate, but I'm determined to release an uncut version of the film. I'll fight in court and release an uncut version. I can't show all of a sudden that Indira Gandhi died on her own at her home. I can't show it like that, Kangana added in Hindi.
Kangana Ranaut opened up about facing hurdles as she spoke about her romantic relationships, and how she was not able to find a match. On the latest episode of Aap Ki Adalat, the actor and BJP MP shared that once her to-be in-laws fled her house after seeing her being summoned by police. She later added the disclaimer  'I am just joking'. Also read: Kangana Ranaut defends calling Ranbir Kapoor 'serial skirt chaser' Kangana Ranaut spoke about her marriage plans in a new interview.

Kangana jokes about how her to-be in-laws fled

When asked by an audience member to share her opinion on marriage, Kangana said on the show, "Kya kahu main ab iss bare mein? Dekhiye, meri shadi ko leke bohut ache khyal hai... mujhe lagta hai ki har ek ko companion ki zaroorat hoti hai. Mujhe lagta hai bache hone chahiya, lekin ab logo ne itna badnam kar rakha hai, meri shaadi nahi hone dete hai (Now, what do I say about this? My views on marriage are very good, I feel everyone should have a companion. I feel people should have kids too, but I have been made so infamous that I am not being able to marry)."

'Ye bhi ek side effect hai'

Kangana also reflected on the different criminal cases and complaints filed against her for defaming Javed Akhtar, maligning farmers and other issues. She has also faced complaints for allegedly spreading communal hatred through social media.

She said on Aap Ki Adalat, Mere court cases itne aa jate hai jab bhi kisi ke saath meri baat banni shuru hoti hai, toh police ghar pe aa jati hai, utha ke le jati hai, summons aa jate hai. Ek baar toh hone wale saas-sasur bhi mere ghar pe the aur woh summon aa gaye, toh phir woh bhag gaye. Ye bhi ek side effect hai. (I have so many court cases against me that any time I am close to making thing work with someone, police lands at my home or I get summons. Once my to-be in-laws ran away after seeing me being summoned, which is also a side-effect of all that I face).

However, she suffixed her comment with Nahi, mazak kar rahi hoon (No, I am just joking).

Kangana's next film, Emergency, which is also helmed by her, was up for release on September 6. But the film's release date has now been pushed  it is facing backlash from several Sikh groups as it waits for a green signal from the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC).

Kangana will be seen as the late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in the film alongside Anupam Kher, Mahima Chaudhary, Milind Soman, Shreyas Talpade, Vishak Nair, and the late Satish Kaushik in pivotal roles. The film is based on the period when the Emergency was imposed in the country in 1975.
My best friend and now my forever'

He wrote in his caption for Alekha, "My first crush, my best friend and now, my forever (ring and heart eyes emojis)." Aadar, who earlier dated actor Tara Sutaria, twinned in white with Alekha in the proposal photos.

The two almost shared a kiss as he picked her up in his arms in one the pictures taken at the romantic beach proposal. She also went down on her knees as he put a ring on her finger.

Aadar went all out to ask Alekha to marry her  a huge LED decoration with 'Marry me' lights as well as heart shaped lights on sand with rose petals were seen in the photos.

See all the beautiful photos from Aadar's sunset proposal:

Soooooo beautiful

Kareena Kapoor commented on his post, "Yayyyyyyyy. Mehendi laga ke rakhna doli saja ke rakhna (Song from the Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge)" Karisma said, "Congratulations you both." Ananya commented, "Congratulations!!!!! Soooooo beautiful..."

More about Alekha

Aadar and Alekha made their relationship public in November 2023 when he shared a photo of them together and described her as the 'light of his life'. Before that they were seen together at the Diwali celebrations hosted by Kareena and Saif Ali Khan. Alekha had made her first public appearance with Aadar at Kareena's party in 2023.

Alekha is the founder of Way Well that curates wellness events, workshops and interactive sessions. According to Way Well's website, Alekha 'graduated from Cornell Hotel School in 2016 and spent two years as a hospitality consultant at Deloitte in Los Angeles, and three years in an Operations focused role in Soho House in Mumbai'.
George Clooney attended the Venice International Film Festival on Sunday, September 1 alongside his longtime friend and Wolfs co-star Brad Pitt. Clooney reflected on the past projects with Pitt at the film fest and their years of friendship. He divulges the best thing about working with Pitt after years of working and vacationing together. George Clooney jokes about one thing he loves about working with Brad Pitt. REUTERS/Louisa Gouliamaki(REUTERS)

Also Read: Brad Pitt and girlfriend Ines cruise Venice canals in motorboat with George and Amal Clooney for double date

George Clooney reflects on working with Brad Pitt

In talks with People Clooney first joked about the best thing about working with Pitt, There's nothing good about it. It's all a disaster." he then answered sincerely, It's fun to work with people you know really well. The first project they shared was Oceans 11 in 2001 and have remained close since then. Since then the two have been seen together in various movies such as Oceans trilogy, Burn After Reading and Confessions of a Dangerous Mind and now starring in their latest release, Wolfs.

In a recent interview with GQ Clooney and Pitt also opened up about their friendship and how they support each other when things get a little rough. Clooney told the magazine, Weve been friends for a long time. And its fun because we also check in on each other every once in a while, which is an important part of this. Things get complicated in life and you always have to make sure everybodys okay."

To this statement, Fight Club star added that his co-star is probably the best at understanding, seeing the chessboard and the potential moves. Ill call George on numerous occasions when things get bumpy.

Also Read: Jennifer Lopez busts out happy dance moves in shopping mall with child amid Ben Affleck divorce drama

George Clooney addresses controversial article

At the film fest, Clooney addressed an article published in the New York Times where a source claimed the Wolfs actor duo were paid, more than $35 million each" for their new film. However, Clooney said, an interesting article and whatever her source was for our salary, it is millions and millions and millions of dollars less than what was reported.

He continued, And I am only saying that because I think its bad for our industry if thats what people think is the standard bearer for salaries. I think thats terrible, itll make it impossible to make films,"b alongside Pitt ahead of their movies premiere.
George Clooney has once again given evidence of his humble nature to his fans and admirers, who consider him a nice guy. In order to lighten the mood, George made goofy faces on the red carpet, ensuring that the cameraperson get some excellent shots for his efforts.(AFP)

After arriving at the premiere of his latest movie, Wolfs, in the Venice Film Festival along with his wife Amal Clooney, the 63-year-old Hollywood legend sprung into action after a photographer fell in front of him and rushed over to offer assistance without any hesitation.

As Amal looked on, the Oscar-winning actor knelt down and extended his hand to ensure that the photographer was back on his feet.

In order to lighten the mood, George made goofy faces on the red carpet, ensuring that the cameraperson get some excellent shots for his efforts. At one point, the actor grabbed the photographers camera for sometime and tried his hand at his job.

Also Read: Brad Pitt, Ines de Ramon, George Clooney and Amal Clooney chanel simple elegance on double date in Venice. Pics inside

George Clooney assists the photographer.

George Clooney turns into cameraperson

George Clooney and Amal steal the limelight at red carpet

While he was having fun, Amal strode past in a yellow corseted gown, radiating grace.

At the much awaited ceremony, the couple appeared as enamored as ever as they posed for pictures, with Amal wrapping her arm around George.

George Clooney and Amal Clooney walk on the red carpet during arrivals for the movie "Wolfs" presented out of competition, during the 81st Venice Film Festival, in Venice, Italy, September 1, 2024. (REUTERS)

George co-stars with Brad Pitt in the movie as criminal clean up experts who are unintentionally engaged for the same task, which is disposing of a body in a hotel room.

Brad Pitt and George Clooney reportedly received $35 million each for their roles in the caper movie and demanded that it be released in theaters.

George refuted the claim that their fees was $35 million, stating that the actual amount was many many millions below that sum, Daily Mail reported.

Calling the whole thing bummer, he stated, 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.

However, creators Apple had a change of heart, and the movie, which experts believe cost up to $200 million in total, is now only being shown in theaters in the United States for one week.

It is said to be the most expensive TV movie ever created as it will go to streaming in several regions.
On September 2, NewJeans' fandom reportedly filed an official complaint against HYBE at the Yongsan Police Station in Seoul. This complaint also involved Source Music and Dispatch, which were accused of information leaks and defamation through published articles. Girl Band NewJeans gain massive support from fans amidst controversy with HYBE(Instagram )

Bunnies'  the K-pop group's fandom  legal representative (law firm Opes) confirmed, HYBE as a parent company of Ador cannot illegally collect or leak personal information about the CEO and artists of its subsidiary, nor can Source Music, another HYBE subsidiary. The illegally collected and leaked personal information was used to write articles that have spread malicious comments about NewJeans. This has severely damaged the group's reputation, and the harm is ongoing," as reported by AllKpop.

HYBE-NewJeans row

Ador CEO Min Hee Jin previously accused HYBE and girl band ILLIT of plagiarising NewJeans' appearance, choreography, and music style. This feud has largely affected the young members. The false information and defamation are now set to be corrected through legal means.

A Seoul lawyer, Lee Hyun Gon, commented that if the previously released Kakao Talk conversations between Ador CEO and other executives were leaked by HYBEs internal team, then the case would be considered a serious breach of personal information, making it a violation of law.

A representative of NewJeans has also revealed that the team will continue to file against malicious posts targeted towards the girl group. The team has successfully collected around a thousand such posts and they will continue to take legal action considering all the prosecutable cases.

Also Read | BTS Jungkook's Birthday: How fans in South Korea, India, the US, Japan and more are celebrating

What are the reactions of NewJeans members?

A few hours ago, group member Danielle reached out to all of her fans through the Phoning app. The idol wrote, I am sorry I couldnt come talk to you for a while because I needed time to think. Our Bunnies must have been worried and confused.

Danielle went on to address the shock she went through when former CEO Min Hee Jin was replaced by Kim Joo Young on August 27, 2024. She added, To be honest, I was going through a lot of thoughts and more, following our CEOs dismissal. I think I was a little lost! I was also anxious. There wasnt a day that went by that I didnt think of you guys though. And how you must be feeling. I wanted to always be happy and cheerful in front of Bunnies.

She ended with a happy note for the fans: Just know that we are always so very grateful for our Bunnies and were always thinking of you. I love you. Good night, Bunnies.

Also Read | Selena Gomez pulls off ultimate pinch me moment for Colorado Volleyball team who pleaded she sing at the game

How have the fans reacted?

In support of their favourite girl band, fans have started trending a hashtag. As of now, fans everywhere are trying their best to fight against HYBE and protect NewJeans. It should be noted that #HYBE_STOP_SABOTAGING_NEWJEANS is trending globally on social media. Twitter/X users are posting the hashtag along with sweet words like, We love you, NewJeans, and NewJeans, don't be blue.

The tagline is trending, with fans all over the globe supporting the cause. Many fans are taking this step so that the girl band is not silenced by an influential company like HYBE.

Meanwhile, many fans are rejoicing that there will be no more partiality towards the group and that the members will receive the respect and recognition they deserve.
Malayalam Actor Siddique on Monday approached the Kerala High Court seeking anticipatory bail in a rape case filed against him. The actor's legal move comes amid the ongoing Me Too storm, which has shaken the Malayalam film industry. (Also Read: Malayalam actor Siddique quits AMMA general secretary post over rape allegation) File photo of Siddique with actors Jomol and Ananya addressing the media on the Justice Hema Committee report in August.(PTI)

Rape case against Siddique

The case against Siddique was filed after the police in Thiruvananthapuram registered an FIR based on a complaint from a female actor.

Earlier this week, Siddique quit as the general secretary of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artistes (AMMA) along with its entire 17-member executive committee following serious allegations of sexual abuse made by several female actors against prominent Malayalam cinema figures, including director Ranjith and actors Siddique and Mukesh.

An actor made allegations public on her Facebook page, accusing Siddique of rape. She also told the media, I was a young entrant in the industry at the time. He invited me into a hotel on the pretext of discussing a film project. Such a movie did not exist. It was a trap. He sexually abused and raped me. He also physically assaulted me. I had to give up my dreams and my time, and I went through a lot of mental trauma

Apart from Siddique, actors including Mukesh, Jayasurya, Edavela Babu, Maniyanpilla Raju and director Ranjith were booked in sexual assault cases.

The Hema Committee report

Sexual assault allegations against prominant figures in the Malayalam film industry followed after the Justice Hema Committee report disclosing some shocking details of crimes against women in the industry were made public. The report containing shocking accounts of harassment, exploitation, and ill-treatment of women professionals took the whole industry by storm.

The report, made public on August 19, after redacting the names of witnesses and the accused, noted 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. Since the report was published, Mohanlal quit as the president of AMMA.
The government has summoned the content head of Netflix India over Anubhav Sinha's recent thriller series IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack, which has triggered a row over depiction of hijackers. Official sources said the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has summoned the content head on Tuesday, seeking an explanation on the allegedly contentious aspects of the series. The depiction of hijackers of the 1999 Indian Airlines flight from Kathmandu to Delhi has kicked off a row with a section of viewers on social media objecting to the change in their identities. (Also Read  IC 814 The Kandahar Hijack review: Avengers of Indian acting assemble for Anubhav Sinha's gripping, nuanced thriller) Rajiv Thakur as "Burger" and Harry Parmar as "Doctor" in IC 814: The Kandhar Hijack

What's the brouhaha about?

Back in December 1999, an Indian Airlines flight travelling from Kathmandu, Nepal to New Delhi, India was hijacked by a group of five armed men. They forced the pilot to fly the aircraft to multiple locations, including Amritsar, Lahore, and eventually Kandahar, Afghanistan, then ruled by the Taliban. After negotiations with the hijackers, the Indian government released three terrorists imprisoned in India in exchange of the 179 passengers' safety.

After the show dropped on Netflix India, last Thursday, a section of the internet has objected to concealing the identities of the five Muslim hijackers under the alias of Burger, Doctor, Chief, Bhola, and Shankar. "Filmmaker Anubhav Sinha legitimised their criminal intent by furthering their non-Muslim names," Amit Malviya posted on X. Decades later, people will think Hindus hijacked IC-814. This will not just weaken / put in question India's 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.

Many other X users followed suit, so much so that the I&B Ministry has now summoned the Netflix India content head for a clarification.

Here's the truth

While the real identities of the five hijackers haven't been disclosed in IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack, their code names match with that of the Home Ministry's statement from 1999. A corresponding document on the official website of the Ministry of External Affairs states:

"The hijackers named by these operatives are:

Ibrahim Athar, Bahawalpur

Shahid Akhtar Sayed, Gulshan Iqbal, Karachi

Sunny Ahmed Qazi, Defence Area, Karachi

Mistri Zahoor Ibrahim, Akhtar Colony, Karachi

Shakir, Sukkur city

To the passengers of the hijacked place 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."

In the show, Burger and Doctor, who take the charge of hijacking, are played by actors Rajiv Thakur and Harry Parmar respectively. The show also stars Vijay Varma, Naseeruddin Shah, Pankaj Kapur, Patralekhaa, Aravind Swamy, Kumud Mishra, Manoj Pahwa, Dia Mirza, and Amrita Puri among others. It's co-produced by Matchbox Shots and Anubhav's Benaras Media Works. It's co-written by Adrian Levy (story), Anubhav, and Trishant Srivastava.
From childhood rivals to adult lovers, Jung Hae In and Jung So Min's on-screen chemistry in Love Next Door has K-drama lovers hooked to their screens. The show which follows the story of two successful individuals living on opposite sides of the world, has achieved its highest viewership ratings to date. Netflix's Love Next Door hits new ratings peak(Netflix)

At the same time, the show Romance in the House keeps pulling in audiences with its sweet story about flawed people coming together to create a family and chasing the idea of ideal love. The show hasn't lost its appeal, top spots in the weekly K-drama charts.

K-drama weekly ratings

Love Next Door records new rating high

On August 1, tvNs new show featuring Jung Hae In and Jung So Min claimed the top spot in its time slot after rolling out its 6th episode, achieving an impressive nationwide rating of 6.8 percent, according to Nielsen Korea. This marks a new personal best for the series. The show stars Jung So Min as Bae Seok-ryu, a businesswoman who returns to South Korea to rebuild her life, while Jung Hae In plays Choi Seung Hyo, a rising star in the architectural world.

Love Next Door climbs Netflix chart

For global fans, the show is available for streaming on OTT giant Netflix, which boasts a large content library of K-dramas. Love Next Door is currently sitting at Number 2 in Netflix's non-English category for two consecutive weeks, with 14,800,000 hours viewed. Following it is The Frog, another South Korean thriller and psychological show. Romance in the House, meanwhile, holds the Number 5 position with 10,500,000 hours viewed.

Also read: BTS Jungkook's Birthday: How fans in South Korea, India, the US, Japan and more are celebrating

Romance in the House holds steady in ratings

JTBC's Romance in the House has seen a surge in popularity, with its latest episode reaching an average nationwide rating of 4.2%. The series, led by Ji Jin Hee, Kim Ji Soo, Son Na Eun, and Choi Min Ho, tells the heartfelt story Byeon Moo Jin, a man who went bankrupt and divorced his wife years ago. Now, a multi-billionaire, Byeon Moo Jin unexpectedly reappears in the lives of his daughter, Byeon Mi Re, and his ex-wife, Geum Ae Yeon, after fourteen years of absence.

Also read: 'NCT is everything to me,' Haechan urges fans to protect the group amid Taeil's sex crime case

Channel A's new show, Cinderella at 2AM, got a nationwide rating of just 0.5 percent for its fourth episode, while TV Chosun's DNA Lover kept up its usual average of 0.6 percent from the night before. But, the clear winner of the night was KBS 2TV's Beauty and Mr. Romantic, which kept its top spot as the most-watched show on Sunday, hitting an impressive nationwide rating of 18.6 percent.
Reacting to the arrest of its leader Amanatullah Khan by the Enforcement Directorate (ED), the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) called him a revolutionary who won't surrender before a dictator.' AAP MLA Amanatullah Khan being produced at the Rouse Avenue court in New Delhi on Monday. (PTI)

Revolutionaries will not bow down to the tyranny of a dictator. BJP's ED took Aam Aadmi Party MLA @KhanAmanatullah ji in custody in a fake case. The more BJP people try to suppress us, the more vocal our voice will be, it said in a post on X shortly after his arrest by the central agency on Monday.

Also Read | Enforcement Directorate arrests AAP MLA Amanatullah Khan

The legislator from Okhla in the national capital, was arrested after several hours of a raid that began with a team of ED officials arriving at his Okhla residence early in the morning. The agency took the action as part of its money laundering probe against the politician in connection with the alleged irregularities in appointments in the Delhi Waqf Board case and leasing of Waqf properties.

Khan was taken into custody under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

Meanwhile, Virendra Sachdeva, the Delhi unit president of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), justified Khan's arrest, saying that the law was taking its own course.

If you are appointing people in the Delhi Waqf Board illegallyif you are indulging in corrupt activities with money that was to be used for the public, the law will take its own course. These corrupt leaders of the AAP should know that the law will do its job, Sachdeva stated.

Half of the AAP is in jailAmanatullah himself symbolises hooliganism. The Aam Aadmi Party must introspect, the BJP Delhi president added.
Delhi's Rouse Avenue Court on Monday remanded AAP legislator Amanatullah Khan to four days ED custody in the money laundering case regarding the alleged illegal recruitments and other illegal activities regarding Delhi Waqf Board. AAP MLA Amanatullah Khan being produced before a court by the Enforcement Directorate offcials in connection with a money laundering case, in New Delhi, Monday.(PTI)

Khan will now be produced before the court on September 6. The 50-year-old legislator from Delhi's Okhla assembly constituency was taken into custody by the ED under provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

The ED produced Khan before Special Judge Rakesh Syal and sought his custody for 10 days, stating he was required to be confronted with other accused and evidence in the case.



ALSO READ: Why did ED arrest AAP MLA Amanatullah Khan? What is the case? Explained

The case against Khan stems from two FIRs, one registered by the CBI in the Waqf Board-related alleged irregularities and another by the Delhi Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB) in the case pertaining to alleged possession of disproportionate assets.

ED's allegations against Amanatullah Khan

According to the ED, Khan allegedly acquired "huge proceeds of crime" in cash through illegal recruitment of staff in the Delhi Waqf Board and invested those to purchase immovable assets in the name of his associates.

The central agency had alleged in a statement that "illegal recruitment" of staff took place in the Waqf Board and "illegal personal gains" were made by unfairly leasing the Waqf Board properties during Khan's chairmanship (2018-2022).

In a chargesheet filed this January, the ED named four people including three alleged associates of Khan -- Zeeshan Haider, Daud Nasir and Jawed Imam Siddiqui.

The Aam Aadmi Party came out in open support of Khan, saying in an X post,"Revolutionaries will not bow down to the tyranny of a dictator. The BJP's ED took Aam Aadmi Party MLA @KhanAmanatullah in custody in a false case. The more the BJP people tries to suppress us, the more vocal our voice will be."

Delhi BJP chief Virendra Sachdeva hit out at AAP, saying,"The Aam Aadmi Party has a long list of criminals and corrupt individuals, and whenever action is taken against them, they start making noise. Today, once again, that drama has unfolded before everyone."






Amid the political slugfest over the Mysore Urban Development Authority (MUDA), Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA TS Srivatsa from the Krishnaraja assembly constituency has filed a complaint with the Lokayukta against two former commissioners of MUDA in the land irregularities issue. Governor Thawar Chand Gehlot had granted sanction for prosecution of the CM Siddaramaiah in the Mysore Urban Development Authority (MUDA) site allotment 'scam', in Bengaluru. (PTI)

In the complaint filed on Saturday, Srivatsa accused former MUDA commissioners B Natesh and Dinesh Kumar, accusing them of serious irregularities in land allotment during their tenure. These irregularities have resulted in a loss of 5,000 crore to the government exchequer. Natesh and Dinesh Kumar misused their official powers, leading to significant financial damage , a criminal investigation and officials to be held accountable for the losses incurred he added.

Urging for their arrests, he called for the immediate registration of criminal cases against the two officers. The complaint further demanded action against land acquisition officers, government secretaries, and the urban development department, who have also been implicated in the alleged irregularities issue.

Srivatsa, also member of the MUDA, alleged that plots of land were unlawfully allocated in a 50:50 ratio. He requested the cancellation of these orders, citing that they were issued illegally and that an investigation into the matter is overdue.

Despite letters from the chief secretary to the government and the principal secretary of the urban development department, which provided documentation and called for a thorough investigation, no action has been taken against Dinesh Kumar G, a Karnataka Administrative Service (KAS) officer and former commissioner of MUDA, or the other officer B Natesh, Srivatsa told HT.

In his complaint, Srivatsa has requested the Lokayukta to issue an immediate order for the arrest of the officers involved in the alleged scam and that the financial loss be recovered directly from them.

A Lokayukta official, on condition of anonymity, said that they have received the complaint and an investigation will be started after registering the case.

In response, KPCC general secretary C Narendra said: Filing complaint against MUDA officials is a good move aimed to punish the corrupt officers. All politicians availed plots from MUDA irrespective of which party they are from.
The Union Cabinet on Monday approved a proposal by Kaynes Semicon to set up a semiconductor unit in Sanand, Gujarat, with an investment of 3,307 crore (US$394.15 million), electronics and information technology minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said. Union minister Ashwini Vaishnaw addresses a Cabinet press briefing in Delhi on Monday. (ANI)

This is the fifth semiconductor unit to be approved under the India Semiconductor Mission (ISM), the second to be set up in Sanand. It brings the total investment to 1,52,307 crore (US$18.15 billion).

The government launched the ISM and the display manufacturing ecosystem with an outlay of 76,000 crore in December 2021. On Monday, Vaishnaw said semiconductor industry is a foundational industry for Indias domestic manufacturing goals. This [ISM] is a long programme so there will be an increased outlay for sure and we will come back with the details of the programme as and when they are finalised, he said.

The Kaynes Semicon ATMP (assembly, testing, marking and packaging) unit will be able to produce about 6 million chips a day which will be used in industries, automobile sector, electric vehicles, consumer electronics, telecom equipment, and mobile phones.

Raghu Panicker, the CEO of Kaynes Semicon, said that the new unit will be set up on a 47-50 acre facility in Sanand. In the last three months, structural tests, soil testing, and levelling were done. Tomorrow, or day after, we will have the approval letter and then we will begin digging. In six to eight months, the clean room will be constructed.

The purchase order for equipment will be released on Wednesday, Panicker said.

By March 31, 2025, the first packaged chip for a paying customer will be out. We will book some revenue in this financial year, but the main revenue will come in next financial year, he said.

Kaynes Semicon is a wholly owned subsidiary of Karnataka-based electronics manufacturer Kaynes Technology. Last week, Panicker had announced that Singapore-based Lightspeed Photonics had become Kaynes Semicons first OSAT (outsourced semiconductor assembly and test) customer. He said that the company had secured two more customers, one from the US and another from Taiwan, and the announcement will be made in the coming weeks.

For this new ATMP unit, Kaynes Semicon has three technology partners --- Globetronics (Malaysia), Aptos Technology (subsidiary of Taiwan mask Corporation), and AOI (Japan). According to Kayness February 2024 update filed with the National Stock Exchange, Kaynes Semicon will pay Aptos up to $5.5 million to receive personnel technical training and know-how licensing to establish packaging and testing capabilities in India. According to a March 2024 update filed with the NSE, ISO, a wholly owned subsidiary of Globetronics, will help Kaynes Semicon set up a centre and supply chain for the development of OSAT business in India for which Kaynes will pay ISO up to US$7.5 million.

We have already hired 35 key people and made offers to 15 expats from Philippines, Thailand, Malaysia and Japan. We have also signed MoUs with universities to get engineers and diploma holders. Before March 31, 2025, 500 people will be employed at this unit, Panicker said.

This facility was initially to be set up in Telangana and the company held a groundbreaking ceremony in Telangana in October 2023.

Vaishnaw also gave updates on the other four semiconductor units in India. American company Microns ATMP facility in Gujarat was approved in June 2023. Micron invested $2.75 billion into the plant and construction began in September 2023. The Micron plant is getting constructed at a rapid pace. By the middle of next year, the first Made-in-India chip will be produced from this plant, Vaishnaw said. In February 2024, while announcing the approvals for the other three units, Vaishnaw had said that the first chip from the Micron plant would roll out in December 2024.

In February, the Cabinet had approved three semiconductor units. First was Indias first semiconductor fab unit in Dholera (Gujarat) set up by Tata Electronics Private Limited (TEPL) in partnership with Taiwans Powerchip Semiconductor Manufacturing Corporation (PSMC). Vaishnaw said that the project is progressing well and is currently being designed. That is a very, very complex and very ambitious project, he said.

The other two were ATMP units --- by Tata Semiconductor Assembly and Test Private Limited (TSAT) in Morigaon (Assam) and CG Power (in partnership with Japans Renesas Electronics Corporation and Thailands Stars Microelectronics) in Sanand (Gujarat). The construction of Tatas Assam plant started recently while CG Powers Sanand plant has been designed and construction will soon start, Vaishnaw said on Monday.
President Droupadi Murmu on Sunday expressed concern over the pressing issue of delayed justice, particularly in cases involving heinous crimes like sexual assault, often causing public disillusionment and a perception that the judicial process lacks sensitivity. President Droupadi Murmu.

Speaking at the valedictory session of the National Conference of District Judiciary in New Delhi, Murmu also highlighted the need to eliminate the pervasive culture of repeated adjournments in the Indian judicial system. She emphasised that this tariq pe tariq (date after date) culture, which results in significant delays in the administration of justice, undermines public trust and exacerbates the hardships faced by ordinary citizens, particularly those from rural areas.

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, said the President, highlighting the crucial need for the judiciary to address delays that corrodes public faith in the justice system.

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, she added during the conference organised by the Supreme Court of India and attended by numerous judicial officers.

Murmus call for expedited justice in sexual crime cases comes in the wake of national outrage over the brutal rape and murder of a 31-year-old doctor at a government hospital in Kolkata. This horrific incident has ignited widespread protests across the country.

On August 28, Murmu, expressing deep frustration, declared that enough is enough, and urged India to confront the perversion of crimes against women and challenge the mindset that views women as less powerful, less capable, less intelligent. Referring specifically to the August 9 attack on the junior doctor in Kolkata, the President, dismayed and horrified, pointed out that this crime is part of a disturbing pattern of violence against women.

In her address on Sunday, Murmu, placing emphasis on the moral responsibility of judges to ensure that justice is dispensed with compassion and efficiency, pointed out that the district courts, which form the backbone of the judiciary, play a pivotal role in shaping the publics perception of justice.

The district-level courts determine the image of the judiciary in the minds of crores of citizens, remarked the President, adding that the success of the judiciary hinges on its ability to provide justice with sensitivity and promptness and at a low cost.

Murmu touched upon the broader challenges facing the judiciary, particularly the backlog and pendency of cases, which she described as a big challenge that requires urgent attention. Cases remaining pending for as long as over 32 years is a serious issue that needs to be pondered upon, she said, urging all stakeholders to prioritise finding solutions to this problem.

Addressing the deep-rooted issue of culture of adjournment, Murmu said that every possible measure should be taken to change this situation, as she called for a comprehensive study on what she termed black coat syndrome -- a phenomenon akin to white coat syndrome, where people experience hypertension in a clinical setting. The President lamented that poor and rural populations experience fear and anxiety at the prospect of engaging with the legal system. This syndrome, she explained, leads many to avoid courtrooms altogether, preferring to endure injustice rather than face the financial and emotional toll of prolonged legal battles.

The poor people from villages are afraid to go to court. Often, they tolerate injustice silently because they feel that fighting for justice can make their lives more miserable, said Murmu, adding that this reluctance is compounded by the financial strain of repeated court visits, a situation that the culture of adjournments only exacerbates.

She advocated for more frequent special Lok Adalat weeks, which have proven to be an effective tool in reducing case backlog. All stakeholders have to find a solution by giving priority to this problem, urged Murmu, expressing optimism that the discussions held during the conference would lead to actionable outcomes that could alleviate the burden on the judiciary.

In addition to addressing broader judicial challenges, President Murmu also focussed on the specific needs of vulnerable groups, such as the children of incarcerated women and juvenile delinquents. She stressed the importance of prioritising the health and education of children whose mothers are in prison, recognising that these children face unique challenges that require special attention. 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 said.

For juvenile delinquents, Murmu advocated for a rehabilitative approach, highlighting the need to provide these young individuals with the skills and mental health support they need to reintegrate into society. 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, she said, underscoring the importance of a justice system that not only punishes but also rehabilitates.

Murmu also expressed her elation over the growing number of women judicial officers in the country. I am very happy to note that the number of women in the selection of Judicial Officers has increased in recent years. Due to this increase, the number of women has exceeded 50 percent of the total number of judicial officers in many states. I hope that all those associated with the judiciary will set exemplary examples of thoughts, behavior and language free from prejudices regarding women, she said.

The President concluded on a hopeful note, commending the Supreme Court for its decision to implement provisions of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita with retrospective effect, which includes releasing first-time accused on bail after serving a portion of their sentence. I am confident that by implementing the new system of criminal justice with this promptness, our judiciary will usher in a new era of justice, she said.
The Supreme Court on Monday granted bail to former Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) media in-charge Vijay Nair in the Delhi excise policy case, citing his incarceration of almost two years. It said the trial is the case was yet to begin and the maximum punishment to be awarded in case of conviction is seven years. The Supreme Court. (PTI)

Nair is the third accused in the Delhi excise case to get bail since August. The court ordered former Delhi deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia and Bharat Rashtra Samiti leader K Kavithas release on bail on August 9 and August 27.

A bench of justices Hrishikesh Roy and SVN Bhatti said the universal proposition of bail being the rule and jail being the exception will be defeated if Nair is kept in custody for long, particularly when the final sentence to be awarded is only seven years.

Nair was arrested in November 2022 in connection with kickbacks the AAP allegedly received for making changes in the now-scrapped 2021-22 excise policy to favour private liquor retailers known as South Group. Nair was given bail in 2022 in the Central Bureau of Investigation case against him. Nair can now walk out of jail.

The court observed the right to liberty guaranteed under the Constitutions Article 21 is sacrosanct and required to be respected even in cases under stringent provisions of laws such as the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

Senior advocates Abhishek Manu Singhvi and Rebecca John, appearing for Nair along with advocate Vivek Jain, argued that their client has been incarcerated for close to 22 months. They referred to co-accused Sisodia and Kavitha, who were granted bail after 17 months and five months.

The bench noted the duration of custody and said Nairs incarceration cannot be a mode of punishment without trial.

Additional solicitor general SV Raju said the charges against Nair are grave. He pointed out that Kavitha got the benefit of being a woman accused under PMLA and Sisodia the delay. Raju cited an earlier order of October 30 that allowed Sisodia to renew his bail plea in the event the trial is not complete. He blamed Nair for delaying trial by filing belated applications for documents and CCTV footage after two years in the case.

The court told Raju that people at a much higher level in AAP have got bail in the same case. Incarceration of an under trial cannot be a punishment for the offence he is charged with as the trial may also result in an acquittal.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) told the court that PMLA Section 45 requires the court to draw a prima facie conclusion that he is not an accused. It cited evidence and said Nair had nothing to do with excise and acted as a middleman for the AAP to receive the kickbacks of 100 crore from the so-called South Group, the private retailers who benefited from the increased commission rates introduced in the excise policy.

Raju said the money was spent in the Goa election when the bench asked him if they had recovered anything from Nair. Singhvi told the court that Nair was made an accused based on accused-turned-approver Dinesh Aroras statement. He pointed out Arora in his 12th statement to ED recorded under PMLA named Nair. Singhvi said he did not name Nair in earlier statements. The court recorded this while granting bail to Nair.

The court said the conditions imposed in the orders granting bail to Sisodia and Kavitha will apply to Nair as well. It clarified the bail order will not impact the trial of the case.
Delhi high court on Monday refused to quash the defamation proceedings against chief minister Arvind Kejriwal and other members of the Aam Aadmi Party, including Atishi, Sushil Kumar Gupta, and Manoj Kumar over their remarks on the alleged deletion of voter names from electoral roll. Arvind Kejriwal and Delhi minister Atishi (HT File Photo)

During the hearing, the high court said that their remarks on the alleged deletion of names from the electoral roll in Delhi are prima facie defamatory. The remarks were made with the intention of defaming the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and vilifying that BJP is responsible for the deletion of names.

A bench of Justice Anoop Kumar Mendiratta also rejected the defence made by the AAP leaders that their remarks were bona fide and made for "public good", saying that the same needs to be proved during trial.

The high court observed that the remarks regarding the electoral roll were made by AAP leaders to gain political mileage, and upheld the trial court order summoning Kejriwal and other AAP leaders for the offence of defamation.

The high court, which had on February 28, 2020, stayed the proceedings before the trial court, vacated the interim order and asked the parties to appear before the trial court on October 3.

Kejriwal and three others -- Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) former Rajya Sabha member Sushil Kumar Gupta and party leaders Manoj Kumar and Atishi -- had challenged a sessions court order that upheld a magisterial court's decision to summon them as accused in the complaint filed by BJP leader Rajeev Babbar.

In 2018, AAP leaders including Kejriwal and Atishi alleged that BJP was involved in the deletion of over 30 lakh voter names from the electoral roll because these voters belonged to certain communities.

Babbar, who moved the defamation complaint on behalf of the party's Delhi unit, had sought action against them for "harming" the reputation of the BJP by blaming it for the deletion of the names of voters from electoral rolls.

AAP leaders had claimed that the names of 30 lakh voters from the Bania, Poorvanchali, and the Muslim community were deleted by the Election Commission of India on orders of the ruling BJP, Babbar mentioned in his plea.

(With inputs from PTI)
The ministry of information and broadcasting has summoned Netflixs content head for September 3 over the backlash surrounding the series IC-814 -- The Kandahar Hijack, which has angered many on social media. A still from the web series 'IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack'. (PTI)

Using hashtags #BoycottNetflix, #BoycottBollywood and #IC814, many X users shared posts claiming the makers changed the names of the hijackers to 'Shankar' and 'Bhola' to allegedly protect the terrorists who belonged to a certain community.

However, casting director Mukesh Chhabra said on Sunday that the perpetrators used nicknames among themselves and that extensive research was carried out for the show.

The series directed by Anubhav Sinha is based on the December 24, 1999 hijacking of an Indian aircraft by five terrorists, which happened just 40 minutes after the plane took off from Kathmandu.

It began streaming on Netflix on August 29 and has surrounded the controversy following which many political leaders have also reacted.



Former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah took to X (formerly Twitter) on September 1, saying, Its really amusing to see the people who took movies like Kashmir Files as the gospel truth having a meltdown at the way the events of IC814 are depicted in the Netflix show. Now suddenly they want accuracy & nuance packaged in the script.

Netizens have accused Anubhav Sinha of deliberately distorting the facts and labeled his work as propaganda.

" [I]ts a vile attempt to rewrite history, downplay the terror inflicted by the actual hijackers, and subtly glorify their actions. By reducing the tragedy of IC 814 to a farcical narrative, Sinha has shown where his loyalties lienot with the victims or the truth, but with an insidious agenda that seeks to whitewash the brutality of terrorism and vilify the Hindu community," a user wrote on X.

"Names of IC814 Hijackers changed to Shankar & Bhola by @anubhavsinha. This is how Bollywood let the TERRORISTS WIN: #BoycottBollywood #IC814TheKandaharHijack," wrote another.

"IC 814 Terrorists names - Ahmed Omar Saeed Sheikh, Masood Azhar and Mushtaq Ahmed Zargar. In Movie - Shankar & Bhola!" read a post.

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 namesnicknames or fake names, whatever you want to call them, he 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.

On December 24, 1999, five terroristsIbrahim Athar, Sunny Ahmed Qazi, Zahoor Ibrahim, Shahid Akhter, and Sayed Shakirhijacked IC-814 during its flight from Kathmandu to Delhi.

At least 154 passengers and crew were held hostage for eight days. The standoff ended when hardcore terrorists Masood Azhar, Omar Sheikh, and Mushtaq Ahmad Zargar were released. Then external affairs minister Jaswant Singh transported them on a special plane to Kandahar.

The series IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack boasts a star-studded cast, including Vijay Varma, Naseeruddin Shah, Pankaj Kapur, Manoj Pahwa, Kumud Mishra, Arvind Swamy, Dia Mirza, and Patralekhaa, among others.

The series is inspired by the book 'Flight Into Fear: The Captain's Story,' authored by Devi Sharan, the flight's captain, and journalist Srinjoy Chowdhury.

With PTI inputs
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Monday evening arrested former RG Kar Medical College and Hospital principal Sandip Ghosh over allegations of financial irregularities in the premier government facility during his controversial tenure. Former principal of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital Sandip Ghosh after he was arrested by CBI in connection with the alleged financial misconduct at the establishment, in Kolkata, Monday, Sept. 2, 2024.(PTI)

The arrest of Ghosh  who faced a storm of public condemnation over lapses in the handling of the brutal rape and murder of a trainee doctor in the hospital on August 9  fulfils a major demand by protesting medics.

Ghosh, who was questioned by the agency for the 15th day on Monday, was later taken to CBIs Nizam Palace office where he was placed under arrest on charges of cheating and the Prevention of Corruption Act. Besides him, three people were arrested in the case on similar charges. Ghosh is accused of illegally using bodies for research, illegally selling biomedical waste generated in the hospital, and multiple financial irregularities such as extending favours to some firms without floating valid tenders.

Also Read | Kolkata rape-murder: Was Dr Sandip Ghosh informed 30 minutes late?

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has registered a money laundering case against Ghosh and others based on the CBI probe. Kolkata Police has filed two first information reports against him.

This is the first arrest by CBI since it took over the investigation into the ghastly crime that has sparked sweeping protests across the country, though Ghoshs arrest was in a related case, and not the main one.

A Kolkata Police civic volunteer, Sanjoy Roy, was arrested by the city police a day after the crime, and handed over to the central agency on August 13.

Also Read | Might have died by suicide: What caller told Kolkata doctors father on Aug 9

We are happy. But the cease work and protest will continue. We have other demands, including justice for the victim and resignation of Kolkata Police commissioner, said a protesting doctor, as celebrations broke out at the protest site. Ghoshs advocate could not be reached despite several attempts for a comment.

Ghosh, who was principal of the premier college before being removed last month, is at the centre of the protests against the state governments handling of the crime. But his arrest came not in the rape and murder case, but another case where CBI registered an FIR on the directions of the Calcutta high court on August 13.

On August 19, the Bengal health department set up a four-member special investigation team (SIT) to probe the allegations of financial irregularities. On August 20, the Kolkata Police registered two FIRs against him.

Ghosh, however, told CBI that he was not in the hospital when the body of the trainee doctor was found and that he was informed over the phone.
A Mig-29 fighter jet crashed near Rajasthan's Barmer due to technical defect on Monday. The pilot is safe and no loss of life or material on ground has been reported.



During a routine night training mission in Barmer sector, an IAF MiG-29 encountered a critical technical snag, forcing the pilot to eject. The pilot is safe and no loss of life or property was reported. A Court of Inquiry has been ordered, the Indian Air Force said in an X post.



Barmer's superintendent of police Narendra Meena told PTI,"The plane crashed tonight in Barmer. The incident happened away from a populated area. Fire tenders have not been able to reach the crash site due to difficult terrain." A Mig-29 fighter jet crashed near Rajasthan's Barmer due to technical defect on Monday(PTI/X)

Sukhoi 30 MKI crashed near Nashik in June

On June 4, the IAF's Sukhoi-30 MKI fighter jet had crashed near Shirasgaon village of Niphad tehsil in Nashik at around 1.20 pm. Both the pilot and co-pilot had ejected safely.



As per the report, after crashing the aircraft caught fire which was extinguished. Some parts of the jet were scattered over a 500-metre radius. Teams of IAF and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) security and technical wings had visited the crash site.



In March this year, a Tejas aircraft had crashed near Jaisalmer during an operational training sortie. The pilot had ejected safely before the crash. "One Tejas aircraft of the Indian Air Force met with an accident at Jaisalmer, today during an operational training sortie. The pilot ejected safely. A Court of Inquiry has been constituted to find out the cause of the accident," the IAF had said in a statement.
The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has summoned Netflix India's Head of Content amid row over the series IC 814 in which the makers changed names of terrorists who hijacked the Indian Airlines flight from Kathmandu to Delhi in December 1999. news agency ANI reported on Monday. A still from the Anubhav Sinha-directed Netflix series (Courtesy: Netflix)

The development came amid trend on social media platform X (formerly Twitter) calling for a boycott of the series, which depicts the week-long hijacking that resulted in the Government of India releasing three jailed Pakistani terrorists, including Masood Azhar, in exchange for the passengers.

Also Read | IC 814 The Kandahar Hijack review: Avengers of Indian acting assemble

The five who hijacked the aircraft were Ibrahim Athar, Shahid Akhtar Sayed, Sunny Ahmed Qazi, Mistri Zahoor Ibrahim, and Shakir. However, the series uses Hindu names like Shankar and Bhola, and names such as Chief,' Doctor, and Burger.

Journalist Neelesh Misra, who wrote the book on which the Netflix project is based, and Mukesh Chhabra, the show's casting director, have both stated that these were nicknames used by the hijackers for each other.

Misra also said that he hopes that the makers have mentioned the real names of the hijackers.

Directed by Anubhav Sinha, IC 814 features an ensemble cast led by Vijay Verma, who plays Captain Devi Sharan, the senior of the two pilots on the Indian Airlines flight that took off from Kathmandu's Tribhuvan International Airport for Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport on December 24, 1999. The terrorists took control of the flight within minutes of take-off.

Also Read | IC 814 The Kandahar Hijack teaser: Anubhav Sinha packs gripping thriller series with Vijay Varma leading ensemble cast

They forced the Captain to take the plane to several places, before it finally landed in Afghanistan's Kandahar, where the hijacking finally ended with the terrorists-passengers swap.
The ministry of information & broadcasting on Monday summoned senior officials of Netflix over its web series IC-814 - The Kandahar Hijack after the drama based on the 1999 hijack of an Indian Airlines flight by five terrorists triggered a row over the depiction of the hijackers, and more specifically the aliases they used. A still from the web series that was released last week. (PTI)

According to a senior government official aware of the details, the officials of the OTT platform appeared before the ministry to provide an explanation amid allegations by social media users and political party leaders that the six-episode series, directed by Anubhav Sinha and released last week, deliberately used the codenames Bhola and Shankar to identify two of the five terrorists.

To be sure, the Union home ministry in 2000 said the five hijackers referred to one another as Chief, Doctor, Burger, Bhola and Shankar  with the last also being names often used for the Hindu god Shiva. The men who took control of the aircraft were part of the Harkat-ul-Mujahideen terror outfit. Their real names were Ibrahim Athar, Sunny Ahmed Qazi, Zahoor Ibrahim, Shahid Akhter, and Sayed Shakir all Pakistani nationals.

Also Read | MIB summons Netflix officials over use of Hindu pseudonyms in Kandahar Hijack

They (the creators of the show) should take care to not hurt the countrys sentiments, the government official cited above said, seeking anonymity, without detailing whether Netflix was issued any directions.

Among those who criticised the limited series drama was Bharatiya Janata Partys (BJP) IT cell chief Amit Malviya. 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 wrote on X.

At the same time, other politicians said the controversy was needless. National Conference vice-president Omar Abdullah said, Its really amusing to see the people who took movies like Kashmir Files as the gospel truth having a melt down at the way the events of IC814 are depicted in the Netflix show. Now suddenly they want accuracy & nuance packaged in the script.

While Sinha did not respond to requests for a comment, the shows writer Adrian Levy spoke to HT over the general sourcing of information that underpinned the fictional depiction of the December 1999 incident, without specifically going into the controversy over the character names.

He said the chief figures involved in plot, Ilyas Kashmiri and his protege Amjad Farooqi, were attracted to Islamism and al Qaedas Osama Bin Laden. With recent histories there are never hard facts but there are suppositions invested in by key officials. What you are seeing [in the show] are those backed by Indian security officials. And those in [CIA headquarters in] Langley, he said.

Levy, who interviewed Indian security service agents as well as CIA officials for his work as an investigative journalist, said Indian security services determined the hijacking was a conspiracy pump primed by Pakistans ISI (Inter-Services Intelligence), but was underwritten by fighters adjacent to al Qaeda.

Some of the crew members of IC-814 that HT spoke to also corroborated the governments statement in 2000.

Anil Sharma, senior flight purser (in-charge of cabin crew) who is now based in Geneva, said: The two names (Bhola and Shankar) that are being talked about were actually used by the hijackers I think the makers of the web series could have somehow specified that the names were not their original names.

The web series is based on the hijacking of an Indian Airlines aircraft by five terrorists on December 24, 1999, 40 minutes after it took off from Kathmandu for New Delhi. The plane made several landings, at Amritsar, Lahore and Dubai, before it was taken to Kandahar in Afghanistan. The passengers and crew were held hostage for eight days and the stand-off ended when the government released incarcerated terrorists Masood Azhar, Omar Sheikh and Mushtaq Ahmad Zargar.

Azhar, eventually, did not return to HuM, choosing instead to form his own outfit, the Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM).

The drama, which was released on Netflix on August 29, is based on the book Flight into Fear: The Captains Story written by Srinjoy Chowdhury and Devi Sharan, the captain of the flight.

Using hashtags #BoycottNetflix, #BoycottBollywood and #IC814, several X users shared posts claiming the filmmakers changed the names of the hijackers to Shankar and Bhola to allegedly protect the terrorists who belonged to a certain community.
Following Congress party's allegations, ICICI Bank on Monday clarified that neither it nor its group companies have paid any salary or given employee stock ownership plans (ESOPs) to SEBI chief Madhabi Puri Buch after her retirement, except for her retirement benefits. Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) chairperson Madhabi Puri Buch.(PTI)

During her employment with the ICICI Group, she received compensation in the form of salary, retiral benefits, bonus and ESOPs, in line with applicable policies, the bank said in a statement.

It also mentioned that as per rules existing at the time of her ESOP grant, employees including retired employees had the choice to exercise their ESOPs anytime up to a period of 10 years from the date of vesting.

As per Income Tax rules, the difference between the price of the stock on the day of exercise and the allotment price is treated as perquisite income and is reflected in Part B of the Form16 of employees, including retired employees. The Bank is required to deduct the perquisite tax on this income. In addition, Form -16 covers the payment made towards the retiral benefits of former employees, statement added further.

The Congress on Monday accused Buch of holding an office of profit at the ICICI Bank and receiving 16.8 crore in substantial benefits from the bank and its subsidiaries.

Addressing a press conference in Delhi, Congress leader Pawan Khera alleged that between 2017 and 2024, Buch received 12.63 crore from ICICI Bank, 22.41 lakh from ICICI Prudential, 2.84 crore from Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs), and 1.10 crore in Tax Deducted at Source (TDS) payments from ICICI, in addition to her salary from SEBI, which totaled 3.3 crore.

Khera questioned how the top authority of a regulatory body could ethically take income from an entity it regulates, and said, Anyone with a little shame would not wait to give a resignation after this exposure.

Madhabi Puri Buch opted for superannuation from the ICICI Group, effective October 31, 2013. US based short seller Hindenburg Research recently alleged that Buch had a conflict of interest with Blackstone as her husband Dhaval Buch was appointed as an advisor to the global asset management company- a major investor in Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs).

However, SEBI refuted Hindenburgs allegations and said that it has consistently highlighted the role of REITs, SM REITs, InvITs, Municipal Bonds, etc, to advance Indian securities market.
India and Singapore are set to unveil about half a dozen agreements, including a crucial one on creating a semiconductor ecosystem, during Prime Minister Narendra Modis visit to the city state this week, people familiar with the matter said on Monday. PM Modi will travel to Singapore during September 4-5. (PTI photo)

Modi will travel to Singapore during September 4-5, after a two-day visit to Brunei, and the trip comes days after a meeting last month of the India-Singapore ministerial roundtable, which included advanced manufacturing and semiconductors as new areas for cooperation.

The other agreements in areas such as digital, health cooperation and skill development were negotiated and finalised over the past few months, whereas the agreement on semiconductors was rapidly concluded by Indias ministry of electronics and information technology and its Singaporean counterpart in the past few weeks, the people cited above said on condition of anonymity.

Also Read: Singapore plans law to restrict banking transactions of scam targets

While Singapore doesnt have its own semiconductor manufacturing majors, it has built up a robust and diverse ecosystem of equipment firms and material suppliers, as well as research and development and manufacturing activities across the value chain, including integrated circuit design, wafer fabrication and testing.

The new memorandum of understanding (MoU) will enable India to benefit from Singapores ecosystem.

The MoU will help Indias efforts to create its own ecosystem, one of the people cited above said.

Singapore is an integral part of the worldwide semiconductor supply chain, accounting for 10% of all chips produced globally and about 20% of the global production of semiconductor manufacturing equipment.

Jaideep Mazumdar, secretary (East) in the external affairs ministry, said India and Singapore have complementary interests in the field of semiconductors. [Singapore] has experience of more than 20 years in this area. This is an area where we are very keen to get into, he told a media briefing on Monday.

This entire ecosystem is what we are discussing between the two of us and how we can cooperate on that, Mazumdar said, adding that the visit is expected to give a thrust to cooperation in semiconductors.

Modi and his Singaporean counterpart Lawrence Wong will review progress under the bilateral strategic partnership, which completes a decade in 2024, and discuss regional and global issues. Modi will also meet President Tharman Shanmugaratnam and business leaders from Singapore.

Singapore is currently Indias largest trade partner within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) and the sixth largest trade partner worldwide. Besides, Singapore was the largest source of foreign direct investment (FDI) into India in 2023, and its cumulative investments since 2000 are worth $160 billion.

The trip to Brunei during September 3-4, the first ever bilateral visit by an Indian premier, will see Modi holding talks with the senior leadership of the Southeast Asian state, including Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, to review ongoing cooperation and explore new areas of collaboration.

In addition to being an important partner in Indias Act East policy and its vision for the Indo-Pacific, Brunei occupies a special place in New Delhis space programme. The two sides have signed three MoUs in this field and in 2000, India established a telemetry tracking and command station in Brunei that allows it to track and monitor all eastward launches of satellites and rockets.

India and Brunei signed an MoU for defence cooperation in 2016 that provides the framework for coast guard and naval exchanges, training and joint exercises. The two sides are currently working on setting up a joint working group on defence.

While India imports some hydrocarbons from Brunei, it is interested in securing more predictable and long-term supplies of gas, Mazumdar said. With Indias demand for gas set to rise manifold, he said, That is an opportunity for the Brunei side to lock in long-term gas supply arrangements, if they wish to do so.

The India side will emphasise during the visits to both Singapore and Brunei the need to conclude an ongoing review of the Asean-India Trade in Goods Agreement by 2025, Mazumdar said. This agreement was signed and entered into force in January 2010.
One army jawan was injured after terrorists fired from a stand-off distance near the Sunjawan military camp - the largest army base in Jammu on Monday morning. According to defence spokesperson Lt Col Suneel Bartwal, the fire was launched from a distance between 10 to 10:30 am. Jammu army base attacked from outside, search operation underway

The army base has been sealed for any movement, and a search operation has been launched.

Further details are awaited.

Earlier in February 2018, JeM terrorists had attacked the Sunjawan military camp in Jammu, which led to the killing of six soldiers, a civilian, and three terrorists. Around 20 people, including soldiers and civilians, were also injured in the attack.

Recent infiltration bids in J&K

The attack near the army base camp comes a few days after the security forces shot dead three terrorists in two separate gunfights in Jammu and Kashmir's Kupwara district. While two terrorists were killed in Machhal, another was killed in the Tangdhar sector.

Meanwhile, in neighbouring Jammu, another encounter broke out in Rajouri district after forces launched a search operation to locate the terrorists hiding in the Lathi area. The operation was launched in the general area of the village Kheri Mohra Lathi and Danthal area at 9:30 pm.

The infiltration attempts took place at a time when Jammu and Kashmir is set to go to the assembly polls, and nominations for the first phase have already been filed. According to the Election Commission of India, the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly elections will be held in three phases: September 18, September 25, and October 1. The results will be declared on October 4.

Jammu and Kashmir have witnessed several encounters this year, prompting the countrys administrative and defence brass to assess the security situation in the region. At least five personnel and seven civilians have died in terror attacks in Kashmir, while 14 security personnel and 11 civilians have died in separate extremist attacks in Jammu.
Chief Justice of India (CJI) Dhananjaya Y Chandrachud on Sunday underscored that complacency is a luxury the judiciary cannot afford even as he acknowledged the ongoing challenge of case pendency and emphasised that the judiciarys effectiveness and independence are closely tied to ensuring proper working conditions and financial security for judges. CJI Dhananjaya Y Chandrachud with President Droupadi Murmu on Sunday. (Photo from X)

Drawing attention to the judiciarys role in meeting the aspirations of citizens under the Constitution, the CJI stressed: I firmly believe that our actions must give others a reason to judge us favorably. But our intention and capability must incentivise us to excel higher and higher. In an institution as integral to the life of a nation as the judiciary  complacency is not an option.

In his address at the valedictory function of the National Conference on the District Judiciary, the CJI acknowledged that while there has been significant progress in modernising the judiciary and improving its infrastructure, pendency remains a formidable challenge. With the national average disposal rate standing at 95%, he said, the judiciary still faces the daunting task of clearing backlogs, particularly in cases that have been pending for decades.

To address this, CJI Chandrachud highlighted the importance of attracting skilled personnel to the judiciary as he pointed out that the current vacancy rates for judicial personnel and non-judicial staff at the district level are 28% and 27%, respectively. In order for disposals to outweigh the institution of cases, the courts must work beyond the capacity of 71% to 100%, noted the CJI, emphasising the need for national integration in judicial recruitment to transcend regional and state-centered selection processes.

Simultaneously, justice Chandrachud underscored that the judiciarys independence and impartiality cannot be ensured without proper working conditions and financial security for judges. Providing proper working conditions for the district judiciary is a small price which the nation pays for securing their independence and impartiality, said the CJI, warning that a financially insecure judiciary poses a grave danger to a stable democratic society.

Inclusivity and the push for gender equality in the judiciary:

CJI Chandrachud also addressed the need for greater inclusivity within the judiciary, expressing regret over the fact that only 6.7% of district court infrastructure is women-friendly. In a nation where women make up a significant portion of new judicial recruits, this statistic is unacceptable, he remarked.

Our focus must be on increasing accessibility measures, which can be achieved by conducting infrastructure audits, opening in-court medical facilities, creches, and technological projects like e-seva kendras and VC devices, the CJI said. He emphasised that the judiciary must provide a safe and accommodating environment for all, particularly vulnerable groups such as women, persons with disabilities, and members of scheduled castes and tribes. The CJI said that addressing infrastructure gaps requires a strong government-court partnership for expediting projects for a future-ready judiciary.

Calling for confronting biases within the judiciary, particularly those directed toward female colleagues at the Bar and Bench, justice Chandrachud said: Being a judge at its heart is a calling to dispense justice. To this end, we must consciously introspect that our legal reasoning does not wield the mighty hand of the law to perpetuate existing prejudices. Inclusivity in the judiciary is a reflection of our broader commitment to equality and justice. The CJI outlined key measures such as developing a comprehensive framework for gender equality in decision-making, recruiting and retaining members from diverse and vulnerable groups and monitoring the impact of gender equality initiatives.

Bridging the gap between district and high courts:

Addressing the perceived gap between the district judiciary and the high courts, CJI Chandrachud underlined the need to bridge this divide, which he attributed to colonial subordination. He identified collegiality between judges, the role of inspecting or administrative judges, and the assessment of judicial officers as key areas where improvements are needed.

An environment of open, frank, and holistic communication between judicial officers and High Court judges is vital in achieving fair transfer policies, equitable distribution of work, and transparency in promotion and assessment, he said. The CJI called for a more data-driven approach to evaluating judicial officers, ensuring that their performance is assessed over time rather than through mere inspections on designated days.

The importance of judicial wellness:

Recognising the unique stressors of judicial work, justice Chandrachud highlighted the importance of judicial wellness, which he described as a democratic imperative for upholding the rule of law and maintaining public confidence. He called for destigmatizing conversations around mental health and fostering an open, supportive environment for judges.

The CJI noted that the conference had dedicated an entire session to judicial wellness, with insights shared by experts, including the head of the governments flagship Ayush hospital in the national capital. He also mentioned ongoing efforts to prepare a white paper on integrating state-level training modules with national and international best practices, with a focus on judicial wellness and training.

In his concluding remarks, CJI Chandrachud expressed his belief that conferences like the National Conference on the District Judiciary provide valuable opportunities to evaluate the state of the judiciary and collectively articulate solutions for the future. He called on all members of the judiciary to take home the deliverable outcomes of the conference and continue working towards making the judiciary more transparent, humane, and equipped to meet the challenges of the times.

The district judiciary is the backbone of our institution...The state of the judiciary in India is strong, and its strength comes from the district judiciary, affirmed the CJI, expressing hope that the judiciary would continue to harness the dynamic spirit of young professionals to challenge injustice, confront discrimination and realise the transformative ideals of the Constitution.

Ends
Senior Supreme Court lawyer Kapil Sibal on Monday hit back at Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar for criticising a purported resolution issued by the former as the president of the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) describing the rape and murder of a trainee doctor at Kolkata's RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, as a symptomatic malaise. Jagdeep Dhankhar (left) and Kapil Sibal (File Photo)

Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Sibal cited a report by the Times Of India on the number of sexual assault cases across the country from 2017 to 2022, with West Bengal, of which Kolkata is the capital, not on the list.

Out of 1551 case of rape/gangrape followed by murder. UP reported maximum cases (280) followed by MP (207), Assam (205), Maharashtra (155) and Karnataka (79). Dhankar Ji: Seen this? Why West Bengal missing? No malaise? the Rajya Sabha member wrote.

Sibal is representing the West Bengal government in the Supreme Court, which took suo motu cognisance of the RG Kar case.

In the purported resolution, the ex-member of the Congress party had also suggested that incidents such as the RG Kar one are a commonplace, angering the Vice President for this assertion as well.

Last week, Dhankhar, the ex-officio Chair of the Rajya Sabha, lambasted Sibal for his remarks.

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 (such) a manner and what does he say? A symptomatic malaise and suggested that such incidents are a commonplace? What a shame! Words fail me in condemning such a stance. It is doing greatest injustice to the high position, he stated at an event on August 30 in Delhi, without mentioning Sibal.
Allies who have been going strong with the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) since 2019, have started speaking out against the MK Stalin-led partys governance and administration recently, people familiar with the matter said. Allies who have been going strong with the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) since 2019, have started speaking out against the MK Stalin-led partys governance and administration (PTI)

According one of the party workers, the Viduthalai Chirutaigal Katchi (VCK), CPI, CPI (M) have accused the DMK of saffronising education at the conference held for Lord Murugan. The conference had passed resolutions such as school students to sing Hindu religious hymn Kandha Shashti Kavasam in temples during religious events, organising competitions on devotional literature involving Lord Murugan in schools and colleges run by temples managed by HR&CE department, and including learnings of Murugan as part of the college curriculum.

That they organised the conference, which is a far cry from the partys rationalist beginnings, came under attack by the DMKs ideological fount, the Dravida Kazhagam (DK). DMKs allies had boycotted governor R N Ravis at home reception organised for Independence Day, but Stalin and a dozen ministers besides the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) had attended the event.

Also Read | MK Stalin signs pact with Google, Microsoft to boost AI, manufacturing in TN

So far its clear that there is no rapprochement between the AIADMK and BJP so the AIADMK is an option for us going into 2026, said a senior leader belonging to the DMKs coalition. We also want to contest for a higher number of seats. We have been compromising so we put up a strong opposition against the BJP which has worked.

A second ally said that the DMK must not water down its ideology to play to the gallery in its effort to counter BJPs Hindutva. There are two anti-BJP parties now-the DMK and AIADMK, the leader said. Regional parties like us and voters have an option between the two now if they want to side with secularism. So the DMK should not alienate its core voters by organising religious conferences.

A week after the Lok Sabha polls, DMKs main ally Congress sparked a row after their new chief V Selvapeunthagai questioned their continued reliance on the Dravidian majority in Tamil Nadu. It was quelled after senior Congress leaders said that they cannot be ungrateful to the DMK. Since the allies have been vocal over the series of murders across the state, a hooch tragedy.

Also Read | Why MK Stalin wants to elevate Udhayanidhi now?

With preparations underway for the 2026 assembly elections, this isnt a good sign for the DMK. For allies, more options opened up since the AIADMK split with the BJP and actor Vijay finalised his entry for 2026. Hitherto, their only option if they wanted to be on the side of secularism was DMK. Leaders in VCK and Left parties also believe that the time has come for Tamil Nadu to have a coalition government since the allies have helped the DMK win every election since 2019.

After the AIADMK and BJP came together to fight the 2019 parliamentary elections, the DMK-led a formidable coalition of the Secular Progressive Front, including the Congress, Left parties and the VCK.

After the AIADMK left the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA), most of the allies such as the Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) jumped ship to the BJP. The split made it a three cornered contest in the state for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections which the DMK-led INDIA (Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance) bloc swept winning all 39 seats in Tamil Nadu and the lone seat in Puducherry.

Chief minister M K Stalin is concerned in keeping his flock together against EPS, says political analyst Maalan Narayanan. It is a threat for the DMK that EPS will be wooing their allies. Stalin is worried about that and he is also trying to solve the several internal problems that the DMK is facing at the grassroot level, Narayanan said.
The draft of the anti-rape bill, which the Mamata Banerjee government is set to present in the West Bengal Assembly on Tuesday, proposes capital punishment for those convicted of rape if their actions lead to the victim's death or result in a vegetative state. Mamata Banerjee government to present draft of anti-rape bill on Tuesday, proposing death penalty for those convicted of rape.

The draft also proposes that people convicted of rape or gang-rape will face a life sentence for the rest of their lives, PTI reported.

Called the Aparajita Woman and Child Bill (West Bengal Criminal Laws and Amendment) Bill 2024, the new law aims to better protect women and children by amending current laws and adding new rules about rape and sexual offenses.

The bill also proposes to amend the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita 2023, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita 2023, and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act 2012 as they apply to West Bengal.

The amendments aim to increase penalties and create a framework for faster investigation and trial of severe crimes against women and children.

In its statement of purpose, the draft bill aims to create a safer environment for women and children in the state.

"It is a testament to the State's unwavering commitment to uphold the fundamental rights of its citizens, particularly women and children, and to ensure that heinous acts of rape and sexual offences against children are met with the full force of the law", reads the draft.

A two-day special session of the assembly has been called in response to the rape and murder of a woman medic at the state-run RG Kar Medical College and Hospital last month. The bill is set to be tabled by state law minister Moloy Ghatak.

The draft bill seeks to amend sections 64, 66, 70(1), 71, 72(1), 73, 124(1) and 124 (2) of BNS, 2023, which broadly pertains to punishment for rape, rape and murder, gang-rape, repeat offenders, disclosure of victim identity and even causing hurt by use of acid, etc.

The draft bill also plans to introduce major changes to the investigation and prosecution process. It requires that investigations into rape cases be completed within 21 days of the initial report, down from the previous two-month deadline.

The legislation will also allow for an extension of up to 15 days on the three-week investigation deadline. This extension can be granted by any police officer of at least the rank of Superintendent of Police (SP) or equivalent, provided they record the reasons in writing in the case diary maintained under Section 192 of BNSS, 2023.

According to the draft, repeat offenders would face imprisonment for life, which means imprisonment for the remainder of their natural life, or death and a fine.

The proposed legislation also aims to penalise the printing or publishing of any matter related to court proceedings without permission, with a punishment of 3 to 5 years imprisonment and a fine.

With PTI inputs
New Delhi: In a strategic U-turn, Mohamed Muizzu led Maldives has joined hands with Mauritius, Sri Lanka and India for a regional maritime security architecture at the national security advisor level on September 30 to counter a range of threats in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). NSA Ajit Doval with other leaders.

The Charter of Colombo Security Conclave (CSC) and the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed by Sagala Ratnayaka, NSA to President of Sri Lanka, Ibrahim Latheef, NSA of Maldives, Haymandoyal Dillim, High Commissioner of Mauritius to Sri Lanka and Ajit Doval, NSA to PM of India. Observer Bangladesh did not attend the conclave but Seychelles did.

The agreed Pillars of Cooperation for the CSC are: maritime safety and security; countering terror and radicalization; combating trafficking and organized crime, cyber security, protection of critical infrastructure, humanitarian assistance; and disaster relief.

Besides, the CSC will strengthen coordination for countering transnational organized crime including narcotics trafficking, arms trafficking, human trafficking,. The key IOR states will share information relating to counter-terrorism, radicalization, violent extremism, cyber security threats and transnational criminal networks and applicability of national and international law.

The CSC will also strengthen capacity building among partners through training courses, joint exercises, workshops and skill development programs. The member states will also engage in close cooperation in the fields of oceanography, hydrography, maritime security, marine pollution, maritime law, marine archeology and protection of marine resources.

It is understood that the CSC architecture calls for consensus on all future moves and members as well as a dialogue between NSAs and Deputy NSAs through institutionalized mechanisms and working groups. The CSC secretariat will be based in Colombo with a secretary general acting as the convener of the important security grouping.

While the CSC has key members of the Indian Ocean region, it will also enhance maritime security among member states with the Narendra Modi government committed to support the other three countries in capacity building without any political interference. With Maldives joining the security initiative, President Mohamed Muizzu has sent a signal that he is seeking cooperation with India rather than any power outside the IOR.
A 22-year-old businessman has been missing after he drove his rented car off a ferry ramp into a river on a Goa island, police officers aware of the matter said on Sunday. Rescue personnel pull out the car from the river. (HT Photo)

The missing person was identified by police as Bhasudev Bhandari, originally from Bharuch, Gujarat. Bhandari was accompanied by his 22-year-old friend, a management student, who managed to swim ashore to safety after the car plunged into the murky waters of the Cumbajua river, off Goas St Estevam islet and 20km from the state capital Panaji, police said. Bhandari had come to Goa for the weekend to visit her and was to return to Gujarat on Sunday.

Police officers refrained from sharing the identity of the woman. According to locals, the incident may have happened because Bhandari thought the ferry ramp was a road, and the woman told the police they were being chased by another car after a traffic incident.

Police said the accident took place in the early hours of Sunday, at around 1.30am. At around 12.45am, the rented hatchback car was travelling from Goa Institute of Management, Sanquelim, to Panaji. It met with a minor accidentinvolving a sedan at Marcel around 1am, but did not stop. The occupant of the sedan started tailgating the small car, police said in a statement.

The sedan was yet to be tracked down, police added. Briefing the media, fire service personnel said that they received a call at around 2am a local informing them of the incident. We received a call at around 2am on Sunday and immediately dispatched two teams to the site to begin a search and rescue operation. The woman was found at the scene and she told us that her friend, who was driving the vehicle, was not to be found. She had swum to the shore on her own after exiting the vehicle, Ajit Kamat, the Goa state fire chief, said.

We traced the vehicle with the help of Navy divers and later pulled it ashore with the help of a crane. However, the driver of the vehicle was not found inside, he added.

A resident of the area, Agnelo Menezes, said he was woken up by the woman who appeared shaken. She told me about the incident and that her friend was nowhere to be found. A few of us accompanied her to the river bank and called the police. The police arrived a little after 3am and took her with them, Menezes said.

She told us they were speeding because they were being followed by another vehicle that gave chase after a minor accident. It appears that they thought the ferry ramp was a road and tried to drive through, Menezes added.

Emergency response personnel continued their search operation through Sunday. By morning, we were able to trace the vehicle and retrieve it. The missing passenger is yet to be traced, police added.
A man allegedly flashed his private parts to a woman during a protest against the Kolkata rape-murder case. Though he was caught by other protestors, the police allowed him to leave, causing outrage. People protesting the rape and murder of a doctor in Kolkata, on Sunday. (PTI)(HT_PRINT)

The woman was sexually harassed during a protest in Kolkata, near the Esplanade crossing, one of the busiest intersections in the city. After the incident occured, other protestors caught the man red-handed and contacted police personnel stationed nearby, reported India Today.

Also Read: Protests erupt on assaults at two hospitals in Bengal

Sources revealed to the channel that the man was identified by the police as a local and as someone who was mentally ill. The police then allowed him to leave, enraging protestors.

The protestors began to agitate against the police and demanded immediate action against the officers involved and the accused man.

Driven by anger and frustration, protestors also gathered outside the deputy commissioner of police's (central) office, calling for justice and accountability.

The woman filed a complaint and a case has been registered under section 79 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). The police have launched an investigation and have begun reviewing CCTV footage to identify and locate the accused.

The woman and other protestors have asked for the police to take prompt and appropriate action to ensure the safety and dignity of all citizens participating in peaceful protests.

The incident occured at a protest organised by a group called Amra Tilottoma against the horrific rape-murder case at the RG Kar hospital. On August 9, a trainee doctor was brutally raped and murdered during her shift, leading to protests being carried out nationwide as the case is yet to be solved.
The Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) on Monday summoned officials from Netflix over the portrayal of the hijackers using Hindu pseudonyms in the streaming platforms series IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack. They should take care to not hurt the countrys sentiments, a senior government official said. A still from the web series IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack. (PTI)

In the series, the hijackers used pseudonyms to refer to each other in front of the passengers. These pseudonyms included Bhola and Shankar. This has stirred up a controversy with online calls to boycott Netflix over so-called whitewashing of the terrorists religion.

To be sure, in a January 6, 2000 statement available on the website of the ministry of external affairs, the home ministry had said, To the passengers of the hijacked place [sic] 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. All five hijackers were listed as Pakistani citizens in the MHA statement and portrayed as such in the Netflix series, which HT has seen.

It is not clear whether the government has asked Netflix and the producers to edit the pseudonyms used by the terrorists. It is also not clear what other edits the MIB has asked for and if the series could be blocked by the government, or removed by the producers, distributors and/or Netflix.

HT could not determine who from Netflix and/or the production team was called. Calls and messages to Netflix officials and series director Anubhav Sinha went unanswered.

Separately, the official cited above said that the certification of actor and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Lok Sabha MP Kangana Ranauts Emergency has been held up because of the concerns raised by Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC). All complaints related to representation of religions are taken seriously, whether they be about Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, Christians or Buddhists, the official said.
Nine pedestrians were injured in Mumbai's Lalbaugh area by a BEST bus that lost control after a drunk passenger grabbed the steering wheel and destabilised the vehicle after an argument with the bus driver. The police have taken the drunk passenger into custody and further investigation into the incident is underway, the official added.

In addition to pedestrians, the bus also hit other cars and two-wheelers before the driver was able to control the vehicle. Two bikes and a car were among the vehicles damaged.

The incident occurred inside an electric bus of Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST), the transport wing of the city's civic body Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). The bus on Route 66 was going from Ballard Pier in south Mumbai to Rani Laxmibai Chowk in Sion.

A drunk passenger in an inebriated state got into an argument with the bus driver and the verbal duel later escalated. As the bus approached Ganesh Talkies near Lalbaugh, he grabbed the steering wheel and threw the vehicle off balance, an official from Kalachowki police station told news agency PTI.

The police have taken the drunk passenger into custody and further investigation into the incident is underway, the official added.

All the injured people have been admitted to KEM hospital in the city, said Public Relations Officer from BEST. Two women among the injured are reported to be in serious medical condition.

Recent bus accidents in Mumbai

Five people were dead and 46 were injured when a private bus carrying 54 people crashed into a tractor and fell into a ditch near Mumbai-Pune Expressway on July 17. Chief minister Eknath Shinde announced 5 lakh compensation for the kin of the deceased and free treatment for the injured.

Also read | Juvenile involved in Pune Porsche car accident completes RTO training

In another accident last week on the Old Pune-Mumbai highway in Bopodi, a 38-year-old woman was killed and eight were injured after a bus rammed into an SUV and a two-wheeler. When the bus came near Chikhalwadi, in an attempt to save the motorcyclist, the bus entered another lane. This caused the bus to crash head-on into a car and another motorcycle before finally stopping after hitting a metro pillar.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be on official visits to Brunei and Singapore from Tuesday, September 3. PM Narendra Modi will visit Brunei on September 3-4 at the invitation of Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah to further strengthen bilateral cooperation in all existing sectors.



It is the first bilateral visit by an Indian prime minister to that country. It marks 40 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations between India and Brunei. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Brunei and Singapore beginning Tuesday.(ANI file)

Over the next two days, will be visiting Brunei Darussalam and Singapore. During the various engagements in these nations, the focus will be on further deepening Indias ties with them. India-Brunei Darussalam diplomatic ties complete 40 glorious years. I look forward to meeting His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah, Modi posted on X on Tuesday morning.

In Singapore, I will hold talks with President Tharman Shanmugaratnam, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong and Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong. We are eager to further cement ties in key sectors, he added.

What's on agenda?

On Modi's Brunei visit, ministry of external affairs' secretary (east) Jaideep Mazumdar said the prime minister will hold bilateral discussions on all aspects of relations and cooperation with Brunei.

As you know, we share a very warm and friendly relationship with Brunei and our engagements cover multiple areas such as defence, trade and investment, energy, space, technology, health, capacity, building, culture and vibrant people-to-people exchanges, ANI quoted Mazumdar as saying.



"The Indian diaspora in Brunei is about 14,000 and they comprise a substantial number of doctors and teachers in Brunei who have earned goodwill and respect for their contributions to Brunei economy and society," he added.



The MEA official added that Brunei is an important partner for India's Act East Policy and the vision for the Indo-Pacific.



"As we mark a decade of our Act East policy this year, the visit assumes additional significance. Brunei has been our Country Coordinator in ASEAN from 2012 to 2015 and played a key role in our further engagements with ASEAN and continues to do so today," the MEA official added.

Modi's visit to Singapore

After Brunei, Modi will visit Singapore on September 4-5 at the invitation of his Singaporean counterpart Lawrence Wong. He is visiting the country after nearly six years.



During the visit, Prime Minister will call on President of Singapore H.E. Mr. Tharman Shanmugaratnam and interact with Singaporean leadership. Prime Minister will also meet with business leaders from Singapore, the ministry of external affairs said in a statement.



ALSO READ: India, Singapore set to unveil MoU on cooperation in semiconductor ecosystem



On India-Singapore ties, MEA's secretary (East) Jaideep Mazumdar said,"Our trade and investment flows have shown a steady growth, we have a robust defence cooperation and growing exchanges in culture and education. We have identified new anchors of our partnership under the India-Singapore ministerial roundtable framework."



ALSO READ: India, Singapore review bilateral ties; focus on healthcare, semiconductors

There will be an interaction with the CEOs and other business leaders in Singapore during Prime Minister Modi's visit, he added.



(With agency inputs)
Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind chief Maulana Arshad Madani on Monday claimed that the mob lynching of a Muslim migrant worker in Haryana could be a planned one aimed at creating communal mobilisation ahead of the upcoming assembly polls in the state. Five of the accused in police custody in Charkhi Dadri on Saturday. (Manoj Dhaka/HT)

Also Read: Row erupts in Haryana as Oppn takes on govt over lynching

This lynching could be a planned one because assembly elections are soon to be held in Haryana. So, it is possible that communal elements could have done this to create communal mobilisation, Madani said in a statement released by Jamiat.

He further stated that merely condemning such incidents was not enough and demanded that political parties, especially the secular ones, come out openly' and 'take steps to get laws made against it (mob violence).'

This lynching has proved that communal elements consider themselves above the lawthey are taking the law in their own hands and targeting a particular community on the basis of the victim's religion, the statement quoted the Jamiat chief as saying.

That such brutality was not stopping despite strict instructions by the Supreme Court was saddening, Madani noted, adding that this clearly showed that people indulging in such actions do so with political support and protection and that their morale was high.

Police in Haryana's Charkhi Dadri have arrested five men from a so-called cow vigilante group, and two minor boys, for the August 27 incident in which they allegedly lynched Sabir Malik from West Bengal on suspicion of him having consumed beef.

Also Read: Rahul Gandhi blasts Modi govt after attacks on Muslims over beef suspicion

On October 5, Haryana will vote to elect its next government. The votes will be counted on October 8.

(With PTI inputs)
A surplus monsoon has helped to expand the area planted with key kharif or summer-sown crops but flooding in several states and scanty showers in others pose risks to farm output, analysts said. The June-September rain-bearing season was 8% above normal cumulatively as on September 2, while August recorded a nearly 16% surplus, leading to flooding. (Representational image)

The India Meteorological Department (IMD), the State-run weather bureau, has forecast an extended monsoon and above normal rains during September, when crops near ripening and harvesting stage.

The June-September rain-bearing season, the life-blood of Asias third-largest economy, was 8% above normal cumulatively as on September 2, while August recorded a nearly 16% surplus, leading to flooding.

A dent in farm output could stoke food prices, which have been elevated in the last two years due to extreme weather. Sowing of key kharif or summer-sown crops has crossed last years levels at 108 million hectares currently.

States such as Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and northeastern states, among many, expect damage to crops after heavy showers inundated fields.

Last week, Karnataka revenue minister Krishna Byre Gowda said 58 people died due to widespread flooding in the state, which had damaged crops in 80,000 hectares. The extent of damage from floods will be only known when surveys are undertaken after flood waters recede, said KR Gopalan, assistant director, horticulture department of Maharashtra.

Two cyclonic weather patterns are converging over central India, bringing more rains to already drenched regions, according to the IMD.

The resulting depression over eastern Vidarbha region is likely to cause extremely heavy rainfall over parts of Maharashtra and Gujarat, the IMD said on Monday. Heavy falls will also occur over Marathawada, Konkan and Goa, north interior Karnataka, western Madhya Pradesh and Saurashtra and Kutch regions of Gujarat during next two days, the weather bureau said.

Delayed withdrawal of the monsoon and heavy rainfall in September could damage crops like rice, cotton, soybean, corn, and pulses by increasing moisture content in farm produce, said TK Mani, a retired faculty of the Tamil Nadu Agricultural University.

The monsoon, despite being plentiful, has been skewed, resulting in deficient rainfall in states, such as Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Punjab.

In Uttar Pradesh, out of the 75 districts, 37 have had scanty rainfall, impacting paddy, according to farmers. My crops (paddy) dont look very healthy and its height has gone up much. There has been very little rainfall, said Akram Chauhan, a farmer from Shamli in western UP.

The Met department, in an advisory, has asked farmers to drain out excess water from fields and orchards in Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, east Rajasthan, west Madhya Pradesh, Marathwada, Vidarbha, Madhya Maharashtra, north interior Karnataka and Telangana. Farmers have been advised to prevent long inundation in rice, castor, cotton, pearl millet, groundnut, sesame and maize fields.
Supreme Court judge Surya Kant on Sunday emphasised that the pursuit of justice is an ongoing journey that demands collective dedication and untiring commitment from every member of the judiciary. Supreme Court of India.

As he addressed the gathering at the valedictory function of the two-day National Conference on District Judiciary, justice Kant highlighted the crucial role of the district judiciary in ensuring that justice reaches every corner of the nation, stressing the importance of collaboration and innovation in the judicial process.

The pursuit of justice, I believe, is a continuous journey, justice Kant remarked, underscoring the need for collaboration across all levels of the judiciary. He urged judicial officers to remain steadfast in their mission, saying: Together, we will continue to endeavor towards a judiciary that is committed to serve with excellence and integrity.

Justice Kant, who will assume the role of Chief Justice of India from November 2025 until his retirement in February 2027, expressed deep gratitude to President Droupadi Murmu for her presence and support. He praised her dedication to improving access to justice for juveniles, jailed inmates and marginalised sections of society, stating: Your benevolent presence is both an honor and a profound affirmation of the importance of our deliberations.

Reflecting on the 75th anniversary of the Supreme Court, justice Kant noted that the institution has been resolute in its mission to render justice to the most distant parts of our nation. He highlighted the importance of nationwide judicial conferences in addressing grassroots challenges and urged the chief justices of high courts to translate the insights and resolutions from our discussions into concrete actions within their respective jurisdictions.

I would also like to take this opportunity to earnestly ask the chief justices of all the high courts to ruminate on critical issues we have collectively identified and discussed over these last two days. High courts, being the custodians of the administrative control over the district judiciary, they need to translate the insights and resolutions from our discussions into concrete actions within their respective jurisdictions, he said.

Justice Kant commended the interactive sessions held during the conference, where district judges presented on critical issues, calling the discussions both informative and engaging. He expressed confidence that the ideas exchanged would strengthen the judiciary and enhance the delivery of justice.

As the conference came to a close, justice Kant reiterated the judiciarys commitment to its mission. I am confident that the deliberations and ideas exchanged here will further augment our judicial system, he said, adding that the judiciary must continue to serve with excellence and integrity, he underlined.
The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) on Monday expressed its support for the caste census for welfare activities but warned that it should not be used as a political tool. RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat during the Akhil Bharatiya Samnvaya Baithak or all India coordination meeting in Keralas Palakkad. (Image posted by RSS on X)

The RSS feels that, for all welfare activities, particularly those for communities or castes which are lagging and who need special attention... if the government needs the numbers, it is a well-established practice. Earlier, such data was collected...But it should be done only for the welfare of those communities and castes. It should not be used as a political tool for elections, said Sunil Ambekar, the chief spokesperson of the RSS, while addressing media at the end of the RSSs crucial Akhil Bharatiya Samnvaya Baithak or all India coordination meeting in Keralas Palakkad.

Ambekars views are significant because the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which sees the RSS as its ideological parent, has never publicly articulated its support for the issue, which the Opposition INDIA bloc of parties, led by the Congress, sees as a way to counter the national political hegemon. Some analysts are of the view that this played its part in reducing the BJPs numbers in the summers national elections.

On Monday, Ambekar also underlined that issues such as sub categorisation and introduction of a creamy layer within quotas for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes as suggested by the Supreme Court recently should be carried out after consultation and consensus building with the stakeholders.

As a Hindu society, caste and caste relations are sensitive issues. It is an important issue for our national unity and integrity. So, it should be dealt with very sensitively and not based on elections or electoral politics, Ambekar added.

He also said that the Sangh is of the view that a decision to revisit the current quotas system, sub categorisation or introduction of a creamy layer should be done after building consensus and consultation with the groups that are the intended beneficiaries of the reservation policy that envisages quotas in education and government jobs for SC and STs.

There has been pressure from the opposition and the BJPs own allies, including the Janata Dal United and the Lok Jan Shakti Party, to conduct a caste census to be able to assess whether the benefits of quota percolate to the intended communities.

The JD(U) was in the forefront of the campaign for the caste census. The party was initially reluctant to agree to the demand for a caste census, but as pressure from the opposition and the allies grew, the BJP was forced to reconsider its stance on caste enumeration. Ahead of the Lok Sabha polls, the partys leadership announced that it was not opposed to the idea of caste census, but it does not endorse politicising the issue for electoral gains. It added that it supports an appropriate decision after wider consultation.

The RSS has previously been drawn into controversies over the issue of reservation.

The Sangh is against caste and quotas being turned into a political debate. It feels politicising such sensitive issues can lead to divisions in society, said an RSS functionary not wishing to be named.

The RSS has been driving a campaign for unity within the larger Hindu faith, dubbing it as samajik samarasta. One key focus of its efforts has been ending the practice of having separate cremation grounds, temples and drinking water sources for different castes.

Referring to the samajik samarasta or social harmony efforts, Ambekar said, We are celebrating the 75th year of our Constitution. Our Constitution speaks well about justice, equality, fraternity. But there is an underlining that fraternity should be there, ensuring integrity of the nation.

Ambekar also brushed aside questions on the speculation that is a strain between the RSS and the BJP and said these issues are a family matter that would be resolved through discussions.

RSS is completing 100 years. It is a long journey. Issues come up along the way in such long journeys ...Our formal and informal meetings go on, he added.
Kolkata doctor rape and murder: Sanjay Roy, the accused in the murder and rape case of a doctor in Kolkata's RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, has told his lawyer Kavita Sarkar that he is innocent and is being framed. Sanjay Roy, the accused in the Kolkata rape-murder case.

Sanjay Roy was arrested on August 10, a day after the grisly murder, on the basis of CCTV footage. His Bluetooth headset was also found inside the seminar hall, where the incident took place.

According to his lawyer, he maintained his innocence during the polygraph test as well. Sanjay Roy was asked 10 questions, including what he did next after allegedly murdering the woman, reported TOI. He told the CBI sleuths that the question was invalid because he didn't murder her. HT can't independently verify the claims made in the report.

Roy claimed in the polygraph test that the woman was unconscious when he entered the seminar hall of the hospital, according to the report.

He claimed he saw the woman covered in blood inside the seminar room on August 9. He rushed out of the room in panic, he claimed.

Sanjay Roy also claimed he didn't know the victim and that he was being framed.

Asked why he didn't inform the police if he was innocent, Roy said he was scared that no one would believe him.

Kavita Sarkar told the newspaper that the culprit could be someone else.

"If he had access to the seminar hall so easily, it shows that there was a security lapse on that night and someone else could have taken advantage of that," she told TOI.

The trainee doctor was raped and murdered inside the seminar hall of the hospital. She had been sleeping in the hall during her 36-hour-long shift. The autopsy found sexual assault and 25 external and internal injuries to her body.
A resident of the village in Manipur  where one person was killed and several others were injured in an attack by militants on Sunday  recalled the horror, saying that he saw two drones flying over the area minutes before bombs were dropped. According to the eyewitness, some of the houses were still burning. Two women were killed, and many were injured in an attack on Sunday that was carried out by the Kuki militants in Manipur(Representational image)

I saw two drones flying over our village before it dropped the bombSome of the houses in the village are still burning because of the bombs, Sunil Ningthoujam, a resident of the village who is related to one of the victims and a general secretary of the village peace committee, told HT.

One woman was killed, and several others, including her daughter, were injured after militants opened fire and dropped grenades using drones near Koutruk in the Kangchup region in the Imphal West district of Manipur on Sunday. According to officials, the attack took place around 2 pm during a gunfight between the militants and security personnel - which continued till late evening.

The victim was identified as Ngangbam Ongbi Surbala, who was visiting her maternal home with her 11-year-old daughter, who was shot in her right arm. Meanwhile, the injured people included a local journalist, two police personnel, and other residents of the village, the police said.

The incident comes a day after Kuki-Zo groups carried out protest rallies against chief minister N Biren Singh in Kangpokpi and Churachandpur districts.

Manipur police blames Kuki militants for attack

The Manipur police, in a statement, blamed the Kuki militants for what it said was a significant escalation using tactics commonly used in general warfare.

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. Authorities are closely monitoring the situation, and the police are prepared to respond to any contingency that may arise, the police wrote on X.

The police further appealed to the general public to maintain restraint.

Manipur home department's statement

The Manipur home department, in a statement, condemned the attack, calling it unfortunate.

The state government has learnt about the unfortunate incident of attack on unarmed Koutruk villagers using drone, bombs, and sophisticated weapons reportedly by Kuki militants. Such act of terrorising upon unarmed villagers is viewed very seriously by the state government - when it is putting all possible efforts towards bringing normalcy and peace in the state, it said.

According to the state home department, such acts of creating havoc among unarmed villagers is seen as an attempt to derail the the efforts taken by the state government to establish peace in the state.

The state government has already taken up immediate action to control the situation and to punish those who were involved in the attack on Koutruk Village, Imphal West, it added.

(With inputs from Prawesh Lama, Thomas Ngangom)
A soldier was injured after suspected terrorists fired at an army camp in Jammu on Monday morning amid a spike in violence in the region ahead of the first assembly polls in Jammu and Kashmir since 2014, a police officer said. Reinforcements have been rushed to the area and the army has also pressed drones to locate the attackers. There has been a spike in violence in the region ahead of the first assembly polls since 2014. (ANI)

Defence spokesperson Lt Col Suneel Bartwal said the Sunjuwan Brigade headquarters was fired from a distance between 10 am to 10.30 am. Operations have been launched, he said. He added there had been no confirmation of injuries.

The camp, which is located on the Jammu-Srinagar national highway and is surrounded by densely populated, is the largest military base in Jammu city. In February 2018, armed terrorists stormed the base and killed six soldiers and a civilian.

Two Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists cut through barbed wires to enter the base and launched one of the most deadly attacks on an Indian defence installation in June 2003. The attack left at least 12 soldiers dead and nine others injured. The two terrorists were shot dead after a five-hour-long gunbattle.

Three armed terrorists from Pakistan in May 2002 attacked the Kaluchak military station, seven km from Sunjuwan, after attacking a bus on the Jammu-Pathankot highway and killing seven passengers. Ten children and five army soldiers were among those killed in the twin attacks.

The fresh attack came days before the first of the three-phase assembly polling is scheduled on September 18. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union ministers Amit Shah, Rajnath Singh, Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath, Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vardra, and Sonia Gandhi are expected to campaign in Jammu and Kashmir.

Two terrorists and a paramilitary officer were killed and 10 others injured in a pre-dawn attack near Sunjuwan on April 22 two days before Modis rally at Sambas Palli village, 17 km away.
Torrential rain lashed Telangana and Andhra Pradesh on Sunday, leading to the death of several people in rain-related incidents. The downpour inundated several areas, disrupting road and railway traffic. Vijayawada: Andhra Pradesh chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu with others during a visit to a flood-affected area.(PTI)

In both states, rivers have swelled up and national and state disaster response forces evacuated thousands of people to relief camps.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned that more rains are likely in several districts of the two states.

Over 20 people have died in the two states.

Here are 10 points on Telangana and Andhra Pradesh rains.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and union home minister Amit Shah spoke to Andhra Pradesh chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu and Telangana CM A Revanth Reddy, assuring them of all possible help from the central government. Telangana revenue minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy said nine people have died in rain-linked incidents across the state. In Suryapet, Bhadradri Kothagudem, Mahbubabad and Khammam, the local administrations evacuated residents of several flood-hit villages to safety. Telangana CM Revanth Reddy held an emergency review meeting on Sunday. Hyderabad, meanwhile, also witnessed heavy rain, leading to waterlogging in many parts of the city. The administration has shut all schools in the district on September 2. In Khammam, several people were stranded on rooftops due to waterlogging. In Telangana, the situation might worsen in some districts. The weather department on Sunday issued a red alert for very heavy to extremely heavy rain at isolated places in Adilabad, Nizamabad, Rajanna Sircilla, Yadadri Bhuvangiri, Vikarabad, Sangareddy, Kamareddy and Mahabubnagar districts of Telangana till 8.30 am of September 2. Several places in Andhra Pradesh are also expected to receive rainfall, including heavy rainfall in some places. Parts of Srikakulam, Vijayanagaram, Parvatipuram Manyam, Alluri Sitarama Raju, Kakinada and Nandyala districts are likely to receive heavy rainfall, said an official release. Andhra CM Chandrababu Naidu said Vijayawada and Guntur cities had been completely marooned. "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 Jaggaiahpet were marooned," he said. Jaggaiahpet received 26 cm rainfall in 24 hours while 14 mandals registered over 20 cm rainfall, he added. According to the CM, flood water, which was supposed to be diverted to Kolleru Lake, was turning towards Vijayawada. "We are making reinforcements downstream of Prakasam Barrage with sandbags and other means and alerted the district collectors," said Naidu. He said 17000 people were evacuated to 107 relief camps. He added that 1.1 lakh hectares of agricultural fields and 7,360 hectares of horticultural fields were damaged. The Secunderabad-headquartered South Central Railway (SCR) zone, which also includes the Vijayawada Division, cancelled 140 trains and diverted 97 more on Sunday, reported PTI. The Central government has deployed 26 National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams for flood relief and rescue operations in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. While 12 teams are already deployed in the two neighbouring states, 14 more are being dispatched.

With inputs from PTI, ANI
Telangana, Andhra rains highlights: Heavy rains continue to lash several districts of Telangana and Andra Pradesh, as the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a red alert for very heavy to extremely heavy rainfall at isolated places till 8.30 am on September 2. Several people died across both states in rain-related accidents as heavy showers continued to batter the region for the second consecutive day, leading to flooding and connectivity disruption....Read More

Telangana

99 trains were cancelled and 54 were diverted as the tracks remained waterlogged along multiple locations on the South-Central Railway network, an SCR official said.

Telangana Revenue Minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy said nine persons lost their lives in various parts of the state in separate rain-related incidents, despite several precautionary measures.

Telangana capital Hyderabad also witnessed waterlogging after heavy rains, leading the administration to shut all schools on September 2. Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy held an emergency review meeting.

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu said 17,000 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. He also said that Vijayawada and Guntur cities have been completely marooned.

21 more trains were cancelled and 10 were diverted in the state, according to an official from the South-Central Railway.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah spoke to chief ministers of both the states and assured all possible help from the Union government. 26 National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams have been deployed, and 14 more are being dispatched for flood relief and rescue operations in both the states.
Grenade-bearing drones bombarded parts of Manipur for the second straight day on Monday, with three people injured during an attack in Imphal West by militants, while an Indian Reserve Battalion (IRB) bunker was ransacked in Imphal East. Police personnel shift injured people to a hospital in Imphal on Sunday. (PTI)

The attacks come a day after alleged Kuki militants attacked Koutruk, a Meitei-inhabited village in Imphal West district, with likely the first of drone bombs in the conflict-torn state, killing one woman and injuring 16.

Police officers said gunfire erupted around 5pm in a neighbourhood between Senjam Meitei-dominated Chirang and Kuki-dominated Haraothel. The exchange of fire continued sporadically until the evening. Around 6.30pm, two siblings, a man and a woman, sustained splinter injuries after militants dropped a bomb on their house using a drone, said the officers.

Also Read | Saw two drones: What eyewitness said on Manipur general warfare attack

The victims were identified as Wathan Sanatombi and Wathan Sanatomba, who were taken to a hospital in Imphal.

Earlier in the day, Kuki militants attacked the 8th IRB bunker at Meikhan, near Sinam Khul in Imphal East, around 4.10am. The militants reportedly used drone bombs, mortars and gunfire.

Kuki militants overpowered the IRB bunker and took three automatic rifles, including one AK-47, one INSAS, and one INSAS LMG.

The IRB jawans evacuated the bunkers and took positions in a nearby safehouse.

Sinam is located about 22 km from Imphal.

Also Read | Kuki-Zo bodies hold protest over alleged leaked audio of CM Biren Singh

The exchange of fire continued until around 7.30am, when district commandos from Imphal East and central forces arrived to rein in the situation.

Later, Manipur police, along with central forces, regained control of the area and recaptured the bunker.

No injuries were reported during the incident.

A search operation was conducted in the surrounding areas; however, no recoveries were made.

On Monday evening, local Meira Paibi (a collective of Meitei women) stormed the 28 Assam Rifles Battalion in Sagolmang, Imphal East district, near Sinam. Some of them were then allowed to meet high-ranking Assam Rifles officers.

Tonjam Somorjit, the organiser of the Sinam village volunteer forceand was among the protestors who want to meet Assam Rifles officials, told the media after the meeting that the use of drone bombs in the present crisis is an act of terrorism.

During the meeting, Assam Rifles officials informed them that a high-level security meeting at the level of the Inspector general of police is on to counter the drone bombings.

They said state and central forces currently lack anti-drone weapons but assured that immediate security measures would be taken against such attacks, he added.

A state government official said the Koutruk drone attack is likely to be handed over to the National Investigation Agency (NIA).

BJP MLA asks Centre to withdraw forces

Meanwhile, Manipur BJP MLA Rajkumar Imo Singh on Monday requested the Centre to withdraw central forces from the state if their presence failed to halt the violence.

In a letter to Union home minister Amit Shah, Singh, who is also the son-in-law of chief minister N Biren Singh, said if central forces failed to deliver, state security personnel should be allowed to take charge in an effort to restore peace in the ethnic strife-hit state. He argued that the presence of around 60,000 central forces in Manipur has not resulted in peace.
Amid the outrage over the rape and murder of a junior doctor in Kolkata, the Trinamool Congress has decided to boycott three TV news channels for running an anti-Bengal agenda-driven propaganda against the state government. TMC said in its statement that the party will not send any spokespersons to news debates on these TV channels. Chief minister of West Bengal Mamata Banerjee. (Samir Jana/HT file)

AITC has, for now decided not to send its spokespersons to media channels like ABP Ananda, Republic, and TV9 due to their persistent ANTI-BENGAL agenda-driven PROPAGANDA. We understand their compulsion to appease the ZAMINDARS of Delhi, given the investigations and ongoing enforcement cases their promoters and companies are facing, the statement by TMC reads.

We also clarify and request the people of West Bengal not to be misled by individuals portrayed as party supporters or sympathizers on these platforms during discussions or debates, as they are not authorized by the party and do not represent our official stance, the party added.

"The people of Bengal have consistently rejected this unholy BANGLA BIRODHI NEXUS and have always chosen TRUTH over PROPAGANDA," it said.

TMC's decision to boycott TV debate on certain channels came after heated exchange of words between BJP MLA Agnimitra Paul and TMC MP Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar during a debate. Dastidar called Paul, a fashion designer, a saree-maker during the debate. The TMC leader also said that medical students were made to sit on laps to pass during the CPM era in Bengal, a remark which sparked an outrage.

Dastidar later issued an apology for her statement on X, saying, I am sorry for any statement made in ABP anondo talk show and apologise if my recent words have hurt anyone's sentiments. I retract my statement. My intention has been and will always be to champion cause of well-being and rights of women.

This comes as the West Bengal government is facing a massive backlash over the brutal rape and murder of a junior doctor in the RG Kar Medical College in Kolkata last month. Doctors and students have been protesting against the government, while BJP is demanding CM Mamata Banerjee's resignation over the incident.

On August 9, a 31-year-old postgraduate doctor was found dead in the seminar hall of the medical college, with the autopsy report showing multiple serious injuries and sexual assault.
The Uttarakhand polices Special Investigation Team (SIT) has recovered the mobile phone of the 33-year-old nurse, who was allegedly raped and murdered on July 30, from the Bareilly area of Uttar Pradesh and arrested a tempo driver from whose possession the phone was recovered, officials said on Monday. Police said they are also investigating whether the tempo driver had any information about the crime. (Representational image)

Manjunath TC, senior superintendent of police (SSP), US Nagar said on Monday. We have recovered the nurses mobile from Bareilly on Sunday. Police had been searching the mobile since her body was found on August 8. SIT had taken the accused Dharmendra Kumar to recover the nurses mobile but failed. Two days ago, SIT found the nurses mobile phone active and started its surveillance. Police nabbed a man from Bareilly for using the mobile. The nabbed man was identified as Bihari Lal, a resident of Shahi town in Bareilly. He is a tempo driver. He told the police that the accused Dharmendra Kumar had given him the mobile to keep it with him for some days. When he didnt return to get the phone, he put his SIM in it and started using it.

The SSP said the tempo driver has been booked under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) Section 317 (receiving stolen property). We are also investigating whether the tempo driver had any information about the crime, he said.

The SIT had earlier recovered the mobile phone of the victims daughter which she was carrying in her handbag after it was repaired in the market. The victims own phone had not been recovered.

The Uttarakhand police on August 20 constituted a special investigation team (SIT) to investigate the alleged rape and murder of a 33-year-old nurse hailing from the Rudrapur area of US Nagar district on July 30.

On August 13, the US Nagar police arrested a man from the Jodhpur area of Rajasthan for allegedly raping and murdering the nurse near the Uttarakhand-Uttar Pradesh border on the UP side, while she was returning home. The accused, identified as Dharmendra Kumar (28) of Bareilly in Uttar Pradesh, a daily wage labourer, allegedly raped the woman, and later strangulated her with a scarf and fled away with the victims mobile phone and 3,000 kept in her purse.

According to police, the 33-year-old woman used to work as a nurse in a private hospital on Nainital Road in the Rudrapur area of US Nagar. She went to work on July 30 but didnt return home. The next day, her sister filed a missing complaint at Rudrapur police station as she hadnt come home the previous night. Later her body was recovered near a colony in the Bilaspur area of UP near the Uttarakhand-UP border on August 8.

The body was identified but her purse and mobile phone were missing. Rudrapur police started an investigation into the matter and found her mobile phones location in the Jodhpur area of Rajasthan. Police reached Jodhpur and tracked the man. He was identified as Dharmendra Kumar of Shahi in Bareilly district. He is a daily labourer. During questioning the accused revealed that finding the nurse alone on July 30, he looted her, raped her and strangulated her to death.
Veteran journalist and author Umesh Upadhyay passed away on Sunday after he fell from the fourth floor of a building, in Vasant Kunj, Delhi. Veteran Indian journalist Umesh Upadhyay passed away after accidentally falling from a building(Umesh Upadhyay/ Instagram)

According to police officials, Umesh Upadhyay, was inspecting the renovation of his house when he accidentally fell from the fourth to the second floor at 10:30 am on Sunday.

Also Read: RSF condemns outrageous charges against journalists in Bangladesh

He suffered a head injury from the fall and was taken to the hospital by 11 am, where he eventually died, reported NDTV.

Born in 1959 in Mathura, Upadhyay embarked on his journalism career in the early 1980s. The 64-year-old journalist had a career spanning over four decades with contributions to television, print, radio and digital media.

An alumnus of Jawaharlal Nehru university and the Film and Television Institute of India, he later went on to become a member of several prominent media organisations, such as News18, Doordarshan and news agency PTI.

Umesh Upadhyay's death shocked the industry as a whole, with journalists and writers reflecting on his significant contributions. Tributes and condolence messages have been celebrating his legacy in the media industry.

Upadhyay had been awarded the Ganesh Shankar Vidyarthi Award for lifetime contributions in the field of Journalism and Media. He had also recently written a book titled "Western Media Narratives on India: From Gandhi to Modi".

Prime minister Narendra Modi also mourned Upadhyay with a post on X, stating that he was deeply saddened by the death of the senior journalist.

In his post, PM Modi said, His demise is an irreparable loss to the world of journalism. I express my condolences to his family in this hour of mourning. Om
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Monday arrested AAP MLA Amanatullah Khan in connection with a money laundering case related to the financial irregularities pertaining to the Delhi Waqf Board. Khan was taken into custody under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) after the agency conducted a search at his residence in the Okhla area in Delhi at around 6:30 am. Aam Aadmi Party MLA Amanatullah Khan. (File)

Shortly before his arrest, Khan, in a video message, said that the probe agency's aim was just to arrest and harass him.

ED has arrived at my house to arrest meJust now, early in the morning, at the behest of the dictator, his puppet ED has reached my house; the dictator is leaving no stone unturned in harassing me and AAP leaders. I am ready to go to jail and I believe that the court will give me justice, he said in Hindi.

Why was Amanatullah Khan arrested?

The AAP MLA's arrest comes weeks after the Delhi high court refused to stay the proceedings pending against Khan before the trial court for non-compliance with the summons issued to him in the Delhi Waqf Board case and sought ED's response to Khans petition.

Khan evaded at least ten ED summons since he was last questioned in the case in April, reported PTI.

Earlier, Khan had sought to set aside the city courts July 31 order, which upheld the magistrate courts April 9 order issuing summons to him in a complaint filed by the ED, alleging non-compliance of the summons by the agency in connection with the money laundering case.

On April 4, the ED filed a complaint against Khan under the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) sections 190, read with Indian Penal Code (IPC) section 174 and Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) section 63(4) for not complying with summons issued to him under PMLA section 50, which grants the agency the power to issue summons.

What is the Delhi Waqf Board case?

The money laundering case related to the financial irregularities pertaining to the Delhi Waqf Board stems from two FIRs - one by the CBI regarding alleged irregularities in the Wakf Board and another by the Delhi ACB regarding an alleged possession of disproportionate assets.

The ED also filed a first information report (FIR) based on the CBI's FIR against Khan. According to the CBI, Khan illegally appointed various persons to the Delhi Waqf Board against non-sanctioned and non-existent vacancies, which caused financial loss to the Delhi government and illegal gains to himself.

Meanwhile, the ED, in its chargesheet, said that Khan laundered his illegal gains by purchasing immovable properties through his associates - Jawed Imam Siddiqui, Daud Nasir, Zeeshan Haider, and Kausar Imam Siddiqui.
Deepika Padukone set social media ablaze with her latest pregnancy photoshoot, dropping fresh pics that have everyone talking. On Monday evening, she wowed her fans by sharing a series of stunning images on Instagram, accompanied by just a few emoticons. Her photoshoot quickly went viral, with fans raving about how she flaunts her baby bump in style. In some of the snaps, she's joined by Ranveer Singh, showcasing their adorable chemistry. The post not only had everyone swooning but also made waves in fashion circles as Deepika showed us a bold new way to rock maternity style. Scroll down to check out her fabulous looks. (Also read: Deepika Padukone rocks high heels during pregnancy: Rihanna, Bipasha Basu and more celebs whove done it too. Check pics ) Deepika Padukone stuns in a stylish pregnancy photoshoot, featuring chic black outfits and flowy dresses(Instagram/@deepikapadukone)

Decoding Deepika Padukone's stylish pregnancy looks

For her pregnancy looks, Deepika effortlessly combined minimalism with trendiness in flowy garments and chic black hues. In one standout outfit, she rocked flared denim jeans with a casually stylish open-knitted sweater, embracing a relaxed yet fashionable vibe. In another look, she turned up the heat with a sleek black open blazer paired with matching loose pants, creating a bold and sophisticated ensemble. And for a touch of ethereal elegance, Deepika opted for sheer, flowy dresses that radiate chic and refined vibes.

In one look, Deepika dazzles in a sheer black netted fabric adorned with sequin embellishments all over. The dress features a short neckline and balloon sleeves, with a flowy bottom that adds an extra touch of flair. Another equally stylish dress showcases a bodycon fit that perfectly hugs her baby bump. With natural makeup and her hair styled in loose waves, Deepika looks absolutely breathtaking. Her stylish photoshoot proves that pregnancy fashion can be both fun and bold, showcasing her ability to pull off any look with absolute perfection.

About Deepika Padukone's pregnancy

Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh are eagerly awaiting the arrival of their first child together. They revealed the news of her pregnancy in February, sharing on Instagram that their baby is expected in September. The announcement featured a picture adorned with baby shoes and clothing, highlighting the due date: "September 2024." Both 38, Deepika and Ranveer exchanged vows in a private wedding ceremony at Lake Como, Italy, in 2018.
The Supreme Court recently extended the benefit of Section 479 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) to all undertrials, including persons whose cases were registered before the new criminal laws came into force on July 1, 2024, offering hope to 4.3 lakh prisoners in the country. This order came in the Inhuman Conditions in the 1382 Prisons case on August 23, 2024. Section 479 is aimed at preventing unnecessary and prolonged detention of prisoners, an issue that has plagued Indias criminal justice system for decades (Representational image)

Section 479 is aimed at preventing unnecessary and prolonged detention of prisoners, an issue that has plagued Indias criminal justice system for decades. It defines the maximum period for which a prisoner can be detained pending trial and corresponds to Section 436A of the now-repealed Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (CrPC). This section continues to proscribe the detention of any undertrial for more than the maximum period of imprisonment prescribed for the said offence. It stipulates the release of a person who has  during the period of investigation, inquiry, or trial for an offence not punishable with death or life imprisonment  undergone detention for a period extending up to half of the maximum period of imprisonment specified for that offence, on bail by the court.

A significant addition compared to the earlier CrPC regime, via Section 479 of BNSS, is the provision for release of first-time offenders upon completion of one-third of the maximum period of imprisonment, which, pursuant to the Supreme Court directive, is a benefit that can be availed by all undertrial prisoners retrospectively. Section 479 now casts a duty upon the prison superintendent where the accused is detained to make the necessary application to the court for release on bail. To ensure implementation, the apex court has directed all the superintendents to submit the pleas of eligible prisoners within two months, and then submit a compliance report. The SC has also directed the District and Sessions Judges who are in charge of the Under Trial Review Committees [UTRCs are constituted in every district of India for conducting quarterly reviews of cases of undertrial prisoners], to ensure compliance with this order.

The effective implementation of Section 479 of BNSS is a beacon of hope for the lakhs of prisoners across India. There are several benefits. First, a reduction in the percentage of undertrial prisoners. As per the Prison Statistics India Report 2022 (PSI 2022), of the 5,73,220 total prisoners in India, 75.8% (4,34,302) are undertrials. India stands sixth in the world on the share of undertrial prisoners in the prison population, and statistics indicate that there has been an increase of 40.7% in its undertrial prisoner population over the last five years. As per Section 479 of BNSS, a higher number of prisoners would be eligible for release on bail on completion of one-third or half or maximum period of imprisonment, resulting in a reduction in the percentage of undertrial prisoners.

Second, it promises a reduction in the period of detention pending completion of the trial. As per PSI, in the last decade, the proportion of undertrial prisoners confined for three to five years has almost doubled, whereas the proportion of undertrial prisoners confined in prison for a period of up to one year fell by 8 percentage points. With Section 479 permitting release on bail for first-time offenders having completed one-third of the maximum sentence, the overall period of detention of prisoners may decrease.

Third, there would be a decrease in prison overcrowding. The high proportion of undertrial prisoners is one of the primary reasons for prison overcrowding (current average prison occupancy is 131.4%), with many prisons experiencing high occupancy rates of over 200%. Thus, a decrease in prison population would ease prison overcrowding.

The fourth and most crucial benefit is that the implementation of Section 479 will uphold the principle of innocence. It is a well-established principle that a person is considered innocent until proven guilty. However, thousands spend years in prison, serving a de facto sentence, only to be acquitted later. With a recidivism rate of 7.7% among persons arrested and 1.9% among convicts in prisons in 2022, the majority of prisoners would now be eligible for release on completion of one-third of the maximum punishment. Thus, individuals would spend less time in detention till the court determines their innocence or guilt.

Effective implementation of Section 479 needs proactive measures. For instance, after the insertion of Section 436A in the CrPC in 2005, numerous efforts, including directives by the Supreme Court, issuance of advisories by the ministry of home affairs, inclusion as a category of review by the Under Trial Review Committees (UTRCs)  UTRCs are constituted in every district of India for conducting quarterly review of cases of undertrial prisoners  automated prisoner detection modules in the prison management software, etc, were made, resulting in thousands availing its benefits in the last decade. Similar actions are needed to ensure the implementation of Section 479 BNSS in its true letter and spirit to ensure that no person remains in prison longer than necessary.

Madhurima Dhanuka is a lawyer and expert on prison reforms. She has been associated with the Prison Reforms Programme at the Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative since 2008. The views expressed are personal
As India continues to steadily deepen and expand the scope of its strategic outreach in Southeast Asia, Singapore serves as a solid diplomatic anchor for New Delhi. With a bilateral relationship deeply rooted in historical ties, economic synergies, and a shared vision for regional stability and development, Singapore occupies a place of primacy in Indias Act East policy. A defining element of the two countries partnership is their diplomatic orientation, which emphasises cultivating and balancing relationships with multiple countries as a means of ensuring regional stability. Prime Minister Narendra Modis visit to Singapore this week is set to further underscore the centrality of the island nation in Indias Southeast Asia outreach as the two nations explore new avenues of cooperation in technology, skill development, and regional security.

India was one of the first countries to formally establish diplomatic relations with Singapore, just 15 days after the latters independence in August 1965, and bilateral ties got anchored in then prevailing non-aligned sentiment. Over time, this relationship has evolved into a robust partnership characterised by strong economic integration, defence cooperation, and cultural exchanges and underpinned by contemporary strategic imperatives.

With the partnerships progress, maritime security and defence cooperation have emerged as central elements of the partnership, particularly given the maritime complexities of the Indo-Pacific and Singapores strategic location at the Malacca Strait chokepoint. The island nation has consistently supported Indias increasing role in regional maritime security, particularly through joint naval exercises like SIMBEX and multilateral initiatives in the Indian Ocean. SIMBEX has expanded in scope and complexity over the years. While initially focused on anti-submarine warfare, the exercises now cover various naval operations, including maritime interdiction, air defence, and coordinated surface and air combat. In 2023, New Delhi and Singapore also co-hosted the ASEAN-India Maritime Exercise. Defence cooperation spans joint military exercises, regular defence dialogues, and agreements that allow the Indian Navy to use Singapores facilities for logistical support. This defence collaboration enhances Indias regional strategic maritime reach as far as the South China Sea and reinforces Singapores role as a security partner in the Indian Ocean.

Singapores centrality in Indias Southeast Asia outreach is also reflected in the two countries cooperation in multilateral forums. Both are active members of regional groupings  the ASEAN-India Summit, the East Asia Summit (EAS), and the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF). Singapore often serves as a bridge between India and other ASEAN nations, facilitating dialogue and cooperation on issues ranging from trade and connectivity to maritime security and counterterrorism. Both countries have actively promoted the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI) and have emphasised the importance of adhering to international law in the region, particularly in the South China Sea.

Singapores strategic location at the crossroads of the East-West shipping route  one of the worlds most important trade routes  makes it a natural partner for Indias efforts to deepen ties with Southeast Asia. The two countries have come a long way since the Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA) was signed in 2005. Singapore, today, is one of Indias largest foreign direct investment sources, with investments in sectors like fintech, real estate, and infrastructure. Indian startups and tech firms have a considerable presence in Singapore, using it as a base for regional operations and increasingly looking to the country as a gateway to Southeast Asia.

In recent years, the two countries have acknowledged digitalisation and critical technology as vital sectors for future-oriented cooperation. Singapores emphasis on innovation and technology aligns well with Indias goals of becoming a leading digital economy. Strengthening financial connectivity and promoting digital financial inclusion, in 2021, the two countries linked their digital payment systems, Unified Payments Interface and PayNow, enabling instant, low-cost cross-border remittances. Both nations have increased collaboration in the fintech sector, with Singapore acting as a hub for Indian fintech companies looking to expand in Southeast Asia. Joint initiatives in areas like blockchain, digital banking, and cybersecurity have also been pursued, reflecting the shared focus on innovation.

During the Covid-19 pandemic, the two countries cooperated closely in managing public health challenges. During the peak of Indias second wave in 2021, Singapore offered significant support with medical supplies and oxygen, while New Delhi offered vaccines to the island-nation under its Vaccine Maitri initiative. Both countries worked together to ensure the resilience of supply chains, particularly for essential goods and services, during the pandemic, which laid the groundwork for future collaboration in supply chain resilience, particularly in critical sectors like pharmaceuticals and technology.

Singapores diplomatic prowess has been instrumental in guiding ASEANs strategies, emphasising economic development and openness. Its strategic positioning as a neutral and stable force in a region marked by intense geopolitical complexities has enabled the maintenance of balanced relations with major global powers, including the United States and China. This approach aligns closely with Indias diplomatic approach globally.

In Southeast Asia, this enhances Indias ability to partner with Singapore in navigating the intricate power dynamics of the region, enabling it to engage with various countries on its own terms while contributing to regional stability. The continued strengthening of this relationship will be vital in advancing Indias Act East policy in the years to come and in securing its long-term imperatives in the Indo-Pacific.

Harsh V Pant is vice president, studies and foreign policy, Observer Research Foundation, New Delhi and professor of international relations at Kings College London. Pratnashree Basu is an associate fellow, Indo-Pacific, at Observer Research Foundation, Kolkata. The views expressed are personal
DLFs joint managing director and chief business officer Aakash Ohri has said that the Delhi-based company will foray into the Mumbai residential market by the second half of FY 2024-25, and counts on differentiation as key. DLFs joint managing director and chief business officer Aakash Ohri has said that the company will foray into the Mumbai residential market by the second half of FY 2024-25, and counts on differentiation as key.(HT Files)

Elaborating on the companys re-entry into the Mumbai market, he said that the company is here to stay (in Mumbai).

We will bring the Delhi-Gurugram residential lifestyle to Mumbai with the launch of our project in Andheri and we see everyone as our competitor in Mumbai, he said.

"Right now, I will say that everyone is our competitor in Mumbai. I am coming from outside and I have to say this. The company will essentially do what other developers are doing in the Mumbai real estate market when it comes to real estate projects. But what we will do different is that we will package our product differently," Ohri told HT.com

"I do not say we are bringing the Delhi-NCR product to Mumbai but we will bring the concept here. The way I see this is we can repackage the product better, deliver differently and create a great product. The amenities, living experience, the lobbies, lift, elevators, good service, the clubs, comfort is all part of the whole story," Ohri said.

To a question on the company's plans for Mumbai after the Andheri launch, he said, We are here (in Mumbai) after the launch of our Andheri project. Having said that, I do not want to comment on what we will do in Mumbai after the launch.

"Currently, we are talking about around 11,000 crore of topline for Andheri across 5 million (50 lakh) sq ft. Of this, we will launch around 9 lakh sq ft in the first phase and perhaps 1 mn (10 lakh) sq ft later every year," Ohri added.

Also Read: DLF plans to launch housing project in Mumbai by December 2024

Company expects a positive response from NRIs for the Mumbai project

Non-residential Indians (NRI) constitute almost 25% of the total annual business for the company, Ohri said.

"Our focus is global, we do global launches. Our Mumbai product is not just for Mumbai but for a global audience, he said.

Also Read: DLFs Rajiv Singh among wealthiest real estate developers: Hurun India Rich List 2024

DLF's re-entry into Mumbais real estate market

DLF group had purchased 17 acres of prime mill land in Lower Parel at a National Textile Corporation auction in 2005 for 704 crore, the highest bid at that point in time. After the 2008 economic crisis, it decided to change its plans and in 2012 sold the land to Lodha, also known as Macrotech Developers for 2,700 crore.

In July 2023, the company announced its re-entry into the Mumbai real estate market. During the investors call for Q1FY25, the company had said it plans to launch its first project in Mumbai by December 2024.

Also Read: 2,700 cr: Lodha buys DLFs Mumbai plot

The company's first launch in Mumbai's Andheri is expected to be a premium project and will tentatively have apartments in the range of 6 crore to 8 crore. The company is expected to have 3 BHK and 3 BHK plus apartments. The first phase of the project consists of nearly 1 million square feet of development, the company had said.
Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on September 2 announced the launch of an online approval process for building plans tied to construction of properties on sites spanning up to 4,000 square feet within the municipality BBMPs (Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike) limits. Karnataka Deputy CM DK Shivakumar announces automated building plan approval within BBMP limits (Representational photo)(ANI)

Earlier, the scheme was launched on a pilot basis in two zones of BBMP and now it has been rolled out across all areas under the civic agency's jurisdiction.

The 'Nambike Nakshe' scheme (faith map) allows property owners to build homes on a plot measuring up to 50 x 80 square feet by obtaining online approvals, thus eliminating the requirement to visit the BBMP office. The decision comes after the scheme was launched on a pilot basis in the RR Nagar and Dasarahalli zones located in the southweastern and northwestern parts of the city, respectively.

Also Read: Karnataka to implement anywhere registration of property system from Sep 2: Five things that buyers should know

Addressing a press conference at Vidhana Soudha, Shivakumar said: The Nambike Nakshe scheme allows owners to get a provisional building plan with an approval by an authorised architect or engineer and then upload the same online for a final approval by the BBMP. This will be applicable for constructions on all sites up to 50 x 80 feet area.

About the scheme

Under the scheme, property owners can submit required documents (such as plot ownership documents, revenue records, and so on) online post approval from an authorised engineer/architect to seek provisional certificates and kickstart construction activity. BBMP engineers will inspect the site at a later stage, Shivakumar said.

Also Read: Bengaluru top choice for non-resident Indians eyeing budget and mid-segment homes

This would ensure that people dont have to run from pillar to post for a sanction plan. The scheme was launched on a pilot basis in two zones of BBMP and now it has been rolled out in the entire BBMP limits, he added.

15-day deadline to fill potholes

After receiving multiple complaints, the minister has also set a 15-day deadline for Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) to fill all the potholes in the city.

As many as 2,795 potholes have been identified in Bengaluru and the officials have been given a deadline of 15 days to fill those up. The repair works of main thoroughfares will also be taken up at a cost of 660 crore, he said.

Also Read: Ramanagara renamed Bengaluru South: Will the name change fuel real estate growth in the district?

Bengalurus Outer Ring Road Companies Association had written to the government earlier this year requesting attention towards infrastructure in the IT corridor.

He also said that No construction can be taken up in a radius of 50 meters along raja kaluves (storm water drains) as per NGT regulations. We have identified 300 km such areas where a 30 feet road will be built along the raja kaluves. The land owners will be compensated with TDR, which they can sell in lieu of land."

The Deputy Chief Minister said the lands have been identified around Hebbal, Nagavara, Bellandur, Bengaluru South. Nearly 100 km of roads would be taken up in first phase. The roads are not open for buses but will be open for other vehicles. Funds of 200 crore has been allocated for this. This has been discussed in the Cabinet as well, he added.
In yet another incident that can only happen in Bengaluru, the startup hub of India, an intern quit his internship at a tech company after his own startup received funding. Karthik Sridharan, the CEO of Flexiple, shared a screenshot of his conversation with the intern in question. Only in Bengaluru: An intern tells his CEO that his own startup received funding. (X/@KarthikS2206)

Sridharan, co-founder and CEO of Flexiple, a global platform to connect techies and employers, messaged the unnamed intern over WhatsApp to ask why he missed work on Friday.

The intern told him that he took the day off to meet with a venture capitalist, and capped off the conversation by informing Sridharan that his AI startup had received funding an he no longer needed the internship.

Hey, sorry I took a leave because I had a meeting with a VC. My AI startup got funded. I dont need the internship anymore, the intern informed Sridharan. This only happens in Bangalore, Karthik Sridharan wrote while sharing the screenshot on X.

Take a look at the post below:

The exchange drew mixed reactions on social media. While some people were impressed with the intern for getting funding and wished him well on his entrepreneurial journey, others criticised him for the way he quit his current gig.

Glad for the kid! Just hope someone guide him to get better at communications as well! wrote Abhimanyu Saxena, co-founder of Scaler.

I think this is disrespectful to some extent but understandable, an X user said.

No matter how young or inexperienced someone is, basic communications skills, respect for others is needed, another concurred.

I guess that internship was just the warm-up! quipped one X user, while another wrote: Just Bengaluru things with a laughing face emoji.

Bengaluru is widely acknowledged as the startup hub of India, outranking Delhi and Mumbai in terms of startup ecosystem, according to Startup Genome's Global Startup Ecosystem Report 2024.
Police conducted a massive raid at hundreds of student accommodations near SRM College in Chennai on Saturday to look for narcotics and banned substances. According to Times of India, they were acting on a specific tip that students at the college were using illegal drugs. Chennai cops raided students' flats and recovered 500 grams of ganja.(X/@ANI)

More than 1,000 cops of Tambaram City Police spent five hours on Saturday afternoon conducting a thorough search of Abode Valley apartment complex, which is located right outside the SRM Institute of Science and Technology in Chennai.

Cops found 500 grams of ganja, 20 ml cannabis oil and six packets of marijuana-infused chocolates from the flats, which are primarily occupied by SRM students. According to The News Minute, local residents say that 500 of the 700 apartments in Abode Valley are occupied by students.

The report further said that 20 students were detained for questioning. The police also found drug paraphernalia during the massive raid, including hookahs and a smoking pot. Five to six balls of bhang and sheesha was also seized during the raid.

How the drug search was organised

Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) for Tambaram, Pavan Kumar Reddy, told TNM that Abode Valley had been on their radar for two weeks. Cops monitored the neighbourhood during this time to figure out how dealers were selling drugs to students.

On Saturday morning, 168 teams of police personnel, which included women cops, barged into the flats simultaneously. Armed reserve wing women cops were deployed as some of the apartments are occupied by women students, the Times of India reported. The raid was conducted with the help of over 1,000 cops.

While 20 people were detained for questioning, police also nabbed an A+ category history-sheeter, G Selvamani, who is wanted in 13 cases, including two murders. At least 11 of the 20 people detained were students of SRM Institute of Science and Technology, reported The New Indian Express.
Old photos of Pavel Durov have resurfaced online, sparking speculation that the Telegram CEO went under the knife to alter his appearance. Durov was recently arrested in France for suspected complicity in running an online platform that allows illicit transactions, child sex abuse images, drug trafficking and fraud. Pavel Durov, CEO of Telegram, looks markedly different in older photographs that has surfaced online

Pavel Durov, a 39-year-old Russia-born entrepreneur, is the billionaire founder and CEO of messaging app Telegram. He had launched Telegram in 2013 as a messaging app that prioritises user privacy by providing end-to-end encryption on messages.

Forbes estimates Durovs fortune to stand at $15.5 billion. The Dubai-based billionaire was detained in Paris a little over one week ago.

Pavel Durov: then vs now

Durov has been posting on Instagram since 2011. His recent photographs show a man with a full head of hair and toned physique. In many photographs, taken across the world, the 39-year-old billionaire appears shirtless.

However, his recent photographs stand in stark contrast to older pictures where Durov appears to have a receding hairline. After a social media user shared the old pictures alongside more recent ones, the internet has been abuzz with rumours that Durov had plastic surgery and a hair transplant.

Pavel Durov (Telegram CEO) before his hair transplant and plastic surgery, reads a post shared by a popular X account. The side-by-side comparison was also shared on Reddit, where users shared their thoughts on whether the changes are natural or whether he restored to plastic surgery.

This isn't a hair transplant. His hair is too thick and full to have this kind of drastic change from a HT. Most likely he's wearing a hair system (wig), reads a comment on Reddit.

There's a speculation that it's not a transplant, but rather a hair system because his hairloss was much more advanced than in the first picture, so when the operation happens, the resulting hairdo never looks as full as his, wrote one Reddit user.

This is well done surgery, another theorised.

Honestly I think a lot of the facial "changes" are simply due to the much better angle and lighting on the second photo, one Reddit user opined, not buying into the surgery narrative.
Social media algorithms are something that people want to be set to according to their area of interest. While majorly the algorithm works and shows what interests an individual, at times, it might throw completely unrelated content on your timeline. Recently, tech billionaire Elon Musk revealed how the algorithm works on X works. Elon Musk, CEO of SpaceX and Tesla and owner of X, shared how the algorithm works on the social media platform. (REUTERS)

"The  algorithm assumes that if you interact with content, you want to see more of that content. One of the strongest signals is if you forward  posts to friends, it assumes you like that content a lot, because it takes effort to forward. Unfortunately, if the actual reason you forwarded the content to friends was because you /were outraged by it, we are currently not smart enough to realise that," wrote Elon Musk in his post. (Also Read: Elon Musks blunder: Billionaire calls his social media platform Twitter instead of X)

Take a look at the post here:

This post was shared on September 2. Since being posted, it has gained close to 10 million views. The share also has more than 79,000 views, and the numbers are only increasing. Many people took to the comments section of the post and added their reactions. (Also Read: Please, dont take this historic moment for granted': Twitter CEO's message to employees on rebranding to 'X')

Here's how people reacted to it:

An individual wrote, "Speaking of X, in-app search needs a lot of work, and I think some sort of integration with Grok would be very useful For example, I wanted to find a video of a meme I wanted to send to someone. I couldn't find the meme by typing what it was on  search, but when I asked Grok about the same meme, it quoted posts using the meme. Grok's explore feature has been exceptional. Now I want elements of it included in search results somehow."

Another X user added, "I love that X continues to adapt the algo and support all users, including smaller accounts. Premium is so worth it when you make it all back and some in ad revenue."

"The X algorithm was amazing in December of 2022 and June of 2023. That was the pinnacle of greatness. Its been downhill since then for a few reasons. Right now, its the least effective its ever been. It was pretty good about a month ago, too," commented a third.
MA Yusuff Ali, chairman of the Lulu Group, surprised one of his fans with a special gift- a Rado watch. A video of the fan named Effin M meeting Ali was shared on social media by him. The clip shows him greeting the billionaire and receiving the expensive gift from him. MA Yusuf Ali gifting the fan a watch.

"Surprise from Yusuff Ali, sir," wrote Effin M as he shared the video. The clip opens to show him walking inside the headquarters of the Lulu group in Kochi. Effin enters a conference room-like space where he meets the chairman. The two can be seen greeting each other, and then Yusuf Ali surprises Effin with a Rado watch. Upon seeing the gift, Yusuf Ali also points out that it has a "Y" of his name inscribed on it. The billionaire invited him to meet him in Kochi while he was in the city. (Also Read: This Bengaluru man was having a sh*t week. Then he ran into Nikhil Kamath)

As per the website of Rado, this watch can cost up to 2 lakh.

Watch the video here:

In July this year, Effin M had taken Yusuf Ali by surprise with a unique gift - a watch featuring a photograph of the billionaire's mother. "I saw a video of you speaking about your mother and how much you love her," said Effin while meeting Ali. To this, the chairman responded, "Everyone loves their mothers, it's not just me. Who in the world does not love their mother?"

Later Effin reveals the surprise watch and tells Ali, "This is for someone who loves their mother very much. It has an engraving of your mother; it's a waterproof watch."

More on MA Yusuf Ali:

The Lulu Group, which operates 256 hypermarkets and malls throughout the Gulf and India, is headed by Yusuff Ali as chairman and managing director. According to Forbes, his net worth is more than $8.9 billion. Ali lost both of his parents in a car accident in 2001, according to Gulf News. The catastrophe happened as they were traveling from Dubai to Abu Dhabi.
Amitabh Bachchans granddaughter Navya Naveli Nanda has joined the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Ahmedabad for a postgraduate MBA programme. Nanda announced her admission to the highly selective and prestigious management institute in an Instagram post shared yesterday. The 26-year-old shared a series of photographs from the IIM-A campus and wrote: Dreams do come true !!!!!! The next 2 years... with the best people & faculty! Blended Post Graduate Programme (BPGP) Class of 2026. Navya Nanda shared pictures from IIM, Ahmedabad.

The post was flooded with congratulatory messages for Navya Nanda, who is the daughter of Shweta Bachchan and Nikhil Nanda. However, a section of the internet reacted with skepticism to her news, this being a rare instance of a celebrity kid studying at an Indian institute.

Nanda holds a Bachelors degree in Digital Technology and UX Design from USAs Fordham University. She once told Hindustan Times in an interview: Well, I also come from a business family too. So, I was very clear that (I dont want to join acting and do this). At the end of college, I realised that this is what I wanted to do.

Here is all about Navya Naveli Nandas IIMA course, fee structure, eligibility criteria and other details:

What is BPGP?

The Blended Post Graduate Programme (BPGP) is an online MBA launched by IIMA for entrepreneurs and professionals who want to continue working alongside academics. The programme aims to equip working management professionals with managerial skills.

Is it an online-only course?

The BPGP MBA is a blended programme with live online sessions and on-campus modules. This means that selected students are expected to be at the IIMA campus for certain course modules, but the course will be primarily online.

On its website, IIM Ahmedabad explains: The programme is primarily delivered in an online synchronous mode, suitably complemented through distinct on-campus modules.

What is the course duration?

The BPGP MBA is a two-year programme.

Who can apply? What is the eligibility criteria?

Working professionals and entrepreneurs with a minimum of 3 years of full-time work experience can apply for the programme. They must be at least 24 years old and hold at least a bachelors degree/CA/CS/ICWA or equivalent in any discipline.

Navya Nanda served as founder and CEO of Aara Health between April 2020 and October 2023. She is also the co-founder of Nimaya Foundation and the founder of Project Naveli, a non-profit organisation for women empowerment.

Do CAT scores count for admission to BPGP MBA at IIM Ahmedabad?

According to the IIMA website, selection is done on the basis of an Online IIMA Admission Test (IAT) designed for the Online MBA course OR a valid CAT score from tests taken within the last five years OR a valid GMAT/GRE score.

The final selection is done through a personal interview of shortlisted candidates.

How much is the course fee?

The programme fee is 20 lakh (INR 20,00,000). This does not include the cost of travel and accommodation for campus modules.

Applicants will also have to pay a non-refundable application fee of 2,000 (for those using CAT/GMAT/GRE scores to apply) or 3,000 (for IAT applicants).
A suicide bombing attack in Afghanistan's capital Kabul killed six people and injured 13 on Monday, September 2, reported AFP. The attack took place in Qala-e-Bakhtiar area of Kabul's southern outskirts on Monday afternoon, when a suicide bomber triggered multiple explosives in a public area. Suicide attack kills six in Kabul (Representational image)

While there was no immediate claim to responsibility for the bombing attack, several terror groups remain active in Afghanistan as violence continues across the country since the 2021 Taliban takeover.

The last suicide attack in Afghanistan took place in Kandahar in March this year, and the regional chapter of the Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attack.

The Taliban regime said that the death toll in the suicide attack was three, while local hospitals claimed that over 20 people died in the Kandahar bombing.

Taliban government spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid told AFP last month that Islamic State "existed here before but we suppressed them very hard". "No such groups exist here that can pose a threat to anyone," he said.

Kabul police spokesman Khalid Zadran said "a person wearing explosives on his body detonated", and one woman was among the fatalities. "The injured were transferred to hospitals on time and investigations are ongoing," he posted on social media platform X.

The Islamic State, a rival terrorist group of the ruling Taliban government, has carried out dozens of attacks throughout Afghanistan in the last three years, targeting schools, hospitals, residential areas and Shiite localities.

Meanwhile, the Taliban authorities have declared security their highest priority amid the recent surge in violence across Afghanistan. The Taliban government has asserted multiple times the security is their top-most concern following the chaotic withdrawal of foreign forces three years ago.

While their sweeping security operations have led to a decline in terrorists challenging their rule, according to analysts, they also downplay or delay confirmation of attacks.

The Taliban seized power in Afghanistan in August 2021 following the chaotic departure of U.S. and NATO troops after 20 years. Despite initial promises of a more moderate stance, the Taliban gradually reimposed a harsh interpretation of Islamic law, or Shariah, as they did during their previous rule of Afghanistan from 1996 to 2001.

(With inputs from AFP, AP)
The autopsies of six Hamas hostages who were found in a tunnel in Rafah on Saturday afternoon, August 31, have revealed horrifying details. The Health Ministry said that it has been determined that the hostages were killed 48 to 72 hours before their autopsy, which would mean between Thursday and Friday morning. A combination picture shows undated handout images of hostages Ori Danino, Carmel Gat, Hersh Goldberg-Polin, Eden Yerushalmi, Alexander Lobanov, and Almog Sarusi (Courtesy of Bring Them Home Now/Handout via REUTERS)

Abu Kabir Forensic Institute determined that all six hostages were shot multiple times from close range, The Times Of Israel revealed. The IDF said that Hamas terrorists executed the hostages shortly before their bodies were found by troops.

The six murdered hostages were Hersh Goldberg-Polin, Eden Yerushalmi, Ori Danino, Alex Lobanov, Carmel Gat, and Almog Sarusi. IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen Herzi Halevi visited the site where the bodies were discovered to hold an assessment. The head of the IDF Southern Command, Maj. Gen. Yaron Finkelman, and hostage point-man Maj. Gen. (res.) Nitzan Alon joined Halevi.

According to Channel 12, security officials believe Hamas may have killed the hostages because they were afraid that a hostage who was recently rescued alive would divulge details about where the other hostages were being kept. Last week, IDF special forces rescued hostage Farhan al-Qadi, 52.

IDF Spokesman says hostages were brutally murdered

IDF Spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari previously said that the six hostages were brutally murdered by Hamas. 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, Hagari said.

Their bodies were found during the fighting in Rafah, in a tunnel, about a kilometer away from the tunnel from which we rescued Farhan al-Qadi a few days ago, he added.

IDF revealed that they had an idea about a general location where the six hostages could be held but did not have the exact location. Since Farhan was found, troops were given an emphasis on operating carefully even more than usual, because of the understanding that additional hostages might be in the area. We did not have information on the exact location of the hostages, Hagari said.

After the hostages were found dead in a tunnel, their bodies were reportedly extracted from Gaza overnight and brought to Israel to be identified. After news of their deaths surfaced, mass demonstrations were held across Israel. Protesters have urged the government to reach a deal for the release of the remaining hostages.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday pushed back against a new wave of pressure to reach a cease-fire deal in Gaza after hundreds of thousands of Israelis protested and went on strike and U.S. President Joe Biden said he needed to do more after nearly 11 months of fighting. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks during a news conference in Jerusalem, September 2, 2024.(Reuters)

In his first public address since Sunday's mass protests showed many Israelis' furious response to the discovery of six more dead hostages, Netanyahu said he will continue to insist on a demand that has emerged as a major sticking point in talks  continued Israeli control of the Philadelphi corridor, a narrow band along Gaza's border with Egypt where Israel contends Hamas smuggles weapons into Gaza. Egypt and Hamas deny it.

Netanyahu called the corridor vital to ensuring Hamas cannot rearm via tunnels. This is the oxygen of Hamas, he said.

And he added: No one is more committed to freeing the hostages than me. ... No one will preach to me on this issue.

Israelis had poured into the streets late Sunday in grief and anger in what appeared to be the largest protest since the start of the war. The families and much of the public blamed Netanyahu, saying the hostages could have been returned alive in a deal with Hamas. A rare general strike was held across the country on Monday.

Late Monday, several thousand demonstrators gathered outside Netanyahus private home in central Jerusalem, chanting, Deal. Now." and carrying coffins draped in the Israeli flag. Scuffles broke out when police snatched away the coffins, and several protesters were arrested. Thousands more marched outside Netanyahus Likud party in Tel Aviv, according to Israeli media.

But others support Netanyahus drive to continue the campaign in Gaza, which was triggered by Hamas' Oct. 7 attack into Israel and has killed tens of thousands of Palestinians in the territory. Netanyahu says the assault will force militants to give in to Israeli demands, potentially facilitate rescue operations and ultimately annihilate the group.

Key ally the United States is showing impatience. Biden spoke to reporters as he arrived at the White House for a Situation Room meeting with the U.S. mediation team in the negotiations. Asked if Netanyahu was doing enough, Biden responded, No.

He insisted that negotiators remain very close to a deal, adding, Hope springs eternal.

Hamas has accused Israel of dragging out months of negotiations by issuing new demands, including for lasting Israeli control over the Philadelphi corridor and a second corridor running across Gaza. Hamas has offered to release all hostages in return for an end to the war, the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces and the release of a large number of Palestinian prisoners, including high-profile militants  broadly the terms called for under an outline for a deal put forward by Biden in July.

Netanyahu has pledged total victory over Hamas and blames it for the failure of the negotiations. On Monday, he said he is ready to carry out the first phase of the cease-fire  a plan that would include the release of some hostages, a partial pullout of Israeli troops and the release of some prisoners held by Israel. But he rejected a full withdrawal from Gaza, saying he saw no other party that could control Gaza's borders.

Israeli media have reported deep differences between Netanyahu and top security officials, including Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, who say the time is ripe for a cease-fire.

An official confirmed a shouting match between Gallant and Netanyahu at a security cabinet meeting Thursday, where Netanyahu held a vote in favor of maintaining control over the Philadelphi corridor.

Gallant cast the lone vote against the proposal, saying Netanyahu was favoring border arrangements over the lives of hostages. The official spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the closed-door meeting. Gallant on Sunday called on the security cabinet to overturn the decision.

Khalil al-Hayya, the Hamas official leading the negotiations, told the Qatari network Al Jazeera late Sunday that Netanyahu had deemed keeping the Philadelphi corridor more important than winning the hostages' release.

Al-Hayya also said Hamas had offered great flexibility, including reducing its demand for 500 Palestinian prisoners to be released in exchange for each captive Israeli soldier to 50, and from 250 Palestinian prisoners or each Israeli civilian hostage to 30. He accused Israel of introducing new conditions including increasing the number of prisoners who would be deported upon release and banning the release of elderly or ill prisoners serving life sentences.

Israel said the six hostages found dead in Gaza were killed by Hamas shortly before Israeli forces arrived in the tunnel where they were held.

Hamas armed wing, the al-Qassam Brigades, appeared to say in a statement Monday that it now had a policy of killing any hostages that Israel tries to rescue. It said that after Israeli troops rescued four hostages in a deadly raid in June, it issued new orders to its fighters guarding hostages on how to deal with them if Israeli troops approach. It said that Netanyahus insistence on using military pressure instead of reaching a deal will mean they (hostages) will return to their families in coffins.

Three of the slain hostages were reportedly among those who would have been released in the first phase of the cease-fire proposal outlined by Biden in July.

Thousands attended the funeral Monday for one of the six, Israeli-American Hersh Goldberg-Polin. He was one of the best-known hostages, with his parents leading a high-profile campaign for the captives release, meeting with Biden and Pope Francis and addressing the Democratic National Convention last month.

The general strike, called by Israels largest trade union, the Histadrut, ended early after a labor court accepted a petition from the government calling it politically motivated.

It was the first such strike since the start of the war, aiming to shut down or disrupt major sectors of the economy, including banking and health care. Some flights at Israels main international airport, Ben-Gurion, either departed early or were slightly delayed.

Theres no need to punish the whole state of Israel because of what is happening, overall, it is a victory for Hamas, said one passenger, Amrani Yigal.

But in Jerusalem, resident Avi Lavi said that I think this is fair, the time has come to stand and to wake up, to do everything for the hostages to come back alive.

Municipalities in Israels populated central area, including Tel Aviv, participated. Others, including Jerusalem, did not.

Some 250 hostages were taken on Oct. 7. 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.

Roughly 100 hostages remain in Gaza, a third of whom are believed to be dead.

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.

The war has displaced the vast majority of Gazas 2.3 million people, often multiple times, and plunged the besieged territory into a humanitarian catastrophe, including new fears of a polio outbreak.

Meanwhile, Israel continued its six-day raid on the Jenin refugee camp in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. AP reporters saw bulldozers tearing up roads. The Palestinian Red Crescent said Israeli forces were blocking their ambulances from reaching the wounded.

Palestinians in a town outside Jenin held a funeral for a 58-year-old man, Ayman Abed, who was arrested the day before and died in Israeli custody. The Israeli military said he died from a cardiac event, but did not provide details. Human rights groups have reported abuses of Palestinians detained by Israel, and the military has confirmed the deaths of at least 36 Palestinians in its detention centers since October.

Israel says it has killed 14 militants in Jenin and arrested 25 militants. Palestinian health officials say at least 29 people have been killed, including five children.

Mohannad Hajj Hussein, a Jenin resident, said electricity and water were cut off. We are ready to live by candlelight and we will feed our children from our bodies and teach them resistance and steadfastness in this land, he said. We will rebuild what the occupation destroyed and we will not kneel.

___

Associated Press writers Julia Frankel and Melanie Lidman in Jerusalem and Zeke Miller in Washington contributed.

___

Follow APs war coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war
A Brazilian Supreme Court panel on Monday unanimously upheld the decision of one of its justices to block billionaire Elon Musk's social media platform X nationwide, according to the court's website. FILE PHOTO: Elon Musk attends the opening ceremony of the new Tesla Gigafactory for electric cars in Gruenheide, Germany, March 22, 2022. Patrick Pleul/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo(via REUTERS)

The broader support among justices undermines the effort by Musk and his supporters to cast Justice Alexandre de Moraes as an authoritarian renegade who is intent on censoring political speech in Brazil.

The panel that voted in a virtual session was comprised of five of the full bench's 11 justices, including de Moraes, who last Friday ordered the platform blocked for refusing to name a local legal representative, as required by law. It will stay suspended until it complies with his orders and pays outstanding fines that as of last week exceeded $3 million, according to his decision.

The platform has clashed with de Moraes over its reluctance to block users, and has alleged that de Moraes wants an in-country legal representative so that Brazilian authorities can exert leverage over the company by having someone to arrest.

De Moraes also set a daily fine of 50,000 reais ($8,900) for people or companies using virtual private networks, or VPNs, to access X. Some legal experts questioned the grounds for that decision and how it would be enforced, including Brazil's bar association, which said it would request the Supreme Court review that provision.

But the majority of the panel upheld the VPN fine  with one justice opposing unless users are shown to be using X to commit crimes.

Brazil is one of the biggest markets for X, with tens of millions of users. Its block marked a dramatic escalation in a monthslong feud between Musk and de Moraes over free speech, far-right accounts and misinformation.

Over the weekend, many X users in Brazil said they felt disconnected from the world and began migrating en masse to alternative platforms, like Bluesky and Threads.

And the suspension has proceeded to set up a showdown between de Moraes and Musk's satellite internet provider Starlink, which is refusing to enforce the justice's decision.

He violated the constitution of Brazil repeatedly and egregiously, after swearing an oath to protect it, Musk wrote in the hours before the vote, adding a flurry of insults and accusations in the wake of the panel's vote. On Sunday, Musk announced the creation of an X account to publish the justice's decisions that he said would show they violated Brazilian law.

But legal experts have said such claims don't hold water, noting in particular that de Moraes' peers have repeatedly endorsed his rulings  as they did on Monday. Although his actions are viewed by experts as legal, they have sparked some debate over whether one man has been afforded too much power, or if his rulings should have more transparency.

De Moraes' decision to quickly refer his order for panel approval served to obtain collective, more institutional support that attempts to depersonalize the decision, Conrado Hubner, a constitutional law expert at the University of Sao Paulo, told The Associated Press.

It is standard for a justice to refer such cases to a five-justice panel, Hubner said. In exceptional cases, the justice also could refer the case to the full bench for review. Had de Moraes done the latter, two justices who have questioned his decisions in the past  and were appointed by former right-wing President Jair Bolsonaro  would have had the opportunity to object or hinder the vote's advance.

X's block already led de Moraes last week to freeze the Brazilian financial assets of Starlink as a means to force it to cover X's fines, reasoning that the two companies are part of the same economic group. The company says it has more than 250,000 clients in Brazil.

Legal experts have questioned the legal basis of that move, and Starlink's law firm Veirano has told the AP it has appealed the freeze. It declined to comment further.

In a show of defiance, Starlink told the telecommunications regulator Anatel that it will not block X access until its financial accounts are unfrozen, Anatel's press office said in an email to the AP. Starlink didn't respond to a request for comment.

That means a shutdown of Starlink is likely, although enforcement will be difficult given the company's satellites aren't inside national territory, said Luca Belli, coordinator of the Technology and Society Center at the Getulio Vargas Foundation. It is popular in Brazil's expansive rural and forested areas.

Anatel's President Carlos Baigorri told local media GloboNews late Sunday afternoon that he has relayed Starlink's decision to Justice de Moraes.

Baigorri told GloboNews that the maximum sanction for a telecom company would be revocation of its license. He said if Starlink loses its license and continues providing service, it would be committing a crime. Anatel could seize equipment from Starlink's 23 ground stations in Brazil that ensure the quality of its internet service, he said.

It is highly probable there is a political escalation," because Starlink is "explicitly refusing to comply with orders, national laws, said Belli, who is also a professor at the Getulio Vargas Foundation's law school.

The arguments from Musk, a self-proclaimed free-speech absolutist," have found fertile ground with Brazil's political right, who view de Moraes' actions as political persecution against Bolsonaro's supporters.

On Brazilian orders, X previously has shut down accounts including of lawmakers affiliated with Bolsonaro's right-wing party and far-right activists accused of undermining Brazilian democracy. X's lawyers in April sent a document to the Supreme Court, saying that since 2019 it had suspended or blocked 226 users.

Bolsonaro and his allies have cheered on Musk for defying de Moraes. Supporters rallied in April along Rio de Janeiro's Copacabana beach with a giant sign reading Brazil Thanks Elon Musk."

Earlier that month, de Moraes ordered an investigation into Musk over the dissemination of defamatory fake news and another probe over possible obstruction, incitement and criminal organization.

Bolsonaro is also the target of a de Moraes probe over whether the former president had a role in inciting an attempted coup to overturn the results of the 2022 election that he lost. (AP) AMS
NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore have raised alarms about a series of "strange noises" coming from the malfunctioning Starliner capsule as of August 1, 2024. With a long way still to go before making it back to Earth, the veteran astronauts, currently residing on the International Space Station (ISS), are reportedly encountering a pulsing noise, almost like a sonar ping, according to the recording, first shared by a meteorologist named Rob Dale. (FILES) This undated handout picture from Nasa released on July 2, 2024 shows NASAs Boeing Crew Flight Test astronauts (from top) Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams inside the vestibule.(AFP)

NASA astronauts report strange noises from Starliner

Ars Technica first reported the bizarre sound citing a recording originally captured and shared by Rob Dale, a meteorologist based in Michigan. In the recording, Wilmore holds his phone up to the speakers so Mission Control can hear the sound he's talking about. One can clearly hear a steady, pulsing sound coming from Wilmore's phone, coming out in regular beats.

"Butch, that one came through," Mission control responds to the noise provided by Wilmore. "It was kind of like a pulsating noise, almost like a sonar ping, they added.

Also read: Melania Trump wants Kamala Harris to win the elections, claims fired Trump aide: She hates

However, since the noise was not clear the first time, Wilmore said he would try again so the team could listen carefully to identify whats wrong. "Ill do it one more time and let you all scratch your heads and see if you can figure out whats going on," the NASA astronaut stuck in space can be heard saying.

Just a space oddity or something serious?

The Mission Control team has yet to respond to media inquiries. However, in the recording, they can be heard assuring the astronauts that the recording will be investigated and they'll be informed of the findings. Wilmore clarifies that the sound is coming from the speaker inside the Starliner.

Also read: Elon Musk's X flagged Donald Trump's NPR story spammy and unsafe because

Ars Technica mentions that it's pretty normal for astronauts to hear weird sounds from stuff in space. The kind of sonar-like noises heard this weekend probably aren't too complicated, and Wilmore didn't look too worried about it. Nevertheless, these odd noises are worth noting especially since Boeing and NASA have had a tough time with the Starliner's crewed flights, dealing with big helium leaks and thruster problems.

When is NASA planning to bring back its astronauts?

What was originally planned as a one-week mission has unexpectedly stretched into several months. NASA chose Saturday that it's too dangerous to bring two astronauts back to Earth in Boeings new capsule, so they'll have to wait until next year for a trip home with SpaceX. Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams are now set to come back in a SpaceX capsule in February.

Meanwhile, their empty Starliner capsule will undock in early September and try to fly back on its own, aiming to land in the New Mexico desert.
A royal expert has claimed that Prince Harry is considering a part-time return to the UK because he is "not happy in the US" and the "golden state has lost its lustre. A recent report claimed that the Duke of Sussex is "seeking counsel from his old friends and associates" and "turning away from Hollywood publicists. Prince Harry not happy in self-imposed exile to America, expert claims (Photo by Raul ARBOLEDA / AFP)(AFP)

BBC Royal Correspondent Michael Cole discussed the claims on GB News, claiming Harry is "not happy" in America. "Prince Harry is not contemplating ending his four year self-imposed exile to America and coming back to live here permanently, Cole said. "He's contacted a former aide in this country and been speaking to some of his other pals with a view to improving his public image in this country so that he can come back more often and even perhaps start performing a few minor royal duties.

"I think chances of that are nil, but it does indicate that he wants to return to something like the relationship that he used to have with this country and with his own family, he added.

Cole said that it indicates that Harry is not particularly happy. He never looked particularly happy when you see him -perhaps he misses this place, he said.

"He was back in Norfolk last Wednesday for a memorial service to his late uncle, Lord Fellowes. He must have looked around the place he knows very well and said to himself 'what have I left behind? Why did I do it?' he added.

He can't decide anything on his own

Host Eamonn Holmes went on to note that Harrys decision to return to the UK would need "royal assent" from his wife, Meghan Markle. "He can't decide anything on his own - I'm talking about his wife's involvement in all of this. He can't make this decision and say, I'm heading back, I'm going to get reacquainted with everybody again. She has to give it the Meghan assent, Holmes said.

Cole responded, I think it's like any marriage, if you respect your wife or husband, you consult them very thoroughly about such things. I don't think Meghan would ever want to come back here, she's made that plain, what she feels about the country. Although she couldn't have been given a more warm welcome when she joined the Royal Family."

He added, I feel it's the greatest pity, because they could have made and were making a valuable contribution around this country and the 54 nations of the Commonwealth. They could have done great things here. They would have had the backup and the knowhow and the support of Buckingham Palace, and they wouldn't be having these dilemmas. What they need is not a PR man, they need a peacemaker."
Two oil tankers, the Saudi-flagged Amjad and Panama-flagged Blue Lagoon I, were attacked on Monday in the Red Sea off Yemen, two sources familiar with the matter said. This photo released by the European Union's Operation Aspides naval force shows the Greek-flagged oil tanker Sounion burning in the Red Sea following a series of attacks by Yemen's Houthi rebels on Monday, Sept. 2, 2024.(AP)

Yemen's Houthis late on Monday claimed responsibility for targeting the Blue Lagoon with multiple missiles and drones but did not make any mention of the Saudi tanker.

The sources said the ships were sailing near each other when they were hit but were able to continue their voyages with no major damage assessed or any casualties.

The Amjad's owner, Saudi national shipping group Bahri, did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The supertanker has a maximum capacity of 2 million barrels.

The Greek manager of the Blue Lagoon I, Sea Trade Marine SA, was not immediately available for comment. The Suezmax tanker has a maximum capacity of 1 million barrels.

One of the sources said the Amjad was unlikely to have been directly targeted.

Saudi Arabia, the world's top oil exporter, has watched with alarm as Houthi missiles have been fired over its territory to target ships in the Red Sea. Saudi Arabia has tried to extract itself from a messy war in Yemen and a destructive feud with the Houthis' principal backer, Iran.

The Houthis first launched aerial drone and missile strikes on the waterway in November in what they say is solidarity with Palestinians in the Gaza war. In more than 70 attacks, they have sunk two vessels, seized another and killed at least three seafarers.

The Joint Maritime Information Center, run by international naval forces to track Houthi attacks, said three ballistic missile attacks hit the Blue Lagoon I tanker on Monday 70 nautical miles northwest of the northern Yemeni port of Saleef.

The center "assesses that M/V BLUE LAGOON I was targeted due to other vessels within its company structure making recent port calls in Israel," it said in a report.

All crew on board are safe. The vessel sustained minimal damage but does not require assistance.
Newly released 911 transcripts have revealed the chilling last words of an Arizona teen who was murdered by an intruder. 19-year-old Rachel Hansen was attacked in 2022 while she was sleeping in her apartment. Chilling last words of Arizona teen Rachel Hansen who was killed by intruder revealed (@rachelsrescue2022/Instagram)

Ive been shot, a distressed Hansen told a Gilbert Police Department dispatcher on June 4, 2022. Someone broke in and shot me.

The wounded teen pleaded, Please hurry, according to KTVK-TV News. Oh [redacted], Im bleeding. Im bleeding.

Hansens killer is still absconding. The transcript of Hansens final call revealed that the dispatcher tried to keep the victim on the phone in an attempt to help her.

The 911 call

Do you have any kind of clean cloth there that you can apply pressure to it? Is there anybody there with you? the dispatcher said. Are you close to any kind of cloth or a shirt or a towel that you can use?

No, Hansen replied.

Theres nothing near you? Rachel, I need you to talk to me, OK? the emergency operator said.

I cant, Hansen responded.

First responders reportedly initially struggled to map Hansens address. However, they managed to get to her in under five minutes. Hansen was pronounced dead at the hospital.

Kim Hansen, the victims mother, has said that two years later now, its been extremely difficult to continue life, to do what we need to do every day, without Rachel in it and not having any answers. Hansens family has hired a private investigator.

While Gilbert police later released blurred video of their response to the victims call, her family hoped that the actual audio recordings would be released. We wanted to hear our daughters voice and her last words that she spoke, so we are disappointed it was a transcript only, Kim said.

A reward of $7,000 is being offered by the watchdog group Silent Witness for the suspects capture.
Donald Trump started believing in God more after he walked away with minor injuries when a shooter opened fire at his Pennsylvania campaign rally in July. During his Sunday appearance on Fox News' Life, Liberty & Levin, the former president reflected on surviving the assassination attempt that left one spectator dead and two others seriously injured. The GOP nominee shared the reason he thinks why God saved him. WASHINGTON, DC - AUGUST 30: Republican presidential nominee, former U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during the 2024 Joyful Warriors National Summit on August 29, 2024 in Washington, DC. Trump continued to campaign for the upcoming presidential election on November 5, 2024. Alex Wong/Getty Images/AFP (Photo by ALEX WONG / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)(Getty Images via AFP)

Trump claims he knows why God saved him during assassination attempt

Speaking with Fox News host Mark Levin, Trump shared that he thinks he knows why he survived. I think you think, like, if you believed in God, you believe in God more, the 78-year-old said. And somebody said, like, why? And Id like to think that God thinks that Im gonna straighten out our country. Our country is so sick, and its so broken. Our country is just broken, and maybe that was the reason, I dont know, he added.

ALSO READ: White Stripes' Jack White threatens Trump with lawsuit for using band's hit song, Don't even think

This is not the first time that the ex-POTUS claimed that it was God who saved him. In the aftermath of the shooting, Trump told reporters that wasn't supposed to be here. I was supposed to be dead. By luck or by God, many people are saying its by God Im still here, he added, per the Guardian. During his Sunday interview, Trump went on to highlight the experts' views on the shooting.

When you speak to experts, like my sons, who were shooting experts, but when you speak to experts, they said that there was no chance that he [the gunman] could have missed from that distance, Trump said. I think he was hurried, I think he was rushed because people were starting to say, like, you know, there's a guy up there with a gun, and I think he was rushed.

ALSO READ: Lara Trump recounts harrowing moment she witnessed father-in-law Donald Trump's assassination attempt

When Levin exclaimed how the fact that the shooter was on the roof drove him crazy, the Republican presidential candidate lauded the Secret Service's quick actions. Luckily, he was taken out quickly, but I tell you, if he wasn't, it would've been, like, in Las Vegas, that horrible attack in Las Vegas with the crazy man up in the building shooting down into the crowds, he said.
Donald Trumps dance moves at the annual Moms for Liberty event have taken the internet by storm. At the event, which was held in Washington DC on Friday, September 30, the former president was seen shaking a leg with the group's co-founder on stage. Donald Trump shakes a leg at Moms for Liberty event (@BoLoudon/X)

At the event, Trump expressed his grievances about his political rivals, attacking Joe Biden and Kamala Harris. The Heritage Foundation, a conservative organisation, has ties to Moms for Liberty  which has been labelled by the Southern Poverty Law Center as an extremist group. The Heritage Foundation was one of 10 sponsors of the Moms for Liberty summit this year, The Washington Post reported. Moms for Liberty is reportedly listed as a coalition partner for Project 2025.

It will never get old

The video of Trump dancing is viral on X. X user Bo Loudon shared the video with the caption, Trump just ended his Moms For Liberty event with his impressive dance moves! Moms love Donald Trump! Kamala definitely doesn't want you to share this!"

Trump supporters praised the former president in the comment section of the video, with one user saying, It will never get old. Keep on dancing, Mr. President, we love it, one user wrote, while another said, Legendary dance moves. I cant believe Trumps energy level. Hes Superman! wrote one user. Another said, Trump bringing the house down with his dance moves at Moms for Liberty! Moms cant get enough of him! Kamalas probably cringingtoo bad, this ones going viral!

I love this! His dances are the best, one user wrote, while another said, Trump looks so JOYFUL! @realDonaldTrump cares about America, ALL of America, especially women, one user wrote. I just love this man! another said.

A few people, however, did think Trumps dance was embarrassing. Hes the worst version of the creepy, unstable uncle in the family, one user wrote. Are you a parody or do you have total lack of awareness? another said.
George Clooney, who urged Joe Biden to withdraw from the 2024 White House race in a bombshell op-ed in July, lauded him for paying heeds to the calls and paving way for a new nominee. In press conference, George Clooney called Biden's move to drop out of the 2024 presidential contest the most selfless thing that anybody has done since George Washington.(AP )

The Hollywood legend arrived at the Venice Film Festival with his wife Amal Clooney to attend the premiere of his action comedy Wolfs.

In press conference, Clooney called Biden's move to drop out of the 2024 presidential contest the most selfless thing that anybody has done since George Washington.

What should be remembered is the selfless act of someone who  you know, its very hard to let go of power, he added.

George Clooney hails Biden for saving democracy

His remarks follow his call for Biden to resign in an opinion piece published in the New York Times titled I Love Joe Biden, But We Need a New Nominee.

In the column, Clooney raised doubts about Biden's capacity to guide the Democratic Party to victory, highlighting the president's age and concerns regarding his physical and mental fitness. The Joe Biden I was with three weeks ago at the fund-raiser was not the Joe big fing deal Biden of 2010. He wasnt even the Joe Biden of 2020, he wrote.

Referring to his op-ed, Clooney said at the press conference that Biden must be applauded, asserting that he did the most selfless thing that anybody has done since George Washington.

On July 21, Biden formally declared his resignation from the contest and endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris to succeed him.

Also Read: Joe Biden tears into Netanyahu after death of six hostages, blames him for ceasefire delay: Not doing enough

He emphasised that one thing that would always be remembered is Biden's bravery to step aside in favor of a better way forward, not the complexities behind his choice.

President Biden has shown what true leadership is. Hes saving democracy once again, he continued.

Clooney's op-ed had triggered crucial discussion since he highlighted that many Democratic leaders raised doubts over Biden's candidacy.

Clooney did not address Harris during the press conference.

I'm just very proud of where we are in the state of the world, which many people are surprised by, and I think we're all very excited for the future, the actor concluded.
The Gold Star families who invited Donald Trump to Arlington National Cemetery have issued a statement defending the former president amid the controversy. They have claimed that it is Kamala Harris, and not Trump, who is politicising fallen members of the US military. Gold Star families defend Donald Trump's Arlington visit, blast Kamala Harris (Photo by ALEX WONG / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP, AP Photo/Stephen B. Morton)

The Trump campaign has shared a statement made by relatives of some of the 13 American military service members who died in a suicide bombing in 2021 during the US withdrawal 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, the statement read. He was there to honor their sacrifice, yet Vice President Harris has disgracefully twisted this sacred moment into a political ploy.

Trump faced backlash after it was reported that his campaign staff verbally abused and pushed a cemetery official who tried to prevent them from taking photos and filming at the gravesite. Harris later accused Trump of staging a political stunt at the cemetery that disrespected sacred ground.

In the statement, the family praised Trump for consistently recognising the heroism of our children, and said Harris bears the responsibility for the deaths of our sons and daughters. The statement also blasted her catastrophic mishandling of the Afghanistan withdrawal. The families said Harris is unfit to serve as Commander-in Chief.

Were Kamala Harris and Joe Biden invited too?

Meanwhile, GOP Sen. Tom Cotton (Ark.) and former Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (Hawaii) claimed that Joe Biden and Harris were invited to the ceremony too, but they chose not to be present. However, a White House official and a Harris aide told NBC News that neither the president nor the vice president were invited.

There are many ways that we as a nation and our leaders can observe the third anniversary of Abbey Gate, White House national security spokesman John Kirby said last week. Another way is to continue to work, maybe not with a lot of fanfare, maybe not with a lot of public attention, maybe not with TV cameras, but to work every single day to make sure that the families of the fallen and of those who were injured and wounded  not just at Abbey Gate but over the course of the 20-some-odd years that we were in Afghanistan  have the support that they need.
Amidst protests and a nationwide strike following the deaths of six hostages by Hamas, President Joe Biden blasted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, stating that he is not doing enough to secure a truce and hostage agreement. U.S. President Joe Biden, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, (Reuters)(via REUTERS)

Biden's remarks come as he is all set to hold meeting with US vice President Kamala Harris. Before his meeting, the incumbent POTUS spoke to the reporters outside the White House.

Israel Defence Forces found bodies of six hostages in Gaza on Sunday. triggering the protest group and prompting representing the families of the hostages declare that Netanyahu has failed.

In response to a reporter's question about whether Netanyahu was doing enough to free the captives, Biden replied, No.

We are very close to that, the POTUS responded when asked if negotiators were ready to offer a final hostage solution to both Israel and Hamas this week. Hope springs eternal, he continued.

Biden speaks to Hersh Goldberg-Polin's family

California resident Hersh Goldberg-Polin was also among the six hostages, who were killed by Hamas on Sunday, according to the Israeli military.

Biden, who spoke with the parents of Goldberg-Polin, stated he was devastated and outraged after learning about the demise of the Israeli-American.

In a statement, he wrote: 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.

He further declared that Hamas will pay for these crimes.

Also Read: Killing of six hostages by Hamas in Gaza sparks anger, massive protest in Israel: Who were they?

Here's what Netanyahu has said

According to The Associated Press, the autopsy revealed that the captives were shot at close range and they lost their lives either on Thursday or Friday.

Tens of thousands of Israelis demanded on Sunday that Netanyahu strike a cease-fire agreement with Hamas in order to guarantee the release of the other hostages. Meanwhile, the Histadrut, the largest trade union in Israel, declared a general strike for Monday.

On October 7, Hamas launched a surprise attack that resulted in the deaths of over 1,200 individuals and the capture of roughly 250 hostages. A week-long cease-fire towards the end of last year resulted in the freeing of some 100 captives.

Netanyahu declared on Sunday that those who support Hamas will pay the price for the hostages' demise.

We will not rest, nor will be silent. We will pursue you, we will find you and we will settle accounts with you, he asserted, alleging that Whoever murders hostages does not want a deal.

He claimed that Hamas had refused to hold genuine negotiations and that efforts to liberate the hostages are continuing constantly.
Kamala Harris ripped Hamas after six hostages were recently found dead, including Israeli-American hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin. In a statement released by the White House, Harris offered her prayers to Goldberg-Polins parents, and condemned the terrorist organisation. Kamala Harris rips Hamas after brutal murder of Hersh Goldberg-Polin (Photographer: Elijah Nouvelage/Bloomberg, Bring Hersh Home/Facebook)

With these murders, Hamas has even more American blood on its hands

In the statement, Harris recalled meeting Jon Polin and Rachel Goldberg-Polin, the deceased hostages parents, earlier this year. 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. 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, she said,

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. 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, she added.

Harris added that the safety of American citizens is of utmost priority to her, and added that she and Biden will never waver in our commitment to free the Americans and all those held hostage in Gaza.

In an X post, Harris revealed that she and her husband, Doug Emhoff, spoke with Goldberg-Polin's parents after his death, and expressed their 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 added.

After Goldberg-Polin's family announced his death, Biden, too, released a scathing statement. Meanwhile, Donald Trump took to Truth Social to blame the deaths on Biden and Harris poor leadership.
Krispy Kreme is celebrating Barbie's 65th anniversary with four limited-edition doughnuts. While the bakery company has yet to confirm the special collection's launch in the US, it has already rolled out nationwide in the UK. Amid the growing buzz online, food blogger Markie Devo reported that the Krispy Kreme Barbie collection is speculated to hit the shelves at American stores sometime this week. Krispy Kreme launches four new Barbie-themed doughnuts to mark Mattel's iconic Barbie dolls(Krispy Kreme)

Krispy Kreme x Barbie: What are the four limited-time flavours?

The coffeehouse chain's UK website notes it is bringing together style and taste with four NEW dreamy flavours to celebrate Barbies 65th Anniversary. It will be available nationwide in the UK at shops, supermarket cabinets, and online. The Krispy Kreme x Barbie collection features the following doughnuts:

Barbie Pink Doughnut - Original Glazed piped with pink frosting, topped with pink sugar & sugar Barbie plaque. Barbie Sweet 65th - Original Glazed dipped in chocolatey icing & topped with Barbie inspired sprinkles. Barbie Berries N' Kreme - Strawberry Kreme filled, topped with purple & pink frosting & a Barbie heart chocolate. Malibu Dream Party - Biscoff Kreme filled, rolled in cookie crumb & gold nibs, with Malibu house sugar plaque [available exclusively for online orders].

When does Krispy Kreme x Barbie collection drop in the US?

Though Krispy Kreme has yet to announce an official release date for its newest Barbie collection, popular food blogger Markie Devo said on Instagram Sunday that it will be available in the US sometime this week. Additionally, Krispy Kreme UK also dropped a hint on its official Instagram post. Againwhy not this here in the states, a user asked, to which the company said, Keep your eyes peeled for any news from @krispykreme.
Billionaire Mark Cuban, who has been vociferous in his criticism of Donald Trump over the years, launched a poll on social media, asking his followers whether Kamala Harris or the GOP presidential contender is a better role model for kids. His poll garnered attention of Trump supporters as well as of the X owner himself, Elon Musk. Mark Cuban's Harris vs Trump poll garnered attention of MAGA as well as of the X owner himself, Elon Musk.(AP)

Taking to X, formerly Twitter, Cuban asked his 8.8 million followers, Who's persona and character would you like to see young children grow up to have?

Around 68.9 percent of the 8,04,173 respondents who participated in the poll stated that they would like their children to look up to Trump, while 31.1 percent favored Harris.

The poll also received a flurry of responses from netizens. Collin Rugg, co-owner of Trending Politics, posted a video of Sen. John Kennedy of Louisiana describing why voters do not have to like the presidential candidate they are voting for.

The Republican Senator mentioned in the video that some people dislike Harris and some hate Trump. 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.

Kennedy continued by telling Americans that their decision should be based on the policies and records of the candidates.

Reacting to Cuban's post on Friday, Valentina Gomez, a Republican who lost her bid to become Missouri's secretary of state earlier this month, wrote, Mark, you have daughters.

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.

Trump has many qualities (honey badger mindset, grit, perseverance, entrepreneurial spirit) and numerous flaws. Harris is an empty human being whose rise has utilized knee-level talents. She is void of the capacity to formulate a single meaningful sentence on anything, another X user commented.

Trump... I want my kids to grow up and never drink or smoke. Trump's children are a great example of his persona and character, one more reacted.

Also Read: Sounds like: Donald Trump reacts as MAGA hails Jeff Walz for exposing his brother Tim Walz

Elon Musk clapsback at Mark Cuban

Elon Musk responded to a post dubbing Cuban as an idiot following his poll on Harris and Trump. There's nothing in the world more dangerous than an idiot who thinks he's a genius, the post by designer at Dogecoin read.

Reacting to it, Musk wrote: The tenacity of his stupidity is a marvel to behold.

What Mark Cuban has to say on Trump?

According to Cuban, he backed Trump during his 2016 presidential campaign. He had even declared in 2015 that he would think about serving as his running mate at the time.

On August 7 on X spaces, the Shark Tank host had a conversation with former White House contender Vivek Ramaswamy. He revealed, In 2015, I was like, 'He's great. He's not a typical Stepford candidate.' I thought that was a positive.

Cuban jumped at the chance to support Harris after she emerged as the front-runner at the end of July this year.
Melania Trumps efforts to curb her husbands colourful language terribly crashed down Friday night when Donald Trump launched a scathing attack on Vice President Kamala Harris. Speaking before a crowd in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, the 2024 Republican nominee ignored his wifes plea for civility, bluntly claiming that everything Harris touches turns to s**t. Donald Trump says Melania was watching live when he was shot (REUTERS/Mike Segar)(REUTERS)

Despite both Melania and Franklin Graham urging him to tone down his ranting style during rallies, Trump didn't listen. He criticised Harris's past and decision-making with his signature bluntness.

Melania urged Trump to not swear and his response.

They believe in an ideology and  if you look at Kamala and you look at what shes done to every place shes touched has turned to s**t. Every single place shes touched. I have to say, it. Every place shes touched, you know? The former prez was heard using foul language for his 2024 presidential opponent and vice president Kamala Harris.

He then shared that his wife Melania often asks him to avoid using such language, but kept stressing that some words are simply irreplaceable. Trump explained that he sometimes uses strong language to make a point, believing its the most effective way to convey what he means. Trump said, But theres an example. Its not really that bad a word, but how can you top that word for what Im talking about? Right? What word?

Also read: Tiktokers exploit Chase bank Glitch in viral free money hack, and it backfires big time: Plain fraud'

Every place she touches wouldnt be nice. People would  that would be a thud. It would land with a thud, he continued trying to justify his point.

Trump shared that Franklin Graham wrote to him, praising his rallies but asking him to avoid using foul language, though Trump admitted he's not entirely convinced. "You might have heard this: Franklin Graham is wonderful, and he wrote me a letter saying, 'Sir, I love your stories, and I love listening to your rallies, but could you please avoid using foul language? Your speeches would be even better without it,'" Trump recounted, adding, "Franklin is probably right. I'm not sure I completely agree with him, but he's a great guy. He really did say that to me."

Also read: NASA's Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore report hearing strange noises coming from faulty Starliner

Where is Melania Trump?

While Trump frequently mentions his wife Melania in his campaign speeches and interviews, the former first lady has kept a low profile compared to her participation during Trump's first term. Aside from attending a few fundraisers and being spotted walking in and out of Trump Tower, she has stayed mostly out of the public eye throughout his campaign, unlike the spouses of other candidates who have been actively involved. This has led to some speculation about marital issues.

Former White House Communications Director Anthony Scaramucci infamous for his 11 days working tenure in Trumps administration before getting fired, even claimed that Melania Trump is allegedly more supportive of a Kamala Harris victory than her husband is.

On the MediasTouch podcast, Scaramucci remarked, Maybe Melania Trump is the only one. Because she really dislikes Trump, suggesting that while he supports Vice President Harris, Melanias support for Harris might actually exceed his own.
NASA has responded to the strange noise coming from the faulty Boeing Starliner. Butch Wilmore, who has been stuck in space alongside Sunita Williams, noticed a mysterious sound coming from a speaker inside the spacecraft. On Saturday, Wilmore radioed the Mission Control at Johnson Space Center in Houston to report the issue. The now-viral audio clip of the exchange was first recorded and shared by meteorologist Rob Dale. FILE PHOTO: FILE PHOTO: NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams pose ahead of the launch of Boeing's Starliner-1 Crew Flight Test (CFT), in Cape Canaveral, Florida, U.S., April 25, 2024. REUTERS/Joe Skipper/File Photo/File Photo(REUTERS)

NASA breaks silence on mysterious sound coming from Starliner

Amid the growing concerns about the strange noise emanating from the capsule, the space agency assured that the feedback is a common occurrence which poses no threat to the crew or the Starliner itself.

A pulsing sound from a speaker in Boeings Starliner spacecraft heard by NASA astronaut Butch Wilmore aboard the International Space Station has stopped, NASA said in a statement released Monday, according to USA Today. The space agency went on to explain that the capsule is still on schedule to return to Earth unmanned.

ALSO READ: NASA's Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore report hearing strange noises coming from faulty Starliner

The feedback from the speaker was the result of an audio configuration between the space station and Starliner. The space station audio system is complex, allowing multiple spacecraft and modules to be interconnected, and it is common to experience noise and feedback, the statement continued.

The crew is asked to contact mission control when they hear sounds originating in the comm system. The speaker feedback Wilmore reported has no technical impact to the crew, Starliner, or station operations, including Starliners uncrewed undocking from the station no earlier than Friday, Sept. 6, it added.

While the Boeing Starliner is set to return to Earth this week, the two veteran astronauts have to wait for their turn for a long time. Due to the risks associated with the faulty capsule, NASA recently confirmed that Wilmore and Williams are expected to return via SpaceX's Crew-9 in February 2025.
At least six people were injured in a Labour Day shooting in Antioch, South Nashville, as gunfire erupted around 3 am on Monday, September 2, according to Metro Nashville Police Department. At least six people injured after gunfire erupted outside the SkyBar & Lounge in Antioch, South Nashville on Monday, September 2, 2024.(WSMV)

Local news outlet WKRN.com reported that there were actually two connected shootings overnight. While the first one took place at the SkyBar & Lounge at 825 Hamilton Crossings in Antioch, the second Tennessee mishap occurred at less than ten minutes later near Brookview Estates Drive and Bell Road in South Nashville.

In the first case, MNPD sources said the shots were fired in the parking lot of the SkyBar & Lounge in Antioch.

Also read | Killing of six hostages by Hamas in Gaza sparks anger, massive protest in Israel: Who were they?

In the aftermath, a person was taken to the hospital by ambulance. Five others walked into local hospitals in the nearby area in private vehicles. All victims are reportedly expected to survive, as any major tragedies were averted.

No arrests were made at the time of writing. With surveillance cameras in the area, authorities are said to be currently reviewing any available footage of the incident to narrow down suspects, WSMV reported.

MNPD urges anyone with information related to the shooting to contact them at 615-742-7463.

This is a developing news.
Prince Harry's recent trip to Colombia has revealed a growing divide between him and Meghan Markle when it comes to stepping into the spotlight. While Meghan was showered with affection and admiration by the Colombian people, Harry appeared noticeably withdrawn and sullen, suggesting a deepening sense of isolation within him, claims an insider. This follows reports that Harry has contacted his old pals in the UK to plot a way back to London. Britain's Prince Harry (C), Duke of Sussex, and his wife Meghan Markle react while attending a show during a visit to the National Centre for the Arts in Bogota on August 15, 2024(AFP)

Prince Harry dissatisfied with life in California

Amid rumors of a return to London and a longing for his former life, Prince Harry is reportedly dissatisfied with his current life in California. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex went to Colombia in the middle of August, where they were honoured guests of Vice President Francia Marquez. Both Harry and Meghan as part of their new initiative spoke extensively about how dangerous the internet can be and what it could lead to. Even though they seemed to be on the same page during their visit, people who know them well say Harry was feeling a bit "down" and just watching from the sidelines.

A source told The Sun, Harry is feeling more and more isolated in California, which is why he has been reconnecting with old friends back home.

Referring to the sussexes royal style Columbia tour, the source added, The Colombia trip also really highlighted how Meghan is comfortable stepping into the spotlight, while Harry cuts a very sulky, unhappy figure in the background.

Also read: Chase Bank falls victim to viral free money Tiktok hacks, many left with negative bank balance

Harry wants to carve out a way back into royal life

A report from the Daily Mail claims the Duke is seeking advice on a potential return to Britain and the Royal Family. To plan this route, he is said to have contacted his former aides and close associates, no longer relying on his U.S.-based publicist. While the source dismissed any chances of the Sussexes looking to settle in Britain, they stressed that they want to stay longer in London to mend the strained relationship with the family.

Now, another source told Sun, He wants to carve out a way back into royal life back in the UK and is seeking counsel from old friends and associates.

Also read: Prince Harry plotting Royal return from US exile; asks help from old aides after parting ways with

However, before he finds his way back home, the estranged royal got a lot of mending to do with his family. In his book, "Spare," he really let loose on them, saying William got physical and that both William and Kate were mean to Meghan.

Since leaving the royal household, Harry has made occasional trips to the UK, with his most recent visit in late August for his uncle Lord Fellowes' funeral. Although Prince William was also in attendance, the brothers reportedly did not speak, despite being just steps apart, and kept their distance. While speculation about a potential return continues, any decisions by the Duke and Duchess will likely be influenced by the Sandringham Agreement. This agreement sets out the rules for how they'll get along with the royal family after they split up.
Pavel Durov, the Telegram boss arrested in France, was "too free" in his approach to running the social media platform, and this was his undoing, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Monday. A French judge put Russian-born Durov under formal investigation last week for suspected complicity in running an online platform that allows illicit transactions, child sex abuse images, drug trafficking and fraud.(REUTERS)

A French judge put Russian-born Durov under formal investigation last week for suspected complicity in running an online platform that allows illicit transactions, child sex abuse images, drug trafficking and fraud.

His lawyer has said it is absurd to suggest he should be held responsible for any crimes committed on the app, which has nearly 1 billion users and is widely popular in Russia, Ukraine and other former Soviet countries.

Lavrov, in a speech to students at Moscow's elite MGIMO university run by the foreign ministry, echoed the Kremlin's position that the probe into Durov is part of a larger political ploy by the West to exert power over Russia.

Pavel Durov was too free, Lavrov said. He didn't listen to Western advice on moderating his brainchild.

Russia, after years of pressure on Durov and his tech ventures, has rallied behind him.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said last week that there were no negotiations between the Kremlin and Durov, who also holds passports from France and the United Arab Emirates.

The main thing is that what is happening in France does not turn into political persecution, Peskov said last Thursday.

We know that the president of France has denied any connection (of the case) with politics, but on the other hand, certain accusations are being made.

French President Emmanuel Macron has denied any political motive in the tech entrepreneur's detention.

Lavrov earlier warned that Durov's arrest - the first of a major tech CEO - had plunged relations between Moscow and Paris to a new nadir.
Donald Trump has blasted Joe Biden and Kamala Harris for the deaths of six Hamas hostages, including Israeli-American hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin. The former president took to Truth Social to blame the loss on Harris and Bidens poor leadership. Donald Trump rips Joe Biden and Kamala Harris after 6 Hamas hostages killed (REUTERS/Megan Varner/File Photo, AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

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 wrote on Truth Social. 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! Sadly, this is the total lack of Leadership that Kamala and Biden represent - One that allows terrorists to take American lives, because they only care about Weaponizing the Department of Justice against their Political Opponent. Just like the Debacle of the Afghanistan Withdrawal that claimed 13 American lives, Kamala and Bidens judgment has not only put lives at risk, but is directly responsible for unnecessary deaths that should have never happened., he added.

Hamas leaders will pay for these crimes

Trumps post came after Biden released a scathing statement, and Kamala Harris revealed that she has spoken to Goldberg-Polin's parents, Jon and Rachel. BIden said he was devastated and outraged by the incident and described Goldberg-Polins parents as courageous, wise, and steadfast.

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, Biden wrote.

Goldberg-Polin was attending the Supernova music festival in Israel when Hamas terrorists launched a surprise attack. He was abducted after his limb was blown off, and Hamas released a propaganda video featuring him months later.
The U.S. Supreme Court is slated to weigh in on the controversy over regulating elusive ghost guns this fall, in an on-going fight between the Biden administration and gun-toting enthusiasts.

Ghost guns are untraceable firearms that can be put together at home from kits ordered online.

Last year, the lower courts struck down a 2022 rule that allowed the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives to regulate the DIY weapons, arguing it was overreaching in its definition of a firearm, to include frames.

The rules challengers include Texas high school teacher Jennifer VanDerStok, Texas firearms instructor Michael Andren, gun manufacturer Tactical Machining, and Second Amendment rights nonprofit The Firearms Policy Coalition.

In Merrick B. Garland v. Jennifer VanDerStok, the Biden administration has asked the justices to overturn the decision handed down by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit.

The readily available kits allow for "anyone with basic tools and rudimentary skills to assemble a fully functional firearm in as little as twenty minutes," Attorney General Merrick Garland warned in a court documents.

The Gun Control Act of 1968 defines a firearm to include "any weapon which will or is designed to or may readily be converted to expel a projectile by the action of an explosive," as well as "the frame or receiver of any such weapon," the filing read.

The accessibility of the kits  whose parts do not contain serial numbers and are attainable without transfer records or background checks  are "attractive to criminals, minors, and others who are legally prohibited from buying firearms," according to the petitioners.

The rule "makes clear that weapon parts kits and partially complete frames and receivers that can readily be converted into functional firearms or complete frames and receivers qualify as regulated 'firearms,'" the documents state. "The rule does not prohibit the purchase, sale, or possession of any firearm, nor does it prohibit any individual lawfully entitled to possess a firearm from making one at home; instead, it simply ensures that ghost guns are subject to the same straightforward and inexpensive administrative requirements that apply to commercial sales of all other firearms."

The goal of the act is to keep guns out of the hands of criminals and unauthorized gun owners, as well as assist law enforcement in criminal investigations, petitioners argued.

But, gun rights activists allege the ATF's rule oversteps.

"The statutory definition focuses on weapons and the frames or receivers of weapons; ATF's Rule expands the definition to include weapon parts kits and items that cannot function as frames or receivers," the respondents' brief read. "This expanded definition upsets the delicate balance struck by Congress between the commercial production and sale of firearms and the non-commercial making of firearms by law-abiding citizens, and the Fifth Circuit properly held it to be unlawful."

Respondents accused the ATF of trying to "destroy" the gun industry.

"With respect to weapon parts kits, the Gun Control Act regulates weapons, not weapon parts kits," according to the filing, and "not items which readily may be converted to be frames or receivers of such weapons."

Furthermore, if the definition of a firearm has changed, that's an issue to be taken up by Congress, the respondents argued.

Justices are expected to hear the case in October.

Originally published by Lawyer Herald.
Kempinski The One Suites Hotel Shanghai Downtown is pleased to announce the appointment of Florian Heiner as General Manager. In this role,he will assume full responsibility for the hotel's daily operations and management.

Born in Berlin/Germany, Heiner is a seasoned hotelier with over 27 years of global hospitality management experience, including 18 years as a General Manager. He brings extensive expertise in operations management, as well as in leading large-scale pre-opening and renovation projects. Throughout his career, Florian Heiner has worked with prestigious luxury and lifestyle brands such as Hilton, InterContinental, Wyndham, Radisson, Marriott and Dusit International in some of the world's leading urban and resort destinations, including Berlin, Davos, New York, Singapore, Bangkok, Brisbane, Shanghai and other major cities across China.

Prior to joining Kempinski The One Suites Hotel Shanghai Downtown, Heiner served as General Manager for Hilton in Shanghai-Pudong. He holds an International Executive Master of Business Administration degree from Rutgers Business School, United States. Florian Heiner's extensive global experience and deep understanding of Chinese culture will enable him to effectively lead the hotel team to consistently deliver exceptional performance for its stakeholders and to provide for all guests domestic and global luxury travellers with a home away from home alike personalized and exclusive staying experience.
Raised in New Delhi into a family where few have had the chance to travel abroad, it was always a dream of Sarthak Sharmas to explore and immerse himself overseas. Yet, like many at the crossroads of choosing a university course - he was torn between a safe, traditional engineering course at a local university or an international university that would offer him a progressive and future-proof career.

From engineering to hospitality

As a graduate from the non-medical track at Mothers Global School, I was encouraged by the scholarships and university offer letters to study engineering. Yet, I was conflicted as I felt it was not something I could see myself pursuing for the rest of my life.

For one, I was eager to travel and immerse myself in different cultures and hence wanted to join an industry that would help me gain exposure to the rest of the world. Secondly, with the rise of technology, my ideal role would be one that was enduring, remote and evergreen, withstanding any threat technology posed - such as, an entrepreneur or leader.

EHL offered an ideal with its Hospitality Business degree. The universitys reputation precedes itself and there were many strong selling points: its academic and business curriculum; strong global industry network; vast overseas internship opportunities with renowned global brands; but most importantly, the opportunity to enrol in a diverse, cosmopolitan environment that is home to over 125 nationalities.

I was sold.

First steps to success

While EHL offered me a great environment with its Swiss academic rigour, industrious practice and diverse panel of faculty experts, I believe that the key to success lies with the students who show initiative and a hunger for more.

Even though I may not have had access to the same resources as current EHL students such as the Innovation Hub, I was undeterred in thinking up solutions through my business ventures that would solve common issues in my community and improve it.

Start-ups are notoriously known to fail, which then deters many people from even trying. But I believe that having a half glass full mentality is more empowering: the more start-ups you create, the greater chance of success you would have.

It is more crucial to take the first step, as I did as a second-year student with The Indian Table, a dark/cloud kitchen that served fellow students and locals with affordable, high-quality weekend meals.

Its quick success fueled my desire to positively impact the world and it was not long before my second venture FINDATUTOR.CH came to fruition. Offering premium tutoring services at affordable prices, the platform has been successful in connecting students with qualified, verified and knowledgeable tutors within their school within a shorter timeframe and at a much affordable rate.

As a leader, I believe in investing in capable talents to run the company. This works well for me as I also love the remote working culture of an entrepreneur, as well as the opportunities to be present and operate concurrently across multiple economies.

Out of my comfort zone

Coming to EHL and Switzerland happened for me at the most opportune moment and changed the trajectory of my future. While it was no mean feat juggling my personal life, student life, and life as a business owner, I learnt to embrace the dynamism of life, while being even more clear-eyed about my life goals and the necessary steps to achieve them.

It also fortified my belief that for my personal and professional growth, I had to be open-minded and immerse myself in new and a variety of environments and cultures.

Personally, that meant that while I kept close ties to my Indian community through festivals, I actively seek opportunities that would put me in new environments and challenge me beyond my comfort zone.

For instance, I went on to Hong Kong to work in the finance department as an intern for the Black Sheep Restaurants and immersed myself in the F&B industry. During the weekends, I would also work in different restaurants for the same group and as such, polished the art of storytelling, hospitality and made some great personal and professional connections.

In that respect, EHL is a great environment where students, faculty of different cultures, beliefs, expertise and interests all converge, providing an environment brimming with inspiration and endless possibilities.

I was also more appreciative of the similarities and differences that each culture offered, be it Hong Kong, Switzerland or even my home country, New Delhi, India.

About EHL Group

EHL Group is the global reference in education, innovation and consulting for the hospitality and service sector.

With expertise dating back to 1893, EHL Group now offers a wide range of leading educational programs from apprenticeships to master's degrees, as well as professional and executive education, on three campuses in Switzerland and Singapore. EHL Group also offers consulting and certification services to companies and learning centers around the world. True to its values and committed to building a sustainable world, EHL Group's purpose is to provide education, services and working environments that are people-centered and open to the world. www.ehlgroup.com

EHL Hospitality Business School

Communications Department

+41 21 785 1354

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AI May Not Steal Many Jobs After All. It May Just Make Workers More Efficient - Image Credit Unsplash+

Excerpt from AP

The widespread assumption that AI chatbots will inevitably replace service workers, the way physical robots took many factory and warehouse jobs, isnt becoming reality in any widespread way - not yet, anyway. And maybe it never will.

The White House Council of Economic Advisers said last month that it found little evidence that AI will negatively impact overall employment. The advisers noted that history shows technology typically makes companies more productive, speeding economic growth and creating new types of jobs in unexpected ways.

They cited a study this year led by David Autor, a leading MIT economist: It concluded that 60% of the jobs Americans held in 2018 didnt even exist in 1940, having been created by technologies that emerged only later.

The outplacement firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas, which tracks job cuts, said it has yet to see much evidence of layoffs that can be attributed to labor-saving AI.

I dont think weve started seeing companies saying theyve saved lots of money or cut jobs they no longer need because of this, said Andy Challenger, who leads the firms sales team. That may come in the future. But it hasnt played out yet.

A 2023 study by researchers at Princeton University, the University of Pennsylvania and New York University concluded that telemarketers and teachers of English and foreign languages held the jobs most exposed to ChatGPT-like language models. But being exposed to AI doesnt necessarily mean losing your job to it. AI can also do the drudge work, freeing up people to do more creative tasks.

The Swedish furniture retailer IKEA, for example, introduced a customer-service chatbot in 2021 to handle simple inquiries. Instead of cutting jobs, IKEA retrained 8,500 customer-service workers to handle such tasks as advising customers on interior design and fielding complicated customer calls.

Chatbots can also be deployed to make workers more efficient, complementing their work rather than eliminating it. A study by Erik Brynjolfsson of Stanford University and Danielle Li and Lindsey Raymond of MIT tracked 5,200 customer-support agents at a Fortune 500 company who used a generative AI-based assistant. The AI tool provided valuable suggestions for handling customers. It also supplied links to relevant internal documents.

Those who used the chatbot, the study found, proved 14% more productive than colleagues who didnt. They handled more calls and completed them faster. The biggest productivity gains  34%  came from the least-experienced, least-skilled workers.

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Cookieless Is Toast: What Can Travel Marketers Do To Stay Ahead?

Just a few weeks ago, Google walked back its plans to deprecate third-party cookies in Chrome. After four years of moving deadlines (and lots of articles about next steps!), it became clear that the proposed approach wasnt working for advertisers or consumers. Monetization was down in cookieless tests with Google, so advertisers were getting less fidelity; and the shift in control from third parties to Google wasnt seen as all that great for consumer privacy. So while Googles move was frustrating, it was, in fact, the right thing to do. Whats more, the cookieless cliff threat forced industry leaders to expand their thinking and technology capabilities to be better marketers in a privacy-first world. This ongoing conversation put a spotlight on personalized marketing, and just because the deadline pressure is off doesnt mean travel marketers should take their foot off the less cookies gas.

Do consumers really care about cookies?

Googles deprecation of third-party cookies was done under the banner of privacy, which makes sense given that 68% of consumers are concerned about the amount of data companies collect. However, the reality is that privacy is not their top priority. A whopping 71% of consumers expect personalization, and that personalization can only happen using collected data. While consumers certainly care about privacy, what they really want is value for their information and transparency about how companies are using it.

Most consumers are savvy enough to know that marketers are collecting information about them with every click of the mouse, and many are fine being marketed to  even with cookies. Thats why some consumers are consciously choosing to opt-in to cookies on brand websites. They know full well that this will allow the company to deliver a better, more relevant experience. In the end, collecting information can be a win-win: Customers are happy when their information is used responsibly, and fast-growing companies are driving 40% more of their revenue with personalization.

To give consumers the personalization they want, marketers can create an integrated data strategy that includes  but doesnt rely on  cookies. Just because Google has shelved third-party cookie deprecation doesnt mean marketers should get too comfortable relying on them. So what can travel industry marketers rely on?

Navigating a less cookies world

First, regardless of what Google has decided, its important that travel marketers stay the course to rely less on cookies. Over the past four years, the industry has made a lot of progress with how it uses data, targeting and more  and its been clear for a while that its not going back to a cookie-centric AdTech world. Currently, 67% of adults in the United States turn off cookies or website tracking, which means marketers have to continue finding other ways to reach potential travelers.

Now more than ever its important to keep investing in new solutions that evolve with changing customer expectations  which includes focusing on first-party data and opt-in relationships with customers. By expanding multi-ID strategies that include first-party opt-in channels, marketers can develop and target relevant audiences with relevant ads. From there, they can continue to expand beyond traditional AdTech channels and approaches to be looking at content, context and one-to-one marketing channels like metasearch, text and email.

To accurately target consumers on those channels, marketers must continue to focus on creating first-party profiles of all guests with as much opt-in information as possible, including phone numbers, email addresses and physical addresses. Technology partners need this information to connect online IDs, whether thats hashed emails to build audiences on Meta or connecting to mobile ad IDs to target with video. Third-party cookies can play a supporting role here, but theyre only valuable when tied to the other online IDs that have more fidelity.

In addition to pushing forward with existing cookieless strategies, marketers must also expand investments in cloud-based travel tech and marketing technology. Hotels and attractions are migrating from on-premises property management systems (PMS) and point-of-sale systems (POS) to cloud-based PMS/POS, allowing marketers to easily connect the dots between data sources versus legacy tech with data in silos. By integrating customer relationship management (CRM), mobile and other guest experience tools in the cloud, marketers can enable real-time integration with their travel tech systems rather than doing batch uploads.

Heres an example: A hotelier can learn a lot about a guest during a three-day stay, and data collected on-site is most valuable when the guest is still on the property. But if that data isnt uploaded to other critical systems for days, its too late to make things right. With cloud-based technology, if a guest is dissatisfied with the air conditioning unit in the room, real-time integrations ensure the clients feedback connects directly into a housekeeping app to alert staff so they can make the repair  and save the hotel from a negative review.

A cookieless world may not be as close as it was, and many people will kick back and relax. However Google, or any other browser, can choose to deprecate third-party cookies at any time. More importantly, a personalized, multi-tech approach is more effective and allows marketers to tailor campaigns to meet ever-changing traveler expectations. Smart marketers who keep driving to improve their data, processes and tech platforms to engage travelers with less cookies will gain more in a less cookies world.

About the author





Kurt Weinsheimer is the chief product officer at Sojern. Connect with Kurt on LinkedIn.

This article originally appeared on PhocusWire.
State Primaries Are Tuesday

PITTSFIELD, Mass.  Voters will see few contests when they head to the polls for the state primaries on Tuesday.



Berkshire voters can weigh in on a three-way race for the Republican Party nominee for senator in Congress and the 3rd Berkshire District has three Democratic candidates vying for the nomination for state representative.

Voters who are enrolled in a party can only vote in that party's primary. Voters who are unenrolled may chose which party primary to they wish to vote in. Massachusetts recognizes three parties: Republican, Democratic and Libertarian. There are no primary candidates this election for the Libertarian Party.



Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. for state and federal elections. Polling locations for Berkshire County can be found here.



In Pittsfield, early in-person voting ran from Aug. 24 to 30 at City Hall.



Nominations for U.S. Senator



Democrat: Elizabeth Warren (Cambridge)

Republican: Robert Antonellis (Medford,) Ian Cain (Quincy,) John Deaton (Swansea)



Incumbent Elizabeth Warren was inducted into the U.S. Senate in 2013. She is running for her third six-year term. In the 2023-2024 term, she sits on the Senate Committee on Armed Services, the Community on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, the Committee on Finance, and the Committee on Aging.



Her platform is about consumer protection, equitable economic opportunity, and the social safety net. Her proposed Ultra-Millionaire Tax focused on families with a net worth of more than $50 million, roughly the wealthiest 75,000 households. They would pay a 2 percent tax on every dollar of their net worth above $50 million and a 6 percent tax for every dollar above $1 billion.



John Deaton, a trial attorney, describes himself as a "Champion for other underdogs."



In his memoir "Food Stamp Warrior," he outlines the poverty, violence, and abuse that encompassed his upbringing and how he defied the odds, eventually becoming a judge advocate at a Marine Corps Air Station.



Deaton feels Warren's politics are extreme. Relating to immigration, he wants to secure the border, end so-called "catch and release," and reform the asylum process while expanding legal immigration.



He has been endorsed by the Berkshire County Republican Association after a visit to the Berkshires in August.



Ian Cain is a tech investor who is "tired of the status quo." His "Get Shit Done" agenda includes securing the border, investing in infrastructure, prioritizing public safety, "beating communist China," and supporting American families.



Robert Antonellis feels that the nation is being attacked by the "radical left" and says he has a plan to "win the culture war, end all the assaults on our common decency, and create a healthy sense of normalcy."

The winner of the Republican primary will vie against Warren in the general election.

The winner will face off against Marybeth Mitts, a Lenox Select Board member who is running as an independent in the general election.

Senator for the Berkshire, Hampshire, Franklin, and Hampden Districts



Democrat: Paul Mark (Becket)

Republican: David Rosa (Dighton)

Paul Mark, formerly state representative, is running for his second term in the state Senate. Rosa, a veteran and retiree, has apparently run unsuccessfully in previous elections including for Congress.



Representative in Congress for the First Mass District

Democrat: Richard Neal (Springfield)



Richard Neal has served in Congress for 36 years and is running for his 19th term. Originally representative of the 2nd Mass, he was elected in 2013 to represent the 1st Mass after redistricting. From 2019 to 2022, he served as the chair of the Committee of Ways and Means, whose jurisdiction includes tax and revenue legislation. He is currently a ranking member.



Neal is a supporter of gun safety measures, clean energy, health-care access, immigration, and human rights.



Two independent candidates are challenging him in the general election, Nadia Milleron (Sheffield) and Anthony Celata (Medford).

Unopposed

Running unopposed in their primaries and with no other candidates so far on the general election ballot are John Barrett III (North Adams) for representative in the 1st Berkshire; Tricia Farley-Bouvier (Pittsfield) for representative in the 2nd District; Tara Jacobs (North Adams) for Governor's Council in the 8th District; Lisa A. Denault-Viale (Windsor) for Berkshire County clerk of courts; Patsy Harris (Hinsdale) for Central Berkshire register of deeds and Maria Ziemba (Adams) for Northern Berkshire register of deeds.




Dalton Green Develops Community Engagement Initiatives

DALTON, Mass.  The Green Committee chipped away at the development of its community engagement for its climate action plan.

During Wednesday's meeting, committee members were assigned responsibilities to help plan the upcoming Oct. 13 education event, which replaced the virtual public meeting.

The event aims to raise awareness about the climate action plan, gather community input for its development, and answer people's questions. This is an opportunity to engage the public and kickstart the community engagement process.

The event will include a 15-minute presentation by the town's CAP consultant, Blue Strike Environmental.

Committee Chair David Wasielewski recommended that the committee invite the Berkshire Environmental Action Team and 350 Massachusetts to participate in the event. Wasielewski will contact the organizations to gauge their interest.

The committee also discussed logistical aspects of the event planning, such as where to hold it and how many snacks to put out.

The committee hopes to reserve a space at the Stationery Factory and will prepare for 100 attendees, including the presenters.

The committee also discussed developing a logo representing the Climate Action Plan or Green Committee. Blue Strike recommended this as part of the Community Engagement efforts.

"A picture is worth 1,000 words," committee member Antonio Pagliarulo said.

Pagliarulo said he had contacted the Wahconah Regional High School to see if a teacher was interested in doing this as part of an assignment but had not heard back yet.

This is not surprising given that school just started, he said.

Blue Strike has a graphic designer. However, they are meant to "clean up and tie up a few key concepts" that the committee brings to them, said Cisco Tomasino, climate and events manager.

Whether it is a painting from an art contest with youth or a few icons that the committee thinks represent Dalton, these items should be brought to the consultant so it can be digitized and made into something that can be used as a logo, he said.

"There's different things, whatever you guys are proud of, and you're going to want to see in that logo for this project," Tomasino said.

"We can sort of incorporate that in, or you can use that to guide the kids projects, and we can digitize that work. There's a number of ways to go through it from there."

A subcommittee was formed to develop the design elements the committee wants for the logo. Committee members Laurie Martinelli and Pagliarulo will collaborate on this.

The committee has also been working with Blue Strike to develop a survey as part of its community engagement.

Committee members emphasized the need for more Dalton-specific questions so the climate action plan best meet all of the communities needs and concerns.

The survey will be made available online and in-person and Logan suggested a QR code to make it more mobile friendly.

To encourage more responses the committee could consider making the survey anonymous, not including any demographic or economic identifiers, Pagliarulo said.

"What I would say is for the next meeting, because this really is, I totally understand where [Pagliarulo] is coming from on this. This is something we need your you know, Blue Strikes past expertise with," Logan said.

Even if Blue Strike can provide contact information to previous towns for members to reach out to and determine what their experiences were.
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Stephen King has given a blunt three-word response to discovering that 23 of his books have been banned from school libraries in Florida, a law that is now being challenged by six major book publishers.

In 2022, Florida governor Ron DeSantis signed a landmark legislation that targeted books that included any sexually explicit material, following complaints from conservative group Moms for Liberty.

The law was brought into effect in July 2023 and has seen noteworthy classics such as Brave New World by Aldous Huxley and The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain all removed from elementary, middle and high school libraries. Even non-fiction books like The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank has also been banned.

Amongst the novels by King that have reportedly been banned include Carrie, It, The Gunslinger, The Running Man and The Long Walk.

King, who is no stranger to voicing his political opinion, wrote in response to learning just how many of his books have been banned: Florida has banned 23 pf [sic] my books. What the f***?

Six major book publishers, Penguin Random House, Simon & Schuster, Hachette Book Group, HarperCollins Publishers, Macmillan Publishers and Sourcebooks have now teamed up to challenge the sweeping book removal provisions of House Bill 1069.

In a press release the publishers highlighted the potential abuses of the law that can happen once a complaint is raised. The statement says: HB 1069 requires school librarians to remove books that contain anything that can be construed as sexual conduct, with no consideration of the educational value of the work as a whole. If a parent or a resident of the county objects to a book, the book must be removed within five days and remain unavailable until the objection is resolved. There is no requirement to review a book within a reasonable time frameor even to return it if it has been found not to violate the statute. If a book is returned to the library, an objector may request a review by a state-appointed special magistrate at the expense of the school district.

Florida has banned 23 pf my books.

What the fuck?  Stephen King (@StephenKing) August 31, 2024

The publishers add: Students need access to books that reflect a wide range of human experiences to learn and grow. Its imperative for the education of our young people that teachers and librarians be allowed to use their professional expertise to match our authors books to the right reader at the right time in their life.

Florida Department of Education spokesperson Sydney Booker, has since pushed back on the publishers lawsuit, telling the BBC that it is a stunt, adding that: There are no books banned in Florida and that, sexually explicit material and instruction are not suitable for schools.
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Anya Taylor-Joy has revealed the Disney film she would love to star in.

The Queens Gambit actor, 28, who landed one of her earliest auditions to play the young version of Angelina Jolies character in the 2014 live action Sleeping Beauty spin-off Maleficent, said theres one Disney project shes still love to be involved in because it would impress her family.

Taylor-Joy said shed be particularly interested in working on a Disney musical because shes addicted to hard work and the thought of having to sing, dance, and act in a role makes the project an appealing challenge.

Speaking to Vogue Hong Kong, Taylor-Joy said: I would love to do a musical because Im a bit addicted to hard work. I like having an impossible mountain to climb. The idea of having to be able to sing, dance, and act at the same time would just really thrill me.

Specifying which project in particular shed like to take on, the Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga star added: I think Frozen would be pretty great. It would be very fun to shoot ice out of your hand.

She continued: Also, youd just be the favourite at every kids birthday party. All of my siblings have children now, so I would love for them to be able to say my auntie is Elsa.

That would be pretty sick.

open image in gallery Anya Taylor-Joy has revealed she would love to star in a live action version of Frozen ( Getty/Disney )

Fans have routinely pointed out the physical similarities Taylor-Joy has with the Frozen character Elsa, with film directors even asking her to play the role for their children.

I had a meeting with a director who had a young daughter who was three and she loved Frozen and he asked me if she could come over and I could pretend, Taylor-Joy previously told BBC Radio One.

And I did the whole thing. And watching this little girls face...she was so excitedshe thought I was gonna freeze the place.

open image in gallery Taylor-Joy at the Dune: Part Two premiere ( Getty Images )

Taylor-Joy previously turned down an offer to star in a Disney Channel pilot at the start of her career in favour of taking on a role in Robert Eggers puritan farmer horror The Witch.

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The film became Taylor-Joys breakthrough role and led to her receiving offers to star in M. Night Shyamalan horror film Split, and its sequel Glass, alongside James McAvoy.

I remember it was the same day I got asked to be in a Disney Channel pilot, and it was so exciting to be offered anything at all that I ran around the house like a loon, the actor previously told Harpers Bazaar.

But I just had this really good feeling about The Witch that made me willing to forgo the Disney experience for the thing that felt unknown to me  the thing that felt sacred.
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Sir Ian McKellen has said he will return to the Lord of the Rings franchise if his health permits him.

The actor, who played Gandalf in Peter Jacksons blockbuster JRR Tolkien adaptations, addressed rumours he might feature in the forthcoming film, centred on Andy Serkiss Gollum, during a new interview.

After Warner Bros announced The Hunt for Gollum earlier this year, it was theorised by fans that McKellens character might appear  and, after confirming there were stirrings in Tolkien land, he has now revealed hes been told there are going to be more films and Gandalf will be involved and they hope that Ill be playing him.

Its just as well, too, as McKellen told BBC Radio 4: Im not letting anyone else put on the pointy hat and beard if I can help it.

However, 85-year-old McKellen, who sustained wrist and neck injuries in a dramatic fall while performing onstage in June, said his involvement in the production will depend on whether the legs and the lungs and the mind keep working.

The two-time Oscar nominee, 85, lost his footing while playing John Falstaff in Player Kings at the Noel Coward Theatre and has since been dealing with a chipped vertebrae and a fractured wrist.

He said he will take the rest of the year off to recover fully, but expressed hopes of returning as Gandalf once that happens. But McKellen urged the films writers to be quick.

Another Lord of the Rings actor recently said he would be up for returning in a future film. Viggo Mortensen, who played Aragorn in Peter Jacksons original trilogy told The Independent series Go to Bat he would reprise the role if it seemed right and was faithful to what Tolkien wrote.

The Hunt for Gollum is the first of several planned new Lord of the Rings franchises that will be released by Warner Bros in the coming decade. They will follow Prime Videos Rings of Power, which is now back for a second season.

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Serkis, who will direct the film, said of the news: Yesssss, Precious. The time has come once more to venture into the unknown with my dear friends, the extraordinary and incomparable guardians of Middle Earth Peter, Fran and Philippa. With Mike and Pam, and the Warner Bros team on the quest as well, alongside WETA and our filmmaking family in New Zealand. Its just all too delicious.

Lord of the Rings character Gandalf (Ian McKellen) ( Warner Bros pictures )

Meanwhile, Jackson and his fellow producers, Fran Walsh and Philippa Boyens, added: It is an honour and a privilege to travel back to Middle-earth with our good friend and collaborator, Andy Serkis, who has unfinished business with that Stinker  Gollum! As life-long fans of Professor Tolkiens vast mythology, we are proud to be working with Mike De Luca, Pam Abdy and the entire team at Warner Bros on another epic adventure!

McKellen will next be seen in The Critic, which is being released in cinemas on 13 September.
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Japanese film director and Studio Ghibli co-founder Hayao Miyazaki has been chosen for the prestigious Ramon Magsaysay Award, often referred to as Asias Nobel Prize.

The award recognises Mr Miyazakis work creating thought-provoking animated films that tackle complex issues like environmental protection and peace and make them accessible to children.

Mr Miyazaki won his second Oscar this year for The Boy and the Heron, judged the best animated film. He received his first Oscar in 2003 for Spirited Away. His notable works also include Princess Mononoke.

Studio Ghibli shared the news on X: The foundation praised him, stating, He has used art to help children understand complex issues, such as environmental protection and the promotion of peace.

Mr Miyazaki, 83, is one of four people to receive the Ramon Magsaysay Award for 2024, along with the Rural Doctors Movement of Thailand, recognised for its dedication to provide healthcare to the poor people of the Southeast Asian nation.

The award was established in 1957 in memory of former Philippines president Ramon Magsaysay.

Dr Nguyen Thi Ngoc Phuong, a Vietnamese doctor, was recognised for fighting for justice for victims of Agent Orange, a toxic defoliant used during the Vietnam War.

Former Buddhist monk Karma Phuntsho was chosen for his work balancing Bhutans rich past with its present challenges and opportunities through education, the Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation, headquartered in Manila, said.

Another winner, Indonesian environmentalist Farwiza Farhan, led a campaign to save the Leuser Ecosystem, a vital forest in Sumatra which is home to many species threatened by deforestation and weak law enforcement.

The award ceremony will be held in Manila in November.
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Liam Gallagher has been criticised for an old social media post complaining about his brothers tour ticket prices in the wake of the Oasis ticket scandal.

Fans who made it through the hours-long queue for tickets to the groups 2025 reunion tour this weekend were shocked that the cost for general standing tickets had risen as a result of Ticketmasters dynamic pricing policy, which saw the cost of tickets double in some cases.

For the new Manchester shows, a general admission standing ticket was expected to cost 150 but that price had risen to 355 under the dynamic pricing policy that reflects increased demand.

In the resurfaced post, Liam had written on X/Twitter in 2017: 350 dollars to go and see rkid in USA what a c*** when will it all stop as you were LG x.

Oasis fans were quick to point out the hypocrisy of Liams historic post, as those ticket prices for Noels America tour now match the bands dynamic pricing tickets.

Well this is evergreen, one person said.

Meanwhile, another user added: 380 for a reactively priced GA when people had spent three hours queuing. What sort of c*** would do that? As you were. BA x.

open image in gallery Oasis band members Noel and Liam Gallagher ( PA Wire )

One fan, at the time, had even heartbreakingly determined Liams stance on ticket prices to stand him in good stead for getting tickets to the Oasis reunion.

Shocking price, they wrote in response to Liams post seven years ago. But this tweet bodes well for if/when Oasis reunion tickets go on sale. Fair prices all round!!

It was a morning of mixed emotions on Saturday as tickets were released first for Croke Park in Dublin, Ireland, at 8am, then in the UK for London, Manchester, Edinburgh and Cardiff at 9am.

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open image in gallery Liam has been criticised for a historic tweet following the Oasis ticket scandal ( X/Twitter )

Fans who set their alarms found themselves waiting in lengthy queues, as they shared screenshots informing them they were 352,856th or 430,720th in line.

Some complained they were being forced to wait in a queue simply to get on the websites for Ticketmaster, SeeTickets and Gigs and Tours.

One disgruntled fan wrote on X/Twitter: Ticketmaster just put me in a queue TO VIEW ITS WEBSITE, and at that point, Im just like, I actually dont want to see Oasis enough to withstand this abuse.

As tickets went on sale, fans reported the websites crashing altogether as demand surged and the band issued a further warning that any being resold at inflated prices could be cancelled.

This didnt appear to prevent resale sites such as Viagogo and StubHub listing tickets for as much as 7,025 for a single seated ticket at Wembley Stadium, while the cheapest standing tickets available on StubHub were listed from 842 each.

Addressing the resale tickets, Oasis wrote on X/Twitter: Tickets appearing on other secondary ticketing sites are either counterfeit or will be cancelled by the promoters.
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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.

open image in gallery 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.

open image in gallery 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.
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Dawsons Creek and Star Trek actor Obi Ndefo has died aged 51.

Ndefos death was announced by his sister on Saturday (31 August), who posted on Facebook: Heartbroken at the loss of my younger brother and knowing hes finally at peace. No cause of death was given.

In 2019, Ndefo, who played Bodie Wells on the teen drama, lost both his legs when a car smashed into him while he was parked in Los Angeles.

Reflecting on the incident in an interview with the Los Angeles Times, Ndefo said of his positive outlook at the horrific incident: This is just so horrendous what happened to me, why would I compound this by feeling bad about it?

There is no other choice for me. So theres a sort of rigour to me, and I think, OK my legs are severed. I dont know how to do this, but I know how to do this.

The actor starred in Dawsons Creek from 1998 to 2002. Bodie was the brother-in-law of Joey Potter, who was played by Katie Holmes.

Since news of Nefos death was announced, one of his co-stars has shared a message of love for the actor.

open image in gallery Obi Ndefo as Bodie Wells in Dawsons Creek ( The WB )

Gale Leery star Mary-Margaret Humes wrote on Instagram: These words dont come easy. Its hard for me to conceive that you have left us, my dear friend.

You always were and always will be a bright shining light. What an example of pure unfiltered love and tenacity you set as you faced lifes challenges of recent.

She continued: I will cherish all of our messages of love and support to each other over the past few years. Rest in peace sweet warrior.

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open image in gallery Obi Ndefo has died aged 51 ( Instagram )

Humes proceeded to share a behind-the-scenes video showing Ndefo on set with co-stars Holmes and James Van Der Beek.

Throughout his career, Ndefo, who was also a yoga teacher, starred in Angel, The West Wing, Stargate SG-1 and Star Trek: Voyager.

His most recent credit arrived in a 2021 episode of NCIS: Los Angeles.

He was the founder of the Los Angeles-based non-profit Arts Alliance for Humanity, which supports keeping arts education in public schools and communities.
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Richard Hammond has admitted that he never thought hed be making television with his The Grand Tour co-stars Jeremy Clarkson and James May for as long as 22 years.

The presenting trio made their first series of motoring show Top Gear for the BBC in 2002, and they have become famous for their bantering rapport over the past two decades.

In 2015, after Clarkson assaulted a Top Gear producer while filming, the BBC elected not to renew Clarksons contract.

That year, Clarkson, his co-presenters and producer Andy Wilman formed the production company W Chump & Sons to produce The Grand Tour for Amazon Prime Video, and the show has continued on that platform ever since. The BBC, meanwhile, continued airing Top Gear with a raft of different presenters.

Speaking in a new trailer for the last ever episode of The Grand Tour, which will air on 13 September, Hammond said: I never thought that what we do together would go on as it has.

The teaser trailer for the special episode, titled One For the Road, sees the trio gallivanting around Zimbabwe, with Bonnie Tylers emotional 1983 ballad Total Eclipse of the Heart playing in the background.

It also shows Clarkson, who usually makes life as difficult as possible for his co-stars, appearing to soften. Shall we change the habit of a lifetime, and help him? Clarkson asks May, after Hammond encounters problems with his dream car, a Ford Capri 3-litre.

Clarkson, who is currently enjoying the biggest success of his career with Clarksons Farm, recently 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.

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open image in gallery Richard Hammond in the finale ( Prime )

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.

He added: 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] had his 1,200 hours of material to sift through.

The final Grand Tour episode will air on Prime Video on 13 September.
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Russian president Vladimir Putin received a red carpet welcome in Mongolia, appearing unfazed during his first trip to a member country of the International Criminal Court which has issued an arrest warrant for him for alleged war crimes in Ukraine.

A signatory to the Rome Statute governing the Hague court, Mongolia was called on by ICC, other countries, and human rights groups to oblige the warrant and arrest Mr Putin as he landed in the country.

Mr Putin was not arrested upon arrival, making Mongolia the first nation to openly defy the ICC warrant against the Russian leader. The Kremlin leader was, however, greeted by the Mongolian military guard at the airport and he spent the night in capital Ulaanbaatar.

Angered by the defiance of the international arrest warrant, Ukraine vowed to ensure Mongolia felt the consequences.

The Kremlin announced last week that Mr Putin would visit Mongolia to mark the 85th anniversary of the victory of Russian and Mongolian forces against Imperial Japan at Khalkhin Gol river in 1939.

The ICC issued an arrest warrant for Mr Putin in March 2023 after accusing him of committing war crimes by taking hundreds of Ukrainian children from orphanages during the war.

It accused Mr Putin and Russias childrens rights commissioner Maria Alekseyevna Lvova-Belova of unlawful deportation of children from occupied areas of Ukraine to the Russian Federation.

Before the trip, the Kremlin said it had "no worries" about Mr Putins impending visit. "We have an excellent rapport with our partners from Mongolia," Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said. "Of course, all aspects of the presidents visit have been carefully prepared."

Mongolia, landlocked between Russia and China, is dependent on Moscow for imports of oil and natural gas. It assumed an important role as its strategic placement between the two allies allowed it to facilitate between them amid the threat of sanctions against Chinese firms for directly dealing with Russia.

open image in gallery Russia's President Vladimir Putin arrives at Buyant-Ukhaa International Airport in Mongolia's capital Ulaanbaatar on 2 September 2024 ( AFP via Getty Images )

The ICC and Ukraine had already pressed Mongolia to arrest Mr Putin at the weekend, and Human Rights Watch put its weight behind these calls on Monday.

Mongolia would be defying its international obligations as an ICC member if it allows Russian president Vladimir Putin to visit without arresting him, said Maria Elena Vignoli, senior international justice counsel at Human Rights Watch.

Welcoming Putin, an ICC fugitive, would not only be an affront to the many victims of Russian forces crimes, but would also undermine the crucial principle that no one, no matter how powerful, is above the law, she said.

Ukraines foreign ministry said it hoped Mongolia was aware of the fact that Vladimir Putin is a war criminal and urged it to arrest the Russian leader and hand him over to prosecutors at The Hague.

On Tuesday, it denounced Mongolias failure to detain Mr Putin as a heavy blow to the ICC and the system of criminal law.

Mongolia has allowed an accused criminal to evade justice, thereby sharing responsibility for the war crimes, ministry spokesperson Heorhiy Tykhyi wrote on the Telegram messaging app.

Ukraine, he said, would work with its allies to ensure Mongolia felt the consequences.

The ICC does not have any enforcement mechanism and its agreement with member countries exempts them from the obligation of carrying out an arrest under certain circumstances.

For Mongolia, the practical consequences of a fallout with Moscow would likely be worse than the consequences of upsetting The Hague.

Mongolia receives 95 per cent of its petroleum products from Russia, accounting for 35 per cent of all imports.

The countrys economy, heavily focused on the export of raw materials such as coal, copper and gold, depends largely on Russian fuel for transport to China.

The talks are set to focus on a controversial new gas pipeline connecting Russia and China. Russia has been aiming to establish a new gas pipeline, Power of Siberia 2, to redirect Russian gas supplies that passed energy to Europe through Mongolia to reach China instead. However, expectations that it would be built have been thrown into doubt after Mongolias parliament did not include the pipeline in its next five year economic budget.

In the past five years, Russian exports to Mongolia have increased at a rate of 8.85 per cent a year, from $1.6bn in 2017 to $2.44bn in 2022, according to the Observatory of Economic Complexity. The exports include planes, helicopters and spacecraft.

When Russia banned fuel exports from 1 March 2024 it made exceptions for friendly nations such as India, China, and Mongolia.

open image in gallery ( AP )

Mr Putin last year avoided visiting ICC member country South Africa for the BRICS summit in Johannesburg.

President Cyril Ramphosa lobbied Moscow for months to keep Mr Putin from visiting in order to avoid a diplomatic crisis. He ultimately announced the two countries had reached a mutual agreement that the Russian leader would not attend a meeting that hes normally a fixture at.

South Africa avoided a repeat of a similar controversy when it hosted Sudanese dictator Omar al-Bashir in 2015, who had arrest warrants against him, sparking condemnation for failing to fulfil its obligations to the ICC.

Mr Putin instead took part in the Johannesburg summit by video link, launching into a tirade against the West.
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A three-year-old child has become the latest victim of deadly wolf attacks in northern India despite authorities intensifying efforts to stop the rampaging pack.

At least eight children and a woman have been killed by a pack of three wolves in rural Uttar Pradesh in the last months, while over 50 people have survived attacks.

Forest officials in Bahraich district have caught one of the killer wolves, but the other two remain on the prowl.

The three-year-old girl was taken by one of the wolves from her home early on Monday, her mother told news agency ANI.

"She was bitten on both hands. We are poor people who work as labourers. There is no door to our home," she said.

The wolf attacks have left more than 50,000 people across 30 villages petrified, prompting the deployment of 150 forest guards and over 200 security personnel.

Residents alleged that the forest department refused to act, and demanded video proof from the villagers who first raised the alarm over wolf sightings.

"We surrounded the wolf in a field and called the forest department, but they asked for a video, an unnamed resident was quoted as saying by the news agency.

By the time we take out our mobile, it disappears.

India routinely reports leopard and tiger attacks, but wolf attacks are unusual.

Authorities in Bahraich have installed loudspeakers and floodlights to deter the animals from attacking people.

Forest officials have placed urine-soaked stuffed toys near traps to draw the wolves away from residential areas. They have also burned elephant dung and urine to create an illusion of the presence of elephants as wolves avoid places where big animals dwell.

It is common in summers for villagers in India to sleep on mats or woven-rope beds outside their homes, where it is cooler, leaving them vulnerable to animal attacks.

The first wolf attack was reported on 17 July, when a one-year-old was killed. Many people have since reported wolves entering their homes at night and attempting to snatch away the sleeping inhabitants, mostly children.

"At 4 in the morning an animal attacked me. He attacked my neck with its jaws. It was bigger than a jackal, one survivor told the Times of India.

If I had not caught his mouth, he would have killed me."

Forest officials said on Sunday they had located the two killer wolves still on the loose with the help of drones. "Both wolves have been traced in this area. We will capture them today or tomorrow," said forest officer Abhishek Singh.

Bahraich district magistrate Monika Rani asked residents to be alert and sleep indoors. "We are trying our best to catch the remaining wolves as soon as possible," she told reporters.

Wildlife experts say wolves avoid human habitats but become man-eaters when they develop a taste for human flesh due to the lack of food following floods or other natural disasters.
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A tropical storm unleashed heavy rains across the northern Philippines over the weekend, triggering floods and landslides and prompting the closure of schools in the capital region.

Yagi, locally known as Enteng, was moving northwest with maximum sustained winds of 75km/h and gusts up to 90km/h, bringing dangerous weather conditions to the region.

In Naga city in Camarines Sur province, floods caused by the storm claimed at least one life and authorities were verifying if other reported deaths were weather-related.

The eastern city was hit hard, with floodwaters rising several feet and prompting the rescue of hundreds of residents. A nine-month-old girl was killed as the area was inundated, AFP news agency quoted officials as saying.

In the province of Northern Samar, the Philippine coast guard evacuated 40 people from two flood-stricken villages on Sunday, with the waters reaching waist-height.

The storm also disrupted operations at several ports, stranding 2,400 ferry passengers and cargo workers.

Nearly two dozen domestic flights were suspended as well.

Rains brought by the storm triggered landslides in the central city of Cebu, killing at least two people and damaging several houses.

The severe weather forced the closure of schools and government offices in Manila and the surrounding provinces of Bulacan and Quezon.

Flooding in Philippines after heavy rains ( Anadolu via Getty )

The Ipo Dam in Bulacan province, north of Manila, was close to overflowing. Authorities planned to release some of the water later on Monday, assuring that their action would not pose a risk to downstream villages.

Authorities were also monitoring the Marikina river in Manila, where water levels were rising and people in flood-prone areas were warned to prepare for possible evacuation.

Yagi was expected to make landfall in the northern Luzon region, possibly in Isabela or Cagayan, before moving towards southern China later in the week.

The Philippine weather bureau, Pagasa, warned of potential flash floods, landslides and coastal waves as the storm continued to affect the region.

Yagi arrived just days after heavy monsoon rains flooded parts of Manila and barely a month after typhoon Gaemi.

Gaemi didnt make landfall in the Philippines but interacted with the southwest monsoon to cause heavy winds and torrential rainfall. At least 48 people were killed, with around 6.5 million affected by the severe conditions.

The Philippines experiences about 20 typhoons and storms a year. The archipelago's location in the "Pacific Ring of Fire" makes it one of the world's most disaster-prone countries, regularly facing devastating volcanic eruptions, earthquakes and cyclones.
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At long last, the moment weve all been waiting for has arrived. Apples new iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max have launched in the UK, being joined by the new Apple Watch Series 10 and new AirPods 4.

The iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro are filled with the companys new Apple Intelligence smarts, powered by the companys new A18 and A18 Pro chipsets and iOS 18, making Siri more useful and your iPhone apps more connected than ever before. But as leaked ahead of time, the AI features have been delayed, with Apple having confirmed in its keynote that they wont come to the UK until December.

Beyond artificial intelligence, all four iPhones have a new haptic camera control button on the side for taking pictures and videos, and even let you swipe between camera settings. The Pro smartphones also have bigger displays while keeping a similar-sized footprint, and they have even longer battery life. They each have better cameras and new colours and are more durable than ever before, making them great upgrades over their predecessors.

Launching today (Friday 20 September), Ive rounded up the best iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max deals from all the major retailers and carriers.

The best iPhone 16 trade-in deals in the UK

While you wont find any deals on the latest iPhone 16 handsets outright, the Apple Store and third-party retailers offer trade-in deals which will lower the total cost. Ive found the best trade-in offers and deals from Apple, John Lewis and Amazon.

Best Apple Store iPhone 16 trade-in deals

open image in gallery ( Apple )

Apple never slaps any discounts onto its iPhones, but you can get a pretty hefty saving by trading in your current smartphone. You can get up to 645 off your new iPhone 16 by trading in an iPhone 15 Pro Max, bringing the cost of the 256GB iPhone 16 Pro Max down to just 554.

If you trade in an iPhone 14 or iPhone 14 Pro, you can get between 330 and 575. While those trading in an iPhone 13 or iPhone 13 Pro can get up to 390 off the new iPhone 16. Apple also offers 0 per cent finance, letting you spread the cost of your new iPhone 16 over monthly instalments.

Best John Lewis iPhone 16 trade-in deals

open image in gallery ( Apple )

Like the Apple Store, you can also trade in your current smartphone at John Lewis to lower the cost of your iPhone 16 purchase. If you trade in an iPhone 15 Pro Max, you can get up to 625 off your new iPhone 16. Even one of the oldest smartphones (an iPhone 11) could get you up to 120 on trade-in. John Lewis takes more than just iPhones, however, so you can also trade in an Android smartphone to lower the cost.

In terms of other perks, John Lewis is offering 20 per cent off an Apple 20W USB-C power adapter (19, Johnlewis.com) when you add it to your cart alongside an iPhone 16 purchase and enter the code APPLEADAPT at the checkout.

Best Amazon iPhone 16 trade-in deals

open image in gallery ( Apple )

If youve got an Amazon gift card (admit it, we all get them for our birthday), and have a phone to trade in, it might be worth buying your new iPhone 16 direct from Amazon. Amazon sources out its trade-in program to Ingram Micro, who is offering up to 599 if you trade in an iPhone 15 Pro Max.

Ingram Micro also accepts trade-ins if youve got an Android device, so youre not locked into trading up an iPhone if youre making the switch to iOS.

The best iPhone 16 carrier deals in the UK

Mobile phone carriers have lots of deals on the latest handsets. If youre looking to pair your smartphone with a new contract, the likes of Sky Mobile, EE, O2 and Vodafone have slashed the price on data and have thrown in additional perks. Ive rounded up the best and cheapest contract deals from all the major carriers below.

Best Sky Mobile iPhone 16 deals

open image in gallery ( Apple )

Sky Mobile offered the very cheapest deals for the entire iPhone 15 line-up last year, and it seems to be matching those prices for the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro.

The iPhone 16 Pro starts from 33 per month, while the iPhone 16 Pro Max starts from 39 per month. The iPhone 16 starts from 26 per month and the iPhone 16 Plus starts from 30 per month. Theres no up-front cost like other carriers, but you will have to add on a data plan. Sky is offering double data for a limited time, and the cheapest data plan costs 5 per month, getting you 10GB of data instead of 5GB.

Plus, there are other perks if you take out a contract with Sky Mobile. The carrier has a piggybank system, which rolls your unused data into a virtual pot that you can share with your family, use in future months, or even exchange for rewards. The carrier also lets you stream on any Sky app, such as Sky Go and Sky Sports, without using any of your data.

iPhone 16 with 10GB of data: 31 per month, no up-front cost, 36-month contract, Sky.com

31 per month, no up-front cost, 36-month contract, Sky.com iPhone 16 Plus with 10GB of data: 35 per month, no up-front cost, 36-month contract, Sky.com

35 per month, no up-front cost, 36-month contract, Sky.com iPhone 16 Pro with 10GB of data: 38 per month, no up-front cost, 36-month contract, Sky.com

38 per month, no up-front cost, 36-month contract, Sky.com iPhone 16 Pro Max with 10GB of data: 44 per month, no up-front cost, 36-month contract, Sky.com

Best Three iPhone 16 deals

open image in gallery ( Apple )

While Threes deals were a little lacklustre last year, the mobile network provider is offering the best iPhone 16 deals Ive seen at launch so far this year, and have some of the best trade-in valuations out of all the providers. You can save up to 747 when you trade in an iPhone 14 Pro Max, for instance.

All of Threes cheapest iPhone 16 deals come with 15GB of data and last for 36 months. The iPhone 16 costs 30.50 per month and comes with a 30 up-front cost, while the iPhone 16 Plus costs 33 per month and comes with a 40 up-front cost.

The iPhone 16 Pro costs 36 per month and comes with a 50 up-front cost and the iPhone 16 Pro Max costs 41 per month and comes with a 60 up-front cost. That makes Three the best network if youre looking for an iPhone 16 Pro or iPhone 16 Pro Max, just watch out for the up-front cost.

iPhone 16 with 15GB of data: 30.50 per month, 30 up-front cost, 36-month contract, Three.co.uk

30.50 per month, 30 up-front cost, 36-month contract, Three.co.uk iPhone 16 Plus with 15GB of data: From 33 per month, 40 up-front cost, 36-month contract, Three.co.uk

From 33 per month, 40 up-front cost, 36-month contract, Three.co.uk iPhone 16 Pro with 15GB of data: From 36 per month, 50 up-front cost, 36-month contract, Three.co.uk

From 36 per month, 50 up-front cost, 36-month contract, Three.co.uk iPhone 16 Pro Max with 15GB of data: From 41 per month, 60 up-front cost, 36-month contract, Three.co.uk

Best Mobiles.co.uk iPhone 16 deals

open image in gallery Apple Intelligence can help users rewrite any notes or emails in a range of styles. (Apple) ( Apple )

Online mobile phone shop Mobiles.co.uk, owned by Currys, has some impressive iPhone 16 deals on a per-month basis, but the up-front costs can be high (though not as high as buying an iPhone 16 outright).

The cheapest iPhone 16 deal is with Curryss iD Mobile, which uses Threes network. Youll pay 29.99 per month, but theres a 199 up-front cost. It comes with 100GB of data. The contract only lasts 24 months, though, which is shorter than Sky Mobile. An iPhone 16 Plus with 100GB of data will cost you 39.99 per month, with a 99 up-front cost.

Mobiles.co.uks best iPhone 16 Pro deal is again with iD Mobile. You get 100GB of data and pay 39.99 per month, with a 169 up-front cost. Want an iPhone 16 Pro Max with unlimited data? Youll pay 44.99 per month and 199 up-front.

If you trade in your current handset, Mobiles.co.uk will take an extra 50 off the up-front cost, and you can get a free 10 Currys gift card after you make your purchase.

iPhone 16 with 100GB of data: From 29.99 per month, 199 up-front cost, 24-month contract, Mobiles.co.uk

From 29.99 per month, 199 up-front cost, 24-month contract, Mobiles.co.uk iPhone 16 Plus with 100GB of data: From 39.99, 99 up-front cost, 24-month contract, Mobiles.co.uk,

From 39.99, 99 up-front cost, 24-month contract, Mobiles.co.uk, iPhone 16 Pro with 100GB of data: From 39.99 per month, 169 up-front cost, 24-month contract, Mobiles.co.uk

From 39.99 per month, 169 up-front cost, 24-month contract, Mobiles.co.uk iPhone 16 Pro Max with 100GB of data: From 44.99 per month, 199 up-front cost, 24-month contract, Mobiles.co.uk

Best Tesco Mobile iPhone 16 deals

open image in gallery ( Apple )

Tesco Mobiles iPhone 16 deals are slightly cheaper than Sky Mobiles, but youll only get 3GB of data. Tesco Mobile uses O2s network, so your coverage should be the same as anyone using an O2 SIM.

None of Tescos plans come with an up-front cost. The cheapest iPhone 16 deal costs 36.49 per month the iPhone 16 Plus costs 39.49 per month and the iPhone 16 Pro costs 42.49 per month. The iPhone 16 Pro Max costs 48.49 per month. All of these Tesco Mobile phone contracts last 36 months.

iPhone 16 with 3GB of data: From 36.49 per month, no up-front cost, 36-month contract, Tescomobile.com

From 36.49 per month, no up-front cost, 36-month contract, Tescomobile.com iPhone 16 Plus with 3GB of data: From 39.49, no up-front cost, 36-month contract, Tescomobile.com

From 39.49, no up-front cost, 36-month contract, Tescomobile.com iPhone 16 Pro with 3GB of data: From 42.49 per month, no up-front cost, 36-month contract, Tescomobile.com

From 42.49 per month, no up-front cost, 36-month contract, Tescomobile.com iPhone 16 Pro Max with 3GB of data: From 48.49 per month, no up-front cost, 36-month contract, Tescomobile.com

Best Vodafone iPhone 16 deals

open image in gallery ( Apple )

While Vodafone doesnt have the best monthly deals, it does have some of the biggest trade-in valuations if you swap in your current handset, with Vodafone offering up to 736 for an iPhone 15 Pro Max. Thats 100 more than Apple, and you can use your trade-in value to lower your monthly cost, add it to your Vodafone account as credit or get the cash straight into your bank account.

Vodafones cheapest deals come with 3GB of data and last 36 months. The iPhone 16 starts from 43.24 per month and has a 30 up-front cost, the iPhone 16 Plus starts from 46.27 per month and a 30 up-front cost, while the iPhone 16 Pro starts from 49 per month with a 39 up-front cost and the iPhone 16 Pro Max starts from 54.76 per month with a 50 up-front cost.

iPhone 16 with 3GB of data: 43.24 per month, 30 up-front cost, 36-month contract, Vodafone.co.uk

43.24 per month, 30 up-front cost, 36-month contract, Vodafone.co.uk iPhone 16 Plus with 3GB of data: 46.27 per month, 30 up-front cost, 36-month contract, Vodafone.co.uk

46.27 per month, 30 up-front cost, 36-month contract, Vodafone.co.uk iPhone 16 Pro with 3GB of data: From 49 per month, 39 up-front cost, 36-month contract, Vodafone.co.uk

From 49 per month, 39 up-front cost, 36-month contract, Vodafone.co.uk iPhone 16 Pro Max with 3GB of data: 54.76 per month, 50 up-front cost, 36-month contract, Vodafone.co.uk

Best EE iPhone 16 deals

open image in gallery ( Apple )

EEs iPhone 16 deals at launch arent the cheapest around, but they come with unlimited data, so you wont have to worry about running out, and it offers the best value in terms of extra perks. Plans with 5GB of data are marginally cheaper, but if you want a 5GB SIM, you might as well choose a plan with Sky Mobile, who is offering 10GB of data for 5.

An unlimited iPhone 16 plan costs 58.24 per month with a 30 up-front cost; the iPhone 16 Plus with unlimited data costs 61.27 per month with a 30 up-front cost. The iPhone 16 Pro with unlimited data costs 64.26 per month with a 30 up-front cost and the iPhone 16 Pro Max costs 70.32 per month with a 30 up-front cost, again with unlimited data.

All of EEs contracts last 36 months. If you dont mind paying a bit extra, EE is also offering the Apple One bundle subscription as part of its Full Works for iPhones package. If you opt for the Full Works plan, youll get Apple Music, Apple TV+, Apple Arcade and 50GB of iCloud+ for 24 months, as well as unlimited data and a data roam abroad pass. To get an idea of the value of these perks, EE claims that the benefits are worth up to 1,200 altogether. You also get an extra inclusive perk, such as a subscription to TNT Sport. You can also get up to 480 if you trade in your current iPhone.

iPhone 16 with unlimited data: From 58.24 per month, 30 up-front cost, Ee.co.uk

From 58.24 per month, 30 up-front cost, Ee.co.uk iPhone 16 Plus with unlimited data: From 61.27 per month, 30 up-front cost, Ee.co.uk

From 61.27 per month, 30 up-front cost, Ee.co.uk iPhone 16 Pro with unlimited data: 64.26 per month, 30 up-front cost, Ee.co.uk

64.26 per month, 30 up-front cost, Ee.co.uk iPhone 16 Pro Max with unlimited data: 70.32 per month, 30 up-front cost, Ee.co.uk

Best O2 iPhone 16 deals

open image in gallery ( Apple )

O2s iPhone 16 deals are good for fans of freebies. The deals include a free subscription to Disney+ or Amazon Prime, as well as access to O2 Priority (who hands out the best gifts) and inclusive roaming in Europe. The below iPhone 16 deals all come with 25GB of data.

The iPhone 16 costs 49.20 per month with a 30 up-front cost; the iPhone 16 Plus costs 52.25 per month with a 30 up-front cost; the iPhone 16 Pro costs 55.25 per month with a 30 up-front cost and the iPhone 16 Pro Max costs 61.30 per month with a 30 up-front cost.

All of O2s device plans last 36 months as standard, but they unlink after 24 months, so you can pay the rest off sooner and upgrade if you wish. You can also trade-in your current device to lower the cost of your monthly plan.

iPhone 16 with 25GB of data: 49.20 per month, 30 up-front cost, O2.co.uk

49.20 per month, 30 up-front cost, O2.co.uk iPhone 16 Plus with 25GB of data: 52.25 per month, 30 up-front cost, O2.co.uk

52.25 per month, 30 up-front cost, O2.co.uk iPhone 16 Pro with 25GB of data: 55.25 per month, 30 up-front cost, O2.co.uk

55.25 per month, 30 up-front cost, O2.co.uk iPhone 16 Pro Max with 25GB of data: 61.30 per month, 30 up-front cost, O2.co.uk

Best SIM-only deals

Sometimes the cheapest way of buying a new iPhone is to secure it on 0 per cent finance with Apple, Johb Lewis or Amazon, spreading the cost over 24 months, then pairing it with one of the cheapest SIM-only deals. Here are some of my favourite providers deals.

Smarty  From 12 per month for 120GB of data

giffgaff  From 10 per month for 20GB of data

id Mobile  From 10 per month for 60GB of data

Voxi  From 10 per month for 45GB of data

Lebara  From 5 per month for 5GB of data

Apple iPhone 16 price: How much does the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro cost in the UK?

While rumours ahead of the iPhone launch suggested that components of successive iPhones were getting more expensive and increasingly difficult for Apple to absorb, the entire iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max cost the exact same price as the iPhone 15 line-up.

The base iPhone 16, which features a new 48MP camera system, a bigger battery and the new camera control button starts from 799 for the 128GB model, while the larger iPhone 16 Plus starts from 899.

The iPhone 16 Pro starts from 999 for the 128GB model, which is the same price as the iPhone 15 Pro at launch, while the iPhone 16 Pro Max starts from 1,199 for the 256GB models.

Voucher codes

For the latest discounts on phones and tablets, try the links below:

Prefer a folding phone? Weve rounded up the best foldable handsets to buy now
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Thunderstorm warnings are in place across the UK, with the Met Office warning that up to three inches of rain could fall on Monday.

Heavy showers are expected to continue throughout the day, while some places may see between 30 to 40mm of rain in less than an hour, and some places seeing over 60-80mm in one or two places.

The yellow weather warning was issued over the weekend and remains in place until midnight on Monday, covering the East Midlands, North and East of England, the Highlands and Wales.

Despite temperatures expected to reach 23C in London, forecasters have warned that parts of the UK may see delays and some cancellations to train and bus services, and there may be a slight chance that power cuts could occure.

The weather also poses a risk that homes and businesses could be flooded quickly, with spray and sudden flooding leading to difficult driving conditions and road closures.

open image in gallery The Met Office have issued a yellow weather warning for large parts of the UK ( Met Office )

Marco Petagna, a senior operational meteorologist, said the thunderstorms were due to low pressure sitting over the UK. He said: Theres a risk of heavy showers, which could be thundery in places, especially central and eastern parts of the UK.

Tuesday and Wednesday are forecast to see lighter and more scattered showers and sunshine, with temperatures dropping to become cooler and fresher.

From Thursday onwards, thunderstorms and rain are again expected in the south of the UK, with drier conditions most likely over Scotland and Northern Ireland.

This weeks weather forecast:

Some heavy and thundery downpours today. Some warm sunshine too.

Today:

Showery rain, some heavy and thundery will affect parts of the UK today, especially Wales, central and northern England, along with central and eastern Scotland. Elsewhere, rain generally lighter and more patchy. Some warm sunny spells, especially southeast England. Humid.

Tonight:

Thunderstorms easing during the evening. Some clear spells overnight, though still showers in places. Feeling fresher than recently in the north and west, but remaining humid in the east.

Tuesday:

Showery rain in the southeast slowly easing. Otherwise a day of sunny spells, with some showers, mainly in the north and west. Generally feeling cooler and fresher.

Outlook for Wednesday to Friday:

Sunny spells and showers on Wednesday. Further rain then likely across England and Wales, some heavy, especially on Thursday, when perhaps also windy. Drier and brighter Scotland and Northern Ireland.
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Investigators are trying to determine the cause of an explosion that destroyed a southwest Louisiana home, killing a teenage boy from Alabama and injuring five other people.

Louisiana State Fire Marshal Bryan J. Adams said the explosion happened Saturday morning. Firefighters arrived to find the house burning. The explosion leveled the house, throwing debris for some distance and seriously damaging nearby vehicles and a metal outbuilding.

Killed was Deuce Barrere, 16, of Theodore, Alabama, local news outlets reported. Five other people were taken to hospitals including Barrere's older sister and mother. Adams said a toddler who was in the house was not injured and is being cared for by relatives.

This is an unimaginable tragedy for this family and community, Adams said in a statement.

Friends of Duece Barrere who gathered on Dauphin Island, Alabama, on Sunday to remember him told WALA-TV that he was a high school cheerleader.

When I was upset, he always made sure it was good before I left, and he always made sure everybody here was happy, said Adalynn Hall, who said she was Barrere's girlfriend.

Some nearby residents told KPLC-TV that the explosion felt like an earthquake, and that the resulting shock wave knocked items to the floor in their homes and caused power outages.

Ragley is about 20 miles (32 kilometers) north of Lake Charles.
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Two people are dead and three were injured after a man drove his car through a restaurant patio in a Minneapolis suburb on Sunday, police said.

Surveillance footage captured a man, whom police did not name, driving into the outdoor patio of the Park Tavern in St. Louis Park, a city immediately west of Minneapolis. The footage shows the man entering the restaurant parking lot on Sunday evening but not going inside. He attempted to park, then drove into the outdoor patio, police said.

The driver was arrested for criminal vehicular homicide. Police did not offer a more details on a potential motive. They also did not identify the victims.

A spokesperson for HealthPartners, a health care nonprofit that operates Methodist Hospital in St. Louis Park, told KARE-TV that nurses and staffers from the facility are among the victims.

One person who witnessed the episode said the driver struck the back of his vehicle before mowing directly into a crowd of about 30 people on the patio, the news station reported.

Dr. Thomas Stark, who works at Methodist Hospital, told KSTP-TV he was at Park Tavern on Sunday night with a group of colleagues. They were out celebrating one of the hospital employees, who was leaving her role as a nurse for a new position.

On to the next chapter of her life and everyone was out celebrating, having a good time and saying good-bye, Stark said.

That nurse is now hospitalized with severe injuries, according to the news station.

The Park Tavern is a family-friendly destination offers bowling lanes and arcade games, plus a restaurant and bar, according to its website. In a written statement published online, the restaurant said it would remain closed until further notice.

Thank you for your understanding and kindness during this incredibly difficult time, the statement said.

The Minnesota State Patrol conducted an accident reconstruction, and a law enforcement investigation into the episode is ongoing, authorities said.
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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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Watch live as the funeral of Israeli-American hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin takes place today (2 September) in Jerusalem.

Hersh Goldberg-Polin, Carmel Gat, Eden Yerushalmi, Alexander Lobanov, Almog Sarusi and Ori Danino were all captured by Hamas during the 7 October attack that ignited the Gaza war.

Goldberg-Polin, 23, was shown in a hostage video released by Hamas earlier this year, with part of his left arm missing.

Speaking in Hebrew, he said he had been here for almost 200 days and called on his parents to stay strong for him.

Tragically he and the five other hostages were all shot dead between 48-72 hours before Israeli forces found them in a tunnel in Rafah on Sunday (1 September), according to health ministry estimates.

The discovery of their bodies prompted at least half a million people to take to the streets in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv in protest, as pressure mounts on Nethanyahu to reach a ceasefire deal with Hamas.
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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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The wife of a Conservative Party councillor has admitted publishing a social media post stirring up racial hatred against asylum seekers on the day of the Southport knife killings.

Lucy Connolly, 41, appeared at Northampton Crown Court via video link to HMP Peterborough on Monday, when she pleaded guilty to publishing threatening or abusive material intending to stir up racial hatred.

Wearing a flower-patterned short-sleeved dress, the 41-year-old childminder spoke only to enter her plea and confirm she could hear the judge during a hearing that lasted seven minutes.

Her husband, West Northamptonshire councillor Raymond Connolly, watched from the public gallery in the courtroom.

A previous hearing was told Connolly, of Parkfield Avenue, Northampton, posted a message to X/Twitter, on the day three young girls were stabbed to death in Southport, which read: Mass deportation now, set fire to all the f****** hotels full of the bastards for all I care If that makes me racist, so be it.

Conservative West Northamptonshire councillor Raymond Connolly outside Northampton Crown Court on Monday ( Jacob King/PA Wire )

Adjourning the defendants case for sentence at Birmingham Crown Court on 17 October, Judge Adrienne Lucking KC told her the ordering of pre-sentence reports was no indication of the likely sentence. The judge said the case was being transferred to Birmingham to avoid any potential appearance of bias given Connollys husband held a political post in the local area.

Judge Lucking told Connolly: Sentencing will entirely be a matter for the judge on the next occasion, but its likely to be a substantial custodial sentence.

In the meantime, you are remanded in custody.

Speaking outside court after the case, Mr Connolly said the last few weeks have been quite traumatic for his wife and children and he feels kind of relieved.

He said his wife regrets making the post, which she deleted within two hours, is the opposite of a racist, and had been an upset housewife posting about what transpired to be misinformation about the Southport stabbings.

He told reporters: The stuff I hear on the TV is not really Lucy. She knows that she overstepped the mark and there is consequences for it. Hopefully shell be able to learn from this and move on with her life.

Far-right riots erupted across the country in the wake of the Southport stabbings ( PA Wire )

The councillor, who represents Delapre and Rushmere, said he has received messages of support from residents asking him not to resign.

Ive had really good support from my fellow councillors, he added. Its not affected my role.

A father-of-three was jailed at Northampton Crown Court for 38 months on 9 August after reposting part of Connollys X message.

Tyler Kay, 26, of Ellfield Court, Northampton, admitted a charge of publishing material intended to stir up racial hatred.

Passing sentence on Kay after he pleaded guilty, Judge Lucking told him: You posted as you did because you thought there were no consequences for yourself from stirring up racial hatred in others.

The overall tone of the posts clearly reveals your fundamentally racist mindset.

I am sure that when you intentionally created the posts you intended that racial hatred would be stirred up by your utterly repulsive, racist and shocking posts that have no place in a civilised society.

Tyler Kay, who was jailed last month for reposting Connollys social media message ( PA Media )

Connolly issued an apology for her X post before her arrest, saying she had acted on false and malicious information.

In a statement issued after the guilty plea, the Crown Prosecution Service said Connolly posted on X hours after the Southport killings, having encountered false information online that the perpetrator was a Muslim asylum seeker who had entered the country on a small boat.

Connolly was interviewed by police on 6 August and was charged three days later.

Commenting on the proceedings, Frank Ferguson, head of the Crown Prosecution Services Special Crime and Counter Terrorism Unit, said: Using threatening, abusive or insulting language to rile up racism online is unacceptable and is breaking the law.

During police interview Lucy Connolly stated she had strong views on immigration, told officers she did not like immigrants and claimed that children were not safe from them.

It is not an offence to have strong or differing political views, but it is an offence to incite racial hatred  and that is what Connolly has admitted doing.

The prosecution case included evidence which showed that racist tweets were sent out from Mrs Connollys X account both in the weeks and months before the Southport attacks  as well as in the days after.

Connolly wrongly thought that she could escape justice by hiding behind a screen, but today she has pleaded guilty and admitted her crime. She will now face the consequences of her actions.
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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.
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Brazen thieves who steal mobile phones that end up as far away as China are to be targeted in a new government crackdown as thefts soared by more than 150 per cent last year.

The latest figures from the Crime Survey for England and Wales show that an estimated 78,000 people had phones or bags snatched from them in the 12 months to March 2024.

This represented a 153 per cent rise when compared to the 31,000 incidents of snatch thefts in the same period to March 2023. There are now more than 200 incidents every day across England and Wales.

Masked thieves often target victims by snatching phones while on motorbikes and ebikes on busy high streets across the country.

In one small area around Oxford Circus and Regent Street in London, there were more than 10,000 thefts from a person over the last three years with more than 99 per cent of them going unsolved, data analysis by Crest Advisory revealed.

Across England and Wales, Just 0.8 per cent of theft from the person resulted in a charge, and 81.9 per cent of police investigations were closed before a suspect was found.

In a recent case, a prolific phone snatcher who used an electric motorbike to steal from members of the public on the streets of London was jailed for two years.

Sonny Stringer, 28, from Islington, stole 24 phones on the morning of 26 March before evading police by riding at speeds of nearly 50mph.

Sonny Stringer, 28, admitted ten counts of theft  covering 24 phones ( City of London Police )

The Independent also revealed earlier this year how many iPhones were being tracked to China where its believed to be easier for criminals to recycle or breakdown the stolen items.

But now, in a bid to tackle this soaring criminal activity, the Home Office said it would call tech companies and manufacturers to a summit which would look at the new innovations that could take on the illegal market.

The government is also expected to ask police chiefs to help tackle the issue, with Operation Opal  the national police intelligence unit  launching a probe to gather urgent information on the criminals who steal mobile phones, and where these devices end up.

Policing Minister Dame Diana Johnson said that phone companies must ensure it is more difficult for stolen phones to re-registered for sale on the second-hand market.

It is easier to unlock and sell stolen iPhones in Shenzhen, which has the largest electronics market in the world, police chiefs have told The Independent  but the criminals require the devices to be disconnected from the victims Apple accounts.

The tight security of iPhones means that it is difficult for a criminal who has stolen one to get into or use the device without its passcode or the owners Apple account password, unless it is remotely removed from that account for someone else to use, which also requires a login.

Across England and Wales, Just 0.8 per cent of theft from the person resulted in a charge ( PA )

Dame Diana said: With new phones coming to market and young people going back to school and university, many of us will have a new phone in our hands at this time of year.

These figures are troubling and the Government is determined to do whatevers necessary to protect people entitled to walk the streets without the threat of robbery.

As part of our Safer Streets mission, this new government is determined to crack down on snatch theft, knife-enabled robbery, and other crimes that make people feel unsafe in our communities, and we are working to get thousands more uniformed officers into our communities to restore neighbourhood policing.

If we work together, Government, tech companies and law enforcement can break the business model of the phone thieves and moped gangs who rely on this trade.

National Police Chiefs Council lead for Personal Robbery, Commander Richard Smith, added: Personal robbery can have a devastating impact on victims, leaving them with trauma which can be lasting.

Criminals often target some of the most vulnerable in society, such as children, with threats that violence may be used, making robbery particularly traumatic.

We continue to target those habitual criminals responsible for prolific offending, whilst working to prevent young people from being into this type of offending.

Manufacturers and the tech industry have an important role in reducing opportunities for criminals to benefit from the re-sale of stolen handsets.
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A father and his three sons, including two twins, found dead in their Surrey home have been pictured for the first time.

Polish national Piotr Swiderski and his sons were discovered at their home in Bremer Road, Staines-upon-Thames, at about 1.15pm on Saturday.

Neighbours reported hearing the mothers horrific screams shortly before police arrived at the scene.

Surrey Police said it was believed to have been an isolated incident with no third-party involvement.

The children and man involved were all related and the three children were all under the age of 4, police said.

The force has also completed a mandatory referral to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) due to previous police contact with those involved in August 2023.

Shehr Sikandari, a next-door neighbour, added: I havent met the dad much, but the children and the mum were quite lively, quite jolly.

The children used to play in the back all the time - making noises of joy, jumping around, playing and being very happy. They were full of life. They used to often go for a walk in the park or a stroll.

Just before the police came we heard loud screams.

We didnt hear anything before that. We thought they were not at home  maybe outside somewhere. Usually they take their children out on their bikes  so we thought they may be out and about.

We had breakfast outside at around 10am [on Saturday]. It was quiet and we didnt hear anything.

After 12pm we heard some screams and then the police came.

Mr Sikandari said it was a woman who was screaming.

The woman, she was screaming. They were quite horrific screams and everyone came out to see what was happening, he added.

Police said their mother and next of kin are aware and being supported by specialist officers.

DCI Gareth Hicks who is leading the investigation, said: This is a truly tragic incident and a thorough investigation is underway to establish exactly what happened. We would like to thank the local community for their support and understanding whilst we have been conducting our enquiries.

We can also now update that whilst Bremer Road was closed for a significant amount of time yesterday, it has now fully re-opened and there will continue to be a police presence in the area for the foreseeable.
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The saddest ever build to feature on Grand Designs is to be revisited in a special episode marking the shows 25th anniversary.

Chesil Cliff House in Devon broke viewers hearts after it began as an ambitious project for owner Edward Short, but ultimately it proved more complicated than he could have ever anticipated due to its clifftop location.

In the end, the property left him in not only a state of financial ruin but also destroyed his marriage.

Despite repeatedly being put up for sale at increasingly reduced prices, it has seemingly failed to find a buyer although it has had interest from the likes of Harry Styles.

The build first featured on the show back in 2019, and the almost-complete property has remained empty for the past 12 years.

Host Kevin McCloud said in the introduction to the fateful episode: If a lighthouse has a single message that it shouts out, it is this: Stay away  or risk destruction.

Channel 4 said of the special episode: Featuring the most ambitious builds and touching human dramas, with the biggest budget overspends, and disastrous delays thrown into the mix, this special will celebrate a true Channel 4 gem in its momentous anniversary year.

Edward Shorts finances and personal life were ruined by the ambitious coastal build. ( Tom Wren SWNS )

The property was most recently listed for sale for 5.25 million, despite originally being listed for 10 million when it was first put up for sale in 2022.

Impressive features of the five-bedroom house include its panoramic views and infinity pool.

The Savillss listing for Chesil Cliff House, which appears to no longer be on the market, read: The property represents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to take on and finish the specification and fit out of one of the UKs most spectacularly situated coastal homes.

The bespoke design has been brought to life through impressive engineering, with the building being anchored to the bedrock, blending whitewashed elevations with steel and glass, culminating with a lighthouse feature at one end giving almost 360-degree views of the coastline.

The position combines privacy with a diverse range of breath-taking views, all set in around 3 acres, which includes a large area of foreshore, a private tidal beach area and coves.

The house is pile-driven to save it from falling into the sea when the cliffs erode. ( Knight Frank )

Chesil Cliff House ultimately had to be pile-driven to prevent it from falling into the sea, contributing to its mammoth cost that left Mr Short millions of pounds in debt.

The former music industry sales executive later told The Sun: Theres no doubt what I put [my wife] Hazel through was horrendous.

Theres a lot of guilt about that. But there was no way out, once we started. If we didnt finish wed have been in big trouble.

The house sits on the cliff edge ( Knight Frank )

Ian Dunkley, Channel 4 commissioner, said: The 25th-anniversary is a testament to Grand Designs and the team behind it. For a generation the show has engaged audiences with the captivating stories of real people taking huge risks on innovative, sustainable and sometimes eccentric designs.

Grand Designs continues to be a much-loved Channel 4 show and we are proud to announce a new series with a 25th-anniversary special.

The anniversary episode will be aired by Channel 4 on 11 September.
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An American technology company says it will continue to pursue 3bn worth of damages against Mike Lynchs estate, despite his recent death in a superyacht disaster.

Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) won the multi-billion-pound High Court claim against the British tech tycoon in 2022, over fraud claims involving the sale of Dr Lynchs firm Autonomy in 2011.

However, his death aboard the Bayesian yacht, which sank during a freak storm on 19 August off the coast of Sicily, means that his family could be liable for the payout.

In a statement, HPE said: In 2022, an English High Court judge ruled that HPE had substantially succeeded in its civil fraud claims against Dr Lynch and Mr Hussain.

Dr Lynch died alongside his 18-year-old daughter Hannah ( Tancredi )

A damages hearing was held in February 2024 and the judges decision regarding damages due to HPE will arrive in due course. It is HPEs intention to follow the proceedings through to their conclusion.

Dr Lynch was cleared in a separate criminal trial involving the sale of Autonomy in June, with his boat trip said to be a gathering among friends, close colleagues and his legal team to celebrate his acquittal.

HPE won its civil case in the UK over claims that Dr Lynch and his companys former finance chief, Sushovan Hussain, had inflated the revenus of the firm before the takeover.

In a hearing earlier this year, HPE said it was seeking 3bn in damages, with a judge expected to rule on it later this year.

The tycoon had invited close friends and colleagues onboard his yacht to celebrate his recent acquittal (Jonathan Brady/PA) ( PA Wire )

Dr Lynch died alongside his 18-year-old daughter Hannah and five others after his superyacht sank during the early hours of the morning in a suspected tornado.

After becoming trapped in the ships hull, he was killed along with Morgan Stanley chairman Jonathan Bloomer, his wife Judith, Clifford Chance lawyer Chris Morvillo, his wife Neda, and the yachts cheft Recaldo Thomas.

Rescuers saved 15 passengers from the water, with three of the crew members now under investigation. This includes the ships captain James Cutfield, who is being probed for possible manslaughter and culpable shipwreck charges.
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The way Ofsted inspections work for schools will see a major change from today as Labour delivers on its pledge to revamp the grading system.

The headline reform the scrapping of single headline judgements, with schools now given more detailed reports. These will provide four grades on each of the existing criteria: quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development and leadership & management.

From September 2025, this will become even more comprehensive with the introduction of School Report Cards, which the Department for Education says will a fuller assessment of how schools are performing. It says the move is supported by 77 percent of parents.

In its election manifesto, Labour said the overall cost its Ofsted reform plans would be 45 million, paid for with some of the 1.51bn raised from charging VAT on private school fees.

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson (Lucy North/PA) ( PA Wire )

Education secretary Bridget Phillipson said: The need for Ofsted reform to drive high and rising standards for all our children in every school is overwhelmingly clear. The removal of headline grades is a generational reform and a landmark moment for children, parents, and teachers.

Single headline grades are low information for parents and high stakes for schools. Parents deserve a much clearer, much broader picture of how schools are performing  thats what our report cards will provide.

The changes come after a campaign by the family of headteacher Ruth Perry, who took her own life 54 days after Ofsted inspectors told her they planned to change her schools grade from outstanding to inadequate  the highest grade to the lowest.

This was due to some problems with the schools record-keeping for safeguarding, which led to the schools grade for leadership and management being marked as inadequate. Despite scoring good in five other criteria, the school was given an overall one-word grade of inadequate.

Although the inspector saying the record-keeping issues could be rectified within 30 days, Ofsteds summary judgement policy meant the grade would remain until the next inspection. Under rules, schools with an inadequate grading can be served an academy order, which may result in them being transferred to new management.

The death of headteacher Ruth Perry sparked calls for change ( PA Wire )

The government has said it will change how it approaches struggling schools as part of todays changes, working to get plans in place for improvement, rather than purely relying on looking for new management. This will be built on in September 2025 when Regional Improvement Teams are introduced to work with struggling schools.

As part of the changes, high performing schools could also be called in to help struggling schools, delivering on Labours manifesto commitment to spread best practice on a school-to-school level. However, asked on BBC Radio 4s Today programme if a school as inadequate could still be forced to become an academy, Ms Phillipson said: It can do, or it could involve support being put in place. I retain the power to issue an order to convert that school into an academy.

Mrs Perrys sister, Professor Julia Waters, said: We are delighted and relieved that the government has decided to take this important and long-overdue step.

Single-word headline judgments are dangerous and reductive. They are unpopular with parents and teachers, and their simplistic impact has made the daily job of improving school standards harder for everyone except the bureaucrats.

The shame, injustice, and high-stakes consequences of an inadequate judgement, together with the rude and intimidating conduct of the inspection itself, were the cause of my sisters mental deterioration and suicide.
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Major changes to disability benefits assessments are set to come into place from next month as the DWP brings in new providers to oversee a new system.

From September, the way Personal Independence Payment (PIP) claims are assessed will change across the UK as new companies take over.

The change will see all benefits that require a functional health assessment carried out by a single provider in any given region as the DWP awards new contracts. This means PIP assessments, as well as Work Capability Assessments for ESA and Universal Credit, will all be assessed by just one provider in one region, rather than several as before.

DWP secretary Liz Kendall ( PA )

The new providers have been awarded contracts on a regional basis:

Scotland and North England: Maximus UK Services Limited (currently Atos)

Midlands and Wales: Capita Business Services (currently Capita)

South West England: Serco (currently Atos)

South East England, London and East Anglia: Ingeus UK Limited (currently Atos)

Northern Ireland: Capita Business Services (currently Capita)

The new system and providers should not greatly impact the process, as all assessments are required to follow DWP guidelines. However, the change may be leaving some claimants worried about what can often be a stressful process.

Face-to-face appointments will still need to take place within a 90-minute public transport journey from the claimants home, which DWP contracts state should be the absolute maximum. All assessments must also take place in ground-floor locations that are easy for all customers to reach.

As with before, claimants can be accompanied in their assessment by a companion who is allowed to provide evidence. The contracts also say that only therapists, nurses, physiotherapists and doctors will be able to carry out assessments. Paramedics will also be allowed to carry out PIP assessments.

The changes come as thousands of PIP claimants are still due back payments worth an average of 5000 from the DWP. This follows a Supreme Court ruling which has forced the DWP to review certain claims based on changes to the assessment criteria.
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Transport for London (TfL) has revealed it is dealing with an ongoing cyber security incident.

The organisation, which is responsible for most of Londons transport network, has not shared specific details of the incident but said there was no evidence customer data has been compromised.

It said it had called in the National Crime Agency (NCA) and the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) to establish the damage caused by the breach.

Shashi Verma, TfLs chief technology officer, said: We have introduced a number of measures to our internal systems to deal with an ongoing cyber security incident.

The security of our systems and customer data is very important to us and we will continue to assess the situation throughout and after the incident.

Although well need to complete our full assessment, at present, there is currently no evidence that any customer data has been compromised. There is currently no impact on TfL services and we are working closely with the National Crime Agency (NCA) and the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) to respond to the incident.

The statement came after a similar message was sent out to customers on Monday evening.

A spokesperson for the NCA said: We are aware of a cyber security incident involving Transport for London (TfL), and are working closely with the National Cyber Security Centre, and with TFL itself, to respond to it.

The investigation is ongoing, and we are unable to comment further.

A spokesperson for the NCSC confirmed it was working with TfL and law enforcement partners to fully understand the impact of an incident.

It comes following a major cyber attack on the NHS in June, which led to more than 10,000 appointments being cancelled.

Synnovis, which provides pathology services on blood tests, primarily in south-east London, was the victim of a cyber attack  understood to have been carried out by Russian group Qilin  on 3 June.

Synnovis also revealed at the time it had to cancel testing for 20,000 blood samples across 13,5000 patients received since 16 June as it could test them, so samples have degraded.

According to the BBC, the cyber criminal group shared almost 400GB of data  including patient names, dates of birth, NHS numbers and descriptions of blood tests  on its darknet site and Telegram channel.
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Crispin Blunts drug policy group that sought to reclassify magic mushrooms and cannabis owes thousands of pounds to the taxpayer after closing down.

The former justice minister, who lost the Conservative whip on his arrest for suspected rape last year, launched the Conservative Drug Policy Reform Group (CDPRG).

But it now owes 467,165 to the Future Fund, which was set up by Rishi Sunak during lockdown to offer grants to startup firms.

The CDPRG aimed to allow access to cannabis-based medical products and reform wider drug policy following the current failure of prohibition.

It also advocated for reclassifying psilocybin, the active ingredient in magic mushrooms, to allow them to be prescribed by doctors.

Psilocybin "Golden Teacher" mushrooms grow in a humidified monotub ( Getty )

The group folded after Mr Blunt was released under investigation following his arrest on suspicion of rape and possession of controlled substances.

The MP for Reigate was detained by police on October 25 in Horley, Surrey, and released on conditional bail pending further inquiries.

He has said he will co-operate fully with the investigation and is confident he will not be charged.

Mr Blunt, who served as a minister between 2010 and 2012, was re-bailed in January, having previously identified himself as the man detained by the force and released on conditional bail.

The Future Fund provided state-backed convertible loans to innovative firms that can generate matched funding from private investors.

The CDPRGs liquidation documents, signed off by Mr Blunt, showed that the Future Fund accounted for the majority of the 495,522 it owed when it ran out of cash.

A spokesman for the British Business Bank, which administers the fund, told The Telegraph: The Future Fund was created at the height of the pandemic to ensure a flow of capital to companies that would otherwise have been unable to access government support schemes, while ensuring long-term value for the UK taxpayer.

As venture capital is long-term investment, it is too early to give an indication of the overall Future Fund performance, however due to the size of the portfolio, and the commercial nature of the third-party investors, we expect it to track the market over time.

Crispin Blunt did not respond to a request for comment from The Independent.
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Britain is suspending around 30 of its 350 arms export licences to Israel amid a clear risk they could be used to breach international humanitarian law relating to the treatment of Palestinian detainees and the supply of aid to Gaza.

Foreign secretary David Lammy told the House of Commons that a review conducted by the UK government could not arbitrate on whether or not Israel has breached international humanitarian law in Gaza, but ministers have a legal duty to review export licences.

He said Israel had a right to defend itself but he said that he was not satisfied with answers after he had raised concerns with the Israeli government.

Throughout my life I have been a friend of Israel, he told MPs.

For latest on situation in Israel, follow our live blog by clicking here

David Lammy has suspended 30 export licences for arms to Israel ( PA Wire )

Rishi Sunaks government had refused to suspend arms sales to Israel; however, speaking for the Tories today, shadow foreign secretary Andrew Mitchell initially did not oppose the decision when responding in the Commons. A number of Tory MPs privately voiced their disgust at the failure to criticise Lammy.

However, later Mr Mitchell expressed his displeasure at the decision, tweeting: Announcing an arms embargo on the day when Israel is burying its murdered hostages, and within weeks of British military personnel and arms defending Israel from Iranian attack, is not easy to swallow. Having now looked at Labours memorandum, it has all the appearance of something designed to satisfy Labours backbenches, while at the same time not offending Israel, an ally in the Middle East. I fear it will fail on both counts.

Meanwhile, Tory leadership candidate Robert Jenrick called it shameful gesture politics to appease the hard left.

The first MP to speak out against the move in the Commons was the DUPs Sammy Wilson who said: The only people who will welcome this decision today are the terrorists in Hamas who murdered six hostages over the weekend.

But Mr Lammys decision also follows Jeremy Corbyn creating the new independent group of five MPs who were elected at the expense of Labour on pro-Gaza tickets in what was seen to be a direct threat to Keir Starmers government.

The foreign secretary insisted that the decision was based on growing concerns over Israels actions since he took office at the general election in July.

Mr Lammy said the criteria states the government will not issue export licences if there is a clear risk that the items might be used to commit or facilitate serious violations of international humanitarian law.

He told the House of Commons: It is with regret that I inform the House today that the assessment I have received leaves me unable to conclude anything other than that for certain UK arms exports to Israel there does exist a clear risk that they might be used to commit or facilitate a serious violation of international humanitarian law.

I have informed the business and trade secretary and he is therefore today announcing the suspension of around 30 from a total of approximately 350 to Israel, as required under the Export Control Act.

Israels actions in Gaza continue to lead to immense loss of civilian life, widespread destruction to civilian infrastructure, and immense suffering.

In many cases, its not impossible to reach a determinative conclusion on allegations regarding Israels conduct of facilities, in part because there is insufficient information, either from Israel or other reliable sources to verify such claims.

Nevertheless, it is the assessment of His Majestys Government that Israel could recently do more to ensure life-saving food and medical supplies reach civilians in Gaza, in light of the appalling humanitarian situation.

And this government is also deeply concerned by credible claims of mistreatment of detainees, which the International Committee of the Red Cross cannot investigate after being denied access to places of detention.

Both my predecessor and all our major allies have repeatedly and forcefully raised these concerns with the Israeli government. Regrettably, they have not been addressed satisfactorily.

Liberal Democrat foreign affairs spokesperson Layla Moran said: This action should have been taken long ago by the previous government, who failed to take any leadership on the matter. Liberal Democrats welcome this announcement as a step forward from the government.

International groups questioned whether the government had gone far enough.

Sacha Deshmukh, Amnesty International UKs chief executive, said: While this decision appears to demonstrate that the UK has finally accepted the very clear and disturbing evidence of Israeli war crimes in Gaza, its unfortunately too limited and riddled with loopholes.

Exempting the F-35 fighter jet programme  essentially giving this programme a blank cheque to continue despite knowing that F-35s are being used extensively in Gaza  is a catastrophically bad decision for the future of arms control and misses a clear obligation to hold Israel accountable for its extensive war crimes and other violations.

Oxfam GB said: The governments suspension of some weapons exports to Israel is welcome recognition of the clear risk that Israel is using UK arms in serious breaches of international humanitarian law in Gaza. But suspending just 30 licences out of 350, and crucially leaving loopholes for components in F-35 fighter jets that have been dropping 2,000lb bombs on Palestinians for months now, is nowhere near adequate.
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Robert Jenrick has hit back at claims from his rivals that he is looking for easy answers in saying he would call for leaving the European Convention of Human Rights (ECHR).

The former home office minister, who resigned from Rishi Sunaks government because he thought that the prime minister was too soft on the controversial Rwanda scheme, has emerged as the leading candidate for the Tory right-wing.

He has claimed that reforming the ECHR would take decades and that if voters gave the Tories another chance to fix immigration they will not give us another chance if the party failed again.

And he said his experience of travelling across Europe had led him to believe leaving the convention was the right move for the country.

Robert Jenrick believes the UK must pull out of the European Convention on Human Rights (Aaron Chown/PA) ( PA Wire )

But his hard right plan for leaving the ECHR, which is aimed at winning back voters from Nigel Farage and Reform UK, has been dismissed by two of his rivals.

Former home secretary James Cleverly, who oversaw the Rwanda deportation legislation, argued that it was not the ECHR that blocked Rwanda flights but the UK Supreme Court.

He made a point of putting delivery over rhetoric in his leadership pitch to the party.

Meanwhile, Kemi Badenoch, who was seen as Mr Jenricks biggest rival on the right, said he was just looking for easy answers.

But Mr Jenrick, who has insisted he is nailed on to get to the final two for Tory members to choose from, said: On immigration, Ive been very, very clear to people about what my view is. I think that we begin to bring back the millions of voters we lost to Reform by immediately, this autumn, being clear about where we stand.

On legal migration that is a cap set by parliament in the tens of thousands.

On illegal migration  if you come here illegally, youre detained, youre removed within days either back to Albania or to a safe third country like Rwanda, whatever is available in the years ahead.

Kemi Badenoch launching her bid for the Tory leadership (James Manning/PA) ( PA Wire )

To do that, I have come to the conclusion that we have to leave the European Convention on Human Rights. I dont believe its reformable. I dont say this from a particularly ideological perspective, although I do believe in the sovereignty of parliament. I do it from having travelled across Europe.

There is no consensus within Europe about how to reform it. The only thing that everyone agrees on is that any attempt to reform it would be a project of decades and I just do not think that we have time to do that.

The public are demanding action on this they are aghast at what is happening in the English Channel, and if we were lucky enough to re-enter government, the public would not give us a third chance if we then wasted years and years in an attempt to renegotiate our terms, which would be as doomed to fail as David Camerons attempt to renegotiate our membership of the European Union.
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Jeremy Corbyn is among five independent MPs to have formed an Independent Alliance group opposing inequality and war.

The former Labour leader joined four other independents elected in July forming the group, which is the fifth biggest block in parliament.

The other members are Shockat Adam, who defeated Labour frontbencher Jonathan Ashworth in Leicester South, as well as Ayoub Khan, Adnan Hussain and Iqbal Mohamed, who all also stood on pro-Gaza tickets.

Jeremy Corbyn held his Islington North seat as an independent ( BBC )

The group said its aim is to boost the opportunity for the independent MPs to ask questions and hold the government to account.

In a joint statement, the MPs said: We were elected by our constituents to provide hope in a parliament of despair.

Already, this government has scrapped the winter fuel allowance for around 10 million pensioners, voted to keep the two-child benefits cap, and ignored calls to end arms sales to Israel.

Millions of people are crying out for a real alternative to austerity, inequality and war  and their voices deserve to be heard.

Former MP Jonathan Ashworth was one of several Labour candidates defeated by Independents who made Gaza a major part of their election campaign (Lucy North/PA) ( PA Wire )

"As individuals we were voted by our constituents to represent their concerns in parliament on these matters, and more, and we believe that as a collective group we can carry on doing this with greater effect.

The more MPs who are prepared to stand up for these principles, the better.

Our door is always open to other MPs who believe in a more equal and peaceful world.

Mr Corbyn was expelled from the Labour Party despite being its former leader and held his Islington North seat as an independent at the general election.

The other MPs were elected largely due to anger at Labour leader Sir Keir Starmers stance on the war in Gaza, which has seen Muslim and left-wing voters turn against the party.

The group will seek to pile pressure onKeir Starmer over issues such as Gaza and the two-child benefit cap ( PA Wire )

The Independent Alliance will make up the fifth biggest parliamentary grouping, holding the same amount of power as Reform UK and the DUP, with more MPs than the Green Party on four.

It will likely pile further pressure on Sir Keir over thorny issues such as the ongoing Israeli assault on Gaza, sparked by the 7 October Hamas attacks last year, and the two-child benefit cap, which the Labour leader said he would scrap before changing his mind.

The Independent Alliance is also calling for Labour to reverse a decision to make the winter fuel payment, worth up to 300 for pensioners, means-tested.
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Kemi Badenoch has said government officials should not want to look after refugees and asylum seekers, promising a major overhaul of civil service hiring.

Outlining her plans to rewire the whole system, the Tory leadership contender lashed out at Home Office staff who she claimed were ineffective at managing Britains borders because its not what they came in to do.

At a speech in central London launching her Renewal 2030 campaign, Ms Badenoch said: Many of the people we asked to enforce our borders are actually more interested in doing other things.

Kemi Badenoch speaking at a Conservative Party leadership campaign event at IET London (James Manning/PA) ( PA Wire )

They feel squeamish about it, she told supporters on Monday. They are not bad people, but it is not what they came in to do.

Look at many of the officials I met from the Home Office, for example, they had come from refugee charities, they wanted to look after refugees and asylum seekers.

The Home Office is responsible for considering the applications of those claiming asylum in the UK, including providing support and accommodation to those eligible as well as free healthcare and legal representation. The Conservative governments failure to deliver on a promise to lower net migration and stop small boats crossing the English Channel were among the key reasons for

Suggesting a crackdown on Home Office civil servants sympathetic towards asylum seekers, Ms Badenoch said: We need to take a better look at how we are recruiting into the civil to make sure people in places and in jobs where their skills are going to be best used. That is the kind of thing I am talking about. Change from the ground up."

(PA Graphics) ( PA Graphics )

Charities condemned the comments and urged Ms Badenoch to seek to understand why people move and avoid contributing to a climate that breeds far-right violence.

Refugee Action chief executive Tim Naor Hilton told The Independent: They must also remember the official review of the Windrush scandal found it was allowed to happen because of poor understanding among officials of Britains colonial history and the history of inward and outward migration.

Our leaders must focus on creating an anti-racist asylum system that respects peoples rights and fosters cohesion within our communities.

Elsewhere in her campaign launch, Ms Badenoch lashed out at leadership rivals and claimed the previous governments mistake was that it "talked right but governed left".

The shadow housing secretary, currently odds on to succeed Rishi Sunak, said "a government that tries to do everything will likely end up achieving nothing".

Addressing a packed room at the Institution of Engineering and Technology, she said: "This was one of our mistakes.

"We talked right but governed left, sounding like Conservatives but acting like Labour.

"Government should do fewer things, but what it does, it should do with brilliance."

She said that Labour are only in Government because people no longer believed in the Conservatives.

"The British people are yearning for something better, and this Labour Government is not it," she said.

She said Labour are "trying to pull the wool over the eyes of the public" about the state of the UKs finances.

"They are already making worse mistakes than we did," she said.

Soaring immigration and small boat crossings were among the key reasons for the Tory election loss ( PA Wire )

Ms Badenoch also took aim at rivals including Robert Jenrick, who has set out plans to leave the European Convention of Human Rights (ECHR) in a bid to bring immigration under control.

She said candidates putting targets on net immigration and promising to leave the ECHR are giving easy answers.

Its not just about throwing out numbers and throwing out targets, she added.

One rival camp hit back, criticising Ms Badenoch for attacking Dr Who, going on holiday during the campaign and refusing to set out plans to cap immigration.

No wonder her campaign has written off the next general election, a source said, in reference to her Renewal 2030 slogan.

Despite repeatedly calling for the Conservatives to focus on the future during the campaign and in opposition, Ms Badenoch launched the bid by reigniting an old spat with Doctor Who actor David Tennant.

The shadow housing secretary railed against the cultural establishment trying to keep Conservatives down and promised to take the fight to Doctor Who or whoever and not let them try to keep us down.

Mr Tennant had previously said he wished the Tory MP would shut up and that he hoped for a world in which she doesnt exist anymore.

Ms Badenoch also hit back at criticisms that she was more concerned with culture wars than with the bread and butter of opposition.

"I got on the dispatch box against Angela Rayner, that video has gone viral," she said.

"Thats me in opposition. That is how I will be taking the fight to Keir Starmer.

"But people who say that all I did was culture wars were not paying attention. I was doing my job.

"I was the equalities minister, I had to look after very, very tricky issues like race and gender - things that everybody ran away from.

"I didnt run away. And not only did I not run away, I defended people who needed help, and I dragged Labour onto our turf."
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Kemi Badenoch has officially launched her Tory leadership campaign with a promise to not shut up, reigniting a row with Doctor Who actor David Tennant.

The shadow housing secretary railed against the cultural establishment trying to keep Conservatives down and promised to take the fight to Doctor Who or whoever and not let them try to keep us down.

In a video teeing up her leadership launch in Westminster, Ms Badenoch used a clip of the actor saying he wished she would shut up and that he hoped for a world in which the MP doesnt exist anymore.

Mr Tennants comments sparked a row at the time, with then prime minister Rishi Sunak intervening to say if youre calling for women to shut up and wishing they didnt exist, you are the problem.

And Ms Badenoch hopes the spat will help her run on an anti-establishment ticket in the leadership race. In her video, Ms Badenoch said: No I will not shut up, when you have that kind of cultural establishment trying to keep Conservatives down, you need someone like me who is not afraid of Doctor Who or whoever.

Who is going to take the fight to them and not let them try to keep us down. That is not going to happen with me.

Tory leadership candidate Kemi Badenoch said the British people want something better (Stefan Rousseau/PA) ( PA Wire )

Officially launching her leadership bid on Monday, Ms Badenoch will lash out at Labour and call for change in the Conservative Party as she launches her Tory leadership campaign in Westminster.

The shadow communities secretary, the bookmakers favourite to replace Rishi Sunak, will say her party has to focus on renewal to be ready to return to power.

She will say the Conservatives cant just sit around pointing out how terrible Labour are and must not keep having the same policy arguments from the last parliament.

Leadership rival James Cleverly will use his own speech to say we must think and act like Conservatives again, arguing for a smaller state.

MPs return to Westminster on Monday after the summer break, with the candidates seeking support ahead of the first round of voting in the Tory leadership race on Wednesday.

The build-up to the ballot has already seen major speeches by candidates Tom Tugendhat, Dame Priti Patel and Robert Jenrick in recent days.

Both Mrs Badenoch and Mr Cleverly are making campaign speeches on Monday.

Mrs Badenoch is expected to say: The British people are yearning for something better and this Labour government is not it.

They have no ideas. At best they are re-announcing things we have already done.

At their worst they are clueless, irresponsible and dishonest: trying to pull the wool over the eyes of the British public about the state of the UK finances, placing political donors into civil service jobs and pretending they had no plans to cut pensioner benefits before the election  and now doing so to cover the cost of pay rises for the unions with no promise of reform.

She will add: If the Conservatives want to become worthy of the British peoples trust again, we cant just sit around pointing out how terrible Labour are  fun as it is.

Kemi Badenoch, Robert Jenrick, Mel Stride, James Cleverly, Tom Tugendhat and Dame Priti Patel are fighting it out for the Tory leadership (UK Parliament/PA) ( PA Media )

We cant just keep having the same policy arguments from the last parliament. We lost. We are not in power.

Labour will fail; and when that time comes, and the British people are looking for change, we have to be that change.

We have to focus on renewal. The renewal of our party, our politics and our thinking.

Mr Cleverly will say the Tories must get our act together to present solutions to an unstable world, global migration and a crisis of confidence in capitalism.

He will say: That means being honest and realistic about the role of the state. About what it should and can do, and what it should not and cannot. The state should focus on doing fewer things very well, not everything badly.

We accept that the state has a primary duty to protect its people and its borders. But Conservatives must be honest about the trade-offs in doing these things properly.

He will argue for a family-first society rather than looking to the state as the first port of call when a problem arises.

We must think and act like Conservatives again. Demonstrate that we understand the challenges our people and our country face, and provide the solutions to deliver a brighter future for our country.

We accomplished much in Government, but our division and behaviour obscured the victories and compounded the mistakes.

I will tackle the problems in front of us with Conservative solutions and make the UK the greatest power in Europe. Strong in defence of our people, our allies and our values on the international stage. With security and prosperity at home.

Writing in the Daily Telegraph, Mr Cleverly said he wants to abolish stamp duty on all homes, calling it a bad tax.

The tax is paid on purchases of homes for more than 250,000, or 425,000 for a first-time buyer.

I want our ambition to be to abolish stamp duty for residential properties completely, Mr Cleverly said.

Its a bad tax that is stopping too many people getting on the housing ladder.

The field of six candidates  which also includes Mel Stride  will be whittled down to four by the time of the Conservative conference at the end of the month.

After that, MPs will carry out further rounds of voting to select two final candidates for the Conservative members to choose between, with the result announced on November 2.
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Lisa Nandy has called the inflated selling of Oasis tickets incredibly depressing and revealed that surge pricing will be included in a government review of the ticket resale market.

Before Oasis fans were hit with ticket prices more than doubling from 148 to 355 on Ticketmaster, the government had pledged to bring in protections to stop people being ripped off by touts.

And after the furore over the weekend, the culture secretary said: After the incredible news of Oasis return, its depressing to see vastly inflated prices excluding ordinary fans from having a chance of enjoying their favourite band live.

Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport Lisa Nandy has hit out at ticket prices ( PA Wire )

Ms Nandy said the government was committed to putting fans back at the heart of music. So we will include issues around the transparency and use of dynamic pricing, including the technology around queuing systems which incentivise it, in our forthcoming consultation on consumer protections for ticket resales, she promised.

Ms Nandy added: Working with artists, industry and fans we can create a fairer system that ends the scourge of touts, rip-off resales and ensures tickets at fair prices.

Ticketmaster faced a barrage of complaints after Oasis fans spent an entire day trying to secure tickets to the reunion tour only to be hit with the significantly higher prices.

Oasis are set to return in 2025 but the band is facing criticism over ticket prices ( Simon Emmett/Fear PR/PA Wire )

The so-called dynamic or surge pricing policy, which has been heavily criticised in the past, is the systems response to demand, increasing or decreasing prices in line with what scalpers would resell them for, keeping the money in-house for the seller and artist. It is permitted under consumer protection laws.

Dynamic pricing will now form part of the governments promised review.

Government minister Lucy Powell was among those hit by dynamic pricing on Saturday, and eventually forked out more than double the original quoted cost of a ticket for an Oasis show.

Fans called the in-demand pricing both sickening and scandalous.

Ticketmaster said it does not set prices, and its website says this is down to the event organiser who has priced these tickets according to their market value.

Lots of fans also missed out on the reunion tour tickets as they battled with website issues, and being mislabelled as bots, before Oasis announced all 17 shows had sold out.

However, Ticketmaster maintained its website had not crashed, and directed customers to clear cookies and to only use one tab.

House of Commons leader and Lord President of the Council Ms Powell said she ended up buying two tickets for 350 each for Heaton Park in July, which were originally quoted at 148.50, not including a booking fee of 2.75.

The Manchester Central MP told BBC Radio 5 Live: Eventually (I) got through and bought a couple of tickets for more than I was expecting to pay.

Ms Powell said she does not particularly like surge pricing, before adding: It is the market and how it operates.

Youve absolutely got to be transparent about that so that when people arrive after hours of waiting, they understand that the ticket is going to cost more, she said.

It is believed the ticket prices for Oasis gigs were set by promoters.

The bands promoters, Manchester-based SJM Concerts, Irish MCD and Scottish DF Concerts & Events have all been approached for comment.

Brothers Noel and Liam Gallagher confirmed their reunion on Tuesday following the end of their more than a decade long acrimonious split.

There has also been concern about the non-official sellers Viagogo, which on Sunday had a seat at Wembley on July 25 listed at 5,289.

The secondary seller has defended the practice saying fans sell the tickets, and its global managing director added: Resale is legal in the UK and fans are always protected by our guarantee that they will receive their tickets in time for the event or their money back.

Oasis has told followers that Ticketmaster and Twickets should only be used for resales, and put up for prices at face value, otherwise they will be cancelled by the promoters.

Oasis have also been contacted for comment.
Like many new ministers, Labour's education secretary Bridget Phillipson found that she had a lot on her plate when she took up her new job in July.

While she was braced for a fight with independent schools over the charging of VAT on fees  or ending their tax break, as she would argue  she knew she had a task in using the 1.5bn in revenue that raised to recruit 6,500 extra teachers.

But what she did not expect to be an early problem was the absence epidemic of pupils missing from classrooms.

The situation is akin to the prisons crisis, which has meant the new government has had to release offenders early due to overcrowding, in that it appears to be much worse than expected.

For Phillipson, ensuring children make the most of their schooling is personal, as it was education that raised her out of severe poverty to Oxford University and now a senior minister.

Education secretary Bridget Phillipson came out on the attack over the issue at the weekend ( PA )

How bad is the crisis?

According to the latest available data for England, 150,000 children were recorded as severely absent from school in 2022-23. This means they missed every other day  or half of all teaching time.

The Department for Education (DfE) says 22 per cent of pupils were labelled as persistent absentees and 1.5 per cent were judged severe absentees in the last academic year. Both figures have more than doubled since 2017-18.

Wales, Scotland and Northern Irelands education is overseen by their devolved governments.

What is the impact on children?

The main problem is that they miss out on education. Phillipson has noted that it is no good making maths compulsory for pupils aged 16 and over doing A-levels when some have given up on the subject aged six.

The long-term effects build up though.

A recent study by the DfE has found that every day missed from the classroom will cost absent children hundreds of pounds in wages over their lifetime.

Added to that, children from low-income families can miss out on meals and vital support if they are not at school. For those from abusive families there is also a loss of protection and monitoring.

Labours decision to impose VAT on independent school fees may raise funds for more teachers ( PA )

Why are children absent so much?

Phillipson blamed parents for keeping their children at home if they had a runny nose or letting them off school if it was their birthday.

In other cases, parents take children on holidays during term time because flights and hotels are much cheaper during the school year when there is less demand.

In some cases, though, children just avoid going to school. There are homes where some parents struggle to control or look after their children, such as parents who are drug addicts.

Some have also argued that the problem became worse after the pandemic and lockdown when children spent most of two years at home being schooled remotely.

Data also shows that children appear to be less happy at school, with those saying they enjoy school falling by five points to 60.5 per cent last year.

Some parents take children on holiday during term time when flights and hotels are much cheaper ( PA )

What are the rules?

The rules are very clear according to the DfE website.

It notes that absence is only allowed if theyre too ill to go in or you have advance permission from the school.

It notes: A holiday is generally not considered an exceptional circumstance. You cannot usually take your child away during term time.

Did the Tories do nothing?

Since Phillipson came out on the attack over the issue at the weekend, the Tories have hit back.

They pointed out that they more than doubled the fines levied on parents whose children missed school.

The most recent announcement suggested that fines would rise from 60 to 80, and to 160 if they were not paid within 21 days.

In 2022-23 councils raised 19m in fines from parents of children for unauthorised absences.

Schools have to collect attendance data and include reports on the children. They have to raise persistent absences as a concern and the issue is one of the things that Ofsted judges them on.

What will Phillipson do?

The simple answer appears to be more fines, though persistent absences usually come in low-income families.

But Phillipson is also concerned about the data on less children enjoying school.

She told The Sunday Times her priority is to help schools and parents create a welcoming environment for children.

Failing that, she warned she would be tough and make no apology for fines.
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A boys school in London is believed to be the first state school in the county to ban smartphones for pupils aged 16 and under as pressure mounts on Keir Starmers government to introduce wider restrictions.

Fulham Boys School will start the new school year with a policy of so-called brick phones for pupils aged between 11 and 16 amid concerns that smartphones were being used to watch porn and harmful influencers.

It comes as two-thirds of parents (62 per cent) said they want their childs school to remove or ban smartphones according to a major survey by Human Mobile Devices (HMD).

Starmer is under pressure to restrict access to smartphones for children ( Richard Pohle/The Times/PA )

The issue has already come to the door of Downing Street and Sir Keir Starmers new government.

However, in July just days after winning the election Sir Keir said he was opposed to a ban.

He told journalists: In relation to simply banning phones for under 16s, I don't think that's a good idea. I don't think that's a practical way forward.

According to the UK parents surveyed by HMD, 61 per cent said they were concerned about their childs phone use and the content they were accessing during their summer holiday break. And some 74 per cent said they were aware their child was using their phone far more during the break compared to term time.

Some 75 per cent of UK parents said social media apps placed their child under too much pressure and thereby impacted their mental health.

Rishi Sunak, Sir Keirs Tory predecessor, had considered supporting a ban on smartphones for under-16s because of concerns over the psychological harm they were causing as well as the effects of extreme content.

David Smith, headmaster of the high-achieving The Fulham Boys School, said the smartphone ban he is imposing is not being rolled out not to improve attainment but to protect the wellbeing of his students.

Almost two thirds of UK parents are concerned about their childrens smartphone use (Laura Lean/PA) ( PA Wire )

Mr Smith made his decision after carrying out an internal survey of his 800 students looking at the impact of smartphone use and social media apps. One of the key findings was that of those students that had smartphones (97 per cent) the majority estimated that they received more than 50 notifications or messages a day, with some saying they received more than 200.

He said that the ban helps parents and their children make a clear decision on whether or not to bring a smartphone into school.

If you give it back at the end if the day or after a week, a child will take their chances and its important that if this policy is going to work, there is a strong deterrent to stop children from breaking it.

Mr Smith believes smartphones should only be handed to 16-year-olds, the age at which they are mature enough to handle the device. It is for this reason he has given support for HMDs The Better Phone Project, where HMD creating a new solution with the help of parents and other experts to address concerns over childrens use of smartphones.

The aim of the year-long collaboration is to create a better phone, one that will serve as a compromise between a smartphone and a brick phone.

The Fulham Boys School has written to the families of all incoming pupils to inform them of the new policy, which will take effect in September.

Mr Smith said: I am not anti-technology; the development of technology has brought many wonderful advantages in terms of learning and development.

The sheer intrusion by smartphones is particularly striking: the impact the device has on sleep, friendships and relationships is immense. Some content encountered online is also an issue.

We understand how important it is for parents to know their child is safe, which is why its important they have a phone they can use to make calls.

The decision to ban smartphones is about helping to educate parents; helping them to realise they dont need to hand a smartphone over to their child when they are 10 or 11. And this is also about educating children about how to use phones safely. We provide sex education before children have sex and we should do the same with smartphones.

Commenting on the Better Phone Project, Lars Silberbauer, CMO of HMD, said: What our research has told us is that there are parents out there who want an alternative to a smartphone. We hope through co-creation with parents, young adults and experts, we will get to a point where we create a balanced and positive relationship with technology for people that has everything they need, and nothing they dont need.

The decision by Mr Smith sees him follow in the footsteps of Eton. Earlier this year the elite private school announced it is banning new pupils from bringing smartphones to school and will give them a basic device instead.
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Normal voters who are not regularly engaged in politics struggle to recognise the six candidates vying to replace Rishi Sunak as Tory leader, despite the party being in government for 14 years.

Only former home secretary Priti Patel was recognisable to more than half of people on 10 focus groups made up of former and current Conservative voters, according to pollsters More in Common.

Dame Priti was recognised by 52 per cent, followed by James Cleverly, also a former home secretary, with 44 per cent, while the early bookmakers favourite Kemi Badenoch barely got more than a third with 37 per cent.

More damning still was that 70 per cent of those who took part either did not know who would be the best prime minister (36 per cent) or thought none of the six would make the best prime minister (34 per cent).

Kemi Badenoch launching her bid for the Tory leadership (James Manning/PA) ( PA Wire )

Nine of the focus groups were in seats the Tories lost at the last election - Surrey Heath, Basildon South and East Thurrock, Welwyn Hatfield, Shropshire North, Rother Valley, Stockton West, Swindon North, Great Yarmouth and Henley - with former Conservative voters who switched to Labour, the Liberal Democrats or Reform in 2024.

A tenth was held with Conservative voters.

All the participants were not actively engaged in politics and were asked to react to videos of the six candidates giving speeches or interviews.

Mel Strides voice reminded people of Sir David Attenborough (Broni Lloyd-Edwards/Wildlife Trusts)

The least well known, former work and pensions secretary Mel Stride, who is favourite to be the first voted out on Wednesday, and was described as dull and quite boring with a lack of real spark by participants.

But the survey also found that ordinary voters strongly liked Mr Strides voice which many described as being like David Attenborough with some suggesting he had more of a future reading audiobooks than in politics.

While Dame Priti was the most recognised, this did not always work in her favour. Some remembered her for bullying allegations during her time as home secretary, others called her divisive.

However, her reputation for straight talking and direct style was liked by participants.

One noted: I do think shes a strong person who doesnt give a monkeys what anybody thinks about her. I think that she would, if she got her teeth into things, she would enforce it.

The candidate whose personality was most liked was Mr Cleverly, but many partcipants struggled to take him seriously.

One participant said: I still didnt see a leader no matter how well he spoke seems like a great guy. I think theres a difference between being a great bloke that can speak well and a leader.

Priti Patel at her campaign event in London on Friday ( Stefan Rousseau/PA Wire )

Meanwhile, Ms Badenoch was the one who was most likely to get both Reform and Lib Dem voters to switch back to the Tories.

A charity worker said: She could bring some new fresh, young blood, slightly different to your typical public school boy Conservative leader.

However, despite being in the cabinet her experience came under question. Others described her as lacking in charisma and monotone in her delivery.

The candidate for the right has become former communities secretary Robert Jenrick, who has vowed to take the UK out of the European Convention of Human Rights (ECHR).

An engineer from Stockton said: It felt like you could rely on him to deliver those things. It was the language he was using I thought was good.

Former home secretary James Cleverly attacked the Prime Ministers decision-making during his pitch to become the leader of the next Conservative Party leader (James Manning/PA) ( PA Wire )

But another participant said: I quite like the policies of Robert Jenrick, but he didnt come across as a likeable person whos going to unite any party .

The sixth candidate is former security minister Tom Tugendhat who, like Mr Cleverly, won support because he is a former army officer and was seen as coming across as the most prime ministerial and was praised for seeming to be authentic.

But others thought him too posh.

A cleaner from Grat Yarmouth said: I didnt like him. It just reminded me of a normal Sandhurst officer, someone whos educated, talks the talk, but cant walk the walk.
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The first rift has opened between Tory leadership candidates in the race to replace Rishi Sunak after a subtle dig made by the Robert Jenrick campaign against rival Kemi Badenoch.

With Ms Badenoch launching her Renewal 2030 leadership campaign on Monday she has been forced to defend taking a holiday during the summer when a hustings for the north of England was held.

Leadership contenders were warned at the start of the contest that there would be a yellow card for personal attacks on one another and the competition has so far been clean.

Robert Jenrick called for an end to high levels of regular migration (Aaron Chown/PA) ( PA Wire )

But at a briefing this morning a senior source in the Jenrick campaign made a point of saying he was a hard worker and did not take any holidays, without naming Ms Badenoch directly.

The opening remarks of the briefing said: Hope youve had a good summer holiday. As you can see, this campaign doesn't take holidays. We've been out across the country having fun, meeting Conservative Party members. We've done dozens of events across the country. We've met literally thousands of members, been to all four nations, and been taking our message out across the country.

Jenricks team is also bullish about his prospects and believes he is nailed on to make it to the final two after the party conference in early October for members to vote on.

In terms of where the race is right now, we are very confident as a team that we have an absolute nailed on route to 41 votes and getting to the final two.

Depending on exactly who votes, you need 40 or 41 votes. We are very confident that we have those votes and a clear path to achieving them. Weve been working very hard with MPs. Our style has been to be as active as possible, to be as personal as possible, to be respectful and to listen to peoples concerns and to go and meet them in their constituencies over the course of the summer, and to try to build a broad coalition of people.

Tory leadership candidate Kemi Badenoch said the British people want something better (Stefan Rousseau/PA) ( PA Wire )

While Mr Jenricks promise to leave the European Convention of Human Rights (ECHR) has solidified his support on the right he has also gained backers from the One Nation left of the Tories including shadow justice secretary Edward Argar.

Ms Badenoch used her campaign launch on Monday to take aim at rivals including Mr Jenrick, criticising his plans to leave the European Convention of Human Rights (ECHR) and cap spiralling net migration.

She said candidates putting targets on net immigration and promising to leave the ECHR are giving easy answers.

Its not just about throwing out numbers and throwing out targets, she added.

But a rival camp hit back, criticising Ms Badenoch for attacking Dr Who, going on holiday during the campaign and refusing to set out plans to cap immigration.

No wonder her campaign has written off the next general election, a source said, in reference to her Renewal 2030 slogan.

Mr Jenrick and Ms Badenoch are seen as the primary rivals on the right of the party. They are up against former home secretary James Cleverly who is also launching his campaign today, another former home secretary Dame Priti Patel, former security minister Tom Tugendhat and former work and pensions secretary Mel Stride.

The winner will be announced on 2 November.
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Russia launched a barrage of drones, cruise and ballistic missiles at Kyiv, Ukraine's air force said early Monday.

Several series of explosions rocked the Ukrainian capital in the early hours of Monday, sending residents into bomb shelters.

Kyiv Mayor Vitalii Klitschko said emergency services were called to the Holosiivskyi and Solomianskyi districts of Kyiv. One person was reportedly injured by falling debris in Shevchenkivskyi district, Klitschko said.

There will be an answer for everything. The enemy will feel it, the head of the Presidential Office, Andrii Yermak, posted on his Telegram page following the attack.

According to the air force, Russia fired several groups of cruise missiles accompanied by ballistic missile launches and a few drones, targeting Kyiv.

An explosion also rang out in Kharkiv, Ukraines second largest city, according to Ukrainian media.

APTOPIX Russia Ukraine War ( Copyright 2020 The Associated Press. All rights reserved )

APTOPIX Ukraine Russia War ( Copyright 2020 The Associated Press. All rights reserved )

The barrage comes a day after Russias military reported intercepting and destroying 158 Ukrainian drones targeting multiple Russian regions in one of the biggest Ukrainian attacks of the war that has raged for about 2 1/2 years.

It also comes weeks after Ukranian forces' incursion into Russia's Kursk region, which Moscow's forces have struggled to push back and to which the Kremlin has vowed to respond.
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Two people have been killed and another three were injured in Minnesota after a car crashed into a restaurants patio Sunday night.

Emergency services responded just after 8pm to a report of a vehicle being driven into the outside patio area of the Park Tavern in St. Louis Park, a city southwest of Minneapolis.

The male driver has been arrested under suspicion of criminal vehicular homicide, according to a press release from St Louis Park police.

Authorities also revealed surveillance footage shows the driver entering the Park Tavern parking lot, but when he tried to to park, he drove into the outside patio, where there was a seating area.

The identities of those killed or injured in the crash have not been released. The drive has also not been named,

The Independent has contacted St Louis Park police for further details.

Patio furniture was in disarray at the scene and a vehicle with front-end damage was on the south side of the patio, according to Bring Me the News.

The Minnesota State Patrol was at the scene conducting accident reconstruction.

Assisting St Louis Park police in its investigation are the Hopkins, Minnetonka and Wayzata police departments and the Hennepin County Sheriffs Office, as well as the Minnesota State Patrol

Investigations are ongoing and anyone with information is urged to call (952) 924-2618.
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A Florida mother was arrested for leaving her three-year-old son alone in an apartment when she went to get plastic surgery.

Jessica Renteria, 25, was taken into custody on charges of child neglect following the incident back on June 27.

Police had responded to the womans apartment complex in Doral around 4.15pm that afternoon after tenants found the child wandering the complex alone.

Now, police have released bodycam footage from the incident, showing an officer finding the child and asking where his mother is.

Hey, little buddy, whats your name? the officer asks the child. Do you know where papi and mami are?

Officers went to several apartments looking for the boys mother.

Hello, by any chance, are you missing a kid? an officer asked one man.

As the search ensued, one tenant commented: This is like the girl, the lady, that left her daughter to go on vacation.

A three-year-old boy was left alone while his mother went to get plastic surgery ( Doral Police Department )

Yes, a neighbor responded.

Police eventually located Renteria a couple of miles away at a cosmetic surgery center.

There, she allegedly told officers a friend was supposed to be watching her son.

When contacted, the friend said the mother had not told him to take care of the boy.

Renteria was arrested and taken to jail still dressed in a robe and head wrap from her surgery.

Police said that the child had been left alone for six hours, with one tenant finding the little boy sleeping in a corner of the apartment complex.

Renterias trial is set for December 2.

The incident comes after a mother in Houston hit headlines back in April when she was accused of leaving her children alone at an apartment complex to go on a cruise.
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More than four decades after Fox Hollow serial killer Herb Baumeister left 10,000 pieces of human remains scattered around his Indiana farm, authorities are still seeking to identify at least four victims.

Baumeister is believed to have killed at least 25 people between the late 1980s and the early 1990s. He hunted mostly gay men in the Indianapolis suburb of Westfield, Indiana, where he lived on an 18-acre property known as Fox Hollow Farm.

The Hamilton County Sheriffs Office and Coroners Office have named nine victims of the notorious Fox Hollow Farm killings, but four still remain a mystery.

The complexity and the amount of remains they have, which is over 10,000 stored, is second only to 9/11, Linda Znachko, founder of He Knows Your Name, an Indiana-based ministry for the unidentified deceased, told Fox News Digital. And the intricacy and the amount of manpower that this investigation is continuing to need and require, plus money to do pathology and all the DNA work, is just huge.

Herb Baumeister is suspected of killing at least 25 victims. He has left 10,000 pieces of human remains scattered over his farm and police are working to identify the victims. ( Indianapolis Police Department )

Baumeister went untraced for more than a decade. But when his 15-year-old son discovered some charred bone fragments and the human skulls in 1994, it all came crashing down.

The nine victims who have been identified so far are Jeffrey Allen Jeff Jones, Allen Lee Livingston, Manuel Resendez, John Lee Johnny Bayer, Richard Douglas Hamilton Jr., Steven Spurlin Hale, Allen Wayne Broussard, Roger Allen Goodlet and Michael Frederick Mike Keirn.

Last week, the nine victims were publicly honored by the community for the first time.

My organization purchased an outdoor sculpture from an artist in Canada [David Perrett], and we placed it today with the [victims] names listed with an opportunity for more names to go on that list if more are there and also place an ossuary there so that any future remains or any family member that would like to use that ossuary and have their loved one buried right there at that memorial site, and free of charge, Znachko told Fox News Digital.

Authorities believe Baumeister used the vast grounds and adjacent trail of his Westfield home to hide 10,000 decomposed pieces of remains from his victims.

Herb Baumeisters 18-acre estate in Westfield, Indiana where the remains of several victims were found ( Hamilton County Coroner's Office )

A human skull was found by Baumeisters teenage son in 1994, who then showed it to his mother. When Baumeisters wife confronted him about the skull, he said it was likely left over from his fathers work as a physician. She accepted that explanation for two years, but the couple eventually divorced.

Police found the remains, including bone fragments, a skull and teeth, two years later after authorities searched the property while Baumeister wasnt home, and dug up the remains of several victims, leading to a warrant for his arrest.

After police named Baumeister as a suspect in 1996, he fled to Ontario, Canada, where he fatally shot himself.

More remains were discovered later the same year when police returned to the property after his death.

Baumeister was never charged with the murders and he did not admit to any of the crimes in his suicide note.
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A 90-year-old veteran who was killed during a brutal Houston carjacking at his retirement community has been identified by his son.

Nelson Beckett, 90, was shot around 12:45 p.m. Saturday before a man stole his car, police said.

Surveillance footage captured a man in his late 20s approaching Beckett and initiating a conversation as he was sitting in his car in the Lone Star Living retirement community parking lot.

After a brief conversation, the suspect attacked and shot Beckett, throwing him out of his vehicle, and driving off with his car. While the suspect was fleeing, he ran over the 90-year-old.

In addition to the car, the suspect also stole some of Beckett's belongings.

Police eventually found the car abandoned about 10 minutes away at another apartment complex. The gunman is still at large as of Monday morning. He is described as a Black man between the ages of 25 and 30 years old.

Beckett was pronounced dead at the hospital.

Nelson Beckett, a 90-year-old US Navy veteran, was killed during a carjacking near a retirement home in Houston on August 31. ( Beckett family )

Tim Beckett, Nelson's son, told ABC13 that his father had two children, five grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

Beckett served in the Navy and later worked in sales. He was also active in his church.

Tami Freund, Becketts daughter, said her father loved telling jokes and making people laugh and was always willing to give rides to people who did not have cars.

He would do anything for anyone. He told me all the time how lucky we are to have such a big, wonderful, loving, Christian family. He loved big and loved his family so much! Freund said in a statement she sent to KPRC2.

"What a foolish, brutal act against the mildest of men, an act that makes absolutely no sense," Steve Sargent, minister at Southwest Central Church of Christ, where Beckett once served as an elder, said at a service following his death.

Steve Sandifer, a man who had been friends with Beckett for 47 years, told KPRC2 he was shocked by the killing.

I told his daughter, I said, you know, had she called me that morning and said dad didnt wake up this morning, I would have said, good. Hes lived his 90 years. Hes been a champion of faith and everything else. Hes lived a great life. But to hear that he had been murdered. That just, that was just beyond me, he told the outlet.

He remembered his friend as a funny storyteller who was devoted to his faith and his family.

Crime Stoppers is offering a $5,000 reward for any information leading to the arrest of the suspect. Anyone with any information regarding the case is asked to call the Houston Police at at 713-308-3600.
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Human remains have washed up near New York Citys iconic Brooklyn Bridge  marking the third grim discovery in the area in recent weeks.

An NYPD spokesman told The New York Post that police had received a 911 call on Saturday evening reporting that bones had been found in the rocks along the waterfront park in Dumbo.

The city medical examiners office is now testing the bones.

This comes after officials discovered human remains twice in one week earlier in August on the shoreline of the East River park close to the waterfront Janes Carousel, according to Fox 5.

A parks department officer found a skull and other bones wrapped in clothing on the morning of August 19.

A few days later, a femur was discovered in the same area.

Police officers found another set of human remains at Dumbo Park on Saturday ( Fox 5 )

The citys chief medical examiner is investigating to determine if the bones have come from the same person.

The waterfront park is one of the most visited areas in the city and dozens of visitors were spotted observing police officers on the scene after Saturdays discovery. The shoreline has a mix of rocky coves and piers that normally collect debris from the East River.

Speaking to News 12 following the August 21 discovery, one woman said she was glad that she did not have her son with her that day. Dumbo Park is being used as a dumping place, she said.
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Four people were killed in a shooting on Chicagos Blue Line train early Monday morning.

The shooting happened around 5am local time in Forest Park, Illinois, ten miles outside of Chicago, ABC 7 reported. Three people were pronounced dead at the scene, while the fourth victim was transported to a nearby hospital where they later died.

The victims, who have not been publicly identified, appeared to sleeping at the time of the shootings, the Forest Park Police Department told CNN, and may have been homeless.

We dont know for sure what their social status is. Looking at the videos, they were asleep on the train, Forest Park Deputy Chief Chris Chin told the network.

Police later arrested the suspected shooter on a Pink Line train in Chicago after they fled the scene, according to ABC 7. Officers recovered a gun during the arrest.

Although this was an isolated incident, this heinous and egregious act of violence should never have occurred, nonetheless on a public transit train, the Chicago Transit Authority said in a statement.

As soon as this matter was reported, CTA immediately deployed resources to assist the Forest Park Police in their investigation into the matter, including review of all possible security camera footage, which proved to be vital in aiding local enforcement, the statement continued.

Police cars sit outside the Forest Park station. Officers have arrested the suspected gunman who killed four people on a Chicago Transit Authority Blue Line train early Monday ( AP )

The investigation has since been turned over to the Forest Park police and the West Suburban Major Crimes Task Force. Officials say this was an isolated incident and there is no longer a threat to riders, according to ABC 7.

We commend both the Forest Park Police Department for their thorough and collaborative efforts to provide information to partner agencies; as well as the Chicago Police Department whose quick actions led to the apprehension of a suspect in this matter, the CTA said.

Forest Park Mayor Rory Hoskins called the shooting an outlier in a statement on Monday.

To the extent that our leaders in Springfield are considering any kind of CTA-mass transit reorganization, we would ask them to consider investing additional resources in terms of safety, public safety, law enforcement personnel, what have you, to support a small community like Forest Park that has to respond to two major train lines ending in Forest Park, Hoskins said.

This incident comes one week after the CTA implemented a new program, powered by artificial intelligence, that can automatically detect when a rider has pulled out a gun, the Chicago Tribune reports.
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A newly released 911 call has revealed the final moments of an Arizona teen as she spoke with first responders after being shot at her home in 2022.

Rachel Hansen was only 19 years old when the shooting took place. Two years later, her killer has still not been caught, and her family hopes the details of the call will make someone come forward with information.

Ive been shot, Hansen told the 911 dispatcher, along with her home address. Someone broke in and shot me...Please hurry, please hurry. Oh (redacted) Im bleeding, Im bleeding.

Police also released body camera videos that were blurred, AZ Family reported. No 911 audio was released, only the transcript.

Do you have any kind of clean cloth there that you can apply pressure to it? Is there anybody there with you? the dispatcher asked, according to the transcript.

Hansen told the dispatcher that the shooter broke into her home, shot her and left. She said that she was alone.

Are you close to any kind of cloth or a shirt or a towel that you can use? the dispatcher asked, to which Hansen replied: No.

Theres nothing near you? Rachel, I need you to talk to me, OK? the dispatcher said.

I cant, Hansen responded.

Rachel Hansens family hopes someone will see the newly released transcript and footage and come forward with information. ( Silent Witness )

Gilbert Police Department and the Gilbert Fire Department arrived within five minutes and body cam footage shows them telling a neighbor they have to do a security sweep. On another body cam, an officer armed with a rifle is seen securing the premises.

Hansen was taken to the hospital, where she later died of her injuries and the case has since gone cold.

Hansens mother, who is working with a private investigator, has urged anyone with any information to reach out.

If anyone sees it for the first time or hears it or it rekindles something please just remember to reach out to Silent Witness, she told AZ Family.

Its been extremely difficult to continue life to do what we need to do every day without Rachel in it and not having any answers.

The heartbroken mother added that she wished the audio of the 911 call was released.

She added: We wanted to hear our daughters voice and her last words that she spoke so we were disappointed it was a transcript only.

Silent Witness is offering up to $7,000 for information in the case.
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A Texas mom is wanted for the murder of her six-year-old son, after she allegedly claimed to have sold him to a woman at a grocery store.

Noel Rodriguez-Alvarez, who had disabilities, has not been seen alive since October 2022.

Almost two years on, he is presumed dead and federal authorities are still searching for his mother Cindy Rodriguez Singh, 39, who is wanted on suspicion of his murder.

Police said that Rodriguez Singh described her son as evil, possessed, or having a demon in him in the days leading up to his death.

According to a search warrant, Rodriguez Singh, from Dallas, had also allegedly told Noels grandmother she had sold him to a woman at a Fiesta Market grocery store in Texas.

Now, the FBI has announced it is offering a $25,000 reward for information leading to her arrest.

Noel Rodriguez-Alvarez, 6, has not been seen alive since October 2022 ( Everman Emergency Services )

In a press conference held on Thursday, Dallas FBI Special Agent in Charge Chad Yarbrough appealed to the media and public to help with locating the fugitive mother on the run.

Cindy Rodriguez Singh is wanted for allegedly murdering her own young son, he said.

I am confident that the combination of publicity, significant reward offering, and the team of experienced investigators assembled by the FBI Fort Worth Resident Agency violent crime squad, Everman Police Department, Tarrant County District Attorneys Office and Texas DPS-Texas Rangers will lead to her arrest. The community of Everman needs justice for Noel.

Rodriguez Singh is described as being 51 to 53 tall, 120 to 140lbs, with medium complexion, tattoos on her back, legs, right arm, right hand and right calf, has brown eyes and hair.

She was last spotted on March 22 2023 and is believed to have ties to India and Mexico.

On March 20 2023, Everman Police Department officers conducted a welfare check on behalf of the boy at the request of Texas Department of Family and Protective Services, who said Noel had not been seen for a month.

Cindy Rodriguez Singhs final sighting was confirmed when she, her husband, and six children, boarded an international flight to India ( FBI )

During the welfare interview, Rodriguez Singh allegedly told them Noel was living with his biological father in Mexico and had been living there since November 2022, police said.

Three days later, police said they learned from other family members that Noel was not living with his father and that there were concerns for his welfare.

But by then  on 22 March 2023  Rodriguez Singh, her husband Arshdeep Singh, and their six other children boarded an international flight to India, police said. Noel was not on the flight. The couple had bought the one-way tickets one day earlier, according to NBC DFW.

During the investigation, police learned that Rodriguez-Singh had allegedly worshipped a cult-like folk saint who personifies death.

In October 2023, she was charged with capital murder in Fort Worth, Texas.

A month later, a federal arrest warrant was issued for Rodriguez Singh on the charge of taking an unlawful flight to avoid prosecution.

Almost one year on from the indictment, she remains at large.

In the press conference, Everman Police Chief Craig Spencer admitted that Noel had been failed by authorities.

So Im not here to comment on how any agency is going to run, he said.

Everman police agreed that Noel (pictured) had been let down by authorities ( Everman Emergency Services )

But I will agree with the fact that yes, there have been many failures with this child starting with the family. There were several failures along the way. Weve talked a lot about how Cindy handled the situation, her comments, weve talked a lot and shared with you already how the family was aware of some of these.

There are some failures for this child. Absolutely. Which is why were here today trying to seek justice for those failures.

He added: The immediate capture of Cindy Rodriguez Singh is so incredibly important in the interest of justice, the safety of our communities, as well as the safety of the other children in her custody.

Anyone with information that could help lead to Rodriguez Singhs arrest is urged to contact the FBI Dallas Field Office at 972-559-5000 or online at tips.fbi.gov.
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Families of seven American hostages still being held captive by Hamas demanded that the White House and Israeli government reach a deal with Hamas on Sunday as Washington was rocked by the news of the death of a California man held by the militants.

President Joe Biden issued a lengthy statement overnight Saturday expressing his outrage and vowing that Hamas would pay for the death of Hersh Goldberg-Polin, even as the US seems no closer to reaching a ceasefire deal that officials have said is close at hand for months.

I have worked tirelessly to bring their beloved Hersh safely to them and am heartbroken by the news of his death, Biden said of Goldberg-Polins parents Jon and Rachel, who spoke at the Democratic National Convention last month.

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.

Bidens statement was not likely to raise the spirits of the remaining hostage families. It did not mention a possible deal to secure the release of the last seven US hostages until the final sentence  and only after the president vowed justice and/or revenge for Goldberg-Polins death.

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, added Harris, his VP and former running mate, in her own statement.

This undated photo shows Hersh Goldberg-Polin, who was held hostage by Hamas militants in Gaza

Biden has spoken with Goldberg-Polins family and his national security adviser Jake Sullivan is due to speak with the other hostage families in the days ahead.

But, relatives of the seven US hostages still in captivity are not buying the messages coming out of the White House and State Department  the latter of which has steadfastly denied for months that Israeli officials are holding up a deal from being reached. Even so, Israeli media continues to publicly speculate that such is the case, and Biden himself said that there was every reason for people to believe so earlier this year.

The tragic murder of Hersh, just months after we all saw his face in a hostage video released by Hamas, is nothing short of vicious and senseless, said the hostage families in a joint statement. For the last 331 days, we warned that this could happen. Enough is enough.

Israels Benjamin Netanyahu meanwhile said publicly in July that the Israeli government would not accept any ceasefire terms that do not lead to the total destruction of Hamas.

While some rescue operations have been mounted by the Israeli military to return some of the civilians taken hostage by Hamas, ceasefire negotiations have proven far more effective.

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 war in Gaza is quickly approaching the one-year mark and shows no signs of winding down  if anything, fears of it expanding into a regional conflict are higher than ever.

Israeli tensions with Hezbollah militants in Lebanon have reached their highest point in months while violence in the West Bank, encouraged and spurred by a violent right-wing Israeli settler movement, continues to escalate as well.

US officials announced another round of sanctions on members of that settler movement last week, but the decision was immediately condemned by Netanyahu. In the past, the Biden administration has tended to back off after such rebukes from their Israeli counterparts, fearful of pulling at a growing rift between the two administrations.

On Capitol Hill, reactions to Goldberg-Polins death poured in on Sunday, while protesters rallied in Tel Aviv to demand a ceasefire deal that would see the remaining hostages returned.

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

It's horrible. I mean, the whole thing is horrible, and it just reaffirms that Hamas are barbarians, and it also reaffirms that we need to stop this war, Michigans Democratic Senator Debbie Stabenow, said in an interview Sunday with MSNBCs The Weekend.

I mean, there are too many innocent people. Whether it's Israelis, Israeli hostages, Palestinian, innocent citizens, they it all needs to stop. I mean, and that's, you know, my, my heart goes out to everyone who is part of losing those six hostages. But this, this whole thing needs to stop.

Chris Coons, another Democratic senator, added: I am heartbroken and angry at the news that six hostages whose bodies were recovered in Gaza today were brutally murdered after 11 months in captivity. I am thinking especially of Jon and Rachel, Hershs parents, whom Ive come to know through their tireless, courageous, and determined efforts to secure the release of their beloved son since he was taken hostage on October 7. I truly believed they would be reunited with Hersh; instead, today they are living every parents worst nightmare.

He added: Hamas is an organization of true evil, and its leaders must pay for their heinous crimes. We must secure a deal that frees the remaining hostages so that not one more parent has to feel the same pain that Jon and Rachel feel today.

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 ( EPA )

Republicans, meanwhile, blamed the Biden administration for the ongoing chaos in the Middle East, a theme that Donald Trump has echoed in his campaign.

In a Truth Social post, the former president hit out at a complete lack of American Strength and Leadership by Harris and Biden and tried to tie it to the Debacle of the Afghanistan Withdrawal.

Lindsey Graham, a conservative Republican from South Carolina, argued that White House needed to increase the pressure on Iran to starve Hamas of resources, while referring to the vice president (who recently took over the top of the Democrats 2024 ticket) as a wrecking ball on foreign policy.

I would say on foreign policy, she [Harris] has been a wrecking ball, Graham said on Sunday.

Contrasting her to Trumps running mate JD Vance, 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.
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President Joe Biden told reporters that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is not doing enough to secure a hostage deal in the Israel-Hamas war.

Biden made the remark to a Reuters reporter at the White House on Monday morning. This comes as the Biden administration irons out a take it or leave it deal alongside Egypt and Qatar to present to the Israeli government and Hamas, The Washington Post reports. Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris also met in the White House situation room on Monday morning to receive an update on the deal and discuss next steps with their co-mediators.

You cant keep negotiating this, an anonymous senior Biden administration official told the Post. This process has to be called at some point.

If both sides fail to accept the deal, the official told the outlet, it could mark the end of US-led negotiations in the Israel-Hamas war.

Officials from the US, Egypt and Qatar were already working on the deal before Israel recovered the bodies of six hostages held by Hamas in Gaza over the weekend. The Israel Defense Forces said the hostages were killed shortly before they were set to be rescued.

Hostages (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) ( AP )

The unnamed senior administration official told the Post that US officials also believe the hostages were killed shortly before the rescue operation was set to take place.

US officials are going to be burning up the phones over the next 48 hours to see if a deal can still be reached, another unnamed senior official told the Post.

Israeli-American Hersh Goldberg-Polin was among the six hostages found dead. After his parents met with world leaders to campaign for the release of hostages over the last 11 months, Goldberg-Polin became one of the best-known hostages in Gaza.

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. The family thanks you all for your love and support and asks for privacy at this time.

Meanwhile, tens of thousands of Israelis have held protests demanding Netanyahu agree to a ceasefire deal that will help bring the hostages home. Histadrut, a major Israeli labor union, also called for a nationwide general strike on Monday to pressure the prime minister.

The delay in signing the deal has led to their deaths and those of many other hostages, the Hostage Family Forum said in a statement about the six hostages.

Israeli forces have killed more than 40,000 Palestinians  most of them civilians  according to the Hamas-run health ministry, and displaced most of the 2.3 million people in Gaza. The military action began after October 7, when Hamas militants launched a surprise attack on Israel, killing more than 1,200 people and taking some 250 people hostage.

In a statement the White House said: Today, President Biden and Vice President Harris met in the White House Situation Room with the U.S. hostage deal negotiation team following the murder of American Hersh Goldberg-Polin and five other hostages by Hamas. President Biden expressed his devastation and outrage at the murder, and reaffirmed the importance of holding Hamass leaders accountable.

During the meeting, President Biden and Vice President Harris received an update from the U.S. negotiation team on the status of the bridging proposal outlined by the United States, Qatar, and Egypt. They discussed next steps in the ongoing effort to secure the release of hostages, including continuing consultations with co-mediators Qatar and Egypt.
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A new Labor Day billboard campaign has labeled Donald Trump an anti-union scab, referencing a major union leaders speech at the Democratic National Convention last month.

The Democratic National Committee will run 19 digital billboards in the swing states of Michigan, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania this Labor Day. The billboards, which will appear in both English and Spanish, feature a photo of Trump with the caption, Trumps an anti-union scab!

The billboards are an homage to United Autoworkers Union President Shawn Fains appearance at the DNC in Chicago, Illinois last month. During his speech at the convention, Fain wore a shirt that read, Trump is a scab. Vote Harris.

We were really kind of channeling Shawn Fain with that choice, Brad Woodhouse, a senior adviser to the DNC, told HuffPost.

UAW President Shawn Fain wore a shirt at the DNC that read, Trump is a scab. Vote Harris ( Getty )

The billboards have been strategically placed by considering the potential route of a Trump motorcade  which could draw crowds near the billboards  and how much traffic the areas see, Woodhouse told the outlet.

Vice President Harris and Governor Tim Walz, a former union member himself, know that workers are the engine powering this country, and thats why they have always had their backs, DNC spokesperson Maddy Mundy said in a statement.

In contrast, Trump is a union buster who sought to withhold pay from union workers and weaken unions as president in order to fatten the pockets of multi-billionaire executives who donate to his campaign, Mundy continued.

The Independent has contacted the Trump campaign for comment.

The DNC has paid for digital billboards that say, Trumps an anti-union scab in three major swing states ( Democratic National Committee )

Last week, The Independent exclusively reported that Democrats in Michigan and Wisconsin also erected billboards highlighting Trumps potential cost to Americans if hes elected for a second term.

The English and Spanish billboards said, Donald Trumps Project 2025 will raise taxes on middle-class families by $3,900.

Project 2025 is a 900-page document developed by the Heritage Foundation, a far-right think tank, that lays out a blueprint for Trumps potential second term.

The document proposes a massive overhaul of the government, including replacing thousands of bureaucrats with politicos loyal to Trump, stripping civil rights from LGBTQ+ people, destroying access to reproductive healthcare, and slashing key federal agencies.

Trump has repeatedly tried to distance himself from the project and denied any involvement. However, at least 140 people who worked for Trump were part of Project 2025, CNN reported earlier this summer.

These billboard campaigns come less than ten weeks before Election Day on November 5.

Vice-President Kamala Harris has a 3.2-point lead over Trump, according to the latest average of national polls. The vice-president has a growing lead in six major swing states, including those that will feature the new Labor Day billboards.
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Welcome to the end game of the presidential campaign. While the last two months feel like a decade has passed, Labor Day and the days afterward are historically when voters begin to pay attention and, more importantly, begin to decide how they will vote.

Last week, Vice President Kamala Harris made a swing through rural Georgia as well as her first sitdown television interview with CNN. That came after polling showed her strength in the Sun Belt states like Arizona and Nevada as well as the southeastern swing states including Georgia and North Carolina.

Meanwhile, former president Donald Trump hit the midwestern states of Michigan, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania, where in 2016, he shocked the world by flipping and winning the presidency.

But unlike in the days of 2016, when Trump would hold multiple events within one day, Trump only did one event in Michigan and Wisconsin, before he did an event in Johnstown, Pennsylvania and made a stop at the Moms for Liberty conference for a sitdown chat.

Those events largely got lost amid his continuing war of words about his photo opp with the Gold Star families of US servicemembers who died at Abbey Gate in Afghanistan. Over the weekend, he posted videos of the family members defending him appearing at Arlington National Cemetery after he faced criticism for shooting a campaign video at the cemetery where many American servicemembers are buried.

Similarly, Trumps scattershot positions on abortion and in vitro fertilization have also led him to receive criticism from his own base.

Harris and her running mate are blitzing the swing states ( AP )

But the Labor Day holiday allows for a bit of a reset and so far, it looks like Harriss campaign is leaving nothing to chance. On Monday, Harris was set to campaign in Michigan, a state that essentially set the parameters for the labor movement, before she heads to Pittsburgh with President Joe Biden. Biden famously earned plaudits from organized labor when he marched in a picket line last year during the United Auto Workers trike.

Meanwhile, Harriss running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, departed from his homestate and was set to campaign at Milwaukees Laborfest in Wisconsin. Democrats have long been afraid of losing Wisconsin ever since Hillary Clinton failed to campaign there and Mandela Barnes lost his Senate race to incumbent Ron Johnson in 2022.

Walz will later engage on his first solo tour of Pennsylvania. Incidentally, one mark against picking Walz over Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro was that Shapiro would help lock up Pennsylvania, another Blue Wall state that Trump flipped and where he has considerable appeal.

Conversely, Trump nor his running mate, Ohio Senator JD Vance, were set to have any public events on Labor Day, despite the fact that both have tried to refashion the Republican Party as a pro-worker party. Indeed, when Vance spoke at the International Firefighters conference, he was booed the day after Walz spoke to them and received a warm welcome.

The Harris campaign wasted no time slamming Trump and Vance in a statement.

Donald Trump is ditching workers on Labor Day because he is an anti-worker, anti-union extremist who will sell out working families for his billionaire donors if he takes power, campaign spokesman Joseph Costello said in a statement. Vice President Harris is the only candidate for president who stands firmly on the side of labor and working Americans, and she is fighting to build up the middle class by cutting taxes, lowering costs, and creating opportunity.

Indeed, the one event Trump has on the calendar is a video call with current and retired members of the United Auto Workers, UPI reported.

Trump has repeatedly clashed with Shawn Fain, the head of the UAW, who notably wore a shirt saying Trump is a scab at the Democratic National Convention and later during a labor council meeting at the convention, attendees welcomed Fain by chanting Trumps a scab.

This does not mean that Trump will be silent this week. He will hold a rally in Mosinee, Wisconsin on Saturday.

But Trumps staggered schedule shows that he is not able to do the barnstorm schedules he did in 2016 or even 2020 while Harris is doing a Blue Wall Blitz.
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The White House appears to be making a point of increasing Kamala Harriss visibility in foreign policy after President Joe Biden ended his re-election campaign and endorsed his vice president for the Democratic nomination.

Administration officials have increasingly stressed Harriss participation in calls with world leaders and other foreign policy measures since her entry in the presidential race in July, according to Politicos review of White House statements and briefings from across the administration.

While it is not unusual for the White House to promote the vice presidents involvement, the frequency of the administrations mentions, and her joining critical calls alongside the president, suggests an attempt to promote her experience and head off Republican attacks as she moves to the top of the ticket.

Donald Trump and his allies, however, have been promoting Harriss experience for entirely different reasons  by pivoting from attacks on Bidens alleged foreign policy failures by trying to argue that it was Harris all along who was responsible for them.

Shortly after Biden and Harris had entered office in 2021, Harris was appointed to travel to and work with Mexico and Latin American countries to address the root causes of migration to the US-Mexico border.

Those efforts and subsequent foreign travel received relatively little press attention at the time, but Trumps campaign has now spun Harris as the border czar responsible for the open border and unleashing a migrant crime wave.

Kamala Harris, speaking to supporters in Michigan on September 2, has been increasingly mentioned in foriegn policy memos from President Joe Bidens administration. ( REUTERS )

Harris, who served on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee when she was a California senator, touted her foreign policy experience as vice president during her keynote address to the Democratic National Convention.

We must also be steadfast in advancing our security and values abroad, she said in her speech. As vice president, I have confronted threats to our security, negotiated with foreign leaders, strengthened our alliances and engaged with our brave troops overseas.

She pledged that the US would maintain the strongest, most lethal fighting force in the world, if she is elected. Harris also sought to draw a contrast between her potential administration and Trumps when it comes to dealing with world leaders.

I will not cozy up to tyrants and dictators like Kim Jong Un who are rooting for Trump, Harris said. They know he is easy to manipulate with flattery and favors. They know Trump wont hold autocrats accountable because he wants to be an autocrat himself.

She also used her speech to remind voters how closely she was involved with the Biden administrations major foreign policy decisionmaking, including US support for Ukraine and Israel.

Five days before Russia attacked Ukraine, I met with President Zelenskyy to warn him about Russias plan to invade, she said. I helped mobilize a global response over 50 countries to defend against Putins aggression.

Following Bidens call on August 1 with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, a White House summary noted that Harris also joined the call. Another White House pool report last month noted that Harris joined a call between Biden and Netanyahu during the DNC in Chicago.

On September 2, a White House summary noted that Harris joined Biden in the situation room after six Israeli hostages were found dead in Israel.

President Joe Biden and Harris greet reporter Evan Gershkovich at Andrews Air Force Base following his release as part of a 24-person prisoner swap between Russia and the United States on August 1. ( AP )

Administration officials have also emphasized the role Harris played in securing a landmark prisoner swap that saw the release of Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, Radio Free Europe/Radio Free Liberty reporter Alsu Kurmasheva and Paul Whelan from Russian custody.

Harris also greeted them at the airport upon their return to US soil.

According to The Wall Street Journal, Harris urged both German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Slovenian Prime Minister Robert Golob separately during Februarys Munich Security Conference to get the German government to agree to swap Vadim Krasikov as part of the deal.

Last week, when asked whether Chinas Xi Jinping had asked administration officials about her views on China, national security adviser noted that Harris has been a central member of the Biden foreign policy team, a leading member, and that she has been involved in the design and execution of the administrations Indo-Pacific strategy.
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A Republican pollster believes that the upcoming debate between Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris will be "everything" when it comes to setting the stage for the 2024 US presidential election in November.

Frank Luntz appeared on CNN, where he was asked what the presidential candidates had left to do in the final stretch between now and the election.

The debate is everything, Luntz said.

CNN anchor John Berman then asked him to elaborate.

Everything, Luntz repeated. When the voter sees side by side the two candidates and they listen to what they say, not just the answers, its the body language. Is there contempt? Does someone fold their arms? Do they look at the individual when theyre speaking? Do they seem presidential in their approach?

Vice President Kamala Harris and former president Donald Trump will face off in their first presidential campaign debate on September 10 on ABC. Republican pollster Frank Luntz said the debate would be everything for the candidates campaigns ( REUTERS )

The upcoming debate has been scheduled for September 10 in Philadelphia.

There has been some recent controversy over the debate's rules, as the Trump and Harris campaigns disagreed over microphones. Harris's campaign wants the microphones to remain live throughout the debate, which is a departure from previous debate rules.

The Associated Press obtained the debate rules from a senior Trump official, which reportedly said there would be no live audience, no written notes and that the mics would be muted when the other candidate is speaking.

The Harris campaign told the AP that they are still discussing the mic issue with ABC.

Its interesting that Trumps handlers keep insisting on muting him, despite the candidate himself saying the opposite, Harris spokesman Ian Sams told the AP. Why wont they just do what the candidate wants?

If the mics are live, Trump will have the opportunity to interrupt Harris and potentially derail the debate, a point Luntz highlighted during his CNN segment.

For Trump, can he keep quiet? Can he actually listen to a response, or does he have to respond to everything, Luntz said. For Harris, does she seem open-minded? Does she seem willing to take in information not just project?

Trump recently said he didn't care if the mics were muted, and went on to talk about his disdain for ABC News.

Each of them has different goals for that debate, but each one, in the end, has to prove that theyre ready, not just for that moment, but voters are thinking who do I want to represent me two years from now, three or four years from now? Luntz continued.

As for Harris, Luntz said the vice president would have to show the public that she has improved since her 2020 Democratic primary debate - where she was panned.

She has to prove she has the capability to do it and Trump has to prove that he doesnt treat her rudely, obnoxiously, because he lost a lot of female voters in 2020 who would have voted for him over policy but would not vote for him because of his persona, Luntz said.
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Several cars in vice presidential candidate Tim Walzs motorcade crashed on Monday afternoon, leaving one person injured.

The crash happened just before 1pm local time as Kamala Harriss running mate was en route to a Labor Day celebration in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. A staff member of the traveling press pool who was inside the press van appears to have a broken arm. Other reporters suffered scrapes and bruises, while one reported a bloody nose. Another person in the van was concerned they had a concussion but continued on to the event, the Associated Press reports.

Walzs vehicle was not involved in the crash.

The press van was hit from behind, which caused it to lurch forward into the next car, according to the pool report.

President Joe Biden later called Walz from Air Force One to check in following the crash. Harris also checked in with Walz as she left a Labor Day event in Detroit, Michigan.

A similar incident happened as the Harris-Walz motorcade traveled through Georgia last week. On August 28, Savannah, Georgia police officer David Bates crashed while riding a motorcycle as part of the motorcade. He was injured and transported to a local hospital. Bates was reportedly in stable condition as of late last week.

Police attend to Savannah, Georgia police officer David Bates, who crashed as part of the Harris-Walz motorcade on August 28 ( AFP via Getty Images )

The Harris-Walz campaign is out in full force this Labor Day to win over voters in swing states.

We know exactly who built this country. It was labor that built this country, Walz said at the Milwaukee Labor Day celebration. When unions are strong, America is strong.

Harris was set to appear in Pennsylvania after her event in Detroit. Her husband, Second Gentlemen Doug Emhoff, was also set to appear in Newport News, Virginia.

Meanwhile, Donald Trumps campaign is holding a single virtual event to celebrate Labor Day with the United Auto Workers union. The union, however, has endorsed Harris.

Tim Walz at Milwauekes Laborfest on Monday shortly after members of his motorcade were involved in a crash ( AP )

The Democratic National Committee is also running 19 digital billboards in the swing states of Michigan, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania this Labor Day. The billboards, which will appear in both English and Spanish, feature a photo of Trump with the caption, Trumps an anti-union scab!

The billboards are an homage to UAW President Shawn Fains appearance at the DNC in Chicago, Illinois last month. During his speech at the convention, Fain wore a shirt that read, Trump is a scab. Vote Harris.

We were really kind of channeling Shawn Fain with that choice, Brad Woodhouse, a senior adviser to the DNC, told HuffPost.

Harris currently has a 3.2-point lead over Trump, according to the latest average of national polls. The vice president has a growing lead in six major swing states, including those that she and her team are visiting this Labor Day.
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Donald Trump could appoint Elon Musk to head up a committee identifying wasteful government programs to ax if he takes back the White House in November.

Trumps advisers want to bring in prominent corporate leaders to help the government cut costs  and Musk has already publicly declared his interest in the role.

The idea was pitched to Trump by his former economic adviser, Steve Moore, who says creating a blue ribbon commission to eliminate wasteful federal spending should be a high priority, if the Republican presidential nominee wins a second term, The Washington Post reports.

It is no secret that Musk would be keen for a role in Trumps administration. He told Trump during their conversation on X last month: I think it would be great to just have a government efficiency commission that takes a look at these things and, and just ensures that the taxpayer money to the taxpayers, hard earned money is spent in a good way. And Id be happy to help out on such a commission.

The billionaire also posted an AI image of himself standing at a podium with Department of Government Efficiency written on it, a reference to the meme-inspired cryptocurrency, and said: I am willing to serve.

It is no secret Musk would be keen for a role in Trumps administration ( Getty )

But the Tesla CEOs involvement has sparked ethical concerns about conflicts of interest between a potential committee role and Musks multibillion dollar businesses.

SpaceX has received a multibillion-dollar contract from NASA, while Tesla has also received millions of dollars in federal funding. The GOP has called for more investment in satellite technology and to accelerate space exploration, leading to concerns that Musks businesses  including SpaceX and satellite business Starlink  would benefit from new federal contracts if Trump is reelected in November.

Anna Massoglia, a money in politics expert at non-profit OpenSecrets, told the Post Musks potential appointment raises questions that the commissions focus is on saving taxpayer dollars, but you have someone potentially involved whose company is one of the biggest recipients of federal spending.

She added there would need to be accountability mechanisms so private sector actors on a committee cant manipulate it for personal gain.

Last week, Trump attempted to quell reports that Musk could be given a prominent role in his administration on The Shawn Ryan Show. He said: He wants to be involved, but look, hes running big businesses and all that... so he cant really He can sort of, as the expression goes, consult with the country and give you some very good ideas.

It is a different tone from when he received Musks endorsement last month, where Trump said he would certainly consider giving Musk a cabinet or advisory role.

Hes a very smart guy. I certainly would, if he would do it, I certainly would. Hes a brilliant guy, Trump told Reuters after a campaign event in York, Pennsylvania.
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At a rally in Georgia days before a crucial vote at the states election board, Donald Trump praised three of the boards five members as pit bulls fighting for victory.

I dont know if youve heard, but the Georgia State Election Board is in a very positive way, Trump said in Atlanta on August 3. Theyre on fire. Theyre doing a great job.

Those members  Rick Jeffares, Janelle King and Janice Johnston  ultimately voted for sweeping rule changes to how counties can certify election rules in a state that the former president lost by narrow margins in 2020, and where he is now criminally charged for his attempts to reverse that loss.

Election analysts predict the state could come down to even smaller vote margins in November, potentially inviting challenges from Trump-allied groups to do what Trump couldnt in 2020, thanks to new, potentially illegal rules that could invite partisan investigations. The Democratic Party and a group of Georgia Democrats  with the support of Kamala Harriss campaign  are now suing over the changes.

Everyone who cares about American democracy and who wants to make sure their vote counts should be alarmed, Georgia Democratic Representative Sam Park told The Independent.

With the first days of early voting approaching, theres a lot of cause for alarm, according to Park, and theres a lot of fear and concern among voters in his district who are worried about what happens to their ballots after they cast their votes.

Election workers are under an incredible amount of undue pressure from voter suppression threats, Park explained, and the brazen effort in which unelected partisans have taken over the local elections boards, where elected leaders have conceded to their base, to the far right, in continuing to base changes on fear and conspiracy theories.

Donald Trump speaks to supporters in Atlanta on August 3 ( EPA )

The pro-Trump majority on Georgias election board has drawn national scrutiny for a rule that allows county boards to make reasonable inquiries before certifying election results.

But the rule does not define what a reasonable inquiry is, nor does it place any limits on how long an inquiry can last, or what documents members can demand (and then take home with them), before reconvening to certify  or reject  the results. There are 159 counties in the state, so there could end up being 159 ways that county boards interpret the changes.

The rules, critics warn, effectively bake into a clerical certification process what Trump and his allies tried to do with their spurious efforts to challenge election results in 2020.

Next month, the board will take up another rule that would require counties to perform hand recounts of ballots at the local precinct level, on election night, which opponents fear could compromise ballot integrity and open a window for legal challenges from pro-Trump groups to cast doubt on results.

Our State Election Board exists to protect the right to vote for all Georgians, not to favor any single candidate in any election, Georgia congresswoman and state party chair Nikema Williams said in a statement shared with The Independent.

The board is determined to establish a new power of not certifying an election result should their preferred candidate lose  as he did in 2020, she added. Thats why were fighting back, and we will beat them in court like we will beat them at the ballot box this fall.

Georgia governor inquires whether he can remove MAGA election board members after series of alarming votes

State-level changes to election administration in the wake of 2020s election denialism are a democracy catastrophe and an ethics disaster, according to legal scholars Norm Eisen and Richard Painter.

Right-wing legal groups across the country are endorsing proposed legislation and launching legal battles to try to assert authority over certification processes, underscoring how far the former presidents allies will go, down to the local level, to contest the results of an election he could lose.

After championing election integrity with discredited claims of voter fraud, some Republicans are now seeing the certification of elections as a discretionary act, not as a ministerial or clerical responsibility to voters.

More than 30 officials in eight states who refused to certify 2020 results are set to return to their positions to potentially do it again in 2024, according to a report from democracy watchdog group Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington.

An empowered elections board in Georgia has a very direct tie to all the disinformation and voter suppression and attempted overturning of election results after state lawmakers approved a sweeping elections law in 2021, according to Lauren Groh-Wargo, CEO of voting rights organization Fair Fight.

The rules changes have set the table to successfully do what they failed to do last time, she told reporters this week, and weaponize the certification process to get the results they wanted.

Certification is a clerical process that should not be interfered with, she said.

Quintin Fulks, deputy campaign manager for the Harris campaign insisted that a few unelected extremists cant just decide not to count your vote.

Certifying an election is not a choice, its the law, he said.

Georgias Governor Brian Kemp, pictured greeting Donald Trump in 2019, is asking whether he has authority to take action after ethics complaints to the states election board ( AP )

Emails obtained by Rolling Stone and American Doom also appear to show a pro-Trump member of the state board working with the former presidents allies and election-denying county-level board members from across the state, months before the rule changes, to advance unsubstantiated claims of fraud.

Its all a reflection of just how deeply embedded the false notion of a stolen election has become among Republicans, according to Andra Gillespie, a political science professor at Georgias Emory University.

Do you really want people who are sympathetic to the idea of the 2020 election being stolen in a position of power, where they can delay their own certification? Gillespie told The Independent. Is that the right type of structure you want to set up?

Politically appointed board members, borne out of the same election denialism miasma as the officials who put them in power, are ramping this up with the MAGA disinformation goal in mind after the election, according to Groh-Wargo said.

Courts are ultimately going to do the right thing, but the delay and confusion is going to have real consequences, she said.

Georgia congresswoman Lucy McBath joined state lawmakers who spoke out against the states election board after sweeping rule changes that could imperil certification ( AP )

Georgias Republican Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger  famously on the receiving end of Trumps call to find enough votes to win the state in 2020  has also criticized the election boards certification rules, and that the boards three Trump-allied members Johnston, King, and Jeffares have engaged in activist rule-making that would undermine voter confidence and burden election workers.

Governor Brian Kemp has also asked state attorney general Chris Carr to determine whether he has authority over ethics complaints directed at the board.

But the board is now entertaining a barrage of craziness from activist groups that dont have anything to do with whats before them for certifying an election, according to Cathy Woolard, a former chair of Fulton Countys elections board.

This really goes to the heart of the election process, according to Georgia attorney Allegra Lawrence Hardy. It seems almost impossible that we wont have at some point this weighed in on at the federal courts and the Supreme Court.

This story was first published on September 2.
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While still facing the fallout from his controversial visit to Arlington National Cemetery last week, Donald Trump has launched a new line of attack on his Democratic presidential rival Kamala Harris: baselessly claiming that she is lying about working at McDonalds in the 1980s.

Harris has repeatedly mentioned her brief stint holding down a summer job at the fast food joint while at college since she ascended to the top of the Democratic partys ticket.

And, for some reason, it appears to have gotten under Trumps skin.

Over the weekend, the former president has repeatedly accused Harris  without any evidence  of lying about working at McDonalds.

He first made the accusation while speaking at the Moms for Liberty convention in Washington on August 30: She also said, I worked at McDonalds.

Turned out she didnt work at McDonalds, he declared to the crowd, bizarrely adding that: After an exhaustive study that took about 20 minutes, they found out she never worked there.

He later fired out a post on Truth Social again accusing Harris of lying about her stint in a Golden Arches cap.

Trumps newest obsession seems to be Harris brief stint as a McDonalds employee four decades ago ( Getty Images )

Complete with a fake image  another of his latest obsessions  Trump scathingly wrote: Comrade Kamala Harris lied about working at McDonalds. SHE NEVER WORKED THERE, they think shes nuts.

He then launched a McFlurry of other allegations that Comrade Kamala has supposedly been lying about: Likewise, she lied about Fracking, the Border, Crime, the Economy, and the Democrats Suckers and Losers HOAX, concerning our great military. She also lied about Arlington Cemetery and Afghanistan. She lies about everything!!! DJT.

He went on to make another post, writing on Truth Social that: Kamala said she worked at McDonalds - she never did. Lie!

Then, at a California press conference on Friday, Trump repeated the claim yet again: She never worked at McDonalds, its a lie.

She said she stood over those french fries when they were being fried, and it was so tough work, he continued. She never worked there. Shes a liar.

Harris briefly worked at a McDonalds restaurant in Alameda during a summer back in California between college semesters in the early 1980s.

She mentioned her brief stint on the fryer she joined a Las Vegas picket line with fast food workers in 2019 and again during an appearance on The Drew Barrymore Show in April.

If we want to talk about these Golden Arches being a symbol of the best of America, well, the arches are falling short, she said in Las Vegas. We have got to recognize that working people deserve livable wages.

I did the french fries and I did the ice cream, she told workers.

She acknowledged in her remarks at the time that she did not rely on the job to support a family unlike many workers who do rely on income from typically lower-wage fast food work.

There was not a family relying on me to pay the rent, put food on the table and keep the bills paid by the end of the month, she added. But the reality of McDonalds is that a majority of the folk who are working there today are relying on that income to sustain a household and a family.

The Democratic presidential candidates campaign and her running mate Tim Walz have underscored their middle-class upbringings to set them apart from their Republican rival, who has an estimated net worth of around $4.1 billion, and whose father famously gave him a small loan of a million dollars when Trump was starting his career.

Trump has launched an attack on Harris working at McDonalds in the 80s ( @realDonaldTrump/Truth Social )

Two middle-class kids, Harris wrote in an X post.

One, a daughter of Oakland, California, who was raised by a working mother and had a summer job at McDonalds. The other, a son of the Nebraska plains, who spent summers on the farm, she added.

Only in America is it possible that the two of us would be running together all the way to the White House.

Right-wing outlet Free Beacon first questioned Harriss time at McDonalds in an article suggesting that she is lying because she did not include it on a resume when she was applying for unrelated law clerk positions in the late 1980s.

It took Trump less than 20 minutes to bash Harris after her campaigns post.

In an effort to deflect from his Arlington National Cemetery visit, where he filmed a campaign video, smiled in front of gravestones, and two senior members of his campaign allegedly pushed and verbally abused a cemetery official, Trump has attacked far more than just Harriss resume.

The GOP presidential candidate blamed a complete lack of American Strength and Leadership by Harris and President Joe Biden for the deaths of six Israeli hostages, including one US citizen, over the weekend, comparing the situations to the Debacle of the Afghanistan Withdrawal, he said in another Truth Social post.

He also proclaimed their deaths would have never happened if he were president.
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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.
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US officials have seized a $13m plane belonging to the President of Venezuela, Nicolas Maduro, the Justice Department announced.

The aircraft, a Dassault Falcon 900EX equivalent to the countrys Air Force One, was seized in the Dominican Republic on Monday and transported to Florida, the DOJ said. Officials claim the planes purchase violated US export control and sanctions laws.

Following the seizure, photos appeared to show federal agents collecting boxes of evidence from the aircraft.

The US has imposed sanctions in the Latin American country for years, and has seized dozens of luxury vehicles bound for Venezuela.

This morning, the Justice Department seized an aircraft we allege was illegally purchased for $13 million through a shell company and smuggled out of the United States for the use by Nicolas Maduro and his cronies, Attorney General Merrick B Garland said in a written statement.

Maduros jet, a Dassault Falcon 900 was confiscated for sanction violations on Monday ( EPA/CRISTOBAL HERRERA-ULASHKEVICH )

The Department will continue to pursue those who violate our sanctions and export controls to prevent them from using American resources to undermine the national security of the United States.

The plane had been at the Dominican Republics Higuero-Doctor Joaquin Balaguer International Airport in Santo Domingo since May 19, according to Listin Diario, a Dominican newspaper.

After the aircraft arrived in the country, the Dominican attorney generals office said the plane was being detained but the reasons were not publicly disclosed at the time.

The aircraft is seen at the Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport in Florida ( EPA )

Later, the Dominican Institute of Civil Aviation said it was due to a judicial problem, the outlet reported. The Justice Departments International Affairs Office worked with Dominican authorities to seize the aircraft. The Dominican government alerted Maduros office of the seizure, CNN reported.

Venezuela suspended commercial flights to and from the Dominican Republic on July 28 after Maduros widely-disputed reelection. Several Western countries asked the Venezuelan government to publish voting tallies in full after Maduro claimed victory, despite evidence suggesting opposition candidate Edmundo Gonzalez won 67 percent of the vote.

At least 23 protesters have been killed in demonstrations following the election. Approximately 2,400 have been arrested, the United Nation claims. Maduro has served as the countrys president since 2013. He succeeded his political ally, the left-wing firebrand Hugo Chavez.

The Independent has emailed the DOJ and the Venezuelan and Dominican governments for comment.

Maduro at a rally in Caracas, Venezuela in August ( AP )

Maduro is accused of violating executive order 13884, which prohibits US citizens from conducting transactions with anyone representing the Venezuelas government.

Between 2022 and 2023, people close to Maduro used a Caribbean-based shell organization to conceal their involvement in the planes illegal purchase from a Florida-based company, the DOJ alleges.

The plane was then taken from the US to Venezuela through the Caribbean in April 2023. Since May 2023, the aircraft has been flown from the Caribbean to a military base in Venezuela with either Maduro or his representatives on board. The Venezuelan president has also used the aircraft for international travel.

The long range jet has been in production since 1995. It can seat up to 16 passengers. Maduros model is white and decked out with red and blue stripes on the sides.

The Department of Commerces and Department of Homeland Security are investigating the case. The Venezuelan government will have a chance to petition the planes seizure.

The State Departments Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs has offered a reward of up to $15m for information leading to Maduros arrest or conviction. In March 2020, the DOJ charged Maduro, together with 14 current and former Venezuelan officials, with narco-terrorism, drug trafficking and corruption.
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A former childcare worker in Australia has pleaded guilty to 307 sex offences committed over a period of 20 years.

Ashley Paul Griffith, 46, pleaded guilty on Monday to charges related to the abuse of children in his care. The charges included 28 counts of rape, 190 of indecent treatment, and 67 of creating child exploitation material.

The crimes were committed against 60 children, many of them under 12, at childcare centres in Australia and Italy between 2003 and 2022.

Griffith was arrested in August 2022 after investigators linked him to disturbing content found on the dark web. He was charged with more than 1,400 crimes, including multiple counts of rape, after additional child abuse material was found on his electronic devices.

The number of charges was significantly reduced earlier this year and additional charges were dropped on Monday, leaving him facing 307 offences.

A parent of one of the victims recalled the horrific moment they were told their daughter had been sexually abused. They initially thought that police were contacting them about a separate incident at the daycare centre, but they were instead asked to identify their child from a photo.

We see people going in and I think this happened to my child in that room, the victims mother said, referring to the daycare centre. Its a room of horrors.

Her father said it was hard to believe how someone could get away with something like that for so long.

As she grows up, well deal with that as it comes but its going to be something we deal with through our lives now, the childs father said. It was good that he pleaded guilty and we can move on to the next step now.

Michael Fitzgerald of the New South Wales state police last year described it as one of the most horrific cases of alleged child abuse our detectives have seen.

Australian police believe that Griffith, who held the necessary childcare qualifications, recorded all his alleged offences using phones and cameras while at work.

There were no official reports against him before his arrest, police said. However, a childcare manager, Yolanda Borucki, had reported Griffith to Queensland Police months earlier after a staff member saw him kissing a girl, according to 9News.

Ms Borucki, who managed a childcare chain where Griffith was employed, helped file a report to Queensland Police. Despite this complaint, police cleared Griffith without searching his home or devices, allowing him to continue working in childcare, where he allegedly abused more children, the report said.

We didnt keep quiet, we [have] been very clear something is wrong but no one [has] done anything about it, Ms Borucki was quoted as saying.

Griffith will be sentenced at a later date. He did not seek bail and was returned to custody after arraignment.

Last week, an Australian man who pretended to be a teenage YouTube celebrity to prey on children and young adults online was sentenced to 17 years in jail.

Muhammad Zain Ul Abideen Rasheed, 29, from Perth had coerced 286 victims, including 180 children, from 20 countries into performing sexually explicit acts on camera or video, Australian police said.

Rasheed pleaded guilty to 119 charges last December and was first charged in 2021 when police reported that he had posed as a teenage social media celebrity to befriend girls in Australia and abroad.

If you are a child and you need help because something has happened to you, you can call the NSPCC free of charge on 0800 1111. You can also call the NSPCC if you are an adult and you are worried about a child, on 0808 800 5000. The National Association for People Abused in Childhood (Napac) offers support for adults on 0808 801 0331.
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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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Huge demonstrations were held across Istanbul on Sunday, protesting recent legislation that critics say is leading to the killing of stray dogs across Turkey.

Last month, legislators approved the new law aimed at removing millions of stray dogs from Turkish streets citing safety concerns. Animal-lovers fear it will lead to widespread culling or dogs ending up in disease-ridden and overcrowded shelters.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said the law was necessary to deal with the countrys stray dog problem.

Sundays protesters called for the law to be repealed, brandishing posters reading shelters are death camps and withdraw the bloody law.

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.

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.

People shout slogans during a protest against a bill approved by Turkish legislators that aims to remove stray dogs ( Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved )

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 new legislation requires municipalities to collect stray dogs and house them in shelters to be vaccinated, neutered and spayed before making them available for adoption. Dogs that are in pain, terminally ill or pose a health risk to humans will be euthanized. The initial draft bill included cats, but that article was changed after a public outcry.

However, many question where cash-strapped municipalities would find the money to build the necessary extra shelters required.

Animal rights activists worry that some municipalities might kill dogs on the pretext that they are ill rather than allocate resources to shelter them.

Videos showing dead cats and dogs buried in ditches have been circulating on social media recently. Animal rights activists say the animals were indiscriminately killed after the passage of the law.
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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.
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Poland and other nations bordering Ukraine have a duty to shoot down incoming Russian missiles  despite the risk of interceptions over Ukrainian territory dragging Nato into the war with Moscow  the country's foreign minister has said.

Warsaw activated aircraft early on Monday to protect Polish air space as Russia launched a fresh barrage of missiles and drones, with Ukraine having faced some of the most intense strikes since the start of Vladimir Putin's invasion during the past two weeks.

Radosaw Sikorski has said that Poland has an obligation to ensure the safety of its citizens, whatever fears other Nato nations may have about what shooting down missiles over Ukraine pushing the alliance into direct conflict with Russia.

Membership in Nato does not trump each countrys responsibility for the protection of its own airspace  its our own constitutional duty, Mr Sikorski told the Financial Times. Im personally of the view that, when hostile missiles are on course of entering our airspace, it would be legitimate self-defence [to strike them] because once they do cross into our airspace, the risk of debris injuring someone is significant.

Several rounds of explosions rocked Ukraines capital, Kyiv, in the early hours. Debris from intercepted missiles and drones fell in every district of Kyiv, injuring three people and damaging two nurseries, Ukraine's Interior Ministry said. City authorities reported multiple fires.

Russia launched 35 missiles of various types and 26 Shahed drones at Ukraine on the night from Sunday to Monday, the Ukrainian air force said. Nine ballistic missiles, 13 cruise missiles and 20 drones were downed, it said. Last Monday, Russia fired more than 200 missiles and drones at Ukraine, killing seven people and striking energy facilities nationwide in what Kyiv called the war's "most massive" attack.

Mr Sikorski said it is preferable to shoot rockets and drones down at a higher altitude over Ukraine, as the risk of casualties increases the closer a missile was to its target when it is intercepted. Ukrainians have told us: youre welcome, he added.

Polish soldiers take part in a military parade in Warsaw earlier this month. Kyiv wants its allies to be more involved in its aerial defence ( AFP via Getty Images )

A bilateral security deal signed by Poland and Ukraine in July included an agreement to examine the rationale and feasibility of possible intercepting in Ukraines airspace missiles and UAVs [unmanned aerial vehicles] fired in the direction of the territory of Poland.

Warsaw insisted that any such move would only be introduced with the stamp of approval of the international community, preferably Nato. However, Nato's secretary general Jens Stoltenberg said in the wake of that deal that Nato "will not be involved in this conflict".

"Nato will support Ukraine ... but Nato's policy is unchanged," Mr Stoltenberg said.

Ukraine has been pushing for allies to be more involved in its defence, not least by giving Kyiv permission to use Western-supplied missiles to strike deep inside Russia. Ukraine has had some success in drone strikes on Russian airfields,. destroying some of the fighter jets and bombs used in Moscow's aerial assault. But officials are clear that it isn't enough.

"In defending itself against these ... barbaric war machines, Ukraine is forced to fight with hands tied behind its back. Isn't this absurd?" Ukrainian foreign minister Dmytro Kuleba said on X, formerly Twitter, on Monday, after the latest attack over Kyiv.

On the ground, Ukraine is driving further into Russia's Kursk region following its surprise cross-border incursion three weeks ago, and the Russian army is pushing deeper into the Donetsk region of eastern Ukraine.

Britain's Ministry of Defence said on Sunday that Russian forces accelerated their advance on the key Donetsk stronghold of Povkrosk over the past week and are likely within six miles of the city.

Reuters and Associated Press contributed to this report
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A four-year-old boy who accidentally smashed a Bronze Age jar into pieces was welcomed back along with his family to the Hecht Museum in Israel.

The child and his family were visiting the museum at the University of Haifa earlier this month when the boy pulled the jar slightly out of curiosity, causing the 3,500-year-old jar to fall and shatter.

The artefact, from between 2200BC and 1500BC, had been displayed near the entrance without a protective barrier.

A rare jar that was accidentally smashed by a four-year-old child at a museum in Haifa ( Hecht Museum )

The museum, instead of taking action against Ariel Geller, said it was inviting the boy and his family for a guided tour to sweeten their previously bitter experience.

During their visit last Friday, the boy gifted the museum a clay vase of his own and was met with forgiving staff and curators.

It was just a distraction of a second, Anna Geller, a mother of three from the northern Israeli town of Nahariya, told the Associated Press. And the next thing I know, its a very big boom boom behind me.

Ariel Geller is welcomed by Inbal Rivlin for a special tour after the child accidentally broke an ancient jar at the Reuben and Edith Hecht Museum in Haifa ( AP )

The childs father, Alex Geller, said he was in shock to see his son next to the broken artefact and at first thought it couldnt be his child who caused such damage.

The child said he just wanted to see what was inside, his mother said.

Mr Geller went over to the security guards to let them know what had happened in the hope that it was a model and not a real artefact. The father even offered to pay for the damage.

But they called and said it was insured, and after they checked the cameras and saw it wasnt vandalism they invited us back for a make-up visit, he said.

The jar was one of many artefacts exhibited out in the open, part of the Hecht Museums vision of letting visitors explore history without glass barriers.

Ariel Geller helps glue a broken clay jar during a special tour with his family at the Hecht Museum in Haifa ( AP )

The museum believes there is a special charm in displaying artefacts without barriers or glass walls to make archaeological findings more accessible to the public, Dr Inbal Rivlin, its general manager, earlier told The Independent.

The museum said it would not involve the police as the displayed items were broken unintentionally.

The jar was accidentally damaged by a young child visiting the museum, and the response will be accordingly, Dr Rivlin said.

The jar predates the time of biblical kings David and Solomon and is characteristic of the Canaan region on the Mediterranean coast, the manager said. The impressive find was intended for the storage and transportation of mostly wine and olive oil.

Experts are using 3D technology and high-resolution videos to restore the jar, which could be back on display as soon as next week.

During Fridays tour, Ariel had the opportunity to experience restoration work firsthand. He assembled and restored a small broken jar using a special restoration kit prepared by the museum. In a similar manner to the repairs currently underway on the ancient jar, this is exactly what professionals do, the museum said on Facebook.

Roee Shafir, a restoration expert at the museum, said the repairs would be fairly simple as the pieces were from a single, complete jar.

Mr Shafir told the news agency that artefacts should remain accessible to the public, even if accidents happen because touching one can inspire a deeper interest in history and archaeology.

I like that people touch. Dont break, but to touch things, its important, he said.
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Unexplained noises have been heard coming from the Boeing Starliner spacecraft.

One of the Nasa astronauts who flew to the International Space Station on board the craft noticed that there was a strange noise coming from its speaker.

I dont know whats making it, he said.

Butch Wilmore, the astronaut who heard the sound, discussed it in a conversation with his colleagues in mission control, on the ground. He asked them to scratch your heads and see if you can figure out whats going on, asking them to call us if you figure it out.

Mission control noted that it sounded like a pulsing noise, almost like a sonar ping.

Neither Mr Wilmore nor the Nasa staff in mission control appeared especially anxious about the noise. But Chris Hadfield, a Canadian astronaut who spent time on the space station, suggested that it would be worrying.

There are several noises Id prefer not to hear inside my spaceship, including this one that Boeing Starliner is now making, he wrote on X.

Mr Wilmore and his colleague Suni Williams flew to the International Space Station on board Starliner in June. But even before the spacecraft had launched, it was hit by troubles, and those only continued once they were on board.

Nasa has been attempting to find a solution since then. Last week, it said that the two astronauts would not come home on Starliner as planned, but that it would be flown into Earths atmosphere with nobody on board and that they would be brought back in a SpaceX vehicle early next year.

Starliner could leave as soon as next week, Nasa has said. The space agency and Boeing have left the spacecraft at the International Space Station for much longer than expected to try and work out the cause of the various problems that have blighted Starliner.

The eerie sounds were recorded by a Michigan meteorologist called Rob Dale, who captured audio of the conversation between the astronauts and Mission Control. He posted them to the Nasa SpaceFlight forum and they were first reported by Ars Technica.

Nasa is yet to give any information on what the sound could be or how concerning it might be. The sound was discovered over the Labor Day weekend in the US, and many staff may not be at work on the federal holiday on Monday.
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Elon Musk has called for a Brazilian judge to be impeached after his app X was banned in the country.

Justice Alexandre de Moraes ruled to shut down the social media platform last week after X failed to appoint a new legal representative before a court-imposed deadline.

Mr Musk responded to the ruling by labelling Judge Moraes a dictator, claiming that it goes against freedom of speech and constitutes unjustified censorship.

He should be impeached for violating his oath of office, Mr Musk wrote on X on Monday.

Free speech is the bedrock of democracy and an unelected pseudo-judge in Brazil is destroying it for political purposes.

A Supreme Court panel of five judges in Brazil is set to vote on Judge Moraes ruling on Monday, though the ban is already in place.

It was introduced over the weekend after Judge Moraes gave the countrys National Telecommunications Agency 24 hours to implement an immediate, complete and comprehensive ban of X.

Any X users who access the app or site through a virtual private network (VPN) face a fine of 50,000 Reais (6,750) under the ruling.

Mr Musk also faces prosecution in Brazil for obstruction of justice, criminal organisation and incitement to crime following accusations from Judge Moraes that the platform was used by far-right accounts to spread misinformation and instigate attacks on federal government buildings in Brazil after the defeat of former president Jair Bolsonaro.

Judge Moraes ordered X to appoint a legal representative in Brazil, which is one of the companys biggest international markets.

In failing to make the appointment, Judge Moraes said Mr Musk showed his total disrespect for Brazilian sovereignty and, in particular, for the judiciary, setting himself up as a true supranational entity and immune to the laws of each country.

X chief executive Linda Yaccarino claimed that the companys legal representatives had been threatened with imprisonment in Brazil.

This is a sad day for X users around the world, especially those in Brazil, who are being denied access to our platform, she said following Fridays ruling.

I wish it did not have to come to this  it breaks my heart.
George Clooney has praised Joe Biden for dropping out of the US presidential race.

Speaking at the Venice Film Festival on Sunday (1 September), the Hollywood actor praised Biden for his selfless act.

Clooney said: The person who should be applauded is the President who did the most selfless thing anyone has ever done since George Washington.

This is a selfless act. It is very hard to let go of power, we know that, weve seen it around the world.

For someone to say theres a better way forward, all credit goes to him.

Clooneys comments were met with applause by Wolf co-star Brad Pitt.
On 9 June, Jordan Bardella, leader of Frances far-right National Rally, addressed an enthusiastic and jubilant audience with remarkable composure and confidence. A sea of young faces stood cheering, waving flags and soaking in his every word. At 28, Bardella, a Frenchman of Italian descent (his maternal family immigrated to France in the 1960s), gave an impassioned speech underscoring the partys commitment to closed borders. In the wake of the European Union election result which saw his party secure over 31.4 per cent of the vote and 30 seats in the European parliament, its success, he said, heralded a new hope for France.

It was enough to jolt Emmanuel Macron into swift action. Despite having three years left of his presidential term he called a shock snap election. His was a different hope. A hope, he said, that when the time comes, men and women of goodwill who will say no to extremes will come together.

This turned out to be a clever tactical move and Frances far-right National Rally lost out to a hastily built left-wing coalition, but what is certain is Bardellas leadership seems to have played no insignificant part in propelling his partys popularity. In the space of a few days, he had become the poster child of how the far right has captured the hearts and minds of a new generation. And as Germanys anti-immigration Alternative for Germany (AfD) celebrates a historic success with its first win in a state parliament election since World War Two, it is clear that a new mood is building across Europe and it is the young who are driving it.

National Rally president Jordan Bardella chimes with a young population who feel disillusioned and underserved ( AP )

The AfDs gains were especially large among young voters. According to initial reports, in Thuringia the party finished first with 37 percent support among 18- to 24-year-olds, an increase of almost 20 percentage points compared to its result in the previous state election in 2019. Historian Enzo Traversos 2018 book The New Faces of Fascism aimed to shed light on the evolving demographics of the Europe-wide movement. His initial observations seem prescient today: young men aligning with a modernised far right which seeks to mask its ideological extremism and present a less menacing facade.

Bardella typifies this as a young male politician whose rhetoric around racial purity, xenophobia, and an ultranationalist France-first vision for his country, chimes with a young population who feel disillusioned and underserved. Traverso asked whether this phenomenon constitutes a new form of fascism, one that can be characterised as a terrorist movement with aspirations of European domination. I believe it is now safe to agree with this assessment.

The footprints of this kind of radicalisation among the young in Europe were visible over a decade ago. My research into the now-convicted and defunct neo-Nazi party Golden Dawn in Greece gave a first hint at what was coming. Economically challenged and socially deprived, a lack of trust in mainstream parties drove a significant portion of young Greek voters to lurch to the far right.

From the chaos of Grexit which preceded Brexit in 2015 and never came to pass, but shook the country to its core nevertheless, emerged the far-right nationalist party Golden Dawn.

Between 2020 and 2021, I spoke to many young men aged 18-40. Men like Lefteris* who was drawn to the appeal of the movements leader Nikolaos Michaloliakos and his rhetoric of national pride. He, like many of the men I met, believed that only Golden Dawn could rescue the nation from moral collapse. The way they talked was sincere but deeply unsettling to any student of the rise of Nazi Germany.

The young men I interviewed had been drawn to Golden Dawns emphasis on masculinity and its strong national values resonated with them. They were indifferent to the partys neo-Nazi affiliations and the involvement of some members and MPs in criminal activity which linked them to the murders of two young left-wing activists. Some even dismissed these incidents as conspiracy theories, despite the party being found guilty of operating a criminal organisation in 2020, resulting in the imprisonment of seven of its leaders.

Supporters of the Golden Dawn in 2014. The party morphed into the Spartans, securing seats in the Greek parliament last year ( AFP/Getty )

By 2023, a spin-off of Golden Dawn emerged under a new alias. To the surprise of many, the Spartans party, which put candidates forward just two weeks before the June general election, captured enough votes to win 12 seats in the Greek parliament.

The majority of its supporters were male, with over 16 per cent of Greeks aged 16-44 casting their ballots in its favour. Many pointed to the notions of ultranationalism and white purity and the partys appeal to a youth who felt like they werent being offered any other solutions to their problems.

Revelations that a former MP of Golden Dawn, Ilias Kasidiaris, had orchestrated the partys affairs from prison, aiming to resurrect a neo-Nazi criminal organisation within the Greek parliament, mean that the party has subsequently been banned. However, the reasons behind this pull to the extreme right linger everywhere.

The far-right Portuguese party Chega is now the third-largest in the country ( EPA )

In Germany, in 2019 only 5 per cent of the youth vote supported the far-right Alternative fur Deutschland (AfD); however, in the EU election, that figure surged to 16 per cent despite the partys alleged involvement of its members in neo-Nazi activities. AfD state leader of Thuringia, Bjorn Hocke, is considered one of the most radical representatives of his party. He has repeatedly used Nazi rhetoric and was found guilty in court twice in 2024 alone for using a banned Nazi slogan at his campaign events.

The handful of ex-servicemen gathering on the beaches of Normandy for this years 80-year D-Day commemorations was a poignant reminder of how the living memory of the fight against fascism is fading. What is emerging in its place is a picture of young adults, often college-educated, embracing the beliefs that so many of their grandparents generation gave their lives fighting against.

Nearly 40 per cent of voters aged 18-24 in France and 20 per cent of the same demographic in Spain cast their ballots for the far right. Portugal too has witnessed a surge for the far right, represented in the Chega (Enough!) party with the support of many young voters establishing it as the countrys third-largest party.

The rise of the Reform party in the UK also shows how far-right thinking is shaping mainstream politics in a very real way. Could Reform influence the future of conservatism in the UK as some are suggesting? Will it matter that, as was reported by The Times in June, close to one in 10 candidates for Nigel Farages party in England were friends on Facebook with Gary Raikes, a former organiser for the British National Party? Raikes founded the New British Union in the image of Oswald Mosleys British Union of Fascists, with a horde of young male activists calling themselves Blackshirts behind him. According to Professor Paula Surridge, deputy director of the UK in a Changing Europe think tank, men aged 25 or under were more likely than those in their forties and fifties to consider voting for Reform.

Nigel Farages Reform party has gained a substantial popularity on social media ( PA )

This appeal to the young may be due to far-right parties becoming highly adept at communicating their messages through polished graphics and meticulously curated content. AfD consciously targeted young voters on Tik Tok with simple and emotional messages around loss of identity that are easy to understand. With over a million followers on TikTok, Bardella consciously avoids overt extremist symbolism or language. TikTok videos arent about policy discussion, they are about creating a vibe or feeling that resonates; through this, the parties set out their stall.

And we can see how effective this shift right can be in the beaming face of Italian prime minister Giorgia Meloni as she hosted the G7 in Puglia earlier this year. Her party  the far-right Brothers of Italy  was handed a convincing win in the recent European elections and, unlike many Western European leaders, she was emboldened not shaken by the vote.

Sources in Brussels suggested that Meloni now sees herself as the European kingmaker, touting herself as the future face of the centre-right. While such claims are audacious and downright chilling, the blame shouldnt fall on young voters for choosing Meloni but rather on a panicky centre-right for embracing ideas that contradict its own principles of liberal conservatism and so normalising extreme views for a new generation.

Looking the other way: leaders at this years G7 in Italy ( AP )

For years, the far right has employed fearmongering tactics to propagate dangerous conspiracy theories, such as the alleged replacement of the white population by Muslims or the denial of climate change. In an attempt to stem the flow of supporters to far-right parties, centre-right factions have adopted this rhetoric and blurred ideological distinctions as they do so.

Now dubbed the culture wars, once far-right agendas now permeate the mainstream and the public begins to prioritise these issues over other policy-related concerns and efforts to address critical issues facing communities.

Far-right leaders across Europe now seem ready to influence public policy significantly, having secured over 20 per cent of the seats in the European parliament. The new mood after the EU elections in June vividly illustrated by celebratory gatherings observed in Germany, France, and Italy. A close colleague of mine based in Germany noted that Europe now feels unsettlingly similar to the 1930s.

While this might be an overstatement, the rise of the far right does share disturbing similarities with the pre-Second World War era, including its focus on migration, gender issues, and other societal debates. And while far-right parties may be being stopped from gaining absolute power by coalitions, their grass root popularity shows just how close a far-right golden dawn could be for young men looking to leaders offering a terrifying new vision of hope.

*Name has been changed

Georgios Samaras is an assistant professor of public policy at Kings College London and author of Opening the Floodgates of Hate: An Investigation into Golden Dawns Online Extremism
The Chophouse restaurant in Ballsbridge, where Anthony Bourdain once said he had the best f**king meal Ive ever eaten in Dublin, is to close.

The owners, Kevin and Jillian Arundel, said in an announcement they had tried everything to keep our business going, but the constant rising costs have finally made it impossible to keep our doors open.

It is the latest in a series of closures of high-profile eateries. Two week ago Dublin chef Dylan McGrath announced he was closing Brasserie Sixty6 and Rustic Stone in the city centre.

The Restaurants Association of Ireland estimates that 577 outlets have closed in the 11 months to the end of July. Adrian Cummins, its CEO, said the group met last week with Finance Minister Jack Chambers and Public Expenditure Minister Paschal Donohoe to make the case for a reduction on the Vat rate for food to 9pc in next months Budget.

The Chophouse in Ballsbridge

They said nothing has been decided yet and so we are very hopeful that something will be in the Budget, Mr Cummins said. We are looking forward to more engagement with the ministers.

Asked last month about whether the Government is considering reducing the Vat rate for hospitality back to 9pc, Mr Donohoe said it was important to keep in mind how much it would cost  about 700m.

The Chophouse first opened in Ballsbridge in 2009, offering high-quality food in what had been The Shelbourne House pub. Originally from Cork, Kevin Arundel had previously worked with Derry Clarke in LEcrivian on Baggot Street, before opening his own restaurant on Lower Fitzwilliam Street .

Today's News In 90 Seconds - September 02 2024

The Chophouse got international recognition after it was visited by the late American chef Anthony Bourdain, author of Kitchen Confidential. As part of the best meal Ive ever eaten in Dublin, he had a charcuterie board of cured red deer and Irish mortadella with a clementine mustard, lamb belly sweetbreads and fresh asparagus, pan-seared prawns with lemon, chili, garlic, and smoked paprika butter, and a Porterhouse steak.

Last year the Arundels extended the franchise by opening a second Chophouse in the former Mulligans pub in Sandymount, Dublin 4. They secured a lease with an option to buy the 406 sqm pub from Kieran Mulligan. The Sandymount outlet offers some of the same menu, at a somewhat lower price point.

In the announcement on social media, the Arundels said it was with immense sadness they had decided to close our much loved restaurant after 15 years. They paid tribute to the amazing team who had been loyal and provided great service to customers.

Great times were had  weddings, births, romances, business deals, family celebrations, rugby wins and losses, concerts and much more, they said. The Chophouse in Sandymount will continue to trade and we look forward to welcoming you.
The States stake in AIB has fallen to 22.04pc after the Government announced the completion of a share buyback transaction.

Last month, AIB announced they had received regulatory approval for a further 500m share buyback.

The transaction, which was completed on a directed basis between AIB and the State, saw the bank acquire 500m of its shares by way of an off-market purchase.

Following the completion of this share buyback, the States shareholding has declined by a further 2.84 percentage points.

The shares were bought at a final price of 5.445 per share.

The price achieved on this transaction represents the highest AIB closing price since February 2018, Finance Minister Jack Chambers said.

"The proceeds from this transaction will be held within the Irish Strategic Investment Fund while I examine how best to use them for the benefit of the State, he added in a statement.

The Government has been gradually reducing its ownership in the bank in recent years. It was forced to nationalise AIB in 2011 due to huge losses resulting from bad loans during the Celtic Tiger.

Around 16.6bn has been returned to the State from its investment in AIB to date, while the Governments stake in the bank has dropped from around 71pc at the start of 2022 to 22.04pc today.

AIB chief executive Colin Hunt said payments to the State had reached 3bn so far this year.

The transaction is another important milestone in the process of repaying the taxpayer for their support, enhancing liquidity in AIB shares and normalising the share register, he said.

Mr Chambers added that the Government wants to continue to normalise the relationship between the State and the bank.

It continues to be this Governments belief that banking in the main is an activity that should be provided by the private sector and that taxpayer funds which were used to support the banking sector should be recovered and put to more productive uses like enhanced delivery of public services and helping us to overcome many of the challenges we face now and into the future including areas like housing and public infrastructure, he said.
Large numbers of workers feel they will not have enough money to retire on.

And four out of 10 of those who responded to a survey are worried that they will not be able to retire, according to the latest Retirement Pulse survey released by Standard Life.

The pensions and investment company said the results of the survey highlight what it said was the urgent need for more open conversations and enhanced pension literacy and retirement planning education.

The survey found 43pc of respondents said they do not feel financially ready to retire, with 40pc saying they are concerned they wont be able to retire.

Large numbers said they do not know how much they will need to live comfortably in retirement. Financial unpreparedness is especially an issue with female respondents.

Just under a third remain unsure about how much they will need to save comfortably in retirement.

Four out of 10 non-retired adults feel socially prepared, and just under half feel confident they will keep purposefully engaged in retirement.

The survey found 44pc of non-retired adults looking forward to retirement, but two in five are feeling anxious or scared.

Almost half said they are deferring thinking about retirement until it happens.

A majority of adults have never sought professional financial advice, the Standard Life survey shows.

Head of distribution at Standard Life Alan McCarthy said the findings highlight a significant need for advice in the retirement journey for people across Ireland.

While its encouraging to see people are engaging more with their pensions, its concerning to see they are anxious about their financial future.

Mr McCarthy said peoples readiness for retirement significantly increases when they feel financially prepared, and a good adviser will help them put that plan in place.

Additionally, its important to plan for your social needs and to consider what will provide purpose in this new phase of life. These are often overlooked as soft elements that will take care of themselves, but our findings point to them being significant in the planning journey and strong indicators for a persons likelihood to experience a good or bad retirement, he said.

The Government is due to launch by the end of this year the new auto-enrolment pension scheme for some 800,000 people who only have the State pension to rely on when they retire.

Putting in place an auto-enrolment system was first proposed by the Government some 18 years ago.

But businesses have called for its implementation to be delayed to give them a reprieve from coming cost increases.

Minister for Social Protection Heather Humphreys has spearheaded the scheme that will see employees without a pension auto-enrolled into a savings scheme, which will be partially funded by businesses.

Employers have complained about the cost and complexity of the new scheme.

Automatic enrolment will put employees between the ages of 23 and 60, and who earn over 20,000 a year, into a workplace scheme.

At the beginning, contributions will be set at a rate of 1.5pc of a workers gross income, which will be matched by the employer and topped up by the State.

The contributions will automatically increase every three years by 1.5 percentage points, until reaching a maximum of 6pc by Year 10.

For every 3 saved by an employee, the State will add 1.
Calls for reforms in upcoming Budget

The survey found that only 27pc of over-18s in Ireland have made a will. Stock image: Getty

More people would leave money in their will to charity if the main beneficiaries from their estate got a tax break.

Over a third of Irish people would include a gift to charity in their will if a tax break was available to their children and others who have been left property or money, a survey for My Legacy has found.

My Legacy is an umbrella group of 90 Irish charities working together to make legacy giving the norm in Ireland.

The survey found that only 27pc of over-18s in Ireland have made a will.

And only a small proportion of those say they plan to make a charitable gift from their estate.

However, 35pc of respondents said they would consider a bequest to charity if it meant there was a tax break available.

Where a taxpayer gives 250 or more to a charity in the course of a calendar year the donation can be worth 45pc more at no extra cost to them under tax rules.

But the respondents to the survey feel more money could be left to charities from estates if the main beneficiaries of the will got a tax benefit, as well as benefiting from the will.

The issue of inheritance tax is controversial at the moment.

A higher threshold for payment of inheritance tax, rising by at least 65,000, is on the cards in the Budget  with TDs also pushing for a cut to the 33pc rate itself.

My Legacy wants further tax changes to make giving to charity a bigger consideratoin when people die.

Chairperson of My Legacy, Niall OSullivan said: In our pre-Budget 2025 submission, My Legacy calls on the Government to incentivise and encourage legacy giving.

The findings support this  35pc of those who either dont have a will or have one without a gift to charity in it say they would be open to including a gift in their will if a tax benefit were available.

He said his organisations research shows strong public interest in knowing and understanding more about both the process of making a will, and including a gift to charity.

Mr OSullivan said we know that Ireland is one of the most generous nations in Europe and the report states that 40pc of people regularly support a charity.

However, that figure jars significantly with the current low uptake of legacy giving, especially compared with the UK, where pro rata, people leave three times as much in their wills to charities. This demonstrates the huge potential to increase legacy giving in Ireland.

The nationally representative survey of 1,007 adults carried out online by Red C Research and Marketing also found that more than half of the respondents never thought of including a gift to charity in their will.

However, the same percentage said they would feel comfortable talking to a solicitor about doing so.

Only 14pc of those who currently have a will have included a gift to a charity.

A third said cost was the main reason why they didnt have a will.

Just over one in four (27pc) of all adults in Ireland aged 18-plus have a will, with a further 5pc saying they are in the process of arranging one.
Despite the second highest three-month funding period on record, the figures show that investment for the first half of the year is down by almost a quarter to 753m

Sarah-Jane Larkin, director general of the IVCA and Gerry Maguire, chairman of the IVCA

Irish venture capital funding into tech and life science firms hit its second highest level ever in the second quarter of the year, with 494m invested in startups and later stage companies.

The figures, compiled by the Irish Venture Capital Association (IVCA), represent a rise of 7pc on the same three months a year previously.

Seed funding did particularly well, rising 18pc to 53.2m compared to the same period last year. Overall, seed funding rose by 79pc to 93.6m for the first six months of 2024.

The biggest single sector for funding was life sciences, with 297m, or 39pc of the total investment over the three month period.

Environmental technology 13pc was next, followed by regtech (12pc), fintech (9pc) and software (9pc).

The top deals in worth over 30m during the quarter included the life sciences firm, SynOx Therapeutics (70.3m), fintech company AccountsIQ (60m), cybersecurity specialist Tines (50m) and marine technology firm, XOcean (30m).

But while seed funding and large deals saw healthy returns in the quarter, overall funding for the half year fell by almost a quarter (22pc) to 752.7m.

And the the amount of rounds involving sums under 10m  excepting seed rounds  over the first half of the year also fell.

Deals in the 5m to 10m range fell by 44pc to 27m in the second quarter, compared to the same time last year, said Gerry Maguire, chairman of the IVCA.

This worrying trend continued right across all deal sizes from 1m to 5m. It suggests that companies are doing well raising early stage seed funding but are struggling to kick on in the next vital growth phase.

Mr Maguire said that 90pc of funding for deals valued at over 10m came from international investors.

Recent research by KPMG suggests that VC investment globally rose sharply from 69bn to 86.3bn between the first and second quarters of this year.

However, while VC investment rose to a five-quarter high, the number of deals fell to 7,691, which is the lowest level recorded by KPMG globally since the third quarter of 2016.

Artificial intelligence accounted for over half of the ten largest funding rounds globally during the second quarter of this year.
The Boy That Never Was (RTE) 4/5 Dead and Buried (Virgin Media) 2/5

Colin Morgan in Dead and Buried, his second drama on consecutive nights. Photo: VCO Films/Three River Fiction

James Nesbitt is going to be jealous. He suddenly has competition for the title Busiest Northern Irish Actor on TV. The younger pretender to the throne is Colin Morgan.

The star of Merlin, Humans and Kenneth Branaghs Belfast appears in two new Irish drama series on consecutive nights. Beat that, Jimmy!

First up, and by far the better of the two, is The Boy That Never Was (RTE1, Sunday, September 1), a four-parter which pivots around the worst possible trauma any parent can imagine: the loss of a child.

Based on a novel by Karen Perry (the pen name of Dublin Karen Gillece and Paul Perry), it comes with faint echoes of The Missing, which starred Nesbitt. The malign force here is not a mysterious abductor, however, but a natural disaster.

Morgan and Toni ORourke are excellent as Harry and Robin, a married couple who live in Tangier, Morocco, with their toddler son Dillon and Robins ebullient brother Oliver (Kerr Logan).

Hes an artist, shes an architect and theyre comfortably at home in their adopted community. Simon Callow plays Cozimo, a resident whos become their closest friend and lives nearby.

One afternoon, with Robin at work and Dillon sleeping soundly, Harry asks a neighbouring woman to keep an ear out for the child while he slips out to retrieve a present for Robin he remembers has been left at Cozimos house.

Hes gone no more than five minutes. But just as hes returning, the region is hit by a major earthquake. Racing home through the panicking crowds and billowing dust clouds, Harry is knocked unconscious by falling debris.

When he comes round and finally makes it home, he discovers the entire building has been brought down with Dillon somewhere under the rubble.

Three years later, Harry and Robin have returned to Dublin. The tragedy has put a terrible strain on their relationship. At some point Harry suffered a complete breakdown and is now on medication.

Its obvious neither of them have got over losing Dillon. She, at least, appears to have accepted that their son is dead, though, and even has some good news for her husband: shes pregnant.

Harry, though, hasnt really moved on at all. Dillons body was never recovered, despite the rescue services searching for four days, and he believes his son could still be alive.

Hes been secretly drawing portraits of how he might look at different ages.

While waiting for a train at Pearse station, Harry spots a woman with a boy who bears a strong resemblance to Dillon on the opposite platform.

The child seems to be staring intently at him, as if he vaguely recognises him.

But a train suddenly obscures Harrys view, and by the time he gets to the other side of the tracks, the woman and boy have disappeared, sending him on a frantic search around the station.

When Harry tells Robin about the boy, she fears the past might be repeating itself. A brief flashback shows Harry once tried to abduct a boy he believed to be Dillon from a Dublin park, to the horror of the childs mother.

The two leads are utterly believable in a drama that, as it toggles between the two timelines, works as both a gripping psychological thriller and a harrowing study of grief, guilt, remorse and unravelling mental health. Outstanding so far.

For our second drama, in a shopping centre car park in the middle of a downpour, young Northern Irish mother Cathy (Annabel Scholey) literally bumps into the man responsible for killing her brother 20 years before: Michael McAllister, played by Morgan, who she didnt realise had been released.

Thus begins Dead and Buried (Virgin Media 1/BBC1 Northern Ireland, Monday, September 3), a four-parter by Colin Bateman. Incensed by McAllisters seemingly perfect life (top job, big house, flash car, lovely wife), Cathy embarks on a campaign of revenge.

She starts with pranks (having pizzas delivered to his home), progresses to flirting with him using a fake profile on social media, then escalates to full-blown stalking.

Bateman has promised plenty of twists and turns. Maybe theyll come, but by the end of episode one, the plot is already veering into implausibility.
Government attempts to address climate change within agriculture and forestry scored 'poor' for the fourth year in a row, according to academic experts who have carried out an independent assessment for Friends of the Earth.

And while the Government has just scraped a B- overall grade in fulfilling their own promises to address climate change and protect our environment, agriculture and forestry was one of its lowest performing areas.

Dr. Cara Augustenborg, Assistant Professor, Environmental Policy Programme, UCD, told the Farming Independent that while they acknowlege there has been emission reductions in the sector and more schemes on the table for farming families, the backlog in forestry still hasn't been addressed and water quality continues to decline.

"Last year, we described the Governments lack of progress in their agriculture and forestry commitments as 'flirting with failure' and gave them a score of 4.0. This year, a 4.6pc reduction in greenhouse gas emissions in agriculture along with noticeable progress in several schemes demonstrated that, for the first time, this Government is putting options on the table for farming families to engage in the low-carbon transition.

"Most notably, the extent of organically farmed land has trebled in the lifetime of this Government and the launch of a National Biomethane Strategy is a welcome development towards diversification. In contrast, progress in forestry remains very poor and land remains a source of emissions rather than a sink.

"The impact of intensive farming on water quality also continues to be a serious concern. Thus, while progress in this category improved from last year, overall progress remains poor."

Programme for Government commitment areas that are being ignored include it say the encouragement of farming practices, which preserve or enhance soil organic matter; the encouragement of the private sector to meet corporate social responsibility or sustainability objectives by investing in native woodlands, building on the Woodland Environmental Fund as well as a commitment to promote planting of protection forests along rivers and lakes to protect water quality and assist in managing flood risks.

It also points to a commitment to advocate for a fair system of eligibility conditionality, under the reform of Good Agricultural and Environmental Condition rules, recognising that farmers should not be unfairly penalised for maintaining land that contributes to biodiversity principles.

However, it also said promises to improve biodiversity education appear neglected, as does the commitment to designate western lakes as salmonoid lakes.
Its workforce at the Tuam facility has doubled to 160 in the past four years with further expansion due at the new facility in the coming years.

The firm manufactures products for the Agri, Marine, Civil Engineering and Material Handling sectors and apart from Tuam it also has two factories in the UK, one in Poland and another in The Netherlands while it also acquired the Diamond Tools manufacturing business in France and Germany in recent years.

In 1987 John Concannon appeared on the Late Late Show promoting his multi-bucket invention, three plastic buckets welded together which enabled a farmer to feed six calves at the same time.

Gay Byrne laughed at the idea at the time and so did many of the audience and viewers. But today the JFC company has expanded to the major world-wide manufacturing firm that it is now. Its come a long way from welding three plastic buckets together to designing and manufacturing its robotic computerised calf feeding and rearing systems which are exported around the world today.

The firms new building at Weir Road is twice the size of the original plant and a key product on the new line is the JFC Evolution Robotic Calf rearing system and feeders.

The companys Twin Wall Corrie Pipes for drainage, roadworks and civil engineering projects have also become best sellers in that market both here and in the UK. JFC now sells its products in 80 countries around the world from Norway in the north to New Zealand in the southern hemisphere.

Speaking at the launch of the new building in Tuam at the weekend, Managing Director John Concannon said theres a lot more investment and job creation ahead.

We are delighted to be providing more e jobs here in Tuam and not going to places such as China and India where wages might be lower. Our aim has always been to provide jobs wherever possible in Ireland".

Tom Kelly from Enterprise Ireland also spoke at the event and praised entrepreneurs such as John Concannon for what their companies contribute to employment in Ireland. He said indigenous Irish industries such as JFC now employ almost as many in Ireland as the major multinationals located here. They are the real heroes he said.
Paula McLoughlin said returning to education was a 'lifeline' after she lost her business in the pandemic.

Adult learners are being forced to choose between heating their homes or staying in education, according to new research from the national adult learning organisation.

Findings published today by Aontas show 41pc of those in adult education are struggling to pay for meals and household bills.

Nearly a third of people surveyed said they need greater support to remain in education.

Aontas revealed the findings alongside the launch of its Holding You Back campaign and called for new support measures to be introduced in Budget 2025.

Proposals include a 50pc increase in allowances for adult learners, an increase in social welfare payments for adult learners and more information to be made available on adult education courses and supports.

Paula McLoughlin from Clondalkin in Dublin said returning to education was a lifeline for her after losing her business during the pandemic. You feel guilty taking money out of the household kitty, she said.

When I had to buy a 100 laptop for my course, I was thinking that it cost the same as two weeks of a food shop.

If equipment like that could be provided, it would be a huge support.

Ms McLoughlin also called for a website highlighting supports for adult learners to be set up urgently.

Full-time trainees are currently entitled to a meal allowance of 80c a day.

Aontas CEO Dearbhail Lawless said: How is anyone supposed to feed themselves on 80c a day? You cant even buy a cup of tea for that.

People cant engage in education unless their basic needs are met, including accommodation, food and health. Education is a risk for many people.

But it should improve peoples circumstances, not create greater financial instability.

Some apprentices are sleeping in their vans because they cant find anywhere affordable to live due to the housing crisis.

People with families are being forced to choose between paying energy bills or course fees. This means a lot of people end up leaving their course.

More financial supports will have wider benefits for Irish society, including increasing social equality and building stronger communities.

Research from independent economic research organisation Indecon shows adult education in Ireland costs more than 10,000 per academic year, excluding hidden costs like rent, bills, travel, food and supplies.
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 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 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.

A pleasure fishing boat in the area happened to spot the dog perched on the cliff, 200 feet above the sea below on Saturday.

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.

The family were planning to return to Germany in the coming days at the end of the holiday and thought 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."
Sacked schoolteacher Enoch Burke has been sent to prison for a third time for contempt of court orders.

Mr Burke was arrested earlier today on the grounds of Wilsons Hospital School in Co Westmeath, after again going there in defiance of a High Court injunction.
Courts

Former Irish rugby international Brendan Mullin appears in court accused of stealing more than 500,000 from Bank of Ireland
From today, Dublin city centre businesses are now banned from leaving out rubbish in plastic bags in a move aimed at cleaning up the capitals streets.

The move taken by Dublin City Council will see close to 1,500 businesses in the south city centre first affected by the ban today. The remainder of the city centres businesses will be subject to the ban from January next year.

"Dublins not a dirty old town, but the way waste has been presented in this city has contributed to our litter problem, Lord Mayor James Geoghegan said on announcing the ban.

"What weve done is engage with bin operators to change how premises present their waste. Businesses will no longer be allowed to present their waste in plastic bin bags for seagulls to rip up and let rubbish be strewn across the road.

"Theyll either have to put it in a wheelie or work with their bin operators themselves to ensure the waste goes directly from the premises into the back of a bin truck. Were working together to make Dublin a cleaner city and a better city to live in. This is going to be one of the biggest changes to how we have managed litter in our city, Mayor Geoghegan said.

The scheme begins today, and its expected there will be full compliance from owners/occupiers of retail, commercial and residential buildings on many city centre streets by January 1, 2025. The scheme will then be extended to much of the city early next year.
Kayla Tarpey  Galway Community College PLC to Bachelor of Agricultural Science, UCD

Kayla Tarpey, an Agricultural Science Student at UCD on the family farm in Seafield Lodge, Maree, Oranmore Co Galway. Photo: Ray Ryan

Kayla Tarpey took the very wise decision to apply for both the CAO and a post-Leaving Cert (PLC) course to ensure that she had options after leaving school.

When the Co Galway student received her Leaving Cert results in 2019, she was disappointed as she was shy of points needed for her CAO top choice  Bachelor of Agricutural Science in UCD.

She successfully appealed the results of two papers, but while awaiting the outcomes she settled well into a PLC programme that was going to pave a path to the same degree programme the following year, without any points requirement.

Universities reserve places on certain courses for students from further education (FE) who apply with their PLC results.

Not only was Kayla, now 22, happy with her PLC, but by the time the Leaving Cert appeal results issued in October, she had already been selected for a three-week Erasmus placement in Portugal, working for a water services company in Porto.

Growing up on a dairy farm in Oranmore, Co Galway which had pedigree Holstein and Jersey cows, her choice of an agriculture-related career was probably not surprising.

While UCDs Bachelor of Agricultural Science was her top CAO choice, the points are relatively high.

I had it in the back of my mind that I might miss out by a small number, Kayla says.

It was on a visit to a UCD Open Day that one of advisers in the School of Agriculture pointed her in the direction of PLC as a back-up.

They couldnt have been more helpful, I also spoke to people who had taken that route, she says. So, in January of her Leaving Cert year, Kayla applied for the PLC in biomedical science/laboratory techniques in Galway Community College.

Kayla Tarpey on the family farm in Seafield Lodge, Maree, Oranmore Co Galway . Photo: Ray Ryan

I wasnt really worried about the CAO. I was only 17 doing the Leaving Cert and I felt I had a year to play around with, she says.

Doing a PLC locally also meant that Kayla could delay the big move to Dublin and live at home with a short 20-minute commute.

Kayla loved the PLC and, with eight distinctions, she successfully competed for a reserved place on the BAgScience. In the 2024/25 academic year, it is anticipated that there will be 30 places reserved on the BAgScience for FE students.

Because of Covid, which closed college campuses, Kayla did her first years study with UCD remotely and moved to Dublin at the start of second year.

When she was younger, Kayla had wanted to study to be a vet. But after attending a UCD Summer School in fifth year, she ruled it out because she realised the CAO cut-off points would be beyond her reach.

There is no need for panic, there are plenty of other options out there. I would thoroughly recommend a PLC to anyone who is in doubt

So, after her first year in UCD, she opted for the animal science stream, one of 11 specialisations offered to students entering second year. The move to Dublin also allowed Kayla to become fully immersed in all aspects of college life.

I got involved in the Ag Science Society and then, in third and fourth year, I was on the committee. I was the treasurer in my final year and we raised 46,000 through student events in one year.

The money raised was donated to two charities close to the heart of Ag Society members: the Kevin Bell Trust, which works to alleviate the financial hardship of bereaved families repatriating bodies of a loved one who has died abroad in sudden or tragic circumstances, and Embrace Farm, a not-for-profit organisation to support people who have lost a loved one or suffered serious injury in a farming accident.

Kayla also volunteered as a peer mentor, a buddy system where established students help to integrate first years into college.

Graduating this year, Kayla is now starting a two-year graduate programme with Dawn Meats and plans to engage in post-graduate study. As to her longer-term career: I dont know where I will end up; I will probably do my own thing for a while, she says.

Kaylas experience has convinced her that more students should consider a PLC as a starting-point for entry to higher education

Looking back on the value of the one-year programme, Kayla says it was very beneficial in preparing for the transition to higher education. All PLCs give students foundational skills, such as in academic referencing.

She also sees how applying for a PLC can take the pressure off students who think the CAO is the only route.

There is no need for panic, there are plenty of other options out there. I would thoroughly recommend a PLC to anyone who is in doubt, she says.

Another bonus for Kayla was that she was able to work full-time while doing her PLC.
Class-size lottery: Pupil numbers down but 10pc still being taught in overcrowded rooms Luck plays major part in education as thousands vie for a teachers attention in rooms of 30-plus childrenAverage class sizes in primary schools have reached their lowest level in 20 years, because of falling pupil numbersCounties Leitrim, Donegal, Sligo and Monaghan are more likely to have oversized classes

The largest individual class, according to records, was 39 pupils at Scoil Naomh Iosaf, Adare, Co Limerick. Photo: PA/file photo

Pupils continue to face a class-size lottery despite falling enrolments, with a wide variation in the numbers being taught in primary classes across the country.

Average class sizes in primary schools have reached their lowest level in 20 years, with 4,000 fewer pupils in first-level education last year.

But nearly one in 10 pupils are still in oversized classes of 30 or more.

Some counties, including Leitrim, Donegal, Sligo and Monaghan, are more likely to have oversized classes, according to an analysis by the Irish Independent.

The largest average class size was among schools in Kildare at 24 pupils per class, while the lowest average was in schools in Longford, with 20.9 pupils per class.

Overall, new figures published by the Department of Education show that a declining number of pupils of primary-school age has had a positive effect on class sizes, There were 10,000 fewer pupils in overcrowded classes last year compared to 12 months earlier.

The figures reveal that the average class size for the last school year was 22.5 pupils per class  down from 22.8 in the 2022-23 academic year. It peaked at 25.2 pupils in 2002 but has been in almost continuous decline since 2016, when it stood at 24.9.

In a positive trend, almost one in five children in primary schools were enrolled in classes of 20 or fewer pupils.

'It's just not acceptable' - School principle speaks out on overcrowded classrooms

In several counties, including Offaly, Longford, Mayo, Roscommon and Tipperary, more than a quarter of pupils are in such small class sizes. However, fewer than one in 10 pupils in schools in Kildare find themselves in classes of 20 or under.

Details of class sizes in almost 3,100 primary schools last year can be accessed on the Irish Independents interactive online table.

The data is sourced from the National School Annual Census and compiled by the Department based on the number of enrolments on September 30, 2023, submitted by individual schools.

The figures relate to mainstream classes in mainstream primary schools only and exclude private or fee-paying schools.

Overall, the total number of mainstream pupils at primary level last year decreased by 0.7pc to 535,111. At the same time, there were more than 220 additional mainstream classroom teachers to bring the total to 23,818.

Commenting on the latest figures, the Department of Education said pupil demographics are a key driver for teacher demand.

Allocations are currently based on class averages of 23 pupils to determine the number of teaching posts allocated to a school, with lower thresholds for Deis schools.

School authorities are requested to ensure that the number of pupils in any class is kept as low as possible, a spokesperson said.

In particular, school authorities should ensure that there is an equitable distribution of pupils in mainstream classes and that the differential between the largest and smallest classes is kept to a minimum.

The spokesperson said three recent Budgets have resulted in an improvement in the allocation of teachers. This was brought from a rate of one in every 25 pupils in Budget 2021 to the current rate of one in every 23 pupils.

The latest figures also show there were more than 10,000 fewer students in oversized classes at primary education level last year.

A total of 51,028 pupils were in classes of 30 or more, representing 9.5pc of all children in primary school.

This is down almost two percentage points in the space of 12 months when 61,345 were being taught in oversized classes.

The proportion of pupils in such classes peaked at more than 25pc in 2005.

A total of 858 schools last year had at least one overcrowded class  which was down from more than 1,000 the previous year.

There were 46 different schools that had at least one class of 35 or more.

However, for the first time in many years, there was no record of a school having a class of 40 or more pupils.

The largest individual class, according to the records, was 39 pupils at Scoil Naomh Iosaf in Adare, Co Limerick. Two other national schools  in Caherleaheen, Co Kerry, and Ballyporeen, Co Tipperary  each had one class with 38 pupils.

The analysis also highlights how there is still considerable disparity between different parts of Ireland and the likelihood of children being in oversized classes.

Just 6.4pc of primary schoolchildren in Dublin were in classes of 30 or more last year, down from 8.5pc in the previous school year.

In sharp contrast, their counterparts in Leitrim are approximately four times more likely to be in overcrowded classes.

There were 27pc of Leitrim pupils in classes of 30 or more in the recent school year, up from 18.6pc in 2022-23.

Other counties with relatively high proportions of pupils in oversized classes were Donegal (14.7pc), Monaghan (14.6pc) and Sligo (14pc).

There is no statutory limit on the size of mainstream classes, although a 1990 circular issued by the Department of Education stated that appropriate learning experience is difficult to achieve when classes consisting entirely of mainly four-year-old children exceeds 25.

The latest figures show almost 47pc of children in primary schools remain in classes of 25 or more. On a county-by-county basis, that proportion ranges from under 32pc in Longford to almost 59pc in Leitrim.

Scoil Mobhi, a Gaelscoil in Glasnevin in Dublin, emerged again as the primary school with the highest average class size in the country.

It had an average of 31 pupils per class, across eight classrooms for its 248 pupils.

Two other schools also had average class sizes in excess of 30 pupils last year  Crinkill National School in Crinkill, Co Offaly (30.8 per class) and Scoil Mhuire in Carrick-on-Shannon, Co Leitrim (30.7).

In contrast, the countrys smallest school  Ballyfad National School in Co Wexford  had just two pupils.

The countrys largest primary school remains St Marys Parish Primary School in Drogheda, Co Louth, which had 1,006 pupils enrolled across 40 classes. It is the only primary school in the Republic with more than 1,000 students.

St Brigids Primary School in Kildare town has the largest number of classes of any school, with its 978 pupils spread across 42 classrooms.

The school with the highest proportion of its enrolment in large classes was Crinkill National School, Co Offaly, where 78pc of its 246 students were in classes of 30 or more.

Other schools where three-quarters or more of all pupils were in oversized classes were Castleconnell National School in Limerick; Holy Family National School in Rathcoole, Co Dublin and St Patricks National School, Ardcath, Co Meath.

The latest figures show Catholic schools had an average class size of 22.4 last year compared to 23.6 in multi-denominational schools.

However, children attending Catholic schools were also more than twice as likely to be placed in an overcrowded classroom than those attending multi-denominational schools.

The analysis reveals 10.1pc of pupils in Catholic schools or in classes of 30 or more compared to 4.9pc of those in multi-denominational schools.

Pupils attending Gaelscoileanna or Irish-medium schools are even more likely to find themselves in large classes

Gaelscoileanna located outside Gaeltacht areas had 13.8pc of their pupils in classes of 30 children or more, while the rate for schools teaching subjects either wholly or partially through English was 9.2pc.

In contrast, children in Deis schools located in the most socially disadvantaged urban areas were the least likely to be in overcrowded classes, at just 0.8pc, due to the fact they have a separate staffing schedule to other school types.

The latest figures also show the number of Ukrainian pupils enrolled at primary level continued to rise last year. According to the latest data, the number of Ukrainian children attending primary schools grew by 11pc to 11,267.

More than 55pc of the countrys mainstream primary schools had a pupil from Ukraine enrolled, while Ukrainian pupils accounted for 10pc or more of all pupils in 243 schools nationwide.

Schools in Cork recorded the highest level of enrolments of Ukrainian children with 1,168 pupils, followed by Dublin (1,120), Kerry (1,068) and Donegal (955).
Calls for a rebellion by representatives of women and laity

'The suffragettes and activists were called worse but in the end their truth is marching on,' Mary McAleese said

Former president Mary McAleese has criticised Pope Francis for treating those representing women and the laity at the Catholic Churchs synod on synodality abysmally.

Speaking to members of the Catholic Root and Branch reform movement in Leeds, England, at the weekend, she hit out at the strident papal interventions both before and during the synod by Pope Francis in relation to the churchs ban on womens ordination to the priesthood and diaconate.

She said that she would love to see a rebellion at next months gathering of the synod in Rome by those representing women and the laity.

She also urged them to raise Cain because the synod was designed not to open up but rather to constrain the path long since opened up by the people of God themselves, beginning with the widespread rejection of humanae vitae (ban on contraception) from the late 1960s on and the embrace of womens rights and gay rights.

A much-hyped minimalist female and other lay voting presence at the synod had tried to create the illusion of inclusion.

But that illusion of inclusion along with the illusion of freedom of speech and an open agenda were shattered by Pope Francis himself when he removed from the synod table the very issues which the global faithful regarded as urgent, such as involvement of women in decision-making and the ban on ordination, she said.

In July last year, Pope Francis said the ban on female ordination must be adhered to and that no one can publicly contradict it.

Then in April this year he emphatically ruled out ordination of women to the diaconate and priesthood not after any study and not in any recognisable church or synodal process but in an interview with American CNN television, Dr McAleese said.

When I hear a pope telling me I must not publicly contradict something that my conscience tells me is baloney  sorry, I am not going to do that, the 72-year-old said.

Today's News In 90 Seconds - September 02 2024

Contrary to the hoped-for changes, she said the synod had been terminally undermined and had led us a merry three-year synodal dance back to papal and magisterial autocracy.

Taking aim at Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerich from Luxembourgs criticism of those campaigning for reform on womens ordination as lobbyists, Dr McAleese said: The suffragettes fighting misogyny, the civil-rights activists fighting sectarianism, homophobia and racism, were called worse but in the end their truth is marching on leaving the hierarchy of the Catholic Church barely visible in the rear-view mirror.

While the lunatics who are running the church are quite capable of driving it into the ground, Dr McAleese urged people to stick with it and not walk away in frustration despite its messiness and madness and the hierarchical clumsiness.

We stay in order to try to nudge it in the direction of truth, just like the suffragettes of old and the civil rights activists who were beaten off the streets  we are not being beaten off the streets thank God.
Two control centres cover call-outs for Dublin city and county despite operating different IT platforms. Photo: Stock image

The Government has been challenged over the failure since 2016 to implement a key report which recommended a single ambulance control centre for Ireland, including the Dublin metropolitan area.

Two control centres  the National Ambulance Service (NAS) and Dublin Fire Brigade (DFB)  cover emergency call-outs for Dublin city and county despite both operating different IT platforms and with neither call centre currently capable of viewing the others calls or available ambulance resources.

Sinn Fein health spokesperson David Cullinane warned that, eight years after the expert report was compiled, key recommendations have still not been implemented.

The Brady-Flaherty report examined the governance and financing of the ambulance service in Dublin, he said.

The report described the governance and financing of ambulance services in Dublin as problematic and insufficiently funded.

The NAS has published a comprehensive capacity review setting out the need to double ambulance service capacity to meet demand. The ambulance service is currently under-resourced and does not have the capacity to meet its own targets.

I discussed these issues with management of the Dublin Fire Brigade at a meeting of the Oireachtas Health Committee.

They assured me that since completion of the report, collaboration between the NAS and DFB has improved with revised arrangements in place.

But he warned that, despite this, several important issues have not been tackled.

Key recommendations in the Brady-Flaherty report have not been implemented. The departments of local government and health should clearly set out what the long-term plan for the Dublin Ambulance Service is, what the status of the Brady-Flaherty report is and how they will further invest in capacity to ensure that the service has the resources and personnel it needs.

Health Information and Quality Authority (Hiqa) reports in both 2012 and 2014 also highlighted issues over the existing ambulance control centre structure.

Hiqa paid tribute to the NAS for moving from six different control centres with different computer-aid dispatch systems to a single national centre.

However, two call centres still operate, covering Dublin city and county.

The report identified a potential serious risk to the people of Dublin with two ambulance control centres receiving emergency ambulance calls, leading to potential delays in responding to calls as well as possible duplication of calls.

DFB, under the auspices of Dublin City Council (DCC), handles ambulance call-outs for the majority of Dublin city.

The NAS deals with suburban Dublin, Dublin county as well as Dun Laoghaire and the rest of Ireland.

The Department of Health insisted action was being taken on the recommendations of the 2016 report.

The review recommended that all emergency ambulance control and dispatch for the Dublin area should be located and operated from the HSE NAS, National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) in Tallaght, a spokesperson said.

A joint DCC/HSE chaired Task and Finish Group was established in late 2022 to identify an effective ambulance service delivery model for Dublin.

As a result, a number of actions are being taken collaboratively between HSE and DCC to improve the ambulance service delivery model in Dublin.
Activists call for urgent action to tackle environmental crisis at Lough Neagh

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 yesterday 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 40pc of Northern Irelands drinking water and supports Europes largest commercial eel fishery.

It also drains around 40pc 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, Northern Ireland 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.

Yesterdays demonstration took place at the Protector of the Lough statue 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 had 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 Cairns 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.
Road sign with image of people a dingy boat with the message, "No illegal immigrants for 1 miles" erected on the corner of Prince Andrew Cresent and Grove Place, close to the Orange Arch in Moygashel, Co. Tyrone.
Principal wants more done to protect children as he warns of shrinking childhood as report reveals startling stats

A quarter of children have been bullied online at primary-school age, with girls more likely to be victimised, according to a startling new report.

The figure rises as high as 38pc for children aged 12 to 14, according to the CyberSafeKids annual trends and usage report.

The report is titled Left to Their Own Devices in reference to the increasing amount of time children are spending alone on the internet, social media and online gaming.

It warns that 65pc of eight- to 12-year-olds have been contacted by a stranger while playing a game online.

Meanwhile, a quarter of children this age told researchers theyd experienced cyberbullying  28pc of girls and 22pc of boys had suffered bullying online.

The report noted that despite the sharp focus on smartphones in schools, it is more common than ever for an 11-year-old to own a smartphone.

It also highlights that a quarter (25pc) of eight- to 12-year-olds, have been bothered or upset by online material, yet many kept experiences secret.

Thirty-seven per cent of the younger age group had been bothered or upset by something theyd seen on YouTube, while 23pc said theyd experienced such emotions while playing Roblox, the online gaming platform popular with children.

Of the 12- to 14-year-old category, 21pc had been bothered or upset by online material. Of this age group, 41pc said theyd experienced such feelings due to material on Snapchat, and 30pc after being on TikTok.

Many parents may be unaware of contact made by strangers while gaming online, as 55pc of children said they didnt share concerns. The report underscores that parents are even less involved in their childrens online lives than in previous years.

One in five children said they had no rules at home when it came to the internet. More than three-quarters (77pc) of children aged eight to 12 said their parents cant see what they are doing online and 83pc can use devices in their bedrooms.

Of this age cohort, 35pc said they had unrestricted access online, which rose as high as 61pc for those aged 12 to 14.

Fifty-nine per cent of 11-year-olds own a smartphone, compared to 52pc last year and in 2022. It increases sharply to 74pc by age 12.

Principal of St Kevins School, Sallynoggin, Co Dublin, Barry OLeary warned Irish children are losing their childhood due to constant exposure to online material. He called on the State, tech giants and parents to work harder to protect children.

Much of the report tallies with our experience in school, Mr OLeary said.

Students are keeping negative experiences online to themselves. Its becoming normalised.

He said many children are addicted to their devices but they can suffer bullying, isolation, anxiety and loneliness.

When children are in school, they have time to be children but once theyre on the devices, theyre exposed to material they shouldnt be as children and thats shrinking their childhood, he said.

Its causing sleep disruption and will impact on education, but more than anything, Im worried about the health of children.

What cataclysmic event is it going to take to make the online world safer for children?

CyberSafeKids CEO Alex Cooney said: Our report shows the vital need for online safety education in schools. Children are underprepared and ill-equipped to be online.

Algorithms that serve up often inappropriate content are hugely problematic for children.

The charity warns there is still a gap where gaming content could often fly under the radar in terms of regulation.

We call on the Government to urgently also address this serious gap to ensure positive experiences for the children and young people using these services, Ms Cooney said.

Google, TikTok, Meta, Snapchat and Roblox were contacted for comment.

A spokesperson for Roblox said: Safety and civility are foundational to Roblox.

The company said it has proactive and preventative safety measures specifically designed to protect younger members of the community.

The company has parental controls to limit chat to selected contacts or turn this function off.

We empower parents and caregivers with dedicated resources and free guides and parents can access a wealth of free information and resources via the Ask About Games site, they said.

A spokesperson for Snapchat said: Snapchat is for 13+ year olds only, and we are committed to providing a safe and age appropriate experience for our community.

"The app is designed to be different to traditional social media, created to enhance real-life relationships, with no unvetted feed of content. If we find harmful content, or if it is reported to us through our confidential in-app reporting tools, we remove it immediately and take appropriate action.

"We also have extra protections for 13-17 year olds to help prevent unwanted contact and our Family Centre allows parents to see who their teens are talking to and set content controls.

A spokesperson for Meta said: We want to give teens positive and age-appropriate experiences on our apps. Weve introduced over 50 different tools, resources and features to help do this.

We dont allow under-13s on Instagram and Facebook and we remove them when we become aware of them.

Weve introduced new policies on Instagram to reduce the amount of sensitive content teens might see, and parental supervision features that let parents set limits on when and for how long their teen can use our social media platforms and ways to see if their teen has reported someone for bullying.
Chris Gordon has yet to receive either the High Court award or legal fees estimated to be in excess of 1m. Stock image

The Irish Racehorse Trainers Association does not have the money to pay a 300,000 libel award and substantial legal fees to a senior horse-racing official defamed by the organisation.

Chris Gordon, a former garda superintendent who is the head of security at the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Body, sued the trainers association for orchestrating a campaign to damage his good name.

His claims were upheld by a unanimous jury in the High Court in 2020, and in December last year by the Court of Appeal. He was awarded 300,000 plus legal costs. However, Mr Gordon has yet to receive either the award or the legal fees that are estimated to be in excess of 1m.

In accounts filed last month, the association said it is 2m in debt and does not currently have the funds to finance the matters ruled upon by the courts.

This may significantly impact on the companys ability to continue as a going concern and to discharge its liabilities, the latest accounts state.

The Irish Racehorse Trainers Association (IRTA) was founded more than 70 years ago and represents some of Irelands leading trainers.

The association is funded through subscriptions and a percentage of prize winnings distributed through Horse Racing Ireland.

It is now facing an uncertain future as a result of its expensive and unsuccessful attempts to defend the defamation action brought by Mr Gordon in 2016.

As head of security, Mr Gordon led joint inspections with the Department of Agriculture of stable yards to deter doping.

He sued the IRTA after it wrongly accused him of concocting evidence during an inspection of a stable yard owned by Liz Doyle, a daughter of former Fine Gael MEP Avril Doyle.

The High Court found that the IRTA had advanced the claims against Mr Gordon, having no honest belief in the allegations.

In his Court of Appeal judgment in December 2022, Mr Justice Brian Murray noted that the campaign of defamation emanated from a powerful and extremely influential group within the horse-racing industry who tried to prevent Mr Gordon from investigating their members.

He noted that Mr Gordon was boycotted by trainers, and his removal from his role as head of security with the horse-racing regulator was pursued through Horse Racing Ireland  the sports governing body.
Image of the Virgin of Our Lady of Lourdes, CA Tarbes-Lourdes-PyrAnAes, ArgelAs-Gazost, Hautes-PyrAnAes, Occitania, France

The relics of St Bernadette will be brought to dioceses across Ireland during September and October.

The Archbishop of Armagh, Eamon Martin, has said the opportunity to venerate Saint Bernadettes relics in Ireland for the first time will be a source of hope, great joy and inspiration.

The relics will be journeying from Lourdes, France, before they reach cathedrals and churches across Ireland.

They will be in Ireland between September 4 to November 5.

The tour begins at the Cathedral of Our Lady & St Nicholas in Galway and finishes in the Church of the Risen Christ in Kiltoon.

The relics will be in Dublin on September 25 and September 26 in Our Lady of Victories Church.

The visit of the relics will be a fitting prelude to the launch of the Jubilee Year 2025 with its theme 'Pilgrims of Hope', said Fr Martin.

Of course Lourdes is synonymous with care and love for sick and disabled persons, and is a special sanctuary for those who struggle with worries or decisions of one kind or another.

"The relics of Saint Bernadette remind us of Lourdes as a place of prayer and compassion for the sick and vulnerable.

Over generations, Irish people of all ages have volunteered to help in various ways in Lourdes and have been uplifted themselves by the experience of serving and caring.

"In welcoming the relics, faith communities around the country will pray in the spirit of Lourdes and come to know the message of Our Lady, a message of enduring relevance for us today.

The Archbishop of Armagh said that he is looking forward to welcoming relics of Saint Bernadette to all parts of the island and encourages all to take the opportunity to encounter the beautiful and inspiring person that Saint Bernadette was.

Our Lady is said to have appeared 18 times to a young french girl named Bernadette Soubirous at the Grotto of Massabielle in Lourdes, France in 1858.

The apparition of Lourdes was authenticated in 1866 by the Bishop of Tarbes.

That same year, Bernadette left Lourdes to live out her religious vocation within the community of the Sisters of Charity of Nevers.

She died in 1879 of tuberculosis, was proclaimed blessed in 1925 and canonised by Pope Pius XI in 1933.

She is known to all since as Saint Bernadette.
Childhood cancer: Theres no book for how to handle this situation  you just have to get on with it

When her babys eye infection led to a leukaemia diagnosis, Eimear Hardimans life was turned upside down. But Crumlin childrens hospital and the support of Childhood Cancer Ireland helped the whole family through

Clodagh Gordon (now 8) was diagnosed with cancer at 17-months, with her mother Eimear Hardiman. Photo: Steve Humphreys

Erin McCafferty Mon 2 Sep 2024 at 03:30

Although born perfectly healthy, Eimear Hardimans baby daughter, Clodagh Gordon, was diagnosed with a form of cancer, acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL), in 2017 at 17 months old. Clodaghs first symptoms were an eye infection that wouldnt respond to antibiotics. When Eimear, a secondary school teacher from Navan, Co Meath, visited her GP, he sent her to Drogheda hospital.
Barcelona is one of Europes most popular, and rewarding, short breaks. Heres our insider guide to getting the most out of a visit...

Theres a reason Barcelona is one of the most popular city breaks in Europe. With striking architecture, charming open squares and tapas bars aplenty, it has all the ingredients for a perfect holiday.

Its one of those cities that has something for everyone, whether you want to hop between art galleries, laze on the beach or sleep all day before partying all night.

Whatever youre into, heres what you need to know before you go

Three must-sees in Barcelona

Barcelona's Parc Guell

Park Guell

Think of Barcelona, and you likely think of the curved, tiled architecture of Park Guell, even if you dont know its name. A collaboration between Gaudi and Guell, the park was originally designed as a residential enclave for the wealthy, but only two of the planned 60 houses ever materialised.

Today, the park is a UNESCO World Heritage site and made up of the green space and the monuments, where youll find all the unique curves, colourful mosaics and statues that work as a masterclass in Modernism. While the park area used to be free to visit, you now need to buy tickets for both, and its best to do so in advance, as they sell up fast. parkguell.barcelona

La Boqueria

Sure, its busy. And sure, its touristy. But a trip to La Boqueria is still a joy, with piles of produce stacked in pleasingly colourful mounds throughout every stall in the market. Its been on the go since 1836 and is a dream for food lovers  wander around the hall and you can nibble on jamon cut in slivers right in front of you, or sit down for a cold glass of cava as you make a plan of action. The fruit juice stands by the entrance are particularly welcome on hot days  a kiwi smoothie will always hit the spot. boqueria.barcelona

La Sagrada Familia

It may have been more than 144 years in the making, but were rapidly approaching the projected finishing date of the Sagrada Familia basilica, set to be complete in 2026 (the centenary of architect Antoni Gaudis death). But its incompleteness is part of the charm, and a visit to this incredible building is a must when youre in Barcelona. Tickets are often sold out so book as far in advance as possible, and pay the extra 10 to ascend one of the towers  its worth it. sagradafamilia.org

Three hidden gems in Barcelona

Poblenou

Once an industrial neighbourhood, Poblenou is now where youll find some of the coolest bars, shops and cafes in Barcelona. It even has its own Rambla, a less crowded version of the boulevard that cuts through the middle of the city, so you can get the same vibe without the hordes of people. Visit Can Framis Museum for contemporary art, hop between tapas bars or check out the arty design shops. fundaciovilacasas.com

MACBA

Gaudi may steal the spotlight in the city, but stark architecture of the Museu dArt Contemporani de Barcelona, to give its proper name, brings a bit of novelty to the scene. Inside, the collection of contemporary art focuses on the work of Spanish artists, but theres plenty of international work as well. Outside, youll often find skateboarders making the most of those smooth lines of concrete, and theres plenty more to see in the El Raval neighbourhood when youre done. Admission is free on Saturdays, too. macba.cat

Barceloneta

Barcelona hasnt exactly got a reputation as an amazing beach town, but the stretch of coast at Barceloneta is perfectly pleasant. Grab a drink at one of the (many) sand adjacent bars, walk the length of the prom to Frank Gehrys giant, golden fish sculpture and take a dip in the sea, if youre there in the summer.

Three travel hacks for Barcelona

Las Ramblas, Barcelona. Photo: Alexandr Spatari / Getty

Use the Metro

If you want to get to some of the museums outside of the city centre, the Metro is reliable, quick and easy to navigate. Just plot out your journey on Google Maps first to make sure youre heading in the right direction. Theres a station in El Prat Airport, too.

Dont eat early

In Barcelona, locals dont start eating dinner until 9pm at the earliest, but more often as late as 11pm. If you try to get a table in a local restaurant any earlier, youll likely be out of luck. Likewise, lunch is usually at 2  3pm. Adjust your eating schedule accordingly and youll be able to make the most of all the great local food.

Zip up your bag

Like plenty of cities, there can be areas in Barcelona where pick pockets love to congregate. Dont keep your wallet, purse or phone in an open pocket, and keep all your valuables in a bag that can close completely, if you can.

Three places to stay in Barcelona

The Hoxton in Barcelona

 Monument Hotel

Set in the 19th century building designed by the pre-modernist architect Josep Vilaseca i Casanovas, the Monument Hotel combines a classically Barcelona exterior with a more modern interior. The rooms have a cool, Brooklyn loft feel, and theres a white mosaic swimming pool on the sixth-floor terrace. monumenthotel.com

 The Hoxton

Its no surprise that The Hoxton chose to locate their hotel in the hipster district of Poblenou. Its a good fit  their brand of design-focused hangouts works perfectly alongside the neighbourhood boutiques and bars. Their rooftop bar and pool has exceptional views of Sagrada Familia, and there are also 'Homey' rooms with kitchenettes for longer stays. thehoxton.com

 Hostal Grau

Theres a breezy, period vibe to the light-filled rooms at the eco-friendly Hostal Grau, with organic mattresses and views out over their giant living wall. Theres also a rooftop terrace, and apartments if youre staying for longer (or just appreciate a bit of your own space). hostalgrau.com

Three places to eat in Barcelona

Sardines at Cal Pep, Barcelona. Photo: Pol O Conghaile

 Disfrutar

Set in front of Ninot Market in the Eixample, this three Michelin-star restaurant is a blowout meal, but one youll never forget. Topping the latest list of the Worlds 50 Best Restaurants, it was launched by three chefs who met while working in El Bulli, which tells you everything youll need to know. disfrutarbarcelona.com

 Cal Pep

A favourite among chefs, Cal Pep is always crowded with people looking for a seat at the bar and a feed of top-notch tapas. Theres no menu, so you just put your dinner in the hands of the chefs  and they rarely disappoint. calpep.com

 Bar Canete

Theres no shortage of excellent tapas restaurants in Barcelona, but Canete is one of the best (and most popular). You can get a hefty feed if youre hungry, or just order a table of bites like fried aubergine, lobster croquettes and Galician razor clams. barcanete.com

After dark in Barcelona

Paradiso

Voted the best bar in the world in 2022, Paradiso is a speakeasy that you access through a fridge door in a pastrami shop. So far, so bonkers. But the bar inside is a wonderfully Wonka-esque creation, where you can get unique cocktails in an uber cool setting. Join the virtual line via the QR code at the door to avoid waiting in line. paradiso.cat

Razzmatazz

Barcelona is big on nightlife, and the mammoth music venue Razzmatazz is one of the hottest spots in town for a night out. There are five different rooms with different DJs or live acts, as well as big name gigs. salarazzmatazz.com

Wet Deck

You cant miss the W Hotel down on the beach at Barcelonetta  its shaped like a huge sail, reflecting the shimmer of the sea. But in the summer months, its also party central at their pool bar, with a series of live club nights held when the sunbathers have wrapped up. marriott.com

Follow to find out more

@thebarcelonist  for inspiration pics from loads of different accounts

@visitbarcelona  news and ideas from the tourist board

@foodieinbarcelona  excellent restaurant tips from around the city

Best time to visit Barcelona

The summer months can get very hot, and a lot of people leave town in August, meaning restaurants and shops can be closed. Instead, visit in May or September and October, for optimum weather and fewer crowds.

Get there

Barcelona International Airport (El-Prat) is 15km from the city, and served by Ryanair, Aer Lingus, British Airways and more. Budget airlines sometimes refer to Reus and Girona as Barcelona airports, but be warned  they are 100km and 90km away, respectively. See more at barcelonaturisme.com
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.
As we hurtle toward the next general election, youd be forgiven for wondering if youve accidentally wandered into a dystopian TV drama  one where angry mobs are a daily fixture. Last week in Finglas felt like a scene straight out of that show, with public outrage aired live, complete with chants, fury and that familiar sense that things could spiral out of control at any minute.
Una Lynskey's remains were found far from her home in Co Meath

It was a cold Tuesday evening in October 1971, and the dusk was falling. It wasnt yet 7pm.

Nineteen-year-old Una Lynskey was returning home from her job in Dublin city centre. When the bus stopped by the petrol pumps on the Fairyhouse Road outside Ratoath in County Meath, Una stepped off as usual and chatted briefly with her cousin, Anne.

A few minutes later, the young women embraced and said goodnight. Una walked off in the direction of her house on Porterstown Lane. It was the last time she was seen alive.

The garda investigation and the events that followed destroyed a local community, as violent retaliation and a miscarriage of justice overshadowed the disappearance and death of a young Irish woman who was simply trying to go home.

Over 50 years later, the families embroiled in the tragedies are still searching for answers. But the complexities of this case and the internal politics of An Garda Siochana mean those answers may never be found.

Ellen Coyne is joined on the Indo Daily by Mick Clifford, journalist and author of the new book Who Killed Una Lynskey? to discuss a dark chapter in Irelands policing and the legacy of the notorious Garda heavy gang.
Many Oasis fans were left frustrated on Saturday morning when they tried to buy tickets for their Croke Park gigs. Photo: Michael McLaughlin

Oasis fans across the country were left angry, disappointed and waiting in digital queues of nearly three-quarters of a million people, as they tried to buy tickets for the Gallagher brothers reunion tour dates, in Croke Park next August.

Aside from the predictable lengthy wait times, and the dreaded technical issues, the real controversy only began when fans got through the digital queues and saw the prices.

Ticketmaster has been criticised for the pricing structure which saw in demand standing tickets cost more than double the price of a 176.75 standard standing ticket. The company said these in demand standing tickets, which were on sale for 415 each, were market-based prices, while many criticised the pricing as gouging. Two such tickets would set fans back 830 before fees, which prompted many to accuse Ticketmaster of touting their own concert tickets.

On this extra episode of The Indo Daily, Ellen Coyne is joined by music journalist and the Irish Independents own Dave Hanratty, to discuss the controversy and accusations of price gouging for summer 2025s most sought after concerts.
No arrests have been made but Gardai confirmed investigations are ongoing

Gardai in Carlow are investigating following the robbery of a Carlow town business over the weekend.

The incident occurred at a premises on the Tullow Road in Carlow town on Sunday morning, September 1 at approximately 10.50am.

A man is reported to have entered the premises with what's believed to have been a firearm and demanded money. The man then took off with a quantity of stolen cash.

No one was injured during the incident.

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A spokesperson from An Garda Siochana said no arrests have been made yet, but investigations are ongoing.

"Gardai are investigating a theft at a premises on the Tullow Road in Carlow on Sunday morning, September 1, 2024.

The incident happened at approximately 10.50am when a lone male entered the premises. A quantity of cash was stolen.

No arrests have been made. Investigations ongoing, concluded the spokesperson.
The Garda said a man who had invested 250,000 into a fraudulent scheme lost all his money after the online trading broker he was using disappeared

Over 75 million has been reported stolen through investment fraud since January 2020.

A Mallow Garda has warned the public to watch out for investment fraud after a man suffered a huge financial loss after he put his money into a scheme run by an illegitimate trading broker.

Sergeant John Horgan of Mallow Garda Station, speaking to C103s Cork Today Show, said investment fraud involves criminals posing as investment managers to fool people into investing their money into schemes or projects that do not exist.

Sgt Hogan said, recently, a man came forward to An Garda Siochana and reported that he became a victim of investment fraud after coming across a trading broker online.

He initially invested 250 and after several more investments he noticed that his equity was rising rapidly. He was able to withdraw 5,000 and therefore he believed the company was legitimate, Sgt Hogan explained.

He continued to invest considerable sized sums of money. Within weeks he had invested 250,000, possibly his life savings or inheritance. The online trading broker subsequently disappeared and the victim has suffered a huge financial loss.

Gardai are investigating this incident.

Sgt Hogan said since January 2020 and September over 75 million was reported stolen through investment fraud. The Gardai are advising the public to pay close attention when considering any potential investment given the staggering amount stolen through fraudulent schemes to date.

Members of the public are being urged to get financial and legal advice before investing money and not respond to pop-up social media adverts and messages with investment returns.

Ignore unsolicited approaches or cold calls about investments, Sgt Hogan said.

Be careful of crypto currency, bank bonds, hedge fund investment opportunities that present an unusually high percentage return. If it sounds too good to be true, it usually is.

The Mallow Garda advised people to take their time before transferring or sending any money and to get second opinions from family members, friends and colleagues.

Think long and hard before you send money online. Never disclose personal data or bank account, he cautioned.
The second year of the scheme, which was launched by Minister for Education Norma Foley, will benefit over 3,000 primary and special schools

Cork North-West TD Aindrias Moynihan has welcomed the launch for the second year of a scheme that will provide free schoolbooks and resources for over 550,000 children across the country.

The second year of the scheme, which was launched by Minister for Education Norma Foley, will benefit 3,230 primary schools and special schools according to the Fianna Fail TD.

Deputy Moynihan said he was absolutely delighted to hear the scheme being launched for a second year.

Preparation for the school year can be a busy time and it can put a lot of financial burden on parents and guardians. Its important for them to know that the support is there for them from a government level, the Fianna Fail TD said.

"This measure is further evidence of Fianna Fails commitment to supporting access to education for all by enhancing the educational experience, not just in the classroom but reaching out into the family home.

By providing free schoolbooks, workbooks and copy books, we will ease some of the financial burden facing families with the back-to- school costs.

The TD said the scheme is of paramount importance to his political party in government and he is sure it will be of great relief to many parents and guardians.

We boast one of the best educational systems across Europe and this scheme can further enhance a pupils educational experience and allow them to thrive in an educational environment. This will then allow them to reach their full potential.
National Transport Authority says change may be needed to facilitate increased frequency on Northern Line for commuters

The number of direct Dart services to Howth could be curtailed in future

The number of direct Dart services to Howth could be impacted by the growing demand for more frequent trains on the Northern Line serving north county Dublin.

The future of the Dart service between Howth and Dublin city centre is under scrutiny as proposed changes by the National Transport Authority (NTA) could see the number of direct services to the coastal town reduced at peak times.

These changes, which are part of the larger Dart+ Coastal North project, have ignited concerns among residents and commuters in the Howth area.

The NTA has acknowledged that the need to provide a higher frequency of service on the Northern Line between Drogheda and Dublin city centre could lead to a curtailment of direct services from Howth.

This would likely necessitate passengers from Howth having to change trains at Howth Junction to continue their journey into the city during peak hours.

Bosco celebrates the Dart on its 40th birthday

A spokesperson for the NTA said: It is envisaged that, in the future, a frequency of up to five-minute services will be needed on the Northern Line to cater for the forecast passenger numbers.

This change is driven by projections of significant population growth in towns such as Rush & Lusk, Skerries, Balbriggan, Laytown and Drogheda.

To meet the increased demand, the NTA anticipates the need for a service frequency of up to five minutes on the Northern Line, stretching the operational capacity of the existing twin-track system and necessitating a shift in how services are run.

For Howth residents, the most significant impact would be the need to change trains at Howth Junction, a change that the NTA acknowledges would be an inconvenience.

We understand that requiring passengers to change trains at Howth Junction is not ideal, said Hugh Creegan, Deputy Chief Executive of the NTA.

However, the positive aspect is that the frequency of train services on both branches will significantly increase, resulting in less overall waiting time for commuters.

Cian OCallaghan, Social Democrats TD for Dublin Bay North, has been actively involved in raising concerns about the potential changes to the Howth Dart service and the impact on his constituents.

In response to these concerns, a spokesperson for Irish Rail said: There are no plans or proposals to cease direct services to and from Howth in the future.

Any potential shuttle service would likely be limited to peak times when the demand on the Northern Line is at its highest.

The infrastructure as designed will ultimately allow us to operate up to twice as many Dart services to and from Howth as we do currently, they added.

Furthermore, Irish Rail said that outside of peak periods, when leisure travel demand is highest, direct services would continue to be the absolute core of our Howth service offering.

At such times of day and the week when leisure travel demand is highest, it is very unlikely that shuttle services would be required at all.

We would stress however that the delivery of the infrastructure  which at the earliest would be in 2029, subject to planning and funding approvals - does not mean that we would automatically begin to operate shuttle services.

Such decisions would be the subject of its own public consultation process.
Apartment block is being overrun by groups of youths openly dealing drugs and vandalising property

Some of the damage caused to the common areas in the apartment block on Railway Street

A group of residents in Dublin 1 are appealing for help, claiming their apartment block has been taken over by groups of young men who are openly dealing drugs, vandalising property, and making life unbearable.

Those living in the complex on Railway Street say theyve faced vandalism, intimidation, littering and drug-related activities by groups of non-residents for over a year, and the situation is only getting worse.

One resident, who has lived in the building since 2020, told the Irish Independent that the current situation has left them feeling completely abandoned.

He said when he first moved into the apartment block, there wasnt much disturbance. However, in the past year it has become a hotspot for open drug dealing.

They came down like a flock of pigeons and started to use our building and others, along with cars and pretty much the whole street, as a place to store drugs, he said.

Some of the damage caused to the common areas in the apartment block on Railway Street

They just grew in numbers. They would hang around inside the building itself.

They broke the door and the handle so they could get easy access, and they have completely vandalised the bottom floor of the building, which now looks like a crack house. Its disgusting.

Theyve gradually broken doors and the walls to hide drugs, degrading it week by week. If you leave it a few days, there could be a few inches of rubbish left behind.

They pull industrial wheelie bins across the roads on both sides to block the guards from getting access to the street too, he added.

When they report these issues to the guards, the dealers scatter before coming right back as soon as the gardai leave.

These guys just hang out on the street all day, causing trouble and acting like they own the place, one resident said.

Its like they know they wont face any real consequences, and its leaving us feeling completely abandoned.

Many people who were once living in the apartment block have now left, while another resident said that if the situation is not resolved by Christmas, they will also leave.

The tenants have formed a group to try and deal with the situation, but added that the gangs of youths gathered at their doors feel very intimidating and very dangerous.

A garda spokesperson told the Irish Independent they are aware of issues of anti-social behaviour in the Mountjoy area, Dublin 1.

Members of the Community Policing Unit are and have been liaising with local residents to assist with a targeted response, they said.

An electrical box in the complex that appears to have been tampered with

Any garda response to a reported complaint is in keeping with a community policing model and graduated policing response, taking into account relevant legislation and public safety.

As well as community policing, there is proactive stakeholder engagement, including with the Dublin City Council Housing Area Office, community safety groups, support services, educational facilities, and local residents.

Regular high-visibility patrols are being conducted in the Mountjoy area and will continue throughout the coming months to address these issues, they added.

In response to concerns raised by tenants, a spokesperson for Benchmark Property, who act as Managing Agents for Railway Street Management Company Limited (RSMCL), said it has endeavoured to deal with any reports concerning criminal and anti-social behaviour.

The owners are aware of these matters, and an EGM of RSMCL is being held in September to discuss them, they said.

On any occasion that we have received reports of damaged doors or locks, we have arranged for a local locksmith to promptly attend to repairs.

Unfortunately, we find that such repairs are very quickly vandalised. A CCTV camera is being arranged to be installed at a height to keep it out of reach of vandalism.

Ultimately, this is a law-and-order issue, and residents have reported issues to the local garda station. RSMCL has also contacted community gardai to express its concerns about the current situation.
Galway County Council has warned road users to expect delays in Ballinasloe as road resurfacing works will take place on five road sections this September.

The council explained that the works will affect R358 Derrymullen, R348 Bridge Street, Townparks road, Canal Drive, and Meadowbrooke Drive/Poolboy Cottages for the first three weeks of September.

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Traffic Management will be in operation during the works that will take place between 7am and 7pm but, as a consequence, users of roads in Ballinasloe are requested to expect delays and should allow additional time for their journeys.

Galway County Council apologised for any inconvenience caused by these works.
A number of accommodation centres housing Ukrainians in Kerry have closed in recent months as part of widespread changes to government policy.

The Kerryman can reveal that, as of the end of August, 47 contracts to provide accommodation to those fleeing the war in Ukraine have been terminated, almost a quarter of the total number of contracts that had previously been in place.
A woman who was arrested this Monday as part of ongoing investigations related to the murder of Kevin Sheehy in 2019, has been released.

The woman, aged in her 30s, was released without charge this Tuesday.

A garda spokesperson has said: Investigations are ongoing.

The body of Mr Sheehy (20) was found on Hyde Road on July 1, 2019. A talented boxer, he had his sights on representing Ireland at the 2024 Olympics.

Logan Jackson was convicted of Kevin Sheehy's murder in 2021 and is currently serving a life sentence for the murder in a UK prison.
Cllr John Clendennen, left, Tony McCarroll, centre, and John McFadden, right, enjoying a selfie in Kinnitty with locals on Saturday at a special event to honour the former Oasis drummer's link to the Offaly village. Picture courtesy of Cllr Clendennen

A founding member of Oasis returned to his roots in Offaly over the weekend, where he has been honoured with a commemorative blue plaque.

Former Oasis drummer Tony McCarroll was honoured in Kinnitty Parish Hall on Saturday, the Offaly village where he lived for two years as a child.

Tony was Oasis drummer from 1991 until April 1995, and played the drums on Definitely Maybe, which sold over 8.5 million albums worldwide, and performed in Some Might Say, Oasis first number one single from the album Whats the Story, Morning Glory?.

According to the plaque erected in his honour, his first pre-Oasis public performance was in Kinnitty Parish Hall, around 1980, in a nativity play. The Manchester-born drummer has family ties to Offaly and his mother Bridie (ODonnell) McCarroll hails from Kinnitty.

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One of the organisers of the event, Fine Gael Cllr John Clendennen commented: An absolutely brilliant night in Kinnitty with Oasis drummer and local man Tony McCarroll. It has been an absolute pleasure organising the event with both Tony McCarroll and John McFadden.

Five years in the making as we initially planned for the 25-year anniversary, but Covid and Brexit among other logistics put a halt to our plans to have it any sooner.

Brilliant to have it coincide with the tickets sales and see so much media interest. Several headlines in recent days, having two Mayo men playing in Croke Park next August, hopefully, well see an Offaly man playing along beside them as one of the founding members of the band.

Event organiser John McFadden is a music industry teacher and lecturer who established Irelands most chart successful college label. From Manchester but now living in Kinnitty, Mr McFadden is a long-term friend of Tonys and first floated the idea for this event to him in 2019.

A blue commemorative plaque was unveiled at Kinnity Parish Hall in honour of former Oasis drummer Tony McCarroll, on Saturday

Mr McFadden co-hosted an in conversation with questions and answers session with Tony along with fans and members of the audience from 7pm onwards, having their pictures taken with local people, before finishing the night in Giltraps Pub to the sound of Oasis greatest hits.

Part of the proceeds from the event are being donated to Kinnitty Parish Hall and Kinnitty Community Centre. Cllr Clendennen said the initial plan was for an event involving 40 to 50 people in an intimate venue. Last Tuesday and Wednesday, the whole thing just blew up, he said.

We considered moving it to the community centre in Kinnitty. We considered moving it to a hotel, but we just said no. Lets just make this a once-in-a-lifetime really intimate event where you come out of it feeling like you know Tony. I think we achieved that. The feedback has been absolutely brilliant. It was a great event overall. The first Oasis band member to ever be recognised in Ireland officially.

Cllr Clendennen said the concept of the blue plaque commemorating local people who have made history in some way, may become an annual event in the years ahead.
The relics of Saint Bernadette will be brought to Ireland for the first time by the Bishop of Elphin Kevin Doran for a pilgrimage to every diocese in the country.

on Tuesday, 3 September, a special ceremony will be held at the grotto in Lourdes, where the holy relics of Saint Bernadette will be entrusted to Bishop Doran who, along with parishioners of the Diocese of Elphin, is currently on pilgrimage in Lourdes.

The Elphin Pilgrimage will bring the relics home with them to begin the pilgrimage around Ireland, beginning in Galway Cathedral on 5 September.

The International Marian Shrine at Lourdes has always had a special place in the hearts of Irish people. Countless Irish pilgrims have made the journey to the shrine for the last 166 years since the apparitions of Our Lady to Saint Bernadette in 1858.

Bishop Doran said, There is a well established tradition of people bringing religious objects home from Lourdes, to share with family members and friends. This year, we have the unique privilege of bringing home the relics of Saint Bernadette, as we fly back into Knock Airport after the Elphin Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes.

"Many people are unable to travel on pilgrimage to Lourdes, but this year Lourdes will come to them, as the Relics of Saint Bernadette make their way around Ireland. We hope that many people will be able to share in the blessings of the Pilgrimage, by gathering to pray with Saint Bernadette in cities and towns across the country.

During September and October the relics of Saint Bernadette will journey on pilgrimage - for the very first time - to each of the 26 dioceses on the island of Ireland. This very special, once-in-life-time, opportunity will enable people of all ages experience the special gifts and charisms of Lourdes in their local diocese, and to share the grace of an encounter with Mary as Bernadette experienced it. By venerating the relics, people of faith can encounter peace and joy of heart and become credible and courageous witnesses of love.

The relics will visit cathedrals and churches in every diocese, north and south.

Welcoming the visit of the relics, Primate of All Ireland, Archbishop Eamon Martin said, The pilgrimage around Ireland of Saint Bernadettes relics will be a source of hope, great joy and inspiration, especially for the many people of Ireland who have travelled to Lourdes over the years and for the dedicated groups across the island who work all year round to plan pilgrimages at parish and diocesan level.

"Of course Lourdes is synonymous with care and love for sick and disabled persons and it is a special sanctuary for those who struggle with worries or decisions of one kind or another.

Father Gerard Fox, Pilgrimage Director for the Diocese of Down & Connor, and member of the steering group who collaborated with the Sanctuary of Lourdes to arrange the visit said, This is a unique opportunity for those of us engaged in bringing pilgrimages to Lourdes, to bring the message and a little taste of Lourdes to local communities. Saint Bernadette understood her role as a messenger of Marys message, now she brings that message to the Church community in Ireland.

During their visit, there will be opportunities to venerate the relics privately as well as by participating in liturgies reminiscent of the Lourdes pilgrimage experience. The intention is to bring Lourdes to the faithful, especially those who may not have the ability to go to Lourdes in person. It is in the music, prayer, processions and gestures that this unique spirit will be shared.
Opinion

Simon Bourke: The modern, silent killer punishing us for our notions

Youd wonder if they had stress in the old days, or, if they did, whether it had a different name. It was probably described as losing the run of yourself, acting like a lightin lunatic, or being a bit quare - the only known cures a stiff 
A memorial fund set up to assist the family of murdered Tipperary chef Shaun Brady, has already raised over 130,000.

Mr Brady was shot and killed in Kansas City last Wednesday, when he reportedly intervened in a suspected car robbery while leaving out the rubbish at the Brady and Fox Restaurant, which he co-owned. Two male juveniles have been charged in relation to his death, and with attempted stealing.

The popular chef who had roots in Nenagh, County Tipperary, was involved in the Kansas City Irish Fest, which from August 30 to September 1.

The Kansas City Irish Fest mourns the loss of our dear friend Shaun, tragically taken from us too soon, said a spokesperson for the festival, which started the fundraiser. His extraordinary culinary gifts and easy Irish charm made his table the favourite gathering place of Kansas Citys Irish community. He will be sorely missed.

As a chef, Shaun Brady nourished his community not just with incredible food, but with a deep pride in his culture and a contagious enthusiasm for celebration.

The light he brought to our Irish community will endure through those touched by his talent, spirit, and joy for life.

By donating to the Shaun Brady Memorial Fund through Go Fund Me, you can ensure lasting support for Shaun's family, including his beloved wife and two young children, helping them feel the comfort and security of his legacy for years to come.

We invite you to contribute $45  the ticket price of Shaun's cherished KCIF Irish Fest Breakfast shared with friends, though any amount will mean the world to those who loved him and to the Kansas City Irish community that he brought together with his remarkable spirit. All proceeds will go directly to a trust fund to support Shaun's family.

One donor wrote: We moved to Brookside from OKC in 2023, two blocks from Brady and Fox. The day we moved in, we walked to the pub for a pint.

Shaun came outside to the patio to welcome us with a smile and chat for a while. He was the first person we met in Kansas City, and he made us feel so welcome. The community has suffered an immense loss. Our deepest sympathies to his loved ones.

Shaun Brady

On Monday this week, $147,119 USD (132,986) had been raised towards a target of $200,000 (180k). Donations can be made at gofundme.com by searching for Support the Shaun Brady Memorial Fund.

Talented chef Mr Brady ran the Brady & Fox restaurant for more than a decade after relocating from Ireland to the US in 2013.

He operated the restaurant with friend Graham Farris.

Mr Brady decided to move to the US after marrying his American-born wife, Kate.

The couple met when Kate  who is from Wichita in Kansas  was travelling in Ireland on holiday and were initially based here.

Mr Brady had worked at top Irish restaurants after deciding on a culinary career following secondary school at Nenagh CBS.

Locals described him as a hugely talented chef who was known for his insistence on promoting Irish food and ingredients  and for his sense of humour with his customers.

Councillor Seamus Morris said the north Tipperary town was deeply upset by the tragedy.

"Everyone is shocked and horrified by such a talented and hardworking young man losing his life in these circumstances, the Tipperary county councillor said.

"To see a young life needlessly taken in such violent circumstances is absolutely beyond belief."
The proposal will see phones banned in secondary schools across Ireland.

Minister for State and Law Reform James Browne has expressed strong support for a proposed initiative to ban mobile phones in secondary school during the school day.

His party colleague, Minister for Education Norma Foley announced she intends to ban phones in schools after speaking with parents, teachers, and experts.

"I meet principals who tell me the mobile phone, even though students keep it in their bag, the beeping of it is an interruption to study. Its a continuous hum almost in the background thats there, she said.

This plan follows on from the results of numerous studies including one from the United Nations (UN) last year which identified the disruptive impact of phones on learning.

On fully supporting the initiative, Minister Browne said: I firmly believe that this mobile phone ban is a crucial step forward in enhancing the educational experience of our students. Our schools should be places of learning, friendship, and community, free from the constant distractions that mobile phones present.

Minister James Browne.

"It is my priority and the priority of Fianna Fail in Government to continue to explore the ways to improve supports and ensure that children and young people are not targeted and are not harmed by their interactions with the digital world, he continued.

He also believes that social media companies have a vital role to play in limiting the content young people are exposed to and applauds Minister Foley for her commitment to making this a reality.

A spokesperson for Minister Foley said she would be writing to schools in the next week to give advice and guidance around mobile phone use.
Crew members from McDonalds Wexford restaurant have taken part in a litter clean-up at Min Ryan Park where they were joined by local councillor Catherine Walsh. The event forms part of a McDonalds campaign aimed at tackling litter in parks, on paths and along roadsides in towns and cities across Ireland.

The 100 Parks in 100 Days campaign will see McDonalds employees undertake 100 litter clean-ups in parks, beaches and nature areas across Ireland for 100 days from July 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.

John Byrne, Franchisee of the McDonalds Wexford restaurant, said, Our new 100 Parks in 100 Days campaign reinforces McDonalds commitment to tackling litter across Ireland. We very much share the disappointment of local communities at seeing litter discarded carelessly in parks, on paths and by the sides of roads. We want to play a leading role in sparking a change in behaviour towards what can only be described as a scourge on our environment.

Across the UK and Ireland, our employees walk over 5,000 miles every week picking up all waste  our packaging and that of other retailers  by the sides of roads, in parks and on paths. This is further enhanced through proactive partnerships with local community groups, to keep our areas clean and litter free by carrying out regular litter picks and clean-ups.
While there may not be too many signs of life in the building itself, Mayor of Wexford George Lawlor has moved to reassure that plans to convert the old Adoration Convent into student accommodation are still progressing behind the scenes.
Edward is best known for his popular cookery slots on Ireland AM. He has also published three cookery books and is in the process of releasing a fourth next year. His first self-published book, Edward Entertains was released in 2008 and is sold out. His next two publications Food to Love, which was awarded the prestigious Kerry Food Book of the Year, and Food for Friends were published with The OBrien Press.

Over the last 12 years he has acquired a wealth of experience, hosting cookery demonstrations around the country at food festivals, hotel function rooms, agricultural shows, school halls as well as many other varied venues. He also writes a recipe column each week for independent.ie.

The cookery demonstration at the Arklow Bay Hotel, sponsored by Pettitts SuperValu, takes place on Wednesday, September 25, at 8pm. Tickets costing 20 are available to purchase from aliceweily@gmail.com, 086 0551762, the Arklow Bay Hotel reception, Kinsellas Shop and Gala Newsagent.

A raffle will also take place on the night and local business have kindly donated some great prizes. The cookery demonstration acts as a fundraiser for St Brigids Church, Kilbride Parish, Arklow.
Over 70 Slimming World Wicklow Town members, all clad in red, descended on Blainroe Beach on Saturday morning for a dip in aid of the Irish Cancer Society.

Most people have been touched, in some way, by the long arm of cancer, and Slimming World Wicklow Town members wanted to give something back. The sun shone brightly as the divas and dudes all entered the Irish Sea together at 10am.

Grainne Reynolds, who runs the Wicklow town group, said: This was a huge thing for my members to do. Many of my members, myself included, have body image issues. Despite this over 70 of my members stepped out of their comfort zone to dip in the sea. They did it for everyone who has been thrown out of their comfort zone when they hear the words, its cancer. It was all in aid of this amazing charity that supports them in their journey.

Some members dipped their whole bodies in, but for others it was just a toe that made its way into the water. As well as the feel-good endorphins physical activity brings, especially a dip in the Irish Sea, moving more in any way supports weight loss maintenance and benefits health in many ways  including a lower risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes and some cancers.

This group is simply amazing and the best place to be, added Grainne A group of divas and dudes coming together every week to support, inspire and motivate each other. I refer to group as the Circle of Love and it is a very powerful force. I see people joining when their confidence is on the floor - and each week I see their confidence returning bit by bit as they lose weight and form new friendships.

Grainne couldnt be prouder of her members for seizing the moment for this worthwhile charity and is so grateful for every euro that has been pledged and would like to thank everyone who sponsored them from the bottom of her heart.

She said: It was a wonderful and empowering morning and the icing on the cake was raising so much money for The Irish Cancer Society.

Slimming World Wicklow Town meet upstairs in Ernies Bar, Wicklow town, each Wednesday evening and Thursday morning. You can contact Grainne on 087 1470704.
Amal Clooney, George Clooney, Brad Pitt and Ines de Ramon attend the Wolfs red carpet during the 81st Venice International Film Festival. Photo: Getty

VENICE, ITALY - SEPTEMBER 01: Ines de Ramon and Brad Pitt attend the "Wolfs" red carpet during the 81st Venice International Film Festival on September 01, 2024 in Venice, Italy. (Photo by Annalisa Ranzoni/Getty Images)

Brad Pitt (60) and Ines de Ramon (34) made their red carpet debut at the Venice Film Festival on Sunday.

The couple made a splash at the premiere of Wolfs where Pitt looked every bit the leading man in an oversized black suit.

But it was de Ramon who stole the spotlight in a stunning white one-shouldered gown, accessorised with gold earrings and a matching handbag.

The glamorous occasion marked the jewellery designers - who has been quietly dating Pitt for nearly two years -first official public appearance with the Hollywood star.

The cinematic event also saw George Clooney (63) and his human rights lawyer wife Amal (46) grace the red carpet in a vibrant yellow dress with delicate ruffles.

Long-time friends Pitt and Clooney were in high spirits as they celebrated the premiere of Wolfs.

In the film, the duo plays criminal clean-up specialists who unexpectedly find themselves hired for the same job  disposing of a body in a hotel room.

Pitt's relationship with de Ramon has largely flown under the radar, but their Venice appearance marked a major milestone.

The couple were first linked in November 2022 after being spotted together at an event, shortly after Ramon separated from her husband of three years, Paul Wesley. Their divorce was finalised earlier this summer.

Since then, Pitt and de Ramon have been inseparable. Pitt brought her to the premiere of his film Babylon in December 2022, and they spent his birthday and New Year's Eve together, even taking a romantic trip to Paris.

The couple was also seen together at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival in early February 2024, where they cosied up at the event as Pitt honoured his friend Bradley Cooper, according to Hello!

A source told People that the pair moved in together shortly after the festival, though de Ramon still maintains her own place.

It's pretty recent. They're going very strong, and she's happier than ever, the insider shared.

De Ramon was also spotted with the star at Silverstone in May, as Pitt continued to film his upcoming motorsports film F1.

Its believed to be Pitt's first serious relationship since his split from Angelina Jolie, who filed for divorce in September 2016.

Jolie and Pitt met on the set of action comedy Mr & Mrs Smith and were married in 2014.

The actor has six children with the Lara Croft star (49). The details of their divorce have yet to be finalised.

In May their daughter Shiloh Nouvel Jolie-Pitt became the first of their children to request a legal name change.
Kolkata doctor rape: Outrage after an unmet promise to keep physicians safe

West Bengal pledged hospital security improvements in 2019, memo showsR.G. Kar Hospital had few guards, missing locks on some doors, witnesses sayState government promises reforms, says pandemic delayed some worksViolence against women remains major problem over a decade after 2012 Delhi bus rape

Gauri Seth, 28, a post-graduate trainee at Medical College Kolkata, chants slogans as she attends a protest condemning the rape and murder of a trainee medic, inside the premises of a government-run hospital in Kolkata, India, August 28, 2024. REUTERS/Sahiba Chawdhary

Sakshi Dayal and Subrata Nag Choudhury Mon 2 Sep 2024 at 09:02

Five years ago, the government of West Bengal state in India pledged to clamp down on violence against doctors. It promised public hospitals better security equipment, female guards to support female physicians and controlled entry points, according to an internal government memo seen by Reuters.
LATEST | Israel labour court orders mass strike to end early as tens of thousands protest in fury at Netanyahu after hostages killed

Military says captives were murdered by Hamas recentlyGeneral strike called for today as protests biggest in decades

From top left: Hersh Goldberg-Polin, Ori Danino, Eden Yerushalmi. From bottom left: Almog Sarusi, Alexander Lobanov, and Carmel Gat. Photo: AP

Emily Rose and Nidal Al-Mughrabi Mon 2 Sep 2024 at 13:50







Israeli protesters took to the streets for a second day on Monday and the largest trade union launched a general strike to press the government to reach a deal to return hostages still held by Hamas, after six more captives were found dead in Gaza.
Israeli forces near a house after they killed a Palestinian in Hebron in the occupied West Bank. Photo: Reuters

Three Israeli police officers were killed yesterday when their vehicle came under fire near the city of Hebron in the occupied West Bank, Israeli officials said, adding to days of violence in the Palestinian territory.
ESG Reporting Mandates in India: Guidelines for Businesses

ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) is a framework for evaluating a companys sustainability and ethical practices across three key areas: environmental impact, social responsibility, and corporate governance. As global environmental and social challenges escalate, investors and stakeholders increasingly expect businesses to adopt responsible practices, making ESG crucial for long-term success.

Indian businesses are increasingly aware of the reputational risks tied to poor ESG performance. As international rating agencies assess these risks, Indian companies are driven to improve their sustainability efforts, moving beyond mere compliance to align with global sustainability goals.

Sustainability reporting in India: Timeline of regulations

2009: The Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) issues the Voluntary Guidelines on Corporate Social Responsibility.

2011: MCA issues the National Voluntary Guidelines (NVGs) on Social, Environmental and Economic Responsibilities of Business, 2011 and provides framework for reporting.

2012: The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) mandates the top 100 listed companies by market capitalization to file business responsibility report (BRR).

2016: The requirement for filing BRR is extended to the top 500 listed companies by market capitalization.

2017: A SEBI circular advises that integrated reporting may be adopted on a voluntary basis from FY2018 by the top 500 companies required to prepare BRR.

March 2019: The updated NVGs is released as the National Guidelines for Responsible Business Conduct.

December 2019: SEBI extends BRR requirements to the top 1000 listed companies by market capitalization from 2020.

2021: The Business Responsibility and Sustainability Reporting (BRSR) framework is introduced to the top 1000 companies by market capitalization to voluntarily. This becomes mandatory from FY2023.

2023: SEBI introduces BRSR core, which applies to the top 150 listed companies by market capitalization from FY2024.

Benefits of ESG

In 2020, the World Economic Forum and the International Business Council (IBC) urged major global corporations to adopt ESG standards for their 2021 reports, further highlighting the growing importance of ESG planning.

While ESG reporting has seen considerable growth with heightened awareness from companies, investors, and regulators, its essential for organizations to make this reporting both meaningful and actionable for stakeholders.

Adopting ESG practices offers significant advantages, including improved financial performance, cost savings, competitive edge through brand loyalty and talent attraction, regulatory compliance, and enhanced long-term resilience. ESG also helps address pressing issues, such as climate vulnerability, social inequality, and governance concerns, making it a key factor in Indias future development and global leadership.

Why ESG is critical for India

For India, a rapidly developing nation with global leadership aspirations, embracing ESG is vital:

Climate change : India is particularly vulnerable to climate change impacts, including rising sea levels and extreme weather events. Companies with strong environmental practices, like adopting renewable energy and reducing emissions, can help mitigate risks and contribute to a greener future.

: India is particularly vulnerable to climate change impacts, including rising sea levels and extreme weather events. Companies with strong environmental practices, like adopting renewable energy and reducing emissions, can help mitigate risks and contribute to a greener future. Social challenges : With its large and diverse population, India faces social challenges such as poverty, inequality, and lack of basic needs. Companies that prioritize social responsibility can drive positive societal change, creating a more inclusive economy.

: With its large and diverse population, India faces social challenges such as poverty, inequality, and lack of basic needs. Companies that prioritize social responsibility can drive positive societal change, creating a more inclusive economy. Governance: Strong corporate governance, including transparency and ethical conduct, is essential for economic growth. Companies with sound governance practices can rebuild trust, attract investments, and foster a stable, sustainable economy.

The growing emphasis on ESG principles is reshaping global investment trends. Companies with strong ESG performance are increasingly favored by investors, leading to higher market valuations and enhanced competitiveness. This shift is particularly relevant considering the European Unions Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), which imposes a 25 percent tax on energy-intensive goods exported from India to the EU, as highlighted by a report from the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE). The CBAM, targeting products like iron, steel, cement, fertilizers, and aluminum, is based on the carbon emissions generated during their production.

The EUs carbon tax aims to create a level playing field for European manufacturers who comply with stringent environmental standards. However, it has sparked concerns among developing nations about its potential to disrupt trade and impact their economies.

In the 2022-23 period, CBAM-covered goods accounted for 9.91 percent of Indias exports to the EU, with aluminum, iron and steel being the most affected sectors. To mitigate the impact of CBAM, Indian steel and metal companies are increasingly turning to renewable energy to lower their carbon footprint and avoid hefty penalties. However, the demand for renewable energy currently outstrips supply, with new capacities not expected to come online until 2026. As the EU remains a crucial market, Indian companies are investing heavily in renewable energy to align with the EUs carbon tax requirements, despite the challenges posed by their existing carbon-intensive production processes.

Overcoming ESG challenges in India

Though Indias regulatory framework for ESG is still evolving, several initiatives are driving adoption:

Government initiatives : The Indian government is actively promoting ESG through guidelines like SEBIs BRSR guidelines, the India ESG Framework, and the promotion of green bonds for sustainable projects.

: The Indian government is actively promoting ESG through guidelines like SEBIs BRSR guidelines, the India ESG Framework, and the promotion of green bonds for sustainable projects. Collaborative efforts : Investors : Integrate ESG factors into decision-making and encourage businesses to adopt sustainable practices. Companies : Embrace ESG principles, invest in sustainable technologies, and ensure transparency in ESG reporting. Consumers : Support companies with strong ESG credentials by choosing sustainable products and services.

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SEBIs 2023 ESG reporting guidelines: The BRSR format

In July 2023, SEBI introduced a new ESG reporting format. These updated guidelines are built on the BRSR format, first introduced in May 2021, which replaced the older BRR reporting format.

While BRSR provides a comprehensive and detailed framework for companies to report on a wide range of ESG activities, offering a full picture of their sustainability efforts, BRSR Core narrows down this reporting to focus on the most critical ESG metrics, enhancing comparability and relevance for stakeholders, particularly investors.

The latter is a reporting framework for the top 1000 listed Indian companies (by market capitalization), requiring them to disclose their ESG performance in a standardized and quantitative format starting from FY 2022-23.

The shift to BRSR aims to meet growing demand from investors and stakeholders for standardized sustainability reporting that aligns with global practices.

While the BRR framework was voluntary, the BRSR framework is mandatory and is expected to boost investor confidence, enhance transparency, and bring Indian companies in line with international ESG norms.

Key elements of BRSR

The BRSR/ESG reporting framework is based on nine principles in line with the National Voluntary Guidelines on Social, Environmental and Economic Responsibilities of Business issued by the MCA.

BRSR Key Principles Principle 1 Conduct and govern themselves with integrity in a manner that is Ethical, Transparent and Accountable Principle 2 Provide goods and services in a manner that is sustainable and safe Principle 3 Respect and promote the well-being of all employees, including those in their value chains Principle 4 Respect the interests of and be responsive to all their stakeholders Principle 5 Respect and promote human rights Principle 6 Respect and make efforts to protect and restore the environment Principle 7 When engaging in influencing public and regulatory policy, should do so in a manner that is responsible and transparent Principle 8 Promote inclusive growth and equitable development Principle 9 Engage with and provide value to their consumers in a responsible manner

Each principle is supported by indicators, divided into two categories: essential and leadership. Reporting on the essential indicators is mandatory, while reporting on the leadership indicators is voluntary.

The MCA has introduced two formats for BRSR disclosures:

BRSR Comprehensive: This format is mandatory for obligated entities to report their ESG performance. BRSR Lite: Designed for non-obligated entities without prior sustainability reporting experience, this format is a simplified version of BRSR Comprehensive, with fewer indicators across the nine National Guidelines on Responsible Business Conduct (NGBRC) principles.

Both formats consist of three main sections:

General disclosures: Basic company information, including products, services, operations, subsidiaries, and employee count. Management and process disclosures: Details of business policies and processes aimed at aligning with the NGBRC principles. Principle-wise performance disclosures: The companys performance against the nine NGBRC principles.

New ESG metrics under BRSR Core

The new ESG requirements in BRSR Core mandate companies to disclose detailed information on various aspects of their value chains, representing at least 75 percent of their sales and purchases.

They must also provide data on environmental impact, including greenhouse gas emissions, water and energy usage, and waste management, as well as details about biodiversity protection efforts.

Social aspects like employee welfare, diversity, community development, and fair engagement with customers and suppliers must also be addressed.

Governance practices, including board structure, executive compensation, and conflict of interest management, are critical components of the report.

Compliance timelines for BRSR

SEBI has set specific timelines for compliance with BRSR Core, making it mandatory for the top 1,000 listed companies to file their BRSR reports with their annual reports by 2026-2027. Compliance will roll out gradually:

2023-2024: Top 150 listed companies by market capitalization

2024-2025: Top 250 listed companies by market capitalization

2026-2027: Top 500 listed companies by market capitalization

These companies will also need to submit their reports to SEBI-certified ESG rating service providers (ERPs) for evaluation.

Indian corporate sectors growing interest in EGS adoption

Pressure from institutional investors and global ESG developments have significantly impacted Indian companies, pushing them to adopt ESG norms and practices. Adherence to global ESG frameworks like the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and UN Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI) has become essential for attracting international investors. Indian enterprises recognize that strong ESG performance makes them more appealing to global capital markets, which is crucial for securing foreign investments.

According to 2024 survey report by Uniqus Consultech and IMA India, large Indian companies are making notable progress in sustainability, with 75 percent having defined sustainability goals and 84 percent voluntarily disclosing their targets. Fifty percent of large companies have successfully embedded ESG into their business strategies. However, this commitment significantly drops among small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), with only 29 percent of SMEs establishing clear sustainability goals.

The Uniqus Consultech-IMA India survey also identified the manufacturing and chemical sectors as leaders in sustainable practices. Despite the assumption that investors are the primary drivers of ESG efforts, only 30 percent of companies reported that investor pressure influenced their ESG initiatives. The survey gathered insights from over 150 companies across various sectors, highlighting the increasing focus on ESG in Indian corporations. Other report findings revealed that 61.3 percent of manufacturing companies expect measurable outcomes from their ESG initiatives in the medium to long term, with 13.3 percent anticipating results in the short term (0-1 years). Large companies reported full integration of ESG strategies into their operations, while SMEs still have room for improvement. Nearly half of the surveyed companies have established dedicated ESG teams, indicating the institutionalization of ESG practices.

With data playing a central role in transactions, ensuring compliance with industry and regulatory standards has never been more crucial for maintaining trust in capital markets. The evolving focus on ESG gives businesses the opportunity to strengthen their data protection and crisis management strategies. Failing to adopt responsible environmental practices could lead to reputational damage and financial penalties, while inadequate ESG performance can expose boards to allegations of greenwashing, hampering their appeal to investors.

The governance aspect of ESG is critical, particularly in a world rife with uncertainty. Companies that implement strong governance practicessuch as independent board oversight, transparent decision-making, and effective risk managementare better positioned to build stakeholder trust and achieve long-term sustainability.

A 2023 EY study shows that 90 percent of global investors consider ESG performance a key indicator of long-term business resilience, reinforcing that ESG compliance is becoming a board-level priority. Organizations must integrate ESG into their core business strategies and ensure it aligns with their corporate governance and ethical standards.

Conclusion

As efforts to integrate ESG into corporate infrastructure in India continue, the emphasis on social and governance aspects is expected to grow, as businesses aim to build trust with stakeholders, including investors and partners. Regulatory trends indicate that the Indian government will increasingly require ESG reporting compliance. It would be strategic for companies to proactively adopt ESG reporting practices. This approach will better position them to engage with environmentally focused markets, such as the EU, and navigate global capital markets more effectively. Additionally, consumer-facing companies can enhance their reputational value as carbon footprints become a broader concern due to the impacts of climate change.
Photo Courtesy: Tata Motors website

Marking a big milestone for the Company and entering the fastest growing mid-SUV segment with ICE options in an innovative and disruptive body style, Tata Motors has launched the Curvv in three engines options, all provided with an Advanced Dual Clutch Automatic Transmission.

With the powerful new Hyperion gasoline direct injection engine, 1.2L Revotron petrol engine and the new 1.5L KryoJet diesel engine with the segments first Dual Clutch Transmission in Diesel, the Company is giving the consumers a good mix of options to choose from, each suited to their unique needs.

In a high growth segment populated with boxy-SUV body styles, Tata Motors, true to its DNA, has disrupted the category by democratizing the premium SUV Coupe design  a body style that is widely recognized globally for being aspirational.

The Curvv is one of its kind in the segment with best-in-class safety, segment first features, multiple and unique powertrain options.

Available in six distinct colours  Gold Essence, Daytona Grey, Pristine White, Flame Red, Pure Grey and Opera Blue, the Tata Curvv will be offered in Accomplished, Creative, Pure and Smart personas.

Shailesh Chandra, Managing Director, Tata Motors Passenger Vehicle Ltd. and Tata Passenger Electric Mobility Ltd., said: Launch of the Tata Curvv is a significant leap towards automotive excellence as it brings to India a new SUV Coupe body style that has so far been recognized globally and has only been available in premium categories. True to our DNA of always introducing segment defining products, the Curvv is currently the most unique offering in the Mid-SUV segment and successfully embodies our commitment to innovation in design and technology."

Chandra said: "The recently launched Curvv.ev has received a great response and the customers have been enamoured by the its design and style, coupled with the high-end features on offer. Furthermore, the first in industry EV and ICE price parity has also positively impacted their sentiments. The introduction of the Curvv further enhances our SUV portfolio as a comprehensive Mid-SUV product with multiple powertrains, several first in segment features, a brand new capable architecture  ATLAS and Level 2 ADAS. To sweeten the package, we have priced the Curvv extremely attractively, across all variants, making it irresistible for all consumer needs. We are excited to launch this car into the market today and are confident that our customers will enjoy this differentiated offering.
Photo Courtesy: Unsplash

A two-year-old girl died and three others were injured after wolves attacked them on Sunday night in Uttar Pradesh's Bahraich, media reports said.

According to reports, another seven-year-old boy was attacked by wolves.

The deceased minor girl was identified as Anjali.

Kamala Devi, who was injured in the attack, told India Today she had gone to the washroom at around 11.30 pm on Sunday night when she was attacked by the wolf.

"While I was returning from the washroom, the wolf attacked me and scratched my neck and ear. I started screaming, after which the wolf left," she said.

Monika Rani, the District Magistrate of Bahraich, told media that four wolves have been caught so far.

She said forest department officials are trying to catch the rest of the wolves.

Over the past several months, seven children and a woman died after they were attacked by wolves.

The incidents have triggered panic in the region.
Photo Courtesy: US Consulate PR Team

U.S. Consulate Kolkata, in collaboration with Uddami India Foundation, hosted finale of Power to Empower project where young women were taught Strengthening leadership and entrepreneurship skills towards social and economic empowerment.

Welcome remarks were delivered by American Center Director Elizabeth Lee.

The Power to Empower project aimed to enhance and strengthen young women from marginalized community by connecting and training them to build a network of strong, positive and committed women leaders and entrepreneurs who would evolve as a change maker for the society.

33 young women from Kolkata and the neighbouring districts were trained on communication skills, soft skills, gender issues, basic finances and business ideas to help prepare themselves to come up as community leaders, entrepreneur and create an impact to the society.

The project included three workshops followed by a two-day concluding session where the participants revisited their journey and how they have evolved in one year.

The first workshop included capacity building on leadership, understanding Gender and understanding self was conducted from December 18-20, 2023.

The workshop was followed by an Action Plan for the participants in a group of three. The trainees formed 11 groups with a target to reach out around 400 to 450 young girls and women in two months.

The trainees have successfully reached out to around 470 young girls and women from high schools, colleges and also in the community, disseminating the knowledge from the first workshop and amplifying it within their peer group and community catalysing the empowerment process.

The second workshop included Developing Business ideas and financial empowerment was conducted from March 26-28, 2024.

The workshop was followed by the assignment of developing business ideas / prototypes by the participants.

They were divided in six groups, each group having five members.

All six groups worked on a business model and implemented it on field.

They made capital investment, developed their product / business ideas and also earned through selling.

They developed online marketing platforms, took part in exhibitions and also did one to one marketing to popularize their business / products and turned their ideas into profit in less than two months time.

The third workshop included Understanding ICT concept and Self-Management was conducted from June 18-21, 2024.

The participants learnt about AI, its increase use in every sector, trends and threats, financial proficiency, understanding savings, investment and confidence of money management.

The participants also gathered knowledge on Self-Management which included understanding the importance of nutrition, stress management, mental and physical health and how to work on it on a daily basis.

The third day of the third series workshop also included presentation of business models / prototype developed by trainees.

A panel of three judges (3 successful women entrepreneurs) chose two best models from six groups. They got the opportunity to present during the Finale of the project.

In the concluding session or the Finale, the participants had a brain storming session on the learnings and knowledge gained by them during Power to Empower project, how and in what way the program has impacted them, and the community through them, and they would prepare a road map / a way forward for themselves by identifying the need and as how they will take the knowledge forward as a community leader and a change maker for her society.

The participants shared their individual journey and their experiences during the concluding session.

This was followed by the presentation of the two winning prototype / business models and then distribution of participation certificates.
Photo courtesy: IBNS File

Kolkata/IBNS: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's Trinamool Congress, which is at the receiving end of a massive public ire over the RG Kar rape-murder case, has boycotted three Bengali television channels for allegedly running "anti-Bengal agenda-driven propaganda".

The ruling party has decided to stop sending its spokespersons to three channels- ABP Ananda, Republic and TV9.

The party has posted on X, "AITC has, for now decided not to send its spokespersons to media channels like ABP Ananda, Republic, and TV9 due to their persistent ANTI-BENGAL agenda-driven PROPAGANDA. We understand their compulsion to appease the ZAMINDARS of Delhi, given the investigations and ongoing enforcement cases their promoters and companies are facing

"We also clarify and request the people of West Bengal not to be misled by individuals portrayed as party supporters or sympathizers on these platforms during discussions or debates, as they are not authorized by the party and do not represent our official stance."

"The people of Bengal have consistently rejected this unholy BANGLA BIRODHI NEXUS and have always chosen TRUTH over PROPAGANDA," it added.

Statement in connection with the recent media developments pic.twitter.com/e5qvjd4oBm  All India Trinamool Congress (@AITCofficial) September 1, 2024

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 crime is at play right from the beginning.

The Mamata Banerjee government is now in a 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 holds both the police and health portfolios.
Photo courtesy: Kanchan Mullick Facebook

Kolkata/IBNS: Actor-turned Trinamool Congress MLA Kanchan Mullick has stirred a controversy by questioning whether junior doctors, who are on a ceasework protesting against the RG Kar rape-murder case, would refuse to accept their salaries and bonuses triggering sharp responses from people from his own film fraternity.

Mullick, who won from Uttarpara in 2021, has also questioned with a subtle tone of mockery whether the artistes protesting against the crime would give up the awards conferred upon them by the state government.

The TMC MLA asks, "I just want to ask whether people who are on ceasework and opposing the ruling party are accepting their salaries and bonuses? Will people from my fraternity withdraw the awards conferred on them by the state government?"

In a sharp response, actress Sudipta Chakraborty wrote on Facebook, "I have snapped all my ties with you, Kanchan Mullick, who was once my friend and colleague. You have probably lost all your humanity, consciousness, intelligence and education. We will get in touch only if you revive all those lost traits"

Without mincing many words, actor Ritwick Chakraborty has mocked Mullick for his remarks in a Facebook post.

Director Joydeep Mukherjee too lashed out at Mullick.

Junior doctors across West Bengal are on an indefinite strike after a 31-year-old trainee doctor was brutally raped and murdered at Kolkata's state-run RG Kar Medical College and Hospital.

Kolkata, its neighbouring districts have been witnessing relentless, unprecedented protests after the 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 doctorsand protesters suspect the crime was committed by more than one and an attempt to tamper with evidence and cover up the crime is at play right from the beginning.

The Mamata Banerjee government is now in a 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 holds both the police and health portfolios.
Photo courtesy: Screenshot grab from X video

Kolkata/IBNS: A Trinamool Congress leader from West Bengal's Ashokenagar has threatened to hang distorted pictures of women as a counter to the alleged attempt to malign Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's images in the backdrop of the RG Kar rape-murder case.

Days ago, Mamata Banerjee, who heads the TMC, had withdrawn her 2011 slogan giving a call for change without revenge and asked her cadres to respond befittingly and "hiss like a snake" (she used the word phonsh in Bengali) to keep opponents at check.

In a supposed fallout of the remark, Atish Sarkar said, "Mamata Banerjee has asked us to protest. If we protest, we will hang pictures malingering the characters of women of your family at your home. You won't be able to take those posters down."

"I am saying this with full responsibility. Such days are approaching. We will hang distorted pictures of women of your family on the walls of your houses for maligning and character assassinating Mamata Banerjee on Facebook," he added with several women leaders of TMC sitting behind him tight-lipped.

Amid criticism, TMC MP Kakali Ghosh Dastidar said Sarkar has been suspended from the party for a year over his remark.

Opposition BJP state president Sukanta Majumdar reacting to the speech said: "The poor taste and uneducated statement of these TMC leaders is dangerous not only for the state but also for the society. Women of West Bengal will give a befitting reply to it. The end of TMC rule is certain."

        ,            



             Dr. Sukanta Majumdar (@DrSukantaBJP) September 1, 2024

What did Mamata Banerjee say?

Speaking at a mega rally of her Trinamool Congress' youth wing, Mamata referred to her slogan against the then Left government in 2011 when she asked people to bring in a political change but no revenge.

Thirteen years later, Mamata, a senior politician, has perhaps deflected from her stance but with caution.

"I have been humiliated a lot but never returned vengeance. We wanted change but no revenge. But now I ask you to counter in a manner it is required as per your understanding. I don't want violence but counter as and when required. Unmask all who are conspiring against us," Mamata said in downtown Kolkata. She used the Bengali word "phonsh" meaning the hissing sound of snake to scare away threats.

Relaunching her outsider-insider debate that ruled the 2021 assembly elections which TMC won by a mammoth margin, the Chief Minister warned people, who have come from other states and resided in West Bengal, of a counter if they resort to violence against police.

In the backdrop of the protesters-police clash during Nabanna march on Tuesday, Mamata said, "People, who are outsiders but staying in Bengal, should be ready for a counter-attack if they hurt police conspiring with the BJP. I don't want anyone to be attacked. I do not want any death or loss. But I won't allow people to stay in Bengal and torture the state.

"There is no reason for considering me as weak. Sometimes, it is better to be tolerant. But no one knows what I can do if my tolerance limit crosses because I am the product of the movement. I am born with movement and will die with it. Challenge me if you can."

Mamata Banerjee's clarification

In an X post, the Chief Minister issued a clarification saying, "I have spoken against BJP. I have spoken against them because, with the support of the Government of India, they are threatening the democracy in our State and trying to create anarchy. With support from Centre, they are trying to create lawlessness and I have raised my voice against them.

"I also clarify that the phrase ("phonsh kara") that I had used in my speech yesterday is a quote from Sri Ramakrishna Paramahansa Deva. The legendary saint had said that occasionally there is need to raise one's voice. When there are crimes and criminal offences, voice of protest has to be raised. My speech on that point was a direct allusion to the great Ramakrishnite saying."
Photo courtesy: Screenshot grab from YouTube video

Kolkata/IBNS: In further embarrassment for the West Bengal government, the Supreme Court on Monday quashed the State's plea challenging Paschim Banga Chhatra Samaj leader Sayan Lahiri's relief in connection with the violence during march to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's office, Nabanna, last week.

The top court held the relief granted by the Calcutta High Court was justifiable.

The Nabanna march was called by Paschim Banga Chhatra Samaj demanding justice for the 31-year-old trainee doctor who was raped and murdered at Kolkata's RG Kar Medical College and Hospital.

The Chief Minister's resignation was also one of the demands by the organisation, which is yet to be registered.

Granting him bail, Justice Amrita Sinha had observed Sayan is not an influential person or does not hold any position or power to influence, hence he is liable to be released from jail.

The court has also restrained police from taking any coercive action against Sayan, who was arrested while he was leaving a local television channel earlier this week.

Sayan's mother Anjali had filed a plea seeking her son's bail and quashing all proceedings against the Chhatra Samaj leader.

People clashed with police, water cannons and tear gas shells were fired on several roads leading to Howrah, where state secretariat Nabanna is located, last Tuesday.

Though the RG Kar case is now being probed by the CBI, the state administration is facing public anger over its slow progress in the case until it was handed over to the premier investigating agency under the central government.

One person, a civic volunteer, has been arrested in connection with the case but protesting students as well as the victim's parents suspect more people are involved in the case.
Photo Courtesy: PIB

India and Singapore are likely to sign a major agreement on semiconductors during Prime Minister Narendra Modi 's upcoming visit to the country.

The pact on semiconductors comes even as India has been strengthening its collaboration in the semiconductor sector with global partners, including the US, Taiwan, the EU, and others, reported WION news channel.

Modi will visit Singapore on Sept 4-5 at the invitation of Prime Minister Lawrence Wong.

The leaders will review the progress of IndiaSingapore Strategic Partnership and exchange views on regional and global issues of mutual interest.

"During the visit, Prime Minister will call on President of Singapore H.E. Mr. Tharman Shanmugaratnam and interact with Singaporean leadership," the Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement.

The Prime Minister will also meet with business leaders from Singapore.

With the objective to develop a vibrant semiconductor ecosystem, the Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi approved the proposal of Kaynes Semicon Pvt Ltd to setup a semiconductor unit in Sanand, Gujarat.

The proposed unit will be setup with an investment of Rs 3,300 crore. The capacity of this unit will be 60 Lakh chips per day.

The chips produced in this unit will cater to a wide variety of applications which include segments such as industrial, automotive, electric vehicles, consumer electronics, telecom, mobile phones, etc.

"The Programme for Development of Semiconductors and Display Manufacturing Ecosystem in India was notified on 21.12.2021 with a total outlay of Rs. 76,000 crore," read a government statement.

In June, 2023, the Union Cabinet had approved the first proposal for setting up a semiconductor unit in Sanand, Gujarat.

In February, 2024, three more semiconductor units were approved. Tata Electronics is setting up a semiconductor fab in Dholera, Gujarat and one semiconductor unit in Morigaon, Assam. CG Power is setting up one semiconductor unit in Sanand, Gujarat

Construction of all 4 semiconductor units is progressing at a rapid pace and a robust semiconductor ecosystem is emerging near the units.

These 4 units will bring an investment of almost Rs 1.5 Lakh crore.

The cumulative capacity of these units is about 7 crore chips per day.
Kolkata/IBNS: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), entrusted with the investigation of the gruesome rape and murder of a junior doctor at Kolkata's RG Kar Hospital as well as the financial irregularities carried out at the facility, has arrested the medical college's ex-principal Sandip Ghosh after taking him to Nizam Palace from the CGO complex in the city, sources told IBNS.

Ghosh has been summoned to the CGO complex almost every day ever since the CBI undertook the investigation into the horrific incident.

According to reports, he has been arrested by the CBI's anti-corruption branch over the financial irregularities and corruption charges at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital during his tenure as the principal of the facility.

Besides him, three others arrested by the CBI's anti-corruption branch include vendors Biplab Singha, Suman Hazara, and additional security to Sandeep Ghosh, Afsar Ali.

Earlier, the CBI raided his house in connection with the financial irregularities at the hospital along with 15 other locations across the city.

The CBI started a probe into the corruption charges against Ghosh based on information by Akhtar Ali, the whistleblower, who had raised this matter in the Calcutta High Court, after which the Kolkata Police's special investigation team had recorded his statement.

Akhtar Ali worked at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital for 16 years. He began as assistant superintendent in grade 2, went to grade 1, and became Deputy Superintendent.

"Before Sandeep Ghosh came, this was the number one college in eastern India. It is a 100-year-old college. I have exposed a lot of scams. The first scam was to make students fail. They used to extort money from them, those who did not listen, and some students used to collect this money," Akhtar Ali had alleged in various media bites.

"They used to make junior students drink alcohol and make them protest, whenever it came to Sandeep Ghosh's transfer. The illegal activities include smuggling of bodies, biomedical waste scam. The complaints went to the higher levels including vigilance, but nothing happened," Akhtar Ali said.

Ghosh has also been accused of selling unclaimed dead bodies.

The Supreme Court as well as the Calcutta High Court has repeatedly questioned why Ghosh, being the principal of the medical college when the brutal crime took place, did not lodge a police complaint.

Ghosh, who faced the ire for alleged mismanagement and financial irregularities at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, resigned from his post facing protests from the medical students.

Though he had resigned, the Mamata Banerjee government had controversially appointed him to a similar post at Calcutta National Medical College within a few hours.

"He is a criminal, not a doctor. He's ruined many students' lives.... He runs a mafia raj. He has ruined many lives, taught students to consume alcohol and he even sold unclaimed dead bodies and tampered with death records and removed the registers so that nobody comes to know about it," Ali told Times Now.

Meanwhile, junior doctors protesting against the crime and demanding justice for the same, were seen celebrating the arrest.

However, they said they will continue their protest until justice is delivered.

The key suspect in the rape and murder case of the junior doctor so far has been identified as Sanjay Roy, a civic volunteer, who was seen on the hospital's CCTV near the crime scene.

Sanjay Roy, Sandeep Ghosh, and some doctors whose fingerprints were taken from the seminar hall, where the junior doctor's body was found, have been made to undergo polygraph tests.

The CCTV footage shows Sanjay Roy entering the hospital at 1.03 on the fateful night when the incident took place, media reports said.

During interrogation, the police had shown him the CCTV evidence, after which Sanjay Roy admitted to the crime, media reports said.

Before he reached the hospital at 1.03 am the night the junior doctor was raped and murdered, Sanjay Roy had gone to two brothels in Kolkata, the police have said.

He went to the red light area Sonagachi on August 8 night, drank alcohol, and visited two brothels one after another, sources had said.

Junior doctors march to Lalabazar, demanding resignation of Kol Police Commissioner Vineet Goyal. Photo by Avishek Mitra/IBNS
Photo courtesy: Facebook/Kangana Ranaut Team

New Delhi/IBNS: The Centre Monday said 'religious sentiments can't be hurt' as they explained the reason for postponing the release date of Kangana Ranaut-starrer 'Emergency', media reports said.

"Few religious organisations have raised concerns about this. Religious sentiments cannot be hurt. There is some sensitive content in the movie," NDTV quoting sources said.

"The government is taking it (the concerns) seriously," they added.

'Emergency', in which Kangana Ranaut portrays former Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, was initially scheduled to be released on September 6.

However, the release date was postponed multiple times earlier.

The film's release has been deferred again as it is awaiting a certificate from the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC).

Several Sikh bodies have demanded a ban on the release of the movie claiming it misrepresents the community.

According to reports, a top gurdwara body Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) has sent a legal notice to the producers of 'Emergency', citing the film's misrepresentation of the history of Sikhs.

It demanded the removal of the objectionable scenes that will hurt Sikh sentiments.

The actor-turned-politician, a BJP MP from Mandi, who is herself the director, writer, and co-producer of 'Emergency', earlier termed the postponing of the film's release over such objections as "hugely demotivating and unjust".

Drawing parallels between her movie and Netflix series 'IC814: The Kandahar Hijack', she said censorship was only for those who make films based on "historic facts".

"Law of the land is that one can show unimaginable amount of violence and nudity on OTT platforms without any consequence or censorship, one can even distort real-life events to suit their politically motivated sinister motives, there is all the freedom for communists or leftists across the world for such anti-national expressions," Kangana was quoted as saying by NDTV.

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has summoned Netflix content head Monika Shergill over the controversy around the recent series IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack which is currently available on their platform.

Also read: Indian government summons Netflix content head after row over new series based on 1999 Kandahar hijack

The series is loosely based on the 1999 hijack of the Indian aircraft IC 814 by five terrorists.

The makers of the series faced the wrath of netizens who claimed the names of the hijackers were deliberately changed to "Bhola and Shankar.

A government source told an Indian news channel that it is taking the matter very seriously and added that "nobody has the right to play with the sentiments of people of this country".

The series is directed by Anubhav Sinha and written by Adrian Levy and Trishant Srivastava.
This catastrophic event, the deadliest aircraft bombing until September 11, 2001, remains a somber marker of how extremist ideologies can wreak havoc across borders.

Yet, while the September 11 attacks reshaped American attitudes towards radical Islam, the Air India tragedy has not been accorded similar reflection or response, especially in Canada.

In the wake of September 11, 2001, the American public and policymakers were forced to confront the uncomfortable reality that not all Muslim organizations were benign. Many discovered that beneath the veneer of religious and community organizations, some were indeed fronts for extremist agendas. Prominent among these were the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) and the Islamic Society of North America (ISNA), both criticized for their ties to the Muslim Brotherhood and questionable affiliations.

In contrast, Khalistan extremism, exemplified by the Air India bombing, has not received the same level of scrutiny. This discrepancy is partly due to the fact that the vast majority of the 329 victims were not Americans, but Canadians, making the event less visible in the American consciousness. However, this lack of attention is a disservice to the victims and to the broader fight against extremist ideologies.

Canadas approach to Khalistan extremism has been particularly problematic. Despite the serious threat posed by pro-Khalistan militants, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his administration have been criticized for their superficial understanding of Sikh issues and their political calculations regarding the Sikh vote. The result has been a political blindness to the dangers posed by extremist elements within the Sikh community.

The United Kingdom, however, has been more proactive in addressing similar issues. Five years ago, the Bloom Review was commissioned to assess the engagement of the British government with religious groups. The review identified three categories of believers: the sincere and peaceful true believers, the generally decent non-believers, and the problematic make-believers who exploit religion for personal gain. This framework has been instrumental in recognizing that while the majority of British Sikhs are true believers, a fringe group of extremists has been hijacking Sikh institutions to further their radical agendas.

In Britain, this recognition has led to concrete measures to address extremist influence. The Bloom Review recommended a zero-tolerance approach to gurdwarasSikh templeshijacked by extremists. It emphasized that the aggressive actions of pro-Khalistan militants, including threats and violence, should not be tolerated as they undermine the broader Sikh community.

In North America, however, the response has lagged. Sikh extremists in Canada and the U.S. have been able to exert undue influence and create a false narrative of power that often intimidates and marginalizes peaceful Sikhs. This has been exacerbated by political leaders who, driven by short-term electoral considerations, fail to challenge extremist elements and instead mistakenly engage with them.

The American and Canadian governments must learn from the British experience. It is crucial to differentiate between peaceful Sikh communities and the extremist fringe that seeks to exploit them. The dangers posed by Khalistan extremists are not dissimilar to those posed by radical Islamic groups: they use religion as a cover for their radical aims and engage in intimidation to suppress dissent within their own communities.

To confront this threat effectively, policymakers must prioritize a nuanced understanding of Sikhism and not be swayed by the loudest or most aggressive voices. They must support and protect the majority of Sikhs who are devoted to their faiths principles of peace and community service. Tolerating or appeasing extremist factions under the guise of religious freedom only serves to undermine it.

The Air India 182 tragedy should not be a forgotten chapter but a powerful reminder of the need for vigilance against all forms of extremism. Just as the lessons from September 11 reshaped American approaches to counterterrorism, the legacy of Air India 182 should prompt a more rigorous and informed approach to dealing with Sikh extremism. It is time for Canada and the United States to adopt policies that recognize and address the real threats posed by extremist factions, ensuring that the principles of religious freedom are upheld in practice, not just in rhetoric.

(Image and text courtesy: Khalsavox.com)
UN-led polio vaccination campaign gets underway in middle areas of Gaza Photo Courtesy: WHO

The first phase of a UN-led polio vaccination campaign has begun in the middle areas of Gaza. The operation aims to inoculate 600,000 children in the coming days.

Hundreds of Gazan families have been queueing to await the turn of their child to receive a polio vaccination since early Sunday morning, in a campaign designed to stop the resurgence of a virus whose re-emergence has been blamed on insanitary conditions.

Speaking to international media on Sunday, Sam Rose, a spokesperson for UNRWA, the UN agency for Palestine refugees, said that over 200 teams are administering the vaccine in 25 locations in the middle areas of Gaza.

A race against time

In order to stop the polio outbreak in Gaza, and to prevent an international spread of the virus, health workers will need to vaccinate at least 90 percent of children during each round.

Reacting to the launch on social media, Philippe Lazzarini, the head of UNRWA described the campaign as a race against time.

The campaign will be delivered in stages, over three days each, covering three different areas of Gaza. Vaccination coverage will be monitored and analyzed every day, and vaccination drives will be extended by one day if necessary.

The operation  organized by UNRWA, the World Health Organization (WHO), the UN Childrens Fund (UNICEF) and the Palestinian Ministry of Health will continue in the coming days, if the temporary pause in fighting between Hamas and Israeli forces holds.

Security concerns

The UN bodies involved in the campaign and senior officials have underlined the importance of maintaining security for health workers and the Gazan population.

For this to work, parties to the conflict must respect the temporary area pauses, wrote Mr. Lazzarini on social media. For the sake of children across the region a lasting ceasefire is overdue. In another post, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the head of WHO, wrote that ultimately, the best vaccine for these children is peace.

UN chief reacts to hostage deaths

On the same day that the campaign launch was confirmed, news broke of the death of six of the hostages taken by Hamas in the October 7 2023 attacks on Israel.

The UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, reacted to the news by recollecting his meeting with the family of Hersh Goldberg-Polin, one of the hostages reported dead on Sunday. The reports, he wrote in a social media post, are a devastating reminder of the need for the unconditional release of all hostages and an end to the nightmare of war in Gaza.
TV actor Ankita Lokhande who has been seen in Bollywood movies like Savarkar and Manikarnika, has now become a reality show queen. Ankita and her husband Vicky Jain, who gained significant popularity on Bigg Boss 17 are suddenly seen everywhere - on our Instagram feed and on television show.

The much loved couple on currently on a vacation or just returned from a vacation that had love, rains and fashion. Sharing hot photos from the vacation, Ankita wrote, "Our short trips are a reminder that life is short, and love is the best souvenir."

Credit: Ankita Lokhande/Instagram

Ankita can be seen in a trench jacket with tiny shorts and husband Vicky is sporting really cool sunglasses, trench jacket, track pants paired with running shoes. The two have not revealed the name of their destination but the scenic beauty and landscape is making people guess if it's Lonavala or Pune.

After Bigg Boss 17, Vicky Jain instantly became popular. While some considered him as the better half, some thought he was a typical man in the relationship. The two are now in Laughter Chefs where they cook and entertain their followers and audience.

On the show, host Bharti said, "Jannat has 50 million followers now." Vicky instantly replied, "I have 50 million too... in my bank account." However, looking at his social media and TV presence, fans are actually wondering when does he go for work.



Instagram/Ankita Lokhande

Vicky Jain has joined his family business which deals with coal trading, power plant and diamonds, in Bilaspur.

For more such stories on celebs and travel, follow us on Indiatimes Lifestyle.
A few days ago, The Deliverance debuted on Netflix, and ever then, its thrilling storyline has captured everyone's attention. This American supernatural horror film, written by Elijah Bynum and David Coggeshall, is directed by Lee Daniels. Starring are Mo'Nique, Glenn Close, Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor, Tasha Smith, Rob Morgan, Caleb McLaughlin, Omar Epps, and Andra Day. For those who are unaware, the disturbing case of Ammon served as the inspiration for The Deliverance. Want to know more about it? Scroll down and know the true story behind The Deliverance.







The Deliverance real story

As per TIME, the Ammons family allegedly came to believe that she and her children, who were then ages 7, 9, and 12, had been possessed by demons who were living in their newly-rented home on Carolina Street in Gary, according to an investigation into the family's alleged haunting that was published in 2014 by the Indianapolis Star.

According to Ammons, the family at the Carolina Street home observed that a lot of black flies were entering their screened-in porch in December 2011, even though it was still winter.

Over the following few months, Ammons apparently described increasingly strange and perilous incidents, and things supposedly became worse.

Man that horror movie The Deliverance was surprisingly good af seeing Glen Close as a hood Grandma was crazy af  she killed it pic.twitter.com/VGw1vedHCp  Atlanta Hood Historian (@kodakk6000) August 26, 2024

A clinical psychologist who evaluated Ammons' youngest son came to the conclusion that the boy's accounts of the possession were "bizarre, fragmented, and illogical."

Finally, in June 2012, Ammons underwent three significant exorcisms at the church of St. Stephen, Martyr parish in Merrillville, Indiana, and her new home in Indianapolis was blessed by Rev. Michael Maginot, the parish priest. In November 2012, Ammons was granted custody of her kids again after DCS took emergency custody of the kids some time before.

Lee Daniels is a genius! If anyone is wondering the film is based on true events. This is the story of Latoya Ammons #TheDeliverance https://t.co/EgM4OKPq2h pic.twitter.com/qaKlI37mom  DJ Skillz (@RnBMaster) August 30, 2024

For those who don't know, the religious ceremony that took place is reimagined in the movie from an exorcism at a church to a purported deliverance at the family's house.

For more news and updates from the world of OTT, and celebrities from Bollywood and Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment.


After waiting for two years, the film Visfot has finally got an OTT release date. The movie which stars Ritesh Deshmukh and Fardeen Khan in lead roles, is going to be released on a leading OTT platform very soon. If reports are anything to go by, then this film is the remake of the Venezuelan film, Rock, Paper, Scissors. This film was made back in 2022, but due to unknown reasons, it kept getting delayed. Makers then eventually decided to release it digitally. Visfot, will release on Jio Cinema on 6th September 2024.





Plot

As per OTTplay, the plot of Visfot explores themes of criminal activity, dishonesty, and the unanticipated consequences of people's actions. The gripping story will enthrall viewers as it reveals the darkest sides of human nature and the disastrous consequences of making bad decisions.

According to reports, it is a remake of the Rock, Paper, Scissors (2012) Venezuelan film.

Cast and crew

Visfot's star cast includes Ritesh and Fardeen in addition to other brilliant performers like Priya Bapat, Krystle D'Souza, and Sheeba Chaddha. Under the auspices of T Series Films and While Feather Films, Sanjay Gupta and Bhushan Kumar are the producers of the upcoming movie. It is directed by Kookie Gulati.

For the unversed, when Fisfot was completed two years ago, it was meant to be Fardeen Khan's Bollywood comeback movie. But after the movie was repeatedly postponed, the actor made his awaited comeback with Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar. Fardeen Khan was highly lauded for his performance in the show that was released on Netflix a few months ago.

Also read: The Chapel OTT release date BookMyShow Stream: When to watch the Spanish Supernatural drama

For more news and updates from the world of OTT, and celebrities from Bollywood and Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment.


Kangana Ranaut has slammed the controversial Netflix web series IC 814 The Kandahar Hijack pointing out censorship bias after the release of her upcoming movie Emergency, which is based on the life of India's former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, has been postponed. Furthermore, she questioned if there should be censorship on OTT content and criticised OTT platforms accusing them of showing violent, explicit, and politically biased.

Kangana Ranaut slams Netflix's IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack

Credit: Instagram

Expressing her opinion on the Netflix show IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack and comparing it to her own film Emergency, Kangana expressed double standards in content regulation. She questioned why OTT platforms are allowed to stream violence and nudity, while certain scenes of her film that portray "historical facts" have been asked to be censored. Taking a dig at the show, she quoted a tweet that pointed out the Anubhav Sinha show shows the Hindu identity of the hijackers of an Indian Airlines flight from Kathmandu to Delhi.

Law of the land is that one can show unimaginable amount of violence and nudity on OTT platforms without any consequence or censorship, one can even distort real life events to suit their politically motivated sinister motives, there is all the freedom for communists or leftists https://t.co/BRRrG6NGXh  Kangana Ranaut (@KanganaTeam) September 2, 2024

Anubhav Sinha (creator of the show) and #BoycottBollywood trends on social media

Meanwhile, Anubhav Singh and hashtag 'Boycott Bollywood' has been trending on social media. People are criticising the director of IC 814 for depicting hijackers Ibrahim, Shahid etc as Bhola and Shankar (hindus).

Names of IC814 Hijackers changed to Shankar & Bhola by @anubhavsinha



This is how Bollywood let the TERRORISTS WIN:#BoycottBollywood#IC814TheKandaharHijack



IC814 Names in

Hijackers Webseries pic.twitter.com/lv0xeVgIJu  Stranger (@amarDgreat) September 1, 2024





Netflix's Head of Content summoned amid the controversy

Meanwhile, Netflix India's Head Of Content Monika Shergill has been summoned by the government over controversy related to webseries based on real life 1999 hijacking of an Indian Airlines flight by Pakistan-based terror outfit Harkat-ul-Mujahideen. People have accused the makers including director Anubh Sinha for purposely changing the name of the terrorist to Chief, Doctor, Burger, Bhola and Shankar. Defending this, some journalists have tweeted that passengers who were on the flight that was hijacked in 1999 had told them that the hijackers used these names to address each other.



Why has Emergency's release date been postponed?

Earlier scheduled to be released on September 9, the movie's release date has been postponed as the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) revoked its certificate after multiple petitions. Kangana Ranaut meanwhile says she is "determined to release an uncut version of the film" and she will "fight in court and release an uncut version".

Also Read: Kangana Ranaut admits BJP reprimanded her over farmers' protest remarks, vows to align with party policies

For more news and updates from the world of OTT, and celebrities from Bollywood and Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment.


Bollywood's nawab Saif Ali Khan's fashion is usually either a formal suit for events or a classic kurta pajama. He enjoys blending in traditional wear with a modern flair. Today, the actor was spotted arriving for one of his meetings in Mumbai. As usual, he donned a short blue kurta and white pajamas. But what caught our attention was the footwear.

The actor usually pairs traditional attire with regular Kolhapuri chappals. However, these Kolkhapuris were with a twist. They were Kolhapuri platforms. Check it out

Credit: Voompla:Saif Ali Khan

These super chic leather platform Kolhapuris is truly making Pataudi Khan stand out. Saif is known for his stunning collection of leather shoes.

For the rainy season, Saif has replaced sneakers with this comfortable platform slippers and we are loving it. With a full grown beard and a little pony, Saif's look is truly stylish.

While Saif is not on Instagram, we do manage to catch his glimpse of vacation and fashion through Kareena's feed.

Saifeena are good looking, successful and truly love their job as actors. Kareena was also seen out and about at work. After her meetings, Kareena was seen being picked up by her son Jeh. She was elated to see him. Take a look

On the work front, Saif Ali Khan will next be seen in Devara- 1 playing the role of an antagonist and Kareena will be seen in The Buckingham Murders, directed by Hansal Mehta.

For more such stories on fashion and celebs, follow us on Indiatimes Lifestyle.
Taking to Instagram, Aadar Jain shared a bunch of whimsical photos of him proposing to his girlfriend Alekha Advani, last night. Aadar who is the cousin of Bollywood actors Ranbir Kapoor, Kareena Kapoor and Karisma Kapoor has been dating Alekha, who is a Mumbai-based entrepreneur, since last year. The series of dreamy photos showed the happy couple on bent knees surrounded by white sand covered with rose petals. Take a look at his heartwarming proposal.

While Aadar chose Maldives as his destination, there are many beachy locations you can choose in India that are just as amazing as Maldives and aren't as crowded. Take a look at these 5 locations in India where you too can plan the proposal of your partner's dreams.



Dreamy destinations for the perfect beachside proposal

1) Havelock Island, Andaman Islands

One of the most beautiful beach destinations in the country, Andaman offers stunning views, a calming atmosphere and romantic golden sand beaches with clean turquoise waters. A perfect setting for a romantic proposal that your partner is going to cherish for the rest of their life, Havelock promises an exotic vacation with several luxury resorts and upscale;le bars and restaurants that you can go after your partner has officially said yes to celebrate.

2) Alibaug

Located near Mumbai, Alibaug is the go-to weekend getaway for most Bollywood celebrities with many of them like Shah Rukh Khan, Kriti Sanon and Varun Dhawan owning properties there. If you are planning a full-filmy proposal, why not go to the exact locations where your favourite film stars go? With a number of beaches as well as close proximity to Mumbai, make the best of both worlds and plan a trip to the 'City of Dreams' along with a proposal at Alibaug.

3) Kochi





Ever since the pandemic, Kochi has become a favourite among couples looking to plan an intimate wedding, but did you know it is even more common for couples to travel to Kochi for the ultimate beachside locations? The city boasts more than 10 beaches which are not only cleaner than other commercial or touristy beaches but also offer privacy and seclusion.

4) Goa

Goa is one of the most famous beach destinations in India and proposals with many people travelling here specifically to propose. There are many party planners and decorators available here because of their popularity who can help you organise and set up the perfect proposal including custom cakes, rose petals and even 'Marry Me' letters with ease without hurting your pocket.

5) Lakshadweep

If you are imagining azure blue waters and white sand as far as the eye can see as the backdrop for your dream beachside proposal, Lakshadweep is the place for you! Also known as the 'Paradise of India', Lakshadweep is the choice for you if are looking for a luxurious getaway with your proposal without having to deal with VISA implications that come with travelling abroad.

Also Read: Twinkle Khanna is at a wellness retreat for a quick reset: Here's why you should do it too

For more on lifestyle, astrology and health from around the world please visit Indiatimes Lifestyle.
When Elon Musk completed his acquisition of Twitter in October 2022, he swiftly rebranded the platform to "X" a few months later in 2023. However, fans of the site still harbour a nostalgic fondness for the original Twitterafter all, the concept of "tweeting," like birds chirping, was uniquely charming. Whether people were engaging in witty banter or spreading the word about a rally, the term "tweet" added a distinct flair. Recently, even Musk made a misstep when he posted a meme that referenced "Twitter" instead of its new moniker, X.



Check out the meme he posted here:

The post is related to Musk's ongoing tussle with Brazil after a Brazilian Supreme Court judge banned billionaire Elon Musk's social media network X in the country.

Even Elon Musk tweets

It's hard to fault Musk entirely, considering that nearly a year after the rebrand, many long-time users still call the platform Twitter.

News outlets often refer to X with a note stating it was "formerly known as Twitter," and in everyday conversation, terms like "tweet" and "tweeted" are still widely used to describe posts on X.

Credit: Reuters | Twitter

One user humorously noted, "The rebranding is going so well, even the CEO still calls it Twitter."



Another quipped, "You can tell the rebrand is going very well and definitely not an utter failure when the owner is still calling it Twitter over a year later after the change."

Why is Elon Musk feuding with Brazil?

After months of conflict over disinformation, a Brazilian Supreme Court judge banned Elon Musk's social media network X in the country on Friday.

Judge Alexandre de Moraes ordered an immediate and complete suspension of X's operations and directed the national communications agency to enforce the ban.

Credit: Reuters | Brazilian judge Alexandre de Moraes and Elon Musk

The controversy between Musk and Moraes began when the judge ordered the suspension of several X accounts linked to supporters of Brazil's former president, Jair Bolsonaro, who tried to undermine the voting system after losing the 2022 election.



Brazilian authorities are investigating whether Bolsonaro attempted to stage a coup to stop current President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva from taking office in January 2023.

In April, Moraes launched an investigation into Musk, accusing him of reactivating some of the banned accounts.

For more news and current affairs from around the world, please visit Indiatimes News.
Teacher's Day in India is celebrated annually on September 5th to honour the invaluable contributions of teachers to our society and the education system. This day is a special occasion for students to express their gratitude and respect towards their teachers.

The Role of Teachers in Our Lives

From a young age, our parents guide us in distinguishing right from wrong. After them, it is our teachers who play a crucial role in shaping our lives. Teachers inspire students to chase their dreams and help them grow into better individuals. On Teacher's Day, students across the country honor their teachers and mentors for the significant impact they have on their lives.

The Significance of September 5th

Credit: Freepik

Teacher's Day in India commemorates the birth anniversary of Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, born on September 5, 1888. Dr. Radhakrishnan was not only India's first Vice President and second President but also a renowned scholar, philosopher, and recipient of the Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian award. His passion for education and teaching has left an indelible mark on the nation.



Celebrations Across Schools and Colleges

Educational institutions across India hold special programs on Teacher's Day to honour educators for their tireless efforts. Students often prepare a Teacher's Day speech to present in front of their classmates or during school assemblies as a tribute to their teachers.

Teacher's Day Speech: Step-by-Step Guide

Giving a speech on Teacher's Day is a great way to show appreciation for your teachers. Heres a simple guide to help you:

Greet Everyone

Start by saying, "Good morning everyone," or "Hello everyone."

Introduce Yourself

Say your name and class, like "Im [Your Name] from [Your Class]."

Explain Teacher's Day

Mention that Teacher's Day is celebrated to honour teachers. For example, "We celebrate Teacher's Day on September 5th to thank our teachers."

Talk About Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan

Briefly mention Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, who inspired Teacher's Day. You could say, "This day honours Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, a great teacher and leader."

Share What Teachers Mean to You

Talk about how teachers help you. For example, "My teachers help me learn and support me."

Thank Your Teachers

Say thank you to your teachers. You might say, "Thank you to all our teachers for your hard work and for making learning fun."

Include a Quote or Thought

Add a nice quote or thought about teachers. For example, "As Dr. Radhakrishnan said, 'The best teachers help us think for ourselves.'"

End with a Happy Note

Finish by wishing everyone a Happy Teacher's Day. You could say, "Lets celebrate and appreciate our amazing teachers. Happy Teacher's Day!"

Practice

Practice your speech a few times to feel confident.

Speak Clearly

When speaking, talk clearly and look at your audience. Remember to smile!

These steps will help you give a warm and effective Teacher's Day speech.

Best long Teacher's Day speech sample for School and college students

Ladies and gentlemen, esteemed teachers, and dear students,

Good morning to all of you. Its a true privilege to stand before you today as we celebrate the special occasion of Teachers Day, a day dedicated to appreciating the immense role that teachers play in shaping our lives and society.

The tradition of celebrating Teachers Day holds a deep meaning, one that dates back to the life of an extraordinary man, Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan. Born on September 5th, 1888, Dr. Radhakrishnan was not only the first Vice President and the second President of India but also a great scholar and philosopher. His love for teaching and education was unparalleled, and his contributions to the field of education have left a lasting impact on our nation.

Dr. Radhakrishnan was someone who believed strongly in the power of education to transform lives. He was honored with the Bharat Ratna, Indias highest civilian award, for his significant contributions to education and for shaping the intellectual landscape of our country. However, what truly set him apart was his deep humility and his dedication to teaching.

It was during his presidency that a group of his students and friends approached him with a request to celebrate his birthday on September 5th. In response, Dr. Radhakrishnan, with his characteristic humility, suggested that instead of celebrating his birthday, the day should be observed as Teachers Day across the nation. This gesture reflected his deep respect for the teaching profession and his belief that teachers are the true builders of the nation.

Since then, every year on September 5th, we celebrate Teachers Day to honor and appreciate the hard work and dedication of our teachers, who play a crucial role in shaping the minds and futures of the younger generation. Teachers are the guiding light in our lives, helping us find the path to knowledge, wisdom, and understanding. They inspire us to dream big, to work hard, and to become better individuals.

As we celebrate Teachers Day today, lets take a moment to reflect on the enormous responsibility that teachers carry. Teaching is not just about passing on knowledge; its about nurturing young minds, encouraging them to think critically, and developing a lifelong love for learning. Teachers shape the future of our nation by instilling values and principles in their students that will guide them throughout their lives.

In todays fast-paced and ever-changing world, the role of teachers has become even more vital. They are not just educators but also mentors, counselors, and role models. Teachers help students navigate the challenges of life both inside and outside the classroom, equipping them with the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in an increasingly complex world. The recent pandemic has shown us just how adaptable and resilient our teachers are, as they quickly embraced new methods of teaching to ensure that learning continued without interruption.

On this special day, lets express our heartfelt gratitude to all the teachers who have dedicated their lives to the noble profession of teaching. Lets acknowledge their hard work, patience, and dedication, and lets commit to supporting them in every way possible. To all the teachers here today, we say thank youthank you for your unwavering commitment to your students, for your passion for teaching, and for the positive impact you have on our lives.

In the end, Id like to share a quote by Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan: "The true teachers are those who help us think for ourselves." Lets remember these words and honor the spirit of Teachers Day by valuing and respecting our teachers not just today, but every day.

Thank you, and Happy Teachers Day to all!

Best Teacher's Day speech for kids

Good morning everyone,

Today is a very special day for all of us because we are here to celebrate Teacher's Day, a day dedicated to our beloved teachers who guide us, support us, and help us grow. This day is celebrated every year on the 5th of September in India, and do you know why? Let me tell you a beautiful story behind it.

The celebration of Teacher's Day was started by the first Vice President of India, Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, who was born on the 5th of September, 1888. Dr. Radhakrishnan was not only the first Vice President but also the second President of India. But more than that, he was a great scholar, philosopher, and most importantly, a passionate teacher. He loved teaching and believed that teachers play a very important role in shaping the future of students.

Dr. Radhakrishnan was so dedicated to the field of education that he was awarded the Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian award, for his contributions. He had a deep respect for teachers and believed that they are the pillars of our society. Now, here's an interesting thing about him: once, when some of his students and friends wanted to celebrate his birthday, he humbly refused and said that instead of celebrating his birthday, he would feel more honored if 5th September was celebrated as Teacher's Day.

This shows how much he respected teachers and how he believed that teaching is the noblest profession of all. Since then, every year, we celebrate Teacher's Day on the 5th of September to remember his contributions and to honor all the teachers who work so hard to make us better individuals.

Our teachers are like our second parents. They not only teach us subjects like Math, Science, and English but also teach us values like kindness, honesty, and hard work. They are the ones who encourage us to dream big and help us achieve those dreams. Imagine a world without teachers  there would be no schools, no knowledge, and no progress. That's why we must always respect and appreciate our teachers.

Today, let's take a moment to thank all our teachers for their love, patience, and dedication. Let's show them how much we appreciate everything they do for us. On this Teacher's Day, I want to say a big thank you to all the teachers for making a difference in our lives. You are our true heroes, and we are so lucky to have you.

Happy Teacher's Day!

Thank you.

Welcome Speech for Teacher's Day

Good morning everyone,



Respected Principal, esteemed teachers, and dear friends,



Today is a special day, a day we all come together to celebrate and respect our beloved teachers. On behalf of all the students, I am truly honoured to welcome you to this wonderful occasionTeacher's Day!



Teacher's Day is a time to express our gratitude and appreciation for the incredible work that our teachers do. They are not just educators but also mentors, guides, and role models. They inspire us, motivate us, and help us become better individuals.



This day is celebrated in honour of Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, a great teacher, philosopher, and leader, who believed that teachers are the true builders of society. He dedicated his life to education and to nurturing young minds. We celebrate Teacher's Day on his birthday, September 5th, to remember his contributions and to recognize the hard work of teachers across the nation.



Today, as we celebrate, let's take a moment to thank all our teachers for their patience, their dedication, and their unwavering commitment to our growth and success. They are the reason we dream big and strive to achieve our goals.



So, let's make this day memorable by showing our teachers how much they mean to us. I welcome you all to join in the celebrations, enjoy the program we have prepared, and most importantly, express our heartfelt thanks to the teachers who make a difference in our lives every single day.



Thank you, and Happy Teacher's Day to all!

Best Short Teacher's Day speech sample

Ladies and gentlemen, dear teachers, and students,

Good morning. Today, we celebrate Teachers Day, a special day to honor the hard work and dedication of our teachers. This day began in honor of Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, a great scholar and the second President of India, who valued teaching above all else. When asked to celebrate his birthday, he humbly suggested that instead, we should celebrate it as Teachers Day.

Teachers are the guiding lights in our lives, helping us learn and grow. They do more than just teach; they inspire, mentor, and shape our future. Especially in todays fast-changing world, their role is more important than ever. So, on this day, lets thank all our teachers for their tireless efforts and the positive impact they have on our lives.

Thank you, and Happy Teachers Day!

Best 10-line speech on Teacher's Day 2024

Today, we celebrate Teacher's Day to honor the important role teachers play in our lives. Teacher's Day began in India in honour of Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, who was born on September 5th, 1888. Dr. Radhakrishnan was India's first Vice President, second President, a great scholar, and a passionate teacher. When his students wanted to celebrate his birthday, Dr. Radhakrishnan suggested that instead, they should celebrate it as Teacher's Day. He believed that teachers are the true builders of the nation and deserve special recognition. Since then, September 5th is celebrated every year as Teachers Day in India. Teachers guide us, help us learn, and inspire us to dream big and work hard. Their role is crucial, especially in todays world, where they also serve as mentors and role models. The recent pandemic showed how adaptable and committed teachers are, as they continued teaching through difficult times. Today, we thank all teachers for their hard work and dedication, and we appreciate the positive impact they have on our lives. Happy Teacher's Day!

Inspiring Teacher's Day quotes to share with loved ones

One book, one pen, one child, and one teacher can change the world.  Malala Yousafzai

Teachers affect eternity; no one can tell where their influence stops.  Henry Brooks Adams

Teaching is a very noble profession that shapes the character, caliber, and future of an individual. If the people remember me as a good teacher, that will be the biggest honor for me- A. P. J. Abdul Kalam

A good teacher is like a candle  it consumes itself to light the way for others.  Mustafa Kemal Ataturk

If you were successful, somebody along the line gave you some help. There was a great teacher somewhere in your life.  Barack Obama

"God lives, feels and suffers in every one of us, and in the course of time, his attributes, knowledge, beauty and love will be revealed in each of us." - Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan

The mediocre teacher tells. The good teacher explains. The superior teacher demonstrates. The great teacher inspires.  William Arthur Ward

"The end product of education should be a free creative man, who can battle against historical circumstances and adversities of nature." - Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan

"When educating the minds of our youth, we must not forget to educate their hearts." - Dalai Lama

"Love thy neighbour as thyself because you are your neighbour. It is illusion that makes you think that your neighbour is someone other than yourself." - Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan

"A teacher who establishes rapport with the taught, becomes one with them, learns more from them than he teaches them." - Mahatma Gandhi

For more informative articles on historical and upcoming events from around the world, please visit Indiatimes Events.


One year after Storm Daniel ravaged Thessaly, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis is revisiting the region today to review the progress of reconstruction efforts and reaffirm his government's commitment to the area's recovery.

The visit comes at a crucial time, as the government seeks to address local

concerns and demonstrate its dedication to fulfilling its promises.

Despite ongoing challenges and lingering dissatisfaction among residents, Mitsotakis aims to showcase tangible results, such as the newly completed health centers in Palamas and Mouzaki.

The Prime Minister's itinerary includes meetings with local authorities and citizens, discussions about relocating flood-prone villages, and a keynote speech outlining the strategic plan for Thessaly's reconstruction. This plan focuses on crucial anti-flood measures, including water management infrastructure, dams, and irrigation systems.

With significant funding allocated for the reconstruction, the government is keen to highlight its progress and secure additional support from the European Union. The visit serves as a reminder of the ongoing commitment to healing the wounds left by Storm Daniel and building a more resilient future for Thessaly.

By Giannis Kantelis

   iefimerida.gr
The Greek port city of Volos is facing an environmental crisis as thousands of dead fish wash up on its shores, driving away tourists and prompting the government to declare a state of emergency.

The stench of rotting fish has left local

businesses struggling, while residents worry about the potential impact on water quality.

The government has responded by declaring a one-month state of emergency in Volos and nearby areas, allowing for quicker action to address the marine pollution. Support measures for affected businesses include subsidies for lost income, tax and insurance relief, and a promotional campaign to boost tourism in the future.

Despite the fish kill, authorities maintain that water quality at most beaches remains safe for swimming, based on ongoing testing. However, swimming is currently prohibited as a precaution until the cleanup is complete.

The cause of the mass die-off is under investigation, with a combination of climate change and irrigation/drainage issues being suspected. The lake where the fish originated, Lake Karla, has experienced both floods and drought, contributing to the problem.

   iefimerida.gr
The Hellenic gave its approval for the merger between Attica Bank and Pancreta Bank, marking a significant development in the Greek banking sector .The merger is expected to

Competition Commission gives green light for Attica Bank-Pancreta Bank merger -  
An incident of abduction has occurred along the Bonny-Port Harcourt waterway, where unknown gunmen, suspected to be sea pirates, have taken at least 10 maritime workers hostage.

Though details are still sketchy, Channels Television gathered that the incident occurred in the early hours of Monday morning, involving 10 persons traveling from Bonny to Port Harcourt.

Confirming the incident via telephone, the district Chairman, MARITIME Workers Union of Nigeria Rivers State district, Israel Pepple said Its not a rumour, it is real. 10 persons have been kidnapped this morning coming from Bonny to Port Harcourt. Weve reported to the security agencies.

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READ MORE: Im Huge Advocate For Marriage, Not A Man Hater  Toke Makinwa Clarifies

When reached, the police public relations officer Grace Iringe-Koko, acknowledged the abduction, and noted that Commissioner of Police Olatunji Disu had tasked DCP Olugbenga Adepoju and local divisional police officers with ensuring the prompt rescue of the abductees.
A 19-year-old self-proclaimed native doctor, Timothy Dauda, has been arrested in Edo State following the death of his client during a bulletproof charm test.

Dauda specializes in preparing charms against guns and cutlasses.

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The incident occurred in Onumu Community, Akoko-Edo Local Government Area, where Dauda had been hired to create and test the charm.

According to the State Police Commands spokesperson, Moses Joel Yamu, the client, identified as Alex Ezekiel, requested the charm and agreed to a demonstration of its effectiveness.

READ ALSO: Police Arrest Native Doctor Who Killed Client While Testing Bulletproof Charm

Yamu who confirmed the situation to News Agency of Nigeria on Monday said, the test turned tragic when Ezekiel was shot and fatally injured.

He was however rushed to a hospital in Igarra, and was pronounced dead by a medical doctor.

Meanwhile, the police spokesman said that the suspect would face prosecution as soon as investigations were conclude


Chieftains within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have responded to comments made by the former Governor of Rivers State and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.

Wike had made provocative statements at the PDP state congress in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, threatening to interfere in the affairs of other states governed by the PDP if the partys leadership in Rivers was tampered with.

He warned Governors against attempting to take control of the PDP structure in Rivers, asserting that any such move would be met with fire.

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Let me assure all of you, not while we live will anybody take away the structure of the PDP from us. But let me tell people, I hear some governors who say they will take over the structure and give back to somebody.

I pity those governors because I will put fire in their states. When God has given you peace, you say you dont want peace  anything you see you take, he had said.

These remarks came in response to the PDP Governors Forum, led by its Chairman, Bala Mohammed, which had called for a review of the party congress results to support the leadership of incumbent Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

The ongoing dispute between Wike and Governor Fubara has significantly disrupted governance in the state, leading to divisions within the state House of Assembly, where factions loyal to both leaders have emerged.

Insisting that Wike lacks power to dismantle the Party, PDP Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Ibrahim Abdullahi, downplayed Wikes threats, asserting that the party has endured much more significant challenges in its 25-year history and that no single individual could destroy it.

Those were his entitled personal opinions at most. They dont constitute threats to the PDP, which has survived even worse machinations 25 years down the road. No single individual has the capacity to terminate the life of this party, PDP, Abdullahi told Punch on Sunday.

The Osun State chapter of the PDP also criticized Wike, urging him to focus on his duties as a minister and stop threatening those who support Governor Fubara.

The Director of Media and Publicity, Osun PDP, Oladele Olabamiji, said Wikes statement was reckless and irresponsible.

Wikes statement is rather a reckless and irresponsible one, to say the least. Governor Fubara is not an outcast. He is a PDP governor. On that premise, it is out of place for Wike to threaten PDP governors for supporting one of their own.

At the PDP Governors Forum, they can offer help to one of them that needs it. Attacking them for doing that is out of place. We urge PDP governors to protect one of their own. Wike is not the President of Nigeria. He has a job in Abuja. He should face it and stop handing down threat.

He can do it sometimes and get away with it. But in our case here, he cant get away with such a reckless statement, Olabamiji said.

READ ALSO: I Will Set Your State On Fire  Wike Warns PDP Govs Thinking Of Interfering In Rivers Crisis

Sydney Gbara, Rivers State Commissioner for Environment, called on security agencies to investigate Wikes comments, arguing that they could incite a national crisis.

Gbara also expressed confidence in Governor Fubaras leadership, dismissing Wikes claims of control over the PDP structure in Rivers State.

He noted that the partys future leadership would be determined through legal channels and that Governor Fubara had the support of the majority in the state.

Well I feel that as an elder statesman, nobody will expect that he will make such utterances.

So, threatening that you are going to cause crisis in 13 states out of the 36 states in Nigeria means planning to cause crisis in the entire country. That is what it means, security-wise, Gbara said.

According to the Commissioner, the FCT ministers remarks were aimed at misleading his supporters, especially those defected legislators from the state House of Assembly who are no longer in office.

He said, In my own view, I only see it as a message of hope to his already disgruntled supporters who he has for over the time made several promises to on what will become their fate in the state, which has never worked out.

We recall that he promised the former local government chairmen that their tenures would be elongated by six months, today they are no longer in office. The assembly people who he advised to cross the carpet to the APC have lost their seats.

So, it is just a message of hope so that it wont look as if theyve lost out completely. But it will be good if the security agencies prove that they mean well for the country, to step into such utterances and investigate anybody, somebody that has made such kind of utterances because its a direct affront to the security of Nigeria.

When you threaten state governors and you promise them that they will never sleep in their states, you promise them that they will never do governance again all they will face is crisis, its a serious issue, he said.

The Commissioner said as supporters of Governor Fubara, they will continue to salute his courage.

We respect his (Fubaras) demeanour and we are proud of him that hes been able to maintain his cool and calm nature. He has been able to display a high level of maturity and a rare virtue of leadership by not being allowed to be cajoled into plunging the state into unnecessary crisis.

On the claim by Wike that he was in control of the PDP structure in the state, Gbara added, In Rivers State, when they say being in charge, Governor Fubara is completely in charge, hes not struggling any structure with anybody. He has the majority of the supporters.

As for PDP, they already know who the leader is and they all know, we equally know that the congresses that have been held in Rivers State are all under litigation, of which at the appropriate time, the court of competent jurisdiction will take their decisions as to whether this exercises fit the legal term or not.

For us, we dont see it as an issue. Rivers people have moved with Governor Fubara and that is where we are. In the end, we know that he will carry the day. The structure of PDP will be given to the right person like it has always been in the state. This time around it will not be different, so we are not bothered at all.

While the PDP Governors Forum has yet to respond to Wikes statements officially, the situation continues to develop, with party leaders emphasizing their commitment to resolving the ongoing conflicts.
Some gunmen, suspected to be Boko Haram insurgents have attacked Mafa Village, close to Shekau, the home town of the late Boko haram leader Abubakar Shekau in Yobe state.

It was gathered that the culprits, stormed the village located in the Tarmuwa Local Government Area of the state, killing many with several houses burnt down.

INFORMATION NIGERIA learnt that the unfortunate incident happened on Sunday at around 4 pm when the residents were returning from their farms.

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Police spokesman, DSP, Dungus Abdulkarim, who confirmed the attack to newsmen on Monday, said that the information on the attack is still sketchy.

He said: We are yet to ascertain the number of lives lost in the incident, which occurred at about 4pm on Sunday in the remote village.

READ MORE: Panic As Gunmen Attack School, Kill Three Students In Yobe

Babagana Goni and Bako Ibrahim, both Mafa residents, reported the incident to the Tarmuwa Divisional Police Station.

 Suspected Boko Haram terrorists armed with rifles and RPGs attacked Mafa Ward on more than 50 motorcycles and set ablaze many shops and houses.

 The terrorists also killed many people, but we are yet to ascertain the actual number of the casualties.
Operatives of the Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission have arrested the education secretary and school headmaster for allegedly stealing properties at Gaidar Makada primary school in the Kumbotso Local Government Area.

The suspects, who were arrested over the weekend, were caught, dismantling and illegally selling of furniture and metals in the school premises.

Meanwhile, the Senior Special Reporter to the Kano State Governor on Anti-Corruption, Mallam Sani Umar Sani, who confirmed the arrest to newsmen on Sunday, said that some residents, who were conducting physical exercise early on Saturday, observed some movements and noise in the school.

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He said: One of the residents, who is a neighbour of the school, said that early on Saturday, he saw a man with some young boys heading towards the classrooms of the school but were accosted by the security guard and after a little explanation was allowed into the classrooms.

READ MORE: Mother, Two Children Escape Death In Kano Building Collapse

Thereafter, the resident said there was heavy noise from the classrooms, which informed his decision to take a closer look, only to discover that they were not only dismantling the school furniture but also assembling the metals.

He subsequently informed the School Based Management Committee Chairman, Mallam AbdulGafar Sanusi Garba, who said he was not aware of the action, while the Parent Teachers Association Chairman, Mallam Alkassim Muhammad, was also well notified.

The education secretary, when we contacted him, promised to look into the issue but we never heard anything from him.

With the development we observed this morning, we asked them why they were dismantling the school benches and other furniture, they said the items would be sold to people who are ready to buy them on the instruction of the school authority.

We promptly videoed the items and notified the state anti-corruption agency.
Former director-general of the Labour Party presidential campaign, Doyin Okupe, has said that his political relationship with Peter Obi, the partys 2023 candidate, ended after the supreme courts ruling on the election.

Okupe stated that he had agreement with Obi never to accept any appointment from him, if he eventually win the poll.

Recall that Mahmood Yakubu, the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, declared Bola Tinubu, candidate of the All Progressives Congress, winner of the 2023 presidential election.

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Tinubu secured a total of 8,794,726 votes to defeat Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) who polled 6,984,520 votes, while Obi came third with 6,101,533 votes.

Meanwhile, the former presidential spokesperson, on Sunday, in a statement shared via his X page, slammed Obis supporters, popularly known as Obidients, who were criticising him for backing the policies of the present administration.

According to him, those abusing and insulting him for supporting Tinubus economic recovery plan are ignorant, stressing that Nigerias project is bigger than that of any individual or political party.

He said: I supported Peter Obi out of a commitment to patriotism and nationalistic fervour, not because I dont know who I am in national politics or where I come from. I told Peter Obi, and we both agreed, that I would not hold any position in his government if he won. Obi is alive, kindly verify. If it is not true, let Obi publicly say that I am lying.

Obi and I left the PDP because we both agreed and believed that the next President must be a Southerner, preferably an Igbo man from the South-East. Unfortunately, we lost that election.

Another Southerner, Bola Tinubu, won the election. This is Gods will. He gives power to whom He wishes. My political commitment and agreement with Obi ended and expired there. I am too experienced in this game of politics for my subsequent political disposition and destiny to be tied to Obis ambition. Impossible.

For me, that cooperation ended with the Supreme Court judgment, right or wrong. There must be order in a society.

READ MORE: Hardship: By This Time Next Year, Nigeria Will Be Better  Doyin Okupe Assures

I was convinced in my heart that if the presidency was going to the South, then it must be an Igbo man from the South-East because I believe in equity and justice. You can also verify this with Papa Adebanjo. He is still alive. I did not support Obi because he was politically superior to me or because he was a friend or an associate.

My unalloyed support and commitment to Obi was based on principle. Throughout my period as a DG campaign, I used my own car and never received one naira from Obi as a salary.

It was a mutual friend who funded me personally throughout. This can be verified. In difficult times, I borrowed a substantial amount of money to ensure our zonal campaign in the South-West was a grand success. I was refunded by Peter Obi months later.

You (Obidients) all hailed, praised, and honoured me because, in your understanding, you believed I was just a foolish politician who left his comfort zone to come and help you fulfil your own agenda. You were all wrong.
A notorious terrorist kingpin and five members of his gang, have been neutralied by Special Forces of the Nigerian Airforce from the 413 Force Protection Group during a shootout on Saturday.

The Director of NAF Public Relations and Information, Air Vice Marshal Edward Gabkwet, led this out on Sunday, during a press briefing, adding that the criminals were on their way to attack and kidnapped innocent citizens in nearby communities.

He said: Following intelligence report received on 31 August 2024 that a known terrorist kingpin, Mustapha Abdullahi, and 5 members of his group were sighted near Sabon Gida Forest along Sabon Birni Road in Igabi Local Government Area (LGA), Kaduna State with likely intent to kidnap, harm or kill innocent civilians, a team of Special Forces from the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) 413 Force Protection Group was dispatched to comb the location.

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READ MORE: Many Terrorists Killed As NAF Attacks Forest In Kaduna

After making contact with the terrorists who were on motor cycles, on sighting the Special Forces, the terrorists immediately opened fire and were met with superior fire power by the troops, eliminating all the terrorists.

Items recovered from the terrorists included 5 den guns, locally fabricated sub-machine gun, and live ammunitions.

Others include assorted charms, lighters, sim cards and phone cases.

Efforts by the troops to rid Igabi, Birnin Gwari and environs of criminals and their activities remain ongoing.

Troops have also been commended and urged to intensify ongoing efforts to safeguard lives and properties.


The Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP) has expressed deep concern over living conditions faced by public sector retirees.

The Union revealed that some retirees still receive as little as N500 per month in pensions.

Alhassan Musa, Secretary of the Union in Kaduna State, described the situation as pathetic, highlighting that many retirees are living in precarious circumstances after years of dedicated service to the nation.

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The worst affected are pensioners in several Southern and oil-producing states, despite these regions receiving substantial allocations from the federation account, Musa said.

He noted that the situation in some Northern states and the Federal Capital is relatively better, with monthly pensions ranging from N3,500 to N18,000.

READ ALSO: FG Yet To Pay Our N25,000 Palliative Award  Pensioners

However, Musa pointed out that only Kaduna State has implemented a N30,000 minimum pension, a policy introduced in 2020 under former Governor Nasir El-Rufais administration.

Musa emphasized the unions call for a 50% pension increase to match the new N70,000 national minimum wage, noting that even under the Federal Government, some pensioners are still receiving just N10,000 per month.

We are hopeful that the Federal Government will ensure that no pensioner receives less than N70,000 monthly, he added, stressing that pensioners deserve the same benefits as active workers.

Musa also raised concerns about the plight of retirees under the contributory pension scheme (CPS), stating, Many who retired in the last decade are yet to receive their benefits. It is truly a distressing situation, not just in Kaduna but in other states and even at the federal level, where pensioners are suffering due to delayed remittances.
Femi Falana, popular human rights lawyer, has called for the swift investigation of the Premium Motor Spirit (petrol) alleged scam.

Falana made the call during Channels Televisions Sunday Politics programme, saying there is no better time to probe the fuel scam.

It is high time the importation scam was investigated. I am not talking of the joke that is going on in the National Assembly. The media must help civil society organisations to expose the fraud, he said.

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Reports that a $6 billion debt the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) owes petrol suppliers has worsened petrol scarcity in Nigeria.

NNPCL, on Sunday, finally admitted the companys significant debt to petrol suppliers, saying it posed a threat to the sustainability of fuel supply.

READ ALSO: FG Spends $600m On Fuel Importation Monthly  Finance Minister, Edun

Once the government begins to speak about affordability and sustainability in response to growing queues at filling stations, there are problems, Falana stated.

According to the Senior Advocate of Nigeria, there is no full disclosure on the part of the government on subsidy on petrol, adding that Nigeria cant spend $2.9bn to fix the refineries yet the dates for the resumption of production at the refineries have been constantly shifted.

The legal luminary threatened to sue those responsible for the fixing of state-owned refineries should they announce another postponement.

The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, IPMAN, had said the landing cost per litre of petrol has made it impossible for petrol marketers to import the essential commodity as was done by the NNPCL.
The Katsina State Government House in Katsina, has been gutted by fire on Monday morning.

INFORMATION NIGERIA reports that inferno, damaged the Mini Chamber attached to the Governors office.

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A source whose house is close to the Government House, identified as Alhaji Bashir, told PUNCH that the inferno started around 6 am.

READ MORE: Katsina Police Burst Suspected Notorious Gun Runners, Nab Three With Ammunition

He said: I saw a fire service truck rushing in. I was in my house as early as 6 am after prayers, a fire service truck rushed into the Government House, and I later learnt there was an inferno inside the red chamber where Governor Dikko used to host guests.

Meanwhile, the states Governor, Dikko Radda, has also set up a committee to investigate the fire outbreak recorded in a part of the Government House, also known as Muhammadu Buhari House.

In a statement released to the public on Monday, by the Director of Press to the Secretary to the State Government, Abdullahi Yaradua, said that the panel is tasked with, among other things, finding out the cause of the fire outbreak and the extent of the damage caused by the inferno.

The statement partly reads: The committee will also identify lapses (if) any that led to the incident, recommend ways to avert future occurrence, and give any other recommendation that is essential in the circumstances.

The committee was given the mandate to co-opt any person (s) that could help discharge its assignment and submit the report within a week.
A suspected drug trafficker named Saturday Gabriel, has been taken into custody, according to the Nasarawa State Police command.

The suspect was apprehended with 15 bags of dried leaves suspected to be Indian hemp after meticulous efforts by its valiant personnel in the area.

DSP Ramhan Nansel, the commands Police Public Relations Officer, confirmed this in a statement issued on Sunday in Lafia.

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He said, The Nasarawa State Police Command in its relentless drive to tame the excesses of criminals have on 31/8/2024 at about 1300hrs arrested one Saturday Gabriel M 43 years of Edo State while one other escaped.

Consequently, a Toyota Camry with registration number: Lagos KSF 843 FN and 15 bags of dry leaves suspected to be Indian hemp were recovered from the suspect as exhibit.

Nansel added that the arrest was made after a tip-off that a Toyota Camry with two occupants was spotted driving towards the Nasarawa Toto region and was reasonably suspected of harbouring criminals.

READ MORE: Fatal Accident On Lagos-Abeokuta Road Kills Two Children, Injures Seven Others

Acting based on the strength of the information, police personnel attached to the Toto Division were strategically deployed to be on the lookout for the suspects.

Consequently, the vehicle was intercepted at Gadabuke area of Toto LGA, Nasarawa state where the suspect was arrested and the exhibits were recovered.

According to the statement, the state Commissioner of Police, Umar Shehu Nadada, directed the Divisional Police Officer to send the case to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Lafia for further investigation and prosecution by the NDLEA.
Operatives of the Rivers state police command have arrested two sibling, identified as Honest, 20 years old and Okwukwe, for raping a 14-year-old girl, over the weekend, at Egi, in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area.

INFORMATION NIGERIA learnt that the victim was walking along a lonely path in the community to her uncles house when one of the suspects, Honest, connived with his other sibling and attacked her.

A community source who pleaded anonymity told PUNCH that several hours later, the girls mother, wondering why her daughter had not returned and went to her elder brothers house where the girl was going to, only to find out that she did not even get there.

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The source added that the woman raised alarm and started crying around the community and ran into a vigilante leading to the arrest of one of the suspects.

He said: It was then that the vigilant people started searching for the girl and saw that the brothers, after kidnapping her, took her to a house near a bush and took turns to rape her.

Speaking to newsmen over the incident on Sunday, a local security personnel in the area, Onuigba Chinonye, said that he had the report, when their patrol met a woman crying over the missing of her daughter.

Chinonye said: I was on patrol with some of my boys when we met one woman crying that since on Sunday evening (last Sunday) that her 14-year-old girl has not been seen till that Monday afternoon.

READ MORE: Rivers Police Nab Vigilante Commander With Human Skulls

I asked the woman which area? She directed us. We quickly began investigations. Through some good neighbours, we tried to find out where the little girl was.

When we went into the place, we saw two brothers, senior and junior raping the little girl of 14-year-old.

On the process of trying to arrest them, the senior one started proving stubborn. In the junior one run away, but we apprehended the senior one and handed him over to Egi Police Division in Obite on the same Monday.

My advice to other criminals that will want to behave this way, is that we will also send them to the same place we sent this person if they dont want to change.

If they change, the community will contain we and them. But if they dont want to change this community and Egi entirely will not contain OSPAC and the criminals.

When contacted, the spokesperson for the state Police Command, Grace Iringe-Koko, confirmed the incident, saying an investigation was ongoing.

Iringe-Koko said: He (suspect) is in our custody and will be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department.

The Commissioner of Police has ordered the Divisional Police Officer to ensure the arrest of the fleeing suspect for him to face the law.
By Xinhua Writer Wu Qiong BEIJING, Sept. 1 (Xinhua) -- Members of the U.S. business community have recently expressed optimism about the development prospects of the Chinese market, anticipating stable, improved bilateral relations, according to the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) on Friday. At the invitation of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the U.S.-China Business Council (USCBC), a Chinese business delegation led by Ren Hongbin, head of the CCPIT, visited the United States from July 27 to Aug. 1, CCPIT spokesperson Wang Linjie told a press conference. During the visit, the delegation exchanged views with government officials from the U.S. Department of Commerce and the Maryland state government, as well as business executives from nearly 30 U.S.-based companies, including Pfizer, Starbucks and Walmart, Wang said. "The number and level of U.S.-funded enterprises participating in the exchanges were unprecedented," she noted, adding that members of the U.S. business community expressed the hope that the business communities of the two countries would meet more often, communicate more frequently and cooperate more extensively. No matter how the international situation changes, the business communities of China and the United States have always been important maintainers of and contributors to the bilateral relationship, Wang said. She noted that the CCPIT is willing to work with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the USCBC and other U.S. counterpart organizations and enterprises to continue deepening cooperation, and to become a stabilizing force in the development of China-U.S. relations. The CCPIT said that it has recorded a total of 952 concerns from U.S. enterprises and institutions, promoting resolutions or effective responses to 730 of those items to date. It has also provided U.S. companies with one-stop, full-chain and personalized services in areas such as intellectual property and commercial legal services. Next, the organization will work with relevant authorities to continue addressing the legitimate concerns of foreign businesses, optimizing China's business environment and improving services to foreign businesses. It will continue expanding the coverage of the U.S.-China Commercial Match-Making Program, a trade promotion mechanism initiated by the CCPIT and the U.S. Department of Commerce, to effectively promote industrial exchange and cooperation between the two countries. The spokesperson also said that the U.S. consumption market has great potential and continues to be hugely attractive to China's foreign trade enterprises, noting that thousands of Chinese brands -- from the garment industry to the auto parts sector -- will participate in trade shows in the U.S. over the coming months. "There is vast room for and enormous potential in China-U.S. business cooperation, not only in bilateral fields but also in multilateral areas," she said. During the third meeting of the APEC Business Advisory Council this year, the CCPIT and U.S. business representatives promoted a joint China-U.S. proposal related to Asia-Pacific supply chain cooperation principles, she added. The proposal covers the Asia-Pacific business community's specific calls against "decoupling and breaking the chain," including demands for open cooperation and non-discrimination supply chain practices, demands for supply chain policies to comply with WTO rules, and demands for the avoidance of trade and investment distortions, according to the CCPIT.
Robyn Faye, an OB-GYN at Jefferson Abington Hospital, has been tapped by Jefferson Health to become codirector of its new menopause center, slated to open later this year.

Faye, a certified menopause practitioner, gave up obstetrics more than a decade ago to focus on menopause, sexual health and gender-affirming care. In 2015, she became only the second medical doctor in Pennsylvania to be certified as a sex counselor through the American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors and Therapists (AASECT).

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Faye said she decided to go back to school to become a sex counselor, studying at the University of Michigan, because many of her patients struggled with intimacy. I realized that I had nobody to ask questions of when it came to sexual health, Faye said.

Faye spoke to The Inquirer about the hormonal lava lamp within us, enjoying intimacy as we age, and the advice she once got from the late sex therapist Ruth Westheimer, Dr. Ruth.

This conversation has been edited for length and clarity.

Women with symptoms  hot flashes, night sweats, brain fog, mood swings and insomnia  will often complain about going through menopause, but thats not really accurate. Can you explain?

Menopause is when you dont have your period at all for 12 months. Menopause is only one year. So its a misnomer to say, Im in menopause. Most people will come into my office during perimenopause, which typically starts five to 10 years before menopause. Thats the transition time, which is that rocky time when your hormones are like a lava lamp. Theyre all over the place, and thats the worst time. The average age that perimenopause begins is 51 or 52, but people can start having symptoms even earlier.

What is hormone replacement therapy (HRT)?

We actually call it hormone therapy because we are not replacing the exact doses of hormones that you had when your ovaries were working at full capacity as a young woman. Hormone therapy is estrogen and progesterone. The estrogen that we use most commonly is estradiol, which is one of the estrogens that your ovaries used to produce. We use a natural progesterone called Prometrium, which is made from peanuts, unless someone has an allergy. We also use testosterone, a sex hormone that is produced by your ovaries and adrenal glands and drops off as we age. Initially, when we start hormone therapy, I dont start with all three  estrogen, progesterone, testosterone. I see how someone is doing symptomatically by just doing estrogen and progesterone. The primary reason for hormone therapy it is to help with vasomotor symptoms, like hot flashes and night sweats.

Do you recommend it? Some women worry about increased risk of breast cancer.

You have had estrogen your entire life. So what is the risk? Studies found one additional case of breast cancer for every 1,000 women treated per year, and three additional cases of breast cancer when you use it for five years. The risk is similar in terms of two glasses of alcohol a day and low physical activity. The truth of the matter is, the risk is very low. Absolutely, the bottom line, is that it makes perfect sense during the 10-year window that begins when someone starts having irregular periods. For quality of life, absolutely it is worth using.

Does it help with brain fog? How can you tell the difference between brain fog and dementia?

Hormone therapy is not recommended in order to prevent or decrease a decline in cognitive function. But if somebody is actually saying to me, Im having all these other symptoms, including brain fog, I have found there to be success in helping their symptoms. But if their only symptom is brain fog and theres a family history of dementia, I have more concern that there might be something else going on. I may try hormone therapy with them for a three-month time period, but if it doesnt get better, Im sending them off to a neurologist.

What do you recommend for women who suffer from vaginal dryness?

We talk about moisturizing, and we talk about lubricating. Once you go through menopause, you lose that natural ability to moisturize. We have over-the-counter moisturizers, and prescribed vaginal estrogen, which is the best because its also been found to decrease the risk of urinary tract infections (UTIs). Lubricants, which are totally different, can prevent painful intercourse. Lubricants should be either water-based or pH-balanced. Youve got to look at the label. I have to give them a whole lecture about it. I say to them, Whos buying your lubricants? and they go, Oh, my husband, and I go, Do you have them buying your bras? Yes, he went to chemistry class, but he doesnt know what the pH-balance of the vagina is. If he does, mazel tov, but most times he doesnt.

What do you think of the recent study showing toxic metals in tampons? Should women stop using them?

Im really curious about this. Most of my patients are using menstrual cups, so theyre not using tampons. Its really scary, but like with every study, there has to be more studies done. I may tell people to use tampons less, like maybe only on heavy days. I dont think straight-out Im going to say, Oh my God, everybody stop using tampons. It definitely needs more study before we start to panic.

You specialize in women in transition. Can you elaborate?

I see trans people in my office. I offer gender-diverse individuals hormone treatment. I prescribe sex hormones and provide gender-affirming care. Its medication for female-to-male hormone therapy. Theres different ways of doing it  I can prescribe an oral pill, an injectable, an implant or a patch. Not everyone has top and bottom surgery so they need to continue to be seen by a gynecologist even though they are now a male. I continue to perform breast exams and annual exams with Pap smears and order mammograms, when needed. We also discuss safe sex and contraception. I advocate for inclusive, thoughtful and affirming care for transgender patients. Patients need to be able to come in and ask questions and not feel that anybodys going to judge them.

Tell me about that time you jumped on a Zoom call with Dr. Ruth.

I had emailed her to ask her a question, and she was sweet enough to Zoom with me in May 2020. The question was something about sexual dysfunction and how to talk about sexual health with my older ladies. I have ladies in their 80s who come to me from The Villages in Florida (a 55+ community known for, ahem, romance). They come up every six months and theyre having the best sex ever. But one of them was having issues and she was a little bit more prudish than her friends. I figured, You know what? The best person to ask is Dr. Ruth. She was great and said talk to them like you talk to your 60- and 40-year-olds.
Unite Here Local 274 members and Aramark workers Randi Trent (left) and Samantha Spector look on as coworkers place their ballots in the ballot box during a strike authorization vote prior to Sunday's game at Citizens Bank Park between the Phillies and the Braves. Read more

They arrived hours before first pitch, ready to strike, and the Aramark food and retail workers who voted overwhelmingly Sunday to authorize a work stoppage at Citizens Bank Park said their demands for higher pay and better health care boiled down to a simple message.

The message is that were not accepting pennies no more, said Samantha Spector, 44, of Northeast Philadelphia, who works as a concessions bartender at the stadium. They need to bring their money to the table.

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While streaming in for the Phillies night game against the Braves, nearly 83% of Aramark employees working at Citizens Bank Park voted to go on strike amid contract negotiations, joining workers at Wells Fargo Center who held brief walkouts twice in April.

With no scheduled game or event at Lincoln Financial Field Sunday, the nearly 1,000 Aramark employees who work Eagles games will continue to vote throughout the week. Those tallies are expected by Friday, said Bethany Holmes, communications director for Unite Here Local 274, the union that represents the workers.

Holmes would not disclose how many votes were cast at Citizens Bank Park Sunday, but she said the union represents about 800 workers there, where a strike watch now starts.

The negotiating committee could call for a strike at any time, she said.

The employees are calling on Aramark to provide family-sustaining wages and health-care coverage for members.

We remain committed to bargaining in good faith to reach a settlement that works for all parties, said Debbie Albert, a senior vice president at Aramark, in a statement Sunday. Unfortunately, the union and its members voted tonight for a strike at Citizens Bank Park. We have contingency plans in place to ensure our services are not interrupted and that the fan experience remains strong.

Last year, the international food services company, with nearly 300,000 employees and operations in more than 20 countries, reported nearly $19 billion in revenue. According to the union, despite the companys success, many full-time stadium staffers still dont receive health-care coverage from Aramark.

The hardship is that I cant go to the doctor, said Spector, who also works at the Linc and Wells Fargo Center, and serves as the lead union shop steward. I cant take care of myself. I work all three buildings, I should have access to health care.

Sundays strike vote follows the unions decision in July to reject Aramarks most recent contract proposal for food service workers at the Linc and Citizens Bank Park: an annual raise of 50 cents. That amounts to about 10 cents per year more than the last proposal, according to union officials.

Aramarks latest offer is a slap in the face, said Tiffani Davis, a concessions worker at Citizens Bank Park, after Aramarks latest proposal. We work hard to make game days enjoyable for fans, yet were struggling to make ends meet. A 10-cent raise is not enough to cover the rising cost of living or provide for our families. We deserve better.

On Sunday, Davis, 32, of Olney, greeted the long line of voters that stretched down Darian Street. She works two other jobs to pay her bills and care for her grandfather who is ailing with cancer, she said. Many workers did not want to talk to reporters out of fear for their job, she said.

Some people dont have a voice, but they are struggling to get by, she said. What can we do with 10 cents?

Food service workers in South Philly make lower wages than their counterparts in other cities. According to the stadium workers union, food service utility workers at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C., and United Center in Chicago make $21.50 to $21.55 per hour. Hourly pay for those roles at Citizens Bank Park and Lincoln Financial Field is $17.50, said a spokesperson for the union.

Additionally, employees at Chicagos United Center and Wrigley Field receive free, year-round health insurance if they work a minimum of 910 hours, said the union. Many employees, who work year-round and more than 40 hours per week at Citizens Bank Park and Lincoln Financial Field, dont receive health insurance and must rely on government assistance or go uninsured, according to the union.

Before Aramarks latest proposal, stadium union members held a civil disobedience protest in June outside Aramarks Philadelphia headquarters at 2400 Market St. in Center City, disrupting rush-hour traffic. At least 45 participants were arrested.

About 400 employees at Wells Fargo Center, seeking similar wage increases and health-care coverage as other stadiums staff, already went on strike twice in April after the company offered a 25-cent raise.

On top of wage increases and health-care coverage, Aramark Unite Here workers are looking for the same contract across all South Philadelphia stadiums and arenas.

Despite having identical job responsibilities at Citizens Bank Park, Lincoln Financial Field, and Wells Fargo Center and working for the same employer, Aramark employees work under separate contracts and wage rates for each venue, according to the union.

Kathy Hazel, 65, of Broomall, who has worked at Lincoln Financial Field for 24 years and is serving as a member of the unions negotiating team, said workers want Aramark to count their combined hours so they can be eligible for health care.

They are an $18 billion corporation headquartered here in Philadelphia, and they have an opportunity to make these good jobs for the workers in Philadelphia, she said.
A park ranger was stabbed during a scuffle with a man at 18th and Walnut Streets in Rittenhouse Square Sunday around 4:15 p.m. Read more

A Philadelphia park ranger was among four people stabbed in three incidents in less than 12 hours throughout the city Sunday, police said.

The park ranger, a 40-year-old man, was stabbed in the head and near his right eye during a scuffle with a man at 18th and Walnut Streets in Rittenhouse Square at 4:18 p.m., police said. A weapon was recovered and an arrest was made, though police provided no additional details.

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The ranger was reported in stable condition at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital.

Shortly before that stabbing, two men, ages 27 and 63, were stabbed in an arm and the head, respectively, while inside a deli on the 2700 block of Kensington Avenue in Kensington just after 4 p.m., police said.

Both were taken by police to Temple University Hospital, where they were reported in stable condition.

No arrests had been made.

And around 4:45 a.m. Sunday, a 41-year-old woman walked into Temple Hospital with two stab wounds to her right upper back, police said. She was reported in stable condition.

Police had not determined where that stabbing occurred and had not recovered any weapons or made any arrests.
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Postal Code
streamline the coverage process;

reduce administrative burdens; and

facilitate a smoother claims experience.

BIA issued this advice amid an increase in claims related to employment practices liability and Australian Taxation Office investigations, prompting the insurer to call for accurate business descriptions in PI policies and timely notification of potential claims. It also urges brokers to ensure their clients have appropriate coverage.
Jallet, who holds a degree from the ENSAE school of economics, statistics, and finance, along with a postgraduate diploma in Probability from the University of Paris VI, previously served as head of investment for CCR for five years. In that role, he was also responsible for overseeing CCR Res investments.
Florida authorities in August arrested a well-known southwest Florida insurance agent, charging him with larceny and embezzlement of premiums.

Reid McDaniel, 33, who was named the honorary mayor of North Fort Myers last year but who also was facing a negligence lawsuit from a policyholder and a sexual assault complaint from an employee, was accused of embezzlement amounting to more than $20,000 and less than $100,000, the arrest record shows.

The Florida Department of Financial Services said the charges stemmed from a complaint filed by a business owner who said he had paid McDaniel Insurance Solutions more than $22,900 in premiums for two commercial insurance policies last fall. But the carriers canceled the policies for non-payment.

A telephone number for McDaniel was not in service. NBC2 TV news in Fort Myers reported that McDaniels office space on Hancock Bridge Parkway was recently taken over by the business next to it, a roofing company, and the McDaniel Insurance Solutions sign out front was removed.

McDaniel had been featured in several local TV news reports in recent months, speaking about Florida property insurance issues.

The DFS license page shows that McDaniel held a valid general lines/property and casualty agents license, a life and health agent license, and an adjusters license. He holds active appointments with 38 national and Florida-admitted property insurance carriers, including some of the largest companies in the industry.

McDaniel was reportedly well known in the community, even though he had been there only a few years. In early 2023, he was named mayor of North Fort Myers after he raised more than $8,500 for the local Chamber.

Trouble may have been brewing for some time. Last December, an elderly policyholder won a judgment of $198,543 against McDaniel in Lee County Circuit Court. The woman had filed suit after Hurricane Ian slammed the area in 2022. She charged that she had paid more than $2,200 in premiums for a mobile home policy with Lloyds of London, but McDaniel never secured the coverage.

When the home was decimated by the storm, the homeowner discovered she had no coverage.

Topics Lawsuits Florida Agencies
Fourteen percent of insurance companies plan to reduce employee headcounts in the next year, according to numbers from Aon and The Jacobson Groups latest insurance labor market study.

Jeff Rieder, partner at Aon and head of STG Performance Benchmarking, said this carrier reduction number has increased significantly since the initial pandemic recovery. The percentage of companies planning reductions peaked in July 2020, but were almost back to that type of level, he said.

Greg Jacobson, CEO of The Jacobson Group, explained that the majority of companies that decreased their staff sizes by more than 5% in the past 12 months had exposure to personal lines. Taking a step back, half of companies that reduced staff at all had exposure to personal lines.

I think that personal lines is driving a lot of  or maybe most of any of the reductions in staff, he said. Were still seeing pretty steady hiring in commercial lines, and, in fact, maybe more hiring than anticipated in the life and health side of the business.

Aon and The Jacobson Group have conducted the biannual labor market study for 15 years.

The study analyzes current and future labor trends for the insurance industry. The latest survey covered about 293,000 employees that work for insurance companies  a little more than 18% of the total industry. Eighty-three percent of participants work in the property/casualty insurance sphere.

The latest release of the study found that while 79% of insurance companies expect to grow their revenues, just 52% of companies plan to increase staff, and 34% plan to maintain current staffing levels.

Automation is the most common reason that companies plan to reduce headcounts during the next 12 months, the study reported, followed by areas being overstaffed. Many companies are rebalancing portfolios, Rieder explained, and many multi-line P/C companies have pulled back on personal lines operations.

As companies rebalance their portfolios, theyre finding that they may not need the claims policy processing customer service type positions to support declining business. Human resources, finance, information technology are other areas that Rieder said can be consolidated as carriers see more efficiency coming through their business.

Still, both Rieder and Jacobson dont see the expected reductions tanking the industrywide employment count. Rieder said he thinks many employees in displaced positions will find jobs at other insurance companies. Some may leave for other industries, he said, but he believes many positions will, particularly if they are related to claims or underwriting or any type of distribution-focused position, will stay in the industry.

The total number of employees working for insurance companies in the U.S. stands at a little more than 1.6 million. Aon and The Jacobson Group predicted that carrier job growth would flatten in their early 2024 report, and I think thats pretty much what were seeing, Jacobson said.

Zooming out beyond carriers and to a total industry view that includes distribution, however, reveals a different story. In the past year, the industry has added nearly 42,000 jobs, Jacobson said, to reach a total employment headcount of 3.025 million. This is the first year that the number has passed the three million mark.

Insurance carrier employment is kind of steadying out, but were not seeing a slowdown in the total growth of the industry overall, Jacobson said.

Other Notable Numbers

Sixty-four percent of small insurance companies plan to add staff during the next year. This is 12 points and 23 points higher than medium and large companies, respectively.

Seventy-nine percent of carriers expect to grow their revenue during the next 12 months. This is two points higher than what was reported in the previous version of the survey, recorded in January.

During the next six months, 72% of companies expect most employees to work a hybrid schedule. Six percent expect to require more in-office work after the next six months. Currently, 4% of carriers require daily in-office work.

Underwriting, claims and technology roles are expected to have the greatest growth during the next 12 months.

Actuarial, executive and analytics positions were reported to be the most difficult to fill.

As more than half of insurers plan to hire in the next year, industry turnover has slightly slowed. The Jacobson Group and Aon report that recruiting is likely to remain relatively difficult throughout the remainder of the year and into 2025.

Topics Carriers
A Skagit County was fined nearly $330,000 for exposing workers to crystalline silica dust from cutting, grinding and polishing stone countertops.

The Washington State Department of Labor & Industries cited and fined A+ Marble & Granite LLC in July after inspectors reportedly found the company had done little to fix safety problems it had been cited for in April 2022.

Crystalline silica is a common mineral found in construction materials like sand, stone, quartz, marble and granite. Small silica dust particles can travel deep into workers lungs and cause health problems.

L&I made three site visits in February and March, and inspectors obtained a warrant from Skagit County Superior Court allowing them to enter the business to conduct sampling of silica levels.

The business owner admitted to inspectors that no changes had been made to correct violations found in the 2022 inspection. L&I reportedly photographed workers using the same polishing equipment and process as before, leading to silica overexposure.

L&I found 10 instances of failure to abate existing issues, along with more than a dozen serious and repeat violations. A violation is classified as serious when it is likely to result in the injury or death of a worker.

As a result, inspectors fined the company $329,880. The company has filed an appeal.

Topics Washington Contractors
The city of Los Angeles will pay $38.2 million to settle a 2017 lawsuit after falsely stating on federal documents that its multifamily affordable housing units built with federal funds were accessible for people with disabilities.

The complaint was filed by the U.S. Department of Justice on behalf of a Los Angeles resident, Mei Ling, who uses a wheelchair and the Fair Housing Council of San Fernando Valley, a disability rights advocacy group. Their share of the settlement has not been determined.

Ling, 57, has used a wheelchair since January 2006 and has either been homeless or in housing without the accessibility features, the lawsuit said.

It alleged that the city of LA did not make its multifamily affordable housing options accessible to those with disabilities for at least six years. Some issues were slopes that were too steep, counters that were too high, and entryways that did not permit wheelchair access, officials said.

The lawsuit also stated the city failed to maintain a publicly available list of accessible units and their accessibility features, and that it knowingly and falsely certified to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development that it complied with these requirements. By doing so, it violated the False Claims Act, the lawsuit said.

The City denies that it violated the False Claims Act, LA city attorney Hydee Feldstein Soto said in an emailed statement. Nonetheless, we are pleased to have reached this $38.2 million settlement, particularly in light of the federal governments initial claim that it was entitled to well over $1 billion in alleged damages.

When the Housing and Urban Development department provides grant funds to local governments to build and rehabilitate affordable multifamily housing units, they must comply with federal accessibility laws, officials said. This includes a mandate that 5% of all units in certain types of federally assisted housing be accessible for people with mobility impairments, and another 2% be accessible for people with visual and auditory impairments.

They also must maintain a publicly available list of accessible units with a description of their accessibility features, among other housing-related accessibility requirements.

In the six years prior to the lawsuit filing in 2017, LA received nearly a billion dollars in various funds from the federal housing agency that went toward at least 28 multifamily housing projects, according to the plaintiffs. None of them contained the minimum number of accessible units required by law.

Meanwhile, the city caused HUD and the public to believe that it was in compliance with all federal obligations relating to the receipt of federal housing and community development funds, the lawsuit said.

Copyright 2024 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Frankie, by Graham Norton (September 5)

When a young Irish carer arrives at her flat, Frankie shares her past, including her story of travelling from post-war Ireland to 1960s New York. Graham Norton will be signing copies of his new book in Eason Patrick Street on September 6. Tickets are 16.99 from easons.com and include a copy of Frankie.

Playing Dead, by Robert Sheehan (September 5)

Actor Robert Sheehan shares intimate reflections on his search for purpose, looking back at the adventures  and misadventures  of his life so far, and sharing the profoundly transformative lessons he has learnt along the way and the role meditation has played.

Atlas of Irish Civil War, by Cork University Press (September 12)

Atlas of the Irish Civil War

This new volume in the award-winning Atlas Series presents fresh perspectives on and a nuanced understanding of the history of the Irish Civil War (19223).

What A Way to Go, by Bella Mackie (September 12)

When wealthy Anthony Wistern dies, each family member  suddenly poised to inherit his fortune  falls under suspicion and everything comes crashing down. From the bestselling author of How to Kill Your Family.

We Solve Murders, by Richard Osman (September 12)

The first book in a brand-new series from the author of The Thursday Murder Club sees Amy Wheeler and her retired father-in-law Steve on a breakneck race around the world when a killer sets his sights on Amy.

The Irish Words You Should Know, by Hector O hEochagain (September 19)

Hector O hEochagain tells the stories about Irish words to give a new perspective on the land, the weather, relationships, feelings, and even the body. It aims to have you speaking the cupla focail with confidence while reminding you of the fun and magic in the language that is our inheritance.

Tell Me Everything, by Elizabeth Strout (September 19)

Tell Me Everything revisits some of Strouts beloved characters. Town lawyer Bob Burgess has forged a friendship with the acclaimed writer, Lucy Barton. Lucy, meanwhile, is finally introduced to the iconic Olive Kitteridge, now living in a retirement community on the edge of town. Together, they spend afternoons in Olive's apartment, telling each other stories.

Intermezzo, by Sally Rooney (September 24)

Sally Rooney. (Photo by Erik Voake/Getty Images for Hulu)

In the wake of their fathers death, brothers Peter and Ivan struggle with grief, love and family. For the grieving brothers, this period of desire, despair and possibility is also a chance to find out how much one life might hold inside itself without breaking.

The Dagger and the Flame, by Catherine Doyle (September 26)

In the dark underbelly of a beautiful city, two rival assassins are pitted against each other in a deadly game of revenge, where the most dangerous mistake of all is falling in love.

Simply Jamie, by Jamie Oliver (September 26)

Full of delicious, tried and tested recipes that will slot right into your week, from 20-minute dishes and cupboard rescues to weekend wins that create smart leftover ideas.
Dermot Bannons Super Spaces, RTE One, Weds, Sept 4

The celebrity architect eschews the renovation projects of his regular series and instead visits various impressive buildings and other spaces around Ireland. Episode one includes a little escape house perched on 57 stilts on a Connemara farm, and also has the presenter working out at the new International Rugby Experience in Limerick.

Slow Horses, Apple TV+, Sept 4

It mightnt get the amount of viewers it deserves, but there are a hardcore of Irish fans eagerly awaiting the fourth series of Gary Oldmans spy thriller. Kristin Scott Thomas is also in the cast, and if you are tempted to jump aboard at this stage, its worth going back to the very start, and bingeing the previous 18 episodes.

The Perfect Couple, Netflix, Sept 5

Nicole Kidman is backed up by Irish duo Eve Hewson and Jack Reynor in this six-part murder mystery.

Liev Schreiber as Tag Winbury, Nicole Kidman as Greer Winbury in episode 101 of The Perfect Couple

The series set in that familiar milieu of a rich family in Nantucket. Theyre preparing for a lavish wedding but plans go askew with the discovery of a body in the water.

Apollo 13: Survival, Netflix, September 5

Gripping documentary on the incredible tale of the spacecraft that nearly didnt make it back to Earth. In 1970, three American astronauts were half way to the moon when their spacecraft was rocked by an explosion.

Apollo 13: Survival

NASA had a just a small window of a few hours to avert disaster as the oxygen and power would soon run out. Peter Middleton uses original audio recordings and film footage, as well as interviews with the crew and Ground Control to explain what happened on that terrifying night.

Trump v Harris, Sept 10, Channel 4

Ireland seems to have an even bigger than usual interest in US politics at the moment, and theres little doubt that the first of the US presidential debates between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris will provide engaging viewing for those willing to stay up past 1.30am. And some scary insights.

Great Irish Interiors, RTE One, Sept 12

The new series on historical interior restorations kicks off in Fota House, Co Cork.

Fota House

A grandchild of the last resident of the Great Island pile recalls lovely memories of his stays there, and the restoration team work on such projects as dealing with dry rot and replacing the roof.

A Very Royal Scandal, Amazon Prime Video, Sept 19

Its the interview that keeps on giving. Weve already had the film Scoop about Britains Prince Andrews infamous chat with Emily Matlis on BBC Newsnight in 2014.

A Very Royal Scandal

Amazon are going for a three-part miniseries, with Michael Sheen as the royal denier, and Ruth Wilson as the skilled interviewer.

Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story, Netflix, Sept 19

The second instalment of the true-crime series (Dahmer was the first) looks at the story of the brothers convicted of killing their parents in Beverly Hills in 1989. They claimed it was to protect themselves from violence and sexual abuse; the prosecution said the motive was to inherit their parents wealth. A decent cast includes Javier Bardem and Chloe Sevigny.

The Penguin, Sky Atlantic/NOW, September 20

Colin Farrell is back for a series in which he reprises a role he played in The Batman movie in 2022.

Colin Farrell in The Penguin

Set soon after the events of that film, we watch the disfigured and disgruntled characters rise to power in the Gotham City underworld.

Idir Dha Bhaile, TG4, Sept 25

As the war in Ukraine shows no sign of abating, many of the people who fled that beleaguered country face some difficult choices. This documentary focuses on a family in Ireland whove been trying to rebuild their lives, all the while torn between the safety of Cork, and the love of their homeland.
British TV presenter Kirstie Allsopp caused quite a stir recently when she posted on social media that her 15-year-old son was interrailing around Europe without adult supervision. The local social safeguarding services subsequently contacted her, informing her that a file had been opened due to concerns about her son. This story has sparked a broader debate about how much freedom teenagers should be afforded. Some believe Allsopp has the right approach and that modern-day teens are molly-coddled and over-parented, while others view her approach as reckless and unsafe.

So, how much independence should our teenagers be allowed to have? To begin with, we cannot describe all teenagers as a homogeneous group. The developmental gap between a 13-year-old and a 19-year-old needs to be acknowledged. However, my rule of thumb is that all teenagers should have as much independence as they can safely manage.

There needs to be a trajectory of independence that ensures the teenager moves through the ranks towards self-sufficiency. I like the term surmountable stress, which refers to putting a person under enough pressure and stress to move outside their comfort zone. However, these challenges need to be achievable and safe to be effective. Overwhelming a child or teen has no value; it will only lead to feelings of failure or unwanted consequences.

Allowing a child to be independent is difficult. A 2019 study at the University of Michigan titled Failure to Launch found that a quarter of parents admit to impeding their teens independence, saying its just quicker and less hassle to do things themselves or they dont think about ways to give teens more responsibility. According to neuropsychologists William Stixrud and Ned Johnson, authors of The Self-Driven Child, these are serious parenting errors because if we want our children to grow up with a sense of agency and control, we need to hand over the decision-making reins to our teens before its too late.

Several factors must be considered when deciding how much independence you give your teenager. These include their maturity level, previous behaviour, and the specific circumstances in which they will be tested. Like all parenting decisions, they need to be considered case-by-case, especially regarding independence and autonomy. Remember, you need to meet a young person where they are, not where you want them to be. So, in the case of a child who has not been allowed to make autonomous decisions, catapulting them into a task involving complex independent decisions is destined to fail. However, if a young person has a proven track record of making mature decisions, assigning them more elaborate or challenging tasks is reasonable.

Individual maturity varies widely in teenagers. Some have had multiple opportunities for independence, so they exude a maturity well beyond their years. Then, others on the cusp of adulthood appear not to have had a chance to develop skills to prepare them for that transition. However, building maturity is a slow process that needs small additions over time, not dramatic gestures that young people feel unprepared for. Interestingly, order of birth and family size can play a role in this process. In my experience, younger children of larger families tend to be exposed to more life experiences, allowing them to build maturity, than older children from smaller families.

Measures of maturity

Along with assessing levels of independence individually, general guidelines and principles can help parents determine the right level for their teenager.

The first is emotional maturity. Teenagers who demonstrate a good understanding of their emotions and can manage them effectively may be ready for more independence than teenagers who struggle in this developmental area. You can measure emotional maturity by observing how a teenager handles stress, disappointment, and conflict. Maturity is often measured more by our reaction to adverse or challenging events than by avoiding them.

It is also informative to observe how your teenager handles responsibility. If they consistently meet their responsibilities, such as completing homework, doing chores, and following family rules, they may be ready for more freedom and independence than a child who avoids or struggles to own their responsibilities.

However, the most critical metric for assessing your childs independence level is their capacity to make good decisions, which involves several subtle but essential skills. The main attributes of good decision-makers include critical thinking and problem-solving. Teens who can make thoughtful decisions, weigh the consequences of their actions, and consider the perspective of others are often ready for more independence. If they can navigate challenges and solve problems without always needing to rely on adults, this is also a sign that they may be able to handle more freedom.

Kirstie Allsopp attending the world premiere of Minions at the Odeon Leicester Square, London.

One of the most underestimated qualities we overlook when considering a teenagers readiness for independence is honesty. Trust is fundamental to empowering a child to make decisions. Teenagers who are honest and open with their parents are typically granted more autonomy, and further trust can be built through consistent communication and reliability. Honesty is one of the most challenging principles to communicate to teenagers. I have suggested to many clients over the years that if they told their parents more about what they were doing and where they were going, they would possibly get more freedom. Still, it is a piece of advice many struggle to believe.

If a parent asks a teenager where they are going, and the teen replies with something vague like I am going out, they are more likely to be treated with suspicion and given less freedom by their parents than the teen who replies, I am going to Jacks house, there will be a few of us there. I will be back by 10pm, and I will text you when I am leaving. The detailed response will likely lead to more freedom, but this advice is often ignored by teens who believe they are in a battle of control with their parents, so they dont want to give them information as they think that would be letting them win.

Parents must also encourage open communication with their teens. This dialogue can help parents gauge their readiness for more autonomy and guide them in decision-making. Still, parents who adopt an interrogative or conflict-based communication style will create a shut-down dynamic where the teenager is reluctant to share any details of their lives outside of the home for fear of judgement or criticism from their parents, often relating to their choice of peers.

Peer group assessment

Pic: iStock

Understanding the influence of teenage peers is crucial. Teens should be able to make their own decisions rather than just following their friends. This independence of thought is a vital indicator of readiness for more autonomy. Teenagers who can set clear boundaries and appear to choose friends wisely are likely to make good social choices. The assessment of their peer group often greatly influences a parents decision to offer more independence. If sensible peers surround your child, you are far more likely to afford them more freedom than if you believe they are hanging around with an unsavoury group, which could lead to more unsafe activities if not supervised.

This brings me to the most salient aspect of teen independence: safety. Ideally, teenagers should have the autonomy to explore the world around them, but within limits. Deciding how safe or unsafe something can be is a lottery and outside our control. On some occasions, interrailing around Europe might pass off without any incidents that compromise a teenagers safety, yet walking to a nearby shop could result in them being attacked and injured. We do not know what experiences are safe or unsafe, so it typically comes down to an amateur risk assessment of the potential experience.

Given the worlds random and uncontrollable nature, supporting a teenagers independence is mostly a trial and error process. Parents should focus on incremental independence or gradual increases in their childs freedom, allowing them to prove they can handle responsibility. Starting with minor, less risky liberties, you can slowly build up privileges as they demonstrate trustworthiness.

The most challenging part of this parenting process is allowing your teenage child to experience the natural consequences of their actions. While complicated for a parent, it is crucial for learning. Independence should come with the understanding that mistakes are essential opportunities for growth. Maturity is not developed by never experiencing adversity; it emerges from our ability to react and respond to adversity.

The quintessentially Irish concept of cop on is one I value hugelyI even wrote a book on the topic some years ago. Cop on is our ability to react proportionately to events in our lives. It involves not sweating the small stuff or ignoring or underestimating the big stuff. But if we want our children to have cop on, we need to allow them to gain independence.

However, they still need guidance. Contrary to popular belief, developing maturity is not about thrusting children into adult environments or getting them to walk miles to school. It is about continuing to provide support, offering advice, and being available when needed while encouraging their independence and responsibility.

Our ultimate goal as parents is to prepare our children for adulthood. But keep in mind that the current teenage population suffered the disruption of a global pandemic, which led to fewer opportunities to practice the skills needed for independence. There needs to be an awareness of these dynamics, which may require a more supportive approach to independence building than previous generations. Building maturity and independence may require more patience, scaffolding, and support than we previously thought.

Dr Colman Noctor is a child psychotherapist
Two ships purchased from New Zealand at a cost of 26m will finally be commissioned by the Naval Service on Wednesday, nearly 16 months after they arrived at the navys headquarters at Haulbowline in Cork harbour.

The two ships, formerly known as HMNZS Rotoiti and HMNZS Pukaki, were used by the New Zealand navy from 2009 to 2019 and they will replace the since scrapped Naval Service inshore patrol vessels LE Orla and LE Ciara.

LE Aoibhinn and LE Gobnait, as the ships are now known, are P70-class vessels. As they are much smaller than the P60-type ships such as LE George Bernard Shaw and LE James Joyce, they only need a crew of about 20-24 to operate them. That is about half of what the P60 class vessels require.

Commander Tony O'Leary, Tanaiste and Defence Minister Micheal Martin, Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces Lieutenant General Sean Clancy, and secretary general at the Department of Defence Jacqui McCrum on board one of the inshore patrol vessels in May 2023.

Their area of operations will be in the Irish Sea on the east and southeast coasts as they are too small to operate in Atlantic weather conditions.

The Department of Defence wants them to carry out fishery patrols and customs checks in the Irish Sea, primarily as a result of Britain having left the European Union.

LE Aoibhinn and LE Gobnait are 55m-long, weigh about 340 tonnes each and have a top speed of about 25 knots per hour (46km).

No decision had yet been made on where the ships will be based along the east coast. It is expected LE Aoibhinn will become fully operational before the end of this year but LE Gobnait is unlikely to be on patrol until 2025.

The Irish Examiner understands about 250 invitations have been issued by the Department of Defence to guests to attend the commissioning ceremony, which will take place from 3pm-5pm on Wednesday.

It is expected to be attended by Tanaiste and Defence Minister Micheal Martin, Defence Forces Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Sean Clancy and Jacqui McCrumm, who is secretary general at the Department of Defence.

Invitations have been issued to a number of other dignitaries including the Lord Mayor of Cork Cllr Dan Boyle and the Mayor of County Cork Cllr Joe Carroll.
The HSEs handling of a request for hospital records by the family of a woman who died after giving birth in Cork in June has been described as inadequate and inappropriate by the familys solicitor.

Stephy Scaria of Abbeyfeale in Limerick died on June 21, after giving birth to her son via Caesarean section at Cork University Maternity Hospital.

On July 16, solicitor Conor Murphy, acting on behalf of her grieving husband Baiju, sought all records and notes relating to Stephy from CUMH through the Freedom of Information Act.

He received a response from the hospital on July 19, acknowledging receipt of the request and advising that a decision was due on the request on August 16. The reply outlined that as standard for requests under the FOI Act that in certain circumstances, a final decision may take longer than 4 weeks.

The reply added: If this occurs in relation to your request, we will promptly advise you in writing.

However, Mr Murphy said that decision was received by August 16, and he was not informed formally of a need to extend the deadline. He received a response to an email he sent on August 23, asking why the information had not been provided.

A response on August 26, seen by the Irish Examiner, stated: Apologies for the delay. Unfortunately Freedom of Information office has received high volumes of request and It has a large backlog. We will send your records as soon as possible. Thanks for your Patience.

No date was given for when a decision is expected.

Mr Murphy said the delay is adding to the distress of her husband and family.

He said: I appreciate that there may be a backlog, and Im not asking for special treatment or that they drop everything else to prioritise our request. Everyones request for information is very important to them.

"But I would have thought that the profoundly tragic circumstances of this case would see the file produced by now, or at the very least a more comprehensive answer be provided than some generic apologies... large backlog... thank you for your patience.

"A wife and mother has died, the content and tone of their responses are inadequate and inappropriate.

In response, a spokesman for the South/South West Hospital Group said the CUMH cannot comment on individual cases.

But he said: CUMH can confirm that there is currently a backlog relating to queries at FOI Department.

"Staff are making every effort to clear the backlog while at the same time continue to manage incoming FOI requests.

"There are 2.5 whole time equivalents (WTE) staff working at FOI department, which is the full complement of allocated staff.
The investigative file in the cases against 10 men accused of conspiring to import drugs into Ireland arising out of a major international investigation has been sent to the DPP in compliance with a legal deadline.

Detective Sergeant Michael Lyons was present in Cork District Court on Monday where one of the 10 accused men appeared by video link from prison on a conspiracy charge. Det. Sgt Lyons previously gave evidence on how the investigation had been progressing.

Sergeant Gearoid Davis told Judge Mary Dorgan: The file has gone to the DPP on August 30. Anuar Rahui of Calle Jaen, Marbella, Malaga, Spain, was represented in court by Frank Buttimer who explained to the accused through a Spanish interpreter the significance of the file going to the Director of Public Prosecutions.

The police file has now been sent to the DPP  the public prosecutor. That means the police have made the deadline on what was required to be done. The prosecutor must now consider the investigation file and give a direction to the judge as to what is to happen to this case.

They must obey the obligation to deal with the matter as rapidly as possible. Realistically, that may take some weeks. I recommend that there would be consent (by the defendant) to a four-week adjournment so that consideration could be given by the prosecution, Mr Buttimer said.

Through the interpreter, Mr Rahui said he would follow whatever his solicitor recommended.

Judge Dorgan remanded him in custody until September 30 and said: Obviously, this is a complex investigation and it is good to hear the file has now gone to the DPP.

The defendant is one of 10 men charged with the same offence. Some co-accused are due to appear on other dates at Cork District Court, others are before different courts in County Cork. One of the 10 is on bail and all of the others are in custody on the charge.

Each of the defendants is accused of conspiring with nine others to import drugs.

Through an interpreter, Anuar Rahui said he would follow whatever his solicitor recommended. Picture: Chani Anderson

The charge in each case states: That you (defendants name) on dates between February 27 and March 14, both dates inclusive, within the state, did conspire with one or more persons, namely (nine other names) to do an act in the state that constitutes a serious offence, namely the importation of controlled drugs in excess of 13,000, an offence contrary of Section 15B (1) of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1977 as amended and contrary to Section 71 (1) (a) (4) of the Criminal Justice Act 2006 as amended by Section 4 (b) of the Criminal Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions ) Act 2023.

Det. Sgt Lyons said previously that there had been more than 175 interviews with the prisoners involving 62 members in charge and 48 interviewing members of An Garda Siochana, 350-plus statements have been taken, 310-plus lines of enquiry were being followed, more than 700 exhibits were seized and 50-plus electronic devices are being forensically analysed.

Numerous enquiries undertaken with Europol and Interpol and case conferences have taken place with British, Spanish and Danish police forces, as well as enquiries conducted in South America and North America.
A four-month jail term was imposed on a 25-year-old man who was granted bail on a charge of driving while disqualified but failed to turn up in court on the required date.

Cillian Wolfe of The Fairways, Little Island, County Cork, was arrested by Garda Michael Abernethy on June 22 and charged with driving a Ford Fiesta at Ballytrasna, Little Island, on that date when he was a disqualified driver and consequently uninsured.
A 53-year-old man who admitted charges arising out of the purchase of 2,400 worth of cannabis said he was still smoking the drug but the sentencing judge told him it was time "to grasp the nettle".

Once Mark Tierney, of Evergreen Street, Cork, pleaded guilty to the charges of having cannabis for his own use and having the drug for the purpose of sale or otherwise supplying it, Judge John King said: Before we go any further is he still using cannabis?
Evangelical Christian teacher Enoch Burke has been jailed for the third time over his refusal to comply with a court order and stay away and not trespass at Wilson's Hospital School in Co Westmeath.

Mr Burke was sent back to Mountjoy Prison by Mr Justice Michael Quinn, during Monday's vacation sitting of the High Court, for breaching the terms of an injunction granted by Mr Justice Alexander Owens last year.

That order was never appealed and remains in place, the judge said.

In his ruling the judge said that "conclusive evidence had been put before the court," which was not denied, that Mr Burke had breached the terms of the injunction. The judge said that Mr Burke had attended at the school on multiple occasions since August 22 last.

In light of the teacher's ongoing contempt the judge ordered that Mr Burke be committed to Mountjoy Prison, and adjourned the case for a review to October 11 next.

Can purge his contempt

Mr Burke can purge his contempt and secure his release from prison at any time before the matter returns before the court, the judge added.

The judge said he was taking into account evidence from the school's acting principal, John Galligan, and chairman of its board of management, John Rogers, that Mr Burke's ongoing and visible presence at the school was disrupting its staff in how they go about their day-to-day duties to its students.

Mr Burke was brought to the court on Monday evening following his arrest at the school's campus that afternoon.

Mr Burke, who was accompanied by members of his family including his parents Martina and Sean Burke, said that he was being jailed by the courts over his refusal to accept "the hellish ideology of "transgendarism"."

Mr Burke was initially suspended from Wilsons Hospital School for disrupting a school event and confronting the principal over the students preferred pronouns.

During his submissions to the court on Monday, Mr Burke accepted that the judge would send him back to prison.

He said he had been denied his rights as a Christian by the school when he said it "commanded" him to call a student 'they'.

Truth will rise up again

He claimed that the truth about the case, namely that the litigation is all about his opposition to "transgendarism", was being "trampled into the ground" but added "that the truth will rise up again."

After the judge ordered that Mr Burke be sent back to prison, the teacher said that he would "have to answer to God."

During the course of the hearing members of Mr Burke's family, who were also critical of Mr Justice Quinn, called on the judge to read an August 2022 report from the school's former principal, Niamh McShane, which they claimed showed what the case was all about.

The judge noted that the report had been considered at other hearing of the case, and reminded Mr Burke that the only business before him was if Mr Justice Owens' order had been breached by the teacher.

Late last month the school's board of management sought orders for the teacher's attachment and committal due to Mr Burke's alleged ongoing refusal to comply with High Court orders requiring him to stay away from the school.

The school said the teacher had attended every school-day at Wilson's Hospital since August 22 last, which it said was "disruptive" to staff and students.

Trespassing at the facility

Rosemary Mallon Bl for the board told the court that the school's board has become concerned after the latest breaches of the terms of the injunction which prevents him from trespassing at the facility.

Counsel said her client did not want to engage in any further litigation with Mr Burke, however it believes that unless committed to prison he will continue to attend at the school.

Despite being jailed on two previous occasions, and been fined by the courts, the school said that he has no intention of complying with the injunction, counsel said.

The school was particularly concerned over an alleged incident where it is claimed that Mr Burke entered a room in the school's main building where teachers were holding a staff meeting in respect of the school's Transition Year class.

Counsel said that another concern was that other third parties, who are not journalists and are believed to be supporters of Mr Burke, have also started attending at the school.

The German and History teacher was released from Mountjoy Prison, where he has spent over 400 days in two different stints, in late June without purging his contempt.

However, he was warned at the time by Mr Justice Mark Sanfey that the courts would have "no hesitation" in sending Mr Burke back to prison if he was again found to have breached the courts order.

Ongoing legal dispute

The teacher has been in an ongoing legal dispute with Wilsons Hospital over what he claims was his refusal in 2022 to comply with the school's direction to call a then student by a different name and use the pronoun "they".

Throughout this legal battle Mr Burke has claimed that he has been imprisoned because he was being punished for his religious beliefs and his opposition to "transgendarism."

The teacher denies all claims of wrongdoing against him and says that his constitutional rights were breached by the school's direction that he refers to a student by a different gender.

Mr Burke was last jailed in early September 2023 over his refusal to comply with the permanent injunction, made the previous May by Mr Justice Owens.

He did not appeal that order to the Court of Appeal but did make an application earlier this year to the High Court seeking to set aside the injunction on the grounds that it was flawed and unconstitutional.

That application was dismissed by the High Court.

During his first stint behind bars, he spent over 100 days in Mountjoy between September and December 2022.

Following his suspension from his teaching position in August 2022 Mr Burke was sued by the school over his failure to comply with a previous court order which also required him to stay away from the school while he was suspended from his job.

He was released in December 2022 without purging his contempt.

He again started attending at the school after the Christmas holidays, and the High Court imposed a daily fine of 700 on Mr Burke.

However, arising out of his failure to stay away from the school when the 2023-24 school year commenced and considering Mr Justice Owens' order, Mr Burke was again jailed for contempt.
Locals are "living in fear" following an "escalation of violent attacks" in Cork City in recent days which has seen petrol bombs, hand grenades, and shots fired at multiple homes and at a well-known pub.

A pedestrian was injured last month when he was hit by armed men on a motorbike fleeing a suspected attempted hit on a well-known Cork criminal.

On Sunday night, a petrol bomb was thrown at a pub in Ballyvolane but gardai said there were no reports of injuries.

A man, well known to gardai in the nearby Blackpool area, had entered the pub last night armed with a slash hook, a source said.

Security staff there managed to apprehend him but he escaped and fled the scene by car.

But after gardai viewed CCTV footage from the scene, they recognised the suspect and a man was later arrested in connection with the pub attack.

The escalating violence has been partially linked to feuding drug gangs in the city, a source said.

Calls for action

Sinn Fein TD for Cork North-Central Thomas Gould has called for urgent action on the escalating violence across his constituency.

"I have today written to the Minister for Justice and Chief Superintendent Tom Myers seeking an urgent meeting, Mr Gould said.

This is following another weekend of serious violence in the city.

There has been a series of violent attacks in the last number of weeks that we have been informed are connected to each other. We know one member of the public has been seriously injured already."

Mr Gould said he has been contacted by members of the community calling for urgent action on the violence.

"We have now seen an escalation of violent attacks in the city," he said.

In the last week, we've seen a shooting, a bomb, a hit and run, and petrol bomb attacks along with a number of other violent assaults and attacks.

"At least one innocent person has been seriously injured and I have spoken to others who are living in fear and are traumatised.

"The Minister for Justice has no control over this situation in Cork.

"She has not visited Cork for many months despite this ongoing violence and disorder in our communities and the reducing garda numbers."

Mr Gould said people have now sold their homes and moved out of their communities because of the violence in the area.

"I know others who are considering doing similar. People should not be terrorised out of their communities because of insufficient garda responses.

"How many people have been arrested and put in front of the courts? There are serious questions about the sentencing. The judiciary and the gardai must protect communities from these violent criminals and these incidents. The Minister for Justice must ensure this is happening.

"Communities deserve better and I am disgusted that this has been allowed to escalate to this stage now."
Raena & Audrey

Ranae Von Meding and her wife Audrey Rooney have three children; two daughters and one son, aged eight, five and a six-month-old  all born through reciprocal IVF.

Ranae is the CEO of Equality of Children and lives in Dublin with her wife Audrey of eight years. They were one of the first to share their IVF experiences on Instagram and TikTok.

While many couples were delighted when the Government rolled out the HSE scheme for IVF treatment, the Dublin-based couple was not, as it does not extend to anyone who needs donor conception.

There is no funding for same-sex couples, said Ranae. Our current legislation is forcing some same-sex couples to leave the country to try and have a family. But you cant get a declaration of parentage if you dont use an Irish clinic, yet there is no funding for same-sex couples.

You have to go to an Irish clinic, or you wont be considered Irish parents. We have three IVF babies all conceived abroad but all born here.

We wanted reciprocal IVF, so we used my wifes eggs but because Im the birth parent I am registered as the mother, not Audrey," Ranae said.

She has had a lot of engagement online about the concerns she has raised.

The Irish Examiner recently revealed concerns raised by same-sex couples following the recent landmark Assisted Human Reproduction Bill which provides for and will regulate domestic and international surrogacy, where one parent has a genetic link to the child.

Back left to right: Audrey, Ava, Ranae. Front left to right: Ali and Arya. Ranae said: 'The first laws in 2020 came in after a long campaign, and we were able to get declarations for parentage for our two daughters. With our son, despite him being genetically identical to his siblings, he has only me as the mother. There is nothing different about our son.'

However, it does not extend to future intending parents and some same-sex couples. Further amendments to the legislation are expected in the coming months.

For many reasons, financially and practically, I really believe that people should be allowed to access medical services they need at home, and you should not have to travel like we did. You should have the choice to make these huge decisions.

We too have had our heartaches with IVF treatment. We have had two miscarriages and a couple of embryo transfers that didnt work.

A lot of people go through loss after loss and we have spent in the region of 30,000. When you are in a position to want to start a family, and you dont have the support in your own country, that is not equal or fair.

There is no State assistance for us. Do we buy a house or do we start a family? We were very fortunate enough to have the money to do this, but really, we have been left out in the cold, like other same-sex couples.

Read More Alison O'Reilly: Prospective parents say surrogacy laws leave them out in the cold

"When we had our first two babies, there were no laws in Ireland around same-sex couples. The first laws in 2020 came in after a long campaign, and we were able to get declarations for parentage for our two daughters.

With our son, despite him being genetically identical to his siblings, he has only me as the mother. There is nothing different about our son."

A Department of Health spokesperson said: A review of the scheme at the end of the first full year of operations (end of September 2024) will determine if there are to be any changes to access criteria.

Siobhain & Dean

Siobhain OReilly runs the TikTok page Seedofhope. The 29-year-old has been married to 31-year-old Dean for four years and they live in Donegal, where they both work from home.

The couple took to TikTok over the past year to document their infertility journey after trying for a baby for nearly four years without success.

Unfortunately, we did get pregnant, and unfortunately, we miscarried four times," said Siobhain. We had a lot of tests done to get to the bottom of it, and its been very difficult at times.

I recently learned I have a unicornuate uterus (which is smaller than a typical uterus and has only one fallopian tube). This led to the process of applying for public IVF treatment.

I started that process in January and we were given our first appointment in April in Galway, and that went really well. The problem is that I can get pregnant, but I cant carry the baby after the first trimester.

I got a whole list of bloods done. To start with, you have to be checked for STIs to rule all of that out too. But my next appointment will be with the doctor in September, but we are on a list in case there are cancellations.

Siobhain OReilly: 'Unfortunately, we did get pregnant, and unfortunately, we miscarried four times'

I am hoping we will have more answers about how long the process will be.

Siobhain said she wanted to video her journey and share it with others online to help create awareness for people who are availing of the public fertility treatment.

It has been difficult," she continued. "People dont realise how tough it can be. When we didnt get pregnant after a year, the GP said he would send us for testing, but a week later, I did a pregnancy test, and it was positive. Eight weeks later, though, it passed.

That was very difficult. It was passing for over a week but passed naturally. I waited for around six months to start trying again as I wanted to make sure my body healed from the last miscarriage, and I was so lucky to get another positive again but miscarried after six weeks.

On the third pregnancy, I got as far as five weeks, but miscarried again. We went to the doctor and decided to look into IVF and have some investigations done.

"We began our fertility journey, and they asked us to try and not to get pregnant as they had to carry out specific tests and if you are pregnant it can skew the results so I tried my best and I was using a fertility tracking app but unfortunately the app was not very reliable and I got another positive pregnancy, we shortly miscarried six weeks later."

The last baby the couple lost was in October last year at seven weeks. "It was very challenging, so we had more tests done, and it revealed I only had one kidney and a unicornuate uterus," said Siobhain.

Siobhain OReilly: 'There is hope out there.'

The couple have qualified for the HSE public funding scheme, which will normally cost in the region of 4,500 upwards, but they won't have to pay anything.

They are currently travelling from their home in Buncrana, Co Donegal, to Galway for treatment.

I will be a high-risk pregnancy obviously if I do get pregnant, she said. I have already been told it will be a C-section, and my womb will have to be strengthened with various medications.

She said she wanted people to see what couples face when they are going through IVF treatment on the scheme and to learn from her journey.

I was on Facebook groups, fertility Ireland, IVF groups, they werent going on the public funded scheme so there was no one to follow or reach out for their help and guidance.

I said I could document this for someone else that is going through this journey. Ive had a massive reaction. There is hope out there. People want to know but are afraid to ask or have nowhere to look, so that is why I am doing it.

Rachel & Michael

Rachel Kent runs the TikTok page Our IVF Journey. She and her husband Michael went through several rounds of IVF treatment before becoming pregnant naturally a number of months ago.

Rachel explains how the couple were married for three years, but struggled to get pregnant and began having tests done. I learned I have stage 4 endometriosis, ovarian cysts, low egg counts and empty follicle syndrome, she told the Irish Examiner.

Given the lack of personal stories online, Rachel decided to document her IVF journey by posting videos on TikTok. Its a very personal thing that couples go through but to not talk about it, I dont agree with that, she said.

We shouldnt feel that we have to do this in private as it affects all aspects of life.

"Youre not out socialising or drinking, you are on medication, and you wont know how you feel, Rachel said.

Her TikTok has images of the medication she is taking as well as the injections she was administering. Rachel has also documented her journeys from Kilkenny to Dublin which always took nearly two hours, sometimes three.

I didnt hold back on telling my story, she said. I have had a good reaction, you will get the odd negative comment, but everyone has been so positive.

The couple were successful in receiving funding from the HSE for their first round of ICSI (intracytoplasmic sperm injection) in September 2023.

It involves injecting live sperm into a persons eggs in a laboratory, this procedure can create an embryo (fertilised egg).

The couple began their IVF journey by contacting the fertility hub in Holles Street in Dublin. There are six hubs in Ireland, said Rachael.

Holles Street did blood tests and fertility tests, but I had had a lot of these done and I had been taking Clomid (also known as clomiphene citrate). Its an oral medication that is often used to treat certain types of female infertility for four months prior to attending the fertility hub.

Rachel Kent (pictured) and her husband Michael went through several rounds of IVF treatment before becoming pregnant naturally a number of months ago. Photo: Patrick Browne

I learned I had a blood clotting issue, which could lead to miscarriages. After those tests, we chose the Merrion Clinic in Dublin for the IVF treatment.

Once we got the funding, our financial worries went out the window. We did discover that the HSE do cover freezing of embryos for IVF and ICSI cycles and the transfer of frozen embryos from that cycle up to two years.

It covers, if the first transfer isnt successful, until either there is a live birth, or all of the embryos are used up and I was not aware of that. For me, we didnt have any embryos to freeze.

On our first cycle we ended up with a frozen embryo which we did transfer but it wasnt successful which was hard to take, she said.

The couple then started their second course of IVF treatment privately in January this year which also was not successful.

Rachel Kent: 'Once we got the funding, our financial worries went out the window.' Photo: Patrick Browne

While the HSE funding for the first round of IVF treatment was free, the Kents did multiple blood tests at 180 per person, and a consultation with a genetic specialist cost 500.

We decided to have further tests including a chromosome test which found an issue with chromosome number 2, it was upside down and could lead to miscarriages in the first trimester.

Overall, they spent around 12,000 on their private treatments to date. The couple were about to try a third round of IVF treatment when two days before a Zoom meeting with a clinic in Spain, Rachel discovered she was pregnant naturally.

I started TikTok for our fertility and IVF journey for people in Ireland, but here I am now 15 weeks heading for 16 weeks, she said.

She is attending the early pregnancy unit in St Lukes hospital in Co Kilkenny which has been absolutely brilliant, Rachel said. They have done a lot of work to make sure their patients dont have to go to the maternity unit and that should be commended.

I also want to give some hope to others, she said. Baby is doing really well but until now when we are sharing the news we are just taking it week by week. We are finally getting our hopes up. The doctor said there are no ifs or buts, the baby is doing great.
In the last few days, as this analysis is being updated, six Israeli hostages were found dead in a tunnel, having been killed as the IDF closed in on their location.

As the first anniversary of the October 7 attack approaches, these deaths, and the deaths of over 40,600 Gazans, underline the depths of barbarity and depravity to which the human condition can sink once the dogs of war are unleashed.

At the most recent Israeli Cabinet meeting a row broke out between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Gallant. Gallant had produced a plan to fast track the release of Israeli hostages still being held in Gaza. His plan proposed an IDF withdrawal from the Philadelphi Corridor, the strip of land between Egypt and Gaza. A vote was taken, and Gallants plan was rejected.

The basic issue has been there since the Hamas attack on October 7. The two main tasks assigned to the IDF were the destruction of Hamass military capability to attack Israel and the rescue of the hostages. However, the priority task was never made clear, or perhaps never made public.

The Hamas attack was presented as an existential threat to the State of Israel. As a defence analyst, with experience of living and working in Israel, I have argued elsewhere that Hamas, alone, was not an existential threat. But once the Israeli Government decided it was, the fate of the nation of 10 million people should have taken priority over the fate of 251 hostages.

Hannibal Directive

Since the mid-80s guidelines are in place for how the IDF should respond when military personnel are taken hostage. One of these guidelines is known as the Hannibal Directive. This directive, or protocol, stated, amongst several iterations, that during a kidnapping the main task becomes to rescue our soldier, even at the cost of killing or injury to our soldier.

The Hannibal Directive did not mention civilian hostages. The precise ratio of military to civilian hostages in Gaza is unknown or was not revealed.

Nevertheless, the directive was invoked for follow-up operations on October 7, and a number of hostages were killed or injured by IDF units trying to prevent them being taken into captivity, in Gaza.

There was a view, dating from the early decades of the Israeli State, that Israeli civilians caught up in hostage situations should regard themselves as soldiers. I have heard this said in the past but not mentioned in the present crisis, perhaps because many of the hostages have dual nationality.

Peace talks

The Cairo talks on a ceasefire agreement in Gaza have ended, with lower level technical teams remaining to work on the bridging proposals. The war continues and, unfortunately, without active talks involving the main stakeholders, the momentum to achieve peace has stalled.

As far back as three months ago, Hamas was ready to negotiate a permanent ceasefire with Israel. By then they had achieved their primary objective. With their attack on October 7, they had brought the Palestine situation to the worlds attention.

The ruthlessness with which they conducted the mass killing of Israeli citizens sent a shock wave of fear and anger through the Israeli nation. Predictably, it provoked a monumentally disproportionate reaction by the Israel Government, which, so far, has led to the traumatisation of the entire 2.3 million population of Gaza.

Protestors block a road in Tel Aviv, Israel, on Sunday calling for a deal for the immediate release of hostages held in the Gaza Strip by Hamas. The Israeli Government is between a rock and a hard place. Its stated objective is the destruction of Hamas and the release of the Israeli hostages. Photo: AP/Ohad Zwigenberg

The overwhelming majority of those killed in Gaza were innocent men, women and children. Let us call it for what it is. It is a holocaust. The destruction of Israel is not part of Hamass current agenda. It may well be part of a future agenda if the next generation of Palestinians is radicalised to seek vengeance.

The Israeli Government is between a rock and a hard place. Its stated objective is the destruction of Hamas and the release of the Israeli hostages. It is also clear that Hamas has not yet been defeated. The IDF's current strategy to defeat Hamas will take another six months to ensure its success, unless Hamas capitulates.

US influence

There is much division in the Israeli Government, with Netanyahu being accused by his own negotiating team of obstructing an agreement. Right-wing ministers are advocating a major escalation in the war, including a ground invasion of Lebanon, and moderate ministers are threatening to resign unless Netanyahu goes along with the current US proposals for a ceasefire and the release of hostages and detainees.

The US Presidential election campaign is entering a final and decisive phase. The Biden administration is getting desperate to achieve a functioning ceasefire in Gaza before Election Day on November 5.

Vice President Kamala Harriss speech in Chicago showed that, in office, she will broadly pursue the Biden policy. Her two main points were the ongoing US commitment to the security of Israel, and her support for the Palestinian right to self-determination.

It is clear that a Trump victory would favour Netanyahus position on the Gaza question. It was, after all, the Trump Administration that agreed to move the US Embassy to Tel Aviv, that recognised Israels annexation of Israeli Occupied Golan and withdrew the US from the Iran Nuclear Agreement.

Trump announced that the US no longer considers Israeli settlements on the West Bank a violation of International Law (recently reversed by Biden). There is understandable speculation that Netanyahu may be trying to stall the negotiations until November 5.

Netanyahu's four conditions

Netanyahu has laid down four conditions for Israel to accept the bridging proposals. First, that there is an ongoing IDF presence on the Philadelphi Corridor. Second, that the IDF retains the ability to stop the movement of armed men across the Netzarim Corridor, the recently created line that divides Gaza into Northern and Southern zones.

Third, release of the largest number of living hostages in the first six weeks of the ceasefire. Fourth, that Israel retains the right to continue fighting Hamas until it is destroyed.

However, why not consider UN or EU peacekeepers being deployed along the Philadelphi and Netzarim Corridors? From a defence point of view it is not essential that the IDF man these lines.

The third Netanyahu proposal, on hostages, could work in conjunction with the release of Palestinian detainees. However, Hamas agreeing to its own destruction would be, to paraphrase Alice Glenn, like turkeys voting for Christmas. But even on this issue, there is the option of letting Hamas fighters go into exile under a flag of truce.

On the question of international peacekeepers, some of the larger Arab nations are positive but many of the smaller nations have reservations. Most want a clear proposal on a political solution before considering any security arrangement for Gaza. Some want the Palestinian Authority to be reformed before its authority over Gaza is restored.

While tensions between Hezbollah and Israel continue, Iran is holding back its retaliation for the assassination of Hamas political leader, Ismail Haniyah, and has signalled there may be no Iranian response if a ceasefire in Gaza is agreed.

Without ceasefire talks actually in progress, the fighting in Gaza will continue. Some new initiative is necessary. The question is by whom? Is it time for the UN Secretary General to intervene?

Read More Protestors block roads in Israel as nationwide general strike begins
The European Union is facing three major crises. The first is a competitiveness crisis that was already apparent in the late 2010s but has worsened, leading to lacklustre productivity and growth performance.

More recently, Russias invasion of Ukraine created a security crisis that is compounded by the blocs deteriorating relationship with China.

The war also triggered an energy crisis that puts Europe at a disadvantage relative to its major competitors, the United States and China.

Fortunately, there is a remarkable degree of intellectual consensus on how to tackle this triple crisis. Three major reports, recently published or soon to be released, reach roughly the same conclusions about the main challenges facing Europe  and even make similar recommendations for addressing them.

Former Italian prime minister Enrico Lettas report, 'Much More than a Market', prepared at the request of the European Council, emphasises the need for further integration of the single market, a project that was first conceived in the 1980s but is still relevant today.

For example, research shows crossing a national border in Europe reduces inter-regional trade in goods by a factor of six. Fragmentation is especially pronounced in sectors such as energy, finance, and electronic communications, with EU-US trade in digital services exceeding that within the bloc.

As Letta notes, these sectors were deliberately excluded from the integration process because states deemed them too strategic to relinquish national control. But the report rightly concludes this brake on integration has gradually become an economic and economic-security handicap.

European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen commissioned another former Italian prime minister, Mario Draghi, to produce a report on the future of European competitiveness. Its release is expected in the coming weeks, but Draghi has outlined his approach and recommendations in recent speeches. The tone is likely to be franker, and the policy proposals will certainly be more radical, compared to Lettas report.

In April, Draghi criticised the blocs organisation, decision-making, and financing as being designed for the world of yesterday".

Narrowly national approach to competitiveness

Moreover, the EUs narrowly national approach to competitiveness has prevented the creation of pan-European champions and resulted in member states competing among themselves, even in sectors like defence and energy, where they have profound common interests".

In June, Draghi advocated a European industrial policy that includes tariffs and subsidies  a call to action that will undoubtedly be included in his report.

My Bruegel colleagues prepared the third report, which is scheduled for publication in the coming days.

These 'Memos to the EU leadership' are produced after every European election to help incoming commissioners and members of the European Parliament set priorities for the bloc.

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy and EU commission President Ursula von der Leyen: The war in Ukraine poses an existential threat to Europe. Picture: AP/Efrem Lukatsky

As the preview from early July shows, the forthcoming report also focuses on the need to promote innovation and growth, and emphasises the gains from building a single market for energy and removing barriers to a banking and capital-markets union.

But rather than supporting across-the-board integration, it advocates deepening the single market in the areas with the highest growth impact and where the economic return clearly exceeds the political costs.

The fact all three reports are largely in agreement is astounding. Gone are the major controversies over macroeconomic policy, trade openness, and industrial policy, to mention just a few of the disputes that normally arise.

This likely reflects the immense economic and geoeconomic challenges the EU confronts today. The Ukraine war poses an existential threat, the high price of energy is a major impediment to competitiveness, and the blocs failure to innovate risks turning Europe into a spectator on the international stage.

Even if the bloc acts, it likely wont be enough to prevent its demographic situation from worsening and its economic weight from declining.

Inertia prevails among member states

But expert consensus does not necessarily translate into policy. The first obstacle is the inertia that prevails among member states. While todays geopolitical challenges are unprecedented, the growth, integration, and governance problems plaguing the EU have been known at least since the 2004 Sapir report.

And yet, the bloc has only acted in situations of extreme stress such as the eurozone debt crisis of 2010-12 and the covid-19 pandemic.

Even in these cases, the awakening has been short-lived. The banking union, for example, remains unfinished, and there has been no decision on the future financing of the pandemic recovery programme.

The second challenge is that any major reform has winners and losers. Fragmentation creates rents, and those rents accrue to certain countries at the expense of others. The countries poised to lose the most will thus resist further integration. True, they may lose more in the long term than they gain in the short term. But it requires courage to overcome myopia.

Lastly, European enthusiasm is in short supply, especially with economic nationalism on the rise, and governments do not want to risk angering their voters. French president Emmanuel Macron and German chancellor Olaf Scholz are unpopular and therefore in no position to provide the leadership required to break the current deadlock. One can only hope von der Leyen will rise to the challenge.
Protesters have blocked numerous roads into Tel Aviv demanding the government agree a deal to release the remaining hostages held by Hamas amid widespread public anger at the governments handling of the war in Gaza.

Massive demonstrations swept Israel on Sunday following the death of six hostages in Gaza as frustration mounted over the failure of the country's leadership to secure a ceasefire deal that would free Israeli captives.

Crowds estimated by Israeli media to number up to 500,000 strong demonstrated in Jerusalem, Tel Aviv and other cities, demanding that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu do more to bring home the remaining 101 hostages, about of a third of whom Israeli officials estimate have died.

In Jerusalem, protesters blocked streets and demonstrated outside the prime minister's residence. Aerial footage showed Tel Aviv's main highway filled with protesters holding flags with pictures of the slain hostages.

Israeli television footage showed police directing water canons at demonstrators who had blocked roads. Local media reported 29 arrests.

Israels largest trade union, Histadrut, ordered a nationwide general strike from 6am on Monday that is expected to bring large parts of the economy to a halt.

Labour leaders called a one-day general strike on Monday.

The Israeli military announced the recovery of the bodies from a tunnel in the southern Gaza city of Rafah, as a polio vaccination campaign began in the war-shattered Palestinian territory and violence flared in the occupied West Bank.

Photos shows hostages, from top left, Hersh Goldberg-Polin, Ori Danino, Eden Yerushalmi, from bottom left, Almog Sarusi, Alexander Lobanov, and Carmel Gat

The bodies of hostages Carmel Gat, Hersh Goldberg-Polin, Eden Yerushalmi, Alexander Lobanov, Almog Sarusi and Ori Danino were returned to Israel, military spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari told reporters.

A forensic examination determined they were "murdered by Hamas terrorists in a number of shots at close range" 48-72 hours previously, an Israeli health ministry spokesperson said.

Netanyahu, who faces growing calls to end nearly 11 months of warwith a deal for 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."

Israel's assault on Gaza began after Hamas and other militants killed about 1,200 people and took about 250 hostages in attacks on Israel on October 7, according to Israeli tallies.

Since then, Israel's offensive has levelled much of the enclave of 2.3 million people, and the Gaza health ministry says at least 40,738 Palestinians have been killed. Displaced people are living in dire conditions

Displaced Palestinians gather at a food distribution center in Deir al Balah, central Gaza Strip on Friday Picture: AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana

with inadequate shelter and a hunger crisis.

'Hamas will pay,' Biden says

Amid mounting public anger, the head of Israel's trades union federation, Arnon Bar-David, on Sunday called for a general strike on Monday to pressure the government into signing a deal, and said Ben Gurion airport, Israel's main air transport hub, would be closed from 8 am (0500 GMT).

Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, who has clashed frequently with Netanyahu, also called for an agreement, and opposition leader and former Prime Minister Yair Lapid urged people to join the demonstration in Tel Aviv.

In a last-ditch bid to stop the demonstrations, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, a hardline member of Israel's security cabinet, asked the attorney general to prohibit the strike.

The Hostage Families Forum called on Netanyahu to take responsibility and explain what was holding up an agreement.

The six hostages brought home on Sunday "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.

People take part in a protest to call for the immediate release of hostages held in the Gaza Strip by the Hamas militant group in Jerusalem on Sunday. Picture: AP Photo/Mahmoud Illean

Netanyahu's office said he had spoken to the family of Lobanov, whose body was among those recovered, apologising and expressing "deep sorrow".

But the family of Gat said they refused to speak to the prime minister and instead called on Israelis to join protests.

"Take to the streets and shut down the country until everyone returns. They can still be saved," Gat's cousin, Gil Dickmann, wrote on X.

US President Joe Biden said he was "devastated and outraged" by 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.

Speaking to reporters in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, he 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 US pressure and repeated trips by top officials to the region.

Speaking to Al-Jazeera television, chief Hamas negotiator Khalil Al-Hayya, based in Qatar, on Sunday reaffirmed the group would not sign an agreement unless Israel fully withdrew from Gaza Strip, including the Philadelphi and Netzarim corridors, issues that have been sticking points in the talks.

Displaced infant Abdel-Rahman Abu El-Jedian, 11-month-old, who suffers from polio, is carried by his mother, center, at a makeshift tent camp in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza Strip

Polio Vaccinations

Israel and Hamas agreed to pause fighting in areas of Gaza for at least eight hours daily from Sunday to Tuesday to begin vaccinating 640,000 children against polio.

Children, escorted by family members, crowded a UN clinic in the central Gaza city of Deir Al-Balah, according to Palestinian officials. The territory's health ministry said at least 72,611 children were vaccinated the first day.

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. The Palestinian Civil Emergency Service said 11 people had died and medics said many others had been wounded.

In Khan Younis, an Israeli air strike killed two Palestinians and wounded 10 others, according to medics, bringing the day's total death toll in Gaza to 27.

- Reuters
An Israeli labour court has ruled that a general strike called over the Gaza hostage crisis must end.

The court sided with the government in its ruling on Monday, saying the strike was politically motivated and must end by 2.30pm local time.

Israels largest trade union had called the strike to protest over the governments failure to return scores of hostages held in Gaza. The protest on Monday led to closures and other disruptions around the country, including at its main international airport.

Outgoing flights at Ben-Gurion airport were halted for two hours on Monday morning as part of a general strike (AP)

However, the call was ignored in some areas, reflecting deep political divisions in the country.

Hundreds of thousands of Israelis had poured into the streets late on Sunday in a show of grief and anger after six hostages were found dead in Gaza.

The families and much of the public blamed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, saying they could have been returned alive in a deal with Hamas to end the nearly 11-month-old war.

But others support Mr Netanyahus strategy of maintaining relentless military pressure on Hamas, whose October 7 attack into Israel triggered the war.

They say it will eventually force the militants to give in to Israeli demands, potentially lead to more successful rescues and ultimately annihilate the group.

The hostages deaths sparked grief and anger across the world (AP)

Airlines at Israels main international airport Ben-Gurion were halting outgoing flights between 8am and 10am local time (6am and 8am BST).

Those flights either departed early or were slightly delayed, and travellers were seen lining up at check-in counters despite the limited disruption. Arriving flights were continuing as usual during that time, according to the Israel Airports Authority.

Banks, some large malls and government offices were all closed due to the strike and public transit was limited.

Municipalities in Israels populated central area, including Tel Aviv, were participating in the strike, leading to shortened school hours and cancellations for public daycares and kindergartens.

Many municipalities, however, including Jerusalem, were not participating in the strike. Israeli media reported that the state appealed to a labour court to cancel the strike, saying it was politically motivated.

Protesters called for a deal for the immediate release of hostages held in the Gaza Strip (AP)

The demonstrations on Sunday appeared to be the largest since the start of the war, with organisers estimating that up to 500,000 people joined nationwide events and the main rally held in Tel Aviv. Israeli media estimated that 200,000 to 400,000 took part.

They are calling for Mr Netanyahu to reach a deal to return the remaining roughly 100 hostages held in Gaza, a third of whom are believed to be dead, even if it means leaving a battered Hamas intact and withdrawing from the territory.

Many Israelis support this position, but others prioritise the destruction of the militant group over freedom for the hostages.

Mr Netanyahu has pledged total victory over Hamas and blames it for the failure of the negotiations, which have dragged on for much of this year.

Alexander Lobanov was among the hostages killed in Hamas captivity in the Gaza Strip (AP)

Israel said Hamas killed all six hostages shortly before Israeli forces arrived in the tunnel where they were being held.

Three of them, including an Israeli-American, were reportedly scheduled to be released in the first phase of a ceasefire proposal discussed in July. The Israeli health ministry said post-mortem tests had determined the hostages were shot at close range and died on Thursday or Friday.

Mr Netanyahu blamed Hamas, saying whoever murders hostages doesnt want a deal.

Hamas blamed their deaths on Israel and the United States, accusing them of dragging out the talks by issuing new demands, including for lasting Israeli control over two strategic corridors in Gaza.

The group has offered to release the hostages in return for an end to the war, the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces and the release of a large number of Palestinian prisoners, including high-profile militants.

The protest marked deep divisions in Israel over the situation in Gaza (AP)

One of the six hostages was Israeli-American Hersh Goldberg-Polin, 23, a native of Berkeley, California, who lost part of his left arm to a grenade in the attack. In April, Hamas issued a video that showed him alive, sparking protests in Israel.

He was one of the best-known hostages, and his parents had led a high-profile campaign for the captives release, meeting with US President Joe Biden, Pope Francis, and addressing the Democratic National Convention last month.

Mr Biden said he was devastated and outraged by the killings. The White House said he had spoken with Mr Goldberg-Polins parents and offered condolences.

Some 250 hostages were taken on October 7. Israel now believes about 100 remain in captivity, including 35 who are thought to be dead. More than 100 were freed during a ceasefire 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 October 7.

Israels retaliatory offensive in Gaza has killed more than 40,000 Palestinians, according to local health officials, who do not say how many were militants.

The war has displaced the vast majority of Gazas 2.3 million people, often multiple times, and plunged the besieged territory into a humanitarian catastrophe.
Russia has launched an overnight barrage of drones and cruise and ballistic missiles at Kyiv, Ukraines air force said, as children prepared to return to school across the country after their summer holidays.

A series of explosions rocked the Ukrainian capital in the early hours of Monday.

Debris from intercepted missiles and drones fell in every district of Kyiv, injuring three people and damaging two kindergartens, Ukraines interior ministry said. City authorities have reported multiple fires.

Today, Ukraine begins a new school year, despite the war and all the challenges. Today is one of the most important days of the year for millions of Ukrainian children, families, and teachers.



I am grateful to everyone who has made this school year possible for Ukraineto all pic.twitter.com/M5epJy6OyE  Volodymyr Zelenskyy /   (@ZelenskyyUa) September 2, 2024

After more than 900 days of war, the two sides show no sign of letting up in the fight or moving closer to the negotiating table.

The two sides are pursuing ambitious ground offensives, with the Ukrainians driving into Russias Kursk region and the Russian army pushing deeper into the Donetsk region of eastern Ukraine.

Both sides are battering each other with regular long-range drone and missile strikes, sometimes launching more than 100 weapons in aerial attacks that suggest they are still pouring resources into weapon production.

A kindergarten was destroyed after a missile attack by Ukrainian forces in the city of Belgorod, Russia (Belgorod Region Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov Telegram channel via AP)

Russian air defences intercepted 158 Ukrainian drones during the night from Saturday to Sunday, including two over Moscow and nine over the surrounding region, the defence ministry said.

The UKs Ministry of Defence said that Russian forces accelerated their advance on they key Donetsk stronghold Povkrosk over the past week and are likely within six miles of the city.

Elsewhere along the 600-mile front line there have been no significant changes, it said.

Russia launched 35 missiles of various types and 26 Shahed drones at Ukraine on the night from Sunday to Monday, the Ukrainian air force said. Nine ballistic missiles, 13 cruise missiles and 20 drones were taken down.

Rocket attacks also hit the Ukrainian city of Kharkiv (AP)

Residents of the capital hurried into the citys bomb shelters.

Kyiv mayor Vitalii Klitschko said emergency services were called to the Holosiivskyi and Solomianskyi districts. One person was reportedly injured by falling debris in the Shevchenkivskyi district, Mr Klitschko said.

There will be an answer for everything. The enemy will feel it, the head of the presidential office, Andrii Yermak, posted on his Telegram page following the attack.

An explosion also rang out in Kharkiv, Ukraines second largest city, according to Ukrainian media.

Oleh Syniehubov, head of the Kharkiv region, confirmed an early morning strike on Kharkivs Industrialnyi district and said it set a residential building and several others on fire.
A former London Metropolitan Police officer has been charged with 15 counts of sexual assault and two of rape.

Ex-Pc Mark Tyrrell, 55, who was based in the forces Parliamentary and Diplomatic Protection Command, will appear at Westminster Magistrates Court on Wednesday.
The mother of one of Britains youngest criminals involved in last months riots has been summonsed by a judge after missing her 12-year-old sons court appearance to go on holiday to Ibiza.

District Judge Joanne Hirst told Manchester Magistrates Court she was frankly astonished that the boys mother had decided to fly abroad for a five-day sunshine break, with her son due in court having admitted two counts of violent disorder.

Judge Hirst adjourned sentencing of the boy and ordered a parental summons so the mother must appear before the court to explain herself.

The boy cannot be identified due to his age.

The youngster, who was accompanied to court by his uncle, had earlier admitted being part of a mob that attacked a bus outside a hotel housing asylum seekers in Manchester on July 31.

Days later on August 3, in Manchester city centre, he was part of a group filmed kicking the windows of a vape shop and throwing a missile at a police van.

Dozens of towns and cities saw violence erupt following the killing of three young girls at a Taylor Swift themed dance class in Southport on July 29.

District Judge Hirst was told the boys mother was not present, having booked a holiday in July and gone abroad on Sunday and was only due to fly back to the UK on Thursday, missing his sentencing hearing on Monday.

A police van was set alight as trouble flared during a protest in Southport, after the killing of three young girls (Richard McCarthy PA)

She thanked the boys uncle for accompanying his nephew to court in his mothers absence, but added: One day before the hearing we find out the mum has gone on holiday and is not with her son who played a greater part in the recent civil disorder than any adult or child Ive seen coming through these courts.

Im frankly astonished.

I will require a full explanation from mum on her decision to go on holiday one day before her 12-year-old son comes to court facing a potential custodial sentence.

This is a serious situation, it has now deteriorated in my view because of the actions of the mother.

She is on notice, I will be challenging her about this decision.

Addressing the boy as she adjourned sentencing to September 11, Judge Hirst told him: Boys like you need their mums in their lives. I need your mum here.

In a separate hearing in the same court, a 16-year-old boy was told he was being given the biggest chance in your life by Judge Hirst, who decided to pass a referral order rather than jail the youngster.

The teenager, accompanied by his mother, had admitted violent disorder by throwing a bottle at a police horse during widescale trouble in Bolton town centre last month.

The court heard the youngsters father had died and his mother, who accompanied him to court, was having treatment for cancer.

He was asked by the judge: What were you thinking?

The boy replied: I was not really thinking anything. We came into town and everything just erupted. Adrenaline. Im disgusted with myself.

The youngsters mother told the court: Hes frightened to death of going to prison. I think this has been a massive wake-up call.

The judge warned the youngster he had narrowly avoided custody and instead gave him a 12-month referral order with intensive supervision and a curfew.

She added: It was mindless violence. Im going to give you a chance. This is the biggest chance in your life that you will get.
A rare general strike in Israel to protest over the failure to return hostages held in Gaza has led to disruption around the country.

US President Joe Biden added to the pressure by saying Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is not doing enough to reach a deal for a ceasefire and hostage release.

The strike was ignored in some areas, reflecting deep political divisions in Israel over a ceasefire deal after nearly 11 months of fighting.

Demonstrators in Tel Aviv, Israel, demand a ceasefire deal and the immediate release of hostages held by Hamas in the Gaza Strip after the deaths of six hostages in the Palestinian territory (Ohad Zwigenberg/AP)

Hundreds of thousands of Israelis had poured into the streets late on Sunday in grief and anger after six more hostages were found dead in Gaza.

It appeared to be the largest protest since the start of the war.

The families and much of the public blamed Mr Netanyahu, saying they could have been returned alive in a deal with Hamas.

But others support Mr Netanyahus strategy of maintaining military pressure on Hamas, whose October 7 attack into Israel triggered the war.

They say it will force the militants to give in to Israeli demands, potentially facilitate rescue operations and ultimately annihilate the group.

Mr Biden spoke to reporters as he arrived at the White House for a Situation Room meeting with advisers involved in negotiating a deal.

Asked if Mr Netanyahu was doing enough, Mr Biden responded: No.

He insisted that negotiators remain very close to a deal, adding: Hope springs eternal.

Theres no need to punish the whole state of Israel because of what is happening, overall, it is a victory for Hamas

Hamas has accused Israel of dragging out months of negotiations over a ceasefire by issuing new demands, including for lasting Israeli control over two strategic corridors in Gaza.

Hamas has offered to release all hostages in return for an end to the war, the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces and the release of a large number of Palestinian prisoners, including high-profile militants.

Mr Netanyahu has pledged total victory over Hamas and blames it for the failure of the negotiations, which have dragged on for much of this year.

Israel said the six hostages found dead in Gaza were killed by Hamas shortly before Israeli forces arrived in the tunnel where they were held.

Three were reportedly scheduled to be released in the first phase of a ceasefire proposal discussed in July.

The Israeli Health Ministry said post-mortem examinations had determined the hostages were shot at close range and died on Thursday or Friday.

Thousands attended the funeral on Monday for one of the six, Israeli-American Hersh Goldberg-Polin, a 23-year-old native of Berkeley, California.

He was one of the best-known hostages, and his parents had led a high-profile campaign for the captives release, meeting with Mr Biden, Pope Francis, and addressing the Democratic National Convention last month.

Mourners wave Israeli flags as they accompany the family of Israeli-American hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin, who was killed in Hamas captivity in the Gaza Strip, on their way to his funeral in Jerusalem (Leo Correa/AP)

The general strike, called by Israels largest trade union, the Histadrut, ended early after a labour court said it must end by 2.30pm local time, accepting a petition from the government calling it politically motivated.

It was the first such strike since the start of the war, aiming to shut down or disrupt major sectors of the economy, including banking and healthcare.

Airlines at Israels main international airport, Ben-Gurion, halted outgoing flights between 8am and 10am.

Those flights either departed early or were slightly delayed.

Arriving flights continued as usual, according to the Israel Airports Authority.

Theres no need to punish the whole state of Israel because of what is happening, overall, it is a victory for Hamas, said one passenger, Amrani Yigal.

I think this is fair, the time has come to stand and to wake up, to do everything for the hostages to come back alive

But in Jerusalem, resident Avi Lavi said that I think this is fair, the time has come to stand and to wake up, to do everything for the hostages to come back alive.

The Histadrut said banks, some large shopping centres and government offices had joined the strike, as well as some public transit services, although there did not appear to be major disruptions.

Municipalities in Israels populated central area, including Tel Aviv, participated, leading to shortened school hours.

Other municipalities, including Jerusalem, did not participate.

Organisers of the demonstrations on Sunday estimated that up to 500,000 people joined nationwide events and the main rally in Tel Aviv.

Israeli media estimated that 200,000 to 400,000 took part.

Many demand that Mr Netanyahu reach a deal to return the remaining roughly 100 hostages held in Gaza, a third of whom are believed to be dead, even if it means leaving a battered Hamas intact and withdrawing from the territory.

Other Israelis prioritise the destruction of the militant group over freedom for the hostages.

People in Tel Aviv, Israel, protest in grief and anger after six hostages were found dead in the Gaza Strip (Ariel Schalit/AP)

Some 250 hostages were taken on October 7.

More than 100 were freed during a ceasefire 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 October 7.

Israels retaliatory offensive in Gaza has killed more than 40,000 Palestinians, according to local health officials, who do not say how many were militants.

The war has displaced the vast majority of Gazas 2.3 million people, often multiple times, and plunged the besieged territory into a humanitarian catastrophe, including new fears of a polio outbreak.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has pushed back against a new wave of pressure to reach a ceasefire deal in Gaza after hundreds of thousands of Israelis protested and went on strike and US President Joe Biden said he needed to do more after nearly 11 months of fighting.

Mr Netanyahu said he will continue to insist on a demand that has emerged as a major sticking point in talks  continued Israeli control of the Philadelphi corridor, a narrow band along Gazas border with Egypt where Israel contends Hamas smuggles weapons into Gaza.

Egypt and Hamas deny it.

No-one is more committed to freeing the hostages than me. But no-one will preach to me

In his first public address since Sundays mass protests showed many Israelis furious response to the discovery of six more dead hostages, Mr Netanyahu called the corridor vital to ensuring Hamas cannot rearm via tunnels.

This is the oxygen of Hamas, he said.

And he added: No-one is more committed to freeing the hostages than me. But no-one will preach to me.

Israelis had poured into the streets late on Sunday in grief and anger in what appeared to be the largest protest since the start of the war.

The families and much of the public blamed Mr Netanyahu, saying the hostages could have been returned alive in a deal with Hamas.

A rare general strike was held across the country on Monday.

People in Tel Aviv attend a rally demanding a ceasefire deal and the immediate release of hostages held by Hamas in the Gaza Strip (Ariel Schalit/AP)

Late on Monday, several thousand demonstrators gathered outside Mr Netanyahus private home in central Jerusalem, chanting: Deal, now and carrying coffins draped in the Israeli flag.

Scuffles broke out when police snatched away the coffins, and several protesters were arrested.

Thousands more marched outside Mr Netanyahus Likud party in Tel Aviv, according to Israeli media.

But others support Mr Netanyahus drive to continue the campaign in Gaza, which was triggered by Hamass October 7 attack into Israel and has caused massive death and destruction in the territory.

Mr Netanyahu says the assault will force militants to give in to Israeli demands, potentially facilitate rescue operations and ultimately annihilate the group.

Key ally the United States is showing impatience.

Mr Biden spoke to reporters as he arrived at the White House for a Situation Room meeting with the US mediation team in the negotiations.

Asked if Mr Netanyahu was doing enough, Mr Biden responded: No.

Demonstrators in Tel Aviv demand a ceasefire deal and the immediate release of hostages held by Hamas in the Gaza Strip after the deaths of six hostages in the Palestinian territory (Ohad Zwigenberg/AP)

He insisted that negotiators remain very close to a deal, adding: Hope springs eternal.

Hamas has accused Israel of dragging out months of negotiations by issuing new demands, including for lasting Israeli control over the Philadelphi corridor and a second corridor running across Gaza.

Hamas has offered to release all hostages in return for an end to the war, the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces and the release of a large number of Palestinian prisoners, including high-profile militants  broadly the terms called for under an outline for a deal put forward by Mr Biden in July.

Mr Netanyahu has pledged total victory over Hamas and blames it for the failure of the negotiations.

On Monday, he said he is ready to carry out the first phase of the ceasefire  a plan that would include the release of some hostages, a partial pullout of Israeli troops and the release of some prisoners held by Israel.

But he rejected Hamass key demand of a full withdrawal from Gaza and said he does not see any other party beside Israel capable of securing Gazas borders and preventing arms smuggling.

Israeli media have reported deep differences between Mr Netanyahu and top security officials, including defence minister Yoav Gallant, who say the time is ripe for a ceasefire.

An official confirmed a shouting match between Mr Gallant and Mr Netanyahu at a security cabinet meeting on Thursday, where Mr Netanyahu held a vote in favour of maintaining control over the Philadelphi corridor.

Mourners in Jerusalem gather for the burial of Israeli-American hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin, who was killed in Hamas captivity in the Gaza Strip (Gil Cohen-Magen/Pool via AP)

Mr Gallant cast the lone vote against the proposal, saying Mr Netanyahu was favouring border arrangements over the lives of hostages.

The official spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the closed-door meeting.

Mr Gallant on Sunday called on the security cabinet to overturn the decision.

Khalil al-Hayya, the Hamas official leading the negotiations, told the Qatari network Al Jazeera late on Sunday that Mr Netanyahu had deemed keeping the Philadelphi corridor more important than winning the hostages release.

Al-Hayya also said Hamas had offered great flexibility, including reducing its demand for 500 Palestinian prisoners to be released in exchange for each captive Israeli soldier to 50, and from 250 Palestinian prisoners for each Israeli civilian hostage to 30.

He accused Israel of introducing new conditions, including increasing the number of prisoners who would be deported upon release and banning the release of elderly or ill prisoners serving life sentences.

Israel said the six hostages found dead in Gaza were killed by Hamas shortly before Israeli forces arrived in the tunnel where they were held.

Hamass armed wing, the al-Qassam Brigades, appeared to say in a statement on Monday that it now had a policy of killing any hostages that Israel tries to rescue.

I think this is fair, the time has come to stand and to wake up, to do everything for the hostages to come back alive

It said that after Israeli troops rescued four hostages in a deadly raid in June, it issued new orders to its fighters guarding hostages on how to deal with them if Israeli troops approach.

It said that Mr Netanyahus insistence on using military pressure instead of reaching a deal will mean they (hostages) will return to their families in coffins.

Three of the killed hostages were reportedly among those who would have been released in the first phase of the ceasefire proposal outlined by Mr Biden in July.

Thousands attended the funeral on Monday for one of the six, Israeli-American Hersh Goldberg-Polin.

He was one of the best-known hostages, with his parents leading a high-profile campaign for the captives release, meeting with Mr Biden and Pope Francis and addressing the Democratic National Convention last month.

The general strike, called by Israels largest trade union, the Histadrut, ended early after a labour court accepted a petition from the government calling it politically motivated.

It was the first such strike since the start of the war, aiming to shut down or disrupt major sectors of the economy, including banking and healthcare.

Mourners wave Israeli flags as they accompany the family of Israeli-American hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin, who was killed in Hamas captivity in the Gaza Strip, on their way to his funeral in Jerusalem (Leo Correa/AP)

Some flights at Israels main international airport, Ben-Gurion, either departed early or were slightly delayed.

Theres no need to punish the whole state of Israel because of what is happening, overall, it is a victory for Hamas, said one passenger, Amrani Yigal.

But in Jerusalem, resident Avi Lavi said that I think this is fair, the time has come to stand and to wake up, to do everything for the hostages to come back alive.

Municipalities in Israels populated central area, including Tel Aviv, participated.

Others, including Jerusalem, did not.

Some 250 hostages were taken on October 7.

More than 100 were freed during a ceasefire in November in exchange for the release of Palestinians imprisoned by Israel.

Eight have been rescued by Israeli forces.

A health worker administers a polio vaccine to a child at a hospital in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza Strip (Abdel Kareem Hana/AP)

Israeli troops mistakenly killed three Israelis who escaped captivity in December.

Roughly 100 hostages remain in Gaza, a third of whom are believed to be dead.

Hamas-led militants killed some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, when they stormed into southern Israel on October 7.

Israels retaliatory offensive in Gaza has killed more than 40,000 Palestinians, according to local health officials, who do not say how many were militants.

The war has displaced the vast majority of Gazas 2.3 million people, often multiple times, and plunged the besieged territory into a humanitarian catastrophe, including new fears of a polio outbreak.

Meanwhile, Israel continued its six-day raid on the Jenin refugee camp in the Israeli-occupied West Bank.

Associated Press reporters saw bulldozers tearing up roads.

The Palestinian Red Crescent, whose paramedics are operating in Jenin, said Israeli forces were blocking their ambulances from reaching the wounded.

An Israeli military bulldozer tears up a road littered with rubble during an army raid in Jenin, West Bank (Majdi Mohammed/AP)

Palestinians in a town outside Jenin held a funeral for a 58-year-old man, Ayman Abed, who was arrested the day before and died in Israeli custody.

The Israeli military said he died from a cardiac event, but did not provide details.

Human rights groups have reported abuses of Palestinians detained by Israel, and the military has confirmed the deaths of at least 36 Palestinians in its detention centres since October.

Israel says it has killed 14 militants in Jenin, arrested 25 militants and dismantled explosives buried under roads.

Palestinian health officials say at least 29 people have been killed, including five children.

Mohannad Hajj Hussein, a Jenin resident, said electricity and water were cut off.

We are ready to live by candlelight and we will feed our children from our bodies and teach them resistance and steadfastness in this land, he said.

We will rebuild what the occupation destroyed and we will not kneel.
An N.C. House Select Committee is recommending that the General Assembly change a state law forcing districts to start school the Monday closest to Aug. 26 and end no later than the Friday clo
Ann Arbor (Informed Comment)  Basil Maghrebi at the Israeli newspaper Arab 48 reports that tens of thousands of Israelis participated on Sunday evening in massive demonstrations unprecedented since the October 7 Hamas terrorist attack, especially in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. They were demanding a deal of the exchange of hostages that would lead to the release of the nearly 100 Israeli hostages in the hands of Hamas, only 60 or so are thought to remain alive.

Israels most powerful labor union, Histadrut, announced a national strike for Monday, beginning some labor stoppages as early as Sunday evening. Some retail chains also said they would close in support of the families of the hostages. Ben Gurion International Airport will close, as will schools and universities. Opposition leader Benny Gantz supported closing down the economy in protest.

(The furor was provoked by the discovery of the bodies of six Israeli hostages in Gaza by Israeli troops on Saturday night. Three of them had been designated as part of a hostage exchange with Hamas that the Hamas leadership had agreed to on August 3, but in the implementation of which Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had placed obstacles. Among them were his military occupation of the Philadelphi Corridor just south of the Rafah crossing into Egypt, which is an Egyptian prerogative, and to which Hamas objected. Many Israelis believe that if Netanyahu had accepted the hostage deal in early August, the six who were killed on Saturday would still be alive. It is alleged that an Israeli military unit was approaching a Hamas hideout where the hostages were being kept,and that Hamas terrorists killed them before fleeing. Israeli reporter Noga Tarnopolsky wrote, Now its official, @IDFSpokesperson

confirms hostages Hersh Goldberg-Polin, 23; Eden Yerushalmi, 24; Ori Danino, 25; Alex Lubanov, 32; Carmel Gat, 40; and Almog Sarusi, 25, were murdered by their Hamas captors a short time before being located by IDF forces in Gaza yesterday.')

Arab 48 reports that The Crowd Solutions firm estimated that 280,000 demonstrators came out Sunday evening in Tel Aviv alone.

Some 100,000 protesters in Tel Aviv closed Kaplan Street for several hours. Others stopped traffic on the Ayalon Highway, a freeway in Tel Aviv, until police reopened it. Some of the protesters were families whose members are held hostage in Gaza. In Jerusalem, demonstrators rallied in front of the prime ministers residence and then completely closed an entrance to the city for two hours. Police sprayed them with water canons and arrested 5. In Beersheba crowds closed off the citys central street, and protesters came out in Rehovot (12 miles south of Tel Aviv) and in Karmiel north of Akka.

Al Jazeera English Video: Israelis hit the streets en masse to demand captive deal

One of the protesters, a woman, mocked Netanyahus attempt to blame Hamas. He had said, Whoever wants a deal doesnt kill hostages. But the demonstrator said he was speaking of himself, not Hammas, and was speaking of his cabinet members who voted, she alleged, to sacrifice the hostages. She underscored that it was possible to get them back home alive. She added, The Israeli government and its leader deliberately sacrificed the hostages, leading to their deaths. She pointed out that the six hostages had been left there eleven months, and killed only a week ago. The hostage families said they want a deal now!

Wide participation in the demonstration in #_ , demanding a prisoner exchange deal. #_ Details https://t.co/AZLfjo7P9L #__ _  : " " pic.twitter.com/3IRv9bNenj    48 (@arab48website) September 1, 2024

Arab 48 reports, that Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich threatened to reduce the area of the Gaza Strip and cleanse the area two kilometers deep along the Strip.

Netanyahu pledged he would make the Hamas fighters pay the price for killing the hostages.

Hamas for its part falsely alleged that the hostages were killed by Israeli fire. (The bodies showed that they were executed at short range.) The terrorist organization said that if US President Joe Biden really cared about the lives of the hostages he would pressure the Israeli government for an immediate end to its war on Gaza.

Hamas had previously announced that heavy Israeli bombardment of Gaza had resulted in the deaths of hostages.

Members of the Hamas al-Qassam Brigades and of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad mowed down over 600 innocent civilians on October 7, 2023, and abducted 251 persons, mostly civilians. During a temporary ceasefire last fall, Hamas released 117 of the hostages.
By Julia Taylor, University of the Witwatersrand and Imraan Valodia, University of the Witwatersrand | 

(The Conversation)  Amitav Ghosh is an internationally celebrated author of 20 historical fiction and non-fiction books. The Indian thinker and writer has written extensively on the legacies of colonialism, violence and extractivism. His most famous works explore migration, globalisation and commercial violence and conquest during the colonial period, against the backdrop of the opium trade in the 1800s.

Caroline Southey, from The Conversation Africa, asked economics professor Imraan Valodia and climate and inequality researcher Julia Taylor about the significance of his work.

What has Ghosh contributed to our understanding about the root causes of climate change?

Julia Taylor: In Ghoshs recent non-fiction book, The Nutmegs Curse: Parables for a Planet in Crisis, he used his storytelling prowess to outline the roots of climate change within two systems of power and oppression: imperialism and capitalism.

Imperialism is the expansion of influence over other countries through military force and colonisation. It usually entails the destruction of the environment to support imperial interests.

Capitalism is the dominant economic system where ownership of the means of production (industry) is private. Private actors are driven by profit and growth, which has relied on combustion of fossil fuels.

What Ghosh makes clear is that violence and destruction of the environment are key to capitalism, as they were to colonialism.

Imraan Valodia: Ghosh challenges us to think more deeply about the role of conquest and violence in shaping the planetary crisis were facing. And the need to reshape our economic and social relations to address climate change. He does this with remarkable acumen and clarity in another of his works of non-fiction, The Great Derangement. In the book he seeks to explain our failure to address the urgency of climate change. He asks very powerfully whether the current generation is deranged by our inability to grasp the scale, violence and urgency of climate change.

He uses the history of nutmeg to illustrate some of his main points. What does he draw from this history?

Julia Taylor: The story of the nutmeg is one among many of conquest of both people and land during colonisation which led to the industrial revolution and the explosion of greenhouse gas emissions.

In the present day these conquests take different forms. But they continue, particularly in the context of mining and extractivism.



Amitav Ghosh, The Nutmegs Curse: Parables for a Planet in Crisis. The University of Chicago Press. Click here to Buy.

Imraan Valodia: Ghosh traces the history of the household spice  nutmeg  all the way to its origins in the Banda Islands of Indonesia. He uses the analogy of the nutmeg to explain how colonisation of land and people has led to the climate disaster.

The nutmeg was harvested from trees in the Banda Islands and traded by the Bandanese for centuries. With the growth in value of spices, various European countries sought to claim exclusive rights to the nutmeg trade in the Banda Islands. The local population resisted. However, in 1621, representatives of the Dutch East India Company chose to destroy the settlements of the Bandanese population and massacre or enslave anyone who could not escape, to gain control over the nutmeg trade.

Ghosh explains these horrifying events in the context of Anglo-Dutch tensions and the trend of empire in Europe, sanctioned by religious beliefs of racial superiority.

A major theme of his work is the link between imperialism and the planetary crisis. Whats his main line of argument?

Julia Taylor: Ghosh argues in The Nutmegs Curse: Parables for a Planet in Crisis that

the discussion of climate change, as of every aspect of the planetary crisis, tends to be dominated by the question of capitalism and other economic issues; geopolitics, empire, and questions of power figure in it far less. (p116)

However, he highlights that

the era of Western military conquests predates the emergence of capitalism by centuries. Indeed, it was these conquests, and the imperial systems that arose in their wake, that fostered and made possible the rise to dominance of what we now call capitalism  colonialism, genocide and structures of organised violence were the foundations on which industrial modernity was built. (p116)

Imraan Valodia: This argument forces us to grapple with both capitalism and the dominance of the west in our understanding of climate change. It highlights the power dynamics and violence which enabled the destruction of many lands in the form of deforestation, industrial agriculture, mining and more.

To respond to climate change, we need to rethink these dominant systems and relationships with land and the environment. This can be linked to the need to address inequality and power dynamics if we are to have any hope of addressing climate change.

Professor Valodia will be hosting Amitav Ghosh for a series of events at the University of the Witwatersrand in South Africa from 10 to 12 September 2024. The university has partnered with the Presidential Climate Commission, the Wits Institute for Social and Economic Research (WiSER) and the University of Pretoria to host the sessions.

Julia Taylor, Researcher: Climate and Inequality, University of the Witwatersrand and Imraan Valodia, Pro Vice-Chancellor: Climate, Sustainability and Inequality and Director: Southern Centre for Inequality Studies., University of the Witwatersrand

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
The Kremlin said Friday it was not worried that Mongolia could arrest President Vladimir Putin during his visit next week to the member of the International Criminal Court (ICC), which has issued a warrant for the Russian leader.

Putin will travel to Mongolia on Tuesday, in a first trip to an ICC member since The Hague-based court issued a warrant for his arrest over the illegal deportation of Ukrainian children in March 2023.

"There are no worries, we have a great dialogue with our friends from Mongolia," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.

Asked if Moscow had discussed the arrest warrant with Ulaanbaatar ahead of Putin's trip, he said: "All aspects of the visit were carefully prepared."

Ukraine on Friday urged Mongolia to arrest Putin when he visits the country.

"The Ukrainian side hopes that the government of Mongolia is aware of the fact that Vladimir Putin is a war criminal," Kyiv's foreign ministry said.

"We call on the Mongolian authorities to execute the binding international arrest warrant and transfer Putin to the International Criminal Court in The Hague."

Mongolia became a signatory of the Rome Treaty of the ICC in December 2000.

Under the treaty, each ICC member would be expected to implement the warrant if Putin were to set foot on its territory.

Moscow has brushed off the warrant but Putin -- while already vastly scaling down foreign visits since launching the Ukraine offensive in 2022 -- has not travelled to ICC member states until now.

Putin is visiting for the 85th anniversary of a battle between Japan and Soviet and Mongolian forces during Japanese occupation of nearby Manchuria.
The Kremlin said Friday it was not worried that Mongolia could arrest President Vladimir Putin during his visit there next week, despite the International Criminal Court saying the member country had an "obligation" to detain the Kremlin leader.

Putin will travel to Mongolia on Tuesday, his first trip to an ICC member since The Hague-based court issued a warrant for his arrest over the illegal deportation of Ukrainian children in March 2023.

"There are no worries, we have a great dialogue with our friends from Mongolia," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.

Asked if Moscow had discussed the arrest warrant with Ulaanbaatar ahead of Putin's trip, he said: "All aspects of the visit were carefully prepared."

Russia does not recognise the jurisdiction of the ICC.

Court spokesman Fadi el-Abdallah told reporters on Friday that states that have signed up to the Rome Statute that underpins the Court, "have the obligation to cooperation."

Though there is little the court can do if Mongolia does not comply.

Ukraine on Friday urged Mongolia to execute the warrant when he visits.

"The Ukrainian side hopes that the government of Mongolia is aware of the fact that Vladimir Putin is a war criminal," Kyiv's foreign ministry said.

"We call on the Mongolian authorities to execute the binding international arrest warrant and transfer Putin to the International Criminal Court in The Hague."

Mongolian authorities have not yet commented on the issue.

- Deportation of children -

The ICC issued an arrest warrant for Putin in March 2023.

It said there were "reasonable grounds to believe" that he "bears responsibility for the war crime of unlawful deportation" of Ukrainian children -- living in areas of the country that Russian forces took control of -- to Russia.

Russia has dismissed the warrant as having no consequence, but Putin has not travelled to an ICC member since.

The Kremlin also said its ally Armenia joining the court earlier this year -- meaning it would be obliged to arrest Putin if he travels there -- was an "unfriendly step."

Mongolia has been a member of the ICC for more than two decades, having ratified the Rome Statute in 2002. Last year the first Mongolian judge was elected to the court.

Under the treaty, any of the 124 ICC member states are obliged to execute arrest warrants if subjects set foot on its territory.

- Limited options -

"The ICC relies on its States Parties and other partners to execute its decisions including in relation to arrest warrants. States Parties to the ICC Rome Statute have the obligation to cooperate," spokesman el-Abdallah said Friday in response to questions about Putin's upcoming visit.

But the ICC has no police of its own and little it can do to force Mongolia's hand, or punish it if it does not comply.

Should Mongolia choose not to arrest Putin, ICC judges can report the matter to the ICC's managing body called the Assembly of States Parties, which meets once a year.

Such referrals in the past have had limited success, with the assembly's options confined mainly to verbal sanctions against errant states.

Of the 49 arrest warrants issued since 2002, only 21 have resulted in detentions and court appearances.

Some top leaders wanted by the ICC have thumbed their noses at the court and travelled to member countries with impunity.

Former Sudanese strongman Omar al-Bashir, who was toppled in 2019, has travelled to member states such as Jordan and South Africa without consequences even though he is the subject of two ICC arrest warrants.

Moscow has also brushed off the warrant but Putin -- who had already vastly scaled down foreign visits since launching the Ukraine offensive in 2022 -- has not travelled to an ICC member state since the warrant was issued.

Last year he called off a visit to a BRICS summit in South Africa, which is an ICC member, after internal and external pressure on Pretoria to arrest the Russian leader should he attend the conference.

Putin is visiting Mongolia for the 85th anniversary of a battle between Japanese and Soviet and Mongolian forces during Japan's occupation of nearby Manchuria.

Sandwiched between Russia and China, Mongolia was under Moscow's sway during the Soviet era. Since the Soviet collapse in 1991, it has sought to keep friendly relations with both the Kremlin and Beijing.

The country has not condemned Russia's offensive in Ukraine and has abstained during votes on the conflict at the UN.

burs/yad
Aerial strikes on Russian and Ukrainian border cities killed at least a dozen people on Friday, bombardments that came as Kyiv dismissed its air force commander in a major military shake-up.

Both sides also claimed to have advanced on the battlefield -- Moscow in eastern Ukraine and Kyiv in its shock offensive into Russia's western Kursk region -- with the fighting showing no sign of subsiding, two and a half years into Russia's invasion.

A Russian aerial strike on the northeastern city of Kharkiv on Friday afternoon killed seven people, including a 14-year-old girl, Ukraine's interior minister said.

Emergency workers were still pulling bodies from the rubble late on Friday evening. Images on social media showed the top floors of a multi-storey residential building ripped open and a fire raging after the strike.

At least 77 were wounded, including 18 children, the emergency services said.

President Volodymyr Zelensky called on Kyiv's Western backers to up their support after the attack, which officials said was with a glide bomb.

"We need strong decisions from our partners to stop this terror," Zelensky said in a post on social media.

"We need long-range capabilities," he added, referring to Kyiv's appeals to allies to lift restrictions on the use of Western-supplied missiles inside Russian territory and deliver more longer-range weapons.

"We need the implementation of air defence agreements for Ukraine. This is about saving lives," he added.

- Belgorod hit -

Across the border some 60 kilometres (37 miles) to the north, Russia said Ukraine had fired cluster munitions on the city of Belgorod and its suburbs, killing at least five and wounding 37 civilians, including at least six children.

"One woman and four men died of their wounds on the spot before an ambulance arrived," regional governor Vyacheslav Gladkov said in a post on Telegram.

He posted a video showing a fire raging at a house after one of the strikes. The state-run TASS media agency posted pictures of a road in the city of Belgorod covered in strewn debris and twisted metal.

Both Belgorod and Kharkiv have been hit repeatedly with aerial strikes throughout the war.

Russian President Vladimir Putin in May launched a new offensive into the Kharkiv region which he said was designed to push Ukrainian forces back to create a "security zone" for Russia's own border settlements.

Moscow's troops also claimed Friday to have captured three more villages in eastern Ukraine -- one in the Kharkiv region -- as they press against Ukrainian troops facing manpower and ammunition shortages.

Ukraine also claimed on Friday to have advanced in Russia's western Kursk region, where it is mounting its own surprise ground offensive, claiming to have captured 100 settlements and more than 1,200 square kilometres of territory since August 6.

- Commander fired -

Zelensky on Friday dismissed the country's air force chief, a day after Kyiv said a US-made F-16 fighter jet had crashed in combat, killing the pilot.

In a video message Zelensky said he had "decided to replace the commander of the air force" to strengthen Ukraine's military leadership.

His office earlier published a presidential decree to officially remove Mykola Oleshchuk from the post.

The crash of the F-16 was a high-profile setback for Kyiv, which had lobbied the West to send the advanced fighter jet for months.

The military had said the plane and pilot crashed during a combat mission earlier this week after having shot down incoming Russian missiles.

Zelensky did not provide further details on why he had decided to replace his air force commander, saying only that his command team "needed to get stronger".

Lieutenant General Anatolii Kryvonozhko, who leads the air force's operations in the central part of Ukraine, has temporarily assumed the role of overall commander.

Kyiv also on Friday issued a plea for Mongolia to arrest Putin when he visits the country next week.

It is the Russian leader's first trip to a country that is a member of the International Criminal Court (ICC) since The Hague-based body issued an arrest warrant for him last year over the alleged deportation of Ukrainian children to Russia.

Mongolia is technically obligated to detain him, though the Kremlin said Friday it was not concerned about that possibility and there is little the ICC can do if it chooses not to.
The fraught relations between France and its former colony Algeria had eased a little in recent years, but a new rift over Paris backing Morocco's autonomy plan for disputed Western Sahara has sent rapprochement efforts into a tailspin.

Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, who is seeking a second term in presidential elections on September 7, was set to travel to France for a state visit, but this has been rescheduled twice and it is now doubtful in will happen at all.

Last month, Algiers withdrew its ambassador to Paris after French President Emmanuel Macron said Morocco's autonomy plan was the only solution for the territory.

Algeria, which backs the territory's pro-independence Polisario Front, denounced this as a "step that no other French government had taken before".

France colonised Algeria in 1830 and the North African country only gained independence in 1962, after a war that authorities say killed more than 1.5 million Algerians.

French historians say half a million civilians and combatants died during the war for independence, 400,000 of them Algerian.

While France has made several attempts over the years to heal the wounds, it refuses to "apologise or repent" for the 132 years of often brutal rule that ended in the devastating eight-year war.

Experts now accuse both countries of exploiting the war for present-day political ends.

"The national narrative about the Algerian war is still dominant and during a campaign like the presidential election, Algerians are sensitive to these issues in their internal policy choices," Hasni Abidi of the Geneva-based CERMAM Study Center told AFP.

Abidi said Tebboune now needed to "readjust his electoral speeches to protect himself from criticism on foreign policy" after the "complete fiasco" of failed attempts to restore relations with Macron.

-'Reopening old wounds'-

Last week, Algeria marked its Moudjahid National Day commemorating war combattants with a speech by Tebboune, in which he said France wrongly "believed it could stifle the people's revolution with iron and fire".

In 2022, the two countries set up a joint commission of historians in an attempt to mend historical differences and appease tensions.

But, according to Abidi, the commission didn't work fast enough and "did not succeed in freeing itself from political supervision".

The expert said France's latest move backing Morocco's plan in Western Sahara "will deal another blow to the issue of memory" at the risk of "reopening old wounds and stigma from the colonial past".

What followed France's conquest of then Ottoman ruled Algiers was the destruction of its socio-economic structures, mass displacement, and the bloody repression of numerous revolts before the war erupted in 1954.

This chapter in the two countries' history has been "exploited according to their issues and interests of the moment", historian Hosni Kitouni told AFP.

During the historians' debate, Algeria asked France to return the skulls of resistance fighters and historical and symbolic artifacts from 19th-century Algeria, including items that belonged to Algerian anti-colonial figure Emir Abdelkader.

"These items are in museums in France, where, from a legal standpoint, their presence is illegal," Amira Zatir, an advisor at the Emir Abdelkader Foundation, told AFP.

She said many of these items were stolen when French forces looted the emir's library during the Battle of Smala in 1843.

Algeria has also demanded the return of original archives from the Ottoman and colonial eras that were transferred to France before and after Algeria's independence.

Algeria seeks reparations for actions committed by the former occupying power, such as the 17 nuclear tests conducted in its Sahara desert between 1960 and 1966.

Mustapha Boudina, a 92-year-old former war combattant who now heads the National Association of Former Death Row Inmates, said Algeria should require even more reparations.

"We need to put pressure on our enemies of the time so that they repent and apologise" for their "numerous crimes", he said.

Several historians believe that recognising French colonisation as a "crime against humanity" would be more appropriate.

That was exactly how Macron described it during a visit to Algiers amid his presidential campaign in 2017, sparking an outcry from the French right.
In the dock of the Shevchenkivskyi District Court of Kyiv, Ukraines capital city, stood Serhii Ostapenko, a representative of the Korabelnyi district council of Kherson, a regional capital in the south of the country, who belonged to the pro-Russian party Opposition Platform - For Life and worked for Kherson's city council. His trial began more than a year ago, on charges of collaboration and holding a position in an illegal law enforcement agency.

On July 6, 2022, in the middle of the 8-month occupation of Kherson by the Russian army, Ostapenko became an acting operative of the occupation police who assigned him to its Economic Crimes Unit in Kherson. A month and a half later, on August 19, 2022, Ostapenko resigned from this position and worked for a company created by the occupation authorities that exported Ukrainian grain to the Russian Federation until the city was liberated in November 2022.

There is no doubt that Ostapenko worked for the occupation police: his name appeared in many documents left by this police force. A flash drive, seized from him during a search contained draft documents written in Russian on behalf of an operative and based on Russian law. Moreover, on his cell phone, he kept a photo of his occupation police ID and shoulder straps, a photo of him in a bulletproof vest with a holster and a police baton, and a photo of an object resembling a Makarov pistol.

Ostapenko, who testified exclusively in Russian, did not deny working for the occupation police, but tried to convince the court that it was under pressure, claiming he was afraid for his elderly father, after FSB [Russias intelligence services] officers threatened him. His father came from Kherson to see his son during one of the hearings. However, he did not testify.

We were mostly helping citizens

Ostapenko claimed he took the position under duress, but he also expressed his belief that Russian law enforcement agencies in Kherson were established only after the occupiers held a referendum on annexation to the Russian Federation. During the summer of 2022, it was allegedly a self-organized law enforcement agency establishing a dialogue between citizens and the military administration. The defence argued that Ostapenko actually contributed to the protection of the rights of citizens in the occupied territory.

We were mostly helping citizens. Because there was no one else. Isnt it better in the given situation to have a local person holding this position, someone who knows everything around and can be helpful in some way, rather than someone from Russia? Ostapenko asked. According to him, he knew nothing about any punitive measures against Ukrainians, because his unit was not responsible for political affairs, but only for maintaining public order.

During the interrogation, the defence lawyer asked whether Ukrainian law enforcement agencies were still present in Kherson on February 24. Ostapenko responded that they had left the city on the first day of the invasion.

They fled during the day, I could see it while I was on my way to work in the city council. Units of the National Guard, SBU [Ukraines security services] and police were being evacuated, Ostapenko testified.

The ones who fled were the katsaps [pejorative for Russians] in November 2022. Choose your words, please, the judge intervened.

No offence... It was fleeing. At 4 oclock I received a call from a classmate from the SBU: Its started, lets take off. Im in local government. I dont have orders from Kyiv to run away from here.

Theres nowhere you can hide

During trial, Ostapenko was confronted to several witnesses. One of them, a commercial director of a local company, accused Ostapenko of threatening him as he was leaving the city. He said: We will meet, dont think you can hide in Odesa. We will be in Odesa soon. Theres nowhere you can hide. You still have your apartment here, you still have your property. I hung up the phone, alleged the witness. Ostapenko denied saying such things and assured the witness was lying.

Another witness, a woman, testified that on July 15, 2022 she saw and recognized Ostapenko as part of an investigation unit on the murder of a civilian. She said he wore civilian clothes but carried a gun. Ostapenko did not deny his presence at the scene but said that people were willing to communicate with the occupation police about that murder case.

Another witness was an officer of SBU in the Kherson oblast who went to school with Ostapenko and maintained friendly ties with him. He said that during the occupation, he and Ostapenko did not see each other, yet exchanged messages. On February 24, 2022, following his SBU superiors' orders, he immediately left Kherson. Knowing that Ostapenko had not left, the SBU officer texted him in early March asking if he could go and see if there were Russian soldiers at a specific address, but Ostapenko refused.

In either June or July, Ostapenko texted his friend and asked his opinion on how much longer this would last. The SBU officer encouraged him to leave. Ostapenko replied that he was unable to leave. After that, they stopped communicating, the witness said. The defence lawyer asked if it was true that the SBU officers father, who remained in occupied Kherson, had been detained by the Russian military and that Ostapenko had offered his help. But the witness denied it, saying that there was no detention, just a one-time search during which his father was taken for interrogation. Ostapenko tried to challenge the witness.

Do you remember what I wrote when we were texting? Its over, the FSB is already spying through my phone. You then sent me + and deleted our Telegram correspondence, Ostapenko said.

The SBU officer stated that he had no memory of that.

Wasnt it you who texted me that your father was beaten?

My father was beaten? I did not write that. After hearing this, Ostapenko said it was pointless to ask further questions.

At the trial of Serhii Ostapenko, in Kyiv. Photo:  Sudovyi Reporter

Catching the eye of Russian special services

Ostapenko told the court that during the occupation of the city, the head of the district council, in which he was a party representative, posted a message and suggested engaging in humanitarian work. Later, he made lists of people who needed insulin, travelled around the city and helped everyone who asked him. Allegedly, he was contacted by the Russian special services for the first time in mid-March.

According to the accused, his encounter with the FSB was an unfortunate coincidence. He caught the eye of the Russian special services when he visited his friend, who lived in a house across the street from the occupied SBU building. They found it interesting that I was a Korabelnyi District Council representative from Opposition Platform - For Life. They also saw my credentials as a city council employee, so they were very eager to have a word with me.

Using the excuse that it was his friends birthday, Ostapenko said he convinced the Russians to let him go. But three weeks later, an FSB officer by the name of Makar texted him via Telegram and scheduled a meeting in a park. During the face-to-face conversation, the officer asked him who he was, his occupation, his thoughts about the situation, and whether there were nazis in the city. He asked what the mayor thought about all this, but Ostapenko replied that he knew nothing about the mayor. The FSB officer allowed him to leave but continued to text and organize meetings, also introducing Ostapenko to his partner Fedor.

Its time to decide which side youre on

By the end of May, the conversation became more specific, and according to Ostapenko, that's when the two FSB officers began to threaten him. He said: Its time to decide which side youre on. You are from the OPFL party, looks like you have already made up your mind. He insinuated that he knew who my father was, and that he worked at the universitys physics and mathematics faculty. Fedor said in an ultimatum manner that it was imperative to go to work, otherwise there would be problems. There was no physical pressure, but he explicitly made it clear that if I didnt, there would be problems, and my father would get in trouble.

According to the accuseds testimony, FSB officer Fedor said that he knew Ostapenko had the required education - he graduated from the police school of Kharkiv University of Internal Affairs - and that the occupiers were in great need of such personnel, as the situation in the city was tense. Ostapenko was therefore expected to come to the Suvorov district police station within a week.

Ostapenko said he complied. He had a brief interview before being taken to an office where there were several representatives of the Cyclone unit of the DNR Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Donetsk separatist authorities. One of them asked where Ostapenko lived and where it would be more convenient for him to work. Ostapenko replied that it was up to them to decide. In July, they chose to assign him to an investigative unit in Kherson, the Economic Crimes Unit that would respond to incidents such as thefts, rapes, murders, and also investigate the black market of humanitarian aid in the city.

By mid-August, Dmytro Kovalenko, deputy director of the Kherson Grain Company, which was seized by the Russian authorities in particular to sell the abandoned grain of Ukrainian producers, reported to the police the theft of a battery from his car. Kovalenko had allegedly noticed that Ostapenko was not comfortable in the occupation police and was there against his will, so he suggested Ostapenko come to work for him. According to Ostapenko, he arranged his transfer to the grain company as a lawyer.

Conflicting versions of the arrest

According to Ostapenko, after the de-occupation, he approached the SBU in Kherson on November 13, 2022 and said he wanted to talk to his SBU classmate. He said police and SBU officers interrogated him on the premises of a local store. They blindfolded me with tape and staged a shooting, he said, adding that he spent the night in this store. He told them he was forced to work during the occupation but when his classmate came to see him the next day, he told Ostapenko he was in deep trouble and denied exchanging any text messages with him. Then another SBU officer recorded his interrogation on video. Three days later, on November 16, Ostapenko ended up in Mykolaiv, where he was interrogated again. On that evening he was brought to Kyiv.

However, officially, the circumstances of his arrest are very different. According to the prosecutor, Ostapenko was not detained on November 13 but was only handed a summons to meet an investigator in Mykolaiv. He allegedly came to Mykolaiv of his own accord and was detained there after a conversation with the investigator. The prosecutor insisted on this version of events and also pointed out that the defence lawyer never complained about violations or physical injuries during the pre-trial investigation and the establishment of preventive measures. Ostapenko signed the detention protocol on November 16 without any remarks. He said he met his lawyer for the first time after signing and talked to him only for 20 or 30 seconds in the presence of officers, in the SBU building. He claimed he was very tired and signed it just to be allowed to get some sleep.

Fleeing seemed to be the wrong thing to do

If you could go back in time, what would you do? asked the judge.

I would probably follow the advice of my classmate and flee the city, like the police, like the SBU and everyone else. And I wouldnt ask anyone. My superiors did not give me the instruction to flee the city. The head of the district council said that, on the contrary, those who stayed behind made the right decision, as it was necessary to help. To me, fleeing seemed to be the wrong thing to do at that time, Ostapenko replied.

Ostapenko also reminded the court that he cooperated with Ukrainian law enforcement: he handed over documents and flash drives related to the work of the Kherson Grain Company. Also, upon the defences insistence, the prosecutor showed the court documents about Ostapenkos participation in the identification of several occupation police officers - some of them have already been handed over to the court or are being tried in absentia.

Ostapenko's lawyer asked for his client to be acquitted and highlighted that the witnesses interviewed in court did not testify that Ostapenko had coerced people, showed support for the occupiers, advocated for joining the Russian Federation or handed over Ukrainian citizens to the FSB. He also drew attention to the fact that many civilians who did not obey the will of the Russian aggressor during the occupation were killed. Thus, he told the court, because of the threat to the life and health of people during the occupation the possibility of a voluntary collaboration with the enemy was to be ruled out.

Despite the lawyers plea for his client, the court found Ostapenko guilty and sentenced him to 14 years in prison, an even longer term than the one requested by the prosecution.

This report is part of our coverage of war crimes justice produced in partnership with Ukrainian journalists. A first version of this article was published on the "Sudovyi Reporter" website.
Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in Mongolia on Monday, his first visit to a member state of the International Criminal Court (ICC) since it issued an arrest warrant for him last year.

Putin was welcomed by a guard of honour as he landed in the Mongolian capital Ulaanbaatar for the high-profile trip, seen as a show of defiance against the court, Kyiv, the West and rights groups that have all called for him to be detained.

The Russian leader is wanted by the Hague-based court for the alleged illegal deportation of Ukrainian children since his troops invaded the country in 2022.

Ukraine has reacted to the trip with fury.

On Monday it accused Mongolia of "sharing responsibility" for Putin's "war crimes" after authorities did not detain him at the airport.

Kyiv had urged Mongolia to execute the arrest warrant, while the ICC said last week all its members had an "obligation" to detain those sought by the court.

In practice there is little that can be done if Ulaanbaatar does not comply.

The Kremlin said last week it was not concerned that Putin would be arrested.

Sandwiched between Russia and China, Mongolia was under Moscow's sway during the Soviet era.

Since the Soviet collapse in 1991, it has sought to keep friendly relations with both the Kremlin and Beijing.

The country has not condemned Russia's offensive in Ukraine and has abstained during votes on the conflict at the United Nations.

- Mongolia 'shares responsibility' -

Ukrainian foreign ministry spokesman Georgiy Tykhyi called Mongolia's failure to arrest Putin a "heavy blow" to the ICC's legitimacy and said Kyiv would pressure for the country to be punished.

"Mongolia allowed the indicted criminal to escape justice, thereby sharing responsibility for his war crimes. We will work with partners to ensure that this has consequences for Ulaanbaatar," he said in a post on social media.

The ICC issued an arrest warrant for Putin in March 2023.

It said there were "reasonable grounds to believe" that Putin "bears responsibility for the war crime of unlawful deportation" of Ukrainian children to Russia.

Kyiv says thousands of Ukrainian children were forcibly deported from orphanages and other state institutions after Russian forces took control of swathes of the country in its 2022 invasion.

Media investigations have found evidence of Ukrainian children being adopted by Russian families and having their names changed, prompting allegations Moscow is trying to scrub their Ukrainian identity.

Russia says it moved some children from areas close to the fighting for their own protection.

It has dismissed the warrant as having no consequence, but this trip to Mongolia marks Putin's first to an ICC member in the 18 months since it was issued.

Last year he called off a visit to a BRICS summit in South Africa, another ICC member, after internal and external pressure on Pretoria to arrest the Russian leader should he attend.

- 'Encourage Putin' -

Past instances of ICC members failing to execute arrest warrants have had little consequence beyond verbal dressing-downs.

The court has no police of its own and relies on member states to execute its orders.

Amnesty International warned Monday that Mongolia's failure to arrest Putin could further undermine the ICC's legitimacy, while emboldening the ex-KGB spy, in power for almost a quarter of a century.

"President Putin is a fugitive from justice," Altantuya Batdorj, executive director of Amnesty International Mongolia, said in a statement.

"Any trip to an ICC member state that does not end in arrest will encourage President Putin's current course of action and must be seen as part of a strategic effort to undermine the ICC's work."

Amid a backlash to the ICC after it issued an arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Mongolia was among 93 countries that signed a letter stating "unwavering support" for the court "as an independent and impartial judicial institution".

In that statement, issued in June, the signatories also called on all ICC members "to ensure full cooperation with the Court for it to carry out its important mandate of ensuring equal justice for all victims of genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity and the crime of aggression."
Actress Han So Hee recently revealed her complexion during a fresh photo session for L'Oreal Paris's brand-new campaign photoshoots as she took to her social media on August 31 to share some exclusive behind-the-scenes snapshots from the shoot.

She has been the brand's campaigns model for five years now.

Han is captured in the pictures in striking poses outside, wearing a bikini and a navy blue headscarf.

The actress recently gained attention for investing 20 million won ($15,000) to eliminate her tattoos.

However, it seems her interest in tattoos persists as she recently revealed some subtle ones on her abdomen in a social media post while documenting her adventures in Thailand and sharing revealing swimsuit snapshots to showcase her inked art.

In another picture, we see Han in an off-the-shoulder dress as she blows a kiss to her fans while capturing their attention with her grace and style.

SEE:Han So Hee Net Worth 2024: How She Went From $200 to $15M

Han So Hee will be back on screens worldwide on September 27 when "GyeongSeong Creature Season 2" premieres on Netflix.



Moreover, she's teaming up with Jeon Jong Seo in the noir series "Project Y " building excitement, for her upcoming works.

SEE: Han So Hee and Jeon Jong Seo's Pictorial for 'Project Y' Criticized For Lack of Chemistry

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Rovelyn Barba
Actress Jeon Jong Seo's appearance on "SNK Korea" garnered widespread interest due to her bold performance as a guest star on the show. However, rumors of school bullying have overshadowed her acting prowess and cast a shadow over her professional trajectory.

Despite receiving acclaim for her acting skills, talks about previous accusations of bullying in school have emerged once again in discussions surrounding her performance.

SEE: Game of Thrones-Coded? Queen Woo Criticized for Excessive Sex Scenes and Weak Plot

Back in April, allegations surfaced on an online forum suggesting that Jeon had engaged in acts of school violence during her time in school.

The accuser alleged that Jeon would forcefully take or steal gym uniforms from her peers and verbally harass those who resisted complying with her demands.

During that period, Jeon's management company refuted the claims and revealed intentions to pursue legal recourse.

Jeon personally discussed the matter at a press conference for the show Queen Woo, saying,

"The allegations are false and even if they were true I wouldn't be standing here sharing my art with everyone."

Jeon Jongseo was embroiled in a school violence controversy before the release of Queen Woo. Her side denied this.



Jeon Jongseo said, "As I stated through my company, it is not true at all. If it were true, I would not be able to confidently stand in front of the public and  pic.twitter.com/3wqjINUVlm    (@womaaniist) August 27, 2024

She acknowledged feeling sorry for getting entangled in the scandal butvowed to concentrate on her creative work to mend any pain resulting from the accusations.

It's been five months without any new information on the planned lawsuit we were told about earlier.

Jeon Jong Seo denies school violence allegations



Her agency has checked the facts with Jeon Jong Seo herself and her acquaintances, and can confirm the claim is not true at all



They will take strong legal actions against those who wrote speculative posts and malicious comments pic.twitter.com/wzXgYVwzaF  The Seoul Story (@theseoulstory) April 4, 2024

This has sparked rumors that maybe a private agreement was reached instead? People in the industry think that if there had been a transparent and firm reaction from Jeon's side earlier, it might have helped to clear up any doubts or negative associations sticking around.

SEE: Jeon Jong Seo Praises "Strong Female Character" in Queen Woo

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Rovelyn Barba
Hong Seok Cheon, an actor and TV personality, recently recounted a tale of his bond with actor Byeon Woo Seok while on KBS CoolFM's "Park Myung Soo Radio Show." The heartfelt moment took place on September 2nd.

During the event presentation, Hong discussed about his YouTube channel, "Hong Seok Cheon's Treasure Box," and brought up Byeon Woo Seok as a special guest.

He reminisced about his friendship with Byeon, dating back to the days of his modeling career, which portrayed him as a friendly and honorable person.



SEE: THIS BL K-Drama Actor Reveals 'Flirty' Encounter with Hong Seok Cheon

Hong also shared an anecdote about Byeon generously giving him a set of "panties" when he struggled financially as a model, highlighting the depth of their bond."I have known Woo-seok since his modeling debut. When he was younger, he would attend my birthday party every year and say, 'Hyung, congratulations.Thank you very much."

"I still remember when Woo-seok was a model and didn't have much money. He asked me what I wanted for my birthday, so I said panties, and he gave me a set of three," he added.

Hong also mentioned his ideas for the next season of his YouTube show and alluded to a new endeavor centered around showcasing regular individuals who have reshaped their bodies through fitness routines.The deep friendship shared between Hong Seok Cheon and Byun Woo Seok was a heartwarming scene in the program that allowed viewers to see a peek into their bond.

SEE: THIS 53-Year-Old Korean Celebrity Stuns Fans with His Jaw-Dropping Physique

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Monday, September 2, 2024 - Service disruption occurred on Monday morning at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) in Nairobi after dozens of passengers were either left stranded or took long hours undergoing check-in and check-out processes.

This was brought about by the continued standoff between the government and the Kenya Aviation Workers Union (KAWU) over Adani Holdings' proposed takeover of the International Airport.

As this was happening, Adani people were already at the JKIA roaming freely and taking pictures as if they already owned the airport.

As a result, KUWA demanded the Adani representatives be barred from taking pictures of JKIA and that they vacate the airport immediately.

"They are currently roaming around taking pictures everywhere, this is a threat to us and to our security. Who knows what they want to do with the pictures, they can even be selling them to terrorists," the union official disclosed.

Kenyans have raised a red flag about President William Ruts secret deal to lease JKIA to Adani for 30 years.

The Kenyan DAILY POST




Monday, September 2, 2024 - Renowned activist Boniface Mwangi was filmed at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) shouting anti-Ruto slogans on Sunday night, shortly after the Head of State left the country for China.

In the video, Mwangi is seen shouting Ruto Must Go as he walks around the airport carrying his luggage.

He then stops and addresses a group of people, accusing the President of being a thief and a murderer

Whatever you do, wherever you go, remember this, Ruto must go, he says.

Mwangi went on to say that Ruto was a curse to this country.

The controversial activist had taken a break from social media after writing a distressing post, hinting that he was battling suicidal thoughts.

He deactivated his social media handles after the alarming post.

However, he is now back with a bang after a short hiatus.

Watch the video.

Boniface Mwangi bado ana inject. Must Go ameonakana JKIA akiendea loan China. pic.twitter.com/f2IQigexjK  PropesaTV (@PropesaTV) September 2, 2024

The Kenyan DAILY POST




Monday, September 2, 2024 - National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang'ula reportedly owes close to Ksh 3 million to a private hospital in Bungoma.

Dr. Mbiti Mwondi, who heads the medical facility, took to social media and called out Wetangula for failing to settle the huge medical bills.

Mbiti stated that he has treated Wetang'ula's family members for the past three years, and they now owe the hospital millions.

They even took a wheelchair from the hospital and never paid for it.

This is not the first time that Wetangula has been accused of failing to pay bills despite being one of the highest-paid government officials.

He was sued recently for allegedly failing to settle a debt amounting to Ksh. 281,000.

The dispute arises from an agreement for the supply of two German shepherd dogs and related training services.

The complainant said Wetangula refused to honor the agreement by failing to pay the outstanding amount for the dogs supplied and the training services rendered.

Below is a tweet by the disgruntled doctor.





Kenyan DAILY POST.




Monday, September 2, 2024 - President William Ruto surprised Kenyans by revealing the reason he often stands on car roofs while addressing citizens during his tours across the country.

Speaking during a church service in Bungoma yesterday, Ruto explained that he stands on car roofs as part of his deep divine calling to preach, even after becoming a politician.

He likened his call to be an evangelist to his practice of standing on top of cars during his tours and addressing crowds from an elevated platform.

I am an evangelist. Many people sometimes wonder why I stand on raised places and sometimes on top of the car," he stated.

Ruto also revealed that it was as a result of the calling to be an evangelist that he tries to behave like one, even in his capacity as president.

When your orientation is as an evangelist, you always behave like an evangelist even when you are doing other things, he added.

During his 2021 campaigns, Ruto revealed during a church service in Nyeri that his call to be an evangelist was driven by his desire to see more people going to heaven, a vision that also inspired his bottom-up agenda.

The Kenyan DAILY POST




Monday, September 2, 2024  Wiper Party Leader Kalonzo Musyoka has slammed former Prime Minister Raila Odinga and his ODM Party for being cheap as to be bought by President William Ruto.

In a statement, Kalonzo accused Railas ODM of betraying Kenyans by abandoning its Opposition duties when they were compromised by Ruto.

This comes even as ODM Deputy Party Leader and Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir maintained that his party was not part of the government and is still strongly in Azimio.

"We are firmly in Azimio and our coalition remains strong and our moral obligation is not swayed," Nassir insisted.

However, Kalonzo asked Governor Abdulswamad to stay in Azimio and not act like his fellow leaders in ODM who bagged positions in the government.

The Wiper leader also asked Opposition politicians to stand strong for the principles of the opposition politics and act as a watchdog to the Kenya Kwanza Government.

He also maintained that he would not join the government even though he respects Raila's decision to work with Ruto.

"Our stand is that, with us, we will ensure that Ruto does not stay in the government come 2027," he said.

The Kenyan DAILY POST




Monday, September 2, 2024 - National Assembly Majority leader, Kimani Ichungwah, has urged Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua not to blackmail President William Ruto by telling him he is the Mt Kenya region kingpin.

According to Ichungwah, who is also the Kikuyu MP, Gachagua has been telling the President that as the leader of the Mt Kenya region, the population is not happy with the broad-based government that was formed in July when ODM leaders joined the government.

Ichungwah urged President William Ruto to act on Gachagua for trying to divide the Mt Kenya region along ethnic lines.

He argued that Gachagua is wrong to divide Mt. Kenya from the rest of the country while President William Ruto is working to unite the nation through a broad-based government.

I urge President William Ruto not to allow any leaders to divide Kenyans along ethnic lines.

"He should not be intimidated by the idea that a leader can unite only one region.

"We are all Kenyans under the leadership of President William Ruto, Ichungwah stated.

The Kenyan DAILY POST




Monday, September 2, 2024 - Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has maintained that his call for Mt Kenya region unity is unstoppable, despite President William Ruto and his men urging him to stop.

Speaking in Meru county on Sunday, Gachagua said the Mt Kenya region remains stronger when united and any attempts to cause division will only make the situation worse for them.

"In a population of 13 million, they are less than 10 just ignore.

"The people are good. Going forward, I want to assure you that as long as we are united as a region, we are in good space.

"Don't allow anybody to divide you along county lines. Our strength is our unity."

Gachagua said that he had seen individuals trying to divide Mt Kenya into two regions but that should not happen.

The second in command faces a herculean task in consolidating his Mt Kenya backyard as silent rebellion grows against his bid to lead the region.

A few weeks ago, he warned rebels that they have until December to change or be kicked out by voters.

The Kenyan DAILY POST




Monday, September 2, 2024 - A close ally of President William Ruto has claimed that God didn't intend for Raila Odinga to be president of Kenya, but instead wanted him to be the President of Africa..

Speaking on Sunday, Mbeere North Member of Parliament Geoffrey Ruku said Raila Odinga is contesting for African Union chairperson (AUC) seat because that is where his destiny is.

Ruku expressed optimism about Railas bid, saying he is a continental giant who is fully equipped with policies and transformative ideas that will benefit Africa.

Raila Odinga has never been cut for Kenya, He is meant for the role of AUC chair, we wish him the very best and we are going to give him every support he requires.

"I believe in the candidature of Raila Odinga as the AUC chair; he is a continental giant and fully equipped with policies and transformative ideas, he said.

Raila is currently enjoying immense support from citizens and leaders, including his former political nemesis, President William Ruto.

Ruto declared his support for the former Prime Minister, urging other African nations to back him, as he believes Raila is the most capable steward for the role.

The Kenyan DAILY POST




Monday, September 2, 2024 - Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing'oei has told off those hoping for former Prime Minister Raila Odinga to lose his bid for the African Union Commission (AUC) chairmanship.

In the recent past, some Kenyans have wished for Raila's failure after President William Ruto officially launched his bid.

They accused Raila of siding with Ruto during the recent anti-government revolt.

Reacting to the naysayers, Sing'oei suggested their sentiments against Raila's bid are noise that could not be made of any sense.

"I have sought to draw out a kernel of insight from the noise and chattering. Sadly, I have been unsuccessful," he said.

Sing'oei is among the people Ruto charged with leading the secretariat tasked with selling Raila's bid.

He will be helped by Ambassador Elkana Odembo.

The Kenyan DAILY POST






Monday, September 2, 2024 - Napoli sporting director, Giovanni Manna has blamed Nigerian striker, Victor Osimhen over the current hostilities between him and the club saying it was Osimhen's decision not to play for the club again.

Osimhen's move to Premier League club Chelsea and Saudi club Al Ahli collapsed on transfer deadline day in the most dramatic of fashions with the London club choosing to sign Jason Sancho while Al Ahli went for the less expensive Ivan Toney instead.

After the transfer deadline closed at midnight, August 31, the Nigeria international was excluded from Napolis Serie A squad and also stripped of the number 9 shirt which was given to new Napoli signing, Romelu Lukaku.

Manna, however, says Osimhen is to blame.

The situation is very clear, it has been since the end of last season. Victor expressed his absolute desire to not stay at Napoli, to not play for Napoli, and we tried to make him happy, Manna told DAZN.

Then there is a demand and an offer, we thought that we had concluded the negotiations, but then it did not go through. We bought Lukaku, kept Raspadori and Simeone, which was not to be taken for granted.

At this moment, we maintain the same consistency we had since the start: he expressed the desire to no longer play for Napoli and so we made other choices.

Manna also commented on the possibility of Osimhen joining another Saudi club.

The transfer market is still open, there are many options, but I dont think Victor will go to Saudi Arabia in this transfer session, Manna added

Osimhens situation is also a huge financial weight on the club, as his sale was meant to raise funds for new transfers.

Our ideas were clear from the start. We were waiting to sell Victor to finance these operations, but the sale did not arrive and the President took on the responsibility to invest and reboot. He took on all the risk, he was incredible.




Monday, September 2, 2024 - Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua expressed his frustration, questioning why some Mt. Kenya leaders are being paid to shame and embarrass him, despite his position as the region's political kingpin.

Speaking in Mukumbune, Meru county on Sunday, Gachagua said in other regions, leaders are respected but in the Mt Kenya region, they are insulted by some betrayers paid by their enemies.

"I told our leaders, please be like other communities. I have never heard people of Luo insulting Raila, not a single one.

"I haven't heard even one Kalenjin insulting William Ruto and I haven't heard even one Kamba insulting Kalonzo," the Deputy President said.

Gachagua said that it is only in the Mt Kenya region where a few people get paid to insult their leaders.

He said such people are only betraying the community, calling on the community to ignore them.

The DP affirmed that the Mt Kenya region remains stronger when united and any attempts to cause division will only make the situation worse for them.

"In a population of 13 million, they are less than 10 just ignore. The people are good. Going forward, I want to assure you that as long as we are united as a region, we are in good space.

"Don't allow anybody to divide you along county lines. Our strength is our unity."

The Kenyan DAILY POST




Monday, September 2, 2024 - Former Head of Kenya's Mission to the United Nations (UN) Ambassador Martin Kimani has stated that former Prime Minister Raila Odinga will not win the African Union Chairperson seat, despite President William Ruto using state machinery to campaign for him.

In a video interview with Jeff Koinange Live (JKL) on Citizen TV on Sunday, Kimani said Djibouti's candidate, Mahamoud Youssouf, is the front-runner having been endorsed by 21 French-speaking countries and 10 Islamic countries.

Kimani further said he doesnt believe East African countries endorsing Raila Odinga will have any effect on the contest because the elections always have international interference and France always has a say when it comes to top continental jobs.

Born on Sep 2 1965 in Djibouti City, Mahamoud Youssouf got his basic education in Djibouti before furthering his education abroad focusing on Linguistics, Business, and Management with his journey in education taking him to Canada, France, and the United Kingdom.

Between 1992 and 1997, he served as the head of Arab Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Djibouti.

He was subsequently appointed Djiboutis Ambassador to Egypt in 1997, a position he held until 2001 when he moved to serve as Minister Delegate in Charge of International Cooperation.

The Djibouti Foreign Affairs Minister says he is the only candidate capable of bridging the gap between the different regions of Africa given his ability to communicate fluently in English, French, and Arabic.

The Kenyan DAILY POST




Monday, September 2, 2024 - President William Ruto is still wrapping his mind around the thunderous reception Luos accorded him in Nyanza during his recent four-day tour of the region.

Speaking in a Bungoma church yesterday, Ruto revealed that his Nyanza tour was historic due to the warm reception he received and gave credit to his recent handshake with Raila Odinga.

The President seemed convinced that the country had made a step toward healing from inciteful political rhetorics that saw conflicts and hate being advanced by leaders and communities against each other.

He called on the Kenyan church to continue praying for the country to sustain the progress toward a peaceful nation.

Drawing an instance from his Nyanza tour, Ruto noted that he could not be welcomed to the region months back due to the deep-rooted political animosity fanned by the leaders.

But with the warm and kingly reception he recently got, he called it a miracle.

"I have just come from a trip to Nyanza, and it is amazing what God can do.

You know, it is almost a miracle that the people who were on extreme sides a few months ago, today, we are speaking as though we are very long-time brothers and sisters and friends, and that is the beauty of our country.

That when circumstances demand, we close ranks as a people and forge alliances, build bridges as Kenyans, and we work together for the greater good of our nation," said Ruto.

The president said the train of uniting the country had left the station and that no leader advancing sectarian, regional, and tribal politics would be condoned.

Previously, Ruto had been meted with hostility whenever he visited the Nyanza region, the backyard of his long-time political adversary Raila Odinga.

The Kenyan DAILY POST




Monday, September 2, 2024 - Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has told a section of Mt. leaders to shut up as they do not have anything substantial to tell Kenyans.

This is after National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichungwah challenged Gachagua and his backyard to show gratitude to the President after being awarded seven slots in the cabinet as their fellows in Nyanza who were awarded two slots did instead of blackmailing him.

However, in response, Gachagua asked the leaders to think before they make such sentiments since they directly affect the region, which he claims has been on the defensive lately.

Some leaders from this region are trying to show that this region has not shown President gratitude despite being given many slots in the government, Gachagua stated.

The DP, instead, told off the leaders by noting that the region had already shown gratitude to Ruto by electing him and maintained that it was now the Head of State who owes Mt Kenya.

We stood with him after he supported our son Uhuru Kenyatta and that was the biggest gratitude that this region has given President William Ruto, he added.

Gachagua also said that it was now William Ruto who owes the region in terms of delivering service to them, something he said he would help the President achieve.

President William Ruto is the biggest beneficiary in this region. We never showed gratitude to Jaramogi Oginga, Raila Odinga when he stood with Kibaki and Kalonzo Musyoka who stood with us as a community, he maintained.

Gachagua asked the young leaders to measure what they speak about the region, maintaining that Mt Kenya is paramount in the Kenyan political landscape.

He added that the leaders should value the communitys dignity before making some utterances that only seemed to expose some issues they need to deal with as a community.

The Kenyan DAILY POST
Australia is a very beautiful and unique place. I first went to Sydney in 1996 to present some research I had accomplished together with a much more brilliant and capable research physician. I was able to ride the monorail, now gone Im told, and travel to the Outback, or at least the edge of it. My wife and the two oldest still at home at that time went there a few years ago, and it was still just as amazing, to hear them tell it.

Australia is like America squared. If everything is bigger in Texas, its definitely badder in Australia, where even the seashells can kill you. There are indeed a ridiculous number of dangerous creatures there. America has four venomous snakes, and Australia has more than one hundred on land and another thirty in the water. We have two poisonous spiders, and they have at least five, including the Sydney funnel-web, with enormous fangs.

Had I known this prior to visiting Australia, Sydney may not have seemed like such a good place to stay. Sydney and America share another commonality: we dont like anyone telling us what to do, and we generally go our own way, with a stubbornness seldom seen elsewhere. This trait extends to medical science as well. When an Australian doctor found that a bacterium, H. pylori, caused stomach ulcers, he was ignored.

Dr. Barry Marshall did not take this well and prepared a broth of H. pylori, stuck an endoscope down his throat, and drank the broth. Three days later, he developed nausea, and his wife reported halitosis (they always do). The bacteria had blocked acid production, and on days five to eight, he experienced achlorhydric vomiting (no acid). On day eight, he put the scope back down, and there, for the world to see, was massive gastritis.

A simple biopsy confirmed the test results, and 21 years later, Dr. Marshall was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, along with his longtime collaborator, Robin Warren. Another notable doctor in Australia is Professor Richard Scolyer. While some deadly creatures are unique to Australia, the cancer glioblastoma multiforme is not. This cancer, like all cancers, derives from normal brain cells, in this case, astrocytes.

Grade IV astrocytomas receive this name and are one of the worst types of cancer to have. It is aggressive, invasive, and resistant to most chemotherapy agents, though Avastin is often used, along with radiation therapy and surgery, if it has not metastasized too far. The median survival time is 12 to 15 months with treatment, with less than 5 percent surviving past five years. But GBM, as its known, may have chosen the wrong human being to attack this time.

Dr. Scolyer is a specialist in skin cancers, a desperately needed profession in Australia, with its bright sunny days and large population of transplanted pale people. Over the years, Dr. Scolyer and his team developed groundbreaking immunotherapies for one of the deadliest of skin cancers, melanoma. After saving many peoples lives in Australia and around the world, he started to develop headaches and nausea.

An MRI quickly confirmed the worst: glioblastoma multiforme, an almost certain death sentence, even with one tumor, as metastasis is almost certain. Those of us who loved ER will remember Dr. Greene taking his walk on the beach before succumbing to brain cancer. Dr. Scolyer decided not to go so quietly into that dark night. Instead, he put his considerable intellect and training to good use, developing a unique treatment for his cancer.

This involved training immune cells to recognize the cancer and administering a cocktail of medications to increase the effectiveness of the treatment. His colleagues felt that he should leave things to the neuro-oncologists, but he disagreed. With the help of a colleague, Professor Georgia Long, he became the first GBM patient to receive combination pre-surgery immunotherapy and then a vaccine personalized to his tumor markers.

When the tumor was excised, it was clear that the therapy had been effective, with the medications being found in the tumor cells and an explosion of immune cells attacking the cancer cells. GBM usually returns within six months, but eight months later, in February of 2024, his scans were clear, and today, a year later, they are still clear. Doctors who refuse to accept the status quoDr. Scolyers dedication to science and medicine did not just give him more years and the hope for a cure for this deadly disease. This discovery gives everyone around the world suffering from this and any other type of cancer hope also. It is important that in our usual medical practice and research, we always leave room for the exception in the practice of medicine. In Dr. Scolyers case, I hope that he also gets a trip to Stockholm. Hes earned it.

L. Joseph Parker is a research physician.
Cement manufacturers have commended the Uganda Revenue Authority for enforcing digital tax stamps which they say have considerably helped reduce counterfeit products on the local market.

Edina Agwata, the Sales Manager at Simba Cement Uganda says what is required now is to ensure that prices of the construction materials such as cement are made affordable to the community.

We have initiated a price reduction in the market, forcing our competitors to also drop their prices. We are focused on making cement affordable to every Ugandan so that they can build their dream home, she said on Monday.

According to the Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS), at least 58 percent of goods on the Ugandan market are counterfeits, which presents risks not only to the consumers but the entire economy.
The Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) Katonga faction on Monday vowed to take legal action against the Kenyan government over the arrest, deportation, and detention of 36 of its party members.

The group was apprehended by security forces in Kenya recently, and the suspects were accused of engaging in terrorist activities. However, Katoga faction leaders insist that the members were in the country for a leadership seminar.

Speaking to the media at their Katonga Road offices in Kampala, interim president Mr. Erias Lukwago said that despite petitioning Kenya weeks ago about the arrests and detentions, they are yet to receive an official response.

We have now decided to drag the government of Kenya to court. We informed the Kenyan government that we are filing a protest note with the Ambassador of Kenya here. We took steps here and unfortunately, we were rudely interrupted by the state operatives or the authorities here and as you know, many of our colleagues ended up being arrested, he said on Monday.

He emphasized that all the arrested individuals held East African passports and had been cleared by Kenyan immigration authorities, confirming their legal presence in the country.
Nakasero Market, one of the busiest in Kampala, is facing severe challenges due to the failure by authorities to properly manage waste at the markets collecting area.

Since the tragic incident at the Kiteezi dumping site landfill, where a significant part of the landfill collapsed, the markets garbage has not been cleared effectively.

This ongoing situation has forced vendors to lay their fresh produce, such as vegetables, directly on top of accumulated garbage, putting both their health and the safety of their customers at risk.

Vendors have voiced their frustrations, stating that the waste collection trucks only visit twice every four days, and even then, the amount of garbage collected is minimal.

This inadequate waste management has exacerbated the already dire conditions at the market, where piles of uncollected trash continue to grow.

The situation has also created a survival opportunity for street dwellers on Kafumbe Mukasa Street.

These individuals have turned the garbage-strewn area into their market, scavenging for leftover matooke, onions, eggplant, cassava, and other discarded food items to sustain themselves.

How can we survive in an area where there is too much rubbish like this? There is nothing we can do besides to harden because this is where we work from, one of the traders told KFM.

Despite the difficult circumstances, both the vendors and the street survivors continue to adapt to the situation, highlighting the resilience of the local community.

However, the situation calls for immediate intervention to restore hygiene and safety in the market, ensuring that vendors can sell their produce in a clean environment and that the street survivors do not have to rely on discarded, possibly contaminated food for survival.
Three women have been charged and remanded to Luzira prison for staging a nude protest at Parliament on Monday.

Praise Aloikin, Norah Kobusingye, and Kemitoma Kyenzibo were arrested after painting their naked bodies in the Ugandan national colors of red, black, and yellow. They also carried placards demanding the resignation of Speaker of Parliament, Anita Among, over allegations of corruption.

The protest follows similar demonstrations held on March 23, 2024, which resulted in over 100 arrests.

Today, the women appeared before Buganda Road Court Chief Magistrate Ronald Kayizzi and pleaded not guilty to the charge of being a common nuisance.

The prosecution alleges that the accused inconvenienced and disturbed the public by staging their half-naked protest in the middle of Parliamentary Avenue.

The women have been remanded to Luzira prison until September 12, 2024, for a bail hearing.
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Grand Civic Reception for Sikkim Governor Om Prakash Mathur to be Held in Jaipur on September 3



khaskhabar.com : Mon, 02 Sept 2024 3:42 PM

Jaipur. A grand civic reception for Sikkim Governor Om Prakash Mathur will be held on Tuesday, September 3, 2024, at the B.M. Birla Auditorium in Jaipur. The event will commence at 4:30 PM and will be attended by several distinguished individuals from the city, representatives from various social groups, and honored citizens. Former minister and BJP membership campaign convener Arun Chaturvedi gave this information in a press conference.





Om Prakash Mathur, known affectionately as "Omji Bhai Sahab" among the people of Sikkim, hails from Bali village in Pali district, Rajasthan. His biography is filled with struggle and service. During the Emergency period, he endured imprisonment and led significant movements like the "Jeera Andolan" to raise the voice of farmers.





Om has also made significant contributions from an organizational perspective. As the organizational secretary of the Rajasthan BJP, he played a crucial role in strengthening the party and forming a robust team of workers. Subsequently, he held various important positions within the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and played a vital role in the party's expansion. His efforts resulted in a record of 100 percent electoral victories in several states where he served as the BJP's in-charge.





In addition to his political career, Om Mathur has also been a member of the BJP Central Election Committee. His dedication and loyalty have led to his appointment as the Governor of Sikkim.





On this important occasion, the ceremony will be graced by Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma, State President Madan Rathore, former Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje, Deputy Chief Minister Diya Kumari, and Premchand Bairwa, among other prominent figures from the city.





During the event, the Governor will be welcomed with a flower shower and tilak by the workers. Pandits will perform traditional rituals and welcome the Governor according to Rajasthani customs. Representatives from various social, business, sports, and other organizations will also join the ceremony to honor the Governor.





This event will be a unique opportunity to express respect and admiration for Governor Om Mathur, and the presence of all citizens will make this special day even more memorable.
Newly revised textbooks emphasizing traditional Chinese culture, national security and practical skills are being introduced this fall semester in primary and middle schools across China, the Ministry of Education announced. The revised textbooks for moral education and law, Chinese language and Chinese history have been two years in the making and will be gradually rolled out. The first to receive them will be first graders in primary school and seventh graders in middle school. By 2026, the new textbooks will be used across all grade levels in China's nine-year compulsory education system. Liu Hongjie, deputy director of the Ministry's Department of National Textbooks, said the revised books include more content related to traditional Chinese culture and promote education about national security. They also place greater emphasis on labor, national defense, safety and health. The new language textbooks now feature 353 traditional Chinese cultural works, including excerpts from the Book of Songs and essays by ancient philosophers. They also incorporate more revolutionary classics such as the diary of Lei Feng, a soldier who became a national symbol of selfless service. Additionally, new material highlights the achievements and spirit of astronauts, scientists, educators and front-line workers. The updated history books, starting with the seventh grade, have expanded by 17 pages and include 25 new images compared with previous versions. Zhang Haipeng, who led the revisions, said they now feature photographs of cultural relics and historical sites to better narrate history. Artifacts and map coordinates from the ancient city of Liangzhu, for example, illustrate the emergence of an early state in the lower reaches of the Yangtze River around 5,000 years ago. To enhance students' understanding of national security, the revised history books also include information on China's border conflicts with India and Vietnam. The Ministry of Education said the difficulty level of the textbooks for first graders has been lowered to ensure a smooth transition from kindergarten to primary school. The revisions are based on the new curriculum standards for compulsory education, issued in March 2022, which emphasize developing students' key competencies and practical abilities. zhaoyimeng@chinadaily.com.cn
AN Athy man is having to live with overflowing sewage onto his driveway because a neighbouring estate has yet to be taken in charge by Kildare County Council.

The man in question The Kildare Nationalist because he wasnt getting any response from the council, the developer or Irish Water.

The man lives in the Branswood estate, and the problem is with the sewage from the neighbouring Carraun Ard estate, which was initially built 22 years ago.

However, due to some shortcomings with the wastewater infrastructure, Kildare County Council has yet to take the estate in charge, and is waiting for Irish Water to upgrade the overworked pumping station.

Ive been living with sewage overflows for four years now, said the complainant.

The council, the developer and Irish Water all blame each other.

Drain Doc has been coming for the last four or five months every three weeks to clear the overflow at the pumping station.

Mark Wall says Irish Water has a plan for an upgrade, but theres nothing yet.

Its a joke, a nightmare. Im 20m away from it [the pumping station] and it has overflowed into mine and my neighbours.

The first time I was away on holidays, and the flood came right up to my back door, down the side and out the front drive.

The pumping station is in the green in front of me, and three of my neighbours are affected.

February was the second time it flooded into my property, and it seeped in under the cobblelock, and there is a permanent smell 24/7.

My partner comes in and out, and my neighbour has kids.

Theres been absolutely no correspondence from the developer nor Irish Water, none, they havent apologised or even knocked on my door to say sorry, nobody from nowhere, Im living here with the smell of sewage for 12 years, and it has gotten worse over recent years.

The cobblelock has been ruined with the sewage, I had the whole drive re-fitted two years ago, and will have to do it again.

It will all have to come up again at an estimated cost of 5,500.

I got another quote of 10,000, but I gave the developer the lowest quote, because I just want my driveway back, he said.

However, there maybe some light at the end of this tunnel, after Cllr Mark Wall confirmed that there was a meeting on site last week between the Council and Irish Water Where a couple of solutions were raised.

A commitment is there, but it may take another couple of months.

The developer has committed to installing a second pump, and is just awaiting a part for this.

This has been unacceptable, but I have been working on this for a few me months now, he said.
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The Chief Mason Griffith Foundation was started to honor Hermann Sgt. Mason Griffith who died in 2023 in the line of duty. Following the death of Officer Phylicia Carson this weekend, the foundation has begun funding efforts for the Carson family.
Chilton Capital Management LLC decreased its position in AvalonBay Communities, Inc. (NYSE:AVB  Free Report) by 9.1% in the second quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 106,996 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock after selling 10,708 shares during the period. Chilton Capital Management LLC owned approximately 0.08% of AvalonBay Communities worth $22,288,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in AVB. &PARTNERS purchased a new position in shares of AvalonBay Communities in the second quarter worth about $1,538,000. Lasalle Investment Management Securities LLC raised its position in AvalonBay Communities by 3.1% during the 4th quarter. Lasalle Investment Management Securities LLC now owns 602,642 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $112,827,000 after buying an additional 18,320 shares during the last quarter. GSI Capital Advisors LLC lifted its stake in AvalonBay Communities by 21.3% during the 4th quarter. GSI Capital Advisors LLC now owns 50,774 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $9,506,000 after acquiring an additional 8,925 shares during the period. Hsbc Holdings PLC boosted its holdings in shares of AvalonBay Communities by 9.2% in the 4th quarter. Hsbc Holdings PLC now owns 452,893 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $84,890,000 after acquiring an additional 38,235 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Sheets Smith Wealth Management acquired a new stake in shares of AvalonBay Communities in the first quarter worth $768,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 92.61% of the companys stock.

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AvalonBay Communities Trading Up 1.2 %

NYSE AVB traded up $2.58 during trading on Monday, hitting $225.73. The stock had a trading volume of 875,700 shares, compared to its average volume of 716,186. The firm has a 50 day moving average price of $209.44 and a 200 day moving average price of $195.91. The company has a quick ratio of 2.03, a current ratio of 2.03 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.71. AvalonBay Communities, Inc. has a twelve month low of $160.45 and a twelve month high of $226.18. The company has a market capitalization of $32.10 billion, a PE ratio of 33.59, a PEG ratio of 3.35 and a beta of 0.96.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

AvalonBay Communities ( NYSE:AVB Get Free Report ) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, July 31st. The real estate investment trust reported $1.78 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $2.71 by ($0.93). The business had revenue of $726.04 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $718.49 million. AvalonBay Communities had a return on equity of 7.16% and a net margin of 29.61%. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $2.66 earnings per share. As a group, equities research analysts forecast that AvalonBay Communities, Inc. will post 11 earnings per share for the current year.

Several equities analysts recently issued reports on the stock. Piper Sandler boosted their target price on shares of AvalonBay Communities from $230.00 to $255.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Friday, August 2nd. Wells Fargo & Company upped their target price on AvalonBay Communities from $222.00 to $244.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Monday, August 26th. Morgan Stanley lifted their price target on shares of AvalonBay Communities from $203.00 to $209.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Tuesday, May 14th. Truist Financial increased their price objective on shares of AvalonBay Communities from $213.00 to $230.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a report on Tuesday, August 27th. Finally, Scotiabank lifted their target price on shares of AvalonBay Communities from $218.00 to $229.00 and gave the company a sector perform rating in a research report on Monday, August 26th. Twelve investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have assigned a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, AvalonBay Communities presently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $214.47.

Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on AvalonBay Communities

Insider Buying and Selling

In other AvalonBay Communities news, CIO Matthew H. Birenbaum sold 5,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, August 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $208.90, for a total value of $1,044,500.00. Following the sale, the executive now owns 65,967 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $13,780,506.30. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. In other news, CIO Matthew H. Birenbaum sold 5,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Monday, August 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $208.90, for a total transaction of $1,044,500.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive now directly owns 65,967 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $13,780,506.30. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, SVP Keri A. Shea sold 2,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, August 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $207.17, for a total value of $414,340.00. Following the sale, the senior vice president now directly owns 4,383 shares in the company, valued at approximately $908,026.11. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 0.42% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

AvalonBay Communities Company Profile

(Free Report)

As of December 31, 2023, the Company owned or held a direct or indirect ownership interest in 299 apartment communities containing 90,669 apartment homes in 12 states and the District of Columbia, of which 18 communities were under development. The Company is an equity REIT in the business of developing, redeveloping, acquiring and managing apartment communities in leading metropolitan areas in New England, the New York/New Jersey Metro area, the Mid-Atlantic, the Pacific Northwest, and Northern and Southern California, as well as in the Company's expansion regions of Raleigh-Durham and Charlotte, North Carolina, Southeast Florida, Dallas and Austin, Texas, and Denver, Colorado.

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Chilton Capital Management LLC trimmed its position in Digital Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE:DLR  Free Report) by 32.1% during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 107,715 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock after selling 50,868 shares during the quarter. Chilton Capital Management LLCs holdings in Digital Realty Trust were worth $16,378,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of the company. CIBC Asset Management Inc lifted its position in shares of Digital Realty Trust by 1.5% in the second quarter. CIBC Asset Management Inc now owns 43,319 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $6,587,000 after buying an additional 644 shares during the last quarter. Stiles Financial Services Inc boosted its position in Digital Realty Trust by 25.5% during the second quarter. Stiles Financial Services Inc now owns 10,531 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $1,602,000 after purchasing an additional 2,142 shares during the period. Crestwood Advisors Group LLC increased its holdings in shares of Digital Realty Trust by 1.7% in the second quarter. Crestwood Advisors Group LLC now owns 11,995 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $1,824,000 after purchasing an additional 202 shares during the last quarter. Natixis Advisors LLC raised its position in shares of Digital Realty Trust by 15.1% in the second quarter. Natixis Advisors LLC now owns 187,641 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $28,531,000 after purchasing an additional 24,640 shares during the period. Finally, D.A. Davidson & CO. lifted its stake in shares of Digital Realty Trust by 1.6% during the 2nd quarter. D.A. Davidson & CO. now owns 29,621 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $4,503,000 after buying an additional 474 shares during the last quarter. 99.71% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several equities research analysts have issued reports on the stock. Truist Financial raised their price objective on shares of Digital Realty Trust from $160.00 to $168.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Tuesday, August 13th. Stifel Nicolaus raised their price target on shares of Digital Realty Trust from $165.00 to $175.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Friday, July 12th. TD Cowen cut their price objective on shares of Digital Realty Trust from $122.00 to $120.00 and set a hold rating for the company in a report on Friday, July 26th. Barclays raised their target price on shares of Digital Realty Trust from $123.00 to $130.00 and gave the stock an underweight rating in a report on Wednesday, July 24th. Finally, BMO Capital Markets upgraded Digital Realty Trust from a market perform rating to an outperform rating and boosted their price target for the company from $144.00 to $170.00 in a research note on Wednesday, June 26th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have issued a hold rating, ten have given a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Digital Realty Trust presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $154.00.

Digital Realty Trust Trading Up 1.4 %

Shares of NYSE:DLR traded up $2.11 during mid-day trading on Monday, reaching $151.61. 3,050,900 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,853,039. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.81, a quick ratio of 1.78 and a current ratio of 1.78. Digital Realty Trust, Inc. has a twelve month low of $113.94 and a twelve month high of $162.58. The firm has a market capitalization of $49.64 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 42.11, a PEG ratio of 4.84 and a beta of 0.59. The businesss fifty day moving average price is $151.21 and its 200-day moving average price is $145.97.

Digital Realty Trust (NYSE:DLR  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, July 25th. The real estate investment trust reported $0.20 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.63 by ($1.43). The company had revenue of $1.36 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.38 billion. Digital Realty Trust had a return on equity of 5.93% and a net margin of 20.58%. The firms quarterly revenue was down .7% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $1.68 earnings per share. On average, research analysts predict that Digital Realty Trust, Inc. will post 6.65 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Digital Realty Trust Dividend Announcement

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, September 30th. Shareholders of record on Friday, September 13th will be given a dividend of $1.22 per share. This represents a $4.88 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.22%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, September 13th. Digital Realty Trusts dividend payout ratio is presently 135.56%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, Director Jean F. H. P. Mandeville sold 600 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Thursday, August 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $150.26, for a total value of $90,156.00. Following the sale, the director now directly owns 9,055 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,360,604.30. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Company insiders own 0.17% of the companys stock.

Digital Realty Trust Profile

(Free Report)

Digital Realty brings companies and data together by delivering the full spectrum of data center, colocation, and interconnection solutions. PlatformDIGITAL, the company's global data center platform, provides customers with a secure data meeting place and a proven Pervasive Datacenter Architecture (PDx) solution methodology for powering innovation and efficiently managing Data Gravity challenges.

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Deutsche Telekom AG (ETR:DTE  Get Free Report)s stock price hit a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Monday . The company traded as high as 25.87 ($28.74) and last traded at 25.88 ($28.76), with a volume of 3878595 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at 25.71 ($28.57).

Deutsche Telekom Stock Up 0.7 %

The business has a 50-day moving average price of 24.23 and a 200-day moving average price of 22.79. The company has a current ratio of 0.99, a quick ratio of 0.57 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 158.99. The stock has a market cap of $128.88 billion, a PE ratio of 25.71, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.85 and a beta of 0.61.

About Deutsche Telekom

(Get Free Report)

Deutsche Telekom AG, together with its subsidiaries, provides integrated telecommunication services. The company operates through Germany, United States, Europe, Systems Solutions, Group Development, and Group Headquarters and Group Services segments. It offers fixed-network services, including voice and data communication services based on fixed-network and broadband technology; and sells terminal equipment and other hardware products, as well as services to resellers.

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Union Savings Bank trimmed its holdings in Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE:BMY  Free Report) by 20.6% during the second quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 10,467 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock after selling 2,718 shares during the period. Union Savings Banks holdings in Bristol-Myers Squibb were worth $435,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Other hedge funds have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Cravens & Co Advisors LLC acquired a new position in Bristol-Myers Squibb during the 2nd quarter valued at about $243,000. Arlington Partners LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb by 25.2% in the second quarter. Arlington Partners LLC now owns 78,306 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $3,252,000 after purchasing an additional 15,773 shares in the last quarter. Equitable Trust Co. boosted its position in shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb by 1.5% during the second quarter. Equitable Trust Co. now owns 24,056 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $999,000 after buying an additional 355 shares during the last quarter. Waterfront Wealth Inc. grew its holdings in Bristol-Myers Squibb by 18.5% during the second quarter. Waterfront Wealth Inc. now owns 24,021 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $998,000 after buying an additional 3,743 shares in the last quarter. Finally, D.A. Davidson & CO. raised its position in Bristol-Myers Squibb by 9.9% in the 2nd quarter. D.A. Davidson & CO. now owns 415,115 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $17,240,000 after buying an additional 37,495 shares during the last quarter. 76.41% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research firms have recently issued reports on BMY. StockNews.com upgraded shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb from a buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Monday, July 29th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft dropped their price target on Bristol-Myers Squibb from $53.00 to $45.00 and set a hold rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, July 23rd. Jefferies Financial Group upped their price objective on Bristol-Myers Squibb from $49.00 to $51.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a research note on Wednesday, August 28th. Barclays lifted their target price on Bristol-Myers Squibb from $41.00 to $42.00 and gave the stock an underweight rating in a research note on Thursday, August 22nd. Finally, Cantor Fitzgerald restated a neutral rating and set a $45.00 price target on shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb in a research report on Monday, July 22nd. Two analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, thirteen have given a hold rating, two have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $54.67.

Bristol-Myers Squibb Price Performance

BMY stock opened at $49.95 on Monday. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $45.17 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $46.56. The stock has a market cap of $101.25 billion, a PE ratio of -16.11, a P/E/G ratio of 12.92 and a beta of 0.44. Bristol-Myers Squibb has a one year low of $39.35 and a one year high of $63.03. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.86, a current ratio of 1.16 and a quick ratio of 1.02.

Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE:BMY  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Friday, July 26th. The biopharmaceutical company reported $2.07 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping 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 company had revenue of $12.20 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $11.54 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $1.75 earnings per share. The firms quarterly revenue was up 8.7% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, analysts predict that Bristol-Myers Squibb will post 0.77 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Bristol-Myers Squibb Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, August 1st. Investors of record on Friday, July 5th were issued a dividend of $0.60 per share. 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 is -77.42%.

Bristol-Myers Squibb Company Profile

(Free Report)

Bristol-Myers Squibb Company discovers, develops, licenses, manufactures, markets, distributes, and sells biopharmaceutical products worldwide. It offers products for hematology, oncology, cardiovascular, immunology, fibrotic, and neuroscience diseases. The company's products include Eliquis 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.

Further Reading

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Some foreign professors at Pyongyang University of Science and Technology have returned to North Korea after a four-year hiatus over COVID-19, Seoul officials said Monday, in the latest sign of the North's further border opening.

Late last month, an unspecified number of foreign professors at North Korea's sole international private university entered North Korea, as the regime has issued visas to them, according to Tae Yong-ho, secretary general of the Peaceful Unification Advisory Council.

"North Korean authorities issuing the visas means that they will ensure the safety of foreign professors," Tae said.

Pyongyang University of Science and Technology was established in 2010, funded by a South Korean nongovernmental organization and North Korea's education ministry. The faculty consists of U.S. and European nationals, including Korean Americans, and all lectures are given in English.

All of the professors at the university had to leave Pyongyang as North Korea closed its border in early 2020 over the COVID-19 pandemic. Since then, they have operated college lectures online.

Since North Korea began reopening its border in August last year, it has partially approved the entry of foreigners, including diplomats from countries sharing socialist values with the North or Russian tourists.

In the case of the foreign university professors, North Korea appears to have issued a resident visa to people with Western nationality for the first time since its border reopening.

Currently, diplomats from countries with diplomatic missions in North Korea and field workers from international organizations have not been allowed to return to North Korea, after they left the reclusive regime due to COVID-19.

Earlier this year, some European diplomats, including those from Germany and Sweden, visited Pyongyang, but the trips were one-off visits designed to conduct a technical check to review a possible resumption of their diplomatic missions. (Yonhap)
The unification ministry said Monday that it will host an inaugural forum in Seoul this week in a bid to explore ways to muster international support for the two Koreas' unification.

The Global Korea Forum (GKF) will take place at the Lotte Hotel Seoul on Tuesday, under the theme of "Unified Korean Peninsula for Freedom, Peace, and Prosperity." This event is an expanded version of the annual forum focused on security and policy issues related to the Korean Peninsula.

Last month, President Yoon Suk Yeol announced a new unification doctrine that centers on expanding North Koreans' access to outside information and proposes opening an official dialogue channel between the two Koreas to discuss any issue.

Former U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon will deliver the keynote speech, following a congratulatory message by former Unification Minister Hyun In-taek.

Ri Il-gyu, a former counselor of political affairs at the North Korean Embassy in Cuba, will also participate in a session on North Korea's situation. Ri, a seasoned North Korean diplomat known for overseeing Cuban affairs, defected to South Korea with his family in November of last year.

The forum aims to contribute to global peace and prosperity by fostering international support for a unified Korea built on the principles of freedom, peace and prosperity, the ministry said.

Discussions will cover a range of topics, including the international community's consensus on the liberal international order and the unification of the Korean Peninsula, as well as understanding the realities of North Korea in preparation for unification, it said. (Yonhap)
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 Korea have also held Africa summits in recent years, recognizing 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. (Reuters)
VATICAN CITY - Pope Francis, 87, flies to Indonesia Monday on the first leg of an ambitious four-nation tour, with inter-faith ties set to dominate his visit to the world's most populous Muslim-majority country.

The pontiff leaves Rome on Monday afternoon and lands in Jakarta on Tuesday morning (0430 GMT), the first stop in a 12-day voyage that will also take in Papua New Guinea, East Timor and Singapore.

Covering some 32,000 kilometers, the tour will test Francis' increasingly fragile health.

But in recent weeks the pontiff has appeared in good spirits, and he is often energized by being among his flock.

Catholics currently represent fewer than three percent of the population of Indonesia.

But they are one of six officially recognized religions or denominations in the secular nation, also including Protestantism, Buddhism, Hinduism and Confucianism.

On Thursday Francis will meet representatives of all six at Istiqlal Mosque, the largest in Southeast Asia and a symbol of religious co-existence.

It is linked via a "tunnel of friendship" to the cathedral across the road, where Christians in recent days have been taking selfies with a life-sized cutout of the pope.

At the mosque, Pope Francis will sign a joint declaration with the grand imam, Nasaruddin Umar.

The statement will focus on "dehumanisation," notably the spread of violence and conflict, particularly to women and children, as well as environmental degradation, according to the Indonesian bishops' conference.

Francis has repeatedly urged the world to do more to combat climate change and mitigate its effects, including rising sea levels, which threaten the heavily polluted megalopolis of Jakarta.

Security is tight for the three-day visit, with the military, police and members of the president's own detail among more than 4,000 law enforcement officers deployed.

A new billboard advert declaring "Welcome Pope Francis" has been put up in central Jakarta, while the government has ordered a special stamp in his honor.

It is the third papal visit to Indonesia, an archipelago of 17,500 islands, after Paul VI in 1970 and John Paul II in 1989.

The independent Jakarta Post newspaper hailed the visit in an editorial Monday as "highly significant for the advancement of interreligious relations" both in Indonesia and abroad.

Despite Indonesia's official recognition of different faiths, there are concerns about growing discrimination, including against Christians, with local Catholics hoping the pope will speak out.

The Jakarta-based Journalists' Union for Diversity (SEJUK) told AFP it had recorded eight violations of religious freedom in August alone, including the banning of church construction, attacks on temples and assaults.

But Michel Chambon, a theologian and anthropologist at the National University of Singapore, said the pope would be pressing a wider message he has already delivered in other Muslim-majority countries, from Iraq to Bahrain, Turkey and Morocco.

The visit "is not really aimed at Catholics in Indonesia" but is intended to highlight the global importance of Islamic-Christian dialogue, he told AFP.

"There are divisions even within the Catholic Church. Some leaders think that good interreligious dialogue is all well and good, but that it will not go further than peaceful coexistence," he added.

Francis will meet outgoing President Joko Widodo during his visit, and hold meetings with young people, diplomats and local clergy.

He will also preside over a mass in a 80,000-seat stadium, one of several such events during the tour, the 45th overseas trip of his papacy.

Originally planned for 2020 but postponed due to the Covid pandemic, the visit takes place just three months before his 88th birthday.

The Argentine now routinely uses a wheelchair to move around, underwent hernia surgery last year and has been plagued by respiratory issues.

He has not travelled abroad since visiting Marseille in France in September 2023, having cancelled a planned address at United Nations climate talks in Dubai two months later.

He will be travelling to Indonesia with his personal doctor and two nurses, but Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni said this is normal, saying no extra precautions were in place. (AFP)
Jung stars in Alfonso Cuaron's new directorial work 'Disclaimer'

By KTimes

"Squid Game" actor Jung Ho-yeon received a standing ovation at the 81st Venice International Film Festival, where she appeared alongside Cate Blanchett in her Hollywood debut.

Jung graced the red carpet on Thursday and Friday at the festival, attending Apple TV+'s premiere of "Disclaimer."

On the first day, she captured attention in a striking red dress, and the following day, she turned heads again in a bold black dress with daring cut-out details, drawing an intense spotlight on the red carpet.

Particularly notable was her moment with Cate Blanchett, which generated much buzz. The Hollywood Reporter noted that Jung Ho-yeon was a central figure among the Generation Z audience lined up on the red carpet, and cheers erupted when she posed for a photo with Cate Blanchett, highlighting the global appeal of the two stars together.

"Disclaimer," which premiered at the 81st Venice International Film Festival, is a psychological thriller series directed by Alfonso Cuaron.

It tells the story of Catherine (Cate Blanchett), a journalist who has built a career exposing the wrongdoings of others, when she receives a novel from an unknown author. Jung plays the role of Ji-soo and shares screen time with Cate Blanchett in this intriguing series.

Variety reported that "Disclaimer" received a rapturous response from the Venice audience. After the screening, the audience gave a five-minute standing ovation, showering the show with praise, it reported.

The Hollywood Reporter also commented that despite the film's runtime of over three hours, the audience stood and applauded as the lights came on at Venice's Sala Grande cinema, capturing the excitement of the moment.

Previously, Jung has attended numerous prestigious awards ceremonies, such as the Gotham Awards, the Screen Actors Guild Awards (SAG), the Critics Choice Super Awards, the Emmys and the British Academy Film Awards, both as a presenter and a recipient.

She became the first Korean and the first non-English speaking actor to win best actress at the SAG Awards.

"Disclaimer" is set to be released on Oct. 11.

This article from the Hankook Ilbo, a sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by a generative AI and edited by The Korea Times.
The head of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) met with the deputy chief of Korea's financial regulator Monday for talks on various issues, including regulations on virtual assets, officials said.

SEC Commissioner Mark Uyeda and Kim So-young, vice chair of the Financial Services Commission (FSC), met at the government complex in Seoul.

They first exchanged views on the potential impact of proposed rules for the financial stability of nonbank financial intermediation companies on the capital market, according to the FSC.

"Commissioner Uyeda then noted (he) is closely monitoring the regulations of major countries, including Korea, on virtual assets, and asked about Korea's efforts to maintain a balance between consumer protection and financial stability, using new technologies, such as blockchain," it said in a press release.

Kim said the country is working toward such a goal through close cooperation between related agencies, noting the science ministry is spearheading blockchain-based technological innovations, and the FSC is pushing for related regulations while placing top priority on consumer protection and maintaining market order. (Yonhap)
Health Minister Cho Kyoo-hong on Monday tried to soothe concerns about hospital emergency rooms, as some doctors have warned of a potential disruption of emergency care due to a prolonged walkout by trainee doctors.

"Although there are some difficulties, we believe that emergency rooms are capable of maintaining operations," Cho told an SBS radio.

"The issues extend beyond emergency rooms to follow-up treatments, which were present even before the walkout by the medical community," Cho said. "This can be addressed through medical reform."

The minister added that the government will ensure 4,000 hospitals and clinics remain open over the Chuseok holiday.

With regard to a proposal by Han Dong-hoon, leader of the ruling People Power Party (PPP), to defer the medical school quota increase for 2026 to help break an impasse over the government's medical reform plan, Cho said the government cannot accept the proposal.

"If we defer the increase in the medical school quota for 2026, it will also delay achieving a balance between the supply and demand for doctors," Cho said.

The government has already finalized a plan to increase the medical school quota by about 1,500 students next year in an effort to address the shortage of doctors in essential services.

"Accepting (the proposal for delay) is not an option, as it could cause significant disruption to efforts aimed at bolstering essential medical services and improving regional health care," he added.

However, Cho reiterated that the government is open to negotiating with the medical community should they come up with a reasonable solution. (Yonhap)
Nearly 7 out of 10 Koreans voiced support for a gradual increase in the medical school admission quota rather than a drastic hike, a survey showed Monday.

The survey of 1,000 Koreans aged 18 and older commissioned by the national medical professors' council showed that 68.9 percent of the respondents said raising the number of medical school students gradually is appropriate, while 22.6 percent called for a marked increase at one time.

Asked if the government's push for a hike of 2,000 was believed to have been based on scientific grounds, 44.9 percent said it is "very much unlikely" and 16.5 percent said it is "unlikely."

As part of the medical system reform, the Yoon Suk Yeol administration has vowed to increase the medical school admissions quota by 2,000 seats per year over the next five years or so to address a shortage of doctors, and it finalized a hike of some 1,500 students for next year.

The plan is facing fierce opposition from doctors, and most of the country's 13,000 trainee doctors have left their workplaces in the form of mass resignations since February to disrupt the national health care system.

Doctors claim that medical schools will not be able to handle the increased enrollment, which will compromise the quality of medical education and ultimately the country's medical services.

According to the survey, 65 percent of the respondents pointed to the need to adjust next year's quota hike plan, and 64.5 percent worried about the worsening medical service crisis.

Asked if Yoon appears to be well aware of the current situation in the medical scene, 67.4 percent said they don't think so.

"The people now urge the government to change its course," the council said. "Nobody will endure its ridiculous decision that completely breaks down the country's advanced medical system in just six months." (Yonhap)
The health ministry said Monday it plans to deploy military physicians to hospital emergency rooms amid growing concerns over a possible disruption of emergency care during the Chuseok holiday due to a prolonged walkout by junior doctors.

Second Vice Health Minister Park Min-soo told reporters the government would send some 250 military and public health doctors to cope with emergency care before and after the holiday that runs from Sept. 14 through 18.

"We are reinforcing the staff by utilizing military and public doctors, while recruiting nurses and contract doctors," Park said.

The ministry noted the number of doctors, including specialists and junior doctors, currently working in emergency rooms stands at 73.4 percent of the usual capacity.

Of the country's 409 emergency rooms, 406 are maintaining 24-hour operations, although 27 have reduced the number of beds, it added.

The total number of beds available at emergency medical institutions had stood at 5,918 as of Friday, representing 97.5 percent of the 6,069 beds recorded in the first week of February, just before the junior doctors' walkout. (Yonhap)
President Yoon Suk Yeol met with Fatih Birol, the chief of the International Energy Agency (IEA), on Monday, the president's office said, expressing gratitude for the agency's support of Seoul's Carbon-Free Energy (CFE) initiative.

In September, Yoon introduced the CFE initiative during his keynote speech at the U.N. General Assembly, focusing on achieving carbon neutrality by leveraging carbon-free energy sources.

Yoon acknowledged Birol's leadership and efforts to promote the broader use of clean energy as a response to global challenges like abnormal weather conditions and energy security crises.

In recognition of his contributions to the expansion of carbon-free energy and the strengthened cooperation between South Korea and the IEA, President Yoon awarded Birol the Gwanghwa Medal, the highest distinction in the Order of Diplomatic Service Merit.

The president also proposed that both parties collaborate on developing and promoting clean energy technologies, particularly to "set a good precedent" for developing countries in enhancing their manufacturing competitiveness.

Birol praised the CFE initiative, saying that it demonstrates Seoul's leadership in ensuring safe, sustainable and affordable energy, aligning with the IEA's mission. He also highlighted the growing importance of nuclear energy globally and commended South Korea's innovative advancements in this area. (Yonhap)
By Jon Dunbar

Perch Seoul Coffee and Cocktails, a recently opened establishment in central Seoul's Haebangchon neighborhood, has been getting unexpected attention for one particular specialty: its pierogi.

Pierogi (which is actually a plural word in the original Polish) are dumplings associated with the cuisines of several Central, Eastern and Southeastern European cuisines, including Poland, Ukraine and Russia. They're also popular in parts of North America where immigrants brought them there, including Edmonton, my hometown, which is sometimes nicknamed "Edmonchuk" due to its large Ukrainian Canadian population. Pierogi is similar to other dumplings in wider regions, including Korea's "mandu," but not close enough if you're in search of a comfort food that reminds you of your grandmother's cooking.

Soo-young, Perch's owner, said she taught herself pierogi-making through YouTube videos after a Korean Canadian friend complained about not being able to find them in Korea. At that time, she didn't anticipate she would end up making pierogi every night.

Stuffed with potato and ricotta cheese, Perch's pierogi  which some people might prefer to identify as varenyky  are fried up in bacon grease and onions and served also with chives and sour cream. They're as good as homemade and way better than anything that comes out of a freezer. Even my baba would have approved.

Every Tuesday is pierogi night, where you can get a full plate for 10,000 won ($7.47), but you can order them on any other day as well at the still-reasonable price of 13,000 won.

There's also a gumbo Sunday, and the menu has a few other foods, including chicken and vegan tenders, Cajun fries, onion rings and fried oysters.

Perch's food menu is thin, as it isn't primarily a restaurant for serving food.

The significantly more extensive drinks menu consists of coffees, teas, cocktails, non-alcoholic cocktails, wine and beer. On tap are OB Lager for cheapskates, a refreshing IPA from Ganadara Brewery based in Andong, North Gyeongsang Province, and two flavors of hard seltzer. The menu also offers muffins.

I just hope Soo-young isn't allergic to money, because I have more of it I want to pay for more of her pierogi for a long time to come.

The interior of Perch is nice, sort of reminiscent of Social Haven, where Soo-young worked previously, but with a split-level structure separating the bar area from the front seating. There is also a charming outdoor terrace space built around the side of the building.

Perch is located in the same building as the 7-Eleven at the bend in Sinheung-ro, close to Nostress Burger and Hair of the Dog. It opens every day of the week except Monday at 1 p.m. and stays open until 2 a.m. on Friday and Saturday and midnight during the other days. Follow @perch_seoul on Instagram for more information.
About 7,500 crimes have been committed by military personnel against civilians over the past five years, but indictments have been reported in only three out of 10 such cases, data from the defense ministry showed Monday.

The number of detected crimes against civilians by soldiers and civilian military employees reached 1,595 in 2020, 1,503 in 2021, 2,084 in 2022, 1,627 in 2023 and 66 as of June this year, according to the data obtained and released by Rep. Huh Young of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea.

All told, the total number comes to 7,475 crimes, and the Army accounted for 5,340, followed by the Navy with 1,219 and the Air Force with 651.

By the types of criminal offenses, there were 2,305 traffic crimes, 2,219 violent crimes, 1,276 sexual crimes, 1,067 fraud and extortion crimes, 596 thefts and robberies, 10 murders, and two arson cases, the data found.

But indictments occurred in only 2,392 cases, or 32 percent of the total, they showed. (Yonhap)
The military's intelligence unit currently under scrutiny over a major military secrets leak did not undergo an external security audit for seven years, the defense ministry said Monday.

Last week, military prosecutors indicted a civilian official at the Korea Defense Intelligence Command (KDIC) for allegedly leaking secrets in return for money. The official confessed to being recruited by a suspected Chinese intelligence agent in 2017.

The ministry said the KDIC last received an external security audit in 2017 as the military's counterintelligence unit was reorganized and lost its authority to examine the KDIC in 2018 over its suspected masterminding of a martial law plan while then President Park Geun-hye faced an impeachment trial.

The KDIC  a unit under the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA)  currently receives an annual security audit from the DIA, but it appears to have failed in detecting the leak.

A ministry official said there are plans to consider amending security-related directives to strengthen security measures of military units and agencies.

Officials are expected to discuss possibly returning the Defense Counterintelligence Command's authority to conduct a security audit on the KDIC. (Yonhap)
South Korea and Norway agreed Monday to establish a bilateral security defense dialogue channel to enhance their practical cooperation in the areas of defense and security, South Korea's defense ministry said.

Defense Minister Shin Won-sik and his Norwegian counterpart, Bjorn Arild Gram, reached the agreement to launch the director-general level consultative body during their meeting in Seoul earlier in the day, according to the ministry.

Norway has acquired South Korean arms systems in the past decade, purchasing 28 K-9 self-propelled howitzers and 14 K-10 ammunition resupply vehicles manufactured by South Korean defense firm Hanwha Aerospace in 2017 and 2022, respectively.

During the meeting, the defense chiefs concurred on the growing security connectivity between Asia and Europe in the face of Russia and North Korea's deepening military cooperation, and agreed to cement their bilateral defense cooperation based on shared universal values, the ministry said.

Shin condemned North Korea's continued provocations, including its launch of missiles and trash balloons, and requested Norway's support for Seoul's security policy.

He also underscored Oslo's provision of medical support during the 1950-53 Korean War and thanked the country for its contribution to peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula, it added. (Yonhap)
Kim Yong-hyun reiterates support for South Korea obtaining nuclear weapons

By Lee Hyo-jin

Defense Minister nominee Kim Yong-hyun rebuked speculations that his appointment is part of a broader government plan to declare martial law, a claim raised by the opposition bloc, Monday.

During Kim's confirmation hearing, members of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) focused on concerns that his nomination, as a retired three-star Army general, might be part of a strategy by the Yoon Suk Yeol administration to tighten control over the military.

Some lawmakers suggested that this could lead to martial law being declared to suppress public protests, especially as the president faces growing political challenges.

DPK Rep. Park Sun-won pointed out that with Kim's appointment, several key military positions have been filled with figures who have personal connections to President Yoon Suk Yeol, all of whom graduated from the same high school. He suggested that these key military figures could play a critical role in imposing martial law in a contingency.

Yoon and Kim attended Chungam High School, with Kim being one year senior. Lt. Gen. Yeo In-hyung, the defense counterintelligence commander, also graduated from the same school.

Kim dismissed these speculations, stating, I do not agree. In the past, there have been cases where the defense minister and defense counterintelligence commander were from the same high school.

Some other DPK lawmakers expressed concerns about the timing of Kims appointment, which comes just one month ahead of an upcoming reshuffle of the nations military leadership slated for October. DPK Rep. Choo Mi-ae speculated that Kim might use his position to appoint his loyalists to key military roles.

In response to further attacks from the liberal lawmakers, Kim said, Confirmation hearings are not a place for false propaganda based on misinformation.

On policy matters, the defense chief nominee reiterated his hawkish stance on North Korea and did not rule out the possibility of South Korea acquiring nuclear weapons as a potential response to escalating threats from the North.

It could be one of the options, Kim said in response to a query about the nuclear option.

Before and after his nomination in August, Kim expressed openness to "all means" of responding to North Koreas nuclear threats, although he emphasized that the alliance with the United States and extended deterrence remain the standard strategy.

This position could be seen as diverging from the stance of current Defense Minister Shin Won-sik, who recently stated in a foreign media interview that South Korea acquiring its own nuclear weapons might rupture its alliance with the U.S. and shock financial markets.

A significant portion of Kims confirmation hearing was also dedicated to scrutinizing his role in relocating the presidential office.

Kim, who served as the inaugural presidential security chief for the Yoon administration, led the effort to move the presidential office from Cheong Wa Dae to the Ministry of National Defense compound in central Seoul's Yongsan District.

The project was criticized for being hasty and costly, with many questioning the necessity of the president moving out from the venue that had housed previous leaders for over seven decades.

DPK Rep. Boo Seung-chan, a former spokesperson for the defense ministry, criticized the relocation process, claiming it was carried out in a hasty manner and did not adhere to related laws when allocating an additional budget for the project.

In response, Kim stated, The relocation of the presidential office was to move away from the power of authoritarianism. The president kept his promise to the people and returned Cheong Wa Dae to the public. I don't think this is something to be criticized.

Once appointed, Kim will succeed Defense Minister Shin, who was named national security adviser in a surprise reshuffle in August. Shin currently holds both roles.
Dozens of amphibious vehicles carrying Korean and U.S. Marines charged ashore Monday to secure target areas as part of combined drills designed to enhance their amphibious landing capabilities.

The drills took place across two coastal areas in Pohang, 273 kilometers southeast of Seoul, as the key phase of the allies' annual Ssang Yong (double dragon) exercise that kicked off last Monday for a 13-day run.

Korean and U.S. commandos, along with the South's drones, first scouted the coastal areas before U.S. F-35B stealth fighters and AH-1Z attack helicopters fired upon simulated enemy targets to secure the areas for landing, the Marine Corps said.

More than 50 Korean and U.S. amphibious vehicles then charged onto the coast, followed by paratroopers jumping from a C-130 transport plane onto the target areas.

This year's Ssang Yong exercise featured a combined staff of Korean and U.S. officers leading the drills for the first time. They oversaw the drills aboard the Korean Navy's ROKS Marado amphibious assault ship.

The exercise has mobilized some 40 warships, including the USS Boxer amphibious assault ship, and around 40 aircraft, including the U.S. V-22 Osprey. A company-level Marine commando unit from Britain also joined the exercise for the second consecutive year. (Yonhap)
Deepfake porn images have sent many Korean women scurrying to take down selfies from Facebook, Instagram and other social media platforms as concerns have been mounting that no one is an exception to the crime in the world's most-wired nation.

"It feels like what should have been the safest place for us, our routine lives, has been violated," said a 27-year-old woman, who identified herself only by her surname Lee, revealing that she deleted all traces of herself from social media.

The issue of sexual deepfakes rose to the spotlight when a graduate of Seoul National University in his 40s allegedly conspired with three other men to create sexually explicit images and videos of victims using deepfake technology, and share them on Telegram.

Sixty-one victims have so far been identified, including 12 alumni of the same school as the perpetrator.

In no time, media reports flourished of other similar cases of deepfake sex crimes, with some chat rooms known to target minors.

One Telegram channel reportedly had over 220,000 members and was equipped with a program that instantly turns a photo into a nude, with the perpetrators encouraging members to share photos of people they know.

Bae Sang-hoon, an adjunct professor of the police administration department at Woosuk University, said perpetrators in these crimes are driven by factors like a sense of inferiority, amusement and sometimes just to harass or take revenge on someone online when it cannot be done physically.

"The earliest form of insulting someone you know began when, as kids, people drew mustaches on a photo hung in a public bathroom, or ripped out the eyes from a photo in a graduation album," Bae said.

The difference today is that with the fusion of Telegram, widely used by teens and the younger generations, and artificial intelligence, it has led to explosive damage across the nation, the professor said.

"Deepfake technology makes it hard to distinguish whether something made up is real or a caricature, and this confusion makes it even more dangerous," Bae said.

The number of deepfake victims who asked for help from the state agency tackling digital sex crimes amounted to 781 people between Jan. 1 and Aug. 25, and 288 of them, or 36.9 percent, were minors.

The education ministry said it received 196 reports of damage from such deepfake sex crimes among students and teachers from January until Tuesday, with teachers accounting for 10 of the cases.

In the face of these deepfake crimes, women are hurriedly taking down photos of themselves on social media, or going out of their way to hunt down the suspects themselves.

On X, formerly known as Twitter, keywords like "illegal porn" and "expose_the_deepfake_perpetrators" decorated the top trends of the country, with many sharing a list of schools suspected of being targeted in the chat rooms, sharing updates of related news stories, and sharing tips on how to avoid falling victim.

A photographer, who asked to remain anonymous, said he would "temporarily halt uploading posts with the faces of models" due to concerns about deepfake crimes.

Kim Su-jeong, director of the Women's Human Rights Counseling Center, said the government should educate perpetrators that their actions are wrong and cannot be tolerated, rather than telling the victims to take down their photos or posts.

"The repeated violence against women in this country is a result of the state's failure to listen to the numerous calls in the past raising alarms on the issue, lax punishment for perpetrators and a lack of awareness that such actions are crimes," she added.

On Tuesday, President Yoon Suk Yeol urged authorities to root out the digital sex crimes using deepfakes during a cabinet meeting, referring to it as a "clear criminal act".

In a belated response, the government has since announced a series of measures, including toughening punishment for deepfake sex crimes, pushing to secure a hotline with Telegram for year-round consultations and punishing people for simply possessing deepfake pornographic materials.

Following reports that many of the victims were found to be minors, the education ministry also vowed to better educate students on digital ethics and online sexual abuse prevention training.

The National Police Agency also announced a seven-month intensive crackdown on deepfake sex crimes.

"The fundamental cause of all violence against women is sexual discrimination, the thought that women are not equal beings but some object to relieve one's sexual desires, and even the culture where men share this as a kind of fun activity and encourage each other," Kim said.

Bae Jeong-weon, director of the Center for Sexuality and Harmonious Life and adjunct professor of Seong University, said that exposure to pornographic materials from a young age and the prevalence of the objectification of women in society makes teens become numb to such crimes.

"Many teens tend to think of it as kind of a game in which they play to upgrade their levels often competitively among other peers," she said, noting the prevalent exposure of such sexual content in games, porn and in cyberspace that often leads them to objectify women.

Pointing to France's recent push to ban mobile phones at school for children up to the age of 15 and a similar discussion in the United Kingdom, Bae said, "Even if we can't go that far, we need to at least inspect and rule out access to violent games for adolescents."

Bae also stressed that media literacy education and humanism education are equally important.

"The real question is, do we have the time to teach kids about building their humanistic character under an education system that traps students in an endless cycle of tests and competitions," she asked.

On Thursday afternoon, nearly 70 university students and members of women's rights groups gathered in front of Gangnam Station in southern Seoul, calling for a thorough investigation into deepfake crimes, stern punishment for perpetrators and a set of fundamental prevention measures.

"Deepfakes are not a game!" they chanted. "Violence can't break us!" (Yonhap)
Police have launched a preliminary investigation into the instant messaging service platform Telegram on suspicions of abetting deepfake sex crimes, the chief police investigator said Monday.

The move comes as Korea scrambles to combat deepfake pornography targeting young women, including teenagers, which has been circulated online.

"As France has done, the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency launched an internal investigation into the corporate entity of Telegram before officially booking it," said Woo Jong-soo, head of the National Office of Investigation.

"The charges are about abetting this crime," he said, referring to deepfake videos.

Last month, Pavel Durov, the founder of Telegram, was arrested in France as part of a preliminary investigation into alleged failures to prevent criminal uses of his platform.

Woo acknowledged potential challenges in the investigation, saying, "Telegram does not readily provide investigation data, such as account information, to us or other state investigative bodies, including those in the U.S."

The police plan to collaborate with French investigative authorities and international institutions to find methods for investigating Telegram, Woo noted.

It marks the first investigation into Telegram's corporate entity by the Korean police.

According to police, a total of 88 deepfake sex crime reports were filed between last Monday and Thursday, and 24 individuals have been identified as suspects so far.

As part of the ongoing investigation, eight automated programs creating deepfake pornography for Telegram are under scrutiny, along with group chat rooms responsible for circulating such content. (Yonhap)
Experts call for harsher punishments against offenders, platform operators

By Lee Hae-rin

Despite the law enforcement authorities' warning of a stern response to sexually explicit deepfakes, perpetrators here are boasting about their crimes on social media and online communities, confident that they "cannot be caught."

At an online community dubbed "Deepfake Countermeasures Headquarters," users are sharing deepfake experiences and information on how to deal with police investigations and possible punishment.

Among the posts is content that acknowledges the criminal nature of the activity.

"I made a deepfake with my ex-girlfriend's picture, but I never told her and she would have no idea. I became pretty famous (among deepfake users)," an online user wrote.

Another said, "I ran a chat room where users share photos of their acquaintances. Is it a problem if you are a high school student?"

At the same time, users also expressed confidence that it would not lead to punishment, mocking the government and media for "making a fuss" out of deepfake crimes.

"It's not easy to identify people who entered the room, but we can't investigate them by organizing what they did in the room," an online user wrote, encouraging and comforting other perpetrators. "(Deepfake) production has no basis for punishment. What we did is not illegal because it was never legislated in the first place. Don't be intimidated for no reason."

Many agreed that "those who stay in the room should feel safe," citing the case of Cho Ju-bin, the mastermind of the Nth Room, a notorious online sexual exploitation and blackmail ring. Only Cho was sentenced to 42 years in prison in October 2020 while none of the Nth Room users who produced, shared and viewed sex abuse materials via Telegram were punished.

According to a report by Security Hero, a cybersecurity company, the number of online deepfake videos surged by 550 percent year-on-year to 95,820 last year.

In addition, 98 percent of all deepfake videos were sexually explicit, and 99 percent of the victims were women. In particular, Koreans are the main targets of deepfake pornography. The nationality of deepfake victims was overwhelmingly Korean with 53 percent.

Notably, more than 500 schools nationwide are known to have been affected by deepfake sex crimes. Also, a chat room where users share and mock profiles of reporters who cover and report deepfake sex crimes was created.

Crime experts highlighted the low level of punishment for digital sex crimes.

"The related laws have been revised since the Nth Room and 'Doctor' incidents, but there is still no punishment for possession or viewing (false videos) that are not proven to be the purpose of dissemination. Many cases of punishment are released on probation, and the perpetrators think that probation is not even punishment," said Lee Soo-jung, a criminal psychology professor at Kyonggi University.

In addition to strengthening punishment for those who produce or distribute sexual exploitation content, she suggested regulations on platforms used as crime windows as a more fundamental solution.

"Since 2022, laws that place responsibility on platforms (where sexually exploitative content is circulated) have begun to be legislated, mainly in Europe, but there are still no punishment regulations in Korea, only monitoring," she said.

The French government arrested Telegram boss and founder Pavel Durov last week for allegedly ignoring the French judiciary's request for cooperation in preventing the illegal activities of platform users.

In response, the Korea Communications Standards Commission recently sent a letter to the French investigation authorities requesting urgent cooperation to cope with deepfake sex crimes on Telegram.

Telegram has never responded to the Korean government's requests for cooperation in investigating sex crimes.
Pop-up center run by infertility clinic draws 14,000 visitors in 3 weeks

By Jung Da-hyun

Dozens of people lined up outside a two-story building in Seongsu-dong, Seoul, on Aug. 23, despite the scorching heat.

The building, marked by a pink sign reading "Storage Now," housed a pop-up center operated by a local infertility clinic to promote egg freezing.

Contrary to the common belief that egg freezing is a last resort for women facing severe medical conditions or those in their late 30s and 40s struggling with infertility, most of the visitors were women in their 20s and early 30s, many of whom were either not yet married or newlywed.

Kim Ye-ji, a 21-year-old university student, visited the pop-up center to explore the possibility of freezing her eggs while she is still young.

"I want to get married and have kids one day, but I think the ideal time for that is in my late 20s or early 30s, which is exactly when I would likely be focused on my career," she said.

"I would definitely consider egg freezing as an option in the future, as it could address my concerns about having children later in life," Kim said.

Amidst this growing interest, the pop-up center, which operated from Aug. 8 to 25 with the goal of offering information about egg freezing in a more accessible manner, attracted approximately 14,000 visitors, according to Maria Fertility Hospital.

Lee Jae-eun, a chief specialist at the hospital, said egg freezing could help address Koreas low birthrate by offering a solution for women who wish to have children but are concerned about the difficulties of giving birth at an older age.

With Korea's birthrate plummeting to a record low of 0.7 in 2023  the lowest in the world  the country faces a dire demographic crisis. This decline is partly attributed to the increasing difficulty of conceiving, especially as couples delay marriage and parenthood.

"When the pregnancy rate is 100 percent for women aged 20 to 24, it falls to less than half for those aged 40 to 44, while the miscarriage rate increases from 20 percent to 40 percent," Lee explained.

But she pointed out that many people still seek infertility treatments, even in the face of such a daunting statistic.

"Despite Koreas record-low fertility rate of 0.72, there are many people who still visit infertility clinics with the desire to have children," she said.

According to Statistics Korea, the average age of first marriage in 2022 was 34 for men and 31.5 for women, resulting in a relatively high average age of 32.8 for women having their first child. This trend has contributed to Korea's ranking as the OECD country with the highest average age for first-time mothers in 2023.

Lee noted that rising concerns about giving birth at an older age are driving increased interest in egg freezing.

"I believe egg freezing can help more people prepare for having children, easing the concerns of those who marry and choose to start a family later in life," she said.

The number of frozen eggs stored in medical institutions across the country surged from 44,122 in 2020 to 105,523 in 2023, according to the Ministry of Health and Welfare data.

The cost of egg retrieval is approximately 3 million won, with annual storage fees ranging from 200,000 to 300,000 won.

The pop-up center aimed to provide engaging programs about the egg freezing process and the hospitals role, while also encouraging young women to view the procedure as a viable option.

Additionally, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. on weekends, qualified doctors were available for consultations, providing assessments of egg health and detailed information about the egg freezing process.

The pop-up center, designed to be informative yet approachable, aimed to demystify the process of egg freezing. For some visitors, like Shim Hyun-seop, an office worker in his 40s, the experience was surprisingly enlightening.

"Egg freezing can be a serious and challenging topic, but I was surprised how naturally I could learn about it through this pop-up center," said Shim, who visited the venue with his colleagues.

Other visitors also saw it as an opportunity to seriously consider egg freezing while balancing their career aspirations with the desire for a family.

"I was torn between delaying having children and the concern about giving birth at an older age," said Ryu Ah-hyeon, a 23-year-old university student, expressing her apprehension about future childbirth.

"This event has prompted me to seek more information about egg freezing through consultations and consider it as a potential option for the future," she added.
PPP floor leader criticizes DPK's 'double standards'

By Anna J. Park

The Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) has decided to actively respond to the prosecution's ongoing bribery investigation involving former President Moon Jae-in, condemning it as a "petty act of political retaliation," party members said Monday.

In strong opposition to the investigation, the main opposition party is considering forming a countermeasures committee.

"There have been discussions within the party about forming the countermeasures committee to better respond to the prosecution's broad-ranged investigation into the former president and the former administration," Rep. Jo Seoung-lae, the opposition party's chief spokesperson, told reporters on Monday, after the party's Supreme Council meeting at the National Assembly.

The proposal to form a countermeasures committee within the party is said to have been initiated by DPK leader Rep. Lee Jae-myung.

Lee raised concerns over the issue during his one-on-one meeting with ruling People Power Party (PPP) leader Han Dong-hoon on Sunday, criticizing the prosecution's investigation into the former president.

We are seeing an increasing number of excessive actions that could be perceived as political retaliation against the previous administration, Lee said in his opening remarks before the meeting with Han.

The main opposition party continued its criticisms against the prosecution's investigation into the former president and his family on Monday.

At the party's Supreme Council meeting earlier in the day, DPK floor leader Rep. Park Chan-dae strongly condemned the government.

While countless patients are unable to find emergency rooms, this ruthless administration is fixated solely on political retaliation, showing no regard for the lives of the people," he said.

Park also criticized the prosecution's recent investigation into first lady Kim Keon Hee, arguing that their claim of "equality before the law" is inconsistent.

On a related note, DPK party leader Lee Jae-myung plans to visit Moon on Sunday. The visit has been delayed from the initial date of Aug. 25 due to Lee's recent COVID-19 diagnosis.

Meanwhile, PPP floor leader Rep. Choo Kyung-ho defended the prosecution's actions at Monday's Supreme Council meeting in the National Assembly, stating, It is not right to halt legitimate investigations conducted in accordance with laws and regulations.

Saying a direct investigation into Moon is expected to be inevitable, Choo also criticized the main opposition party for its double standards.

When former presidents Park Geun-hye and Lee Myung-bak were imprisoned, and numerous figures from the conservative camp were detained during the early days of the Moon Jae-in administration, the DPK fervently supported these actions, calling them clearing deep-rooted evils. Now that they are the opposition, they label similar actions as political retaliation. Few will sympathize with the party's double standards, Choo said.

The prosecution has been investigating allegations of a quid pro quo involving Moons former son-in-law, who was appointed to an executive position at a low-cost carrier founded by former lawmaker Lee Sang-jik despite lacking experience in the aviation industry.

The prosecutional inquiry is focused on whether this appointment was linked to former Rep. Lee's appointment as head of the Korea SMEs and Startups Agency in March 2018 during Moon's presidency. Moon's son-in-law, surnamed Seo, was hired four months after Lee assumed leadership of the agency.
Yoon becomes 1st president to skip event since 1987

By Kwak Yeon-soo

The 22nd National Assemblys first regular session began with a belated opening ceremony, Monday, nearly three months after it was launched, due to a protracted standoff between rival parties.

Although the ruling and opposition parties managed to hold the ceremony and pledged cooperation, their clashes over contentious political issues are likely to persist, as evidenced by President Yoon Suk Yeol's absence in protest of the opposition's ongoing attempts to launch special counsel probes into ruling bloc figures.

The ceremony, originally scheduled for July 5 following the start of the 22nd Assembly's term on May 30, was delayed indefinitely after the ruling People Power Party (PPP) boycotted it in protest of the opposition's passage of a special counsel probe bill related to a Marines death and a hearing on Yoons impeachment petition. However, last Monday, the rival parties agreed to hold the event alongside the 22nd Assembly's first regular session.

Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik urged both the ruling and opposition parties to collaborate on resolving long-standing issues related to the public's welfare.

First, we should prioritize the people's livelihood. Second, we must tackle long-standing issues such as constitutional amendments, political reforms, and pension overhaul. Third, we need to chart a new course for the future, addressing the climate and population crises, Woo said during the opening ceremony.

Contrary to Woo's call for cooperation, conflicts between the ruling and opposition blocs are unlikely to be resolved. Yoon's absence from the opening ceremony marked the first time an incumbent president has missed the Assembly's opening since 1987 when the Constitution was amended to establish the current government system.

The presidential office announced Yoon's boycott, Sunday, citing the opposition partys unilateral actions in passing controversial bills.

Normalizing the Assembly, which has been abusing its power to advance special counsel and impeachment procedures, should take precedence before inviting the president, a senior official at the presidential office said.

The main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) condemned Yoon for skipping the event.

No matter how intense partisan conflicts have been, an incumbent president has always attended the National Assemblys opening ceremony. Yoons absence reflects his arrogant and self-righteous attitude, as if he wants to isolate himself. We express deep regret over his refusal to accept the peoples and the Assemblys invitation, said Rep. Jo Seoung-lae, spokesperson for the DPK.

The 100-day regular session is anticipated to be marked by significant political clashes over several contentious bills, including legislation for distributing 250,000 won ($186) worth of cash vouchers per person, four broadcasting bills aimed at reducing government control over public broadcasters, and a pro-labor bill that would limit the ability of companies to seek compensation from unions that stage strikes.

The DPK plans to railroad pending bills at a plenary meeting set for Sept. 26.

The ruling and opposition parties are also expected to clash vigorously over a special counsel probe bill that would permit a third party, such as the chief justice of the Supreme Court, to investigate the militarys response to a Marines death last year and the first ladys luxury bag scandal.

The PPP pledged to seek common ground with opposition parties on issues related to the public's livelihood.

The 100-day session begins today. Although the ruling and opposition parties have taken divergent stances on various issues, we must now focus on addressing eight policy pledges agreed between rival party leaders at yesterdays meeting, Rep. Shin Dong-wook, spokesperson of the PPP, said.

The rival party leaders held their first official talks on Sunday and reached a rare bipartisan agreement on a set of livelihood-related issues. However, they were unable to come to terms on several key agendas.

Despite the confrontational issues, the rival parties will address other major tasks. They will question ministers on political, diplomatic, economic, and social issues during a four-day interpellation session from next Monday to Thursday.

The floor leaders of the rival parties will also deliver speeches to parliament, with Rep. Park Chan-dae of the DPK speaking on Wednesday and Rep. Choo Kyung-ho of the PPP addressing the chamber on Thursday. A parliamentary audit of state agencies is scheduled from Oct. 7 to 25.

The rival parties are expected to clash over the governments 2025 budget proposal of 677 trillion won, a 3.2 percent hike from the previous year, with the DPK calling for massive cuts.
The over 26,000 food radioactivity tests conducted in Seoul since the first release of treated radioactive water from the crippled Fukushima nuclear power plant one year ago have all met safety standards, city officials said Monday.

The city government conducted 26,772 radioactivity tests on food items during the year following the first water release from Japan's tsunami-hit Fukushima nuclear power plant on Aug. 24 last year, and all the results were found to be safe, according to the officials.

The number of tests conducted over the past year was 18 times higher than those conducted in the year before the Fukushima water release, as the city is trying to help alleviate concerns about food radioactivity safety.

From the Fukushima nuclear disaster, triggered by an earthquake and tsunami, in March 2011 to 2023, the city carried out 21,539 food radioactivity tests, all of which also met safety standards, city officials said.

Seoul plans to additionally conduct about 5,000 tests beginning in September to ensure food safety from radioactivity. (Yonhap)
By John J. Metzler

Who remembers Libya? Who recalls how we became embroiled in this civil war only then to quickly lose interest? But sadly Americans vividly remember Benghazi and thehorrible loss of a U.S. Consulate, the death of a respected U.S. diplomat, killing of three security personnel and the throwing of the American flag into the pyres of a failed policy.

Since the so-called Arab Spring of 2011, and now for more than a decade, the North African country of Libya has been engulfed in civil conflict of its own making but originally stirred and supported by the former Obama Administration, Britains Prime Minister David Cameron, and Frances former President Nicolas Sarkozy.

For all the right reasons, Western countries and later NATO militarily intervened in the forsaken sand dunes of Libya to topple the brutal regime of Colonel Muammar Gaddafi. While Gaddafi ruled Libya as a tyrant since 1969 and served as a patron saint to international terrorist groups, Libyas oil wealth and strategic location put the country off limits for any regime change actions beyond sharp rhetorical criticism.

But after Libyas involvement in the downing of Pan Am 747 flight #103 over Scotland and the killing of 270 civilians just before Christmas 1988, Colonel Gaddafi reentered the cross hairs of global attention especially from the United States, Britain and Israel.

In early 2011, Gaddafis regime was rocked by revolt from his own people by whom he was deposed and brutally murdered by Libyan militants in October 2011. Eight months of punishing NATO air attacks in support of Libyan opposition units toppled his 42 year rule.

But the Wests right reasons to overthrow Gaddafi turned to horribly wrong results which still haunt Libya to this day. The foreign destabilization of a basically tribal society has unravelled into the current chaos.

During a recent Security Council meeting, Stephanie Koury, the U.N.s person on the ground in Tripoli told delegates, Over the past two months, the situation in Libya has deteriorated quite rapidly in terms of political, economic and security stability.

She stressed, Extremist organizations maintain access and presence in Libya by leveraging their connections with local and transnational organized crime. Such groups are involved in both localized violence, coercion and human trafficking networks.

A report by U.N. Secretary General Antonio Guterres underscores, Libya remained a country of destination and transit for migrants and refugees. According to the International Organization for Migration, the number of migrants in Libya stood at 725,304 as at May 2024. Migrants come across the Sahara from West African states and Sudan in a bid to cross the Mediterranean to enter

Europe illegally.

Since the formal end of the civil war, Libya has been divided into two rival administrations; the enclave near the capital Tripoli hosts the government of National Unity, the U.N. recognized entity which is also backed by Turkey. The larger eastern and southern regions remain largely run by the Benghazi based Government of National Stability of the maverick General Hafter. They are backed by Egypt and Russia. A small sector is controlled by Islamic State terrorists.

Secretary General Guterres warns, Libya has become a ground for rivalry among regional and international actors motivated by geopolitical, political and economic interests, as well as competition extending beyond Libya. This development is a threat to sovereignty and stability of Libya.

U.S. Deputy UN Ambassador Robert Wood stressed, We echo the Secretary-Generals deep concern in his latest report about the political stalemate and risk of further political division Rather, it is imperative the parties negotiate their differences in the interest of national unity.

As the UNs on site representative Koury stated, The status quo is not sustainable. In the absence of renewed political talks leading to a unified government and elections, you see where this is heading, greater political, financial and security instability, entrenched political and territorial divisions, and greater domestic and regional instability.

Americans rightly remember the Benghazi debacle during the conflict. Here well-armed Islamic militants attacked the U.S. Consulate in Benghazi, on the night September 11, 2012. Ansar al-Sharia an Islamic jihadi faction fought a pitched battle with special forces defenders. Yet, despite the ominous date of September 11th, an American diplomatic post in vulnerable North Africa did not receive requested upgraded security from Hillary Clintons State Department. Repeated appeals for additional security in the months before the attack led to nothing.

The killing of Ambassador Chris Stevens and three other Americans at the Consulate and CIA Annex remains shadowed in mystery but stands as a grim testament to security unpreparedness mired in coverups.

John J. Metzler is a United Nations correspondent covering diplomatic and defense issues. He is the author of Divided Dynamism The Diplomacy of Separated Nations; Germany, Korea, China.
Thorough probe essential for truth

Prosecutors are intensifying their investigation into allegations that former President Moon Jae-in's ex-son-in-law secured a job with an airline in exchange for arranging a government position for the carrier's founder. According to local media reports, prosecutors identified Moon as a suspect in the bribery case.

The Jeonju District Prosecutors Office searched the home of Moons daughter, Da-hye, on Sunday apparently to secure evidence of the former presidents possible involvement in the case. Previously, prosecutors seized the bank accounts of Moon and his wife to look into the financial transactions between the former presidential couple and their daughter and former son-in-law.

Earlier, prosecutors charged Cho Hyun-ock, a former presidential secretary for personnel affairs, with abuse of power and interrogated several former aides connected to the case. The investigation is centered on allegations that Cho improperly influenced the appointment of former Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) lawmaker Lee Sang-jik as head of the Korea SMEs and Startups Agency (KOSME). Additionally, prosecutors questioned Lim Jong-seok, the former chief of staff to the president, and Cho Kook, head of the Rebuilding Korea Party and a senior aide to Moon at the time.

Prosecutors allege Moons son-in-law, surnamed Seo, obtained a job at Thai Eastar Jet, owned by Lee, in exchange for the owner being appointed as the KOSME head. Seo received some 220 million won ($164,000) from the company, which prosecutors suspect was an apparent kickback for the former president.

It is a national misfortune that former heads of state often become targets of prosecutorial investigations after leaving office. As the prosecutions investigation appears to be increasingly focused on Moon, the ongoing probes are likely to have a significant impact on both the nation and the political sector, with political parties preparing for a high-stakes battle. DPK Rep. Youn Kun-young, who served as Moons senior secretary, described the prosecutions actions as politically motivated and baseless. DPK spokesperson Hwang Jung-a criticized the prosecution for writing a novel after failing to find evidence.

Meanwhile, Jung Kwang-jae, spokesman for the ruling People Power Party (PPP), supported the investigation as an opportunity to uphold justice. Many people have doubts about the allegations involving Da-hye, he said at a press briefing.

With the prosecution now leading the investigation, it is crucial to thoroughly examine the case to uncover the truth. The inquiry should scrutinize whether the appointment of Lee as the KOSME head was handled appropriately and investigate how Seo, who lacked experience in the airline industry, was hired as a senior official at the company. Most importantly, the investigation must determine whether the former president exerted any influence over the process. Moon has maintained that he did not interfere with Seos employment and that there were no issues with Lees appointment. If this is the case, prosecutors should focus on verifying these claims.

The case first came to light when the PPP filed a lawsuit four years ago. After slow initial progress, the investigation gained momentum following the appointment of Lee Chang-soo, a close confidant of President Yoon Suk Yeol, as head of the Jeonju District Prosecutors Office. Given this development, prosecutors cannot avoid criticism for their improper handling of the case, which contributed to its growing controversy.

Prosecutors must demonstrate a serious sense of accountability by providing substantial evidence to support its bribery claims against the former president. Given the potential widespread impact on both the nation and the political landscape, it is crucial that prosecutors present credible grounds to thoroughly substantiate their allegations. Should they fail to do so, they risk completely damaging public trust.
By Park Jae-hyuk

POSCO Group Chairman Chang In-hwa participated in the 45th meeting between the Korea-Australia Business Council (KABC) and the Australia-Korea Business Council (AKBC) in Perth, Monday, as the Korean sides head is tasked with pursuing future-oriented growth of both countries.

Since 1979, the two councils have been meeting to help strengthen relations between Korea and Australia.

Around 250 participants, including policymakers and businesspeople, attended this year's event, discussing ways to cooperate in the supply of core minerals, as well as in the fields of artificial intelligence, startup, defense, aerospace, food, infrastructure and green energy.

On the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the Korea-Australia Free Trade Agreement, the participants recognized the KABC for its contributions to upgrading the two countries bilateral ties.

Beyond their conventional cooperation in the mineral and energy sectors, Korea and Australia are now jointly trailblazing a cleaner future, forming partnerships in the fields of eco-friendly materials and innovations in infrastructure, the POSCO Group chairman said.

He added that through their closer economic ties, both countries are expected to seize more opportunities in the global market.

Between Tuesday and Wednesday, Chang will meet with Australias Trade and Tourism Minister Don Farrell, Resources Minister Madeleine King and Western Australia Premier Roger Cook to strengthen economic ties between the two countries.

POSCO Group said that the chairman will share the groups vision and ask for the Australian governments support for the companys hot briquetted iron project and sourcing of lithium and graphite there.

In addition, Chang will meet with Pilbara Minerals Board Chair Kathleen Conlon to request a stable supply of lithium concentrates for POSCO-Pilbara Lithium Solution, the two companies joint venture, and to discuss plans to expand their cooperation on lithium.

On Wednesday, the POSCO Group chairman will attend a ceremony for the completed construction of a concert hall commemorating Korean War veterans in Australia, as the Korean firm sponsored the construction with Roy Hill, its Australian partner that supplies raw materials. At the event, Chang plans to express his gratitude for the Australian veterans.

Over the past four decades, POSCO Group has enhanced its cooperation with Australia, one of the most important suppliers of iron ore, lithium and nickel.

The Korean company has invested 4 trillion won ($3 billion) in Australia so far.

Additionally, POSCO Group has purchased $7 billion worth of raw materials for its steel products every year from Australia. This means that the company has sourced 70 percent of raw materials for its steel products from the country.
By Park Jae-hyuk

The HD Hyundai HeeMang Foundation has started supporting the bereaved families of shipyard workers who were killed in fatal industrial accidents, following the completion of its establishment procedures. "HeeMang," which means "hope" in Korean, reflects the foundation's mission.

On Monday, the charitable foundation held a board meeting at HD Hyundai Heavy Industries shipyard in Ulsan to decide on how to help the bereaved families.

During the second half of this year, the foundation will begin awarding scholarships to the children of victims of shipyard accidents. Additionally, starting in the first half of next year, it will start covering living and medical expenses for the bereaved families and help them access legal services.

According to HD Hyundai, the foundation is the nations first scholarship foundation established for bereaved families of shipyard workers who died while on duty.

After HD Hyundai Chairman Kwon Oh-gap proposed its establishment to fulfill the companys duty as the worlds leading shipbuilder, the business group started making efforts to establish the foundation.

The foundation recently convened its board of directors following the governments approval and the official registration of its establishment.

The chairmanship was assigned to former Employment and Labor Minister Lee Ki-kwon, who served in the ministry for 35 years. The HD Hyundai chairman, who contributed 100 million won ($75,000) to the foundation, was named as the honorary chairman.

We will do our best to alleviate the sorrow of the bereaved, who lost their families, due to fatal industrial accidents, Lee said

Since 2011, HD Hyundai has also carried out various social contribution activities through the HD Hyundai 1 Percent Sharing Foundation, which was established after the company encouraged its employees to donate 1 percent of their base wage to important causes.

Last year, the conglomerate established the HD Hyundai Honor Award to recognize individuals who have made exceptional philanthropic contributions.
By Nam Hyun-woo

Hanwha Group on Monday launched Hanwha Industrial Solutions as the groups intermediate holding firm for artificial intelligence (AI), security solutions and semiconductor manufacturing equipment businesses.

The new holding firm held an event to celebrate its founding at a hotel the same day and appointed Hanwha Vision CEO Ahn Soon-hong as its CEO and board chair.

Hanwha Industrial Solutions is an intermediate holding company spun off from Hanwha Aerospace. It encompasses the security, chip mounter, and semiconductor equipment businesses formerly under Hanwha Aerospace.

Industrial Solutions controls Hanwha Vision and Hanwha Precision Machinery as fully-owned subsidiaries.

Hanwha Industrial Solutions said the two subsidiaries will be managed independently to maximize their efficiency and corporate values.

Hanwha Vision is a vision processing and cybersecurity technology company, operating five overseas subsidiaries and 15 offices across the United States, Europe, Vietnam, the Middle East and Mexico. The company is expanding its business portfolio by integrating AI and cloud technologies into its video security solutions.

Hanwha Precision Machinery manufactures semiconductors and other precision machinery equipment. The company now develops chip-producing equipment, including a plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition system and an atomic layer deposition system.

We will lead the market by leveraging our distinguished technology and global competitiveness, delivering greater value to our customers, Ahn said.

Hanwha Industrial Solutions is set to be listed on the stock market on Sept. 27 and plans to merge with Hanwha Vision on Jan. 1, 2025.
Germany's far-right AfD won a landmark first regional vote on Sunday in the former East German state of Thuringia, exit polls showed, in a blow to Chancellor Olaf Scholz ahead of national elections in 2025.

The AfD took between 30.5 and 33.5 percent of the vote in Thuringia, according to exit polls, with the conservative CDU in second place at around 24.5 percent.

The CDU had its nose in front with the AfD a close second in the neighboring state of Saxony, which also held a regional election on Sunday, the polls showed.

The AfD is unlikely to come to power in either state because other parties have ruled out working with the far right to form a government.

But the result is still a political earthquake as it would represent the first time in Germany's post-World War II history that a far-right party has won a state election.

If confirmed, it would also be a huge blow for Scholz's Social Democrats and the other parties in his fractious coalition government, the Greens and the liberal FDP.

The SPD looked to have scored between 6.5 and 7 percent in Thuringia, and between 7.5 and 8.5 percent in Saxony.

During the election campaign, the AfD had capitalized on dissatisfaction with the government, including anger over migration and misgivings about support for Ukraine.

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.

'Historic result'

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."

However, the CDU's general secretary Carsten Linnemann on Sunday said voters knew "we do not form coalitions with the AfD."

Thuringia, one of Germany's more rural states, was an early center of support for the Nazi party, which first came to power there in 1930 as part of a coalition government.

Bjoern Hoecke, the controversial head of the AfD in the state, 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".

Hoecke has often caused outrage with his outspoken statements and was fined twice this year for deliberately using a banned Nazi slogan.

The 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.

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.

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.

'Alarming'

Scholz's coalition partners, the Greens and the FDP, had a dismal night in both states, scoring even less than the SPD.

Marianne Kneuer, a professor of politics at the Dresden University of Technology, called the exit polls "alarming".

"If you add up the vote share of the AfD and BSW, you come to over 40 percent in Thuringia and Saxony. And that is frightening, because it shows that the democratic parties of the center... have shrunk significantly," she said.

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.

In Erfurt, the capital of Thuringia, AfD supporter Patrick Teichmann said he believes migrants "take advantage of our social system."

The 32-year-old vegetable farmer, wearing a signed Bjoern Hoecke T-shirt, described his hero as "the only politician with brains these days."

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. (AFP)
Israel's main union on Sunday ordered a nationwide general strike after soldiers recovered the bodies of six killed hostages from the Gaza Strip where the military is battling Palestinian militants.

In the evening, tens of thousands of Israelis gathered in the streets of Tel Aviv and other cities to protest the government and call for a hostage release deal.

The bodies of the six hostages were recovered Saturday "from an underground tunnel in the Rafah area" in southern Gaza, the military said.

They were among 251 hostages seized during Hamas's Oct. 7 attack on Israel that triggered the war, 97 of whom remain captive in Gaza, including 33 the army says are dead.

Scores were released during a one-week truce in November, but relatives believe not enough is being done to free those still held.

Campaign group the Hostages and Missing Families Forum said a negotiated "deal for the return of the hostages" was urgently needed.

"Were it not for the delays, sabotage and excuses" in months of mediation efforts, the six hostages "would likely still be alive," a statement said.

The families called for a nationwide general strike to force the government to reach a deal.

Shortly afterward, the head of Israel's powerful Histadrut trade union ordered a "complete strike" on Monday in support of the hostages.

'Unacceptable'

"I have come to the conclusion that only our intervention can shake those who need to be shaken," Histadrut chair Arnon Bar-David said in a statement.

"A deal is not progressing due to political considerations and this is unacceptable."

During protests in Tel Aviv, demonstrators blocked a highway and confronted authorities, police said in a statement, "forcing" them to declare the protest illegal and disperse the crowd.

The six hostages were named as Carmel Gat, Eden Yerushalmi, Almog Sarusi, Ori Danino, U.S.-Israeli Hersh Goldberg-Polin and Russian-Israeli Alexander Lobanov.

Military spokesperson Daniel Hagari said all six "were abducted alive on the morning of Oct. 7" and "brutally murdered by Hamas terrorists shortly before we reached them".

Qatar-based Hamas official Izzat al-Rishq said they were "killed by Zionist (Israeli) bombing," an accusation the military denied.

Israeli health ministry spokesperson Shira Solomon said the hostages were "murdered by Hamas terrorists with several close-range gunshots," about 48 to 72 hours before their autopsies.

A senior Hamas official told AFP on condition of anonymity that "some" of the six had been "approved" for release in a potential hostage-prisoner swap under a deal yet to be agreed.

Critics in Israel have accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of prolonging the war for political gain.

Netanyahu asked Lobanov's parents on Sunday for "forgiveness for not succeeding in bringing Sasha back alive."

West Bank attack

U.S. President Joe Biden said he was "devastated and outraged" by the hostages's deaths, but told reporters he was "still optimistic" a deal could be reached.

The Biden administration has been leading ceasefire mediation efforts along with Qatar and Egypt.

Calling for an end to the war, French President Emmanuel Macron said he felt "shock and indignation" at the killing of the six hostages.

In the occupied West Bank, as soldiers pressed day five of raids targeting Palestinian militants, Israeli police said a "shooting attack" killed three officers.

It took place near the Tarqumiya checkpoint in the Hebron area in the southern West Bank.

The military said it "eliminated" the suspected attacker after surrounding a house.

At least 24 Palestinians, including 14 that militant groups said were their members, have been killed since the raids began on Wednesday.

One 20-year-old soldier was killed Saturday in what Israel's military has called "counter-terrorism" operations.

In the northern West Bank, an AFP photographer saw Israeli bulldozers in Jenin city centre, a day after an official said soldiers had destroyed most of the streets and power and water had been cut off in the adjacent refugee camp.

Later Sunday an AFP photographer heard loud explosions near the camp and saw black smoke over Jenin.

The United Nations said Wednesday that at least 637 Palestinians had been killed in the territory by Israeli troops or settlers since the Gaza war began.

Twenty-three Israelis, including soldiers, have been killed in Palestinian attacks or during army operations over the same period, according to official figures.

Polio vaccinations

In the besieged Gaza Strip, "humanitarian pauses" in the nearly 11-month war between Israel and Hamas were due to take place to facilitate a massive polio vaccination drive which a health official said began in earnest Sunday.

Hamas' Oct. 7 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 killed at least 40,738 people in Gaza, according to the Hamas-run territory's health ministry. The U.N. rights office says most of the dead are women and children.

The fighting has devastated Gaza, repeatedly displaced most of its 2.4 million people and triggered a humanitarian crisis.

Water, sanitation and medical facilities have been ravaged, contributing to the spread of preventable disease.

The World Health Organization has said Israel agreed to a series of three-day "humanitarian pauses" to facilitate the campaign that aims to vaccinate around 640,000 children, after the first confirmed polio case in Gaza in 25 years.

On Sunday, it was formally launched at three health centers in central Gaza, said Yasser Shaaban, director of Al-Awda hospital.

"We hope this vaccination campaign for children will be calm," said Shaaban, noting there were "a lot of drones" flying overhead.

The health ministry in Gaza said late Sunday that 72,611 children were vaccinated on the first day of the campaign.

Gaza health officials said an air strike targeting police in a school sheltering displaced Palestinians killed at least 11 people on Sunday.

Israel's military said it hit a Hamas command center. (AFP)
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 percent 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 percent 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 percent 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.

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 percent 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." (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." (Reuters)
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The General Administration of Customs has decided to resume the import of Wendan pomelo from Taiwan starting Monday, a mainland spokesperson confirmed.

Wendan pomelo to be imported into the mainland from Taiwan must come from registered orchards and packaging plants, said Chen Binhua, a spokesperson for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office.

Zarazeno po 02.09.2024 08:09:43 Vydano Zdroj scio.gov.cn Original english.scio.gov.cn/pressroom/2024-09/02/content_117400933.htm lang en
On 1 September Mexicos Presidentdelivered his final annual state-of-the-nation report (Informe) from the main square, or Zocalo, in Mexico City (CDMX).

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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.

(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.)

2024 Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
A Portlaoise entrepreneur who has blazed a trail in Laois with his remote working hub says there is a huge interest from firms who want to locate in the county town.

To facilitate them Eamon Callaghan, founder and operator of Vision85 in the Clonminham Industrial Estate, has put forward a range of ideas that he believes will mean more jobs for Laois.

One ambitious and visionary plan that he's involved with is a proposal to redevelop the landmark Centrepoint site on the town's Mountrath Road.

Mr Callaghan recently took to LinkedIn to express his views.

Frustrated aint the word. I have looked at expanding Vision85 but finding the right space has become impossible.

I currently have over 20 businesses looking for office space in Portlaoise. That would bring over 60 jobs to town. These include 2 UK companies.

Also, I am receiving up to four calls weekly for office space and am turning businesses away. I tried to suggest other hubs around the county but Portlaoise is where they want, he said.

Within a few days of the post, he had made progress the owners of several loal properties reached out and he was able to facilitate some of the companies who want to set up here.

The Leinster Express / Laois Live spoke to Mr Callaghan about what he is witnessing and what can be done to match the demand.

Businesses are ringing me since last September., up to 70% from outside the county, who want to locate in Laois. My frustration is saying no to them, he said.

Mr Callaghan said he many of these firms want to set up in properties that offer convenience. He said their priorities are pay-as-you-go use of office space, parking and high-speed internet.

He said Vision85 is a 13,000 ft premises and there are about 20 firms already located in it. He said these range from IT, services, recruitment agencies, and Government bodies. Mr O'Callaghan says firms are contacting him from around the country including Dublin.

Because of the shortage of space in the town, he has encouraged firms to look at the remote hubs around the county but their minds are set on Portlaoise.

As to why the Laois is so sought after he said location is a key factor. Cost is another incentive. He says they prefer to set up in a remote hub because of the pay-as-you-go model which removes a lot of stress for them.

He has been approached by companies with up to 20 employees looking for a Portlaoise base.

Another demand from firms in the cities is for locations to have meetings on an hourly basis. He also sees a growing trend in people wanting to mix home working with operating in an office-type setting which hubs allow.

He says while Portlaoise is the most popular location in Laois, all the other Laois hubs are starting to fill up due to the demand.

Mr Callaghan believes that with suitable accommodation in such short supply, the owners of existing and possible vacant or under-occupied properties should see opportunities.

He said some existing premises such as retail, especially on main sreets, could reconfigure to share their premises.

He also believes other new approaches could be considered. He formerly operated a barber shop with his brother on Main St in Portaloise. They decided to relocate to Vision85 and operate on an appointment basis only. He said parking was a factor in allowing them to take this step.

While his main focus remains Vision85, he is involved in an initiative in Portlaoise at the old Centrepoint shopping centre on Mountrath Road.

While a long-term project that may not materialise until until later this decade, Mr Callaghan said that if given the green light it would be a 40,000 sq ft mixed-use development.

It's a new concept that will work very well in Laois. It's mixed-use that is not solely offices. We are trying to create a new type of premises that would include retail and office, he said.

Part of the premises would be the creation of a digital innovation/agriculture technology space. Apart from facilitating learning and training locally in tech with a focus on agriculture, he said the hub would also be a place for social interaction.

The Centrepoint site has been vacant for nearly two decades. After becoming derelict the only building was knocked in 2021.

Mr O'Callaghan said he has and will work with all local agencies to help deliver the potential of Laois.
The International Marian Shrine at Lourdes has always had a special place in the hearts of Irish people. Countless Irish pilgrims have made the journey to the shrine for the last 166 years since the apparitions of Our Lady to Saint Bernadette in 1858. This year the people of Ireland will have the opportunity to welcome the spirit of Lourdes and Saint Bernadette to a local church in their own home diocese.



Tomorrow, 3 September, a special ceremony will be held at the grotto in Lourdes, where the holy relics of Saint Bernadette will be entrusted to Bishop Kevin Doran who, along with parishioners of the Diocese of Elphin, is currently on pilgrimage in Lourdes. The Elphin Pilgrimage will bring the relics home with them to begin the pilgrimage around Ireland, beginning in Galway Cathedral on 5 September.



Bishop Doran said, There is a well established tradition of people bringing religious objects home from Lourdes, to share with family members and friends. This year, we have the unique privilege of bringing home the relics of Saint Bernadette, as we fly back into Knock Airport after the Elphin Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes. Many people are unable to travel on pilgrimage to Lourdes, but this year Lourdes will come to them, as the Relics of Saint Bernadette make their way around Ireland. We hope that many people will be able to share in the blessings of the Pilgrimage, by gathering to pray with Saint Bernadette in cities and towns across the country.



During September and October the relics of Saint Bernadette will journey on pilgrimage - for the very first time - to each of the 26 dioceses on the island of Ireland. This very special, once-in-life-time, opportunity will enable people of all ages experience the special gifts and charisms of Lourdes in their local diocese, and to share the grace of an encounter with Mary as Bernadette experienced it. By venerating the relics, people of faith can encounter peace and joy of heart and become credible and courageous witnesses of love.



The relics will visit cathedrals and churches in every diocese, north and south. The full programme can be found on the dedicated website here.



Welcoming the visit of the relics, Primate of All Ireland, Archbishop Eamon Martin said, The pilgrimage around Ireland of Saint Bernadettes relics will be a source of hope, great joy and inspiration, especially for the many people of Ireland who have travelled to Lourdes over the years and for the dedicated groups across the island who work all year round to plan pilgrimages at parish and diocesan level. Of course Lourdes is synonymous with care and love for sick and disabled persons and it is a special sanctuary for those who struggle with worries or decisions of one kind or another.



Father Gerard Fox, Pilgrimage Director for the Diocese of Down & Connor, and member of the steering group who collaborated with the Sanctuary of Lourdes to arrange the visit said, This is a unique opportunity for those of us engaged in bringing pilgrimages to Lourdes, to bring the message and a little taste of Lourdes to local communities. Saint Bernadette understood her role as a messenger of Marys message, now she brings that message to the Church community in Ireland.



During their visit, there will be opportunities to venerate the relics privately as well as by participating in liturgies reminiscent of the Lourdes pilgrimage experience. The intention is to bring Lourdes to the faithful, especially those who may not have the ability to go to Lourdes in person. It is in the music, prayer, processions and gestures that this unique spirit will be shared.
A man who was being questioned by gardai after a taxi driver was robbed over the weekend has been charged and is due to appear in court later this Monday, gardai have confirmed.

On Sunday, gardai confirmed an investigation was launched after they were alerted to an incident which happened in the Poppintree area of Dublin at around 1.30am.

"Gardai received a report that a taxi driver had been threatened at knifepoint by a passenger in his car. A sum of cash was stolen, and the suspect fled on foot. The driver, a man in his 40s, was not physically harmed," said a garda spokesperson.

"In a follow-up operation by local uniformed gardai, supported by the Armed Support Unit, a man in his 20s was arrested at a residence in the Ballymun area," they added.

The suspect, who was detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act and questioned at a garda station in Dublin, has since been charged and is due to be brought before the courts.

The man is expected to appear before a court sitting at the Criminal Courts of Justice later this Monday.
Leitrim is experiencing a sharp increase in rental prices, with average monthly rents now reaching 1,139. Although Leitrim still has the lowest rents in Ireland, this recent surge highlights a troubling national trend of rising housing costs.

Sinn Fein Councillor Cormac Flynn describes the situation as a perfect storm for renters due to a desperate shortage of housing. There is a desperate shortage of housing in Leitrim. Only a few housing units become available per month to those on the housing list. He attributes part of the surge in rental prices to the rise in people working remotely: The fact that so many workers can now work remotely means that people who previously lived and worked in cities are now residing in Leitrim and working from their homes.

Flynn also points to the impact of short-term rental platforms like Airbnb: The proliferation of Airbnb in some areas means that housing, which was previously used to home families, is now not available to those families. He highlights additional challenges, such as restrictive planning regulations: Housing which should have been built in rural Leitrim over the past 10 years was never constructed due to over-strict planning laws related to septic tanks. Although these regulations have slightly changed, the legacy remains.

The broader population dynamics and recent events have further exacerbated the crisis. Towns like Carrick-on-Shannon were immobilized by the lack of an announcement regarding the planned bypass. This uncertainty left landowners, developers, and the council unable to proceed with major housing developments. Flynn also noted that the war in Ukraine has introduced a significant number of people to Leitrim, for which there was no prior planning. The influx of new residents, combined with minimal uptake in refurbishing derelict housing, has worsened the housing shortage.

North Leitrim Councillor Eddie Mitchell highlighted the difficulties faced by local families: Theres no emergency accommodation in Manorhamilton. Families that find themselves in difficulties and cant access affordable renting accommodation in North Leitrim are being put into emergency accommodation as far away as Ballinamore. We need to have a conversation about how we can support families who are trying to make a life in Leitrim.

The shortage of rental properties remains a pressing concern. Justin Farrell, a real estate agent with Sherry FitzGerald Farrell, described the situation as severe: The area is critically undersupplied with rental accommodation. The South Leitrim/North Roscommon area has an alarming lack of available accommodation at present. Farrell noted that this shortage is impacting local businesses and workers: There is certainly a struggle for staff around the county to find adequate and affordable accommodation, and we are also seeing more and more inquiries from people working in the Sligo and Longford areas.

As rents rise in urban centers, more tenants are considering relocating to Leitrim. Farrell observed, As rents climb higher in Dublin and larger urban locations, it is creating an additional cohort of tenants looking at areas like Carrick-on-Shannon, Manorhamilton, Leitrim Village, and Drumshanbo, combined with strong local interest in the same properties.

The escalating rental prices and housing shortages in Leitrim reflect a broader national crisis, underscoring the urgent need for strategic planning and supportive measures to address the growing challenges in Irelands housing market.
Sensorion Announces its Participation in the World Congress of Audiology in September 2024 in Paris and will Lead a Symposium on Medical Advances in the Field of Hearing Loss





Regulatory News:

Sensorion (FR0012596468 ? ALSEN) a pioneering clinical-stage biotechnology company which specializes in the development of novel therapies to restore, treat and prevent within the field of hearing loss disorders, today announces its participation in the 36th World Congress of Audiology (WCA), taking place in Paris, France, on September 19-22, 2024.

On this occasion, Sensorion will host a symposium on September 20, 2024, at 12.30pm CET, entitled:

"Are we at the Dawn of a Hearing Loss Revolution?"

This event will be hosted by Professor Natalie Loundon ENT Surgeon in the pediatric Hospital Necker-Enfants malades in Paris, France. The symposium will comprise three sessions:

1st Session: Hearing Preservation: Relevant Medical Progress in Cisplatin-Induced Ototoxicity and the Loss of the Residual Hearing following Cochlear Implantation

This session will focus on the therapeutic advances in hearing preservation associated with Cisplatin-Induced Ototoxicity and following cochlear implantation. Professor Yann Nguyen (ENT Surgeon, Hopital de la Pitie Salpetriere, Paris, France) and Professor Stephen O'Leary (Head of Otolaryngology at the University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia) will co-present this session.

2nd Session: Gene therapy: A Ray of Hope for Congenital Hearing Disorders

This session will address gene therapy applied to patients suffering from congenital profound deafness and will be presented by Professor Catherine Birman (Otorhinolaryngologist, Director of the Sydney Cochlear Implant Centre, Sydney, Australia).

3rd Session: Conclusion: What Does the Future Hold for these New Therapies?

This session will be led by Professor Natalie Loundon (Pediatric otorhinolaryngologist, Director of the Cochlear Implant and Audiology Unit, Necker-Enfants malades, Paris, France) and will address the impact these new therapies will have on patient management, followed by a question-and-answer session.

About Sensorion

Sensorion is a pioneering clinical-stage biotech company, which specializes in the development of novel therapies to restore, treat, and prevent hearing loss disorders, a significant global unmet medical need. Sensorion has built a unique R&D technology platform to expand its understanding of the pathophysiology and etiology of inner ear related diseases, enabling it to select the best targets and mechanisms of action for drug candidates.

It has two gene therapy programs aimed at correcting hereditary monogenic forms of deafness, developed in the framework of its broad strategic collaboration focused on the genetics of hearing with the Institut Pasteur. SENS-501 (OTOF-GT) currently being developed in a Phase 1/2 clinical trial, targets deafness caused by mutations of the gene encoding for otoferlin and GJB2-GT targets hearing loss related to mutations in GJB2 gene to potentially address important hearing loss segments in adults and children. The Company is also working on the identification of biomarkers to improve diagnosis of these underserved illnesses.

Sensorion's portfolio also comprises clinical-stage small molecule programs for the treatment and prevention of hearing loss disorders. Sensorion's clinical-stage portfolio includes one Phase 2 product: SENS-401 (Arazasetron) progressing in a planned Phase 2 proof of concept clinical study of SENS-401 in Cisplatin-Induced Ototoxicity (CIO) and, with partner Cochlear Limited, in a study of SENS-401 in patients scheduled for cochlear implantation. A Phase 2 study of SENS-401 was also completed in Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss (SSNHL) in January 2022.

www.sensorion.com

Label: SENSORION

ISIN: FR0012596468

Mnemonic: ALSEN

Disclaimer

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements concerning Sensorion and its business. Such forward looking statements are based on assumptions that Sensorion considers to be reasonable. However, there can be no assurance that such forward-looking statements will be verified, which statements are subject to numerous risks, including the risks set forth in the 2023 full year report published on March 14, 2024, and available on our website and to the development of economic conditions, financial markets and the markets in which Sensorion operates. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are also subject to risks not yet known to Sensorion or not currently considered material by Sensorion. The occurrence of all or part of such risks could cause actual results, financial conditions, performance or achievements of Sensorion to be materially different from such forward-looking statements. This press release and the information that it contains do not constitute an offer to sell or subscribe for, or a solicitation of an offer to purchase or subscribe for, Sensorion shares in any country. The communication of this press release in certain countries may constitute a violation of local laws and regulations. Any recipient of this press release must inform oneself of any such local restrictions and comply therewith.

2 september 2024 at 01:35

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BRI deeply integrated into African development; more pragmatic cooperation expected in FOCAC





BEIJING, Sept. 2, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The joint construction of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) by China and Africa has provided a high-level cooperation platform for Africa's development.

From Uganda and Egypt to Senegal and Nigeria, infrastructure, industrial parks and economic zones built by Chinese companies have mushroomed and become a strong engine driving Africa's integration into the global industrial chain.

China and Africa will renew their friendship and discuss plans for further pragmatic cooperation during the upcoming Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) to be held in Beijing from September 4 to 6. Chinese President Xi Jinping will attend the opening ceremony of FOCAC and deliver a keynote speech on September 5.

The cooperation between China and Africa under the BRI framework emphasizes precise alignment with Africa's shared strategic framework - the African Union 2063 Agenda - one of whose priorities is the realization of industrialization in Africa.

In its issue of May 13, 2000, The Economist boldly described Africa as "the hopeless continent." In the very same year, FOCAC was established.

The narrative on Africa now has shifted to "a rise in the continent." When tracking momentum projects that have contributed to unlocking Africa's development, you can trace the progress back to China's flagship projects through BRI, Paul Frimpong, the executive director and senior research fellow of the Ghana-based Africa-China Centre for Policy and Advisory, told the Global Times.

As of 2023, a total of 52 African countries as well as the African Union have signed a memorandum of understanding with China to jointly build BRI cooperation.

For instance, the integrated steel manufacturing plant set up in Zimbabwe's Midlands Province by Chinese firm Dinson Iron and Steel Company draws on upstream and downstream supply chains that go beyond Zimbabwe, benefiting its neighbors in areas such as employment generation, and also helps to meet the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region's infrastructure construction needs, Munetsi Madakufamba, executive director of the Zimbabwe-based Southern African Research and Documentation Centre, told the Global Times.

Madakufamba also emphasized the driving role of green development in energy cooperation within the BRI. Media reports said that investment in the energy sector accounts for about 40 percent of Chinese investment in BRI partner countries and regions.

"China brings its modern technology while taking into account potential negative impacts on the environment. The clean-energy project, like the power generation of the Kariba South Hydroelectric Power Station, meets the sustainable development aspirations of African countries," Madakufamba said.

African industrialization also requires the connection of facilities, which is where BRI is most visibly present in Africa.

"Most of the current tangible infrastructure, such as rails and ports, that you see in many countries, including my own country Ghana, has been built by China," Frimpong said. "It is all part of the BRI."

An early result of BRI, the Mombasa-Nairobi Standard Gauge Railway (SGR), is a flagship project.

Song Wei, a professor from the School of International Relations and Diplomacy at Beijing Foreign Studies University, said that "through the connection from the capital Nairobi to the port of Mombasa, Kenya will be further integrated into the global value chain. A lot of local workers have been absorbed to solve the local employment issue, and to promote the real improvement of local people's living standards."

In addition, a core focus on how China is actively promoting the realization of industrialization in Africa is the nurturing of talents required by the continent throughout this process, Song said.

For instance, we have established Luban Workshops in Africa to train the talents that African countries greatly require, Song noted.

China also supports Africa's development through providing more opportunities in trade, which experts consider the most crucial tool for unlocking progress in the continent.

Song listed examples such as the China International Import Expo (CIIE), which has offered complimentary standard booths to less-developed countries, while some Chinese e-commerce companies have also helped train online shopkeepers in Africa, boosting local cross-border e-commerce.

"Mutual understanding, not based on imposition" - This is the sentence that Frimpong, the scholar from Ghana, used to describe China-Africa cooperation.

Echoing Frimpong, Rana Mohamed Abd El Aal Mazid, the head and associate professor of political science at Suez Canal University in Egypt, told the Global Times that the Chinese perspective is very different, with the keywords of "friends," "let's go together" and "Global South."

China insists on not interfering in any country's internal affairs and does not attach any conditions. When China cooperates with Africa, African countries are able to gain a level of respect and equality. This equal partnership has formed a model for how countries engage, Song concluded.

SOURCE Global Times

2 september 2024 at 04:03

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Statement by the Prime Minister on the passing of Sir Shridath Ramphal





OTTAWA, ON, Sept. 2, 2024 /CNW/ - The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today issued the following statement on the passing of Sir Shridath Ramphal:

"It is with sadness that I learned of the passing of Sir Shridath Ramphal, former Secretary-General of the Commonwealth of Nations.

"Born in Guyana, Sir Ramphal was a politician and diplomat who dedicated his life to advancing human rights and social justice across the world. He was a great advocate for the equality and prosperity of all nations ? large or small, developed or developing ? on the world stage.

"Sir Ramphal was the longest-serving Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, from 1975 to 1990. In this role, he guided the organization through some of its most transformative years. Most notably, Sir Ramphal will be remembered for spearheading the Commonwealth's anti-apartheid efforts in South Africa ? a testament to his unwavering commitment to human rights.

"A believer in the power of education as a force for good, it is no surprise that the British Columbia-based Commonwealth of Learning was created during his tenure, making high-quality education available across the Commonwealth.

"On behalf of all Canadians, I offer my deepest condolences to Sir Ramphal's family, friends, and those close to him. As we join our partners in the Caribbean and the Commonwealth in mourning this great loss, may we honour him by reaffirming the values of justice, peace, and equality that he stood for."

PMO Media Relations: [email protected]

This document is also available at https://pm.gc.ca

SOURCE Prime Minister's Office

2 september 2024 at 11:08

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Parks Canada and Kitikmeot Inuit celebrate the 10th anniversary of locating the wreck of HMS Erebus





Inuit oral history and archaeology led researchers to the site of the world-famous Franklin Expedition wreck

GJOA HAVEN, NU, Sept. 2, 2024 /CNW/ - Today marks the 10th anniversary of the locating of the wreck of HMS Erebus ? one of the two vessels linked to the legendary 1845 Franklin Expedition. Guided with the help of Inuit oral history, the locating of the wreck of HMS Erebus in 2014 launched a series of underwater archaeological expeditions. This resulted in significant research missions at the site and surrounding area including the subsequent locating of the wreck of HMS Terror in 2016 and recovery of over 1,500 Erebus artifacts.

During the Umiyaqtutt Festival in Gjoa Haven (Uqsuqtuuq), Andrew Campbell, Senior Vice-President of Operations, on behalf of Ron Hallman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Parks Canada and Allen Aglukkaq, President of the Nattilik Heritage Society and board member of the Kitikmeot Inuit Association, joined in celebrating the anniversary of the locating this renowned wreck. The initial locating and ongoing archaeological research at the site of HMS Erebus would not be possible without the knowledge and contributions of Inuit community members in Gjoa Haven and throughout Nunavut, as well as the contributions of numerous public, private, and non-profit organizations.

The relationships built with Inuit partners over the years have contributed to several milestones including: the creation of the Wrecks of HMS Erebus and HMS Terror National Historic Site in 2015 ? the first national historic site in Nunavut to be cooperatively managed by Inuit through the Nattilik Heritage Society and Parks Canada, the 2019 signature of a landmark co-ownership agreement with Inuit Heritage Trust related to the recovered artifacts, and the signature of a ten-year Inuit Impact and Benefit Agreement (IIBA) with the Kitikmeot Inuit Association in 2023.

Parks Canada and Nunavut Inuit are partners in conserving natural and cultural heritage and sharing the stories of treasured places like the Wrecks of HMS Erebus and HMS Terror National Historic Site. The Nattilik Heritage Society, based in Gjoa Haven, administers the Wrecks Guardian Program and works in close partnership with Parks Canada to protect and present this internationally recognized site.

Quotes

"In the ten years since the wreck of HMS Erebus was located, our understanding of the story of the Franklin Expedition has been enriched and made deeper through the weaving together of western science and the contributions of Inuit co-management partners who have generously shared their knowledge, determination, and skills. Today is a celebration of Piliriqatigiingniq ? the Inuit societal value of working together for a common cause. I, along with fans of the Franklin story across Canada and around the world, look forward to seeing how the next chapters of this fabled tale unfold."

The Honourable Steven Guilbeault

Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Minister responsible for Parks Canada

"Over the last decade, our collaboration with Parks Canada and federal partners has exemplified Piliriqatigiinniq, the Inuit principle of working together for a common cause. Together, we have stewarded the land, celebrated our shared history, and honored Inuit oral traditions that led to the locating of the wreck of HMS Erebus. This partnership not only highlights the significance of Inuit management but also showcases our commitment to protecting and sharing the rich cultural heritage of the Kitikmeot region with the world."

Robert Greenley

President, Kitikmeot Inuit Association

"Partnerships and collaborations are at the heart of Parks Canada's commitment to protect nationally significant examples of natural and cultural heritage and sharing the stories of these special places with the world. I am immensely proud of the research, conservation, and interpretation work carried out over the last 10 years by so many Parks Canada team members working together with co-management Inuit partners to bring the mystery of the Franklin Expedition to light. Thanks to their collective efforts, the fascinating story of the famed wreck of HMS Erebus is poised to capture the imagination of people for years to come."

Ron Hallman

President & Chief Executive Officer, Parks Canada

Quick Facts

The locations of the 1845 Franklin Expedition vessels had been a mystery for over 150 years after Sir John Franklin and his crew went missing in 1846 while searching for a northwest passage.

and his crew went missing in 1846 while searching for a northwest passage. The wreck of HMS Erebus was located in 2014 and the wreck of HMS Terror was located in 2016.

was located in 2014 and the wreck of HMS was located in 2016. Parks Canada's exploration of HMS Erebus and HMS Terror , in collaboration with Inuit, is one of the largest, most complex underwater archaeological undertakings in Canadian history.

exploration of HMS and HMS , in collaboration with Inuit, is one of the largest, most complex underwater archaeological undertakings in Canadian history. The wreck of HMS Erebus was added to the National Historic Sites of Canada Order in 2015, ensuring legal protection for the wreck under the Canada National Parks Act . The wreck of HMS Terror was added in 2017, following the recommendation of the Franklin Interim Advisory Committee.

was added to the in 2015, ensuring legal protection for the wreck under the . The wreck of HMS was added in 2017, following the recommendation of the Franklin Interim Advisory Committee. A ten-year Inuit Impact and Benefit Agreement for the Wrecks of HMS Erebus and HMS Terror National Historic Site was signed in March 2023 by way of the Nunavut Agreement.

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Biomanufacturing is regarded as the "industrial revolution" in the manufacturing sector and serves as the "green power" for industrial transformation and upgrading. Focusing on niche industries such as biomedicine, bio-food, and bioenergy, Anhui is leveraging its early advantages to further strengthen the strategic layout of the biomanufacturing industry, and empowering high-quality development. Recently, Anhui Province achieved a significant breakthrough in the biopharmaceutical field by establishing a production line for injectable targeted anti-tumor drugs, marking a "zero" breakthrough in large-scale production in this area. This project took over ten years to complete, with an investment of nearly 1 billion yuan. Once fully operational, it is expected to have a comprehensive capacity of producing 4 million antibody drugs and 50 million protein drugs annually. Vigorously developing biomedicine is one of the key directions for Anhui to cultivate and strengthen its strategic emerging industries. By 2023, the scale of the biopharmaceutical industry in the province has exceeded 20 billion yuan, accounting for about 6% of the national total. After years of development, Anhui now has over 30 universities, including the University of Science and Technology of China, offering programs related to bioengineering and biomedicine, and has more than ten academicians. It has also established several industrial innovation platforms, including the Hefei Comprehensive National Science Center for Health Research, with six national-level enterprise technology centers. With technological innovation leading industrial innovation, Anhui has initially established a biomanufacturing system that covers six major industries, including biomedicine, biomaterials, bio-food, and bioenergy, with related enterprises distributed across 16 cities in the province. To further enhance the industrial layout, Anhui has introduced a new model of central-local cooperation and collaboration among provincial, municipal, and county levels, establishing the province's first biomanufacturing fund of 2 billion yuan, primarily focused on biotechnology. At the same time, leveraging innovation carriers, Anhui is deepening its efforts to attract investment and talent to support the rapid development of the biomanufacturing industry. According to estimates, the scale of Anhui's biomanufacturing industry is approximately 51.6 billion yuan in 2023, accounting for about 5% of the national total. Three major industrial clusters in biomedicine, biopharmaceuticals, and bioenergy have already formed; by 2027, the province aims to exceed 100 billion yuan in revenue from the biomanufacturing industry, establishing a spatial layout centered around Hefei and Bengbu, with northern Anhui and Wanjiang River Basin as the "wings."

Source: anhuinews.com
IT WAS literally last orders for 170 pubs in Limerick since 2005, according to a new report from the Drinks Industry Group of Ireland (DIGI).

Titled Support Growth: A Sustainable Future for Irelands Drinks and Hospitality Sector, the publication includes a county-by-county breakdown of the number of pubs shuttered. County Limerick (35.6%) has seen the highest decline ahead of Roscommon (31.9%), Cork (31.4%), Tipperary (31.2%) and Laois (30.6%). The national closure average is 24%.

The lowest number of pub closures over the period came in Dublin which has seen a decline of 3% in pubs.

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 shut so far this year.

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.

Professor Tony Foley said this analysis verifies the consistent trend they 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, said Professor Foley.

They 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, said Professor Foley.

READ MORE: Former Limerick pub to be sold to the highest bidder

Only last week the Leader reported on the last pub on Kilmallock's main street going up for auction.

Twenty five years ago there were nine pubs on the town's Sarsfield Street. Now there are none.

In the late 80s there were 16 pubs in Kilmallock. Today, if you fancy a pint there are only three pubs open full-time.
RTE News2Day presenter Barry Gallagher will be joined by a new co-host today.

News2Day is RTEs news service designed specifically for children, featuring Irish and international news of interest to a young audience.

Following a call out by RTE to media and journalism graduates across the country, and a comprehensive audition process, Florence was chosen as the ideal candidate to join the team.

READ NEXT: Definitely Maybe! Oasis tribute band coming to Waterford this October

She begins broadcasting today, Monday September 2, on RTE News channel and News2Day which will be available for schools to stream or watch back on the RTE Player.

Florence grew up on Dublins northside before moving to Stepaside at the age of 16.

She attended primary school at St. Marnock's National School and secondary school at Portmarnock Community School.

After fourth year she made the move to the other side of the Liffey and she completed her final two years of secondary school in St Raphaelas in Stillorgan.

She went on to study Media & Politics in DCU. After graduating in 2023, she started working as a news reader for Spin1038.

In her spare time, she loves running, sea swimming, reading and doing crosswords.



Speaking about her new presenter and reporter role, Florence said:

Im thrilled to join the News2Day team. It's truly a full-circle moment and a dream come true to have gone from watching the show as a child in primary school to now being part of it! Seeing the amazing reports produced over the years has made me excited about what lies ahead. News2Day reaches thousands of children across the country, and I feel privileged in helping give primary schools a personal platform while also informing them about important events happening in Ireland and around the world.



News2Day is broadcast Monday-Friday at 4.20pm on RTE2 and RTE News channel.
A CHINESE-OWNED property development company has pinpointed Limerick city as a place of continued economic growth after purchasing land with full planning permission for a 100m housing project.

Siec Group, which has offices in China and Dublin, bought the site in Raheen from a firm linked to Didier De Witte, a Belgian millionaire based in the Dominican Republic, according to the Business Post. They paid in the region of 4.5 million.

An Bord Pleanala approved the plan for 384 residential units in Ballykeeffe, Raheen in 2022.

The 10.44-hectare site is located adjacent to three estates on the edge of Raheen - Ballinvoher, Inis Mor and Inis Lua. It is broken down into 20 two-bedroom homes, 156 three-bedroom homes, 26 four-bedroom homes.

On top of this, there will be 10 four-bedroom duplexes, 10 three-bedroom duplexes and six two-bedroom duplexes.

Also proposed are 18 three-bedroom apartments, 92 two-bedroom apartments and 46 one-bedroom apartments.

The major development will also see the provision of a new childcare facility, playground, substantial open space within the development, alongside a perimeter cycle track and over 300 bike spaces.

READ MORE: PICTURES: Limerick school celebrates first day in new multi-million euro campus

According to its website, Siec Group, is focused on the development of social housing projects in Ireland and the provision of donations to not-for-profit organisations.

The companys primary business is to provide global investors with access to long-term residence permits under the Irish Immigrant Investor Programme (IIP) through investment opportunities in social housing projects in Ireland in the form of development, finance and construction loans, as well as providing endowment funding of no less than 2 million to selected not-for-profit organisations, says the website.

There was no response to a media query from the Limerick Leader at the time of going to press.
One shows Mickey Mouse drinking a beer. Another shows SpongeBob in Nazi garb. A third: Donald Trump and Kamala Harris kissing.

These visuals are among the many bizarre and sometimes disturbingly vivid images spawned by new tools from Google and Elon Musks xAI that are generating a debate about howand whethertech companies can control the output of cutting-edge AI image-making software.

The artificial-intelligence image generators are testing the boundaries of the platforms policies and the ability of companies to put effective guardrails around public use of this powerful new visual technology. The tools have the potential to spread misinformation during an election cycle, content-moderation experts say.

Google said last week that it will allow its Gemini chatbot to generate images of people again, six months after the company paused the feature following online backlash because it had produced racially diverse images of Nazi soldiers. Google said it initially will roll out the feature only to English-language users who pay for a premium version of Gemini.

The ability to create images of real, known people has emerged as one of the biggest tension points in this new content-moderation debate. Multiple companies, including Google and OpenAI, wont allow the tools to generate images of specific, recognizable people.

A newly released AI image generator from Elon Musks xAI does. The startup was criticized by tech-industry watchdogs after it unveiled a large language model called Grok-2 with image-generating capabilities earlier in August.

Musk, who has described himself as a free-speech absolutist, has criticized Google for the ahistoric images its AI tool produced.

His image generator, which is powered by a German startup called Black Forest Labs and only available to paying subscribers on the X social-media platform, has produced images of politicians in compromising or unsavory situations and others of copyrighted characters such as Mickey Mouse doing offensive things like saluting Adolf Hitler.

The companies behind the AI image generators are also facing legal threats over the images they used to train their products. Stability AI and Midjourney are two such image-generation startups that have been taken to court by artists who allege their rights were infringed.

Stability declined to comment on the litigation, and Midjourney didnt respond to a request for comment. A lawyer for the artists didnt respond to a request for comment.

Opt-outs and filters

OpenAIwhich launched its image generator called DALL-E to the general public in 2022added the ability for creators to opt out their images of training from future versions of the tool last year after the company received legal threats. Wall Street Journal owner News Corp has a content-licensing partnership with OpenAI.

xAI launched its image generator Aug. 13. In the days that followed, users on X flooded the platform with images they said were generated by Grok-2, including ones of Trump and Harris being intimate with each other and Mickey Mouse holding a gun. As of Wednesday, some of the images were no longer findable on the platform, but it was possible to create them using Grok-2.

xAI, Musk, representatives for Musk, and Black Forest didnt respond to requests for comment.

A day before the Democratic National Convention began in August, Trump posted what appeared to be an AI-generated image of Harris giving a speech in Chicago, where the convention was held, with a red flag with a hammer and sickle hanging in the background, implying Harris is a Communist.

Xs policies prohibit users from sharing manipulated media that might confuse or deceive people and lead to harm. Trumps campaign didnt respond to requests for comment.

Musk, the platforms owner, recently reposted a manipulated fake campaign ad of Harris in which she says she is the ultimate diversity hire." X didnt respond to requests for comment.

AI image generators are likely to face the same issues that traditional social media has, with people using the tools to make deepfakes and spread misinformation, said Sarah T. Roberts, a professor at the University of California, Los Angeles, who studies content moderation.

All of those issues that have been present in traditional social media are there, and its harder to detect in some cases," she said, adding that visuals can sometimes be more convincing.

Another problem is that people quickly learn how to get around keywords that have been banned in an effort to keep certain content off platforms, said Pinar Yildirim, a professor at the University of Pennsylvania.

They start to get smarter about how to be able to create that content," she said.

Creating safeguards

Before releasing a new version of its Gemini chatbot in February, Google employees instructed it to create diverse images when asked for depictions of people. They hoped the instructions would guard against common biases in image generators, such as the tendency to produce white men when asked for images of doctors.

Instead, X users began posting screenshots of ahistoric images created using Gemini. Musk fanned the flames while pitching his own chatbot.

Google CEO Sundar Pichai said it was unacceptable that Geminis outputs had offended users and shown bias, and that the company would fix it at scale." The company said Wednesday it had made significant progress on image generation but that not every image Gemini creates will be perfect.

We want to make sure the model follows instructions," said Sissie Hsiao, a Google vice president overseeing the Gemini chatbot, in a recent interview. This is one of our principlesthis is the users Gemini, so were serving at their behest."

Google recently angered users in a different wayby being too permissive. Last month, the tech giant released a new Pixel phone that allowed users to produce AI-generated images of the cartoon character SpongeBob wearing a swastika.

A Google spokesman said the company was continually enhancing and refining the safeguards we have in place."

Legal questions

Beyond ethical quandaries, questions remain about the companies potential legal liabilities.

In addition to the class-action lawsuit from artists, Stability AI is facing a suit from Getty Images, which alleges that the AI company infringed upon its rights to train its model.Stability AI declined to comment on the litigation. A spokeswoman for Getty Images said the company doesnt comment on active litigation. Getty has launched its own AI image generator, she added.

The class-action suit is targeting a spate of AI companies that have launched image generators, including Midjourney, DeviantArt and Runway.

Both the cases from artists and Getty Images are pending. DeviantArt and Runway didnt respond to requests for comment.

Such legal battles could set a precedent for what images and data AI companies are allowed to use to train their chatbots, said Geoffrey Lottenberg, a lawyer who specializes in intellectual-property rights.

Were going to get clarity on it at some point," Lottenberg said.

Write to Meghan Bobrowsky at meghan.bobrowsky@wsj.com and Miles Kruppa at miles.kruppa@wsj.com
Maruti Suzuki India (MSI) has cut the price of select variants of their Alto K10 and S-Presso vehicles, the auto major informed the exchanges on September 2.

Maruti Suzuki has announced a reduction in prices of select variants of Alto K10 and S-Presso with effect from today i.e. September 2, 2024, the company stated.

The price of the Maruti Suzuki S-Presso LXI petrol variant has been reduced by 2,000. And the price of the Maruti Suzuki Alto K10 VXI petrol variant has been reduced by 6,500, it added.

Maruti Suzuki reports 3.9% decline in August sales Maruti Suzuki reported nearly a 3.9 per cent decline in sales, at 181,782 units in August 2024, compared to 189,082 units in August 2023, according to an exchange filing on September 1.

August sales for the company include 145,570 units sold domestically and 26,003 units exported.

The automaker's August sales decline was fueled by the fall in sales figures in the small car segment which covers the mini and compact cars. The sales declined 18.85 per cent to 68,699 units in August 2024, compared year-on-year (YoY) with 84,660 units the previous year, as per the sales data in the filing.

The company's domestic sales took a hit in August as the units sold fell 8.4 per cent to 143,075 units, compared to 156,114 units the same month the previous year, according to the company filling.

Maruti Suzuki's export data highlighted growth, as the automaker witnessed a 5.64 per cent growth in exports to 26,003 units in August 2024, compared to 24,614 units in the same period the previous year, as per the company.
The Adani group has built a $1 billion war chest for acquisitions aimed to boost the group's food and FMCG business in the country's growing market for packaged consumer goods, two people aware of the matter said.

As part of the plan, the group's fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) business housed under Adani Wilmar Ltd is in talks to buy at least three spices, ready-to-cook foods and packaged edibles brands in the south and east of the country, the people cited above said on the condition of anonymity.

This is Adani group's most aggressive capex plan for the maker of Fortune oils and Kohinoor rice, which is a joint venture with Singapore's Wilmar group. It also marks a change in plans for the Adani group that had considered selling its Adani Wilmar stake as recently as last year.

'Surge in demand'

"While the group is seeing renewed interest from large global and domestic investors, the FMCG business sees a surge in demand, creating an expansion opportunity. There will be a consolidation within the group, and through Adani Wilmar, the group intends to expand its presence in the FMCG space primarily via acquisitions in this and next fiscal, especially in the south and east," one of the two people cited above said.

"25-30% of the group's topline is targeted to come from direct consumer-facing businesses such as food, FMCG, commodity and the airport business. This is a long-term target and currently, the group's cash position is just right to consider any capex," the person added.

Adani Wilmar will make multiple acquisitions in the next two to three years, the two people said. A 50:50 JV between Adani and Wilmar, it offers a range of food and FMCG products including kitchen staples such as edible oil, wheat flour, rice, pulses and sugar. Its flagship brand Fortune reaches 113 million households. In 2022, Adani Wilmar acquired packaged rice brand Kohinoor.

An email sent to an Adani group spokesperson seeking comments remained unanswered till press time.

Focus on south, east

In a recent call with Mint, a top Adani group executive had said, "As we already indicated, it's (the JV with Wilmar) an investment we are perfectly happy with. They (Wilmar) are our long-term partners, and this can be a big business. And, whatever we do is as per our plans discussed with Wilmar. We'll facilitate the plans they are also happy with, but otherwise, we are perfectly happy with the investment. As far as planned acquisitions are concerned I'm aware of the investments that Adani Wilmar wants to do."

The group may invest $800 million to $1 billion towards capex in the FMCG business, mainly via acquisitions. The value of each of these acquisitions, the proposals for which are being contemplated, could be in the range of $200-500 million," said the first person.

Adani Wilmar, which clocked revenue of 51,261.63 crore in FY24, primarily caters to food and FMCG customers in the western, central and northern India.

"The group is planning to acquire a company from southern India engaged in the spices and ready-to-cook food business. Another company the group plans to take over is from eastern India. Both are quite established names, and the planned acquisitions may get the group an immediate foothold in the two regions," said the first person.

Packaged foods opportunity

In its FY24 annual report, Adani Wilmar said the company perceives a "substantial opportunity within the packaged foods business, recognizing its significant potential for growth."

"Leveraging robust distribution and retail networks, formidable brand equity, strong sourcing capabilities, and a widespread manufacturing presence across India, Adani Wilmar is optimistic about becoming the countrys largest food FMCG company," it said. Adani primarily competes with Hindustan Unilever Ltd and Godrej Consumer Products Ltd in the FMCG space.

India's organized packaged foods retail market, valued at around 6 trillion, represents just 15% of the total food and grocery retail market, estimated at around 39.45 trillion, an Adani Wilmar presentation showed. The rising demand for packaged foods on the back of a shift in consumer preferences towards convenience and processed foods is compelling FMCG players to expand faster and diversify.

Rising shares

Adani's presentation said that currently, the total addressable market for packaged staple food products stands at nearly 300 million tonnes, including edible oil consumption of 23 million tonnes.

"The demand environment for branded products and food is steady and improving. The company is now staying focused on gaining market share, particularly in the food and oil business," said the second person.

Adani Wilmar's shares have gone up by 27% from a low of 285.85 in November last year to 363 apiece now. After the 4 June general election results and then after announcing better-than-expected financials for the June quarter, shares of Adani Wilmar have been mostly gaining on the bourses.

Also read | Adani Wilmar may acquire regional companies in kitchen essentials space

Adani Wilmar clocked revenue of 14,169 crore in the June quarter against 12,928 crore a year earlier. It had a consolidated net profit of 313.2 crore, against a net loss of 78.92 crore a year earlier. Revenue from food and FMCG business, which primarily includes oil under Fortune brand, wheat flour and rice, grew by 40%.

The two persons said as the group's cash position improved, shares of the group firms gained and the FMCG business began generating better-than-expected revenues in the first quarter of this fiscal, the group has drawn a fresh plan to ramp up the food and FMCG business inorganically.

Ramping up

In the June quarter, the FMCG business generated more revenues than expected, the people cited above said, prompting it to ramp up the food and FMCG business inorganically. Adani Wilmar is currently building a plant at Gohana in Haryana to expand the food business.

"Adani will be targeting much more volume. Once the Gohana plant is ready, Adani Wilmar will get its own in-house supply chain," said the second person.

"With all the growth plans in place within the food business, Adani Wilmar is looking at 30-40% growth year-on-year in volumes for the next three years," the second person said.

Also read | Adani Enterprises to transfer Adani Wilmar stake to its shareholders

Over the past year, Adani has increased its food distribution reach by 18% to sell at 740,000 direct outlets, covering 30,000 rural towns.

The latest plans are part of Adani group's long-term strategy to grow its so-called super-app Adani One, which was launched last year as a part of Adani's digital business strategy to complement the groups consumer-facing businesses. The app offers access to the conglomerate's food, FMCG and other business-to-consumer products and services on a single platform.

Adani, through the app, aims to create a large monetizable digital ecosystem by connecting with 400 million users by 2030 through various Adani portfolios and partner services. If the acquisition plans go through, Adani group may not only be able to enhance its market share but also move closer to realizing its super-app aspirations.
New Delhi: Emami Ltd is open to more acquisitions across traditional businesses and direct-to-consumer (D2C) brands, said a top executive at the Kolkata-based consumer goods maker, after the firm completed the purchase of a male grooming company.

In the past few years, the company has picked up stakes in brands spanning male grooming, mass market personal care, packaged drinks, pet care and healthcare firms.

In a filing to the exchanges on Sunday, the company said it increased its shareholding in Helios Lifestyle Pvt Ltd, which operates The Man Company, to 100% by acquiring the balance 49.60% stake for 177.63 crore. It first bought a stake in the Gurugram-based company in 2017. In FY24, Helios posted a turnover of 183 crore.

Also Read: The Man Company acquisition: Emami to acquire remaining 49.6% stake, gaining 100% ownership of Helios Lifestyle We are open for all kinds of opportunities, be it small, medium size or large, said Harsha V. Agarwal, vice-chairman and managing director, Emami Ltd.

The Man Company may touch  500 crore in revenue in 3 years The Man Company, which sells perfumes, body washes, face masks, and hair-removal creams, could touch 500 crore in revenue in the next three years, with plans to double the business in the mid-term, he said in a virtual interview with Mint. The Man Company exited fiscal 2024 with a revenue of 180 crore.

Meanwhile, Emami's largest brand Zandu (balm) could touch 1,000 crore in annual sales in the next one or two years, from 800 crore in FY24.

Following investments in new-age startups, the company that sells several mass-market brands such as Navratna, Zandu, Kesh King and Dermicool has been actively pursuing mergers and acquisitions in recent years. These investments have enabled the company to capitalize on online opportunities, incubate new growth engines, and tap into emerging consumer segments.

In 2022, the company picked up a minority stake in Tru Native F&B that markets nutrition products under the TruNativ brand. It also acquired a 30% stake in pet-care startup Cannis Lupus Services India in the same year.

The company is scouting for investments in new-age categories where it does not already have a presence, said Agarwal.

Also Read: Emami Group shows a  2,000 crore appetite for its food business New-age companies aside, the company also acquired Dermicool talc from Reckitt in March 2022 for 432 crore. Last September, it announced its foray into the juice category by acquiring a 26% intake in Axiom Ayurveda Pvt Ltd that markets beverage products under the brand AloFrut.

One objective is to scale portfolios, that is, wherever we are invested. Growing them will be one of the tasks. Apart from that, we are looking for more investment opportunities. Ultimately, getting the right category, company and then getting it at the right priceall have to work together, he said. We are evaluating one or two of them, depending on how we like it and if we get it at the right price. This could be both direct-to-consumer and heritage brands, he said.
After a delay of more than 2.5 years, Infosys has finally issued over 1,000 offer letters to campus hires from 2022, according to the IT employee union Nascent Information Technology Employees Senate (NITES) on September 2.

"These young engineers, who have been waiting for nearly two years, now have a confirmed joining date of October 7, 2024. This is a huge win for NITES and all the students who stood strong in the face of uncertainty and delay," NITES President Harpreet Singh Saluja said.

These roles are for System Engineers, with the joining date set for October 7, 2024. Initially offered positions at the Bengaluru-headquartered company in 2022, these software engineers were required to complete two pre-training sessions in 2024, the most recent of which took place on August 19.

Saluja added, "However, we remain vigilant... if Infosys fails to honour this commitment and breaches the joining date, we will not hesitate to organise a protest right in front of the Infosys office."

NITES previously lodged a complaint with the Ministry of Labour and Employment against Infosys for postponing the onboarding of 2,000 engineering graduates who were selected for system engineer and digital specialist engineer roles during the 2022-23 recruitment drive.

Infosys CEO Salil Parekh recently said that the company would honor the offers made to freshers and proceed with their onboarding, although there may be some adjustments to the joining dates.

Every offer that we have given, that offer will be (for) someone who will join the company. We changed some dates but beyond that everyone will join Infosys and there is no change in that approach, Infosys CEO Salil Parekh was quoted as saying by PTI.

The story began a few months ago when the company contacted candidates who had been offered positions in 2020. Since then, these candidates have expressed concerns about the numerous pre-training sessions and assessments, which have left them uneasy about the entire hiring process.

The salary for a System Engineer was set at 3.6 lakh per annum, while the role of Digital Specialist Engineer offered 6.5 lakh per annum, according to media reports.
Insurtech company Turtlemint Insurance Services Pvt. Ltd is expanding its revenue streams beyond its core offerings, including through acquisitions much larger than its handful of purchases so far.

With Turtlemint maintaining its profitability, the company is now venturing into adjacent financial services such as mutual funds and loans. Turtlemint is also extending its enterprise services through Turtlefin, its software-as-a-service (Saas) business, including to banks, non-banking financial companies, and e-commerce firms.

The natural extension is all financial products. Our core insurance business has scaled up, is profitable, and doing well. Now, we are focusing on building adjacencies, Dhirendra Mahyavanshi, co-founder and chief executive of Turtlemint, told Mint.

The companys core insurance business currently accounts for 80-85% of its revenue. The remaining is generated from a variety of other financial products and services that the company is experimenting with.

Mahyavanshi emphasised that Turtlemint will also explore new adjacencies such as claims assistance packages, and insurance for small and medium enterprises. This, according to the co-founder, is an attempt to provide comprehensive financial solutions to the companys customers.

While the core business is profitable, Turtlemint expects to achieve profitability in each of its emerging businesses in 2-3 years.

In 2022-23, the company recorded a total income of 157.2 crore, a 58% increase from 99.4 crore in FY22. Turtlemint also maintained profitability for a fourth consecutive fiscal year, with a profit after tax of 6.3 crore.

Also read | Unmasking the loopholes: How bank employees sell mutual funds without certification

Founded in 2015 by Mahyavanshi and Anand Prabhdesai, the company runs its core offerings through insurtech platform Turtlemint, a mutual fund advisory and financial planning services via Turtlemint Money, and Saas platform Turtlefin.

More M&As on the cards

Turtlemint is also actively hunting for acquisitions, primarily to enter into newer geographies like South-East Asia, Mahyavanshi said. So far, the company has a presence in the UAE and Saudi Arabia.

The company has, to date, made four acquisitions including Pune-based data science startup IOPhysics Systems and insurtech company Last Decimal.

Most of these acquisitions cost a few million dollars each, nothing very big. We are developing that muscle. Its a high-risk strategy, and once we feel more confident we can start doing big-ticket acquisitions with a comfortable space being around $50 million, said Mahyavanshi.
After adding a provision to a social-media bill requiring the tech company to help enforce age restrictions and prevent minors from downloading some apps, Carver got a flurry of texts before he got off the floor of the Louisiana House of Representatives.

Id describe them as panicked," Carver recalled.

As state legislators around the country seek to regulate teen smartphone use, Apple is gearing up for a battle with app makers and legislators over child safety. The question at the heart of the fight is whether regulation of teen social-media use should happen entirely within apps or whether smartphone makers and app stores also have a role to play.

Driven by the alleged risks of social media to teen mental healthas well as examples of social-media apps being used to sell drugs to minors and recruit child sex-abuse victimsa wave of states have proposed or passed legislation to regulate platforms. The proposals restrict their ability to collect data on minors, serve them algorithmically targeted content or allow them to establish accounts without parental approval.

Before Carvers bill in Louisiana, Apple had largely managed to stay out of the fray, but that is expected to change as lawmakers nationwide seek to confront the issue. Social-media platforms and many youth-safety advocates argue that effective content restrictions will require some form of age verification from Apple and Google, the duopoly that oversees operating-system software for the worlds billions of smartphones.

Age verifying app by app is a case of whack-a-mole," said Chris McKenna, founder of advocacy group Protect Young Eyes, who also advises Apple on digital-safety issues for children. Every device knows the age of its user. We give our devices an enormous amount of our identity."

An Apple spokesman said websites and social-media companies are best positioned to verify a users age and that user privacy expectations would be violated if the company was required to share the age of its users with third-party apps. Apple provides tools that allow parents to control the devices of their children, the spokesman said.

The company reiterated its allegation that Meta Platformss efforts to steer legislative responsibility toward Apple are an attempt to deflect responsibility for its challenges with child-safety issues.

A spokeswoman for Metathe parent of Facebook, Instagram and other appsdisputed that assertion, saying that verifying a childs age app-by-app isnt practical.

Rather than putting the onus on parents to upload sensitive information or provide proof of identity for their teens age for every single app their children use, app stores can provide a central place for families to do this," a spokeswoman said, a position that many other age-sensitive app developers have endorsed.

Match Group, which owns Tinder and other dating apps, also supported this position in Louisiana.

Kids are less safe when responsibility is limited only to developers," a Match Group lobbyist testified on the Louisiana bill.

Louisiana was one of the first U.S. states attempting to make Apple enforce age restrictions. But a number of legislators in different states are looking at introducing bills that would require app stores to verify the age of users, including Utah.

In crafting his child-safety legislation, Carver teamed up with a group of high-school students to write a bill restricting the ability of large social-media platforms to collect personal data about minors and serve them targeted ads. Platforms that failed to make reasonable efforts" to comply would face substantial fines.

The original legislation made no mention of Apple. But during Carvers discussions with various tech companies, a lobbyist for Metaone of the bills primary targetsmade a case for requiring Google and Apples app stores to flag minors. Both companies collected such data about the owners of a device, the lobbyist argued, and sharing it would make it easier for apps to identify children on their platforms.

I didnt want to absolve Meta, Instagram, TikTok or Snapchat from their responsibility," Carver said. But a single device-level chokepoint for age made sense, he thought, so he added the provision before bringing the bill to a vote.

An Apple lobbyist responded with a flurry of text messages, declaring the provision a poison pill from Meta" and forwarding news stories about allegations that Meta has failed to protect children, Carver said. He described Apples outreach as all day, every day." In a series of conversations, Apples lobbyists and staffers made clear the company would fight any effort at age-gating.

At that point, I was like, OK, were done talking," Carver recalled. We had the bill pass unanimously on the house floor."

Within days, lobbying records show, Apple hired four additional lobbyists in Baton Rouge. Among them was Alton Ashy, a Baton Rouge heavyweight best known for representing truck-stop casinos in the capital. One of Carvers legislative colleagues joked that his bill was turning into a full employment act for the states lobbyists.

This isnt the first time Louisiana legislators have faced aggressive pushback from Apple. In 2021, Louisiana attempted to pass an app store bill that would have allowed app developers to use alternative payment systems, threatening Apples lucrative fees on app transactions.

Apple pushed back. In a meeting with Tanner Magee, then a top leader in the Louisiana House of Representatives, an Apple employee threatened to move production for a film the company was bankrolling out of the region, said Magee. The film was Emancipation," an 1860s drama starring Will Smith about a runaway slave.

He basically said that if we didnt kill the bill, hed kill the movie and hurt our economy," said Magee, recalling his conversation with the Apple employee.

An Apple spokesman denied any Apple employee threatened to pull movie production.

We always operate with the highest standards of integrity, and allegations that we have not in this instance are false," the Apple spokesman said.

Three years later, Carver said he had no trouble selling most of his senate colleagues on requiring app store assistance with age gating. No one Ive ever mentioned it to thinks its a bad idea except Apple and Google," he said.

Carvers overall child safety legislation faced little apparent opposition in Louisianas Senate, but it needed approval from a key committee before it could come up for a vote. Several members of the committee declined to comment on Apples efforts at persuasion. Carver said the companys representatives warned that if the app store amendment wasnt removed, the state should expect years of litigation, though Apples representatives never explicitly said they would sue.

Carver began hearing rumblings that Apple was making inroads with the committeehis amended bill might be in trouble. Uncertain on how to proceed, he approached the chairwoman of the committee, Sen. Beth Mizell, for advice.

He declined to describe the substance of the conversation to The Wall Street Journal, but in the end, he promised not to object if she removed the app store provisions or support restoring them on the Senate floor.

I made the choice to take the win that we could get," Carver said.

At a committee hearing in May, Mizell proposed removing app stores from the bill on the grounds that the approach wasnt proven.

With the app store provision removed, Carvers bill targeting social-media companies sailed through. An Apple lobbyist thanked Carver for not seeking to restore the amendment on the Senate floor.

Apples lobbyists didnt respond to requests for comment. Mizell declined similar requests, noting at the hearing that other states hadnt previously pursued it.

Gene Mills, the head of the conservative Louisiana Family Forum and a supporter of app store age-gating, credited Apples lobbyists with capitalizing on Carvers newness to the state capitol.

Its hard to know who the trusted voices are," Mills said of Carver. He had the votes, but he was told he didnt."

Carver remains proud to have passed legislation targeting social-media data collection and advertising to minors during his first term. But he has regrets. Losing the app store provision was a disappointment, he said, and he hopes to take another swing at app store-specific legislation in the states next session.

A recent experience attempting to set up parental controls on his 14-year-old daughters new iPhone left him more convinced of the need to regulate app stores along with social-media platforms.

I quickly realized Apples parental controls arent the panacea theyre promised to be," he said.

Write to Jeff Horwitz at jeff.horwitz@wsj.com and Aaron Tilley at aaron.tilley@wsj.com
When Brazilians logged on to Elon Musks X this weekend, they found a blank website with a simple message: Its not possible to access this site."

After Brazils Supreme Court shut down the social-media platform on Saturday, Brazilians were migrating to other apps in Latin Americas biggest nation, which has one of the worlds most active online populations.

Camila Rezende, a 39-year-old in Brasilia, joined hundreds of thousands of Brazilians in signing up for social-media platform Bluesky, an app that resembles X, formerly Twitter. Others joined Threads, an X rival owned by Facebooks parent company, Meta.

View Full Image Some Brazilians saw the courts ban of X as undemocratic. Photo: Mauro Pimentel/Agence France-Presse/Getty Images

After joining Twitter in 2009, Rezende said she used to spend hours a day on the site, where she met some of her closest friends and got most of her news. I used to live there," she said.

But after Brazils presidential election in 2022, Rezende said she found the site became full of fake news and bots. And she didnt like the changes implemented by Musk after he purchased the platform that same year, including having to pay for a verified account.

It became a network of older people and preteens talking nonsense and conspiracy theories," she said. I have a new home, without the defects of the previous one for now."

Still, Rezende said she felt nostalgic when she heard that the high court had outlawed a site that had been so important to her life. We even did a countdown to the ban," she said, describing how she and her friends watched Xs downfall unfold.

Other Brazilians saw the courts move as undemocratic. I see it as authoritarianism," said Caroline Devanie, a 36-year-old advertiser in Brasilia, pointing to other countries that also ban X such as China, Iran and North Korea. Those are dictatorships and not democracies."

The ban took effect as of 12:01 a.m. Saturday after months of squabbling between Musk and Brazils highest court. A five-member panel of the Supreme Court will review the ban on Monday, deciding to either maintain it or throw out the decision.

The dispute in Brazil comes amid growing tensions between social-media companies and governments worldwide.

In the U.S., President Biden signed a law in April that requires TikToks Beijing-based owner, ByteDance, to sell the platform in a year or face being banned over concerns that the Chinese government could access user data. France last week detained and charged the founder of the popular Telegram messaging app, Pavel Durov, over accusations he failed to counter the spread of illegal content on the app. Venezuelas autocratic regime cut access to X last month after a public spat between Musk and President Nicolas Maduro, who had claimed to win re-election in a presidential vote widely seen as fraudulent.

In Brazil, authorities have been clamping down on social-media and messaging platforms since supporters of former President Jair Bolsonarostormed Congress and other buildings in the capital in January 2023 in an attack President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva described as a coup attempt.

In April, Supreme Court JusticeAlexandre de Moraes ordered X to take down several accounts deemed to be spreading hate speech and deliberately misleading information. Musk initially balked at the order and closed Xs offices in Brazil. The court issued an ultimatum last week: either appoint a legal representative in Brazil or face a ban, which took effect after Musk didnt respond.

Luiz Augusto DUrso, a Brazilian lawyer specializing in digital law, said the countrys legislation isnt clear on what constitutes spreading intentionally false information, often called disinformation. But he said companies must comply with court decisions.

If someone believes that the court decision is wrong, they can appeal, but they cannot choose not to comply with them," he said.

View Full Image A prolonged ban on X in Brazil would be a blow to the platform. Photo: Tuane Fernandes/Bloomberg News

Some have said de Moraes, who has called X a lawless land," has gone too far. Musk, a self-proclaimed free-speech absolutist, lashed out against de Moraes over the weekend, calling him the dictator of Brazil." Many in Brazils political right have accused the Supreme Court and da Silvas left-wing government of trying to silence conservatives ahead of municipal elections next month.

Opposition politicians stepped up calls for impeaching de Moraes, while others compared the ban on X to measures that would be used in countries such as North Korea and Cuba, not in one of the worlds largest democracies. Lawmaker Nikolas Ferreira said he would risk the nearly $9,000 daily fine for using VPN technology to circumvent the ban and access X.

I wont back downTyranny wont prevail," Ferreira wrote on X shortly after the ban took effect. Later, he asked: Anyone from Brazil still here?"

A prolonged ban on X would be a blow to the platform, cutting it off from the nation of some 203 million people and its sixth-largest market, said Viktor Chagas, a professor at Brazils Fluminense Federal University, where he studies social media. Brazilians spend on average about nine hours and 32 minutes online every day, the second highest rate in the world after South Africa, according to data compiled by website Proxyrack. Brazilians are avid social media users, signing up for more than eight social-media accounts on average.

Many users unable to access X are now signing up for Bluesky. Since Saturday, around a million Brazilians have signed up for Bluesky, equivalent to about one-sixth of the platforms total users before the ban, Chagas said.

He said X was the 10th most used platform in Brazil but one of the most politically important.

Twitter was never the most used platform in Brazil, but it is far from being an irrelevant one," he said. It had a great political importance due to its visibility for real-time events, news coverage and social activism."

Some Brazilians appear to be using a VPN to access X, but not a significant amount, said Chagas.

Leonardo Oliveira, a 39-year-old in Sao Paulo who signed up for Bluesky over the weekend, said it has been strange to go without X. He began using the app in 2007, mainly to keep up-to-date on current events.

I found it very odd to not have X after midnight," said Oliveira. I realize how dependent I was on that platform and how much I used it out of habit and addiction, not necessarily out of necessity."

Still, Oliveira said he supports the courts decision to ban X, a move that has divided the country among ideological lines.

If its easy for other companies to comply with Brazilian regulations, X should also do so," he said. Its about respecting the norms in place in the country."

Priscilla Oliveira and Kejal Vyas contributed to this article.

Write to Ryan at Ryan.Dube@wsj.com.
New Delhi: The National Company Law Tribunal approved the debt resolution plans of 22 businesses in August, maintaining the pace of salvaging distressed companies, official data showed.

Including the 12 corporate restructuring schemes approved in July, 34 businesses have received a green signal for a fresh start so far in the July-September quarter, showed data available from Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India (IBBI).

In the June quarter, 58 firms had secured approvals for their rescue plans.

More than half of all the businesses that got their debt resolution schemes approved in August and about two-thirds of the cases cleared in July were in the real estate and hospitality sectors, highlighting a point of distress in the economy.

In the financial year ended March, the National Company Law Tribunal approved a record 269 resolution plans, a 42% jump from the year before in the number of companies reaching debt resolution.

Also read | Bankruptcy rescues soared in 2023-24. Here is why

With more capacity planned in tribunals and greater technology integration of all stakeholders in the bankruptcy ecosystem, the number of cases getting cleared is expected to increase.

However, the official data only indicate the cases admitted in tribunals and cleared or withdrawn, not the number of cases that were initiated but yet to be admitted.

Since the roll out of the new bankruptcy resolution regime in 2016, bankruptcy petitions were withdrawn in 2,288 cases before admission due to factors including settlement between debtors and creditors.

Improving the rescue process Speeding up the time taken to stitch together rescue plans and the extent of value of the assets recovered have been the priority for the government.

At the end of June, nearly 2,000 cases were at different stages of debt resolution proceedings under different benches of NCLT. Among these, two-thirds have exceeded the 330-day timeline prescribed for debt resolution, which excludes the time spent in legal proceedings.

To speed up the rescue of distressed businesses, the government had amended the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC) six times since it was rolled out in December 2016. In 2023-24, the rules were amended a dozen times to incorporate 86 changes to the regulatory framework, according to information available from the ministry of corporate affairs.

Also read | Why bankruptcy reforms should be the new govts top priority

The government is taking steps to strengthen the NCLT infrastructure, including filling up vacancies in the tribunal and the appellate tribunal, minister of state for corporate affairs Harsh Malhotra recently informed Parliament.

Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman said in her budget speech in July that the government would establish an integrated technology platform for all stakeholders involved in the debt resolution of distressed companies, including IBBI, lenders and tribunals, for quick, uniform and efficient rescue of companies.
(Bloomberg Opinion) -- Surfing for real estate, peeking at photos of other peoples kitchens and checking on house prices are among Britons top pastimes. Small wonder foreign investors see an opportunity in the UKs property portals. Monday brought news of interest from Australias REA Group Ltd., controlled by 93-year-old media tycoon Rupert Murdoch, in leading property website Rightmove Plc. As every property expert knows, its easy to look  and hard to buy.

Rightmoves stock has had a difficult few years. It closed Friday pretty much where it was at the end of 2019, valuing the company at 4.4 billion ($5.8 billion). This may be the foremost real estate website in the UK, but investors have had a lot to fret about. The end of the ultra-low interest-rate era has dampened the property market, and the competition has intensified with the recent takeover of smaller rival OnTheMarket by CoStar Group of the US. CoStar has flagged aggressive expansion plans.

Rightmoves profit margins are already among the highest in the sector. Investors could be forgiven for thinking the firms best years are behind it. The company has a strategy to diversify beyond residential property into areas such as mortgage broking and commercial real estate; the stock market wants to see it deliver.

As analysts at Peel Hunt point out, all this has left Rightmove one of Europes cheapest publicly traded classifieds players. Prior to REAs interest surfacing, the UK company was trading at around 15 times profit as measured by earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization. Peers average 21 times, according to data compiled by Bloomberg data.

There would be limited cost savings in a cross-border combination like the one REA is contemplating. That would ordinarily limit how much of a premium a bidder could pay. But the low starting valuation creates a cushion to pay a top-up in return for a commanding position in the UK. Panmure Liberum analysts argue that the cheapest way to become the number one property portal is to buy Rightmove, not to buy OnTheMarket and attempt to scale it.

Murdoch might also see a simple punt on a recovery in the property market here, now that UK rates are easing with Augusts cut and the recently elected Labour government has made housebuilding a policy priority. REAs expertise in non-residential property classifieds could potentially help Rightmove expand into those new areas more successfully  thats certainly hinted at in the Australian suitors explanation of its interest in a cash-and-stock bid.

Finally, REA also has a financing advantage. Its stock is priced at a multiple of earnings nearly double that of Rightmoves. Thats helpful for raising money or offering stock as part payment for Rightmove shares.

For all this, Murdochs investors are nervous, judging by the slide in REAs stock price. Some of the decline will likely reflect concern about generating new shares to finance a deal, including the risk that UK investors dump any such paper issued as part payment. The wobble in REAs stock could also rightly reflect the possibility that Rightmoves investors will resist all but a knockout offer. The recent history of UK bids is for high premiums to compensate for low starting valuations. Analysts at Panmure Liberum call for a 60% premium here  thats no longer uncommon in the UK.

OK, such an offer might be a stretch here. Even at a 30% premium, a deal would cost around 5.7 billion. With Rightmove saying it is targeting operating profit of around 420 million in 2028, post-tax returns here might not be much above a mid-single digit percent  unless REA can conjure some synergies or implement Rightmoves strategy notably faster.

Its not obvious Rightmove cant do by itself a lot of what REA might bring. Diverting cash from share buybacks to investment could accelerate the business plan, as Panmure notes. And nor is it clear that Murdochs interest will endure if he cant pay an opportunistic price.More From Bloomberg Opinion:

This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editorial board or Bloomberg LP and its owners.

Chris Hughes is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist covering deals. Previously, he worked for Reuters Breakingviews, the Financial Times and the Independent newspaper.

More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com/opinion
Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari called on state governments to advocate for a reduction in Goods and Services Tax (GST) on flex-engine vehicles. Gadkari emphasised the need for collaborative efforts to promote these eco-friendly vehicles by lowering the GST to as much as 12 per cent on flex engines, cars, and scooters.

"We will try to convince all the finance ministers. Yesterday I had the opportunity to discuss with the finance minister of Maharashtra and I told him, you please go to the meeting and put up this proposal for reducing GST up to 12 per cent on flex engines, cars, and scooters," he said.

Also Read | Gujarat rains wreak havoc: Road from Vadodara to Statue of Unity collapses

Addressing IFGE's India Bio-Energy and Tech Expo in New Delhi, the Union minister added that factors such as economic viability, proven technology, availability of raw material, and marketability of the finished product are in favour of the development of these engines. Gadkari said that developing flex-fuel engines is the target of the government, and we have the "proven technology" to make it possible.

"I feel that now the flex fuel is very, very important. Already the managing directors of Tata, Suzuki and Toyota have decided to start flex engine car in the country," the Union minister stated.

Highlighting the potential benefits of flex engines, Gadkari pointed out the significant market opportunities and the advantages of biofuels over fossil fuels. "The flex engine is the ultimate target. As far as the market is concerned, there is huge potential. Everywhere, as far as a comparison between fossil fuel and biofuel, in the Indian scenario, the cost of biofuel is less and there is no pollution. So that is the important reason that it is going to be advantageous to the common man also," he added.

Gadkari also mentioned that several vehicle manufacturers, including Bajaj, TVS, and Hero, have already developed models equipped with flex engines capable of running on 100 per cent ethanol. He further noted ongoing efforts by generator manufacturers to transition from diesel to ethanol, with some companies aiming to convert telecommunication towers to use ethanol instead of diesel, which would significantly reduce diesel consumption.

Also Read | Automakers to offer rebate on new vehicles against scrapping old models: Gadkari
Bengaluru: Property developer Signature Global is planning to purchase land for 1500 crore this year, as it looks to expand in its core market of Gurugram, and enter Noida in the National Capital Region (NCR).

The developer will buy land through outright transactions as well through auctions conducted by the Noida Development Authority, founder and chairman Pradeep Aggarwal said.

Signature Global, which had launched its first residential project at Sector 107 in Dwarka Expressway, in 2014, raised 730 crore through an initial public offering (IPO) in September 2023.

In FY24, it recorded pre-sales of 7270 crore. For FY25, it has given a pre-sales guidance of 10,000 crore on the back of a strong launch pipeline of projects.

The company expects an operating surplus of over 2500-3000 crore in the current financial year. A portion of this surplus will be used to reduce debt, and we plan to invest around 1,500 crore to purchase land. This investment will help replenish our land bank, Aggarwal said.

Its net debt as on 30 June was 980 crore.

The company is exploring growth opportunities with a focus on the Delhi-NCR region. Aggarwal said beyond Gurugram, it sees tremendous potential in Noida.

We would explore buying land from the Noida Authority as the title of such land will be clear without any encumbrance. When we enter the Noida market, we will be looking to develop projects at scale, similar to the way we have done in Gurugram, he added.

Also read: Realty wars in NCR: Can Prestige Group eat Godrejs lunch? To achieve its sales bookings target, Signature Global aims to sell 4,000 residential units this fiscal, costing an average of 2-2.5 crore per unit.

The Delhi-NCR property market has seen a turnaround in the aftermath of the pandemic. After a multi-year slowdown in the residential sector in particular, both home sales and prices have picked up significantly.

Launch pipeline Signature Global is planning to launch a 130-acre project in Sohna this year, targeting the middle-income segment. The mixed-use development project is estimated to have revenue potential of over 5000 crore.

For FY25, it has given an ambitious project launch guidance of 16,000 crore.

Signature Global started with affordable housing projects costing 15-30 lakh. In 2020, it ventured into mid-income housing priced at 45 lakh and above. In 2024, it launched its first two premium projects- Deluxe DXP at Dwarka Expressway, Gurugram and Titanium SPR at Southern Peripheral Road, Gurugram. Both projects, that were priced at 3.5-5.5 crore saw good sales.

Going forward, our focus will be on mid-income and premium projects. Gurugram is an aspirational market today and our premium projects saw huge response from young professionals, entrepreneurs as well as non-resident Indian buyers (NRI). However, even in the premium segment, we are launching projects that are competitively priced, Aggarwal said.

Also read: Gautam Adani plans mega entry into Delhi-NCR with Jaypee real estate bid Apart from Sohna, the developer also has a considerable land bank in Sector 71, on the Southern Peripheral Road and Dwarka Expressway where it will launch projects.
Indian online grocery startup Zepto has seen its valuation surge by approximately 40%, reaching $5 billion following a recent funding round led by General Catalyst Partners. This development highlights the ongoing interest of foreign investors in India's burgeoning e-commerce sector.

The $340 million funding round also saw participation from new investors Dragon Fund and Epiq Capital, while existing investors like Lightspeed Venture Partners and DST Global increased their stakes in the company, according to a statement released by Zepto on Thursday.

Zepto, headquartered in Mumbai, had previously raised $665 million in June, with private equity firm Avenir and Lightspeed among the new investors at that time. That round had valued the company at $3.6 billion.

The inflow of investments into India's e-commerce industry is occurring despite concerns surrounding regulatory issues at Paytm and insolvency proceedings at edtech firm Byju's, which have made some investors cautious. In May, Google, a subsidiary of Alphabet Inc., invested $350 million in Walmart Inc.'s Flipkart, reflecting confidence in India's rapidly growing middle class.

Zepto continues to expand its user base as more consumers in India embrace online shopping. The company has announced plans to double its warehouse count to over 700 by March 2025 by reinvesting sales from its established dark stores. Additionally, Zepto is reportedly preparing for a public listing in the near future.

Also Read | Zepto joins Bengaluru brigade, leaving Mumbai to set up HQ in Karnataka capital

The company was founded in 2021 by Aadit Palicha and Kaivalya Vohra, who dropped out of Stanford University's computer science program to return to India and launch the startup. At the time, both founders were still teenagers.

Zepto operates in India's fiercely competitive grocery delivery market, which is characterized by low margins but high volumes. The company faces competition from major players such as Amazon India's unit, Swiggy Ltd., Zomato Ltd., and Tata Group's BigBasket.
Nvidia dominates the chips at the center of the artificial-intelligence boom. It wants to conquer almost everything else that makes those chips tick, too.

Chief Executive Jensen Huang is increasingly broadening his companys focusand seeking to widen its advantage over competitorsby offering software, data-center design services and networking technology in addition to its powerful silicon brains.

More than a supplier of a valuable hardware component, he is trying to build Nvidia into a one-stop shop for all the key elements in the data centers where tools like OpenAIs ChatGPT are created and deployedor what he calls AI factories."

Huang emphasized Nvidias growing prowess at data-center design following an earnings report Wednesday that exceeded Wall Street forecasts. The report came days after rival Advanced Micro Devices agreed to pay nearly $5 billion to buy data-center design and manufacturing company ZT Systems to try to gain ground on Nvidia.

We have the ability fairly uniquely to integrate to design an AI factory because we have all the parts," Huang said in a call with analysts. Its not possible to come up with a new AI factory every year unless you have all the parts."

It is a strategy designed to extend the business success that has made Nvidia one of the worlds most valuable companiesand to insulate it from rivals eager to eat into its AI-chip market share, estimated at more than 80%. Gobbling up more of the value in AI data centers both adds revenue and makes its offerings stickier for customers.

Nvidia is building on the effectiveness of its 17-year-old proprietary software, called CUDA, which enables programmers to use its chips. More recently, Huang has been pushing resources into a superfast networking protocol called InfiniBand, after acquiring the technologys main equipment maker, Mellanox Technologies, five years ago for nearly $7 billion. Analysts estimate that InfiniBand is used in most AI-training deployments.

Nvidia is also building a business that supplies AI-optimized Ethernet, a form of networking widely used in traditional data centers. The Ethernet business is expected to generate billions of dollars in revenue within a year, Chief Financial Officer Colette Kress said Wednesday.

More broadly, Nvidia sells products including central processors and networking chips for a range of other data-center equipment that is fine-tuned to work seamlessly together. And it offers software and hardware setups catered to the needs of specific industries such as healthcare and robotics.

He has verticalized the company," Raul Martynek, CEO of data-center operator DataBank said of Huangs strategy. They have a vision around what AI should be, what software and hardware components are needed to make it so users can actually deploy it."

Competition is growing

Nvidias competitors are responding. The Advanced Micro Devices deal to buy ZT Systems is fundamentally about gaining skills in how data centers are built. AMD plans to sell ZTs manufacturing operations and retain its design experts to mount a more formidable challenge to Nvidia.

AMD has made other acquisitions to bolster its data-center offerings in recent years, including of programmable-chip company Xilinx and data-center networking company Pensando in 2022.

Other chip suppliers, from Intel to AI-chip startups such as Cerebras Systems and SambaNova Systems, are offering services and systems that do a large share of the work for customers who want to build and operate AI tools.

Analysts and industry executives say the trend partly reflects a customer preference for plug-and-play AI computing infrastructure that helps them move quickly amid an AI boom where speed is paramount.

Doing more of the heavy lifting may help chip-makers better compete as AI investment shifts from experienced tech giants such as Meta Platforms and Microsoft to a wider swath of businesses with less expertise.

Enterprises typically go with the turnkey solution," said Srini Pajjuri, an analyst at investment firm Raymond James. They dont have the resources, they dont have the technology or know-how" to cobble together the equipment themselves, he said.

Risks in the strategy

There are some risks in the strategy, Pajjuri said. As AI computing becomes more competitive and the rush to set up AI factories subsides, customers might explore alternatives to many of the proprietary technologies that Nvidia has built up around its AI chips.

Right now, time to market is the most important thing, so theyre adopting solutions from Nvidia, but as the technology matures, Nvidia might not be able to capture more of the pie," he said.

Nvidia also could confront regulatory hurdles that have sprung up for many companies in the past that have come to dominate a market and extend their influence in it. The company is under scrutiny for its market practices in Europe, and its offices in France were raided this past year, although no charges have been brought against the company there.

On Wednesday, Huang described Nvidias role as one of a coordinator and designer that could give guidance on how to set up complex AI infrastructure, but he emphasized that Nvidia isnt going to do everything.

With its next-generation Blackwell AI chips, set to ship out late this year or early next year, it is offering a design for an entire rack of computing equipment for the first timea cabinet about 2 feet wide and 6 feet high. But Nvidia itself wont make them.

We know how to design the AI infrastructure, provide it the way that customers would like it and let the ecosystem integrate it," Huang said.

Write to Asa Fitch at asa.fitch@wsj.com
The Supreme Court agreed on Monday to hear a plea by Adani Power Ltd seeking a refund of 280 crore from the Himachal Pradesh government in a case related to the 960-megawatt Jangi Thopan Power Project in Kinnaur district.

A bench of Justices M.M. Sundresh and Aravind Kumar issued a notice to the state government but declined to stay a recent order of the Himachal Pradesh High Court overturning a single-benchs decision to refund the 280 crore premium associated with the hydropower project. The company has challenged the high courts order.

The high court's division bench, including Justices Vivek Singh Thakur and Bipin Chandra Negi, set aside Adani Power's refund claim on July 18, after the state government challenged it. The ruling provided relief to the financially strained state government led by chief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu.

Adani Power involvement The Himachal Pradesh government invited global bids in 2005 for two hydropower projects of 480 MW eachJangi Thopan and Thopan Powari. Brakel Corporation NV emerged as the highest bidder. After Brakel failed to deposit the upfront premium, Reliance Infrastructure Ltd offered to match the Netherlands companys bid.

The state government issued a show-cause notice to Brakel, prompting the companys subsidiary to deposit 173.43 crore as the upfront premium in January 2008. 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, received 173.43 crore from the Adani Group to cover the upfront premium.

Also Read: Adani Power moves Supreme Court for  280 crore refund from Himachal Pradesh government On 7 July 2008, the Himachal Pradesh cabinet issued a 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 cancellation of the project allotment to Brakel and forfeiture of the premium.

Adani Power sought to recover the 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 for the projects.

The company 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 division bench, while staying the earlier single-bench order, stated that Adani Powers financial arrangement with Brakel lacked approval from the state government. It 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 legal and procedural approvals, it added.

The court highlighted that Adani Power attempted to join the consortium in a non-transparent manner rather than through a legally acceptable process. It concluded that no lawful relationship existed between Adani and the state.
Chinas property crisis has hit local governments hard, drying up a key source of income as land sales crumble. Fiscal reform plans have sparked hope relief is on the way, but economists see little progress.

Cash-strapped and indebted, regional governments are seeking alternative revenue streams to compensate for falling land and tax income. That is a worrying sign that fiscal conditions are deteriorating, analysts say, and bodes ill for Chinas sputtering economy.

For the first seven months of 2024, Chinas tax revenue fell 5.4% on the year, reflecting continued economic malaise and tax cuts. Local government proceeds from land sales slid over 20%, Ministry of Finance data showed.

In contrast, Chinas fiscal income from nontax itemsincluding proceeds from state-owned assets sales, fines and confiscated propertyjumped 12% during the period, with most going into local governments pockets. That compared with a 3.7% annual drop in 2023.

The continued double-digit growth of nontax revenues suggests cash-depleted local governments may have sought to raise penalties, as they grapple with declining land sales revenue," Nomura economists said in a recent note.

In July, nontax revenue rose nearly 15% from a year ago, sustaining Junes double-digit pace of growth, Nomura calculated based on official data.

While nontax income offers relief for regional governments, economists warn it isnt sustainable. And as it tends to be less transparent, could further erode already-weak consumer and business confidence.

One issue is poor data on sources of nontax revenue. This leaves room for speculation, especially amid a recent string of local news reports of instances in which authorities gave out big fines for minor infractions.

But theres no consensus about whats driving nontax revenues. Economists at Galaxy Securities said it is unlikely to be extra fines, noting that revenue from penalties typically makes up about 9% to 12% of Chinas annual nontax income.

The major driver, some officials and economists say, is the monetizing of local government assets.

Since last summer, cities across China have been doubling down on selling and leasing out state assetsanything from unused buildings and parking lots to mineral reserves.

The strategy has proved particularly successful in wealthy areas like Jiangsu province, where it contributed the bulk of a roughly 30% surge in nontax revenue in January-May, official data showed.

This follows the central governments urging for local governments to address their debt burdens, even resorting to extreme measures like selling everything to pay off debts, especially in regions facing high debt pressures," said Wenyin Huang, a director at S&P Global Ratings.

With traditional revenue sources untenable and newer ones uncertain, resolving the debt issue is a challenge.

A district government in Chongqing city caused a stir recently by setting up a task force to smash iron pots and sell the steel"a metaphor for disposing of its assets at all coststo pay down debt.

It is unclear how many profitable assets local governments have left, and whos buying them, some analysts say. In some cases, local administrations have been moving assets from one pocket to another, asking state-owned firms to buy up assets, recent government reports found.

Beijing seems to have taken note, with officials at high-level meetings renewing vows to help shoulder the fiscal burden.

Plans include boosting central government transfers to regional administrations, granting a larger share of consumption-tax revenue to local governments and letting them tax more items. But analysts say the plans lack detail, with scant progress made.

Despite high market expectations for proactive fiscal support early this year, fiscal challenges appear more severe and persistent than previous years," Goldman Sachs analysts said in a note.

The dim economic situation complicates matters.

Arresting the property sales decline would revive local governments ability to generate revenue, S&P said in a report, but recovery also depends on pausing the expansion of fiscal-relief programs China has rolled out since 2018.

The programs, which entail progressively lower tax rates and tax refunds, among other things, have battered local governments self-generated operating revenues, S&P said. Without these, revenue growth could have been much more robust across the board."

Macroeconomic headwinds hinder revenue-generating power, said S&Ps Huang, adding that delays in revenue recovery could prolong attempts to stabilize debt, which continues to rise."

Write to Singapore editors at singaporeeditors@dowjones.com
Mumbai: Indian steel and other metal companies are rushing to secure renewable energy deals to reduce their net carbon emissions to avoid penalties under Europe's upcoming Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM).

The demand is not just from the large steel and aluminium companies  two key products to come under the ambit of CBAM  but also from their suppliers as companies seek to minimize emissions throughout their supply chains.

Renewable energy companies say that the demand is far greater than what they can keep up with and upcoming capacities for the next couple of years are already sold out.

"Due to constraints related to land availability and transmission infrastructure, the earliest solar and wind projects can be delivered is in 2026. This demand has led to early commitments for future projects, said Vineet Mittal, chairman of Avaada, a renewable energy company.

Also Read: EU's carbon border tax poses a big challenge for Indian businesses He estimates that the demand-supply mismatch currently is about 10 gigawatts. For context, Indias total operational wind and solar energy capacity is about 134 gigawatts, as per the Union ministry of new and renewable energy.

Similarly, at Sunsure, another renewable energy producer, companies concerned over the EU's carbon border tax make up 15% of the customer base. The push for decarbonization coupled with a shortage of renewable energy suppliers for commercial and industrial (C&I) customers like metal companies has led to an acute shortage of available capacity in the short term, according to Shashank Sharma, the founder and chief executive of Sunsure.

This trend is leading to businesses rushing to secure capacities from dependable renewable energy developers and may lead to an increase in tariffs, he said. Consequently, few developers are able to promise power supply to C&I customers until at least 2025-26.

At Sunsure, 90% of the 1-gigawatt capacity coming up in the next 15 months is already sold out, he said.

Also Read: India-EU free trade talks: Carbon tax back on the table The demand is particularly high for round-the-clock (RTC) green power, experts said. Renewable energy from solar irradiation and wind is intermittent and needs additional infrastructure like battery or pumped-hydro storage systems to ensure uninterrupted power.

Avaadas Mittal said that RTC renewable power will remain in short supply at least till 2027, when a lot of the under-construction pumped-hydro storage plants will become operational. Until then, RTC power supply will largely rely on expensive battery storage systems.

Effective from October 2023, the CBAM regime looks to monitor the carbon emissions imbedded in products imported into the European Union and the UK and levy a tax on the excess emissions compared to baseline for European companies. The levies will start from January 2026 and will be initially applicable to six sectorsiron and steel, aluminium, cement, fertilizers, electricity and hydrogen.

India's position Europe is an important export market for Indian steelmakers. India was the second-largest exporter of steel to the EU in 2023 at 3 million tonnes, slightly behind South Koreas 3.2 million tonnes.

But Indian mills lagged the Koreans squarely in terms of emissions with an average of 2.55 tonnes of carbon dioxide put in the air to make every tonne of steel. In comparison, Korean steelmakers emitted an average of 1.6 tonnes of CO2 for every tonne of steel, as per data from BigMint, a market intelligence firm.

Indian steel companies were the most polluting amongst major exporters to Europe, the data show, with nearly 20% higher average emissions than even the second-worst figures of China.

While Indian steel mills are likely to remain reliant on the highly-polluting blast furnace-based process for the foreseeable futurelimiting the scope of any sharp reduction in emissionsthey are trying to minimize emissions through the rest of their supply chain.

Among India's leading steelmakers, JSW is investing in about 2.2 gigawatts of renewable energy at its manufacturing sites, largely through power purchase agreements with group firm JSW Energy. Tata Steel has signed similar agreements with Tata Power.

Aluminium maker Hindalco is looking to operationalize 300 megawatts of renewbale energy by next year. The Vedanta Group, which has the countrys largest aluminium and zinc manufacturing capacities, has set up a group firm Serentica to serve its renewable energy requirements.
Starting this September, taxpayers in India may need to adjust their GST return filing practices due to upcoming changes that could affect compliance and financial reporting. These updates include revised reporting thresholds and liability adjustments, which will impact all taxpayers, as per a report by Hindustan Times.

According to a social media post by chartered accountant Anupam Sharma, beginning September, taxpayers must report any supply valued above 1 lakh in GSTR-1s Table B2CL. This update aligns with Notification No. 12/2024, issued on July 10, 2024. As per the report, these changes aim to improve the accuracy of reporting and enhance the transparency of high-value transactions.

Additionally, taxpayers can now report negative liability in GSTR-3Bs Table No 3, which will automatically carry forward to the following month's return.

Another critical update effective September 1 is that GSTR-1 or IFF filings will be blocked if taxpayers fail to add and validate their bank account details in their GST registration. Sharma emphasised, If you haven't added and validated your bank account details in your GST registration, your GSTR-1 /IFF will be blocked," as quoted by Hindustan Times.

These updates coincide with a 10 percent increase in Gross GST collections in August, reaching approximately 1.75 lakh crore, indicating higher domestic consumption. Government data shows that GST revenues from domestic transactions grew by 9.2 percent to about 1.25 lakh crore, while revenues from imports rose by 12.1 percent to 49,976 crore. For comparison, Julys gross GST mop-up was 1.82 lakh crore, while August 2023 saw collections of 1.59 lakh crore, as per Hindustan Times.

Economic experts cautioned when interpreting the month-on-month growth figures, citing that these do not fully capture the positive trends in both direct and indirect tax collections.

Manoranjan Sharma, Chief Economist at Informerics Ratings, emphasised that while Augusts numbers show a sequential decline, GST collections have exhibited strong growth since the taxs introduction. Sharma noted that maintaining a high growth rate on a larger base is challenging and stressed the importance of considering historical data for a comprehensive analysis, as per ANI.
Mumbai, Sep 2 (PTI) India has one of the brightest global economic growth prospects, Chief Economic Advisor (CEA) V Anantha Nageswaran said on Monday as he cautioned against 'financialization', which refers to the dominance of the role of financial markets in public policy, as India marches to become a developed nation by 2047.

India's stock market capitalization is around 140 per cent of the GDP, he said, adding, the record profitability of the Indian financial sector and high levels of market capitalization, or the ratio of market capitalization to GDP, give rise to another phenomenon which deserves closer examination.

"When the market becomes bigger than the economy, it is natural, but not necessarily reasonable, that the considerations and priorities of the market dominate the public discourse and also influence the policy discourse. I am referring to the phenomenon called financialization, or the financial market's dominance of policy and macroeconomic outcomes," he said.

Financialization is the dominance of financial market expectations trends, and importantly, interest in public policy and macroeconomic outcomes, he said at CII Financing 3.0 Summit here while making a disclaimer that these are his personal views and not as CEA.

As India looks ahead to 2047 with optimism and hope, he said, this is something it has to avoid, because the consequences of such financialization is there for all to see in the developed world.

"Unprecedented levels of public and private sector debt, some visible to regulators and some not, economic growth dependent on continued increase in asset prices to offset the leverage that have built up and hence a massive surge in inequality. India must be wary of these outcomes and avoid this trap," he said.

Developed countries are encountering these challenges after they have become materially prosperous, he said, adding per capita, India is just stepping into the lower middle income category.

"Therefore, as we deliberate on preparing our financial system to support our economic aspirations, India can ill afford the financialization and its ramifications that afflict advanced societies. In other words, we cannot afford to let the tail wag the dog," he said.

Observing that retaining policy autonomy and space to insulate the economy from the vagaries of global capital flows is critical, Nageswaran said India relies on global capital flows despite modest current account deficit.

"India has one of the brightest global economic growth prospects. It is up to us to sustain it, and it is also up to us to use that to our advantage in carving out policy space for ourselves," he said.

In short, he said, the country has to find a fine balance between national imperatives and investor interest or preferences.

Of course, he said, "it also means becoming a global agenda setter, rather than an agenda taker. That will be a good thing. While some actions can be initiated now, such as, for example, an Indian entity making the effort to become a global credit rating agency, the outcome and the impact will take much longer to materialize."

"Economic size and economic clout will influence our ability to become a global agenda setter, and that, in turn, will favourably impact our economic performance. We have to work on both, therefore simultaneously, but agenda setting aspirations cannot run ahead of acquiring economic strength, size, heft and vitality," he said.

Emphasizing the need to develop corporate bond market, SBI Chairperson C S Setty noted that it is essential for non-bank financial institutions, such as insurance companies, mutual funds, and pension funds, to participate in the corporate bond market to help channel more capital into the market.

Addressing concerns about stagnant deposit growth in banks and its impact on credit expansion, Setty said that credit growth should be driven by a diverse range of financial sector players, and not just banks.

Highlighting the need to develop skillsets within the universal banks to handle credit to new sectors, Setty said, "We need to continuously innovate in terms of delivering the products. When it comes to the complex models of corporate financing, especially in the new emerging areas like battery storage, hydrogen, etc., they also require capital going forward."

"While we expect much of the capital to come from overseas to support the domestic capital formation, universal banks, particularly large banks, are expected to play an important role in infrastructure financing," he added.

Also Read | Indian economy loses sheen compared to four months ago, shows Mint tracker

Ashishkumar Chauhan, Managing Director & CEO at National Stock Exchange said it is critical to look forward to adopting newer and fast-moving technologies that add a huge value with a little capital and will play a major role in the growth of capital markets in India.

He emphasized that by preventing excessive corporate debt and leveraging new technologies that enable innovation and significant wealth creation with minimal capital, the capital markets can play a greater role.

Stating that the role of financial institutions is crucial in supporting not only small and mid-sized enterprises but also micro-industries, helping them become more competitive and seamlessly integrated into the supply chain, CII Director General Chandrajit Banerjee said that for India's SMEs to succeed, addressing challenges such as green financing, digital transformation and ESG criteria is essential.

Sanjiv Bajaj, Past President of CII and Chairman & Managing Director, Bajaj Finserv, underscored the need to enhance credit availability, increase the spread of financial markets, and further develop and deepen the corporate bond market.
ITBP Constable Recruitment 2024: Youngsters willing to serve the nation in uniform and join the paramilitary forces can pursue their dreams by applying for the Indo-Tibetan Border Police Force (ITBP) Constable Recruitment exam 2024. The ITBP Constable (Kitchen Services) Recruitment 2024 exam process will begin today for 819 posts.

Eligible candidates, who are willing to apply for the examination can register themselves by visiting the official website, recruitment.itbpolice.nic.in. The registration window will be active today. After the window opens, candidates can apply until October 1.

ITBP Constable (Kitchen Services) Recruitment 2024 Interested and eligible ITBP Constable (Kitchen Services) candidatescan apply for the posts mentioned below.

-697 vacancies have been released for male candidates.

-122 vacancies have been released for female candidates.

How to apply for the ITBP Constable (Kitchen Services) Recruitment 2024 Exam? Follow the below-mentioned steps to apply for the ITBP Constable Recruitment Exam 2024

-Visit the official website of ITBP, ie recruitment.itbpolice.nic.in

-Check the homepage and select the ITBP Constable Recruitment 2024.

-Fill your registration details after the new page opens.

-Submit the details to create an account and log in to your account.

-Fill out the whole application form

-Pay the application fee.

-Submit the form.

-Download the confirmation page and get a printout for future reference.

ITBP Constable (Kitchen Services) Recruitment 2024: Eligibility criteria A candidate is eligible for the recently released vacancies if he/she has passed Class 10 or Matriculation from a recognised board. Moreover, candidates are required to have studied NSQF level 1 course in Food Production or Kitchen from the National Skill Development Corporation or an institute recognised by the National Skill Development Corporation. Their age should be between 18-25 years old.

ITBP Constable (Kitchen Services) Recruitment 2024: Selection process and fee To register for the examination, candidates are required to pay a fee of 100. Female, ex-servicemen and candidates belonging to schedule caste and schedule tribe can register free of cost.
Mumbai: Indias first recognised self-regulatory organisation or SRO for fintech companies will set up an enforcement committee to investigate misconduct, its top executive said in an interview. It will also sign bilateral agreements with members while aiming to broaden its membership base.

SRO recognition is the highest reward an association aspires to receive," said Sugandh Saxena, chief executive of Fintech Association for Consumer Empowerment or FACE, adding that recognition was a huge responsibility and will be a continuous and complex task, given the scale, diversity, and speed of change amongst fintechs.

According to Saxena, if there is clear evidence of repeated and deliberate violation by members, enforcement can take many forms, including removal of membership.

FACE, a Mumbai-based organisation that was set up in September 2020, has more than 60 members currently. It was recognised less than a week ago by banking regulator Reserve Bank of India (RBI). Two other applications for recognition are with the RBI, from Mumbai-based Fintech Convergence Council (FCC) and Bengaluru-based Digital Lenders Association of India (DLAI).

Concerns over protection

The staggering growth of the fintech sector has led to concerns around customer protection and data privacy, among other things.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on 30 August at the Global Fintech Fest in Mumbai that in the past 10 years, more than $31 billion has been invested in the fintech space. RBI governor Shaktikanta Das, speaking at the same event two days before Modi, said the number of fintechs founded in India was approximately 11,000, and the sector received investments of about $6 billion in the past two years alone.

Considering the spread the complexity of the fintech ecosystem, RBI wants self-regulators to act as bridges between it and the fintech industry, and keep it updated on developments, including pointing out violations.

Also read | RBI sets  10 crore minimum net worth for financial market SROs

RBI itself has taken several measures recently, with the most recent being announcing stricter peer-to-peer (P2P) lending norms and penalising two platforms. On 21 August, RBI imposed a penalty of 1.92 crore on NDX P2P Pvt Ltd, also referred to as LiquiLoans, for non-compliance with some provisions of the P2P and digital lending norms. On the same day, the regulator also slapped a fine of 1.99 crore on Innofin Solutions Pvt Ltd, also known as LenDen Club, for the same reasons.

Experts said that while the digital lending opportunity is huge, it has of late faced regulatory hurdles, leading to slowdown.

According to analysts at Emkay Global Financial Services Ltd, rising systemic delinquencies in the unsecured space, over-leveraging and regulatory friction could stifle growth. Thus, the regulator has called for creating a fintech SRO to regulate players and set an acceptable business practice," they said in a report on 30 August.

The FACE of fintechs

Saxena said FACE had presented a roadmap to the regulator, detailing its plans once it is recognised as a self-regulator. The first task would be to involve all kinds of fintechs in the SRO, which she said has already started expanding membership to fintechs beyond credit. It also plans to have dedicated outreach efforts to engage with smaller and newer fintechs, and not just the established ones.

Equally important is building solid institutional mechanisms around governance for inclusivity and fairness. For example, representation of different types of fintechs on the board, committees and working groups, and task forces," said Saxena, adding that to execute the SRO mandate, the association will have an enforcement committee to investigate misconduct and take action.

Also read | Why do we need regulation for fintech firms?

Another critical dimension is stepping up talent and technology within FACE to undertake the responsibility given to us. This is critical to ensuring that we are able to collaborate with the industry on highly specialized areas of cyber security, AI/ML (artificial intelligence/machine learning), privacy, and so on," Saxena said.

A unique element for the fintech SRO will also be oversight of all unregulated fintechs that work with regulated entities to ensure that the entire ecosystem functions in a more secure and compliant manner.

Every regulated entity works with multiple fintechs, LSPs/TSPs (lending service providers/technology service providers), and it is hard for them to discover the right partners who they can rely on for compliance, data, technology etc," said Saxena.

Regulate yourself

Acknowledging the diversity and complexity of the fintech sector, RBI has been pushing for a fintech SRO to take on some of its oversight and governance role, and feedback from industry members so that the regulator can focus on broader policy setting.

At the Global Fintech Fest last week, RBI deputy governor T. Rabi Sankar said that fintech SROs should also work consciously and consistently" to create conditions that are favourable to competition. He also pointed out that SROs should ensure that innovation is not stifled in the name of governance.

Fintechs also need to be alert to social and macroeconomic interests and priorities, and not subsume them to business interests," said Sankar.

Also read | Indian regulators push self-policing to avert system crash

RBI had released the framework for fintechs in May 2024, outlining the functions and responsibilities of an SRO related to standards setting, oversight and enforcement, among other roles; the construct for the SRO; and expectations from the organisation. The regulators decision to pick a customer-centric industry body as the first SRO is also in line with its consumer-focused approach on fintech policy making.

Customer protection has been the driver of many fintech/digital regulations," Saxena said, adding that FACE applies the customer and user interest lens to all that it does to ensure that customers have safe and suitable digital experiences.
Bazaar Style Retail initial public offerings (IPO), which opened for subscription on August 30, was oversubscribed 4.64 times, with investors bidding for 6.97 crore shares compared to the 1.5 crore shares available.

Non-institutional investors (NIIs) demonstrated the highest interest, subscribing 11.62 times their allotted portion of the IPO. Retail investors subscribed 3.75 times their designated quota, while the Qualified Institutional Buyers (QIB) category saw a subscription rate of 0.84 times. The employee portion was particularly notable, with a subscription rate of 20.48 times.

A day prior to its issue opening, Baazar Style Retail Ltd secured 250.10 crores from anchor investors. The anchor investors included HSBC Global Investment Funds, Natixis International Funds, Optimix Wholesale Global Emerging Markets Share Trust, Allianz Global Investors Fund, Societe Generale, HDFC Mutual Fund, Ashoka India Equity Investment Trust Plc, Whiteoak Capital, Volrado Venture Partners Fund, Bandhan Mutual Fund, Motilal Oswal Mutual Fund, Bajaj Allianz Life Insurance Company, SBI General Insurance Company, Helios Flexi Cap Fund, Trust Mutual Fund, Julius Baer India Equity Fund, Reliance General Insurance Company, and Verition Multi-Strategy Master Fund.

Bazaar Style Retail IPO GMP today The grey market price for Baazar Style Retail IPO has fallen to + 63 today from 85 a day before, meaning the shares are trading at a 63 premium in the grey market, according to investorgain.com.

Given the upper end of the IPO price range and the current grey market premium, the estimated listing price for Baazar Style Retail shares is projected to be 452 each, reflecting a 16.2% increase over the IPO price of 389.

'Grey market premium' indicates investors' readiness to pay more than the issue price.

Bazaar Style Retail IPO details The IPO includes a new issuance of 148 crore, along with an offer from current shareholders and promoters to sell up to 17.65 million shares. The offer for sale (OFS) is valued at 687 crore at the upper band price, bringing the total issue amount to 834.68 crore.

The company intends to use the raised funds to prepay or repay part or all of its outstanding loans and for general corporate purposes.

The book running lead managers for the Baazar Style Retail IPO are Axis Capital Ltd, Intensive Fiscal Services Private Ltd, and JM Financial Ltd. The registrar for the issue is Link Intime India Private Ltd.
The subscription for Gala Precision Engineering's initial public offering (IPO) openstoday, Monday, September 2, and ends on Wednesday, September 4. The price range for the initial public offering (IPO) of Gala Precision Engineering Limited is set at 503 to 529 per equity share, with a face value of 10. Anchor investors have contributed 50.29 crores to Gala Precision Engineering, a precision component maker of specialised springs such as disc and strip springs (DSS), coil and spiral springs (CSS), and special fastening solution (SFS). The lot size for the Gala Precision Engineering IPO is 28 equity shares, and further shares can be bought in multiples of 28.

Gala Precision Engineering IPO has reserved not more than 50% of the shares in the public issue for qualified institutional buyers (QIB), not less than 15% for non-institutional Institutional Investors (NII), and not less than 35% of the offer is reserved for retail investors.

The company provides its products to original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), Tier 1 and channel partners. These products are used in industries such as general engineering, off-highway equipment, electrical, and transportation, as well as mobility segments like automotive and railways. Renewable energy includes wind turbines and hydropower plants.

The company has a diverse clientele of over 175 active global customers, which includes renewable energy customers such as Vestas Wind Technology India Pvt Ltd, Enrecon GmbH, GE India Industrial Pvt Ltd, Altra Industrial Motion India Pvt Ltd, among others. It also serves industrial customers like L&T Electrical & Automation Products (a unit of Schneider Electric Pvt. Ltd.), Schneider Electric India Pvt. Ltd., Wuerth Industrial Services India Pvt. Ltd., Bufab India Pvt. Ltd., as well as automotive customers such as Schaeffler India Ltd., Brembo Brake India Pvt. Ltd., Hitachi Astemo Chennai Pvt. Ltd., Exedy Clutch India Pvt. Ltd., Endurance Technologies Ltd. The company also caters to the Railways industry, providing services to Faiveley Transport Rail Technologies India Pvt. Ltd. (a Wabtec company).

In the fiscal year 20232024, the company's operating revenue was 202.54 crore, while its profit after taxes was 22.33 crore.

Gala Precision Engineering IPO subscription status The initial public offer of Gala Precision Engineering IPO has been subscribed 10.84 times on the first day of subscription today, as per BSE data.

The initial share sale received bids for 2,41,14,972 shares against 22,23,830 shares on offer, according to BSE data.

The portion for retail investors received 12.17 times subscription while the quota for non-institutional investors got subscribed 20.72 times. The qualified institutional buyers (QIBs) part is booked 86%, and the employee portion has been subscribed 38.33 times.

Gala Precision Engineering IPO Review Choice Equity Broking Pvt Ltd As per the brokerage, the firm is involved in producing specialised precision components that are essential to the applications of the end customers. The brokerage expects a sustained increase in demand from end-user industries such as renewable energy, industrials, and railroads for its goods. Therefore, they rate the issue as "SUBSCRIBE" given its dominant market position, global Tier-1 clientele, and high requested valuation.

At higher price band, the company is demanding a EV/Sales multiple of 2.9x, which is at discount to peer average of 4.7x. Thus the issue is attractively priced, the brokerage stated.

Swastika Investmart Ltd According to the brokerage's assessment, the company has demonstrated robust and steady revenue growth. While profitability has experienced minor fluctuations, the overall financial performance is still positive. The IPO's valuation aligns with industry norms.

From an investor standpoint, the brokerage report indicates that given current market trends and increasing demand for precision components, the company is strategically positioned for a successful initial public offering and ongoing growth.

Also Read | Gala Precision Engineering IPO announces price band at 503-529 apiece

Gala Precision Engineering IPO details A fresh issue of 2.56 million shares and an offer for sale (OFS) of 616,000 shares by existing promoters and shareholders are both part of the initial public offering (IPO). The overall issue size at the upper price band is 167.93 crore, with the fresh issue priced at 134.34 crore and the OFS at 32.58 crore.

The company intends to use the net proceeds to finance the following goals: establishing a new facility in Vallam-Vadagal, SIPCOT, Sriperumbuddur, Tamil Nadu to manufacture hex bolts and high tensile fasteners; financing the capital expenditure needed to buy machinery, plant, and equipment in Wada, Palghar, Maharashtra; repaying or prepaying some of the company's borrowed funds, in full or in part; and general corporate purposes.

The registrar for the Gala Precision Engineering IPO is Link Intime India Private Ltd, and the book running lead manager is Pl Capital Markets Private Limited.

Also Read | Gala Precision Engineering files draft papers with SEBI to raise funds via IPO

Gala Precision Engineering IPO GMP today Gala Precision Engineering IPO grey market price is + 240. This indicates Gala Precision Engineering share price was trading at a premium of 240 in the grey market, according to investorgain.com

Considering the upper end of the IPO price band and the current premium in the grey market, the estimated listing price of Gala Precision Engineering shares was 769 apiece, which is 45.37% higher than the IPO price of 529.

'Grey market premium' indicates investors' readiness to pay more than the issue price.

Gala Precision Engineering IPO details
Premier Energies IPO: The initial public offering (IPO) of integrated solar cell and solar panel manufacturer Premier Energies Ltd ended with strong demand from investors. Premier Energies IPO allotment has also been finalised and the applicants now look forward to the share listing tomorrow.

Premier Energies IPO listing date is fixed on September 3. Investors who have received shares in the Premier Energies IPO allotment watch out for the grey market premium (GMP) and other cues to gauge the listing price.

Analysts expect Premier Energies share listing to happen at a strong premium on the back of robust subscription for the companys IPO. Premier Energies IPO GMP also signals a decent listing.

Heres what Premier Energies IPO GMP shows and what analysts expect:

Premier Energies IPO GMP Premier Energies IPO GMP today is 533 per share, according to stock market experts. This indicates that the Premier Energies shares are trading higher by 533 than their issue price in the grey market.

Considering the IPO GMP and the issue price, the estimated Premier Energies IPO listing price is 983 apiece, which is at a hefty premium of 118% to the issue price of 450 per share. This means the Premier Energies stock price can double on listing.

Premier Energies IPO Details Premier Energies IPO opened for public subscription on August 27 and closed on August 29. The IPO allotment was finalized on August 30 and Premier Energies IPO listing date is September 3. The shares of the company will be listed on both the stock exchanges - BSE and NSE.

Premier Energies IPO price band was set at 427 to 450 per share. The company raised 2,830.40 crore from the book-built issue which was a combination of fresh issue of 2.87 crore equity shares worth 1,291.40 crore and offer for sale of 3.42 crore shares worth 1,539.00 crore.

The company aims to use the net issue proceeds for investment in its subsidiary, Premier Energies Global Environment Pvt Ltd and for general corporate purposes.

Also Read | Bajaj Housing Finance IPO: GMP jumps after announcement of subscription date

Premier Energies IPO was subscribed by 74.38 times in total. According to NSE data, the retail category was subscribed 7.69 times, non-institutional investors (NII) portion was booked 50.04 times. The QIB segment saw a subscription of 216.67 times, and the employee portion was subscribed 11.43 times.

Kotak Mahindra Capital Company Ltd, JP Morgan India Pvt Ltd and ICICI Securities are the book running lead managers of the Premier Energies IPO, while Kfin Technologies is the IPO registrar.
Gujarat Gas Ltds shares jumped over 10% on Monday in reaction to the new restructuring scheme that seeks to do away with the layered structure of the GSPC Group.

Gujarat State Petronet Ltd (GSPL) and Gujarat State Petroleum Corp. Ltd (GSPC) will be merged into Gujarat Gas. GSPL will become a derivative of how the Gujarat Gas stock moves thanks to the merger ratio announced. Thus, it is pertinent hereon to evaluate the schemes impact on the future path of GGL stock.

Prima facie, the Street seems to be viewing this positively. The stock price of GSPL, the other listed company here currently, was up close to 4% on Monday.

GSPC has gas trading and an exploration and production business; GSPL has the gas transmission business; and Gujarat Gas is into city gas distribution.

The objective of the merger is mainly to solve the slightly complex holding structure, mainly to unlock the value of Gujarat Gas shares being held by GSPL currently," Antique Stock Broking said in a report dated 2 September.

While the development is accretive in terms of earnings per share for the stable city gas distribution business of Gujarat Gas, a worry is that the stock might face a price-to-earnings (P/E) multiple de-rating with GSPCs acquisition due to the latters volatile earnings profile.

However, a near-term balancing factor is the low-risk and stable returns businessthe GSPL gas transmission business. Moreover, next year, the gas transmission business will be demerged into a separate companyGSPL Transmission Ltd. In August 2025, GSPL Transmission will be listed and the shares thus received will also sweeten the deal.

Still, the P/E multiple derating argument must be examined in detail. As of Friday, the last trading day before the scheme was announced, Gujarat Gass shares were trading at a P/E multiple of 27x, based on Bloomberg consensus FY26 EPS estimate.

A drastic drop in valuation

One can look at Gujarat Gass post transaction valuation in two ways. The first is valuing a consolidated Gujarat Gas, including GSPL Transmission. Antique Stock Broking expects consolidated EPS (after the set-off of carry-forward losses) at 46 for fiscal year 2025-26, based on a fully diluted equity base after the proposed transaction. Based on that, the Gujarat Gas stock currently trades at a P/E multiple of 14x.

The second way is by deducting GSPL Transmissions profit and value from Gujarat Gass profit and market capitalization, respectively, which works out to a P/E of 16x. GSPL Transmission is valued at about 5,000 crore- 7,000 crore by brokerages.

In both the cases, there is a drastic drop in Gujarat Gass P/E to 14x-16x from 27x. The moot question for investors is whether such a steep fall in valuation is justified in the backdrop of Gujarat Gass core EPS getting a big lift with potential synergies from the transaction.

A key synergy is decline in gas cost for Gujarat Gas by about 2 per standard cubic meter as it is the margin currently being paid for sourcing gas from GSPC, according to Antique. Further, the carry forward of loss of 7,200 crore from GSPC would mean tax savings of 1,800 crore, based on the corporate tax rate of 25%.

Antique analysts believe that there is a higher intrinsic value of both GSPC and GSPL businesses than what is being factored in.

Note that GSPCs trading business has been suffering due to high LNG prices and substitution of imported LNG with domestic gas. The management expects that post FY26, there could be an opportunity to regain the lost customers of gas from the fertilizer industry.

However, it may be too early to take a view on future prospects as the scheme is expected to be completed in August 2025. This has meant some brokerages such as Motilal Oswal Financial Services have not made any changes to their estimates yet.
The Indian hospitality industry raised the curtain on FY25 with a subdued start. Demand for hotel rooms in the June quarter (Q1FY25) was marred by a cocktail of unfavourable factors, albeit temporary, such as general elections, heatwaves, muted air traffic growth and lower number of wedding days. The revenue per available room (RevPAR) was flat at 4,335 year-on-year in Q1FY25, showed HVS Anarock data compiled by Motilal Oswal Financial Services. Thus, another key metricthe average room rate (ARR) increased slightly by just about 2% to 7,067. However, this was offset by a 70-basis-point dip in occupancy to 61.3%, as per HVS data. One basis point is 0.01%.

But the momentum is seen picking up ahead helped by pent-up demand, higher wedding days/auspicious dates, and an increase in meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions (MICE) events. Plus, the supply of branded rooms is expected to lag demand, which augurs well for industry growth. Various estimates peg FY2428 industry supply CAGR at 56% versus demand CAGR at about 10%," said an ICICI Securities report dated 30 August. CAGR is compound annual growth rate.

Short-term blip in revenue

Amid this, over the medium-to-long term, listed hotel companies continue to bet on renovation of existing properties to generate better RevPAR. In Q1FY25 earnings call, The Indian Hotels Co. Ltds (IHCL) management said St. James in London, President in Mumbai, Taj Holiday Village in Goa and Jai Mahal Palace in Jaipur, were some of its properties that were under renovations during the quarter. Renovations usually lead to a short-term blip in revenue, but the IHCL management said that investing in renovation of some key properties such as Taj which is a major source of revenue, is critical.

Read more: How Blue Dart is navigating challenges in a slowing economy

In some cases, the capital expenditure incurred on renovations may weigh on balance sheet strength and hurt near-term margins, but is eventually expected to boost earnings growth. For instance, Lemon Tree Hotels Ltd management reiterated its plans of spending around 100 crore each in FY25 and FY26 on renovations.The company typically undertakes renovations in the first half of the year. In Q1FY25, around 700 rooms were shut for renovations. After the renovations, the company anticipates Ebitda of 60 crore annually from Keys portfolio with an ARR of nearly 4,500.

For EIH Ltd, around 209 rooms of The Oberoi Grand, Kolkata will undergo significant renovation and would reopen after three years. Similarly, after an upcoming renovation of around 74 rooms in The Oberoi, Bali, the management believes the ARR can grow about 2x at that property.

With occupancies at all-time highs, a key lever has almost maxed out," said a Nuvama Research report dated 19 August. Going ahead, hotels across the board have turned to renovating their key big-box assets and sprucing up older assets to reprice and increase RevPAR growth going forward, it added.

Renovation and repairs

Apart from renovations, these companies are also adding more inventories and expanding their portfolios. Here, management contracts (where properties are not owned, only managed by companies) are expected to be in favour. For this asset-light model, companies are seen either acquiring operational hotels or utilizing existing land banks.

Read more: L&T Tech has outlined an ambitious growth plan. But it's off to a slow start

For now, investors in some hotel stocks are sitting on decent gains. In the past one year, IHCL, EIH and Chalet Hotels shares have rallied by over 50% each. On the other hand, Lemon Tree has been a relative laggard with returns of around 23%.Heading into the festive season, from September 2024, a key monitorable will be sustenance of demand growth from H2FY24's high base, which we expect to be in high single-digits (RevPAR growth of 78%)," said ICICI Securities. That apart, after the industry's solid rebound after the pandemic, analysts caution that companies face cost pressures due to higher wages and commissions, which can weigh on margins outlook.
Foreign investors or FIIs are financial titans known for their sophisticated and flexible investment strategies aimed at achieving sky-high returns. Several factors shape their strategies, including market conditions, company fundamentals, sectoral trends, risk management and investor sentiment.

While their dynamic strategies and potential for high returns are enticing for individual investors like you and me, understanding their methodologies and time horizon is crucial. And no matter how bullish or bearish they turn, its important to understand your own risk appetite and conduct your own research.

FIIs have rekindled their appetite for Indian equities in recent months, with net purchases surging to a four-month high in July.

Today we look at the top mid cap stocks that foreign investors recently added to their portfolios. These companies have also shown consistent improvement in their fundamentals.

#1 Cello World

A recently listed stock that had its IPO in October 2023, Cello World has garnered significant interest from the big boys of the equities market  domestic institutional investors (mutual funds, etc) and FIIs.

The companys latest shareholding pattern shows that FIIs increased their total stake to 5.9% in the June quarter, from 4.4% in March and 3% in December 2023. Mutual funds also increased their holding to 2.3% in June from 2.2% in March.

Heres how the shareholding pattern has changed over the past three quarters.

View Full Image Source: Equitymaster

Cello World offers a diverse range of products in several categories, allowing it to serve as a one-stop-shop for consumers across income levels. It has the most diversified product portfolio among its peers, with products in glassware, opal ware, melamine, and porcelain. This has allowed Cello to maintain stable revenue growth over the years.

The company recently initiated a share sale to institutional investors through a qualified institutional placement (QIP) to raise 740 crore ($88 million). The issuance of additional shares for the QIP resulted in an equity dilution of 4.1%.

In Q1FY25, Cello World reported 6.1% year-on-year growth in revenue to 510 crore. Net profit grew to 83 crore, with margins improving to 16.5%.

Management indicated that urban demand was weak during the quarter, owing to the general elections and heat waves. It is optimistic that demand will recover in the second half of the year and expects high double-digit growth for the full financial year.

Cello Worlds stock is up 11% so far this year.

#2 Kirloskar Brothers

Part of the Kirloskar Group, Kirloskar Brothers is making strong inroads in the investor community. FIIs have added the stock to their portfolios for more than eight consecutive quarters, increasing their stake from 1.5% in September 2022 to 5.03% in June 2024.

Even domestic mutual funds have turned bullish on the company, and fund managers have added the stock to their portfolios for the past four quarters.

Heres how the shareholding has changed over the past eight quarters.

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Kirloskar Brothers is an engineering company that manufactures systems for fluid management. Its primary operations cover large infrastructure projects such as water supply, power plants and irrigation, as well as the production of pumps, valves, motors, and hydro turbines.

With over 250 product categories and more than 100,000 stock-keeping units (SKUs), the company serves more than 12 industries and has over 2,500 customers.

Sales grew at a compound annual growth rate of 4% between FY20 and FY24, while the bottom line grew at a CAGR of 155%.

The company's revenue grew by 7.3% yoy in FY24 owing to sustained demand for customised products and an increase in standard product orders. Net profit surged by 48.3% yoy during the same period, primarily due to reduced interest expenses and increased other income for the year.

Management expects double-digit revenue growth in FY25. The consolidated pending order book for the international business stands at more than 3,000 crore.

The company aims for continuous innovation, with more than 100 product launches a year. It is also developing new products for green hydrogen and small modular reactors.

Management outlook on the international business is positive, owing to increased inquiries. The company is also making strategic investments in digital ventures to enhance its revenue streams.

It also plans to capitalise on its localised global presence by introducing new products in the US and UK while looking to increase revenue contribution from the service segment for its UK entity.

Its no wonder then that shares of the company have rallied more than 90% so far this year.

#3 Elecon Engineering

FIIs increased their holding in Elecon Engineering from 7.6% in March to 9.1% in June. They have been consistently buying shares of Elecon for the past six quarters. Even mutual funds increased their stake to 1.9% in June from 1.3% in March.

Heres how the shareholding pattern has changed over the past eight quarters.

View Full Image Source: Equitymaster

The company makes and sells power transmission and material handling equipment in India and abroad. It is also in the steel and non-ferrous foundry business.

It was one of the first to introduce mechanised bulk material handling equipment in India. Since then it has become the single largest company offering most types of bulk material handling equipment and products.

Elecon derives 13% of its revenue from the material handling equipment solutions. The remaining 87% is from power transmission services. The company is a market leader with 39% market share of the organised sector in India.

In FY24, Elecon reported 26.7% yoy revenue growth and 44.5% Ebitda growth.The stock has been in the limelight since a month ago, when its board approved a stock split in the ratio of 1:2.

Management aims to expand in overseas markets by strengthening relationships with current OEM partners and forging new alliances. However, the company has offered conservative growth guidance for FY25 due to geopolitical tensions.

Shares of Elecon Engineering have rallied 32% so far this year.

#4 Godawari Power

The latest shareholding pattern of the steel company shows that FIIs increased their stake from 5.5% in March to 7.5% in June. They held a mere 2% of the company in September 2022.

Indian mutual funds are also bullish on Godawari Power, having bought the stock for the past four quarters.

Heres how the total shareholding has changed over the past eight quarters.

View Full Image Source: Equitymaster

Part of the Hira Group of Industries in Raipur, Godawari Power was formerly known as Ispat Godawari Ltd.

It has a unique presence across the steel value chain. It manufactures all kinds of intermediate steel products such as sponge iron, ferroalloys, HB wires and finished long steel products including billets, wire rods and mild steel wires. It is also in the power business and generates electricity for captive use.

In the first quarter of FY25, Godawari Power reported 12% yoy revenue growth, driven by higher production volumes and realisation of pellets. Net profit increased by 24% yoy to 290 crore over the same period.

The company has undertaken large capital expenditure (capex) and has big growth plans for the next few years. It plans to nearly double iron ore mining and pellet capacity and establish an integrated steel plant with four times its existing capacity. The company also aims to supply galvanised products to agencies such as Indian Railways.

So far this year, shares of Godawari Power are up 24%.

#5 Archean Chemicals

Previously overlooked by FIIs, Archean Chemicals saw heavy buying from them in the June quarter. Their stake rose to 9.5% from 5.9% in the previous quarter. Even mutual funds have turned bullish on the company.

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Archean Chemical is one of the largest exporters of bromine and industrial salts. Its the leading specialty marine chemical manufacturer in India, producing and exporting bromine, industrial salt, and sulphate of potash to customers around the world. It raised 1,430 crore in its IPO in November 2022.

Its unique location advantage and high barriers to entry have supported its growth over the years. A steep increase in bromine prices and the companys favourable product mix has also improved operational performance.

The companys revenue slumped almost 35% yoy to 2.2 bn in the June quarter amid logistics challenges. Net profit was also hampered and came in at 48.5 crore.

Management is cautiously optimistic about the second half of FY25 and anticipates improvements in performance as the agricultural sector recovers.

To diversify its operations, it plans to broaden its product portfolio in the hydrocarbon space.

Shares of the company have gained 17% so far this year.

#6 Shriram Pistons & Rings

For years, FIIs owned no shares of the company. But that has changed in the past five quarters. In June, FIIs increased their holding to 2% from 1.35% in March.

Heres how the shareholding pattern has changed over the past eight quarters.

View Full Image Source: Equitymaster

Shriram Pistons & Rings is primarily engaged in the end-to-end development and manufacturing of pistons, piston pins, piston rings and engine valves for various automotive companies in the domestic and export markets.

Its products are marketed to renowned OEMs and through aftermarket brands such as SPR and USHA, catering to domestic and international markets. It has a wholly owned subsidiary, SPR Engenious, which has stakes in other entities.

The auto industry is undergoing big shifts with the rise of electric and hybrid vehicles. Shriram Pistons has been strategically diversifying to cater to the potential demand from this.

All of this has helped the company post above-average numbers. Its revenue CAGR from FY19 to FY24 stands at 9.4%, Ebidta CAGR at 16.9% and net profit CAGR at 25.9%.

With strong prospects for subsidiaries and additional capacities kicking in, the company is expected to fare well in the coming quarters.

So far this year, shares of the company are up around 53%.

#7 Sharda Motor

After a hiatus in the March quarter, FIIs were back to buying the stock in the June quarter, increasing their stake from 1.5% to 2.4%. Before January-March, FIIs had increased their stake for six consecutive quarters.

But the biggest buys came from Indian mutual funds. Their holding went up from almost zero in March to 7.9% in June.

Heres showing the shareholding pattern has changed over the past eight quarters.

View Full Image Source: Equitymaster

Sharda Motor primarily manufactures and assembles components for automobiles and white goods.

Its portfolio includes catalytic converters, exhaust systems, suspension systems, sheet metal components and plastic parts for the automotive and white-goods industries. It has a market share of 30% in exhaust systems and 10% in suspension systems.

Its large market share has driven the company's volumes over the years, which is why its revenue has grown at a CAGR of 15.3% over the past five years. Net profit has grown at a CAGR of 15.7% on the back of low costs due to backward integration.

Sharda Motor, having been debt-free over the years, has had sufficient cash flows to fund its capex. In May the company announced it would buy back 102.7 million equity shares for 1,800 each.

Since the government announced new emission norms for off-road vehicles, demand for the company's products has increased, giving it an opportunity to grow its market share.

Sharda Motor is now focussed on multiple verticals to drive growth. These include:

Lower-cost battery prototypes for EVs

Niche product development of canopies for specific models

Another opportunity in the three- to four-litre engine segment

Export focus on Western Europe for opportunities in off-highway segments

Sharda Motors stock has rallied 111% so far this year.

Conclusion

FII buying and selling can provide a gold mine of information, but comes with some caveats.

Following their transactions can be instructive, but your investment journey is personal. So its important to make informed decisions that suit your goals and risk appetite.

While most of us dont have the vast resources of foreign investors, we do possess the ability to invest with patience and a long-term vision.

Happy investing!

Disclaimer: This article is for information purposes only. It is not a stock recommendation and should not be treated as such.

This article is syndicated from Equitymaster.com
Shares of Indian Hume Pipe Company, which specializes in manufacturing, laying, and joining pipelines, surged 14.2 per cent in early morning trade today. After securing a significant order, the company reached an all-time high of 613.70 per share.

In an exchange filing on Saturday, the company announced that it had received a Letter of Intent for an order worth 858.88 crore from the Tapi Irrigation Development Corporation, Jalgaon (Dhule Irrigation Project Circle), Maharashtra.

The order involves the execution of work on Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) and the trial, testing, and commissioning of a gravity-piped distribution network to irrigate a 26,907-hectare command area of Jamphal Dam.

According to the company's statement, the project also includes operating and maintaining the entire system for five years.

For the June-ending quarter (Q1FY25), the company reported a total income of 365.61 crore, compared to 349.55 crore in the corresponding quarter of the previous year. It posted an EBITDA of 259.57 crore and a net profit of 231.16 crore, up from 231.70 crore and 28.51 crore, respectively, in the same quarter last year.

Hume Pipe Company specializes in manufacturing, laying, and joining pipelines made from various materials such as RCC pipes, steel pipes, prestressed concrete pipes, penstock pipes, bar-wrapped steel cylinder pipes (BWSC), and prestressed concrete cylinder pipes (PCCP). These pipelines support infrastructure development for water, irrigation, sanitation, and sewerage projects.

In addition to its core business, the company undertakes infrastructure development programs by executing turnkey water supply projects. These projects involve managing the entire process from the water source to distribution centres.

This includes constructing intake wells, water sumps, treatment plants, and pumping stations, installing pumping machinery, and handling electromechanical works. The company also manages branch mains, ground-level reservoirs, and elevated reservoirs, ensuring complete water supply systems for various towns and villages across India.

Real estate segment gains momentum The company has begun monetizing its land parcels, marking a new business segment in FY24. Two phases of a residential real estate project called "Dosti Greenscape," developed by Dosti Realty Ltd., have been launched on a revenue-sharing basis on the company's land in Hadapsar, Pune.

The entire project includes 12 residential towers with a total saleable area of approximately 14.77 lakh sq. ft. and a RERA carpet area of about 10.54 lakh sq. ft. Currently, three towers from Phase I and two towers from Phase II have been launched, comprising 507 flats with a RERA carpet area of approximately 4.37 lakh sq. ft. The revenue from the project will be shared in a 38:62 ratio between the company and Dosti Realty Ltd.

As of July 31, 2024, 361 flats with a sale value of 270 crore have been booked. According to the payment schedule from flat buyers, the company has received an advance of 37.77 crore as part of its share of the revenue, the company said in its Q1FY25 earnings report.
Following a mixed Q1 earnings season, SBI Securities released its list of 'rockstars of June 2024.' The brokerage projects Nifty50 EPS to grow at a 12.5 percent CAGR from FY24 to FY26, a slight moderation due to the subdued performance in 1QFY25, where aggregate EBITDA growth for Nifty 50 companies was in single digits for the first time since 2QFY21, with BFSI and Auto sectors leading earnings growth.

SBI Securities highlighted eight stocks with strong management and corporate governance, a favourable industry outlook with solid growth prospects, attractive margins and returns, and a strong historical track record.

Let's take a look

Zomato: The brokerage has a target price of 300 for the stock, indicating an upside potential of almost 20 percent.

SBI Securities supports Zomato due to its diverse business model, strong brand, and solid financial performance. Zomatos key segmentsfood delivery (63 percent of sales), quick commerce (24 percent), B2B supplies through Hyperpure, and others like dining out and ticketingare driving growth. The acquisition of Blinkit in 2022 has expanded its B2C reach.

Its Going-out segment, still in its early stages, is expected to perform strongly, offering additional services such as ticketing for movies and live events. Strong Q1 FY25 results showed a 74.1 percent YoY revenue increase to 4,206 crore, with net profit rising to 253 crore. The management is optimistic about future growth, projecting GOV to grow over 20 percent in FY25 and planning to increase Blinkits store count significantly by FY25E/FY26E.

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Polycab India: The brokerage has a target price of 7,979.6 for the stock, indicating an upside potential of 17 percent.

SBI Securities likes Polycab due to its diversified product range and strong infrastructure. Polycab manufactures a wide variety of wires and cables, accounting for 88 percent of FY24 sales, and has expanded into the EPC business and FMEG segment, which contributed 5.3 percent of FY24 sales.

It noted that the company boasts 28 manufacturing facilities and a vast distribution network across India. Moreover, Polycab's revenue guidance of 20,000 crore by FY26 may be revised upward, given its strong performance with over 18,000 crore in FY24. The company expects growth, despite a mixed Q1 FY25, with plans for significant capex to expand capacity and boost revenue, stated SBI Securities.

Nuvama Wealth Management: The brokerage's target price for the stock is 7,790.7, indicating an upside potential of 21 percent.

SBI Securities favours Nuvama for its robust financial performance in Q1 FY25, where revenue surged 60 percent YoY to 668 crore, and PAT jumped 133 percent YoY to 221 crore. The Capital Markets segment led this growth with a 153 percent revenue increase. Nuvama also saw healthy AUM growth across its verticals, with private AUM up 31 percent YoY and wealth management AUM up 50 percent YoY, it highlighted.

The company plans to expand into tier 2 and tier 3 cities and expects the wealth and asset management businesses to contribute significantly to future earnings. Cost rationalisation and a focus on a multi-product, multi-customer approach are expected to drive further growth. The brokerage added that valuations appear to be reasonable and offer favourable risk-reward for medium to long-term investors.

Samhi Hotels: The brokerage has a target price of 245.7 for the stock, indicating an upside potential of 19 percent.

SBI is bullish on Samhi Hotels for its diversified hotel portfolio across key Indian consumption centres, with a strong presence in upper upscale, upscale, upper mid-scale, and mid-scale segments. The company's strategy of acquiring and turning around hotels has expanded its room inventory significantly, growing from 252 keys in FY14 to 4,801 keys by June 2024, noted the brokerage.

It further pointed out that in Q1 FY25, Samhi delivered a robust performance with a 31.2 percent YoY increase in revenue and an 81.2 percent rise in EBITDA, leading to a net profit of 4 crore. With a healthy pipeline of new rooms and strategic partnerships, Samhi is poised for long-term growth, making its current valuation attractive, said SBI Securities.

Fiem Industries: The brokerage has a target price of 1,874.4 for the stock, indicating an upside potential of 23 percent.

SBI is positive on Fiem Industries due to its strong position as a key supplier to major two-wheeler OEMs in India, including Honda, TVS, and Yamaha, which contribute significantly to its revenue. With the domestic two-wheeler industry expected to grow in double digits in FY25, driven by improved rural demand, Fiem is well-positioned to benefit, said the brokerage.

The company's portfolio is powertrain agnostic, catering to both ICE and EV models, and its focus on premium models with higher content per vehicle boosts margins, it further emphasised. Fiem is also expanding into the passenger vehicle segment, adding diversification to its revenue streams. Trading at 18.8x FY25E P/E, the stock looks attractive with strong growth prospects ahead, added SBI Sec.

Sky Gold: The brokerage has a target price of 3,172.3 for the stock, indicating an upside potential of over 21 percent.

SBI Securities prefers Sky Gold (SGL) for its strong B2B model, serving leading jewellery retailers like Malabar Gold and Diamonds, Kalyan Jewellers, and more, with products available in over 2,000 showrooms across India. SGL offers a diverse range of jewellery, including plain gold, studded gold, diamond-studded, and Turkish jewellery, catering to mid-market and value segments.

The recent acquisition of Starmangalsutra and Sparkling Chains enhances SGLs market presence, particularly in fast-moving jewellery segments. SGL posted strong 1QFY25 results, with revenue and profit nearly doubling YoY, and has guided for robust growth through FY27. At 33.4x FY25E P/E, the stock offers decent value given its growth trajectory and positive industry outlook.

Capacite Infraprojects: The brokerage has a target price of 485.6 for the stock, indicating an upside potential of almost 28 percent.

SBI is bullish on Capacite due to its strong execution track record and presence in high-growth regions like Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad, where it has completed over 60 projects covering 64 million sqft. The companys integrated operations and modern technology capabilities allow it to handle large-scale projects, working with top public and private clients like MHADA, Oberoi, and DLF, said the brokerage.

Moreover, with an order book of 8,828 crore, offering 3.9x revenue visibility, Capacite has guided for a 25% CAGR in revenue over the next four years. The robust housing sector outlook, driven by urbanisation and government initiatives, further supports its growth potential, highlighted the brokerage. Additionally, the companys balance sheet remains strong with a low debt-to-equity ratio, and it started FY25 on a positive note, achieving significant revenue and profit growth in 1QFY25, it said.

Epack Durable: The brokerage has a target price of 315.7 for the stock, indicating an upside potential of almost 25 percent.

SBI is positive on Epack due to strong tailwinds in the AC industry, which saw 41 percent YoY volume growth in 1HCY24, driving Epacks capacity utilisation above 90 percent in 1QFY25. The company, with a diverse client base including Voltas, Daikin, and Panasonic, is expanding into new product categories like washing machines and air coolers to reduce revenue seasonality.

Epack benefits from backward integration and the PLI scheme for AC components, further boosting margins, said the brokerage. With a strong 1QFY25 showing 77 percent YoY revenue and EBITDA growth and an expected over 45 percent revenue growth in FY25, the stock trades at a favorable P/E of 34.9x compared to peers, it stated.
Heres a quick look at stocks likely to be in focus in today's trade.

Indian Oil: V. Satish Kumar, who has been serving as the Director of Marketing for Indian Oil Corporation Ltd (IOCL) since October 2021, has taken on additional responsibilities as the Chairman of the company. This follows the completion of Shrikant Madhav Vaidya's tenure as Chairman. Notably, Kumar also held the additional charge of Director of Finance for a year starting in October 2022, during a period marked by geopolitical challenges due to the Ukraine war.

Reliance Capital: Lenders to the struggling Reliance Capital Ltd (RCAP) have accused IndusInd International Holdings Ltd (IIHL) of using delaying tactics that are hindering the implementation of the resolution plan. However, IIHL, a Hinduja Group entity, has denied these allegations, asserting that it is adhering to due process. IIHL emerged as the successful bidder for the acquisition of Reliance Capital and has refuted the claims as false and an attempt to disrupt the resolution process.

PVR INOX: Multiplex chain PVR INOX plans to close down 70 underperforming screens in FY25 as part of its strategy for profitable growth. According to its latest annual report, the company will exit these non-performing screens to enhance profitability. Additionally, PVR INOX is considering the monetization of non-core real estate assets in cities like Mumbai, Pune, and Vadodara. Despite the closures, the company plans to add 120 new screens in FY25.

Also Read | Indian stock market: 10 key things that changed for market over weekend

Maruti Suzuki: Maruti Suzuki India reported a nearly 3.9 percent decline in sales for August 2024, with a total of 181,782 units sold compared to 189,082 units in August 2023. Domestic sales were particularly affected, dropping 8.4 percent to 143,075 units from 156,114 units in the same month the previous year. The company also exported 26,003 units in August 2024.

Tata Motors: Tata Motors reported an 8 percent decrease in sales for August 2024, with 70,006 units sold compared to 76,261 units in the same period last year. The companys commercial vehicle sales saw a significant drop of 15 percent, totaling 27,207 units in August 2024, compared to 32,077 units in August 2023. Passenger vehicle sales also declined by 3 percent year-on-year, with 44,142 units sold in August 2024 compared to 45,513 units in the previous year.

Adani Power: Adani Power Ltd has approached the Supreme Court seeking a refund of 280 crore from the Himachal Pradesh government related to the 969-megawatt Jangi Thopan Power Project in Kinnaur district. The company is challenging a Himachal Pradesh High Court decision that overturned an earlier ruling which had favored Adani Power's refund claim. The Supreme Court bench, comprising Justices M.M. Sundresh and Aravind Kumar, is expected to hear the case soon.

Emami: Kolkata-based FMCG giant Emami has acquired the remaining 49.6 percent stake in Helios Lifestyle, the parent company of the premium male grooming brand 'The Man Company.' This acquisition makes Emami the full owner of Helios Lifestyle, which had been a subsidiary since Emami held a 50.4 percent stake. Harsha V Agarwal, Vice Chairman & MD at Emami, highlighted the strategic value of this acquisition, emphasizing that it aligns with the company's goal to tap into new growth opportunities in emerging consumer segments driven by digitalization.

Eicher Motors: Royal Enfield motorcycle sales witnessed a 5 percent decline in August 2024, with total units sold dropping to 73,629 compared to 77,583 in the same period last year. Exports also saw a slight dip, falling 2 percent to 8,006 units from 8,190 units. On the commercial vehicle front, VE's sales increased by 1 percent to 6,543 units, up from 6,476 units a year ago. While domestic sales for VE commercial vehicles rose by 2 percent to 6,028 units, exports experienced a significant decrease of 23.25 percent, dropping to 255 units from 332 units in the corresponding period.

NBCC India: The board of directors at NBCC India has approved a bonus share issue, offering one bonus share for every two equity shares held. The record date for this bonus issue has been set for October 7.

Krishna Institute of Medical Sciences: The company has completed the acquisition of a 100 percent equity stake in Chalasani Hospitals, Visakhapatnam, for a total consideration of 28 crore. Chalasani Hospitals, established in 1995, is a 200-bed facility.

Also Read | Breakout stocks to buy or sell: Sumeet Bagadia recommends five shares to buy

TVS Motor Company: The company's total sales surged by 13 percent in August 2024, reaching 3,91,588 units compared to 3,45,848 units in the same period last year. Two-wheeler sales jumped 14 percent to 3,78,841 units, while exports rose 14 percent to 99,976 units. Additionally, electric vehicle sales increased by 4 percent, totaling 24,779 units compared to 23,887 units in the year-ago period.
The growing influence of financial influencers, or "fin-fluencers," on social media has sparked a lively debate about their role in shaping the investment decisions of the youth.

In a thought-provoking episode of "The ALT View" presented by StockGro, students of IIM Bangalore discussed this emerging phenomenon and its implications with industry experts Ajay Lakhotia, CEO and Founder of StockGro, and Anirudh Dhawan, Professor, Finance at IIM Bangalore.

The Alt View Is a youth-centric web show where India's leading business daily Mint goes on the ground and talks to students and youngsters on policy, tech and emerging subjects which influence their lives. The show is hosted by Abhinav Trivedi, Deputy Editor at LiveMint.

Click here to watch the full episode,

Filling the financial gap From his experience of building Indias largest stock market education community, Ajay Lakhotia pointed out that financial education is missing in our ecosystem. Your family doesn't teach you how to invest money; they teach you how to save. This gap is what most influencers are trying to fill.

Need for regulation As IIM-Bangalore students debated this trend, one group expressed that the advice from fin-fluencers often comes with a caveat. Influencers promote specific productssuch as courses or investment strategieswhich can lead to biased recommendations. They also recalled instances where Fin-fluencers shared incorrect financial advice, only to delete the videos later. They were keen to observe that fin-fluencers capitalized on emotions like greed and fear to drive their sales.

Building on this perspective, Mr. Lakhotia remarked that fin-fluencers gained significant popularity by narrating investment strategies as a "life hack"an engaging and accessible approach that stands in contrast to the more complex methods typically employed by traditional BFSI players.

Covid has changed this spectrum further by adding an element of boredom. People have a lot more time on their hands, so they are now googling and checking YouTube for investment advice. That is why SEBI can collaborate with fin-fluencers and spread financial education. Some of them are good and have a large captive audience, Prof. Dhawan added.



Finally, students expressed that fin-fluencers need greater accountability through regulation while BFSIs can simplify their information to help the masses.

Even as the debate continues, Mr. Lakhotia reiterates that financial influencers are filling a key gap in financial education, but cautions about the need to build accountability to foster greater trust in their ecosystem. In this context, platforms like StockGro, which provide high-quality financial education and responsible advisory services, play an increasingly vital role.
A recent decision by the Mumbai bench of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal in the case of one of the Tata Trusts has brought attention to a challenge faced by many charitable trusts in claiming tax exemptions for spending on charitable activities. The case involved the trust providing loan scholarships to Indian students pursuing higher education abroad.

Under Indian law, charitable trusts are entitled to tax exemption for income applied to charitable purposes in India. If the funds are used for charitable purposes outside India, exemption is allowed only if the activity promotes international welfare that India is interested in, and with prior approval from the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT).

The tax authorities have held that spending has to be in India, even if the benefit flows to the public in India to qualify for exemption. The trusts contention has often been that the charitable purpose has to be in India, i.e. the benefit of the spending has to flow to the public in India.

The extreme view taken by the tax authorities in this Tata Trust case was that both spending and the purpose of spending have to be in India. According to the tax officer, by giving loan scholarships for higher education to Indian students for overseas studies, the trust was spending for the charitable purpose of education outside India since the loan was given for spending on education outside India. Therefore, tax exemption was denied to the trust in respect of such loan scholarships given to students.

The tribunal held that the application of the money by the trust was complete once the funds were disbursed by the trust to the students in India, and therefore this was application for charitable purposes in India.

According to the tribunal, the fact that the students spent the money on overseas education was not material for the purpose of the trusts exemption, and therefore, the tribunal allowed the trust to be exempt from such expenditure on loan scholarships. In doing so, the Tribunal followed a Delhi High Court decision, which had taken the view that the spending had to be in India, and not the purpose of the spending, to qualify for exemption.

The facts of this case were such that the benefit was also flowing to students who were resident in India at the time of receiving the scholarships. Such an interpretation of requiring the place of spending to be in India and not the charitable purpose does however give rise to a question as to why the law should be framed in such a manner, that money spent in India for the benefit of non-residents is eligible for tax exemption, while money spent outside India for the benefit of Indian residents is not.

There are numerous such examples. One was a case before the Karnataka high court, where payment was made to a foreign university by an Indian university, for foreign teachers who came to India to teach Indian students. The high court held that since the purpose was in India, the exemption was to be allowed even though the spending was outside India.

There are similar cases where educational institutions pay examination fees or fees for curriculum to foreign universities, send Indian students to foreign universities for a few months as part of the course for which they pay the foreign university.

There are also cases where Indian students are sent on foreign study tours, where hospitals pay foreign hospitals or consultants for advice on latest and best practices or for deputation of their doctors to the foreign hospitals.

Then there are cases where trusts organize exhibitions overseas to promote their activities in India or pay membership fees to overseas organisations for research or consultancy in relation to their Indian activity.

In all of the above cases, the benefit of the expenditure is the charitable activity carried out in India and the Indian public, though the money may be spent outside India.

Need for legal clarification

Should such expenditure for the benefit of residents not qualify for the exemption, rather than expenditure spent in India for the benefit of non-residents? Why should availability of the expenditure depend upon where it is spent, rather than why and for whose benefit it is spent? The purpose of grant of tax exemption to charitable entities is to encourage them to support the government in uplifting the lot of Indian residents  the interpretation now being given by the tax authorities is at cross-purposes with that intent.

Should the law not be amended or clarified by issue of a circular to address the inconsistencies and achieve the real purpose of the exemption? Only this will ensure that genuine charity intended for the benefit of the Indian public gets the exemption and that trusts are not placed at a disadvantage for trying to ensure that the Indian public gets the best of what the world has to offer.

Gautam Nayak is a partner at CNK & Associates LLP. Views are personal

Also Read: How tax deductions make education loans attractive
Chirag Paswan, Union Minister of Food Processing Industries and Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) chief, was recently issued an e-challan for going faster than the legal speed limit in Bihar.

The e-challan was issued after Paswans car was reportedly found speeding through the newly installed e-detection system at a toll plaza in Bihar. He was travelling on a national highway from Hajipur to Champaran.

According to reports, the Bihar Transport Department and traffic police have issued more than 16,700 e-challans worth  9.49 crore in a week from August 7 to 15 through the new e-detection system.

Also Read | From zero to hero: The rise of Chirag Paswan

Out of the 16,755 e-challans, 7,079 e-challans were issued to vehicles registered in Bihar, while 9,676 challans were issued to vehicles registered in other states.

In Bihar, the e-detection systems have been installed at 13 toll plazas to detect violation of Motor Vehicle Act.

Recently, Chirag Paswan was unanimously re-elected as Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) president for five years at its national executive meeting in Ranchi.

The national executive, in its meeting here, has re-elected me for the next five years, Paswan had said.

Also Read | Chirag Paswan slams Rahul Gandhi on INDIAs promise to scrap Agniveer scheme

In Jharkhand, LJP (Ram Vilas) may contest the assembly polls either with national alliance partner Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) or on its own, Paswan had said.

We have taken suggestions from the state units whether they want to contest the elections in alliance or alone in states where our organisation is strong... At the national level, we have an alliance with the BJP and we are a strong coalition partner of the NDA, he had said.

In the 2014 elections, we had a tie-up with the BJP for Vidhansabha polls in Jharkhand and contested the Shikaripara seat. If there is a respectable seat-sharing, we may go with an alliance or else we can go alone in the polls, he stated.
A Class IX girl was assaulted and allegedly killed by a 21-year-old college student in broad daylight at Kanchanpur in North Tripura district after the minor rejected his proposal for a romantic relationship, Tripura police said on Monday.

According to reports, the victim was on her way to private tuition at Kanchanpur around 8.30 am when the accused allegedly fatally stabbed her, the police said.

North Tripura SP Bhanupada Chakraborty told PTI that accused Kartik Nath blocked her path near Post Office Road and stabbed her in the neck and chest after the minor rejected his proposal for a romantic relationship. Following the assault, Kartik Nath slit his own throat.

"She fell to the ground, bleeding profusely. Shortly afterward, Nath slit his own throat," Chakraborty told PTI.

The police said both were immediately taken to Kanchanpur sub-divisional hospital, where the victim was pronounced dead. Accused Kartik Nath was referred to Dharmanagar for further treatment but he also succumbed to his injuries.

North Tripura SP said that preliminary investigations suggest Nath, a second-year student at Kanchanpur Government Degree College, had proposed to the victim. Her rejection may have prompted him to commit the violent act.

Separately, Mumbai police, last week arrested one accused from Prayagraj in Uttar Pradesh for molestation of a 13-year-old girl produced him in court.

The accused has been identified as Mohammed Zeeshan Mohammed (21 years) and he was working in a private bus agency.

Also Read | IAF fighter plane crashes in Rajasthans Barmer district
Pune Municipal Corporations former corporator Vanraj Andekar was brutally murdered by a group of 12 bike-borne men in Punes Nana Peth area on Sunday night.

Some rounds were allegedly fired at him. He was also attacked with sharp weapons. He suffered grievous injuries to his neck and head.

The horrific incident was captured by a CCTV camera. The video is now circulating on social media.

Also Read | Pune Porsche crash: Two arrested for manipulating blood samples

According to the footage, at least 12 men on six two-wheelers came to Andekar's premises with firearms at around 9:30 PM on Sunday.

Five rounds were fired at Vanraj Andekar. He was also attacked with long-blade sickles. He was brought dead to the KEM Hospital. As per the primary information, Andekar suffered multiple sharp weapon injuries. Further details will be given in due course, said Joint Commissioner of Police Ranjan Kumar Sharma.

Andekar's body has been sent to Sassoon Hospital for post-mortem.

Police on Monday said three suspects have been arrested in connection with Vanraj Andekars murder, who was allegedly shot at and attacked with sharp weapons.

Additional Commissioner of Police Pravin Patil said that two suspects were nabbed by the local police and a third accused by the crime branch.

Witnesses claim some shots were fired but Andekar succumbed to injuries inflicted on his head and neck by sharp weapons. An empty cartridge was found in the deceased's clothing, Patil added.

Police suspect a relative of Andekar, who was in his late 30s, orchestrated the attack over an ongoing dispute.

Andekars family members have lodged an FIR suspecting the role of a relative behind the attack.

Also Read | Pune woman rescued after falling into 100 feet deep gorge while taking selfie

They have named nine individuals and five others in the FIR, Patil said.

Andekar was also associated with the Nationalist Congress Party (undivided) before the Pune civic body was brought under state administrator.

Further investigation is underway in the case.
The Netflix docuseries IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack, directed by Anubhav Sinha, is facing criticism from social media users over its portrayal of the 1999 hijacking of Indian Airlines Flight 814. The series, based on real events, dramatises the hijacking by the Pakistan-based terror group Harkat-ul-Mujahideen.

The controversy stems from the decision to use aliases such as Bhola and Shankar for the terrorists involved, rather than their real names.

In response to the backlash, the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting summoned a Netflix content head on Monday.

IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack  What BJP, netizens said? BJP leader Amit Malviya took to X to express discontent with Anubhav Sinha using the aliases over the real names of the terrorists. 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, the BJP leader wrote.

Using hashtags #BoycottNetflix, #BoycottBollywood and #IC814, many X users shared posts claiming the makers changed the names of the hijackers to 'Shankar' and 'Bhola' to allegedly protect the terrorists who belonged to a certain community.

What does Indian govt document confirm? The Union home minister's statement, published on January 6, 2006, confirms the aliases used by the terrorists. To the passengers of the hijacked place 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, the press release read.

The MEA statement confirmed the aliases of the Pakistan-based terrorists who hijacked the IC 814 flight travelling from Kathmandu to Delhi

What do we know about IC 814: The Kandahar hijack? On December 24, 1999, Indian Airlines Flight 814, an Airbus A300 en route from Kathmandu to Delhi, was hijacked by five masked men shortly after entering Indian airspace. The aircraft was diverted to Amritsar, Lahore, Dubai, and finally to Kandahar in Afghanistan, which was under Taliban control.

In Dubai, the hijackers released 27 passengers but fatally injured one and wounded several others. The Taliban surrounded the plane to prevent an Indian military intervention, while ISI officers were found on the ground, indicating possible Pakistani support. Then chief negotiator Ajit Doval had confirmed this arrangement after he and his team landed in Afghanistan's Kandahar.

The hijacking aimed to secure the release of three Pakistani terroristsAhmed Omar Saeed Sheikh, Masood Azhar, and Mushtaq Ahmed Zargar. After a seven-day standoff, India agreed to release the terrorists, who have since been linked to various other terrorist attacks, including the 2008 Mumbai attacks.
Amid ongoing row over the filmmaker Anubhav Sinha's 'IC814: The Kandahar Hijack', a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) to ban the Netflix web series was filed in the Delhi High Court on Monday.

According to news agency ANI, the PIL alleges that the series distorts the actual identities of the terrorists involved in the hijacking.

The series, based on real events, dramatizes the hijacking by the Pakistan-based terror group Harkat-ul-Mujahideen. The controversy stems from the decision to use aliases such as Bhola and Shankar for the terrorists involved, rather than their real names.

The petition filed by Surjit Singh Yadav, a farmer and president of Hindu Sena, sought a direction to the Centre and Maharashtra government to cancel the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) certificate and ban the public viewing of the series.

The distortion of crucial facts about the real identities of the hijackers not only misrepresents historical events but also perpetuates harmful stereotypes and misinformation, warranting interference of this court to prevent further public misunderstanding and potential harm, the petition says.

Notably, the government has summoned the content head of Netflix over the series, contending that nobody has the right to play with the sentiments of the nation.

News agency PTI, citing official sources said the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has summoned the content head of Netflix India on Tuesday, seeking an explanation on the allegedly contentious aspects of the series.

"Nobody has the right to play with the sentiments of the people of this nation. Indian culture and civilisation should always be respected," PTI cited saying another official source.

"Should we allow any foreign people to slipshod over our cultural values," the source told PTI said without elaborating.
The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting on Monday summoned the content Head of OTT platform Netflix tomorrow, September 3, over the controversy surrounding the IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack web series after the portrayal of hijackers in the series sparked outrage on social media.

The Broadcasting Ministry's summons comes after a section of social media users accused the makers of the web series of deliberately changing the names of the hijackers to Bhola and Shankar.

IC 814 is a web series based on real events, the 1999 hijacking of an Indian Airlines flight by Pakistan-based terror outfit Harkat-ul-Mujahideen.

Also Read | Netflix is trying to get you hooked on more reality TV with better dubbing

Directed by Anubhav Sinha, the series was inspired by the book Flight Into Fear: The Captain's Story, authored by Devi Sharan, the captain of the flight and journalist Srinjoy Chowdhury.

IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack The web series is based on the hijacking of Indian Airlines flight 814 on December 24, 1999. The flight, carrying 191 passengers, took off from Kathmandu, Nepal, en route to Delhi. Shortly after takeoff, five hijackers, disguised as passengers, seized control of the aircraft. The plane subsequently made multiple stops in Amritsar, Lahore, and Dubai before being diverted to Kandahar, Afghanistan.

During the 1999 hijacking, then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee was compelled to release three notorious terroristsMasood Azhar, Ahmed Omar Saeed Sheikh, and Mushtaq Ahmed Zargarfrom Indian prisons to secure the hostages' release. Reports indicate that the Taliban assisted the hijackers and the freed terrorists in reaching Pakistan.

A statement from the Union Home Ministry dated January 6, 2000, identified the hijackers as Ibrahim Athar, Shahid Akhtar Sayed, Sunny Ahmed Qazi, Mistri Zahoor Ibrahim, and Shakir.

What is the controversy about? BJP IT Cell chief Amit Malviya criticised the depiction, stating that the hijackers were notorious terrorists who used aliases to conceal their Muslim identities.

Filmmaker Anubhav Sinha has legitimised their criminal intent by highlighting their non-Muslim names. In the future, people might believe that Hindus were behind the IC-814 hijacking [sic], Malviya posted on X.

Malviya accused the Left of attempting to whitewash the actions of Pakistani terrorists and suggested that cinema, used aggressively by Communists since the 1970s, is being leveraged to shift blame and undermine India's security, as reported by ANI.

Reacting to the post, Kangana Ranaut on Monday said there is freedom for communists or leftists for anti-national expressions, but OTT platforms do not let nationalist express their views.
Kolkata doctor rape case: The former principal of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, Sandip Ghosh, has been arrested by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) anti-corruption branch, on Monday. Ghosh was arrested in connection with the alleged financial misconduct at the RG Kar hospital, officials said.

Sandip Ghosh was questioned for 15 days straight at the CBI's Salt Lake office over the alleged rape and murder of the RG Kar hospital post-graduate trainee on August 9. He was also subjected to polygraph tests.

Sandip Ghosh was taken to the CBI Anti-Corruption Branch in Nizam Palace from the CBI special crime branch office in the Salt Lake CGO Complex in Kolkata.

Apart from the Kolkata doctor rape case, Sandip Ghosh was also being investigated for alleged financial irregularities at RG Kar hospital. As soon as the news broke of Sandip Ghosh's arrest, junior doctors who had been protesting over the Kolkata doctor rape case started celebrations.

RG Kar Hospital's former deputy superintendent, Dr Akhtar Ali, lodged multiple complaints of financial irregularities at the establishment during Ghosh's tenure as principal.

Sandip Ghosh had earlier resigned as the principal of RG Kar hospital. However, he was reinstated as the principal of the National Medical College and Hospital, another Bengal government-run hospital.

Sandip Ghosh was asked to go on leave by the West Bengal government after the rape and murder of the woman trainee doctor at the RG Kar Hospital came to light.

Notably, Sandip Ghosh is also being investigated by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) over his role in the Kolkata doctor rape and murder case as well as money laundering charges.

Earlier, the Supreme Court, which took suo moto cognisance of the Kolkata doctor rape case, had rapped Sandip Ghosh for passing off the crime as suicide.

RG Kar financial irregularities: Key witness in ICU Earlier reports indicated that Debasish Som, a demonstrator in the Forensic Medicine Department at RG Kar Medical College & Hospital in Kolkata and a crucial witness in the financial irregularities case involving the same institution, was admitted in critical condition to a private hospital in Kolkata on Sunday.
Kolkata doctor rape case: Arrested civic volunteer Sanjoy Roy is likely to plead not guilty in court, a media report has stated citing his lawyer Kavita Sarkar. Sanjoy Roy was arrested on August 10, a day after the PG trainee doctor's body was found at a seminar hall of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. Roy, who underwent polygraph test, also popularly known as lie-detector test, has reportedly called the CBI sleuth's question on murdering the doctor as invalid.

Also Read | Sanjoy Roy demands egg chowmein in jail, upset over standard prison meal

According to a Times of India report, Sanjoy Roy consistently asserted his innocence during a polygraph test administered by the CBI, which was part of the ongoing investigation into the rape and murder case involving a Kolkata doctor.

Sanjoy Roy's Polygraph Test by CBI According to media reports citing Sanjoy Roy's lawyers, the arrested civic volunteer was asked 10 questions by the CBI. The question were included a query into his academic background, and a few questions related to the Kolkata doctor rape and murder case.

According to the ToI report, when Sanjoy Roy was asked what he did after he murdered the PGT doctor of RG Kar hospital, the civic volunteer interrupted the CBI sleuths to claim that he did not murder the doctor.

Roy, reportedly claimed that the doctor was covered in blood and unconscious when he entered the seminar hall. The arrested accused also claimed that he panicked and ran out of the seminar hall after seeing the doctor.

When Sanjoy Roy was asked why he did not inform the CBI, or the Kolkata Police about these developments earlier, the arrested civic volunteer claimed that no one would believe him. He also added that he was being framed.

(Please Note: Mint could not independently verify any of the claims made by Sanjoy Roy, or his lawyer Kavita Sarkar)

Kolkata Doctor Rape Case: Evidence against Sanjoy Roy  Sanjoy Roy's Bluetooth earphones were found by the Police in the RG Kar hospital seminar hall.

 Further, his blood and skin were found under the nails of the Kolkata doctor.

 The investigators also found injury marks on Sanjoy Roy.

 The CBI had conducted a psychological test on Sanjoy Roy and that results of the same declared him as a sexual pervert.
Kolkata rape-murder protests: The Supreme Court on Monday dismissed the West Bengal government's plea challenging the Calcutta High Court's order granting bail to, Sayan Lahiri, one of the organisers of the August 27 March's Nabanna Abhijan rally protesting against the Kolkata doctor's rape and murder at the state run RG Kar Medical College and Hospital.

Dealing a blow to the Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee government in West Bengal, the Supreme Court bench of Justices J B Pardiwala and Justice Manoj Misra said "prima facie" a case for bail was made out in the case of Sayan Lahiri being arrested .

The Calcutta High Court had on Friday granted bail to Paschim Banga Chhtra Samaj leader Sayan Lahiri. Paschim Banga Chhatra Samaj, an unregistered student group, was one of the two organisations that gave the call for the August 27 Nabanna Abhijan.

The Calcutta HC had noted that Sayan Lahiri appears to be an absolutely insignificant character who does not hold any position of power or influence "in the massive cry for justice in the aftermath of the RG Kar incident," Justice Amrita Sinha said to uphold and restore the faith of the public in the judiciary, he is liable to be released on bail.

Sayan Lahiri was arrested on August 27 evening for playing an active role in leading the rally which, the police said, turned violent, causing destruction of public and private property and attacks on police officers.

Acting on a plea by Lahiri's mother Anjali seeking quashing of proceedings against her son and grant of bail, the Calcutta High Court had on Friday ordered his release from police custody by 2 pm on Saturday. Anjali Lahiri had claimed that several FIRs had been filed against her son in various police station of Kolkata. She further imploicated that he is innocent and has been falsely implicated in criminal cases.

In Calcutta HC, opposing the bail of Sayan Lahiri, state Advocate General Kishore Dutta claimed before the court that Lahiri made inflammatory speeches which agitated the protestors leading to a complete breakdown of the law and order situation on August 27 in the city.

The Kolkata Police released Sayan Lahiri from its custody on Saturday.
Independence Day 2024: While Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the country at the Independence Day celebrations at Red Fort, several neighbouring countries including the Maldives, and US took to social media platform X, to extend their wishes for India's historic day.

Maldives: All weather friend, enduring friendship Maldives President, Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, wished India on Independence Day, and said Maldives-India's enduring friendship, rooted in history, has evolved to foster prosperity and development in the Maldives and the region.

He further added that As we look to the future, I am confident that our partnership will continue to strengthen, driving mutual prosperity and shared goals, Muizzu wrote on X.

Also Read | Independence Day 2024 Live: PM Modi leaves from Red Fort

Notable Maldives politician, Abdulla Shahid, also wished PM Modi, and External Affairs Minister, S. Jaishankar, and the the warm and friendly people of India. He stated that India has proved to be an all weather friend to Maldives.

India has proved to be an all weather friend of the #Maldives. Our first and best responder for any crisis we have faced. An invaluable partner in our development journey. The people of Maldives continue to benefit from the generous development assistance and human resource development, and deeply cherish this relationship, Shahid wrote on X, for Independence Day celebrations.

United States: US-India cooperation is expanding at a rapid pace The US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, congratulated the people of India, and said the relationship between the two countries is expanding at a rapid pace.

Highlighting India's rich diversity, Blinken said US-India cooperation is expanding at a rapid pace as we continue to work together to advance our shared vision of a free, open, stable, and prosperous Indo-Pacific. From climate and clean energy to defense and space technologies, US-Indian bilateral cooperation is more wide-ranging and stronger than ever before, reported PTI.
Torrential rains have devastated Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, leaving at least 31 people dead and causing widespread damage across the two states. The heavy downpours, which began early Monday, led to the flooding of thousands of acres of crops, severe disruption of transportation, and widespread power outages.

In Andhra Pradesh, which partially bore the rain brunbt, the most affected districts include NTR, Guntur, Krishna, Eluru, Palnadu, Bapatla and Prakasam.

Rain Havoc in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana  In Telangana, 16 fatalities were reported, and the state government has estimated damage at 5,000 crore, seeking immediate central assistance of 2,000 crore.

 Chief Minister Revanth Reddy has announced an ex-gratia of 5 lakh each for the families of those who lost their lives and urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to visit the affected areas and declare the floods a national calamity.

 In Telangana, the floods have caused significant damage, including the washing away of gravel under a railway track near Kesamudram, which disrupted train services. Preliminary estimates indicate that crops on over 1.5 lakh acres have been damaged.

 In Andhra Pradesh, 15 people have died, and the state has been particularly hard-hit.

 Nearly 4.5 lakh people have been affected, especially in Vijayawada, where residents have struggled with shortages of essentials like milk.

 The worst-affected districts include NTR, Guntur, Krishna, Eluru, Palnadu, Bapatla, and Prakasam. Rescue operations are underway with 20 State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and 19 National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams involved.

 The floods have also severely impacted transportation, with 432 trains cancelled and 13 partially cancelled on the South Central Railway network.

 An official of the Secunderabad-headquartered South Central Railway (SCR) said due to heavy rains and waterlogging over the tracks at several locations on the SCR network, as many as 432 trains were cancelled and 13 trains were partially cancelled. He said 139 trains were diverted till Monday afternoon.

Due to incessant rains in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, flooding and breaches were reported in Kazipet-Vijayawada section and five trains were stranded.

 Relief efforts are ongoing, with government officials, including State Revenue Minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy and Agriculture Minister Tummala Nageswara Rao, visiting affected areas to assess the damage and coordinate aid. Twenty SDRF and 19 NDRF teams are engaged in relief and rescue operations.

 The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecasted more heavy rain in Adilabad, Komaram Bheem Asifabad, Nirmal, Nizamabad, Jagtial, Sangareddy, Medak, Kamareddy districts till 8.30 am on September 3.
The Supreme Court on Monday strongly criticized the practice of 'bulldozer justice,' raising concerns about how a house can be demolished solely because it belongs to someone accused or even convicted of a crime. The court suggested the need for nationwide guidelines to be established before any home is demolished.

The Supreme Court's observation came in response to Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the central government, who argued that houses are being demolished only when the law is violated. "We take action solely in cases of municipal law violations," he stated.

Nobody should exploit loopholes: SC directs "Even if he is a convict, still it can't be done without following the procedure as prescribed by law," a bench of Justices B R Gavai and K V Viswanathan said on pleas against demolition action.

Justice KV Viswanathan, who emphasized that "nobody should exploit loopholes," noted that a "father may have a recalcitrant son, but if house is demolished on this ground...this is not the way to go about it".

However, the apex court made it clear that it will not protect any unauthorised constructions.

"We propose to lay down certain guidelines on a pan-India basis so that the concern with regard to the issues raised are taken care of," the bench said.

It posted the matter for hearing on September 17.

SP chief accuses BJP of moving bulldozer on martyr's memorial Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Sunday claimed the "BJP is now moving bulldozers" even on the memorials of martyrs in Uttar Pradesh, a charge that was rubbished by a state minister and district administration.

His wife Dimple Yadav, Lok Sabha from Mainpuri, said martyrs were being insulted to "benefit the BJP land mafia".

Their remarks came over an incident in Mainpuri district's Kishni tehsil where the boundary wall of a memorial built to honour Kargil martyr Munish Yadav was allegedly demolished by officials last week.

Tourism and Culture Minister Jayveer Singh said the allegations levelled by the SP leaders were "baseless" and "devoid of any fact".
On Monday, the Delhi High Court rejected Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwals bid to quash the defamation case filed against him and other Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders. The case centers around remarks allegedly made by Delhi CM Kejriwal and other AAP leaders about the alleged deletion of 30 lakh voters' names from the electoral rolls in Delhi.

Justice Anoop Kumar Mendiratta dismissed the AAP leaders plea challenging the defamation proceedings, which were originally upheld by a sessions court following a magisterial court's decision to summon them.

Also Read | ED arrests AAP MLA Amanatullah Khan from his residence in Delhis Okhla

The high court, which had previously stayed the proceedings on February 28, 2020, has now vacated the interim order, directing the parties to appear before the trial court on October 3.

The high court, while pronouncing its order, said the summoning order of the trial court does not call for any interference.

The AAP leaders had sought the quashing of the magisterial court's March 15, 2019 and sessions court's January 28, 2020 orders.

Also Read | Delhi excise scam case: SC grants bail to former AAP media incharge Vijay Nair

What is AAP, Arvind Kejriwal accused of? The defamation complaint was brought forward by BJP leader Rajeev Babbar, who alleged that Arvind Kejriwal and three other AAP leadersformer Rajya Sabha member Sushil Kumar Gupta, and party leaders Manoj Kumar and Atishimade damaging statements during a December 2018 press conference.

According to Babbar, the AAP leaders accused the BJP of orchestrating the alleged removal of 30 lakh voters' names from the electoral rolls, particularly targeting individuals from Baniya, Poorvanchali, and Muslim communities.

Babbars complaint asserts that these allegations were intended to harm the BJPs reputation.

Also Read | AAP accuses BJP of kidnapping its councillor who switched party 3 days ago

What AAP said? The AAP leaders, in their plea, contended that the trial court and the sessions court had misinterpreted the facts and that no defamation had occurred. They argued that the statements in question did not specifically target Babbar or his party.
Amid the ongoing row over sexual exploitation in the Malayalam film industry, another actor, Charmila, has accused a film producer of allegedly sexually assaulting her around 27 years ago.

According to a report by CNN-News 18, Charmila said: I had a traumatic experience in the Malayalam film industry. It was during the shoot of Arjunan Pillayum Anchu Makkalum. We had to shoot a song in Pollachi in Tamil Nadu. After the three-day shoot wrapped up, the production manager asked me to meet the producer before leaving. I asked my assistants to come along as I dont go alone anywhere.

However, the assistants were stopped by the manager from going along with her, but she still took her assistants along, Charmila added.

When I went into the producers room, seven to eight of them were drinking. One of them pounced on my assistant, trying to take her saree off and the other moved towards me. My male assistant tried to stop him, and he was beaten, she further said.

Meanwhile, another guy grabbed my hand. I bit him and ran outside the hotel and asked for help. A group of autorickshaw guys came to my rescue. With their help, I called my father who reached out to Kalaignars wife Rajathi Ammal and the police arrived, the report quoted Charmila as saying.

The Malayalam actor claimed that she had lost 28 films because she refused to adjust, a code word to ask for sex in return for work in films.

Narrating another incident, she said: Malayalam director Hariharan met me along with actor Vishnu. We had coffee, discussed the script and he (Hariharan) sent me off in a nice way. Later, he called Vishnu and asked him to tell me to adjust". Vishnu told Hariharan that I won't adjust" and both of us lost the movie offer.

Praising theTamil film industry, Charmila said that it is better and the Nadigar Sangam provides a safe environment for women artistes.
Delhi excise scam case: The Supreme Court of India (SC), has on September 2, granted bail to former Aam Admi Party's (AAP) media incharge Vijay Nair in the alleged Delhi excise scam case.

A Bench of Justices Hrishikesh Roy and SVN Bhatti said that the Enforcement Directorate has not been able to complete trial on time despite its assurances to the Court and around 350 witnesses have to be examined, according to a report in Bar and Bench.

"When the case of Manish Sisodia was taken by this court, the assurance was given by ED that trial would be concluded within 6 to 8 months but as can be seen that trial is yet to commence. While assurance was given by ED on October 30, 2023 on early conclusion of trial within 6 to 8 months, it is seen that as many as 40 persons have been arrayed as accused. The prosecution seeks to examine around 350 witnesses," the Court observed, as reported by Bar and Bench.

Nair's bail comes less than a week after the Supreme Court granted bail to Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) MLC K Kavitha in the Delhi excise policy case. The SC reprimanded the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the ED over the nature of the probe they have conducted in the case.

The Court has already granted bail to AAP leaders Sanjay Singh and Manish Sisodia, apart from Kavitha in the case. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, however, continues to be in jail in the case.

The Court further noted that Nair has been in custody for 23 months and that trial cannot become a punishment. "In the case at hand, the petitioner is in custody for 23 months and his incarceration as undertrial cannot be a mode of punishment without trial being commenced. The universal rule of bail being rule and jail being exception will be defeated if the petitoner is kept incarcerated without trial being started," the Court stated.
At least ten people have been feared dead after torrential rainfall wreaked havoc in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh over the past two days. Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to two chief ministers, Chandrababu Naidu of Andhra Pradesh and A Revanth Reddy of Telangana, over call and assured full assistance from the Centre.

More than 100 trains have been cancelled, and multiple trains have been diverted due to waterlogging over tracks at several locations in the state. As heavy rainfall continues to batter several parts of the two states, here are the top ten updates on Telangana and Andhra Pradesh rainfall.

Telangana, Andhra Pradesh floods | Top 10 updates -At least ten more people lost their lives due to flooding and waterlogging in several areas of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh on Sunday. Massive disruptions to road and rail traffic were reported on September 1.

Also Read | Hyderabad bound IndiGo flight diverted to Nagpur due to bomb threat

-Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah telephonically conversed with Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu and took stock of the situation. PM Modi also assured the CMs of the two states full help and assistance from the Centre.

-To avoid any untoward incident amid a severe rainfall warning for Monday and the coming days, the Hyderabad district has declared a school holiday on Monday, September 2, reported PTI. Meanwhile, District Collectors have been ordered to announce a holiday on Monday in their areas for educational institutions based on the local weather conditions.

Also Read | Five workers hospitalised after chemical powder bag breaks in Andhra Pradesh

-Damage due to heavy downpours led to the cancellation of as many as 140 trains on Sunday. Four trains were partially cancelled, and 97 were diverted due to heavy rains and waterlogging over tracks at multiple locations on the South Central Railway network, reported PTI, citing an SCR official.

-According to the South Central Railway (SCR) bulletin, the list of cancelled trains included 12669 MGR Chennai Central to Chhapra, 12670 Chhapra-MGR Chennai Central, 12615 MGR Chennai Central-New Delhi, and 12616 New Delhi-MGR Chennai Central.

-Family members of the stranded passengers can contact these helpline numbers: Hyderabad-27781500, Warangal-2782751, Kazipet-27782660 and Khamman-2782885.

Also Read | All schools to remain closed in Hyderabad on Sept 2 amid rainfall

-Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy held an emergency review meeting in the wake of heavy rainfall in the state. Nine persons lost their lives in various parts of the state in separate rain-related incidents, whereas three persons were also feared washed away in Mahabubabad and Khammam districts.

-Twenty-six National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams are being deployed for flood relief and rescue operations in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, reported PTI citing officials on Monday. Twelve NDRF teams have already been deployed in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. Whereas, fourteen are being dispatched.

-Over 2.7 lakh lives were affected after parts of Vijaywada city in Andhra Pradesh were severely flooded due to heavy rainfall on Sunday. Swollen rivulets and flood water inflows disrupted normal life in the city.

-"Due to Budameru breaches, floodwaters are coming into Vijayawada. As a result, all of this place has been submerged. It is very sad," Andhra Pradesh CM Naidu said, addressing a press conference at NTR district collectorate, and added that floodwaters are expected to rise in the coming hours.

-Visuals from Vijayawada showed commuters facing neck-deep rainwaters. Many vehicles were also seen submerged in the floodwaters.
This week kicks off with a series of major events that are expected to shape global and regional dynamics. Israel faces a national strike amidst a hostage crisis, while U.S. leaders ramp up their campaign efforts on Labour Day. In Asia, South Africa's president embarks on a state visit to China, and India's West Bengal Assembly holds a special session to pass critical legislation.

Gala Precision Engineering IPO to open today Gala Precision Engineering IPO: The mainboard initial public offering (IPO) of precision components manufacturer Gala Precision Engineering Limited will open for subscription on Monday, September 2.

India' manufacturing PMI data to be announced today

India is set to release its Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) on September 2.

West Bengal to pass Anti-rape Bill in a special session on September 2 The West Bengal government has called a special session of the state Assembly on September 2 to pass the Anti-rape Bill. The Bill came in the wake of the rape and murder of a post-graduate trainee doctor at the state-run RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata.

Vedanta board to consider third interim dividend for FY25 on September 2 Vedanta Ltd announced on Wednesday, August 28, that its board will meet next week to consider and approve the third interim dividend for the current financial year (2024-25). The board meeting is scheduled for September 2, and the record date for the dividend is fixed as September 10, 2024.

Israel Union calls for Nationwide strike amid hostage crisis In Israel, widespread protests are erupting as anger mounts against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu following the recovery of six hostages' bodies from Gaza. In response, the Histadrut, Israels largest and most influential trade union, has announced a nationwide general strike, demanding decisive action from the government. This strike is seen as a powerful move to pressure the administration to address the ongoing hostage crisis.

Biden and Harris Campaign in Pittsburgh on Labour Day U.S. President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris are set to visit Pittsburgh today as part of their Labour Day campaign efforts. The visit is part of a broader strategy targeting key battleground states. Labour Day, a significant federal holiday in the United States, will see millions of Americans celebrating with various traditional activities, marking the unofficial end of summer.
Operation Bhediya update: A three-year-old girl was killed, and two women were injured in a wolf attack in Uttar Pradesh's Bahraich. Another similar attack was reported from Tepra village in the state.

Operation Bhediya, introduced by the state government to control the ongoing wolf menace and catch the wolves, is underway. While drone visuals from Bahraich showed four wolves were caught, two were still on the loose.

In a separate incident, late last night, a seven-year-old boy and a woman from the Barbigha Hardi area were also attacked by wolves, according to ANI reports.

Monika Rani, the district magistrate of Bahraich, said that the wolf menace resumes within five to six days. The wolf starts its activity after 5-6 days. This is a different village. The biggest hurdle in this operation is every time a new village is marked. The Forest Department is doing its best to catch the wolves, the DM said quoting ANI.

According to a LiveMint report, man-eater wolves have allegedly killed around eight people, including six children and one woman, in the past one and a half months. The wolves have left more than 25 people injured in the Bahraich area while causing sleepless nights for 50,000 people residing in these areas.

Operation Bhediya On Sunday, Chief Forest Conservator (central zone) Renu Singh appealed to the people to sleep indoors and walk together in groups.

It is my strong appeal to the people that they sleep indoors. The people who were attacked earlier by the wolves were sleeping outside. Animals will not change their habits, but we can be a little more cautious, Renu Singh was quoted as saying by ANI.
The special session of West Bengal Assembly to pass a Bill proposing capital punishment for convicts in rape and murder cases will commence today, September 2. The Bill came in the wake of the rape and murder of a post-graduate trainee doctor at the state-run RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata.

The proposal to hold this special session was cleared on August 28. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had announced that an amendment to existing laws will be passed in the state assembly in the session to ensure capital punishment for convicted rapists.

The Bill would be tabled for discussion and passage on Tuesday, September 3, the second day of the special session, Assembly Speaker Biman Banerjee told news agency PTI.

Speaking at the Trinamool Congress Chhatra Parishad's foundation day rally on August 28, 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.

Mamata Banerjee- led West Bengal government and the police have come under fire over the incident which was followed by nationwide protests.

The police had recovered the body of the woman's postgraduate trainee doctor from the seminar hall of the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital on August 9.

The current provisions of justice and punishment in the BNS are long drawn. We want to complete that process in a time-bound manner, West Bengal minister Sovandeb Chattopadhyay told PTI, adding that the Bill, once passed, would be sent to the Governor for his assent.

The monsoon session of the West Bengal assembly was prorogued on August 5.

Since the session was prorogued and not adjourned sine die, we do not need the Governor's permission to reconvene the House, Chattopadhyay said.
(Bloomberg) -- Sabrina Carpenter and Travis Scott are locked in a bare-knuckles fight to claim the top spot on Billboards weekly album charts, prompting an unusual delay in announcing the winner.

Luminate, the music industrys main data provider in the US, includes sales between Friday, when new music is released, and the following Thursday. Scott had the best-selling album of the week as of Saturday morning, according to Luminate data obtained by Bloomberg. But by Monday morning Carpenter had overtaken him, according to a person familiar with the matter.

Luminate has delayed the release of the winner, which is usually published through Penske Media Corp.s Billboard on Sunday, said the person, who declined to be identified because the data is private. Luminate continues to receive sales updates from different providers once the week is over, so the daily numbers are incomplete and subject to change.

A spokesperson for Penske Media didnt immediately respond to a request for comment on the contest.

Crowning Week

This is supposed to be the crowning week of Carpenters career. The Disney Channel ingenue turned pop star was expected to claim her first No. 1 album in six tries with Short n Sweet, which she released Aug. 23. Her work has dominated the song charts music of the year, led by the unofficial song of summer, Espresso. She currently has three songs in Spotifys global top 10.

But Scott, the popular Houston rapper, re-released his mixtape Days Before Rodeo on the same day as Short n Sweet in celebration of the records 10th anniversary. The 12-track mixtape, which was originally released in August 2014, was made available to all major platforms for the first time. Scott sold a deluxe version featuring extra songs from the period on his website. The deluxe version sold so well that by the middle of last week the two acts were in competition to debut at No. 1.

As Scott and Carpenter vied for the top spot, both artists began releasing new versions of their albums with different bonus tracks to boost the numbers. Carpenter released a couple versions with one additional track as well as one with a demo version of her song Taste, while Scott released a live version and a version with a type of remixing known as chopped and screwed.

Gaming the Charts

While having the No. 1 album is largely a symbolic achievement, artists have long competed for the top spot. They have released different versions and bundled albums with concert tickets and merchandise. Luminate and Billboard have at times had to change the rules to prevent people from gaming the charts.

Scott topped fellow rapper Nicki Minaj in 2018 when both artists bundled their albums with concert tickets to boost sales. Minaj later complained about this, and Billboard eventually stopped counting album bundles in its sales figures. Carpenter nodded at the controversy this past week, tweeting this ones for nicki when she released one of her digital versions.

Carpenter has been boosted throughout the year by Taylor Swift, this years queen of chart management. Swifts latest album, The Tortured Poets Department, debuted atop the charts on its release and stayed there for 12 consecutive weeks.

When Swift faced a fresh threat for the top spot, she often released a new version to remain there. She released three new editions of the album one day before Billie Eilish released her new record, Hit Me Hard and Soft. Eilish had the biggest debut week of her career but finished behind Swift. Swift restocked some CD variants of her album, including a signed edition, just in time for Zach Bryans latest record.

Most of these versions differ from the original only slightly, but devoted fans of artists buy up different copies as a way of supporting their favorite acts. Thats a big reason Korean pop groups sell so many physical copies of their albums while digital consumption is fairly low, and how Swift has remained atop the charts for most of the year when her highest-ranking song at the moment is from an album released in 2019.

More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com
#BoycottBollywood is trending on social media, again! This time the centre of the controversy is Anubhav Sinha's new Netflix series IC814.

Released on 29 August 2024, the series is based on the 1999 Kandahar Hijack. It stars big names from Bollywood, including Vijay Varma, Naseeruddin Shah, Pankaj Kapoor, Manoj Pahwa, Kumud Mishra and Arvind Swamy.

But why is the internet demanding its boycott? Netizens have accused that the director of the series of white washing terrorism and legitimising the criminal intent of terrorists who hijacked the Indian Airlines' flight in December of 1999.

The Internet is mostly upset that Sinha furthered the non-Muslim names of the Pakistani hijackers in his series, and claimed it was Hinduphobic.

Some users even dubbed him as a part of the Tukde Tukde Gang.

BJP IT cell chief Amit Malviya has also called out Anubhav Sinha for furthering non-Muslim names of the hijackers.

'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.

Call for Bollywood Boycott: This is Anubhav Sinha - director of IC814 which depicts hijackers Ibrahim, Shahid etc as Bhola & Shankar. He is a part of the Tukde Tukde Gang - see here in the pic protesting against implementation of CAA at Gateway of India without even knowing what CAA was. Never Forgive, Never Forget, a user said, sharing a picture of Sinha.

Names of IC814 Hijackers changed to Shankar & Bhola by @anubhavsinha This is how Bollywood let the TERRORISTS WIN, a user said.

Amid a call for Boycott Bollywood, #BoycottNetflix has also picked up on X, with a few users calling the Bollywood Urduwood.

These Urduwood people have always made fun of Hindu Gods. They will never make fun of any other religion. It is a matter of shame that Hindus themselves have made these Urduwood people stars. All the Bollywood stars change their colors according to the times like a chameleon #BoycottBollywood #BoycottNetflix, a user posted.

Why Terrorists Names as Hindu Shankar and Bhola in Movie Anubhav Sinha? Do you want to say that Hindus are terrorists and the Muslims who carried out the terrorist attack were innocent? another added.

Also Read | Violence against women to be treated same way as terrorism in UK

"This is how the liberals whitewash the concept that terrorism has no religion. This Bollywood always makes fun of Hinduism #BoycottBollywood. Why is Anubhav Sinha, who's behind the new Netflix web series "IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack," altering the facts surrounding this critical event in history?," a user posted, adding, "@NetflixIndia, how can you air something so sensitive without thorough due diligence? Are you not concerned about the impact of distorting such a significant historic event? And @anubhavsinha, what are you thinking? what was the pressure? Its alarming that the names of the IC 814 hijackers have been changed to "Shankar" and "Bhola" in the series."

One user also tagged the Home Ministry, NIA, PMO and other central government agencies, and requested an urgent investigation into the matter.

Allegations are surfacing that Anubhav Sinha is whitewashing the image of the real hijackers, presenting skewed data and distorted facts. Lets be clear: the actual hijackers of IC-814 were identified as Ibrahim Akhtar (Bahawalpur), Shahid Akhtar Sayeed, Sunny Ahmed Qazi, Zahoor Mistry (all from Karachi), and Shakir (Sukkur) who came through Nepal, HuM's contact-hub for attacks on India, and boarded the plane at Kathmandu Airport, the user posted.

"So why does the series rename two of them as "Shankar" and "Bhola"? Is there a hidden agenda? Has any funding influenced this portrayal? A thorough investigation is urgently needed. @HMOIndia @MIB_India @PMOIndia @NIA_India @PIB_India, please take note and initiate an investigation into this distortion of facts," he added.

But the real question is, did Anubhav Sinha really change the names of the hijackers to hide their religion? No, Anubhav Sinha did not change names of the Muslim hijackers to "Shankar" and "Bhola" to hide their Muslim identities and show them as Hindus.

According to a BOOM report, citing the 6 January 2000 report of Union Home Ministry, "Shankar" and "Bhola" were the actual code names the hijackers used to address each other during the hijacking. Other code names used were Chief, Doctor and Burger.
As summer ends, children in the UK return to school. This means Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis are also going back to school.

Before this, the grandchildren of King Charles and children of Prince William and Kate Middleton spent time at their Norfolk residence, Anmer Hall and Balmoral.

Jennie Bond, a former BBC royal correspondent, suggests that Kate Middleton might have mixed feelings about the new school term starting while she undergoes cancer treatment. Bond mentions that, like many mothers, the Princess of Wales may feel torn about the end of the holidays, according to OK!.

Managing three children daily, especially while recovering from cancer treatment, has likely been challenging in recent weeks. However, the few photos of her and William show them appearing calm and content, according to Bond. They have likely enjoyed plenty of fun and quality family moments in Norfolk and Balmoral.

Also Read | Kate Middleton is not what Meghan Markle claimed: Royal biographer

Jennie tells the publication that, as George, Charlotte and Louis return to their school routine, Kate will have time for herself. The early mornings, school preparations and homework will allow Kate to relax without the pressure of being with her children all the time. It will also enable her to focus on her ongoing projects and campaigns that are important to her, Jennie added.

It will give Catherine the chance to rest quietly when she needs it without feeling guilty that shes not with the children, Bond said.

Kate Middletons cancer diagnosis In March, Kate shared that she was battling cancer. She explained in a video that after having abdominal surgery in January, tests showed cancer, leading her to start preventative chemotherapy. The update came at a time when King Charles was also diagnosed with cancer.
Hyderabad weather today: The Hyderabad Traffic Police has issued an advisory on social media asking IT and IT service companies to allow employees to work from home instead of travelling to their offices amid the heavy rainfall in the state.

In a post on the social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter), the D Joel Davis, IPS, Joint Commissioner Cyderabad Traffic Police stated, In view of continuous rainfall and the red alert issued by the India Meteorological Department (IMD), I request all IT & ITES companies to encourage work from home on 02.09.2024 (Monday).

The safety and well-being of employees are of utmost importance, and I believe that allowing them to work from home would minimise the risks associated with commuting during this weather. Additionally, this measure would also help reduce traffic congestion and ensure that emergency services are not hindered, he added.

All Schools to Remain Closed Meanwhile, all primary and secondary schools in Hyderabad will remain closed today (September 2) due to heavy rainfall in Telangana, officials said on Sunday (September 1), ANI reported.

The Hyderabad district collector announced the closure as a precautionary measure to ensure the safety of students.

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.

Flood Situation in Khammam In Khammam, Deputy Chief Minister Bhatti Vikramarka Mallu visited flood-affected areas and relief shelters in his constituency, specifically Vagavedu Village, Madhira Mandal, during the early hours. He also directed officials to make necessary arrangements for flood victims.

Chief Minister Revanth Reddy also instructed all government department officials to be on high alert.

The water flow of Hussain Sagar Lake in Hyderabad has increased, the ANI report said.

Telangana Rains Forecast According to the latest weather update from Telangana, Dr K Nagaratnam, Director of the Hyderabad Meteorological Centre, said the state is likely to experience light to moderate rainfall over the next three days.

Red warnings have been issued for today and tomorrow in Telangana. East and Northeast districts are under red warnings, while north and south districts have been issued orange warnings for the same period. All districts are under heavy rainfall warnings. GHMC is expected to see moderate to heavy rains at times. Hyderabad is under an orange warning for today and tomorrow, he said.

As per the IMD, the Southwest monsoon has been active over Telangana, adding that very heavy rainfall occurred at isolated places in Narayanpet and heavy rainfall occurred at most places in Mahabubabad, a few places in Warangal, and isolated places in B. Kothagudem, Khammam, Mahabubnagar, Mulugu, Nagarkurnool, Suryapet, and Wanaparthy Districts of Telangana.
After six Israeli hostages were found shot dead in a Gaza tunnel at the weekend, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu did something he hadnt done in 11 months of war  he apologized to the bereaved families.

I want to tell you how sorry I am and ask for forgiveness for not being able to bring Sasha back alive, he told the parents of Alexander Lobanov in the first of a series of such phone calls.

The gesture was among signs the discovery may prove to be a turning point in Israels long-running conflict with Hamas, after several months of inconclusive cease-fire negotiations. Hundreds of thousands of Israelis protested on Sunday to demand a truce with the Iran-backed group, while the main trade union called a strike that temporarily shut down banks, shopping malls and even the main airport on Monday morning.

Netanyahu realized that a line had been crossed, wrote commentator Yoav Limor in the Israel Hayom newspaper, a reference to the sense among many Israelis that the government didnt do enough to save the hostages. As of yesterday, Israel is not the same country.

What that means for Netanyahus stance on the war remains to be seen. On Monday night, he gave a defiant press conference, saying Israel will not give up control of the border area between Gaza and Egypt, the so-called Philadelphi corridor, as Hamas has demanded.

Israels control of the area is key to defeating Hamas, returning hostages and ensuring Gaza doesnt pose a threat in the future, he said. He added, If we leave, we wont go back, citing immense international pressure that would be exerted on Israel.

Through that corridor, he said, Hamas has imported tons of arms that it has used against Israel. That pathway must be permanently controlled by Israel, he said.

Many argue US President Joe Bidens administration should use the moment to press both Israel and Hamas to finally reach an agreement. The Washington Post reported on Monday that the US, alongside other international brokers Qatar and Egypt, is preparing a take-it-or-leave-it final deal.

Were very close to tabling a proposal, Biden told reporters at the White House on Monday. Asked if Netanyahu is doing enough to secure the hostages, he answered simply no.

Israel has waged its campaign in Gaza ever since thousands of Hamas operatives swarmed into the south of the country on Oct. 7, killing 1,200 people and abducting 250. In that time the government has pursued two often contradictory goals: destroy the groups military and political infrastructure and bring the hostages back alive.

For the duration of the conflict  in which more than 40,000 Palestinians have been killed, according to health officials in Hamas-run Gaza  Israel assumed Hamas was protecting hostages to trade for concessions, such as the freeing of Palestinian prisoners. The discovery of the dead abductees casts doubt on that thesis.

What we see in Hamas now, after 11 months of war, is a collapse of the command structure, said Uzi Rabi, a senior researcher on Palestinian issues at Tel Aviv University. This means that Israels policy of increased military pressure, which you could argue was working, may no longer serve the purpose. Its a double-edged sword, and Netanyahu may have to shift policy.

Hostages will go back to their families in coffins if Netanyahu keeps insisting on securing their release through military pressure, Abu Obaida, a spokesman for Hamass armed wing, said on his Telegram channel.

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant has been arguing that the country should accept a cease-fire proposal put forward by the US. First made public by Biden at the end of May, it calls for a three-stage process starting with the freeing of hostages in exchange for a withdrawal of Israeli troops.

Netanyahus own position has moved around. Most recently, hes come down on the side of his right-wing coalition partners, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, who say Israel mustnt stop fighting Hamas even for a day until total victory is achieved. The release of hostages, they say, will follow.

Israeli public opinion, once on their side, has shifted. A monthly poll asking whether a hostage deal should be prioritized over destroying Hamas showed 72% in favor in July, up from 67% in June and 46% in May.

Israeli media reports on the cease-fire negotiations showed that some of those found dead were on the list of hostages due to be exchanged. That made their deaths more painful for families and friends, and a key element of Sundays protests was that Israel failed them.

Our Hands Arent Clean of Their Blood, ran a front-page headline in the centrist Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper on Monday.

Netanyahus right-wing coalition partners retain a degree of support, including among a small number of families of those still held in Gaza. They are members of a group called the Tikva Forum, which opposes compromise with Hamas and called on Israelis not to join demonstrations or strikes. Hamas is designated a terrorist organization by the US.

The mother of one of those found dead on Sunday said on the radio that he would not be willing to have one terrorist released for him.

Micah Goodman, a public intellectual of moderate political leanings, wrote in Israel Hayom that since the military has weakened Hamas, the strategic cost of a hostage deal is much lower than earlier in the conflict. Its vital to find a way to reach an agreement, he said, to heal the nation.

The two war objectives can be translated into two moral and Jewish aspirations: to take Hamas apart and to put Israel back together, he said.

With assistance from Kate Queram, Thomas Hall and Marissa Newman.
Skirmishes between Chinese and Philippine ships in recent days have opened a new flashpoint in the South China Sea, shortly after the two nations struck a deal to ease tensions at another hot spot.

At the center of the latest clashes is Sabina Shoal, a coral atoll in the contested Spratly islands where the Philippines had deployed one of its biggest coast guard vessels since mid-April, a move China has described as illegal. Sabina is closer to the Philippine coast compared to the earlier flashpoint  the Second Thomas Shoal, giving Manila cause for concern.

For Beijing, which has vast claims over the South China Sea, the worry is that the Philippines will establish permanent presence in Sabina Shoal just like what it did in the Second Thomas Shoal in 1999. Decades ago, Manila grounded a World War II-era ship and turned it into a permanently-manned military outpost.

The latest ramp-up in hostilities risks undermining a pact in July to ease tensions in the Second Thomas Shoal and shows the difficulty in dialing down the longstanding dispute over the contested seas. On Saturday, Philippines and Chinese coast guard ships collided near Sabina Shoal with both countries trading blame.

The escalation in Sabina Shoal was due to the long-time presence of the Philippine coast guard vessel and its intention to occupy the place, Chinas Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said at a regular briefing on Monday, reiterating calls for Manila to remove the coast guard ship  the BRP Teresa Magbanua.

Manila showed footage of one of its vessel sustaining a huge hole after it was deliberately rammed three times by Chinese ships. The government said it had conveyed displeasure to Beijing over the clash.

We were surprised by this incident, Manilas top diplomat Enrique Manalo told reporters on Monday. China is raising tensions over what was basically just innocent movement by a Philippine vessel, he added.

Beijing, for its part, said Monday that it was the Philippine coast guard vessel that moved in an unprofessional and dangerous way and caused a collision.

When Manila deployed the BRP Teresa Magbanua to Sabina Shoal more than four months ago, it said the move was meant to deter China from building on the shoal, similar to what Beijing has done in other areas to bolster its expansive claims over the key waterway.

Tensions in Sabina Shoal show the expansion of friction in the South China Sea, said Ja Ian Chong, an associate professor of political science at the National University of Singapore.

It appears that the PRC would like to demonstrate that it can press its claims elsewhere, not just near Second Thomas Shoal which was the center of attention for a while, he said. Perhaps the thinking in Beijing is that the Philippines would be less prepared to defend its claims on more locations.

The Southeast Asian nation, which has substantially reinforced the crumbling World War II-era ship in Second Thomas Shoal, said Saturday that its coast guard vessel will continue to operate in South China Sea.

We will not succumb to acts of harassment and aggressive behavior, the Philippines National Maritime Council said in a statement.

With assistance from Colum Murphy.
Israel-Gaza war: While there is no end in sight to Israel's military campaign in Gaza, which has claimed thousands of civilian lives and displaced more than 90 per cent of the population there, pressure is building up on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in his own country to reach a ceasefire deal with the Hamas militant group and bring home surviving hostages.

On Monday, a nationwide strike had been launched to push for a hostage deal between PM Netanyahu and the Hamas militants. The Israeli labour union Histadrut had threatened to shut down the entire economy of Israel, even though the Tel Aviv Labor Court ruled that the nationwide general strike must end earlier than planned.

Also Read | Israelis go on strike amid fury over failure to secure hostage deal

The Hostage and Missing Families Forum urged protesters to remain active and pressure Prime Minister Netanyahu for a hostage and ceasefire agreement.

Take it or Leave it deal US officials emphasised the increased urgency of President Joe Bidens prolonged efforts to secure a cease-fire and hostage-release agreement after Israeli forces discovered the bodies of six hostages, including Israeli-American Hersh Goldberg-Polin, according to The Washington Post.

The United States has been negotiating with Egypt and Qatar to finalise a take it or leave it deal, which is expected to be presented to the parties in the coming weeks. According to a senior administration official, if the proposed deal is rejected by both sides, it could signify the end of American-led negotiations.

Israel unhappy with Netanyahu I dont see the remorse, I dont see the responsibility, I dont see the accountability of this government,  said Gili Roman to BBC. Roman's two family members were taken hostage by Hamas in the 7 October attacks.

Romans sister, Yarden Roman-Gat, was released in Novembers hostage and prisoner swap deal, but Yardens sister-in-law, Carmel Gat, was one of the six hostages whose bodies were recovered from Gaza by the Israeli military over the weekend.

More protests in Israel The Hostages and Missing Families Forum, an organisation representing numerous relatives of the abductees, has announced several protests, including one at the residence of Prime Minister Netanyahu, according to The Guardian.

Hersh Goldberg Polin, 5 other Hamas hostages found dead Israels military recovered the bodies of six hostages killed in Gaza this weekend. Three of the hostages killed in Gaza  including Israeli-American Hersh Goldberg-Polin  had been expected to be released in a ceasefire deal, according to US and Israeli officials.

Harsh Goldberg-Polin, who was among the hundreds of young people attending the Nova music festival in southern Israel on October 7, was forced to hide from Hamas in a bomb shelter with his friends.
Vice President Kamala Harris will say United States Steel Corp. should remain domestically owned and operated during a visit to Pittsburgh on Monday, the latest headwind to the proposed sale of the company to Nippon Steel Corp.

Harris will make the comment during a Labor Day event with unions in Pittsburgh, home to both US Steel and the United Steelworkers union, which has opposed the sale, an official familiar with her plans said. Harris will stress a commitment to supporting American steel workers, the official said.

The statement is her first on the proposed deal, and aligns with the position of President Joe Biden, who has stopped short of outright blocking it as a security review proceeds. GOP candidate and former President Donald Trump has also called for the transaction to be blocked.

Its not clear whether a decision on the takeover will land on Bidens desk or that of his successor  or even if it will proceed at all. Still, Harris comments add to the political maelstrom around the $14.1 billion deal  rooted in Pennsylvania, one of the elections foremost battlegrounds. The states two senators have been among the most vocal in opposing the sale, as has Senator JD Vance of neighboring Ohio, who is Trumps running-mate.

Nippon Steel announced last week an additional $1.3 billion in investments in US Steels unionized mills to try and win over the union, which has voiced concerns about longer-term prospects for workers once the current labor agreement expires in 2026.

Unwavering Commitment

Responding to reports of the Harris campaigns planned announcement, US Steel highlighted that pledge and emphasized that it remains committed to the deal.

Nippon Steels promise to invest is evidence of its unwavering commitment to U S Steel and all of our stakeholders, not only to complete the transaction but also to protect and grow the company, Chief Executive Officer David Burritt said in a written statement Monday. US Steel will be a much stronger company as a result of the transaction and these investments.

US Steel shares surged when Nippons bid was announced in December, before giving up much of those gains when Trump and Biden voiced opposition. The stock then outperformed peers as Biden withdrew from the electoral race, on bets a Harris-led ticket may put up fewer obstacles for getting the deal done. Trading was closed Monday for a US public holiday.

Debate over the takeover has intensified in the run-up to the November vote, though theres little sign that the deal will conclude before then. It remains under review by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States, a panel chaired by the Treasury Secretary that more frequently targets US adversaries like China. Bidens administration has deferred to that ongoing review so far.

Harris will visit Michigan on Monday for a Labor Day event, before traveling to Pittsburgh with Biden  their first joint campaign event since she became the nominee. They will attend an event at a union hall with leaders from many of the countrys major labor groups, including the United Steelworkers.

With assistance from James Attwood.
TEL AVIVIsraels largest labor union led a nationwide strike on Monday in protest over the governments failure to secure a hostage-release deal, after the killing by Hamas of six hostages in captivity spurred one of the largest mass demonstrations since the Oct. 7 attack that started the war in Gaza.

Furious at the government of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for failing to agree to a deal that could have saved the hostages, many Israelis said they felt the countrys leaders had condemned hostages taken by Hamas to a certain death.

Tens of thousands of Israelis marched in the streets on Sunday night in impromptu protests across the country, and four of the six hostages whose bodies were recovered on Sunday were laid to rest. The funeral of American-Israeli Hersh Goldberg-Polin, who was among those killed, is expected to draw large crowds on Monday afternoon. The hostages, who were found by the Israeli military in an underground tunnel in Rafah, were likely shot to death 48-72 hours before Israeli forces discovered them, the health ministry said on Sunday.

The nationwide strike has affected schools, government offices, public transportation, hospitals, banks and Ben Gurion International Airport, the countrys main airport. There were also smaller protests in cities around the country on Monday.

Some municipalities refrained from participating in the strike, reflecting the deep divisions among Israelis over the war. Although polls show that most Israelis want a hostage deal in some form, there are still many right-wing Israelis who agree with the governments position that a hostage deal should not happen if it means ending the war against Hamas.

The fury by so many seems unlikely to change the political equations at play. Netanyahus coalition of right-wing, ultranationalist and religious political parties have mostly supported his hard-line stance in negotiations with Hamas. The prime ministers ultranationalist partners have also threatened to topple the government if a hostage deal means ending the war, a move that would lead to snap elections. Polls show that the current governing coalition wouldnt be re-elected if elections happened now.

The disagreement over how to respond to the killing of the hostages has fueled political divisions that predate the current war. Before Oct. 7, Israelis were protesting for months against a plan by Netanyahus government to make sweeping changes to the judicial system. Those protests stopped after Oct. 7 but the hostages deaths have raised concerns that Israel could once again become consumed with infighting amid a devastating war with no clear end in sight.

At the protest in Tel Aviv Sunday night, many waved the same Israeli flags inscribed with the words free in our homeland" that they had burnished during massive anti-government protests last year.

Just like in those anti-government protests, swaths of Israels tech sector have joined the latest demonstrations and are joining in on the strike.

Dozens of major tech firms, including Wix, Monday, Lemonade and Fiverr have joined the strike, along with private companies in Israel including shopping malls and hotels.

Announcing Mondays strike, Arnon Bar-David, the head of Israels largest labor union, the Histadrut, said in a press conference on Sunday that, We are in a downward spiral and keep receiving body bags. Only a strike will shake things up."

Bezalel Smotrich, Israels hard-right finance minister, responded in his own press conference on Sunday, accusing Bar-David of fulfilling the dream of [Yahya] Sinwar," Hamass leader.

Write to Dov Lieber at dov.lieber@wsj.com
When Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni visits New York later this month to receive a global citizenship award, Elon Musk will be the one to hand her the prize.

The Tesla Inc. co-founder and X owner will present Meloni with the Atlantic Councils Global Citizen Award at a ceremony on Sept. 23, according to people familiar with the matter. Previous recipients include Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen.

Musk and Meloni have met on a number of occasions, including at a political festival last December thrown by the prime ministers right-wing Brothers of Italy party. Appearing onstage, Musk discussed Italys demographic crisis  the country has one of the lowest birth rates in Europe  and exhorted the crowd to make more Italians.

As simple as it sounds, if people do not have children there is no new generation, Musk told the audience, echoing a prominent concern of Melonis. The billionaire also warned of the dangers of the woke mind-virus  a favorite talking point  and unchecked migration.

The Atlantic Council event wont be the only meeting this month between Meloni and the worlds richest man. Theyre also scheduling a closed-door conversation to discuss investment opportunities in Italys space and artificial intelligence sectors, the people said.

Italy approved a new regulatory framework in June that grants foreign space companies permission to operate in the country, according to a statement by the minister of industry. Italy expects to generate 7.3 billion of investment in the space sector by 2026.

The controversial tech CEO already has a head start. Italy is among the countries serviced by Starlink, which delivers broadband Internet through a global network of more than 6,000 SpaceX satellites. Both companies are owned by Musk.

Last April, Starlink claimed that Telecom Italia SpA, the countrys largest telecom provider, was obstructing the rollout of its high-speed Internet services.

Representatives for SpaceX declined to comment, as did a spokesperson for the Italian government.
A polio vaccine campaign for children began in the Gaza Strip on Sunday, weeks after a 10-month-old baby was diagnosed there with the paralyzing disease.

Health officials called for a large-scale vaccination program because unsanitary conditions after 11 months of war risk causing a major outbreak. Israel has agreed to partial pauses in the fighting to allow for vaccinations.

The vaccination drive, led by United Nations agencies in collaboration with the Hamas-run health ministry, began in central Gaza. It is set to expand to camps for displaced people in the south in the coming days, with plans to cover northern Gaza next week.

The vaccine being administered is against Type-2 polio, which was declared eradicated in 2015.

Nidal Ghunim, a preventive health doctor, said that Gaza children are usually vaccinated against Type 1 and Type 3, and to a lesser degree take the oral vaccine for Type 2, which hasnt been diagnosed in Gaza for 25 years.

The goal is to reach more than 600,000 children, from newborns to 10-year-olds.

The war caused a severe disruption in the vaccination program, leaving many children and newborns without any form of vaccination as a lack of clean water and the spread of sewage increase disease risks, Ghunim said in an interview.

Doctors Without Borders said Monday it joined the drive by providing logistical and organizational support at five vaccination centers in central Gaza. UNICEF said that more than 85,000 children were inoculated on Sunday.
The families of Israeli hostages whose bodies were recovered from Gaza sobbed as they laid their relatives to rest on Sunday at funerals that featured heartfelt eulogies alongside expressions of frustration with the government.

"Almog, my dear son, how much hope we had, how much we prayed that we would get the chance to see you again, to hug you, to enjoy your smile," Almog Sarusi's mother Nira said at the lectern during her son's funeral in the city of Raanana in central Israel.

"But on October 7 you were neglected," she added, referring to the day Hamas militants attacked southern Israel, seizing her son from the Nova music festival along with 250 other hostages.

She went on to describe "ongoing neglect, every day, every hour, 331 days... You were sacrificed to 'destroy Hamas'."

The October 7 attack resulted in the deaths of 1,205 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on Israeli official figures.

That toll includes Almog Sarusi and five other hostages recovered from a Gaza tunnel on Saturday.

Israeli authorities confirmed their identities on Sunday. The health ministry said they were shot at close range shortly before soldiers found them.

Israel's retaliatory military campaign to destroy Hamas has killed 40,738 people, according to the health ministry in the Hamas-run territory.

The UN says the majority of the dead in Gaza are women and children.

- 'Enough' -

The identification of six new dead hostages on Sunday elicited fresh anger from critics of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who accuse him of not working hard enough to secure a ceasefire deal that would lead to the release of those still being held captive.

Tens of thousands of Israelis took to the streets across the country on Sunday afternoon and evening.

In Jerusalem, protesters holding Israeli flags and signs bearing the faces of hostages shouted "Where are you?!" into loudspeakers directed at the government office building where a cabinet meeting was set to take place.

"We don't know who will be the next family that will get the terrible call," said Eyal Kalderon, cousin of French-Israeli hostage Ofer Kalderon who is still captive.

"Of course it was six young and beautiful people today, and it can be any of the others in the future."

The crowds at funerals and memorial services on Sunday were more subdued.

In Petah Tikva, friends and family of Eden Yerushalmi, whose death was also confirmed on Sunday, cried and caressed her body which was wrapped in a blue-and-white Israeli flag.

In Jerusalem, hundreds of people gathered at a community centre near the synagogue where the family of US-Israeli Hersh Goldberg-Polin, whose death was also announced on Sunday, worships.

Candles were lit in front of signs in Hebrew and English that read "Bring Hersh Home", and many in attendance wept openly as the names of other hostages were read out.

Goldberg-Polin's funeral will take place on Monday in Jerusalem.

Back in Raanana, Nira Sarusi told mourners she hoped no other families would have to go through similar ceremonies.
With only two months until the US elections in November, polls ahead of the Labour Day 2024 weekend show Vice President Kamala Harris holding a narrow lead over Donald Trump in key battleground states.

Former US President and Republican nominee Donald Trump initially made gains against his Democratic challenger, Kamala Harris, in the presidential race. However, according to a report by NBC News, Harris is performing better than Trump in nearly every national survey, even within the margins of error.

According to Pew Research, the margin of error represents how close we can reasonably expect a survey result to fall relative to the true population value.

The latest Wall Street Journal polls show Kamala Harris getting 48 percent votes, while Donald Trump has consistently polled at 47 percent, within the margin of error.

The Wall Street Journal, EPIC-MRA Michigan, and Bloomberg/Morning Consult surveys in Georgia and Michigan all show him at the exact same number. This marks a reversal from the polls seen before Joe Biden's withdrawal.

Also Read | Trump shows dance moves at Moms for Liberty event, netizens ask this

Swing state polls Bloomberg/Morning Consult polls indicate Harris has surpassed Trump, within the margin of error, in Georgia (50 percent), Michigan (49 percent), Nevada (50 percent), and Pennsylvania (51 percent).

In Wisconsin, a key swing state, the Vice President leads Trump by a wider margin of 53 percent.

Arizona and North Carolina, on the other hand, have shown a tight contest between Trump and Harris. This contrasts sharply with Joe Biden's performance during his re-election campaign when he struggled to gain traction in Arizona, Georgia, Nevada, and North Carolina.

Joe Biden was trailing Donald Trump Before Kamala Harris took over as the Democratic candidate, Biden was trailing Trump, much before the US Presidential debate on June 27. Despite narrow margins in the Great Lakes swing states and larger gaps in the Sun Belt, Harris is performing better, and voters see her as a more trusted leader overall.

Also Read | Trump issues statement from Gold Star families defending Arlington Cemetery visit and ripping Harris
The years between 1991 and 2019 were perhaps among the best in human history. Wars seemed like relics except in the case of some African countries. Czechoslovakia broke up into The Czech Republic and Slovakia. Soviet Union split into constituent countries. Yet, we didnt see violence on the scale that happened during India and Israels independence.

Growing western dominance in the wake of the fall of the Berlin Wall, which peaked after the Soviet Unions disintegration in 1991, was behind that phase of global peace.

The new language of neo-capitalism was knocking on our doors and the next three decades were dedicated to stamping out the curse of extreme poverty. It was an extraordinary achievement that a billion souls were lifted from below the poverty line around the globe.

The world did see landmark terror attacks: The attack on World Trade Center in New York that killed 3,000 people and destroyed billions of dollars worth property was chief among them. That same day terrorists also deliberately crashed a hijacked aeroplane into the Pentagon, the US militarys headquarters.

The physical damage in that attack was limited, but the image of invincibility that the US had built around itself took a beating. A seething US and its allies launched a counter-attack in Afghanistan. This was not long after Western experts had returned from Iraq with little proof that the Middle Eastern country had held a stockpile of weapons of mass destruction". So the attacks in Afghanistan based on mere suspicion created an air of mistrust against the West. The US finally got to Osama bin Laden in Pakistan, again raising many questions that were left unanswered during the Iraq invasion.

This was when Russia and China, too, became overbearing. Russia bombed Syria, annexed Crimea, and later attacked Ukraine. China clashed with India in the Galwan Valley. Elsewhere, it questioned Taiwans sovereignty and is making life difficult for the Philippines in the South China Sea.

The disasters unfolding globally are the result of aggressive covetousness. Its not surprising then that the Russia-Ukraine war is in its third year and Israels ruthless pounding of Gaza will enter its second year next month. Globally, more than 50 nations are grappling with internal or external conflicts. Iran was coping with the death of its president when Ismail Haniyeh, the top leader of Hamas, was murdered on its soil. Iran has vowed revenge. Meanwhile, the Israel-Lebanon conflict is intensifying.

The situation is disturbing to those who understand that conflicts impede economic prosperity. Prime Minister Narendra Modis Kyiv and Moscow visits have to be seen in this light. Modi has called on Russian president Vladimir Putin, Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky, and US president Joe Biden to bring the conflicts to an end but none of these leaders has budged. The childish statements Zelensky made shortly after Modis departure clearly show that the latter is more concerned about his image than peace in the region. The same goes for the prime minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu. He has ignored warnings from the US president. The behaviour of these global leaders amid growing conflict reminds one of the months preceding World War II.

How can this death wish be contained?

The UN Security Council can, and should. But the council is now the fiefdom of a few nations. Slovenias president Natasa Pirc Musar rightly said: Why was the United Nations created? To offer peace and security to the whole planet. But this organization has a big problem and this is that the wars are not only fought on the field but also with veto powers inside the security council. In the past 25 years, we have been debating about reforming the United Nations. Today we see that the security council is not operative and that whenever we have certain interests at least three countries are there to use the veto powers. And I think that it is time that we start a discussion about a big reform on veto powers."

Musar isnt alone. Half the global population is in favour of UN reforms. If we want the economic reforms effected over the last decade to sustain, we must reform the UN.

Between depraved expansionism and development, we need to make the right choice.

Shashi Shekhar is editor-in-chief, Hindustan. Views are personal.
When it comes to measuring the impacts of the climate crisis, we tend to fall upon two simple metrics: human fatalities and economic losses. These data points are extremely useful for understanding what we would be exposing ourselves to if we fail to reduce emissions, but they only capture part of the suffering extreme weather and collapsing ecosystems will bring.

Take, for instance, a recent study examining temperature-related mortality. Europes biting cold tends to be deadlier than its heat. From 1991 to 2020, there were about eight times as many cold-related fatalities as those linked to heat. Our warming planet is set to shift that balance across the entire continent.

Heat-related deaths could triple from existing levels by 2100 if temperatures rise by 3 Celsiuswhich the world is on track for under current climate policiesto nearly 129,000 a year from about 44,000 annually.

But the deaths, which will overwhelmingly occur in people over the age of 85, are just a small fraction of the health burden brought on by extreme heat.

Also read: Simple steps to stop people dying from heatwaves

As Madeleine Thomson, head of climate impacts and adaptation at Wellcome, a global charitable foundation supporting health research, said: Extreme heat kills but it also causes serious health harms." These ills wont just affect our elderly, but also the very youngest members of society and everyone else.

Research is highlighting the effects of excess warmth on pregnant women. Growing a new human being is hard work, and the female body undergoes several physiological shifts to accommodate that. These changes put pregnant women at greater risk of heat exhaustion and heat stroke.

Exposure to high ambient temperatures has also been linked to poor health outcomes for both mother and baby, such as increased incidences of miscarriages, stillbirths, preterm births, congenital defects, gestational diabetes, gestational hypertension and pre-eclampsia.

A study in India found that the risk of miscarriage doubled for those women who were exposed to extreme heat through their work. Women in developing countries are particularly vulnerable as theyre more likely to be performing manual labour outside and have less access to cooling than those in more developed nations.

But the implications affect everyone. Studies in high-income countries have shown about a 15% rise in the risk of premature birth and stillbirth during heatwaves.

There may also be long-term effects on babies. A 2024 systematic review of the limited existing research into the health and socioeconomic consequences in later life found that increased heat exposure during pregnancy could be linked to worse educational performances and an increased risk of heart disease and childhood asthma.

The researchers, based at the University of the Witwatersrand in South Africa, also saw connections to diminished mental health, including a greater risk of eating disorders and schizophrenia.

Were also starting to understand better how periods of high temperatures have been adversely affecting mental health in general. As my fellow columnist Lisa Jarvis has written, heat not only makes us all feel frazzled and irritable but exacerbates common mood disorders like anxiety and depression as well as rarer conditions like schizophrenia and self-harming."

Its likely that we will find more heat-health connections as global warming tightens its grip. A mysterious epidemic of kidney failure in Sri Lanka is likely attributable to extreme heat exposure, dehydration and pesticide-contaminated groundwater.

As many as one in five residents in some hotspots there are affected by acute kidney damage or failure, with the condition often arising or progressing rapidly. A similar epidemic was noted among migrant labourers returning from the Gulf.

Young men left home healthy and returned with kidney failure after being exposed to brutal heat. Researchers have started documenting kidney disease in manual workers in other hot countries, too.

The health impacts of extreme heat are already with us and stretch far beyond tragic preventable deaths. Yet, huge knowledge gaps exist to understand everything from the biological mechanisms underlying heat-related harms to effective solutions.

Many scientists have cited difficulties in getting funding for such research, due to its interdisciplinary nature, while the Rockefeller Foundation, a philanthropic medical research and arts funding organization, notes that only 2% of adaptation funding and 0.5% of overall climate funding is dedicated to improving health outcomes.

That needs to change. After all, our health is our wealth, and climate change is already draining it. bloomberg
The need for legal and secure communication platforms grows as our lives move online. In my last column, I discussed quantum encryption and privacy. Today, I focus on messaging apps and their varying approaches to privacy.

Signal, Telegram and WhatsApp are three of the most popular, each offering varying degrees of privacy and security. Signal is the gold standard in privacy, while Telegram and WhatsApp, even though more widespread, lag.

Telegram, which carved out a niche as a versatile platform with features like channels, bots and large group chats, caters to users who need more than just a messaging app. With over 700 million users, its trendy among those seeking alternatives to WhatsApp.

However, Telegrams approach to security and privacy is more complex and, in some ways, less robust than its rivals. It does not provide end-to-end encryption (E2EE) for all chats by default.

Instead, it uses cloud-based architecture, by which messages are encrypted between the user and Telegrams servers, but not stored with the same level of security as E2EE. Only its Secret Chats offer E2EE, which users must enable.

This architecture allows for greater flexibilityusers can access their messages from any devicebut it also introduces potential vulnerabilities. Telegrams servers hold the keys to decrypt standard chats, so if those servers get compromised or Telegram is compelled, their privacy could be at risk.

Moreover, Telegrams policy of allowing large unmoderated channels has made it a haven for groups engaged in activities that some governments deem illegal or dangerous.

From sharing pirated content to organizing protests in authoritarian countries, Telegrams lack of stringent oversight and refusal to censor content has drawn criticism and, in some cases, outright bans.

This hands-off approach may appeal to those seeking unfettered free speech, but it also lets illegal activities flourish, raising ethical and legal questions.

The Russian-born co-founder of Telegram, Pavel Durov, was arrested on landing in Paris last Saturday after a French probe of organized crime, child sex abuse images, fraud and money laundering on the platform.

WhatsApp is the worlds most widely used messaging app, with over 2 billion users. Its strength is its convenience: a user-friendly interface, seamless smartphone integration and a wide network. WhatsApps encryption, based on the Signal Protocol, offers E2EE by default, ensuring that only the sender and receiver can read messages.

But this commitment to privacy has caveats. WhatsApp is owned by Meta (formerly Facebook), a company with a well-documented history of prioritizing data collection over user privacy.

While the content of messages is encrypted, WhatsApp still collects substantial metadata, including information about who youre chatting with, when and how often.

This can be incredibly revealing, painting a detailed picture of your social interactions, which Meta can use for targeted advertising. Its chatbot, MetaAI, is unsurprisingly just a click away on WhatsApp.

WhatsApps recent privacy policy changes, notably in 2021, which increased data sharing with Meta, led to a backlash and prompted many users to switch to Signal and others. The controversy highlighted the inherent tension in using a free service controlled by a data-driven corporation: your privacy is a secondary concern to its profit motive.

Signal stands apart. Its E2EE is the default setting for all communicationmessages, calls or video chats. Unlike Telegram, theres no need to enable unique privacy settings; its built into the apps core. Signal also keeps data collection to the bare minimum.

The only information it retains is the account creation date and the last time you connected to its serversboth stored in an anonymized form. Signal doesnt track your contacts, usage patterns or location. Also, unlike Telegram and WhatsApp, it does not offer large public channels or groups that could spread misinformation.

This makes Signal less susceptible to being misused. While this limits Signals utility for large-scale broadcasting, it aligns with the apps philosophy of intimate communication thats kept private.

Signals commitment to privacy extends beyond its technical featuresit is embedded in its philosophy. Unlike most Silicon Valley behemoths, it operates as a non-profit organization funded by donations and grants and not ad revenue, which allows it to prioritise user privacy without compromise.

This is a significant part of Signals appeal. Its refusal to collect or monetize data is a rare exception in an industry where user data is often treated as a valuable commodity. This countercultural approach also builds trust.

Users know that Signals interests align with their own. Its minimalist, ad-free interface reflects its ethosthere are no distractions or manipulative design features to keep you engaged longer than needed. The app simply does what its meant to.

In a world where data is increasingly commodified, such a countercultural stance is not just valuableits essential. By rejecting the norms of Big Tech, Signal provides a vital alternative, reminding us that privacy is a right, not a privilege, and our data is not a product to be bought and sold.
Indias recent policy decision to create 12 smart industrial cities under the National Industrial Corridor Development Programme (NICDP) looks set to transform Indian manufacturing and create significant employment.

The policy will play a significant part in promoting Indias export capabilities and also help boost the countrys share in global value chains (GVCs).

Indias manufacturing sector contributed 14% to nominal gross value added (GVA) in 2023-24, yet it expanded by a robust 9.9% during the year. The construction sector, which accounts for 9% share in GVA, also grew at a similar rate.

Government initiatives such as the Smart City Mission, industrial corridor development, National Single Window System and One District One Product Scheme, along with its large allocation of 11.11 trillion (3.4% of GDP) for infrastructure in the Union Budget for 2024-25, have helped boost industrial development.

The announcement of 12 industrial townships is in line with this intent and will go a long way in providing businesses with high-grade industrial facilities that will drive their competitiveness in the global economy.

Indias Foreign Trade Policy 2023 has set a target of $1 trillion in merchandise exports by 2030. The industrial-cities policy will aid the effort to augment the export capabilities of states with relatively low exports.

Of the 12 projects announced, four are already under construction, while four are ready for allotment. Together, the 12 cities will span 10 states and six key industrial corridors.

Built around the PM Gati Shakti pillars, the programme involves five projects in the Amritsar-Kolkata Industrial Corridor, two in the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor and one each in the Vizag-Chennai Industrial Corridor, Hyderabad-Bengaluru Industrial Corridor, Hyderabad-Nagpur Industrial Corridor and Chennai-Bengaluru Industrial Corridor (Extension).

The proposed budget of 28,600 crore is expected to generate direct employment opportunities for 1 million people and potential job opportunities for 3 million indirectly. It is expected to have significant economic benefits for the regions around the proposed townships.

The project also focuses on enhancing the export potential of states in sectors such as electronics systems, design manufacturing, food and beverages, pharmaceuticals, textiles and apparel, automobiles and auto components, machinery and equipment, and building materials, among others.

These sectors have high export potential and the new industrial facilities can enable both large anchor investors as well as smaller ancillary suppliers to set up operations quickly.

Altogether, the initiative promises to yield an overall investment potential of 1.5 trillion. Note that while some proposed cities are located in states that are already high export performers, such as Maharashtra and Telangana, the policy has taken care to also include states with low export shares, such as Bihar, Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh.

By leveraging each identified states distinct export capacities and comparative advantages, the initiative will boost export capabilities across the country.

It is also heartening that the project is designed with sustainability at its core, embodying circular-economy principles and concepts such as walk-to-work.

This eco-friendly approach is reinforced by key features, including potable and recycled water supply, environmental clearances and effluent treatment plants.

The new townships would thus support Indias climate objectives, particularly the goals of renewable-energy sources making up half of Indias installed power capacity by 2030 and achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2070.

The focus on sustainability can also foster green exports and enable India to better meet the environmental standards that global trade partners will increasingly demand.

Indian industry needs to participate proactively in building the new cities. Public private partnership models can be tailored for quick construction, especially of multimodal logistics facilities and port links.

Inland container depots may be considered, along with state-of-the-art transport facilitation mechanisms. It is essential that the new cities provide quality infrastructure to attract highly skilled tech workers, even as smart digital technologies are leveraged to maximize the competitiveness of manufactured goods.

The new cities could also offer common facilities for the use of small and medium enterprises, such as effluent-treatment plants, skill development programmes and testing and certification facilities, apart from regulatory approvals.

For clusters to arise, attention can be accorded to developing the capabilities of small entrepreneurs. This approach can also shorten transportation times and make supply chains more competitive. Last-mile connectivity and efficient trade facilitation at ports would help too.

With multiple objectives being pursued simultaneously, Indias industrial city projects could be revolutionary for exports and economic growth.

They have the potential to generate significant direct and indirect jobs, expand local industry, streamline logistics and drive sustainability. The projects should attract foreign investment, enhance manufacturing competitiveness and help establish India as a global trade hub.

In all, this initiative is poised to propel Indias manufacturing growth, achieve its ambitious target of $1 trillion in merchandise exports and cement the countrys position as an economic powerhouse.
All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) Chief Asaduddin Owaisi criticised the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024 on September 2 and called for a nationwide protest against the proposed legislation.

The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, that provides for the renaming of the Waqf Act, 1995, as the Unified Waqf Management, Empowerment, Efficiency and Development Act, 1995, has been sent to Joint Parliament Committee (JPC) for scrutiny amid protests by opposition parties.

In a protest meeting against the bill, the AIMIM chief said on September 2 that the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) has decided to launch a nationwide protest.

"We have gathered here today on behalf of AIMPLB because of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024 that has been brought by the Modi government." The All India Muslim Personal Law Board has decided to launch a nationwide protest and make people aware of how this Bill is against the Constitution...", the AIMIM chief said.

AIMPLB, an apex body of Muslim clerics has called for withdrawal of the Bill calling it a conspiracy.

The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, Waqf Act provides for the renaming of the Waqf Act, 1995, as the Unified Waqf Management, Empowerment, Efficiency and Development Act, 1995.

It seeks to clearly define "Waqf" as Waqf by any person practising Islam for at least five years and having ownership of such property and ensure that the creation of Waqf-alal-aulad does not lead to the denial of inheritance rights to women.

Also Read | 5 key changes proposed in Waqf Bill, 2024 to be tabled in Parliament today

The bill seeks to omit Section 40 relating to the powers of the Board to decide if a property is Waqf property, provide for filing of accounts of waqf by Mutawallis to the Board through a central portal for better control over their activities, reform the Tribunal structure with two members, and provide for appeals against the orders of the Tribunal to the High Court within a specified period of ninety days.

The bill also seeks to provide for the establishment of a separate Board of Auqaf for Boharas and Aghakhanis.

On August 30, the second meeting of the JPC headed by MP Jagadambika Pal was held in the Parliament House Annexe. The committee had called the All India Sunni Jamiyatul Ulama, Mumbai, the Delhi-based Indian Muslims for Civil Rights, the Uttar Pradesh Sunni Central Waqf Board and the Rajasthan Board of Muslim Waqf to register their views.

As per the sources, the Muslim bodies pointed out many clauses of the bill, which are a matter of concern for Muslims. Sources said that 'Waqf by Users' was the key issue of heated discussion in the meeting. The Muslim side raised their concern and said that it is a matter of religious faith and practice. So, the government should not try to interfere in this.

The JPC has also invited views and suggestions from the public, NGOs, experts, stakeholders and institutions as per a press communique by the Lok Sabha Secretariat.
National Conference vice president, Omar Abdullah hinted on September 2 that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was perhaps again in touch with People's Democratic Party (PDP) through RSS leader and former party general secretary, Ram Madhav.

The Mehbooba Mufti-led PDP is the only party in the poll bound Jammu and Kashmir which has good connections with Madhav, said Abdullah, the former chief minister of erstwhile state.

There is no doubt in the fact that if there is any party that has good connections with Ram Madhav, it is the PDP. He was the man behind the 2015 BJP-PDP alliance. He is perhaps been brought again for the same purpose Abdullah said while talking to reporters in Kangan area of Ganderbal district after party MP Mian Altafs son Mian Mehar Ali filed his nomination papers from the seat.

Madhav, who has been appointed as election in-charge for the upcoming Assembly polls in Jammu and Kashmir, is credited for the 2015 alliance between the BJP and PDP.

When asked if there be a BJP-PDP alliance again, Omar said, Let them get the seats first.

Voting is being held in three phases with first round on September 18. The next two phases will be held on September 25 and October 1. The results will be announced on October 4. The NC and PDP, both part of opposition's national alliance, INDIA bloc, are rivals in Jammu and Kashmir.

In the 2014 Assembly polls, the PDP emerged as the single-largest party with 28 seats. All seats that PDP won came from Kashmir valley. The BJP finished second with 25 seats. All seats that the BJP won came from Jammu.

The PDP, then led by Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, decided to tie up with the BJP in an unheard-of alliance between the two parties with ideologies poles apart. The alliance, however, fell apart with BJP pulling out in 2018. Since then Jammu and Kashmir has been under central rule.
Jan Suraaj chief Prashant Kishor challenged the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) that if the party claims to be the leader of Muslims, then instead of using them as vote bank, they should give tickets to the people from the cmmunity according to their population.

"If rights are to be given based on the population, then Muslims should contest elections on at least 40 Vidhan Sabha seats. The people of RJD are claiming to be the well-wishers of Muslims. ," Kishor told reporters on Sunday.

I challenged them that if the Muslim votes were divided if the Jan Suraaj Party contested the elections, then wherever you would launch a Muslim candidate, we would launch a Hindu candidate there. Stop snatching their rights and give them tickets as per the population. You have taken the votes of them, he further added.

Kishor further pointed out that in the current assembly, there were "only 19 Muslim members, even though the community comprised about 20 per cent of the state's total population.

"So much for the secular credentials of RJD, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's JD(U) and the Congress," said the former strategist who has, in the past, rendered his services to all these parties.

The activist-turned-polititian also assured his Jan Suraaj will field a significant number of Muslim candidates in the Bihar assembly polls due next year.

The IPAC founder, however, rejected the charge that he was trying to "split" votes of the minority community and hit the RJD, the BJP's principal opponent in the state.

"We tend to give tickets to at least 40 Muslims in elections to the 243-strong assembly. The community will also have a fair share of representation in the organization's leadership," Kishor added.

In 2025, the CM of Jan Suraaj will take the oath Kishore further exuded confidence of winning the assembly elections in Bihar in 2025. "In 2025, the Chief Minister of Jan Suraaj will take the oath, and the government of Jan Suraaj will be in power. There is no, if and but," he added.

When asked whether it would be a trilateral contest, he said the main contest in the assembly election would be between Jan Suraaj and the NDA. "According to the Lok Sabha numbers, he said, the NDA is ahead in 176 of 243 assembly seats in Bihar. RJD is nowhere," he added.

The assembly elections in Bihar are likely to be held in October-November 2025.
The Supreme Court on September 2 granted bail to Bibhav Kumar, a close associate of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, in connection with the alleged assault on Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal, news agency ANI reported.

The apex court noted that Kumar has been in custody for 100 days and that a chargesheet has already been filed in the case.

The Supreme Court bench directed that Bibhav Kumar not be reinstated as personal assistant or given any official assignment in the Chief Minister's office. The Supreme Court also said that the trial court should endeavour to finish the examination of important and vulnerable witnesses within three months and directed Bibhav Kumar not to enter the CM's residence until all witnesses have been examined.

Earlier on August 24, a session's court had extended the judicial custody of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's aide Bibhav Kumar till September 13. Kumar has been accused of assaulting AAP Rajya Sabha MP Maliwal on May 13 at the chief minister's official residence.

The sessions court's Judicial Magistrate, Gaurav Goyal, extended his judicial custody after he was produced through videoconferencing.

A PTI report said that the Judicial Magistrate even sought a response from the probing officers regarding Kumar's plea for proper pagination of the chargesheet and documents provided to his advocate.

His counsel, Rajat Bhardwaj, argued that the documentation needed to be organized so the defence could present its case.

In the Delhi Police's 500-page final report, Kumar has been booked under various provisions of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), including sections 201 (causing disappearance of evidence of offence), 308 (attempt to commit culpable homicide), 341 (wrongful restraint), 354 (assault or criminal force to a woman with intent to outrage her modesty), 354 B (assault or use of criminal force against a woman with the intent to disrobe her), 506 (criminal intimidation) and 509 (insult caused to the modesty of a woman by the use of any words, gestures or object intending to the do the same).
Congress general secretary and MP Jairam Ramesh on Monday questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi about allegedly protecting the Sebi chairperson Madhabi Puri Buch after the Hindenburg report revelations.

He posed a set of questions for PM Modi on his official X handle and said that the latest revelation of shocking malpractice has come to light. Ramesh alleged that the non-biological Prime Minister, who is protecting the SEBI Chairperson through his silence, must come out in the open and answer the questions.

Here are the questions Congress posed to PM Modi 1. What are the appropriate qualification criteria for the appointment of heads of regulatory bodies?

2. Has the ACC headed by the Prime Minister investigated these shocking facts about the SEBI Chairperson, or has the ACC been completely outsourced to the PMO? he asked.

ACC, or the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet, was established in 1950. It is headed by the Prime Minister and is responsible for appointments to key positions in the central government and public sector undertakings.

The Home Minister is also a part of the Committee. Additionally, Jairam Ramesh asked PM Modi if he was aware of the Sebi Chairperson holding the office of profit and getting a salary from ICICI during her term as the head of the market regulator.

Also Read | Hindenburg 2.0 Needs a Different Response From India

3. Was the Prime Minister aware that the SEBI Chairperson held a position of profit and received salary/income from ICICI during her tenure at SEBI?

4. Was the Prime Minister aware that the current SEBI Chairperson, as a full-time member of SEBI, was handling complaints against ICICI and its affiliates and also receiving income from ICICI?

5. Why did the current SEBI Chairperson continue to receive ESOP benefits from ICICI even though they had lapsed long ago?

6. Who is protecting the SEBI Chairperson and why? he further asked.

Lastly, he demanded that PM Modi cannot stay quiet on the issue and must answer these questions.

The non-biological Prime Minister cannot remain silent on these questions. How long will he remain silent on these questions? Crores of Indians invest in the capital market. They demand complete transparency and honesty from its regulator, he said.
In the run-up to the high-stakes state assembly elections, the central government may more than double the amount covered under its flagship life and accident insurance schemes, according to two persons aware of the development.

The government proposes to offer a life cover of 5 lakh, up from the present limit of 2 lakh, under Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY), the people said on the condition of anonymity. It is one of the largest life insurance programmes from the government, with more than 200 million subscribers.

The plan also involves increasing the cover to 5 lakh from the current 2 lakh under Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY) in case of death or disability caused by accident. As of 31 July, enrolments under the scheme stood at 453.6 million.

The push to increase coverage is part of the governments "insurance for all by 2047" initiative. While the number of insurers rose from 53 to 70 in the past 10 years, India's insurance penetrationor percentage of premium to GDPof 4% is still lower than the global average of 6.8%.

The changes are being considered with a view to address the issue of protection gap in the insurance cover. Higher coverage will provide the requisite amount required by an insured or a dependent in meeting the financial obligations. The thinking is that a 5 lakh cover under the schemes would help to bridge this protection gap substantially," said the first of the two persons quoted above.

Queries emailed to ministry of finance and secretary, department of financial services remained unanswered till press time.

Discussions on to raise coverage

The officials cited earlier said discussions have already started to raise coverage under the two schemes. Individuals will have the option to either take the higher cover on paying increased premium or continue with the existing 2 lakh coverat a premium of 20 per annum per member of a family for PMSBY, and 436 per annum per member for PMJJBY.

The premium payable under expanded schemes is yet to be worked out as the government would discuss it with public and private insurers and distribution platforms such as banks and post offices. But, the second person quoted earlier said, the effort would be to keep premiums low even with higher coverage to bring more people under insurance.

Also read | Ayushman Bharat: Govt gets more ambitious with its health insurance scheme

More inclusive policies will contribute towards making insurance coverage more ubiquitous, in addition to addressing the growing and evolving needs of the nation," said Rahul Singh, founder, InsurMonthly, a Bangalore-based health and wellness platform that widely distributes and services government-backed insurance products.

"Wider inclusions and improved coverage under PMJJBY and PMSBY will make these schemes more attractive and significantly help the uninitiated and underprivileged section of the society while helping mitigate the concerns of adequacy of coverage in the times of needs," he said.

Centre's insurance schemes

PMJJBY, PMSBY and APY (Atal Pension Yojana) were launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 9 May, 2015. PMSBY is a one-year personal accident insurance scheme, renewable from year to year, offering protection against death or disability due to accident. The total amount payable in case of death in an accident is 2 lakh, while the payout in case of disability caused by an accident ranges from 1-2 lakh. The scheme is available for individuals between the age of 18 and 70 years with bank accounts and the premium for the scheme will be deducted from the savings account of the insured.

Also read | Free health insurance for senior citizens makes it to the Budget priorities list

PMJJBY offers life cover for death of the insured. It is offered through Life Insurance Corporation of India Ltd and other life insurers and banks that are willing to offer the scheme on similar terms. Indian residents between the age of 18 and 50 years with a bank account are eligible for it.
Caste Census in India: A debate on Caste Census in India broke on Monday, as Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, Akhil Bharatiya Prachar Pramukh Sunil Ambekar branded the exercise as a sensitive issue. Following this Congress quickly took to X, claiming RSS has openly opposed the caste census..

On Monday, RSS chief spokesperson was addressing a gathering in Palakkad, Kerala, when he said, In our Hindu society, we have a sensitive issue of our caste and caste relations... It is an important issue of our national unity and integrity so it should be dealt with very seriously, not just for election or politics...

The caste census conducted by Chief Minister and JD(U) leader Nitish Kumar in Bihar when he was part of the INDIA bloc, has been the Opposition's demand on a national scale.

On Monday, the RSS spokesperson added, For all welfare activities particularly addressing a particular community or caste which are lagging and needs special attention, so for that, if sometimes the government needs the numbers, it can take them. It (the government) has taken (the numbers) earlier also, it can take it, no problem.

"But it (caste census) should be only to address the welfare of those communities and castes. It should not be used as a political tool for electioneering. And so we put a caution line for everyone..." Sunil Ambekar added.

However, Congress later took to X, to hit out at the far right organisation, also termed as the ideological mentor of BJP. The Congress posted, RSS has openly opposed the caste census. RSS says- caste census is not good for the society. It is clear from this statement that BJP and RSS do not want to conduct caste census. They do not want to give Dalits, backward classes and tribals their rights. But keep it in writing  there will be caste census and Congress will get it done.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has strongly advocated a caste census to ascertain the exact size of each caste community. Similar demands have come from several political parties.

The CM Nitish Kumar-led caste census in Bihar had revealed that almost 80 per cent of the population belong to extremely backward classes.

What is RSS stance on caste census? Aside from Sridhar Gadge's comments in December 2023, the RSS has clarified its position on the caste census, stating that it does not oppose a nationwide implementation of the exercise.

In December 2023, Sridhar Gadge had remarked that a nationwde caste census would be futile. The RSS Sahasanghchalak for Vidarbha region had also added that the caste census would not be in nations interest'.

There should be no caste-based census. In any case, what will it achieve? Gadge told reporters in Nagpur. A caste census will quantify caste-wise populations. But it is not going to be in the interest of society or the nation.
POKROVSK, UkraineA baker now spends his days helping residents flee this eastern Ukrainian city. At night, he fires up his ovens to bake for the troops. Only one supermarket remains open in Pokrovsk, its windows boarded up and shelves mostly empty.

On the outskirts, coal miners dig trenches intended to help slow the Russians. At a church nearby, Rev. Vadym Harkavenko welcomes people for confession ahead of their long trips west.

I tell my parishioners: If you have the chance to leave, leave," said the Orthodox priest, who has seen half his congregation leave. Then I tell them to go with God."

Pokrovsk, once home to 80,000, is steadily emptying out and shutting down as the Russians close in.

In 2 years of war, Russia has destroyed dozens of Ukrainian cities, with its army entering the ruins of front-line ghost towns that it pummeled with relentless artillery and aerial barrages. Pokrovsk is next.

Ukraine has pressed its incursion into Russias Kursk region with the aim of diverting Moscows forces away from eastern Ukraine. But Russia has only doubled down on its push to seize Pokrovsk. After visiting troops there last week, Ukraines top military commander, Gen. Oleksandr Syrskiy, said Russia is throwing anything thats able to move and advance" into the fight for the strategic city.

Pokrovsk, located on a road and rail line that Ukraines military uses to supply other parts of the front line, now awaits the same fate visited on other towns in Russias path. It still stands mostly intact, though Russia has intensified its bombardment, dropping a 1,000-pound glide bomb on its industrial zone in recent days.

On Sunday, Russian troops were just 6 miles from Pokrovsk. If they capture the city, it would bring Russia closer to achieving President Vladimir Putins goal of taking the entire Donetsk region. Eighteen miles to the west, a statue of the Virgin Mary stands beside a sign marking the entrance to the region, which is draped in Ukrainian flags.

Bakhmut, Avdiivka, Mariupol, and now Pokrovsk," said Oleh Tkachenko, the baker, referring to Ukrainian towns that have been razed by the Russian forces who now control them. Whos going to stop them?" The 55-year-old is one of thousands in the city who have refocused their energies on the defense effort.

A little more than a year ago, Pokrovsk was coming back to life after an exodus in the first months of the war. Thousands of residents were returning to a city that once again felt relatively safe, with the fighting many miles to the east. A gleaming new mall opened, and children filled the parks.

The playgrounds are now empty. The mall is shut down, considered a potential target of Russian shelling. Trucks carrying antitank defenses and armored vehicles travel the road into Pokrovsk; cars loaded with possessions travel out. Retirees line up for food and other handouts in the city center. Officials say 30,000 people remain, and several hundred leave each day.

Authorities are removing equipment from the citys hospitals and packing up its cultural centers, gyms and schools, which were renovated as part of a citywide modernization program just before the war. They say desks, blackboards and even theater costumes are being transferred for safekeeping at warehouses far from the front lines, so the Russians dont get their hands on them.

Patients are also being transported to cities farther from the fighting. Last week, paramedics moved 10 prematurely born babies to the city of Dnipro from the citys maternity clinic, which has now closed. The main hospital in Pokrovsk maintains a skeleton staff and is preparing for an influx of wounded soldiers in coming weeks, according to Deputy Mayor Margarita Idrisova.

We used to accept thousands of refugees. We had no plans to leave, because we believed in our armed forces," said Idrisova, who is one of the officials tasked with persuading people to evacuate the city before it is too late. We still believe in our troops, but nothing will save us from artillery."

The citys coal mine, where workers have toiled through the war to produce the black gold that feeds the countrys armaments industry, is now sending some workers to build fortifications on the citys eastern outskirts. They are digging four lines of trenches to slow the Russian onslaught.

You come to work, clock in, and then you receive the call to go dig," said 44-year-old miner Oleksandr Dichko, who hasnt yet been called to dig trenches but has had several colleagues leave his work unit to do so.

Just over half of the mines 8,000 employees remain in Pokrovsk, many receiving special bonuses for working under increased pressure, said mine spokeswoman Evelina Shelest.

Deliveries at Pokrovsks one remaining supermarket are down to a trickle. An entire section of the stores floor space has been cleared of its shelves and fridges, and is now a jumble of cardboard boxes, wooden pallets and rickety carts filled with expired items marked for disposal.

Picking through a box of stale tomatoes on a recent afternoon, Tetiana Romanchenko said there was nowhere else to go but a local open-air market where the produce is often even worse. Surviving on a pension of 3,200 hryvnia a month, or about $78, Romanchenko said she cant afford to build a life elsewhere.

Everything is closing," she said. Were lucky that at least this shop is open."

Pokrovsk was founded in the 19th century as a major rail hub for the Russian Empire. During World War II, it was liberated by Soviet forces. Russia later renamed the town in honor of the Red Army, before Ukraine changed the name again in 2016. The train station the city is built around has now become the point of departure for those fleeing another military force commanded from Moscow.

Among those on the platform in recent days was Dichko, the miner. After weeks of holding out, he had decided to send his family to a safer place. His wife lost her job after the supermarket where she worked as a cashier closed. She was making a 24-hour train journey with their two children to live with relatives in western Ukraine. With 18 months until retirement, and a job that pays the familys bills, Dichko will stay behind.

As the final passengers boarded the train, he watched his 8-year-old son, Illia, sobbing in his seat beside his mother. Dichko walked over to the window, raised his hand and drew a large grin in the condensation that had formed on the glass.

Dont be sad," he said to Illia through the open window. This smile will travel with you the whole way."

Write to Matthew Luxmoore at matthew.luxmoore@wsj.com
Actor and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Kangana Ranauts upcoming movie Emergency, supposed to be released on September 6, has been postponed amid ban demands from Sikh leaders over the portrayal of the community in it.

Kangana, who plays former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi is also the director of the movie. The release of the movie trailer had caused a furore in Punjab. The movie is yet to get a green signal from the Certification Board.

Demotivating and unjust Kangana took to X on September 2 calling it demotivating and unjust.

Also Read | Kangana Ranaut says nationalists dont have freedom of expression

Law of the land is that one can show unimaginable amount of violence and nudity on OTT platforms without any consequence or censorship, one can even distort real life events to suit their politically motivated sinister motives, there is all the freedom for communists or leftists across the world for such anti national expressions, Kangana said in a post on X.

IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack The Mandi MP was, perhaps, referring to Netflix series  IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack  which has been accused of allegedly shifting the blame away from Pakistani terrorists involved in the 1999 hijacking of an Indian Airlines flight.

The Netflix Content Head has been summoned on September 3 by the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting (IB Ministry), over the controversy surrounding the platform's 'IC814' web series, news agency ANI said.

but as a nationalist no OTT platform allows us to make films that revolves around the integrity and unity of Bharat, it seems censorship is only for some of us who dont want tukde of this nation and make films on historic facts. Its hugely demotivating and unjust, Kangana said in her post.

Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale Dialogue Why has the Emergency triggered a row? The objection has been majorly from Sikh groups. They argue that the trailer of the movie released earlier misrepresents their community, particularly through its portrayal of Khalistani separatist Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale.

The trailer, according to reports, has a dialogue attributed to Bhindranwale that says, Your party wants votes, and we want Khalistan. This dialogue has apparently annoyed Sikh groups, who assert that Bhindranwale never made such a demand.

Bhindranwale was the leading figure of the Khalistan movement, although he did not personally advocate for a separate Sikh nation.

Historically inaccurate The Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) also objected to the movie. The Committee reportedly sent letters to the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) and the Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, seeking a ban on the film. The committee has argued that the film could incite hatred and further misrepresent the Sikh community.

Shiromani Akali Dal had also sent a legal notice to the Board seeking to stop the release of the film, claiming it may "incite communal tensions" and "spread misinformation".

The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) also issued a legal notice demanding the removal of the trailer and a public apology, citing that the portrayal of Bhindranwale in the movie is historically inaccurate.

The film board has asked for more cuts, according to a report in NDTV quoting sources. The board has said it would take into account the sentiments of every community, the report said.

Earlier political rows Kangana, who won the Lok Sabha elections 2024 as a BJP candidate from Mandi in her home state of Himachal Pradesh, has triggered political rows with her statements even before her Emergency movie.

A vocal supporter of Prime Minister Narendra Modi even before joining the BJP ahead of the 2024 general elections, Kangana 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.
California-based tech giant Apple is gearing up for its highly anticipated Glow Time" event scheduled for September 9, 2024, at 10:30 PM IST. The event is expected to unveil the much-anticipated iPhone 16 Series, alongside other gadgets. However, with new products on the horizon, it is also likely that several current Apple devices will be phased out.

According to a recent report from 9To5Mac, here is a rundown of the Apple products that might be discontinued following the keynote.

iPhone 15 Pro & iPhone 15 Pro Max

Since the introduction of the iPhone XS and XR in 2018, Apple has typically retired flagship iPhones a year after their debut, likely due to the minimal differences between successive models, reported the publication.

As per the report, this trend suggests that the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max might be on their way out. The iPhone 15 Pro was notable for being Apples first iPhone to feature a titanium frame, and it is likely that this will be the last model with the current 6.1-inch and 6.7-inch screen sizes, as the iPhone 16 Pro models are expected to have larger displays. Additionally, the distinctive Blue Titanium color of the iPhone 15 Pro may not make a return in the upcoming series.

iPhone 14 Plus

Reportedly, the iPhone 14 Plus marked Apples return to offering a large, entry-level iPhone, following the less successful iPhone 12 mini and iPhone 13 mini. With its 6.7-inch display and robust battery life, it provided a more affordable alternative to the Pro Max models. The iPhone 14 Plus also revived the Plus" branding after a hiatus since the iPhone 8 Plus. Given Apples pattern of discontinuing certain models while keeping others around for longer, the iPhone 14 Plus may be discontinued, with the iPhone 14 likely remaining available for a bit longer.

iPhone 13

Introduced in 2021, the iPhone 13 brought notable upgrades, including improved battery life, a new camera system, and a smaller notch. It remains one of the oldest iPhone currently available from Apple. As per the report, if past patterns hold true, the iPhone 13 might be retired, with the iPhone 14 taking over at the $599 price point, at least until the release of the iPhone SE 4.

Apple Watch Series 9, Ultra 2, and SE 2

All three Apple Watch models are due for potential updates. The Series 10 is anticipated to feature larger, more efficient displays, a slimmer profile, and possibly a new chipset. The Ultra 3 might receive a minor refresh, and the SE 3 is rumored to adopt a plastic casing to offer a more budget-friendly option. If these updates occur, the current Series 9, Ultra 2, and SE 2 models could be phased out.

AirPods 2 and AirPods 3

The AirPods 2, introduced in 2019, have been a popular entry-level option, while the AirPods 3, launched in 2021, brought improvements like Spatial Audio. However, with the expected debut of two new AirPods 4 modelsone entry-level and one mid-tieriti s likely that the AirPods 2 and AirPods 3 will be discontinued. The new mid-tier AirPods are expected to feature noise cancellation, a feature not present in the AirPods 2.

iPad mini 6 and iPad 10

Apple is also likely to refresh its more affordable iPads. The iPad mini 6 and iPad 10 may be replaced by new models, with potential updates including support for Apple Intelligence, increased storage, and Apple Pencil Pro compatibility. Given Apples tendency to retire older models, both the iPad mini 6 and iPad 10 might be discontinued following the event.

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X owner and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk has claimed that Starlink is the only high-bandwidth internet system covering the entire planet, and that it could soon be carrying 90% of all space-based internet traffic by next year.

Musk was responding to a post by an X account called Mario Nawfal, who said there are about 6,290 active Starlink satellites in the world, and that these satellites are capable of providing connectivity in areas with unreliable or non-existent coverage.

Replying to Nawfal's post, Musk wrote, "Starlink is the only high-bandwidth Internet system that covers all of Earth. It will probably deliver over 90% of all space-based Internet traffic next year."

SpaceX's brainchild, Starlink, is the satellite internet service that provides internet services to remote locations worldwide. It is one of the most successful ventures of Elon Musk, who also leads EV giant Tesla as its CEO and runs social media platform X, formerly Twitter.

Meanwhile, Starlink recently faced a major setback after the country's Supreme Court blocked its bank accounts while an ongoing dispute with X rage on. Musk had then taken on X to call Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes a dictator" and raise concerns over the illegal action" by the Brazil SC.

Brazil's Supreme Court also blocked X in the country after the social media app refused to name a legal representative. In its order, the judge said that X will remain blocked until all orders were complied with  this includes payment of more than $3 million in fines and naming a legal representative.

The judge also said anyone using VPN to access X, formerly Twitter, would be subject to daily fines of 50,000 reais ($8,900 or 7,46,621).

The judge, Alexandre de Moraes, wrote that X has been contributing to an environment of total impunity and lawlessness in Brazilian social networks, including during the 2024 local elections".Elon Musk showed his total disrespect for Brazilian sovereignty and, in particular, for the judiciary, setting himself up as a true supranational entity and immune to the laws of each country."

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In India, water purifiers are essential. Over the years contamination of water has become a major health issue. The reasons could be many; some include unreliable municipal water supply or overt dependence on potentially unsafe underground water. Installing water purifiers ensure access to clean, safe drinking water, protecting health year-round. Just what do these purifiers do? Water purifiers are devices that remove contaminants, bacteria and impurities from water, ensuring it is safe for drinking. They use various methods, such as filtration, UV light, or reverse osmosis, to provide clean, healthy water for households and businesses.

Why are water purifiers a must?

Let's take a look at the several ways in which our drinking water could potentially get compromised.

Monsoon contamination: Monsoon rains often lead to water contamination with bacteria, viruses, and pollutants, making water purifiers essential for safe drinking water.

Poor municipal supply: In many areas, municipal water supply is inconsistent and may contain impurities. Water purifiers provide clean water despite unreliable sources.

Underground water risks: Many rely on underground water, which may be contaminated with chemicals like fluoride and arsenic. Purifiers ensure this water is safe to consume.

Health protection: Purifiers help prevent waterborne diseases, safeguarding families from illnesses like cholera and typhoid.

Urban and rural needs: Whether in cities or villages, water purifiers address varying water quality issues, making them indispensable nationwide.

Different kinds of water purifiers

Planning to buy a new water purifier? Well, we can tell you it can get very confusing as there were many options in the market. Gone are the days when a simple home water filter was enough. Let's see what are different types of water purifiers currently available in India.

UV water purifiers: UV purifiers use ultraviolet light to eliminate bacteria and viruses, making them suitable for biologically contaminated water.

RO water purifiers: Reverse Osmosis (RO) purifiers remove dissolved salts, heavy metals, and impurities. They are ideal for regions with high TDS (Total Dissolved Solids) in water.

Gravity-based purifiers: These purifiers operate without electricity, using activated carbon to filter out impurities. They are best for areas with low TDS.

UF water purifiers: Ultra-Filtration (UF) purifiers remove bacteria and larger particles, but not dissolved salts. They are effective in areas with low chemical contamination.

Multi-stage purifiers: These combine RO, UV, and UF technologies to provide comprehensive purification, ensuring safe drinking water even in areas with complex contamination issues.

Also read: Best water purifiers: Top 10 choices for pure, safe, and clean drinking water; Best picks for you

Urban Company water purifier: Salient features

One of the companies that has gained traction among others is Urban Company. It provides reliable water purifier services, ensuring clean, safe drinking water through expert installation, maintenance, and repairs. Let's have a look at some of its salient features. Please note that these features listed below have been picked from the company website.

Design and engineering marvel: Urban Companys water purifiers feature sleek, modern designs, blending seamlessly with kitchen interiors while delivering high-quality water purification.

Service required only once every 2 years: Users get to save up to 13,500 on the total ownership and service cost over the years. These purifiers contain filters that last for 2 years, have a 10-stage purification system and are US FDA compliant.

Superior purifier: These devices come with combination of different kinds of purification processes (RO, RO Life Booster, UV with alkaline and minerals and copper-charged filter). The different filtering processes at play include pre-filter, sediment filter, pre-carbon filter, RO membrane + RO life booster, 4-in-1 health booster (Cu + Ca + Mg + alkaline) and UV light.

Pure water: With a featured UV light inside the water tank, the water is disinfected of any bacteria and viruses which can cause water-borne diseases.

2-year filter life: The superior filtration, smart rinse and multi micron technology ensure the filters give users pure water for 2 years without a service needed. Water purifiers from this brand ensure optimum purified water up to 12,000 litres.

Smart monitoring with UC app: These water purifiers can keep track of water and filter quality and send alerts when a service is due.

Other interesting features:

* Preset dispensing modes: Water purifiers come in different modes - glass mode, bottle mode or free-flow mode.

* Guide light: There is a facility of a light which glows during dispensing, which helps users fill water at night.

* These purifiers come with retractable trays for hands-free bottle filling.

* 8L storage capacity: They come with large storage capacity

2-year unconditional warranty with no maintenance cost: Users can save 13,500 on service costs over 6 years

* Free filter replacement for 2 years

* No service charges for 2 years (refer to user manual for details)

* Warranty for all spare parts

Let's have a look at some of the best Urban Company options available on Amazon along with those from other top brands.

Also read: Best water purifiers: Top 10 picks to experience clean and fresh water every time

1. Urban Company Native M2 Water Purifier | Needs No Service for 2 Years | RO+UV+Copper+Alkaline |10-Stage Purifier | 4-in-1 Health Booster | Smart IoT Features | 8L Capacity | 2 Year Warranty

The Urban Company Native M2 Water Purifier combines RO, UV, Copper, and Alkaline technologies in a 10-stage purification system. Designed for convenience, it requires no service for two years. This 4-in-1 health booster features smart IoT capabilities, allowing remote monitoring and control. With an 8-litre capacity, it ensures ample clean water for your needs. Backed by a two-year warranty, the Native M2 offers reliable performance and advanced features to maintain optimal water quality effortlessly.

Specifications of Urban Company Native M2 Water Purifier

Purification Technology: RO, UV, Copper, Alkaline

Capacity: 8 litres

Stages: 10-stage filtration

Features: Smart IoT connectivity

Warranty: 2 years

2. Urban Company Native M1 Water Purifier | Needs No Service For 2 Years | RO+UV+Copper+Alkaline | 10-Stage Purifier | 4-in-1 Health Booster | 8L Capacity | 2 Year Warranty (Filters Included)

The Urban Company Native M1 Water Purifier features a comprehensive 10-stage filtration system, integrating RO, UV, Copper, and Alkaline technologies. Designed for ease, it requires no service for two years and includes all necessary filters. This 4-in-1 health booster ensures an 8-litre capacity, providing ample clean water for households. With smart features and a two-year warranty, the Native M1 offers dependable performance and advanced purification without the hassle of frequent maintenance. Ideal for maintaining high water quality effortlessly.

Specifications of Urban Company Native M1 Water Purifier

Purification Technologies: RO, UV, Copper, Alkaline

Filtration Stages: 10-stage system

Capacity: 8 litres

Maintenance: Requires no service for 2 years

Warranty: 2 years (filters included)

3. Aquaguard Sure Delight NXT RO+UV Water Purifier | Free Service Plan worth  2000 | Indias #1 Water Purifier | Suitable for Borewell, Tanker & Municipal Water | 30x Impurity Removal vs Local Purifiers

The Aquaguard Sure Delight NXT RO+UV Water Purifier is Indias leading choice for reliable water purification. It comes with a free service plan valued at 2000, ensuring hassle-free maintenance. Designed to handle borewell, tanker, and municipal water, this purifier excels in removing impurities, with 30 times greater efficiency compared to local brands. Equipped with advanced RO and UV technologies, it guarantees high-quality water by effectively eliminating contaminants. Choose the Sure Delight NXT for superior performance and peace of mind regarding your water's purity.

Specifications of Aquaguard Sure Delight NXT RO+UV Water Purifier

Purification Technologies: RO and UV

Service Plan: Free service worth  2000

2000 Suitability: Borewell, tanker, and municipal water

Impurity Removal: 30 times more effective than local purifiers

Market Position: Indias #1 water purifier

4) Livpure Glo Lite RO+UF+Carbon Filter- 7 L Storage, Water Purifier

The Livpure Glo Lite RO+UF+Carbon Filter is a highly effective water purifier designed for home use. With a 7-litre storage capacity, it is suitable for various water sources including borewell, tanker, and municipal water. This purifier combines RO, UF, and carbon filtration technologies to ensure comprehensive purification, removing contaminants and impurities effectively. The sleek white design seamlessly blends with any kitchen decor, while its advanced filtration system provides clean, safe drinking water for your family. Ideal for maintaining high water quality in diverse conditions.

Specifications of Livpure Glo Lite RO+UF+Carbon Filter- 7 L Storage, Water Purifier

Purification Technologies: RO, UF, and Carbon Filter

Storage Capacity: 7 litres

Suitable For: Borewell, tanker, and municipal water

Design: Sleek white finish

Usage: Home water purification

5. KENT Grand RO Water Purifier | 4 Years Free Service | RO + UV LED + UF + TDS Control | ISI Marked | Extra 1000 Off on Exchange | 8L Tank | 20 LPH Flow | White

The KENT Grand RO Water Purifier offers advanced purification with RO, UV LED, UF, and TDS Control technologies. It comes with a 4-year free service plan, ensuring reliable maintenance and peace of mind. ISI marked for quality assurance, this purifier features an 8-litre tank and a high flow rate of 20 litres per hour. The white design complements modern kitchens, while an additional 1000 discount is available on exchanges. The KENT Grand provides comprehensive water purification, ideal for maintaining clean and safe drinking water at home.

Specifications of KENT Grand RO Water Purifier

Purification Technologies: RO, UV LED, UF, and TDS Control

Service Plan: 4 years free service

Tank Capacity: 8 litres

Flow Rate: 20 litres per hour

Design: White, ISI marked;  1000 off on exchange

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FAQs

Question : How often should I change the filters in my water purifier?

Ans : Filters typically need to be replaced every 6 to 12 months, depending on the type and usage. Check the manufacturers guidelines for specific recommendations.

Question : What is the difference between RO and UV water purifiers?

Ans : RO (Reverse Osmosis) removes dissolved solids and contaminants, while UV (Ultraviolet) purifiers eliminate bacteria and viruses. Many systems combine both for comprehensive purification.

Question : Can water purifiers remove all types of contaminants?

Ans : Water purifiers are designed to address specific contaminants. While advanced systems can remove most impurities, some specialised filters may be needed for specific issues like heavy metals.

Question : Is it necessary to install a water purifier if I have a municipal water supply?

Ans : Municipal water may still contain impurities or chemicals. A water purifier ensures additional safety and improves water quality, making it advisable even with municipal supply.

Question : How do I know which water purifier is right for my home?

Ans : Consider factors like water source (borewell, municipal), contamination levels, and the type of purification required. Consult a water specialist or use a water testing kit to determine your needs.

Disclaimer: At Hindustan Times, we help you stay up-to-date with the latest trends and products. Hindustan Times has an affiliate partnership, so we may get a part of the revenue when you make a purchase. We shall not be liable for any claim under applicable laws, including but not limited to the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, with respect to the products. The products listed in this article are in no particular order of priority.
A Welsh safety adviser, whose mother is from county Longford, has died while working for news agency Reuters after a missile strike on a hotel.

Ryan Evans, 38, from Wrexham, was part of the reporting crew staying at the Hotel Sapphire, in Kramatorsk, eastern Ukraine, which was hit by a strike on Saturday, August 24.

Ryan's mum is Geraldine O'Donohue, a native of Lanesboro, and he is the youngest of Geraldine and Dave Evans' family.

The O'Donohoe family are very well known and respected in Lanesboro and Longford, and local shop owner Joe O'Brien said there was a huge sense of shock and sadness in the community of Lanesboro following the tragedy.

PICTURE SPECIAL: Big gallery as Longford kids enjoy first day back at school

"As a youngster, and in much happier times, Ryan would have spent time here regularly holidaying in Lanesboro and everyone is stunned by the news of his tragic passing. I express sympathy with Ryan's family, relatives and friends at this extremely difficult time," said Mr O'Brien.

Ryan's uncles and aunts reside locally, PJ (Longford town), Niall (Lanesboro), Dermot (Ballyleague), Mary O'Halloran (Lanesboro) and Phil Carroll (Lanesboro).

Ryan's wife Anne (Kerrie), in a heartbreaking Facebook post, described him as ' a gentle giant'. "I cant even begin to explain how much that man meant to me, how much I adored him with every part of me. He was my best friend and my soulmate, my everything."

Ryan and Kerrie have four children Tristan, Felicity, Harrison and 18 months old Logan.

She wrote: "No measurement in the world will understand how much he will be missed and how much hes loved by us all. As Im sure you can imagine, our family is trying to process what has happened, and we are so unsure of what the future holds now with a massive Ryan shape missing."

A gofundme page entitled Help support Kerrie and Logan after Ryan's tragic loss was set up by friend of the family Laura Lilley and at the time of writing this has raised 20,630.

In a statement, Reuters said it was devastated to learn of the death of Ryan Evans, 38, and that two of its journalists were also injured.

Also read: Memories of growing up in Longford captured vividly in lovely new book

The former British soldier had been working with Reuters since 2022.

The statement added: We are urgently seeking more information about the attack, including by working with the authorities in Kramatorsk, and we are supporting our colleagues and their families.

We send our deepest condolences and thoughts to Ryans family and loved ones.

Ryan has helped so many of our journalists cover events around the world; we will miss him terribly.

Reuters also said two of our journalists are in hospital, one is being treated for serious injuries.

It added that three other colleagues have been accounted for and are safe.

Also read: Funeral arrangements announced for wonderful Longford parish priest Rev Fr Michael Campbell
Relics of Saint Bernadette will be displayed at St Mel's Cathedral, Longford as they are being brought from Lourdes to Ireland for a tour around the country the first time ever.

The International Marian Shrine at Lourdes has always had a special place in the hearts of Irish people. Countless Irish pilgrims have made the journey to the shrine for the last 166 years since the apparitions of Our Lady to Saint Bernadette in 1858. This year the people of Ireland will have the opportunity to welcome the spirit of Lourdes and Saint Bernadette to a local church in their own home diocese.

The relics will be in St Mel's Cathedral from Friday, September 27 at 2pm and the visit will conclude on Saturday, September 28at 9pm.

PICTURES: Another big gallery of Longford back to school pics from this week





On Tuesday, September 3, a special ceremony will be held at the grotto in Lourdes, where the holy relics of Saint Bernadette will be entrusted to Bishop Kevin Doran who, along with parishioners of the Diocese of Elphin, is currently on pilgrimage in Lourdes. The Elphin Pilgrimage will bring the relics home with them to begin the pilgrimage around Ireland, beginning in Galway Cathedral on 5 September.

Bishop Doran said, There is a well established tradition of people bringing religious objects home from Lourdes, to share with family members and friends. This year, we have the unique privilege of bringing home the relics of Saint Bernadette, as we fly back into Knock Airport after the Elphin Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes. Many people are unable to travel on pilgrimage to Lourdes, but this year Lourdes will come to them, as the Relics of Saint Bernadette make their way around Ireland. We hope that many people will be able to share in the blessings of the Pilgrimage, by gathering to pray with Saint Bernadette in cities and towns across the country.

Also read: Longford parishioners thank Fr Pat Lennon for his dedicated service and for being a guiding light





During September and October the relics of Saint Bernadette will journey on pilgrimage - for the very first time - to each of the 26 dioceses on the island of Ireland. This very special, once-in-life-time, opportunity will enable people of all ages experience the special gifts and charisms of Lourdes in their local diocese, and to share the grace of an encounter with Mary as Bernadette experienced it. By venerating the relics, people of faith can encounter peace and joy of heart and become credible and courageous witnesses of love.





The relics will visit cathedrals and churches in every diocese, north and south. The full programme can be found on the dedicated website here.

PICTURES | End of an era as Longford community bid farewell to highly regarded retiring postman

Welcoming the visit of the relics, Primate of All Ireland, Archbishop Eamon Martin said, The pilgrimage around Ireland of Saint Bernadettes relics will be a source of hope, great joy and inspiration, especially for the many people of Ireland who have travelled to Lourdes over the years and for the dedicated groups across the island who work all year round to plan pilgrimages at parish and diocesan level. Of course Lourdes is synonymous with care and love for sick and disabled persons and it is a special sanctuary for those who struggle with worries or decisions of one kind or another.





Father Gerard Fox, Pilgrimage Director for the Diocese of Down & Connor, and member of the steering group who collaborated with the Sanctuary of Lourdes to arrange the visit said, This is a unique opportunity for those of us engaged in bringing pilgrimages to Lourdes, to bring the message and a little taste of Lourdes to local communities. Saint Bernadette understood her role as a messenger of Marys message, now she brings that message to the Church community in Ireland.

Also read: Funeral arrangements announced for wonderful Longford parish priest Rev Fr Michael Campbell





During their visit, there will be opportunities to venerate the relics privately as well as by participating in liturgies reminiscent of the Lourdes pilgrimage experience. The intention is to bring Lourdes to the faithful, especially those who may not have the ability to go to Lourdes in person. It is in the music, prayer, processions and gestures that this unique spirit will be shared.
Local News

By Chris Boyle Published: September 02 2024

2023 saw $7.5 billion in visitor spending, generating $900 million in state and local taxes.

Discover Long Island, the regions only accredited destination marketing organization, is proud to announce that tourism on Long Island has once again reached record highs, shattering previous records. Based on recently released data from New York State's annual Tourism Economics report, travelers spent an astounding $7.5 billion across diverse sectors in the Long Island region in 2023, surpassing 2022s record-breaking spending of $6.6 billion by 12.7%. Tourism-related employment also saw remarkable growth, with 76,227 jobs now attributed to the tourism sector, up from 72,606 jobs in the 2022 report. From a separate report highlighting 2023 Travel USA Visitor Profiles, by Longwoods International, Long Island receives 41.8 million visitors annually. Of that 41.8 million visitors, 18.7 million, or 45%, are overnight trip visitors, and 23.1 million, or 55%, are day trip visitors.

The continued record-breaking growth of tourism spending on Long Island to a staggering $7.5 billion in 2023 positions our region in a new competitive set of many top tier metropolitan destinations in the US, including Anaheim, Dallas, Scottsdale and Tampa Bay and even tops many other states in overall tourism economic impact, said Discover Long Island President and CEO, Kristen Reynolds This trajectory of year-over-year growth is a testament to the innovative and successful tourism strategies that are supported by our local leaders, guided by our Board of Directors and executed by our team of talented tourism experts at Discover Long Island. Most importantly, its Long Island residents who reap the greatest rewards from a thriving tourism industry that creates local jobs, supports small businesses, and generates $900 million in local and state tax revenues, lowering every households tax levy by almost $1,000 annually.

Spending on food & beverages and lodging constituted 36% and 20% of the total expenditures, respectively, while retail & service stations added another $1.2 billion, or 16% of total spend. Suffolk County enjoyed the largest increase in tourism spending in 2023 with 15.6% more spending over 2022 while Nassau increased 9.1% over the previous year.

Tourism on Long Island also generated an impressive $900 million in state and local taxes in 2023, up from $814 million in 2022. Once again, Suffolk County led the way by constituting 57.7% of the regions tourism tax base, an increase from the 2022 report showing Suffolk County constituting 56.4%. Were it not for tourism-generated state and local taxes, the average household in the region would need to pay an additional $932 to maintain the current level of government revenue.

"These record levels of tourism spending highlight the tremendous benefits of investing in our region, said Discover Long Island Board Chair, Mitch Pally. By working with Discover Long Island to showcase Long Island's unique attractions, from our stunning beaches to our thriving culinary scene, and everything in between, we can continue to support our local communities and businesses year after year."

Discover Long Island will continue to build on this momentum by implementing innovative and data-driven marketing strategies geared towards targeted audiences that position Long Island as a year-round destination. Utilizing cutting edge technology and tapping into consumer trends to build on the success of its award-winning campaigns, such as the You BeLONG on Long Island initiative, Discover Long Island aims to keep Long Island at the forefront of travelers' minds, ensuring sustainable and equitable growth for the destination.

Tourism statistics referenced in this release were provided by Tourism Economics, a globally respected travel data firm, using the Impact Analysis for Planning (IMPLAN) input-output model for New York State. The report can be reviewed in full here.

ABOUT DISCOVER LONG ISLAND:

Discover Long Island is the regions official destination marketing and leadership organization charged with furthering the destinations thriving visitor economy, which saw recent record-breaking highs of $7.5 billion in visitor spending. The organization ensures Long Islands coveted quality of life, thriving industries, and dynamic destination offerings are promoted on a global level, furthering economic development, and benefiting residents and businesses throughout the region. Awarded Best Social Media in the nation by the US Travel Association, the organization produces engaging content featuring local businesses and attractions for their 11 social media channels which garner upwards of 10 million views. Additionally, the organization hosts a popular YouTube series, Long Island TV, as well as the Long Island Tea podcast. To learn more, please call 631-951-3900 or visit www.DiscoverLongIsland.com.


Iran has defined itself in opposition to Israel, the United States, and the wider West since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. Over the course of half a century of complex regional and global events, the clerical regimes hostility and determination to resist has never abated, even when Iran finds itself naturally on the same side as the US in a given conflict. For example, when the American-led coalition invaded Iraq in 2003 to drive out Irans deadliest enemy, the Sunni dictator Saddam Hussein, and with the partially articulated intention of giving Iraqs Shia majority the decisive voice in the countrys government, it only took Iran a matter of weeks to start orchestrating the killing of US and British soldiers.

Nor did the common fight against ISIS in the 2010s do anything to bring about reconciliation. Instead, we have witnessed the bizarre spectacle of Russia, Iran, and Hezbollah seeking to suppress an international pariah entity while complaining endlessly about a parallel and complementary campaign being waged by NATO allies.

In explaining this paradox, we do well to remember that the regime of Bashar al-Assad in Damascus did not always see ISIS as its main enemy. During the Arab Spring movement, the existential threat to the Syrian Baathists was from popular demonstrations calling for democratic reform. At that time, Assad colluded with ISIS to polarize the Syrian population and create a binary choice between them. The Sunni opposition to Assad was progressively radicalized until it became politic and safe for Tehran, Damascus, and Hezbollah to brand them as ISIS or Al Qaeda and fight them.

Western efforts to curb Iranian aggression have been fitful over the years despite extreme provocation: the taking of US Embassy personnel as hostages in Tehran, the Rushdie fatwa, the killing of political opponents abroad, the Beirut bombing of 1983, harassment of international shipping, and Hezbollahs campaign of terrorism overseas. Only when the US Treasury really turned up the heat after 2006, enforcing crippling sanctions in response to Irans quest to develop a nuclear weapon, was Iran forced to compromise and sign the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) to address international concerns about its uranium enrichment program.

The problem was and remains that this response to the nuclear challenge (whether you consider the JCPOA a good or bad deal on enrichment) left unanswered Iranian tactical asymmetric warfare in the Middle East. But events starting with the October 7 Hamas massacre in Israel leave no doubt that Irans construction of an array of proxy militias in the region has achieved strategic effect and significance. Hezbollah in Lebanon (and its extensive international network) is Irans longest-established and most reliable asset. But Sunni governments in the Middle East commented with increasing urgency after 2003 on how more and more Arab capitals were coming under threat from or even control by Iranian proxies.

The Houthi takeover of Sanaa and much of Yemen in 201415 was an important part of that development, and now we see the Houthis unsettling regional governments by ostensibly championing the Hamas cause in Gaza by threatening international shipping in the Red Sea. Baghdad has been governed by Iraqi Shia parties since Saddam was toppled, creating a constant challenge for Iraqi leaders to pursue national interests (which require balanced international relations and security support from the US) without being undermined by militias wedded to an Iranian agenda. Now, again since October 7, we see this challenge force US unilateral action to defend its forces against Iranian proxy attacks in Iraq, Syria, and Jordan, which the extremists then exploit to escalate calls for US forces to leave. This campaign takes no account of actual Iraqi national interests or of the past failure of Iraqi forces to stand up to ISIS without international support.

So, Iran and its proxies boast of control or growing influence over four Arab capitals: Damascus, Beirut, Baghdad, and Sanaa. The objective is to weaken Saudi and Egyptian influence in the region and intimidate smaller countries like Bahrain, all with a view to marginalizing US influence. Since Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Tehran has also formed an alliance with Moscow that has made clear its explicitly anti-West agenda while, incidentally, ending Israels previous efforts to maintain constructive relations with Russia and leaving it almost entirely dependent on the US for international support. This situation begs the question: Does the Iranian strategy run the risk of overreach as the conflicting agendas and ideologies of the parties engaged undermine the success of the Axis of Resistance?

Some of the risks are already manifest. When Iran asserted its right to interfere with shipping in the Indian Ocean, Tehran drew a sharp reaction from India, not a power it could afford to alienate, and was forced to back down. The Iranian association with Russia is also problematic because it is a reminder to NATO and the European Union, both of which were shocked into greater determination and unity of purpose by the invasion of Ukraine, that Iran is an enemy of Western interests and the Rules Based International System. Meanwhile, the limitations of relying on hot-headed militants with their own agendas are evident from watching Iran try to navigate successive crises created by the Houthis in the Red Sea and the Iraqi militias killing US service personnel in Jordan.

What we have seen from Iran has been tactical ducking and weavingmoving the Iranian spy ship, the Behshad, in and out of danger and having the Iraqi Kataib Hizballah announce that they were suspending attacks on US interests for a period. Meanwhile, since October, Lebanese Hezbollah has maintained a steady rate of cross-border attacks on northern Israel but appears to have calculated these to show support for Hamas without provoking a major Israeli escalation. In April, the Iran-Israel proxy conflict briefly escalated after Israel bombed Iranian diplomatic premises in Damascus, killing a number of significant IRGC officers. This was followed by direct confrontation, with Iran launching ineffectual strikes on Israel and Israel retaliating rather mildly.

It is difficult to avoid the conclusion from this that neither Iran nor Hizballah is yet ready for a full-scale war with Israel, partly because the US has made clear that it will support Israel and has moved military assets to the region to underline that commitment. The latest risk of escalation originated in late July from a lethal Hezbollah strike in the Golan Heights, which was followed by Israels assassinations of senior Hezbollah figure Fuad Shukr in Beirut and Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran. Both Iran and Hezbollah have loudly threatened retaliation but have not carried out any notable operation as of late August. It is possible that this stand-off, proxy conflict between Iran and Israel can continue for some time without spiraling out of control, but each round of intensified hostilities is harder to de-escalate from than the last.

Perhaps the biggest problem with the Iranian proxy strategy, from Tehrans strategic perspective, is that it muddies the clarity of the anti-Israel message that came into focus after October 7. While there are plenty of useful idiots in the West who are happy to march for Hamas and the Houthis simultaneously, this does not play well in the Islamic world. The Arab street can easily relate to the Palestinian cause, but poor Egyptians know well that the Houthis are their enemies and are sabotaging their economy by decimating Suez Canal revenues. Kurds in Iraq, Iraqi Sunnis, and other communities feel sympathy with Gaza but are appalled at the idea of having Iraqs Western partners forced out, leaving them at the mercy of violent Shia chauvinists and, even worse, a potential resurgence of ISIS.

The challenge for the US is to hold its nerve and respond more forcefully but still proportionately to the Iranian challenge while reassuring its natural allies in the region (Israel, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Kuwait, UAE, etc.) that it is committed for the duration. It needs to reassert deterrence of Axis of Resistance aggression, especially by Hezbollah against Israel and by the Houthis against international shipping in the Red Sea. This may become easier to achieve after the US general election in November, regardless of its outcome. US adversaries try to second-guess Americas political direction, and both US political parties are influenced in their stances by the imperative of winning the election. A strategy by either potential administration may be easier to implement in 2025.

The Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD) is determined to provide accurate analysis and sound advice during this turbulent period and will produce a series of papers on the Axis of Resistance. This adversary is not a superpower; it is a deeply dysfunctional, unpopular, and sclerotic clerical regime allied with various tribes of extremist thugs. Hamas, Hezbollah, the Houthis, and the Iraqi groups all have manifest weaknesses and only limited ability to support each other and Iran. The US and its allies have made a good start to facing them down, but more force will be needed, including direct force against the Iranian regime. Our research and related advice are intended to help inform and direct this inevitable campaign.

Edmund Fitton-Brown is a senior advisor to the Counter Extremism Project. He formerly served as British ambassador to Yemen and as a coordinator of the UN Security Councils Monitoring Team for ISIS, AQ, and the Taliban.
On 24 August, Pavel Durov, the Russian billionaire owner of encrypted messaging app Telegram, was arrested by French police. Interrogated for four days, he was yesterday transported to a court and charged on all counts. Now, awaiting trial, he has been released on a 5 million bail, must visit the French police twice a week, and has been prevented from leaving France. A warrant is also out for the arrest of his brother, the co-founder of Telegram.

This incredibly bold move by the French authorities has been presented as a routine cybercrime sting against the proliferation of child porn and other nefarious activities. Macron himself has reassured us that the arrest is not political.

But the idea that a small office of the Ministry of Justice would unilaterally go after the Mark Zuckerberg of Russia, who happens to be the gatekeeper of the private communications of almost a billion people, is laughable.

On the contrary: this is an unprecedented and scandalous political attack on freedom of speech and privacy of communications. The aim of the French state and its allies is to gain access to the vast amount of user information on Telegram, to set a legal precedent, and to send a message that any messaging service that doesnt allow the secret police to peep inside its contents will be hit with the full force of the law.

Complicit?

Durov has been branded with a litany of shocking charges, which include selling drugs, fraud, and possession of child porn. However, none of these crimes have been committed by Durov himself. Rather he is being charged as complicit in all the misdeeds that have taken place on his platform.

Durov has been branded with a litany of shocking charges / Image: TechCrunch, Flickr

This is patently ridiculous, just as it would be ridiculous to charge Johannes Gutenberg for all the rubbish that gets printed on paper. In reality, the eyebrow-raising crimes of complicity are a secondary matter for the French cops. Plenty of rich criminals, and facilitators of crime, have enjoyed sojourns in France without hassle.

Macrons government has wined and dined tyrants from across the world, including Saudi butchers and Israel war criminals. The French police certainly didnt have a problem with Durov's complicity when, in 2018, he was personally invited to a private dinner with Macron, who asked him to move the headquarters of Telegram to Paris.

The real import of the arrest is signalled by the following charges, which are mixed in amongst the smokescreen of outrageous accusations:

Refusal to communicate, at the request of competent authorities, information or documents necessary for carrying out and operating interceptions allowed by law, and Providing cryptology services aiming to ensure confidentiality without certified Declaration [emphasis mine]

The case was put more bluntly earlier this year by Europol, the law enforcement agency of the EU, which put out a statement demanding end-to-end encryption be banned and that tech monopolies provide built-in backdoors in their systems so that companies and the police can monitor their data. This is what the arrest really concerns.

Telegram

This attack is only the most recent and audacious in the attempts of various governments, by hook or by crook, to get their hands on the data held by Durov.

Durov and his brother initially founded VKontakte, a Russian equivalent of Facebook, in 2006. From 2011, in the midst of protests against the Russian regime, they came under pressure to disclose the identity of protestors to the FSB and to sell the platform to an oligarch loyal to Putin. The same occurred during the Maidan movement of 2013-2014, where, upon refusing, Durov had his house raided, and was effectively forced into selling VKontakte to the regime. He was fired as its CEO and fled Russia.

In 2013, in the wake of Edward Snowdens leak that Microsoft, Google, Apple and other tech monopolies had granted backdoor access to US intelligence, Durov went on to found Telegram as a secure messaging platform.

Quickly growing to become one of the most popular messaging apps on the planet, Telegram attracted the ire of governments around the world. In 2017, Durov had his phone hacked in a joint operation by France and the UAE (he is a citizen of both countries), and reports that he is constantly greeted by FBI agents at the airport, attempting to obtain his cooperation. Because of its constant refusal to hand over information, Telegram has been banned (temporarily or permanently) in 31 countries since 2015.

Alongside drug dealers, pornographers, Zelensky, Hamas, and, ironically, the French cabinet, Telegram has been a key means of organisation for protests and revolutionary movements in Hong Kong, Iran, Thailand, and Belarus / Image: own work

But Telegram is popular precisely because it has so far resisted these pressures. Today, Telegram has 950 million monthly active users, up from 500 million in 2021. It forms one blindspot in the vast surveillance apparatus of the ruling classes of the world, and, as a result, the platform has become a haven for those who want to communicate securely.

Alongside drug dealers, pornographers, Zelensky, Hamas, and, ironically, the French cabinet, Telegram has been a key means of organisation for protests and revolutionary movements in Hong Kong, Iran, Thailand, and Belarus, among others.

Telegram is also an extremely important means of communication on either side of the Ukraine war. On the Russian side, according to the son of the former chief of the Russian Space agency, Telegram is used for intelligence transfer, artillery course-correction, video streaming from copters and more. In the estimation of Ruslan Leviev, head of an organisation which investigates the activities of the Russian military, pretty much every Russian soldier has it installed.

In Ukraine, Telegram has become a news source for at least 70 percent of the population. The platform is the main source of up-to-date battlefield information, information which doesnt necessarily coincide with the chorus of western propaganda. Unable to control the flow of information, the Ukrainian government has publicly attacked Telegram, and last year even threatened to ban it entirely.

Telegram is therefore one of the juiciest troves of information in the world, information which all the imperialist powers  for offence and defence  have an interest in securing. If any government were able to gain access to the encryption keys and crack this piggy bank  which would require the cooperation of Durov  it would be an enormous weapon in the hands of its intelligence service, which could be used to potentially eavesdrop on, compromise, or behead any opposing organisation using the platform.

It is a prospect so tantalising that it has driven democratic France to commit such a brazen violation of democracy.

The present act is not an isolated effort. In the wake of Durovs arrest, the EU and India have both revealed that they are launching their own investigations into the platform.

NSA PowerPoint slide leaked by Edward Snowdon in 2013, revealing the information collected by the intelligence agency / Image: fair use

It would be extremely surprising if the US intelligence didnt have something to do with this. The NSA, the ears of American imperialism, controls a vast, worldwide apparatus of surveillance which, as of 2021, was revealed to be directly targeting over 230,000 individuals and organisations, and collecting hundreds of millions of communications, foreign and domestic.

Notoriously, Snowdens 2013 leaks revealed it to have struck up secret deals with tech monopolies to snoop on the traffic passing through their platforms, giving US intelligence unmitigated access to private messaging on Whatsapp, Instagram, IMessage, and Facebook. But the users of Telegram have remained outside their reach. A leaked 2021 FBI document which breaks down what the agency can legally access of each messaging platform shows that Telegram is the most opaque. Therefore, and especially because of its value to Russian imperialism, compromising Telegram is of particular interest to Washington.

Crackdown on freedom of speech

Today the internet, and particularly social media, plays a significant role in facilitating the class struggle, as the ruling class well understands. It is an unprecedented means of instantaneous, global communication which can be used as a tool to inform, assemble and coordinate vast masses of people, as seen from the Arab Spring, to Kenya and Bangladesh more recently, where those governments shut down the internet precisely to block off this avenue of communication. Consequently it has become an important target for government repression. In the last five years, the internet was taken offline during protests 191 times by 30 different countries.

France has pioneered this tactic in the West. In 2023, in the midst of the wave of protests in response to the murder of Nahel Merzouk by police, Macron floated banning Snapchat and Tiktok. This year, Macrons suggestion was actually carried out: during the riots in New Caledonia, a French colony, the government suspended Tiktok alongside the imposition of a curfew and the deployment of troops.

Countries in which Telegram is fully or partially blocked / Image: MohammedAlbaqirkhalid, Wikimedia Commons

However the current assault on freedom of speech is not confined to the digital world. Pro-Palestinian activists across Europe and America have been subjected to a barrage of scandalous attacks by the state.

Recently, Richard Medhurst, a pro-Palestinian journalist with a large following on X/Twitter, was dragged off a plane, arrested by British police, and detained in humiliating conditions for 24 hours. Recorded the whole time, he was refused the right to a call or any insight into the reason for his arrest. To add to the Orwellian nature of the attack, Medhurst had booked his plane ticket on the same day, which implies that he was being surveilled and directly targeted. He is the first journalist to be charged under section 12 of the UKs Terrorism Act.

Similarly, in 2023, French left-wing publisher Ernest Moret, was arrested on his way to the London book fair. In an attack that reveals the scandalous cooperation of British and French police in hassassing political dissidents, Moret was held under terrorism legislation because of his participation in the French anti-pension reform protests. He was interrogated as to whether he supported Macron, his phone and laptop were seized for more than 10 weeks, and his sim card was downloaded. In this case, the police were forced to apologise and pay 500,000 in compensation.

But this apology is an exception to the rule. Countless demonstrators, journalists and students have been harassed, intimidated, or jailed in recent months, including communists from the RCI.

Like the victimisation of Snowden, Assange, and Manning, these are all part of a campaign of political persecution. Under the guise of anti-terrorism and fighting crime, the cops of the democratic imperialist powers are cudgelling and threatening all those bold enough to stand up against their atrocities at home and abroad.

Communists and freedom of communication

We have no particular fondness for Pavel Durov. However it is to his credit that, whatever his motivation may be, he has maintained his integrity against the encroachment of the intelligence agencies of the world.

Pavel Durov's personal character is totally secondary. His actual crime is refusing to assist the French state and its friends in spying on Telegrams users. What the case really comes down to is whether the state should have the right to snoop on the communications of private individuals in a private forum.

We, as communists, unequivocally oppose the arrest of Durov, which makes a complete mockery of freedom of communication. A genuine democracy would guarantee the right of organisation, expression, and publication unmonitored by the secret police.

But how can democracy  capitalist democracy that is  guarantee this when the privacy of almost a billion people now hinges on the integrity of one man? Where the means of communication are in the hands of individual capitalists, genuine freedom of speech will always be circumscribed by their private interests, which, by and large, overlap with the state, as evidenced by the capitulation of the majority of tech billionaires to the NSA.

Bourgeois democrats present communism as the antithesis of free speech. But under capitalism free speech is always under threat. It is not a guarantee, but a tool which can be snatched away when necessary. In the context of the world crisis of capitalism and a rising tide of class struggle, the defenders of the capitalist class are more and more dispensing with their democratic tools in favour of the gag and baton.

Ultimately no single app, no matter how secure it purports to be, can ensure genuine freedom of speech. The only real guarantee would be a world without NSAs, GCHQs, billionaire tech giants, and states with an interest in stamping out dissent in order to maintain the freedom of a miniscule, propertied minority to exploit the rest of humanity. That is, communism.
ANKARA, Turkey (AP)  Turkish authorities on Monday detained 15 members of an anti-American youth organization who physically assaulted two U.S. military personnel in the city of Izmir, the state-run Anadolu news agency reported.

The agency said members of the Turkish Youth Union, which is affiliated with the Patriotic Party  a small, nationalist political party without parliament seats  were detained on the orders of a prosecutor.

The group posted a video of the incident on social media platform X and said they placed sacks over the heads of soldiers who had disembarked from the U.S. Navy amphibious assault ship USS Wasp.

The video shows a group of men yelling, Yankee go home! while restraining a man and attempting to put a sack over his head.

The U.S. soldiers who carry the blood of our soldiers and thousands of Palestinians on their hands cannot pollute our country, the group said on X.

The U.S. Embassy confirmed the incident, saying service members on board the USS Wasp were now safe. It thanked Turkish authorities for their rapid response and ongoing investigation.

The USS Wasp arrived in Izmir on Sunday after conducting joint training with Turkish assault ships in the Mediterranean.
Boston police arrested a Hyde Park man Sunday evening after he stabbed a man in the citys Jamaica Plain neighborhood, according to police.

Alex Pena, 50, has been charged with assault and battery with a dangerous weapon and operation of a motor vehicle with a suspended license, Boston police said in a press release.

Officers were called to the area of 383 Centre St. around 9:40 p.m. on Sept. 1 for a report of a person stabbed, police said. At the scene, they found a man with a non-life-threatening stab wound. He was taken to a hospital for treatment.
A Kenyan man wanted in connection with the killing of a Whitman woman, who authorities said was found dead inside a car, will be arraigned in court Tuesday, officials announced.

Kevin Kangethe, 42, charged in connection with killing Margaret Mbitu, 31, will be arraigned on Sept. 3 in Suffolk Superior Court around 9:30 a.m., Suffolk County District Attorney Kevin Hayden said in a statement.

Kangethe left for Kenya after Mbitus body was found inside a car at Boston Logan International Airport on Nov. 1, 2023, the statement said.

The district attorney said Mbitu was stabbed to death. Law enforcement will hold a media availability after the arraignment.

I am deeply grateful for all of the state, federal and Kenyan authorities who have worked so diligently to return Kevin Kangethe to Boston, Hayden said in a statement. I am particularly grateful that Maggie Mbitus family and friends will finally see the man charged with her death appear in court.
A man who authorities say was stabbed to death by his uncle at a New Bedford apartment late last month is being remembered for his compassionate heart.

Police found 23-year-old Omil Padilla Corsino with life-threatening stab wounds inside his apartment at 68 South St. the afternoon of Aug. 24., the Bristol District Attorneys Office said previously. He was rushed to St. Lukes Hospital but declared dead a short time later.

Police have charged Padilla Corsinos uncle, 43-year-old Puerto Rico resident Juan Padilla-Santana, with murder in connection with the Padilla Corsinos death, the district attorneys office said. Authorities believe Padilla-Santana stabbed his nephew during a fight between family members, but Padilla-Santanas lawyer maintains that his client stabbed his nephew in self-defense.
Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey gave Vice President Kamala Harris White House bid a full-throated endorsement during last months Democratic National Convention in Chicago.

But she was far more cautious on Sunday when she was asked on nationwide television whether shed consider taking a job as a future President Harris U.S. attorney general.

During an appearance on Face the Nation on CBS on Sunday, the Arlington Democrat said she [loves] being governor of this state. I love what weve been able to do."

Healey, the former two-term state attorney general, had been widely mentioned for U.S. attorney general if President Joe Biden had won re-election.

Now, with Biden out, and Harris heading the Democrats presidential ticket with Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, that speculation has continued.

Anchor Nancy Cordes put the question to Healey directly on Sunday.

"Youre the former state attorney general, and your name has been floated as a possible U.S. attorney general. If Vice President Harris is elected, is that a job that youd be interested in? she asked.

Healey didnt give a definitive yes or no, instead going on to tout her administrations work on free community college, better access to health care, [and] making sure that we do things to move forward economically.

Im a pro-growth Democrat, as is Kamala Harris. We just cut taxes here in the state, which is also something that Kamala Harris wants to do  cut taxes for the middle class, Healey continued.

Former President Donald Trump, the Republican nominee, only wants to raise taxes for the ultra wealthy. So Im focused, Nancy, on doing everything I can to elect Kamala Harris and Tim Walz in November, she concluded. It will be good, not just for Massachusetts, it will be good for America.

Walz campaigned in Massachusetts last week, addressing a gathering of the International Association of Fire Fighters in Bostons Seaport district, where he touted his and Harris support for unions and workers.

Trumps running mate, U.S. Sen. J.D. Vance, R-Ohio, followed that up with a speech to the firefighters the next day.
Africa has witnessed a steady process of regional economic integration in recent years. In February 2024, the African Union (AU) launched the Second 10-Year Implementation Plan of Agenda 2063 during the 37th AU Summit.

Mohamed Ould Cheikh Ghazouani, Mauritanian president and chairperson of the AU for 2024, said that the AU is committed to unleashing the development potential of the African continent, promoting regional economic integration, increasing infrastructure connectivity, and enhancing agricultural productivity, so as to ensure the smooth implementation of the second 10-year implementation plan.

The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) was officially established in July 2019 and went into operation in January 2021. It aims to facilitate trade and investment and achieve the free movement of goods, services, and capital across the African continent through tariff reduction and removal of trade barriers. It works to create a large single market of over 1.3 billion people and with a combined gross domestic product of $2.3 trillion.

According to the Economic Development in Africa Report 2023 released by the United Nations Trade and Development (UNCTAD), the AfCFTA offers advantages by easing regional market access and strengthening production chains across the continent, helping African domestic industries become more prepared for the global arena.

As Africas largest trading partner, China actively supports African regional economic integration and the development of the AfCFTA. Recent years have seen an expansion in both the volume and quality of trade between China and the African continent.

According to the China-Africa Trade Index, published for the first time in 2023, the value of Chinas imports from and exports to Africa increased from less than 100 billion yuan ($14 billion) in 2000 to 1.88 trillion yuan in 2022, a cumulative growth of over 20 times. In 2023, the China-Africa trade volume reached a record high of $282.1 billion, a year-on-year increase of 1.5 percent. Among them, Chinas imports of African nuts, vegetables, flowers and fruits increased by 130 percent, 32 percent, 14 percent, and 7 percent year-on-year, respectively. Meanwhile, Chinese exports of new energy vehicles, lithium batteries, and photovoltaic products to Africa increased by 291 percent, 109 percent, and 57 percent year-on-year, respectively, strongly supporting Africas green transition.

China and the AfCFTA Secretariat have jointly established an expert group for economic cooperation, aiming to enhance the sharing of policies and experiences to facilitate trade and investment. Both sides have been deepening cooperation in areas such as infrastructure, trade and finance, industrial investment, talent training, and capacity building, providing continuous support for Africas regional economic integration.

Over the past decade, China has provided Africa with development support as much as it can and has been involved in the construction of over 6,000 kilometers of railways, 6,000 kilometers of roads, and more than 80 large power facilities in Africa.

Among them, the 2Africa submarine cable project, invested and developed by China Mobile International and other companies, encircles the African continent with a total length of over 45,000 kilometers. Once completed, it will become the longest submarine cable in the world. This cable project will deliver much-needed internet capacity and reliability in Africa, promote digital transformation in sectors such as healthcare, education, and finance, and provide digital support for the regional economic integration of the African continent.

In August 2023, at the China-Africa Leaders Dialogue, China proposed to launch the Initiative on Supporting Africas Industrialization, the Plan for China Supporting Africas Agricultural Modernization, and the Plan for China-Africa Cooperation on Talent Development, to help Africa bring its integration and modernization into a fast track.

According to an article published in the African Leadership Magazine, large-scale infrastructure projects, like the building of roads, trains, ports, and power plants, are common in China. These investments support economic growth and regional integration by filling the infrastructural deficit in Africa.

James Mwangi, chief executive officer of Equity Group Holdings based in Kenya, said that China is an important source of investment for Africa and the largest export market for African countries. This strong support has enabled African nations to participate in global trade.

He said Africa welcomes advanced financial payment tools from China, which can help the continent achieve financial integration and inject new momentum into global financial infrastructure connectivity.

SOURCE Peoples Daily
by Ray Schultz , September 2, 2024

The Billings (Montana) Times, a community weekly, has published its last print edition, ending a 133-year run.

The owner, Scott Turner, says that print newspapers are definitely in major decline, according to the Montana News Leader.

However, the printing presses are still active as the company provides commercial printing services, ranging from brochures to business cards.

The Turner family took over the paper in 1978.

Reporter Ed Kemmick wrote: "we've all been waiting for this forever," in his final column, the report says.

On its site, The Billing Times refers to itself as a weekly legal/statistical newspaper covering the city of Billings, Montana and Yellowstone County, Montana and highlights its printing services.
Last weeks meeting marked a prelude to GVNs international meeting in Durban, South Africa, September 16-18, 2024



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TAMPA, Fla., Aug. 31, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- A correction has been issued for the release disseminated on August 29th. Sten Vermund's full title was corrected to Sten Vermund, MD, PhD, GVN President and Professor of Yale University, USA. The complete and corrected release follows.



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To mitigate the mpox outbreak, the Global Virus Network (GVN) is leading a panel of experts to develop guidelines and streamline testing standards, including strengthening infrastructure to sequencing and early detection. On August 22, 2024, the GVN, headquartered at the University of South Florida, USA, convened a critical mpox discussion online with leaders from the World Health Organization (WHO), Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), the Foundation for Innovative New Diagnostics (FIND), the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), major industry partners, renowned virologists, and public health experts at the forefront of the mpox outbreak response.



Lorenzo Subissi, PhD, WHOs Mpox Task Force lead, advised the group that the current mpox epidemic was escalated to a grade 3 emergency, requiring a major to maximal WHO response. He reported that 38% of children infected are under age 10 and noted sustained human-to-human transmission of clade 1b in Africa.



Mpox is a viral infection that spreads through close contact, including sexual relations, and causes flu-like symptoms, including fever, chills, muscle aches, and pus-filled lesions. Mpox is usually mild but sometimes fatal, mostly in children. The new clade 1b variant is responsible for the rising infections, primarily in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and identified in Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda, and Thailand, as well as reported in the Central African Republic, the Republic of Congo, and Sweden.



The discussion highlighted the urgent need to enhance diagnostic capabilities, vaccine development, and global collaboration to mitigate the impact of the mpox outbreak, particularly in regions most at risk.



To facilitate recommendations catalyzed by the discussion, the GVN assembled a subcommittee on point-of-care diagnostics chaired by Rachel Roper, PhD, Professor of Microbiology and Immunology at East Carolina University, USA and Co-chair of GVNs Mpox Action Committee, Marion Koopmans, DVM, PhD, Erasmus Medical Center, Netherlands, a GVN Center of Excellence, and Deborah Williamson, PhD, Professor of Public Health Microbiology, University of Glasgow, United Kingdom, a GVN Center of Excellence, and Director of the UK Health Security Agency. The subcommittee is meeting weekly to develop global testing and diagnostic standards and generate suggestions through a collaborative whitepaper addressing issues such as sample collection, assays, and clinical triage procedures for frontline workers.



Its not just how a sample is transported, Dr. Roper said, but what type of sample is collected. For mpox, each lesion can have unique viral populations, and we need to have a universal sample type defined and well documented to aid surveillance.



During the meeting, Emmanuel Agogo, PhD, Director of Pandemic Threats at FIND, Switzerland, emphasized the need for local capacity building: To effectively combat mpox, we must empower local health systems and researchers. This will not only help contain the current outbreaks but also build long-term resilience against future threats. In particular, the need for decentralized diagnostic options is critical for surveillance, access to therapeutics and effective vaccine roll out.



Maggie L. Bartlett, PhD, Program Director at the GVN and faculty member at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, USA, a GVN Center of Excellence, emphasized the importance of inclusive and equitable strategies: Our efforts must reach those in the most affected regions, and we must prioritize health equity in our response to ensure that no one is left behind.





Laurens Liesenborghs, MD, PhD, Assistant professor of Emerging Infectious Diseases at the Institute of Tropical Medicine (ITM), Belgium, member of ITMs multidisciplinary Outbreak Research Team, and member of the GVN Mpox Action Committee, echoed the call for an innovative approach: We cannot be content with the status quo. Our goal is to develop tools and strategies that are not only effective but also scalable and sustainable. This is a global challenge that demands a global response.



Michael Mina, MD, PhD, Chief Scientific Officer of eMed, USA, said Rapid tests and PCR tests are not mutually exclusive. In fact, we learned during COVID how useful a dual strategy can be and how these can be incredibly powerful additive tools in our public health toolbox. We need the big companies to step it up and develop rapid diagnostics and research funding incentives from governments to ensure we dont face the same fallout with the crash of small companies after the surge.



Yenew Kebede Tebeje, MD, Head of Division of Laboratory Systems at Africa CDC advised, Mpox poses a significant threat to public health, particularly in regions where health systems are already stretched thin. To effectively combat this virus, we must strengthen our surveillance, diagnostic, and response capabilities across Africa. Our collective efforts must ensure that we are not only containing the current outbreaks but also building the resilience needed to face future health challenges.



In addition to addressing the immediate response, the meeting also focused on long-term strategies for pandemic preparedness and response. The participants discussed the critical role of partnerships between global organizations like WHO, GVN, Africa CDC, CEPI and FIND in driving innovation and ensuring that resources are directed where they are most needed.



Sten Vermund, MD, PhD, GVN President and Professor of Yale University, USA, said, "The initiatives originating from the meeting represent part of the GVN effort to assist in the global effort to combat mpox and other emerging viral threats. Collaboration is imperative and we are keen that the GVN help leverage and focus resources and expertise helping to mitigate the mpox outbreak and plan for future threats.



GVNs coalition of the worlds leading virology researchers, who work together to prevent illness and death from viral disease, will continue these discussions about the mpox outbreak amid high-level scientific sessions examining pandemic preparedness and current threats, including at GVNs International Annual Scientific Meeting, Navigating Virologys Frontiers in Africa, co-hosted by the Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa (CAPRISA), a GVN Center of Excellence, September 16-18, 2024.



Salim Abdool Karim, MB, ChB, director of CAPRISA and CAPRISA Professor of Global Health at Columbia University, USA, is chair of the Africa CDC Emergency Consultative Group and warned that mpox spread is eminent, but with a global response it can be controlled and stopped. Dr. Karim also said the outbreak is particularly concerning as it disproportionately affects young people. He continued, I look forward to continuing these discussions at the GVN international meeting in Durban as we tackle this rising threat, among other pressing global issues, including COVID-19, scientific misinformation, and pandemic preparedness.



During GVNs international meeting, experts will exchange ideas on themes including: evading viral evasion; translational virology and complex co-infections; training the next generation; post-viral diseases; bats, rats, and other vectors; genetic sequences and epidemiological insights; cutting-edge diagnostics and therapeutics; regional responses to disease; perspectives from agencies; pandemic preparedness; and combating scientific misinformation.



About the Global Virus Network (GVN)



The GVN is essential and critical in the preparedness, defense, and first research response to emerging, existing, and unidentified viruses that pose a clear and present threat to public health. Working in close coordination with established national and international institutions, the GVN is a coalition comprised of eminent human and animal virologists from 80+ Centers of Excellence and Affiliates in 40+ countries, working collaboratively to train the next generation, advance knowledge about how to identify and diagnose pandemic viruses, mitigate and control how such viruses spread and make us sick, as well as develop drugs, vaccines, and treatments to combat them. No single institution in the world has expertise in all viral areas other than the GVN, which brings together the finest medical virologists to leverage their individual expertise and coalesce global teams of specialists on the scientific challenges, issues, and problems posed by pandemic viruses. The GVN is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization. For more information, please visit www.gvn.org .





For more information, please contact: Linman Li at [email protected]


In the United States., White women receive up to eight times more compensation for their #eggs compared to Black women. #eggdonation #medindia

  Trusted Source

Eggonomics



Go to source Trusted Source

Egg Donor disparities

Complex Reality of Egg Donation

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Recognize donors rights to truthful, thorough, and standardized informed consent, including how any pre-existing conditions (e.g., PCOS, endometriosis) may be aggravated by the hormones used

Reduce potential for donor undue inducement by eliminating financial incentives from donor recruitment advertisements and materials

Implement independent legal counsel for donors with enforceable terms when donor contracts are violated or when they experience medical harm

Recognize the rights of donors as primary patients by implementing best practices and providing donors with their medical records

Recognize no means no when a donor expresses even once that she is not interested in doing another cycle and enforce American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) six-cycle limits

Rescind taxation on donor compensation

Implement practices to recognize all donors and intended parents have a right to be treated with respect regardless of race, gender identity, sexual orientation, and patient status

Recognize the rights of donor-conceived people to have access to medical information and information about their identities

Establish a three-pronged donor registry to track donor cycles, enforce live birth limits, and enable immediate and long-term follow-up on donor health

The Global Market in Human Eggs and the Donors Who Supply Them.- (https:www.routledge.com/Eggonomics-The-Global-Market-in-Human-Eggs-and-the-Donors-Who-Supply-Them/Tober/p/book/9781032549910 )

White women in the United States are paid up to eight times more for their eggs than Black women, according to data obtained by the author of a new book that uncovers the lesser-known repercussions of egg donation.In her book, Diane M. Tober presents data and stories that shed light on the lesser-known consequences of egg donation . Tober's work includes firsthand accounts that highlight power imbalances within the egg donation industry. She examines the global industry with a specific focus on the United States and Spain.According to Tober's research, there are significant differences in the compensation rates for egg donors based on race. In a study of over 900 egg donors in the United States,. To illustrate, in one case, eggs from an 'ideal donor' were valued at $250,000. This donor was Chinese American and held a master's degree from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology().Exposing the perspective of the industry, Tober says: Donor profiles are the marketing tools used to attract intended parents, and those women who possess desired social and physical traits will sell faster to a wide range of intended parents than others.Eggonomics identifies the precarious financial position of many donors and uncovers how many have been motivated to donate eggs following the cost of living crisis, or due to high student debt.In the context of the pursuit of the ideal genetics, and the market value attached to them, the word eugenics crops up repeatedly. One donor said: from me they wanted really, really specific things, and I was feeling like, Oh my god. This is eugenics.Donors are not industry-serving machines producing products by the double or triple dozens. Sometimes they donate eggs out of financial need, or because they want to help others, and most have mixed motivations. Wherever they are in the world, they are human beings with their own lives, emotions, and physical bodies they put on the linefor a whole range of complicated reasonsto help create families for the more affluent.Many come to find that the abundance of eggs they counted on in their youth are not available to them later when they are ready to start their own families, and the only biological children they will ever have are being raised by someone else. Until extensive longitudinal research into egg donor health and wellbeing is conducted, and care for donors is prioritized, there will be no justice for egg donors or the families they help create.Tober also raises questions about whether donors may be at an increased risk of health problems following medication and subsequent donation  especially those who donate repeatedly. She includes accounts of young, healthy donors developing health problems soon after donating.The author notes that a disproportionate number seem to have no other relevant risk factors and that some of them have physicians who suspected a causal link between egg donation and subsequent illness, and she calls for more research to be done to fully understand all the risks.Weaving between the perils and the joys egg donors experience, Tober recognizes the complexities involved in being a donor. She calls for sweeping changes in policy and the industry to both improve transparency and enhance egg donor rights and safety.Source-Eurekalert
All of us know that Sholay is considered the pivotal film that changed Indian cinema but did you know that it was beaten by Deewar in critical reception?

A screenplay is a script with locations, scenes, and characters dialogues that directly reflect on the screen.

Sholay might have surpassed Deewar in terms of popularity, but Deewar is hailed as the best screenplay of Salim-Javeds entire filmography.

1975 witnessed the release of two of the best films of Indian cinema: Sholay and Deewar.

 Studiobinder

According to many actors, Deewar is taught in the film schools to students as the example of a perfect screenplay.

Heres why Deewar is the best screenplay written by Salim and Javed.

The breathing space

The main issue that I find with modern films is that they start within the first frame and try to establish characters and situations in the first few minutes, which causes a disconnect with the audience.

But Deewar takes a good 30 minutes to establish the characters and present their backstory.

Most of the scenes in the second half, such as Vijay buying an entire building for his mother and Main aaj bhi pheke hue paise nahi uthaata, became iconic because their setup was done in the first half an hour.

The metaphors

There are many scenes in the film that foreshadow the upcoming drift beautifully.

For example, in Amitabhs introduction scene at the temple, after the mother feeds him the Prasad, both brothers go their separate ways, referring to the ideological differences between both Vijay and Ravi.

Also, when Ravi decides to drop the case of his brother, Salim-Javed integrated a good 15-minute scene, including the thief who gets shot for stealing bread to make Shashi Kapoors character realise his duties as a police officer.

In any other film, this connundrum could have been showcased with a simple realisation, but adding that scene comments on the social issues and how they havent changed and also solidifies Ravis motivation.

Salim-Javed also tried to highlight human greed and how it makes a person hollow as the time passes and he reaches greater heights.

In one of the scenes, Nirupa Roys character asks Ravi, Vijay din-raat kaam mein laga rehta hai, ab use pehle jaisi neend bhi nahi aati haiKya paise aa jaane se neend chali jaati hai? To which he replies, Paise aate hain to neend nahi aati, aur neend aati hai, to paise nahi aate.

I mean, BEAUTUFUL!

The romance

Amitabh Bachchan had a grey shade in the film and he didnt have a single romantic song in the film with Parveen Babi.
Ever since filmmaker Anubhav Sinhas latest web series IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack released, a massive controversy has erupted on social media where a few folks are hurt over the names given to two of the hijackers on the show. In the show, out of the five hijackers, two were called Shankar and Bhola, popular Hindu names derived from Lord Shiva. Many are criticising the makers accusing them of deliberately whitewashing the religion of the hijackers and using Hindu names to address them and not the actual ones.

 Netflix However, the truth is that Shankar and Bola alongwith Chief, Doctor and Burger were the actual code names used by the hijackers and thats how they were addressing each other during the hijack in front of the hostages. On January 6, 2000, the Ministry of External Affairs released an official statement confirming the identity of the terrorists and the codenames used by them including Bhola and Shankar. A part of their statement mentioned that the real names of the hijackers were: 1. Ibrahim Athar, Bahawalpur 2. Shahid Akhtar Sayed, Gulshan Iqbal, Karachi 3. Sunny Ahmed Qazi, Defence Area, Karachi 4. Mistri Zahoor Ibrahim, Akhtar Colony, Karachi 5. Shakir, Sukkur city To the passengers of the hijacked plane 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. Check out the screenshot of the statement from the MEA website below:
IC814: The Kandahar Hijack has been generating a lot of buzz online for chronicling the infamous hijack of an Indian Airlines plane from Kathmandu to Delhi, that ultimately landed in Kandahar. The web-series on Netflix stars Vijay Varma, Pankaj Kapoor, Dia Mirza, Naseeruddin Shah, Patralekha, Amrita Puri and Manoj Pahwa among others. While the show included many personal stories of the passengers and the crew, the one that stuck out the most was watching a newly married man get stabbed by a hijacker while his wife remained unaware of it the whole time.

 Instagram/Renuka Purohit The mans real name was Rupin Katyal and his wife was Rachna Katyal. Rupin was the only one who was mortally wounded during the hijack. Rupin and Rachnas heartbreaking story has been making waves across the internet with many people trying to find out what happened to Rachna when she returned home and how she processed the death of her husband.

 Instagram/Renuka Purohit Rachna was just 20 years old when her marriage was fixed with Rupin, a business owner. The two got married on December 3 that year. In an old media interaction, Rachna said, "I met Rupin and liked him immediately. He was very easy to get along with, and we went out together a few times before we actually got married on December 3, 1999." Remembering th martyr #RupinKatyal

Its sad that it takes a #Netflix show 2 remind us of d incident where a young couple on a honeymoon, were brutally shattered. He died without any reason & it was a failure on behalf of our Agency who could have avoided it#RachnaKatyal #IC814 pic.twitter.com/JfwtMbmdn8  Pooja Rathi (@poojadahiya1874) August 29, 2024 Rupin was killed on the first day of the hijack, but Rachna didnt know what had happened to him. All she was told was that he had deboarded in Dubai. Even when the hijackers released the hostages, Rachna was taken home by her in-laws and kept away from the media glare. For 21 days, she had no idea what had happened to her husband except that he was admitted in a Dubai hospital.
KALAMAZOO, MI -- Presidential lawn signs have taken on a local twist in Kalamazoo.

Kalamazoo County leaders from both parties say theres a renewed local interest in the race. Theyve been making connections with voters, who are seeking out yard signs and other merchandise.

Some new Democratic signs, however, go beyond the simple Harris-Walz language.

It started when a local leaders play on words reached Vice President Kamala Harris during her visit to Kalamazoo County on July 17.

A branding opportunity was born: Kamala-zoo.

Kalamazoo Vice Mayor Jeanne Hess said she coined the term during the 2020 election. She shared it with Kalamazoo County Democrats Chair Justin Mendoza ahead of Harris July 17 visit.

He told (Harris about the phrase) and she laughed, Hess said. Where else in the country do you have an opportunity like that?

The signs  imitating the style of Pure Michigan ads  read Welcome to Kamala-zoo.

The first batch of 200 Kamala-zoo signs sold out within 24 hours on Monday, Aug. 26, said David Combs, co-chair of the Kalamazoo County Democratic Party. A second batch of 250 is available for preorder online.

Harris visited the Air Zoo in Portage for a campaign event just three days before President Joe Biden dropped out of the election. The July 17 Kalamazoo County trip was one of her last appearances before becoming the presumptive nominee.

RELATED: In Michigan visit, Kamala Harris draws distinctions with Trumps new VP pick

That visit opened the floodgates of support from Kalamazoo County voters, Combs said.

With this newfound energy in the Harris-Walz campaign, were able to really switch from defense to offense and look forward, Combs said.

The "Welcome to "Kamalazoo" signs imitate the style of the "Pure Michigan" highway signs. David Combs

The organization has since put the slogan on T-shirts, bumper stickers and brat coffee mugs. Additionally, hundreds of the standard blue and white Harris-Walz signs are being picked up from the office at 3254 S. Westnedge Ave. every week.

The enthusiasm is higher than its been in the last decade, Combs said, and probably as high as ever in Southwest Michigan.

People are feeling a lot more comfortable and confident putting signs out, expressing their political views and not being afraid about it, said Kalamazoo Democratic organizer Luke Howell.

Excitement is building on the other side of the aisle as well, said Kalamazoo County Republican Party Chair Kelly Sackett.

As of Wednesday, Aug. 28, the Kalamazoo County GOP had already handed out about 15,000 Trump-Vance lawn signs, Sackett said. Shes encouraged, as more newcomers attending their weekly coffeehouse events and luncheons, too.

We realize that were not going to sway somebodys mind with a lawn sign, Sackett said. However, this does make people feel like theyre a part of the process, and thats big.

Signs for Trump, as well as other local Republican politicians, are available for free at 5250 Lovers Lane in Portage. Donations are welcome, but not required.

Trump Force 47 -- a team of volunteers dedicated to door knocking and phone banking for the former president -- serves seven counties out of the fully staffed Portage office, Sackett said.

We have hundreds of people coming through the door for the Trump Force events, Sackett said. Weve had more new people coming in than Ive ever seen.

Being a swing state, Michigan has garnered visits from high-profile candidates and national coverage.

Its put more eyes on local elections, too, Sackett said. When voters come to the Portage campaign office to pick up a Trump sign, theyre learning about candidates running in their own community on the same platform.

Both Trump, Harris and their vice presidential candidates JD Vance and Tim Walz have made visits to Michigan in this year -- with multiple stops in Kent County and Detroit, as well as Kalamazoo, Big Rapids and Howell.

RELATED: Trump schedules second Michigan campaign stop in a week

RELATED: Kamala Harris to return to Detroit as part of campaigns Labor Day blitz

Combs expects more visits to Southwest Michigan -- from both parties -- in the near future.

Theres national attention on whats happening in Southwest Michigan, Combs said. It is an indicator of the state of politics, certainly across the Midwest, but I think nationally as well.

Kalamazoo Gazette/MLive offers free email news alerts. Click here to sign up for alerts or for the daily 3@3 Kalamazoo news roundup. Bookmark the local Kalamazoo news page here.
Equitable Trust Co. lowered its position in Laboratory Co. of America Holdings (NYSE:LH  Free Report) by 33.7% during the second quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 84,319 shares of the medical research companys stock after selling 42,880 shares during the period. Laboratory Co. of America accounts for approximately 1.2% of Equitable Trust Co.s portfolio, making the stock its 17th biggest holding. Equitable Trust Co. owned approximately 0.10% of Laboratory Co. of America worth $17,160,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Pathway Financial Advisers LLC purchased a new position in Laboratory Co. of America in the 1st quarter valued at $30,000. Industrial Alliance Investment Management Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Laboratory Co. of America during the 2nd quarter worth $27,000. Innealta Capital LLC purchased a new position in shares of Laboratory Co. of America during the 2nd quarter worth $32,000. Family Firm Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Laboratory Co. of America during the 2nd quarter worth $37,000. Finally, McClarren Financial Advisors Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Laboratory Co. of America by 313.2% during the 1st quarter. McClarren Financial Advisors Inc. now owns 219 shares of the medical research companys stock worth $48,000 after acquiring an additional 166 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 95.94% of the companys stock.

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Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research analysts have recently commented on LH shares. UBS Group lifted their price target on Laboratory Co. of America from $260.00 to $270.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Friday, August 2nd. Truist Financial lifted their price target on Laboratory Co. of America from $255.00 to $275.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Friday, August 2nd. Bank of America lifted their price target on Laboratory Co. of America from $240.00 to $260.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Monday, August 5th. StockNews.com raised Laboratory Co. of America from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report on Tuesday, August 20th. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft raised their price objective on Laboratory Co. of America from $220.00 to $230.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a research report on Friday, August 2nd. Four analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and ten 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 $247.42.

Insider Activity

In other news, CFO Glenn A. Eisenberg sold 15,000 shares of Laboratory Co. of America stock in a transaction dated Thursday, August 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $223.99, for a total value of $3,359,850.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief financial officer now owns 31,289 shares in the company, valued at approximately $7,008,423.11. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. In other news, CFO Glenn A. Eisenberg sold 15,000 shares of Laboratory Co. of America stock in a transaction dated Thursday, August 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $223.99, for a total value of $3,359,850.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief financial officer now owns 31,289 shares in the company, valued at approximately $7,008,423.11. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Also, EVP Der Vaart Sandra D. Van sold 2,000 shares of Laboratory Co. of America stock in a transaction dated Monday, August 19th. The shares were sold at an average price of $227.05, for a total value of $454,100.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 3,670 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $833,273.50. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last quarter, insiders sold 29,679 shares of company stock worth $6,716,306. 0.85% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Laboratory Co. of America Trading Up 0.1 %

NYSE LH traded up $0.20 during trading on Friday, hitting $229.89. The stock had a trading volume of 488,578 shares, compared to its average volume of 520,244. The company has a market capitalization of $19.30 billion, a PE ratio of 46.26, a PEG ratio of 1.77 and a beta of 1.05. The company has a quick ratio of 0.77, a current ratio of 0.88 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.39. The firm has a 50 day moving average price of $216.51 and a 200 day moving average price of $210.82. Laboratory Co. of America Holdings has a twelve month low of $191.97 and a twelve month high of $238.46.

Laboratory Co. of America (NYSE:LH  Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Thursday, August 1st. The medical research company reported $3.94 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $3.78 by $0.16. The company had revenue of $3.22 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $3.19 billion. Laboratory Co. of America had a return on equity of 15.39% and a net margin of 3.60%. Laboratory Co. of Americas revenue was up 6.2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $3.42 EPS. As a group, equities research analysts forecast that Laboratory Co. of America Holdings will post 14.67 earnings per share for the current year.

Laboratory Co. of America Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, September 13th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, August 29th will be paid a $0.72 dividend. This represents a $2.88 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.25%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, August 29th. Laboratory Co. of Americas payout ratio is presently 57.95%.

Laboratory Co. of America Profile

(Free Report)

Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings operates as a life sciences company that provides vital information to help doctors, hospitals, pharmaceutical companies, researchers, and patients make clear and confident decisions. It operates in two segments, Labcorp Diagnostics (Dx) and Biopharma Laboratory Services (BLS).

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nVerses Capital LLC acquired a new position in shares of Snap Inc. (NYSE:SNAP  Free Report) in the second quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor acquired 21,500 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $357,000.

A number of other hedge funds have also recently made changes to their positions in SNAP. Atria Wealth Solutions Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Snap during the 4th quarter worth $251,000. Russell Investments Group Ltd. increased its position in Snap by 39.4% during the 4th quarter. Russell Investments Group Ltd. now owns 208,845 shares of the companys stock valued at $3,541,000 after buying an additional 58,986 shares in the last quarter. New York Life Investment Management LLC increased its position in Snap by 15.7% during the 4th quarter. New York Life Investment Management LLC now owns 16,994 shares of the companys stock valued at $288,000 after buying an additional 2,311 shares in the last quarter. U.S. Capital Wealth Advisors LLC increased its position in Snap by 3.3% during the 4th quarter. U.S. Capital Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 31,499 shares of the companys stock valued at $533,000 after buying an additional 1,000 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Spire Wealth Management increased its position in Snap by 17.1% during the 4th quarter. Spire Wealth Management now owns 10,257 shares of the companys stock valued at $168,000 after buying an additional 1,500 shares in the last quarter. 47.52% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Analyst Ratings Changes

Several research analysts recently issued reports on the company. Benchmark reaffirmed a hold rating on shares of Snap in a research report on Tuesday, August 6th. Argus raised Snap to a hold rating in a research report on Thursday, August 8th. Bank of America cut their price objective on Snap from $16.00 to $13.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a report on Friday, August 2nd. Susquehanna cut their price objective on Snap from $15.00 to $12.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a report on Friday, August 2nd. Finally, Citigroup cut their price objective on Snap from $16.00 to $11.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a report on Monday, August 12th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, twenty-one have assigned a hold rating and seven have issued 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 $14.10.

Snap Price Performance

Shares of NYSE SNAP traded up $0.12 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $9.34. The stock had a trading volume of 17,230,554 shares, compared to its average volume of 29,633,610. Snap Inc. has a 1 year low of $8.28 and a 1 year high of $17.90. The company has a market capitalization of $15.50 billion, a PE ratio of -11.53 and a beta of 1.03. The company has a quick ratio of 3.98, a current ratio of 3.98 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.74. The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of $12.71 and a 200-day simple moving average of $13.01.

Snap (NYSE:SNAP  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, August 1st. The company reported ($0.13) EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of ($0.15) by $0.02. The firm had revenue of $1.24 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.25 billion. Snap had a negative return on equity of 42.84% and a negative net margin of 23.49%. On average, sell-side analysts expect that Snap Inc. will post -0.48 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Insider Activity

In other news, Director Joanna Coles sold 3,950 shares of Snap stock in a transaction on Tuesday, June 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $15.17, for a total value of $59,921.50. Following the completion of the sale, the director now directly owns 46,492 shares of the companys stock, valued at $705,283.64. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. In related news, Director Joanna Coles sold 3,950 shares of Snap stock in a transaction on Tuesday, June 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $15.17, for a total value of $59,921.50. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 46,492 shares in the company, valued at $705,283.64. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Also, CTO Robert C. Murphy sold 1,000,000 shares of Snap stock in a transaction on Tuesday, August 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $8.69, for a total value of $8,690,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief technology officer now owns 58,553,813 shares of the companys stock, valued at $508,832,634.97. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last ninety days, insiders sold 1,338,370 shares of company stock valued at $11,984,203. 22.68% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Snap Profile

(Free Report)

Snap Inc operates as a technology company in North America, Europe, and internationally. The company offers Snapchat, a visual messaging application with various tabs, such as camera, visual messaging, snap map, stories, and spotlight that enable people to communicate visually through short videos and images.

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Abercrombie & Fitch (NYSE:ANF  Free Report) had its price target reduced by UBS Group from $193.00 to $165.00 in a report issued on Thursday, Benzinga reports. They currently have a neutral rating on the apparel retailers stock.

Other equities analysts have also issued reports about the company. Argus lowered Abercrombie & Fitch from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Thursday, July 11th. Morgan Stanley lowered Abercrombie & Fitch to an equal weight rating and reduced their price objective for the company from $162.00 to $155.00 in a research note on Tuesday, August 27th. Citigroup lifted their price objective on Abercrombie & Fitch from $150.00 to $190.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Thursday, May 30th. Telsey Advisory Group reaffirmed an outperform rating and issued a $208.00 price objective on shares of Abercrombie & Fitch in a research note on Wednesday, August 28th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group lifted their price objective on Abercrombie & Fitch from $155.00 to $215.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, May 29th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, Abercrombie & Fitch has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $178.43.

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Abercrombie & Fitch Stock Up 3.8 %

Insider Buying and Selling

ANF opened at $147.57 on Thursday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.20, a current ratio of 1.44 and a quick ratio of 1.15. The stock has a market capitalization of $7.54 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 18.35 and a beta of 1.54. The business has a 50-day moving average of $160.60 and a two-hundred day moving average of $145.54. Abercrombie & Fitch has a 12 month low of $49.24 and a 12 month high of $196.99.

In related news, Director Kenneth B. Robinson sold 1,300 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, June 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $171.61, for a total transaction of $223,093.00. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 5,880 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,009,066.80. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. In other Abercrombie & Fitch news, Director Nigel Travis sold 7,700 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, June 4th. The stock was sold at an average price of $173.66, for a total value of $1,337,182.00. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 19,855 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $3,448,019.30. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, Director Kenneth B. Robinson sold 1,300 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, June 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $171.61, for a total value of $223,093.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 5,880 shares in the company, valued at $1,009,066.80. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 3.77% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Abercrombie & Fitch

Institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Legacy Capital Group California Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Abercrombie & Fitch in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $1,125,000. Natixis Advisors L.P. bought a new stake in shares of Abercrombie & Fitch in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $988,000. Cetera Advisors LLC bought a new stake in shares of Abercrombie & Fitch in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $674,000. Cetera Investment Advisers increased its holdings in shares of Abercrombie & Fitch by 209.2% in the 1st quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers now owns 48,648 shares of the apparel retailers stock valued at $6,097,000 after acquiring an additional 32,915 shares during the last quarter. Finally, SG Americas Securities LLC increased its holdings in shares of Abercrombie & Fitch by 123.3% in the 2nd quarter. SG Americas Securities LLC now owns 33,883 shares of the apparel retailers stock valued at $6,026,000 after acquiring an additional 18,707 shares during the last quarter.

Abercrombie & Fitch Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Abercrombie & Fitch Co, through its subsidiaries, operates as an omnichannel retailer in the United States, Europe, the Middle East, Asia, the Asia-Pacific, Canada, and internationally. The company offers an assortment of apparel, personal care products, and accessories for men, women, and kids under the Abercrombie & Fitch, abercrombie kids, Hollister, and Gilly Hicks brands.

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American Eagle Outfitters (NYSE:AEO  Free Report) had its target price trimmed by Barclays from $32.00 to $26.00 in a research note released on Friday, Benzinga reports. The brokerage currently has an overweight rating on the apparel retailers stock.

A number of other brokerages have also commented on AEO. TD Cowen cut their price objective on shares of American Eagle Outfitters from $25.00 to $23.00 and set a hold rating on the stock in a report on Friday. Morgan Stanley cut their price objective on shares of American Eagle Outfitters from $19.00 to $18.00 and set an underweight rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, May 30th. Telsey Advisory Group reiterated a market perform rating and issued a $25.00 price objective on shares of American Eagle Outfitters in a report on Thursday. Finally, StockNews.com upgraded shares of American Eagle Outfitters from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Monday, May 27th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, four have issued a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, American Eagle Outfitters presently has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $25.33.

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American Eagle Outfitters Trading Down 1.0 %

Shares of American Eagle Outfitters stock opened at $20.58 on Friday. The company has a fifty day moving average price of $20.83 and a 200 day moving average price of $22.40. American Eagle Outfitters has a twelve month low of $14.39 and a twelve month high of $26.44. The stock has a market cap of $4.04 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 18.54, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.96 and a beta of 1.51.

American Eagle Outfitters (NYSE:AEO  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, August 29th. The apparel retailer reported $0.39 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.38 by $0.01. American Eagle Outfitters had a net margin of 4.58% and a return on equity of 20.98%. The firm had revenue of $1.29 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.31 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the company earned $0.25 EPS. The firms revenue was up 7.5% on a year-over-year basis. Analysts forecast that American Eagle Outfitters will post 1.79 earnings per share for the current year.

American Eagle Outfitters Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, July 26th. Stockholders of record on Friday, July 12th were paid a $0.125 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Friday, July 12th. This represents a $0.50 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.43%. American Eagle Outfitterss dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 45.05%.

Insider Activity

In related news, Director Cary D. Mcmillan sold 2,577 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Thursday, July 11th. The shares were sold at an average price of $20.93, for a total transaction of $53,936.61. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Company insiders own 7.30% of the companys stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On American Eagle Outfitters

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Los Angeles Capital Management LLC acquired a new stake in American Eagle Outfitters during the first quarter worth about $3,457,000. Seven Eight Capital LP acquired a new stake in American Eagle Outfitters during the first quarter worth about $1,445,000. Bayesian Capital Management LP acquired a new stake in American Eagle Outfitters during the first quarter worth about $598,000. Boulder Hill Capital Management LP bought a new position in American Eagle Outfitters in the 4th quarter worth about $2,254,000. Finally, Capstone Investment Advisors LLC bought a new position in American Eagle Outfitters in the 4th quarter worth about $830,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 97.33% of the companys stock.

American Eagle Outfitters Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

American Eagle Outfitters, Inc operates as a multi-brand specialty retailer in the United States and internationally. The company provides jeans, apparel and accessories, and personal care products for women and men under the American Eagle brand; and intimates, apparel, activewear, and swim collections under the Aerie and OFFLINE by Aerie brands.

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Nio Inc  (NYSE:NIO  Get Free Report) has been given an average recommendation of Hold by the eleven research firms that are presently covering the stock, MarketBeat.com reports. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have assigned a hold rating and two have assigned a buy rating to the company. The average 1-year price target among brokerages that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $6.90.

A number of brokerages have commented on NIO. Citigroup cut their price target on shares of NIO from $10.40 to $8.50 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, June 6th. Bank of America boosted their target price on NIO from $5.90 to $6.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research report on Friday, June 7th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. upgraded NIO from an underweight rating to a neutral rating and increased their price target for the stock from $4.80 to $5.40 in a report on Wednesday, May 15th.

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Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on NIO

NIO Price Performance

Shares of NIO opened at $4.04 on Wednesday. The business has a 50-day moving average of $4.26 and a 200-day moving average of $4.75. NIO has a 1 year low of $3.61 and a 1 year high of $11.35. The company has a market capitalization of $6.95 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -2.39 and a beta of 1.86. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.55, a current ratio of 1.15 and a quick ratio of 1.03.

NIO (NYSE:NIO  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, June 6th. The company reported ($0.36) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of ($0.31) by ($0.05). NIO had a negative return on equity of 111.91% and a negative net margin of 39.38%. The firm had revenue of $1.37 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.48 billion. As a group, equities research analysts anticipate that NIO will post -1.43 earnings per share for the current year.

Institutional Trading of NIO

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd. grew its holdings in NIO by 23.4% during the first quarter. Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd. now owns 2,317,758 shares of the companys stock worth $10,430,000 after buying an additional 439,474 shares in the last quarter. Electron Capital Partners LLC grew its position in NIO by 5.6% in the 4th quarter. Electron Capital Partners LLC now owns 4,429,960 shares of the companys stock worth $40,180,000 after purchasing an additional 235,521 shares in the last quarter. BNP PARIBAS ASSET MANAGEMENT Holding S.A. increased its stake in NIO by 127.1% in the 1st quarter. BNP PARIBAS ASSET MANAGEMENT Holding S.A. now owns 378,638 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,704,000 after buying an additional 211,936 shares during the last quarter. CANADA LIFE ASSURANCE Co lifted its position in shares of NIO by 28.2% during the 1st quarter. CANADA LIFE ASSURANCE Co now owns 2,431,771 shares of the companys stock worth $10,950,000 after buying an additional 535,400 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Los Angeles Capital Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of NIO in the 1st quarter worth approximately $448,000. 48.55% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

NIO Company Profile

(Get Free Report

NIO Inc designs, manufactures, and sells electric vehicles in the People's Republic of China. The company is also involved in the manufacture of e-powertrain, battery packs, and components; and racing management, technology development, and sales and after-sales management activities. In addition, it offers power solutions for battery charging needs; and other value-added services.

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OVH Groupe (OTC:OVHFF  Get Free Report) and GoDaddy (NYSE:GDDY  Get Free Report) are both computer and technology companies, but which is the superior stock? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their earnings, analyst recommendations, valuation, risk, dividends, institutional ownership and profitability.

Earnings & Valuation

This table compares OVH Groupe and GoDaddys top-line revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

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Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio OVH Groupe N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A GoDaddy $4.25 billion 5.55 $1.37 billion $12.04 13.90

GoDaddy has higher revenue and earnings than OVH Groupe.

Profitability

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets OVH Groupe N/A N/A N/A GoDaddy 41.12% -709.73% 8.09%

Institutional and Insider Ownership

This table compares OVH Groupe and GoDaddys net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

90.3% of GoDaddy shares are owned by institutional investors. 0.6% of GoDaddy shares are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, hedge funds and endowments believe a company is poised for long-term growth.

Analyst Ratings

This is a summary of recent ratings for OVH Groupe and GoDaddy, as provided by MarketBeat.com.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score OVH Groupe 0 0 0 0 N/A GoDaddy 0 4 9 1 2.79

GoDaddy has a consensus price target of $163.58, suggesting a potential downside of 2.29%. Given GoDaddys higher possible upside, analysts plainly believe GoDaddy is more favorable than OVH Groupe.

Summary

GoDaddy beats OVH Groupe on 8 of the 9 factors compared between the two stocks.

About OVH Groupe

(Get Free Report)

OVH Groupe S.A. provides public and private cloud, shared hosting, and dedicated server products and solutions worldwide. The company operates through three segments: Private Cloud, Public Cloud, and Web Cloud & Other. It offers Bare Metal Cloud that provides dedicated servers; Hosted Private Cloud, which offers servers fully managed by OVHcloud, such as operating system and the virtualisation layer; Public Cloud that provides cloud computing services on shared servers; and web cloud services. The company also offers website hosting, domain name registration, telephony, and internet access services, as well as voice over internet protocol solutions. OVH Groupe S.A. was founded in 1999 and is headquartered in Roubaix, France.

About GoDaddy

(Get Free Report)

GoDaddy Inc. engages in the design and development of cloud-based products in the United States and internationally. It operates through two segments: Applications and Commerce, and Core Platform. The Applications and Commerce segment provides applications products, including Websites + Marketing, a mobile-optimized online tool that enables customers to build websites and e-commerce enabled online stores; and Managed WordPress, a streamlined and optimized website building that allows customers to easily build and manage a faster WordPress site; Managed WooCommerce Stores to sell anything and anywhere online; and marketing tools and services, such as GoDaddy Studio mobile application, search engine optimization, Meta and Google My Business, and email and social media marketing designed to help businesses acquire and engage customers and create content. The segment also offers connected commerce comprising Smart Terminal, a dual screen all-in-one Point-of-Sale system that allows customers to manage in-store inventory and product catalogs and take payments; GoDaddy Payments, a payment facilitator that enables customers to accept all major forms of payments; and email service plans with a multi-feature web interface, and Microsoft Office 365 accounts that connects to customers domains. The Core Platform segment offers domain products, including primary registrations, domain aftermarket platform, and domain name add-ons, as well as GoDaddy Registry, a provider of domain name registry services; and hosting and security services comprising shared website hosting, virtual private servers, and managed wordpress hosting services, as well as security products with a comprehensive suite of tools designed to help secure customers online presence. The company serves small businesses, individuals, organizations, developers, designers, and domain investors. GoDaddy Inc. was founded in 1997 and is headquartered in Tempe, Arizona.

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FFT Wealth Management LLC decreased its position in shares of Apollo Global Management, Inc. (NYSE:APO  Free Report) by 5.1% during the second quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 2,953 shares of the financial services providers stock after selling 159 shares during the quarter. FFT Wealth Management LLCs holdings in Apollo Global Management were worth $349,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in APO. Yousif Capital Management LLC grew its stake in shares of Apollo Global Management by 5.2% during the 4th quarter. Yousif Capital Management LLC now owns 7,502 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $699,000 after purchasing an additional 368 shares during the period. Van ECK Associates Corp grew its stake in shares of Apollo Global Management by 23.7% during the 4th quarter. Van ECK Associates Corp now owns 11,002 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $1,025,000 after purchasing an additional 2,110 shares during the period. Victory Capital Management Inc. lifted its position in shares of Apollo Global Management by 32.7% during the 4th quarter. Victory Capital Management Inc. now owns 355,707 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $33,148,000 after buying an additional 87,688 shares in the last quarter. New York Life Investment Management LLC lifted its position in shares of Apollo Global Management by 12.2% during the 4th quarter. New York Life Investment Management LLC now owns 7,097 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $661,000 after buying an additional 774 shares in the last quarter. Finally, First Trust Direct Indexing L.P. lifted its position in shares of Apollo Global Management by 32.1% during the 4th quarter. First Trust Direct Indexing L.P. now owns 3,984 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $371,000 after buying an additional 969 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 77.06% of the companys stock.

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Insider Buying and Selling

In other Apollo Global Management news, Director Pauline Richards acquired 2,351 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, August 6th. The shares were purchased at an average price of $104.92 per share, with a total value of $246,666.92. Following the completion of the acquisition, the director now directly owns 85,854 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $9,007,801.68. The acquisition was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. 8.50% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of research analysts have recently issued reports on APO shares. Redburn Atlantic started coverage on Apollo Global Management in a research report on Tuesday, August 27th. They set a buy rating and a $153.00 target price on the stock. StockNews.com downgraded Apollo Global Management from a hold rating to a sell rating in a research note on Thursday, August 8th. Jefferies Financial Group cut their target price on Apollo Global Management from $119.00 to $117.00 and set a hold rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, May 9th. Argus cut their target price on Apollo Global Management from $135.00 to $125.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, August 20th. Finally, Evercore ISI raised their target price on Apollo Global Management from $128.00 to $130.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Monday, July 15th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, five have assigned a hold rating and thirteen have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $128.19.

View Our Latest Stock Report on Apollo Global Management

Apollo Global Management Price Performance

APO stock opened at $115.73 on Monday. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $115.24 and a 200 day moving average price of $113.49. The stock has a market cap of $65.75 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.82, a PEG ratio of 1.19 and a beta of 1.59. Apollo Global Management, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $77.11 and a fifty-two week high of $126.45. The company has a quick ratio of 1.26, a current ratio of 1.26 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.36.

Apollo Global Management (NYSE:APO  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, August 1st. The financial services provider reported $1.64 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $1.67 by ($0.03). Apollo Global Management had a net margin of 21.90% and a return on equity of 16.98%. The firm had revenue of $6.02 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $873.18 million. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $1.54 EPS. Equities research analysts anticipate that Apollo Global Management, Inc. will post 6.68 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Apollo Global Management Cuts Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, August 30th. Stockholders of record on Friday, August 16th were issued a $0.4625 dividend. This represents a $1.85 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.60%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, August 16th. Apollo Global Managements payout ratio is currently 20.49%.

Apollo Global Management Profile

(Free Report)

Apollo Global Management, Inc is a private equity firm specializing in investments in credit, private equity and real estate markets. The firm's private equity investments include traditional buyouts, recapitalization, distressed buyouts and debt investments in real estate, corporate partner buyouts, distressed asset, corporate carve-outs, middle market, growth capital, turnaround, bridge, corporate restructuring, special situation, acquisition, and industry consolidation transactions.

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Banco Macro S.A. (NYSE:BMA  Get Free Report) saw a significant growth in short interest in the month of August. As of August 15th, there was short interest totalling 1,180,000 shares, a growth of 14.6% from the July 31st total of 1,030,000 shares. Approximately 1.9% of the shares of the company are sold short. Based on an average daily volume of 327,200 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 3.6 days.

Analyst Ratings Changes

BMA has been the topic of several recent research reports. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised shares of Banco Macro from an underweight rating to a neutral rating and raised their target price for the stock from $14.00 to $78.00 in a report on Friday. StockNews.com upgraded shares of Banco Macro from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report on Thursday. Finally, Bank of America upgraded shares of Banco Macro from an underperform rating to a neutral rating and increased their price target for the stock from $53.00 to $62.00 in a research report on Thursday, August 8th.

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Read Our Latest Analysis on BMA

Banco Macro Price Performance

Shares of NYSE BMA traded up $3.03 during trading hours on Monday, hitting $58.77. 726,000 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 368,723. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.14, a quick ratio of 0.77 and a current ratio of 0.79. The company has a market cap of $3.76 billion, a PE ratio of 3.47 and a beta of 1.91. The companys fifty day simple moving average is $54.03 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $52.57. Banco Macro has a 1-year low of $17.30 and a 1-year high of $68.24.

Banco Macro (NYSE:BMA  Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, August 22nd. The bank reported ($4.01) earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $1.49 by ($5.50). Banco Macro had a net margin of 12.58% and a return on equity of 25.97%. The company had revenue of $1.03 billion during the quarter. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $2.69 EPS. On average, sell-side analysts predict that Banco Macro will post 10.52 EPS for the current year.

Banco Macro Increases Dividend

The business also recently announced a monthly dividend, which was paid on Friday, August 23rd. Shareholders of record on Friday, August 16th were given a $1.798 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, August 16th. This represents a $21.58 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 36.71%. This is a positive change from Banco Macros previous monthly dividend of $1.74. Banco Macros dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 127.41%.

Institutional Trading of Banco Macro

Hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Headlands Technologies LLC bought a new position in shares of Banco Macro during the first quarter valued at $33,000. Ashton Thomas Private Wealth LLC bought a new position in Banco Macro during the second quarter worth $51,000. Shilanski & Associates Inc. bought a new position in Banco Macro during the second quarter worth $244,000. Claro Advisors LLC bought a new position in Banco Macro during the first quarter worth $260,000. Finally, Norden Group LLC bought a new position in Banco Macro during the first quarter worth $261,000.

About Banco Macro

(Get Free Report)

Banco Macro SA provides various banking products and services to retail and corporate customers in Argentina. It offers various retail banking products and services, such as savings and checking accounts, time deposits, credit and debit cards, consumer finance loans, mortgage loans, automobile loans, overdrafts, credit-related services, home and car insurance coverage, tax collection, utility payments, automated teller machines (ATMs), and money transfers.

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Stock analysts at Berenberg Bank started coverage on shares of Bodycote (LON:BOY  Get Free Report) in a research note issued to investors on Friday, MarketBeat reports. The brokerage set a buy rating and a GBX 800 ($10.55) price target on the stock. Berenberg Banks price objective would suggest a potential upside of 19.88% from the companys previous close.

Several other research firms have also weighed in on BOY. Royal Bank of Canada restated a sector perform rating and set a GBX 720 ($9.49) price objective on shares of Bodycote in a research report on Wednesday, July 31st. Jefferies Financial Group reaffirmed a buy rating and set a GBX 980 ($12.92) price objective on shares of Bodycote in a research note on Friday, July 12th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. reduced their price objective on shares of Bodycote from GBX 760 ($10.02) to GBX 750 ($9.89) and set a neutral rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, August 1st.

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Bodycote Stock Performance

About Bodycote

Shares of Bodycote stock traded up GBX 6.33 ($0.08) during trading on Friday, hitting GBX 667.33 ($8.80). 236,253 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 287,332. The stocks fifty day moving average is GBX 678.72 and its 200 day moving average is GBX 685.75. The stock has a market cap of 1.23 billion, a PE ratio of 2,022.22, a P/E/G ratio of 1.44 and a beta of 1.19. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 20.80, a quick ratio of 0.74 and a current ratio of 0.81. Bodycote has a 12 month low of GBX 545 ($7.19) and a 12 month high of GBX 774 ($10.21).

(Get Free Report)

Bodycote plc provides heat treatment and thermal processing services worldwide. It operates in two Aerospace, Defence & Energy; and Automotive & General Industrial segments. The company offers heat treatment services, including altering the microstructure of metals and alloys, such as steel and aluminum to impart properties comprising surface hardness, temperature resistance, ductility, and strength; metal joining services consisting of electron beam welding, HIP diffusion bonding, hydrogen brazing, induction brazing, and vacuum and honeycomb brazing; and hot isostatic pressing (HIP) services, including isostatic pressing and HIP supporting services, as well as Powdermet technology, a manufacturing process used in the production of complex components using powder metallurgy.

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Bureau Veritas (OTCMKTS:BVVBY  Get Free Report) and Booz Allen Hamilton (NYSE:BAH  Get Free Report) are both industrials companies, but which is the superior investment? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their valuation, profitability, dividends, analyst recommendations, earnings, institutional ownership and risk.

Insider and Institutional Ownership

91.8% of Booz Allen Hamilton shares are owned by institutional investors. 1.6% of Booz Allen Hamilton shares are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, hedge funds and large money managers believe a company will outperform the market over the long term.

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Analyst Ratings

This is a summary of recent ratings and recommmendations for Bureau Veritas and Booz Allen Hamilton, as reported by MarketBeat.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Bureau Veritas 0 0 1 0 3.00 Booz Allen Hamilton 1 2 7 0 2.60

Profitability

Booz Allen Hamilton has a consensus target price of $156.56, suggesting a potential downside of 1.40%. Given Booz Allen Hamiltons higher probable upside, analysts plainly believe Booz Allen Hamilton is more favorable than Bureau Veritas.

This table compares Bureau Veritas and Booz Allen Hamiltons net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Bureau Veritas N/A N/A N/A Booz Allen Hamilton 5.57% 65.80% 10.51%

Valuation & Earnings

This table compares Bureau Veritas and Booz Allen Hamiltons gross revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Bureau Veritas N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A Booz Allen Hamilton $10.66 billion 1.92 $605.71 million $4.60 34.52

Booz Allen Hamilton has higher revenue and earnings than Bureau Veritas.

Summary

Booz Allen Hamilton beats Bureau Veritas on 8 of the 9 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Bureau Veritas

(Get Free Report)

Bureau Veritas SA provides laboratory testing, inspection, and certification services. It operates through six segments: Marine & Offshore; Agri-Food & Commodities; Buildings & Infrastructure; Industry; Certification; and Consumer Products. The company engages in inspecting, analyzing, auditing, and certifying the products, assets, and management systems of its clients in relation to regulatory or self-imposed standards, as well as issues compliance reports. It also provides laboratory and on-site testing services for manufacturing and process industries; inspection services for products, services, assets, and installations, as well as various services designed to control quality, verify quantity, and meet regulatory requirements; and certification services for management systems, products, and people. The company serves automotive and transportation, building and infrastructure, chemicals, commodities and agriculture, consumer products and retail, food, marine and offshore, oil and gas, and power and utilities industries, as well as financial services and public sectors. It operates in approximately 140 countries through a network of offices and laboratories. Bureau Veritas SA was founded in 1828 and is headquartered in Neuilly-sur-Seine, France.

About Booz Allen Hamilton

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Booz Allen Hamilton Holding Corporation provides management and technology consulting, analytics, engineering, digital solutions, mission operations, and cyber services to governments, corporations, and not-for-profit organizations in the United States and internationally. It focuses on artificial intelligence services comprising of machine learning, predictive modeling, automation and decision analytics, and quantum computing. The company offers artificial intelligence, machine learning, and computer network related operations. In addition, it provides data science, engineering, visualization, and analysis related capabilities. Further, the company engages in user experience, user interface, graphic and web design, design thinking, sketching, and digital product design capabilities. Additionally, it architects and engineers help accelerate, scale, secure, and transform mission and business outcomes using the technologies and partner offering; offers software engineering in agile practices, DevSecOps, automation and Cloud, and Low/No Code Platform engineering; systems and digital engineering; and tech strategy and product management. Booz Allen Hamilton Holding Corporation was founded in 1914 and is headquartered in McLean, Virginia.

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Stiles Financial Services Inc cut its stake in Boston Scientific Co. (NYSE:BSX  Free Report) by 10.2% in the second quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 6,650 shares of the medical equipment providers stock after selling 755 shares during the period. Stiles Financial Services Incs holdings in Boston Scientific were worth $512,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

Several other large investors also recently bought and sold shares of BSX. Eagle Bay Advisors LLC increased its holdings in shares of Boston Scientific by 542.1% in the first quarter. Eagle Bay Advisors LLC now owns 366 shares of the medical equipment providers stock valued at $25,000 after purchasing an additional 309 shares during the period. First Foundation Advisors purchased a new position in Boston Scientific during the 1st quarter worth approximately $25,000. Triad Wealth Partners LLC acquired a new stake in Boston Scientific during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $26,000. RiverPark Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Boston Scientific in the 1st quarter valued at $30,000. Finally, Lynx Investment Advisory acquired a new stake in shares of Boston Scientific in the second quarter worth $30,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 89.07% of the companys stock.

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Insider Activity

In related news, EVP Wendy Carruthers sold 6,983 shares of Boston Scientific stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, August 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $74.12, for a total transaction of $517,579.96. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 40,188 shares in the company, valued at $2,978,734.56. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Company insiders own 0.50% of the companys stock.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research analysts recently issued reports on BSX shares. Royal Bank of Canada restated an outperform rating and set a $85.00 target price on shares of Boston Scientific in a research report on Thursday, July 25th. BTIG Research upped their target price on Boston Scientific from $80.00 to $84.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Monday, July 15th. Morgan Stanley lifted their price target on Boston Scientific from $79.00 to $92.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Monday, July 15th. Canaccord Genuity Group boosted their price target on Boston Scientific from $83.00 to $88.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Thursday, July 25th. Finally, Truist Financial raised their price objective on shares of Boston Scientific from $86.00 to $90.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, July 16th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eighteen have issued a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, Boston Scientific currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $85.24.

Read Our Latest Analysis on BSX

Boston Scientific Price Performance

NYSE BSX traded up $1.12 during mid-day trading on Monday, hitting $81.79. The stock had a trading volume of 7,639,800 shares, compared to its average volume of 6,104,321. The firms 50 day moving average is $76.94 and its 200 day moving average is $73.03. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.44, a current ratio of 1.61 and a quick ratio of 1.14. The stock has a market capitalization of $120.45 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 68.73, a PEG ratio of 2.71 and a beta of 0.78. Boston Scientific Co. has a twelve month low of $48.35 and a twelve month high of $82.10.

Boston Scientific (NYSE:BSX  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, July 24th. The medical equipment provider reported $0.62 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.58 by $0.04. The firm had revenue of $4.12 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.02 billion. Boston Scientific had a net margin of 12.00% and a return on equity of 16.59%. Boston Scientifics quarterly revenue was up 14.5% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the business posted $0.53 earnings per share. Equities research analysts forecast that Boston Scientific Co. will post 2.4 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

About Boston Scientific

(Free Report)

Boston Scientific Corporation develops, manufactures, and markets medical devices for use in various interventional medical specialties worldwide. It operates through two segments, MedSurg and Cardiovascular. The company offers devices to diagnose and treat gastrointestinal and pulmonary conditions, such as resolution clips, biliary stent systems, stents and electrocautery enhanced delivery systems, direct visualization systems, digital catheters, and single-use duodenoscopes; devices to treat urological conditions, including ureteral stents, catheters, baskets, guidewires, sheaths, balloons, single-use digital flexible ureteroscopes, holmium laser systems, artificial urinary sphincter, laser system, fiber, and hydrogel systems; and devices to treat neurological movement disorders and manage chronic pain, such as spinal cord stimulator system, proprietary programming software, radiofrequency generator, indirect decompression systems, practice optimization tools, and deep brain stimulation system.

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Want to see what other hedge funds are holding BSX? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Boston Scientific Co. (NYSE:BSX  Free Report).

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BW Gestao de Investimentos Ltda. acquired a new position in shares of SPDR S&P MidCap 400 ETF Trust (NYSEARCA:MDY  Free Report) in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund acquired 28,645 shares of the exchange traded funds stock, valued at approximately $15,327,000. SPDR S&P MidCap 400 ETF Trust accounts for about 0.9% of BW Gestao de Investimentos Ltda.s holdings, making the stock its 18th biggest position.

Other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Granite Bay Wealth Management LLC raised its holdings in shares of SPDR S&P MidCap 400 ETF Trust by 6,346.6% during the second quarter. Granite Bay Wealth Management LLC now owns 2,113,449 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $1,136,513,000 after purchasing an additional 2,080,665 shares during the period. Wells Fargo & Company MN lifted its position in shares of SPDR S&P MidCap 400 ETF Trust by 1.5% in the 4th quarter. Wells Fargo & Company MN now owns 1,476,549 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $749,171,000 after buying an additional 22,417 shares during the last quarter. Pathstone Holdings LLC bought a new position in shares of SPDR S&P MidCap 400 ETF Trust in the 4th quarter worth about $485,301,000. UBS Group AG lifted its position in SPDR S&P MidCap 400 ETF Trust by 2.0% in the 4th quarter. UBS Group AG now owns 611,939 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $310,486,000 after purchasing an additional 12,187 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Raymond James & Associates lifted its position in SPDR S&P MidCap 400 ETF Trust by 2.9% in the 2nd quarter. Raymond James & Associates now owns 367,233 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $196,499,000 after purchasing an additional 10,447 shares during the last quarter.

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SPDR S&P MidCap 400 ETF Trust Stock Performance

Shares of MDY stock traded up $4.11 during midday trading on Monday, reaching $565.30. 636,700 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 858,301. SPDR S&P MidCap 400 ETF Trust has a 12 month low of $424.22 and a 12 month high of $574.11. The company has a market cap of $22.34 billion, a P/E ratio of 15.70 and a beta of 1.09. The companys 50 day moving average price is $546.56 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $540.23.

SPDR S&P MidCap 400 ETF Trust Profile

SPDR S&P MidCap 400 ETF is an exchange traded fund. SPDR MidCap 400 Trust focuses to correspond to the price and yield performance of the S&P MidCap 400 Index. The S&P MidCap 400 covers over 7% of the United States equities market, and is part of a series of S&P the United States indices. The index also includes companies, which should have four consecutive quarters of positive as-reported earnings, excluding discontinued operations and extraordinary items.

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Bank of America upgraded shares of Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (NYSE:CM  Free Report) (TSE:CM) from a neutral rating to a buy rating in a report issued on Friday morning, Marketbeat reports.

Other analysts also recently issued reports about the company. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods raised Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce from a market perform rating to an outperform rating in a research report on Monday, June 3rd. UBS Group initiated coverage on shares of Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce in a research report on Tuesday, July 2nd. They set a neutral rating for the company. StockNews.com cut shares of Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce from a hold rating to a sell rating in a report on Saturday, July 20th. Desjardins raised Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce from a hold rating to a moderate buy rating in a research report on Friday, August 2nd. Finally, BMO Capital Markets increased their price target on Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce from $74.00 to $77.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Friday, May 31st. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have issued a hold rating and six have given a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $81.00.

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Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce Stock Up 1.6 %

CM stock opened at $58.44 on Friday. The firm has a market capitalization of $55.11 billion, a PE ratio of 12.02, a P/E/G ratio of 2.17 and a beta of 1.06. The company has a quick ratio of 1.06, a current ratio of 1.06 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.15. Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce has a twelve month low of $34.35 and a twelve month high of $59.10. The stocks 50 day moving average is $50.77 and its 200-day moving average is $49.28.

Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (NYSE:CM  Get Free Report) (TSE:CM) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, August 29th. The bank reported $1.93 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.74 by $0.19. The business had revenue of $6.60 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $6.28 billion. Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce had a net margin of 10.66% and a return on equity of 13.63%. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 12.9% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the company earned $1.14 earnings per share. Sell-side analysts expect that Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce will post 5.57 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce Cuts Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, October 28th. Investors of record on Friday, September 27th will be given a $0.652 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, September 27th. This represents a $2.61 annualized dividend and a yield of 4.46%. Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerces dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 53.50%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Norges Bank purchased a new stake in shares of Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce in the 4th quarter valued at $404,008,000. Toronto Dominion Bank increased its holdings in shares of Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce by 17.9% in the second quarter. Toronto Dominion Bank now owns 25,941,777 shares of the banks stock worth $1,233,272,000 after buying an additional 3,942,894 shares during the period. National Bank of Canada FI lifted its stake in shares of Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce by 26.8% in the 2nd quarter. National Bank of Canada FI now owns 18,340,869 shares of the banks stock valued at $867,377,000 after acquiring an additional 3,875,280 shares during the last quarter. Cibc World Market Inc. boosted its holdings in Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce by 18.9% during the 2nd quarter. Cibc World Market Inc. now owns 19,748,305 shares of the banks stock valued at $938,834,000 after acquiring an additional 3,143,734 shares during the period. Finally, Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan Trust Fund grew its position in Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce by 94.4% during the 4th quarter. Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan Trust Fund now owns 6,080,761 shares of the banks stock worth $292,949,000 after acquiring an additional 2,952,277 shares during the last quarter. 49.88% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, a diversified financial institution, provides various financial products and services to personal, business, public sector, and institutional clients in Canada, the United States, and internationally. The company operates through Canadian Personal and Business Banking; Canadian Commercial Banking and Wealth Management; U.S.

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CIBC Asset Management Inc decreased its stake in shares of Rogers Communications Inc. (NYSE:RCI  Free Report) (TSE:RCI.B) by 2.0% during the second quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The fund owned 1,513,815 shares of the Wireless communications providers stock after selling 31,364 shares during the period. CIBC Asset Management Incs holdings in Rogers Communications were worth $55,956,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in RCI. Ridgewood Investments LLC acquired a new position in Rogers Communications during the second quarter valued at approximately $37,000. Headlands Technologies LLC acquired a new position in Rogers Communications in the 1st quarter valued at $42,000. CWM LLC raised its holdings in Rogers Communications by 342.3% in the 2nd quarter. CWM LLC now owns 1,809 shares of the Wireless communications providers stock worth $67,000 after acquiring an additional 1,400 shares during the period. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC lifted its position in Rogers Communications by 106.4% during the 4th quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 1,445 shares of the Wireless communications providers stock worth $68,000 after acquiring an additional 745 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Gulf International Bank UK Ltd lifted its position in Rogers Communications by 13.4% during the 1st quarter. Gulf International Bank UK Ltd now owns 2,720 shares of the Wireless communications providers stock worth $111,000 after acquiring an additional 322 shares during the last quarter. 45.49% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

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Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of equities analysts have recently commented on RCI shares. StockNews.com upgraded Rogers Communications from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research note on Thursday, July 11th. Canaccord Genuity Group reaffirmed a hold rating and issued a $57.00 price target (down from $59.00) on shares of Rogers Communications in a research report on Thursday, July 25th. Finally, Canaccord Genuity Group cut Rogers Communications from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Thursday, July 25th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have issued 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 $51.50.

Rogers Communications Stock Performance

Shares of RCI traded down $0.13 during trading hours on Monday, reaching $40.55. 393,800 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 720,175. Rogers Communications Inc. has a 1-year low of $35.55 and a 1-year high of $48.19. The stock has a market cap of $21.61 billion, a P/E ratio of 50.69, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.06 and a beta of 0.68. The stocks fifty day moving average is $38.40 and its 200 day moving average is $39.79. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.58, a quick ratio of 0.60 and a current ratio of 0.65.

Rogers Communications (NYSE:RCI  Get Free Report) (TSE:RCI.B) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, July 24th. The Wireless communications provider reported $1.16 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.83 by $0.33. Rogers Communications had a return on equity of 23.15% and a net margin of 4.28%. The firm had revenue of $5.09 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $5.14 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $0.76 EPS. The companys revenue for the quarter was up .9% on a year-over-year basis. Equities research analysts anticipate that Rogers Communications Inc. will post 3.59 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Rogers Communications Cuts Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, October 3rd. Investors of record on Monday, September 9th will be given a $0.365 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Monday, September 9th. This represents a $1.46 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.60%. Rogers Communicationss dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 183.75%.

Rogers Communications Profile

(Free Report)

Rogers Communications Inc operates as a communications and media company in Canada. It operates through three segments: Wireless, Cable, and Media. The company offers mobile Internet access, wireless voice and enhanced voice, device financing, device protection, global voice and data roaming, wireless home phone, bridging landline, machine-to-machine and Internet of Things solutions, and advanced wireless solutions for businesses, as well as device shipping and express pickup services; and postpaid and prepaid services under the Rogers, Fido, and chatr brands.

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Clearview Wealth Advisors LLC lessened its stake in shares of Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT  Free Report) by 4.6% during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 2,845 shares of the healthcare product makers stock after selling 138 shares during the period. Clearview Wealth Advisors LLCs holdings in Abbott Laboratories were worth $296,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Several other large investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Unique Wealth Strategies LLC bought a new position in shares of Abbott Laboratories in the second quarter valued at $28,000. Signature Resources Capital Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Abbott Laboratories in the 4th quarter valued at about $29,000. Redmont Wealth Advisors LLC acquired a new position in shares of Abbott Laboratories during the 1st quarter worth about $30,000. Richardson Financial Services Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Abbott Laboratories in the 4th quarter valued at about $29,000. Finally, Transcendent Capital Group LLC acquired a new stake in Abbott Laboratories in the 4th quarter valued at about $29,000. 75.18% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Abbott Laboratories Price Performance

NYSE ABT traded up $0.51 during trading on Friday, hitting $113.27. 4,320,139 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 5,114,636. The company has a market cap of $197.08 billion, a PE ratio of 35.29, a P/E/G ratio of 2.82 and a beta of 0.72. The company has a current ratio of 1.68, a quick ratio of 1.18 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.33. The stocks 50 day moving average price is $106.97 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $108.74. Abbott Laboratories has a fifty-two week low of $89.67 and a fifty-two week high of $121.64.

Abbott Laboratories Dividend Announcement

Abbott Laboratories ( NYSE:ABT Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, July 18th. The healthcare product maker reported $1.14 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.10 by $0.04. The company had revenue of $10.38 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $10.37 billion. Abbott Laboratories had a net margin of 13.65% and a return on equity of 20.18%. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 4.0% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the business earned $1.08 earnings per share. Research analysts expect that Abbott Laboratories will post 4.66 EPS for the current year.

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, August 15th. Investors of record on Monday, July 15th were given a dividend of $0.55 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, July 15th. This represents a $2.20 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.94%. Abbott Laboratoriess dividend payout ratio is presently 68.54%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several analysts have issued reports on the company. Edward Jones lowered Abbott Laboratories from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Tuesday, July 30th. Citigroup raised their price target on Abbott Laboratories from $119.00 to $127.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Thursday, August 22nd. The Goldman Sachs Group started coverage on Abbott Laboratories in a report on Thursday, May 30th. They set a buy rating and a $121.00 price objective for the company. Royal Bank of Canada reiterated an outperform rating and set a $125.00 target price on shares of Abbott Laboratories in a research note on Tuesday, June 4th. Finally, Barclays boosted their price target on Abbott Laboratories from $140.00 to $143.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Monday, July 29th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eight have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Abbott Laboratories currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $121.80.

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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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Compania de Minas Buenaventura S.A.A. (NYSE:BVN  Get Free Report) saw a large growth in short interest in August. As of August 15th, there was short interest totalling 5,770,000 shares, a growth of 17.5% from the July 31st total of 4,910,000 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 1,200,000 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 4.8 days. Currently, 2.3% of the shares of the stock are short sold.

Compania de Minas Buenaventura S.A.A. Trading Down 2.5 %

Shares of Compania de Minas Buenaventura S.A.A. stock traded down $0.32 during trading on Monday, hitting $12.40. The companys stock had a trading volume of 1,222,700 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,384,662. The stock has a market cap of $3.15 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 206.67 and a beta of 0.83. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.20, a current ratio of 1.40 and a quick ratio of 1.17. Compania de Minas Buenaventura S.A.A. has a 52 week low of $7.73 and a 52 week high of $18.84. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $15.39 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $16.21.

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Compania de Minas Buenaventura S.A.A. (NYSE:BVN  Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, July 30th. The mining company reported $0.28 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.34 by ($0.06). The firm had revenue of $277.11 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $252.21 million. Compania de Minas Buenaventura S.A.A. had a net margin of 9.54% and a return on equity of 3.17%. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted ($0.03) EPS. Equities research analysts anticipate that Compania de Minas Buenaventura S.A.A. will post 1.41 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Compania de Minas Buenaventura S.A.A.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the business. Dorsey Wright & Associates acquired a new position in Compania de Minas Buenaventura S.A.A. during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $2,590,000. Millennium Management LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Compania de Minas Buenaventura S.A.A. by 104.4% in the second quarter. Millennium Management LLC now owns 214,796 shares of the mining companys stock valued at $3,641,000 after purchasing an additional 109,709 shares in the last quarter. Employees Retirement System of Texas bought a new stake in Compania de Minas Buenaventura S.A.A. during the second quarter worth $47,000. Squarepoint Ops LLC raised its position in Compania de Minas Buenaventura S.A.A. by 239.9% in the 2nd quarter. Squarepoint Ops LLC now owns 97,905 shares of the mining companys stock valued at $1,659,000 after buying an additional 69,105 shares during the last quarter. Finally, EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC lifted its position in shares of Compania de Minas Buenaventura S.A.A. by 63.7% during the second quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 2,709 shares of the mining companys stock valued at $42,000 after purchasing an additional 1,054 shares in the last quarter.

A number of equities analysts recently issued reports on the stock. Scotiabank lowered their price objective on shares of Compania de Minas Buenaventura S.A.A. from $16.00 to $15.00 and set a sector underperform rating for the company in a research report on Monday, August 19th. Morgan Stanley raised Compania de Minas Buenaventura S.A.A. from an equal weight rating to an overweight rating and upped their target price for the stock from $19.00 to $21.00 in a report on Friday, June 21st.

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Compania de Minas Buenaventura S.A.A. Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Compania de Minas Buenaventura SAA. engages in the exploration, development, construction, and operation of mineral processing business. The company explores for gold, silver, lead, zinc, and copper metals. It operates operating mining units, including Tambomayo located in the Caylloma province, Orcopampa Unit located in the province of Castilla, Uchucchacua located in province of Oyon, Julcani located in province of Angaraes, Peru, as well as San Gabrie located in the province of General Sanchez Cerro, in the Moquegua region.

Further Reading

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Concentra Group Holdings Parents (NYSE:CON  Get Free Report) quiet period will expire on Tuesday, September 3rd. Concentra Group Holdings Parent had issued 22,500,000 shares in its IPO on July 25th. The total size of the offering was $528,750,000 based on an initial share price of $23.50. During the companys quiet period, insiders and any underwriters involved in the IPO are prevented from issuing any research reports for the company because of SEC regulations. Following the end of the companys quiet period, its expected that the brokerages that served as underwriters on the stock will initiate research coverage on the company.

Analyst Ratings Changes

CON has been the subject of several analyst reports. Royal Bank of Canada assumed coverage on shares of Concentra Group Holdings Parent in a research report on Tuesday, August 20th. They set an outperform rating and a $33.00 price target for the company. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft assumed coverage on shares of Concentra Group Holdings Parent in a report on Monday, August 19th. They set a buy rating and a $29.00 price objective for the company. The Goldman Sachs Group assumed coverage on shares of Concentra Group Holdings Parent in a report on Monday, August 19th. They set a buy rating and a $32.00 price objective for the company. Wells Fargo & Company assumed coverage on shares of Concentra Group Holdings Parent in a report on Monday, August 19th. They set an overweight rating and a $27.00 price objective for the company. Finally, Bank of America assumed coverage on shares of Concentra Group Holdings Parent in a report on Monday, August 19th. They set a buy rating and a $30.50 price objective for the company. Seven analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating, Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of Buy and an average price target of $29.69.

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Concentra Group Holdings Parent Trading Up 3.1 %

Concentra Group Holdings Parent stock opened at $24.45 on Monday. Concentra Group Holdings Parent has a twelve month low of $21.37 and a twelve month high of $24.72.

Concentra Group Holdings Parent (NYSE:CON  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, July 24th. The company reported $0.47 EPS for the quarter. The business had revenue of $467.60 million during the quarter. As a group, equities analysts predict that Concentra Group Holdings Parent will post 1.47 EPS for the current year.

About Concentra Group Holdings Parent

(Get Free Report)

We were founded in 1979 and have grown to be the largest provider of occupational health services in the United States by number of locations. Our national presence enables us to provide access to high-quality care that supports our mission to improve the health of Americas workforce. As of March 31, 2024, we operated 547 stand-alone occupational health centers in 41 states and 151 onsite health clinics at employer worksites in 37 states.

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Chilton Capital Management LLC increased its holdings in shares of Crown Castle Inc. (NYSE:CCI  Free Report) by 4.7% during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 213,201 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock after acquiring an additional 9,602 shares during the quarter. Chilton Capital Management LLCs holdings in Crown Castle were worth $20,830,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Ables Iannone Moore & Associates Inc. purchased a new position in Crown Castle in the 4th quarter worth about $25,000. Rational Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Crown Castle during the first quarter valued at approximately $27,000. EntryPoint Capital LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Crown Castle in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $27,000. Richardson Financial Services Inc. acquired a new position in Crown Castle in the 4th quarter worth approximately $30,000. Finally, Gables Capital Management Inc. grew its position in Crown Castle by 164.0% during the 4th quarter. Gables Capital Management Inc. now owns 264 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $30,000 after purchasing an additional 164 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 90.77% of the companys stock.

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Insider Buying and Selling

In other news, COO Michael Joseph Kavanagh sold 10,883 shares of the stock in a transaction on Tuesday, July 23rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $103.72, for a total value of $1,128,784.76. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief operating officer now owns 75,127 shares in the company, valued at approximately $7,792,172.44. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. 0.39% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Crown Castle Stock Performance

Crown Castle stock traded up $0.34 during mid-day trading on Monday, reaching $112.02. The company had a trading volume of 3,511,000 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,662,652. The company has a 50 day moving average of $105.77 and a 200-day moving average of $103.17. Crown Castle Inc. has a 52 week low of $84.72 and a 52 week high of $119.50. The company has a quick ratio of 0.43, a current ratio of 0.43 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 4.04. The firm has a market cap of $48.68 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 35.01 and a beta of 0.83.

Crown Castle (NYSE:CCI  Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, July 17th. The real estate investment trust reported $0.58 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.54 by $0.04. The business had revenue of $1.63 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.62 billion. Crown Castle had a return on equity of 19.20% and a net margin of 17.98%. The firms revenue for the quarter was down 12.9% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the business earned $2.05 earnings per share. On average, sell-side analysts expect that Crown Castle Inc. will post 6.64 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Crown Castle Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, September 30th. Investors of record on Friday, September 13th will be paid a $1.565 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, September 13th. This represents a $6.26 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 5.59%. Crown Castles payout ratio is 195.63%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of analysts have recently issued reports on CCI shares. The Goldman Sachs Group initiated coverage on Crown Castle in a report on Monday, July 1st. They issued a neutral rating and a $104.00 target price for the company. Royal Bank of Canada lifted their target price on shares of Crown Castle from $100.00 to $104.00 and gave the company a sector perform rating in a research note on Thursday, July 25th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft increased their price target on shares of Crown Castle from $103.00 to $105.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a research note on Tuesday, July 23rd. Raymond James reissued an outperform rating and set a $126.00 target price (up from $124.00) on shares of Crown Castle in a research report on Friday, June 14th. Finally, TD Cowen boosted their price target on Crown Castle from $124.00 to $127.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Thursday, July 18th. Twelve research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $113.53.

Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on Crown Castle

Crown Castle Profile

(Free Report)

Crown Castle owns, operates and leases more than 40,000 cell towers and approximately 90,000 route miles of fiber supporting small cells and fiber solutions across every major U.S. market. This nationwide portfolio of communications infrastructure connects cities and communities to essential data, technology and wireless service  bringing information, ideas and innovations to the people and businesses that need them.

Further Reading

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DDD Partners LLC bought a new stake in HF Sinclair Co. (NYSE:DINO  Free Report) in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund bought 224,415 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $11,970,000. DDD Partners LLC owned about 0.12% of HF Sinclair at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of DINO. Resonant Capital Advisors LLC grew its holdings in shares of HF Sinclair by 4.7% in the 2nd quarter. Resonant Capital Advisors LLC now owns 10,167 shares of the companys stock valued at $542,000 after buying an additional 454 shares during the period. Natixis Advisors LLC grew its holdings in shares of HF Sinclair by 18.5% in the 2nd quarter. Natixis Advisors LLC now owns 45,928 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,450,000 after buying an additional 7,155 shares during the period. Cadence Wealth Management LLC grew its holdings in shares of HF Sinclair by 9.6% in the 2nd quarter. Cadence Wealth Management LLC now owns 9,113 shares of the companys stock valued at $486,000 after buying an additional 797 shares during the period. nVerses Capital LLC grew its holdings in shares of HF Sinclair by 833.3% in the 2nd quarter. nVerses Capital LLC now owns 8,400 shares of the companys stock valued at $448,000 after buying an additional 7,500 shares during the period. Finally, Van ECK Associates Corp grew its holdings in shares of HF Sinclair by 4.9% in the 2nd quarter. Van ECK Associates Corp now owns 120,834 shares of the companys stock valued at $6,445,000 after buying an additional 5,698 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 88.29% of the companys stock.

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Analyst Ratings Changes

DINO has been the subject of several research analyst reports. Argus raised shares of HF Sinclair to a hold rating in a report on Wednesday, June 26th. Piper Sandler decreased their price target on shares of HF Sinclair from $65.00 to $58.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a report on Friday, June 14th. Mizuho cut their price objective on shares of HF Sinclair from $64.00 to $61.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, June 20th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their price objective on shares of HF Sinclair from $59.00 to $60.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research report on Monday, August 19th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company cut their price objective on shares of HF Sinclair from $61.00 to $60.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, August 2nd. Six equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have assigned a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, HF Sinclair has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $62.55.

HF Sinclair Stock Up 3.5 %

NYSE:DINO traded up $1.66 on Monday, hitting $49.14. 3,884,600 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,980,153. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $49.19 and a 200-day moving average price of $54.34. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.26, a current ratio of 2.12 and a quick ratio of 0.97. HF Sinclair Co. has a 52 week low of $44.09 and a 52 week high of $64.16. The company has a market cap of $9.44 billion, a P/E ratio of 6.08 and a beta of 1.19.

HF Sinclair (NYSE:DINO  Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, August 1st. The company reported $0.78 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.72 by $0.06. The company had revenue of $7.85 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $7.65 billion. HF Sinclair had a net margin of 3.80% and a return on equity of 11.85%. HF Sinclairs quarterly revenue was up .2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $2.60 EPS. As a group, analysts expect that HF Sinclair Co. will post 3.69 EPS for the current fiscal year.

HF Sinclair Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, September 5th. Investors of record on Wednesday, August 21st will be paid a $0.50 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, August 21st. This represents a $2.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 4.07%. HF Sinclairs dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 24.75%.

HF Sinclair Company Profile

(Free Report)

HF Sinclair Corporation operates as an independent energy company. The company produces and markets gasoline, diesel fuel, jet fuel, renewable diesel, specialty lubricant products, specialty chemicals, specialty and modified asphalt, and others. It owns and operates refineries located in Kansas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming; and markets its refined products principally in the Southwest United States and Rocky Mountains, Pacific Northwest, and in other neighboring Plains states.

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Eukles Asset Management grew its holdings in shares of The Procter & Gamble Company (NYSE:PG  Free Report) by 1.2% in the second quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The fund owned 9,295 shares of the companys stock after acquiring an additional 109 shares during the quarter. Eukles Asset Managements holdings in Procter & Gamble were worth $1,533,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other hedge funds have also recently made changes to their positions in PG. Alera Investment Advisors LLC increased its holdings in Procter & Gamble by 1.2% in the first quarter. Alera Investment Advisors LLC now owns 5,007 shares of the companys stock worth $812,000 after purchasing an additional 60 shares in the last quarter. Hudson Value Partners LLC increased its stake in shares of Procter & Gamble by 4.1% in the 2nd quarter. Hudson Value Partners LLC now owns 1,516 shares of the companys stock valued at $250,000 after acquiring an additional 60 shares in the last quarter. Fiduciary Alliance LLC lifted its position in shares of Procter & Gamble by 2.8% during the 2nd quarter. Fiduciary Alliance LLC now owns 2,261 shares of the companys stock valued at $371,000 after acquiring an additional 61 shares during the period. LCM Capital Management Inc boosted its stake in Procter & Gamble by 1.1% during the first quarter. LCM Capital Management Inc now owns 5,701 shares of the companys stock worth $925,000 after acquiring an additional 63 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Home Federal Bank of Tennessee grew its holdings in Procter & Gamble by 0.3% in the second quarter. Home Federal Bank of Tennessee now owns 23,318 shares of the companys stock worth $3,846,000 after purchasing an additional 63 shares during the period. 65.77% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

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Insider Buying and Selling

In other news, CEO Ma. Fatima Francisco sold 96,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, August 22nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $170.00, for a total transaction of $16,320,000.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 13,721 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,332,570. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. In other Procter & Gamble news, CEO Jon R. Moeller sold 37,240 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, August 28th. The shares were sold at an average price of $168.89, for a total transaction of $6,289,463.60. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 263,537 shares of the companys stock, valued at $44,508,763.93. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Also, CEO Ma. Fatima Francisco sold 96,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Thursday, August 22nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $170.00, for a total transaction of $16,320,000.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 13,721 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,332,570. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last 90 days, insiders sold 375,553 shares of company stock worth $63,829,141. Insiders own 0.17% of the companys stock.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several equities analysts have recently weighed in on the stock. TD Cowen started coverage on shares of Procter & Gamble in a report on Tuesday, July 23rd. They set a buy rating and a $189.00 price objective on the stock. StockNews.com downgraded Procter & Gamble from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Thursday, August 1st. Stifel Nicolaus raised their price objective on Procter & Gamble from $157.00 to $161.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a research note on Monday, July 22nd. BNP Paribas started coverage on Procter & Gamble in a research report on Monday, June 24th. They set an outperform rating and a $187.00 target price on the stock. Finally, Evercore ISI lifted their price target on shares of Procter & Gamble from $177.00 to $183.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Thursday, July 18th. Eight analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, fourteen have given a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $175.79.

View Our Latest Report on Procter & Gamble

Procter & Gamble Trading Up 0.9 %

NYSE:PG opened at $171.54 on Monday. The Procter & Gamble Company has a 52 week low of $141.45 and a 52 week high of $171.89. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $167.48 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $164.14. The firm has a market cap of $404.86 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 28.03, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.72 and a beta of 0.41. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.51, a quick ratio of 0.53 and a current ratio of 0.73.

Procter & Gamble (NYSE:PG  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, July 30th. The company reported $1.40 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.37 by $0.03. Procter & Gamble had a return on equity of 33.46% and a net margin of 17.71%. The business had revenue of $20.53 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $20.69 billion. During the same period last year, the company posted $1.37 earnings per share. Procter & Gambles quarterly revenue was down .1% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities analysts expect that The Procter & Gamble Company will post 6.97 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Procter & Gamble Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, August 15th. Investors of record on Friday, July 19th were given a dividend of $1.0065 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, July 19th. This represents a $4.03 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.35%. Procter & Gambles payout ratio is currently 65.69%.

Procter & Gamble Company Profile

(Free Report)

The Procter & Gamble Company provides branded consumer packaged goods worldwide. It operates through five segments: Beauty; Grooming; Health Care; Fabric & Home Care; and Baby, Feminine & Family Care. The Beauty segment offers conditioners, shampoos, styling aids, and treatments under the Head & Shoulders, Herbal Essences, Pantene, and Rejoice brands; and antiperspirants and deodorants, personal cleansing, and skin care products under the Olay, Old Spice, Safeguard, Secret, and SK-II brands.

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Motorola Solutions (NYSE:MSI  Free Report) had its price target increased by Evercore ISI from $450.00 to $500.00 in a research note released on Friday morning, Benzinga reports. The firm currently has an outperform rating on the communications equipment providers stock.

A number of other equities analysts also recently issued reports on MSI. Bank of America upped their price target on Motorola Solutions from $370.00 to $440.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Thursday, July 18th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their price target on Motorola Solutions from $436.00 to $440.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Friday, August 2nd. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft upped their price target on Motorola Solutions from $385.00 to $440.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Tuesday, August 6th. Finally, Barclays upped their price target on Motorola Solutions from $372.00 to $467.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Friday, August 2nd. Seven equities research analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating, According to MarketBeat.com, Motorola Solutions currently has a consensus rating of Buy and a consensus target price of $457.40.

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View Our Latest Stock Analysis on MSI

Motorola Solutions Stock Up 1.1 %

Shares of NYSE:MSI opened at $442.04 on Friday. Motorola Solutions has a 1 year low of $269.64 and a 1 year high of $443.88. The firm has a market capitalization of $73.73 billion, a PE ratio of 54.64, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.85 and a beta of 0.94. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 7.03, a current ratio of 1.20 and a quick ratio of 1.03. The firms 50-day moving average is $403.43 and its two-hundred day moving average is $369.84.

Motorola Solutions (NYSE:MSI  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, August 1st. The communications equipment provider reported $3.24 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $3.01 by $0.23. Motorola Solutions had a return on equity of 337.36% and a net margin of 14.04%. The business had revenue of $2.63 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.59 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $2.41 earnings per share. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 9.4% on a year-over-year basis. Analysts predict that Motorola Solutions will post 12.22 EPS for the current year.

Motorola Solutions Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, October 15th. Investors of record on Friday, September 13th will be issued a dividend of $0.98 per share. This represents a $3.92 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.89%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, September 13th. Motorola Solutionss dividend payout ratio is presently 48.45%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other Motorola Solutions news, COO John P. Molloy sold 23,985 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Tuesday, August 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $407.50, for a total value of $9,773,887.50. Following the completion of the sale, the chief operating officer now owns 46,821 shares of the companys stock, valued at $19,079,557.50. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. In other news, Director Kenneth D. Denman sold 690 shares of Motorola Solutions stock in a transaction on Friday, June 7th. The stock was sold at an average price of $373.11, for a total transaction of $257,445.90. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 8,141 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $3,037,488.51. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. Also, COO John P. Molloy sold 23,985 shares of Motorola Solutions stock in a transaction on Tuesday, August 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $407.50, for a total value of $9,773,887.50. Following the transaction, the chief operating officer now directly owns 46,821 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $19,079,557.50. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 29,949 shares of company stock valued at $12,002,807 over the last three months. 1.50% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Institutional Trading of Motorola Solutions

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. MFA Wealth Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in Motorola Solutions during the 2nd quarter worth about $25,000. Beacon Capital Management LLC increased its position in Motorola Solutions by 71.8% during the 2nd quarter. Beacon Capital Management LLC now owns 67 shares of the communications equipment providers stock worth $26,000 after purchasing an additional 28 shares in the last quarter. LRI Investments LLC increased its position in Motorola Solutions by 871.4% during the 2nd quarter. LRI Investments LLC now owns 68 shares of the communications equipment providers stock worth $26,000 after purchasing an additional 61 shares in the last quarter. Crewe Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in Motorola Solutions during the 1st quarter worth about $28,000. Finally, Private Wealth Management Group LLC purchased a new stake in Motorola Solutions during the 4th quarter worth about $29,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 84.17% of the companys stock.

About Motorola Solutions

(Get Free Report)

Motorola Solutions, Inc provides public safety and enterprise security solutions in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and internationally. The company operates in two segments, Products and Systems Integration, and Software and Services. The Products and Systems Integration segment offers a portfolio of infrastructure, devices, accessories, and video security devices and infrastructure, as well as the implementation and integration of systems, devices, software, and applications for government, public safety, and commercial customers who operate private communications networks and video security solutions, as well as manage a mobile workforce.

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Fidelity National Financial, Inc. (NYSE:FNF  Get Free Report) has received a consensus recommendation of Hold from the five analysts that are currently covering the company, Marketbeat.com reports. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and two have assigned a buy rating to the company. The average 1 year price target among brokers that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $59.80.

Several research analysts recently weighed in on the stock. Truist Financial boosted their price objective on shares of Fidelity National Financial from $62.00 to $64.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, August 7th. Stephens restated an overweight rating and issued a $63.00 price objective on shares of Fidelity National Financial in a research report on Thursday, August 15th. StockNews.com cut shares of Fidelity National Financial from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Wednesday, July 17th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft lifted their target price on shares of Fidelity National Financial from $61.00 to $63.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a report on Wednesday, August 7th. Finally, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods reaffirmed a market perform rating and set a $53.00 target price on shares of Fidelity National Financial in a report on Tuesday, August 6th.

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Insiders Place Their Bets

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Fidelity National Financial

In other news, CFO Anthony Park sold 85,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Tuesday, June 4th. The shares were sold at an average price of $50.82, for a total value of $4,319,700.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief financial officer now owns 99,049 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $5,033,670.18. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link . Company insiders own 5.20% of the companys stock.

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in FNF. Victory Capital Management Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Fidelity National Financial by 195.2% in the 4th quarter. Victory Capital Management Inc. now owns 4,261,568 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $217,425,000 after buying an additional 2,818,001 shares during the period. Confluence Investment Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Fidelity National Financial in the 1st quarter valued at $135,347,000. TPG GP A LLC acquired a new position in shares of Fidelity National Financial in the 2nd quarter valued at $83,798,000. Windacre Partnership LLC grew its holdings in shares of Fidelity National Financial by 9.6% in the 1st quarter. Windacre Partnership LLC now owns 16,249,267 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $862,836,000 after buying an additional 1,424,767 shares during the period. Finally, Norges Bank acquired a new position in shares of Fidelity National Financial in the 4th quarter valued at $41,212,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 81.17% of the companys stock.

Fidelity National Financial Stock Performance

NYSE:FNF opened at $58.96 on Monday. Fidelity National Financial has a 1 year low of $37.10 and a 1 year high of $59.42. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $53.68 and a 200-day moving average of $51.73. The company has a current ratio of 0.23, a quick ratio of 0.23 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.52. The stock has a market capitalization of $16.12 billion, a P/E ratio of 19.39 and a beta of 1.35.

Fidelity National Financial (NYSE:FNF  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, August 7th. The financial services provider reported $1.24 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.27 by ($0.03). Fidelity National Financial had a return on equity of 14.48% and a net margin of 7.19%. The company had revenue of $3.16 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $3.20 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $1.01 EPS. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 2.9% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, sell-side analysts anticipate that Fidelity National Financial will post 4.57 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Fidelity National Financial Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, September 30th. Shareholders of record on Monday, September 16th will be issued a dividend of $0.48 per share. This represents a $1.92 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.26%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, September 16th. Fidelity National Financials dividend payout ratio is presently 63.16%.

Fidelity National Financial Company Profile

(Get Free Report

Fidelity National Financial, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, provides various insurance products in the United States. The company operates through Title, F&G, and Corporate and Other segments. It offers title insurance, escrow, and other title related services, including trust activities, trustee sales guarantees, recordings and reconveyances, and home warranty products.

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Fielder Capital Group LLC cut its position in shares of Sabine Royalty Trust (NYSE:SBR  Free Report) by 3.0% during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 11,377 shares of the energy companys stock after selling 356 shares during the period. Fielder Capital Group LLC owned 0.08% of Sabine Royalty Trust worth $736,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. Olistico Wealth LLC acquired a new position in shares of Sabine Royalty Trust during the 2nd quarter worth about $28,000. Family Firm Inc. acquired a new position in Sabine Royalty Trust in the 2nd quarter valued at about $48,000. Creekmur Asset Management LLC acquired a new position in Sabine Royalty Trust in the 4th quarter valued at about $147,000. TCG Advisory Services LLC acquired a new position in Sabine Royalty Trust in the 4th quarter valued at about $296,000. Finally, Concurrent Investment Advisors LLC acquired a new position in Sabine Royalty Trust in the 2nd quarter valued at about $302,000. 15.81% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Separately, StockNews.com upgraded shares of Sabine Royalty Trust from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Monday, August 12th.

Sabine Royalty Trust Stock Down 1.0 %

SBR traded down $0.62 on Friday, reaching $64.24. The company had a trading volume of 19,793 shares, compared to its average volume of 42,337. The companys fifty day moving average is $63.75 and its 200 day moving average is $63.54. Sabine Royalty Trust has a fifty-two week low of $55.60 and a fifty-two week high of $72.50.

Sabine Royalty Trust (NYSE:SBR  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, August 8th. The energy company reported $1.51 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. Sabine Royalty Trust had a net margin of 96.63% and a return on equity of 1,098.84%. The firm had revenue of $22.78 million for the quarter.

Sabine Royalty Trust Increases Dividend

The firm also recently announced a monthly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, August 29th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, August 15th were given a dividend of $0.451 per share. This represents a $5.41 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 8.42%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, August 15th. This is a positive change from Sabine Royalty Trusts previous monthly dividend of $0.38. Sabine Royalty Trusts dividend payout ratio is presently 93.92%.

Sabine Royalty Trust Profile

(Free Report)

Sabine Royalty Trust holds royalty and mineral interests in various producing oil and gas properties in the United States. Its royalty and mineral interests include landowner's royalties, overriding royalty interests, minerals, production payments, and other similar non-participatory interest in certain producing and proved undeveloped oil and gas properties located in Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas.

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Fielder Capital Group LLC acquired a new position in shares of Lloyds Banking Group plc (NYSE:LYG  Free Report) in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor acquired 56,627 shares of the financial services providers stock, valued at approximately $155,000.

Other large investors have also modified their holdings of the company. TCG Advisory Services LLC bought a new stake in shares of Lloyds Banking Group during the 4th quarter worth $25,000. Atria Wealth Solutions Inc. bought a new stake in Lloyds Banking Group in the 4th quarter valued at $26,000. D Orazio & Associates Inc. bought a new stake in Lloyds Banking Group in the 4th quarter valued at $26,000. Choreo LLC bought a new stake in Lloyds Banking Group in the 4th quarter valued at $27,000. Finally, Russell Investments Group Ltd. boosted its holdings in Lloyds Banking Group by 234.3% in the 4th quarter. Russell Investments Group Ltd. now owns 11,105 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $27,000 after purchasing an additional 7,783 shares during the period. 2.15% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

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Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of brokerages have weighed in on LYG. BNP Paribas raised shares of Lloyds Banking Group from a neutral rating to an outperform rating in a report on Friday, July 5th. Citigroup downgraded shares of Lloyds Banking Group from a buy rating to a neutral rating in a report on Monday, August 5th. Royal Bank of Canada downgraded shares of Lloyds Banking Group from an outperform rating to a sector perform rating in a report on Friday, July 26th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft started coverage on shares of Lloyds Banking Group in a report on Thursday, May 9th. They set a buy rating for the company. Finally, UBS Group reaffirmed a neutral rating on shares of Lloyds Banking Group in a report on Tuesday, July 30th. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and four have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, Lloyds Banking Group currently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $32.38.

Lloyds Banking Group Price Performance

NYSE:LYG remained flat at $3.06 on Friday. 7,066,414 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 8,849,866. The firm has a market cap of $47.69 billion, a P/E ratio of 8.05 and a beta of 1.35. Lloyds Banking Group plc has a 52-week low of $1.88 and a 52-week high of $3.14. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.89, a current ratio of 1.45 and a quick ratio of 1.48. The stocks fifty day simple moving average is $2.95 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $2.71.

Lloyds Banking Group (NYSE:LYG  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, July 25th. The financial services provider reported $0.09 EPS for the quarter. The firm had revenue of $9.55 billion for the quarter. Lloyds Banking Group had a net margin of 12.40% and a return on equity of 10.34%. Sell-side analysts predict that Lloyds Banking Group plc will post 0.32 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Lloyds Banking Group Increases Dividend

The business also recently announced a semi-annual dividend, which will be paid on Friday, September 20th. Stockholders of record on Monday, August 5th will be given a dividend of $0.0546 per share. This represents a dividend yield of 4.4%. This is a positive change from Lloyds Banking Groups previous semi-annual dividend of $0.05. The ex-dividend date is Monday, August 5th. Lloyds Banking Groups dividend payout ratio is presently 28.95%.

Lloyds Banking Group Profile

(Free Report)

Lloyds Banking Group plc, together with its subsidiaries, provides a range of banking and financial services in the United Kingdom and internationally. It operates in three segments: Retail; Commercial Banking; and Insurance, Pensions and Investments. The Retail segment offers a range of financial service products, including current accounts, savings, mortgages, motor finance, unsecured loans, leasing solutions, and credit cards to personal customers.

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Fielder Capital Group LLC increased its position in shares of Mueller Industries, Inc. (NYSE:MLI  Free Report) by 4.9% during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 58,876 shares of the industrial products companys stock after purchasing an additional 2,733 shares during the period. Mueller Industries accounts for 1.3% of Fielder Capital Group LLCs portfolio, making the stock its 23rd largest holding. Fielder Capital Group LLCs holdings in Mueller Industries were worth $3,352,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Vanguard Group Inc. grew its stake in shares of Mueller Industries by 0.5% in the 1st quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 12,359,057 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $666,524,000 after buying an additional 59,060 shares in the last quarter. First Trust Advisors LP grew its stake in shares of Mueller Industries by 94.5% in the 4th quarter. First Trust Advisors LP now owns 5,618,664 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $264,920,000 after buying an additional 2,729,382 shares in the last quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP grew its stake in shares of Mueller Industries by 97.1% in the 4th quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 4,172,082 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $196,718,000 after buying an additional 2,055,506 shares in the last quarter. Gamco Investors INC. ET AL grew its stake in shares of Mueller Industries by 93.1% in the 4th quarter. Gamco Investors INC. ET AL now owns 3,849,329 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $181,496,000 after buying an additional 1,855,637 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Gabelli Funds LLC grew its stake in shares of Mueller Industries by 94.2% in the 4th quarter. Gabelli Funds LLC now owns 2,461,800 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $116,074,000 after buying an additional 1,193,900 shares in the last quarter. 94.50% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Mueller Industries news, Director John B. Hansen sold 8,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Friday, August 9th. The shares were sold at an average price of $67.24, for a total value of $537,920.00. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 95,914 shares in the company, valued at approximately $6,449,257.36. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. In other news, CEO Gregory L. Christopher sold 50,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, August 22nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $69.92, for a total value of $3,496,000.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 1,214,311 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $84,904,625.12. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Also, Director John B. Hansen sold 8,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, August 9th. The stock was sold at an average price of $67.24, for a total transaction of $537,920.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director now directly owns 95,914 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $6,449,257.36. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 103,000 shares of company stock worth $7,081,770 in the last three months. Corporate insiders own 2.80% of the companys stock.

Mueller Industries Trading Up 1.9 %

Shares of MLI stock traded up $1.35 during trading hours on Friday, reaching $72.71. 602,163 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 668,147. Mueller Industries, Inc. has a 12-month low of $34.96 and a 12-month high of $72.82. The companys 50-day moving average price is $64.56 and its 200-day moving average price is $57.94. The firm has a market capitalization of $8.24 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 14.57 and a beta of 1.06.

Mueller Industries (NYSE:MLI  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, July 23rd. The industrial products company reported $1.41 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.29 by $0.12. Mueller Industries had a net margin of 16.19% and a return on equity of 22.86%. The firm had revenue of $997.75 million during the quarter.

Mueller Industries Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, September 20th. Shareholders of record on Friday, September 6th will be paid a $0.20 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, September 6th. This represents a $0.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.10%. Mueller Industriess dividend payout ratio is currently 16.03%.

About Mueller Industries

(Free Report)

Mueller Industries, Inc manufactures and sells copper, brass, aluminum, and plastic products in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, South Korea, the Middle East, China, and Mexico. It operates through three segments: Piping Systems, Industrial Metals, and Climate. The Piping Systems segment offers copper tubes, fittings, line sets, and pipe nipples.

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Gilbert & Cook Inc. purchased a new stake in L3Harris Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:LHX  Free Report) during the 2nd quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The fund purchased 2,421 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $544,000.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of the stock. Bfsg LLC acquired a new position in L3Harris Technologies in the 1st quarter valued at $25,000. Transcendent Capital Group LLC purchased a new stake in L3Harris Technologies in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $28,000. EntryPoint Capital LLC grew its position in L3Harris Technologies by 70.4% during the first quarter. EntryPoint Capital LLC now owns 167 shares of the companys stock worth $36,000 after buying an additional 69 shares during the period. Versant Capital Management Inc lifted its position in shares of L3Harris Technologies by 77.7% during the 2nd quarter. Versant Capital Management Inc now owns 183 shares of the companys stock valued at $41,000 after acquiring an additional 80 shares during the period. Finally, Family Firm Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of L3Harris Technologies in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $45,000. 84.76% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Insider Buying and Selling

In other L3Harris Technologies news, SVP Scott T. Mikuen sold 15,887 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, July 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $235.00, for a total transaction of $3,733,445.00. Following the transaction, the senior vice president now owns 47,616 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $11,189,760. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this link. In related news, SVP Scott T. Mikuen sold 15,887 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, July 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of $235.00, for a total transaction of $3,733,445.00. Following the sale, the senior vice president now owns 47,616 shares in the company, valued at $11,189,760. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, SVP Scott T. Mikuen sold 10,527 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, July 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $230.00, for a total value of $2,421,210.00. Following the sale, the senior vice president now owns 47,616 shares in the company, valued at $10,951,680. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last three months, insiders sold 59,312 shares of company stock worth $13,523,822. Corporate insiders own 0.82% of the companys stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of research firms have commented on LHX. Morgan Stanley downgraded 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. Susquehanna lifted their price objective on L3Harris Technologies from $260.00 to $270.00 and gave the company a positive rating in a research report on Monday, July 29th. Royal Bank of Canada downgraded L3Harris Technologies from an outperform rating to a sector perform rating and reduced their target price for the stock from $250.00 to $240.00 in a research report on Wednesday, August 14th. Wells Fargo & Company lowered their target price on shares of L3Harris Technologies from $262.00 to $260.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a 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 investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and nine have given a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $247.08.

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L3Harris Technologies Stock Up 1.3 %

LHX traded up $2.99 on Monday, reaching $236.67. The companys stock had a trading volume of 698,400 shares, compared to its average volume of 963,836. 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, Inc. has a 1 year low of $160.25 and a 1 year high of $245.60. The businesss 50 day moving average is $229.66 and its 200 day moving average is $219.95. The stock has a market cap of $44.90 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 38.42, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.96 and a beta of 0.72.

L3Harris Technologies (NYSE:LHX  Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Thursday, July 25th. The company reported $3.24 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $3.18 by $0.06. The company had revenue of $5.30 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $5.30 billion. L3Harris Technologies had a return on equity of 13.02% and a net margin of 5.73%. The businesss revenue was up 12.9% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $2.97 EPS. As a group, research analysts forecast that L3Harris Technologies, Inc. will post 13.06 EPS for the current fiscal year.

L3Harris Technologies Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, September 20th. Stockholders of record on Friday, September 6th will be paid a $1.16 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, September 6th. This represents a $4.64 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.96%. L3Harris Technologiess dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 75.32%.

L3Harris Technologies Company 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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Harfst & Associates Inc. cut its stake in The Charles Schwab Co. (NYSE:SCHW  Free Report) by 1.8% in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 44,728 shares of the financial services providers stock after selling 814 shares during the period. Charles Schwab makes up approximately 0.8% of Harfst & Associates Inc.s holdings, making the stock its 17th largest holding. Harfst & Associates Inc.s holdings in Charles Schwab were worth $3,296,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of the stock. Verus Capital Partners LLC increased its stake in shares of Charles Schwab by 67.9% during the 2nd quarter. Verus Capital Partners LLC now owns 5,470 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $403,000 after purchasing an additional 2,212 shares in the last quarter. Guidance Capital Inc. increased its position in Charles Schwab by 6.6% during the 2nd quarter. Guidance Capital Inc. now owns 13,882 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $1,023,000 after purchasing an additional 859 shares in the last quarter. Resonant Capital Advisors LLC grew its holdings in shares of Charles Schwab by 2.1% during the second quarter. Resonant Capital Advisors LLC now owns 32,919 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $2,426,000 after buying an additional 677 shares in the last quarter. United Asset Strategies Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Charles Schwab by 0.8% during the 2nd quarter. United Asset Strategies Inc. now owns 180,063 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $13,269,000 after purchasing an additional 1,361 shares during the period. Finally, Financial Counselors Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of Charles Schwab by 0.3% during the second quarter. Financial Counselors Inc. now owns 261,481 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $19,269,000 after purchasing an additional 743 shares during the last quarter. 84.38% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Insider Buying and Selling at Charles Schwab

In other Charles Schwab news, Director Carolyn Schwab-Pomerantz sold 12,320 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, August 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $65.10, for a total value of $802,032.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director now owns 562,129 shares in the company, valued at approximately $36,594,597.90. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. In other Charles Schwab news, insider Paul V. Woolway sold 1,150 shares of the stock in a transaction on Thursday, August 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $65.20, for a total transaction of $74,980.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now directly owns 61,887 shares in the company, valued at $4,035,032.40. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, Director Carolyn Schwab-Pomerantz sold 12,320 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, August 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $65.10, for a total value of $802,032.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 562,129 shares in the company, valued at $36,594,597.90. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 107,800 shares of company stock valued at $7,145,364 in the last 90 days. 6.60% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Charles Schwab Trading Up 0.3 %

NYSE SCHW traded up $0.17 on Monday, hitting $65.10. 6,549,100 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 8,059,978. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.65, a current ratio of 0.42 and a quick ratio of 0.42. The company has a market capitalization of $115.78 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 27.24, a P/E/G ratio of 1.22 and a beta of 0.99. The companys 50-day moving average price is $67.41 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $70.15. The Charles Schwab Co. has a 52-week low of $48.66 and a 52-week high of $79.49.

Charles Schwab (NYSE:SCHW  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, July 16th. The financial services provider reported $0.73 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.72 by $0.01. The business had revenue of $4.69 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.68 billion. Charles Schwab had a return on equity of 18.14% and a net margin of 26.30%. The firms revenue for the quarter was up .7% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $0.75 EPS. Research analysts predict that The Charles Schwab Co. will post 3.05 EPS for the current year.

Charles Schwab Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, August 23rd. Investors of record on Friday, August 9th were paid a dividend of $0.25 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, August 9th. This represents a $1.00 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.54%. Charles Schwabs payout ratio is 41.84%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities research analysts have commented on the company. Bank of America dropped their price target on Charles Schwab from $72.00 to $66.00 and set an underperform rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, July 17th. UBS Group dropped their price objective on shares of Charles Schwab from $91.00 to $90.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, July 9th. Morgan Stanley lowered their price objective on Charles Schwab from $71.00 to $70.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research note on Friday, August 16th. JMP Securities cut their target price on Charles Schwab from $85.00 to $82.00 and set a market outperform rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, July 23rd. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. decreased their price target on shares of Charles Schwab from $82.00 to $78.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, July 17th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, six have given a hold rating and seven have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Charles Schwab has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $74.00.

Check Out Our Latest Research Report on Charles Schwab

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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Iluka Resources Limited (ASX:ILU  Get Free Report) declared a interim dividend on Monday, September 2nd, MarketIndexAU reports. Stockholders of record on Thursday, September 26th will be paid a dividend of 0.04 per share on Thursday, September 26th. This represents a dividend yield of 0.66%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, September 2nd. This is a boost from Iluka Resourcess previous interim dividend of $0.03.

Iluka Resources Price Performance

The company has a current ratio of 4.90, a quick ratio of 1.46 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 7.37.

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Iluka Resources Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

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Iluka Resources Limited engages in the exploration, project development, mining, processing, marketing, and rehabilitation of mineral sands in Australia, China, rest of Asia, Europe, the Americas, and internationally. It operates through Jacinth-Ambrosia/Mid-West, Cataby/South West, Rare Earths, and United States/Murray Basin segments.

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BlackRock Throgmorton Trust (LON:THRG  Get Free Report) insider Nigel Burton acquired 98 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, August 29th. The shares were acquired at an average cost of GBX 650 ($8.57) per share, with a total value of 637 ($840.04).

BlackRock Throgmorton Trust Trading Up 0.3 %

Shares of LON THRG opened at GBX 635 ($8.37) on Monday. BlackRock Throgmorton Trust has a 12-month low of GBX 503 ($6.63) and a 12-month high of GBX 682 ($8.99). The stock has a market cap of 573.53 million, a PE ratio of 668.42 and a beta of 1.20. The company has a 50-day moving average of GBX 634.53 and a 200 day moving average of GBX 611.47.

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BlackRock Throgmorton Trust Cuts Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, August 27th. Investors of record on Thursday, August 1st were paid a dividend of GBX 3.75 ($0.05) per share. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, August 1st. This represents a yield of 0.58%. BlackRock Throgmorton Trusts dividend payout ratio is presently 1,578.95%.

About BlackRock Throgmorton Trust

BlackRock Throgmorton Trust plc is a closed-ended equity mutual fund launched by BlackRock Fund Managers Limited. It is managed by BlackRock Investment Management (UK) 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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InterContinental Hotels Group PLC (LON:IHG  Get Free Report) has earned a consensus recommendation of Reduce from the six research firms that are presently covering the company, MarketBeat reports. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell recommendation, three have issued a hold recommendation and one has issued a buy recommendation on the company. The average 12 month target price among brokers that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is GBX 5,816.80 ($76.71).

Several research firms recently issued reports on IHG. Jefferies Financial Group reissued a hold rating and issued a GBX 84 ($1.11) target price on shares of InterContinental Hotels Group in a research note on Tuesday, May 21st. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reiterated a hold rating and issued a GBX 8,300 ($109.46) price objective on shares of InterContinental Hotels Group in a research report on Thursday, August 1st. Finally, Berenberg Bank restated a hold rating and set a GBX 7,400 ($97.59) target price on shares of InterContinental Hotels Group in a report on Thursday, August 15th.

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Insider Buying and Selling at InterContinental Hotels Group

InterContinental Hotels Group Stock Down 0.5 %

In other InterContinental Hotels Group news, insider Ron Kalifa bought 679 shares of InterContinental Hotels Group stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, August 6th. The shares were purchased at an average cost of GBX 7,624 ($100.54) per share, with a total value of 51,766.96 ($68,267.12). Insiders own 5.99% of the companys stock.

LON:IHG opened at GBX 7,548 ($99.54) on Monday. The firm has a market capitalization of 12.00 billion, a P/E ratio of 2,553.54, a P/E/G ratio of 1.75 and a beta of 1.00. InterContinental Hotels Group has a 52 week low of GBX 5,636 ($74.32) and a 52 week high of GBX 8,790 ($115.92). The company has a fifty day moving average of GBX 7,864.47 and a 200 day moving average of GBX 7,987.35.

InterContinental Hotels Group Cuts Dividend

The company also recently declared a dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, October 3rd. Investors of record on Thursday, August 29th will be paid a $0.53 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, August 29th. This represents a yield of 0.57%. InterContinental Hotels Groups payout ratio is 4,242.42%.

InterContinental Hotels Group Company Profile

(Get Free Report

InterContinental Hotels Group PLC owns, manages, franchises, and leases hotels in the Americas, Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and Greater China. The company operates hotels under the Six Senses, Regent, InterContinental Hotels & Resorts, Vignette Collection, Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants, Hotel Indigo, voco, HUALUXE, Crowne Plaza, Iberostar Beachfront Resorts, EVEN, Holiday Inn Express, Holiday Inn, Garner, avid hotels, Atwell Suites, Staybridge Suites, Iberostar Beachfront Resorts, Holiday Inn Club Vacations, and Candlewood Suites brand names.

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JPL Wealth Management LLC raised its position in Union Pacific Co. (NYSE:UNP  Free Report) by 3.2% during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 7,039 shares of the railroad operators stock after acquiring an additional 216 shares during the period. JPL Wealth Management LLCs holdings in Union Pacific were worth $1,593,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Several other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Commonwealth Equity Services LLC raised its stake in Union Pacific by 3.5% in the 4th quarter. Commonwealth Equity Services LLC now owns 230,300 shares of the railroad operators stock valued at $56,566,000 after acquiring an additional 7,806 shares during the period. Los Angeles Capital Management LLC raised its stake in Union Pacific by 6.3% in the 4th quarter. Los Angeles Capital Management LLC now owns 72,677 shares of the railroad operators stock valued at $17,851,000 after acquiring an additional 4,322 shares during the period. Benjamin F. Edwards & Company Inc. raised its stake in Union Pacific by 15.8% in the 4th quarter. Benjamin F. Edwards & Company Inc. now owns 15,628 shares of the railroad operators stock valued at $3,838,000 after acquiring an additional 2,134 shares during the period. 9258 Wealth Management LLC raised its stake in Union Pacific by 2.1% in the 4th quarter. 9258 Wealth Management LLC now owns 3,124 shares of the railroad operators stock valued at $767,000 after acquiring an additional 65 shares during the period. Finally, U.S. Capital Wealth Advisors LLC raised its stake in Union Pacific by 13.4% in the 4th quarter. U.S. Capital Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 3,473 shares of the railroad operators stock valued at $853,000 after acquiring an additional 411 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 80.38% of the companys stock.

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Insider Buying and Selling

In other Union Pacific news, President Elizabeth F. Whited sold 3,552 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Tuesday, July 30th. The stock was sold at an average price of $246.59, for a total value of $875,887.68. Following the sale, the president now directly owns 64,945 shares in the company, valued at $16,014,787.55. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. 0.28% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Union Pacific Stock Up 1.7 %

Union Pacific stock traded up $4.21 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $256.09. The stock had a trading volume of 2,386,564 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,903,351. The firm has a market capitalization of $156.01 billion, a PE ratio of 24.44, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.27 and a beta of 1.06. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.89, a quick ratio of 0.86 and a current ratio of 1.05. Union Pacific Co. has a fifty-two week low of $199.33 and a fifty-two week high of $258.66. The stocks 50-day simple moving average is $237.66 and its 200-day simple moving average is $239.14.

Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, July 25th. The railroad operator reported $2.74 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.71 by $0.03. The company had revenue of $6.01 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $6.05 billion. Union Pacific had a return on equity of 42.62% and a net margin of 26.90%. Union Pacifics quarterly revenue was up .7% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $2.57 earnings per share. On average, sell-side analysts forecast that Union Pacific Co. will post 11.11 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Union Pacific Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, September 30th. Investors of record on Friday, August 30th will be issued a dividend of $1.34 per share. This is a positive change from Union Pacifics previous quarterly dividend of $1.30. This represents a $5.36 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.09%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, August 30th. Union Pacifics dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 49.62%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of research analysts have commented on UNP shares. Wells Fargo & Company started coverage on Union Pacific in a report on Friday, June 7th. They issued an overweight rating and a $270.00 price objective on the stock. Barclays reduced their target price on Union Pacific from $290.00 to $280.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a report on Friday, July 26th. Loop Capital lowered Union Pacific from a buy rating to a hold rating and reduced their target price for the stock from $276.00 to $238.00 in a report on Monday, June 17th. StockNews.com lowered Union Pacific from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Tuesday, June 18th. Finally, Benchmark reissued a buy rating and set a $266.00 target price on shares of Union Pacific in a report on Monday, July 29th. Seven investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, twelve have assigned a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $258.79.

View Our Latest Stock Analysis 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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Lennar Co. (NYSE:LEN  Get Free Report) was the recipient of a large decline in short interest in the month of August. As of August 15th, there was short interest totalling 5,140,000 shares, a decline of 11.8% from the July 31st total of 5,830,000 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 2,290,000 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 2.2 days. Approximately 2.2% of the shares of the company are short sold.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several equities research analysts have issued reports on the stock. The Goldman Sachs Group lowered shares of Lennar from a buy rating to a neutral rating and lowered their price target for the company from $180.00 to $174.00 in a report on Monday, July 22nd. Raymond James lowered shares of Lennar from an outperform rating to a market perform rating in a report on Tuesday, July 2nd. Wedbush raised shares of Lennar from an underperform rating to a neutral rating and set a $144.00 target price on the stock in a report on Tuesday, July 9th. Argus upped their target price on shares of Lennar from $175.00 to $180.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Thursday, June 27th. Finally, JMP Securities reaffirmed a market outperform rating and issued a $170.00 target price on shares of Lennar in a report on Thursday, June 20th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have issued a hold rating and eight have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $169.13.

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Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Lennar Trading Up 0.9 %

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of LEN. Rise Advisors LLC boosted its stake in Lennar by 484.0% during the 1st quarter. Rise Advisors LLC now owns 146 shares of the construction companys stock worth $25,000 after acquiring an additional 121 shares during the last quarter. J.Safra Asset Management Corp bought a new position in Lennar during the 1st quarter worth approximately $30,000. New Covenant Trust Company N.A. bought a new position in Lennar during the 1st quarter worth approximately $32,000. Redmont Wealth Advisors LLC bought a new position in Lennar during the 1st quarter worth approximately $35,000. Finally, Fortitude Family Office LLC boosted its stake in Lennar by 223.6% during the 2nd quarter. Fortitude Family Office LLC now owns 233 shares of the construction companys stock worth $35,000 after acquiring an additional 161 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 81.10% of the companys stock.

Shares of NYSE LEN traded up $1.55 during mid-day trading on Monday, hitting $182.06. The companys stock had a trading volume of 1,458,200 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,085,980. The stock has a market cap of $49.99 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.38, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.65 and a beta of 1.60. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.08, a current ratio of 4.93 and a quick ratio of 0.91. Lennar has a one year low of $102.90 and a one year high of $186.60. The companys fifty day simple moving average is $165.96 and its 200-day simple moving average is $161.10.

Lennar (NYSE:LEN  Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Monday, June 17th. The construction company reported $3.38 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $3.20 by $0.18. The company had revenue of $8.77 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $8.57 billion. Lennar had a net margin of 11.58% and a return on equity of 15.93%. On average, sell-side analysts anticipate that Lennar will post 14.16 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Lennar Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, July 19th. Investors of record on Friday, July 5th were paid a dividend of $0.50 per share. This represents a $2.00 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.10%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, July 5th. Lennars payout ratio is 13.60%.

About Lennar

(Get Free Report)

Lennar Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, operates as a homebuilder primarily under the Lennar brand in the United States. It operates through Homebuilding East, Homebuilding Central, Homebuilding Texas, Homebuilding West, Financial Services, Multifamily, and Lennar Other segments. The company's homebuilding operations include the construction and sale of single-family attached and detached homes, as well as the purchase, development, and sale of residential land; and development, construction, and management of multifamily rental properties.

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Lloyds Banking Group (LON:LLOY  Get Free Report)s stock had its neutral rating reiterated by analysts at Citigroup in a report released on Monday, Digital Look reports.

LLOY has been the subject of a number of other reports. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price objective on shares of Lloyds Banking Group from GBX 50 ($0.66) to GBX 54 ($0.71) and gave the company an underweight rating in a report on Wednesday, July 3rd. Berenberg Bank reaffirmed a hold rating and set a GBX 55 ($0.73) price objective on shares of Lloyds Banking Group in a research note on Wednesday, August 21st. Finally, Shore Capital reissued a hold rating on shares of Lloyds Banking Group in a research note on Thursday, July 25th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, five have assigned a hold rating and three have issued a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of GBX 56.33 ($0.74).

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Lloyds Banking Group Stock Performance

Lloyds Banking Group Company Profile

Shares of LLOY stock traded down GBX 0.40 ($0.01) during midday trading on Monday, hitting GBX 58.12 ($0.77). 81,075,867 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 157,419,422. Lloyds Banking Group has a 52 week low of GBX 39.42 ($0.52) and a 52 week high of GBX 61.72 ($0.81). The firm has a market capitalization of 35.92 billion, a P/E ratio of 830.29, a PEG ratio of 1.98 and a beta of 1.26. The firms 50 day moving average price is GBX 57.89 and its two-hundred day moving average price is GBX 53.87.

(Get Free Report)

Lloyds Banking Group plc, together with its subsidiaries, provides a range of banking and financial services in the United Kingdom and internationally. It operates in three segments: Retail; Commercial Banking; and Insurance, Pensions and Investments. The Retail segment offers a range of financial service products, including current accounts, savings, mortgages, motor finance, unsecured loans, leasing solutions, and credit cards to personal customers.

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Massachusetts Wealth Management increased its position in 3M (NYSE:MMM  Free Report) by 25.4% during the second quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 13,404 shares of the conglomerates stock after buying an additional 2,715 shares during the period. Massachusetts Wealth Managements holdings in 3M were worth $1,370,000 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. Tributary Capital Management LLC bought a new position in 3M during the first quarter valued at $25,000. Financial Synergies Wealth Advisors Inc. lifted its stake in shares of 3M by 419.1% in the 1st quarter. Financial Synergies Wealth Advisors Inc. now owns 244 shares of the conglomerates stock valued at $26,000 after purchasing an additional 197 shares during the last quarter. MFA Wealth Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in 3M during the 2nd quarter valued at $28,000. Northwest Investment Counselors LLC purchased a new stake in shares of 3M in the first quarter valued at $32,000. Finally, TruNorth Capital Management LLC purchased a new stake in 3M in the 2nd quarter worth about $33,000. 65.25% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

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Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

MMM has been the topic of several research analyst reports. Barclays upped their price objective on 3M from $120.00 to $145.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Monday, July 29th. Royal Bank of Canada lifted their price objective on 3M from $93.00 to $95.00 and gave the company an underperform rating in a report on Monday, July 29th. Argus upgraded 3M from a hold rating to a buy rating and set a $145.00 price objective for the company in a research note on Tuesday, July 30th. StockNews.com downgraded 3M from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Monday, July 29th. Finally, Vertical Research upgraded shares of 3M from a hold rating to a buy rating and raised their price target for the company from $92.00 to $140.00 in a report on Thursday, May 16th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, five have assigned a hold rating and eight have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $124.38.

Insider Buying and Selling at 3M

In other news, CFO Theresa E. Reinseth sold 2,100 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, August 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $124.12, for a total value of $260,652.00. Following the sale, the chief financial officer now directly owns 4,364 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $541,659.68. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. In other news, CFO Theresa E. Reinseth sold 2,100 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, August 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $124.12, for a total transaction of $260,652.00. Following the sale, the chief financial officer now owns 4,364 shares of the companys stock, valued at $541,659.68. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, Chairman Michael F. Roman sold 5,675 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, August 7th. The shares were sold at an average price of $123.46, for a total transaction of $700,635.50. Following the completion of the transaction, the chairman now directly owns 174,036 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $21,486,484.56. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 0.34% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

3M Price Performance

Shares of NYSE MMM traded up $1.78 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $134.69. The stock had a trading volume of 6,092,831 shares, compared to its average volume of 3,368,297. The company has a quick ratio of 1.08, a current ratio of 1.36 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.95. The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of $115.56 and a 200-day simple moving average of $103.70. The company has a market capitalization of $73.99 billion, a PE ratio of -10.59, a P/E/G ratio of 2.49 and a beta of 0.95. 3M has a 1 year low of $71.12 and a 1 year high of $134.99.

3M (NYSE:MMM  Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Friday, July 26th. The conglomerate reported $1.93 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.68 by $0.25. The business had revenue of $6.26 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $5.85 billion. 3M had a net margin of 3.08% and a return on equity of 112.92%. During the same period in the prior year, the business earned $2.17 earnings per share. On average, sell-side analysts expect that 3M will post 7.2 EPS for the current fiscal year.

3M Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, September 12th. Shareholders of record on Monday, August 26th will be given a $0.70 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Monday, August 26th. This represents a $2.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.08%. 3Ms dividend payout ratio is currently -22.01%.

3M Company Profile

(Free Report)

3M Company provides diversified technology services in the United States and internationally. The company's Safety and Industrial segment offers industrial abrasives and finishing for metalworking applications; autobody repair solutions; closure systems for personal hygiene products, masking, and packaging materials; electrical products and materials for construction and maintenance, power distribution, and electrical original equipment manufacturers; structural adhesives and tapes; respiratory, hearing, eye, and fall protection solutions; and natural and color-coated mineral granules for shingles.

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WR Wealth Planners LLC grew its holdings in Morgan Stanley (NYSE:MS  Free Report) by 24.4% in the second quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 541 shares of the financial services providers stock after purchasing an additional 106 shares during the period. WR Wealth Planners LLCs holdings in Morgan Stanley were worth $53,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the company. University of Texas Texas AM Investment Managment Co. purchased a new position in Morgan Stanley during the 4th quarter valued at about $25,000. Opal Wealth Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Morgan Stanley during the second quarter worth approximately $25,000. POM Investment Strategies LLC grew its position in Morgan Stanley by 1,147.6% during the second quarter. POM Investment Strategies LLC now owns 262 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $25,000 after purchasing an additional 241 shares in the last quarter. Bank & Trust Co acquired a new position in Morgan Stanley in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $26,000. Finally, Bbjs Financial Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in Morgan Stanley in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $29,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 84.19% of the companys stock.

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Morgan Stanley Stock Performance

Shares of MS traded up $1.01 during trading hours on Friday, reaching $103.61. 4,951,396 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 5,177,900. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.96, a quick ratio of 0.78 and a current ratio of 0.78. The stocks fifty day moving average is $100.50 and its 200 day moving average is $95.43. Morgan Stanley has a 1-year low of $69.42 and a 1-year high of $109.11. The stock has a market cap of $168.38 billion, a P/E ratio of 18.87, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.06 and a beta of 1.38.

Morgan Stanley Increases Dividend

Morgan Stanley ( NYSE:MS Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, July 16th. The financial services provider reported $1.82 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.65 by $0.17. The firm had revenue of $15.02 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $14.32 billion. Morgan Stanley had a return on equity of 11.85% and a net margin of 10.17%. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 11.6% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $1.24 EPS. Equities research analysts anticipate that Morgan Stanley will post 7.03 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, August 15th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, July 31st were paid a $0.925 dividend. This is a positive change from Morgan Stanleys previous quarterly dividend of $0.85. This represents a $3.70 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.57%. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, July 31st. Morgan Stanleys dividend payout ratio is currently 67.40%.

Insider Transactions at Morgan Stanley

In other Morgan Stanley news, Chairman James P. Gorman sold 200,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Wednesday, July 17th. The stock was sold at an average price of $105.06, for a total value of $21,012,000.00. Following the sale, the chairman now directly owns 150,000 shares in the company, valued at $15,759,000. The sale was disclosed in a document filed 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 stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, July 17th. The shares were sold at an average price of $106.62, for a total transaction of $106,620.00. Following the sale, the director now owns 95,908 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $10,225,710.96. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, Chairman James P. Gorman sold 200,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, July 17th. The stock was sold at an average price of $105.06, for a total transaction of $21,012,000.00. Following the transaction, the chairman now owns 150,000 shares in the company, valued at $15,759,000. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last ninety days, insiders sold 252,000 shares of company stock valued at $26,546,370. Corporate insiders own 0.24% of the companys stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of research firms have recently weighed in on MS. Barclays upped their price target on shares of Morgan Stanley from $116.00 to $121.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 17th. Citigroup raised their price target on Morgan Stanley from $98.00 to $105.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 17th. JMP Securities reissued a market perform rating on shares of Morgan Stanley in a research note on Thursday, July 18th. Royal Bank of Canada raised their price objective on shares of Morgan Stanley from $91.00 to $108.00 and gave the company a sector perform rating in a research report on Wednesday, July 17th. Finally, BMO Capital Markets increased their price target on shares of Morgan Stanley from $116.00 to $118.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Thursday, July 18th. 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. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $101.45.

Get Our Latest Analysis on MS

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.

Further Reading

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New Gold Inc. (NYSE:NGD  Get Free Report) has been assigned a consensus recommendation of Buy from the six analysts that are covering the company, Marketbeat Ratings reports. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, two have assigned a buy rating and two have given a strong buy rating to the company. The average twelve-month price objective among brokers that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $2.49.

Several equities research analysts have issued reports on NGD shares. Scotiabank raised their target price on New Gold from $2.50 to $2.75 and gave the stock a sector outperform rating in a research note on Monday, August 19th. BMO Capital Markets started coverage on New Gold in a research note on Friday, May 31st. They set an outperform rating and a $3.50 target price for the company. Cibc World Mkts raised New Gold to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 10th. StockNews.com raised New Gold from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Sunday. Finally, CIBC lifted their price objective on New Gold from $3.00 to $3.40 and gave the company an outperformer rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 10th.

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New Gold Stock Performance

Shares of New Gold stock opened at $2.51 on Monday. New Gold has a one year low of $0.86 and a one year high of $2.73. The stock has a market capitalization of $1.98 billion, a P/E ratio of -25.10 and a beta of 1.32. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.52, a quick ratio of 0.98 and a current ratio of 1.50. The stocks 50 day moving average is $2.27.

New Gold (NYSE:NGD  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, July 30th. The company reported $0.02 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.01 by $0.01. New Gold had a positive return on equity of 5.22% and a negative net margin of 2.53%. The firm had revenue of $218.20 million for the quarter. On average, analysts predict that New Gold will post 0.14 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Institutional Trading of New Gold

Large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Hillsdale Investment Management Inc. raised its holdings in shares of New Gold by 222.4% in the 4th quarter. Hillsdale Investment Management Inc. now owns 16,216,173 shares of the companys stock valued at $23,508,000 after purchasing an additional 11,186,898 shares in the last quarter. Mackenzie Financial Corp raised its holdings in shares of New Gold by 57.3% in the 2nd quarter. Mackenzie Financial Corp now owns 16,328,086 shares of the companys stock valued at $32,229,000 after purchasing an additional 5,948,394 shares in the last quarter. Van ECK Associates Corp grew its position in shares of New Gold by 8.4% in the 1st quarter. Van ECK Associates Corp now owns 72,499,714 shares of the companys stock valued at $123,249,000 after buying an additional 5,613,145 shares during the last quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC grew its position in shares of New Gold by 13.5% in the 2nd quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC now owns 20,111,264 shares of the companys stock valued at $39,217,000 after buying an additional 2,399,200 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Invenomic Capital Management LP grew its position in shares of New Gold by 19.6% in the 4th quarter. Invenomic Capital Management LP now owns 10,101,164 shares of the companys stock valued at $14,748,000 after buying an additional 1,654,396 shares during the last quarter. 42.82% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

About New Gold

(Get Free Report

New Gold Inc, an intermediate gold mining company, develops and operates of mineral properties in Canada. It primarily explores for gold, silver, and copper deposits. The company's principal operating properties include 100% interest in the Rainy River mine located in Northwestern Ontario, Canada; and New Afton project situated in South-Central British Columbia.

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Paradice Investment Management LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Envista Holdings Co. (NYSE:NVST  Free Report) by 45.9% in the second quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The fund owned 1,335,631 shares of the companys stock after buying an additional 420,153 shares during the quarter. Envista accounts for 3.9% of Paradice Investment Management LLCs portfolio, making the stock its 12th biggest holding. Paradice Investment Management LLCs holdings in Envista were worth $22,212,000 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 NVST. CWM LLC raised its stake in shares of Envista by 38.3% during the 4th quarter. CWM LLC now owns 6,412 shares of the companys stock worth $154,000 after purchasing an additional 1,776 shares in the last quarter. Van ECK Associates Corp raised its stake in shares of Envista by 15.4% in the 4th quarter. Van ECK Associates Corp now owns 5,646 shares of the companys stock valued at $136,000 after acquiring an additional 755 shares in the last quarter. New York Life Investment Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Envista in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $447,000. Natixis Advisors L.P. raised its stake in shares of Envista by 32.3% in the 4th quarter. Natixis Advisors L.P. now owns 94,338 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,269,000 after acquiring an additional 23,034 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Amalgamated Bank raised its stake in shares of Envista by 1.5% in the 4th quarter. Amalgamated Bank now owns 107,623 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,589,000 after acquiring an additional 1,603 shares in the last quarter.

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Envista Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE:NVST traded down $0.14 during trading on Monday, hitting $18.26. 1,488,700 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 2,472,609. Envista Holdings Co. has a 1-year low of $15.15 and a 1-year high of $33.01. The company has a market capitalization of $3.14 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -25.36 and a beta of 1.31. The companys fifty day simple moving average is $16.84 and its 200-day simple moving average is $18.84. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.47, a quick ratio of 1.90 and a current ratio of 2.22.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Envista ( NYSE:NVST Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, August 7th. The company reported $0.11 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.27 by ($0.16). Envista had a positive return on equity of 4.86% and a negative net margin of 52.25%. The firm had revenue of $633.10 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $646.88 million. During the same period in the previous year, the business posted $0.43 EPS. Envistas revenue for the quarter was down 4.4% compared to the same quarter last year. Sell-side analysts expect that Envista Holdings Co. will post 0.69 EPS for the current fiscal year.

A number of brokerages recently weighed in on NVST. Stifel Nicolaus cut their price objective on Envista from $20.00 to $18.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, July 30th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. downgraded Envista from an overweight rating to a neutral rating and cut their price objective for the company from $23.00 to $16.00 in a research note on Thursday, August 8th. Piper Sandler cut their price objective on Envista from $18.00 to $16.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, July 30th. Bank of America cut their price objective on Envista from $22.00 to $19.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, August 8th. Finally, Evercore ISI dropped their price target on Envista from $19.00 to $18.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, August 8th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have issued a hold rating and three have assigned a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Envista currently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $19.14.

Read Our Latest Stock Report on NVST

Insider Activity at Envista

In related news, CFO Eric D. Hammes purchased 24,532 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, August 12th. The shares were acquired at an average price of $16.33 per share, with a total value of $400,607.56. Following the purchase, the chief financial officer now directly owns 24,532 shares in the company, valued at $400,607.56. The purchase was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. 1.30% of the stock is owned by insiders.

About Envista

(Free Report)

Envista Holdings Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, develops, manufactures, markets, and sells dental products in the United States, China, and internationally. The company operates in two segments, Specialty Products & Technologies, and Equipment & Consumables. The Specialty Products & Technologies segment offers dental implant systems, guided surgery systems, biomaterials, and prefabricated and custom-built prosthetics to oral surgeons, prosthodontists and periodontists, and general dentist; and brackets and wires, tubes and bands, archwires, clear aligners, digital orthodontic treatments, retainers, and other orthodontic laboratory products.

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Royal Bank of Canada downgraded shares of Parex Resources (TSE:PXT  Free Report) from an outperform rating to a sector perform rating in a research note published on Thursday morning, MarketBeat.com reports. Royal Bank of Canada currently has C$17.00 price objective on the stock, down from their previous price objective of C$23.00.

PXT has been the topic of a number of other research reports. Scotiabank dropped their price target on shares of Parex Resources from C$27.00 to C$23.00 and set a sector perform rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, August 16th. Jefferies Financial Group dropped their price target on shares of Parex Resources from C$27.20 to C$23.80 in a research note on Thursday, August 1st. Finally, Cormark lowered their target price on shares of Parex Resources from C$33.00 to C$30.00 in a research note on Thursday, August 1st. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and two have given a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Parex Resources currently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of C$25.27.

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Parex Resources Price Performance

Shares of TSE PXT opened at C$13.53 on Thursday. The stock has a market capitalization of C$1.37 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 3.28, a PEG ratio of 0.21 and a beta of 1.47. Parex Resources has a 12 month low of C$11.33 and a 12 month high of C$28.23. The firms 50 day simple moving average is C$19.48 and its 200-day simple moving average is C$21.32. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.90, a current ratio of 1.14 and a quick ratio of 1.45.

Parex Resources (TSE:PXT  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, July 31st. The company reported C$0.05 EPS for the quarter. Parex Resources had a net margin of 26.15% and a return on equity of 17.02%. The business had revenue of C$499.23 million for the quarter. Analysts expect that Parex Resources will post 4.0255814 EPS for the current year.

Parex Resources Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, September 16th. Investors of record on Monday, September 16th will be issued 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 (DPR) is currently 37.38%.

Insider Activity at Parex Resources

In related news, Director G.R. (Bob) Mac Dougall acquired 7,674 shares of Parex Resources stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, August 30th. The shares were purchased at an average cost of C$13.05 per share, for a total transaction of C$100,115.00. 1.56% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Parex Resources Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

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.

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Ramsay Stattman Vela & Price Inc. grew its position in Illinois Tool Works Inc. (NYSE:ITW  Free Report) by 0.1% in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 51,245 shares of the industrial products companys stock after buying an additional 75 shares during the quarter. Illinois Tool Works accounts for about 2.3% of Ramsay Stattman Vela & Price Inc.s portfolio, making the stock its 14th largest holding. Ramsay Stattman Vela & Price Inc.s holdings in Illinois Tool Works were worth $12,143,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Capital Research Global Investors boosted its stake in Illinois Tool Works by 1.2% in the first quarter. Capital Research Global Investors now owns 4,364,053 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $1,171,006,000 after buying an additional 51,654 shares in the last quarter. Norges Bank acquired a new stake in shares of Illinois Tool Works in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $818,408,000. Fisher Asset Management LLC grew its holdings in shares of Illinois Tool Works by 4.2% during the 4th quarter. Fisher Asset Management LLC now owns 2,949,029 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $772,469,000 after purchasing an additional 119,921 shares during the last quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP increased its position in Illinois Tool Works by 2.0% during the 4th quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 1,350,363 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $353,715,000 after purchasing an additional 26,089 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Schroder Investment Management Group lifted its stake in Illinois Tool Works by 11.0% in the 4th quarter. Schroder Investment Management Group now owns 1,001,113 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $262,232,000 after purchasing an additional 99,175 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 79.77% of the companys stock.

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Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, Director David Byron Smith, Jr. bought 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, with a total value of $185,085.50. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 121,506 shares in the company, valued at $29,018,062.92. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Corporate insiders own 0.88% of the companys stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several brokerages have recently issued reports on ITW. StockNews.com downgraded shares of Illinois Tool Works from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Thursday, August 1st. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their target price on Illinois Tool Works from $267.00 to $270.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Wednesday, July 31st. Argus upgraded Illinois Tool Works to a strong-buy rating in a report on Wednesday, July 31st. Wells Fargo & Company raised their price objective on shares of Illinois Tool Works from $230.00 to $236.00 and gave the company an underweight rating in a report on Wednesday, July 31st. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus reduced their target price on shares of Illinois Tool Works from $268.00 to $260.00 and set a hold rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, July 31st. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, five have assigned a hold rating, two have issued a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $250.22.

View Our Latest Stock Analysis on Illinois Tool Works

Illinois Tool Works Stock Up 1.1 %

Illinois Tool Works stock traded up $2.74 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $253.18. The stock had a trading volume of 822,593 shares, compared to its average volume of 765,347. The firm has a market capitalization of $75.55 billion, a PE ratio of 24.97, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 4.03 and a beta of 1.10. Illinois Tool Works Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $217.50 and a fifty-two week high of $271.15. The stocks 50-day simple moving average is $242.38 and its 200-day simple moving average is $249.09. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.17, a quick ratio of 0.92 and a current ratio of 1.30.

Illinois Tool Works (NYSE:ITW  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, July 30th. The industrial products company reported $2.54 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $2.45 by $0.09. The business had revenue of $4.03 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.08 billion. Illinois Tool Works had a net margin of 19.15% and a return on equity of 99.74%. Illinois Tool Workss quarterly revenue was down 1.2% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business posted $2.41 EPS. On average, sell-side analysts forecast that Illinois Tool Works Inc. will post 10.18 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Illinois Tool Works Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, October 11th. Shareholders of record on Monday, September 30th will be paid a dividend of $1.50 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, September 30th. This represents a $6.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.37%. This is an increase from Illinois Tool Workss previous quarterly dividend of $1.40. Illinois Tool Workss payout ratio is 59.17%.

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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Resonant Capital Advisors LLC raised its holdings in Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT  Free Report) by 2.2% during the 2nd quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The institutional investor owned 13,116 shares of the healthcare product makers stock after acquiring an additional 286 shares during the quarter. Resonant Capital Advisors LLCs holdings in Abbott Laboratories were worth $1,363,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of ABT. Vanguard Group Inc. boosted its stake in Abbott Laboratories by 5.6% during the first quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 165,301,921 shares of the healthcare product makers stock worth $18,788,216,000 after acquiring an additional 8,834,840 shares in the last quarter. Capital Research Global Investors boosted its position in shares of Abbott Laboratories by 9.5% during 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 in the last quarter. Capital International Investors grew its stake 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 buying an additional 5,882,780 shares during the period. Wellington Management Group LLP increased 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 valued at $3,548,228,000 after buying an additional 1,027,390 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Norges Bank acquired a new position in Abbott Laboratories during the 4th quarter worth approximately $2,115,836,000. 75.18% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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Abbott Laboratories Stock Performance

Shares of ABT stock traded up $0.51 during trading on Monday, hitting $113.27. The companys stock had a trading volume of 4,320,100 shares, compared to its average volume of 5,906,677. The business has a fifty day moving average of $106.97 and a 200-day moving average of $108.71. The company has a market cap of $197.05 billion, a PE ratio of 35.29, a P/E/G ratio of 2.82 and a beta of 0.72. Abbott Laboratories has a 52 week low of $89.67 and a 52 week high of $121.64. The company has a current ratio of 1.68, a quick ratio of 1.18 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.33.

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 (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.10 by $0.04. The firm had revenue of $10.38 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $10.37 billion. Abbott Laboratories had a return on equity of 20.18% and a net margin of 13.65%. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 4.0% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $1.08 EPS. As a group, research analysts anticipate that Abbott Laboratories will post 4.66 earnings per share for the current year.

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, August 15th. Shareholders of record on Monday, July 15th were paid a $0.55 dividend. This represents a $2.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.94%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, July 15th. Abbott Laboratoriess payout ratio is 68.54%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of equities analysts have recently weighed in on ABT shares. Evercore ISI lowered their target price on Abbott Laboratories from $125.00 to $120.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, July 2nd. Citigroup raised their price objective on shares of Abbott Laboratories from $119.00 to $127.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, August 22nd. 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. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group began coverage on Abbott Laboratories in a report on Thursday, May 30th. They set a buy rating and a $121.00 price objective for the company. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eight have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Abbott Laboratories presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $121.80.

Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on ABT

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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Rice Partnership LLC increased its stake in iShares National Muni Bond ETF (NYSEARCA:MUB  Free Report) by 87.9% during the 2nd quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The firm owned 701 shares of the exchange traded funds stock after buying an additional 328 shares during the period. Rice Partnership LLCs holdings in iShares National Muni Bond ETF were worth $75,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in MUB. International Assets Investment Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of iShares National Muni Bond ETF during the 4th quarter worth $999,000. Simplex Trading LLC boosted its stake in shares of iShares National Muni Bond ETF by 40.1% during the 4th quarter. Simplex Trading LLC now owns 3,897 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $422,000 after acquiring an additional 1,116 shares during the last quarter. Brighton Jones LLC purchased a new position in shares of iShares National Muni Bond ETF during the 4th quarter worth $207,000. Victory Capital Management Inc. purchased a new position in shares of iShares National Muni Bond ETF during the 4th quarter worth $1,084,000. Finally, New York Life Investment Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of iShares National Muni Bond ETF during the 4th quarter worth $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 on Monday, hitting $107.67. 3,349,500 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 3,434,267. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $107.40 and a 200-day simple moving average of $107.11. iShares National Muni Bond ETF has a 1 year low of $100.78 and a 1 year high of $108.82.

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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Confluence Wealth Services Inc. increased its holdings in shares of Rockwell Automation, Inc. (NYSE:ROK  Free Report) by 10.9% in the second quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 1,713 shares of the industrial products companys stock after purchasing an additional 169 shares during the quarter. Confluence Wealth Services Inc.s holdings in Rockwell Automation were worth $472,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of ROK. Russell Investments Group Ltd. increased its position in shares of Rockwell Automation by 31.1% during the 4th quarter. Russell Investments Group Ltd. now owns 42,028 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $13,051,000 after purchasing an additional 9,961 shares during the last quarter. Kestra Private Wealth Services LLC boosted its holdings in Rockwell Automation by 82.9% during the 4th quarter. Kestra Private Wealth Services LLC now owns 2,135 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $663,000 after acquiring an additional 968 shares during the period. Victory Capital Management Inc. boosted its holdings in Rockwell Automation by 10.2% during the 4th quarter. Victory Capital Management Inc. now owns 56,876 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $17,659,000 after acquiring an additional 5,276 shares during the period. New York Life Investment Management LLC boosted its holdings in Rockwell Automation by 2.7% during the 4th quarter. New York Life Investment Management LLC now owns 18,490 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $5,741,000 after acquiring an additional 487 shares during the period. Finally, Great Valley Advisor Group Inc. boosted its holdings in Rockwell Automation by 18.4% during the 4th quarter. Great Valley Advisor Group Inc. now owns 1,453 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $451,000 after acquiring an additional 226 shares during the period. 75.75% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Rockwell Automation Stock Up 2.1 %

Shares of NYSE ROK traded up $5.51 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $272.03. 962,045 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 688,876. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.73, a current ratio of 1.04 and a quick ratio of 0.68. Rockwell Automation, Inc. has a twelve month low of $242.81 and a twelve month high of $314.80. The company has a market cap of $30.87 billion, a PE ratio of 26.59, a P/E/G ratio of 4.84 and a beta of 1.37. The firms fifty day simple moving average is $267.19 and its 200-day simple moving average is $272.13.

Rockwell Automation Dividend Announcement

Rockwell Automation ( NYSE:ROK Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, August 7th. The industrial products company reported $2.71 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.08 by $0.63. The company had revenue of $2.05 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.03 billion. Rockwell Automation had a return on equity of 34.09% and a net margin of 11.56%. The firms revenue was down 8.4% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $3.01 earnings per share. Research analysts predict that Rockwell Automation, Inc. will post 9.66 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, September 10th. Shareholders of record on Monday, August 12th will be given a dividend of $1.25 per share. This represents a $5.00 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.84%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, August 12th. Rockwell Automations dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 48.88%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Rockwell Automation news, SVP Tessa M. Myers sold 528 shares of Rockwell Automation stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, June 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $253.78, for a total transaction of $133,995.84. Following the transaction, the senior vice president now owns 3,718 shares of the companys stock, valued at $943,554.04. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. In other news, SVP Tessa M. Myers sold 248 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, June 7th. The stock was sold at an average price of $256.37, for a total value of $63,579.76. Following the transaction, the senior vice president now owns 4,246 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,088,547.02. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Also, SVP Tessa M. Myers sold 528 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, June 11th. The shares were sold at an average price of $253.78, for a total value of $133,995.84. Following the completion of the transaction, the senior vice president now directly owns 3,718 shares in the company, valued at approximately $943,554.04. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold a total of 1,732 shares of company stock valued at $445,133 over the last quarter. Company insiders own 0.68% of the companys stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of equities analysts recently commented on the company. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered their target price on Rockwell Automation from $245.00 to $227.00 and set an underweight rating for the company in a report on Monday, August 12th. Oppenheimer lowered their target price on Rockwell Automation from $295.00 to $270.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a report on Thursday, August 8th. Barclays lowered their target price on Rockwell Automation from $250.00 to $245.00 and set an underweight rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, July 10th. Citigroup decreased their price objective on Rockwell Automation from $322.00 to $316.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, May 8th. Finally, Bank of America decreased their price objective on Rockwell Automation from $300.00 to $270.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, August 8th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have assigned a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Rockwell Automation presently has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $280.14.

View Our Latest Research Report on ROK

Rockwell Automation Company Profile

(Free Report)

Rockwell Automation, Inc provides industrial automation and digital transformation solutions in North America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, the Asia Pacific, and Latin America. The company operates through three segments, Intelligent Devices, Software & Control, and Lifecycle Services. Its solutions include hardware and software products and services.

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StockNews.com began coverage on shares of American Shared Hospital Services (NYSEAMERICAN:AMS  Free Report) in a research report released on Thursday. The firm issued a hold rating on the stock.

American Shared Hospital Services Trading Up 0.6 %

Shares of American Shared Hospital Services stock opened at $3.12 on Thursday. The company has a current ratio of 1.92, a quick ratio of 1.92 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.37. The stock has a market cap of $19.84 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 39.00 and a beta of 0.70. American Shared Hospital Services has a 1 year low of $2.16 and a 1 year high of $4.60.

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American Shared Hospital Services (NYSEAMERICAN:AMS  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, August 14th. The company reported $0.13 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.07 by $0.06. The firm had revenue of $7.06 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.15 million. American Shared Hospital Services had a net margin of 18.41% and a return on equity of 5.39%. Equities analysts expect that American Shared Hospital Services will post 0.29 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On American Shared Hospital Services

About American Shared Hospital Services

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Empowered Funds LLC acquired a new stake in American Shared Hospital Services in the first quarter valued at approximately $31,000. Renaissance Technologies LLC lifted its holdings in shares of American Shared Hospital Services by 31.2% during the 2nd quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC now owns 55,501 shares of the companys stock valued at $177,000 after purchasing an additional 13,201 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Dimensional Fund Advisors LP boosted its position in shares of American Shared Hospital Services by 4.9% in the 2nd quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 179,637 shares of the companys stock worth $574,000 after purchasing an additional 8,436 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 23.16% of the companys stock.

(Get Free Report)

American Shared Hospital Services provides stereotactic radiosurgery and advanced radiation therapy equipment. It operates in two segments, Medical Equipment Leasing, and Retail. The company offers radiosurgery equipment for the Gamma Knife stereotactic radiosurgery, a non-invasive procedure to treat malignant and benign brain tumors, and arteriovenous malformations, as well as for trigeminal neuralgia.

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Natixis Advisors LLC boosted its stake in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited (NYSE:TSM  Free Report) by 11.8% during the second quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The institutional investor owned 2,070,457 shares of the semiconductor companys stock after acquiring an additional 218,402 shares during the period. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing makes up approximately 0.8% of Natixis Advisors LLCs portfolio, making the stock its 16th largest position. Natixis Advisors LLCs holdings in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing were worth $359,867,000 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 TSM. First Horizon Advisors Inc. lifted its stake in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing by 3.1% in the 4th quarter. First Horizon Advisors Inc. now owns 6,891 shares of the semiconductor companys stock valued at $717,000 after buying an additional 205 shares in the last quarter. Benjamin F. Edwards & Company Inc. lifted its stake in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing by 172.3% in the 4th quarter. Benjamin F. Edwards & Company Inc. now owns 12,917 shares of the semiconductor companys stock valued at $1,343,000 after buying an additional 8,173 shares in the last quarter. Merit Financial Group LLC lifted its stake in shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing by 27.0% during the 4th quarter. Merit Financial Group LLC now owns 5,248 shares of the semiconductor companys stock worth $546,000 after purchasing an additional 1,117 shares during the period. LSV Asset Management lifted its stake in shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing by 98.0% during the 4th quarter. LSV Asset Management now owns 40,400 shares of the semiconductor companys stock worth $4,202,000 after purchasing an additional 20,000 shares during the period. Finally, U.S. Capital Wealth Advisors LLC purchased a new position in shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing during the 4th quarter worth $2,069,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 16.51% of the companys stock.

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Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Trading Up 1.5 %

Shares of TSM traded up $2.55 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $171.70. The stock had a trading volume of 9,481,403 shares, compared to its average volume of 15,950,570. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.26, a quick ratio of 2.21 and a current ratio of 2.47. The firm has a market cap of $890.51 billion, a P/E ratio of 32.70, a P/E/G ratio of 1.01 and a beta of 1.14. The companys fifty day simple moving average is $170.68 and its 200 day simple moving average is $154.06. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited has a 12-month low of $84.01 and a 12-month high of $193.47.

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Increases Dividend

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing ( NYSE:TSM Get Free Report ) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, July 18th. The semiconductor company reported $1.48 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.37 by $0.11. The business had revenue of $20.82 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $20.33 billion. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing had a return on equity of 25.54% and a net margin of 37.85%. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 34.6% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the company posted $1.14 EPS. Equities research analysts forecast that Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited will post 6.45 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, January 9th. Investors of record on Thursday, December 12th will be issued a $0.4871 dividend. This is an increase from Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturings previous quarterly dividend of $0.49. This represents a $1.95 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.13%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, December 12th. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturings dividend payout ratio is currently 32.57%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of research analysts have weighed in on the company. Susquehanna reissued a positive rating and set a $250.00 price target on shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing in a research note on Wednesday, August 14th. Needham & Company LLC increased their price target on Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing from $168.00 to $210.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Monday, July 15th. Barclays increased their price target on Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing from $150.00 to $170.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Wednesday, June 5th. TD Cowen increased their price target on Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing from $130.00 to $170.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a research note on Thursday, July 18th. Finally, Sanford C. Bernstein increased their price target on Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing from $150.00 to $200.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Thursday, June 20th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $200.00.

Get Our Latest Analysis on TSM

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Profile

(Free Report)

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited, together with its subsidiaries, manufactures, packages, tests, and sells integrated circuits and other semiconductor devices in Taiwan, China, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Japan, the United States, and internationally. It provides a range of wafer fabrication processes, including processes to manufacture complementary metal- oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) logic, mixed-signal, radio frequency, embedded memory, bipolar CMOS mixed-signal, and others.

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Baltimore Washington Financial Advisors Inc. decreased its holdings in shares of The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE:KO  Free Report) by 6.5% during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 4,591 shares of the companys stock after selling 319 shares during the quarter. Baltimore Washington Financial Advisors Inc.s holdings in Coca-Cola were worth $292,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other large investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Elwood & Goetz Wealth Advisory Group LLC raised its holdings in Coca-Cola by 2.2% in the 2nd quarter. Elwood & Goetz Wealth Advisory Group LLC now owns 6,871 shares of the companys stock valued at $437,000 after acquiring an additional 149 shares in the last quarter. Capital Advisors Ltd. LLC grew its stake in shares of Coca-Cola by 4.4% in the 2nd quarter. Capital Advisors Ltd. LLC now owns 3,631 shares of the companys stock valued at $231,000 after purchasing an additional 153 shares during the period. Liberty Capital Management Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Coca-Cola by 3.7% in the 2nd quarter. Liberty Capital Management Inc. now owns 4,319 shares of the companys stock worth $275,000 after buying an additional 155 shares in the last quarter. Azzad Asset Management Inc. ADV increased its position in shares of Coca-Cola by 0.4% during the 2nd quarter. Azzad Asset Management Inc. ADV now owns 42,407 shares of the companys stock worth $2,699,000 after purchasing an additional 160 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Joule Financial LLC increased its holdings in shares of Coca-Cola by 3.6% during the second quarter. Joule Financial LLC now owns 4,867 shares of the companys stock worth $312,000 after buying an additional 167 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 70.26% of the companys stock.

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Coca-Cola Stock Performance

KO stock opened at $72.47 on Friday. The Coca-Cola Company has a twelve month low of $51.55 and a twelve month high of $72.57. The company has a quick ratio of 0.92, a current ratio of 1.08 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.39. The company has a market cap of $312.34 billion, a P/E ratio of 28.99, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 4.05 and a beta of 0.59. The businesss fifty day moving average is $66.66 and its 200-day moving average is $63.13.

Coca-Cola Announces Dividend

Coca-Cola ( NYSE:KO Get Free Report ) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, July 23rd. The company reported $0.84 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.81 by $0.03. The firm had revenue of $12.40 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $11.78 billion. Coca-Cola had a return on equity of 43.62% and a net margin of 22.92%. The companys quarterly revenue was up 3.3% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $0.78 earnings per share. Equities research analysts forecast that The Coca-Cola Company will post 2.85 EPS for the current year.

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 issued a dividend of $0.485 per share. This represents a $1.94 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.68%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, September 13th. Coca-Colas dividend payout ratio is currently 77.60%.

Insider Buying and Selling at Coca-Cola

In other news, EVP Nancy Quan sold 19,304 shares of Coca-Cola stock in a transaction 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 directly owns 223,330 shares of the companys stock, valued at $14,168,055.20. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. In related news, insider Nikolaos Koumettis sold 80,891 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, June 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $62.34, for a total value of $5,042,744.94. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now directly owns 218,880 shares in the company, valued at approximately $13,644,979.20. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Also, EVP Nancy Quan sold 19,304 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, June 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $63.44, for a total transaction of $1,224,645.76. Following the sale, the executive vice president now 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 sold 1,074,910 shares of company stock valued at $585,972,318. Corporate insiders own 0.97% of the companys stock.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several research analysts recently issued reports on the stock. Royal Bank of Canada upped their price target on shares of Coca-Cola from $65.00 to $68.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Wednesday, July 24th. StockNews.com lowered shares of Coca-Cola from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Friday, July 19th. BNP Paribas initiated coverage on shares of Coca-Cola in a research note on Monday, June 24th. They set an outperform rating and a $72.00 price target on the stock. Argus boosted their price objective on shares of Coca-Cola from $70.00 to $72.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, May 22nd. Finally, TD Cowen increased their price objective on Coca-Cola from $65.00 to $70.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a research report on Thursday, July 25th. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and twelve have given a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $70.73.

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About Coca-Cola

(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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Klingenstein Fields & Co. LP lowered its holdings in shares of Union Pacific Co. (NYSE:UNP  Free Report) by 0.5% in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 279,915 shares of the railroad operators stock after selling 1,303 shares during the quarter. Union Pacific makes up approximately 2.6% of Klingenstein Fields & Co. LPs holdings, making the stock its 10th biggest position. Klingenstein Fields & Co. LPs holdings in Union Pacific were worth $63,334,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in UNP. Forum Financial Management LP increased its holdings in 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 acquiring an additional 41 shares in the last quarter. Berkeley Capital Partners LLC increased its stake in Union Pacific by 1.0% in the 4th quarter. Berkeley Capital Partners LLC now owns 4,100 shares of the railroad operators stock worth $1,007,000 after buying an additional 42 shares in the last quarter. Prestige Wealth Management Group LLC lifted its position in shares of Union Pacific by 1.4% in the first quarter. Prestige Wealth Management Group LLC now owns 3,015 shares of the railroad operators stock valued at $741,000 after acquiring an additional 42 shares in the last quarter. Fairhaven Wealth Management LLC boosted its stake in shares of Union Pacific by 1.7% in the second quarter. Fairhaven Wealth Management LLC now owns 2,581 shares of the railroad operators stock worth $584,000 after acquiring an additional 43 shares during the period. Finally, Elevated Capital Advisors LLC grew its position in shares of Union Pacific by 3.6% during the first 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. Institutional investors own 80.38% of the companys stock.

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Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of research analysts recently commented on the company. Susquehanna lowered their price target on Union Pacific from $270.00 to $250.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, June 25th. Royal Bank of Canada dropped their target price on shares of Union Pacific from $281.00 to $275.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research report on Friday, July 26th. Barclays reduced their price target on shares of Union Pacific from $290.00 to $280.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a report on Friday, July 26th. StockNews.com downgraded shares of Union Pacific from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Tuesday, June 18th. Finally, Loop Capital downgraded Union Pacific from a buy rating to a hold rating and decreased their target price for the stock from $276.00 to $238.00 in a research report on Monday, June 17th. Seven equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, twelve have given a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, Union Pacific currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $258.79.

Union Pacific Trading Up 1.1 %

Union Pacific stock traded up $2.89 during trading hours on Monday, hitting $256.09. The company had a trading volume of 2,386,500 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,260,288. The firm has a market cap of $156.25 billion, a P/E ratio of 24.44, a P/E/G ratio of 2.27 and a beta of 1.06. The company has a 50-day moving average price of $237.66 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $239.06. Union Pacific Co. has a 1 year low of $199.33 and a 1 year high of $258.66. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.89, a quick ratio of 0.86 and a current ratio of 1.05.

Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, July 25th. The railroad operator reported $2.74 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $2.71 by $0.03. The firm had revenue of $6.01 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.05 billion. Union Pacific had a net margin of 26.90% and a return on equity of 42.62%. The companys quarterly revenue was up .7% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the firm earned $2.57 earnings per share. On average, sell-side analysts anticipate that Union Pacific Co. will post 11.11 earnings per share for the current year.

Union Pacific Increases Dividend

The company 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. The ex-dividend date is Friday, August 30th. This represents a $5.36 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.09%. This is an increase from Union Pacifics previous quarterly dividend of $1.30. Union Pacifics payout ratio is presently 51.15%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other news, President Elizabeth F. Whited sold 3,552 shares of the stock in a transaction on Tuesday, July 30th. The stock was sold at an average price of $246.59, for a total transaction of $875,887.68. Following the completion of the sale, the president now owns 64,945 shares in the company, valued at approximately $16,014,787.55. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. 0.28% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Union Pacific Company Profile

(Free Report)

Union Pacific Corporation, through its subsidiary, Union Pacific Railroad Company, operates in the railroad business in the United States. The company offers transportation services for grain and grain products, fertilizers, food and refrigerated products, and coal and renewables to grain processors, animal feeders, ethanol producers, renewable biofuel producers, and other agricultural users; and construction products, industrial chemicals, plastics, forest products, specialized products, metals and ores, petroleum, liquid petroleum gases, soda ash, and sand, as well as finished automobiles, automotive parts, and merchandise in intermodal containers.

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United Asset Strategies Inc. lifted its position in shares of Realty Income Co. (NYSE:O  Free Report) by 10.7% in the second quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The institutional investor owned 103,862 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock after purchasing an additional 10,016 shares during the period. United Asset Strategies Inc.s holdings in Realty Income were worth $5,486,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other large investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. WASHINGTON TRUST Co increased its stake in Realty Income by 65.7% during the first quarter. WASHINGTON TRUST Co now owns 497 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $27,000 after acquiring an additional 197 shares during the last quarter. Essex Financial Services Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Realty Income by 1.5% during the 1st quarter. Essex Financial Services Inc. now owns 13,420 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $726,000 after purchasing an additional 199 shares during the period. Crossmark Global Holdings Inc. increased its position in Realty Income by 0.6% during the 2nd quarter. Crossmark Global Holdings Inc. now owns 35,285 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $1,864,000 after purchasing an additional 199 shares in the last quarter. Optimum Investment Advisors raised its holdings in Realty Income by 11.1% in the second quarter. Optimum Investment Advisors now owns 2,000 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $106,000 after buying an additional 200 shares during the period. Finally, MeadowBrook Investment Advisors LLC lifted its position in Realty Income by 3.4% during the second quarter. MeadowBrook Investment Advisors LLC now owns 6,092 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $322,000 after buying an additional 200 shares in the last quarter. 70.81% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several equities research analysts have recently issued reports on O shares. KeyCorp started coverage on shares of Realty Income in a research report on Wednesday, June 12th. They issued a sector weight rating for the company. UBS Group increased their price target on Realty Income from $61.00 to $68.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Thursday, July 18th. Wedbush assumed coverage on Realty Income in a research note on Monday, August 19th. They set a neutral rating and a $64.00 price objective on the stock. Morgan Stanley reiterated an equal weight rating and issued a $62.00 target price on shares of Realty Income in a research note on Tuesday, August 6th. Finally, Robert W. Baird raised their target price on Realty Income from $57.00 to $58.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Tuesday, August 6th. Nine investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and six have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Realty Income has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $62.02.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, Director A. Larry Chapman sold 5,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Friday, August 23rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $60.77, for a total transaction of $303,850.00. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 5,257 shares in the company, valued at $319,467.89. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. 0.10% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Realty Income Stock Performance

Realty Income stock opened at $62.11 on Monday. The company has a current ratio of 1.39, a quick ratio of 1.39 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.66. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $57.53 and a 200-day moving average of $54.67. The stock has a market cap of $54.09 billion, a P/E ratio of 57.51, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 4.62 and a beta of 0.96. Realty Income Co. has a 52 week low of $45.03 and a 52 week high of $62.41.

Realty Income (NYSE:O  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Monday, August 5th. The real estate investment trust reported $0.29 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.36 by ($0.07). The company had revenue of $1.34 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.22 billion. Realty Income had a net margin of 17.89% and a return on equity of 3.27%. The companys revenue was up 31.4% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $1.00 earnings per share. On average, analysts expect that Realty Income Co. will post 3.93 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Realty Income Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a sep 24 dividend, which will be paid on Friday, September 13th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, September 3rd will be paid a dividend of $0.263 per share. This represents a yield of 5.2%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, September 3rd. Realty Incomes payout ratio is currently 292.59%.

Realty Income Company Profile

(Free Report)

Realty Income, The Monthly Dividend Company, is an S&P 500 company and member of the S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats index. We invest in people and places to deliver dependable monthly dividends that increase over time. The company is structured as a real estate investment trust ("REIT"), and its monthly dividends are supported by the cash flow from over 15,450 real estate properties (including properties acquired in the Spirit merger in January 2024) primarily owned under long-term net lease agreements with commercial clients.

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Valmark Advisers Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Accenture plc (NYSE:ACN  Free Report) by 2.8% during the second quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 14,642 shares of the information technology services providers stock after purchasing an additional 404 shares during the period. Valmark Advisers Inc.s holdings in Accenture were worth $4,443,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the company. McKinley Carter Wealth Services Inc. grew its position in shares of Accenture by 7.4% during the 4th quarter. McKinley Carter Wealth Services Inc. now owns 29,204 shares of the information technology services providers stock worth $10,248,000 after buying an additional 2,008 shares during the period. TrinityPoint Wealth LLC raised its position in shares of Accenture by 3.6% during the 4th quarter. TrinityPoint Wealth LLC now owns 3,646 shares of the information technology services providers stock valued at $1,279,000 after acquiring an additional 125 shares during the last quarter. Buckingham Capital Management Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Accenture by 3.4% in the 4th quarter. Buckingham Capital Management Inc. now owns 27,559 shares of the information technology services providers stock valued at $9,671,000 after purchasing an additional 900 shares during the period. Focus Financial Network Inc. ADV bought a new position in shares of Accenture in the 4th quarter worth $4,594,000. Finally, New Mexico Educational Retirement Board increased its holdings in Accenture by 11.9% in the first quarter. New Mexico Educational Retirement Board now owns 36,750 shares of the information technology services providers stock valued at $12,393,000 after purchasing an additional 3,900 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 75.14% of the companys stock.

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Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, CFO Kathleen R. Mcclure sold 3,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Friday, July 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $309.22, for a total transaction of $927,660.00. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer now directly owns 40,070 shares in the company, valued at approximately $12,390,445.40. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In other Accenture news, CEO Julie Spellman Sweet sold 3,776 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Friday, July 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $309.05, for a total transaction of $1,166,972.80. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 11,819 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $3,652,661.95. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, CFO Kathleen R. Mcclure sold 3,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, July 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $309.22, for a total transaction of $927,660.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief financial officer now directly owns 40,070 shares in the company, valued at $12,390,445.40. 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. 0.07% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

ACN has been the topic of a number of recent analyst reports. Robert W. Baird reduced their target price on Accenture from $372.00 to $345.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, May 16th. The Goldman Sachs Group assumed coverage on shares of Accenture in a research note on Monday, June 24th. They issued a neutral rating and a $335.00 target price for the company. Morgan Stanley lowered shares of Accenture from an overweight rating to an equal weight rating and decreased their price target for the company from $382.00 to $300.00 in a report on Wednesday, June 26th. TD Cowen dropped their price objective on Accenture from $294.00 to $293.00 and set a hold rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, June 21st. Finally, BMO Capital Markets decreased their target price on Accenture from $375.00 to $350.00 and set a market perform rating for the company in a research note on Friday, June 21st. Eleven research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eleven have given a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $352.33.

View Our Latest Research Report on Accenture

Accenture Price Performance

ACN stock traded up $1.74 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $341.95. The companys stock had a trading volume of 2,004,144 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,997,440. The companys fifty day moving average price is $319.98 and its 200 day moving average price is $325.26. Accenture plc has a twelve month low of $278.69 and a twelve month high of $387.51. The stock has a market capitalization of $214.30 billion, a P/E ratio of 31.31, a PEG ratio of 3.81 and a beta of 1.23.

Accenture (NYSE:ACN  Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Thursday, June 20th. The information technology services provider reported $3.13 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $3.15 by ($0.02). The company had revenue of $16.47 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $16.55 billion. Accenture had a return on equity of 27.48% and a net margin of 10.79%. The businesss revenue was down .6% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $3.19 EPS. Equities analysts expect that Accenture plc will post 11.95 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Accenture Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced 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. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, July 11th. This represents a $5.16 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.51%. Accentures payout ratio is 47.25%.

Accenture Profile

(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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Van ECK Associates Corp raised its stake in shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited (NYSE:TSM  Free Report) by 4.3% during the 2nd quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The institutional investor owned 18,167,165 shares of the semiconductor companys stock after acquiring an additional 750,971 shares during the quarter. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing comprises 4.5% of Van ECK Associates Corps portfolio, making the stock its 2nd biggest holding. Van ECK Associates Corps holdings in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing were worth $3,157,635,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Johnson Financial Group Inc. bought a new position in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing in the 4th quarter worth $25,000. Atlantic Edge Private Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing during the 2nd quarter worth about $25,000. LifeSteps Financial Inc. acquired a new stake in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $27,000. Olistico Wealth LLC bought a new position in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $27,000. Finally, North Star Investment Management Corp. lifted its holdings in shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing by 670.4% during the first quarter. North Star Investment Management Corp. now owns 208 shares of the semiconductor companys stock worth $28,000 after buying an additional 181 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 16.51% of the companys stock.

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Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of brokerages recently issued reports on TSM. Sanford C. Bernstein boosted their target price on shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing from $150.00 to $200.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Thursday, June 20th. Barclays upped their price objective on shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing from $150.00 to $170.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Wednesday, June 5th. Needham & Company LLC increased their target price on shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing from $168.00 to $210.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Monday, July 15th. Susquehanna restated a positive rating and set a $250.00 price target on shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing in a research note on Wednesday, August 14th. Finally, TD Cowen raised their price objective on Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing from $130.00 to $170.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a research report on Thursday, July 18th. One investment 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, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $200.00.

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Price Performance

Shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing stock traded up $2.55 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $171.70. 9,481,403 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 15,950,570. The company has a market cap of $890.51 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 32.70, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.01 and a beta of 1.14. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited has a fifty-two week low of $84.01 and a fifty-two week high of $193.47. The company has a current ratio of 2.47, a quick ratio of 2.21 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.26. The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of $170.68 and a 200 day simple moving average of $154.06.

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing (NYSE:TSM  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, July 18th. The semiconductor company reported $1.48 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates 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 return on equity of 25.54% and a net margin of 37.85%. The businesss revenue was up 34.6% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the firm posted $1.14 EPS. On average, sell-side analysts predict that Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited will post 6.45 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, January 9th. Investors of record on Thursday, December 12th will be given a dividend of $0.4871 per share. This is an increase from Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturings previous quarterly dividend of $0.49. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, December 12th. This represents a $1.95 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.13%. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturings dividend payout ratio is 32.57%.

About Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing

(Free Report)

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited, together with its subsidiaries, manufactures, packages, tests, and sells integrated circuits and other semiconductor devices in Taiwan, China, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Japan, the United States, and internationally. It provides a range of wafer fabrication processes, including processes to manufacture complementary metal- oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) logic, mixed-signal, radio frequency, embedded memory, bipolar CMOS mixed-signal, and others.

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Chirag Daruwalla is an astrologer with more than 18 years of experience advising clients on career, health, finance, business, money, and love marriage related queries, and on all kinds of life and work problems. Visit chiragdaruwalla.com, call/Whatsapp +91 8141566266 or email info@chiragdaruwalla.com
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Antidote du jour (via):

See yesterdays Links and Antidote du Jour here.
By Lambert Strether of Corrente.

Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor. Ecclesiastes 4:9

If youve got em by the balls, the heart and mind soon follow. Author Unknown

Labor Day 2024 seems like an appropriate date to look forward to May Day 2028, the date for which UAW President Shawn Fain, fresh from his stand-up strike triumph with the Big Three automakers, has called for a General Strike[1]. Its nice to have time to prepare!

In doing the research for this post, I came to understand how little I know about the labor movement, so I hope that readers will bear with me, and union mavens who know more will correct me. Its a sad commentary that the only mainstream publication with a regular labor beat is Teen Vogue, where Kim Kelly writes the No Class column. It would be a fine thing if every newspaper had a Kim Kelly (or a Mike Elk). Its also frustrating that much of the reporting on labor  at least that which gets amplified  comes from niche publications on the unmasked, brunch-focused, Democrat-servicing, NGO-aligned putative left. All this combines to make me feel that we really dont know whats going on out there in the locals, let alone the workplace itself, which does allow one at least to project a certain sense of optimism. Just possibly Shawn Fain knows more than I do, or any of them do.

In this post, I will first give some background on the general strike (definition; history). Then I will quote Shawn Fains views (2023 and 2024). Next, Ill present friendly amendments to and critiques of Fains views. Finally, I will play the armchair strategist snd present my own critique (hoping I have made clear that I have no particular qualifications to do this).

The General Strike: Background

Here is the definition of General Strike, from the Teamsters site:

A strike by all or most organized workers in a community or nation.

Kim Kelly gives a somewhat more wide-angled definition:

A general strike is a labor action in which a significant amount of workers from a number of different industries who comprise a majority of the total labor force within a particular city, region, or country come together to take collective action. Organized strikes are generally called by labor union leadership, but they impact more than just those in the union.

(I like Kellys definition better  sorry, Teamsters!  because her jurisdiction heirarchy is richer, and because she emphasizes the role of the community.

From the DSA, Looking Back to Look Forward to 2028, here is a potted history of general strikes in the Great Depression, which were critical to the formation of the union movement as we know it today

Ten years later when the Great Depression broke out in 1929, conditions appeared to have lurched back to the nineteenth century; the truth was more complicated. Important quantitative shifts had prepared the ground for a qualitative breakthrough. First, radicals led thousands of workplace organizing drives during the early Thirties. 1934 marked a turning point with general or mass strikes in Minneapolis, San Francisco, Toledo, and East Coast textile mills , drawing in more than 1.5 million workers. Many of them joined the Communist and Socialist Parties, creating the largest left parties in U.S. history. Second, Minneapolis, San Francisco, and Toledo all won contracts and significant wage gains , touching off a war within the AFL and the emergence of the Congress of Industrial Organizations. Some union leaders understood that if they didnt lead the rebellion, they might be left behind. Others genuinely supported it and threw their (relatively) well-resourced unions behind it. Third, although Roosevelts New Deal had only a small impact on macroeconomic activity, his administration created the foundation for the modern interventionist federal state, both in terms of economic investmentwhich really only took root as war production cranked upand increasingly significant regulatory power. If Wilsons National War Labor Board was a test balloon, Roosevelts National Labor Relations Act signaled the federal governments willingness to corral labor and business when it served its own interests . Its impossible to reduce what came next to the right conditions. Strategic, tactical, and political debates raged throughout these years, but its clear that mass strikes were central to winning .

Now lets turn to Shawn Fain and the present day.

UAW President Fains Calls for a General Strike

I came into this thinking that Fain had delivered a single address, which then got amplified, but in fact he first broached the idea in his report to the UAW membership after winning the UAW contract with the Big Three. Hes followed through several times thereafter. Here are several examples:

October 29, 2023. Fains report to the membership (CC disabled, sadly, so no YouTube transcript):

UAWs Facebook page (!) (quoted but not linked by Common Dreams) contains the key passages from our standpoint:

The Stand Up Strike will go down in history as an inflection point for our union, and for our movement. We went to each of the Big 3 and proposed an expiration date of April 30, 2028. We did this for several reasons. First, this allows us to strike on May Day, or International Workers Day. We invite unions around the country to align your contract expirations with our own so that together we can begin to flex our collective muscles. If we are going to truly take on the billionaire class and rebuild the economy so that it starts to work for the benefit of the many and not the few, then its important that we not only strike, but that we strike together. This contract is about more than just economic gains for autoworkers. Its a turning point in the class war that has been raging in this country for the past forty years.

Why contract alignment? Kim Kelly explains:

[S]ympathy strikes (in which workers join a strike in solidarity with strikers at another workplace) are, in most cases, illegal in the US. Due to the 1947 Taft-Hartley Act, which was passed in the wake of the women-led 1946 Oakland general strike, general strikes are effectively illegal too. This trampling of the right of workers to show solidarity has been a source of frustration for decades, but has also prompted union members and leaders to get creative when necessary. So if, as Fain has suggested, a number of separate unions happen to set their contracts to expire at the same time, and happen to go out on strike as a result, there are no laws being broken. Thats just good timing. And then, for example, if thousands of other workers, union and nonunion alike, who are sympathetic to the cause, all happened to fall ill at the same time and had to take off work during the general strike well, thats just plumb bad luck.

January 22, 2024. The Guardian:

Speaking to union members at the UAW national political conference in Washington DC, Fain said it was time for union members to come together. We have to pay for our sins of the past. Back in 1980 when Reagan at the time fired PATCO workers [here], everybody in this country should have stood up and walked the hell out, Fain said. We missed the opportunity then, but were not going to miss it in 2028. Thats the plan. We want a general strike. We want everybody walking out just like they do in other countries . He reaffirmed ambitious plans to organize a general strike for 1 May 2028, coinciding with International Solidarity Day or May Day.

April 30, 2024. Shawn Fain, In These Times, May Day 2028 Could Transform the Labor Movementand the Worldl

We wanted to ensure our contracts expired at midnight on April 30, 2028, not as a symbolic gesture, but as a rallying cry. Weve asked other unions to join us in setting their contract expiration dates to May Day 2028 in hopes the labor movement can collectively aspire to building the power needed to change the world. Theres been talk about a general strike for as long as Ive been alive. But thats all it has been: talk. If we are serious about building enough collective power to win universal healthcare and the right to retire with dignity, then we need to spend the next four years getting prepared. A general strike isnt going to happen on a whim. Its not going to happen over social media. A successful general strike is going to take time, mass coordination, and a whole lot of work by the labor movement . As working people, we must come together. We can no longer allow corporations, politicians and borders to divide us.

And:

We are fully preparing to strike on May Day 2028. The first is that, to reshape the economy into one that works for the benefit of everyone  not just the wealthy  we need to reclaim our countrys history of militant trade unions that united workers across race, gender and nationality.

Critiques of Fain

(1) How serious is the UAW really? From Hamilton Nolan (2024), at the Labor Notes Conference in Chicago:

A number of people in the room told Brooks that it would be helpful if their union leaders could have a set contact point at UAW who would help them coordinate, and he appeared to take that in in good faith, but the UAW doesnt seem to have any sort of big ongoing staffed effort to coordinate this thing right now. They are in the inspire others to do this thing which is a collective effort phase, which is fine.

If such a contact point exists on the UAW website, I cant find it. Indeed:

Theres nothing on the UAW site about a general strike at all, now or in the past. So when is that staffed effort going to start? From In These Times:

We must see some tangible coordination of action across the U.S. labor movement. It is great when one union wins a contract, or organizes an important new company, but those isolated events will not be enough to take on the combined power of trillion-dollar multinational corporations and their political allies. Not even when they involve tens or hundreds of thousands of workers. Big unions, the ones with the most resources, along with whatever non-union groups want to help them, must be able to sit down and plan and carry out big national campaigns together if we want to have any chance at winning the class war.

(2) Show some muscle but to what end? It is true that Fain (above) mentions universal healthcare and the right to retire with dignity, but concrete material benefits dont seem to be in the forefront of his thinking (which might not be a bad thing; see the Conclusion.) I note in passing that universal health care is not single payer, let alone a National Health Service; in fact, I seem to recall some ObamaCare advocates claiming, back in the day, that a combination of private health insurance plus ObamaCare filling in the gaps was, operationally, universal health care, so problem solved! One sardonic comment from trainer Jane McAlevey:

In the old days, the thing that really turned me off from the organized US left was that every time I would show up at a Left conference, Id be immediately swarmed by white guys hawking papers in four-point font with their political line. And thats not going to build a class-based, effective movement thats tackling race and gender.

Medicare for All being one such hawked thing, sadly. (Although I have to say that the idea of a class-based movement that doesnt tackle class seems odd to me.)

(3) Contract aligment may be the best tactic, but is it the only one? Hamilton Nolan once more, from the same conference:

The man from SEIU made the point that a general strike doesnt need every participant to have exactly the same contract expiration date. For a May Day 2028 strike, for example, people working under any contract that expired before that date could just keep their contract bargaining going until May Day. Also, anyone who had unionized but was still negotiating a first contract could grab onto May Day as a self-imposed deadline and participate in the strike. So rather than thinking about only unions that could get that exact expiration date as possible participants, think about all the unions whose contracts expire in a six month window preceding that date, along with all the unions negotiating first contracts, along with all the unions willing to say fuck it and strike illegally. That is a much, much larger pool.

(4) What about opposition from the national unions? The labor movement can rightly be said to be fractious. From Socialist Call:

One is the difficulty of getting many unions on board, because of the fragmentation of the labor movement, the siloes and leaders egos. The president of one union doesnt see himself as needing a leader from a different union. The established leaders dont know Fain well and they have reasons to distrust him  his origins in dissent, his radical rhetoric, and even his widely publicized winning strike against the Big 3 automakers last fall, an achievement others cant point to. In 1997 the Teamsters strike at UPS was a resounding national success but it did not lead to other unions doing likewise. In our Balkanized system its hard for successes to spread from union to union.

But:

A possible exception is the idea of reform from below, as reformers in other unions (Food and Commercial Workers, Massachusetts Teachers, Chicago Teachers, Professional and Technical Engineers, Machinists, Theatrical Stage Employees) have taken heart from the example of Teamsters for a Democratic Union and now Unite All Workers for Democracy, the movement in the Auto Workers, and begun their own caucuses. That direct learning from each other is part of what Labor Notes promotes. But with reformers decidedly not in control of many unions, the power of a good example of how to lead is less powerful.

Leading me to

(5) How about support from the locals?. From HuffPo:

Eight councils affiliated with the AFL-CIO labor federation have endorsed the [general strike] concept so far, said Connor Lewis, a union member, writer and president of the Seven Mountains Central Labor Council in central Pennsylvania. The councils span six states; the most recent to sign on was the council for Louisville, Kentucky, where Ford workers went on strike last year.

(6) Who organizes community mutual aid networks? From Kim Kelly, Everything You Need to Know About General Strikes:

Organizers stress the importance of first building mutual aid networks and strong community systems to care for people in the event of a mass labor action like a general strike, before asking people to hit the streets. Its hard enough to go out on a planned strike during union contract negotiations. In those cases, workers at least have the support of their union, and, hopefully, a strike fund to help cover bills.

(7) Isnt the general strike a one-shot strategy? From Kim Kelly, The UAW Strike May Have Finally Set Us Up for a General Strike:

To be brutally honest, though, well probably only get one shot at this before the government magics up a new set of laws to make it even more difficult to try.

I would imagine lawfare against the union leadership is also a possibility, especially under a Harris administration.

Armchair Strategy

Here is Fains favorite bible quote in full (the first verse being the epigraph). Ecclesiastes 4:9-12:
Christian churches that advocate for Israels mass killing of Palestinian civilians are serving SATAN, not Christ

From a spiritual and Biblical perspective, there are few things more disgusting than seeing a leader of a church openly advocate for genocide in the name of Christ.

Colossians 3:15 says: Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.

Today, we see numerous churches with all variety of pastors -- some wildly animated and fast-talking -- claiming that since the Zionists claim their Old Testament God gave them the monopoly right to murder human beings and take their land, therefore Christ must have also endorsed such a practice in New Testament times. This bizarre reasoning is enough, they say, to justify Christians today applauding the mass genocide of Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank, where quite a few Christians, Catholics, Mormons and Jews still struggle to survive, by the way (they're not all Muslims).

Were Christ alive today, he would loudly condemn the blasphemous invocation of his name to justify mass murder and genocide.

How do we know it's genocide? Because Israel's Zionist leaders tell us so in their own words, repeatedly calling for mass exterminations and displacement of the Palestinian people. This evidence was entered into the International Court of Justice proceedings initiated by South Africa and endorsed by many other nations, including Colombia. There are a multitude of videos circulating online that show Israel's current leaders openly advocating genocide and the mass extermination of Palestinians. This is not debated except by those who are ignorant. The genocide of Palestinians is so self-evident and grotesque that many Jews themselves are speaking out against it, including Norman Finkelstein found in this video.

To carry out its genocide against Palestine, Israel has systematically bombed hospitals, mosques, universities, refugee camps, residential buildings, marketplaces, escape routes and infrastructure facilities. It has executed Gazan doctors using military snipers, bulldozed Palestinian civilians alive, launched precision missile strikes at food aid workers, deliberately bombed ambulances, blocked escape routes and even bombed routes that it designed as "safe routes" for Palestinians. Israel's clear goal is to either exterminate or displace the 2+ million Palestinians in Gaza so that Israel can steal their land and take their resources as part of its "Greater Israel" mission that Israel's leaders claim God gave them the monopoly right to pursue.

You don't have to be a Bible scholar to realize that the mass extermination of Palestinian women, children, hospital patients, elderly, doctors, university professors and ambulance drivers as a heinous crime against humanity. You do, however, have to have a brain and a heart. Both of these organs appear to be lacking across many Christian pastors, ministers and church leaders today, some of whom are too busy diddling 12-year-old children or sodomizing the choir boys to bother teaching the word of Christ. Because denial of Christ's teaching is, of course, a gateway to sin and self-destruction.

Matthew 5:9 - Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.

To advocate Israel's genocide is to betray the teachings of Christ

When pastors and church leaders openly support Israel's mass genocide, they are admitting to you that they reject the teachings of Christ. To justify their genocide, they usually claim something like, "Israel has the right of self-defense." And then you point out that Israel is slaughtering tens of thousands of children, women, elderly people, hospital workers, ambulance drivers and all sorts of people who took no part in the Oct 7 Hamas attack, these so-called Christian pastors will say things like, "Well those children might grow up to become terrorists one day, and that's a threat to Israel."

This is similar to Vietnam War-era war crimes when some soldiers would torch entire villages, screaming, "Kill 'em all and let God sort 'em out!"

Israelis, of course, arrived in 1948 and began slaughtering Palestinians on site -- the "Nakba" -- stealing their land and homes, displacing an estimated 750,000 Palestinians within a few years, and over time corralling them into smaller and smaller parcels of land which eventually became a large open-air prison camp known as "Gaza" (with additional areas of the West Bank). Today, Gazans live as prisoners, almost wholly controlled by a vindictive Israel that determines their access to food, water, medicine, electricity, transportation, internet services and more. Modern-day Israel exists on the land which was violently and systematically stolen from the indigenous Palestinian people, whom could be compared to Native Americans in North America.

Yet Zionists claim that thousands of years ago, God promised them that land, therefore they claim to have the right in 2024 to mass murder anyone they want, and to consider all those who oppose them to be "terrorists." They often cite Genesis chapter 15, in which God makes a covenant with Abraham, saying, "To your descendants I have given this land." The Book of Genesis is typically dated somewhere around 5,000 years ago, by the way. Yet modern-day Israel attacked Palestine in 1948 -- apparently after a nearly 4,900 year time gap -- and now claims God gave them permission to kill everyone else.

The problem with this claim is that Palestinians are descendants of Abraham, too. The religion of Islam is an Abrahamic religion, and virtually all the indigenous people of Palestine are therefore Abrahamic. By murdering them, Zionists are murdering the very descendants of Abraham that God promised would inherit the land.

In essence, today's Zionist-run Israel is betraying the word of God and literally murdering children of God. This means Israel's actions stand in contradiction to God, which is why present-day Israel is often called a "Satanic death cult."

Psalm 34:14 - Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.

Israel's word games

Israel also likes to play disingenuous word games to try to mislead the world about its genocide. When Israel bombs women and children to death, it declares them to be "terrorists," not civilians. That's how Israel claims to have so much success killing "terrorists" while Netanyahu ridiculously claims to have killed almost no civilians.

When Israel initiates new bombing campaigns to slaughter yet more Palestinians, it falsely claims such actions are "self-defense." But they deliberately misuse the term to justify expanding genocide. If you live next to a family that has a psychopathic young man who comes to your home and tries to shoot you, then shooting him first is self-defense. That is your right if he has broken into your home and is threatening your life in an imminent fashion. But if you then march over to your neighbor's home and burn it down, roasting alive the women and children in that home, that's not self-defense. That's murder. And that's exactly what Israel is doing, but with 2000-lb. bombs.

This is covered in more detail by author Daniel Kovalik, author of "The Case for Palestine," whom I interviewed a few weeks ago:

Here's more about Israel's deliberate demonic deception through its desire to use words to mislead:

The use of words to deceive... the mass slaughter of women and children... the attempted extermination of indigenous people... the mass theft of land and property... these are not actions of Christ but of demons.

Those who condone such actions are agents of Satan, and those church leaders who use their churches to espouse such mad violence and despicable, anti-Christ behavior are, themselves, anti-Christ agents who have rejected the teachings of Christ and the New Testament.

Christ taught forgiveness, coexistence, love, compassion, generosity, humility, morality and kindness. Yet these so-called "Christian" churches pushing Israel's genocide are rooted in violence, hatred, theft, destruction, suffering, anger, death and vengeance. They are steeped in spiritual circles of the demonic while pretending to be teachers of Christ.

Christ himself warned us about "false prophets." And now those false prophets have announced themselves for the whole world to see: They're the ones advocating Zionist genocide in Gaza. If you follow them, you follow them to Hell.

###

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Hundreds of doctors resign from British Medical Association for its support of LGBT child mutilations

The British Medical Association (BMA) recently came out to oppose an existing ban on puberty blockers for children in Great Britain, prompting hundreds of doctors in the United Kingdom to resign in protest and disgust.

The physicians who called it quits from the BMA say the union is ignoring evidence-based medicine by continuing to support the grotesque and utterly perverted concept of "changing genders" by taking endocrine-disrupting pharmaceutical drugs that destroy a child's hormonal system, probably for life.

It is all fun and games until all that drugging and mutilating catches up with a person, and yet BMA leadership think they know better than science and common sense what is safe and effective for a child suffering from gender dysphoria.

The BMA wants the government of the U.K. to lift its puberty blockers for children ban, as well as pause the implementation of the National Health Service's Case Review.

(Related: Did you know that the British Medical Journal [BMJ], which is run by the BMA, contends that unvaccinated people should be forced to get injected through targeted "behavior interventions?")

"Not in my name," disgusted doctors tell BMA

Before this mass exodus, roughly 1,000 senior physicians from across the U.K. published an open letter to BMA chairman and professor Philip Banfield accusing him and the 69-member council that controls the direction of the BMA of passing this new union policy position at a "secretive and opaque" meeting.

That open letter, which now has more than 1,400 senior physician signatures, 900 of which are from BMA members, calls out the doctors' union for basically doing its own thing without support from a majority of the union's members.

"We write as doctors to say, 'not in my name,'" the letter states.

"We are extremely disappointed that the BMA council had passed a motion to conduct a 'critique' of the Cass Review and to lobby to oppose its recommendations ... It does not reflect the views of the wider membership, whose opinion you did not seek. We understand that no information will be released on the voting figures and how council members voted. That is a failure of accountability to members and is simply not acceptable."

Concerning the Cass Review, the letter goes on to call it "the most comprehensive review into healthcare for children with gender related distress ever conducted." Since the BMA has chosen to do nothing but attack the Cass Review, the signatories are now calling on the union to "abandon its pointless exercise" in opposing the review's recommendations.

"By lobbying against the best evidence we have, the BMA is going against the principles of evidence-based medicine and against ethical practice," the letter continues.

Many of the comments on The Times in response to the letter are from people who claim to be doctors saying that they "have torn up their membership cards" in response to the BMA's official position in support of transgender child mutilation.

"As a union, primarily, it is the role of the BMA to represent its members, and not to drive clinical opinion, especially in specialist areas," one of them wrote. "I am considering resigning after membership of 42 years."

"I left the BMA partly because of this sort of behaviour on the part of the leadership, having been a member for some thirty years," said another.

Many others used words like "abysmal" to describe the current leadership structure at the BMA, which is becoming "increasingly bonkers and ideologically captured." They also called for a "vote of no confidence in BMA leadership" to oust the current controllers of the union.

LGBT child mutilation is one of the sickest perversions in existence and Western leaders are all about normalizing it. Learn more at Evil.news.

Sources for this article include:

LifeSiteNews.com

NaturalNews.com

TheTimes.com
Meta blocks more fake WhatsApp accounts linked to Iranian hackers they claim are targeting U.S. elections

Meta Platforms  the parent company of Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp  has revealed that Iranian-linked hackers pretended to be tech support on the WhatsApp messaging app to target people associated with the administrations of President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump.

The company disclosed this on Aug. 23, commenting that the incident provides the latest evidence of Irans attempts to influence the 2024 U.S. presidential election.

Meta also said that it blocked several WhatsApp accounts linked to a group of hackers affiliated with Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Microsoft and Google also recently announced that the IRGC had tried email phishing attacks on those linked to people such as Trump, Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris.

According to Meta, there's no evidence suggesting that the targeted WhatsApp accounts were compromised. However, the company added that it has shared information with law enforcement and other tech companies.

Meta warned that the hackers on WhatsApp pretended to be technical support for companies like AOL, Google, Microsoft and Yahoo. Using a technique called social engineering, the hackers tried to convince targets to reveal sensitive information, such as account passwords.

The company also warned that the hackers have targeted "political and diplomatic officials, business and other public figures" in Iran, Israel, Palestine, the United Kingdom and the United States. The hacker group is famous for using phishing and other attacks to compromise targets, including those it considers political enemies of Iran, dissidents, human rights activists and journalists.

Washington reveals Tehran trying to hack GOP, Democratic presidential campaigns

Earlier in August, the U.S. government reported that Iran has been trying to hack both the Republican and Democratic presidential campaigns in an attempt to influence the November elections. (Related: Kamala Harris calls for renewal of so-called assault weapons ban to hurriedly DISARM Americans before the election.)

In a joint statement, the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) said that Iran believes the 2024 U.S. elections will be "particularly consequential in terms of the impact they could have on its national security interests, increasing Tehrans inclination to try to shape the outcome."

The agencies also warned that they have observed "increasingly aggressive Iranian activity during this election cycle," particularly concerning "operations targeting the American public and cyber operations targeting Presidential campaigns."

The Trump campaign has claimed that Iran was behind the leak of internal documents to news outlets, a matter that the FBI is investigating. On the other hand, the Harris campaign says it was warned by the FBI in July that it had been targeted by a foreign influence operation, adding that it is not aware of any security breaches.

Masih Alinejad, a U.S.-based Iranian journalist who has been the target of several assassination or kidnapping plots, revealed that she receives text messages and emails almost daily from hackers trying to access her phone. According to Alinejad, hackers are relentless because she has the biggest social media platform among all opposition leaders and opposition activists.

The FBI has already investigated an Iranian hack of the Trump campaign and an alleged Iranian plot to kill the candidate for the current election cycle. They may be separate activities, but U.S. officials have advised that they may come from a very "desperate regime."

Visit Rigged.news for more updates about the upcoming elections.

Watch the video below to learn more about ballot harvesting, a critical component to winning the 2024 U.S. elections.

This video is from the Counter Culture Mom channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Meta Platforms: MASS CENSORSHIP of Trump photo after failed assassination attempt was an error.

Hackers steal over a million Social Security numbers and other sensitive personal information from National Public Data.

Meta covertly training AI with user data without providing Instagram and Facebook users easy opt-out options.

Hackers stole nearly all records of customer calls, texts from AT&T.

Sources include:

NPR.com

Edition.CNN.com

Brighteon.com
ELECTION INTERFERENCE: RFK Jr. forced to remain on the ballot in key battleground state of Michigan despite requesting withdrawal from the race

The name of independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. will still appear on ballots in Michigan in November , even after withdrawing his presidential bid and endorsing Republican presidential nominee and former president Donald Trump.

In a press conference in Phoenix on Aug. 23, Kennedy suspended his presidential bid and admitted to the public that he no longer saw a path toward victory. Kennedy explained that internal polling showed his candidacy could harm Trump's chances while inadvertently helping Harris, though recent public polls do not clearly support this claim. Regardless, after several discussions with Trump, he decided to withdraw and support the former president, instead. (Related: RFK Jr. suspends campaign with singular focus: Ending childhood illness epidemic.)

In line with this, he also sought to remove his name from the ballots in 10 key battleground states.

"In about 10 battleground states, where my presence would be a spoiler, Im going to remove my name. And Ive already started that process and urge voters not to vote for me," Kennedy said.

However, the office of Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, a Democrat, claimed that Kennedy would still be listed as the nominee of the Natural Law Party after the party selected him as its nominee at its state convention back in April.

"Minor party candidates cannot withdraw, so his name will remain on the ballot," said Cheri Hardmon, a spokeswoman for Benson, in an email on Aug 23. "Michigan Election Law requires presidential electors be selected at the fall state convention. The fall state convention must be held no later than the date of the primary. The Natural Law Party held their convention to select electors for Robert Kennedy Jr. They cannot meet at this point to select new electors since it's past the primary."

RFK Jr. faces similar problems in other key battleground states

Similar situations are unfolding in other states where election officials have also indicated it is too late for Kennedy to have his name removed from the ballot.

In North Carolina, the State Board of Elections claimed that Kennedy's withdrawal came just as ballot printing had begun across the state. As of Aug. 29, approximately 1.73 million ballots were already printed in over 60 counties, including those for military personnel overseas and individuals with vision impairments.

Karen Brinson, the executive director of the State Board of Elections, clarified that removing Kennedy's name would involve reprinting and redistributing the ballots, which would take at least 13 days and incur extra costs. Considering the tight timeframe and the expenses involved, the board concluded that making the changes was not feasible. This, in turn, resulted in the rejection of Kennedy's withdrawal.

Similarly, in Wisconsin, the Elections Commission voted to deny Kennedy's request to be removed from the ballot. The decision was based on Wisconsin law, which states that candidates who have filed nomination papers and qualified for the ballot cannot subsequently withdraw.

As of now, reports also claim that Kennedy may also face difficulties in removing his name from ballots in other battleground states like Nevada.

Follow RFKJr.news for more news about the former presidential candidate.

Watch Lisa Haven's commentary on Robert F. Kennedy Jr. possibly joining the camp of former President Donald Trump below.

This video is from the Lisa Haven channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

RFK Jr. reveals other Democrats will join him in actively campaigning for Donald Trump.

RFK Jr.: Democrats have no platform; they are only united by HATRED of Donald Trump.

RFK Jr., Childrens Health Defense granted go-ahead to SUE Biden regime for CENSORSHIP.

RFK Jr. suspends presidential campaign, will join forces with Trump to save millions of children.

RFK Jr. considering possibility of dropping out of presidential race and joining Trump team.

Sources include:

Breitbart.com

WeThePatriotsUSA.Substack.com

DetroitNews.com

YourNews.com

MSN.com

Brighteon.com
Russian official warns U.S. will face WORSE CONSEQUENCES for backing Ukraines strikes on Kursk

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov has warned that the U.S. will face worse consequences for its backing of Ukraine's strikes in the Kursk region.

The Russian state news agency TASS reported on his remarks on Aug. 27. Ryabkov told reporters: "The impression is that our colleagues [in Washington] have discarded the remnants of common sense and believe that they can do anything. Their clients in Kyiv have a similar approach."

"The consequences [for the U.S.] could be much harsher than those they are already experiencing. They know where and in what areas we are reacting in practical terms. Practical consequences of what is not an accusation, but an obvious fact, are observed  and our American colleagues know what we are talking about."

Ryabkov ultimately remarked that "Washington's escalation is becoming more and more defiant." His boss Sergey Lavrov, Russia's foreign minister, shared the same sentiments. Lavrov commented that the West was seeking to escalate the Ukraine war and was "asking for trouble" by considering Ukrainian requests to ease restrictions on using foreign-supplied weapons.

"We are now confirming once again that [the West is] playing with fire  and they are like small children playing with matches," he told reporters in Moscow. "[Such a development] is a very dangerous thing for grown-up uncles and aunts who are entrusted with nuclear weapons in one or another Western country. Americans unequivocally associate conversations about WWIII as something that, God forbid if it happens, will affect Europe exclusively."

While Washington claims it had no role in planning the incursion into Kursk, it has allowed Kyiv to use American military vehicles and munitions to attack the region, Antiwar.com noted. Moreover, the New York Times also reported that the U.S. and the United Kingdom have provided Ukraine with satellite imagery and other information about Kursk. (Related: Analyst: Ukraine's attack on Kursk IMPOSSIBLE without U.S. support.)

Moscow launches retaliatory strikes across Ukraine

On Aug. 19, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said the Ukrainian military's assault on Kursk shows that Moscow's red lines and threats of retaliation are merely a bluff.

"We are witnessing a significant ideological shift. The naive, illusory concept of so-called red lines regarding Russia  has crumbled apart these days," he remarked. According to Zelensky, these red lines from Moscow "dominated the assessment of the war by some partners."

"You must realize, both here and in the capitals where you work, that Ukraine is separated from stopping the advance of the Russian army at the front by only one decision  which we expect from our partners. And this is a decision on long-range capabilities."

On Aug. 26, a week after Zelensky's remarks, Russia launched massive missile drone attacks across Ukraine followed by another heavy bombing the next day. The attacks were seen as a retaliation for the Kursk offensive, which began on Aug. 6.

Antiwar.com also reported that Russian forces have continued to make steady gains. Figures from the Russian Ministry of Defense disclosed that Ukraine has lost more than 6,200 soldiers and 73 tanks since the start of the Kursk offensive.

Meanwhile, the Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations (MCHS) said residents of border areas are being evacuated to safety. It added that a total of 197 temporary shelters have been erected in 28 regions of the country. According to the MCHS, more than 11,500 people  including over 3,500 children  are staying in these shelters.

Head over to RussiaReport.news for more stories about the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war.

Watch this news report about Ukraine pushing for U.S. approval to strike targets within Russia, potentially escalating the conflict.

This video is from the TrendingNews channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Massive escalation of Russias invasion of Ukraine being planned as Donetsk People's Republic leader seeks "liberation" of "all Russian cities" in Ukraine.

ANALYST: USA / NATO deliberately provoking war escalation with Russia, and Putin may 'leap" past a measured response and go right for the nukes.

Putin puts his nuclear forces on high alert in response to NATO actions, sanctions, amid ongoing Ukraine war.

Russian warnings of nuclear escalation deter NATO members from sending troops to Ukraine.

Zelensky mocks West for being overly "concerned" about escalating war with Russia.

Sources include:

News.Antiwar.com 1

TASS.com

USNews.com

News.Antiwar.com 2

Brighteon.com
Secret Service thugs violently shove peasants aside for Jill Biden shopping spree in California

First Lady Dr. Jill Biden and her criminal son Hunter Biden visited Los Olivos, Calif., this week for a shopping spree. And while there, Secret Service agents were seen shoving street "peasants" out of the way so Dr. Jill and her son could pass like royalty.

With U.S. taxpayers picking up the tab, Jill and Hunter spent the weekend in the Santa Ynez area of the Golden State to relax, take in the sunshine, and shop, shop, shop! The visit was a "surprise," we are told, but Secret Service was at the ready to clear the streets so the Biden Crime Family could pass with plenty of space.

"Out of the roadway! Move now! Go!" a Secret Service agent can be heard screaming in the video below at random pedestrians in Los Olivos while Jill crossed the street smiling and waving.

WATCH Jill Biden's Secret Service roughly clear the people so she, Ashley and Hunter could shop while on vacation in Los Olivos, California with local police protection as well. ???? Remember how Jill described feeling "POWER" as they clear freeways for her.? pic.twitter.com/1TAPPlKbgP  Joni Job (@jj_talking) August 26, 2024

(Related: Did you know that Dr. Jill's husband Joe is so cognitively impaired that he can only mentally function for a couple of hours per day before having to retire for a nap or another vacation?)

Biden Crime Family escapades

Jill and Hunter were afforded more than 10 Secret Service agents to clear the way and escort them around as they "stopped at several stores" in the area, reporters said.

All in all, the duo spent just 30 minutes in Los Olivos before gallivanting out of the town and heading elsewhere for the royal treatment.

"Jill Biden and the rest of the Biden parasites spent just 30 minutes in Los Olivos," one news report explains. "They disrupted the small town and spent taxpayer money on nearly a dozen Secret Service agents and local law enforcement officers so Queen Jill could go on a shopping spree."

"This is why Jill Biden covered up her husband's dementia. She is a power-hungry elitist who loves watching peasants get manhandled so she can stroll and shop on taxpayer dime."

Notice that every single Secret Service agent in the above video is male. Contrast this with the female-dominated Secret Service detail that President Trump was afforded at his Butler, Penn., rally, which resulted in him getting shot in the ear.

While Jill and Hunter were out shopping a couple thousand miles away, Joe was where he spends most of his time: in a beach chair on the sand in Rehoboth Beach, Del., where the Biden Crime Family owns a house.

Also notice that the reporter featured in the above video makes no mention at all about the mistreatment of pedestrians by Jill's Secret Service detail. Had Trump's Secret Service detail behaved that way, you can be sure it would have been front-page news.

"If it wasn't for politics, the Bidens would be just another white trash family in Delaware," someone tweeted on X about the spectacle.

"She's bitter because she will be a full-time caregiver soon and no longer in the limelight," wrote another about Jill.

"Let them eat cake ...," said another, referencing the infamous quote from Marie Antoinette.

"Yelling at citizens like that is disgusting except for life-or-death emergencies  this is completely inappropriate," wrote someone else about the behavior of the Biden Crime Family's Secret Service detail.

"The guy needs anger management classes  and classes in good manners. AND classes in how to control his arrogance."

"Yet they pull Secret Service protection for RFK Jr.," emphasized another about the unfairness of the American political machine.

The latest news about the 2024 presidential election can be found at Rigged.news.

Sources for this article include:

TheGatewayPundit.com

NaturalNews.com
Anthony and Alex Burridge had just started navigating life as new parents when they spotted the change in their daughter Harper's eye.

Alex Burridge's daughter Harper had her eye removed after a slight change in her pupil was a sign of cancer. Source: Supplied

A young couple are heartbroken their newborn daughter had to get her eye removed following a slight change in her pupil.

Anthony and Alex Burridge were just getting used to life as new parents when the dad noticed a change to their then three-month-old Harper's left eye in their home in Ballarat, Victoria. After flagging the issue to his wife, who is a nurse, they rushed Harper to the doctor. It's been a whirlwind journey from there.

"Two weeks ago my husband noticed the pupil colour was just slightly different, and then her pupil size became different a couple of days later," Alex told Yahoo News. "It looked like her healthy eye was like a darker black, and then the other eye was slightly lighter."

After tests were conducted and secondary scans were performed in hospital, Alex was told her daughter "had the same thing she had"  retinoblastoma, a rare type of children's eye cancer.

Retinoblastoma is a rare, genetic condition

Within days of noticing the change in Harper's eye, surgeons told the new parents that a mass had been detected and her eye had to be removed to minimise the chances of it spreading.

"It all happened quite quickly... because she's so little they had to remove it under anaesthetic," Alex explained.

Harper's eye was removed after retinoblastoma was detected, a rare children's cancer. Source: Supplied

Alex also had retinoblastoma as an infant and, although she was fortunate not to require surgery, she couldn't help but feel "guilty" that she had passed on the genetic condition.

"I was just in shock and [I felt] guilty, I didn't realise the implications of me giving it to her. It's a 50 per cent chance that I would pass it on, I've had to learn that through hindsight," she said.

Family fear Harper will lose other eye

The family of three now live in "four week increments" as there is a possibility Harper will develop the cancer in her other eye. Doctors will monitor her eye every four weeks until she is seven years old.

"It's caused by a gene mutation, it's genetic. There's a huge risk of it appearing in the other eye purely because of the chromosome difference. We're living life in four week increments now," she said.

Retinoblastoma is rare but it accounts for five per cent of all child blindness in Australia, according to Australian Cancer Research Foundation. It is a hereditary condition affecting the eye's retina, and early symptoms include the pupil appearing white, instead of red, when light is shone into it or pain and redness of the eye.

Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com.

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New Australian research facility aims to end plastic waste

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ustralia's national research agency has launched a new bioplastics research facility to end plastic waste.

The Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) on Monday opened the Bioplastics Innovation Hub in collaboration with Murdoch University, Xinhua news agency reported.

Researchers at the $5.4 million facility will work with industry partners to develop a new generation of biologically-derived plastic that is 100 per cent compostable.

CSIRO Research Programme Director Andy Whiteley said the hub would bring together experts in microbiology, molecular genetics, synthetic biology, biochemical engineering, advanced manufacturing and circular economy to work on a plastic that can entirely break down in compost, land or water.

"Our primary focus is the development of 100 per cent compostable, bio-derived packaging for use as sprays, films, bottles, caps and wrappers which are engineered to fully break down in compost, land and aquatic environments," he said in a media release.

The CSIRO previously set a goal of reducing plastic waste entering the Australian environment by 80 per cent by 2030.

The new hub is based at Murdoch University's main campus in Perth, the capital city of Western Australia (WA).

Peter Eastwood, Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Research and Innovation at Murdoch University, said innovative technological solutions would be critical to managing the growing plastic waste crisis.

"Together with CSIRO, Murdoch University will fast-track the production of novel compostable bioplastic and introduce a green plastic to the market, which will significantly minimise the requirement for non-sustainable plastic production," he said.

A research published by the CSIRO in April found up to 11 million tons of plastic pollution on the ocean floor globally.

 New Australian research facility aims to end plastic waste

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Indian commercial vehicle industry reverses decline, to see modest growth in FY25

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he domestic commercial vehicle industry is projected to grow at a modest 0-3 per cent in FY25, against the earlier estimated decline of 4-7 per cent, a report showed on Monday.

The current fiscal will be the second consecutive year of growth for the industry after a 1 per cent and 3 per cent YoY growth in wholesale and retail sales, respectively, in FY24, according to credit rating agency ICRA.

This follows a better-than-expected volume growth in four months in current fiscal and expectations of a marginal uptick in demand in the second half.

"Looking ahead, we expect a recovery in volumes in H2 FY25 aided by a back-ended government capex, some pick-up in private capex across manufacturing sectors, and an improvement in rural demand, following visibility around the Kharif crop output and farm cash flows," said Kinjal Shah, senior vice president and co-group head, corporate ratings, ICRA.

The replacement demand would also remain healthy (primarily due to the ageing fleet) and is expected to support the industry volumes in the medium term, Shah added.

The long-term growth drivers for the domestic CV industry remain intact, like the sustained push in infrastructure development (evidenced by retaining the higher infrastructure capital outlay in the July 2024 budgetary allocation), a steady increase in mining activities, and the improvement in roads/highway connectivity.

The medium and heavy commercial vehicles volumes in FY25 are expected to report a nominal growth of 0-3 per cent YoY, given the high base effect and the impact of the general elections on infrastructure activities in the first few months of the fiscal.

Domestic light commercial vehicles (LCV) wholesale volumes are expected to show a tepid YoY growth in FY25 due to factors such as a high base effect, sustained slowdown in e-commerce and cannibalisation from electric three-wheelers (e3Ws).

The scrappage of older government vehicles is expected to drive replacement demand for the bus segment from state road transport undertakings (SRTUs) in FY25, supporting a YoY growth of 8-11 per cent, said the report.

 Indian commercial vehicle industry reverses decline, to see modest growth in FY25

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Max Persyn and Jacqueline Payne watched the incident unfold in the water metres away from them.

A tour guide was launched into the air by a whale off the coast of Southport, Queensland last week. Source: Youtube/Max and Jacqueline

A tour guide has been described as "lucky" after he was thrown one metre out of the ocean by a humpback whale last week, shocking and thrilling fellow snorkellers around him.

The man was leading a 'swim with whales' excursion off the coast of Southport on the Gold Coast and the group was delighted to be up close and personal with the whales when the incident occurred.

Snorkellers Max Persyn and Jacqueline Payne were in the water when they spotted their guide being launched in the air, catching the moment on camera for their YouTube channel.

"What just happened? Seriously what just happened? One was so close to us, all of a sudden someone was in the air on top of a freaking whale," Jacqueline said, with Max admitting he was "shaking".

Max Persyn and Jacqueline Payne were thrilled by the whale incident. Source: Youtube/Max and Jacqueline

Snorkellers told whale experience was 'incredibly lucky'

A 15-metre, 30-tonne humpback whale had thrown the guide into the air after it used its tail to swish him up and out of the water. Screams could be heard moments after the incident, with staff from Aqua Adventures urging all the snorkellers to get back into the boat.

The incident was captured from many different angles. Source: Youtube/Max and Jacqueline

After everyone was out of the water and it was confirmed the guide was uninjured, they all began to share high fives and called it an "incredible encounter".

"For whales to be that interested in us and to come that close to us, obviously very close in the end, but most of the time they were just coming to a point where they were just a few metres away from us... visibility was bad and they would need to come close, they really did," a staff member said after the incident.

"That was one of the best whale experiences you could ever get, you guys are incredibly lucky... It was a pretty amazing trip."

Yahoo News has reached out to Max Persyn and Aqua Adventures for comment.

Watch the moment here:

Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com.

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CM Chandrababu Naidu leads from front to provide relief to flood-hit people

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ndhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu is leading from the front in providing succour to flood-affected people in Vijayawada.

Camping in the city since Sunday afternoon, the Chief Minister is personally monitoring relief operations in the city, battered by heavy rain and floods.

CM Naidu, who had a night halt in his bus, has turned the office of the NTR district collector in the city into his temporary office to supervise the rescue and relief operations with ministers and top officials.

The 74-year-old has undertaken multiple visits to flooded areas in a boat, ignoring the advice of his security officers.

CM Naidu, who became the chief minister for a fourth time in June, has vast experience in leading the administration in tackling natural calamities. In 2014, he camped in Visakhapatnam to oversee the restoration of the port city after it was devastated by the Hud Hud cyclone.

This time the state witnessed devastation with heavy rainfall for the past three days. Cloudbursts with rainfall of 29 cm to 34 cm in a few hours triggered the floods. Traffic flow on national highways came to a halt with overflowing of flood water and a large number of train services were cancelled.

Multiplying the flood devastation, the Budameru stream passing through Vijayawada city submerged several colonies forcing nearly two lakh people to take shelter on the terrace or first floor of their buildings to save their lives.

Moved by the plight of flood-affected people, CM Chandrababu Naidu set an example of real-time governance in a time of crisis. He virtually shifted the administration from Amaravati to Vijayawada to be at the nearest point of the flood-affected region.

Directing the officials to face the challenge of floods in the state, he swung into action at the field level. Staying in a special bus, he is guiding the administration in tackling the situation. Stating that protecting the lives and property of people is his first priority, he has declared that he will stay back till normalcy is restored.

Heavy rainfall has caused devastation, especially, in Krishna and Guntur districts. Floods in Budameru have inundated Singh Nagar, Nandamuri Nagar and other low-lying areas in Vijayawada, affecting two lakh people.

The Chief Minister, who initially conducted a review of the heavy rainfall and flood situation from the AP Disaster Management Authority office, decided to be more accessible to flood-affected region and started running administration from the NTR district collectorate in Vijayawada from Sunday by summoning all the officials of CMO.

CM Naidu visited the flood-hit area around midnight to assure the affected people that the administration would take care of them. The next morning, he again visited them to enquire if they received food and drinking water.

The Chief Minister also contacted Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah and apprised them of the present flood crisis. He requested them to treat this flood devastation as a natural calamity. The Centre responded immediately and started deploying 10 NDRF teams, 40 power boats and six helicopters to rescue people.

Through his visits, the Chief Minister tried to instil confidence among the stranded people. He directed officials to adopt a humanitarian approach and render all possible assistance.

 CM Chandrababu Naidu leads from front to provide relief to flood-hit people

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3 injured in leopard attack in Rajasthan

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leopard attacked three youths and a shepherd on Monday noon and left them profusely bleeding in a jungle in Kota's Ramganj Mandi area.

The three youths were identified as Arvind, Ashwini and Ravi, who travelled from Madhya Pradesh to Rajasthan to visit the jungle there.

They lost their way while riding a bike and entered a dense jungle where they asked for direction from a shepherd, who rode along with them on their bike.

However, a leopard attacked them on their way by using his claw on their back, face and hands.

The shepherd shooed the leopard with an axe and the latter ran away.

Meanwhile, Arvind and Ravi sustained serious injuries.

Arvind ran to the village to inform nearby locals of the attack.

The forest officials rushed to the location after hearing the news of an attack by a leopard from the locals.

The two youths namely Arvind and Ravi were shifted to a community health centre in an ambulance from where they were referred to Jhalawar.

The third youth Ashwini was searched by the forest team and he was found hiding behind a rock after two hours.

The shepherd also sustained injuries and was rushed to a hospital.

Meanwhile, forest officials said that they had not seen movements by leopards in this location.

Tourists from Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan have been visiting here as the place has a temple and a waterfall. Now we are alerted and are tracking the movement of the leopard, they added.

 3 injured in leopard attack in Rajasthan

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Patients with heart failure, a condition affecting more than 60 million worldwide, are four times more likely to receive the optimal combination of medications after 12 weeks of digital consultations. Researchers from five Dutch hospitals, coordinated by Amsterdam UMC, found that the use of digital consults improved care while maintaining patient satisfaction. These results are published today in Nature Medicine and simultaneously presented at the annual conference of the European Society of Cardiology.

During the COVID-pandemic almost all of our patients were suddenly digital consult patients and, to be honest, this worked well but there were also concerns. Those concerns gave us the idea for this study." Mark Schuuring, former cardiologist at Amsterdam UMC and now cardiologist at Medical Spectrum Twente

"Our program measures the quality of care by comparing the doctor's approach in the digital consultation with the current guidelines. We investigated the digital data exchange between patients and doctors and provided them both with more information. The program encourages doctors and nurses to give treatment that is closest to international guidelines. The business community makes extensive use of such programs, but they are not yet commonplace in the care sector," adds Schuuring.

Researchers divided 150 patients into two groups. One followed the digital consultation strategy and the other the traditional care path. After 12 weeks the researchers then measured how many patients had reached the optimal medication combination. Ultimately, 28% of those taking part in digital consults received the optimal combination, in comparison with just 7% of those receiving the traditional care package.

"Ultimately, we saw that this is superior to the way we currently organise care and this is demonstrated by the data," says Schuuring.

The researchers also analysed many of the concerns that are often raised around the use of digital consultations and found no differences in the amount of time that was invested, the levels of satisfaction or, crucially, the patient's quality of life.

"This study shows that digital consultations are really a win-win, the patient's care was improved, and their experience was also not in any way reduced. We think that this could work way beyond heart failure. Something which is urgently needed as the increases in patient populations outstrips the growth in staff numbers," concludes Schuuring
In two trials, one in frail elderly patients, evening administration of blood pressure (BP)-lowering medications had no clinical benefits over morning administration, according to late-breaking research presented in a Hot Line session today at ESC Congress 2024.

Principal Investigator, Professor Scott Garrison from the University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada, explained the rationale behind the trials: "We know that BP typically follows a circadian rhythm that peaks after waking and troughs during sleep. Major cardiovascular events such as myocardial infarction and stroke are associated more strongly with high BP at night. Whether preferential lowering of nighttime BP could lower cardiovascular risk has been previously studied but with varying results. We conducted the BedMed trial in the general primary-care population and the BedMed-Frail trial in nursing-home residents and while evening dosing was safe, it conveyed no additional advantages."

In the open-label, pragmatic BedMed trial, Canadian primary-care patients, with no history of glaucoma, who were prescribed at least one once-daily antihypertensive medication were randomly assigned (1:1) to take all amenable antihypertensives either in the morning or at bedtime. The primary outcome was major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), defined as all-cause death, hospitalization/emergency department (ED) visit for stroke, myocardial infarction/acute coronary syndrome or congestive heart failure. Secondary outcomes included all-cause unplanned hospitalization/ED visits and visual-, cognitive- and fracture-related events. The BedMed-Frail trial had a similar design except that participants were residents of Canadian continuing care wards. They were assigned to either bedtime dosing or to usual care (predominantly morning use). Additional secondary outcomes included skin ulceration and deteriorated cognition.

In the BedMed trial, 3,357 adults were randomized, with a median age of 67 years and 56% were female. Over a median follow-up of 4.6 years, the primary outcome of MACE occurred in 9.7% of participants in the bedtime group and 10.3% in the morning group (adjusted hazard ratio [HR] 0.96; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.77-1.19; p=0.70). There were no differences in safety outcomes and all-cause hospitalization/ED visits and safety outcomes between the groups.

In the BedMed-Frail trial, the 776 participants had a median age of 88 years and 72% were female. Over a median of 415 days, the primary outcome of MACE occurred in 40.6% of participants in the bedtime group and 41.9% in the usual care (morning) group (adjusted HR 0.88; 95% CI 0.71-1.11; p=0.28), and in both groups it was mostly driven by deaths. Secondary efficacy and safety outcomes were no different between groups, except for all-cause unplanned hospitalization/ED visits, which favored bedtime use (HR 0.74; 95% CI 0.57-0.96; p=0.02).

Summing up, Professor Garrison said: "We found bedtime vs. morning administration to provide no difference in MACE, nor in potential hypotensive, visual, cognitive or other safety events in a general population and importantly, in frail older patients, a subgroup who are generally excluded from clinical trials. We can now dismiss the treatment timing as being important and advise patients to take their BP medication when they are least likely to forget."
Mitral transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (M-TEER) reduced cardiovascular death and heart failure (HF)-related hospitalizations with improved health status in patients with HF and moderate to severe functional mitral regurgitation (FMR), according to late-breaking research presented in a Hot Line session today at ESC Congress 2024.

Patients with FMR who are ineligible for surgery have limited treatment options. When M-TEER was studied previously, mainly in patients with severe FMR, one trial showed positive effects while the other was neutral. RESHAPE-HF2 now provides additional compelling evidence for using M-TEER over optimal medical therapy alone, which will help to guide medical decision making." Stefan Anker, Principal Investigator, Professor from the Charite University Hospital, Berlin, Germany

This investigator-initiated randomized controlled trial recruited patients with symptoms of HF (New York Heart Association [NYHA] class 2) despite optimal guideline-directed medical therapy, who had left ventricular ejection fraction [LVEF] 20% and 50%, MR grade 3+ or 4+, and had a recent hospitalization for HF or elevated plasma natriuretic peptide concentrations within the last 90 days. Patients for whom mitral valve surgery was recommended were not eligible. Patients were randomized 1:1 to M-TEER plus optimal medical therapy or optimal medical therapy alone.

The three primary endpoints were: 1) composite rate of total (first and recurrent) HF hospitalizations and cardiovascular death within 24 months; 2) the rate of total HF hospitalizations within 24 months; and 3) the change from baseline to 12 months in the Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire (KCCQ) overall score, which assesses the impact of HF on quality of life.

In total, 505 patients were randomized from 30 centers in nine countries. The mean age was 70 years and 20% were female. The mean LVEF was 31% and HF was NYHA class III or IV in around three-quarters of patients. The mean KCCQ overall summary score was 46, which indicates significant symptoms and limitations due to HF.

At 24 months, the rate of total hospitalizations for HF and cardiovascular death was significantly lower in the M-TEER group vs. the control group (37.0 per 100 patient-years vs. 58.9 per 100 patient-years; rate ratio 0.64; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.48-0.85; p=0.002). The rate of total hospitalizations for HF within 24 months was significantly reduced by 41% in the M-TEER group vs. the control group (26.9 per 100 patient-years vs. 57.8 per 100 patient-years; rate ratio 0.59; 95% CI 0.42-0.82; p=0.002). In addition, the mean (standard deviation [SD]) change from baseline to 12 months in the KCCQ overall summary score was greater (improved) in the M-TEER group (+21.6 [26.9]) than in the control group (+8.0 [24.5]), resulting in a mean difference of +10.9 points (95% CI 6.8-15.0; p<0.001).

During the total follow-up of 38.1 (18.1) months, there was no difference between the groups for all-cause mortality (17.0% in the M-TEER group vs. 18.5% in the control group; hazard ratio 0.90; 95% CI 0.71-1.13). Periprocedural adverse events were reported in 4 patients (1.6%) in the M-TEER group.

Professor Anker concluded: "These findings provide reassurance about the benefits of M-TEER in patients with moderate to severe FMR and HF, which may help to strengthen and also broaden recommendations regarding its use in the future."
Mass screening for atrial fibrillation using ECG together with heart failure biomarker does not prevent ischaemic stroke or systemic embolism (blood clot) in older adults aged 75-76 years over 5 years follow-up, according to late breaking research presented in a Hot Line Session at this year's ESC Congress 2024 in London, UK (30 Aug - 2 Sept). However, the biomarker may improve the prediction of which individuals have a low risk for ischaemic stroke and systemic embolism beyond single-lead ECG in older adults undergoing mass screening for AF.

Our findings do not support this way of systematic screening for atrial fibrillation in older adults, but they indicate that it may be safe not to concentrate screening efforts at those individuals with low levels of NT-proBNP, but this needs confirmation in further studies." Dr. Katrin Kemp Gudmundsdottir, lead author at the Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden

She explained: "Individuals with a low biomarker level ran a lower risk of both developing atrial fibrillation during the 5-year follow-up as well as stroke or systemic embolism compared to both the control group and individuals with higher biomarker levels."

At least 40 million people worldwide have AF, a type of irregular heartbeat that leads to blood clots in the heart, and increases the risk of stroke, heart failure, and premature death.

People with AF are five times more likely to have a stroke, and the stroke is more likely to be debilitating with a lower chance of surviving, but around 30% have no AF symptoms, underscoring the urgent need to identify people with this potentially dangerous heart rhythm.

Internationally, most AF guidelines recommend opportunistic screening for AF in people aged 65 and older, and oral anticoagulant treatment for those at high stroke risk. The European Society of Cardiology also recommends systematic ECG screening to detect AF in patients aged 75 years or older, or those at high stroke risk.

Adding biomarkers could enhance screening accuracy. Research suggests NT-proBNP (N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide)a marker of cardiovascular healthto be a strong predictor of incident AF and stroke.

In 2020, the baseline screening results of the STROKESTOP II trial showed that NTproBNP can be useful as a stratifying tool for screening of AF, and that those with elevated NTproBNP might benefit from more intensive screening.

The STROKESTOP II triala mass screening programme of all 75-76-year-olds in the Stockholm region in Swedenenrolled 28,712 people born between 1940 and 1941 to examine whether being invited for screening (both adults who came for screening and the ones that did not attend) would reduce the risk of thromboembolic events compared to the control group (not invited for screening).

Participants were randomised in a 1:1 ratio to either be invited to screening for AF (13,905) or a control group (13,884), after excluding those who died or emigrated. Of those invited to screening, 6,843 (49%) accepted the invitation (53% women).

Participants without previously known AF had blood samples taken and NTproBNP levels analysed and were then stratified into high risk (NTproBNP 125 ng/L or higher) and low risk (less than 125ng/L) groups. They were then screened, based on NT-proBNP level, to either one time (low risk group) or more intensely (high risk group).

In the high risk group (3,743/6,288; 60%) screening was done at home with a handheld single-lead ECG device four times a day for two weeks, while in low risk participants (2,545/6,288) a single episode of screening was performed with a singleleadECG, but they did not undergo the two-weeks of intensive screening.

New AF was detected in 2.4% (165/6,843) of all participants, who were offered oral anticoagulant treatment. Outcome data were collected from National Swedish Registries.

After a median follow-up of 5 years, no difference was noted in the risk of any stroke or clotting event between the intervention group (including both participants that came for screening and the ones invited but did not attend) and the control group.

Further sub-analyses found that the risk of stroke or blood clots was 41% lower among participants with low levels of the heart failure marker NTproBNP compared to the control group (0.61 vs 1.03 events per 100 years at risk).

In the high risk group (with elevated levels of NTproBNP), individuals had more than double the risk of developing new atrial fibrillation in the 5 years, and the risk of ischemic stroke or systemic embolism was 57% higher than in the low risk group (0.95 vs 0.61 events per 100 years).

Dr Kemp Gudmundsdottir said: "Participation in the screening study was lower than expected and this could have hampered the results. Further studies are needed, and it seems reasonable to concentrate screening efforts on those at highest risk and potentially lower the incident of preventable strokes."
Nerve cells in the brain receive thousands of synaptic signals via their "antenna", the so-called dendritic branch. Permanent changes in synaptic strength correlate with changes in the size of dendritic spines. However, it was previously unclear how the neurons implement these changes in strength across several synapses that are close to each other and active at the same time. Researchers from the University Hospital Bonn (UKB), the University of Bonn, the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University (OIST) and the RIKEN Center for Brain Science (CBS) assume that the competition between spines for molecular resources and the spatial distance between simultaneously stimulated spines affect their resulting dynamics. The results of the study have now been published in the journal "Nature Communications".

Neurons are the computing units of the brain. They receive thousands of synaptic signals via their dendrites, with individual synapses undergoing activity-dependent plasticity. This synaptic plasticity is the mechanism underlying our memory and thinking and reflects long-lasting changes in synaptic strength. When learning new memories, particularly active synapses strengthen their connections in a process known as "long-term potentiation" (LTP). However, how neurons allocate resources to translate synaptic strength changes through space and time among neighboring synapses has been unclear. Until now, it was assumed that each synapse decides independently of the others how it changes



A recent study suggests a new perspective on how neighboring synapses coordinate their response to plasticity signals. Researchers from Bonn and Japan have found that the sharing of proteins and calcium makes synaptic plasticity a collective action in which the behavior of one synapse influences how the others can respond.

"When several synapses want to potentiate at the same time and are close to each other, they compete with each other so that each synapse potentiates less than if it were alone. On the other hand, the simultaneous potentiation of a few synapses can facilitate the plasticity of other synapses through the overflow of activated resources," says Prof. Tatjana Tchumatchenko, from the Institute for Experimental Epileptology and Cognition Research at the UKB and member of the Transdisciplinary Research Area (TRA) "Modeling" at the University of Bonn. She led the study together with Prof. Yukiko Goda from the OIST in Japan.

Strong competition among neighboring spines

The researchers from Bonn and Japan used the release of glutamate, an important excitatory neurotransmitter in the brain, in conjunction with computer-assisted models to investigate the molecular processes of the plasticity of several spines. Spines, mushroom-shaped protrusions of nerve cells, are found in the brain and can strengthen synaptic connections. "Glutamate release allows precise manipulation of selected synapses, which allowed us to observe exactly how many synapses potentiate and to what extent," explains Dr. Thomas Chater, who conducted the research at the RIKEN Center for Brain Science in Japan. "This data allowed us to design a model and adjust its parameters to a set of three stimulated spinous processes, i.e. spines, to then predict how seven or fifteen spinous processes would behave," explains Dr. Maximilian Eggl, who until recently was a Postdoc at the University of Bonn and conducted research at the UKB. Chater and Eggl are both co-first authors of this study and worked closely together.



Study leaders Prof. Tchumatchenko and Prof. Goda were particularly surprised by the extent of competition among neighboring spinous processes, which was strongest in the first two to three minutes after plasticity was triggered and influenced the direction and extent of plasticity.

"Our results show that the spatial arrangement of simultaneously stimulated synapses significantly influences the dynamics of spine growth or shrinkage, suggesting that multiple memories stored on the same dendrite may influence each other," explains Prof. Goda. The principal investigators are confident that understanding how neurons manage synaptic resources will contribute to a better understanding of cognitive processes in the healthy brain and thus to the development of new strategies to combat Alzheimer's disease, autism spectrum disorders and other cognitive impairments.
Screening for atrial fibrillation (AF) using a wearable heart monitor for 2 weeks can identify older adults with this potentially dangerous abnormal heart rhythm, but does not prevent subsequent strokes, according to late breaking research presented in a Hot Line Session at this year's ESC Congress 2024 in London, UK (30 Aug - 2 Sept).

The authors note, however, that because the trial was terminated early due to the COVID-19 pandemic, their results cannot provide a definitive answer about the ultimate benefit of AF screening to reduce hospitalization rates for stroke.

Our study showed a 52% increase in the number of cases of atrial fibrillation diagnosed over a maximum of 2.5 years of follow-up, an increase in the initiation of oral anticoagulants with no increase in rates of hospitalization for bleeding, and no significant reduction in the rate of hospitalizations for all stroke compared with usual care. Despite being the largest study using a 14-day, patch-based continuous ECG monitor as the screening strategy, our results should not be considered conclusive due to the early termination of the study and lower than expected number of clinical events." Renato Lopes, Lead Author, Professor, Duke University Medical Center, USA

He adds, "Further studies with longer follow-up and including participants at higher risk for stroke are needed to establish the true potential of AF screening in reducing rates of strokes."

Given that cardiovascular disease (CVD), mainly heart attack and stroke, remain Europe and the world's leading cause of death, the European Society of Cardiology is calling for CVD and diabetes screening to be part of national and European Union Health Plans to prevent CVD and educate about CV health at a population level.

AF is the most common heart rhythm disorder, affecting more than 40 million people worldwide. Estimates suggest that one in three Europeans will develop the condition during their lifetime. Symptoms include palpitations, shortness of breath, fatigue, and difficulty sleeping. However, many people do not experience any symptoms, and AF often remains undiagnosed. What's more, AF can be intermittent, increasing the challenge of identifying those who have it.

Individuals with AF face a five-fold increase in the risk of stroke and are therefore often prescribed blood-thinning medications (anticoagulants) to prevent blood clotting.

Recent trials have shown that one-time brief screening for AF did not significantly increase diagnoses of AF, while others investigating longer-term screening found an increase in AF diagnoses, primarily paroxysmal AF (intermittent heart rhythm disturbance). But none have yet established that AF screening lowers stroke rates.

Started in December 2019, the GUARD-AF trial randomised 11,905 patients from 149 primary care sites across the USA to examine whether AF screening using a continuous ECG patch monitor (Zio XT that records heart rhythm for 14 days) could identify older adults with undiagnosed AF resulting in a reduced rate of any stroke compared with usual care.

In total, 5,952 participants were randomized to screening and 5,953 to usual care (median age 75 years; 57% female). Of those randomized to screening, 5,684 (96%) returned ECG monitors with analyzable results. Researchers examined Medicare claims and Kaiser Permanente data to determine clinical outcomes.

During an average (median) follow-up of 15 months, the number of patients with a stroke in the screening group was numerically higher than in the usual care group (37 vs 34), while the number of patients with a bleeding event was numerically lower in the screening group compared to usual care (52 vs 60).

Both AF diagnoses and treatment with oral anticoagulant therapy were higher in the screening group compared to the usual care group (5% [284 patients] vs 3.3% [196] and 4.2% [239] vs 2.8% [167], respectively).

Professor Lopes said: "Our results add to the body of evidence around AF screening and highlight the challenges in determining the impact of AF screening on clinical outcomes. Until we have clear information on who should be screened, how and for how long, and its real impact in stroke prevention, AF screening should not be routinely recommended."
Landscaper Adam Marsal, 40, decided to fill in the tree hole across from his home after council allegedly ignored it for months. But it cost him.

Adam Marsal, 40, was fined $12,000 for filling in a large hole on the ground near his home in Frankston, Melbourne. Source: A Current Affair

A Melbourne tradie who was fined almost $12,000 for filling in a large hole in the ground near his home has prevailed in a bizarre battle with his local council. And now he's coming for their job.

The landscaper and pool builder has had a costly infringement notice ripped up after the council backflipped on its punitive stance. However he has still been forced to pay thousands for the seemingly good deed.

Adam Marsal, 40, had reportedly flagged the dangerous nature of the hole, which had been left by a fallen tree, to his local council. However months passed without it being patched up.

After watching people trip on the almost two-metre hole behind a bus stop in Frankston, Melbourne, he decided to fill it in himself. The simple act, and an apparent tip-off by another local, resulted in the landscaper later being interrogated at council headquarters.

"I did feel ambushed ... I felt like I was basically a murderer," Marsal told A Current Affair about the police-style interrogation by council staff, which took place earlier this year.

He was subsequently issued two fines, one for him worth $1,923 and one for his business worth $9,616.

Council backs down over hefty fine

The fines were issued for unauthorised works and the "depositing waste of more than 1000 litres" in violation of the Environment Protection Act 2017.

Marsal sought legal advice and after a months-long battle, Frankston City Council revoked the heftier of the two fines after it was proven there was "no legal merit" to it, Marsal said.

"It's cost me thousands of dollars to just even have a fine that shouldn't have been issued in the first place withdrawn," he lamented.

In the end, he paid the $1,923 fine, as well as the cost of legal assistance.

Frankston City Council told A Current Affair it withdrew the infringement against the company after Marsal had paid the individual fine against him.

Marsal has now decided to run for local council elections in October. Source: Facebook

Tradie to now run for council seat

After word of the situation spread among locals, Marsal said he received "overwhelming" support from the local community. So much so, the bizarre ordeal could launch a political career as he has now decided to run for local council elections in October.

"Way too many council members act as bullies and intimidate members of the public," he said. And somewhat ironically, it could soon cost them their job.

"I'd like to clean up Frankston a little bit more," Marsal added.

Sharing his campaign material on Facebook on Monday, he said as an independent candidate he will push for improved services, a clean LGA, support for mental health and a review into council transparency and how it engages with the community.

"Appreciate the support," he wrote. "What a community we have."

Yahoo News has reached out to Adam Marsal and Frankston City Council for comment.

Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com.

You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube.
Bank Holidays In September 2024: If you need to visit a bank branch in September 2024, make sure to check the list of bank holidays before heading out. This month has numerous bank holidays, with banks closed for a total of 15 days due to weekly breaks and festivals. During these holidays, you can still handle transactions and other banking activities through online banking.

The Reserve Bank of India releases an annual list of bank holidays, which includes both national and regional observances.

The central bank compiles this list based on various factors such as national and state holidays, cultural and religious events, operational requirements, government announcements, and coordination with other banks.

Additionally, banks are closed on Sundays and the second and fourth Saturdays of each month.

Overview of Bank Holidays in September 2024

Bank Holidays in September 2024: Ganesh Chaturthi and Other Key Bank Holidays in September

September 1 (Sunday): Weekly holiday  Across India.

September 4 (Wednesday): Tirubhav Tithi of Srimanta Sankardeva  Guwahati.

September 7 (Saturday): Ganesh Chaturthi  Ahmedabad, Belapur, Bengaluru, Bhubaneswar, Chennai, Hyderabad, Mumbai, Nagpur, Panaji.

September 8 (Sunday): Weekly holiday: Banks closed across the country.

September 14 (Saturday): Second Saturday: Banks closed across the country

September 15 (Sunday): Weekly holiday: Banks closed across the country

September 16 (Monday): Barawafaat: Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Aizawl, Chennai, Dehradun, Hyderabad, Imphal, Jammu, Kanpur, Lucknow, Mumbai, Nagpur, New Delhi, Ranchi, Srinagar, Thiruvananthapuram.

September 17 (Tuesday): Milad-un-Nabi: Gangtok, Raipur.

September 18 (Wednesday): Banks closed Pang-Lhabsol: Gangtok.

September 20 (Friday): Eid-e-Milad-ul-Nabi: Jammu and Srinagar.

September 21 (Saturday): Sree Narayana Guru Samadhi Day: Kochi Thiruvananthapuram.

September 22 (Sunday): Weekly holiday: Banks closed across the country

September 23 (Monday): Maharaja Hari Singh Birthday: Jammu and Srinagar.

September 28 (Saturday): Fourth Saturday: Banks closed across the country

September 29 (Sunday): Weekly holiday: Banks closed across the country

The RBI provides this information through official channels, including its website and notifications to banks and financial institutions.

National holidays are days when all banks across the country are closed. In contrast, regional holidays apply only to specific states or regions, meaning that only banks in those areas will be closed. Therefore, a bank holiday in one state does not necessarily affect banks in other states.

Check the Reserve Bank website

A complete list of bank holidays can be seen on the Reserve Bank of India website. You can get information about holidays according to your state by visiting the RBI holiday list https://rbi.org.in/Scripts/HolidayMatrixDisplay.aspx. Make sure to plan your banking operations keeping these holidays in mind.

Online Banking Facilities and ATMs to Remain Operational

Despite bank holidays, you can still conduct transactions and manage other banking tasks through online banking and ATMs. These facilities will not be affected by the bank closures. During this period, you can perform many banking activities via mobile or net banking, as all online services will remain fully operational.
Stocks To Watch On September 2: Indian markets have regained the recent highs, ending August on a high, reflecting the continuation of optimism. In todays trade, shares of NBCC, Biocon, Maruti Suzuki, Tata Motors, Bajaj Finance, FirstCry, Unicommerce among others will be in focus due to various news developments.

NBCC: The Board of NBCC approved a bonus issue of shares to shareholders in the ratio of 1:2, which means investors will get one additional share for every 2 shares investors hold in the company.

Tata Motors: Tata Motors posted total sales of 71,693 units in August, which were down from 78,010 units in the same month previous year. Total CV sales were down 15% to 27,207 units.

Federal Bank: Federal Bank has received shareholders approval for the appointment of Krishnan Venkat Subramanian as MD and CEO of the company.

Maruti Suzuki India: The carmakers Total sales dropped 3.86 per cent to 1,81,782 units in August, compared to 1,89,082 units sold in the same period last year. That apart, domestic passenger vehicle sales fell 8.4 per cent to 1,43,075 units in the month, compared to 1,56,114 units in the year ago period. Meanwhile, total domestic sales were down 5.3 per cent at 1,55,779 units, compared to 1,64,468 units in the year ago period. Export sales were up 5.65 per cent to 26,003 units, compared to 24,614 units in the year ago period.

MOIL: The company has reduced the prices of ferro-grade manganese ores with manganese content of Mn-44 per cent and above by 20 per cent for September. It has also lowered the prices of all other ferro grades of manganese ore with manganese content below Mn-44 per cent by 15 per cent, and prices of all SMGR (Mn-30 per cent and Mn-25 per cent), fines, and chemical grades by 15 per cent.

Eicher Motors: Sales of Royal Enfield motorcycles fell 5 per cent to 73,629 units in August 2024, compared to 77,583 units in the year ago period. Meanwhile, their exports dropped 2 per cent to 8,006 units, compared to 8,190 units in the year ago period. Sales of VE commercial vehicles grew 1 per cent to 6,543 units, compared to 6,476 units in the year ago period. Domestic sales of VE commercial vehicles increased 2 per cent to 6,028 units, compared to 5,907 units in the year ago period. Meanwhile, their exports declined 23.25 per cent to 255 units, compared to 332 units in the year ago period.

SJVN, NHPC, RailTel Corporation of India: The central government has granted Navratna Status to SJVN, NHPC and RailTel Corporation of India. Now, these state-owned companies will not have to seek the governments approval for investments upto Rs 1,000 crore.

Biocon: A subsidiary of Biocon has received USFDA approval for Sacubitril/Valsartan tablets and Daptomycin for injection. The company has also received an Establishment Inspection Report (EIR) from the USFDA for its greenfield API facility in Visakhapatnam, allowing it to begin commercial supplies to the US market.

Hindustan Petroleum Corporation: The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas has appointed Rajneesh Narang, currently Director-Finance, as the interim chairman and managing director of the company for three months, starting September 1, after currently service chairman and managing director Pushp Kumar Joshis tenure was superannuated, effective September 1.

TVS Motor Company: Total sales of the company grew 13 per cent to 3,91,588 units in August 2024, compared to 3,45,848 units in the year ago period. Two-wheeler sales jumped 14 per cent to 3,78,841 units, compared to 3,32,110 units in the year ago period. Exports surged 14 per cent in the month to 99,976 units, compared to 87,515 units in the year ago period. Meanwhile, electric vehicle sales climbed 4 per cent to 24,779 units, compared to 23,887 units in the year ago period.

Wipro: The company has appointed Srikumar Rao as the global head of its Engineering Edge Business Line, effective from October 5. This follows the resignation of Harmeet Chauhan.

Dixon Technologies India: UBS Principal Capital Asia has sold a 1.14 per cent stake in Dixon Technologies at an average price of Rs 13,178.47 per share, amounting to a total of Rs 904.1 crore.

Emami: The company has acquired the remaining 49.60 per cent stake in Helios Lifestyle, which owns the premium mens grooming brand The Man Company. Emami now holds a 100 per cent stake in Helios.

HDFC Asset Management Company: Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) has reduced its shareholding in HDFC AMC to 2.88 per cent, from 4.91 per cent between July 1 and August 29.

Insecticides India: The companys board of directors has approved a buyback of 500,000 shares (1.69 per cent of total equity) for up to Rs 50 crore at Rs 1,000 per share. The record date for the buyback has been set for September 11.

DCM Shriram: Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) has decreased its stake in the company to 6.43 per cent, from 8.58 per cent between November 21, 2007, and August 29, 2024.

Oil India: The company has signed hook-up agreements with Indra Dhanus Gas Grid (IGGL) to enhance energy infrastructure in the North-East region.

Bandhan Bank: UBS Principal Capital Asia has acquired a 1.19 per cent stake in the bank at an average price of Rs 200.27 per share, amounting to a total of Rs 384.56 crore.
TS SET Hall Tickets 2024: Login Credentials Those who applied for the exam can download and check their hall tickets by logging in to the website using their application number and password. The exams will begin on September 10.

Important Dates and Details for TS SET 2024 Osmania University revised the dates for the Telangana State Eligibility Test (TS SET) 2024 to avoid a clash with the UGC NET exam. The TS SET will now be held on September 10, 11, 12, and 13, 2024, instead of the previously scheduled dates  August 28, 29, 30, and 31. The hall tickets will be issued today, September 2.

TS SET 2024 Paper I and II Pattern The Telangana State Eligibility Test (TS-SET) consists of two papers, both featuring objective-type questions and is conducted in a three-hour session. In Paper I, candidates are presented with 50 compulsory questions, each carrying two marks. These questions are of a general nature, aiming to evaluate the candidates teaching and research aptitude. They assess reasoning ability, comprehension, divergent thinking, and general awareness. On the other hand, Paper II contains 100 objective-type compulsory questions, also carrying two marks each, and is tailored to the subject selected by the candidate, covering the entire syllabus

TS SET 2024: Check-in Procedure at Exam Hall The check-in procedure inside the test hall includes capturing the candidates photo and left thumb impression. This is a security feature that will verify their identity and also check impersonation by any candidate. Therefore, they are advised not to apply any external matters like Mehandi, Ink, etc. on their hands/feet for Biometric.

TS SET 2024: List Of Exam Cities  Adilabad  Nizamabad  Hyderabad  Warangal  Karimnagar  Khammam  Mahabubnagar  Medak  Nalgonda  Ranga Reddy

TS SET Hall Tickets 2024 LIVE: Details To Check On Admit Card The admit cards for TS SET 2024 will be available on the website starting on September 2. It will feature important information, including the candidates name, roll number, exam date, time, location, photograph, and signature.

TS SET Hall Tickets 2024 LIVE: Paper II List Of Subjects  Geography  Chemical Sciences  Commerce  Computer Science & Applications  Economics  Education  English  Earth Sciences  Life Sciences  Journalism & Mass Communications  Management  Hindi  History  Law  Mathematical Sciences  Physical Sciences  Physical Education  Philosophy  Political Science  Psychology  Public Administration  Sociology  Telugu  Urdu  Library & Information Science  Sanskrit  Social Work  Environmental Science  Linguistics

TS SET Hall Tickets 2024 LIVE: Documents To Carry Inside Exam Hall The Hall Ticket must be presented for verification along with at least one original (no photocopy or scanned copy) valid identification card. For example, Passport, PAN Card, Voter ID, Aadhaar-UID, Government Employee ID and Driving License. The candidates who do not have clear photographs on the hall ticket will have to bring two passport-size photographs for appearing in the Test with a self-undertaking attested by any Gazetted Officer.

TS SET Hall Tickets 2024 LIVE: Items Not Allowed Inside Exam Hall Candidates are not allowed to carry any electronic or any other gadgets, mobile/cellular phones, tablets, pen drives, Bluetooth devices, watches, calculators, log tables, wallets, purses, notes, charts, loose sheets, or recording instruments strapped on their body or pockets.

TS SET 2024: Exam Timings  Candidates are allowed inside the test centre from 7:30 AM onwards (for the forenoon session) and from 12:30 PM onwards (for the afternoon session) for biometric verification.  The test centre gate will be closed at 8:30 AM (for the forenoon session) and at 1:30 PM (for the afternoon session).

TS SET 2024: Exam Held For 29 Subjects As per the UGC guidelines, the CSIR/UGC-NET syllabus has been adopted for the conduct of TG-SET-2024 for all 29 subjects for which accreditation is given by UGC.

TS SET 2024: Documents To Carry On Exam Day Candidates must carry the following documents on the exam day:  TS SET 2024 hall ticket  Aadhar or PAN card

TS SET Hall Tickets 2024 LIVE: Direct Link Osmania University is all set to release the hall tickets for the Telangana State-State Eligibility Test or TS SET 2024 today, September 2. Candidates who have applied for the examination can visit the official website of the university, telanganaset.org, to download the hall tickets, once out.

Steps to Download TS SET Hall Ticket 2024 at telanganaset.org Step 1: Visit telanganaset.org. Step 2: Click on the Download Hall Ticket option on the homepage. Step 3: Enter your application number, password, and security pin. Step 4: Once you are logged in, your TS SET Hall Ticket 2024 will be displayed on the screen.

TS SET 2024: Eligibility Criteria General Category candidates who have secured 55 per cent of marks or equivalent CGPA in their post-graduation examination can apply for TS SET 2024. BC, SC, ST, PwD, and transgender category candidates who have secured 50 per cent of marks or equivalent CGPA in their PG examination.

TS SET Hall Tickets 2024: Paper II Exam Pattern Paper II contains 100 objective-type compulsory questions, also carrying two marks each, and is tailored to the subject selected by the candidate, covering the entire syllabus.

TS SET Hall Tickets 2024: Paper I Exam Pattern In TS SET Paper I, candidates are presented with 50 compulsory questions, each carrying two marks. These questions aim to evaluate the candidates teaching and research aptitude. It assesses reasoning ability, comprehension, divergent thinking, and general awareness.

TS SET Hall Tickets 2024: Exam Duration The Telangana State Eligibility Test (TS-SET) consists of two papers, both featuring objective-type questions, and is conducted in a three-hour session.

TS SET Hall Tickets 2024: What Happened Last Year? Osmania University released the Telangana State-State Eligibility Test (TS SET) 2023 scorecards on December 7th last year. The exam was conducted on October 28, 29, and 30 across different examination centres. The answer key was released on November 7.
In the most important election battle this year in November, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is determined to hold on to Maharashtra in its effort to reclaim the political narrative after the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

The strategy of the BJP is multifold. Topmost is the game-changer scheme to put Rs 1,500 every month in the bank account of every eligible woman in the age group of 21 to 65. Two installments of the amount have been sent to over 80 lakh women.

Second, is the BJPs aim to surmount the rather small 0.4 per cent vote difference between the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) and the Mahayuti (NDA) alliance in the Lok Sabha polls. The BJP feels it can overturn this now. The party feels it has come back from much larger deficits in the earlier polls. The NDA got just 2.03 lakh votes less than MVA, but it won 13 Lok Sabha seats fewer than the MVA.

ALSO READ | BJP Set For Comeback In Maharashtra Assembly Polls: Devendra Fadnavis Says Seat-Sharing Talks Are On

Third, the BJP has sent its two successful union ministers, Bhupendra Yadav and Ashwini Vaishnaw, as the in-charge and co-in-charge respectively of Maharashtra in June. These two men were also put in-charge of Madhya Pradesh last year when the party seemed to have its back to the wall in a state after ruling it for nearly two decades. Many did not give the BJP more than 60 seats in MP at the start of the campaign. But the BJP ultimately finished with a big majority of 163 seats.

The same team is now in charge of Maharashtra where the NDA has seen reverses in the Lok Sabha.

The infrastructure push by the ruling alliance in Maharashtra is expected to be the mainstay of the campaign too.

LADLI MAGIC

The Maharashtra strategy of the BJP also seems a leaf out of the Madhya Pradesh book. Months before the state elections, the NDA announced the Ladki Bahin Yojana under which a cash payment of Rs 1,500 per month is promised to eligible women in the state. Last month, the state transferred the first two installments in one go and the third installment is expected to be credited this month around Ganesh Chaturthi.

Nearly 85 lakh to one crore women would be getting the amount this month. The election is expected to be announced in the second week of October. Nearly one crore women have registered for the scheme and about 85 lakh applications have been approved so far.

Money in ones bank account already is the best election promise. The feedback we have from Maharashtra is that women are elated and are looking forward to more installments when the government again comes to power. The scheme is a game-changer in rural Maharashtra, a senior BJP leader in Delhi told News18.

The NDA is keen to win in rural regions of Western Maharashtra, Marathwada and Vidarbha.

In fact, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde in Nagpur on Saturday said the amount under the scheme would be increased first to Rs 2,500 and then to Rs 3,000 if his government comes back with greater power. This has generated even more interest in women.

In Madhya Pradesh, too, then CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan had launched a Ladli Behana Yojana for similar cash transfers to women before the elections, which worked wonders for the party. The new government is continuing to pay Rs 1,250 under the scheme to eligible women in Madhya Pradesh.

The BJP has tasted luck with such a promise in Chhattisgarh also last year, when the cash payout to women was announced belatedly as an election promise and the BJP swept the election in the state where few gave it a chance. The BJP is confident of a similar turnaround in Maharashtra.

So much so that the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) has now promised that it would increase the amount under the scheme to Rs 5,000 to Rs 10,000 if voted to power.

ALLIANCE DYNAMICS

The NDAs three parties will fight together in Maharashtra, although Ajit Pawar had proven to be sort of a drag in the Lok Sabha elections, winning only one of the four seats allotted to his party and came up with the worst strike rate among all parties. In the Lok Sabha elections, public sympathy seemed with the Sharad Pawar and Uddhav Thackeray factions of their parties, but the BJP feels that advantage will wane out by November.

ALSO READ | PM Modis Apology For Shivaji Statue Collapse: Can Strategic Move Control Damage Ahead of Maharashtra Polls?

The BJP remains the strongest party in Maharashtra and other allies must rally around it, another senior leader said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi even apologised for the collapse of the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj statue in Raigarh fort recently, saying he will bow his head in the feet of Shivaji as his apology.

The BJP does not want to leave anything to chance. After losing two big financially crucial states like Karnataka and Telangana, the BJP is looking at Maharashtra as its biggest electoral prize.
With Narendra Modi and Amit Shah at the helm, the BJP has become the worlds largest political organisation, whose present cadre strength stands at around 18 crore members. The party has now launched another mega membership campaign, targeting 20 crore members. Apart from being an exercise to add more members, the current drive will also renew the membership of its existing cadre  just before the party kicks off a mega exercise to elect its new president sometime in January.

An organisational revamp is also on deck, with elections for the partys mandal, district and state presidents lined up over the next few months. Interestingly, the BJPs last two membership drives  in 2014 and 2019  were also launched after the general election results.

Needless to say, the BJP has a lot to learn and rectify within its own organisation. The results of this years Lok Sabha polls were disheartening for the party, which is why the ongoing membership drive assumes greater significance. The upcoming organisational elections are expected to rectify some of the partys grassroots deficiencies that impacted its performance in the polls. The BJP has divided its membership drive into three phases.

The first, which lasts till September 15, will focus on adding new members. This will be facilitated by members giving a missed call to number 8800002024. Those interested can use the NaMo app or by scanning the QR code on the BJPs website. The party will then share a performa with callers, which they would have to fill with details. Subsequently, the partys mandal-level units will personally visit the callers to cross-verify their details.

The second phase of the drive, beginning October 1, will focus on regions where the membership drive has garnered an unsatisfactory response. From October 1 to 15, the party will specifically focus on areas and social groups that have not enthusiastically participated in the first phase of the membership drive.

Finally, the BJP will prepare registers of active and primary members, which is expected to be completed by mid-November.

Making of the Worlds Largest Political Party

The BJP takes its membership drives very seriously. This has especially been the case with Amit Shah at the helm of the partys organisation. By 2015, the BJP had overtaken the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) to become the worlds largest political outfit. Given the fact that China has an authoritarian one-party system, the fact that the BJP was able to surpass it in a multi-party vibrant democracy like India was quite an achievement in itself. The focus has been on building up an organisation group at the grassroots. The grassroot-level expansion has paid BJP rich dividends, allowing the party to overturn the traditional politics of entire regions.

Between 2014 and 2015 alone, the BJP tripled its cadre strength. When Amit Shah took over as the party president in 2014, the BJP had approximately 35 million members. Within a year, the party took its membership to 110 million, dwarfing the CCPs strength of 88 million. Moreover, between 2014 and 2019, the partys membership witnessed a five-fold increase, taking its size to 180 million.

As Managing Editor of Moneycontrol, Nalin Mehta points out in his book The New BJP: Modi and the Making of the Worlds Largest Political Party, the physical restructuring of the party occurred at the lowest rungs  at the voting booth and district levels. It was based on three fundamental pillars: decentralisation and empowerment of local-level functionaries, reservation of key posts for previously under-represented social groups (OBCs, SCs and women) and the creation of new structures of management oversight at multiple levels.

For greater management efficiency and accountability, the BJP adopted digital tools on an industrial scale, like the Zoom app for internal meetings, WhatsApp groups for conversations in real-time and verifiable telephone number listings for every single member enrolled in the party.

The rise in BJPs cadre strength was complemented by the addition of physical infrastructure across India. The party constructed over 500 new offices in nearly two-thirds of Indias districts. These offices were equipped with the latest technologies  something which has been the BJPs hallmark since 2014. The BJP has consciously chosen to enlist new members using digital tools, while also employing newer technologies to infuse a new organisational culture in the party.

BJP Has Its Eye on the Ball

The opposition INDIA bloc is buoyant after its electoral performance in the Lok Sabha election. While the noisy opposition can grab headlines and make waves, it does not necessarily translate into a fundamental shift on the ground. While the BJP has a well-oiled grassroot machinery, which it has been constantly been building since 2014, the Congress has a large elephant in its room to address  its grassroots organisation still comes nowhere close to the BJPs muscle at the ground level. The BJP remains the only national party with an intricate grassroot cadre going right to the Panna Pramukhs  members charged with taking care of a single page of the voters list at a booth.

As the BJP launches its latest membership drive and prepares for upcoming organisational elections, the partys emphasis on reinforcing its grassroots infrastructure is of critical importance. This initiative goes beyond merely increasing membership, as it aims to rectify internal issues exposed by recent electoral setbacks. With a resurgent opposition, the BJPs ability to maintain its efficient organisational machinery and adapt to evolving challenges will be critical to sustaining its political dominance.
Telangana and Andhra Pradesh were battered by torrential rains for the second consecutive day, resulting in at least 20 fatalities in both the states, large-scale flooding and waterlogging, along with massive disruptions to road and rail traffic.

According to the South Central Railway, a total of six trains were cancelled on Monday (September 2) due to flooding on tracks at multiple locations. On Sunday (September 1), a total of 140 trains were cancelled and 97 diverted. Rivers were in spate and thousands were evacuated by national and state disaster response forces from flooded areas to relief camps.

Heavy rains over two days due to a depression has created a flood-like situation in several districts of both the states, with Vijayawada district in Andhra Pradesh the worst hit. People were left stranded in several areas of the city as water entered their houses while vehicles stood submerged in the streets.

#WATCH | Andhra Pradesh: Severe waterlogging witnessed in various parts of Vijayawada leading to a flood-like situation, due to heavy rainfall. pic.twitter.com/kOqvxyF0aq ANI (@ANI) September 2, 2024

With a prediction of heavy rains on Monday, all schools remain closed in Hyderabad district while Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy appealed to offices and businesses to allow employees to work from home.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah spoke to the chief ministers of both states, assuring them of all possible help from the Centre.

Air Force Carries Out Relief Operation in Vijaywada

Indian Air Force carried out relief operations in flood-affected areas of Vijayawada. As per IAF officials, four aircraft including two each Ilyushin-76 and C-130 carried NDRF teams and relief material from different parts of the country to support relief operations in Vijayawada.

#WATCH | Andhra Pradesh: Indian Air Force carries out relief operations in flood-affected areas of Vijayawada. Four aircraft including two each Ilyushin-76 and C-130 carried NDRF teams and relief material from different parts of the country to support relief operations in pic.twitter.com/ytOPJyo5vQ ANI (@ANI) September 2, 2024

Telangana Govt Urges Centre to Declare Floods as National Calamity

Amidst heavy rainfall, Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy decided to urge the Centre to declare the floods in the state as a national calamity. The government will write a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi requesting him to visit the flood-affected areas in the state and also urging the Centre to declare the floods in Telangana as a national calamity.

Rahul Gandhi On Andhra, Telangana Flood

Taking to social media site X, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said: My thought are with the people of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh as they endure relentless rainfall and devastating floods. I extend my deepest condolences to the families who have lost their loved ones. I urge Congress leaders and workers to mobilize all available resources to support the ongoing relief and rescue efforts.

The Telangana Government is working tirelessly to manage the crisis and initiate the rebuilding process. I strongly urge both the Central Government and the Andhra Pradesh Government to swiftly provide comprehensive rehabilitation packages for all those affected by this disaster, the leader added.

Road, rail traffic disrupted

The South Central Railway (SCR) zone, which also includes the Vijayawada division, cancelled 140 trains and diverted 97 more on Sunday (September 1). At least 6,000 passengers were provided with breakfast and drinking water at Rayanapadu, Kondapalli, Tenali, Vijayawada, Nidubrolu and Bapatla railway stations.

#WATCH | Mahabubabad, Telangana: A railway track near Intakanne railway station connecting Kesamudram and Intakanne washed away yesterday due to the heavy rains. The restoration works are ongoing at the location. pic.twitter.com/qCfpG3OUzf ANI (@ANI) September 2, 2024

The Chennai-bound Tamil Nadu Express was halted at Rayanapadu railway station and its passengers were provided with packed food items, along with lunch arrangements. The railways arranged for 84 buses from Rayanapaud to Vijayawada and Kondapalli to Vijayawada for stranded passengers, besides setting up emergency control rooms and helplines.

Telanganas Suryapeta SP Sunpreet Singh advised people heading to Vijayawada and Khammam to postpone their journeys due to the inclement weather. Due to heavy rains, water is flowing on NH 65 at Chillakallu and Nandigama of Andhra Pradesh limits, and the Paleru river is overflowing on the road at Nayakinigudem on the way from Suryapet to Khammam, read a press release.

Singh said as part of security measures, vehicles were stopped on these routes  heading to Vijayawada through Suryapeta. A bridge near Garikapadu in Jaggayyapeta mandal, located on the Andhra Pradesh-Telangana border, on the national highway was washed away.

CM Naidu tours flood-affected areas in Vijayawada

Andhra Pradesh has reported nine rain-related deaths and one missing case since August 31. Vijayawada district remains the worst-affected with Budameru, a rivulet on the outskirts of the district, overflowing at several points.

This led to flooding in many city localities such as Ajit Singh Nagar, Swathi Theatre area, Police Nagar area and west and central constituencies. At Rajarajeswari Peta, people were seen wading through chest-deep water on a flooded street. The city also suffered more than 12 hours of continuous power cut on Sunday.

#WATCH | Andhra Pradesh: Severe waterlogging witnessed in various parts of Vijayawada leading to a flood-like situation, due to heavy rainfall. pic.twitter.com/aet12jQpj0 ANI (@ANI) September 2, 2024

Andhra Pradesh CM N Chandrababu Naidu toured several flooded areas in Vijayawada for the third time on Monday. Accompanied by officials in a boat, he also distributed food packets to flood victims.

#WATCH | Andhra Pradesh CM N Chandrababu Naidu inspects the flood situation in Vijayawada.Severe waterlogging is witnessed in various parts of Vijayawada, due to heavy rainfall. pic.twitter.com/y50In8ioCM  ANI (@ANI) September 2, 2024

Naidu said up to 2 lakh cusecs of rainwater entered Budameru, and the state is unable to estimate how much more water is expected to flow in. This water, supposed to be diverted to Kolleru Lake, was turning towards Vijayawada.

On the intervening night of Sunday and Monday, 10.56 lakh cusecs of floodwaters were discharged from Prakasam Barrage in Vijayawada. Palnadu district administration rescued 50 cattle rearers and 3,501 livestock from the meadows of Krishna rivers riparian villages.

The MeT has forecast thunderstorms accompanied by lightning in parts of Andhra Pradesh for four days till September 5. It forecast thunderstorms at isolated places in north coastal Andhra Pradesh (NCAP), Yanam, south coastal Andhra Pradesh and Rayalaseema on Monday. Similar weather was predicted from September 3 to 6 over NCAP and Yanam, along with strong surface winds with speeds reaching up to 40 km per hour in parts of the state.

26 NDRF teams deployed

Officials said 26 National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams are being deployed for flood relief and rescue operations in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. While 12 teams are already deployed in the two neighbouring states, 14 more are being dispatched. They are equipped with inflatable boats, pole and tree cutters and basic medical aid tools.

IMD forecasts extremely heavy rain in Telangana on September 2

Telangana revenue minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy said despite several precautionary measures, nine persons were killed in rain-related incidents in different parts of the state. Three persons were also feared washed away in Mahabubabad and Khammam districts.

In districts like Suryapet, Bhadradri Kothagudem, Mahbubabad and Khammam, authorities evacuated residents of several flood-hit villages to safety.

Telangana CM A Revanth Reddy held an emergency review meeting, following which he urged offices and businesses to let employees work from home. Hyderabad also witnessed heavy rains leading to waterlogging in many parts of the city.

District collectors have been asked to declare a holiday for educational institutions as per local conditions on Monday. Residents of a locality in Khammam district were stranded on rooftops as large areas remained marooned. Earlier, Union minister Bandi Sanjay Kumar said following the home ministers orders, nine NDRF teams, three each from Chennai, Visakhapatnam, and Assam, have been dispatched to Telangana.

The weather department issued a red alert for very heavy to extremely heavy rain at isolated places in Adilabad, Nizamabad, Rajanna Sircilla, Yadadri Bhuvangiri, Vikarabad, Sangareddy, Kamareddy and Mahabubnagar districts of Telangana for September 2 as well.

(With PTI inputs)
Monsoon rains may finally catch up with poll-bound Jammu and Kashmir after eluding it for most part of the four-month season. The weather department has forecast normal to above-normal rains for the Himalayan region, except for extreme northern areas where it may still be less.

But the uptick in seasonal rains this month may not affect the polling process as voting begins on September 18  around the time when the monsoon normally starts preparing for its retreat.

J&K is gearing up for high-stakes assembly elections after almost a decade  the first since the abrogation of Article 370 and its recognition as a Union Territory. The three-phase elections will be held on September 18, September 25 and October 1, with the counting on October 8.

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the above-normal rain prediction is mostly for areas adjoining Himachal Pradesh. So, there may be a few heavy rain spells in and around Jammu region over the next two weeks, but the upper Kashmir Valley  which has gone through a relatively dry season  may not get impacted much and rains may be normal.

Usually, Jammu and Kashmir does not get enough rains in September as the monsoon begins to withdraw. But we are expecting 1-2 good spells over the next two weeks, especially over Jammu. However, there wont be much rain in the upper Kashmir regions. Still overall, the monsoon rains may end as normal, or slightly on the higher side, scientist from MeT Centre Srinagar Mukhtar Ahmed told News18.

The latest update suggests the rainfall activity has already picked up over Kashmir and is likely to continue this week, after which another spell is expected around September 6-7. However, the weather conditions around the time of polls would become clear from the weekly forecast which will be issued by IMD ahead of the polling day.

SCANTY RAINS THIS SEASON, DEFICIT TOUCHES -23%

The northern-most Himalayan region has faced a warmer year so far. As per IMD, the monthly average minimum temperature for India was nearly 0.61 above normal  highest in the last 100 years. After a delayed and reduced snowfall during winter, monsoon rains too eluded it for weeks. July saw an extended dry spell which led to spiking temperatures touching 35 for days. The rains gathered some pace only around August. Overall, the rainfall deficit has touched -23 per cent, with most areas in Kashmir from Anantnag, Kulgam to Srinagar facing a shortfall.

The high rainfall deficit in the Himalayan region had a cascading impact on the local agriculture and horticulture crops, with local drinking water supply also impacted in several areas. As of August 29, the monsoon deficit touched a staggering -85 per cent in Shopian, -78 per cent in Poonch, -72 per cent in Kulgam and -38 per cent in Srinagar.

Normally, the monsoon starts withdrawing from Jammu and Kashmir from September 21-24. However, over the years, scientists are witnessing a delay in its retreat. This month too the IMD had predicted above-normal rainfall activity during the last month, indicating the monsoon withdrawal may further be pushed back.

We are witnessing a delayed withdrawal of the monsoon over the years, especially over North-west India. This season too, we are expecting heavy rains over Gujarat and Rajasthan around September 15 so there could be a delay, but difficult to predict weeks in advance, said IMD chief Dr M Mohapatra.
Bangladeshs interim government wants to restart the dialogue on the Teesta water sharing treaty with India, adviser on water resources Syeda Rizwana Hasan has said, asserting that upper-riparian and lower-riparian countries should adhere to international principles on the distribution of water.

Speaking to PTI in Dhaka, Hasan expressed confidence that the Teesta treaty and other water-sharing agreements with India would be resolved amicably through dialogue but suggested that Bangladesh might consider international legal documents and principles if an agreement cannot be reached.

I have discussed the issue of Teesta water sharing with all relevant stakeholders (in Bangladesh). We have discussed that we need to restart the process and dialogue regarding the Teesta treaty. We also have to work on the Ganges treaty, which is coming to an end in two years, she told PTI in an interview on Sunday.

Both sides agreed, and a draft of the Teesta water-sharing agreement was prepared, but the agreement was not signed due to the opposition of the West Bengal Chief Minister. The fact remains that we have not been able to finalise the agreement. So, we will start from that point with the draft of the agreement and urge India to come forward and restart the dialogue process, she said.

India and Bangladesh were set to ink a deal on Teesta water sharing during then-Prime Minister Manmohan Singhs Dhaka visit in 2011, but West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee declined to endorse it, citing scarcity of water in her state.

We would try to find an amicable solution. As this is an international water issue, it also concerns other countries consideration of legal entitlement. So, how much water is available and whether it is sufficient is unclear to us. Even if very minimal water is available, the flow must continue to Bangladesh due to international sharing norms, she said.

Hasan noted that the issue of international water sharing can be better handled if both upper-riparian and lower-riparian countries adhere to certain international legal principles. Bangladesh may consider endorsing international legal principles and documents regarding water sharing. That is what I mean when I say we might engage internationally, the renowned environmentalist of Bangladesh said.

The 56-year-old adviser to Bangladeshs Department of Water, Forest, Environment, and Climate Change said the interim government has not yet discussed taking the issue of water sharing with India to the international forum. I dont think we have discussed that yet. I think the first step for Bangladesh will be to address it with India and Nepal. We havent discussed taking this matter to any other country at this stage, she said, asserting that the issue can be resolved amicably with India.

When asked about the erstwhile Awami League regimes failure to seal the Teesta deal with India, Hasan said, It did not work all these years because of the political context that Bangladesh had. Now that the political context of Bangladesh has changed, and some actors have changed, arguments may also shift. So, we will first try to resolve it bilaterally, and then we will consider taking it to an international level, she said.

Bangladesh is crisscrossed by more than 200 rivers, 54 of which are transboundary rivers with upper riparian India, across four major basins. Hasan wondered why both countries, which share so many rivers, have water agreements on only eight rivers. Speaking about Indo-Bangla relations in the context of the water-sharing treaty between both countries, Hasan said the people of Bangladesh want the treaties to be concluded as soon as possible.

I think it is important in any relationship to demonstrate friendship. The friendship must be demonstrated. When there was a suffocating situation in Bangladesh, as people were not allowed to vote for years, there was a feeling that India favoured only one political party. With these floods in Bangladesh, the people want this water-sharing treaty to be expedited and early warning mechanisms to protect lives from floods, she said.

Speaking about the floods in Bangladesh, Hasan said there is a need for joint efforts on early warning mechanisms. Bangladesh and India share 54 rivers. The fact remains that the two countries have been able to conclude water-sharing agreements for only eight rivers. So, the region of Bangladesh affected by flash floods is not covered by prior information agreements, she said.

The Ramon Magsaysay awardee said that while water-sharing agreements can be complex and challenging for upper and lower riparian countries, this early warning is not that complicated. It is more of a humanitarian ground, emphasising the importance of simply sharing information. She noted that the crisis presented Bangladesh with a chance to address the issue with India and emphasised that both nations can learn from the situation and should initiate dialogue on river water management, especially as climate change is likely to increase such disasters.

Hasan also said the interim government has not taken any decision yet regarding the extradition of former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina from India, but the Nobel Laureate Md Yunus-led interim government is committed to ensuring justice for the people of Bangladesh. The interim government hasnt really made any decision on it. However, the interim government is committed to ensuring justice for all the atrocities committed against the people of Bangladesh (by the Sheikh Hasina regime). I am sure the person who left the country at that time will be one of the prime accused, she said.

In that case, if justice requires us to make any decision on her extradition, we have to sit and decide together. Once a decision is made, you will all be informed, she added. After unprecedented anti-government protests that peaked on August 5, Sheikh Hasina resigned as prime minister and fled to India. Hasinas presence in India for more than three weeks has given rise to speculation in Bangladesh.
Maharashtra minister Mangal Prabhat Lodha on Monday launched the Har Ghar Durga Abhiyan to provide self-defence training to female students in government-run Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) across the state.

The idea behind the campaign is simple but powerful  just as physical education is part of the regular school curriculum, self-defence should also be a vital part of a girls education.

Under the initiative  which was spearheaded by Lodha  girls will receive at least two hours of self-defence training every week throughout the year. They will learn the basics of martial arts like karate and judo, giving them the tools to defend themselves in challenging situations. Local NGOs will play a crucial role in delivering this training, ensuring that every girl not only learns these skills but also gains the confidence to use them when needed. Beyond physical strength, this training aims to boost their self-confidence and mental resilience.

The minister, while reflecting on the significance of the initiative, said: Maharashtra has a proud history, graced by the courage of women like Rajmata Jijau and Punyashlok Ahilyabai Holkar. These women were protectors, warriors in their own right, and their legacy lives on. With the Har Ghar Durga Abhiyan, we want to inspire every girl in Maharashtra to embody that same spirit of courage and strength. I urge every female student to take full advantage of this opportunity. Together, we can stand strong against any threat and build a safer, more just society.
Supreme Court on Monday slammed social media trolls calling their actions really atrocious. The top court recognised that even the highest judicial forum in the country is not immune to online trolls. If we pass an order in favour of someone the other side trolls the judge, Justice Ujjal Bhuyan said.

Trolling in social media is really atrocious and everyone is affected. Judges are also trolled, he added.

The courts comments came while it granted bail to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwals aid Bibhav Kumar in the case regarding the assault on AAP Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal. Kumar was arrested on May 18 for allegedly assaulting AAP Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal at the Chief Ministers home.

During the hearing, the counsel for Maliwal pointed out the trolling his client had been subject to on social media, saying, In this case, the crime did not end on May 13 since then there has been trolling and victim-shaming. I have to file a complaint the petitioners friends are constantly trolling  on X, via e-mails, on other social media platforms everywhere.

A large section of irresponsible people have, unfortunately, got access to these platforms. They are completely insensitive (and) are not aware of their duties. They only think about some alleged rights, and will continue to attack all institutions they have to be ignored, the top court said.

Appearing for Kumar, senior advocate Abhishek Singhvi stressed his client could not be held responsible for the actions of others, and that he did not own X or the other platforms.

Kumar was granted bail by the apex court earlier in the day under the conditions that he shall not be restored as PS of Delhi Chief Minister or political office associated with the CM office. The top court also directed that Kumar shall not enter the Chief Ministers residence till all witnesses are examined.
Emus are plentiful in the small Western Australian town, but council say they can be problematic.

Emu's were spotted rummaging through rubbish at a local tip in Nannup, WA this week. Source: TikTok/bettiepri

An unusual sight in a small Aussie town has sparked concern among many after a local woman witnessed an emu rummaging through a pile of rubbish at a tip.

The resident from Nannup, located three hours south of Perth, shared the video online this week where it was met with condemnation from people across Australia addressing the state of the dumping site, resulting in the native animals getting stuck in. The local council explained to Yahoo News Australia how the "disgraceful" scene likely came to be.

"Here we are at the local tip. We don't have a general rubbish collection here in Nannup, but as you can see, the bin chickens are slightly built differently than the average," the woman named Bettie said in a video shared on TikTok.

Bin chickens is the name commonly given to the native Ibis bird which is regularly spotted targeting bins around cities and towns.

While some were amused by the "bin chicken' reference, others weren't too impressed by the amount of rubbish left lying around, providing easy access for the local emus. Emus have long existed in farmland and bushland surrounding the town.

Rubbish collection a problem in Aussie town

Yahoo understands the Nannup council performs regular, weekly bin pick up services for the town site but does not cover "out of town areas". The remaining rubbish ends up at the tip shown in the video.

The poster explained the tip is "a dedicated space with has different areas for different waste". She said what's shown in the video is the "general waste section" and is usually well maintained.

"There is also a green waste, metal, building materials, cardboard bin and oil bin. Only the emus are allowed to scavenge," she added.

Council explains to 'disgraceful' emu scene at tip

Yahoo News Australia contacted Nannup Council on the matter, asking if the emus rummaging through the rubbish is a common occurrence and what is being done to prevent them from potentially eating something harmful.

"Emus are plentiful in Nannup and often throughout the year residents and visitors see entire families walking around town and town surrounds," David Taylor, Shire of Nannup's CEO, told Yahoo.

"We have installed fencing at the waste facility but the emus continue to find their way in."

He went on to say "there is a small unfenced section of the boundary and it is on the works schedule for completion". "The emus would be accessing the waste facility via this unfenced portion," he added.

Emus 'bit of a nuisance' is Aussie town

Previously, in 2020, a mob of emus 'invaded' the small town causing a range of problems.

At the time, Nannup Shire President Tony Dean said "they've proven to become a bit of a nuisance in people's yards, and doing their dung on public thoroughfares," according to the ABC. They are also "a major problem" on roads," he added.

Crash data collected over five years, until the end of 2019, identifies that 28.9 per cent of crashes in our region involved an animal, council revealed in 2022.

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A remarkable moment in Keralas administrative history has been captured in a single photograph, marking a significant milestone. This image showcases not just two distinguished officers but a husband and wife duo in a unique role reversal. For the first time ever in Kerala, an IAS wife has succeeded her IAS husband in the position of Chief Secretary.

The historic transition took place when Sarada Muraleedharan, a 1990 batch IAS officer, took over the Chief Secretary role from her husband, V Venu, who retired on August 31. Muraleedharans appointment was confirmed by the Kerala government on August 21.

Venu, who had been serving as Chief Secretary under the Pinarayi Vijayan government, was succeeded by his wife, who previously held the position of Additional Chief Secretary. During the farewell ceremony for Venu, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan highlighted the significance of this unprecedented event, noting that it is the first instance in Keralas history where the Chief Secretary role has been transitioned from a husband to his wife.

Smt. Sarada Muraleedharan IAS assumed charge as the new Chief Secretary of Kerala pic.twitter.com/U9mY68H8g3 Chief Secretary, Government of Kerala (@ChiefKerala) August 31, 2024

Why is This Picture Special?

This picture captures a remarkable moment in Keralas bureaucratic history: a husband handing over his official responsibilities to his wife. The image shows IAS officers Dr V Venu and Sarada Muraleedharan seated together at a table, with Venu smiling as he transfers his duties to his wife. This moment is particularly significant because it marks the first time in Keralas administrative history that an IAS couple has consecutively held the Chief Secretary position without any break.

Who is This Couple?

Dr V Venu and Sarada Muraleedharan are distinguished IAS officers from the 1990 batch. Sarada Muraleedharan is renowned for her leadership of the Kudumbashree Mission, Keralas ambitious poverty alleviation program, from 2006 to 2012. She has also spearheaded various initiatives focused on women empowerment. Dr Venu, originally from Kozhikode, began his career as the District Collector of Thrissur. He completed his schooling at Kendriya Vidyalaya Kozhikode and earned an MBBS degree from Malabar Christian College.
In its first-ever European deployment, the Indian Navys P-8I aircraft touched down in France to take part in the Varuna bilateral exercise with the French Navy. This comes 63 years after the Alize aircraft, operating from the erstwhile INS Vikrant, last flew at the Hyeres airbase.

According to an official statement by the Indian Navy, the P-8I aircraft landed at the Airbase 125 Istres-Le Tube in France, marking its first-ever deployment in Europe. The aircraft will be a part of Exercise Varuna with the French Navy, it said.

The INS Tabar, which earlier arrived in Toulon, will also be taking part in the bilateral military exercise. The navy said the 2024 edition of the bilateral naval exercise Varuna between the two countries is scheduled from September 2 to 4 in the Mediterranean Sea. It will include advanced tactical exercises underscoring the deepening synergy and interoperability between the two navies, it said.

Soaring High in Indo-French Cooperation! Indian Navys P-8I aircraft touched down at Air Base 125 Istres-Le Tube, marking its first-ever deployment in Europe for the 22nd edition of Exercise Varuna with the French Navy. This deployment comes 63 years after the Indian Naval Alize aircraft, operating from INS Vikrant, last flew at Hyeres Airbase. This advanced tactical exercise underscores the deepening synergy & mutual respect b/n our navies, the navy said in a post on social media platform X.

Soaring High in Indo-French Cooperation!#IndianNavy's P-8I aircraft touched down at Air Base 125 Istres-Le Tube, marking its #firstever deployment in Europe for the 22nd edition of Exercise #Varuna with the #FrenchNavy.This deployment comes 63 years after the Indian pic.twitter.com/ctcyqhiYTZ SpokespersonNavy (@indiannavy) September 2, 2024

While the bilateral naval exercise was initiated in 1993, it was christened Varuna in 2001 and has become a hallmark of Indo-French strategic bilateral ties. Over the years, the military exercise has grown in scope and complexity, while providing an opportunity to exchange and learn from the best practices followed by both the navies.
The Supreme Court on Monday upheld the relief granted to Sayan Lahri, a key figure who organised a student protest following the rape-murder of a trainee woman doctor at RG Kar Medical College in Bengal.

The West Bengal government had filed a plea saying that the Paschim Banga Chhtra Samaj leader led a violent march to the state secretariat on August 27 under the guise of a peaceful protest. In its plea, the Bengal government claimed it had not been given sufficient opportunity to oppose the courts order granting protection to Lahri. The plea described the Calcutta High Courts decision to grant Lahri relief as erroneous.

Earlier on Friday, the Calcutta High Court granted bail to Lahiri. Paschim Banga Chhatra Samaj, an unregistered student group, was one of the two organisations that gave the call for the August 27 Nabanna Abhijan. Lahiri was arrested on August 27 evening for playing an active role in leading the rally which, the police said, turned violent, causing destruction of public and private property and attacks on police officers.

Acting on a plea by Lahiris mother Anjali seeking quashing of proceedings against him and grant of bail, the Calcutta High Court had on Friday ordered his release from police custody on Saturday. The Kolkata Police released Lahiri from its custody on Saturday. A woman post-graduate trainee doctor was raped and murdered at the West Bengal government-run R G Kar Medical College and Hospital earlier this month, triggering nationwide outrage.
A woman was flashed during a protest in Kolkata on Sunday amid the nationwide outrage over the rape and murder of a trainee doctor in West Bengal.

The incident occurred at the Esplanade crossing, where a man reportedly exposed himself to a female protester, according to India Today. Witnesses said that some protesters caught the man in the act and alerted nearby police officers.

Police identified the man as a local resident with mental health issues and allowed him to leave, which angered the crowd. After protesters demanded immediate action against the accused, a case was later registered under Section 79 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). The report said that police have launched a probe and are reviewing video footage to locate the suspect.

The protest was organised in response to the horrific incident at R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital, where the body of the victim was discovered on August 9. This latest incident of harassment has sparked outrage among protesters, who gathered outside the Deputy Commissioner of Polices office to demand justice and accountability.

Protesters expressed their concerns about safety during demonstrations, stating that women should not face harassment even in large crowds. They called for swift and effective measures to protect the dignity and safety of all citizens participating in peaceful protests. On Sunday, West Bengal police said it believes in zero tolerance towards offences against women. Stern legal action will be taken against offenders as also against those spreading misinformation, the police said in a post on social media platform X.
The Supreme Court on Monday constituted a high-powered committee to amicably address the issue of farmers agitation at the Shambhu border between Punjab and Haryana.

A bench of Justices Surya Kant and Ujjal Bhuyan directed the committee to identify and formulate the key issues for consideration and resolve them promptly. The committee, led by retired Justice Nawab Singh of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, aims to engage with the protesting farmers and resolve their concerns.

The apex court asked the panel to reach out to the agitating farmers to immediately remove their tractors, trolleys etc. from the Shambhu border to provide relief to commuters. Justice Singh has been instructed to convene the committees first meeting within a week.

From Haryana, the committee includes Justice Nawab Singh, who serves as the chairman, alongside BS Sandhu, a retired Director General of Police, and Davinder Sharma. Representing Punjab are Ranjit Singh Ghumman and Sukhpal Singh. The bench also directed the chairman of the panel to invite professor B R Kamboj, Vice Chancellor of the Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University, as special invitee.

It also cautioned the protesting farmers to keep themselves at a safe distance from political parties and not to insist on demands which are not feasible. The top court said the farmers issues should not be politicised and be considered by the committee in a phased manner. The apex court said farmers will be at liberty to shift their peaceful agitations to alternative sites.

The court was hearing the Haryana governments plea challenging the high courts order asking it to remove within a week the barricades erected at the Shambhu border near Ambala where protesting farmers have been camping since February 13. On August 22, the bench had asked the Punjab and Haryana governments to convey to the agitating farmers that the court as well as the two states are concerned about their issues and a forum is being constituted for the redressal of their grievances.

The Haryana government had set up barricades on the Ambala-New Delhi national highway in February after the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha announced that farmers would march to Delhi in support of their demands, including legal guarantee of minimum support price (MSP) for their produce.
Supreme Court on Monday granted bail to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwals close aide Bibhav Kumar in the case regarding the assault on AAP Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal. Supreme Court noted that Kumar is in custody for 100 days and a chargesheet has already been filed in the case. The Delhi Police arrested Kumar on May 18.

Kumar, the personal assistant to Kejriwal, allegedly assaulted Maliwal at the chief ministers official residence on May 13.

I was slapped, unprovoked, 7-8 times by Bibhav Kumar. I was kicked on my stomach and pelvic region, the former Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) chief Swati Maliwal had alleged in her complaint.

Supreme Court stated that the trial court shall endeavour to finish the examination of important and vulnerable witnesses first within three months. Kumar has been granted bail under conditions that he shall not be restored as PS of Delhi Chief Minister or political office associated with the CM office. The top court also directed that Kumar shall not enter the Chief Ministers residence till all witnesses are examined.

The FIR filed against Kumar includes charges under Sections 308 (attempt to commit culpable homicide), 341 (wrongful restraint), 354(B) (assault or use of criminal force to woman with intent to disrobe), 506 (criminal intimidation), and 509 (word, gesture, or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
A senior IAS officer, Adityavardhan Singh, tragically drowned in River Ganga near Bilhaur in Uttar Pradeshs Unnao on August 31. Despite extensive search efforts by the NDRF and water police teams, no trace of Singh has been found as of now. Reports indicate that Singh, who was taking a bath in the river, went missing. Initial attempts by local divers to recover him were delayed by a demand for Rs 10,000, which was only met after an online payment. Unfortunately, even after entering the water, the divers were unable to locate him.

Singh was serving as Deputy Director in the UP Health Department and was posted in Varanasi and had travelled to Unnao with friends. He had reportedly gone to the river with friends for a bath after which he got drowned. According to reports, he had requested his friends to take a photo while bathing.

During this time, he slipped and began to drown. His friends sought help from local divers, but the divers initially demanded Rs 10,000 in cash. After an online payment was arranged, the divers entered the water but were unable to locate Singh.

Singh hailed from Kabirpur village in the Behta Mujawar police station area of Unnao. His family resides in Indiranagar, Lucknow. His wife, Shailaja Mishra, is a judge based in Akola, Maharashtra. His father, Rameshchandra Singh, also served as an officer in the irrigation department and had established a home in Lucknow. Singhs parents reside with his sister in Australia.

Following the incident, Singhs wife and parents travelled to Kanpur from Australia. Additionally, Singh has a cousin who is also an IAS officer, working in the Chief Ministers House in Bihar.
The moment the trailer of Call Me Bae dropped, the internet drew comparisons with several shows in the West. Reddit and X were filled comparisons with Two Broke Girls, which starred Kat Dennings and Beth Behrs, and Netflixs Emily in Paris, starring Lily Collins. Although fans will have to wait to see if Call Me Bae is indeed inspired by the chick-flicks in the West but Ananya Panday urges people to watch the show before they speak. In an exclusive chat with News18 Showsha, Ananya addressed the comparisons.

Just because this is the genre or the theme of the show, doesnt mean it is the copy of something else. Its like, if theres a romcom thats already been made, it doesnt make it a copy. It is following a similar format or genre. Its a template, Ananya Panday told us exclusively. Her Call Me Bae co-star, Niharika Lyra Dutt added, All the shows mentioned are good shows. I feel like if it is reminding the audience of these things then it means it is comforting them and they want to watch more.

Ananya explained further, I dont like the fact that when something is made in Hollywood and then its made in India, people call it the sasta version of that. Why cant you be proud of the content that is coming from your own country? You sit and watch these shows for hours. But it is coming from your own country Without watching it, dont judge it is what I would say.

She added that the characters will be the highlights of the show. I think the best part of this show is its characters. Even though the template maybe chick-flick or that format, all the characters of the show are so wonderfully unique. Once you watch the show, I think people will relate, she added.

Call Me Bae is created by Ishita Moitra and the story was penned by her, Samina Motlekar and Rohit Nair. The eight-episode series stars Ananya Pandey, Vir Das, Gurfateh Pirzada, Varun Sood, Vihaan Samat, Muskkaan Jaferi, Niharika Lyra Dutt, Lisa Mishra and Mini Mathur. The series will stream on September 6.
IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack, Netflixs new series, is causing a stir. Based on the 1999 hijacking of an Indian Airlines flight, the show is being slammed for changing facts, downplaying terrorism and upsetting people. The Information and Broadcasting (I&B) ministry has summoned Netflix representatives to explain why the series should not be taken off air. The controversy started right after the series came out, with many viewers on social media accusing the show of twisting the story. The biggest issue is how the hijackers are portrayed with names like Shankar and Bhola, which some believe hides their true identities and connections to extremist groups.

Anubhav Sinha, however, had, not long back, opened up about the meticulous research that went into the making of the series. In a chat with Variety, he had said, When I got in, I thought I knew everything about it. But when the research started, and we had Adrian (Levy) on board, it started opening up, not only within India but in Afghanistan, in Pakistan, in Washington and everywhere. Then I realised that I didnt know anything about it. That became the driving force to dive in deeper and deeper.

Not just the story but also the visual elements were planned to the T, Anubhav Sinha had revealed. Ewan [Mulligan, the cinematographer alongside Ravi Kiran Ayyagari] asked me a very important question. He said, Anubhav, are we recreating what happened? I said, No, the event is happening again. We are sending our cameras and crew back there in time.

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.
Boycott IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack has taken over our X timelines since the series release. However, director Anubhav Sinha is not letting the controversy around the series impact the celebrations of its success. The Netflix series, which is based on the Indian aircraft hijack in December 1999, was released last week and it has received much love (and criticism) online. Although he has yet to comment on the criticism and boycott calls, the director expressed his gratitude towards those who loved the series.

             (I have received so much love in the last three days that I cannot describe it. I am indebted), the filmmaker said. He also enjoyed a serving of jalebis, seemingly celebrating the success of the show. Check out his posts below:

             Anubhav Sinha (@anubhavsinha) September 1, 2024

He has also been reposting social media reactions that are praising the show.

About IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack:

IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack sheds light on the heartbreaking events of the 1999 hijacking of an Indian Airlines flight. 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. One person on board died during the hijack.

Why is the Internet Boycotting IC 814 The Kandahar Hijack?

Several netizens have accused the series of whitewashing the events. They are also upset that the names of the terrorists have been changed. In reality, the hijackers were reportedly named Ibrahim Athar, Shahid Akhtar Sayed, Sunny, Ahmad Qazi, Zahoor Mistry and Shakir. In the series, the terrorists have been named Bhola, Shankar, Doctor, Burger and Chief.

The writer of the book, based on which the series is made, weighed in on the controvery. The writer, Neelesh Misra shared a post on X to reveal the real story behind changing the names of the attackers on the show. 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, Neelesh shared on X. Anubhav reposted the post.

IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack features a stellar starcast. These include actors Naseeruddin Shah, Pankaj Kapur, Vijay Varma, Dia Mirza, Arvind Swamy and Dia Mirza.
One expert believes the caterpillars may have been marching to their demise.

A woman filmed the bizarre moment a congregation of caterpillars got themselves trapped in a "death spiral" in her backyard.

Alyssa Baker filmed hundreds of the insects following one another in an endless loop and shared it online, asking other insect enthusiasts what the hell was going on.

"I was just letting my dog outside in the backyard when I saw something moving on the sidewalk next to the garage on the edge of the grass," she told Yahoo News Australia of the strange discovery last week.

"There had to have been a hundred or more just running around each other reminding me so much of a mosh pit circle of death of the bug world. It looked pretty hardcore I didnt want to disturb it."

Baker, who lives in Michigan in the US, filmed the video hoping to find out more from entomologists.

"Its been very humid and higher temps, so much more mosquito activity and I thought maybe they were of that family but Im not so sure on that one," she said.

Watch the footage:

Experts weigh in on strange insect behaviour

"It looks like they are in a death spiral," Dr Bryan Lessard, known as Bry the Fly Guy, told Yahoo News Australia. The entomologist, who authored Eyes on Flies said the caterpillars follow each other using chemical cues.

"It looks like they are confused and following each other instead. They might not break the cycle and do this until they die. Death spirals are quite common in ants but I've never seen them in caterpillars before."

Baker, who captured the moment hopes it was a "good sign" that when she checked a few hours later, the animals had gone.

Dr Andrew Mitchell, an entomologist from the Australian Museum explained the insects are known as processionary caterpillars. "It is a common name that is applied to a number of different unrelated species," he said.

"In Michigan it is likely to be a species of Malcosoma. In Europe you get pine processionary caterpillars and in Australia you get Ochrogaster lunifer, he added. The hairs are urticating (stinging) so one should avoid touching them".

Processionary caterpillars have been well known to make their way around Australian homes. One woman was horrified to find thousands of them at her front door while another ridiculously long procession was spotted in Alice Springs.

Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com.

You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube.
Even as the Hema Committee report puts the spotlight on toxic male dominance and blatant sexual harassment plaguing the Malayalam film industry, actor Charmila accused a film producer of allegedly sexually assaulting her around 27 years ago.

Speaking exclusively to CNN-News 18, Charmila said: I had a traumatic experience in the Malayalam film industry. It was during the shoot of Arjunan Pillayum Anchu Makkalum. We had to shoot a song in Pollachi in Tamil Nadu. After the three-day shoot wrapped up, the production manager asked me to meet the producer before leaving. I asked my assistants to come along as I dont go alone anywhere."

ALSO READ | Malayalam Cinemas #MeToo Moment: Dont Need Godfathers, Wake-Up Call For Every Workplace, Say Women Actors

She said the manager stopped the assistants from coming along. However, I took my assistants along," she said.

When I went into the producers room, seven to eight of them drinking. One of them pounced on my assistant, trying to take her saree off and the other moved towards me. My male assistant tried to stop him, and he was beaten," she said.

Meanwhile, another guy grabbed my hand. I bit him and ran outside the hotel and asked for help. A group of autorickshaw guys came to my rescue. With their help, I called my father who reached out to Kalaignars wife Rajathi Ammal and the police arrived," she narrated.

Charmila said she has lost 28 films because she didnt want to adjust", the code word for meeting demands for sex in return for continued film offers.

She said: Malayalam director Hariharan met me along with actor Vishnu. We had coffee, discussed the script and he (Hariharan) sent me off in nice way. Later, he called Vishnu and asked him to tell me to adjust". Vishnu told Hariharan that I wont adjust" and both of us lost the movie offer."

Charmila says the Tamil film industry is better and the Nadigar Sangam is more active and provides a safe environment for women artistes. In my experience, the Tamil industry is better and the Nadigar Sangam is willing to do their best and protect actresses," she said.

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.
Actor-turned-politician Kangana Ranaut, in an X post on Monday said censorship is only for some of us, who dont want tukde of this nation.

Her remarks came amid demands by a section of social media users for the boycott of the series IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack for allegedly hiding the real identities of the terrorists involved in the 1999 incident.

As the controversy boiled, casting director Mukesh Chhabra on Sunday claimed the perpetrators used nicknames for each other and proper research was done for the show.

Kangana shared a post by BJP leader Amit Malviya, which claimed that the series changed the Muslim names of the hijackers into non-Muslim names and added that the series whitewashed the harrowing incident.

Law of the land is that one can show unimaginable amount of violence and nudity on OTT platforms without any consequence or censorship, one can even distort real life events to suit their politically motivated sinister motives, there is all the freedom for communists or leftists across the world for such anti national expressions but as a nationalist no OTT platform allows us to make films that revolves around the integrity and unity of Bharat, it seems censorship is only for some of us who dont want tukde of this nation and make films on historic facts. Its hugely demotivating and unjust, (sic), Kanganas X post read.

Law of the land is that one can show unimaginable amount of violence and nudity on OTT platforms without any consequence or censorship, one can even distort real life events to suit their politically motivated sinister motives, there is all the freedom for communists or leftists https://t.co/BRRrG6NGXh Kangana Ranaut (@KanganaTeam) September 2, 2024

The actors reaction came hours after the release of Emergency was postponed. The actress previously claimed that the film is struggling to get a certificate from the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC).

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 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, Malviya posted.

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. Reposting the same, Kangana wrote that it is demotivating to see projects with alleged distorted facts are run without censorship on OTT while projects like her film, Emergency, have to face censorship hurdles, he wrote.

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

Meanwhile, top sources said a Netflix representative was summoned to New Delhi on September 2, over the backlash the series is facing.

IC 814: THE KANDAHAR HIJACK SERIES

Directed by Anubhav Sinha, the series is based on the 1999 hijack of an Indian aircraft by five terrorists on December 24, 1999, 40 minutes after it took off from Kathmandu.

It started streaming on Netflix on August 29.

Using hashtags #BoycottNetflix, #BoycottBollywood and #IC814, many X users shared posts claiming the makers changed the names of the hijackers to Shankar and Bhola to allegedly protect the terrorists who belonged to a certain community.

Chhabra, a prominent casting director in the industry, said the terrorists used nicknames or fake names to address each other.

IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack features Vijay Varma, Naseeruddin Shah, Pankaj Kapur, Manoj Pahwa, Kumud Mishra, Arvind Swamy, Dia Mirza and Patralekhaa, among others.

IC-814 PLANE HIJACK

Five terrorists Ibrahim Athar, Sunny Ahmed Qazi, Zahoor Ibrahim, Shahid Akhter and Sayed Shakir hijacked the IC-814 plane during its flight from Kathmandu to Delhi on December 24, 1999.

At least 154 passengers and crew were held hostage for eight days and the stand-off ended when hardcore terrorists Masood Azhar, Omar Sheikh and Mushtaq Ahmad Zargar were released and the then External Affairs Minister, Jaswant Singh, took them on a special plane to Kandahar.
Birthdays are special, but for the youngest member of the worlds biggest boy band, BTS, it is an international affair. September 1 was no exception for Jungkook, the Golden Maknae. As he celebrated his special day, fans from all around the world showered him with love and admiration. True to form, Jungkook took to Weverse to express his heartfelt gratitude to the ARMY for making his birthday unforgettable.

He reportedly wrote, Dear ARMY, thank you for sending me the birthday wishes. I am doing well. I will finish the remaining time in the military well. I hope that ARMY also stays well during that time.

Jungkook has been a beloved member of BTS. His journey as a solo artist began in October 2023 with the release of his album GOLDEN, which quickly became a hit. He didnt stop there, Jungkook also collaborated with some big names in the music industry, dropping chart-topping singles like Seven featuring Latto and 3D featuring Jack Harlow.

Fans of Jungkook have something exciting to look forward tohis first solo documentary, Jungkook: I Am Still, which is set to premiere globally on September 18. This documentary will take fans behind the scenes of his eight-month journey as a solo artist, capturing everything from his preparations for GOLDEN to the intense promotions that followed.

BTS as a group also has had a monumental year. They celebrated their 11th debut anniversary in June. While members RM, SUGA, J-Hope, Jimin, V and Jungkook are currently completing their military service, the eldest member, Jin, has already been discharged as of June 12.

Both Jimin and Jungkook enlisted together under the military companion soldiers program on December 12, last year. Now, they are expected to come back together in June 2025. The entire group is expected to reunite in mid-2025 after all seven members have completed their mandatory military service in South Korea and their global fanbase cannot wait to catch a glimpse of them.
Bollywood has always been a melting pot of creativity and controversy. Films often push boundaries, but some recent Hindi releases have sparked intense debates, raising questions about representation, politics, and historical accuracy. From political dramas to sensitive portrayals, these films have not only drawn moviegoers on a massive scale but also ignited widespread debate and criticism.

Recent controversies have spotlighted the delicate balance filmmakers must maintain while addressing sensitive topics. Films like The Kashmir Files, The Kerala Story, and Emergency have faced backlash for their depiction of historical events, religious communities and political figures. Heres a detailed look at some of the most controversial Hindi films of recent times and the debates they have sparked.

1. The Kashmir Files (2022)

The Kashmir Files, directed by Vivek Agnihotri, faced multiple controversies upon its release. The film, which explores the exodus of Kashmiri Pandits during the insurgency in the 1990s, was criticised for its graphic violence and alleged portrayal of Muslims in a negative light. The timing of the release and the films depiction led to accusations of propaganda. Israeli director Nadav Lapid, the jury chairperson at the International Film Festival of India (IFFI), labelled it vulgar and propaganda, sparking a heated debate. Agnihotri defended the film, asserting it was a genuine depiction against terrorism, not propaganda.

2. The Kerala Story (2023)

The Kerala Story drew significant controversy for its claims about Hindu and Christian women allegedly being lured into joining ISIS. Initially, the film claimed that 32,000 women from Kerala were converted to Islam and recruited by ISIS. This claim was later retracted, and the description was changed to focus on three women. Critics accused the film of being a propaganda tool aimed at creating communal discord, while supporters, including BJP leaders, defended it. The film faced bans in West Bengal and Tamil Nadu but was tax-exempt in a bunch of BJP-ruled states.

3. Maharaj (2023)

Maharaj, directed by Nikhil Mahajan, faced legal hurdles before its release. The Gujarat High Court initially halted the films release due to objections from the Vaishnavite Pustimargi sect, which felt that the film misrepresented their religious beliefs. The court eventually allowed the release on Netflix after a detailed examination. The films portrayal was deemed non-offensive, and the release was cleared, but the controversy highlighted the sensitivities around religious representation.

4. Brahmastra: Part One  Shiva (2022)

The release of Brahmastra: Part One  Shiva, directed by Ayan Mukerji, was marred by boycott calls and controversies. Issues arose from Alia Bhatts remarks on boycott culture, which some found insensitive, and an old video of Ranbir Kapoor talking about being a big beef fan offending those who revere cows. Ayan Mukerji later apologised for a scene where Ranbirs character enters a Durga Puja pandal wearing slippers, which was perceived as disrespectful. Despite these issues, the film continued to generate significant attention and debate.

5. Emergency (TBD)

Kangana Ranauts film Emergency, which she also directed, has faced backlash primarily from Sikh groups over its portrayal of Khalistani separatist Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale. Sikh organisations argue that the film misrepresents historical facts and could incite communal tensions. The trailer, featuring a controversial dialogue attributed to Bhindranwale, has been met with demands for a ban from Sikh groups, including the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee and the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee. The films September 6 release has been postponed pending further review and certification.
Harry Potter films and the iconic characters still remain fresh in fans minds to date. One of them was the eccentric Ravenclaw student and a close friend of Harry Potter and the group, Luna Lovegood. Known for her quirky personality, the role was efficiently played by Evanna Lynch. The actress recently opened up about her character, revealing that she almost forgot she was a part of the beloved wizarding world. Lynch, who made her debut in 2007 with the film Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, opposite Daniel Radcliffe and Emma Watson, also recalled her experience of working with the star-studded cast.

In a recent interview with CNET, Evanna spoke at length about her latest project, From the Wizarding Archive, an Audible-exclusive audiobook in collaboration with the Harry Potter universe. The actress has lent her voice as one of the narrators of the book. While conversing with the publication, Lynch opened up about her time on the sets of Harry Potter films and revealed how she was celebrated in the wizarding world.

Evanna, who played Luna in four films of the blockbuster series, also revealed that she had even forgotten that she was a part of it. The actress said, I dont watch the films as its too emotional, but recently, Prisoner of Azkaban was on, and my partner and I started passively watching it, and I had that strong feeling of, I want to be part of that world, and then remembered, Oh, I already am!

When asked why she has continued to be a part of the film franchise even after the last installment of the series was released over a decade ago, Evanna remarked, Its a safe place for me. Perhaps there is a slightly regressive instinct there, returning to my childhood comforts. But it goes deeper, too.

Further, the actress explained that the feeling of belonging to a place has always been elusive to her, highlighting that she wasnt just accepted into the wizarding world but also embraced and celebrated. Lynch acknowledged the enormous privilege and discussed that not every quirky kid finds the kind of community she has.

Evanna also mentioned how she tried to find that sense of belonging in other communities, but none matched. The fans have kept that world very alive in my life. I continue to try to find that sense of belonging in other communities, but none have proved quite so profound a match yet. So yes, Ill always be happy to be a familiar face in the Harry Potter world, the actress added.

Evanna Lynch has appeared in several films and television shows, including the four films of the Harry Potter series. My Name Is Emily, My Freaky Family and Silent Witness are some of her notable works.
The Hema Committee Report highlighting the malpractices against women in the Malayalam film industry has sparked an outrage. Samantha Ruth Prabhu recently made a demand to the Telangana government to release a sub-committee report originally submitted by The Voice of Women, a support group created for women in the Telugu film industry. In Kolkata, the RG Kar rape-murder case has led to Bangla actors taking to the streets and protesting against the incident as part of the West Bengal Motion Picture Artists Forum.

Womens Forum for Screen Workers in the Bangla film industry has also issued a charter of demands to reinforce the dignity of women in the workplace. It was signed by 50 actors and technicians. At this time when most in Bollywood remain silent, Guneet Monga Kapoor exclusively speaks to News18 Showsha lauding the Women In Cinema Collective (WCC). She says, More power to WCC and women in Malayalam cinema! Its incredible what theyve been able to pull off. But it didnt happen so easily. There was a terrible incident that happened in 2017 which led to this.

The WCC includes Parvathy Thiruvothu, Revathy, Anjali Menon, Manju Warrier, and Geethu Mohandas, among others. The Justice K Hema Committee was formed in response to a demand by the WCC, following the 2017 incident involving a female Malayalam actor who was sexually assaulted in a moving vehicle in Kochi. One of the accused in the case was Malayalam actor Dileep.

Guneet points out the genius of these women for going straight to the government for a policy impact rather than resorting to social media. They requested the government to intervene and understand whats actually happening in terms of the level of discrimination, sexual favours and pay disparity going on. I think even the government was shocked with the scale of discrimination or the lack of safety for women happening in the industry, she states.

Shedding light on the positive consequences that the Hema Committee Report is likely to have, she tells us, What follows now is unfolding in front of us. Its important to raise our voices and do it well. Change doesnt happen with one person screaming at the top of their lungs or one person screaming about atrocities. It happens when a group wants a policy change, safety and toilets on a film set and proper POSH committees to be set up.

The Oscar-winning producer further adds, Theres a new film commission report now which forms the basis of what the world order could be in the industry and how to make it a safe space for women. Im looking forward to those insights. The women at WCC have been able to do it correctly. I hope a policy change and a policy impact happen. That will enforce safety and give rise to better working conditions for women working in media.

The Hema Committee Report, according to Guneet, is a learning curve. And while her production house already has strict rules about womens safety in place, she hopes for the whole industry to follow suit. In Sikhya, theres a POSH committee. We have conversations before going into each film. We have a process to that. There are toilets on our sets. We live in an echo chamber but thats not how the rest of the industry is. So, at this point, its important to listen, learn, and understand what the world order is going to be, says Guneet.

Meanwhile, Malayalam superstars Mohanlal and Mammootty have finally broken silence on the Hema Committee Report stating that theyve welcomed its policies.
Even as the row over the depiction of facts in IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack, a show directed by Anubhav Sinha which released on Netflix this weekend, continues, Kanchan Gupta, Senior Advisor, Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, gave the details on X. Gupta was in the Prime Ministers Office (PMO) as OSD to then PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee at the time of the 1999 incident.

The show, based on the hijacking of the Indian Airlines Flight 814 or IC 814 by terrorists and featuring Naseeruddin Shah, Pankaj Kapur, Vijay Varma, Arvind Swamy and Dia Mirza, got into controversy on social media on Sunday, as many pointed out the non-Muslim names of the hijackers in the show and sought a boycott. Another issue raised was that one of the hijackers is shown sympathetic.

ALSO READ | Netflixs IC814 In #Boycott Turbulence: Kandahar Hijackers Were Bhola, Shankar Or Shahid, Shakir? What MEA Said

For example, one of them, codenamed Burger, was seen telling the air hostess to take care of herself. A shot of hijackers and hijacked playing antakshari is also being seen as wrongful projection.

The I&B Ministry on Monday summoned Netflix representatives to explain why the series should not be taken off air and why the OTT platform should not face action.

I was in the Prime Ministers Office as OSD to PM AB Vajpayee and member of the National Security Advisory Board (working closely with NSA Brajesh Mishra) when the hijacking of IC814 happened. I had a front row view of the events linked to the hijacking and its resolution. Here is what happened. Anything else is fiction. Certain details that impact national security have not been mentioned, wrote Gupta, with a link to a blog post.

I was in the Prime Ministers Office as OSD to PM AB Vajpayee and member of the National Security Advisory Board (working closely with NSA Brajesh Mishra) when the hijacking of IC814 happened. I had a front row view of the events linked to the hijacking and its resolution.Here Kanchan Gupta (@KanchanGupta) September 2, 2024

The Kathmandu-Delhi flight had been commandeered by five hijackers (later identified as Ibrahim Athar, resident of Bahawalpur, Shahid Akhtar Sayed, Gulshan Iqbal, resident of Karachi, Sunny Ahmed Qazi, resident of Defence Area, Karachi, Mistri Zahoor Ibrahim, resident of Akhtar Colony, Karachi, and Shakir, resident of Sukkur City) at 5:20 pm; there were 189 passengers and crew members on board; and that the aircraft was heading towards Lahore, read the blog entry, adding, The hijackers, anticipating commando action, first stabbed a passenger, Rupin Katyal (he had gone to Kathmandu with his newly wedded wife for their honeymoon; had they not extended their stay by a couple of days, they wouldnt have been on the ill-fated flight) to show that they meant business, and then forced the pilot to take off from Amritsar.

ALSO READ | Why Shouldnt It Be Taken Off Air: I&B Ministry Summons Netflix Amid Row Over IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack

The hijackers wanted 36 terrorists, held in various Indian jails, to be freed or else they would blow up the aircraft with the hostages, the blog post read.

According to the Ministry of External Affairs, the hijackers, although Muslim from Pakistan, had codenamed themselves as Burger, Shankar, Bhola and Doctor.
IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack premiered over the weekend and has grabbed eyeballs for various reasons. On one side, a social media section has been lauding the performances. On the other, the series is also facing boycott calls. Amid these divided reactions, real photos of the team defusing the hijack situation have surfaced online. The negotiations were carried out by the Atal Bihari Vajpayee-led Indian government.

Vivek Katju, the Joint Secretary in the Ministry of External Affairs, led the team of negotiation. He was joined by Home Ministry official Ajit Doval and CD Sahay from the Cabinet Secretariat. Ajit Doval was the then Intelligence Bureau (IB) Chief. He was also a key member of the negotiating team. Today, he is the National Security Advisor (NSA) of India. The negotiating team also featured Brajesh Mishra  Former Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister of India, Prabhat Kumar  The Crisis Management Group of the Indian Government, led by Union Secretary,

Check out the photos below:

The Officials Who Handled IC814 Hijacking.Read Also How They Handled It ( Photo  India Today ) pic.twitter.com/DO0jJFfsXZ  indianhistorypics (@IndiaHistorypic) September 1, 2024

In the series, Anubhav Sinha roped in Pankaj Kapur, Naseeruddin Shah, Arvind Swamy, Manoj Pahwa, Kumud Mishra and Aditya Srivastava to play the members of the negotiation team.

For the unversed, IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack is based on the hijack of an India-bound flight in December 1999. The flight took off from Kathmandu and was headed to New Delhi when it was hijacked. The passengers of the flight were held hostage for seven days. The hijackers demanded the release three high-profile militants: Maulana Masood Azhar, Ahmed Omar Saeed Sheikh, and Mushtaq Ahmed Zargar. The negotiations resulted in the release of the three militants in exchange of the release of the hostages. There was one fatality in the hijack.

While the series depicts the events, many criticised director Anubhav Sinha for taking creative liberty with the regard to the names of the terrorists. Using hashtags #BoycottNetflix, #BoycottBollywood and #IC814, many X users shared posts claiming the makers changed the names of the hijackers to Shankar and Bhola to allegedly protect the terrorists who belonged to a certain community.

Anubhav Sinha is yet to issue a statement on the boycott calls. Meanwhile, top sources said a Netflix representative was summoned to New Delhi on September 2, over the backlash the series is facing.
Tamil actor Jiiva has claimed that Tamil industry has no issues of sexual abuse in the wake of the MeToo movement in Kerala. As we know it, Malayalam film industry has been tackling issues of sexual crimes after the Hema Committee Report revealed shocking sexual abuse incidents in the industry. While Mohanlal and Mammootty have finally extended their support to the report, Tamil industry has been tight-lipped about the developments. So much so that Rajinikanth said he is unaware of the report.

Now, Jiiva has claimed that issues of sexual abuse do not exist in the Tamil film industry. The statement was topped off with the controversial claim that such issues are only in Kerala. Such issues dont happen in Tamil industry, its only in Kerala, Jiiva said at a recent event in Tamil Nadu, as reported by The Times of India.

The 83 star made the statement when asked about the Hema Committee Report at an event in Theni. The actor said, I heard about it too. Its wrong. He then added, We had #MeToo part 1 and now part 2 has come. Now, people are openly naming them [abusers]. Its wrong. We should have a healthy atmosphere in cinema.

When the journalists tried to prod him furher, he shut down questions about the matter. Weve come here for a good event, so lets say good things. Ive come to Theni after a long time. Im coming here after shooting for a movie called Thenavattu. A lot of things are happening in a lot of industries. Your job is to gather news. Our job is to maintain a good atmosphere. As actors, we bring a smile to many peoples faces, and we have come here for that reason, he said.

However, when reporters present at the venue tried to ask him more about the subject, he got into a scuffle. After exchanging a few words in an heated argument, he left venue.

The new wave of MeToo movement hit Kerala after the Hema Committee Report was released. The report shed light on alleged sexual abuse in the Malayalam film industry.
Kangana Ranauts directorial release Emergency has been postponed, reportedly due to rising controversies. Kangana Ranaut and Mandi Lok Sabha MP say the films approval was stopped because CBFC members got threats. A new release date hasnt been set yet. On Shubhankar Mishras podcast, the actor-filmmaker reacted to the stalling of her films release after the Central Board of Film Certification revoked its certificate post multiple petitions.

Meri film pe hi Emergency lag gayi hai. Bahut hi nirashajanak ye sthiti hai. Main toh khair bahut hi zyada disappointed hu apne desh se, aur jo bhi haalaat hain (An Emergency has been imposed on my film too. Its a very hopeless state. Im quite disappointed by our country and whatever the circumstances are), Kangana said.

Kangana said that shes being unfairly singled out, pointing out that similar events in her film were already covered in movies like Indu Sarkar (2017) and Sam Bahadur (last year). She explained that while her film was initially certified by the CBFC, the certificate was revoked after multiple petitions.

In a video posted on X (formerly Twitter), Kangana had said on Friday, There are rumours doing the rounds that our film, Emergency, has been granted Censor certificate. This is not true. In fact, our film had been cleared but certification has been stopped because many threats were coming in. Death threats. The Censor Board members are getting threats. We are under pressure not to show the assassination of Indira Gandhi, not to show Bhindranwale, not to show the Punjab riots. I dont know what will be left to show then This is unbelievable for me and I am very sorry for the state of things in this country.

Emergency is a political drama revolving around former Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and her life. Kangana plays the role of the late politician, and also marks her solo directorial debut. The film also stars Shreyas Talpade as former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Anupam Kher as Jayaprakash Narayan, Mahima Chaudhry as cultural activist and Indira Gandhis confidante Pupul Jayakar and Milind Soman as Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw.
Shanghai (Gasgoo)- On August 31, 2024, SAIC-GM-Wuling (SGMW) and Yanfeng signed a strategic cooperation agreement in Shanghai, establishing a comprehensive partnership across various fields, including technology, products, teams, and supply chain management. This collaboration aims to further deepen and broaden the cooperation between the two companies.

Photo credit: SGMW

Both parties highlighted that this strategic agreement marks a significant milestone in their international partnership, setting the stage for a new beginning in creating high-quality, low-carbon, green, and healthy automotive solutions.

The collaboration between Yanfeng and SGMW dates back to the joint development of the SPARK model in 2004. In 2011, Yanfeng set up a factory in Liuzhou city to co-develop Wuling and Baojun series vehicles with SGMW. Following Chinas Belt and Road Initiative, Yanfeng expanded its partnership with SGMW by establishing a manufacturing facility in Indonesia in 2017, further extending their joint efforts into international markets.

As they embark on this new phase of development, the two companies plan to strengthen their partnership in several key areas. In product R&D, Yanfeng and SGMW will integrate their R&D teams and technological resources to create more innovative and competitive automotive components and complete vehicle solutions. Their close collaboration is expected to accelerate the application of new technologies and the iterative updating of products to meet the increasingly diverse and personalized needs of consumers.

In the manufacturing sector, the partnership will leverage SGMW ' s efficient production systems and Yanfeng ' s stringent quality control standards to jointly enhance production efficiency and product quality, ensuring that every vehicle meets high standards of excellence and reliability.

The two companies will also deepen cooperation in technological innovation, particularly in enhancing the user experience for new energy vehicles. They will inject more cutting-edge technological elements into the Wuling Xingguang S and Baojun Yunhai models, aiming to boost the brand influence of these two vehicles.

In terms of supply chain management and market expansion, the duo will work together to optimize resource allocation, expand market channels, and enhance brand influence, ultimately offering consumers superior and more convenient services.
Telugu actress Lakshmi Manchu opened up about the sexual abuse allegations in the Malayalam film industry in an exclusive chat with CNN News18. The actress applauded women who have come out to speak about their experiences. She noted that this kind of exploitation happens in every industry and a change needs to be brought in. She hopes every industry takes a cue from the Hema Committee Report and comes out with their own reports to shed light on the issues.

I want to applaud to come out and publish this. This has given strength to the women in Kerala, Lakshmi Manchu told CNN News18 exclusively. This kind of exploitation happens in every field, she claimed. Urging every industry to release similar reports, Lakshmi said, I think we have moved it from where it was before.it is something we need to continously work forward.

I laugh and joke on the men becuse I find it very appauling that nobody from the Telugu film industry, especially men have come out and supported this, she added. She noted that there were a few men who reposted the calls to make reports about the sexual abuse in Telugu film industry but that number isnt enough.

There is nothing new about itnow we have a stronger voicesocial media, news channels which try to bring the truth out, the actress said. Lakshmi said that she is aware that her conversation with the news channel is not going to be welcomed by all. I know I am going to get many calls asking me why I am doing this and need to keep quit, she said. However, she added that she is not going to stop voicing her opinions.

I have nothing to lose by coming out and saying this but there are women who cannot go out and speak. They have a lot more to lose, she said.

Watch the interaction below:

The Hema Committee Report was brought to the light last month. The report shed light on the sexual crimes in the Malayalam film industry. Several cases were filed after the report surfaced, with FIR filed against people such as Mukesh, Jayasurya and director Ranjith.
Nandamuri Balakrishna has worked with many leading actresses throughout his career. However, he has never starred in a single film with one particular actress Sridevi. While Sridevi has acted alongside nearly all the major heroes, including senior stars and the likes of Chiranjeevi, Venkatesh, and Nagarjuna, she has never appeared in a movie with Nandamuri Balakrishna. In a recent interview with News18, Nandamuri Balakrishna shared the reason behind this.

He mentioned that coincidentally, he never ended up working with Sridevi, despite her having done numerous films with his father, Senior NTR. Nandamuri Balakrishna explained that there wasnt a specific reason for this, rather, it was simply that he felt no need to cast a major star like Sridevi in his films. He stated that, in terms of casting, he preferred not to hire big stars unless it was necessary for the role. Therefore, he concluded, this is why Sridevi was never cast in any of his films.

In another interview, Nandamuri Balakrishna shared how Sridevi learned acting. Coming to the other acting skills, my father (Senior NTR) taught Sridevi and all by slapping on their buttocks and stamping on their feet. They used to dance with soft moves but since my father was rough he made them dance to his style by painting them to come out with new expressions. They learned acting that way.

Besides, the Telugu film industry is preparing for a grand celebration to commemorate Nandamuri Balakrishnas 50th anniversary in cinema. The event took place on September 1 at the Hitex Novotel Hotel in Hyderabad. The ceremony, arranged by members of the Telugu film industry, marks a significant milestone in the illustrious career of Balakrishna. Prominent figures from the Telugu Film Producers Council and the Telugu Film Chamber of Commerce, including Secretary T Prasanna Kumar, President Bharat Bhushan, and producers KL Narayana, Gemini Kiran, Kommineni Venkateswara Rao, Alankar Prasad, and Raja Yadav, extended an invitation to Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu to grace the event.
Ajay Devgn is currently shooting for his next film Son of Sardar 2 in the UK. He has announced recently on social media. During that period, news came in that Sanjay Dutt could not travelled to the UK following his visa rejection. And now a report is coming in that the actor is very much a part of the film and will be joining Ajay Devgn soon. Yes, you are reading right. Danik Bhaskar has claimed that Sanjay Dutt and Ajay Devgn will shoot for the film in Punjab in October.

The latest update from Dainik Bhaskar confirms that he will still have a significant role. Fans can look forward to seeing the beloved duo of Ajay and Sanjay back together on screen. The report also reveals that Son of Sardaar 2 will not be connected to its predecessor. The sequel will feature a role with elements reminiscent of the character Vasooli Bhai and will include a dramatic gang war between Bihari and Punjabi Dons. Additionally, Ravi Kishans original character, initially assigned to Vijay Raaz, has now been finalized for Sanjay Mishra. Dutt will be seen in the role of Don.

Sanjay Dutts UK visa was rejected because of his 1993 case. He was detained under TADA and the Arms Act. Later, the actor was also found guilty of violating the Arms Act for possessing illegal firearms acquired from other individuals involved in the 1993 Bombay bombings.

Ajay Devgn recently took to his Instagram to announce the Muhurat of the film. Helmed by Vijay Kumar Arora, the film has an extensive shoot schedule in the UK, followed by India. Ajay shared a video with the caption, The journey of #SonOfSardaar2 begins with prayers, blessings, and an amazing team. In the video, Ajay could be seen offering prayers at a gurdwara while Mrunal Thakur was seen performing bhangra on stage.

The film will be directed by Vijay Kumar Arora and comes nearly 12 years after the original. The first film featured Ajay Devgn trying to win Sonakshi Sinhas hand in marriage by trying to impress her older brother, played by Sanjay Dutt. However, as per reports, Sonakshi Sinha will not be a part of the sequel. A release date for the film is yet to be decided.
Bae Suzy and Kim Woo-bin are set to reunite on screen for the first time in seven years with the highly anticipated Netflix K-drama All The Love You Wish. Fans last saw the pair together in the popular drama Uncontrollably Fond, and the new series is already generating excitement. Adding to the buzz, South Koreas media portal Edaily reports that The Glory star Song Hye-kyo and Love to Hate You actor Kim Ji-hoon will make guest appearances in the show. While Kim Ji-hoon has already completed his scenes, Song Hye-kyo is scheduled to film hers soon in Dubai.

Song Hye-kyos appearance in the upcoming drama is more special, as she has previously collaborated with All The Love You Wish writer Kim Eun Sook in the hit showsThe Glory and Descendants Of The Sun. Other than the writer, she also shares a close bond with Bae Suzy. To support her friend, Song Hye-kyo had earlier sent a pizza truck for the cast and crew of the Netflix drama.

As per Soompi, the message on the pizza truck read, Cheering on the pretty Suzy and All The Love You Wish For. From Song Hye Kyo. While sharing the photos, Bae Suzy wrote, The surprise gift Hye Kyo unnie sent to the set of All The Love You Wish For. Thank you, unnie. Ill eat it well and gain strength. Sweet unnie, youre the best.

Recently, Song Hye-kyo sat for an interview with Elle Korea, where she spoke about her friendship with Bae Suzy. The actress said, Recently, Ive become quite close with Suzy. So, after the Blue Dragon Series Awards handprinting event, she came over to my house and we spent time together. This time, we also had an award presentation at the Blue Dragon Series Awards. Suzy was there and I was there too. We met up after the event that day.

As per Netflix, The cast includes Kim Woo-bin as the genie Jinn and Suzy as the emotionally detached Ka-young. All the Love You Wish For explores the enchanting story of Jinn, a genie who awakens after a thousand years, and Ka-young, his new impassive master. The series weaves a romantic comedy around their conflicts over three wishes, setting the stage for magical mishaps and heartfelt moments.

Directed by Chicken Nuggets Lee Byeong Heon, All The Love You Wish For will star Bae Suzy and Kim Woo-bin, and feature a compelling ensemble cast. The series will also include Ahn Eun-jin as the mysterious Mi-joo, Noh Steve Sang-hyun as Soo-hyun, Jinns brother and rival, Ko Kyu-phil as Sayyid, Jinns assistant who harbours a secret identity as a black jaguar and Lee Zoo-young as Min-ji, Ka-youngs only friend.
BIGBANGs Taeyang launched his highly anticipated 2024 solo concert tour, The Light Year, in Seoul on August 31. The event, which had fans eagerly awaiting his performance, turned even more spectacular with an unexpected treat: Taeyangs bandmates G-Dragon and Daesung joined him on stage. The trio ended up performing their superhit track We Like 2 Party, sending the audience into a frenzy.

Several videos and pictures of their reunion are going viral on the internet as elated fans share their enthusiasm on social media. During this time, G-Dragon and Taeyang also performed their Good Boy for the first time in many years.

Despite the major hiatus, the duo received immense praise for their seamless performance and strong stage presence. While Daesung made a guest appearance on Day 1 of The Light Year concert, setting the stage on fire, the trio reunited on the second day in Seoul.

NO REHEARSAL, NO SOUNDCHECK. TAEYANG literally just pulled GDRAGON out from the crowd & asked him to perform. Heck, GD is even in his comfy clothes  but look at the stage presence & swag they have! Truly, Kings & goats of the stage never disappoint!pic.twitter.com/Fr5AbFoOZ6  (@ACTJISUS) September 1, 2024

On September 2, Taeyang took to his social media handle and shared a bunch of photos from the concert. In addition to pictures of him on stage, he also included a few taken with G-Dragon and Daesung. The pictures instantly went viral with many coming forward to leave comments like Thank you for coming back, So happy, and Big Bang is Back.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by TAEYANG (@__youngbae__)

G-Dragon also reposted the pictures on his personal handle, along with a short clip of them posing for photos. For those unaware, Taeyang held his first solo concert in seven years, The Light Year, on August 31 and September 1. It comes on the lines of his most recent release EP, Down to Earth, which came out in April 2024. He collaborated with BTSs Jimin, BLACKPINKs Lisa and many more.

On the other hand, Daesung has consistently dropped new music. His latest one, titled Our Memories, came out in March 2024.

BigBang Disbanded?

Over the past several months, speculations about the K-pop boy bands disbandment have been making the rounds. Earlier, Seungri left the group following his involvement in the Burning Sun scandal. T.O.P also left amid legal conflicts due to marijuana use, leaving BigBang with just three remaining members.

The group has also been removed from YG Entertainments website, leaving fans more clueless about their future.
In the wake of Netflixs IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack controversy, its evident that web series often find themselves at the centre of debates and disputes especially if they are inspired by true incidents. Whether its due to sensitive portrayals of religion, historical inaccuracies, or perceived disrespect to communities, these shows spark conversations that go beyond the screen. Heres a closer look at some recent web series that have run into controversies for various reasons.

1. IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack

Netflixs latest offering, IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack, directed by Anubhav Sinha, revisits the harrowing 1999 hijacking incident of an Indian Airlines flight. Released on August 29, the six-episode series stars Vijay Varma, Naseeruddin Shah, Pankaj Kapur, and others. The controversy arose when the ruling party accused the show of whitewashing the terrorists by giving them Hindu names such as Bhola and Shankar instead of their real identities. Critics argue this choice distorts historical events and potentially alters public perception, leading to an outcry about the portrayal of sensitive national issues.

2. Paatal Lok

Amazon Primes Paatal Lok, produced by Anushka Sharma, became a lightning rod for criticism due to its depiction of certain communities. The Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee, led by Manjinder Singh Sirsa, raised objections to a scene where a Sikh man is shown committing rape, stating it disrespects the Sikh faith and community. Additionally, the use of a sexist slur in the show offended the Nepali-speaking community. Sikkim MP Indra Hang Subba formally complained to the Information and Broadcasting Minister, demanding a ban on the series, arguing that it unfairly targets specific communities and spreads negative stereotypes.

3. Sacred Games 2

The second season of Netflixs Sacred Games, directed by Anurag Kashyap and starring Saif Ali Khan, stirred controversy among Sikh groups. A particular scene showed Sartaj Singh, a Sikh character played by Khan, discarding his kada, a sacred bracelet worn by Sikhs. Akali Dal leader Manjinder Singh Sirsa condemned the scene, demanding its removal, asserting it hurt religious sentiments and disrespected Sikh beliefs. The issue sparked debates about artistic freedom versus religious respect in modern storytelling.

4. Tandav

Released on Amazon Prime, Tandav, directed by Ali Abbas Zafar, faced multiple FIRs and public outrage. The series featured a controversial scene where actor Mohd Zeeshan Ayyub, dressed as Lord Shiva, delivered a monologue on azaadi, which many viewers found offensive. The backlash was immediate, with accusations of disrespecting Hindu deities and promoting religious disharmony. The shows creators issued an apology and edited out the offending scenes, but Tandav continued to be a flashpoint for discussions on the portrayal of religious figures and freedom of expression in digital content.

5. Aashram

Prakash Jhas Aashram, starring Bobby Deol, faced severe backlash from Bajrang Dal activists, who claimed the show depicted Hindu ashrams in a negative light, focusing on the exploitation of women by corrupt gurus. In October 2022, Bajrang Dal activists vandalized the shows sets in Bhopal and threw ink at Jha, accusing him of maligning Hindu religious institutions. The series, which explores the dark side of spiritual ashrams and the power dynamics within, was accused of unfairly targeting Hindu culture and faith.

6. Heeramandi

Heeramandi, Sanjay Leela Bhansalis highly anticipated OTT debut, encountered criticism for its portrayal of Lahores culture during the 1920s-1940s. While the shows visuals and storytelling received praise, critics from Pakistan, including former politician Yousuf Salahuddin, argued that the series failed to authentically represent the historical and cultural context of Lahore, presenting a distorted version of history. Concerns were raised about the historical accuracy and the exaggeration of events, highlighting the ongoing debate about creative liberties versus historical fidelity in storytelling.
Amid the row over IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack, a show directed by Anubhav Sinha, the Information and Broadcasting (I&B) ministry has summoned Netflix representatives to explain why the series should not be taken off air and why the OTT platform should not face action.

The show is based on the 1999 hijacking of an Indian Airlines flight by terrorists and features Naseeruddin Shah, Pankaj Kapur, Vijay Varma, Arvind Swamy and Dia Mirza. The controversy began on social media on Sunday as many pointed out the non-Muslim names of the hijackers in the show and sought a boycott.

ALSO READ | Netflixs IC814 In #Boycott Turbulence: Kandahar Hijackers Were Bhola, Shankar Or Shahid, Shakir? What MEA Said

However, an earlier Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) note from 2000, which outlined the sequence of events, had conceded that the hijackers had codenamed themselves as Burger, Shankar, Bhola and Doctor. So defenders of the series as well as the writers say that this is not factually wrong and that the names Shankar and Bhola were not invented by the director or the writers.

THE OBJECTIONS

According to sources, the objection is on the following grounds. The portrayal of events during the hijacking of Indian airlines flight IC 814 from Kathmandu to Kandahar in a recent OTT series is far from the truth. The script and characterisation of actors in the series is an attempt to erase facts and replace them with fiction to normalise a crime against the nation masterminded and facilitated by Pakistans ISI, they said.

The plotters of the hijacking had intentionally chosen aliases for the hijackers that would sow confusion. This tactical ploy was repeated later when Pakistani terrorists who attacked Mumbai, most notably Kasab, were made to wear mouli on their wrists as part of their attire, sources said.

ALSO READ | Legitimised Criminal Intent: BJP Slams Anubhav Sinha Over Non-Muslim Names of Terrorists In Kandahar Hijack

Among the issues is that one of the hijackers is shown sympathetic. For example, one of them called Burger was seen telling the air hostess to take care of herself. A shot of hijackers and hijacked playing antakshari is also being seen as wrongful projection.

There was nothing remotely civil or polite about the hijackers. They were hardcore terrorists demanding the release of wanted terrorists who were to later become organisers of targeted killings and massacres. The killer of journalist Daniel Pearl was one of them. The hijackers killed a young passenger and terrorised everybody else, including the crew, leaving them traumatised. Whitewashing these and more facts in the public domain is not creative licence; it is negationism to supplant facts with fiction, said sources.

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

LEGITIMISED CRIMINAL INTENT: BJP IT CELL HEAD

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) IT cell head Amit Malviya in his statement on Sunday said, Film maker Anubhav Sinha legitimised their criminal intent, by furthering their non-Muslim names. Result? Decades later people will think hindus hijacked IC 814. Lefts agenda to whitewash the crimes of Pakistani terrorirts, all Muslims, served.

Even actor-MP Kangana Ranaut, whose movie Emergency is caught in a controversy and its release has been deferred, said, One can even distort real-life events to suit their politically motivated sinister motivesThere is freedom for Communists or Leftists across the world for such anti-national expression, but as a nationalist, no OTT platform allows us to make films that revolves around the integrity and unity of Bharat.

BJP leader Rajeev Chandrasekhar and former minister said: We all know that the hijackers were from the ISI. The I&B ministry will now look into the matter.

Sinha is no stranger to controversy. He is considered to be Left-leaning. His earlier movie Bheed based on the pandemic faced outrage for depicting facts wrongly. Although Sinha is yet to comment on the criticism and boycott calls, the director expressed his gratitude towards those who loved the series.

The social media is divided with many saying creative licence should be allowed to Anubhav Sinha. While others say that a maryada must be followed and nothing that would embolden the Pakistanis should be shown.

DRAFT BROADCAST BILL HAS WAYS TO STREAMLINE CONTENT

The new draft broadcast bill has several provisions to streamline OTT content.

It states:

OTT service providers would need to provide an intimation to the Central Government (likely through the MIB) about their services in India. The obligation here on the OTTs appears to be much lower than that of traditional broadcasters, who require a license to operate.

Adherence with a Program Code and an Advertising Code, both of which have not been released yet.

Content classification, which may take the same shape as the one already prevalent under the IT Rules 2021.

Setting up content evaluation committees consisting of members who are eminent individuals representing different social groups.

A three-tier regulatory mechanism, which includes self-regulation by the broadcasters, establishing self-regulatory organisations, the appointment of a grievance redressal officer, etc.

Introduction of newer and detailed statutory penalties covering different violations. The penalties include censure, heavy monetary penalties, imprisonment and/or fines, etc.

The I&B ministry for long has been asking for reining in OTT platforms. Will this latest controversy reignite this demand?
In a shocking development in Koutruk, Imphal West, the conflict between the Meitei and Kuki communities has taken a dangerous turn, with allegations of Kuki militants deploying advanced drone technology to carry out a deadly attack. This incident, marking a significant escalation in the ongoing violence, saw the use of drones equipped with RPGs (rocket-propelled grenades), a tactic rarely seen in the region and one that has raised alarms among security forces and civilians alike.

A New Dimension of Warfare

While the use of drone bombs has been documented in various global conflicts, their deployment in the domestic strife of Manipur signals a dangerous evolution in the tactics of militant groups. The use of high-tech drones to drop RPGs in a civilian area underscores a strategic shift towards more sophisticated methods of warfare. This escalation is not just a concern for local security forces but also poses a broader challenge to national security, as it suggests the involvement of individuals or groups with significant technical expertise.

The attack, which took place in the early hours, targeted both security forces and civilians, leading to casualties and widespread panic. Eyewitnesses reported hearing loud explosions followed by the sight of drones hovering in the sky, dropping explosives with deadly precision. The sophistication of the attack has led authorities to believe that the militants involved are not just local insurgents but could be backed by external forces providing them with advanced technology and training.

Casualties and Immediate Aftermath

Tragically, the attack claimed the life of Ngangbam Surbala, a 31-year-old civilian who succumbed to bullet injuries sustained during the chaos. Her eight-year-old daughter, who was with her at the time, was also injured, sustaining a wound to her arm. In addition to these civilian casualties, two police personnel and three other civilians were injured, further highlighting the indiscriminate nature of the violence.

The response from security forces was swift, with combing operations initiated immediately to track down the perpetrators. However, the nature of the attack has made it difficult for the forces to quickly neutralise the threat, as the use of drones allows militants to strike from a distance and then retreat, making it challenging to engage them directly.

The Role of External Forces

The involvement of highly trained professionals in this attack cannot be ruled out. The precision and effectiveness of the drone strike suggest that the militants had access to advanced equipment and possibly external support. This has led to concerns that the conflict in Manipur is being influenced by outside forces seeking to destabilise the region further.

Intelligence agencies are now closely monitoring the situation, trying to trace the source of the drones and the RPGs used in the attack. The possibility of foreign involvement or the smuggling of high-tech weaponry into the region is being seriously considered, as the local militant groups have historically not possessed such advanced capabilities.

Impact on the Local Population

The attack has had a profound impact on the local population, exacerbating the fear and mistrust that has already been pervasive in the region due to the ongoing conflict between the Meitei and Kuki communities. The use of drones to target civilians has introduced a new level of terror, as people now have to contend with the possibility of being attacked from the skies without warning.

Local authorities have appealed for calm, urging the public to remain indoors and avoid areas of active conflict. However, the psychological impact of the attack is likely to linger, with residents fearing that this could mark the beginning of a new, more dangerous phase in the conflict.

The Response from Security Forces

In response to the attack, security forces have intensified their operations in the region, focusing on tracking down the militants responsible and preventing further incidents. Combing operations are ongoing, with additional forces being deployed to secure key areas and protect civilians.

The police have also issued a public appeal, urging people to maintain restraint and not to engage in retaliatory violence. The situation remains tense, with the potential for further escalation if the militants are not apprehended quickly.

The use of drones in this attack has also prompted a review of the current security measures in place to counter such threats. Authorities are now considering the deployment of anti-drone technology in the region, as well as enhancing surveillance to detect and neutralise drones before they can be used in attacks.

The Broader Implications

The Koutruk attack has broader implications beyond the immediate violence it has caused. It highlights the evolving nature of the conflict in Manipur and the increasing sophistication of the tactics being used by militant groups. This incident is likely to prompt a reassessment of the security situation in the region, with a focus on countering the growing threat posed by drone warfare.

Moreover, the attack raises questions about the effectiveness of the current counter-insurgency strategy in Manipur. If militants can deploy such advanced technology with apparent ease, the authorities will have to upgrade their existing security apparatus to deal with these new challenges. This could involve not only the acquisition of new technology but also the training of security personnel to handle the complexities of modern warfare.

The involvement of external forces, if confirmed, would also have significant implications for Indias national security strategy. It would indicate that the conflict in Manipur is not just a local issue but part of a larger, possibly international, effort to destabilise the region. This would require a coordinated response from both state and Central governments, possibly involving diplomatic efforts to cut off the supply of weapons and technology to the militants.

Moving Forward

In the wake of this attack, it is clear that the situation in Manipur is at a critical juncture. The use of drones in such a devastating manner is a wake-up call for security forces and policymakers alike. There needs to be a concerted effort to address the root causes of the conflict, while also ensuring that the security apparatus is equipped to deal with the evolving threat landscape.

For the residents of Koutruk and the wider Imphal West region, the immediate focus will be on rebuilding their lives and ensuring their safety in the face of this new threat. However, the long-term solution will require a combination of military, political, and social efforts to bring lasting peace to the region.

As authorities continue their efforts to track down the perpetrators of this attack, the hope is that this incident will serve as a catalyst for a renewed commitment to resolving the conflict in Manipur. Only through a comprehensive approach that addresses both the immediate security concerns and the underlying issues driving the violence can there be hope for lasting peace in the region.

Group Capt MJ Augustine Vinod VSM (retd) tweets at @mjavinod. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views.
The brutal death of a second-year post-graduate student and trainee doctor at Kolkatas RG Kar Medical College and Hospital on August 9, 2024, has profoundly impacted the conscience of West Bengal and the nation at large. Despite frequent incidents of violence and atrocities in West Bengal, often associated with Mamata Banerjees Trinamool Congress (TMC) government, this particular casewhere a resident doctor was brutally attacked, raped, and murdered in the hospitals seminar hallhas shocked the public and spotlighted corruption and sinister activities within the RG Kar Hospital.

Established in 1886 and named after philanthropist Radha Govinda Kar, the hospital was once a beacon of medical education and self-sufficiency. Now, it is infamous for mismanagement, harassment, corruption, and mysterious deaths of doctors. The shocking nature of this crime has brought the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital into the national spotlight.

The brutality of the assault, reminiscent of the Nirbhaya case, has sparked outrage and raised concerns about the depths of human inhumanity. The incident has sent shockwaves through West Bengal, leading to widespread protests in Kolkata demanding justice for the victim, referred to here as Dr Abhaya. These protests quickly escalated, reflecting deep-seated frustration with the TMC governments governance and prompting an unprecedented level of public dissent. The intensity of these demonstrations has unsettled the TMC government, which is more accustomed to a subdued opposition.

Under Mamata Banerjees rule, Bengals political climate has often been described as harsh and undemocratic, with accusations of corruption, human rights violations, and systemic failures. The publics fear of political repression and corruption has been simmering for years, exacerbated by issues such as illegal immigration, poverty, and political violence. The current protests signal a shift in public sentiment, as people, long subdued by fear, are now voicing their demands for change.

Mamata Banerjees government is now grappling with the intensity of these protests. The publics defiance in the face of police crackdowns and other forms of repression has made the situation more precarious for her administration. The Supreme Courts and CBIs involvement provides a glimmer of hope for the people of Bengal, but the real test will be how the state government responds to the demands for justice and reform.

Mamata Banerjees response has been notably subdued, as she faces scrutiny over the administration of RG Kar Hospital, a government institution under her health ministry. The gravity of the situation, coupled with the approaching Assembly elections of 2026, has put her in a precarious position.

Doctors initially led the protests, highlighting poor working conditions and systemic corruption within the healthcare system. Dr Abhayas tragic death has shed light on the broader issues plaguing RG Kar Hospital and similar institutions. The protests have resonated beyond the medical community, drawing in the educated middle class of Bengal, who are now also voicing their discontent. This public movement marks a significant departure from previous periods of political passivity in Bengal. The protests have united people against a regime they feel has regressed the state, drawing comparisons with the CPI(M) era and demonstrating a readiness to challenge the current government.

The TMC has attempted to deflect blame onto the BJP, accusing them of politicising the tragedy, but the publics dissatisfaction with the state government remains palpable. The BJP, as the primary Opposition, faces pressure to address the grievances of the people and hold the state government accountable.

Bengals political culture, characterised by informed and active public discourse, has fostered a climate where the populace is acutely aware of and responsive to political issues. The current unrest reflects a broad rejection of TMC governance, with even its supporters recognising the dangers posed by the states deteriorating security environment.

The lack of substantial response from Opposition leaders outside Bengal reveals their political constraints and underscores the publics disillusionment with the broader political landscape. The death of Dr Abhaya has exposed systemic flaws and triggered a critical moment for Bengal. The ongoing protests will determine whether this collective movement can sustain momentum and drive meaningful change, or whether the state will return to its previous state of political stagnation.

The future of Bengal will hinge on how its people navigate this moment of truth and the actions they take in the face of corruption and governance failure.

The author is a columnist, educationist, social worker, advisor to Indian and foreign organisations and trainer and mentor of senior executives in corporate India. She is also a member of the BJP. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views.
The attack on former NCP corporator Vanraj Andekar, who was killed after allegedly being shot and assaulted with sharp weapons, has been captured on CCTV from the vicinity of the incident.

The footage shows at least 12-13 men arriving on six motorcycles. One individual, dressed in a yellow T-shirt and brandishing a chopper, can be seen leading the chase as his associates chased Andekar, who had fled inside his home.

The attack, which lasted barely a minute, ended with the assailants fleeing in different directions.

The incident took place on Sunday night around 8:30 pm near Doke Talim in Punes Nana Peth area, where Andekar was residing.

According to the police, Andekar was shot at least five times and also attacked with sharp weapons on his neck and head.

He was rushed to KEM Hospital but was declared dead on arrival. His body was taken to Sassoon General Hospital for an autopsy early Monday morning.

Witnesses claim some shots were fired but Andekar succumbed to injuries inflicted on his head and neck by sharp weapons. An empty cartridge was found in the deceaseds clothing, said Additional Commissioner of Police, Pravin Patil.

So far, three suspects have been arrested in connection with the murder.

Additionally, the police suspect that a relative of Andekar, who was in his late 30s, orchestrated the attack over an ongoing dispute.

Andekar was previously associated with the Nationalist Congress Party (undivided) before the Pune civic body was brought under state administration.

(With inputs from agencies)
Beijing (Gasgoo)- On August 31, Chinese automaker Changan Automobile held its 2024 Middle East and Africa Brand Event in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. At the event, Changan introduced three major brands and outlined its future product lineup for the region, while announcing plans to enhance localized operations and services, presenting a comprehensive vision for its renewed presence in the Middle East and Africa.

Photo credit: Changan Automobile

Since entering the Middle East and African markets in 1994, Changan has consistently provided high-quality vehicles, including popular models such as the Yuexiang series, CS series, and UNI series. The company boasts over 100 service touchpoints in the region and operates the world's largest Changan flagship store in Riyadh. Changan has long held the position of the top-selling Chinese auto brand in Saudi Arabia, with cumulative sales exceeding 400,000 units in the region.

Photo credit: Changan Automobile

Looking ahead, Changan plans to introduce 10 models in the Middle East and Africa, including the UNI-S and the new UNI-V 2.0T. The company also aims to launch advanced smart cloud services and expand its lineup with new energy vehicles from DEEPAL and AVATR brands. Changan is committed to enhancing customer service by establishing a local subsidiary, spare parts centers, and a technical support hub, aiming to improve response times by 50%. Additionally, Changan will build a professional maintenance team to offer comprehensive service experiences and explore diverse collaborations, including joint ventures, financial services, and logistics.

Amid the Saudi Vision 2030 initiative, which emphasizes economic and energy transformation, Changan is poised to capitalize on the growing demand for electric vehicles in the Middle East and Africa. The company is pursuing a dual strategy of expanding both petrol and new energy vehicle offerings to tap into this emerging market. Changan's goal is to achieve overseas sales of 1.2 million units annually by 2030, with the Middle East and Africa playing a pivotal role.

Simultaneously, Changan Automobile is enhancing its global footprint, with its Thailand factory set to begin local production in Southeast Asia. DEEPAL has also commenced presales in Latin America, with plans to enter Europe, Australia, and New Zealand. In the first seven months of 2024, Changan's overseas sales reached 228,000 units, which soared 67.6% year over year.
Petitions to the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC), other UN organisations and government ministries such as external affairs and home to support persecuted Bangladeshi Hindus have been the focal point in the first two days of the Samanvaya Baithak of the RSS.

Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat has directed all affiliates and inspired organisations to assist Bangladeshi Hindus in every way possible, News18 has learnt.

The organisations will submit petitions to the government and international organisations, while building more global support in favour of the Hindus and putting pressure on the interim government to secure the community in the neighbouring country. The organisations have also been asked to initiate signature campaigns, while some affiliates like Pragya Pravah have already collected over a lakh signatures, and there will be more such campaigns, sources in the RSS ranks said.

ALSO READ | Inside The 3-Day RSS Samanvay Baithak In Palakkad: The Discipline, Way Ahead & Naddas Brief Appearance

Additionally, the RSS seniors also discussed and deliberated upon the concerted effort to divide Hindus on caste lines. There are divisive forces that promote caste-based biases and all RSS organisations have to find ways to counter such divisive campaigns. This includes expanding organisational outreach by all affiliated and inspired groups to strengthen ties with SC, ST, OBC, and Dalit communities with the aim of defeating castiest agendas, the organisations were told.

Absence of electoral-political discourse

In the recent discussions, there was absence of political discourse as such, a senior source in the RSS added. BJP president JP Naddas presentation, delivered on Sunday, was focused on organisational matters, providing detailed reports rather than engaging in electoral discussions. The election results had already been deliberated upon in Ranchi and hence were not brought up during the coordination meeting, News18 has learnt.

The RSS chief, along with senior functionaries, emphasised the critical importance of maintaining absolute cohesion among all organisations. This unity is seen as essential for the collective strength and effectiveness of their efforts.
Police have arrested two suspects in connection with the firing incident in Pune that claimed the life of former Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) corporator Vanraj Andekar. The arrested persons are currently being interrogated by the police.

The incident took place on Sunday night at around 8:30 pm near Doke Talim in Punes Nana Peth area where Andekar was residing. Police officials said that Andekar was fired five rounds following which he was taken to hospital but he succumbed to his injuries. Andekars body has been sent to Sassoon Hospital for postmortem.

Police suspect that the murder was driven by a family dispute and financial issues. They believe that Andekar was shot by a close relative due to prior enmity. The assailant, who was on a bike, fired five rounds at him and later attacked him with sharp weapons.

It has been reported that the power supply in the Doke Talim area was interrupted just before the attack. This firing, occurring on the eve of Ganeshotsav, has created an atmosphere of fear in the Nana Peth area. The police are trying to ascertain the reason behind the attack.

Five rounds were fired at Vanraj Andekar. He was also attacked with long-blade sickles. He was brought dead to the KEM Hospital. As per the primary information, Andekar suffered multiple sharp weapon injuries. Further details will be given in due course, said Joint Commissioner of Police Ranjan Kumar Sharma.

Earlier in January, gangster Sharad Mohol was shot and killed allegedly by some members of his gang in Punes Kothrud area.
The All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) has announced it will no longer send its party spokespersons to three TV news channelsABP Ananda, Republic, and TV9due to their persistent anti-Bengal agenda-driven propaganda.

In an X post shared on Sunday, the Trinamool Congress stated, AITC has, for now decided not to send its spokespersons to media channels like ABP Ananda, Republic, and TV9 due to their persistent anti-Bengal agenda-driven propaganda.

Statement in connection with the recent media developments pic.twitter.com/e5qvjd4oBm All India Trinamool Congress (@AITCofficial) September 1, 2024

The Mamata Banerjee-led party stated that these channels need to appease the Zamindars of Delhi due to the investigations and ongoing enforcement cases faced by their promoters and companies.

AITC also urged the people of Bengal not to be misled by individuals on these platforms who claim to be party supporters. We also clarify and request the people of West Bengal not to be misled by individuals portrayed as party supporters or sympathisers on these platforms during discussions or debates, as they are not authorized by the party and do not represent our official stance, the statement said.

Furthermore, the party emphasised that the people of Bengal have consistently rejected this unholy nexus and have always chosen truth over propaganda.

The people of Bengal have consistently rejected this unholy BANGLA BIRODHI NEXUS and have always chosen TRUTH over PROPAGANDA!, TMC stated.

Reacting to Trinamools decision of boycotting the channels, BJP in an X post said: The TMC was always dictatorial and opposed to the idea of free speech. Their decision to boycott three popular news channels in West BengalTV9, Republic, and ABP Ananda bears us out. But this decision is not a consequence of any principles, because Mamata Banerjee and her party have none, but out of growing frustration and inability to face the truth.

The TMC was always dictatorial and opposed to the idea of free speech. Their decision to boycott three popular news channels in West BengalTV9, Republic, and ABP Ananda bears us out.But this decision is not a consequence of any principles, because Mamata Banerjee and her party pic.twitter.com/lKvc8ZarY3  BJP West Bengal (@BJP4Bengal) September 1, 2024

TMCs decision to boycott the channels comes after a recent controversy involving party MP Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar, who faced condemnation from the medical community for her derogatory remarks during a television debate, for which she later issued a formal apology.

During the panel discussion organised by a vernacular television channel, Dastidar claimed that, during her time as a medical student, there was a trend where female students secured qualifying marks by sitting on the lap of teaching doctors.

Dastidar, an alumnus of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, also alleged that students who protested against this practice were awarded lower marks. She expressed her disbelief and 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.

.

Dastidar, a medical practitioner in private life, faced massive criticism from the medical fraternity, with various doctors associations even calling for her suspension from the Indian Medical Association (IMA).

(With inputs from IANS)
The decision of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) to hold its first-ever critical coordination meeting in Palakkad, Kerala, is deeply symbolic. While it reflects the Sanghs efforts to bridge the gap between North and South, Palakkad is also one of the districts in the state that has recently seen a saffron surge despite the dominance of Communists and Congress.

In Palakkad, tucked in a quaint corner of Kerala, over 30 RSS swayamsevaks have been killed in political violence. The choice of venue underscores the RSSs resolve to assert its presence in Kerala, particularly in a region where it has faced relentless hostility, including from the PFI (Popular Front of India) that is now banned by the government.

According to a senior RSS functionary, the meeting marks not just a strategic move but a defiant statement of the Sanghs resilience and determination to expand its influence in the southern-most state. The backdrop of the three-day Akhil Bharatiya Samanvaya Baithak, which started on Saturday, is the important moments in the history of Kerala Renaissance and the expressions of Kerala identity. Pictures of Adi Shankaracharya, Shankara Stupa at Kaladi, Sree Narayana Gurudeva in the background of Sivagiri and Naranath Bhrantan of Parajipeta Panthirukulam graced the stage on the opening day, he said.

Pandit Karuppans backwater conference, Mahatma-jis visit to Vaikom Satyagraha agitation venue, Mahatma Ayyankalis bullock cart strike, freedom struggle led by Pazhassi Raja and the tribal people in the Northern Kerala, the courageous war of Veluthambi in Travancore, and the victory of Marthandavarma in the battle of Colachel will be the background of the venue in the following days, he added.

Courting Palakkads Diverse Communities

Palakkad is the only district in Kerala where the BJP has won in the Palakkad municipality, one of six civic bodies in the district. Palakkad municipality has 52 seats and the party is ruling now after winning 28 in the 2020 civic elections.

KM Haridas, the BJP district president in Palakkad is, however, navigating a complex political landscape as the party works to strengthen its foothold in a region marked by diverse religious communities and rising tensions. The district, which encompasses 88 panchayats and seven municipalities, has seen significant BJP activity, with 122 panchayat members and 28 ward members spread across the municipality area.

The Christian community in Palakkad and in other places has been increasingly anxious, particularly with the spectre of love jihad and a series of murders in the past two years contributing to a climate of fear, Haridas told News18, sitting in the renovated and swanky district office of the party.

The community, which comprises a significant portion of the population, has traditionally leaned away from BJP. However, this year, it is estimated that a good percentage from the community voted for the BJP in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, said S Padmanavan, another senior leader of the party in the district.

Community Outreach

Palakkad is home to 176 churches, serving a wide array of Christian denominations. The Roman Catholic community alone has 26,000 families, while the Orthodox Church has 21 churches with 4,000 families. Additionally, the Mar Thoma Church, with 15 churches, supports 3,000 families, and the Jacobite Syrian Christian Church, with 10 churches, includes 2,000 families.

In an effort to foster goodwill, BJP members, under Haridass leadership, have been engaging with these communities during key religious festivals, such as Easter and Christmas, by making home visits and sharing cakes. Similar outreach efforts have been made to the Muslim community during Ramadan and Eid, said Padmanabhan.

Palakkad is also the site of a Smart City initiative, reflecting the districts growing significance. As we continue with this outreach, the partys strategies will likely focus on addressing the concerns of these religious communities while expanding its influence in the district, said Haridas.
September 2024 is no less than a Tech-treat for technology enthusiasts. Several big brands will unveil their high-end smartphones with advanced features and better performances in the Indian market this month. These include Apple, Xiaomi, and Motorola, among others. Here's a list of smartphones that you can look forward to over the next few weeks.

Apple iPhone 16 Series

Tech giant Apple is all set to unveil its highly anticipated iPhone 16 series at its Glowtime event on September 9. The lineup includes iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max. These handsets are expected to offer considerable improvements to their processor, and camera and look over their predecessors, strengthening Apple's dominance in the smartphone market.

Xiaomi Mi Mix Flip

Xiaomi, the Chinese smartphone brand is expanding its foldable smartphone lineup with the launch of Mi Mix Flip foldable phone in India. Reports say the device is set to be launched in the second half of September and will feature Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset, promising high performance and efficiency. On the imaging front, it will feature a dual rear camera setup including a 50 MP Telephoto lens and a 50 MP Wide Angle lens. For better selfies and video calls, it will consist of a 32 MP front-facing camera.

Tecno Phantom V Fold 2

Another Chinese tech brand Tecno could be launching its high-end foldable smartphone, the Tecno Phantom V Fold 2 in mid-September with significant improvements in terms of performance and camera than its predecessors. The Phantom V Fold 2 is expected to provide a smooth user experience thanks to its foldable design.

Vivo V40e

Vivo will introduce its new budgeted 5G smartphone, the Vivo V40e in September second week. This smartphone may appeal to those who want extended battery life without sacrificing performance or design. It is expected to pack a huge 5,500 mAh battery. Vivo is expected to have another mid-range device launching this month which is tipped to be in the T-series.

Motorola Razr 50

Motorola Razr 50 foldable smartphone is scheduled for release on September 9. It will feature a 6.9-inch primary display and a 3.6-inch pOLED cover display. On the imaging front, it is expected to sport a dual outer camera unit with a 50-megapixel primary sensor and a 13-megapixel ultra-wide-angle camera. Additionally, it is likely to have a 32 MP front-facing camera.

Infinix Hot 50

Infinix, another Chinese smartphone brand, is set to launch its Hot 50 smartphone on September 5. This device is claimed to be the slimmest and most reliable 5G smartphone. It will be 7.8mm thin and pack a punch-hole display with Wet Touch technology. The device is expected to provide adequate performance and features at an affordable cost, making it a powerful rival in the entry-level smartphone market.
It is not just another Monday for Mahindra Group chairperson Anand Mahindra. Often sharing Monday Motivation posts on X, the businessman took a distinct route today. He addressed a situation questioning his loyalty to his brand. It started when a social media user tried to call out the entrepreneur for driving BMW and Mercedes cars instead of a Mahindra Thar. He dropped a heartfelt clarification, highlighting his dedication to his brand and connection to its vehicles.

Rattan Dhillon, a self-proclaimed auto-enthusiast, in a post shared on September 1, questioned Mahindras advocacy for the Made in India initiative. Dhillon added a few pictures saying the businessman owned a range of luxury cars. The conversation continued after Autocar India Editor Hormazd Sorabjee joined, refuting claims that Mahindra owned any product other than his own.

Given Mr. Anand Mahindras strong advocacy for Made in India, why does he opt to drive BMW and Mercedes cars instead of a Mahindra Thar, which is built by his own company? @anandmahindra pic.twitter.com/aHl299W1DI Rattan Dhillon (@ShivrattanDhil1) September 1, 2024

Hormzad, in a post on X said, Have just witnessed the anatomy of fake news! How a blatant lie gets blind validation by moral grandstanders & then spreads! Scary how someone like @anandmahindra who has never owned any car (even privately) other than a Mahindra for the last 30+ years can get so easily maligned.

Have just witnessed the anatomy of fake news ! How a blatant lie gets blind validation by moral granstanders & then spreads! Scary how someone like @anandmahindra who has never owned any car (even privately) other than a Mahindra for the last 30+ years can get so easily maligned https://t.co/8PDKbRgnwm Hormazd Sorabjee (@hormazdsorabjee) September 1, 2024

On Monday, Anand Mahindra dropped a clarification post, listing down his vehicles including a Hindustan Motors Contessa which he was allotted by his company in 1991 to a Red Scorpio N. He even mentioned occasionally borrowing his wifes silver XUV 7OO. The businessman wrote, Since the Armada, I have NEVER owned or used any car of another brand. It is a matter of enormous pride for me to use a car built by our company.

Hormazd, you have covered Mahindra since the time I joined the company. So you are in a unique position to call out this fabricated and fake story. Thank you.And for the record: I was taught how to drive by my mother, in her light sky-blue colour Premier car (earlier known as https://t.co/BXFr3hfYVU  anand mahindra (@anandmahindra) September 2, 2024

Addressing the image shared by Rattan Dhillon, he shared that the photo was clicked at the Monterey Car Week, during the launch of Mahindras Battista electric hypercar. He added that it was a classic vintage Cisitalia, designed by Pininfarina. FYI, Pininfarina is owned by Mahindra.

People extended support to the entrepreneur as one of the users commented, Mahindra ji owns Mahindra cars but people love to spread random fake news.

@hormazdsorabjee sir you are absolutely right. Mahindra ji owns Mahindra carsbut people love to spread random fake news Gayatri Kushwaha (@KushwahGayat) September 2, 2024

I recall how, even in Rome, during the Automobili Pininfarina launch, there was a black XUV parked outside his hotel, used as his vehicle. Always one to walk the talk, added another user in a post.

I recall how, even in Rome, during the Automobilii Pininfarina launch, there was a black XUV parked outside his hotel, used as his personal vehicle. Always one to walk the talk. Parth Charan (@ParthCharan) September 1, 2024

The post, shared by Anand Mahindra, has garnered nearly 55K views on the microblogging site.
India is at the forefront of innovative low-cost healthcare, providing high-quality treatment at the lowest possible cost. Recently, the Chinese Embassy spokesperson also commended Indian medicines for curing her sore throat and discomfort in neck.

The Chinese representative, Yu Jing, said, Sincerely praise the Indian medicine, which cured my sore throat and neck pain effectively. Good quality at a fair price. Incredible!

Sincerely praise the Indian medicine, which cured my sore throat and neck pain effectively. Good quality at a fair price. Incredible! pic.twitter.com/W57QGmNcHg Yu Jing (@ChinaSpox_India) September 1, 2024

The post has garnered more than 3 lakh views.

A comment read, The ease of accessibility in the Indian healthcare system is something which we dont hype enough as most of it gets shadowed by facilities & other problems arising from low doctors: population ratio.

The ease of accessibility in Indian healthcare system is something which we don't hype enough as most of it gets shadowed by facilities & other problems arising from low doctors:population ratio. Johns (@JohnyBravo183) September 1, 2024

Another comment read, Indian medicine never fails to impress! truly grateful!

Indian medicine never fails to impress! truly grateful!  Dr Akkshye Tulsyan (@AkkshyeTulsyan) September 1, 2024

A third user said, You bet, they are good.

You bet, they are good   (@sidd_sharma01) September 1, 2024

A comment read, Happy to hear Indian medicine came through for you! Quality and affordability go hand in hand. thank you for sharing!

Happy to hear Indian medicine came through for you! Quality and affordability go hand in hand. thank you for sharing!  Naariyal (@Naariyaal) September 1, 2024

A user suggested, U can try some ayurvedic medicine also..or drink kadha which is a combination of turmeric+tulsi leaves + black pepper + ginger + cardamom + cinnamon + honey ..add all in warm water and stir for 20 min..and drink.

U can try some ayurvedic medicine also..or drink kadha which is a combination of turmeric+tulsi leaves + black pepper + ginger + cardamom + cinnamon + honey ..add all in warm water and stir for 20 min..and drink. Abhilash Panda (@pandaofbharat) September 1, 2024

The nations healthcare delivery system can be divided into two main categories, according to the India Brand Equity Foundation (IBEF): public and private.

The governments public healthcare system, or Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs) in rural regions, provides basic healthcare services.

Mainly in metros and tier-I and tier-II cities, the private sector operates most secondary, tertiary, and quaternary healthcare facilities.

According to the IBEF, surgery in India costs around one-tenth of what it does in the United States or Western Europe. It also notes that the nations medical tourism industry has grown due to the low cost of healthcare.
Everyone desires to look younger than their age, but it is not always achievable. However, some people seem naturally ageless, making it hard to determine their real age just by looking at them. One such person is Lee Hyo-Jong, a 52-year-old businesswoman from South Korea who looks astonishingly youthful. Despite being in her 50s, she appears to be just 24 or 25, leaving people astonished.

Lee, owner of the London Bagel Museum cafe in Seoul, has gained viral fame on social media for her youthful appearance. Born in 1973, her lean physique and stylish attire make her look decades younger. Her remarkable looks were first highlighted when a customer shared her pictures online, leading to widespread attention.

According to the Auditi Central website, her pictures were posted on social media by a customer, after which she became famous. When asked about her secret, Lee Hyo Jong preferred not to comment, stating that she wants to focus more on her business. She manages three cafes and prioritises her work over discussing her age.

The internet is abuzz with admiration for Lees appearance, with many people expressing awe at her youthful looks through social media. While Lee keeps her secrets private, her story continues to captivate and inspire those who dream of retaining their youthful charm.
Acts of heroism often unfold in unexpected moments, reminding us of the extraordinary impact a person can have in saving lives. Recently, at Mumbais Goregaon Railway Station, an off-duty Mumbai Police officers swift actions prevented what could have been a tragic incident. The event unfolded when a man attempted to board a moving train, only to misstep and fall into the narrow gap between the train and the platform.

As the man struggled, dangerously close to being crushed, Police Constable Balaso Dhage, who was heading home, spotted the urgent situation. Without a moments hesitation, he dashed to the scene and pulled the man to safety just in time. A video capturing the man falling and getting trapped, followed by PC Dhages quick and decisive rescue is going viral online. Onlookers quickly gathered to check on the man, who, fortunately, was unharmed.

Mumbai Police later shared the video on social media, praising PC Dhages heroic actions. The caption read, PC Balaso Dhage, while commuting back home, saw a man stuck between a moving train and the platform at Goregaon Railway Station. Responding quickly to the situation, PC Dhage averted a tragedy & saved his life.

Watch the video here:

Since being posted online, the footage of PC Dhages heroic rescue has captured widespread attention, racking up over 8.5 lakh views. The comment section is brimming with admiration and gratitude for the officers swift and brave actions.

One user expressed, God bless the officer for saving a life, while another added, Once a police. Always a police. On duty ho ya off duty. He or she knows their duty, that is to protect everyone.

A viewer suggested, 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 praises didnt stop there. A person shared Thats how our Mumbai police care for their citizens, while an Instagram user chimed in with, Salute to the quickthinking Braveheart!

Mumbai Police Proud of you brother hats off no words to tell that how you safe the life of some one that too you are not there on the duty you are an example for the all police department that if a police officer is wearing the uniform or not but have to do hes her duty at all the time hats of to the entire mumbai police department, another comment read.
A mega thrift store recently opened in Pakistan but the inauguration didnt go as planned. Named Dream Bazar, the shop offers clothing, fashion accessories and home essentials at comparatively lower prices. Every item had a huge discount on the opening day and the locals appeared to be in no mood to lose the opportunity. In several clips going viral, a large mob was seen breaking into the thrift store, located at the Gulshan-e-Johar mega mall in Karachi.

According to Pakistani channel, ARY News, the situation turned chaotic when over a thousand people tried to forcefully enter the shop, which is claimed to be the biggest thrift store in Pakistan. The management of Dream Bazar was unable to control the crowd which allegedly vandalised and looted the shop.

There were videos in which a sea of people could be seen waiting outside the gate. They engaged in a brawl as everyone was desperate to find their way into the shop.

A Huge Mall Dream Bazar was built by a Pak foreign businessesman in Karachi, Pakistan- On it's inauguration yesterday he offered special discount for Pakistani locals.. and the whole Mall was looted pic.twitter.com/ah4d2ULh3l Megh Updates  (@MeghUpdates) September 1, 2024

As per the news portal, the thrift store opened at 3 pm on Sunday, September 11, and the situation went out of control in just 15 minutes. The outlet further claimed that the crowd had almost looted half of the shop by 3:30 pm. In one of the viral videos, a shop operator was seen expressing his disappointment, sharing details of the incident.

We tried to provide convenience to the people of Karachi. we never claimed our products were on sale or at wholesale rates. But look at what has happened to the store, the person revealed. Another employee appeared in the same clip and added, We were so excited and worked hard for 20 days, only to see the store destroyed.

This is what happened with that "Dream Bazar" opening today Mashallah the awaam such ethics  #Karachi pic.twitter.com/VKqyNI9uOH Mohammad Tayyab (@tayyabispak) August 30, 2024

Many social media users have criticised the event. One of them said, What else can you expect from a country where lawlessness is the norm? A place where even a generous gesture turns into chaos. This incident speaks volumes about the state of affairs in Pakistan.

What else can you expect from a country where lawlessness is the norm? A place where even a generous gesture turns into chaos. This incident speaks volumes about the state of affairs in Pakistan. Deepak Arora (@iAroraDeepak) September 1, 2024

Another user noted, This city (Karachi) has always been most notorious for crime. Something like how Mumbai was popular in the 80s. Now, with their economy screwed, it is next level!

This city has always been most notorious for crime. Something like how Mumbai was popular for in 80s. Now, with tbeir economy screwed, it is next level!      (@DrRajeshDBhat) September 1, 2024

A person sarcastically said, The country which has predominantly been ruled by the military has zero discipline in the civic way of life. What an irony.

The country which has predominantly been ruled by military has zero discipline in the civic way of life. What an irony ! Parag Mandpe (@ParagMandpe) September 1, 2024

An Indian citizen reckons one can easily assess the financial situation in the neighbouring country by watching the viral videos.

You can easily assess the financial situation in neibouring country.  rgspeaks (@rgspeaks369) September 1, 2024

The unruly crowd reportedly caused damage to the property as well. Garments and other items were scattered all across the floor. According to eyewitnesses, no police personnel was present near Dream Bazar when the store opened.
Beijing (Gasgoo)- In August 2024, Chery Holding sold 211,879 vehicles, marking a 23.7% year-over-year increase, the automaker announced on September 2.

Chery booth at Chengdu Motor Show; photo credit: Chery

In the past month, Chery Holdings new energy vehicle (NEV) sales surged to 46,526 units, representing a 158.5% soar compared to the previous year, while exports reached 97,866 units, up 12.7% year over year.

From January to August this year, Chery Holdings cumulative vehicle sales totaled 1,508,259 units, representing a 41.9% surge from the same period last year. In the domestic market, Chery sold 787,954 vehicles, leaping 61.57% year on year, while overseas exports stood at 720,305 units, jumping 25.2% from a year ago.

In the first eight months of this year, Chery sold 1,235,412 oil-fueled vehicles, reflecting a 27.6% increase year-over-year. Meanwhile, its NEV sales reached 272,847 units in the period, shooting up 187% from the previous year.

Photo credit: Chery

Breaking down the performance by brand, Cherys four main passenger vehicle brands showed strong growth.

The Chery brand sold 131,734 vehicles in August this year, with cumulative sales amounting to 961,624 units from January to August, which surged 34.8% year over year.

The EXEED brand recorded sales of 11,339 vehicles in August, with a total of 80,229 vehicles sold in the first eight months of this year, which indicated a 22% year-on-year growth.

The JETOUR brand achieved sales of 51,785 vehicles in August, resulting in year-to-date sales of 316,446 vehicles, which reflected a 95.5% year-over-year spike. Notably, the brands sales volume in the first eight months of 2024 has already surpassed its total sales for the entire year of 2023.

The automakers new energy vehicle brand iCAR saw its first production model go on sale six months ago. The model realized monthly sales of 5,967 units in August, with a total of 37,681 units sold so far this year.
In a sign of the rising anti-Hindu sentiment in Bangladesh, a video of women crying over the restriction on access to highway and markets has surfaced.

CNN-News18 has exclusively accessed the video from Gopalganj district. According to local sources, women are also being threatened to leave the country.

Bangladeshs Jamat-e-Islami is acting against Hindus. During the flood relief work, too, Hindus were asked to leave, said sources.

Earlier, the group had forced teachers to resign and a principal was humiliated with a garland of shoes on the streets of Bangladesh. In Kazipur area, the group vandalised Sufi shrines.

Top intelligence sources said: The Bangladesh situation is troubling us. We are in touch with the Yunus government, but they will take time to understand the gravity of the situation. They are guided by anti-India sentiments because of Indian governments proximity with former PM Sheikh Hasina. They want Hasina to be handed over which is a subject of review and political decisions.

Hasina landed at the Hindon airbase near Delhi on August 5, as part of her plan to go to London, hours after she resigned as the Bangladesh prime minister following weeks of anti-government protests that killed nearly 300 people. With her asylum not working out in the UK or US, she has extended her stay in India on visa.

Hasina will be back in the country as soon as democracy is restored, her son Sajeeb Wazed Joy had said last. Meanwhile, Prof Mohammad Yunus took oath as the head of Bangladeshs interim government.

REVIEW OF MOUS

News18 had earlier reported how Dhakas Foreign Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud is keen to review and scrap some Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) with India which are not beneficial or have given any results.

In response, sources in the Indian government said: New Delhi and Dhaka are close to each other. We have strategic interests because of border sharing. So far, nothing has come to us officially on the review of MOUs, but we will see when it comes. This is the initial stage of the new government. They will have a different vision as they evolve.

In June 2024, the Sheikh Hasina government signed 10 MoUs out of which seven were new and three were renewed. The MoUs were signed after the delegation-level talks between the two countries at the Hyderabad House during Hasinas two-day state visit to India.

The minister met the media in Dhaka after returning from OIC Meet. Earlier, he had said that Bangladesh wants Hasina to be handed over to India for the cases filed against her as her Red Passport is already cancelled. Handing over Hasina on the basis of cases filed against her is a view which we will take only based on what we receive, said Indian government sources.

The Bangladesh government also wants Indian contractors to come soon to the country and start working on the pending projects.
Australia introduced new restrictions on international student enrollment and has capped the number of overseas students at 270,000 for the year 2025.

This limit will apply to both higher education and vocational courses and applies to fresh international students who will begin their studies in Australia for the first time in 2025.

Students enrolling themselves in school, postgraduate research students and some English Language students have been exempted from the cap, a report by the Times Of India said.

Australia has set a cap of 145,000 new international students for public universities in 2025, based on the percentage of international enrollments on campuses. Private universities and non-higher education institutions will have a limit of 30,000 new students. The vocational education sector is capped at 95,000 new international students, as per the new rules.

The shock announcement related to setting a cap comes as students aspiring to go to Australia for higher education were coming to terms with the visa-fee hikes and higher savings requirements, announced earlier this July.

The effect is visible as the Australian government report shows a decline in study visas granted to offshore applicants.

From January to April this year, 74,421 study visas were issued. This represents a 30% decrease compared to 104,808 visas granted during the same period in 2023. The vocational education and training sector experienced a 69% decline in visa grants. The language training sector saw a 56% drop.

Together, these two sectors accounted for 61% of the total decline in visa grants for the January-April period this year, as per data collected from the Australian home affairs department.

The International Consultants for Education and Fairs Monitor, popularly known as the ICEF Monitor, a market intelligence platform for the international education sector, said that that study visa grants issued by the Australian government have declined in the first four months of 2024, months before the Australian government announced visa fee hikes, hike in minimum saving requirements or even the cap on international students.

How Does It Impact Indian Students?

The Times Of India, citing its own data, said in 2023, Australia was home to nearly 124,000 Indian students. However, this number has fallen to around 118,000 between January and May 2024.

A separate report by the Indian Express, citing immigration consultant Gaurav Chaudhary, said that the move will reduce the number of Indian students going to Australia for higher education.

He also told the newspaper that the Australian government will soon introduce quotas for public universities, which will again have an impact on the number of students going to Australia.

Education Minister Jason Clare said this policy, if approved by the Australian parliament, will allocate the student intake between higher education and vocational education and training (VET) sectors.

The Group of Eight (Go8), which comprises Australias leading research-intensive universities  the University of Melbourne, the Australian National University, the University of Sydney, the University of Queensland, the University of Western Australia, the University of Adelaide, Monash University and UNSW Sydney have termed the cap as bad policy.

This policy was bad yesterday and it is bad today  the unexplained number gives us no comfort, it said in a press release.
Bangladeshs Foreign Affairs Adviser Touhid Hossain on Monday said the interim government wants to see strong people-to-people ties with India, suggesting that this was lacking during the previous Sheikh Hasina regime.

Its possible to ease public dissatisfaction towards India. I believe we need to take correct bilateral steps to address this, Hossain told reporters here.

He said that while the golden chapter of Bangladesh-India relations was apparent at the governmental level, it has not extended to the general public, the state-owned BSS news agency reported.

HC Pranay Verma called on Home & Agriculture Adviser H.E. Lt Gen (Retd) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury today. Discussed areas of engagement to advancesecurity cooperation, exchanged views on border management, capacity building, and safety & security of nationals & students in pic.twitter.com/oXLpi7F5MC India in Bangladesh (@ihcdhaka) September 2, 2024

We want to see strong people-to-people ties. The public should feel that there is a genuinely good relationship between Bangladesh and India, but unfortunately, this aspect has been lacking, he said.

He criticised the Indian media for creating exaggerated narratives after the student-people revolution.

On regional cooperation, Hossain said there was a hope that the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) could serve as an alternative to the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC).

However, he pointed out that BIMSTEC cannot become fully effective until peace is restored in Myanmar.

He emphasised that Bangladesh does not currently want to see BIMSTEC as a replacement for SAARC.

Hossain noted that Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus is keen on revitalizing SAARC as a regional forum.

The SAARC has not been very effective since 2016, as its biennial summits have not taken place since the last one in Kathmandu in 2014.

The 2016 SAARC Summit was to be held in Islamabad. But after the terrorist attack on an Indian Army camp in Uri in Jammu and Kashmir on September 18 that year, India expressed its inability to participate in the summit due to prevailing circumstances.

The summit was called off after Bangladesh, Bhutan and Afghanistan also declined to participate in the Islamabad meet.

The regional grouping comprises Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

Envoy Meets Interim Govt Advisers

Indian High Commissioner Pranay Verma Monday met the interim governments Home and Agriculture Adviser Lt Gen (Retd.) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury and discussed areas of engagement to advance security cooperation, exchanged views on border management, capacity building, and safety of Indian nationals in Bangladesh.

During his courtesy meeting with Chowdhury, Verma also announced that Indian visa centres are now issuing a limited number of visas for Bangladeshi nationals, primarily for emergency medical needs and students pursuing studies abroad.

HC Pranay Verma called on Bangladesh Home & Agriculture Adviser Lt Gen (Retd) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury today. Discussed areas of engagement to advance India-Bangladesh security cooperation, exchanged views on border management, capacity building, and safety & security of India nationals & students in Bangladesh, the High Commission of India in Bangladesh said in a post on X.

They also discussed areas of mutual interest in the agriculture sector, including possible collaboration between agricultural research institutions and exchanges in mechanised farming, post-harvest management etc, the mission said in another post.

According to the Daily Star newspaper, the meeting addressed a range of bilateral issues, including police reforms, border security, and the safety of Indian nationals in Bangladesh.

Our two countries should work together on flood warning and forecasting, the adviser was quoted as saying in the paper.

Verma assured him of Indias assistance with necessary data and information for flood warning and forecasting, the paper added.

The adviser assured the high commissioner that the Indian nationals residing in Bangladesh would be provided full security. He added that Indian students are welcome to continue their studies in Bangladesh, the paper said.

The interim government headed by 84-year-old Nobel laureate Yunus was installed days after prime minister Sheikh Hasina resigned and fled to India on August 5 following unprecedented anti-government student-led protests over a controversial quota system in government jobs.
Donald Trump has blasted US President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris following the deaths of six Hamas hostages, including 23-year-old Israeli-American Hersh Goldberg-Polin.

The US President, who made his remarks on Truth Social, accused the Biden administration of poor leadership that he claims led to the tragic outcome. 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 said in his post.

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, he added.

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. Make no mistake  This happened because Comrade Kamala Harris and Donald J. Trump Posts From His Truth Social (@TrumpDailyPosts) September 1, 2024

Blood on their hands

He further asserted that the deaths were a direct result of Biden and Harriss leadership failures, claiming they have blood on their hands and that such terror would not have occurred under his administration. The bodies of the hostages were recovered in Rafah, Gaza, where they had reportedly been killed by gunfire a few days prior.

Biden expressed outrage over the killing and said, Make no mistake, Hamas leaders will pay for these crimes. He also reached out to Goldberg-Polins parents to offer condolences, describing them as courageous, wise, and steadfast. Harris also communicated with the family, expressing her heartbreak over their loss.

READ MORE: Evil Terrorist Organisation: Biden Flays Hamas After Body Of Israeli-American Hostage Found In Gaza Tunnel

In her statement, she stressed that they are not alone in their grief and condemned Hamas for its actions. The hostages were abducted during a surprise attack by Hamas on October 7, while attending a music festival in Israel. Goldberg-Polin was among those taken, sustaining severe injuries during the attack.

Hundreds of thousands of protestors took to the streets in Israel on Sunday following the death of six hostages in Gaza as anger mounted over the inability of the countrys leadership to secure a ceasefire deal that would free the captives. Israeli media reported that 300,000 people gathered in Tel Aviv and an additional 200,000 took part in protests across the country, demanding that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu secure the release of the remaining 101 hostages.
Former childcare worker Ashley Paul Griffith on Monday pleaded guilty to raping, sexually abusing and exploiting dozens of girls under his care in Australia and Italy.

It took Judge Anthony Rafter more than two hours to read out the 307 charges against Griffith in the Brisbane courtroom where several victims and their families had gathered, according to state broadcast ABC.

Police accused the 46-year-old of being one of Australias worst ever paedophiles after the charges against him were made public last year. Griffith was first arrested in 2022 for making child sexual abuse content. A year later he was charged with 1,623 offences against 91 children.

However some charges were dropped and the ABC reported that Mondays charges related to roughly 60 children. Many of the victims were under the age of 12. The offences happened between 2003 and 2022 in twelve different locations across Australia as well as Pisa, Italy.

Griffith is in custody and will be sentenced at a later date. The court heard sentencing could take more than two days to give time to read victim impact statements, the ABC reported.
Pressure mounted Monday on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as a major strike was held and US President Joe Biden said he was not doing enough to secure the release of Gaza hostages, following the killing of six captives.

Israelis were gripped by grief and fury after the military said Sunday the bodies of six hostages, all captured alive during Hamass October 7 attack on southern Israel that triggered the war, were recovered from a tunnel in southern Gaza.

A strike announced by the main trade union seeking a deal to secure the remaining captives release had brought parts of the country to a standstill, although some cities were largely unaffected.

But an Israeli court on Monday ordered an immediate end to the strike called by the Histadrut union, calling it politically motivated.

The labour court ruling came after Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich  a far-right leader who opposes a truce in the Gaza war  called on the court to move to ban the strike.

The union is authorised to call strikes only for economic reasons and workers rights, not over political issues.

Alongside the surging domestic anger, diplomatic pressure has also grown, with the US president on Monday delivering some of his strongest criticism of Netanyahu.

Asked by reporters if he thought Netanyahu was doing enough on the issue, Biden responded: No.

The US president was meeting with his negotiators who said they were very close to a final proposal to be presented to Israel and Hamas.

At mass rallies late Sunday, hostages relatives called for a truce deal to help free the dozens still captive.

The health ministry said post-mortems showed the six had been murdered with several close-range gunshots shortly before they were found.

Abandonment of hostages

Histadrut called a nationwide strike beginning at 6:00 am (0300 GMT) Monday for the return of the remaining 97 hostages, including 33 the military says are dead.

Tel Aviv and the northern coastal city of Haifa heeded the strike call.

However, Ben Gurion international airport near Tel Aviv was operating as usual, a spokeswoman told AFP, despite takeoffs being halted for two hours.

In Jerusalem and some other cities, life appeared to go on as usual. Some private firms partly suspended operations in support of the strike.

The strike followed mass protests Sunday on the streets of Tel Aviv and elsewhere, the latest anti-government rallies during the war.

Protesters again blocked roads in Tel Aviv Monday.

Histadrut chief Arnon Bar-David said he wanted to stop the abandonment of the hostages, adding that only our intervention can shake those who need to be shaken, an apparent reference to top Israeli decision-makers who have opposed a truce.

Of 251 hostages seized on October 7, just eight have been rescued alive by Israeli forces, although scores were released during a one-week truce in November  the only one so far.

Mediation efforts led by the United States, Qatar and Egypt since then have repeatedly stalled.

Israel named the killed hostages as US-Israeli Hersh Goldberg-Polin, Carmel Gat, Eden Yerushalmi, Almog Sarusi, Ori Danino and Russian-Israeli Alexander Lobanov.

On Monday, Jean-Marc Liling, a friend of Goldberg-Polins family, told AFP the dead hostage was someone who believed in co-existence with Palestinians.

Stop everything

Gil Dickmann, a cousin of killed hostage Carmel Gat, said of Mondays strike: I really hope this is a turning point.

On the ground in the Hamas-run Gaza Strip, the fighting raged on Monday, the second day of localised humanitarian pauses to facilitate a vaccination drive after the first confirmed polio case in 25 years.

An AFP correspondent reported some air strikes overnight, and the civil defence agency said shelling and gunfire rocked Gaza City, with two people killed by a missile.

Louise Wateridge, spokeswoman for the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, said 87,000 children received a first vaccine dose on Sunday in central Gaza.

There were shorter queues Monday, she said, but this is to be expected.

The biggest challenge now is just making sure that everybody has safe access to the vaccination centres, she added.

UNRWA chief Philippe Lazzarini called the inoculation campaign a race against time to reach just over 600,000 children in the war-torn territory of 2.4 million people.

Israels military campaign against Hamas has so far killed at least 40,738 people in Gaza, according to the territorys health ministry. The UN rights office says most of the dead are women and children.

The October 7 attack resulted in the deaths of 1,205 people, mostly civilians and including hostages killed in captivity, according to an AFP tally based on Israeli official figures.

West Bank raids

The war has sent regional tensions soaring, with violence surging in the occupied West Bank, separated from Gaza by Israeli territory.

The Ramallah-based Palestinian health ministry on Monday said at least 26 Palestinians have been killed since Israel launched simultaneous raids on Wednesday across the northern West Bank. Militant groups have claimed 14 of the dead as members.

Three Israeli police officers were also killed in a shooting Sunday in the southern West Bank.

Middle Eastern and Western governments as well as UN officials have called on Israel to end the large-scale operations in the Palestinian territory, which it has occupied since 1967.

In the city of Jenin, the streets were largely deserted and most shops were closed Monday, after explosions and clashes were heard overnight.

Israeli bulldozers in Jenin city centre and other areas have damaged infrastructure including water systems, officials have said.

Elsewhere, Lebanons health ministry said an Israeli strike on a vehicle in the south Monday killed two people.
Hundreds of thousands of protestors took to the streets in Israel on Sunday following the death of six hostages in Gaza as anger mounted over the inability of the countrys leadership to secure a ceasefire deal that would free the captives.

Israeli media reported that 300,000 people gathered in Tel Aviv and an additional 200,000 took part in protests across the country, demanding that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu secure the release of the remaining 101 hostages. In Jerusalem, protesters blocked streets and demonstrated outside the prime ministers residence.

Video footage showed Tel Avivs main highway filled with protesters holding flags with pictures of the slain hostages. Israeli television footage showed police directing water canons at demonstrators who had blocked roads. Local media reported 29 arrests. The countrys labour leaders called a one-day general strike on Monday.

As tens of thousands protest in Tel Aviv to demand Netanyahu allow a prisoner exchange/ceasefire, Israeli forces are responding with stun grenades.Israel has been at war with its neighbors since its inception. Now it appears it may go to war with itself.pic.twitter.com/55eEI1T40p  Wyatt Reed (@wyattreed13) September 1, 2024

MASSIVE PROTEST in Israel calling on Netanyahu to RESIGN IMMEDIATELY! pic.twitter.com/tMU5EDD3YA Jackson Hinkle (@jacksonhinklle) September 1, 2024

The Israeli military on Sunday announced the recovery of the bodies from a tunnel in the southern Gaza city of Rafah. The bodies of hostages Carmel Gat, Hersh Goldberg-Polin, Eden Yerushalmi, Alexander Lobanov, Almog Sarusi and Ori Danino were returned to Israel, military spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari told reporters.

A forensic examination determined they were murdered by Hamas terrorists in several shots at close range 48-72 hours previously, an Israeli health ministry spokesperson said. Netanyahu, who faces growing calls to end nearly 11 months of war with a deal for a ceasefire and the release of remaining hostages, said Israel would not rest until it caught those responsible.

READ MORE: Netanyahu Promises To Settle The Score With Hamas After IDF Recovers Six Bodies Of Gaza Hostages

Israels campaign in Gaza began after Hamas and other militants killed about 1,200 people and took about 250 hostages in attacks on Israel on Oct. 7, according to Israeli tallies. Since then, Israels offensive has levelled much of the enclave of 2.3 million people, and the Gaza health ministry says at least 40,738 Palestinians have been killed. Displaced people are living in dire conditions with inadequate shelter and a hunger crisis.

Deep sorrow

Amid mounting public anger, the head of Israels trades union federation, Arnon Bar-David, on Sunday called for a general strike on Monday to pressure the government into signing a deal. Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, who has clashed frequently with Netanyahu, also called for an agreement, and opposition leader and former Prime Minister Yair Lapid urged people to join the protest in Tel Aviv.

Netanyahus office said he had spoken to the family of Lobanov, whose body was among those recovered, apologising and expressing deep sorrow. But the family of Gat said they refused to speak to the prime minister and instead called on Israelis to join protests. Take to the streets and shut down the country until everyone returns. They can still be saved, Gats cousin, Gil Dickmann, wrote on X.

Months of stop-start negotiations mediated by the United States, Qatar and Egypt have so far failed to secure a deal, despite increased US pressure and repeated trips by top officials to the region. Currently, Israel and Hamas agreed to pause fighting in areas of Gaza for at least eight hours daily from Sunday to Tuesday to begin vaccinating 640,000 children against polio.

(With agency inputs)
The grand opening of Dream Bazaar Mall in Pakistans Karachi turned into a nightmare after hundreds of people forcibly entered the venue on the opening day, leading to widespread vandalism and destruction. The mall, which was heavily promoted on social media and offered special discounts, opened its doors last Friday.

However, it quickly became overwhelmed by eager shoppers who thronged the place soon after it opened, according to Pakistans Ary News. Videos going viral on social media X show hundreds of people storming the newly opened mall in Gulistan-e-Johar, vandalising property and looting stores.

A businessman of Pakistani origin living abroad opened a huge mall in Gulistan-e-Johar locality of Karachi, which he named Dream Bazaar. And today on the day of inauguration he had announced a special discount. A crowd of about one lakh Paki goths stormed the mall and looted the pic.twitter.com/OmLvMn6kHF Politicspedia (@Politicspedia23) September 1, 2024

Staff members attempted to manage the crowd but were unsuccessful as people forcefully barged in, damaging shops and stealing merchandise. Many were seen frantically grabbing items and stuffing them into bags.

Despite the chaos, police were notably absent from the scene. After the incident, videos revealed the aftermath of the rampage, with clothes scattered across the floor and shattered glass littering the premises. Some individuals even filmed themselves looting.

The opening of Dream Bazaar in Karachi Gulistan-e-Johar turned chaotic as baton-wielding individuals stormed the venue, leading to chaos and vandalism, the opening of #DreamBazaar was marketed through social media platforms to attract the public attentions pic.twitter.com/2PujAAJlgx Your Senpai x (@Asawermughal92) August 30, 2024

The incident sparked a heated debate online, with many users expressing shock and disappointment at the lack of civic morals displayed by the crowd. Comments on social media questioned how individuals could resort to such behaviour.

The destruction at Dream Bazaar raises concerns about the investment climate in Karachi, as the mall was built by a Pakistani businessman living abroad. Local residents and social media users expressed outrage over the incident.
Anthony Scaramucci, the former White House communications director, said Donald Trumps wife Melania is secretly hoping that US Vice President and Democratic nominee Kamala Harris wins the election in November.

She hates Donald Trump, Scaramucci claimed while speaking to Ben Meiselas who hosts a podcast for digital news outlet MeidasTouch.

Maybe Melania Trump. That could be the only person I think of, Scaramucci said, while answering a question on who is more keen to see Kamala Harris take over the White House.

My wife hates Trump as much as Melania does, he further added, before telling his host Ben that he would be nicer to Trump as compared to Melania.

The former first lady has been notably absent from several key events, including the election launch in Iowa and Trumps Super Tuesday celebrations.

Super Tuesday is when multiple US states hold primary elections to choose their preferred presidential candidates. When asked about her involvement in the political campaign, she simply responded by saying Stay tuned. She was also absent during the first US presidential debate in Atlanta.

Donald Trump, in September 2023, described his wife as a private person.

Shes a private person, a great person, a very confident person, and she loves our country very much, the former US president said at the time during an interview with Meet the Press.

She is going to be there when the time is right, Trump had said.

Melania Trump attended the Republican National Convention in July and was met with raucous cheers in Milwaukee when she appeared on stage donning a bright red skirt suit by Christian Dior.

A report by broadcaster BBC pointed out that Melania broke all the rules that former First Ladies followed after her husband was first elected in 2016. A report by the broadcaster termed her a reclusive figure as compared to her predecessors.

It also said that since her husband left office, she has rarely been spotted alongside him. It highlighted that Melania was not present as Trump had his mugshot taken in Atlanta and was also absent when Trump became the first former president to be convicted of a crime.
Hollywood actor George Clooney has praised US President Joe Bidens decision to withdraw from the 2024 presidential race as the most selfless thing that anybody has done since George Washington.

Clooney made these remarks during a presser at the Venice Film Festival on September 1, where he was promoting his new film Wolfs, co-starring Brad Pitt. His comments come after he urged Biden to step down in a New York Times op-ed titled I Love Joe Biden, But We Need a New Nominee.

In the essay published in July, Clooney expressed concerns about Bidens ability to lead the Democratic Party to victory, citing the presidents age and recent performances that he felt were not up to par. He noted, The Joe Biden I was with three weeks ago at the fund-raiser was not the Joe big fing deal Biden of 2010. He wasnt even the Joe Biden of 2020.

George Clooney said President Joe Biden should be applauded for dropping his reelection bid and described the move as a selfless act pic.twitter.com/gz7HGg4v8p Reuters (@Reuters) September 1, 2024

During the press conference, Clooney reflected on the impact of his op-ed, saying, The person who should be applauded is the president, who did the most selfless thing that anybody has done since George Washington. He stressed that the complexities surrounding Bidens decision would not be remembered, but rather the courage it took for him to step aside for a better way forward.

Biden officially announced his withdrawal from the race on July 21, endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris as his successor. Clooney expressed pride in Bidens leadership, saying, President Biden has shown what true leadership is. Hes saving democracy once again. Clooneys op-ed had sparked significant discussion, as he pointed out that many Democratic leaders shared his concerns about Bidens viability as a candidate.

He claimed that every single one of the senators and congress members he spoke with privately felt that the party would struggle to win the upcoming election with Biden at the helm. In the op-ed, Clooney acknowledged his long-standing support for Biden, highlighting his role in fundraising a record-breaking event that raised $30 million for Bidens campaign. However, he reiterated that the challenge of age is one Biden cannot overcome.
Beijing (Gasgoo)- On August 30, 2024, AVATR, the premium new energy vehicle brand jointly backed by Changan Automobile, Huawei, and CATL, unveiled its third model, the AVART 07, at the Chengdu Motor Show 2024, with presale kicked off at the same time.

The AVATR 07 is the brands first model offering both all-electric and range-extended powertrains, positioning as a smart and luxurious urban SUV.

Photo credit: AVATR

The AVATR 07 boasts a distinctive design, featuring a 0.618 golden ratio of axle length, a 1.23 width-to-height ratio, and a 0.48 wheel-to-height ratio. Its futuristic design is highlighted by a floating body style, disc-wing front fascia, and highly recognizable full LED starlight curve headlights, paired with high-definition electronic exterior mirrors, merging design and technology seamlessly.

Photo credit: AVATR

The SUV offers a 2,940 mm wheelbase and an impressive interior length of 3,119 mm. The rear seats can fold flat, transforming the space into a 3-square-meter bed, offering versatile options for both seating and reclining.

Inside, the AVATR 07 features a unique digital surround cockpit with zero-gravity front seats, Huaweis Harmony immersive four-screen technology ecosystem, and a seamless panoramic far-end screen.

Photo credit: AVATR

The AVATR 07 is equipped with the Taihang Intelligent Chassis, combining top-tier hardware with proprietary software algorithms that integrate driving, chassis, and power domains, enhancing the driving experience with improved comfort and safety. The chassis features high-strength, lightweight aluminum alloy double-wishbone front and H-arm rear multi-link independent suspension.

On the other hand, the vehicles advanced chassis control technologies include the iGVC intelligent cornering vector control system, iSTC intelligent steering torque control system, magic carpet suspension, CST 2.0 all-scenario comfort braking system, and dual-motor smart assistance for U-turns.

As the embodiment of the advanced CHN strategy, the AVATR 07 combines the latest resources and technologies from Changan Automobile, Huawei, and CATL, including the Kunlun smart range extender system, Taihang intelligent chassis, Huaweis Qiankun ADS 3.0 smart driving system, and HarmonyOS smart cockpit, as well as CATLs Shenxing 4C ultra-fast charging battery and advanced range-extended battery.
Pro-Khalistani separatist group Sikhs for Justice was seen in Canada glorifying the suicide bomber who assassinated former Punjab chief minister Beant Singh. The group carried out a parade on Saturday with the convoy displaying posters of Beant Singhs killer Dilawar Singh in Toronto.

The SFJ said the rally was organised to remember the sacrifice of human bomb Dilawar Babbar who killed Beant and 12 others. Beant Singh was assassinated on August 31, 1995.

SFJ general counsel Gurpatwant Singh Pannun in a statement said, We are all offspring of Dilawar. At that time in 1995, the choice of weapon was a bomb, but we have choice of ballot today.

Dilawar Babbars parents attended the event, where Kill India slogans were also raised by some men.

These rallies were simultaneously organised in Canada and US. The Canada rally was led by Gosal, who was recently given Duty to Warn notice by Canadian authorities regarding threat to his life.

According to top intelligence sources, this is a serious concern for Indian security as these criminals are openly carrying out rallies against the Indian government, glorifying killers, while the governments of Canada and USA watch.

Sources in India have questioned as to why the Five Eyes (FVEY) has been silent and is allowing the glorification of killers.

Sources expressed concern that this will have serious impact on the youth born after 1985.

These rallies are not possible without police permissions. We are definitely going to raise these matters with respective governments very soon, sources in India said.
Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in Mongolia on Monday, his first visit to a member of the International Criminal Court (ICC) since it issued an arrest warrant for him last year.

Putin was welcomed by a guard of honour as he landed in the Mongolian capital Ulaanbaatar for the high-profile trip, seen as a show of defiance against the court, Kyiv, the West and rights groups that have all called for him to be detained.

The Russian leader is wanted by the Hague-based court for the alleged illegal deportation of Ukrainian children since his troops invaded the country in 2022.

Kyiv last week urged Mongolian authorities to execute the arrest warrant, while the ICC said all its members had an obligation to detain those sought by the court.

But in practice there is little that can be done if Ulaanbaatar does not comply.

The Kremlin said last week it was not concerned that Putin would be arrested.

Sandwiched between Russia and China, Mongolia was under Moscows sway during the Soviet era.

Since the Soviet collapse in 1991, it has sought to keep friendly relations with both the Kremlin and Beijing.

The country has not condemned Russias offensive in Ukraine and has abstained during votes on the conflict at the United Nations.

Fugitive

The ICC issued an arrest warrant for Putin in March 2023.

It said there were reasonable grounds to believe that Putin bears responsibility for the war crime of unlawful deportation of Ukrainian children to Russia.

Kyiv says thousands of Ukrainian children were forcibly deported from orphanages and other state institutions after Russian forces took control of swathes of the country in its 2022 invasion.

Media investigations have found evidence of Ukrainian children being adopted by Russian families and having their names changed, prompting allegations Moscow is trying to scrub their Ukrainian identity.

Russia says it moved some children from areas close to the fighting for their own protection.

It has dismissed the warrant as having no consequence, but this trip to Mongolia marks Putins first to an ICC member in the 18 months since it was issued.

Last year he called off a visit to a BRICS summit in South Africa, another ICC member, after internal and external pressure on Pretoria to arrest the Russian leader should he attend.

Amnesty International warned Monday that Mongolias failure to arrest him could further embolden the ex-KGB spy, in power for almost a quarter of a century.

President Putin is a fugitive from justice, Altantuya Batdorj, executive director of Amnesty International Mongolia said in a statement.

Any trip to an ICC member state that does not end in arrest will encourage President Putins current course of action and must be seen as part of a strategic effort to undermine the ICCs work.

Human Rights Watch also called for Putins arrest.

Welcoming Putin, an ICC fugitive, would not only be an affront to the many victims of Russian forces crimes, but would also undermine the crucial principle that no one, no matter how powerful, is above the law, Maria Elena Vignoli, its senior international justice council, said.

Amid a backlash to the ICC after it issued an arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Mongolia was among 93 countries that signed a letter stating its unwavering support for the ICC as an independent and impartial judicial institution.

In that statement, issued in June, the signatories also called on all ICC members to ensure full cooperation with the Court for it to carry out its important mandate of ensuring equal justice for all victims of genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity and the crime of aggression.
A suicide bomber detonated explosives in the Afghan capital on Monday, police said, killing six people and wounding 13 more.

This afternoon, a person wearing explosives on his body detonated, Kabul police spokesman Khalid Zadran posted on social media platform X.

Unfortunately six civilians, including a woman, were killed and 13 others were injured.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack.

It took place in the southern Kabul area of Qala-e-Bakhtiar and investigations were ongoing, according to Zadran.

Violence has waned in Afghanistan since the 2021 Taliban takeover ended a two-decade war between foreign forces and the Islamic insurgents.

However the regional chapter of Islamic State, known as Islamic State Khorasan, is active in Afghanistan and has regularly targeted civilians, foreigners and Taliban officials with gun and bomb attacks.
A tiger attacked its handler at an amusement park in Australias Gold Coast. The attack left the worker hospitalised with severe arm injuries that included deep lacerations and puncture wounds, according to a report by US broadcaster CNN.

The handler, aged 47, was working with one of the Dreamworlds nine tigers when she was attacked. The Queensland Ambulance Service said the attack occurred on Monday morning 9am (local time).

Alert park staff restrained the big cat before paramedics arrived at the scene.

The patient obviously had received some serious lacerations and puncture wounds from the animal, Queensland Ambulance Service acting district director Justin Payne told Australian media outlets.

Thankfully on their arrival the bleeding had been managed very well by first aid providers there at Dreamworld, which was excellent to see, Payne added.

He said the handler was quite pale and feeling unwell but pointed out that she remains in a stable condition at Gold Coast University Hospital.

Dreamworld, the amusement park, issued a statement highlighting that the attack was an isolated and rare incident and the immediate focus is on the support of the team member.

It also kept its park open to the public on Monday.

Dreamworld says its Tiger Island exhibit offers an interactive experience allowing visitors to get close enough to feel the breath of a tiger. The parks website promotes opportunities for visitors to feed its Bengal and Sumatran tigers.

Mondays incident isnt the first time a tiger has injured staff at Dreamworld. In 2011, a 160-kilogram Bengal tiger named Keto bit two handlers in separate incidents, according to local media reports.
Britain said Monday it would suspend some arms exports to Israel, citing a clear risk that they could be used in a serious breach of international humanitarian law.

The announcement follows a review by the foreign ministry into the arms sales given concerns about Israels conduct of its war against Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

Foreign Secretary David Lammy told parliament that the UK would suspend 30 out of 350 arms exports licences to Israel.

He said the partial ban covered items which could be used in the current conflict in Gaza, including fighter aircraft, helicopters and drones.

The ban does not include parts for the F-35 fighter jets, Lammy added.

The foreign minister announced a review looking at the arms sales shortly after Labour swept to power in a landslide general election victory over the Conservatives in July.

It is with regret that I inform the House (of Commons) today the assessment I have received leaves me unable to conclude anything other than that for certain UK arms exports to Israel, there does exist a clear risk that they might be used to commit or facilitate a serious violation of international humanitarian law, Lammy told lawmakers.

He stressed that the suspension was not a determination of innocence or guilt and that the situation would be kept under review.

We have not and could not arbitrate on whether or not Israel has breached international humanitarian law, Lammy said, adding that Britain is not an international court.

Lammy reiterated Britains support for Israel to defend itself and stressed the suspension would not have a material impact on Israels security.

Britains centre-left Labour government has repeatedly called for a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war, and for the speeding up of aid deliveries into Gaza, since taking power on July 5.

It has followed the same approach to the conflict as the previous Conservative government, with Lammy and other ministers at pains to demand Hamas release the hostages seized in its October 7 attacks as part of any ceasefire.

Some commentators have suggested however that Labour led by Keir Starmer  a former human rights lawyer  may take a tougher long-term stance towards Israel and how it conducts its military operations.

Last week, the UK foreign ministry said it was deeply concerned by an Israeli military operation in the occupied West Bank, urging it to exercise restraint and adhere to international law.
Beijing (Gasgoo)- DEEPAL, the new energy vehicle brand under Changan Automobile, saw its monthly delivery volume hit new high in August, reaching 20,131 vehicles, which jumped 20.4% month over month and 37% year over year, surpassing the 20,000-unit milestone for the first time.

DEEPAL lineup; photo credit: DEEPAL

Currently, DEEPAL offers the G318, S07, SL03, and S7 models on the market. The brand is accelerating its product launch pace, with the L07 and S05 models recently debuting at the Chengdu Motor Show 2024 and set to be released to the market in September and October, respectively.

According to Li Pan, DEEPAL's brand director, by the end of August, DEEPALs cumulative vehicle sales this year have already surpassed last year's total. The brands yearly sales target is set at 252,000 units for 2024. The carmaker aims to exceed the 40,000-units monthly sales mark by December.

On August 25, DEEPAL CEO Deng Chenghao noted on social media that orders for the S07 have increased weekly since its market launch on July 25, with first-month orders reaching 14,231 units. He emphasized the brand's focus on accelerating production and deliveries to capture market share.
At age 27 in 2019, Emily Lahey, a member of Australia's military who ran 3 to 6 miles a day, started getting headaches and other symptoms that doctors chalked up to sinusitis. When she started to lose vision in her left eye, however, doctors ultimately discovered a tumor in her skull. She was diagnosed with a rare cancer, which had metastasized and did not respond to chemotherapy. Only after other treatments had been found ineffective and her condition had worsened significantly was she allowed access, in the US, to a "cutting-edge" treatment, reports the Guardian , which looks at how Lahey is spending the time she didn't initially think she had: She's selling it off to strangers.

Though she's still dying, Lahey has now lived long beyond the four to six months doctors initially thought she had, and she's participating in a performance art project called Time to Live in which people pay for three minutes with Lahey. Sometimes they talk; sometimes they simply sit quietly with her in the art venue outside Sydney. The project was designed by the Australian Cancer Research Foundation to raise money for "world-class research" into cancer and the treatment of it. That's important to Lahey, since it was research like that that extended her time, though she doesn't know exactly how much time she has left. As she describes it in a video about the project, she sees that time as "not a clock running out, but a precious gift not to be wasted." Read the full story at the Guardian. (More Longform stories.)
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 it looked set to finish a very close second to mainstream conservatives in a second vote. The new Sahra Wagenknecht alliance, or BSW, founded by a prominent leftist also made a strong impact in Thuringia and Saxony, while the parties in Chancellor Olaf Scholz's unpopular national government obtained extremely weak results, per the AP . The far-right Alternative for Germany, or AfD, won 32.8% of the vote in Thuringiawell 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 at 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.

"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. 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 he's appealing that verdict. (More Germany stories.)
Decades after their deaths, Poland has honored more than 700 victims of Nazi Germany's World War II mass executions with a state burial. Held in the northern town of Chojnice, the observances began with a funeral Mass at the basilica and concluded with military honors at a local cemetery. The remains of the victims were recently found in the so-called Valley of Death in the country's north; they were placed in 188 small coffins and interred.

Attendees included relatives of the victims, local officials, top state officials, and representatives from the National Remembrance Institute, which had facilitated the exhumations. Bishop Ryszard Kasyna, who presided over the ceremony, emphasized the importance of what was taking place, saying, "We want to give back memory, we want to give back dignity to the victims of the crimes in Chojnice." The remains were exhumed just outside Chojnice between 2021 and 2024 and include those of 218 asylum patients. Another 500 victims were killed in a January 1945 execution that took place as Germans fled the area.

Poland, which lost six million citizens, including three million Jews, continues to search for more mass graves from the Pomerania Crime. President Duda, in a message, affirmed these victims will always be remembered as national martyrs.

(This story was generated by Newser's AI chatbot . Source: the AP
The US government has seized a plane used by Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, citing violations of sanctions and export control laws, the Justice Department said Monday. US officials allege that the aircraft was illegally purchased through a shell company and smuggled out of the US, the AP reports. The plane was widely used by Maduro for foreign travel, including trips earlier this year to Guyana and Cuba. Officials tell CNN that the Falcon 900EX aircraft, considered Venezuela's equivalent to Air Force One, was flown to Florida on Monday after it was seized in the Dominican Republic.

"This sends a message all the way up to the top," a US official tells CNN. "Seizing the foreign head of state's plane is unheard-of for criminal matters. We're sending a clear message here that no one is above the law, no one is above the reach of US sanctions." Markenzy Lapointe, US attorney for the Southern District of Florida, said authorities in the Dominican Republic provided "invaluable assistance" in organizing the seizure, the BBC reports.

US officials say associates of the Venezuelan leader used a Caribbean-based shell company to hide their involvement in the purchase of the plane, valued at the time at $13 million, from a company in Florida. The plane was exported from the US to Venezuela, through the Caribbean, in April 2023 in a transaction meant to circumvent an executive order that bars US persons from business transactions with the Maduro regime. (More Venezuela stories.)
Russia launched an overnight barrage of drones and cruise and ballistic missiles at Kyiv, officials said Monday, as children were returning to school across Ukraine. Some pupils found classes canceled because of damage from the attack. Several series of explosions rocked the Ukrainian capital, the AP reports. Debris from intercepted missiles and drones fell in every district of Kyiv, wounding three people and damaging two kindergartens, the Interior Ministry said. City authorities reported multiple fires. After more than 900 days of war, Russia and Ukraine show no sign of letting up in the fight or moving closer to the negotiating table.

Both sides are pursuing major ground offensives, with the Ukrainians driving into Russia's Kursk region and the Russians pushing deeper into the Donetsk region of eastern Ukraine that is part of the industrial Donbas region. Russian President Vladimir Putin said Monday that Ukraine's Kursk assault won't prevent Russian forces from advancing in eastern Ukraine. "The main task that the enemy set for themselvesto stop our offensive in Donbasthey haven't achieved it," Putin told students during a trip to Siberia. He predicted that the Kursk offensive will fail and that Kyiv officials will want "to move to peace talks," per the AP.

Speaking in the southern city of Zaporizhzhia, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said his country's operation in Kursk had drawn Russian troops away from southern Ukraine, but he acknowledged that it had not yet succeeded in diverting Russian forces from the eastern frontlines, where the city of Pokrovsk is at risk of falling. "We see that it is difficult there, and the most combat-ready Russian brigades have been concentrated in this area because it has always been their main targetDonbas. The complete, total occupation of Donbas: Donetsk and Luhansk regions," Zelensky said.

(More Russia-Ukraine war stories.)
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu again was dismissive on Monday of calls to do more to secure the release of hostages held by Hamas, though this time one of the voices came from the White House lawn. Netanyahu did not yield to demands for an immediate ceasefire despite pressure including work stoppages across Israel and a UK move limiting arms exports. At one point in a press conference, per the AP, Netanyahu said: "No one is more committed to freeing the hostages than me. But no one will preach to me." Developments include:

Biden's "No" : Asked by reporters after he landed at the White House in Marine One whether Netanyahu was doing enough to reach a deal for the hostages' return, President Biden answered, "No." He then went inside for a Situation Room meeting on the issue that included Vice President Kamala Harris and officials involved in the Gaza ceasefire talks, the New York Times reports.

: Asked by reporters after he landed at the White House in Marine One whether Netanyahu was doing enough to reach a deal for the hostages' return, President Biden answered, "No." He then went inside for a Situation Room meeting on the issue that included Vice President Kamala Harris and officials involved in the Gaza ceasefire talks, the New York Times reports. Next US moves: Biden is considering presenting Israel and Hamas with a final proposal for an agreement this week, per NBC News. A White House readout shows Biden expressed anger in the meeting at the killing of six hostages and stressed the need to hold Hamas accountable. The group planned consultations with mediators Qatar and Egypt.
At least 10 protesters in Nigeria faced a possible death penalty on Monday after being charged with treason over their participation in recent demonstrations against the country's worst-in-a-generation economic crisis. The protesters were arraigned in the capital, Abuja, and accused of acting "with intent to destabilize Nigeria  and intimidate the president" during the protests. They pleaded not guilty and will remain in prison until a Sept. 11 bail hearing, the AP reports. A British citizen was named among the suspects still at large. The British High Commission did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Nigeria police spokesman Muyiwa Adejobi accused Andrew Wynne of working with the protesters as a foreign mercenary and building "a network of sleeper cells to topple the government and plunge the nation into chaos." He did not provide any evidence to back up the claim. At least 22 protesters were shot dead by security forces during the demonstrations, Amnesty International has said. Authorities have denied it. The AP confirmed at least three killings. Little is known about the fate of hundreds of other protesters arrested.

There have been growing concerns in Nigeria about human rights abuses under the government of President Bola Tinubu, who was elected last year after promising positive change. The protesters were charged under Nigeria's Penal Code, which critics have described as one of the country's harshest laws and one used by authorities to clamp down on dissent. The treason charge carries the death penalty. The trial was widely condemned in Nigeria. "Some of the charges show how far Nigerian authorities can go in misusing the criminal justice system to silence critical voices. These are blatantly trumped-up charges that must be immediately withdrawn," Amnesty country director Isa Sanusi said in a statement.

(More Nigeria stories.)
Read the full story on The Auto Wire

Man Caught With Stolen Car While On Bond For Car Theft

Weve never accused criminals of being smart, especially when it comes to car thieves. But some of them seem to be extra dumb. That brings us to a certain Gikwan Young of Charleston, South Carolina. The 19-year-old man reportedly ran from police in a stolen car while out on bond for getting caught driving a different stolen car.

Watch Arkansas police absolutely wreck a deported felon here.

One would think after facing the consequences of your own actions, youd maybe try to do something different with your life. Young apparently thinks driving around in stolen vehicles wont result in the same crappy situation hes already facing. And to add to the situation, running from the cops usually comes with at least one felony charge.

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The guy has not only been charged with failure to stop for blue lights and receiving goods stolen less than $10,000 (which considering car values these days means he was driving a real hooptie), hes also facing a charges for possession of a controlled substance and possession of less than one gram of cocaine, according to WCSC.

In other words, if you need life advice, dont ask for Youngs opinion. In fact, hes setting a great example of how to go down the wrong path and hard.

If you do happen to make the extremely poor decision to get whats obviously a stolen car from a friend or associate, which you absolutely shouldnt do, and that ride is a clapped-out crapbox, the last thing you should do is use that ride to try running from the cops at high speeds through downtown Charleston. Why he thought he could use that hooptie to get away is beyond us.

Eventually, Young reportedly hit a parked car, jumped out of his stolen piece of junk, and tried running away. When the police chased him down, ran the VIN, and asked him why he was driving a ride that was stolen, Young told them he understood it was a rental. We know Turo is a thing, but whos renting a dumpster on wheels?

Story continues

We wonder if he bonded out again?

https://youtu.be/JH2Ix5D9lqU

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TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune - www.newsofbahrain.com

Email: editor@newsofbahrain.com

The North Governorate, the largest in Bahrain due to its vast area and recent urban development, is facing a budget shortfall due to the increasing number of fire incidents and the need for flood barriers, according to the Northern Municipal Council member Abdullah Al Qubaisi.

Al Qubaisi, representing the ninth constituency, highlighted to the News of Bahrain the challenges faced by the Northern Governorate, which encompasses 12 constituencies, making it the most populous of the four governorates in Bahrain. He explained that while the Ministry of Municipalities and Agriculture distributes an equal budget across all governorates, the Northern Governorate's needs are significantly higher due to its size and population.

"The Northern Governorate requires a larger budget to meet its needs," Al Qubaisi stated to the News of Bahrain. "The current equal distribution system doesn't account for the disparity in demands across different governorates."

He further emphasised the strain on the budget caused by the "Village Development Project," which has been burdened by the inclusion of critical cases and flood barrier requests. This amalgamation of needs has led to a depletion of funds, leaving many requests unmet.

"The council is unable to fulfill all the requests for the Village Development Project due to the inclusion of urgent cases and flood barrier requirements," Al Qubaisi pointed out.. "This has exhausted the budget, leaving us unable to cover all the necessary needs."

Al Qubaisi urged the authorities to separate the budget for the Village Development Project from the funding allocated for critical cases and flood barriers. He proposed allocating separate budgets for each project to ensure sufficient funds for all essential needs.

"We need distinct budgets for the Village Development Project, critical cases, and flood barriers," Al Qubaisi stressed. "This will ensure that all projects receive adequate funding and can effectively address the specific needs of the North Governorate."
TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune - www.newsofbahrain.com

Email: editor@newsofbahrain.com

There is a need for legislative amendments to the Wage Protection System in Bahrain. This was based on a recent investigation conducted by our sister newspaper Al Ayam.

The report also calls for awareness campaigns and incentives for small businesses to encourage compliance. The Ministry of Labour, in a memo to the Shura Council, revealed that only 19.7% of small businesses are compliant with the system, which mandates salary transfers through banks. A staggering 80.3% of small businesses are not adhering to the regulations.

In contrast, 84.3% of large companies comply with the system, with only 16.7% failing to comply.

Ahmed Al Saloum, Member of Parliament and President of the Bahrain Small and Medium Enterprises Development Society, ruled out imposing penalties on those who are yet to comply to the new rule, adding that the Parliament will work on the introduction of other solutions to help businesses to live up to the new legislative amendments. He emphasised the need for the Wage Protection System to include provisions that consider the unique circumstances of small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

He stressed the significance for a specific framework for SMEs that doesnt equate them with large corporations. The situation of small and micro-enterprises is fundamentally different from that of large companies, especially in terms of workforce size and the responsibilities entrusted to each employee or worker, Al Saloum explained.

Incentives

Meanwhile, Shura Council member Nancy Khadouri echoed this sentiment, advocating for incentives to encourage businesses to comply with the system.

The Ministry of Labour is fulfilling its role and taking regulatory measures to motivate businesses to comply with the Wage Protection System. There is no lack of oversight mechanisms in place, but we can explore ways to offer more incentives for companies, she said. The law requires companies to transfer salaries through banks, and the compliance rate among large companies is very high.

The legislative authority is keen to understand the extent of oversight on businesses to ensure they comply with the system of paying wages through banks.

This oversight is implemented through the Wage Protection System established by the Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA) to guarantee that workers receive their wages as stipulated in their employment contracts.

Under the Wage Protection System, employers are obligated to transfer their workers salaries through a bank or a financial institution licensed by the Central Bank of Bahrain. Lawyer Fatima bin Rajab pointed out that the existing legislation lacks penalties, hindering enforcement efforts.

She proposed legislation that would impose various criminal penalties, especially since the amendment to Article 46 of the Labour Law did not include penalties for those who fail to transfer wages to banks.

Bin Rajab pointed to several reasons behind the low compliance rate with the wage system by small business owners, including renting out records to foreigners, trading in visa sales, and exploiting the wage support provided by Tamkeen.

The investigation underscored the possibility of some businesses manipulating salary amounts to avoid bank transfers.
AUB completes conversion of its Egypt operations from conventional to Islamic banking

AUB completes conversion of its Egypt operations from conventional to Islamic banking

TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune - www.newsofbahrain.com

Email: editor@newsofbahrain.com

Ahli United Bank has successfully converted Ahli United Bank  Egypt from conventional to Islamic banking.

This milestone positions the Bank as a key provider of Sharia-compliant banking and financial solutions in the Egyptian market. In recent months, the Bank has implemented extensive changes to ensure that all its products and services adhere to Sharia requirements.

This overhaul involved revamping and restructuring services, products, and systems, as well as establishing a dedicated Sharia Supervisory Board to oversee ongoing compliance with Islamic principles.

We are delighted to announce the full conversion of Ahli United Bank  Egypt, following our successful efforts to meet all the Islamic Banking requirements, said Hamad Abdul Mohsen Al Marzouq, Chairman of Ahli United Bank Group .

This achievement provides a significant opportunity to expand our operations in this promising market and increase our market share, given the strong demand for Islamic banking and financial services in Egypt.

This accomplishment also builds on our previous success in converting our operations in Bahrain and the United Kingdom to Islamic banking seamlessly and in a record time.

This development marks an important addition to the Islamic banking sector in the Arab world. The Egyptian market is strategically important to the Group, considering its size and the strong demand for Islamic banking and financial services.

This transition highlights the Groups commitment to offering a comprehensive range of Sharia-compliant services to its Egyptian clientele.
The fourth annual North Dakota Environmental Conference is set Wednesday at Bismarck State Colleges National Energy Center of Excellence.

The all-day event will bring together environmental professionals from industry, consulting, government and academia to address topics including air quality, stormwater management, waste management, water quality and wastewater treatment. It's hosted by the Upper Midwest Section of the Air & Waste Management Association.

This year's conference will feature a panel session titled "What's Keeping Us Busy?" with state directors of Environmental Air Quality, Waste Management, and Water Quality.

There is a fee to register. For more information go to https://bit.ly/476AXTi.
Detectives are investigating the death of a 7-month-old child in Newark, officials said.

Newark Police responded to a residence in the area of Avon Avenue and South 10th Street on Sunday evening for a report of an unresponsive infant, according to Thomas Fennelly, chief assistant prosecutor with the Essex County Prosecutors Office.

The child was rushed to Newark Beth Israel Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead, Fennelly said.
Several people were taken to hospitals following a three-vehicle crash that sent two people flying from an SUV in Gloucester County on Sunday, police said.

A Chevrolet SUV was traveling on the right shoulder of southbound Route 55 in Deptford around 11 a.m. Saturday when it collided with a Ford SUV traveling in the right lane, according to a New Jersey State Police spokesman.

The impact sent the Ford into the left lane, where it struck a pickup truck, the spokesman said.

Then, the two SUVs struck an embankment and overturned. The driver and passenger in the Chevrolet were thrown from their vehicle and taken to a hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries, police said.

The occupants of the Ford were also taken to a hospital for non-life-threatening injuries, according to police.

The crash remains under investigation.

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Matt Gray may be reached at mgray@njadvancemedia.com.
Funeral homes are in the business of helping us navigate endings. One in Bayonne is now grappling with an ending of its own.

After nearly 75 years in its location on Bayonnes East 22nd Street, S. Fryczynski and Son Funeral Home will be operating independently out of the Sweeney Funeral Home on Kennedy Boulevard near 33rd Street and selling its property.

The three-story brick building constructed 32 years into the business operation could accommodate multiple funerals on the same day, which, at the business current pace, is no longer the right fit, said owner Kerry Fryczynski.

The building and the facility is much larger than what we need to service our families today, Fryczynski said. In order to keep my familys tradition and business alive I needed to get into another facility.

Fryczynski is the third generation in his family to operate the business. His grandfather Stanley H. Fryczynski Sr. founded it in 1917 after emigrating from Poland and settling in Jersey City.

The building he his wife Marya had built to house the business in 1949 was Bayonnes first funeral home built explicitly for that purpose, his grandson said.

Kerrys father, Stanley H. Fryczynski Jr., soon came into the business and Kerry took it over in 1993.

I always got to watch my father interact with people and the certain level of care and compassion that it takes to help people in their worst times, Fryczynski said. I was given the opportunity to carry on our long tradition.

He said he expects the funeral home building to be redeveloped. The building his business is moving into only accommodates one funeral at a time. Sept. 10 will be S. Fryczynski and Son Funeral Homes final day on East 22nd Street.
Gov. Phil Murphy this week will embark on his sixth international trade mission, this time to lure jobs and investment from Canada to New Jersey.

Canada is already the states largest trade partner, with $17.6 billion worth of commerce exchanged. Canada is also the states largest market for exported goods, according to information from the New Jersey Economic Development Authority.

Companies are always looking for talent, and with New Jerseys highly rated public schools and universities and its solid pharmaceutical financial technology and TV, film and digital media industries, we think we have a great story to tell, said Tim Sullivan, CEO of the Economic Development Authority.
NEW YORK  The Yankees are about to have all six of their starting pitchers healthy and available for the first time since early March.

Theres a very good chance that both Clarke Schmidt and Luis Gil return from the injured list next week while the Yankees are in Chicago playing the Cubs, manager Aaron Boone said Sunday.

Schmidt has been sidelined since late May with a lat strain. Hes set to make what will probably be his final rehab start with Double-A Somerset on Monday.

Gil is wrapping up a short IL stint after suffering a lower back strain on August 20. He continued to throw after going on the injured list and made an 80-pitch rehab outing on Sunday with Somerset to ramp back up.

With those two right-handers building up as starters, the Yankees have a decision to make, a good problem for any team to have down the stretch.

If Schmidt and Gil are going to be reinserted into the starting rotation  where only one spot is currently available after rookie Will Warren was optioned down to Triple-A  then who will be moved into a different role to maintain a five-man staff? Or do the Yankees roll with a six-man rotation for now?

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RESTORING THE GLORY

Either way, once the postseason begins next month, the Yankees need to whittle that group down to four starters and choose if the other two arms belong in the bullpen or off a playoff roster altogether.

Boone isnt jumping to any conclusions yet, not until he knows for certain that Gil and Schmidt are coming back from their respective injuries. Surely he and the Yankees have had these discussions already and they have contingency plans, but hes staying in well see mode in his daily pressers.

They havent pitched yet, Boone said after Sundays 14-7 loss to the Cardinals. Clarke is pitching tomorrow in a rehab game, so well see. If we have to make a decision at some point in seven days, then well do that. But right now, were getting those guys ready to come back and start.

Nestor Cortes pitched on Sunday and his string of dominant outings in a row came to an end. The left-hander allowed five earned runs on nine hits over four innings. He was zapped of the swing-and-miss stuff that he was using effectively over his previous three outings where he gave up just one earned run across 20 2/3 innings.

Warren pitched on Saturday before getting demoted that night. Cortes pitched on Sunday. Gerrit Cole, Carlos Rodon and Marcus Stroman are scheduled to pitch against the Rangers in Texas on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, respectively. Therefore, if Schmidt and Gil are options in Chicago, then Cortes could be the odd man out.

Not necessarily.

Asked if Cortes will make his next scheduled start, Boone responded with a quick yes.

Then perhaps the Yankees will go to a six-man staff for their next turn through the rotation.

Cole, Rodon and Stroman will get the ball in Texas. Then after Thursdays off day, the Yankees can start Cortes, Gil and Schmidt in that order, with Gil and Schmidt getting an additional day of rest after their rehab outings.

Before Saturdays loss to St. Louis, Boone was asked about the possibility of a six-man rotation.

Not necessarily, he said. Again, thats still days off. I wouldnt rule out anything. But not committed to anything quite yet.

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Max Goodman may be reached at mgoodman@njadvancemedia.com.
Six-day (Tuesday through Sunday) print subscribers of the Watertown Daily Times are eligible for full access to NNY360, the NNY360 mobile app, and the Watertown Daily Times e-edition, all at no additional cost.

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And state and local officials are touting FEMAs $14.8 million share of that project as the first time the agency has used its Flood Mitigation Assistance grant funds for a major nature-based marsh restoration project targeted at reducing hurricane storm surge flood damage.

This unique funding structure between the state, the federal government and St. Bernard Parish should serve as a roadmap as we explore all available funding avenues in order to complete projects that restore our coast and increase protection for our coastal communities, said Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority board chairman Gordon Gordy" Dove, in a joint state and parish news release.

Gov. Jeff Landry said "transformative projects like this one are essential for protecting our coastal communities, providing community resilience, and reducing flood risk. This type of cooperation at every level -- federal, state, and parish -- is imperative to the continued success of Louisianas coastal program.
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LOWELL  For thousands of area union workers and tradespeople, their day and their parade came through town Monday.

Preparing for the Lowell Labor Day Parade, Corey Campbell, president and business manager of Laborers International Union of North American Local 81, said, This day highlights all the unions stand for over the years.

With more than 1,300 members, Campbell noted, Unions have been working for sustaining wages and putting food on the table. We also make sure workers have a voice.

Mike Toth, president of the 3,200-member Teamsters Local 142, said the holiday celebrates organized labor. Were growing all the time. Were fighting for good jobs with benefits.

The parade is part of a three-day festival that has been a holiday tradition for more than 75 years.

This years parade theme is Celebrating Generations. The parade had 99 entries, including 20 labor groups and building trades.

Labor Day is a federal holiday to honor and recognize the labor movement and the contributions of laborers to this countrys development.

At a time when many Americans worked 12-hour shifts seven days a week, trade unions and the labor movement developed in the U.S. in the late 19th century.

Glen Downs, president of Carpenters Local 599 in Hammond, credited Peter J. McGuire with starting Labor Day in 1889. Ten years later, the carpenters union was formed.

We work hard as part of the community, Downs said. We are not the enemy. We worked hard for the benefits people receive.

Oregon was the first state to make Labor Day an official public holiday. It became a federal holiday in 1894. Indiana adopted the holiday in 1908.

Sean McMurray, business representative for Central Midwest Carpenters and Millwrights Local 1076, commented, Its important to remember that a fair days work deserves a fair wage.

Local 1076 serves Indiana and Kentucky with 3,650 members.

Tom Elkins, Indiana business manager for Pipefitters Local 597, added, We work hard for the community and our members.

With 7,200 union members, Elkins noted, Were strong and were growing.

Dave Dobrowski, secretary-treasurer of United Steel Workers Local 7-1 in Whiting, made a plea for more workers.

With 880 union members, Dobrowski said, We need more craftsmen out there. The trades teach you. They take you from nothing to a journeyman.

Other organizations were also in the parade. That included Orak Shrine from Michigan City, a group that transports children to hospitals. This helps us give back to the community, said George Alex, a director.

Lowell resident Jacki Hendrick was accepting donations for Humane Indiana with Anytime Fitness. She said of the parade, Its the biggest and best in Indiana, and I want to be part of it.

Lowell-based Indiana Fallen Heroes displayed 380 placards of Hoosier service personnel killed in the line of duty since 1990. Our purpose, said Paul Rosenwinkel, president, is that they are not forgotten.

Adults awaited the parade's beginning and children waited for candy to be thrown their way. John Rogers of Griffith said his son John Jr. was riding with Pipefitters Local 597. Rogers belongs to Teamsters Local 142 in Gary.

Just a lot of pride, Rogers said. People show their patriotism.

Amanda Haskins had two children, Lachlan and Logan, playing in the Lowell High School Band.

Its great to see the community get together, the mother said. We have people coming together and supporting all the different groups.
Rock Island, the traffic hazard that became a social media sensation earlier this year, is getting its own float in the Valparaiso Popcorn Festival Parade.

Drivers repeatedly struck or became stuck on top of the rocks in a traffic inland outside the Strack and Van Til supermarket in Coolwood Plaza on U.S. 30.

People frequently joked online about all the car crashes at what was dubbed "Rock Island." Then Christopher Messer decided to put out lighthearted hand-painted signs like "do not feed the rocks" and "mind the rocks" to warn drivers like a lighthouse warding off ships.

It was an immediate hit. Others added makeshift decorations like pink flamingos and a hand-knitted afghan for a rock.

Rock Island got its own Facebook page with more than 7,000 followers, where people have joked about it being a legendary location, Valpo's top tourist destination, a majestic sight to behold and Indiana's next national park.

It has a Google page that identifies it as a tourist attraction with a stellar 4.8 rating and more than 30 joking reviews.

"Came all the way from Hawaii to see Rock Island. Rock Island did not disappoint," one reviewer posted. "Finely decorated and available for photos 24 hours a day, I highly recommend you stopping by to see this roadside exhibit, quite possibly Valparaiso's and Porter County's best tourist attraction. Hands down, it is the Mount Rushmore of NW Indiana."

Jokers have piled on the hyperbole about "the pinnacle of Valparaiso's history."

"After doing some other fun things this past Memorial Day, we headed out to Rock Island. Of course somebody had to take the picture so my husband's not in it, but it was great to see my kids faces and have them experience the beauty and wonder of such a cool local site," another reviewer posted. "I was surprised to see that the the cost was the same even on a national holiday, and the line wasn't bad at all. Imagine my surprise when I realized we actually got to meet the mayor of Rock Island, it was just icing on the cake."

The nearby Starbucks started selling a Rock Island drink. Enterprising business people in town even sold T-shirts.

Now Rock Island is getting its own float in Valparaiso's signature festival celebrating Valpo's own Orville Redenbacher.

"Someone on the Facebook group joked about a float at Popcorn Fest. I took the initiative, put in an application for the float and it got approved," Messer said.

Volunteers have been assembling the float out of chicken wire and papier mache. They're going to stuff the rocks full of popcorn, which is provided to the floats.

"It's going to be a model of Rock Island we're going to scale up so it's a little easier to see," he said. "We're going to put some Power Wheels cars on there that will be stuck on top of the rocks. We're going to put out signs and flamingos and make it as exact as possible."

Volunteers will wear traffic cone hats while walking alongside the float. Sandberg Towing donated a flatbed to tow it. It will play a soundtrack of rock songs in which rock features prominently in the lyrics, such as "Rock Lobster," "Rock Me Amadeus" and "I Wanna Rock."

"I put out the signs that said do not feed the rocks as a joke. It was like the signs that say do not feed the wildlife. I never thought it would get this big," Messer said.

He thinks part of its popularity is that it was a lighthearted subject people could joke about online. It unites people who might otherwise squabble over everything from politics to restaurant reviews to whether Valpo really needed another car wash.

"I truly believe the benign aura made it popular. It was not something political or something that aggravates people like roundabouts," he said. "It's something we could all agree on to joke about. It wasn't hurting anybody in the process. It was a wholesome thing. People got to use their creativity and humor."

The signs, decorations and online discussion also has resulted in fewer accidents.

"I think only one person has run over the rocks since this happened," he said. "There are signs and cones and trinkets and things that really catch your eye. You don't expect to such bric-a-brac in such an obscure location. People kept getting into crashes there because it's really in the middle of nowhere. It seems like it should be painted lines on the ground and instead it's a hindrance."

Drivers didn't notice Rock Island after turning off U.S. 30 and watching for traffic on the access road.

"It was very out of place," he said. "It was just there in the strip mall. I put the signs out for meme content, doing it for the gram as they say, doing it for the likes. I enjoy making signs. I didn't realize it would be the ground zero and catalyst for all this to take off and get so many likes and shares. It was a beacon that drew people in."

But after hundreds, if not thousands, of jokes and memes this year, the Rock Island joke may have finally run its course.

"The float is kind of like the funeral for the Rock Island joke," he said. "We'll bury the joke after doing it one last time."
For 11 months, the family of Hersh Goldberg-Polin tapped into reserves of strength that most people never need to find. We watched it as parents of a hostage ourselves. Our 20-year-old son, Edan, an American citizen who graduated from high school in Tenafly, N.J., was serving in the Israel Defense Forces near Gaza when Hamas took him captive on Oct. 7.

For 331 days, the world has failed our son and his fellow hostages: The Israeli government has abandoned them, too many countries have turned a blind eye, and while were grateful for the U.S. governments steadfast support, its efforts have yet to yield results.

Last month the world watched as Hershs parents, Jon Polin and Rachel Goldberg, told the story of their 23-year-old son at the Democratic National Convention. Rachel, looking small next to the lectern, and Jon, hunched over the microphone, spoke with emotion and clarity. With heavy hearts, we rewatched their speech on Sunday, hours after the world learned that the bodies of Hersh and five other hostages were recovered by the Israeli military in Gaza.

The result of Hamass cruelty and Israels indifference has now come to bear, and two people who have become family to us have paid the ultimate price. Hershs brutal killing has us racked with pain for the Goldberg-Polins and fear that our own son will soon meet the same fate.
The Israeli military said on Sunday that six bodies found in a tunnel under the Gaza Strip belonged to hostages who had been killed by Hamas, setting off a wave of grief and anger in Israel and further cleaving the deep divisions among the public, and the countrys leaders, over the future course of the war.

Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari, the militarys chief spokesman, said the bodies had been recovered a day earlier in the labyrinths under the southern city of Rafah, about one kilometer from 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. The Israeli Ministry of Health said in a statement on Sunday that the hostages were killed by a number of short-range shots and that they had died about 48-72 hours before their examination.
Thousands protested a hostage tragedy in Israel

Six Israeli hostages were found dead in a tunnel under the Gaza Strip, the Israeli military said yesterday, an announcement that brought months of simmering public anger to a furious and grief-stricken boil.

A military spokesman said that the bodies of the captives, who ranged in age from 23 to 40 and included Hersh Goldberg-Polin, a dual Israeli American citizen, had been recovered beneath the southern city of Rafah. They had been brutally murdered shortly before, he added. Hamas said responsibility for the deaths lay with Israel for its failure to agree to a cease-fire deal. (Read about the hostages.)

Furious protesters flooded Israels streets last night, in one of the largest demonstrations in the nearly 11 months of war, to call on Benjamin Netanyahu, the countrys prime minister, to agree to a truce that would allow the remaining hostages to be brought home. Hawkish elements in the Israeli government, by contrast, called for the war to be intensified in retaliation for the hostages deaths.

In Gaza: The Israeli military continued its bombardment of the territory, striking a former school that the military said Hamas was using as a command and control complex.
Netanyahu refused to budge despite outrage in Israel

Benjamin Netanyahu, Israels prime minister, yesterday brushed aside pleas from allies and chants from Israeli protesters who demanded an immediate cease-fire in Gaza.

After thousands of Israeli workers walked off the job, angry over the recent deaths of six Israeli hostages in Gaza, Netanyahu said at a news conference that the war would end only when Israel had eliminated Hamas.

In Washington, President Biden said Netanyahu wasnt doing enough to bring the hostages home. Britain announced that it would suspend some arms sales to Israel, a significant hardening of its position.

Netanyahu defended his plans for a continued Israeli presence on a strip of land in Gaza along the border with Egypt that he said was essential to Israels security.
Few industries were disrupted as drastically by the Covid pandemic as the hospitality sector. Now, as travel has bounced back to prepandemic highs and Covid precautions have fallen by the wayside, thousands of hotel workers say they are still suffering from the lower wages and higher workloads that the pandemic period ushered in.

Some 10,000 workers, including housekeepers, front-desk staff and servers, went on strike across the United States on Sunday after contract negotiations stalled. On Monday, nearly 300 hotel workers joined the strike in Baltimore on the busy Labor Day holiday weekend.

The hotel workers are calling for higher wages, as well as the reversal of Covid-era staffing and service cuts. Housekeeping in particular has emerged as a key issue. During the pandemic, the union said, many hotels cut staffing and guest services like daily housekeeping and room service, which caused some workers to lose income and created a heavier workload for the remaining workers.

A number of hotels have made those changes permanent to cut costs, offering daily housekeeping only on request. But some housekeepers say stripping away more frequent cleanings can make the cleaning at the end of stays much more arduous and time-consuming.
Last year was a tough one on college campuses, so over the summer a lot of people asked me if I was hoping things would be less political this fall. Actually, Im hoping they will be more political.

Thats not to say that I yearn for entrenched conflict or to once again hear chants telling me that I cant hide from genocide, much less anything that might devolve into antisemitic or Islamophobic harassment or violence. But since at least the 1800s, colleges and universities in the United States have sought to help students develop character traits that would make them better citizens. That civic mission is only more relevant today. The last thing any university president should want is an apolitical campus.

College students have long played an important, even heroic role in American politics. Having defended the voting franchise during the civil rights movement and helped to end the Vietnam War, they have continued to work for change across a range of social issues. If you went to college in the past 50 years, theres a good chance the mission statement of your school included language that emphasized the institutions contribution to society. Like many others, my universitys founding documents speak of contributing to the good of the individual and the good of the world. Higher-education institutions have never been neutral.

The issue that matters most to many activists right now is the war in Gaza, and protesters will undoubtedly continue to make their voices heard. Last spring at Wesleyan, students built an encampment of up to about 100 tents to protest the war and to call for the university to divest from companies thought to be supporting it. Since the protest was nonviolent and the students in the encampment were careful not to disrupt normal university operations, we allowed it to continue because their right to nonviolent protest was more important than their modest violations of the rules.
Afghans still counting costs of US intervention

09:14, September 02, 2024 By Xu Weiwei ( China Daily

Editor's note: Three years on from the withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan, the Asian country is still suffering the consequences of the failed military operation. However, there is optimism among the Afghan people for the future. China Daily takes a look at how the country is recovering.

Three years after the United States' abrupt and chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan, the Asian nation continues to suffer the consequences of Washington's 20-year military intervention, with millions of Afghans reeling from a destructive legacy of conflict and socioeconomic instability.

Since retaking control of the country in August 2021 following the departure of US-led coalition forces, the Taliban has worked to develop the country and improve the livelihood of the people. However, the efforts have been hindered by the sanctions of the US and its allies, with billions in assets of Afghanistan's central bank frozen by Western powers.

Political and diplomatic isolation adds to the problems faced by Afghanistan's caretaker government, on top of problems such as terrorism and recurrent natural disasters, as it tries to steer the country out of a sharp economic downturn and mitigate poverty, analysts said.

Despite all the woes, there was a mood of celebration in the country this month as Afghans marked the third anniversary of the US pullout. Streets and buildings in the capital Kabul were decorated with flags and slogans plastered on walls were filled with messages such as "congratulation to freedom" and "Afghan nation defeated America".

On Aug 15, 2021, the Taliban entered Kabul and took power as US and NATO forces began pulling out from the country after two decades of occupation and war. That day has been declared by the Afghan administration as "Victory Day" and marked as a public holiday.

On Aug 31, 2021, the last US troops left Afghanistan, leaving a war-battered and even more impoverished country behind. Incomplete statistics show the war killed 174,000 Afghans, including more than 30,000 civilians and made nearly one-third of the population homeless.

The US abandoned Afghanistan, leaving behind a shattered economy, widespread poverty and a humanitarian disaster, said Tahir Farooq, editor-in-chief of the Daily Ittehad Media Group and Pakistan Economic Net, a news service in Pakistan.

"The country is left in ruins, a testament to the devastating impact of American imperialism," he said. "This was not a mistake but a deliberate strategy, rooted in a history of American interventions that destabilize nations, sow chaos, and then walk away, indifferent to the suffering left in their wake."

Humanitarian crisis

"Afghanistan is entrenched in a humanitarian crisis  (due to) the dire consequences of the two-decade-long American occupation that ended in 2021", said Khalid Taimur Akram, executive director of Pakistan Research Center for a Community with Shared Future, Islamabad.

The current humanitarian crisis is stark, with the Global Hunger Index ranking Afghanistan 114th out of 125 countries in 2023. According to the United Nations Development Programme, 34 million Afghans, accounting for 85 percent of the population, were living below the poverty line by the end of 2022.

More than 24 percent of Afghan children between 5 and 17 years of age experience anxiety in the war-ravaged country, according to a report released by the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund last month.

"Children in Afghanistan face severe mental health concerns," according to the report. About 15 percent of Afghan children experience depression. Conflict, migration, displacement, natural disasters, high levels of poverty and risks of harm from explosive ordinances all have exacerbated mental health challenges among the Afghan children, it said.

The dire situation in Afghanistan is compounded by a sharp decline in international aid and the isolation of its interim government on the global stage. "The US and its allies' refusal to recognize the Taliban government has hindered diplomatic efforts," Akram said.

Wang Shida, deputy director of the Institute of South Asian Studies at the Beijing-based China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations, noted the US has evidently made an effort to isolate Afghanistan from the international community, as Taliban retaking control after 20 years of US occupation certainly does not portray the superpower in a positive light and constantly reminds the world of Washington's failure on the soil of the South Asian nation.

The conflict not only claimed countless Afghan lives but it also meant two decades of lost economic development and the Afghan people are now still paying the price, according to local officials.

Countless hospitals, schools, houses and even wedding halls and wedding parties had been bombarded during the 20-year brutal military presence of the US troops. Infrastructure facilities including roads and bridges have been badly damaged or destroyed.

More importantly, the subsequent US sanctions slapped on Afghanistan following the Western troop pullout, and the freezing of more than $7 billion in Afghan central bank assets, have further exacerbated the situation, leaving Afghanistan on the brink of economic collapse.

Over the past two years, Afghanistan's economy has been characterized by a tumultuous downturn, with a staggering 26 percent contraction in real GDP, according to a report released by the World Bank in April.

To facilitate economic recovery for the Afghan people, experts noted that it is essential to unlock the funds frozen by the US. "Afghanistan's wealth belongs to its people, and they alone should have the right to decide how to use it," said Akram.

In terms of security, the Taliban government, facing challenges from various terrorist groups, has struggled to manage the internal and external threats to Afghanistan's security. The power vacuum created by the US exit has fueled violence and extremism. Lack of cooperation from the US even on counterterrorism efforts has undermined the Taliban's ability to combat the threats effectively, said analysts.

Moreover, risks posed by the 1,228 cluster bombs containing 248,056 bomblets dropped by US forces linger, according to the US Cluster Munition Coalition. Medical charity Doctors Without Borders noted that more than 20 percent of the bombs did not explode on impact and remain active on the ground in Afghanistan, remaining a source of civilian casualties.

Washington failed to achieve anything resembling stability  instead, the reckless withdrawal left Afghanistan in chaos, Farooq from Pakistan said.

"This catastrophic outcome is not unique to Afghanistan; it is part of a broader pattern of US foreign policy failures, where countries are left more unstable and dangerous than before," said Farooq. "The world must recognize and reject the hollow promises of US involvement, which bring nothing but ruin and despair."

Simply put, the US made the decision to send its troops to Afghanistan based on its own interests and demands, rather than the wishes of the Afghans, Wang said. Similarly, acts such as the departure from Afghanistan stemmed from the priorities of US foreign policies and security strategy at different periods of time. "They rarely consider the welfare of Afghans," he added.

Rebuilding the country

The Taliban has played an active role in trying to rebuild the country after the US troops left. In mid-August, the Afghan caretaker government's acting minister for industry and commerce, Nooruddin Azizi, said that more than $7 billion had been invested in Afghanistan over the past three years, of which $500 million was invested in the industry sector, Afghan media outlet Tolonews reported.

Urging Afghan and foreign companies to invest in the country, the official said the administration will spare no efforts to encourage more companies to invest and increase investment in all sectors including agriculture, mining and power.

The caretaker government has also vowed to crack down on criminal elements to ensure law and order in the war-ravaged nation.

According to the Global Terrorism Index, terror deaths fell by 519 in Afghanistan in 2023, an 81 percent improvement. This was the first year since 2019 that Afghanistan has not been the country most impacted by terrorism.

Mohammadajan, a street vendor in Kabul, said three years ago, when he heard that the Taliban was going to enter the city, he saw through the window that people on the street were running home in a panic.

But he soon discovered that things did not develop in the bad direction and Afghanistan finally ushered in three years of relative peace.

"The security situation here has improved 100 percent and the number of beggars and thieves on the street has also gradually decreased," Mohammadajan told Xinhua News Agency. "Our shop is open until 12 midnight and no one bothers us."

Mullah Mohammad Hassan Akhund, acting prime minister in Afghanistan's caretaker government, called for efforts to maintain peace and security and to rebuild the war-torn country, according to a statement released by the Prime Minister's Office in mid-August.

The current opportunity provided by return to peace should be used to strengthen the administration, promote good governance, stabilize security, and rebuild the country, he said.

After returning home from the UN-convened third Doha conference on Afghanistan in July, a spokesperson for the caretaker government, Zabihullah Mujahid, said that Kabul wants to have positive engagement with all countries around the world.

"The Islamic Emirate wants positive and trustable engagements with all the countries of the world," Mujahid told the media.

Akram from Islamabad called on the world to keep engaging with Afghanistan's government, as only in this way can the Afghan people "hope to overcome the country's current challenges and move toward a stable and prosperous future".

Xinhua contributed to this story.

(Web editor: Tian Yi, Zhong Wenxing)
Every U.S. president likes to end his State of Union Address to the Congress with a cliche: The Union is strong, but it can be stronger! No, that is not true. The Union is not strong. It is broken. Almost.

The U.S. has always been a country with diverse people with even more diverse opinions. It is healthy and normal. That is what makes this country strong. That is what makes the Union strong. Tide has turned, The Union is what it used to be no longer.

Cracks on the wall of the Union started during the Obama Administration. Obama had the strongest mandate in modern history to make changes for the better in this country we all love. Instead, he implemented policies that divided the country. He then implemented more policies to further divide this country. Many people longing for a real change supported Obama feverishly in the 2008 presidential election. Many of his supporters were hugely disappointed by his administration. The pendulum swung to the left further and further in the Obama years. The damage done to this country by Obama is irremediable.

Then out of thin air came Trump. Trumps entry into the 2016 election changed the political landscape completely, but not for the better. Trump is a not-so-successful businessman and pathological liar. We can all agree that every politician is a liar, but there has been no bigger liar than Trump in modern history. Maybe ever. Trump behaved like a petty child who was late to class in front of Putin. His press conference in Helsinki after meeting with Putin is a diplomatic disgrace matched by none. The national debt increased by a whopping 8 trillion on this watch. This is a debt that our children and grandchildren will never be able to re-pay. The American people rejected Trump in the 2020 election for a senile Biden. The narcissist Trump just could not handle the loss and became the biggest crying baby that nobody has ever seen. Trump dog-whistled his supporters to Washington D.C. on January 6th, 2021. A riot ensued. We all watched on TV what happened on the Capitol on that black day. The damage done to this country by Trump and his MAGA followers is irremediable.

We do not need a leftist politician like Harris who will surely nudge the country further to the left. Nor do we need a crying baby like Trump who cares about nobody but himself. The U.S. needs a politician who can at least sometimes tell a little truth. The U.S. needs a Democrat who can win in the red states, or a Republican who can win in blue states. We don't want a Harris. We don't want a Trump.

I am not a Christian, but I still pray to God. Dear God, please make Harris a loser in the general election. Please make Trump a loser in the general election. Please save the United States of America. Amen!
On Aug. 22, hours before Vice President Kamala Harris took the stage in Chicago at the Democratic National Convention, Donald Trump was claiming that she would abolish Immigration and Customs Enforcement and allow more than 100 million people to cross into the United States. If Comrade Harris has the chance, Mr. Trump warned from Cochise County, Ariz., on the U.S.-Mexico border, our country will be overrun, and essentially it wont be a country. It will be not governable. He then renewed his promise to use the military and other government resources to arrest and banish millions of immigrants living in the United States, including those in various humanitarian programs. With your vote, Mr. Trump said, we will seal the border, stop the invasion and launch the largest deportation effort in American history.

It would be easy to dismiss these threats as posturing to stir up his base, but recent reporting suggests that Mr. Trumps allies are drawing up plans for the most regressive immigrant policy since 1954, when Dwight Eisenhowers administration rounded up as many as 1.3 million people, mostly Mexican and Mexican American workers, as part of the openly racist campaign known as Operation Wetback. According to reporting by The Times and The Wall Street Journal, Mr. Trumps plans  which he describes as following the Eisenhower model  would not just remove people already in the United States but also cut off the flow of new migrants. If carried out abruptly and thoroughly, as Mr. Trump has promised, such policies would threaten vital areas of the American economy dependent on immigrant labor. Nowhere is that more evident than in the meat industry.

Not so long ago, Americas meatpackers relied heavily on undocumented immigrants from Mexico and other Latin American countries to staff their factories. But a brutal set of government raids in 2006 changed their calculus. On Dec. 12 of that year, ICE, newly created by President George W. Bush, simultaneously entered six Swift & Company meatpacking plants and arrested 1,300 undocumented workers on charges of immigration violations and identity theft. In the tiny town of Cactus, Texas, agents barred the plant doors and began handcuffing workers. There were people hiding behind machinery, in boxes, even in the carcasses, an employee later told The Washington Post.

In Cactus alone, nearly 300 employees, about 10 percent of the towns population, were arrested. When agents ran out of handcuffs, they tied workers with rope. It was the largest workplace immigration raid in American history. At the time, the ICE director, Julie Meyers, said, The action should send a clear message to employers: Hiring illegal workers is not acceptable.
Protesters staging hunger strikes against tourism developments. Local officials threatening to cut off water to illegal vacation rentals. Residents spraying tourists with water pistols.

With Labor Day, the unofficial end of summer, upon us, European hot spots like Barcelona, Athens and the Greek island of Santorini have reached a breaking point, making tourists the targets of a major backlash. While final visitor numbers for this summer arent in, they are expected to surpass 2019 levels; in the second quarter alone, international arrivals exceeded 2019 by six percent, according to the European Travel Commission.

Climate change has also put tremendous pressure on popular destinations. July was the planets 14th consecutive month of record heat, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and Spain and Greece experienced some of their hottest days on record, with temperatures over 114 degrees Fahrenheit.

While tourism is a critical economic driver for many European destinations, some residents argue that more tourism revenue needs to be invested in communities and infrastructure.
Four people were fatally shot aboard a transit train on Monday morning in a suburb west of Chicago, in what the authorities said was an isolated episode.

The shooter fled but was later taken into custody, officials said. A motive for the shooting was not immediately clear.

The shooting, aboard a train at the Forest Park Station in Forest Park, Ill., about 10 miles west of Chicago, was reported to the police around 5:30 a.m., the Village of Forest Park said in a statement.

The authorities said that the victims, who have not been publicly identified, were shot while they were sleeping on a westbound Chicago Transit Authority Blue Line train.
As a tumultuous summer that hastened the end of President Bidens political career winds to a close, he has spent the past two weeks secluded in Southern California and at a home in Rehoboth Beach, Del., that has become his refuge from the pressures of the presidency.

But presidents are never truly off duty, a reality that became clear when Israel recovered the bodies of six hostages in southern Gaza on Saturday. The White House announced late that day that Hersh Goldberg-Polin, a dual Israeli American citizen, was among the dead, and Mr. Biden spoke to Mr. Goldberg-Polins parents on Sunday morning.

I am devastated and outraged, Mr. Biden said in a statement on Saturday offering his condolences. He added that he would continue to work around the clock for a deal to secure the release of the remaining hostages.

The president appeared to be working behind the scenes throughout last week. He spoke with the prime minister of India last Monday and was spotted talking on the phone and reading papers on the beach. He briefly addressed reporters about the hostages after attending Mass on Saturday evening, but otherwise tried to stay out of the public eye, emerging only on Wednesday and Saturday for afternoons on the beach.
President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris will appear together on Monday in Pittsburgh to celebrate labor unions, a crucial mobilizing force for Democrats, at their first joint campaign event since Ms. Harris replaced Mr. Biden at the top of the ticket in July.

Mr. Biden has called himself the most pro-union president in history, and last year he became the first sitting president to visit a picket line.

Now Ms. Harris is hoping to adopt that pro-worker mantle for herself. As vice president, she led a task force examining the ways that the government could help expand union membership. But business leaders generally see her as friendlier to their interests and more flexible on policy than Mr. Biden.

In Pittsburgh, Ms. Harris and Mr. Biden will attend an event at a local union hall alongside Gov. Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania and Senator Bob Casey, who is up for re-election. The Harris campaign said local and national leaders of major unions including the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, the A.F.L.-C.I.O. and the United Steelworkers will attend.
Nikki Haley had been out of the Republicans presidential race for over a month when Linda Kapralick and Cathleen Barone cast their ballots for her in Pennsylvanias primary, so eager were they for an alternative to former President Donald J. Trump.

With Mr. Trump as the nominee, now is Ms. Haleys voters time for choosing, as she was so fond of saying on the campaign trail, echoing a Ronald Reagan line.

Many of Ms. Haleys most ardent supporters in her losing bid  moderate, college-educated Republicans and independents skeptical of Mr. Trump  fell into what pollsters called the double haters camp: people dreading having to cast a ballot for Mr. Trump or President Biden, before he ended his re-election campaign. Vice President Kamala Harriss acceptance of the Democratic nomination last month has changed the math.

Neither one of these candidates is exactly a perfect fit for those voters, Whit Ayres, a veteran Republican pollster, said of Ms. Harris and Mr. Trump. The Haley voters, I think, are examining the Harris candidacy, and they are going to decide where they fall eventually.
President Biden gave a demonstration on Monday that the Democratic Party now belongs to Vice President Kamala Harris, stepping to the microphone at a campaign event in Pittsburgh to introduce his No. 2 rather than taking the speaking slot of honor for himself.

Folks, weve made a lot of progress, and Kamala and I are going to build on that progress, and shes going to build on it, Mr. Biden said at a local union hall as he rallied the labor movement in support of Ms. Harris, who stood behind him leading the crowd in applause. Ill be on the sidelines, but Ill do everything I can to help.
The image went viral as protests over the Israel-Hamas war rattled college campuses around the country last spring: two dozen or so fraternity members at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill shielding a wrinkled American flag from pro-Palestinian protesters who had already taken it down once.

Republicans, including former President Donald J. Trump, were quick to highlight the episode in speeches and videos. But a GoFundMe campaign created for the fraternity brothers captured the most attention. Its organizer, John Noonan, who has worked for a number of Republicans in Washington, wrote on the GoFundMe page that commie losers had invaded college campuses and that the U.N.C. Brohemians had protected the flag from an unwashed Marxist horde.

So, Mr. Noonan said, he needed Americas help to throw em a rager.
Gao Zhen, a Chinese artist who has drawn international acclaim for works critiquing the Cultural Revolution, has been detained in China, his brother and artistic partner Gao Qiang said on Monday.

The Gao brothers are best known for their statues depicting Mao Zedong in provocative or irreverent ways, such as Maos Guilt, a bronze statue depicting the leader on his knees, supplicant and remorseful.

The police in Sanhe City detained Gao Zhen, who moved to the United States two years ago, last week while he was visiting China, his younger brother said in an email, on suspicion of slandering Chinas heroes and martyrs  a criminal offense punishable by up to three years in prison.

The police also confiscated several of the brothers artworks, all of which were created more than 10 years ago and reassessed Maos Cultural Revolution, Gao Qiang said. The works included Maos Guilt; The Execution of Christ, a statue depicting Jesus facing down a firing squad of Maos; and Miss Mao, a collection of statues of Mao with large breasts and a protruding, Pinocchio-like nose.
Pope Francis left Monday on an 11-day trip to the Asia-Pacific region, the longest and among the most complicated of his tenure. It could be particularly challenging for Francis, 87, who has been using a wheelchair and battling health problems.

But the trip, which includes a stop in Indonesia  the worlds largest Muslim majority country  also signals he has no intention of slowing down his outreach to faraway Catholics.

Francis will visit four countries for a total of about 20,000 miles by plane. From Indonesia he goes to Papua New Guinea, then East Timor and Singapore, as he deepens his engagement with Asia, one of his priorities.

The trip will include more than 43 hours of air travel and meetings with local faithful, clergy and politicians in cities with tropical climates or high levels of pollution on the other side of the world from Rome.
Hamass handbook for underground combat describes, in meticulous detail, how to navigate in darkness, move stealthily beneath Gaza and fire automatic weapons in confined spaces for maximum lethality.

Battlefield commanders were even instructed to time, down to the second, how long it took their fighters to move between various points underground.

The 2019 manual, which was seized by Israeli forces and reviewed by The New York Times, was part of a yearslong effort by Hamas, well before its Oct. 7 attack and current war with Israel, to build an underground military operation that could withstand prolonged attacks and slow down Israeli ground forces inside the darkened tunnels.

Just a year before attacking Israel, Yahya Sinwar, the leader of Hamas in the Gaza Strip, approved spending $225,000 to install blast doors to protect the militias tunnel network from airstrikes and ground assaults.
President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia began meetings with the leader of Mongolia on Tuesday in his first state visit to a member of the International Criminal Court since it issued a warrant for his arrest in March 2023.

In advance of Mr. Putins trip, the I.C.C. stated that Mongolia was obligated to arrest Mr. Putin, but Mongolia is heavily dependent on Russia for fuel, and an arrest was considered extremely unlikely.

Far from being arrested, Mr. Putin was given a red-carpet welcome in the central square of the Mongolian capital, Ulaanbaatar.

Ahead of the trip, the Kremlin had shrugged off the possibility of an arrest.

There are no worries, we have a great dialogue with our friends from Mongolia, Dmitri S. Peskov, the Kremlins spokesman, told reporters on Friday, noting that all aspects of the visit have been thoroughly prepared.
Follow the latest updates on the Russia-Ukraine war.

Russia carried out its third large-scale bombardment of Ukraine in a week on Monday, with explosions ringing out early in the morning in Kyiv and several other cities after a volley of missiles was fired on the first day of the school year.

The attacks extended Russias terrorizing assaults on cities across Ukraine that began a week ago, even as it pushes forward with fierce attacks along the frontline in Ukraines East.

Ukraine has responded by launching drones at refineries and electrical plants in Russia, including one near Moscow on Sunday, causing fires and other damage. The Monday attack came around 5:30 a.m., after a countrywide air alert, and after a missile the night before had struck an orphanage in the northeastern city of Sumy, wounding two children and 11 adults, according to the city council and Ukraines public broadcaster, Suspilne.

The attack stood out for the number of ballistic missiles fired at Kyiv, said Serhiy Popko, the military administrator in Kyiv, but early reports suggested that casualties and damage were minor.
When the Russian invasion of Ukraine began in February 2022 and some of her students fled abroad, Iryna Kovaliova, a literature teacher, decided it was time to retire.

I wrote my resignation letter and took my things from school, she said. But the children in her sixth-grade class, 6H, in a Kyiv school, begged her to stay, at least for the duration of the war, she recounted in a recent interview.

Two years later, she is still teaching at 63, three years past the retirement age for teachers, torn by the heartbreak of watching her students grapple with the trauma of air raids, bombings and the loss of loved ones. She worries for those who have been displaced, forced to study online, as well as for former students who have already enlisted in the army and are fighting on the front lines.
The helicopter crash that killed Irans president in May was mainly caused by bad weather, including dense fog, Iranian state media reported, citing the conclusions of a final investigation report.

The president, Ebrahim Raisi, was a hard-line religious cleric and a protege of Irans supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. His death shook Iran at a strained moment for the country  facing a volatile conflict with Israel, economic struggles at home, and complex diplomacy over its nuclear program.

The state news agency, IRNA, had reported in June that technical failure had contributed to the crash. But on Sunday, it said the final report from an investigation by Irans armed forces had determined that the accident was primarily caused by weather conditions, including thick fog.

The investigation found that all major repairs and replacement of critical parts for the helicopter had been carried out in accordance with standard regulations, IRNA reported, and the debris showed no defects that could have contributed to the crash. IRNA added that the report found no signs of sabotage or tampering.
The labor union that called for the strike in Israel on Monday, Histadrut, has played a key role in recent Israeli politics. Most notably, it led strikes last year that challenged Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, forcing him to back off a contentious judicial plan.

Histadrut, or the General Organization of Workers in Israel, was also pivotal to the founding of the State of Israel. It was set up in 1920, at a time when trade unions were a critical vector of political and economic influence in many countries.

Its purpose in its early decades was both to serve the needs of workers at a time of Jewish immigration to what was then British-administered Palestine, and to lay the groundwork for the foundation of Israel as a state. It helped to establish the industrial, financial and economic institutions from which the nation emerged in 1948. The unions leader in the early years, David Ben-Gurion, became Israels first prime minister.

The organization, the largest of its kind in Israel, now represents about 800,000 workers from 27 separate unions, according to its website. Its chairman, Arnon Bar-David, has held the post since 2019.

Mr. Bar-David, a longtime member of the union who also served as a major in the military reserves, in early 2023 joined other union chiefs, business leaders and military reservists to oppose a plan put in place by Mr. Netanyahus far-right government to limit the Supreme Courts ability to strike down decisions by elected officials.

Histadrut organized a major strike that  along with disquiet in the military and mass protests that destabilized the economy  contributed to one of the biggest domestic upheavals in Israel in decades. The unrest prompted Mr. Netanyahu to suspend the judicial plan.

The deadly attack led by Hamas on Israel months later, and the ensuing Israeli military offensive in Gaza, moved the judicial issue to the background. But Histadrut again showed its influence by calling for the general strike on Monday, which, along with large street demonstrations the night before calling for a deal to free hostages from Gaza, amounted to the broadest expression of anti-government dissent since the war began.
Britain announced on Monday that it would suspend the export of some weapons to Israel, a significant hardening of its position on Israels conduct of the war in Gaza under a new Labour government.

The foreign secretary, David Lammy, announced the decision in parliament, saying it was based on a legal review that concluded there was a clear risk that the weapons could be used in a way that would breach humanitarian law. The suspension, he said, would affect 30 of 350 export licenses, including components for military aircraft.

This is not a blanket ban, Mr. Lammy said in the House of Commons. This is not an arms embargo.

Still, the decision further distances Britain from the United States, an ally with which it had moved almost in lock step since the war in Gaza began last October. The Biden administration has rejected calls to suspend arms shipments despite arguments that their use by Israel violated international law.

The assessment I have received leaves me unable to conclude anything other than that, for certain U.K. arms exports to Israel, there does exist a clear risk that they might be used to commit, or facilitate, a serious violation of international humanitarian law, Mr. Lammy said.

Britains arms trade with Israel is nowhere near that of the United States, totaling about 42 million pounds, or $55 million, in 2022. In addition to parts for military aircraft, it sells assault rifles and explosive devices. Under a 10-year agreement reached in 2016, the United States provides $3.8 billion in annual military aid to Israel.

But the suspension marks a significant escalation in British pressure on Israel to curb civilian deaths in its campaign to root out Hamas militants in Gaza. More than 40,000 Palestinians have been killed in the war in Gaza, including women and children, the Gazan health ministry said in August.
Once again Culture Night in Offaly promises to be one night for all as venues and public spaces across Offaly open their doors to host a programme of free cultural events for Culture Night 2024, an island-wide celebration of arts, heritage and culture.

Once again Culture Night in Offaly promises to be one night for all as venues and public spaces across Offaly open their doors to host a programme of free cultural events for Culture Night 2024, an island-wide celebration of arts, heritage and culture.

Cathaoirleach Cllr Tony McCormack confirmed: Culture Night Offaly brings a packed programme of events which reflects the eclectic cultural spirit within the county and is a great night out for all the family. There is a range of cultural treats to choose from, across the county in Banagher, Birr, Clara, Clonmacnoise, Edenderry, Kilcormac, Shinrone and Tullamore. The programme of activities in Offaly is now available to download at www.offaly.ie/culture-night-offaly .

Commenting on this years programme of events, Arts Officer, Dr. Sally OLeary of Offaly County Council said: Culture Night has become an annual event which is eagerly anticipated by so many and 2024 is no exception, with multiple events happening across the county; with artists, community groups, and venues taking part in the creation of an exciting and stimulating evening of creativity for everyone to enjoy. Culture Night 2024 in Offaly offers a diverse range of activities for all the community and the Arts Office is also delighted to announce the commissions awarded to five professional artists whose work range across visual arts, music, storytelling and dance and film. The commissioned artists will offer presentations of their work in four locations across the county. This year will certainly be One Night For All.

The programme was launched last week at Birr Theatre and Arts Centre, as artists, venue hosts and organisers came together to showcase the variety of events which will be held across the county on Culture Night Offaly (Friday 20th September).

Ann Dillon, Deputy Chief Executive outlined that Offalys creative and cultural sector comes alive with a showcase of art, music, talks, film, poetry, dance and photography confirming that Culture Night Offaly sees an emphasis on diversity and inclusion with all communities encouraged to come and be part of a range of multi-disciplinary events. Creative Edenderry host 'Cultures of Edenderry'  a special evening celebrating the diverse cultures and nationalities of Edenderry and surrounding areas. Birr also hosts events which celebrates Irish Tradition and Culture, including renowned artist Thomas McCarthy and his ensemble showcase songs and stories from their series of Creative Ireland workshops which celebrate Experience the rich tapestry of Irish Traveller culture. Cloughmoyle Hall, decorated in the aesthetic of an old Irish rambling house, will host an intimate Culture Night event in Shinrone.

Ms Dillon further added Visual art is also a strong feature of this years programme with exhibitions in Esker Arts, including In Dreams by Arno Kramer and Cecilia Bullo plus and an exciting commission at J.J. Houghs in Banagher with Whale Fall by Patrick and new paintings by Sheila Hough from 7.00 pm. Commissioned artist Rosemarie Langtry is hosting an exhibition in Clonmacnoise, displaying ways so recycle, repurpose and reuse china teapots, cups and mugs.

Music also takes centre-stage this year. Clara Musical Society hosts Musical All Sorts at Friends Meeting House, Clara at 8pm and there are choral delights in Edenderry with Eden Chorales at Edenderry Library at 6.00pm. Youth events feature strongly with an Open Youth Busk hosted by Music Generation Offaly at Esker Arts from 4pm, and Donlan Dance Students will present a contemporary work BOLD at Esker Arts at 6.30pm.

Culture Night Offaly truly has something for everyone. All events are free to attend, although some venues require booking in advance. The event brochure is available to download from www.offaly.ie/culture-night-offaly with regular updates on Offaly Arts social media channels, Facebook and Instagram, and on www.culturenight.ie/offaly

Culture Night is brought to you by the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht and the Creative Ireland Programme in partnership with Offaly County Council.
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 also a very talented songwriter and musician and performs regularly for many events .
A new community solar array is opening in Grand Island. Nautilus Solar Energy, which owns and operates solar projects across the country, is opening its 5.5-megawatt Comfort Community Solar Farm, located at 2356 Whitehaven Road. It will produce 8.35 million kilowatt-hours of energy each year, bringing affordable renewable energy to 850 local subscribers and one commercial business within National Grid's territory.

The company said that will offset nearly 6,000 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions, which compares to removing 1,400 cars from roads.

The Town of Tonawanda Planning Board on Wednesday will consider a proposal for two warehouse buildings totaling 19,440 square feet of space at 2042 Military Road, including an 8,640-square-foot building and a 10,800-square-foot building, with a maximum of 14 storage spaces between them.

Also on Wednesday, the Hamburg Planning Board will review an amended preliminary plat from Essex Homes for a 12-lot subdivision as an extension of Niles Avenue. The plan was originally approved in February 2023.

The board also will consider a request by a New Jersey-based investment group for a planned-unit development zoning designation for the 25.3-acre Gateway Building property at 3556 Lakeshore Road.

And it will discuss draft environmental impact statements for Glenn Wetzls application to rezone property east and south of the former Protective Industrial Products personal-protection-equipment plant and former Walmart store at 4255 McKinley Parkway, and for a proposed subdivision on the west side of Parker Road, south of Big Tree Road.

The inside story on how 43North evolved from an idea to a game-changing force in Buffalos startup scene will be told by two of its founding board members during an event Thursday evening at the Burchfield Penney Art Center, 1300 Elmwood Ave.

The Inception to Impact Panel will feature Jordan Levy and Bill Maggio from 4:45 to 7 p.m. inside the Peter and Elizabeth C. Tower Auditorium. The event celebrates 43North's 10th anniversary and the 43North Finals on Oct. 10 at Shea's Performing Arts Center.

Free parking is available in the museum's dedicated lot. Additional parking is available on nearby streets. For convenience, consider using the parking lot directly adjacent to the museum.

Also on Thursday, 43North will hold the Compass Career Fair from 4 to 7 p.m. at Seneca One tower. Attendees will be able to learn about the latest opportunities with some of Buffalos hottest startups and gain the support needed to land a dream job.

Coming up Sept. 9, in Grand Island, the Town Tavern Bar and Grill, at 2241 Grand Island Blvd., wants to add an accessory building to its 1.85-acre property, behind the main building. It will include an auxiliary bar area, bathrooms and seating area, but is primarily intended to serve the existing volleyball courts, according to owner Mike Wylkes application to the town Planning Board.

And Guard Construction and Contracting Corp. wants to move its headquarters to a 5.2-acre site at 2408 Bedell Road, with a pair of one-story garage buildings totaling 3,000 square feet and 10 parking spaces. The property is currently used as an indoor warehouse, but Guard would convert it to office space, along with 10 more parking spaces and contractor storage yards for materials, vehicles and equipment. The company is asking the town to rezone the property to allow two equipment yards. If approved, work would begin this fall.

THE LATEST

The average weekly wage for the more than 460,000 workers in Erie County rose by 4.5% during the year that ended in March.

A looming UB resident doctor strike could 'cause operational headaches' for Buffalo hospitals.

Douglas Jemal's company defaulted on a loan on properties in the Washington, D.C., area, but he says not to worry about his Buffalo Niagara plans.

The owners of Chef's restaurant are being sued after backing out of a deal to buy a nearby building.

An East Side manufacturer is staying put after a family-backed deal.

The head of the state cannabis agency says cracking down on illegal shops is boosting the slow-to-develop legal market.

A Buffalo Lakeside Commerce Park project has been scrapped.

A Rosina Foods expansion project in West Seneca is getting tax breaks.

A battery storage project is coming to Chautauqua County - but not for many years.

Why the NFL's new private-equity ownership rules are great news for Terry Pegula.

A developer plans to tear down the Deep South Taco building on Hertel and replace it with a five-story mixed-use structure.

A second lawsuit between RiverWorks' owners shows that the rift between them is growing wider.

A North Tonawanda cannabis grower is facing lawsuits over unpaid debts.

Rachel's Mediterranean Grill went on an expansion kick. It didn't turn out well.

Odoo has big plans for its Buffalo office.

A Rochester developer is planning a town center for an aging Olean mall site.

Hiring has slowed to a crawl across the Buffalo Niagara region.

A big housing project could be coming to the Pilgrim Village site.

The redevelopment of the Northland Corridor got a boost from a pair of grants from National Grid.

Fisher-Price is launching another line of Buffalo Bills-themed Little People.

A local startup wrapped up a round of fundraising.

Here's how the local unemployment rate changed during July.

An Abbott Road funeral home could be torn down to make way for a new building with apartments and commercial space.

Developer Scott Croce is planning a project to bring commercial space and apartments to downtown Ellicottville.

Batavia manufacturer Graham Inc. is building a big addition to its factory.

ICYMI

Five reads from Buffalo Next:

1. Though Bitwise collapsed, its mission to train the next generation of tech workers survives in the PATHS program.

2. Orchard Park officials hope proposed zoning law changes will spur development around the new Buffalo Bills stadium.

3. The new Buffalo Bills stadium will be protected by Florian, an AI-enabled incident command platform from Buffalo tech startup 3AM Innovation.

4. Ever wonder what it's like to go on a three-minute shopping spree? It takes hours of preparation, and get ready to run.

5. Orchard Park officials are working on plans to capitalize on development opportunities around the new Buffalo Bills stadium.

The Buffalo Next team gives you the big picture on the regions economic revitalization. Email tips to buffalonext@buffnews.com or reach Buffalo Next Editor David Robinson at 716-849-4435.
Small businesses in Buffalo and along the I-90 corridor need more support to overcome obstacles to reaching their economic potential.

That is the broad message of a small business report issued by the Urban Institute and funded by the JPMorgan Chase Foundation.

Small businesses and the institutions that serve them face significant challenges and can benefit from focused public and philanthropic support and greater regional coordination, according to the report.

The timing is right to cultivate that spirit of collaboration, said Jeanique Druses, head of global philanthropy for the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic for JPMorgan Chase.

Micron Technology is planning to invest up to $100 billion in a semiconductor complex near Syracuse. Edwards Vacuum is building a $319 million manufacturing plant in Genesee County. And Buffalo, Rochester and Syracuse are teaming up on a federal tech hub program to bolster the semiconductor industry along the I-90.

Semiconductor focus could boost manufacturing, tech job growth in WNY The upstate New York partners in the tech hub bid see the $40 million as a starting point, intending to secure funds from other sources to implement their strategy.

You see the momentum is starting to build, Druses said.

The challenge, she added, is to ensure that the growth benefits existing residents, and is equitable.

This is a moment in time when the I-90 corridor can capitalize on the opportunities that have been presented to it, but the way to do that is collaboration  collaboration across not only the cities, but even the other communities along the corridor, Druses said.

The Urban Institutes report on small business grew out conversations that JPMorgan Chase had with community organizations about addressing needs in the three upstate cities, Druses said.

The report identifies significant challenges faced by small businesses along the I-90 corridor. Those include slow to nonexistent economic growth in the cities along the corridor, and a moderate number of small businesses operating in that corridor relative to its peers. The Buffalo area, for instance, had 25 small businesses for every 1,000 residents.

KeyBank urged to invest in disadvantaged Buffalo communities In a letter to the bank's chair and CEO, Chris Gorman, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Assembly Majority Leader Crystal Peoples-Stokes called for targeting $25 million to meet the greatest needs in Western New York.

Among the other challenges the report identified: access to capital, and racial and gender disparities in small business ownership. Among mid-sized cities, Buffalo, Rochester and Syracuse each ranked near the bottom in lending to small businesses, as measured by average annual lending per small business employee from 2005 to 2021.

The low levels of small business lending in the I-90 corridor are striking, and speak to a need for sustained investment to improve access to capital, the reports authors wrote.

Keeping wealth in the area is another challenge. Buffalo, for example, has a history of wealth leaving, effectively thwarting local intergenerational wealth transfer and knowledge-sharing, the report says.

One unidentified person interviewed for the report said, Many of our successful entrepreneurs, by the time theyre successful, and millionaires, they tend to retire to Florida.

So how can small businesses in upstate cities overcome these different challenges? The Urban Institute report said, Municipal and county governments in the I-90 corridor will need to show a strong commitment to coordinating and increasing resources and ongoing small business support efforts.

The report recommends boosting access to capital and making it more equitable, investing in more-effective business development services, deploying procurement policies in support of small businesses and developing some new resources, such as technological platforms that connect the I-90 corridor cities.

Druses said the benefit to small business from collaboration is meaningful.

When you collaborate, she said, you can win big.
Three Sri Lankans arrested at Bengaluru airport for smuggling gold

Posted by Editor on September 2, 2024 - 9:30 am

Bengaluru Air Customs officials on Saturday (August 31), apprehended three Sri Lankan nationals at Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) for allegedly being part of an international gold smuggling racket.

The trio was intercepted upon arrival from Colombo. A team of officials discovered gold concealed in paste form in their rectums.

The seized gold weighed 1,670.92 grams, with an estimated value of approximately 11.9 million Indian rupees.

According to the officials, the trio were acting as mules for the smuggling network.
Announcement: The Palestine Institute for Biodiversity and Sustainability (Bethlehem University) is looking for volunteers, interns and occasionally staff. Past volunteers and interns are usually at an advantage for staff positions due to experience. We are looking for people passionate about nature, about biodiversity. Email us at info@palestinenature.org and/or go to"

Six Israeli prisoners were found dead in Gaza. Hamas says they were killed by Israeli bombings. The Israeli regime said they were killed by Hamas (not logical when the movement wanted to trade prisoners to get rid of "assets". No autopsy reports will be issued by the regime that lies all the time and no independent investigation will be allowed. Biden and other western "leaders" mindlessly parrots whatever talking point the genocidal regime gives his administration. No one talks about 21,000 prisoners/hostages held by Israel, at least 54 of them died under torture. Meanwhile the genocide and destruction of everything Palestinian continues unabated under Israeli occupation and colonization. Western governments do not even dare to criticize the destruction of infrastructure (streets, water systems, homes) in actions of population collective punishment shown conclusively by human rights groups not to be anything related to resistance fighters. And complete lockdown today of all ghettos/concentration camps in the West Bank,,,,

I wrote years ago at US election time which I copy here merely changing names of those on the ballot and adding [in brackets]. That is because the horror of US/Israel "work" around the world to devastate people's lives continues unabated.

*The world is a very dangerous place. and is about to get more dangerous. Tens of millions of people in Egypt for example may starve as the Nile is restricted with Ethiopian and US/Israeli collaboration. Israel already runs Egypt [hence the collaboration to starve Gaza]. Tigray and Amhara regions of Ethiopia (sources of Nile) are led by People who do not like the Zionists while the central government of Ethiopian fighting them with Israeli help is Zionized. [now a devastating war in Ukraine to expand NATO/Israel influence is grinding on with no end in sight]. Similarly, we expect the war on Syria, Libya, and Yemen by puppets of the US/Israel to flare-up unless the public wakes up [now added Sudan and Lebanon]. Biden [soon Harris or Trump- same thing] will continue to support the so-called US allies that violate human rights. They work to subjugate Cuba, Venezuela, Iran, and other countries that fail to support Apartheid Israel. The public should insist that the administration should not collude with regimes like Saudi Arabia, Israel, UAE, Bahrain, India. In the case of Israel US also funds its apartheid regime to the tune of $billions per year [tax payer money to commit genocide and ethnic cleansing]. We should instead insist that they stop starving countries respecting the will of their people (like Yemen and Venezuela). The genocidal policies of the USA will not change by simply electing one corporate funded candidate over another corporate funded person. For the Palestinian self-appointed "leaders" I say please wake-up and join the axis of resistance instead of going back to failed policies of begging your oppressors. On good news, more people are waking up, writing, engaging in civil disobedience, refusing to take part in oppression, engaging in BDS, planting, growing, educating children, engaging in civil service, and much more. Millions of candles are lit (lighting a candle better than cursing the dark). I am honored and humbled to report that locally here in Palestine goodness is still all around us. Millions of people have not succumbed to the propaganda. Life is a struggle. Goodness will prevail. The 99% will eventually win over the 1% (actually more like 0.01% that want to run the world).*

In 2017 I wrote "Will Palestine be liquidated with Arab complicity?" I also wrote about the removal of the last fig leaf covering the delusional "peace process" (aka Zionist project) and I wondered if there any hope for the USA?

BDS movement action: on the massive West Bank attacks.

Beautiful film about learning how to live on this planet from the wisdom of indigenous peoples: and an inspiring article along the same line.

It is time for a one state solution to go mainstream as it is the only solution to decolonize Palestine. Please see my book of 2004 "Sharing the Land of Canaan" available here.

Per aspera ad astra (from difficulties to the stars)

Stay Human and keep Palestine alive

Mazin Qumsiyeh

A bedouin in cyberspace, a villager at home

Professor, Founder, and (volunteer) Director Palestine Museum of Natural History

Palestine Institute of Biodiversity and Sustainability Bethlehem University Occupied Palestine

facebook pages Personal Institute

French
Donald Trump won the American presidency in 2016. But can he win again in 2024? The future seemed sweet for him following President Joe Biden's disastrous debate performance in June of 2024. He was basking in the (false) perceptions of a declining economy, raising huge amounts of money, and leading comfortably in most polls -- especially in the "swing" states. But the tide changed once Vice-President Kamala Harris became the substitute candidate for an increasingly frail President Biden. Losing the support of major party leaders, such as Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and ex-Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-Ca), he faced a split within his party over American policy in the Israel-Hamas conflict. He also watched as polls dipped downward and, surely, he feared that Trump would win the election.

President Biden withdrew from the race, and an incredible eruption of relief and enthusiasm greeted the new ticket of Kamala Harris and her vice-presidential pick, the earthy Governor of Minnesota, Tim Walz. Avoiding a primary fight at the Convention, she immediately became the recipient of $500 million in donations (on top of the $500 million already raised by President Biden). Her background as an African-American and South Asian woman made her an inspiration for minorities, young people, and women. What's more, she was primed to present herself as the heir of a legislative record whose remarkable character was never properly conveyed to the American people by President Biden.

Vice-President Harris instantly disoriented Trump's political machine, and it remains unable to decide on the appropriate strategy against her. Trump's choice of the bumbling Senator J.D. Vance (R-Ohio) as his vice-presidential candidate, combined with bizarre personal and racist attacks on Harris, have thrown the Republicans on the defensive. Ms. Harris' personal approval ratings have soared and, what was once a dead-even race, has turned into a 5-8% lead nationally with similar numbers among "independent" voters; "red" states are becoming competitive and swing states are leaning "blue." The numbers reflect the "bounce" she received following a beautifully scripted Democratic Convention.

However, the popular vote has never been the issue: Trump lost it to Hillary Clinton in 2016 by nearly three million votes, and to Biden in 2020 by just under five million votes. The swing states will prove decisive and there it is too close to call. Complicating the matter further are third-party candidates who stand to garner anywhere from 3% to 7% of the vote. The best known among them, Robert Kennedy Jr., was ready to support Harris in exchange for a cabinet post, but she turned down the deal, leading him to endorse Trump, who was less picky. This might prove more significant than it initially seems: Kennedy might provide the ex-president with another 2% of the vote while the other less-known left-wing candidates, Jill Stein of the Green Party and Cornel West, could draw another 1-2% away from Harris. In states like Wisconsin and Michigan, these third-party candidates might make the difference. Harris enthusiasts should not be deceived by the establishment and liberal media. The vice-president is still on her "honeymoon" with the American public; it is common knowledge that the real campaign only begins in September after the "Labor Day" holiday.

Harris and Trump will hold a debate on September 10, 2024, and much is expected from her as against the demagogue who is still carrying heavy baggage from the past. "The Washington Post" reported that Trump was caught lying over 30,000 times while in office - and the numbers have only grown since then. He recently lost a civil case charging him with sexual molestation and libel, and an adult film actress won a judgment against him. Trump was impeached twice and he has been convicted on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records and tax fraud in New York. He was Indicted for allegedly violating the Espionage Act by illegally seizing 11,000 documents upon leaving office in 2021, 100 of which were highly classified. State trials also await in Georgia and Washington DC regarding his attempts to rig the 2020 elections and hinder the peaceful transfer of power through his role in the insurrection of January 6th 2021.

Trump's understanding of politics has always been "transactional", and he has promised pardons for convicted participants in the uprising should he again become president. Courts have also been kind to him - or better the justices that he appointed have been kind to him. The Supreme Court granted the ex-president "immunity" for all criminal acts performed while fulfilling his duties, which has delayed all his remaining legal battles. Should he re-take the presidency, indeed, he will undoubtedly demand that his hand-picked officials at the Department of Justice suspend all prosecutions against him.

Trump has been publicly branded a pathological liar, a sexual abuser, a grifter, a gangster, and even a traitor. The public has been constantly reminded of his support for xenophobic white nationalism. He has called military veterans "suckers and losers", disparaged science, and dismissed environmentalism. Trump's foreign policy turned the United States into a global laughing-stock, undermined traditional alliances, and put America at risk by embracing authoritarian leaders like Vladimir Putin and Kim Jung-un. The astounding corruption of his former administration benefited his family's business interests to the tune of hundreds of millions of dollars. His measures to deregulate markets had a catastrophic impact on everyday citizens and his tax-cuts, which favored the top .01%, increased the federal budget deficit, and resulted in the greatest upward shift of wealth in American history.

Every voter should read a summary of the 1000-page blatantly neo-fascist agenda for a new Trump administration, "Project 2025", sponsored by the reactionary Heritage Foundation and concocted by the ex-president's cronies. Should Trump win in 2024, the document states, he will purge the civil service of 50,000 "rogue bureaucrats". He will also "weaponize" the intelligence agencies, the Federal Reserve, and the Internal Revenue Service by essentially placing them under presidential control. Furthermore, the Department of Education and the Environmental Protection Agency will be abolished, and the Department of Health and Human Services will be cut to the bone.

Healthcare will become the responsibility of individual states and the national health-care system, "Obamacare" is in danger of being eliminated entirely. Social Security will suffer a drastic rollback and the cost of prescription drugs will rise. Meanwhile, gun rights will be protected and the military will not only patrol America's Southern border with Mexico, but provide law and order in dangerous neighborhoods, and quell demonstrations that do not meet the president's approval. His dictatorial ambitions may not reach fruition, but they should be taken seriously.

Trump views himself as "the world spirit on a white horse", which was how Hegel described Napoleon. The ex-president has insisted that his global stature will enable him to end the war between Russia and Ukraine "in a day" -- though naturally, he refuses to say how. Trump has also threatened to place huge tariffs on Chinese imports, prepare for war with the Asian hegemon, withdraw from NATO, defund the UN, and renounce other international commitments. He has again threatened to close America's Southern border, complete his projected wall, and deport 15-20 million immigrants. Such talk is probably red meat thrown to his followers. Nevertheless, it sheds light on the tenor of his agenda.

Trump is showing his age in meandering, often incoherent, and racist speeches. He incessantly insulted Biden, who is 80 years old, for his supposed enfeeblement, which led to his withdrawal from the race. At 59 years old, however, Harris turned the tables on Trump, who is 78 years old. She seized hold of the age-issue and, always fickle, the media shifted its publicity allegiance. Prior to the Harris candidacy, it was Trump all day every day, whereas now the spotlight is on Harris.

How long that will last is an open question. Trump's standing remains rock-solid among his base, namely, the least educated voters, non-urban constituencies, anachronistic sectors of the industrial working class, Evangelicals, older white men, and even white women-- though the overturning of Roe v. Wade by "Trump's Supreme Court" may change that. The ex-president rules the Republican Party with an iron fist, he has no meaningful rivals, and "moderate" Republicans have fallen into line behind him. These opportunists greased the wheels for Trump's victory in 2016 and they implacably opposing the Democrats on every issue and at every turn. These "moderate" conservatives were cowards, pure and simple. They feared the political repercussions of questioning their leader even when it came to his support for the insurrection, white nationalism, and his false claim that the 2020 election was "stolen" from him.

Few people seriously believe that Kamala Harris is a pathological liar, "stupid," a grifter, or a traitor. The Vice-President will run on Biden's remarkable record as president. He defended American democracy in the face of a possible coup. His administration was more diverse and scandal-free than any in the history of America. Biden reinvigorated NATO in defense of Ukraine, stood up to China on the fate of Taiwan, and rejected the temptations of isolationism. Moreover, the president pushed through legislation to rebuild a collapsing infrastructure, reduce carbon emissions, protect civil liberties and voting rights, and defend the welfare state. Harris faces the difficult task of presenting herself as an architect of Biden's programs and, simultaneously, as an independent political actor in her own right.

The vice-president is not identified with any significant issue other than immigration, where she did not distinguish herself, and abortion rights. This has led Trump to lambast her as an "affirmative action hire." So far, that hasn't worked. Articulate, elegant, sophisticated, and youthful, poised, and intelligent, Harris's bearing has made such attacks seem absurd. But that can change. FOX News is no novice when it comes to using racism and sexism against perceived enemies and Harris is already being vilified as the most "communist, Marxist, liberal" candidate ever.

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In celebration of SCORE's services to the Central Florida's small business community, entrepreneurs and business leaders in the Central Florida region are invited to SCORE Orlando's BizFest 2024 Expo on Thursday, September 12, 2024, at the National Entrepreneur Center in Fashion Square Mall. For a $20.00 admission fee, entrepreneurs can participate in a full day of exciting events including networking, business counseling, panel discussions, a special guest speaker, and 
Hull, Massachusetts - [9/1/2024] - This September marks a vibrant milestone for us at Wicked Fabulous-four incredible years of spreading joy, pride, and unity as a small, LGBTQ-owned business. Our journey began with a simple mission: to create products that celebrates love in all its forms, reflects the diversity of the LGBTQ+ community, and empowers individuals to express their authentic selves. Over the years, we've grown from a passion project into 
A 21-year-old man and a juvenile, both from Portland, were charged with second-degree attempted murder on Monday after an early morning shooting in Aloha Sunday left at least two people injured and struck five homes, penetrating some bedrooms and living rooms, law enforcement officials said.

Washington County sheriffs officials said at least four people were involved in an altercation before the shooting.

The shooting took place near Southwest 185th Avenue and Southwest Selvarosa Court. Several families with children were present in the five homes hit by gunfire, but no one in the homes was injured.

Officers arrested 21-year-old Matteo Greene and a 17-year-old juvenile. Interviews and surveillance video showed Greene and the 17-year-old attacked two other people before multiple people started shooting at each other. One victim was shot in the stomach and taken to a hospital with critical injuries, the sheriffs office reported.

Greene was shot in the leg during the exchange of gunfire and was arrested by investigators after being treated at a local hospital, they said. He was then lodged in the Washington County Jail for attempted murder in the second degree, assault in the first degree, and unlawful use of a weapon, as well as a probation violation, they said.

Court records indicate Greene pleaded guilty in February to unlawful use of a weapon and attempt to commit a Class A felony for shooting at and hitting an occupied moving car in Gresham in June 2023 when he was 19 years old. The man whose car Greene shot and Greenes girlfriend both told investigators Greenes shooting was precipitated by mutual accusations of aggressive positioning in a McDonalds drive-thru. A Multnomah County judge sentenced Greene to six months behind bars and five years of probation. He had already served that much time in custody.

Washington County officers thanked the Milwaukie Police Department and the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms for providing canines that helped investigate the Aloha shooting.

-- Betsy Hammond; betsyhammond@oregonian.com; @OregonPolEds. Betsy Hammond helps oversees coverage of politics, education, Portland City Hall, Multnomah County, homelessness and mental health.
Law enforcement officers arrested four people in Multnomah County Sunday under Oregons new law that restored criminal penalties for possession of small amounts of drugs such as fentanyl, heroin and methamphetamine, according to jail booking record and a police press release.

The law, which took effect Sunday, eliminated a central component of Measure 110, the drug decriminalization experiment approved by voters in 2020 that data shows did little to move people into treatment.
About one in 10 children said they had friends who used generative artificial intelligence (AI) systems to create nudes of other kids.

That is according to a new report from non-profit organization Thorn. The organization, which fights child sexual abuse, surveyed 1,040 children between the ages of nine and 17 in the United States. The report noted that 10% or 104 of the children surveyed said they knew of friends and classmates who created deepfake nudes of their peers using Gen AI.

Among age groups, 12% of children ages nine to 12 knew of friends who generated nudes of other kids using AI. This fell to 10% among children ages 13 to 17. However, it is important to note that 8% of kids ages nine to 12 and 11% of those ages 13 to 17 said they would rather not answer the question.

Children in the US Share Deepfake Nudes

Apart from generating deepfake nudes of other children, the survey also found that 23% of minors believe it is normal for people their age to share nudes with each other. Among those who shared self-generated child sexual abuse material (SG-CSAM), 83% said they shared it with someone they know offline, while 46% said they sent it to a person they only met and knew online, per the report.

Among minors who shared SG-CSAM, 69% said they were more likely to share nudes to a person they believed to be under the age of 18 while 34% said they were more likely to send nudes to an adult.

Children at Risk of Sextortion

Children who share SG-CSAM are at higher risk of falling victim to sextortion, in which predators blackmail them into sending more nude photos or videos. In sextortion cases, the predator would typically threaten to expose the victim's sexually explicit photos or videos unless they meet the demands.

Victims of sextortion often suffer from emotional and psychological trauma. Between October 2021 and March 2023, the FBI reported 12,600 victims of sextortion, primarily boys. Of them, at least 20 victims committed suicide.
The Bank of Ghana has issued a public notice to clarify the role of a Next-of-Kin in bank account operations, dispelling a common misconception that a Next-of-Kin automatically inherits the funds in a deceased person's account.



In its statement, the Bank of Ghana emphasized that the term Next-of-Kin is often misunderstood.



While the Next-of-Kin is typically the closest living relative of the account holder and is listed as a contact person in case the account holder is unreachable, this designation does not grant the Next-of-Kin automatic access to or inheritance of the funds in the account upon the account holder's death.



To inherit or gain access to a deceased customer's account, the individual must either be named as a beneficiary in the deceased's Will, with a court granting Letters of Probate to confirm this, or be appointed as an administrator of the estate through Letters of Administration if the deceased did not leave a Will.



The Bank of Ghana also advised customers to select a Next-of-Kin who is capable of providing relevant information about them when necessary, and preferably, one who is of legal age.



Additionally, the Central bank reminded the public that even if someone is named as a Next-of-Kin, they will still need to provide legal documents, such as a death certificate, Letters of Administration, or Letters of Probate, to access the account of a deceased customer.

Source: graphiconline









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Daniel Nuer, Head of the Tax Policy Unit at the Ministry of Finance, Ghana, has revealed that the Ministry of Finance is working to introduce about 36 more Double Taxation Agreements in addition to the 14 currently being enforced in Ghana.



According to Mr. Nuer, six of the agreements are pending Parliamentary ratification, five are still being negotiated (Hungary, Israel, UAE, Korea, and Egypt), while five more have been concluded but are yet to be signed.



Furthermore, while discussions have begun on three others, three more are being renegotiated.



We are renegotiating them because although they were negotiated a while back - some more than 20 years ago, they were not ratified. Things have changed then, such as models which are now outmoded so we need to renegotiate them and bring them up to date , he remarked during a UK-Ghana Chamber of Commerce (UKGCC) and PwC Ghana webinar on Tax Residency Rules in Ghana: Preparing Multinationals for Compliance.



These treaties, once they come into force, will provide relief from double taxation, reduce tax rates based on negotiated agreements, provide exemptions to companies such as foreign airlines and shipping companies, and provide access to Mutual Agreement Procedure (MAP) for dispute resolution among others.



However, for a person to benefit from these treaty agreements, the person must be a resident of Ghana, a resident of the treaty partner, or both; be a beneficial owner of the income, and meet any limitation of Benefits (LOB) or Entitlement to Benefits provisions contained in the treaty, where applicable.



Defining Ghanas Corporate Tax Residency Rules



Tax residency is an important aspect of taxation for both individuals and entities, determining which country has the right to tax individuals world-wide income.



In Ghana, the Income Tax Act 2015 (Act 896) imposes taxes on the total income of Resident Person(s), including companies, from all sources (domestic and foreign).



According to Michael Adu-Owusu, the Head  CRS Compliance & Enforcement at Exchange of Information (EOI) at the Ghana Revenue Authority, a company is one that is incorporated under the laws of Ghana (Companies Act 2019 (Act 992), with the management and control of its affairs being exercised in Ghana at any time during the year.



Through this arrangement, the income tax act establishes what is termed as a Permanent Establishment (PE). A PE is an entity separate from its owner and subject to tax under Section 1 in the same manner as a resident company, if the PE is a Ghanaian permanent establishment.



A Ghanaian PE is a place in Ghana where a non-resident person carries on business, or engages in a construction, assembly or installation project for ninety days or more.



Activities of a PE encompass when an owner of a company employs an individual resident in Ghana or makes a sale of trading stock of the same or a similar kind as those sold through a PE.

So, the extent that this rule apples, the entity will be considered to be PE and the tax rule will apply accordingly, Mr. Adu-Owusu said.



A company may also be deemed taxable based on its Place of Effective Management (PoEM). PoEM is the place where key management decisions that are necessary for the conduct of the entitys business as a whole are in substance, made.



Some factors to be considered in determining PoEM include the place where the CEO and other senior executives usually carry on their activities.



Tax Residency Status and Challenges with Compliance



A company operating in Ghana can fall between a PE and a PoEM. This can lead to challenges complying with the tax laws.



For instance, Godwin Kofi Matachor, a Senior Manager in International Tax and Transaction Services with EY Ghana and a speaker during the webinar, highlihted that it is often challenging to properly label foreign companies who only set up liaison offices in Ghana, in lieu of manufacturing or providing any service. This makes their tax obligations as either PE or PoEM difficult to determine.



Mr. Nuer, in response, urged tax payers to consult the Commissioner General of the GRA to determine their status.



It is always important to talk to the GRA. Once your concerns get to the GRA, there are several tests that would be applied and if it is determined, for instance, that you are a PE, the company would have to file a return and make some payments.



Mr. Nuer stressed further that, Your residency determines how you are taxed. It doesnt change your liability to tax. That is why, if were not sure, we use the mutual assistance programme to determine where you should pay the tax.



However, in the absence of a Double Taxation treaty, a foreign tax credit system (FTC) is used. FTCs, Mr. Nuer said, reduce tensions that may arise due to misconceptions in double taxation cases.



Resolving International Tax Issues



Mr. Nuer revealed that the UN Model Convention is currently being revised to set up a framework convention on international tax cooperation, as well as establish protocols on how the framework will operate.



The revision will synthesise and harmonise double taxation agreements across various jurisdictions to eliminate different considerations of what constitutes a resident company from one jurisdiction to the other.



Mr. Nuer was optimistic that In the next few years after these things are completed, we will get a good idea of what to expect.



While Mr. Nuer does not expect the rules to change much, he expects that the revised convention will harmonise existing double taxation issues to enable multinationals easily comply with Ghanas tax residency rules.



We will have one set of rules. Ghana will not have a different set of rules different from the UK or the USA. There will be generally some balance in the rules so multinationals can engage comfortably with the GRA.



The Way Forward



Mr. Nuer advised taxpayers seeking further education on DTAs and their commentaries to consult the UN Model Convention.



We have departed from what the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) uses. Even though the GRA uses a hybrid commentary, ours is closer to that provided by the UN Model, he said.



To be generally compliant with Ghanas corporate tax laws, Mr. Nuer further advised non-resident taxpayers to contact the GRAs Client Service Unit but If youve been registered for VAT, then it means that automatically, you have a TIN and can therefore use the GRA web portal, he said.



Mr. Adu-Owusu added that the GRAs Client Service is on hand to assist, whether it is IT related, legislation, misunderstanding, or whatever the issue is, it will be duly addressed for you to conveniently comply with the laws and pay your taxes.



The webinar, moderated by PwC Ghanas Christiana Osei-Mensah, discussed a range of related topics including the payment of final withholding taxes in non-resident cases, DTA tax rates, how to access DTA treaty benefits, and how a change in residency status affects tax obligations and compliance.



Yvonne Nikoi, Head of the Accounting and Taxation Department of Minkah-Premo, Osei-Bonsu, Bruce-Cathline and Partners (MPOBB), also spoke during the event.

Source: Peacefmonline.com









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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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Twenty-year-old Eric Amissah has been convicted by a Cape Coast Circuit Court for stealing underground telecommunication cables belonging to Telecel Ghana, worth an estimated GH580,000. A second suspect, Emmanuel Cobbold, is awaiting trial for the same crime.



With the assistance of the Abura Police in Cape Coast, the duo was accosted on the night of Wednesday, 31st July carrying two sacks of stolen copper cable extracted from the telcos chambers linked to an underground route between Pedu and Interbeton junctions in the central regional capital.



Eric Amissah, who was apprehended during the police hunt, pleaded guilty to the charges when he appeared before a Cape Coast Circuit Court on Thursday, 15th August and was subsequently sentenced to three years imprisonment with hard labour. However, his accomplice Emmanuel Cobbold, who evaded arrest on the night of the police confrontation and was subsequently arrested entered a not guilty plea and will stand trial.



The arrests and subsequent conviction come after years of warnings on fibre and copper cable theft, which remain a major cause of network disruptions around the country. John Animah, Corporate Security Manager at Telecel Ghana said, "We have been receiving numerous reports of thefts of cables and other movable cell site equipment in various parts of the country, which are causing significant disruptions to the quality of our service. I believe this conviction will deter others from engaging in similar criminal activities.



The Abura Police, led by Chief Inspector Afrifa, retrieved 20m of 200 pair copper cable from the suspects, however it was established that a substantial length of copper cable totalling 800m had been stolen from the underground route.



The conviction of Amissah and the imminent trial of Cobbold demonstrates the commitment of the police and other law enforcement agencies to bring justice to those involved in the cable theft incidents.



Director of Legal and External Affairs at Telecel Ghana, Augusta Andrews said the incident highlighted the growing problem of cable theft in Ghana, as such crimes disrupt essential communication services and have significant economic implications.



"The theft of fiber optic cables is a serious crime that can have far-reaching consequences. These cables are essential for providing vital communication services, including internet connectivity and mobile networks. Disrupting these services can have a significant impact on individuals, businesses, and the economy," Augusta said.



With the trial of Emmanuel Cobbold scheduled to resume on September 17, 2024, the authorities are urging the public to be vigilant and report any suspicious cable tampering activity to the police.







Source: Peacefmonline.com









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Edibeck Consult, a company which specialises in organising summer camps in Europe and the United States of America for Ghanaian schools, climaxed this years Europe trip at the European Parliament in Brussels, Belgium.



The delegation, which was made up of 84 participants who were mostly students, had the opportunity to experience summer camp activities, tourism and educational benefits.



The trip began with a week of summer camp in Braamt, Netherlands, where students engaged in activities such as canoeing, raft building, archery tag, learning of Dutch language, and introduction to sustainable use of artificial intelligence, among others.



For the students, these activities inspired cultural exposure and exchange, language skills improvement, personal growth and independence, skills development, networking and exposure to new ideas and perspectives.



Beside the summer camp activities, the students visited some of Europes most iconic cities, where they were immersed in the rich history and culture that defines the European continent. From the vibrant streets of Amsterdam to the historic sites of Cologne, the students gained a deeper understanding of Europes diverse heritage. They visited Dam Square, Cologne Cathedral, Moviepark Germany, Grand Place, Johan Cruyff Arena, Duinrell theme & water parks, and a tour of Amsterdam, Brussels and Arnhem.





The climax of this years trip was the visit to Brussels, the de facto capital of the European Union and home to the European Parliament. Upon arrival in the city, the students were greeted with the bustling energy of a city at the center of European politics. The highlight of the visit was an exclusive lecture on the history, transition and responsibilities of the parliament as well as well as insight into the EUs regional development.



During the tour, the students learned about the role of the European Parliament in shaping policies that affect over 500 million citizens across 27 member states. They observed the Parliaments chambers, where critical debates and votes take place, and explored the complex mechanisms that enable diverse nations to work together toward common goals.



The experience was a reminder of the importance of democracy, cooperation, and civic responsibility. The experience was not only educational but also profoundly inspiring, offering the students a firsthand look at the inner workings of one of the worlds most influential political institutions.



As the trip concluded, the students reflected on their journey, enriched by the experiences and knowledge they had gained. The visit to the European Parliament was more than just a tour; it was a transformative experience that broadened their understanding of Europes political landscape and inspired them to think critically about their roles as global citizens.

Source: Myjoyonline.com









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As the calendar marks August 31st, 2024, Africa once again pauses to celebrate African Traditional Medicine Day, a day deeply rooted in the continent's history and heritage.



This annual event, observed across the continent, commemorates the historic decision taken by African health ministers at the 50th session of the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Committee for Africa in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, on the same date in the year 2000. This decision laid the groundwork for recognizing and promoting traditional medicine as a vital component of healthcare in Africa.



Traditional medicine is more than just a collection of remedies and practices; it represents a rich tapestry of knowledge, skills, and beliefs passed down through generations. These practices, deeply ingrained in the cultural fabric of African societies, are not only used to maintain health but also to prevent, diagnose, and treat both physical and mental illnesses.



In Ghana, for instance, herbal treatments remain the most popular form of traditional medicine, with an estimated 70% to 80% of the population relying on them as their primary source of healthcare.



In Ghana, as in many other African countries, access to conventional medical care is limited, especially in rural areas. With one-third of the population lacking access to essential medicines, traditional medicine offers an accessible and often the only alternative for healthcare.



Across the continent, approximately 80% of Africa's population depends on traditional medicine to meet their basic health needs, underscoring its critical role in the continent's healthcare landscape.



The Government of Ghana has long recognized the importance of integrating traditional medicine into the official healthcare system. This commitment is reflected in the involvement of various traditional healthcare practitioners, including diviners, herbalists, faith healers, psychic healers, and traditional birth attendants. These practitioners, each with their unique methods and formularies, are vital in diagnosing and treating patients across the country.



Traditional health practitioners (THPs) and their practices are particularly essential in rural areas, where access to modern healthcare facilities can be sparse. By ensuring that these practitioners are regulated and supported, the government seeks to enhance their contribution to primary healthcare, making it safer and more effective for the millions of people who rely on it.



The enactment of the Traditional Medicine Practice Act (Act 575) in 2000 marked a significant milestone in the regulation and control of traditional and alternative medicine practices in Ghana. This legislation paved the way for the establishment of the Traditional Medicine Practice Council, officially constituted on April 9, 2010.



Since its inception, the Council has been at the forefront of promoting, educating, regulating, and controlling traditional and alternative medical practices in the country.



Today, more than 70% of Ghanaians continue to access these services as their primary healthcare providers, a testament to the growing acceptance and trust in traditional medicine.



The vision of the Traditional Medicine Practice Council is to be an internationally acclaimed regulatory agency for Traditional, Complementary, and Alternative Medicine practices. The Council aims to foster excellence, safety, and accessibility in these practices, ensuring that they contribute meaningfully to Ghana's development agenda.



Additionally, the Council promotes and supports training in traditional medicine, approves curricula for training institutions, and collaborates with the Ministry of Health to establish centers for traditional medical care within the national healthcare system.



As we celebrate African Traditional Medicine Day, it is important to remember the legal requirements that govern the practice of traditional medicine in Ghana.



According to Act 575, Section 9 of the Traditional Medicine Practice Council Act 2000, no person shall operate or own premises as a practitioner or produce herbal medicine for sale unless registered in accordance with the Act. The Council urges all practitioners of Traditional, Complementary, and Integrative Medicine to secure or renew their licenses with the Traditional Medicine Practice Council without delay to avoid legal actions.



The Registrar of the Traditional Medicine Practice Council, Dr. Michael Kyeremateng, emphasizes the importance of public safety and adherence to the law in the practice of traditional medicine. He encourages all practitioners to comply with the regulatory framework, ensuring that the rich heritage of traditional medicine continues to thrive in a manner that is both safe and beneficial for all Ghanaians.



As we reflect on the significance of African Traditional Medicine Day, let us honor the healers and their wisdom, which have been passed down through generations. Their contributions to our health and well-being are invaluable, and through continued support and regulation, traditional medicine will remain a cornerstone of healthcare in Ghana and across Africa for generations to come.

Source: Portia Mensah Bonsu/ Peace FM Newsroom









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Security Specialist and Consultant, Prof Kwesi Aning, has stated that illegal mining, known as "galamsey," in Ghana, has gone beyond ordinary citizens to now become a transnational organized crime.



He highlighted the significant involvement of foreigners in these activities, which are causing severe environmental damage and social disruption.



In an interview on Joy FMs Super Morning Show on Monday, Prof Aning explained that galamsey operations are severely damaging the countrys water bodies, including rivers.



Speaking in response to JoyNews' latest documentary, 'Poisoned Rivers', he emphasized the risk of losing these vital resources if immediate action is not taken.



In an interview with Joy FMs Super Morning Show on Monday, he added, This has moved beyond ordinary citizen, we are talking about levels of collusion, standing every single factor from the state and organised trans-national criminality of citizens from different countries whose activities are posing an existential threat to Ghana."



Prof Aning noted that the problem has escalated beyond the control of ordinary citizens. We are talking about collusion involving various factors from the state and organized transnational crime networks, he stated.



He also highlighted that galamsey is creating tensions between Ghana and Cote d'Ivoire. Even more disturbing is that the money accrued from these activities is placing our international reputation at risk. It contributes to illicit financial flows and the funding of violence, he added.



The security expert raised concerns about the effectiveness of the countrys risk assessments. "This situation raises fundamental questions about the quality of risk assessments we undertake in this country," he said.



Prof Aning criticised Ghanaian leaders for their failure to address the issue. Leaders are either colluding, incapable, or unwilling to use the power entrusted to them for future generations. Instead, they deliberately allow foreign actors to exploit our resources, which is not only shameful but a disgrace, he said.



He specifically addressed the involvement of Chinese nationals in illegal mining, noting that they use harmful methods to extract gold and leave without regard for the damage caused.



Someone is granting them visas to come here," he said. He also referenced the Aisha Huang case as evidence of state incompetence and collusion.



Mr Aning emphasised that Ghana's situation is unique having to voluntarily destroy its water bodies without being at war. "In wartime, you destroy water bodies to prevent the enemy from accessing water. But we are doing it to ourselves without any such threat," he remarked.



He concluded by noting that the Ghanaian share in galamsey investments is relatively small compared to foreign involvement. Galamsey poses, and will continue to pose, an existential threat both directly and indirectly, he warned.





Source: myjoyonline.com









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Prof. Joseph Osafo has cautioned Ghanaians against engaging in and encouraging illegal mining, known in local parlance as "galamsey".



Galamsey has over the years been the bane of Ghana's economy, destroying the water bodies and contaminating the environment.



Successive governments including the Akufo-Addo administration have all mostly pledged to curb this mining menace but to no avail as it continues to fester and pose major threat to lives.



A recent report in the dailies and other media outlets reveals River Pra being polluted by galamsey activities.



There is a warning from the Ghana Water Company Ltd about an impending danger.



"About Sixty percent (60%) of the catchment capacity is silted as a result of illegal mining (galamsey) compromising the quality of raw water. We are currently recording an average turbidity of 14,000 NTU instead of 2000 NTU designed for adequate treatment," a statement by the company read.



The Ghana Water Company Ltd (GWCL) further warns that these illegal activities are causing severe inconveniences to residents in areas like Cape Coast, Elmina and their environs.



The company called on all interest groups to join the fight against galamsey on the River Pra especially during this festive period, stressing your assistance is crucial in helping us restore the quality of the raw water and ensure a reliable water supply of clean drinking water



Senior Psychologist, Prof. Joseph Osafo, speaking on Peace FM's 'Kokrokoo' morning show, feared the potential dangers of this development on Ghana.



He advised Ghanaians to keep watch over their water bodies and, to those encouraging the galamseyers, he warned them to desist from such behaviour.



"God has given us this universe in trust and we must understand that no Angel will come from Heaven to preserve our water bodies for us, weed our backyards for us, drain our systems to prevent mosquito bites nor fit our potholes for us. Human beings have a responsibility for their collective good," he said.





Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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View this post on Instagram A post shared by   (@utvghana)





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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News / National

by Staff reporter

Outspoken Zanu-PF politburo member Tshinga Dube has warned that citizens should be cautious of those advising President Emmerson Mnangagwa to cling to power, suggesting that such advisors often act in their own interests rather than for the nation's benefit.Dube made these remarks at the funeral of liberation war hero Killion Dube, who passed away from hypertension at the age of 89 on August 25. He was laid to rest at Lady Stanley Cemetery on Sunday.Dube emphasized that while there are various opinions on succession within the party, Mnangagwa has committed to adhering to the Constitution."There are differing views on the succession issue. Many party members believe he should hold on to power, but he has stated his intention to follow the Constitution. He has not expressed a desire to extend his tenure beyond his term. However, as the saying goes, 'While men propose, God disposes,'" Dube said.He cautioned against heeding advisors who might prioritize their personal gain over the national interest."We cannot predict the future - neither can spirit mediums. Only God knows what will happen in the coming years. Advisors who only look out for their own benefits are problematic. We must ensure that the advice given to the President does not solely serve individual interests, as this could undermine his legacy. He has worked hard as a minister, survived great dangers, and it would be tragic if his legacy were to be tarnished by such actions," Dube added.Regarding the upcoming Zanu-PF conference, Dube clarified that it would be an administrative meeting rather than an elective one.In her tribute, Bulawayo Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister Judith Ncube, represented by deputy director for administration Julious Gwatiwa, highlighted the significant impact of the late Killion Dube's contributions to the liberation struggle."Dube's remarkable efforts in the liberation struggle brought freedom and dignity to all of us here today and to future generations," Ncube said.
A devastating fire has swept through the bustling Zongo Lane, near Rawlings Park, in the Greater Accra Region, destroying some shops and items.



According to initial reports, the inferno began at a small shop, quickly engulfing other shops, and sending thick black smoke billowing into the air.



Fortunately, firefighters arrived promptly to battle the blaze. After a prolonged and intense effort, they finally managed to bring the fire under control.



As the smoke cleared, the full extent of the damage became apparent, several shops had been destroyed, with clothing, electronics, and other items reduced to ruins.



Alex King Nartey, the Public Relations Officer of the Ghana National Fire Service, emphasised that the GNFS faced significant challenges in extinguishing the fire, which was exacerbated by the explosion of gas cylinders and generators leading to a rapid escalation of the blaze.



Our team upon arrival realised there was a fire involving a warehouse. To fight the fire, they had to get ECG to cut the power supply to the area. It took a while to cut the power. The problem is that accessibility was curtailed, even the stairs, leading to another floor were fortified with burglarproof and padlocks.



To even get access to cut the fire from spreading to other floors were curtailed, because the padlocks and fortifications were too much. Thats what delayed and so we have to call our rescue team.



If you realise the kind of materials here, generators, gas cylinders, and right now we fear the building might collapse. Its been very tough to fight and until the fire is totally out we are not going.

Source: citinewsroom.com









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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









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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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 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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The New Patriotic Party (NPP) Member of Parliament for Suhum, Kwadjo Asante, has officially declared his intention to contest as an Independent Parliamentary Candidate in the upcoming December elections, despite admonishments from Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, the NPP flagbearer, not to.



Asante, popularly known as Oboafo, announced this on Sunday while addressing a large gathering of supporters after a walk in Suhum.



It is the people of Suhum calling upon me to contest as an Independent to continue the work I have started. I came to serve the people. Look at the huge crowd here; it is unprecedented.



"So, if you have all these people as a campaign team, what is the fear? I see myself winning, I see Suhum winning, and I see the development of Suhum going higher, he stated.



This move follows Asante's loss in the NPP primaries for a second term to Frank Asiedu Bekoe, alias Protozoa, the Political Adviser to the Chief of Staff, who secured 496 votes against Asantes 320.



The defeat has caused significant discontent within the Suhum NPP, with Asante and his supporters, including some constituency executives, alleging that top party officials, particularly from the Flagstaff House, conspired to ensure his loss.



On the day of the election, Asante claimed he struggled to locate many delegates, further fueling suspicions. The aftermath of the primaries has left the Suhum NPP in a state of confusion and disunity.



Recently, two executives, Samuel Baah, the Constituency Communication Officer, and Alhaji Bala Abubakar, the Deputy Constituency Nasara Coordinator, were suspended by the Constituency Executive Committee (CEC) for allegedly engaging in anti-party activities, primarily for their support of Asante.



In a statement signed by the Constituency Secretary, Stephen A. Odame, on August 13, the executives were found guilty of breaching the partys constitution, with their actions described as divisive and anti-party.



Before the MPs announcement, the Minister for Food and Agriculture, Dr. Bryan Acheampong, had downplayed rumors of Asante contesting as an independent candidate during a stakeholders engagement in Suhum with Dr. Bawumia.



Dr. Acheampong, the MP for Abetifi, revealed that he had personally sponsored Asante in the past to unseat the former MP, Frederick Opare Ansah, and stated that Asante had assured Dr. Bawumia that he would not run as an independent candidate.



However, Asantes absence during Dr. Bawumias visit to Suhum raised suspicions about his intentions.



Kwadjo Asante first entered Parliament in 2021 after winning the NPP parliamentary primary by defeating the then-MP, Frederick Opare-Ansah, with 394 votes out of 666 votes cast.



As a first-time parliamentary candidate, he garnered 34,049 votes, representing 63%, in the general elections, defeating the NDC candidate Amanda Okyere, who received 19,192 votes.



Some political analysts believe Oboafo Kwadjo Asantes decision to contest as an independent candidate may cause the NPP to lose the seat on December 7.



The New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the Suhum Constituency has expressed deep regret over Asantes decision to contest the upcoming 2024 Parliamentary Elections as an independent candidate.



In a statement issued on September 1, 2024, the Suhum NPP expressed disappointment, noting that the MPs decision comes despite extensive efforts by party leadership to address concerns following the January 27, 2024, Constituency Delegates Congress.



During that congress, Frank Asiedu-Bekoe was chosen as the NPPs parliamentary candidate for the 2024 elections.



We are saddened by the surprising decision of the MP, despite all the efforts made by the leadership of the party, both national, regional, and at the constituency levels, to address the fallout from the Congress, the statement read.



The party also called for calm and unity among its members, warning against actions or statements that could exacerbate tensions.



The rank and file of the party are further advised to desist from any acts and pronouncements which may inflame passions during these trying times in our party, the statement urged. Insults do not earn votes!



Additionally, the Suhum NPP reiterated its stance on the consequences of running as an independent candidate, referencing the partys constitution.



The membership of the MP and all those who profess like him is forfeited from the party forthwith, the statement clarified, citing Article 3(9)(1) of the NPP Constitution.



The party emphasized that it would not tolerate any member campaigning for or supporting independent candidates.



The party will not shield anyone who goes contrary to its rules by campaigning and/or declaring support for any independent candidate or other political party when the party has one it is supporting, the statement concluded.







Source: starrfm









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The Oforikrom Municipal office of the Electoral Commission (EC) has assured all stakeholders, especially political parties, of a free, transparent, and fair election as Ghana heads towards the polls in December.



Madam Matilda Kwarteng, the Municipal Director, who gave the assurance, said the EC was committed to supervising a credible election with the involvement of political parties in every step of the process.



Speaking at an Inter-Party Dialogue Committee (IPDC) meeting at Oforikrom, the EC Director underlined the need for political parties to obey the electoral laws, saying that flouting them could lead to avoidable disturbances.



The committee, which was put together by the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), is made up of representatives from political parties, traditional leaders, religious leaders, youth groups, and security agencies.



The committee is to provide a platform for stakeholders to discuss emerging issues to proactively address them ahead of the 2024 general elections.



Madam Kwarteng said violence must not have a place in the countrys politics having come this far with multi-party democracy, which remains a shining example in the sub-region.



She entreated political parties to prioritize the training of their agents to understand the electoral processes in order not to create confusion at polling stations.



According to her, party agents have the right to demand a recount at the polling station if they are not satisfied, adding that requesting a recount at the collation center would not be granted if it was not requested at the polling station.



She explained that if an agent was still not satisfied after a recount at the polling station, he or she would fill out a form which would allow for another recount at the collation center.



The Municipal Director called on all stakeholders to play their respective roles to ensure a peaceful election in the constituency.



Chief Superintendent Fredrick Hammond, the Municipal Police Commander, who took participants through the Public Order Act, emphasized the need for political parties to liaise with the police in organizing events such as rallies and walks.



He said giving the police prior notice would not only ensure they would be provided with security but also avert the possibility of their planned activities clashing with those of other political parties.



Rosina Owoo, the Municipal Director of NCCE, spoke about how vote buying, misinformation, disinformation, and religious intolerance were threatening the peace during elections, and stressed the need for perpetrators to desist from being conveyor belts for violence.



She said stakeholders had a collective responsibility to speak against issues that could trigger electoral violence with less than four months to the 2024 elections.



The phenomenon where politicians bought their way to power, she said, undermined the quality of leadership and urged the electorate to reject politicians who sought to influence them with money and other incentives.



She said the NCCE, in line with its mandate of educating Ghanaians on their civic responsibilities, would continue to engage stakeholders to embrace peace ahead of the election.



Nana Opoku Agyemang, the Chief of Ayeduase, who chaired the meeting, applauded the NCCE for putting together the committee, which he said could help promote peace in the Municipality beyond the election.







Source: GNA









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Renowned actor John Peasah, affectionately known as Drogba from the popular TV series Yolo, was among the numerous individuals who experienced divine healing at the Friday Miracle Night held at the Accra International Conference Centre (AICC) yesterday.



The actor, who has been in the news since beginning of the year when he made a public appeal for support of his medical bills is in the news again.



This time around, its good news and its a testimony of the divine healing of the actor, who recently revealed that he had been diagnosed with Stiff Person Syndrome and was battling for his life.



In the company of his sister, Drogba, whose real name is John Peasah talked about his inability to sit for long hours and how his condition worsened when in a crowd.



However, the situation had been different at the Friday Miracle Night service yesterday where he was able to do the things that hitherto, he couldnt have done in the last four years.



He also disclosed that he is the first Ghanaian to be diagnosed with Stiff Person Syndrome and was in awe of how his deteriorating condition had gotten better at the service.



His testimony was in confirmation of what his sister had earlier narrated to the crowd who cheered amid thunderous applause for the mighty works of God.



Already, the video is gaining traction on social media and fans and well-wishers are excited about the miracle, hoping that it will bring an end to his years of battling this deadly condition that the likes of music icon, Celine Dion have been battling for years as well.



The Friday Miracle Night is organised by the CE Airport City Model church and has become a massive gathering of Christians seeking miracles and blessings from God.



Last night's service drew a vast crowd of thousands from diverse backgrounds, all united in their quest for spiritual intervention and renewal.



As the event continues to grow in popularity, it has become a beacon of hope and faith for many seeking transformation in their lives.

Source: graphiconline









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By Joseph N. DiStefano, The Philadelphia Inquirer (TNS)

Twenty-eight years after the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard closed, the current and future owners of the commercial shipyard located on its peninsula between the Delaware and Schuylkill rivers are taking steps to resume building ships for the U.S. Navy.

The South Korea-based Hanwha group has agreed to buy the private Philly Shipyard on the former Navy site from its current owners, led by Norways Aker ASA, for $100 million, pending U.S. government approval. Philly Shipyard in its most recent yearly report to shareholders said its been in talks with the Navys shipbuilding arm to compete and win contracts to start building Navy combat-support and auxiliary vessels in Philadelphia, while also continuing to build commercial ships.

But Philly Shipyard also warned that the money-losing yard will need new capital investment, more facilities, and more skilled labor to turn a profit.

Hanwha says it is ready to provide those resources. The group in 2022 bought Daewoos sprawling shipyard complex on Geoje Island, off Koreas south coast, which designs and builds naval frigates, destroyers and submarines, among other ships.

Construction on training vessels for maritime academies at the Philly Shipyard in 2023. (Monica Herndon, The Philadelphia Inquirer, TNS, file)TNS

The company says it also has naval ambitions for Philly Shipyard. Hanwha plans to expand into naval vessel production, using new technology that will bring badly needed capacity to the U.S. Navy and create local jobs, said Hanwha spokesperson Debra DeShong, a veteran Washington lobbyist and former U.S. Senate aide.

The proposed sale is awaiting approval by the federal Committee on Foreign Investment. The company hopes to complete the deal this year. Navy Secretary Carlos del Toro and other top officials have encouraged Hanwha and other Korean defense contractors to invest in key U.S. military industries.

Privately, people familiar with military procurement caution that it can take years for Navy projects to materialize. Many companies, including large foreign manufacturers like Hanwha and its Korean rival Hyundai, which signed a government-contracting deal with Philly Shipyard this year, seek U.S. government business, putting them on course to compete with entrenched ship contractors such as General Dynamics.

It can take relentless development cycles, in the face of changing priorities, and steady support from allies in Congress, to help land these expensive projects.

Navy ships of any size would be a big step for the Philadelphia yard. Since its 1998 rebirth as a private, for-profit facility with more than $300 million in federal and state subsidies and incentives, welders and other skilled workers at the complex of drydocks, cranes and other specialized equipment have built 30 tanker and cargo ships for private owners.

In 2022, a crane at the Philly Shipyard lowers the stern section of a vessel that is under construction in a dry dock in South Philadelphia. (Monica Herndon, The Philadelphia Inquirer, TNS, file)TNS

After cycles of hiring and layoffs, the yard won a string of contracts since the late 2010s that will keep workers busy for at least the next few years.

Philly Shipyard now employs 1,700  mostly contractors, many from out-of-state  the most since the Navy shut the yard. Philly Shipyard says it is now the busiest of the handful of private U.S. shipyards kept afloat with help from the federal Jones Act requiring cargoes to Puerto Rico, Hawaii and other U.S. islands be carried on U.S.-built vessels.

Yet, busy as it is, the company is losing money  $68 million last year, on sales of $441 million. The company mostly blames a shortage of skilled labor, made worse as aging workers retired during the pandemic, which forces it to hire expensive contractors. Other industrial employers have made similar complaints. Thats especially true in shipbuilding, said Philly Shipyard spokesperson Kelly Whitaker.

Philly Shipyard expects to lose money on its first civilian federal shipbuilding contract, a series of five multi-mission vessels it is constructing for the U.S. Maritime Administration. One of the vessels, the Patriot State, is due to be christened at the yard on Sept. 9, with federal officials on hand to celebrate the occasion.

Under the current union agreement, wages for veteran shipyard workers  direct employees and contractors  will rise to $40 an hour in 2027. Many are working 10 or more hours overtime each week, bring total pay by the end of the contract toward $100,000 a year, plus longevity bonuses, retirement and other benefits.

Its hard work, but it pays well, said Lou Agre, the lawyer and Democratic ward leader who heads the Philadelphia Metal Trades Council, the union group representing shipyard workers. More than 100 apprentices are training, and the company wants more. Agre said Hanwha has agreed to continue the collective-bargaining union labor agreement, which runs until 2027.

Theres more work ahead if the yard can find people, space and capital, according to the company. Now it will be up to Hanwha to find those resources.

The Philly Shipyard, Thursday, July 20, 2023, before a speech that day by President Biden. (Allie Ippolito, The Philadelphia Inquirer, TNS, file)TNS

Hanwhas purchase will include shipyard facilities and equipment. It is also in line to inherit a lease with the nonprofit Philadelphia Shipyard Development Corp., chaired by longtime Pennsylvania insurance and investments magnate Republican fundraiser Manuel M. Stamatakis. The nonprofit leases land, docks and piers to the shipyard, and can cancel the lease if yard owners stop building ships.

The naval base that includes the shipyard employed nearly 50,000 at its peak during World War II, including the future science fiction writer Isaac Asimov and Comcast founder Ralph Roberts. Yard employment fell to 2,000 by the time it closed amid the military budget cuts that followed the dissolution of the Soviet Union.
News / National

by Staff reporter

Villagers in Bubi, Matabeleland North province, have petitioned their traditional leader, Chief Mtshane Khumalo, regarding the poor condition of the Inyathi-Bubi Road, which has been neglected for 43 years.In their petition, dated August 28, the Bubi Forum Executive Development Organisation expressed frustration over the road's state, highlighting its detrimental impact on local development and the high transport costs incurred. They noted that the US$5 charged for a 60km journey contrasts sharply with lower costs in neighboring towns, adding a significant economic burden to the community.The petition underscores the severe consequences of the road's neglect, including frequent breakdowns, accidents, and a general state of anxiety among commuters, including schoolchildren and the elderly. The villagers urged Chief Khumalo, also the president of the Council of Chiefs, to use his influence to address the issue, framing their plea as a fight for their safety, livelihoods, and future.Chief Khumalo acknowledged the petition but mentioned he had not yet received it. He noted that he had a court session in Bubi on the day the petition was dated and expected that the letter might still be on its way.
This oceanfront Jersey Shore house was built for multi-generational living.

Its two houses, attached by a bridge, that total more than 10,000 square feet. They have a combined 10 bedrooms and 10 full- and two half-bathrooms. Its listed for sale for $10 million.

It was built as a spec house in 2013 by Michael Ziman, a custom home builder on Long Beach Island, New Jersey.

It was built to be one of the best that Long Beach Island had seen so far, said Bonnie Wells of Coastal Living Real Estate Group, the listing agent.

The main house has seven bedrooms and seven and a half bathrooms. The guest house has three king-size bedrooms, two that are ensuite, plus another full bathroom.

The living room of the main house seats 13, the dining room seats 18 and a breakfast bar can seat six people.

In that one open-concept space you can comfortably seat 37 people, she said. If you have a six- or seven-bedroom home, you want to be able to accommodate all of your guests in the living area.

The home also has more than 2,800-square-feet of ocean-facing decking and one of the largest oceanfront pools on the island, Wells said.

The pool is 13 feet by 28 feet. Most oceanfront pools on the island are 8 feet to 12 feet, she said. The width of this pool is what their length would be.

The home rents for $45,000 per week and was rented by a celebrity this summer, Wells said. Their privacy is maximized and the home has everything they need.

Access to the guest house is right off the open concept living, dining room and kitchen. The guest house has its own kitchen and living room. Your house guests feel like they have their own little oasis, she said.

The home is located in the North Beach neighborhood of Long Beach Island. It and Loveladies are two towns a lot of people gravitate too, Wells said. They have private drives, the beaches in front of the homes are only used by the people who live there and nearly all the homes are newer construction.

Its a short bike ride or a walk to the dozens of restaurants, stores, pickleball courts and jet ski ramps in Surf City, she said.

The home was listed for sale Aug. 12 and has had a surprising amount of interest, Wells said, adding, at this price point people take a long time to make a decision.

The buyer will likely be parents who have children who are getting married who no longer fit in a four bedroom house, when you add babies.

This house is the perfect candidate, she said. Everybody gets their own space and can enjoy the beach.

The winding staircase is a "showstopper," listing agent Bonnie wells said.Oakleaf Media

The open concept living, dining room and kitchen have seating for 37.Oakleaf Media

The dining room can seat up to 18 people.Oakleaf Media

The kitchen has high-end appliances and seating for six at the breakfast bar.Oakleaf Media

The guest house has its own living room and kitchen.Oakleaf Media

There are seven bedrooms in the main house and three in the guest house.Oakleaf Media

There are seven full and two half-bathrooms in the main house.Oakleaf Media

An outdoor kitchen is equipped with a gas and infrared grill, beverage refrigerator, sink and dishwasher.Oakleaf Media

The pool is one of the largest ocenfront pools on the island at 13 feet by 28 feet.Oakleaf Media

The home has 2,800-square-feet of decking.Oakleaf Media

Allison Pries may be reached at apries@njadvancemedia.com .
MINDEN, La. (AP)  Police say a 10-year-old boy shot and killed the 82-year-old onetime mayor of a northwest Louisiana town.

Minden Police Chief Jared McIver told local news outlets that the boy told police that he shot and killed Joe Cornelius Sr., 82, and his daughter, Keisha Miles, 31. Both were found Sunday morning with multiple gunshot wounds.

Officials havent said how the boy, who is in custody, was related to the victims. Neighbors told KSLA-TV that they heard Cornelius and the boy arguing and later heard multiple gunshots.

Cornelius was a longtime member of the Minden city council who was appointed mayor for a time in 2013 after the previous mayor died. He was also a former sheriffs deputy and marshal. A pillar of the towns Black community, Cornelius was a former funeral home worker who had run programs for youth and helped launch local Black history observations.

Joe Cornelius years of service to Minden were marked by his commitment and dedication to the betterment of our community, Minden Mayor Nick Cox said in a statement. On a personal note, I am grateful for his friendship and the many ways he supported me and others in our city.
By Josef Federman and Melanie Lidman, The Associated Press

TEL AVIV, Israel  Tens of thousands of 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.

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.

Cease-fire negotiations have dragged on for months. Many blame Netanyahu for failing to reach a deal, which opinion polls show a majority of Israelis favor. But the prime minister also has significant support for his strategy of total victory against Hamas, even if a deal for the hostages has to wait.

Thousands of people, some of them weeping, 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.

Three of the six hostages found dead  including an Israeli-American  were reportedly scheduled to be released in the first phase of a cease-fire proposal discussed in July. This fueled 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.

The military said all six hostages were killed shortly before Israeli forces arrived. Whoever murders hostages doesnt want a deal, Netanyahu said, blaming the Hamas for the stalled negotiations.

One hostage was Israeli-American Hersh Goldberg-Polin, 23, a native of Berkeley, California, who lost part of his left arm to a grenade in the attack. In April, Hamas issued a video that showed him alive, sparking protests in Israel.

The army identified the others as Ori Danino, 25; Eden Yerushalmi, 24; Almog Sarusi, 27; Alexander Lobanov, 33; and Carmel Gat, 40.

The Israeli Health Ministry said autopsies had determined the hostages were shot at close range and died on Thursday or Friday. 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.

People block a road as they protest calling for a deal for immediate release of hostages held in the Gaza Strip by the Hamas militant group, in Tel Aviv, Sunday, Sept. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Ariel Schalit)AP

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, 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.

Divisions in Israel, and in the government

Netanyahu has vowed to continue the fighting until Hamas is destroyed.

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.

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. 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.

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.

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.

Palestinians check the bodies of their relatives killed in the Israeli bombardment of the Gaza Strip, at a hospital morgue in Deir al-Balah, Sunday, Sept. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana)AP

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.

On Sunday, an Israeli strike hit a car on a road in southern Gaza and killed four Palestinians, according to Aqsa Martyrs Hospital officials and an AP journalist who counted the bodies.

The war 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 Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, contributed to this report.

Follow APs war coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war
By Mitchell Willetts, The Charlotte Observer (TNS)

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.

A "very bright" fireball (top left in photo) was recently seen soaring above much of Appalachia before it disappeared over North Carolina, according to NASA and the American Meteor Society. (Screengrab from Facebook post by NASA Meteor Watch/TNS)TNS

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.
By Elizabeth Wellington, The Philadelphia Inquirer (TNS)

Its easy to assume Mike Africa Jr.s MOVE days are behind him when walking through his manicured backyard, past his five-foot above-ground pool, and into the state-of-the-art podcast studio behind his Clifton Heights home.

His studio lights are so dope they impress a Philadelphia Inquirer photographer. Seemingly, hes come a long way from his childhood in Philadelphias infamous, antitechnology, back-to-nature, Black power organization.

But once you sit on one of Africas blue velvet chairs and get talking, his connection to MOVE comes sharply into focus.

A custom Seed of Wisdom license plate  back in the day, MOVE parents referred to their children as seeds of wisdom  is mounted behind his desk. Next to it is a poster from the 2020 documentary 40 Years a Prisoner, the HBO movie about Africas decades-long mission to get his parents released from prison. Mike Africa Sr. and Debbie Africa were among the nine MOVE members convicted of third-degree murder for the 1978 shooting of Philly Police Officer James J. Ramp.

Africa holds a copy of his new memoir, On a MOVE: Philadelphias Notorious Bombing and A Native Sons Lifelong Battle for Justice. In the 285-page memoir, Africa, 45, mourns the death of friends and family who died on that horrific day in 1985 when Mayor Wilson Goode gave the Philadelphia Police Department the OK to drop C-4 explosives on 6221 Osage Avenue, killing 11 people, destroying 61 homes, and displacing 250 mostly Black Philadelphians.

MOVE is a part of Philadelphia history, said Africa, his dreadlocks tied tightly under a black and white bandanna. Africa owns the rights to the MOVE organization and serves as its legacy director. Its a part of American history. Its a part of Black history. Have you ever heard of a government dropping a bomb on a house and shooting 10,000 rounds of ammunition?

Mike Africa Jr. speaks during a protest April 28, 2021, in front of the Penn Museum over its handling of human remains from the 1985 MOVE bombing. (TOM GRALISH, The Philadelphia Inquirer, TNS, file)TNS

In the 39 years since the MOVE bombing, theres been countless analyses of MOVEs tyrannical, yet gentle leader, John Africa, and scathing criticisms of the Philadelphia Police Departments disregard for Black lives when they let the fire burn. Much has been written about the millions of dollars awarded to its victims and the mysterious 2002 killing of MOVE supporter John Gilbride. In 2021, several children of MOVE said they had been abused. A University of Pennsylvanias anthropologists gross mishandling of the bomb victims remains made headlines.

With his coauthor, D. Watkins, Africa addresses all of these issues while speaking to the communes proclivity toward violence and how its squalor impacted the quality of life of the surrounding working-class Black neighborhood. He pays homage to MOVEs noble mission of protecting all people, animals and the environment, centering MOVEs tangled family dynamics. Africa sees MOVE through a loving lens. At its most vulnerable, the memoir is about how orphaned children of incarcerated and murdered MOVE members were abandoned by the organizations surviving adults and ostracized by Philadelphians  Black and white.

This story has a lot of facets, a lot of purposes, said Africa. I want it to serve as a historical document. Its also for up-and-coming revolutionaries so they dont have rose-colored glasses on when it comes to MOVE.

In this file photo, clouds of smoke pour from burning homes after a bombing on Osage Avenue in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on May 13, 1985. (Larry Price/The Philadelphia Inquirer/TNS, file)TNS

A family affair

In order to fully understand MOVE, Africa said, you have to know his great-uncle John Africa  Vincent Lopez Leaphart, known to Mike Africa as Uncle Benny. John Africas mother died of pneumonia in the 1950s, and he blamed his mothers death on racism, believing she was treated poorly because she was Black. He was a soldier in the Korean War, where he was sickened by the death and bloodshed. When John Africa returned to Philadelphia in the late 1960s, he formed a group of revolutionaries and urged them to take the last name Africa.

The organization, which eventually came to be called MOVE, despised the trappings of modern life, especially technology. Members didnt send their children to school, they hated hospitals  children were born at home  and ate raw food. By the early 1970s, there were several dozen members of MOVE, including John Africas sister, LaVerne Sims, and her daughter, Debbie, Mike Africas mother.

MOVEs early 1970s profanity-laden protests against animals in cages at the Philadelphia Zoo and police brutality at City Hall rankled Mayor Frank Rizzo, who, Mike Africa writes, was just as committed to his belief that Black people were inferior as Benny was to his belief that [people] like Rizzo needed to go down. MOVEs Powelton Village headquarters were surrounded by stray dogs, rats, and other vermin, much to the disgust of neighbors. The tension led to the 1978 showdown between the police and MOVE 9, ending in the death of Officer Ramp.

Both of Mike Africas parents were jailed. Debbie Africa was eight months pregnant, and weeks later, Mike Africa Jr. was born in The Philadelphia House of Correction.

Mike Africas grandmother, LaVerne Sims, dropped the surname Africa to distance herself from MOVE, and took in Africa and his older sister, Whit. Still, Africa played with his cousins at MOVEs new headquarters on Osage Avenue. The vermin and violence returned, and the new neighbors were angry. When the bomb was dropped in 1985, Africa watched the smoke and fire that killed his cousins and Uncle Benny from four miles away. He was just 6 years old.

I could have easily been there, said Africa, who is a father of four. His voice dropping before it faded into a chilly silence.

Armed Philadelphia police officers man a rooftop as the sky is illuminated by the flames from a neighborhood in West Philadelphia, Pa., that burned after police dropped a bomb on a building occupied by members of the group MOVE, May 13, 1985. (AP Photo/George Widman, file)AP

Getting back to MOVE

Growing up with his grandmother in the late 1980s and early 1990s, Africa went to school, ate cooked food, and played video games. He cut his locks into a high-top fade and listened to rap  Will Smith remains one of his favorite artists. But when his schoolmates learned about his connection to MOVE, they teased him, goading him into fights.

They used to say, MOVE stood for Monkeys on Vines Everywhere, said Africa, bristling at the memory. They were dehumanizing us. But we were children. We didnt know what was going on. We werent committed to MOVE yet. We were just doing what the adults told us to do.

Africa visited his parents in prison regularly. He wanted to learn about his family and history. The teasing and fighting eventually became too much for him and, at 13, and he dropped out of school and moved back into a MOVE house. By then the organization had received millions of dollars in settlements from the city and bought homes where other MOVE children were now living. Africa grew a new set of locks and returned to MOVEs vigorous exercise regiment that included hundreds of push-ups a day and running up to 10 miles.

I could begin to see the value of what MOVE offered its members and the community, Africa said. The missteps it had made in service of its mission, and also the deliberately grave injustices committed against it.

As the Philly-front man for MOVE, Africa advocated for the release of MOVE 9 members, connecting with the children of other Black revolutionaries like Dr. Martin Luther Kings daughter Bernice King and Malcolm Xs daughter Ilyasah Shabazz.

We have experiences that no one else has, Africa said. Our parents were involved in things that were dangerous. Our neighbors saw us as weird. They picked on us. We had very uncomfortable childhoods. But at the same time many of us are proud of what our parents did, what they were involved in.

Two city blocks of rowhouses are left in ruin following the worst fire in the city?s history, May 15, 1985 in West Philadelphia. The blaze was caused accidently when police attempted to remove a radical group called MOVE from their house by dropping a satchel bomb on the structure a gun battle. (AP Photo, file)AP

The next MOVE

Africas work as a paid speaker and author has put him in close proximity with celebrities like John Legend and Questlove, with whom he collaborated on 40 Years a Prisoner. Africa was featured in Kevin Hart and Charlamagne Tha Gods Summer of 85, a podcast that explores the connection between the MOVE bombing and the Live Aid concert, when international rock royalty convened in Philly to raise money for victims of the Ethiopian famine.

Hes talked about building new relationships with his parents in PBS documentaries. For a while, Africa hosted a podcast on the Oprah Network, where he chopped it up with the likes of Common. When it was suggested Africa not use the word bomb in reference to MOVE, he bowed out. It wasnt authentic.

His efforts to recast MOVE has put him at odds with other MOVE children who say hes exploiting memories for his own gain. He understands their pain, but will not abandon his mission. The things the other MOVE kids were saying are true, Africa said. We went through the same things. We were hungry in the corner together trying to figure out how to get out of the situation together.

In fact, its why Africa is adamant about telling his story now.

I dont want to romanticize the history of MOVE, Africa said. There are many things that MOVE shouldnt have done and there are things that shouldnt have been done to MOVE. But if you ask me how I feel about it, I love MOVE.
A man who died last week in a lake in upstate New York has been identified as a Harrisburg University student, according to police and the university.

The Warren County, New York, Sheriffs Office identified 25-year-old Rupak R. Padini as the victim in its investigation of a drowning on Aug. 27 at Lake George.

In a statement posted to social media, Harrisburg University said the school is deeply saddened to learn of the tragic incident at Lake George.
It might feel like the presidential election is still a long way off. Its not.

Election Day on Nov. 5 is about two months away, and major dates, events and political developments will make it fly by. The stretch between now and then will go as fast as summer break from school in most parts of the country.

The first mail ballots will be sent to voters this Friday. The first presidential debate with Kamala Harris is set for Sept. 10 in Philadelphia. Former President Donald Trump, the Republican nominee, is scheduled to be sentenced in his New York hush money case on Sept. 18. And early in-person voting will start as soon as Sept. 20 in some states.

Heres a look at why the calendar will move quickly, with the Democratic and Republican conventions over and Labor Day signaling the traditional start of campaign season.

Whos ready to vote?

The first batch of ballots typically sent out are ones to military and overseas voters. Under federal law, that must happen at least 45 days before an election  which this year is Sept. 21.

Some states start earlier. North Carolina will begin sending mail ballots to all voters who request them, including military personnel and overseas voters, on Sept. 6.

Voter registration deadlines vary by state, with most falling between eight and 30 days before the election, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. The deadline is Oct. 7 in Georgia, one of this years most prominent presidential battlegrounds. In Pennsylvania, its Oct. 21.

Nearly all states offer some version of mail-in voting, though the rules and dates vary considerably. In Pennsylvania, another of the major presidential battleground states, voters can visit their local election office to request, complete and return a mail ballot beginning Sept. 16.

The gloves come off

Whether, where and under what rules the Democratic and Republican presidential and vice presidential nominees will debate has been a point of contention for weeks. But for now, two match-ups are on the calendar.

Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump stands on stage during the 2024 Republican National Convention at the Fiserv Forum, Thursday, July 18, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster, file)AP

Trump and Democratic presidential nominee Harris have accepted an invitation from ABC News to debate Sept. 10 in Philadelphia.

Harris pick for vice president, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, and Trumps, Ohio Sen. JD Vance, have agreed to an Oct. 1 debate hosted by CBS News in New York City.

Harris has forecast a possible second debate with Trump, but her proposal appeared to be contingent on the GOP nominees participation in the Sept. 10 debate. Trump has proposed three presidential debates with different television networks, including one in Harrisburg this week. Thats not happening; instead, hell hold a town hall in the city.

Vance has challenged Walz to another vice presidential debate on Sept. 18, although its not been set.

A possible criminal sentence for Trump

Trump is scheduled to be sentenced Sept. 18 in his hush money criminal case, though his lawyers have asked the judge to delay the proceeding until after Election Day. A decision is expected early this month.

In a letter to Judge Juan M. Merchan, Trumps lawyers suggested that holding the sentencing as scheduled, about seven weeks before Election Day, would amount to election interference. On Sept. 16, Merchan is expected to rule on Trumps request to overturn the guilty verdict and dismiss the case because of the U.S. Supreme Courts July presidential immunity ruling.

Trump was convicted in May on 34 counts of falsifying business records to conceal a $130,000 hush money payment to porn actor Stormy Daniels just before the 2016 presidential election. Falsifying business records is punishable by up to four years in prison. Other potential sentences include probation, a fine or a conditional discharge that would require Trump to stay out of trouble to avoid additional punishment.

Next steps in Trumps other New York cases

On Friday, the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals will hear arguments in Trumps appeal of a jurys verdict last year ordering him to pay $5 million to writer E. Jean Carroll after it found him liable for sexually assaulting and defaming her.

Trump also is appealing a verdict in a second trial in January in which a jury found him liable on additional defamation claims and ordered him to pay Carroll $83.3 million. Trumps lawyers have until Sept. 13 to file a brief in that appeal.

On Sept. 26, a New York appeals court will hear oral arguments in Trumps challenge of a nearly $500 million civil fraud judgment in state Attorney General Letitia James lawsuit against him. The court typically rules about a month after arguments, meaning a decision could come before the November election. Trumps lawyers argue that a judges Feb. 16 finding that the former president lied for years about his wealth as he built his real estate empire was erroneous and egregious. State lawyers responded in court papers this week that theres overwhelming evidence to support the verdict.

What about Trumps election and document cases?

A state case in Georgia that charged Trump and 18 others in a wide-ranging scheme to overturn his 2020 loss in the state is stalled with no chance of going to trial before the election.

Federal prosecutors have brought two criminal cases against Trump, but one was dismissed by a judge last month and the other is likely to be reshaped by the recent U.S. Supreme Court opinion that conferred broad immunity on former presidents for official acts they take in office.

Special counsel Jack Smith has appealed the dismissal by U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon of an indictment charging Trump with hoarding classified documents at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida and obstructing the FBIs efforts to get them back. But even if a federal appeals court reinstates the case and reverses the judges ruling that Smiths appointment was unconstitutional, theres no chance of a trial taking place this year.

In light of the Supreme Courts immunity ruling, a federal judge in Washington is now tasked with deciding which allegations in a separate case charging Trump with plotting to overturn the 2020 election can remain part of the prosecution and which ones must be discarded. Deciding which acts are official and which are not is likely to be an arduous process.

From left, second gentleman Doug Emhoff, Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris, her running mate Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and his wife Gwen Walz pose on stage at the Democratic National Convention Thursday, Aug. 22, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, file)AP

Fights over voting and the election

Before the first ballots are even cast, both camps are gearing up to fight over voting.

Battles over election rules have become a staple of American democracy, but theyre expected to reach new heights this year. Trump installed his own leadership team at the Republican National Committee, including a director of election integrity who helped him try to overturn Bidens win in 2020. The RNC has filed a blizzard of lawsuits challenging voting rules and promises that more are on the way.

Democrats also are mobilizing and assembling a robust legal team. Among other things, they are objecting to GOP efforts to remove some inactive voters or noncitizens from voter rolls, arguing that legal voters will get swept up in the purges.

Republicans have particularly escalated their rhetoric over the specter of noncitizens voting, even though repeated investigations have shown it almost never happens. Some also are pushing to give local election boards the ability to refuse to certify election results.

All indications are these efforts are laying the groundwork for Trump to again claim the election was stolen from him if he loses and to try to overturn the will of the voters. But theres no way to know if that will happen until the ballots are cast.
News / National

by Staff reporter

Tinashe Maduza, the former Member of Parliament for Kambuzuma, has been remanded in custody following his appearance at the Harare Magistrates Court on charges of fraud involving US$16,025.Maduza, represented by Devoted Nyagano, faces accusations related to fraudulent activities connected to the Four Gracelands co-operative, where he served as chairperson.According to the prosecution, the complainant joined Four Gracelands in 2017, paying a deposit of US$6,000 for a residential stand in Warren Park, Harare, with a promise of receiving the stand documents after settling the remaining US$2,000. However, the complainant discovered that the stand was already occupied and was subsequently allocated a different stand, for which she made additional payments totaling US$3,800, including fees for transportation and construction.The fraud came to light when the complainant learned from Four Gracelands that Maduza was no longer the chairperson and found that her newly allocated stand also belonged to someone else. Despite multiple payments made to Maduza, the stand was never secured, leading to his arrest and charges of fraud. Maduza is set to appear again in court for a bail application.
Flush on the River Brings Curtain Down on the 888poker UKPL Leeds Main Event

Matthew Pitt Senior Editor Copy link

The Grosvenor Casino Westgate in Leeds was awash with poker players from far and wide from August 27 through to September 1 because the 888poker UK Poker League (UKPL) was in town. Seven events took place, including the 560 buy-in Main Event, which drew in 289 entrants and saw 137,270 distributed.

The top 46 finishers in the Main Event saw a return on their investment. Such luminaries as Callum Gordon, Robert Boon, serial crusher Matthew Davenport, Michael Howard, and Thomas Clack reached the money places but fell short of a final table appearance.

Philip Walker busted in tenth place and set the final table. Jamie Dale held a more than two-to-one chip lead at the start of the final table, his 2,900,000 chips worth 116 big blinds. Neal Phillips brought up the rear with the equivalent of 14 big blinds.

888poker UKPL Leeds Main Event Final Table Chip Counts

Rank Player Chips Big Blinds 1 Jamie Dale 2,900,000 116 2 Christopher Johnson 1,200,000 48 3 Man Li 1,065,000 43 4 Mo Romanowicz 935,000 37 5 Arian Hasskashani 760,000 30 6 Matt Tyler 680,000 27 7 "IQY" 385,000 15 8 John Bousfield 360,000 14 9 Neal Phillips 345,000 14

Matt Tyler was the final table's first casualty. Tyler's stack had dwindled to 12 big blinds, when he shoved with ace-five of spades. Mo Romanowicz looked up Tyler with pocket nines, which held on a king-high board. Tyler took home 2,800, his first recorded result since October 2011.

Seasoned pro John Bousfield was the next to fall, his eighth-place finish coming with 3,300. Bousfield three-bet shoved 16 big blinds with pocket tens after Romanowicz opened with king-queen of spades. A queen on the flop was enough to send Bousfield to the cashier's desk. Bousfield had previously finished fourth in the 250 Opening Voyage for a 4,670 score at the start of UKPL Leeds.

Seventh place and 3,850 went to Arian Hassankashani. Again, it was Romanowicz who struck the fatal blow. Hassankasahani got his last 16 big blinds in from the button with ace-nine, only for Romanowicz to wake up with the dominating ace-queen. Hassankashani also finished third in the 1,100 High Roller for 6,320 and ninth in the 250 Opening Voyage for 1,390, locking in plenty of profit for his trip to Leeds.

Exclusive PokerNews 888poker Freeroll Passwords for September 2024 Learn more

You must win coinflips if you want to become a poker tournament champion. Phillips found himself flipping for his tournament life, his last 15 big blinds going into the middle with ace-nine and finding himself against Dale's pocket eights. Phillips couldn't melt the snowmen, and had to make do with the 4,800 sixth-place prize, which happens to be a career-high.

Dale then sent Man Li to the sidelines. Li finished seventh in the recent 888poker LIVE Manchester Main Event; he went two places deeper in Leeds. The last of Li's 15 big blinds found their way into the middle of the felt while holding king-queen. Dale called with ace-jack, and no help arrived for Li.

The final four became three with the untimely demise of Christopher Johnson. Johnson won the GUKPT Leeds Main Event in 2022 and finished fifth in the 2024 edition. His latest Yorkshire-based deep run ended with an 11 big blind shove with ace-queen, which the anonymous "Iqy" called with ace-ten. Mr. Anonymous flopped a Broadway straight, and Johnson couldn't find running cards.

Two losses in quick succession resigned Dale to a third-place exit. First, his ace-three lost to Romanowicz's king-nine despite flopping an ace because Romanowicz hit running nines to double up. Next, Dale's pocket nines fell foul to Romanowicz's ace-ten, and he went from hero to zero, although the 15,000 he banked will help numb the pain.

The heads-up duo of "Iqy" and Romanowicz struck a deal to lessen the pay jumps; first place was originally 29,000 and second place 21,200. The final hand took place during the 50,000/100,000 level and saw "Iqy" limp on the button with jack-deuce of diamonds before calling Romanowicz's raise to 400,000 that he made with ace-eight.

Romanowicz check-called a 400,000 bet on the seven-five-seven flop, leading to the six of diamonds landing on the turn, putting two diamonds on the board. Romanowicz check-raised a 600,000 bet on the turn to 2,000,000, and "Iqy" called.

The dealer placed the ace of diamonds on the river, giving Romanowicz top pair and "Iqy" a flush. Romanowicz shoved for the 1,575,000 he had behind, "Iqy" snap-called, and Romanowicz discovered his top pair was an expensive second-best hand.

888poker UKPL Leeds Main Event Final Table Results

Rank Player Prize 1 "IQY" 26,355* 2 Mo Romanowicz 23,845* 3 Jamie Dale 15,000 4 Christopher Johnson 9,900 5 Man Li 7,000 6 Neal Phillips 4,800 7 Arian Hassankashani 3,850 8 John Bousfield 3,300 9 Matt Tyler 2,800

*reflects a heads-up deal

Next Up On the 888poker UKPL

Only one stop remains on the inaugural 888poker UKPL, a trip to the Grosvenor G Casino in Reading. 888poker UKPL Reading runs from September 23 through September 29, and includes the final 560 buy-in Main Event of the first season. Check out the UKPL satellites online at 888poker if you fancy winning your way into the last UKPL Main Event of the 2024 season.

Keep Tabs on 888poker MTTs with the PokerNews Online Tournament Calendar

The PokerNews Online Tournament Calendar is a free-to-use tool built into the PokerNews website that enables you to find upcoming and in-play multi-tables tournaments on poker sites like 888poker, PartyPoker, and PokerStars. By using the intuitive filters, you can narrow down your search and find the perfect 888poker tournament for you, your bankroll, and your needs.

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After close to 13 hours of play, Day 2 in the PokerStars European Poker Tour Barcelona 100,000 Super High Roller has come to a close with six players guaranteed 278,400 and one walking away empty-handed, having come so close to cashing.

Thomas Santerne was the last casualty on a day that saw the field in the festival's biggest buy-in event swell to 41 players, with the remaining players  all big name pros including some of the best poker players in the world  all eyeing the first-place prize of 1,372,240.

Leading the field is Sean Winter, narrowly ahead of start-of-day chip leader Seth Davies, with Global Poker Index (GPI) World #1 Jesse Lonis third in chips.

EPT Barcelona 100,000 Super High Roller Chip Counts

Rank Player Country Chip Counts Big Blinds 1 Sean Winter United States 3,400,000 68 2 Seth Davies United States 2,755,000 55 3 Jesse Lonis United States 1,510,000 30 4 Kayhan Mokri Norway 1,340,000 27 5 Patrik Antonius Finland 650,000 13 6 Santhosh Suvarna India 595,000 12

Day 2 Action

Nine new players joined the field at the start of Day 2, but Vladimir Korzinin and Jamil Wakil both failed to make it to the first break. Meanwhile, an early double for PokerStars Ambassador Sam Grafton clipped the wings of overnight chip leader Seth Davies, who fell behind Santhosh Suvarna as chip leader.

Santhosh Suvarna

Suvarna extended his lead with the elimination of David Coleman, while Kayhan Mokri joined both him and Davies in the seven-figure stack club after the elimination of Samuel Ju.

However, a Teun Mulder double kept Suvarna's stack in check, and while Sam Greenwood, Ramin Hajiyev and Tom Orpaz all hit the rail, there was no runaway chip leader.

Mokri hit the front after the elimination of Orpaz, but was under threat from Sean Winter. Grafton and Morten Klein were both eliminated, with Mulder doubling but ultimately falling just short of the final table after Winter sent him to the rail.

Seth Davies

A revitalized Davies sprang into action at the final table, becoming the first player above two million in chips, with only three eliminations separating him from a min-cash of 278,400. However, an already long day threatened to become longer as, following a dinner break, the pace of play folded and eliminations became a rarity.

Davies had taken a knock, allowing Jesse Lonis to double through him, but the elimination of Niklas Astedt soon moved him back to first in chips. However, a double for Thomas Santerne soon brought Davies back to earth  and with some bump.

Holding pocket tens, Santerne needed to spike his two outer to crack the queens of Davies  so how about two of them? Quads were enough for the Frenchman to survive...for now.

Tournament officials announced that just two more hours would be played with the money bubble still two eliminations away. Winter took care of it, eliminating EPT All-Time Money List leader Steve O'Dwyer as he closed in on Davies at the top of the counts.

Sean Winter

Winter would end the day top of the chip counts after bursting the bubble. Santerne needed to crack the pocket nines of the American with ace-king to stay alive, but no help was coming and he would fall in seventh, one short of the money.

The final table resumes at 12:30 local time on Monday, September 2 with all the action brought to you on PokerNews and the PokerStars live stream. Stay tuned for full updates from the conclusion of this event and the rest of the EPT Barcelona festival

EPT Barcelona 100,000 Super High Roller Payouts
The second day of the 2,200 Estrellas Poker Tour (ESPT) High Roller during the 2024 PokerStars European Poker Tour Barcelona has come to a close at the Casino Barcelona. Leading the final 26 is Germany's Berthold Winz with a whopping 7,455,000 chips.

After 10 hours of play, Winz surged to the top of the chip counts, having started the day just outside the top ten. Winz has over $150,000 in live tournament earnings, a career-high score of $32,441, and a victory in an EPT event here in Barcelona last year. Winz aims to eclipse that and has positioned himself perfectly to do so. The German player ended the final level of play on a high note after his pocket queens turned into quads, eliminating Ermo Kosk in 29th place.

Top Ten Chip Counts

Place Player Country Chip Count Big Blinds 1 Berthold Winz Germany 7,455,000 93 2 Rania Nasreddine United States 4,900,000 61 3 Anton Kraous Bulgaria 4,600,000 58 4 Alex Sampirisi Italy 3,710,000 46 5 Cedric Schwaederle France 3,700,000 46 6 Grzegorz Kozieja Poland 3,105,000 39 7 Maciej Komorowski Poland 2,960,000 37 8 Weiran Pu China 2,815,000 35 9 Cherish Andrews United States 2,700,000 34 10 Bernat Carreras Spain 2,585,000 32

Coming back tomorrow second in chips with 4,900,000 is Rania Nasreddine of the United States, who has amassed over $1,100,000 in live tournament earnings throughout her career. The bulk of that coming from her recent third-place finish at this year's EPT Monte Carlo Main Event, where she took home $437,639. After coming so close to EPT victory, she surely will have her sights only set on claiming the prestigious trophy by the end of tomorrow's play.

Day 2 Highlights

Out of the 2,064 entrants in yesterday's two opening flights, only 309 players bagged a stack and advanced through to today's play. While each had already secured a minimum cash of 3,200 from the 3,962,880 prize pool, their focus was on surviving today's play for a chance at the 600,000 top prize.

Lex Veldhuis

The only two PokerStars ambassadors to reach the money were Lex Veldhuis and Maria Konnikova. Veldhuis secured an early double-up with pocket queens in the first level but couldnt sustain that momentum, ultimately finishing 265th for 3,650.

Konnikova came into today with an above average stack, but ultimately ended up bowling out in 84th place for 7,450 after she ran into the pocket aces of Japan's Takahiro Tsugu.

Maria Konnikova

Just after players had returned from dinner break, Marian Dicu of Romania found himself in a dream spot after getting his pocket aces all-in three-way against Ivan Zhechev and Jordan Sparagana, who both held pocket kings. There was no miracle straight or flush and Dicu had sent both opponents to the rail. Nasreddine sent Natan Chauskin to the rail in 36th place, after she slowplayed pocket aces to perfection to have Chauskin drawing dead on the flop.

Many notable players who didn't manage to make it through to Day 3 include the 2016 EPT Dublin Main Event winner Dzmitry Urbanovich (290th - 3,200), Canada's Andrew Chen (223rd - 4,250), Malaysia's Victor Chong (166th - 4,900), the 2013 EPT London Main Event champion Robin Ylitalo of Sweden (145th - 4,900), Mathew Frankland (112th - 6,450), and EPT champion Noah Boeken of the Netherlands (27th - 15,000).

Mathew Frankland

Remaining Payouts

Place Prize Place Prize 1 600,000 9 55,350 2 374,850 10-11 42,600 3 268,050 12-13 35,450 4 206,080 14-15 29,550 5 158,500 16-17 24,600 6 121,750 18-20 17,250 7 93,500 21-23 17,250 8 71,950 24-26 15,000

Day 3 kicks off tomorrow, September 2, at noon local time, with all the remaining players having locked up at least 15,000. The blinds will start at 40,000/80,000 with a big blind ante of 80,000 and will play down until a champion is crowned.

Keep it right here with PokerNews for all of the latest action as the 2,200 (ESPT) High Roller heads into the final day of play.
The PokerStars Estrellas Poker Tour (ESPT) 2,200 High Roller has concluded here at the PokerStars European Poker Tour (EPT) Barcelona hosted at Casino Barcelona. Germany's Berthold Winz was the last player standing from the 26 hopefuls who made it to the final day, last defeating Ronald Steinmetz in a brief heads up duel to take home the trophy and top prize of 600,000.

Winz achieved both his second EPT trophy and career-best score with today's victory. Winz came in today with just over $150,000 in career tournament earnings and a previous career-best score of 24,400 ($32,441) from a deep run in the EPT Barcelona Main Event in 2014. He also won his first EPT trophy just last year after taking down the 1,050 No-Limit Hold'em Hyper Turbo Freezeout event during last year's EPT Barcelona for 29,940.

Final Table Results

Place Player Country Prize 1 Berthold Winz Germany  600,000 2 Ronald Steinmetz France  374,850 3 Christophe Pommier France  268,050 4 Jan-Eric Schwippert Germany  206,080 5 Grzegorz Kozieja Poland  158,500 6 Anton Kraous Bulgaria  121,750 7 Cedric Schwaederle France  93,500 8 Hugues Girard France  71,950 9 Bernat Carreras Spain  55,350

Day 3 Action

The ESPT High Roller attracted 2,064 entrants across two starting flights, generating a prize pool of 3,962,000. 309 of those players made it through their respective starting flights to advance to Day 2 where all were guaranteed at least a min-cash of 3,200. By the start of Day 3, only 26 players remained.

Winz began the final day as the chip leader and wasted no time reducing the field, eliminating Mitchell Garshofsky within the first 20 minutes. Meanwhile, Rania Nasreddine started the day with the second-largest stack but lost a sizable pot in the first level after running into Anton Kraous nut-flush. That hand saw Nasreddines stack cut in half and she was eliminated 40 minutes later by Winz, taking 17th place for 24,600.

Rania Nasreddine

Other notables to make Day 3 but fall before the final table include Cherish Andrews (13th - 35,540) and Weiran Pu (10th - 42,600). Pu was eventually eliminated on the final table bubble, which lasted nearly two hours, getting it in preflop with king-queen against Grzegorz Koziejas five-three suited only for Kozieja to make a flush on the turn to eliminate Pu and make way for the nine-handed final table.

Kozieja began the final table with the chip lead while Steinmetz was just behind him. Winz started the final table in the middle of the pack but quickly found himself back at the top of the counts after first eliminating Bernat Carreras in ninth place (55,350) followed by Hugues Girard in eighth (71,950). He then extended his chip lead over the rest of the field after a massive pot against fellow big stack Anton Kraous that saw Kraous' stack cut in half.

Cedric Schwaederle started the final table with the shortest stack but was able to ladder up two spots before he fell in seventh place in a three-way preflop collision that saw Christophe Pommier triple up. Schwaederle was followed out the door by Kraous (6th - 121,750), Kozieja (5th - 158,500) and Jan-Eric Schwippert (4th - 206,088).

Winz had a massive lead going into three-handed play and constantly pressured his other two opponents, winning pot after pot while seldom going to showdown. After being whittled down and forced to make a move, Pommier finally got his last chips in with queen-ten against Steinmetz ace-queen. Steinmetz held up with the best hand to enter heads-up play against Winz who held nearly a 3:1 chip advantage against his opponent.

Ronald Steinmetz

The heads-up duel between Winz and Steinmetz was over in the blink of an eye. After conceding the blinds a few times to the ever-aggressive Winz, Steinmetz made a move at the wrong time, bluffing on the river with ace-high only to be snap-called by Winz who had made a straight on the river. That hand left Steinmetz with just over ten big blinds which Winz would take after winning one last preflop race shortly after.

Thats a wrap for the PokerNews coverage of the PokerStars Estrellas Poker Tour High Roller. Stay tuned for updates on the EPT Main Event and other high-profile tournaments throughout the series.
Yikes. Things arent going so well for Governor Glenn Youngkin of Virginia, as he was out stumping for fellow Republican culture war populist Donald Trump on Labor Day, only to be drowned out with boos and with chants of the 2024 Democratic Party mantra, Were not going back!

Buena Vista, Virginia is the kind of place that hasnt always had a strong Democratic presence in election season  but at todays Labor Day parade, it was different. Watch as Glenn Youngkin, stumping for Trump , gets booed and drowned out with chants of Were not going back!, Virginia for Harris comms guy Aaron Fritschner shared on Twitter.

(Note: Watch all three videos, the first one just sets the stage for whats to come.)

Buena Vista, Virginia is the kind of place that hasnt always had a strong Democratic presence in election season  but at todays Labor Day parade, it was different. Watch as Glenn Youngkin, stumping for Trump, gets booed and drowned out with chants of Were not going back! pic.twitter.com/g8muocZRpk  Aaron Fritschner (@Fritschner) September 2, 2024

Governor Youngkin got disturbed and told the protesters that they should move to the other side because this was the Right side. They responded by chanting, USA! USA! USA!

I dont think there is a better way to celebrate Labor Day than watching Glenn Youngkin, the Great Republican Hope Turned Tepid Thing, upon whom theyve heaped their post-Trump dreams, getting drowned out with Were not going back! and USA! USA! USA!

The Democrats have become the party of loud patriotism based on serious national security policy (as opposed to nationalism) and insistence on personal freedoms  which is another way of saying, this change has thrown Republicans off their game. Republicans are used to owning the flag, being the loudest people in any space, and drowning out Democrats just by wearing tea bags on their head.

Not anymore, apparently. Republicans are being squeezed into their smaller pro-authoritarian, anti-freedom tent by the energetic joy being evinced on the other side at almost every turn in the last month.

Make sure you and your loved ones (and everyone else you know) are registered to vote at Vote.Org.
Vice President Kamala Harris held a rocking Detroit event where she took apart Trump for being an enemy of workers and labor.

Watch the speech:

Kamala Harris just gave a barn burner of a Labor Day speech in Detroit. At one point, the crowd was chanting, Trumps a scab. pic.twitter.com/OeYgc0PRzO  Sarah Reese Jones (@PoliticusSarah) September 2, 2024

Harris said in part:

So this election, this election and our fight is a fight for the promise of America. A promise, and ours is a fight for the promise, the promise of America, a promise of freedom, of opportunity and justice, not just for some, but for all.

But what we know is as we fight to move our nation forward, Donald Trump Intense to pull us back to the past. But were not going back. We are not going back! And, and we know, we know what that would look like, right? So, intense to pull us back, including back to a time before workers have the freedom to organize. As president, we will always remember Donald Trump blocked overtime benefits from millions of workers, and opposed efforts to raise the minimum wage. He appointed union busters to the National Labor Relations Board, supported so called right to work law.

And if heres the thing, heres the thing. We have a choice here, right? And were not going back because we also know that if Donald Trump were reelected, He intends to give tax cuts to billionaires and big corporations. He intends to cut Social Security and Medicare. He wants to impose what, in effect, is a national sales tax on everyday products and basic necessities that will cost, and economists have said this, that will cost a typical American family almost $4, 000 a year.

He wants to repeal the Affordable Care Act. And take us back to a time in our country which most of us remember when insurance companies, you remember, had the power to deny people coverage based on a pre existing condition. Remember that? Deny people, children with asthma, a survivor of breast cancer, a grandparent with diabetes.

Look, America has tried those failed policies before. And they are failed policies. And we are not going back. And we are not going back. We are not going back. And instead, and instead, we fight For a future, a future where no person has to go broke just because they got sick.

Trump isnt even pretending to care about workers anymore. He wont leave his club to fake that he cares. While Trump was off the campaign trail, the vice president was meeting with voters and earning more votes in a critical swing state.

Harris destroyed Trumps self-created myth that he is good for workers.

Kamala Harris is the person with the real record of accomplishment for workers.

The VP is firing up voters while Trump is sitting at home.

To join the conversation and tell us what you think of this story, join us on Reddit.
News / National

by Staff reporter

A Zimbabwean national, Norest Singage, was sentenced to life imprisonment by the Pretoria North Magistrates' Court last week for the murder of a woman during a robbery, with an additional 27 years for two counts of robbery with aggravating circumstances. His accomplice, Rodwin Maphinde, received a 12-year prison term for his role in the robbery. Both men have been declared unfit to possess firearms.The court heard that Singage and Maphinde committed the crimes on August 26 and September 2020. They initially robbed a man and later targeted a family, taking them to a mountain where Singage killed the woman. The husband managed to escape and report the incident, leading to their arrest in October 2020.Despite pleading not guilty, Singage and Maphinde's guilt was proven beyond reasonable doubt. Prosecutor Lebogang Mokome highlighted the premeditated nature of the crimes and the severe impact on the victims' families. Magistrate Motiang emphasized the need for harsh penalties to address rising violent crime and protect the community. The National Prosecuting Authority welcomed the sentences, underscoring its commitment to public safety.
ATLANTA  At the shuttered Atlanta Medical Center, a Stronger Together mural sends a hopeful message near a summer spray of hydrangeas. The campus was mostly quiet on a recent weekend, since AMC closed nearly two years ago. A lone security vehicle sat behind a chain-link fence, and pedestrians passed by without even a glance.

In the town of Cuthbert, some 160 miles away, the Southwest Georgia Regional Medical Center also remains shut after closing four years ago, another Southern hospital casualty in a region dotted with them. Even a smaller facility replacing the former Cuthbert hospital would be tremendous for the county, said Steve Whatley, chair of the Randolph County Hospital Authority.

The two hospitals  one inner-city, the other rural  faced some of the same financial pressures, including not having enough patients with private insurance.

This year, they also shared the attention of some of Georgias most powerful lawmakers. Legislation signed in April by Gov. Brian Kemp, a Republican, included a provision pushed by U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff, a Democrat.

The law amends the states certificate of need system, which allows existing hospitals and other health facilities to block would-be competitors plans to expand by arguing theres insufficient need for their services.

Certificate of need laws exist in 35 states and Washington, D.C., according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. The hospital industry, especially nonprofit facilities, generally supports the rules, and has argued they reduce health care costs and preserve access to quality medical services. Under CON requirements, health providers must obtain approval from the state before offering some new services or before building or expanding facilities.

Whether the laws improve care or reduce costs is questionable, researchers have found, and critics say more competition would decrease spending by insurers and consumers. In 2018, the Trump administration issued a report recommending that states repeal or revise their certificate of need requirements, arguing they increase health care costs.
CHARLESTON, SC - The President's List is one of the most distinguished cadet awards presented by The Citadel. It indicates excellence in academics and military duties. The list is a combination of the Dean's List and the Commandant's Distinguished List and is composed of cadets who contribut Read moreMost distinguished cadets named to spring 2024 President's List
News / National

by Staff reporter

President Emmerson Mnangagwa's government has been urged to end State-sponsored abductions, arbitrary arrests, detentions, and torture of opposition activists and human rights defenders.This call comes as Zimbabweans reflect on the unresolved disappearances of figures such as journalist-turned-activist Itai Dzamara, Tonderai Ndira, Tapfumaneyi Masaya, and Patrick Nabanyama, who were allegedly abducted by State security agents and either never found or discovered dead.In a statement marking the 2024 International Day of Victims of Enforced Disappearances, Heal Zimbabwe Trust (HZT) condemned Mnangagwa's regime as ruthless. The organization honored the victims of enforced disappearances and survivors of State-sponsored abductions, arbitrary detention, and torture, many of whom have not received justice. HZT also recognized the families and human rights defenders who have faced harassment for demanding justice.The statement highlighted the ongoing pretrial detention of four abduction victims, Robson Chere, Namatai Kwekweza, Samuel Gwenzi, and Vusumuzi Moyo, who are facing politically motivated charges after being abducted, held incommunicado, and tortured.HZT criticized the government's failure to comply with a 2015 High Court order to intensify efforts to locate Itai Dzamara and provide regular updates, viewing it as part of a broader culture of impunity. Instead of justice, victims of enforced disappearances have been vilified and, in many cases, charged with politically motivated offenses.Zimbabwe has been slow to ratify the United Nations International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearances, which HZT sees as no coincidence given the country's record on human rights. The organization stressed the need for thorough investigations into State-sponsored abductions and called on the government to comply with court orders and ratify the international convention.HZT also demanded that Mnangagwa establish an Independent Complaints Commission to address human rights violations by State security agents, including the police, Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO), and the army, and to strengthen the country's human rights protection mechanisms.Reaffirming its commitment to seeking justice, HZT expressed its ongoing support for victims of enforced disappearances and their families in their pursuit of a just Zimbabwe where human dignity, freedoms, and life are respected.The International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances, observed annually on August 30, was established by the United Nations General Assembly to raise awareness of enforced disappearances and honor the victims and their families.
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NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / September 2, 2024 / Leading securities law firmBleichmar Fonti & Auld LLPannounces an investigation into Franklin Resources, Inc. (NYSE:BEN) for potential violations of the federal securities laws.If you invested in Franklin Resources, you are encouraged to obtain additional information by visiting https://www.bfalaw.com/cases-investigations/franklin-resources-inc Why Did Franklin Resources's Stock Drop?Franklin Resources is a $1.7 trillion asset management company better known as Franklin Templeton. One of its key divisions is Western Asset Management ("WAM"), which is a fixed income manager.On July 26, 2024, Franklin Resources revealed that "following the launch of an internal investigation focusing on certain past trade allocations of treasury derivatives in select" WAM accounts, "WAM received notification of parallel investigations by the SEC and U.S. Department of Justice." Then, on August 21, 2024, Franklin Resources disclosed that WAM co-Chief Investment Officer Ken Leech had been placed on leave "effective immediately" after he "received a Wells Notice from the Staff of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission." The company further stated that, "[i]n light of Mr. Leech's leave of absence, the Company has determined that closing its Macro Opportunities strategy (approximately $2.0 billion in AUM as of 7/31/2024) is in clients' best interests." On the same day, Bloomberg reported that federal prosecutors in the Southern District of New York are investigating whether Leech allocated winning trades to favored accounts, as part of a criminal probe into a practice known as " cherry-picking." The news caused a precipitous decline in the price of Franklin Resources stock. On July 26, 2024, the price of the company's stock fell 2.4%, from a closing price of $23.64 per share on July 25, 2024, to $23.08 per share on July 26, 2024. Then, on August 21, 2024, the price of Franklin Resources stock fell 12.5%, from a closing price of $22.62 per share on August 20, 2024, to $19.78 per share on August 21, 2024.Click here for more information: https://www.bfalaw.com/cases-investigations/franklin-resources-inc What Can You Do?If you invested in Franklin Resources, Inc. you may have legal options and are encouraged to submit your information to the firm. All representation is on a contingency fee basis, there is no cost to you. Shareholders are not responsible for any court costs or expenses of litigation. The firm will seek court approval for any potential fees and expenses.Submit your information by visiting:Or contact:Ross Shikowitz ross@ bfalaw.com 212-789-3619Why Bleichmar Fonti & Auld LLP?Bleichmar Fonti & Auld LLP is a leading international law firm representing plaintiffs in securities class actions and shareholder litigation. It was named among the Top 5 plaintiff law firms by ISS SCAS in 2023 and its attorneys have been named Titans of the Plaintiffs' Bar by Law360 and SuperLawyers by Thompson Reuters. Among its recent notable successes, BFA recovered over $900 million in value from Tesla, Inc.'s Board of Directors (pending court approval), as well as $420 million from Teva Pharmaceutical Ind. Ltd.For more information about BFA and its attorneys, please visit https://www.bfalaw.com Attorney advertising. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.SOURCE: Bleichmar Fonti & Auld LLP
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NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESSWIRE / September 2, 2024 / Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC is investigating potential claims on behalf of purchasers of Franklin Resources, Inc. ("Franklin" or "the Company") (NYSE:BEN). Investors who purchased Franklin securities are encouraged to obtain additional information and assist the investigation by visiting the firm's site: bgandg.com/BEN Investigation DetailsOn August 21, 2024, Franklin subsidiary Western Asset Management Company issued a press release announcing that co-Chief Investment Officer Ken Leech "is on a leave of absence, effective immediately" after "receiv[ing] a Wells Notice from the Staff of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission". That same day, Bloomberg reported that "[f]ederal prosecutors in New York are investigating whether a Western Asset Management executive allocated winning trades to favored accounts, as part of a criminal probe into a practice known as  cherry-picking.'" On this news, Franklin's stock price fell $2.84 per share, or 12.56%, to close at $19.78 per share on August 21, 2024.What's Next?If you are aware of any facts relating to this investigation or purchased Franklin securities, you can assist this investigation by visiting the firm's site: bgandg.com/BEN . You can also contact Peretz Bronstein or his client relations manager, Nathan Miller, of Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC: 332-239-2660.There is No Cost to YouWe represent investors in class actions on a contingency fee basis. That means we will ask the court to reimburse us for out-of-pocket expenses and attorneys' fees, usually a percentage of the total recovery, only if we are successful.Why Bronstein, Gewirtz & GrossmanBronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC is a nationally recognized firm that represents investors in securities fraud class actions and shareholder derivative suits. Our firm has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors nationwide.Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.CONTACT: Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLCPeretz Bronstein or Nathan Miller,332-239-2660 | info@ bgandg.com SOURCE: Bronstein, Gewirtz and Grossman, LLC
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TAMPA, FL / ACCESSWIRE / September 2, 2024 / As CMK Construction marks its 20th anniversary this September, the company celebrates a remarkable milestone of excellence and continued success in the Tampa Bay area. Owned by Manny and Courtney Kavouklis, CMK Construction has been a leader in transforming kitchens and bathrooms, and their reputation for top-tier service and craftsmanship has earned them the prestigious title of "Best of the Best" in bathroom and kitchen remodeling for the sixth consecutive time.Since its inception, CMK Construction has been dedicated to helping homeowners add value, style, and functionality to their homes. Over the years, they have assisted thousands of Tampa Bay residents in enhancing their living spaces through flawless installations, premium products, and innovative design solutions. Their commitment to excellence is evident in every project they undertake, from simple updates to extensive renovations.The range of services offered by CMK Construction is as diverse as the needs of their clients. Whether you're interested in a straightforward tub-to-shower conversion or a complete custom renovation, their team is equipped to handle it all. They excel in turning challenging spaces into beautiful, functional areas that meet your specific needs. Imagine enjoying double shower heads, floating storage, and wider doorways in your bathroom, or having a pot filler over the stovetop, a six-burner gas range, and a built-in wine refrigerator in your kitchen. CMK Construction can make these dreams a reality.The process begins with a free consultation, where you'll discuss your vision with their expert design staff. This initial meeting allows you to explore your preferences, discuss potential solutions, and receive a detailed cost and time estimate tailored to your project. With CMK Construction, you can trust that every detail will be addressed with precision and care.With over 5,000 successful renovations to their credit, CMK Construction has garnered hundreds of positive reviews and holds an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau. Their commitment to quality is unwavering; if a product or brand isn't good enough for their own homes, it won't be used in yours. This dedication ensures that every installation is of the highest standard, providing long-lasting beauty and functionality.As they celebrate two decades of excellence, CMK Construction remains devoted to delivering exceptional results and enhancing the lives of homeowners in the Tampa Bay area. Whether you're planning a minor update or a major renovation, CMK Construction is ready to bring your vision to life with expertise, integrity, and unparalleled craftsmanship.Contact: https://www.cmkconstructioninc.com Phone: (727) 800-1644SOURCE: CMK Construction Inc.
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LOS ANGELES, CA / ACCESSWIRE / September 2, 2024 / The Schall Law Firm, a national shareholder rights litigation firm, announces that it is investigating claims on behalf of investors of Franklin Resources, Inc. ("Franklin" or "the Company") (NYSE:BEN) for violations of the securities laws.The investigation focuses on whether the Company issued false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose information pertinent to investors. Franklin admitted on July 26, 2024, that "following the launch of an internal investigation focusing on certain past trade allocations of treasury derivatives in select Western Asset Management (WAM') accounts, WAM received notification of parallel investigations by the SEC and U.S. Department of Justice." The Company then disclosed on August 21, 2024, that WAM co-Chief Investment Officer Ken Leech had been played on leave "effective immediately" adding that "in light of Mr. Leech's leave of absence, the Company has determined that closing its Macro Opportunities strategy (approximately $2.0 billion in AUM as of 7/31/2024) is in clients' best interests." Finally, the Company also disclosed that Leech had received a Wells Notice from the SEC. Based on this news, shares of Franklin fell significantly.If you are a shareholder who suffered a loss, click here to participate.We also encourage you to contact Brian Schall of the Schall Law Firm, 2049 Century Park East, Suite 2460, Los Angeles, CA 90067, at 310-301-3335, to discuss your rights free of charge. You can also reach us through the firm's website at www.schallfirm.com , or by email at bschall@ schallfirm.com The Schall Law Firm represents investors around the world and specializes in securities class action lawsuits and shareholder rights litigation.This press release may be considered Attorney Advertising in some jurisdictions under the applicable law and rules of ethics.CONTACT: The Schall Law FirmBrian Schall, Esq. www.schallfirm.com Office: 310-301-3335 info@ schallfirm.com SOURCE: The Schall Law Firm
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NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / September 2, 2024 / Leading securities law firmBleichmar Fonti & Auld LLPannounces that a lawsuit has been filed against Methode Electronics, Inc. (NYSE:MEI) and certain of the Company's senior executives.If you invested in Methode, you are encouraged to obtain additional information by visiting https://www.bfalaw.com/cases-investigations/methode-electronics-inc Investors have until October 25, 2024 to ask the Court to be appointed to lead the case. The complaint asserts claims under Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 on behalf of investors in Methode common stock. The case is pending in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois and is captioned Salem v. Methode Electronics, Inc., et al., No. 24-cv-07696.What is the Lawsuit About?Methode designs, engineers, and manufactures custom-engineered solutions for automotive original equipment manufacturers. The complaint alleges that during the relevant period, Methode misrepresented the success of the Company's transition from the General Motors console program to new electric vehicle applications and that the Company's "higher-margin product mix" would "offset" any decline in income from the General Motors program. In truth, Methode's transition to electric vehicles had been plagued with operational, logistical, and personnel challenges that negatively impacted the Company's business.On September 7, 2023, Methode announced financial results for 1Q 24. The Company disclosed that "operational inefficiencies" in the Company's North American operations had negatively impacted earnings for the quarter and were expected to linger into the second quarter. On this news, the price of Methode stock declined by $6.67 per share, or over 22%, to close at $23.33 per share on September 7, 2023.On December 7, 2023, Methode announced financial results for 2Q 24. During the quarter, the Company's Automotive Segment generated only $154.3 million in net sales and suffered a $61.5 million loss from operations. The Company also disclosed a $56.5 million goodwill impairment in the Company's North American and European Automotive Reporting Units. On this news, the price of Methode stock declined by $2.87 per share, or almost 12%, to close at $21.52 per share on December 8, 2023.On March 7, 2024, Methode announced financial results for 3Q 24 and withdrew all prior guidance. The Company also announced it was taking urgent actions to reduce costs, such as by reducing headcount and discretionary expenses and by disposing of non-critical assets. On this news, the price of Methode stock declined by $6.55 per share, or over 31%, to close at $14.49 per share on March 7, 2024.Finally, on April 8, 2024, Methode announced that its CFO would be retiring from the Company effective July 12, 2024. Less than one month later, on May 6, 2024, Methode announced that the CEO had resigned just three months into his tenure.Click here if you suffered losses: https://www.bfalaw.com/cases-investigations/methode-electronics-inc What Can You Do?If you invested in Methode, you have rights and are encouraged to submit your information to speak with an attorney.All representation is on a contingency fee basis, there is no cost to you. Shareholders are not responsible for any court costs or expenses of litigation. The Firm will seek court approval for any potential fees and expenses. Submit your information by visiting:Or contact:Ross Shikowitz ross@ bfalaw.com 212-789-3619Why Bleichmar Fonti & Auld LLP?Bleichmar Fonti & Auld LLP is a leading international law firm representing plaintiffs in securities class actions and shareholder litigation. It was named among the Top 5 plaintiff law firms by ISS SCAS in 2023 and its attorneys have been named Titans of the Plaintiffs' Bar by Law360 and SuperLawyers by Thompson Reuters. Among its recent notable successes, BFA recovered over $900 million in value from Tesla, Inc.'s Board of Directors (pending court approval), as well as $420 million from Teva Pharmaceutical Ind. Ltd.For more information about BFA and its attorneys, please visit https://www.bfalaw.com Attorney advertising. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.SOURCE: Bleichmar, Fonti, & Auld LLP
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Bill Gates, co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, arrived in Nigeria on Monday as part of a broader push by the foundation to support development initiatives across Africa.

According to a statement by the foundation, the visit is aimed at bolstering efforts in key sectors such as health, agriculture, and nutrition.

During his time in Nigeria, Mr Gates is expected to meet with national and local leaders, partners, grantees, and innovators to discuss advancing health, innovation, and nutrition across Africa.

A major highlight of the visit, according to the foundation, includes Mr Gates participation in a pan-African virtual dialogue focused on addressing malnutrition.

This event is expected to bring together experts from various sectors to explore integrated strategies for tackling the issue, with Gates being joined by Jon Batiste, an educator and humanitarian, among others.

The Gates Foundation said that it has committed over $7 billion to African countries and institutions through 2026. The foundations efforts, it said, are directed towards confronting a range of issues, including hunger, disease, gender inequality, and poverty.

Since its establishment in 2000, the foundation has collaborated with regional institutions, governments, and local communities in 49 African countries, contributing both funding and technical expertise.

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However, despite these efforts, the challenges facing the continent remain significant, particularly in the context of ongoing economic pressures.

This is why the foundation supports African partners whose bold ideas and creative approaches have the potential to save lives, improve health, and help families across the continent.

Since the foundations inception in 2000, it has supported partnerships with African regional institutions, national governments, and local communities in 49 African countries to contribute funding and scientific expertise in support of their agendas for change.

These partnerships have driven the success of numerous health, agriculture, equality, and anti-poverty initiatives.

The foundation has committed more than $7bn through 2026 to support African countries and institutions working to develop and implement innovative approaches to confront hunger, disease, gender inequality, and poverty.

The foundation works with African governments, the private sector, non-profit organizations and civil society to improve health outcomes, boost agricultural productivity, expand access to digital financial services, and empower women and other marginalized populations with greater economic opportunities, the statement read.

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Like most industries, Nollywood is highly competitive, with instances of rivalries driven by the quest for fame and success.

During the annual Mamador August meeting held in Lagos State on Friday, Ngozi Nwosu, a veteran Nollywood actress, shared her invaluable experience and advice on managing envy and jealousy in the movie industry, a challenge not unique to Nollywood.

Nwosu, one of the panellists at the event, highlighted that every field has its challenges. Still, the key to overcoming them lies in ones ability to stand firm and confront them.

Popular for her role as Peaceful Peace in the 1990s family sitcom Fuji House of Commotion, she emphasised the importance of knowing what you want and not allowing challenges to overwhelm you.

She said, One thing I want people to take note of today is that theres no field in which you wont be challenged, but what is important is your ability to withstand the heat. Know what you want. Challenges will come; its a thing in our lives, but dont let the challenge challenge you. When the challenges come, face them well. Challenge them.

The 63-year-old actress also revealed that working in the movie industry for a long time has been challenging, but she has pulled through.

I am sitting here talking to you people. I dont look like what Ive been through. To God be the glory because Ive learned one thing: to face my challenges squarely. I face it when they come. Honestly, being a veteran has not been moi-moi. It has not been moi-moi in Nollywood. I am sure they can attest to it.

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Envy, Jealousy in Nollywood

The actress hinted at prayerfulness and having God behind you while discussing how she managed envy in Nollywood. She recounted instances where younger actors have openly questioned her continued presence in the industry, challenging her to leave the industry for the new generation.

You have to keep up with prayer every day. If you visit an herbalist, you better make sure he is doing the charm well for you because in our field, although I wont say its only our field, there is envy and jealousy, so theres no way challenges will not come. If youre doing well in my industry, its a problem for some people. The fact that you wake up and feel good is a problem for some actors.

The way I am now, there are functions that I attend, and you look at the Genz come up to me, instead of saying ma youre looking good, the next thing I will hear is Male what is it na? You dont want to leave this industry for us, you don dey old na. But Im happy they tell me I dont want to leave the industry. I was in it before you so that I will put my body well. Nobody will drive me because I did not drive anybody. But you see this our new generation, the kind of challenges they want the older ones to face is not easy.

If youre not strong, you will wither away if you are not the strong type that has spirit and doesnt have God behind you. My sis, this thing we are saying is not easy. I listened to our sister talking about finances and the money she mentioned. That is another challenge. But how do you face it? Challenge the challenge like how I have overcome my challenge in Nollywood. She added.

New Generation Actors

Recently, Nwosu, during the Talk To B podcast, said the new-generation actors have it easier than their contemporaries at the onset of their careers.

She said, It was tough for all of us. Even though I know the new generation of actors are enjoying themselves, they never suffered half of what we did. We are the pioneers; we have laid the ground for you people to walk on.

Nwosu, who has been in the industry for over thirty years, also mentioned that one can overcome challenges with a passion for acting.

She said: In as much as this job has become an all-comers affair, we need people that know their onions. The industry has become a place where people use what they have to get what they want. If you dont have a passion for acting, with one challenge, you will fall by the wayside. If you have passion for it, no matter the storm, there is light at the end of the tunnel.

She began her acting career in Yoruba films before making her home video debut in 1992 with Living in Bondage. Since then, Nwosu has starred in over 100 movies.

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The US has seized a plane belonging to Venezuelas President, Nicolas Maduro.

The US Justice Department claimed the plane was bought illegally in the US for $13 million and smuggled out of the country, BBC reports.

The Falcon 900EX aircraft was in the Dominican Republic when it was seized and flown back to the US state of Florida.

American officials said the plane was seized after determining that its acquisition was in violation of US sanctions, among other criminal issues.

The US has imposed a wide range of sanctions on Venezuela to force Mr Maduro out of office.

The seizure of the presidential jet is the latest development in what has long been a frosty relationship between the US and Venezuela.

In a statement on Monday, the US Attorney General, Merrick Garland, said, the Justice Department seized an aircraft we allege was illegally purchased for $13 million through a shell company and smuggled out of the United States for use by Nicolas Maduro and his cronies.

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The plane was purchased from a company in Florida, the Justice Department said, and was illegally exported in April 2023 from the United States to Venezuela through the Caribbean.

The plane has since been used to fly almost exclusively to and from a military base in Venezuela, the Justice Department added, and has been used for Mr Maduros international travels.

Let this seizure send a clear message: aircraft illegally acquired from the United States for the benefit of sanctioned Venezuelan officials cannot just fly off into the sunset, said US Assistant Secretary for Export Enforcement Matthew Axelrod of the Department of Commerce. It doesnt matter how fancy the private jet or how powerful the officials  we will work relentlessly with our partners here and across the globe to identify and return any aircraft illegally smuggled outside of the United States.

The US recently placed pressure on the Venezuelan government to immediately release specific data regarding its presidential election, citing concerns about the credibility of strongman leader Maduros victory.

Earlier this year, CNN reported that the US reimposed sanctions on Venezuelas oil and gas sector in response to the Maduro governments failure to allow an inclusive and competitive election to take place.

After the reelection of Mr Maduro on 28 July, Venezuela suspended commercial flights to and from the Dominican Republic.

In March 2020, the US Department of Justice charged Mr Maduro, together with 14 current and former Venezuelan officials, with narco-terrorism, drug trafficking and corruption.

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WASHINGTON (AP)  Imagine a customer-service center that speaks your language, no matter what it is.

Alorica, a company in Irvine, California, that runs customer-service centers around the world, has introduced an artificial intelligence translation tool that lets its representatives talk with customers who speak 200 different languages and 75 dialects.

So an Alorica representative who speaks, say, only Spanish can field a complaint about a balky printer or an incorrect bank statement from a Cantonese speaker in Hong Kong. Alorica wouldnt need to hire a rep who speaks Cantonese.

Such is the power of AI. And, potentially, the threat: Perhaps companies wont need as many employees  and will slash some jobs  if chatbots can handle the workload instead. But the thing is, Alorica isnt cutting jobs. Its still hiring aggressively.

The experience at Alorica  and at other companies, including furniture retailer IKEA  suggests that AI may not prove to be the job killer that many people fear. Instead, the technology might turn out to be more like breakthroughs of the past  the steam engine, electricity, the Internet: That is, eliminate some jobs while creating others. And probably making workers more productive in general, to the eventual benefit of themselves, their employers and the economy.

Nick Bunker, an economist at the Indeed Hiring Lab, said he thinks AI will affect many, many jobs  maybe every job indirectly to some extent. But I dont think its going to lead to, say, mass unemployment. We have seen other big technological events in our history, and those didnt lead to a large rise in unemployment. Technology destroys but also creates. There will be new jobs that come about.

At its core, artificial intelligence empowers machines to perform tasks previously thought to require human intelligence. The technology has existed in early versions for decades, having emerged with a problem-solving computer program, the Logic Theorist, built in the 1950s at what's now Carnegie Mellon University. More recently, think of voice assistants like Siri and Alexa. Or IBMs chess-playing computer, Deep Blue, which managed to beat the world champion Garry Kasparov in 1997.

Story continues

AI really burst into public consciousness in 2022, when OpenAI introduced ChatGPT, the generative AI tool that can conduct conversations, write computer code, compose music, craft essays and supply endless streams of information. The arrival of generative AI has raised worries that chatbots will replace freelance writers, editors, coders, telemarketers, customer-service reps, paralegals and many more.

AI is going to eliminate a lot of current jobs, and this is going to change the way that a lot of current jobs function,'' Sam Altman, the CEO of OpenAI, said in a discussion at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in May.

Yet the widespread assumption that AI chatbots will inevitably replace service workers, the way physical robots took many factory and warehouse jobs, isnt becoming reality in any widespread way  not yet, anyway. And maybe it never will.

The White House Council of Economic Advisers said last month that it found little evidence that AI will negatively impact overall employment. The advisers noted that history shows technology typically makes companies more productive, speeding economic growth and creating new types of jobs in unexpected ways.

They cited a study this year led by David Autor, a leading MIT economist: It concluded that 60% of the jobs Americans held in 2018 didnt even exist in 1940, having been created by technologies that emerged only later.

The outplacement firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas, which tracks job cuts, said it has yet to see much evidence of layoffs that can be attributed to labor-saving AI.

I dont think weve started seeing companies saying theyve saved lots of money or cut jobs they no longer need because of this, said Andy Challenger, who leads the firms sales team. That may come in the future. But it hasnt played out yet.

At the same time, the fear that AI poses a serious threat to some categories of jobs isn't unfounded.

Consider Suumit Shah, an Indian entrepreneur who caused a uproar last year by boasting that he had replaced 90% of his customer support staff with a chatbot named Lina. The move at Shah's company, Dukaan, which helps customers set up e-commerce sites, shrank the response time to an inquiry from 1 minute, 44 seconds to instant." It also cut the typical time needed to resolve problems from more than two hours to just over three minutes.

"It's all about AI's ability to handle complex queries with precision,'' Shah said by email.

The cost of providing customer support, he said, fell by 85%.

Tough? Yes. Necessary? Absolutely, Shah posted on X.

Dukaan has expanded its use of AI to sales and analytics. The tools, Shah said, keep growing more powerful.

It's like upgrading from a Corolla to a Tesla,'' he said. "What used to take hours now takes minutes. And the accuracy is on a whole new level.''

Similarly, researchers at Harvard Business School, the German Institute for Economic Research and Londons Imperial College Business School found in a study last year that job postings for writers, coders and artists tumbled within eight months of the arrival of ChatGPT.

A 2023 study by researchers at Princeton University, the University of Pennsylvania and New York University concluded that telemarketers and teachers of English and foreign languages held the jobs most exposed to ChatGPT-like language models. But being exposed to AI doesnt necessarily mean losing your job to it. AI can also do the drudge work, freeing up people to do more creative tasks.

The Swedish furniture retailer IKEA, for example, introduced a customer-service chatbot in 2021 to handle simple inquiries. Instead of cutting jobs, IKEA retrained 8,500 customer-service workers to handle such tasks as advising customers on interior design and fielding complicated customer calls.

Chatbots can also be deployed to make workers more efficient, complementing their work rather than eliminating it. A study by Erik Brynjolfsson of Stanford University and Danielle Li and Lindsey Raymond of MIT tracked 5,200 customer-support agents at a Fortune 500 company who used a generative AI-based assistant. The AI tool provided valuable suggestions for handling customers. It also supplied links to relevant internal documents.

Those who used the chatbot, the study found, proved 14% more productive than colleagues who didnt. They handled more calls and completed them faster. The biggest productivity gains  34%  came from the least-experienced, least-skilled workers.

At an Alorica call center in Albuquerque, New Mexico, one customer-service rep had been struggling to gain access to the information she needed to quickly handle calls. After Alorica trained her to use AI tools, her handle time  how long it takes to resolve customer calls  fell in four months by an average of 14 minutes a call to just over seven minutes.

Over a period of six months, the AI tools helped one group of 850 Alorica reps reduce their average handle time to six minutes, from just over eight minutes. They can now field 10 calls an hour instead of eight  an additional 16 calls in an eight-hour day.

Alorica agents can use AI tools to quickly access information about the customers who call in  to check their order history, say, or determine whether they had called earlier and hung up in frustration.

Suppose, said Mike Clifton, Aloricas co-CEO, a customer complains that she received the wrong product. The agent can hit replace, and the product will be there tomorrow," he said. " 'Anything else I can help you with? No? Click. Done. Thirty seconds in and out.

Now the company is beginning to use its Real-time Voice Language Translation tool, which lets customers and Alorica agents speak and hear each other in their own languages.

It allows (Alorica reps) to handle every call they get, said Rene Paiz, a vice president of customer service. I dont have to hire externally just to find someone who speaks a specific language.

Yet Alorica isnt cutting jobs. It continues to seek hires  increasingly, those who are comfortable with new technology.

We are still actively hiring, Paiz says. We have a lot that needs to be done out there.

Paul Wiseman, The Associated Press
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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Pharmaceutical giant May & Baker Nig. Plc. is celebrating its 80th anniversary with re-commitment to promoting healthcare in Nigeria through production of medical products of international standards.

The Managing Director of the company, Patrick Ajah, gave the assurance at a news conference on Monday in Lagos.

Mr Ajah described the celebration as landmark, noting that the company was established on 4 September 1944.

He said that the company began manufacturing medicines in 1976.

Mr Ajah said that the company, over the years, faced a lot of operational challenges, but its resilience and commitment to promoting healthcare kept it moving.

On activities to commemorate the anniversary, Mr Ajah said that the company would be donating a standard borehole to the Egusi Ota community in Ogun to enhance the communitys access to safe drinking water.

He also said that the company would be renovating some charity homes in Lagos and environs.

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He added that the company would organise walk-for-life during which market women and passersby would be screened and given medical care.

Mr Ajah also said that May & Baker would pay school fees of five financially-indigent but brilliant students of the University of Ibadan to enable them to graduate.

May & Baker has gone through stages since its inception on September 4, 1944, as Nigerias first pharmaceutical company, Mr Ajah said.

He noted that the company partnered with the federal government for a bio-vaccine manufacturing factory in 2005.

A lot has happened since then. Hopefully, very soon, we are going to unveil the bio-vaccine factory.

Similarly, in 2008, the company started construction of a pharma centre, a WHO-standard pharmaceutical products outfit, which was commissioned on June 27, 2011, and it has the capacity to produce about six billion tablets and 37.5 million of liquids every year.

In commemoration of the 80th anniversary, we have decided to give back to the society through some projects in key areas of need, Mr Ajah said.

The Head of Pharma Sales and Marketing of May & Baker, Obinna Emeribe, said that the company was working toward producing a range of new products aimed at promoting healthy living.

Mr Emeribe said that May & Baker planned to launch at least seven new products before the end of 2024.

According to him, besides many corporate social responsibilities, May & Baker is working with research centres in Nigeria including the National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPRD), Abuja, to commercialise medicines for management of sickle cell anaemia.

At present, May & Baker is partnering with NIPRD, which has the lead to the establishment of our herbal plant at Ota.

Very soon, probably in the next one or two months, another product of research by a Nigerian professor, called Rofeda  the bitter leaf capsule  is going to be commercialised in Nigeria by May & Baker, courtesy of our herbal plant.

There are very important ingredients in the normal bitter leaf we eat that help the human life.

Our continued investment in research and development, our focus on harnessing cutting-edge technologies, and our commitment to collaborations and partnerships will guide us as we navigate the ever-changing landscape of healthcare, he said.

(NAN)

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The Nigerian police have accused a British socialist, Andrew Wynne (also known as Andrew Povich or Drew Povey), of building a network of sleeper cells to topple the Bola Tinubu administration and plunge the nation into chaos.

Police spokesperson Olumuyiwa Adejobi said this in a Monday statement shared with PREMIUM TIMES.

The government also declared the Briton wanted, saying he has fled the country.

Mr Adejobi said Mr Wynne rented a space at Labour House, Abuja, for an Iva Valley Bookshop and established STARS of Nations Schools as a cover for his subversive activities.

Nigerian activists close to Mr Wynne, however, described him as a committed socialist who dedicated his life to fighting for workers rights and projecting non-violent socialist causes. He has been in Nigeria and operated his bookshop at the headquarters of the Nigeria Labour Congress for many years.

PREMIUM TIMES reported how the police raided the bookshop at the NLC headquarters in Abuja following the #EndBadGovernance protests across the country.

Some of the protesters were arraigned on Monday and were accused of collaborating with the 70-year-old Briton, with intent to destabilise Nigeria, called on the military to take over the government from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

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PREMIUM TIMES will provide more details in subsequent reports.

Read the full statement by the police below.

The Nigeria Police Force has launched a comprehensive investigation into the activities of a foreign national and subversive elements plotting to undermine the democratically-elected government in Nigeria through unconstitutional regime change and orchestrating violence across the country.

Following extensive intelligence gathering and collaboration with other security agencies, nine suspects have been apprehended, who received substantial financial backing from foreign sources to destabilise the country. Preliminary findings suggest they orchestrated and funded violent protests, disseminated false information, and engaged in other unlawful activities to create anarchy and justify their illegal plot to overthrow the democratically elected government.

Investigations have identified a foreign mercenary, Andrew Wynne (also known as Andrew Povich or Drew Povey), a British national, who built a network of sleeper cells to topple the government and plunge the nation into chaos. He rented a space at Labour House, Abuja, for an Iva Valley Bookshop and established STARS of Nations Schools as a cover for his subversive activities.

Documentary evidence and confessions revealed that Andrew Wynne issued directives, monitored progress, provided finance and operational guidance to achieve unconstitutional regime change in Nigeria. He mobilised and deployed several billions of naira to his Nigerian collaborators, urging them to mobilise the public to violently storm police facilities and military barracks, anticipating a bloodbath that will instigate international condemnation of the Nigerian government. These acts are in clear violation of the Terrorism (Prevention) Act 2011 and other relevant laws.

Since the commencement of investigations, Andrew Wynne has fled the country. He and one of his local coordinators, one Lucky Ehis Obiyan have accordingly been declared wanted and global hunting for them has commenced in connection with this investigation.

The nine other suspects already apprehended have been arraigned before a competent court of law today, Monday, September 2, 2024, for Criminal Conspiracy, Terrorism Financing, Treasonable Felony, Subversion, and Cybercrime.

These acts are in clear violation of the Terrorism (Prevention) Act 2011 and other relevant laws

Meanwhile, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, Ph.D, NPM, while condemning the activities of the group, has since activated the INTERPOL tools and other global policing networks to support ongoing domestic investigations aimed at locating and apprehending the suspects at large. The IGP assures the general public that the Force will leave no stone unturned in dealing with, and bringing to deserved justice, any individual or group threatening our national security and peace or promoting any movement with the motive of truncating our democratic government through unconstitutional means.

We recognise and remain committed to protecting citizens constitutionally guaranteed fundamental and democratic rights to peaceful assembly and free expression. However, we advise citizens to be wary of subversive elements who weaponise and commercialise protests for personal financial and ideological benefits.

Contrary to disinformation, the invitation extended to certain individuals within the NLC leadership has nothing to do with rights advocacy and activities of the Union leadership but aimed at clearing the relationship of the individuals and Andrew Wynne who in addition to plotting unconstitutional regime change is also financing terrorism in Nigeria.

Following the interaction between the police investigation team and the NLC President, there is now a clearer understanding of the focus of the ongoing police investigation and the depth of Andrew Wynnes subversive network and activities.

No nation will tolerate attempts by foreign elements to interfere in its internal affairs, threaten national security and organise and fund local elements to instigate uprisings aimed at destabilising the country and engendering violent and unconstitutional regime change.

The Inspector-General of Police appeals for cooperation and support of all law abiding citizens in the ongoing investigation. He assures any one with information leading to the arrest of any of the suspects declared wanted will be appreciated and rewarded handsomely.

Long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

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A civil society organisation has called on the Lagos State Government to comply with a Federal High Court order directing it to investigate the death of a reporter.

Pelumi Onifade, 20, died while covering the #EndSARS

protests of October 2020.

The Media Rights Agenda (MRA), in a statement by its communications officer, Idowu Adewale, called on the state government to probe the incident and prosecute Mr Onifades killers.

The statement said Kingsley Kenechukwu, a lawyer representing MRA, wrote to the states Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice to comply with the directives of the honourable court so that justice would be seen to be done and hope given to a common man that there is still justice in the judiciary system.

In the letter, Mr Kenechukwu cited Justice Ayokunle Fajis judgement of 19 July, which directed the states chief law officer to take necessary steps to investigate the circumstances of Onifades death and conduct a coroners inquest to determine the cause of death.

He referred to paragraph 14 of the counter-affidavit filed by the attorney-general on 20 March 2023, in which he stated that he would prosecute anyone who gas a prima facie case established against them in relation to Mr Onifades death.

MRA recalled that on 13 May, during oral arguments in the suit against the police and the state government over the death of the journalist, Mr A. Amu, who represented the attorney-general, also indicated the readiness of the attorney-general to conduct an inquest into the death.

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The rights group asked the government to carry out the courts directives in the interest of justice.

PREMIUM TIMES reported on 6 August the lawsuit filed by MRA against the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, the Inspector-General of Police and the Attorney-General of Lagos State.

Filed on 4 August, the suit asked the court to declare that the late Mr Onifades shooting in Oko Oba in Agege Local Government Area of the state by a police officer on 24 October 2020 in the course of his work is unconstitutional and a gross violation of his fundamental rights as guaranteed by section 33 of the 1999 Constitution (as

amended) and Article 4 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act (Cap A9) Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

It implored the court to declare that the late Mr Onifades arrest and unlawful restriction of his liberty by the police on the same date in

the course of his work is unconstitutional and a gross violation of his fundamental rights as guaranteed by sections 35, 39 and 46(1) of the 1999 Constitution and Articles 5 and 9 of the African Charter.

It sought the courts declaration that the constitutional and statutory duties of the respondents do not extend to unlawful detention of innocent individuals who have not been charged to court or found guilty of any offence by a competent court of law in Nigeria.

It asked the court to establish that the police commissioner and the IGP have an obligation to investigate crimes committed against Mr Onifade, a journalist exercising his right to freedom of expression as guaranteed under Sections 33 and 39 of the Constitution and Articles 4 and 9 of the African Charter.

The MRA also asked the court to issue three orders, directing the respondents to launch a transparent, impartial and independent investigation into the circumstances of the death of Mr Onifade, whose body was found in a morgue in Lagos, directing them to conduct a coroners inquest to ascertain the cause of his death; and to identify and prosecute those responsible for his death.

Mr Faji, a judge of the Federal High Court, in a ruling dated 4 August, had ordered the state government to conduct a coroners inquest to determine the cause of Mr Onifades death, identify those responsible and prosecute them.

Mr Faji said there was no evidence before the court to support MRAs claim that the late journalist died in the custody of the police, after which his body was deposited at the Ikorodu Mortuary in Lagos.

However, the judge granted the organisations request to order a probe of the circumstances of Mr Onifades death.

According to him, in response to the courts question on what the attorney-general did about the matter since being served with the court processes, the lawyer submitted that the attorney-general was ready to conduct an inquest.

Mr Faji stressed that the attorney-general was not alleged to have known about the alleged unlawful killing of the late Mr Onifade and is also not accused of being involved in the killing, but that, as stated by MRA, he has a duty to conduct an inquest into the circumstances of the death.

Onifade

The late Mr Onifade was a second-year student of the Department of History at the Tai Solarin University of Education, Ogun State, and a reporter with Gboah TV, an online television channel, at the time.

He was covering the #EndSARS protests in Lagos when officers of the Lagos State Taskforce arrested him on 24 October 2020.

His body was later found at a mortuary in Ikorodu, sparking concerns about police brutality and the safety of journalists in Nigeria.

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The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) on Sunday said its ability to sustain regular supply of petrol across Nigeria is under threat.

The oil company said it is under financial duress due to Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) supply costs, impacting supply sustainability.

Olufemi Soneye, the chief corporate communications officer of NNPC Ltd, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday.

The NNPC Ltd acknowledged recent reports in national newspapers regarding the companys significant debt to petrol suppliers.

This financial strain has placed considerable pressure on the Company and poses a threat to the sustainability of fuel supply, Mr Soneye said.

He explained that, in accordance with the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), NNPC Ltd. remains dedicated to its role as the supplier of last resort, ensuring national energy security.

We are actively collaborating with relevant government agencies and other stakeholders to maintain a consistent supply of petroleum products nationwide, he said.

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Fuel scarcity

In recent months, petrol scarcity hit major cities across Nigeria, with attendant effects on businesses and households.

This also prompted commercial bus drivers to increase their fares in major towns and cities, including the nations capital. As a result, black marketers made brisk business selling to willing buyers at higher prices ranging from N1,000 to N1,200.

READ ALSO: NNPC groans under heavy debts as suppliers halt fuel supply amid scarcity

In the wake of the worsening fuel crisis, Mr Soneye told PREMIUM TIMES at the time that the challenge in the supply of petrol currently being experienced in some areas across the country is a result of logistics issues and they had been resolved.

In Abuja, this newspaper found that the long queues in fuel stations reduced significantly in recent days, while prices increased. But the fuel crisis has remained a burden in Lagos and other parts of the country.

Consequently, there has been an attendant increase in transport fares and costs of goods and services.

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Gunmen suspected to be Boko Haram insurgents attacked Mafa village in Tarmuwa Local Government Area of Yobe, killing a yet-to-be-ascertained number of people. They also looted and set ablaze shops and houses in the community.

The spokesperson of the Yobe police command, Dungus Abdulkarim, made this known to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Damaturu on Monday.

We are yet to ascertain the number of lives lost in the incident, which occurred at about 4 p.m. on Sunday in the remote village.

The incident was reported to the Tarmuwa Divisional Police Station by Babagana Goni and Bako Ibrahim, both residents of Mafa.

Suspected Boko Haram terrorists armed with rifles and RPGs attacked Mafa ward on more than 50 motorcycles and set ablaze many shops and houses.

The terrorists also killed many people, but we are yet to ascertain the actual number of the casualties, the spokesperson said.

He said that the gunmen also dropped some fliers with Arabic inscriptions.

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NAN reports that on Friday, terrorists also attacked a private school in neighbouring Geidam, killing three students and injuring one.

(NAN)

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The police have identified the operatives who allegedly extorted N3 million at gunpoint from a Nigerian man in Bayelsa State, south-south Nigeria.

The Force spokesperson, Muyiwa Adejobi, disclosed this in a post on his X handle on Monday.

The extortion

PREMIUM TIMES earlier reported how some police operatives allegedly extorted money from the Nigeria man, Kelechi Isaac, on 26 August at Odi Axis of Bayelsa State.

Mr Isaac, who is based in Ghana, hails from Nguru Nworie, a community in Aboh Mbaise Local Government Area of Imo state, Nigerias South-east.

The victim narrated that five police operatives flagged down his vehicle while he was driving back from a marriage ceremony with two of his friends.

He said the operatives subsequently forced him at gunpoint to transfer the N3 million to two separate bank accounts.

Officers identified

The Force Spokesperson, Mr Adejobi, an assistant commissioner of police, said in the X post that the operatives who allegedly extorted the Nigerian man had been identified.

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He said the authorities of the Police Force Headquarters and the Commissioner of Police in Bayelsa State, Francis Idu, have taken up the matter.

We will continue to act on it tomorrow, Monday (today), for further investigation.

The act is unacceptable and condemned. I personally engaged the commissioner of police, and we are on it. Justice will be served, the force spokesperson assured.

However, Mr Muyiwa did not disclose the operatives identities or the police facility where they were serving.

He did not also specifically say the operatives were arrested.

Theyre from Zone 16

When contacted by PREMIUM TIMES on Monday morning, the police spokesperson in Bayelsa State, Musa Mohammed, confirmed that the operatives had been identified.

For us in the Police Command, we have been able to trace the operatives. And those operatives are from Zone 16 Police Headquarters, not the State Police Command, Mr Mohammed, a superintendent of police, said.

Zone 16 Headquarters is the zonal police headquarters for Bayelsa and Rivers states in south-south Nigeria.

When asked if the police operatives were arrested or simply identified, Mr Mohammed said he was not in a position to provide answers.

He referred this reporter to the spokesperson of the Zone 16 Police Headquarters, Gunn Ewhoborwo.

But Mr Ewhoborwo, a chief superintendent of police, could not be reached for comments on Monday because calls to his phone line did not connect.

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Drew Povey, a Briton accused of inciting insurrection by the Nigerian government, has urged the Nigerian government to address protesters demands rather than treat them as criminals.

Mr Povey, whom the Nigerian government said also bears the name Andrew Wynne, was reacting to the governments allegation of building a network of sleeper cells to topple the Bola Tinubu administration and plunge the nation into chaos.

PREMIUM TIMES reported that the government had earlier raided and sealed his Iva Valley bookshop located at the Abuja headquarters of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).

On Monday, the government arraigned 10 Nigerians who participated in last months #EndBadGovernance protest in Abuja. Part of the charges against them was that they collaborated with the 70-year-old Briton, with intent to destabilise Nigeria and that they called on the military to take over the government from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

At the Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday, the defendants pleaded not guilty after which their lawyers applied for their release on bail. But the prosecutor, Simon Lough, opposed the bail applications and ordered they should be remanded in prison. The protesters were remanded in prison.

The police have declared Mr Povey wanted, saying he has fled the country. It also said the Briton established the bookshop and STARS of Nations Schools as a cover for his subversive activities.

In his statement written on the letterhead of his bookshop, Mr Povey said the mass protests over #EndBadGovernance and #EndHunger frightened the government.

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But rather than addressing the peoples demands, the government turned to repression, he said.

Read Mr Poveys full statement below.

PROTEST IS NOT TREASON  release all the detainees! The mass protests over #EndBadGovernance and #EndHunger frightened the government. But rather than addressing the peoples demands, the government turned to repression. Perhaps 40 people were murdered by the police and other the security forces, thousands were arrested and many still remain in captivity.

In Abuja, the authorities have attacked the so called leaders and organisers of the protests. Ten people face ridiculous charges including treason, mutiny and levying war against the state. The NLC promised a general strike to protect its President, Joe Ajaero, from arrest and detention in relation to similar charges. Despite the flimsy nature of the evidence against the detainees, they face long years in prison unless the trade union movement is prepared to protect them.

On 7th August the NLC said it, condemns in the strongest terms the human rights violations perpetrated by security forces against peaceful protesters. The first person to be arrested in this case was Eleojo Opaluwa. He is a former colleague of Joe Ajaero, working for NUEE, the electricians union, as an organiser in Abuja. He is also the Vice Chair of the NLC in Kogi State. He has now been detained for over 4 weeks with no tangible evidence. His family was told that he had received a WhatsApp message from one of the other alleged leaders.

This was after Eleojo had actually been detained. The ten detainees have been accused of conspiracy to commit a range of serious crimes. However, they barely know each other. Five of them may have been members of a WhatsApp group set up to organise the protests in Abuja. But the other five are unknown to these comrades. They may be a few of the flag waving protesters from Kano who were added to extend the range of the organizers to cover the main protests from Sokoto to Maiduguri There appears to be a conflict between the government and the police investigating this case.

The head of the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) told the detainees lawyers that he would have released them, but that he had orders from above not to set them free. So the police have developed what appears to be a ridiculous case involving the owner of Iva Valley Books. They are claiming that he goes under the name of Andrew Povich, a Russian sounding name, and that he has now left Nigeria for Russia. Neither of these claims are true. Yomi, who works for Iva Valley Books, has, like the other detainees, been treated in a terribly inhumane manner. He was arrested in front of his wife and three-year old daughter. All their phones were confiscated by the police.

This was despite appeals from his wife that they needed a phone to get money for food. He was then imprisoned illegally and held in chains, beaten and tortured for three days. His only involvement was to design flyers for the protests on the instructions of his boss. The NLC has shown that it has the power to protect its President. It now needs to extend this action to protect its other officers, its members and the general public

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The Federal High Court in Abuja ordered on Monday the remand of 10 #EndBadGovernance protesters accused of plotting a war against Nigeria and attempting to topple President Bola Tinubus administration.

The judge, Emeka Nwite, gave the order following the arraignment of the protesters on six charges filed against them by the Nigerian police.

The defendants pleaded not guilty to all the six counts, after which their lawyers applied for their release on bail.

But the prosecutor, Simon Lough, opposed the bail applications.

The judge then ordered the remand of the defendants in prison pending the ruling on their bail application on 11 September.

While he remanded nine of them in the Kuje Correctional Centre, he ordered the tenth person and the only woman among them to be detained at the Suleja Correctional Centre.

The defendants include Michael Tobiloba Adaramoye (aka Lenin), 28 years old; Adeyemi Abiodun Abayomi (aka Yomi), 34 years old; Suleiman Yakubu, 28 years old; Opaluwa Eleojo Simeon, 50 years old; and Angel Love Innocent (the only female among them), 51 years old.

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Hearing

At Mondays proceedings, the lawyer to the first to the fourth defendants, Abubakar Marshall from Falana and Falanas Chambers, urged the judge to grant bail to his clients on liberal terms.

He said the prosecution lacked concrete evidence to prove the charges against them.

Other defence lawyers similarly urged the judge to grant bail to their clients.

Deji Adeyanju, who represented the sixth to the eighth defendants, maintained that the confessional statements and proof of evidence relied on by the police to file the charges are unrelated to the allegations of treasonable felony levelled in the charges.

He said none of the defendants were criminals and assured the judge they would not jump bail if their applications were granted.

Mr Adeyanju said the Inspector General of Police should instead go after bandits and kidnappers terrorising Nigerians instead of his defendants, who he described as patriotic citizens demanding good governance.

The defence lawyers for the fifth, ninth and tenth defendants also urged the court to grant bail to their clients.

However, the prosecution counsel, Simon Lough, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, opposed the bail applications, urging the court to deny them bail and remand them to the correction centre.

After listening to the lawyers arguments, the presiding judge, Mr Nwite, ordered the defendants remand and adjourned the case until 11 September for a ruling.

Before their arraignment on Monday, the defendants had spent more than three weeks in police custody following their arrests in Abuja, Kano, and Kaduna between 1 and 10 August.

PREMIUM TIMES reported that the protesters pleaded not guilty to all six charges read to them on Monday.

The Nigerian police filed the charges on Friday as the government cranked up its clampdown on protesters and the organisers of the #EndBadGovernance protests held in major cities around the country from 1 to 10 August.

According to the charges, the 10 protesters, allegedly acting in concert with Andrew Martin Wynee (aka Andrew Povish), a 70-year-old British citizen, called on the military to take over the government from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The prosecution also accused the defendants of inciting citizens to destabilise Nigeria through the protests.

In another grievous allegation, the government accused the protesters of acting in concert with Mr Wynee to wage war against the state.

According to the charges, the protesters did this by attacking and injuring police officers and burning police stations, the High Court Complex, NCC Complex, Kano Printing Press, Government House Kano, Kaduna Investment and Promotions Agency Office, NURTW Office and several other buildings.

The police said the offence is contrary to section 410 of the Penal Code (Northern States) Federal Provisions Act.

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Firma  Biura

FPT INDUSTRIAL STEPS ON THE GAS BY PRODUCING ITS 100,000TH NATURAL GAS ENGINE

FPT Industrial, the Iveco Group brand dedicated to the design, production and sale of low-environmental impact powertrains,

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FPT Industrial, the Iveco Group brand dedicated to the design, production and sale of low-environmental impact powertrains, is celebrating an impressive milestone: the production of its 100,000th natural gas (NG) engine. This landmark achievement took place at the brands state-of-the-art manufacturing plant in Bourbon-Lancy, France, home of its large engine manufacturing operations.







is today a circa 1,200-employee plant offering the

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, Plant Manager at the Bourbon-Lancy production facility, stated:

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FPT Industrial S.p.A.

Via Puglia, 15

10156 - Turin, Italy

CILIBERTI Emanuela

press@fptindustrial.com





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This monumental milestone results from the combination of many factors: industry-leading engine design to meet market demand, excellence in production engineering to facilitate efficient build, and the commitment of our motivated workforce to meet output schedules and maintain customer satisfaction. Together, these strengths demonstrate that we can achieve impressive goals in the pursuit of satisfying the industrys need for low-environmental impact powertrains.FPT Industrial is a brand of Iveco Group N.V. (EXM: IVG), dedicated to the design, production, and sale of powertrains and solutions for on- and off-road vehicles, as well as marine and power generation applications. Over 8,000 people across ten production sites and ten R&D centers work for FPT Industrial all around the world. Active in nearly 100 different countries, its global sales and its Customer Service department supports all Brand customers. The extensive product offering includes six engine ranges with power outputs from 42 hp to over 1,000 hp, transmissions with torque up to 500 Nm, and front and rear axles from 2.45 to 32 tonne GAW (Gross Axle Weight). FPT Industrial offers the most complete line-up of natural gas engines for industrial applications on the market, with power outputs ranging from 50 to 520 hp. A dedicated ePowertrain division is accelerating the path towards net zero-emissions mobility, with electric drivelines, battery packs, and battery management systems. This extensive offering, and its strong focus on R&D, makes FPT Industrial a world leader in industrial powertrains and solutions. For more information, visit www.fptindustrial.com.
The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has lauded President Bola Tinubu for authorising the recent visit to the Republic of Niger by a high-ranking Nigerian military delegation led by the Chief of Defence Staff, Christopher Musa.

This is contained in a statement released on Sunday in Kaduna by Tanko Muhammad-Baba, the ACFs national publicity secretary.

According to the ACF, the visit signifies a positive shift in the relationship between Nigeria and Niger, which had been strained over the past year.

The forum views this diplomatic engagement as a crucial step towards restoring the historically close and warm ties between the two West African neighbours.

The ACF recalls the tension that arose following the military coup in Niger in July 2023, the ACF said.

According to the statement, in response, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) suspended Nigers membership and imposed a series of sanctions, with Nigeria playing a leading role by closing its borders, imposing economic restrictions, cutting off essential supplies, and threatening military intervention.

The ACF said that as the situation evolved, both ECOWAS and Nigeria opted for dialogue with the new Nigerien military regime.

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During this period, Niger forged new alliances with other West African nations such as Burkina Faso, Mali, and Guinea, and withdrew its forces from the Multi-National Joint Task Force (MNJTF) combating terrorism in Northeast Nigeria it said.

This, the forum recalled, led to a further deterioration in diplomatic relations between Nigeria and Niger.

The forum praised Mr Musas bold and patriotic remarks during the visit, describing them as a signal of strength in the pursuit of fraternal African solidarity.

The ACF urged the government and people of Niger to let bygones be bygones and work towards a renewed partnership with Nigeria.

NAN reports that the visit sought to encourage the military junta in charge of Niger Republic to renew ties with countries in the West African bloc, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) since the bloodless coup in 2023 that led to a military takeover of power in the country.

Mr Musa, and the Chief of Staff of the Nigerien Armed Forces, Moussa Barmou, signed a memorandum of understanding to strengthen regional security.

The Director of Defence Information, Tukur Gusau, said they signed the agreement on Wednesday in Niamey, Republic of Niger.

He said the agreement aims to forge a common goal towards deepening the fraternal bilateral relationship between Nigeria and Niger and exploring opportunities to enhance security cooperation.

He said both parties, during the meeting, recognised the importance of sustained dialogue and collaboration in addressing mutual security challenges and strengthening the strategic partnership between Nigeria and Niger.

They emphasised the need for maintaining and expanding existing cooperations, including joint military operations, intelligence sharing, and tactical coordination, he said.

Mr Gusau said the defence chiefs acknowledged the significant impact of the proliferation of small arms and light weapons on security, adding that the widespread accessibility of these weapons contributes to heightened instability and conflict in the region.

They further agreed to intensify their efforts in curbing the illicit flow of small arms and light weapons while pledging to collaborate on initiatives to enhance border security and support regional and international efforts to control and reduce the spread of these weapons.

(NAN)

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The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has ordered an immediate investigation into the alleged poor feeding of inmates at Afokang custodial centre, Calabar.

Mr Tunji-Ojo gave the order in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Babatunde Alao, on Sunday in Abuja.

This is following a disturbing video report on Facebook alleging that inmates at the custodial centre were being subjected to inhuman treatment and poor feeding.

The minister described the incident as a serious breach of the standards of care and dignity to which inmates are entitled worldwide.

He directed a comprehensive and urgent investigation into the inhuman treatment meted out to the inmates, adding that those responsible for such acts would be held accountable.

Mr Tunji-Ojo warned that any lapses in the quality of food, sanitation, and welfare of inmates henceforth, would not be tolerated.

He said that the service must ensure that inmates were treated with the dignity and respect they deserve, adding that he would not condone any form of maltreatment or neglect of individuals in custody.

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He promised that the findings of the investigation would be made public, and necessary disciplinary actions taken.

(NAN)

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The police in Rivers State have detained a suspect, identified as Honest, for gang-raping a 14-year-old girl in Erima community, Onelga area.

The police spokesperson in Rivers, Grace Iringe-Koko, confirmed to reporters in Port Harcourt on Sunday that the suspect committed the crime with his brother, Okwukwe, who is currently at large.

She said the arrest followed a report made by the survivors mother to local vigilantes in the community.

The suspect has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (SCIID) for thorough investigation.

The Commissioner of Police in Rivers, Olatunji Disu, has ordered a manhunt for the fleeing suspect and any other accomplices, Ms Iringe-Koko, a police superintendent, said.

A local vigilante, Onuigba Aboy, explained that the suspect was apprehended shortly after receiving a distress call.

Upon arrival at the suspects home, we found Honest and Okwukwe assaulting the teenager.

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We immediately rescued her, but Okwukwe managed to escape during our attempt to take both brothers into custody.

We then handed Honest over to the Egi Police Division in Obite for further investigation and possible prosecution, he recounted.

(NAN)

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Francis Nwifuru, tracking down, contractors, projects, Ebonyi State Governor Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State has ordered officials of the government to go after contractors who failed to complete their projects in the state.

Mr Nwifuru gave the order on Saturday at Amagu during the 2024 Edition of Izzi Nnodo New Yam Festival, according to a statement by his spokesperson, Monday Uzor.

At the event, the governor asked contractors to ensure timely completion of projects and warned that his administration would fight contractors who renege on project agreements.

I have directed the commissioner for housing to go after those that have not completed their projects in Izzo and Amaeze Autonomous Communities, he said.

Izzo and Amaeze communities are in the Izzi Council Area where the governor hails from.

Mr Nwifuru said it is annoying that the state government awards contracts only for contractors to fail to execute them.

We will not tolerate this. We have given a grace of 60 days to complete all awarded projects. We have road projects spread across the 13 council areas (of Ebonyi State), he said.

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Continuing, the governor said: I directed senior special assistants and special assistants to go round and monitor ongoing projects in their respective zones.

Sadly, we are getting reports of some contractors not reporting to sites. This is unacceptable. Upon the expiration of this grace, we will go after them.

Indiscriminate sale of lands

Mr Nwifuru also condemned some youths alleged indiscriminate sales of lands in Amagu and Ebiya communities.

The governor described the development as a sacrilege and challenged elders and traditional rulers to prevent further occurrence.

Earlier, the Chairperson of the occasion, Elias Mbam, commended Governor Nwifuru for embarking on projects that positively impact the people.

Mr Mbam, an engineer, appealed to appointees of the governor not to sabotage the government.

I want all contractors, all appointees of the governor of Izzi extraction to shun nepotism.

They should stop seeing the governor as your brother. Such mindsets are harmful, please desist, he said.

We will resist every attempt to sabotage this government. We must support this government because it is our government.

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Enugu govt uncovers 2,640 ghost names, deceased pensioners on payroll

The week began last Sunday when the Enugu State Government made a startling revelation that it uncovered 2,640 ghost names and deceased pensioners on its payroll.

The Pension Verification Authority made the discovery during a recent verification exercise of pensioners in the state, according to the Enugu State Government.

The government said it had commenced payment of pensions, saying over 7,000 local government pensioners have received their pensions for August.

NELFUND and South-east exclusion controversy

Last Tuesday, the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) responded to a claim that South-east were excluded in the recent loan disbursements to tertiary institutions in the country.

A group, the Foundation for Environmental Rights, Advocacy and Development, made the claim.

NELFUND is the body created by the Higher Education Act 2023 to grant loans to indigent or low-income Nigerians to facilitate the payment of their tuition fees in Nigerian institutions.

The body clarified that the South-east was not excluded and explained that tertiary institutions in the region were not included in the recent loan disbursements because their management did not respond to the NELFUNDs verification request forwarded to them.

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This development prompted the South-east caucus of the National Assembly last Sunday to urge tertiary institutions in the region to comply with the NELFUNDs verification request.

Anambra govts sealing of Peter Obi campaign office, factional APGA complex

We reported that the Anambra State Government sealed the state office of a faction of the All Progressives Congress (APGA) in Awka, Anambra State, on Tuesday.

Edozie Njoku leads the APGA faction.

Sly Ezeokenwa is the national chairperson of another APGA faction backed by Governor Charles Soludo of Anambra State.

The building in Udoka Housing Estate also houses the campaign office of Peter Obi, the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate.

The development has been linked to a leadership crisis in APGA, which has split the party into two factionsone led by Mr Ezeokenwa and the other by Mr Njoku.

Court orders Gov Uzodinma to stop demolition of Imo market

On Thursday, a State High Court in Owerri, Imo State, ordered the Imo State Government to stop the demolition of structures at the Central Market Layout, Owerri.

In its order of interim injunction, the court barred the defendants from taking any further steps in forceful demolition of the structures erected on the piece of land known as the Central Market Layout Owerri, Imo State.

It ordered the government and its agents not to forcefully eject the plaintiffs from the structures they (plaintiffs) erected on the land.

Again, gunmen attack council secretariat in Nigerias south-east

On Friday, gunmen attacked the headquarters of Ogbaru Local Government Area of Anambra State. About 20 armed persons invaded the secretariat, which is in the Atani Community.

The development occurred about two months after gunmen attacked the same secretariat.

In the latest attack, several buildings and at least three vehicles were razed by the attackers.

Police said no life was lost in the attack.

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The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Special Forces have eliminated a known terrorist kingpin, Mustapha Abdullahi, and five members of his group in Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

The Director, Public Relations and Information, NAF, Edward Gabkwet, in a statement on Sunday, said the special forces were deployed from the 413 Force Protection Group.

Mr Gabkwet said the deployment followed an intelligence report received on 31 August that the terrorist kingpin and his group were sighted near Sabon Gida forest along Sabon Birni Road.

He said that their mission was likely intended to kidnap, harm or kill innocent civilians.

According to him, after making contact with the terrorists who were on motorcycles, the terrorists immediately opened fire on sighting the Special Forces but were met with superior firepower by the troops.

The troops eliminated all the terrorists and recovered five Dane guns, a locally fabricated sub-machine gun, and live ammunition, as well as assorted charms, lighters, sim cards and cell phone cases.

Efforts by the troops to rid Igabi, Birnin Gwari and environs of criminals and their activities remain ongoing.

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Troops have also been commended and urged to intensify ongoing efforts to safeguard lives and property, he said.

(NAN)

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Much as the quantity of shares traded fell by half last week, Nigerian stocks were up 0.6 per cent, driven by a bigger interest in financial services stocks.

In a mark of confidence in the prospects the market offers, equities continued to find a solid ground against the pressure that would have diverted a big portion of institutional investors capital away into fixed-income assets, taking into account the countrys high monetary policy rate, which has made the latter particularly attractive.

Given the tremendous mid-long term opportunities in the equities market, fund managers and businesses may begin to entertain mid-long-term (6 months) investment objectives, cherry-picking only sound equities with undisputable (or undervalued) fundamentals and ongoing corporate actions (M&As), said investment bankers at United Capital.

On the whole, bank stocks hold a notably bright spot for investment among other sectors, considering that such equities are generally undervalued and that the sector has so far this year yielded lower than it did last year.

With Zenith Bank releasing a reasonably strong result recently coupled with the high expectations that the rest of the Big 5 lenders will follow suit, the market is on track to sustain its uptrend in the near term.

PREMIUM TIMES has assembled some stocks with fundamentals and other potential, adopting key analytical approaches to save you the hassle of randomly picking equities for investment.

The selection, a product of analytical market watch, offers a guide to entering the market and taking strategic positions in hopes that equities will increase in value with the passage of time.

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This is not a buy, sell or hold recommendation but a stock investment guide. You may need to involve your financial advisor before taking investment decisions.

Zenith Bank

Zenith Bank tops this weeks pick for declaring an interim dividend of N1 per unit for half-year 2024, twice as much as the cash reward it gave shareholders in the same period of last year.

The top-tier lenders profit after tax rose by almost twofold to N578 billion within the period.

The price-to-book (PB) ratio of the financial institution is presently 0.4x, while its price-to-earnings (PE) ratio is 1.4x.

C & I Leasing

C & I Leasing makes this weeks list for currently trading significantly below its intrinsic value, brightening its chances of good price appreciation in the future. The companys PB ratio is 0.1x, while the PE ratio is 6.9x.

Ecobank Transnational Incorporated (ETI)

ETI appears in the pick for currently trading well below its actual value. The PB ratio of the lender is 0.4x at the moment, while the PE ratio is 1.2x.

Prestige Assurance

Prestige Assurance features on this weeks list for currently trading below its real value. The insurers present PB ratio is 0.4x, while the PE ratio is 2x.

Ikeja Hotel

Ikeja Hotel makes the cut for currently trading below its real value. The companys PB ratio is 0.6x, while the PE ratio is 2.6x.

Mutual Benefits Assurance

Mutual Benefits appears on the list for trading significantly below its real value. The underwriters PB ratio is 0.6x, while its PE ratio is 2.4x.

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The National Agency for Food, Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has advocated exclusive breastfeeding for newborns to increase health status and lower the risk of ovarian cancers for mothers.

This is contained in a statement by the agencys resident media consultant, Olusayo Akintola, on Sunday in Abuja.

Mr Akintola said that NAFDAC Director-General, Mojisola Adeyeye, a professor, gave the charge during the celebration of the 2024 World Breastfeeding Week in Lagos.

The theme for this years celebration is Closing the Gap: Breastfeeding Support for All.

Mrs Adeyeye was represented by Eva Edwards, Director, Food Safety and Applied Nutrition.

She said that the World Health Organisation (WHO) recommended early initiation of breastfeeding within one hour of a babys birth until the first six months.

According to her, after the six months of exclusive breastfeeding, it should be complemented with safe and appropriate foods, while breastfeeding continues for up to two years or beyond.

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The director-general said breast-fed babies had stronger immunity, face lower risk of suffering many childhood illnesses and infections.

The NAFDAC boss added that the situation was also associated with longer-term health benefits, including higher Intelligence Quotient (IQ) for infants that were exclusively breastfed.

She said that the World Breastfeeding Week was celebrated annually to create awareness and generate support for improved breastfeeding practices for infants and young children.

Mrs Adeyeye said that the theme of this years celebration highlighted the need to improve breastfeeding support to reduce health inequities with a special focus on breast feeding in times of emergencies and crises.

She said that the theme also highlighted the need to protect the right of mothers and babies to survive and thrive.

She said that it was the collective responsibility of all to ensure that every mother received the support she needed to make breastfeeding a successful and fulfilling experience.

Challenges discouraging breastfeeding, call for action

The director-general decried lack of support for women to optimally breastfeed their babies.

She cited limited access to trained personnel, empathetic and respectful health advice, and counseling throughout the womans breastfeeding journey as part of the challenge.

She revealed that the Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey of 2018, showed that 97 per cent of children were breastfed in Nigeria at one point or the other.

According to her, only 42 per cent of the children were breastfed within one hour of birth.

She further disclosed that the proportion of children 0 to 6 months who were exclusively breastfed is 29 per cent.

The 2021 Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey puts the figure for exclusive breastfeeding at approximately 34 per cent, she said.

She expressed delight that both figures showed improvement in national exclusive breastfeeding figures from the previous 17 per cent.

She, however, said that the figure still fell short of the WHOs target of increasing exclusive breastfeeding rate to at least 50 per cent by the year 2025.

This therefore calls for action from all of us in our respective capacities as breastfeeding actors to accelerate progress and scale optimal breastfeeding practices in order to achieve the global target.

READ ALSO:NAFDAC speaks on PREMIUM TIMES investigation on filled milk but sidesteps key concern

Mothers need support like food supplementation, from the health system, family members, community members, and from the workplace. This support is critical to the success of breastfeeding, she said.

She said that breastfeeding played a significant role in the attainment of Sustainable Development Goals 2 and 3, which address ending hunger, improving nutrition and promoting health and wellbeing.

She further disclosed that breastfeeding was one of the critical pathways to reducing under-five mortality and is the babys first food system.

(NAN)

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Deadly Bayelsa boat accident, death of police commissioner in Akwa Ibom

It was a week of multiple tragedies in the region, beginning on Sunday with the death of one person in a boat accident at Okubie River in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.

However, 14 people were rescued when the boat carrying 15 passengers from Yenagoa to Oporoma, the headquarters of Southern Ijaw Local Government Area, capsized.

On another tragic note, the Commissioner of Police in Akwa Ibom State, Waheed Ayilara, died within the week shortly after undergoing prostate cancer surgery at the University of Lagos Teaching Hospital, Ikeja.

Mr Ayilara died on Thursday and has since been buried according to Islamic rites.

Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State and the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, have commiserated with the family of the deceased police commissioner. Mr Egbetokun said he was saddened by Mr Ayilaras death.

Mr Eno, in his condolence message, described Mr Ayilara as one of the finest operational officers, a genial and fine gentleman who epitomised the finest ideal of the Nigeria Police Force.

Also, on a sad note, the police in Akwa Ibom on Friday said that they exhumed from shallow graves the bodies of marine hunters from the Ministry of Internal Security and Inland Waterways who were abducted and murdered in Unyenghe community, Mbo Local Government Area of the state.

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Six suspects, including the village head of Utit Antai, in Mbo, whom the police described as an ally and spiritual purifier to the suspects, have been arrested.

Appeal Court overturns nullification of Edo PDP governorship primary

We reported that the Court of Appeal, Abuja, overturned the High Court nullification of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship primary in Edo State on Monday.

In a unanimous decision, a three-man panel of the Court of Appeal held that it could not interfere with how the party selects its candidate for election.

Meanwhile, the PDP candidate for the election, Asue Ighodalo, has promised to reduce the suffering of the states people if voted into power. In a manifesto unveiled in June, Mr Ighodalo, a banker and lawyer, promised security, increased state revenue, and turned Edo into Africas tourist destination.

Gunmen abduct Rivers, top revenue official

We reported how gunmen, on Tuesday, abducted Aribibia Fubara, a director in the Rivers State Board of Internal Revenue Service.

The police said they have commenced an investigation into the incident.

In the neighbouring Akwa Ibom state, the police recorded a series of security breakthroughs within the week with the arrest of six suspected drug dealers and cultists in the state. The suspects, the police said, were arrested during raids on their hideouts.

Also, the police in Akwa Ibom, on Thursday, killed a man who allegedly abducted a High Court judge in the state and killed her security guard.

The police said the suspect, Ubong Archibong, described as a dreaded kidnap kingpin and sea pirate, was responsible for the killing of Sylvanus Ukpong, the elder brother of PREMIUM TIMES regional editor Cletus Ukpong.

The police said the suspect was the leader of the Bling Bling Marine Strike Force terrorising Uruan/Oron Waterways, an area which Governor Eno within the week requested a new army battalion for due to the surging cases of abductions in the area.

Within the week, we ran a report about a Nigerian who accused police operatives in Bayelsa State of extorting N3 million naira from him at gunpoint.

The victim, Kelechi Isaac, is based in Ghana but was in the state for a friends marriage ceremony when the incident occurred.

The police spokesperson in the state, Musa Mohammed, when contacted, denied knowledge of the incident.

Akpabio, Igini meet for first time after Akpabio lost 2019 Senate bid

Nigerian Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner in Akwa Ibom State, Mike Igini, had a firm handshake while they grinned at each other Thursday during the annual Nigerian Bar Association Conference in Lagos.

The picture of the handshake trended on the internet because the duo met for the first time after Mr Akpabio lost the 2019 second-term Senate bid, an election overseen by Mr Igini.

Mr Akpabios supporters had accused Mr Igini of frustrating his re-election after a professor was jailed for three years for falsifying election results in favour of Mr Akpabio.

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The Nigerian government arraigned on Monday 10 protesters arrested in connection with last months #EndBadGovernance demonstrations on charges of war plotting and an attempt to topple President Bola Tinubu.

The police arraigned them at the Federal High Court in Abuja, where they pleaded not guilty to all six charges.

The Nigerian police filed the charges on Friday as the government cranked up its clampdown on protesters and the organisers of the #EndBadGovernance protests held in major cities around the country from 1 to 10 August.

According to the charges, the 10 protesters, allegedly acting in concert with Andrew Martin Wynee (aka Andrew Povish), a 70-year-old British citizen, incited mutiny by calling on the military to take over the government from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The prosecution also accused the defendants of inciting citizens to destabilise Nigeria through the protest.

The defendants also face another count of conspiring with their alleged conspirators to commit treason, an offence of taking up arms against the state.

In another grievous allegation, the government accused the protesters of acting in concert with Mr Wynee and others to wage a war against the state.

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According to the charges, the protesters did this by attacking and injuring police officers and torching police stations, the High Court Complex, NCC Complex, Kano Printing Press, Government House Kano, Kaduna Investment and Promotions Agency Office, NURTW Office and several other building.

This offence is said to be contrary to section 410 of the Penal Code (Northern States) Federal Provisions Act.

The 10 defendants, who were brought to court amid heavy security on Monday, pleaded not guilty to all the counts.

They include Michael Tobiloba Adaramoye (aka Lenin), 28 years; Adeyemi Abiodun Abayomi (aka Yomi), 34 years; Suleiman Yakubu, 28 years; Opaluwa Eleojo Simeon, 50 years; Angel Love Innocent, (the only female among them), 51 years.

At the proceedings, after the defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges, the defence lawyers applied to the court to grant them bail.

The lawyers urged the court to grant the defendants bail on liberal terms.

The lead prosecutor, Simon Lough, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, opposed the bail applications, urging the court to deny them bail and remand them to the correction centre.

After listening to the lawyers arguments, the presiding judge, Emeka Nwite, ordered the defendants remand in prison and adjourned the case until 11 September for ruling.

Before their arraignment on Monday, the defendants had spent more than three weeks in police custody following their arrests in Abuja, Kano, and Kaduna between 1 and 10 August.

Already, the trial judge, Mr Nwite, had ordered the remand of 75 protesters, including at least 28 minors, in jail for two months.

The judge issued the order in an earlier case on 22 August based on an ex-parte application by the police.

One of the defendants brought to court on Monday, Ms Innocent, was among the 75 persons ordered by the judge to be remanded for two months.

The detainees have filed an application asking the court to reverse the remand order or grant them bail on liberal terms.

The case recalls the arrest in October 2019 of Sahara Reporters publisher Omoyele Sowore on charges of treasonable felony over his planned #RevolutionNow protest.

Mr Sowore, who faced stringent bail conditions, was feebly prosecuted for more than four years by the then-President Muhammadu Buhari administration.

The case made no tangible progress until President Bola Tinubus government withdrew the charges in February.

Sham Trial  Amnesty International

Amnesty International condemned Nigerias clampdown on protesters who trooped out in August to demonstrate against the economic hardship in the country.

In a statement on Sunday, the organisation accused the Nigerian government of subjecting the protesters to sham trials.

It urged the government to release the defendants detained from 1 to 10 August, adding, We urge the Nigerian authorities to end this mockery of the rule of law,

Amnesty International is deeply concerned that the #EndBadGovernaceInNigeria protesters to be arraigned nationwide tomorrow are only going to be subjected to another round of governments unrelenting intent to punish protesters and demonise protests.

We condemn the sham trials even before they began and call for an end to these endless bizarre attempts to deprive people of the right to peaceful protest. What is going to happen to these protesters  who took to the streets last month  seeking good governance is a disguised exercise solely aimed at punishing dissenters.

The Nigerian authorities must immediately and unconditionally release all those arrested from 1-10 August for exercising their right to peaceful assembly instead of resorting to putting them through trumped-up charges just to justify unlawfully detaining them.

The Nigerian government has been wrongfully placing priority on punishing protesters without saying even a word on the urgent need to investigate the killing of dozens of protesters across Kano, Katsina, Suleja/Tafa, Jigawa and Maiduguri. Many protesters were subjected to horrific violations by security personnel, including excessive use of force and misuse of tear gas.

Since the arrests of the protesters Amnesty International has been receiving disturbing reports of violation of the rights of those detained through denial of access to family, legal assistance and medical care where needed. That dozens of minors are among those detained and possibly to face trial tomorrow (Monday) is a travesty of justice.

We urge the Nigerian authorities to end this mockery of the rule of law. The authorities have an obligation to uphold and protect fundamental human rights. Instead of investing in desperate attempts to rush dissent, the government should listen to critics, address rampant insecurity, corruption and mismanagement. Giving more attention to rescuing millions of Nigerians from the brink of starvation should be the top priority of government, not punishing protesters.

Read a breakdown of the charges against the 10 defendants below:

COUNT ONE

In Count 1, the prosecution alleged that the 10 defendants acting in concert with 70-year-old Briton, Andrew Martin Wynee, Lucky Obiyan, Musa Abdullahi and others at large to destabilise Nigeria conspired to commit felony to wit: Treason.

The prosecution said the defendants, by this act, committed an offence contrary to section 96 and punishable under section 97 of the Penal Code.

COUNT TWO

In Count 2, the prosecution alleged that between 1 July and 4 August 2024 at Karshi Abuja FCT, the defendants and others at large acted in concert to destabilise Nigeria and conspired together to commit Felony to wit: Inciting to mutiny.

The prosecution said the offence is contrary to section 96 and punishable under section 97 of the Penal Code.

COUNT THREE

In Count 3, the prosecution alleged that the defendants and their prosecutor levied war against the state in order to intimidate or overawe the president by attacking and injuring police officers and burning police stations, High Court Complex, NCC Complex, Kano Printing Press, Government House Kano, Kaduna Investment and promotions Agency office, NURTW office and several other buildings.

This alleged act is said to be an offence contrary to section 410 of the Penal Code (Northern States) Federal Provisions Act CAP P3 LFN 204.

COUNT FOUR

In Count 4, the prosecution accused the defendants and their alleged collaborators of inciting mutiny by calling on the military to take over government from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu by chanting Tinubu must go Soja muskeso, meaning Tinubu must go, it is military we want, while rioting and disturbing public peace.

By this, the prosecution alleged that the defendants committed an offence contrary to section 413 of the Penal Code (Northern States) Federal Provisions Act CAP P3 LFN 204

COUNT FIVE

In Count 5, the prosecution alleged that between 1 July and 10 August 2024 in Abuja FCT, Jos, Kano, Kaduna, Gombe, Katsina and many other states incited disaffection to the Government by inciting public disturbance while carrying placards with the inscription end bad government and several other inscriptions to incite disaffection to the government.

The alleged office is said to be contrary to section 416 of the Penal Code (Northern States) Federal Provisions Act CAP P3 LFN 204.

COUNT SIX

In Count 6, the prosecution said the defendants and their conspirators, said to be on the run, with intent to destabilise Nigeria and to remove Nigerias president through unconstitutional means, mobilised their members to force their way into Abacha Army Barrack, Government House Kano, destroyed High Court, Printing Press and NCC Complexes Kano, and attacked and injured police officers in Nyanya and burnt down police stations.

This act is said to be an offence under section 412 of the Penal Code (Northern States) Federal Provisions Act CAP P3 LFN 204.

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The police in Canada have arrested the Canada-based Nigerian woman, Amaka Sonnberger, who threatened to poison Yoruba and Benin people living in the North American country.

The Toronto Police Service, Canada, said Ms Sonnberger, 46, was arrested on Sunday and that she has been charged with uttering threats.

She is scheduled to appear at the Ontario Court of Justice, 2201 Finch Avenue West on Monday, September 2nd, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. in courtroom 107, the Toronto Police said in a statement published on their website on Sunday.

This investigation is being treated as a suspected hate-motivated offence, the police said, adding that those who wish to volunteer information on the case should contact them.

When suspected hate-motivated offences are reported to police, the investigation could be led by a Divisional investigator with the support of the Hate Crime Unit (HCU), or in some cases, will be investigated exclusively by the HCU.

If it is alleged a criminal offence was committed (such as assault or mischief) and it is believed to have been motivated by bias, prejudice or hate, the officer-in-charge may consult with the Crown. If a person is charged and convicted of the offence, the Judge will take into consideration hate as an aggravating factor when imposing a sentence.

Wilful promotion of hatred and advocating genocide are hate propaganda (hate speech) offences which require the Attorney Generals consent to lay charges. These charges are often laid at a later time, the statement said.

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Background

PREMIUM TIMES reported how Abike Dabiri, the chairperson of a federal agency, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, disclosed the identity of Ms Sonnberger after a video where she allegedly made the threat surfaced on X.

Record me very well; its time to start poisoning the Yoruba and the Benin. Put poison for all una food for work. Put poison for una water, make una dey kpai one by one, Ms Sonnberger said in what appears to be a virtual meeting on TikTok.

The woman vowed that she would take poisonous substances to her workplace and poison any Yoruba or Benin person she came across.

She claimed that her comment was in response to the hate against the Igbo. Some other voices could be heard, interjecting and prodding her.

It is, however, unclear how many people attended the virtual meeting with her.

I want make Ndi Igbo get that heart of wickedness. Una too dey quiet, the woman said, addressing other participants. Enough is enough! If you have any means of kpaing them, kpai them commot for road.

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A Kaduna-based Islamic cleric, Ahmad Gumi, has accused the Nigerian government of turning bandits operating in North-west and North-central Nigeria into religious fighters like Boko Haram insurgents operating in the countrys North-east.

Mr Gumi said a recent video of a terrorist, Bello Turji, and his fellow terrorists (locally called bandits) celebrating victory over the Nigerian military and claiming they are fighting for God was an indication that the group has adopted the ideology of Boko Haram.

PREMIUM TIMES reported how the bandits on Thursday burnt down two Nigerian military Mines Resistant Armour Personnel (MRAP) vehicles stuck in the mud in the countrys north-west Zamfara State.

Mr Gumi, in a Facebook post, said the video uploaded by Mr Turjis group showed the bandits had become indoctrinated like Boko Haram members rather than people fighting against ethnic marginalisation.

He said he had advised Nigerian authorities to be careful in fighting the bandits so as not to push them to become guerrilla fighters and terrorists.

He said the video showed that the groups had abandoned their initial fight against marginalisation and adopted the Boko Haram doctrine of fighting and killing in the name of God.

He wrote: Radicalisation of Bandits: I warned against the danger.

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Initially Bandits were fighting an ethnic war that could easily be resolved. I warned if the kinetic approach is intensified, they will turn into ideologically motivated guerilla warfare. Nobody listened.

The difference between the former and the latter is that ideological war is mostly intractable, BH (Boko Haram) as an example. They commit the same crime, but this time, they think they are serving God. The picture is gloomy, the cleric said.

This newspaper reported the video of Mr 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.

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 in the video as he moves towards the stuck vehicles.

READ ALSO: Bandits suffer heavy casualties in failed attack in Zamfara community

The hundreds of mostly young bandits are dressed in combat regalia and are chanting Allahu Akbar and proclaiming victory over the army.

On Thursday, soldiers from the Nigerian Army 1 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.

The soldiers abandoned the vehicles and retreated from the scene because they could not move ahead in the dangerous areas with their plan to attack terrorists in a meeting.

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More than 50 persons have been convicted of sexual and gender-based violence in the last one year in Lagos State, Governor Babajide-Sanwo-Olu has said.

Mr Sanwo-Olu made this known in a video shared by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Gboyega Akosile, via X on Sunday.

The governor stated this as part of the states achievements, including support for 6,000 survivors and outreach to over a million residents through advocacy.

He said this as the state kicked off the states Domestic and Sexual Violence Awareness Month.

Dear Lagosians, as you may be aware, the month of September is the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence awareness month, he said.

Dedicating a whole month to this cause is one of the ways we ensure that these issues remain on the front burner.

Our administration, through our THEMES Plus Agenda, has implemented comprehensive, preventive, and remedial policies, including strategic interventions and programmes, to provide support, protect, empower, and ensure justice for survivors.

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Despite the progress, Mr Sanwo-Olu acknowledged that many survivors remain hidden and urged Lagos residents to join in the fight against sexual and gender-based violence.

In the past one year, the state has secured over 50 convictions. We have provided holistic services to over 6,000 survivors and reached out to over a million Lagosians through advocacy and sensitisation, the governor said.

Whilst several gains have been made, a lot of survivors are yet to access services as these issues continue to strive in secrecy. Together, we can raise awareness and support survivors and ensure perpetrators are held accountable.

READ ALSO:Lagos police arrest two men for allegedly robbing commercial sex workers

Mr Sanwo-Olu reiterated his administrations full commitment to systemic change, backed by strong political will and legal support.

He urged Lagos residents to join the movement for a safer and more just society.

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The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has directed its members to resume work on Monday, suspending its seven-day nationwide warning strike over the abduction of their colleague, Ganiyat Popoola.

This was revealed in an official communique from NARD dated 1 September and obtained by PREMIUM TIMES. The communique was issued after its Extraordinary National Executive National Executive Council (ENEC) meeting.

According to the communique, the NEC resolved to suspend the seven-day warning strike while closely monitoring developments and engaging stakeholders to secure the immediate release of our abducted colleague.

The NEC also agreed to reconvene in three weeks to reappraise the situation.

NARD began a seven-day warning strike on 26 August to demand the safe return of Mrs Popoola, a registrar in the Department of Ophthalmology at the National Eye Centre, Kaduna.

On Thursday, the Nigerian government threatened to invoke the no work, no pay policy for the striking resident doctors.

The association has said it is unmoved by the threat.

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Observations

Following the nationwide protest and the warning strike, the NEC acknowledged the significant impact of media coverage on raising awareness about Mrs Popoolas abduction.

The NEC observed the increased level of awareness the media engagement has brought to the case of our kidnapped colleague, Dr Ganiyat Popoola.

The NEC appreciated the engagements and interventions by different government agencies and their renewed commitment to bringing back our kidnapped colleague, the communique read.

Abduction

Mrs Popoola was abducted in December 2023 alongside her husband and nephew.

While her husband has been released after a ransom was reportedly paid, Mrs Popoola and her nephew remain in captivity.

The kidnappers reportedly demanded a N60 million ransom to release the doctors husband.

READ ALSO:Resident doctors begin nationwide strike over abduction of colleague

In August, NARD resolved to organise a national press conference and a nationwide protest march in all tertiary hospitals to demand Mrs Popoolas release.

When the incident happened, Mr Abdullahi said the association notified all security agencies, the federal government, and the Kaduna State Government but has seen no significant action.

He noted that the association communicated its decision to the Nigerian Medical Association, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Labour, the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Health, the Chairman of the House Committee on Health, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, and the Kaduna State Government.

Its appalling that in a country where we want healthcare providers to stay, one of us has been kidnapped for over seven months and 17 days without any form of relief or directive on how the rescue mission will proceed, Mr Abdullahi said.

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The 650,000 barrels per day Dangote Refinery has begun the processing of petrol, an official has said.

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) would buy its products exclusively, Reuters reported Monday, quoting an official of the company.

We are testing the product (petrol), and subsequently, it will start flowing into the product tanks, Devakumar Edwin, a vice president at Dangote Industries Limited, was quoted by Reuters as saying.

Mr Edwin did not say exactly when the product would hit the local market.

He explained that NNPC Ltd, Nigerias sole importer, would buy its gasoline exclusively.

If no one is buying it, we will export it as we have been exporting our aviation jet fuel and diesel, Mr Edwin said.

The recent development could ease NNPC Ltds struggle to supply the local market and help address the fuel scarcity that has hit major cities across Nigeria in recent months.

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The companys Group Chief Branding and Communications Officer, Anthony Chiejina, confirming the development in a short response to PREMIUM TIMES on Monday evening, said, Yes, its true we have commenced processing.

In recent months, the company had set dates for its domestic petrol supply, but the timelines were unmet.

In June, the President of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, said petrol, refined at the refinery, will hit the market in July.

Mr Dangote, who disclosed this when he received a Senate delegation led by Senate President Godswill Akpabio on a tour of the facility at the time, explained that the date change was because of a delay that prompted the shift from the initially proposed date of June to mid-July.

Again, in July, Mr Dangote said petrol production in the refinery was disrupted because of the fire incident at the refinery.

PMS was supposed to be out by July, but we had a fire incident. The incident disrupted us for a few days, but latest 10 or 12 of August, PMS will be ready, Mr Dangote said while addressing journalists at the refinery at the time.

Meanwhile, in August, the refinery insisted that petrol, refined at the refinery, will hit the market by the end of August.

When asked why the refinery is yet to commence domestic supply at its stipulated date of 12 August, Mr Chiejina said, We said August, and today is 12 August. Just wait; this is August.

In recent months, the Dangote Group and the petroleum regulators in Nigeria have been at loggerheads over the control of the petroleum downstream market.

In June, the Dangote Group accused some international oil companies of sabotaging the plants operations by refusing to supply crude or offering oil at higher premiums than market prices.

It also clashed with the regulators of the Nigerian energy industry, including the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Regulatory Authority, which claimed diesel from the refiner has sulphur content levels above the allowed threshold. The regulators also accused Dangote of seeking to be a monopoly.

In refuting the allegation, Mr Dangote took lawmakers visiting the refinery to a laboratory within the plant, where diesel from the refinery was tested alongside two different imported samples.

The results showed that the refinerys diesel sample had much lower sulphur than the imported ones.

In July, the Federal Executive Council (FEC) directed NNPC Ltd to engage the Dangote refinery and other local refineries to resolve the dispute over the sale of crude oil to them.

The FEC, presided over by President Bola Tinubu, also directed that such crude oil sales to the refineries be made in naira and that the refineries located in Nigeria should also sell their refined products to the Nigerian market in naira.

The refinery

The 650,000 barrels per day Dangote Petroleum Refinery commenced diesel and aviation fuel production in January.

Announcing the commencement of production, the company said the refinery had received six million barrels of crude oil at its two SPMs 25 kilometres from the shore.

READ ALSO: Why NNPC reduced stake in Dangote Refinery Audited Report

The first crude delivery was done on 12 December 2023, and the sixth cargo was delivered on 8 January.

The company made a further move towards the commencement of the production of refined petroleum products with the receipt of an additional one million barrels of bonny light crude supplied by the Nigeria National Petroleum Company (NNPC Ltd).

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Given the sorry state of most economies in the Global South, the huge infrastructure gaps that these countries would need to bridge in order to meet the needs of their invariably large (and growing populations) and their emaciated exchequers, new technologies have been bruited about as able to allow most of these economies find short cuts through the vast development and growth forests that their economies must navigate.

Last week, I came across an interesting chart in The Economist newspaper. Accompanying a piece on Brazils attempts at regulating speech on social media and that countrys supreme courts spat with X  the social media company, the chart showed countries with the highest social media use in the world. Apparently, Brazilians average more hours per day on social media than other people. Kenyans and South Africans come second and third, respectively. Nigerians placed fourth.

At first glance, a couple of conclusions leapt off the chart. First, all the way down to Argentina, which brought up the rear, all the ten countries on the log are of the so-called Global South. In addition, they all advertise themselves as democracies. This latter fact is not surprising, at first, given that a certain level of citizen freedom is needed to support extensive social media use; and only democracies begin to near this level. Regardless, on any ranking of the many freedoms without which a democracy is but an aspiration, most of these countries would feature at the bottom. From Colombia, through South Africa, to Mexico, the economies of these countries are likewise in extremely poor health.

Taken together, these conclusions raise a fundamental worry. Is there a relationship between pretend democracies and social media use? What is the character of this relationship? In other words, confronted by difficulties in the free exercise of their votes, do citizens then vote for platforms that amplify their voices  especially when they cannot vote with their feet?

Why do citizens of countries so obviously poor spend so much time on social media than people in wealthier economies  high rates of unemployment? (There is the cost of obtaining smartphones needed to manage social media accounts  admittedly Chinese manufacturers, especially Transsion Holdings, have made this cheaper. Along with data costs, this weakens the link between poverty and social media usage.

From the last of these conclusions, a further question arises (one that I was asked by a friend with whom I shared the chart): Why do citizens of countries so obviously poor spend so much time on social media than people in wealthier economies  high rates of unemployment? (There is the cost of obtaining smartphones needed to manage social media accounts  admittedly Chinese manufacturers, especially Transsion Holdings, have made this cheaper. Along with data costs, this weakens the link between poverty and social media usage. Thus, while idleness might be one explanation for strong social media use in these parts, a lack of jobs that leads to indigence is not another such explanation).

Inconclusive as any attempt at resolving these questions might be, the concerns at the heart of the questions underline one of social medias biggest negatives. Any answer to these questions amplifies social medias susceptibility to disinformation. And consequently, it follows that the levels of use described by the chart pose tangible and present threats to these countries, whether as democracies or as struggling economies.

Might there be different answers to the many questions posed by the chart?

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A second person with whom I shared the chart argued that by including WhatsApp in the category social media, the narrative is repurposed, for Nigeria, at least. She insists that a lot more commercial activities have moved online in the country over the years. Whatever the reasons  structural impediments, including the costs of maintaining high street outlets, the need for businesses to remain small enough that they do not show up on the tax mans radar, etc.,  anecdotal evidence suggests that most micro, small and medium scale enterprises conduct a growing share of the order-fulfilment part of their businesses on Instagram. While buyers use WhatsApp to send payment evidence.

she believes that Nigerians use WhatsApp for voice-over-internet calls in a way that richer economies do not But she prefers to advert attention to the fact that social media in Nigeria has become the channel through which the poor service provider and the rich user of services continue a dialogue without which society will lose a large part of its legitimacy.

In addition, she believes that Nigerians use WhatsApp for voice-over-internet calls in a way that richer economies do not. She is indifferent to whether this supports the poverty-as-driver argument or not (of course, GSM calls are more expensive than calls through WhatsApp). But she prefers to advert attention to the fact that social media in Nigeria has become the channel through which the poor service provider and the rich user of services continue a dialogue without which society will lose a large part of its legitimacy.

Given the sorry state of most economies in the Global South, the huge infrastructure gaps that these countries would need to bridge in order to meet the needs of their invariably large (and growing populations) and their emaciated exchequers, new technologies have been bruited about as able to allow most of these economies find short cuts through the vast development and growth forests that their economies must navigate. It would be a welcome development if social media were allowing these countries to leapfrog the chasms created in them (and which continue to impede both development and growth) by the chronic absence of institutions that strengthen society in other places.

Unfortunately, while a single chart may provoke hand wringing and much head-scratching, it does not offer enough data for stronger conclusions.

Uddin Ifeanyi, journalist manque and retired civil servant, can be reached @IfeanyiUddin.

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Armed men suspected to be Boko Haram insurgents Sunday evening killed many people in a remote village in Yobe State, the police have said.

The terrorists also looted and set ablaze shops and houses in the attack in Mafa, a village in Tarmuwa Local Government Area of the state.

Dungus Abdulkarim, the state police spokesperson, made this known to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Damaturu on Monday.

We are yet to ascertain the number of lives lost in the incident, which occurred at about 4 p.m. on Sunday in the remote village.

The incident was reported to the Tarmuwa Divisional Police Station by Babagana Goni and Bako Ibrahim, both residents of Mafa.

Suspected Boko Haram terrorists armed with rifles and RPGs attacked Mafa ward on more than 50 motorcycles and set ablaze many shops and houses.

The terrorists also killed many people, but we are yet to ascertain the actual number of the casualties, the spokesperson said.

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He said the gunmen also dropped fliers with Arabic inscriptions.

NAN reported on Friday that terrorists also attacked a private school in neighbouring Geidam, killing three students and injuring one.

(NAN)

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Governor Mallam Umar Namadi of Jigawa State has extended his hearty congratulations to the Nigerian Vice President, Kashim Shettima, on the occasion of his 58th birthday.

A statement by Hamisu Mohammed Gumel, spokesperson to the Jigawa governor said

Mr Namadi noted with admiration the Vice Presidents dogged commitment to the development and unity of Nigeria. The governor stressed that Mr Shettimas exemplary leadership has continued to inspire hope and progress across the nation.

Extolling the virtues of the Vice President, Mr Namadi further described him as a beacon of hope and a steadfast advocate for economic empowerment, job creation, and technological advancement.

He emphasised: His patriotic zeal and deep love for Nigeria are boundless. In his efforts to ensure the full implementation of the Renewed Hope agenda of Mr President, he constantly seeks ways to improve the lives of ordinary Nigerians, particularly the youth, who represent the future of our nation. We have witnessed this profound dedication and commitment through the numerous developmental projects initiated in our state, directly benefiting the less privileged, the governor stated.

Mr Namadi offered prayers for the Vice Presidents continued excellent health, wisdom, and strength to further his noble work in the service of the nation.

May Almighty Allah bless him with many more years of impactful leadership, guiding us all toward a more prosperous and united Nigeria, he prayed.

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Governor Mallam Umar Namadi is leading the Jigawa State delegation to the 2024 Africa Food Systems Summit, beginning on Monday in Kigali, Rwanda. Spokesperson to the governor, Hamisu Mohammed Gumel said in a statement that Mr Namadis participation underscores Jigawas commitment to agricultural transformation, food sufficiency and resilience as a model for other states.

This years summit is themed Innovate, Accelerate, and Scale: Delivering Food Systems Transformation in a Digital and Climate Era. It is scheduled to run from 2  6 September and will attract key stakeholders to discuss the future of Africas food systems.

Governor Namadi is billed to deliver a keynote address at the summit, presenting Jigawa States strategies and gains in achieving food sovereignty and enhancing agricultural resilience.

The Jigawa State delegation will participate in panel discussions to highlight the states flagship Rice Millionaire Project and its contribution to Nigerias national food security. The discussions will also focus on strategies for enhancing fertilizer availability and accessibility as well as showcasing Jigawas innovative solutions to these critical challenges.

The delegation will equally meet with government officials, development partners, and private sector investors to explore collaboration opportunities with a view to attracting investment in Jigawas growing agricultural sector.

As the mainstay of Jigawa States economy, agriculture is a key component in Governor Namadis 12-point agenda for the development of Jigawa State. Central to this agenda are vital initiatives such as the Rice Millionaire Project, the Wheat Project, and the Special Agro-Processing Zones (SAPZs), all designed to accelerate agricultural transformation.

Speaking about Jigawas participation in the summit, Mr Namadi stated: Jigawa State is committed to achieving food sovereignty and resilience through sustainable and inclusive agricultural development. We are eager to collaborate with partners and investors to unlock the full potential of our agricultural sector and contribute to Africas food security. Jigawa State is a land of agricultural promise, and we invite the world to join us in cultivating a prosperous future for our people and the continent.

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The Africa Food Systems Summit is the worlds premier forum for African agriculture and food systems, bringing together stakeholders to take practical action and share experiences to advance Africas food systems. This years theme emphasises the role of youth, women, innovations, and digital technologies in accelerating the shift towards sustainable, equitable, inclusive, and climate-resilient food systems.

Governor Namadi is accompanied to the summit by a team of professionals, including his Technical Advisers on Agriculture and ICT & Digital Communications, the State Commissioner of Power and Renewable Energy, and the Adviser on Inter-governmental Affairs.

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The water crisis in eastern Orange County may have been declared officially resolved, but many residents are far from comfortable drinking water they say still carries a petroleum odor even after state and local officials gave the all-clear.

Some are demanding more detailed answers from the Rapidan Service Authority and Virginia Department of Health, others are going a step further and calling for the resignation of the Orange County supervisors who sit on the Rapidan Service Authority board.

Rapidan Service Authority has lost the trust of the community, Jonathan Carriveau, a Locust Grove resident who has called for the resignation of District 1 Supervisor Mark Johnson and District 3 Supervisor Keith Marshall, said at the county board of supervisors Aug. 27 meeting. There needs to be accountability for whats happened. They had to know about the water issues earlier but didnt act.

Johnson serves as chairman of the Orange County Board of Supervisors, and Marshall was recently arrested on assault and public intoxication charges.

Its been more than a week since Rapidan Service Authority customers in eastern Orange County began reporting a strange taste in the water and workers at the authoritys Wilderness Water Treatment Plant reported a petroleum odor there. The Wilderness plant services Lake of the Woods, Locust Grove, Wilderness Shores, Somerset Farms, Edgewood, Germanna Heights and Twin Lakes, as well as the Virginia Route 3 corridor.

On Aug. 21, residents and businesses in those communities were told they should no longer drink or use their tap water as the authority and Virginia Department of Health investigated possible contamination.

The following day, the two agencies reported hydrocarbons had been found in the water supply. Hydrocarbons are a broad category of organic compounds found in crude oil, natural gas and coal. Consuming hydrocarbons can cause upset stomach, stomach cramping, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.

Further testing determined the hydrocarbons were not volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, another broad category that includes chemicals found in thousands of products, such as solvents, aerosols, flame retardant chemicals and formaldehyde.

But before the source of the contamination could be identified, the Rapidan Service Authority and state health department lifted the ban on drinking and using water on Aug. 27.

After days of flushing the system, the health department said the petroleum odor had dissipated and no longer posed a threat to those in the community.

VDHs daily inspections of the water treatment plant and distribution system confirmed that the objectionable odor in the drinking water was no longer present at the water treatment plant and had sufficiently dissipated in the distribution system to no longer be a concern, the department told The Daily Progress in a prepared statement.

The matter remains under investigation.

Johnson said he has been in contact with Gov. Glenn Youngkins office.

Governor Youngkin directed the Secretary of Health and Human Resources, the Secretary of Natural Resources and other officials to continue to investigate the source of the issues, Youngkin press secretary Christian Martinez told The Daily Progress in a statement.

Despite the ongoing investigation, the water in eastern Orange County can be consumed and used without fear, the service authority and health department say.

The same day the water advisory was lifted, the Orange County Board of Supervisors held a meeting where multiple residents said they could still smell the objectionable odor in their water and didnt trust the Rapidan Service Authority or state health department after their initial response to the crisis.

It still has a smell to it, Locust Grove resident Patrick Chaffin told The Daily Progress.

Its not just an odor, Chaffin said, brown water still runs out of his taps.

People are running their water for an hour and a half and still smell diesel and WD-40 in the water, said Kathleen Stevens of Somerset Farms.

The Rapidan Service Authority has said that in spite of the odor and color, the water meets both state and federal drinking water standards.

Given that the source of the odor has not been identified so far, and it is still being investigated by VDH as far as I know, RSA has no further comment regarding that, Tim Clemons, Rapidan Service Authority general manager, told The Daily Progress. The test results revealed that the water leaving the water plant, and that is in the water distribution system, meets federal and state drinking water standards. Beyond that, RSA has no further comment.

But its that lack of details that has frustrated so many Rapidan Service Authority customers and eastern Orange County residents.

They point out that the authority and health department can only test for a specific type of contaminant. They need to have some idea of what they are looking for before actually testing the water, necessarily limiting their results.

And then there was the rollout of the local state of emergency.

District 4 Supervisor Crystal Hale called the local state of emergency declaration swift, needed and it occurred just as I think it should have occurred.

But many residents said they found out about the contamination on Facebook rather than direct correspondence from the Rapidan Service Authority or Orange County officials. Those residents voiced concern for their neighbors who are not on social media and who continued using contaminated water days after the advisory was issued.

People didnt receive notice of water issues until two days later, said Dee Jacobson of Somerset Farms. How can we do better? she asked the board.

Hale told The Daily Progress she would like to see the county hold a public forum to discuss the countys response to the crisis.

I have a heart for all of those impacted by this event and want to do all that I can to help them, she said. I would like to see the boards support of a town hall meeting for the community to come out and ask the tough questions publicly. So, we can ask those questions, like what was the source of this?

Johnson dismissed calls for his or other supervisors resignations, especially on the grounds that there is some conflict of interest serving on both the county and service authority boards, as alleged by some residents. It is fairly common practice for city and county officials to have seats on water and sewer authorities.

What conflict of interest is there between RSA and Orange County? Johnson asked. Many county supervisors over the decades have served on the RSA board, and its a very common practice in water and sewer authorities across Virginia. For instance, the Rivanna Water and Sewer Authority. RSA is not a separate for-profit business. It was brought into existence over 50 years ago by local government to serve the needs of the citizens.

But something has to change, said Steven King, a resident of Wilderness Shores. King found striking similarities between what has occurred in eastern Orange County and other corners of the country with aging infrastructure and utilities mismanagement.

We dont want to become another Flint, Michigan, or Jackson, Mississippi, King told the board. We cant sit here ingesting toxic water when half of you wont be here in 10 years and were all getting cancer from toxic water. All I want is clean water for my family and animals.
The 16 local governments in Kwara State have bought 32 tractors to support food production in their areas.

After the equipment was unveiled in Ilorin, the state capital, the state government urged the local governments to make the tractors available to farmers at the grassroots to boost food production.

The Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy Affairs and Community Development, Abubakar Bata, made the appeal when the local councils unveiled the tractors in Ilorin.

Each tractor has implements such as a plough, ridge, harrow, and tractor-trailer.

Mr Bata said he was excited that the local councils purchased the tractors to reflect the improvements in their allocation, adding that the tractors will boost farming activities at the grassroots.

The decision of the local councils to purchase these tractors and the many accessories is a thoughtful one, and I believe it goes to corroborate the position of Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq that no one takes local council funds, he said.

We urge the local councils to endeavour to make these new tractors available for massive agricultural activities in their areas. We believe this will complement the massive investment of the state government in this regard.

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The Governor of Katsina State, Dikko Radda, has ordered the investigation of a fire outbreak in a part of the Muhammadu Buhari House Governors Office in the state capital.

The spokesperson for the Office of the Secretary to the State Government, Abdullahi Yaradua, announced in a statement that the fire outbreak on Monday damaged the mini chamber attached to the office.

The official said state and federal firefighters controlled the fire before it escalated to other parts of the office.

Mr Yaradua said the source of the fire had yet to be ascertained. However, he said a committee has been tasked with finding the cause of the fire outbreak, the extent of the damage caused by the inferno, and identifying lapses (if any) that led to the incident.

The committee, headed by the Head of Civil Service of the State, will also recommend ways to prevent future occurrences and provide any other essential recommendations in the circumstances.

He added that the governors office would provide the secretaries for the committee.

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The Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission (PCACC) has arrested the headmaster of Gaidar Makada Special Primary School in the Kumbotso Local Government Area.

The headmaster, whose name was withheld, was accused of unlawfully auctioning government assets.

PCACCs spokesperson, Kabir Abba, said the arrest followed a complaint that the headmaster was selling the schools vital assets when the state government is struggling to address the gaps in the provision of furniture at public schools.

Mr Abba said that the commission was investigating the issue and trying to recover the stolen furniture.

An investigation uncovered that critical items including metal fixtures, benches, and furniture had mysteriously disappeared from the school, the statement read.

Suspicion fell on the headmaster, whose questionable activities were previously flagged during discussions with the school-based management committee (SBMC) and PTA Chairmen.

Today, August 31, 2024, the thefts were officially reported, prompting swift action from PCACC.

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The commission is now focused on recovering the stolen properties and ensuring that such corruption does not compromise the integrity of our educational institutions, the statement said.

In June, Governor Abba Yusuf declared a state of emergency in the education sector. He expressed disappointment over the decline in the quality of education in the state, saying over 4.7 million primary school pupils were sitting on bare floors across the state.

He also said more than 400 schools in the state had only one teacher for all classes and subjects, and the teachers struggled with outdated and insufficient resources.

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The police in Akwa Ibom State said they have arrested two persons over suspected involvement in drug trafficking in the state.

The police spokesperson in Akwa Ibom, Timfon John, who disclosed this in a statement in Uyo on Monday, said that some weapons were recovered from the suspects.

Ms John, an assistant superintendent of police, said that operatives from the police command in Akwa Ibom raided the suspects residence at Ring Road 3, Uyo, on Saturday.

We recovered one Nitro Air rifle affixed with a detachable telescope, one SID Sauer American pistol, one Power-line Japanese pistol, and one Phantom American pistol, she said.

She said the police also recovered two pistol magazines with ten rounds of live 9mm ammunition, a black pistol casing, two pairs of leather gloves, and three wraps of weeds suspected to be hemp.

The suspects are currently in the commands custody undergoing detailed investigation. We assure the public of our determination to tackle crime in the state, she said.

The police spokesperson urged residents to support the police by providing reliable information that could help in tracking down criminals.

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(NAN)

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The Ogun State government has shut down two Chinese factories over waste management issues.

The affected companies, Yibao Industrial Limited and Ronchang Industrial Park are located in Bara village along the SagamuAbeokuta Expressway and Ewu- Osile, opposite Julius Berger yard on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, respectively.

The Managing Director of Ogun State Waste Management Authority [OGWAMA], Abayomi Hunye, said the agency shut down the two companies after several warnings.

Mr Hunye said the companies contravene Section 17 of the Ogun State Waste Management Law 2020 by neglecting to clean their environment and littering their premises with waste.

He said the companies had been preventing assigned waste collectors from evacuating waste from their facilities since 2021, while their unaccredited collectors dump waste at odd hours on the SagamuAbeokuta and LagosIbadan Expressways.

The essence of shutting them down is to ensure that they comply with the standard ways of managing wastes in the state. We have served them several notices and warnings, and they have refused to comply. We have even gone to their premises for inspections several times to counsel them to clean their environment and engage government-approved waste collectors, but they were unyielding, the official said.

They both engage unaccredited waste collectors who have no capacity to manage their waste. That is why their premises are dirty, thereby exposing residents of the state to unnecessary odour and possible underground water infections from their untreated waste.

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So we have no alternative than to shut them down in the overriding public interest as their behaviour and action smacks of gross disrespect to constituted authority, especially from companies owned by foreigners who are hellbent on destroying our environment.

We will not fold our hands and watch these companies destroy our common patrimony with their I dont care attitude, which they will not try in their home country, he said.

Mr Hunye advised companies to operate within the states waste management laws or be sanctioned.

He also urged community development associations (CDAs) and other non-governmental organisations to act as whistle-blowers against companies engaged in improper waste management.

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The body of a 16-year-old schoolgirl was found in Ogun State on Sunday morning, a day after her father paid a one million naira ransom demanded by her kidnappers.

Habeebah Akinsanya was kidnapped on Friday in Mile 6, a community in the Obafemi-Owode Local Government Area of the state.

Miss Akinsanya was a student of Lisabi Grammar School, Abeokuta.

Her father, Aremu Akinsanya, a member of the states security outfit, So-Safe Corps, had immediately reported the incident at the Kemta Police Station in Abeokuta.

However, the kidnappers reportedly contacted him later, demanding N1 million for her release.

Desperate to save his daughters life, Mr Akinsanya transferred the money to an Opay account provided by the kidnappers.

Thereafter, he was directed to a location near Obasa, a few kilometres from the OGTV/Mile 6 area in Abeokuta, to recover the girl.

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However, when he arrived at the scene on Sunday morning, he found her savagely mutilated body covered with soldier ants.

The kidnappers had brutally murdered the girl, leaving her body with multiple machete wounds.

A source said the kidnappers contacted Mr Akinsanya again on Sunday, demanding a second ransom.

The deceased, who was set to begin her SS3 class this month, would have turned 17 in October.

The family was on Sunday preparing her burial according to Islamic rites.

When contacted, the spokesperson of the police in the state, Omolola Odutola, said the incident was reported to the police as a missing person case until the girl was later found dead.

She said the police were still investigating the incident.

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BELGRADE, Serbia, Sept. 2, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- During this year's Charity Night, AskGamblers raised 106,500, thanks to their partners who auctioned for paid positions on the website. The funds raised on 12 June are now being donated to the Hydrocephalus and Spina Bifida Association of Serbia (HISBAS).

Every year, AskGamblers hosts a Charity Night as part of AskGamblers Awards, during which the company's partners auction for paid positions on the website. On 12 June, AskGamblers raised a record-breaking 106,500, thanks to their partners' auctions and generosity.

As Charity Month 2024 kicks off, the entire sum raised during Charity Night will be donated to the Hydrocephalus and Spina Bifida Association of Serbia (HISBAS), an organisation that aims to improve and protect the health and quality of life of children living with spina bifida and hydrocephalus.

AskGamblers wishes to thank the following partners for their contributions and for helping yet another Charity Month become a reality: BitStarz Casino Affiliates, Mate Affiliates, Wild Partners, N1 Partners, Playfina Partners, Wolfpack Partners, Boomerang Partners, RocketPlay Partners, and Strong Affiliates.

Dijana Radunovic, General Manager at AskGamblers, commented: "It is always a thrill to raise another record-breaking sum, especially as it is all for a good cause. We couldn't be more grateful to our partners for their contributions; none of this would be possible without them. Thank you for making another Charity Month a success."

Additional information about AskGamblers' Charity Month is available in the official news article.

This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com

https://news.cision.com/askgamblers/r/askgamblers-kicks-off-charity-month-by-donating--106-500-to-hisbas,c4031766
NEW YORK, Sept. 2, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Report on how AI is redefining market landscape- The global benefits administration service market size is estimated to grow by USD 144.7 billionn from 2024-2028, according to Technavio. The market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 3.09% during the forecast period. Increasing focus on employee wellness is driving market growth, with a trend towards increased adoption of automation in benefits administration services. However, high cost of software acquisition and implementation poses a challenge. Key market players include Automatic Data Processing Inc., Alight Solutions LLC, Aon plc, Bamboo HR LLC, Benefit Administration Services LLC, Benefitfocus.com Inc., Businessolver.com Inc, Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp., Dayforce Inc., Empower Annuity Insurance Co. Of America, ZenPayroll Inc., HS and BA, Insperity Inc., Justworks Inc., Mercer LLC, Namely Inc., National PEO, Navia Benefit Solutions Inc., Paychex Inc., SEB Administrative Services Inc., TriNet Group Inc., Willis Towers Watson Public Ltd. Co., and WNS Holdings Ltd..

Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global benefits administration service market 2024-2028

Get a detailed analysis on regions, market segments, customer landscape, and companies - Click for the snapshot of this report

Forecast period 2024-2028 Base Year 2023 Historic Data - Segment Covered Service Type (Core benefits administration, Ancillary benefits administration, and Integrated benefits administration), End-user (Employers, Insurance companies, Government agencies, Third-party administrators (TPAs), and Brokers and consultants), and Geography (North America, Europe, APAC, Middle East and Africa, and South America) Region Covered North America, Europe, APAC, Middle East and Africa, and South America Key companies profiled Automatic Data Processing Inc., Alight Solutions LLC, Aon plc, Bamboo HR LLC, Benefit Administration Services LLC, Benefitfocus.com Inc., Businessolver.com Inc, Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp., Dayforce Inc., Empower Annuity Insurance Co. Of America, ZenPayroll Inc., HS and BA, Insperity Inc., Justworks Inc., Mercer LLC, Namely Inc., National PEO, Navia Benefit Solutions Inc., Paychex Inc., SEB Administrative Services Inc., TriNet Group Inc., Willis Towers Watson Public Ltd. Co., and WNS Holdings Ltd.

Key Market Trends Fueling Growth

The Benefits Administration Service market assists businesses in managing employee benefits programs effectively. This includes processing claims, maintaining records, and ensuring compliance with regulations. By outsourcing this function, companies can save time and resources, focus on core business activities, and offer competitive benefits packages to attract and retain talent. Additionally, these services provide access to economies of scale, advanced technology, and expert knowledge, enhancing overall efficiency and productivity.

The Benefits Administration Service market is experiencing significant growth, particularly among large businesses seeking to streamline their Employee Benefits Programs. Self-service portals and HR outsourcing partners are becoming popular solutions, allowing HR teams to manage benefit packages and employee eligibility through user-friendly interfaces. Manufacturing companies are increasingly adopting software platforms for Employee Benefit Administration, enabling automated solutions for compliance tracking and plan customization. Self-administration portals offer benefits like plan selection, enrollment, eligibility verification, and reporting, all with real-time data access. Wellness initiatives, retirement plans, health insurance, and compliance deadlines are easily managed through these platforms. AI and automation are key trends, reducing overhead costs and ensuring data security measures are in place. Integration capabilities and workflows further enhance the efficiency of Benefits Administration processes. Effective communication and plan customization are essential for employee engagement and satisfaction.

Discover a Comprehensive 360 Market Analysis: Understand the Impact of AI. For detailed information- Request Sample!

Market Challenges

The Benefits Administration Service market assists businesses in managing and delivering employee benefits effectively. It streamlines processes, ensuring compliance with regulations and reducing administrative burdens. This service enhances employee satisfaction by providing a user-friendly platform for benefit enrollment, management, and communication. It also offers valuable insights through data analytics, enabling informed decision-making for HR and finance teams. By outsourcing benefits administration, companies can focus on their core business activities while ensuring their employees have access to comprehensive benefits packages.

The Benefits Administration Service market is experiencing significant growth as businesses of all sizes seek to enhance their employee benefits offerings. Cloud-based solutions are popular due to their flexibility and cost-effectiveness, allowing for customization and automation of HR-related tasks. Small businesses and start-ups benefit from subscription-based pricing models, while medium-sized and large businesses require more advanced features like self-service portals, mobile solutions, and compliance support. Employee wellness is a key focus, with digital solutions offering real-time access to benefits information, improving employee experience and engagement. On-premise software is still used by some, but cloud-based alternatives offer streamlined processes, reducing administrative overhead and manual errors. Multinational companies and technology firms require advanced HRIS and HR systems for managing employee entitlements and global compliance. Small agencies and business management software providers offer solutions tailored to specific industries, ensuring control over security and patch management. The shift to cloud-based and digital solutions enables regular access to benefits information, improving employee happiness and engagement, and reducing the need for extensive upfront commitment or long-term use.

For more insights on driver and challenges - Download a Sample Report

Segment Overview

This benefits administration service market report extensively covers market segmentation by

Service Type

1.1 Core benefits administration

1.2 Ancillary benefits administration

1.3 Integrated benefits administration

End-user

2.1 Employers

2.2 Insurance companies

2.3 Government agencies

2.4 Third-party administrators (TPAs)

2.5 Brokers and consultants

Geography

3.1 North America

3.2 Europe

3.3 APAC

3.4 Middle East and Africa

and 3.5 South America

1.1 Core benefits administration- The benefits administration service market encompasses various segments, including health insurance, retirement plans, life insurance, and disability insurance. The health insurance segment holds a significant position, facilitating efficient management of healthcare benefits for individuals and employees worldwide. Employers and organizations seek innovative solutions to simplify health insurance enrollment and management, leading to the demand for comprehensive benefits administration services. Advanced technologies, such as AI and data analytics, are utilized to streamline claims processing, identify cost-saving opportunities, and offer personalized health insurance recommendations. The retirement plans segment plays a crucial role in managing future financial security, with a focus on administering retirement benefits like 401(k) plans and pension plans. Employers and individuals require efficient solutions to navigate the complexities of retirement planning, leading to the adoption of technology-driven platforms for seamless enrollment, contribution management, and investment advice. The integration of digital advice and robo-advisors offers personalized investment recommendations based on individual risk tolerance, financial goals, and retirement timelines. The life insurance segment offers essential financial protection to individuals and their families, focusing on policy enrollment, beneficiary management, claims processing, and premium administration. Advanced technologies are utilized to streamline policy management, enhance the customer experience, and optimize underwriting processes. Data analytics and predictive modeling enable tailored life insurance policies and pricing based on individual risk assessment. The disability insurance segment provides income protection for individuals facing disabilities that limit their ability to work. Technology-driven solutions streamline the claims management process and enhance accessibility of benefits for disabled individuals. Data analytics and predictive modeling are utilized to assess disability claims and optimize support services for disabled individuals, ultimately fostering greater financial security and well-being. In conclusion, the benefits administration service market is experiencing growth due to the increasing demand for efficient and technology-driven solutions in health insurance, retirement plans, life insurance, and disability insurance segments. The adoption of advanced technologies, such as AI and data analytics, and the integration of user-friendly digital platforms are key factors driving the market's growth during the forecast period.

For more information on market segmentation with geographical analysis including forecast (2024-2028) and historic data ( - ) - Download a Sample Report

Research Analysis

Employee benefit administration refers to the process of managing and organizing various benefits programs offered by businesses to their employees. These benefits can include wellness initiatives, retirement plans, health insurance, and more. Effective benefit administration involves managing plan selection, eligibility, customization, and communication, as well as compliance tracking and reporting. Both small and large businesses utilize benefit administration services to streamline HR-related tasks and improve employee-management relations. Business management software, available in both on-premise and cloud-based versions, can help streamline these processes. Medium-sized and large businesses often utilize software platforms for benefits administration, while small agencies may offer these services as part of their HR offerings. Benefits administration processes include eligibility management, plan customization, and compliance tracking to meet various deadlines. Ultimately, the goal is to provide efficient and effective management of employee benefits programs and benefit packages to enhance the overall employee experience.

Market Research Overview

Employee benefit administration refers to the process of managing and overseeing various benefits offered by employers to their workforce. This includes wellness initiatives, retirement plans, health insurance, and more. The market for benefit administration services caters to businesses of all sizes, from small agencies to multinational corporations. Benefits administration involves plan selection, enrollment, eligibility verification, reporting, communication, and compliance with various regulations. User-friendly interfaces, workflows, integration capabilities, data security measures, AI and automation, and cloud-based solutions are key features of modern benefit administration services. Self-service benefits portals, mobile solutions, and customer service are essential for a positive employee experience. Compliance requirements, administrative tasks, and data administration can be streamlined, reducing overhead costs, manual errors, and improving employee happiness and engagement. Subscription-based pricing models, automation, and self-administration portals are popular trends in the market. Small, medium-sized, and large businesses, as well as manufacturing companies, technology firms, and start-ups, can benefit from these digital solutions. HR systems, HRIS, and business management software offer additional capabilities for HR-related tasks, employee-management relations, and HR office functions. On-premise and cloud-based options are available, with the latter providing regular access and customization options without upfront commitment for long-term use.

Table of Contents:

1 Executive Summary

2 Market Landscape

3 Market Sizing

4 Historic Market Size

5 Five Forces Analysis

6 Market Segmentation

Service Type

Core Benefits Administration



Ancillary Benefits Administration



Integrated Benefits Administration

End-user

Employers



Insurance Companies



Government Agencies



Third-party Administrators (TPAs)



Brokers And Consultants

Geography

North America



Europe



APAC



Middle East And Africa



South America

7 Customer Landscape

8 Geographic Landscape

9 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends

10 Company Landscape

11 Company Analysis

12 Appendix

About Technavio

Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions.

With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios.

Contacts

Technavio Research

Jesse Maida

Media & Marketing Executive

US: +1 844 364 1100

UK: +44 203 893 3200

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.technavio.com/

SOURCE Technavio
In collaboration with ABC Home & Commercial Services, we introduced children to the world of home maintenance and pest control through a special event hosting the hissing Madagascar cockroaches.

Our collaboration with Children's Health brought the innovative Teddy Bear Clinic to KidZania. Children learned about healthcare by treating the teddy bears and experiencing medical professions through engaging activities like triage, radiology, and surgery. This initiative helped reduce children's fear of hospitals and fostered empathy and teamwork among our young visitors.

These events played a significant role in providing children with knowledge and skills, helping them understand and appreciate various aspects of society.

As the new school year approaches, KidZania Dallas has introduced improved field trip experiences designed to make learning more fun and interactive. These field trips provide students with the opportunity to explore various careers in a kid-sized city, fostering creativity, critical thinking, and real-world skills. KidZania gives students an unforgettable educational experience. This school year, KidZania will inspire nearly 50,000 students to become the next generation of leaders, thinkers, and innovators!

About KidZania

KidZania is a global leader in interactive edutainment for children. It is an interactive kids' city combining inspiration, fun, and learning through realistic role-play for children ages 414. Kids independently explore a kid-sized city with over 100 exciting careers. Each ultra-realistic experience empowers kids, gives them the confidence to be their best selves, and inspires them to be great global citizens. KidZania originated in Mexico City in 1999 and currently has 26 facilities in 17 countries around the world, including KidZania Dallas.

For more information about KidZania, please visit www.kidzaniausa.com. Don't forget to follow @KidZaniaUSA on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and LinkedIn.

For partnerships, please, contact: [email protected]

For Field trip collaborations: [email protected]

SOURCE KidZania USA
POTSDAM, N.Y., Sept. 2, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Clarkson University has received a grant worth nearly $1.5 million from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for research to develop and demonstrate nanosensor technology that has the potential to detect, monitor, and degrade PFAS in groundwater or surface water that may be used as drinking water sources.

The project builds on nanosensing technology developed in the laboratory of Silvana Andreescu, Clarkson University Visiting Research Professor and Chair of the Department of Environmental Health Sciences at Florida International University who leads the effort, and will work with an interdisciplinary team which includes Clarkson's Jean S. Newell Distinguished Professor of Engineering Thomas Holsen, along with Professors from the Stevens Institute of Technology, University of Nebraska, and University of Buffalo.

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) pose a significant threat to the environment and human health. While widely recognized for their adverse effects, rapid and effective strategies to identify, measure, and degrade PFAS remains a challenge. Using nanotechnology tools, the goal of the proposed project is to develop an integrated nanosensor technology for field detection and degradation of PFAS. The sensor will be the first field-ready PFAS-detection technology available that can be used to determine PFAS exposure and evaluate effectiveness of remediation technologies.

The outcome will be a new portable nanosensing technology, developed as a stand-alone unit with interchargeable sensing and degradation units, to rapidly estimate the level of PFAS exposure and the effectiveness of remediation efforts. These sensors are easy to use and inexpensive. This development represents a significant opportunity for efficient and cost-effective monitoring of PFAS to reduce the effect of PFAS exposure, enabling sustainable environmental practices and rapid intervention.

"We are so excited that the Environmental Protection Agency has the great work our researchers are focused on here at Clarkson University. We are also grateful for the leadership of U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer and our representatives for being a champion for Clarkson on a national stage," said Kelly Chezum, Vice President for External Relations. "This grant from the EPA is the latest in a growing number of acknowledgements that, when it comes to PFAS technology, Clarkson is a leader."

"By tapping into this nearly $1.5 million federal investment that I helped secure, Clarkson is poised to lead the charge to keep PFAS out of our drinking water. With these federal dollars flowing, Clarkson's pioneering researchers will develop cutting-edge nanosensors for rapid PFAS testing and remediation to protect families in the North Country and across NYS," said Senator Schumer. "I have fought tirelessly to get PFAS out of New York  from Hoosick Falls to Newburgh to New York City  and I am so proud that New York State continues to lead the way on the critical effort. I cannot think of a better place for the EPA to make this investment than Clarkson University."

More information about the project can be found at https://www.epa.gov/research-grants/developing-and-demonstrating-nanosensor-technology-detect-monitor-and-degrade-3

SOURCE Clarkson University
KAOHSIUNG, Sept. 1, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- E&R Engineering Corp. (8027.TWO) hosted an event on August 28, 2024, in Taipei, Taiwan, where they launched the "E-Core System." This initiative, a combination of "E&R" and "Glass Core" inspired by the sound of "Ecosystem," led to the establishment of the "Glass Substrate Supplier E-Core System Alliance." The alliance aims to combine expertise to promote comprehensive solutions, providing equipment and materials for next-generation advanced packaging with glass substrates to both domestic and international customers.

E&R Engineering Corp. (8027.TWO) hosted an event on August 28, 2024, in Taipei, Taiwan, launching the "E-Core System" and establishing the "Glass Substrate Supplier E-Core System Alliance. E&R (8027.TWO) possesses key self-developed technologythe TGV (Through-Glass Via) in the Glass Core Flow. E&R (8027.TWO) has mastered key TGV technology, now achieving up to 8,000 vias per second for matrix layouts or 600 to 1,000 vias per second for random layouts.

E&R's E-Core Alliance includes Manz AG, Scientech for wet etching, ShyaWei Optronics for AOI optical inspection, Lincotec, STK Corp., Skytech, Group Up for sputtering and ABF lamination equipment, and other key component suppliers such as HIWIN, HIWIN Mikrosystem, Keyence Taiwan, Mirle Group, ACE PILLAR, CHD TECH, and Coherent.

E&R will continue leading the development of glass substrate technology in Taiwan, optimizing processes, and collaborating with more industry partners to achieve excellence.

With the rapid growth in demand for AI chips, high-frequency, and high-speed communication devices, glass substrates in advanced packaging technologies are becoming increasingly important. Compared to the widespread use of copper foil substrates, glass substrates offer higher wiring density and better signal performance. Additionally, glass provides high flatness and can withstand high temperatures and voltages, making it an ideal replacement for traditional substrates.

The glass substrate process involves glass metallization, ABF (Ajinomoto Build-up Film) lamination, and final substrate cutting. Key steps in glass metallization include TGV (Through-Glass Via), wet etching, AOI (Automated Optical Inspection), sputtering, and plating. These substrates measure 515510mm, representing a new process in semiconductor and substrate manufacturing.

The critical aspect of glass substrate technology is the first stepglass laser modification (TGV). Although introduced over a decade ago, its speed had not met mass production requirements, achieving only 10 to 50 vias per second, limiting the market impact of glass substrates. E&R Engineering Corp. (8027.TWO) has been working with a North American IDM customer for the past five years to develop glass laser modification TGV technology. Last year, the process passed validation, with E&R mastering key technology, now achieving up to 8,000 vias per second for fixed patterns (matrix layout) or 600 to 1,000 vias per second for customized patterns (random layout), with an accuracy of +/- 5 m, meeting the 3 sigma standard. This breakthrough has finally enabled glass substrates to reach mass production.

E&R will also showcase the latest technologies at SEMICON Taiwan 2024 and SEMICON Europa 2024.

SEMICON Taiwan 2024

Location: Taipei Nangang Exhibition Center Hall 1

Booth Information: 4F, #N0968

Date: September 4-6, 2024

SEMICON Europa 2024

Location: Messe Munchen

Booth Information:C2622

Date: November 12-15, 2024

https://www.enr.com.tw/

SOURCE E&R Engineering Corp
BEIJING, Sept. 2, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) will be held in Beijing from September 4 to 6. It takes place at a critical juncture when the world is grappling with various regional and global crises and there is a pressing need for countries from the Global South to join hands. How will this year's FOCAC elevate ties between China and Africa? What is the significance of building a high-level China-Africa community with a shared future? The Global Times (GT) interviewed a number of former officials and pundits from various African countries to share their insights and stories.

In the second article of this series, GT reporter Li Aixin interviewed Teka Gebreyesus Entehabu (Entehabu), former Ethiopian state minister of industry and trade.

GT: What are your expectations for the upcoming FOCAC?

Entehabu: Let me start by saying that the FOCAC is the cornerstone of the relationship between China and Africa. There have been many achievements since the establishment of FOCAC, and the relationship between China and Africa has grown and achieved significant success.

The forthcoming FOCAC in Beijing will extend from the eighth FOCAC ministerial conference held in Dakar, Senegal, in 2021. At that conference, the Dakar Action Plan was developed, covering the period from 2022 to 2024. This plan was a significant achievement, especially given the economic challenges faced by many African countries due to the COVID pandemic. I expect the upcoming summit to focus on evaluating the progress of this action plan. It will assess what has been achieved, whether the key performance indicators outlined in the plan have been met, and if there are any gaps that need addressing. The emphasis will be on reviewing the action plan's implementation and its outcomes.

From the Chinese side, there have been significant achievements since the Dakar Action Plan. China has been importing an increasing amount of goods from Africa, which has greatly enhanced trade between the two regions. Additionally, the Chinese government has developed the China-Africa Cooperation Vision 2035, marking another major achievement. On the other hand, progress on the African side has been less noticeable on the implementation of the Dakar Action Plan. More efforts from the African side are needed, review and revision to the plan should be made if needed.

GT: This year, leaders from China and Africa will gather around the theme "Joining Hands to Advance Modernization and Build a High-Level China-Africa Community with a Shared Future." How do you understand the concept of a "high-level China-Africa community with a shared future"?

Entehabu: Moving forward, the focus should shift to cooperation between China and Africa in areas like industrialization, human resource development, and private sector involvement. It is essential to extend efforts beyond state-to-state interactions to community level, ensuring that modernization benefits the entire community - the wellbeing of African people and Chinese people.

GT: The other part of the theme is "modernization." In a previous interview, you said that when you tried to find the best way to modernize Africa, you found Chinese modernization the best way. Why?

Entehabu: Modernization should not be a simple copy of other countries' models; rather, it should take into account the unique local aspects of each country. For example, Chinese modernization has successfully incorporated cultural elements into China's modernization efforts. Similarly, African modernization should prioritize local cultural contexts and avoid merely copying external models. That's how I understand Chinese modernization.

GT: How do the Ethiopian public and businesses view the Belt and Road Initiative?

Entehabu: First, we need to understand what the BRI is and its benefits. For me, the BRI represents a global project focused on connectivity among Asia, Europe, and Africa. While it was initiated by China, it is intended to be a global endeavor.

As more projects have been implemented, Africans' perceptions on the BRI have improved. For example, the railway from Addis Ababa to Djibouti has created many jobs and facilitated trade, boosting Ethiopia's global trade by improving export and import processes. Additionally, industrial parks developed in Ethiopia have created employment and contributed to export values. As people see these benefits, their perception of the BRI has changed positively.

China-Africa cooperation focuses on infrastructure, which is crucial for development. China emphasizes that building infrastructure is essential for growth and modernization. Chinese loans typically support infrastructure projects, human development, and modernization without imposing preconditions. China provides support based on the specific needs of African countries, such as developing infrastructure or industrial parks, which can enhance both financial and human development.

People now understand the value of cooperating with China because they see the results and outcomes. For example, in Ethiopia, many industrial parks and infrastructure projects have been developed with Chinese cooperation. These developments benefit the entire population.

GT: You've recently returned to Ethiopia after completing your PhD in Beijing. During your recent stay in China, was there a particular experience or story that especially impressed you?

Entehabu: I had visited China more than 10 times before starting my PhD and have always been struck by its progress. For instance, when I first visited Beijing in 2008, the city had eight metro lines. Now, it has around 27 lines, and I see continuous improvements every time I visit.

My interest in China led me to pursue my PhD there to understand the details behind this remarkable development. People often refer to China's progress as a miracle, I wanted to explore how it happened - what role the government and community played in this transformation.

Seeing the details of this development has deepened my admiration, especially considering that 40 to 50 years ago, many people were starving. But now the development is balanced. Whether you visit large cities or small cities in China, you'll find access to technology everywhere.

China's growth and development are more balanced compared to many other countries, where development can be uneven, with some areas highly developed and others still struggling. In China, even poorer communities benefit from the country's overall development.

GT: You said you wanted to explore how it happened. Have you found the answer?

Entehabu: Sure. The success of China's development can be attributed to the government's clear vision and commitment. Every five years, the government updates its development strategy and involves not just the government but also the private sector and community in this strategy. China's plans evolve significantly. This dynamic approach is a major factor in China's development success.

Despite potential hardships, people support the broader vision of modernization and advancement. Everyone, including the private sector, the government, and the community, works together toward this shared goal. This collective commitment is a major achievement for China.

SOURCE Global Times
CHICAGO, Sept. 2, 2024 /PRNewswire/ --

Market Overview

The Global Used Semiconductor Equipment Market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of around 7% between 2024 and 2031, from an estimated USD 12.9 billion in 2023 to approximately USD 19.9 billion by 2031. Our study report provides a comprehensive understanding of the factors driving and restraining the Used Semiconductor Equipment Market, as well as their impact on demand throughout the forecast period. Also, the report examines global opportunities and competitive analysis of the Used Semiconductor Equipment Market.

Download PDF Brochure: https://www.pheonixresearch.com/market-report/used-semiconductor-equipment-market/

Target Niche Markets: Companies often specialize in specific types of equipment or semiconductor applications to cater to niche markets. For example, some players focus on legacy equipment for older technologies, while others concentrate on high-precision tools for advanced semiconductor manufacturing, catering to different segments of this growing market.

Companies often specialize in specific types of equipment or semiconductor applications to cater to niche markets. For example, some players focus on legacy equipment for older technologies, while others concentrate on high-precision tools for advanced semiconductor manufacturing, catering to different segments of this growing market. Geographic Focus: Firms may target particular geographic regions where demand for used equipment is significant. For example, Asia-Pacific , including countries like China and South Korea , is the largest market for used semiconductor equipment, accounting for over 50% of global sales. Capitalizing on local market needs and regulatory environments in these regions can be highly beneficial.

Firms may target particular geographic regions where demand for used equipment is significant. For example, , including countries like and , is the largest market for used semiconductor equipment, accounting for over 50% of global sales. Capitalizing on local market needs and regulatory environments in these regions can be highly beneficial. Refurbishment Services: Offering high-quality refurbishment services is a critical strategy. In 2023, the refurbishment market for semiconductor equipment was valued at $3.2 billion . Refurbishing used equipment to meet or exceed original performance standards can significantly increase its resale value and appeal.

Offering high-quality refurbishment services is a critical strategy. In 2023, the refurbishment market for semiconductor equipment was valued at . Refurbishing used equipment to meet or exceed original performance standards can significantly increase its resale value and appeal. Certification and Warranty: Establishing credibility requires offering warranties and certifications for reconditioned equipment. About 70% of consumers say warranties play a significant role in their selections. Ensuring compliance with industry standards helps maintain credibility and customer confidence.

Establishing credibility requires offering warranties and certifications for reconditioned equipment. About 70% of consumers say warranties play a significant role in their selections. Ensuring compliance with industry standards helps maintain credibility and customer confidence. Component Upgrades: Some companies focus on upgrading key components of used equipment to extend operational life and improve performance. This includes installing newer software or replacing outdated hardware. For instance, upgrading components can enhance the equipment's efficiency by up to 25%, making it more competitive in the market.

Some companies focus on upgrading key components of used equipment to extend operational life and improve performance. This includes installing newer software or replacing outdated hardware. For instance, upgrading components can enhance the equipment's efficiency by up to 25%, making it more competitive in the market. Innovation Integration: Incorporating the latest technological advancements into older equipment is essential. This integration can boost the equipment's capabilities, with innovations potentially increasing performance metrics by up to 30%, making older equipment more viable in modern applications.

Incorporating the latest technological advancements into older equipment is essential. This integration can boost the equipment's capabilities, with innovations potentially increasing performance metrics by up to 30%, making older equipment more viable in modern applications. Collaboration with OEMs: Partnering with original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) or other equipment suppliers can broaden the range of products available and enhance credibility. Approximately 40% of companies in the used semiconductor equipment market engage in partnerships with OEMs to strengthen their market position.

Partnering with original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) or other equipment suppliers can broaden the range of products available and enhance credibility. Approximately 40% of companies in the used semiconductor equipment market engage in partnerships with OEMs to strengthen their market position. Joint Ventures: Forming joint ventures within the semiconductor ecosystem can be advantageous. These collaborations help pool resources, share market insights, and expand market reach. Joint ventures account for about 15% of strategic growth activities in the sector.

Forming joint ventures within the semiconductor ecosystem can be advantageous. These collaborations help pool resources, share market insights, and expand market reach. Joint ventures account for about 15% of strategic growth activities in the sector. Efficient Sourcing: Establishing a robust network for sourcing used equipment from various regions can help in obtaining high-quality products at competitive prices. Effective sourcing strategies contribute to a 10% reduction in procurement costs and increase supply chain efficiency.

Establishing a robust network for sourcing used equipment from various regions can help in obtaining high-quality products at competitive prices. Effective sourcing strategies contribute to a 10% reduction in procurement costs and increase supply chain efficiency. Logistics Optimization: Implementing efficient logistics and supply chain strategies is crucial for timely delivery and minimizing operational disruptions. Optimized logistics can reduce delivery times by up to 20% and decrease operational costs by 15%.

Request Sample Pages: https://www.pheonixresearch.com/market-report/used-semiconductor-equipment-market/

Report Scope

The Global Used Semiconductor Equipment Market research report offers an in-depth analysis of the global market size, which is further segmented into regional and country-level market size, and segmentation market growth. Also, Key factors such as trade regulations, government spending, and R&D advancements are meticulously examined to provide an accurate depiction of market trends. The study delves into various aspects such as value chain optimization, recent developments, strategic growth opportunities, and technological innovations. The scope of the study includes market sizing and forecast for segmentation by equipment type, application, end-user, and geography.

Base Year 2023 Forecast Period 2024-2031 Report Coverage Revenue estimation and forecast, company profile, competitive landscape, growth factors, and recent trends Regional Scope North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Rest of the World

Key Market Dynamics

Cost Efficiency: Used semiconductor equipment offers substantial cost savings compared to new machines, allowing businesses to acquire more or higher-quality equipment within their budget. By avoiding the steep initial depreciation of new equipment, companies secure better investment value. This cost efficiency helps reduce capital expenditure and improve return on investment. Smaller firms or those with limited budgets can access advanced technology affordably, enhancing their market competitiveness.

Used semiconductor equipment offers substantial cost savings compared to new machines, allowing businesses to acquire more or higher-quality equipment within their budget. By avoiding the steep initial depreciation of new equipment, companies secure better investment value. This cost efficiency helps reduce capital expenditure and improve return on investment. Smaller firms or those with limited budgets can access advanced technology affordably, enhancing their market competitiveness. Technological Advancements: As 5G adoption increases, particularly with the surge in 5G-enabled smartphones, there is a heightened demand for advanced semiconductor components, necessitating more sophisticated manufacturing processes. This evolution is leading to improvements in used semiconductor equipment, which now incorporates enhanced capabilities to handle the complexities of 5G technology. Additionally, advancements in used equipment are helping to extend the lifecycle and efficiency of older machinery, making it more viable for producing next-generation semiconductors.

As 5G adoption increases, particularly with the surge in 5G-enabled smartphones, there is a heightened demand for advanced semiconductor components, necessitating more sophisticated manufacturing processes. This evolution is leading to improvements in used semiconductor equipment, which now incorporates enhanced capabilities to handle the complexities of 5G technology. Additionally, advancements in used equipment are helping to extend the lifecycle and efficiency of older machinery, making it more viable for producing next-generation semiconductors. Market Demand for Semiconductor Products: The increasing demand for consumer electronics, automotive components, and industrial applications drives the need for semiconductor manufacturing equipment. As industries like IoT grapple with security and privacy concerns, there is a rising demand for integrated security solutions within semiconductor chips. This shift towards adding value through enhanced functionalities and addressing specific industry needs is shaping the growth of the semiconductor market. Manufacturers who innovate to meet these demands are better positioned to capitalize on emerging opportunities.

The increasing demand for consumer electronics, automotive components, and industrial applications drives the need for semiconductor manufacturing equipment. As industries like IoT grapple with security and privacy concerns, there is a rising demand for integrated security solutions within semiconductor chips. This shift towards adding value through enhanced functionalities and addressing specific industry needs is shaping the growth of the semiconductor market. Manufacturers who innovate to meet these demands are better positioned to capitalize on emerging opportunities. Sustainability and Environmental Concerns: Semiconductor manufacturing has long been associated with resource-intensive processes, high energy consumption, and the generation of hazardous waste. As global demand for electronics increases, the industry is under pressure to reduce its carbon footprint. Companies are actively adopting sustainable practices, focusing on energy efficiency throughout the manufacturing cycle to minimize their environmental impact. Purchasing used equipment supports environmental sustainability by reducing electronic waste and the need for new resources. Refurbishing and reusing equipment aligns with circular economy principles, helping companies meet corporate social responsibility (CSR) goals.

Semiconductor manufacturing has long been associated with resource-intensive processes, high energy consumption, and the generation of hazardous waste. As global demand for electronics increases, the industry is under pressure to reduce its carbon footprint. Companies are actively adopting sustainable practices, focusing on energy efficiency throughout the manufacturing cycle to minimize their environmental impact. Purchasing used equipment supports environmental sustainability by reducing electronic waste and the need for new resources. Refurbishing and reusing equipment aligns with circular economy principles, helping companies meet corporate social responsibility (CSR) goals. Globalization and Market Expansion: The $1 trillion investment in semiconductor factories from 2023 to 2030 reflects significant globalization and market expansion, with major new facilities being built in countries like South Korea , Germany , and the United States . The surge in semiconductor manufacturing is fueling a global expansion in the demand for used semiconductor equipment. As new facilities and production lines become operational, there is increasing interest in refurbished and pre-owned equipment. This trend highlights the growing value of used equipment in a dynamic semiconductor supply chain, offering cost-effective solutions for both emerging and established industry players worldwide.

The investment in semiconductor factories from 2023 to 2030 reflects significant globalization and market expansion, with major new facilities being built in countries like , , and . The surge in semiconductor manufacturing is fueling a global expansion in the demand for used semiconductor equipment. As new facilities and production lines become operational, there is increasing interest in refurbished and pre-owned equipment. This trend highlights the growing value of used equipment in a dynamic semiconductor supply chain, offering cost-effective solutions for both emerging and established industry players worldwide. Technological Obsolescence: Frequent advancements in semiconductor technology led to quicker obsolescence of equipment, increasing the availability of used machinery as newer models are introduced. Demand for equipment compatible with legacy systems and older technologies drives the market for used equipment.

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The Wafer Fabrication Equipment Segment Led the Used Semiconductor Equipment Market in 2023

Based on equipment type, the global used semiconductor equipment market is segmented into Wafer Fabrication Equipment, Test and Inspection Equipment, Assembly and Packaging Equipment, and Metrology Equipment. The Wafer Fabrication Equipment segment led the global used semiconductor equipment market in 2023. The active secondary market for wafer fabrication equipment, driven by both technological shifts and economic factors, supports the segment's dominance. Many companies trade in used wafer fabrication equipment to take advantage of favorable pricing and extended equipment lifecycles.

Critical Role in Semiconductor Manufacturing: wafer fabrication is one of the critical stages of the semiconductor manufacturing processes; these include photolithography, etching, and deposition. This central position results in always high demand for the equipment used in the fabrication of wafers which has boosted the market of used equipment is consistently high, driving its dominance in the used equipment market.

wafer fabrication is one of the critical stages of the semiconductor manufacturing processes; these include photolithography, etching, and deposition. This central position results in always high demand for the equipment used in the fabrication of wafers which has boosted the market of used equipment is consistently high, driving its dominance in the used equipment market. High Cost of New Equipment: New wafer fabrication equipment is among the most expensive in the semiconductor manufacturing process. The significant cost associated with purchasing new equipment makes used options an attractive alternative for many companies looking to manage their capital expenses.

New wafer fabrication equipment is among the most expensive in the semiconductor manufacturing process. The significant cost associated with purchasing new equipment makes used options an attractive alternative for many companies looking to manage their capital expenses. Frequent Upgrades: The semiconductor industry experiences rapid technological advancements, leading to frequent updates and innovations in wafer fabrication equipment. This segment is driven by the fact that with time newer models are developed hence making older equipment's to be available in the used market.

The semiconductor industry experiences rapid technological advancements, leading to frequent updates and innovations in wafer fabrication equipment. This segment is driven by the fact that with time newer models are developed hence making older equipment's to be available in the used market. High Utilization Rates: Semiconductor devices in the form of wafers are used widely in several consumer electronics car components, and industrial parts. This large application scope makes certain that there will always be a constant market for both new as well as second-hand wafer fabrication machinery.

Semiconductor devices in the form of wafers are used widely in several consumer electronics car components, and industrial parts. This large application scope makes certain that there will always be a constant market for both new as well as second-hand wafer fabrication machinery. Refurbishment and Upgradation: Used wafer fabrication equipment, incurred significant upgrade and reconditioning processes before reaching an optimum operational level. However, this refurbishment capability greatly improves the market of used equipment thus providing companies with cost-effective solutions.

Used wafer fabrication equipment, incurred significant upgrade and reconditioning processes before reaching an optimum operational level. However, this refurbishment capability greatly improves the market of used equipment thus providing companies with cost-effective solutions. Long Lifecycle and Robustness: Wafer fabrication tools are designed for long-term use and can withstand rigorous manufacturing processes. This durability means that used equipment remains viable and competitive in the market, further solidifying its dominance.

Asia Pacific Led the Used Semiconductor Equipment Market in 2023

Concentration of Production Facilities: The Asia-Pacific (APAC) region, notably China , Taiwan , South Korea , and Japan , serves as a global hub for semiconductor manufacturing, accounting for approximately 68% of the market share. Major semiconductor companies and fabrication plants are concentrated here, generating high demand for both new and used semiconductor equipment. This concentration underscores the region's pivotal role in the global semiconductor supply chain. High Demand for Semiconductor Products: The APAC region is a key market for consumer electronics, automotive components, and industrial devices, with semiconductor reliance driving the demand for equipment. For instance, Taiwan is a leading producer of semiconductors, especially in new technologies like 5G communication, automotive electronics, IoT, AI, and Big Data. This robust demand contributes to the ongoing need for both new and used semiconductor manufacturing equipment. Cost Sensitivity and Budget Constraints: Companies in the APAC region often face budget constraints and seek cost-effective solutions. The region's focus on cost-efficiency makes used semiconductor equipment an appealing option. The cost savings associated with used equipment help firms manage capital expenditures effectively, addressing financial constraints while maintaining production capabilities. Established Refurbishment Infrastructure: Companies in the APAC region often face budget constraints and seek cost-effective solutions. The region's focus on cost-efficiency makes used semiconductor equipment an appealing option. The cost savings associated with used equipment help firms manage capital expenditures effectively, addressing financial constraints while maintaining production capabilities. Expansion of the Semiconductor Ecosystem: The APAC region has a robust semiconductor ecosystem, supported by an extensive network of suppliers, service providers, and trading platforms. This comprehensive network facilitates efficient trading and refurbishment of used equipment, bolstering the availability and functionality of semiconductor manufacturing tools. Government Support and Investment: Governments across the APAC region, including China and Taiwan , actively support the semiconductor industry through substantial investments, subsidies, and favorable policies. For instance, Taiwan's substantial investments in semiconductor technology drive market growth for both new and used equipment, enhancing the industry's overall development. High Production Volume: The APAC region's high semiconductor production volume results in a significant amount of used equipment becoming available. As companies upgrade technology or expand production capacity, the influx of used equipment from major production centers like Taiwan and China contributes to a vibrant secondary market for semiconductor manufacturing tools.

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Competitive Landscape

The competitive landscape of the used semiconductor equipment market is characterized by a mix of major market players, regional influences, diverse business models, and a strong emphasis on service, support, and technological advancements. The ability to adapt to market dynamics and customer needs plays a critical role. Key players in this sector include industry giants such as Applied Materials Inc., Lam Research Corporation, KLA Corporation, and ASML, along with Tokyo Electron Limited, Advantest Corporation, SCREEN Semiconductor Solutions Co., Ltd., Cohu, Inc., ACM Research Inc., Nordson Corporation, and Tokyo Seimitsu Co., Ltd. These companies engage in aggressive strategies such as mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures, and new product developments to enhance their market presence and address evolving technological demands. For instance, Tokyo Electron's in March 2023 announcement of a new production facility at its Tohoku Office highlights the industry's response to the increasing global semiconductor demand. This move exemplifies the proactive measures companies are taking to scale up operations and remain competitive in the rapidly evolving market landscape.

2024 : TSMC supplier Topco sees market momentum in used semiconductor equipment. Topco Scientific Co., the leading provider of integrated services for semiconductor and optoelectronic key materials, stated that as semiconductor demand gradually recovers, the industry will gradually return to a growth trend.

: TSMC supplier Topco sees market momentum in used semiconductor equipment. Topco Scientific Co., the leading provider of integrated services for semiconductor and optoelectronic key materials, stated that as semiconductor demand gradually recovers, the industry will gradually return to a growth trend. 2024: Samsung Electronics and SK hynix halted sales of used semiconductor equipment to China in response to U.S. pressure. They stored outdated equipment instead of selling it, due to geopolitical tensions and potential backlash from the U.S. This shift affected the used semiconductor market, where older equipment had been in demand for electronics and automotive applications in China . The change reflected broader shifts in the semiconductor trade driven by U.S.- China relations.

Samsung Electronics and SK hynix halted sales of used semiconductor equipment to in response to U.S. pressure. They stored outdated equipment instead of selling it, due to geopolitical tensions and potential backlash from the U.S. This shift affected the used semiconductor market, where older equipment had been in demand for electronics and automotive applications in . The change reflected broader shifts in the semiconductor trade driven by U.S.- relations. 2024: Samsung Electronics and SK hynix stopped selling their used semiconductor equipment to China . This action followed U.S. pressure to comply with semiconductor export controls. The companies stored the equipment in warehouses instead.

List of the prominent players in the Global Used Semiconductor Equipment Market:

SurplusGLOBAL

RIHOU SHOJI

CSI Semiconductor Solutions

SUSS MicroTec

BMI Surplus

KHS & Partner

Hightec Systems

TOWA

Moko BV

SMFL

Intel Resale Corporation

Mitsubishi HC Capital

Moov

CMTec

Catalyst Equipment Corporation

Genes Tech Group

EquipNet

SOS Group

Somerset ATE

Moov Technologies, Inc

The global Used Semiconductor Equipment Market is segmented as follows:

By Equipment Type

Wafer Fabrication Equipment

Test and Inspection Equipment

Assembly and Packaging Equipment

Metrology Equipment

By Application

Consumer Electronics

Automotive Electronics

Industrial Electronics

Telecommunications

Others

By End User

Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM)

Integrated Device Manufacturers (IDM)

Foundries

By Region/Geography

North America U.S. Canada Mexico

Europe France UK Spain Germany Italy Rest of Europe

Asia Pacific China Japan India Taiwan South Korea Rest of Asia Pacific

Rest of the World Middle East & Africa Latin America



Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):

What is the existing size of the Used Semiconductor Equipment Market? What will be the CAGR of the global Used Semiconductor Equipment Market? Who are the top players operating in the Used Semiconductor Equipment Market? What are the key market trends of the Used Semiconductor Equipment Market? Which region will fastest growing region in the global Used Semiconductor Equipment Market?

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SOURCE Pheonix Research
SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., Sept. 2, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- IgGenix, Inc., a preclinical antibody discovery and development company taking a revolutionary approach to address IgE-mediated diseases, presented exciting data on the company's lead candidate, IGNX001, an IgG4 monoclonal antibody-based therapeutic for peanut allergy. These data were presented during the 2024 Annual Conference of the Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy (ASCIA), taking place in Adelaide, Australia from September 3-6, 2024.

Highlights from ASCIA

Michael O'Sullivan, MBBS, FRACP, FRCPA, lead investigator, presented information on IgGenix's Phase 1 human clinical trial in peanut allergy "ACCELERATE Peanut." This study, which is active and screening, will evaluate the safety and tolerability of IGNX001, a therapeutic candidate which aims to offer the potential of rapid protection for peanut allergic patients.

Derek Croote PhD, chief technology officer and co-founder of IgGenix, presented preclinical data on IGNX001 demonstrating robust protection against peanut-mediated mast cell activation, as well as against anaphylaxis in a murine model of peanut allergy. The complete preclinical findings were recently published in The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology.

"IGNX001 marks a potentially major step forward in treating peanut allergies," said Michael O'Sullivan, MBBS, FRACP, FRCPA, Consultant Clinical Immunologist at Fiona Stanley Hospital and Perth Children's Hospital, and Clinical Senior Lecturer at the University of Western Australia. "By using cutting edge research to re-engineer harmful IgE antibodies to IgG4 blocking antibodies that bind to allergens without causing reactions, this approach offers the potential for a faster, more effective alternative to current therapies. It has the potential to help change peanut allergy management, reducing severe reaction risks and improving quality of life for millions worldwide."

Oral Presentation

Title: Accelerating Towards Treatment Options for Adolescents and Adults With Peanut Allergy: Phase 1 Trial of Peanut-Specific Igg4 Antibody Therapeutic (IGNX001)

Presenter: Michael O'Sullivan, MBBS, FRACP, FRCPA

Poster Presentation

Title: Preclinical Activity and GLP Safety Toxicology Data Ahead of Phase 1 Initiation of IGNX001 in Peanut Allergy

Presenter: Derek Croote, PhD

The abstracts can be accessed here.

About IgGenix

IgGenix is a privately held antibody discovery and development company taking a revolutionary approach to directly address allergies and atopic diseases. Through our proprietary SEQ SIFTER discovery platform, developed from foundational research of co-founders Stephen Quake, Kari Nadeau, and Derek Croote of Stanford University, we isolate and re-engineer fully human, high-affinity, allergen-specific antibodies designed to block and prevent the allergic cascade. By targeting common immunodominant allergens and their most important epitopes across the patient population, we intend to treat allergic pediatric and adult patients alike across food and environmental allergies. This novel approach may prevent life-threatening allergic reactions, saving lives and reducing the constant fear that affects millions of people living with severe allergies.

SOURCE IgGenix
SAN FRANCISCO and SUZHOU, China, Sept. 1, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Innovent Biologics, Inc. ("Innovent") (HKEX: 01801), a world-class biopharmaceutical company that develops, manufactures and commercializes high-quality medicines for the treatment of oncology, autoimmune, cardiovascular and metabolic, ophthalmology and other major diseases, announces that multiple clinical study results of mazdutide (GLP-1R/GCGR dual agonist) will be presented at the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD) 60th Annual Meeting in Madrid, Spain from September 9 -13, 2024. New data of mazdutide at EASD include the results from the Phase 3 study of mazdutide in Chinese adults with type 2 diabetes (DREAMS-2) in late-breaking oral presentation. Details are listed below

Title: Mazdutide vs Dulaglutide in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes (DREAMS-2): a Randomized, Open-label, 28-week Phase 3 Trial

Abstract #LBA 16

Presentation FormLBA Oral Presentation

TimeSeptember 11th, 4:15 PM-4:30 PM (CEST)

PresenterProf. Lixin Guo, Peking Hospital

Title: Efficacy and Safety of Mazdutide in Chinese Participants with Overweight or Obesity (GLORY-1)

Abstract #149

Presentation FormOral presentation

TimeSeptember 12th, 11:45 AM-12:00 PM (CEST)

PresenterProf. Linong Ji, Peking University People's Hospital

Title: Improvement of Liver Steatosis by Mazdutide in Chinese Participants with Overweight or ObesityAn Exploratory Analysis of GLORY-1

Abstract #744

Presentation FormShort Oral Presentation

TimeSeptember 10th, 12:30 PM (CEST)

PresenterProf. Leili Gao Peking University People's Hospital

Title: A Phase 2 Study of Mazdutide 9 mg in Chinese Adults with BMI30 kg/m2

Abstract #733

Presentation FormShort Oral Presentation

TimeSeptember 12th, 2:00 PM (CEST)

PresenterProf. Hongwei Jiang, the First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University of Science and Technology

Dr. Lei Qian, Vice President of Clinical Development of Innovent, stated, "We are delighted that the results of the Phase 3 study DREAMS-2 for mazdutide in T2D will be presented in the form of a late-breaking oral presentation at the EASD annual meeting. Mazdutide is the first GLP-1R/GCGR dual agonist to successfully complete a Phase 3 study for diabetes, demonstrating superior blood sugar-lowering and weight loss efficacy compared to dulaglutide. Of equal importance, a number of weight loss study data of mazdutide, including the GLORY-1 Phase 3 study, the 9 mg Phase 2 study will also be showcased at this EASD conference. The weight loss and glucose lowering efficacy and metabolic benefits of mazdutide, especially in the liver, have been consistently observed and further validated across clinical trials and patient populations."

About Mazdutide (IBI362)

Innovent entered into an exclusive license agreement with Eli Lilly and Company (Lilly) for the development and potential commercialization of OXM3 (also known as mazdutide), a GLP-1R and GCGR dual agonist, in China. As a mammalian oxyntomodulin (OXM) analogue, mazdutide promotes insulin secretion, lowers blood glucose and reduces body weight similar to GLP-1 receptor agonists. Additionally, it may increase energy expenditure and improve hepatic fat metabolism by activating the glucagon receptor. Mazdutide has strong efficacy in weight loss and lowering glucose levels in clinical studies. It also offers multiple cardio-metabolic benefits, such as reducing waist circumference, blood lipids, blood pressure, blood uric acid, liver enzymes, and liver fat content, while improving insulin sensitivity.

Mazdutide has two NDAs accepted by China's NMPA for review, including:

For the chronic weight management in adults with obesity or overweight;

For the glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes.

Currently, a total of five Phase 3 studies of mazdutide are underway, including:

Phase 3 study conducted in Chinese adults with overweight or obesity (GLORY-1);

Phase 3 study conducted in Chinese adults with moderate to severe obesity (GLORY-2);

Phase 3 study in newly treated Chinese patients with type 2 diabetes (DREAMS-1);

Phase 3 study comparing mazdutide and dulaglutide in Chinese patients with type 2 diabetes (DREAMS-2);

Phase 3 study comparing mazdutide and semaglutide in Chinese patients with type 2 diabetes and obesity (DREAMS-3).

Among them, GLORY-1, DREAMS-1 and DREAMS-2 have reached the study endpoints and successfully completed.

About Innovent

Innovent is a leading biopharmaceutical company founded in 2011 with the mission to provide high-quality biologics that are affordable to all. The company discovers, develops, manufactures and commercializes innovative medicines that treat some of the most intractable diseases. Its pioneering therapies treat cancer, cardiovascular and metabolic, autoimmune and eye diseases. Innovent has 11 products in the market, 3 new drug applications under the NMPA review, 4 assets in Phase III or pivotal clinical trials and 18 more molecules in early clinical stage. Innovent partners with over 30 global healthcare leaders, including Eli Lilly, Roche, Sanofi, Adimab, Incyte and MD Anderson Cancer Center.

Guided by the motto, "Start with Integrity, Succeed through Action," Innovent maintains the highest standard of industry practices and works collaboratively to advance the biopharmaceutical industry so that first-rate pharmaceutical drugs can become widely accessible. For more information, visit www.innoventbio.com, or follow Innovent on Facebook and LinkedIn.

Statement: Innovent does not recommend the use of any unapproved drug (s)/indication (s).

Forward-looking statement

This news release may contain certain forward-looking statements that are, by their nature, subject to significant risks and uncertainties. The words "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "expect", "intend" and similar expressions, as they relate to Innovent Biologics ("Innovent"), are intended to identify certain of such forward-looking statements. The Company does not intend to update these forward-looking statements regularly.

These forward-looking statements are based on the existing beliefs, assumptions, expectations, estimates, projections and understandings of the management of the Company with respect to future events at the time these statements are made. These statements are not a guarantee of future developments and are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors, some of which are beyond the Company's control and are difficult to predict. Consequently, actual results may differ materially from information contained in the forward-looking statements as a result of future changes or developments in our business, the Company's competitive environment and political, economic, legal and social conditions.

The Company, the Directors and the employees of the Company assume (a) no obligation to correct or update the forward-looking statements contained in this site; and (b) no liability in the event that any of the forward-looking statements does not materialize or is otherwise inaccurate.

SOURCE Innovent Biologics
ANAHEIM, Calif., Sept. 2, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Anker SOLIX, a trusted source for renewable energy solutions, is set to reveal its newly upgraded Anker SOLIX Solar & Storage Solution at the upcoming RE+ 2024 from September 9-12. This launch will mark a significant step forward in the brand's commitment to delivering user-centric solutions tailored to meet the demands of extreme environments.

Staying true to its philosophy of embedding the "Voice of the Customer" into every aspect of its operations, Anker SOLIX recently conducted an extensive survey to identify the most pressing issues faced by users of solar and storage systems in harsh conditions. The survey, conducted exclusively in the United States, collected 585 valid responses from 264 current users who have installed solar battery storage systems, and 321 potential users who have installed solar panels and are interested in adding battery storage systems. It focused on residents from California, Florida, Texas, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Colorado, and Arizona who live in single-family homes with an annual household income of $100K or more.

The survey highlighted four critical challenges in the current market:

1. Response Capacity During Large-Scale Power Outages

The seamless switching capability of a solar and storage system is essential for maintaining uninterrupted power and ensuring that users' daily routines are unaffected by energy supply issues. However, some traditional solutions or wall-mounted energy storage systems feature a single-unit design, making it challenging to differentiate between generation and storage problems when a fault occurs. This can result in the entire system shutting down, requiring users to wait for a technician to replace the unit, which can lead to significant losses. Moreover, delays in after-sales service, particularly under California's NEM 3.0, can cause the equipment to miss optimal generation periods, negatively impacting overall returns and extending the payback period.

2. Performance Stability in Extreme Cold

Users expressed significant concern about the reliability of solar and storage systems in extremely cold environments, with 50% of respondents considering "whole-home power and instant UPS" as the most valuable feature of a solar power system in extreme weather, given the numerous snowstorms in U.S. history.

In the Northeastern U.S., winters are long and cold. Conversely, California experienced record-breaking summer heat, and Las Vegas reached extreme temperatures on July 7th. Global warming is exacerbating climate and weather instability across regions. Traditional solar and storage solutions often struggle to start up or operate at full capacity in severe cold. Some storage systems are advertised as capable of operating within a temperature range of -20C (-4F) to 50C (122F). However, users may overlook the possibility that the performance of these systems could diminish at temperatures exceeding 40C (104F). Additionally, with increasingly unpredictable climate conditions, the reliability of these systems during the next harsh winter remains uncertain.

3. Adaptability to Complex Environments

The survey revealed that many users face challenges with solar and storage systems in complex and corrosive environments, particularly when dealing with heavy rain, floods, and the corrosive conditions of coastal areas. These systems must exhibit enhanced resilience and durability. Some manufacturers are already improving dust and water resistance, with some achieving enclosure ratings of NEMA 3R or NEMA 4X. However, in coastal regions facing constant seawater corrosion, an anti-corrosion rating of C4 achieved by most main storage units is not enough. This often-overlooked aspect also requires more attention.

4. Economic Efficiency and Flexibility

Economic efficiency remains a key priority, with users seeking cost-effective and flexible solutions. Reducing the cost per kilowatt-hour while enhancing energy conversion efficiency is essential for ensuring the long-term value of their investment. Flexibility is also crucial for users planning to expand their generation or storage capacity in the future. Some brands require identical DC-side photovoltaic modules, increasing installation costs and complexity. Additionally, certain integrated systems can't precisely meet growing generation demands, leading to expensive full system upgrades. For storage expansion, customers may be forced to add more capacity than necessary, resulting in significant costs and wasted storage space.

Anker SOLIX has always been dedicated to understanding the deeper needs of its users. Through past consumer research and this most recent survey, the brand has discovered the highest priorities for consumers in a solar and storage system. The brand is ready to present the Anker SOLIX Solar & Storage Solution as its response to these insights.

For more information about this highly user-centric solution, designed to tackle extreme conditions and address real user needs, please visit Anker SOLIX's booth at NO.44011 during RE+ 2024, or visit:

Website: https://www.anker.com/anker-solix/installer-hes?utm_source=pr&utm_medium=p0

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/anker-solix/

Facebook: https://ankerfast.club/VSXtOK

Instagram: https://ankerfast.club/64MVXv

SOURCE Anker SOLIX
--Multiple International Models debuts at 3rd World Power Battery Conference

YIBIN, China, Sept. 2, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- On Sep. 1, 2024, the 3rd World Power Battery Conference was held in Yibin City, Sichuan Province. Kaiyi Auto held the event of "Lead by Green Power Sailing to the World -- Kaiyi Global Unveiling of New International Version Product" to fully open the globalization strategy, with International version of Kaiyi X7 iHD, Kaiyi X3 Pro EV, and Kaiyi e-Qute 02 debuted in the conference.

New Chapter of Kaiyi Auto International Strategy -- Multiple International Models debuts at 3rd World Power Battery Conference

Kaiyi X3 Pro EV RHD and Kaiyi e-Qute 02 RHD, combining the advantages of large space, strong power, long range and high safety, far exceed that of competitors in the same segment. They will be launched in Nepal, Thailand, Malaysia and other Southeast Asian markets this year. As for Kaiyi X7 iHD, it is a plug-in hybrid midsize SUV that combines the three core advantages of Chery Group's flagship chassis + 1.5T ultra hybrid powertrain + CATL battery. The Chinese version of the model was launched in China on Aug. 20 and has gained a lot of attention from customers.

This year is the 10th anniversary of Kaiyi brand. Over the past ten years, from the brand foundation to the efficient construction of the smart factory, from the establishment of the Intelligent Connected Research Institute to the strategic cooperation with Huawei, Tencent, and CATL, Kaiyi Auto has expanded the brand's outreach step by step by means of internal cultivation and external cooperation; and from the research and development of independently-led products to the invitation of global users to carry out in-depth product co-creativity, Kaiyi Auto has grown step by step to become a popular auto brand among Chinese and overseas consumers by practically implementing its development philosophy of "Customer First".

As the core initiative of the deepening globalization strategy, the debut of Kaiyi X7 iHD, Kaiyi X3 Pro EV RHD and Kaiyi e-Qute 02 RHD, brings new choices of high-quality Chinese auto products to global users, unveiling a new chapter of Kaiyi Auto international strategy. In the future, Kaiyi Auto will provide more high-quality products and services for global customers with positive attitude and firm determination.

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HONG KONG, Sept. 2, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- OP Investment Management ("OPIM"), Asia's leading fund platform, is partnering with LIFE Asset Management, Inc. ("LIFE") to launch an offshore Cayman-domiciled fund, LIFE Korea Engagement Fund ("Fund"), . The Fund's strategy will be similar to LIFE's local flagship fund, which is only available to Korean local investors.

LIFE's CIO and LIFE Korea Engagement Fund's Director Darren Kang opines that Korea has long been overshadowed by other countries like China and Japan. With the new government value-up policies and improvements in the markets through engagement activism, Darren and the team can deploy tactical strategies to fill in the gaps in conventional value-investing.

"We are seeing a generational shift that has traditionally been absent in Korean history. This will attract global investors in the Korean markets," Darren said. "We want to be part of the change."

The Fund, scheduled to launch on September 2nd 2024, is a Korean equity focused engagement strategy fund specifically tailored to target opportunities in the Korean markets. It actively engages with portfolio companies to advocate for strategic changes that enhance shareholder value, including improved capital allocation and corporate governance. The portfolio will deep dive into companies that have been undervalued and have the willingness to improve company valuation through LIFE's engagement.

Unlike conventional activism, engagement strategy rather uses a friendlier approach. Through a proven track record, LIFE Asset Management is the fastest growing hedge fund in Korea since establishment in 2021. LIFE's AUM grew from $260M at the end of 2022 to almost $1B today. Widely known as the first and largest engagement activist in Korea, the unique team has diverse specialists from ex-investment banking, corporate succession/inheritance tax specialists, and industry titans with a large domestic network and corporate governance credibility.

Through this collaboration with OPIM, the Fund expects to gather investments globally from US, EMEA and Asia, further contributing to the new wave of interests in the Korean markets.

Alvin Fan, Chief Executive Officer of OPIM added, "Darren's strategy is the perfect example of why having boots on the ground and an experienced team will deliver outperformance time and time again. After their stellar performance in 2023 and outstanding records in 2024, LIFE's track record onshore is finally accessible to institutional investors offshore."

About OP Investment Management Ltd.

OPIM partners with emerging managers to develop innovative strategies for institutional and professional investors. OPIM's institutional fund platform attracts both managers and investors from around the world working with the industry's best business partners in alternative asset management.

OPIM is a leading Hong Kong-based asset management company established and licensed since 2004 with Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission (the "SFC") to carry out Type 1 (dealing in securities), Type 4 (advising on securities) and 9 (asset management) regulated activities under the provisions of the Securities and Futures Ordinance (Cap.571) (the "HK SFO"). The company is also a member of the Oriental Patron Financial Group and associate of Wealthink AI-Innovation Capital Limited (Hong Kong publicly listed 1140.HK).

About LIFE Asset Management, Inc.

Established in 2021, LIFE Asset Management is an asset management company based in Republic of Korea with a focus in engagement activism hedge fund strategy. Since establishment, LIFE has gained substantial reputation as a dominant player in value investing and engagement activism.

Incorporated under the laws of Republic of Korea, LIFE is licensed with Financial Services Commission of Republic of Korea for carrying out the activities of the Investment Manager, Investment Advisor and Investment Discretionary Manager. LIFE is managing 1.3T KRW (equiv. $1B) as of July 2024, positioning them as the largest engagement hedge fund in Korea.

Disclaimer

This document is issued by OP Investment Management Limited ("OPIM") This document, and the website of OPIM (www.opim.com.hk) has not been reviewed by the Securities and Futures Commission of Hong Kong. This document is solely for information purposes and is not intended as an offer, a solicitation of offer or a recommendation, to deal in shares of securities or any financial instruments. Any trademarks, logos and related intellectual property rights in this document are either owned by OPIM or such other third parties. Past performance and the predictions, projections, or forecasts on the economy, securities markets or the economic trends of the markets are not necessarily indicative of the future or likely performance of OPIM, any funds managed by OPIM, or any future funds to be launched patnering with OPIM. Information herein is believed to be reliable at time of publication but OPIM does not warrant its completeness or accuracy and is not responsible for error of facts or opinion nor shall be liable for damages arising out of any person's reliance upon this information. Any opinion or estimate contained in this document may subject to change without notice. This document may not be published, circulated, reproduced or distributed without the prior written consent of OPIM.

SOURCE OP Investment Management
NANJING, China, Sept. 2, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- On September 02, 2024, Simcere Zaiming, an innovative oncology company under Simcere Pharmaceutical Group (2096.HK), announced a collaboration agreement with Shenzhen TargetRx Inc. The partnership focuses on the ALK/ROS1 dual receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor TGRX-326, a clinical-stage anti-tumor candidate.

According to the terms of the agreement, Simcere Zaiming will acquire exclusive commercial rights to TGRX-326 in Mainland China. These rights encompass but are not limited to marketing promotion, strategy formulation and adjustment, and the right to obtain relevant benefits from TGRX-326. TargetRx will receive an initial payment exceeding $20 million. Additionally, TargetRx will compensate Simcere Zaiming for promotional services.

TGRX-326 is a third-generation anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) inhibitor independently developed by TargetRx. It is a potent and highly selective small molecule inhibitor that targets ALK and c-ROS proto-oncogene 1 (ROS1) receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs). This inhibitor holds significant therapeutic potential for ALK/ROS1 fusion gene-positive non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients, especially those with multiple ALK-resistant mutations, including G1202R.

In preclinical studies and a Phase 1 clinical trial, TGRX-326 demonstrated robust anti-tumor activity and a favorable safety profile. Moreover, the molecule effectively crosses the blood-brain barrier, exhibiting exceptional efficacy in NSCLC patients with brain metastases.

Dr. Renhong Tang, Chairman of Simcere Zaiming, said, "We are pleased to collaborate with TargetRx on novel dual-targeted therapy for lung cancer, a major malignancy that Simcere Zaiming strategically focuses on. This partnership will further enhance our innovative product portfolio. ALK/ROS1 fusion is a critical genetic mutation in non-small cell lung cancer. The advancement of targeted therapies has significantly improved survival rates for these patients. However, there remains a substantial need for new treatments with better efficacy and the ability to overcome drug resistance. We look forward to working closely with TargetRx to provide Chinese lung cancer patients with more effective treatment options as soon as possible."

Dr. Yihan Wang, Chairman of TargetRx, said, "TGRX-326 is a potentially best-in-class novel anti-tumor molecule independently developed by TargetRx. It is a third-generation ALK inhibitor in late-stage clinical development which may bring a better option for patients. We believe that with the support of Simcere Zaiming, we will be able to bring this product quickly to the market. TargetRx aims to continuously deliver innovative therapies that will transform the lives of cancer patients."

About Simcere Zaiming

Simcere Zaiming, an oncology-centric biopharmaceutical subsidiary of Simcere Pharmaceutical Group Limited (HKEX: 2096), was established in 2023. The company is dedicated to developing groundbreaking therapies to meet the unmet clinical needs of cancer patients globally. With a robust and innovative R&D pipeline featuring distinct clinical assets, Simcere Zaiming has successfully launched several products in China, including COSELA, Endostar, Enweida, and Enlituo. The company is determined to deliver potentially transformative treatment options to cancer patients worldwide through its internal R&D, manufacturing, and commercialization capabilities, complemented by strategic collaborations with leading partners in cancer therapeutics.

About TargetRx

TargetRx is a clinical stage, high-tech pharmaceutical R&D company focused on developing next-generation targeted therapies for cancer patients, particularly those who are resistant or refractory to current treatments. TargetRx has developed a series of cutting-edge and efficient small molecule drug discovery platforms, which combine innovative research and development capabilities for drug design, screening, evaluation and optimization. Since its establishment, TargetRx has been granted over 170 patents from authorities in China, the US, Europe, Japan and other regions. Several potential best-in-class compounds are at different stages of multi-national clinical trials.

SOURCE Simcere Pharmaceutical Group Limited
NEW YORK, Sept. 1, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, announces the filing of a class action lawsuit on behalf of purchasers of securities of Spire Global, Inc. (NYSE: SPIR) between March 6, 2024 and August 14, 2024, both dates inclusive (the "Class Period"). A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than October 21, 2024.

So What: If you purchased Spire Global securities during the Class Period you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out of pocket fees or costs through a contingency fee arrangement.

What to do Next: To join the Spire Global class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=28159 mailto:or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email [email protected] for information on the class action. A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than October 21, 2024. A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation.

Why Rosen Law: We encourage investors to select qualified counsel with a track record of success in leadership roles. Often, firms issuing notices do not have comparable experience, resources or any meaningful peer recognition. Be wise in selecting counsel. The Rosen Law Firm represents investors throughout the globe, concentrating its practice in securities class actions and shareholder derivative litigation. Rosen Law Firm has achieved the largest ever securities class action settlement against a Chinese Company. Rosen Law Firm was Ranked No. 1 by ISS Securities Class Action Services for number of securities class action settlements in 2017. The firm has been ranked in the top 4 each year since 2013 and has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors. In 2019 alone the firm secured over $438 million for investors. In 2020, founding partner Laurence Rosen was named by law360 as a Titan of Plaintiffs' Bar. Many of the firm's attorneys have been recognized by Lawdragon and Super Lawyers.

Details of the Case: According to the lawsuit, during the Class Period, defendants made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (1) there were embedded leases of identifiable assets and pre-space mission activities for certain Space Services contracts; (2) Spire Global lacked effective internal controls regarding revenue recognition for these contracts; (3) as a result, Spire Global overstated revenue for certain Space Services contracts; and (4) as a result of the foregoing, defendants' positive statements about Spire Global's business, operations, and prospects were materially misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis. When the true details entered the market, the lawsuit claims that investors suffered damages.

To join the Spire Global class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=28159 mailto:or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email [email protected] for information on the class action.

No Class Has Been Certified. Until a class is certified, you are not represented by counsel unless you retain one. You may select counsel of your choice. You may also remain an absent class member and do nothing at this point. An investor's ability to share in any potential future recovery is not dependent upon serving as lead plaintiff.

Follow us for updates on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-rosen-law-firm, on Twitter: https://twitter.com/rosen_firm or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rosenlawfirm/.

Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

Contact Information:

Laurence Rosen, Esq.

Phillip Kim, Esq.

The Rosen Law Firm, P.A.

275 Madison Avenue, 40th Floor

New York, NY 10016

Tel: (212) 686-1060

Toll Free: (866) 767-3653

Fax: (212) 202-3827

[email protected]

www.rosenlegal.com

SOURCE THE ROSEN LAW FIRM, P. A.
CHANGZHOU, China, Sept. 2, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Trinasolar published its financial report for the first half of 2024 on Aug 30, reporting revenue of $6.047 billion and net profit attributable to the parent of $74.058 million, reflecting two consecutive quarters of profitability. Over the six months the company delivered 34GW in PV modules, 1.7GWh of DC container and energy storage systems and 3.2GW of solar mounting systems, highlighting and consolidating its leadership in smart PV and energy storage solutions.

Achieving robust growth in PV, solar tracker and ESS business

In the first half of the year Trinasolar shipped 34GW of modules, 25.9% more than in the corresponding period last year. Its cumulative shipments of 210 modules exceeded 140GW, and it thus maintained its top position worldwide. Trinasolar leads the industry in the 700W+ era with its Vertex N 720W series module, based on the 210mm product technology platform and n-type i-TOPCon advanced technology.

Trina Storage, a business unit of Trinasolar, takes a comprehensive approach to energy storage, providing solutions from cell to pack to container. It has launched its Elementa 2 Elevate solution, the industry's only fully wrapped cell-to-AC energy storage solution, in North America. Trina Storage pioneers in offering solutions for grid-scale shared energy storage stations, solar-storage integrated charging stations and carbon-neutral industry parks. In three quarters in a row this year Trina Storage has been recognized as a Tier 1 energy storage supplier by Bloomberg New Energy Finance. By the end of June about 7GWh of DC container and energy systems had been delivered globally.

TrinaTracker serves major PV markets worldwide, with cumulative shipments exceeding 23GW by the end of June. It ranked sixth in global shipments last year and third in key countries and regions, being one of the fastest-growing companies, according to S&P Global. A report by Wood Mackenzie ranked TrinaTracker among the top three PV companies in South America, the Middle East and other regions.

Giving R&D a central role

Trinasolar has invested $381.409 million in R&D and had cumulatively filed 5,649 patent applications by the end of June. Trinasolar puts a high premium on its patents, with more than 500 patents on TOPCon technology by July.

The company is extending global collaboration with innovative partners to maintain core competence. In June it signed a long-term collaboration agreement with the Institute of Solar Energy at Universidad Politecnica de Madrid, and in August it announced research collaboration with the Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore's leading public sector R&D agency.

Ensuring stable supply worldwide

The company deploys global production capacity to meet burgeoning demands and guarantee worry-free global delivery. Trinasolar prospectively laid out a 1GW cell and module base in Indonesia and a 5GW module base in the U.S. in 2023, both expected to operate in H2 2024.

Trinasolar, with its mission of "Solar Energy for All", will continue to lead the industry with the latest technology and advanced products.

SOURCE Trina Solar Co., Ltd
Welcomes expanded role of NGOs and Civil Society as part of ongoing reform agenda

TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, Sept. 2, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- With less than two months to go before Uzbekistan's citizens head to the polls in the country's first legislative election under the newly amended constitution, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev has issued a decree designed to bolster the role of civil society. As a logical continuation of the country's reform agenda, it aims to boost transparency and accountability within state support for NGOs.

The new decree establishes a public fund under the Parliament for the support of civil society institutions, thereby ensuring the targeted nature of social projects and eradicating bureaucracy.

Eldor Tulyakov, Executive Director of the Development Strategy Center, explained the impact of the prominent and expanded role of civil society.

"It's encouraging to see the President of Uzbekistan has signed a decree aimed at improving the system of state support for civil society institutions in the country. With this new and more direct link between Parliament and the funding of social projects sought by civil society, Uzbekistan now has upped the ante on elected legislators to deliver impactful projects to their constituencies. As a former MP, I am keenly aware of bureaucratic red tape and lack of transparency that hindered the efficiency of NGOs to advocate for spending. Removing these barriers is a big step forward and one that will impose greater accountability on the incoming class of legislators as well as the parties themselves."

Over the past seven years, Uzbekistan has seen a 12-fold increase in NGO funding compared to the previous period. The decree seeks to push that even higher with policies that include halving the fees for registration of NGOs, exempting public associations of persons with disabilities, veterans, senior citizens, women, and children from paying fees, and reducing the re-registration period from one month to 15 days.

This new decree will allow for a greater involvement of NGOs in social partnership programs and create a digital and transparent system of state support for civil society institutions. The government will now adopt annual programs to involve civil society institutions in the implementation of socio-economic development programs based on social partnership. As such, the decree represents a significant milestone in the development of civil society institutions in Uzbekistan, reflecting the ongoing progress and commitment to liberal reforms.

Uzbekistan has continued on a steady trajectory of reforms that accelerated in the lead-up to last year's referendum, in which a citizen-focused constitution was approved and enacted. The new constitution overhauled the country's governmental functions, and put more power than ever into parliament as part of an improved system of checks and balances. The current decree moves the country further in that direction.

This latest move comes on the heels of the approval by the Central Election Commission of the Republic of Uzbekistan (CEC) for the participation of five parties in the October 27 poll that will elect a total of 150 MPs (deputies to the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis) and almost 6,000 members of local Councils of People's Deputies. The election will be conducted using a hybrid model in which half of the 150 seats are selected by constituency 'first past the post' and the other half proportionally via national party lists with a 7% threshold.

Further information

Website: https://strategy.uz/

About the Development Strategy Center

Founded in 2017, the Center implements joint projects aimed at the study of and the application of the best international practices and standards, as well as assessments and opinions of international organizations and experts on the activities carried out within the framework of development strategies and government programs. Its activities include preparation of draft laws, bylaws and other documents provided in the state programs, systemic monitoring of the implementation of state programs, and studying the popular views on state programs.

SOURCE Development Strategy Center
The U.S. Postal Service is proposing a new plan in order to keep itself afloat, and that plan involves purposely slowing mail in rural ZIP codes across the country. The agency will not say which post offices will be affected.

Postmaster General Louis DeJoy on Aug. 22 proposed what are being called operational changes. Since then, the Richmond Times-Dispatch has sought clarity on the changes, which were outlined in a memo to the Postal Services main regulator.

In the memo, DeJoy promised that the changes would boost service reliability, cost efficiency, and overall productivity, as well as save the Postal Service $30 billion over the next decade. The agency has run in the red to the tune of several billion dollars each year on the back of declining mail volumes.

The details of the proposal forecast how the agency plans to achieve that: by adjusting pickup and drop-off times when a post office is far away from a regional hub.

Richmond was a pilot

Regional hubs are new mail sorting mega centers key to DeJoys overhaul of the Postal Service.

That overhaul, called Delivering for America, involves shutting down thousands of smaller post offices and bringing most mail through 60 high-tech mail sorting facilities. In July, Richmond's was the first region in the country to get such a facility, known as a regional processing and distribution center. That facility, in Sandston, now processes all of the mail for Central Virginia and Hampton Roads.

Depending on location, time and distance, expected time to deliver will increase for some ZIP code pairs, the proposal reads.

Asked for clarification, USPS spokesman Philip Bogenberger told the Times-Dispatch the slowdown will affect mail being picked up from rural areas, rather than delivered to rural areas.

If a mailpiece enters the mailstream near a USPS Regional Processing and Distribution Center and delivered to a rural area, it will get there as fast, if not faster, than current delivery. If mail enters the mailstream from a rural area, it may take 12-24 hours extra but still within our service standards, Bogenberger said.

A public hearing on the proposed changes will take place on Thursday.

The Postal Service previously proposed a similar rollback that it called optimized collections.

Richmond's was again the pilot region. Under optimized collections, 58% of post offices in the Richmond region lost evening mail collections. Mail dropped off in the afternoon would sit overnight, wrote auditors who analyzed the pilot program.

Regulators with the Postal Regulatory Commission specifically asked the Postal Service for a list of Richmond-area post offices that had lost evening collections. USPS gave the commission a list confidentially, citing competitive business information.

The Postal Regulatory Commission did not return requests from the Times-Dispatch to share the list of affected facilities. Nor did Bogenberger.

Its going to be quite extensive

Steve Hutkins, a retired New York University professor who chronicles USPS issues on his Save the Post Office website, says the USPS has been dressing delays in the guise of improvements.

He said the latest announcement is no different.

The proposal totally obscures the extra day. It makes it sound like were not changing anything, like the service standards are going to be the same, Hutkins told the Times-Dispatch. Oh, and by the way, its going to be an extra day for not only rural, but a lot of the country. Its going to be quite extensive.

U.S. Rep. Rob Wittman, a 1st District Republican, who has been vocal about Postal Service problems for months, criticized the proposal.

Virginians residing in our rural communities deserve reliable mail service just as much as our suburban residents. This abrupt change in mail operations in rural areas and the uncertainty of impacted facilities is the exact opposite of the improvement and transparency Ive demanded from the Postal Service, Wittman said in a statement.

He said the Postal Service has continually failed to fix mail delays for over a year now and must do everything it can to rebuild trust amongst Virginians.

U.S. Rep. Gerry Connolly, an 11th District Democrat, said in his own statement the Postal Service might as well announce a return to delivering mail by horse and buggy.

Despite rebukes, DeJoy has remained adamant that the agency needs nothing less than a drastic overhaul to stay afloat, which, by law, it is mandated to do.

Ultimately, it is up to the Postal Service to save the Postal Service, DeJoy said during a hearing before an oversight committee in April.

DeJoy told legislators he did not need more assistance, but rather that politicians give the agency time to implement Delivering for America.

That request was not entirely successful.

Since April, DeJoy agreed to slow down the rollout of Delivering for America after service performance standards in Virginia and Georgia dipped severely. Virginia briefly became the worst state for on-time mail delivery in the nation. An audit by the agency in April found various operational failures at its Sandston distribution center.

Georgia, the second region to switch to a regional processing and distribution center, followed suit. It currently has a 40% on-time delivery rate, down from 80% before the transition.
If you were looking for the Charlestown Democratic Town Committee website and ended up here, try this





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Jerusalem, Sep 2 : Hundreds of thousands of Israelis rallied across the country on Sunday, demanding Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu negotiate a ceasefire with Hamas to secure the return of hostages held in Gaza.

Around 700,000 people participated in demonstrations on main roads and at junctions nationwide, with 550,000 attending the central rally in Tel Aviv, Xinhua news agency reported, citing Israel's Ynet news site.

The protests began in the morning after the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced the recovery of six hostages' bodies and continued through the night.

In Tel Aviv, an emotional demonstration took place outside the Kirya military base, the IDF's headquarters. Protesters waved Israeli flags and chanted "A deal -- Now!" Many carried posters featuring the hostages. There are still 101 hostages in Gaza, with about half presumed dead due to either Hamas attacks or Israeli bombings.

Einav Zangauker, mother of hostage Matan Zangauker, addressed the crowd, claiming that there is "a deal proposal on the table" but that Netanyahu refuses to accept it to avoid losing support from his coalition of pro-settler leaders.

Later in the night, thousands of protesters in Tel Aviv set fire on the Ayalon Highway, temporarily blocking the main freeway. Police said they dispersed the crowd and reported at least 12 arrests nationwide.

By nightfall, cinemas, theatres, museums, universities, restaurants, cafes, pubs, and other businesses across the country remained closed in solidarity with the protest.

The demonstrations are expected to continue into Monday with a general strike. Arnon Bar-David, secretary-general of the Histadrut, Israel's largest workers' organization, announced the strike on live television, accusing Netanyahu of hindering the deal due to "political considerations."

The protests followed the recovery of the bodies of two women and four men from Gaza. The IDF said they were killed in a Hamas tunnel shortly before soldiers arrived.

The six had been captured alive on October 7, 2023, during Hamas's surprise attack on Israeli communities, which killed about 1,200 people and resulted in the capture of approximately 250 others.
Tel Aviv, Sep 2 : The US, Qatar and Egypt, which are part of the several rounds of indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas, are now pushing for a final ceasefire deal.

This is following the brutal murder of six of the hostages in Gaza by Hamas militants by firing from close range. Autopsy of the deceased hostages -- whose bodies were recovered by Israel Defense Forces (IDF) in Gaza -- have revealed that they were shot multiple times from a close range.

According to Israeli media, the US negotiators have communicated to both Qatar and Egyptian negotiators that the ceasefire deal has to be reached quickly.

The media has also reported that a final proposal is being drafted for a ceasefire and a hostage return deal between Israel and Hamas.

It is to be noted that the US side has a renewed urgency for the mediatory talks as among the six hostages killed one is an Israeli American -- Hersh Goldberg-Polin.

The Director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), William Burns who had led the American side during the last peace talks at Doha and Cairo has already communicated to the Israeli government for an immediate round of talks and to finalise the proposal.

Pressure is mounting on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to agree to a ceasefire deal for the release of hostages in the custody of Hamas.

Massive protests erupted across Israel after the bodies of the six hostages were found and the Israeli government couldnat strike a ceasefire deal with Hamas to set the hostages free.

Crowds demonstrated in the capital Tel Aviv, Jerusalem and other cities against the administration to bring back the remaining hostages and demanded that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu do more in the matter.

The Hostages and Missing Persons families have been conducting a series of protests across the country for bringing the hostages back.

It may be recalled that on October 7, 2023, Hamas militants swarmed into Southern Israel, brutally murdered 1,200 people and took 251 people as hostages. Of these, Israel has confirmed that only 66 are alive.
A Blacksburg engineer thinks drones could revolutionize firefighting.

Jonathan Keller, founder and CEO of BlackBee Robotics, entered a contest to create new firefighting technologies. The Xprize Wildfire contest is ready to pay for great ideas. It is touting an $11 million purse to be paid over four years for innovations that could prevent the kinds of wildfires that ravaged Virginia and burned through thousands of acres of private and public land in the fall of 2023.

Heres how to win: Create a system that can scan an area measuring 1,000 square kilometers  nearly equal to a square 20 miles across  and, at the first sign of a wildfire, extinguish it in 10 minutes.

Keller has a plan. The Virginia Tech graduate holds multiple degrees and works as a test engineer for the Virginia Tech Mid-Atlantic Aviation Partnership, which works to integrate unmanned aircraft into the airspace. Working on weekends, he told the Roanoke Times hell build two components. Theres going to be a matrix of purchased smoke-detecting cameras on a high perch, possibly atop a truck-mounted tower or permanent stand. He will construct a drone about 5 feet across and weighing 41 pounds that will rush to the scene and drop a dry chemical fire suppressant soon after the cameras spot smoke. Thats going to happen with no operator required, Keller said.

The employment of drones to aid public-safety first responders is a vastly growing market, Keller said. Here, the idea is to protect firefighters by at least partially suppressing new fires and giving crews more time to arrive. The Joint Economic Committee in Congress said in an October report that climate-exacerbated wildfires inflict costs of more than $400 billion a year in in the United States.

Kellers company won $28,000 in a previous round for his written proposal, funds that represent his budget for his system. Next he must present a video demonstration in the spring. If he advances, he will demonstrate his system live in 2026, he said. Contest organizers have withheld the exact location of the test for now to force contestants to design to cover the widest possible scenarios.

The organizer, the California Xprize Foundation, has hosted technology contests since the 1990s in areas such as space exploration, vehicular transportation, oil spill cleanup, water, food and health care. The firefighting contest has some big names behind it including the late Intel co-founder Gordon Moore.
New Delhi, Sep 2 : In an effort to advance digital connectivity and ensure equitable access to telecommunications services across all segments of society, the Centre on Monday said the first rules of the Telecom Act 2023, 'Digital Bharat Nidhi,' have now come into effect.

New Delhi, Sep 2 (IANS) In an effort to advance digital connectivity and ensure equitable access to telecommunications services across all segments of society, the Centre on Monday said the first rules of the Telecom Act 2023, aDigital Bharat Nidhi,a have now come into effect.

Union Minister of Communications, Jyotiraditya Scindia, said that new rules are a reflection of the governmentas commitment to ensure equal access to telecom services and, in turn, strengthen India's mission of becoming aViksit Bharat@2047a.

The Universal Service Obligation Fund created under the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885 has now been rechristened as aDigital Bharat Nidhi,a that addresses new areas in changing technological times.

The rules provide for powers and functions of administrator, who will be responsible for overseeing the implementation and administration of the aDigital Bharat Nidhia.

The rules also provide for criteria for undertaking schemes and projects under aDigital Bharat Nidhia and selection process for implementers.

According to new rules, the funds from the aDigital Bharat Nidhia will be allocated to projects aimed at improving telecommunication services in underserved and remote areas and for underserved groups of the society, such as, women, persons with disabilities and economically and socially weaker sections.

The schemes and projects funded under the aDigital Bharat Nidhia need to meet one or more of criteria stipulated in the rules.

These include projects for provision of telecommunication services, including mobile and broadband services and telecommunication equipment required for delivery of telecommunication services, and enhancing telecom security; improving access and affordability of telecom services and introduction of next generation telecommunication technologies in underserved rural, remote and urban areas, said the ministry.

The criteria for undertaking schemes and project under aDigital Bharat Nidhia also include promoting innovation, research and development and commercialisation of indigenous technology development and associated intellectual property including creation of regulatory sandboxes, where necessary.

These also include developing and establishing relevant standards to meet national requirements and their standardisation international standardisation bodies and encourage startups in telecommunications sector.
Los Angeles, Sep 2 : Hollywood star George Clooney has heaped praise on US President Joe Biden over the latter's decision to step down from the 2024 presidential race.

The actor attended the press event in Venice for his film 'Wolfs', and shared his opinion on Biden passing the baton to the current Vice President of the United States, Kamala Harris, reports Variety.

He said: "I've actually never had to answer that question so I suppose I will do it here. The person who should be applauded is the President, who has done the most selfless thing a President has done since George Washington."

"What should be remembered is the selfless act of someone who, it's very hard to let go of power  we know that, we've seen it all over the world  and for someone to say I think there's a better path forward, all the credit goes to him. And that's really the truth  I'm just very proud of where we are in the state of the world right now," he added.

During the event, he was also asked about Apple moving the film from a wide theatrical release to a limited one. He also brought up a New York Times report from last week by Nicole Sterling that he and Pitt were paid more than $35 million each.

"It was millions and millions of dollars less than what was reported," he said. "I think it's bad for our industry to have that be the standard."

As per Variety, on the changing state of the industry and moviegoing, he said that streaming is an absolute necessity.

"We need it. Our industry needs this. And (streamers) also benefit from having films released," he said. "But we haven't got it all figured out yet. This is a revolution in our industry. We need Apple and Amazon and they actually need distributors. They need to have Sony or Warner Bros, who have been doing this for 100 years."
Pune : , Sep 2 (IANS) The Pune Police have arrested at least three suspects in connection with the shocking murder of Vanraj B. Andekar, former Municipal Corporator of the Nationalist Congress Party, led by Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, officials said here on Monday.

Pune (Maharashtra), Sep 2 (IANS) The Pune Police have arrested at least three suspects in connection with the shocking murder of Vanraj B. Andekar, former Municipal Corporator of the Nationalist Congress Party, led by Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, officials said here on Monday.

Taken virtually by surprise, Andekar, 32, was targeted with at least five bullets and a chopper attack at around 9.30 p.m. on Sunday, when he stood chatting with a cousin outside his home in Inamdar Chowk.

He was rushed to the KEM Hospital but declared dead on admission and later his body was taken to the Sassoon General Hospital for an autopsy early on Monday, said Jt. Commissioner of Police Ranjan K. Sharma.

Moving swiftly, several police teams fanned out in different parts of the city and have apprehended at least three culprits who have been detained for interrogation.

Sharma said that as per preliminary information, Andekar succumbed to the stab injuries and not the bullets, but details would be clear only after the post-mortem report is received later in the day.

The CCTV footage of the chilling crime scene shows how at least 12-13 persons arrived on half a dozen motorcycles, one person in a yellow T-shirt openly brandishing a gleaming chopper, and his associates chased Andekar who had fled inside his home.

After the attack, lasting barely a minute as per the CCTV records, the assailants quickly sped off from the spot in different directions, as Pune reeled under the shock of another brazen murder in full public view.

"As per preliminary investigations, it is suspected that the murder could be the outcome of a family feud or business rivalry, but we cannot say more on the exact motives till the probe is completed," Sharma told mediapersons.

Though Andekar has a clean image, several other family members have police records for various crimes in the city, and some kin have dabbled in civic politics as municipal corporators.
Mumbai, Sep 2 : Veteran star Zeenat Aman said that 'meaningful relationships' have been difficult to come by because her public persona has always overshadowed her true self.

On a post on Instagram on Monday morning, Zeenat shared an old picture of herself from her younger days and wrote that "this Monday, a meditation on meaningful relationships."

The 72-year-old diva, who was first married to actor Sanjay Khan and was annulled in 1979, after he beat her and physically assaulted her, said that she has not had too many meaningful relationships.

"I didn't dwell on it when I was younger, but now I have been giving it some thought. There is a saying - it's lonely at the top. Well, it's lonely at the bottom too. I have experienced both," said the actress, who then got married to actor Mazhar Khan in 1985.

She added: "In my own private examination of my life, I have realised a crude truth. Meaningful relationships have been difficult to come by because my public persona has always overshadowed my true self."

She said that the "idea that people have of me has been something of a prison, even while it has been a privilege."

"With men, their intent was almost always obvious, which was flattering but ultimately shallow. And with women the nature of society, especially back in those days, forced comparisons that led to envy in one too many cases."

She then asked what is the measure of a meaningful relationship then?

For the actress, it is "when there is reciprocity."

"In celebrating each others successes, enduring the bad times together, being able to speak and receive home truths, and above all, reaching a point where your outward masks (and don't we all have them?) can be removed."

"Sadly, I have had limited success in this arena. The silver lining is that it has made me cherish those meaningful relationships I do have all the more. Perhaps I have bored you with this pontification, but it is followed by this one earnest wish - that each of you finds meaningful relationships, romantic or otherwise, to add brilliance to your lives."
Kolkata, Sep 2 : CBI officials are now closely examining some other rooms adjacent to the seminar hall, the reported spot of rape and murder of a junior doctor at R.G. Kar Medical College & Hospital here, to get additional clues about the crime.

Sources aware of the development said that bringing two other adjacent rooms and a washroom under the scanner is to ensure whether the seminar hall was really the scene of the crime or if the actual crime took place in any other room and then the body was dumped there.

One of the two rooms adjacent to the seminar hall which is under the scanner of CBI, was often used for the purpose of the medical examinations of the patients, as informed by the hospital authorities.

Sources added that the reason investigating officials have become especially inquisitive about the adjacent rooms is the attempted renovation at one such adjacent room by the state PWD staff on the evening of August 13 -- just hours after a division bench of Calcutta High Court ordered a CBI probe in the matter that very afternoon.

At the same time, sources said that the Central agency officials are also trying to figure out why no time was mentioned in the complaint letter from the members of the victimas family members, based on which the FIR was registered.

The time mentioned in the complaint letter is extremely crucial in such cases since from that, the investigators can have a clear idea of the gap between the time of submission of the complaint and the time of registering the FIR.

As reported by IANS earlier, the CBI officials are already investigating the time gap between the recovery of the victimas body at the seminar hall on the morning of August 9 and hospital authorities informing the local police.

As per records, the local Tala police station was informed about the recovery of the body at 10.10 a.m. The CBI officers, the sources said, are now trying to find out what took the hospital authorities 25 minutes to inform the police about such a serious matter.
New Delhi, Sep 2 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi is all set to launch the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) colossal membership drive on Monday. He will receive the certificate of the party's first member from BJP President JP Nadda, this evening.

The party's massive organisational exercise has been named 'Sangathan Parv - Sadasyata Abhiyaan 2004'.

Out of multiple available modes for gaining party membership, PM Modi is likely to opt for the missed call option. Many senior party leaders will subsequently take the party's membership, thereby kick-starting the massive organisational exercise to be carried out for the next two months.

BJP, the world's biggest party, has also unveiled a phone number -- 8800002024. A missed call on this number would enable the leaders, workers and volunteers to become a party member. NaMo App is another route via which leaders and workers can attain a party's membership and renew their association with the party.

Notably, BJP National Secretary Vinod Tawre, days ago in a Press conference explained the rationale behind BJP's membership drive that is undertaken after every five-six years.

'As part of the drive, all existing members of the party also have to renew their membership,' the senior BJP leader had informed.

Sharing details of the phase-wise drive, Vinod Tawde had told the Press that the first phase would run from September 2 to September 25 while the second phase would begin after a week-long gap and end on October 15.

He also gave the low-down on how the BJP became the world's largest party in 2014 after surpassing China's Communist Party and mentioned about Covid constraints which reportedly was the reason behind the truncated drive in 2019.

As per the BJP, the party had crossed a whopping figure of 11 crore mark, during the tenure of Amit Shah as party president. In 2019, the truncated drive saw more than 7 crore people taking part in the party's membership.

Meanwhile, Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath has called upon the BJP workers to make the mega drive a huge success. He said that it was a movement to bind the citizens with one common spirit of 'Nation First'.

CM Yogi taking to X wrote, "The Bharatiya Janata Party's membership drive starting today is a movement to connect the individual with the spirit of Nation First, the resolve to serve the people, the vow of Antyodaya and the vision of 'Developed India - Self-reliant India'."

He also appealed to BJP workers to ensure that the drive reaches every household and every family, ensuring that no one is left out.

"Come, let all of us workers of BJP make this national task successful with full energy and commitment by assimilating the mantra of 'Sabka Sath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas and Sabka Prayas' given by the respected Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Be careful that no house, no person, no class is left out. Long live Mother India!," he wrote further on X.
Seoul, Sep 2 : South Korean Health Minister Cho Kyoo-hong on Monday tried to soothe concerns about hospital emergency rooms, as some doctors have warned of a potential disruption of emergency care due to a prolonged walkout by trainee doctors.

"Although there are some difficulties, we believe that emergency rooms are capable of maintaining operations," Cho told an SBS radio, Yonhap news agency reported.

"The issues extend beyond emergency rooms to follow-up treatments, which were present even before the walkout by the medical community," Cho said. "This can be addressed through medical reform."

The minister added that the government will ensure 4,000 hospitals and clinics remain open over the Chuseok holiday.

With regard to a proposal by Han Dong-hoon, leader of the ruling People Power Party (PPP), to defer the medical school quota increase for 2026 to help break an impasse over the government's medical reform plan, Cho said the government cannot accept the proposal.

"If we defer the increase in the medical school quota for 2026, it will also delay achieving a balance between the supply and demand for doctors," Cho said.

The government has already finalised a plan to increase the medical school quota by about 1,500 students next year to address the shortage of doctors in essential services.

"Accepting (the proposal for delay) is not an option, as it could cause significant disruption to efforts aimed at bolstering essential medical services and improving regional health care," he added.

However, Cho reiterated that the government is open to negotiating with the medical community should they come up with a reasonable solution.

The medical community has been reiterating that the government should fully reconsider the hike before engaging in any negotiations.

Last month, hospitals processed the resignations of nearly 7,700 trainee doctors who have been protesting the medical school quota increase since February, allowing departing doctors to seek new jobs and enabling hospitals to recruit fresh trainees.

However, the government's efforts to normalise the medical system encountered obstacles, as the medical community largely resisted hospitals' attempts to recruit new trainees.
Dharamsala, Sep 2 : The Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) on Monday commemorated the 64th founding anniversary of the Tibetan Parliament-in-exile by acknowledging the US and Canada for advocating the right to self-determination.

The Kashag (executive) said in support of the aspirations of the Tibetan people, US President Joe Biden signed the "Promoting a Resolution to the Tibet-China Dispute Act" on July 12 this year.

The Act highlights that "the current policies of the People's Republic of China are systematically suppressing the ability of Tibetans to preserve their religion, culture, language, history, way of life, and environment".

The Kashag mentioned in its statement on His Holiness the Dalai Lama's 89th birthday that the Act recognises the US government's position on the historical status of Tibet that the Sino-Tibet dispute is unresolved and that it is the official policy of the US government to promote a negotiated resolution to the dispute through dialogue.

The Kashag also acknowledged the unanimous resolution passed by the Canadian Parliament on June 10. This resolution asserts that the Tibetan people and their country have the right to self-determination and are empowered to freely choose their economic, social, cultural, and religious policies without interference from any external power.

The resolution also condemned the Chinese government's systematic policy implementation of cultural assimilation against Tibetans.

"The aspiration of Tibetan people to preserve our national identity and to develop our own culture cannot be crushed by any form of brute force. More so, it is the important responsibility of Tibetans living in free countries to make every effort so that the Chinese government corrects and ends its misguided and repressive policies in Tibet," said the Kashag, urging every Tibetan to make collective efforts in unity.

"While we celebrate the Tibetan democracy day, we must also acknowledge that there is still considerable scope for improving our democratic system. In particular, it is the need of the hour to strengthen completion and effectiveness of the laws and regulations that ensure fairness and justice for all," it said.

The Dalai Lama, who along with many of his supporters fled the Himalayan homeland and took refuge in India when Chinese troops moved in and took control of Lhasa in 1959, views himself as a simple Buddhist monk.

He believes in a "middle-way" approach, meaning greater autonomy for Tibet rather than outright independence.

Reiterating its commitment to non-violence and to pursue the 'middle-way policy' -- the only way to resolve the China-Tibet conflict based on mutual benefit and negotiation -- the Tibetan government in exile, called the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA), has blamed Beijing for the lack of political will to continue with the dialogue process that has remained deadlocked since 2010.
Peshawar, Sep 2 : Pakistan is struggling to tackle and contain the spread of monkeypox (mpox) in the country as Peshawar, capital of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province, reported its fifth case, prompting provincial health authorities to intensify its battle against the virus.

The latest case surfaced among patients who have recently returned from the Gulf region. The 47-year-old man has been isolated by the Border Health Services staff and shifted to the Khyber Teaching Hospital (KTH).

The resurgence of mpox in KP and its provincial capital Peshawar has become a serious concern for the local government and the health authorities.

Shabana Saleem, the Federal Director General of Health with the World Health Organization, which had earlier declared mpox as a global health emergency, has warned that the resurgence of the virus in Peshawar is a serious concern and needs urgent and immediate action to prevent further transmission.

"This is the fifth mpox case reported in Pakistan this year and the fourth since WHO declared mpox a global health emergency. There is an immediate need for vigilance, particularly among travellers from the Gulf considering that Saudi Arabia has been identified as a potential point of exposure," said Saleem.

Health agencies are also taking urgent steps to do thorough screenings and apply screening protocols at airports across Pakistan.

"We are working in collaboration with the federal and provincial health officials in a coordinated effort to contain the virus. Authorities are working round the clock to ensure preventive measures and are ready to respond to any developments," said a federal government official.

However, a KTH health official stated that no locally transmitted cases have been recorded thus far.

"The Health Department has established a coordinated surveillance and response system to deal with the virus. An isolation ward has been established in all districts, and Rapid Response Teams have been formed in district health offices," said an official from the provincial health ministry.

According to the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Health Department, 20,901 people have been screened at the Bacha Khan International Airport in Peshawar while another 21,040 people checked at the Torkham Crossing with Afghanistan.

At the same time, the movement of locals working in the Gulf region, including Saudi Arabia, remains consistent in the province as they visit home during holidays.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province has proved to be a massive challenge for the government and health authorities for decades as majority of the locals refuse to accept vaccinations, including polio doses, from health workers and avoid immunization campaigns. The province is one of the world's few remaining places which still reports polio cases.

KP province, severely hit by terrorism, has also seen targeted attacks on health workers in the past, thus nullifying efforts to counter the spread of various viruses.
New Delhi, Sep 2 : A three-year-old child Anjali died and a 65-year-old woman was seriously injured in two separate incidents of attacks by wolves in Uttar Pradesh's (UP) Bahraich district in the wee hours of Monday.

At least eight children along with one woman have been killed and 50 people have been injured in repeated attacks by wolves in Bahraich district so far.

Despite the administration's claims of monitoring every inch of the area with special teams equipped with drones using unique technology and thermal imaging cameras, the cases of man-animal conflict are rising due to loss of habitat for wildlife and the wolves continue to attack local residents.

The 65-year-old woman was attacked by a wolf in the wee hours of Monday, resulting in severe injuries. She was transported to the medical college for treatment. The incident occurred at the Hardi police station in Mahsi, Bahraich.

The family members stated that the incident occurred when she had gone outside her house at night to answer natureas call.

Suddenly a wolf that had been lurking unseen attacked her.

Doctors treating the elderly woman in the emergency department of the medical college, said that her condition was stable.

The fresh incident has raised concerns among residents regarding the UP administrationas ability to bring the situation under control and put an end to the man-animal conflict and the resultant terror caused by the wolves.

In another incident in Bahraich district's Mahsi area, a toddler was killed by a wolf. Three-year-old Anjali was sleeping with her mother when the wolf stealthily took her away.

When the mother realised a bit later that her child was missing, she began shouting for help, which woke the villagers.

They started searching for the girl, and after some time, her lifeless body was found in a nearby sugarcane field.

Continuous attacks by the wolves have caused panic among the villagers and they are demanding speedy capture of the wild animals.

An official said out of a pack of six wolves, four have already been captured by the forest department under 'Operation Bhediya'.

UP Chief Minister, Yogi Adityanath, has instructed authorities to take action against the frequent wolf and leopard attacks in certain areas of the state.

He emphasised the importance of capturing and controlling these animals while also raising public awareness about safety measures.

The Forest Minister has been tasked with deploying senior officers to districts affected by man-animal conflicts and increasing personnel in areas such as Bahraich, Sitapur, Lakhimpur, Pilibhit, and Bijnor.

Joint patrolling by all relevant departments will be increased, and arrangements for Petromax lighting will be made in rural areas facing light-related issues.
Virginia Tech is working out plans for a $43 million expansion to the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine.

The universitys board of visitors recently passed a resolution to use $4.3 million to fund additional planning for the site, including new renderings. The project is included on the universitys six-year master plan, and a feasibility study was completed for the project in 2019.

The current facility was built in 1979, as the teaching clinic serving students at both Virginia Tech and the University of Maryland. Since that time, the number of students enrolled at the college has doubled and many new programs have been added, according to Daniel Givens, the dean of the veterinary school.

Weve introduced a lot of specialty programs and services, and a lot of new clinical programming, Givens told the Roanoke Times. And we need additional space to be able to perform those programs, and provide the level of care we provide, effectively.

Current plans for the project would add 32,000 square feet of additional space adjacent to the current clinic, as well as renovate 25,000 square feet of the existing campus, according to documents provided by the universitys Building and Grounds Committee.

Givens said that the planning phase for the construction is expected to take place over the next two years, at which point, he hopes construction will begin soon after.

Ahead of the board of visitors meeting on Wednesday, board members were taken on a tour of the current veterinary clinic to better understand the need for additions and renovation.

Donald Horsley, a board member, discussed the need for changes to the College of Veterinary Medicine during a Building and Grounds Committee meeting ahead of the full board meeting.

The current facility has outgrown its usefulness, Horsley said. Theres a lot going on there, and they need more space to be able to make it happen.

While the University of Maryland provides some funding for programming at the veterinary clinic, Virginia Tech owns the facility itself, and all decisions relating to construction rest solely with the Virginia Tech Board of Visitors.
Kottayam, Sep 2 : Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has ordered a probe into the allegations levelled by Left-backed Independent legislator P.V. Anvar against Kerala's Additional Director General of Police (ADGP), in charge of Law and Order, M.R. Ajith Kumar.

This comes hours after senior legislator and CPI(M) party's state secretary M.V. Govindan announced that the state government and the party will look into the issue with utmost seriousness.

CM Vijayan while speaking at a meeting of the Kerala Police held here said there are some "bad bugs" in the police.

"Of late there have been reports about some 'undesirable' happenings and I will make it very clear that such allegations will be probed at the highest level by an officer. The bad bugs in the police will be strongly dealt with," said CM Vijayan.

Meanwhile, Ajith Kumar, who was also present at the meeting chaired by CM Vijayan, later told the media, "I myself have given a letter to the Chief Minister and the State Police chief to see that a thorough probe is launched against the allegations that have come up against me".

Trouble began for Kumar on Sunday when Anvar alleged that he was acting like a criminal and that he (Ajith Kumar) had colluded in several illegal and shady dealings. The MLA also alleged that his (Ajith Kumar's) wife was also involved in the dealings.

The MLA 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.

On Monday Anvar again held a press meeting and reiterated his allegations against Ajith Kumar. Anvar alleged that the senior police officer had interfered in the Solar scam case against late Chief Minister Oommen Chandy (2011-16) when he influenced the 'victim', and his role surfaced in a murder case besides the rampant gold smuggling prevailing in north Kerala.

"I am now releasing an audio where a police official has spoken about the role played by Ajith Kumar in the various cases and it's crystal clear who this officer is and the way he has been running the police. Tomorrow I am meeting the Chief Minister and will give in writing everything that I have said against this officer," said Anvar.

Meanwhile, Anvar said he has applied for a gun license with the Malappuram collector.

"I already have a policeman's security and I don't need more security as I felt a gun will suffice and I will manage it on my own," said Anvar soon after he applied for the license.

Incidentally, early Monday morning state police chief Shaikh Darvaesh Saheb had a closed-door meeting at Kottayam with CM Vijayan who also handles the Home portfolio. This meeting took place hours before CM Vijayan was to chair a session of the top police officials in the state.

On Sunday, the two-time ruling front independent legislator Anvar apart from attacking Ajith Kumar also slammed the political secretary to CM Vijayan -- P. Sasi. Anvar alleged that Sasi had proved to be an absolute failure. But on Monday he was silent on Sasi.

Soon after CM Vijayan's statement, speculation is rife that Ajith Kumar will be removed from his present post. The names of H. Venkatesh and Balram Kumar Upadhyay have started taking rounds.
New Delhi, Sep 2 : A review petition has been filed in the Supreme Court against its recent verdict refusing to conduct NEET-UG 2024 exam afresh.

The review petition filed by one of the petitioners, under Article 137 of the Constitution, challenges the decision rendered on July 23, which had said that there was no "systemic leak of question paper" breaching the sanctity of the entire competitive exam.

Generally, review pleas are tested on very narrow grounds like mistakes of law, errors apparent on the face of the record, etc., and are often dismissed in chambers and are rarely given an open court hearing.

In its detailed judgment, a bench headed by CJI D.Y. Chandrachud said that it was mindful of the fact that directing a fresh exam would be replete with serious consequences for over two million students who had appeared for the NEET-UG exam held on May 5.

However, the bench, also comprising Justices J.B. Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, clarified that its order won't prevent authorities from taking action against candidates who had secured admission using malpractices.

Expanding the remit of the High-Level Committee of Experts constituted by the Centre in the wake of the NEET-UG examination controversy, the SC directed the expert panel to formulate a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) regarding the timeline for registration, change of exam centres, sealing of OMR sheets and other processes related to the conduct of exams.

"The report of the committee shall be submitted to the Union Ministry of Education by September 30. The Ministry of Education shall take a decision on the recommendations made by the committee within a period of one month from receiving the report," ordered the apex court.

The Union Ministry of Education established a seven-member expert panel -- headed by Dr K. Radhakrishnan, former Chairman of ISRO and Chairman, Board of Governors, IIT Kanpur -- to recommend effective measures for the conduct of transparent, smooth and fair examinations by the National Testing Agency (NTA).

The High-Level Committee of Experts was formed after the SC asked the Centre to detail the steps taken to ensure the sanctity of the NEET in the future.

The Supreme Court also deprecated the National Testing Agency's (NTA) decision to award compensatory marks to 1,563 students on account of loss of time, which was later recalled after several petitions were filed before the top court.

Further, it asked the NTA to re-tally the marks afresh given the opinion rendered by the expert panel of IIT Delhi in respect of a contentious physics question.

As many as 44 candidates were able to secure full marks because of NTA's decision to treat two options as the correct answers to the ambiguous question.
Mumbai, Sep 2 : The Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut claimed that Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis is 'ignorant' of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's history on the Surat raids and offered to send a 'masterji' to help polish his historical knowledge, here on Monday.

He was hitting out at the Bharatiya Janata Party leader for his allegations on Sunday that in his magnum opus, 'Discovery of India' (1946), India's first Prime Minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru had 'insulted' the Chhatrapati Shivaji by stating that he had looted Surat which was incorrect.

Raut pointed out that Nehru had already regretted the mention of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in his treatise, which was penned when he was jailed at the Ahmednagar Fort (1942-1945).

"Nehru was imprisoned at the time. He admitted that he lacked references and that was why he had written such things on the Chhatrapati. He even apologised and rectified it in the next edition. But this is a 70-year-old matter. The BJP is searching the pages of history to talk about irrelevant things. They should talk about their insults to the Chhatrapati by them today, instead of pouring into history books repeatedly," demanded Raut.

The war of words between the ruling MahaYuti and opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) continues a week after the Chhatrapati's 28-foot tall figurine crashed at Rajkot Fort in coastal Sindhudurg.

Two days after PM Narendra Modi tendered an apology for the disaster to save the MahaYuti's sinking image before the Assembly elections, the MVA has launched a fresh agitation around the state from September 1 on the issue.

At the MVA's full-throated and aggressive 'beat with shoes' crusade in Mumbai on Sunday, Fadnavis raked up the issue of Chhatrapati's plunders in Surat (1664 & 1670), describing them as insults meted out to the Maratha warrior king in Nehru's books, and demanded that the Congress-MVA should now apologise for it.

He also referred to other instances when the Congress had allegedly bulldozed a statue of the Chhatrapati in Madhya Pradesh and in Karnataka, and asked the party to say 'sorry', but the people of Surat (Gujarat) erected a statue of the great Maratha there.

Congress leader Pawan Khera rubbished Fadnavis saying that Nehru had admitted to the error and it was changed from the next edition onwards.

Terming Fadnavis as the 'chairman of the Aurangzeb fan club' Raut charged the BJP with trying to foment riots by raking up Hindu-Muslim, India-Pakistan all the time, "otherwise they cannot face the (Assembly) elections, which they have mentally 'lost' already".
Seoul, Sep 2 : South Korean police have launched a preliminary investigation into the instant messaging service platform Telegram on suspicions of abetting deep fake sex crimes, the chief police investigator said on Monday.

The move comes as South Korea scrambles to combat deep fake pornography targeting young women, including teenagers, which has been circulated online, Yonhap news agency.

"As France has done, the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency launched an internal investigation into the corporate entity of Telegram before officially booking it," said Woo Jong-soo, head of the National Office of Investigation.

"The charges are about abetting this crime," he said, referring to deep fake videos.

Last month, Pavel Durov, the founder of Telegram, was arrested in France as part of a preliminary investigation into alleged failures to prevent criminal uses of his platform.

Woo acknowledged potential challenges in the investigation, saying, "Telegram does not readily provide investigation data, such as account information, to us or other state investigative bodies, including those in the US."

The police plan to collaborate with French investigative authorities and international institutions to find methods for investigating Telegram, Woo noted.

It marks the first investigation into Telegram's corporate entity by the South Korean police.

According to police, a total of 88 deep fake sex crime reports were filed between last Monday and Thursday, and 24 individuals have been identified as suspects so far.

As part of the ongoing investigation, eight automated programs creating deep fake pornography for Telegram are under scrutiny, along with group chat rooms responsible for circulating such content.
Canberra, Sep 2 : A major search by sea, land and air is underway for a teenager who was swept away by a wave in South Australia (SA).

Mehdi Habibi, 17, was visiting Granite Island - a small island off the coast of the town of Victor Harbor approximately 70 kilometres south of the state capital of Adelaide - with family on Sunday when he was swept from rocks by a wave at approximately 3:15 p.m. local time, Xinhua news agency reported.

His disappearance triggered a major search and rescue operation that resumed on Monday morning after being suspended on Sunday night due to challenging conditions.

Speaking at a press conference on Monday, Sahil Habibi - the missing boy's younger brother - said he was with his brother on the southern side of the island when he was hit from behind by a giant wave.

"He slipped, he dipped under the water," he said.

Sahil said he saw his brother struggling in the water before vanishing.

Their aunt, Fahema Habibi, said the family was on the island - a popular spot for penguin spotting - for a picnic.

She said that Mehdi arrived in Australia seven months ago from Pakistan and was attending school in Adelaide.

"Everyone is worried, everyone is not sleeping," she said.

SA Police and PolAir were on Monday searching waters around the island using boats and several helicopters while police officers and volunteers from the State Emergency Service were conducting foot searches of the area.

"The search is ongoing this afternoon - conditions out there are not favourable - however, we will continue searching until we locate him," SA Police Inspector Gene Vaninetti said.

"The family is extremely devastated. They are on the island under the guidance of police, but naturally, they are devastated."

Granite Island has been closed to the public while the search is ongoing.
Imphal, Sep 2 : Security forces continued their joint combing operations on Monday in Manipur's Kangpokpi and Imphal West district, where suspected Kuki militants killed two people including a woman, injured ten others and burnt many abandoned houses at Koutruk and neighbouring Kadangband villages.

A police officer said that combing operations and area domination marches were being conducted by the central and state security forces in both the fringe and vulnerable areas of hill and valley districts.

So far no one has been arrested in connection with Sunday's attack.

The officer said that the militants on Sunday attacked the unarmed villagers using drones, bombs and many sophisticated weapons.

He said that Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) and Manipur Police Commandos launched a combing operation in Imphal West and adjoining Kangpokpi districts immediately after the militants gunned down two persons, including a 32-year-old woman and shot at ten others, including the slain woman's 8-year-old daughter.

He said that as the villagers fled to safer places, the guerrillas dropped several powerful bombs using drones.

Police said that two police personnel, a local TV journalist, who was covering the incident at Koutruk, were hit by the bombs.

An outpost of the Manipur armed police, set up for the protection of the villagers from attacks by extremists, was burnt down by Kuki militants on Sunday.

The non-tribal Meitei community dominated Koutruk village is located around 16 km from the state capital Imphal.

The village, which is surrounded by Kuki community people has witnessed many attacks since ethnic violence started in Manipur on May 3 last year.

After a lull of many weeks, Sunday's militant attacks caused widespread panic among the Meitei community people, while men, women, children and elderly people fled to safer locations.

Immediately after the attack on Sunday, Manipur Director General of Police, Rajiv Singh, sent urgent messages to the Superintendents of Police of all 16 districts and directed them 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 Home Department statement said that such attacks on unarmed villagers were viewed very seriously by the government when the Manipur government is making all possible efforts towards bringing normalcy and peace in the state.

Noting that such an act of creating havoc among the unarmed villagers is seen as an attempt to derail the efforts taken by the state government to establish peace in the state, the statement said.

A Manipur Police statement said that in an unprecedented attack in Koutruk village, Kuki militants deployed numerous Rocket Propelled Grenades using high-tech drones.

"While drone bombs have commonly been used in general warfare, 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," the statement said.

It said that the authorities were closely monitoring the situation, and the police were prepared to respond to any contingency that may arise.

Police appealed to the general public to maintain restraint. Combing operations are going on to flush out any inimical elements, the statement added.
Kolkata, Sep 2 : Trinamool Congress, on Monday, afternoon announced the suspension of Atish Sarkar from Ashoknagar in North 24 Parganas district, over his derogatory remarks targeting the mothers and sisters of those protesting against the rape and murder of a junior doctor at R.G. Kar Medical College & Hospital here.

A video on this count went viral, where Sarkar said at a public meeting in his locality threatening to circulate morphed and distorted pictures of the mothers and sisters of those "trying to malign the image of the West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee" in the name of protest on the R.G. Kar issue.

"Remember, our Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee advised us to hiss at times. If we start hissing, you will not be able to come out of your houses," he was heard saying at a public meeting in his locality in the video which went viral.

IANS, however, was unable to check the authenticity of the video.

Soon after that, Trinamool Congress leader Kunal Ghosh issued a statement on his official X handle, where he said that Trinamool Congress condemns the comments made by the party leader for his derogatory comments concerning the pictures of mothers and sisters.

"He has been identified and the leadership has decided to suspend him from the party for a year," added Ghosh in his statement.

On Sunday morning four-time Trinamool Congress Lok Sabha member Dr Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar, a medical practitioner in private life, issued a statement tendering apology for her recent derogatory comments that she made about female doctors while participating at a recent panel discussion on the ghastly rape and murder of the junior doctor.

Participating in that panel discussion organised by a vernacular television channel, she claimed that there was a trend during her days as a medical student where female students secured qualifying marks by sitting in the lap of teaching doctors.

In the face of all-round criticisms, she finally tendered an apology and withdrew the statement.
Vladivostok, Sep 2 : The bodies of all 22 victims killed in the Mi-8 helicopter crash in Russia's Kamchatka region have been found, the local government officials revealed on Saturday afternoon.

"In half an hour, the Russian Emergencies Ministry helicopter will pick up the rescuers from the crash site of the Mi-8 Vityaz-Aero aircraft. The bodies of the victims have been found and handed over to the forensic medical examination authorities. The search and rescue operation has been completed," the Minister of Emergency Situations of Kamchatka Krai, Sergei Lebedev posted on social media.

Lebedev said that a hotline with psychological assistance is in operation for families and friends of the victims.

"Once again, I thank everyone who took part in the search and rescue operation - rescuers, pilots, volunteers, rangers, all-terrain vehicle drivers. Thank you, colleagues. Kamchatka is a united and friendly family. And today there is grief in our family. My sincere condolences to the relatives of the victims. I share the bitterness of loss," the minister wrote.

Kamchatka Krai Governor Vladimir Solodov has also declared September 3 a day of mourning in memory of the crash victims.

Meanwhile, citizens of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky City, the administrative centre of Kamchatka Krai, continue to lay flowers at an impromptu memorial to those killed in the plane crash on August 31.

"A terrible tragedy has taken the lives of young, active people who were passionate about the nature of Kamchatka. Each life is an irreparable loss that echoes with pain in the hearts of the residents of both the city and the entire region. A misfortune that will be impossible to forget. Relatives, loved ones, friends and colleagues need strength to survive this terrible grief. We mourn together with you," said the city head Konstantin Bryzgin.

On August 31, a helicopter carrying 22 people went missing near the Vachkazhets volcano in the Russian Far East's Kamchatka region.

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 failed to respond to a scheduled call at around 7:15 am, Moscow time, on Saturday.

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.

The wreckage of the missing helicopter, located at an altitude of 900 metres near the place where the pilots last contacted each other, was found the next day by the search teams from the air.

In August 2021, another Mi-8 helicopter crashed into a lake in Kamchatka when there was poor visibility, leading to the death of eight people out of 16 on board.
Wellington, Sep 2 : New Zealanders started to vote for the 2024 'Bird of the Year' title on Monday, an annual event to raise awareness about the protection of native birds.

More than 80 per cent of New Zealand's native birds are at risk or threatened with extinction, according to Forest & Bird, New Zealand's independent wildlife conservation organisation, and the organiser of the event, Xinhua news agency reported.

The campaign running for two weeks calls on Kiwis to vote for their top five birds, with the winner to be announced on September 16.

Votes can be cast on the Bird of the Year website. Around 60 volunteer campaign managers have signed up to advocate for 74 avian candidates in total, said a statement by Forest & Bird.

The annual Bird of the Year contest was temporarily rebranded as 'Bird of the Century' in 2023 to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Forest & Bird.

The puteketeke Australasian crested grebe won the Bird of the Century title in 2023.

New on the ballot in 2024 is the Adelie penguin, backed by Antarctica New Zealand.

More than one-third of the global Adelie population live in New Zealand's home in Antarctica -- the Ross Sea region.

"These penguins not only wear the most adorable tuxedos but are also invaluable science ambassadorsa They can tell us so much about our climate, and the Antarctic ecosystem," said Annie Robertson from Antarctica New Zealand.

The Adelie penguin will have tough competition from 2019 Bird of the Year winner Hoiho, the yellow-eyed penguin.
Aden, Sep 2 : A merchant vessel came under attack approximately 70 nautical miles (about 130 km) northwest of Saleef, Yemen, reported the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) on Monday.

Aden, Sep 2 (IANS) A merchant vessel came under attack approximately 70 nautical miles (about 130 km) northwest of Saleef, Yemen, reported the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) on Monday.

According to the agency, the master of the affected vessel said that the ship was struck by two unknown projectiles, prompting immediate damage control measures.

It added that a third explosion was heard close to the vessel, further escalating the emergency, Xinhua news agency reported.

Despite the attack, there were no reported casualties among the crew.

In response to the attack, the UKMTO has issued an advisory to all vessels transiting the area, urging them to proceed with caution and report any suspicious activity.

The attack occurred amid rising tensions in the region, particularly in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, where Houthi rebels from Yemen have been targeting commercial ships in recent months. While no group has yet claimed responsibility for the latest incident, it bears similarities to previous Houthi attacks on maritime traffic, according to Yemeni officials.

The Houthi-launched maritime attacks are part of a series of assaults by Houthi forces on ships in the Red Sea. The group claims these actions are in solidarity with Palestinians amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.

In response to the Houthi maritime attacks, the US-led naval coalition operating in the region has stepped up strikes on Houthi military sites. However, this has only spurred the tit-for-tat exchanges, with the Houthis vowing to continue targeting vessels they claim are linked to Israel.
Mumbai, Sep 2 : Actor Meet Sadhwani, who has made his acting debut with the recently released series 'IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack' has reflected upon his experience of working with Manoj Pahwa, Kumud Mishra, Arvind Swamy and Dibyendu Bhattacharya.

The 23-year-old Meet plays the role of Barkazai, an Afghan interpreter dedicated to his nationas well-being. Barkazai works under the Taliban's Foreign Minister, Muttawakkil, with a simple agenda: to ensure that no non-Islamic acts occur on Afghan soil. His character's interactions with the negotiators are a highlight of the show, bringing depth and nuance to a story that balances intense drama with cultural authenticity.

Speaking about working with the cast of the show, Meet shared: "Manoj Pahwa is a man who loves his food and his work. Watching him deliver was like an acting class every day. Kumud, a revered name in theatre, taught me to akeep my senses open and flow,a making my job much easier."

He further said: "Arvind Swamy, whom we've all adored since the days of 'Roja', showed unmatched sincerity and diligence in his role. I even shared with him how much my dad adores him and his characters. And Dibyendu, with his jovial nature, kept the set lively and was always curious about my beardas texture--a testament to his attention to detail," he said.

Reflecting on his debut, Meet commented: "I am incredibly honored to have this as my first role. Working with Anubhav Sinha has been transformative. He taught me that in the name of creative liberty, we cannot distort the truth because future generations will see this piece of art and believe what we say. Iam grateful for the opportunity to bring this story to life with such a talented team."

"This was a dream debut with a dream cast-- legends coming together for 'IC 814', and Iam just ever so grateful to Anubhav Sinha and Mukesh Chhabra for trusting me with Barkazai as my first character," he added.

The show follows the story of the hijack of the Indian Airlines Flight 814 by the Pakistani militants of the terrorist outfit Harkat-ul-Mujahideen.

Directed by Anubhav Sinha, aIC814a brings together industry stalwarts like Naseeruddin Shah and Pankaj Kapur, along with an ensemble cast--Patralekha, Dia Mirza, Pooja A Gor, Anupam Tripathi, Yashpal Sharma, Arvind, Dibyendu, Kumud and Manoj.

Produced by Matchbox Shots, and Benaras Mediaworks, aIC814a is streaming on Netflix.
Srinagar, Sep 2 : Omar Abdullah, the former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister and Vice-President of the National Conference (NC), said on Monday that the separatists now joining the elections has vindicated the stand of the party that violence can achieve nothing.

Speaking to reporters in the Kangan Assembly constituency of Ganderbal district, where the NC has fielded Mian Meher Ali, the son of senior Gujjar leader and Lok Sabha member, Mian Altaf Ahmad, Omar Abdullah said that the decision of separatist leaders to join mainstream politics and contest elections in Jammu and Kashmir indicates an ideological change in the secessionist camp.

"Earlier, the separatists would raise the boycott bogey, whenever, elections were held. Today they are contesting elections."

"It shows that there has been an ideological change. This has vindicated the stand of the NC that violence will not resolve any issues."

"We have maintained it all along that whatever we can achieve will be achieved through democratic ways. If the separatists have developed faith in democracy, it is an achievement for us irrespective of which political party they join," he added.

When a reporter asked him whether the joining of the People's Democratic Party (PDP) by separatist leader, Syed Saleem Geelani, proves that the separatists had supported the PDP in previous elections, Omar Abdullah said, "If you want to create a rift by making me answer this question, I am not answering it."

He also referred to the statement of the then J&K Governor Satya Pal Malik on the appointment of Ram Madhav to oversee the BJP election campaign in the Union Territory.

Omar Abdullah said former J&K Governor Malik had very close ties with the ruling party at the Centre.

"He would know better, he was sent here by the BJP and whatever happened in 2019, happened under his watch," he added.

Asked if Ram Madhav was sent to Jammu and Kashmir to stitch up an alliance with the PDP, Omar Abdullah said only the BJP can say anything on this with authority.

"However, there are no two opinions that Madhav has best relations with the PDP. And he brought the PDP and the BJP on the same platform in 2014 to form an alliance. Perhaps, he has been brought back for the same purpose again," he added.

It must be recalled that Satya Pal Malik had accused Ram Madhav of trying to mediate a money desk for Malik to sign a file when he was the Jammu and Kashmir Governor.

Interestingly, Malik did not say this during his tenure as the Jammu and Kashmir Governor nor did he take any action against those he claimed to have offered him bribe during his gubernatorial tenure here.
New Delhi, Sep 2 : The Congress's Central Election Committee (CEC) on Monday finalised the list of 23 candidates for the 2nd & 3rd phases of the J&K Assembly polls.

Talking to reporters after the four-hour-long meeting in the national capital, the party's Jammu and Kashmir unit President, Tariq Hameed Karra said that a threadbare discussion on 29 seats going to polls in the 2nd and 3rd phases.

"We were asked to share more details about one of the six seats going to polls in the 2nd phase and about five seats out of 23 going to polls in the 3rd phase, he said, adding that a list of candidates for 23 seats has been finalised, comprising 5 for the 2nd phase and 18 for the 3rd phase.

Details for one of the seats sought by the CEC will be shared by this evening, and for the five seats going to polls in 3rd phase will be shared through the state President's office, he said.

Karra said that the list of candidates who are contesting in the 2nd phase will be announced first.

The Congress, which has entered into a pre-poll alliance with the National Conference for the Jammu and Kashmir polls, had announced 9 candidates for the first phase on August 27. While the NC will contest from 52 seats, the Congress will fight for 31 seats. Besides, there will be a friendly contest in five seats - Nagrota, Bhaderwah, Doda, and Banihal in the Jammu division and the Sopore in the Valley. Both parties have left one seat for the CPI-M in the Valley and one for the Panthers Party in the Jammu division.

The Awami Itihad Party (AIP), headed by incarcerated Lok Sabha member, Engineer Rashid is also expected to release its list of candidates on Monday. The party has, however, already announced that Khursheed Ahmad Sheikh, brother of Engineer Rashid, will stand from the Langate Assembly seat in Kupwara district. Engineer Rashid has represented this Assembly seat twice.

The three-phase election to the 90-member Assembly will be held on September 18, and 25, and October 1. Counting of votes will take place on October 8.
New Delhi, Sep 2 : The Central Election Committee (CEC) of the Congress on Monday finalised the list of 24 candidates for the second and third phase of Assembly polls in Jammu and Kashmir scheduled to be held on September 25 and October 1, respectively.

According to a notification issued by Congress General Secretary K.C. Venugopal, the following six candidates will contest the second phase of the Assembly elections to be held on September 25:

Tariq Hameed Karra (Central Shalteng)

Mumtaz Khan (Reasi)

Bhupender Jamwal (Shri Mata Vaishno Devi)

Iftkar Ahmed (Rajouri, ST)

Shabir Ahmad Khan (Thannamandi, ST)

Mohd Shahnawaz Choudhary (Surankote, ST)

The names of candidates for the third phase are yet to be announced.

Talking to reporters after the four-hour long meeting of the CEC here, Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) chief Tariq Hameed Karra said that discussion on the 29 seats going to the polls in these two phases was held threadbare.

aWe were asked to share more details about one out of the six seats going to the polls in the second phase and about five out of the 23 seats where polling will be held in the third phase. The list of candidates for 24 seats has been finalised, including six for the second phase and 18 for the third phase. Details of the seats sought by the CEC will be shared by the evening," Karra said.

The Congress has entered into a pre-poll alliance with the National Conference for the Assembly polls in Jammu and Kashmir.

Accordingly, the National Conference will contest 52 seats, while the Congress will field candidates in 31 seats.

Besides, there will be a friendly contest in the five seats of Nagrota, Bhaderwah, Doda and Banihal in Jammu division, and Sopore in the Valley.

Both parties have left one seat for the CPI-M in the Valley and one for the Panthers Party in the Jammu division.

The Awami Itihad Party (AIP) headed by incarcerated Lok Sabha member Engineer Rashid is also expected to release its list of candidates on Monday.

The party has already announced that Khursheed Ahmad Sheikh, the brother of Engineer Rashid, will contest the Langate Assembly seat in Kupwara district.

Engineer Rashid represented the seat twice in the past.
Thiruvananthapuram, Sep 2 : The Congress and the BJP on Monday demanded the resignation of Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan after the Left Democratic Front-backed independent legislator P.V. Anvar levelled serious allegations against the Chief Minister's Office and the Additional Director General of Police (ADGP), M.R. Ajith Kumar.

Leader of Opposition (LoP) V.D. Satheesan hit out at Chief Minister Vijayan and said that serious allegations had been levelled by CPI(M)-backed MLA Anvar such as murder, gold smuggling and tapping of phones of officials and politicians involving the CM's office.

"This is the second round of accusations being levelled against the undesirable things taking place in the office of CM Vijayan. A few years back we all heard his office was involved in gold smuggling and his then-principal secretary, a top bureaucrat, landed in jail. Now we hear the same thing is happening and mind you it's not the Opposition which is levelling these things. Vijayan has no moral right to continue," said Satheesan, and demanded a CBI probe into the revelations by MLA Anvar.

State BJP President K. Surendran has said the Pinarayi Vijayan government has lost its moral authority to remain in power.

"MLA PV Anwar's shocking revelations about the Chief Minister's office being involved with smugglers, criminals, and drug mafias cannot be ignored. Why is the CM silent? Why is there no action against those accused, including the ADGP? If these allegations are baseless, why hasn't the government acted against Anvar? Kerala deserves answers, not silence," State BJP President Surendran added.

On Sunday and Monday, MLA Anvar held successive press conferences and criticised ADGP Ajith Kumar and also the political secretary of Vijayan -- P. Sasi.

MLA Anvar while stating that Sasi had been a failure in not doing his job properly, also slammed Ajith Kumar and alleged that he was acting like a criminal and that he (Ajith Kumar) had colluded in several illegal and shady dealings.

The MLA also alleged that his (Ajith Kumar's) wife was also involved in the shady dealings.

He 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, MLA Anvar leaked a recorded telephonic conversation between him and Pathanamthitta Superintendent of Police, Sujith Das and on Monday, a fresh audio was released by him which shows a police official clearly explaining the role of Ajith Kumar in gold smuggling.

He also added how Ajith Kumar played truant in the solar scam case probe and was tapping the phones of important politicians.

With the CPI-M in the dock, it was the State CPI-M Secretary M.V. Govindan on early Monday morning announced that the party and the government will take swift action and two hours later CM Vijayan ordered a probe into the allegations that MLA Anvar levelled against Ajith Kumar.

CM Vijayan, while speaking at a meeting of the Kerala Police, said there were some "bad bugs" in the police.

"Of late there have been reports about some 'undesirable' happenings and I will make it very clear that such allegations will be probed at the highest level by an officer. The bad bugs in the police will be strongly dealt with," said Vijayan.

Meanwhile, Ajith Kumar, who was also present at the meeting chaired by CM Vijayan, later told the media, "I myself have given a letter to the Chief Minister and the State Police Chief to see that a thorough probe is launched against the allegations that have come up against me."

With the Opposition taking up this issue in a big way, Ajith Kumar is all likely to be shifted and all eyes are on what would be the fate of Sasi.
Bengaluru, Sep 2 : The Karnataka High Court on Monday adjourned the hearing of the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) case, which allegedly involves Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, till September 9.

The court also continued its interim order, providing relief to the Chief Minister until then.

The bench passed the order after Advocate General Shashikiran Shetty requested more time to present his important arguments. Senior Counsel Abhishek Manu Singhvi, representing CM Siddaramaiah, also requested the court to allow him to present his arguments on September 12, to which the bench agreed.

Earlier, in an attempt to establish the alleged involvement of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in irregularities related to the MUDA case, senior counsel K.G. Raghavan, appearing for petitioner Snehamayi Krishna, submitted to the Karnataka High Court that these irregularities occurred during Siddaramaiah's tenure as Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister of the state.

Raghavan pointed out that the bench, headed by Justice M. Nagaprasanna, had asked the counsels to establish the link between CM Siddaramaiah and the case, and he would argue in that direction. "The rules were bent at will throughout to facilitate the allotment of sites to the CMas wife. How can the de-notification rules of 2015 be applied to land acquired in 1998?" he questioned.

He further argued, "A person who is not the owner submitted an application for the de-notification of the land. CM Siddaramaiahas family is not eligible to receive even a single site in this case. Land of minimal value was compensated with sites of the highest value. When all this was taking place, Siddaramaiah was in the position of CM or Deputy CM."

Raghavan referred to Section 7C of the Prevention of Corruption Act, stating that it clearly defines it as a crime to avail oneself of unnecessary benefits. The act is intended to bring sanctity to public administration. "Even if something is not illegal, any attempt to influence makes it a crime. The government formed a commission to look into the matter, considering that an investigation was necessary. In this context, the order of the Governor is appropriate," he stated.

He also submitted that a landowner named Devaraju, who transferred his ownership rights to his brother Mylarappa, applied for de-notification and then sold the land to CMas brother-in-law, Mallikarjun Swamy and hence the matter needs to be probed.

The bench asked counsel Raghavan whether this was the only piece of land denotified. The counsel submitted that, according to their information, this was the only de-notification that took place at that time. "In the case of a common man, alternative sites would not have been provided, and they would have been asked to prove ownership," he emphasised.

"One mistake is understandable; however, repeated mistakes indicate malice. How many more points are needed for an investigation?" he questioned.
New Delhi, Sep 2 : The expulsion of Congress leader Simi Rosebell John from the party over her shocking 'disclosures' about the casting couch situation in the Kerala unit has given fresh ammo to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to train guns on its 'autocracy and intolerance'.

BJP national spokesperson Shazia Ilmi on Monday tore into the Congress, mocking party General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi's 'Ladki hoon, Lad sakti hoon' slogan and also asked whether it was merely for political posturing.

Speaking to IANS, Shazia Ilmi said that the Congress party rather than interrogating the case chose to punish her by showing the door.

Ilmi further said that the party instead of paying heed to her complaints went to silence and suppress the voice of its functionary, who spoke up against atrocities on women leaders in its Kerala unit.

"A woman leader went on record to narrate her ordeal at the hands of male counterparts in the Kerala Congress unit. She explained how women leaders are subjected to harassment and exploitation in the party but the party high command neither took cognizance of her complaints nor initiated any probe, rather it silenced her voice by expelling her from the party," Ilmi said.

Simi Rosebell John, a Kerala Congress leader was expelled from the party on Sunday following her remarks on the state of women leaders in the Congress state unit, while speaking to a private TV channel.

She reportedly claimed that the women's situation in the party's state unit was 'no less than' casting couch, however, soon after her 'disclosures', she was shown the door.

Kerala Congress, in a clarification, said that the leader in question was trying to harass and defame women leaders and workers, allegedly at the behest of some political adversaries.

Earlier in the day, former Union Minister Rajeev Chandrashekhar also hit out at the Congress over its selective silence on matters concerning the party and its allies.

"Look at the Congress' level of politics. Before elections, they make tall claims on many issues and take moral high ground but after that, they go on silencing the voice of whistleblowers," he said.
Pune, Sep 2 : After the overwhelming success of the inaugural Indian Supercross Racing League (ISRL) season, the second season of the league is set to break new ground, attracting an impressive 145 riders from around the world. The auction for Season 2 of the ISRL is expected to be held in October.

The response has been nothing short of extraordinary, with athletes from the USA, Spain, France, Germany, Sweden, South Africa, Australia, Thailand, Indonesia, and India joining the fray. There has been a notable increase in the registration of Indian-origin riders compared to Season 1, highlighting how more and more domestic athletes view the ISRL as a premier platform to showcase their skills and compete on an international level.

Season 2 will see the return of fan favourites like 9x Australian Champion - Matt Moss, Reid Taylor, MxON World Champion - Jordi Tixier, and Asia Motocross Champion - Thanarat Penjan.

New faces, including AMA Pro Motocross Champion - Mike Alessi, French Supercross Champion - Greg Aranda, French Motocross Champion - Maxime Desprey, and Australian Motocross Champion - Luke Clout, will also join the league, bringing fresh energy and competition.

Indian talent is equally well-represented, with riders like 3x Indian Supercross Champion - Rugved Barguje, Indian Supercross Champions Shlok Ghorpade, and Ikshan Shanbhag ready to make their mark.

Eeshan Lokhande, Co-founder & Director of the ISRL, shared his enthusiasm for the upcoming season: "The response to Season two has been phenomenal. We are witnessing a new era in Indian motorsports, where the ISRL is not just a platform for international talent but also a catalyst for the growth of Supercross in India. Our goal is to elevate the sport further and deliver a season that is bigger, bolder, and faster, captivating fans around the world."

Matt Moss, 9x Australian Champion said, "Season 1 was a fantastic experience for me, both on and off the track. Travelling to India was definitely a cultural shock, but in the best possible waythe people were amazing, and the hospitality was second to none. The racing itself was really competitive and enjoyable.

"As we head into season 2, I'm confident that any small issues from the first season will be ironed out, making it even better. I'm especially excited to see the increased competition with more riders from the USA, France, and Australia joining in. I can't wait to get back out there and see what Season 2 has in store!" Matt Moss said.

The ISRL second season is scheduled from January to March 2025 across multiple rounds in various Indian cities.
Mumbai, Sep 2 : More than half of the investors in initial public offerings (IPOs) between April 2021 and December 2023 sold the shares within a week of listing, a study by the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) revealed on Monday.

In light of the increasing participation of retail investors and the heightened oversubscription in recent IPOs, the markets regulator conducted an in-depth study to analyse investor behaviour in Main Board IPOs.

It found "Flipping" behaviour among individual investors who sold 50 per cent of the shares allotted to them by value within a week of listing, and 70 per cent of shares by value within a year.

The SEBI study found a strong disposition effect, with investors showing a greater propensity to sell IPO shares that posted positive listing gains, compared to those that listed at a loss.

"When IPO returns exceeded 20 per cent, individual investors sold 67.6 per cent of the shares by value within a week. In contrast, only 23.3 per cent of shares by value were sold when returns were negative," the markets regulator observed.

Nearly half of the demat accounts that applied for IPOs between April 2021 and December 2023 were opened during the post-COVID period.

According to the study, the period between April 2021 and December 2023 saw a total of 144 new companies making their debut on the in the stock market through main board IPOs.

At least 26 of such offerings saw their stock price surge more than 50 per cent on the day of listing.

There were more than 90 IPOs that saw subscription in excess of 10 times with a mere two IPO remaining undersubscribed, the study noted.

After the RBI guidelines on IPO financing by NBFCs, over-subscription in the NII category halved, from 38 times to 17 times, according to the SEBI study.

The average application from Non-Institutional Investor (NII) category seeking over Rs 1 crore in IPOs fell from approximately 626 per IPO to around 20 per IPO, after SEBI's policy interventions in the NII share allotment process.
New Delhi, Sep 2 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday launched the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) national membership campaign 'Sangthan Parv, Sadasyata Abhiyan 2024' from the party headquarters here.

New Delhi, Sep 2 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday launched the Bharatiya Janata Partyas (BJP) national membership campaign 'Sangthan Parv, Sadasyata Abhiyan 2024' from the party headquarters here.

PM Modi also became the first member of the BJP for the campaign by giving a missed call to 8800002024, followed by receiving an SMS from the party to complete his membership registration.

The launch marked the beginning of BJPas 'Sanghatan Parva, Sadasyata Abhiyan 2024' aimed at expanding its membership nationwide.

Party President J.P. Nadda endorsed PM Modi's membership, setting the stage for a nationwide drive.

Following PM Modias registration, other senior leaders, including Home Minister Amit Shah and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, also enrolled as BJP members.

Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, along with prominent figures such as Piyush Goyal, Bhupendra Yadav, Shivraj Singh Chauhan, and BJP General Secretary Vinod Tawde, were among the attendees at the event.

The campaign also includes outreach efforts to sign up veteran leaders like L.K. Advani and Murli Manohar Joshi.

Addressing the gathering, Amit Shah praised the BJPas democratic approach to membership, contrasting it with other political parties of the country.

He also highlighted the partyas record and expressed confidence that the BJP would surpass its previous membership numbers, aiming for over 10 crore members.

The Home Minister also cited major achievements of the Modi government, including the construction of Ram temple in Ayodhya, the abrogation of Article 370, and the development of the Kashi Vishwanath Corridor.

He underscored that the membership drive was integral to BJPas vision of a developed India.

J.P. Nadda emphasised that the BJP requires all its members to renew their membership every six years, adhering to its democratic principles.

The campaign is structured in phases: The first phase will conclude on September 25, followed by the second phase from October 1 to 15, and an active membership drive from October 16 to 31. The campaign will set membership targets for each unit, from booth to state levels, based on the party's performance in the recent elections.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh acknowledged the erosion of public trust in leaders, but highlighted PM Modias commitment to integrity and transparency, which has guided the partyas approach to politics and governance.

The first 15 days of the campaign will focus on door-to-door outreach in every booth before moving on to larger public activities.
Mumbai, Sep 2 : The Congress on Monday asked the Maharashtra government to send immediate aid to flood-hit Marathwada districts, which have been severely hit by heavy and torrential rains disrupting daily life.

Roads and bridges have been washed away which has cut off many villages in Marathwada from the rest of the region.

The floodwaters have destroyed standing crops in the fields, causing a loss of the Kharif season.

Hundreds of livestock have been swept away while rivers and streams are overflowing.

Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee President Nana Patole has demanded that the government put aside events and advertisements and urgently provide aid to the flood-affected people of Marathwada.

Patole said that for the past two days, the districts of Nanded, Parbhani, Hingoli, Beed, Dharashiv, and Latur in Marathwada have experienced torrential rains.

Thousands of houses have been flooded, causing chaos among the residents, and many homes have collapsed.

"Marathwada is surrounded by flood water. The flood-affected people are in dire need of help, and the state government must take this situation seriously. Arrangements should be made to ensure that government assistance reaches the flood victims promptly. Wherever necessary, SDRF/NDRF teams should be deployed. Orders should be issued for assessing damaged crops, but before that, immediate assistance should be announced and disbursed to the flood-affected and those who have suffered losses," he added.

Patole said that the affected people should be relocated to safe places and all necessary arrangements should be made.

All government machinery needs to be mobilised immediately to support the people and ensure that all forms of aid reach them.

"The situation in Hingoli city and several villages has become critical due to flooding. The government should immediately issue orders to provide maximum assistance to the flood-affected areas. The guardian Ministers have not yet reached the affected districts. The government should work faster to help the flood victims and farmers than it does for its favourite industrialists and contractors," he added.
Colombo, Sep 2 : Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe said on Monday that the government is planning to establish a National Wealth Fund using government assets, similar to investment companies created by countries like Norway, Qatar, and Singapore, where profits from government revenues are used for public welfare.

Noting that he took control of the country during an economic collapse and made "difficult decisions" to rebuild it, Wickremesinghe also emphasised that without the patience shown by the people of Sri Lanka, the island nation could have faced a fate similar to Bangladesh today.

"If people had taken to the streets to govern the country, Sri Lanka could have faced the same fate as Bangladesh today. Rebuilding the economy required making difficult and unpopular decisions, including necessary steps in consultation with the International Monetary Fund (IMF)," the Lankan President said during an event in Colombo on Monday where he launched a new retirement insurance system for the elderly.

"At one point, buying a vehicle, a house, or modern appliances seemed like an unattainable dream for many. However, we have overcome those challenging times, and with the economy now stabilized, the people's purchasing power has increased, which in turn is expected to fuel the growth of small businesses and attract investors," he added.

The Lankan President said that his government has also initiated a programme to grant rights to the people, starting with the decision to issue freehold deeds to secure land rights.

As part of this effort, two million freehold deeds are being distributed. Another scheme has also been launched to provide Colombo urban flats to people free of charge, and plans are in place to create estate villages in the upcountry, offering each family a plot of seven perches.

"This process of transferring rights to the people is progressing rapidly," he said.

Last week, Wickremesinghe held discussions on the ongoing economic collaboration with India during National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval's visit to Colombo.

Wickremesinghe has, in the past few months, thanked India and Prime Minister Narendra Modi for "continued support" to the country which underwent its worst economic crisis recently.

He has also expressed his commitment to maintaining a strong partnership with India to achieve Sri Lanka's development goals and emphasised the urgency to expedite joint initiatives while highlighting a comprehensive agenda aimed at transformative bilateral projects.

The Lankan President was in New Delhi on June 9 to attend the swearing-in ceremony of Prime Minister Modi.

Immediately after, Jaishankar visited the island nation on his first bilateral visit after assuming office for the second term which underlined India's continued commitment to Sri Lanka as its closest maritime neighbour and a time-tested friend.

Marking the strong bilateral ties between two South Asian neighbours, Jaishankar and the Lankan President jointly handed over 48 houses under Model Village Housing Project in Colombo and Trincomalee districts; 106 houses under Phase III of the Indian Housing Project in Kandy, Matale and Nuwara Eliya Districts. Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC), a nerve centre for Search and Rescue operations at sea established with an Indian grant of USD 6 million was also jointly commissioned in the virtual ceremony.

Sri Lanka is currently gearing up for the crucial Presidential Election slated for September 21.
Chennai, Sep 2 : The Madras High Court on Monday dismissed a writ petition filed by the owner of a group of educational institutions, including a medical college, against summons by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in a case related to accepting donations for medical admissions.

A division bench of Justices S.M. Subramaniam and V. Sivagananam dismissed the writ petition filed by SRM University Chancellor, T.R. Paarivendhar, alias T.R. Pachamuthu, to restrain the ED from summoning him in a case registered by the agency based on donation for medical admissions in the SRM University in 2016, holding that the investigating agency could not be restrained from performing its statutory duties just because the Chancellor and the university had made a payment of Rs 88.66 crore to 142 alleged victims of cheating.

"Mere repayment of money to the victims will not wash away the offence of money laundering, if any committed. Still, the authorities are empowered to conduct an investigation by summoning the persons concerned... As such, the prayer of the writ petitioner is not entertainable," it said.

ED's Special Public Prosecutor, N. Ramesh told the court that Rs 88.66 crore had been taken from the accounts of a public trust run by the petitioner and his family members to bail him out of the predicate offence, and therefore, there was a necessity to investigate the matter in depth.

The Chennai Central Crime Branch (CCB) had registered a case against Madhan of Vendhar Movies, owned by the petitioner, in 2016 for allegedly cheating several individuals after receiving crores of rupees for their admissions into the SRM Medical College. The petitioner was also arrested.

Paarivendhar deposited an amount of Rs 85 crore to obtain bail and safeguard the reputation of the institution and held the position that he had not received any money directly or indirectly for medical admissions. Several petitions were moved in the Supreme Court and the apex court passed an order in 2017 for payment of Rs 88.66 crore to the people who complained that they were cheated.

The case against the institution for the predicate offence was quashed.

The ED had, however, parallelly initiated proceedings under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) of 2002.

Despite the quashing of the case, the ED continued to issue summons to Paarvendhar in 2022 and 2023. Stating that even his elder son P. Ravi was summoned, the petitioner said he feared there was every likelihood of the investigating agency abusing its powers. Senior counsel B. Kumar told the court that the ED authorities were demanding many documents including on the number of trusts run by him and his family members, the bank accounts of those trusts, and so on. The counsel for the petitioner argued that the question of invoking the money laundering law would not arise at all after the quashing of the case booked for the predicate offence.

However, the division bench disagreed with him and said it could not issue a blanket order in the nature of an injunction restraining the ED from summoning the petitioner or his family members and directed the petitioner to cooperate with the investigation and prove his innocence instead of approaching the court.
Mumbai, Sept 2 : Bollywood star Deepika Padukone, who is expecting her first child with husband Ranveer Singh, has shared pictures of her maternity photoshoot.

On Monday, the actress along with Ranveer took to her Instagram, and dropped several monochromatic pictures of herself in which she can be seen flaunting her baby bump. Ranveer also features in the loved up images as he hugs his wife.

With their beautiful chemistry at display, Deepika, blooming with the radiant glow of pregnancy, looks stunning. In the pictures, she can be seen wearing different outfits like a sheer dress with her bump showing, a loose cardigan, blazer, and a sweater. She embodies elegance and grace, setting a new standard for maternity fashion.

Ranveer Singh, is proudly seen beside her. His affectionate gaze and supportive presence reflect the couple's deep bond as they embark on this exciting journey together.

As the couple shared pictures, users on social media speculated that the actress might be expecting twins.One user wrote "I think they are going to welcome twins". Another wrote "looks like judwaas are coming".

The coupleas post has sparked a frenzy of love and well-wishes across social media. The couple have already given their fans glimpses of how good they would be as parents, several sightings, videos.

Meanwhile, on the work front, Deepika was recently seen in aKalki 2898 ADa. The film minted Rs 1041 crores worldwide, and incidentally saw Deepika essaying the character of Sumathi, who is pregnant with the titular character.

Prior to this, she was seen in aFightera in the role of a helicopter pilot, who rescues the team of fighter pilots from a cross-border operation. She has aSingham Againa in the pipeline in which she will be seen essaying the role of female super cop, Shakti Shetty, sharing the screen with her hubby Ranveer Singh.

Ranveer, for his part will be next seen in Aditya Dharas untitled movie. The actor had earlier announced the film as he shared a black-and-white photo collage also featuring Sanjay Dutt, R Madhavan, Akshaye Khanna, Aditya, and Arjun Rampal.

All of them wore black outfits and had grim expressions on their faces.
Imphal, Sep 2 : A day after two persons were killed and 10 others were injured in an attack by suspected Kuki militants in Imphal West District, influential BJP MLA Rajkumar Imo Singh on Monday requested Union Home Minister Amit Shah to withdraw 60,000 central forces from the state claiming "they are not yielding peace".

Imphal, Sep 2 (IANS) A day after two persons were killed and 10 others were injured in an attack by suspected Kuki militants in Imphal West District, influential BJP MLA Rajkumar Imo Singh on Monday requested Union Home Minister Amit Shah to withdraw 60,000 central forces from the state claiming "they are not yielding peace".

Singh, who's the son-in-law of Chief Minister N. Biren Singh, wrote to the Home Minister stating that the presence of around 60,000 central forces in Manipur "is not yielding peace, thus it's better to remove such forces who are mostly present as mute spectators".

"We are pleased with the action to remove certain units of Assam Rifles who were not cooperating with the state government and the public, but if the presence of central forces cannot stop the violence, it is better to remove them and allow the state forces to take charge and bring peace in Manipur," the MLA said in the letter.

Noting that the Central government has to take more stringent measures against armed militant/insurgent groups, the lawmaker said the militants violated the ground rules of Suspension of Operation (SoO).

The Home Ministry has to abrogate the SoO pact against these groups who are constantly spreading violence, said Singh, a three-term MLA from Sagolband Assembly constituency in Imphal West district.

A total of 23 underground outfits under two conglomerates  eight under United Peoples' Front (UPF) and 15 under Kuki National Organisation (KNO)  signed the Suspension of Operation (SoO) agreement with the government of India in August 2008.

Demanding to investigate the fundings and supply of arms and ammunition to the militant outfits, Singh said, "Earlier also I said that a mere ethnic conflict should not last for such a long time, but it has continued to for nearly a year-and-a-half due to the support and supply of illegal arms and ammunition. One has to act and stop these supplies immediately to halt all kinds of violence in the state."

"The militants are constantly spreading terror in the state," he added.

The Central government has to hand over the unified command to the state government headed by the Chief Minister and allow it to act as per the procedures prescribed by law to bring peace and normalcy in the state, Singh said, adding that the present set up is not able to prevent violence.

The BJP MLA also demanded the Centre to initiate political dialogue and engagement between all the stakeholders at the earliest to bring to a permanent and peaceful solution to the ethnic crisis in Maniour.

This process may take some time but it has to be initiated at the earliest, he added.

Soon after the ethnic violence broke out in Manipur on May 3 last year, the Central government appointed former Director General of CRPF, Kuldiep Singh, as the Chief Security Advisor to the Manipur government.

The Manipur government also changed the Director General of Police and appointed senior IPS officer Rajiv Singh as state police chief following consultation with the Union Home Ministry.

Singh was the Additional Director General of Police in Tripura.

On Sunday, suspected Kuki militants gunned down two persons, including a 32-year-old woman, and injured 10 others, including the victim woman's 8-year-old daughter, at Koutruk village in Imphal West district.

The Manipur Home Department in a statement said that the militants attacked the unarmed villagers using drones, bombs and many sophisticated weapons.

Combined security forces comprising Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) and Manipur Police Commandos continued their joint combing operations on Monday in Kangpokpi and Imphal West districts.
Bengaluru, Sep 2 : Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said on Monday that he had directed to conduct the re-examination by the Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC) within two months.

Taking to social media platform X, Siddaramaiah said, "In the light of reports of inappropriate Kannada translation of questions in the KPSC Gazetted Probationers' examination, I have directed the KPSC to reconduct the examination within two months to ensure fairness to all candidates."

Those responsible for these lapses have been relieved of their duties, the Chief Minister added.

The upcoming examination will be conducted with the utmost responsibility and accountability following due diligence, Siddaramaiah said.

"We remain committed to upholding the integrity of our recruitment process," the Chief Minister added.

Commenting over the issue, Leader of Opposition (LoP) R. Ashoka said on Monday that the state government "realised the mistake after the damage" in the KPSC exam.

The state government's decision to conduct a re-examination after acknowledging the serious errors in the KPSC Gazetted Probationary preliminary examination is highly commendable, LoP Ashoka added.

It is a victory for the lakhs of job aspirants and the opposition parties who fought for this cause, he said.

"As the saying goes, 'Realising after the damage is done', the government must now wake up and take steps to conduct the re-examination properly," he noted.

It is crucial to set appropriate exam dates to avoid inconvenience for other competitive exams, allocate examination centres in a way that is convenient for the candidates, and ensure that all aspects, including the preparation of question papers and translation into Kannada, are carefully considered, LoP Ashoka said.

The previous mistakes and flaws should not be repeated, and the examination must be conducted with utmost caution and systematic planning, he added.

The officials and staff responsible for the mistakes in the recent examination must be blacklisted without any hesitation. They should not be assigned duties for any future competitive examinations, he demanded.

"Since the KPSC exam is a question of the future of lakhs of young job aspirants, the state government must take this issue seriously and ensure that the exam is conducted smoothly and efficiently without playing with their lives," he told the Congress government.

"The entire nation is now watching the KPSC examination closely. This has now become not just an examination for the candidates, but a litmus test for the entire Congress government," LoP Ashoka said.
Vilnius/Riga, Sep 2 : Several schools in Lithuania and Latvia received bomb threats via email on Monday, the first day of the new school year, according to police reports.

As of 9 a.m. local time, the police in Lithuania had received 26 reports of threats to blow up educational institutions in the capital city of Vilnius, as confirmed by Revita Janaviciute, a spokeswoman for the Lithuanian police, to the Baltic News Service (BNS).

Currently, there is no information on any school evacuations. The Police Department, through its social media, advised schools not to panic and to maintain normal operations, emphasizing that evacuations should only occur if a suspicious item is found.

In a related development, over 200 emails containing bomb threats were received by several schools across Latvia on Monday morning, as confirmed by Latvia's state police chief Armands Ruks, Xinhua news agency reported.

He described these emails as "low-risk threats," adding that there was no need for evacuation.

The incidents follow a series of hoax bomb threats in October 2023, when thousands of schools, kindergartens, and municipal buildings across Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia were targeted with similar emails.
New Delhi, Sep 2 : Senior Congress leader and former Lok Sabha MP Udit Raj expressed his happiness on Monday over the RSS agreeing to a caste-based census, declaring it a victory for his party and Rahul Gandhi.

In an interview with IANS, Udit Raj said that the BJP tried very hard to block this decision, but now they have been forced to face reality. If the RSS has accepted the caste-based census, then the BJP will have to follow suit, he said.

IANS: The RSS held a meeting in Kerala, and after that, a statement came out saying that the RSS is ready for a caste-based census but only for public welfare, not for political use. What do you have to say about this?

Udit Raj: They have finally come down to reality, even after trying so hard to block the caste-based census by saying it would increase casteism. But now they have had to approve it. When the RSS says something, it is as good as the BJP saying it. This is a major victory for Congress and Rahul Gandhi. If they had agreed earlier, it would have been better. We only wanted data collection through the caste-based census to uplift the weaker and backward sections. They opposed it, but today, they have surrendered because they lost everything else. This is a big win for Congress.

IANS: The Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh Yogi Adityanath said that saints and sadhus do not enter politics for power but for the welfare of society. What do you have to say?

Udit Raj: First of all, I would say that he should leave politics and go to Haridwar or Rishikesh. The role of saints and sadhus is to perform religious duties and spread religion. According to our Constitution, religion and the state are separate, our Constitution is secular, and the state has no religion. They are forcibly occupying positions where religion has no place. On the other hand, they claim to represent Hindutva. So, they should step away from politics. In Hinduism, there is so much casteism and other social evils, that he should focus on addressing those instead of getting entangled in politics.

IANS: The Supreme Court on Monday heard a case on 'bulldozer actions' and criticised that actions should not be taken based on accusations alone. What is your opinion on this?

Udit Raj: The point is that whether it's an accusation or even if the accusation is proven, if bulldozer actions are allowed, then what is the need for the Constitution or courts? Bulldozer's actions are a sign of dictatorship in this country. There is no respect for the Constitution. Decisions like demolishing a house, sending someone to jail, or imposing a fine should be made by the courts, not based on the orders of politicians or the government. If actions are taken on their command, then what is the point of having laws?

IANS: In Gurugram, former Haryana Minister Rao Narbir Singh has said that if he doesn't get a BJP ticket, he will contest the elections from Congress. What do you say about this?

Udit Raj: There is a lot of turmoil within the BJP in Haryana, but the media doesn't highlight it. Many people want to join Congress, and even the BJP has admitted that they might not win the elections. One reason is that the elections are on October 5, and mentally, they have already accepted defeat. That's why they were asking for the election date to be extended, which eventually happened. Didn't the Election Commission know there was a holiday? But they had to extend it under the BJP's pressure. So, there is a lot of unrest and dissatisfaction within the BJP.
New Delhi, Sep 2 : The Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, on Monday hailed the Supreme Court which came down heavily on 'bulldozer justice', questioning how can a house be demolished just because it belongs to an accused or even a convict in a criminal case.

A bench headed by Justice B.R. Gavai stressed that even unauthorised construction has to be demolished in "accordance with law" and state authorities cannot resort to demolition of property of accused as a punishment.

Welcoming the top court's observations, Rahul Gandhi said in a post on X that the "anti-constitutional face of the BJP, which crushes humanity and justice under the bulldozer, has now been exposed in front of the country".

"The bulldozer, which has become a symbol of unbridled power, has continuously challenged the law with arrogance by trampling on civil rights and freedom," he said.

The Congress leader added that under the guise of 'quick justice', the households of the Bahujans and the poor often suffer due to the bulldozer policy implemented by the BJP governments across the country to establish "rule of fear".

"We hope that the Supreme Court will issue clear guidelines on this very sensitive subject and protect the citizens from this 'anti-democratic campaign' of the BJP governments in several states across the country," the Congress leader said.

He added that the country will be run according to B.R. Ambedkar's Constitution, and not by the rule of power.

Earlier, the Supreme Court mulled the formation of pan-India guidelines against the demolition of property of individuals accused of committing criminal offences.

The Bench, also comprising Justice K.V. Viswanathan, remarked that not only an accused, but the house of a convict can also not meet such a fate, clarifying the apex court's intention to not protect unauthorised structures.

Posting the matter for hearing after two weeks, it asked parties to place on record their suggestions for framing of guidelines.

Echoing similar views, Solicitor General (SG) Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Uttar Pradesh government, stated that no immovable property should be demolished because the owner/occupant is alleged to have been involved in the commission of an offence.

He also said that the state authorities in Uttar Pradesh took action in accordance with the municipal law after the violators did not reply to the show-cause notices issued to them.
Kolkata, Sep 2 : The third round of discussions on Monday between the top officials of Kolkata Police and protesting junior doctors and medical students demanding the resignation of Kolkata Police Commissioner Vineet Kumar Goyal over the rape and murder of a junior doctor of R.G. Kar Medical College & Hospital have failed, as the protesters were adamant on continuing their sit-in demonstration at Central Avenue here unless their demands are fulfilled.

A senior official in the rank of an Additional Commissioner of Police, accompanied by a Deputy Commissioner, came to the demonstration spot at around 7.30 p.m. and requested the protesting representatives of the medical fraternity to call off their sit-in demonstration.

However, the protesting doctors clearly told them that they would not withdraw their agitation unless any of their two demands was fulfilled. They wanted either the police should allow the procession to reach a certain point near the Kolkata Police headquarters so that a small delegation could go and submit their memorandum regarding the resignation of the Police Commissioner or the Police Commissioner himself comes to that place to accept the memorandum himself.

"We are ready to continue with our demonstration for an indefinite period. As junior doctors, we are habituated to doing our duties at a stretch for 24 to 36 hours. So, we will continue with our protests for an indefinite period even without water and food," said one of the organizers of the protest march.

Earlier, the protest march started from College Square in north Kolkata and started proceeding towards the city police headquarters. However, they were stopped by the police at Central Avenue with a high barricade erected there. The protesters immediately decided to go for a sit-in demonstration at the spot itself. The sit-in demonstration has been continuing for hours now.
Brazil's Supreme Court ordered telecoms regulator Anatel to block Elon Musks social media platform X (formerly Twitter), after months of demanding the social media platform reveal the identity of a user accused of spreading hate speech.

Reuters reported that the X blackout followed after Musks company failed to meet a deadline to reveal the individual.

Musk said in a tweet: They're shutting down the #1 source of truth in Brazil. He argued that the Brazilian Supreme Court was enforcing unjustified censorship, Supreme Court justice Alexandre de Moraes argued the social media platform needed to control hate speech.

X was taken offline on the evening of August 30th. Moraes ordered Anatel to suspend X until the users identity was revealed and a payment of US$3 million in fines is made. Those who use X through alternative methods such as a VPN could be fined up to BRL 50,000 (US$8,900) per day.

Apple and Google were ordered to remove the X app from their respective app stores and to prevent iOS and Android devices from tapping into VPNs to use X.

In the months leading up to this decision Musk closed X offices in Brazil. Musks satellite business Starlink saw its local bank accounts frozen under court order.

Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva backed the court order, saying in a radio interview that X had to comply with local laws.
Agartala, Sep 2 : The body of a girl, likely 16-year-old, was found by the Border Security Force (BSF) on Monday along the India-Bangladesh border in northern Tripura, the police said.

A police officer said that the BSF troopers during a routine patrolling found the body of the teenager near the Latiapura border outpost in Kailashahar under Unakoti district of Tripura.

The deceased, suspected to be a Bangladeshi national, was found lying approximately 50 metres outside the fence in the zero point of the border between the two countries.

Later, BSF personnel from the 199 Battalion informed the Irani police station in Kailashahar.

Senior police officers accompanied by forensic experts went to the spot and in the presence of a Magistrate, recovered the body, and sent it to the Kailashahar district hospital for post-mortem.

While the identity of the deceased is yet to be confirmed, preliminary investigation and sources suggest that the girl was a resident of Juri area under Kulaura police station in Bangladesh's Moulvibazar district.

The BSF is in the process of establishing contact with their Bangladeshi counterparts to gather more information about the incident and the identity of the deceased.

Some media reports claim that the girl was shot by Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) troops when she was illegally entering into the Indian territory.

In recent months, over 300 Bangladesh nationals who had illegally crossed the border have been arrested by various security agencies, including the BSF in Tripura.
Chandigarh, Sep 3 : Punjab's Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Gurmeet Singh Khudian on Monday met with the farmers gathered here under the banner of BKU (Ugrahan) and Punjab Khet Mazdoor Union (PKMU), received a memorandum and assured the farmers that their welfare remains the topmost priority for the government.

Reiterating the state government's commitment to support the farmers, Khudian pledged that their demands would be deliberated with Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann.

The minister also invited the farmers for a talk with the government, emphasising the Bhagwant Mann-led government's eagerness to engage with the farmers, listen to their perspectives and address their issues and concerns effectively.

"The Punjab government is dedicated to ensuring the wellbeing and prosperity of its farmers, who are the backbone of the state's economy," Khudian told the media after meeting the farmers.

"This meeting marks the opening up of dialogue between the government and the farming community, aimed at finding solutions to their challenges and empowering them to thrive in an ever-evolving agricultural landscape," he said.

The Minister also said that the government remains steadfast in its mission to support and uplift the farming community, recognising their contributions to the state's economy and society.

The government is committed to working collaboratively with the farmers to address their concerns and ensure their continued prosperity, he added.

Thousands of farmers and farm labourers belonging to the Bharti Kisan Union (Ugrahan) and the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM), a group of 37 unions, camped here to protest the failure of the AAP government in implementing the agriculture policy.

Farmers belonging to the BKU (Ugrahan) marched towards the Punjab Assembly, which is assembling for a three-day long Monsoon Session, to lodge their protest.

Under the banner of BKU (Ugrahan) and the Punjab Khet Mazdoor Union, the protesters were allowed to stage a protest at the camping site. As per their plan, the farmers are expected to camp here till September 5, the day they decide their future course of action.

Besides the implementation of the agriculture policy, the demands of the BKU (Ugrahan) include delay in land distribution to the landless labourers and farmers, and loan waiver of farmers and labourers.
Bhopal, Sep 3 : Days after Namibian Cheetah Pavan was found dead at the Kuno National Park (KNP) in Madhya Pradesh, the Forest Department has initiated an inquiry into the death of the big cat.

The department has formed a three-member panel of senior Indian Forest Service (IFS) officers Pradeep Vasudev, Shri Annagiri and Ritesh Sirothiya to prepare a report, including the reason for the death.

Confirming the development, official sources told IANS that the three-member committee, which was formed on Friday, has been tasked to prepare a detailed report on the death of Pavan and the condition of other cheetahs living at the KNP.

According to KNP authorities, the large cat's body was found near the edge of a swollen nullah in the bushes.

Pavan was the only Cheetah at KNP, who was roaming free in the open forest, was drowned in a swollen nullah, however, no external injuries were seen anywhere on the body, KNP has earlier claimed.

The 'wanderer' Cheetah Pawan had fathered two litters of cubs: three cubs born to cheetah Aasha on January 3, 2024, and four cubs born to cheetah Jwala on January 22, 2024. All the cubs have survived.

Previously named Oban, Pawan was a wild-born grandson of a cheetah rehabilitated by the Cheetah Conservation Fund (CCF) at Erindi Private Game Reserve in Namibia. As a second-generation cheetah born in the wild, Pawan was an excellent hunter and had promising prospects for adapting to life in India.

Meanwhile, a wildlife activist Ajay Dube has lodged a complaint to the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) - the nodal agency for the 'Project Cheetah' -- raising questions over the death of Pavan.

"Cheetah Pawan was fitted with a radio collar system because he was set to venture into the open forest. However, Pavan's location could not be traced since August 17 and I had alerted through social media. 10 days later, Pavan was found dead," Dube wrote to NTCA.

He further requested the NTCA to conduct a separate inquiry on the role of current KNP chief Uttam Sharma.

"His role needs to be investigated because such incidents have occurred earlier too. When Uttam Sharma was director of Panna Tiger Reserve, a radio collar tiger had gone missing, and was found dead few days later...," Dube said.

Under the translocation project, 20 cheetahs were brought to India in two batches a" eight from Namibia in September 2022 and 12 from South Africa last February a" of which seven have died until this January. The adult cheetahs gave birth to 17 cubs, of which 12 survived.
Property details:

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By Steven Rogers, 09/01/2024



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: Before the 90 Days viewers will be introduced to eight new couples that are going the distance for love when Season 7 premieres on TLC tonight.Like : Before the 90 Days' prior seasons, the seventh season will follow Americans who began online romantic relationships with foreign partners as they travel overseas hoping to get engaged to someone they have never met in person and then begin the K-1 Visa immigration process.Along the way, the Americans will encounter challenges that include large age gaps, language barriers, cultural issues, and questionable pasts as they travel to a list of countries that includes Nigeria, Philippines, Ghana, Poland, Brazil, Jordan, South Africa, and Croatia to meet their online partners for the first time.: Before the 90 Days' new couples are Tigerlily, a 41-year-old from Texas, and Adnan, a 23-year-old from Jordan; Rayne, a 38-year-old from New Mexico, and Chidi, a 34-year-old from Nigeria; Loren, a 33-year-old from Nevada, and Faith, a 31-year-old from the Philippines; and Niles, a 28-year-old from Alabama, and Matilda, a 23-year-old from Ghana; Joe, a 34-year-old from Florida, and Magda, a 23-year-old from Poland; Brian, a 52-year-old from Illinois, and Ingrid, a 33-year-old from Brazil; Veah, a 27-year-old from Florida, and Sunny, a 26-year-old from South Africa; and Vanja, a 41-year-old from Florida, and Bozo, a 38-year-old from Croatia.But exactly who are these new : Before the 90 Days couples? What are their backgrounds, and how did they meet in the first place?Click thelink below to view photos and descriptions of the new 90 Day Fiance: Before the 90 Days couples and learn more about them!

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Steven Rogers is a senior entertainment reporter for Reality TV World and been covering the reality TV genre for two decades.
Burkina Faso is planning to extend mobile and internet services to 1,000 remote areas over the next three years. These areas, known as white zones, are regions without access to telephony and internet services.

According to the Ecofin Agency, at the moment operators are not obliged to invest in these areas as they are not profitable. Thus, public money will be used to invest in and build out the infrastructure required for people to access connectivity.

The plan was announced late last week by Aminata Zerbo-Sabane, the Minister of Digital Transition, Posts, and Electronic Communications, during a television broadcast.

She said that 1,700 white zones have been identified in the country, with 183 already connected in 2022. The government hasa invested CFA6.2 billion (around US$10.47 million) through the countrys Universal Access and Service Fund (FASU) to make this possible.

Mobile service coverage in Burkina Faso stands at 85%, while 3G internet covers 64% of the country, and 4G internet covers 46%.

Regulator ARCEP reported 27.26 million mobile subscriptions (through SIM cards) as of 31 March this year, equivalent to a penetration rate of 116.45%. However, late last year we reported that the government of Burkina Faso had announced a bill to limit SIM card ownership in the country.

The total number of mobile internet subscriptions is 18.67 million, covering 79.78% of the population. The countrys population is estimated at 23,042,199 by the CIAs World Factbook.

Burkina Fasos three main mobile telephone operators are Moov Africa, Orange and Telecel.
Tata Motors is looking to consolidate its position in the SUV segment as it marks its entry into the highly competitive mid-size space which is currently dominated by South Korean and Japanese carmakers.

Photograph: Rajesh Karkera/ Rediff.com IMAGE: The ICE variant of the Tata Curvv.

The Mumbai-based auto major on Monday launched midsize SUV coupe Curvv with petrol and diesel powertrains with a price starting at Rs 9.99 lakh.

The company has already unveiled the electric version of the model in August.

The model would be competing with the likes of Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos, Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara, Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder, and Honda Elevate, among others.

"Curvv is being positioned in the fast-growing, mid-size SUV segment, which is roughly 16 per cent of the whole industry (passenger vehicle) size.

"If translated into numbers, it would be like 7 lakh units a year," Tata Motors passenger vehicle MD Shailesh Chandra told PTI in an interaction.

The segment is very competitive with various brands having a product already in the market, he noted.

Therefore, if one enters this segment so late, then it will have to think of coming up with a slightly differentiated approach, Chandra said.

"And that was the thinking behind Curvv..which comes with an SUV coupe body style.

"We saw that this was gaining popularity globally, especially in the premium or luxury segment," he added.

Further, he said: "So we thought, why don't we bring this into the crowded segment as a fresh, refreshing kind of a body style."

When asked about sales expectations from the model, Chandra said: "We have come with this model, with the best in class features.

"It's a differentiated product in this and therefore we think it is going to perform well."

He noted that Tata Motors currently has a market share of around 19 per cent in the SUV segment and expects the new model to help it grow further.

"We'll gain from where we are.

"The market leader in SUVs would be, say, 21-22 per cent, so it's a crowded segment.

"It's not that one player is holding the roost here.

"All the top 3-4 players in SUVs are around the same market share figure," Chandra said.

He noted that the company is also looking to enhance its dealer network by around 10-15 per cent in the next one year.

"We have a very aggressive plan of expanding dealerships.

"We will need to have an enhanced network.

"We will have to make them bigger, also in size. And therefore, for EVs, we have started separation of the outlets.

"So there will be expansion in touchpoints, not only on the sales side, but big time on the service side as well," Chandra said.

Tata Curvv comes with two petrol and a diesel engine option.

"The introduction of the Curvv further enhances our SUV portfolio as a comprehensive mid-SUV product with multiple powertrains, several first-in-segment features, a brand new capable architecture - ATLAS and Level 2 ADAS," Chandra said.

Besides Curvv, Tata Motors sells models like Punch, Nexon, Harrier and Safari in the domestic market.
Despite volume growth in the export segment and strong demand in the domestic market, pricing uptick is eluding Indian agrochemical companies.

Photograph: Amit Dave/Reuters

Most agrochemical companies missed Street estimates due to multiple headwinds.

Brokerages have downgraded earnings estimates for a few and expect only a gradual recovery over the next couple of quarters.

Companies with a significant share of exports were impacted more than domestic companies. Despite healthy volume growth, pricing pressure, and excessive dumping from China dented profitability, says IIFL Research, with export-oriented agrochemical companies like UPL, Anupam Rasayan and Rallis continuing to witness a challenging quarter.

Ranjit Cirumalla and Viral M Shah of the brokerage have downgraded Kaveri Seeds and Bayer CropScience on account of a subdued performance and a not-so-encouraging outlook, coupled with the steep run-up in the stock prices.

The situation, according to Kotak Institutional Equities, is unlikely to improve in the near term.

Abhijit Akella and Sumit Kumar of the brokerage point out that falling global farm incomes on the back of significant declines in prices of key field crops seem likely to weigh on demand for agricultural inputs in the months to come.

Prices of corn, soybeans and wheat are now at their lowest since Covid and are down 20-30 per cent Y-o-Y.

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) projects that US net farm income will be 25.5 per cent Y-o-Y in 2024 to $116 billion, down sharply from $185 billion in 2022.

This will likely weigh on the demand for farm inputs.

The situation was markedly better in India which has enabled domestic agrochemical companies to report strong results in Q1.

The sales growth was aided by robust volumes amid increased demand.

Rohan Gupta and Rohan Ohri of Nuvama Research believe that the growth has been supported by above-average rainfall across the country which has accelerated inventory liquidation and subsequently prompted restocking.

They expect this growth momentum to be sustained, led by better rainfall, as well as sowing activities across the country benefitting domestic agrochemical companies.

Fertiliser companies, however, have been a drag on the overall performance of domestic companies due to lower realisation and higher input prices.

The brokerage is optimistic about domestic companies and its top pick is Dhanuka Agritech.

Sharekhan Research is also positive about the domestic outlook and points out that the performance of agri-input companies rose on a sequential basis.

Demand for crop protection chemicals during the Kharif season was strong, with better sowing averages due to improved monsoon conditions.

However, they expect the recovery process to be slow.

While domestic market sentiment is positive due to favorable rainfall forecasts, normalisation of inventory and a full recovery in demand is expected to take several more quarters.

Though there are short-term hiccups, Sharekhan Research is positive on the long-term structural drivers like China-Plus-One strategy and import substitution which remain intact and would drive expansion of India s global market share to 7-8 per cent in the next few years from 4 per cent currently.

PI Industries, Insecticides (India), Sumitomo Chemical are its top picks.
With the fight now having been taken to the seizure of nuclear plants, it is one more warning to Europe that this prolonged war could end up with disastrous consequences, observes Rashme Sehgal

IMAGE: Russia's President Vladimir Putin visits the Russian Special Forces University in Gudermes, August 20, 2024. Photograph: Sputnik/Vyacheslav Prokofyev/Pool via Reuters

Europe has been drawn into a spiralling conflict between Russia and Ukraine which once again throws up the fears of it escalating into a nuclear conflict.

The eye of the storm remains Europe's largest nuclear facility, the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) located on the river Dnieper.

The Russian troops seized the plant in March 2022 and despite several warnings issued by International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Grossi in the last 28 months, the Russians have proceeded to turn the ZNPP into an impregnable fortress.

The plant has been caught in the crossfire with both sides attacking it and blaming the other side for damages caused to it.

With the Ukrainian forces stationed across the river, the Russian forces are facing continuous firing.

Most recently a drone attack by the Ukrainian forces caused a fire in the ZNPP leading Grossi to state that the situation at the plant is 'very fragile'.

The drone attack had damaged a cooling tower causing a fire from which black smoke billowed through the weekend.

Fortunately, the fire has been extinguished and since all six reactors had been shut down earlier, the IAEA officials did not detect any spike in radiation levels.

Though one of the IAEA observers stationed there did admit that he had 'witnessed strong dark smoke coming from ZNPP's northern area following multiple explosions heard in the evening.'

IMAGE: Firefighters work at the site of a Russian missile strike in the Odesa region, Ukraine, August 26, 2024. Photograph: Press service of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine in Odesa region/Handout via Reuters

Grossi's warnings that such 'reckless attacks are increasing the risk of a nuclear accident 'cannot be underestimated.

Professor Meshkati Najmedin, an expert on nuclear safety at University of Southern California, is much more forthright in his comments on the unfolding situation.

He believes the situation in ZPPP is very dire pointing out that the drone attack had caused a major fire at the cooling tower plant causing water levels in the plant to fall substantially.

The situation is further compounded because these regular attacks affect the electricity supply.

The plant has suffered eight losses of off-site power since the seizure, forcing it to rely temporarily on emergency diesel generators, and it continues to face challenges related to staffing.

Professor Najmedin further pointed out that the few Ukrainians staff manning ZPPP 'were already under stress and so any error can lead to a catastrophe'.

His reference is to the fact that Ukraine's Energoatom, which operates all of the country's nuclear power plants, has repeatedly said Russia restricted qualified Ukrainian staffers from working at ZPPP after they refused to become Russian citizens.

Most of the Ukrainian staffers were replaced by Russian workers who Energoatom officials claim do not know how to run the plant. This claim seems farfetched because many of the plants in Ukraine were set up by Russian technocrats.

IMAGE: A view of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant outside the Russian-controlled city of Enerhodar in Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia region. Photograph: Alexander Ermochenko/Reuters

AT ZPP, the spent fuel pools are stored in cooling pools inside the reactor containers but this is not the case with the dry cask storage areas.

These contain radioactive waste which are located outside the containment area and these could get hit and crack open due to the bombardment. This would release radioactive material into the atmosphere.

The example of Fukushima is before the world when on March 11, 2011 a massive tsunami affected the electricity supply and damaged the backup generators at the Fukushima Daichi plant.

Although all three of the reactors that were operating were successfully shut down, the loss of power caused cooling systems to fail caused the residual heat within the reactor's core to melt the fuel rods, leading to a release of radiation.

Professor Najmedin makes no bones that his biggest worry is the dry cask storage areas outside containment building.

'My biggest fear is if attacked by missile or an aerial bombardment can lead to dry casks opening, they may release radioactive material,' Professor Najmedin said.

The risk at ZPP is very high as it needs a continuous flow of electricity to run the cooling pumps.

IMAGE: A satellite image shows a bridge collapsed over the Seym river in the Glushkovo district, following a Ukrainian strike in the Kursk region, Russia, August 17, 2024. Photograph: Planet Labs Inc/Handout via Reuters

From May, the situation has further deteriorated. Ukraine has stepped up attacks on Russia.

Its drones damaged a radar in the southern Krasnodar region while another targeted a similar facility in the southern Urals, about 1,500 kms from the border;

Both are part of Russia's early warning system to spot intercontinental ballistic missile launches thousands of kms away.

Both Moscow and Washington rely on such systems to track each other's launches.

The Ukrainian raids on Russian nuclear-capable bomber bases could qualify as triggers for atomic weapons use under Moscow's nuclear doctrine. Russian hawks urged the Kremlin to respond forcefully.

Hawks have urged that the time has come for Moscow to revise its nuclear strike doctrine and declare that Russia could use nuclear weapons first when its core national interests are at stake.

With the West allowing Ukraine to hit Russian territory, Putin threatened to respond by providing weapons to Western adversaries worldwide.

He underscored the message in June by signing a mutual defence pact with North Korea, signalling Moscow could start arms deliveries to Pyongyang.

Meanwhile the Ukraine army has recently launched a counter attack in the Kursk region of Russia with Ukrainian forces having blown up three crucial bridges.

Defence experts believe this military incursion into Kursk is being done to create a buffer zone that can be used as a bargaining tool as and when peace talks between the two nations resume.

But other experts believe that the ultimate objective of the Ukrainian army is to seize the Kursk Nuclear Power Plant (KNPP) as payback for Russia's long-running seizure of Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant.

Some experts quote unofficial sources to claim that Ukrainian troops can be seen just 23 km from the KNPP.

This is an extremely disturbing development. The KPPP is just 60 km from the Ukrainian border but unlike ZPPP, its reactors, each with a capacity of 1,000 MW, are similar to those used Chernobyl.

These do not have domes (concrete containment structures) and so are more liable to be damaged by external threats. They are more vulnerable to artillery and missile attacks.

IMAGE: A soldier of Ukraine's 22nd Separate Mechanised Brigade moves a ZU-23-2 anti-aircraft cannon in the Sumy region near the Russian border, August 17, 2024. Photograph: Thomas Peter/Reuters

Russia began the tactical nuclear weapons manoeuvres announced at the beginning of May.

The first phase of the exercise, taking place in the south of the country near the border to Ukraine, includes the preparation and use of non-strategic nuclear weapons.

Such exercises are taking place for the first time since Russia's invasion of Ukraine. These began one day before President Putin began his fifth term in office.

Russia has started tactical manoeuvres of both its nuclear and non-nuclear air defence and naval missile units.

Putin has repeatedly warned of nuclear war if NATO troops are sent to Ukraine. Tactical nuclear weapons include nuclear warheads for ground-to-air missile systems with a range of up to 500 kms, and also sea- or air-based missile systems.

There are no signs of peace returning to this region. Analysts believe that while there are no clear figure of the number of casualties, Russia, they believe has lost over 500,000 soldiers while Ukraine would have suffered equally large figures though the figure put out by Ukraine indicates around 50,000 casualties.

They allude to increased year-over-year defence spending of NATO allies, including an estimated 13 percent increase on global nuclear weapons to a record $91.4 billion in 2023, according to the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons.

That equates to a $10.7 billion increase in spending on nuclear weapons in 2023 compared to 2022, led by the US funding 80 percent of that increase.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has told the media that the spending of NATO countries on weaponry has risen substantially.

IMAGE: Putin meets with China's Premier Li Qiang in Moscow, August 21, 2024. Photograph: Sputnik/Alexei Filippov/Pool via Reuters

Dr R Rajaraman, emeritus professor of physics at the JNU, in the course of an interview disapproves of these extreme statements being made by right wing hawks.

'There is little chance of Putin hitting the nuclear button... He is not going to frighten anyone in the West with these statements. I do not think he is planning a nuclear war. His military would not allow him to do so. Even if he is in a mad state like Hitler, his generals would not permit it. He is egotistical, but not to this extent,' Dr Rajaraman said.

'There is plenty of resentment within Russia opposing his invasion of Ukraine. A nuclear war is something else.

'If he were to drop even one nuclear weapon in Europe, it would start a nuclear war that would destroy everybody,' said Dr Rajaraman.

Other scientists are not so sure. The longer the war in Eastern Europe continues between Russia and Ukraine and the increasing use of advanced weaponry combined with a worsening situation in West Asia, apprehensions are being expressed that this could develop into a world-wide conflict.

In January, the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists' Science and Security Board reset the Doomsday Clock to keep it at 90 seconds to midnight as a clear warning that the world remains a mere step away from global catastrophe.

With the fight now having been taken to the seizure of nuclear plants, it is one more warning to Europe that this prolonged war could end up with disastrous consequences.

Feature Presentation: Rajesh Alva/Rediff.com
'If the government sincerely addressed the issue of missing persons, it would alleviate 80% of the grievances in Balochistan.'

'No matter how many development projects Islamabad announces for the region, the people will remain upset as long as their loved ones are missing.'

IMAGE: A bus drives past a damaged vehicle a day after separatist terrorists conducted deadly attacks in Bolan district of Pakistan's restive province of Balochistan, August 27, 2024. Photograph: Naseer Ahmed/Reuters

"The issue of enforced disappearances has severely damaged the relationship between Balochistan and the central government more so than any other grievance."

"For years, the Pakistani intelligence services have been repeatedly accused of abducting citizens with complete impunity."

"Why has the State allowed this to continue for so many years? Hundreds of Baloch have been killed after being disappeared, with no punishment for the officials involved," says journalist Malik Siraj Akbar from Balochistan who lives in exile in the United States.

Akbar's journalism has exposed human rights violations by the Pakistani agencies and was the reason for seeking political asylum.

A well-known political analyst, he is the only male Pakistani to be awarded the Madanjeet Singh South Asia Foundation scholarship to pursue journalism at the Asian College of Journalism in Chennai. He also holds a master's degree in public administration from the Harvard Kennedy School of Government in Boston.

A leading commentator on Balochistan, he explains what lies behind the recent deadly rampage in the province that has been fighting for independence from Pakistan.

The first part of a must-read e-mail interview with Rediff.com's Archana Masih.

Were the flawed election results earlier this year a catalyst for the aggravated disconnect between the Baloch people and the government in Islamabad?

This year's elections were a disappointment for the Baloch people.

The Pakistan People's Party (PPP), generally known for its liberal credentials and as one of the country's largest political parties, chose to align with the staunchest supporters of the Pakistani military in Balochistan, Sarfaraz Bugti, the current chief minister.

Bugti is a well-known advocate of the military and a vocal critic of Baloch nationalists. His nomination by the PPP as the chief minister candidate and his subsequent unopposed election as Balochistan's chief minister led to speculation that the PPP was siding with the military on its Balochistan policy and had little interest in easing tensions in the province.

This was a sharp departure from the PPP's approach in 2008, when the party, after winning the general elections, sought to reconcile with Balochistan by offering economic relief, releasing some missing persons, and supporting greater provincial autonomy through the 18th constitutional amendment.

Now, however, the PPP appears to be acting as a surrogate for the military establishment. Bugti, in particular, has been a poor choice for chief minister, who has repeatedly antagonised the Baloch population by defending the military's policies rather than highlighting and addressing their grievances.

Furthermore, it is widely believed that the military establishment groomed Bugti due to his antagonism toward the late Nawab Akbar Bugti, whose death in 2006 triggered a new wave of resistance in Balochistan that persists to this day.

This outcome underscores that elections often reflect the power of the establishment rather than the will of the people.

IMAGE: Supporters of the Balochistan Yakjehti Committee listen to their leaders during what they call the Baloch National Gathering in Gwadar, July 28, 2024. Photograph: Stringer/Reuters

Who is in charge in Balochistan? Is it the Pakistan army and its many clandestine agencies?

How many Balochis have disappeared since the new century began? How much have these disappearances and State repression provoked a new rebel leadership?

The issue of enforced disappearances has severely damaged the relationship between Balochistan and the central government more so than any other grievance.

For years, the Pakistani intelligence services have been repeatedly accused by human rights organisations, think-tanks, and even civilian government officials of abducting citizens with complete impunity.

Police officers cannot register cases against those responsible, and judges are powerless to summon or punish them, leading to the conclusion that the military intelligence agencies effectively control the province.

The problem of enforced disappearances is widespread, yet the government tries to divert public attention by downplaying the number of missing persons. However, the real issue is not the exact number of people who have disappeared, but rather why even one citizen should be illegally detained and killed in custody.

Why has the State allowed this to continue for so many years? Hundreds of Baloch have been killed after being disappeared, with no punishment for the officials involved.

As a result, many of the relatives of missing persons -- children, women, and other family members -- have joined the Baloch nationalist movement. Their initial actions were peaceful, involving protests, press conferences, and legal petitions to seek the release of their loved ones.

However, as they waited in vain, they became increasingly aware of the country's politics and the state's policies toward the Baloch people. Now, they have become integral to the Baloch nationalist movement.

In a dramatic shift, while some Baloch women engage in peaceful protests, others have decided to join the armed groups as suicide bombers.

Moreover, the intelligence agencies wield significant power over Balochistan's politics, engineering elections, determining who becomes a local leader, and deciding who can run for office or become a minister in the provincial cabinet.

Politicians, aware of this influence, often try to ingratiate themselves with the agencies to advance their own careers.

The agencies also control the local media, deciding which stories are published and which are censored, punishing newspapers by cutting off advertisements if they publish anything critical of the security establishment while rewarding those that attack the Baloch nationalists and promote conspiracy theories that India and Afghanistan are behind all the mess in Balochistan.

If the government sincerely addressed the issue of missing persons, it would alleviate 80% of the grievances in Balochistan. No matter how many development projects Islamabad announces for the region, or how many schools, colleges, and roads it builds, the people will still remain disillusioned and upset as long as their loved ones are missing.



You can read more about the BYC Photograph: Akhtar Soomro/Reuters IMAGE: Police officers detain a supporter during a Baloch Yakjehti Committee protest in Karachi, August 2, 2024, demanding the release of BYC missing members.You can read more about the BYC here (external link).

I believe the leader of the Baloch Liberation Front is a gold medal winning doctor, Dr Allah Nazar, who was tortured by intelligence agencies and whose brother was 'killed in illegal custody', according to Zahid Hussain in the Dawn newspaper.

Are individuals like Dr Nazar at the helm of the current insurgency unlike the feudal lords earlier?

The current head of the Baloch insurgent group, the Baloch Liberation Front, Dr Allah Nazar, then a medical student, was, in fact, whisked away by intelligence agencies in Karachi in March 2005 after he and other members of the Baloch Students Organisation protested against Pakistan's military operation targeting the late Nawab Akbar Bugti.

He disappeared for several months afterward. During an interview at the Bolan Medical College in Quetta, I spoke with another student leader, Dr Imdad Baloch, one of Dr Nazar's companions who was also subjected to forced disappearance and torture.

The stories about the treatment they endured in military custody were heartbreaking. He described how they were kept hungry and deprived of sleep for several nights. While listening to his horrific story, I asked myself, 'What kind of country subjects its educated youth to such inhumane treatment?'

This harrowing experience deeply affected Dr Allah Nazar. After his release, he decided to join the Baloch armed resistance and eventually emerged as the most influential commander of the Baloch liberation movement.

His involvement in the movement inspired a new generation of young Baloch to join the resistance.

However, Dr Nazar's legacy is not without flaws. He had a significant opportunity to instil discipline among his fighters, particularly to ensure that they did not target unarmed civilians.

Unfortunately, he became a stubborn leader who viewed fellow Baloch who supported parliamentary politics within the Pakistani system as traitors and collaborators.

His inability to teach his followers that differences of opinion and approach are normal in politics has led to actions that contradict the very principles that motivated their struggle.

While Dr Nazar was part of the first generation of the educated Baloch middle class to lead the insurgency, he also played a significant role in dividing and polarising Baloch society, labeling some as patriots and others as traitors.

His narrow approach to these issues will have a lasting impact on Baloch society. I fear that the divide between those in Balochistan who seek independence from Pakistan and those who wish to pursue a peaceful, parliamentary struggle within Pakistan will not be easily bridged in the near future.

Part 2 of the Interview: 'Baloch Believe Pakistan Will Break Up'

Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff.com
A witness in a criminal case was allegedly attacked with a blade by the accused in the Karkardooma court, Delhi, on Monday, a source said.

IMAGE: The Karkardooma court, New Delhi. Photograph: ANI Photo

The incident occurred when special judge Alok Shukla was hearing the case.

"The accused attacked the witness with a blade after having a heated exchange with him. The victim suffered injuries on his face and neck, following which the chowki police stationed inside the court premises rushed him to a hospital," said the source who witnessed the attack.

"There were bloodstains in the courtroom after the attack," he said.

The accused was in judicial custody in the criminal case.
Google announced on Thursday it will invest US$850 million in its long-planned Terros data centre in Canelones, Uruguay, a month after convincing the government that the facility wont exacerbate the countrys water shortage due to drought.

In a blog post on Thursday, Eduardo Lopez, president of Google Cloud for Latin America, said the data centre in Canelones will bring greater connectivity across the Latin American region and improve access to growing demand for AI.

The Terros data centre has been in the works since 2019 when Google first announced plans to build it. However, the plan had been delayed by concerns from Uruguays Environment Ministry over the data centres cooling design that would use up to 7.6 million litres of potable water per day.

Uruguay, which has experienced a drought since 2018 that reached crisis proportions in July 2023, finally approved the project last month after Google reportedly agreed in November 2023 to make the project smaller, change to an air-cooling system and keep power usage to less than 560 GWh per year.

The Terros data centre will be Googles second such facility in Latin America following the 2015 launch of the first one in Quilicura, Chile. According to Reuters, Google initially invested US$150 million in that data centre, followed by another US$140 million to expand the facility in 2018.

The Quilicura data centre has also raised concerns over water usage in Chile, which has been enduring its own prolonged drought for the last 15 years. In February, a Chilean environmental court partially reversed Google's permit to build the data centre, ordering it to revise its application to take effects of climate change into account. Google said in a statement the redesigned facility will use air-cooling instead.

In his blog post on Thursday, Lopez didnt mention the revised cooling techniques for the Terros data centre, but reiterated that Google is committed to clean energy, and were proud to bring this commitment to our new data center in Uruguay, which already uses renewable energy in more than 90% of its energy matrix.
The Central Bureau of Investigation on Monday arrested former RG Kar Medical College and Hospital principal Sandip Ghosh and three others in connection with the alleged financial irregularities at the facility, which is under intense scrutiny over alleged rape and murder of a trainee doctor there last month.

IMAGE: CBI brings former principal of the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, Dr Sandip Ghosh to CBI Special Crime Branch at CGO complex, Salt Lake in Kolkata, August 22, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo

Officials said the three others who have been arrested are Ghosh's security guard Afsar Ali (44), and hospital vendors Biplav Singha (52) and Suman Hazara (46) who used to supply material to the hospital.

Monday was the 15th day of Ghosh's questioning by the agency.

From the agency's Salt Lake office, the 53-year-old was taken to the CBI's Nizam Palace office in Kolkata, which houses the agency's anti-corruption wing, and was arrested.

This is the second major arrest at the hospital since August 9.

Earlier, a Kolkata police civic volunteer, Sanjoy Roy, was arrested by the Kolkata police and handed over to the central agency in connection with the medic's alleged rape and murder.

On August 23, the Calcutta High Court ordered the transfer of the probe into the alleged financial irregularities at RG Kar hospital from a state-constituted Special Investigation Team to the Central Bureau of Investigation.

The direction came in response to a petition by former deputy superintendent of the facility, Dr Akhtar Ali, who prayed for a probe by the Enforcement Directorate into multiple counts of alleged financial misconduct at the state-run institute during Gosh's tenure as its principal.

Ghosh served as principal of RG Kar Medical College from February 2021 to September 2023. He was transferred from RG Kar in October that year but inexplicably returned to that position within a month. He held his position at the hospital till the day the hospital doctor was found dead.

Ali had moved the High Court amid speculations on whether the alleged rampant corruption at the institution was in any way connected to the RG Kar medic's death, with the victim being privy to these misconduct and threatening exposure.

Ali had also alleged that his complaints before the state vigilance commission and anti-corruption bureau filed over a year ago against Ghosh not only yielded little result, but also led to his own transfer from the institution.

In his plea before the high court, Ali accused Ghosh of illegal sale of unclaimed corpses, trafficking of biomedical waste and passing tenders against commission paid by medicine and medical equipment suppliers.

Ali also alleged that students were pressured to pay amounts ranging between Rs.5 and 8 lakhs to pass exams.

The former principal was asked to go on leave by the state government after the murder of the trainee doctor came to light. The incident has sparked widespread protest in the state including by doctors and the common public.

The agitating doctors have stuck to their demand to suspend the accused officer pending inquiry. Protestors across social and political circles of the state have accused the Mamata Banerjee administration of shielding Ghosh by not issuing a suspension order.

In its FIR registered on the directions of the Calcutta High Court, the CBI has booked Ghosh and three Kolkata-based private entities -- Ma Tara Traders of Madhya Jhorehat, Banipur, Howrah; Eshan Cafe of 4/1, Belgachia and Khama Louha. The premises of all these FIR named entities were searched during the operation.

The agency has filed the FIR against Ghosh and the private entities under charges of criminal conspiracy, cheating and provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act.
The Kerala government on Monday announced a high-level probe into the grave allegations raised by ruling Left Democratic Front MLA PV Anvar against some top IPS officers, including law and order additional director general of police MR Ajith Kumar, a close confidant of the CM, a day after the charges triggered sharp reactions among opposition parties.

IMAGE: Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan receives salute during the passing out parade of 82 recruits at the Kerala Fire and Rescue Services in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, March 7, 2024. Photograph: Courtesy Pimarayi Vijayan on X

Putting the Communist Party of India-Marxist-led government in a fix, the Nilambur legislator on Sunday accused Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan's political secretary P Sasi and ADGP (law and order) Ajith Kumar of breaching trust and failing to deliver responsibilities honestly.

Breaking his silence over the matter, Vijayan on Tuesday sounded tough and said a high-level probe by a top-ranking officer would be held into the charges raised by the MLA.

It was unprecedented for the Left veteran to announce such a significant decision in a public function.

Interestingly, Ajith Kumar, was also present on the dais when the CM announced the probe.

The chief minister said that the issues that have arisen will be addressed with the utmost seriousness and without any prejudice, and any breach of discipline within the police force will not be tolerated at any cost.

Vijayan said that the government always examined issues on their merit, regardless of their origin.

He made these remarks while speaking at a programme organised by the police association in Kottayam.

The decision, he said, is to entrust a top-ranking officer to probe all the allegations, without specifically mentioning Anvar's allegations.

"The discipline of the police force is utmost significant. Any violation of discipline will not be tolerated. Special action will be taken against this and its consequences will be bitter," he said.

Praising the contributions of the Kerala police and its various achievements, Vijayan said there is still a small section of police personnel who were reluctant to accept the changes happening in the force and act against its positive spirit.

"Their actions bring disgrace to the entire force....In the last eight years, 108 such officers were removed from the force. The government will continue this without any fail," he said.

The CM also offered whole-hearted support to the honest and committed officers in the force.

The ADGP spoke during the function but didn't directly say anything about the raging accusations against him.

While the mediapersons later surrounded him with questions, the officer gave a single line reply saying that he has already given a letter to the chief minister and the DGP seeking a probe into the allegations raised against him.

Meanwhile, soon after the CM's announcement of the probe, Anvar held a press conference in Malappuram and raised fresh allegations against the ADGP.

He alleged that the top officer was building an expensive mansion in a sought-after locality in the capital city near Kowdiar Palace.

The MLA sought to know what was his source of money to buy land and build a house in such posh areas.

He also released some more alleged evidence, including records of telephone conversations reportedly throwing light on Kumar's alleged illegal activities.

Anvar on Sunday alleged that Kumar tapped ministers' phone conversations, had links with gold smuggling rackets, and was involved in serious crimes.

He also levelled serious charges against Pathanamthitta superintendent of police Sujith Das.

The Left MLA's allegations against the key person in the Chief Minister's Office and the top rank official had triggered sharp political reactions among Opposition parties which demanded the immediate resignation of CM Vijayan.

The Congress leadership described Anvar's charges as "utmost serious" and "alarming" and wanted a comprehensive probe into the alleged illegal activities being held in the CMO, while the Bharatiya Janata Party urged the CM to reply to the allegations raised by the ruling front MLA.
The unprecedented rainfall and floods in Andhra Pradesh over the past three days affected about 450,000 people leading to the evacuation of more than 30,000 to relief camps.

On September 2, 2024, Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu inspected the flooding situation in various areas of Vijaywada.

Naidu reassured the victims, urging them not to lose hope, and emphasiesd that he would stand by them during this difficult time.

In neighbouring Telangana, at least 16 people lost their lives in various rain-related incidents.

The incessant rainfall caused inundation of low-lying areas, damage to agricultural crops and disruption of the state's rail and road links with neighbouring Andhra Pradesh.

IMAGE: Naidu visits the flood-affected areas of Vijaywada. All Photographs: ANI Photo

IMAGE: Naidu interacts with the flood victims.

IMAGE: Naidu assures the flood victims.

IMAGE: Naidu in Budameru.

IMAGE: Naidu visits the district collector's office to inspect the flood situation in NTR district.

IMAGE: Naidu visits the flood-affected areas following heavy rainfall in Vijayawada.

IMAGE: A road washed away due to the overflow of Palair reservoir triggered by heavy rainfall in Khammam, Telangana.

IMAGE: View of an area in flood hit Khammam.

IMAGE: Locals walk on the damaged road.

IMAGE: A toppled JCB.

IMAGE: Locals watch the damaged road.

IMAGE: The flood gates of Palair reservoir release the excess water due to heavy rainfall in Khammam.

IMAGE: A railway track near Intakanne railway station connecting Kesamudram and Intakanne washed away due to the heavy rains in Mahabubabad.

IMAGE: A view of the damaged railway track.

IMAGE: Restoration works underway at the railway track, here and below.

WATCH: Andhra Floods: Severe flash floods leave hundreds stranded in Vijayawada

Photographs curated by Manisha Kotian/Rediff.com

Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff.com
Scores of people scrambled for milk and food packets in flood-ravaged Vijayawada on Monday, and also complained about alleged government apathy towards their hardships in the past three days.

IMAGE: People wade through a waterlogged road following heavy rainfall, in Vijayawada on Monday. Photograph: ANI Photo

Unprecedented torrential downpour over the past three days submerged multiple localities in the centrally located commercial city.

Inundated localities included Ajit Singh Nagar, Nandamuri Nagar, Andhra Prabha colony, LBS Nagar, Vambay colony and Ayodhya Nagar.

Other submerged areas included Madhura Nagar, Ramakrishna Puram, New Rajarajeswari Peta, Old Rajarajeswari Peta, Pipula Road, Payakapuram, Shanti Nagar, Prasanthi Nagar, Jakkampudi and Pathapadu.

Similar was the situation in Nainavaram, Chittinagar, Milk Project area, Bridge Peta and others.

Visuals aired on local TV news channels showed a woman lamenting to Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu that people were stranded for two days in Ajit Singh Nagar without drinking water.

She complained to him that no boat came to their rescue while another man standing in waist deep waters begged Naidu, who was touring the flood-affected areas for the third time on a boat, to understand their predicament.

"Please understand our situation sir (CM). We don't have water and food sir. Inundated till the first floor," the flood victim directly complained to Naidu.

People were seen wading through floodwaters carrying their children on shoulders to safety while an old woman lying on a mattress was seen being shifted over floodwaters by two persons. Some people tried to help themselves through the deluge using a rope.

As people waded through the floodwaters, some of them held on to some basic necessities in their hands and a large queue was formed at one of the flood-affected places to collect milk sachets and food packets.

"I came swimming for food packets but I did not get one," said a man to a local news channel while another complained that nobody came to help a group of stranded people whose pictures were shared with authorities.

At a large queue formed for milk packets, a flood victim complained that they did not have milk since Sunday morning and alleged that no help came their way from the government.

"These speed boats and NDRF teams are just roaming around. We came swimming. Some people are volunteering to help in private boats. Not getting anything from the government," he alleged.

Similarly, another flood victim said diabetes patients were not receiving any food supplies and questioned what was the need for the CM to tour the inundated areas as 'about 100 people are needed for his security alone'.

Meanwhile, several flood-affected people from Rajiv Nagar complained that nobody is caring for their locality. One man from this locality said he came to fetch some milk for children.

"Since yesterday we have had no rice or drinking water, no butter milk. We are not getting any supplies," said a woman passing by the line waiting for milk.

There was no immediate response from state government officials.

Life was completely thrown out of gear in Vijayawada following torrential downpours over the past three days and with more than 24 hours of power cuts in several parts of the city.

There was severe disruption to internet and mobile telephone connectivity, and long traffic jams disrupted normal life, including connectivity to Hyderabad.

Transportation within Vijayawada city and its vicinity is in a chaotic situation while there is no way to reach Hyderabad even through Khammam, except a slight possibility via the Piduguralla route.

"The flood waters situation is the same. Water levels reduced just a little and rainfall resumed. There are fears that power connectivity will not be restored until the water level subsides," M Sailaja, a resident of Ajit Singh Nagar told PTI on Monday.

Ajit Singh Nagar is one of the worst affected localities in Vijayawada, which bore the brunt of Budameru floods, a rivulet on the outskirts of the city.

Though many residents staying on the ground floors took refuge in the upper floor houses of neighbours, several of the flood-affected people could not sleep overnight as fans and air conditioning did not work, while children also suffered.

Many overhead tanks are empty and water could be pumped unless power is restored, while drinking water supplies are also diminishing in households.

"If the water level recedes, then we have to see if we can go and fetch some water. Still there is waist-deep flood water outside," Sailaja said, adding many relatives and friends of hers were trying to call to check on their welfare.

Further, the mobile phones of scores of people were not working due to exhaustion of battery power.

"Now I am sending messages one by one. A friend just called me. Though some friends offered to come and supply provisions, we told them that there is no accessibility even for that," said Sailaja, adding they were yet to cook breakfast and have to see what best can be done.
The Madhya Pradesh high court on Monday issued notices to actor Kangana Ranaut, the Centre, censor board and others on a public interest litigation (PIL) challenging the screening of her upcoming Hindi film Emergency on the ground it contains scenes that violate fundamental rights of Sikhs.

IMAGE: Bharatiya Janata Party MP Kangana Ranaut. Photograph: Shrikant Singh/Reuters

The PIL has stated that Emergency features scenes which violate fundamental rights of the Sikh community and sought an unconditional apology from the actor-politician, who plays the lead role in the movie, and other respondents.

The Bharatiya Janata Party Lok Sabha MP from Himachal Pradesh's Mandi portrays former prime minister Indira Gandhi in the film scheduled for release on September 6.

A division bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Sanjeev Sachdeva and Justice Vinay Saraf here issued the notices, returnable in 24 hours, to respondents during preliminary hearing on the PIL filed by two Sikh organisations.

The court ordered sending of the notices through electronic mode to respondents and added it is returnable (with their replies on issues raised in the plea) by September 3, the petitioners' counsel, N S Ruprah, told PTI over the phone.

The court fixed the next date of hearing on Tuesday (Sept 3).

The Jabalpur Sikh Sangat and the Shri Guru Singh Sabha, Indore, have filed the plea stating that Sikhs are directly affected by the film and have thus chosen to move the court for protection of their dignity and honour enshrined in the Constitution, he added.

The petition seeks direction to the Union government and the Madhya Pradesh government to restrict screening of the movie across the country, particularly in the central state, Ruprah added.

Furthermore, the plea seeks direction to Ranaut and other respondents to tender an unconditional apology to the entire nation for making such an 'irresponsible' film and pay exemplary damages to a Sikh charitable organisation/institution.

The biographical political drama film has been directed and co-produced by the 38-year-old actor, the lawyer said. Notices have been issued to the Centre, the MP government, the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), Manikarnika Films Pvt Ltd, Zee Studios Ltd, Zee Studios Chief Business Officer Umesh K Bansal, YouTube, Instagram and Facebook India Online Services Pvt Ltd.

On Friday, Ranaut said her film is still stuck with the censor board contrary to reports that it has been cleared for release.

In a video message posted on X, the actor claimed she and CBFC members had received threats, and that she is under pressure not to show in the film the assassination of Indira Gandhi by her Sikh bodyguards in 1984.
The government has summoned the content head of OTT platform Netflix over the series IC-814: The Kandahar Hijack, which has triggered a row over the depiction of hijackers, contending that nobody has the right to play with the sentiments of the nation.

IMAGE: A scene from the web series IC-814 -- The Kandahar Hijack, . Photograph: Kind courtesy Netflix

Official sources said the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has summoned the content head of Netflix India on Tuesday, seeking an explanation on the allegedly contentious aspects of the OTT series portraying the 1999 hijack of an Indian Airlines flight by Pakistan-based terror outfit Harkat-ul-Mujahideen.

The depiction of hijackers of the Indian Airlines flight from Kathmandu to Delhi has stirred controversy with a section of viewers objecting to the 'humane' projection of the perpetrators.

"Nobody has the right to play with the sentiments of the people of this nation. Indian culture and civilisation should always be respected," another official source said.

"Should we allow any foreign people to slipshod over our cultural values," the source said without elaborating.

The sources said filmmakers have to think before portraying something in a wrong manner.

"You may be liberal, but you cannot portray institutions in a wrong manner," the source said.

Using hashtags #BoycottNetflix, #BoycottBollywood and #IC814, several X users shared posts claiming the filmmakers changed the names of the hijackers to 'Shankar' and 'Bhola' to allegedly protect the terrorists who belonged to a certain community.

Bharatiya Janata Party IT Cell chief Amit Malviya said the hijackers of the IC-814 flight were dreaded terrorists, who acquired aliases to hide their Muslim identities.

'Filmmaker Anubhav Sinha, legitimised their criminal intent, by furthering their non-Muslim names. Decades later, people will think Hindus hijacked IC-814,' Malviya posted on X.

'Left's 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,' Malviya said.

'This will not just weaken/put in question India's 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.

Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said it was really amusing to see the people who took movies like 'Kashmir Files' as the gospel truth having a meltdown at the way the events of IC814 are depicted in the Netflix show.

'Now suddenly they want accuracy and nuance packaged in the script,' Abdullah said on X.

Shiv Sena-UBT leader Priyanka Chaturvedi said the 'right-wing outrage' over the IC-814 TV series was a reminder of the BJP government's massive failure then.

'... it reminds the nation how the intelligence and government agencies were caught off guard. Much like the Kargil war too,' said Chaturvedi, a Rajya Sabha member.

She said three dreaded terrorists, Masood Azhar, Omar Sheikh, and Mushtaq Zargar, who were released ended up creating Jaish-e-Muhammad, a terror outfit that attacked Parliament in 2001.

Chaturvedi recalled that the three terrorists were personally escorted by India's current NSA, and the then defence minister.
Sanjay Roy, the main accused in the alleged rape and murder of an RG Kar Medical College trainee doctor in Kolkata, told his lawyer that he wants to plead "not guilty" in court as he is innocent, according to a report in the Times of India.

IMAGE: Artists stage a protest against the alleged sexual assault and murder of a postgraduate trainee doctor at Kolkata's RG Kar Hospital at the Academy of Fine Arts in Kolkata. Photograph: ANI Photo

Roy told his lawyer Kavita Sarkar that he was being framed since he did not even know the victim, reported the Times.

During a polygraph test he was subject to, Roy was asked 10 questions, including what he did next after allegedly murdering the woman.

However, he told the CBI team that the question was invalid because he did not murder her.

Roy said in the polygraph test that the woman was already unconscious when he entered the seminar hall of the hospital on August 9.

He claimed that the woman was covered in blood and he rushed out of the room in panic.

Asked why he didn't inform the police if he was innocent, Roy said he was scared that no one would believe him.

Rediff.com has not been able to independently verify the claims made in the report.

Sarkar told the newspaper that the culprit could be someone else.

"If he had access to the seminar hall so easily, it shows that there was a security lapse on that night and someone else could also have taken advantage of that," said Sarkar, the lawyer appointed by Legal Aid Defence Counsel System for Roy.

Roy was arrested by the Kolkata police on August 10, a day after the body of the 31-year-old medic was found in the seminar hall of the R G Kar medical college.

CCTV footage and a Bluetooth device found near the medic's body resulted in the arrest of Roy, who was allegedly seen entering the seminar hall of the college where the body was found at around 4 am.

Roy, 33, was working with the Kolkata police as a civic volunteer since 2019.

The accused, who is a trained boxer, allegedly got close to a few senior police officers over the years, following which he was moved to the Kolkata Police Welfare Board and posted at the police outpost at the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital.
Two women pilgrims from Punjab and Uttar Pradesh died while a five-year-old girl was grievously injured in a landslide on the new track to the Vaishno Devi shrine in Jammu and Kashmir's Reasi district on Monday, officials said.

Photograph: ANI Photo

Movement of pilgrims on the Himkoti track was halted following the landslide but the pilgrimage to the shrine atop Trikuta hills continued through the traditional Sanjhichatt route, they said.

Officials said the landslide hit the route near Panchi, three kilometres ahead of Bhawan, around 2.15 pm. A portion of an overhead iron structure was also damaged, they said.

The pilgrims were heading for the shrine when they got trapped under the iron structure following the landslide, officials said.

According to them, the landslide was caused by shooting stones in the wake of rainfall over the past few days.

Deputy Commissioner of Reasi Vishesh Paul Mahajan confirmed the deaths and the injury to the girl and said senior police and civil administration officers have rushed to the spot.

Mahajan too left for Katra -- the base camp for the Vaishno Devi pilgrims -- to take stock of the situation and personally know the condition of the injured girl.

Officials said disaster management teams of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB) immediately reached the spot of the incident and launched a rescue operation.

The deceased have been identified as Sapna (27) of Dhianpur village in Punjab's Gurdaspur, and Neha (23) of Kanpur in Uttar Pradesh, the officials said.

The injured girl -- Sanvi a resident of Kanpur -- was admitted to the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Narayana Superspeciality Hospital for treatment.

Her grandfather L Prasad said they were taking a break from trekking to the shrine when police started clearing the track due to a monkey scare.

"Suddenly, there was a landslide and the debris fell on the tin shed which collapsed," he said.

On New Year's Day in 2022, a stampede at the shrine left 12 pilgrims dead and 16 injured.
The forest department has launched an investigation into the reported death of 18 to 19 monkeys in a village in Chhattisgarh's Bemetara district and recovered four rotten carcasses, a senior official said.

IMAGE: Kindly note that this image has been posted for representational purposes only. Photograph: ANI Photo

A panchayat representative, however, claimed that at least 17 monkeys were shot dead by two labourers hired by some villagers to chase away a pack of the simians, and accused the forest department of trying to cover up the incident.

Contesting the claim, a senior forest department official said the exact cause behind the death of monkeys is yet to be ascertained even as some suspects are being questioned.

"The alleged incident occurred on August 28 in Belgaon village when two persons hired by some villagers to chase away monkeys from a settlement opened fire using guns," Sitaram Verma, panch of the Belgaon village panchayat, told PTI on Monday.

Some monkeys were also injured in the incident, he said.

According to Verma, a meeting was recently called in the village to hire labourers to keep a check on simians which invade houses and damage horticulture crops.

"I disagreed with villagers because monkeys are worshipped as Lord Hanuman. I didn't agree to resort to such violent measures to harass them," he claimed.

Verma claimed state government authorities were alerted about the killing of monkeys but they visited the village two days after the incident on August 30 for panchnama.

"Carcasses of several monkeys were consumed by stray dogs. The Forest department took away rotten carcasses and skeletons of seven monkeys. Some of the injured monkeys died while a few others escaped," he claimed.

According to Verma, he shared a video and photos of 17 dead monkeys with authorities.

Verma alleged that the forest department has been trying to cover up the incident and demanded a stern action against the culprits.

Divisional forest officer (DFO) of Durg forest division, Chandrashekhar Pardeshi, under whose jurisdiction Bemetara falls, said the rotten carcasses of four monkeys have been recovered so far from the village.

"A search operation is going on in the area to assess the information about the death of 18-19 monkeys," he said.

According to Pardeshi, a postmortem of carcasses was not possible given they were completely rotten.

"There are only skeletons left. Samples have been sent for forensic examination and further investigation is underway," he said.

Pardeshi said the confirmation is awaited on the circumstances and the timing of the incident (death of monkeys).

"Some suspects were being questioned in connection with the incident and action will be taken under the Wildlife Protection Act against the guilty," he said.

The DFO and officials of forest, administration, and police visited Belgaon village on Sunday to inquire about the incident.

Another village representative wishing anonymity claimed villagers were shocked when labourers used guns against monkeys.

"In the past, labourers tasked with tackling the monkey menace used bamboo sticks to scare them away. In return such labourers were given rice by villagers," he said.
The US was looking forward to working closely with Bangladesh's interim government and strengthening ties with Dhaka on a range of issues, a top American diplomat said on Monday.

IMAGE: People climb the statue of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman at the Bijoy Sarani area, as they celebrate the resignation of the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in Dhaka, on August 5, 2024. Photograph: Mohammad Ponir Hossain/Reuters

US embassy charge d'Affaires Helen Lafave made the remarks during her meeting with chief advisor Muhammad Yunus at the State Guest House Yamuna, the state-run BSS news agency reported.

"The US government was happy to congratulate the chief adviser and was looking forward to working closely together," the chief adviser's press wing quoted the US diplomat as saying.

Helen said the US embassy in Dhaka will resume this week its consular service to expedite visa processing.

She said thousands of Bangladeshi students now study in US universities.

She said the US would work closely with Bangladesh in health, education, labour, governance and Rohingya issues, the agency reported.

The US is the largest contributor to the Rohingya humanitarian responses, and Helen said the amount of Rohingya monthly food aid has increased this year after more US funding.

Chief adviser Yunus thanked the US for supporting Bangladesh, including its continued funding for over one million Rohingyas who have been living in Cox's Bazar's camps.

He said the interim government would carry out deep reforms and added that the general election would be held after a reasonable time.

The envoy raised some concerns over labour and minority issues.

The chief adviser said every citizen in Bangladesh is "protected by the constitution" and the interim government is committed to upholding the human rights of all citizens.

Helen said the US government is also trying to help Bangladesh set up a prosecutorial service to ensure fair trials.

On Monday, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi spoke to chief adviser Yunus by phone and congratulated him on his assumption of the leadership of the interim government.

During the telephone conversation, the two leaders discussed the Rohingya issue, including about thousands of people displaced by the ongoing conflict in Myanmar's Rakhine state.

Yunus sought his support for the dignified and voluntary return of over one million Rohingya people, who live in camps in Bangladesh, to their homeland in Myanmar.

The UNHCR chief requested the chief adviser to attend a meeting on the Rohingya crisis on the sidelines of the upcoming UN General Assembly in New York.

Yunus will lead a small delegation to the 79th United Nations General Assembly in New York.

"He will aim to complete his tasks as quickly as possible, so the visit, including travel time, won't exceed a week," Foreign Adviser Md Touhid Hossain said on Monday.

The adviser noted that only those with direct responsibilities at the UNGA will accompany the chief adviser.
Malaysian telco CelcomDigi and agritech startup BoomGrow Productions say they have partnered to launch 5G and AI-powered machine farms that they say will enhance sustainable farming practices and food production in the country.

Under the partnership announced on Thursday, CelcomDigi will integrate 5G connectivity, AI and extended reality (XR) with BoomGrows precision farming technology.

BoomGrows machine farms will use 5G connectivity to gather real-time data from integrated sensors and monitoring systems, allowing for precise control of indoor farming environments and ensuring optimal conditions for crop growth.

Meanwhile, advanced analytics powered by AI enable deeper analysis of those datasets, with data from all machine farms consolidated into a centralised dashboard, enabling seamless oversight and management.

The XR component, powered by XR Associate, is a training tool for agronomists that enables them to learn how to manage modern farming systems from different locations where BoomGrow machine farms are present. This will also help facilitate BoomGrow in onboarding new agronomists as they scale to roll out more machine farms in future.

BoomGrow CEO and co-founder Murali Krishnamurthy said the combination of these technologies will enables real-time monitoring, precise control of farming environments, and predictive analytics, leading to increased crop yields and overall resource efficiency.

The integration of 5G technology into our operations allows us to unlock new levels of efficiency and sustainability, driving the future of agriculture, he said in a statement. With this enhanced connectivity, our customers will benefit from better predictability and control, ensuring consistently high-quality produce and more reliable outcomes.

BoomGrow is among the 40 partners of CelcomDigis recently launched AI Experience Centre (AiX), which aims to foster cross-industry collaboration for emerging technologies including 5G, AI, robotics and the metaverse. BoomGrow says it has deployed machine farms in Malaysia (including one at AiX) and the Philippines.
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Mike Pieciak is treasurer for the state of Vermont. The opinions expressed by columnists do not necessarily reflect the views of Vermont News & Media.
NetApp has expanded its support for VMware products to help local customers and channel partners.

This includes updated support for VMware Cloud Foundation, capabilities for Azure VMware solution, enhanced VM optimisation features for NetApp Cloud insights, giving mutual customers the ability configure their IT environments appropriately.

The storage vendor is also working closely with local customers and channel partners through VMWare optimisation workshops, to help them understand and enhance their virtualisation environments using advanced tools.

This will ensure they can handle VMware workloads regardless of size or complexity of their operations.

Chris Gondek, manager of solutions engineering at NetApp Australia and New Zealand, told sister publication ARN that the vendor is having a lot of conversations with local VMware customers and partners on how to use NetApp technologies.

Were currently helping organisations to understand their current state, before planning their future state, so theyre able to make an informed decision, he said.
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
LEO satellite operator Starlink has scored another licence in the Pacific Islands to offer services  this one in the Solomon Islands, after two years of discussions with the government.

According to Solomon Islands Broadcasting Corporation, the Telecommunication Commission of Solomon Islands (TCSI) issued a Class License to locally incorporated Starlink Solomon Islands Limited on Thursday after signing an MoU with Ryan Goodnight, senior director of global licensing and market activation for Starlink parent company SpaceX.

Like many Pacific Island nations, the Solomon Islands has seen residents turn to Starlink as an alternative (albeit a technically illegal one) to local internet services that are either pricy or unavailable in some areas.

Starlink had recently agreed to disable roaming services to the Solomon Islands until it had secured a licence. TCSI Commissioner Calvin Ziru said the service will be reactived for people who already have Starlink terminal kits, the report said.

Starlink has been in talks to launch service in the islands since 2020, but has spent that time working to meet regulatory requirements, to include registering the company locally with the foreign investment board.

Starlinks potential entry into the market also met resistance from state-owned telco Our Telekom (a.k.a. Breeze) and Vodafone affiliate Bmobile, who were worried about the services impact on the telecoms market.

The two main telecommunication providers in the country have raised their concerns on the new player on the market, Ziru told SIBC. However it is clearly seen that Starlink services will not only make internet services more affordable for Solomon Islanders but will also complement the services the major operators provide.

There may also be reseller opportunities for both operators. Bmobile signed a deal with satellite phone operator Lynk Global in November 2023 to launch a satellite direct-to-mobile phone service to customers.
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.
DUSHANBE -- Rustamjon Davlatov is mourning the death of his son, Navruz, but his grief is mixed with the shock and disbelief that the 23-year-old was listed as being involved in a deadly hostage-taking at a Russian prison last week.

We are faraway here. He was inside the four walls of [the prison]. I dont know what went on there, Davlatov said, fighting back tears. What can we possibly do?

Unverified images posted on various Russian websites depict knife-brandishing men who identify themselves as Islamic State (IS) militants and claim to have taken control of the Surovikino Prison in the southwestern Volgograd region on August 23.

Four prison guards were stabbed to death and several other were wounded in the incident, officials say.

Russian authorities have not publicly disclosed the names of the hostage-takers, all of whom were killed by special forces, according to police.

But the state news agency TASS identified Davlatovs son, Navruz Rustamjon, and a fellow Tajik inmate Nazirjon Toshov, 28, as well as Uzbek nationals Ramzidin Toshev and Temur Khusinov as the perpetrators.

Three of the men, including the two Tajiks, were serving prison terms on drug-trafficking charges. The fourth man was convicted of manslaughter.

Davlatov, who lives in a modest one-story house in the Tajik capital, Dushanbe, says he spoke to his son three days before the hostage crisis. He insists it was an ordinary conversation, with the two discussing the sons dreams for his life after prison.

He told me he wanted to return home and get married and study at the university. He asked me to find a bride for him, Davlatov told RFE/RL. He had plans and dreams for the future, but theyre all destroyed now.

Rustamjon, the youngest of seven siblings, had an ordinary upbringing in a family of modest means and did well at school and treated everyone with respect, said Davlatov, a retired theater performer who now works at a state catering service.

Russian officials allegedly tried to recruit Rustamjon to fight in the war in Ukraine, but we always told him not to accept it despite all the hardships in prison, the father said.

Rustamjon went to Russia when he was just 18 to work and send money to his family, according to Davlatov. He worked at a car wash and a warehouse before being sentenced to seven years in prison in 2022.

In a graphic video that purportedly shows part of the hostage-taking, one of the self-proclaimed militants points to the bloodied bodies of several men in uniform and says the prison guards were murdered for persecuting Muslims.

"We killed those who humiliated and tortured Muslims. They took away books from some of us, prayer rugs from some of us," the man in the video claims.

Another man wearing blood-soaked gloves holds what seems to be a black IS flag. He was identified by Russian media as Rustamjon. But his father says Rustamjon did not pray and was not religious at all.

'We Were No Longer In Touch'

In Nazirjon Toshovs hometown of Tursunzoda, some 60 kilometers west of Dushanbe, relatives are reluctant to talk about him.

Toshovs mother is dead and his father left the city several years ago. Toshovs former wife moved to Russia after their divorce in 2021, taking the couples young daughter with her, according to his former in-laws.

Mehri Saidova, the grandmother of Toshovs ex-wife, said that she hasnt seen the images purportedly showing him during the hostage-taking.

I heard about it from my daughter, she told RFE/RL. We didnt know things would end like this.

Saidova said she was questioned by Tajik authorities after the news of the hostage drama in Russia broke. But the grandmother insists she doesnt know much about Toshovs life in recent years as they were no longer in touch.

Officials in Tursunzoda declined to comment to RFE/RL.

The government in Dushanbe said in a statement on August 23 they were working with Russian authorities to identify and apprehend other members of the terrorist organization that carried out this crime.

But the statement did not mention any involvement of Tajik nationals in the deadly incident.

The hostage crisis comes five months after 10 Tajik citizens were arrested in connection with a terrorist attack on the Crocus City Hall concert venue outside Moscow that killed 145 people.

The massacre, claimed by IS, led to a rise in xenophobic attacks on Tajiks and other Central Asian migrant workers in Russia. Thousands of Tajik nationals were either deported or denied entry to Russia. Others returned home due to threats or bad treatment from locals.

Migrants fear that the latest hostage-taking in Volgograd will further exacerbate the already difficult situation for millions of Central Asian workers in Russia.

Written by Farangis Najibullah in Prague based on reporting in Tajikistan by Alisher Zarifi and Amir Isoev
High Court Reporters

Evangelical Christian teacher Enoch Burke has been jailed for the third time over his refusal to comply with a court order and stay away and not trespass at Wilson's Hospital School in Co Westmeath.

Mr Burke was sent back to Mountjoy Prison by Mr Justice Michael Quinn, during Monday's vacation sitting of High Court, for breaching the terms of an injunction granted by Mr Justice Alexander Owens last year.

That order was never appealed and remains in place, the judge said.

In his ruling the judge said that "conclusive evidence had been put before the court," which was not denied, that Mr Burke had breached the terms of the injunction. The judge said that Mr Burke had attended the school on multiple occasions since August 22nd last.

In light of the teacher's ongoing contempt, the judge ordered that Mr Burke be committed to Mountjoy Prison, and adjourned the case for a review to October 11th next.

Mr Burke can purge his contempt and secure his release from prison at any time before the matter is returned before the court, the judge added.

The judge said he was taking into account evidence from the school's acting Principal, John Galligan and Chairman of its board of Management Mr John Rogers that Mr Burke's ongoing and visible presence at the school was disrupting its staff in how they go about their day-to-day duties to its students.

Mr Burke was brought to court on Monday evening following his arrest at the school's campus that afternoon.

Mr Burke, who was accompanied by members of his family including his parents, Martina and Sean Burke, said that he was being jailed by the courts over his refusal to accept "the hellish ideology of transgendarism".

During his submissions to the court, Mr Burke accepted that the judge would send him back to prison.

He added that he had been denied his rights as a Christian by the school when he said it "commanded" him to call a male student as 'they'.

Quoting the Book of Genesis and the Gospel According to St Matthew to reaffirm his Christian beliefs regarding gender, the teacher said that the case before the court amounted to "a mockery of justice," and accused several parties including members of the judiciary of telling lies about what the case is about.

He claimed that the truth about the case, namely that the litigation is all about his opposition to transgendarism, was being "trampled into the ground" but added "that the truth will rise up again."

After the judge ordered that Mr Burke be sent back to prison, the teacher said that he would "have to answer to God."

During the course of the hearing, members of Mr Burke's family, who were also critical of Mr Justice Quinn, called on the judge to read a August 2022 report from the school's former Principal, Ms Niamh McShane, which they claimed showed what the case was all about.

The judge noted that the report had been considered at another hearing of the case, and reminded Mr Burke that the only business before him was if Mr Justice Owens' order had been breached by the teacher.

Late last month, the school's board of management sought orders for the teacher's attachment and committal due to Mr Burke's alleged ongoing refusal to comply with High Court orders requiring him to stay away from the school.

The school said the teacher had attended every school day at Wilson's Hospital since August 22nd last, which it said was "disruptive" to staff and students.

Rosemary Mallon Bl for the board told the court that the school's board has become concerned after the latest breaches of the terms of the injunction which prevents him from trespassing at the facility.

Counsel said her client did not want to engage in any further litigation with Mr Burke, however it believes that unless committed to prison he will continue to attend at the school.

Despite being jailed on two previous occasions, and been fined by the courts, the school said that he has no intention of complying with the injunction, counsel said.

The school was particularly concerned over an alleged incident where it is claimed that Mr Burke entered into a room in the school's main building where teachers were holding a staff meeting in respect of the school's Transition Year class.

Counsel said that another concern was that other 3rd parties, who are not journalists and are believed to be supporters of Mr Burke have also started attending at the school.

The German and History teacher was released from Mountjoy Prison, where he has spent over 400 days in two different stints, in late June without purging his contempt.

However, he was warned at the time by Mr Justice Mark Sanfey that the courts would have "no hesitation" in sending Mr Burke back to prison if he was again found to have breached the court's order.

The teacher has been in an ongoing legal dispute with Wilson's Hospital over what he claims was his refusal in 2022 to comply with the school's direction to call a then student by a different name and use the pronoun "they".

Throughout this legal battle Mr Burke has claimed that he has been imprisoned because he was being punished for his religious beliefs and his opposition to "transgendarism."

The teacher denies all claims of wrongdoing against him and says that his constitutional rights were breached by the school's direction that he refers to a student by a different gender.

Mr Burke was last jailed in early September 2023 over his refusal to comply with the permanent injunction, made the previous May by Mr Justice Owens.

He did not appeal that order to the Court of Appeal but did make an application earlier this year to the High Court seeking to set aside the injunction on the grounds that it was flawed and unconstitutional.

That application was dismissed by the High Court.

During his first stint behind bars, he spent over 100 days in Mountjoy between September and December 2022.

Following his suspension from his teaching position in August 2022, Mr Burke was sued by the school over his failure to comply with a previous court order which also required him to stay away from the school while he was suspended from his job.

He was released in December 2022 without purging his contempt.

He again started attending at the school after the Christmas holidays, and the High Court imposed a daily fine of 700 on Mr Burke.

However, arising out of his failure to stay away from the school when the 2023-24 school year commenced and considering Mr Justice Owens' order, Mr Burke was again jailed for contempt.
Sarah Slater

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.

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.

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.

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.
The holy relics of Saint Bernadette of Lourdes are set to visit County Roscommon twice in the coming weeks.

The county will also host the farewell ceremony for the pilgrimage.

During September, October, and November the relics of Saint Bernadette will journey on pilgrimage - for the very first time - to each of the 26 dioceses on the island of Ireland The relics will be visiting the Cathedral of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary and St Nathy, Ballaghaderreen on October 5th and 6th. They will also be at The Church of the Risen Christ, Kiltoom on November 5th as part of the pilgrimages farewell ceremony. The Church of Saints Peter & Paul, Athlone, will also be visited by the relics from November 2nd to 4th.

Bishop of Elphin and Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Achonry, Kevin Doran, will be entrusted with the holy relics tomorrow, Tuesday September 3rd, at a special ceremony at the grotto in Lourdes. Bishop Kevin, along with parishioners of the Diocese of Elphin, is currently on pilgrimage in Lourdes.

The Elphin Pilgrimage will bring the relics home with them to begin the pilgrimage around Ireland, beginning in Galway Cathedral on September 5th.

Bishop Doran said, There is a well established tradition of people bringing religious objects home from Lourdes, to share with family members and friends. This year, we have the unique privilege of bringing home the relics of Saint Bernadette, as we fly back into Knock Airport after the Elphin Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes. Many people are unable to travel on pilgrimage to Lourdes, but this year Lourdes will come to them, as the Relics of Saint Bernadette make their way around Ireland. We hope that many people will be able to share in the blessings of the Pilgrimage, by gathering to pray with Saint Bernadette in cities and towns across the country. The International Marian Shrine at Lourdes has always had a special place in the hearts of Irish people. Countless Irish pilgrims have made the journey to the shrine for the last 166 years since the apparitions of Our Lady to Saint Bernadette in 1858.

The Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes takes place each year on February 11th. On this day in 1858 Our Lady first appeared to the fourteen year old, now Saint Bernadette Soubirous, in Lourdes. Saint Bernadette was canonised as a saint in 1933.

The full programme of the pilgrimage

can be found on the dedicated website here.
Why Delhi-Like Farmers Protest in Chandigarh Today Reason Demands Punjab Assembly Session

Farmers from various parts of Punjab arrived in the city and converged on the Dussehra ground in Chandigarh.

Why Delhi-Like Farmers Protest in Chandigarh Today? What's the reason and their demands? Why farmers are protesting in Chandigarh ahead of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha Session today (Punjab Assembly Session 2024)? There are a lot of questions in the minds of Chandigarhians as they have been struggling at several stretches of the roads.

The roads affected due to the farmers' protest in Chandigarh today ahead of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha session (Punjab Assembly Session 2024) are:

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Sarovar Path: From Gaushala Chowk (Sectors 44-45-50,51 Chowk) to Burail Chowk (Sectors 33-34, 44-45 Chowk) to Sectors 33-34 Light Point to New Labour Chowk (Sectors 33-34, 20-21 Chowk).

Sector 34: Traffic on the V-4 road of Sector 34 and V-5 road of Sector 34 A/B ie Shyam Mall towards T-Point opposite Polka Bakery, near Flower Market, and near Dispensary will be diverted/restricted.

Sectors 33-34 Light Point to Sectors 34-35 Light Point.

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Dakshin Marg: Any turn into Sarovar Path is not allowed for the general public.

Shanti Path: Traffic will be redirected from Sectors 33-45 Light Point; turning towards Sarovar Path is not allowed.

Under the banners of the Bharti Kisan Union (Ugrahan) and the Punjab Khet Mazdoor Union, farmers started a five-day protest on Sunday in Chandigarh wherein the farmers are trying to pressurize the Punjab government to fulfill their demands that include swift implementation of a comprehensive agriculture policy.

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Farmers from various parts of Punjab arrived in the city and converged on the Dussehra ground in Chandigarh's Sector 34 to take part in the sit-in protest.

Meanwhile, the police administration and farmer leaders held a meeting on Monday and the farmer leaders were permitted to visit Punjab Vidhan Sabha and give their memorandum to the Government officials. In the meanwhile, 1000 farmers of BKU Ugrahan have also been permitted to carry their protest march in Chandigarh till Matka Chowk.

(For more news apart from Why Delhi-Like Farmers Protest in Chandigarh Today? What's the reason and their demands? Why farmers are protesting in Chandigarh ahead of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha Session today (Punjab Assembly Session 2024)? stay tuned to Rozana Spokesman)
'Issue Shouldn't Be Politicised,' SC Forms Committee To Negotiate With Protesting Farmers

The committee will be led by Justice Nawab Singh, a former judge of the Punjab and Haryana High Court.

Supreme Court on Farmers' Protest at Shambhu Border Latest News Today: On Monday, September 2, the Supreme Court ordered the formation of a High-Powered Committee to engage in negotiations with the farmers protesting at the Shambhu border between Punjab and Haryana.

The committee will be led by Justice Nawab Singh, a former judge of the Punjab and Haryana High Court.

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This decision was made by a bench comprising Justices Surya Kant and Ujjal Bhuyan in response to a petition filed by the State of Haryana. The petition sought to challenge an order by the Punjab and Haryana High Court, which called for the removal of the blockade at the Shambhu border. The blockade had been set up by Haryana to prevent the protesters from marching to Delhi.

The Supreme Court bench encouraged the Committee to communicate with the protesting farmers, requesting them to remove their tractors, trolleys, and other equipment from the Shambhu border on the National Highway to alleviate the inconvenience faced by the general public. The protesters are free to relocate their demonstration to an alternative site designated by the authorities.

The bench also advised the farmers to remain independent of political parties, stressing that the protest should not be politicized. The bench acknowledged the significant presence of marginalized agricultural communities in Punjab and Haryana, who live below the poverty line and deserve compassion. Consequently, the bench decided that a neutral committee was necessary to address their concerns.

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The committee members include:

Justice Nawab Singh, Former Judge of Punjab and Haryana High Court; PS Sandhu, Retired IPS Officer, Former DG of Haryana; Devender Sharma, Professor of Eminence at GNCT Amritsar; Dr. Sukhpal Singh, Agricultural Economist from Punjab Agriculture University.

(For more news apart from Supreme Court on Farmers' Protest at Shambhu Border Latest News Today, stay tuned to Rozana Spokesman)
Punjab Vidhan Sabha Monsoon Session Begins With Obituary Reference

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann addressed the issue of Budha Nala.

Punjab Vidhan Sabha Monsoon Session News Today: The three-day monsoon session of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha has commenced. During the session, tributes were first paid to the deceased, and a two-minute silence was observed in their memory. These personalities included many former MLAs and freedom fighters, such as the Padma Shri award-winning poet Surjit Patar, who recently passed away.

Opposition leader Pratap Singh Bajwa stated that he had filed a petition in the High Court. He mentioned that there was currently no rule regarding the use of cameras in the Vidhan Sabha. A demand letter was sent to the Chief Justice on August 9, requesting equal opportunities for all members during this session.

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Meanwhile, Shiromani Akali MLA Manpreet Ayali raised the issue of extending the session. Additionally, he expressed concerns about the land acquisition for the National Highway Authority's BharatMala project, stating that fair compensation for the land is not being provided.

He emphasized that the cost of land in Punjab is not less than one and a half crore rupees, and farmers should receive the full value of their lands. Ayali urged the Punjab government to prioritize resolving farmers' issues. He also brought up the issue of an old drain, to which the Speaker responded that a committee has been formed and is working continuously on the matter.

Responding to the opposition, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann addressed the issue of the water from the Budha Nala. He highlighted that many villages in Fazilka were suffering from diseases due to this polluted water. These villages were previously part of Jalalabad when Sukhbir Singh Badal was the MLA.

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However, the people here continue to suffer from dangerous diseases, he said, adding that the Punjab government is now taking measures to address the issue.

(For more news apart from Punjab Vidhan Sabha Monsoon Session News Today, stay tuned to Rozana Spokesman)
September 2, 2024 UPDATE

Click here for the latest news from RRI

Newsflash

Newsroom, 02.09.2024, 20:08

Parliament  The last session of the current Parliament began on Monday in Bucharest, with parliamentary elections to take place on December 1. The Senate adopted, as the first chamber notified, the Governments draft law on the donation of a Patriot surface-to-air missile system to third parties. The project will also be sent to the Chamber of Deputies, the decision-making body in this case. After the adoption of the law by Parliament, the Government will be able to issue the decision that will make the act of donation operational. Another bill is aimed at exempting from taxation the pensions below 3,000 lei (600 Euros), for which a decisive vote is expected on Tuesday in the Chamber of Deputies. The bill allows the people who benefited from pension increases as a result of recalculations not to lose any money following the raising of the current tax ceiling of 2,000 lei (400 Euros).

Government  In its Monday meeting, the government issued an emergency ordinance to raise the ceiling for the social benefits granted to low-income pensioners whose pensions went up as a result of recent recalculations. The ceiling by which food allowances will be granted is to go up from 2,000 to 2,210 lei, that is some 440 Euros. An allowance of 1,400 lei to help with utility bills during winter will continue to be granted, regardless of the pension rises. The ceiling was also raised by which pensioners can benefit from 90% subsidies on medicines. In another move, the government is to start consultations with the representatives of people with disabilities to draft a special pensions law for this category that should take into account the low contribution levels recognized previously.

Drills  Romanian military are taking part in the Ample Strike international exercise under way in the Czech Republic until September 20. They will carry out air support and air surveillance missions alongside other NATO troops. According to the Romanian defense ministry, 25 military and two helicopters are taking part in the exercise.

Weather  Meteorologists have issued a code orange alert for heat wave valid, on Tuesday, in several counties in the west and south-west of Romania. Thermal discomfort will be high, and the temperature-humidity index (ITU) will reach the critical threshold of 80 units. Maximum temperatures, particularly high for this date, will be around 37 degrees Celsius. Also on Tuesday, a yellow code alert for heat will be valid in almost the entire country. The maximum temperature will reach 35 degrees C.

Commissioner  The Social Democratic MEP (in the government coalition with the National Liberal Party  PNL), Roxana Minzatu, is Romanias official proposal for the position of European Commissioner, the PM Marcel Ciolacu announced on Monday. The social-democratic leader said that the EC president, Ursula von der Leyen, already had the interview with Roxana Minzatu. He also said that he would discuss, in the next period, with the head of the European Commission about the portfolio that Bucharest will manage. The PM points out that the field would be established by Ursula von der Leyen, but assured that it would be a relevant one. The PNL leader, Nicolae Ciuca, says that the options are for the Enlargement portfolio or the Agriculture portfolio. The makeup of the future European Commission will be announced on September 11. Roxana Minzatu has a degree in political sciences in English, she was a Brasov county deputy in the last legislature, and, in 2019 she was appointed Minister of European Funds.

Bank  The foreign exchange reserves of the National Bank of Romania (BNR) exceeded 63 billion Euros at the end of August 2024, down by 0.62% as compared to the level of July 31, according to a communique of the Central Bank, sent to AGERPRES. The level of the gold reserve remained at 103.6 tons. Against the backdrop of international price developments, its value was 7.588 billion Euros.

Visit  Pope Francis is starting his 45th apostolic trip abroad. Until September 13, the Sovereign Pontiff will visit Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, East Timor and Singapore, states marked by strong religious, economic and social contrasts. Immigration, inter-religious dialogue, ecology, the role of the Church in relation to access to health and education are the main themes that the pontiff will address in his speeches and meetings. According to the Radio Romanias correspondent in Rome, in Indonesia, the largest Muslim country in the world, the central theme will be the dialogue between Islam and Christianity. On September 5, there will be an interfaith meeting in the largest mosque in Southeast Asia, in the presence of representatives of six official religions, on which occasion the Pope will sign a joint statement with the Grand Imam Nasaruddin Umar. Pope Francis is the third Sovereign Pontiff to visit this archipelago, after Paul VI and John Paul II.

Israel  The US President Joe Biden said on Monday that the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was not doing enough to reach an agreement to release the hostages held by Hamas in Gaza. A strike called by the main trade union confederation took place in Israel on Monday in protest against the delay in a cease-fire agreement in Gaza and the release of the hostages taken by Hamas. Employees of banks, hospitals and malls joined the protest, and flights were suspended at Ben Gurion Airport, the Israeli press writes. The strike call came after about half a million Israelis took to the streets in Jerusalem, Tel Aviv and other cities on Sunday evening to ask the Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to do more to bring home the 101 hostages who are still in Gaza, reports Reuters. The protests took place after six hostages aged between 23 and 40 were found dead in a tunnel in Gaza by the army that said that they had been killed recently. (LS)
September 2, 2024

A roundup of local and international news.

Newsflash

Newsroom, 02.09.2024, 14:00

Parliament. The final session of the current Parliament began today, with parliamentary elections due to take place on 1st December. The agenda features, among others, a bill on tax exemptions for pensions below 600 euros, which will be debated as part of an emergency procedure by the Chamber of Deputies, the decision-making body in this case. The bill allow persons who have benefited from pension increases as a result of recalculations not to lose money following the raising of the current tax ceiling of 400 euros. The ruling coalition formed by the Social Democratic Party and the National Liberal Party agreed to fast-track the bill through Parliament, for it to be able to go into effect in October.

Government. In its Monday meeting, the government issued an emergency order to raise the ceiling for the social benefits granted to low-income pensioners whose pensions went up as a result of recent recalculations. The ceiling by which food allowances will be granted is to go up from 2,000 to 2,210 lei, that is some 440 euros. An allowance of 1,400 lei to help with utility bills during winter will continue to be granted, regardless of the pension rises. The ceiling was also raised by which pensioners can benefit from 90% subsidies on medicines. In another move, the government is to start consultations with the representatives of people with disabilities to draft a special pensions law for this category that takes into account the low contribution levels recognised previously.

Drills. Romanian military are taking part in the Ample Strike international exercise under way in Czechia until the 20th of September. They will carry out air support and air surveillance missions alongside other NATO troops. According to the Romanian defence ministry, 25 military and two helicopters are taking part in the exercise.

Ukraine. Russia on Monday morning struck Ukraines capital Kyiv, with parts of the downed weapons wounding at least two persons, causing fires and damaging homes and infrastructure, Ukrainian officials announced, quoted by Reuters. Ukraines air defence destroyed over 10 cruise missiles and almost 10 ballistic missiles, said the citys military administration. Neighbouring Poland, which is a NATO member country, activated its own and allied aircraft to secure its airspace. The attack took place exactly one week after Moscow launched over 200 missiles and drones against Ukraine, killing seven people and striking energy facilities across the country.

Pope. Pope Francis today embarks on his 45th apostolic trip abroad. He is to visit Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, East Timor and Singapore, states marked by strong religious, economic and social contrasts. Immigration, inter-faith dialogue, the environment and the role of the Church with regard to access to healthcare and education are the main themes the pontiff will tackle in his talks and speeches. According to Radio Romanias correspondent in Rome, in Indonesia, the worlds biggest Muslim country, the pontiff will speak about the dialogue between Islam and Christianity. An inter-faith meeting will take place on 5th September in the biggest mosque in South-East Asia, in the presence of representatives of six official religions, with the Pope to sign on this occasion a joint declaration together with the Grand Imam Nasaruddin Umar. Pope Francis is the third pope to visit this archipelago, after Paul the 6th and John Paul 2nd.

Weather. A yellow code warning is in place today warning of heat and high thermal discomfort in the western part of the country, where the highs of the day are between 32 and 35 degrees Celsius. An orange code is also in place in four counties in the western part, where temperatures are expected to reach 35 to 37 degrees Celsius. On Tuesday, the heat wave will spread to the entire country. In the capital Bucharest, the noon reading today was 32 degrees Celsius.
In response to Israel's largest labor union Histadrut's call for a general strike, businesses, educational institutions, government offices, hospitals and transport across the country were affected.

Thousands of people took to the streets across Israel on Sunday demanding the government to reach an agreement to secure the release of hostages being held by Hamas

Flights are not reportedly taking off at Tel Aviv's international airport, while some flights were disrupted at Ben Gurion Airport.

Furious protests swept across Tel Aviv on Sunday after the bodies of six Israeli hostages killed in Gaza were recovered by IDF troops.

Protesters condemn Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for being inactive in the case of hostages.

More than 100 captives are in the custody of Hamas, according to data from the Prime Minister's Office. Many of them are feared to be dead.

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

Political News
The UK-Ukraine Digital Trade Agreement has entered into force, allowing businesses on both sides to benefit from quicker and cheaper trade.

The digital agreement is one of the first of its kind and opens the door to wider shifts to digital trading systems as Ukraine's physical trading systems have been impacted by war.

Ukraine is one of the largest exporters of information services globally, with areas such as outsourcing, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence (AI) and mobile applications in rapid development before the war.?

More than half of UK services exports to Ukraine are digitally delivered.

Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said:

We're modernizing our trade relationship with Ukraine with one of the world's first digital only trade agreements.

"Greater digitalization of the is an important step in supporting Ukraine's economy and their fight for independence. This government will continue to lead the way in our unwavering support for Ukraine and its people," UK Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said.

"Implementing this agreement will deepen Ukraine's 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 , and provide crucial support to our economy during the war and in the post-war reconstruction period," said Ukraine's First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy Yuliia Svyrydenko.

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

Business News
Professor 'Mabokang Monnapula-Mapesela at the HERS-SA Higher Education Women Leaders Awards

By: The Division of Communication & Advancement

In the realm of South African higher education, Professor Mabokang Monnapula-Mapesela stands as a beacon of transformative leadership and resilience. As the first Black woman Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Academic and Student Affairs working in a University celebrating its 120th anniversary, her journey is a testament to the power of education as a tool for personal and collective transformation. Her story is not just one of individual achievement but a narrative deeply intertwined with Black women's broader struggles and triumphs in academia.

Professor Monnapula-Mapesela was a finalist for the 2024 HERS-SA Higher Education Women Leaders Awards - she is not just a trailblazer in the title but in action. She reminds us that education is not just about individual success but about collective empowerment, about making education cool again by ensuring it is inclusive, accessible, and transformative for all.

From her humble beginnings as a high school science teacher to her esteemed roles at the University of the Free State, the Central University of Technology, Free State, and Rhodes University, Professor Monnapula-Mapesela has always been driven by a commitment to access and student success. Her leadership, particularly during the COVID-19 crisis, exemplifies her ability to gracefully and with determination to navigate complex challenges. She spearheaded the development of crucial protocols and policies, ensuring that Rhodes University thrived during an unprecedented disruption.

But her work goes beyond crisis management. With a PhD in Higher Education and extensive national service within Umalusi and the Council on Higher Education, she has been a relentless advocate for transformation in higher education. Her contributions are not just administrative but intellectual, with numerous publications and research that challenge the status quo and push for a more inclusive academic environment.

The Black Womans Journey in Academia

Professor Monnapula-Mapeselas reflections on her experiences as a Black woman in academia offer a profound critique of the systemic barriers that continue to exist. She speaks candidly about the "double labour" that Black women must undertakean often invisible burden of constantly educating others about their identity while simultaneously proving their worth in environments that can be subtly hostile or openly undermining. This double labour includes tasks as fundamental as teaching colleagues how to pronounce and write their names correctly or explaining cultural nuances that are often overlooked.

Her position as the first Black woman Deputy Vice-Chancellor at a 120-year-old institution is a groundbreaking achievement and a heavy responsibility. She describes the exhaustion that comes with continually looking over her shoulder for those who seek to undermine her leadership, driven by the belief that she does not belong in such a role. The pressure to succeed not just for herself but for future generations of Black women is immense, and the lack of adequate support only compounds these challenges.

Yet, despite the difficulties, Professor Monnapula-Mapesela remains undeterred. Her leadership is characterised by a deep sense of responsibility to pave the way for others and to create a legacy that others can build upon. She understands that as one of the few Black women in leadership, she is expected to excel and transform the institutions that have historically been resistant to change.

Making Education Cool Again: A Call to Action

In her role as a trailblazer, Professor Monnapula-Mapesela is passionate about making education cool again. For her, this means transforming the academic space into one that is inclusive, vibrant, and accessible to all, especially for those from marginalised backgrounds. She believes that education is not just about personal achievement but about collective empowerment.

Her favourite quote, "Given the opportunity and support, all people can succeed, not in the same way and not at the same time. But all people can succeed," by William Spady, encapsulates her belief in the transformative power of education. It is a message she carries forward in her work, advocating for equity, inclusion, and social justice within the academic sphere.

She offers a powerful message to women in higher education, particularly Black women:

"Use your voice, knowledge, and position to advocate for equity, inclusion, and social justice. Our collective perspectives are invaluable and necessary for creating inclusive, enabling, and diverse academic environments for the marginalised. Develop love and deep passion for what you do and do it the best possible way, with commitment and conviction daily."

Professor Monnapula-Mapesela encourages women to embrace their roles fully, to ask for help when needed, and to build networks of strength and solidarity. She believes mentorship is vitalnot just receiving it but offering it to the next generation. "Be a beacon of inspiration, hope, and support for the next generation. Mentor the youth, young women, girls, and boys, and share your journey. Encourage them to dream big, work hard, and persevere. Our legacy will be defined by our achievements and how we have empowered others to realise their dreams and succeed," she said.

While striving for excellence, Professor Monnapula-Mapesela also emphasises the importance of balance. She understands the pressures that come with academic leadership, particularly for Black women who must navigate a complex web of expectations and challenges. "Balance is key," she says, "while we strive for excellence and success in our academic pursuits, it is equally important to take care of our well-being. Prioritise self-care, set boundaries, and ensure you nurture your mental, emotional, and physical health."

This holistic approach to leadership and education is part of her broader vision of making education a tool for advancement and a source of joy, fulfilment, and community. By integrating self-care into the rigorous demands of academic life, she models a sustainable path forward for those who follow in her footsteps.

Professor Monnapula-Mapeselas journey is a powerful reminder that the struggle for equity and transformation in academia is far from over. She calls on Black women in higher education to be bold, to break barriers, and to shatter glass ceilings. Her leadership style, which combines assertiveness with humility, is a template for others who seek to navigate and transform the often-rigid structures of academic institutions.

Referencing the historian Professor Paul Maylam's thoughts on the importance of publications and research in shaping academic legacy, Professor Monnapula-Mapesela underscores the value of scholarly work in driving change. As Maylam noted at the Intellectual History of Rhodes University #HistoryOfRU, true impact in academia is not just about the quantity of publications but their depth and influence on the intellectual and cultural landscape. Professor Monnapula-Mapesela embodies this philosophy, using her research and publications to challenge existing paradigms and advocate for a more just and equitable academic environment.

I have championed and worked with colleagues to disrupt some cultures/traditions that constrained change and transformation. Today, all students, in all undergraduate courses, are afforded a supplementary examination/second opportunity to improve their chances of success, and professors who join the executive leadership are no longer stripped of their professor titles, she said.

Her journey inspires all those who strive to make a difference in academia and beyond. Through her leadership, mentorship, and advocacy, Professor Monnapula-Mapesela is helping to build a future where the voices of marginalised communities are heard, where education is a tool for liberation, and where the legacy of Black women in academia is one of strength, resilience, and transformative power.
Hero MotoCorp showed steady YoY gains in August 2024 with a sizeable improvement in motorcycle sales while scooter sales suffered a serious setback

August 2024 signaled a promising month for Hero MotoCorp as the company bettered its last years performance by a healthy 4.84% margin. Month-on-month (MoM) sales showed even more encouraging results while on a year-to-date (YTD) sales also grew significantly. The company faced some supply shortages during the past month but looks ahead to the upcoming festive season with some enthusiasm.

Hero MotoCorp YoY vs MoM Sales August 2024

Hero MotoCorp sold a total of 5,12,360 units of motorcycles and scooters in August 2024. This included sales both in domestic and global markets. It was a 4.84% YoY improvement over 4,88,717 units sold in August 2023, a volume growth of 23,643 units. MoM sales saw even more improvement by 38.34% from 3,70,374 units sold in July 2024.

A breakup of Hero MotoCorps YoY sales shows a 5.76% improvement in motorcycle sales to 4,78,215 units in the past month from 4,52,186 units sold in August 2023. Motorcycles currently command a 93.34% share, an improvement over 91.90% share held in July 2024 when sales stood at 3,40,390 units relating to a 40.49% MoM growth. Scooter sales on the other hand dipped 6.53% YoY to 34,145 units, down from 36,531 units sold in August 2023 while it made up some numbers on a MoM basis with a 14.26% growth from 29,884 units sold in July 2024. The company expects to see better sales in this scooter segment with the new Destini scooter poised for launch.

This took total domestic sales to 4,92,263 units in August 2024, a 4.08% YoY growth from 4,72,947 units sold in August 2023 while MoM sales improved even more significantly by 41.73% from 3,47,335 units sold in July 2024. Exports on the other hand saw a 27.44% improvement to 20,097 units, up from 15,770 units sold in the same month last year. However, exports suffered a severe MoM decline by 11.62% over 22,739 units shipped in July 2024.

Hero MotoCorp YTD Sales August 2024

Overall dispatches in the April-August 2024 period stood at 24,17,790 units. This was a growth of 8.29% over 22,32,601 units sold in the corresponding period of last year, relating to a sizable volume increase of 1,85,189 units. A diverse product portfolio, more particularly Xtreme 125R has stood the company in good stead leading to an 8.87% improvement in motorcycle sales to 22,59,561 units in the April-August 2024 period from 20,75,418 units sold in the same period last year. Scooter sales also improved, albeit marginally by 0.67% to 1,58,229 units, a volume increase of 1,046 units over 1,57,183 units sold in the year ago period.

A breakup of total domestic sales and exports show healthy improvement during the April-August 2024 period. Domestic sales were up 7.52% to 23,23,960 units, a volume growth of 1,62,559 units over 21,61,401 units sold in the same 5 month period of 2023. Exports surged even more positively by 31.78% from 71,200 units shipped in during April-August 2023 to 93,830 units exported in the current 2024 period.

In August 2024, Hero MotoCorp introduced the new Glamour in a new colour scheme. Presented in two variants of Drum and Disc Brake, a new paint scheme called the Black Metallic Silver has been added to the Glamour palate. A host of first in segment and best in class features will allow the new Glamour to compete efficiently with the Honda SP 125, Honda Shine and TVS Raider 125 in its segment.

The past month also saw Hero MotoCorp expand its global presence along with Terrafirma Motors Corporation (TMC). The latter will be an assembler and distributor of Hero MotoCorp products in the country. Hero also introduced the first Hero Premia Store in New Delhi. With this new inauguration, the company now accounts for over 40 Premia stores across 35 cities in India.
Tata Motors will be launching the Curvv petrol and diesel variants today  Prices will be revealed

In a significant prelude to its official launch, Tata Motors upcoming Curvv SUV Coupe has been spied on the Pune-Nashik highway. The spy shots, captured by Pankaj Chandratreya, reveal a convoy of test mules, all sporting a striking red exterior. These sightings come just ahead of Tata Motors much-anticipated launch event, where both petrol and diesel variants of the Curvv will be unveiled.

Design and Features

The Tata Curvv, with its coupe SUV design, is set to make a bold statement in the compact SUV segment. The vehicles exterior features a stylish sloping roofline that echoes the design language of its smaller sibling, the Nexon, but with a more pronounced and modern approach. The Curvv is underpinned by Tata Motors new modular and scalable ATLAS platform, providing it with a robust and flexible architecture.

Key exterior elements of the Curvv include LED headlights, LED fog lights with cornering function, sequential turn indicators, gloss-black painted body cladding, and large 18-inch alloy wheels. The vehicle also boasts flush door handles and an electric tailgate, enhancing both its aesthetic appeal and functionality.

Interior and Technology

On the inside, the Tata Curvv promises a premium experience with features like a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system supporting wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, and a 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster that includes full-width navigation. The top-spec variants are also equipped with a panoramic sunroof, ambient lighting, and leatherette upholstery, making the cabin a luxurious space.

Additional features such as a 4-spoke steering wheel borrowed from the Harrier, auto climate control, rear AC vents, 2-step reclinable rear seats, and ventilated front seats are expected to be standard on higher trims.

Safety and Performance

Safety is a key focus for Tata Motors, and the Curvv reflects this with six airbags standard across all variants. Depending on the trim, buyers can expect features like all-four disc brakes, TPMS, TCS, ESP, a 360-degree camera, and a comprehensive Level-2 ADAS suite. The Curvv is also equipped with a blindspot assist system, with the feed displayed on the instrument screen.

Under the hood, the Tata Curvv offers a choice of three engines: a 1.2L turbo petrol engine producing 120 bhp and 170 Nm, a 1.5L diesel engine with 118 bhp and 260 Nm, and a more powerful 1.2L GDI turbo petrol engine delivering 125 bhp and 225 Nm. All engine options are paired with a 7-speed DCA gearbox, including the diesel variant, providing a smooth and responsive driving experience.

Market Positioning and Competition

The Curvv is set to compete against well-established rivals in the compact SUV segment, including the Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos, Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara, Toyota Hyryder, Honda Elevate, MG Astor, Skoda Kushaq, VW Taigun, Citroen C3 Aircross, and recently launched Citroen Basalt. Tata Motors has strategically kitted the Curvvs lower variants to be competitive, while the higher trims boast a range of premium features to appeal to more discerning buyers.

The Tata Curvv measures 4,310 mm in length, 1,810 mm in width, and 1,637 mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2,560 mm. It offers a generous 500L boot space, expandable to 973L with 60:40 split rear seats, ensuring practicality for various needs. Expect Tata Curvv starting price to be in the range of Rs 9-10 lakh, ex-sh.
Fishing boats depart from a port for fishing in Rongcheng City of east China's Shandong Province, Sept. 1, 2024. A new round of fishing activities started after a four-month fishing ban lifted in the Yellow Sea and the Bohai Sea. (Xinhua/Zhu Zheng)

An aerial drone photo taken on Sept. 1, 2024 shows fishing boats departing from a port for fishing in Rongcheng City of east China's Shandong Province. A new round of fishing activities started after a four-month fishing ban lifted in the Yellow Sea and the Bohai Sea. (Xinhua/Zhu Zheng)

Fishing boats depart from a port for fishing in Rongcheng City of east China's Shandong Province, Sept. 1, 2024. A new round of fishing activities started after a four-month fishing ban lifted in the Yellow Sea and the Bohai Sea. (Xinhua/Zhu Zheng)

An aerial drone photo taken on Sept. 1, 2024 shows fishing boats departing from a port for fishing in Rongcheng City of east China's Shandong Province. A new round of fishing activities started after a four-month fishing ban lifted in the Yellow Sea and the Bohai Sea. (Xinhua/Zhu Zheng)

An aerial drone photo taken on Sept. 1, 2024 shows fishing boats departing from a port for fishing in Rongcheng City of east China's Shandong Province. A new round of fishing activities started after a four-month fishing ban lifted in the Yellow Sea and the Bohai Sea. (Xinhua/Zhu Zheng)

An aerial drone photo taken on Sept. 1, 2024 shows fishing boats departing from a port for fishing in Rongcheng City of east China's Shandong Province. A new round of fishing activities started after a four-month fishing ban lifted in the Yellow Sea and the Bohai Sea. (Xinhua/Zhu Zheng)

Editor: Zhang Zhou
Astronomers using the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope have captured an amazing photo of the lens-shaped spiral galaxy IC 4709.

IC 4709 is located approximately 240 million light-years away in the southern constellation of Telescopium.

Otherwise known as ESO 182-14 or LEDA 61835, this galaxy has a diameter of 60,000 light-years.

IC 4709 was discovered by the American astronomer DeLisle Stewart on September 14, 1901.

The galaxy hosts an active galactic nucleus, a compact region at its center within which material is dragged towards a supermassive black hole.

If IC 4709s core were just filled with stars, it would not be nearly so bright, the Hubble astronomers said in a statement.

Instead it hosts a gargantuan black hole, 65 million times the mass of our Sun.

A disk of gas spirals around and eventually into this black hole, with the gas crashing together and heating up as it spins.

It reaches such high temperatures that it emits vast quantities of electromagnetic radiation, from infrared to visible to ultraviolet light and beyond  in this case including X-rays.

IC 4709s active galactic nucleus is obscured by a lane of dark dust, just visible at the center of the galaxy in the Hubble image, which blocks any optical emission from the nucleus itself, they added.

Hubbles spectacular resolution, however, gives us a detailed view of the interaction between the quite small active galactic nucleus and its host galaxy.

This is essential to understanding supermassive black holes in galaxies much more distant than IC 4709, where resolving such fine details is not possible.
Uber and other ride-hailing apps should be forced to publish data on drivers workloads so that regulators can tackle exploitation and cut carbon emissions, campaigners argue. Analysis by the pressure group Worker Info Exchange suggests drivers for Uber and its smaller rivals may have missed out on more than 1.2bn in wages and costs last year because of the way they are compensated.  Guardian

The North Sea industry has warned the government not to toughen its windfall tax on oil and gas profits in the autumn budget, claiming it risks losing 12bn in tax receipts and jeopardising 35,000 jobs. The industrys trade association, Offshore Energies UK (OEUK), has presented Treasury officials with data analysis that appears to show that proposed changes to the tax regime would devastate the sectors predicted investment over the second half of this decade.  Guardian

Charging consumers higher ticket prices as the level of demand increases will be reviewed by the Government, the Culture Secretary has said. Ticketmaster has faced a flurry of criticism for its use of dynamic pricing after Oasis fans reported paying more than 300 for one of the Britpop bands reunion shows. Fans had expected to pay around 150 and Ticketmaster was the only one of three platforms to have engaged in the practice.  Telegraph

Abercrombie & Kent is preparing for a potential float following a post-pandemic boom in luxury holidays. The travel companys parent, Abercrombie & Kent Travel Group, has begun conversations with bankers about floating on the stock market within 18 to 24 months. However, executives are weighing up whether to list in New York, London or another European stock market.  The Times

Businesses face paying thousands of pounds in fines if they do not uphold new protections for employees introduced by Labour as part of its overhaul of workers rights. The Times has been told ministers are considering a warning system which would allow companies to make improvements before being hit with fines. - The Times
Adani Energy Solutions Ltd (AESL) has secured the Khavda Phase-IV Part-A transmission project, reinforcing its status as the leading private sector transmission firm in India. The 298-kilometer project, costing Rs 4,091 crore, is designed to transport 7 GW of renewable energy from the Khavda Renewable Energy (RE) park to the national grid.

Acquired through a tariff-based competitive bidding (TBCB) process, AESL will complete the project within 24 months and oversee its maintenance for the next 35 years.

Kandarp Patel, CEO of AESL, emphasized the significance of this project: Khavda, the largest renewable energy park globally, needs advanced and durable infrastructure for efficient power evacuation. This development will establish essential transmission networks and enhance grid stability for the parks planned 30 GW green energy output.

AESLs acquisition of Khavda IVA Power Transmission Ltd, an SPV established by REC Power Development and Consultancy Ltd (RECPDCL) for managing the 7 GW renewable energy flow, further strengthens its role in India's energy sector. The company has received a letter of intent (LOI) from RECPDCL, affirming its leading position.

Following this acquisition, AESL will manage 21,783 circuit kilometers of transmission lines and 61,686 MVA of transformation capacity. The Khavda RE park, aiming for a 30 GW generation capacity, is expected to significantly contribute to Indias decarbonization goals.
Illumina, a leader in DNA sequencing and array-based technologies, is set to enhance the genomic sciences landscape in India by establishing a new Global Capability Center (GCC) in Bengaluru. This move reflects the company's commitment to expanding its technology workforce to better serve its global clientele. Illumina, headquartered in San Diego, has previously operated in India through its channel partner Premas Life Sciences.

Bengaluru will join an elite list of Illuminas GCC locations, which includes Singapore, Cambridge (England), Eindhoven (Netherlands), Shanghai, Hayward, and San Diego. As part of this expansion, Illumina plans to recruit over 100 technology professionals in India in 2024, with a further 200 positions to be added by the end of 2025. The new roles will span software engineering, IT hardware and network engineering, and system analysis.

Recently, Illumina hosted a meeting in Bengaluru that brought together leading clinicians and scientists from various academic institutions, government, and private sector labs to discuss the future of genomic science and its impact on healthcare. This initiative aligns with a broader trend in India, where numerous life sciences companies such as Novartis, Roche, AstraZeneca, GSK, and Bristol Myers Squibb have established global capability centers.

Indias burgeoning economy, expected to be the worlds third-largest by 2030, coupled with its ongoing public health challenges like tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS, malaria, and other infectious diseases, makes it a strategic location for Illuminas expansion. The company highlights that approximately 96 million people in India suffer from rare diseases, and one in nine is at risk of developing cancer. Expanding genomic access is seen as crucial for advancing healthcare and addressing public health issues exacerbated by climate change.

Genomics plays a pivotal role in public health, from identifying new pathogens to transforming disease diagnosis, treatment, and prevention, stated Gretchen Weightman, Illuminas Senior Vice President for the Asia Pacific, Middle East, and Africa region. She emphasized that Illumina has been supporting Indias genomic infrastructure for over a decade, and expanding its presence aligns with the companys goal to accelerate its initiatives in the region.

In addition to the new GCC, Illumina recently opened a state-of-the-art genomics lab in Bengaluru, known as the Illumina Solutions Center. This facility features advanced next-generation sequencing technologies and provides training and education opportunities.

Founded in 1998, Illumina is a pioneer in gene sequencing technology, instrumental in developing precision medicine and diagnostic kits for diseases like tuberculosis and cancer. The company holds approximately 80% of the global market share for genomic sequencing and reagents, with competitors including Thermo Fisher Scientific and Agilent.

Illumina has faced various challenges, including a hostile takeover bid from Roche in 2012, which was ultimately aborted after strong resistance from Illuminas board. Despite a period of slow growth and stock price decline, the company has embarked on a renewed strategy to simplify gene sequencing, enhance multiomic workflows, and leverage AI and software for large-scale data analysis.

Illumina's Global CFO Ankur Dhingra recently highlighted the companys strategy for returning to growth and increasing profitability. We have the right strategy to return to growth and improve our profitability. We are executing this strategy and strengthening our relationship with customers in a challenging economic environment. We anticipate accelerating revenue growth over the next three years while achieving differentiated earnings expansion, Dhingra stated.
Real-time text and speech analysis is revolutionizing the field of natural language processing (NLP), offering unprecedented capabilities for understanding and responding to human language. These advancements enable organizations to automate and optimize interactions, drive efficiency, and extract actionable insights from vast amounts of data. As businesses seek to harness these technologies, the development of sophisticated NLP solutions becomes crucial for staying competitive in a rapidly evolving landscape.

Sachin Samrat Medavarapu has made significant strides in this area, establishing himself as a leading expert in real-time NLP solutions. His promotion to Principal Data Scientist highlights his substantial contributions to the field, and his work has been recognized with the "Innovator in AI" award. Medavarapus collaborations with major tech firms have led to the creation of advanced NLP technologies, and his research has been published in prestigious journals and presented at prominent conferences.

Medavarapus impact at his workplace is profound. His development of NLP solutions has resulted in a 25% reduction in customer service costs through automation, and real-time text analysis has contributed to a 15% increase in revenue. By enhancing internal communication systems with speech analysis tools, he has improved efficiency by 30%. Additionally, advanced chatbots developed under his guidance have increased user satisfaction scores by 20%, and automation of text analysis has cut manual processing time by 40%.

Among his notable projects are the implementation of a real-time speech analysis system for call centers, which has boosted efficiency and customer satisfaction, and the automation of customer feedback analysis for actionable product insights. He also led the development of a multilingual chatbot for a global company, designed a sentiment analysis tool for real-time brand reputation monitoring, and created a voice-activated personal assistant for a major tech firm, enhancing user engagement.

Medavarapus work is marked by measurable success, with a 25% reduction in customer service costs, a 15% increase in revenue, a 30% improvement in operational efficiency, a 20% boost in user satisfaction, and a 40% reduction in manual text analysis time. These achievements underscore the tangible benefits of his NLP innovations.

Throughout his career, He has tackled several challenges, including data quality issues, scalability, multilingual support, integration with legacy systems, and real-time processing. His solutions have addressed these obstacles through robust preprocessing techniques, optimized algorithms, and effective system design.

His published works include key research papers such as "Real-Time Speech Analysis Using Deep Learning Techniques" and "Advancements in Text and Speech Analysis for Customer Service Automation." Scholarly articles like "The Future of NLP in Real-Time Applications" and features in AI Today and Tech Innovators Magazine further establish his thought leadership in the field.

Medavarapu identifies several trends and recommendations for NLP. The integration of AI with NLP continues to advance, with a focus on real-time processing and multilingual capabilities. Future developments may include more sophisticated sentiment analysis and the use of NLP in healthcare for real-time diagnostics. Medavarapu advises investing in high-quality data, ensuring scalability, enhancing user experience, leveraging AI and ML advancements, and staying informed about the latest research to drive innovation in NLP.

Sachin Samrat Medavarapus work in real-time text and speech analysis exemplifies how advanced NLP technologies can transform industries, improve operational efficiency, and elevate customer experiences. His contributions are setting new benchmarks in the field, demonstrating the profound impact of integrating cutting-edge technology into everyday applications.
Here's a quick overview of the stocks likely to be in the spotlight during today's trading session:

Indian Oil Corporation (IOCL): V. Satish Kumar, who has served as the Director of Marketing since October 2021, has now taken on additional responsibilities as the Chairman of IOCL. This change comes after Shrikant Madhav Vaidya completed his term as Chairman. Kumar has also held the additional charge of Director of Finance for a year starting in October 2022, a period marked by geopolitical challenges, including the Ukraine war.

Reliance Capital: Lenders of the beleaguered Reliance Capital Ltd (RCAP) have accused IndusInd International Holdings Ltd (IIHL) of employing delaying tactics that are stalling the resolution plan's implementation. However, IIHL, a Hinduja Group entity, has denied these allegations, insisting that it is following due process. IIHL emerged as the successful bidder for Reliance Capital's acquisition and has dismissed the claims as false, viewing them as an attempt to disrupt the resolution process.

PVR INOX: The multiplex chain PVR INOX has announced plans to close down 70 underperforming screens in FY25 as part of its strategy to drive profitable growth. According to its latest annual report, the company aims to exit these non-performing screens to improve profitability. Additionally, PVR INOX is exploring the monetization of non-core real estate assets in cities like Mumbai, Pune, and Vadodara. Despite the closures, the company plans to add 120 new screens in FY25.

Maruti Suzuki: Maruti Suzuki India reported a nearly 3.9 percent decline in sales for August 2024, with a total of 181,782 units sold, down from 189,082 units in August 2023. Domestic sales were particularly impacted, dropping 8.4 percent to 143,075 units from 156,114 units in the same month the previous year. The company also exported 26,003 units in August 2024.

Tata Motors: Tata Motors reported an 8 percent decrease in sales for August 2024, with 70,006 units sold compared to 76,261 units in the same period last year. The company's commercial vehicle sales saw a significant drop of 15 percent, totaling 27,207 units in August 2024, compared to 32,077 units in August 2023. Passenger vehicle sales also declined by 3 percent year-on-year, with 44,142 units sold in August 2024 compared to 45,513 units in the previous year.

Adani Power: Adani Power Ltd has approached the Supreme Court seeking a refund of a280 crore from the Himachal Pradesh government concerning the 969-megawatt Jangi Thopan Power Project in Kinnaur district. The company is contesting a Himachal Pradesh High Court decision that overturned an earlier ruling favorable to Adani Power's refund claim. The Supreme Court bench, comprising Justices M.M. Sundresh and Aravind Kumar, is expected to hear the case shortly.

Emami: Kolkata-based FMCG giant Emami has acquired the remaining 49.6 percent stake in Helios Lifestyle, the parent company of the premium male grooming brand 'The Man Company.' This acquisition makes Emami the full owner of Helios Lifestyle, which had been a subsidiary since Emami held a 50.4 percent stake. Harsha V Agarwal, Vice Chairman & MD at Emami, highlighted the strategic value of this acquisition, emphasizing that it aligns with the company's goal to explore new growth opportunities in emerging consumer segments driven by digitalization.

Eicher Motors: Royal Enfield motorcycle sales witnessed a 5 percent decline in August 2024, with total units sold dropping to 73,629 compared to 77,583 in the same period last year. Exports also saw a slight dip, falling 2 percent to 8,006 units from 8,190 units. On the commercial vehicle front, VE's sales increased by 1 percent to 6,543 units, up from 6,476 units a year ago. While domestic sales for VE commercial vehicles rose by 2 percent to 6,028 units, exports experienced a significant decrease of 23.25 percent, dropping to 255 units from 332 units in the corresponding period.

NBCC India: The board of directors at NBCC India has approved a bonus share issue, offering one bonus share for every two equity shares held. The record date for this bonus issue has been set for October 7.

Krishna Institute of Medical Sciences: The company has completed the acquisition of a 100 percent equity stake in Chalasani Hospitals, Visakhapatnam, for a total consideration of Rs 28 crore. Established in 1995, Chalasani Hospitals is a 200-bed facility.

TVS Motor Company: TVS Motor Company saw its total sales surge by 13 percent in August 2024, reaching 3,91,588 units compared to 3,45,848 units in the same period last year. Two-wheeler sales jumped 14 percent to 3,78,841 units, while exports rose 14 percent to 99,976 units. Additionally, electric vehicle sales increased by 4 percent, totaling 24,779 units compared to 23,887 units in the year-ago period.
A New Jersey police officer ran over a woman sunbathing on a beach last week, according to recent media reports.

NJ.com, the Staten Island Advance/SILive.coms sister site, reported that a Wildwood police officer ran over a woman lying on a towel on the beach and was pinned under the vehicle in the sand. A witness of the event, Rose Simone, recounted the event to NJ.com that she was also sunbathing when the screaming started.

People were just screaming, You hit somebody! Somebodys under your truck! Stop! Simone told NJ.com. Everybody is just gathering around the area and then the cop jumps out of his truck.

Simone told the media outlet that many bystanders worked to dig at the sand and lift the front end of the vehicle off the woman.

Wildwood Police Chief Joseph Murphy confirmed to the Press of Atlantic City that an officer ran over a woman while on duty and responding to an unspecified ordinance violation.

According to the media outlet, the incident occurred at Rio Grande Avenue around 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday.

The woman is expected to survive, though she is suffering from serious injuries, including broken ribs and vertebrae, and a lung injury, 6abc reported.

Wildwood Mayor Ernie Troiano said Thursday that the investigation is ongoing and called it an unfortunate situation, according to 6abc.
Five people were shot Monday during the West Indian American Day Parade in Brooklyn, according to published reports.

Police reported a lone gunman unleashed a hail of gunfire around 2:30 p.m., on the 300 block of Eastern Parkway, along the parade route.

A male victim was struck in the head, while another man and woman each suffered gunshot wounds to the torso, the New York Post reported.

About 1 million people were attending the event, an annual celebration of Caribbean culture and pride.

The gunman, who remained at large late Monday afternoon, was targeting a group of people near an area where food was being served, according to reports. It wasnt believed to be an active shooter situation, the Post reported.

At least one person was listed as likely to succumb to their injuries.

In the days leading up to the festivities, law enforcement officials noted increased security measures along the parade route on Eastern Parkway, and NYPD drones to survey the area from above, according to a NY1 report.

Last year, at least two people were shot and a third person was slashed in the arm along the parade route.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. Emergency units responded Monday to reports of a vessel in distress off the coast of Staten Island.

The call came in just after 1 p.m., according to a spokeswoman for the U.S. Coast Guard.

The boat had reportedly run aground near Hoffman Island, off the boroughs eastern shoreline within eyeshot of the Verrazano Bridge.

Marine units responded Monday to a report of a vessel in distress near Hoffman Island, off the eastern shoreline of Staten Island. (Google Maps)Google Maps

FDNY Marine Units 8 and 9 responded, along with the U.S. Coast Guard.

Their assistance though was not needed, the spokeswoman explained, as the boat owners managed to free themselves from the rocks and return to deeper waters.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  Tiny baby Miracle Murray weighed just one pound when she came into this world prematurely on April 2.

And, to cheers, well wishes  and quite a few tears  from the team that nurtured her along the way, Miracle headed home August 21 in a tiny pink graduate cap after more than four months in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Richmond University Hospital (RUMC).

She weighed a hearty 8 pounds, 3 ounces on her NICU graduation day.

Her journey had its highs and lows, caregivers said, and was notable for its unusual length, so the Clap Out,' attended by more than 30 staffers, was particularly emotional.

The months-long ordeal was very traumatic for Miracles mom, Tiffany Murray, of Mariners Harbor.

It was stressful; I cried every day,' said mom, who spent every day in the NICU with her youngest child until she was strong enough to be discharged. I felt sad at night; I wanted her to come home with me, but I understood that her health was more important.

Therapy helped keep her head above water,' she recalled.

And the care her daughter received was a huge comfort, she said.

I want to thank them all.

I want to thank them all for being there for my baby,' she said. They handled her as if she were their own baby, and that touched me a lot.

A team of doctors, physician assistants, nurses, physical therapists and occupational therapists kept Miracle Murray progressing in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) of Richmond University Medical Center for more than four months.Courtesy of Richmond University Medical Center

Baby Miracle was cared for by attending neonatologists Dr. Santosh Parab, Dr. Naheed Abedin and Dr. Melissa Guillermo, along with physician assistants Mary Philip, Joanna Barretta and Stephanie Javier, and a team of 35 nurses, several physical therapists and occupational therapists, all of whom worked together to keep Miracles progress on track.

Born at 23 weeks gestation, Miracle spent months in an incubator to keep her warm, as premature babies cant manage their own temperatures, said Elyse Harrell, assistant nurse manager of the NICU.

All involved in Miracles care got very attached to her and her mother, said Harrell.

But she just did so wonderfully she said. We were all so proud of her. She did very well. She met our expectations the whole time.

RUMC averages about 3,000 births a year, and about 600 are annually admitted to its Level III NICU, a hospital spokesman said.

The NICU has a survival rate of 998 newborns out of every 1,000 births, yet Miracles journey was longer than most, and she proved her mettle, said Barretta.

Witnessing a premature babys progress never fails to inspire, she said.

Its really amazing.

Its really amazing because theyre very strong while also being very fragile at the same time,' she said of the tiny newborns. Theyre resilient.

The challenges Miracle presented brought a lot of hospital teams together, she said. Even labor and delivery resident doctors and nurses stayed tuned in to her progress, she said.

It was nice to see everyone working together to take part of Tiffany and Miracles care,' she said. A lot of times labor and delivery nurses dont get to see the outcome. It was nice that they were able to.

Nurses were particularly focused on teaching Miracles mom how to change, feed and care for her premature child, and ensuring that Miracle got the skin-to-skin contact with mom that is so critical to her development.

She went home looking as healthy as some of the full-term babies,' Barretta said.

Tiffany Murray heads home from Richmond University Medical Center with baby Miracle weighing 8 pound, 3 ounces, after being born weighing just one pound.Courtesy of Richmond University Medical Center

Despite her size, baby Miracle will still have additional needs, which is why Barretta and Harrell contacted the not-for-profit Silvie Bells, to arrange for the delivery of an Owlet monitor to Murrays home. The monitor measures the babys oxygen saturation levels, Barretta said.

Comforted from the start

Murray, 42, said she was comforted from the very start, just after her daughters birth, despite her having spent weeks in the hospital in an effort to prevent a premature birth.

The doctor that delivered her came in. He said a prayer for me and and her and he said your baby is in good hands with us, Murray recalled.

Miracle is the first daughter for Murray, who was already a mother to four sons  Kashawn Deloach, 23; Daquan Deloach, 21; Kahieem Murray, 18; and Jahiem Murray, 8.

At home, her youngest son has proven to be a big help with Miracle, she said. He wants to jump and run and get her if she cries,' she said.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Alongside other prominent Italian Americans, former Congresswoman Susan Molinari will take part in a traditional Sunday Dinner this month as part of Paisans for Kamala, a group supporting Vice President Kamala Harris for president.

Molinari, who served as a Republican Congresswoman for Staten Island from 1990 to 1997, representing Staten Island for three terms, has put her support behind Harris, and has been vocal against former President Donald Trump.

Molinari told the Advance/SILive.com she was asked to take part in the group by John Cavelli of the National Italian American Foundation. She said Paisans for Kamala is simply a group organized to show support for Harris in the 2024 presidential election.

There have been many groups put together, like Republicans for Harris, White Dudes for Harris; this is another one of those groups, said the former congresswoman.

Despite still being a registered Republican, Molinari said her support for Harris stems from an unrecognizable Republican party.

Alongside other prominent Italian Americans, former Congresswoman Susan Molinari will take part in a traditional Sunday Dinner -- dubbed "Paisans for Kamala" -- to voice support for Democratic Presidential Candidate Kamala Harris. Screenshot from Instagram

The Republican party has become a MAGA Donald Trump party. When I was growing up, my dad was a Republican Conservative. One of the big differences was that Republican Conservatives wanted less government in peoples lives to allow people to make their own decisions. And what we see with former President Trump, the 2025 effort, and the ridiculous statements made by JD Vance is they want to be making decisions for all of us, and particularly for women, said Molinari.

She said her father, Guy V. Molinari -- who died in 2018 and was a former five-term congressman from Staten Island who also served three terms as borough president -- would have never supported former President Donald Trump.

Along with Molinari, Paisans for Kamala -- which will have an organizing call via Zoom on Sept. 8 at 6 p.m. -- will feature other notable Italian Americans, including actress Alyssa Milano; Rep. Nancy Pelosi, the first woman to serve as Speaker of the House; former NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio; actress Lorraine Bracco, Rep. Rosa DeLauro, actress Lisa Ann Walter and more.

In the Italian American tradition, weve always stood beside strong women. From our mothers and sisters to leaders like Nancy Pelosi and Rosa DeLauro, we honor and support the women who shape our families and our communities, said Milano, who grew up on Staten Island, on Instagram.

[I]ts part of who we are. Thats why Im so proud to be part of Paisans for Kamala. With so much on the lineour rights, our freedoms, and our futureits more important than ever to stand with Kamala Harris and help elect our nations first ever woman president. This isnt just about politics; its about protecting the values we hold dear and continuing the tradition of standing up for whats right, added the actress known for her roles in film and television, including on Charmed.

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Steve McCann, a one-time world-ranked poker maestro and chief executive-elect of the financially flailing Star Entertainment, is engaged in a do-or-die-stakes corporate poker tournament. Around the table, he sits with the companys lenders, investors, regulators and two state governments.

Putting his poker face to good use, McCann met these stakeholders over the weekend. In what could only be described as a confounding move, he laid his cards on the table.

The Stars chief executive, Steve McCann, is in the middle of a high-stakes game of corporate poker. Credit: Dominic Lorrimer

Unsurprisingly, it was a shocking hand.

This pitch will certainly put paid to the adage that casinos are a licence to make money.
And so to the wedding of Anthony Albanese and Jodie Haydon. Those even vaguely in the know cant say a word. A vow of silence wrapped in an omerta inside a non-disclosure agreement.

And for those still waiting for some sort of nod  were sorry, but youre probably not on the list.

Ever since the PMs Valentines Day proposal, potential dates have bounced around. This masthead reported on Sunday that the nuptials would be delayed until after the federal election in the second half of 2025. Before this swerve, planning was under way and focused on two big concerns: protesters and paparazzi.

One can imagine the intra-governmental departmental memos that have buzzed around. But if PM31 is still in the job by the time invites go out, it has been deemed acceptable for the wedding to take place at an official residence. Sydneys Kirribilli House would be a glorious vista, but a nightmare for guests who would run the gauntlet of all manner of aforementioned protesters and paparazzi.
The National Portrait Gallery offered to return a portrait of Gina Rinehart to the billionaire miner amid wrangling over the terms of hanging the picture that has dragged on for at least five years.

As recently as 2022, the gallery offered to safely return the painting to the Hancock Prospecting boss if she was not comfortable with the strictures inherent in our collecting parameters.

Two years later, the gallery remains the custodian of the painting of Rinehart by West Australian painter Alix Korte, but it does not yet hold legal title over it.

A portrait of Gina Rinehart, from a series by WA artist Alix Korte, posted on the mining billionaires official website. Credit: ginarinehart.com.au

The negotiations were revealed in a tranche of documents released to this masthead under freedom-of-information laws, but the precise nature of the sticking points was redacted.
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Eating outJust open Come early for coffee, stay late for feta butter pitas and cocktails at Yarravilles new cafe/mezze bar Greek is the word at Tzaki, the buzzy new all-day diner with a menu that makes the most of its roaring wood-fired oven and a top chef at the helm. Tomas Telegramma September 2, 2024 Save Log in , register or subscribe to save recipes for later. You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share

As featured in the October hit list. See all stories .

Yes, new Yarraville cafe and mezze bar Tzaki is Greek. No, its not named after tzatziki. It means fireplace or hearth [in Greek], owner-chef Alex Xinis (ex-Press Club, Hellenic Republic) tells Good Food. So, its fitting that the offering at his all-day Athenian diner  opening on Ballarat Street on Tuesday, September 3  revolves around a roaring wood-fired oven. Yarravilles no-bookings Greek cafe and mezze bar Tzaki. Eddie Jim By day, takeaway pastries take precedence. Visit from 7am to find tables blanketed in Greek delicacies fresh from the oven. Bougatsa, the flaky, custardy filo pie, comes in both the traditional sweet form, dusted with icing sugar and cinnamon, and as a savoury version with three cheeses (feta, graviera and stringy halloumi) and egg. And olive-oil pastry is hand-stretched for the large trays of spanakopita (spinach pie), available by the slice. Therell be chefs making cocktails, bartenders plating food, and well be keeping the music vibrant. Owner-chef Alex Xinis

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You can also caffeinate with a range of Greek coffees, including the summer-fave freddo espresso (or cappuccino, with cold frothed milk), and the classic sand-brewed stuff. But as Tzaki catches the last of the afternoon sun, it transforms into a mezze bar inspired by those in modern Athens  with no bookings, only 15 seats inside and another 15 out, and an artfully stripped-back fit-out thats all earthy tones and galvanised steel. Pita, cooked in Tzakis wood oven, is served with feta butter. Eddie Jim Xinis brings to the table not only Greek heritage, but experience at both ends of the culinary spectrum  from Michelin-starred Athens fine diner Funky Gourmet, which was all about molecular gastronomy, to tavernas churning out 100 litres of taramasalata a day. Food, for me, has really come full circle, he says. Its more about the ingredients youre using.

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Metsovone  a cows milk cheese smoked with herbs from its region of origin in northern Greece  is the best saganaki cheese Ive ever tried, says Xinis, whos dishing up it golden and molten, with baby Turkish figs on top. Hes also slow-braising capretto (young goat) from Meredith Farm, and serving them simply in their juices. Molten saganaki cheese is served with figs. Eddie Jim While about 75 per cent of the menu will change fortnightly, the focus on affordably priced smaller dishes will not, so you can try more than usual and you dont have to dedicate yourself to eating a whole lamb shoulder, says Xinis. The on-theme cocktail list includes a freezer martini made with coffee-infused Ottos Athens Vermouth, and an espresso martini with Metaxa Greek brandy. Because of the close confines, Xinis expects a high-energy experience: Therell be chefs making cocktails, bartenders plating food, and well be keeping the music vibrant.

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Not a house but a home To decide the case, the court had to sit as a Fair Rents Board, which has not been a separate body since 1987. To again draw from The Castle, for Mr Warren, Its not a house. Its a home,  magistrate Stephen Olischlager said last week. Olischlager said he was required to apply a law which, prior to these proceedings, may have been considered nothing more than a curious legal vestige from the previous century. Warren had no written lease. His grandparents moved into the cottage in the 1890s when his grandfather started working at Catherine Hill Bay mine. They paid rent to the coal company.

Warren also worked at the mine, as did his father. He moved into the cottage after his grandparents died and rent was deducted from his pay. He paid for all repairs and maintenance. The mine shut in 2002. Warren believed he was born in the cottage, and provided a photo of himself as a baby with his grandmother outside the home in 1944. The magistrate said Warren also had 900 acres at Tenterfield, but there is no house on that property, only a corrugated iron shed. Joey Warren with his grandmother in 1944. Even after the property changed hands, Warren continued to pay the same rent. The developer engaged an expert who calculated market rent as at April 2023 at $548 a week. But the magistrate rejected that analysis.

Protected tenant Warren is one of a dwindling number of NSW residents who is a protected tenant under since-repealed legislation, passed in 1948, which retained wartime rent control measures. Joey Warrens Catherine Hill Bay home. Under those laws, there were restricted grounds for eviction. Fair rent, rather than market rent, was calculated with reference to the capital value of the property on August 31, 1939  the day before World War II started. The magistrate in Warrens case estimated the property would have had a basic rent of 5 shillings a week in August 1939. Ultimately, he fixed fair rent at the current sum of $50 a month.

January 1986 cut-off From the mid-1950s, premises have been gradually decontrolled in NSW, so that the 1948 protections no longer applied. No new protected tenancies were created after a cut-off date of January 1, 1986. While the 1948 law is no longer in force, the 2018 law repealing it kept the old provisions alive to protect the small number of protected tenants in NSW who have been living in their homes since before the January 1986 cut-off. In 2006, the NSW Court of Appeal found a man at Lithgow was a protected tenant of a cottage on former mining land. By the numbers Exactly how many protected tenancies still exist in NSW is unclear, the NSW Parliamentary Research Service said in a 2013 report. But the figure is low.

All buildings constructed on or after December 16, 1954, are exempt.

A register of protected tenancies was established from October 1989 to June 1990. It had a low response rate, with only 570 tenants coming forward, the report said.

In 1960, there were 207,000 controlled dwellings in the state, representing approximately two-thirds of all private rentals. The 1989 Government Housing Committee Review estimated that the [1948 laws] applied to an estimated 5,000 to 10,000 tenancies in the state.

University of NSW Emeritus Professor Brendan Edgeworth said that, in 1947, demographically there was a lot of support for rent control, partly because 47 per cent of Australians were tenants. In the 2019-20 financial year, 31 per cent of households rented their homes, according to Australian Bureau of Statistics data. The law formerly applied to pretty much all private residential tenancies, he said, and some commercial tenancies. The wartime regulations expired in 1948 and it generated a lot of political discussion, Edgeworth said. There was a federal referendum that year to amend the Constitution to give federal parliament the power to regulate rents. That referendum failed, but the NSW government enacted its own law. The Minns government has committed to ending so-called no grounds evictions on fixed and periodic leases.

Warrens case evokes many of the current issues and debates surrounding the protection of tenants and security of tenure and the control of rents, Edgeworth said. Important protection Tenants Union of NSW chief executive Leo Patterson Ross said: We see this as a really important protection for this group of people who have been in their homes for a very long time. Joey is an exemplar of that, where youve got three generations of family and more than a centurys history. A lot of the protected tenants are similar. Theyre almost exclusively now elderly people who really would struggle to find a home in the private rental market.

Tenants Union of NSW strategic litigation solicitor Cass Wong and Joey Warren outside his Catherine Hill Bay home. The unions strategic litigation solicitor, Cass Wong, who acted for Warren, said that Mr Warren, now 80 and of declining health, gets to keep his home, which has been in his family for over 100 years. The serenity Sue Whyte, Warrens friend and co-president of the Catherine Hill Bay Progress Association, said: The houses of Catherine Hill Bay tell the history of the mining town. These houses are priceless. Catherine Hill Bay is one of only two state-listed heritage townships in NSW.
Commuters allegedly paid for 100,000 ghost Beam e-scooter trips over 12 months, when the company listed mechanically sound e-scooters as inactive, robbing Brisbane City Council of $330,000 in revenue.

Brisbane City Council subsequently cancelled its contract with e-scooter company Beam Mobility amid allegations the company secretly put 500 more e-scooters on Brisbane streets than the 1800 scooters its contract allowed, gaining extra profit.

A month-long council investigation found Beam had not been reporting correct figures, with 222,975 trips taken on unlicensed e-scooters between July 21, 2023 and July 22, 2024.

Brisbane City Council referred its allegations to police and the ACCC. Credit: Fairfax Media

It found Beam placed an average of 500 extra e-scooters each day in popular locations, exceeding the cap by more than 27 per cent.
A trustee company that controls tens of millions of dollars worth of Indigenous mining royalties is being paid more than $1 million a year for unexplained administration costs despite many native titleholders not seeing any money for more than three years.

Secrecy surrounding the millions has raised new concerns among Adnyamathanha native titleholders, who have for years questioned where their money has gone and how royalties generated from lucrative uranium mining agreements in and around South Australias Flinders Ranges are distributed.

Adnyamathanha native titleholders have questioned where tens of millions of dollars worth of royalties generated from lucrative uranium mining agreements in and around the Flinders Ranges in South Australia have gone. Credit: Heathgate Resources

The company, Rangelea Holdings Pty Ltd, has been locked in a legal battle over the royalties since 2021, when payments were suspended after community members raised fears that tens of millions of dollars had been squandered.

But since then, Rangelea has received more than $3 million for administration costs, which the company claims include distributing royalties and contributions to a funeral fund, and refused to explain expenses to community members.
When Wilson Cais parents and teachers meet online to discuss his progress at school, the 18-year-old likes being included.

The year 12 Melbourne High School student gets a day to work from home, and he gets to witness how his parents, Jimmy Cai and Tracey Wang, interact with his teachers. But most of all he likes getting the honest feedback firsthand.

Melbourne High School year 12 student Wilson likes to attend parent-teacher meetings with his parents, Jimmy and Tracey. Credit: Jason South

I get to hear where Im at. Its like, this unadulterated truth about where I stand, the aspiring dentist said.

Its easy to get caught up in the stress of school, but these meetings offer a clear assessment of my strengths, where I need to improve and how I can improve. And I think thats a really good thing to experience.
Scott Morrisons health minister, Greg Hunt, has urged the Liberal Party to pick more women and diverse MPs, arguing his party does not fully reflect Australian society as it nominates female candidates for just a quarter of recent preselections.

As a key internal pressure group makes its first call for gender quotas and Deputy Opposition Leader Sussan Ley urges female voters to give the Liberals another look-in, the trajectory to a 50 per cent target recommended in a 2022 party review will be tested as candidates are chosen for several key seats.

Former health minister Greg Hunt says its vital that the party actively seeks out diverse candidates. Credit: Eddie Jim

Theres no question in my mind when I look at the UK, New Zealand and Canadian [conservative party] ministries, they are more diverse than the Australian Liberal representation, Hunt said at a Robert Menzies Institute event last month, adding he believed Opposition Leader Peter Dutton could win the next election.

As the Liberals try to win back inner-urban seats where professional women voters deserted the Morrison government, Hunt said it was vital that the party actively sought out diverse candidates. He pointed to the boost in the number of women on health boards during his time as health minister without the need for quotas as an example of cultural change.
Liverpool City Council has been dealt a significant legal blow after a judge ruled the NSW government did not unduly influence an investigation into allegations of systemic misconduct, paving the way for a public inquiry and the possibility the council will be suspended.

Justice John Robson on Monday afternoon ruled the Office of Local Governments interim report released in July had failed to observe the requirements of procedural fairness, but rejected the councils argument that the government had acted unreasonably.

City of Liverpool Mayor Ned Mannoun says the ruling was a one-one draw with the state government. Credit: Dominic Lorrimer

Liverpool Council launched the legal bid in the Land and Environment Court in late July after a 50-page investigative report undertaken by the Office of Local Government contained allegations of widespread dysfunction, nepotistic hiring policies and concerns over Mayor Ned Mannouns involvement in planning matters.

As he gave the council seven days to show cause why it should not be suspended and the election deferred, Local Government Minister Ron Hoenig said the issues laid bare in the interim report were deeply troubling, saying the people of Liverpool are also entitled to a council that is not dysfunctional.
Darren Weir has been given seven days to remove all horses from his pre-training property after he was banned from racing until the eve of the 2026 spring carnival.

The Victorian Racing Tribunal announced on Monday that Weirs latest disqualification, two years for using an electronic shock device on his horses, would begin from next Monday.

Darren Weir has been banned from training horses for another two years. Credit: Jason South

The three-person panel of judges John Bowman and Kathryn Kings, and former chairman of stewards Des Gleeson ruled that the penalty would not be backdated.

Weir has already served a four-year disqualification for the possession of three electronic shock devices, known as jiggers, which finished in February 2023.
Clearly, the main event at the Eiffel Tower is to go to the very top, though it isnt essential. There are three observation decks within the tower: one at 57 metres above the ground, another at 115 metres and then the highest at 276 metres. There are two different tickets available, one to visit just the first and second floors (by lift or stairs), and another that includes the top level, accessible only by lift from the second floor. At the top you will witness neverending views of Paris, as well as  because this is France  a champagne bar.

2 Visit the apartment

Wax figures in Eiffels office.

Theres an unexpected attraction at the top of the Eiffel Tower: an apartment. No one lives there, save for a few wax figures, but this is a re-creation of what was once an office for Gustave Eiffel, the architect behind the very structure you find yourself atop. Though this is known to some as the apartment, theres no bedroom, and no evidence Eiffel ever slept here  it was more a place to meet visitors and sit in contemplation. Modern-day visitors can peer through the windows and see a waxwork Eiffel and his daughter, Claire, meeting American inventor Thomas Edison (who is, er, also wax).

3 Check out the first and second floors

Though the top-level observation deck feels like the goal at the Eiffel Tower, theres a case for saying the views are better from the second floor, given you can see the sights a little more clearly  and theres no doubt theres more to do on the lower levels. On the first floor, theres an interactive historic display, a garden area for relaxing and a few food options. On the second floor, check out a virtual reality experience on your smartphone and look out for more dining options.
Brasilia: The Supreme Court confirmed an order to ban Elon Musks social network X in Brazil and fine those who use a virtual private network, or VPN, to access it.

All five judges on the top court panel voted in favour of the decision to shut down the platform formerly known as Twitter during a virtual trial on Monday. X can still appeal the decision after the conclusion of the hearing.

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. Credit: Bloomberg

The judge found that X allowed postings of hate messages and falsehoods about the countrys electronic voting system that undermined Brazils democracy.

President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva backed the top courts judge, Alexandre de Moraes, and his decision to suspend X.
Ukraine says downed 22 Russian missiles targeting Kyiv



Kyiv, Ukraine, Sept 2 (AFP) Sep 02, 2024



Ukraine said Monday it had downed 22 Russian missiles headed towards Kyiv and two other regions overnight during an attack in which two people were wounded.

In the northeastern city of Sumy, a social welfare centre for children and an orphanage suffered damage after a missile strike on Sunday evening, injuring 13 people including four children, the mayor Oleksandr Lysenko said on Telegram.

"On September 2 overnight, the Russian occupiers carried out a missile attack on Kyiv, Sumy and Kharkiv regions using ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and anti-aircraft guided missiles, and attacked with Shahed-type UAVs from the south," the Ukranian air force said.

It said Ukrainian defence forces had shot down nine ballistic missiles, 13 cruise missiles and 20 attack drones.

Kyiv mayor Vitali Klitschko said two adults were injured and four cars caught fire from falling debris.

Vyacheslav Gladkov, the governor of Russia's Belgorod region which borders Ukraine, said an overnight aerial attack by Ukrainian forces wounded one person and damaged a shop and an infrastructure facility in the eponymous capital Belgorod.
Ukraine battles barrage hours before school year opens



Kyiv, Ukraine, Sept 2 (AFP) Sep 02, 2024



Ukraine downed 22 missiles early Monday that Russia fired toward Kyiv and two other region during an attack that wounded three people, authorities said.

The missiles were among the 30 launched at Ukraine a few hours before Ukrainian children began a third school year under the Russian invasion.

"Overnight, Russia fired a total of 35 missiles, including ballistic ones, and 23 drones at Ukraine," President Volodymyr Zelensky said.

Ukraine shot down nine ballistic missiles, 13 cruise missiles and 20 attack drones, the airforce said.

Loud explosions woke the capital up around 5:30 am (0230 GMT), according AFP journalists in Kyiv.

Debris from destroyed missiles fell in four districts and wounded three people, the head of the Kyiv military administration Sergiy Popko said.

Some of the wreckage damaged a mosque in Kyiv, said Zelensky, who accused Russia of "attempting to destroy all of our communities and even sacred places of worship."

As the war stretches into its third year, Ukrainians have seen daily aerial attacks on their country.

"Today's morning -- the morning the kids go back to school -- was no exception," Presidential aide Mykhaylo Podolyak said.

"Russia continues to deliberately attack civilians, critical infrastructure," he added.

A missile strike on the northeastern city of Sumy on Sunday evening damaged a social welfare centre and an orphanage, injuring 18 people including six children, the mayor Oleksandr Lysenko said on Telegram.

And shelling killed a woman in Kupyansk, regional governor Oleg Synegubov said.

Reacting to the latest missile attack, presidential chief of staff Andriy Yermak vowed a response to Russia's attacks.

"There will be an answer to everything. The enemy will feel it," Yermak posted on Telegram.

Kyiv has stepped up its strikes inside Russian territory, particularly since launching a ground offensive into the nearby Kursk region earlier this month.

Vyacheslav Gladkov, the governor of Russia's Belgorod region which borders Ukraine, said an overnight aerial attack by Ukrainian forces wounded one person and damaged a shop and an infrastructure facility in the eponymous capital Belgorod.
Poland says has 'duty' to down stray Russian missiles



Warsaw, Sept 2 (AFP) Sep 02, 2024



Warsaw has a "constitutional duty" to shoot down Russian missiles over Ukraine that are on course to hit Polish territory, Poland's foreign minister told the Financial Times in an interview published Monday.

The Polish top diplomat's remarks come a week after the NATO country's airspace was breached by what the army said was likely a drone after Russia pummelled neighbouring Ukraine with deadly strikes.

Despite a week-long ground search, the suspected drone has not been found.

During a new wave of Russian aerial attacks on Monday, Poland scrambled its fighter jets to the Ukrainian border to protect its airspace.

"Membership in NATO does not trump each country's responsibility for the protection of its own airspace - it's our own constitutional duty," Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski told FT in an interview.

"I'm personally of the view that, when hostile missiles are on course of entering our airspace, it would be legitimate self-defence (to strike them) because once they do cross into our airspace, the risk of debris injuring someone is significant," he added.

Following Sikorski's comments, a NATO official said that the alliance "has a responsibility to prevent Russia's war from escalating further," adding that "NATO is not a party to the conflict and NATO will not become a party to the conflict".

"We recognise the right of every ally protect its own airspace, however what individual allies do in support of Ukraine can also matter for NATO as a whole," said the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky last week urged European nations to help down drones and missiles over Ukraine.

In March, Poland reported a breach of its airspace by a Russian cruise missile, demanding an explanation from Moscow.

A similar incident occurred in December 2023, when a Russian missile penetrated Polish airspace for several minutes before returning to Ukraine.

In November 2022, two people were killed when a Ukrainian air-defence missile fell on the Polish village of Przewodow, close to the Ukrainian border.

Before the missile was identified as Ukrainian, fears were raised that NATO would be dragged into an escalation of the conflict with Russia if its collective defence provisions were triggered.
Turkey arrests 15 accused of assaulting US servicemen



Ankara, Sept 2 (AFP) Sep 02, 2024



Turkey has arrested 15 members of a radical nationalist youth movement accused of assaulting two US military personnel in the western city of Izmir, authorities said on Monday.

Those arrested were members of the vehemently anti-American Turkish Youth Union (TGB), whose members have previously committed attacks against US servicemen.

The sailors were part of the crew of the USS Wasp, an American amphibious assault ship docked in Izmir since September 1.

"A group of 15 members of the TGB physically attacked two American servicemen in civilian clothes," the Izmir prefecture said in a statement.

"Our law enforcement agencies intervened quickly... Fifteen suspects were arrested," the statement added.

On social media network X, the American embassy in Turkey confirmed the assault and said the victims were safe.

"We thank Turkish authorities for their rapid response and ongoing investigation," the embassy added.

Claiming the attack, the TGB posted a video on its X account in which several people are seen forcing a bag over the head of a person dressed in civilian clothes as the attackers chant: "Yankee go home!" in English.

"American soldiers who carry the blood of our soldiers and thousands of Palestinians on their hands cannot defile our country," the TGB said.

The bag over the head referred to an incident from the 2003 Iraq war when US forces in northern Iraq arrested a group of Turkish soldiers, forced hoods over their heads and held them for three days.

The incident outraged many in Turkey.

In mid-August, the USS Wasp carried out joint training exercises with Turkish military vessels in the Mediterranean.

The drills drew criticism from Turkish media close to the opposition, which saw the American ship's deployment as part of the United States' support for Israel.

The Turkish defence ministry rejected the criticism, calling the training a "routine" activity "neither beneficial to Israel nor harmful to Palestine".

In 2014, several dozen TGB members attacked three US sailors in central Istanbul, throwing red dye and seeking to force white sacks as hoods on their heads.

Twelve of the protesters were freed without questioning or charges.

The group claims to be loyal to the principles of modern Turkey's founding father Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, staunchly opposing President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's ruling Islamic-rooted party.

Besides its vehement anti-Americanism, the TGB also strongly opposes Turkey's bid to join the European Union.

bg/sbk/rlp
Turkey arrests 15 accused of assaulting US servicemen



Ankara, Sept 2 (AFP) Sep 02, 2024



Turkey has arrested 15 members of a radical nationalist youth movement accused of assaulting two US military personnel in the western city of Izmir, authorities said on Monday.

Those arrested were members of the vehemently anti-American Turkish Youth Union (TGB), whose members have previously committed attacks against US servicemen.

The sailors were part of the crew of the USS Wasp, an American amphibious assault ship docked in Izmir since September 1.

"A group of 15 members of the TGB physically attacked two American servicemen in civilian clothes," the Izmir prefecture said in a statement.

"Our law enforcement agencies intervened quickly... Fifteen suspects were arrested," the statement added.

On social media network X, the American embassy in Turkey confirmed the assault and said the victims were safe, while thanking Turkish authorities for their "rapid response and ongoing investigation."

US National Security Council spokesman Sean Savett added that the United States was "troubled by this assault" and was appreciative that Turkish police were "holding those responsible accountable."

Claiming the attack, the TGB posted a video on its X account in which several people are seen forcing a bag over the head of a person dressed in civilian clothes as the attackers chant: "Yankee go home!" in English.

"American soldiers who carry the blood of our soldiers and thousands of Palestinians on their hands cannot defile our country," the TGB said.

The bag over the head referred to an incident from the 2003 Iraq war when US forces in northern Iraq arrested a group of Turkish soldiers, forced hoods over their heads and held them for three days.

The incident outraged many in Turkey.

In mid-August, the USS Wasp carried out joint training exercises with Turkish military vessels in the Mediterranean.

The drills drew criticism from Turkish media close to the opposition, which saw the American ship's deployment as part of the United States' support for Israel.

The Turkish defence ministry rejected the criticism, calling the training a "routine" activity "neither beneficial to Israel nor harmful to Palestine".

In 2014, several dozen TGB members attacked three US sailors in central Istanbul, throwing red dye and seeking to force white sacks as hoods on their heads.

Twelve of the protesters were freed without questioning or charges.

The group claims to be loyal to the principles of modern Turkey's founding father Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, staunchly opposing President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's ruling Islamic-rooted party.

Besides its vehement anti-Americanism, the TGB also strongly opposes Turkey's bid to join the European Union.

bg/sbk/rlp/giv
The Bill broadens the scope of activities that the Crown Estate can engage in, enabling it to further invest in the energy transition

Lord Livermore, Financial Secretary to the Treasury
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"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," it said in a statement.
Romania's ambassador to Australia Radu Gabriel Safta will participate starting September 2 in the fourth edition of the Sydney Dialogue, an event that has become a landmark on the map of international forums in the Asia-Pacific region. The event is also attended by Dan Cimpean, director of the National Directorate of Cyber Security (DSNC) and Adrian-Victor Vevera, general director of the National Institute for Research and Development in Informatics ICI Bucharest, with this being Romania's first participation in the Sydney Dialogue.

According to the Romanian Embassy in Australia, the conference, organised by the Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI) think-tank, tackles mainly emerging technologies and the development of artificial intelligence, bringing together experts and officials from Australia and other partner states that share common democratic values, such as the U.S., the UK and Korea. On September 2 and 3, participants will debate the latest developments in the field, including challenges ralated to them, at the Sydney Conference Centre.

Part of its participation in the Sydney Dialogue and under the coordination of the Romanian Embassy in Canberra, the Romanian delegation had a meeting with the Executive Director of ASPI, Justin Bassi, analysing the possibilities of bilateral co-operation in multiple areas, starting from cybersecurity, including co-operation in the area of security studies and coordination between research institutes.

Vevera said that ICI Bucharest's presence at the Sydney Dialogue represents a remarkable opportunity for an exchange of knowledge and the initiation of essential international collaboration for the advancement of state-of-the-art technologies and for protecting critical infrastructures from increasingly sophisticated cyber threats. A new step was taken to promote innovation and international collaboration, aiming to increase national capabilities and integrate them with a global network of excellence.

Cimpean said in his turn that Sydney Dialogue 2024 is a concrete opportunity to position and increase the visibility of Romania's national cyber-security ecosystem to partners in the Asia-Pacific area. Moreover, it is a pragmatic format for continuing institutional conversations on current topics, such as cyber risks and threats, building common capabilities, resilience, challenges and the impact of new technologies.

t the end of the bilateral meeting, Romania's ambassador to Australia, Radu Gabriel Safta, concluded: "The participation of the Romanian delegation in Sydney Dialogue 2024 reflects both the expertise and capacity of the Romanian side to play a role in capitalising on opportunities and managing the challenges related to the development of emerging technologies, as well as the common values and visions that Australia and Romania share on a global scale. This dialogue with ASPI paves the way for bilateral co-operation at the level of experts and political and economic decision-makers."

Cimpean and Vevera will participate, at the invitation of the Australian Department of Home Affairs, in the Cyber Champions summit dedicated to cybersecurity co-operation between NATO and Indo-Pacific partner states - Australia, Japan, New Zealand, Korea.

The Sydney Dialogue is said to be an incubator of ideas, especially in the field of security, emerging technologies and international affairs, for leaders and experts from states that share democratic ideals. The meeting of the Romanian delegation with ASPI continues the steps taken by the Romanian Embassy in Australia in creating dialogue between ASPI and relevant institutions in Romania.
The Romanian Senate on Monday passed a government bill allowing for the donation of a Patriot surface-to-air missile system to third parties, 101 to 13 and two abstentions.

Chair of the Senate Defence Committee Nicoleta Pauliuc voiced hope that the bill will pass through the Chamber of Deputies, the decision-making body in this case, by the end of this week.

After the adoption of the law by Parliament, the Romanian government will be allowed to issue the decision that will make such donation operational.

The bill manadates the government of Romania to take the necessary steps to rebuild the ground-based air defence capability related to the essential acquisition programme "Long Range Surface-to-Air Missile System" by awarding to the Government of the United States of America a Letter of Offer and Acceptance (LOA) state contracts specific to Foreign Military Sales programs - (FMS) for the acquisition of a PATRIOT surface-to-air missile system configuration 3+, as well as major equipment, means of transport, materials, parts, maintenance equipment, initial logistic support and training service, cryptographic equipment.

At the same time, Romania's Defence Ministry (MApN) is mandated to provide the funds necessary for the payment of taxes and commissions related to the rebuilding of the ground-based air defence capability.

Social Democratic Party (PSD) Senate floor leader Lucian Romascanu said that "we are NATO members and we have a security guarantee, (...) And in order to have peace here, we must help those who are fighting a little further to win, as it is another guarantee of security."

National Liberal Party (PNL) senator Nicoleta Pauliuc said that by donating a Patriot surface-to-air missile system "there is no question of Romania being left without protection" because the country has seven other such systems, two of which are in working condition with the necessary human resources to manage them, two are in the with the Romanian Army and another three are to become part of it.

"Through this donation, Romania has demonstrated once again (...) to be a security provider in this area. When the war ends, Romanian companies will also participate in the reconstruction of Ukraine," Pauliuc said.

Seante floor leader of the Alliance for the Union of Romanians (AUR) Calin Maties voiced disagreement with the donation of the Patriot system of "USD 1 billion," saying that Romania is poor.
Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu on Monday said he would propose Roxana Minzatu for the post of European commissioner on behalf of Romania, informs Agerpres.

"We have had several telephone conversations. Now I will go to the Government and I will nominate Roxana Minzatu as the next European commissioner, and I will continue discussions with the president of the European Commission to close the portfolio," Ciolacu said at the Parliament Palace, after meeting Social Democratic Party.
Senate Speaker Nicolae Ciuca believes that it is 'absolutely necessary' for the authorities 'to stop with the reactive behaviour', informs Agerpres.

'There is the war in Ukraine, there is the conflict in the Middle Wast, there are restrictions against free navigation on the Black Sea, there are all kinds of problems in terms of energy safety, as you probably noticed, in the context in which the European Union discusses more and more about this issue and about this goal of ensuring energy safety and independence. There is also food safety that we are concerned with, with increasing discussions existing on this topic too and (...) discussions about the safety of the environment. These are matters that no one can foresee, which is why all government structures, including local authorities, need to work together to deal with them, in order to have the necessary instruments at their disposal, when needed. Also, the authorities need to talk with the citizens in order to be able to intervene together to solve such matters,' Nicolae Ciuca told a press conference on national safety organized by CONAF and Digi 24 television broadcaster on Monday.
JEFFERSON CITY  Missouris U.S. Senate race this year presents voters with an unusual choice: The Republican incumbent and his Democratic challenger are campaigning as pro-worker populists, both courting support from labor unions.

U.S. Sen. Josh Hawley has kicked aside traditional Republican anti-union orthodoxy as he runs against Democrat Lucas Kunce, a Marine veteran who has racked up numerous labor union endorsements and says big companies have stripped the state for parts.

Like Kunce, Hawley has long mentioned the offshoring of Missouri jobs as a concern.

But as Hawleys geared up for reelection, hes shifted his stance and tone on other labor issues. Hes abandoned his support for anti-union right-to-work laws, voiced support for minimum wage hikes, and walked this year with striking Teamsters in St. Louis and United Auto Workers members in Wentzville.

We need stronger worker representation in this economy with these corporations that are trying to run our country, essentially, Hawley, 44, told the Post-Dispatch in an interview last week. Without it, he said, there will be no jobs left in America.

Kunce, 41, has portrayed Hawleys embrace of labor as a politically expedient ploy to stay in power, contradicted by actions and numerous votes in the Senate.

Hes worried about this election, Kunce told the Post-Dispatch on Friday. So hes scared, and hes trying to pretend like he cares.

Hawleys attempt at attracting labor-friendly and union voters is in line with a broader move within the Republican Party.

The efforts start at the top of the ticket. Former President Donald Trump and his running mate, U.S. Sen. J.D. Vance, R-Ohio, have billed themselves as champions of working-class Americans, pushing the GOP toward economic protectionism. A sign of the Trump-led partys shift: Teamsters President Sean OBrien was invited to speak at the Republican National Convention in July, where he praised Hawley for his pointed questioning of corporate talking heads, lawyers, CEOs and apologists.

Its no wonder why both politicians in both parties seek organized labor support: 7 in 10 Americans voiced approval for unions in an August Gallup poll, up from 53% a decade ago. Thats even as labor union membership now represents only about 10% of the U.S. workforce, down from 20% in the early 1980s.

But recent GOP appeals to labor, usually aligned with Democrats, havent always gone well.

Vance was booed last week during a convention of the International Association of Fire Fighters in Boston. Missouri union leaders spoke at a virtual news conference last week to blast Hawley ahead of Labor Day.

Everything that he has shown us before shows that he is anti-worker, said Tony Renfro, president of Local 249 of the UAW in Pleasant Valley, Missouri. He is pandering to audiences.

While the Teamsters PAC gave Hawleys campaign $5,000 earlier this year, Kunce has racked up numerous labor union endorsements, including the UAW, Missouri State Council of Fire Fighters, United Steelworkers, Missouri AFL-CIO, IBEW Local 124, Bricklayers Local 1, United Food and Commercial Workers Local 655, SEIU Missouri State Council and more.

He knows that theres a movement in this state for everyday people to have power back again, Kunce said.

Kunce blasts Hawley

Kunce criticized Hawley for not bringing federal dollars back to Missouri, unlike former Republican U.S. Sen. Roy Blunt. He noted Hawleys vote against the CHIPs act for domestic semiconductor production and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which is funding public works projects across the country.

Hawley has also in the past voiced support for a right-to-work law that would bar union dues as a condition of employment, which he now opposes. In his last election campaign, he questioned whether he would vote for a minimum wage increase on the ballot that year.

Kunce noted that the AFL-CIO gave Hawley a 0% rating last year.

Im not talking about a long time ago, Kunce said.

Kunce criticized Hawleys vote in 2021 against prevailing wage protections that Blunt supported. Kunce also highlighted Hawleys vote against a $15 minimum wage in 2021 and his vote against the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act.

Kunce noted Hawley hasnt sponsored the Protecting the Right to Organize Act, or Pro Act. And he criticized Hawleys comments in a Kansas City Star article published in March that public sector unions for a long time have held government hostage, held vital government services for people hostage.

Kunce said the Missouri State Council of Fire Fighters, which has endorsed Republicans such as U.S. Sen. Eric Schmitt, Lt. Gov. Mike Kehoe and Blunt also endorsed me rather than him because of the way I grew up and because of the way he actually is.

I grew up in a working-class neighborhood in mid-Missouri where a union job was your, like, golden ticket to stay in the middle class, Kunce said.

Everybody was on the edge, and that was what we all looked for, Kunce said. He doesnt understand what it means.

Kunce said Hawley treats this casually as something maybe he can try to scam some votes on. When in fact, hes been anti-labor his entire career and continues to be that way.

Hawley makes case

Hawley hit Kunce on his past comments in a 2021 opinion piece published by The American Prospect  Kunce wrote ensuring U.S. national security required that we need to ditch all fossil fuels  when asked why labor had become such a big issue in the race.

If you want to take away fossil fuels from our state and rid them from our economy  if you want to get rid of gas and diesel  youre not for working people, Hawley said. You want to crash the farm economy in our state? Just take away all the fuels with which we plant our crops, harvest our crops and blend our biofuels.

With regard to electric vehicles, theyre made in China, Hawley said. Were talking about a massive displacement, leading to tens of thousands of lost jobs in the automobile supply chain, Hawley said.

While he wasnt so sure about the 2018 minimum wage question, Hawley introduced a bill in 2021 to raise the federal minimum wage to $15 per hour for companies with revenues of $1 billion or more.

He said last month he was sure hed support a ballot measure this year to raise Missouris minimum wage and guarantee paid sick leave for workers.

Hawley said American workers are forced to compete with subsidized and slave labor overseas as the United States loses jobs.

I just think it is wrong economically but also morally to force American workers to compete against slave labor, Hawley said, and have our wages constantly driven down.

Hawley noted his legislation with U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., requiring CEOs to personally certify there is no slave labor in their supply chain or that they have reported all instances of forced labor in their companys supply chain, according to his website.

A separate bill with U.S. Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J., would bar U.S. government contracts with companies pervasively violating child labor laws.

Among other actions seen as pro-worker, Hawley broke with the majority of his party in December 2022 to support legislation by U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, the Vermont progressive, to give railroad workers seven paid sick days, and he pushed for $2,000 stimulus checks as part of a COVID-19 relief package in December 2020.

On his past support for right-to-work legislation, Hawley said voters overwhelmingly rejected the law in 2018.

He said he has come to understand that there is something unfair about asking unions to represent people who arent paying union dues.
The amphibious assault ship USS Wasp steams in the Mediterranean Sea on June 30, 2024. (Nicholas Rodriguez/U.S. Navy)

Two U.S. Marines from an amphibious assault ship visiting a city in western Turkey are safe after they were assaulted Monday by a group of protesters who have attacked American military personnel in previous years.

Turkish authorities said they detained 15 members of the Youth Union of Turkey, also known as TGB, in the physical assault of the service members in the city of Izmir, the Associated Press reported Monday, citing the Turkish news agency Anadolu.

The attack happened at about 3:30 p.m., while the Marines were on liberty, Cmdr. Timothy Gorman, a spokesman for U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa, said in a statement Monday.

The two Marines were aided by other Marines in the area and were subsequently taken to a local hospital for evaluation as a precaution but were not injured and have returned to the USS Wasp, Gorman said.

He added that the incident was being investigated by local police and the Naval Criminal Investigative Service. No Marines were detained by authorities, and those involved were cooperating with authorities, he said.

Video posted by TGB to its X account on Monday shows several men holding another man while putting a bag on his head as a crowd yelled, Yankee go home. The video also shows a second man coming to the aid of the man held by the group.

#SonDakika | Kalabalk bir grup, Izmir'e demirleyen ABD savas gemisi USS Wasp'ta gorevli bir Amerikan askerinin basna cuval gecirdi. pic.twitter.com/mAa2rq0WAT  Ack Haber (@acikhaber_) September 2, 2024

US soldiers, who carry the blood of our soldiers and thousands of Palestinians on their hands, cannot defile our country, the group said in the post.

U.S. service members have not been part of the fighting in Gaza since the war between Israel and Hamas began in October 2023.

USS Wasp, which includes embarked elements of the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, arrived in Izmir on Sunday as part of a scheduled port visit. The ship recently trained with the Turkish Navy.

The Wasp Amphibious Ready Group has been on duty in the Mediterranean since late June. The ARG is part of a naval buildup in the eastern Mediterranean as the Pentagon works to deter Iran from attacking Israel in retaliation for the assassination of a top Hamas official in Tehran in July.

Iran blames the killing on Israel, which has not acknowledged responsibility for the bombing that killed Ismail Haniyeh.

The U.S. Embassy in Ankara, in a post to its X account, confirmed that an assault of U.S. service members had occurred but did not provide additional details.

This isnt the first time TGB has protested the U.S. by putting hoods over Americans heads.

In November 2021, the group attacked a Navy civilian embarked on USS Mount Whitney during a port call in Istanbul. That attack was preceded by a 2014 assault of a group of service members from the destroyer USS Ross who were dressed in civilian clothes.

The protesters threw red paint on at least one service member and put a plastic sack over his head, calling him a murderer, the pro-government Turkish newspaper Daily Sabah reported at the time.

The newspaper said putting hoods on U.S. service members is viewed as revenge for a 2003 incident in Iraq, in which U.S. military personnel detained and put hoods on Turkish soldiers operating as part of a special operations team.

U.S. officials had accused the soldiers of plotting to kill an American-backed Iraqi official, The New York Times reported at the time.
Fire Controlman (Aegis) 2nd Class Michael Pagano of Hamburg, N.Y., assigned to the Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer USS Laboon (DDG 58), embraces his daughter upon Laboons return to homeport. (Matthew Jackson/U.S. Navy)

The USS Laboon returned to Naval Station Norfolk, Va., on Sunday after a challenging nine-month deployment to hostile waters providing deterrence and defense to U.S. partners in the Arabian Gulf, Red Sea, Gulf of Oman, Gulf of Aden, Arabian Sea and the Mediterranean Sea, according to a U.S. Fleet Forces Command news release.

In support of freedom of navigation, Laboon accompanied the USS Eisenhower  which returned to Norfolk in July  and countered multiple attacks carried out by Houthi terrorists in the Red Sea.

This team demonstrated time and again just how capable our warships are and that we have the best trained most professional warfighters in the world ready to bring the fight to any enemy, said Cmdr. Eric Blomberg, Laboons commanding officer.

Laboon also independently participated in Operation Prosperity Guardian to protect international shipping lanes in the Red Sea, the Bab al-Mandeb and Gulf of Aden.

Family and friends wait to reunite with Sailors assigned to the Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer USS Laboon (DDG 58), as Laboon returns to homeport. (Matthew Jackson/U.S. Navy) Fire Controlman (Aegis) 2nd Class Michael Pagano, from Hamburg, New York, assigned to the Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer USS Laboon (DDG 58), shares the first kiss with his wife upon Laboons return to homeport. (Matthew Jackson/U.S. Navy) Lt. j.g. Shane Marczak, from Wyoming, R.I., assigned to the Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer USS Laboon (DDG 58), embraces his wife upon Laboons return to homeport. (Matthew Jackson/U.S. Navy) Adm. Daryl Caudle, commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command, (USFFC), salutes the crew as he walks on board the Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer USS Laboon (DDG 58). (Matthew Jackson/U.S. Navy) Adm. Daryl Caudle, commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command, speaks to the crew after the USS Laboon returned to its homeport. (Matthew Jackson/U.S. Navy) Adm. Daryl Caudle, commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command, presents the Bronze Star medal to Cmdr. Eric Blomberg, commanding officer of the USS Laboon after returning to homeport. (Matthew Jackson/U.S. Navy) Seaman Richard Allmon, from Carthage, N.Y., looks on as the Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer USS Laboon (DDG 58), transits toward pier 5 during their return to homeport. (Matthew Jackson/U.S. Navy)

Rear Adm. Kavon Hakimzadeh, commander of Carrier Strike Group 2, was on the pier to welcome home the crew alongside family and friends who reunited with their sailors.

We are honored to welcome back the men and women of USS Laboon who have proven their proficiency and resolve throughout a demanding deployment, Hakimzadeh said. From safeguarding critical maritime routes to deterring threats in volatile regions, Laboons crew has exemplified the very best of our Navys tradition of excellence. We are deeply proud of what they have accomplished, and we thank each sailor and their families for their unwavering dedication to our nations security.

During their 5th Fleet operations, Laboon also rescued three mariners in distress in the Gulf of Aden who had been stranded adrift at sea for 10 days.

This deployment really embodied why we train so hard and every Sailor stepping up to fulfill their role in a challenging environment, said Chief Petty Officer Rickey Gisclair.
A Slovakian soldier lays a wreath at the grave of a fallen American WWII soldier during the 80th commemoration of the Battle over the White Carpathians in Nova Bosaca, Slovakia, Aug. 30, 2024. (Lydia Gordon/Stars and Stripes)

SLAVICIN, Czech Republic  American families and friends joined Czechs and Slovakians on Monday to commemorate 80 years since a tragic air battle that took the lives of 41 Army airmen during World War II.

The memorial in this southeastern Czech town near the Slovakian border honored the service members of the Armys 15th Air Force, 2nd Bomb Group, who fought in Mission 263, now known as the Battle Over the White Carpathians, on Aug. 29, 1944.

Attendees spent four days visiting museums, crash sites and cemeteries across the Czech Republic and Slovakia, where some of the American service members were buried by the residents who first found them.

About 40 people traveled from the U.S. to pay respects to the fallen in this relatively little-known battle. Soviet domination over Czechoslovakia through 1989 meant that this chapter in WWII history was largely concealed.

It wasnt until recently that some of the attending family members said they gained closure by hearing what really happened over the mountains of Czechoslovakia.

Air Force Lt. Col. Sasha Heath, a KC-10 pilot and great-niece of one of the fallen airmen, reads the names of all 28 World War II American service members who were buried in a mass grave in Slavicin, Czech Republic, on Aug. 31, 2024. Family members and residents gathered to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Battle over the White Carpathians in the Czech Republic and Slovakia from Aug. 29-Sept. 1. (Lydia Gordon/Stars and Stripes) A Czech soldier lays a wreath at the mass grave site of 28 fallen American Word War II service members during the 80th commemoration of the Battle over the White Carpathians at Slavicin, Czech Republic, on Aug. 31, 2024. (Lydia Gordon/Stars and Stripes) Bijan Sabet, the U.S. Ambassador to the Czech Republic, lays a wreath upon a mass grave site during the 80th commemoration of the Battle over the White Carpathians at Slavicin, Czech Republic, on Aug. 31, 2024. (Lydia Gordon/Stars and Stripes) An American family member wears a T-shirt commemorating Mission 263, also known as the Battle over the White Carpathians, on Aug. 30, 2024, in during the 80th anniversary commemoration of the WWII battle in Nova Bosaca, Slovakia, Aug. 30, 2024. (Lydia Gordon/Stars and Stripes) A Czech resident holds an American flag at the mass grave site of 28 fallen American airmen during the 80th commemoration of the Battle over the White Carpathians at Slavicin, Czech Republic, on Aug. 31, 2024. (Lydia Gordon/Stars and Stripes) The names of 28 Americans who died during the Battle over the White Carpathians are listed at a cemetery in Slavicin, Czech Republic, on Aug. 31, 2024. (Lydia Gordon/Stars and Stripes) American families and friends of service members who fought in the Battle over the White Carpathians 80 years ago visit the crash sites of one of the fallen bombers in Krhov, Czech Republic, on Aug. 31, 2024. (Lydia Gordon/Stars and Stripes) Kellylynn Charles, the great-niece of a pilot killed in action during the Battle over the White Carpathians, gives a speech at her great-uncle's grave in Rudice, Czech Republic, on Aug. 31, 2024. (Lydia Gordon/Stars and Stripes) A Czech man drives to a bomber crash site in an original World War II vehicle during the 80th commemoration of the Battle over the White Carpathians in the Czech Republic on Sept. 1, 2024. (Lydia Gordon/Stars and Stripes) A Czech resident drives to a bomber crash site in an original World War II Jeep during the 80th commemoration of the Battle over the White Carpathians in the Czech Republic on Sept. 1, 2024. (Lydia Gordon/Stars and Stripes) The plaque remembering an American World War II service member who was killed after parachuting out of his plane peeks through a tree in Sanov, Czech Republic, on Sept. 1, 2024. (Lydia Gordon/Stars and Stripes)

It was probably three years ago  we found a video in Slavicin of the ceremony, and I saw [my great uncles] name on the gravestone, Air Force Lt. Col. Sasha Heath, the great-niece of pilot 2nd Lt. Theo Heath, said Saturday.

Its not D-Day or some huge battle that we all know about, but it matters to [the residents] because its their country, and I cant get over how welcoming and appreciative people are here, Heath added.

On the morning of the battle, four squadrons composed of B-24 Liberators and B-17 Flying Fortresses with the 2nd Bomb Group departed from Foggia, Italy, to destroy a mass of Nazi armaments. Only three squadrons returned.

Unknown to the Americans, Nazi forces were warned of their arrival and mimicked American escort flyers to stave off detection. By the time the rear squadron became aware of the deception, it was too late.

All eight planes in the 20th Bombardment Squadron formation were shot down, along with two from the 429th and 49th Squadrons.

However, their sacrifice wasnt in vain. The bombers were able to warn three forward groups, who successfully bombed the vital Nazi armaments.

About 100 airmen fell from the sky that day. Of the 41 that died, 40 were from the 20th Bombardment Squadron.

Eight decades later, Czechs and Slovaks continue to commemorate the battle. Many residents have constructed memorials at the crash sites, tend to the graves and continue to search for lost artifacts within the mountains.

A Czech resident holds an American flag at the mass grave site of 28 fallen American World War II airmen during the 80th commemoration of the Battle over the White Carpathians at Slavicin, Czech Republic, on Aug. 31, 2024. (Lydia Gordon/Stars and Stripes)

I dont know if words can describe how meaningful and heartwarming it is that [the Czech and Slovak residents] recognize the sacrifice of the Americans, and all Allied service members throughout the entire war who fought for their freedom, said Kellylynn Charles, the great-niece of 2nd Lt. Russell Meyrick, a bombardier on the B-17 bomber Tail End Charlie who was killed in action.

To see the local Czech people continue that commemoration, generation after generation, and bring their children every year to remind them of the sacrifice is something you dont see often in the States, Charles said.

Amid Russias ongoing war on Ukraine and tensions on NATOs eastern flank, speakers urged others to stand up against evil by remembering the sacrifices that led to the freedoms of today.

Among the attendees was U.S. Ambassador to Czech Republic Bijan Sabet, who spoke at the cemetery, where 28 of the service members were initially buried by enemy forces in a mass grave.

The lesson we can all learn is that our democracy and our freedoms cannot be taken for granted, Sabet said in an interview Saturday. [The commemoration] serves as a stark reminder of the importance of standing up for liberty and freedom and the fight against tyranny and occupation.
Family members of U.S. soldiers who fought in Belgium attend a memorial in Cendron on Sept. 2, 2024, for the first American troops who entered Belgium to liberate it from Nazi occupation 80 years before. (Phillip Walter Wellman/Stars and Stripes)

CENDRON, Belgium  Technician fifth grade Alfonso Coppola was one of the first American troops to enter Belgium during World War II to free it from Nazi occupation.

On Monday, Philip and Loretta Coppola stood on the same road their father marched on, joining the commemoration of Belgiums liberation exactly 80 years ago.

The siblings only recently learned about their fathers efforts in Belgium after doing their own research. Alfonso Coppola, like many soldiers who fought in Europe, didnt like to talk about the war when he returned to the United States.

I understand why, Loretta Coppola said. But we should know what they went through, its part of the worlds history.

The Coppolas joined a gathering at the France-Belgium border that was smaller and more somber than the liberation celebration in nearby Mons a day before. But the message conveyed was similar: those enjoying freedom today have a duty to remember the efforts and sacrifices of the past.

Philip Coppola, right, and a Belgian soldier attend a memorial in Cendron, Belgium, on Sept. 2, 2024, for the first American troops who entered Belgium and liberated it from Nazi occupation 80 years ago. (Phillip Walter Wellman/Stars and Stripes)

Christel Delahaye, president of a local group called the Duty to Remember Association, runs a small war museum in the village of Monceau-Imbrechies.

She organized a separate ceremony Monday dedicated to the first 12 U.S. soldiers who died on Belgian soil during the liberation.

Who would give their lives for people they dont know, for the freedom of people they dont know? Delahaye said on the sidelines of the ceremony. We want to show our gratitude to the American troops, we want to keep their memory alive.

Delahayes father, Paul, opened the museum in the 1980s and launched the predecessor to the Duty to Remember Association, which has helped link the area to Americans related to troops who fought here.

The Coppolas donated some of their fathers memorabilia, including a Purple Heart and a Bronze Star, to the museum Saturday.

A photo they found in a 1944 copy of Stars and Stripes shows their father and his fellow soldiers in front of a Belgian customs sign at Cendron, footsteps away from where Philip and Loretta Coppola were Monday.

He was right here. Its overwhelming, said Loretta Coppola, who was visiting Belgium for the first time.

Philip Coppola donates his fathers military medals to the 40-44 Lieutenant Cook museum in Monceau-Imbrechies, Belgium, Saturday, Sept. 31, 2024. A short bio and photograph of Coppolas father, Alfonso Coppola, is included in the display. (Phillip Walter Wellman/Stars and Stripes)

The first U.S. troops entered Belgium at Cendron on Sept. 2, 1944. Within 10 days, American, British, Canadian and other Allied troops had liberated most of the country. 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 the country.

James Jeffrey and his family also traveled to Belgium for this years liberation commemorations.

Jeffreys great uncle, 1st Lt. Robert Benninger, was a crew member of a B-17 bomber known as the Susan Ruth, which was shot down near Macquenoise, Belgium, in February 1944. Benninger survived the crash, but German soldiers later found him hiding with Belgians and killed him.

Jeffreys daughter, Grace Jeffrey, said she was impressed by the young reenactors she saw throughout the memorial weekend.

These are people who have inherited the history, the understanding and the knowledge, she said. Similarly, its important for us to continue that story.

Steven Snyder, whose father, Howard, piloted the Susan Ruth and survived the war, was also in Belgium with his family.

World War II was 80 years ago. Its fading in peoples memories, and we cannot let that happen, said Snyder, who has visited the area several times.

Stevens son, Clayton, named his 2-year-old son after his grandfather and plans to bring him to Belgium when hes older to pass on the memories.

We have a very specific family story tied to this event, and we want to make it mean something, Clayton Snyder said. Its a responsibility but also an honor.
In this aerial view, vacationers stretch out on lounge chairs on July 28, 2024, in Parga, Greece. Anyone whos seen swaths of sunburned German tourists harrying Greek workers for a beach towel this summer will know how wrong economic cliches can be. Greeks, depicted as lazy during the euro crisis, actually work more hours than anyone else in Europe. (Milos Bicanski, Getty Images/TNS)

(Tribune News Service)  Anyone whos seen swaths of sunburned German tourists harrying Greek workers for a beach towel this summer will know how wrong economic cliches can be. Greeks, depicted as lazy during the euro crisis, actually work more hours than anyone else in Europe, and supposedly workaholic Germans work among the least. Sipping wine in Santorini or lounging in a villa is a lifestyle not all that accessible to actual Greeks.

Now the gap is getting starker with a divisive new law allowing some Greek firms to enforce a six-day work week  a first in Europe and one that runs counter to the trend of experimenting with shorter work weeks to attract talent. Although this is technically an exceptional measure for some 24/7 manufacturing firms and not a blanket move, it may end up busting bigger cliches about Europes ability to sustain its leisurely ways.

If Greece is zigging while others zag, its not because of the productive effects of overwork. If I work six days rather than five, I will likely end up producing more given Im working more hours  but on a per-hour basis I may turn out to be less productive if fatigue sets in. One study of call-center workers between 2008-2010 found that an increase of working hours by 1% led to an increase in output by 0.9% in terms of number of calls answered. Calling this a worker-friendly law, even if the idea is to better enshrine overtime pay, rings a little hollow.

Nor is this some kind of emergency measure comparable to the dark days of the euro crisis, when the idea of a six-day work week was floated as part of bailout talks. Greeces economy is today one of the fastest-growing in Europe, has regained investment-grade status and brought its debt-to-GDP ratio down to its lowest in over a decade (though at 160% its still almost double the European average). The recovery hasnt been pain-free: Real wages have declined since 2015, and fatter corporate profit margins have outraged ordinary Greeks. But today its France thats seeing credit-rating downgrades and Germany thats struggling with recession and a sick man image.

What this law is really about is tackling a labor shortage after Greeces exodus of more than 1 million working-age people between 2010 and 2022. This is driven partly by the euro crisis-related brain drain but also by a ticking time bomb of demographic decline as life expectancy rises and birth rates fall. There are few easy answers: Its hard to automate a tourism-led country eyeing construction projects (including Europes largest smart city) and a self-described tough but fair immigration policy has yet to deliver the workers Greece needs. Europes ultimate resort economy has therefore turned to a last resort, as economist Pinelopi Goldberg writes: More hours from existing workers.

This is where Greeces experiment becomes relevant to Europe, and why it should be watched closely. Europe has become synonymous with plowing the gains of decades of technological improvement and rising living standards into more free time. But the Continent is also struggling with labor shortages, demographic decline and flatlining productivity growth compared with U.S. productivity improvements of above 1% between 2007-2019. Trialing four-day work weeks is all well and good, but thats not, on its own, going to change worrying long-term trends. The number of people aged 20-64 in the European Union relative to the number of over-65s fell to 2.7 last year from 3.8 in 2003; it may hit 1.5 by 2100.

To avoid longer hours, levers will need to be pulled  on immigration, automation and participation. France is trying to lift the participation rate by getting more people into work who would otherwise retire; Italy is signing deals for more migrant labor; Germanys boosting of funding for kindergartens and primary schools could help more women return to work, as my colleague Chris Bryant has written. All countries are gazing at the Mount Olympus of artificial intelligence and hoping automation will bring a productivity boom.

The optimistic view is that this will be enough. Research co-authored by NEOMA Business Schools Gilbert Cette suggests that if future productivity gains match those observed in the U.S. from 1900 to 1975, working hours could average about 25 hours per week by the end of this century. That wouldnt be far off John Maynard Keynes prediction of a 15-hour week by 2030, and would make talk of a six-day week ultimately look like a blip.

But the world isnt ideal. Combating climate change  as seen in wildfires flaring up this summer  an aging population and public debt will eat up some of those productivity gains. The need to spend more on defense has already pushed Denmark to cancel a public holiday. And theres always the risk that a lot of AIs promise simply disappoints. Charles Goodhart and Manoj Pradhans book, The Great Demographic Reversal, warns that staffing needs to care for the elderly alone could offset automations gains, with the U.S. potentially facing a shortage of 120,000 physicians by 2032.

If Europe cant find a way to overhaul its museum-like economy, Greeces experiment with longer hours may end up being a vision of the future for all of us  Germans included.

Lionel Laurent is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist writing about the future of money and the future of Europe. Previously, he was a reporter for Reuters and Forbes. This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editorial board or Bloomberg LP and its owners.

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The Greek-flagged oil tanker Sounion burns in the Red Sea on Sept. 2, 2024, following a series of attacks by Yemens Houthi rebels. (European Unions Operation Aspides via AP)

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates  An attack by Yemens Houthi rebels targeted a Panama-flagged oil tanker in the Red Sea on Monday, authorities said, as a nearby Saudi-flagged tanker ship also allegedly came under fire from the group.

The attacks are believed to be the latest in the Iranian-backed rebels campaign that has disrupted the $1 trillion in goods that pass through the Red Sea each year over the Israel-Hamas war in the Gaza Strip and has halted some aid shipments to conflict-ravaged Sudan and Yemen.

The new attacks on oil tankers also come amid efforts to salvage the still-burning Sounion oil tanker earlier hit by the Houthis, seeking to head off the potential ecological disaster posed by its cargo of 1 million barrels of crude oil.

In Mondays first assault, two ballistic missiles hit the oil tanker Blue Lagoon I and a third exploded near the ship, the multination Joint Maritime Information Center overseen by the U.S. Navy said.

All crew on board are safe (no injury reported), the center said. The vessel sustained minimal damage but does not require assistance.

Houthi military spokesman Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree claimed responsibility for the attack on the Blue Lagoon I late Monday night.

The Blue Lagoon I is traveling south through the Red Sea to an unlisted destination. The vessel was coming from Russias port of Ust-Luga on the Baltic Sea and had been broadcasting that it had Russian-origin cargo on board.

In recent months, the Blue Lagoon I traveled to India, which gets more than 40% of its oil imports from Russia despite Moscows ongoing war on Ukraine and the international sanctions it faces over it.

The Greek-based firm operating the ship could not be reached. The Joint Maritime Information Center said it assessed that the ship was targeted due to other vessels within its company structure making recent port calls in Israel. Saree also cited that as the reason the Houthis attacked the vessel.

Later on Monday morning, the British militarys United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations center reported a second attack off the Houthi-controlled port city of Hodeida. The private security firm Ambrey said an aerial drone hit a merchant ship, though no damage or injuries were reported. The attack happened only a few miles from where the Blue Lagoon I attack occurred, Ambrey said.

The U.S. militarys Central Command, which oversees American operations in the Mideast, identified the second vessel as the Saudi-flagged oil tanker Amjad and blamed the attack on the Houthis. The Amjad carried 2 million barrels of oil, it said.

These reckless acts of terrorism by the Houthis continue to destabilize regional and global commerce, as well as put the lives of civilian mariners and maritime ecosystems at risk, Central Command said.

The U.S. military also destroyed two Houthi missile systems in strikes on Monday, the command added.

The Houthi group did not immediately claim responsibility for the attack on the Amjad. However, it can take the rebels hours or even days to acknowledge their assaults.

In the case of the Amjad attack, the Houthis likely did not claim it given a yearslong, de facto cease-fire in which the group has not attacked Saudi Arabia as the kingdom tries to reach a peace deal with the rebels. Saudi Arabia also reached a Chinese-mediated detente with Iran, the Houthis main benefactor, last year thats still holding.

Saudi Arabia launched a war against the Houthis in March 2015 in support of Yemens exiled government, which earlier had been thrown out of the capital, Sanaa, by the rebels.

Saudi Arabia similarly did not acknowledge the attack on the Amjad, possibly to lower any pressure on it to respond militarily. Yemens war has killed more than 150,000 people, including fighters and civilians, and created one of the worlds worst humanitarian disasters, killing tens of thousands more.

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 on Monday, a salvage effort appeared to be underway to tow away the Sounion oil tanker, which was earlier hit by the Houthis and abandoned by its crew. Jamel Amer, an official with the Houthis, wrote online Saturday that tugboats assigned to pull the Sounion away should arrive Sunday.

However, NASA fire satellites showed a blaze at the site where the Sounion had been abandoned on Monday morning. Later photos published by the European Unions Operation Aspides naval mission in the Red Sea of the Sounion taken on Monday showed no tugboats near the still-burning vessel.

Private companies are involved in the salvage operation that is about to start, the operation said. Upon their request, EUNAVFOR ASPIDES will provide protection to the tugboats, that will deal with the salvage operation and facilitate their efforts to prevent an environmental disaster.

It added: Currently, several fires continue to burn on the vessels main deck. The vessel remains anchored without drifting, and there are no visible signs of an oil spill.

The Sounion was carrying about 1 million barrels of oil when the Houthis initially attacked it on Aug. 21 with small arms fire, projectiles and a drone boat. A French destroyer operating as part of Operation Aspides rescued the Sounions crew of 25 Filipinos and Russians, as well as four private security personnel, after they abandoned the vessel and took them to nearby Djibouti.

Last week, the Houthis released footage showing they planted explosives on board the Sounion and ignited them in a propaganda video, something the rebels have done before in their campaign.
Hersh Goldberg-Polin is buried during his funeral at Givat Shaul cemetery in Jerusalem on Sept. 2, 2024. (Gil Cohen-Magen, Pool photo via AFP/Getty Images/TNS)

(Tribune News Service)  After six Israeli hostages were found shot dead in a Gaza tunnel over the weekend, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu did something he hadnt done in 11 months of war  he apologized to the bereaved families.

I want to tell you how sorry I am and ask for forgiveness for not being able to bring Sasha back alive, he told the parents of Alexander Lobanov in the first of a series of such phone calls.

The gesture was among signs the discovery may prove to be a turning point in Israels long-running conflict with Hamas, after several months of inconclusive cease-fire negotiations. Hundreds of thousands of Israelis protested on Sunday to demand a truce with the Iran-backed group, while a main trade union called a strike that temporarily shut down banks, shopping malls and even the main airport on Monday morning.

Netanyahu realized that a line had been crossed, commentator Yoav Limor wrote in the Israel Hayom newspaper, a reference to the sense among many Israelis that the government didnt do enough to save the hostages. As of yesterday, Israel is not the same country.

What that means for Netanyahus stance on the war remains to be seen. On Monday night, he gave a defiant press conference, saying Israel will not give up control of the border area between Gaza and Egypt, the Philadelphi corridor, as Hamas has demanded.

Israels control of the area is key to defeating Hamas, returning hostages and ensuring Gaza doesnt pose a threat in the future, he said. He added, If we leave, we wont go back, citing immense international pressure that would be exerted on Israel.

Through that corridor, he said, Hamas has imported tons of arms that it has used against Israel. That pathway must be permanently controlled by Israel, he said.

Many argue U.S. President Joe Bidens administration should use the moment to press both Israel and Hamas to finally reach an agreement. The Washington Post reported on Monday that the U.S., alongside other international brokers Qatar and Egypt, is preparing a take-it-or-leave-it final deal.

Were very close to tabling a proposal, Biden told reporters at the White House on Monday. Asked if Netanyahu is doing enough to secure the hostages, he answered simply no.

Israel has waged its campaign in Gaza ever since thousands of Hamas operatives swarmed into the south of the country on Oct. 7, killing 1,200 people and abducting 250. In that time, the government has pursued two often contradictory goals: destroy the groups military and political infrastructure and bring the hostages back alive.

For the duration of the conflict  in which more than 40,000 Palestinians have been killed, according to health officials in Hamas-run Gaza  Israel assumed Hamas was protecting hostages to trade for concessions, such as the freeing of Palestinian prisoners. The discovery of the dead abductees casts doubt on that thesis.

What we see in Hamas now, after 11 months of war, is a collapse of the command structure, said Uzi Rabi, a senior researcher on Palestinian issues at Tel Aviv University. This means that Israels policy of increased military pressure, which you could argue was working, may no longer serve the purpose. Its a double-edged sword, and Netanyahu may have to shift policy.

Hostages will go back to their families in coffins if Netanyahu keeps insisting on securing their release through military pressure, Abu Obaida, a spokesman for Hamass armed wing, said on his Telegram channel.

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant has been arguing that the country should accept a cease-fire proposal put forward by the U.S. First made public by Biden at the end of May, it calls for a three-stage process starting with the freeing of hostages in exchange for a withdrawal of Israeli troops.

Netanyahus own position has moved around. Most recently, hes come down on the side of his right-wing coalition partners, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, who say Israel mustnt stop fighting Hamas even for a day until total victory is achieved. The release of hostages, they say, will follow.

Israeli public opinion, once on their side, has shifted. A monthly poll asking whether a hostage deal should be prioritized over destroying Hamas showed 72% in favor in July, up from 67% in June and 46% in May.

Israeli media reports on the cease-fire negotiations showed that some of those found dead were on the list of hostages due to be exchanged. That made their deaths more painful for families and friends, and a key element of Sundays protests was that Israel failed them.

Our Hands Arent Clean of Their Blood, ran a front-page headline in the centrist Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper on Monday.

Netanyahus right-wing coalition partners retain a degree of support, including among a small number of families of those still held in Gaza. They are members of a group called the Tikva Forum, which opposes compromise with Hamas and called on Israelis not to join demonstrations or strikes. Hamas is designated a terrorist organization by the U.S.

The mother of one of those found dead on Sunday said on the radio that he would not be willing to have one terrorist released for him.

Micah Goodman, a public intellectual of moderate political leanings, wrote in Israel Hayom that since the military has weakened Hamas, the strategic cost of a hostage deal is much lower than earlier in the conflict. Its vital to find a way to reach an agreement, he said, to heal the nation.

The two war objectives can be translated into two moral and Jewish aspirations: to take Hamas apart and to put Israel back together, he said.

Kate Queram, Thomas Hall and Marissa Newman contributed to this report.

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U.S. forces joined with Syrian troops to capture an ISIS leader early Sunday, U.S. Central Command announced Monday.

CENTCOM troops and Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) captured Khaled Ahmed al-Dandal, an ISIS facilitator who helped escapees of the terror group after they fled a detention facility in Syria, CENTCOM said.

Previously, on Aug. 29, five ISIS Foreign Terrorist Fighter detainees escaped from the Raqqah Detention Facility. SDF recaptured two escapees: Imam Abdulwahed Akhwan (Russian) and Muhammad Noh Muhammad (Libyan). The search continues for the three who remain at large: Timor Talbrken Abdash (Russian) and Shuab Muhammad Al-Abdli and Atal Khaled Zar (both Afghans).

Over 9,000 ISIS detainees remain in over 20 SDF detention facilities in Syria, a literal and figurative ISIS Army in detention, CENTCOM commander Gen. Michael Erik Kurilla said. If a large number of these ISIS fighters escaped, it would pose an extreme danger to the region and beyond. We will continue to work with the international community to repatriate these ISIS fighters to their countries of origin for final adjudication.

A primary objective of ISIS remains to free their fighters currently held in detention and subsequently fuel an ISIS revival. The mission for U.S. forces, in coordination with SDF, will be to mitigate threats of future escapes and to ensure the enduring defeat of ISIS, CENTCOM says.

Sundays action comes only days after a raid against ISIS that killed at least 15 people and left seven American troops hurt. CENTCOM said the militants were armed with numerous weapons, grenades, and explosive suicide belts during the raid Thursday, which Iraqi forces said happened in the countrys Anbar Desert.

Air Force Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder, the Pentagons top spokesman, said Tuesday that five of the injured American troops had minor injuries and have returned to duty. The other two service members are in stable condition at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany.

In the first six months of this year, ISIS claimed 153 attacks in Iraq and Syria and is attempting to reconstitute following several years of decreased capability, CENTCOM announced in July.

There are about 2,500 U.S. troops in Iraq housed at three bases, one in Baghdad and two others in west and north of the country. About 900 American service members are deployed in Syria, Voice of America reported in February.

American forces have remained in the two countries to lead a coalition fighting to prevent a resurgence of the Islamic State in a mission known as Operation Inherent Resolve.
Farmer once arrested by Armed Support Unit during row over right of way which locals call the Garvaghy Road of Co Clare

The right of way at the centre of the war between neighbour

The disputed laneway at the centre of the row

PJ Madigan was once threatened with prison in the row over the laneway

A farming family at the centre of a right of way dispute which has led to civil and criminal cases over more than 20 years say locals describe the road in rural Clare as the Garvaghy Road.

The dispute between some members of the Madigan family and Joe Scales (76) in the townland of Calluragh West near Ennistymon dates back to 2002 and has led to numerous incidents and convictions on both sides.

At one stage, the Garda Armed Support Unit called to the Madigan home and arrested John Joseph Madigan (46).

I was face down on the ground exactly like you see in the movies, the usual carry on, shouting and roaring, John Joseph told the Sunday World this week.

The dispute has also been the subject of 11 court orders. In 2021 a judge pleaded with the two sides not to bring more hatred, bitterness or even tragedy on any of your families before urging both sets of parties to take a step back, buy a bottle of cop-on and to drink from it.

John Joseph Madigan talks to reporter Alan Sherry

The dispute centres on a right of way which runs past the Madigans home to a field owned by the Scales family, just yards from the house.

John Joseph, who was previously convicted of an assault linked to the feud, said this week that the dispute began after slurry was accidentally sprayed on the wall of their home in 2002 by a member of the Scales family after they accessed the field.

He said this led to his family  including his mother Anne and father PJ  blocking access to the field before neighbour Joe Scales (76), who owns the field, secured an injunction preventing them blocking it. There has been bad blood ever since.

It got more violent as the years went on, John Joseph said. Im 46 years of age. I have lost over 20 years of my life to this nonsense.

The disputed laneway at the centre of the row

However, he added that it will continue.

It is very hard to describe. You talk about Putin and Gaza, do you know what one neighbour called this road? The Garvaghy Road.

If you think of something like the [Orange Order] parades, its like a kick in the teeth, the Protestants going down along the Catholic roads. Its kind of the same here.

John Joseph said there is another access point to the field from the main road which he feels the Scales should use instead.

He said it was previously claimed in court that his family was jealous over land but denied this was the case.

Both John Josephs parents have been before the courts in relation to the dispute. Anne, who sadly died last year, was bound to the peace in 2011 for assaulting a garda in December 2010 in another incident linked to the feud. PJ was also previously threatened with jail if he didnt stop trying to block access to the right of way.

We are portrayed as the bad guys, John Joseph said. We have the worst reputation in Ireland and we get smart comments thrown at us every day, he said, adding that most of his neighbours in the area think he is in the wrong in the dispute.

In June 2002, Joe Scales viciously assaulted John Josephs brother and mother during an explosive row on the right of way. He was given a two-month suspended sentence and fined 150.

There is one like him in every parish in the county, call him the Bull McCabe, call him what you like, John Joseph said.

The violence went both ways.

John Joseph was convicted of assaulting Joe Scales in an incident which took place on the right of way in November 2010.

The right of way at the centre of the war between neighbour

He said he was standing in the way of Joe Scales tractor as his neighbour was trying to access the field. Mr Scales then got out of the tractor.

I pinned him down to the ground over at the back and he alleged the dog bit him, John Joseph said.

I dont care how quiet a person you are, everyone has a breaking point. The man pushed me for 40 yards with the tractor.

Gardai, including members of the Armed Support Unit, called to the Madigan home the following month to retrieve CCTV, leading to yet another incident.

They had full gear on. There were four of them down from Mayo. One said control the dogs or Ill control them, I suppose they were going to shoot the dogs.

He said gardai were pulling at the CCTV and he tried to intervene.

When I seen them attacking my equipment I moved to protect it. Three guards jumped on me, pinned me to the ground and handcuffed me.

John Joseph said his mother also had her arm put behind her back during the incident.

The superintendent [later] came into house and he shook hands with my father. That is like Cromwell shaking hands with the Irish or Putin shaking hands with the Ukrainians and blowing them to hell.

John Joseph was arrested and later convicted of assaulting Joe Scales for which he received an eight month suspended sentence. Charges of obstruction and harassment were dismissed. His mother Anne was found to have assaulted a garda and bound to the peace.

Slurry damage on the Madigan home in Calluragh West, Co Clare

John Joseph said he feels his mother should never have been in court.

I want her name cleared for the saint that she was. That woman did her best all her life and the way shes being destroyed in the press and in court and everythingI want her good name restored.

John Joseph Madigan and Joe Scales were also in court back in 2008 after they were accused of assaulting each other in another row over blocking access to the right of way.

They gave different accounts of the incident and a judge said he wasnt satisfied with either version of events. He said it was clear there were bad blood between them and bound them to the peace but dismissed the charges against both men.

John Joseph feels that his family are portrayed as the aggressors.

Still today, were the baddies. Even the locals are saying why are you at that, these [the Scales] are such nice people, theyre pillars of the community.

At one stage an inspector said I should move out of my house and live with my relations.

John Josephs father PJ said the family got on with the Scales family before the slurry incident.

PJ Madigan was once threatened with prison in the row over the laneway

We worked with the Scales. We got on fine. He didnt mean it maybe [the slurry incident] but it happened. My wife went down to the lad who was driving the tractor. I dont think any of us seen it. He stopped and the father came into me. He said, take away that tractor, Anne blocked the road.

Thats what started it. The whole house [was covered].

He said hed give a can of paint to paint it. I dont know if he did or didnt. She went at it then and it was from this to that then.

Gardai have been called to the area dozens of times since the dispute started. At one court hearing linked to the feud a judge said the gardai have better things to be doing than act as nannies in this dispute.

I ring the gardai now and they wont respond to me. You ask the gardai why they wont. And if they do come out, theyll do nothing, John Joseph claimed.

The dispute was back in the news this week after An Bord Pleanala refused planning permission to the Scales family to develop American barn horse stables following an objection from John Joseph Madigan.

Mr Scales daughter-in-law, Olive  who is married to his son, Jody  said this week she would like to see the dispute end, and felt it was blown out of proportion. There is absolutely no row. I salute them whenever I see them, she said.

Olive said she has spoken to John Joseph, who asked her why her husband didnt salute him, but she pointed out to him that he didnt salute her husband either.

My husband only uses the right of way from time to time. Hed use it maybe three times a year. We dont want any hassle.

She said gardai had called to her home earlier this year after her husband drove up while the cows were out but she said he didnt do that intentionally.

Jody was not charged with any offence arising out of that incident and has not been before the courts in relation to any offences linked to the dispute.

Olive said the incident with the slurry did happen back in 2002 but the Scales family offered to paint the house.

Id love to have it resolved. Theyre not bad people, she said.

Joe and Jody Scales did not want to comment.
Mr Burke was detained earlier today in Co Westmeath after yet again going to Wilsons Hospital School, in defiance of a High Court injunction

Sacked schoolteacher Enoch Burke has been brought before the High Court where he will face an application that could see him sent to prison for a third time for contempt of court orders.

Mr Burke was detained earlier today in Co Westmeath after yet again going to Wilsons Hospital School, in defiance of a High Court injunction.

Gardai brought him to the Four Courts in Dublin, where he arrived shortly after 3.30pm this afternoon.

Last week a judge ordered he be brought before the court after hearing he had been coming daily to the school since the new academic started at the end of August.

His attachment and committal was sought by the schools board of management.

Mr Burke, a teacher of German and history, was suspended by the school just over two years ago after publicly clashing with management following a request that a transgender student be called by a new name and they/ them pronouns. He was sacked in January 2023, but is appealing his dismissal.

Mr Burke, who is from a well-known family of evangelical Christians in Castlebar, Co Mayo, opposed the request on religious grounds and continued to show up for work despite being suspended and dismissed.

The school got temporary injunctions barring him from attending at the school. A permanent order was made by Mr Justice Alexander Owens in July last year.

During the past two years there have been numerous court hearings related to the dispute and Mr Burke has spent in excess of 400 days behind bars for contempt of court orders barring him from the schools premises.

Mr Burke has repeatedly insisted he is not in contempt and claims to have been wrongfully imprisoned due to his objections to what he terms transgenderism.

He was last released by Mr Justice Mark Sanfey on June 28, despite not purging his contempt. Releasing him, the judge expressed his hope that Mr Burke would use the time to reflect on the situation and warned the teacher that the injunction remained in place.

However, the Mr Burke was back at the school again when it reopened in August, even allegedly walking into a staff meeting.

The saga has highlighted the limitations of Irelands contempt regime, which allows for imprisonment, fines and the sequestrations of assets to coerce a person into complying with a court order.

Mr Burke has refused to be coerced by either fines or imprisonment. Another judge, Mr Justice Brian OMoore, previously ruled out the prospect of sequestration.

He has also been undeterred by mounting legal bills, having been hit with costs orders in favour of the school and Mediahuis Ireland, publishers of the Sunday Independent, against whom he unsuccessfully took a defamation action.
Following the ruling, Mr Burke told the judge: You will answer to God for imprisoning me for my religious beliefs.

Sacked schoolteacher Enoch Burke has been sent to prison for a third time for contempt of court orders.

Mr Burke was arrested earlier today on the grounds of Wilsons Hospital School in Co Westmeath, after again going there in defiance of a High Court injunction.

He was returned to prison this evening by Mr Justice Michael Quinn after gardai brought him to the Four Courts in Dublin.

The judge made the ruling after Mr Burke repeatedly refused to give a yes or no answer when asked if he would continue to disregard an order by Mr Justice Alexander Owens barring him from the school.

Mr Justice Quinn said he was satisfied Mr Burke was in contempt of court and that his attendance at the school was disruptive of the duties and functions of staff seeking to provide ordered schooling to pupils.

He directed that the teacher be brought to Mountjoy Prison until he purges his contempt.

The matter will be listed again on October 11, 2024 but the judge said Mr Burke could purge his contempt before then.

Following the ruling, Mr Burke told the judge: You will answer to God for imprisoning me for my religious beliefs.

There were several interruptions at the hearing by Mr Burkes mother Martina, who repeatedly urged the judge to read a report compiled about a former principal of the school, Niamh McShane, which prompted to the schoolteachers suspension in August 2022.

The report was compiled after Mr Burke clashed with school management following a request from Ms McShane that a pupil be called by a new name and they/them pronouns.

Mr Burke, who is from a well-known family of evangelical Christians, publicly objected to this on religious grounds.

You are afraid of it as every other judge is, Martina Burke shouted from the body of the court, holding a copy of the report aloft.

She also claimed the judge was working for the Government, a slave and no longer independent.

Earlier, Enoch Burke claimed the courts had denied him his Christian belief in male and female.

He claimed Ms McShane was an activist for LGBT and that teachers were being commanded to go down a road he was unwilling to go down.

You can imprison me today for my religious beliefs. You can put me behind bars. I have no doubt that is what you are going to do, Mr Burke told the judge.

You can lie like your colleagues have over the past two years. The truth can be trampled into the ground but it will rise again.

Mr Burke was brought before the court this afternoon on foot of an order made last week by Mr Justice Barry ODonnell, who heard the teacher had been coming to the school since the new academic year started on August 22.

His attachment and committal was sought by the schools board of management, which claimed his presence was causing disruption.

There was a large garda presence in the courtroom for the hearing. In addition to his mother Martina, Mr Burke was supported by his father Sean and siblings Isaac, Josiah and Ammi.

A teacher of German and history, Mr Burke had been working at the school for four years when he was suspended.

He was sacked in January 2023, but is appealing his dismissal.

Nothing has changed. I am still a teacher at Wilsons Hospital School. I am still on the payroll, Mr Burke told the court.

Following his suspension, the board got temporary injunctions barring him from attending at the school. A permanent injunction was granted by Mr Justice Owens in July last year.

During the past two years there have been numerous court hearings related to the dispute and Mr Burke has spent 400 days behind bars for contempt of court.

At previous hearings, Mr Burke repeatedly insisted he is not in contempt and claimed to have been wrongfully imprisoned due to his objections to what he terms transgenderism.

He was last set free by Mr Justice Mark Sanfey on June 28, despite not purging his contempt. Releasing him then, the judge expressed his hope Mr Burke would use the time to reflect on the situation and warned the teacher that the injunction remained in place.

However, Mr Burke chose to defy it yet again as soon as the school reopened in August, even walking into a staff meeting about transition year.

In an affidavit, John Rogers, the chair of the board of management, described this action as an intimidatory act.

Mr Rogers said the decision to seek Mr Burkes imprisonment again was not taken lightly, but the board believed his actions over the past two years had shown he would not stop coming to the school.

He said the board considered getting security but had discounted this idea as it did not want the school to be turned into some sort of prison.

The saga has highlighted the limitations of Irelands contempt regime, which allows for imprisonment, fines and the sequestrations of assets to coerce compliance with a court order.

Neither fines nor imprisonment have persuaded Mr Burke to comply with court orders, while sequestration was previously ruled out by the court.

Mr Burke has also been undeterred by mounting legal bills, having been hit with costs orders in favour of the school and Mediahuis Ireland, publishers of the Sunday Independent, against whom he unsuccessfully took a defamation action.
First picture of suspect also accused of arson with intent to endanger life

This is the 28-year-old man charged in connection with the brutal murder of a Spanish woman in Derry.

Montserrat Martorell (65) was found dead in a flat in the early hours of last Saturday.

Police said she had suffered multiple injuries during an attack at the flat at Harvey Street in the city centre.

Her body was found by firefighters who were called to the scene after an attempt had been made to set the property on fire.

Ms Martorells injuries were so severe it took investigating officers a long time to identify her.

It was not until lunchtime on Monday that police released the victims name and confirmed her family had been told about her death.

Ciaran Murray is arrested

A huge manhunt was launched following the horrific attack, with the PSNI saying they had stepped up patrols in Derry as they tried to catch the killer.

However, the investigation moved swiftly and on Monday police said they had arrested a 28-year-old in connection with the murder.

Video footage shows Ciaran Murray being arrested near his home at Gortfoyle Place in the Waterside area of Derry.

He was taken to Musgrave Serious Crime Suite in Belfast for questioning.

On Wednesday, the investigation team was granted an additional 18 hours to continue questioning Murray. On Thursday, he appeared in court charged with Ms Martorells murder.

He faces other serious charges including arson with intent to endanger life.

Murray appeared before the citys magistrates court via videolink. When the charges were put to him, he replied: Yes, I understand the charges.

A police officer told the court she believed she could connect Murray to the charges.

No application for bail was made during the brief hearing.

The case will next be mentioned at court on September 26.

There was great shock and anger in Derry following Ms Martorells murder.

Flowers left at the flat

Flowers have been left on the doorstep of the house where her body was found. A message left on one of the bunch of flowers reads: In deepest sympathy. May you rest in the perfect peace of Christ. This does not depict our town or its beautiful residents. RIP

A vigil was held in Ms Martorells memory at the citys Guildhall Square on Thursday evening.

Those who took part in the vigil also remembered Sophie Watson, who was found dead at her Ashgrove Park home in Magherafelt, Co Derry, on August 18.

The 57-year-old had sustained a number of stab wounds.

Andrzej Pajaczkowski (43), from Ashgrove Park, Magherafelt, appeared in court a few days later charged with Ms Watsons murder.

Ms Watson and Ms Martorell were the 21st and 22nd women to be killed in Northern Ireland since 2020. Speaking at the vigil in Derry on Thursday, one of the organisers, Goretti Horgan, said more needs to be done to tackle violence against women.

We gather here in sadness but we should leave here in anger, an anger that says its time we stopped the violence against women and girls and actually started to build the kind of society where women can feel safe in their own homes and on their own streets, she said.

Harvey Street, the street where Ms Martorells body was body, runs between Waterloo Street and Chamberlain Street in Derrys city centre.

The street is made up of two rows of terraced houses and several of the properties on the street are used for Airbnb accommodation.

There were several flats in the property where Ms Martorells body was found but she was the sole occupant of the unit where her body was found.

Several businesses on Waterloo Street were forced to close last Saturday as a result of the police operation. Investigating officers have been looking at CCTV footage from the surrounding area as they try to piece together the circumstances behind the horrific murder.

Detective Chief Inspector Anthony Kelly, who is leading the investigation into Ms Martorells murder, urged people with any information to come forward.

Our investigation is at an early stage and inquiries are ongoing. I am continuing to appeal to anyone who may have any information, no matter how insignificant it may seem, to contact detectives on 101. Please quote reference 225 24/08/24.

A report can be submitted through the PSNIs website and information can also be passed on confidentially through the Crimestoppers charity on 0800555111.

DCI Kelly said his thoughts are with Ms Martorells family and friends in Spain as they try to come to terms with their loss.

He said he was aware of online speculation about her death which is extremely unhelpful and deeply distressing to her family.

We will investigate any posts online which could potentially prejudice judicial proceedings, he said.
Jason Wasser Bonney (24) threatened the cabbie with a knife after being picked up from a hospital and stole 300 and two mobile phones from him, it is alleged.

A man accused of robbing a taxi driver at knifepoint in Dublin yesterday has been refused bail.

Jason Wasser Bonney (24) threatened the cabbie with a knife after being picked up from a hospital and stole 300 and two mobile phones from him, it is alleged.

He is also accused of robbing another taxi driver after being collected from a city centre hotel earlier this year.

Judge Treasa Kelly refused to grant him bail at Dublin District Court and adjourned the case for DPP directions.

Mr Wasser Bonney, of Cromlech Court, Ballymun, is charged with two separate robberies, as well as possession of drugs, theft and criminal damage.

Garda Clodagh McDonnell said the accused made no reply after caution to most of the charges but to one, he said: "stitch up."

Objecting to bail, she said it was alleged that after a taxi driver picked the accused up from Beaumont Hospital on September 1, Mr Wasser Bonney threatened him with a knife and stole 300, two mobile phones and a Revolut card.

Gda McDonnell said the accused was seen on CCTV leaving the Emergency Department and getting the taxi. When his home was searched, gardai found clothing he was allegedly seen wearing on the video, as well as the taxi drivers phones and card.

When he was brought to Ballymun Garda Station yesterday, he was allegedly found in possession of 25 worth of cannabis, 146 worth of Alprazolam tablets and Zopiclone pills valued at 112.

In the other alleged robbery, Gda McDonnell said a taxi driver picked the accused up from the Maldron Hotel, Parnell Square and took him to Ballymun. On alighting, it was alleged the accused punched the cabbie in the face, robbed him of 320 and fled. The man suffered a bloody nose.

Separately, Mr Wasser Bonney allegedly stole an Apple iPad worth 600 from Circle K, Glasnevin on June 21 and a charity box from McDonalds, Corballis, Dublin Airport on March 31.

On the more serious charges, the court heard a file would be sent to the DPP, who would then direct on a court venue.

Applying for bail, defence solicitor Tracy Horan said the clothing seized by gardai were very generic items.

Judge Kelly said the accused was presumed innocent but the charges were serious. She said the garda objection was made out and there were no bail conditions which could deal with the concerns.

The judge granted free legal aid following an application by Ms Horan.

Mr Wasser Bonney was remanded in custody to appear in Cloverhill District Court on Wednesday.
Tiernan Lawless also admitted single offences of possessing cannabis and the prescription drug seroquel

A man previously jailed for the sexual abuse of a teenage girl has been handed a three-month prison sentence for four breaches of his Sexual Offences Prevention Order (Sopo).

Tiernan Lawless, from Castlewellan but now with an address on Victoria Street in Belfast, also admitted single offences of possessing cannabis and the prescription drug seroquel, all committed on July 27 this year.

Downpatrick Magistrates Court was told the 22-year-old breached his Sopo by possessing an iPhone, having a sexual encounter and staying at an address where children under the age of 16 were present.

A prosecuting lawyer said Lawless was arrested after a woman called the police to say her neighbour had been banging on her front door in the early hours.

When the police spoke to the neighbour, he said he was concerned for the womans safety because he believed a registered sex offender  Lawless  was in the house.

The woman admitted knowing Lawless and said she had met him weeks earlier.

She initially claimed he was not in the house, only to later admit he was hiding in the bathroom.

During interviews with the police, Lawless said he had met the woman on social media.

When officers asked him how he had done so without going online, he replied: Oh f***. No comment, mate. I have just f***** myself over.

Defence solicitor John Keown told District Judge Brady the Sopo had been imposed in 2022, and that since his clients release from prison last November, there had been no issues.

He accepted Lawless had not disclosed the sexual relationship to his risk manager but told the court there was no suggestion the woman was vulnerable.

Imposing the three-month sentence, Judge Brady said while it may have been Lawlesss first Sopo breach, he has breached four conditions... I dont think he has served enough time yet.

The pervert was handed a 20-month prison in 2022 for grooming a 14-year-old schoolgirl for sex.
One of those who spread the false claims through videos posted online is Leon Bradley  the brother of veteran Finglas criminals Wayne and Alan Bradley

Two foreign nationals were physically attacked in separate incidents as a direct result of the bogus child abduction and sexual assault claims circulating in Dublin.

A senior source confirmed the two incidents  which happened on Cappagh Road and Cardiffsbridge Road in Finglas, on the capitals northside, last Sunday evening  were a direct result of the false claims and involved physical assaults on foreign nationals.

And the source said: The claims had no basis. There were no suspicious approaches to girls or attempted child abductions linked to foreign nationals that are known to Gardai. There were no reports of any such incidents made or intelligence received that any such approaches occurred.

There wasnt even any interactions that Gardai are aware of that could have been somehow misconstrued as anything close to the misinformation that was being spread online.

One of those who spread the false claims through videos posted online is Leon Bradley  the brother of veteran Finglas criminals Wayne and Alan Bradley.

Leon Bradley (left) ran as a candidate in the local elections

Leon Bradley (left) on the video

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Bradley  who unsuccessfully ran as an Independent candidate in the local elections  spread bogus claims of a sexual assault involving a non-national during an interview recorded in the public office of Finglas Garda station on Sunday evening.

At the beginning of the video, which was widely shared online, Bradley is asked: Do you want to give a quick explanation of what happened.

Bradley says: A four-year-old girl, a 16-year-old girl yesterday was approached by two foreign nationals. We dont know what ethnic group they were. It doesnt really matter. This happened yesterday.

Apparently the two lads came back today and approached another group of girls which he sexually assaulted. And the Guards here have another lad out of Tesco, so 150 metres away from this Garda station, they brought him here.

Now we dont know whether hes going to be charged, whether it going to be with sexual assaults or whatever. But they have him here and were just asking for an explanation. Do we feel safe? And whats going on?

In response to incidents of public disorder and widespread misinformation being spread online, Gardai issued a statement on Monday describing the claims that led to the protests as misinformation.

Gardai are investigating a number of public order incidents on Cappagh Road and Cardiffsbridge Road in Finglas on Sunday evening, 25th August 2024, the statement said.

An Garda Siochana is aware of suggestions of an inappropriate approach to children or attempted child abduction which led to this public order incident.

No incident of attempted child abduction or similar activity has been reported to An Garda Siochana nor has An Garda Siochana any information to substantiate such claims.

An Garda Siochana appeals to anyone who directly observed any attempted abduction or inappropriate approach to a child, who has direct knowledge of any attempted abduction or inappropriate approach to a child occurring in the Finglas area to contact Finglas Garda Station at 01 666 7500.

An Garda Siochana is very conscious of the volume of misinformation, disinformation and fake news circulating on this incident.

An Garda Siochana appeals to all members of the public and the media to independently verify any information published on social media and/or messaging apps.

Despite the statement, a follow up protest linked to the claims occurred outside Finglas Garda station on Tuesday. A large crowd chanted anti-immigration slogans. Banners with the words, Finglas says no to mass immigration and South Dublin says close the borders were placed at the station.
Victim of Shaun ODonnell has spoken about her ordeal

The young mother was raped as she slept with her eight-week-old baby in their Donegal home. Her partner, who was also asleep, was in the same bed when Shaun ODonnell got in between the couple and carried out the attack.

ODonnell (34), originally from Fintown, Co Donegal, but living in Leeds, West Yorkshire, was jailed for eight years last month after he was found guilty of rape and sexual assault on March 26, 2021.

The woman said what made being raped all the more disturbing was that ODonnell and her partner had been like brothers.

Now that he has been jailed, the woman wants to move forward with her life, but says the memory of the attack will remain with her and her loved ones for the rest of their lives.

Despite ODonnell now being locked up, she feels intimidated by some people known to him, who have been spotted driving by her rural home for no reason, which she has found threatening.

Stock photo

Ive been fearful in my own home since I was attacked because of him, she said. Weve had a camera installed. Its the first home I ever had of my own, that we worked hard to get and was a place of only happiness and love before Shaun was invited into it. Its my babys first home and its been made to feel like it isnt a safe place for my family since.

Going for a walk with my new baby, that became impossible over fears that I would meet someone who supports Shaun. He took so much more from me that night other than just the rape itself.

The woman cannot look at photos of the first year of her sons life, as they remind her of what happened when he was still tiny and asleep beside her in a next-to-me crib when she was raped.

ODonnell had been invited over that night to have drinks with the couple in their home. They were also joined by the sister of the womans partner, who lived close by, and knew ODonnell well. They had a good night chatting, dancing and reminiscing. There was nothing out of the ordinary about ODonnells behaviour  he was in good form and good craic was had by the four.

I didnt know Shaun was coming over until he arrived at the door, the woman said. I wasnt dressed for company at all. My baby was only eight weeks old. I was still bleeding from giving birth. I dont know how he would have looked at me that night in any kind of a sexual way.

I scrubbed myself inside and out. I felt like I was crawling with insects. I just felt disgusting

The woman went to bed first in the early hours, leaving the other three downstairs. ODonnell later walked the partners sister home and did not appear drunk.

When the woman awoke a few hours later, her partner was asleep beside her in their bed. When she went downstairs to get a drink of water, she saw ODonnell was asleep in their spare room.

She returned to bed and went back to sleep, only to be woken by sexual activity a few hours later.

I woke up being penetrated from behind. I thought it was my partner, but when I turned around, it was Shaun. Its hard to describe my feeling in that moment. I jumped out of bed and pulled my trousers up. Ill never forget Shaun just looking at me and rolling over. My child was on one side and my partner on the other, facing the wall fast asleep. All I could think to do was get into the shower.

I scrubbed myself inside and out. I felt like I was crawling with insects. I just felt disgusting. Even today, every time I get into the shower, I think of that moment. I had just had a baby with a person I love so much. Neither of us would ever cheat on each other, and in a way Shaun ruined that too by raping me.

Out of the shower and still in a state of shock, she grabbed some clothes and ran downstairs and locked herself into a bathroom.

I just knew I had to tell someone, she said. Im not the kind of person who would be able to keep something like that in. I texted my partners sister and asked if I could come and talk to her.

She then heard ODonnell get up and come downstairs. She sat on the floor of the bathroom for an hour until she heard him snoring, having fallen asleep on the couch in the sitting room. She then ran to her partners sisters house hysterically crying and told her what had happened.

Appalled, the sister went over to the couples home. She woke ODonnell on the couch and confronted him about what he did.

Im sorry. Ring the gardai, he told her, which the woman later said in her statement. She then went upstairs to speak to her brother, who had just woken up and was feeding the baby. She told her brother what had happened. She then took the baby and returned to her own house, giving the child to its mother, who was too distraught to return home.

A scuffle ensued between the womans partner and ODonnell when he was confronted. He admitted his crime to the man, saying: Dont blame [her], its my fault.

That remark was later relayed to gardai by the man in his statement.

ODonnell left the couples home and the woman returned home. Her partner, in a state of shock, took a number of hours before he spoke to her. He eventually said: Im so sorry I couldnt protect you.

Counseling should definitely be offered immediately to people who have been sexually assaulted or raped

The next few weeks passed in a blur. The woman attended a Sexual Assault Treatment Unit to be medically assessed. She also gave a statement to gardai, as did her partner and his sister.

Word began to filter out in the wider community that ODonnell was being accused of rape, which some people dismissed as untrue.

It hadnt even entered my head that I wouldnt be believed, the woman said. I was literally numb for the first few weeks and months. I didnt want to wake up. It was Easter a couple of weeks later, but I didnt get an egg for my baby, which I knew he couldnt eat, but it was still tradition, or a little Easter outfit for him.

I thought to myself, This baby has not been brought into this world to help me deal with being raped. My 100pc focus wasnt on him and I feel huge guilt over this. Shaun ODonnell even took that from me  the happiness and joy at being a first-time mother. My partner was struggling too over what happened. It was an incredibly difficult time.

Having to tell her own family that she had been raped also took its toll, seeing the pain it caused them. She felt huge guilt, too, for having involved her partners sister in the immediate aftermath of the attack.

I had a lot of feelings of guilt, which I know I shouldnt have. Shaun ODonnell just walked away. He didnt have to stay and see all the suffering he caused, she said.

Several months after she was raped, the woman began counselling, thanks to her partners sister who arranged it.

I wasnt offered it, my partners sister had to go looking for it, she said. I certainly needed it, everything was on top of me. It should definitely be offered immediately to people who have been sexually assaulted or raped.

The woman praised gardai. ODonnell denied the allegation when interviewed and said he did not remember anything happening. The DPP reviewed all the garda evidence and directed that he be charged.

ODonnell, who has several previous convictions, including for assault and dangerous driving, pleaded not guilty.

This meant the woman had to go through a two-week trial at the Central Criminal Court.

Mr Justice David Keane said his offending was a fundamental, almost indescribable breach of trust

The worst thing was the cross-examination. I dont think its fair what victims have to go through. I felt like I was physically drowning during cross-examination, she said. His lawyer said to me, You were groggy, you imagined this happened to you. I came off the stand and burst out crying. I had nothing to hide, but I was made feel like I was lying. Meanwhile, he just got to sit there, he didnt have to give evidence at all.

The woman feels that had ODonnell not admitted his crime to her partner and his sister that morning when confronted, he might not have been convicted.

She said she is aware that many people who report rape never receive justice.

Sentencing ODonnell on August 7, Mr Justice David Keane said his offending was a fundamental, almost indescribable breach of trust that happened in the victims home in the presence of her partner and young baby.

He said this should have been a place of ultimate comfort and security for the woman, but became one of degradation. The judge also noted the grave harm caused to the victim as an aggravating factor.

Setting a headline sentence of nine years on the count of rape, the judge noted that ODonnell has not accepted the verdicts nor expressed remorse.

ODonnell was supported in court by his long-term partner, with whom he has children.

The judge did not suspend any part of the sentence, noting that ODonnell declined to take part in victim-focused work and that there was no realistic prospect of encouraging rehabilitation.

Mr Justice Keane said the court had decided with some unease not to impose a period of post-release supervision as ODonnell had indicated his intention to return to Britain on his release from custody.

During the trial, the woman told the judge she wanted ODonnell named, but did not want her own name published.

The main reason I didnt go public was to protect my baby and my partner, she said. But in many ways, by getting him named and by speaking out now, I feel I have gone public. Shaun ODonnell has taken up enough time in my head. Im focused now on creating the best future for my family.

If you have been affected by any of the issues in this article, call the Rape Crisis Centre on Freephone 1800 77 88 88
The convicted murderer has been allowed to take escorted trips from Limerick prison as part of a programme to help her prepare for her eventual release

Scissor sister killer Charlotte Mulhall spent a day trip outside prison watching a horror sci-fi movie and walking at a beauty spot that was once the scene of a notorious rape attack.

The convicted murderer has been allowed to take escorted trips from Limerick prison as part of a programme to help her prepare for her eventual release.

Her most recent day out included going to the cinema to watch the gruesome Alien: Romulus and then a walk in Cratloe Woods, according to Sunday World sources.

The woods outside Limerick city are where infamous gangster Thomas ONeill, then a teenager, led a gang-rape of a woman in the secluded forest area.

Charlotte was photographed holding a knife to a fellow prisoners throat

Mulhall has been in prison since 2006 for the grisly murder of Farah Swaleh Noor, who made an aggressive pass at her sister Linda while on a drugs and booze binge with the siblings.

The dismembered body of Noor, who had a history of being violent towards women, was found dumped in the Royal Canal a few days afterwards.

His head, which the sisters said was left in a park, was never found.

Mulhall is Irelands longest serving female prisoner and in 2021 was previously spotted on another escorted visit in west Dublin.

On that occasion she was seen wearing a face mask and entering a building after arriving by taxi.

Since then, Charlotte has enjoyed other visits to meet family with a view to eventually being released on licence, according to sources.

Even when released, inmates serving life sentences can be recalled to prison if they break any rules or conditions of their release.

Charlottes sister Linda Mulhall, who received a 12-year sentence for manslaughter, walked free from prison in 2018.

She declined to talk about the case when approached by the Sunday World at the time.

Linda (left) and Charlotte Mulhall in 2006

I just want to get on with living my life. I dont want to be giving any story, she told our reporter.

During their murder trial it was heard Charlotte stabbed Noor up to 20 times with a kitchen knife while Linda admitted hitting him a good few times in the head with a claw hammer.

Both women spent hours cutting up his body on the bathroom floor and packing most of the body parts into black plastic bags.

They later dumped his limbs and torso in the Royal Canal before taking his head on a bus to Tallaght, where it was hidden in a park.

Noors body was retrieved by the Garda Sub Aqua Unit in seven separate parts after a passer-by saw his leg, with a sock on the end of it, sticking out of the water.

Charlotte and Lindas mother Kathleen pleaded guilty to concealing evidence and was jailed for five years.

Victim Farah Swaleh Noor

In 2021, Charlotte launched a High Court challenge to a decision to move her from the Dochas Centre at the Mountjoy Prison complex.

The murderer was moved to Limerick Prison in December 2018 after claims of a lesbian fling with a prison officer, which was denied.

In the High Court challenge to have the decision reversed, Charlotte claimed she was not allowed to explain what had happened.

She said the incident revolved around her applying a beauty treatment while sitting on the officer.

It was also argued she should be provided with visiting arrangements that were previously in place so family members could visit her. She said in a sworn statement that I am lonely and sad due to the lack of visits from my family and that she also missed her dog.

The case failed and Charlotte could potentially be released next year.
Sheehy died in a vicious and unprovoked attack in Limerick five years ago.

Gardai in Limerick have arrested a woman as part of an ongoing probe into the murder of boxer Kevin Sheehy five years ago.

Sheehy (20) died in a vicious and unprovoked attack after the five-time national champion boxer and Olympic hopeful was driven over multiples times while on his way home after celebrating Limericks Munster Hurling Final win over Tipperary on July 1, 2019.

Logan Jackson (34), of Longford Road, Coventry, was found guilty by a unanimous jury verdict at the Central Criminal Court in Dublin in 2021, of murdering Mr Sheehy (20) at Hyde Road, Limerick, in the early hours of July 1.

Jackson was initially sentenced to life in prison in Ireland in December 2021 over the killing but was eventually transferred out of Limerick Prison to his native UK, where he was handed down a 22-year sentence in his native England.

On Tuesday afternoon, gardai announced that they had arrested a woman in her 30s as part of ongoing investigations into Sheehys murder.

A spokesperson said: The woman, aged in her 30s, was arrested this morning, September 2, 2024, in connection with the investigation. She is currently detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984, at a garda station in the southern region.

Investigations are ongoing.
The 19-year-old was arrested on Friday evening at a train station in Boston.

The MBTA Downtown Crossing station in Boston. Photo by Carlin Stiehl for The Boston Globe via Getty Images

An Irish citizen was arrested in Boston last week on charges of indecent assault and being a minor in possession of alcohol.

The citys Transit Police Department (TPD) said the incident took place on Friday evening, August 30 at the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) Downtown Crossing station.

The suspect, a 19-year-old Irish national, was arrested for "indecently assaulting a female and for being a minor in possession of alcohol at around 6pm.

He was then taken to the TPD headquarters with the help of State police where he underwent the arrest and booking process.

The young mans bail has been set at $15,000, the TPD said in a social media statement.

It is unclear whether the victim required medical attention following the alleged assault.

In Massachusetts, an indecent assault conviction by a person 14 years or older can carry a term of up to five years in a state prison, or up to 30 months in a jail or house of corrections.

Due to the sexual nature of the offence, those convicted must also register as a sex offender.

Meanwhile, being a minor in possession of alcohol carries a less severe sanction, with the crime being punishable by a fine of up to $50 for a first offence and a fine of up to $150 for a second or subsequent offence.
It is the latest in a series of closures of high-profile eateries. Two week ago Dublin chef Dylan McGrath announced he was closing Brasserie Sixty6 and Rustic Stone in the city centre.

The Chophouse restaurant in Ballsbridge, where Anthony Bourdain once said he had the best f**king meal Ive ever eaten in Dublin, is to close.

The owners, Kevin and Jillian Arundel, said in an announcement that they had tried everything to keep our business going, but the constant rising costs have finally made it impossible to keep our doors open.

It is the latest in a series of closures of high-profile eateries. Two week ago Dublin chef Dylan McGrath announced he was closing Brasserie Sixty6 and Rustic Stone in the city centre.

The Restaurants Association of Ireland estimates that 577 outlets have closed in the 11 months to the end of July. Adrian Cummins, its CEO, said the group met last week with Finance Minister Jack Chambers and Public Expenditure Minister Paschal Donohoe to make the case for a reduction on the VAT rate for food to nine pc in next months Budget.

They said nothing has been decided yet and so we are very hopeful that something will be in the Budget, Mr Cummins said. We are looking forward to more engagement with the ministers.

Asked last month about whether the government is considering reducing the VAT rate for hospitality back to nine pc, Mr Donohoe said it was important to keep in mind how much it would cost  about 700m.

The Chophouse first opened in Ballsbridge in 2009, offering high-quality food in what had been The Shelbourne House pub. Originally from Cork, Kevin Arundel had previously worked with Derry Clarke in LEcrivian in Baggot Street, before opening his own restaurant on Lower Fitzwilliam Street.

The Chop House got international recognition after it was visited by the late American chef Anthony Bourdain, author of Kitchen Confidential. As part of the best meal Ive ever eaten in Dublin, he had a charcuterie board of cured red deer and Irish mortadella with a clementine mustard, lamb belly sweetbreads and fresh asparagus, pan-seared prawns with lemon, chili, garlic, and smoked paprika butter, and a Porterhouse steak.

Last year the Arundels extended the franchise by opening a second Chophouse in the former Mulligans pub in Sandymount, Dublin 4. They secured a lease with an option to buy the 406 sqm pub from Kieran Mulligan. The Sandymount outlet offers some of the same menu, at a somewhat lower price point.

In the announcement on social media, the Arundels said it was with immense sadness they had decided to close our much loved restaurant after 15 years. They paid tribute to the amazing team who had been loyal and provided great service to customers.

Great times were had  weddings, births, romances, business deals, family celebrations, rugby wins and losses, concerts and much more, they said. The Chophouse in Sandymount will continue to trade and we look forward to welcoming you.
The wait time for children under five years of age to access specialist learning support is now nearly 20 per cent longer than it was a year ago, says a spokesperson for NZEI Te Riu Roa.

"Some children waiting for early intervention services to support speech and language, behavioural challenges and other learning needs now wait for as long as 183 days and nationally on average 126 days," says President of NZEI Te Riu Roa, Mark Potter.

To highlight the long wait times  a symptom of understaffing and a lack of resourcing  NZEI Te Riu Roa members around the country organised events as part of a Learning Support Awareness Day on August 29.

"The data shows significant inequities in wait times across different regions of the country."

According to official data obtained by NZEI Te Riu Roa as of June this year tamariki in the Ministry of Education subregion of Tamaki Herenga Tangata - which encompasses north and west Auckland -wait 183 days to access early intervention services.

This is followed by the Bay of Plenty with a wait time of 177 days.

Children in Wellington wait an average of 146 days.

"It is appalling that wait times are this long and in some cases have worsened," says Mark.

He says it is urgent the Government invests more money in specialist staff to meet the needs of children.

The Government must step up to fix a broken system that is failing children.

"In the context of a two or three-year-old childs development, a six-month wait is a huge delay in getting critical support, compounding the challenges to their learning success."

Mark says in ERO's recent report on oral literary rates, it shows that 20 per cent of young children at age five are struggling with speaking skills.

"The first 2000 days of a childs life is critical to developing their full potential  so investing to ensure they get the specialist support they need early on will pay huge dividends to the child, their family and the community  both now and, as evidence has shown, throughout their lives."

Wait time data obtained by the union highlights similar delays across several learning support services for students in primary school, including Communication Services (speech and language therapists), Ongoing Resourcing Scheme (which provides support for students with the highest ongoing levels of need for specialist support), and Behaviour Service (specialists who provide additional support with social and emotional learning).

During these wait times, educators are reporting behaviour problems that develop out of frustration, negative thinking, and low self-esteem because tamariki are not getting the help they need," says Mark.

"By the time they get support, the learning support specialist then has to battle with these social development issues on top of the existing educational development issues.

Mark says in an ideal world, learning support specialists would see a child the same month they get the referral.

A significant lack of investment by the Government in learning support, plus unfulfilled vacancies for specialist staff, is driving the long wait times for tamariki.

"This data shows we have hit a new and deeper level of crisis, and it is our children who are paying the highest price.

Government should stop talking about the problem and commit to increasing funding to learning support services.
An airborne lung infection left six-year-old Lara Mead fighting for her life, with her mum being told to prepare for the worst.

Laura, now 28, remembers being rushed to hospital one night after she was misdiagnosed as having croup.

"What I actually had was pneumonia, and I shouldnt have been sent home.

"My mum rushed me back to hospital as I started turning blue."

Lauras family lived in Hawera, so she was flown to Starship Hospital in Auckland and her mum was told that she was unlikely to survive, she says.

"I was pretty much on my deathbed.

"I spent six weeks in Starship - five of those weeks on life-support. I needed dialysis.

"I had viral pneumonia, septicaemia and I had a superbug."

Laura in hospital when she was a child.

When she recovered, she was told she had bronchiectasis, as a result of the damage to her lungs caused by pneumonia.

Bronchiectasis is a chronic condition where the airways are permanently damaged, scarred and often filled with mucus.

It is estimated that more than 8000 New Zealanders live with severe bronchiectasis, and about 132 people die from this condition annually.

Lauras recovery was long.

"I had a year off school recovering from what happened and I had to learn to walk again due to being bedridden for so long," she says.

Laura says she was pretty much on her "deathbed" when she was rushed to hospital as a child.

There is no cure for bronchiectasis - its a lifelong condition - so Laura is making it her mission to raise awareness and support others living with respiratory conditions.

"Living with bronchiectasis is tough, but whats even harder is the lack of awareness about the condition," she says.

To do this, Laura has joined the Laps for Lungs campaign for Breathe Better September.

"I want to do this to show people they are not alone."

Asthma and Respiratory Foundation Chief Executive Letitia Harding says Laras courage and determination is inspiring.

"Her story highlights the critical need for greater awareness and understanding of bronchiectasis and is a stark reminder of the challenges faced by those with lesser-known respiratory conditions.

"Through campaigns like Laps for Lungs, we hope to bring more attention to these conditions and ensure people get the support they need."

To sign up for Laps for Lungs, visit www.lapsforlungs.org.nz

Laura enjoying her life as an adult.
Nine out of 10 family doctor clinics plan to increase their fees - if they have not already just done so, according to a new survey out today.

The General Practice Owners Association, which carried out the survey, says primary care is "in crisis", squeezed by rising costs, high patient demand and staff shortages.

GPs receive annual "capitation" funding from the government for every enrolled patient, with some variation according to age. The analysis shows patient co-payments have risen at a faster rate in recent years.

Its August survey of 244 practices - a quarter of the total number in New Zealand - found:

-89 per cent had recently increased or were about to increase fees

-70 per cent were in a worse financial position than a year ago

-83 per cent worried about their long-term viability.

GenPro chair Dr Angus Chambers, a Christchurch GP, says nearly 60 per cent of practices reported vacancies for doctors and nurses.

"So people can't go to see their GP or they have to go to the emergency department.

"The other side of it is it's actually going to cost the system more in the medium and long term, as we know that investment in primary care saves money and saves lives."

Independent analysis by accountancy consultants Grant Thornton, commissioned by GenPro, found government funding increases have fallen short of cost pressures 10 times in the past 20 years.

This year's four per cent increase represents the largest shortfall in 20 years.

Workload has increased, with patient attendance up more than 20 per cent in the 10 years to 2022.

Angus says the government has "consistently dishonoured" its own contractual commitment through primary care organisations, to "maintain the value of general practice funding".

"If the government had followed the agreed and independent methodology for assessing cost increases, funding for general practices would be $102 million a year higher - it's the minimum to honour their commitment.

"As a result patients are paying the price through higher doctors' fees and lost access to their general, urgent, mental health care."

Clinics relying on locums

The doctor shortage is set to get worse, with half the country's GPs set to retire within six years.

Northland GP Dr Kathy Bakke will be 70 on her next birthday but does not know who will replace her.

There's evidence that people with the same doctor over several years lived longer, healthier lives, she says.

"But gosh, I don't know how to do continuity of care when I have somewhere between six and 12 locums cycle through here every year.

"Patients don't like seeing strangers, but hey, a locum is better than not having any doctor at all."

Kathy's practice - like nearly one in four (24 per cent) nationwide - has closed its books to new patients to maintain good care for those it already has.

According to the survey, slightly more general practices are accepting new enrolments - 36 per cent compared with 29 per cent in 2023.

However, some in the sector have suggested that could be partly driven by funding shortfalls, with practices forced to enrol more patients "to make ends meet" - despite increasing wait times.

Forty-one per cent of practices have reduced services in the last six months (better than 54 per cent the year before); about 70 per cent are now charging for services that are previously free, like specialist referrals.

Wellsford GP Dr Tim Malloy says there has been multiple reports in recent years warning of the crisis in primary care, particularly the ageing workforce.

"The workforce issues that we have been confronting for the last 30-odd years are currently coming home to roost and our system is failing," he says.

"As a consequence, the recovery period for our workforce is going to be significant. You cannot train someone to deliver urgent after hours care in rural New Zealand overnight."

Northland GP Kathy Bakke will be 70 on her next birthday but does not know who will replace her when she retires. Photo: Supplied.

Training a GP takes at least 11 years.

Tim's practice shut its overnight doctor service in March, and he says there are many other regions that lacked adequate after-hours cover.

"We have shifted the acute care to the urgent care services and then ultimately to the emergency departments in the hospital. And at the end of the day, that will translate into patients dying."

Health minister promises action

Health Minister Dr Shane Reti, a former GP himself, acknowledges the long-standing pressures on primary care.

"It has been a challenge for many years over multiple governments and is one I am absolutely determined to make inroads on."

Government actions included:

-25 new training places for GPs this year

-A business case for a third medical school

-The largest GP training cohort ever of GP registrars (about 230) completing training.

Reti says it's vital to look at new ways of working, including telehealth, admin technology and other health workers (such as paramedics, nurse practitioners and healthcare assistants) to "support" general practice.

Meanwhile, Reti says he has asked Health NZ to explore "a targeted international GP recruitment drive".

Revamping the funding model was also under consideration.

"For several years GPs have asked for structural change to the capitation formula so that funding better follows patients and aligns better with patient complexity. The 2022 Sapere report is quoted as a key document. I agree with its findings and have already tasked HNZ with developing an implementation plan."

-RNZ.
Facilities service technician isnt a job you would immediately associate with weight loss, but it was how one Kiwi man lost a whopping 17kg in less than two months.

Victor Howe, 57, switched from a high-pressure, high-stress job in the automotive industry, to walking up to 63km while working outside through his new role with Programmed.

All those steps have been life-changing, and Victor has dropped from 113kg to 96kg in around six weeks.

Weight loss isnt the only benefit either. Victor says spending more time outdoors and seeing tangible results at the end of the day plays a huge role in his life satisfaction.

Victor is one of many who have been employed after facilities management provider Programmed won a major bid to maintain Transpowers national network of properties.

The deal, which commenced on July 1, includes Transpowers nearly 180 substation sites and has the potential to become a nine-year contract.

It is a significant win for Programmed which now boasts caretaking custodianship for more than 5800 customer sites across New Zealand.

The highly sought-after Transpower deal was made up of three different contracts tendered late last year to manage the state-owned enterprise's national network of substations, warehouses, plus other properties.

This partnership comes at a time of significant growth for the Programmed business, with 34 new roles created across the country and two new larger offices being established in Wellington and Christchurch alongside the Auckland headquarters.

Karl Ashby, left, Alison Andrews. Matthew Cotterall, Mark Ryall, Blair Upton and Stephen Hall. Supplied photo.

Programmed Head of Facility Management in New Zealand, Matthew Cotterall, says re-investing in local communities with local knowledge via a shared trust model is vital to the company's success.

These are complicated roles working within an electrical environment so utilising knowledgeable and skilled local workers was incredibly important to us as part of this partnership, says Matthew.

"Were very aware that we couldn't win this scale of business without our vendor partners and that they rely on us too.

We are thrilled to bring on a highly experienced network of people and organisations who have been working on Transpower infrastructure for years whilst investing back into them with training and safety systems, technology and a modern fleet for ultimate work fulfilment.

Matthew says Programmed has introduced and adapted innovative technologies, such as drones, to ensure Transpowers assets are maintained to the highest possible standard.

Transpower provides an essential service to New Zealanders; ensuring the integrity of its buildings and infrastructure services is vital to its success.

Were laser focussed on minimising disruption and risk and look forward to bringing our innovation and expertise to its services.

Transpower EGM Grid Delivery, Mark Ryall says they are looking forward to working with Programmed.

Were entering an exciting and busy period that will ensure our critical infrastructure meets New Zealand's needs for the future. Facilities Maintenance is an important part of that work, says Mark.

Programmed has seen exponential success since entering the NZ market in 1986 and through its multiple high-profile contracts with Chorus, Transpower and The Ministry of Education, it is now responsible for over 6,000 different sites from Cape Reinga to Bluff and across to the Chatham Islands.

Programmed has also developed operations frameworks for customers including KiwiRail, Auckland Council, Te Ahuru Mowai, and Fonterra.
Nuria Triguero Malaga Monday, 2 September 2024, 14:39 Opciones para compartir Copiar enlace

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Sermatec, one of the largest producers of energy storage devices in the world, has revealed plans to build its first lithium battery factory outside China in Malaga.

These batteries are not like the ones we use in mobile phones: they are high-capacity and are intended to store energy from solar and wind farms. The plant earmarked for Malaga will be the first factory of its kind in Spain and involve an investment of 60 million euros. Its size will be similar to that planned by Hygreen for its electrolysers: 10,000 square metres. The factory is also expected to hire some 300 employees.

Zoom These are the batteries that are installed next to renewable energy parks. SUR

Land set to be acquired near Malaga city

"We are already in negotiations to acquire land in the vicinity of Malaga city. During September, the founder of Sermatec will come to Malaga and we hope to be able to close the purchase," Malaga businessman and investor Javier Romero told SUR. He is the founder and president of Chinalink Capital, an investment fund based in China that is a shareholder in both companies. In the case of Sermatec, he owns 51%, while in Hygreen he is a minority shareholder. Romero is the head of Sermatec in Europe and will be moving to Malaga imminently as the two companies set up in the city.

"If everything goes well, our idea is to start operating by the end of 2025," Romero pointed out. This will be the fifth factory to be opened by the company and the first outside China. It will have an approximate production capacity of two thousand units per year. It is expected that half will be exported and the other half will remain in the domestic market.

First factory of its kind in Spain

Junta de Andalucia president Juanma Moreno announced the project on Saturday 31 August during his trip to Beijing where he met with leaders of Sermatec. "Sermatec, which is a company with majority European capital and also Chinese capital, and which is one of the largest producers of energy storage in the world, has made a decision that is extremely positive for us. And the decision is that its first European production plant will be installed in the city of Malaga," Moreno said. "This means many things. It means that it is the first factory of its kind that will exist in Spain, and that from here it will provide service not only to Spain, but also to Europe and America."

Moreno pointed out the impact of this project, not just in terms of creating opportunities for employment, but also because of the "capacity to create a whole industry around this factory". He also hoped it would attract "other investors and sectors also linked to energy" to Malaga and Andalucia.

The Junta said it will work to speed up as much as possible the start-up of this project, which is 100% private and has not asked for public funding, according to Romero. The Andalusian government will help speed up the bureaucratic process by declaring it a project of strategic interest and including it in the business project accelerator.

The Chinese company was attracted to Malaga for similar reasons to those of Hygreen Energy: it seeks to have production capacity in Europe and be close to one of its main markets, and also to be able to avoid tariff barriers both in Europe and in the United States. One of its shareholders being from Malaga was also influential, although Javier Romero pointed out that there are many reasons for choosing Malaga: "Andalucia is the region with the best conditions for renewable energies. And within the region, Malaga is in an optimal location, close to the port of Algeciras and with an international airport. The third reason is that the city is attractive enough to attract international talent."
One of the biggest music groups of the 1990s has reunited and may soon be going on tour with all four original members.

Boyz II Men had a special reunion Friday night at the next-to-last concert of their Las Vegas residency Friday, according to multiple reports. Michael McCary, who left the R&B group in 2003 due to health issues, did not perform but made a surprise appearance on stage with his brothers Wanya Morris, Nathan Morris and Shawn Stockman.

There will be another day that well all be onstage together, trust me, McCary told the crowd, according to People magazine. Its coming, and I love these guys.

McCary, 52, had back issues for decades and was eventually diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. He left the group and has rarely been seen in public since, while the rest of the group has continued performing as a trio  including concerts at the New York State Fair in 2022 and del Lago Resort & Casino in 2021.

Rumors of a dispute between Stockman and McCary have rumbled over the years, including an alleged fistfight. Stockman called McCary his brother at Fridays reunion, believed to be their first public appearance as a quartet in more than two decades.

Youre witnessing a brotherhood, a bond forever that is forever, Stockman told the Las Vegas crowd, according to People. This will never ever change, no matter what we go through, no matter what decisions we make, no matter what we do in our lives. Were men, and sometimes men have to go [in] different directions.

Boyz II Men has tour dates scheduled from September through December. Its unclear if McCary might join them on any of those shows, or a full-fledged reunion tour could be announced for next year.

Boyz II Men is a Grammy-winning R&B group that dominated the 90s with 11 top 10 hits, including Motown Philly, Its So Hard to Say Goodbye to Yesterday, End of the Road, 4 Seasons of Loneliness, A Song for Mama, On Bended Knee, and Ill Make Love to You. Their 1995 collaboration with Mariah Carey, One Sweet Day, was No. 1 for a then-record 16 weeks  breaking their own previous record for the longest No. 1 song.

90s rock band reuniting after 15-year feud: The time is right

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90s rock band reuniting for first time in 25 years: See tour dates
A man who died last week in a lake in Upstate New York has been identified as a Harrisburg (Pa.) University student, according to police and the university.

The Warren County Sheriffs Office identified 25-year-old Rupak R. Padini as the victim in its investigation of a drowning on Aug. 27 at Lake George.

In a statement posted to social media, Harrisburg University said the school is deeply saddened to learn of the tragic incident at Lake George.

Our thoughts are with all those involved, especially the family and friends of the student we have lost, the university said. Rupak Reddy Padini brought the eagerness to learn that our institution was founded to celebrate and cultivate.

Padini is a citizen of India, according to the sheriffs office.

The sheriffs office reported that deputies were called at 3:20 p.m. on Aug. 27 for a possible drowning at a bay in Lake George near Hague, which is located just a few miles from the Vermont border.

Several people were rescued from the water by marine patrol officers, according to the sheriffs department, but Padini remained missing. He was eventually located and, despite lifesaving efforts, was pronounced dead, according to the sheriffs report.

Padini was visiting the area with friends, according to the sheriffs office. Although the group was found near a pontoon boat, no watercraft are believed to have been directly involved in the incident, the sheriff reported. The investigation is ongoing.

The university is encouraging students affected by Padinis death to reach out to the schools Office of Student Support Services.
Syracuse, N.Y.  At least one police officer was injured Monday afternoon after a patrol car crashed into another vehicle in Syracuses Armory Square neighborhood, officials said.

The crash was reported around 3:35 p.m. at West Fayette and South West streets.
A long exposure of the Wave Swinger ride at the NYS Fair allows the moving lights to paint a picture Thursday, August 26, 2024, in Geddes, N.Y. (Scott Schild | sschild@syracuse.com) Scott Schild | sschild@syracuse.com

Update at noon Monday: No answer yet to why gunfire reported in two place on fairgrounds Sunday night, troopers say.

Geddes, N.Y.  The New York State Fair closed early Sunday evening after reports of violence, officials said.

Fair officials decided to close early out of an abundance of caution, according to spokesperson Sean Farnsworth, who sent the message at about 9:40 p.m.

State Police responded Sunday evening to two calls of possible shots fired at the Fair that later turned out to be false, according to a news release from Trooper Sgt. Jack Keller, an agency spokesperson.

The first call at 8:38 p.m. was for between the Midway and the Suburban Park stage. An additional call came in three minutes later for the Eatery building.

Troopers went to both areas and found no evidence of shots fired or anyone being injured, Keller said.

Were you at the fair Sunday night when chaos broke out? Did you hear or see anything? Please share your story with citynews@syracuse.com.

Troopers were seen rushing into the area near the Expo Center around 8:45 p.m., as a mass of people tried to leave, according to a syracuse.com reporter there.

Rick Ross, a Grammy-nominated rapper, performed a concert at 8 p.m. at Suburban Park. It was not cut short, according to another syracuse.com reporter there. He played his expected set list and ended around 9:20 p.m.

On social media, some fairgoers described fear and confusion. Some sheltered in place; others went to the fairgrounds to pick up family members earlier than expected.

The Fair typically closes each day at 11 p.m.

Heres the full statement from the Fair:

After consulting with law enforcement, the decision was made to close the fair early on Sunday night out of an abundance of caution after New York State Police received reports of violence within the fairgrounds. The Fair is continuing to work with law enforcement and emergency personnel to assess the situation.

The safety of fairgoers, staff, and vendors is the highest priority of The Great New York State Fair. Any further inquiries should be directed to the New York State Police.

Staff writers Douglass Dowty and Geoff Herbert contributed reporting.

Staff writer Jon Moss covers breaking news, crime and public safety. He can be reached at jmoss@syracuse.com or @mossjon7.
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Re: First F-16 loss for the Ukrainian Air Force Quote: SmartCat Originally Posted by

https://news.sky.com/story/british-c...tands-13197260 British Challenger 2 tanks were spotted in Kursk



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



Interesting comment on the video:

Challenger 2 is the tank that inbodies disadvantages of both western and eastern tankbuilding schools. On one hand it big so it's easier to hit(like all western mbts), on the other hand it stores ammo inside tank so its cook-off more deadly to the crew(like all eastern mbts) and it has 4 crew members which means that instead of three people burning in agony it will have four.



The war seems to be escalating out of control with Western countries allowing their weapons to strike undisputed Russian mainland. I wonder what their reaction would be if Russia provided T-90s to invade a Western country ?



The F-16 loss is a huge PR disaster for Ukraine and its partners but in reality it would hardly make any difference in the war effort. 6 F-16s would have hardly made any difference, even those are very basic versions of the aircraft from the 1980s-1990s with little modernization. 80 are planned to be transferred but its highly unlikely Ukraine would have enough trained pilots to fly them by the time they come.



Looks like the crash is causing a disproportionately high reaction from the Government:



Ukraines Zelensky fires Air Force chief, days after fatal F-16 crash

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky fired his Air Force commander Mykola Oleshchuk on Friday, a day after the Air Force announced one of Ukraines top pilots had died when a US-made F-16 fighter jet crashed.



Zelensky said the command level of the Air Force needed to strengthen, but did not say whether his decision to sack Oleshchuk was related to the F-16 crash on Monday.



Source: At least one of them in Kursk met its end at the receiving end of a Lancet Kamikaze drone. The explosion cause the turret to fly off, a common occurrence in Russian Tanks because the ammunition is stored deep inside the tank to keep the profile of the tank low.Interesting comment on the video:The war seems to be escalating out of control with Western countries allowing their weapons to strike undisputed Russian mainland. I wonder what their reaction would be if Russia provided T-90s to invade a Western country ?The F-16 loss is a huge PR disaster for Ukraine and its partners but in reality it would hardly make any difference in the war effort. 6 F-16s would have hardly made any difference, even those are very basic versions of the aircraft from the 1980s-1990s with little modernization. 80 are planned to be transferred but its highly unlikely Ukraine would have enough trained pilots to fly them by the time they come.Looks like the crash is causing a disproportionately high reaction from the Government:Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky fired his Air Force commander Mykola Oleshchuk on Friday, a day after the Air Force announced one of Ukraines top pilots had died when a US-made F-16 fighter jet crashed.Zelensky said the command level of the Air Force needed to strengthen, but did not say whether his decision to sack Oleshchuk was related to the F-16 crash on Monday.Source: https://www.cnn.com/2024/08/30/world...say/index.html Last edited by Foxbat : 31st August 2024 at 19:12 .
neil.jericho Distinguished - BHPian



Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Cochin Posts: 3,857 Thanked: 20,354 Times

Route : Bangalore - Neelamangala - Channarayapatna - Arsikere - Shimoga - Sagara - Talavata

Distance Covered : 429.9 kms

Hotel : Hotel Mayura Gersoppa Jogfalls



As with many of our overnight rides, the starting point was the HAL Aircraft Display at the north east entrance of Cubbon Park, just outside the metro station. Being the extended Independence Day weekend, there was a fair bit of traffic that was heading towards the center of the city, well before it was 05:00 AM. After meeting up with KarthikK and transferring some of his additional luggage into my tail bag, we set off towards Neelamangala. On the way, we did spot several groups of motorcycle enthusiasts who were on vehicles of all possible displacements but that peak extended holiday weekend rambunctiousness on the roads, was fortunately nowhere to be found. CrAzY dRiVeR (Dr CD henceforth) joined us at the first toll on the Neelamangala Hassan highway.



By 06:00 AM we were ready to rock and roll.



Given our early start, the lack of too many other vehicles on the highway and constant speeds of around 90 kmph, we made fair progress in that first spell of riding. We werent going to find many suitable breakfast options after turning off the main highway at Channarayapatna, so we stopped at MTR in Bellur. This was one of the few places that was open at 06:45 AM. While the food is fine, a huge advantage of having a meal at MTR is that it has very neat and clean toilets. The rain laden clouds that had accompanied us till Bellur were nowhere to be found when we restarted our journey, almost 45 minutes later. In total, I covered 168 monotonous kilometers of highway riding before we got onto the two lane road that connected Channarayapatna to Arsikere. Cruising along this largely empty road, without a worry in the world, while enjoying the simple but stunning beauty of rural Karnataka, is one of those soul refreshing pleasures that you simply cannot buy.



In what would become a recurring theme, we stopped for plentiful pictures every time we spotted a picturesque setting and also when the mightily capable Yamaha Aerox 155 ran low on fuel. After Arsikere, we got onto a lovely 4 laned concrete highway that encouraged us to go hell for leather but we had no qualms in maintaining our sub 100 kmph cruising speeds. Our group did a quick stop over at the popular Preethi Canteen in Birur for a follow up breakfast, of sorts. The on-going widening of the Bangalore Shimoga highway threatened to derail all the goodness out of the day's motorcycling, while leaving us with aching backs and grumbles aplenty. Our speeds dropped considerably, as did our energy levels but we soldiered on through the broken sections, hoping that this would be the first, and last, of this level of unpleasantness. Almost as if to compensate for the awful preceding sections of under construction highway, the lovely route from Shimoga to Sagara was blessed with just the right level of motorcycling fun and forest cover. Within no time, the once near overwhelming burden of riding into Shimoga was wiped clean from our minds, as we were too preoccupied with enjoying the fabulous ride to Sagara.



It was around 01:30 PM when we arrived at Hotel Anmol International in Sagara, for our well deserved lunch break. By the time we were done, the skies were so overcast that we chose to wear our rain gear, instead of waiting to get hit by sudden showers somewhere along the way. As fate would have it, the roads that we encountered were thoroughly drenched but the prodigious monsoon rains that we had eagerly anticipated, continued to elude us. The best that we got was the faintest of drizzles for around 10 minutes, which to be fair, would barely qualify as measured precipitation anywhere in the world.



Business picked up as soon as we crossed a road sign which said Jog Falls was 8 kilometers away. Unexpectedly, the until then innocuous road transformed itself into the most engaging section of the winding and challenging Athirapally route, which is easily one of the best motorcycling roads in Kerala. As with any true dyed in the wool group of motorcycle enthusiasts, the lean angles began to noticeably increase, as did the pace that we carried through the corners, without a word being uttered or a glance being shared!



To say that there was bedlam at Jog Falls would have been putting things mildly. The chaos of the Independence Day crowd made finding the rooms that we had booked far more difficult than it needed to be. The KSTDC Hotel Mayura Gerusoppa Jogfalls promised great views of the Jog Falls but the Tunga Tourist Home block that we booked was on the opposite side of the road. To make matters worse, there was a lot of construction work for what promises to be a swanky, upmarket resort which is completely out of sorts with the existing, unmaintained KSTDC infrastructure.



Later on in the evening, the bustling holiday crowds dissipated and peace was eventually restored. The KSTDC restaurant is the only option for anyone staying here. The selection of food is limited, as were the timings but we weren't the sorts to complain. These myriad experiences are part and parcel of exploring our great nation, so we didnt let it pull down our buoyant spirits.



All things considered, day 1 was a very solid, if unspectacular start to what promised to be an unforgettable motorcycling adventure through Karnataka.





All Set To Take Off





Time To Kick Start This Road Trip





The Skies Cleared Up While We Enjoyed Our Breakfast





Waiting For the Yamaha Aerox 155 to Tank Up





An Unplanned Picture Stop





At The Preethi Canteen in Birur





One Of Two Level Crossings That We Got Stuck At





Waiting For the Yamaha Aerox 155 to Tank Up. Again.





Finally, Time For Lunch





Lovely Views Along The Way





The Less Than Welcoming Entrance To Our Rooms





At The Tunga Tourist Home





We Anticipated More But Were Grateful For What We Got





Another Waterfall Towards The Left Side





Have Had Better But No Complaints

Bangalore - Neelamangala - Channarayapatna - Arsikere - Shimoga - Sagara - Talavata429.9 kmsAs with many of our overnight rides, the starting point was the HAL Aircraft Display at the north east entrance of Cubbon Park, just outside the metro station. Being the extended Independence Day weekend, there was a fair bit of traffic that was heading towards the center of the city, well before it was 05:00 AM. After meeting up with KarthikK and transferring some of his additional luggage into my tail bag, we set off towards Neelamangala. On the way, we did spot several groups of motorcycle enthusiasts who were on vehicles of all possible displacements but that peak extended holiday weekend rambunctiousness on the roads, was fortunately nowhere to be found. CrAzY dRiVeR () joined us at the first toll on the Neelamangala Hassan highway.By 06:00 AM we were ready to rock and roll.Given our early start, the lack of too many other vehicles on the highway and constant speeds of around 90 kmph, we made fair progress in that first spell of riding. We werent going to find many suitable breakfast options after turning off the main highway at Channarayapatna, so we stopped at MTR in Bellur. This was one of the few places that was open at 06:45 AM. While the food is fine, a huge advantage of having a meal at MTR is that it has very neat and clean toilets. The rain laden clouds that had accompanied us till Bellur were nowhere to be found when we restarted our journey, almost 45 minutes later. In total, I covered 168 monotonous kilometers of highway riding before we got onto the two lane road that connected Channarayapatna to Arsikere. Cruising along this largely empty road, without a worry in the world, while enjoying the simple but stunning beauty of rural Karnataka, is one of those soul refreshing pleasures that you simply cannot buy.In what would become a recurring theme, we stopped for plentiful pictures every time we spotted a picturesque setting and also when the mightily capable Yamaha Aerox 155 ran low on fuel. After Arsikere, we got onto a lovely 4 laned concrete highway that encouraged us to go hell for leather but we had no qualms in maintaining our sub 100 kmph cruising speeds. Our group did a quick stop over at the popular Preethi Canteen in Birur for a follow up breakfast, of sorts. The on-going widening of the Bangalore Shimoga highway threatened to derail all the goodness out of the day's motorcycling, while leaving us with aching backs and grumbles aplenty. Our speeds dropped considerably, as did our energy levels but we soldiered on through the broken sections, hoping that this would be the first, and last, of this level of unpleasantness. Almost as if to compensate for the awful preceding sections of under construction highway, the lovely route from Shimoga to Sagara was blessed with just the right level of motorcycling fun and forest cover. Within no time, the once near overwhelming burden of riding into Shimoga was wiped clean from our minds, as we were too preoccupied with enjoying the fabulous ride to Sagara.It was around 01:30 PM when we arrived at Hotel Anmol International in Sagara, for our well deserved lunch break. By the time we were done, the skies were so overcast that we chose to wear our rain gear, instead of waiting to get hit by sudden showers somewhere along the way. As fate would have it, the roads that we encountered were thoroughly drenched but the prodigious monsoon rains that we had eagerly anticipated, continued to elude us. The best that we got was the faintest of drizzles for around 10 minutes, which to be fair, would barely qualify as measured precipitation anywhere in the world.Business picked up as soon as we crossed a road sign which said Jog Falls was 8 kilometers away. Unexpectedly, the until then innocuous road transformed itself into the most engaging section of the winding and challenging Athirapally route, which is easily one of the best motorcycling roads in Kerala. As with any true dyed in the wool group of motorcycle enthusiasts, the lean angles began to noticeably increase, as did the pace that we carried through the corners, without a word being uttered or a glance being shared!To say that there was bedlam at Jog Falls would have been putting things mildly. The chaos of the Independence Day crowd made finding the rooms that we had booked far more difficult than it needed to be. The KSTDC Hotel Mayura Gerusoppa Jogfalls promised great views of the Jog Falls but the Tunga Tourist Home block that we booked was on the opposite side of the road. To make matters worse, there was a lot of construction work for what promises to be a swanky, upmarket resort which is completely out of sorts with the existing, unmaintained KSTDC infrastructure.Later on in the evening, the bustling holiday crowds dissipated and peace was eventually restored. The KSTDC restaurant is the only option for anyone staying here. The selection of food is limited, as were the timings but we weren't the sorts to complain. These myriad experiences are part and parcel of exploring our great nation, so we didnt let it pull down our buoyant spirits.All things considered, day 1 was a very solid, if unspectacular start to what promised to be an unforgettable motorcycling adventure through Karnataka.
What just happened? It was an early-morning wake-up call like no other for residents across the Southeastern US on August 30. Just after midnight, a dazzling meteor streaked across predawn skies, putting on a celestial light show from Tennessee down to North Carolina.

NASA's Meteor Watch quickly confirmed that the brilliant fireball was indeed a meteor, burning up as it plowed through Earth's atmosphere at over 31,000 mph. The agency's analysis revealed the rock weighed around 1,000 pounds and spanned two feet wide before finally meeting its demise over the North Carolina town of Altapass.

It made quite an entrance too. NASA calculated the rock's breakup packed the punch of 10 tons of TNT, generating a powerful shockwave that traveled all the way to the ground. That's why scores of witnesses reported hearing booms minutes after the fireball zipped overhead.

"Never seen anything like it before. Not like a comet," marveled one witness in Tennessee, according to Fox News. "Had to have crashed on the right side of I-40 East but never saw an explosion. It was wild."

While the South certainly sees its share of meteor showers each year, a solitary fireball this large and bright is an uncommon treat. The American Meteor Society was flooded with over 150 reports from awestruck skywatchers, including some as far away as Kentucky.

Some observers managed to capture the cosmic light show on video. They described the meteor appearing as a brilliant green streaking across the sky before blossoming into a radiant orange fireball as it disintegrated. The Geostationary Lightning Mapper aboard the GOES-16 spacecraft detected it as well, according to NASA.

While meteors dazzle our skies every year, large impacts are an exceedingly rare occurrence on Earth - despite NASA frequently issuing alerts about passersby. Fewer than 500 meteorites actually make it to the surface every year (thank you, atmosphere), so samples are always in demand from scientists.

The August 30 rock may have actually made it to the surface, though. Meteor tracking group Strewnify tweeted that radar signatures were detected suggesting possible meteorites scattered across the North Carolina countryside.

BIG Meteorite fall near Spruce Pine, North Carolina this morning! Doppler radar indicates meteorites on the ground. Image courtesy of Dr. Marc Fries. pic.twitter.com/zQKB3vYImj  Strewnify (@strewnify) August 30, 2024

NASA highlighted areas around communities such as Spruce Pine, Ingalls, and Altapass in the Blue Ridge Mountains as potential crash sites. Witnesses are being asked to contact Appalachian State's Geology Department at loveab@appstate.edu or 828-262-6952 if they encounter the piece.
Elon Musk's social media platform, X, is now facing a ban in Brazil after failing to designate a new legal representative in the country, ranking as last week's top story on Tech Times' Weekly Wrap. On the other hand, Apple's iPhone users also suffered an issue last week as the smartphones got stuck on Emergency SOS via Satellite mode, but this was because of AT&T's outage.

Lastly, there is also Russia's massive attack where it launched a barrage of missiles and drones against Ukraine, leaving behind numerous casualties and injuries.

X is Now Banned in Brazil as per Orders from Justice de Moraes

Less than two weeks after Elon Musk and his social media company announced that it is closing X's Brazil offices, the platform is now banned in the country after receiving orders from the Brazilian Supreme Court. The order was handed down by Justice Alexandre de Moraes after X failed to assign a new legal representative in the country, after clearing house in the country.

Brazil's telco regulator imposed the ban on X after missing a court-issued deadline, particularly after events where Musk and the social media upheld their rights to free speech.

That being said, it remains available on the Apple App Store. With this, users are still trying to access X using VPNs, but violators would be charged with a daily fine of $9,000 or 50,000 Brazilian real.

Read Also : Google Accuses Russia of Using Stolen Spyware Exploits From NSO, Intellexa

iPhone AT&T Users Left Stuck on Emergency SOS via Satellite

One of the largest AT&T outages this year took place last week, August 27, but not only did it affect access to its network. Various iPhone users who are also AT&T subscribers claimed that they were left stuck on iOS' Emergency SOS via Satellite mode and were unable to do normal tasks like sending texts, accepting or making calls, or accessing the internet via mobile data.

It was revealed that when the outage hit, iPhone 14 Pro and later users saw their device go into SOS mode, and some users were stuck on this for quite some time.

Hours later, AT&T claimed that the issue was already fixed, but this left users unable to get out of SOS mode as it is known for having problems after being activated. Users were left to scour the internet for ways to get out of this mode.

Russia Launched an Attack on Ukraine with Missiles, Drones

A new escalation between Russia and Ukraine took place last week, leading to a brutal attack launched by Moscow against Kiev's critical energy infrastructure in several parts of the country. The aggressive attack by Russia left massive damage to Ukraine, and it also resulted in various casualties and injuries to people near the targeted locations.

Moreover, it was also reported that this attack took a toll on Ukraine's energy, leading to significant disruptions to its power supply.

It was reported that Russia launched 127 missiles, with 102 of these intercepted by Ukraine. Additionally, 109 Russian drones were also deployed.

The attack started at midnight and lasted until the early morning, taking place two days after Ukraine's Independence Day.
Ernest Cu, President and Chief Executive Officer of Globe, has been recognized as the Best CEO in Telecom in the Philippines by The Global Economics Limited.

This prestigious award acknowledges his exceptional leadership and ability to drive significant growth and transformation within the company.

Get to Know Ernest Cu

For those who don't know, Cu has been serving Globe as the Director since April 2009. His long tenure in the said position was extended when he became the CEO during the same time.

Since then, he envisioned transforming the telecom industry in the Philippines to have a "sweeping transformation" towards modernization.

Apart from that, he has been the leader in outperforming the industry growth of the company thanks to the core values that he has always treasured. Across several brands, Globe has been a game-changer when it comes to product innovations and work culture.

Interestingly, he was the CEO of SPi Technologies spanning 1997 to 2008. From here, he has been recognized as one of the founding fathers of BPO in the country.

Although he was quite new in his position back then, Cu managed to win the Philippines' Best CEO by Finance Asia. He In 2017, he took home the same award and received CEO of the Year in 2012 courtesy of Frost & Sullivan Asia Pacific.

For those curious about his educational background, he graduated with a BS in Industrial Management Engineering degree from De La Salle University in 1982. It was in Kellogg when he completed his Master's in Business Administration in 1984.

Cu's Accomplishments at Globe

Cu joined Globe in 2008 and has since spearheaded its transformation into a leading digital solutions platform. Under his visionary leadership, Globe has achieved remarkable success, solidifying its position as a formidable force in the industry.

"The Global Economics Awards program serves as the epitome of the perseverance and credibility of its recipients. We recognize the best market players in the realm of their business," the publication said of the program which aims to inspire businesses to be more competitive.

Recognition from The Global Economics

The Global Economics, a UK-based news magazine, identified Globe as a business enterprise that prioritizes a positive work culture. Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, Globe demonstrated resilience and achieved sustained top-line growth in the first quarter of 2023.

Financial Performance and Network Investments

Globe's financial performance has been impressive, with a 4% consolidated revenue growth by the end of March. The company's strategic investments in network infrastructure have also played a crucial role in its success. Globe has spent a significant amount on capital expenditures to enhance its network capabilities.

Purpose-Led Transformation

Cu's leadership has been instrumental in guiding Globe towards a purpose-led transformation. The company is now focused on providing digital solutions to help Filipinos adapt to the changing landscape brought about by the pandemic.

Awards and Recognition

Ernest Cu has received numerous accolades for his exceptional leadership. He has been recognized as Telecom CEO of the Year, Asia's Best CEO, and Best CEO by various organizations.

Cu's dedication to excellence has earned him a place among the most influential telecom leaders worldwide.
The expression One mans loss is another mans gain turned true in the case of Bluesky, which gained 500,000 new users in just two days after a Brazilian Supreme Court ordered X (formerly Twitter) to suspend its services in Brazil.

Bluesky is an open, decentralized microblogging social platform created by Jack Dorsey, the former CEO of Twitter. I

t is built on the AT Protocol (also developed by Bluesky). Touted as a popular alternative to Twitter, the platform aims to give users more control over their online experience.

Brazil, youre setting new all-time-highs for activity on Bluesky! announced the apps creators on the official Bluesky account.

Paul Frazee, developer of Bluesky, also acknowledged the exceptional increase in traffic following Xs ban. X has more than 20 million users in Brazil.

There will almost certainly be some outages and performance issues, he warned, adding, Weve never seen traffic like this. Hang with us!

Following Xs ban, Bluesky became the number one free iPhone app in Brazil, surpassing Metas Threads at number two. Bluesky CEO Jay Graber also acknowledged this, writing, good job, Brazil, you made the right choice.

For those unaware, Elon Musks X has been engaged in an escalating legal fight with the Brazilian government.

Earlier this year, Brazils Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes passed an order in April that required the platform to block certain accounts allegedly involved in spreading misinformation and hate messages.

In response, X warned that it would shut down its operations in Brazil.

As a result, the Brazilian government warned that the platforms operations across the country would be completely suspended unless it appointed a legal representative within Brazil, a legal requirement for large foreign companies operating in the country.

On Friday, Justice Moraes ordered an immediate, complete, and total suspension of Xs operations in the country, as X failed to name a legal representative in Brazil.

Further, the ban on X also applies to regular citizens and businesses in the country. Additionally, anyone who tries to use X by circumventing the ban by using a VPN will be fined 50,000 Brazilian Real (roughly 8,900 USD) daily.

Following the ban on X, Brazils President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva encouraged his X followers to join him on other social media platforms, including Bluesky.
As wolves swoop, Austrians grab guns for contested cull



Arbesbach, Austria, Sept 2 (AFP) Sep 02, 2024



After wolves swooped from the forest and savaged her lambs, Austrian sheep farmer Renate Pilz feels like giving up. Others, to the anger of conservationists, are reaching for their rifles.

"I lost two ewes and two lambs" to the wolf attack last year, the 55-year-old said at her farm in the village of Arbesbach.

She showed AFP photos of her animals, bleeding and so badly bitten that they had to be put down.

"It's too much work, it's no longer profitable and, above all, I don't want to do it any more," she said.

After disappearing in the 19th century, wolves have gradually returned to Austria in recent years. The number rose to 104 this year, up from an estimated 80 in 2022.

In response to a reported increase in attacks on livestock, several Austrian regions have authorised the controversial killing of wolves.

Environmental groups say the move violates European law, which lists them as protected animals.

Swelling wolf populations have dominated the headlines in the Alpine country and stirred emotion across Europe, with breeding packs recorded in 23 countries of the European Union.



- 'Wolf-free' zones -



A few kilometres from Arbesbach, Gerhard Fallent told AFP that three wolves had killed "half of his flock of sheep" and seriously injured the other half last year.

Fallent has since become a vocal proponent of regulating the wolf population, founding the association Wolf Stop.

He has called for "wolf-free" zones to be established near communities where people live and work.

After a wolf was sighted close to a bus stop frequented by children, school trips were cancelled and pupils picked up directly from home by the bus for a year, the 64-year-old lamented.

"We want our children to be able to go back to playing in the woods" in a region that can offer much to tourists too, said Fallent.

With family farms going out of business, he noted that several Austrian regions managed to significantly reduce the number of attacks after authorising killings.



- 'Obsolete' protection status -



In Austria's southern state of Carinthia, shooting wolves to protect local farms and their livestock has been authorised since 2022.

So far "we have killed 13 wolves," deputy governor Martin Gruber told AFP.

Putting up barriers such as fences in the rugged terrain, he argued, was "impossible" and above all a "waste of public money".

With the total population of wolves in the EU estimated at 20,300, Gruber said the predator's protection status was "obsolete" and should be lowered.

In 2023, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen called for the downgrading of the wolf's conservation status from "strictly protected" to "protected" in view of the "real danger" posed by the packs.

But conservationists across Europe have been up in arms, with environmental groups in Austria challenging the authorised killings in court.

In July, the European Court of Justice (ECJ) ruled that Austria should first try other solutions before hunting wolves massively, noting the local wolf population was "not at a favourable conservation status" and siding with the conservationists.



- Fairy tales -



Situated in the heart of Europe, Austria is rare in having three isolated wolf populations converge there from other parts of the continent.

After surviving "heavy hunting" about a century ago, wolves have started to spread due to being protected, and separate groups are linking up, said Marianne Heberlein, director of the Wolf Science Centre.

The operation, which claims to be the only one of its kind in the world, is attached to Vienna's University of Veterinary Medicine.

It researches the process of domestication by comparing the behaviour of the 10 wolves and 13 dogs housed at the centre.

It also aims to increase the public's awareness of wolves by familiarising people with the "wild animal" in a "neutral" way, said Heberlein.

The centre aims to do so "without glossing over the danger" they can pose or "giving them a bad image", she said.

The fear of the wolf "goes back a very long way in history", she said -- the age-old conflict between wolf and human has fed into the fairy tales told to children.
Japan's summer was joint hottest on record: weather office



Tokyo, Sept 2 (AFP) Sep 02, 2024



Japan suffered its joint warmest summer this year since records began, equalling the level seen in 2023, data from the weather office showed on Monday.

Climate scientists have already predicted that 2024 will be the hottest year on record for the Earth because of a warming planet.

Japan's long-term average temperature between June and August was 1.76 degrees Celsius above the standard value, the joint highest since statistics started being kept in 1898, the Japan Meteorological Agency said.

This July was already the hottest in Japan since records began, with the variation across the archipelago 2.16C higher than average.

In central Tokyo alone, 123 people died of heatstroke in July, when extreme heatwaves saw a record number of ambulances mobilised in the capital, according to local authorities.

Southern Japan was also hit by a major typhoon last week, one of the strongest to hit the archipelago of 125 million people in decades.

Typhoon Shanshan killed at least six people, including three family members in a landslide, and dumped record rain across many areas.

Typhoons in the region have been forming closer to coastlines, intensifying more rapidly and lasting longer over land due to climate change, according to a study released in July.

A rapid attribution analysis by the Imperial College London using peer-reviewed methodology calculated that Typhoon Shanshan's winds were made 26 percent more likely by a warming planet.

A Japanese weather agency official cited the peculiar movement of westerly winds above Japan this year that "made it easier for the archipelago to be shrouded in warm air from the south".

"Also at play is the long-term effect of global warming, which is pushing up average temperature," weather agency official Kaoru Takahashi told AFP.



- Emissions -



Scientists say that fossil fuel emissions are worsening the length, frequency and intensity of heatwaves across the world.

From January to July, global temperatures were 0.7C above the 1991-2020 average, according to the European Union's Copernicus Climate Change Service.

Record temperatures have been observed in the Mediterranean Sea, Norway's Arctic Svalbard archipelago and the Ukrainian capital Kyiv in the past few weeks alone.

Australia registered a record-high winter temperature last month, with the mercury hitting 41.6C (106.7F) in part of its rugged and remote northwest coast.

In Europe, Greece has seen 50 percent more summer wildfires this year than in 2023 as well as its earliest heatwave and warmest winter on record.

The rising temperatures are leading to longer wildfire seasons and increasing the area burnt in the flames, according to the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.
Tropical storm triggers landslides in Philippines, 11 dead



Manila, Sept 2 (AFP) Sep 02, 2024



Floods and landslides killed 11 people after a fierce tropical storm dumped heavy rain on the Philippines for a second day, officials said Monday.

Tropical Storm Yagi slammed into the main island of Luzon on Monday after brushing past the Bicol region southeast of Manila overnight Sunday, with more heavy rain forecast which the state weather service said could cause flooding and more landslides.

As a precaution, schools and government offices across the capital were shut for the day, ferry services in some areas were suspended and 29 domestic flights were cancelled due to the weather.

Three people, including a pregnant woman, were killed in a landslide Monday in Antipolo, near equally rain-soaked Manila, city information officer Relly Bonifacio told AFP.

He said the bodies of four other people, all drowning victims, were recovered Monday in three other areas of the hilly community, hours after creeks overflowed overnight.

The Bicol city of Naga was also hard-hit, with a man electrocuted as floodwaters rose and a baby girl drowning, rescuers said.

"The floods were above head height in some areas," Joshua Tuazon of the city's public safety office told AFP, adding that hundreds of residents had been rescued.

More than 300 people were at evacuation camps Monday, with local officials saying the floodwaters in the city of 210,000 people were slow to ebb.

Two landslides killed two people and damaged five houses in the central city of Cebu on Sunday, the local disaster office there told AFP.

The storm also unleashed strong currents and big waves that wrought chaos in Manila Bay on Monday, hurling a barge and an oil tanker onto the seawall and causing another barge to run adrift, the coast guard said.

A tug and a small passenger ship also collided while both were anchored, causing a fire aboard the second vessel, it said in a statement.

Eighteen people on the passenger ship, all crew members, were later rescued and a coast guard vessel arrived to put out the blaze.

Yagi slammed into the municipality of Casiguran northeast of Manila on Monday afternoon with sustained winds of 85 kilometres (53 miles) an hour, the state weather service said.

The storm was forecast to churn through north Luzon overnight before moving out over the South China Sea early Tuesday.

The weather service also warned of a "minimal to moderate risk" of huge coastal waves threatening seaside communities of northern Luzon.

About 20 big storms and typhoons hit the Philippines or its surrounding waters each year, damaging homes and infrastructure and killing dozens of people.
Finland's Lapland sees warmest summer on record



Helsinki, Sept 2 (AFP) Sep 02, 2024



Finland's far north Lapland region has recorded its highest ever summer temperatures, an expert at Finland's Meteorological Institute told AFP Monday.

June, July and August saw record highs at nearly all weather stations in the country's most northern areas.

The heat was caused by a high pressure system combined with climate change, the institute said.

High temperatures set off droughts and extensive wildfires across the Scandinavian country.

"The summer in Lapland in Finland was clearly the warmest on record," Mika Rantanen, a climate change researcher at Finland's Meteorological Institute, told AFP.

The average temperature from June to August was 16.2 degrees Celsius (61 degrees Fahrenheit) for Finland as a whole, matching the record hot year of 1937.

In Sodankyla -- a small town north of the Arctic Circle -- the average temperature was 15.9 degrees Celsius -- around 1.8 degrees Celsius warmer than what it would have been without the effects of climate change, according to the weather agency.

"Northern Norway, northern Sweden and even (the) Svalbard (archipelago) also had their warmest summer on record," Rantanen added.

The record high temperatures measured in Lapland exceeded the averages recorded since the beginning of the 20th century by 2 to 3.5 degrees Celsius.

"The minimum temperatures were very high in Lapland... there were no cold spells at all," Rantanen added.

The Arctic has been warming almost four times faster than the rest of the world since 1979, according to Finnish and Norwegian researchers.

Very warm summers of this kind were now approximately 70 times more likely to occur due to climate change than they were at the beginning of the 20th century, Finnish climate experts estimate.

"In the beginning of the 20th century the probability of such warm summers was once every 2,000 years. But in the current climate the likelihood is once every 25 years," Rantanen said.

"If you extrapolate this into the future, it means that in the year 2050 these kind of warm summers will occur every five years," he said.
Its difficult to say precisely when the feud began between billionaires David Siegel and John Overdeck  the slights and bruised egos stretch back at least a decade  so start here, with the chefs hat incident.

In 2015, Forbes magazine described Overdeck as the master chef at hedge-fund giant Two Sigma Investments, and Siegel as the manager. To rub it in, Overdeck wore a torque blanche - a traditional chefs hat - to a meeting. Siegel stewed for days.

The relationship between David Siegel (left) and John Overdeck (right) was toxic for years. They are pictured here in 2017 with billionaire and former New York mayor Michael Bloomberg. Credit: Getty

Or maybe it was the spat some years later about, of all things, their official biographies: Siegel was annoyed that Overdecks was longer and, behind his back, demanded cuts.

On it went, one tiff after another, until the two could barely stand to be in the same room. Their daily lunches together ceased at least five years ago. The firm held separate town halls for their respective business units. Its now been years since the two spoke to the firm together.
Talks between Jayson Gillham and the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra have broken down, with the sacked pianist accusing the MSO of mischaracterising his position, and the orchestra accusing him of making outrageous demands that will never be met.

The clash, which has thrown the orchestra into crisis and seen its managing director resign, arises from a recital in August at which Gillham prefaced a new piece of music by composer Connor DNetto with a dedication to journalists killed in Gaza.

In his introductory remarks, Gillham  who has frequently expressed support for the Palestinian cause on social media and performed at a fundraising concert in June for the Palestine Childrens Relief Fund  accused the state of Israel of carrying out targeted assassinations on some of the more than 100 Palestinian journalists killed in the conflict that erupted after the October 7 Hamas terrorist raid.

Pianist Jayson Gillham. Credit: Simon Schluter

After the event, the orchestra wrote to attendees, saying his commentary was not authorised and apologising for any offence it may have caused. They removed Gillham from a concert the following week, then later described that response as an error, and cancelled the event entirely.
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Eating outJust open Five must-try dishes at Tombo Den, Windsors hot new Tokyo-inspired diner Head chef Dan Chan (ex-Yardbird, Supernormal) shares the absolute must-orders at Chris Lucas new split-level diner, plus the food and travel experiences that inspired them. Tomas Telegramma September 2, 2024 Save Log in , register or subscribe to save recipes for later. You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share

As featured in the October hit list. See all stories .

Prolific restaurateur Chris Lucas (Society, Kisume, Chin Chin) is making another mark on Chapel Street in Windsor this week, opening the two-level Tombo Den  a high-octane ode to Tokyos late-night dining scene  next to his longstanding Hawker Hall. Leading the kitchen is chef Dan Chan, who was born and raised in Hong Kong, where he worked at the now-Michelin-starred yakitori restaurant Yardbird. And after moving to Melbourne, he was part of the opening team for Andrew McConnells Supernormal. Chan shares five must-try Tombo Den dishes  and the experiences that inspired them. Chicken short wing, a perfect meaty lollipop, is served with chilli kosho. Pete Dillon Chicken short wing, chilli kosho ($13.50 for three pieces)

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Street food is the best food in the world, says Chan. One of the greatest street-food experiences Ive had was in Taiwan. I remember eating the most amazing chicken wings when I was 16, visiting for the first time. And Ill never forget being at Asakusas Nakamise street market in Tokyo in 2018, eating karaage, my all-time favourite. The karaage, or Japanese fried chicken, at Tombo Den is the perfect lollipop bite. Fried until gloriously golden, the frenched wings are served in a pool of vivid red sauce starring yuzu kosho, a punchy paste made of yuzu peels and gochujang. Its a lot of fun  and spicy! Duck hambagu with tare egg yolk and spring onion is an East-West must-try. Pete Dillon Duck hambagu, tare egg yolk, spring onion ($24.50) If you only order one thing Ive recommended, make sure its this, says Chan. Hambagu  a juicy hamburger-like patty traditionally made with beef  is yoshoku, or Western-style Japanese food, he continues. My wife, Nana, whos from Chiba near Tokyo, ate this a lot growing up and now its our favourite comfort food.

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At Tombo Den, he swaps out beef for duck thigh, triple-minced so its fine and fluffy, and flavoured with chopped onion, yukari (shiso leaf) powder and shio koji (fermented koji). Its crowned with a cured egg yolk in glossy tare sauce, and shreds of spring onion. Tombo Dens sweetcorn fritters take ideas from takoyaki and okonomiyaki. Michael Pham Sweetcorn fritter, BBQ sauce ($11.50 for two pieces) For me, one of Yardbirds most unforgettable dishes was always the sweetcorn fritter its really simply prepared, but is sensational, says Chan. I wanted to take that idea and give it a street-food twist. Channelling takoyaki, a ball-shaped Japanese octopus snack, Chan takes crunchy fresh-off-the-cob corn kernels, mixes them in an airy batter, forms them into balls, then flash-fries them. The fritters are garnished with a house-made BBQ sauce inspired by okonomiyaki, plus dried bonito flakes and aonori (seaweed powder).

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Daily fish market selection at Tombo Den. Michael Pham Daily fish market selection (from $8) The inspiration for our daily selection comes from the Tsukiji fish market in Tokyo, one of the most famous fish markets in the world, says Chan. You can find the most amazing sushi there, but only if you arrive really early in the morning. Tombo Dens fish of the day can be served simply as sashimi or nigiri (seafood on a pad of rice), or in a chefs selection platter with the addition of crispy rice and maki rolls. You might find bluefin tuna from Bermagui, kingfish from the Spencer Gulf or Ora King salmon from NZ. Roast pork belly with mustard greens riffs on the char siu pork served in ramen. Pete Dillon

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Roast pork belly, mustard greens ($42.50) Chan is a self-professed ramen addict. I remember my first trip to Japan in 2015, when I indulged in a whole day of ramen, he explains. From breakfast to lunch, afternoon tea, dinner and even supper, I had six bowls of ramen in one day. His ultimate topping? Char siu pork, which is where the idea for this Tombo Den dish came from. The team first liberally salts the pork belly, then rolls and ties it into a barrel, before slow-roasting it in a mix of kabayaki sauce (a sweet soy-based glaze), ginger and spring onion. While char siu in Japan is thinly sliced, Ive adapted it for Melbourne with a generous portion that is fired on the hibachi before serving, says Chan. Its accompanied by mustard greens preserved in togarashi for a thwack of spice. Open Mon-Thu 5pm-late; Fri-Sun noon-late from Saturday, September 7. 100 Chapel Street, Windsor, tomboden.com.au

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Review Eating outMelbourne Its super weird, fun and accessible, but a few things almost send this big-name sushi train off track The pitch  a Brazilian-themed sushi train restaurant with martinis  sounds like a drunken late-night thought bubble. But its not without niggles. Besha Rodell September 3, 2024 Save Log in , register or subscribe to save recipes for later. You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share

As featured in the October hit list. See all stories .

1 / 8 The sushi train, imported from Taiwan, fits the narrow Bourke Street site. Eddie Jim 2 / 8 The go-to dish: Spicy tuna rolls come with a slightly Brazilian-influenced saffron topping. Eddie Jim 3 / 8 Lightly singed yellowtail nigiri. Eddie Jim 4 / 8 Udon with pipis and seaweed butter tastes like the type of dish a chef might make at the end of a shift. Eddie Jim 5 / 8 Yellowtail nigiri. Eddie Jim 6 / 8 The site was previously cafe-bar-gallery Self Preservation, and more recently, a temporary site for Kafeneion. Eddie Jim 7 / 8 Individual plates range from $4.50 to $12 a plate. Simon Schluter 8 / 8 Con Christopolous at Bossa Nova. Simon Schluter Previous Slide Next Slide 13.5 / 20 How we score Japanese$$$$ There are many signifiers of a truly great food city, as Ive discussed before, but one is the existence of successful restaurants that are super weird and specific. It means our chefs and restaurateurs are experienced enough, confident enough, and trust their audience enough to do something wild. Bossa Nova, the new Bourke Street venue from Con Christopoulos (French Saloon, Kafeneion) and Victor Liong (Lee Ho Fook), very much feels like something born of a drunken late-night conversation between a couple of friends. And whether thats actually how it happened, Im here for the resulting absurdity. Sushi train! With a Brazilian theme! And martinis! A wine list thats 100 per cent half bottles! Its so nonsensical that it almost comes back around to making sense.

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Bossa Nova is a welcome measure of weirdness for this great restaurant town. Speaking of coming around, the things that come around this conveyor belt  which was imported from Taiwan and fits perfectly into the small space  are pretty exciting. This is particularly true in a city with a major gap in the middle ground of sushi  we have lots of cheap stuff and now plenty of fancy omakase-style restaurants, but little in between. Plates, which cost between $4.80 and $12, might arrive bearing lovely supple surf clam nigiri, or tiny raw prawns, sweet, creamy and fresh. The go-to dish: Spicy tuna rolls come with a slightly Brazilian-influenced saffron topping. Eddie Jim The Brazilian theme is subtle, mainly showing up in a fantastic spicy tuna-like situation: two wide pieces of sushi roll with deep red raw tuna and a spice mix that includes a saffron topping.

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The quality of the fish here is exceptional, especially given the obvious potential for plates to go unsold  most sushi trains use fish thats not nearly as expensive to give away to staff at the end of the night (which is what Liong tells me theyre doing with any food that doesnt get picked from the train after 90 minutes). But there are things about Bossa Nova that still need to figuring out, and in some ways, I think the constraints of the space and the ambitions of the owners are at odds. The cocktails are fantastic, particularly the caipirinha ($22), which is bursting with fresh lime. But they take forever to arrive, even when the place is fairly quiet. Theres no real bar; just a station near the door for mixing drinks, and no dedicated bartender. In a place this small I understand why its set up this way, but if youre going to offer drinks, you should probably be able to deliver them in a timely fashion. The idea of a sushi train is that its basically self-serve, but that makes ordering drinks and things from the specials board difficult, and Ive seen people get up from their seats to ask staff for everything from a spoon for their soup to a glass of water.

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Udon with pipis and seaweed butter: a rich, salty masterpiece of fresh seafood and chewy noodles. Eddie Jim Some of the specials, cooked fresh by the kitchen, are absolutely worth ordering. I stopped by late one evening after an event in town and ate udon with pipis and seaweed butter ($39.50), a rich, salty masterpiece of fresh seafood and chewy noodles that tasted like the type of dish a chef might make for himself at the end of a long night. Others are less successful. Grilled ox tongue ($32) looked lovely all lined up in slices topped with a yuzu-heavy relish, but was cooked rare and as a result was so chewy it was almost impossible to eat. Bossa Nova is super fun, and by far the best accessible sushi in town. (By accessible I mean affordable; Ive eaten my brains out while dining here, drank well, and never spent more than $200 for two  it would be easier to spend far less and come away happy and full.) Its incredibly useful as a place for a quick, low-committal meal, a fun and interactive date spot, a place to go when you arent interested in theatrics or the pain of thinking ahead and just want to eat the things that appear in front of you and look good.

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Some of the operational details need tweaking for it to become its best self. But even its second-to-best self is a delight, and a welcome measure of weirdness for this great restaurant town. The low-down Vibe: Pared-back party Go-to dish: Spicy tuna roll, $9 Drinks: Classic, well-made cocktails; small selection of quality sake; ambitious list of half bottles of wine Cost: Entirely dependent on how many plates you grab  but you can eat well for as little as $30 a head, plus drinks

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Review Eating outBondi From breakfast to late-night lattes, this all-day eatery is a buzzy beachside spot Makaveli Bondis footpath window bench is the perfect perch, day or night, to enjoy a chia bowl or a plate of silky beef carpaccio. Lenny Ann Low September 2, 2024 Save Log in , register or subscribe to save recipes for later. You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share

1 / 8 The space is compact and buzzy with a touch of glamour. James Brickwood 2 / 8 Focaccia with oil. James Brickwood 3 / 8 Kingfish crudo. James Brickwood 4 / 8 Beef carpaccio. James Brickwood 5 / 8 Sweet potato gnocchi with beef ragu. James Brickwood 6 / 8 Gippsland blue cheese with honeycomb. James Brickwood 7 / 8 Makaveli sour and Makaveli margarita. James Brickwood 8 / 8 Owners Phill Cooke and Jacob Hill. James Brickwood Previous Slide Next Slide Contemporary$$$$ Makaveli Bondi is, without doubt, the restaurant and bar fulfilling any dream of a cosmopolitan life. Small, buzzy and, 10 minutes walk from Bondi Beach, slightly glamorous without feeling jumped-up or posh. Owned and run by friends Jacob Hill and Phill Cooke, both from the UK, it swings from breakfast to dinner, from coffee to cocktails (with late-night coffee). In a slender, wide window-fronted room with a long mirrored left wall, there is warm lighting, small tables and a central concrete-topped bar with counter seating. Kingfish crudo. James Brickwood

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On a springish Saturday night, with the Glenayr Avenue footpaths ringing to the sound of chatting Spanish, Italian and Irish passersby, Makaveli, which opened in 2023, is pumping. Makavelis dozen tables and seven counter stools are full. The music is loud. People who look like supermodels are arriving. Rhubarb and ginger spritzes and coconut margaritas are being drunk, and two dexterously busy chefs fill the tiny open kitchen. Hill and Cooke, behind the bar and on the floor with fellow staff, whiz left, right and centre in black T-shirts, making and pouring drinks, explaining the menu and ferrying food. Its like sitting in the centre of a small furnitured dance floor with excellent catering. Sweet potato gnocchi with beef ragu. James Brickwood Before us, at the counter seats, are a sunset-hued nogroni  a fine non-alcoholic negroni  and the Willowdene, a cocktail made with lemongrass and kaffir lime gin, elderflower liqueur and watermelon, and named after Hills childhood street in Manchester.

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The chefs pass us Sicilian olives and warm, garlic-buttered sourdough. No one, whether drinking Shifting Sands Victorian pinot noir or evening espressos, gives them any more attention than the rest of the room. All are far too busy consuming smooth Gippsland blue cheese with honeycomb; rouge meadows of silky beef carpaccio topped with shaved parmesan, herb aioli, fennel and walnut; or herby kingfish crudo with leek ajo blanco, capers and radish. We are digging into sweet potato gnocchi mains  one with brown butter, cherry tomatoes, crispy sage and ricotta salsa; the other with rich beef ragu, pesto, ricotta, parmesan and crispy kale. Strong on flavour and not overdone, it has a fine-dining feel  for dwelling upon rather than scoffing. This theory collapses when plates of light and melty burnt Basque cheesecake arrive. Gippsland blue cheese with honeycomb. James Brickwood

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Hill, who is opening a second venue with Cooke in September called Pocket Bondi, opposite North Bondi Beach, says Makavelis mood changes distinctly between breakfast and dinner. We put a lot of thought into that, he says. Its obviously different food but its also different music and changed lighting. I always remember one girl came in, looked around and said, Oh, I was here this morning and now it feels completely different. Anyone returning in the morning can eat Tuga pastries, a chia bowl and dishes that include eggs, avocado or cured meat. The toasted Brickfields foccacia with prosciutto, pesto, burrata and marinated cherry tomatoes is popular. The footpath window bench with cushions is a good spot, day or night. It is important to stress Makavelis coffee machine stays on into the night, a particularly happy instance for one US stock trader neighbour whose work starts after sunset. Makaveli sour and Makaveli margarita. James Brickwood

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Hill says Makaveli, which is essentially a buzzing bar with great food, was a long-held dream for him and Cooke. Wed go on holiday, to Bali, Bangkok, Singapore, even Noosa, and write notes about everything we tried, he says. This was before we even knew we were gonna have a bar. Wed set up a bar at house parties and thered be big queues and all the cocktails on there were special recipes wed made over the years. Theyve also leant heavily into community collaborations, with parts of the menu and decor made by locals. Theres a weekly 6.30am run club, special food nights and bottomless brunches. Hill says there are insatiable requests for Makaveli merchandise. Now they just have to finish gutting, designing and building Pocket Bondi for its opening in three weeks, while running Makaveli seven days a week. My girlfriend says I wont have time to sleep, Hill says. But the suns coming up earlier now its spring. The low-down Vibe: Seaside suburb all-day restaurant and bar with curated, casual food, good drinks and distinct mood-changes between breakfast and late-night dinner Go-to dish: Sweet potato gnocchi with beef ragu, pesto, ricotta, parmesan and kale Cost: $100 for two, plus drinks

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The family of a girl sexually abused in childcare has criticised the early education system as broken and asked how the offending remained undetected for so long, as her abuser admitted to more than 300 charges.

Ashley Paul Griffith was arraigned before the Brisbane District Court on Monday in front of dozens of victims family members, some crying as the court took three hours to read out each of the charges.

Wearing a striped polo, jeans, and red Nike sneakers, the 46-year-old Griffith showed little emotion but nodded almost every time he pleaded guilty to the court.

The Gold Coast man pleaded guilty to 307 charges, which included 28 counts of rape, 190 counts of indecent treatment of children, and 67 counts of making child exploitation material.
Counter-terrorism police have charged a teenager over a plot to attack a school on Brisbanes northside.

The 16-year-old is understood to have been pulled over by AFP officers in August after being monitored for some time.

It is believed he had attempted to buy firearms online and was planning to use them at the school.

Federal police said he had been charged with one count of acts done in preparation for, or planning, terrorist acts under federal criminal law.
Im what used to be called a rusted-on Labor supporter. I was conceived after my father, Alan Manning, fought for and lost the then new seat of Lawson in Central Western NSW (now Parkes) in 1949. I was born as he was gearing up for another tilt in the hastily dubbed anti-communist election of 1951 that he also lost, albeit after increasing his share of the vote. The Labor Party is almost literally part of my DNA.

Ned Manning is a rusted-on Labor Party supporter. Not so his grown-up children.

My first election as a voter, when 21 was the voting age, was in Gough Whitlams unforgettable Its Time election victory in 1972. Ive been handing out how-to-vote cards for Labor and hosting Dons Partys (with varying results), ever since.

My father was famously so disillusioned with Arthur Calwells Labor Party, particularly over immigration, that he announced he was going to vote Liberal. When he emerged from the polling booth having cast his vote, he shrugged his shoulders.

I couldnt do it, he said. I went to put an x next to the Lib, but my hand started shaking, and I couldnt hold the pencil still.
Prime Minister Anthony Albaneses media chief, Brett Mason, has resigned, clearing the way for a refresh of the governments messaging ahead of the next federal election.

This is the second time Albaneses communications boss has changed in the governments first term of office.

Anthony Albaneses communications chief, Brett Mason (back left) has resigned to move to the public service. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen

Masons exit comes just nine months after he took the job of media director following Liz Fitchs resignation from the role in December and comes as the governments standing in the polls continues to erode.

Mason is expected to be replaced by Fiona Sugden, who was former prime minister Kevin Rudds press secretary and is currently working in the Albanese communications team.
Kyiv: Russia pounded Ukraines capital of Kyiv with missiles early on Monday, while falling debris from the downed weapons injured at least two people, sparking fires and damaging homes and infrastructure, officials said.

Ukrainian forces destroyed 22 out of 35 missiles and 20 out of 23 attack drones launched by Russia on Monday morning, Ukraines Air Force said.

Firefighters extinguish the fire after a Russian missile attack in Kharkiv, Ukraine, on Sunday. Credit: AP

It said on the Telegram messenger that it had destroyed nine ballistic missiles and 13 cruise missiles in the Kyiv, Kharkiv, Dnipro, Poltava, Mykolaiv and Zaporizhzhia regions.

Air raid alerts went out across Ukraine for nearly two hours before the air force declared the skies clear at 0330 GMT. Neighbouring NATO member Poland activated Polish and allied aircraft to keep its airspace safe during the attacks.
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.
Two senior appointments at International Beverage

Image: Fiona Kennie and John Stevenson

Spirits producer International Beverage, the spirits arm of ThaiBev, has appointed two senior leaders to strategic roles in its team.

John Stevenson has been appointed as distilleries general manager, in which role he will oversee operations at International Beverages five Scottish distilleries, which produce brands including Speyburn, Balblair, Old Pulteney, and Hankey Bannister. Stevenson joins the company from North British Distillery, where he was operations manager. His previous experience includes roles in the bio-fuel tech sector, and he led on the design and development of the Tullamore distillery in Ireland.

Also joining the company is Fiona Kennie, appointed as marketing director. Kennies career in the drinks industry has included roles with Jim Bean, Whyte & Mackay, Heineken, and Edrington. She joins from Innis & Gunn Brewing Company, where she was global marketing director. Kennie will lead strategic marketing for International Beverage and join its exectutive leadership team.

International Beverage managing director Malcolm Leask commented: We are delighted to welcome both John and Fiona to the business. Their leadership skills and vast experience in their respective sectors makes them a tremendous asset to our team. I look forward to working with them over the coming months on a variety of initiatives that will grow our global business, sustainability credentials, and portfolio of premium spirit brands.

2 September 2024 - Lucy Schofield
Kirker Greer Spirits expands listings for Ukiyo

Drinks company Kirker Greer Spirits has announced an expansion to its brand Ukiyo Japanese Spirits retail presence in Europe after acquiring listings in retailers.

The brand will now appear in the Netherlands via Gall & Gall, a Dutch liquor store chain, which will stock Ukiyos full spirits range, which includes gins and vodka. The full range will also be available in Germany through retailer EDEKA North.

The listings mark an expansion for Kirker Greer Spirits in the Dutch and German markets. The Kirker Greer Spirits portfolio, including Ukiyo, has appeared in the Netherlands and Germany since 2021 via respective distributors Anker Amsterdam Spirits and Hellwege Spirituosen.

Ryan McFarland, chief commercial & strategy officer of Drinksology Kirker Greer, said: We identified the Netherlands and Germany as key markets for our brands; we identified in-market partners and have been working hard alongside them to position ourselves for growth. Im delighted to see the effort now coming to fruition.

Our collaboration with these prestigious retailers represents a strategic step in our European growth and its amazing to be able to bring the finest Japanese spirits to a wider European audience. I look forward to expanding that to the rest of the Kirker Greer Spirits portfolio over the coming years.

Earlier this year, Kirker Greer Spirits announced the expansion of its portfolio to Singapore

2 September 2024 - Lucy Schofield

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Soon, each distt to have at least one registeredSTART-UP





 By Niraj Chinchkhede :

THE long-cherished dream of the Government of India to have registered start-ups in each of the 785 districts across the country might be fulfilled very soon. Sanjiv Singh, Joint Secretary at the Department for Promotion of Industries and Internal Trade (DPIIT) and head of the Startup India initiative, said more than 99 per cent of the total districts in the country have registered start-ups. We are hopeful of registering start-ups in the remaining districts in coming days, he said while interacting with the media persons at Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Nagpur on Sunday. Dr Bhimaraya Metri, Director of IIM Nagpur; Amitabh Khanna, President of Vidarbha Association of Software Exporters; Tanveer Mirza, Nagpur First India Chair and mentor to InFed; and Shashikant Chaudhary, serial entrepreneur were also present. Even as India has emerged as the third largest ecosystem for startups globally with over 1,12,000 DPIIT-recognised startups, there are a few districts where not even a single such unit is functioning. Till last year, more than 100 districts in the country had no DPIIT-recognised startups. Government realises the economic importance of a startup and thus we wish to see it all over the country.

The DPIIT is also planning to further increase the presence of startups from district level to block level in coming days, he said. Previously, entrepreneurship was primarily associated with specific communities. However, there has been a significant shift in mindset, and we have witnessed remarkable growth in startups across tier 2 and 3 cities, Singh said, highlighting that Nagpur district has 1,209 DPIIT-recognised startups. Once registered with DPIIT, the start-up may avail many benefits like funding and loan without collateral security. The DPIIT recognised startups can apply for Angel Tax Exemption. After obtaining the clearance for tax exemption, the DPIIT recognised start-ups are also exempted from Income Tax for a period of three consecutive fiscal years.

The Government has also reduced the compliance burden for a start-up. The recognised startup is eligible to claim a rebate of 80 percent of patent fees bid for Government contracts with fewer eligibility requirements. A private limited company, partnership firm, or limited liability partnership firm not more than 10 years old with its annual turnover less than Rs 100 crore can be called as start-up. Further, the company must be working on improving or innovating products, services, or processes and must not have been formed by reconstructing or splitting up an existing business. Apart from this, Sanjiv Singh also spoke about the newly launched platform called BHASKAR. The initiative has been designed to foster a dynamic and inclusive environment for innovation and entrepreneurship. It will bring together a diverse array of stakeholders - ranging from entrepreneurs and Government bodies to investors and academic institutions - onto a single, integrated platform. The vision behind BHASKAR is to foster collaboration and accelerate growth and cross-collaboration within the entrepreneurial community he added.
353 seats 825 applicants HAPPY DAYS for NMC English schools





Staff Reporter :

IN AN era where even an underprivileged parent wishes for his ward to join a CBSE school, surprisingly, the schools run by Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) are attracting a huge number of students. The six English schools of NMC have received 825 applications for 353 seats. The enthusiastic response of parents for admission to NMCs English medium schools continues this year as well. Municipal Commissioner and Administrator Dr Abhijeet Chaudhari said that efforts were being made to increase the number of English schools in the coming years to accomodate each and every student willing for admission to the schools. The schools are being run in collaboration with Akanksha Foundation.

The students not only get quality education but they dont have to pay a single penny also. NMC started imparting English medium education from 2021 with an aim that the students of NMC schools should not be left behind in competing with the students of other schools.

The schools include Babhulban English Medium School in East Nagpur, Ram Nagar English Medium School inWest Nagpur, Rani Durgavati English Medium School in North Nagpur, R a m b h a u Mhalginagar English Medium School in South Nagpur, late Baburao Bobde Municipal English Medium School in Central Nagpur. Gopalraoji Motghare (Khadan) Municipal English Medium School is the latest addition to the list. Last year, admissions were given for Junior KG and Senior KG in these schools. This year, admissions were also given for Junior KG, Senior KG, Grade 1 and Grade 2. Now these schools are running upto Class 3. 472 aspirants could not get admission due to full enrollment in the school. Parents are turning towards these schools which is a very positive aspect. Education Officer Sadhana Sayam informed that efforts are being made to increase the number of schools on the initiative of Dr Abhijit Chaudhari.
Assam TMC PresidentRipun Bora QUITS party





GUWAHATI :

ASSAM Trinamool Congress President Ripun Bora on Sunday resigned from the party, claiming that the people of the Northeastern State consider it as aregional party ofWest Bengal and are not willing to accept it as their own. 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 andWest Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to make TMC acceptable in Assam, but those were not implemented.

AssamTMC has great potential, but several recurring issues have hindered our progress, including the perception of TMC as a regional party ofWest Bengal.To counter thisperception, we madeseveral suggestions,Bora said in his resignation letter. Bora claimed that hehad suggested theneed for an Assameseleader at the national level of TMC, declaring the residence of Bharat Ratna DrBhupen Hazarika at Tollygunge in Kolkata as a heritage site and converting theMadhupur Satra in CoochBehar to a cultural hub. Despite my repeatedattempts over the past year anda half to secure an appointment with you and our chiefMamata Didi to address these concerns,Ihavebeenunsuccessful, said Bora, former Assam minister and State Congress President. Bora 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 issuesmentionedabovehave ledmanypeople inAssamto continue viewing TMC as a regionalpartyofWestBengal. The people of Assam are not willing to accept a party that they perceive as being from another State.

Inlightofthesechallenges and the lack of an adequate resolution,Ifeel compelled to make a difficult decision and have decided to disassociate myself from TMC, saidBora, whohadswitched over to the TMC from Congress in April 2022. He expressed gratitude to Mamata Banerjee for allowing him to lead Assam TMC and 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. Iwillcontinuetofightagainst communalandfascistforces on a personal level. Please considerthisletterasmyformalresignationfromtheparty membership, he said. Boraclaimedthatunderhis leadership, the party had launchedamassive membership drive, establishing a strong presence across 31 of Assams 35 districts within six months. We expanded TMCs reach to the block and panchayatlevelsandformedkey cells and departments such as SC, OBC, human rights and minority to strengthen the partys influence. Our efforts anda seriesof agitational programmes against the BJP received a phenomenalresponse;however, they did not translate intosuccessintheLokSabha elections. I have already sharedananalysisofthisoutcome withyou, Bora added.
BOMB HOAX on Indigo flight





 Staff Reporter :

Jabalpur-Hyderabad flight makes emergency landing at Nagpur Airport, 69 passengers remained stranded for 6 hours at Nagpur Airport

A BOMB hoax disrupted the travel plans of around 69 passengers on the Jabalpur Hyderabad Indigo flight 6E7308, causing an emergency landing at Nagpur Airport and leaving them stranded for over six hours. After thorough security checks and passenger interrogations, the flight was finally cleared to take off to Hyderabad. According to the information received, the Indigo flight took off from Jabalpur's Dumna Airport at 8 am, on Sunday with 69 passengers on board, heading for Hyderabad.

The flight was scheduled to land at Hyderabad at 9.40 am. However, at 9.10 am, it was diverted to Nagpur Airport following an emergency alert. Upon landing, senior officials from various security agencies, including the Bomb Disposal Squad, Dog Squad, CISF and Maharashtra Police, rushed to the scene to conduct investigations. Meanwhile, senior officials also gathered at Jabalpur's Dumna Airport as the news of the emergency landing spread. Indigos officials reported that the flight had 69 passengers and four crew members. Shortly after take-off from Jabalpur, a crew member discovered a message written on a paper napkin in the aircrafts washroom.

The message read Explosion @ 9:00 AM. The crew member immediately informed the pilot, who then notified the Nagpur Area Traffic Control. The flight was immediately diverted to Nagpur. On landing, all passengers were safely evacuated from the aircraft. Security teams thoroughly inspected the luggage and interrogated both passengers and crew members. Investigations are ongoing to determine the origin and timing of the threatening message. Neeraj Kumar, In-charge Director of Dumna Airport and DGM/ATC In-charge, confirmed that the bomb threat was a hoax. After exhaustive checks by all concerned agencies and obtaining security clearance, the flight 6E-7308 was allowed to depart from Nagpur Airport at 3.30 pm and continue its journey to Hyderabad. The flight reportedly landed at Hyderabad airport at 5.30 pm. Anyways, the incident highlights the serious implications of such threats and at the same time, also warns concerned agencies to take more deterrent measures to ensure passenger safety
CGARH IED BLAST CASE NIA intensifies probe with covert searches





The Hitavada State Bureau :

RAIPUR/GARIABAND

IN A major development, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) conducted a series of covert searches in Chhattisgarh's Gariaband district on Saturday, as part of its investigation into the 2023 state assembly poll IED blast case. The operations, which remained undisclosed until now, were aimed at gathering critical evidence and targeting key suspects associated with the deadly attack. The case, officially registered as RC05/2024/NIA/RPR, has been under NIAs scrutiny since March this year. The blast, carried out on 17th November last year by cadres of the Communist Party of India (Maoist), targeted a convoy of polling and security personnel returning from the village of Badegobra after voting.

The attack claimed the life of a Head Constable from the ITBP ADHOC 615 Battalion, highlighting the persistent threat posed by Maoist insurgents in the region. Official sources within the NIA revealed that Saturdays searches were conducted in the remote, Maoist-dominated areas of Chhotegobra village under the jurisdiction of Mainpur Police Station. The NIA teams discreetly executed the operation, which focused on premises linked to nine suspects believed to be Over Ground Workers (OGWs) of the CPI (Maoist). The suspects are thought to have played a crucial role in supporting the banned outfit in orchestrating the blast. These raids, kept under wraps, resulted in the seizure of several mobile phones and digital devices, which are expected to provide significant leads in the ongoing investigation. The operation forms part of the NIAs broader strategy to dismantle the support network of the Maoists in the region, which has long been a stronghold of insurgent activity.

Notably, the NIA took over the case in March this year, and since then, has been systematically pursuing evidence that points to a larger conspiracy behind the attack. The agencys investigators, who have been working intensively on the case, have now zeroed in on these suspects after months of surveillance and intelligence gathering. Speaking on the condition of anonymity, NIA officials emphasised the importance of these latest actions, describing them as a critical step towards ensuring that those responsible for the attack are brought to justice. The agency is expected to widen its investigation in the coming days, with more suspects likely to be questioned as part of its ongoing efforts to disrupt Maoist activities in Chhattisgarh. This latest operation by the NIA underscores the agencys commitment to securing the region and safeguarding the democratic process from extremist threats. The covert nature of the searches highlights the seriousness with which the agency is handling this case, officials maintained.
Congress slams BJP Govt over DPS molestation case

Staff Reporter

RAIPUR

IN A scathing attack on the ruling BJP government, Chhattisgarh Pradesh Congress Committee (CPCC) President Deepak Baij has raised serious concerns over the rising incidents of crimes against women in the state, particularly highlighting the alleged molestation case of a four-year-old girl at DPS in Bhilai. During a press conference held at Rajiv Bhawan on Sunday, Baij accused the BJPled government of failing to ensure the safety of women and children, citing the DPS case as a glaring example of police negligence and government indifference. Baij stated that the incident, which occurred under the jurisdiction of Durg police, was handled with gross misconduct by the authorities. According to him, despite clear evidence from two separate medical reports indicating injuries to the childs private parts, the police, under the direction of the Superintendent of Police, dismissed the case without filing an FIR. Baij emphasised that under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, an FIR must be lodged immediately following such an incident, followed by an investigation.

However, in this instance, the police not only failed to register an FIR but also allegedly attempted to cover up the crime. The Congress leader questioned the credibility of the Durg polices claims of an investigation, asking when the FIR was actually filed, when the medical board was constituted, and when the child underwent a health examination. He criticised the government for not taking swift action against the SP, whose apparent dereliction of duty has only intensified public outrage. Baij further condemned the BJP for its silence on the matter, contrasting their vocal stance on incidents in other states with their inaction in Chhattisgarh.

He pointed out that in nine months of BJP rule, the state has witnessed over 3,094 crimes against women, including more than 600 rapes, with incidents occurring across regions from Bastar to Raipur. The Congress, he declared, will not remain silent and will hold the government accountable and compell them to act. In response to the DPS case, the Congress has announced plans for statewide protests. On 2nd September, press conferences will be held across the state, followed by district-level demonstrations on 3rd September, demanding justice for the victims and greater accountability from the government and BSP management. The party has also sought appointments with the Governor and the Chief Minister to present their demands and ensure that justice is served in this deeply troubling case.
Israel recovers bodies of 6 hostages in Gaza





JERUSALEM :

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 the arrival of Israeli forces trying to rescue them. 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. Netanyahu expressed sorrow over the deaths and said Israel would hold Hamas accountable for killing them incold blood. He said the killings prove that the militant group does not want a a ceasefire agreement.Whoever murders hostages doesnt want a deal, he said. Militants seized Hersh G o l d b e r g - Polin, 23, and four of the other hostages at a music festival in southern Israel during Hamas October 7 attack, which triggered the war.

The native of Berkeley, California,lostpart of his left armtoagrenadeintheattack. In April, a Hamas-issued video showed him, his left hand missing and clearly speaking under duress, sparking new protests in IsraelurgingtheGovernment to do more to secure his and others freedom. The army identified the other dead hostages as Ori Danino, 25; Eden Yerushalmi, 24; Almog Sarusi, 27; and Alexander Lobanov, 33; who were also taken from the music festival.Thesixth,CarmelGat,40, wasabductedfromthenearby farming community of Beeri.It saidthebodies were recovered fromatunnel in the southern Gaza city of Rafah, around a kilometer (half a mile) from where another hostage, Qaid Farhan Alkadi, 52, was rescued alive last week. According to preliminary information, they were cruellymurderedbyHamas terrorists shortly before we reached them, Rear Adm. DanielHagari,theIsraelimilitary spokesperson, told reporters.Hamashasoffered 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, including highprofile militants. Izzat al-Rishq,asenior Hamas official, blamed the hostages deaths on Israel and the United States, saying they would still be alive ifIsraelhadacceptedaceasefireproposalthatHamassaid it had agreed to back in July.

Hamas continues to hold 10 hostages in Gaza

JERUSALEM,

HAMAS continues to hold 101 hostages in Gaza including women, children, and the elderly, said the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) Spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Nadav Shoshani, in a s tatement on Sunday regard- ing the recovery of the bodies of six hostages. It is with a h eavy heart that we share the news that the bodies of six hostages who were all taken hostage alive by Hamas during the October 7 m assacre and murdered in Hamas captivity were recovered from inside the tunnel in Rafah and have been brought back to Israel, the Spokesperson said in a video on X. He added, At this stage, we assess that the hostages were murdered by Hamas terrorists shortly before our soldiers wabletoreachtheminsidethe tunnel in Rafah.

We will not stop until every hostage is brought home, he said. The IDF has located and recovered the bodies of six hostages, including two women,froma tunnelinthe Rafah area in the Gaza Strip. The deceased were identifiedasHershGoldberg(23), an Israeli-American citizen, Eden Yerushalmi (24), Carmel Gat, Almog Sarusi (27), Alex Lubnov (33), a fatheroftwo,andOriDanino (25), Israel Foreign Ministry saidinapostonsocialmedia platform X. TheHostagesandMissing Families Forum of Israel announced major protests acrossthecountryonSunday after the bodies of hostages were recovered. The forum representing many relatives of hostages held in Gaza called on the publictostagemajorprotests against the Government on Sunday.
Major King Cobraconservation project in Korba





By Roshan Chachane :

RAIPUR,

Nova Nature, CG Forest Departments

THE Nova Nature Welfare Society, in collaboration with the Chhattisgarh Forest Department, has been actively involved in studying the factors that affect the existence of the King Cobra to develop long-term conservation strategies for this elusive species. Led by M Suraj and Moiz Ahmed, the society is focused on protecting the King Cobra population by involving the local community in the Korba district, which is the last remaining stronghold of the species in this region. Chhattisgarh has 44 per cent of its land area under forest cover, and a large portion of its population relies on agriculture for their livelihood. This has led to frequent human-snake encounters, often resulting in retaliation killings. In Korba, where the pressure from human activities is intense, there have been over 1,500 snake bites in the past two years, and the attitude towards snakes is generally hostile.

Despite these challenges, the Nova Nature Welfare Society has been able to foster a sense of stewardship among the locals through continuous interventions, offering hope for the conservation of the King Cobra in central India. The King Cobra, scientifically known as Ophiophagus hannah, is classified as Vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and is listed under Schedule I of the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, which provides the highest level of protection to any species. The conservation efforts in Korba are further complicated by habitat destruction due to coal mining activities, such as those at the Gevra coal mine, Asias largest coal-producing mine. For the past four years, the Nova Nature Welfare Society has been building strong relationships with local communities, involving them in various projects to develop their skills and provide alternative livelihoods. By bridging the gap between government agencies and local communities, the society has enhanced coordination and cooperation in managing wildlife conflicts.

Recognising the importance of community involvement in wildlife conservation, the society has shifted its focus from community-based to community-led interventions. They have identified and registered individuals from King Cobra habitats under the Response Team initiative. This team is tasked with sensitizing locals, participating in rescue operations, sharing valuable information about King Cobras, and mitigating wildlife conflicts. Recently, under the guidance of Arvind PM, the Divisional Forest Officer of the Korba Forest Division, a day-long workshop was conducted to bring together locals and the forest department. The workshop aimed to build capacity among the participants and develop them as stakeholders in their respective villages. Over the past four years, with the help of these community members, more than 30 King Cobra and hundreds of other snake rescue operations have been conducted. These individuals have also played a vital role in fire control and raising awareness about the King Cobras habitat. One notable member of the response team, Jitendra Sarathi, has become a para biologist with the society and is also associated with the state Forest Department as an ethical wildlife rescuer. Senior biologists Mayank Bagchi and Siddhant Jain have been providing continuous technical support to these efforts, ensuring that the conservation initiatives are effective and sustainable. Through these collective efforts, the Nova Nature Welfare Society and the Chhattisgarh Forest Department are making significant strides in the conservation of the King Cobra in central India.
TRANSFERRING PROBE





By ADV. R. S. AGRAWAL :



HC has pointed out that the circumstances in the case have persuaded the Court to exercise inherent powers to bring the credibility and confidence in the investigating agency for reaching to the truth ultimately and to guard the fundamental rights of a citizen. In as much as the transfer of investigation from local police to some other State agency, could cause no prejudice to the State in any manner.

I N THE judgement of the caseShahrukh Ziya Mohammad v. State of Maharashtra and others, delivered on August 30, 2024, Justice Vinay Joshi and Justice Vrushali V. Joshi, at the Nagpur Bench of the Bombay High Court, have concluded that the material produced on record is sufficient to form an opinion that the investigation was not carried assiduously in proper manner in Ritika Malu case at Nagpur involving death of two youngsters on the intervening night of February 24 and 25, 2024.

The accused Ritika was driving her car in excessive speed under influence of liquor. She gave a dash to a twowheeler from behind and caused death of two youngsters riding the two-wheeler. A crime came to be registered at the instance of kin of one of the deceased. The aspect of arrest of the lady accused is entangled in legal process till date. This petition was filed seeking direction for transferring the investigation to the State Crime Investigation Department (CID) for fair proper and impartial investigation of the FIR registered withTahsil Police Station, Nagpur, for the offences punishable under sections 304-A, 279, 337,338 of the IPC and section 184 of the Motor Vehicles Act. Since beginning, the first informant and kin of the deceased are blaming the police for shielding the accused. It has been alleged that the investigation was purposely delayed to facilitate a safe passage to the accused in future trial. The Investigating Officer has left certain lacunae at the behest of influential accused. Despite seriousness, due to dilly-dally tactics adopted by the police, the family of the victim has lost faith in the investigating agency which caused them to make several representations. Since no cognisance was taken by the higher police authorities, as well as by the State, they have invoked the writ jurisdiction of this Court for transfer of investigation. Accused Ritika along with co-passenger (Mrs Sarda) had been to CP Club, Nagpur, on February 24, 2024, late in the evening.

They had consumed alcohol and while on return journey the untoward incident occurred. The accused was driving her Mercedes Benz Car in rash and negligent manner and was heading towards Mayo Hospital square from Sadar Area. The deceased No. 2. Mohd. Ateque was pillion rider on the said two-wheeler. Deceased No. 1, Mohd. Hussain, who was driving twowheeler died on the spot. The other deceased died in the Mayo Hospital, while he was under treatment. The accident occurred in late midnight around 1.30 am to 1.45 am. The police registered the report lodged by the informant cousin of the deceased No.1, Iftekhar Ahmad around 9.30 am on February 25, 2024. The issue for consideration before the High Court was limited to the extent whether the petitioner has made out a case for transfer of the investigation from Tehsil Police, Nagpur to the State CID. The HC has stated that it was conscious of the fact that the Investigating agency has complete freedom to do investigation in a particular manner, but it should be rationale and without biased approach. It is revealed from the police papers that the investigating agency has collected CCTV footage, bills from CP Club, mechanical examination of the vehicle (belated), spot verification report(belated).

However, it reveals that at the initial crucial period, the matter was handled improperly, but, on confronted with public outcry and media reports police swung into action. The reason assigned in affidavit-inreply for delay in registration of the report is that, there was disagreement between the relatives of the deceased as to in whose name the report is to be lodged. After discussion this disagreement was resolved, which according to the Police caused delay in registration of the report. The Police are well aware that anyone can set the criminal law into motion. Admittedly, respondent-4, PSI Bhaval reached the spot within few minutes from the occurrence. Several Passersby were present on the spot. Even the scene was videographed, and was made viral, lateron. Despite noting a cognisable offence, the Police did not register the report on their own, but, instead waited for the family members to come forward and resolve their disagreement on the name of the person, lodging the report. Though the petitioner has made much fuss about the approach of the investigating agency in not arresting the accused till date, the Court has said that it was not inclined to go into that aspect.

The reason is obvious that the tabular charts indicates that a legal process is going on at various levels and the Courts of competent jurisdiction have passed orders, therefore, to the HCs mind the said cannot be a reason. However, the initial inaction on the part of the investigating agency of letting the accused to go from the spot, without taking initial steps to send themfor medical examination indicate substance in petitioners allegation. A communication addressed to thePolice Commissioner by Special Asst. Public Prosecutor Megha Burange, specifically contains complaint of nonco-operation by the respondent-I.O., even to his Advocate (Public Prosecutor). The HC has restrained itself from commenting on investigation papers indetail, to avoid causing serious prejudice to either side, as the investigationis still incomplete. The lapses alreadymentioned would reasonably create animpression that initial investigation waslacking in bona fides or can be said tobe tainted one. The criminal offence isalways against the society at large, casting an onerous duty on the State, to faithfully discharge its sacrosanct responsibility in carrying a fair investigation. Onthe premise that the manner of investigation is prerogative of the agency, still, the Courts cannot turn blind eyeto the factual aspect by adhering to suchgeneral proposition. Against the backdrop of the material on record, the HC has pointed out that the circumstances in the case havepersuaded the Court to exercise inherent powers to bring the credibility andconfidence in the investigating agencyfor reaching to the truth ultimately andto guard the fundamental rights of a citizen. In as much as the transfer of investigation from local police to some other State agency, could cause no prejudice to the State in any manner.

One of the reasons for transfer is todo justice between the parties and toinstill confidence in the society. In conclusion, the HC was not satisfied about the mode and manner in which theinvestigating agency had worked, andtherefore, as an exceptional situation, the HC has stated that it is inclined totransfer the investigation to State agencywith a hope and trust for impartial, fairand truthful investigation. The HC has allowed the criminal writpetition with direction that the investigation in Crime No. 122/2024 registeredwith Tahsil Police Station, Nagpur, shall be forthwith entrusted to the State CIDto carry out further investigation thoroughly, properly and expeditiously totake it to the logical end. A senior officer of the State CID, not below the rankof ACP or SP shall take weekly review of the progress of the investigation
Clearview Wealth Advisors LLC lowered its stake in shares of iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF (BATS:EFV  Free Report) by 61.7% during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The firm owned 18,657 shares of the companys stock after selling 30,083 shares during the period. iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF makes up approximately 0.9% of Clearview Wealth Advisors LLCs holdings, making the stock its 27th biggest position. Clearview Wealth Advisors LLCs holdings in iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF were worth $990,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of EFV. GAMMA Investing LLC bought a new position in iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF during the 4th quarter valued at about $26,000. Bangor Savings Bank lifted its stake in iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF by 3,125.0% during the 2nd quarter. Bangor Savings Bank now owns 516 shares of the companys stock valued at $27,000 after acquiring an additional 500 shares during the period. Thurston Springer Miller Herd & Titak Inc. bought a new position in iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF during the 2nd quarter valued at about $37,000. Signaturefd LLC lifted its stake in iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF by 36.2% during the 2nd quarter. Signaturefd LLC now owns 757 shares of the companys stock valued at $40,000 after acquiring an additional 201 shares during the period. Finally, LRI Investments LLC bought a new position in iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF during the 1st quarter valued at about $47,000.

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iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF Stock Up 0.2 %

EFV traded up $0.09 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $56.83. The company had a trading volume of 1,475,962 shares. iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF has a 1 year low of $49.15 and a 1 year high of $59.57. The company has a market cap of $17.69 billion, a P/E ratio of 10.89 and a beta of 0.70. The business has a 50-day moving average of $54.41 and a two-hundred day moving average of $54.10.

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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Game Plan Financial Advisors LLC bought a new stake in Dover Co. (NYSE:DOV  Free Report) during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor bought 3,609 shares of the industrial products companys stock, valued at approximately $651,000.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in DOV. Valmark Advisers Inc. raised its stake in shares of Dover by 1.6% in the second quarter. Valmark Advisers Inc. now owns 3,962 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $715,000 after purchasing an additional 63 shares during the last quarter. nVerses Capital LLC acquired a new position in Dover in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $144,000. Spire Wealth Management raised its position in Dover by 15.9% during the 2nd quarter. Spire Wealth Management now owns 2,275 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $410,000 after buying an additional 312 shares during the last quarter. Commonwealth Equity Services LLC lifted its stake in Dover by 3.0% during the 2nd quarter. Commonwealth Equity Services LLC now owns 27,327 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $4,931,000 after acquiring an additional 802 shares during the period. Finally, IFG Advisory LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Dover in the 2nd quarter valued at $318,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 84.46% of the companys stock.

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Dover Price Performance

NYSE DOV traded up $3.53 during trading hours on Friday, reaching $186.03. The companys stock had a trading volume of 1,631,907 shares, compared to its average volume of 642,206. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.55, a current ratio of 1.53 and a quick ratio of 0.95. Dover Co. has a 1-year low of $127.25 and a 1-year high of $192.31. The companys 50-day moving average is $180.50 and its two-hundred day moving average is $177.45. The firm has a market capitalization of $25.57 billion, a price-to-earnings 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 announced its earnings results on Thursday, July 25th. The industrial products company reported $2.36 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.21 by $0.15. Dover had a return on equity of 24.94% and a net margin of 17.58%. The business had revenue of $2.18 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.15 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $2.05 EPS. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 3.7% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities analysts predict that Dover Co. will post 9.17 EPS for the current year.

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, September 16th. Stockholders of record on Friday, August 30th will be paid a dividend of $0.515 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, August 30th. This represents a $2.06 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.11%. This is a boost from Dovers previous quarterly dividend of $0.51. Dovers payout ratio is currently 19.60%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

DOV has been the subject of a number of research reports. Robert W. Baird restated an outperform rating and set a $208.00 target price on shares of Dover in a research report on Monday, July 22nd. Royal Bank of Canada boosted their price objective on Dover from $192.00 to $193.00 and gave the company a sector perform rating in a report on Friday, July 26th. Finally, Mizuho upped their target price on Dover from $185.00 to $200.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Friday, July 26th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $192.63.

Check Out Our Latest Analysis on Dover

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, SVP Ivonne M. Cabrera sold 1,220 shares of Dover stock in a transaction dated Thursday, August 29th. The stock was sold at an average price of $185.00, for a total value of $225,700.00. Following the sale, 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 legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. In other news, CFO Brad M. Cerepak sold 4,341 shares of the stock in a transaction dated 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 sale, the chief financial officer now directly owns 12,324 shares in the company, valued at $2,274,887.16. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Also, 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 transaction, the senior vice president now owns 47,060 shares in the company, valued at $8,706,100. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 30,565 shares of company stock worth $5,576,733 in the last 90 days. Insiders own 1.30% of the companys stock.

Dover Profile

(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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Game Plan Financial Advisors LLC bought a new position in iShares U.S. Insurance ETF (NYSEARCA:IAK  Free Report) in the second quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund bought 9,735 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,099,000. Game Plan Financial Advisors LLC owned about 0.18% of iShares U.S. Insurance ETF at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other large investors also recently modified their holdings of IAK. International Assets Investment Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of iShares U.S. Insurance ETF during the second quarter valued at $27,000. Tortoise Investment Management LLC acquired a new position in iShares U.S. Insurance ETF during the 4th quarter valued at about $34,000. Larson Financial Group LLC boosted its stake in shares of iShares U.S. Insurance ETF by 24.1% in the 1st quarter. Larson Financial Group LLC now owns 1,575 shares of the companys stock valued at $185,000 after purchasing an additional 306 shares during the last quarter. Saxony Capital Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of iShares U.S. Insurance ETF during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $242,000. Finally, Csenge Advisory Group acquired a new stake in shares of iShares U.S. Insurance ETF during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $250,000.

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iShares U.S. Insurance ETF Stock Up 0.6 %

NYSEARCA IAK traded up $0.78 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $128.59. The companys stock had a trading volume of 51,037 shares, compared to its average volume of 71,565. iShares U.S. Insurance ETF has a twelve month low of $89.21 and a twelve month high of $128.74. The firm has a market capitalization of $713.67 million, a P/E ratio of 17.19 and a beta of 0.40. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $118.28 and a 200 day moving average of $115.28.

About iShares U.S. Insurance ETF

The iShares U.S. Insurance ETF (IAK) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the DJ US Select \u002F Insurance index. The fund tracks a market-cap index of US insurance companies. IAK was launched on May 1, 2006 and is managed by BlackRock.

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Drive Wealth Management LLC increased its position in iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF (NYSEARCA:IWF  Free Report) by 4.1% during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 4,067 shares of the exchange traded funds stock after buying an additional 162 shares during the quarter. Drive Wealth Management LLCs holdings in iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF were worth $1,482,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. AAF Wealth Management LLC raised its stake in shares of iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF by 0.9% in the 2nd quarter. AAF Wealth Management LLC now owns 3,055 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $1,113,000 after acquiring an additional 28 shares during the period. Activest Wealth Management lifted its stake in shares of iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF by 1.8% during the first quarter. Activest Wealth Management now owns 1,795 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $605,000 after purchasing an additional 31 shares in the last quarter. Nvwm LLC boosted its position in shares of iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF by 44.9% in the first quarter. Nvwm LLC now owns 100 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $34,000 after buying an additional 31 shares during the period. Atomi Financial Group Inc. grew its stake in shares of iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF by 1.0% in the second quarter. Atomi Financial Group Inc. now owns 3,084 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $1,124,000 after buying an additional 31 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Mayfair Advisory Group LLC grew its stake in shares of iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF by 5.2% in the second quarter. Mayfair Advisory Group LLC now owns 643 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $242,000 after buying an additional 32 shares in the last quarter.

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iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF Price Performance

iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF stock traded up $3.70 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $365.46. 1,706,206 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,329,301. The company has a market cap of $96.68 billion, a PE ratio of 35.64 and a beta of 1.20. iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF has a fifty-two week low of $256.01 and a fifty-two week high of $382.82. The companys fifty day moving average price is $362.20 and its 200-day moving average price is $345.99.

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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Mizuho Markets Americas LLC reduced its holdings in Kenvue Inc. (NYSE:KVUE  Free Report) by 33.7% in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 320,756 shares of the companys stock after selling 163,047 shares during the quarter. Mizuho Markets Americas LLCs holdings in Kenvue were worth $5,831,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of the business. Farther Finance Advisors LLC raised its holdings in shares of Kenvue by 290.4% during the second quarter. Farther Finance Advisors LLC now owns 28,502 shares of the companys stock worth $512,000 after acquiring an additional 21,202 shares during the period. Van ECK Associates Corp raised its stake in shares of Kenvue by 110.9% in the 2nd quarter. Van ECK Associates Corp now owns 20,510,427 shares of the companys stock valued at $372,880,000 after purchasing an additional 10,783,258 shares during the period. Banque Cantonale Vaudoise bought a new stake in shares of Kenvue in the second quarter valued at about $202,000. Commonwealth Equity Services LLC boosted its position in shares of Kenvue by 7.1% during the second quarter. Commonwealth Equity Services LLC now owns 278,747 shares of the companys stock worth $5,068,000 after buying an additional 18,506 shares during the period. Finally, Concurrent Investment Advisors LLC bought a new position in shares of Kenvue during the second quarter worth about $420,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 97.64% of the companys stock.

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Kenvue Stock Performance

Shares of KVUE traded up $0.20 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $21.95. 14,008,532 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 15,573,802. The company has a quick ratio of 0.68, a current ratio of 0.99 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.69. Kenvue Inc. has a 52 week low of $17.67 and a 52 week high of $23.33. The stocks 50-day simple moving average is $19.54 and its 200-day simple moving average is $19.56. The firm has a market cap of $42.04 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 28.14, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.76 and a beta of 1.38.

Kenvue Increases Dividend

Kenvue ( NYSE:KVUE Get Free Report ) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, August 6th. The company reported $0.32 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.28 by $0.04. The company had revenue of $4 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $3.93 billion. Kenvue had a return on equity of 21.80% and a net margin of 7.23%. Kenvues quarterly revenue was down .3% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $0.32 EPS. On average, equities research analysts expect that Kenvue Inc. will post 1.08 EPS for the current year.

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, August 28th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, August 14th were paid a dividend of $0.205 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, August 14th. This is a boost from Kenvues previous quarterly dividend of $0.20. This represents a $0.82 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.74%. Kenvues dividend payout ratio is presently 105.13%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of research analysts recently weighed in on the stock. Royal Bank of Canada reaffirmed an outperform rating and issued a $24.00 target price on shares of Kenvue in a research report on Wednesday, August 7th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft raised their price objective on Kenvue from $23.00 to $24.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, August 7th. HSBC upped their target price on Kenvue from $20.00 to $21.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a report on Wednesday, May 8th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their price target on Kenvue from $22.00 to $24.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Wednesday, August 7th. Finally, UBS Group raised their target price on shares of Kenvue from $20.00 to $22.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Wednesday, August 7th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have given a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $22.64.

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Kenvue Company Profile

(Free Report)

Kenvue Inc operates as a consumer health company worldwide. The company operates through three segments: Self Care, Skin Health and Beauty, and Essential Health. The Self Care segment offers cough, cold and allergy, pain care, digestive health, smoking cessation, eye care, and other products under the Tylenol, Motrin, Benadryl, Nicorette, Zarbee's, ORSLTM, Rhinocort, Calpol, and Zyrtec brands.

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Weatherly Asset Management L. P. lowered its position in Accenture plc (NYSE:ACN  Free Report) by 0.9% in the 2nd quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The institutional investor owned 5,373 shares of the information technology services providers stock after selling 50 shares during the period. Weatherly Asset Management L. P.s holdings in Accenture were worth $1,630,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of ACN. Pin Oak Investment Advisors Inc. increased its holdings in Accenture by 8.2% in the 4th quarter. Pin Oak Investment Advisors Inc. now owns 357 shares of the information technology services providers stock worth $125,000 after acquiring an additional 27 shares in the last quarter. Sound View Wealth Advisors Group LLC increased its holdings in Accenture by 2.1% in the 4th quarter. Sound View Wealth Advisors Group LLC now owns 1,363 shares of the information technology services providers stock worth $478,000 after acquiring an additional 28 shares in the last quarter. IronBridge Private Wealth LLC increased its holdings in Accenture by 2.3% in the 4th quarter. IronBridge Private Wealth LLC now owns 1,235 shares of the information technology services providers stock worth $433,000 after acquiring an additional 28 shares in the last quarter. Kolinsky Wealth Management LLC increased its holdings in Accenture by 1.0% in the 4th quarter. Kolinsky Wealth Management LLC now owns 2,888 shares of the information technology services providers stock worth $1,013,000 after acquiring an additional 30 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Walled Lake Planning & Wealth Management LLC increased its holdings in Accenture by 0.3% in the 4th quarter. Walled Lake Planning & Wealth Management LLC now owns 11,740 shares of the information technology services providers stock worth $4,120,000 after acquiring an additional 32 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 75.14% of the companys stock.

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Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research firms recently issued reports on ACN. Jefferies Financial Group reduced their target price on shares of Accenture from $340.00 to $275.00 and set a hold rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, June 5th. Morgan Stanley lowered shares of Accenture from an overweight rating to an equal weight rating and cut their price objective for the company from $382.00 to $300.00 in a report on Wednesday, June 26th. TD Cowen cut their price objective on shares of Accenture from $294.00 to $293.00 and set a hold rating for the company in a report on Friday, June 21st. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft lowered shares of Accenture from a buy rating to a hold rating and cut their price objective for the company from $409.00 to $295.00 in a report on Wednesday, May 15th. Finally, UBS Group raised shares of Accenture from a neutral rating to a buy rating and set a $400.00 price objective for the company in a report on Friday, July 19th. Eleven equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eleven have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $352.33.

Accenture Stock Up 0.5 %

ACN traded up $1.74 during trading on Friday, reaching $341.95. The company had a trading volume of 2,004,144 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,997,440. The stock has a market cap of $214.30 billion, a P/E ratio of 31.31, a PEG ratio of 3.81 and a beta of 1.23. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $319.98 and a 200-day simple moving average of $325.26. Accenture plc has a 52 week low of $278.69 and a 52 week high of $387.51.

Accenture (NYSE:ACN  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, June 20th. The information technology services provider reported $3.13 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $3.15 by ($0.02). The company had revenue of $16.47 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $16.55 billion. Accenture had a return on equity of 27.48% and a net margin of 10.79%. The firms quarterly revenue was down .6% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned $3.19 earnings per share. As a group, equities research analysts expect that Accenture plc will post 11.95 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Accenture Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, August 15th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, July 11th were given a dividend of $1.29 per share. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, July 11th. This represents a $5.16 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.51%. Accentures dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 47.25%.

Insider Transactions at Accenture

In other news, insider Ellyn Shook sold 5,000 shares of Accenture 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 completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 8,989 shares in the company, valued at $2,964,751.98. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In other news, insider Ellyn Shook sold 5,000 shares of Accenture 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 completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 8,989 shares in the company, valued at $2,964,751.98. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, CFO Kathleen R. Mcclure sold 1,500 shares of Accenture stock in a transaction on Monday, July 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $315.00, for a total value of $472,500.00. Following the sale, the chief financial officer now owns 38,570 shares of the companys stock, valued at $12,149,550. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last ninety days, insiders sold 21,421 shares of company stock worth $6,912,635. 0.07% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Accenture Company Profile

(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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Aptus Capital Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Schlumberger Limited (NYSE:SLB  Free Report) by 28.7% in the second quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 84,460 shares of the oil and gas companys stock after acquiring an additional 18,812 shares during the quarter. Aptus Capital Advisors LLCs holdings in Schlumberger were worth $3,985,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of the company. Register Financial Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Schlumberger during the 1st quarter worth approximately $27,000. Manchester Capital Management LLC increased its position in Schlumberger by 297.9% in the first quarter. Manchester Capital Management LLC now owns 569 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $31,000 after buying an additional 426 shares during the last quarter. Bruce G. Allen Investments LLC raised its stake in shares of Schlumberger by 204.2% in the second quarter. Bruce G. Allen Investments LLC now owns 584 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $28,000 after buying an additional 392 shares during the period. Transcendent Capital Group LLC purchased a new position in shares of Schlumberger during the 4th quarter valued at $32,000. Finally, Rational Advisors LLC bought a new position in shares of Schlumberger during the 1st quarter worth $35,000. 81.99% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

SLB has been the topic of several recent research reports. Citigroup dropped their price objective on shares of Schlumberger from $65.00 to $62.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a report on Friday, June 28th. StockNews.com cut shares of Schlumberger from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Thursday, June 6th. Evercore ISI lifted their price objective on shares of Schlumberger from $73.00 to $74.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Monday, July 22nd. Royal Bank of Canada restated an outperform rating and set a $69.00 target price on shares of Schlumberger in a research report on Monday, July 22nd. Finally, UBS Group reduced their price target on Schlumberger from $67.00 to $63.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, August 20th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seventeen have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Schlumberger currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $67.00.

Insider Buying and Selling at Schlumberger

In related news, insider Bejar Carmen Rando sold 4,980 shares of Schlumberger stock in a transaction on Friday, June 7th. The shares were sold at an average price of $43.43, for a total value of $216,281.40. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 22,518 shares in the company, valued at approximately $977,956.74. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. In related news, insider Bejar Carmen Rando sold 4,980 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, June 7th. The stock was sold at an average price of $43.43, for a total transaction of $216,281.40. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 22,518 shares in the company, valued at approximately $977,956.74. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, EVP Mogharbel Khaled Al sold 120,668 shares of Schlumberger stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, July 22nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $50.19, for a total value of $6,056,326.92. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 247,699 shares in the company, valued at $12,432,012.81. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 185,696 shares of company stock worth $9,264,905 over the last ninety days. Insiders own 0.26% of the companys stock.

Schlumberger Price Performance

SLB stock traded down $0.19 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $43.99. The company had a trading volume of 10,174,701 shares, compared to its average volume of 7,519,542. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $46.11 and a 200-day moving average price of $48.18. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.55, a current ratio of 1.49 and a quick ratio of 1.13. The company has a market capitalization of $62.46 billion, a P/E ratio of 14.61, a P/E/G ratio of 0.94 and a beta of 1.55. Schlumberger Limited has a 1 year low of $42.61 and a 1 year high of $62.12.

Schlumberger (NYSE:SLB  Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Friday, July 19th. The oil and gas company reported $0.85 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.83 by $0.02. Schlumberger had a return on equity of 21.92% and a net margin of 12.56%. The business had revenue of $9.14 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $9.08 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $0.72 earnings per share. The firms revenue was up 12.8% on a year-over-year basis. On average, research analysts anticipate that Schlumberger Limited will post 3.49 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Schlumberger Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, October 10th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, September 4th will be paid a $0.275 dividend. This represents a $1.10 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.50%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, September 4th. Schlumbergers dividend payout ratio is currently 36.54%.

Schlumberger Company Profile

(Free Report)

Schlumberger Limited engages in the provision of technology for the energy industry worldwide. The company operates through four divisions: Digital & Integration, Reservoir Performance, Well Construction, and Production Systems. The company provides field development and hydrocarbon production, carbon management, and integration of adjacent energy systems; reservoir interpretation and data processing services for exploration data; and well construction and production improvement services and products.

Further Reading

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Beazer Homes USA, Inc. (NYSE:BZH  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 1,740,000 shares, an increase of 13.7% from the July 31st total of 1,530,000 shares. Currently, 6.1% of the shares of the stock are sold short. Based on an average daily volume of 425,700 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 4.1 days.

Insider Activity at Beazer Homes USA

In other news, EVP Keith L. Belknap, Jr. sold 13,300 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Monday, July 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $31.17, for a total transaction of $414,561.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 150,819 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $4,701,028.23. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. In related news, EVP Keith L. Belknap, Jr. sold 13,462 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, July 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $30.73, for a total value of $413,687.26. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 164,119 shares in the company, valued at $5,043,376.87. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. Also, EVP Keith L. Belknap, Jr. sold 13,300 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, July 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $31.17, for a total transaction of $414,561.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 150,819 shares of the companys stock, valued at $4,701,028.23. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Company insiders own 6.99% of the companys stock.

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Institutional Trading of Beazer Homes USA

Institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. USA Financial Formulas boosted its stake in shares of Beazer Homes USA by 4,947.1% in the 4th quarter. USA Financial Formulas now owns 858 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $29,000 after purchasing an additional 841 shares during the last quarter. AJOVista LLC acquired a new stake in Beazer Homes USA during the 4th quarter worth about $37,000. Innealta Capital LLC bought a new position in shares of Beazer Homes USA in the 2nd quarter worth about $88,000. Aigen Investment Management LP acquired a new position in shares of Beazer Homes USA in the 4th quarter valued at about $201,000. Finally, Belpointe Asset Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of Beazer Homes USA during the 4th quarter valued at about $207,000. 85.65% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of analysts have weighed in on BZH shares. Wedbush boosted their price target on Beazer Homes USA from $33.00 to $41.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research report on Friday, August 2nd. B. Riley lowered their target price on Beazer Homes USA from $38.00 to $37.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research note on Friday, August 2nd. Oppenheimer started coverage on Beazer Homes USA in a research note on Friday, May 31st. They issued an outperform rating and a $37.00 price target for the company. StockNews.com cut shares of Beazer Homes USA from a hold rating to a sell rating in a research report on Monday, August 5th. Finally, Zelman & Associates lowered Beazer Homes USA from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Monday, August 5th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have given a hold rating and two have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $38.33.

View Our Latest Report on BZH

Beazer Homes USA Stock Up 0.8 %

Shares of NYSE BZH traded up $0.24 during trading hours on Monday, hitting $31.28. The company had a trading volume of 253,900 shares, compared to its average volume of 372,089. The firms 50 day moving average is $29.68 and its 200-day moving average is $29.36. Beazer Homes USA has a 1-year low of $22.03 and a 1-year high of $34.89. The stock has a market capitalization of $986.79 million, a P/E ratio of 6.04, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.49 and a beta of 2.16. The company has a quick ratio of 0.92, a current ratio of 12.42 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.91.

Beazer Homes USA (NYSE:BZH  Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, August 1st. The construction company reported $0.88 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.84 by $0.04. The firm had revenue of $595.68 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $597.67 million. Beazer Homes USA had a return on equity of 12.61% and a net margin of 6.63%. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 4.0% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $1.24 earnings per share. On average, analysts expect that Beazer Homes USA will post 4.2 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Beazer Homes USA Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Beazer Homes USA, Inc operates as a homebuilder in the United States. It designs, constructs, and sells single-family and multi-family homes under the Beazer Homes, Gatherings, and Choice Plans names. The company also sells its homes through commissioned new home sales counselors and independent brokers in Arizona, California, Nevada, Texas, Indiana, Delaware, Maryland, Tennessee, Virginia, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina.

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BMO Capital Markets reaffirmed their market perform rating on shares of Everest Group (NYSE:EG  Free Report) in a research report sent to investors on Friday morning, Benzinga reports. They currently have a $403.00 price objective on the stock.

Other equities analysts have also recently issued reports about the company. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods reduced their target price on Everest Group from $454.00 to $438.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, August 8th. Bank of America boosted their target price on shares of Everest Group from $470.00 to $493.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Thursday, July 11th. Morgan Stanley reduced their price target on shares of Everest Group from $450.00 to $445.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, July 10th. TD Cowen lowered their price objective on Everest Group from $419.00 to $405.00 and set a hold rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, August 13th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company upped their price objective on Everest Group from $392.00 to $393.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research note on Monday, August 12th. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, four have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, Everest Group presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $431.00.

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Read Our Latest Report on EG

Everest Group Stock Performance

Everest Group stock opened at $392.24 on Friday. Everest Group has a 12-month low of $343.76 and a 12-month high of $417.92. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.24, a current ratio of 0.38 and a quick ratio of 0.38. The company has a market capitalization of $16.97 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 5.83, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.56 and a beta of 0.63. The firms fifty day moving average price is $378.27 and its 200 day moving average price is $378.16.

Everest Group (NYSE:EG  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, July 31st. The company reported $16.85 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $16.97 by ($0.12). The business had revenue of $4.23 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $4.32 billion. Everest Group had a return on equity of 24.09% and a net margin of 18.36%. The firms revenue was up 15.8% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $15.21 earnings per share. On average, research analysts forecast that Everest Group will post 61.76 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Everest Group Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, September 27th. Investors of record on Monday, September 16th will be given a dividend of $2.00 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, September 16th. This represents a $8.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.04%. Everest Groups dividend payout ratio is currently 11.89%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Everest Group

Several institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of EG. Intech Investment Management LLC bought a new position in Everest Group in the 4th quarter worth about $18,995,000. Dai ichi Life Insurance Company Ltd acquired a new stake in Everest Group in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $1,271,000. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC bought a new stake in Everest Group during the 4th quarter valued at $2,372,000. Corient Private Wealth LLC acquired a new position in Everest Group during the 4th quarter worth $7,139,000. Finally, Perpetual Ltd grew its stake in shares of Everest Group by 92.0% in the first quarter. Perpetual Ltd now owns 4,724 shares of the companys stock worth $1,878,000 after purchasing an additional 2,264 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 92.64% of the companys stock.

Everest Group Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Everest Group, Ltd., through its subsidiaries, provides reinsurance and insurance products in the United States, Europe, and internationally. The company operates through two segment, Insurance and Reinsurance. The Reinsurance segment writes property and casualty reinsurance; and specialty lines of business through reinsurance brokers, as well as directly with ceding companies in the United States, Bermuda, Ireland, Canada, Singapore, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.

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Shares of Boston Properties, Inc. (NYSE:BXP  Get Free Report) have been assigned a consensus recommendation of Hold from the fourteen research firms that are currently covering the firm, Marketbeat Ratings reports. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have assigned a hold rating and five have issued a buy rating on the company. The average 1-year target price among analysts that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $71.92.

A number of analysts recently weighed in on BXP shares. Truist Financial increased their price objective on shares of Boston Properties from $67.00 to $77.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a research report on Tuesday, August 27th. Barclays decreased their price target on Boston Properties from $66.00 to $65.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research note on Friday, May 24th. Evercore ISI upped their price objective on Boston Properties from $76.00 to $77.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Wednesday, August 28th. Scotiabank lifted their target price on Boston Properties from $74.00 to $76.00 and gave the stock a sector outperform rating in a research report on Wednesday, August 7th. Finally, StockNews.com upgraded shares of Boston Properties from a sell rating to a hold rating in a report on Thursday, August 8th.

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Insider Buying and Selling

Institutional Trading of Boston Properties

In related news, EVP Peter V. Otteni sold 4,785 shares of the companys stock in a transaction 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 legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website . 1.35% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Several hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of BXP. Vanguard Personalized Indexing Management LLC raised its stake in shares of Boston Properties by 0.7% during the 2nd quarter. Vanguard Personalized Indexing Management LLC now owns 20,479 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $1,261,000 after acquiring an additional 150 shares in the last quarter. Ieq Capital LLC boosted its position in shares of Boston Properties by 1.5% in the 4th quarter. Ieq Capital LLC now owns 11,184 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $785,000 after purchasing an additional 164 shares in the last quarter. Mystic Asset Management Inc. boosted its position in shares of Boston Properties by 3.1% in the 2nd quarter. Mystic Asset Management Inc. now owns 5,541 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $341,000 after purchasing an additional 165 shares in the last quarter. Signaturefd LLC grew its stake in Boston Properties by 2.6% during the 2nd quarter. Signaturefd LLC now owns 6,597 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $406,000 after buying an additional 168 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Daiwa Securities Group Inc. increased its position in Boston Properties by 0.3% during the 2nd quarter. Daiwa Securities Group Inc. now owns 63,629 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $3,917,000 after buying an additional 175 shares in the last quarter. 98.72% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Boston Properties Stock Performance

Boston Properties stock opened at $75.22 on Monday. The company has a quick ratio of 4.83, a current ratio of 4.83 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.90. Boston Properties has a twelve month low of $50.64 and a twelve month high of $75.73. The companys 50-day moving average price is $67.53 and its 200-day moving average price is $64.10. The company has a market cap of $11.81 billion, a PE ratio of 61.66, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.35 and a beta of 1.18.

Boston Properties (NYSE:BXP  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, July 30th. The real estate investment trust reported $0.51 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $1.72 by ($1.21). The company had revenue of $850.48 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $819.49 million. Boston Properties had a return on equity of 2.05% and a net margin of 5.01%. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $1.86 EPS. Boston Propertiess revenue for the quarter was up 4.1% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities research analysts forecast that Boston Properties will post 7.11 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Boston Properties Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, July 31st. Investors of record on Friday, June 28th were issued a dividend of $0.98 per share. This represents a $3.92 annualized dividend and a yield of 5.21%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, June 28th. Boston Propertiess payout ratio is 321.31%.

Boston Properties Company Profile

(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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Build-A-Bear Workshop (NYSE:BBW  Free Report) had its target price hoisted by Northland Securities from $36.00 to $38.00 in a research report report published on Friday, Benzinga reports. Northland Securities currently has an outperform rating on the specialty retailers stock.

Separately, StockNews.com downgraded Build-A-Bear Workshop from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Friday, June 14th.

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Build-A-Bear Workshop Stock Up 3.5 %

Shares of BBW opened at $33.38 on Friday. The company has a market cap of $460.81 million, a PE ratio of 9.56 and a beta of 1.63. The business has a fifty day moving average of $26.34 and a 200 day moving average of $27.08. Build-A-Bear Workshop has a 52-week low of $21.24 and a 52-week high of $34.80.

Build-A-Bear Workshop (NYSE:BBW  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, August 29th. The specialty retailer reported $0.64 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.57 by $0.07. The company had revenue of $111.80 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $107.90 million. Build-A-Bear Workshop had a return on equity of 38.01% and a net margin of 10.36%. During the same period last year, the company earned $0.57 earnings per share. As a group, research analysts anticipate that Build-A-Bear Workshop will post 3.62 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Build-A-Bear Workshop Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, July 11th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, June 27th were given a dividend of $0.20 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, June 27th. This represents a $0.80 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.40%. Build-A-Bear Workshops dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 22.92%.

Insider Transactions at Build-A-Bear Workshop

In other news, CEO Sharon Price John sold 41,034 shares of Build-A-Bear Workshop stock in a transaction on Tuesday, July 16th. The stock was sold at an average price of $25.99, for a total transaction of $1,066,473.66. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 515,004 shares in the company, valued at $13,384,953.96. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In other news, Director George Carrara sold 2,600 shares of Build-A-Bear Workshop stock in a transaction on Friday, June 7th. The stock was sold at an average price of $26.34, for a total transaction of $68,484.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director now directly owns 17,473 shares in the company, valued at $460,238.82. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, CEO Sharon Price John sold 41,034 shares of Build-A-Bear Workshop stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, July 16th. The shares were sold at an average price of $25.99, for a total value of $1,066,473.66. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 515,004 shares of the companys stock, valued at $13,384,953.96. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Corporate insiders own 7.90% of the companys stock.

Institutional Trading of Build-A-Bear Workshop

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC raised its holdings in shares of Build-A-Bear Workshop by 211.8% in the second quarter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC now owns 4,889 shares of the specialty retailers stock valued at $124,000 after acquiring an additional 3,321 shares in the last quarter. Lazard Asset Management LLC raised its holdings in shares of Build-A-Bear Workshop by 25.2% in the first quarter. Lazard Asset Management LLC now owns 6,782 shares of the specialty retailers stock valued at $202,000 after acquiring an additional 1,365 shares in the last quarter. Quest Partners LLC raised its holdings in shares of Build-A-Bear Workshop by 209.8% in the second quarter. Quest Partners LLC now owns 8,098 shares of the specialty retailers stock valued at $205,000 after acquiring an additional 5,484 shares in the last quarter. XTX Topco Ltd bought a new stake in shares of Build-A-Bear Workshop in the second quarter valued at about $255,000. Finally, Virtu Financial LLC bought a new stake in shares of Build-A-Bear Workshop in the first quarter valued at about $321,000. 79.30% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Build-A-Bear Workshop Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Build-A-Bear Workshop, Inc operates as a multi-channel retailer of plush animals and related products in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland, and internationally. The company operates through three segments: Direct-to-Consumer, Commercial, and International Franchising. Its merchandise comprises various styles of plush products to be stuffed, pre-stuffed plush products, and sounds and scents that can be added to the stuffed animals, as well as range of clothing, shoes and accessories, and other toy and novelty items, including family sleepwear.

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StockNews.com downgraded shares of Burlington Stores (NYSE:BURL  Free Report) from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report released on Friday.

A number of other research firms also recently issued reports on BURL. Citigroup boosted their price target on shares of Burlington Stores from $258.00 to $276.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Friday, May 31st. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their price target on Burlington Stores from $284.00 to $288.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Monday, July 22nd. Evercore ISI raised their price target on Burlington Stores from $274.00 to $300.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Monday, August 19th. UBS Group boosted their price objective on Burlington Stores from $212.00 to $238.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Monday, June 3rd. Finally, Telsey Advisory Group reaffirmed an outperform rating and issued a $300.00 target price on shares of Burlington Stores in a research report on Thursday. Two analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and fifteen have given a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $294.94.

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Burlington Stores Stock Performance

NYSE:BURL opened at $268.24 on Friday. The companys 50-day moving average is $252.19 and its two-hundred day moving average is $222.84. Burlington Stores has a 1-year low of $115.66 and a 1-year high of $282.49. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.15, a current ratio of 1.04 and a quick ratio of 0.52. The firm has a market capitalization of $17.12 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 44.93, a PEG ratio of 1.40 and a beta of 1.61.

Burlington Stores (NYSE:BURL  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, August 29th. The company reported $1.20 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.95 by $0.25. The firm had revenue of $2.47 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.42 billion. Burlington Stores had a net margin of 4.18% and a return on equity of 47.43%. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 13.4% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company earned $0.60 EPS. Analysts forecast that Burlington Stores will post 7.79 EPS for the current year.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other news, CMO Jennifer Vecchio sold 494 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, August 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $255.37, for a total value of $126,152.78. Following the transaction, the chief marketing officer now owns 61,907 shares of the companys stock, valued at $15,809,190.59. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Corporate insiders own 0.91% of the companys stock.

Institutional Trading of Burlington Stores

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Clearbridge Investments LLC boosted its holdings in Burlington Stores by 2.2% in the 2nd quarter. Clearbridge Investments LLC now owns 663,527 shares of the companys stock valued at $159,246,000 after purchasing an additional 14,080 shares in the last quarter. Teachers Retirement System of The State of Kentucky lifted its holdings in shares of Burlington Stores by 17.3% in the 2nd quarter. Teachers Retirement System of The State of Kentucky now owns 21,000 shares of the companys stock valued at $5,040,000 after buying an additional 3,094 shares during the period. Cetera Investment Advisers boosted its stake in shares of Burlington Stores by 0.5% in the second quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers now owns 12,340 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,962,000 after buying an additional 61 shares in the last quarter. Creative Planning grew its holdings in Burlington Stores by 22.6% during the second quarter. Creative Planning now owns 4,192 shares of the companys stock worth $1,006,000 after acquiring an additional 773 shares during the period. Finally, Scientech Research LLC raised its position in Burlington Stores by 181.4% in the second quarter. Scientech Research LLC now owns 5,464 shares of the companys stock worth $1,311,000 after acquiring an additional 3,522 shares in the last quarter.

About Burlington Stores

(Get Free Report)

Burlington Stores, Inc operates as a retailer of branded merchandise in the United States. The company provides fashion-focused merchandise, including women's ready-to-wear apparel, menswear, youth apparel, footwear, accessories, toys, gifts, and coats, as well as baby, home, and beauty products.

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CEMIG (NYSE:CIG  Get Free Report) saw a significant growth in short interest in the month of August. As of August 15th, there was short interest totalling 5,880,000 shares, a growth of 14.4% from the July 31st total of 5,140,000 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 1,780,000 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 3.3 days.

CEMIG Price Performance

CEMIG stock traded up $0.01 during trading hours on Monday, hitting $2.05. 1,928,600 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 2,504,058. CEMIG has a 1-year low of $1.62 and a 1-year high of $2.19. The firm has a market cap of $5.87 billion, a P/E ratio of 5.13 and a beta of 1.29. The firms 50-day simple moving average is $1.94 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $1.90. The company has a quick ratio of 1.15, a current ratio of 1.15 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.36.

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CEMIG Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a dividend, which will be paid on Monday, September 9th. Investors of record on Monday, August 26th will be paid a dividend of $0.0908 per share. The ex-dividend date is Monday, August 26th. This is a positive change from CEMIGs previous dividend of $0.03. CEMIGs dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 42.50%.

About CEMIG

Companhia Energetica de Minas Gerais, through its subsidiaries, engages in the generation, transmission, distribution, and sale of electricity in Brazil. The company generates electricity through renewable energy sources, such as water, wind, sun, and biomass; or non-renewable sources, including fossil and nuclear fuels.

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China Eastern Airlines Co. Limited (OTCMKTS:CHEAF  Get Free Report) was the target of a significant growth in short interest in the month of August. As of August 15th, there was short interest totalling 1,030,300 shares, a growth of 6.2% from the July 31st total of 970,000 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 7,500 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 137.4 days.

China Eastern Airlines Price Performance

Shares of OTCMKTS CHEAF remained flat at $0.24 during trading hours on Monday. The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of $0.24. China Eastern Airlines has a 1 year low of $0.22 and a 1 year high of $0.36.

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China Eastern Airlines Corporation Limited, together with its subsidiaries, operates in the civil aviation industry in the Peoples Republic of China, Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, and internationally. The company offers passenger, cargo, mail delivery, ground, tour operations, air catering, and other miscellaneous services.

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StockNews.com assumed coverage on shares of China Green Agriculture (NYSE:CGA  Free Report) in a research report released on Friday. The firm issued a sell rating on the basic materials companys stock.

China Green Agriculture Trading Up 7.1 %

Shares of NYSE CGA opened at $1.80 on Friday. The stock has a market cap of $26.62 million, a P/E ratio of -0.89 and a beta of 0.49. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $2.00 and a two-hundred day moving average of $2.54. China Green Agriculture has a twelve month low of $1.61 and a twelve month high of $4.00.

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China Green Agriculture, Inc, through its subsidiaries, engages in the research, development, production, and sale of various fertilizers, agricultural products, and bitcoin in the People's Republic of China and the United States. The company operates through four segments: Jinong (Fertilizer Production); Gufeng (Fertilizer Production); Yuxing (Agricultural Products Production); and Antaeus (Bitcoin).

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Fielder Capital Group LLC increased its stake in Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. (NYSE:CMG  Free Report) by 5,557.9% during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 4,300 shares of the restaurant operators stock after acquiring an additional 4,224 shares during the period. Fielder Capital Group LLCs holdings in Chipotle Mexican Grill were worth $269,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other large investors also recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Consolidated Portfolio Review Corp purchased a new stake in shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $244,000. Valmark Advisers Inc. boosted its position in shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill by 5,992.2% during the 2nd quarter. Valmark Advisers Inc. now owns 12,550 shares of the restaurant operators stock worth $786,000 after acquiring an additional 12,344 shares in the last quarter. Capital Management Associates Inc purchased a new position in shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill in the 2nd quarter valued at about $204,000. Retireful LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill during the 2nd quarter worth about $1,009,000. Finally, Ritholtz Wealth Management boosted its holdings in Chipotle Mexican Grill by 8,067.6% in the second quarter. Ritholtz Wealth Management now owns 6,044 shares of the restaurant operators stock valued at $379,000 after purchasing an additional 5,970 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 91.31% of the companys stock.

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Insider Buying and Selling

In other Chipotle Mexican Grill news, insider Curtis E. Garner sold 17,394 shares of the 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 of the companys stock, valued at approximately $19,591,844. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. 1.02% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of analysts have recently commented on CMG shares. Loop Capital cut their target price on Chipotle Mexican Grill from $58.00 to $53.00 and set a hold rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, July 25th. Oppenheimer decreased their price objective on Chipotle Mexican Grill from $70.00 to $65.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a report on Thursday, July 25th. Barclays reduced their price target on shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill from $58.00 to $55.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, July 25th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their price objective on shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill from $55.00 to $60.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research report on Monday, June 3rd. Finally, Argus upped their target price on shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill from $73.36 to $77.76 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Tuesday, June 18th. Ten equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eighteen have given a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $62.36.

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Chipotle Mexican Grill Trading Up 0.8 %

Shares of NYSE:CMG traded up $0.45 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $56.08. 12,845,604 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 19,780,390. Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. has a twelve month low of $35.37 and a twelve month high of $69.26. The company has a 50 day moving average price of $120.35 and a 200-day moving average price of $80.74. The stock has a market cap of $77.02 billion, a P/E ratio of 59.66, a PEG ratio of 2.34 and a beta of 1.24.

Chipotle Mexican Grill (NYSE:CMG  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, July 24th. The restaurant operator reported $0.34 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.32 by $0.02. Chipotle Mexican Grill had a net margin of 13.23% and a return on equity of 44.01%. The company had revenue of $2.97 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.94 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $12.65 earnings per share. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 18.2% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities research analysts expect that Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. will post 1.08 earnings per share for the current year.

About Chipotle Mexican Grill

(Free Report)

Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, owns and operates Chipotle Mexican Grill restaurants. It sells food and beverages through offering burritos, burrito bowls, quesadillas, tacos, and salads. The company also provides delivery and related services its app and website. It has operations in the United States, Canada, France, Germany, and the United Kingdom.

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Colruyt Group (OTCMKTS:CUYTF  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 58,100 shares, a drop of 12.2% from the July 31st total of 66,200 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 0 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently  days.

Colruyt Group Price Performance

Shares of CUYTF remained flat at $44.70 during mid-day trading on Monday. The businesss fifty day moving average is $44.70 and its 200-day moving average is $44.03. Colruyt Group has a fifty-two week low of $37.60 and a fifty-two week high of $45.00.

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Colruyt Group N.V., together with its subsidiaries, engages in the retail, wholesale, food service, and other activities in Belgium, France, Luxembourg, and internationally. It operates through three segments: Retail, Wholesale and Foodservice, and Other Activities. The company provides groceries, fresh products, dry products, and frozen and non-food products; and operates CNG, hydrogen filling, and charging stations.

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GoDaddy (NYSE:GDDY  Get Free Report) and OVH Groupe (OTC:OVHFF  Get Free Report) are both computer and technology companies, but which is the better business? We will contrast the two businesses based on the strength of their risk, dividends, profitability, analyst recommendations, valuation, earnings and institutional ownership.

Analyst Recommendations

This is a breakdown of current recommendations for GoDaddy and OVH Groupe, as reported by MarketBeat.

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Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score GoDaddy 0 4 9 1 2.79 OVH Groupe 0 0 0 0 N/A

GoDaddy presently has a consensus price target of $163.58, indicating a potential downside of 2.29%. Given GoDaddys higher possible upside, research analysts clearly believe GoDaddy is more favorable than OVH Groupe.

Profitability

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets GoDaddy 41.12% -709.73% 8.09% OVH Groupe N/A N/A N/A

Institutional and Insider Ownership

This table compares GoDaddy and OVH Groupes net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

90.3% of GoDaddy shares are held by institutional investors. 0.6% of GoDaddy shares are held by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, hedge funds and large money managers believe a company is poised for long-term growth.

Earnings and Valuation

This table compares GoDaddy and OVH Groupes revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio GoDaddy $4.25 billion 5.55 $1.37 billion $12.04 13.90 OVH Groupe N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A

GoDaddy has higher revenue and earnings than OVH Groupe.

Summary

GoDaddy beats OVH Groupe on 8 of the 9 factors compared between the two stocks.

About GoDaddy

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GoDaddy Inc. engages in the design and development of cloud-based products in the United States and internationally. It operates through two segments: Applications and Commerce, and Core Platform. The Applications and Commerce segment provides applications products, including Websites + Marketing, a mobile-optimized online tool that enables customers to build websites and e-commerce enabled online stores; and Managed WordPress, a streamlined and optimized website building that allows customers to easily build and manage a faster WordPress site; Managed WooCommerce Stores to sell anything and anywhere online; and marketing tools and services, such as GoDaddy Studio mobile application, search engine optimization, Meta and Google My Business, and email and social media marketing designed to help businesses acquire and engage customers and create content. The segment also offers connected commerce comprising Smart Terminal, a dual screen all-in-one Point-of-Sale system that allows customers to manage in-store inventory and product catalogs and take payments; GoDaddy Payments, a payment facilitator that enables customers to accept all major forms of payments; and email service plans with a multi-feature web interface, and Microsoft Office 365 accounts that connects to customers domains. The Core Platform segment offers domain products, including primary registrations, domain aftermarket platform, and domain name add-ons, as well as GoDaddy Registry, a provider of domain name registry services; and hosting and security services comprising shared website hosting, virtual private servers, and managed wordpress hosting services, as well as security products with a comprehensive suite of tools designed to help secure customers online presence. The company serves small businesses, individuals, organizations, developers, designers, and domain investors. GoDaddy Inc. was founded in 1997 and is headquartered in Tempe, Arizona.

About OVH Groupe

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OVH Groupe S.A. provides public and private cloud, shared hosting, and dedicated server products and solutions worldwide. The company operates through three segments: Private Cloud, Public Cloud, and Web Cloud & Other. It offers Bare Metal Cloud that provides dedicated servers; Hosted Private Cloud, which offers servers fully managed by OVHcloud, such as operating system and the virtualisation layer; Public Cloud that provides cloud computing services on shared servers; and web cloud services. The company also offers website hosting, domain name registration, telephony, and internet access services, as well as voice over internet protocol solutions. OVH Groupe S.A. was founded in 1999 and is headquartered in Roubaix, France.

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Marui Group (OTCMKTS:MAURY  Get Free Report) and AEON Financial Service (OTCMKTS:AEOJF  Get Free Report) are both retail/wholesale companies, but which is the better stock? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their valuation, earnings, dividends, risk, profitability, analyst recommendations and institutional ownership.

Insider & Institutional Ownership

23.5% of AEON Financial Service shares are held by institutional investors. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, hedge funds and large money managers believe a company is poised for long-term growth.

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Dividends

Marui Group pays an annual dividend of $0.88 per share and has a dividend yield of 2.8%. AEON Financial Service pays an annual dividend of $47.78 per share and has a dividend yield of 514.9%. Marui Group pays out 49.2% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. AEON Financial Service pays out 33.2% 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. AEON Financial Service is clearly the better dividend stock, given its higher yield and lower payout ratio.

Profitability

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Marui Group 11.01% 10.62% 2.55% AEON Financial Service N/A N/A N/A

Valuation and Earnings

This table compares Marui Group and AEON Financial Services net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

This table compares Marui Group and AEON Financial Services revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Marui Group $1.63 billion N/A $170.20 million $1.79 17.49 AEON Financial Service N/A N/A N/A $143.79 0.06

Marui Group has higher revenue and earnings than AEON Financial Service. AEON Financial Service is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Marui Group, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Analyst Recommendations

This is a breakdown of recent recommendations for Marui Group and AEON Financial Service, as reported by MarketBeat.com.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Marui Group 0 0 0 0 N/A AEON Financial Service 0 0 0 0 N/A

Summary

Marui Group beats AEON Financial Service on 5 of the 9 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Marui Group

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Marui Group Co., Ltd., an investment holding company, engages in the retailing and FinTech businesses in Japan. The company engages in the design and construction of commercial facilities; advertising planning and production; property management; rental of real estate properties; small-amount short-term insurance policy business; and sale of investment trusts. It is also involved in the operation of websites; contract store opening and operation services; provision of credit card services; operation of Marui/Modi stores; investing and financing direct-to-consumer businesses; internet sales; specialty store; credit loan; collection and management of receivables; credit check; trucking and forwarding; software development; and operation of IT systems, and building management businesses. The company was founded in 1931 and is headquartered in Tokyo, Japan.

About AEON Financial Service

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AEON Financial Service Co., Ltd., through its subsidiaries, provides various financial services in Japan. The company operates Retail, Solutions, China Area, Mekong Area, and Malay Area segments. It is involved in banking, short-term insurance, bank agency, ATM, housing and other loans, property leases, installment sales, life and non-life insurance agency, life insurance sales, loan purchases, credit card purchase contracts, collection and payment agency, credit card, and electronic money businesses, as well as bank and business management activities. In addition, the company engages in the management, collection, and purchase of specified monetary claims, and backup servicing businesses. AEON Financial Service Co., Ltd. was incorporated in 1981 and is based in Tokyo, Japan.

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Dorian LPG Ltd. (NYSE:LPG  Get Free Report) was the target of a significant decline in short interest during the month of August. As of August 15th, there was short interest totalling 2,520,000 shares, a decline of 11.0% from the July 31st total of 2,830,000 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 702,800 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 3.6 days. Currently, 6.4% of the companys shares are short sold.

Dorian LPG Stock Performance

LPG traded up $0.74 during trading on Monday, reaching $38.99. 510,300 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 804,093. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.48, a current ratio of 4.60 and a quick ratio of 4.58. Dorian LPG has a 1 year low of $24.87 and a 1 year high of $51.66. The companys fifty day simple moving average is $39.56 and its 200-day simple moving average is $40.43. The stock has a market capitalization of $1.66 billion, a P/E ratio of 5.13 and a beta of 0.97.

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Dorian LPG (NYSE:LPG  Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, August 1st. The shipping company reported $1.26 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.03 by $0.23. The company had revenue of $114.30 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $113.70 million. Dorian LPG had a net margin of 54.48% and a return on equity of 30.64%. The firms quarterly revenue was up 2.4% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $1.21 earnings per share. As a group, research analysts predict that Dorian LPG will post 4.94 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Dorian LPG Dividend Announcement

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

The business also recently announced a None dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, August 21st. Stockholders of record on Thursday, August 8th were paid a $1.00 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, August 8th. Dorian LPGs payout ratio is 13.16%.

A number of research analysts have recently commented on the stock. Jefferies Financial Group upped their price target on shares of Dorian LPG from $46.00 to $50.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, May 22nd. DNB Markets upgraded Dorian LPG from a hold rating to a buy rating and set a $52.00 target price for the company in a research note on Wednesday, July 3rd.

Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on Dorian LPG

Insider Buying and Selling at Dorian LPG

In other Dorian LPG news, COO Alexander C. Hadjipateras sold 2,500 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Monday, August 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $36.12, for a total transaction of $90,300.00. Following the transaction, the chief operating officer now owns 82,823 shares in the company, valued at $2,991,566.76. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Company insiders own 15.90% of the companys stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of LPG. Legacy Capital Group California Inc. purchased a new stake in Dorian LPG in the 4th quarter worth approximately $1,065,000. First Eagle Investment Management LLC boosted its position in Dorian LPG by 23.2% in the 1st quarter. First Eagle Investment Management LLC now owns 266,875 shares of the shipping companys stock worth $10,264,000 after purchasing an additional 50,200 shares in the last quarter. Harvest Investment Services LLC purchased a new stake in Dorian LPG in the 4th quarter worth approximately $1,424,000. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD boosted its position in Dorian LPG by 844.2% in the 1st quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 224,958 shares of the shipping companys stock worth $8,653,000 after purchasing an additional 201,134 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Vanguard Group Inc. boosted its position in Dorian LPG by 16.7% in the 1st quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 2,133,837 shares of the shipping companys stock worth $82,067,000 after purchasing an additional 305,818 shares in the last quarter. 62.50% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Dorian LPG Company Profile

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Dorian LPG Ltd., together with its subsidiaries, engages in the transportation of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) through its LPG tankers worldwide. It owns and operates twenty-five very large gas carriers (VLGCs). The company was incorporated in 2013 and is headquartered in Stamford, Connecticut.

Further Reading

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Drive Wealth Management LLC raised its position in shares of The Procter & Gamble Company (NYSE:PG  Free Report) by 2.9% during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 7,840 shares of the companys stock after purchasing an additional 222 shares during the quarter. Drive Wealth Management LLCs holdings in Procter & Gamble were worth $1,293,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the company. AAF Wealth Management LLC lifted its stake in shares of Procter & Gamble by 24.5% during the 2nd quarter. AAF Wealth Management LLC now owns 1,550 shares of the companys stock valued at $256,000 after buying an additional 305 shares in the last quarter. Obermeyer Wood Investment Counsel Lllp raised its holdings in Procter & Gamble by 931.3% during the second quarter. Obermeyer Wood Investment Counsel Lllp now owns 144,571 shares of the companys stock valued at $23,843,000 after acquiring an additional 130,552 shares during the period. Ritholtz Wealth Management lifted its position in shares of Procter & Gamble by 3.9% in the second quarter. Ritholtz Wealth Management now owns 77,350 shares of the companys stock valued at $12,757,000 after acquiring an additional 2,880 shares in the last quarter. Claro Advisors LLC boosted its stake in shares of Procter & Gamble by 2.5% in the second quarter. Claro Advisors LLC now owns 35,577 shares of the companys stock worth $5,867,000 after acquiring an additional 878 shares during the period. Finally, Summit Financial LLC grew its position in shares of Procter & Gamble by 59.7% during the second quarter. Summit Financial LLC now owns 34,080 shares of the companys stock worth $5,621,000 after purchasing an additional 12,741 shares in the last quarter. 65.77% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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Procter & Gamble Trading Up 0.9 %

PG traded up $1.51 during trading on Friday, reaching $171.54. The company had a trading volume of 7,301,617 shares, compared to its average volume of 6,188,285. The company has a quick ratio of 0.53, a current ratio of 0.73 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.51. The Procter & Gamble Company has a 52 week low of $141.45 and a 52 week high of $171.89. The stock has a market cap of $404.86 billion, a P/E ratio of 28.03, a PEG ratio of 3.72 and a beta of 0.41. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $167.48 and a 200-day simple moving average of $164.08.

Procter & Gamble Announces Dividend

Procter & Gamble ( NYSE:PG Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, July 30th. The company reported $1.40 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.37 by $0.03. Procter & Gamble had a net margin of 17.71% and a return on equity of 33.46%. The firm had revenue of $20.53 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $20.69 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the company earned $1.37 EPS. The firms revenue for the quarter was down .1% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities analysts anticipate that The Procter & Gamble Company will post 6.97 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, August 15th. Stockholders of record on Friday, July 19th were issued a $1.0065 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, July 19th. This represents a $4.03 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.35%. Procter & Gambles payout ratio is 65.85%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

PG has been the topic of a number of research analyst reports. Royal Bank of Canada boosted their price target on Procter & Gamble from $157.00 to $164.00 and gave the stock a sector perform rating in a report on Wednesday, July 31st. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft upped their target price on shares of Procter & Gamble from $171.00 to $176.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, July 17th. BNP Paribas began coverage on shares of Procter & Gamble in a report on Monday, June 24th. They issued an outperform rating and a $187.00 price target on the stock. Barclays dropped their price objective on shares of Procter & Gamble from $174.00 to $163.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a report on Thursday, August 1st. Finally, Evercore ISI lifted their target price on Procter & Gamble from $177.00 to $183.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Thursday, July 18th. Eight investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, fourteen have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Procter & Gamble currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $175.79.

Read Our Latest Stock Report on Procter & Gamble

Insider Buying and Selling

In other news, CFO Andre Schulten sold 13,041 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Monday, August 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $170.00, for a total transaction of $2,216,970.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer now directly owns 37,208 shares of the companys stock, valued at $6,325,360. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In other Procter & Gamble news, insider Susan Street Whaley sold 450 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Tuesday, August 20th. The stock was sold at an average price of $169.22, for a total transaction of $76,149.00. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 13,072 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,212,043.84. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, CFO Andre Schulten sold 13,041 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Monday, August 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $170.00, for a total value of $2,216,970.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer now owns 37,208 shares of the companys stock, valued at $6,325,360. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last three months, insiders sold 375,553 shares of company stock valued at $63,829,141. Insiders own 0.17% of the companys stock.

Procter & Gamble Company Profile

(Free Report)

The Procter & Gamble Company provides branded consumer packaged goods worldwide. It operates through five segments: Beauty; Grooming; Health Care; Fabric & Home Care; and Baby, Feminine & Family Care. The Beauty segment offers conditioners, shampoos, styling aids, and treatments under the Head & Shoulders, Herbal Essences, Pantene, and Rejoice brands; and antiperspirants and deodorants, personal cleansing, and skin care products under the Olay, Old Spice, Safeguard, Secret, and SK-II brands.

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Duncker Streett & Co. Inc. reduced its position in shares of Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO  Free Report) by 5.7% in the second quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 8,773 shares of the companys stock after selling 528 shares during the quarter. Duncker Streett & Co. Inc.s holdings in Altria Group were worth $400,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Commonwealth Equity Services LLC increased its position in Altria Group by 0.6% during the 2nd quarter. Commonwealth Equity Services LLC now owns 1,423,990 shares of the companys stock valued at $64,863,000 after purchasing an additional 8,015 shares during the period. NBT Bank N A NY increased its position in Altria Group by 1.8% during the 2nd quarter. NBT Bank N A NY now owns 53,130 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,420,000 after purchasing an additional 953 shares during the period. IFG Advisory LLC increased its position in Altria Group by 1.6% during the 2nd quarter. IFG Advisory LLC now owns 15,894 shares of the companys stock valued at $724,000 after purchasing an additional 247 shares during the period. Concurrent Investment Advisors LLC increased its position in Altria Group by 45.1% during the 2nd quarter. Concurrent Investment Advisors LLC now owns 83,374 shares of the companys stock valued at $3,798,000 after purchasing an additional 25,899 shares during the period. Finally, Focused Wealth Management Inc increased its position in Altria Group by 4.7% during the 2nd quarter. Focused Wealth Management Inc now owns 27,444 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,250,000 after purchasing an additional 1,240 shares during the period. 57.41% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research analysts have issued reports on the stock. Argus raised shares of Altria Group to a hold rating in a research report on Friday, May 31st. Barclays boosted their price objective on shares of Altria Group from $37.00 to $43.00 and gave the company an underweight rating in a research report on Wednesday, August 14th. Bank of America upped their target price 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. StockNews.com raised shares of Altria Group from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report on Friday, June 28th. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus upped their target price 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. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, three have given a hold rating and three have issued a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $47.08.

Altria Group Stock Performance

Shares of MO stock opened at $53.77 on Friday. The company has a market capitalization of $91.74 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 11.25, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.13 and a beta of 0.66. Altria Group, Inc. has a one year low of $39.06 and a one year high of $53.82. The companys 50-day moving average is $49.35 and its 200 day moving average is $45.53.

Altria Group (NYSE:MO  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, July 31st. The company reported $1.31 earnings per share 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 the consensus estimate of $5.39 billion. Altria Group had a net margin of 42.25% and a negative return on equity of 232.55%. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 14.2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $1.31 earnings per share. As a group, research analysts predict that Altria Group, Inc. will post 5.1 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Altria Group Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, October 10th. Shareholders of record on Monday, September 16th will be paid a dividend of $1.02 per share. 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 yield of 7.59%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, September 16th. Altria Groups dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 82.01%.

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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Enbridge Inc. (NYSE:ENB  Get Free Report) (TSE:ENB) shot up 1.6% during trading on Monday . The company traded as high as $40.32 and last traded at $40.18. 4,767,500 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 12% from the average session volume of 5,393,788 shares. The stock had previously closed at $39.56.

Enbridge Price Performance

The stocks 50-day moving average price is $37.30 and its 200 day moving average price is $36.19. The firm has a market capitalization of $85.74 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 20.40, a PEG ratio of 3.90 and a beta of 0.92. The company has a quick ratio of 0.68, a current ratio of 0.77 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.34.

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Enbridge (NYSE:ENB  Get Free Report) (TSE:ENB) last issued its earnings results on Friday, August 2nd. The pipeline company reported $0.58 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.45 by $0.13. The business had revenue of $8.29 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $4.28 billion. Enbridge had a net margin of 13.31% and a return on equity of 10.07%. During the same period in the prior year, the business earned $0.51 earnings per share. Equities research analysts expect that Enbridge Inc. will post 2.06 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Enbridge Cuts Dividend

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Enbridge

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Sunday, September 1st. Investors of record on Thursday, August 15th were given a dividend of $0.669 per share. This represents a $2.68 annualized dividend and a yield of 6.66%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, August 15th. Enbridges payout ratio is currently 134.01%.

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Rockwood Wealth Management LLC increased its position in Enbridge by 2.6% during the second quarter. Rockwood Wealth Management LLC now owns 11,107 shares of the pipeline companys stock worth $395,000 after purchasing an additional 285 shares during the last quarter. Whittier Trust Co. of Nevada Inc. increased its position in Enbridge by 3.7% during the second quarter. Whittier Trust Co. of Nevada Inc. now owns 8,269 shares of the pipeline companys stock worth $294,000 after purchasing an additional 298 shares during the last quarter. Nations Financial Group Inc. IA ADV increased its position in Enbridge by 1.7% during the second quarter. Nations Financial Group Inc. IA ADV now owns 18,237 shares of the pipeline companys stock worth $649,000 after purchasing an additional 298 shares during the last quarter. Perigon Wealth Management LLC increased its position in Enbridge by 3.7% during the first quarter. Perigon Wealth Management LLC now owns 8,827 shares of the pipeline companys stock worth $319,000 after purchasing an additional 314 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Fifth Third Bancorp increased its position in Enbridge by 0.4% during the first quarter. Fifth Third Bancorp now owns 86,751 shares of the pipeline companys stock worth $3,139,000 after purchasing an additional 324 shares during the last quarter. 54.60% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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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BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 3. A direct freight train will depart for the first time on the route Ulyanovsk (Russia) - Baku (Azerbaijan) - Astara (Iran) at the end of September, Ulyanovsk Governor Alexey Russkikh said, Trend reports.

"The first export train Ulyanovsk - Baku - Astara will depart from Ulyanovsk approximately at the end of September. This is the western railway corridor of the logistics project "Middle Volga - Caspian Sea - Persian Gulf," he said.

According to Russkikh, the train will be filled with at least 70 cars of various modifications, including platforms, bunker-type cars and others.

"Each train is designed to transport 3.5 thousand tons of various products - agricultural products, manufactured goods, wood products and others. We expect that over 200 thousand tons of products will be exported and imported along this route in a year, he specified.

The governor added that the issue of loading the train back with goods produced in Azerbaijan, Iran and neighboring countries is being worked out.
Equitable Trust Co. raised its stake in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited (NYSE:TSM  Free Report) by 725.2% in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 32,412 shares of the semiconductor companys stock after buying an additional 28,484 shares during the quarter. Equitable Trust Co.s holdings in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing were worth $5,634,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of TSM. Seed Wealth Management Inc. raised its position in shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing by 1.3% during the 2nd quarter. Seed Wealth Management Inc. now owns 4,558 shares of the semiconductor companys stock valued at $792,000 after buying an additional 57 shares during the period. Keudell Morrison Wealth Management raised its position in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing by 1.5% in the second quarter. Keudell Morrison Wealth Management now owns 4,027 shares of the semiconductor companys stock valued at $700,000 after purchasing an additional 59 shares during the period. Cadence Bank lifted its stake in shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing by 0.5% in the 1st quarter. Cadence Bank now owns 15,004 shares of the semiconductor companys stock valued at $2,041,000 after purchasing an additional 69 shares during the last quarter. SNS Financial Group LLC grew its holdings in shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing by 3.4% during the 2nd quarter. SNS Financial Group LLC now owns 2,114 shares of the semiconductor companys stock worth $369,000 after purchasing an additional 69 shares during the period. Finally, ZRC Wealth Management LLC increased its position in shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing by 20.9% during the 2nd quarter. ZRC Wealth Management LLC now owns 405 shares of the semiconductor companys stock worth $70,000 after purchasing an additional 70 shares during the last quarter. 16.51% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Stock Up 1.5 %

TSM traded up $2.55 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $171.70. 9,481,403 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 15,950,570. The firm has a market cap of $890.51 billion, a P/E ratio of 32.70, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.01 and a beta of 1.14. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited has a 12-month low of $84.01 and a 12-month high of $193.47. The company has a current ratio of 2.47, a quick ratio of 2.21 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.26. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $170.68 and a 200 day moving average of $154.06.

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Increases Dividend

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing ( NYSE:TSM Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly 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 business had revenue of $20.82 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $20.33 billion. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing had a net margin of 37.85% and a return on equity of 25.54%. The companys quarterly revenue was up 34.6% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $1.14 earnings per share. Analysts predict that Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited will post 6.45 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, January 9th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, December 12th will be paid a $0.4871 dividend. This represents a $1.95 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.13%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, December 12th. This is a boost from Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturings previous quarterly dividend of $0.49. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturings dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 32.57%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

TSM has been the topic of a number of recent analyst reports. TD Cowen upped their target price on shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing from $130.00 to $170.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a research report on Thursday, July 18th. Susquehanna restated a positive rating and issued a $250.00 price objective on shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing in a report on Wednesday, August 14th. Needham & Company LLC lifted their target price on shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing from $168.00 to $210.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Monday, July 15th. Sanford C. Bernstein boosted their target price on Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing from $150.00 to $200.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Thursday, June 20th. Finally, Barclays raised their price target on Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing from $150.00 to $170.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Wednesday, June 5th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and five have issued a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $200.00.

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About Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing

(Free Report)

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited, together with its subsidiaries, manufactures, packages, tests, and sells integrated circuits and other semiconductor devices in Taiwan, China, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Japan, the United States, and internationally. It provides a range of wafer fabrication processes, including processes to manufacture complementary metal- oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) logic, mixed-signal, radio frequency, embedded memory, bipolar CMOS mixed-signal, and others.

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Fielder Capital Group LLC purchased a new stake in Camden Property Trust (NYSE:CPT  Free Report) during the second quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm purchased 33,806 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock, valued at approximately $3,689,000. Camden Property Trust makes up approximately 1.4% of Fielder Capital Group LLCs investment portfolio, making the stock its 21st largest holding.

Other hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management Co. Ltd. boosted its stake in shares of Camden Property Trust by 16.8% in the 1st quarter. Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management Co. Ltd. now owns 191,374 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $18,831,000 after purchasing an additional 27,465 shares in the last quarter. CANADA LIFE ASSURANCE Co raised its holdings in Camden Property Trust by 3.8% in the 1st quarter. CANADA LIFE ASSURANCE Co now owns 160,309 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $15,781,000 after buying an additional 5,926 shares during the last quarter. Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund raised its holdings in Camden Property Trust by 59.4% in the 1st quarter. Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund now owns 18,831 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $1,853,000 after buying an additional 7,018 shares during the last quarter. Pinebridge Investments L.P. bought a new position in Camden Property Trust in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $1,374,000. Finally, Eminence Capital LP bought a new position in Camden Property Trust in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $18,737,000. 97.22% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Camden Property Trust Stock Up 1.0 %

NYSE CPT traded up $1.25 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $125.20. The companys stock had a trading volume of 938,872 shares, compared to its average volume of 800,519. The companys 50 day simple moving average is $114.69 and its 200 day simple moving average is $105.62. Camden Property Trust has a twelve month low of $82.81 and a twelve month high of $125.35. The company has a current ratio of 0.37, a quick ratio of 0.37 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.72. The firm has a market capitalization of $13.35 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 30.69, a PEG ratio of 4.71 and a beta of 0.88.

Camden Property Trust Announces Dividend

Camden Property Trust ( NYSE:CPT Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, August 1st. The real estate investment trust reported $0.40 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.67 by ($1.27). Camden Property Trust had a net margin of 25.64% and a return on equity of 7.98%. The business had revenue of $387.15 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $384.76 million. During the same period in the previous year, the business posted $1.70 EPS. Analysts anticipate that Camden Property Trust will post 6.76 earnings per share for the current year.

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, July 17th. Investors of record on Friday, June 28th were given a $1.03 dividend. This represents a $4.12 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.29%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, June 28th. Camden Property Trusts payout ratio is currently 100.98%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of research analysts recently issued reports on the stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their price objective on shares of Camden Property Trust from $104.00 to $112.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Monday, June 17th. Wedbush raised their price objective on shares of Camden Property Trust from $118.00 to $131.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Monday, August 5th. Piper Sandler raised their price target on shares of Camden Property Trust from $110.00 to $128.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a report on Monday, August 26th. Mizuho lowered their price target on shares of Camden Property Trust from $111.00 to $108.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a report on Thursday, May 30th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company upgraded shares of Camden Property Trust from an underweight rating to an equal weight rating and raised their price target for the stock from $104.00 to $127.00 in a report on Monday, August 26th. Eleven equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have issued a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $116.62.

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About Camden Property Trust

(Free Report)

Camden Property Trust, an S&P 500 Company, is a real estate company primarily engaged in the ownership, management, development, redevelopment, acquisition, and construction of multifamily apartment communities. Camden owns and operates 172 properties containing 58,634 apartment homes across the United States.

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Montag A & Associates Inc. trimmed its holdings in shares of Intercontinental Exchange, Inc. (NYSE:ICE  Free Report) by 2.8% in the 2nd quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The institutional investor owned 54,161 shares of the financial services providers stock after selling 1,536 shares during the period. Montag A & Associates Inc.s holdings in Intercontinental Exchange were worth $7,414,000 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 the business. Annapolis Financial Services LLC increased its holdings in Intercontinental Exchange by 1,018.8% in the 1st quarter. Annapolis Financial Services LLC now owns 179 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $25,000 after acquiring an additional 163 shares in the last quarter. New Millennium Group LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Intercontinental Exchange in the second quarter valued at about $25,000. International Assets Investment Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Intercontinental Exchange during the second quarter worth about $25,000. Redmont Wealth Advisors LLC acquired a new position in shares of Intercontinental Exchange during the 1st quarter worth about $26,000. Finally, Scarborough Advisors LLC purchased a new position in Intercontinental Exchange in the 4th quarter valued at about $25,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 89.30% of the companys stock.

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Insider Buying and Selling

In other news, insider Christopher Scott Edmonds sold 1,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Wednesday, July 17th. The stock was sold at an average price of $148.60, for a total transaction of $148,600.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now directly owns 14,636 shares in the company, valued at $2,174,909.60. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this link. In other news, insider Christopher Scott Edmonds sold 1,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated 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 sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, CEO Jeffrey C. Sprecher sold 58,389 shares of Intercontinental Exchange stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, July 9th. The shares were sold at an average price of $141.68, for a total transaction of $8,272,553.52. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 1,179,993 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $167,181,408.24. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last quarter, insiders sold 66,346 shares of company stock valued at $9,472,911. Company insiders own 1.10% of the companys stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of equities analysts have commented on the company. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft increased their target price on Intercontinental Exchange from $152.00 to $154.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a report on Thursday, August 15th. Barclays raised their price objective on Intercontinental Exchange from $159.00 to $167.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Friday, August 2nd. Citigroup upped their target price on shares of Intercontinental Exchange from $160.00 to $162.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Tuesday, July 9th. Argus restated a buy rating and set a $153.00 price target on shares of Intercontinental Exchange in a research report on Tuesday, May 21st. Finally, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods reiterated an outperform rating and issued a $168.00 price objective on shares of Intercontinental Exchange in a report on Tuesday, August 6th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eleven have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $154.93.

Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on ICE

Intercontinental Exchange Trading Up 0.8 %

Shares of NYSE ICE traded up $1.33 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $161.55. 3,067,676 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 2,574,770. The companys 50-day moving average is $149.68 and its 200-day moving average is $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 capitalization 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 52-week low of $104.49 and a 52-week high of $161.97.

Intercontinental Exchange (NYSE:ICE  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, August 1st. The financial services provider reported $1.52 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.49 by $0.03. The company had revenue of $2.32 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.31 billion. Intercontinental Exchange had a net margin of 21.43% and a return on equity of 12.70%. Intercontinental Exchanges revenue was up 22.7% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $1.43 earnings per share. Analysts expect that Intercontinental Exchange, Inc. will post 6.04 EPS for the current fiscal year.

About Intercontinental Exchange

(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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Rinkey Investments cut its holdings in iShares MSCI USA Momentum Factor ETF (BATS:MTUM  Free Report) by 3.9% in the 2nd quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The fund owned 19,663 shares of the companys stock after selling 791 shares during the period. iShares MSCI USA Momentum Factor ETF makes up 1.4% of Rinkey Investments investment portfolio, making the stock its 17th largest position. Rinkey Investments holdings in iShares MSCI USA Momentum Factor ETF were worth $3,832,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Several other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of the business. Turtle Creek Wealth Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of iShares MSCI USA Momentum Factor ETF during the 2nd quarter worth $88,000. Farther Finance Advisors LLC boosted its position in iShares MSCI USA Momentum Factor ETF by 51.3% during the 2nd quarter. Farther Finance Advisors LLC now owns 1,294 shares of the companys stock worth $253,000 after purchasing an additional 439 shares during the period. Sollinda Capital Management LLC boosted its position in iShares MSCI USA Momentum Factor ETF by 6,041.1% during the 2nd quarter. Sollinda Capital Management LLC now owns 81,861 shares of the companys stock worth $15,952,000 after purchasing an additional 80,528 shares during the period. Equita Financial Network Inc. purchased a new stake in iShares MSCI USA Momentum Factor ETF during the 2nd quarter worth $209,000. Finally, Foster Group Inc. boosted its position in iShares MSCI USA Momentum Factor ETF by 281.1% during the 2nd quarter. Foster Group Inc. now owns 277,940 shares of the companys stock worth $54,162,000 after purchasing an additional 205,017 shares during the period.

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iShares MSCI USA Momentum Factor ETF Trading Up 1.5 %

BATS:MTUM traded up $2.84 on Friday, reaching $197.37. The stock had a trading volume of 463,505 shares. The company has a 50-day moving average of $192.66 and a 200 day moving average of $187.86. The stock has a market cap of $10.69 billion, a P/E ratio of 18.53 and a beta of 1.10. iShares MSCI USA Momentum Factor ETF has a 12-month low of $81.37 and a 12-month high of $113.60.

iShares MSCI USA Momentum Factor ETF Profile

The iShares MSCI USA Momentum Factor ETF (MTUM) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the MSCI USA Momentum SR Variant index. The fund tracks an index of large- and mid-cap US equities, selected and weighted based on price appreciation over 6- and 12-month periods and low volatility over the past 3 years.

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Waldron Private Wealth LLC lowered its stake in iShares Russell 2000 Growth ETF (NYSEARCA:IWO  Free Report) by 2.1% during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 84,008 shares of the exchange traded funds stock after selling 1,800 shares during the period. iShares Russell 2000 Growth ETF makes up about 1.0% of Waldron Private Wealth LLCs investment portfolio, making the stock its 22nd largest holding. Waldron Private Wealth LLC owned approximately 0.20% of iShares Russell 2000 Growth ETF worth $22,055,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Several other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of the stock. International Assets Investment Management LLC grew its holdings in shares of iShares Russell 2000 Growth ETF by 11.7% during the 4th quarter. International Assets Investment Management LLC now owns 1,264 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $319,000 after acquiring an additional 132 shares in the last quarter. Pointe Capital Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of iShares Russell 2000 Growth ETF during the 4th quarter valued at $218,000. Connecticut Wealth Management LLC grew its holdings in shares of iShares Russell 2000 Growth ETF by 0.7% during the 4th quarter. Connecticut Wealth Management LLC now owns 6,735 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $1,699,000 after acquiring an additional 45 shares in the last quarter. Spire Wealth Management grew its holdings in shares of iShares Russell 2000 Growth ETF by 18.0% during the 4th quarter. Spire Wealth Management now owns 5,340 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $1,297,000 after acquiring an additional 816 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Idaho Trust Bank grew its holdings in shares of iShares Russell 2000 Growth ETF by 23.4% during the 4th quarter. Idaho Trust Bank now owns 16,406 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $4,138,000 after acquiring an additional 3,116 shares in the last quarter.

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iShares Russell 2000 Growth ETF Stock Up 0.6 %

Shares of iShares Russell 2000 Growth ETF stock traded up $1.76 on Friday, hitting $280.81. 327,452 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 470,587. The company has a 50-day moving average price of $271.46 and a 200 day moving average price of $264.74. iShares Russell 2000 Growth ETF has a 12-month low of $203.42 and a 12-month high of $291.61. The company has a market cap of $11.71 billion, a PE ratio of 16.25 and a beta of 1.31.

iShares Russell 2000 Growth ETF Company Profile

iShares Russell 2000 Growth ETF (the Fund) is an exchange-traded fund (ETF). The Fund seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the Russell 2000 Growth Index (the Index). The Index measures the performance of the small-capitalization growth sector of the United States equity market.

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Klingenstein Fields & Co. LP cut its position in shares of RTX Co. (NYSE:RTX  Free Report) by 0.8% in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 339,684 shares of the companys stock after selling 2,855 shares during the period. RTX comprises 1.4% of Klingenstein Fields & Co. LPs portfolio, making the stock its 24th biggest position. Klingenstein Fields & Co. LPs holdings in RTX were worth $34,101,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. Briaud Financial Planning Inc lifted its stake in RTX by 64.1% in the second quarter. Briaud Financial Planning Inc now owns 256 shares of the companys stock worth $25,000 after acquiring an additional 100 shares during the period. Lynx Investment Advisory purchased a new stake in shares of RTX in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $26,000. Mizuho Securities Co. Ltd. purchased a new position in RTX during the second quarter valued at approximately $32,000. Alaska Permanent Fund Corp bought a new position in RTX in the first quarter worth approximately $42,000. Finally, Stephens Consulting LLC lifted its holdings in RTX by 34.1% during the second quarter. Stephens Consulting LLC now owns 448 shares of the companys stock worth $45,000 after buying an additional 114 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 86.50% of the companys stock.

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Insider Activity

In other RTX news, CEO Christopher T. Calio sold 4,235 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, July 29th. The stock was sold at an average price of $114.00, for a total value of $482,790.00. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 88,509 shares in the company, valued at approximately $10,090,026. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. In related news, VP Amy L. Johnson sold 6,734 shares of RTX stock in a transaction dated Monday, July 29th. The stock was sold at an average price of $113.88, for a total value of $766,867.92. Following the completion of the transaction, the vice president now owns 12,318 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,402,773.84. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Also, CEO Christopher T. Calio sold 4,235 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, July 29th. The stock was sold at an average price of $114.00, for a total value of $482,790.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 88,509 shares in the company, valued at approximately $10,090,026. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 178,333 shares of company stock valued at $20,861,880 in the last quarter. 0.13% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

RTX has been the topic of a number of analyst reports. Bank of America upgraded RTX from a neutral rating to a buy rating and lifted their price target for the company from $110.00 to $140.00 in a report on Wednesday, July 31st. TD Cowen increased their price target on shares of RTX from $115.00 to $142.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Friday, July 26th. Alembic Global Advisors upgraded shares of RTX from a neutral rating to an overweight rating and set a $134.00 price target on the stock in a report on Tuesday, July 30th. Royal Bank of Canada boosted their price objective on shares of RTX from $102.00 to $115.00 and gave the stock a sector perform rating in a research note on Friday, July 26th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group raised their target price on shares of RTX from $94.00 to $104.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Monday, July 29th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, eleven have issued a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, RTX has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $153.47.

Check Out Our Latest Research Report on RTX

RTX Stock Performance

NYSE:RTX traded up $1.05 during midday trading on Monday, hitting $123.34. The companys stock had a trading volume of 6,371,900 shares, compared to its average volume of 7,147,005. RTX Co. has a fifty-two week low of $68.56 and a fifty-two week high of $123.70. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.66, a current ratio of 0.99 and a quick ratio of 0.73. The firm has a market cap of $164.07 billion, a P/E ratio of 48.37, a P/E/G ratio of 2.17 and a beta of 0.82. The firms 50 day moving average is $110.19 and its 200-day moving average is $103.37.

RTX (NYSE:RTX  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, July 25th. The company reported $1.41 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.30 by $0.11. The firm had revenue of $19.72 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $19.29 billion. RTX had a net margin of 3.12% and a return on equity of 11.37%. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 7.7% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned $1.29 earnings per share. Equities analysts anticipate that RTX Co. will post 5.45 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

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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Massachusetts Wealth Management decreased its stake in Bank of America Co. (NYSE:BAC  Free Report) by 0.5% during the second quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 71,622 shares of the financial services providers stock after selling 350 shares during the quarter. Bank of America makes up 1.9% of Massachusetts Wealth Managements holdings, making the stock its 10th largest position. Massachusetts Wealth Managements holdings in Bank of America were worth $2,848,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Glassy Mountain Advisors Inc. raised its stake in Bank of America by 2.1% in the 2nd quarter. Glassy Mountain Advisors Inc. now owns 93,999 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $3,738,000 after purchasing an additional 1,903 shares during the last quarter. Ritholtz Wealth Management lifted its stake in Bank of America by 14.3% during the 2nd quarter. Ritholtz Wealth Management now owns 190,268 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $7,567,000 after acquiring an additional 23,849 shares in the last quarter. Waldron Private Wealth LLC increased its stake in Bank of America by 1.7% during the 2nd quarter. Waldron Private Wealth LLC now owns 52,175 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $2,075,000 after buying an additional 872 shares during the period. Mitchell Mcleod Pugh & Williams Inc. raised its stake in shares of Bank of America by 1.7% in the second quarter. Mitchell Mcleod Pugh & Williams Inc. now owns 53,936 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $2,145,000 after acquiring an additional 904 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Summit Financial LLC lifted its stake in Bank of America by 121.9% in the second quarter. Summit Financial LLC now owns 42,722 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $1,699,000 after acquiring an additional 23,465 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 70.71% of the companys stock.

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Bank of America Stock Up 1.4 %

BAC traded up $0.58 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $40.75. 49,098,180 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 39,242,408. 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 Co. has a 1-year low of $24.96 and a 1-year high of $44.44. The stocks 50-day moving average is $40.23 and its two-hundred day moving average is $38.30. The stock has a market cap of $316.20 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 14.10, a PEG ratio of 1.46 and a beta of 1.35.

Bank of America Increases Dividend

Bank of America ( NYSE:BAC Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, July 16th. The financial services provider reported $0.83 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.79 by $0.04. Bank of America had a net margin of 13.28% and a return on equity of 10.56%. The company had revenue of $25.38 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $25.22 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $0.88 EPS. Bank of Americas revenue for the quarter was up .7% compared to the same quarter last year. Sell-side analysts predict that Bank of America Co. will post 3.28 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, September 27th. Stockholders 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 dividend yield of 2.55%. This is an increase from Bank of Americas previous quarterly dividend of $0.24. The ex-dividend date is Friday, September 6th. Bank of Americas dividend payout ratio is presently 33.22%.

Bank of America announced that its Board of Directors has approved a share repurchase program on Wednesday, July 24th that authorizes the company to buyback $25.00 billion in shares. This buyback authorization authorizes the financial services provider to purchase up to 7.6% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares buyback programs are often a sign that the companys board believes its stock is undervalued.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research analysts have recently commented on the company. Jefferies Financial Group increased their price objective on Bank of America from $39.00 to $41.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a report on Wednesday, July 3rd. Evercore ISI boosted their target price on Bank of America from $43.00 to $46.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Wednesday, July 17th. StockNews.com upgraded Bank of America from a sell rating to a hold rating in a report on Wednesday, July 17th. Piper Sandler Companies upgraded shares of Bank of America from an underweight rating to a neutral rating and lifted their price target for the stock from $37.00 to $42.00 in a report on Tuesday, July 9th. Finally, Cfra reissued a sell rating and set a $39.00 price objective on shares of Bank of America in a research note on Tuesday, July 16th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, nine have assigned a hold rating, eleven have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $42.07.

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Insider Buying and Selling

In other news, major shareholder Berkshire Hathaway Inc sold 12,690,693 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Wednesday, July 17th. The shares were sold at an average price of $44.07, for a total transaction of $559,278,840.51. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now directly owns 1,020,161,313 shares in the company, valued at $44,958,509,063.91. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. In other news, insider Bernard A. Mensah sold 92,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on 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 completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 96,082 shares in the company, valued at $3,824,063.60. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. Also, major shareholder Berkshire Hathaway Inc sold 12,690,693 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Wednesday, July 17th. The shares were sold at an average price of $44.07, for a total transaction of $559,278,840.51. Following the sale, the insider now directly owns 1,020,161,313 shares in the company, valued at approximately $44,958,509,063.91. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last quarter, insiders have sold 99,609,567 shares of company stock worth $4,122,483,669. Company insiders own 0.29% of the companys stock.

Bank of America Profile

(Free Report)

Bank of America Corporation, through its subsidiaries, provides banking and financial products and services for individual consumers, small and middle-market businesses, institutional investors, large corporations, and governments worldwide. It operates in four segments: Consumer Banking, Global Wealth & Investment Management (GWIM), Global Banking, and Global Markets.

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MEAG MUNICH ERGO Kapitalanlagegesellschaft mbH reduced its position in shares of MetLife, Inc. (NYSE:MET  Free Report) by 9.0% in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 701,999 shares of the financial services providers stock after selling 69,424 shares during the period. MetLife comprises approximately 1.6% of MEAG MUNICH ERGO Kapitalanlagegesellschaft mbHs portfolio, making the stock its 22nd largest position. MEAG MUNICH ERGO Kapitalanlagegesellschaft mbHs holdings in MetLife were worth $49,273,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the company. GoalVest Advisory LLC lifted its position in MetLife by 73.3% in the first quarter. GoalVest Advisory LLC now owns 390 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $29,000 after acquiring an additional 165 shares during the last quarter. Bank & Trust Co purchased a new stake in shares of MetLife in the second quarter valued at about $39,000. Rise Advisors LLC raised its holdings in shares of MetLife by 114.7% in the first quarter. Rise Advisors LLC now owns 556 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $41,000 after buying an additional 297 shares during the last quarter. Crewe Advisors LLC raised its holdings in shares of MetLife by 602.5% in the second quarter. Crewe Advisors LLC now owns 562 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $39,000 after buying an additional 482 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Financial Synergies Wealth Advisors Inc. raised its holdings in shares of MetLife by 4,107.1% in the first quarter. Financial Synergies Wealth Advisors Inc. now owns 589 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $44,000 after buying an additional 575 shares during the last quarter. 89.81% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of equities research analysts have recently commented on the stock. Argus upped their target price on shares of MetLife from $77.00 to $80.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, May 22nd. Jefferies Financial Group upped their target price on shares of MetLife from $83.00 to $86.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Thursday, July 18th. Wells Fargo & Company upped their target price on shares of MetLife from $85.00 to $86.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Monday, August 12th. Bank of America reduced their target price on shares of MetLife from $99.00 to $96.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a report on Thursday, August 1st. Finally, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods dropped their price target on shares of MetLife from $86.00 to $85.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, July 8th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and thirteen have issued a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $83.00.

MetLife Price Performance

MET traded up $0.75 on Friday, hitting $77.48. 4,644,813 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 3,362,703. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.56, a quick ratio of 0.16 and a current ratio of 0.16. The businesss fifty day moving average is $72.77 and its 200 day moving average is $71.80. MetLife, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $57.91 and a fifty-two week high of $79.34. The firm has a market capitalization of $54.26 billion, a P/E ratio of 26.63, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.62 and a beta of 1.05.

MetLife (NYSE:MET  Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, July 31st. The financial services provider reported $2.28 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.13 by $0.15. MetLife had a net margin of 4.23% and a return on equity of 21.41%. The company had revenue of $17.82 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $18.57 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $1.94 earnings per share. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 7.2% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, sell-side analysts anticipate that MetLife, Inc. will post 8.68 EPS for the current year.

MetLife Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, September 10th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, August 6th will be given a dividend of $0.545 per share. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, August 6th. This represents a $2.18 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.81%. MetLifes payout ratio is currently 74.91%.

MetLife Profile

(Free Report)

MetLife, Inc, a financial services company, provides insurance, annuities, employee benefits, and asset management services worldwide. It operates through six segments: Retirement and Income Solutions; Group Benefits; Asia; Latin America; Europe, the Middle East and Africa; and MetLife Holdings. The company offers life, dental, group short-and long-term disability, individual disability, pet insurance, accidental death and dismemberment, vision, and accident and health coverages, as well as prepaid legal plans; administrative services-only arrangements to employers; and general and separate account, and synthetic guaranteed interest contracts, as well as private floating rate funding agreements.

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Mitchell Mcleod Pugh & Williams Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of GE Vernova Inc. (NYSE:GEV  Free Report) in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The institutional investor acquired 1,553 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $266,000.

Other hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Bank of New York Mellon Corp acquired a new position in shares of GE Vernova during the 2nd quarter valued at about $537,674,000. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD acquired a new position in GE Vernova in the first quarter valued at approximately $367,474,000. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. acquired a new stake in GE Vernova during the second quarter worth $217,569,000. Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Holdings Inc. purchased a new stake in GE Vernova in the second quarter valued at $104,273,000. Finally, Steadfast Capital Management LP acquired a new position in shares of GE Vernova in the 1st quarter valued at $80,235,000.

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GE Vernova Trading Up 5.0 %

NYSE GEV traded up $9.64 on Friday, reaching $201.00. The stock had a trading volume of 3,347,707 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,537,972. The companys 50-day moving average is $175.93. GE Vernova Inc. has a 12-month low of $115.00 and a 12-month high of $201.37.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

GE Vernova ( NYSE:GEV Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, July 24th. The company reported $0.71 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.69 by $0.02. The business had revenue of $8.20 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $8.42 billion. As a group, research analysts predict that GE Vernova Inc. will post 3.1 earnings per share for the current year.

GEV has been the topic of several research analyst reports. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their price objective on shares of GE Vernova from $195.00 to $216.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Thursday, July 25th. Royal Bank of Canada restated an outperform rating and issued a $180.00 price objective on shares of GE Vernova in a report on Monday, July 22nd. Citigroup assumed coverage on GE Vernova in a report on Tuesday, June 11th. They issued a neutral rating and a $183.00 price objective on the stock. Argus started coverage on shares of GE Vernova in a report on Thursday, June 13th. They set a buy rating and a $190.00 target price on the stock. Finally, Daiwa Capital Markets initiated coverage on GE Vernova in a report on Friday, June 21st. They set an outperform rating and a $201.50 price target on the stock. Four analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, twelve have given a buy rating and two have issued a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $189.83.

View Our Latest Report on GE Vernova

GE Vernova Company 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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Montag A & Associates Inc. lessened its holdings in Truist Financial Co. (NYSE:TFC  Free Report) by 1.6% during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 153,614 shares of the insurance providers stock after selling 2,483 shares during the period. Montag A & Associates Inc.s holdings in Truist Financial were worth $5,968,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the business. Crewe Advisors LLC purchased a new position in Truist Financial during the first quarter valued at $27,000. Opal Wealth Advisors LLC bought a new position in shares of Truist Financial during the 1st quarter valued at approximately $29,000. MFA Wealth Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in Truist Financial in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $30,000. Missouri Trust & Investment Co raised its position in shares of Truist Financial by 227.2% during the 4th quarter. Missouri Trust & Investment Co now owns 854 shares of the insurance providers stock valued at $32,000 after purchasing an additional 593 shares during the period. Finally, Rise Advisors LLC purchased a new position in shares of Truist Financial during the 1st quarter valued at $32,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 71.28% of the companys stock.

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Insider Buying and Selling at Truist Financial

In related news, VP Cynthia B. Powell sold 6,688 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, July 25th. The shares were sold at an average price of $44.14, for a total value of $295,208.32. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. In other news, VP Cynthia B. Powell sold 6,688 shares of the stock in a transaction on Thursday, July 25th. The stock was sold at an average price of $44.14, for a total transaction of $295,208.32. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. Also, CEO William H. Rogers, Jr. purchased 57,300 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Tuesday, July 23rd. The stock was acquired at an average price of $43.96 per share, with a total value of $2,518,908.00. Following the completion of the purchase, the chief executive officer now owns 569,271 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $25,025,153.16. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. Insiders own 0.17% of the companys stock.

Truist Financial Trading Up 1.3 %

Shares of TFC traded up $0.55 during trading hours on Friday, reaching $44.46. 6,565,479 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 7,177,810. The firm has a market cap of $59.49 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -33.68, a PEG ratio of 2.08 and a beta of 1.06. The company has a current ratio of 0.86, a quick ratio of 0.86 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.61. Truist Financial Co. has a 12-month low of $26.57 and a 12-month high of $45.31. The stocks fifty day moving average price is $41.65 and its 200 day moving average price is $38.81.

Truist Financial (NYSE:TFC  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Monday, July 22nd. The insurance provider reported $0.91 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.84 by $0.07. The firm had revenue of $5.02 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.83 billion. Truist Financial had a positive return on equity of 9.18% and a negative net margin of 5.63%. Truist Financials quarterly revenue was down 15.9% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $0.95 earnings per share. Sell-side analysts forecast that Truist Financial Co. will post 3.55 earnings per share for the current year.

Truist Financial Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, September 3rd. Shareholders of record on Friday, August 9th will be issued a dividend of $0.52 per share. This represents a $2.08 annualized dividend and a yield of 4.68%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, August 9th. Truist Financials payout ratio is -157.58%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of research firms have commented on TFC. Morgan Stanley raised their price target on Truist Financial from $46.00 to $51.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a report on Tuesday, July 30th. Barclays boosted their target price on shares of Truist Financial from $43.00 to $47.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a report on Tuesday, July 23rd. Piper Sandler boosted their price target on shares of Truist Financial from $38.00 to $41.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research note on Tuesday, May 14th. Robert W. Baird lowered Truist Financial from an outperform rating to a neutral rating and set a $45.00 price objective for the company. in a research report on Wednesday, July 17th. Finally, Stephens boosted their target price on Truist Financial from $43.00 to $47.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Thursday, May 16th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, eleven have issued a hold rating and eleven have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $45.30.

Read Our Latest Analysis on TFC

Truist Financial Profile

(Free Report)

Truist Financial Corporation, a financial services company, provides banking and trust services in the Southeastern and Mid-Atlantic United States. The company operates through three segments: Consumer Banking and Wealth, Corporate and Commercial Banking, and Insurance Holdings.Its deposit products include noninterest-bearing checking, interest-bearing checking, savings, and money market deposit accounts, as well as certificates of deposit and individual retirement accounts.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 2. The Turkish Foreign Ministry hasissued a statement on the parliamentary election held in Azerbaijan, Trend reports, citing the ministry.

"We wish that the election to the Milli Majlis held yesterday (September 1) will be for the benefit of brotherly Azerbaijan. Holding elections in all territories of Azerbaijan, including the lands liberated from occupation, is of historical significance. We believe that the election, in which the Azerbaijani people expressed their will, will contribute to the establishment of permanent peace and stability in the South Caucasus," the stament says.

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
Kohls (NYSE:KSS  Free Report) had its price objective trimmed by Robert W. Baird from $27.00 to $25.00 in a report published on Thursday, Benzinga reports. The brokerage currently has an outperform rating on the stock.

Several other analysts also recently weighed in on the company. TD Cowen cut their price target on Kohls from $31.00 to $25.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, May 31st. Telsey Advisory Group restated a market perform rating and issued a $23.00 price target on shares of Kohls in a research note on Wednesday, August 28th. Evercore ISI cut their price target on Kohls from $24.00 to $22.00 and set an in-line rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, May 31st. Morgan Stanley downgraded Kohls to an underweight rating and cut their price target for the stock from $18.00 to $17.00 in a research note on Tuesday, August 27th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. downgraded Kohls from a neutral rating to an underweight rating and set a $19.00 price target on the stock. in a research note on Thursday. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, five have issued a hold rating and one has assigned a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, Kohls presently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $20.67.

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Check Out Our Latest Research Report on KSS

Kohls Stock Down 1.9 %

KSS stock opened at $19.39 on Thursday. Kohls has a fifty-two week low of $17.68 and a fifty-two week high of $29.60. The businesss 50 day moving average price is $20.99 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $23.72. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.98, a quick ratio of 0.19 and a current ratio of 1.08. The company has a market capitalization of $2.16 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 7.82, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.21 and a beta of 1.95.

Kohls (NYSE:KSS  Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, August 28th. The company reported $0.59 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.46 by $0.13. Kohls had a return on equity of 7.43% and a net margin of 1.66%. The firm had revenue of $3.53 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $3.69 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned $0.52 EPS. The businesss revenue for the quarter was down 4.2% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, analysts forecast that Kohls will post 1.79 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Kohls Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, September 25th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, September 11th will be issued a dividend of $0.50 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, September 11th. This represents a $2.00 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 10.31%. Kohlss payout ratio is 80.65%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Kohls

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of KSS. Algert Global LLC bought a new position in Kohls in the 2nd quarter worth $694,000. Texas Capital Bank Wealth Management Services Inc raised its holdings in Kohls by 100.0% in the 2nd quarter. Texas Capital Bank Wealth Management Services Inc now owns 80,000 shares of the companys stock worth $1,839,000 after purchasing an additional 40,000 shares during the period. Susquehanna Fundamental Investments LLC raised its holdings in Kohls by 1,422.5% in the 2nd quarter. Susquehanna Fundamental Investments LLC now owns 239,028 shares of the companys stock worth $5,495,000 after purchasing an additional 223,328 shares during the period. The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company raised its holdings in Kohls by 0.5% in the 2nd quarter. The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company now owns 234,659 shares of the companys stock worth $5,395,000 after purchasing an additional 1,079 shares during the period. Finally, Deerfield Management Company L.P. Series C raised its holdings in Kohls by 83.9% in the 2nd quarter. Deerfield Management Company L.P. Series C now owns 30,166 shares of the companys stock worth $694,000 after purchasing an additional 13,761 shares during the period. 98.04% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Kohls Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Kohl's Corporation operates as an omnichannel retailer in the United States. It offers branded apparel, footwear, accessories, beauty, and home products through its stores and website. The company provides its products primarily under the brand names of Croft & Barrow, Jumping Beans, SO, Sonoma Goods for Life, and Tek Gear, as well as Food Network, LC Lauren Conrad, Nine West, and Simply Vera Vera Wang.

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John Hancock Tax-Advantaged Dividend Income Fund (NYSE:HTD  Get Free Report) was the target of a significant growth in short interest during the month of August. As of August 15th, there was short interest totalling 15,300 shares, a growth of 16.8% from the July 31st total of 13,100 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 90,400 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 0.2 days.

John Hancock Tax-Advantaged Dividend Income Fund Stock Up 0.4 %

Shares of NYSE:HTD traded up $0.08 during midday trading on Monday, reaching $21.65. 124,100 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 87,450. The firms 50 day simple moving average is $20.79 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $20.05. John Hancock Tax-Advantaged Dividend Income Fund has a fifty-two week low of $16.17 and a fifty-two week high of $21.70.

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John Hancock Tax-Advantaged Dividend Income Fund Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently disclosed a monthly dividend, which was paid on Friday, August 30th. Stockholders of record on Monday, August 12th were issued a $0.138 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Monday, August 12th. This represents a $1.66 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 7.65%.

Institutional Trading of John Hancock Tax-Advantaged Dividend Income Fund

About John Hancock Tax-Advantaged Dividend Income Fund

Several institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Creekmur Asset Management LLC purchased a new position in John Hancock Tax-Advantaged Dividend Income Fund during the 4th quarter worth approximately $30,000. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. increased its holdings in shares of John Hancock Tax-Advantaged Dividend Income Fund by 238.2% in the 4th quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. now owns 3,003 shares of the companys stock valued at $57,000 after acquiring an additional 2,115 shares during the period. Redmont Wealth Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in John Hancock Tax-Advantaged Dividend Income Fund in the 1st quarter valued at $77,000. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. boosted its stake in John Hancock Tax-Advantaged Dividend Income Fund by 126.7% during the 1st quarter. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. now owns 5,100 shares of the companys stock worth $100,000 after purchasing an additional 2,850 shares during the period. Finally, Spire Wealth Management grew its position in John Hancock Tax-Advantaged Dividend Income Fund by 40.3% during the 1st quarter. Spire Wealth Management now owns 6,065 shares of the companys stock worth $119,000 after purchasing an additional 1,743 shares during the last quarter.

(Get Free Report)

John Hancock Tax-Advantaged Dividend Income Fund is a closed ended equity mutual fund launched and managed by John Hancock Investment Management LLC. It is co-managed by John Hancock Asset Management and Analytic Investors, LLC. The fund invests in the public equity markets of the United States. It seeks to invest in stocks of companies operating across diversified sectors, with an emphasis on the utilities sector.

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Stegent Equity Advisors Inc. lowered its position in The Travelers Companies, Inc. (NYSE:TRV  Free Report) by 6.1% in the second quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 1,893 shares of the insurance providers stock after selling 122 shares during the period. Stegent Equity Advisors Inc.s holdings in Travelers Companies were worth $385,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of TRV. Pathway Financial Advisers LLC bought a new position in Travelers Companies in the 1st quarter worth approximately $35,000. Beacon Capital Management LLC raised its position in Travelers Companies by 74.2% in the 1st quarter. Beacon Capital Management LLC now owns 155 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $36,000 after purchasing an additional 66 shares during the last quarter. Northwest Financial Advisors bought a new stake in shares of Travelers Companies during the 4th quarter valued at $32,000. Opal Wealth Advisors LLC bought a new stake in shares of Travelers Companies during the 1st quarter valued at $42,000. Finally, Tributary Capital Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of Travelers Companies during the 1st quarter valued at $45,000. Institutional investors own 82.45% of the companys stock.

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Travelers Companies Stock Up 0.8 %

NYSE TRV traded up $1.74 on Friday, reaching $228.07. The company had a trading volume of 1,466,474 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,031,127. The firm has a market capitalization of $51.98 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.94, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.18 and a beta of 0.61. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.32, a quick ratio of 0.33 and a current ratio of 0.33. The Travelers Companies, Inc. has a 1-year low of $157.33 and a 1-year high of $232.75. The companys fifty day moving average is $212.42 and its 200-day moving average is $215.86.

Travelers Companies Dividend Announcement

Travelers Companies ( NYSE:TRV Get Free Report ) last announced its earnings results on Friday, July 19th. The insurance provider reported $2.51 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $3.23 by ($0.72). Travelers Companies had a return on equity of 15.90% and a net margin of 8.37%. The company had revenue of $11.28 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $11.35 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $0.06 earnings per share. Travelers Companiess revenue for the quarter was up 11.7% on a year-over-year basis. On average, research analysts forecast that The Travelers Companies, Inc. will post 17.19 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, September 30th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, September 10th will be given a dividend of $1.05 per share. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, September 10th. This represents a $4.20 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.84%. Travelers Companiess dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 31.20%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several analysts have commented on the stock. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft upped their target price on shares of Travelers Companies from $221.00 to $234.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a research report on Wednesday, August 7th. Citigroup upped their target price on shares of Travelers Companies from $200.00 to $203.00 and gave the company a sell rating in a research report on Tuesday, July 30th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their target price on shares of Travelers Companies from $220.00 to $242.00 and gave the company an underweight rating in a research report on Thursday, July 11th. TD Cowen cut shares of Travelers Companies from a buy rating to a hold rating and dropped their target price for the company from $252.00 to $230.00 in a research report on Monday, July 15th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada reissued a sector perform rating and issued a $225.00 price target on shares of Travelers Companies in a report on Monday, July 22nd. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, thirteen have issued a hold rating, four have assigned a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, Travelers Companies currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $223.78.

Check Out Our Latest Report on Travelers Companies

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Travelers Companies news, EVP Michael Frederick Klein sold 10,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Thursday, July 25th. The shares were sold at an average price of $211.44, for a total transaction of $2,114,400.00. Following the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 22,798 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $4,820,409.12. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. Insiders own 1.33% of the companys stock.

Travelers Companies Profile

(Free Report)

The Travelers Companies, Inc, through its subsidiaries, provides a range of commercial and personal property, and casualty insurance products and services to businesses, government units, associations, and individuals in the United States and internationally. The company operates through three segments: Business Insurance, Bond & Specialty Insurance, and Personal Insurance.

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StockNews.com initiated coverage on shares of Xinyuan Real Estate (NYSE:XIN  Free Report) in a research note published on Friday. The brokerage issued a hold rating on the financial services providers stock.

Xinyuan Real Estate Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:XIN opened at $2.78 on Friday. The firms 50 day simple moving average is $2.85 and its 200-day simple moving average is $2.81. The company has a quick ratio of 0.28, a current ratio of 0.28 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 5.85. Xinyuan Real Estate has a one year low of $1.92 and a one year high of $4.26.

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About Xinyuan Real Estate

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Xinyuan Real Estate Co, Ltd., together with its subsidiaries, engages in residential real estate development and construction in the People's Republic of China, the United States, Malaysia, and the United Kingdom. The company develops residential projects, such as multi-layer apartment buildings, sub-high-rise apartment buildings, high-rise apartment buildings; auxiliary services and amenities, such as retail outlets, leisure and health facilities, kindergartens, and schools, as well as office, mixed-use, and commercial properties.

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Telos Capital Management Inc. grew its holdings in Novartis AG (NYSE:NVS  Free Report) by 2.5% during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 27,077 shares of the companys stock after acquiring an additional 652 shares during the period. Telos Capital Management Inc.s holdings in Novartis were worth $2,883,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

A number of other hedge funds have also recently made changes to their positions in the business. Valmark Advisers Inc. grew its holdings in Novartis by 1.6% during the 2nd quarter. Valmark Advisers Inc. now owns 8,426 shares of the companys stock valued at $897,000 after buying an additional 134 shares in the last quarter. AAF Wealth Management LLC purchased a new position in Novartis during the second quarter valued at $202,000. Glassy Mountain Advisors Inc. increased its holdings in Novartis by 3.8% in the 2nd quarter. Glassy Mountain Advisors Inc. now owns 47,409 shares of the companys stock valued at $5,047,000 after acquiring an additional 1,717 shares during the last quarter. Ritholtz Wealth Management lifted its stake in Novartis by 1.1% in the 2nd quarter. Ritholtz Wealth Management now owns 95,056 shares of the companys stock worth $10,120,000 after purchasing an additional 1,015 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Fairhaven Wealth Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Novartis during the second quarter valued at about $202,000. Institutional investors own 13.12% of the companys stock.

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Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of equities research analysts recently commented on the company. Jefferies Financial Group boosted their target price on Novartis from $121.00 to $122.50 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Tuesday, July 2nd. The Goldman Sachs Group initiated coverage on shares of Novartis in a report on Thursday, May 30th. They issued a buy rating and a $120.00 target price for the company. Barclays raised shares of Novartis to a strong sell rating in a research note on Monday, June 24th. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft restated a hold rating on shares of Novartis in a report on Friday, July 19th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, four have issued a hold rating, two have given a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, Novartis has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $118.13.

Novartis Trading Up 0.4 %

Shares of NVS traded up $0.47 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $120.89. The stock had a trading volume of 902,659 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,020,458. The stocks 50 day moving average is $111.51 and its 200 day moving average is $103.89. The firm has a market cap 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. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.47, a current ratio of 0.93 and a quick ratio of 0.72. Novartis AG has a 1 year low of $92.19 and a 1 year high of $120.92.

Novartis (NYSE:NVS  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, July 18th. The company reported $1.97 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.87 by $0.10. The company had revenue of $12.87 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $12.24 billion. Novartis had a net margin of 33.76% and a return on equity of 34.56%. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $1.83 EPS. As a group, analysts forecast that Novartis AG will post 7.48 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Novartis Company Profile

(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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IFG Advisory LLC boosted its position in shares of Walmart Inc. (NYSE:WMT  Free Report) by 1.4% during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 94,477 shares of the retailers stock after purchasing an additional 1,345 shares during the period. IFG Advisory LLCs holdings in Walmart were worth $6,397,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. EntryPoint Capital LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Walmart in the first quarter worth approximately $25,000. Northwest Capital Management Inc increased its stake in Walmart by 199.3% in the 1st quarter. Northwest Capital Management Inc now owns 440 shares of the retailers stock valued at $26,000 after buying an additional 293 shares during the period. TruNorth Capital Management LLC increased its stake in Walmart by 138.3% in the 2nd quarter. TruNorth Capital Management LLC now owns 429 shares of the retailers stock valued at $29,000 after buying an additional 249 shares during the period. Cultivar Capital Inc. acquired a new position in Walmart in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $29,000. Finally, Partnership Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in Walmart in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $30,000. 26.76% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Analysts Set New Price Targets

WMT has been the topic of several analyst reports. Evercore ISI increased their price target on shares of Walmart from $78.00 to $80.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Thursday, August 22nd. HSBC upped their price objective on shares of Walmart from $70.00 to $81.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Tuesday, June 11th. Royal Bank of Canada upped their price objective on shares of Walmart from $74.00 to $80.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Friday, August 16th. Citigroup upped their price objective on shares of Walmart from $63.33 to $75.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Friday, May 17th. Finally, Oppenheimer raised their price target on shares of Walmart from $69.00 to $75.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Thursday, June 6th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, twenty-six have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, Walmart currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $78.64.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, major shareholder S Robson Walton sold 1,244,347 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, June 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $66.63, for a total transaction of $82,910,840.61. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 633,518,311 shares of the companys stock, valued at $42,211,325,061.93. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. In related news, major shareholder Alice L. Walton sold 3,633,800 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, June 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $66.80, for a total transaction of $242,737,840.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 636,898,811 shares in the company, valued at $42,544,840,574.80. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, major shareholder S Robson Walton sold 1,244,347 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, June 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $66.63, for a total transaction of $82,910,840.61. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 633,518,311 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $42,211,325,061.93. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 6,332,089 shares of company stock valued at $422,145,654 over the last ninety days. Insiders own 45.58% of the companys stock.

Walmart Trading Up 1.1 %

Shares of NYSE WMT opened at $77.23 on Friday. Walmart Inc. has a 1-year low of $49.85 and a 1-year high of $77.47. The company has a market cap of $621.20 billion, a PE ratio of 33.05, a P/E/G ratio of 3.87 and a beta of 0.50. The company has a current ratio of 0.80, a quick ratio of 0.22 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.46. The company has a 50-day moving average of $70.55 and a two-hundred day moving average of $64.73.

Walmart (NYSE:WMT  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, August 15th. The retailer reported $0.67 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.65 by $0.02. Walmart had a net margin of 2.34% and a return on equity of 21.72%. The company had revenue of $169.30 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $168.56 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $0.61 earnings per share. The companys revenue was up 4.7% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, equities analysts expect that Walmart Inc. will post 2.44 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Walmart Profile

(Free Report)

Walmart Inc engages in the operation of retail, wholesale, other units, and eCommerce worldwide. The company operates through three segments: Walmart U.S., Walmart International, and Sam's Club. It operates supercenters, supermarkets, hypermarkets, warehouse clubs, cash and carry stores, and discount stores under Walmart and Walmart Neighborhood Market brands; membership-only warehouse clubs; ecommerce websites, such as walmart.com.mx, walmart.ca, flipkart.com, PhonePe and other sites; and mobile commerce applications.

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Waterfront Wealth Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of Las Vegas Sands Corp. (NYSE:LVS  Free Report) by 5.6% during the 2nd quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The fund owned 23,987 shares of the casino operators stock after purchasing an additional 1,282 shares during the period. Waterfront Wealth Inc.s holdings in Las Vegas Sands were worth $1,061,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. AM Squared Ltd bought a new position in Las Vegas Sands during the second quarter valued at approximately $66,000. Rothschild Investment LLC bought a new position in shares of Las Vegas Sands in the second quarter valued at approximately $54,000. Sumitomo Mitsui DS Asset Management Company Ltd raised its position in shares of Las Vegas Sands by 0.8% in the second quarter. Sumitomo Mitsui DS Asset Management Company Ltd now owns 53,098 shares of the casino operators stock valued at $2,350,000 after purchasing an additional 401 shares during the period. iA Global Asset Management Inc. bought a new position in shares of Las Vegas Sands in the second quarter valued at approximately $1,713,000. Finally, Fort Washington Investment Advisors Inc. OH raised its position in shares of Las Vegas Sands by 13.4% in the second quarter. Fort Washington Investment Advisors Inc. OH now owns 784,061 shares of the casino operators stock valued at $34,695,000 after purchasing an additional 92,398 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 39.16% of the companys stock.

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Las Vegas Sands Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:LVS traded up $0.35 on Friday, hitting $38.99. The stock had a trading volume of 12,254,186 shares, compared to its average volume of 6,085,685. Las Vegas Sands Corp. has a twelve month low of $36.62 and a twelve month high of $55.73. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.29, a quick ratio of 1.57 and a current ratio of 1.58. The firms 50 day moving average price is $40.85 and its 200-day moving average price is $46.00. The company has a market capitalization of $28.71 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 18.84, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.07 and a beta of 1.12.

Las Vegas Sands Announces Dividend

Las Vegas Sands ( NYSE:LVS Get Free Report ) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, July 24th. The casino operator reported $0.55 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.56 by ($0.01). Las Vegas Sands had a net margin of 14.08% and a return on equity of 44.41%. The firm had revenue of $2.76 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.82 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $0.46 EPS. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 8.6% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities research analysts predict that Las Vegas Sands Corp. will post 2.45 earnings per share for the current year.

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, August 14th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, August 6th were issued a dividend of $0.20 per share. This represents a $0.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.05%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, August 6th. Las Vegas Sandss dividend payout ratio is currently 38.65%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

LVS has been the topic of several research analyst reports. StockNews.com downgraded shares of Las Vegas Sands from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Thursday, July 25th. Jefferies Financial Group lowered their price objective on shares of Las Vegas Sands from $53.00 to $47.00 and set a hold rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, July 11th. Macquarie decreased their price target on shares of Las Vegas Sands from $58.00 to $56.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, July 25th. Stifel Nicolaus decreased their price target on shares of Las Vegas Sands from $65.00 to $55.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, July 25th. Finally, Barclays decreased their price target on shares of Las Vegas Sands from $57.00 to $52.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, July 25th. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and ten have given a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Las Vegas Sands has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $55.67.

View Our Latest Report on LVS

Las Vegas Sands Profile

(Free Report)

Las Vegas Sands Corp., together with its subsidiaries, develops, owns, and operates integrated resorts in Macao and Singapore. It owns and operates The Venetian Macao Resort Hotel, the Londoner Macao, The Parisian Macao, The Plaza Macao and Four Seasons Hotel Macao, Cotai Strip, and the Sands Macao in Macao, the People's Republic of China; and Marina Bay Sands in Singapore.

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COPT Defense Properties (NYSE:CDP  Free Report) had its target price boosted by Wells Fargo & Company from $31.00 to $33.00 in a report issued on Friday, Benzinga reports. They currently have an overweight rating on the stock.

A number of other equities research analysts also recently issued reports on CDP. Evercore ISI boosted their price target on COPT Defense Properties from $28.00 to $33.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 31st. Wedbush boosted their target price on shares of COPT Defense Properties from $28.00 to $33.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Monday, August 5th. Finally, Truist Financial upped their target price on shares of COPT Defense Properties from $27.00 to $31.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a report on Thursday. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $29.50.

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Read Our Latest Report on CDP

COPT Defense Properties Trading Down 0.1 %

Shares of NYSE CDP opened at $29.79 on Friday. The firms 50 day moving average price is $27.46 and its 200-day moving average price is $25.25. COPT Defense Properties has a 52-week low of $22.20 and a 52-week high of $30.05. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.56, a quick ratio of 3.17 and a current ratio of 3.17. The company has a market cap of $3.36 billion, a PE ratio of -27.58, a P/E/G ratio of 2.83 and a beta of 0.98.

COPT Defense Properties (NYSE:CDP  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Monday, July 29th. The company reported $0.31 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.64 by ($0.33). The business had revenue of $187.34 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $166.11 million. COPT Defense Properties had a negative return on equity of 7.52% and a negative net margin of 15.75%. COPT Defense Propertiess quarterly revenue was up 10.7% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business posted $0.60 earnings per share. On average, equities research analysts expect that COPT Defense Properties will post 2.57 EPS for the current fiscal year.

COPT Defense Properties Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, October 17th. Shareholders of record on Monday, September 30th will be given a $0.295 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Monday, September 30th. This represents a $1.18 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.96%. COPT Defense Propertiess dividend payout ratio (DPR) is -109.26%.

Institutional Trading of COPT Defense Properties

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in CDP. State of Michigan Retirement System purchased a new stake in COPT Defense Properties during the first quarter valued at approximately $665,000. Handelsinvest Investeringsforvaltning purchased a new stake in shares of COPT Defense Properties during the 1st quarter valued at $455,000. Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Holdings Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of COPT Defense Properties in the 1st quarter worth $3,081,000. State of Alaska Department of Revenue acquired a new stake in shares of COPT Defense Properties in the 1st quarter worth $1,581,000. Finally, Leeward Investments LLC MA purchased a new position in COPT Defense Properties during the 1st quarter worth $13,350,000.

About COPT Defense Properties

(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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BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 2. Voting in Azerbaijan's parliamentary poll was organized and transparent, the head of the IPA CIS observer mission, First Deputy Secretary General of the CIS Leonid Anfimov said during a media briefing, Trend reports.

According to him, members of the observation mission visited sites in 16 regions of Azerbaijan, including Nakhchivan, Baku, Shusha, Aghdam, Ganja, and others.

According to the members of the mission, the polling stations opened on time, and voting took place in a calm, organized, and transparent atmosphere, he emphasized.

The snap parliamentary election was held in Azerbaijan on September 1.

According to preliminary data, the voter turnout in the election reached 37.27 percent.

A total of 2,196,771 voters had cast their ballots in the election, and 5,895 polling stations submitted their protocols to the Central Election Commission (CEC) of Azerbaijan.

A total of 112,749 local observers have been registered, including over 65,000 representatives of political parties. There were 598 international observers from 51 organizations and 69 countries.

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 2. Election to the Azerbaijani parliament has been conducted in free and democratic conditions, Chairman of the Ethiopian Parliament's House of Representatives Committee Evebete Alene Yalev said, Trend reports.

"Our mission to the polling stations began at 08:00 (GMT +4). Based on our observations, we noticed that everything went smoothly at the polling stations, without any interference in their work.

The chairmen of the election commissions were well aware of their duties and rights and made every effort to provide assistance to voters in the best possible manner, showing them due respect," he emphasized.

The snap parliamentary election was held in Azerbaijan on September 1.

According to preliminary data, the voter turnout in the election reached 37.27 percent.

A total of 2,196,771 voters had cast their ballots in the election, and 5,895 polling stations submitted their protocols to the Central Election Commission (CEC) of Azerbaijan.

A total of 112,749 local observers have been registered, including over 65,000 representatives of political parties. There were 598 international observers from 51 organizations and 69 countries.

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
IHRPC branch opened

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IMPHAL, Sep 2: The International Human Rights Protection Council (IHRPC), New Delhi has opened a new Manipur Branch at Sangaiprou Lane-5, Imphal on Monday. Additionally, a Legal Awareness Programme on Human Rights was conducted, said a release issued by IHRPC Manipur State. The programme was attended by advocate Kongbam Joychandra as the chief guest & speaker. At the event, 25 human rights activists who joined the newly formed IHRPC Manipur State took a number of resolutions to assist cases related to Child Labour, Women Rights and Human Rights Protection.
Reducing Meiteis to sitting ducks People will not forget easily

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Manipur has every reason to be angry. From the day violence erupted on May 3, 2023 to September 2, 2024 and for over 15 months the place has been in a state of war while an indifferent Delhi looks on. To many the indifference has become more than a case of looks on but has come uncomfortably close to the understanding of backing the tales of lies which have been spelt out so convincingly. Everyone knows how the first match stick that lit the fire and has engulfed Manipur for over 15 months was struck at Torbung and which later spread to Churachandpur, Kangpokpi and Moreh with Imphal retaliating only late in the evening of May 3, 2023. A day which has been recollected more than twice/thrice in this column but yet Delhi continues to look on and the one question which has been bugging the minds of everyone in Manipur is from where and how the Kukis have received the technical know how as well as the raw materials to launch a war with weaponised drones. Aerial attack this is and after killing two persons amid the drone attacks and injuring well over 10 persons on September 1, the attack from the air continues with the latest information coming in that at least two persons were injured at Senjam Chirang. More information along this line can be expected, even as this commentary is being penned down and the question that is doing the round and which has gone viral is, what is Delhi doing ? How about Imphal ? Isnt this a case of everything going out of control ? What is there to show that there is a Government in place at Imphal and more importantly who is it that appears to have tied the hands of the Government here ? These are questions which only the BJP led Government can answer but can one expect an honest answer to come ? Despite the indifference demonstrated by New Delhi for over 15 months, BJP leaders at Imphal continue to take comfort in the line that the Prime Minister has spoken on the Manipur issue at least thrice ! Nothing can get more farcical than this. The point is, Sir and Madam, the Meiteis have been reduced to sitting ducks locked up as they are within the confines of the buffer zones and one wonders what the over 60,000 security personnel pressed into duty after May 3, 2023 are doing ? Or is it a case of the security personnel silently watching while the Meitei civilians are made shooting targets of the well armed Kukis from the hills ? What are the steps that have been taken up to disarm the Kuki village volunteers or is it a case of Delhi refusing to look beyond the arms that were looted from the police stations and State armouries in Imphal and the valley districts ? From where have the guns being used by the Kukis come ? Why is Delhi silent on this ? Or is it a case of Imphal unable or unwilling to present the reality before Delhi or a case of Delhi not at all ready to listen to the case presented by the Government at Imphal ?

The answer my lie somewhere in between the two posers that have been raised here, but it will certainly not be a case of taking the middle road when it comes to the anger and frustration of the people. Strike up a conversation with any Tomba, Hongba or Chaoba on the streets of Imphal and one can definitely see the seething anger against the Government for failing to do anything to resolve the situation and in the face of so many civilians being killed. This definitely does not portend well for the place and the people and one wonders if this fact has registered in the consciousness of Imphal or not. Do your job and do it well is the one line desire of the people but when folks are being killed, the latest being the case of a young housewife at Koutruk on the first day of September in 2024, then one can understand the seething rage of the people. It is the job of Imphal to make Delhi listen to the voice of the people here. The common refrain is, what is the meaning of the much touted and much trumpeted double engine Government when it cannot even guarantee the safety of the common citizens of the land, people who are sons and daughters of the land ? And lest the BJP leadership forgets, 2027 is just three years away and it will be here in just the blink of an eye, that is if the BJP is serious about what its Government is doing here. Important to note too, what Delhi has not done will also be remembered and more crucially many will also go by the line of what it is doing furtively. Read this line against the You be in charge of the valley, I will look after the hills instruction from the Union Home Minister to the Chief Minister of Manipur sometime in 2023.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 2. Azerbaijani parliamentary election's transparency stands undeniable, Deputy Chairman of the Council of the National Assembly of Belarus Sergei Khomenko said during a media briefing, Trend reports.

According to him, the Belarusian delegation of observers was represented at the parliamentary election in Azerbaijan by 14 members.

It was a real holiday for the people, the organization of the election was ensured at the highest level, he emphasized.

According to him, the delegation visited various regions of Azerbaijan, including cities such as Shusha, Khankendi and Fuzuli.

Khomenko also mentioned that the relationship between the Azerbaijani and Belarusian parliaments has always been close, and expressed hope for the continuation of this tradition.

The snap parliamentary election was held in Azerbaijan on September 1.

According to preliminary data, the voter turnout in the election reached 37.27 percent.

A total of 2,196,771 voters had cast their ballots in the election, and 5,895 polling stations submitted their protocols to the Central Election Commission (CEC) of Azerbaijan.

A total of 112,749 local observers have been registered, including over 65,000 representatives of political parties. There were 598 international observers from 51 organizations and 69 countries.

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
Coming out strongly against the Trinamul 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 Presidents rule in the state. Attacking the Trinamul Congress over the law and order situation, Mr Adhikari alleged that the state is in the hands of goons and rapists. There have been 7 incidents since yesterdayThey are in contact with the TMC directlyBengal is in the hands of goons and rapistsMamata 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, Mr Adhikari told ANI news agency. Mamata Banerjee is the real reason behind this. She should step down. Mamata Banerjees resignation and Presidents rule is Bengals ground realityWe BJP MLAs are ready to combat this situation. We will expose Mamata Banerjee, Mr Adhikari added. Earlier in the day, Mr Adhikari, on Sunday charged that Canning West Trinamul Congress MLA Paresh Das has issued instructions to obstruct a planned protest at Canning over the R G Kar Hospital rape and murder incident, sharing an audio clip on microblogging platform X (formerly Twitter) in this regard.

Mr Adhikari, in the statement on X addressed to protesting doctors, said: You have announced various events in the coming week and have urged the common citizens, to protest against the injustice done to the RG Kar PGT Lady Doctor. You have made an appeal to the people to turn off the lights of their house from 9 pm to 10 pm on 4th September in solidarity with the victim. all these events have made the Ruling TMC Party very nervous. And in order to stir the pot and evade the public animosity, they too have joined the We want Justice movement, albeit with the TMC flags in full display.

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Listen to the diktat issued by Canning West Trinamul MLA Paresh Das. How he is instructing to obstruct people from joining the RG Kar movement at Canning on the 4th of September. MLA Paresh Das is no fringe element, he is what TMC stands for  violence, threats, obstructionism, intimidation, coercion etc, Mr Adhikari wrote.
The Sahitya Akademi, under the Government of India, continues its mission to enhance the literary environment in rural India through its Gramalok initiative. This programme fosters interaction between budding writers and eminent litterateurs from various regions. As part of this project, an event was held in a rural area near Siliguri on Saturday, organised by the Akademi in collaboration with Banglar Mukh, a literary journal, and Ghoshpukur College.

The Principal of Ghoshpukur College, Uma Maji Mukhopadhyay, who also serves as the editor of Banglar Mukh, played host and brought the event to life with great success. The event commenced with an address by Avisekh Rath, the programme officer of Sahitya Akademi, who outlined the objectives of Gramalok through an online presentation. Pralay Chakraborty, a media personality, inaugurated the programme by lig  hting a ceremonial lamp. In his speech, Mr. Chakraborty expressed his gratitude to the Sahitya Akademi and the Colleges Principal, Ms Maji Mukhopadhyay, for initiating such an event in this rural setting.

The venue, a rural college with ample space, modern infrastructure, and eager students, was praised as an ideal location for such an initiative. Poets like Koushik Joardar, Sebanti Ghosh, and writer Shubhamoy Sarkar added depth to the programme by discussing the importance of such efforts and reciting from their works. Urbi Mukhopadhyay and Smritikana Mukhopadhyay explored the role of rural journals and other relevant issues, while other poets and speakers, including Shyamali Sengupta, Shaswati Chanda, Malay Karanjai, Sagar Bhattacharya, Premananda Ray, Kajal Ghosh, and local administrative officer Biplab Biswas, contributed to the rich discussions.

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Throughout the event, the unique cultural and ethnolinguistic diversity of the region was beautifully highlighted, underscoring the Sahitya Akademis thoughtful choice of venue. The programme concluded with a captivating group recitation titled Yeats and Tagore by Shilpakarmi, a cultural team from Siliguri. Their performance offered a valuable lesson to students and guests alike, resonating with the events theme. Debasish Bhattacharya conducted the entire programme, ensuring active participation from the audience, who remained engaged until the end. The presence and guidance of Mr. Rath were evident throughout the event, as he assured the audience of more such programmes in the near future.
Members of the Trinamul Mahila Congress held meetings across the state demanding capital punishment of the persons involved in the alleged rape and murder of a doctor of RG Kar medical Colege and Hospital on 9 August. Protest meetings were held in every block across the state. In Kolkata, two protest me etings were held at Moulali and Gol Park. Mrs Chadrima Bhattacharya, president Trin  a mul Mahila Congress, was pr esent in both the meetings. Mrs Bhattacharya said the city police arrested an accused in connection with the alleged rape and murder at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital.

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had spoken to the parents of the unfortunate doctor. The Calcutta High Court ordered CBI inquiry into the case and accordingly the CBI doing the investigation. But more than 15 days have palsed and the CBI is yet to make any breakthroiugh. She regretted that the Pime Minister Narendra Modi had not responded two letters written by Miss Banerjee to him demanding enactment of stringent anti-rape laws. Mrs Bhattacharya, herself a lawyer, said Miss Banerjee has mentioned that the law should ensure trail and conviction of the rape accused within a stipulated time.

She said: On one hand the BJP talks about security of women and on the other maintains silence on the enactment of new stringent anti rape laws. We all want justice and demand capital punishment of the persons involved but the BJP which is demanding resignation of the Chief Minister should ask Mr Modi about his silence on the antirape act proposed by Miss Banerjee, she said. The state government will bring a stringent anti rape law in the state Assembly on 3 September. Mr Abhishek Banerjee, national general secretary of Trinamul Congress has also promised to table a Private Members Bill for a stringent anti-rape law in Parliament soon. Rallies were taken out by the celebrities demanding stringent punishment of the perons involved in the crime at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital.

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Amid the continuing uproar over the rape and murder of a junior doctor at RG Kar Medical College, Trinamul Congress MP Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar on Sunday apologised for her controversial remarks about female medical students. The MP shared a post on social media, where she wrote: I apologize for the comments I made on a private channel.

If my remarks have hurt anyone, I am sorry. My intention has always been and will remain to protect the safety and rights of women. Last Friday, Dr Dastidar while participating in a programme on a private television channel, had made remarks about female medical students securing qualifying marks by sitting on the lap of teaching doctors during her days as a medical student.

She had also said that those who opposed this practice had been given lesser marks. Following her remarks, there was an outcry from both the political and medical communities. The state branch of the Indian Psychiatric Society condemned the MPs comments, claiming they were disrespectful to women. Some doctors associations had even demanding her suspension from the Indian Medical Association (IMA).

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The decision to reinstate Prof. Bibekananda Mukherjee, who faces criminal charges of rape, as the Head of the Department of Visual Arts at Kalyani University has sparked widespread outrage and concern among students, faculty, and the broader community. The reinstatement comes after a five-month suspension and occurs amid ongoing criminal proceedings in a fast-track court. The Internal Complaint Committee (ICC) of Kalyani University, which was reconstituted by a directive of Calcutta High Court, had earlier recommended that Mukherjee be punished as per the law.

The case relates to allegations made by a female research scholar working under Mukherjees guidance in the Department of Visual Arts. Despite these serious allegations, Mukherjee was reinstated as department head on 5 July 2024, for a term of two years. He was also nominated as a member of the universitys executive council, its highest decision-making body, by the interim Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Amalendu Bhunia. Prof. Bhunia, appointed unilaterally by West Bengal Governor C V Ananda Bose without the executive councils consent, has come under fire for his role in reinstating Prof Mukherjee. Critics argue that Prof Bhunias decision not only undermines the ongoing legal proceedings but also sends a dangerous message regarding the safety and protection of women at the university.

The controversy first erupted in 2022, during the Covid19 lockdown, when allegations of rape surfaced against Prof Mukherjee. At that time, the then ViceChancellor, Prof. Manas Kumar Sanyal, removed Prof Mukherjee from his position as Head of Visual Arts and De puty Registrar to ensure a fair and unbiased investigation.

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This move was supported by testimonies from other research scholars who had expressed concerns about Prof Mukherjees conduct, citing instances of unethical behaviour and favoritism in academic guidance. Adding to the controversy, a viral voice message from the period implicates Prof. Bhunia in allegedly supporting Prof Mukherjee, who was serving as the Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Commerce at that time. The message suggests that Prof Bhunia may have tried to protect Prof Mukherjee from the consequences of his actions.

The recent decision to reinstate Prof Mukherjee has led the victimised research scholar to file formal protests with the Governor of West Bengal, the states Minister of Higher Education, the National Commission for Women, and the National Scheduled Castes Commission. In her letter, she criticized Prof Bhunias actions as appeasement and indulgence, stating that they compromise the safety and integrity of women at the university. In response to the growing outrage, Kalyani University has formed a new Sexual Harassment Committee to address the matter swiftly. Meanwhile, faculty members and the Kalyani University Teachers Council have submi  tted representations demanding protection for women on campus and the immediate revocation of Prof Mukherjees reinstatement. They argue that allowing a rape-accused individual to hold a leadership position sends a troubling message and jeopardises the universitys commitment to a safe and respectful academic environment.
Ahead of mega panchayat, to be held here at Jantar Mantar on September 15, Khap leaders are reaching out to the Delhi villages to mobilise support for the event.

Palam 360 Khap President Chaudhary Surender Solanki said he was visiting 20 villages daily to enlist the support of the villagers for the event. The villagers have assured him of their presence in large numbers at the panchayat to voice their grievances.

He said the representatives and heads of the villages had taken the oath to make the mahapanchayat a grand success, far more effective than that of last year so that the eleven major issues confronting rural Delhi could be heard by the government.

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The Khap chief recalled that after the mahapanchayat last year, the government and Lt. Governor V K Saxena had assured of considering resolving three to four issues favourably, but nothing has been done so far.

He said the condition of the villages of Delhi is going from bad to worse as the government is paying no attention to it.

The villages of Delhi have contributed a lot to keeping Delhi safe besides its development. But today, they have been reduced to slums, added Solanki.

The Khap leader demanded an amendment to the Delhi Land Reforms (DLR) Act, saying it had become old and obsolete. He claimed that the land in city villages was acquired at meagre prices and in return, basic civic amenities were not provided to the villages properly, forcing the natives to live in miserable conditions.

Solanki also raised the issue of neglect of water bodies in the city and referring to the Sahibi River, he said that the river which was once an irrigation canal has now turned into a drain and nothing is being done to improve its condition.
There is good news for ENGENE, the ENHYPEN fandom! The K-pop boy band has announced their upcoming 2024 World Tour, WALK THE LINE. The groups agency, BELIFT LAB, revealed that the septet will kick off the tour on October 5.

The WALK THE LINE tour will begin in Goyang, South Korea, on October 5 and 6. The septet is all set to captivate their fans with energetic performances. After their concerts in Korea, ENHYPEN will head to Japan for a dome tour. The Japanese leg will start with performances at Saitamas Belluna Dome on November 9 and 10, followed by Fukuokas Mizuho PayPay Dome on December 28 and 29. The tour will conclude in Japan with electrifying shows at Osakas Kyocera Dome, scheduled for January 25 and 26.

Recently, the K-pop group also embarked on their FATE PLUS tour, setting the stage ablaze with their suave moves and electrifying music. The tour included five stops in Japan: Saitama, Fukuoka, Hiroshima, Aichi, and Miyagi.

These tours follow the groups recent comeback with their second full-length album, ROMANCE: UNTOLD. The septet achieved a career milestone with this album, which debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 chart. Additionally, ENHYPEN reached 10 million followers, making them the most-followed K-pop group on the platform after BTS. ROMANCE: UNTOLD features nine tracks, including the title track XO (Only If You Say Yes) and its English version featuring JVKE, as well as Moonstruck, Your Eyes Only, Hundred Broken Hearts, Brought the Heat Back, Paranormal, Royalty, and Highway 1009.

Also Read: Jungkook thanks ARMY for birthday wishes; Shares military update

ENHYPEN consists of Heeseung, Jay, Jake, Sunghoon, Sunoo, Jungwon, and Ni-ki. The group made their debut on November 30, 2020, with their EP Border: Day One.


BTS Golden Maknae, Jungkook, rang in his 27th birthday on September 1. While the youngest member is currently fulfilling his mandatory military service along with five of his bandmates, celebrations poured in from across the globe. Although the BTS fandom, known as ARMY, celebrated his birthday worldwide, band members also had special wishes for him. Overwhelmed by the love, Jungkook thanked ARMY and shared updates from his military life.

Wishing Jungkook, BTS member RM posted a song from Jungkooks hit album Golden and added pink heart and cake emojis. On the other hand, J-Hope shared a photo of Jungkook with the message, Happy birthday to my brother. While the band members celebrated the special day, fans also went all out to mark the occasion. Fans of Jungkook in the United States and the United Kingdom celebrated with a dazzling light show. According to Sportskeeda, fans organized a Golden Lights Event where three major landmarks were illuminated in green and gold, reflecting the theme of his solo album Golden.

Advertisement View this post on Instagram A post shared by JUNGKOOK () Updates (@jungkook_bighitentertainment)

Meanwhile, in Jungkooks home country, South Korea, BTS label HYBE put up celebratory ads. Fans transformed the country into Jungkookland/Kookieland to celebrate his birthday. Additionally, fans in China, Japan, and India also marked the day with enthusiasm. From ads to musical celebrations, the global ARMY made sure to celebrate their K-pop idols birthday in style.

Responding to the love from the fandom, Jungkook took to Weverse to thank his fans. On the platform, the K-pop sensation shared, Thank you, ARMY, for the birthday wishes. I am doing well. He further added, I will make sure to complete the remainder of my military duties well. I hope ARMYs are also doing well this time.

Also Read: BTS RM and Megan Thee Stallion to collaborate! ARMY in a frenzy

On the work front, Jungkook is gearing up for the release of his film I AM STILL. The upcoming film chronicles Jungkooks challenging journey of creating his first solo album, Golden. It features glimpses from live performances, interviews, and behind-the-scenes footage.

Meanwhile, Jungkook and Jimins travel series Are You Sure? was recently released, where the duo embarks on adventures in New York, Jeju Island, and Sapporo. The series is currently streaming on Disney+.
Netflixs latest series IC: 814: The Kandahar Hijack, is embroiled in controversy. Since its release, directed by Anubhav Sinha and featuring an ensemble cast, the series has faced significant backlash on social media. The controversy centers on the names of two masked hijackers, which some allege were deliberately changed to Bhola and Shankar. In response to the growing criticism, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has summoned Monika Shergill, Netflixs content head.

The six-episode series depicts the hijacking of aircraft IC:814. On December 24, 1999, when five masked men took control of the flight from Kathmandu to New Delhi. The hijackers in the series are named Chief, Doctor, Burger, Bhola, and Shankar. These names are reportedly based on investigation reports and the source material. It has been adapted from Captain Devi Sharan and Srinjoy Chowdhurys book, Flight into Fear: The Captains Story. However, some social media users view these names as insensitive and believe they misrepresent the facts.

Netflix Content Head has been summoned tomorrow by the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting over the IC814 web series content row: Sources Advertisement  ANI (@ANI) September 2, 2024

Hashtags such as #BoycottNetflix, #BoycottBollywood, and #IC814 have emerged in protest. Some users claim the names Shankar and Bhola were deliberately chosen. They allege that the makers tried to obscure the hijackers real identities and protect individuals from a specific community. In response, casting director Mukesh Chhabra stated that the hijackers used nicknames among themselves and that extensive research was conducted for the series.

Also Read: IC: 814 on Netflix: True story of Kandahar Hijack that had the nation in chokehold

The controversy has also sparked political reactions. BJPs Amit Malviya questioned the creators intentions behind not revealing the hijackers actual names in the series. Conversely, former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah commented on X on September 1, noting the irony of critics who praised movies like The Kashmir Files now demanding accuracy and nuance in the depiction of IC814 events.

As the backlash intensifies and the Ministrys intervention looms, it remains uncertain whether a ban will be imposed on IC: 814: The Kandahar Hijack or if it will continue to stream. The series premiered on Netflix on August 29. It features a cast that includes Vijay Varma, Pankaj Kapur, Naseeruddin Shah, Dia Mirza, and Arvind Swamy.
Shortly after Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials conducted raids on Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA Amanatullah Khan in connection with a money laundering case Monday morning, Delhi minister and AAP leader Saurabh Bharadwaj termed the action an attempt to disrupt government work in the national capital.

Speaking to a news agency, Bharadwaj stated that the ED raid was related to an eight-year-old case, pointing out that previous investigations by the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) had yielded no significant findings.

This case dates back to 2016. For eight years, various agencies have scrutinised it, yet nothing substantial has emerged. Its a disgrace for the central government that even after thorough investigations by ACB and CBI, no evidence of money transactions has been found, Bharadwaj remarked.

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He further accused the central government of misusing investigative agencies and predicted an increase in such actions as elections draw nearer.

The central government wants to paralyze Delhis government departments. The entire country is witnessing how agencies are being misused, and as elections approach, this pressure will only intensify, he added.

Earlier in the day, Amanatullah Khan revealed that ED officials had arrived at his Okhla residence in Delhi with the intent to arrest him.

In a video posted on X, the AAP MLA accused the agency of persistently harassing him over the past two years.

Its 7 AM, and the ED is here to arrest me under the guise of a search warrant. My mother-in-law, who is battling cancer, is currently at my home. Despite my responses to all their notices, they continue to harass me. Their sole objective is to weaken our party, but we will neither bow down nor break, Khan asserted.

He also expressed hope for justice, stating, Just as we received justice in court previously, I am confident we will prevail again. This case is entirely baseless.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 2. The Central Election Commission of Azerbaijan has provided opportunities for everyone who wanted to attend and participate in the parliamentary election, Secretary General of the Asian Parliamentary Assembly Mohammad Reza Majidi told reporters, Trend reports.

"As representatives of the Asian Parliamentary Assembly delegation, we were pleased to attend the parliamentary election in Azerbaijan," he said.

Majidi mentioned that the delegation observed the election and that the voting process was very peaceful.

According to him, this process played a significant role in improving parliamentary relations.

"From our observations, voter turnout was active. People came and voted for candidates. Everything proceeded smoothly and in accordance with the law," he added.

The snap parliamentary election was held in Azerbaijan on September 1.

According to preliminary data, the voter turnout in the election reached 37.27 percent.

A total of 2,196,771 voters had cast their ballots in the election, and 5,895 polling stations submitted their protocols to the Central Election Commission (CEC) of Azerbaijan.

A total of 112,749 local observers have been registered, including over 65,000 representatives of political parties. There were 598 international observers from 51 organizations and 69 countries.

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
Following the arrest of MLA Amanatullah Khan by the Directorate of Enforcement (ED) in an alleged money laundering case, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) called it part of an alleged conspiracy.

Addressing a press conference here, AAP leader Saurabh Bharadwaj claimed that Khans arrest was a part of the BJPs strategy to keep an elected legislator away from his assembly just before the elections.

The minister also termed the action an attempt to disrupt government work in the national capital and said the searches conducted by the ED are related to the eight-year-old case, pointing out that previous probes by the ACB and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) had yielded no significant findings in the matter.

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According to Bharadwaj, despite the investigation by the ACB since 2016, nothing came out of it.

Earlier also, he said that the ACB made the arrest, but Khan was granted bail in the matter, and after that case was again sent to the CBI, which investigated it, questioned, summoned, and filed a chargesheet in this regard, however, it was clear that there was no money transaction, no corruption took place, no monetary benefit was taken in lieu of a job, he claimed.

The AAP minister accused the BJP of misusing the probe agencies and such actions are likely to increase as Delhi assembly polls draw closer.

Meanwhile, AAP chief spokesperson Priyanka Kakkar alleged that the case is fake as the appointments made in the Waqf board did not have any irregularities, and the salaries given in this regard were termed as scams.

Taking a dig at the BJP, claiming that the saffron party is scared of the AAP and Arvind Kejriwal, Kakkar alleged that it has in the past also made attempts to somehow declare AAP leaders as dishonest.

After Khans arrest, the partys Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh went to the Okhla MLAs house and met the family, assuring them that the whole party was with them.

Singh strongly condemned Khans arrest in this way and added this was going to cost the BJP, and it would lose badly in Delhi, and claimed that the AAP leader had been arrested without any evidence, while he had also asked for a few days time from ED as his mother-in-law had undergone cancer surgery.
Taking a dig at the Opposition parties, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said the BJP is the only political party that is following the democratic process.

PM Modi, who launched the Bharatiya Janata Partys national membership campaign Sangathan Parva, Sadasyata Abhiyan 2024 at the party headquarters here, said: This is the only political party in India that is following the democratic process while expanding its work, and continues to improve to live up to the expectations of the people.

Several generations have invested their lives into this party, then today the party has made its place in the hearts of the people, the Prime Minister said.

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He said from the days of Bharatiya Jana Sangh till now, we have made all possible efforts to bring a new political culture in the country.

Another round of Sadasyata Abhiyan is beginning today. From Bharatiya Jana Sangh till now, we have made all possible efforts to bring a new political culture in the country. The organisation or political party through which people give power, that unit, that organisation, that party if it doesnt follow democratic values, if internal democracy doesnt live in it, then a situation arises which is faced by several other political parties today, PM Modi said.

PM Modi received his BJP membership renewal certificate from party president JP Nadda at the Sangathan Parva, Sadasyata Abhiyan 2024 here.

PM Modi became the first member of the BJP for the campaign by giving a missed call to 8800002024, followed by receiving an SMS from the party to complete his membership registration.

The launch marked the beginning of BJPs Sangathan Parva, Sadasyata Abhiyan 2024 aimed at expanding its membership nationwide.

PM Modi, who launched the BJPs 2024 membership drive by renewing his membership, said the membership drive and the organisational structure that will be established during this period will coincide with the implementation of 33 per cent reservation in Legislative Assemblies and Parliament.

If this 33 per cent reservation for women is to be introduced during this time, then in my membership drive, can we include all those individuals who can help my party ensure that the maximum number of women are elected as MLAs and MPs, thus making this crucial decision a success? he said.

This very membership drive isnt just a ritual. Its an expansion of our familyIt isnt a game of numbers. It doesnt matter the numbers we achieve. This membership drive is an ideological and emotional movement, he added.

The Prime Minister recalled his early days in the party and said he painted Lotus on the walls and always had faith that Lotus will bloom in peoples hearts.

When I was not in politics, at the time of Jana Sangh, our workers used to paint diya (symbol of Jana Sangh) on walls with enthusiasm and leaders of several political parties used to mock, saying that one cannot reach the corridors of power by painting diyas on walls. We are those who painted lotus on walls with such confidence that we knew, one day the lotus painted on walls will be painted on hearts of the people, PM Modi said.

PM Modi also turned emotional while recalling the struggle of the BJP workers. Our party workers used to protest against those in power for the issues of the people. So they kept going to and coming out of jail. 50 years ago, People of Jan Sangh were doing Satyagraha in Ahmedabad and so many people were jailed just for agitating. One of the women workers who went to jail, spent a month in jail with her 9-month-old baby. Thats how BJP reached hereand those people who committed this crimethey had so much greed for power, he said.

He urged the BJP members to make border villages a stronghold of the party.

BJP President JP Nadda endorsed PM Modis membership, setting the stage for a nationwide drive.

The campaign is structured in phases: The first phase will conclude on September 25, followed by the second phase from October 1 to 15, and an active membership drive from October 16 to 31. The campaign will set membership targets for each unit, from booth to state levels, based on the partys performance in the recent elections.

The first 15 days of the campaign will focus on door-to-door outreach in every booth before moving on to larger public activities.

Following Modis registration, other senior party leaders, including Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, also enrolled as BJP members.

Addressing the gathering, Shah praised the BJPs democratic approach to membership, contrasting it with other political parties of the country.

He also highlighted the partys record and expressed confidence that the BJP would surpass its previous membership numbers, aiming for over 10 crore members.

The Union Home Minister also cited major achievements of the Modi government, including the construction of Ram temple in Ayodhya, the abrogation of Article 370, and the development of the Kashi Vishwanath Corridor.

He underscored that the membership drive was integral to BJPs vision of a developed India.

Nadda emphasised that the BJP requires all its members to renew their membership every six years, adhering to its democratic principles.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh acknowledged the erosion of public trust in leaders, but highlighted PM Modis commitment to integrity and transparency, which has guided the partys approach to politics and governance.
The Opposition Congress on Monday continued to put pressure on SEBI chief Madhabi Puri Buch to tender her resignation as the party accused her of conflict of interest.

Notably, the Congress has been demanding resignation of Buch following the Hindenburg Research report against her last month. The US-based short seller alleged that Buch and her husband Dhaval Buch had stakes in obscure offshore entities used in the Adani money siphoning scandal.

Addressing a press conference at the party headquarters here, Congress chairman of media and publicity department, Pawan Khera said, The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) is entrusted with safeguarding the hard-earned money of the Indian middle class, which painstakingly saves every penny that it can, to invest in the hope of a secure future. Yet, while the people place their hopes in SEBI whose chairperson is appointed directly by the Prime Minister (Narendra Modi), they appear to have been conning us all along.

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There have been multiple conflicts of interest involving the SEBI chairperson. The conflict of interest in so far as the Supreme Court monitored investigation on the Adani saga has already been discussed. Over and above that, there are other conflicts of interest which put the institution of SEBI under a huge cloud of suspicion.

Hitting out at Buch, the Congress leader said, Since the current SEBI chairperson took office in 2017, she has not only been drawing a salary from SEBI, but has also been holding an office of profit at ICICI Bank, continuing to receive income from them to this very day between 2017-2021, as a whole time member of SEBI, the current SEBI chairperson received a salary from ICICI Bank amounting to Rs 12.63 crore.

He also alleged that she received money from ICICI prudential amounting to Rs 22.41 lakh. This is again in violation of Section 54 of the SEBI (Employees Service) Regulations, 2001 and Section 5 of SEBIs Code on Conflict of Interests for Board Members (2008).

Between 2021-2023, the current SEBI Chairperson was also in receipt of ESOP from ICICI Bank amounting to Rs 2.84 crore. This is in violation of Section X of the ICICI Employees Stock Option Scheme 2000, he said.

Khera further said, The total amount received by the SEBI Chairperson from ICICI from her time of joining SEBI in 2017 up until today totals to Rs 16.80 crore which is shockingly 5.09 times the income she received from SEBI during the same period which amounts to Rs 3.30 crore.

The Congress spokesperson also posed a volley of questions to Modi on the matter.

What is the fit and proper criteria for appointment of heads of regulatory bodies? Has the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC), headed by the PM, gone through these shocking facts about the SEBI chairperson or is the ACC completely outsourced to the PMO? Was the Prime Minister aware that the SEBI chairperson was holding an office of profit and receiving salary/income from ICICI during her time at SEBI? Who is protecting the SEBI chairperson and why? The prime minister should come clean and give answers to these questions, he said.

Meanwhile, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said on X, Narendra Modi ji, for 10 years, you have tried your best to crush the autonomy and independence of Indias long-standing institutions to help your crony friends. We saw this in the case of appointments in CBI, ED, RBI, CEC; now we are facing the same in SEBI.

You have appointed the first lateral entry chairperson of SEBI without any due diligence, this has put a black stain on its reputation and belittled the integrity of the market regulator. After all, SEBI protects the hard-earned money of small and middle-income investors, he said.

Kharge, who is also the Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha said, We demand that the Supreme Court should take cognizance of these fresh revelations. The SEBI chairperson should be dismissed immediately. There should be a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) investigation of the Adani Mega Scam. Since the SEBI chief was appointed by the Modi-(Amit) Shah led committee, they cannot absolve themselves from the new revelations involving charges of corruption.
A delegation of the Delhi Congress under the leadership of its president Devender Yadav met Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena here on Monday and raised the issue of mayoral election.

The delegation submitted a memorandum to the LG alleging that the Mayor Shelly Oberoi has been continuing in her post since April 2024 without holding elections as her term had ended on 31st March 2024.

Yadav said that according to the provisions of the MCD Act (Section-35), it was the turn of a Scheduled Caste member to become the Mayor, but the ruling Aam Aadmi Party has not held the elections, depriving an SC candidate of the right to become the Mayor.

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However, the incumbent Mayor continues to illegally occupy the position till date, and therefore all the decisions taken by her after March 31, 2024 would be illegal and challengeable in the court, he added.

The Congress delegation pointed out that the Constitution of India grants protection to save the rights of SC/ST, and sought the intervention of the Lieutenant Governor in the appointment of a new mayor from the Scheduled Caste community without any further delay and also to ensure that the provisions of the law are not set aside for political gain by any party.

While talking to the media after meeting LG, Yadav said that the LG has promised the delegation to take an apt decision very soon. As it was a serious matter, the LG assured that no injustice would be done to the SC/ST community in the election of the new Mayor.
Congress on Monday released a list of six candidates for the second phase of upcoming Assembly elections in Jammu & Kashmir.

The partys Central Election Committee (CEC) has finalised the name of candidates for the second phase, said its General Secretary in-charge of Organisation KC Venugopal.

According to the list, Tariq Hameed Karra will contest from the Central Shalteng Assembly seat, Mumtaz Khan from Reasi, Bhupender Jamwal from Mata Vaishno Devi, and Iftikar Ahmed from Rajouri.

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The Congress party has fielded Shabir Ahmad Khan from Thannamandi constituency and Mohd Shahnawaz Choudhary from Surankote.

Earlier in the day, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, along with Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, chaired a meeting of the CEC to discuss the names of candidates.

It may be mentioned here that the National Conference (NC) and Congress sealed an agreement under which the NC will contest 51 seats and Congress 32, in Jammu and Kashmir.

On 16th August, the Election Commission (EC) announced the Assembly elections to be held in J&K in three phases with the first phase voting on 18 September, the second phase on 25th September, and the third phase on 1st October.

The counting of votes will take place on 8th October.

Notably, in December last, the Supreme Court had ordered the Commission to hold the assembly polls in Jammu & Kashmir by 30th September 2024, while pronouncing the judgment in the cases concerning the abrogation of Article 370.

This will be the first assembly elections in Jammu & Kashmir after the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019.
Two containers of a sunken ship packed with household goods were washed ashore off Satabhaya beach within Gahirmatha marine sanctuary under Rajnagar block of Odiahas Kendrapara district on Monday.

It appears both the containers have been lost at sea after a cargo vessel sank in the sea last week, said an official.

A label on the side of both containers stated that they were owned by a logistics company called ITT Lines Private Limited, Kolkata.

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The MV ITT Puma, a Mumbai-registered general cargo vessel, was en route from Kolkata to Port Blair when it reportedly sank last Monday around 90 nautical miles south of Sagar Island, West Bengal.

Stormy weather caused shipping containers to drift from the sunken ship to Satabhaya Beach. Police and forest officials rushed to the beach cordoned off the area and warned people to keep a safe distance from the containers.

The authorities are still investigating what the item could be in the containers. Most of the items in the containers were washed away as doors were left wide open due to the impact of sea waves, said the Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) of Bhitarkanika National Park, Sudarshan Gopinath Yadav.

The items in the containers lost in the sea can be harmful to the marine environment as they might be chemicals, oils, plastics, and other pollutants. The pollutants of this nature are a cause of concern as Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary is regarded as the worlds largest rookery of Olive Ridley sea turtles.

All the containers of the sunken ship have only household materials. The ship was sailing from Kolkata to Port Blair when the cargo vessel capsized, an official of ITT Lines Private Limited, Kolkata said.

It may be recalled that the Indian Coast Guard rescued 11 crew members from the sunken ship last Monday and brought them to Paradip last Tuesday.
The Central Water Commission (CWC) has accepted Keralas demand for a safety audit of Mullaperiyar dam within 12 months. The decision was taken at a meeting of the CWC in New Delhi on Monday.

The last safety audit of the century-old structure was done in 2011. Kerala has been demanding a fresh audit at the earliest. Tamil Nadu had contended that the next audit wasnt necessary under the Dam Safety Act of 2021, at least until 2026.

However, accepting Keralas demand, the Central Water Commission on Monday issued orders to conduct a safety audit of the Mullaperiyar dam within 12 months.

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Roshy Augustine, Keralas Minister for Water Resources, said Keralas constant demand has been accepted by the CWC.

Kerala has repeatedly raised this demand. We have always maintained the position that Tamil Nadu must get its water but Kerala needs the guarantee on the safety of the dam, he said.
In escalation of violence in Manipur, suspected Kuki militants launched a drone attack in Koutruk, Imphal West.

The assault on Sunday resulted in the tragic death of 31 year-old Ngangbam Surbala and injuries to ten others, including her 6-year-old daughter and a journalist from Impact News, Elangbam Mushuk.

Surbala, who was visiting her maternal home at the time, was fatally shot, while her daughter sustained injuries to her arm. The injured, including Impact News reporter Mushuk, are currently receiving treatment at various local hospitals.

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The assault involved the use of drones, bombs, and other sophisticated weapons, marking a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict between the Meitei and Kuki communities. The militants reportedly employed drone bombs during clashes with state and central forces, leading to critical injuries to state force personnel Ngasekpam Robert, who is currently undergoing treatment

In the aftermath, the situation in the Kadangband area remains tense as gunfights continue, forcing many residents to flee their homes. Authorities are on high alert, conducting combing operations to flush out the assailants.

The Manipur Home Department issued a strong condemnation of the attack, labeling it an act of terror aimed at derailing peace efforts in the region. The government has vowed to bring the perpetrators to justice and restore order in the affected areas.

As tensions rise, the Manipur Police have urged the public to maintain restraint, while combing operations continue in an effort to apprehend those responsible for the attack.
The elections for the office bearers of the Delhi University Student Union (DUSU) will be held on September 27 while votes will be counted the next day, according to a Delhi University notification.

The last date for filing of the nominations is on September 17 while the last date for the withdrawal of the nominations and the publication of the final list of the candidates is on September 18, the notification read.

The nomination papers for the DUSU polls have to be submitted to the office of the chief election conference centre while for the central council, nomination forms have to be submitted to the respective college principal.

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The Delhi University Students Union is the representative body of the students from most colleges and faculties. Apart from this, each college has its own student union elections.

The elections to the four central posts of president, vice president, secretary, and joint secretary are held by the committee, while the elections to the same posts at the college level are conducted by respective colleges. However, the committee keeps an eye on these elections to ensure a free and fair election.

Earlier on Thursday, Delhi University announced a three-member committee to conduct the 2024-25 Delhi University Student Union (DUSU) elections.

The committee consists of Prof Satyapal Singh from the Department of Sanskrit as the chief election officer, Professor Raj Kishore Sharma from the Department of Chemistry as the Chief Returning officer, and Dr Rajesh Singh, university librarian as the returning officer.
The Madhya Pradesh High Court on Monday served notices to BJPs Mandi constituency Lok Sabha member Kangana Ranaut and others on a public interest litigation filed against the screening of her movie Emergency.

A division bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Sanjeev Sachdeva and Justice Vinay Saraf issued the 24-hour returnable notices to the respondents during preliminary hearing of the PIL at Jabalpur on Monday.

The Jabalpur Sikh Sangat and Shri Guru Singh Sabha of Indore have filed the plea stating that the Sikhs are being directly affected and have chosen to move the court for protection of their dignity and honour enshrined in the Constitutional provisions.

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The Public Interest Litigation (PIL) stated that Emergency contains scenes that violate the fundamental rights of the Sikh community. It has sought unconditional apology from the actor-turned politician Kangana.

Kangana portrays the role of former Prime Minister late Indira Gandhi in the film, scheduled for release on September 6.

According to the petitioners lawyer N S Ruprah, the court ordered sending of the notices through electronic mode to the respondents, and returnable (with their replies over issues raised in the plea) by September 3.

Ruprah said the petition seeks direction to the Union government and the MP government to restrict screening of the movie across the country and particularly in Madhya Pradesh.

Furthermore, the plea seeks direction to Kangana Ranaut and other respondents to tender unconditional apology to the entire nation for making such an irresponsible film and pay exemplary damages to any Sikh charitable organization / institution.

Notices have been served to the Union and State governments, the Central Board of Film Certification, Manikarnika Films Pvt. Ltd., the Zee Studios Ltd., Zee Studios Ltd. Chief Business Officer Umesh K Bansal, YouTube, Instagram and Facebook India Online Services Pvt. Ltd.

The court has fixed the next date of hearing on Tuesday, 3 September.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 2. The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) mission acknowledges the transparency of the past parliamentary election in Azerbaijan, head of the observer mission from the SCO, Deputy Secretary General of the SCO Nuran Niyazaliyev said during a media briefing, Trend reports.

"The election to the Parliament of Azerbaijan met the requirements of the Constitution and the Electoral Code of Azerbaijan, as well as the international obligations accepted by the country," he also said.

According to him, the mission hasn't detected any violations that would hinder the free expression of the country's citizens.

"No external interference or pressure on the activities of precinct election commissions was identified. The mission considers the election to be transparent, credible, and democratic, noting that it was an important step towards further development of democratic processes in Azerbaijan," he added.

Niyazaliev also congratulated Azerbaijan on the election of the new, seventh convocation of the Milli Majlis of Azerbaijan.

The snap parliamentary election was held in Azerbaijan on September 1.

According to preliminary data, the voter turnout in the election reached 37.27 percent.

A total of 2,196,771 voters had cast their ballots in the election, and 5,895 polling stations submitted their protocols to the Central Election Commission (CEC) of Azerbaijan.

A total of 112,749 local observers have been registered, including over 65,000 representatives of political parties. There were 598 international observers from 51 organizations and 69 countries.

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
In a twist to the reports on the death of a soldier after a firing incident at Jammus Sunjwan military station, the Indian Army on Monday evening stated that it was not a terror attack and the cause of death of the soldier is being investigated.

A defence spokesman said; Initial investigations by the Indian Army suggest that the incident in which a soldier lost his life in the morning is not a terror attack. The cause of the death of the soldier is being investigated.

In a statement in the afternoon, the defence spokesman said; Today at about 10:50 AM a few rounds were fired at Sunjwan Military Station, one soldier was critically injured. Operation has been launched. Further details being ascertained.

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It is worth mentioning that the soldier on sentry duty at a gate of the military station was critically injured when hit by a bullet. He succumbed to his wounds later.

Reports said that the terrorist outfit Kashmir Tigers/JEM claimed responsibility for the attack. The injured soldier was immediately evacuated to hospital. However, he succumbed to the wounds, said officials.

The fire was retaliated by the troops while more reinforcements of Army, paramilitary forces and J&K Police were rushed to the area.

A massive search operation was launched in the area with drones. Army soldiers searched houses and rooftops in the neighbourhood of the military station.
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Monday ordered a probe into the allegations levelled against Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) law and order by CPI-M backed Independent MLA P V Anvar.

While addressing the Kerala Police Association state conference in Kottayam on Monday, the Chief Minister announced that a high-ranking police officer will investigate the recent allegations. He also made it clear that any breach of discipline will not be tolerated.

Chief Minister Vijayan said that the issues that have arisen will be addressed with the utmost seriousness,and any breach of discipline within the police force will not be tolerated at any cost.

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Some issues have come to light in the public recently. It has been decided that these issues will be thoroughly investigated by a top-ranked officer in the police force. The investigation would be conducted without prejudgment. Discipline is of utmost importance, and any violations will not be tolerated. Action will be taken accordingly, he said.

The Chief Minister said that a small group within the police force resists reforms and tarnished the reputation of the force. The government is aware of this group and has taken steps to remove problematic elements, with 108 individuals dismissed recently. CM Vijayan assured that this process would continue and emphasized the governments commitment to supporting honest officials.

The Chief Ministers decision to announce a probe into allegations came after state police chief,DGP Shaik Darvesh Saheb called on him at the Government Guest House at Nattakom in Kottayam. He appraised the developments after the surfacing of Anwars allegations.

It is learnt that Ajith Kumar will be removed from his position of ADGP overseeing law and order. Indications are that either H. Venkatesh or Balram Kumar may be appointed in Ajith Kumars place. It was unprecedented for the Chief Minister to publicly announce an investigation against an ADGP at a state conference attended by lower-ranked officers in the police force.

CPI-M backed Independent MLA P V Anvar on Sunday came out with serious allegations against Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayans political secretary, P Sasi, and Additional Director General of Police(ADGP), Law and Order, M R Ajith Kumar.

Training his guns on ADGP MR Ajith Kumar, who is in charge of law and order in the state police, Anwar accused him of being involved in gold smuggling operations that have led to killings. The left MLA called Ajith Kumar a criminal who emulates Dawood Ibrahim.

Anvar also alleged that gold smuggled through Karippur Airport was handled by former Malappuram SP P S Sujit Das. 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.

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.

Reports indicate that the Home Department has recommended action against SP Sujith Das for violations of service regulations.It is learnt that Sujith Das will be put under suspension in the phone conversation controversy with Nilambur MLA PV anvar. The order in this regard will be issued soon.

PV Anvar also criticised the Chief Ministers Political Secretary, P Sasi. He alleged that political secretary to the Chief Minister, P Sasi, who is in charge of the police, is not doing his duties properly.

Meanwhile, Opposition leader VD.Satheesan said that allegations of gold smuggling and murder against the Chief Ministers office are an insult to Kerala. VD Satheesan asked whether the Chief Ministers office is a base for criminals and whether the Chief Minister is not ashamed to hang on to power despite serious allegations. The opposition leader said that the investigation into the allegations should be handed over to the CBI and the Chief Minister should resign.
The Supreme Court, on Monday, came down heavily on bulldozer justice  demolition of the houses of the accused persons  and said the properties of the accused cant be demolished even if he is convicted.

Questioning the practice of demolishing the houses of the accused using bulldozers, which has come to be described as bulldozer justice, a bench of Justice B R Gavai and Justice K V Viswanathan said they would frame guidelines to be applicable across the country and asked the parties to the case to give their suggestions.

While taking a firm position against the authorities demolishing the houses of the accused persons, the court, however, made it clear that it would not protect any illegal structure obstructing public roads.

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Stating that the demolition of properties should be done as per the law, the top court assured that it would resolve the issue and posted the matter for hearing on September 17.

Appearing for the Central government, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta said no property belonging to a person can be bulldozed merely because someone is involved in some criminal case or convicted and this can only be done under the provisions of the municipal laws.

The top court was hearing petitions questioning the illegal demolition of residential and commercial properties using bulldozers.

Describing it as an extra-legal punishment by the state authorities, an application said that the increasing culture of illegal demolitions in the country is victimising minorities and the marginalised sections of society. The application says that such illegal demolitions are becoming a norm and creating a harrowing precedent for the people.

The petitioner sought a direction from the authorities that no action should be taken against the residential or commercial property of any accused in any criminal proceedings as an extra-legal punishment. The plea also sought that any demolition exercise must strictly be carried out in accordance with the law.

The petitioner further sought strict action to be taken against officials who have participated in an illegal exercise of demolition of properties of accused persons without following the due process of law.
The Opposition BJP seeking adjournment of the business listed for Monday to hold debate on non-payment of salaries-allowances due to the employees in Himachal Pradesh staged a walkout after being denied the same by the Speaker Kuldeep Singh Pathania.

The deadlock between the government and the Opposition during the Monsoon session continued on Monday. The Opposition party created a huge ruckus in the house and later the entire Opposition walked out of the house.

As soon as the meeting of the house began, BJP MLA Vipin Singh Parmar wanted to raise the issue through a point of order. He sought permission from the Assembly Speaker Kuldeep Singh Pathania to raise the issue, however, the Speaker declined to do so.

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The Speaker ruled that the Opposition can raise its issue after the question hour.

Vipin Singh Parmar kept demanding permission to raise his issue while the entire Opposition stood up from the seats and started creating a ruckus.

Leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thakur tried to present his point, but nothing could be heard amid the noise in the din. Following this, the Opposition kept raising slogans in the house for some time and amid the noise, the Speaker of the Assembly started the Question Hour before the Opposition walked out of the House raising slogans.

Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu claimed that infighting in the BJP has increased leaving the party leaders tense. Therefore, they are wasting the time of the House.

He said, It is for the first time in the history of the Assembly that the monsoon session is going to be of 10-day-long. The government had decided before the session that it would answer every issue raised by the Opposition.

He said that a maximum number of questions in the session were also asked by the Opposition members but despite this, they are busy only in creating ruckus.

Sukhu said the people of the state have come to know that the BJP only wants to gain political mileage. He said despite the members of the ruling party giving less time by the Speaker they did not raise any objection.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Harshvardhan Chauhan said that the Opposition is not concerned about the public. During the five days of the monsoon session so far, most of the agenda has been of the BJP, but the party is coming to the house only to create drama, he blamed.

BJP gave a notice of no-confidence motion today, but it was not discussed even through Point of Order, he said.

The Parliamentary Affairs Minister said that the walkout of the BJP is a political drama and the House condemns it.

Speaking on the issue, Revenue Minister Jagat Singh Negi said that under Rule 67, an adjournment motion is brought on a very serious issue.

He alleged that the opposition had brought a motion under Rule 67 just for show.

Speaker Kuldeep Singh Pathania stated that the proceedings within the House will be conducted as per the rules.

He said that what is not in the rules will not happen.

The Assembly Speaker said that his effort is aimed at bringing the issues of the states interest for discussion. Therefore, he allowed the issues to be brought by the opposition for discussion, however, despite all this, the opposition does not seem to be serious.

He further said that this morning, a notice of adjournment motion was received from Leader of Opposition Jairam Thakur, Vipin Singh Parmar, Sukhram Chaudhary, Satpal Satti, and others under Rule 67, which is related to non-payment of salary-allowances and pension of employees and financial crisis.

Pathania said that on August 28, a proposal for discussion under Rule 130 came from MLA Kewal Singh Pathania and others regarding the financial condition of the state.

He said that he had sent it to the government for necessary action and its reply has also come.

In such a situation, now this matter will be discussed in the House only under Rule 130 and hence the adjournment motion given by the opposition members in this regard was rejected.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday spoke to Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy over the phone and assured all required support from the Centre in tackling the flood situation.

According to the Chief Ministers Office (CMO), the Prime Minister gave an assurance that helicopters which can carry out rescue and relief operations in adverse weather conditions would be sent to the state.

As he enquired about the rain and flood situation, the Chief Minister apprised him of the damages caused by heavy rains and floods in some districts. He apprised the Prime Minister of the measures taken by the state government to prevent loss of lives and inconvenience to people.

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Revanth Reddy told him that Khammam district suffered the most due to heavy rains and floods.

According to the CMO, the Prime Minister praised the state administration for being alert to prevent loss of lives.

PM Modi spoke to Andhra Pradesh CM Chandrababu Naidu to enquire about the situation in the state in the wake of heavy rains and floods. He assured all possible assistance from the Centre to overcome this challenge.

Earlier, Union Home Minister Amit Shah assured all assistance to Telangana and Andhra Pradesh in tackling the situation arising out of heavy rains and flash floods. He spoke to Chief Ministers Revanth Reddy and Chandrababu Naidu separately over the phone and enquired about the situation in both states.

Revanth Reddy explained the damages caused by heavy rains and floods and told him that the state government is taking all precautions to prevent loss of lives.

Amit Shah assured him that the Centre would extend the required help. He said the Centre will provide assistance for relief measures in the affected areas.

Meanwhile, Naidu spoke to the Union Home Secretary after receiving a call from Amit Shah and discussed the dispatch of emergency power boats for relief operations in flood-hit areas.

The Home Secretary told the Chief Minister that six teams of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) from other states would be sent immediately to Andhra Pradesh. Each NDRF team will comprise 25 members and will have four powerboats each. These teams will reach Vijayawada on Monday morning. The Home Secretary assured Naidu that 40 power boats will be sent to the state. Another four NDRF teams will also be rushed to the state. The Home Secretary also gave an assurance that six teams would be sent for relief operations.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will embark on an official visit to Brunei and Singapore from September 3 to 5 to deepen ties with these two Southeast Asian nations as part of Indias Act East policy. Maritime security is expected to figure prominently during the PMs talks.

This will be the first-ever bilateral visit by an Indian PM to Brunei. The visit coincides with the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between India and Brunei.

India and Brunei engage in diverse areas of cooperation, including defence, trade and investment, energy, space technology, and health among others. Approximately 14,000 Indians live in Brunei, including doctors and teachers, Mr Jaideep Mazumdar, Secretary (East) in the Ministry of External Affairs said at a media briefing on Monday.

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Mr Modi will hold talks with Brunei Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah and other leaders on a range of issues.

Highlighting Bruneis support for India in the space program, Mr Mazumdar said, We have received valuable support from Brunei in our space program. We have three MoUs with Brunei in this area. We have established a telemetry tracking and command station in Brunei in 2,000 and this tracks and monitors all our eastward launches of satellites and satellite launch vehicles.

From Brunei, the PM will leave for Singapore where a discussion on maritime security will be high on the agenda of the two sides. Mr Mazumdar said India and Singapore share views on maritime security and safety.

On maritime security and safety, of course, you know Indias position on the South China Sea. In the case of Singapore as well, they need to maintain sea lines of communication that are safe, secure, free, Mr Mazumdar said.

So, we have a congruence of views on that and no doubt such issues will be discussed. I cant say to what degree, it will be discussed but these are issues that are important for all of our countries in the region and therefore, I have no doubt that they will be discussed, he added.

Mr Mazumdar also said that the situation in the neighbourhood always comes up during bilateral visits, adding that he expects the Myanmar situation to be discussed during the PMs visit to Brunei and Singapore.

He underscored that the two countries share a warm and friendly relationship and the engagements cover several sectors, including defence, trade and investment, energy, space, technology, health, capacity, building, culture and people-to-people exchanges.

During the visit, the MEA official said, the PM would engage in bilateral discussions on all aspects of our bilateral relations and cooperation with Brunei and explore new areas of cooperation.
A review petition has been filed in the Supreme Court against its recent verdict refusing to conduct NEET-UG 2024 exam afresh.

The review petition filed by one of the petitioners, under Article 137 of the Constitution, challenges the decision rendered on July 23, which had said that there was no systemic leak of question paper breaching the sanctity of the entire competitive exam.

Generally, review pleas are tested on very narrow grounds like mistakes of law, errors apparent on the face of the record, etc., and are often dismissed in chambers and are rarely given an open court hearing.

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In its detailed judgment, a bench headed by CJI D.Y. Chandrachud said that it was mindful of the fact that directing a fresh exam would be replete with serious consequences for over two million students who had appeared for the NEET-UG exam held on May 5.

However, the bench, also comprising Justices J.B. Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, clarified that its order wont prevent authorities from taking action against candidates who had secured admission using malpractices.

Expanding the remit of the High-Level Committee of Experts constituted by the Centre in the wake of the NEET-UG examination controversy, the SC directed the expert panel to formulate a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) regarding the timeline for registration, change of exam centres, sealing of OMR sheets and other processes related to the conduct of exams.

The report of the committee shall be submitted to the Union Ministry of Education by September 30. The Ministry of Education shall take a decision on the recommendations made by the committee within a period of one month from receiving the report, ordered the apex court.

The Union Ministry of Education established a seven-member expert panel  headed by Dr K. Radhakrishnan, former Chairman of ISRO and Chairman, Board of Governors, IIT Kanpur  to recommend effective measures for the conduct of transparent, smooth and fair examinations by the National Testing Agency (NTA).

The High-Level Committee of Experts was formed after the SC asked the Centre to detail the steps taken to ensure the sanctity of the NEET in the future.

The Supreme Court also deprecated the National Testing Agencys (NTA) decision to award compensatory marks to 1,563 students on account of loss of time, which was later recalled after several petitions were filed before the top court.

Further, it asked the NTA to re-tally the marks afresh given the opinion rendered by the expert panel of IIT Delhi in respect of a contentious physics question.

As many as 44 candidates were able to secure full marks because of NTAs decision to treat two options as the correct answers to the ambiguous question.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said here on Monday that the UP Police Force has played a key role in shaping the state as a model of good governance.

Today, through the implementation of the rule of law, Uttar Pradesh has transformed its image, he remarked.

Speaking at the convocation ceremony for 74 deputy superintendents of police (DSPs) at the Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar Police Academy, Yogi highlighted that the newly-appointed officers in the Uttar Pradesh Police Force, recognised as the worlds largest civil police force, must embrace smart policing in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modis vision.

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We have to move towards smart policing, which is techno-savvy and trendy, sensitive while being strict, modern but mobile, alert but equally accountable towards its work, reliable as well as responsive.

He expressed satisfaction with the appointment of 18 women DSPs and noted that with the recruitment of 1.60 lakh police personnel over the past seven years, there has been a significant increase in the resources available to the force. We have also achieved considerable success in tripling the capacity of police training, he added.

On the occasion, the CM honoured Srishti Akanksha Pandey for internal training, Udit Narayan Paliwal for external training, and Prakhar Pandey with the Sword of Honour.

These trainees received specialised instruction in law, human disorder, cybercrime, language, and three new laws. The chief minister quoted an adage often associated with the police force: The more you sweat in training, the less blood is shed in the field. Congratulations on joining the ranks of the worlds largest police forcethis is a remarkable accomplishment!

The law is offering us continuous and clear direction for future reforms. Shifting from traditional methods of investigation and punishment to modern forensic technology and evidence is not only more effective for delivering justice but also helps prevent the misuse of justice. To support this approach, the State Institute of Forensic Sciences has been established in Lucknow, he noted.

Underscoring the significance of their new roles as police officers, he urged the recruits to approach to their duties with unwavering dedication, discipline, and integrity. In addition to controlling crime, you will play a significant role in delivering justice to victims by upholding law and order. We expect each of you to contribute fully to protecting the public, ensuring peace and harmony in society, and preserving the image of a friendly police force. While performing your duties, it is essential to balance strictness with politeness.

Yogi Adityanath stated that the police force must always remain steadfast in its duties and be prepared to sacrifice for the cause. The presence of the police should instill a sense of security and trust in the public, and it is your responsibility to uphold that trust.

CM Yogi further noted that the foundation of good governance in any state is built on crime prevention and the maintenance of law and order. This foundation is solidified when the state has a responsible policing system and a professionally skilled, sensitive police force.

Strong law and order is a top priority for our government. We have a zero-tolerance policy towards criminals, which has proven effective. To enhance the police system, our government has implemented numerous reforms and modernizations. Over the past seven years, there has been a significant increase in resources for new police recruitments, with 160,000 personnel added to strengthen the force.

He added, Recently, you may have observed that the written examination for more than 60,200 positions has been successfully conducted in Uttar Pradesh. Over the last seven years, we have tripled the capacity for police training. Additionally, under Mission Shakti, the establishment of women PAC battalions in Lucknow, Gorakhpur, and Badaun for women empowerment has progressed rapidly.

Yogi emphasised that these efforts are part of the state polices reform and modernisation campaign. Over the past seven-and-a-half years, UP has seen no riots, and festivals and celebrations are being held peacefully, with no room for anarchy or hooliganism. As a result, the state is emerging as a model of good governance, largely due to the contributions of the Uttar Pradesh Police Force.

The parade, after the convocation ceremony, showcased the skills of the newly-appointed DSPs, the worlds largest police force.
The Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut claimed that Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis is ignorant of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharajs history on the Surat raids and offered to send a masterji to help polish his historical knowledge, here on Monday.

He was hitting out at the Bharatiya Janata Party leader for his allegations on Sunday that in his magnum opus, Discovery of India (1946), Indias first Prime Minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru had insulted the Chhatrapati Shivaji by stating that he had looted Surat which was incorrect.

Raut pointed out that Nehru had already regretted the mention of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in his treatise, which was penned when he was jailed at the Ahmednagar Fort (1942-1945).

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Nehru was imprisoned at the time. He admitted that he lacked references and that was why he had written such things on the Chhatrapati. He even apologised and rectified it in the next edition. But this is a 70-year-old matter. The BJP is searching the pages of history to talk about irrelevant things. They should talk about their insults to the Chhatrapati by them today, instead of pouring into history books repeatedly, demanded Raut.

The war of words between the ruling MahaYuti and opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) continues a week after the Chhatrapatis 28-foot tall figurine crashed at Rajkot Fort in coastal Sindhudurg.

Two days after PM Narendra Modi tendered an apology for the disaster to save the MahaYutis sinking image before the Assembly elections, the MVA has launched a fresh agitation around the state from September 1 on the issue.

At the MVAs full-throated and aggressive beat with shoes crusade in Mumbai on Sunday, Fadnavis raked up the issue of Chhatrapatis plunders in Surat (1664 & 1670), describing them as insults meted out to the Maratha warrior king in Nehrus books, and demanded that the Congress-MVA should now apologise for it.

He also referred to other instances when the Congress had allegedly bulldozed a statue of the Chhatrapati in Madhya Pradesh and in Karnataka, and asked the party to say sorry, but the people of Surat (Gujarat) erected a statue of the great Maratha there.

Congress leader Pawan Khera rubbished Fadnavis saying that Nehru had admitted to the error and it was changed from the next edition onwards.

Terming Fadnavis as the chairman of the Aurangzeb fan club Raut charged the BJP with trying to foment riots by raking up Hindu-Muslim, India-Pakistan all the time, otherwise they cannot face the (Assembly) elections, which they have mentally lost already.
The Supreme Court on Monday granted bail to Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwals aide Bibhav Kumar, accused of assaulting Aam Aadmi Partys Rajya Sabha member Swati Maliwal.

Granting bail to Kumar, a bench of Justice Surya Kant and Justice Ujjal Bhuyan noted that he is in custody for 100 days and chargesheet has already been filed in the case.

The court also considered that there were more than 51 witnesses cited by the prosecution for examination and the conclusion of the trial will take some time.

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Petitioner is in custody for 100 days. Chargesheet filed. Injuries are simple. Its a case for bail, you should not oppose. You cant keep a person in jail in such a case, the court told Additional Solicitor General (ASG) SV Raju, who appeared for the Delhi police opposed to the grant of bail to Bibhav Kumar.

The bench said that the trial court shall make an endeavour to finish the examination of important and vulnerable witnesses first within three months.

Amongst the certain conditions imposed by the court included that Bibhav Kumar shall not be restored as PS of Delhi Chief Minister or political office associated with the CM office.

Besides this, the court directed that Bibhav Kumar shall not enter Chief Ministers residence till all witnesses are examined and shall not make any public comment on the case which is sub judice before trial court.

During the hearing, senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, appearing for Kumar, told the bench that the injuries to Maliwal are simple and the invocation of the offence under Section 308 of the Indian Penal Code (attempt to commit culpable homicide not amounting to murder) was not justified.

Senior advocate further said that the witnesses are the officials of the Delhi police itself and hence there was no scope for intimidating or influencing witnesses.

The ASG Raju argued that the bail should be deferred till the examination of private witnesses are complete.

Kumar had approached the topx court challenging Delhi High Courts order denying him bail.

On July 12, High Court had dismissed Kumars bail plea, saying he enjoys considerable influence and no ground to grant him the relief was made out.

The High Court had said that it cannot be ruled out that witnesses may be influenced or evidence tampered with, in case Kumar is released on bail.

On May 16, an FIR was registered against Kumar under various provisions of the Indian Penal Code, including those relating to criminal intimidation, assault or using criminal force on a woman with the intent to disrobe, and attempt to commit culpable homicide.

Kumar had moved the High Court after a Tis Hazari court here dismissed his bail plea on May 26, 2024.

Kumar is accused of assaulting Maliwal at the Chief Minister Kejriwals residence in New Delhi on May 13, 2024.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 2. No negative events have been recorded in the electoral process during the observation of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) mission at the snap parliamentary election in Azerbaijan, Deputy Secretary General of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) Omar Kocaman said at today's press conference on the election results in Baku, Trend reports.

"All necessary conditions were created, and measures were taken to ensure people's participation in the snap parliamentary electoral process. This once again proves the legitimacy and transparency of the election," Kocaman also said.

He emphasized that the election commission mission of the OTS includes representatives from the Central Election Commissions of the OTS member states.

"The mission carried out its activities in accordance with international election standards. On the election day, the OTS delegation participated in the opening of a polling station in the Khatai district of Baku. In total, the mission visited 36 polling stations.

During our observation, no negative incidents in the electoral process were recorded. All necessary conditions were created, and measures were taken to ensure people's participation in the electoral process.

This once again proves the legitimacy and transparency of the election. The counting and announcement of votes were conducted in a timely manner.

The mission did not face any negative phenomena that could affect the election results. No campaigning was observed near polling stations. The ballots were produced in accordance with the law. Media coverage of the election contributed to their transparency.

The OTS election observation mission confirms that the election was conducted openly and transparently, in line with international electoral standards," he added.

The snap parliamentary election was held in Azerbaijan on September 1.

According to preliminary data, the voter turnout in the election reached 37.27 percent.

A total of 2,196,771 voters had cast their ballots in the election, and 5,895 polling stations submitted their protocols to the Central Election Commission (CEC) of Azerbaijan.

A total of 112,749 local observers have been registered, including over 65,000 representatives of political parties. There were 598 international observers from 51 organizations and 69 countries.

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
Goons of a sand mafia, said to be of a BJP leader, allegedly crushed a tribal farmer to death when he tried to stop them from driving their illegally mined sand laden tractor-trolley through his agricultural field which would have resulted in damage to his rice crop in the Singrauli district of Madhya Pradesh.

The opposition Congress launched a scathing attack on the BJP government and CM Dr Mohan Yadav over the incident.

According to information, the incident took place in village Gannai under the jurisdiction of Sarrai police station late night Sunday.

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The tractor-trolley ferrying illegally mined sand from the Pateer River in the area reportedly belonged to local BJP leader Lalle Vaishya, who is the former Vice-President of the BJPs youth wing, the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM).

Sources said that in order to avoid the police, the goons of the mafia were repeatedly driving through the agricultural field of tribal farmer Indrapal Agariya (46). The farmer had sown rice in the field and the crop was being severely damaged by the tractor.

On late Sunday night, Indrapal tried to stop the goons from driving through his field but instead of stopping they allegedly drove the tractor over Indrapal. The tribal got crushed under the wheels and died on the spot. After that, the goons left the tractor on the spot and fled away.

According to Singrauli SP Nivedita Naidu, the tractor owner Lalle has been arrested. The SP said further action would be taken on the basis of the postmortem report.

MP Congress Chief Jitu Patwari said this was yet another incident in the long list of crimes and atrocities against poor tribals in Madhya Pradesh. Patwari said the accused in this case too are BJP leaders. Patwari said CM Yadav, who is also the Home Minister, has been quiet over all such incidents.

Former Congress MLA Kamleshwar Patel alleged that a BJP leader crushed a tribal farmer to death. Patel targeted MP CM Mohan Yadav alleging that the CM has converted Madhya Pradesh into Mafia Pradesh.

Former MP CM and Congress leader Kamal Nath said yet another tribal was murdered in MP. He questioned would such crimes ever stop?
Agitating youths, demanding a fresh merit list of appointment of 69,000 assistant teachers in the primary schools in Uttar Pradesh, staged a massive protest in the state capital on Monday.

Police had to use mild force and resort to lathicharge after the protesting youths tried to reach the official residence of Deputy chief minister Keshav Prasad Maurya.

A protester reportedly suffered a mild heart attack during the police action and has been admitted to the hospital.

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After the Allahabad High Court canceled the selected merit list of Assistant Teacher Recruitment, the candidates are continuously protesting and demanding release of the new list. The candidates say that applicants coming from backward classes should be given their rights and a new list should be released. The candidates have been continuously agitating regarding these demands.

On Monday, while protesting in Lucknow, the candidates attempted to surround the official residence of Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya when the police stopped them midway.

The protestors clashed with the police, demanding that the new list be released soon and they be given the benefit of reservation.
Baluchistan has been in flames in recent days. At the receiving end of a series of coordinated attacks last week, the Pakistan army suffered heavy casualties. Officially Pakistan admitted to over seventy killed including fourteen soldiers, 21 fighters of the BLA (Baluchistan Liberation Army), the organization which claimed responsibility for the attacks, and 23 Punjabis who were pulled out from public transport and executed. In addition, the BLA blocked roads and destroyed the railway bridge at Bolan, cutting off communication arteries.

The current attack, launched in multiple places, termed as Operation Herof by the BLA, involved detailed coordination and planning. As per Pakistans Dawn newspaper, This has been the most widespread assault in years. The BLA claimed that over 100 Pakistani soldiers were killed, and that those identified as non-Baloch in public transport were security personnel in civil dress. It was a direct confrontation which shook the national leadership. PM Shehbaz Sharif said that the army would be provided with all resources to root out terrorism at all costs.

The deputy PM, Ishaq Dar, offered talks with disgruntled Baloch separatists. The President, Asif Ali Zardari mentioned, The killing of innocent people is tantamount to killing the entire mankind. In 1948, Pakistan had coerced the Khan of Kalat to sign the instrument of accession, setting the stage for the commencement of the Baluch uprising, which has witnessed ups and downs. Baluchistan comprises 45 per cent of Pakistans landmass, possesses natural resources such as gas, gold, copper and coal and is the least populated province.

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However, it remains one of Pakistans most backward regions, with over 40 per cent of its population living below the poverty line. This exploitation, alongside suppression by Pakistani armed forces, has resulted in enhanced distrust between the populace and Islamabad. Baluchistan is known for enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings and fake encounters. While a commission of enquiry mentions there are less than 2,800 disappearances from 2002 to date, the Baloch claim the number to be above 7,000, while the Pakistan government believes them to be below 50. Mahrang Baloch, a woman human rights defender, heads the BYC (Baloch Yakjehti Committee), which is raising global awareness on enforced disappearances in the province.

Protests led by her are largely women dominated. Mahrang organized a 1600-km long march from Baluchistan to Islamabad in November 2023, to highlight extra judicial killings. It was broken up by security forces. At the end of July, BYC protests in Gwadar were called off based on talks with the government. It is reported that protests would recommence soon as the government has not stuck to its part of the deal. BYC protests and BLAs military activities, though independent of each other, have resulted in the region facing the brunt of Pakistans military actions. Alongside them is the rising power of the TTP (Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan) in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to add to Pakistans security woes. Pakistans headaches have increased, rather than decreased, since the arrival of the Taliban in Afghanistan. Their presence has emboldened both the TTP as also the BLA. The BLA has been declared a terrorist organization by both Pakistan and the US.

It targets Pakistani security forces as also Chinese assets including the CPEC (China Pakistan Economic Corridor). The CPEC has always been a matter of concern for Balochis. Their belief is that the CPEC is designed for exploitation of their resources. Gwadar is an added bone of contention. Locals are prohibited from the city, including those who traditionally lived off fishing. The state failed to convince them that the CPEC would be of long-term benefit. Shehbaz Sharif mentioned, They want to disrupt the development of Baluchistan and other parts of the country through the CPEC. Ironically the attack occurred on the day when the Commander of the Chinese PLA Ground Forces, Gen Li Qiaoming, was in Islamabad to discuss further military and economic cooperation.

The messaging could not have been clearer. BLA attacks have impeded Chinese investments. This was evident when Shehbaz Sharif returned empty handed from Beijing in June this year. Dawn, in an editorial last week, blamed India and Afghanistan for backing the BLA. It mentioned, Strong evidence is said to link some of them to India and other neighbouring countries who are opposed to the idea of a secure Pakistan. However, the BLA has bases in Iran, which Pakistan avoids mentioning, fearing deterioration in relations. The fact remains that the BLAs retaliation stems from excessive employment of the Pakistan army. Instead of winning over neutral population as also providing the region with development, it has been suppressing people, adding to public anger.

The current attacks also coincided with the death anniversary of Nawab Akbar Bugti, a former governor and chief minister of Baluchistan, amongst the most powerful tribal chieftains, killed in a military operation on 26 August 2006. Such specific days ought to have called for additional security measures, which were not taken, implying laxity on the part of the army. The basic cause of growing discontent against the Pakistan army is its policy of suppression, rather than winning hearts and alienating separatists and terrorists. Current leaders of the BLA are educated middle class individuals. Its current head, Dr Allah Nazar, is a gold medallist from the Bolan medical college.

Allah Nazars brother was killed in illegal custody, while he himself was arrested in 2005. This continued policy of repression has ensured that the BLA will never be short of volunteers. Most members of the group were forced into picking up arms due to enforced disappearances of their family members or being tortured by the Pakistan army. Unlike Kashmir, which India is developing rapidly, changing mindsets and creating employment opportunities, Baluchistan is left to fend for itself, while its resources are milked. This has added to anger.

The fact that women activists, including mothers, are becoming suicide bombers only highlights the fact that the state has failed in reaching out to the public. Sadly, the world has not woken up to atrocities being committed by Pakistans security forces in the region, as it has in other parts of the world. Unless world pressure increases and forces Pakistan to see sense, these rounds of attacks would continue followed by repression.

(The writer is a retired Major-General of the Indian Army.)
The South China Sea has emerged as a flashpoint as several countries have claims to certain portions of this maritime space. While some Southeast Asian countries make claims to the oceanic space in the South China Sea that falls within their respective Exclusive Economic Zones, China makes a claim on almost its entirety. Chinas muscle-flexing behaviour to assert its claims carries the seeds of a potential conflagration. By doing this, China is violating the globally accepted rules-based order and is thus a concern for maintaining regional peace.

China has territorial disputes with a number of Southeast Asian countries, the most prominent of these being with the Philippines. As the Philippines is an alliance partner of the USA, American officials throughout 2024 have been privately and publicly signalling to their Chinese counterparts that the North American nation is firmly committed to upholding its alliance commitments. The message is intended as a warning not to test the limits of American tolerance towards Chinese attempts to obstruct access to the Second Thomas Shoal, a submerged reef in the South China Sea where a grounded Philippines vessel, the Sierra Madre, serves as an outpost for Filipino soldiers. The disputes stemming over competing claims have been intensifying, thereby raising concerns about an outbreak of war and thus a threat to regional stability.

In response to the escalations, the Philippines, Vietnam, and Malaysia have reinforced their presence in the contested waters as the US steps up its intervention. Chinese maritime expert Wu Shicun, who heads the state-funded National Institute for South China Sea Studies and spent years researching the South China Sea, its history and geography as well as the regional disputes over this strategic waterway, defends Chinas claims and bla m es Philippines for having been the first country to violate Beijings rights in the South China Sea in the 1970s, when China was in the grip of the Cultural Revolution. Wu Shicun accuses then President Ferdinand Marcos Sr of sending the military to take over a number of islands, including Feixin (Flat) Island and Zhongye (Thitu) Island.

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Wu further observes that Beijing and Taipei did not respond then militarily, allowing Manila in 1971 to gain control of more islands and reefs. Wu rubbishes as erroneous the arbitration by the international arbitral tribunal in The Hague which in July 2016 backed Manila and ruled Beijings claims had no basis under international law. It was a landmark victory for the Philippines, which filed the case. The Philippines was forced to approach the Hague court when Beijing closed all options for the dialogue. Beijing has rejected the ruling. Beijing ought to be aware that the Philippines is a US treaty ally and that the latter would intervene in defence of its treaty partner if a war breaks out over the South China Sea. In fact, the possibility of war cannot be ruled out.

For example, when on 17 June 2024, the Chinese coast guard seized firearms from Filipino sailors at Renai Jiao during a confrontation, a trigger could have accidentally been pulled leading to an armed conflict. That the 17 June incident between Chinese and Philippine vessels did not escalate into outright armed conflict is due to some restraint and a whole lot of luck. The world had come dangerously close to a full-scale conflict on the issue of South China Sea but it was averted because of restraint exercised by both sides. As per international law that qualifies for sovereign immunity status, the boarding and seizure of Philippine Navy boats could have been construed as an act of war.

Had the Sierra Madre ~ still a commissioned navy vessel despite being grounded and disused since 1999 been boarded in the heated frenzy, the situation could have easily escalated out of control and potentially triggered the Mutual Defence Treaty between the Philippines and the US. In the end good sense prevailed and a major escalation was prevented. The Mutual Defense Treaty was not invoked in large part because Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr had set the bar pretty high at the Shangri-La Dialogue in June 2024 where he had mentioned categorically that if any Filipino participants, civilian or otherwise, would have been killed, he would consider that the red line was crossed. While Beijing is unsure what the red lines would be, Manila has assiduously avoided invocation of the treaty in order not to escalate tensions further.

The provocation did not stop with the 17 June incident. The Philippines and China clashed in the disputed waters of the South China Sea on 25 August over what Manila said was a resupply mission for fishermen, the latest in a series of sea and air confrontations in the strategic waterway. The incident overshadowed efforts by both nations to rebuild trust and better manage disputes after months of confrontation. Though the possibility of the US being drawn into a direct conflict could be a certainty, it remains to be seen if Washington would be willing to be engaged in a direct conflict with China for the Philippines, as such a situation could get out of control and would inevitably draw other countries in as well.

A conflict would dramatically impact on regional security and also leave a debilitating effect on the economies of several Asian countries and also on the world economy. If this is the scenario, can a new consensus be explored in which the rival claimants work together to demilitarise the South China Sea? As a code of conduct has remained elusive for considerable time, other agreements may be explored to slowly demilitarise the South China Sea. For example, every claimant could offer an island to develop civilian facilities including scientific stations and environmental research centres to monitor sea levels and restore coral reefs.

Military deployment on those islands and reefs must stop as a first step. And, China ought to be the first to agree to this idea by providing an island for the idea offered. Given Chinas behaviour, that could be a difficult proposition. But the idea can be explored in the larger interests of regional security.

(The writer is former Senior Fellow at Pradhanmantri Memorial Museum and Library, Ministry of Culture, Government of India, New Delhi)
During the pandemic, when a question mark hung over whether or not Durga Puja would be celebrated at all, one man was at the receiving end of at least a hundred distressed phone calls. His name is Rintu Das, the artist who subsequently catapulted to fame with his stunning depiction of Goddess Durga as a migrant labourer, walking back to her home in heaven with her children, Ganesh, Kartik, Lakshmi and Saraswati in towand in tatters.

It was September 2020, a month before Durga Puja was scheduled to take place. However, the pandemic that had erupted that year in March was still raging unabated, creating panic in people. The lockdown too posed problems. Rumours went around that that year there would be no Durga Puja celebrations, Das explains. The distressed calls came from my team of workers, Das says. They comprised labourers, painters, designers, electricians, textile artists and others who wait all year long for the festival to arrive so that they can earn an extra income by working on the pandals. The lump sum amount that they get while working during the Puja days is beyond their reach at other times. They bank on this income to fulfil a number of different needs, from buying gold jewellery for their daughters weddings, say, to making down payments on land investments. So when word went around that there would be no celebration that year because of the pandemic, they panicked. What will happen to us? some of them asked. Others openly cried. I knew that I had to do something.

When Das approached the Puja pandal organisers, including local and neighbourhood clubs, they expressed concern about the lack of funds. The pandemic and the adverse impact it had on the economy had dried up resources. The only thing I could think of was to drastically reduce the expenditure by different means, including completely waiving my own fees.

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While the creation of a pandal, says Das, usually costs anything between Rs 80,000 and 100,000 depending on the plan, design, materials used, and other factors, he was willing to slash it down to as little as one-fourth of it. As long as the labourers and menial workers costs could be met, it was enough.

A number of Puja organisers were willing to take up this offer and did. Eventually Kolkatas Barisha Club pandal hosted the Durga Puja idol conceptualised by Das depicting the Goddess as a migrant worker and shot to fame overnight. Sculpted by artist Pallab Bhaumik, the work was inspired by the works of renowned artist Bikash Bhattacharya.

The scenes of hundreds and thousands of migrant labourers trudging back to their villages on foot from their places of work in the cities because of the sudden lockdown imposed by the government had shaken up the country, and for Das, it was the logical conclusion that he would fashion his Durga on them. The theme that we chose usually centres around an idea that people can identify with, and at that time the migrant labourers plight was the point of discussion everywhere.

Four years later, another dark cloud hangs over Durga Puja celebrations. The brutal rape and murder of a trainee doctor in a city hospital on the night of 9 August has cast a shadow over the festive spirit, with hordes of people declaring that this year they would not like to take part in the celebrations. We are enshrouded in a pall of gloom, says a college student. The festive spirit has been whiffed out of us. I cannot imagine dressing up new clothes and going pandal hopping with my friends while the family of the deceased victim suffers in silence. That would be cruel, and I dont want that in my conscience.

A journalist who has used a black display photo on Facebook and WhatsApp to register her protest says, There is no question of celebrating Durga Puja.

Hundreds and thousands of people have been out on the streets over the past few weeks demanding justice for the victim. In one months time it is unlikely that this will pass, says a pedestrian, adding, And it should not.

Das is extremely disturbed by the incident and says that he feels ill when anyone mentions it. He says he cannot work or even think when the topic is broached. He does not know whether celebrations will take place this year, but he had begun work on two different ideas for pandals long ago, and that work has not ceased. The two themes are ekanno borti poribaar and rotno gorbha which, in English, he calls extended family and the blessed womb or the blessed mother respectively. The former will depict a huge pot of boiling rice in the centre of a familys activities, symbolising the need to eat together to stay together as in the olden days. The message is that it is the need of the hour, says Das. The latter will feature faces of powerful figures like India President Droupadi Murmu and sportsperson P.T. Usha, superimposed on the image of a stylised womb.

Das art work is typically set out like installation art in a gallery, and the pandals often see hundreds and thousands of footfalls.

Born in August 1975 in the suburbs of Calcutta, Das started displaying a talent for painting, drawing and sculpting when he was a young boy. Once when my mother praised a drawing by an illustrator in a book, I was filled with a kind of envy. I wanted to impress her too and copied that. She loved it. This is the beginning of my passion for drawing, he says. Soon he found himself sketching, drawing and painting everything and anything. Landscapes, portraits, you name it. This was followed by his desire to sculpt idols. I would create tiny figurines out of mud. I would dive into ponds after immersions of idols and fish out the wigs, the clothes and the fake jewellery and create my own idols. His family and friends were awestruck by his talent.

Das went on to study in art colleges and graduated with distinction. Today he is amongst the most coveted artists, not just during Durga Puja but other festivals.

The ideas and inspiration come to me at odd hours of the day and night, he smiles. I feel it is a blessing from the Goddess.

The scaffolding for the Puja pandal has been put up near the lawn of one of the clubs, Naktalas Udayan Samity.
They wouldnt let her be. At times they would even stand in her way, blocking the corridor, swaying their hips or buttocks. How would a 56-year-old school teacher go to her class? Rita madam would somehow make her way through her male colleagues along the periphery of the corridor with her arthritic knee and spondylotic hip. Yes, that was the penalty meted out to her, for she had looked at them a year ago with sinful eyes. Indeed, sinful eyes was the expression chosen by one of those perpetrators to describe her eyes. Though I had felt sorry for my colleague many a time, I chose to remain silent in this matter. After all, none wanted to be the next victim.

A year ago, Rita madam, my colleague, had faced certain sensitive family issues that happened to leave her unsettled emotionally. Her only child had been coaxed into a relationship with a stunning gymnast, a drug peddler. And our madam became apathetic and asocial. She would always remain aloof from everyone and hardly spoke to acquaintances. She rarely smiled and kept on reading one story book after another. At school I closely watched her, for she was not only my workmate but also my next-door neighbour. Later, when her daughter managed to come out of that arduous affair, the hoodlum wouldnt leave the family alone. The crooked guy conjured up various tortuous plans and implemented them on Rita madams family. He would make offensive calls and send obscene photo-shopped images of Rita Dis daughter and himself to everyone. Rita Di filed an official complaint at the cybercrime portal. Then the rogue started sending intimate snaps of his bare body from different angles via different mobile numbers. Rita Dis daughter and husband got over this harassment with the passage of time. However, the emotional bombardment by the ruffian traumatised Rita madam. She developed a strange habit. She could never look anyone in the eye. Absent-mindedly, her roving eyes would sometimes travel from a persons feet to waistline, tarry there a while, and then rest on his chest. Awakened from the reverie, she would hurriedly look away shamefaced. She would sometimes visualise those snaps sent to her, the doctor clarified later. The only place she ever revelled in was her classroom. For, I think, deep down somewhere, she knew she would have to hold on to her job. For on her feeble shoulders lay the responsibilities of her daughter and her retired, aged husband. She looked diffident and nervy.

A few of her friends, colleagues and family members noticed her behavioural anomaly. She had to see a counsellor. Six months treatment with Serlift and Lonazep brought our level-headed Rita Di back to her former self. Her family and friends had been very supportive. At school, I was glad to have our smiling Rita Di back.

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Rita Di, a competent, hard-working senior teacher, was not very popular in the staffroom. Being an introvert, she never indulged in gossip. In her spare time, she would read books, knit something or prepare notes for her students. However, the elderly staff still enjoyed her company. Yesterday, I found her advising Soma Di about her son, and today she was busy sharing with Nilanjana some recipes for a Thai dish. Otherwise, she alienated herself from most of her co-workers. I had been her only friend, if you didnt mind calling myself so. Life is not always civil, you know. Some of the staff still pulled her leg or would tend to nibble at her vulnerable mind through derogatory words and gestures, perhaps in order to destabilise her. Day before yesterday, two of our teachers, Mir and Ankush, stood on her way, facing her, and remarked, If she looks at us again, we would perform lungi dance for her. The middle-aged woman walked past them and played deaf. I wished that the cool breeze blowing at the moment through the mango leaves would dry up the beads of perspiration on her furrowed forehead. I hastened to my classroom, while some of our colleagues giggled at the comment. Later, to my surprise, I found Rita Di humming a Rabindrasangeet.

Last Saturday, Rita Di went to our assistant headmasters room to keep the attendance register. Quite normally, she asked after the officials health. Stand at a distance while talking to us! muttered our assistant headmaster in a gruff voice, much to her chagrin. I had been there too. The musk of rain-drenched earth couldnt pacify Rita Dis anguish, for she walked out of the room abashed and mortified. Perhaps she remembered that she had sinful eyes once upon a time. I dared not stand by her and become the eyesore of my chauvinistic male coworker. Nevertheless, Rita Di had undergone a transformation. After a while, with soulful eyes, I saw her feeding some stray dogs at the school gate.

Initially I feared that Rita Di would relapse back to depression, owing to occasional emotional hassle at school. But, nah! She could boldly brave an offhand remark hurled at her. There seemed to be a fountain of resilience in her. Her daughter went abroad on scholarship to study medicine. She called her Ma up very often. At home, she practised her culinary skills along with her husband. Rita Di and her husband often held weekend parties for their friends and relatives. However, at school, the only person she ever shared her tiffin with was me. I heard Soma Di say, There! Shes out of her classroom, her world of bliss!

Hey Aparna! called Rita Di beaming at me. What about a round of panipuri? asked the woman with ebullient eyes. I smiled and hurried to her and the phuchkawala at the gate of our school.
Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani said that the Islamic State (IS) militant group no longer poses a threat to Iraq and dialogue to end the US-led international coalition to fight the IS group continues.

Al-Sudani made the remarks during talks with Major General Kevin C. Leahy, commander of the US-led coalition against IS in Iraq, in the presence of US ambassador to Iraq Alina L. Romanowski, said al-Sudanis media office in a statement, Xinhua news agency reported.

The remnants of IS militants have turned into gangs that are being hunted by Iraqi forces in remote areas of the country, the statement said.

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The meeting focused on the progress of the technical dialogue between Iraq and the US-led international coalition about ending the coalitions mission in the country and transferring the mission to bilateral relations between Iraq and the coalition member states, it said.

The discussions also covered ongoing cooperation in training, sharing expertise, and intelligence collaboration with Iraqi security forces, it added.

On January 25, the Iraqi foreign ministry announced that Iraq and the United States had agreed to establish the High-Level Military Committee to oversee the end of the international coalition mission in Iraq and that the focus would shift to developing comprehensive bilateral relations with coalition countries across political, economic, cultural, security, and military dimensions.
The Russian air defence has intercepted and destroyed 158 Ukrainian drones across multiple regions over the past night, the Russian Defence Ministry said in a statement on Sunday.

UAVs were shot down over more than a dozen Russian regions, according to a statement issued by the Ministry on Sunday morning.

Nine of the downed drones targeted Moscow and the Moscow region, the statement said, adding that 46 drones were destroyed over the Kursk region, 34 over Bryansk, 28 over Voronezh, and 14 over Belgorod. Several more were shot down over nine other Russian regions.

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The drones shot down have resulted in a fire in a Moscow refinery and at a power plant in the Tver region neighbouring Moscow, local officials said as reported by Xinhua news agency.

The authorities further said the fire in both regions had been contained, and no injuries were reported.

Moscow was also the target of an attack, with seven drones shot down over the Moscow region and two more above the capital itself, the statement added as reported by RT.

According to the Ministry, eight UAVs were destroyed in the Ryazan region, five in the Kaluga region, four in the Lipetsk region, and three in the Tula region.

One or two drones were also shot down above the Tambov, Smolensk, Orel, Tver, and Ivanovo regions, it added.

Moscow mayor Sergey Sobyanin said that at least 11 drones were destroyed near or inside the capital during the Ukrainian raid.

Two UAVs were shot down in the vicinity of the Moscow Oil Refinery in the southeast of the city, he said.

One of the unmanned aircraft crashed into an engineering building, the mayor noted, adding that the firefighters were extinguishing the blaze.

Three UAVs also targeted the Kashira State District Power Plant, according to the Moscow regions Kashira city district chief, Mikhail Shuvalov. There were no casualties or damage, he added.

Kyiv intensified its plane-type drone incursions into Russia in January, mainly targeting energy infrastructure, but also hitting residential areas. Moscow responded by adding Ukrainian power plants to its list of legitimate military targets.

Most of Ukraines non-nuclear generation capacity has been disabled or destroyed by Russian strikes since then.

A major Ukrainian UAV attack on Russian territory took place in mid-August and saw 117 UAVs destroyed by air defences. Another raid, just over a week ago, involved 45 drones, with 11 of them targeting Moscow, according to the Russian Defence Ministry.
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 authorisation, put the death toll from heavy rains and floods in Yemen at 152.

According to the official, nearly 40 individuals died from the intense rainfall and the dam burst in the northwestern Al-Mahwit province last Tuesday evening, Xinhua news agency reported.

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The source added that 28 others were killed last 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 recognised government, since its onset in late 2014, has resulted in 4.5 million people internally displaced.

The UNHCR warns that 85 per cent of the war-affected households are now unable to meet their basic nutritional requirements.

The countrys 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 countrys 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.
Photo: Press Service of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan

BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 2. President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev sent a congratulatory letter to President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam To Lam, Trend reports.

"Dear Mr. President,

On behalf of myself and the people of Azerbaijan, I extend to you, and through you to the friendly people of Vietnam, our sincerest congratulations and best wishes on the occasion of your country's National Day.

Azerbaijan and Vietnam share a good tradition of friendship and cooperation. It is gratifying to see that our bilateral relations have reached their current level, developing along an upward trajectory. We are also pleased with our successful joint activities and mutual support within international organizations.

The high level of our political relations and active dialogue provide a solid foundation for expanding our fruitful cooperation in all areas, particularly in trade, economic, cultural, humanitarian, educational ones and beyond.

I am confident that we will continue our joint efforts to further develop Azerbaijani-Vietnamese friendly relations, which are rooted in mutual trust and confidence and built on a solid foundation, and deepen our cooperation both bilaterally and multilaterally.

On this festive day, I wish you good health, happiness, success in your endeavors, and lasting peace and well-being to the friendly people of Vietnam," the letter reads.
Job Title: OCS/VAS Engineer

Organisation: NFT Consult Limited

Duty Station: Kampala, Uganda

About the Company:

NFT Consult Limited is a business process outsourcing firm with offices in Uganda, South Africa, Kenya, Botswana Rwanda, Tanzania, Zambia, Burundi and South Sudan.

Job Summary: OCS(Online Charging System) or VAS(Value Added Service) Engineer will support in the definition of the most optimal topology and proposed technology roadmap of the IN/Charging and VAS network to meet a premium service level and architecture.

To evaluate network design and define integrated planning/implementation criteria and guidelines with partners for capacity management and adequate dimensioning of the Core IN network within the acceptable guidelines. Also would evaluate the delivery of IN projects to designed SLAs whilst exploring the most efficient ways to deliver any new functional requirements placed upon the Mobile/Evolved Core Network.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

Provide technical support for Business Support System (BSS) applications & product operations linked to the charging system such as Mobile Money platform(s), Pretups, IT (DSE), Simbrella, UNICA, CRBT.

Ensure new services are launched as per marketing requirements & are timely delivered.

Responsible for change management of all changes to be implemented to the OCS system.

Ensuring OCS, VAS or Intelligent Network (IN) system Security & Compliance with our existing processes.

Handle, evaluate and resolve complaints/technical inquiries raised by customer care, marketing, and revenue assurance influencing cross-functional teams to resolve.

Troubleshoot issues, capture logs, and identify root causes for BSS application problems.

Manage service Layer (billing) architecture for IN & VAS Planning and Architecture designed to ensure uninterrupted charging & delivery of Value-added Services like

Analyze business requirements and processes before converting ideas to solution design of new services; where required research into new technology and development in the Telecommunication industry with regards to Billing/Charging Systems/VAS and where required OTA services.

Liaise with vendor partner teams to ensure seamless real-time Billing for the VAS/IN services,

Ensure optimal IN/VAS core node performance to support our mobile CS/PS Core as per the business & network requirements.

Continuously research market trends with emphasis on new and emerging technologies for analysis.

Ensure that the project related documentation reflects a fit-for-purpose design and compiles with the contractual vendor requirements.

Perform adequate dimensioning, of all IN/Charging Systems and VAS Nodes  in accordance with network growth and projections.

Effective understanding of Operational and Business support systems (OSS/BSS) for performance reporting, Key performance indicator (KPI) monitoring and tuning for effective end to end planning of IN/VAS services.

Responsible for planning all expansion of OCS nodes well in advance.

Plan evolution of IN/VAS network to best industry practices, where possible push the technological boundaries.

Develop close working relationships with core Network & Billing Architects, Product Development team and Vendors to ensure IN solutions meet the businesss technical and business objectives.

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Qualifications, Skills and Experience:

Bachelor/Masters of Telecommunication/Electronic Engineering degree.

Minimum of 3 years working experience as a Mobile Network Operator.

Hands-on technical skills with Huawei OCS and IN architectures  Including Service level configuration for data services.

Extensive knowledge of Unix Shell scripting such as Shell, Perl, Python, or Java. To handle system monitoring & reconciling Databases (Oracle & SQL) on Linux server resources.

Good understanding of interrelated domains (IT/Voice/Data/Vas applications) functions and working knowledge of the underlying IP technology to facilitate E2E service flow.

Networking (routing & Switching) skills using Cisco and Huawei Devices

Proficiency in Linux, UNIX, or AIX operating systems, Data Storage & Systems Integration skills.

Experience in measuring and analyzing network KPI key performance indicators and other requirements.

Strong problem-solving, communication, and teamwork skills.

Ability to provide 247 service supervision through urgent office support and on-call support.

How to Apply:

All suitably qualified and interested candidates should apply online through the NFT jobs portal.

Click Here

Deadline: 14th September 2024

For more of the latest jobs, please visit https://www.theugandanjobline.com or find us on our facebook page https://www.facebook.com/UgandanJobline

Date Posted 2024-09-02T06:46 Valid Through 2024-09-15T00:00 Employment Type FULL_TIME Hiring Organization NFT Consult Job Location Kampala, Kampala, Kampala , 0256, Uganda

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Dr Brij Mohan Prasad, founder of Dr Brij Homeopathy Research Center and BC German Pharmaceuticals Pvt. Ltd, and a well-known homeopathy physician in Bihar, needs no introduction. He is known for his research in homeopathy. His first research on Leucoderma in Goa was submitted in the conference organised by Central Council for Research in Homeopathy (CCRH) and he was also honoured by the then director general of the Council R.K. Manchanda. His second research paper, on diabetes, was submitted to the Chancellor of International Homeopathy Medical League, Germany, and he was also honoured by the secretary of HMI.

Dr Prasad presented his research paper on epilepsy at the International Homeopathic Medical League in South Africa a few years ago. In view of his research on epilepsy in South Africa, he was honoured by Mahatma Gandhis granddaughter Eila Gandhi. Within a few years he became famous in the world of homeopathy medicine and was presented the Pride of Bihar Award by Mangal Pandey, the then Health Minister of Bihar. He has also been honoured with the Bihar Gaurav Samman and the Visionary of Bihar Award by the Outlook Group.

During the Covid-19 pandemic, the medicine Covidoxin, prepared by Dr Prasad, was much talked about. He distributed about one lakh doses of this medicine free of cost among the poor. The way Dr Prasad served the Corona patients day and night during the pandemic is praiseworthy, and in view of this, in 2023, he was given the Corona Warrior Award by His Excellency Governor of Bihar Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar.

Also honoured with the International Health Care Award by Padmashree Dr Jitendra Singh, a well-known physician of Bihar, Dr Prasad has pledged to take homeopathy treatment to the masses and also to serve the society through his treatment. Brij Foundation, run by Dr Prasad, has been focusing on free treatment of the poor through camps being organised in the villages for the past few years so that the poor can get proper treatment. It has also increased peoples confidence in homeopathy system of medicine.

Dr Prasad, who consider homeopathy a passion rather than a profession, started his career in a small rented room. His BC German Pharmaceuticals Pvt Ltd is currently manufacturing more than 200 medicines.A contributor to the countrys economy through his multi-crore company, Dr Prasad praises the vision of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and says that ever since he discussed homeopathy in one of his speeches, he has been paying attention to this medical system, and peoples trust has increased a lot.

Dr Prasads wife, Dr Reena Kumari, director of Dr Brij Homeopathy Research Center and BC German Pharmaceuticals Pvt. Ltd., says that people used to call them visionaries, but only when Outlook Group honoured them with the Visionary of Bihar award that peoples words were affirmed. A BHMS MD, she strongly believes that homeopathy is a medical system which has all the qualities of fast and permanent cure.
Superstar Rajinikanth said he is unaware of the Justice Hema committee and its report which shook the entire Malayalam film industry.

"What? I am not aware of it, sorry, said actor Rajinikanth when presspersons asked him his reaction to the report and whether a similar committee should be set up for inquiry in Tamil cinema. The actors upcoming film Vettaiyan, in which he stars with Malayalam actor Manju Warrier (a WCC member), is all set for release on October 10.

On Sunday, Malayalam superstar Mammootty reacted for the first time to the report and said there is no power group in Malayalam cinema. There is no power group in cinema; it isnt a field where such a structure could exist, Mammootty said in a Facebook post. He also welcomed recommendations and solutions in the report.

Actor and former Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA) President Mohanlal had also said he is unaware about the presence of any power group in cinema and welcomed any probe over the recent #MeToo allegations.

Mollywood's 'MeToo' revelations come in the backdrop of the Hema committee report. The Malayalam film industry has been rocked with allegations of sexual exploitation, assault and abuse, following the release of the Hema Committee report earlier this month. The committee was set up by the Kerala government in 2017, thanks to the efforts of the Women in Cinema Collective (WCC) after the sexual assault on a popular Malayali actor.
Harry Potter fans booed in disappointment when no announcement was made for the Hogwarts Express at King's Cross station on Sunday. People gathered at the station, in order to celebrate the Harry Potter books, hoping to hear the announcement as happened in J.K. Rowling's book.

As part of a tradition in previous years, an announcement was made over the loudspeakers saying that the Hogwarts Express would be leaving from Platform 9 at King's Cross at 11 am.

However, this year, Warner Bros Discovery decided not to do so. A statement on the Wizarding World website said that the fans were not to go to the station.

Harry Potter fans were left disappointed after the annual tradition of the Kings Cross Hogwarts announcement didn't happening today pic.twitter.com/5myFuDRh8e  UB1UB2 West London (Southall) (@UB1UB2) September 1, 2024

Despite the company's alert, Harry Potter fans turned up at King's Cross and filmed the departure board. Videos of the fans booing when the regular train information was made surfaced the social media.

It was fun waving the Hogwarts Express out of Kings Cross Station 



11am you where memorable  #BackToHogwarts pic.twitter.com/warSVfPs8T  Daily Harry Potter (@TheDailyHPotter) September 1, 2024

"Come 1st September, fans are strongly discouraged from attending King's Cross this year, as there will be no event, departure board or countdown at the station," it said.

Instead, weve recruited our resident Hufflepuff (and current King of the Jungle) Sam Thompson to be with you all in spirit once again in a specially recorded online programme made in celebration of Back to Hogwarts. Head to the official Harry Potter YouTube channel to watch along with us at 11 am to see him in action," it further added.

Earlier actor Miriam Margolyes, who played the role of Professor Pomona Sprout in the series, had urged the adult fans to grow up and get over it. It was 25 years ago and I think its for children, she had said.
Senior AAP leader and MLA Amanatullah Khan on Monday claimed that a team of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) had reached his house here to arrest him.

Sources said the ED team reached his house in Okhla as part of a money laundering investigation. The Delhi Police and Central Reserve Police Force teams have been deployed at Khan's residence.



In a post on X, Khan said, "A ED team has reached my house to arrest me."



"Early this morning, at the behest of the dictator, his puppet ED reached my house. The dictator is leaving no stone unturned to harass me and other AAP leader," said Khan, who represents Okhla in the Delhi Assembly.



Several Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders, including Manish Sisodia and Sanjay Singh, hit out at the BJP government at the Centre, saying agencies are targeting those who raised their voice against the ruling party.



In a video on X, Khan also said he has been replying to all the notices being sent by the agency. But a team is here to arrest him on a search warrant, he said.



On X, Sisodia said the only work left for the ED is to "suppress every voice raised against the BJP and break it". Those who do not break, are arrested and put in jail, he alleged.



Singh claimed that the ED has no evidence against Khan. Prime Minister Narendra Modi's "dictatorship" and the ED's "hooliganism" continue, he alleged.


The Supreme Court on Monday granted bail to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwals personal assistant Bibhav Kumar who is accused of assaulting Aam Aadmi Partys Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal.

A bench of Justices Surya Kant and Ujjal Bhuyan observed that Kumar was in custody for 100 days and a chargesheet has already been filed in the case.

"Petitioner is in custody for 100 days. Chargesheet filed. Injuries are simple. It's a case for bail, you should not oppose. You can't keep a person in jail in such case," the apex court told the counsel of Delhi Police.

The bench further said the trial court should make an effort to complete the examination of important and vulnerable witnesses first within three months.

ALSO READ: OPINION - Who is to blame for Swati Maliwal incident?

It also directed that Kumar should not be reinstated as a personal assistant to Kejriwal or given any official assignment in the chief minister's office. The accused should not enter the chief ministers residence till all the witnesses are examined.

Maliwal alleged that she was assaulted by Kumar on May 13 at the residence of Kejriwal where she had gone to meet the chief minister.

Based on her complaint, police filed an FIR against Kumar on May 16 under various provisions of the Indian Penal Code, including those related to criminal intimidation, assault or using criminal force on a woman with the intent to disrobe, and attempt to commit culpable homicide. Kumar was arrested on May 18.

ALSO READ: Swati Maliwal is part of BJP conspiracy: AAPs big claim on assault row

The Delhi High Court had earlier denied bail to Kumar, saying enjoys "considerable influence" and no ground has been made out to grant him the relief. Following this, Kumar moved the top court.

During the hearing at SC, Abhishek Manu Singhvi, appearing for Kumar, submitted that the injuries to Maliwal are simple and the invocation of the offence under Section 308 of the Indian Penal Code (attempt to commit culpable homicide not amounting to murder) was not justified.

ALSO READ - Swati Maliwal case: 'Such incidents tarnish Indias image,' says L-G; AAP hits back
Prime Minister Narendra Modi asked BJP members on Monday to expand the party during its membership drive in a way that a maximum number of its women candidates are elected to Lok Sabha and assemblies when the 33 per cent reservation for women in legislatures come into force.

Speaking at the launch of the drive, he said the women's reservation law will be coming into force during the "kalkhand" (period) of the organisation that this membership campaign will build.

Modi was enrolled by BJP president J P Nadda as the first member of the drive in the presence of its senior leaders, including a host of Union ministers such as Rajnath Singh and Amit Shah.

He has often spoken about increasing women's support for the BJP and has asked the party to boost its outreach to them.

The prime minister asked party members to be innovative in enrolling new members and urged them to make border villages fortresses for the BJP and focus on the tribals as well as the generation in the 18-25 years age group.

He said the young generation is not aware of the media headlines focussing on a host of scams 10 years ago, when the Congress-led UPA was in power, and they have only seen the new India which is doing well in a host of sectors.

The young generation as BJP members would be the "biggest source of strength" for the party to fulfil the resolve of making India a developed country by 2047, Modi asserted.

The BJP launches the drive to renew the membership of its existing members and enroll new members every six years in line with its constitution.

Modi said the BJP is the only organisation which follows democratic principles in running its organisational affairs.

He took a swipe at opposition parties, saying many of them are examples of what happens when political organisations do not follow internal democracy.

He suggested that BJP workers start the membership drive in the first village of the border states and also carry out a special drive to reach out to the masses in all aspiration districts and blocks which have undergone transformation due to the government's focus on good governance.

Recalling the BJP's rise from its humble beginning as a two-MP party in Lok Sabha, Modi credited its commitment to the ideology of nation-first and people's welfare for its rise.

The BJP and its forerunner Jana Sangh were mocked by its rivals, he said, adding the ruling party has done a lot to change the country's political culture.

Modi likened the BJP's membership drive to welcoming new members to a family. The drive is not about numbers but is all about an ideological and emotional campaign, he added.

He asked party members to take up the challenge of building the party in weak areas.

"Let us all begin this membership drive from the weakest polling station. It's easy to gain members where the BJP is popular, but we must work harder in challenging areas to spread our influence and gain support," the prime minister added.
The Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) has announced the names of candidates for six assembly segments in the second phase of elections in the Union territory.

The list includes JKPCC chief Tariq Hameed Karra, who will contest from the Central-Shalteng seat in Srinagar. The other five candidates are Mumtaz Khan for Reasi, Bhupendra Jamwal for Shri Mata Vaishno Devi, Iftikhar Ahmad for Rajouri (ST), Shabir Ahmad Khan for Thanamandi (ST), and Muhammad Shahnawaz Choudhary for Surankote (ST).

The announcement comes after a meeting of Congress's Central Election Committee (CEC) in New Delhi on Monday, during which the names of 23 candidates for the second and third phases were approved.

ALSO READ : Several separatists, kin join mainstream parties to contest J&K polls

The meeting was presided over by Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, along with other senior committee members. Karra also attended the meeting.

Karra stated that there was an in-depth discussion on the 29 seats, focusing on the candidates for the second and third phases.

"We were asked to provide more details about one of the six seats going to polls in the second phase and about five seats out of 23 in the third phase," he said.

He added that candidates for 23 seats were approved, including five for the second phase and 18 for the third. He mentioned that details for one seat under discussion would be provided to the CEC in the evening.

ALSO READ: J&K assembly polls: BJP leader Tarun Chugh dares Omar, Mehbooba to debate on changes post Article 370

The Congress and the National Conference (NC) have formed a pre-poll alliance, contesting 32 and 51 seats, respectively, in the 90-member assembly. The two parties will have a friendly contest in five seats, while one seat each has been allocated to the Communist Party of India (Marxist) and the Jammu-based National Panthers Party (NPP).

The two parties had previously contested the Lok Sabha polls jointly. The NC won two of the three seats it contested in the Kashmir Valley, while the Congress lost both Jammu seats to the BJP. However, the Congresss vote share saw a notable increase to 19 per cent, while the BJPs vote share dipped to 24 per cent from 41 per cent in the previous Lok Sabha polls. The Congress-NC alliance led in 41 assembly segments with a vote share of 41 per cent.

The two parties aim to replicate this performance in the assembly polls. On the other hand, the BJP was ahead in 29 assembly segments out of the 36 assembly constituencies in the two Lok Sabha seats of Jammu and Udhampur. The party hopes to win maximum number of seats from its stronghold in Jammu to stake a claim to form the government.

ALSO READ: J&K assembly polls: Ghulam Nabi Azad withdraws from campaigning citing health reasons
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 2. The TURKPA delegation has concluded that the parliamentary elections in Azerbaijan were held under democratic values and international law, the Head of the delegation of the Parliamentary Assembly of Turkic Speaking Countries (TURKPA), member of the Grand National Assembly of Turkiye Ahmet Zenbilci said, Trend reports.

According to him, TURKPA is working to strengthen ties between member countries.

The TURKPA delegation has been observing the elections since 2010. The elections in Azerbaijan were held following the constitution and democratic and international law. Equal conditions were created for the candidates. These elections went down in history as the first parliamentary elections held on the entire territory of the Republic of Azerbaijan, he noted.

Zenbilci emphasized that TURKPA held several meetings as an international observation mission.

We received detailed information about preparations for the elections, elaboration of rules, electoral process, and answers to complaints. Our mission observed the elections in Baku, Shamakhi, and Gobustan. The delegation concluded that the parliamentary elections in Azerbaijan were held under democratic values and international law, he added.

To note, extraordinary parliamentary elections were held in Azerbaijan on September 1.

According to preliminary data, voter turnout at the elections amounted to 37.27 percent. The number of voters casting their ballots amounted to 2,196,771. A total of 5,895 polling stations submitted their protocols to the CEC.

A total of 112,749 domestic observers were registered to observe the election. More than 65,000 of them were representatives of political parties.

The number of registered international observers was 598, representing 51 organizations, in 69 countries.

Out of 990 registered candidates in the parliamentary elections, 305 are representatives of 25 political parties. Whereas 371 candidates are members of political parties, they were not nominated by the parties to which they belong. A total of 676 candidates have political party affiliation.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
The Leh Apex Body (LAB) has initiated a month-long padayatraDelhi Chalofrom Leh to Delhi to press for their demands for Sixth Schedule status and statehood for Ladakh.

The LAB represents the influential Ladakh Buddhists Association (LBA) and other political and social organisations in Ladakh.

The LAB, along with the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA), has presented a four-point demand to the central government, which includes the implementation of the Sixth Schedule, statehood for Ladakh, two Lok Sabha MPs (one each for Leh and Kargil districts), and a Public Service Commission for the region.

The yatra has received significant support from religious leaders from various communities, political and social activists, and many elderly people and youngsters.

The padayatra is being led by renowned environmentalist and innovator Sonam Wangchuk, who previously held a 28-day hunger strike in support of Sixth Schedule status and statehood for Ladakh. This hunger strike was continued by Wangchuk's supporters for 66 days in Leh.

The idea of the 'Delhi Chalo' yatra was inspired by Gandhis famous Dandi March.

The padayatra will conclude in New Delhi on October 2. Members of the KDA are expected to join the peaceful march in Delhi.

Tsering Dorjey, co-chairman of LAB, told THE WEEK that the padayatra will continue in Leh for 10 days before entering the Lahaul Valley in Himachal Pradesh, then travelling to Kullu Manali.

"From Kullu Manali, it will pass through Punjab and Haryana to reach Delhi," he said. "We want the padayatra to reach Delhi on Gandhi Jayanti."

He said that they decided to undertake the yatra because the central government had shown no in accepting their demands for statehood and the Sixth Schedule.

"Even demands that were accepted, like a separate Public Service Commission for Ladakh, have not been implemented yet," he said.

He said that they would continue their struggle until their demands were met, adding that "Sonam Wangchuk is supporting our struggle."

He also said that some members of the KDA are participating in the yatra in Leh. "We had asked them to take the yatra from Kargil to Srinagar and then to Delhi," he said. "They said because of elections in Jammu and Kashmir, they would travel to Delhi to join the yatra."

There was initial euphoria in Leh when Ladakh was made a Union Territory.

But when the people realised they had lost the safeguards they enjoyed under Article 370 as part of Jammu and Kashmir, they presented the four demands to the Centre to safeguard their identity, land, and culture from outside influence.

The LAB and KDA leaders have held talks with the Home Ministry, but the Centre has refused to commit to granting statehood and Sixth Schedule status to Ladakh. The Centre has stated that they will provide Sixth Schedule safeguards applicable to Ladakh, but the LAB and KDA have refused to compromise, leading to a deadlock.
Protesting junior doctors of multiple institutions, including RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, took out a march towards the Kolkata Police headquarters in Lalbazar on Monday demanding the resignation of Kolkata Police Commissioner Vineet Kumar Goyal.



The march, under the banner of West Bengal Junior Doctors Front (WBJDF), was cut short by the police, leading the junior doctors to sit in a dharna. The police informed that a group of student representatives would be permitted to visit Lalbazar.

The protest march was organised under the banner of West Bengal Junior Doctors Front (WBJDF) | Salil Bera

ALSO READ | Kolkata doctor rape-murder: Accused Sanjay Roy says he entered seminar hall accidentally while looking for doctors; lost headset while...

The students, however, declined the request, citing security concerns about leaving the procession so far from the headquarters. They insisted that either the Commissioner come to meet them, or they be allowed to proceed to Lalbazar.

The protesters accuse Kolkata Police of repeatedly tampering with evidence in the alleged rape and murder case of a trainee doctor in RG Kar Medical College and Hospital.

Even before making these allegations, junior doctors had voiced their distrust of the police, claiming that Sanjay Roy, the sole person arrested in the case, was being used as a scapegoat to protect other influential individuals involved.

The protest march was organised under the banner of West Bengal Junior Doctors Front (WBJDF) | Salil Bera

Although Commissioner Goyal stated that the police never protected anyone or suggested that only one person was responsible for the heinous crime, the alleged renovation works near the crime scene and the mob attack on the night of August 14 further intensified the junior doctors' suspicions.

ALSO READ | Kolkata doctor rape-murder: CCTV footage shows Sanjay Roy entering hospital

It was the polices responsibility to ensure the protection of the crime scene and to ensure our protection, the students of RG Kar. They failed to do that, Dr Debasish Halder of the anaesthesia department told THE WEEK.

Now the police under Commissioner Vineet Goyal are saying that the claims of evidence tampering are media propaganda. Was the mob attack on August 14 a media propaganda? Is the video showing so many people at the crime scene on August 9 a media propaganda?

Kolkata Police stated that the seminar hall where the victims body was discovered had been cordoned off within a 40-foot radius. The hall itself was 51 feet long, and the crowd that was seen had gathered within the remaining 11 feet.

The protest march was organised under the banner of West Bengal Junior Doctors Front (WBJDF) | Salil Bera

During a press conference last week, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Central Division, Indira Mukherjee, stated that the individuals seen in the viral video include forensic officers, the additional CP, fingerprint experts, eyewitness doctors, videographers, female officers from the local police station, among others.

Protesting junior doctors refused the claims. They allege many of the people who were seen inside the seminar hall were close associates of Dr. Sandip Ghosh, former principal of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital.

We all saw what happened throughout the day on August 9. The police mishandled the entire situation under the leadership of Commissioner Vineet Goyal, Dr. Titas Pal of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital told THE WEEK.

ALSO READ | Kolkata doctor rape and murder: Alcoholic, porn-addict widower who married four times, says police about Sanjay Roy

She continued, Even if we ignore that, how are we supposed to forget the mob attack on the night of August 14 and the supposed renovation work next to the seminal hall where the victims dead body was found?

They cite Solicitor General of India Tushar Mehtas argument during the Supreme Court of Indias hearing of the case on August 22.

Representing the CBI, Mr. Mehta informed the three-judge bench of the Supreme Court, led by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, that upon taking over the investigation on the fifth day, the central agency discovered that the crime scene had been altered.

The protesting junior doctors are currently staging a dharna in central Kolkata, demanding the resignation of the Police Commissioner. The situation remains deadlocked, with no indication that the commissioner will meet them.
Many of my friends and I often get abdominal pain during menstruation. Attending school on those days becomes difficult. I think students should be given at least two days off every month, says Kusum (name changed), a Class 10 student from the Delhi-NCR region.

This is indeed a challenge not only for Kusum and her friends but for around 375 million girls and women in India within the age group of 15 to 49 years, menstruating every month. Although a bit painful and discomforting at times, menstruation is a normal physiological phenomenon and healthy for adolescent girls and women either at home or at academic institutions and workplaces  across organised and unorganised sectors.

The backdrop

Different cultures around the world have diverse viewpoints on menstruation, with some embracing it as a cause for celebration while others perceive it through the lens of patriarchy. Womens social interactions and access, whether as students or working professionals, are gaining prominence around the discourse on menstrual leave, which is deeply rooted in the age-old dialectics of celebration and taboo.

While Soviet Russia, Japan, and Indonesia started implementing menstrual leave policies in the early 20th century, several other countries including Spain, South Korea, Vietnam and Taiwan presently have different versions of legal instruments in place.

Back home, as early as 1912, the Government Girls School in Tripunithura (in the erstwhile state of Cochin, currently in Ernakulam district), Kerala, had granted menstrual leave to its students. According to historian P. Bhaskaranunni, an order was issued on January 24, 1912, stating that students who were unable to write annual exams due to menstruation should be permitted to write the same on another occasion.

Over the past few decades, various states in India implemented menstrual leave policies to different extents. Since 1992, women government employees in Bihar have been granted two paid leave days per month. In Kerala, girls aged 18 and above are granted to take up to 60 days of menstrual leave per year.

In August 2023, Maharashtra introduced its Shops and Establishment (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service) (Amendment) Bill, where the amendment proposed that women employees working in shops and establishments in Maharashtra would be eligible for paid menstrual leave.

The debate

The Right of Women to Menstrual Leave and Free Access to Menstrual Health Products Bill 2022 (yet to be enacted) proposes three days of paid leave for women and transwomen and girl students above the eighth standard during menstruation. The bill also includes other rights, such as the right to free access to menstrual health products, including menstrual cups, tampons, and sanitary pads, regardless of status or region.

However, a school of thought questions the basic premise of paid menstrual leave, emphasising that it is a natural part of womens lives rather than a 'handicap'. This debate came at the juncture when a recent report from the Parliamentary Committee on Personnel, Public Grievances, Law and Justice was tabled in the Parliament.

The report highlighted the potential impact of menstruation on women's workplace productivity and performance. As a possible solution, it suggested considering the implementation of menstrual leaves or sick leaves/ half-pay leaves for women on a monthly or yearly basis without the need for a medical certificate or further justification.

Arguments supporting menstrual leave policies in India are found grounded in constitutional provisions (Articles 14, 15[3], 16, 21, 23, 39, and 42) aiming at ensuring gender equality and the well-being of women.

Another school of thought finds it in sync with the rights of women. In December 2021, a Private Member Bill was introduced to the Parliament (Right to Menstrual Hygiene and Paid Leave Bill, 2019), which sought to bring menstrual leave into the ambit of the rights of a woman, and a refusal of such leave into the domain of The Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013.

In July this year, the Supreme Court of India observed that the issue was a policy matter and not within the court's jurisdiction. It directed the Centre to develop a model policy on menstrual leave for women employees, in consultation with the states and other stakeholders.

However, the apex court raised concerns about the potential negative impact of mandating menstrual leave, stating that it could lead to women being shunned from the workspace. The court also said that a court decision to grant menstrual leave could be counterproductive and "detrimental" to the cause because employers may avoid hiring women, further restricting womens participation in the workforce, across the organised and unorganised sectors.

Data tells a story

A study showed that 40 per cent of adolescent girls in Delhi missed school during menstruation due to pain, anxiety, and lack of proper facilities. Nearly 65 per cent reported that it affected their daily activities at school and that they had to miss their class tests and classes as a result of pain, anxiety, shame, anxiety about leakage, and staining of their uniform. The study also highlighted the lack of basic facilities such as water, bathrooms, and operational toilets in schools. Male teachers and schoolboys should be more informed regarding menstrual hygiene and management.

This is not just for students; Charu (name changed), a 30-year-old woman from Delhi, said, Women, whether homemakers, employees or workers in the informal sectors, commonly face physical and mental stress during their periods. Consequently, all women need two to three days of rest.

Puja Marwaha is the CEO of CRY  Child Rights and You

The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of THE WEEK
The daughter of an IPS officer was found dead on the floor of her hostel room at Ram Manohar Lohia National Law University in Lucknow on Saturday night, according to police.

Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, in a statement, said Anika who brought in an unconscious state died of cardiac arrest at around 10 pm.

Ashiyanya Police said her room was locked from inside and they have found nothing suspicious. They added that there were no injuries on her body. Her friends had to break the door open as she did not respond to knocks or calls on her phone.

Who was Anika Rastogi?

Anika Rastogi, 19, was a third-year BA LLB (Hons) student at Ram Manohar Lohia National Law University.

Her father is Sanjay Rastogi, who is a 1998 batch IPS officer of Maharashtra cadre. He is currently serving as Inspector General at the National Investigation Agency (NIA).

"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," said the hospital.

The family has not filed a formal complaint. Police said they will take further actions after the autopsy results are released.
As anger and protests erupt in Israel over the death of six hostages in Gaza, an autopsy has revealed that they were shot at close range sometime between Thursday and Friday. The bodies of the six hostages were recovered from a tunnel under the city of Rafah in Gaza over the weekend.

The postmortem examination conducted on the remains revealed that they were killed 48 to 72 hours before their autopsy. They were shot multiple times from close range, indicating they were executed, according to the Israeli Health Ministry.

The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) also said that the hostages were killed relatively shortly before troops located their bodies on Saturday afternoon in a tunnel in Rafah. The security officials believe that the militant group executed the hostages due to concerns that a hostage who was rescued alive from a nearby tunnel last week, Farhah al-Qadi, would divulge details about where the other captives were being held.

Al-Qadi, 52, was safely rescued by IDF special forces from Hamas captivity in one of the terror groups tunnels in the southern Gaza Strip. He was found alone inside the tunnel after his captives fled.



"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," IDF Spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari told reporters.



He added that though the IDF did not have the exact location of the hostages it had a general idea about where the hostages could be. It was operating in the area when they stumbled on the tunnel and the bodies.



"Since Farhan was found, troops were given an emphasis on operating carefully even more than usual, because of the understanding that additional hostages might be in the area. We did not have information on the exact location of the hostages," Hagari said. The search ended some 20 meters underground where the bodies lay.



Tens of thousands of Israelis are gathering all over Israel to call for the immediate release of the 101 hostages.



All of Israel is unified tonight in our cry to BRING THEM HOME.



No more dead bodies. No more funerals. We need every hostage reunited with their family ALIVE. pic.twitter.com/lqtKH2UzcT  Hen Mazzig (@HenMazzig) September 1, 2024

Meanwhile, protests are brewing in Israel after hundreds of thousands of Israelis gathered in Israeli cities on Sunday against the deaths of the hostages. They expressed pain and anger and demanded a hostage-ceasefire deal. They also carried six symbolic coffins to symbolise the six bodies that were recovered on Saturday night.



A prominent labour union Histadrut labour union has announced a general strike on Monday to pressure the government to reach a deal. It is believed that 97 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.


Tel Aviv labour court on Monday ordered to end of the general strikes demanding the Netanyahu-led government to agree a truce deal to secure the release of hostages held by Hamas. The court passed the order while considering a petition from the state.

The court in its order told the protesters to end the strike by 14:30 local time, hours earlier than the initial time planned by the organisers.

After the recent recovery of six hostages from Gaza, thousands of people rallied across Israel on Sunday demanding the government to step up the actions securing their release.

#BREAKING #Israel:  Tel Aviv main road blocked by protesters  #NOW, during ongoing nationwide general strike against the #Netanyahu regime, who have to resign due to the failures of not getting hostages out of Gaza. pic.twitter.com/NGfBTiYpVk  Asgard Intel WW3.INFO (@AsgardIntel) September 2, 2024

It is too late for my cousins but there is still hope for at least some of them. Israeli governments decision to delay the deal kept the hostages in captivity...I was devastated when I found out of her death, said a relative of a hostage.

Israel is organizing a general strike and mass protests calling for the resignation of Trump / Putin ally Benjamin Netanyahu whose actions have led to hostages being killed, Hamas being empowered, a failed response to terrorist acts on Oct 7, and over 40,000 dead in Gaza. https://t.co/GPRwRKCJ3o pic.twitter.com/pKdIJ93wJd  Anonymous (@YourAnonCentral) September 2, 2024

"All six of them were held together and all six of them were killed in captivity. We could have saved all of them," he added.

The Hostages and Missing Families Forum had announced several protests scheduled to take place across Israel at 7 pm on Monday.

"A large-scale demonstration" is scheduled to take place outside the prime minister's residence in Jerusalem, a massive "rally" at Begin Gate in Tel Aviv and a protest in front of the PM's house in Caesarea, it said.

Meanwhile, Israel's Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich welcomed the court order. Taking to X, Smotrich said that the court agreed the strike was "political and illegal".

The general strike had hit almost all sectors including banks, businesses, schools and transport. Roads were blocked and flights were disrupted as well. Many hospitals are operating reduced services due to the strike.

Israel's Foreign Minister Israel Katz has said that the country will "respond with full force" following the recovery of the bodies of six hostages held by Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

In a post on X, Katz blames Hamas for their deaths, saying they were "brutally executed... to instil fear and attempt to fracture Israeli society".
The UK on Monday announced a partial suspension of some arms exports to Israel amid fears that they might be used to commit "a serious violation of international humanitarian law".

UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy issued a statement in the House of Commons to declare that around 30 of 350 export licences will be suspended, while stressing that it did not amount to a blanket ban or an arms embargo".

The Labour Party government has been under pressure to take a tougher stance against Israel amid the war in Gaza since it was elected to power in the July general election.

"Facing a conflict such as this, it is this government's legal duty to review Britain's export licences, Lammy told members of Parliament, back in the Commons after their summer recess.

"It is with regret that I inform the House today the assessment I have received leaves me unable to conclude anything other than that for certain UK arms exports to Israel, there does exist a clear risk that they might be used to commit or facilitate a serious violation of international humanitarian law," he said.

While the UK does not directly supply Israel with weapons, it grants export licences for British companies to sell arms to the country. Monday's decision was made under the strategic export licensing criteria, which bans the export of items if there is a perceived risk of them being used for violation of humanitarian law in the areas of humanitarian provision and access, treatment of detainees, and prosecution of military campaigns.

Lammy told the Commons that after raising his own concerns while in Opposition, he immediately launched a review upon taking office and "committed to sharing the review's conclusions".

"We have rigorously followed every stage of the process which the previous Conservative government established, and let me first be clear on the review's scope: this government is not an international court. We have not and could not arbitrate on whether or not Israel has breached international humanitarian law, he asserted.

"This is a forward looking evaluation, not a determination of innocence or guilt, and it does not prejudge any future determinations by the competent courts," he said.

Lammy also reiterated that the UK continues to support Israel's right to self-defence in accordance with international law and that it will continue to work with Israel to tackle the threat from Iran.
On Sep. 2, 2024, GL Bajaj Educational Institutions hosted the prestigious "Right to Excellence" Education Summit 2024 in GL Bajaj Greater Noida campus. This enlightening summit, organized in collaboration with the Times of India, focused on bridging the education-employment gap, highlighting the significance of young people entering the workforce qualified with relevant skills.



The summit attracted distinguished guests, including Bollywood actor Vikrant Massey and esteemed industrialist Shrikant Bolla, both of whom shared their priceless experiences and learnings with the eager audience. Vikrant Massey, renowned for his stellar performances in films like '12th Fail, "Chhapaak" and "Haseen Dillruba," spoke passionately about the current state of education and its various aspects. He highlighted the importance of aligning educational pursuits with the evolving demands of the industry.



Shrikant Bolla, the first visually impaired student at MIT and the inspiration behind the Netflix biopic "Shrikant," delivered a powerful message on overcoming obstacles. He emphasized that hurdles are merely stepping stones to success, inspiring students to persevere in their academic and professional journeys.



Awanish Awasthi, Ex-IAS and Advisor to the UP Chief Minister illuminated the crucial role played by government policies in education. He addressed the challenges hindering the implementation of inclusive and equitable education and explored why the quality of education in India is often scrutinized in the market. Mr. Awasthi noted a significant increase in student enrollment in Uttar Pradesh, with figures jumping from 44% in 2018 to 59% in 2022, highlighting the state's commitment to educational growth.



Mr. Kartikay Agarwal, CEO of GL Bajaj Educational Institutions, shared practical measures for students to guide their academic and professional paths smoothly. He stressed the importance of seeking internships at renowned companies, participating in college activities, engaging with mentors, and staying updated with current skills. Mr. Agarwal's words provided students with a comprehensive roadmap to enhance their employability and career prospects.



Mr. Rishikesh Patankar, Vice President of Government Programs) at NSDC, addressed the critical issue of the skill gap, defining it as the disparity between industry demands and the supply provided by educational and skilling institutes. He emphasized focusing on "future skills" necessary for the evolving job market.



Former VC of IGNOU, Mr. Nageshwar Rao, elaborated on the three main components of higher education: knowledge, skills, and values. He discussed the implications of the skill gap for the future workforce, urging educational institutions to integrate these essential elements into their curricula.



Ms. Divya Gandotra Tandon, Director of Scoop Beats Pvt Ltd & COO of ASTNT Technologies Pvt Ltd, addressed the limitations of the current education system. She challenged the notion that college education is inadequate, pointing out that students have access to a wealth of information online, often available for free.



Other esteemed panelists Ms. Urvashi Prasad, Director, Niti Aayog, Divya Gandotra Tandon, Dr. M Sasikumar, Dr. Pratap Singh Desai, Mr. Sanjeev Banzal, and Ms. Shruti Kapoor were present.



The "Right to Excellence" Education Summit 2024 was a remarkable convergence of esteemed panelists at GL Bajaj, an institution renowned for its educational excellence. This event showcased an in-depth exploration of education, covering a wide range of topics including the digital transformation of education, the incorporation of AI into classroom learning, and strategies to close the skills gap.



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New Delhi [India] August 31: Oriental Trimex Ltd (BSE  532817), a leading processor and trader of natural stones in India announces a series of strategic developments that are set to redefine its operational capabilities, expand its market presence, and solidify its financial standing. These initiatives underscore the company's unwavering commitment to innovation, growth, and customer satisfaction.



Highlights:



 Company announces significant debt reduction and path to become debt-free.



 Company announces revolutionary leap forward for processing in the stone industry.



 Company is coming up with a 21,000 sq ft showroom in the Building Materials Market in Greater Noida.



 Secures Jet Black Granite Quarry in Orissa, Boosting Revenue and Profitability Prospects.



 Expands Product Portfolio with Related Product Lines, Enhancing Customer Offerings.



1. Revolutionary Leap in Stone Processing with Wire-Based Gangsaw Machine



Oriental Trimex Limited is poised to revolutionize the stone industry with the importation and installation of a cutting-edge wire-based gangsaw machine, commonly referred to as a "Cable Machine for Slab Cutting." This state-of-the-art technology, sourced from Changsha Beto New Material Technology Co. Ltd. in China, will be the first of its kind in India and is set to be installed at OTLs plant in Gummidipoondi, near Chennai.



Unlike traditional gangsaws that utilize multiple blades, this advanced machine employs a series of diamond-coated cables with diameters of 0.4-0.6mm, enabling precise cuts and setting a new benchmark for accuracy and efficiency. With features such as pneumatic wire tensioning, hydraulic cylinder support, and bellow-protected linear rails, the wire-based gangsaw significantly reduces waste, enhances durability, and speeds up the cutting process by approximately three times compared to conventional machines.



This strategic investment, expected to be operational by December 2024, is a testament to OTLs dedication to embracing innovative technologies that enhance operational excellence. It will allow the company to deliver unparalleled quality to its clients, particularly in the high-end residential and commercial construction segments.



2. Expansion in Greater Noida with a 21,000 Sq. Ft. Showroom



In a move to strengthen its market presence, Oriental Trimex Limited is excited to announce the upcoming launch of a sprawling 21,000 sq. ft. showroom in the building materials market at Site-4, Greater Noida. Strategically located in the heart of Gautam Budh Nagar District, this showroom-cum-warehouse is poised to become a one-stop destination for all flooring solutions.



Scheduled to be operational by the end of September 2024, the showroom will showcase an extensive range of finished marbles sourced from OTLs state-of-the-art processing plant in Chennai. In addition, the company will procure high-quality granites from processors in Rajasthan and Southern India, ensuring a comprehensive portfolio of flooring solutions.



The location of this showroom is particularly strategic, given the upcoming Jewar Airport and the envisioned Aerocity in Greater Noida. These developments are expected to drive exponential growth in the region, and OTL is committed to catering to the increasing demands of the area. The company also plans to expand its footprint with a new showroom in Delhi, post-raising funds through a Right Issue, further reinforcing its position in the market.



3. Securing a 30-Year Lease for Jet Black Granite Quarry in Orissa



Oriental Trimex Limited is pleased to announce the securing of a 30-year lease for a Jet-Black Granite Quarry spanning 12.260 acres (4.961 hectares) in Village Poteru, Malkangiri district, Orissa. This quarry, allocated by the Government of Orissa, is a significant addition to OTLs portfolio, boasting a massive deposit of decorative stones and Jet Black-colored granite with substantial export potential.



The mining plan for the quarry has been approved by the state government, with an independent valuation by Er M K Mehta estimating the total mineral deposit value at approximately INR 258.77 crores. With the Environmental Clearance (EC) expected by November 2024, OTL plans to operationalize the quarry shortly thereafter. This development is expected to significantly boost the companys revenue and profitability, further cementing its leadership in the natural stone industry.



4. Diversification of Product Portfolio



In an effort to enhance its customer offerings and create new revenue streams, Oriental Trimex Limited announces plans to diversify its product portfolio by venturing into additional related product lines. Starting from December 2024, the company will introduce:



 Low-cost Indian granites



 Designed porcelain tiles in similar colors to imported marbles



 Nano stones from China



 Marble-designed quartz stones and quartzites



This expanded product mix will cater to a broader customer base, including various socioeconomic groups, and provide more options to suit different budgets. OTLs strong sourcing abilities, deep understanding of local customer preferences, and established infrastructure will support the marketing of these new products. The companys presence in Greater Noida and focus on Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, particularly in Uttar Pradesh under the Central Government's 'Smart City' plan, positions it for significant growth.



5. Significant Debt Reduction and Path to Becoming Debt-Free



Oriental Trimex Limited is pleased to announce a significant milestone in its financial journey. The company has successfully made a payment of INR 38.25 crores to Edelweiss Asset Reconstruction Company Limited ("Edelweiss ARC") as part of a One-Time Settlement ("OTS") agreement entered into on January 30, 2024. This payment has substantially reduced OTLs debt obligations, putting the company on the path to becoming debt-free.



With only a nominal interest amount remaining, which is expected to be paid by September 2024, Oriental Trimex Limited is on the verge of achieving debt-free status. This development is expected to enhance the companys credibility and reputation among stakeholders, further strengthening its position in the industry.



(Disclaimer: The above press release comes to you under an arrangement with PNN and PTI takes no editorial responsibility for the same.). PTI PWR

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Mumbai, Maharashtra, India: Zurich Kotak General Insurance, an insurer in India explains the importance of timely car insurance renewals. It is easy to overlook important tasks in todays world we live in. However, timely renewal is not something that should be pushed to the bottom of your to-do list when it comes to car insurance. Timely car insurance renewal is very important for maintaining continuous coverage, protecting policyholders financial investment and adhering to the legal requirements as per Motor Vehicle Act, 1988.



Importance of timely car insurance renewals



Lets explore why renewing car insurance on time is very important and the potential consequences of letting the policy lapse:



Continuous coverage: One of the important reasons for renewing car insurance on time is to maintain continuous coverage. Accidents are unexpected and having a lapse in car insurance can leave policyholders vulnerable to financial losses.



Avoid legal consequences: Driving without third-party insurance as per Motor Vehicle Act, 1988 is illegal in India and can lead to severe penalties. If youre caught driving without a valid car insurance, you could face fines, license suspension and even imprisonment of up to three months.



Preserving financial stability: Car insurance is not just a legal requirement, it is a financial protection from unforeseen circumstances. The cost associated with car accidents can be high and without car insurance, these costs can be stressful. Renewing car insurance preserves financial stability and protects policyholders from financial implications.



Maintaining No Claim Bonus benefits: Allowing car insurance to lapse can result in the loss of No Claim Bonus benefits, which can increase your overall car insurance costs in the long run. By renewing car insurance on time, policyholders can enjoy the benefits of No Claim Bonus.



To wrap up



For maintaining continuous protection, adhering to legal requirements and avoiding financial risks, timely car insurance renewal is very important. Dont let your car insurance lapse  set reminders, renew online and stay protected to drive with confidence.



About Zurich Kotak General Insurance Company (India) Limited (Formerly known as Kotak Mahindra General Insurance Company Limited)

Zurich Kotak General Insurance Company (India) Limited is a 70:30 joint venture between Zurich Insurance Group and Kotak Mahindra Bank. The Company got its new name Zurich Kotak General Insurance Company (India) Limited in the month of August 2024, following Zurich Insurance Groups 70% acquisition in Kotak Mahindra General Insurance Company Limited. It is the youngest and one of the fastest growing non-life insurance franchises in India.



Kotak General Insurance was established in 2015 to service the growing non-life insurance segment in India. The company aims to cater to a wide range of customer segments & geographies offering an array of non-life insurance products like Motor, Health, Home etc. As a practice, the company seeks to provide a differentiated value proposition through customized products and services leveraging state of art technology and digital infrastructure.



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BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 2. The recent parliamentary election in Azerbaijan was conducted in a democratic and transparent manner, an observer from the Italian Parliament, Naike Gruppioni said at a briefing, Trend reports.

Gruppioni, who was on her second observation mission to Azerbaijan, expressed gratitude for the opportunity to witness this important process.

She noted that the active participation of youth and women in the elections reflects their concern for the country's future and their eagerness to engage in politics.

This is already my second visit to Azerbaijan as an observer, and I am sincerely grateful for the chance to once again participate in this critical process for the country's future, Gruppioni emphasized.

She also highlighted that the organization, transparency, and procedures of the elections were of very high standards.

Transparency and security in voting were ensured through numerous control mechanisms. I personally observed these processes at all stages and can say that the groups organizing the elections guaranteed their fairness and openness, she added.

The snap parliamentary election was held in Azerbaijan on September 1.

According to preliminary data, the voter turnout in the election reached 37.27 percent.

A total of 2,196,771 voters had cast their ballots in the election, and 5,895 polling stations submitted their protocols to the Central Election Commission (CEC) of Azerbaijan.

A total of 112,749 local observers have been registered, including over 65,000 representatives of political parties. There were 598 international observers from 51 organizations and 69 countries.

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
New Delhi [India] August 31: The Land Port Authority of India (LPAI), under the Ministry of Home Affairs, is proud to announce its role as an associate partner in the Heartfulness Trilateral Motorbike Expedition for The Lord Buddha Circuit. This collaboration underscores LPAIs commitment to enhancing cultural ties, promoting peace, and supporting spiritual tourism across South Asia.



The Buddhist Circuit and the Trilateral Motorbike Expedition



The Heartfulness Trilateral Motorbike Expedition is a monumental journey that will trace the sacred Buddhist Circuit, connecting key sites associated with the life and teachings of Siddhartha Gautama, the Buddha. The expedition will commence from Lumbini, Nepal, the birthplace of Buddha, travel through seven Indian states, and conclude in Colombo, Sri Lanka.



The expedition is a symbol of regional cooperation and cultural exchange, aiming to promote the rich Buddhist heritage shared by these nations. The route will include visits to historically significant sites such as Bodh Gaya, Sarnath, and Kushinagar in India, which hold deep spiritual significance for Buddhists around the world.



LPAIs Involvement and Meeting Highlights



In response to the official invitation dated July 31, 2024, LPAI confirmed its acceptance to become an associate partner in this noble endeavour. The decision was finalized during a meeting attended by key figures from both LPAI and the Heartfulness Trilateral Motorbike Expedition team. Present at the meeting were:



Shri Vivek Verma, Secretary, LPAI



Ms. Rekha Raikar Kumar, Member (Finance), LPAI



Shri Ajeet Kumar Singh, Director (Operations), LPAI



Shri Rahul Patil, Co-Convener, Heartfulness Trilateral Motorbike Expedition



Dr. Prateek Kanakia, Advisor, Heartfulness Trilateral Motorbike Expedition



Shri Digant Sharma, Director Finance and CSR, Heartfulness Trilateral Motorbike Expedition



Shri Mahendra Turakhia, President, Bharat Taxpayer Welfare Platform Foundation



During the discussions, Smt. Rekha Raikar Kumar emphasized the significance of the expedition in promoting regional peace and cultural understanding. She also highlighted LPAIs role in facilitating smooth cross-border movement, particularly at the upcoming Integrated Check Post (ICP) at Sanauli on the India-Nepal border, through which the expedition will pass.



Message from LPAI



In an official communication, Shri Aditya Mishra, Chairman, LPAI, expressed the Authoritys commitment to the expedition, stating, We are honored to support the Heartfulness ride, a trilateral motorbike expedition that embodies the spirit of unity and cultural appreciation. We wish the expedition all the success and look forward to partnering in future endeavours that align with our mission of promoting international cooperation and cultural heritage.



Future Collaborations



This partnership between LPAI and Heartfulness marks the beginning of a sustained relationship aimed at promoting spiritual tourism and cultural exchange. LPAI is dedicated to supporting similar initiatives that enhance regional connectivity, encourage tourism, and foster goodwill among neighboring countries.



Message from Shri Rahul Patil, Co-Convener, Heartfulness Trilateral Motorbike Expedition



We are immensely grateful to the Land Port Authority of India (LPAI) for joining hands with us as an associate partner for the Heartfulness Trilateral Motorbike Expedition along The Lord Buddha Circuit. This partnership is not just a collaboration, but a shared commitment to promoting the values of peace, cultural exchange, and spiritual heritage across South Asia.



The support from LPAI, particularly with the facilitation at key border crossings such as the upcoming Integrated Check Post at Sanauli, is crucial for the seamless execution of this expedition. Their involvement reflects a dedication to fostering international cooperation and preserving the rich Buddhist heritage that unites our nations.



We look forward to a successful journey and are excited about the positive impact this expedition will have on promoting regional harmony and mutual understanding. Together, we are paving the way for future collaborations that will continue to inspire peace, unity, and a deeper connection to our shared cultural roots.



About LPAI



The Land Port Authority of India, under the Ministry of Home Affairs, is tasked with the development and management of Integrated Check Posts (ICPs) across Indias international borders. LPAI plays a vital role in facilitating trade, travel, and cultural exchange while ensuring security and seamless connectivity.



About Heartfulness



The Trilateral Bike Expedition is a thrilling adventure that weaves through the heartlands of Nepal, India, and Sri Lanka. This epic journey is a testament to the enduring spirit of patriotism and a powerful platform for cultural exchange, where cyclists will traverse varied landscapes and soak in the rich tapestry of traditions, forging lasting bonds among these three unique and vibrant nations.



Heres an additional section for the associate partners:



We are proud to acknowledge the support of our associate partners, who share our vision of promoting cultural exchange, unity, and peace across the region:



 Royal Thai Monastery: Promoting cultural exchange and Buddhist heritage



 Nalanda University: Providing academic and cultural support



 BIMSTEC: Supporting regional cooperation and cultural exchange



Their contributions have been invaluable in making this expedition a success, and we express our sincere gratitude for their partnership.



For more information and partnership on the expedition:



Name  Digant Sharma



Designation  Director ( Finance and CSR )



Email  im@digantsharma.com



Mobile  +91-9769999960 , +91-9920808363



Website  https://heartfulnessride.com



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New Delhi, Sep 2 (PTI) The Union Cabinet on Monday approved an outlay of Rs 2,817 crore to support digital initiatives in the agriculture sector, aimed at enhancing farmers' income and providing direct-indirect employment opportunities in the sector.

"The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved the Digital Agriculture Mission today with an outlay of Rs 2,817 crore, including the central share of Rs 1,940 crore," according to an official statement.

This scheme is one of the seven programmes approved by the Cabinet with an outlay of nearly Rs 14,000 crore.

The Digital Agriculture Mission is "conceived as an umbrella scheme to support digital agriculture initiatives, such as creating digital public infrastructure, implementing the Digital General Crop Estimation Survey (DGCES), and taking up other IT initiatives by the central government, state governments, and academic and research institutions".

The aim is to make timely and reliable information available for the agriculture sector and provide farmer-centric digital service. Digital identity to farmers, similar to Aadhaar, is one of the key components of these digital initiatives.

To bring about a digital revolution in the farm sector, the government announced the building of Digital Public Infrastructure for agriculture in the Union Budget 2023-24. Further, in the Budget 2024-25, the augmentation of the DPI initiative for the agricultural sector has also been announced.

"The Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) for agriculture aims to provide comprehensive and useful data on farmers comprising authenticated demographic details, land holdings and crops sown," the statement said, adding this will include cultivators and tenant farmers, as per the policy of the state government.

It would also connect to relevant DPI of the state governments and central ministries to use data of farmers on livestock, fisheries, soil health, other vocations, family details and schemes and benefits availed, leading to innovative farmer-centric digital services in the sector.

"Aligned with the vision of Viksit Bharat@2047, the DPI for agriculture forms the core of the Digital Agriculture Mission," the government said.

The three DPIs to be built under the mission are Agristack, Krishi Decision Support System, and Soil Profile Mapping.

"Besides enabling farmer-centric digital services, these DPIs will make timely and reliable information available for the agriculture sector,"

Out of these three DPIs, the AgriStack is a farmer-centric DPI that will enable efficient, easier, and faster services and scheme delivery to farmers. It is being built in a federated structure as a collaborative project between various agencies of the Centre and States.

It consists of three foundational registries or databases in the agriculture sector, which are -- Farmers Registry, Geo-referenced village maps and the Crop Sown Registry, created and maintained by the State Governments/ Union Territories.

"Under AgriStack, farmers will be given a digital identity (Farmer ID) similar to Aadhaar, which will be a trusted 'Kisan ki Pehchaan'," the statement said.

This 'Farmer ID' will be linked dynamically to the State's land records, livestock ownership, crops sown, demographic details, family details, schemes and benefits availed etc.

Crops sown by farmers will be recorded through mobile-based ground surveys i.e. Digital Crop Survey to be conducted in each season.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) is being signed between the centre and state governments to create and implement the DPI for agriculture. So far, 19 states have signed MoUs with the Union Agriculture Ministry.

The basic IT infrastructure for implementing AgriStack has been developed and already tested on a pilot basis.

For the creation of Farmer IDs, pilots have been conducted in one district each across 6 States: Uttar Pradesh (Farrukhabad), Gujarat (Gandhinagar), Maharashtra (Beed), Haryana (Yamuna Nagar), Punjab (Fatehgarh Sahib), and Tamil Nadu (Virudhnagar).

"It is targeted to create digital identities for 11 crore farmers: six crore farmers in FY 2024-25, three crore farmers in FY 2025-26, and two crore farmers in FY 2026-27", the statement said.

For the development of the Crop Sown Registry, a pilot on the Digital Crop Survey was conducted in 11 states in 2023-24. Further, it is targeted to launch the Digital Crop Survey across the nation within two years, with 400 districts covered in FY 2024-25 and all the districts covered in FY 2025-26.

The Krishi Decision Support System will create a comprehensive geospatial system to unify remote sensing-based information on crops, soil, weather and water resources among others.

Under the Mission, detailed Soil Profile Maps on a 1:10,000 scale of about 142 million hectares of agricultural land are envisaged to be completed. A detailed soil profile inventory of about 29 million hectares has already been completed.

The Digital General Crop Estimation Survey (DGCES) will provide yield estimates based on scientifically designed crop-cutting experiments.

"The Mission will have a catalytic effect in creating both direct and indirect employment in the agriculture sector," the government said.

Digital crop surveys and data collection for remote sensing are expected to provide employment opportunities to about 2.5 lakh trained local youth and Krishi Sakhis.

The Mission aims to make service delivery mechanisms more efficient and transparent for the farmers and other stakeholders, by leveraging trustful data and using modern digital technologies such as artificial intelligence.

Citing an example, the government said, "a farmer would be able to digitally identify and authenticate himself/herself to access benefits and services, obviating cumbersome paperwork and with little or no need to physically visit various offices or service providers."

The reliable data would help government agencies make schemes and services more efficient and transparent, such as paperless MSP-based procurement, crop insurance, and credit card-linked crop loans. It will help develop systems for the balanced use of fertilizers.
Jabalpur, Sep 2 (PTI) The Madhya Pradesh High Court on Monday issued notices to actor Kangana Ranaut, the Centre, censor board and others on a PIL challenging the screening of her upcoming Hindi film 'Emergency' on the ground it contains scenes that violate fundamental rights of Sikhs.

The Public Interest Litigation (PIL) has stated that 'Emergency' features scenes which violate fundamental rights of the Sikh community and sought an unconditional apology from the actor-politician, who plays the lead role in the movie, and other respondents.

The BJP Lok Sabha MP from Himachal Pradesh's Mandi portrays former prime minister Indira Gandhi in the film scheduled for release on September 6.

A division bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Sanjeev Sachdeva and Justice Vinay Saraf here issued the notices, returnable in 24 hours, to respondents during preliminary hearing on the PIL filed by two Sikh organisations.

The court ordered sending of the notices through electronic mode to respondents and added it is returnable (with their replies on issues raised in the plea) by September 3, the petitioners' counsel, NS Ruprah, told PTI over the phone.

The court fixed the next date of hearing on Tuesday (Sept 3).

The Jabalpur Sikh Sangat and the Shri Guru Singh Sabha, Indore, have filed the plea stating that Sikhs are directly affected by the film and have thus chosen to move the court for protection of their dignity and honour enshrined in the Constitution, he added.

The petition seeks direction to the Union government and the Madhya Pradesh government to restrict screening of the movie across the country, particularly in the central state, Ruprah added.

Furthermore, the plea seeks direction to Ranaut and other respondents to tender an unconditional apology to the entire nation for making such an "irresponsible" film and pay exemplary damages to a Sikh charitable organization/institution.

The biographical political drama film has been directed and co-produced by the 38-year-old actor, the lawyer said.

Notices have been issued to the Centre, the MP government, the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), Manikarnika Films Pvt Ltd, Zee Studios Ltd, Zee Studios Chief Business Officer Umesh K Bansal, YouTube, Instagram and Facebook India Online Services Pvt Ltd.

On Friday, Ranaut said her film is still stuck with the censor board contrary to reports that it has been cleared for release.

In a video message posted on X, the actor claimed she and CBFC members had received threats, and that she is under pressure not to show in the film the assassination of Indira Gandhi by her Sikh bodyguards in 1984.
Kathmandu, Sep 2 (PTI) A delegation from the National Defence College of India, currently on a study tour to Nepal, called on Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli on Monday.

They met Oli at the Prime Minister's official residence at Baluwatar in Kathmandu.

During the meeting, Oli praised the academic contribution made by the college in defence matters and underscored that there should be joint efforts for the peace and prosperity of the South Asian nations.

He expressed concern that violence and conflicts have been surfacing in this region, where champions of peace like Gautam Buddha and Mahatma Gandhi were born against the culture and civilisation of this region.

Mentioning the common culture, lifestyle, and civilisation, shared between Nepal and India, Oli pointed out that the mutual friendship between the two countries is growing.

Indian Ambassador to Nepal Naveen Srivastava, college representative Sandeep S Sandu, and other delegations participated in the meeting, according to the Prime Minister's Secretariat.
Moscow, Sep 2 (AP) Russian emergency officials said on Monday they had recovered all 22 dead from a helicopter that crashed with tourists on board in Russia's Far East.

The crash occurred in Kamchatka  a pristine peninsula with numerous volcanoes, known for its rugged beauty and rich wildlife. A Mi-8 helicopter with 19 passengers and three crew members on board took off close to the Vachkazhets volcano on Saturday and rescuers located the wreckage the following day.

Russian state news agency RIA Novosti said, citing the Emergencies Ministry, that it likely crashed due to poor visibility in bad weather conditions. The local branch of the Investigative Committee, Russia's top law enforcement body, said in a statement Monday that an investigation has been launched into a possible pilot error or a technical malfunction.

The Mi-8 is a two-engine helicopter designed in the 1960s. It is widely used in Russia, where crashes have been frequent, as well as in neighbouring countries and many other nations.

Russian media described the flight operator Vityaz-Aero as one of the largest carriers in the Kamchatka region. After a helicopter crash in 2021, in which eight people were killed, authorities had banned the company from transporting passengers pending an investigation into a possible violation of flight safety rules.

Vityaz-Aero is the biggest of several local carriers that fly tourists to the Kronotsky reserve, a top attraction that includes Russia's only geyser basin. (AP) PY

PY
Dhaka, Sep 2 (PTI) Bangladesh interim government on Monday said it will "soon" start re-investigation and fair trial into the 2009 mutiny in the paramilitary Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) that had killed 74 people, including 57 army officers serving in the force.

Home and Agriculture Affairs Advisor to the interim government Lt Gen (retd.) M Jahangir Alam Chowdhury said that as a citizen and a former member of the military, he was committed to ensuring justice for the tragic event.

"The proper re-investigation and fair trial process into the BDR carnage will start soon," he told the media after a meeting with Swedish Ambassador to Dhaka Reto Siegfried Renggli at his office here.

The mutiny started on February 25-26, 2009, when army officers refused to fulfil the demands made by the BDR jawans. The rebel soldiers staged the revolt at the BDR's Pilkhana headquarters in Dhaka and it quickly spread to sector headquarters and regional units of the frontier force across the country.

The rebellion saw the paramilitary soldiers turn their guns to their commanders, shooting them from close ranges or hacking and torturing them to death, hiding their bodies in sewers and hurriedly dug graves and captivating and humiliating their frightened family members in barracks. The mutiny left 74 people, including 57 army officers, killed.

Under a massive reconstruction campaign, the government renamed the mutiny-stained BDR as Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) in 2012, changing its logo, uniform, flag and monogram to free the force from the rebellion stigma.

Alam, who previously served as the (BGB) chief, said, "Not only as an adviser but as a former member of the army and a general citizen, I want a just trial of the BDR killings as well.

His comments came as demands for a re-investigation mounted particularly on social media, though a special three-judge High Court bench in 2017 upheld 139 BDR soldiers' death penalties after their trial in the lower court.

The lower court had given death sentences to 152 BDR members and two civilians, and life imprisonment to 158 others in the case, which is pending before the apex Appellate Division of the Supreme Court for a review.

The accused were tried on charges like masterminding the mutiny, torturing and killing their officers, looting their belongings or captivating their family members during the two-day rebellion. They also killed eight civilians, eight BDR soldiers, who were opposed to the revolt, and an army soldier apart from the 57 military officers.

Legal experts earlier called it Bangladesh's biggest-ever criminal trial in which some 800 ex-paramilitary soldiers stood accused of killing 74 people.

The rebel soldiers staged the revolt for what they said was deprivation, coinciding with the annual Darbar or meeting of ordinary soldiers with the top brasses. The then BDR chief Maj Gen Shakil Ahmed was the first victim of the rebellion.

The mutiny occurred weeks after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasinas Awami League government came into power in the December 2008 elections. In 2012, Bangladesh concluded another phase of the trial of the rebellion with 11 paramilitary courts sentencing 6,011 rebel soldiers of 57 units to jail terms of up to seven years under the relatively lenient BDR Act.
Islamabad, Sep 2 (PTI) Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has said that a military trial of jailed former prime minister Imran Khan was "possible" in the cases concerning the violence on May 9 last year.

"Yes, it is possible," Asif replied when asked during the Geo News programme 'Naya Pakistan' Sunday if a military trial of the former premier was possible.

He said that during the Imran Khan-led government, military trials of the civilians were held and he remembers cases of 24 civilians who went through the process of facing military court.

It is not the first time that the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) expressed such a possibility. Several leaders of the party have accused Khan of orchestrating the May 9, 2023 violence.

On May 9 last year, violent protests erupted after the arrest of 71-year-old Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party founder Khan by paramilitary Rangers from the premises of the Islamabad High Court in connection with an alleged corruption case.

His party workers allegedly vandalised a dozen military installations, including the Jinnah House (Lahore Corps Commander House), the Mianwali airbase and the ISI building in Faisalabad. A mob also attacked the Army headquarters in Rawalpindi.

However, the issue of the trial of civilians is stuck in the judicial intricacies as the civilian government had handed over at least 103 people to the military for trial for their role in attacks on the military facility.

However, the matter was challenged in the Supreme Court which last year ruled against the trial of civilians by the military tribunals. However, the government has filed a review against it and the apex court has not decided the matter.

It seems that the issue of the trial of Khan will linger on until the top court decides on the review petition.

Geo News reported that Asif rejected media reports about a PML-N meeting wherein party chief Nawaz Sharif directed his party to hold talks with all political parties including the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf to take the country out of the crisis.

He said that Nawaz did not even speak on politics in the said meeting let alone extending an olive branch to the Imran Khan-founded party.

"We concentrated on two topics only during the meeting, one on holding local bodies elections in Punjab and the other on bringing down electricity prices," he said.

Asif also said that unless the PTI apologised for the May 9 violent incidents, there would be no room for progress in the negotiations with them. Accountability of the May 9 incidents should be held 200%, he said.

He further maintained that the opposition party directly or indirectly expressing a desire for negotiations was devoid of sincerity.

The minister, while pointing towards Khan's erratic behaviour, said even PTI members did not trust Khan and lamented about his egoistic and opportunistic attitude.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif offered Khan's party to hold talks multiple times, Asif said, adding that the premier had even proposed the PTI to sign a charter of economy. However, neither the PTI founder nor any of his ministers responded to the proposal, he said.

"The PTI founder (then PM) sat turning his back towards the opposition with arrogance, he said, stressing how his camaraderie with former army chief Gen (retd.) Qamar Javed Bajwa and Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) chief Lt Gen (retd) Faiz Hameed were on peak at the time.

"Just a few months ago, PM Shehbaz Sharif walked the floor of the National Assembly to their seats. He shook hands with the entire PTI leadership, he said, describing the prime ministers amicable conduct with the opposition.

On the other hand, Asif said, the PTI kept insisting on holding talks with the establishment.

Khan was arrested on August 5 last year after his conviction in the first Toshakhana corruption case filed by the Election Commission of Pakistan. Since then, he has been in jail in different cases.
Dhaka, Sep 2 (PTI) Bangladesh Parliament Speaker Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury resigned on Monday, nearly four weeks after President Mohammad Shahabuddin dissolved the house following the ouster of prime minister Sheikh Hasina.

Bangabhaban presidential palace officials said Chaudhury tendered her resignation to the president.

Her resignation comes as she was accused in a murder case over the death of a jewellery worker during the anti-government protests.

The case against Chaudhury is one of scores of others against ministers of the former cabinet and Awami League leaders.

Deputy speaker of parliament Shamsul Haque Tuku is in prison, facing identical charges after his arrest.

Many of the Awami League leaders are now in jail following their arrests in corruption and other criminal cases, including murders, after the interim government led by Nobel Laureate Muhammad Yunus took charge.

Meanwhile, a Dhaka court on Monday debarred eight ministers and eight lawmakers of the ousted regime from leaving Bangladesh on separate petitions filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC).

Chaudhurys resignation has raised the question of a constitutional vacuum as she is supposed to administer the oath of office to the members of the new parliament.

Several legal experts said Chaudhury, despite her resignation, would be deemed the speaker to accomplish her constitutional task of administering the oath of office to members of the 13th parliament.

The constitution stipulates that the Speaker will also discharge the duties of the President if the Head of the State resigns or the post falls vacant.

Leading constitutional expert Shahdhin Malik told Prothom Alo newspaper that despite the constitutional provision, political uncertainty has been created with Chaudhury's resignation and the imprisonment of the deputy speaker.

Chaudhury, a lawyer by profession, became the Jatiya Sangsad speaker for the first time on April 30, 2013, and remained in the position uninterruptedly since then.

She was re-elected in 2014, 2018 and 2024 with an Awami League ticket during then-prime minister Sheikh Hasina's nearly 16-year regime that collapsed on August 5 after massive student protests against a controversial quota system in government jobs.

On April 30, 2013, Chaudhury was appointed the first female speaker of the parliament after Mohammad Abdul Hamid, who was initially appointed the speaker in 2008, vacated the post following his election as the president of Bangladesh upon the death of then-president Zillur Rahman towards the end of the ninth parliament.
London, Sep 2 (PTI) British Indian former home secretary Priti Patel is among six candidates making their leadership pitches to succeed Rishi Sunak as Conservative Party chief and Opposition Leader as the UK Parliament resumed after its summer recess on Monday.

Patel, 52, is battling it out with fellow Tory Cabinet ex-ministers  Kemi Badenoch, James Cleverly, Tom Tugendhat, Robert Kenrick and Mel Stride  for the first round of votes scheduled for Wednesday, when one candidate with the least backing of their party MPs will be knocked out of the race.

The staged contest was triggered after the Conservatives bruising defeat to Prime Minister Keir Starmer led Labour in the July 4 general election, with Sunak resigning to act as Opposition leader until his successor is elected.

Its time to move on and to move forward. I am an optimist with clear goals, and I will revive our party so we can provide the leadership our great country needs, said Patel, in a key speech around her campaign slogan of unite to win ahead of the first voting round.

When I was the home secretary, we increased police officers to record numbers and gave them more powers to fight crime. We gave victims of crime more rights and improved services and support for survivors of domestic abuse. We ended free movement and brought in reforms to our immigration and asylum system... We did all that and more, you have in me a leader who will fight for the British people, she said, highlighting her record in Cabinet under former prime minister Boris Johnson.

In an interview with The Sunday Times, the Gujarati heritage member of Parliament for Witham in Essex opened up about racist jibes while at school in England after her family migrated from Uganda, fleeing persecution under dictator Idi Amin in the 1960s.

As a child, once people start to label you, it lives with you for all your life... Im working even harder to show that Im equally capable, Patel told the newspaper.

My mum would pack us loads of food, a nice picnic. Shes a vegetarian, so she made Indian rice and chapatis. That was just amazing, she shared, with reference to family holidays by the English coast.

Patel faces a tough battle as Tory MPs vote to start narrowing down the field this week until only two candidates remain for the online voting by the wider Conservative membership, the result of which will be declared on November 2.

In her speech, Badenoch  currently serving as shadow communities secretary in the House of Commons  called for renewal of the Tories and shadow home secretary Cleverly made an appeal for unity. The common theme running through all six contenders pitches is an attack on Labours tax-raising policies and attacks on the Tory record after 14 years in government.

"I'm not going to take lectures from anyone from the previous government who left the worst possible inheritance. The country's in a real state," said Starmer, hitting back at the Opposition Leader hopefuls.

He declared that the Tories had "badly damaged" the economy and should apologise "for the mess they made".

"What we're doing is cleaning it up," he claimed.

Meanwhile, Parliament prepared for its regular schedule with a statement on last months riots and votes on bills to bring rail operators into public ownership and support the creation of a new publicly owned energy company among the key issues on the agenda.
Dhaka, Sep 2 (PTI) The US was looking forward to working closely with Bangladesh's interim government and strengthening ties with Dhaka on a range of issues, a top American diplomat said on Monday.

US Embassy Charge d'Affaires Helen Lafave made the remarks during her meeting with Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus at the State Guest House Yamuna, the state-run BSS news agency reported.

"The US government was happy to congratulate the Chief Adviser and was looking forward to working closely together," the chief advisers press wing quoted the US diplomat as saying.

Helen said the US Embassy in Dhaka will resume this week its consular service to expedite visa processing. She said thousands of Bangladeshi students now study in US universities.

She said the US would work closely with Bangladesh in health, education, labour, governance and Rohingya issues, the agency reported.

The US is the largest contributor to the Rohingya humanitarian responses, and Helen said the amount of Rohingya monthly food aid has increased this year after more US funding.

Chief Adviser Yunus thanked the US for supporting Bangladesh, including its continued funding for over one million Rohingyas who have been living in Cox's Bazars camps.

He said the interim government would carry out deep reforms and added that the general election would be held after a reasonable time.

The envoy raised some concerns over labour and minority issues.

The chief adviser said every citizen in Bangladesh is "protected by the constitution" and the interim government is committed to upholding the human rights of all citizens.

Helen said the US government is also trying to help Bangladesh set up a prosecutorial service to ensure fair trials.

On Monday, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi spoke to Chief Adviser Yunus by phone and congratulated him on his assumption of the leadership of the interim government.

During the telephone conversation, the two leaders discussed the Rohingya issue, including about thousands of people displaced by the ongoing conflict in Myanmar's Rakhine state.

Yunus sought his support for the dignified and voluntary return of over one million Rohingya people, who live in camps in Bangladesh, to their homeland in Myanmar.

The UNHCR chief requested the chief adviser to attend a meeting on the Rohingya crisis on the sidelines of the upcoming UN General Assembly in New York.

Yunus will lead a small delegation to the 79th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York.

"He will aim to complete his tasks as quickly as possible, so the visit, including travel time, won't exceed a week," Foreign Adviser Md Touhid Hossain said on Monday.

The adviser noted that only those with direct responsibilities at the UNGA will accompany the chief adviser.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 2. Azerbaijans recent parliamentary election once again demonstrated the democratic will of its people, the deputy of the Grand National Assembly of Turkiye Samil Ayrm said during a media briefing, Trend reports.

The election was conducted in accordance with international law and based on democratic values, the Turkish MP told reporters.

According to Ayrim, these election is a significant indicator of lasting peace in the region.

"We believe that political and economic stability in the region will continue, and a peace treaty between Azerbaijan and Armenia will be signed soon. All requirements were met during the election. During our observations in Sumgayit and Baku, we saw that citizens voted freely. Every day, Azerbaijan is showing progress related to the election. We thank the Azerbaijani people for their participation in the election and congratulate the winning candidates," he said.

The snap parliamentary election was held in Azerbaijan on September 1.

According to preliminary data, the voter turnout in the election reached 37.27 percent.

A total of 2,196,771 voters had cast their ballots in the election, and 5,895 polling stations submitted their protocols to the Central Election Commission (CEC) of Azerbaijan.

A total of 112,749 local observers have been registered, including over 65,000 representatives of political parties. There were 598 international observers from 51 organizations and 69 countries.

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
London, Sep 2 (PTI) The UK on Monday announced a partial suspension of some arms exports to Israel amid fears that they might be used to commit "a serious violation of international humanitarian law".

UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy issued a statement in the House of Commons to declare that around 30 of 350 export licences will be suspended, while stressing that it did not amount to a blanket ban or an arms embargo".

The Labour Party government has been under pressure to take a tougher stance against Israel amid the war in Gaza since it was elected to power in the July general election.

"Facing a conflict such as this, it is this government's legal duty to review Britain's export licences, Lammy told members of Parliament, back in the Commons after their summer recess.

"It is with regret that I inform the House today the assessment I have received leaves me unable to conclude anything other than that for certain UK arms exports to Israel, there does exist a clear risk that they might be used to commit or facilitate a serious violation of international humanitarian law," he said.

While the UK does not directly supply Israel with weapons, it grants export licences for British companies to sell arms to the country. Mondays decision was made under the strategic export licensing criteria, which bans the export of items if there is a perceived risk of them being used for violation of humanitarian law in the areas of humanitarian provision and access, treatment of detainees, and prosecution of military campaigns.

Lammy told the Commons that after raising his own concerns while in Opposition, he immediately launched a review upon taking office and "committed to sharing the review's conclusions".

"We have rigorously followed every stage of the process which the previous Conservative government established, and let me first be clear on the review's scope: this government is not an international court. We have not and could not arbitrate on whether or not Israel has breached international humanitarian law, he asserted.

"This is a forward looking evaluation, not a determination of innocence or guilt, and it does not prejudge any future determinations by the competent courts," he said.

Lammy also reiterated that the UK continues to support Israels right to self-defence in accordance with international law and that it will continue to work with Israel to tackle the threat from Iran.
Mumbai, Sep 2 (PTI) Nationalist Congress Party (SP) leader and former Home Minister Anil Deshmukh on Monday demanded that President Droupadi Murmu approve the Shakti bill passed by the Maharashtra legislature that prescribes the death penalty for rapists.

NCP (SP) leaders and women workers will protest on Tuesday against the delay in clearing the bill by wearing red ribbons at the pedestal of Mahatma Gandhi's statue near the state secretariat, he said.

Incidentally, President Murmu is on a three-day visit to Maharashtra. She is scheduled to attend the centenary year function of the state legislative council, adjoining the secretariat, on Tuesday.

Queried on NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar declining certain measures under the Z plus security accorded to him by the Centre, Deshmukh alleged the security was being provided to keep an eye on Pawar's political visitors ahead of the state assembly polls.

The Centre accorded Pawar the Z plus cover of the Central Reserve Police Force's VIP security wing after a threat assessment review by central agencies. However, Pawar is learnt to have conveyed to them that he has not been told why his security is being increased.

"When I was the home minister of Maharashtra, our government passed the Shakti bill under which rapists can be awarded the death penalty. But the bill is pending the Centre's approval (Presidential assent) before it can become law," Deshmukh told reporters.

He said the state government should diligently follow up the bill assent with the Union government.

"If the Centre has any issues with the Shakti bill then it should communicate with the state government, and changes can be made accordingly," Deshmukh added.

He targeted Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who is also the Home Minister, saying it is imperative to pay attention to the law and order, especially crime against women, in the state.

"As Fadnavis is busy breaking opposition parties and troubling political opponents with Central agencies, he doesn't have time for governance," Deshmukh alleged.
Ahmedabad, Sep 2 (PTI) Several parts of Gujarat received heavy rain on Monday, with Bharuch city getting 120 millimetres between 4pm and 6pm, officials said.

The India Meteorological Department has forecast widespread rain in the state this week. Monday's rain came after a two-day pause. The state had seen extremely heavy rains last week, which caused widespread flooding.

During the day, south Gujarat districts such as Bharuch, Tapi, Dangs and Navsari received heavy rain, with Songadh and Vyara talukas of Tapi district and Vaghai in Dangs getting more than 200mm in a 12-hour period ending at 6pm, data from the State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC) showed.

"Bharuch city got 120 mm between 4pm and 6pm. Purna and Ambika rivers in Navsari district were flowing above the danger mark and a high alert has been sounded. These are among 10 rivers and 132 reservoirs that are flowing above danger mark in the state," an official said.

The IMD has forecast 'heavy to very heavy' rain in isolated places in Chhota Udepur, Narmada and Surat districts till Wednesday morning.

It has also predicted widespread rain across the state during the next three days, with isolated heavy rain to continue in some parts till Saturday.

The IMD said cyclone 'Asna' that had formed off the coast of Kutch on Friday had turned into a depression and moved further south-southwestwards in the Arabian sea on Monday.

In an update, the state government said 132 reservoirs are on 'high alert', while 10 rivers are overflowing.

The water in the state's 206 reservoirs stands at 79 percent of their total capacity, as per the update.

Minister of State for Home Harsh Sanghavi visited Vadodara during the day to review the relief and restoration work in the wake of flooding there due to heavy rains last week.

"A total of 20,000 people were evacuated from flooded localities and 6,330 rescued in Vadodara in the last few days following heavy rains. With flood water receding, health surveillance is being carried out door-to-door to prevent outbreak of vector-borne diseases," the official said.

He said the government has given Rs 1.76 crore to 64,360 affected persons in the city, as well as Rs 56 lakh to 84,970 persons in rural areas of the district.

"Furthermore, Rs 2.44 crore was distributed to 9,768 families as household assistance. Efforts are being made to repair damaged roads. A total of 3,610 km length of road under the state Roads and Buildings Department was damaged due to rains last week. It is being repaired on a war footing. A total 466 teams involving around 6,487 workers are engaged in the exercise," a state government release said.

Around 139 kilometres of a total 2,894 kilometres of roads under National Highway Authority of India were damaged and is being repaired, it added.
Pune, Sep 2 (PTI) Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde's helicopter bound for Bhimashankar Temple in Pune was rerouted on Monday due to inclement weather to Landewadi in Ambegaon tehsil as part of a plan and it was not an emergency landing, police officials said.

Shinde was going to Bhimashankar Temple to pray since it was the last 'somwar' of the holy month of Shravan, a Pune Rural police official said.

"There was no emergency landing of the CM's chopper. The rerouting was as per plans. There were two plans. As per plan A, the chopper was supposed to land at Bhimashankar if he weather was all right. As per the Plan B, the chopper was to be rerouted to Landewadi in Ambegaon tehsil if the weather at Bhimashankar is cloudy," the official.

"As it was cloudy at Bhimashankar, the helicopter was rerouted to Landewadi and it had a smooth landing. After landing, the CM travelled to the temple by road," he added.
Kolkata, Sep 2 (PTI) BJP MLAs on Monday offered condolence in the West Bengal assembly complex to the doctor who was allegedly raped and murdered in a state-run hospital, after the Speaker rejected their demand to include her on the list of obituary references.

Monday was the inaugural day of a two-day special session to table and pass a Bill seeking capital punishment for rape convicts.

After Speaker Biman Bandyopadhyay rejected the Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikaris demand for making obituary references to the deceased medic, a heated exchange of words followed.

Ruling TMC MLAs accused the BJP leader of politicising a shocking incident of rape and murder of a woman, instead of supporting the state's demand for capital punishment for rapists.

Adhikari said he would voice the BJP stand on the issue of capital punishment during the debate the next day but wondered why the assembly could not take a unified stand on such a heinous crime when a reference is being made passed in memory of former chief minister Buddhadev Bhattacharjee.

Bandyopadhyay asked, "Can you name the victim? How can you pass a condolence without naming the deceased?

Identifying a rape victim is prohibited by a Supreme Court order.

The Speaker then read out a note expressing grief on the death of Bhattacharya and the members observed silence for two minutes.

He then adjourned the House till 11:30 am on Tuesday.

The BJP MLAs, numbering 52, then assembled in the lobby of the House and went around the premises silently holding candles and posters that read: "We pray for the departed soul of the doctor sister. Rest in peace."

Adhikari alleged that the state government is responsible for the heinous crime committed on a woman at her workplace.



We only wanted to pass a unanimous resolution expressing grief over the death of the sister-doctor of R G Kar Hospital. We would have sent the resolution to her parents. This state machinery has become insensitive to the people whom they had requested to vote," he told reporters.



To a question, he said naming the deceased is not mandatory for condolence.

Doesn't the assembly pass condolence notes for the victims of natural disasters and train accidents? We don't name the deceased persons individually (in those cases). I have been a member of this House since 2006," Adhikari said.

The Speaker later told reporters in his room that he had nothing else to add to what he said on the floor of the House.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Sobhandeb Chatterjee said that as it is not possible to pay condolences to any unnamed individual, the BJP's proposal could not be accepted.
Ranchi, Sep 2 (PTI) The Jharkhand government doctors accepted a biometric attendance system on Monday after getting assurance from the authorities on fulfilling their 15-point charter of demands, an association of medics said.

They started registering attendance through the biometric system from Monday, he said.

All government doctors in the state, under the Jharkhand State Health Service Association (JHSA) and the state unit of the Indian Medical Association (IMA), boycotted the biometric attendance system from August 20, terming it not feasible for emergency services.

JHSA state secretary Mrityunjay Thakur Singh said, "We have withdrawn our protest and doctors have started registering their attendance on the biometric system from today, as the government consented to our 15-point charter of demands."

The government has agreed that doctors can mark their attendance through biometrics only once during duty hours, he claimed.

"The government also assured that the biometric attendance will not be linked to salary," he added.
Imphal, Sep 2 (PTI) The Manipur government has ordered the state police to conduct combing operations and sanitisation in areas bordering Imphal West district where two persons were killed and nine others injured in an attack by suspected militants, officials said.

Commissioner (Home) N Ashok Kumar asked the director general of police to take steps to arrest those involved in the gun-and-bomb attack on Sunday and enhance vigil in the area to avoid any untoward incident.

"In view of recent incidents disturbing general law and order situation in fringe areas bordering Imphal West district and the necessity to keep preventive measures in place, I am to request you to kindly take up necessary action to conduct combing operations and sanitisation of areas falling in fringe areas bordering Imphal West district more particularly in the stretch from Keithelmanbi to Koutruk," the commissioner said in a letter to the DGP.

The stretch between Keithelmanbi in Kangpokpi district and Koutruk in Imphal West is around 32 km long and has been a focal point of consistent attacks since ethnic violence broke out in May last year.

According to police, militants fired indiscriminately from hilltops to the low-lying valley areas of Koutruk and neighbouring Kadangband on Sunday, killing two persons and injuring nine others. Several houses were also damaged.

The police claimed that rocket-propelled grenades and drones were used in the attack.

An official statement about the gun-and-bomb attack said, "In an unprecedented attack in Koutruk, Imphal West, alleged militants have deployed numerous RPGs using high-tech drones."

The use of drones to deploy explosives against security forces and civilians "marks a significant escalation", it said.

The involvement of highly trained professionals, possibly with technical expertise and support, cannot be ruled out, the statement said.

"Drones have been used in Manipur by two warring groups for surveillance and identifying movement of militants. The use of explosives through drones to target civilians and security forces at Koutruk on Sunday is new in the state," an official told PTI.

Police sources said at least five bombs were dropped from drones in Koutruk village.

More than 200 people have been killed and thousands rendered homeless in ethnic violence in Manipur.
New Delhi, Sep 2 (PTI) Senior AAP leader and MLA Amanatullah Khan on Monday claimed that a team of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has reached his house here to arrest him.

Sources said the ED team reached his house in Okhla as part of a money laundering investigation.

Delhi Police and Central Reserve Police Force teams have been deployed at Khan's residence

In a post on X, Khan said, "A ED team has reached my house to arrest me."

"Early this morning, at the behest of the dictator, his puppet ED reached my house. The dictator is leaving no stone unturned to harass me and other AAP leader," said Khan, who represents Okhla in the Delhi Assembly.

Several Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders, including Manish Sisodia and Sanjay Singh, hit out at the BJP government at the Centre, saying agencies are targeting those who raised their voice against the ruling party.

In a video on X, Khan also said he has been replying to all the notices being sent by the agency. But a team is here to arrest him on a search warrant, he said.

On X, Sisodia said the only work left for the ED is to "suppress every voice raised against the BJP and break it". Those who do not break, are arrested and put in jail, he alleged.

Singh claimed that the ED has no evidence against Khan. Prime Minister Narendra Modi's "dictatorship" and the ED's "hooliganism" continue, he alleged.
New Delhi, Sep 1 (PTI) Twenty-six National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams are being deployed for flood relief and rescue operations in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, officials said Monday.

While 12 teams are already deployed in the two neighbouring states, 14 more are being dispatched, they said.

Out of the 14 teams, eight are being airlifted from various locations across the country, the officials said.

The NDRF teams are equipped with inflatables boats, pole and tree cutters and basic medical aid tools, they said.

Torrential rains battered the two states 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.

As many as 99 trains were cancelled, four trains were partially cancelled and 54 were diverted due to heavy rains and waterlogging over tracks at multiple locations on the South Central Railway network, an SCR official said.

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.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah spoke to Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu and Telangana CM A Revanth Reddy and assured them of all possible help from the central government to deal with rains and floods.
New Delhi, Sep 2 (PTI) Sixty-six per cent of road traffic deaths in Southeast Asia are of pedestrians, motorised two-wheeler riders and cyclists while the highest traffic fatalities in India are among two- and three-wheeler riders, according to the latest WHO report.

The "WHO South-East Asia Regional Status Report on Road Safety" was launched during "Safety 2024", the 15th World Conference on Injury Prevention and Safety Promotion, 2024.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), globally, 30 per cent of reported road traffic deaths involved users of powered two- and three-wheelers.

Occupants of four-wheeled vehicles make up 25 per cent of the deaths and pedestrians account for 21 per cent. Cyclists represent 5 per cent of the deaths. The remaining 20 per cent include occupants of large vehicles, heavy goods vehicles, and other or unknown user types.

"In the WHO Southeast Asia Region, the share of reported road traffic deaths is 46 per cent for users of powered two- and three-wheelers, 12 per cent for occupants of four-wheeled vehicles, 17 per cent for pedestrians, 3 per cent for cyclists and 22 per cent for others. In all these countries, vulnerable road users (pedestrians, motorised two-wheeler users and bicyclists) constitute 66 per cent of the total reported road traffic deaths," the report said.

"Drivers or riders of two and three-wheelers constitute the highest proportion among all road user categories in India (45.1 per cent), Maldives (100 per cent), Myanmar (47 per cent) and Thailand (51.4 per cent)," it added.

The WHO noted that no country in the South Asian region had achieved the target of reducing its estimated road traffic deaths by 50 per cent.

However, considerable reduction in the WHO's estimated road traffic deaths occurred in the Maldives and Thailand, where estimated road traffic deaths decreased by 46.2 per cent and 41.7 per cent, respectively.

On the contrary, reported road traffic deaths in the region increased by 15 per cent in the 2010-2021 period. At the country level, no member state of the Southeast Asia Region with more than 10 million population has reported a decrease in road traffic deaths during this period.

"However, it should be noted that the reported number of road traffic deaths in Thailand reduced by 22.9 per cent between 2016 and 2021. The estimated road traffic deaths too increased in Bangladesh, India and Nepal during the period 2010-2021 by 23 per cent, 2 per cent and 25 per cent, respectively," the report said.

Etienne Krug, director of the WHO's Department for Social Determinants of Health, said road traffic crashes were a major crisis of the 21st century.

"...a large proportion of people who die in road crashes are those who cannot afford to buy a car. This is urgent time to take action. The report reveals that the crisis is huge but we need to understand and act with determination that prevention is possible and needs strict enforcement," he said.

The three-day conference is being hosted by the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Delhi; George Institute for Global Health in collaboration with the All India Institute for Medical Sciences (AIIMS), National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS) and co-sponsored by WHO.

"To reduce inequities, we must acknowledge that injuries disproportionately impact vulnerable communities -- because we are far behind in addressing real problems with real solutions. Lived experience shows how policy shapes differential exposure, risk, and outcomes, underscoring the urgent need for change," said Jagnoor Jagnoor, head of injury division at George Institute for Global Health.

During the conference, the international experts are uniting with a shared goal of "building a safer future for all: Equitable and sustainable strategies for injury and violence prevention".

The conference will focus on five key themes -- improving coordination and collaboration among stakeholders, strengthening capacity for research and practice, integrating injury prevention with global health agendas such as sustainability and equity, empowering communities, and promoting informed policymaking.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 2. Armenia's constitution needs to ditch territorial claims against Azerbaijan, Russian MP Sergei Markov told reporters, Trend reports.

He emphasized that the Karabakh issue has been fully resolved.

"Azerbaijan has regained full control over Karabakh and all the surrounding areas that were also occupied by Armenia. However, the Prime Minister of Armenia is now blocking the possibility of signing a peace treaty. It seems that the whole world is urging him to come to Baku for COP29 and sign the peace treaty.

Yet he is obstructing the signing. There are clear, absolute conditions: amendments must be made to the Armenian constitution to exclude any claims of territorial disputes with Azerbaijan regarding Karabakh. However, he has decided not to do this and to postpone it to 2027 along with a general constitutional reform, which is clearly sabotage," said Markov.

Previously, Armenian Justice Minister Grigor Minasyan announced that a constitutional referendum in Armenia is planned for 2027.

He mentioned that detailed work on the complex document is required, and there will be public discussions.

Besides, the MP noted that initially there was a debate about whether to amend the existing constitution or adopt a new fundamental law, and ultimately, the latter option was chosen.

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New Delhi, Sep 2 (PTI) The Congress on Monday took a swipe at the government after it stated that it is committed to extending social security benefits to gig workers, saying it has "finally awoken" to the need for a comprehensive national law for such workers' welfare and that it is welcome to borrow from its policy on this urgent issue.

The opposition party's remarks came a day after Labour Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said the government is actively exploring various avenues to ensure gig and platform workers are covered under social security.

Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh said the government has "finally awoken" to the need for a comprehensive national law for welfare of gig workers.

The Congress and Rahul Gandhi took this issue up aggressively during the Bharat Jodo Yatra, and the Congress governments in Karnataka and Rajasthan have already legislated to provide gig workers with rights and protection, Ramesh said on X.

It was also a key pillar of the party's Paanch Nyay Pachees Guarantee platform for the 2024 Lok Sabha Elections, he said.

"The Government happily borrowed from the Congress's Nyay Patra for the Union Budget. It is welcome to borrow its policy on gig workers from the party's thinking on this urgent issue as well," Ramesh said.

Mandaviya, while chairing a review meeting in New Delhi on Sunday, said the government of India is committed to extending social security benefits to gig and platform workers.

In a significant move aimed at safeguarding the welfare of gig and platform workers, 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 stated.

"We are working on a comprehensive strategy to provide them with the social security they deserve," he added.
Ahmedabad, Sep 2 (PTI) A special CBI court in Ahmedabad on Monday sentenced a former manager of a government bank and a proprietor of a private company to two years in jail in a 2003 bank fraud case.

The court also imposed a total fine of Rs 1.05 lakh on the duo, said the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

Jeevangine Srinivasa Rao, the then-manager of Bank of India's SM Road Branch in Ahmedabad, and Shrujal Vijendra Patel, proprietor of the city-based firm Aryan Coating, were sentenced to two years' imprisonment in a bank fraud case, said a CBI release.

A case was registered by the CBI against the accused on October 30, 2003, for offences of cheating, forgery, using forged documents as genuine and criminal misconduct. It was alleged the private firm owner availed a credit facility of Rs 25,63,500 from the bank for purchasing machinery from a company also belonging to Patel, and produced bogus sale invoice for the same, said the release.

"The term loan availed from Bank of India (BoI) was parked in the account of the said seller company. Further, collateral security offered by Shrujal Patel against the said loan turned out to be fake," added the central agency.

Patel separately availed a loan of Rs 80 lakh from BoI's SM Road Branch in Ahmedabad in the name of Aryan Coating on the basis of forged/fake documents of collateral security, bogus statement of accounts and inflated stock statements, and also submitted counterfeit receipts for purchase of machinery, according to the release.

Rao was the manager of the branch when credit facility and loan were approved by the bank to Patel's company.

After completion of the investigation by the CBI, a chargesheet was filed on December 23, 2005, against the two accused in a special court. After trial, the court found the accused guilty and sentenced them accordingly, the CBI said.
New Delhi, Sep 2 (PTI) The Delhi High Court has granted bail to a money laundering accused arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in a coal mining scam case in West Bengal, noting he has been in jail for more than two years but the trial has not even commenced.

The court granted Gurupada Maji the relief keeping in view his incarceration of nearly 28 months and no possibility of the trial concluding in the near future.

However, Justice Jyoti Singh did not make any comment on the merits of the case.

"In my view, the issues flagged by the respective parties are complex issues which would require further evidence and are best left to the trial court," the judge said. "Since this court is inclined to grant bail on the touchstone of Article 21 of the Constitution of India, due to long incarceration of the applicant (Maji) and the possibility of the trial not concluding in the near future, , the court refrains from expressing opinion on the merits of the case at this stage," Justice Singh said.

The HC examined Maji's bail plea in light of the Supreme Court's recent observations in AAP leader Manish Sisodia's case that right to bail in case of delayed trial and long incarceration would be read into Section 439 CrPC and Section 45 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

The HC noted that Maji has been in judicial custody since June 2, 2022 and the trial has not even commenced.

"Applicant contends and in my view, rightly so, that many witnesses have been named and the case involves thousands of pages of documents which have to be examined on behalf of the prosecution and there is no possibility of the trial concluding in the near future more so, when the trial has not even commenced," the judge said in the August 30 verdict.

Referring to several apex court judgments, the HC said that the two stringent bail conditions under Section 45 of the PMLA do not create in this case an absolute restraint or an insurmountable barrier before the court in granting relief on grounds of long incarceration and delay in completion of trial.

Under Section 45 of the PMLA for granting bail, the court must be satisfied that there are reasonable grounds for believing that the accused is not guilty of such offence, and is not likely to commit any offence while on bail.

"Maintaining a delicate balance between the twin conditions under Section 45 of PMLA and the need to combat economic offences and seeing with the prism of Article 21 of the Constitution of India, in my view, the applicant has made out a case for grant of bail keeping in view the incarceration of nearly 28 months and there being no possibility of the trial concluding in the near future," Justice Singh said.

The court granted bail to Maji on furnishing a personal bond of Rs 5 lakh and two sureties of the like amount. It directed him not to leave the country without the trial court's prior permission and to surrender his passport.

"He shall not indulge in any criminal activity directly or indirectly and will make no attempt to contact the witnesses associated with the case," the high court said and asked the accused to give his address and mobile details to the investigating officer.

"It is also a matter of record that the investigation in the present matter qua the applicant is complete. The case of the ED is primarily based on documentary evidence and the relevant records/documents have been seized and are in custody of investigating agencies and thus cannot be tampered. ED has not argued that there is any possibility of intimidating the witnesses," it said.

Maji was arrested by the central probe agency on May 27, 2022.

The ED has claimed that Maji was a partner of prime accused Anup Majee and "received more than Rs 66 crore from the proceeds of crime generated through illegal coal mining business from Anup Majee alias Lala and his associates".

In September 2022, a trial court refused to grant bail to him in the money laundering case, saying it did not find a reasonable ground for believing that the accused was not guilty of the alleged offences.

The ED case of money laundering stems from a November 2020 FIR registered by the CBI that alleged a multi-crore-rupee coal pilferage scam related to Eastern Coalfields Limited mines in West Bengal's Kunustoria and Kajora areas in and around Asansol.

A charge sheet was filed by the ED in the case in May 2021.

The agency has said that the total proceeds of crime in the case stand at Rs 1,352 crore. It has attached assets worth Rs 180 crore.

Abhishek Banerjee, TMC MP and nephew of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, has been questioned in this case by the ED. His wife Rujira was also summoned.
Bengaluru, Sep 2 (PTI) Karnataka Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot has sought an explanation from the Congress government on a petition submitted to him by the BJP seeking the dismissal from the Cabinet of Minister Priyank Kharge over the alleged allotment of land to a trust run by his family including his father and Congress President M Mallikarjun Kharge.

Priyank Kharge confirmed on Monday that the Governor has written to the Chief Secretary Shalini Rajneesh seeking explanation, as he hit out at Gehlot accusing him of acting with a "lightning speed" on complaints against Congress leaders, but with a "tortoise speed" on ones against BJP and JD(S) leaders.

"The (BJP's) complaint and he (Governor) writing back (to govt) seeking explanation, there is a lightning speed. It is not there in other things. On matters concerning BJP-JD(S) leaders' the speed is of tortoise. If it is Congress there will be a lighting speed," he told reporters here.

"The Governor's office becomes active when it is to build the BJP,...," Priyank Kharge alleged, adding, despite documents against BJP-JD(S) "rotting" on his table, he has not taken action.

"He (Governor) has put some queries and sent them (complaints or petitions against BJP-JD(S) leaders) back, and is saying they are not before him. When (complaint or petition) goes to the Governor's office, it does not stand disposed until and unless the Governor disposes of it....you (Governor) have asked for clarification, the file is still pending, after clarification, you have to make a decision," he added.

Priyank Kharge is the Minister for Electronics, IT/BT and Rural Development & Panchayat Raj in the Siddaramaiah-led Congress government.

Leader of Opposition in Karnataka Legislative Council Chalavadi T Narayanaswamy on August 27 petitioned the Governor seeking the dismissal of Priyank Kharge from Cabinet over the alleged allotment.

Alleging "nepotism", he said that it is a case of criminal breach of trust from the Kharges towards the fellow Schedule Caste entrepreneurs.

"Siddhartha Vihar Trust is being reportedly allotted five acres of land under the SC Quota by the Karnataka Industrial Area Development Board (KIADB) in the Hitech Defence Aerospace Park near Bengaluru out of the 45.94 acres meant for civic amenities (CA) in March 2024," Narayanaswamy has said.

Interestingly, the trustees of the Trust include Mallikarjun Kharge, his wife Radhabai, Priyank Kharge, MP and son-in-law Radhakrishna Doddamani, and younger son Rahul Kharge, he further pointed out, questioning how did the Kharges become aerospace entrepreneurs? "How did the department give a nod for this allotment? Was the minister (Industries) compelled to allot the land by the Chief Minister?"

Priyank Kharge's reference to BJP-JD(S) leaders was in the context of pending requests seeking sanction for prosecution against JD(S) leader and Union Minister H D Kumaraswamy, and against former BJP Ministers -- Shashikala Jolle, Murugesh Nirani, G Janardhan Reddy.


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Germany has returned a painting stolen by the Nazis in 1942 to the heirs of two Jewish brothers, Arthur and Eugen Goldschmidt. The artwork, a landscape titled Valley of Mills near Amalfi (ca. 1830) by 19th-century German artist Carl Blechen, was intended for a museum Adolf Hitler planned to establish.

The painting originally belonged to the Goldschmidt brothers, who were art collectors. Their father had purchased the piece in Berlin, and it was inherited by the brothers after his death. Arthur, a publisher, and Eugen, a chemist, faced relentless persecution under the Nazi regime. Following the horrors of Kristallnacht in November 1938, both brothers tragically took their own lives.

The Goldschmidt art collection was passed on to their nephew, Edgar Moor, who had recently emigrated to Johannesburg, South Africa. However, the collection remained in the brothers former Berlin apartment. In July 1942, the Gestapo confiscated all of Moors possessions left in Germany, including Valley of Mills near Amalfi.

Earlier this month, Germanys Federal Art Administration announced that the government had returned the Blechen painting to Moors heirs, following the signing of a restitution agreement in May. The administration stated, Based on the information available, it can be safely assumed that the painting in question was confiscated from Edgar Moor as a result of Nazi persecution.

This restitution marks the 69th piece of artwork returned by the Federal Republic of Germany to rightful owners.

The Blechen painting was acquired in 1944 by a special commission set up by Hitler to curate items for a planned Fuhrermuseum in Linz, Austria. Valley of Mills near Amalfi was stored in Hitlers Munich building, the Fuhrerbau, which still stands today. However, the painting was stolen in 1945. It was recovered by Munich police in 1946, and in June 1949, the American military government transferred it, along with other unrestituted objects, to Bavarian Prime Minister Hans Ehard. The painting was eventually handed over to Germanys federal government in 1952 and officially became federal property in 1960, along with other items formerly owned by the Nazis.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
Investigators with the National Transportation Safety Board on Sunday were at the scene of a bus crash in Mississippi that killed seven people and injured dozens of others.

They plan to look at how well the tires were maintained, NTSB member Todd Inman said at a news conference late Saturday. The NTSB previously said the crash was caused by tire failure.

The 2018 Volvo bus was traveling westbound on Interstate 20 near Bovina in Warren County early Saturday morning when it left the roadway and overturned, according to the Mississippi Highway Patrol. No other vehicle was involved.

Six people aboard were pronounced dead at the scene and another died at a hospital, according to a highway patrol news release. Thirty-six people were taken by ambulance to hospitals.

The highway patrol did not immediately have an update on their conditions Sunday.

The dead included a 6-year-old boy and his 16-year-old sister, according to Warren County Coroner Doug Huskey. They were identified by their mother. Authorities were working to identify the other victims, he said.

The bus was traveling from Atlanta to Dallas with 41 passengers and two drivers, the highway patrol said.

Inman said the NTSB will also look at the carriers safety record and protections for bus occupants.

The bus was operated by Autobuses Regiomontanos. A woman who answered the phone at its Laredo, Texas, office said it was aware of the crash, but she didnt answer questions or provide her name.

The transit company says it has 20 years of experience providing cross-border trips between 100 destinations in Mexico and the U.S. Its website promotes a modern fleet of buses that receive daily maintenance, and offers trips with a special price for workers.

(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 was set to finish at least a very close second to mainstream conservatives in a second vote.

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 the far-right Alternative for Germany, or AfD, winning 32-33% of the vote in Thuringia  well ahead of the center-right Christian Democratic Union, the main national opposition party, with about 24%.

In neighboring 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 30.8-31.4%.

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 wont 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 Scholzs coalition.

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.

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 agencys 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 Sundays result for his 11-year-old party and the old parties should show humility.

Scholzs center-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 Sept. 22 in another eastern state, Brandenburg, currently led by 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. Wagenknecht celebrated that partys success, underlined its refusal to work with AfDs 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 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 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 Germanys political agenda, and prompted Scholzs 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.

(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.

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 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.

 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 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 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 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.

(AP)
Brenda Abdelall, an Egyptian-American lawyer recently appointed by U.S. Vice President Kamala Harriss presidential campaign to lead its Arab-American outreach, is facing criticism for comments she made in 2002 about Zionist influence in American politics.

The remarks, made while Abdelall was a college student attending a convention for the American Muslim Council, resurfaced in a Washington Free Beacon article on Friday. During the convention, one speaker claimed, Zionists are destroying America. In response, Abdelall was quoted by The New York Sun as saying, Destroying is a harsh word, but added, The Zionists have a strong voice in American politics. I would say theyre controlling a lot of it. She referenced the then-recent electoral defeat of U.S. Rep. Earl Hilliard, who had voted against a resolution supporting Israel, attributing his loss to significant support from pro-Israel groups for his opponent.

The Harris campaign quickly responded to the report, saying, Those 2002 comments do not reflect Brendas views or the views of the campaign. The campaign highlighted Abdelalls subsequent career, noting her work as a lawyer and her role at the Department of Homeland Security, where she became chief of staff for the departments civil rights office. A campaign spokesperson emphasized that Abdelall played a key role in implementing the countrys first National Strategy to Counter Antisemitism and organizing a White House summit against hate-fueled violence.

Abdelall herself has not issued a statement regarding the resurfaced comments.

The scrutiny comes at a critical time for Harriss campaign. Votes from Muslim and Arab Americans could prove decisive in battleground states like Michigan, where Abdelall grew up. The Arab-American community in Michigan, numbering around 100,000, has become a focal point due to concerns that some voters who supported President Joe Biden in 2020 may withhold their support in protest against the administrations stance on Israels actions in Gaza.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 2. Parliamentary elections were open and transparent, and Azerbaijan's democracy is developing, the Deputy Secretary General of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) Omar Kocaman told reporters, Trend reports.

He noted that another feature of these elections is that the first parliamentary election was held in the territories liberated from occupation.

The election was held under international standards, electoral legislation. This election is important for the future of Azerbaijan. With the renewed Azerbaijani Parliament, Azerbaijan will continue to develop as a central country of the Turkic world," he added.

To note, extraordinary parliamentary elections were held in Azerbaijan on September 1.

According to preliminary data, voter turnout at the elections amounted to 37.27 percent. The number of voters casting their ballots amounted to 2,196,771. A total of 5,895 polling stations submitted their protocols to the CEC.

A total of 112,749 domestic observers were registered to observe the election. More than 65,000 of them were representatives of political parties.

There were 598 registered international observers from 69 different nations, representing 51 different organizations.

Out of 990 registered candidates in the parliamentary elections, 305 are representatives of 25 political parties. Whereas 371 candidates are members of political parties, they were not nominated by the parties to which they belong. A total of 676 candidates have political party affiliation.

Stay up-to-date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
Senator Lindsey Graham called on President Biden and Israel to take decisive action against Iran after the brutal killing of six hostages by Hamas, including Israeli-American Hersh Goldberg-Polin. Speaking on ABCs This Week, Graham expressed his heartbreak over the deaths and condemned Hamas, describing the group as barbaric, religious Nazis who couldnt care less about the hostages or the Palestinians.

Graham urged the Biden administration to hold Iran accountable, asserting that Iran is the driving force behind Hamas. If you want the hostages home, which we all do, you have to increase the cost to Iran, he said. He also suggested targeting Iranian oil refineries if the remaining hostages are not released.

Graham also criticized Vice President Kamala Harris, accusing her of undermining U.S. foreign policy. He argued that her decision to boycott Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus address to Congress sent a signal to Hamas and Iran that America really doesnt have Israels back. Graham labeled Harris a wrecking ball on foreign policy, pointing to her involvement in the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan and her handling of border security as key failures.

Shes been a wrecking ball on foreign policy, Graham said. Its been the most incompetent administration I can remember on things that matter to the American people, your safety and your prosperity.

Graham also addressed a reported incident at Arlington National Cemetery, where former President Trump participated in a wreath-laying ceremony honoring the 13 U.S. service members killed in the 2021 ISIS-K bombing during the Biden administrations Afghanistan withdrawal. He stressed that the deaths were a result of the administrations incompetence, which he believes has led to a rise in terrorism and the loss of U.S. deterrence on the global stage.

Nobody in the world is afraid of Kamala Harris, Graham added. If you want to avoid more dead Americans, vote for Trump.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
The United States is preparing to offer a final take it or leave it proposal for a ceasefire and hostage exchange between Israel and Hamas, according to a Washington Post report citing a senior official from President Bidens administration.

This deal was being formulated in collaboration with Egypt and Qatar before the discovery of the bodies of six young hostages, which has now cast doubt on Hamass seriousness in negotiations.

Despite this grim development, the official stressed that it does not derail the process but rather adds urgency to concluding it. However, the discovery has complicated matters, necessitating a renegotiation of the lists of hostages and Palestinian prisoners involved in the exchange.

The official confirmed that US intelligence agrees with Israels assessment that the hostages were executed by Hamas, which raises questions about the groups commitment to the negotiations. With time running out, US officials will intensify their efforts over the next 48 hours to see if a deal can still be achieved.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
BChasdei Hashem, a possible mass-casualty bombing at the entrance to the yishuv of Ateret in Binyamin was averted in the pre-dawn hours of Monday morning.

At about 4:30 a.m., security officers discovered an unoccupied car at the entrance to the yishuv. IDF soldiers and police officers called to the scene discovered that the car was equipped with two large gas canisters connected to a detonator.

Military and police bomb sappers immediately began feverishly working on neutralizing the explosive device, and baruch Hashem, managed to do so before it exploded.

Meanwhile, as the day began, the entrance of the yishuv was closed off and Highway 465, which crosses Binyamin, was blocked to traffic between the British Police Junction and Neve Tzuf. School buses heading to the yishuv were redirected.

Religious Zionism MK Ohad Tal responded to the report by stating: The third car bomb in three days. Together with the attack in Tel Aviv two weeks ago, we can already regretfully say  the second intifada is back. The IDF must launch a large-scale operation in Yehudah and Shomron today!

Yisrael Gantz, chairman of the Binyamin Regional and Yesha Councils, stated: A great miracle happened this morning in Binyamin. Terrorism in Yehudah and Shomron requires military action just like in Gaza and Rafah.

The terrorists apparently attempted a new tactic to harm Jews following the car bombings at a gas station and the Karmei Tzur yishuv in Gush Etzion on Friday night. In a huge neis, although both bombs exploded, only the terrorists were killed and several Israelis were lightly wounded.

Tragically, a terrorist murdered three police officers in a shooting attack near Chevron on Sunday.

(YWN Israel Desk  Jerusalem)
There was great anger among numerous Israelis on Sunday following the Histadruts announcement calling a general strike on Monday to protest against the government rather than against Hamas for the heinous executions of six hostages.

Fortunately, unlike the last time the Histadrut abused its power and shut down the country in a politically motivated strike, almost all cities and companies refused to join the strike, and several legal appeals were filed against it, forcing Histadrut chairman Arnon Bar-David to capitulate and tell the Labor Court in Bat Yam that he will end the strike on Monday at 6 p.m. rather than Tuesday morning.

However, the Court ruled early Monday afternoon that the strike must end by 2:30 p.m. at the latest, saying its ruling that the strike is politically motivated.

Even before the ruling, the strike was unsuccessful at shutting down the country, and instead was met with an overwhelming refusal from dozens of municipalities and companies, with only the cities of Tel Aviv, Kfar Saba, and Givatayim joining in the strike. Flights at Ben-Gurion took off as usual on Monday after only slight delays and most flights are expected to take off on time the rest of the day. Some malls, banks, and several high-tech companies joined the strike but the overwhelming majority did not.

Many Israelis, especially bereaved relatives of fallen soldiers and those whose loved ones fought or are fighting in Gaza, expressed fury at Bar-David, slamming him for behaving like a bully by calling an irresponsible strike that only aids Hamas in its relentless mission to divide Israeli society.

The Tikva Forum, which represents the family members of some hostages, stated on Sunday: The announcement by Arnon Bar-David and his friends of a general strike in the economy is a death sentence for the surviving hostages and a reward for Sinwar for the murder of six hostages. We call on the citizens of Israel to ignore the Histadruts irresponsible and dangerous strike and prove to the whole world that Am Yisrael Chai. We wont break despite the overwhelming pain and well continue to fight the murderers until all the hostages are returned and Hamas is destroyed.

Finance Minister Betzalel Smotrich filed an injunction request to Israels Labor Court on Sunday to declare the protest illegal. Additionally, a number of relatives of fallen soldiers filed an appeal to the Labor Court as well as the Supreme Court against the strike. Smotrich also announced that any workers who participate in the strike will not receive their salaries. In a statement to the press, Smotrich slammed Bar-David as fulfilling Sinwars dream and representing the interests of Hamas rather than those of Israeli workers.

Bereaved parents were especially furious about the strike. Bereaved father Itzik Bontzal, the father of fallen soldier, First Sgt. Amit Bonzel, Hyd, who fell in battle in Gaza in December, spoke to reporters outside the Labor Court, excoriating Bar-David for his cooperation with Hamas. Hisdatrus chairman, youre a savage animal ( ) and were going to stop you, he said.

Bereaved father Chagay Lober, father of fallen soldier Elisha Yonatan Lober, Hyd, also slammed Bar-David for his tyrannical actions; My son was not killed on your mission and didnt go to battle on your order. What right do you have to interfere in war decisions that could kill soldiers and hostages?

The head of the Gvura Forum, Yehoshua Shani, father of fallen soldier Uri Shani, Hyd, said: The strike youre leading weakens the people of Israel. We should all unite in one front against terrorism, not against the government. Instead, pressure the government to increase the military pressure until victory. We know how much military pressure overwhelms Hamas. I call on the heads of the economy  dont lend a hand to the strengthening of Hamas.

Members of the Religious Zionist Noam party protested outside the home of Bar-David on Monday morning, chanting: Political strikes aid Hamas! and waving signs stating: Sinwar, Bar-David is your continuation.

Additionally, bereaved relatives of fallen soldiers who are members of the right-wing Gvura Forum and their supporters protested on Monday outside the Prime Ministers Office in Jerusalem, calling on the government to resist the pressure to give in to Hamas dangerous demands by ending the war.

Shutting down the economy is a prize for Hamas, the bereaved parents said.

(YWN Israel Desk  Jerusalem)
Sadly, left-wing groups took advantage of the evil of Hamas terrorists, who executed six hostages in cold blood, and used it as a political tool to attack Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and the government and call to Israelis to fill the streets and shut down the country.

Political leaders who in an ideal world, would call for unity during a tragic time amid a war, used the opportunity to incite the public instead. Opposition leader Yair Lapid accused Netanyahu and the government of abandoning the hostages to die in captivity. National Unity chairman Benny Gantz on Sunday called to hold protests against the government and Histadrut chairman Arnon Bar-David once again abused his power to call a general strike and shut down the country. Fortunately, his plan failed.

Deceptive headlines in the left-wing press have continuously announced for months that Netanyahu is torpedoing a hostage release deal! Just like the headlines in the news before the October 7 assault that Netanyahu is destroying democracy!  the facts dont seem to matter. Israel already tried leaving the Philadelphi Corridor unguarded  when it left the Gaza Strip in 2005. Everyone is now very well aware of how that turned out. Leaving the Philadelphi Corridor unguarded once again is asking for another October 7, chalilah.

Surprisingly, Channel 12 News published a report on Sunday evening in support of Netanyahu, saying that officials present at the last political-security cabinet meeting said on Sunday that Mossad chief Dedi Barnea supports Netanyahus position that the Israeli demand  approved and completely accepted by the Biden administration  regarding an Israeli military presence along the Philadelphi Corridor must be maintained.

Last week, the members of the Cabinet voted that the IDF will maintain a military presence along the Philadelphi Corridor as part of a potential deal with Hamas. Eight ministers voted in favor of the decision, with only Defense Minister Yoav Gallant voting against it.

(YWN Israel Desk  Jerusalem)
The United Kingdom announced on Monday that it will suspend approximately 30 out of 350 arms export licenses to Israel. UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy stated that the decision was made due to a clear risk that these exports could be used to commit or facilitate serious violations of international humanitarian law.

Addressing lawmakers in the House of Commons, Lammy explained that a government assessment had identified certain UK arms exports to Israel as potentially problematic in the context of the ongoing conflict in Gaza. Consequently, the suspension was enacted under the UKs Export Controls Act, specifically targeting equipment that may be utilized in the current hostilities.

Lammy clarified that this move does not constitute a blanket ban or an arms embargo, emphasizing that the suspension is not a judgment of innocence or guilt but a precautionary measure.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
President Biden has made it clear that Hamas is responsible for the deaths of American-Israeli citizen Hersh Goldberg-Polin and five other hostages, a US official stated on Monday. This response came after Biden faced criticism for earlier comments suggesting that Prime Minister Netanyahu wasnt doing enough to secure a hostage deal.

The President has been clear that Hamas is responsible for killing Hersh and the others and Hamas leaders will pay for their crimes, the official emphasized. Biden is also urging the Israeli government to act with urgency in securing the release of the remaining hostages.

A statement from the Whitehouse reads: Today, President Biden and Vice President Harris met in the White House Situation Room with the U.S. hostage deal negotiation team following the murder of American Hersh Goldberg-Polin and five other hostages by Hamas. President Biden expressed his devastation and outrage at the murder, and reaffirmed the importance of holding Hamass leaders accountable.

Earlier in the day, Biden mentioned that Netanyahu is not doing enough to secure the release of hostages held by Hamas and added that he is close to presenting a final deal to negotiators working on a hostage and ceasefire agreement in Gaza. Were very close to that, Biden said in response to a question from CNN about his plans to present a final proposal.

In response, a senior official from Prime Minister Netanyahus office expressed confusion over Bidens comments, stating, It is puzzling that President Biden is pressing Prime Minister Netanyahu, who agreed to the US (hostage deal) proposal as early as May 31 and to the US bridging proposal on August 16, and not Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, who continues to vehemently refuse any deal.

The Israeli official further warned that Bidens admission is especially dangerous when it is made just days after Hamas executed six Israeli hostages, including an American citizen, referring to the killing of Hersh Goldberg-Polin.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
Israeli President Isaac Herzog asked the family of American-Israeli hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin for forgiveness for failing to bring him home alive.

In a Hesped delivered at his Levaya on Har HaMenuchos Monday, Herzog said in Hebrew:

Beloved Hersh, with a torn and broken heart, I stand here today as the President of the State of Israel, bidding you farewell and asking for your forgiveness, from you, and from Carmel, from Eden, from Almog, from Alex, and Ori, and from all your loved ones.

I apologize on behalf of the State of Israel, that we failed to protect you in the terrible disaster of October 7, that we failed to bring you home safely. I apologize that the country you immigrated to at the age of 7, wrapped in the Israeli flag, could not keep you safe.

Rachel, Jon, dear Libby, and Orly, grandparents, and the whole family  I ask for your forgiveness, forgiveness that we could not bring Hersh back home alive.

Your special light, Hersh, captivated all of us from the first glance, even through the posters crying out for his return.

Most of us did not have the privilege of knowing you in life, but you have been so alive in us for eleven months now; together with many other brothers and sisters, held captive by cursed, monstrous murderers  since Simchat Torah  which turned into the day of our disaster.

Know this: We are witnesses, and we will never forget. There is no door in the world on which your beloved family did not knock for you, for your rescue and well-being.

There is no stone they left unturned, no prayer or plea they did not cry out  from one end of the world to the other  in the ears of God and man.

Michal and I met with your parents and family dozens of times in the past year, and we had the privilege of getting to know up close people of exceptional stature and to learn from them a lesson we will never forget  about a mothers and fathers limitless love.

Only recently, on the evening of Tisha BAv, together with your parents, we prayed at the Presidents Residence for your return, together with all the hostages. And now, our heart, already broken, is shattered into pieces. In one night, we were informed of the murder of six innocent and pure souls, each of them a whole world, with loved ones who have not slept a single full night, nor taken a full breath, for eleven months now.

Now  the State of Israel has an urgent and immediate task.

Decision-makers must do everything possible, with determination and courage, to save those who can still be saved, and to bring back all our sons and daughters, our brothers and sisters.

This is not a political goal, and it must not become a political dispute. It is a supreme moral, Jewish, and human duty of the State of Israel to its citizens.

We did not fulfill this duty. And now  we have a sacred and shared obligation, to stand up and bring them all back to their homeland. For the spirit, resilience, and unity of Israel.

Of course, we do not forget for a moment our obligation to hold accountable the despicable murderers who butchered you  Hersh  your friends, our sisters, and our brothers.

Here too, the mission is clear and binding: To continue fighting relentlessly against the murderous terrorist organization Hamas, which has once again proven that there is no end to its savagery and the crimes against humanity it is willing to commit.

(IN ENGLISH)

Dear Jon and Rachel, Libby and Orly, Michal and I have come to know you very well over these past 11 months.

Like millions, we, too, have watched you travel around the world and watched you speak from your own private planet of terror and anguish with a courage and a clarity that moved mountains.

As you told millions just a few days ago, Jon  the hostages being held by Hamas are not a political issue. They are a humanitarian issue. And that is why it is the duty of every single one of us across the globe to ensure that every last one comes home immediately.

Jon and Rachel, against the senseless hatred, and unthinkable brutality of Hamas terror, pure barbaric evil, you have taught the world about human dignity.

As a human being, as a father, and as the President of the State of Israel, I want to say how sorry I am. How sorry I am that we didnt protect Hersh on that dark day. How sorry I am that we failed to bring him home.

In his life and in his death Hersh has touched all of humanity deeply. He has changed our world. And woven his essence of light and love into the story of the Jewish people and into our human story, forever.

From here, I call upon the international community: The time to act is now: Bring them home.

(In Hebrew)

May it be Gods will, that the soul of beloved Hersh, and the souls of all the murdered, the fallen, and the deceased, be bound in the bonds of life, and engraved on tour hearts for all generations.
Australian property listing group REA is weighing a takeover bid for London-listed rival Rightmove.

REA, which is 61 per cent owned by the Murdoch familys News Corp, said on Monday it considering a cash and share offer for the FTSE 100 firm.

The group told shareholders a potential bid could be a transformational opportunity, creating a global and diversified digital property company, with number 1 positions in Australia and the UK.

REA has until 30 September to declare a firm intention for a Rightmove takeover bid

But REA shares fell sharply in the wake of the announcement and were down by as much as 8 per cent, putting them on track for their worst day since December 2022.

REA, which is yet to make contact with Rightmove regarding a potential offer, said a combination with the firm would represent a highly attractive investment opportunity for both REA and Rightmove shareholders.

Rightmove shares, which were up more than 23 per cent in early trading, have struggled for momentum in recent years. They are down 1.1 per cent over the last 12 months and have added just 2.5 per cent over the last five years.

It had a market cap of 4.36billion at Friday's close.

While the firm was forced to lower guidance for advertising income earlier this year, Rightmove expects revenue growth of 7 to 9 per cent for the year.

REA said the combination would also combine robust growth with strong margins and significant cash generation, enabling continued capital appreciation and shareholder returns.

The group added: REA has a long history of growth and has demonstrated a track record of building businesses over decades to create globally leading platforms that have transformed the way people experience property.

With an acquisition of Rightmove, REA would look to enhance the UK property experience for buyers, sellers and renters, supporting Rightmove's vision "to give everyone the belief they can make their move" while positively contributing to the property market ecosystem with investment and innovation.

Under City rules, REA must declare a firm intention to make a bid for Rightmove by 30 September.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 2. The regular meetings between the two countries are an indicator of the strategic partnership relations between Serbia and Azerbaijan, the Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov said during a joint press conference with Serbian Foreign Minister Marko uric, Trend reports.

Jeyhun Bayramov noted that in the context of the discussions, besides bilateral relations, cooperation in international organizations was discussed.

Mutual support and respect and non-interference in each other's internal affairs are always one of the most important points in Azerbaijan-Serbian relations. Today, given the importance of Azerbaijan's hosting of COP29, we discussed opportunities for cooperation in this direction. The visit of COP29 President Mukhtar Babayev to Serbia is envisaged.

The useful cooperation between our countries will continue in the parliamentary sphere as well. The economic sphere is of special importance between the two countries. In the first half of 2024, there is a significant increase in trade turnover between the two countries. Starting this year, Azerbaijani gas will be supplied to the Serbian market. The volume of gas is planned to reach one bcm.

Also, several new potential areas in general were discussed, Bayramov added.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 2. The parliamentary election in Azerbaijan on September 1 was held at a high level, Russian State Duma deputy Alla Polyakova said during a briefing in Baku, Trend reports.

I have been a State Duma deputy since 2021, and I am pleased that some of my colleagues, with whom cooperation was established, have been re-elected to the Azerbaijani parliament. I am attending election in Azerbaijan for the fourth time as an election observer, and I am satisfied with the way the election process is organized, Polyakova said.

She drew attention to the fact that many polling stations were located in schools.

We made sure that many schools in Baku have a Russian sector. There is study of the Russian language in the country's education system, Polyakova added.

She also expressed confidence that the interparliamentary friendship group of Russia and Azerbaijan will continue its successful work.

To note, snap parliamentary election was held in Azerbaijan on September 1.

According to preliminary data, voter turnout at the elections amounted to 37.27 percent. The number of voters casting their ballots amounted to 2,196,771. A total of 5,895 polling stations submitted their protocols to the CEC.

A total of 112,749 domestic observers were registered to observe the election. More than 65,000 of them were representatives of political parties.

The number of registered international observers was 598, representing 51 organizations in 69 countries.

Out of 990 registered candidates in the parliamentary elections, 305 are representatives of 25 political parties. Whereas 371 candidates are members of political parties, they were not nominated by the parties to which they belong. A total of 676 candidates have political party affiliation.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 2. The voting process at the extraordinary parliamentary elections in Azerbaijan was organized at a high level, the first deputy chairman of the House of Representatives of the Moroccan parliament Mohamed Sabbari told Trend.

The polling stations were very well prepared for voters to enjoy their right to vote, and the voting process was organized at a high level. The atmosphere during the voting was also wonderful, he said.

According to him, conditions were also created for representatives of candidates.

Voter lists were accurately viewed and controlled. Voters conveniently voted in designated places and threw their ballot paper into a transparent ballot box. Representatives of Morocco observed the elections, engaged in conversations, and heard only positive comments about the elections, which demonstrates the transparency of the process. We congratulate the Azerbaijani people on democratic elections, he added.

To note, extraordinary parliamentary elections were held in Azerbaijan on September 1.

According to preliminary data, voter turnout at the elections amounted to 37.27 percent. The number of voters casting their ballots amounted to 2,196,771. A total of 5,895 polling stations submitted their protocols to the CEC.

A total of 112,749 domestic observers were registered to observe the election. More than 65,000 of them were representatives of political parties.

The number of registered international observers was 598, representing 51 organizations, in 69 countries.

Out of 990 registered candidates in the parliamentary elections, 305 are representatives of 25 political parties. Whereas 371 candidates are members of political parties, they were not nominated by the parties to which they belong. A total of 676 candidates have political party affiliation.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 2. Parliamentary elections in Azerbaijan were organized at a high level, the representative of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, Musin Sos, said at a press conference, Trend reports.

At the invitation of the Azerbaijani Parliament, our delegation visited the country. While visiting polling stations in Baku, the delegation witnessed good organization of elections, he said.

Musin Sos noted that the delegation was able to get acquainted with representatives of all parties in the elections. He added that all conditions for voting were created at the polling stations.

We highly appreciate the efforts of Azerbaijan's CEC in organizing the parliamentary elections. The elections were transparent and all observers could familiarize themselves with the voting process in detail, he said.

To note, extraordinary parliamentary elections were held in Azerbaijan on September 1.

According to preliminary data, voter turnout at the elections amounted to 37.27 percent. The number of voters casting their ballots amounted to 2,196,771. A total of 5,895 polling stations submitted their protocols to the CEC.

A total of 112,749 domestic observers were registered to observe the election. More than 65,000 of them were representatives of political parties.

The number of registered international observers was 598, representing 51 organizations, in 69 countries.

Out of 990 registered candidates in the parliamentary elections, 305 are representatives of 25 political parties. Whereas 371 candidates are members of political parties, they were not nominated by the parties to which they belong. A total of 676 candidates have political party affiliation.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 2. Armenia's armament is a factor hindering the establishment of stability and peace in the region, the Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov said during a joint press conference with Serbian Foreign Minister Marko uric, Trend reports.

The Minister mentioned that the Serbian Foreign Minister was provided with detailed information about large-scale reconstruction and construction works carried out in the territories liberated from occupation, the return of people to their native lands.

It was noted the fact that in the Constitution of Armenia, still claims to the territory of Azerbaijan remain. I stressed that this is the most serious element of threat to the process of peace and normalization. Armenia must take serious steps if it wants peace in the region.

Armenia's military budget has increased by almost 50 percent. This process is becoming an impediment to peace and stability in the region. The wrong policy of Armenia in this field and the inflammatory support provided by some countries to Armenia remain a threat in the region. Armenia should seriously reconsider the steps it is taking if it is sincerely interested in the peace process, he added.
Tributes have been pouring in for a Co Tipperary man who was killed in the US last week.

Nenagh native Shaun Brady was shot dead in an altercation outside his restaurant in Kansas City, Missouri on Wednesday.

Mr Brady was reportedly targeted as he intervened in a suspected robbery in a parking lot. Two male juveniles have been charged with second degree murder.

Mr Brady was the co-owner and chef of an Irish restaurant called Brady and Fox.

Since the tragic news broke out, tributes have been pouring in for Mr Brady, who has been described as

This guy. A heart bigger than the planet. Shaun had a very integral part in my chef life, others careers and the beautiful Kansas City community beyond. Sending so much love to him, his legacy, all that he has built, his beautiful family and world-encompassing group of friends, a friend wrote in tribute.

By his kindness, he showed others how to be kind. Today, our community continues to mourn the sudden loss of Shaun Brady, and we are very sorry for this loss and mourn alongside you all. We thank him for his spirit, kindness, and support of our mission and many others throughout his community, paid Rose Brooks Center in tribute.

Words of Sympathy feel inadequate in expressing grief and sorrow for a loss so great. Our condolences to your family and to you. Shaun Brady someone who brought a smile to every occasion. Very good Chef and better friend, wrote staff of the Chef Titos restaurant.
Irish premier Simon Harris emphasised cooperation with Luxembourg on cross-border issues and enlarging the EU as he welcomed its Prime Minister to Dublin.

Luc Frieden is one of the first EU leaders to visit Dublin since Mr Harris became Taoiseach, which he thanked him for at a one-on-one meeting at Farmleigh House during which they discussed issues including Ukraine and the Middle East.

Mr Frieden said he was an admirer of Ireland and said that at the European Council, the voice of Ireland is heard.

In his message in the visitors book, he thanked Mr Harris for the warm welcome and declared: This is the beginning of a new alliance of European partners.

It is my intention to bring a new spirit and to deepen the alliance between Ireland and Luxembourg, he later told a press conference, adding that the two countries shared values on the importance of rule of law, enlargement of the EU, and an emphasis on cross-border dimensions.

We very much share the view on Ukraine, Mr Frieden said.

We need to be on the side of Ukraine, because its about not only helping somebody who has been brutally and illegally attacked but its also about this fundamental principles of international law we just talked about  you cannot change borders by force.

He added: On the Middle East, I share the Taoiseachs view that the human suffering is extreme. And we, of course, support all the efforts to bring about a ceasefire in the short term.

Its extremely important that all the remaining hostages are as soon as possible liberated.

Mr Harris said that there was a need to see an immediate and lasting ceasefire between Israelis and Palestinians and said that it was his view that countries should use all leavers at our disposal to allow a peace deal to happen.

He said the EU must constantly be restless in deciding whether to use every option it has to determination to create an environment in which a ceasefire takes place.

Because the scale of humanitarian catastrophe is almost unimaginable.

Mr Frieden said there was no difference between Ireland and Luxembourg on Palestine other than the difference of timing.

He said that although Israel has a right to defend itself its clearly not anymore an element of of reacting, of defending yourself.

We, Luxembourg, believe in a two-state solution and obviously, if you believe in two-state solution, we need to recognise the two states.

We believe that that moment of recognition has to be part of a broader package in which, for instance, ceasefire, a release of the hostages is part of that, and we are coordinating our position with some of our direct geographical neighbours.

I do believe that that has to come, this recognition.

It has to come in the near future, but as part of a process.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 2. Chairman of Azerbaijan's State Committee for Work with Diaspora Fuad Muradov has met with Azerbaijani Faila Abbasova, who lives in Latvia and is engaged in legal activities, Trend reports via State Committee for Work with Diaspora of Azerbaijan.

Greeting the guest sincerely, the chairman informed about the committee's activities, implemented projects, Azerbaijani houses abroad, coordination councils, and the fifth summer camp of diaspora youth, Youth for Green World," which ended these days.

Muradov noted that attention is paid to Azerbaijani communities, our compatriots currently engaged in activities abroad by President Ilham Aliyev and First Vice President Mehriban Aliyeva.

Abbasova emphasized that her compatriots living in Latvia closely follow the processes taking place in Azerbaijan, and support the successful domestic and foreign policy of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, victorious Supreme Commander-in-Chief Ilham Aliyev.

She underlined that she will go the extra mile to foster stronger ties between the countries, offer better support for our diaspora, impart legal knowledge to our compatriots, and lend a helping hand in any way possible.

Chairman of the Board of the Mediation Council of the Republic of Azerbaijan Nadir Adilov, and member of the Bar Association Gasim Shaliyev also took part in the meeting.

Both sides discussed topics of mutual interest throughout the meeting.

To note, a native of Azerbaijan Faila Abbasova is currently working in Latvia. In this country, she is a board member of several organizations in the field of mediation and chairman of the Council of Certified Mediators.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 2. The Central Election Commission should ensure summarizing the results of the elections in Azerbaijan not later than 20 days from the voting day, Trend reports.

According to the information, this is reflected in the Calendar Plan of main actions and measures on preparation and holding of extraordinary elections to the Azerbaijani Parliament.

In connection with the past extraordinary parliamentary elections, this period covers the period until September 22.

Within 24 hours after drawing up the protocol on the general results of the elections, the Central Election Commission must submit the relevant documents to the Constitutional Court for the approval of the results and outcomes of the elections.

The Constitutional Court will verify and approve the results and outcomes of the Azerbaijani parliamentary elections within 10 days after receiving the relevant documents (if the verification process requires it, the period may be extended).

To note, extraordinary parliamentary elections were held in Azerbaijan on September 1.

According to preliminary data, voter turnout at the elections amounted to 37.27 percent. The number of voters casting their ballots amounted to 2,196,771. A total of 5,895 polling stations submitted their protocols to the CEC.

A total of 112,749 domestic observers were registered to observe the election. More than 65,000 of them were representatives of political parties.

The number of registered international observers was 598, representing 51 organizations in 69 countries.

Out of 990 registered candidates in the parliamentary elections, 305 are representatives of 25 political parties. Whereas 371 candidates are members of political parties, they were not nominated by the parties to which they belong. A total of 676 candidates have political party affiliation.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 2. Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan Jeyhun Bayramov met with Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Serbia Marko Djuric, who is on an official visit to the country, on September 2, 2024, Trend reports, referring to the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry.

The meeting between the sides continued in an enlarged format with the participation of delegations from both sides.

The sides discussed issues of development of strategic partnership relations between Azerbaijan and Serbia in politics, economy, trade, investment, energy, transportation and communications, humanitarian, and other aspects, as well as regional and international security issues.

Bayramov emphasized the important role of high-level and high-level mutual visits, political dialogue, and inter-parliamentary ties in the development of the existing strategic partnership relations between the two countries. The establishment of the Azerbaijan-Serbia Strategic Partnership Council based within the framework of high-level contacts was emphasized. The importance of utilizing the mechanism of political consultations in terms of discussing possibilities of further deepening the strategic partnership was noted. It was noted with satisfaction that the exemplary dynamics of bilateral relations of the countries are manifested in mutual support and solidarity within the framework of regional and international organizations. Particularly, the intensive work of the intergovernmental commission on trade and economic cooperation in the direction of deepening sectoral cooperation in energy, investment, and other areas was recognized as praiseworthy.

Furthermore, it was noted that the development of ties in the humanitarian sphere, including education, science, and culture, as well as the introduction of a visa-free regime, have contributed to the further rapprochement of our people. The importance of continuing the practice of twinning on the example of Shusha and Novi Pazar was emphasized. New opportunities for cooperation within the framework of Azerbaijan's chairmanship of the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) were noted.

Bayramov also informed his counterpart in detail about the current situation and realities in the region in the post-conflict period, the large-scale reconstruction and construction work being carried out in the territories liberated from occupation, and the mine problem threatening these activities. Serbian companies and investors were invited to actively participate in the rehabilitation and reconstruction activities carried out in the Karabakh and East Zangezur regions of the country.

Referring to the normalization process between Azerbaijan and Armenia, Bayramov noted, in particular, the development in promoting the peace agenda, including the successes achieved in the delimitation process. Adding that nevertheless several Armenian legislative acts, including its constitution, still contain territorial claims against our country, he emphasized that Armenia's accelerated armament is also hindering the peace process.

Djuric congratulated Azerbaijan on the organization of the parliamentary elections in a transparent, free, and democratic manner and expressed hope that the results of the election process will be successful for the Azerbaijani Parliament.

The meeting also featured an exchange of views on other issues of mutual interest.

The meeting was followed by the signing ceremony of the Memorandum of Understanding between ADA University and the Diplomatic Academy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Serbia.

Afterward, the ministers made a statement at the press conference following the meeting and answered questions from media representatives.

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In this episode of Morning Edition, We discuss the issue of bullying following the suicide o
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 2. Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov received a delegation led by Deputy Chairman of the Malaysian Senate Nur Jazlan bin Mohamed, who is on a visit to the country to observe the extraordinary elections to the Azerbaijani Parliament, Trend reports.

In the course of the meeting, the sides discussed ties between Azerbaijan and Malaysia, the progress of the extraordinary election to the Azerbaijani Parliament held on September 1 this year, as well as regional issues.

The minister provided an update on the ongoing efforts to ensure that the parliamentary elections would be conducted in a fair and transparent manner, with the presence of foreign observers. It is a watershed moment since parliamentary elections were held in Azerbaijan's newly liberated territory for the first time. It was observed that, in accordance with the law, the necessary circumstances were put in place to ensure that the elections were conducted to a high standard, according completely to international norms.

The meeting addressed issues of cooperation between Azerbaijan and Malaysia, and prospects of development of bilateral ties, including joint efforts in tourism and education. Referring to the continuation of political consultations between the Foreign Ministries in Kuala Lumpur in July last year, the Minister noted that the next consultations will be held in Baku soon. Successful experience of cooperation between the two countries within the framework of various regional and international organizations, including the UN, Non-Aligned Movement, and Organization of Islamic Cooperation, was noted.

The parties also exchanged views on other issues of mutual interest.

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In 2024, Russian military aircraft were recorded over the Baltic Sea near the external border of Latvian territorial waters 109 times.

This is reported by Delfi with reference to the National Armed Forces of Latvia, Ukrinform saw.

For example, this week the Air Force announced on the X social network that NATO patrol planes took off from the military base in Lijellward as they had on-call mission to identify a Russian Il-20 aircraft that routinely flies over the Baltic Sea without a transponder or flight plan.

Read also: Latvian media to buy first 50 drones for Ukraine following fundraiser

In April, 2024, the German Minister of Defense said that Russia was "very likely" behind a series of violations affecting GPS navigation in the Baltic region.
China called on the European Union to be objective, fair and cautious in its statements regarding the situation in the South China Sea.

This is according to the Statement of the Chinese Mission to the EU in response to Brussels condemning the dangerous actions by Chinese Coast Guard vessels against Philippine vessels in the South China Sea, Ukrinform reports.

"The Chinese side strongly deplores, firmly opposes and rejects the EUs accusations. We urge the EU side to face up to the facts, maintain objectivity and fairness, exercise caution in words and deeds on the South China Sea issue, and earnestly respect Chinas rights and interests as well as the efforts of regional countries to maintain peace and stability in the South China Sea," the statement reads.

It is emphasized that the European Union is not a party to the South China Sea issue and has no right to point fingers on this issue.

In disregard of facts to confuse right and wrong, the EU side is openly backing the Philippines provocative actions that infringe on Chinas territorial sovereignty...The EU keeps playing up the issue of freedom of navigation and the South China Sea arbitration case. This not only goes against the shared desire of regional countries to maintain peace and stability in the South China Sea, but also does no good to the EUs own interests and its international credibility," the Chinese mission moted.

The statement emphasized the legitimacy of China's sovereignty over the Spratly Archipelago (Chinese name Nansha Qundao) and the Sabine Shoal (Xianbin Jiao), where clashed between Chinese and Philippine vessele have occurred in recent days.

"China will continue to take resolute measures in accordance with the law to safeguard its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests, and to uphold the seriousness of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea," the Chinese diplomatic mission said in a statement.

The European External Action Service has reportedly condemned the dangerous actions by Chinese Coast Guard vessels against Philippines lawful maritime operations in the South China Sea on August 31, leading to their clashes.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 2. The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan Jeyhun Bayramov received a delegation headed by the First Deputy Secretary General of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) Leonid Anfimov, who is on a visit to the country to observe the extraordinary elections to the Azerbaijani Parliament, on September 2, 2024, Trend reports.

In the course of the meeting, the agenda of cooperation between Azerbaijan and CIS, as well as issues related to the elections, were discussed.

The minister emphasized that the first parliamentary elections held on September 1 after the full restoration of the country's sovereignty are an important historical and political event, informed about the steps taken to hold free, fair, and transparent elections, including those related to the participation of international observers in the process.

Anfimov noted that, as in the case of presidential elections, these parliamentary elections are of special importance for the Azerbaijani people and that the elections were free and transparent. Presenting information on the activities of the CIS observation mission in connection with the elections, he noted that these parliamentary elections are the 12th elections observed by the organization's delegation in Azerbaijan. He stressed that the CIS mission, consisting of 133 people, is the second most representative mission in the elections, and they witnessed the successful organization of the elections in the whole territory of the country, including the territories liberated from occupation.

The sides also exchanged views on other issues of mutual interest at the meeting.

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Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Professor Ahsan Iqbal, also Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission, on Monday presided over a meeting to review ongoing projects under the Public Sector Development Program (PSDP) in Balochistan

ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 2nd Sep, 2024) Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Professor Ahsan Iqbal, also Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission, on Monday presided over a meeting to review ongoing projects under the Public Sector Development Program (PSDP) in Balochistan.

During the briefing, the meeting was informed about the progress of PSDP projects in the province, a news release said.

The minister said all-out efforts were being made to ensure the provision of funds for Balochistan's projects. He also stressed the need for measures to address the security situation in the province, suggesting that Frontier Corps (FC) services be entrusted to local people with necessary training.

The minister asked provinces to prepare action plans for PSDP projects according to their priorities, adding that projects with 70 percent completion would be prioritized for timely completion. The minister directed preparing a report comparing the dams existing in the country 15 years ago and today with the assistance of Space & Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARC).

Ahsan Iqbal highlighted the importance of informing the public about development projects in Balochistan.
Deputy Prime Minister Muhammad Ishaq Dar on Monday reaffirmed the government's unwavering commitment to supporting the petroleum industry and achieving energy autarky in Pakistan

ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 2nd Sep, 2024) Deputy Prime Minister Muhammad Ishaq Dar on Monday reaffirmed the government's unwavering commitment to supporting the petroleum industry and achieving energy autarky in Pakistan.

He expressed these views while chairing the second meeting of the committee constituted by the prime minister to tackle challenges facing the petroleum industry.

Among others, the meeting was attended by Ministers for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives, Petroleum and Power, senior government officials besides representatives from the petroleum sector.

The committee reviewed progress on actionable points from the first meeting and expressed satisfaction with the advancements made.

The DPM urged continued pursuit of all initiatives, focusing on key areas like developing an integrated energy plan; evaluation and optimizing gas utilization from dedicated fields; restructuring sui companies; establishing a one-window facilitation cell for petroleum exploration; automating and digitalizing workflows at DGPC.

Dar urged finalizing a framework for implementing CCI's petroleum sector decisions and rationalizing port charges according to international standards.
ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 2nd Sep, 2024) Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue, Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb held a meeting with the leadership of Pak-Kuwait Investment Company (PKIC) here on Monday to discuss the strategic initiatives and future directions of the joint venture in Pakistan.

According to press release issued by finance ministry, the attendees included Managing Director Pak-Kuwait Investment Company, Saad ur Rehman Khan, Finance Secretary and senior officials from the Finance Division.

The finance minister commended Pak-Kuwait Investment Company for its strategic contributions to Pakistan's economy, especially in sectors vital to the nation's long-term development.

He specifically acknowledged PKICs proactive approach to integrating Islamic finance into its operations, noting that this approach not only aligns with Pakistans development priorities but also resonates with the broader goals of ethical and sustainable growth.

On the occasion, Saad ur Rehman Khan provided an overview of PKICs current portfolio, highlighting the PKICs initiatives in the real estate sector leveraging Islamic finance structures to fund major infrastructure projects addressing Pakistans investment needs while ensuring that investment activities adhere to Islamic principles, thereby attracting a broader range of investors.

The discussions also highlighted PKIC's dedication to supporting small and medium enterprises (SMEs) across Pakistan.

Both sides emphasized the need for continued collaboration and support to enhance the effectiveness of such joint ventures, the press release added.
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Solid waste management system is being entrusted to the specialized firms while work to lay new sewer line would be started immediately after the approval of Rs.12 billion by P&D department under second phase of master plan prepared by JICA for 2038, said Captain (Retired) Nadeem Nasir Deputy Commissioner (DC) Faisalabad

FAISALABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 2nd Sep, 2024) Solid waste management system is being entrusted to the specialized firms while work to lay new sewer line would be started immediately after the approval of Rs.12 billion by P&D department under second phase of master plan prepared by JICA for 2038, said Captain (Retired) Nadeem Nasir Deputy Commissioner (DC) Faisalabad.

Addressing the business community in Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry (FCCI), he said that Faisalabad is the second largest district after Lahore. Its problems are also proportionately most ticklish and complicated which need to be redressed in close collaboration between administration and private sector, he added.

He said that 25,000 tons of solid waste have been lifted during the last ten days. It was dumped in 190 plots in different localities where it was plaguing the city environment for the last many years, he said and added that it would take another 10-15 days to declare Faisalabad waste free.

He said that agreements have been inked for the collection of solid waste from all Tehsils excluding Chak Jhumra and the mobilization work would be launched within the next 15 days.

About WASA, he said that the present trunk sewer line was laid in 1983 and it has completed its designed life span. He said that JICA has conducted a study and prepared a master plan for up to 2038.

He said that Rs.12 billion is expected to be approved by the P&D department paving way for laying new sewer lines in the city areas.

Continuing, he said that there was not even a single park or green belt compatible with the needs of this metropolis.

He proposed to name the Canal Road as Shahra-e-Aiwan-e-Sanat-o-Tijarat and hoped that the Faisalabad chamber would take the responsibility for its beautification.

About the collection of fines, he said that an electronic system is being introduced to issue electronic receipts. He also assured to process the applications for arm license particularly relating to the industrial sector and said that all applications received would be disposed of in the next scheduled meeting.

He also briefly touched on the issues relating to the health and education sectors and said that these problems could also be resolved in close collaboration with the private sector.

He also appreciated the efforts of FCCI to transform Faisalabad into an IT hub.

Earlier President FCCI Dr Khurram Tariq welcomed the Deputy Commissioner and said that FCCI is the third largest and second most important chamber of the country. It has more than 9,000 members representing 118 sectors and sub-sectors of the economy, he said and added that Faisalabad is the most connected city of Pakistan. It has huge potential due to its connectivity which is not fully exploited, he added.

He demanded up-gradation of all public sector hospitals in addition to providing cyber knife to the Allied Hospital. The business community has unofficially adopted all labor welfare schools by providing maximum missing facilities, he added.

He said that a National Incubation Centre (NIC) has been established in Faisalabad with the sole efforts of FCCI. Similar incubation centers have also been created in National Textile University Faisalabad (NTUF) and Government College University Faisalabad (GCUF), he added.

He offered the DC to arrange his visit to these incubation centers so that he could visualize the aims and objectives of Cyberabad.

Executive Member FCCI Muhammad Azhar Chaudhry gave a brief presentation about Cyberabad and said that this project would be formally launched during this month. It would provide practical training to the IT graduates to synchronize their skills with the practical needs of the industry by efficiently utilizing generative artificial intelligence, he added.

Vice President FCCI Hajji Muhammad Aslam Bhalli, Mian Abdul Waheed, Shahid Bajwa and Shafique Hussain Shah participated in the question-answer session.

Later, Senior Vice President FCCI Dr Sajjad Arshad offered a vote of thanks while President Dr Khurram Tariq presented FCCI shield to the Deputy Commissioner.

Captain (Retired) Nadeem Nasir also recorded his impressions in the Visitor's Book in addition to having a group photo with the participants of the meeting.
The delegation led by Member of NA Sub-Committee on Federal Education and Professional Training Farah Naz Akbar on Monday visited four rural schools in Bharakau and Nilore, Islamabad to review development work under government's educational institutions transformation programme

ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 2nd Sep, 2024) The delegation led by Member of NA Sub-Committee on Federal Education and Professional Training Farah Naz Akbar on Monday visited four rural schools in Bharakau and Nilore, Islamabad to review development work under government's educational institutions transformation programme.

The delegation included the Director General of FDE, the Director of Planning & Development, the Director of Schools, the Project Director of the Project Management Unit (PMU), and other senior officers. She was also accompanied by senior officials from Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training and Federal Directorate of Education (FDE).

The purpose of the visit was to assess the condition of these schools and evaluate ongoing government initiatives aimed at enhancing educational standards in rural Islamabad.

The schools visited included IMSB (VI-X) Rawal Dam, IMCB Chak Shehzad, IMSB (I-VIII) Chatta Bakhtawar, and IMSB (VI-X) Jhang Syedan.

The inspection revealed the need for expedited renovations due to recent heavy rains, with Ms. Akbar emphasizing the governments commitment to quickly addressing these issues to minimize educational disruptions.

It was also noted that while the overall cleanliness of the schools was satisfactory, however improvements are required at IMSB (VI-X) Jhang Syedan.

During the visit, several initiatives by the Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training were highlighted, including accelerated efforts to provide essential facilities such as clean drinking water, functional toilets, boundary walls, and playgrounds.

The establishment of IT labs in rural schools to promote digital literacy and bridge the technology gap between rural and urban areas was also discussed.

In addition, the delegation emphasized the importance of monitoring teacher attendance and introduced a policy requiring daily reporting of staff attendance to ensure quality education.

Area Education Officers (AEOs) will now be required to visit schools weekly to monitor performance, assess the implementation of government directives, and provide support where needed.

The visit by MNA Ms. Farah Naz Akbar underscored the government's commitment to improving educational standards in rural Islamabad.

Moving forward, priority will be given to maintaining cleanliness, expediting renovations, and establishing IT labs to enhance the learning environment.

These efforts aim to achieve educational equity between rural and urban schools, ensuring a better future for all students.
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Provincial Minister for Social Welfare and Bait-ul-Mal Sohail Shaukat Butt, held a significant meeting on Monday with the Deputy Head of Mission at the German Embassy Arno Kirchhof at his office

LAHORE, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 2nd Sep, 2024) Provincial Minister for Social Welfare and Bait-ul-Mal Sohail Shaukat Butt, held a significant meeting on Monday with the Deputy Head of Mission at the German Embassy Arno Kirchhof at his office.

The discussion covered a wide range of topics, including national, political, and departmental matters.

During the meeting, the minister provided an in-depth briefing to Kirchhof on the various initiatives and activities undertaken by the Social Welfare and Bait-ul-Mal Punjab. The minister highlighted the departments extensive efforts aimed at supporting children, women, elderly and persons with disabilities.

A key focus of the briefing was the revolutionary "Himmat Card" programme, launched under the leadership of Punjabs chief minister. The minister explained that the programme is a groundbreaking initiative designed to provide financial assistance and various other benefits to persons with disabilities across Punjab.

Through the Himmat card, individuals receive special discounts and privileges, significantly enhancing their quality of life, he added.

Arno Kirchhof commended the Punjab government's welfare initiatives and particularly praised the Himmat card programme as a model scheme. He remarked that the comprehensive nature and scale of the initiative are unprecedented, and its success under the leadership of CM Punjab marks a significant advancement in social welfare.

The meeting concluded with both leaders expressing a commitment to furthering mutual cooperation and exploring future joint projects.

In recognition of the occasion, Minister Sohail Shaukat Butt presented Mr. Kirchhof with a commemorative shield as a token of appreciation.
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The treasury benches in the Upper House of the Parliament on Monday defended the Peaceful Assembly and Public Order Bill, 2024 tabled by Senator Irfan Ahmed Siddiqui of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), calling it as "law to protect the citizen's right to security"

ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 2nd Sep, 2024) The treasury benches in the Upper House of the Parliament on Monday defended the Peaceful Assembly and Public Order Bill, 2024 tabled by Senator Irfan Ahmed Siddiqui of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), calling it as "law to protect the citizen's right to security".

Minister for Law and Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, Senator Azam Nazeer Tarar while addressing the third meeting of the 342nd session of the Senate said the legislation was tabled with good intentions. .

The statement came in response to the Opposition benches who apprehended that the bill would squeeze political space for Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).

Tarar said the legislation on regulation of protests proposed dedicated places, standard operating procedures (SOPs), processes for no objection certificates (NOCs).

"There are laws globally that are implemented to regulate protests in the mega urban centers as the Federal capital lack such law," he said.

"This law will address the PTI queries pertaining to NOCs for protests and other concerns, whereas the judiciary in various judgments have directed the federal government to enact laws to regulate protests in the capital," Senator Tarar said.

Leader of the Opposition in the Senate, Shibli Faraz said the mover of the Bill should apprise the other members of the House on the proposed legislation as all the members were not part of the committees concerned deliberating on the legislation.

Senator Irfan Siddiqui apprised the House that the Bill was intended to merely regulate political agitations. All sorts of protests and agitations would fall under the regulatory ambit of the proposed legislation, he added.

Parliamentary Leader of PTI, Senator Barrister Ali Zafar said as per the constitution the legislature could not enact any person-specific legislation.

Senator Humayun Mohmand and Senator Zeeshan Khanzada of PTI said protests were fundamental right of every individual.

Meanwhile, Chairman Senate, Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani after listening to the opposition benches' concerns on the proposed legislation referred the Bill to the Committee concerned with the direction to present its report within two days.

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Arbesbach, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 2nd Sep, 2024) After wolves swooped from the forest and savaged her lambs, Austrian sheep farmer Renate Pilz feels like giving up. Others, to the anger of conservationists, are reaching for their rifles.

"I lost two ewes and two lambs" to the wolf attack last year, the 55-year-old said at her farm in the village of Arbesbach.

She showed AFP photos of her animals, bleeding and so badly bitten that they had to be put down.

"It's too much work, it's no longer profitable and, above all, I don't want to do it any more," she said.

After disappearing in the 19th century, wolves have gradually returned to Austria in recent years. The number rose to 104 this year, up from an estimated 80 in 2022.

In response to a reported increase in attacks on livestock, several Austrian regions have authorised the controversial killing of wolves.

Environmental groups say the move violates European law, which lists them as protected animals.

Swelling wolf populations have dominated the headlines in the Alpine country and stirred emotion across Europe, with breeding packs recorded in 23 countries of the European Union.

A few kilometres from Arbesbach, Gerhard Fallent told AFP that three wolves had killed "half of his flock of sheep" and seriously injured the other half last year.

Fallent has since become a vocal proponent of regulating the wolf population, founding the association Wolf Stop.

He has called for "wolf-free" zones to be established near communities where people live and work.

After a wolf was sighted close to a bus stop frequented by children, school trips were cancelled and pupils picked up directly from home by the bus for a year, the 64-year-old lamented.

"We want our children to be able to go back to playing in the woods" in a region that can offer much to tourists too, said Fallent.

With family farms going out of business, he noted that several Austrian regions managed to significantly reduce the number of attacks after authorising killings.

In Austria's southern state of Carinthia, shooting wolves to protect local farms and their livestock has been authorised since 2022.

So far "we have killed 13 wolves," deputy governor Martin Gruber told AFP.

Putting up barriers such as fences in the rugged terrain, he argued, was "impossible" and above all a "waste of public money".

With the total population of wolves in the EU estimated at 20,300, Gruber said the predator's protection status was "obsolete" and should be lowered.

In 2023, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen called for the downgrading of the wolf's conservation status from "strictly protected" to "protected" in view of the "real danger" posed by the packs.

But conservationists across Europe have been up in arms, with environmental groups in Austria challenging the authorised killings in court.

In July, the European Court of Justice (ECJ) ruled that Austria should first try other solutions before hunting wolves massively, noting the local wolf population was "not at a favourable conservation status" and siding with the conservationists.
Finland's far north Lapland region has been hit by its highest recorded summer temperatures, an expert at the nation's Meteorological Institute told AFP Monday

Helsinki, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 2nd Sep, 2024) Finland's far north Lapland region has been hit by its highest recorded summer temperatures, an expert at the nation's Meteorological Institute told AFP Monday.

The Arctic has been warming almost four times faster than the rest of the world since 1979, according to Finnish and Norwegian researchers.

June, July and August saw record highs at nearly all weather stations in Finland's most northern areas.

The heat was caused by a high pressure system combined with climate change, the institute said.

High temperatures contributed to droughts and extensive wildfires across the Scandinavian country.

"The summer in Lapland in Finland was clearly the warmest on record," Mika Rantanen, a climate change researcher at Finland's Meteorological Institute, told AFP.

The average temperature from June to August was 16.2 degrees Celsius (61 degrees Fahrenheit) for Finland as a whole, matching the record hot year of 1937.

In Sodankyla -- a small town north of the Arctic Circle -- the average temperature was 15.9 degrees Celsius -- around 1.8 degrees Celsius warmer than what it would have been without the effects of climate change, according to the weather agency.

"Northern Norway, northern Sweden and even (the) Svalbard (archipelago) also had their warmest summer on record," Rantanen added.

Also on Monday, Norway's Meteorological Institute noted that the Svalbard archipelago had its hottest summer for the third year in a row.

The Norwegian weather agency also said that several weather stations had documented record temperatures in August, even beating previous records set in August a year earlier by two to three degrees Celsius.

The average temperature recorded at the airport of Longyearbyen, the main town in Svalbard, was 11 degrees Celsius in August.

That is five degrees Celsius above the norm.

The record high temperatures measured in Finland's Lapland exceeded the averages recorded since the beginning of the 20th century by 2 to 3.5 degrees Celsius.

"The minimum temperatures were very high in Lapland... there were no cold spells at all," Rantanen added.

Very warm summers of this kind were now approximately 70 times more likely to occur due to climate change than they were at the beginning of the 20th century, Finnish climate experts estimate.

"In the beginning of the 20th century the probability of such warm summers was once every 2,000 years. But in the current climate the likelihood is once every 25 years," Rantanen said.

"If you extrapolate this into the future, it means that in the year 2050 these kind of warm summers will occur every five years," he said.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 2. Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan Jeyhun Bayramov met with Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Serbia Marko Djuric, who is on an official visit to the country, on September 2, 2024, Trend reports, referring to the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry.

The meeting between the sides continued in an enlarged format with the participation of delegations from both sides.

The sides discussed issues of development of strategic partnership relations between Azerbaijan and Serbia in politics, economy, trade, investment, energy, transportation and communications, humanitarian, and other aspects, as well as regional and international security issues.

Minister Jeyhun Bayramov emphasized the important role of high-level and high-level mutual visits, political dialogue and inter-parliamentary ties in the development of the existing strategic partnership relations between the two countries. The establishment of the Azerbaijan-Serbia Strategic Partnership Council based within the framework of high-level contacts was emphasized. The importance of utilizing the mechanism of political consultations in terms of discussing possibilities of further deepening the strategic partnership was noted. It was noted with satisfaction that the exemplary dynamics of bilateral relations of the countries are manifested in mutual support and solidarity within the framework of regional and international organizations. Particularly, the intensive work of the intergovernmental commission on trade and economic cooperation in the direction of deepening sectoral cooperation in energy, investment, and other areas was recognized as praiseworthy.

Furthermore, it was noted that the development of ties in the humanitarian sphere, including education, science, and culture, as well as the introduction of a visa-free regime have contributed to the further rapprochement of our people. The importance of continuing the practice of twinning on the example of Shusha and Novi Pazar was emphasized. New opportunities for cooperation within the framework of Azerbaijan's chairmanship of the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) were noted.

Jeyhun Bayramov also informed his counterpart in detail about the current situation and realities in the region in the post-conflict period, the large-scale reconstruction and construction work being carried out in the territories liberated from occupation, and the mine problem threatening these activities. Serbian companies and investors were invited to actively participate in the rehabilitation and reconstruction activities carried out in the Karabakh and East Zangezur regions of the country.

Referring to the normalization process between Azerbaijan and Armenia, Minister Jeyhun Bayramov noted, in particular, the development in promoting the peace agenda, including the successes achieved in the delimitation process. Adding that nevertheless several Armenian legislative acts, including its constitution, still contain territorial claims against our country, he emphasized that Armenia's accelerated armament is also hindering the peace process.

Minister Marko Djuric congratulated Azerbaijan on the organization of the parliamentary elections in a transparent, free, and democratic manner and expressed hope that the results of the election process will be successful for the Azerbaijani Parliament.

The meeting also featured an exchange of views on other issues of mutual interest.

The meeting was followed by the signing ceremony of the Memorandum of Understanding between ADA University and the Diplomatic Academy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Serbia.

Afterward, the ministers made a statement at the press conference following the meeting and answered questions from media representatives.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
Melbourne, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 2nd Sep, 2024) One woman has died, schools have been shuttered and tens of thousands of people were without power Monday, as wild storms lashed Australia.

Police said a 63-year-old woman died after a tree fell on a cabin in the country's southeast.

"Destructive" winds of more than 110 kilometres (68 miles) per hour are lashing the region, leaving about 150,000 people without power.

Victorian state premier Jacinta Allan warned power outages could take up to three days to fix.

"There are some areas where the conditions remain too dangerous to make repairs," she said.

Meanwhile, coastal areas have been hit by high tides -- in some cases swallowing up sand dunes.

People have been warned to avoid unnecessary travel, while some schools have closed.

Authorities in New South Wales were concerned the damaging winds would increase fire danger on Monday, with many areas on high alert.

New South Wales Rural Fire Service inspector Ben Shepherd warned Sydney and surrounding areas that they would see the worst of the fire danger on Monday, but conditions would ease in the afternoon.

Parts of Tasmania have been inundated by flooding and destructive winds -- with gusts peaking at 150 kilometres (93.2 miles) per hour over the weekend.

Bureau of Meteorology senior forecaster Christie Johnson said a series of cold fronts sweeping across Australia's southeast had caused "damaging to destructive winds".

But conditions were set to ease Tuesday, she said.

Johnson warned further cold fronts would impact the country later in the week, but she did not anticipate conditions to be as extreme.
(@ChaudhryMAli88)

New York, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 3rd Sep, 2024) World number one Jannik Sinner and former champion Daniil Medvedev set their sights on the US Open quarter-finals on Monday in a tournament stripped of superstar duo Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz.

Top seed Sinner, who won his maiden Slam at the Australian Open this year, takes on Tommy Paul while 2021 New York champion Medvedev meets Portuguese outsider Nuno Borges.

French Open champion and women's world number one Iga Swiatek, meanwhile, hopes to take another step closer to a second US Open title when the 2022 winner faces Liudmila Samsonova of Russia.

Sinner, 23, faces Paul of the United States hoping to become the only man this year to reach the quarter-finals at all four Grand Slams.

The Italian made the last-eight in 2022 where he squandered a match point in losing to eventual champion Alcaraz.

His Spanish rival has been removed from the New York equation this time around after the world number three and reigning French Open and Wimbledon champion was knocked out in the second round.

Paul, the 14th seed, is looking to join compatriots Frances Tiafoe and Taylor Fritz in the quarter-finals as the US looks for a first male Grand Slam champion since Andy Roddick triumphed in New York in 2003.

"I don't know if I'm thinking, like, 'opportunity' too much," Paul said.

"But it's definitely an opportunity to play on Arthur Ashe Stadium so I'm looking forward to that."

With four-time champion Djokovic and Alcaraz both eliminated, fifth-seeded Medvedev is the only former champion remaining in the draw.

The Russian faces 34th-ranked Borges in a rematch of their Australian Open last-16 clash this season.

Medvedev aims to reach the quarter-finals in New York for the fifth time in the last six years.

- All-Aussie clash -

If Sinner and Medvedev come through their assignments, they will meet in what would be their fourth clash of 2024.

Sinner came back from two sets to love down to defeat the mercurial Medvedev in the Australian Open final and came out on top in the Miami semi-finals.

Medvedev avenged those losses at Wimbledon in a five-set quarter-final victory.

The 27-year-old Borges is looking to defeat a top 10 player for the first time and become the first Portuguese man to reach a Grand Slam quarter-final in the Open era.

Swiatek will play her 100th Grand Slam match when she meets 16th seed Samsonova who is chasing a first ever last-eight spot at the Slams.

Poland's Swiatek holds a 3-0 head-to-head edge over Samsonova but the 25-year-old Russian will be buoyed by making the quarter-finals of both WTA 1000 events in Toronto and Cincinnati on the eve of the US Open.

Should Swiatek prevail, she will take on US sixth seed Jessica Pegula who made the last-eight for the second time with a 6-4, 6-2 victory over Russia's Diana Shnaider.

Caroline Wozniacki, the runner-up to Serena Williams in 2014, faces Brazil's Beatriz Haddad Maia.

The winner of that clash will take on 2023 semi-finalist Karolina Muchova who knocked out French Open and Wimbledon runner-up Jasmine Paolini, the fifth seed, 6-3, 6-3.

Muchova, ranked at 52, who only returned to the tour in June after 10 months out with a wrist injury, has yet to drop a set at the tournament and knocked out two-time champion Naomi Osaka in the second round.

The men's last-16 line-up on Monday is completed by Britain's Jack Draper facing unseeded Tomas Machac of the Czech Republic while Alex de Minaur and Jordan Thompson clash in an all-Australian duel.
The UN-led mass polio vaccination campaign entered its second day in central Gaza on Monday with pauses in Israeli attacks holding sufficiently for thousands more children to receive their dose, in addition to the 87,000 who received their first round on Sunday, UN agencies said

UNITED NATIONS, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 2nd Sep, 2024) The UN-led mass polio vaccination campaign entered its second day in central Gaza on Monday with pauses in Israeli attacks holding sufficiently for thousands more children to receive their dose, in addition to the 87,000 who received their first round on Sunday, UN agencies said.

There were 87,000 vaccinated on the first day out of 156,000 that we are hoping to reach in the middle Area, said Louise Wateridge, Senior Communications Officer for UNWRA, the largest UN agency in the Gaza Strip.

It's very promising that already, we have heard interest from parents who have come from Khan Younis, who have come from the southern area, and are asking our staff there and asking our teams, When is the vaccination going to be available for us? When can we take our children?

Ms. Wateridge emphasized the urgent need for a ceasefire for the inoculation campaign to be successful, along with the release of all hostages taken on 7 October.

What these children need most is a ceasefire now," UNRWA said on X.

Speaking on day two of the vaccination drive, Ms. Wateridge reported seeing hundreds of children at a health centre in Deir Al-Balah and more at an UNWRA school in the central city. The school reported that 3,000 children were vaccinated yesterday alone, so you know were seeing very good numbers and [need] to keep the momentum going,

On Sunday, vaccination teams operated at UNRWA health centres, mobile medical points, and tents, with similar arrangements in place for Monday. We are doing everything possible to ensure that all children under the age of 10 are vaccinated. Temporary pauses in the conflict are essential for delivering these vaccines, UNRWA added on X. Beyond the pause, these children need a vaccine that has already been delayed for too long.

The initial three-day campaign in Gazas Middle Area to protect around 640,000 Palestinian youngsters from the highly infectious disease comes after health authorities detected the first case of polio in Gaza in 25 years. To offer maximum protection, children will need to receive two doses of the vaccine at a four-week interval. More than 1.2 million vaccine doses have been delivered to Gaza, with an additional 400,000 doses expected soon.

UN agencies UNRWA, the UN World Health Organization (WHO), the UN Childrens Fund (UNICEF) and Palestinian health authorities aim to achieve at least 90 per cent vaccination coverage in each round of the campaign to curb the current outbreak and prevent the international spread of polio.

Amid outbreaks of hepatitis, diarrhoea and other preventable diseases linked to 10 months of heavy Israeli bombardment and clashes with Hamas fighters, UN agencies underscored the need to for all warring sides to maintain the agreed eight-hour pause in hostilities.

"One of the biggest challenges is actually safely distributing the vaccinations because we have some areas in these so-called [humanitarian] pause zones between 6am and 2pm, there needs to be no fighting, UNRWAs Ms.

Wateridge told UN news, a media website. We are still struggling to get access to facilities and access to families and children in those areas. Its far too dangerous for them to travel, to move; there is ongoing fighting.

Ms. Wateridge reported a lot of strikes on Monday morning and through the night on Sunday. So the fighting has not stopped by any means. There are some pauses throughout the day, but it's not guaranteed. We don't have guaranteed safety to people, and we really need that to reach all the children to get that 90 per cent success rate.

Last week, Israeli authorities agreed to a series of three-day humanitarian pauses in central, southern, and northern Gaza, allowing the vaccination campaign to proceed.

The UN health agency WHO welcomed these pauses but reiterated that ultimately, the only solution to safeguard the health of Gazas children was a ceasefire. The best vaccine for these children is peace, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said.

The vaccination drive faces significant challenges, including ongoing fighting, devastated roads, and hospital closures caused by the conflict. According to the WHO, insecurity, damaged infrastructure, and population movements make it unlikely that three days in each area will be sufficient for adequate coverage. It has been agreed that the vaccination period will be extended by a day if necessary, the WHO noted, stressing that vaccination teams must be protected and allowed to conduct their work safely.

The campaign comes amid a severe humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where the conflict between Israel and Hamas, coupled with Israels blockade of the enclave, has led to acute shortages of food, drinking water, and medical supplies. The worsening situation has raised fears of further disease outbreaks, not limited to polio.

Today, children in Gaza are receiving the vaccines they so desperately need, said WHO Chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus on X. "Ultimately, the best vaccine for these children is peace.

Latest UN data indicates that approximately 90 per cent of Gazas 2.3 million residents have been displaced within the besieged territory, with hundreds of thousands crowded into overcrowded tent camps. Some enjoyed rare respite from intense fighting that has devastated much of the Gaza Strip.

The one thing I noticed yesterday was, you know, going an hour without hearing a bomb, UNRWAs Ms. Wateridge said. Going an hour without hearing a strikeit was noticeable that there was a calmer and quieter day yesterday because it has been so relentless for the last few weeks and also so many evacuation orders; 16 evacuation orders in August alone. Thousands, hundreds of thousands of people and families and being forced to flee.

APP/ift
Azerbaijan's ruling party retained its majority in Sunday's snap parliamentary election, preliminary results showed, in the country's first vote since staging a lightning offensive a year ago to recapture the breakaway territory of Karabakh.

The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), a rights watchdog, criticized the vote, saying it had fallen well short of democratic standards.

President Ilham Aliyev's party was on course to win 68 out of 125 seats in parliament, according to preliminary results from the Central Election Commission reported by the TASS news agency. It had 69 seats in the outgoing parliament.

Just over 2 million people in the energy-rich nation cast their ballots, bringing the turnout at the time of the close of polling stations to 37.3%, said Central Election Commission chief Mazahir Panakhov.

Exit polls suggested dozens of other seats would go to candidates who are nominally independent of political parties but in practice back the government as well as to minor pro-government parties.

OSCE election monitors said the election campaign had been "barely visible".

"The September 1 early parliamentary elections took place in a restrictive political and legal environment that does not enable genuine pluralism and resulted in a contest devoid of competition," the OSCE mission said in a statement.

Karabakh

It was the first parliamentary vote since Azerbaijan recaptured 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 Azerbaijan of ethnic cleansing in Karabakh after almost all of its more than 100,000 ethnic Armenian residents fled the area.

Azerbaijan denied that allegation. 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.
A year after succeeding his father as Cambodias prime minister, Hun Manet is facing widespread public anger over a regional economic cooperation plan with Vietnam and Laos that is testing his political acumen.

Thousands of Cambodians living in Japan, South Korea and Australia have staged protests against the Cambodia-Laos-Vietnam Development Triangle Area (CLV-DTA) initiative, citing fears of ceding sovereignty or inviting large-scale immigration from Vietnam.

Although the initiative has been in place for decades, regional meetings this year for a 2030 master plan have put it back in the spotlight. An 11-minute video posted on Facebook by government critics last month fanned historic resentment toward Vietnam and its perceived control over the current government, which Hanoi installed and backed throughout the 1980s.

While political analysts say fears of the CLV-DTA may be overblown and fueled by online misinformation, they also blame the government for failing to provide transparent explanations about the initiative, instead seeking to suppress dissent, which has only fueled suspicions of ill intentions.

Sophal Ear, an associate professor at the Thunderbird School of Global Management at Arizona State University, told VOA Khmer in an email that the underlying concerns about Cambodia's sovereignty is a significant test for Hun Manet.

It challenges his ability to navigate complex regional projects while addressing domestic concerns about national sovereignty and territorial integrity. Successfully managing this controversy will be crucial in establishing his credibility as a leader who can protect Cambodia's interests while engaging in regional cooperation, he said.

How he handles this situation could set the tone for his leadership and influence public perception of his capacity to govern effectively, he added.

Hun Manet took office on August 22, 2023, shortly after an election the United States deemed neither free nor fair. His father, Hun Sen, was the partys prime minister candidate and arranged for his son to take power ahead of the formation of a new government.



While the generational transfer of power allowed some Western countries to reset relations with Cambodia, there has been little change in the governments reliance on China or its approach to critics and perceived opponents. Dozens of activists and political opponents have been arrested under Hun Manet.

Last month, authorities arrested more than 30 people across the country amid reports of a planned mass demonstration against the CLV initiative in Phnom Penh on August 18.

The creators of the Facebook video were also arrested after it drew the ire of government leaders. Hun Sen, who is now president of the Senate, has threatened additional arrests should public criticism continue.

Sophal Ear said the proactive arrests, along with the deployment of a heavy security presence across major cities, showed the governments determination to quell any significant uprising before it gains momentum.

However, the situation remains fluid, and the governments approach could either suppress the movement or further galvanize public opposition, depending on how it handles the protesters and addresses the underlying concerns, he told VOA Khmer on August 26.

In a public address on August 22 marking one year in power, Hun Manet addressed criticism and concerns about the development triangle area, saying it was meant to create potential and development in the four Cambodian provinces involved.

He said the initiative would spur infrastructure construction in border regions, encourage more productive land use, and protect forests for joint development. In his speech, Hun Manet highlighted that the initiative would strengthen sovereignty of Cambodia while boosting the development and maintaining stability and security for its people.

The attention of the CLV initiative also comes as Cambodia is pushing ahead with the controversial 180-kilometer Funan Techo Canal project that will rely significantly on Chinese funding, which carries its own regional implications as it would bypass traditional trade routes through the Mekong delta in Vietnam.



The CLV furor has been a distraction from the Funan Techo project, which officially broke ground last month. Political professor Em Sovannara, who is based in Cambodia, said Hun Manet seems unable to deal with the issue.

First, I think building the canal is part of creating political value for the new prime minister. Second, on the issue of the CLV project left from the past, the current prime minister has no ability to respond or deal with it based on our observation, he said.

Soeng Senkaruna, a former senior official at the human rights group ADHOC who fled to live in Australia, told VOA Khmer that he expected Hun Manet to continue trying to address the criticism by silencing it or creating distractions.

So, they will not solve the problems according to what the people are demanding, so they will keep defending this project," he said. We are aware that this project is a long-term strategy between Cambodia, Vietnam and Laos. Thats why the child prime minister and his father, the former prime minister, as we saw, we know that they cant do anything with Vietnam. Thus, he has no capacity to deal with this issue. The new prime minister will do nothing.

Cambodia is expected to host a ministerial summit later this year for the review and adoption of the Master Plan for Socio-Economic Development in the CLV-DTA up to 2030.

Cambodias exiled opposition leaders have seized on fears about the initiative, which could negatively impact four Cambodian border provinces  Ratanakiri, Mondulkiri, Kratie and Stung Treng  as well as provinces in Laos in Vietnam.

The plan encourages freer flow of goods and people across the borders but entering a joint development with its larger and much more populous eastern neighbor also rekindles many Cambodians traditional fear of Vietnamese expansion and domination.

The project is in fact a cover for further illegal deforestation, land evictions and exploitation of natural resources for foreign gain, the Khmer Movement for Democracy wrote August 14 on X.



Continued illegal Vietnamese immigration into the four Cambodian provinces concerned by the agreement, and the effective control that Vietnam will wield over the economy of the region, means that the provinces will effectively become vassals controlled by Vietnam, it added.

Cambodias government spokesman Pen Bona said Hun Manet was ensuring peace, security and national sovereignty, and denied restricting freedom of expression or dissent.

Lately, we have seen the people using opposition culture to cause destruction by a handful of people. So, the government must take very strict measures by not absolutely allowing such a group to use its own trick to spoil peace or harmony or national development, he told VOA.

He added, I would like to clarify: Dont consider the government measures as a restriction of freedom of expression [or] democratic freedom.
The growing mpox outbreaks in Africa that triggered the World Health Organization's emergency declaration are largely the result of decades of neglect and the global community's inability to stop sporadic epidemics among a population with little immunity against the smallpox-related disease, leading African scientists said Tuesday.

According to Dr. Dimie Ogoina, who chaired WHO's mpox emergency committee, negligence has led to a new, more transmissible version of the virus emerging in countries with few resources to stop outbreaks.

Mpox, also known as monkeypox, had been spreading mostly undetected for years in Africa before the disease prompted the 2022 outbreak in more than 70 countries, Ogoina said at a virtual news conference.

"What we are witnessing in Africa now is different from the global outbreak in 2022," he said. While that outbreak was overwhelmingly focused in gay and bisexual men, mpox in Africa is now being spread via sexual transmission as well as through close contact among children, pregnant women and other vulnerable groups.

And while most people over 50 were likely vaccinated against smallpox  which may provide some protection against mpox  that is not the case for Africa's mostly young population, who Ogoina said were mostly susceptible.

Mpox belongs to the same family of viruses as smallpox but causes milder symptoms like fever and body aches. It mostly spreads through close skin-to-skin contact, including sex. People with more serious cases can develop prominent blisters on the face, hands, chest and genitals.

Earlier this month, WHO declared the surging mpox outbreaks in Congo and 11 other countries in Africa to be a global emergency.

On Tuesday, the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said there were more than 22,800 mpox cases and 622 deaths on the continent and that infections had jumped 200% in the last week. The majority of cases and deaths are in Congo, where most mpox infections are in children under 15.

Dr. Placide Mbala-Kingebeni, a Congolese scientist who helped identify the newest version of mpox, said diagnostic tests being used in the country did not always pick it up, making it hard to track the variant's spread.

In May, Mbala-Kingebeni, who heads a lab at Congo's National Institute for Biomedical Research, published research showing a new form of mpox that may be less deadly but more transmissible. The noted mutations suggested it was "more adapted to human transmission," he said, but the lack of tests in Congo and elsewhere complicated efforts to monitor outbreaks.

The new variant has been detected in four other African countries as well as Sweden, where health officials said they have identified the first case of a person this month with the more infectious form of mpox. The person had been infected during a stay in Africa.

WHO said that available data to date does not suggest that the new form of mpox is more dangerous but that research is ongoing.

Marion Koopmans, a virologist at Erasmus Medical Centre in the Netherlands who has been studying mpox, said scientists were now seeing some significant impacts of the disease, noting that pregnant women were miscarrying or losing their fetuses and that some babies were being born infected with mpox.

Ogoina, a professor of infectious diseases at Niger Delta University in Nigeria, said that in the absence of vaccines and drugs, African health workers should focus on providing supportive care, like ensuring patients have enough to eat and are given mental health support, given the stigma that often comes with mpox.

"It's very, very unfortunate that we have had mpox for 54 years and we are only now thinking about therapeutics," he said.

Mbala-Kingebeni said strategies previously used to stop Ebola outbreaks in Africa might help, given the limited numbers of shots expected. He said authorities have estimated Africa needs about 10 million doses but might only receive about 500,000  and it's unclear when they might arrive.

"Finding a case and vaccinating around the case, like we did with Ebola, might help us target the hot spots," he said.

Koopmans said that given the urgent need for vaccines in Africa, waiting for more doses to be produced was unrealistic.

"The short term [question] really is about, who has vaccines and where are they to be best used next?" she said.

Spain's health ministry announced Tuesday that it would dip into its mpox vaccine stockpile to donate 20% of its supply, about 500,000 doses, to African countries battling mpox.

"We consider it senseless to accumulate vaccines where they are not needed," Spain's health ministry said in a statement, adding Spain will recommend to the European Commission to propose that all member states also donate 20% of their vaccine stock.

Spain's donation alone is more than what the European Union, vaccine Bavarian Nordic and the U.S. have pledged. Last week, Africa CDC said the EU and Bavarian Nordic had promised 215,000 mpox vaccines while the U.S. said it was donating 50,000 doses of the same vaccine to Congo. Japan has also donated some doses to Congo.

Meanwhile, the U.S. on Tuesday donated 10,000 doses of mpox vaccines to Nigeria where mpox has been common, making the vaccines the first to arrive in Africa since the global emergency was declared. The country has had a few dozen cases this year.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pushed back Monday against calls to soften his demands for a cease-fire with Hamas after six hostages were found slain in southern Gaza.

"No one is more committed to freeing the hostages than me. ... No one will preach to me on this issue," Netanyahu said, according to The Associated Press.

Among the sticking points in negotiations is Netanyahu's push for Israel to retain control of the Philadelphi Corridor on the Gaza-Egypt border. Israel claims Hamas uses tunnels along the corridor to smuggle weapons into Gaza. Egypt and Hamas deny the claims.

On Sunday, hundreds of thousands of Israelis marched in the streets to mourn the news that the bodies of six slain hostages were found in southern Gaza.

At a televised press conference on Monday, Netanyahu said he sought forgiveness for failing to save the slain hostages.

"I ask for your forgiveness for not bringing them back alive," he said. "We were close, but we didn't succeed. Hamas will pay a very heavy price for this."

Late Monday, several thousand demonstrators gathered outside Netanyahu's private home in central Jerusalem, chanting, "Deal. Now."

Earlier Monday, a general workers' strike disrupted Israel as the largest Israeli trade union and businesses sought to pressure the government to reach a cease-fire deal with Hamas to end fighting in Gaza as the war nears the 11-month mark.

Banks, public transit, hospitals, stores and the country's main airport were either shuttered or open in limited ways. In some sectors, the strike's effects were less noticeable.

The work disruption ended after eight hours, in midafternoon, when a court ruled that the Histadrut union had not given enough notice for the protest.

Advocates for the hostages and critics of Netanyahu argued that a cease-fire to halt the war in Gaza could have saved the hostages' lives. But Netanyahu's partners in the Israeli government's ruling coalition mostly oppose a compromise with Hamas.

Netanyahu has refused to agree to a cease-fire deal calling for an Israeli military withdrawal from Gaza that would lead to a permanent halt to the fighting  for fear that Hamas could rearm itself and endanger Israel's long-term security.

Hamas has accused Israel of dragging out negotiations by issuing new demands, including that Israel remain in control of the Philadelphi corridor and a second corridor running across Gaza.

Hamas has held to the broad agreements of a three-phase plan put forth by the Biden administration in July: Hamas would release all hostages in return for an end to the war, a complete withdrawal of Israeli forces and the release of a large number of Palestinian prisoners.

In Washington, U.S. President Joe Biden rebuked Netanyahu for his handling of the hostage situation and cease-fire negotiations.

As he arrived back at the White House after a vacation, Biden was asked whether he thought the Israeli leader was doing enough to free the 100 or so remaining hostages, a third of whom Israel believes are dead. Biden responded simply, "No," but said he would have more to say after meeting with his security advisers.

Biden, who has closely followed the fate of the hostages, said Sunday he was "devastated and outraged" by the discovery of more dead captives.

"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.

Thousands of people gathered Monday at a large cemetery in Jerusalem for the funeral of Hersh Goldberg-Polin, a dual Israeli American citizen who was one of the six hostages found dead Saturday. Israeli President Isaac Herzog expressed remorse in a eulogy that Israel had failed to protect Goldberg-Polin from the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel or to bring him home alive.

U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic presidential nominee, said she and her husband, Doug Emhoff, spoke Sunday with Goldberg-Polin's parents, Jon and Rachel, to express their condolences.

"My heart breaks for their pain and anguish," Harris said. "I told them: As they mourn this terrible loss, they are not alone. Our nation mourns with them."

The hostages were apparently shot to death by the militants just as troops were zeroing in on their location in Gaza. Israel's foreign ministry said early Monday a forensic examination showed the hostages were killed by gunshots at close range, and within 48-72 hours before the examination.

Hamas militants killed about 1,200 people and captured about 250 hostages during the October 7 attack on southern Israel. The Israeli counteroffensive has killed nearly 41,000 Palestinians in Gaza, most of them women and children, according to Gaza health officials, while the Israeli military says the death toll includes several thousand Hamas combatants.

Some information for this report was provided by The Associated Press, Reuters and Agence France-Presse.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 2. On September 2, the Minister of Defense of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Colonel General Zakir Hasanov met with Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Italy to Azerbaijan, Mr. Luca Di Gianfrancesco, Trend reports referring to Azerbaijan's Ministry of Defense.

The Minister of Defense noted that bilateral relations between Azerbaijan and Italy are of a special nature in the military field, as in other areas, what will contribute to the development of the armies of both countries.

It was emphasized that, some of the 31 military events planned between Azerbaijan and Italy for 2024-2025 were implemented.

Mr. Gianfrancesco expressed satisfaction with the current state of cooperation in military field and stressed the importance of mutual visits of representatives from the 2 countries.

The meeting, attended by the military attache of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Italy to Azerbaijan, First grade Captain Gianfranco Vizzini, discussed the prospects for the development of cooperation in the military field and exchanged wide views on regional security and a number of issues of common interest.
Bernard Avle hosts one of the biggest morning shows in Ghana. But scammers used artificial intelligence, or AI, to clone his voice to endorse a product. Analysts warn the same technology could be used to spread disinformation ahead of Ghanas elections in December. For VOA News, Senanu Tord reports from Accra.
In New York, aspiring fashion designers often attend colleges like the Fashion Institute of Technology or Parsons School of Design. But for those without the means or access to higher education, a Harlem-based fashion incubator  a company that helps new fashion designers grow and learn the business  is providing alternative paths to the industry. VOAs Tina Trinh shows us two emerging talents. Camera: Tina Trinh, Ting-Yi Hsu
Residents of Indian-controlled Kashmir are gearing up for their first regional election in a decade that will allow them to have their own truncated government, also known as a local assembly, instead of remaining under New Delhi's direct rule.

Muslim-majority Kashmir is divided between nuclear-armed rivals India and Pakistan and claimed in its entirety by both. The Indian-administered part has been on edge since Prime Minister Narendra Modis government ended its special status in 2019 and also scrapped its statehood.

The three-phased polls will take place amid a sharp rise in rebel attacks on government forces in parts of Hindu-dominated Jammu areas that have remained relatively peaceful in the three decades of armed rebellion against Indian rule.

With campaigning picking up in the runup to the election, India's main opposition Congress party has formed an alliance to jointly seek the vote with the National Conference, the regions largest pro-India Kashmiri political party. Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party has a weak political base in the Kashmir Valley, the heartland of decades of anti-India rebellion, while it's strong in Jammu.

Here is what you need to know about the coming election:

The history of disputed Kashmir

Kashmir's future was left unresolved at the end of British colonial rule in 1947 when the Indian subcontinent was divided into predominantly Hindu India and mainly Muslim Pakistan. Pakistan has long pushed for the right to self-determination under a U.N. resolution passed in 1948, which called for a referendum on whether Kashmiris wanted to merge with either country.

Militants in the Indian-controlled portion of Kashmir have been fighting New Delhis rule since 1989, while India insists the Kashmir militancy is Pakistan-sponsored terrorism, a charge Islamabad denies. Tens of thousands of civilians, rebels and government forces have been killed in the conflict which most Kashmiri Muslims consider a legitimate struggle for freedom.

What is the current status of the region?

Indian-administered Kashmir has been without a local government since 2018 when Indias ruling Bharatiya Janata Party ended its support to the local Kashmiri Peoples Democratic Party, bringing down the coalition government and causing the assembly to dissolve. A year later, Modis government revoked the regions semi-autonomy and downgraded it to a federally controlled territory.

As a result, Indian-held Kashmir lost its flag, criminal code, constitution and inherited protections on land and jobs. It was also divided into two federal territories, Ladakh and Jammu-Kashmir, ruled directly by New Delhi, allowing it to appoint an administrator to run it along unelected government officials.

Since then, a slew of legal and administrative changes have been installed without public input, much to the anger of the regions people whose civil liberties have also been curbed and media intimidated.

Indian officials have repeatedly said that the move  to shape what it calls Naya Kashmir, or a new Kashmir  was necessary to tackle separatism, foster greater economic development and fully integrate the region into the country.

Even after the election, India's federal government will still make the decisions

The election will take place between Sept. 18 and Oct. 1, and votes are set to be counted on Oct. 4.

In theory, the polls will see a transition of power from New Delhi to a newly elected local assembly with a chief minister serving as the regions top elected official with a council of ministers, a similar setup to before 2018.

But the new polls will hardly give the new government any legislative powers as Indian-controlled Kashmir will continue to be a Union Territory"  a region directly controlled by the federal government  with Indias parliament remaining as the region's legislator. The elected assembly will only have nominal control over education and culture.

Kashmir's statehood status has to be restored for the new government to have power. Even Kashmiri pro-India parties, like the National Conference and the Peoples Democratic Party, have vowed to politically and legally fight for the return of Kashmirs semi-autonomy.

How do Kashmir residents view the upcoming election?

Many are indifferent, while some believe their vote could be a way to express deep resentment of Modi's party. Most Muslim residents of the region want independence from India or unification with Pakistan.

However, Kashmirs pro-India political elite, many of whom have been jailed for allegedly disrupting peace and slapped with corruption cases in 2019, see an opportunity in these elections to politically oppose the changes by Indias ruling party.

Historically, elections in Indian-held Kashmir have remained a sensitive issue, with many believing that they have been rigged multiple times in favor of the regions pro-India politicians.

Previous elections have seen Kashmiri Muslim separatist leaders who challenge Indias sovereignty over the region call for a boycott of the vote, calling it an illegitimate exercise under military occupation.
Jailed Iranian activist and former Cabinet member Mostafa Tajzadeh, a prominent figure of the Islamic Republic's reformist camp, has been charged with "propaganda" against the state, local media said Monday.

Tajzadeh, jailed since July 2022 in Tehran's notorious Evin prison, served as deputy interior minister under the presidency of Mohammad Khatami, a reformist who oversaw a rapprochement with the West between 1997 and 2005.

He was sentenced to five years in prison in October 2022 on charges of "plotting against state security" among others, his lawyer said at the time.

Reformist daily Ham-Mihan said Monday that new charges had been brought against Tajzadeh, accusing him again "of plotting against state security" and "propaganda against the Islamic Republic."

He had already spent a total of seven years behind bars, having been arrested in 2009 alongside other reformist leaders following the reelection of hard-line President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in a vote contested by the opposition.

Tajzadeh, an outspoken commentator on national politics via social media channels operated by his relatives, said in a letter "that he would not appear in court" in the new case, according to Ham-Mihan.

If convicted, Ham-Mihan said, Tajzadeh could face up to six more years in jail.

In recent years, he has urged democratization and called on authorities to enact "structural changes" in the Iranian political system.
Massive protests break out across Israel after the death of six hostages in Gaza as anger over the governments failure to secure a ceasefire deal reaches boiling point. Palestinian health authorities and U.N. agencies begin large-scale campaign to vaccinate children against polio in war ravaged Gaza Strip. And as children across Ukraine prepared to return to school, Russia launched a barrage of overnight attacks on Kyiv. And why is Iran arresting nurses across the country?
Five people were shot Monday at New York Citys West Indian American Day Parade, police said. It was the latest incident of violence to mar one of the worlds largest annual celebrations of Caribbean culture.

A gunman targeting a specific group of people opened fire along the parade route in Brooklyn around 2:35 p.m., NYPD Chief of Patrol John Chell said. The parade had kicked off hours earlier, with thousands of revelers dancing and marching down Eastern Parkway, a main thoroughfare through the borough. It was expected to continue into the night.

Two people were critically wounded, Chell said. The three other victims were expected to survive their injuries, he said. The gunman fled.

This was not random, Chell said. This was an intentional act by one person towards a group of people. We do not by no means have any active shooter or anything of that nature running around Eastern Parkway as we speak. The parade is going on and will go on until later on tonight.

An Associated Press videographer who was nearby when the shots rang out saw at least two people being treated for what appeared to be wounds to the face and arm.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer was marching in the parade at the time and completed the route. A message was left with Schumer's office.

Police cordoned off an area adjacent to the parade route, where they placed crime scene markers. The parade continued flowing past as officers were seen bagging items.

Chell asked that bystanders provide police with any video footage they may have recorded of the shooting.

We need that video, Chell said. We are going to solve this, but its going to take a lot of work.

The parade, an annual Labor Day event in its 57th year, turns Eastern Parkway into a kaleidoscope of feather-covered costumes and colorful flags as participants make their way down the thoroughfare alongside floats stacked high with speakers playing soca and reggae music.

The parade routinely attracts huge crowds, who line the almost 2-mile (3.2-kilometer) route that runs from Crown Heights to the Brooklyn Museum. Its also a popular destination for local politicians, many of whom are of West Indian heritage or represent members of the citys large Caribbean community.

Though a joyous occasion, the parade and related celebrations have been plagued by violence over the years.

In 2016, two people were killed and several others were wounded near the parade route. The year before, Carey Gabay, an aide to then-Governor Andrew Cuomo, was shot in the head during pre-parade festivities. He died nine days later.

The West Indian American Day Parade has its roots in more traditionally timed, pre-Lent Carnival celebrations started by a Trinidadian immigrant in Manhattan around a century ago, according to the organizers. The festivities were moved to the warmer time of year in the 1940s.

Brooklyn, where hundreds of thousands of Caribbean immigrants and their descendants have settled, began hosting the parade in the 1960s.

The Labor Day parade is now the culmination of days of carnival events in the city, which include a steel pan band competition and JOuvert, a separate street party commemorating freedom from slavery.
Decades after they were killed, Poland held a state burial on Monday of the remains of more than 700 victims of Nazi Germany's World War II mass executions that were recently uncovered in the so-called Valley of Death in the country's north.

The observances in the town of Chojnice began with a funeral Mass at the basilica, leading to an interment with military honors at a local cemetery of the victims of the Nazi crimes. The remains were contained in 188 small wooden coffins with ribbons in national white and red colors across them.

Relatives of the victims, an aide to President Andrzej Duda, local authorities and top officials of the state National Remembrance Institute, which carried out and documented the exhumations, took part in the events.

We want to give back memory, we want to give back dignity to the victims of the crimes in Chojnice, presiding Bishop Ryszard Kasyna said.

Duda sent a message saying that the deaths weren't in vain and will always be held in the national memory, because the only reason they were killed by the Nazis was the fact that they were Polish.

The remains of Polish civilians, including 218 asylum patients, were exhumed in 2021-2024 from a number of separate mass graves on the outskirts of Chojnice.

Personal belongings and documents helped identify around 120 of the victims of an execution in early 1945. Among them were teachers, priests, police officers, forestry and postal workers, and landowners.

Historians have established that the Nazis, shortly after invading Poland on Sept. 1, 1939, executed some of the civilians, in a drive to subdue the nation. The remains of another 500 victims are from the January 1945 execution, when the Germans were fleeing the area. Bullets and shells from handguns used by German forces were found in the graves.

Experts will continue to comb the area for more mass graves of the so-called Pomerania Crime.

Poland lost 6 million citizens, or a sixth of its population, of which 3 million were Jewish, in the war. The country also suffered huge losses to its infrastructure, industry and agriculture.
Eswatinis King Mswati III's plans to wed Nomcebo Zuma, the daughter of former South African President Jacob Zuma, as his 16th wife. Political analysts dismiss the union's geopolitical impact but see its potential in strengthening ties between the two leaders.

A royal delegation from Eswatini, also known as Swaziland, visited Jacob Zumas homestead at Nkandla in July in accordance with tradition, marking the start of Mswatis marriage proposal to Zuma.

Political analyst Mandla Hlatshwayo sees this union as a strategic move, cementing economic and political interests.

"President Zuma's role and capacity to be a major ambassador for Swaziland or the Swazi royal family is a noncontestable issue and has become even far more important in my view with the development or the emergence of MK [uMkhonto weSizwe] as a political party with President Zuma as its absolute president."

Sicelo Mngomezulu, a Swazi-born, South Africa-based lawyer, downplays the political impact of the marriage, arguing that Zuma's diminished role in South African politics renders him unable to influence Swazi politics.

However, he foresees the marriage "strengthening bilateral relations between the king of Swaziland and the former president, as we know by now that the former president of South Africa and king are actually business partners in some shape or form ... and so, we expect that part of their relationship will actually blossom."

Zuma is expected to go on trial on multiple corruption and racketeering charges next April. He has pleaded not guilty.

Meanwhile, Mswati has been criticized for his controversial polygamy and lavish lifestyle. Former Eswatini lawmaker Mduduzi Simelane points out the kings wedding will be expensive.

"Firstly, this high-profile wedding, with its steep dowry of 100 cattle and R2 million [2 million rands, or USD $113,300] and all the other hidden costs associated with a wedding of this nature, puts a significant strain on Swazilands economy. Secondly, within royal circles, this union has also been met with internal opposition among the royal wives. ... This marriage will cause an uproar."

Eswatini High Court lawyer Sibusiso Nhlabatsi agrees that whether seen as a strategic union of two powerful families or a personal decision to extend influence and financial gain, the kings marriage to Nomcebo Zuma will have a lasting impact on the two nations ties, for better or worse.
Tens of thousands of Israelis have surged into the streets in an outpouring of grief and anger after six more hostages were found dead in Gaza. We talk with Costanza Musu, an associate professor at the Graduate School of Public and International Affairs at the University of Ottawa. European Union High Representative Josep Borrell urged Ukraines international backers to lift restrictions preventing use of their weapons systems on Russian soil. And George Clooney and Brad Pitts new movie gets little theater play going almost straight to Apple TV+. Its the new way of doing business, says Clooney.
Refugee Paralympic Team triathlete Ibrahim Al Hussein said Monday he had come to "give a message of hope" after taking part in his third Paralympic Games.

Born in Syria, Al Hussein fled the civil war in his homeland, first seeking refuge in Turkey before settling in Greece in 2014.

But prior to his managing to flee Syria, the future Paralympian was injured during the war and lost his right foot as well as the joint of his left foot in 2012.

"I came to give a message to everyone, a message of hope," said Al Hussein after completing his race at the Paris Paralympics.

"Everyone, from where we are in the world, is going through a difficult time. Everyone can reach their destination.

"With serious work, with hard work, everyone can achieve their goal. It's not just the athletes. Everyone can achieve their goal."

Al Hussein overcame the hardships of war, injury and displacement to participate in para-swimming at Rio 2016 and then at the Tokyo Games three years ago.

Now in his third Paralympics, the 35-year-old competed in the triathlon, finishing sixth in the men's PTS3 race -- the category for athletes with significant disabilities.

"I am very happy. It was a very good result for me. It was my goal to be in the top six," said Al Hussein after recording a time of 1hr 12min 34sec.

"I want to thank the International Paralympic Committee for giving me this opportunity," he added.

"And I want to thank the UN Refugee Agency for believing in me."
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 2. Prime Minister of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ali Asadov met with Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Serbia Marko Djuric, Trend reports.

It was noted with satisfaction at the meeting that the Azerbaijani-Serbian relations, which are characterized by high dynamics of development, are of the nature of friendship and strategic partnership.

The role of the heads of state in strengthening bilateral relations and achieving their current high level was especially emphasized.

The mutual support of Azerbaijan and Serbia within the framework of international organizations, especially in matters of territorial integrity and sovereignty, was highly appreciated.

It was noted that effective cooperation is being carried out between the two countries in many areas, in particular in trade and economic, investment, oil and gas, and industrial spheres.

The prospects for increasing trade turnover and mutual investments between Azerbaijan and Serbia, developing cooperation in the field of renewable energy, transport and transit, humanitarian and other spheres were discussed at the meeting.
Russia launched a new aerial bombardment of Ukraine on Monday, its third in a week, as it targeted the capital Kyiv and other cities on the first day of the school year.

The massive assault came around 5:30 a.m. after a countrywide air alert, although Ukrainian officials said the number of casualties was limited and property damage minor. But an attack Sunday night on an orphanage in the northeastern city of Sumy wounded two children and 11 adults, according to Ukraines public broadcaster, Suspilne.

Meanwhile, Ukraine has attacked Russia with drones aimed at refineries and electrical plants, including one near Moscow on Sunday that caused fires and other damage.

Ukraines air force said it shot down nine ballistic missiles. In all, Ukraine said Moscows forces had launched 58 missiles and one-way attack drones targeting Ukraine sites.

Fighting also raged on near the eastern Ukraine city of Pokrovsk, where Russia has gained territory in recent weeks. In the latest fighting, Ukraines general staff said that Russian troops had attacked 63 times in the past day.

In Kyiv, Serhii Popko, the head of the citys military administration, said on Telegram that Russia launched a drone along with more than 10 cruise missiles and 10 ballistic missiles aimed at the city.

Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said falling debris from intercepts made by Ukrainian air defenses injured at least two people.

The Russian attack also damaged a boiler house at a water plant and the entrance to a subway station that is used as a bomb shelter.

The governors of the Dnipropetrovsk, Kherson, Mykolaiv and Poltava regions said Monday that air defenses shot down Russian drones over their regions, while the governor of Cherkasy said a missile was destroyed in the regions skies.

Russia said Monday it shot down two Ukrainian drones, including one over the Belgorod region and another over the Black Sea.

Belgorod Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov said on Telegram that Ukrainian forces hit multiple districts, damaging a commercial facility as well as several homes. At least one person was injured, he said.

Some information for this report came from Reuters, The Associated Press and Agence France-Presse.
A Chinese bookstore reopened in Washington on Sunday, six years after the Chinese government forced it to close its doors in Shanghai.

JF Books was teeming with books  and customers  when it opened its doors in Washingtons Dupont Circle neighborhood. In the storefront, the shops name is displayed in English and Mandarin in neon green lights. The sporadic rain was perhaps fitting considering the bookstores namesake jifeng means monsoon in Mandarin.

The bookstore is located next to Kramers, an indie bookstore that has been a Washington fixture for decades. Yu Miao, who runs JF Books, says he hopes his bookstore becomes an institution for the local community, too.

I hope the bookstore can establish a connection between people in the Chinese community, and this connection could be established through knowledge, Yu told VOA shortly before the shop opened for business. Also, I hope the bookstores function can go beyond the Chinese community. It can also contribute to the local community.

The shop sells Chinese-language books from Mainland China, Hong Kong and Taiwan, in addition to a selection of English-language books. It will also regularly host speakers for events.

Founded in Shanghai in 1997 as Jifeng Bookstore, the shop ran into trouble in 2017 when its landlord said the lease couldnt be extended. The bookstore looked for a new location, but the prospective landlords at each potential site received warnings or notifications from the government.

Jifeng Bookstore is one of several independent bookstores that Beijing has forced to close in recent years.

The fact that bookstores have become a battleground underscores the Chinese governments broader repression of free expression and crackdown on anything deemed to be critical of the government, according to Sophie Richardson, the former China director at Human Rights Watch.

[Chinese President] Xi Jinping and his government have clearly targeted a great deal of hostility at scholars, Richardson told VOA at the bookstore. Their books are regarded as potential threats, and so the party does what the party knows how to do, which is to send people into exile, to send them to jail, to shut down bookstores.

Chinas Washington embassy did not immediately reply to VOAs email requesting comment for this story.

Gesturing at the throngs of people who were looking at books about everything from Chinese history to science, Richardson, who is now a visiting scholar at Stanford, added that there is a clear hunger for Chinese books.

Its amazing to see this clear demand for this kind of material in an environment where people can get it free of fear of persecution, she said.

Thats another reason why Yu wanted to reopen the bookstore: It can be difficult to find Chinese-language books in the United States, he said. And so, I think there must be many others that have the same concern, he said.

When Jifeng Bookstore closed its doors in 2018, Yu never expected it to reopen.

I thought it was closed, then its story ended, Yu said. I never imagined to reopen the bookstore.

Now, JF Books has joined a rising number of independent Chinese bookstores that are being opened by members of the diaspora in cities around the world. They sell books and hold discussions about politics and history in a way that the Chinese government has stifled inside China.

JF Books already has scheduled three speakers for September. Howard Shen, a graduate student at Georgetown University, told VOA that hes especially excited about the upcoming events.

Its such a big thing in the Chinese speaking community in D.C. We are all very excited to have this bookstore. Its such a meaningful place for all Chinese in the world who love freedom, said Shen, who is from Taiwan.

One corner of the store features farewell messages that customers wrote back when the store was forced to shutter in 2018. Leading up to the bookstores second floor, photos on the wall memorialize the bookstores two-decade history in Shanghai. At the top of the staircase, photos show the bookstores final day in 2018.

Jifeng Bookstore will soon depart from Shanghai, the caption of one photo reads, but the monsoon will continue to blow.
An Islamic State affiliate in Afghanistan claimed Tuesday that it was behind a suicide bombing in Kabul the previous day, killing at least six people and injuring 13 others.

The de facto Taliban government reported the casualties shortly after Mondays attack in the Afghan capital, noting that a man detonated explosives strapped to his body in the middle of a crowd and describing the victims as civilians.

However, the Afghan offshoot of the Middle East-based global terror network, known as the Islamic State-Khorasan or IS-K, disputed the Talibans claims in a post Tuesday on its Telegram channel.

IS-K asserted that one of its suicide bombers had targeted the state prosecution service and put the casualties at more than 45, saying Taliban members were also among the fatalities.

The attack came in retaliation for Muslim prisoners in Taliban prisons, especially after their transfer to the notorious 'Bagram' prison, in a repeat of the American era and its practices against prisoners, IS-K stated.

It referred to the former U.S.-run military base and detention center just north of Kabul. Bagram served as the main base for American troops for nearly two decades until they withdrew from Afghanistan in 2021, after which the then-insurgent Taliban swept back to power.

U.S. forces would detain terrorism suspects and Taliban insurgents at the Bagram prison amid persistent allegations that inmates were being subjected to abuse there.

Mondays IS-K attack in Kabul came a day after Taliban prison officials announced that the Bagram detention facility was being reactivated and that some prisoners had already been transferred there. But they did not elaborate further.

Neither IS-K claims nor those made by the Taliban could be verified from independent sources, with both sides often accused of inflating or hiding details about such attacks.

Taliban authorities insist their counterterrorism operations have almost decimated IS-K in Afghanistan since retaking control of the country three years ago. However, U.S. officials and United Nations reports have repeatedly disputed the Talibans claims, identifying IS-K as a growing terrorism threat to the region and beyond.

Some information in this report came from Reuters.
This week marks the start of the school year in Ukraine, a pivotal time for any student, especially for teenagers in their final year of high school. Ukrainian teens have more than just grades and university choices on their minds  they are grappling with the realities of war.

One student, still haunted by memories of his hometown in the Luhansk region, nearly all under Russian control, struggles to adapt to life in the Kyiv area after surviving the Russian occupation. Homesickness lingers, a constant reminder of what he left behind. Two other teens agonize over choosing their future professions: They make plans for the future while navigating daily threats from Russian-guided bombs and missiles in their front-line cities.

Just before the school year started, the three found a time of peace and healing at a summer camp on the opposite side of the country. The camp for children affected by the war was created and organized by the Voices of Children charity foundation and sponsored by the Olena Zelenska Foundation, the charity set up by the wife of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

For the three teens, it was a rare chance to socialize with other young people from around Ukraine who faced war trauma and to take a much-needed break to find further strength.

'I am confident that I will have a future'

What 16-year-old Oleksandr Hryshchenko liked most about the summer camp in Uzhhorod, near the western border with Slovakia, was that "there was no focus on the war."

"You relax, talk about what's been weighing on you during the day," he said. His village, Vorozhba, is located at the other end of the country, less than 10 kilometers (6 miles) from the Russian border, in the northern Sumy region.

For him, the camp was a rare opportunity to escape the relentless explosions and danger, especially after the Ukrainian military advanced into Russia's Kursk region, about 50 kilometers away.

"People who are farther from the border are still enjoying, celebrating the capture of new villages, but they don't understand, don't feel, don't know what's happening in the border area," he said. "The Russians have started striking towns much more aggressively."

Shelling has fluctuated in intensity throughout the war, but this summer has been particularly challenging. While the Russians previously relied on artillery, they now target Vorozhba with far more terrifying glide bombs, which he describes as "much worse."

While Oleksandr had the opportunity to work with psychologists at the camp and communicate with other children there, he remains in constant contact with his family. During a recent strike, his house was shaken by blast waves from a bomb, causing a light fixture to fall from the ceiling.

His final year at his hometown school will largely be online. Many people left the village this summer, but Oleksandr said his family isn't planning to leave just yet.

"We know that if we leave now, there might be nothing left to return to," he said. His entire family, including his grandparents, still lives there, while his father has been serving on the front lines since the early days of Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022.

"For me, my father is the bravest person in my life," Oleksandr said. The war has changed him, he said: He used to have a softer character, but now he's more reserved.

The impact of the war is a constant worry, he said. "You think about it every night before bed. You mull over it all day, wondering what comes next."

Despite the turmoil, Oleksandr feels he is taking control of his destiny, concentrating on his final year of school, preparing for entrance exams and choosing a university.

"I am confident that Ukraine will have a future, I will have a future, and I know that everything will be fine, but we need to get through these times," he said.

A community of witnesses to war

Sixteen-year-old Valerii Soldatenko still has visions of his hometown in the Luhansk region which he fled on Aug. 29, 2022, after living under Russian occupation for about six months.

"There are moments when I almost see it before my eyes. I see familiar faces, I see those beautiful white hills," Valerii said. His native village, Bilokurakyne, in the northern part of the Luhansk region, is occupied by Russian forces.

For him, education was a crucial factor in his decision to leave. In August 2022, just before the new school year began, he fled because the Russian curriculum had been imposed.

"I really didn't want to conform to the Russian education system," he said. "So it was clear that I was at the greatest risk and could put my family in the most danger."

His family settled near Kyiv, but Valerii still struggles to adjust. He longs for his friends, the familiar landscapes of Luhansk and his old house  a crafted building of clay, hay, and chalk with a blue facade and white columns.

Among the few belongings he brought with him is a walnut shell from a friend, a cherished reminder as time, and distance, make it harder to stay in touch.

"Before we left, we hoped to be home by November or December, celebrating Christmas and New Year with family," Valerii said. "But as you can see, I'm sitting here, not in my native village."

He came to the camp to connect with other "witnesses of war," seeking both reflection and insight into how his peers in front-line areas are coping.

As he prepares to start his final year of high school, he is finalizing his choice of university, although he is still unsure whether to pursue a career as a journalist or a history teacher.

"I would say that (the war) took away my childhood, especially after I fled," he said.

Being a teenager in wartime is hard'

Kseniia Kucher, 16, dreams of her graduation day, envisioning a celebration or a trip with her classmates. But with schooling in the northeastern city of Kharkiv mostly online due to routine Russian strikes, that may not be feasible.

Her family has packed its "emergency bags" with essential items and documents but currently has no plans to leave.

"It's really hard to go through, especially when the strikes happen at night. You literally wake up from being jolted in bed because of the explosions," she said. "And yet, it's easier because you're still at home. You're with your loved ones and not in a foreign environment."

At camp, hundreds of kilometers from Kharkiv, Kseniia found a rare chance to decompress. "I even started having some dreams here," she said.

She particularly cherished the late-night conversations with peers, in which they shared their experiences and connected personally.

"I don't have many friends in general, in life. And now they've all scattered," she reflected. When she's at home, she tries not to dwell on her prewar life but instead focuses on the present.

"I live in the moment and don't make big plans for the future because, understanding the current situation ... I don't know what will happen in a year," she said.

She lives with her mother and younger brother, while her father serves on the front lines. Kseniia sees him once every few months.

While she spoke, the distant sounds of thunderstorms kept distracting her with their resemblance to explosions.

"Being a teenager during war is hard," she said. "You don't fully understand your emotions, and everything affects you  from a hurtful word to a barrage of missiles. It's hard to live with that."
Tunisia's electoral authority on Monday announced it had approved three presidential candidates for the October 6 election, including incumbent President Kais Saied, dismissing three other would-be candidates despite court rulings allowing them to run.

The three dismissed candidates had last week won appeals at the Administrative Court against a decision from the High Independent Authority for Elections (ISIE) disqualifying them from running.

The authority had said they had not obtained enough of the endorsements required to run for the top post. They were among 14 hopefuls whose bids for the race were rejected.

On Monday, the ISIE said its initial list was "definitive and not subject to appeal."

It said it was maintaining the same list announced on August 10 because "the administrative court did not officially communicate its decisions within the 48-hour deadline according to the law."

As it stands, former parliamentarian Zouhair Maghzaoui and businessman Ayachi Zammel are set to challenge Saied, the election's frontrunner.

Zammel was however arrested earlier Monday on charges of lying about details of his campaign, according to his team.

Zammel is the only approved candidate to be arrested, but he joins a list of presidential hopefuls who have been imprisoned or are facing prosecution.

Saied was democratically elected in 2019 but orchestrated a sweeping power grab in 2021.

On Saturday, a petition signed by prominent Tunisians and civil society groups urged that rejected candidates be allowed to stand in the October election.

Among the rejected candidates are Imed Daimi, an adviser to former president Moncef Marzouki, former minister Mondher Zenaidi and opposition party leader Abdellatif Mekki.

The petition said the administrative court's rulings on appeals "are enforceable and cannot be contested by any means whatsoever."

It called on the ISIE to "respect the law and avoid any practice that could undermine the transparency and integrity of the electoral process."
Tunisia's electoral commission rejected a court ruling Monday reinstating three presidential candidates and police arrested another candidate in what opposition critics said was another example of President Kais Saied stifling competition.

Defying the highest judicial body, the commission approved only the candidacies of Saied and two others, Zouhair Magzhaoui and Ayachi Zammel, for the Oct. 6 presidential election.

"The commission is the only body constitutionally entrusted with the integrity of election," Farouk Bouasker the head of electoral commission said.

Earlier Monday, police arrested Zammel, a member of his campaign told Reuters. The campaign member said the arrest appeared aimed at distracting him from his campaign.

The developments could shake the credibility of the vote and deepen a political crisis that has been escalating since 2021, when Saied began ruling by decree in a move the opposition described as a coup.

Last week, the Administrative Court, the highest judicial body that adjudicates electoral disputes, reinstated three prominent candidates, Mondher Znaidi, AbdelLatif Mekki and Imed Daimi, to the election race after the electoral commission had rejected their candidacy filing.

Dozens of activists gathered near the commission's headquarters Monday, demanding the commission step down.

"This is a complete coup against the will of the voters. ... This sets a precedent in election history that the commission does not respect the decision of the Administrative Court," Hichem Ajbouni, a protester, told Reuters.

"We have moved to the law of force. This is a farce," he added.

Tunisian opposition parties and human rights groups have accused the authorities of using "arbitrary restrictions" and intimidation to help ensure Saied's reelection.

Opposition politicians have said the electoral commission was no longer independent and its sole goal had become ensuring an easy victory for Saied.

The commission denies these accusations and says it is neutral.

Saied, who was democratically elected in 2019, said last year he would not hand over the country to "non-patriots."
As North Korea's nuclear and missile programs become increasingly sophisticated, U.S.-based experts see the United States shifting the focus of its diplomacy from the pursuit of denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula to one of deterrence.

Officially, the U.S. State Department insists that denuclearization remains the primary goal of the United States and South Korea, a policy that is unlikely to change regardless of the outcome of the November U.S. presidential election.

But in a series of email interviews with VOA Korean, more than half a dozen experts said they saw scant hope that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un could be persuaded to give up his growing nuclear arsenal and that the U.S. must concentrate instead on seeing that it is never used.

"I think, in practical terms, most Americans believe we have little choice at this point but to prioritize deterrence, at least for the foreseeable future," said Michael O'Hanlon, director of foreign policy research at the Brookings Institution in Washington, in an email to VOA Korean this week.

Robert Peters, research fellow for nuclear deterrence and missile defense at the Heritage Foundation, told VOA Korean via email that American politicians on both sides of the political spectrum are questioning whether North Korea would even consider abandoning its nuclear weapons.

"I think there is little appetite in either political party to seek denuclearization with North Korea, given the failures of the late 2010s," Peters said, referring to the collapse of the nuclear talks between former U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, who met three times in 2018 and 2019.

"I think all sides recognize that Kim will not give up nuclear weapons at any price."

Shifting priorities

Negotiations over North Korea's nuclear program between Washington and Pyongyang have been nearly nonexistent since October 2019.

Peters added, "Bottom line  without question, the ground has shifted regarding how we think about the North Korean nuclear threat."

Gary Samore, former White House coordinator for arms control and weapons of mass destruction during the Obama administration, said Washington's shift in direction was inevitable.

"The U.S. government has been forced to place more emphasis on deterrence over denuclearization because Kim Jong Un has shown no willingness to negotiate a nuclear deal or even meet with the U.S. to discuss denuclearization," Samore told VOA Korean via email.

"Instead, North Korea has continued to advance its nuclear and missile program, and the U.S. has responded by strengthening military cooperation with the ROK and Japan, including joint efforts to enhance extended deterrence."

ROK stands for Republic of Korea, the official name of South Korea.

Denuclearization of North Korea is now viewed in Washington as a "mission impossible," said Bruce Bennett, a senior defense analyst at the RAND Corporation.

"I think it is fair to say that the U.S. government is now more focused on deterrence, which is largely succeeding, than on denuclearization," Bennett told VOA Korean via email.

"This change does not mean that the U.S. and ROK have abandoned trying to negotiate for denuclearization, which North Korea steadfastly refuses to do, but rather that our governments no longer see denuclearization as a viable solution to the North Korean nuclear weapon threat."

Markus Garlauskas, director of the Indo-Pacific Security Initiative at the Atlantic Council, told VOA Korean via email it was "fully appropriate" that Washington has been paying more attention in recent years to deterring North Korean aggression than attempting to negotiate denuclearization.

"I have long argued that Kim Jong Un does not intend to give up his nuclear weapons, that the nuclear weapons and missile capabilities of North Korea have grown and will continue to grow, meaning that we in the United States and its allies must adjust our strategy and policy accordingly," he said.

"We should not let hopes of negotiations get in the way of making tough decisions to improve deterrence," added Garlauskas, who served as the U.S. national intelligence officer for North Korea from 2014 to 2020.

He stressed, however, that "accepting the reality that North Korea is nuclear-armed and will remain so while under Kim Jong Un's leadership" does not mean that the U.S. should or would give up denuclearization as a goal.

"Our principled stand can and should remain that North Korea must comply with U.N. Security Council resolutions by halting its nuclear and ballistic missile programs and relinquishing its nuclear weapons, and I do think there is still broad agreement on that in Washington," Garlauskas said.

Commitment to denuclearization

Sydney Seiler, who until last year was the national intelligence officer for North Korea on the U.S. National Intelligence Council, said the U.S. should keep denuclearization as a priority, adding that "denuclearization and deterrence are not mutually exclusive."

"We have a responsibility on a day-by-day basis to deter provocative actions, coercion, blackmail and even possible invasion by North Korea and have been doing so for the last 70 years of armistice," said Seiler, who is now a senior adviser on Korean affairs at the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

"Successfully ensuring deterrence does not mean abandoning the goal of the denuclearization of North Korea," he told VOA Korean via email.

Robert Abrams, a retired U.S. Army four-star general who served as commander of U.S. Forces Korea from 2018 to 2021, emphasized that a strategy of deterrence should be clearly differentiated from the goal of denuclearization.

"The U.S. strategic deterrent was never about stopping the North Korean regime from developing their own nukes," Abrams told VOA Korean in an August 20 email.

"Sanctions and diplomatic efforts were intended to stop North Korea's nuclear program. The strategic deterrent is to deter North Korea from ever using nuclear weapons, and that has obviously been very successful."

Officially, Washington reiterates that denuclearization of North Korea remains a goal of the U.S.-South Korea alliance.

"The United States and the ROK continue to pursue the shared objective of the complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula," a State Department spokesperson told VOA Korean via email this week. "We believe that the only effective way to reduce nuclear threats on the peninsula is by curbing the proliferation of nuclear weapons."

But the spokesperson stressed that deterrence was also a crucial element of U.S. policy toward North Korea.

"At the same time, the United States and the ROK will continue working together to strengthen extended deterrence in the face of increasingly aggressive DPRK rhetoric about its nuclear weapons program," the spokesperson said.

He added that the 16-month-old Washington Declaration "reinforces the fact that any nuclear attack by [North Korea] against [South Korea] will be met with a swift, overwhelming and decisive response from the United States."

In April 2023, U.S. President Joe Biden and South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol adopted the Washington Declaration, which outlines a series of measures to deter North Korea's nuclear weapons use.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 2. Vice President of Turkiye Cevdet Yilmaz congratulated President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev on the results of the parliamentary elections in Azerbaijan, Trend reports.

"I sincerely congratulate President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and the New Azerbaijan Party, which won the elections to the Milli Majlis of the seventh convocation. It is also gratifying that for the first time in 30 years, parliamentary elections were held throughout the sovereign territory of Azerbaijan, including in Karabakh. I hope that yesterday's elections to the Milli Majlis will contribute to peace and stability in the region, and will serve the benefit of the people of Azerbaijan and the entire Turkic world," Cevdet Yilmaz wrote on his page on X.
Each month, several films and TV shows are added to Peacocks library; we recommend the titles worth watching. For more streaming guides and Peacock, head to Vultures What to Stream hub. Jennifers Body. Photo: Doane Gregory/20th Century Fox

Dont have Paramount+ yet?

This Months Highlight

Jennifers Body

The start of October officially welcomes in the spooky season, so you might as well celebrate with a cult classic Jennifers Body. Megan Fox stars as Jennifer, a teenager who becomes a boy eating demon, and her friend Needy (Amanda Seyfried) whos figuring out what the hell is happening. The potential boys on the menu include Adam Brody, Johnny Simmons, Kyle Gallner, and Chris Pratt. Watch to find out. (Streaming October 1.)

Full List of Whats New on Paramount+  October 2024

Noteworthy selections in bold.

Available October 1

28 Weeks Later

30 Days of Night

A Simple Plan

All About the Benjamins

All the Wrong Ingredients

Allegiant

Almost Famous

Along Came a Spider

American Psycho

Amistad

Antlers

Arena Wars

Bad Behaviour

Best Defense

Black Rock

Bram Stokers Dracula

Buried

Chaplin

Chocolat

Cliffhanger

Coach Carter

Colombiana

Days of Heaven

Deliver Us from Evil

Desperado

Divergent

Django Unchained

Downhill Racer

Dying of the Light

Eastern Promises

Eddie Murphy: Raw

Elizabethtown

Enough

Escape from Alcatraz

Eyes Wide Shut

Fear (1990)

Fido

Finding Neverland

Flatliners (1990)

Fools Rush In

Freedom Writers

Fresh (2022)

Friday the 13th (1980)

Friday the 13th: Part II

Friday the 13th: Part III

Friday the 13th Part IV: The Final Chapter

Friday the 13th Part V: A New Beginning

Friday the 13th Part VI: Jason Lives

Friday the 13th Part VII: The New Blood

Friday the 13th Part VIII: Jason Takes Manhattan

Frozen River

Galaxy Quest

Gothika

Hard Eight

Heat (1995)

Heaven Can Wait

Hell or High Water

Hellraiser III: Hell On Earth

Hellraiser IV: Bloodline

Hellraiser V: Inferno

Hellraiser VI: Hellseeker

Hellraiser VII: Deader

Hellraiser VIII: Hellworld

Hide and Seek

Hugo

Hustle & Flow

Imagine That

Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull

Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade

Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark

Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom

Insurgent

Jawbreaker

Jennifers Body

John Carpenters Escape From L.A.

John Grishams The Rainmaker

Juice

Just My Luck

Lemony Snickets A Series Of Unfortunate Events

Life

Little Women (1994)

Love Story

Maggies Plan

Marathon Man

Margin Call

Men, Women & Children

Mirrors

Monstrous

Mud

Obsessed

Oculus

Once Upon A Time In Mexico

Only Lovers Left Alive

Orphan

Planes, Trains and Automobiles

Pride And Glory

Private Parts

Prospect

Queen of The Damned

Re: Uniting

Resident Evil

Road Trip

Runaway Jury

Scary Movie 3

Scary Movie 4

School Ties

Scooby-Doo and the Alien Invaders

Scooby-Doo and the Legend of the Vampire

Scooby-Doo and the Loch Ness Monster

Scooby-Doo Meets the Boo Brothers

Scooby-Doo! Frankencreepy

Scrooged

Set it Off: Directors Cut

Sleepy Hollow

Smallfoot

Snakes On a Plane

Southpaw

Spanglish

Spawn

Stephen Kings Graveyard Shift

Stephen Kings Silver Bullet

Stephen Kings Thinner

Stir of Echoes

Surviving Christmas

Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street

Swingers

Team America: World Police

The Belko Experiment

The Blob

The Core

The Day After Tomorrow

The Exorcism of Emily Rose

The Gambler

The Generals Daughter

The Girl in the Pool

The Green Inferno

The Hours

The Ladies Man

The Legend of Zorro

The Little Vampire

The Midnight Meat Train

The Negotiator

The Net

The Orphanage

The Running Man

The Stepford Wives

The Truman Show

The Wash

The Wicker Man (2006)

This Ones for the Ladies

Three Days of the Condor

Training Day

True Grit (2010)

Universal Soldier

Vampire in Brooklyn

Vantage Point

We Own the Night

Weird Science

Wild Eyed and Wicked

Wild Things

Willard

Available October 2

Monster High: The Series, season 1

Available October 7

American Music Awards 50th Anniversary Special

Available October 8

An Oprah Special: The Presleys  Elvis, Lisa Marie and Riley

Available October 9

Blaze and the Monster Machines, season 7

Blaze and the Monster Machines: Wild Wheels Escape to Animal Island

Blaze and the Monster Machines: Big Rig to the Rescue!

Blaze and the Monster Machines: Racecar Adventures

Available October 10

SpongeBob SquarePants: Kreepaway Kamp

Available October 13

Tracker Season, season 2 premiere

Available October 14

NCIS, season 22 premiere

NCIS: Origins, premiere

Available October 15

FBI, season 7 premiere

FBI: International, season 4 premiere

FBI: Most Wanted, season 6 premiere

FBI: True, season 5 premiere

Available October 16

Love & Hip Hop Atlanta, season 11

Tyler Perrys The Oval, seasons 1-3

Available October 17

Elsbeth, season 2 premiere

Georgie & Mandys First Marriage, premiere

Ghosts, season 4 premiere

Available October 18

Blue Bloods, season 14

Fire Country, season 3 premiere

S.W.A.T., season 8 premiere

Available October 20

The Equalizer, season 5 premiere

Available October 21

Poppas House, premiere

The Neighborhood, season 7 premiere

Available October 22

Tale of Tales

Available October 24

Star Trek: Lower Decks, final season premiere

Available October 25

Transformers: EarthSpark, season 3 premiere

Available October 27

Lioness, season 2 premiere

Available October 28

Ezra

Treasure
What an episode of Snowpiercer! A monster (maybe two?) was defeated, another took its place, and we have Jennifer Connelly back! A lot happened this week, and there is a lot to unravel, starting with Layton and Wilfords attempted escape from the silos basement and the army of soldiers coming to kill them both. Though Alex snuck down and gave them a wristband with access to every door, Wilford correctly assumed they deactivated it the moment they realized Alex had stolen it. Without much time before the first of the Admirals forces arrive, they split up. Layton starts fighting but is quickly overwhelmed until the leader of the Morlocks he befriended last week helps him barricade the elevator. Meanwhile, Wilford sends Alex away through the air vents, telling her to get on the train and find Melanie; he is leaving his legacy to her. Then Wilford, ever the cool yet despicable bastard, rigs a sonic weapon and uses the power of music to make the soldiers fall to their knees while Layton blows up the door to the staircase, allowing the two enemies-turned-allies to escape and begin the walk up to the surface.

Meanwhile, Melanie finally arrives from her research and gets to work, concerned that the Gemini compound is not ready, but instead is damaging humanity and the atmosphere. She is also the only person we see who talks back at the Admiral and is not intimidated by him. In turn, he does not threaten her or even undermine her authority; instead, he just keeps the events of the last few episodes hidden. Melanie has reason to worry because she discovers that radiation levels have gone up a lot and toxicity is high in the atmosphere. She also immediately realizes that Alex is in the silo after seeing one of her drawings on a notebook and confronts Nima, who confesses to everything  well, almost. It turns out Melanie was sent away as a distraction, so she wouldnt be around while the Admiral lured Big Alice to the silo using Liana. Of course, this was all Wilfords plan.

While looking for Alex, Melanie runs into Layton and Wilford, and the three decide its time to take down the Admiral, who is abandoning the silo and making off with the trains as his new kingdom. Melanie finds Alex, and they sneak up on board the Snowpiercer; Alex tells her mom about what happened to Ben and about her experiments in New Eden. Layton also gets inside the train, but not before he finds Josie and Liana  who they convince Doctor Headwood to give away.

Wilford heads out to confront the Admiral, telling the others to hold his trains for him. Unsurprisingly, this is easier said than done, with the Admiral catching Wilford and taking him down to the basement again, this time at gunpoint, to watch him freeze to death once and for all. Except, in Wilfords greatest moment, all of his years doing bizarre experiments on people, injecting who knows what into his bloodstream pays off. In one of the weirdest turns ever in Snowpiercer, Wilfords frostbite disappears and he starts breathing and acting perfectly fine in the freezing cold.

It turns out that he is now like Josie, a mutant capable of surviving the cold without a problem. This is by far the most sci-fi thing the show has done, and although it would have been nice to see just a little more of how this works exactly, its a testament to the writers that they go so hard on the weirdness of it. Wilford overpowers the Admiral, disconnects his suits ventilation system, and watches him slowly freeze to death. Admiral Anton Miliuss reach has exceeded its grasp, and after seven episodes of torturing the passengers of Snowpiercer and serving as a thorn in everyones side, he dies.

With the Admiral gone, Wilford quickly takes control of the Silo, but its too late to stop Snowpiercer, as Nima convinces the remaining soldiers to prioritize the mission over their loyalty to Milius. He was never a poor little weakling under the boot of the Admiral; he was always the one facilitating every one of the Admirals moves, all for the sake of his (not their) mission. He doesnt care about saving humanity as much as he cares about being the one to do it. Melanie confronts the scientist, saying that the radiation caused by Gemini is exponentially worse than when the ozone layer was destroyed; they must delay the launch of the compound. But Nima doesnt want to hear it; he thinks they will survive the radiation and the nosebleeds, even if Melanie paints a rather bleak future  if Gemini launches, it wont just counteract the cooling CW-7 agent that froze the world, it will erode the atmosphere and deplete all breathable oxygen before humanity perishes. Granted, her theory is in large part based on the experiments Alex did by sending birds to the edge of New Eren to test the limits of the climate pockets, but as unreliable as they might be, Alex is the only one who got data on the environment from live subjects at high altitudes. But Nima wont listen to Melanies pleas to triple-check the data. He has worked on this project for 15 years and will not have anyone tell him hes wrong. But wait, you might ask, the freeze only happened nine years ago. How has Nima been working on a warming agent for that long?

It turns out that the only person who realizes the length of Nimas treachery is Wilford himself, the only other person with an ego and pride to match Nima. Wilford also sneaks onboard Snowpiercer from the outside. He is quite literally immune to all cold but without Icy Bobs mutant look. But Layton is back there, waiting for him. This is it. After so much pain and suffering and deliciously evil charm, this is the end of Joseph Wilford. Though he tries to plea with Layton not to be a cold-blooded (ironic, I know) killer, Layton doesnt listen. Rather than shoot him, however, he allows Wilford one last cigarette, which he confesses is laced with poison. He starts rambling about Buddhism and vices, and right before he dies, Wilford leaves us with one last big reveal  Nima was always the threat. Not the Admiral. Not himself. Nima was too proud to see the error of his ways, yet again. It was he who launched CW-7 and froze the world, and now, to correct his mistake, he will make it all burn.

Tailie Thoughts

 The episode begins with narration from the Admiral, and his backstory. Turns out he went mad with power and started doing human trials without authorization. He found out his own wife reported him to his boss, who fired him. In revenge, he literally poisoned the lowest levels of the silo with the Gemini compound, using everyone down there as lab rats, and killing his wife.

 Ive never begged for anything in my life. People beg me! It is very ironic that Wilford said this in the same episode he dies, isnt it?

 Do all scientists take an oath of pessimism?

 Its unfortunate that Wilfords death clearly overshadows everything else in the episode, because not only was the death of the Admiral one of the best in the show, but Clark Gregg was a fantastic villain.

 See, what did I say? Just bring back Jennifer Connelly and the show is immediately improved.

 Layton, Josiel, and Liana are left behind in the last car, which is decoupled from Snowpiercer. With only three episodes to go, who could possibly rescue them in time?

 This weeks problem in New Eden: Power is running out while Big Alice is stationed just outside of town unable to come closer without detonating the bombs. Though Javi finds the detonator and freezes it to safely move it, we cut away and see the results of a big explosion near the tracks. Is this also the end of Javi? Could Snowpiercer get any crueler?
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Azerbaijan Airlines is launching direct flights from Baku to the Maldives, marking a significant milestone in the airline's history. This new route offers passengers a gateway to one of the most picturesque corners of the world.

AZAL's first flight from Baku to Male, the capital of the Maldives, is scheduled for November 8th. Starting from that date, flights will be operated twice a week  on Fridays and Sundays.

This direct flight greatly reduces travel time, eliminating the inconvenience of layovers. Its the perfect option for those who value their time and comfort.

Flight tickets can be booked on the airline's official website www.azal.az, via the mobile app or purchased at AZAL ticket offices.

Don't miss the opportunity to be among the first passengers on AZAL's new route. Immerse yourself in the beauty of sunny beaches and discover new horizons with Azerbaijan Airlines!
The Waterford greats of the showband era will be celebrated in the Deise at an event being organised to coincide with Culture Night.

The event will take place in Ardkeen Library and the night promises to be one of the music highlights of the year.

The showband era was an iconic period in Irish music history that saw legendary venues around the country packed to capacity as headline names regularly toured the Irish and UK circuit.

The upcoming event will provide a great opportunity for people to relive their memories of a golden era in Irish showbusiness. However, for all discerning music fans it will also be a chance to discover what was a very important time for Irish music, for the first time.

The organisers said it will be an evening filled with fun, laughter, music, dance, and lively chat.

A significant aspect of the night will also be the chance for people to bring along their own photos and memorabilia of that classic time and recall stories and events of the showband scene.

In many ways it will be about making music history come alive.

John Keane from WLR will be in the DJ booth and the music on the night will play a big part in creating and re-experiencing the classic sounds of the showband's finest artists.

Waterford played a major role in the showband scene and in particular, the Deise's own Royal Showband was without doubt the leader of the showband phenomenon in Ireland during the 1960s. The story of the band dated back to the 1950s and its origins in the Fisherman's Hall in Dunmore East. While many musicians were household names at the time, the one name synonymous with the showband scene was Brendan Bowyer - without doubt the biggest star to emerge from the scene.

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.
Last week, two protests took place in Ardmore, Co. Waterford, to call on the government to take urgent action to address the lack of school transport for secondary school students as the academic year returns.

At present, the only option for children is to meet a bus on the busy N25 road. This solution presented as a compromise by the Department of Education was branded a cop out not a compromise by local parents.

Ardmore bus protests.

Parents believe it is extremely dangerous, particularly on dark winter evenings. They said that the N25 between Youghal and Dungarvan is a notoriously dangerous stretch of road and indeed there was a serious road traffic accident there while the protest was taking place last week in Ardmore.

Last week, parents from Ardmore also appealed to political representatives to find a solution to the issue.

Representatives said: Students who thought they were on a small bus were misinformed so had to cross the N25 to get the large bus. Traffic was passing during all this time and there was not enough space on the hard shoulder.

We urgently need a school bus that comes to Ardmore village; parents continue to be concerned about the safety of the bus pick up at Kiely's cross.

Ardmore parent Anto Howard spoke further to the Waterford News & Star about the situation, saying there's two sides to the issue, the first is getting an accessible bus for Ardmore people, the second is a safety issue with the current offering of going up to the N25 to get collected, which has had more accidents on it this week.

"We need an affordable bus for the people of Ardmore and that has the capacity for all the kids. We're not leaving anyone behind."

It is estimated that approximately 20% of the entire population of Ardmore attended each protest.

Anto also reminded political representatives that this "dangerous and inaccessible" bus does not have seats for every child and therefore should not be presented as a viable solution.

Parents have made representations to the Department of Education, Local Link and local political representatives but there is still no solution in place.

Brenda Griffin, one of the organisers of last weekends protest, said it is "really shocking" that no progress has been made on this issue for the rural community of Ardmore in two decades.

With the support of the whole community, we are going to continue to raise this issue and will remember who stood beside us come election time," she said.

The Department of Transport and Department of Education were approached for comment by the Waterford News & Star.

We were told: The Department of Education are best placed to answer it as it falls within their remit.

A statement from this Department said: Over 3,300 tickets have issued to eligible and concessionary students in Waterford for the 2024/2025 school year, an increase of 4% on tickets issued at the same time last year.

All eligible pupils on the route who applied and paid/entered medical card details on time who meet the criteria for the school transport scheme have been issued tickets.

"Children who are not eligible for school transport may apply for transport on a concessionary basis only and will be facilitated where spare seats are available after eligible children have been accommodated.

Bus Eireann has advised that in general pupils residing in Ardmore are concessionary pupils as they reside closer to Youghal PPC. They further advised that a supervisor has been in place at the location to monitor the situation."
The Star has been suspended from trading on the ASX after it failed to unveil its financial results for the 12 months to June 30, as its executives continue to lobby governments, banks and investors in a last-ditch effort to stay solvent.

Star Entertainment Group operates three casinos in Sydney, Brisbane and the Gold Coast and in the coming days is expected to show a billion-dollar impairment after months of poor trading and inflated regulatory costs.

New boss Steve McCann has been locked in talks with the Queensland and NSW governments since last week to try and secure tax reprieves to bide the battered business some time to shore up its financials. He has also been lobbying major investors and banks in the hope of securing a fresh cash injection.

The Star may get a tax reprieve in Queensland and opened its new Queens Wharf Brisbane precinct last Thursday. Credit: Star Entertainment

Queensland Premier Steven Miles confirmed on Monday his government was considering The Stars request. A spokesperson for the NSW government said it was up to the business to maintain its financial viability.
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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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.
Back in the Supreme Court now, Brittany Higgins lawyer has downplayed the relevance of photographs showing her on the federal election campaign trail in Perth weeks after her alleged rape, insisting it did not diminish the trauma she was experiencing.

In the first week of her month-long defamation trial with Liberal Senator Linda Reynolds, the court was shown more than a dozen photographs from Higgins brief stint on the campaign trail in Perth ahead of the 2019 federal election.

Higgins has previously claimed she was ostracised and shut in a hotel room seven days a week during the six-week work stint. Her laywer told the court today she chose to attend after allegedly being raped in Reynolds ministerial office because not doing so could harm her her future job prospects.

Reynolds legal team had argued photographs, social media posts and correspondence showing Higgins door-knocking, fine dining, rubbing shoulders with former prime minister Scott Morrison and sitting alongside Reynolds at her birthday dinner suggested otherwise.

But Higgins lawyer Rachael Young, SC, minimised the relevance of the images during closing submissions on Monday, arguing several text messages tendered as evidence made it clear Higgins was still processing the gravity of what had happened to her.

The mere fact Ms Higgins did her job and did it well does not diminish the fact she was suffering trauma and distress in the days and weeks after her rape in 2019. Two things can be true, she said.

Reynolds, the former defence minister, is suing her former staffer for damages and aggravated damages over social media publications she claims accused her of mishandling Higgins alleged rape and attempting to silence victims of sexual assault.

Higgins is defending the action, claiming the substance of the posts was true, and that Reynolds has used the media to harass her. The six-week campaign stint has become a flashpoint in Higgins argument the allegation was mishandled.
Suburbia is unsustainable. Its the planners dogma: suburbs require too much land, energy, cars and infrastructure to support too few people in oversized houses. And we are world champions: our cities have the lowest densities in the OECD.

Now, through a combination of technology and design, that idea could be turned on its head: suburbia could be the most sustainable form of urban living.

The edge of development suburbia: Marsden Park is in the Blacktown local government area, one of the regions with the greatest improvement in tree canopy. Credit: Brook Mitchell

Inklings of change are found in two recent statistics. Australia now has the highest uptake in the world of photovoltaic (PV) solar panels on roofs; and most electric vehicles are sold in our suburbs, not the city.

PV panels have a singular beauty: electrical energy is distributed by the sun, not wires. And batteries give energy independence. At a stroke, it reduces both the energy costs to the consumer and the number of poles and wires from power stations. Less dependence on fossil fuels, and fewer transmission lines in ecologically sensitive areas are good for sustainability.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 2. The US-Azerbaijani Youth Forum was held at George Washington University, Trend reports.

The forum was attended by the university students and professors, as well as Azerbaijani students and professors from 21 states and cities across the US and Azerbaijani diplomats working in Washington.

The event began with the national anthems of Azerbaijan and the US, followed by a moment of silence to honor the martyrs who gave their lives for the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan.

Chairman of the Azerbaijani Students Association at George Washington University Kanan Mammadov, President of the Azerbaijani-American Youth Association Nabat Eminova, and Social Media Director at the Azerbaijani-American Youth Federation Leyla Aslanova delivered welcome speeches.

Deputy Chairman of the State Committee for Work with Diaspora Elshad Aliyev spoke about the committee's activities, projects, Azerbaijani Houses operating abroad, coordination councils, and the V Diaspora Youth Camp held in Lachin in August.

He emphasized the importance of collaborative efforts by Azerbaijani youth and students living in the US.

Chairperson of the American-Azerbaijani Organizations Alliance, Munavvar Vahabova, and Professor at George Washington University, Sevinj Mammadova, highlighted the importance of the forum and the usefulness of the discussions.

They noted that such events would strengthen existing relations between Azerbaijan and the US and wished the participants success.

Reyhan Jamalova, studying computer science at the University of Pennsylvania, expressed her satisfaction with participating in the forum and exchanging views with fellow Azerbaijanis who have achieved success in the US.

Asmar Bayramova, a student at the Georgia Institute of Technology on a state scholarship, said she's proud to sing the Azerbaijani anthem and see the flag flying in one of the world's most significant countries. She noted that the interaction among fellow Azerbaijanis at the forum was a positive event.

Ulvi Verdiyev, engaged in individual entrepreneurship in the mining industry in the US, remarked that Azerbaijani compatriots studying and working in various states of the country represent Azerbaijan with dignity.

Farid Akhundov, who received education in the US and attended a forum in New York, talked about the positive impact of such forums on the future activities of youth.

The event featured discussions and exchanges on various topics, presentations of videos, and group reports on the work done by the committee and the diaspora.

Panel discussions were held on topics such as "Youth Integration through Education", "New Generation of American Azerbaijanis: My World, My Soul, My Expectations", "Dream, Believe, Achieve: Youth Unity for Change", and more.

A video titled "Lesson of History", dedicated to the martyrs and the V Diaspora Youth Camp in Lachin, was also shown.

The forum continued with a cultural segment featuring national music and dances.

The event ended with the presentation of diplomas to participants and the screening of a video clip titled "Together".

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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

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The World Customs Organization (WCO) is pleased to announce the publication of a new Study Report titled Unlocking the Value of Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT) in Customs Enforcement.

The Study Report originates from the Fragile Borders Action Plan, adopted by WCO Members during the 2023 Council Sessions. Recognizing the critical importance of OSINT, particularly in fragile and conflict-affected situations, the Action Plan set out a series of objectives, including that of exploring the use of OSINT in Customs enforcement practices.

The Study Report is designed for senior management within Customs administrations, offering a thorough exploration of how OSINT can be harnessed to enhance enforcement practices. The Report offers a comprehensive review, helping WCO Member Customs administrations understand and unlock the full potential of OSINT in their operations.

The Report addresses three pivotal questions that are essential for understanding and implementing OSINT in Customs:

Why OSINT Matters: It explains the significance of OSINT in Customs operations and the unique advantages it brings. How to Leverage OSINT: The Report provides insights into how Customs administrations can utilize OSINT to strengthen their enforcement efforts. Implementation Strategies: Practical advice is offered on integrating OSINT within Customs administrations, including strategies for overcoming potential challenges.

The development of this Study Report began in February 2024 with a closed-door exploratory workshop involving WCO staff and selected Member administrations. This was followed by an awareness-raising panel discussion during the March 2024 Enforcement Committee, where the critical role of OSINT in modern enforcement strategies was highlighted.

Building on these foundations, a pilot training workshop was conducted in Antwerp, Belgium, in June 2024. The workshops success and the positive feedback received underscored the need for a comprehensive Study Report to support Customs administrations in adopting OSINT.

The WCO would like to extend its sincere gratitude to Global Affairs Canada (GAC) for their generous support of the OSINT project, which included the commissioning of the Study Report.
By Cate McCurry and Grainne Ni Aodha, PA

Taoiseach Simon Harris has said there should be probing into pricing in the ticketing industry after the price of tickets for Oasiss reunion gigs surged.

Hundreds of thousands of fans who waited in 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 each due to dynamic pricing.

A spokesperson for the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) said it believes there are legitimate concerns around the consumer experiences of buying concert tickets this weekend.

We are actively reviewing the situation and we will consider all options to ensure consumer protection law is followed.

The Taoiseach said the Government had taken a lot of action in recent years to tackle ticket touting.

The monopoly held by one company is something that I think does deserve probing and also the issue around surcharges and the like, he said

I do think this needs to be reviewed and look, if theres actions government needs to take in terms of the future, lets look at that, lets take action in relation that.

But I think theres a bad taste in the mouths of people here in relation to pricing, surcharge, and we do have to be conscious we are dealing with a monopoly situation here as well.

So I would very much welcome a probe in relation to this, a full report being able to be provided, and of course, its deferred to my colleague the Minister for Enterprise in terms of how best that takes place.

He said that the Minister for Enterprise is contacting the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission.

Sinn Fein president Mary Lou McDonald said working class Oasis fans who got them where they are are being thrown under the bus over a crazy pricing system.

Sinn Fein president Mary Lou McDonald. Photo: Liam McBurney/PA.

She added: I saw somebody put it directly to Oasis that theyre a working class group, the working class got them where they are and theyre throwing them under the bus.

The dynamic pricing  to me its crazy that permission would be given for concerts, without any notification as to the cost of tickets.

I think it just needs to stop.

Weve raised this time and again.

Louise OReilly has been very active on this question with government.

This has happened with Oasis, but its happened with other concerts and other acts as well.

Its completely unfair.

You enter into a lottery, really, in terms of getting your tickets, rather than a straight transaction.

Whether its Oasis or Taylor Swift, or the Wolfe Tones, or the man on the moon whos performing, the consumer should know what the price ranges are, that theyre fixed prices, and then everybody tries to get in first and get the tickets that they want.

A screengrab from the Ticketmaster website detailing information about Oasis concert tickets for sale in Dublin. Photo: PA.

But this dynamic pricing has to end. It needs to be dealt with.

Weve called for it before, and Im very glad now, maybe theyre all Oasis fans, that theyve actually find any woken up to the fact that this is happening.

About 500 quid nearly for a ticket. Come on.

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.

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.

Speaking in Dublin on Monday, Mr Harris also asked Oasis to announce extra Dublin gigs as part of their highly anticipated reunion tour.

Many Irish fans were left disappointed that they did not get one of 160,000 tickets on sale over two dates in August in Dublins Croke Park stadium.

I think with the level of interest in attending Oasis gigs in this country, one would hope that they might find it within themselves to put on a few more, Mr Harris said.

I certainly know of many people across the country who would be heartened were that to be the reality and with their strong Irish links, and now that theyre back together, I know they would be warmly welcomed here for an extended period of time.

I think their Dublin gigs are at the end of their UK-Ireland tour so if they have time to fit us in for a few more Im certainly aware of many people who missed out on tickets whod only be too delighted to go to a further gig.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 2. Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan plan to establish joint production of ferries, an informed source told Trend.

According to the information, the ferries will be provided for the needs of Uzbekistan. The volume of financing for the project will amount to $150 million.

The source stressed that several other specific measures are being worked out to expand bilateral cooperation in the sphere of transport and transit. In particular, it is also about the joint construction of storage infrastructure, the establishment of a joint venture for the development of transportation along the Trans-Caspian route, and other projects.

To note, an Uzbek-Azerbaijani business forum was held in Tashkent on August 22. Following the talks, a portfolio of projects worth $2 billion was formed.

Furthermore, on August 23, within the framework of President Ilham Aliyev's visit to Tashkent, the heads of state met with representatives of business circles of the two countries. Following the meeting, 7 projects worth $520 million were prepared for launch.
ASTANA, Kazakhstan, September 2. Kazakhstan needs to introduce new banking legislation to address current economic and fintech challenges, Kazakhstans President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said during a joint parliamentary session with his annual address to the nation, Trend reports.

Tokayev emphasized the outdated nature of the current banking law, which has been in place for nearly 3 decades.

"We need a new banking law that meets the current needs of stimulating economic activity and the dynamic development of the fintech sector. The existing law was enacted under very different circumstances," Tokayev said.

The president also highlighted the need to address imbalances between monetary and fiscal policies. He noted that lending to the real sector remains insufficient and that small and medium-sized businesses lack adequate funding. This negatively impacts business activity, economic stability, and growth.

"The government and the National Bank need to work together to develop an optimal solution to this issue. Banks must be encouraged to invest more in the economy," Tokayev stressed.

The head of state acknowledged that international experts consider Kazakhstans banks among the most profitable in resource-rich countries. He called for fair taxation of the banking sector, ensuring that taxes paid by banks are proportionate to the dividends of their shareholders.

"It is particularly logical given the state support provided to banks. Creating a stable regulatory environment for digital asset transactions and safely implementing banking innovations is also crucial," he added.

Tokayev criticized previous and current governments for failing to fully utilize the republican budget's revenue, warning against systemic issues that could hinder the country's development. He urged the government and the National Bank to take effective measures to ensure efficient use of budget funds and limit and strictly control expenditures.
ASTANA, Kazakhstan, September 2. The resources of the National Fund should primarily serve the interests of Kazakhstan, Kazakhstans President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said during a joint session of the parliamentary chambers, presenting his annual address to the nation, Trend reports.

"The National Fund's resources should be used to advance the strategic goals of our state rather than serving foreign financial institutions. The Fund is a crucial tool for ensuring long-term macroeconomic stability, so effective management is essential," Tokayev emphasized.

The president also noted that, the government needs to develop rational compensatory mechanisms in order to address budget deficits.

"Order must be established in fiscal relations. The decision to keep tax revenues from small and medium-sized businesses in the regions was correct and timely. It significantly boosted entrepreneurship and increased the autonomy of regional leaders. However, some regional heads, having gained an additional source of income, have used it imprudently for secondary tasks and projects without practical benefits for the state," the president added.

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Photo: Press Service of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan

ASTANA, Kazakhstan, September 2. It is necessary to create a conducive environment to boost business activity by increasing private investment, Kazakhstans President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said in his annual address to the joint session of Parliament, Trend reports.

Tokayev has called for a comprehensive reform of Kazakhstans tax system to foster economic growth and attract private investment.

"It is evident that state finances alone are insufficient for dynamic economic growth. A stable tax policy is crucial for fostering quality development and responsible business practices," Tokayev stated.

He highlighted that the new Tax Code is designed to establish a fundamentally new approach to tax administration based on trust between taxpayers and the government. The Code aims to simplify tax regulations and make them clear to all economically active citizens, thereby reducing interpretive ambiguities.

Tokayev also stressed the importance of optimizing tax regimes without undermining favorable conditions for entrepreneurs. He cited the example of a retail tax, which has encouraged businesses to formalize operations and reduced fragmentation. However, he noted that this regime should apply primarily to businesses dealing directly with consumers.

The president underscored that maximizing the potential of consumer services and trade could provide a swift boost to economic growth, increase tax revenues, and enhance employment opportunities.

For the fiscal reform to succeed, Tokayev emphasized the need for comprehensive digitalization of tax administration.

"To mitigate corruption risks and ensure transparency, we must accelerate the transition of tax processes to an electronic format. It is essential to adapt tax policy to changing fiscal conditions, including a review of tax rates," he added.
ASTANA, Kazakhstan, September 2. The high level of state participation in Kazakhstans economy is impending private sector development by disrupting market equality and stifling entrepreneurial initiatives, Kazakhstans President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev stated during a joint parliamentary session with his annual address to the nation, Trend reports.

Tokayev highlighted that the country has yet to establish an optimal policy for managing state-owned enterprises.

"We must acknowledge that our policies for managing state enterprises are not yet optimal. We need to legally regulate the goals, functions, types, funding methods, and other aspects of their activities. Furthermore, stability and a systematic approach are required in financial relations between holdings and the government," Tokayev said.

He noted that over 10.000 redundant and outdated requirements that restricted entrepreneurial activities have already been removed as part of the first stage of reforms. Additionally, the General Prosecutor's Office is now involved in overseeing major investment projects, and simplified conditions such as "green corridors" for investors have been established. Economic crimes are also being decriminalized.

"However, complaints from entrepreneurs about excessive control and oversight by state agencies continue. The government and the General Prosecutor's Office must address negative factors affecting the investment climate. Clarity is also needed in interactions between the state and capital owners in asset recovery efforts.

Last year, I expressed my firm stance on this issue during a meeting with businesses. We agreed that an essential condition for capital amnesty would be investing funds into Kazakhstan's economy. The key is ensuring these investments benefit the country. This should be enshrined in regulations. Entrepreneurs listed in the relevant register should be given the opportunity to enter agreements without acknowledging the illegality of transferred assets. This is a significant step for large entrepreneurs, but they must also collaborate with the government and the General Prosecutor's Office to direct funds into the national budget," the president added.
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

(Source: Xinhua)

Editor: Wang Shasha
Blow for Broughton as Airbus pulls out of race to supply new UK military helicopter

Airbus has withdrawn from the 1 billion competition to supply a new helicopter to the UK military, a move that significantly impacts the region.

The aerospace giant had proposed building an assembly line at its Broughton site to produce up to 44 H175M helicopters, a plan that promised to create around 500 jobs and boost the local economy through substantial investment and skills development.

Bids for the UK Ministry of Defences (MoD) New Medium Helicopter (NMH) requirement were due to be submitted by Friday, 30 August.

There had been speculation over the past few weeks that Airbus along with other rival Sikorsky were on the verge of pulling out of the contest.

With Airbus and Sikorsky out, Leonardo Helicopters is now the sole remaining contender for the NMH programme, which aims to streamline the militarys helicopter fleet.

Airbuss withdrawal follows a careful review of the MoDs requirements.

An Airbus spokesperson explained that the company ultimately concluded these requirements were not feasible within the parameters of a responsible bid.

Following the release of the ITN for the UK New Medium Helicopter (NMH), we have been able to review the requirements in detail. Together with our partners, we have concluded that we are unable to formulate a responsible bid that would in parallel satisfy the customers requirements and provide adequate long-term returns to the business while implying a reasonable prospect of winning, the spokesperson said.

The company further stated: We believe that the outcome of this procurement as it stands would not be able to deliver on current defence industrial strategy objectives, particularly its ambition for long-term new jobs, opportunities for the UK supply chain and sovereign capability.

Despite this, Airbus maintained its confidence in the H175M as the right choice for the UK, noting its cost-effectiveness, capability, and value to UK society. However, the spokesperson added, We have concluded that continued pursuit of the NMH opportunity cannot be justified and have reluctantly decided to withdraw from the competition.

A Shift in the Competition Landscape

The NMH programme, launched in May 2022, is designed to consolidate multiple types of helicopters into a single platform to enhance operational flexibility and replace ageing aircraft within the UK military.

[Head of Airbus Broughton plant Jerome Blandin (left) Alyn and Deeside MP Mark Tami (right) take a look at an H175M helicopter at Broughton]

Initially, the MoD shortlisted Airbus, Leonardo, and Sikorsky for the final stage of the competition, with each company presenting different models: the H175M, AW149, and S-70M Black Hawk, respectively.

With Airbus and Sikorsky withdrawing, Leonardos AW149, which the company plans to assemble at its Yeovil, remains the sole contender.

Economic and Strategic Implications

The decision by Airbus to pull out has broader economic and strategic implications.

The proposed H175M production facility at Broughton was more than an assembly line; it represented a significant economic opportunity for North Wales, where the local aerospace manufacturing sector has long been a vital part of the community.

The MoDs decision-making process is under scrutiny as the newly elected Labour government conducts a Strategic Defence Review.

Given the tight budget environment, there is speculation that the NMH programme could be shelved to achieve cost savings, a move that would prolong the service of the Royal Air Forces existing fleet of Puma HC2 transports and AS365 Dauphin 2s, among others.

Airbus currently holds a support contract for the Puma fleet until 2028, suggesting a possible extension of their operational life if the NMH programme is cancelled.

Airbus reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the Airbus Puma helicopter in service for as long as required and expressed readiness to meet future UK military needs as they evolve.

We look forward to offering the H175M in the global market for some 500 helicopters in the super-medium category, the statement concluded.
ASTANA, Kazakhstan, September 2. Kazakhstans government has been tasked with a critical goal: to increase the share of medium-sized businesses in the economy by 15 percent by 2029, Kazakhstans President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev announced during a joint session of the parliament chambers with his annual address to the nation, Trend reports.

"Currently, this indicator is about 7 percent. At the beginning of the year, I instructed the adoption of specific measures aimed at supporting medium-sized businesses. It was expected that a comprehensive package would be developed. However, none have been introduced so far.

Every business entity should be able to easily understand and know what types of support are available and how to access them. Only then will small businesses be more inclined to transition to the medium category. Right now, we have over a hundred support measures, which even a skilled specialist might find confusing. Therefore, a review of these measures for effectiveness should be conducted, and a single, clear list of preferences and benefits for businesses should be established," he said.

The president also highlighted the potential of fintech tools for developing small and medium-sized businesses.

"Relevant proposals on this issue are available.

A crucial task is attracting investment into the agro-industrial complex. Despite the impact of floods, our farmers completed the sowing campaign on time, for which I extend my sincere gratitude.

This year, funding for spring field work was doubled. However, overall funding for the agro-industrial complex is still 70 percent state-funded. It is necessary to attract commercial bank funds to the sector. Work has been done to subsidize state financial institutions for issuing loans to farmers at reduced rates. This experience needs to be extended to banks. It will help promptly provide farmers with necessary working capital, reduce corruption risks, and simplify the loan application process," the president added.
25 years ago: Puerto Rican nationalists released from prison

On September 7, 1999, 11 Puerto Rican nationalists, among the longest-serving political prisoners in America, were released after agreeing to the terms of a clemency offer from President Bill Clinton. Their attorney said that the prisoners had agreed to the conditions imposed by the White House, after initial reluctance, in the face of a campaign by police, prosecutors and right-wing politicians, joined in by Hillary Clinton, to demand the rescinding of the clemency offer.

The clemency imposed significant restrictions on the political freedom of the prisoners. In addition to signing statements renouncing violence and agreeing not to join any organization advocating violence, they were effectively barred from participating in ordinary political life. One of the cruelest restrictions was a ban on associating with known felons, a provision which automatically barred any of those released from meeting each other. Two of the prisoners were sistersthey required special permission from Washington to visit each other; and another was the stepmother of a nationalist prisoner, who remained in jail.

A map showing Puerto Ricos position in the eastern Caribbean. The lower part of Florida, the nearest part of the contiguous United States, appears in the maps upper left corner

The FBI and the Justice Department were given the power to oversee the prisoners parole, including random drug testing and monitoring of compliance with the pledge to renounce violence. Jan Susler, the prisoners attorney, said that Puerto Rican civil rights and legal defense groups set up their own monitors to forestall such action by the federal police agencies.

All 16 prisoners and ex-prisoners were supporters of the Armed National Liberation Front (FALN) and the Puerto Rican Peoples Army (EPB), also known as the Macheteros, which carried out a series of bombings and other armed attacks on US government offices and military installations in the 1970s and early 1980s.

The jailing of the FALN prisoners was one of the most savage and remorseless acts of repression of that period. No evidence was presented linking any of the defendants to specific acts of violence. All were convicted of conspiracy and sedition charges after brief trials in which they refused to participate, on the grounds that they did not recognize the authority of the United States government. The sentences imposed ranged from 35 years to a staggering 105 years in prison for Luis Rosa, a 19 year old just out of high school.

Most of the victims of this judicial witch-hunt were students, teachers and other professionals, many of them active in Puerto Rican neighborhoods and cultural affairs in the city of Chicago, where the trials took place. All remained intransigent opponents of American imperialism throughout their long terms in federal penitentiaries.

50 years ago: Ford pardons Nixon

On September 8, 1974, recently installed US President Gerald Ford issued a full pardon to former President Richard Nixon to protect him against any form of prosecution for the crimes he committed related to the Watergate scandal while in office. The decision was made not only to protect Nixon but to shield the entire US ruling establishment whose conspiracies against the basic rights of the working class stood to be exposed by a public trial.

President Gerald Ford announcing a pardon for former President Nixon

Ford became vice president after he was selected by Nixon to replace Vice President Spiro Agnew, his two-time running mate, after Agnew was forced to resign for accepting bribes from Maryland contractors, some delivered to him in cash while he was vice president. Ford announced the pardon in a televised address to the public. In his speech he referred to the criminal actions of the Nixon administration as an American tragedy in which we have all played a part. He continued, It could go on and on, or someone must write an end to it. I have concluded that only I can do that, and if I can, I must.

To justify his decision, Ford argued that as a former president, Nixon would be unable to receive an unbiased trial and that ugly passions would again be aroused  our people would again be polarized in their opinions. And the credibility of our free institutions of government would again be challenged at home and abroad.

In other words, Ford believed that the opinion of the vast majority of the population, which was that Nixon must be held accountable for his crimes, was irrelevant and that the interests of the capitalist state outweighed the democratic rights and concerns of the working class.

Ford made several statements in which he acknowledged the desire of the population to see justice carried out, but that he would not allow the will of the majority to motivate his decision. He remarked that he had to consider the opinions of my countrymen and to take counsel with my most valued friends. But these seldom agree, and in the end, the decision is mine. Later he added, I cannot rely upon public opinion polls to tell me what is right.

After the announcement of Nixons pardon, the US predecessor to the WSWS, The Bulletin, analyzed the decision and clarified the true motivations. In a statement published September 10, The Bulletin stated:

A public trial of Nixon would inevitably shed light on all the elements of the Watergate conspiracy that big business wants so desperately to cover up. The relation between Nixon and the military, which apparently included discussions on the possibility of a coup to prevent impeachment, would come out in a trial and expose the actual preparations for dictatorship being made behind closed doors.

75 years ago: MacArthur hails progress in Japan amid escalating Cold War offensive

On September 2, 1949, General Douglas MacArthur, head of the American militarys Far East Command and military ruler of Japan, issued a lengthy statement marking four years since the US defeat and occupation of Japan in World War II. MacArthurs statement was not simply a historical retrospective but formed part of a broader intensification of US Cold War measures directed against the Soviet Union and the Chinese Revolution.

MacArthur claimed that Japan had fully and faithfully complied with US occupation, meriting consideration of a peace treaty and a turn towards governance independent of the American military. The period since the war had been fruitful years in terms of human progress, MacArthur claimed, with Japan advanc[ing] steadily and progressively along the road of spiritual regeneration and physical reconstruction.

General Douglas MacArthur and Japanese Emperor Hirohito

In reality, the war had concluded with the US dropping of atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, war crimes aimed primarily at intimidating the Soviet Union and signaling the US determination to become the hegemonic world power. The US had then established an effective military dictatorship over the devastated country, headed by MacArthur. In collaboration with the remnants of the Japanese state, the US military regime had cracked down on widespread opposition, including major strikes and protests over food shortages and a social crisis.

The US drafted a new constitution, providing for limited bourgeois democracy. It maintained the emperor as a symbolic head of state, despite the central involvement of the monarchy in the war crimes committed by Japan in World War II. The US increasingly moved away from nominally holding Japanese war criminals to account, as it collaborated with elements of the old state bureaucracy. This week in September 1949, Admiral Soemu Toyoda, who had been a senior commander of the Japanese navy as it laid waste to much of the Indo-Pacific, was acquitted of war crimes charges entirely.

MacArthurs depiction of Japanese progress came a day after he told US newspapers that there should be a push to defeat the Chinese Revolution, which was making major advances. What would do most good now would be a ringing announcement that we would support everyone in China and the Far East who is fighting Communism, he declared. The Soviet Union protested the US moves towards a peace treaty with Japan, warning that the intention was to revive Tokyo as a bulwark against Moscow. In response, US officials, backed by British and NATO representatives, declared that they would proceed without reference to Soviet demands.

100 years ago: Saudi forces massacre 300 civilians near Mecca

On September 3, 1924, troops of Abdulaziz ibn Saud, the most powerful warlord in the Arabian Peninsula, massacred 300 civilians in the city of Taif, about 40 miles (65 km) east of Mecca, as a part of his conquest of the territory he named after his family, Saudi Arabia.

Taif and Mecca were in the western part of the peninsula known as the Hejaz. Forces of the 1916 Arab Revolt against the Ottoman Empire who were funded and supplied by British imperialism, had taken the region in the aftermath of the collapse of Ottoman authority, and set up the Kingdom of Hejaz, which was ruled by Hussein bin Ali, a member of the Hashemite dynasty that governs Jordan a century later.

A Wahabi (the sect of Islam to which the Saud family belonged) militia, known as the Ikhwan, besieged the city and after Husseins forces withdrew, entered Taif and carried out the massacre. Part of the motivation may have been that a portion of the population belonged to confessions of Islam that the Wahabis regarded as heretical. In earlier times, Taif had a substantial Shia population, a sect that remains oppressed by the Saudis today.

King Ibn Saud with Franklin D. Roosevelt aboard the USS Quincy, February 14, 1945. After consolidating control over the Arabian peninsula and the discovery of oil there, the House of Saud cemented an alliance with US imperialism

Ibn Saud took the opportunity to expand his base in the central region of the Arabian Peninsula known as the Nejd, largely because the British had stopped arming and funding Hussein after he declared himself Caliph (religious leader of all Muslims) in the aftermath of the collapse of the Ottoman Empire.

By 1925 Ibn Saud had set up a new polity that comprised most of central and west Arabia, called the Kingdom of Hejaz and Nejd, which was renamed the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in 1932. In 1938 substantial oil reserves were discovered in the kingdom, and Abdulaziz, who lived until 1954, made a close alliance with American imperialism that has been maintained by his successors in the House of Saud, which continues to rule the kingdom.
Chicagos Democratic Mayor Brandon Johnson announced last week that the citys public school system faces a $982 million budget deficit in 2025, on top of a shortfall of $222.9 million for 2024. The mayor, a former lobbyist for the Chicago Teachers Union promoted by the CTU and American Federation of Teachers (AFT) as one of us, made it clear that educators, parents and students would have to accept savage austerity measures to pay for the budget gap.

Chicago teachers march to defend public education in October 2019

The size of the budget gap is significant, Brandon told reporters. Its going to require decisions that will speak to our overall collective desire to build an economy that works for working people. There are sacrifices that will be made.

The mayor who was promoted as a progressive by the union bureaucracy and the Democratic Socialists of America did not bother to square his rhetoric about building a economy that works for working people with budget cuts that would inevitably involve mass layoffs, school closures and other attacks on the right to public education.

The mayors office did not provide specifics to the Chicago Tribune detailing the nearly $1 billion deficit, but officials said state revenues declined, a one-time budget surplus expired, and pension and personnel costs rose.

The financial crisis in Americas third largest school district is part of nationwide trend. School districts across the US are facing a fiscal cliff because the Biden-Harris administration has allowed its $121 billion federal pandemic emergency program to expire, though COVID-19 is still spreading in the schools. Chicago Public Schools have already spent 88 percent of the $1.8 billion in Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funding it received, according to the Economic Policy Institute.

The drying up of these funds, which public school districts needed to plug gaps caused by decades of underfunding, along with rising costs, could lead to the elimination of the jobs of 384,000 teachers and other school staff over the next two years.

The governor of Illinois, billionaire Democrat J.B. Pritzker, made it clear that the district would not be bailed out by the state. I dont think that thats the job of Springfield to rescue the school districts that might have been irresponsible with the one-time money they received, Pritzker told the Chicago Sun-Times.

At the end of the last school year, 600 paraprofessionals were laid off, with fewer than half reportedly hired back for the new year.

The labor agreement covering 30,000 Chicago Teacher Union members expired on June 30, and school workers have returned to the classrooms without a new contract. As usual, the CTU bureaucracy is using various social justice demands to cover up its plans to accept draconian attacks on educators and schools.

In statements to a school board meeting on August 29, CTU President Stacy Davis Gates professed confusion about the state of the districts finances. She said the CTU and the school authorities were engaged in a group project and presented the board members as devoted advocates of students because most board members are African American and Hispanic. This was a deliberate effort to use identity politics to cover up the fact that the board members, along with the mayor and the governor, are doing the bidding of the most powerful corporate and financial interests.

Youve got a diverse board of education. Youve got a badass union who wants to be a partner, and an environment in this country that finally wants to resource schools.  Why dont we have agreement? Im confused, and I need you to help me understand.

Gates let the cat out of the bag, however, making it clear that massive cuts were coming. You dont have money for school next year. ... Whats the plan? Close schools that are under-enrolled? Fire teachers and staff, like 2,000 of them? Whats the plan?

Gates presented Democrats like Minnesotas Governor and Kamala Harriss running mate Tim Walz and Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer as champions of public education, even though they have overseen the continual undermining of public schools. The CTU is now requesting federal mediation in the talks.

The union leaders strategy has been to attack Chicago Public Schools CEO Pedro Martinez as an ineffective leader who saw the funding problem for CPS and did not simply resolve it, either through renegotiating debts or convincing state leaders to provide additional funding. This only distracts from the fact budget cuts have long been prepared, indicated in Johnsons own statements that he would lead the charge to cut school budgets made when he was on the campaign trail.



In a March 2023 election forum he responded to his view on CPS: There will be some tough decisions to be made when I am mayor of the city of Chicago. And there might be a point within negotiations that the Chicago Teachers Union quest and fight for more resourceswe might not be able to do it. Who is better able to deliver bad news to a friend than a friend?



During the public participation period of the school board meeting last week, Jerry White, Socialist Equality Party Vice Presidential candidate in the 2024 US elections, denounced the cuts and called on rank-and-file educators to resist them.



White said he stood with educators, parents and students against savage budget cuts being planned by Mayor Johnson, Gov. Pritzker and school authorities. He continued:

Chicago and districts across the US are facing a fiscal cliff and threatening up to 400,000 educators jobs. This is chiefly because the Biden administration ended federal Covid relief, though 1.4 million Americans continue to be infected every day. The mayor says the district has a $1 billion shortfall, and sacrifices must be made. But earlier this month, the Democrats and Republicans found 20 times that for Israels genocide against the Palestiniansand every year they spend $1 trillion for world war against Russia and China. Far from opposing further job cuts and erosion of living standards, CTU bureaucracy is preparing another monumental betrayal. For years, CTU officials have promoted the lie that the Democrats speak for working people and have collaborated with this corporate-controlled party to close schools, open Covid infected classrooms. Now one of their own is the chief budget cutter in the Mayors Office. Educators must stop this. Teachers, paras and staff must form rank-and-file committees, prepare for strike action to defend the right to high quality education and good wages, and appeal to the working class across Chicago, including the hundreds of striking autoworkers at Dakkota on the south side, and educators nationwide and internationally for the broadest support. There is no lack of money, the problem is who controls it. Public funding must go to social needs, not the Pentagon and enrichment of the corporate-financial oligarchy.

Sweltering classrooms, COVID-19 spreading with no support

The school year started with teachers languishing in overcrowded, underfunded and poorly ventilated classrooms. As one teacher reported in a Facebook group for Chicago Teachers Union members, I felt physically sick by the end of the work day, and they included a photo of a thermometer in their classroom marking over 80 degrees Fahrenheit (27 degrees Celsius).

Another teacher commented, Our temp was 89 in our rooms. It was brutal.

Amid a massive summer wave of COVID-19 infections that is expected to accelerate with schools reopening, CPS issued guidance establishing that the virus is no longer a reportable disease within CPS. Staff and students are encouraged to stay home while they have symptoms, but public health emergency sick days are no longer be available for staff members who test positive for COVID as of August 1st, 2024. No PPE is available through CPS.

Another teacher commented in the CTU members Facebook group to advocate for masking, to insist that air quality in schools be improved, and to raise the dangers of these rules that will increase the spread of the virus and the possibility of extended illness and disability:

FYI folks, CPS and the CDC decisions about Covid aside, if youre testing positive at home, you are still contagious. None of the things we know to be true about Covid/ long covid have changednot the rates of infection, not the rates of long covid, not the increased chances of strokes, diabetes, and other life-altering secondary illnesses that are long covid. Covid isnt even a seasonal illness, as we are seeing in this very moment with the surge happening as school starts. The current variants are more evasive on at-home tests, and there is an increase in false negatives until up to day 5 of symptoms / the start of symptoms. Please mask! Insist that your rooms keep their air purifiers, and the filters get changed! And more than anything, please stay home until you test negative!

To defend the social right to high quality public education and to safe schools, teachers, parents and students must form rank-and-file committees to take the conduct of the fight out of the hands of the CTU bureaucracy.

Educators can take the first step by joining and expanding the network of Educators Rank-and-File Committees (ERFC) across the US, uniting educators with one another and with the broader struggles of the international working class in a common program against austerity and war.
Sri Lankas five-member Supreme Court, chaired by Chief Justice Jayantha Jayasuriya, ruled last month that President Wickremesinghe violated fundamental rights when he postponed the countrys Local Government (LG) elections due in March 2023.

Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe addressing Ceylon Workers Congress May Day 2024 meeting in Kotagala [Photo: Sri Lankan President Media Unit]

Issued on August 22, the judgement followed an investigation of separate fundamental rights petitions filed by the opposition Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), the National Peoples Power (NPP) led by Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP), the Center for Policy Alternative think tank, and the Peoples Action for Free and Fair Elections.

The Supreme Court stated that the postponement of the elections by the president, who is also the minister of finance, constituted an infringement of fundamental rights guaranteed [under the constitution].

The court also ruled that the actions of the attorney general and chairman of the Election Commission had violated these rights and directed the state to pay 150,000 rupees ($US500) legal costs to each of the petitioners. It stated that the local government elections should be held as soon as possible. Wickremesinghe, however, as Sri Lankas executive president, enjoys legal immunity and cannot be prosecuted for the violation.

The president responded to the judgment that day in an address to the New Peoples Front national conference. Wickremesinghe is contesting the presidential elections as an independent candidate because his United National Party, the oldest capitalist party in Sri Lanka, with a brutal anti-working-class record, is utterly discredited.

According to a report by Lankadeepa, he told the conference that his decision to stop the LG elections, was dedicated to ensuring the peoples right to live and in maintaining their safety

[A]chieving economic stability would not have been possible, he declared, if the elections had proceeded.

Speaking at an election rally in Batticaloa on August 24, he insisted: Giving life blood and easing the suffering is not a violation of human rights.

Wickremesinghes claims are blatant lies. His overriding aim in office has been ensuring the life blood of the capitalist system, the profits of big business and loan repayments to creditors.

Over the past two years, he has ruthlessly implemented every International Monetary Fund (IMF) dictate, deepening poverty and eroding the real value of workers wages by around 40 percent in 20222023. Currently, 42 percent of the Sri Lankan population is struggling to secure daily food requirements and the public health service is on the brink of collapse.

The postponement of the LG polls scheduled to be held in March 2023, just nine months after the AprilJuly 2022 mass uprising that brought down the Rajapakse government, was a reactionary attempt to maintain Wickremesinghes undemocratic elevation into the executive presidency, stabilise his regime and implement IMF austerity.

Using his position as finance minister, Wickremesinghe blocked all funding for the local elections even though the Election Commission had already announced that the polls would be held on March 9, 2023 for 340 LG bodies. Political parties and independent groups had already submitted nominations for several thousand candidates.

With the approval of Cabinet he then instructed the Treasury Secretary Mahinda Siriwardana to only provide government funds for essential services, specifically excluding the local elections, thus preventing the EC proceeding with the scheduled ballot.

On March 3, 2023, when the Supreme Court issued an interim order for the allocation of the necessary election funds, the treasury secretary, following Cabinet directives, refused.

As a result, Sri Lankas existing local government bodies29 municipalities, 36 urban councils and 275 local councilswere placed under the supervision of special commissioners, directly controlled by the central government. These actions made clear that the Wickremesinghe regime was prepared to go any length to suppress basic democratic rights.

As a Socialist Equality Party (SEP) declared in a statement denouncing Wickremesinghe and refuting his claims:

The message is clear: under the Wickremesinghe regime there will be no functioning democracy. His claims that he will allow elections next year are a fraud as he is riding roughshod over democratic rights now, and will do so again in the future if he deems it necessary.

The SEP statement called for workers to build action committees in every workplace to mobilise their industrial and political strength against the Wickremesinghe regime and in defence of its social and democratic rights.

Following its suppression of the local elections, the government stepped up its anti-democratic assault, pushing through parliament its Online Safety and Anti-Terrorism acts and other draconian measures.

Wickremesinghes response to last months Supreme Court ruling is not the first time he has tried to undermine the judiciary. On June 18, the countrys highest legal institution ruled that the governments Gender Equality Bill was inconsistent with the constitution. Addressing parliament, he accused the court of practicing judicial cannibalism and advised parliament not to follow the ruling which violated parliaments power.

On July 24, the Supreme Court issued an interim order preventing Inspector General of Police (IGP) Deshabandu Tennakoon from serving in that post because of pending legal action against his appointment. Tennakoon has been previously convicted for violating fundamental rights of a prisoner. The court directed Wickremesinghe to appoint someone else to act as IGP until the current case against Tennakoon is resolved. Wickremesinghe has ignored the request and not appointed any IGP.

The SEP warns workers that Wickremesinghes attacks on basic democratic rights are in line with his moves towards dictatorial forms of rule, a process that will escalate irrespective of who wins the forthcoming presidential elections.

The main bourgeois presidential candidates have responded to the Supreme Court ruling on Wickremesinghes postponement of the LG election with the usual demagogy.

Sajith Premadasa from the SJB condemned those who ignore the countrys law while NPP/JVP candidate Anura Kumara Dissanayake pledged that if elected his government would impose the rule of law to the letter. Both these candidates and their parties, however, fully support the IMF, have a history of supporting the presidents autocratic powers and would use the same dictatorial methods employed by Wickremesinghe.

The opposition parties, the trade union bureaucracies and various fake-left groups have seized on the Supreme Court ruling to promote the judiciary as a bulwark to defend democratic rights. The same court, however, has never hesitated to impose bans on strikes and protests by workers and students while advising the government on making cosmetic changes to previous bills that violate the constitution.

Wickremesinghes assault on basic rights in Sri Lanka, like the reactionary and repressive measures being implemented by governments internationallyin the US, Europe and in the Indian subcontinentmakes clear that only the working class can defend democratic rights as part of a unified struggle against the capitalist profit system

As SEP political committee member and presidential candidate Pani Wijesiriwardena has explained, workers need to take up the political struggle for the abolition of executive presidential system of rule and all its repressive laws. This is inseparably bound up with the fight for a workers and peasants government based on a socialist and internationalist perspective.

This is why SEP calls for convening a Democratic and Socialist Congress of Workers and Rural Masses comprised of delegates from action committees of workers and poor to discuss and lead the struggle for this perspective.
For the first time since the end of the Nazi dictatorship, a far-right party has become the strongest force in a German state election. The Alternative for Germany (AfD) received almost a third of the votes cast on Sunday in Thuringia, just under 10 percent ahead of the Christian Democrats (CDU), the second-strongest party. In Saxony, the AfD also achieved over 30 percent and was a close second behind the CDU.

The AfD is led in Thuringia by Bjorn Hocke, who according to a court order may be called a fascist and was convicted of using prohibited Nazi slogans. Ten years ago, the history teacher moved from West German Hesse to East German Thuringia to found the state association of the AfD there. The top candidate in Saxony, Jorg Urban, is also part of the Hocke wing of the party.

Bjoern Hoecke, head of AfD in Thuringia, at a rally of the Alternative for Germany, AfD, party in Erfurt, eastern Germany. (AP Photo/Jens Meyer, file) [AP Photo]

However, the AfDs electoral success has less to do with the wannabe Hitler Bjorn Hocke than with the shift to the right of all the established parties. They foment xenophobia and nationalism to direct explosive social tensions into right-wing channels, mobilize support for their criminal wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, and crush the democratic and social rights of the working class.

Immediately before the elections, after an attack in Solingen carried out by someone with a suspected Islamist background, their xenophobic campaign reached a new peak. Politicians from all parties outbid each other with far-right demands for more deportations, tougher asylum laws and more powers for the police. This enabled the AfD to increase its share of the vote despite a record voter turnout of 74 percent.

Above all, the anti-worker and militarist policies of the supposedly left parties and the systematic suppression of the class struggle by the trade unions in the name of social partnership enable the right-wing demagogues to exploit social outrage, fears over living standards, hatred of the arrogance of the ruling elite and even opposition to war for their reactionary ends.

The Ukraine war, which is rejected by the vast majority of the population, played a central role in the election campaign. The AfD postured as a peace party, although it advocated more rearmament, the reintroduction of conscription and the immediate restoration of Germanys defensive capacity. It rejects the NATO offensive against Russia only because it wants to free German imperialism from military dependence on the US so that it can pursue its geostrategic interests more independently.

The three parties that form the federal government in Berlin, as well as the Left Party, experienced an electoral debacle. While the SPD was able to hold on to its miserable result of around 7 percent from the last state election, the Greens in Thuringia failed to surpass the 5 percent hurdle necessary for representation in the state parliament. In Saxony, the Greens barely managed to secure representation. With 1 percent, the Free Democrats sank into insignificance.

Map of Germany featuring Thuringia in red (center) and Saxony in blue, (right). [Photo by NordNordWest/WSWS / CC BY-SA 3.0

The collapse of the Left Party was even more drastic. In Saxony, it missed the five percent hurdle and thus failed to enter the state parliament for the first time in an eastern German state. In Thuringia, where the Left Party has headed the government with Minister President Bodo Ramelow for ten years, the party fell from 31 to 13 percent. This was the price the party paid for Ramelows right-wing politics, including the systematic deportation of refugees, the implementation of social cuts and even calling for the deployment of German soldiers to Ukraine.

With typical cynicism, Ramelow described the election as a holiday of democracy after the first forecasts became known, because more voters than ever participated in the vote. He promised that he would now do everything to help Mario Voigt of the CDU form a government. Ramelow thus backs the CDU of Friedrich Merz, which is competing with the AfD and the federal coalition government over the most right-wing policies.

The highest vote gains were recorded by the Alliance Sahra Wagenknecht (BSW), a split-off of the Left Party, which received 16 percent of the vote in Thuringia and 12 percent in Saxony at its first state election performance.

As we have explained, the BSW is not an alternative to the governing parties and the AfD. It combines anti-refugee agitation and state rearmament with the rejection of the Ukraine war and social demagoguery. After the polls closed, Wagenknecht, the Saxon leading candidate Sabine Zimmermann and the Thuringian Katja Wolf confirmed their willingness to enter into coalition negotiations with the CDU and the other established parties. Although they ruled out for the time being a government alliance with the AfD, they left open the possibility of cooperation with the far-right party on a case-by-case basis.

The growth of the AfD is particularly pronounced in eastern Germany, in the territory of the former GDR (East Germany). This is due to the bitter experiences that have been made here with all established parties.

This began with the industrial devastation after German unification, which eliminated 8,000 companies and millions of jobs, continued with the Agenda 2010 of the federal government of the SPD and Greens, which turned eastern Germany into a huge testing platform for low-wage work, and culminated in the economic consequences of the sanctions on Russia.

The social conditions driving support for the far-right AfD are plain for all to see. Even 34 years after German unification, the standard of living in the East is significantly lower than in the West. Especially in rural areas, ageing, decaying infrastructure, a shortage of doctors and teachers, and abject poverty dominate. Industrial lighthouse projects funded with a lot of state money have repeatedly collapsed. Car factories, chip manufacturers and numerous other plants are now in danger of drowning in the maelstrom of global economic warfare. In Saxony alone, 14 larger companies experienced a severe crisis, went bankrupt or closed locations last year.

However, the growth of right-wing extremist parties is not limited to eastern Germany. In nationwide surveys, the AfD is between 16 and 19 percent. Similar developments can be found in almost all imperialist countries. Donald Trump in the US, Giorgia Meloni in Italy, Marine Le Pen in France and Geert Wilders in the Netherlands are examples of this.

The reason for the return of fascism and war is the deep crisis of world capitalism. The contrast between the super-rich, who dominate economic life, and the working class has reached a level that can no longer be reconciled with democracy. And the struggle for raw materials, markets and profits drives the imperialist great powers, as in the First and Second World Wars, to the violent redivision of the world.

However, the same crisis also creates the conditions for the socialist revolution. The resistance of the working class and youth against social cuts, layoffs and war is growing worldwide. The crucial task is to arm it with an international, socialist perspective. This is what the Sozialistische Gleichheitspartei (Socialist Equality Party) is fighting for.
Autoworkers: Speak out against the layoffs by filling out the form below. All submissions will be kept anonymous.

Dana Incorporated World Headquarters in Maumee, Ohio

Auto parts maker Dana Corporation has announced it will close its plant in Lima, Ohio, by the end of 2025. The plant has stood for over five decades, and its closure will result in the loss of 280 jobs.

The planned closure is only the latest in a massive assault on jobs across the auto industry. Last month, Stellantis (formerly Fiat Chrysler) announced nearly 2,500 layoffs at its Warren Truck Assembly Plant near Detroit, raising the danger of the factorys eventual closure. Thousands of autoworkers have already lost their jobs over the course of the year in the United States.

But tens of thousands of layoffs have been announced across the world, including 25,000 potential layoffs at Fiat plants and associated parts suppliers in Italy, and the closure of a Volkswagen plant in Belgium. Over the next several years, hundreds of thousands of jobs are on the chopping block as the global industry shifts rapidly towards electric vehicles, which are less labor-intensive to build.

The Dana plant supplies the Ford Lima Engine plant, where the majority of its 1,300 workers are hourly production workers. This also raises questions about the future of the engine plant, whose current product, like all plants making gas engines, may soon become obsolete.

The closure of the Dana plant has an added significance given the role of Dana workers in the rebellion against the pro-corporate union bureaucrats. In 2021, Dana workers faced off against officials at the United Auto Workers and United Steelworkers, forming a rank-and-file committee to fight a sellout contract. That year saw other pivotal battles at John Deere and Volvo Trucks, where workers also organized independently to reject sellout deals.

Last year, Dana workers at the nearby facility in Toledo, Ohio, organized against mass firings being implemented with the support of the UAW bureaucracy. And the following May, workers in Pottstown formed a rank-and-file committee to fight against intolerable working conditions.

The Lima plant is not the only Dana facility targeted for closure. Last year, the company announced plans to shutter its facility in St. Claire, Michigan, affecting more than 200 jobs. According to records with the state government, the closure was scheduled to have been largely completed through July 31 of this year.

Once again, the pro-corporate union bureaucrats have effectively backed the cuts. Sounding like an HR rep, UAW Local 2075 Recording Secretary Britt Munson sent links to job sites for workers being laid off from Dana. As of this writing, the UAW has not presented any statement in opposition to the plant closure.

Nor should workers expect any action, because the UAW bureaucrats are a key part of the attack on jobs. The announcement in Lima came as the UAW forced striking workers at the Dakkota parts plant in Chicago to vote a fifth consecutive time on a contract they already rejected. Those workers formed a rank-and-file committee to fight union sabotage and appealed for support from Ford workers at Chicago Assembly, which the Dakkota plant supplies, urging them not to handle scab parts.

Dana workers took to social media in opposition to the layoffs. So much for the Union, one quipped. Another, laying the blame also on pro-corporate Democrats, said: Considering the Union supports blue no matter who and created 3 pay scales back in 2006, I blame them and greedy corporate executives!

Other workers pointed to the Biden administrations role. Theyre pushing these electric vehicles. They talk about all the jobs it will create and forget about the one it will eliminate. Electric cars dont have driveshafts.

Said a Dana worker from the plant in St. Clair, Michigan: We got this announcement in October of last year. Theyre sending most of our work to Apodaca, Mexico. Its a giant, mostly empty plant. Our stuff doesnt even fill half of it. Id expect more work to be moved into that plant, who knows what theyll send?

A Lima worker described terrible conditions: I live paycheck by paycheck and have meds that cost me $150-200 without insurance. And to top it off, I need all four wisdom teeth pulled and may have a possible rotator cuff tear again. I need that insurance!

As the WSWS warned in 2023, There can be no just transition to EVs under capitalism. These and other new technologies, which could and should be used to ease the burden of life, are instead used to ramp up exploitation by private corporations.

Last Sundays online meeting titled, For global action to defend jobs at Warren Truck and around the world, sponsored by the International Workers Alliance of Rank-and-File Committees (IWA-RFC), discussed a strategy to fight against the Warren Truck layoffs and the Dakkota parts workers strike.

Will Lehman, a socialist and Mack Trucks worker who ran for UAW president against Shawn Fain, explained how the transnational corporations scour the globe for the most exploitable sources of labor. He continued. And in each country they use the national trade unions to pit workers against each other by saying that jobs can only be secured on the basis of accepting higher exploitation than workers in other countries.

At the meeting, a Flint Truck worker called on workers to take matters into their own hands through the formation of a global movement, independent of the union bureaucracy and the corporate parties. The company and UAW have a strategic plan, which they are following through with. The auto companies communicate with their management across the world. We need to communicate with our fellow autoworkers and other working class laborers around the world, no matter what country, language, skin color or job, so we have a plan to fight back, instead of making one up as the situation unfolds.
Two students at Tulane University in New Orleans have been suspended on trumped-up charges related to an anti-genocide encampment last spring.

According to a statement published on August 28 by the Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) chapter at Tulane University, the university administration has suspended seniors Maya Sanchez and Rory Macdonald for what the university vindictively claims was their encampment.

The protest at Tulane, part of a wave of encampments that were erected during the spring semester around the country and around the world to protest the Zionist regimes genocide of Palestinians in Gaza, was shut down in the early morning hours on May 2 after being raided by a coalition of university, city and state police.

A student rally for Palestine at Tulane University in New Orleans, Louisiana on October 26, 2023.

Fourteen people were initially arrested, with two requiring hospitalization. Suspension charges were levied against seven students, and the SDS Tulane chapter was deregistered by the administration.

Throughout the summer, SDS members engaged in talks with the administration to reverse the charges of suspension, but, according to the SDS, they were informed by the university Provost Robin Forman that these meetings will not continue, despite an earlier admission by Dean of Students Erica Woodley that the university overcharged.

The disciplinary actions against the students are entirely fraudulent and are part of the broader crackdown on democratic rights and antiwar opposition across the US and internationally. At Tulane, the suspensions and disciplinary actions against student protesters must be immediately revoked, and the SDS chapter re-registered by the university.

At the start of the new school year, school administrations around the US, working closely with the state apparatus and especially the Democratic Party, are ramping up their assaults on the freedom of speech and assembly.

In New York City, Columbia University has banned encampments and is restricting campus access, while New York University has changed its discrimination and harassment policy to ban criticism of Zionism. The University of Michigan, having effectively banned all protests last semester, is now seeking to abolish students rights to due process and fair hearings.

The escalation of the attacks on democratic rights is in anticipation of a renewed struggle against the genocide in Gaza and against the broader escalation of war throughout the world. Next month will mark a full year since the start of the genocide, one of the most horrific crimes by imperialism and its proxy forces in the 21st century. At the same time, the US and its NATO allies are recklessly escalating the proxy war against Russia in Ukraine, threatening a nuclear catastrophe.

From the outset, school administrations, under the direction of the financial-corporate interests and the military-state apparatus which control academia, have waged an authoritarian, violent offensive against the anti-genocide protest movement, which has been the largest and most sustained since the 2003 demonstrations against the US invasion of Iraq.

Following the first anti-genocide protest at Tulane last October, which brought together Tulane students and those from neighboring Loyola University, both students and community members in New Orleans were slapped with trumped-up criminal charges after a Zionist counter-protest provocation resulted in a physical confrontation.

The crackdown against protests intensified throughout the last school year, culminating in the violent police dismantling of the encampment last spring.

In response, professors from both Tulane and Loyola issued principled defenses of their students and colleagues and warning of the anti-democratic precedent being set by the university administrations in line with right-wing New Orleans and state authorities.

The Tulane faculty exposed the lies used by the university to justify their repression, stating, I observed Tulane students engaging in peaceful and nonviolent demonstrations. Tulanes administration is currently seeking to punish staff, students and faculty, who attended the encampment or have merely expressed private support for students to administrators. We demand Tulane stop criminalizing peaceful student protests. Lift student and staff suspensions and drop all criminal charges against members of our community.

But the response of Tulane and virtually every other university across the US has been to double down on their suppression of political opposition. Far from being democratic institutions of higher learning, the universities have been largely transformed into financial institutions governed by Wall Street and ever more integrated with the military and intelligence agencies.

Tulanes board of directors is composed of the representatives of the financial oligarchy and capitalist state, including Chair David Mussafer of the global private equity firm Advent International; Carol Lavin Bernick of Polished Nickel Capital Management; former Obama administration officials Lisa P. Jackson and Regina M. Benjamin; as well as Suzanne B. Grant, treasurer of the Zionist Jewish Federations of North America, which states on its website that it partners with Israel and other agencies to secure the Jewish state.

Tulane has numerous connections to the various arms of American militarism, including the National Guard Bureau Homeland Security Institute and the US Strategic Command Academic Alliance. Tulane is also one of three universities to receive a $21 million grants under a partnership between the US Department of Energy and Israeli Ministry of Energy known as the US-Israel Energy Center, with research into fossil energy and cybersecurity infrastructure.

The subordination of higher education to the military, the capitalist state, and the financial oligarchy is what lies behind the intransigent response of the university administration to the appeals and demands of students and even faculty. The ruling class will not give in to pressure from below. Instead, the growth of opposition to war and capitalism is driving the bourgeoisie to carry out openly dictatorial measures.

The current protest movement, having failed to stop either the genocide or the attacks on democratic rights, faces profound questions of political perspective and class orientation. The current strategy based on pressuring the universities, the politicians and the Democratic Party, which is the principal enabler of the genocide, is doomed to failure. Anger and opposition are not enough.

The middle-class forces and conceptions that presently dominate the protest movement, including those that attempt to explain the genocide in primarily racial and national terms, function to preempt a deeper historical and global understanding of the genocide, which is fundamentally rooted in the crisis of capitalism and the emergence of a new world war led by US imperialism.

Such an understanding, as outlined by the recent statement of the International Youth and Students for Social Equality, Ten months of the Gaza genocide: The way forward in the fight against war, is essential for students as they confront an escalation of the genocide, the drive to dictatorship and the threat of world war. None of these questions can be resolved outside of the fight to end capitalism, and this requires that the struggle against war be linked with and based on the power of the international working class.
Following the anti-democratic dissolution of the Move Forward Party (MFP) last month, Thailands main opposition party has regrouped in what is now called the Peoples (Prachachon) Party. It remains the largest, single party in the National Assembly while continuing to posture as a progressive party opposed to the traditional elites centred on the military and the monarchy.

People's Party leader Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut, standing at the Parliament in Bangkok, Thailand, Friday, Aug. 16, 2024 [AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit]

The rebranding of the MFP took place on August 9, two days after the party was formally banned by Thailands military-appointed Constitutional Court (CC). Eleven leading figures in the party, including members of parliament, are barred from politics for ten years. The remaining 143 MPs then joined the micro Thinkakhao Chaowilai Party, renaming it the Peoples Party (PP).

The court dissolved the MFP on the phony claims that it was seeking to overthrow the monarchy as part of its campaign pledge to amend the lese-majeste law. Also referred to as Article 112 of the Thai Criminal Code, the lese-majeste law forbids any criticism of the king with punishments of up to 15 years for each offence. Since large-scale, student-led protests in 2020, it has been used to charge around 272 protesters and government critics, with one individual sentenced to a record 50 years.

The dissolution is bound up with the crisis of bourgeois rule in Thailand. Two days after the ruling, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin of Pheu Thai was also dismissed by the Constitutional Court for supposedly breaching ethical standards by appointing as cabinet member a lawyer who was sentenced to six months in prison for corruption in 2008.

The conservative establishment is aware that it sits on a social powder keg due to low economic growth, low wages, exorbitant household debt and growing attacks on job positions as factories throughout Thailand close. Thailand consistently ranks as one of the most socially unequal countries in the world in terms of wealth inequality with the top 1 percent holding 56 percent of total wealtha source of immense social tensions.

Having lost the popular vote in the 2023 general election, the layers close to the military and monarchy are opting to eliminate their political opponents through legal means to give their anti-democratic manoeuvres a veneer of legitimacy. The MFP garnered more than 14 million votes in last years election, more than any other party.

The PP is the third iteration of the party, which was originally founded in 2018 as the Future Forward Party (FFP) by Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit, once the richest member of parliament. The FFP was dissolved in 2020 by the Constitutional Court under another phony pretext that the party violated election law in the manner it accepted donations.

The PP is now led by 37-year-old Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut and is representative of the well-off social layers the party speaks for. Son of wealthy real estate tycoon Suchart Ruengpanyawut, Natthaphong holds declared assets of 397.3 million baht ($US11.6 million), including a plot of land and four buildings in Bangkok. After graduating as a computer engineer from the prestigious Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok, he founded the software development firm, Absolute Management Solutions.

Natthaphong, like his predecessors MFP leader Pita Limjaroenrat and Thanathorn, represents layers of the ruling class dissatisfied with the monopoly control of the economy by conservative sections associated with the military and the monarchy. In 2019, Natthaphong joined the FFP and has been a close political ally of Thanathorn.

Following the MFP dissolution ruling, Natthaphong has worked to prevent mass protests like those that took place in 2020-21 following the FFPs dissolution, by calling on supporters to look towards the 2027 general election. Thanathorn, who now leads an organisation aligned with the PP known as Progressive Movement, urged members and supporters of the MFP to just shrug and move forward and to respond to injustice by simply working harder.

In little more than two weeks, more than 62,000 people have registered as members of the Peoples Party and raised over 26 million baht ($US758,000) in donations, far exceeding its announced goal of 10 million baht by the end of the month. It is aiming to recruit 100,000 new members in a one-month span. Undoubtedly, many have joined the party or supported the party, concerned about the brazen attacks on democratic rights.

The refusal of the MFP, now the PP, to call protests and rallies to defend democratic rights reflects its fear, and that of the ruling class as a whole, that the opposition could spiral out of control, involve the working class and threaten bourgeois rule. The party has confined its opposition to the military-appointed Constitutional Court while tamely accepting its dissolution and reforging itself to function as a parliamentary opposition.

The newly adopted PP slogan is liberty, equality, fraternity of the 1789 French Revolution. However, no section of the bourgeoisiein Thailand or internationallybears any resemblance to the rising bourgeoisie in 18th century France which overthrew the feudal monarchy and aristocracy with the support of sections of the middle classes and the oppressed masses.

The PPs stated aim of forming a single party government in the 2027 election is intended to attract votes while attempting to convince workers and youth that democracy can be defended through the thoroughly anti-democratic parliamentary system imposed by the military after the 2014 coup.

Natthaphong stated in parliament that the party aims to fix the root problems, being the constitution and the unchecked power of independent organisations such as the Constitutional Court. Such comments are deliberately deceiving. The Thai military, which has a long history of coups this century and last, has made absolutely clear that it will resist any attempt to fundamentally change the constitution it drew up or the Constitutional Court that it appointed.

The root cause of the destruction of basic democratic rights in Thailand and internationally is the profit system. As the global crisis of capitalism worsens and social inequality deepens, the ruling classes are incapable of imposing huge new burdens on working people democratically.

The legal cases against the PP have not ended. Sawang Boonmee, secretary-general of the Election Commission, has responded to accusations that the PP is illegally receiving donations before being formally launched, saying he would look into the claims.

There are also 44 MPs and party members, including Natthaphong, who face possible lifetime bans for supporting a past bill to amend the draconian lese-majeste law. This was specifically cited by the CC in its ruling dissolving the MFP and is being deliberated over by the National Anti-Corruption Commission.

In an interview with Nation TV, Natthaphong stated he was not worried about the investigation, saying that he simply signed the bill, but did not join any anti-monarchy rallies, seek bail for the activists, or put up stickers showing solidarity with the anti-monarchy activists.

The Move Forward Party gained substantial support particularly from young people in the mass protests after the 2019 election as a result of its opposition to the military and calls for limited democratic reforms. The comments of Natthaphong disowning any connection to the protest movement are a clear sign that the party is shifting to the right and seeking an accommodation with the Bangkok establishment.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 2. The Director General for the Energy Sector at the Asian Development Bank (ADB), Priyantha Wijayatunga, has discussed the planned enhancement of green corridors with Azerbaijani officials during his visit to Baku, Trend reports.

The parties also discussed Azerbaijan's strategic development priorities, focusing on energy transition and expansion, renewable energy infrastructure, energy grid expansion, and decarbonization.

Wijayatunga met with Finance Minister Samir Sharifov and other officials, emphasizing the importance of accelerating Azerbaijan's energy transition.

He noted that as ADB and Azerbaijan mark 25 years of partnership, the ADB reaffirms its commitment to supporting the country's development goals.

Over the past 25 years, ADB has invested $1.7 billion in Azerbaijan's energy sector. The future partnership between Azerbaijan and ADB will focus on increasing the share of renewable energy to 30 percent by 2030 and developing green corridors, including a project to lay a cable across the Caspian Sea, and strengthening transmission and distribution networks.

Wijayatunga further discussed the successful establishment of the 230 MW Garadagh Solar Power Plant by Masdar near Alat, the first renewable solar energy project in Azerbaijan co-financed by ADB. Additionally, he highlighted future solar and wind energy projects totaling one GW.

He congratulated the Ministry of Energy on the recent launch of a pilot 100 kW floating solar photovoltaic system on Lake Boyukshor, near the Baku Olympic Stadium, the main venue for COP29.

ADB is also supporting Azerbaijan's leadership of COP29, including capacity building ahead of the UN Climate Summit in Baku in November.

Since Azerbaijan became a member of ADB in 1999, the bank has provided over $5 billion to the public and private sectors in areas such as transportation, energy, healthcare, and agriculture.

ADB remains committed to achieving a prosperous, inclusive, and sustainable Asia-Pacific region while continuing efforts to eradicate extreme poverty. ADB was established in 1966 and has 68 members, including 49 regional shareholders.

Stay up-to-date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
The Sozialistische Gleichheitspartei (Socialist Equality Party, SGP) is facing a bank boycott that jeopardises its ability to function. The boycott is aimed at silencing it politically.

The action against the SGP is part of a broader campaign to suppress all voices raised against the genocide in Gaza, against German militarism and against social devastation. We call on all readers to oppose this attack on democratic rights and make a generous donation today to maintain the SGPs ability to function. Donations must now be transferred to this account, and existing standing orders must be changed accordingly.

On June 28, Postbank, which was taken over by Deutsche Bank in 2009, terminated the SGPs account, which it had maintained for over 50 years, without providing any reason. Even before the letter was delivered, the bank blocked the account and refused to accept donations and membership fees, which has resulted in significant financial damage. Meanwhile, Postbank has had to lift the blockage, but maintains that the account will be terminated on October 25.

As a result, the SGP attempted to open an account at over 10 other banks, but was refusedagain, mostly without explanation. Even the Berliner Sparkasse, a public bank obliged to treat all parties equally and uphold fundamental rights, refused the SGP an account without giving reasons. Only the GLS Gemeinschaftsbank, which is organised as a cooperative and operates accounts for many left-wing groups and initiatives, allowed the SGP to open an account.

For the SGP, the unexpected termination and temporary blocking of its bank account are associated with enormous financial and logistical burdens. Donations received after the closure of the account will be rejected, and standing orders that have often existed for decades will be discontinued, without the relevant information about the new bank details being provided.

At the same time, it is virtually impossible to take legal action against the termination. In recent years, case law has become so ambiguous that the giant financial conglomerates are allowed to terminate any contract at any time without having to give a reason. This affects companies as well as political parties and voluntary associations.

In recent years, this case law has been used many times to harass and pressure opponents of war and left-wing organisations. Most recently, in March, the Berliner Sparkasse blocked the account of Jewish Voice for a Just Peace in the Middle East and demanded the peace activists provide it with a list of all their members. The reason was the groups position against the genocide in Gaza.

Deutsche Bank is playing a key role in the political campaign against opponents of the war. Under Hitler, the bank was deeply involved in Nazi crimes. It should have been broken up after the unconditional surrender of the German Reich, and central figures should have been charged with war crimes. However, under the conditions of the Cold War, German capital prevailed against the original plans of the Allies, and Deutsche Bank continued from 1957 as a nationwide financial group with the old Nazi elites still at the top.

After the 2008 financial crisis, Deutsche Bank gradually took over the previously state-owned Postbank, which had been compelled to uphold certain fundamental rights, and subsequently closed the accounts of many left-wing organisations. The fact that this action is now being taken against the SGP is part of a concerted campaign to silence the party. It is aimed at socialists and all opponents of war.

In 2014, the SGP condemned the governments proclamation of the end of Germanys military restraint, made the fight against the growing threat of war the focus of its work, and spoke out particularly sharply against the trivialisation of Nazi crimes. In response, the media launched a full-scale smear campaign against the SGP.

The Frankfurter Allgemeine, Der Spiegel, Die Zeit and many other newspapers published lies and defamations that were often retracted only after intervention by the Press Council. In addition, there were far-right attacks in Berlin and Dresden on events organised by the SGP youth organisation, the International Youth and Students for Social Equality (IYSSE).

In 2019, the Verfassungsschutz (Office for the Protection of the Constitution, as Germanys domestic intelligence service is called) for the first time included the SGP in its annual report as a left-wing extremist organisation, enabling the state to legally place the party under surveillance. It justified this by saying it was because the SGP fights against alleged nationalism, imperialism and militarism. After the SGP filed a lawsuit against the report, the federal Interior Ministry justified the surveillance of the party on the grounds that it fought for a democratic, egalitarian and socialist society.

With NATOs proxy war against Russia in Ukraine, the crackdown on the SGP intensified. The SGP was the only party to oppose this mass slaughter based on the perspective of international socialism. The Verfassungschutz report was used to deprive the party and its youth organisation of access to meeting rooms and to restrict their work on campus.

This took on new dimensions with the genocide in Gaza, which the German government fully supports. Berlins Humboldt University, the Ruhr University Bochum and many other universities refused to provide rooms to the IYSSE, SGP leaflets were confiscated by the police and their distribution banned, and the Oyoun cultural centre in Berlin was cut off from funding, in part because an SGP event was held on its premises. On the same day that the IYSSE achieved a record result of 8 percent in elections to the student parliament at Humboldt University, the Verfassungsschutz also included the youth organisation in its latest annual report.

The bank boycott of the SGP began at the same time and represents a further escalation of the actions against the party. The SGP is not only facing significant financial burdens, but also faces the prospect of losing its new account, and thus, de facto, its capacity to function. That big financial conglomerates can cripple the ability of parties with left-wing and anti-militarist positions to function is a fundamental violation of basic democratic rights.

The SGP is in the crosshairs of these attacks because it articulates the widespread opposition to the warmongering and social devastation that the government and all the parliamentary parties are ruthlessly pursuing. The SGP opposes the growing nationalism and anti-refugee agitation with the perspective of international socialism and the unity of all workers. It opposes both NATOs proxy war against Russia in Ukraine, without adapting to the Putin regime, and the genocide against the Palestinians, along with the horrendous levels of military spending. That is why it is to be silenced.

This is not only directed against the SGP, but against all opponents of war. In its constitutional complaint against surveillance by the Verfassungsschutz, the SGP had already made clear that fundamental democratic issues were at stake. If the government were to prevail, the SGP explained, this would establish the basis for dictatorship. We stated:

Every strike by workers, every protest against rearmament and every demonstration against the far right could be banned as anti-constitutional.

This warning is now being confirmed. The German government is supporting the genocide in Gaza and is aggressively acting against any opposition to this barbaric crime. Demonstrations are being banned, organisations dissolved, and peace activists prosecuted.

In doing so, those in power are acting not from a position of strength, but weakness. They know that their policy of war and genocide is meeting with enormous opposition from the vast majority of the population. The SGP not only articulates this opposition, but also provides it with a viable socialist perspective. That is why the government and corporations are acting so aggressively against it.

Now it is essential to mobilise this opposition to defend and strengthen the SGP. We call on all readers to challenge this attack and make a donation as soon as possible to maintain the SGPs ability to function. It is especially important to set up monthly contributions and to increase existing contributions as much as possible when switching to the new account. Only in this way can the SGP offset the financial burden and intensify its fight against fascism, war and capitalism.

The SGP's new bank details are:

Sozialistische Gleichheitspartei

GLS Gemeinschaftsbank eG, Bochum

IBAN: DE07 4306 0967 1338 6942 00

Donate now!
Work at Dakkota, Ford or in the auto industry? Fill out the form below to get involved.

Striking Dakkota workers on the picket line on Tuesday, August 20.

On Saturday, the United Auto Workers rammed through a concessions-filled contract on striking Dakkota auto parts workers, after forcing them to vote five times under constant threats of lockouts and job losses.

After the workers rejected four previous agreements, the UAW sent out a text message Sunday night saying that 92 percent voted Yes this time and 8 percent voted No. Last Sunday, workers rejected the deal by 54 percent at an explosive meeting at the union hall. Workers had voted to reject the first UAW-backed tentative agreement in early August by 87 percent.

The UAW sold us out completely, a Dakkota worker told the World Socialist Web Site on Sunday.

At a Dakkota Workers Rank-and-File Committee meeting held Sunday, one worker explained: The UAW said they would lock us out. They put fear into Dakkota workers. They were rushing to get us back to work there. He reported that the UAW Local 3212 president tried to strong arm workers with threats, which infuriated workers last week. On Thursday, workers were told that anyone who crossed the picket line would be eligible to vote.

The wars not over, the worker said. This is just the beginning of whats happening to everyone. This is my first experience on strike, and Im learning from it.

A significant section of workers defiantly voted No despite the threats from the company and the union. One worker said, I still voted No. I do not care. Since the beginning, it was scare tactics. Im going to walk in there with my head held up high. We lost this battle, but well win the war.

Another worker speaking to the WSWS denounced the censorship of the workers. I voted No, he said. I voted Hell no! They shut down their UAW 3212 app. They shut down the Facebook page. What type of people do that?

The latest agreement changed very little from the initial agreement workers rejected overwhelmingly. New hires would only make $16.80 to start, barely above Chicagos minimum wage, and top out at $18 an hour. Senior workers would make $1 more than what was initially offered, starting $22 an hour and ending with $26.50 in 2027.

Just as at Lear, John Deere, Dana and other companies where workers rejected pro-company contracts, the UAW forced through a vote by the most anti-democratic manner possible from the outset. The UAW in effect has made a practice of forcing workers to vote over and over on identical contracts until they finally get it right. Workers described the unions lack of transparency and attempts to ram through this deal as nothing short of a dictatorship throughout this process.

This is a completely illegitimate contract, the outcome of an illegitimate process. Dakkota workers endured constant coercion and intimidation from the UAW officials. They were starved on the picket lines without strike pay for more than two weeks, while being forced to fend for themselves by bringing their own water and picket signs in 90-degree heat.

Throughout the strike, workers seethed against the economic hardship they had to endure and the sellout contracts the UAW kept bringing back. This thrust them into conflict with the pro-company UAW bureaucracy, which has sought to sabotage, isolate and break the strike from the very beginning.

From the outset, the union worked to keep the strike isolated from the wider struggles of autoworkers, including Stellantis Warren Truck workers fighting mass layoffs and the workers at the nearby Ford Chicago Assembly plant, which Dakkota supplies subframes, suspensions and other critical parts. The UAW International under President Shawn Fain and Local 551 kept Ford Chicago workers working with scab parts.

But Dakkota workers did seek to break the UAW-imposed isolation and sellouts by fighting to expand the strike. The workers formed the Dakkota Workers Rank-and-File Committee, which was the most conscious and strategic voice of the opposition and rebellion of Dakkota workers throughout the strike.

Last Sunday, the rank-and-file committee called for a No vote, which was taken up by all the workers at the union hall. On Wednesday, Dakkota workers led a picket outside the Ford plant with a statement calling for a ban on scab parts. Ford workers, who were from the beginning outraged at being forced by the UAW to handle scab parts, were further enraged and spoke out on social media.

While the UAW officials sought to shift the blame onto individual workers crossing the picket line after being starved out for weeks, the real strikebreakers were the UAW apparatus itself.

Shawn Fain, who called Trump a scab at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, made a point of not visiting any of the striking workers at the picket lines. He returned to Chicago the following week for a UAW Region 4 conference and continued to maintain a silence on the strike. When workers found out that Fain was in Chicago twice in two weeks while they were on strike, many were angry.

Following the mass layoffs at the Big Three automakers, the betrayal at Dakkota further exposes the lie that the UAW bureaucracy has been reformed under new President Shawn Fain or that it is possible to reform it through rank-and-file pressure. Instead, the apparatus must be smashed and replaced with new structures that workers actually control.



The entire media and the political establishment enforced a total information blackout. There was not a single article published by any of the major news media, from the New York Times, the Chicago Tribune, the Chicago Sun-Times, or any of the news networks such as ABC, NBC or local radio stations like WBEZ. Workers reported to the WSWS that they tried calling various major networks asking them to cover their strike, but not a single one came to the pickets.

The pseudo-left Democratic Socialists of America, Left Voice, Labor Notes, Jacobin and the rest have kept radio silence on this critical struggle of hyper-exploited parts workers. At the pseudo-left Socialism 2024 conference, the Unite All Workers for Democracy (UAWD) faction of the union told WSWS reporters Sunday they had not even heard of the Dakkota workers strike.

Only the World Socialist Web Site has continuously sought to give voice to this important struggle. A Dakkota worker said, I appreciate all of you for what you did for us. Thank you for everything you all reported throughout. Everything. I learned a lot through this strike.

The wars not over. This is just the beginning.

Dakkota workers and autoworkers as a whole must draw critical lessons from this experience. The fight is far from over. Workers will confront many problems in the coming weeks and months ahead.

What was revealed in the Dakkota workers strike was that a serious fight for decent paying jobs can only develop in the form of a conscious rank-and-file struggle against the UAW bureaucracy, a rebellion in which the central question is the broad unity of workers, not just at an individual plant, but a working class movement against exploitation in general.

The crude thuggishness with which the union bureaucrats responded to workers determination reflected their fear that their strike could trigger a broader revolt of the rank and file.

The more Dakkota workers dug in, especially after they appealed to Ford Chicago workers to refuse to handle scab parts, the more the bureaucracy responded ruthlessly to betray the strike.

A jobs bloodbath is starting in the global auto industry as companies shift towards electric vehicles, which require fewer parts. In addition to thousands of job cuts in the US, tens of thousands more are already planned in Italy and throughout Europe.

Already, parts workers are facing job cuts. The Dana parts facility in Lima, Ohio, which has operated for 50 years, is being threatened with closure. Thousands of Dana parts workers faced arbitrary firings last year, with the complicity of the UAW bureaucracy.

Autoworkers everywhere must draw the lessons of the Dakkota strike. The fight for good paying jobs can only take place in a rebellion against the pro-corporate union bureaucracy, uniting workers into a broader movement against capitalist exploitation.
On August 28, the US Supreme Court rejected the Biden administrations request to lift a lower court injunction against its Saving on a Valuable Education (SAVE) student loan forgiveness plan.

The 8th Circuit Court of Appeals, based in St. Louis, the lower court in question, rendered a sweeping injunction requested by Republican state government litigants. This blocked the remaining provisions of SAVE not blocked by two lower court rulings.

The Biden administration criticized this sweeping injunction as effectively granting an appeal requested (and subsequently denied) in another lawsuit in the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals by the Republican governments of Alaska, South Carolina and Texas to put the whole plan on hold. Both cases were sent back to their respective circuit courts of appeal.

Borrowers enrolled in SAVE were placed in forbearance, an interest-free payment pause, in June, and, according to the US Department of Education, will remain there until the resolution of the lawsuits.

SAVE was launched in July 2023, lowering the relative amount required to pay towards student loans in order to count toward debt forgiveness. Before, under the REPAYE program, borrowers were required to pay a percentage of their discretionary income above 150 percent of the federal poverty line. SAVE raised the amount protected to 225 percent, or any income below $33,885 before taxes for a single person living in the contiguous 48 states.

The amount paid of income earned above this level is 5 percent for undergraduate debt, and between 5 and 10 percent for above-undergraduate level debt. While the plan forgives student loans of $12,000 or less after 10 years of income-driven repayment, as we previously wrote, undergraduate and graduate degree debt holders, who have on average $29,400 and $38,787 in debt respectively, would have to work around a quarter or a third of their remaining life to reach forgiveness for their student loans. The plan had forgiven about 0.3 percent of the $1.75 trillion in student loan debt before being put on ice.

The appeal by the administration was rejected in an unsigned two-sentence order. The significance of an unsigned order is that no objection was lodged by any of the justices, indicating the tacit agreement of the liberal minority on the court. The Supreme Court, which struck down Bidens previous student loan forgiveness plan, could intervene at a future date, especially if the lower courts render a verdict in favor of SAVE.

SAVEs income-driven repayment (IDR) plan is currently blocked, with all SAVE payments blocked and not accruing interest. Of the 8 million borrowers enrolled in SAVE, the 3.4 million who owe monthly payments are currently in indefinite administrative forbearance, with payments not due even if bills are received. While in indefinite forbearance, however, borrowers will not earn credits towards IDR or Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF), according to the Department of Education.

Education Secretary Miguel Cardona, appearing on CBS Morning, said the Biden administration was continuing to fight the lawsuits in court.

Several corporate publications aligned with the Democratic Party have pointed to the fact that a second Trump administration would likely drop the defense of the SAVE plan. The Democrats, when they had control of the House, the Senate and the presidency in 2021, failed to pass any legislation codifying student loan forgiveness.

The various half-measures proposed by the Biden administration, and now embraced by the Kamala Harris campaign, do not in any sense establish higher education as a social right. While funding for war with Russia, Israeli genocide in Gaza and attempts to provoke a wider regional war with Iran, and preparations for war with China meet with bipartisan agreement, even bandaid measures to alleviate some of the financial pressures weighing down on students and ex-students are fiercely resisted by the courts and opposed by congressional Republicans.

To put it simply, the program of global war cannot be reconciled with even the most minimal program of social reform. President Lyndon B. Johnsons Great Society social reforms were scrapped as his imperialist war against Vietnam escalated. The constituency for such reforms in the ruling class has long since dissipated.

The $1 trillion military budget is diverted from the pockets of the working class and extracted through the destruction of the social conditions of workers and young people. From the standpoint of the bourgeoisie, every dollar not squeezed out of student loan holders is a dollar that could have been used for weapons for world warnot to mention the lining of their own pockets.

In the present epoch of imperialism, only a revolutionary program is capable of defending and establishing democratic and social rights, such as the right to a free, quality education, as well as defeating fascism and stopping world war. This is explained in the main resolution of last months Eighth National Congress of the Socialist Equality Party (US), titled The 2024 US elections and the tasks of the Socialist Equality Party, which states under Point 40:

Immediate measures must be taken to promote social equality and a radical redistribution of wealth, including a progressive income tax that places the burden of taxation on the rich while lowering taxes for the vast majority of the population. Taxes on the profits of all major corporations must be sharply increased. The wealth of the capitalist oligarchs must be seized, while immediate measures must be taken to alleviate the crushing debt burden on workers, including the cancellation of household and student debt.

The program explicitly calls for the working class to expropriate the banks and financial institutions and nationalize all corporations valued at over $10 billion. Such socialist and revolutionary measures, carried out by the working class united as an independent social and political force against both capitalist parties and the entire profit system, provide the only basis for ending the servitude of millions of student loan borrowers to the banks, hedge funds and billionaire oligarchs.
Dakkota auto parts workers on strike in Chicago on the picket line on August 27, 2024.

Today is Labor Day in the United States, which traditionally marks the beginning of the final stage of the presidential election. In the final two months of their campaigns, both parties, the Democrats and Republicans, are engaged in a massive political deception.

The campaign of Kamala Harris is doing everything it can to avoid discussing its real agenda, which is centered on the escalation of imperialist war. The Trump campaign is couching its fascistic policies, which express the interests of ruthless sections of the corporate and financial oligarchy, in an onslaught of populist demagogy.

The official Labor Day events organized by the trade union apparatus make a mockery of any idea of working class power. The union apparatus is attempting to present Harris as the candidate of the working class, under conditions where the apparatus itself is helping to implement a major assault on jobs and wages.

The UAW will host Harris in Detroit one month prior to the mass layoff of over 2,000 workers at Stellantis Warren Truck Assembly on October 8, which the UAW is helping to implement. At the Dakkota auto parts plant in Chicago, the UAW forced workers to vote five times on the same UAW-backed concessions contract, which was finally rammed through under threats and blackmail on Saturday.

Central to the political strategy of the Democratic Party is the utilization of the trade union apparatus to subordinate workers to war. This is what President Biden meant when he referred to the AFL-CIO as his domestic NATO.

It can be said with certainty that in her Labor Day remarks Harris will say nothing about the fact that an enormous escalation is presently underway in the war against Russia, including the deployment of NATO tanks on Russian territory, and, on Sunday, coordinated drone strikes on Moscow and other Russian cities. On Friday, the foreign minister of Turkey, a NATO member, warned that the war in Ukraine risks escalating into a war involving the use of nuclear weapons.

At the same time, the direct participation of the Biden-Harris administration in Israels ongoing genocide in Gaza has provoked mass revulsion and outrage. While Harris talks of a ceasefire, the Netanyahu regime in Israel, with US support, is expanding the genocide into the West Bank, while threatening a regional war targeted at Iran.

Everything is to be subordinated to this war agenda. The Democratic Party, a party of Wall Street, the military-intelligence agencies and privileged sections of the upper-middle class, is incapable of speaking to or advancing policies that address the social catastrophe confronting masses of workers and youth.

This is what provides Trump and the Republicans the ability to exploit social anger. Workers must be warned, however: Trump and his MAGA movement are a new form of American-style fascism.

Trump, modeling himself on Hitler and Mussolini, claims he will save American jobs and even end the war against Russia in Ukraine. Trumps real program, however, is the ruthless implementation of the dictates of the financial oligarchy.

In the Republicans Project 2025 and Trumps own America First agenda, this policy is spelled out: The removal of all regulations on corporate exploitation, massive cuts in social programs, and further tax cuts for the super-wealthy. This is why Trumps campaign is bankrolled by significant sections of the financial aristocracy, like Blackstone CEO Stephen Schwarzman (net worth $43.2 billion) and Tesla boss and owner of X Elon Musk (net worth $243.7 billion).

The focus of Trumps fascist demagogy is on immigrants and refugees, whom he seeks to scapegoat for the social crisis in the United States, distracting attention from the corporate and financial elite that exploits workers of all races and nationalities for profit. He has threatened to deploy the National Guard to round up and deport millions of immigrant workers.

That is, he is threatening military dictatorship. The main target of the evisceration of basic democratic rights is the working class.

This is the choice that the population is offered in the elections. The entire process is itself deeply undemocratic. The two partiesthe Democrats in particularare engaged in an effort to prevent any candidates besides Harris and Trump from even appearing on the ballot, exploiting ballot access rules that often require tens of thousands of signatures or more in each state. Everything is done to exclude any political articulation of the interests of the working class.

Regardless of which of these candidates wins, the election will be followed by the expansion of war, which threatens nuclear annihilation, as well as an intensification of the assault on democratic rights and an escalation of attacks on living conditions. Moreover, both parties are absolutely committed to a policy of forever COVID, amidst a major new wave of infections and deaths.

In the broad mass of the working class and youth, there is rising social anger and discontent. However, the transformation of this opposition into a conscious movement for socialism is not automatic.

In announcing the Socialist Equality Party (SEP) election campaign of Joseph Kishore for president and Jerry White for vice president, SEP National Chairman David North wrote that the purpose of the campaign is to:

raise the political consciousness of the working class, to develop its understanding that no solution can be found to any of the problems confronting working people except through the ending of the capitalist system and its replacement with socialism, and that this great historical task can only be achieved by adopting a global strategy aimed at the mobilization of the power of the American and international working class in a unified struggle against the world capitalist system.

This is the basic task that confronts workers and youth in the two months until the election and beyond.
UPS workers: Speak out against, job cuts and working conditions and other issues you and your coworkers face. Fill out the form below to contact us; all submissions will remain anonymous.

UPS driver delivers a box in Natalia, Texas, on August 24, 2020 [Photo: US Department of Agriculture]

A veteran UPS driver from North Texas recently spoke with the WSWS, following the recent death and injury of two Texas-based UPS drivers. Dangerous temperatures, made worse by the lack of air conditioning in warehouses and vehicles, are one of many routine safety problems which UPS workers across the United States confront.

These continue after the supposed historic contract pushed through by International Brotherhood of Teamsters (IBT) leadership last year. Since then, the company has rolled out plans to automate or close 200 facilities, and package delivery drivers are still working without air conditioning.

Nolan, whose name has been changed to protect his identity, knew a worker involved in a traffic accident after he passed out behind the wheel of his vehicle due to excessive heat. The injured worker, stationed in Longview, TX, was picking up a relief shift in the McKinney, TX facility. Nolan noted that cross-facility assignments are prohibited: This was a violation of contract. To reassign a driver, management needs union permission, and then they have to put out a [requisition] to hire new drivers.

According to Nolan, the worker had called his supervisor to alert them that he fell outhe was suffering heat distress, vomiting and needed guidance.

Under safety protocols, the driver should have ended his route and sought medical care. Instead, the supervisor directed the driver to drive back to the hub. The worker later fell unconscious while driving on the highway, and crashed into a tree. He fortunately survived and is recuperating.

Since the driver was actually based in Longview, this drive was a suicide mission. This brother had a two-hour drive back to Longview, plus whatever his commute was home. He added, He has a massive lawsuit on his hands.

The struggle over safety

This injury followed the heat-related death of 37-year-old driver driver Luis Grimaldo on August 6, as well as the horrific death of Juan Chavez, 68, who fell into a trash compactor at a UPS Dallas facility in May, and numerous other fatalities and injuries aty UPS.

According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), UPS was responsible for 1,142 severe workplace injuries between 2015 and 2022, the most of any US employer.

The issue over air conditioning for delivery drivers has become particularly acute, as global temperatures continue to soar. In the US, there has been a long-term shift in population to warm-weather states. Outdoor temperatures in Texas regularly exceed 100 degrees Fahrenheit (38 degrees celsius), and the backs of trucks can exceed 150 degrees.

In July, a 51-year-old USPS worker died in Fayetteville, North Carolina after riding in the back of a postal truck all day.

Nolan expressed frustration at how workers are blamed for the injuries caused by lax safety and speed-up: Management tries to cover their asses with [Professional Crisis Management] rules and blame workers for safety, but if we actually worked to rule, this whole system would crash to a halt.

UPS sellout contract

Last year, Teamsters officials told UPS drivers that a new contract had secured air conditioning for vehicles. This was a lie: the deal applies only to newly-purchased vehicles. Given that the company regularly keeps its vehicles in operation for decades, this means that virtually nobody will receive air conditioning by the end of the contract.

To date only about six percent of UPS 100,000 vehicles are equipped with AC. Those vehicles are not for typical package delivery, states Nolan. Theyre specialties like air drivers, driving smaller vans, delivering letters to offices.

Nolan details how UPS management feigned concern over heat safety, made token investments before the contract and purchased a massive back-stock of trucks that would be exempt from future AC requirements. Three months before the contract, they started putting in coolers and ice machines, then fans, then bought these useless cooling sleeves. Then they bought 23,000 trucks with a 2023 VIN.

Workers didnt have time to read the contract fully, Nolan said. Management knew every single thing [the Teamsters] were going to bargain for, and they had [a strategy] in place.

Nolan blamed the Teamsters bureaucracy for the massive loopholes that provide UPS discretion over implementing temperature regulation in the future: Theres a clause in the contract that says AC is based on productivity. Its based on delivering certain volumes, which UPS totally controls. They have USPS, they have FedExplaces where they can dump deliveries to reduce volume.

He also blamed the Teamsters for not enforcing other clear provisions of the contract: They told us wed have no cameras in our trucks. We still have cameras.

Nolan decried the so-called historic gains of the 2023 contract, The raise to $21 per hour was a joke. A few years ago, maybe, $21 was something to achieve for, but today in Arlington, Texas this is nothing.

The historic contract is only historic for UPS, he concluded. Historically, this is the most weve given back to [UPS] in concessions. And the [Teamsters bureaucracy] gave them the loopholes needed to violate every gain they claimed.

McKinney rally used as media op for union local

In response to the serious accident at the UPS McKinney hub, workers staged a picket to demand AC in their vehicles. The picket was officially supported by Teamsters Local 767, who were fearful that it might escape their control.

Its a political ploy by [Local 767 president] Dave Reeves, Nolan said of IBTs supposed support for the workers, because there are local elections here. He continued, If [Reeves] wanted to get something done, he would have called all 400 workers to picket outside while he stayed in the building, raising hell to that center manager.

He cautioned workers raising union-provided signs, Its all a media op by the [union bureaucrats] and management. And the workers lose every time.

Anger towards the Teamsters bureaucracy

Nolan reserved some choice remarks for Teamsters General President Sean OBrien, who was elevated to the unions top post as a so-called reformer in the 2021 elections. OBrien was instrumental in the sellout at UPS as well as the strike ban against railroaders in 2022. Since then, he has openly courted the extreme-right and Donald Trump, even speaking on the first night of the Republican National Convention.

Sean OBrien, visiting Trump and speaking at the RNC, thought he was pulling a fast one. But instead he hung himself with this contract and his media stunts. A small group of MAGA die-hards like him, but to the rest of [UPS] workers hes a joke, said Nolan.

Nolan said that OBrien was an insider of the previous administration of James Hoffa Jr, and splintered off to appear as an outsider. The Teamsters for a Democratic Union faction, he said, posed as the Teamsters watchman, but theyre not the watchman. Theyre all insiders now.

The only way its going to get done, he concluded, is if the rank-and-file stand up and say, No more. No more. The power is ours and were going to take it. We can suffer for a day, or suffer for life.
The pseudo-left government of Gabriel Boric in Chile and the fascistic administration of Javier Milei in Argentina have closed ranks in military exercises this week that constitute part of the war preparations of US imperialism and the NATO Alliance. Both regimes are fully committed to supporting the NATO war in Ukraine against Russia.

Troops lined up in front of Chilean Army's Israeli-made LAR-160 rocket launcher during Southern Phoenix 24 military exercises [Photo: Ejercito de Chile]

The armies of Chile, Argentina and the United States began joint military exercises in Tarapaca, northern Chile last Wednesday, August 28.

Several hundred soldiers, members of the Chilean and Argentine Armed Forces, together with US troops belonging to the 11th Airborne Division, 75th Field Artillery Brigade, 1st Security Forces Assistance Brigade and Texas Army National Guard are currently involved in this operation called Southern Phoenix. The war games were originally planned in April at a conference in Iquique between President Boric, the US Southern Command and the Chilean military.

They are now being joined by their Argentine counterparts. The 10-day exercise will make use of advanced and heavy US weaponry, such as the M142 High Mobility Artillery System (HIMARS), a precision rocket system capable of firing rockets up to 50 miles.

The original Operation Phoenix, created by the US Central Intelligence Agency in 1967 for the Vietnam War was a civilian assassination program much like its South American counterpart Operation Condor in the 1970s. That this military exercise now goes by a similar name is no coincidence and reveals, in part, the role that US imperialism envisions for its Latin American junior partners. This became evident at a two day defense conference that took place in Santiago last week.

On August 27, the day before the military exercises began, South American military leaders met in Santiago, Chiles capital city, with representatives of the US Southern Command at the defense conference (SOUTHDEC 24) to discuss how to cooperate against regional threats to democracy, in the words of a report from the US Southern Command.

This year, SOUTHDEC 24 included military representatives from Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Surinam and Uruguay. Also present were officials from Canada, France, and the United Kingdom, all leading NATO members. While not full partners, several Latin American countries have working relationships with the US-led alliance, including Chile, Brazil, and Argentina, while Colombia is a full global partner.

US National Guard leaders from Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, New York, South Carolina, and Texas also took part. These represented states whose national guards have so-called state partnerships with South American governments. Representatives from the Inter-American Defense Board, the Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation (WHINSEC), the William J. Perry Center, the Inter-American Defense College, and U.S Space Command also attended.

Leading the US delegation were Army Gen. Laura Richardson, commander of the US Southern Command (SOUTHCOM), and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Air Force Gen. Charles C. Brown.

Both Brown and Richardson took advantage of their presence at the conference to hold private meetings with Chiles Defense Minister, Maya Fernandez Allende, and military chief Vice Admiral Pablo Niemann.

Venezuela

SOUTHDEC 24 focused on Leveraging New Technologies for the Common Defense of Hemispheric Sovereignty.

The Southern Command website described the 2-day conference as follows: During panels, dialogue, briefings, roundtables and bilateral meetings, leaders discussed ways to work together to leverage new technologieslike artificial intelligence and machine learningand strengthen collaboration in space, to confront unfolding threats in South America and the Western Hemisphere.

Addressing the opening ceremony, General Richardson aimed her guns at Venezuela:

Democracy and its fundamental values remain under attack globally. And we dont have to look any further than Venezuela, where Nicolas Maduro continues to undermine the democratic will of the Venezuelan peoplehaving already caused 7.5 million Venezuelans to fleeincreasing irregular migration throughout South and Central America.

She added: SOUTHDEC is an opportunity to come together and ensure we remain laser-focused on working across all domains and boundaries to ensure a free, secure, and prosperous Western Hemisphere.

The conference is the latest step by Washington to align the armed forces of the SOUTHDEC attendees behind ongoing efforts to oust the government of President Nicolas Maduro in Venezuela, which are currently centered around claims that the US-funded opposition led by the fascistic CIA asset Maria Corina Machado and her stand-in, retired diplomat Edmundo Gonzalez, won the July 28 elections.

At the same time, the substantial armed forces in Latin America are being goaded into preparations for war in the Pacific against China.

The 11th Airborne Division of the US Army joined the Southern Phoenix military exercises. It is a division specifically dedicated to the Indo-Pacific region and the Arctic, and has the capacity of quickly projecting troops throughout the Arctic, the European and Indo-Pacific theaters, according to the Southern Command statement.

The close relationship between the Chilean and Argentine militaries and the US armed forces goes back decades, including during the fascist dictatorships under Gen. Augusto Pinochet in Chile and Gen. Rafael Videla in Argentina. In Chile, those ties continued seamlessly after the Pinochet regime and are being renewed in Argentina by the fascistic Milei administration, which is attempting to refurbish the legacy of the murderous military junta that ruled the country between 1976 and 1983.

In May and June of this year, Chiles Navy participated in the US-led Rim of the Pacific or RIMPAC24 Indo-Pacific exercises together with personnel and ships of 28 other nations (Brazil, Colombia, Mexico, Peru, Ecuador , Canada, Australia, Belgium, Brunei, Denmark, France, Germany, Israel, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, Netherlands, New Zealand, the Republic of Korea, the Republic of the Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Tonga, the United Kingdom, the United States). The theme of this naval exercise was Partners: Integrated and Prepared.

For the first time in RIMPAC history, a member of the Chilean Navy, Commodore Alberto Guerrero, served as deputy commander of the exercises Command Task Force, working in the command center alongside officers from the US, Japan, Canada and Australia.

Boric, elected in 2021 in the aftermath of the savage repression of student protesters in 2019, with the support of the Morenoite pseudo-left and the Stalinist Communist Party, has betrayed all of his promises of democratic and social reform. In 2023, he rammed through draconian police-state measures against workers and immigrants, which so far have been more extreme than those being imposed by his fascist partner Milei on the other side of the Andes.

Earlier this year in Switzerland he warmly embraced Ukrainian dictator Volodymyr Zelensky. While critical of the genocide in Gaza, Boric did not oppose the Chilean Navy partnering with its Israeli counterpart in RIMPAC24.

President Boric and Milei have not yet embraced each other. Milei denounces Boric and other nominally left leaders across the world. Nonetheless, so-called leftists Boric, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador in Mexico, Lula da Silva in Brazil, and others in Latin America have lined up with US imperialism together with extreme rightists and fascists such as Milei, Zelensky and Netanyahu.

Boric and Milei are both militarizing their own societies in partnership with the US Southern Command and strengthening their military partnerships with US imperialism, which has implications for Latin America, NATOs war on Russia, the brutal war in the Middle East and the naval provocations against China.

The militarization of Chile, Argentina and Latin America and the growing influence of the US Southern Command are clear signs of a developing global third world war, which threatens to destroy human civilization. At the same time, the close relations being forged between the Pentagon and the Latin American military commands are creating the foundations for a new wave of US-backed coups, whenever Washington sees them as necessary.

It is imperative that the working class on both sides of the Andes mountains and across the Americas unite in struggle to stop war and the threat of dictatorship through the fight for a world socialist revolution.
The 2024-2025 academic year for K-12 schools has begun amid the ongoing ninth wave of the COVID-19 pandemic that is infecting some 1.3 million Americans daily. While all mitigation measures to protect against contracting COVID-19 in schools and workplaces have been dropped by the ruling class, even more public health crises loom on the horizon. In the last week, the World Health Organization deemed monkeypox, or mpox, a global health emergency, and the H5N1 bird flu is also spreading at an alarming rate among dairy workers.

An adult and a child, both wear face masks amid the coronavirus outbreak in the Chinatown neighborhood of Los Angeles. [AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes]

COVID-19 is being transmitted at record high levels and has killed more than 1,900 American children since the start of the pandemic, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Despite this, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), a leading professional organization of pediatricians in the United States, has updated its guidelines to emphasize that sick children should attend school, further enshrining the let it rip policy first adopted by Trump and then continued by the Biden administration and the Democratic Party with the assistance of the CDC.

The AAP, whose recommendations and guidelines are highly influential and frequently used by healthcare providers, policymakers and parents to inform their decisions about child health care, is now encouraging parents to send their children to school despite showing obvious signs of illness, representing the continued deterioration of public health measures that were initially set up at the start of the pandemic.

Most school districts already urge students to attend school with mild symptoms such as colds or a runny nose. The Los Angeles Unified School District, for example, had previously suggested students remain at home if they are experiencing vomiting, diarrhea, severe pain or have a fever of 100 degrees Fahrenheit or higher.

The AAPs recent guidance updates, however, raise the bar for what they deem to be truly sick and go far beyond previous guidelines, such as those issued by LA Unified, to encourage symptomatic children to attend school. The new guidelines stress, Dont have your child stay home unless they are truly sick. Reasons to keep your child home from school include a fever greater than 101 degrees F, vomiting, diarrhea, a hacking cough, toothache or other infectious illnesses. Keep in mind, complaints of frequent stomach aches or headaches can be a sign of anxiety and may not be a reason to stay home.

The AAP makes no suggestion that children with such symptoms be tested for COVID-19, Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), or any other airborne virus.

Furthermore, the AAP guidelines claim that mild diarrhea can be mitigated at school by older children. According to the website Healthychildren.org, mild diarrhea is defined as 3-5 watery stools per day. Since up to five bouts of diarrhea are allowed, the burden to keep track of how ill a child is shifts from parents and caretakers to the child and school nurse, where present.

The new guidelines will place immense strain on school nurses as they already face severe understaffing. More than a third of all US K-12 schools dont employ even a single school nurse on site. This critical job is drastically underfunded and overburdened, and without professional medical guidance, schools continue to function as daily superspreading events.

The director of student support services in Oakland, CA recently stated, Unless your student has a fever or threw up in the last 24 hours, you are coming to school. Thats what we want.

The elimination of all scientifically backed mitigation measures is a class policy by the ruling elite to crack down on labor shortages in the workforce by requiring sick students to attend school, so their parents go to work. Schools are a major battleground in which the interests of the working class for safe schools and the highest levels of protection for students and families are directly posed against the capitalist ruling class.

The AAPs recent guidance has no scientific merit but is a capitulation to the ruling class policy of mass infection and reinfection that prioritizes profits over public health.

The Biden administration, with the assistance of the corporatist education unions, pushed open in-person schooling by the 2021-2022 school year at which point less than half of all states were following CDC recommendations for mask-wearing in class. By February 2022, the CDC lifted its masking guidelines, scrapping the last of the mitigations in schools that were never outfitted with high-quality air filtration systems which can play a central role in preventing infections.

In fact, within the first few days of the current school year opening, some schools are already being forced to close down across the country as teachers and students are infected at rapid speed.

The AAP claims its updates are focused on reducing truancy and abstention from school, but encouraging children to go to school despite signs of illness will do nothing but lead to more children and family members sent to emergency rooms, higher rates of infection and even deaths. The new guidelines exacerbate the normalization of mass infection and death as it pertains to COVID-19 and all future epidemics.

The Pandemic Mitigation Collaborative (PMC), run by Dr. Michael Hoerger at Tulane University, warned on August 12, We are likely near the peak of the wave, unless the unprecedented context of back-to-school with no emphasis on mitigation pushes transmission higher in ways the model cannot predict statistically.

Significantly, the PMC model estimates that Americans have now had COVID-19 on average 3.3 times. According to one study, people who self-report having had three infections have a 40 percent chance of developing Long COVID, which can affect nearly every organ system in the human body and acts as a mass disabling event, with more than 200 symptoms documented by the National Academy of Sciences. The PMC model estimates 468,000 to 1,870,000 new cases of Long COVID per week at current transmission levels, an astounding level of new disability being created on a weekly basis.

Meanwhile the education unions, including the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) and National Education Association (NEA), who helped reopen schools amid mass infections, have said nothing about the situation students and educators are facing at the beginning of the new school year amid a record summer surge. As their websites testify, the AFT and NEA are instead hyperfocused on corralling educators to vote for Harris/Walz in November, the very politicians who will oversee unprecedented cuts to education to fund imperialist war and genocide.

In addition to the wave of COVID-19, other diseases that have significant consequences for children and immunocompromised people are also on the rise including measles, RSV, chickenpox, and pertussis.

In June, Airfinity, a UK-based data and analytics company that specializes in monitoring and forecasting trends in global disease and public health, reported that the world is seeing a resurgence of at least 13 infectious diseases, with cases higher than before the pandemic in many regions. Over 40 countries or territories have reported at least one infectious disease resurgence thats 10-fold or more over their pre-pandemic baseline.

The recent public health emergency declaration by the World Health Organization (WHO) on a more lethal variant of mpox (clade 1b, also designated 1 MPXV), as well as the rapidly evolving H5N1 bird flu virus, must also be taken into account when considering the destruction of disease control and the AAPs recommendations at inviting sick children into schools without proper testing or mitigations.

The WHO has yet to find the paltry $15 million in funding to address the most acute needs of bringing trained personnel and supplies to a conflict region, the eastern portion of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), to suppress the mpox outbreak.

Since the beginning of 2022, health authorities have identified 37,583 confirmed and suspected cases of mpox clade 1b with 1,451 deaths, a case fatality rate (CFR) of 3.9 percent across 15 African Union member states. This figure is well above the 1-3 percent CFR worldwide from COVID-19. Mpox could thus be three or four times as lethal as COVID-19.

Unlike COVID-19, where the fatality index is higher among the oldest patients, the reverse is true with the current virulent strain of mpox. WHO data show that children are nearly four times more likely to die from the virus than adults. While the case fatality rate is 2.4 percent for adults, it jumps to 8.6 percent among those 15 and younger. Of the mpox deaths reported in 2024, 62 percent were among children under five.

The recent AAP guidance also makes no mention of masks and their role in mitigating infection despite previous encouragement by the CDC for students to wear masks when returning from a COVID-19 infection. This is not an oversight.

Mask-wearing has come under increasing right-wing attacks by both of the major two parties, who have sought to criminalize masks by attempting to politically associate them with robberies and anti-genocide protests.

In early August, legislators in Nassau County, the heavily populated suburban area of Long Island adjacent to New York City, passed the Mask Transparency Act, a fascistic piece of legislation that effectively criminalizes the wearing of masks in all public places. Similar legislation passed in North Carolina earlier this year.

Just this week, the University of California, the largest state university system in the country, has followed suit by banning the wearing of face masks, as it reacts to the student protests it faced in the spring semester and hopes to crush the student protest movement through attacks on democratic rights.

Precautions must be taken to mitigate the spread of all the ongoing pathogens and viruses threatening the world population. As scientists have demonstrated and nearly five years of pandemic deaths have underscored, the key to fighting COVID is disinfection of the air by means of multilayered mitigation. This would insure indoor air quality that meets the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) standards to control of infectious aerosols, surveillance testing, free on-demand testing, and universal masking when required for public health.

Instead of taking up these measures, the capitalist ruling class has deprived schools of the funds necessary to make schools safe, while simultaneously prioritizing spending for war as the genocide in Gaza and the US-NATO war on Russia continue to hurl humanity toward nuclear war.

Ending the COVID-19 pandemic and fighting all subsequent epidemics can only be accomplished through a globally coordinated elimination strategy. Such a strategy cannot and will not arise under the world capitalist system, which subordinates all public health spending to the profit interests of a tiny minority. It requires the fight for an international socialist program that calls upon the entire world population to act in solidarity and with a collective determination to enforce a public health program aimed at saving lives. Only then will it be possible to prioritize public health and eradicate virus-borne illnesses such as COVID-19.
In Dakar, Senegal on Wednesday, Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez of the PSOE-Sumar coalition government declared that expelling undocumented migrants and refugees from Spain is essential. Speaking during a West African tour aimed at curbing migration to Spain and Europe, he claimed these expulsions sends a disincentive, clear and forceful message to the mafias and to those who put themselves in their hands. He claimed security is his top priority.

Spain's PSOE Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, Economy Minister and first Deputy Prime Minister Nadia Calvino and Sumars Labor Minister and Second Deputy Yolanda Diaz at the Spanish parliament in Madrid, Spain on Friday, September 29, 2023. [AP Photo/Bernat Armangue]

In a law-and-order speech that could have been given by any far-right European politician or US presidential candidate Donald Trump, Sanchez claimed the mafias only play with the lives of our compatriots, breaking the future of many young people who are deceived and the hopes of the families who trust them, but they also associate and spread other crimes such as illicit trafficking of all kinds and also terrorism.

Such claims are ludicrous. While many migrants pay smugglers to help transport them in dangerous journeys, usually in makeshift boats across the Mediterranean or through the even more dangerous route to the Canary Islands off the coast of West Africa, the root causes for this do not lie in mafias. They are to be found in the poverty, wars, the corporate destruction of livelihoodsparticularly fishing,and climate change that are themselves the product of the crisis of capitalism.

In the first five months of this year, over 5,000 refugees diedan average of 33 deaths per dayon the perilous Atlantic route to the Canary Islands, now the deadliest migration path in the world. This crisis intensified after agreements between the European Union and Tunisia led to a 66 percent drop in arrivals to Italylargely due to brutal police violence against migrants by Tunisian authorities. Consequently, the Canary Islands route is rapidly becoming the last resort for many desperate refugees.

Sanchezs attempt to link terrorism with undocumented migration is baseless and part of a broader strategy to criminalise immigrants and provide pretexts to advance Spanish imperialisms geopolitical interests in West Africa. Under the previous PSOE-Podemos government, Sanchez successfully pressed NATO to define migration as a hybrid threat in its 2022 strategic document, which also emphasized the need to defend NATOs southern flank.

Madrid launched a murderous crackdown on refugees and asylum seekers, with one atrocity coming just days before NATOs document was approved. The PSOE-Podemos government orchestrated the infamous Melilla Massacre, where Spanish and Moroccan security forces caused the deaths of at least 100 migrants through suffocation from tear gas, beatings, and the ensuing stampede. This revealed the Spanish ruling classs intent to use the arrival of a few thousand refugees as a pretext for neo-colonial interventions in resource-rich regions of North and sub-Saharan Africa.

Masses of migrants are fleeing wars backed by Spanish imperialism. Many new arrivals come from Mali, passing through the impoverished nation of Mauritania, which currently hosts 200,000 Malian refugees despite having only 4.7 million inhabitants.

In 2021, war broke out between militias and jihadist groups and the Mali authorities. The war itself erupted after the country was plunged into chaos following NATOs intervention in Libya in 2011, which was imperialisms response to the revolutionary uprisings of the working class in Tunisia and Egypt that same year. Spain, under a PSOE government, also participated in the war, which was led by then Chief of the Defence Staff General Julio Rodriguez Fernandez. He would later be recruited by the pseudo-left Podemos party as a candidate for the 2015 general elections.

Capitalist-induced climate change is also displacing large numbers of migrants due to the increases in surface temperatures, hot extremes, sea level rise, high-intensity precipitation, as well as frequency and severity of coastal flooding. In 2022, Nigeria alone experienced over 2.4 million internal displacements, primarily caused by severe floods. According to the World Bank, climate change could force up to 86 million people in Sub-Saharan Africa to migrate within their own countries by 2050.

In countries like Senegal, European fishing corporations, particularly Spains, also play a role in destroying the livelihoods of local fishermen, the industry which employs 17 percent of the population. Over-fishing, industrial competition between Senegalese wooden canoes and large European vessels that catch far larger volumes of fish, and the impacts of climate change on the volume of fish, are all provoking a collapse in living standards.

Despite Sanchezs fascistic anti-migrants calls, the Spanish ruling class cannot dispense itself from migrant labour. On his tour, Sanchezs signed circular migration agreements with Mauritania, The Gambia and Senegal.

It allows Spanish corporations to hire cheap labour from countries of origin with the aim of bringing workers to Spain to work seasonally in sectors that face greater challenges in filling vacancies because of low salaries and precarious working conditions, such as agriculture, construction, textile and hospitality. Once their contractusually a fixed-term one, which cannot last more than nine months each yearends, the worker then must return to their home country.

This mechanism is not a progressive alternative as painted by the PSOE and its ally, Sumar, but aims to create a whole new category of exploited workers, virtually without rights and wholly at the mercy of their employers and the government who may withdraw their contracts at will, and then expel them back to their countries of origins at the slightest protest.

The week-long sickening anti-migrant spectacle of PSOE-Sumar government was joined by the other bourgeois parties. Right-wing Popular Party leader Alberto Nunez Feijoo accused Sanchezs circular migration programmes of provoking more migration. It is irresponsible to encourage a pull factor in the worst irregular migration crisis he said. The fact is, the reactionary programme is based on the Migration Law passed in the year 2000 by both the PP and PSOE.

Neo-fascist Vox leader Santiago Abascal intervened to incite pogrom-style attacks on migrants. They are promoting an invasion. They are doing it hand in hand with the Popular Party and all their international masters, from Ursula [von der Leyen] to Kamala. Spaniards are going to have to start defending themselves on their own. But seriously. Because the governments [] has directly betrayed, deceived, and sold them out.

Podemos, now posing as the left opposition to the PSOE-Sumar government whilst being a key prop in sustaining the minority government, criticised Sanchez and the PP. Podemos leader Ione Belarra stated, The PP is just as responsible as the PSOE for a migration policy that puts lives at risk, forcing people to risk their lives at sea. [The answer is] open legal and safe pathways and granting citizenship to migrants who live here without rights.

However, Podemos, along with the PP and PSOE, bears chief responsibility for advancing the fascist anti-migrant agenda championed by Vox and the EUs draconian Fortress Europe policy. During the PSOE-Podemos coalition government (2019-2023), tens of thousands of migrants drowned attempting to reach the Canary Islands. Those who survived the perilous journey were confined in detention centers, constructed under the auspices of PSOE and Podemos, where they endured unsanitary and inhumane conditions while awaiting deportation.

Podemos also made history by deploying the military against refugees. In May 2021, more than a year before the Melilla Massacre, that also happened under Podemos watch. The government, with the backing of the European Union, responded to desperate migrants crossing from Morocco into Spain by deploying the army and special forcesmarking the first time the military was used against refugees in Spain. This government further violated international law by forcibly returning hundreds of unaccompanied child migrants to Morocco.

The attacks on migrants by the whole ruling establishment, however, does not enjoy mass support among the population, who oppose attacks on democratic rights, austerity, war and militarism.

This class gulf was in full display last Sunday during the Aste Nagusia festivities in Bilbao, the Basque Country, when hundreds of people formed a human wall around street vendorsmostly undocumented migrantschanting Manteroekin Bat! (With the street vendors!) to stop the police from evicting and harassing them.

The federation of organisers of the festivities, Bilboko Konpartsak, issued a statement denouncing police: We could list the specific incidents, as there have been many attacks against these people. They use violent language, identify them, confiscate their merchandise (which is their livelihood), and sometimes even steal their personal belongings. Unfortunately, this happens throughout the year, including during Aste Nagusia. We find the aggressive and violent behavior of the officers unacceptable, and we want to emphasise that all of this is the result of a political decision.

The widespread opposition to anti-migrant policies needs to be turned into a conscious movement that defends the democratic rights of the entire working class. Protecting immigrants cannot be separated from opposing imperialist wars and the reactionary nationalism they breed. A true solution to the crisis facing immigrant workers lies in the unification of the working class in a common struggle for a socialist programme, one that guarantees the right of workers of all nationalities to live and work in the country of their choice, with full and equal rights.
The US political establishment responded to the deaths of six Israeli hostages in Gaza on Saturday with demands for an intensification of the genocide against Palestinians and expansion of war in the Middle East. After the Israeli military confirmed the six bodies retrieved from a tunnel in Rafah were hostages, President Biden issued a statement saying, Make no mistake. Hamas leaders will pay for these crimes.

Vice President and Democratic Party nominee for President Kamala Harris issued her own statement from the White House. She said, Hamas is an evil terrorist organization that has even more American blood on its hands. Harris continued, The threat Hamas poses  must be eliminated and Hamas cannot control Gaza.

Displaced Palestinians inspect their tents destroyed by Israel's bombardment, adjacent to an UNRWA facility west of Rafah city, Gaza Strip, Tuesday, May 28, 2024 [AP Photo/Jehad Alshrafi]

The killing of the six hostages dominated US news media coverage all day on Sunday, the same media that largely ignores the far greater daily death toll from Israeli war crimes in Gaza and the West Bank. These reports uncritically echoed the statements of the Israeli military about the details of the deaths, although such statements have repeatedly been proven false in the past.

Speaking to Jonathan Karl on ABCs This Week on Sunday morning, Republican Senator from South Carolina, Lindsey Graham, called for an extension of the war into Iran. If you want the hostages home, which we all do, you have to increase the cost to Iran. Iran is the great Satan here, Graham said.

The senator continued to say that specific acts of war to hold Iran responsible were required, including a target list of oil refineries in Iran.

A mass protest of more than 500,000 people erupted in Tel Aviv on Sunday evening demanding that the government of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu end the war in Gaza. News organizations reported that this is the largest demonstration in Israel since the genocide began eleven months ago.

Chanting Now, Now, the protesters called for an immediate ceasefire that would enable release of the remaining hostages. Israels trade union federation Histradrut has called for a general strike on Monday that will shut down major sectors of the economy including banking, health care and transportation.

While Netanyahu accused Hamas of stalling ceasefire negotiations, the US-backed Israeli military operation has maintained its blockade of Gaza and continued to carry out targeted air strikes against Palestinians in pursuit of its barbaric goal of total victory.

Through Friday, the Gaza Health Ministry that the death toll has reached 40,602 since October 7 of last year and another 93,855 have been wounded. Israels ethnic cleansing operation has displaced the majority of Gazas 2.3 million people and plunged the 141 square mile strip into a humanitarian catastrophe.

In northern Gaza, two Palestinians were killed and others were injured after Israels military attacked a house in the al-Tawbah area of the Jabalia refugee camp. Earlier, an Israeli air strike hit the al-Ahli Arab Hospital in northern Gaza City, killing at least three people and wounding dozens. Israeli forces also targeted the Tuffah area, east of Gaza City.

Combing through the rubble after an attack on a hospital complex in northern Gaza City, a civil defense agency worker condemned the latest medical facility attack by Israels army, in an interview with Al Jazeera.

This constitutes yet another war crime, added to the many crimes committed by the military in the Gaza Strip, the unidentified man said. The Israeli warplanes targeted and destroyed the building end-to-end at the al-Alhi Arab Hospital. It remains the only medical facility catering to patients and the wounded in Gaza City since al-Shifa Hospital was flattened by the army.

In southern Gaza, dozens of people were reported killed in Israeli raids, including 27 Palestinians who were taken to Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis.

Meanwhile, Israel has expanded its bloody military operations in the West Bank that began on Wednesday.

Since Friday, soldiers have concentrated raids on the city of Jenin and its refugee camp, long a bastion of Palestinian resistance to Israels decades-old illegal occupation of the territory.

Bashir Matahen, director of public relations and media in the municipality of Jenin, said Israeli forces have bulldozed more than 70 percent of the citys streets. News reports say that 80 percent of Jenin and the entire refugee camp is cut off from water supplies because of the destruction of distribution networks, and repair crews are unable to access the affected areas.

A statement from the UN Human Rights Office on Saturday condemned the use of unlawful force during militarized operations in the occupied West Bank and calls for an immediate end to the current attack on Jenin refugee camp. The ongoing ... operation in Jenin refugee camp and adjacent parts of the city has led apparently to unlawful killings, insecurity for Palestinian residents and enormous destruction of the camp, home to about 11,000 Palestinians.

Kenneth Roth, former head of Human Rights Watch and long aligned with US foreign policy interests, called Israels attacks the West Bank a flat-out war with far-right members of the government aiming to expel all Palestinians from the territory.

Even though theres extensive combat between Israeli forces and militants in the Jenin refugee camp, that doesnt mean there are no rulesthe Geneva Conventions still apply, Roth told Al Jazeera.

One of the basic rules is Israel has to allow access to humanitarian aid. So it cant just cut off food, water, electricity and medical careas weve heard its doing. It has a duty to allow those for the civilian population. It cant use the excuse of the fighters to starve civilians, and thats what it did in Gaza.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 2. Shell International Trading Middle East Fze (Shell) has entered into a significant ten-year agreement with Turkiye's Boru Hatlar ile Petrol Tasma AS (BOTAS), committing to supply up to 4 billion cubic metres of liquefied natural gas (LNG) annually from its US and global portfolio. Deliveries are set to commence in 2027, Trend reports.

The agreement was formalized during a signing ceremony attended by Abdulvahit Fidan, Chairman and General Manager of BOTAS, and Tom Summers, Senior Vice President of Shell LNG Marketing and Trading. The event was held under the auspices of Alparslan Bayraktar, Turkiyes Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, and featured the participation of Shell CEO Wael Sawan.

This strategic partnership aims to bolster BOTASs LNG capabilities, leveraging its extensive terminal and pipeline infrastructure to support Turkiye's goal of diversifying its gas sources and solidifying its position as a key regional gas hub.

Minister Bayraktar highlighted the importance of the agreement, stating, Our objective in natural gas, which was 99% imported until the discovery of Black Sea Gas, is to diversify supply and provide more competitive and affordable gas to our citizens and industry. This agreement with Shell enhances the diversity and flexibility of our portfolio and equips BOTAS with new capabilities in LNG transport. Such agreements contribute significantly to the energy security of not just our country, but the entire region.

Shell CEO Wael Sawan remarked, With 100 years of Shells presence in Turkiye, we are pleased to collaborate with BOTAS to supply LNG, supporting Turkiyes efforts to diversify its natural gas sources. LNG is a flexible and reliable energy source, crucial to the transition towards a lower carbon energy system.

As a leading LNG supplier, Shell is targeting a 20-30% growth in its LNG business by 2030, compared to 2022, positioning the company to deliver value as it progresses towards becoming a net-zero emissions energy business by 2050.
The 2024 Miss Nigeria won after dropping out of the Miss South Africa pageant amid questions about her eligibility

The 2024 Miss Nigeria won after dropping out of the Miss South Africa pageant amid questions about her eligibility

Chidimma Adetshina was crowned Miss Nigeria on Saturday.

The 23-year-old was originally competing to be Miss South Africa.

But she dropped out after questions about her eligibility went viral.

On Saturday, Chidimma Adetshina was crowned Miss Universe Nigeria. But less than a month before the pageant, she thought she would be competing for a completely different crown.

Adetshina, a 23-year-old law student, was originally a contestant in the Miss South Africa pageant, which was documented on the reality series "Crown Chasers."

According to the BBC, Adetshina has said in interviews that she was born in Soweto, South Africa, and spent her childhood in Cape Town. Her father is from Nigeria, and her mother has both South African and Mozambican heritage.

As Adetshina progressed in the Miss South Africa pageant, some social media users questioned her eligibility to compete and barraged Adetshina with xenophobic messages on platforms like X and Instagram.

Chidimma Adetshina at Miss Universe Nigeria bootcamp in August. FAWAZ OYEDEJI/AFP via Getty Images

Following the online outcry, the Miss South Africa organization asked the South African Home Affairs Department to "verify" Adetshina's citizenship, as the department shared in a statement on its website on August 7.

In its statement, the department said it launched an investigation and had reasons to believe Adetshina's mother committed "fraud and identity theft" to obtain citizenship for her daughter in 2001. However, the department also said Asetishina herself could not have been involved in the theft since she was an infant at the time of the events in question.

On August 8, Adetshina announced she was withdrawing from the Miss South Africa pageant "for the safety and wellbeing" of both her and her family in a statement on Instagram.

Then, on August 14, she shared in a separate Instagram post that the Miss Universe Nigeria pageant had invited her to compete. She won the pageant on August 31.

Adetshina shared on her Instagram on Sunday that she was "honoured and humbled" to be crowned Miss Universe Nigeria.

She went on to say that her win was a "call to action" and that she hoped to use her platform to bring about "African unity."



"Let's break down the barriers that divide us," she captioned her post. "Let's foster a continent where every African can move freely without prejudice, pursue their dreams, and contribute to the growth and prosperity of our great continent."

Adetshina will represent Nigeria at Miss Universe on November 16. There, she will compete against Miss South Africa Mia le Roux, the first deaf contestant to win the Miss South Africa pageant. Miss USA 2024 Alma Cooper from Michigan will also be vying for the title.

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Fans are wondering if Krispy Kreme is doing a new collaboration with Mattels Barbie and making donuts themed after the popular doll brand in its menu. According to online reports and chatter, Krispy Kreme and Barbies collaboration happens in recognition of the iconic dolls 65th Anniversary. This collaboration is rather unsurprising, considering how Krispy Kreme has previously collaborated with notable pop-culture mainstays or other brands like Friends and PrettyLittleThing.

So is Krispy Kreme releasing Barbie donuts? What all items are available in the Barbie-themed Krispy Kreme menu? Here are your queries answered.

Is Krispy Kreme releasing Barbie Donuts?

Krispy Kreme has not yet been confirmed to release Barbie Donuts in the US.

As of writing, the Barbie-themed Krispy Kreme donuts have been released in Ireland and Malaysia. The social media pages of Krispy Kreme Ireland and Krispy Kreme Malaysia have confirmed the same.

According to the official UK website of Krispy Kreme, people can order Barbie-themed donuts from Krispy Kreme shops, supermarkets cabinets and online stores. Also, these donuts will be available nationwide in the United Kingdom until October 6, 2024.

The Barbie-themed Krispy Kreme menu consists of the following items:

Barbie Pink Doughnut  A donut with original glazed piping with pink frosting and topped with pink sugar and a sugar Barbie plaque.

Barbie Sweet 65th  A donut dipped in chocolate icing and topped with sprinkles inspired by Barbie.

Barbie Berries N Kreme -filled with Strawberry Kreme and topped with purple and pink frosting as well as a pink-colored chocolate shaped like a heart.

Malibu Dream Party  filled with Biscoff Kreme and rolled in cookie crumb and golden nibs. This item has a Malibu house sugar plaque topping.

In the United Kingdom store, you can order either a six pack, a dozen, a double dozen, or an original glazed double dozen.

The cost of each of the aforementioned are as follows:

Barbie 6 Pack   16.95

Barbie Dozen   25.95

Barbie Double Dozen  38.92

Barbie and Original Glazed Double Dozen  33.42

The 2023 Barbie movie starring Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling is currently streaming on HBO Max.

The post Krispy Kreme Barbie Donuts Menu Explained appeared first on ComingSoon.net - Movie Trailers, TV & Streaming News, and More.
Prince Harry feeling more and more isolated in California, reconnecting with old UK pals: report

Prince Harry 'feeling more and more isolated' in California, 'reconnecting' with old UK pals: report

Prince Harry is feeling more and more isolated in sunny California, according to a new report.

The Duke of Sussex, 39, has reportedly been reaching out to his old friends in the UK  despite previously ending all communication with them after quitting royal life in 2020.

Four years after his and Meghan Markles trans-Atlantic move, the father of two is reportedly looking to get his social life back on track.

Prince Harry is feeling more and more isolated in sunny California, according to a new report. Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

Harry is feeling more and more isolated in California, which is why he has been reconnecting with old friends back home, a source told the Sun.

Insiders close to the Invictus Games founder claim that he seems to enjoy regular solo trips to his home soil  something hes been doing more often this year.

Last week, Harry went in full incognito mode as he jetted off to the UK for his uncles funeral.

The mad dash  which reportedly lasted just hours  came days after he and the Suits alum, 43, flew to Colombia for four days.

The Colombia trip also really highlighted how Meghan is comfortable stepping into the spotlight, while Harry cuts a very sulky, unhappy figure in the background, the insider told the outlet.

The Duke of Sussex, 39, sensationally shut the door on royal life in 2020. Getty Images

He wants to carve out a way back into royal life back in the UK and is seeking counsel from old friends and associates.

The Post has reached out to Harrys reps for comment.

Indeed, Harry has reportedly sought out a new inner circle in Tinseltown that he leans on during times of hardship.

The circle, which boasts several A-list names, reportedly includes Hollywood music producer and film composer David Foster, whom Harry sees as a father figure.

Whats more, the father of two has reportedly enlisted the help of several former royal aides to rehabilitate his image.

Since moving to the US, Harry has only returned to the UK a handful of times. Getty Images

After becoming increasingly frustrated with Hollywood publicists in Tinseltown, the royal reportedly touched base with several pros who could help to polish up his reputation.

According to palace insiders, Harry  who is gearing up to celebrate his 40th birthday next week  has approached an old school adviser known for discretion to help with the plan, which has unofficially been dubbed Operation Bring Harry In From The Cold.

While details about the rumored plan remain scarce, it has been suggested that King Charles youngest son could also be taking on very low-key royal duties in the near future.

But despite his hopes of rebuilding the bridges he had burned, some of the dukes old pals have recently suggested that life in Montecito, California, has turned led him down a darker road.

The Sussexes last month flew to Colombia for four days. Getty Images

Hes an angry boy, according to one of Harrys oldest friends who spoke to the Sunday Times of London. Things havent turned out how he wanted.

Harrys pal claimed hes one of the very few who still receives the odd WhatsApp from him from time to time.

I think he misses being over here [in Britain] desperately and wants to be admired more. Anyone who knows him feels hed rather be top of the pops here with everyone loving him, as they do with [his older brother] William and Kate, he added.

Unsurprisingly, Harrys circle began to rapidly shrink after he and the former Suits star, 43, packed up and moved across the pond in a bid to start anew.

Insiders close to the Invictus Games founder claim that he seems to enjoy regular trips to his home soil  sans Markle. ZUMAPRESS.com

Their move sparked several high-publicity projects such as their six-part Netflix documentary, their bombshell sit-down interview with Oprah Winfrey and Harrys protocol-shattering memoir, Spare.

They have only returned to the UK a few times since.
The Mediterranean Sea is a nearly enclosed body of water between Europe, North Africa, and Western Asia that connects to the Atlantic Ocean via the Strait of Gibraltar. The area offers pristine natural beauty, turquoise water, and a mix of sleepy, sun-soaked coastal towns and cosmopolitan cities perched on craggy cliffs. The climate is a huge drawthe summers are dry and hot and the winters are fairly mildand of course, theres the amazing food.

With real estate prices and cost of living lower than many areas of the U.S., the Mediterranean is becoming an increasingly popular place to live and retire. Mediterranean cities offer various opportunities for real estate investments, with advantages ranging from competitive prices to tax incentives and residency programs, Francesca Crema, a broker with RE/MAX Puntocase located in Padua, Italy, says. Here are eight stunning towns that make investing a breeze.

For more real estate inspiration:

Valetta, Malta

Few countries make it easier for foreigners to buy property than Malta. The island country, located south of Italy, has no annual property tax and a favorable tax environment, and it offers the potential for citizenship or residency through investment. Whats more, English is an official language, and Special Designated Areas allow foreigners to buy without additional permits, Tammy Fahmi, Sothebys International Realty SVP of strategy and global servicing says. The countrys strategic Mediterranean location and pro-business ecosystem are additional incentives for American buyers.

Valletta is Maltas capital city, but with only about 6,000 residents and squeezed into less than 0.3 miles, calling it a city is a bit of a stretch. Still, its walkable size makes it easy to enjoy the many high-end restaurants, local cafes and bars, baroque architecture, and historic sites around every corner.

tunart - Getty Images

Athens, Greece

One of the oldest cities in the world, Athens is known for its famous ancient ruins, but its also a thoroughly modern place with cutting-edge infrastructure as well as exciting nightlife, shopping, hotels, and restaurantsand the chic seaside district of Glyfada (known as the Athens Riviera) is just a 30-minute car ride away. This capital city is home to 3.8 million people, but its friendly and walkable with a small-town feel, making it an appealing place to live.

Athens offers a wide range of properties, from modern urban apartments to traditional houses, Crema says. And Greece has streamlined the procedures for foreigners wishing to purchase property. For example, Greece offers a Golden Visa program that allows foreigners to obtain a long-term residence permit through making a minimum real estate investment of 250,000. (This is one of the lowest investment requirements in Europe for Golden Visa programs, Crema says.) Greece also provides tax incentives for real estate investors, such as a relatively low transfer tax compared with other European countries, and real estate prices here tend to be lower than in other major European cities.

George Pachantouris - Getty Images

Paxos, Greece

Often overshadowed by bigger, flashier Greek islands like Mykonos and Santorini (no disrespect; they are beautiful and a lot of fun), Paxos is a sleepy little island located south of Corfu. These islands captivate with their natural beauty, crystal-clear waters, and breathtaking landscapes. Their rich history, vibrant culture, and easy access to the sea, combined with a lively, laid-back lifestyle, make them especially attractive.

Another reason Greece is so attractive to international buyers is the potential for high returns on investment (ROI) in the real estate market. Whether through vacation rentals, long-term leasing, property appreciation, or flipping, Greek real estate offers great income potential. Popular tourist destinations and major cities such as Athens and the Greek islands see particularly strong returns due to growing demand and rising property values. With tourism continuing to thrive, property prices are on the rise, further increasing the potential for substantial ROI.

GoodLifeStudio - Getty Images

Nice, France

Perched on the shores of the glamorous French Riviera, Nice is known for its beautiful beaches, pleasant climate, and rich cultural history. Its also known for welcoming foreigners with open arms. Nice is a cosmopolitan city with a strong international community. It is a place where foreigners can easily integrate, thanks to the prevalence of the English language and the presence of services tailored to expatriates who move temporarily or permanently abroad for work reasons, Crema says, noting that the excellent educational and health care systems and overall safety make it a good spot for families. Frances purchasing procedures are clear and straightforward; the only downside is that property prices in Nice tend to be highand the cost of living can be steep, too.

Related: 9 Most Affordable Places to Buy a Pied-a-Terre in Paris

Alexander Spatari - Getty Images

Split, Croatia

The largest city on the Croatian coast and second-largest city in the country, Split is perhaps best known for Diocletians Palace, which the Roman emperor ordered built in 305 AD. And while Split is home to many historic landmarks (its recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage site), the city is also buzzing with trendy restaurants and boutiques. Anyone who walks along Splits magical Riva promenade and soaks in the lively atmosphere is forever enchanted by this citys energy, charm, and history, Fahmi says.

This beautiful city by the sea also offers easy living and favorable tax policies (according to Fahmi that includes a low 3 percent transfer tax and no annual property tax), and its stylish villas have excellent rental potential.

xbrchx - Getty Images

Brac, Croatia

Located off the coast of Split lies the Croatian island of Brac. Its easy to buy in Brac for the same reasons as in Split (favorable property tax policies), and it has its own airport and regular ferries to Split, which makes it easy to travel to other areas of Europe if you need a break from island life. The islands peaceful atmosphere, breathtaking landscapes, and potential for property investment make it a prime spot for those seeking a serene retreat or a lucrative investment opportunity, Fahmi says.

The island is famous for its Zlatni Rat beach (seen here), which is considered one of the most beautiful in the Mediterranean, lush pine and cypress forests, and pearly native stone, which was used in the building of Splits Diocletians Palace (above) and, as rumor has it, maybe even the White House.

Julia Lavrinenko - Getty Images

Sicily, Italy

Anyone who watched season two of The White Lotus understands the allure of Sicily. And while it may be the rock getting kicked by the boot of mainland Italy, its one of Italys most desirable places to liveand also one of its most affordable. Property prices in Sicily are generally lower compared to the rest of Italy, especially in comparison to northern regions. This makes purchasing property an interesting opportunity for those looking to invest with a lower budget, says Crema.

Due to Sicilys recent surge in popularity, its becoming a hot spot for both tourists and those seeking to relocate or purchase second homes, so nows a good time to invest and enjoy the citys beaches, cultural landmarks, and delicious food and wine.

Related: 5 Places in Italy Where You Can Buy a Home for $1

Maremagnum - Getty Images

Valencia, Spain

Spain is a laid-back country, and that attitude extends to its property laws and policies. Spain offers a Golden Visa program that allows you to obtain residency with a minimum real estate investment of 500,000 euros, and the country provides tax incentives for real estate investors, such as deductions for property renovations and the purchase of historic properties, Crema says. Of course, Barcelona and Madrid are lovely, but Crema suggests looking a little farther southeast, where youll find the smaller and more affordable coastal city of Valencia on the western edge of the Mediterranean Sea. Valencia is a quiet city with many cultural and recreational activities (it has the largest urban park in Spain, plus miles of wide, uncrowded beachfront); if you want some action, you can always take a five-hour ferry over to Ibiza.

Alexander Spatari - Getty Images

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This story is part of a partnership between the Montgomery Advertiser and the Living Democracy program at Auburn University. Now in its 13th year, the program disperses students across rural Alabama to spend 10 weeks learning more about the inner workings of the community and writing about what they observe.

CAMDEN  Alabama State University honored officially honored the legacy of Gee's Bend quilters in July during an annual art show at ASU.

The Gees Bend Quilts and the Freedom Quilting Bee Legacy Exhibition ran July 11-31 at the school's annual Colvin-Feagin Art Show. The opening event featured a forum with special guests, including Freedom Quilting Bee advocates and artists, and a workshop where quilters shared the art of quilting with those who attended. The Freedom Quilting Bee Legacy was also awarded a certificate of appreciation from the university.

The annual event was designed to honor notable artists and ASU alumni Dr. William E. Colvin and John W. Feagin, and was hosted by the University's National Center for the Study of Civil Rights and African American Culture.

Quilt artists at the Gees Bend Welcome Center include, from left, Veronica Saulsberry, Kristin Pettway, Lue Ida McCloud, Doris Pettway Mosley, Mary Margaret Pettway, Monica Waller (top), Sharon Williams, Pleasant Scott, Stella Mae Pettway (top), and Cassandra Pettway.

More: Container cabin conversion creates unique space for visitors in Elba

This exhibition celebrates the legacy of artistic excellence and activism behind the Alabama Gees Bend Quilters," said Cleve Webber, curator and professor of art at ASU. "Quilting has deep roots in African culture, which was brought to America by enslaved people. On plantations, women crafted clothing from scraps. By the 1700s and 1800s, bed quilts became valuable household items, fostering a tradition of teamwork that continues today with the Freedom Quilting Bees.

The Gees Bend Freedom Quilting Bee, a collective of African American women founded in the 1960s, continue to influence the cultural heritage of the Black Belt through their stunning abstract art that forged a powerful narrative of resilience and empowerment, Webber added.

Quilts made by Polly Middleton, left, and Rosie Witherspoon Abram are displayed at the Colvin-Feagin Art Exhibit at Alabama State University in July.

More: Wine-making and new equipment unlock growth at Alabama blueberry farm

The Freedom Quilting Bee, far from being solely an artistic endeavor, was a significant force in fostering economic independence for women. The income generated from quilt sales improved living conditions and provided a crucial foundation for financial stability.

In the early 1960s, the Rev. Francis Walter came to Wilcox County to register voters," said Kim Kelly, Freedom Quilting Bee Legacy's events coordinator. "He saw the beautiful quilts outside of homes in Gees Bend and convinced the women to sell them for $10 each. He sold them in New York for $25 each and returned the money.

... As recognition grew, the Freedom Quilting Bee became a cooperative supported by designers such Jackson Pollock and Diana Vreeland. Today, these quilts are displayed in 30 museums worldwide.

Shelia Smith stands next to a photo of her mother, Florine Smith, at the memorial wall during the Freedom Quilting Bee Exhibit.

Shelia Smith, a Freedom Quilting Bee Legacy Artist, recalled learning to quilt from her mother, Florine Smith. She worked with the Freedom Quilting Bee for years, specializing in different quilt patterns," Sheila Smith said. "This became a place where women could unite and quilt together.

Today, the group is a nonprofit organization. Now, we aim to help the community and revitalize the original building," Sheila Smith said. "During the civil rights movement, this building was a meeting place for those fighting for voting rights.

Taylor Gees Bend Freedom Quilters show young artists the art of quilting at the Colvin-Feagin Art Show at Alabama State University.

The legacy continues through ongoing efforts to celebrate and promote the quilting tradition of Gees Bend that created what the New York Times called some of the most miraculous works of modern art America has produced.

The community will celebrate its generations-old quilt-making tradition at the 2024 Gees Bend Airing of the Quilts Festival Oct. 12 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in Boykin, Alabama. The event will feature quilt displays and sales, workshops, guided tours, exhibits, music and food.

Naomi Taylor, a Living Democracy student at Auburn University, is living and learning this summer in Camden, Alabama, as a Jean O'Connor Snyder Intern with the David Mathews Center for Civic Life. The nonprofit program, coordinated by the Caroline Marshall Draughon Center for the Arts and Humanities in the College of Liberal Arts, prepares undergraduate college students for civic life through living-learning experiences in the summer.

This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: Alabama State University honors quilting bee nonprofit during art show
The rebirthed, cant-escape-it-anywhere (thanks to Barry Keoghans iconic nude scene in Saltburn) "Murder on the Dancefloor" by Sophie Ellis-Bextor was blasting through the channel at Sultans, when local legend Ahmed Ammaday Agil told me:

This is the biggest Sultans I've ever seen. I cant remember a time when it was this massive. I mean, its not huge, by, like, regular standards, but for Maldives standards, this is big, And these setsits bombing out there. Like huge.

Photo: Jon Frank

After the single-fin event the following day  congrats Jadson Andre  today was supposed to be twin-fin day. Thats normally how they do it. Then the third day is thrusters. But because of the swell forecast, the contest organizers decided to break protocol and go with the thrusters. Better chance of the surfers blowing upand not getting injured.

This is one of those days Im going to remember forever! Its hard to explain how Im feeling right now! I got to surf a heat with Carissa Moore, said Jaddy, five-time world champion and gold medalist. "Shes the best."

Taj Burrow. Photo: Jon Frank

After that, Mikey February is as good as it gets on a single fin, and we had a great heat together. Then a final against Taj Burrow? Come on! We surfed so many heats on tour together, but when he retired eight years ago, I never thought this would happen again. Today was a special day.

Mikey Feb, who took home the win, continued:

Photo: Jon Frank

My first overseas surf trip was to the Maldives when I was 14 years old. My parents scraped up all the money they could to get me here, and now to be here at the Four Seasons, competing with all these amazing surfers, is pretty special. Im pinching every time I look around or Im in the water.

Taj Burrow, who got second in the single-fin division the day before, couldnt stop frothing on how good the conditions were:

Oh my gosh, it is absolutely cooking out there, he said. Then, after receiving his oversized check: I think Ill retire from the jersey after this event. Best event ever. Im glad I had some extra foam today. I never thought Sultans would get that big. I never thought Id use a step-up like that.

Photo: John Frank

Carissa Moore, who recently retired, was asked by Taj if he had any advice on what to do once you hang up the jersey:

Get invited to this event

Thruster Division Results

1. Mikey February (ZAF) 1000pts

2. Taj Burrow (AUS) 900pts

3. Carissa Moore (HAW) equal with Jeremy Flores (FRA) 800pts

5. Jadson Andre (MDV) equal with Ahmed Ammaday Agil (MDV) 700pts



1. Taj Burrow (AUS) 1800pts

1. Mikey February (ZAF) 1800pts

3. Jadson Andre (BRA) 1700pts

4. Carissa Moore (HAW) 1500pts

4. Ahmed Ammaday Agil (MDV) 1500pts4. Jeremy Flores (FRA) 1500pts

Related: Single Fins Shine at the Worlds Bougiest Surf Contest

***

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Grab up to 50% off GE, LG and Samsung at today's Labor Day appliance sales

Shop savings on quality home devices with these Labor Day appliance sales available now.

 Recommendations are independently chosen by Revieweds editors. Purchases you make through the links below may earn us and our publishing partners a commission.

The best live Labor Day sales have officially arrived, which means it's the perfect time to shop for the most expensive home essentials. That especially goes for appliances, whether it's something in your kitchen or something in your laundry room. We've rounded up some amazing Labor Day appliance deals and discounts from top names including AJ Madison, Best Buy and more.

Best Labor Day appliance deals

GE 5.4-Cubic-Inch Profile Smart Top Load Washer

Save 35% on one of our favorite laundry appliances for Labor Day.

$848 at The Home Depot (Save $451)

Electrolux 27-Inch Front Load Electric Dryer

Visit AJ Madison for Labor Day savings on this Electrolux dryer.

$893 at AJ Madison (Save $656)

Bosch 24-Inch 800 Series Dishwasher

Get the best dishwasher we've ever tested on sale for Labor Day.

From $1,164 at Wayfair (Save $285)

Frigidaire 36-Inch Gallery Quattro French Door Refrigerator

Get the best refrigerator we've ever tested for more than 50% off for Labor Day.

$2,043 at AJ Madison (Save $2,156)

Samsung 30-Inch Bespoke Four-Burner Slide-In Induction Range

Get this chic Samsung range oven for less with this Labor Day deal.

$2,298 at The Home Depot (Save $1,001)

Best Labor Day appliance sales

Abt: Shop the Abt Labor Day sale for deep discounts on LG electric dryers, Frigidaire window air conditioners, Whirlpool stainless steel dishwashers, and so much more.

AJ Madison: Save up to 50% on select laundry and kitchen appliances from GE, Samsung, Frigidaire, Bosch, and more top-quality brands.

Amazon: Amazon deals are no joke; you can save big this Labor Day across all categories. If you're in the market for small kitchen and home appliances, like air conditioners and ice makers, the massive retailer has you covered with plenty of incredible holiday discounts.

Best Buy: Shop the Best Buy Labor Day sale to save as much as 50% on major home appliances from LG, Samsung, GE, Whirlpool, and Insignia. Purchases from $20 and above can also get a Best Buy e-Gift Card with up to $500 in value.

Electrolux: Electrolux makes some of the best washing machines we've ever tested and you can pick them up for up to $1,200 off right now during the brand's Labor Day sale.

LG: We're huge fans of LG appliances and during the brand's current Labor Day sale you can score ranges, refrigerators, dishwashers, and more for up to 30% off.

Lowe's: Lowe's is hosting a massive Labor Day appliance sale with deep discounts across all categories. Save up to 40% on select major appliances and score even more savings with package appliance deals.

P.C. Richard & Sons: PC Richard & Sons and appliance deals tend to go hand-in-hand. This Labor Day you can bag bargains on Samsung refrigerators, LG appliance suites, GE air conditions, and much more for savings of up to $1,600.

Samsung: If a Samsung Bespoke fridge has always been on your wishlist, now's the time to act. Shop now to save up to $1,600 on select major appliances this Labor Day.

The Home Depot: Home Depot's lineup of appliance deals is a force to be reckoned with on a normal day, but the savings are even better on Labor Day. Today you can save upwards of half on select refrigerators, dishwashers, washing machines, dryers, and more.

Who has the best Labor Day appliance sales?

If you want promised quality with gadgets for your kitchen or laundry room, head over to the Samsung Labor Day sale. You can save up to $1,600 on the brand's advanced appliances, and also save up to $500 extra when you buy appliance bundles. If you want to find different brands, head over to Best Buy where select appliances are on sale for up to half off.

Is Labor Day a good time to buy appliances?

Yes! Major home appliances are some of the most expensive items to shop for so these Labor Day appliance sales are a true blessing. You can save on whatever you need in a variety of designs, plus have easy shipping processes so you'll get whatever you need at your front door. These prices are some of the best you'll see all year, so shop these Labor Day deals quickly before the savings power down.

Here's the deal: Subscribe to our Perks and Rec newsletter for daily savings on all the things you want and need.

The product experts at Reviewed have all your shopping needs covered. Follow Reviewed on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok or Flipboard for the latest deals, product reviews and more.

Prices were accurate at the time this article was published but may change over time.

This article originally appeared on Reviewed: Labor Day appliance sales: Save up to 50% on Samsung, GE, LG, Bosch
Ozi Fryer, 14, from Logan, plays on the pianos in front of Maurice Abravanel Hall while his mother Melody Fryer rests in the background, in Salt Lake City on Sunday, Aug. 4, 2024. Fryer said he has been playing piano for 10 years. He found the pianos while they were on their way back to their hotel and despite the heat Fryer said he knew he had to go play for a while. | Brice Tucker, Deseret News

Looking for a place to practice piano? Downtown Salt Lake City can be your own concert venue.

The Key Changes project features six upcycled pianos stationed outside Abravanel Hall that are open for the public to play through September. The project, a joint effort among Salt Lake County Arts and Culture, the Gina Bachauer Piano Foundation and The Blocks Arts District, aims to make visual and performing arts more accessible to the masses.

The pianos were upcycled by six local artists  Ryan Harrington, Chuck Landvatter, Evan Jed Memmott, Richard Taylor, Kalani Tonga Tufuaku, and Ben Wiemeyer.

In addition to the pianos being open to anyone to play, a free public concert is to be held at Abravanel Plaza on the last Friday of each month at noon through the month of September. Photojournalist Brice Tucker captured some fun musical moments in August.

Ozi Fryer, 14, from Logan, plays on the pianos in front of Maurice Abravanel Hall while his mother Melody Fryer rests in the background, in Salt Lake City on Sunday, Aug. 4, 2024. Fryer said he has been playing piano for 10 years. He found the pianos while they were on their way back to their hotel and despite the heat Fryer said he knew he had to go play for a while. | Brice Tucker, Deseret News

Ozi Fryer, 14, from Logan, plays on the pianos in front of Maurice Abravanel Hall in Salt Lake City on Sunday, Aug. 4, 2024. Fryer said he has been playing piano for 10 years. | Brice Tucker, Deseret News

From left to right, Sadie Porter from Lehi, Seth Dobson from Highland and Brooklyn Copple from Fairview all laugh together while they play one of the pianos in front of Maurice Abravanel Hall in Salt Lake City on Friday, Aug. 2, 2024. Porter said that they were trying to play the theme from the movie "Interstellar." | Brice Tucker, Deseret News

Seth Dobson from Highland plays on one of the pianos in front of Maurice Abravanel Hall in Salt Lake City on Friday, Aug. 2, 2024. Dobson, who was born without a left hand, has been playing piano for 12 years and has also been playing as a organist for 2 years. | Brice Tucker, Deseret News

Luke Dahls hands playing on the keys of one of the colorful pianos in front of Maurice Abravanel Hall can be seen in the reflection of his sunglasses in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024. The piano is part of a concert and art project called "Key Changes that invites anyone to come play on the pianos outside of Abravanel Hall. The project also includes outdoor concerts held in the plaza on June 28, July 26, Aug. 23 and Sept. 26. | Brice Tucker, Deseret News

Emma Hibbits, from Colrado Springs Colorado, looks at her boyfriend Carson Hurst, from Grantsville, while he plays on one of the pianos in front Maurice Abravanel Hall in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024. Hibbits and Hurst said that playing around with the pianos was the last stop on their date in Salt Lake City. | Brice Tucker, Deseret News

One of the pianos in front of in Maurice Abravanel Hall in Salt Lake City on Sunday, Aug. 4, 2024. The piano is part of a concert and art project called "Key Changes that invites anyone to come play on the pianos outside of Abravanel Hall. The project also includes outdoor concerts held in the plaza on June 28, July 26, Aug. 23 and Sept. 26. | Brice Tucker, Deseret News
It can be easy to find yourself mixed up when deciding between drinks at your favorite cocktail bar  especially when two options sound similar or fall into the same category. You may have found this to be the case when faced with the choice between a gin sling and a Singapore sling.

Although these two cocktails share a base spirit and general framework, they quite differ in composition. A classic sling has a base spirit (like gin, brandy, whiskey, or rum) combined with lemon juice (preferably fresh) and simple syrup or sugar, and those ingredients are shaken and finished with soda water. The gin sling is a relatively classic representation of that style.

The Singapore Sling, on the other hand, takes things in a fruitier direction with cherry brandy, pineapple, and lime, as well as additional liqueurs like Cointreau and Benedictine. And while the Singapore Sling is the only drink of the two to include aromatic bitters, its flavor profile is considerably sweeter thanks to the other elements, including grenadine syrup (which also earns it a distinctive pinkish hue), while the gin sling is clear (not unlike a perfect gin and tonic). Their garnishes may also be distinguishing, with a simple lemon or lime for the gin sling, and a showier selection of fruit, including, at times, pineapple and cherry for the Singapore.

Read more: 26 Popular Vodka Brands, Ranked By Their Versatility

Singapore Sling Spins

Singapore slings with garnishes - Elena Veselova/Shutterstock

This basic understanding may help you decide on your order, but you might still wind up running into some differences within the same drink  particularly with the Singapore Sling. This cocktail is believed to be a riff built upon the gin sling, dreamed up at the turn of the 20th century in its namesake city at the Raffles Hotel. And as is often the case with cocktail histories, the particulars of its creation and evolution are contested  including its ingredients and ratios. In his 1948 cocktail book "The Fine Art of Mixing Drinks," author David A. Embury wrote, "Of all the recipes published for this drink, I have never seen any two that were alike."

While many variations are subtle (frequently, the distinction is differentiation in ratio or the amount of a particular ingredient from bar to bar), others are more pronounced. Famed San Francisco bar Smuggler's Cove, for example, offers a slight twist that omits the pineapple juice and Cointreau altogether, instead using orange bitters. On the other hand, some interpretations considerably simplify the Singapore, using only gin, Benedictine, cherry liqueur, and soda water, making for a dryer drink. With that in mind, if you plan to sling your own drinks at home, you won't be the only one making modifications to suit your palate.

Slingin' Through History And At Home

Gin sling - Bhofack2/Getty Images

Whipping up your own sling will include you in a long liquid legacy. This category of cocktails has been around for centuries, since back in the 1700s when they were crafted with a spicy kick  often thanks to the inclusion of nutmeg. The name has nothing to do with a bartender slingin' drinks, though; it's a derivative of the German word schlingen, which, translated, means "to swallow," perhaps because of its easy drinkability. Slings can also be served hot (similar to a classic hot toddy), and there's even a definitive sling glass, which is tall and footed.

Today, you can find and create slings freely and efficiently; they are simple to riff on, given their standard formula. With the classic gin sling, you can use an infused syrup or a flavored spirit, swap the soda water for a ginger ale or tasty seltzer (or double down on the booze with a hard seltzer), exchange lemon juice for grapefruit or another citrus and garnish with herbs like basil or mint for aroma, flavor, and aesthetic. If you are searching for inspiration to personalize a Singapore Sling, look to programs that go for extra creative flourishes, swapping out the grenadine for Thai basil syrup, and switching out pineapple for lychee or rhubarb. No matter which direction you choose, these drinks are iconically delicious.

Read the original article on The Daily Meal.
Jadson Andre has never ridden a single fin. Ever.

That is, until the mouthful of a name, yet perennially epic, Four Seasons Maldives Surfing Champions Trophy, event. Jadddy broke his single fin cherry.

Who would say I would win the single fin? he told SURFER on the boat ride back to the island after the event. Ive never rode a single fin before. First time was here. I was telling everyone before the comp, Im in love with single fins. So, it worked out.

Jaddy, first time no problem. Photo: Jon Frank

As is the case with this event, day one was absolutely cranking. The boat was a nonstop symphony of cheers. Taj Burrows wife was screeching every time her hubby took off. Mikey Februarys wife was doing the same between baby duty. It truly is: the most world's luxurious surf contest (and thats besides the frankly absurd  but I ain't complaining  accommodations; my room has a private pool, secluded personal access to the ocean, a clawfoot tub overlooking the sea, trampoline ocean viewing decks, which Ive already seen sharks and stingrays fromjust to name a few).

Back to the waves.

Related: Carissa Moore Returns, Will Compete in 'Worlds Most Luxurious Surfing Event'

As mentioned before, the Four Seasons Maldives Surfing Champions Trophy has an interesting format. Day one was only single fins; day two will be twinnies; day three thrusters.

Back to the comp action.

Taj, timeless. Photo: Jon Frank

Taj Burrow, who came in second for the day and, fun fact, is a brand-new farmer  (We got some sheep and guinea pigs; Im still learning the ways)  he told SURFER:

Have you seen the waves? Oh my god. That was like the funnest conditions you could possibly surf. Luckily, I snuck a few nice ones in the second half of the heat.

Related: That One Time in the Maldives With Tom Curren

Taj continued about the final against Jaddy:

The final was a bit of a blur to be honest. Jadson was a competitive machine, cutting laps and getting sick ones. I had a chance to beat him at the end; paddled into one super late, had to knife the take-off and start pumping, and there was no way I was doing it on that board. My fin slid out on the first pump and I fell in the tube looking out at where I wanted to be. Single fins are challenging, but that makes it more rewarding when you get a good one. Im so happy for Jadson though, he was ripping and that was the best second place Ive ever had. Im thrilled.

As for Jaddy? Of course hes elated. Hes one of the hardest working surfers in the world and it pays off, whether hes hunting the tour, or surfing a specialty event:

Mikey February, in the place to be. Photo: Jon Frank

Its hard to explain how Im feeling right now! I got to surf a heat with Carissa Moore, five-time world champion and gold medallist, shes the best. After that, Mikey February is as good as it gets on a single fin and we had a great heat together. Then a final against Taj Burrow? Come on! We surfed so many heats on tour together, but when he retired eight years ago I never thought this would happen again. Today was a special day.

Related: Why Arent the Maldives Being Claimed by Rising Seas?

After the comp, at the restaurant, while I was Steven Glansberg-ing at dinner, Jaddy and his family invited me over to join them. It was very kind. And now, the question is: How does Jaddy feel about the twin fin division? Im so f*cking ready bro, he told me. The waves are so good, and it feels that much better when you win."

He's got some wagyu beef in his belly for that extra strength.

Results:

Single Fin Division Results

1. Jadson Andre (BRA)

2. Taj Burrow (AUS)

3. Mikey February (ZAF) equal with Ahmed Ammaday Agil (MDV)

5. Carissa Moore (HAW) equal with Jeremy Flores (FRA)

2024 FS Maldives Surfing Champions Trophy Leaderboard1.

Jadson Andre (BRA) 1000pts2.

Taj Burrow (AUS) 900pts3.

Mikey February (ZAF) 800pts3.

Ahmed Ammaday Agil (MDV) 800pts5.

Carissa Moore (HAW) 700pts5. Jeremy Flores (FRA) 700pts

***

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 2. The State Oil Company of the Azerbaijan Republic (SOCAR) began supplying natural gas to Croatia on September 1, 2024, Trend reports citing SOCAR.

"This milestone is the result of successful cooperation between the governments of Azerbaijan and Croatia. The supply of Azerbaijani gas to Croatia ahead of the winter season, facilitated by PPD and MET Group, further solidifies Azerbaijan's position as a reliable energy partner and gas supplier for Europe," the company stated.

The event marks a significant step in expanding energy cooperation between Azerbaijan and Croatia, enhancing the continent's energy security and showcasing SOCAR's commitment to diversifying energy sources for Europe's domestic markets, said SOCAR.

With this development, Croatia joins Turkiye, Georgia, Italy, Greece, Bulgaria, Romania, Hungary, Serbia, and Slovenia as the tenth European country receiving Azerbaijani gas, said the company.

Azerbaijan delivers natural gas to Europe through the Southern Gas Corridor. The current capacity of the Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP), the European leg of this corridor, is 10 billion cubic meters per year, with the potential for expansion to 20 billion cubic meters.
A school year is 180 days, with no two days and no two schools exactly alike. The students differ, the teachers differ, school cultures differ. Here, our photographers find what makes our school days anything but ordinary, the people and programs and events that make a difference, school day in and school day out.

Check back to lohud.com for our lohud in our schools feature each Monday.

While the summer vacation for kids lasts until early September, teachers begin their school year weeks earlier, often spending time in August preparing their classrooms so that they're ready to greet students on the first day of school.

At the Washington Irving Intermediate School in Tarrytown, where school starts Sept. 3, fifth-grade teacher Christine Creary decorated her classroom with a theme based on her last name.

Each year, Creary, who is starting her 28th year of teaching, asks her previous years students to help choose the theme for the following year. This theme for this year is Crearys Constellations. So by mid-August, she was busy putting up space-themed decorations both inside her class and in the hallway outside the classroom.

I think its important to create a sense of belonging and community from the very first day that they walk in the classroom," she says. Having a theme really does bring that immediately, where they know theyre part of something. Theyre part of this classroom. They have a place where they know they can be listened to, theyre cared for, and its a safe place for them to come every day.

One floor below, third-grade teacher Christina Miles got started on preparing her classroom in early August.

Miles, who is beginning her 30th year of teaching, took it upon herself to give the classroom a fresh coat of paint, place students name cards on every desk, and create other flourishes such as a board where each students best work can be highlighted throughout the year.

I like to make it homey, Miles said. They spend the majority of their time in the school year here, so I want them to come in and automatically feel comfortable and ready to learn.

This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Tarrytown teachers focus on 'sense of belonging, community' in classes
CROWN HEIGHTS, Brooklyn (PIX11)  To many, its the best party of the year and it lasts for four days!

The West Indian American Day Parade officially is tomorrow, but there are so many events leading up to it. Its one of the biggest reggae outdoor dance parties in Brooklyn in years.

More Local News

Thousands gathered behind the Brooklyn Museum in a celebration of Caribbean culture. For many, this was an intergenerational warm-up to the West Indian American Day Parade.

Both my parents are from Jamaica, Kingston, and Portland, Leah Allen, a concertgoer, told PIX11 News. They immigrated here when they were kids and I listened to reggae in the house when I was a kid. Sizzla is one of my favorite reggae artists and one of my moms reggae favorites and my mom is here somewhere on the VIP side, she added.

Tickets started at $70 to hear Sizzla Kolanji, Spragga Benz, and Bob Marleys grandson, YG.

Hes ushering in the new wave of reggae, which is all over the world, Sherry Morgan, the manager of Soundchat radio in Jamaica, Queens, told PIX11 News. Its good to have young people taking this vibe and excitement and keeping the culture, she added.

The concert producer, Danger Mental, added: Sizzla hasnt done a live show in New York in six years. Spragga Benz is rarely seen doing one and YG Marley is on fire right now, he added.

Im a workaholic, but it will be my first time at the parade, first time at this concert, Cheyanne Smith, a concertgoer, told PIX11 News. Its a summer of firsts for me, she added.

A brief history of the West Indian Day parade

Close to 2 million people are expected to participate or watch the parade. It starts at Lincoln Terrace Park in Crown Heights at 11 AM and ends at Grand Army Plaza seven hours later. Security will be tight with drones in the air as well as lots of police officers on the ground.

The whole West Indian Day weekend is about the preservation of our culture and heritage, Jahmain Jonas, a concertgoer, told PIX11 News.

I love it 110%, Bryan McKenzie, another concertgoer, told PIX11 News. I hope it stays forever, not only for me but for my children and grandchildren, he added.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11.
Heres where you can see the leaves change colors in Georgia this fall

It happens every year, yet it never gets old. Mother Nature packs away the green wardrobe shes been wearing the past few months and dresses in hues of orange, yellow, red and brown.

Once the days get shorter and the nights get cooler, we wait for the leaves to change colors  peak season in Georgia is October and November. We plan afternoon drives and weekend escapes just to see the yearly transformation.

If youre one of those who enjoys observing the changing season upclose, we have some ideas for you.

Take a drive

Emory University

201 Dowman Drive, Atlanta 30307. 404-727-6123

Its a myth you have to leave town to see the best leaves. The campus of Emory University is so lovely it regularly ranks among Best College Reviews 50 most beautiful campuses in autumn, coming in at No. 21 last year.

Georgia is warm in many ways. The colors of the fall at Emory truly warm the soul. The 600-acre heavily forested campus is populated with pine, maples, oak, and magnolias (that) bring every autumn color in the rainbow. Peavine Creek, a branch of the Peachtree Creek, runs through the campus carrying fallen leaves peacefully to the sea. Located in the lovely Druid Hills, Emory takes sustainability seriously with every tree removed guaranteeing one to be planted in its place; it is also a Tree Campus USA. Even more natural beauty can be found at the Lullwater Preserve with walking trails, woods and Candler Lake.

Russell-Brasstown National Scenic Byway

GA Highways 17/75, 180, 348 and 75 ALT, Blairsville

One of Georgias Scenic Byways, Russell-Brasstown begins north of Robertstown at the intersection of GA-17 and GA-75. Then youll drive until reach the top of Brasstown Bald, looking down from the highest point in Georgia at a mountain full of fall leaves.

Cohutta-Chattahoochee Scenic Byway

5845 Highway 2, Dalton 30721

Dalton might be known as the carpet capital, but during autumn its whats above the forest floors that attracts people. The 54 miles of this scenic byway will take you through Chattahoochee National Forest and some movie-set towns draped in autumn colors. If you start on the Praters Mill end, you can pull into the parking lot to see more changing leaves and a National Register of Historic Places working water mill powered by Coahulla Creek.

Make it a weekend

Blue Ridge

Just and hour and a half north of Atlanta is the charming town of Blue Ridge. In addition to art exhibits and musical performances, hop on the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway for a trip through the Appalachian foothills.

Starting at the historic depot in downtown Blue Ridge, youll take a four-hour, 26-mile roundtrip journey along the Toccoa River through the North Georgia countryside. The first leg will take you on a one hour trip to the sister towns of McCaysville, Georgia, and Copperhill, Tennessee. A two hour layover will give you time to shop, grab a bite or just stretch your legs before taking the one hour return trip through the scenic forest and back to the depot in Blue Ridge.

Prices range from $59.99 to $119.99, depending on which car and experience you choose. Discounts are available for first responders, teachers, military and passengers ages 65 and older.

Helen

Even though the town has fewer than 500 full-time residents, its the third most visited city in Georgia. Many of those visitors come to celebrate Oktoberfest in Helens Bavarian charm. The Festhalles Oktoberfest blowout starts September 5 and runs through October 27. Helen is nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains on the Chattahoochee River and offers shopping, bingo and wine tours to visitors.

Lodging includes hotels, cabins, resorts, and bed and breakfast inns.

Don Carter State Park

5000 N. Browning Bridge Road, Gainesville 30506

Don Carter is Georgias newest state park, as well as the first state park at Lake Lanier. In addition to water activities, the park has 1,316 acres to explore by foot, bicycle or horseback. If you dont see gorgeous fall foliage, you might have your eyes closed.

Although this would be an easy day trip, the park has a variety of options for you to stay a weekend or a week.

Parking in Georgias state parks is just $5, and visitors can buy a $50 annual ParkPass that helps fund renovations, trail work, dock replacements and more. ParkPasses are not valid at state historic sites. Overnight guests pay the daily ParkPass fee only once during their stay, regardless of duration.

Senior citizens can get half off an annual ParkPass by presenting a copy of their drivers license. Seniors also receive $20 off membership in Friends of Georgia State Parks & Historic Sites, plus 20% off.
1 flown to the hospital after motorcycle wreck near Fairmont

FAIRMONT, W.Va. (WBOY)  One person was flown to the hospital Monday afternoon following a two-vehicle accident involving a motorcycle in the Westchester area just outside of Fairmont.

According to an official with the Marion County 911 Center, at around 2:20 p.m., emergency crews were alerted to a two-vehicle accident on Locust Ave. near the Fairmont Field Club.

When crews arrived on the scene, they found that a motorcycle had collided with a passenger car; one person had injuries that required them to be flown to Ruby Memorial Hospital in Morgantown by Healthnet Aeromedical Services. Officials could not confirm if the injured person was on the motorcycle or in the car.

2 injured after side-by-side crashes into pole in Mannington

West Virginia 511 data shows that Locust Ave. was temporarily closed in the area of the wreck but 911 officials have said that its since reopened.

Crews from the Monongah Volunteer Fire Department, Valley Volunteer Fire Department, Marion County Rescue Squad and the West Virginia State Police responded to this call.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WBOY.com.
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM)  Six undocumented migrants were apprehended and a 19-year-old man was arrested and is facing charges of human smuggling and evading arrest after a brief pursuit and collision with another vehicle on Monday morning, Sept. 2 in Northwest El Paso, according to Texas Department of Public Safety.

At about 11:40 a.m. on Monday, a DPS trooper tried to conduct a traffic stop on an SUV. The driver tried to evade the trooper near Artcraft Road in Northwest El Paso, DPS said.

The driver ran a traffic light at the intersection of South Desert Boulevard and Artcraft and struck a pickup truck, DPS said.

DPS said there were six undocumented migrants in the fleeing SUV.

The driver of the pickup that was struck was checked out by emergency medical personnel at the scene but had no injuries.

One of the migrants was transported to a local hospital for minor injuries, DPS said.

All the migrants were released to Border Patrol for processing.

The driver of the SUV which tried to evade DPS has been identified as Ruben Palma, 19, of Juarez. He is being charged with human smuggling and evading arrest, DPS said.

The investigation continues.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTSM 9 News.
1 person killed, at least 3 injured in Russian attack on Dnipro

One person was killed and at least three people were injured in Dnipro on Sept. 2, in Russia's attack on Dnipropetrovsk Oblast Governor Serhii Lysak said.



Lysak also reported that residential buildings in one of Dnipros districts were damaged.



No other details were provided at the moment.



Dnipro, Ukraine's fourth-largest city, has served as a key logistics and humanitarian hub during the full-scale war.

Russian forces have carried out a number of deadly attacks against the city and the surrounding region since 2022.

During a mass Russian strike on Aug. 26, an Iskander missile hit a hotel in Kryvyi Rih, killing at least four people and injuring five.

Read also: Iran may send ballistic missiles to Russia within a matter of days, Bloomberg reports

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM)  One person was rescued off the ledge of the Interstate 10 overpass at Porfirio Diaz Street near UTEP by the El Paso Fire Departments Special Rescue crews early Monday morning, Sept. 2, the department said.

Two patients were transported with minor injuries to receive medical care during the incident, the Fire Department said. The incident happened at about 1:30 a.m.

The Fire Department did not say what led up to rescue operation.

We will update this story when we learn more.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTSM 9 News.
TULARE COUNTY, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE)  A person was shot at a home in the Tulare County town of New London Sunday night, according to the Tulare County Sheriffs Office.

Deputies say around 9:30 p.m. deputies were called to the 37700 Block of Hunter Road in New London for a shooting victim.

Tulare County Sheriffs Office

Investigators say deputies learned that three men had pulled up to a home in the area and several shots were fired.

1 dead after Tulare shooting

Officials say the victim was taken to a local hospital in stable condition.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Tulare County Sheriffs Office at 559-733-6218.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Ohioans United for Reproductive Rights field staff member Carlos Ortiz delivered boxes of petitions to the secretary of states office in Columbus on July 5, 2023. Advocates behind abortion initiatives often look to votes in Kansas and Ohio as harbingers of success. (Graham Stokes/Ohio Capital Journal)

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.

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.

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.
11th Circuit allows Alabama to enforce its ban on gender-affirming care for minors

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP)  A divided federal appeals court has refused to reconsider a decision allowing Alabama to enforce its ban on treating transgender minors with puberty blockers and hormones.

In a decision released Wednesday night, a majority of judges on the 11th U.S. Court of Appeals declined a request by families with transgender children for the full court to reconsider a three-judge panels decision to let the law go into effect.

Kalen DeBoer far from only Alabama newcomer to shine in season-opening romp

The Alabama law makes it a felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison to treat people under 19 with puberty blockers or hormones to help affirm their gender identity. The 11th Circuit in January allowed Alabama to begin enforcing the law.

The court has correctly allowed Alabama to safeguard the physical and psychological well-being of its minors, U.S. Circuit Judge Barbara Lagoa wrote.

Four of the 11 judges who heard the case dissented.

The panel opinion is wrong and dangerous. Make no mistake: while the panel opinion continues in force, no modern medical treatment is safe from a states misguided decision to outlaw it, almost regardless of the states reason, U.S. Circuit Judge Robin S. Rosenbaum wrote.

Twenty-five states have adopted laws restricting or banning gender-affirming medical care for transgender youth. Some have been blocked by federal courts, while others have been allowed to go into effect. Many await a definitive ruling from the U.S. Supreme Court, which agreed to hear a Tennessee case in its coming term on the constitutionality of state bans on gender-affirming care.

City of Birmingham files 2nd lawsuit against Monarch Ridge Apartments

Families with trans children had hoped the 11th Circuit would put the Alabama law back on hold. Their attorneys said the strong dissents, at least, were encouraging.

Families, not the government, should make medical decisions for children. The evidence presented in the case overwhelmingly showed that the banned treatments provide enormous benefits to the adolescents who need them, and that parents are making responsible decisions for their own children, their lawyers said in a joint statement.

Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall said Thursday on social media that the decision is a big win to protect children from life-altering chemical and surgical procedures.

3 men killed in Bessemer gas station shooting

The Alabama law also bans gender-affirming surgeries for minors. A federal judge had previously allowed that part of the law to take effect after doctors testified that those surgeries are not done on minors in Alabama.

The lawyers for the plaintiffs said theyre not giving up: We will continue to challenge this harmful measure and to advocate for these young people and their parents. Laws like this have no place in a free country.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CBS 42.
SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI)  A 15-year-old boy was seriously injured after colliding with a streetlight-traffic pole while driving through Miramar Ranch early Monday morning, prompting a SigAlert due to road closures.

The crash occurred in the area of 10550 Scripps Poway Parkway around 2:20 a.m., according to San Diego police.

The teenager, who was driving a gray 2024 Ford Bronco, struck the pole after  for unknown reasons  making an unsafe movement that caused him to veer right, police added.

Fire damages apartments, displaces residents in Lincoln Park

He sustained a significant fracture to his right leg in the crash and was transported to a hospital for treatment. According to SDPD, his injuries are not considered life-threatening.

No other injuries were reported. At this time, it is unclear if the teenager had any passengers in the vehicle.

Traffic units responded to the collision and are investigating. Road closures along Scripps Poway Parkway were put in place ahead of the morning commute for clean-up efforts. The roadway has since been reopened.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News.
WICHITA FALLS (KFDX/KJTL) They bond over being in the AMMO field of the U.S. Air Force, but when they get out on a softball field, its time to play to win.

The 16th Central AMMO Bowl brings AMMO units from as far away as Minot, ND, for a weekend of bonding and playing softball. But in a field that can send someone halfway across the globe from their home, Tournament Director Casey Hearns said reconnecting is what the AMMO Bowl is all about.

RRHD hosts cookout for Burkburnett American Legion

So, sometimes we havent seen these folks for sometimes 20 years, Hearns said. Were stationed with each other, then we retire. We just kind of go our own separate ways. We get families, but when they all come back and we kind of reconnect with that family dynamic, thats special.

Hearns started the Central AMMO Bowl during his time at Sheppard Air Force Base, and now its a way for airmen, either on active duty or retired, to meet and bond over shared experiences. Jake Taylor, the manager of one of the retired airmens teams, loves having the chance to meet with the teams on active duty every year.

Well do whatever active duty wants to do because this tournament is for them, Taylor said. Were just here to support and, you know, hang out and have a good time and hopefully pass on some knowledge for some old guys.

The shared experiences help each person at the AMMO Bowl bond with one another, which is what makes the tournament special. When airmen like John Stalnik can come from Minot, ND, to Wichita Falls and reconnect with someone from Barksdale, LA, those interactions are what makes the AMMO Bowl what it is.

Quanah ISD holding bond for new gym, auditorium renovations

We all have the same job, and we all have the same goal, and thats to protect the United States, right? Stalnik said. If we serve our country, why not have some fun while doing it and get to represent the United States Air Force in a great way.

After this Labor Day weekend, the next time many of these active and retired airmen will likely meet again will be at next years Central AMMO Bowl.

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I-17 in Arizona: Why is it always so crowded?

Leer en espanol

Motorists planning a trip north of Phoenix along Interstate 17 should brace for congestion, accidents and stressful driving conditions. It's true on holidays like Memorial Day, July 4 and Labor Day but also nearly every weekend.

One of Arizona's most scenic highways, the I-17 becomes heavily congested as locals and tourists take advantage of the most direct route from Phoenix's scorching urban sprawl into the cooler elevations of Flagstaff and beyond.

I-17 is the main connection between metro Phoenix and Flagstaff, Prescott, the Grand Canyon and Page/Lake Powell.

The route can become dangerous when heavy traffic, steep elevation and construction mix with unpredictable weather. That's why authorities suggest planning ahead when navigating I-17.

Why does I-17 get so busy?

I-17 was finished in 1978 and since then it became the primary route for anyone wanting to get to parts north via Interstate 10.

It has seen increased use every year except 2020 when pandemic closures affected travel, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation.

The annual average daily traffic count seen on all segments of I-17 for 2022 was about 218,200, according to an accumulation of all reports by the department.

It connects to major tourist destinations like Sedona, Flagstaff, Arcosanti, and, of course, the Grand Canyon.

It's one of the few available routes to those destinations and is the only direct path from Phoenix, so it becomes the default choice for most drivers and navigation apps.

A desire to escape the heat by camping or getting a hotel room or vacation rental is another major reason the I-17 becomes packed on holidays and long weekends.

Plenty of students at Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff are from the Phoenix area, and move-in and graduation weekends can be congested, too.

The interstate also sees constant construction and maintenance because it is heavily used, which adds to the congestion.

Where are the pressure points on I-17?

The main challenge on I-17 is an approximately 45-mile stretch immediately north of Phoenix between Anthem and Cordes Junction. Traffic is lighter north of that point because some motorists head west on State Route 69 to the Prescott area.

Southbound traffic is heavier south of Cordes Junction because it is the point on I-17 where travelers from the Flagstaff and Prescott areas converge on the way to Phoenix.

If drivers find themselves stuck behind an accident in the stretch from Anthem to Cordes Junction, there are no alternative routes and few places to turn around and head in the other direction.

About 40,000 cars travel both directions from Anthem to Cordes Junction daily, and on weekends that number hits 55,000 to 60,000. Holiday weekends bring even more drivers.

Is I-17 dangerous?

In 2017, I-17 was on the list of deadliest highways in the country.

The most troublesome crashes happen in the area with the highest amount of traffic congestion, the 23 miles of southbound lanes between Sunset Point and Anthem, according to ADOT officials.

Is there road construction on I-17?

The I-17 Improvement Project, now under construction, is set to enhance that stretch between Anthem and Sunset Point.

The work is expected to continue through 2025 and will replace two bridges, widen 10 others and construct 8 miles of "flex lanes."

Flex lanes can carry traffic north or south depending on the need and time of day. The lanes can become northbound during evening hours when the cause of congestion is traffic heading north and a southbound lane in the morning hours when rush hour traffic is heading south.

Project work continues seven days a week, which causes slowdowns in the area. Closures, however, have been limited to weeknights from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. with no weekend lane closures.

Wait, what are flex lanes again? Will they go north or south?

Flex lanes are separate, two-lane roadways that can carry traffic north or south, depending on which is needed most at the time. For example, the lanes likely will flow north on Fridays when most traffic is from people heading out of the Phoenix area. Then the lanes can carry traffic south on Sundays as travelers head home.

The two lanes will be next to southbound I-17 lanes and separated from those lanes by a concrete barrier.

The flex lanes will use much of the existing southbound lanes while new southbound lanes are built next to them.

ADOT officials considered simply adding additional northbound and southbound lanes to this section of road but decided against it because existing northbound lanes are in such rocky, hilly terrain that adding a single lane would have prolonged the entire project and caused substantial traffic delays and closures during the work.

What are the best times to avoid I-17?

If possible, avoid late afternoon and early evening travel heading north or south. Drivers should also try to avoid lane closures from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. on weekdays.

Are there alternate routes to I-17?

The stretch of I-17 that causes most delays is between Anthem and Sunset Point. Alternate routes exist if traffic and other delays become too much to bear.

The routes to avoid the most trafficked part of I-17 take drivers into either the west or east parts of the Phoenix area. Drivers should plan ahead and check weather forecasts, road closures and possible accidents before heading out.

Heading north from the West Valley: Drivers starting in the West Valley can take U.S. 60 west to State Route 89 north to Prescott. Then, take State Route 69 southbound for a short time and go north on State Route 169 to get to Interstate 17.

Heading north from the East Valley: From the East Valley, take State Route 87 north to Payson and then catch State Route 260 west to I-17.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: I-17 to Flagstaff from Phoenix: Why is it always so crowded?
19-year-old man dies after trying to break up fight at a party, Spotsylvania County Sheriffs Office says

SPOTSYLVANIA COUNTY, Va. (DC News Now)  A 19-year-old man is dead after trying to break up a fight at a party in Spotsylvania County on Sept. 1, according to the Spotsylvania County Sheriffs Office (SCSO).

At around 1 a.m., deputies responded to the 14600 block of Spotswood Furnace Road for a reported shooting.

The SCSO said it was reported that a large group had gathered and was trespassing on Spotsylvania County property when a fight broke out.

After the fight ensued, 19-year-old Christian Whalen attempted to break it up when someone shot him in the lower extremity.

Police investigating robbery at Pentagon City mall after suspects set off fire extinguisher, destroy display case

Deputies immediately began life-saving measures, and a deputy who was on the scene loaded Whalen into his cruiser, transporting him to a rescue squad.

Responders transported Whalen to a local hospital, where he died.

Detectives began interviewing numerous witnesses who were still on the scene. During the initial interviews, detectives determined that 18-year-old Kenneth Watson of Caroline had fired a weapon, striking Whalen and ultimately killing him, according to the SCSO.

4 injured, including 2 kids after car crashes into telephone pole in Northeast DC

Authorities charged Watson with homicide and use of a firearm in the commission of a felony. Law enforcement is holding him without bond at the Rappahannock Regional Jail.

The investigation is ongoing, and the sheriffs office says many more interviews may need to be conducted. Detectives are relying on witnesses who may have been at the party but left before law enforcement arrived.

Anyone with information should contact the Spotsylvania Sheriffs Office at 1-800-928-5822 or 1-540-582-5822. Tips can also be left online at www.spotsylvaniacrimesolvers.org.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC.
Editor's note: This story suggestion was submitted by Ernesta Walker

Everyone wants to feel safe where they live, but is our perception of crime in our neighborhoods a reality?

According to the FBIs Quarterly Uniform Crime Report, violent crime in the United States has dropped significantly in the first quarter of 2024. Data from 12,000 law enforcement agencies represent 77% of the countrys population. Compared to the first quarter of 2023, violent crime rates have dropped by 15%.

The data showed a 26.4% decrease in murders, a 17.8% decrease in robberies, and a 12.5% decrease in aggravated assaults from January to March.

Although the data shows a decrease in crime across the United States, the public perception of crime contradicts its reality. Forty percent of Americans say they fear walking alone at night due to crime. The last time the data reached 40% was in 1993, during one of the worst crime waves in U.S. history, where 43% said they would be afraid.

This might explain why we received a story tip about crime rates in the 19th Ward while gathering story ideas on Hearken.

More: Meet Justice Marbury. The D&C's new 19th Ward reporter

Overall, I do feel safe. I dont think my safety is in jeopardy," Christopher Rush, a 19th Ward resident, said. "I will say a lot has changed over the years, and I can see why others do not feel safe. A better word I would use is uncomfortable," Rush continued. "Between the individuals with mental health challenges, the crowding at corner stores, and the panhandling, you do deal with individuals that might not jeopardize your safety but are uncomfortable to interact with, Rush said.

Crime statistics for the 19th Ward

According to the RPD: Neighborhood Crime History Map, from January 2024 to present in the 19th Ward, there have been 17 robberies, 39 aggravated assaults, 43 burglaries, 133 larcenies, 88 motor vehicle thefts and two homicides.

Last year for the same period, there were 13 robberies, 46 aggravated assaults, 49 burglaries, 211 larcenies, 193 motor vehicle thefts and four homicides.

Larceny, burglary, robbery

Larceny, or theft, is the unlawful taking of someone's property without the use or threat of force. Burglary is the illegal entry into a structure, such as a house or a car, intending to commit a crime, like a larceny. Robbery, or violent theft, is the unlawful taking of someone's property with the use or threat of force and is considered the most serious of the three crimes.

To stay updated on the crime in your neighborhood, visit RPD Crime Map or RPD Neighborhood Crime History.

We want to allow more readers to submit story ideas for the 19th Ward beat. Please complete our survey using the form below or scanning the QR code in print. In the coming weeks, we'll let you know when one of you suggests a story we write!

Justice Marbury is the 19th Ward reporter. She loves her energetic puppy, Hiro. Contact her on Instagram @justice_marbury and by email at jmarbury@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Rochester's 19th Ward crime statistics: What they show for 2024
2 dead after kayak capsizes at Ohio lake, person jumps in to help

Two people are dead after a kayak capsized in a lake and another person jumped in to help.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

The incident happened around 2:45 p.m. at Salt Fork State Park on Sunday.

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Two males were kayaking by the beach when one of the kayaks capsized, sending one person to the water, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources told our news partners at WBNS.

The person in the other kayak jumped in to help, but both drowned.

ODNR is investigating the drownings.

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LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  Two people were hospitalized after a fire at a northwest Las Vegas valley apartment complex Sunday afternoon, according to Las Vegas Fire & Rescue.

On Sunday around 3:10 p.m., LVFR responded to a structure fire at the Bella Solara Apartments in the 7100 block of Smoke Ranch Road near Tenya Way.

Fire crews arrived at the scene around 3:15 p.m. and at 3:23 p.m. the fire was upgraded to a two-alarm fire. LVFR said the knockdown was called at 3:27 p.m. and crews were actively fighting the fire for 50 minutes to ensure hot spots were found and to avoid the fire spreading to the remainder of the building.

Structure fire in the 7100 block of Smoke Ranch Road (LVFR)

Structure fire in the 7100 block of Smoke Ranch Road (LVFR)

Structure fire in the 7100 block of Smoke Ranch Road (LVFR)

Structure fire in the 7100 block of Smoke Ranch Road (LVFR)

Structure fire in the 7100 block of Smoke Ranch Road (KLAS)

Structure fire in the 7100 block of Smoke Ranch Road (KLAS)

Two people were taken to a local hospital, one for smoke inhalation and the other for exposure while outdoors, LVFR said. One dog was also rescued and taken to a shelter to be assessed and reclaimed.

According to the Red Cross of Southern Nevada, 16 apartments were affected with eight damaged or destroyed by fire and eight damaged by water and smoke. The Red Cross is helping over 30 displaced residents. The cause of the fire is unknown at this time and it is under investigation.

You wake up one day and go to work and then you come home to this, Gabriela Bustamante shared with 8 News Now.

Bustamante was just one of several residents displaced in Sundays fire at the Bella Solara Apt Homes.

The alarms never went off and my daughter was sleeping in her room and she heard the commotion of the fire trucks and thats how she knew something was going on, Bustamante added.

Ryan George has lived at the Bella Solara Apartment Homes for five years and said within that time this is the second fire hes seen.

We had a fire here a couple of years ago, across the way in the other units, George shared.

George also stated that the Red Cross is assisting him and others at this time.

I know they are setting up a shelter for everyone who is displaced, but we are going to get a hotel at this point, he added.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS.
Armed robbers hit two different 7-Eleven stores separated by about eight miles early Sunday morning, according to authorities.

The Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department said the first robbery happened at about 12:36 a.m. at the 7-Eleven at 4800 Temple City Boulevard in Temple City. There, two Hispanic men wearing dark clothing and face masks entered the store armed with a handgun.

The men fled the scene on foot with an unknown amount of cash. No one was injured.

Crash on 91 Freeway kills 2 in Los Angeles County

A little more than an hour later, another 7-Eleven store was hit, this time at 2700 Huntington Drive in nearby Duarte. Reported at 1:43 a.m., the circumstances were identical to the first, according to authorities  two hispanic men wearing face masks took an unknown amount of cash while armed with a handgun.

While the suspect descriptions were similar, the LASD said it couldnt determine whether the robberies were connected until surveillance video was viewed. Detectives will re-visit one of the stores on Tuesday to view the footage.

The LASD said said the Duarte store was also hit just months ago in a similar robbery.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 2. Azerbaijani Minister of Energy Parviz Shahbazov will discuss the Black Sea Energy project in Bucharest during the eighth ministerial session on the project, Trend reports via the Energy Ministry of Azerbaijan.

"At the invitation of Romania's Minister of Energy Sebastian Burduja, a delegation from Azerbaijan led by Shahbazov has left for Bucharest. On September 3, alongside colleagues from Romania, Georgia, and Hungary, they will discuss the project for the development and transmission of future green energy from Azerbaijan through Georgia and the Black Sea to Europe.

The parties have a strategic partnership agreement for this project and will hold the eighth meeting on it," the ministry said.

The discussion is all about the potential of sending energy from Azerbaijan's upcoming offshore wind farms to the EU through an electric cable that will be laid along the seabed of the Black Sea.

The export is planned to start with two GW, with potential for growth.

Stay up-to-date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN)  A new study is naming two Middle Tennessee suburbs among the fastest-growing in the nation with home values below $500,000.

GoBankingRates said they compiled the list after analyzing 50 cities that had home values below $500,000 and an increase in population between 2020 and 2022.

Heres how Tennessee fared on the list of best US states to live

According to the study, Lebanon and Gallatin were the only suburbs in Tennessee that made the list.

Lebanon landed at No. 19 as the fastest-growing suburb in America with a $439,223 home value in July 2024 and nearly a 14% population increase from 2020 to 2022. The citys special census showed that 44,941 people were living in the area in 2020.

In fact, the latest data from the U.S. Census Bureau showed that Lebanon is one of the 15 fastest-growing cities in the nation, growing 8.9% from July 2022 to July 2023.

Another Middle Tennessee suburb on the list: Gallatin. The study said the city in Sumner County is No. 31 among the fastest-growing suburbs and had a $432,531 home value in July 2024.

 Read todays top stories on wkrn.com

GoBankingRates reported Gallatins population increased 11.64% from 2020 to 2022, growing from 40,262 to 44,947 people.

To see the full study, click here.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2.
Two U.S. Marines from the USS Wasp were attacked Monday during a port visit in Izmir, Turkey, according to a Navy spokesperson. Video of the apparent incident shows a group of men forcing a bag over the head of one of the Marines as they restrain him, chanting "Yankee go home."

CBS News senior foreign correspondent Holly Williams said the men appeared to be members of the Turkish Youth Union  a small, nationalist, anti-American organization. The group posted the video online, writing: "U.S. soldiers who have the blood of thousands of Palestinians on their hands cannot defile our country."

Williams, who lived in and covered Turkey for several years said Americans were generally well-treated in the country, said Turkish authorities reported detaining 15 people in connection with the assault.

Turkey is a key American ally in the Middle East and a member of the transatlantic NATO alliance.

The Marines, part of the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, were "on liberty" at the time of the incident and taken to a local hospital for evaluation as a precaution, said U.S. Navy Cmdr. Timothy Gorman, U.S. Sixth Fleet spokesperson. The Marines returned to their ship later Monday.

"Local Izmir police and the Naval Criminal Investigative Service are cooperating in an investigation of the incident," Gorman said. "No Marines have been detained by authorities and those involved are cooperating with investigators."

The USS Wasp is part of a marine expeditionary unit on a routine deployment to the eastern Mediterranean Sea. The 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit recently completed a bilateral training exercise with Turkey in the region.

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21 drivers arrested, dozens cited in crackdown on New Hampshire roads at start of holiday weekend

The start of the Labor Day weekend resulted in at least 21 arrests, dozens of citations and hundreds of warnings for drivers on New Hampshire roadways during a crackdown on impaired driving, state police said.

And that period covers just Friday into Saturday.

Fourteen drivers were arrested during a high-visibility DUI Saturation Patrol in the Seacoast area from Friday afternoon into early Saturday morning. Troopers and officers from the Epping, Brentwood and Greenland police departments focused on major roadways in Rockingham County and portions of Route 16 (Spaulding Turnpike), state police said.

The following drivers were arrested for various offenses:

 Benjamin Matthews, 41, of Rye  Driving Under the Influence of Liquor, Contempt  Breach of Bail Conditions, Speeding Violation, and Lane Control Violation;

 Rachael OBrien, 33, of Haverhill, Mass.  Driving Under the Influence of Drugs and Avoidance of a Lane Blockage Violation;

 Kevin Labelle, 32, of Manchester  Aggravated Driving Under the Influence of Drugs, Driving Under the Influence of Drugs  3rd Offense, Operating After Certification as Habitual Offender, Operating After Revocation (DUI Conviction), Driving Without Giving Proof, Second Degree Assault, Reckless Conduct  Deadly Weapon (x3), Criminal Restraint, Criminal Mischief (x2), and Conduct After An Accident;

 Scott Rainford, 62, of Barrington  Driving Under the Influence of Liquor or Drugs;

 Sean McCarthy, 39, of Portsmouth  Operating After Revocation (DUI Conviction);

 Michelle Boylan, 39, of Rochester  Operating After Suspension, Drivers License Prohibitions, and Uninspected Vehicle Violation;

 Evan Ryder, 24, of Rochester  Operating After Suspension  Subsequent Offense, Suspension of Vehicle Registration, Driving Without Giving Proof, Drivers License Prohibitions, and Uninspected Vehicle Violation;

 Michael Duquette, 22, of North Reading, Mass.  Operating After Suspension or Revocation;

 Yesenia Rosario, 33, of Manchester  Suspension of Vehicle Registration;

 Laurie Burbo, 60, of Worcester, Mass.  Negligent Driving;

 Alfred Mahabir, 63, of Boston, Mass.  Operating Without a Valid License and Speeding Violation;

 Shawgi Abdalla, 67, of Manchester  Operating After Suspension  Subsequent Offense and Operating Without a Valid License  Subsequent Offense;

 Kevin Ricard, 31, of Rochester  Bench Warrants; and

 Hannah S. Kimball, 23, of East Kingston  Suspension of Vehicle Registration

Troopers conducted a total of 252 motor vehicle stops and issued 66 citations and 212 warnings in the Seacoast area.

Then, starting in the evening hours on Saturday, troopers arrested seven Granite State drivers during a high visibility saturation patrol to deter and detect impaired drivers in the greater Concord area including Interstate 93, Interstate 89, and Interstate 393, state police said.

The following drivers were arrested during this patrol:

 Willy Semuhungu, 34, of Concord  DUI-Aggravated (30+ MPH over speed limit), DUI- 2nd Offense;

 Jordan Brewer, 30, of Salem  DUI;

 Nicole Grady, 35, of Pembroke  DUI;

 Rianna Martin, 38, of Manchester  DUI;

 Casey Hynes, 33, of Concord  Operating after Certified Habitual Offender;

 Brian Soucy, 52, of Hooksett  DUI, Operating after Suspension; and

 Patrick Desjardins, 25, of Concord  Reckless Operation

Troopers will continue conducting similar enforcement efforts throughout the state in the coming weeks, state police said. The weekend initiatives were sponsored and funded by the New Hampshire Office of Highway Safety and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

If you see a suspected impaired driver, call 911 immediately, state police said. Be prepared to provide your exact location including street names and highway mile markers, a plate number, and a description of the vehicle involved, along with your observations.

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

Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts.

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A 23-year-old man is facing a criminal charge of aggravated fleeing in connection to a car pursuit that left an Osage Beach police officer dead early Saturday morning.

Christopher Aaron Bishop Wehmeyer, of Camdenton, is accused of causing a death by aggravated flight from a police stop, a Class A felony that carries a maximum penalty of life in prison. A spokesman for Osage Beach police confirmed the criminal charge had been filed by the Camden County Prosecuting Attorneys Office in an email to The Star on Monday.

Records show Wehmeyer is held without bond in the Camden County jail. No court records were entered in the states online criminal case database as of Monday afternoon detailing the allegations or showing a defense attorney representing Wehmeyer in the case.

Around 1:18 a.m. Saturday, police say a patrol officer spotted a vehicle traveling at high speed on Highway 54 near Passover Road. The officer turned on lights and sirens and initiated a pursuit when the driver failed to yield, Osage Beach Police Chief Todd Davis told reporters during a press conference Saturday morning.

Officer Phylicia Carson, 33, a member of the central Missouri departments police force for approximately 15 months, joined the pursuit as a secondary officer. Roughly 18 minutes after the chase began, Davis said, a call on emergency radio signaled her patrol car had gone off road and was on fire.

Carson died in the wreck. The suspect vehicle pursued by police crashed a few minutes later near Canerie Lane and its driver was arrested.

A crash report prepared by the Missouri State Highway Patrol said Carson crossed the center of the roadway while pursuing a traffic violator on Missouri Route A and began to skid. The vehicle caught fire after striking a tree, the report says.

Officer Carson leaves behind her husband and six children, the police chief said. Please keep the Carson family, our department and our community and your thoughts and prayers as we work through this tragic event.

Condolences were also offered by Mayor Michael Harmison and the citys elected officials.

Life is short, folks, the mayor said. I encourage all of you to live your life to the fullest. Hug your kids, your parents and your loved ones often.

Prosecuting Attorney Richelle Grosvenor said criminal charges may be added or amended in the future as the police investigation progresses. She also noted the recent passage of Valentines Law, a Missouri criminal statute that adds specific penalties for those accused of fleeing police.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol is leading the crash investigation. Several details of the criminal charges brought against Wehmeyer remained unknown Monday.

The city of Osage Beach said in a statement that City Hall would be closed Thursday to allow employees to attend Carsons visitation and funeral.
24-year-old missing after being swept away by current on Wisconsin River

SPRING GREEN, Wis. (WFRV)  Authorities in south-central Wisconsin are searching for a missing swimmer in the Wisconsin River who got swept away by a current on Sunday.

According to a release, deputies with the Sauk County Sheriffs Office received a report of a missing swimmer in the Wisconsin River near Pecks Landing in Spring Green, about an hour west of Madison.

Wisconsin man turns himself in day after shooting that hospitalized one

Several first responders arrived on the scene and learned that three men had entered the water from a sandbar and were swept away by the current. One man was able to swim back to the sandbar, while another was rescued by a passing boat.

The third man, a 24-year-old from Richland Center, was unaccounted for. The Sauk County Dive Team members searched the river on Sunday until darkness set in. He was not found.

Four-year-old dead in northern Wisconsin after ATV crash involving three under the age of ten

Search efforts are continuing throughout Monday.

No additional details were provided.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFRV Local 5 - Green Bay, Appleton.
BESSEMER, Ala. (WIAT)  Three men were injured during a shooting in Bessemer Sunday night.

According to Bessemer Police Department, the men were shot while in a parking lot on the 900 block of 9th Avenue North around 10:00 p.m. Two of the victims remain in critical condition in a local hospital, while the remaining victim was released.

No suspects are currently in custody in connection with the crime, but police believe the victims were targeted.

Sundays shooting marks the second triple shooting in Bessemer over the weekend. On Friday, three men were killed in a shooting at a gas station on the 200 block of 4th Avenue North.

Those with information regarding the shooting are urged to call the Bessemer police tip line at 205-428-3541 or submit an anonymous tip to Crime Stoppers at 205-254-7777.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CBS 42.
For 32 years, dozens of deaths tied to nurse at Columbias VA hospital have been unresolved

Harry S Truman Memorial Veterans Hospital in Columbia (Rudi Keller/Missouri Independent).

In September 1992, as I performed one of the perfunctory duties of my job as assistant city editor of the Columbia Daily Tribune  watching the nightly local news to keep up with our competitors  a startling story came on KMIZ.

Stephen Gaither, a spokesman for Harry S Truman Memorial Veterans Hospital, described to the reporter the hospitals response to an unexpected increase in patient deaths in one ward.

I immediately called Gaither and asked him about the statement. He gave me essentially the same information.

How many deaths were involved, he didnt say. What he did say was that a review had been completed and the hospital had nothing to hide.

Except it did.

Over 14 days starting on Sept. 26, 1992, the Tribune published 15 stories under my byline that followed the case from Gaithers initial statement to an FBI criminal investigation of as many as 50 patients possibly murdered by a nurse.

When that figure was revealed to me in a meeting with hospital sources worried about an ongoing coverup, held in the law office of then-state Rep. Ken Jacob, I promised I would follow the case until the truth became known.

The information I have is not legally conclusive, Jacob said at the time. But personally, after looking at it, it is horrifying even to think about the possibilities.

In those first 15 stories, I was the first to name the nurse, Richard Williams, who had been removed from patient care while the internal review was underway. Williams was charged with 10 counts of homicide in 2002, but the case was dropped in 2004 when his attorney was able to show that a chemical cited as the basis of the charge can be found naturally in decomposing bodies.

The only time any of the families received even a modest amount of justice was in August 1998, when U.S. District Judge Nanette Laughrey awarded the family of Elzie Havrum of Fulton $450,000 compensation in a civil trial and excoriated Truman Memorial administrators for the cover up.

I believe nurse Williams killed Elzie Havrum, Laughrey said at the conclusion of the trial.

She also said she was convinced the VA staff was alerted to the relationship between Richard Williams and deaths prior to Elzie Havrums final admission.

Now another journalist with a personal connection to the story is taking a new look at the case. In a seven-episode podcast called Witnessed: Night Shift, Columbia native Jake Adelstein and his co-host Shoko Plambeck narrate the story through interviews and archival reports. The podcast is published by Sony Music and Campside Media.

This embedded content is not available in your region.

Adelstein, author of Tokyo Vice, is the son of Eddie Adelstein, a pathologist who initiated the internal hospital inquiry into the deaths in the summer of 1992.

Eddie Adelstein, as well as Gordon Christensen, the epidemiologist he asked to review the deaths for a common cause, and Earl Dick, the hospital chief of staff at the time, suffered years of harassment, retaliation and intimidation  first for internally, and later publicly, agitating for a true accounting for the deaths and the effort to cover them up.

The personal connection is just one reason for the podcast, Adelstein told me. If Williams is responsible for the deaths, he said, it means one of the largest cases of serial killing in U.S. history has gone unpunished.

The case is not closed; there is no statute of limitations on homicide, Adelstein said. And what it gives the public is a question that they should demand answers to: what really happened on the night shift at the Truman VA and why did those who covered it up get rewarded and those who told the truth get punished?

I enter the podcast in the third episode, after Adelstein presents a detailed look at how the string of deaths first were noticed, then reviewed, then denied, by the hospital administration. In one of the kinder things ever said about me, he describes me as the custodian of the story.

It occurs to me as I write this that it is the first time I have published something about the VA hospital deaths since the death of Christensen in 2020. But it also reminds me that since I am still writing about it, the case is not resolved.

I have vivid memories of events that mark important developments in the case.

One is my first encounter with Williams, at his home to confirm his identity as the nurse removed from patient care.

Another is a cold February day and a night in a Fulton cemetery after I found that the FBI had exhumed Havrums remains for an autopsy. I wanted to get a photo of his remains being reinterred. When exhaustion overtook me, I left without getting the picture.

And there were a few moments of real personal anguish that maybe Williams, who continues to live in Missouri, was just the unluckiest person who ever lived and I had wronged him in print.

I remember when Christensen called me when he wanted to speak publicly for the first time.

Christensens role in the story is central to the conclusion that nothing but Williams connected the deaths. He analyzed all hospital deaths over a three-year period, both the circumstances and the underlying medical conditions of each.

He concluded that the deaths associated with Williams, who worked nights, were of patients who were not expected to die soon  many actually were ready for discharge the next morning. And there was an infinitesimally small chance that the deaths were due to any natural occurrence.

Christensen called  after rebuffing all my previous attempts  when an inspector generals report that reviewed his findings and investigated allegations of a cover up was released. It confirmed his analysis by saying he overstated the chance that something other than Williams had been responsible for the deaths.

But investigators said they found mismanagement, not a cover up.

I followed Christensen, Adelstein and Dick to Washington three times for congressional hearings concerning the deaths.

At the first, in October 1995, Christensen was brutal in his assessment of the inspector generals report.

The report is wrong because it is an incomplete, dishonest, biased, flawed and distorted presentation of the events that took place in Columbia, Christensen said at the time. The report is dangerous because acceptance of this report promotes the cover-up of this mess and endorses the VAs policy of intimidation of whistleblowers.

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At the last hearing I attended, in March 1999, U.S. Rep. Terry Everett, an Alabama Republican, chaired a subcommittee of the House Veterans Affairs Committee and he said little had changed since the first in 1995.

My concerns about the VA culture of tolerating favoritism, cronyism, harassment, and retaliation are a matter of record, Everett said that day.

Throughout the 1990s, I tried to keep my focus as much as possible on the families involved in the case. In early 1993, when the FBI began exhuming 13 of the veterans who died under Williams care, I used a list of everyone who had died in the previous year at Truman Memorial to identify nine of them.

Calling their next-of-kin, I had to ask a very strange question: Have you been contacted by the FBI about the death of your husband/wife/uncle/aunt/father/mother?

For those who hadnt been contacted, the question needed explaining. For those who had, I was usually the one who ended up answering a lot of questions because the investigators didnt want to talk much.

They just wanted permission to perform an autopsy.

As part of my work, I found that veterans from Rolla, Cuba, Fulton, Columbia and many other places had died during Williams shifts. Two years later, I called the families again. No, they said, they hadnt heard anything more from the FBI.

To the FBI, they were the forgotten families, I wrote.

I visited Bea Forster in Cuba in Crawford County, who had had trouble sleeping since the death of her husband Charles, who served in the U.S. Army in the South Pacific in World War II.

Agnes Leedom of Glenwood in Schuyler County recalled her husband Gerald, who played saxophone for a band called the Missouri Hot Shots when they married in 1936. His electric piano was still in her living room when we met in 1995.

I listened to Cindy Owens and Doris Bojack, daughters of Agnes Conover  a seaman in World War II  describe their anguish at not knowing how her mother died.

Bojacks words describe how I still feel about the case.

It just keeps nagging at you, she said. We need some closure, and we need to find out what really did happen.

This article has been updated to correct Earl Dicks name.

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Man charged in fatal shooting of 4 people on train near Chicago

A man has been charged with four counts of first degree murder after four people were fatally shot on a Chicago Transit Authority train in Forest Park, Illinois, early Monday, officials said.

Rhanni S. Davis, 30, of Chicago, has been charged in their deaths, according to Forest Park, Illinois, police.

The Forest Park Police Department received a 911 call about three people shot on a westbound train at the CTA Blue Line station in Forest Park, just west of Chicago, around 5:30 a.m. local time, according to a statement from police.

Authorities cleared the station, finding four victims. Three were pronounced dead on scene and the fourth was taken to Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood, where they died.

Forest Park police, along with CTA security, used video surveillance to help identify the alleged offender. Then, the Chicago Police Department located a suspect who matched the description on a CTA Pink Line train. The subject was taken into custody and a firearm was found, Forest Park police said.

According to Forest Park officials, the shooting appears to have been an isolated incident with no immediate additional threat to the community.

In a statement, the CTA called the incident a "heinous and egregious act of violence" that "should never have occurred, none the less on a public transit train."

"As soon as it was reported, CTA immediately deployed resources to assist the Forest Park Police in their investigation into the matter, including review of all possible security camera footage, which proved to be vital in aiding local enforcement," the statement read.

The CTA commended the Forest Park Police Department and the Chicago Police Department for their rapid response and coordination.

CTA said it will continue to work with local law enforcement regarding the ongoing investigation.

This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.

Man charged in fatal shooting of 4 people on train near Chicago originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
CHICAGO  Four people were killed in a Monday morning shooting on a CTA Blue Line train in Forest Park, the west suburban villages police said.

Officers were dispatched to the Forest Park Blue Line station, 711 Des Plaines Ave., at 5:27 a.m. Monday after someone called 911 to report three people were shot on a train, Forest Park police said in a statement.

Three people were pronounced dead at the scene, police said, and a fourth shooting victim was pronounced dead soon after at Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood. The ages and identities of the victims were not disclosed, but a representative for the Cook County Medical Examiners office confirmed the four fatalities.

Forest Park police said a suspect was later taken into custody on the Pink Line by Chicago Police officers and a weapon was recovered.

Cicely and Matt Gould said the shooting is not typical for their family-oriented hometown or a reflection on local crime.

Its pretty shocking because (the community) is so safe, said Cicely Gould, who Monday afternoon hung out at a local park with her husband and two daughters, Harlem, 4, and 2-year-old Harper, before heading to get ice cream.

When I saw it online this morning, I read it out loud to (Matt). I mean, the shooting was literally right up the street from my house. But I wouldnt say its a community thing. I feel very safe here. Thats pretty much where the end of the line is for the train, so its really busy.

Standing in the parking lot of the Blue Line station in Forest Park on Monday afternoon, Logan Square resident Sean McNulty said he had to take a shuttle bus for the last part of his commute because service still was interrupted between Austin and Forest Park. McNulty said he takes the Blue Line most mornings at 4 a.m. to get to his job at a Bensenville cabinet-making company.

Unaware of the early morning shooting, McNulty said he wasnt surprised by the violence. Though his train typically is filled with other workers and folks catching an early morning flight at OHare, McNulty said he has seen gang and other criminal activity as a longtime commuter.

Its mass transit, he said, while puffing a cigarette. Its going to be full of all sorts of weird people. You just kind of get used to it. I keep my eyes open because I want to know whats going on around me at all times.

Hours after the shooting, Forest Park Mayor Rory Hoskins called the shooting an outlier, but added that the villages first responders are frequently dispatched to the Blue Line station. Hoskins also called for more safety resources at the station as part of any potential reorganization of local mass transit agencies.

To the extent that our leaders in Springfield are considering any kind of CTA-mass transit reorganization, we would ask them to consider investing additional resources in terms of safety, public safety, law enforcement personnel, what have you, to support a small community like Forest Park that has to respond to two major train lines ending in Forest Park, Hoskins said.

In an emailed statement Monday, a CTA spokesperson said this heinous and egregious act of violence should never have occurred, none the less on a public transit train.

As soon as this matter was reported, CTA immediately deployed resources to assist the Forest Park Police in their investigation into the matter, including review of all possible security camera footage, which proved to be vital in aiding local enforcement, the agencys statement said.

The shooting was the first multi-victim homicide to occur on a CTA train in at least 30 years, according to city violence data, and it was the first fatal shooting of the year on a CTA train or at a station. One other homicide occurred in January at the Roosevelt station in the South Loop, records show.

The mass shooting occurred less than a week after the CTA announced an AI-based program that seeks to more quickly notify police when guns are detected at CTA train stations.

Blue Line train service was suspended between the Forest Park and Austin stations as police continue to investigate.

____
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 2. The State Duma of Russia has received a new impetus to enhance fruitful cooperation for further strengthening Russian-Azerbaijani relations following Russian President Vladimir Putin's state visit to Azerbaijan this August and the country's parliamentary election held on September 1, Russian MP Alla Polyakova told Trend.

She noted that the friendship group of the Russian State Duma and the Parliament of Azerbaijan will further intensify its work after the formation of the new Azerbaijani parliament.

According to Polyakova, environmental issues, public service organizations, and large-scale event hosting are areas in which Azerbaijan has extensive expertise that Russian lawmakers might learn a lot from.

"We'll also discuss the development of tourism with colleagues from the future composition of the Azerbaijani parliament. I believe that Russian citizens can find visiting regions of Azerbaijan very interesting, just as Azerbaijani citizens might enjoy exploring regions of Russia. This is a very promising area, considering the developed logistics," she emphasized.

Stay up-to-date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
49ers WR Ricky Pearsall out of hospital after being shot in robbery attempt

San Francisco 49ers rookie wide receiver Ricky Pearsall was released from the hospital on Sunday after being shot in the chest in a robbery attempt on Saturday in the city's Union Square district, the team announced.

Pearsall, 23, had been upgraded to fair condition, according to media reports, after being listed as "serious but stable condition" in a team statement on Saturday night.

"San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Ricky Pearsall was released from the hospital this afternoon as he continues to recover from a bullet wound to his chest," the team said in a statement Sunday. "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."

His mother, Erin Pearsall, said in social media post on Sunday that her son was "extremely lucky."

"First and (foremost) I want to thank GOD for protecting my baby boy," she wrote on Facebook. "He is extremely lucky, GOD shielded him. He was shot in the chest and it exited out his back. Thanks be to GOD it missed his vital organs ... My son was spared today by the grace of GOD."

The suspect in the attempted robbery, identified by police as a 17-year-old from Tracy, Calif., was arrested Saturday as he attempted to run from the scene, San Francisco police chief William Scott said. The alleged gunman also was hospitalized after the shooting - his condition not immediately disclosed -- and charges against him are pending.

Pearsall was taken to San Francisco General Hospital. Video shot in Union Square and posted to social media showed a shirtless Pearsall gingerly walking to an ambulance with assistance from police. As he sat on a gurney, he moved his left hand, which was pressing his shirt against the right side of his chest, near his shoulder, and blood was visible.

The San Francisco Chronicle reported that the 911 call came in at 3:28 p.m. local time, and when police responded, there were two gunshot victims. The other victim was the alleged robber, shot while in a struggle with Pearsall over the gun.

"A struggle between Mr. Pearsall and the suspect ensued and gunfire from the suspect's gun struck both Mr. Pearsall and the subject," Scott said Saturday during a news briefing.

Aaron Peskin, the president of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, said he received a briefing from police and was told Pearsall fought back.

Pearsall was signing autographs at an event earlier Saturday before heading to Union Square, according to ABC 7 San Francisco.

The 49ers selected Pearsall, a wide receiver who will turn 24 on Sept. 9, with the 31st pick in the April draft, and he signed a four-year, $12.5 million guaranteed contract with a $5.9 million signing bonus.

He was limited in training camp because of shoulder and hamstring issues, missing all three preseason games. He has a history of shoulder problems dating to his college days at Florida.

--Field Level Media
CLEVELAND, Ohio (WJW)  For more than a half-century, the 11th Congressional District parade has been one of the most enduring Labor Day events in the City of Cleveland.

The celebration started in 1967 as a small picnic after Carl Stokes was elected as the mayor of Cleveland. The event expanded in 1971 when Congressman Louis Stokes instituted the tradition of holding an annual 11th Congressional District Caucus Parade and Picnic.

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The host for the 2024 parade was current 11th District Congresswoman Shontell Brown.

It is an amazing day we are right here in the 52nd annual Labor Day parade passed down from Lou Stokes, Stephanie Tubbs Jones to Marcia Fudge and now I have the pleasure of hosting this huge parade, Brown told Fox 8.

The parade has become somewhat of a mandatory event for political candidates seeking local state and federal offices.

Even if the candidates themselves are unable to attend some, including U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown, are represented in the parade by campaign supporters.

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The parade itself attracts more than 250 entrants, with more than 8,000 participants making its way through Clevelands East Side from E. 146th Street to Luke Easter Park.

With the exception of 2020 during the pandemic, the parade has been held rain or shine every year for the past 53 years.

Sheryl Henderson has attended all of them.

This is our spot my parents used to bring me here as a kid, I brought my kids and now Im here with my grandkids, said Henderson along the Parade Route near its start.

The parade also features traditional entrees including bands, firetrucks, and plenty of candy for kids along the route.

They work hard: Northeast Ohio pizza shop praised for its Labor Day pay

Just to see everyone participating, the bands the people everybody is just out having a great time, everybody, Henderson said.

Also there to view the parade was Cleveland activist Art McCoy, who marched in the very first parade alongside Louis Stokes as a member of the 11th district caucus.

This is one of the longest biggest parades ever and just to see the community come together like this and people watching it man its something special, McCoy said.

The 2024 event theme was empowering our people.

Its all about working people, its all about celebrating what they do for our country. Thats what its all about, Polensek said.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Fox 8 Cleveland WJW.
Congress returns Sept. 9 for a three-week sprint, during which lawmakers will face key legislative deadlines and work to push their political messages before departing again for campaign season.

Political pressure and considerations could complicate how Congress addresses must-pass items.

The legislative dash will also be a prime time for lawmakers to push messages that aid their parties ahead of the November election.

Here are six items to watch in Congress this September.

Government funding

Government funding for fiscal 2024 expires Sept. 30, and virtually no one expects Congress will come to an agreement on funding for 2025 by that deadline. The Senate has passed zero regular funding bills, and while the House has passed partisan versions of more than half of the 12 regular funding bills, intraparty squabbling has stopped others from passing on the House floor.

Attention is now turning to what the terms will be for a continuing resolution (CR) to fund the government at current levels to avoid a government shutdown and buy Congress more time.

One consideration is the length of a continuing resolution. Hard-line conservatives in the House Freedom Caucus are pushing for a stopgap to extend into 2025, with the thought that doing so could avoid a massive end-of-year omnibus negotiated primarily by party leaders. That could also give Republicans a chance of getting more influence over funding levels if they win the House, Senate, and White House.

Other Republicans prefer starting 2025 with a clean slate, arguing that even if former President Trump wins, he will not want to be distracted by a funding fight in his first months back in office.

Also at issue is a Freedom Caucus push to pair a CR with the SAVE Act, a bill to expand proof-of-citizenship requirements for voter registration that passed the House earlier this year, but that the Democratic-controlled Senate and White House oppose. Doing so would be an attempt to try to either force Democratic action on the matter, or to use it as a negotiation item for other matters like length of a stopgap.

Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) has not yet indicated what kind of structure he prefers for a stopgap package, but said he is considering all options.

Veterans Affairs funding shortfall

In addition to the funding deadline, Congress has until Sept. 20 to address a roughly $3 billion budget shortfall for the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Republican concerns about mismanagement of the agency have remained even as some senators hoped to expedite legislation to address the shortfall before the August recess.

If Congress does not act, veteran compensation and pension benefits, and readjustment benefits, could be delayed.

Democrats to dig in on Project 2025 messaging

House Democrats will use the weeks in session in part to dig in on their messaging against Project 2025  the Heritage Foundation-led effort to suggest policy changes and personnel placements in a new conservative administration, which it would expect to be the Trump administration.

Despite Trumps disavowal of the project and his opposition to some of its policy ideas, Project 2025  created by former Trump administration officials and allies  has become a main source of Democratic attacks against him and Republicans.

Democrats have created a task force to oppose Project 2025, and are coordinating with House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) on several Project 2025 forums on Capitol Hill.

Republicans center messaging on Harris and Walz

House Republicans have already started to shift their attacks and investigatory firepower from Biden to Vice President Harris and her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D).

The House Oversight and Accountability Committee, for instance, has asked U.S. Customs and Border Protection for documents and communications with Harris about her work on immigration matters.

Republican press materials have also upped their usage of the Biden-Harris administration rather than Biden administration since Harris became the nominee.

Republicans aimed to put the focus on Harris and Walz with their campaign trail events over the August recess, as well. Johnson held one event in Minneapolis, during which he accused Walz of letting Minnesota burn during the 2020 riots, also referencing a post from Harris on the social platform X in 2020 asking for donations to a fund that bailed out those arrested during the protests and riots that sprung up in the wake of George Floyds killing.

Expect to see more focus from Republicans on Harris and Walz when they return to Congress.

Biden impeachment wildcard

Although there is little appetite among most House Republicans to impeach Biden even after an impeachment inquiry report accused him of engaging in impeachable conduct, there is the possibility that a member acts alone to force a vote on impeachment articles in the House.

No members have indicated they will actually take that step. But two members who have introduced impeachment resolutions  Reps. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) and Greg Steube (R-Fla).  expressed a desire to see action on the matter after the report was released.

The report failed to uncover a smoking gun, relying on disputed testimony and circumstantial evidence that did not directly tie any official action from Biden to his familys business dealings. Though it accused Biden of impeachable conduct, it did not recommend articles of impeachment.

Farm bill

Authorizations passed in the large agricultural, food, and nutritional program bill technically expire Sept. 30, with those originally approved in the 2018 bill having been extended to the end of fiscal 2024 in a continuing resolution last year.

But consequences do not actually kick in until after Dec. 31, when dairy and commodity programs expire.

Still, the Sept. 30 deadline is likely to spur pushes from interest groups for Congress to address the farm bill, which is typically renewed every five years.

Updated at 5:26 p.m. EDT

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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CURRY COUNTY, N.M. (KRQE)  The United States Department of the Air Force is investigating the release of thousands of gallons of contaminated water at Cannon Air Force Base. According to the Air Force base, about 7,000 gallons of water containing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) were dumped into a lined retention pond on the base between July 9 and July 15.

The contaminated water ended up in the pond after being removed from emergency vehicles while the Air Force was trying to eliminate legacy PFAS-containing Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF) from its inventory, according to the base.

Officials said leaders were notified of the issue in early August and immediately removed all water from the pond. However, an independent inspector hired to take a look at the ponds liner later found that there had been multiple tears in the liner, meaning PFAS could have seeped into the surrounding ground.

Story continues below

Base officials said drinking water was not impacted, because any potential contamination of the groundwater was caught by an existing groundwater pump and treatment system. As the investigation continues, the Air Force plans to move all waste containing PFAS to a secure area to be inventoried and properly disposed of.

Col. Robert Johnston, a 27th Special Operations Wing and Cannon AFB commander, said, We understand the concerns of our community, our Airmen, and their families. Please know that we are working expeditiously to address the affected area. We are committed to taking all necessary steps to ensure such incidents do not happen again in the future.

The base said that the impacted area will be sampled to inform any corrective measures needed. The investigation aims to uncover the cause of the improper deposit of contaminated water into the retention pond.

Johnson has appointed a task force to review environmental compliance training and ensure strict adherence to applicable requirements moving forward. The Department of the Air Force plans to update community members at its next PFAS public meeting, which is scheduled for November 12.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos.
Seven Mexican nationals killed in a Mississippi bus crash over the weekend were identified Monday, including a 16-year-old girl and her 8-year-old brother, authorities said.

The names were released to ABC News by Warren County Coroner Doug L. Huskey a day after the National Transportation Safety Board announced that the preliminary investigation showed a tire failure caused the motor coach to run off the road and overturn.

Huskey identified those killed in the crash as 8-year-old Kain Gutierrez and his 16-year-old sister, Perla Gutierrez. Another 16-year-old girl who died was identified as Angelica Palomino, according to Huskey.

PHOTO: First responders are shown at the scene of a bus crash in Warren County, Mississippi, on Aug. 31, 2024. (WAPT via AP)

Also killed were Miguel Ariaga, 61; Elia Guzman, 63; and Victor Aviles Garcia, 32, and his 30-year-old brother, Moises Aviles Garcia, according to Huskey.

Huskey said that due to a language barrier, Kain Gutierrez was initially identified as 6 years old.

PHOTO: First responders are shown at the scene of a bus crash in Warren County, Mississippi, on Aug. 31, 2024. (WAPT via AP)

The crash happened early Saturday, east of Vicksburg, and left 37 other people injured, according to the highway patrol.

MORE: Tire failure suspected in Mississippi bus crash that killed 7 and injured 37

The 2018 Volvo commercial passenger bus, traveling from Atlanta to Dallas, was driving westbound on Interstate 20 when it drove off the road Saturday just before 1 a.m. local time, according to the highway patrol.

PHOTO: In this screen grab from a video, a bus is shown after it crashed in Warren County, Mississippi, on Aug. 31, 2024. (WAPT)

Six people were pronounced dead at the scene and one person died at Merit Heath Hospital in Vicksburg, according to the Mississippi Highway Patrol. The co-driver was not transported to a hospital, authorities said.

MORE: Video Tour bus crashes in upstate New York

The Mexican consulate said in its statement that it has contacted a legal firm to help obtain detailed information about the crash.

7 killed in Mississippi bus crash identified originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
90 years after a deadly labor strike, SC textile town may finally be ready to own its history

Remains of the Chiquola Mill in Honea Path pictured Aug. 27, 2024. (Jessica Holdman/SC Daily Gazette)

HONEA PATH  Ninety years after one of South Carolinas deadliest labor strikes, the remains of the mill where flaring tempers escalated into gunfire that left seven dead are set to come down.

Partial demolitions in the past left remnants of the textile plant that operated for a century at the center of Honea Path, like a ghostly reminder of the Chiquola Mill Massacre many wanted forgotten.

But time has slowly loosened the once-silencing grip the tragedy had on the small Upstate town.

The town recently received a mix of funds  a $2.65 million federal grant for site cleanup plus $1.3 million in state aid for a reclamation project that includes creating walking paths between the site and downtown, rebuilding the mill pond and tearing down long-abandoned mill village homes, Mayor Christopher Burton said.

Amid the Great Depression, textile workers at factories across the South and along the East Coast launched one of the nations largest labor strikes, the General Textile Strike, on Labor Day 1934. In South Carolina, 43,000 women and men joined the protest for better wages, working conditions and an end to child labor, shutting down two-thirds of the states 200 textile mills.

Then-Gov. Ibra Blackwood dispatched the National Guard and Highway Patrol with promises to reopen the mills. But in Honea Path, mayor and mill superintendent Dan Beacham took matters into his own hands.

Within three days of the strike beginning, an estimated 300 strikers had gathered at the gates of the Chiquola Mill, joined by supporters from nearby mills and so-called flying squadrons of United Textile Workers organizers, forming picket lines to stop strikebreakers from entering.

Inside, newly deputized townspeople and workers were posted at windows and armed with shotguns, rifles and pistols. And Beacham mounted a World War I machine gun to the roof of the four-story mill.

The late Buck Shaw was just 17 years old on Sept. 6, 1934, when he met up with fellow workers and started walking toward the mill, according to his son Tommy Shaw: Thats when a man stuck a gun at his fathers side and told him not to move. Shots rang out as those in the mill fired on the crowd.

Closer to the front was Tommy Shaws grandfather, Shaw told the SC Daily Gazette. When the melee broke out, someone struck him with a picker stick, a tool used in the mill to send the shuttle carrying thread back and forth across the loom. He limped home, where Tommy Shaw said his grandmother found him bleeding from his head and ushered him inside.

Ruby Roberts, then 6 years old, was standing on the street with her mother outside the mill villages former hotel, which still stands as an apartment building in the shadows of the former mills remaining walls. The two came to see the gathering crowd, Roberts said, and didnt know what to expect until the shooting started and people scattered.

Mom and I ran as fast as we could home, about a block away, Roberts told the SC Daily Gazette.

Bloody Thursday

Ultimately, six workers were shot in the back as they fled. A seventh died the next day of his injuries, and about 30 more were injured in the event dubbed Bloody Thursday. Fortunately, the machine gun jammed, likely preventing even greater casualties.

Wasnt anybody expecting no trouble, but it happened Ruth Davis, the daughter of slain mill worker Bill Knight, told a group of documentary film makers about 60 years later.

National outrage over the violence would ultimately aid passage of the National Labor Relations Act of 1935 and the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, which established the 40-hour work week, created the minimum wage and barred child labor.

In recordings for the film The Uprising of 34, Davis said she had been sitting next to her father near a water tank outside the mill while he whittled.

Id follow him everywhere he went, she said.

Video provided by Georgia State University

When he stood up, he was shot, Davis said of her father, who was a weaver and operated a grocery store in town. People carried him into a nearby home. She was with him when he died, leaving a wife and four children without a husband or father.

In the days and decades after Bloody Thursday, the strike and killings remained taboo, not talked about in Honea Path as the mill churned on, remaining the towns largest employer until its closure in 2003.

A lot of people didnt speak to one another for years, said Shaw, as many of those who did the shooting had once been neighbors and friends with those who were killed and injured.

The story has been erased

The documentary, which premiered in 1995, offered some of the first glimpses of what the few remaining survivors and their descendants saw or were told about that day. On Memorial Day that year, a small granite monument was erected in a Honea Path park to commemorate those who were killed.

It was also around that time that Frank Beacham, the grandson of the mills superintendent who organized the gunmen, learned of his grandfathers role. In his own personal reckoning, the New York-based journalist and author went on to write a pair of books about the tragedy, as well as penning online remembrances each year on the anniversary.

The bloody riot at the towns cotton mill on that warm Thursday morning shaped the lives of two generations to follow  not because of the shock of what was known, but by what was unknown, Beacham wrote in what would end up being his final anniversary post last year.

Beacham died in December 2023.

The story has been erased, not only from the history books, but from the public consciousness of those people most affected by it. An instrument of fear was so powerful that parents were afraid to tell the story to their own children. It formed a lifelong social contract for the entire communitys survival, the final post went on. Fear, threats and intimidation were used to silence the story of the greatest tragedy in the towns history.

The mill owned the homes people lived in and the stores where they shopped. Beacham stayed mayor for years, threatening to fire workers if he found out they did not vote for him.

People were upset but very quiet because they were told if they said anything theyd be fired, said Roberts, who is now 96 years old.

Roberts and her mother made it home safely that day. Her father had remained home.

Like many of the children of mill workers, including Shaw and Davis, Roberts too would go into the mill for work when she turned 16. She started in the filling room making $10 a week before learning to weave, staying on until she went away to Bible college and was married.

Shaw worked in the spinning room. He told stories of Honea Path residents who had gone into the mill as young as 8 years old, standing on boxes to work.

When inspectors came, the children were hidden away in barrels and covered in cotton, he said. And mothers were expected to return to work shortly after giving birth, only stopping to nurse their infants, carried to the mill yard by the older children.

A black eye on the town

Its a black eye on the town and leaders at the time, Burton told the SC Daily Gazette.

Jimmy Smith, Honea Paths fire chief, said his grandfather was at the mill that day. He dove under the stairs of the mill office for protection. But for nearly all of his life, he refused to speak of it, calling it graveyard talk any time Smith asked him about it.

Then, one day he told Smith, Lets go for a ride. He took Smith to Eastview Cemetery, where many of those involved are buried, and he told Smith what he knew. He died two weeks later.

Burton and Smith told the SC Daily Gazette theyve noticed more people starting to talk about the strike in the last five years or so. Librarians at the town library said Frank Beachams books are checked out more often.

But the event is not part of state history lessons at the local public school. A district spokeswoman said this is because its not part of the state-mandated standards.

Never the same town

As part of the documentary, the late Sue Hill talked about the death of her father, Claude Cannon. Hill told the filmmakers she was only 9 months old at the time. But her mother, Iona Cannon, told Hill how she had begged her husband not to go, worried someone would get killed.

Iona Cannon was home taking care of Hill, who was sick that day, when she heard the gunfire that would make her a widow with six children to raise. She wasnt the only one. Many had four or more children who were now fatherless.

Video provided by Georgia State University

Hill said the mill forced her mother to pay the back-owed rent on the mill house where they lived. All they offered her was a job with a promise she would never be fired.

It had to be hard on her, Hill said in the documentary recordings. She never remarried. She never did date again  Mom toughed it out. But she had to lead a lonely life.

All of Cannons children would work in the mill at one time or another, Hill said.

We had no other choice, she said in the recordings. There was no other place in Honea Path to work.

They survived, with unknown neighbors leaving boxes of groceries on the front step some mornings. Her mother worked the overnight shift to keep the family together while one of the other familys children had to be put into an orphanage.

It was never the same town anymore, Hill said in the recordings. You were kind of afraid to talk because you didnt know who was for the union and who was against the union, so we pretty well stayed to ourselves and never discussed it among other people  But, um, its a small town, and people dont forget very easy.

Hill moved to Greenville with her husband in 1958 and did not return to Honea Path.

A fresh start

Today, the town has a population of about 4,000 people. A dozen or so new homes have been built and quickly purchased as growth from nearby Simpsonville trickles south, said the mayor, Burton.

A ball-bearing manufacturer, Timken Company, is now the largest employer, with about 300 workers. And a medical glove plant recently came under new ownership earlier this month. Otherwise, most commute 30 miles or more for work at a transmission manufacturer, a box maker, a pet food plant.

Burton is hopeful that the state and federal money will provide a fresh start for the former mill site, with a senior living facility, walking trails and rebuilding of the old mill pond, as well as sidewalks to tie it to the main downtown.

The town hopes to pick a contractor in the new year. It also has funding to knock down abandoned homes and update century-old sewer systems, largely in the old mill village.

People over there just want it cleaned up at this point, Burton said, as the mill ruins have attracted crime and vagrants.

As part of the rebuild, the mayor also wants to move a marker to those who were killed from the park behind city hall to a more prominent place on the mill site, hoping it might prompt the town to own its place in history and the changes that came out of the tragedy despite the hurt it caused.

I think theyre ready to let this history be known, Burton said. Im ready for the world to know Honea Path is the site of something that really set our countrys labor laws in motion.
AUSTIN (KXAN)  On Monday, Gov. Greg Abbott announced a $10,000 reward for information that could lead to an arrest in connection with a a 90-year-old Navy veteran who was allegedly murdered in Houston over the weekend, Abbotts office said in a news release.

Crime Stoppers is offering its own reward of $5,000. Including the state reward, that brings the amount up to $15,000, the release said.

Tipsters who are eligible for a cash reward should either call the Texas Crime Stoppers hotline at 1-800-252-TIPS (8477) or can submit a tip on the Texas Department of Public Safety website.

Anyone submitting the tip can do so anonymously, and tipsters will be provided a tip number instead of using a name, the release said.

Cecilia and I are deeply saddened to hear of the murder of 90-year-old Navy veteran Nelson Beckett in Houston, Abbott said in the release. Our hearts go out to his family and loved ones, and the entire Houston community during this difficult time.

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MANNINGTON, W.Va. (WBOY)  The AFL-CIO held a Labor Day picnic Sunday in Mannington to rally community support around the union and honor the achievements of organized labor in Americas history.

United Mine Workers of America President Cecil Roberts gave a speech chronicling how the fight of unions in the past helped provide laborers with benefits such as healthcare and pensions. Toward the end of his speech, Roberts invoked labor organizer Mother Jones as he spoke of the need for workers to advocate for themselves.

What stores and restaurants are open on Labor Day 2024?

Roberts told 12 News, People actually died to have this union.

In his interview Roberts brought up the Ludlow Massacre in which state militia and guards from the Colorado and Iron Companywhich was owned by JD Rockefeller at the timebroke up a camp of striking mine workers, killing 25 people including 12 children in the process. Labor activist Mother Jones would go on to lead a campaign to bring attention to this national event.

When asked about the labor movements place in American history, Roberts response was simple.

If youve got healthcare, the unions gave you that. Youve got a pension, the unions gave you that, Roberts said. The employer came kicking and screaming for every healthy and safety law thats in the books today.

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AI may not steal many jobs after all. It may just make workers more efficient

AI may not steal many jobs after all. It may just make workers more efficient

WASHINGTON (AP)  Imagine a customer-service center that speaks your language, no matter what it is.

Alorica, a company in Irvine, California, that runs customer-service centers around the world, has introduced an artificial intelligence translation tool that lets its representatives talk with customers who speak 200 different languages and 75 dialects.

So an Alorica representative who speaks, say, only Spanish can field a complaint about a balky printer or an incorrect bank statement from a Cantonese speaker in Hong Kong. Alorica wouldnt need to hire a rep who speaks Cantonese.

Such is the power of AI. And, potentially, the threat: Perhaps companies wont need as many employees  and will slash some jobs  if chatbots can handle the workload instead. But the thing is, Alorica isnt cutting jobs. Its still hiring aggressively.

The experience at Alorica  and at other companies, including furniture retailer IKEA  suggests that AI may not prove to be the job killer that many people fear. Instead, the technology might turn out to be more like breakthroughs of the past  the steam engine, electricity, the Internet: That is, eliminate some jobs while creating others. And probably making workers more productive in general, to the eventual benefit of themselves, their employers and the economy.

Nick Bunker, an economist at the Indeed Hiring Lab, said he thinks AI will affect many, many jobs  maybe every job indirectly to some extent. But I dont think its going to lead to, say, mass unemployment. We have seen other big technological events in our history, and those didnt lead to a large rise in unemployment. Technology destroys but also creates. There will be new jobs that come about.

At its core, artificial intelligence empowers machines to perform tasks previously thought to require human intelligence. The technology has existed in early versions for decades, having emerged with a problem-solving computer program, the Logic Theorist, built in the 1950s at whats now Carnegie Mellon University. More recently, think of voice assistants like Siri and Alexa. Or IBMs chess-playing computer, Deep Blue, which managed to beat the world champion Garry Kasparov in 1997.

AI really burst into public consciousness in 2022, when OpenAI introduced ChatGPT, the generative AI tool that can conduct conversations, write computer code, compose music, craft essays and supply endless streams of information. The arrival of generative AI has raised worries that chatbots will replace freelance writers, editors, coders, telemarketers, customer-service reps, paralegals and many more.

AI is going to eliminate a lot of current jobs, and this is going to change the way that a lot of current jobs function, Sam Altman, the CEO of OpenAI, said in a discussion at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in May.

Yet the widespread assumption that AI chatbots will inevitably replace service workers, the way physical robots took many factory and warehouse jobs, isnt becoming reality in any widespread way  not yet, anyway. And maybe it never will.

The White House Council of Economic Advisers said last month that it found little evidence that AI will negatively impact overall employment. The advisers noted that history shows technology typically makes companies more productive, speeding economic growth and creating new types of jobs in unexpected ways.

They cited a study this year led by David Autor, a leading MIT economist: It concluded that 60% of the jobs Americans held in 2018 didnt even exist in 1940, having been created by technologies that emerged only later.

The outplacement firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas, which tracks job cuts, said it has yet to see much evidence of layoffs that can be attributed to labor-saving AI.

I dont think weve started seeing companies saying theyve saved lots of money or cut jobs they no longer need because of this, said Andy Challenger, who leads the firms sales team. That may come in the future. But it hasnt played out yet.

At the same time, the fear that AI poses a serious threat to some categories of jobs isnt unfounded.

Consider Suumit Shah, an Indian entrepreneur who caused a uproar last year by boasting that he had replaced 90% of his customer support staff with a chatbot named Lina. The move at Shahs company, Dukaan, which helps customers set up e-commerce sites, shrank the response time to an inquiry from 1 minute, 44 seconds to instant. It also cut the typical time needed to resolve problems from more than two hours to just over three minutes.

Its all about AIs ability to handle complex queries with precision, Shah said by email.

The cost of providing customer support, he said, fell by 85%.

Tough? Yes. Necessary? Absolutely, Shah posted on X.

Dukaan has expanded its use of AI to sales and analytics. The tools, Shah said, keep growing more powerful.

Its like upgrading from a Corolla to a Tesla, he said. What used to take hours now takes minutes. And the accuracy is on a whole new level.

Similarly, researchers at Harvard Business School, the German Institute for Economic Research and Londons Imperial College Business School found in a study last year that job postings for writers, coders and artists tumbled within eight months of the arrival of ChatGPT.

A 2023 study by researchers at Princeton University, the University of Pennsylvania and New York University concluded that telemarketers and teachers of English and foreign languages held the jobs most exposed to ChatGPT-like language models. But being exposed to AI doesnt necessarily mean losing your job to it. AI can also do the drudge work, freeing up people to do more creative tasks.

The Swedish furniture retailer IKEA, for example, introduced a customer-service chatbot in 2021 to handle simple inquiries. Instead of cutting jobs, IKEA retrained 8,500 customer-service workers to handle such tasks as advising customers on interior design and fielding complicated customer calls.

Chatbots can also be deployed to make workers more efficient, complementing their work rather than eliminating it. A study by Erik Brynjolfsson of Stanford University and Danielle Li and Lindsey Raymond of MIT tracked 5,200 customer-support agents at a Fortune 500 company who used a generative AI-based assistant. The AI tool provided valuable suggestions for handling customers. It also supplied links to relevant internal documents.

Those who used the chatbot, the study found, proved 14% more productive than colleagues who didnt. They handled more calls and completed them faster. The biggest productivity gains  34%  came from the least-experienced, least-skilled workers.

At an Alorica call center in Albuquerque, New Mexico, one customer-service rep had been struggling to gain access to the information she needed to quickly handle calls. After Alorica trained her to use AI tools, her handle time  how long it takes to resolve customer calls  fell in four months by an average of 14 minutes a call to just over seven minutes.

Over a period of six months, the AI tools helped one group of 850 Alorica reps reduce their average handle time to six minutes, from just over eight minutes. They can now field 10 calls an hour instead of eight  an additional 16 calls in an eight-hour day.

Alorica agents can use AI tools to quickly access information about the customers who call in  to check their order history, say, or determine whether they had called earlier and hung up in frustration.

Suppose, said Mike Clifton, Aloricas co-CEO, a customer complains that she received the wrong product. The agent can hit replace, and the product will be there tomorrow, he said.  Anything else I can help you with? No? Click. Done. Thirty seconds in and out.

Now the company is beginning to use its Real-time Voice Language Translation tool, which lets customers and Alorica agents speak and hear each other in their own languages.

It allows (Alorica reps) to handle every call they get, said Rene Paiz, a vice president of customer service. I dont have to hire externally just to find someone who speaks a specific language.

Yet Alorica isnt cutting jobs. It continues to seek hires  increasingly, those who are comfortable with new technology.

We are still actively hiring, Paiz says. We have a lot that needs to be done out there.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 2. Central Asia, home to countries like Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan, is grappling with significant challenges in drinking water and sanitation. The regions complex hydrological landscape, coupled with rapid population growth, urbanization, and the looming threat of climate change, is placing tremendous pressure on already strained water resources. In this context, bridging the investment gap in the water sector is crucial for ensuring sustainable development and improving the quality of life for millions.

According to experts and international organizations, over 2 billion people worldwide currently lack access to safe drinking water. If urgent action isnt taken, this situation is expected to deteriorate further. By 2050, global consumption of drinking water is projected to increase by 50%. Ensuring the availability and sustainable management of water resources and sanitation for all is not just a regional concernits a global imperative, enshrined in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 6.

In an interview with Trend, Arman Akhunbaev, Head of the Sectoral Analysis Center at the Eurasian Development Bank (EDB), highlighted the severity of the water availability crisis in Central Asia. The problem of water availability is particularly acute in Central Asia, Akhunbaev said. Today, 10 million people, or 14% of the population, do not have access to safe drinking water. The funding for water supply and sanitation programs in Central Asian countries is inadequate to meet the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 6 by 2030. From 2025 to 2030, the region faces a funding shortfall of more than $12 billionabout $2 billion annually. Securing this financing is crucial for the water and sanitation sector. The economic impact of these investments could be profound, with each dollar invested generating an average of three additional dollars in the economy. Investment is essential to ensure public health, education, and social welfare.

Akhunbaev pointed to several key challenges exacerbating the water crisis in the region: water scarcity, aging infrastructure, deteriorating water quality, poor management practices, and rapid urbanization.

Weve seen a dramatic increase in water withdrawals for domestic use, doubling from 4.2 cubic meters to 8.5 cubic meters between 1996 and 2020, Akhunbaev noted. Moreover, the wear and tear on water supply infrastructure and treatment facilities have reached alarming levels, with 80% of these systems showing significant deterioration. In Kazakhstan, 50% of water treatment and pumping stations are over 70% worn out. In Kyrgyzstan, only 27.5% of the water supply is treated through proper facilities. In Tajikistan, 80% of treatment plants are in unsatisfactory technical condition. Meanwhile, in Uzbekistan, more than 30% of the population consumes drinking water that fails to meet safety standards.

These grim statistics underscore the urgent need for investment and modernization in the regions water infrastructure to avoid worsening social and economic consequences.

Arman Akhunbaev has raised alarms over the potential threat to national security in Central Asian countries posed by the failure of drinking water to meet sanitary and epidemiological standards. This issue, he believes, could have far-reaching consequences if not urgently addressed.

Beyond the immediate challenges of water scarcity and infrastructure decay, Central Asia's water supply and sanitation sector is plagued by poor management practices. These include the decentralization of management systems in towns and villages, the transfer of water infrastructure to local authorities, the privatization of housing, and the shifting of responsibility for maintenance and repair to the population. Additionally, there is a glaring lack of coordination between state and local authorities and the companies operating within the sector. The result is a deterioration in the quality of planning and design, a 2-3.5 fold increase in the cost of emergency repairs, and a decline in the reliability of quality water supply to the population.

According to the World Bank, over 25% of the population in Central Asia lacks access to safe drinking water, and approximately 40% does not have adequate sanitation facilities. The problem is especially severe in rural areas, where the water and sanitation infrastructure is outdated and in dire need of modernization and expansion.

Experts interviewed by Trend highlighted that inadequate funding, bureaucratic barriers, and weak institutional support are exacerbating the situation. The investment gap in the drinking water and sanitation sector is estimated to be in the billions of dollars, making it imperative to attract investment and enhance water resource management through urgent and coordinated action.

Experts agree that attracting private investors is essential to addressing Central Asias water crisis, and this requires creating a favorable investment climate. This involves ensuring transparency and predictability in the regulatory environment, cutting through bureaucratic red tape, and offering tax and other incentives to companies willing to invest in water and sanitation infrastructure. In this context, establishing effective public-private partnerships (PPPs) is seen as a crucial step toward securing the long-term investments needed to modernize and expand infrastructure.

Another critical issue is the establishment of fair and sustainable tariffs for water and sanitation services. Currently, many tariffs fall short of covering operating and capital costs, resulting in a lack of funds for maintenance and system upgrades. Introducing tariffs that reflect the true cost of services, while considering social support for vulnerable groups, could promote more efficient resource use and attract additional investment.

International financial institutions, including the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank, and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, are key players in financing water and sanitation projects in Central Asia. By increasing funding, providing concessional loans and grants, and offering technical assistance, these institutions can help bridge the investment gap and support the implementation of large-scale infrastructure projects.

Attracting new investments is undoubtedly crucial, but equally important is the need to improve the efficiency of existing resources. This can be achieved through the introduction of modern technologies, reducing water losses in supply systems, enhancing the energy efficiency of water treatment plants, and integrating renewable energy sources. Effective water resource management at both national and regional levels will also play a vital role in ensuring that investments are used more effectively.

Raising public awareness about the importance of efficient water use and the necessity of infrastructure investment is another key factor for success. Educational programs, information campaigns, and training initiatives can help foster a more responsible attitude toward water resources and build public support for investment efforts.

Bridging the investment gap in Central Asia's drinking water supply and sanitation sectors requires a comprehensive approach. This includes improving the investment climate, optimizing tariff policies, fostering active international cooperation, and enhancing the efficiency of resource use. It is crucial to recognize that without significant investments and the modernization of infrastructure, the region will face escalating water and sanitation challenges, which could lead to serious social and economic consequences.

Central Asia holds significant development potential, and closing the investment gap in the water sector is a crucial step toward unlocking this potential. Addressing the challenges in water supply and sanitation will not only drive sustainable development but also vastly improve the quality of life for millions of people across the region.
Rep. Ed Oliver, R-Dadeville, stands on the floor of the Alabama House of Representatives on Feb. 8, 2024. (Brian Lyman/Alabama Reflector)

An Alabama lawmaker wants to increase the number of jobs a person has to apply for while receiving unemployment benefits from Alabama.

HB 29, sponsored by Rep. Ed Oliver, R-Dadeville, increases the number of employers that people must contact each week from three to five to maintain benefits.

We are in a unique time as far as labor is concerned in this state, Oliver said during an interview Tuesday. We simply do not have a workforce, largely because people choose not to participate. We are trying to find some ways that will help.

Critics said the bill will do nothing to increase the states relatively low labor force participation rate while also endangering the well-being of people who need the money to pay for their basic needs.

This is yet another example of mistaken priorities, said Dev Wakeley, worker policy advocate with Alabama Arise. This is a terrible bill. It is just another way of squeezing people who are already going through a really hard time. And it doesnt make any sense at all.

Aside from increasing the minimum number of job contacts that a person must make each week, the bill would also subject a persons unemployment benefits to revocation if the individual fails to appear for an interview with an employer without giving proper notice or does not respond to a job offer with 72 hours.

The law defines both as a rejection of a suitable offer of employment, which are grounds for rescinding benefits.

We think that will help, Oliver said.

The states weekly unemployment benefit, according to the Alabama Department of Labor, is between $45 and $275, depending on the base period earnings.

Wakeley said the bill would be especially problematic for residents living in rural parts of the state, places without many employers for the unemployed to connect with.

Iif you live in a rural or economically depressed area, and you cant reapply, and you have to go to five applications a week, you could just be frozen out of the benefits that you should be entitled to, Wakeley said. That is the stark reality of it.

The rules bar people from checking in with the same employer, which forces people to connect with employers who are further away from where they live.

If you are looking at places like Greene, Sumter, Perry counties, you are, after the first couple of weeks, are already going well outside of reasonable commuting distance just to cover anything, Wakeley said.

Gov. Kay Ivey has made increasing the states labor force participation rate one of her signature priorities for the past couple of years. The state ranks as the fourth-worst state in terms of labor force participation at 57.5%, according to the St. Louis Federal Reserves website. The worst is Mississippi at 54.2% followed by West Virginia at 55.1%. South Carolina, a state with similar demographics to Alabama, also has a labor force participation rate of 57.5%.

At an October meeting of a state commission formed to examine the issue, agencies, employers and labor advocates said the states low rate stemmed from a lack of adequate child care, transportation and training opportunities.

The additional rules detract from the intent of providing unemployment insurance, according to experts like Chandra Childers, senior policy and economic analyst at the Economic Policy Institute, a left-leaning think tank.

At a larger, macro level, it would allow the economy to work better, especially during periods of recession, because now people have money that they are spending, she said. The flip side of that is if you make it harder to access, restrict duration, or restrict benefits, then what it does is it makes workers more desperate. It is an effort, essentially, to force workers to take any job, so therefore, they are not able to bid up the quality of jobs.

Oliver said he understands the concerns related to restricting benefits, particularly for rural areas, but said the bill is in the preliminary stages and will continue to undergo changes as it works through the Legislature.

That is something we are looking at right now, he said regarding the burden the bill places on rural residents. That might be an undue burden, but we are going to take a look and see how that works.

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The Devonshire in London will be the first in the UK to serve Guinness 0.0 on tap - Mike Kemp/In Pictures

Alcohol-free Guinness is to be sold on draught in the UK for the first time  but will cost just 55p less than a regular pint.

The Devonshire, a London pub famed for its Guinness, is introducing the alcohol-free stout on draught under a deal with Diageo, the drinks giant that brews it.

Until now, Guinness 0.0 was only available on draught in Ireland and in cans in the UK.

Anna MacDonald, Guinness marketing director at Diageo, said the company was offering patrons more choice through the introduction of an alcohol-free alternative with the same smooth, recognisable taste.

However, drinkers may be shocked to learn the price. A pint of alcohol-free Guinness at The Devonshire will cost 6.35  just 55p cheaper than a regular pint of Guinness at the same pub.

Questions have been raised over the high prices charged for non-alcoholic beers, given the fact that brewers do not pay any alcohol duty on them. Producers have argued that the complex production process and research warrants their price.

Oisin Rogers, co-owner of The Devonshire, said: For Guinness 0.0 the 6.35 price is based on the fact that we make the same margin at 90pc of the full price of Guinness. I suppose the cost price is higher because its brought in from Dublin. Ive got to tell you that the quality of the liquid is really astounding.

We do try and set our prices as low as possible for our guests and we are very happy to have it at this price. Our full pint of Guinness is 6.90 and we noticed that most of our competitors are now over seven quid in Soho.

Diageo said the non-alcoholic Guinness was made with the same ingredients before the alcohol in it was removed through a process called cold filtration, which is claimed to preserve the taste.

Guinness 0.0 is already the UKs best selling non-alcoholic beer in shops.

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Non-alcoholic Guinness launched in 2021 and accounts for 3pc of all Guinness sales worldwide. Sales doubled over the year to June amid an increase in sobriety and moderation among the public, particularly young people.

Ms MacDonald told The Telegraph last month that Guinness 0.0 could one day overtake sales of regular Guinness, adding the alcohol-free trend was accelerating more than we [Diageo] thought.

The Devonshire opened late last year and earned acclaim for its Guinness. The viral popularity of its Guinness on social media helped make it one of the biggest sellers of the drink in the world, reportedly pouring as many as 15,000 pints per week.

Debra Crew, Diageos chief executive, said earlier this year that Guinness was shaking off its reputation as a drink for older, male customers.

We are seeing more and more Guinness drinkers that are women. I certainly notice this in pubs, she said.

It looks kind of intimidating, right? And it did come from this kind of rugby-lad culture. And yet I think when women find that they try it, actually its lighter than what they think its going to be.

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A second Allegheny Health Network (AHN) hospital is facing a potential work stoppage.

On Friday, Allegheny Valley Hospital union members, represented by SEIU Healthcare PA, voted to authorize a strike. The nurses and hospital workers are calling on ANH to improve pay and invest in ways to recruit and retain frontline staff.

This is the second AHN hospital to announce a potential work stoppage in as many weeks. Last week, nurses at West Penn Hospital voted to authorize a strike.

>>>> West Penn Hospital union nurses vote to authorize strike

The union says West Penn needs to add 100 registered nurses to meet growing patient needs.

This is the first time two regional hospitals within the same health system have authorized strikes concurrently, which the union says could lead to a walkout of over 1,100 staff.

Dates for strikes at either hospital have not yet been set.

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(Bloomberg) -- When Chief Raoni Metuktire was a young man, the Amazon rainforest was a different place. Nature was all around us, says the Indigenous Brazilian leader and environmentalist. There were many animals. We could make long trips, travel across the land. There wasnt anything stopping us. The forest was big.

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Over half a century later, a fifth of that forest has been lost. Areas that were once remote and unspoiled are now cut through with roads and farms, and the land Raonis people occupy is much smaller. Since NASA started tracking the Amazon with satellites in 1972, there has been a radical transformation across the southern and eastern frontiers, says Douglas C. Morton, an Earth system scientist at NASAs Goddard Space Flight Center. People are no longer clearing 10 hectares at a time. People are clearing 10,000 hectares in a weekend with tractors.

This has been a particularly bad year for fires in the Amazon. Extreme drought and hot, dry weather have created the perfect conditions for fires  deliberately started by farmers and ranchers to clear land  to burn out of control. There were 28,697 fires reported in the region last month, 38% higher than the 10-year average, according to Brazils National Institute for Space Research.

The Amazons plight set the tone for Raonis remarkable life, which has taken him out of Brazils central Mato Grosso state and all over the world to meet presidents, celebrities and business leaders. Raoni worked with Juscelino Kubitschek, Brazilian president in the late 1950s, and he was the subject of a 1978 documentary narrated by Marlon Brando. In 1989, he mounted a global campaign against deforestation with the pop star Sting, which drew attention to the cause and prompted the Brazilian government to recognize the Menkragnoti Indigenous Territory  millions of hectares of rainforest that includes Raonis home.

Now in his 90s, Raoni is still traveling the world, including a sojourn to the Bloomberg office in London, where he spoke to Bloomberg Green before heading on to the Glastonbury Festival. Flanked by family members and associates who translated the discussion to and from his native language, Raoni wears a headdress and an ornamental disk in his lip  cutting a striking figure amid the suits and concrete of Londons Square Mile.

Long ignored or persecuted, Indigenous people are increasingly involved in global discussions about the Amazon, where roughly 1.5 million of them live. The worlds forests have also risen to the top of the climate agenda. In 2022, 195 nations agreed to protect and restore at least 30% of the Earths land and water by 2030. Deforestation is expected to be a major topic at next years COP30 climate summit organized by the United Nations in Brazil.

With that attention  and more public awareness  has come some progress. Around 2005, the pace of deforestation in the Amazon slowed from roughly 20,000 square kilometers (7,700 square miles) per year to 5,000 square kilometers. It rose again during Jair Bolsonaros presidency between 2019 and 2022, but dropped to less than 10,000 square kilometers in 2023 as Bolsonaros successor, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, bolstered enforcement.

Id like to think that were heading in the right direction on a long term, says Michael T. Coe, a senior scientist at the Woodwell Climate Research Center.

But the threat to the rainforest is also being exacerbated by a warming world. Through a combination of deforestation, land use change and climate change, the southern Amazon is today 1C to 2C hotter than it was 40 years ago, according to Coe. Roughly 5% of the Amazon is no longer suitable for rainforest at all, and is turning into other landscapes such as savannah or drier forests. The ideal climate for rainforest is shrinking, Coe says.

I want the forest to be preserved to lessen the heat on the Earth [and so] we have good air to breathe, Raoni says. We need shade. This is what I have been saying but nobody listens to me and they have deforested forests all around our lands.

If current trends continue, another 590,000 square kilometers of the Amazon  an area larger than France  will be lost by 2050, according to the World Resources Institute. That would also leave the forest producing greenhouse gas emissions five times higher than the levels set out in Brazils climate goals.

Those impacts are felt disproportionately by Indigenous people, who depend on the ecosystems damaged by deforestation and dont benefit from its economic activity. The wealth is not shared locally. The Amazon region is among the poorest and most underserved areas in Brazil, says WRI Brasil Executive Director Cristiane Fontes.

A healthy rainforest evaporates a massive amount of water, which adds cooling and irrigation to much of the Americas. It also acts as a giant carbon sink, slowing the rate of global warming. Losing that would have huge consequences for global weather patterns and would make reaching climate goals impossible. Its not just the Paris Agreement that is threatened by the degradation of rainforests like the Amazon, Fontes says. Its human life.

There is evidence that Indigenous people are successfully protecting some of the most carbon-rich parts of the Amazon, shielding the land from development and keeping out intruders. But Raoni says he has noticed droughts, high temperatures and changes to rainfall patterns. The banks in your country here must stop sending money to Brazil, investing in deforestation, he says. We must talk together and take care of whats left of the forest not just for our sake but for white people and everyone.

Even as he approaches 100, Raoni doesnt blink at traveling thousands of miles to fight for his homeland. He traces his skill with advocacy back to the 1950s, when Raoni was in his early 20s and first met someone outside of his community. The Villas Boas brothers, Brazilian activists and advocates for the countrys Indigenous people, came to his village and they quickly bonded.

Claudio Villas Boas was the man that really taught me about white people and the way they think, Raoni says. So now I can defend the forest and act like I do.

(Updates with details on fires in the Amazon this year, in third paragraph.)

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In a social media post, Ms Rayner challenged Theresa May, the former prime minister, on the means-tested benefit - AFP

Angela Rayner goaded the Conservatives for plotting to cut winter fuel payments for millions of pensioners.

In a social media post, Ms Rayner asked whether Theresa May, the former prime minister, would confirm that 10 million pensioners will lose their winter fuel payments if the Tories are re-elected.

The tweet, shared in 2017, has emerged as Labour faces fresh accusations of a long-term plot to strip winter fuel payments from millions of pensioners.

Will May confirm that 10m pensioners will lose their winter fuel payments if the Tories are re-elected? #AskMay #BattleforNumber10  Angela Rayner (@AngelaRayner) May 29, 2017

There were no references to winter fuel payments in Labours recent election manifesto for the first time in 14 years, suggesting the party always planned to target pensioners, shadow energy secretary Claire Coutinho said.

Writing on X, formerly Twitter, Ms Coutinho last week told followers to look at past Labour manifestos: in 2010, 2015, 2017 and 2019 they mention the [winter fuel payment]. In 2024 they were silent. They planned this before the election.

Now Rachel Reeves is saying she didn't want to cut the Winter Fuel Payment and it was only after coming into office that she realised she had to



But if true, why leave it out of the manifesto? For the *first* time in 14 years?



Keir & Morgan must have known. Did Rachel? https://t.co/dctdhP4JNi  Claire Coutinho (@ClaireCoutinho) September 1, 2024

Ms Rayners recently unearthed social media post is the latest example of a prominent Labour figure challenging the Conservatives over winter fuel payments while the party was in opposition.

It was posted in the run up to the 2017 general election which saw Theresa May lose the Conservative partys majority in the House of Commons before her resignation two years later.

Keir Starmer accused Rishi Sunak of plotting to withdraw the benefit from pensioners during a session of Prime Ministers Questions just weeks before the election was called.

Rachel Reeves, the Chancellor, supported former Labour leader Ed Milibands proposal to halt winter fuel payments for Britains richest pensioners, then thought to be around 600,000 retirees.

As shadow work and pensions secretary in 2014, Ms Reeves told the Commons: We are the party who have said that we will cut the winter fuel allowance for the richest pensioners and means-test that benefit to save money.

As Chancellor, Ms Reeves has decided to limit the payments to those receiving pension credit, meaning 10 million pensioners are expected to lose support during colder months.

Conservative shadow ministers have accused Labour of hypocrisy over the reversal in the partys long-standing position in support of the winter fuel allowance.

Ms Reeves is now under pressure to reconsider, with government advisor the Fuel Poverty Commission urging her to review the cut-off point for two million pensioners who will lose their winter fuel allowance.

Caroline Flint, a former Labour MP and chairman of the Fuel Poverty Committee, which advises the Government, said policymakers need to look beyond just helping those on pension credit or similar benefits.

A review by the committee said energy bill support should not exclude households on modest incomes.

A Government spokesman said: We are absolutely committed to supporting pensioners and giving them the dignity and security they deserve in retirement. Thats why through our commitment to protect the triple lock, over 12 million pensioners could see their state pensions increase by almost a thousand pounds over the next five years.

But given the dire state of the public finances we have inherited, its right that we target support to those who need it most while we take the difficult decisions needed to fix the foundations of our economy.

Over a million pensioners will continue to receive the winter fuel payment and eligible pensioners will also be able to benefit from the 150 warm home discount scheme from October to help with their energy bills over winter.

We are urging pensioners to come forward and check their eligibility for pension credit to ensure as many people in need as possible have access to this support.

Click here to view this content.

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Another Russian defense ministry official arrested on suspicion of corruption

Major General Valery Mumindzhanov, deputy commander of military logistics for the Leningrad Military District, was arrested on Sep. 2 for allegedly receiving a bribe of over 20 million rubles ($224,000).

Mumindzhanov's arrest was the latest in a series of investigations and detentions of former and current officials from Russia's Defense Ministry, in what some have characterized as a "purge."

According to Russia's Investigative Committee, Mumindzhanov is accused of receiving the bribe while helping facilitate defense ministry contracts for military uniforms.

Investigators determined that Mumindzhanov and his family own several properties in Moscow and Voronezh worth a combined total of 120 million rubles ($1.3 million). The legality of the property acquisitions is being determined, the Investigative Committee said.

Mumindzhanov is the sixth official to be arrested who is connected to Sergei Shoigu, secretary of Russia's Security Council, who was the defense minister until his dismissal in May 2024.

In August, Vladimir Pavlov, the head of the Russian military's clothing and food supplier Voentorg, was detained on fraud charges.

The previous month, Dmitry Bulgakov, who formerly served as a Russian deputy defense minister until September 2022, was arrested on corruption-related charges.

The day before, Andrei Belkov, the head of the military construction company linked to Russia's Defense Ministry, was arrested on suspicion of corruption.

Belkov was previously supervised by former Deputy Defense Minister Timur Ivanov, who is currently also under investigation on corruption-related charges.

In May, Lieutenant General Yuri Kuznetsov, the head of the personnel department of the Russian Defense Ministry, was detained on criminal charges, and Lieutenant General Vadim Shamarin, a deputy chief of the Russian Armed Forces' General Staff and head of the Main Directorate of Communications, was arrested for allegedly receiving a large bribe.

There has also been an ongoing corruption scandal related to Moscow's "Patriot Park," which has so far resulted in the arrest of three defense ministry officials.

Read also: Putin gives relative promotion in Russian Defense Ministry

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(Illustration by Barbara Gibson for The 19th)

Originally published by The 19th in partnership with Them.

In Kansas, lawyers for the American Civil Liberties Union have drafted a letter reminding election workers that a gender marker on a persons identification does not need to match or correspond to a voters gender expression. Staff for the organization have also held clinics elsewhere to prepare trans Americans for the identification requirements they will have to navigate.

In eight battleground states, the nonprofit VoteRiders is on the ground helping voters get the identification they need to cast ballots in the November election  and one that reflects who they are.

Equality Florida, the states leading LGBTQ+ advocacy group, is holding know your rights trainings in the wake of new regulations barring many transgender voters from obtaining photo identification that reflects their gender.

As Republican politicians push anti-transgender rhetoric ahead of a historic election, transgender and nonbinary Americans are facing new laws and rules that effectively prohibit them and others from obtaining documentation like birth certificates and drivers licenses that align with their gender identities.

Advocates are fighting back. Theyve been mobilizing communities and organizing resources to help transgender Americans, an effort aimed at safeguarding their civic rights. Some trans voters have expressed confusion and fear of discrimination at the ballot box that could discourage them from participating in public life.

There is a chilling effect, said Lauren Kunis, CEO and executive director of VoteRiders, which helps voters obtain identification. There is an unsafe and intimidating environment around existing as trans in society, and definitely in being able to go to the polls safely and cast a ballot.

The ripple effect could extend beyond trans people, these advocates warn. Regulations around gender impact cisgender people, particularly women and women of color. Americas decentralized elections system relies on a temporary workforce tasked with enforcing varying policies around identification rules. In states that require voters to reasonably resemble the picture on their ID, like North Carolina and Wisconsin, the results could ensnare anyone at the ballot box who doesnt fit the binary concept of masculinity and femininity traits.

A lot is falling on poll workers to correctly enforce the law, Kunis added. And I would argue that is less of a solid protection in states where anti-trans rhetoric is skyrocketing.

The measures often focus on sex classification that narrowly defines an individuals sex as either male or female at birth. Theyre among a broad scope of anti-trans legislation that have popped up in Republican-led statehouses in recent years and served as breeding ground for the binary vision of the country embraced by former President Donald Trump and U.S. Sen. JD Vance, his running mate on the Republican ticket. At least nine states in the past two years have explicitly regulated gender in this way, according to a tally by the Movement Advancement Project (MAP), which tracks LGBTQ+ policy.

And its not just laws. Last year, Nebraskas governor issued a related executive order. In January, a Florida agency announced it would no longer update a trans persons drivers license with their correct gender identity. In August, at least one Texas agency, under directive from the state attorney generals office, implemented a similar policy.

In Arkansas, the state agency in charge of issuing drivers licenses rescinded a longstanding policy that allowed a gender-neutral X marker on state IDs. A new rule lawmakers adopted in August requires a male or female designation based on gender at birth.

Anti-transgender rhetoric was front and center at the Republican National Convention in July, and Trump has taken to verbally targeting transgender people in his campaign. He described Democratic vice presidential nominee Tim Walz recently as very heavy into the transgender world.

The verbal attacks are against a group that is highly invested in electoral politics. An analysis released in August of respondents to the 2022 U.S. Transgender Survey, widely seen as the most comprehensive study of binary and nonbinary transgender Americans, found that voting-eligible trans people had cast ballots in the last presidential election at a higher rate than the U.S. population. The study included more than 92,000 respondents, including more than 84,000 adults who were 18 and older.

Trans votes count, said Ankit Rastogi, director of research for the National Center for Transgender Equality, which conducted the survey and will soon be known as Advocates for Trans Equality Education Fund. I think the big takeaway is that our community is really trying to come out and make a difference through the democratic process.

The new laws and rules around sex classification vary widely. Those that intentionally target government identification that people use in everyday life, like drivers licenses, are particularly challenging. Forcing a person to show identification that does not align with their gender identity could out them to people in their community, as Lucas Cameron-Vaughn, an attorney for the ACLU of Tennessee, explained.

Trans people, just like everyone else, want to be able to travel, start new jobs, open bank accounts, enroll in school, vote  all of those things require some form of ID. And so when a state goes out of its way to enforce its message about its belief about sex and gender on a license, and transgender people then have to publicize that when they show other people, it creates a dangerous environment, he said.

Last year, Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee, a Republican, signed a bill into law that defines sex as determined by anatomy and genetics existing at the time of birth. The states Department of Safety and Homeland Security then created a rule banning transgender people from changing gender markers on their drivers licenses. The ACLU sued the agency for discrimination, claiming the rule was adopted illegally because it didnt follow proper administrative procedure.

As with other laws targeting transgender people, including bans on transgender student-athletes from participating in womens sports, politicians supporting these policies frame them as protecting cisgender women.

Its a tactic thats designed to splinter support for trans rights and suggest sort of who is harmed by protecting trans people  to frame that as cisgender women being the people harmed by protections for trans people, said Rose Saxe, who is deputy project director for the ACLUs LGBT & HIV Project.

Nearly 21 million voting-eligible U.S. citizens do not have a current drivers license, according to the Center for Democracy and Civic Engagement at the University of Maryland, whose research was partially supported by VoteRiders. Black and Hispanic people are among those most likely not to have a current license, so the requirement harms them too, regardless of their gender identity.

In the 2024 election, 38 states will require voters to show some form of identification at the polls, including 17 states that have new or stricter ID laws passed since 2020.

The full impact of these laws amid new and evolving voter identification laws is not yet clear, in part because of how recent they are  and that, experts say, could mask their harm. The Williams Institute at the University of California, Los Angeles School of Law, estimated ahead of the 2022 midterm election that more than 200,000 voting-eligible transgender Americans may find it difficult to vote at the time because of voter ID laws.

But these dont just affect transgender people. In many red states, Republican-led attacks on transgender people are going hand-in-hand with new identification requirements and other laws that pose barriers to the ballot that reach beyond gender lines.

The states with the anti-trans laws are also the ones that are more likely to be passing anti-voter laws, full stop, Kunis said.

In Florida, which has emerged as a national epicenter of policies targeting LGBTQ+ people in recent years, the states Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles issued a new regulation barring residents from updating their gender identity on their drivers license.

To Quinn Diaz, a public policy associate at advocacy group Equality Florida, the failure of most anti-LGBTQ+ bills introduced in this years legislative session showed that the tide in Florida is turning. But the new gender marker regulation signals yet another way that state agencies in Florida have overstepped their bounds and been weaponized to target transgender Floridians, they argued.

We saw it as a move to inflict maximum chaos and misunderstanding, Diaz said. And really to scare trans folks from even participating and getting the license if they needed to update it.

Even before the introduction of such regulations, transgender people around the country have had to jump through logistical and administrative hoops to get an affirming identification.

For transgender people, lacking identification that reflects their gender identity and appearance can make them vulnerable to discrimination in everyday situations at a bar or liquor store, for example, and in interactions with law enforcement and at the polls.

With these laws in Florida, youre forced to choose between living authentically and just not really participating in public life, Diaz said.

Diaz, who is transgender, moved to Florida from Massachusetts, where they had an X gender marker on their drivers license. Because they didnt have all the necessary documentation and werent established yet with a local provider when they transferred their license to Florida, they forfeited that marker and defaulted to a license with their sex assigned at birth.

Diaz said they didnt have any problems voting in person in the 2022 midterms, but they plan to vote by mail this November.

I can imagine that a lot of trans folks in Florida who might not have access  to an accurate and affirming ID might not want to engage in that process at all, especially in such a heightened political environment, Diaz said.

Such rhetoric could also be most dangerous in states where far-right groups are trying to recruit poll watchers. Since 2020, many Republican-controlled states have passed laws expanding the authority of those temporary election observers who work elections under certain rules and may feel compelled to stop someone from voting under the guise of stopping widespread election fraud, which has been repeatedly debunked.

Gender nonconforming people are already under such public scrutiny nationwide, Diaz said. Thats when youre gonna see the convergence of those two elements. It really seems like it would only result in more discrimination, more discomfort for trans people, more interrogation and potentially just being turned away.

Hazel Krebs, a 42-year-old transgender woman living in Kansas, one of the states with a new anti-trans law, felt the weight of that increased scrutiny as she cast her ballot in March. Krebs wondered whether her identification  one that for weeks no longer reflected her gender identity  might affect her ability to vote.

She chatted with the election workers in the mostly empty precinct, then showed her ID. She did her homework, learned that gender is not required information to vote and showed up ready to explain it.

But no one questioned her. Krebs voted and was out of the polling site within minutes. Still, she worries that, under the same circumstances, another trans person might have stayed home.

They wont stop me, but I can see how it would stop others, she said. It is almost certainly stopping some people from showing up at the polls.

The ACLU, which is tracking some of these laws and rules, has tried to prepare election workers on how to process trans voters who come into their polling sites. VoteRiders is conducting year-round voter education. While the drivers license is the most ubiquitous form of identification in the United States car-centric society, Kunis wants to dispel the common misconception that its the only form of ID people can use to vote.

Trans voters can obtain a U.S. passport or passport card that reflects their gender identity without needing to provide underlying documentation. However, that option may not be accessible to people who struggle to pay the related fees or may not have the time or knowledge required to fill out the forms and request the passport.

Its also a temporary solution if a future presidential administration rescinds the ability for people to self-attest their gender on their passports. Some advocacy groups and lawmakers in Florida also argue the states new regulations conflict with the federal Real ID Act, but that question is unlikely to be resolved before November.

In addition to using passports as identification, Diaz said that Florida voters have the option to vote by mail, vote early in person and bring a friend or family member to the polls.

Our ability to participate in this democracy in Florida, its been on the line for a while, Diaz said. Transgender people, they said, are being forced to choose between participating in our greatest civic right or just sitting out because the state doesnt see us for who we are.

Its still unclear how many trans people will be denied affirming identification  and how many will choose not to vote  as a result of these new regulations. Several of the new laws are written with no clear penalties.

Something thats very frustrating for us at VoteRiders is you will never be able to capture the number of people who do not feel safe voting, and who therefore stay home. And you also wont be able to capture the people who are trans and show up to try and vote and are turned away. Kunis said. And we know that is happening, but it is difficult to quantify.

Cameron-Vaughn said he also worries about a scenario where a trans person is stopped at a polling place because of mismatching information on their identification and must fill out a provisional ballot  a voting option that often requires a person to return at a later date with more documentation to ensure their vote is counted.

There are definitely the physical dangers, the dangers for harassment, discrimination  but also ultimately, voter suppression, he said.

Josie Caballero, director of voting and elections for the group that conducted the 2022 U.S. Transgender Survey, said its important to remember that barriers to voting existed for trans people before the latest slate of laws and rules targeting sex classification, particularly around voter ID rules. Trans people turned out to vote despite those policy roadblocks.

It really shows the resiliency of the trans community to ensure that our voices are heard and we have visibility at the ballot box, she said.

Krebs, who plans to vote in November, is worried about how the dynamics of a crowded polling site might affect her ability to vote. But she is determined to access the ballot, and to stay in Kansas despite the heightened scrutiny.

Theres nothing these laws will do to stop me from living my best life, she said. It just puts my energy and passion towards making this place better for me and other trans people.

Sonny Albarado of the Arkansas Advocate also contributed to this story.

The 19th is an independent, nonprofit newsroom reporting on gender, politics and policy.
The Apache Stronghold, on its way to U.S. Supreme Court in Washington, D.C., made a stop on their Journey of Prayerin the city of Montgomery, Alabama, the birthplace of the civil rights movement and home of the Dexter Avenue Baptist Church where Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. first served as a full-time pastor.

This church and Dr. King played a central role in uniting the local community in the struggle against what King called the evils of materialism, militarism, and racism.

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The Stronghold was reminded that in 2013, Apache Stronghold's Executive Director Dr. Wendsler Nosie, Sr., in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, received the Presidential Award from the National Progressive Baptist Convention, becoming the first Native American to receive the award.

RELATED: Apache Stronghold Fights for Entire Way of Life in Oak Flats Case

Dr. Nosie remembered how humbling it was that people in the East thought of him in the West and that these struggles for civil and human rights are connected to what this whole journey to the supreme court is all about. The struggle for freedom continues as Dr. Nosie reflected, Its time to use all our combined voices for civil and human rights to fight for Mother Earth, the greatest gift God has given us. So far on this journey we are happy to see that the churches are bringing in the importance of protecting Mother Earth. We have to make the air, the water, the earth a priority because we will only be able to stop the shattering of human existence by protecting Gods greatest gift, our Mother Earth.

Around the corner from Dr. Kings first church sits the Civil Rights Memorial with the black granite stone wall with the famous phrase that Dr. King used from Amos 5:24 that the struggle for freedom would not be satisfied . . . until justice rolls down like the waters and righteousness like a mighty stream. The future of our human existence depends on whether we will listen to Mother Earth and act together with her so that justice will roll down like a mighty river. So, we ask you to please keep us in your prayers as we move East to continue our prayer journey to the Supreme Court to stop the shattering of human existence and to protect Mother Earth. Its time to wake up the people of this country to stop the desecration of all our spiritual connection to Mother Earth and Usen (God).

The Progressive National Baptist Convention recognized Dr. Nosie as an emerging leader for his work. Dr. John Mendez, pastor emeritus of Emmanuel Baptist Church of Winston Salem, North Carolina recalls Dr. King's work among Native people during the Poor People's Campaign. Dr. Wendsler Nosie emerged as a leader among the Apache people continuing Dr. King's struggle for the equality of Native People and commitment to saving the earth. It is important that we come together in this struggle.

Apache Stronghold will file an appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court on September 11, 2024.

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
Apple threatened to move Will Smith movie out of Louisiana if lawmakers didnt kill app store bill: report

Apple successfully killed proposed legislation in Louisiana that would have required the iPhone maker to allow developers who market their apps on the app store to use an alternative payment system by threatening to cancel the making of a Will Smith film in the state, according to a report.

In 2021, lawmakers in the Bayou State were keen on approving a bill that would have allowed developers of apps to use alternative payments systems which would have circumvented Apples app store.

Apple is alleged to have threatened to relocate the filming of a movie over legislation that it opposed. Apple CEO Tim Cook is pictured. Getty Images

Apple, which charges developers a fee to have their apps available to iPhone users for download from its app store, perceived the bill as a threat to one of its key revenue streams and intervened, according to The Wall Street Journal.

An employee of the Cupertino, Calif.-based tech colossus reportedly told Tanner Magee, a senior lawmaker in the Louisiana House of Representatives, that if he went ahead with the app store bill, Apple would pull the plug on production of the film Emancipation, the historical drama in which Smith plays Whipped Peter  the ex-slave whose scarred back was infamously photographed in 1863.

Emancipation was filmed in Louisiana. The Apple rep is reported to have made it known to Magee that the company would relocate the filming of the movie, which would have dealt a blow to the local economy, the Journal reported.

He basically said that if we didnt kill the bill, hed kill the movie and hurt our economy, Magee told the Journal.

An Apple spokesperson denied to the Journal that any threat was made.

Will Smith starred in the Apple-produced film Emancipation. AP

Smith played the role of Whipped Peter, a slave whose photographed scars helped inspire the emancipation movement.

We always operate with the highest standards of integrity, and allegations that we have not in this instance are false, the Apple spokesman told the newspaper.

The Post has sought comment from Apple.

More recently, Apple is reported to have thrown its weight around in killing another piece of proposed legislation whereby Louisiana lawmakers sought to require the company to force its smartphone users to verify their age.

Earlier this year, Kim Carver, a freshman state legislator, told the Journal that Apple lobbyists deluged him with panicked text messages when they learned that he would include the age verification provision in a proposed bill geared toward safeguarding children from the pitfalls of social media and tech.

Smith is seen with wife Jada Pinkett Smith while promoting the film in Los Angeles in November 2022. AFP via Getty Images

Louisiana was one of the first states to attempt to force Apple to age-verify users of its devices.

Child safety advocates argued that Apple and Google  the two companies that own the market of smartphone operating systems  are best positioned to keep children safe by having them verify their ages.

Rival tech firms such as Meta  owner of Facebook and Instagram  and Match Group have supported this view  arguing that app developers shouldnt be the ones to bear the burden alone.

Rather than putting the onus on parents to upload sensitive information or provide proof of identity for their teens age for every single app their children use, app stores can provide a central place for families to do this, a Meta spokesperson told the Journal.

A representative for Match Group, whose portfolio of companies includes Tinder and Bumble, agreed, telling the Journal: Kids are less safe when responsibility is limited only to developers.

Apple has balked at attempts to force it to verify the age of its iPhone users  as advocated by child safety experts. Getty Images/iStockphoto

According to Carvers proposal, companies that failed to make reasonable efforts to verify the ages of their users would face substantial fines.

But Apple reacted furiously to the legislation, accusing Carver of including a poison pill from Meta.

According to Carver, Apple lobbyists inundated him with messages all day, every day.

At that point, I was like, OK, were done talking, Carver told the Journal.

We had the bill pass unanimously on the house floor [without the provision that would have obligated Apple].

Louisiana was the first state to pass a law requiring age verification with IDs for sites that host adult content. Other states followed suit in approving similar statutes.

In May, The Post was the first to report that Google and Meta spent nearly $1 million on lobbyists who were hired to fight proposed legislation in New York that was aimed at protecting children online.

Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, already faces several lawsuits nationwide alleging that it exposed children to harmful content which had an adverse impact on their mental health.
To provide richer cultural nourishment for China-Africa cooperation

09:48, September 02, 2024 By He Yin ( People's Daily

Head of the 17th Chinese medical team to Eritrea discusses treatment plans with an Eritrean doctor at the Orotta Hospital, Eritrea. (People's Daily/Ren Yan/)

In Kinshasa, capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo, a large building in the shape of an African drum is about to be completed.

This is the Central African Cultural and Arts Center, designed and constructed by Chinese architects. It incorporates cultural and artistic concepts from both China and Africa, symbolizing solidarity, harmony, and the friendly relations between China and Africa across generations.

As one of the key projects under the eight major initiatives proposed at the 2018 Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), this facility, once completed, will mark another splendid achievement of the cultural cooperation between China and Africa.

Both China and Africa are birthplaces of human civilization, renowned for their rich and diverse cultural heritage. They are proud of their splendid civilizations, and are both ready to make greater contributions to promoting cultural diversity in the world.

Traditional Chinese culture values "love the people and all beings and seek harmony among all nations," and Ubuntu philosophy in Southern Africa advocates compassion and sharing. Both the Chinese and African civilizations believe that all people share a same future and man and nature should live in harmony.

The collaboration between China and Africa in promoting cultural exchange and mutual learning contributes to the preservation of global cultural diversity and offers wisdom in addressing challenges faced by the world today. Together, the two sides will advance human progress.

The exhibition On Top of the Pyramid: The Civilization of Ancient Egypt is held at the Shanghai Museum, July 19, 2024. (Photo/Wang Chu)

By enhancing exchanges, mutual learning and harmonious co-existence of Chinese and African civilizations, the two sides will inject lasting impetus into invigorating their civilizations and cultures, enriching their artistic creations, and provide rich cultural nourishment for China-Africa cooperation.

From the ten cooperation plans to the eight major initiatives, and to the nine programs, cultural exchanges are always an important part of China-Africa cooperation in the new era.

Under the framework of the FOCAC, a wide array of cultural exchange activities have flourished.

Events such as the Conference on Dialogue Between Chinese and African Civilizations, the Forum on China-Africa Media Cooperation & China-Africa Think Tank High-Level Dialogue, and the China-Africa People's Forum have been held, contributing wisdom to the development of China-Africa relations.

Progress in visa facilitation and the increase in direct flight routes have promoted tourism cooperation between and strengthened people-to-people bond between the two sides.

Chinese universities have set up African languages majors such as Zulu, Amharic, and Malagasy. Meanwhile, African countries are actively promoting Chinese language education. This has led to continuous deepening of language and cultural exchanges between China and Africa.

Chinese TV dramas, including "Welcome to Milele," one that tells the stories of a Chinese medical team to Africa, have become popular in Africa. African countries including Kenya, South Africa, and Nigeria have hosted Chinese film festivals, continuously expanding China-Africa film and television cooperation.

The blossoming cultural exchanges and cooperation between China and Africa are laying a solid foundation of public support for jointly building a high-level China-Africa community with a shared future.

By enhancing exchanges, mutual learning and harmonious co-existence of Chinese and African civilizations, the two sides will better promote sustainable development.

Their emphasis on harmonious coexistence between man and nature is now transforming into a driving force for sustainable development cooperation between the two sides.

Young Africans experience local folk customs in Lingxia township, Jindong district, Jinhua, east China's Zhejiang province. (Photo/Hu Xiaofei)

The Sino-African Joint Research Center, located at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Kenya, has achieved a series of significant research results in the fields of biodiversity and ecological environment protection.

Over the past four years, the China-Africa Environmental Cooperation Center has carried out effective cooperation projects such as the China-Africa Green Envoys Program and China-Africa Green Innovation Project. It has cultivated a large number of African professionals in environmental management, pollution prevention and control, and green economy.

Both China and Africa are actively promoting the exchange and training of scientific and technological talents, technology transfer and innovation, and strengthening cooperation in areas such as climate change response, clean energy application, desertification and soil erosion control, and wildlife protection. They are making positive contributions to the global ecological progress.

By enhancing exchanges, mutual learning and harmonious co-existence of Chinese and African civilizations, the two sides will better understand each other's development path and create a sound environment for them to achieve their development visions.

Currently, China is promoting national rejuvenation through a Chinese path to modernization. Advancing modernization through integration is the independent choice made by African countries and people. Africa is moving at an accelerated speed toward the bright prospects envisioned in Agenda 2063, and making all-out efforts to build a new Africa that enjoys peace, unity, prosperity and strength.

African countries generally hope to draw lessons from China's development experience and explore a modernization path that suits their own national conditions.

Through exchanges, China and Africa are gathering the essence of their brilliant cultures, and by learning from each other, they are sparking innovation in their excellent traditional cultures. This will pave the way for a brighter future as both sides walk hand in hand on the path to modernization.

The 2024 summit of the FOCAC is a grand event to strengthen the friendship and unity between China and Africa, as well as a significant opportunity to promote mutual learning and cultural exchange between the two civilizations.

China and Africa will strengthen mutual learning, advance the great endeavors of win-win cooperation, harmonious coexistence and shared prosperity of civilizations, and strive for sound and steady development in jointly building a high-level China-Africa community with a shared future.

(Web editor: Xian Jiangnan, Liang Jun)
Nearly 150 ancient tombs were discovered within the grounds of the Guangzhou Zoo in South Chinas Guangdong Province.

Experts believe the burial grounds span at least 2,100 years, evidencing a well-planned cemetery system.

Two tombs, one from the Jing Dynasty and one from the Southern Dynasty, are particularly of interest for further research thanks to their condition.

When one goes to a zoo, the expectation is to see wild and exotic animals from across the globe. And thats true of the Guangzhou Zoo in South Chinas Guangdong Province. However, visitors might also come across millennia-old burial tombs for humansnot exactly the standard wildlife park residents.

Since the start of the original 1956 construction on the the Guangzhou Zoo, archaeologists have excavated roughly 500 ancient tombs across over 30 locations on the zoos grounds. But over the course of a few months spanning April to July of this year, they made a sizable addition to the record. Archaeologists discovered an additional 148 tombs across the zoo, according to a report from the Xinhua News Agency.

The recently uncovered tombs each date back to a wide range of Chinese history. Some are from the Han Dynasty, which lasted from roughly 206 BC to 220 AD, and some are barely over a century old, coming from the years following the founding of more modern Chinese leadership in the early 1900s.

Discovered during a zoo construction project, the 14,000-square-foot area features four Han Dynasty tombs, eight tombs from both the Jin and Southern dynasty, 15 Tang Dynasty tombs, and 121 from the more recent Ming and Qing dynasties.

There were two tombs that excited the archaeological team, one from the Jin Dynasty, which stretched from about 265 to 420 AD, and another from the Southern Dynasty, which lasted from 420 to 589 AD. The well-preserved Eastern Jin tomb include a 33-foot-long chamber as part of the tombs impressively large structure. With no major damage to the entirety of the tombexcept for a hole above the main sealing door likely made at one point by a grave robberexperts said it is the largest and most well-preserved tomb from that era ever found in the area.

While the Southern Dynasty tomb is smaller, it was still in good enough condition to yield interesting details about the time. Built in a style designed for a married couple, much of the structure is intact, although it shows signs that it was also once raided by robbers.

The discovery of these two tombs is of great significance to the study of burial shapes, stages, and funeral customs during the Six Dynasties Period (222-589) in Guangzhou, said Cheng Hao, an official with the institute, according to Xinhua News Agency, as well as to the research on the construction technology during the Jin and Southern dynasties architecture.

Researchers also found 48 gravestones, all of which came from the Republic of China era.

The archaeological team said that a pattern emerged on the orientation and scale of the tombs, especially the ones in the Ming and Qing burial chambers, suggesting a planned cemetery location that lasted a significant amount of time.

Along with the burial sites, the team located an additional 196 artifacts, ranging from pottery to porcelain to bead ornaments and items made of bronze and jade. Some of the cultural relics are uncommon for the region.

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FREMONT COUNTY, Idaho (ABC4)  An archery hunter was attacked by an adult male grizzly bear in Island Park, Idaho, on Sunday, Sept. 1, according to Idaho Fish and Game.

The man was hunting elk with a friend on the Caribou-Targhee National Forest near the Divide Creek Road, west of Henrys Lake, when the attack happened.

It was a surprise encounter  one of the hunters was quickly knocked down and bitten by the bear. Both men were able to grab their sidearms and shoot the bear, officials said.

St. George woman found dead inside home, husband arrested for murder

Their quick response kept the bear from attacking further and resulted in the bears death. Conservation officers reportedly conducted a thorough investigation and determined that the hunters acted in self-defense.

The hunters called 911 and the injured individual was airlifted to Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center with non-life-threatening injuries.

I am extremely grateful that both of these individuals survived this encounter, said Fish and Game Regional Supervisor Matt Pieron. I have had the opportunity to speak with the injured hunter and his family and they are truly wonderful people. I wish him a speedy recovery from his injuries and the trauma these two hunters experienced.

Grizzly bears are protected under state and federal law. Fish and Game is reminding hunters that these animals may be found in northern Idaho and the Greater Yellowstone area. Officials are calling this incident a surprise encounter from a very close distance.

Here are some tips to keep in mind when hunting in grizzly country, provided by Idaho Fish and Game:

Carry bear spray and keep it readily accessible.

Hunt with partners and make each other aware of plans.

Look for grizzly bear sign, including fresh tracks. Let partners know if you do see sign.

Retrieve meat as quickly as possible.

Hang meat, food, and garbage at least 200 yards from camp and at least 10 feet off the ground.

When not hunting, make noise, especially around creeks and thick vegetation. Most attacks occur by inadvertently surprising a bear at close range.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Armoured personnel carrier Khorunzhyi to be put into service in Ukraine's Armed Forces of Ukraine

The armoured personnel carrier Khorunzhyi, which is the result of a deep modernisation of the Soviet-made BTR-60 has been codified and approved for delivery to the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the countrys Defence Ministry reports.

Source: Ministry of Defences website

Quote from the Ministry: "The body of the Ukrainian armoured personnel carrier is made of high-quality Finnish steel, which has improved the ballistic protection of the vehicle without increasing its weight. The hull is also protected around the perimeter from 7.62 mm bullets with a steel core, and the frontal armour can withstand shots from a large-calibre machine gun from a distance of 10 metres."

Details: It is noted that the design of the hull bottom and special mine-resistant seats protects the troops from the effects of explosive devices equivalent to 6 kg of TNT.

The Ministry of Defence points out that the Khorunzhyi is much more powerful than the BTR-60, as a 330-horsepower diesel engine is installed in the front of the new Ukrainian armoured personnel carrier.

The vehicle is capable of accelerating to over 80 km/h, and the capacity of its fuel tanks provides a range of over five hundred kilometres.

"A radically different body layout has improved the ergonomics and convenience for airborne troops, which are landed through the aft part of the armoured vehicle.

The new armoured personnel carrier is equipped with modern electronics, video surveillance cameras, an air conditioning system and an autonomous generator that allows the armoured vehicle to operate with the engine off," the statement said.

The Khorunzhyi is equipped with a combat module with a 14.5 mm machine gun or a 30x113 mm cannon.

It is noted that this armoured personnel carrier can be produced in 6 variations: a linear armoured personnel carrier; a personnel carrier; a sanitary evacuation vehicle; a repair and evacuation vehicle; a command and staff vehicle, and a self-propelled mortar vehicle.

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MORGANS POINT RESORT, Texas (FOX 44)  One man is in jail after a weekend drug bust in Morgans Point Resort.

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and the Morgans Point Resort Police Department conducted a warrant service at a residence on Briarwood Road at approximately 12 p.m. Saturday. Police say officers discovered methamphetamine in plain view inside a Recreational Vehicle on the property.

After obtaining a search warrant for the RV, officers seized approximately 133 grams of methamphetamines, 0.9 grams of THC edibles, 30 Xanax pills and $750 in cash.

Houston man held after Bryan kidnapping with shots fired

Police say 57-year-old Ronald Eugene Kostroun, Jr. was arrested by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department for Possession of a Controlled Substance. More charges are pending.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KWKT - FOX 44.
District Judge Maya Guerra Gamble agonized over the decision. One way or another, it seemed, the public would lose.

Nor was case law much of a guide. A conflict like this had never reached a Texas courtroom, a clash between two pillars of the same principle.

The most fundamental individual liberty of our people is the right to participate in self-government. I know that's their argument, said Dan Richards, attorney for the city of Austin, nodding toward the plaintiffs table. It's also my argument.

At issue was the fate of 13 propositions that the Austin City Council had recently voted to put on the Nov. 5 ballot. Guerra Gambles no-win choice boiled down to this:

Should the court block those items from going on the ballot  even though elections are the ultimate moment for people to be heard  because the public wasnt properly notified about the meeting where the ballot was finalized?

Or should the court tolerate a clear violation of the Texas Open Meetings Act  the essential law that allows people to be in the room where it happens, as plaintiffs attorney Bill Aleshire put it  because the action in question put issues into the hands of voters?

I think we'll find out if I'm right or wrong, obviously, sooner or later, Guerra Gamble said Thursday before going with Option A: preemptively blocking items from the ballot, quite likely a first-of-its-kind decision in Texas. She landed there only because the alternative seemed worse.

If I say, Well, OK, but because it was an election  maybe one of the most important things the City Council does  then we don't enforce the (open meetings) law? So the more important it is, the less teeth the law has? Guerra Gamble reasoned aloud. That can't be the right solution.

The judges ruling, as my colleague Ella McCarthy reported, means Austin voters wont see 13 proposed city charter amendments on the Nov. 5 ballot. The proposals involve substantive but not electrifying changes to Austins governing document, things like increasing the number of signatures needed to trigger a recall election of a City Council member.

With ballot printing deadlines nearly upon us, city officials said Friday they would not appeal the ruling. Mayor Kirk Watson said the city will plan to hold the charter election at a future date so that we can be sure to dot every I and cross every T to have an election that is above reproach.

That should be the standard operating procedure at City Hall: conduct business in a way that doesnt short-circuit public engagement or stick judges with impossible dilemmas.

Judge Maya Guerra Gamble, shown in 2022, said Thursday it was clear the city of Austin had violated the Open Meetings Act by failing to provide proper notice about proposed ballot items on an Aug. 14 City Council agenda.

Instead, Guerra Gamble found, the City Council failed to tell the public what it was up to. The city website described the councils Aug. 14 meeting as the "budget adoption reading of the Austin City Council," but the agenda included other business, including setting a special election for "proposed charter amendments." The agenda didnt list those 13 propositions in any detail, although backup materials spelled them out.

Guerra Gamble called those actions a pretty blatant violation of a well-known (open meetings) law that's been in place for a long time, requiring elected bodies to provide sufficient descriptions of meetings and agenda items so the public knows what will be discussed.

Nobody serves on City Council without being very aware of that law, she added.

I know the lawsuit over these violations  filed by Aleshire on behalf of the Save Our Springs Alliance and its executive director, Bill Bunch, as well as attorney Joe Riddell  elicited some here we go again eyerolls from those who see these activists as obstructionists. Aleshire successfully sued the city several years ago over other agenda items that didn't properly describe the proposed developments at hand; and, earlier this year, the courts sided with Bunch by ordering the council to give people the time to speak on each agenda item they wanted to address.

The issues they raise are not obscure technicalities. They go to the heart of whether the public can participate in the business being done in their community with their tax dollars. I would love to see City Council meetings handled in a way that leaves Aleshire and Bunch with no credible grounds for a lawsuit.

Perhaps the lesson is sinking in at City Hall. The city issued a statement Friday saying that its staff takes full responsibility for any inconsistency with the Texas Open Meetings Act and, as such, staff will ensure that future council action items are posted to provide notice and opportunity for public comment in full compliance with the Texas Open Meetings Act.

They could always get an assist from the council members whove all been trained on the Open Meetings Act, including the three council members who are attorneys. Among them, Watson helped amend the Open Meetings Act in favor of greater transparency when he served in the Texas Senate.

Navigating the publics business can be complicated and time-consuming work for the City Council. But its still the publics business, and the council must truly invite people to be "in the room where it happens."

Grumet is the Statesmans Metro columnist. Her column, ATX in Context, contains her opinions. Share yours via email at bgrumet@statesman.com or on X at @bgrumet. Find her previous work at statesman.com/opinion/columns.

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Austin City Council violated open meetings act, once again | Grumet
AUSTIN (KXAN)- A suspect in multiple game room robberies has been charged with aggravated robbery with a deadly weapon, according to an Austin Police Department arrest warrant.

APD charged 28-year-old Isiah Dwayne Turner currently faces six felony counts of aggravated robbery with a deadly weapon, according to Travis County court records. KXAN has reached out to Turners lawyers for comment.

APD arrest 2 wanted in South Congress game room robbery

Just before 1 p.m. on on July 5, APD officers responded to the 5300 block of Cameron Road after a 9-1-1 caller reported a robbery at a game room.

The report claims that Turner allegedly entered the business with a black handgun, shot a victim and left the scene.

Surveillance video captures shooting at north Austin game room

The APD detective said they carefully compared and matched the robbery with other game-room robberies committed between June 6 and July 16, according to the affidavit.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
DUPAGE COUNTY, Ill.  A Chicago man driving on Interstate 55 on Saturday night fired three rounds from a gun through his own windshield, striking another motorists vehicle twice in an outrageous road rage incident, authorities said.

Nicholas Ortiz, 24, of the 5200 block of South Sacramento Avenue, was later arrested and charged with one count of Aggravated Discharge of a Firearm at a Person or Vehicle, a felony. Judge Demetrios Panoushis denied his pre-trial release.

In a joint statement, DuPage County States Attorney Robert Berlin and Illinois State Police Director Brendan Kelly said Ortiz called 911 after he fired shots and claimed the other driver tried to run him off the road. Burr Ridge Police stopped both Ortiz and the other driver at County Line Road and the entrance to I-55. Officers allegedly found a loaded Glock 43 on the passenger seat of Ortizs vehicle under a backpack. The other driver was not struck by the gunfire.

The outrageous conduct alleged against Mr. Ortiz is extremely serious and will not be tolerated in DuPage County, Berlin said. In addition to allegedly shooting at another motorist, Mr. Ortizs alleged actions not only endangered the life of the victim as well as his own life, but also the lives of the motoring public.

Berlin added: If you find yourself involved in a traffic altercation, stay calm and dont let your emotions get the better of you and if necessary, call 911.

Ortizs next court appearance was scheduled for September 23 before Judge Joseph Bugos.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGN-TV.
Jonathan Eichenholz was 3 years old when he was diagnosed with autism. His parents nicknamed him Houdini because of his propensity to escape from home, school and even his car seat while in traffic.

One afternoon when he was 5, Jonathan, who was fascinated with water, slipped out of the familys Orange County home and into a neighbors yard.

The neighbor spotted the boy floating face down in his pool, let out a bone chilling scream and pulled Jonathan out, said Jason Eichenholz, the boys father.

Eichenholz raced over and found his son unconscious on the pool deck with ashen skin, blue lips and a distended belly. Eichenholz, a volunteer firefighter, was able to resuscitate him with CPR.

Children with autism are especially susceptible to the risk of drowning, as they tend both to wander away and to be attracted to water, experts say. That has led advocates to push for specialized swim lessons attuned to those kids situations, but much more needs to be done.

So far this year, 23 children with autism have died by drowning in Florida, including six in Central Florida, according to the Florida Department of Children and Families. Those deaths account for nearly 30% of the 81 such deaths reported in 2024 in Florida, which leads the nation in childhood drowning.

Every time he sees a news report about a child with autism drowning his heart sinks, Eichenholz said, adding those stories were the catalyst for a targeted donation he made to the YMCA of Central Florida, which in the last year helped give nearly 100 kids with autism free swim lessons.

No one tells you when you get a diagnosis of autism that the leading cause of death for your child is drowning, said Eichenholz, whose son, now 19, took swimming lessons soon after his close call.

The most recent state case was on Aug. 27, when a 2-year-old boy wandered away from his backyard in Putnam County. A short while later, he was found unresponsive in a canal near his home, according to the departments fatality report.

One of the recent Central Florida cases involved a 3-year-old on vacation with his father in Orlando. He wandered out of his room at the Sheraton Vistana Resort and was later found dead in a pond on the property.

There also was a close call in early August when a 5-year-old boy with autism got out of his home and was rescued by a Volusia County sheriffs deputy, who found the child clinging to a log in a nearby pond.

I dont think people have been talking about drownings involving children with autism at anywhere near the level that it needs to be, said Jon Burstein, senior communications specialist at the Childrens Services Council of Palm Beach County.

Autism is a developmental disability that leads to delays, and problems, in language and social skills. The symptoms can be moderate or severe and may involve repetitive behaviors and sensitivity to taste, touch and noise. Children with autism are often drawn to water, intrigued by how it feels on their bodies, and are often elopers, prone to wandering.

Teaching children with autism to swim means assessing the childs individual needs, often providing private lessons and giving the youngsters extra time to adjust.

The goal for the first three or four lessons might just be that theyve built a trust with the swim instructor, and they are comfortable with walking away from their parent, said Jessica Chamberlain, regional aquatics director for the YMCA of Central Florida.

The YMCA combined Eichenholzs donation  he declined to say how much he provided  with grant money from the YMCA of the USA to offer the free swim lessons.

That money has been used up, however, and there are still about 30 kids on the waitlist. The YMCA is now looking for additional funding to provide more lessons for free. Without a scholarship, it costs $225 for eight 30-minute private lessons.

The YMCA also has partnered with Nemours Childrens Hospital, which was awarded a $100,000 grant from the Universal Orlando Foundation to help launch an aquatics program for children with autism and other developmental delays. The hospital hopes to offer lessons to about 25 children a year.

That program, which kicked off in July, has been hosting its lessons at the Leonard and Marjorie Williams Family YMCA in Orlando.

Lucas Davies was 16 months old when he was diagnosed with autism. Not long after, his parents enrolled him in traditional swim classes at a YMCA in California, where they were living at the time. But six months later, the toddler still was reluctant to get in the pool and had no swimming skills.

When Lucas was 2, his parents, Chris and Renee Davies, moved to Orlando. Then they enrolled him in swim lessons with Geoff Dawson, who teaches at his Longwood home and has experience working with children with special needs.

Dawson had the Davies bring all three of their children to the first few lessons, so the siblings could get in the pool and make their brother feel more comfortable.

He also recommended that they break the lessons into 10-minute chunks spread out over four days, so being in the water became a normal part of Lucas daily routine.

At age 3, Lucas now can swim to the pools edge and float on his back for short periods of time.

Before he started swimming with Geoff, if he fell in the water, there was no way he could get out on his own, or even float, Renee Davies said. I feel dramatically more comfortable now.

Veronica Skyes, an Osceola County mother of two children with autism, is also the director of a non-profit that coordinates care for youngsters with the disability. Every summer, she advises parents to take their children out of other therapy sessions to make room for swim lessons.

But many are reluctant. Families with a young child newly diagnosed with autism may feel their time and money is already monopolized by that childs therapy and treatment appointments.

A lot of families are desperate for the progress they want their child to make  I need him to speak. I need his behavior to be controlled  that theyre not even thinking about the swim lesson component, she said.

Jennifer Cicia, an autism disorders specialist at the University of Central Floridas Center for Autism and Related Disabilities, said swimming lessons should be the last line of defense to prevent a catastrophic event.

Parents whose children have autism should install extra locks and alarms, get a tracking device for their child and learn CPR. If possible, they should put up a fence with a locked gate around their property, she added.

But none of those devices mean a young child wont get out unnoticed, so learning to swim is crucial, she said.

Eichenholz said he put in extra locks on his homes doors, but on the day his son nearly drowned, the family forgot to secure a secondary latch on the sliding glass door.

The parents of the 5-year-old boy who got out of his home in Volusia in August had alarms on their doors, the sheriffs office said. Those alarms sounded  but the child still made it to the pond before he was found.

I dont know if we can ever do enough when were having kids drowning at the rate that were having, Cicia said.
Jonathan Eichenholz was 3 years old when he was diagnosed with autism. His parents nicknamed him Houdini because of his propensity to escape from home, school and even his car seat while in traffic.

One afternoon when he was 5, Jonathan, who was fascinated with water, slipped out of the familys Orange County home and into a neighbors yard.

The neighbor spotted the boy floating face down in his pool, let out a bone-chilling scream and pulled Jonathan out, said Jason Eichenholz, the boys father.

Eichenholz raced over and found his son unconscious on the pool deck with ashen skin, blue lips and a distended belly. Eichenholz, a volunteer firefighter, was able to resuscitate him with CPR.

Children with autism are especially susceptible to the risk of drowning, as they tend both to wander away and to be attracted to water, experts say. That has led advocates to push for specialized swim lessons attuned to those kids situations, but much more needs to be done.

So far this year, 23 children with autism have died by drowning in Florida, including six in Central Florida, according to the Florida Department of Children and Families. Those deaths account for nearly 30% of the 81 such deaths reported in 2024 in Florida, which leads the nation in childhood drowning.

Every time he sees a news report about a child with autism drowning his heart sinks, Eichenholz said, adding those stories were the catalyst for a targeted donation he made to the YMCA of Central Florida, which in the last year helped give nearly 100 kids with autism free swim lessons.

No one tells you when you get a diagnosis of autism that the leading cause of death for your child is drowning, said Eichenholz, whose son, now 19, took swimming lessons soon after his close call.

The most recent state case was on Aug. 27, when a 2-year-old boy wandered away from his backyard in Putnam County. A short while later, he was found unresponsive in a canal near his home, according to the departments fatality report.

One of the recent Central Florida cases involved a 3-year-old on vacation with his father in Orlando. He wandered out of his room at the Sheraton Vistana Resort and was later found dead in a pond on the property.

There also was a close call in early August when a 5-year-old boy with autism got out of his home and was rescued by a Volusia County sheriffs deputy, who found the child clinging to a log in a nearby pond.

I dont think people have been talking about drownings involving children with autism at anywhere near the level that it needs to be, said Jon Burstein, senior communications specialist at the Childrens Services Council of Palm Beach County.

Autism is a developmental disability that leads to delays, and problems, in language and social skills. The symptoms can be moderate or severe and may involve repetitive behaviors and sensitivity to taste, touch and noise. Children with autism are often drawn to water, intrigued by how it feels on their bodies, and are often elopers, prone to wandering.

Teaching children with autism to swim means assessing the childs individual needs, often providing private lessons and giving the youngsters extra time to adjust.

The goal for the first three or four lessons might just be that theyve built a trust with the swim instructor, and they are comfortable with walking away from their parent, said Jessica Chamberlain, regional aquatics director for the YMCA of Central Florida.

The YMCA combined Eichenholzs donation  he declined to say how much he provided  with grant money from the YMCA of the USA to offer the free swim lessons.

That money has been used up, however, and there are still about 30 kids on the waitlist. The YMCA is now looking for additional funding to provide more lessons for free. Without a scholarship, it costs $225 for eight 30-minute private lessons.

The YMCA also has partnered with Nemours Childrens Hospital, which was awarded a $100,000 grant from the Universal Orlando Foundation to help launch an aquatics program for children with autism and other developmental delays. The hospital hopes to offer lessons to about 25 children a year.

That program, which kicked off in July, has been hosting its lessons at the Leonard and Marjorie Williams Family YMCA in Orlando.

Lucas Davies was 16 months old when he was diagnosed with autism. Not long after, his parents enrolled him in traditional swim classes at a YMCA in California, where they were living at the time. But six months later, the toddler still was reluctant to get in the pool and had no swimming skills.

When Lucas was 2, his parents, Chris and Renee Davies, moved to Orlando. Then they enrolled him in swim lessons with Geoff Dawson, who teaches at his Longwood home and has experience working with children with special needs.

Dawson had the Davies bring all three of their children to the first few lessons, so the siblings could get in the pool and make their brother feel more comfortable.

He also recommended that they break the lessons into 10-minute chunks spread out over four days, so being in the water became a normal part of Lucas daily routine.

At age 3, Lucas now can swim to the pools edge and float on his back for short periods of time.

Before he started swimming with Geoff, if he fell in the water, there was no way he could get out on his own, or even float, Renee Davies said. I feel dramatically more comfortable now.

Veronica Skyes, an Osceola County mother of two children with autism, is also the director of a nonprofit that coordinates care for youngsters with the disability. Every summer, she advises parents to take their children out of other therapy sessions to make room for swim lessons.

But many are reluctant. Families with a young child newly diagnosed with autism may feel their time and money is already monopolized by that childs therapy and treatment appointments.

A lot of families are desperate for the progress they want their child to make  I need him to speak. I need his behavior to be controlled  that theyre not even thinking about the swim lesson component, she said.

Jennifer Cicia, an autism disorders specialist at the University of Central Floridas Center for Autism and Related Disabilities, said swimming lessons should be the last line of defense to prevent a catastrophic event.

Parents whose children have autism should install extra locks and alarms, get a tracking device for their child and learn CPR. If possible, they should put up a fence with a locked gate around their property, she added.

But none of those devices mean a young child wont get out unnoticed, so learning to swim is crucial, she said.

Eichenholz said he put in extra locks on his homes doors, but on the day his son nearly drowned, the family forgot to secure a secondary latch on the sliding glass door.

The parents of the 5-year-old boy who got out of his home in Volusia in August had alarms on their doors, the sheriffs office said. Those alarms sounded  but the child still made it to the pond before he was found.

I dont know if we can ever do enough when were having kids drowning at the rate that were having, Cicia said.

_____
Autopsies show drowning as the cause of death for a US lawyer and wife in super yacht sinking

FILE - Italian firefighter divers bring ashore in a plastic bag the body of one of the victims of a shipwreck, in Porticello, Sicily, southern Italy, Thursday, Aug. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Salvatore Cavalli, File)

MILAN (AP)  The first autopsies of victims of the Bayesian super yacht sinking off Sicily show drowning as the cause of death, authorities said Monday.

U.S. lawyer Chris Morvillo and his wife Neda were among seven people who died when the Bayesian sank in a sudden, violent storm on Aug. 19. The autopsies were carried out by coroners designated by Palermo prosecutors, who confirmed the results.

Autopsies are planned Wednesday on the bodies of Jonathan Bloomer, chairman of Morgan Stanleys London-based investment banking subsidiary, and his wife, Judy.

They are pending for the remaining three victims, British tech entrepreneur Mike Lynch, who had organized the yacht trip to celebrate a recent legal victory, his 18-year-old daughter Hannah and the yachts cook, Recaldo Thomas.

Morvillo was one of Lynchs U.S. lawyers in a fraud case involving the sale in 2011 of Autonomy, a search engine company that became a symbol of British ingenuity, to Hewlett-Packard, in an $11 billion deal that quickly turned sour over allegations Lynch had cooked the books to overvalue Autonomy. He was acquitted in June.

Prosecutors are investigating the captain and two crew members for possible responsibility in connection with the sinking. The 56-meter (184-foot) British-flagged luxury yacht sank during what appears to have been a sudden downburst, or localized powerful wind from a thunderstorm that spreads rapidly after hitting the surface. Fifteen people, including Lynch's wife, were rescued.

Prosecutors said raising the Bayesian and examining the yacht for evidence would provide key elements to the investigation. No timeline has been determined.

___

This story was first published on Sept. 2, 2024. It was updated on Sept. 3, 2024 to correct the headline to say lawyer and his wife instead of banker and his wife.
By Nailia Bagirova

BAKU (Reuters) -Azerbaijan's ruling party retained its majority in Sunday's snap parliamentary election, preliminary results showed, in the country's first vote since staging a lightning offensive a year ago to recapture the breakaway territory of Karabakh.

The Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), a rights watchdog, criticised the vote, saying it had fallen well short of democratic standards.

President Ilham Aliyev's party was on course to win 68 out of 125 seats in parliament, according to preliminary results from the Central Election Commission reported by the TASS news agency. It had 69 seats in the outgoing parliament.

Just over 2 million people in the energy-rich nation cast their ballots, bringing the turnout at the time of the close of polling stations to 37.3%, said Central Election Commission chief Mazahir Panakhov.

Exit polls suggested dozens of other seats would go to candidates who are nominally independent of political parties but in practice back the government as well as to minor pro-government parties.

OSCE election monitors said the election campaign had been "barely visible".

"The September 1 early parliamentary elections took place in a restrictive political and legal environment that does not enable genuine pluralism and resulted in a contest devoid of competition," the OSCE mission said in a statement.

Opposition party Musavat refused to recognise the legitimacy of the new parliament and called for another vote. Other opposition groups had boycotted the election.

"The voting was accompanied by widespread violations, including multiple voting by the same individuals and groups, ballot stuffing, and pressure on observers," Musavat said.

KARABAKH

It was the first parliamentary vote since Azerbaijan recaptured 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 Azerbaijan of ethnic cleansing in Karabakh after almost all of its more than 100,000 ethnic Armenian residents fled the area.

Azerbaijan denied that allegation. 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.

(Reporting by Nailia Bagirova in Baku; Writing by Lidia Kelly in Melbourne; Editing by Gareth Jones and Ros Russell)
(Bloomberg) -- Azerbaijans ruling New Azerbaijan Party won the largest number of seats in the countrys parliament in a snap election on Sunday, according to exit polls conducted in all but three constituencies.

Most Read from Bloomberg

YAP, as the party is known, won at least 62 out of 125 seats, while non-partisan candidates got 43 seats, US-based pollster Oracle Advisory Group said at a press conference in the capital Baku. The remaining seats went to small pro-government parties.

The Central Electoral Commission, the countrys electoral body, is expected to release preliminary results of the election later on Sunday.

President Ilham Aliyev dissolved parliament in June and announced that elections slated for November would be brought forward so that they dont coincide with the United Nations Conference of the Parties, or COP, thats scheduled for Nov. 11-22.

Aliyev himself extended his 20-year rule in a landslide victory in an early presidential election in February that observers from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) said lacked genuine competition.

He called the vote after Azerbaijan, in a blitz offensive a year ago, reclaimed control of the breakaway region of Nagorno-Karabakh, which had been under the control of ethnic Armenians since a war in the early 1990s.

The areas 100,000 ethnic Armenians fled to neighboring Armenia after the takeover, prompting accusations of ethnic cleansing, which Azerbaijan denied.

Azerbaijan and Armenia have yet to sign a formal peace agreement to end more than three decades of conflict, despite mediation efforts by the US, the European Union and Russia.

Several opposition parties and groups vied for parliamentary seats in Sundays ballot, but the main Popular Front Party boycotted, citing a lack of conditions to hold a free and fair vote.

All previous elections held under Aliyev have been described as undemocratic by Vienna-based OSCEs Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights. The group will share its preliminary assessment of the election on Monday.

A crackdown on journalists, opposition and civil society activists in the run-up to the vote have drawn criticism from the US and the EU, which buys oil and natural gas from Azerbaijan. Aliyev signed a memorandum of understanding with the European Commission in 2022 to double natural gas exports to Europe to 20 billion cubic meters per year by 2027.

Relations have become particularly fraught with France after the latter started selling weapons to Armenia. Paris in June accused Azerbaijan of fomenting deadly unrest in New Caledonia, a French territory in the Pacific, which Aliyev denied.

(Updates with exit poll results throughout.)

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(Bloomberg) -- Conservative leadership frontrunner Kemi Badenoch vowed to renew her party, saying it needs to use its time in opposition wisely by returning to its principles and developing an offer for young Britons after losing the trust of the UK electorate.

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Launching her campaign to take over from former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, she criticized her party for becoming mired in scandal, saying Keir Starmers Labour Party  which won a landslide election victory on July 4  is only in power now because of mistakes made by the Tories. She said it was to time to talk about our future and that right now, this country desperately needs an engineer.

I want to help us rebuild the party, rewire the state, reboot the economy, revive our country and make it go places, Badenoch, the former business secretary, said Monday in a speech at the Institute of Engineering and Technology. Engineers are realist; we see the world as it truly is, but we can also dream and we can plot a path from idea to reality.

The shadow communities secretary is vying with five other former ministers to replace Sunak, who will remain acting Tory leader until a successor is announced on Nov. 2.

Her rivals in the race are 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. The task for the winner will be to rebuild Britains self-styled natural party of government into an election-winning machine again after collapsing to its worst ever electoral defeat.

Badenoch criticized her party for talking right and governing left  a diagnosis shared by Cleverly, who made his own launch speech just an hour later, saying the Tories need to be honest and realistic about the role of the state.

The state should focus on doing fewer things very well, not everything badly, Cleverly said. We accept that the state has a primary duty to protect its people and its borders. But Conservatives must be honest about the trade-offs in doing these things properly.

While Badenochs launch was low on policy, Cleverly vowed to increase defense spending to 3% of gross domestic product, resurrect a plan to deport to Rwanda asylum seekers who arrive in the UK in small boats from France, and get the countrys welfare bill down.

With YouGov data showing that all age groups under 65 were more likely to vote Labour than Conservative, both politicians identified the need for the Tories to win over younger voters.

Cleverly said we need to give young people a stake in our society. With younger workers increasingly struggling to get on the housing ladder, he vowed to abolish stamp duty tax on home purchases altogether, encourage new builds and ease restrictions on building upwards on existing residential properties.

Badenoch, for her part, said that the Tories used to have a vision and an offer for the young.

When I was young, the future was exciting: I hate the fact that young people no longer find it so, she said. For the future to mean anything, it must means something for the young. Its the chance to build something  a career, a business, a family, to acquire capital and through it security, savings, a house, pensions and investments, so that even if today is tough, tomorrow is bright.

Tugendhat  a moderate Tory who appeals to the partys center  is due to make his launch speech on Tuesday, while Patel did so on Friday, vowing to make the Tories an election-winning machine again. Tory MPs are due to whittle the candidates down to four in time for the partys annual conference later this month, before reducing them to two who will go to a final runoff vote among the wider grassroots party membership.

While Badenoch is the bookmakers favorite, Jenrick has the most backers among Tory MPs for now, according to a tally by the Spectator. Formerly seen as a politician from the so-called One Nation tradition of Tory centrists, he has in recent years pivoted to the right, having reinvented himself as a hard-liner on immigration when he resigned from his role as immigration minister in December 2023.

Jenrick has focused his campaign on that topic, with a headline promise to leave the European Convention on Human Rights, which he blames for interfering in UK immigration policy. Thats a controversial proposition within the Tories, and has implications for the peace agreement in Northern Ireland and for the trade deal the UK signed with the European Union after Brexit.

The Jenrick campaign argues he is best placed to dispel the threat of Nigel Farages far-right Reform UK party, with Ipsos polling suggesting he is the candidate most likely to win back Reform voters. A senior member of the Jenrick campaign said that they were confident he could reach enough nominations to qualify for the two-candidate run-off vote.

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Its a buzz for a bargain.

Hudson Cannabis, a 500-acre Hudson Valley seed to smoke weed farm, has achieved the milestone of delivering more than 100,000 budget-friendly legal dime bags  sold for $10 retail, or even less  at licensed retail pot shops throughout the state.

Since legalization, many dispensaries and cultivators have favored selling cannabis in one-eighth of an ounce increments, for as much as $70.

Hudson Cannabis, founded by sisters Melany and Freya Dobson, was the first to also package and legally deliver cannabis in old-school dime bags. Adam Whyte

But Hudson Cannabis was the first to also package and legally deliver cannabis in old-school dime bags starting nearly two years ago  enough for customers on a tight budget to roll a small joint or sample a new brand or strain.

Were thrilled to have sold over 100,000 dime bags in New York State. Our choice to sell in dime bags not only honors the traditional way cannabis was sold but also makes New York-grown flower accessible to everyone, said Hudson Cannabis CEO Melany Dobson, a co-founder who runs the farm with her sister, Freya.

Each dime bag is compostable, biodegradable, and part of our closed-loop systemfocused on the plant, not on packaging. If youd told me ten years ago that wed sell over $1 million worth of these bags, Id have thought it was a dream.

Hudson Cannabis packages and delivers its dime bags and other flowered weed products to 131 licensed dispensaries throughout the state.

The pot farm employs 65 employees who cultivate, process, package and drive their goods to more than 100 retail stores. Everything is done at the farm, including distilling the flower into other THC-infused products such as edibles.

With the growth of the legal market, some days Hudson Cannabis has staffers doing nothing but packaging dime bags, each containing 0.7 grams  about a joints worth of cannabis.

The dime bags each contain about 0.7 grams of cannabis  just enough for a small joint or to sample a new brand or strain. Adam Whyte

Some days Its all hands on deck, Melany Dobson said.

Hudson Cannabis also makes pre-rolled joints and provides larger quantities of weed, in packages from two grams to one-eighth of an ounce, as well as vape cartridges.

Melany Dobson likened buying dime bags, which contain product of higher quality and more potency than a pre-rolled joint, to customers seeking out whole-bean coffee.

Hudson Cannabis also makes pre-rolled joints and provides larger quantities of weed, in packages from two grams to one-eighth of an ounce, as well as vape cartridges. Adam Whyte

Hudson Cannabis dime bags are a big hit with New Yorks licensed pot store operators, who sometimes can barely keep them on the shelves.

Osbert Orduna, CEO of The Cannabis Place in Middle Village, Queens, even sells the dime bags for $8 to be more competitive.

Its very popular. We sell a lot of dime bags. We have it in different strains, Orduna said.

In addition to cultivating their own flower, the farm also processes products for other brands, including 1906 and Mike Tysons brand of edible gummy ears. Adam Whyte

They have great products at super affordable prices. They have the most affordable products we carry, he said of Hudson Cannabis.

The Dobson sisters are originally from the Berkshires, where their dad was an organic farmer who grew marijuana as well as vegetables.

They operated cannabis farms in Northern California in Mendocino and Humboldt County before opening their farm in Hudson in upstate Columbia County seven years ago. They started out growing hemp and then switched to cannabis after state lawmakers and then-Gov. Andrew Cuomo legalized the plant for sale in 2021.

Housing Works and Union Square Travel Agency in Greenwich Village were among the first to sell the farms dime bags, but theyre also big sellers at Strain Stars in Farmingdale and Mishas Flower Shop in Bushwick.

There are now 171 licensed cannabis stores and delivery services in the Empire State, including 71 in New York City. The first pot retail dispensaries opened in 2022.

The legal cannabis industry is gradually expanding, following a rocky rollout marred by lawsuits, bureaucratic bungling, spoiled crops and a flourishing illegal market.

Hundreds of illicit stores closed earlier this year under a tougher law approved by Gov. Kathy Hochul and beefed up enforcement by Mayor Eric Adams cannabis cops led by Sheriff Anthony Miranda.
This article was originally published in EdSurge.

This article originally appeared at EdSurge.

Tiaja Gundy was just 19 years old when she started working at Federal Hill House, an early learning center in Providence, Rhode Island. It was 2016, and back then, she lacked experience and expertise working with young children. She had no intention of staying in the field long-term.

But the work grew on her. Gundy started out as a floater, helping with infants, toddlers and preschoolers as needed. She found she loved being around children.

As years passed, Gundy gained experience, and she moved into an assistant teaching position in a toddler classroom. Yet she was still missing some of the critical knowledge about child development that would allow her to continue growing in her career.

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In 2021, Gundy recalls, one of her supervisors pulled her aside, and said, Youre very promising. I know you can go farther in this field, then told her about an interesting opportunity.

Rhode Island was launching a registered apprenticeship program for early childhood educators. With her employers support, Gundy would get to continue her paid teaching job as she took college courses, pursuing a Child Development Associate (CDA), a nationally recognized credential for those who work in early care and education settings. It would set her up to one day become a lead teacher. The apprenticeship would come with guaranteed wage increases, too.

The thought of balancing both work and school again was daunting, Gundy admits, but she was encouraged by her colleagues and excited to deepen her understanding of early childhood education. She decided to apply.

For decades, apprenticeship has been a popular career pathway for occupations such as electricians, plumbers and carpenters. In early care and education, however, there was limited uptake of the model.

Recently, that has changed  and fast. A decade ago, only a handful of states had registered apprenticeship programs in early childhood education. Five years ago, that had risen to about a dozen. As of last year, 35 states had an apprenticeship program for child care and early childhood education, and another seven states were developing them, according to a report published by the Bipartisan Policy Center (BPC) in 2023.

In 2021, the last year for which there is available data, early childhood education was one of the five fastest-growing occupations for apprenticeship, according to the U.S. Department of Labor.

Theres just been an explosion, says Linda Smith, who authored the BPCs apprenticeship report last summer and has since joined the Buffett Early Childhood Institute as director of policy. It is happening all over this country.

Related

Pre-K Enrollment Surges in US, With Mississippi & New Mexico Making Big Strides

Explaining the explosion

Smith sees at least two reasons for the emergence and rapid growth of this model in early childhood education.

The first is that more federal funding has become available in recent years. At least 10 states are using American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) dollars to build or expand their child care apprenticeship programs, and 13 are using Preschool Development Grant Birth Through Five funds. As many as 15 states are using money from the Child Care and Development Fund, which received a $15 billion boost under ARPA.

The second reason is that there is increased awareness of how essential and how endangered the early care and education sector is.

Were in a tough spot right now with child care in this country, Smith says soberly. We have a workforce problem on our hands. Everyone is crying for child care workers. They cant fill jobs. Wages are low. Child care programs cant compete with big box stores, fast food, you name it.

Broad recognition of that reality, Smith says, made policymakers and other leaders more willing to invest in the early education workforce.

It also helps, she adds, that people understand what apprenticeships are. Its a well-established model that they can visualize and  importantly  measure.

Randi Wolfe, founder and executive director of Early Care and Education Pathways to Success (ECEPTS), an organization that provides training and technical assistance to get programs registered as apprenticeships, believes this model is proliferating in early care and education because its a natural fit for the fields workforce development needs.

The early care and education workforce, Wolfe points out, is mostly made up of low-income women, and they are disproportionately women of color, immigrants, non-native English speakers and first-generation college students.

Asking those people to do an internship that is unpaid creates unintended inequity, Wolfe says. From day one, an apprentice is a W-2 employee. There is no such thing as an unpaid apprentice.

It works well for both educators and early learning programs, she adds. Early childhood educators who cant afford to miss out on wages while they earn a degree get to do both at the same time  and at little or no cost. They get raises throughout the apprenticeship and, in many cases, are eligible for a promotion once they complete it.

Their employers, meanwhile, end up with highly skilled teachers who, after investing significant time and energy into their careers, are more likely to remain in the field.

Theyre the best qualified candidate, Wolfe says of apprentices. Youve trained them. Youve grown them.

For early learning programs, better-qualified teachers can also help them move up the scale on their states quality rating system. Higher quality ratings are tied to higher subsidy reimbursement rates in many states. In short, apprentices help a programs bottom line.

All of these outcomes support children and families, who benefit greatly from having teachers who provide high-quality, research-backed care and education.

The nuts and bolts of apprenticeships

To be considered a registered apprenticeship, programs must meet a number of criteria and get approval from the U.S. Department of Labor or a state apprenticeship agency. All registered apprenticeships have a sponsor, such as a community-based organization, a workforce intermediary or a business, that manages program operations. Registered apprenticeship programs have a few other key ingredients:

Employers must partner with apprentices, allowing them to learn while they earn. In early care and education, the employers are early learning programs.

Apprentices must receive on-the-job training with opportunities to practice their new skills in context. Many programs pair apprentices with a mentor to fulfill this goal.

Apprentices must receive instruction related to their industry. In early care and education, that happens in a classroom setting, often at a community college but at four-year institutions too. Employers are expected to provide support and flexibility so apprentices can attend classes and complete coursework.

Apprentices are guaranteed incremental wage increases as their knowledge and skills grow. This is a huge win for early educators, who have some of the lowest wages in the country, but also a point of tension for programs, which are seldom in a financial position to pay staff more.

Apprentices must receive a credential. In early education, that is usually a CDA or an associate degree, and sometimes a bachelors degree.

Despite the many criteria, there is still some flexibility for individual apprenticeship programs to put their own spin on the model.

In Rhode Island, where Gundy apprenticed, the program is exclusively for infant and toddler teachers, often the least educated and least compensated faction of the early childhood workforce, says Lisa Hildebrand, executive director of the Rhode Island Association for the Education of Young Children, which helped develop and implement the program, in partnership with a state agency, and now manages it.

There is a notion in the field, Hildebrand says, that if you start out as an infant or toddler teacher, you can get more training and education and then move up to teaching preschool.

Its almost like a promotion, she says, because preschool teachers typically earn more money and command more respect.

But that dynamic leads to the high turnover of infant and toddler teachers, which, given the challenges many programs already face with hiring and retention, and the legal requirements around staff-to-child ratios, can result in classroom closures and reduced slots for the youngest children. It certainly has in Rhode Island.

The waiting list for infants and toddlers is absolutely astronomical, Hildebrand says, acknowledging thats true outside of Rhode Island too. It is reaching critical levels at this point.

With additional funding on the way, the apprenticeship may soon expand to preschool teachers, among whom there is ample interest, Hildebrand notes. But right now, Rhode Island is focused on retaining the teachers who are in the highest demand.

Minnesotas registered apprenticeship program, which launched in summer 2023, includes a strong mentorship component. Each apprentice is paired with a mentor, often a colleague at the program where they work, says Erin Young, who manages the program for Child Care Aware of Minnesota.

Thats the secret sauce, says Young. Thats the magic.

Mentors, who receive 24 hours of free training, guide apprentices through questions and topics ranging from childrens behavioral challenges, to curriculum implementation, to family engagement. That can be especially helpful for apprentices who are still quite new to the field of early childhood education, Young explains.

Its nice to have someone say, Its OK. Try this. Start here, Young says. Having a mentor at the beginning of my early childhood career wouldve been a huge help.

The mentorship made an impression on Katelyn Sarkar, an apprentice who graduated with her bachelors degree in early childhood education leadership in June.

Sarkars mentor would observe her in her classroom at a Head Start program in Rochester, Minnesota, then offer feedback and suggest strategies for her to try. As an early childhood educator, I grew so much more in my skills because of that, Sarkar shares.

Next up, Young is developing an apprenticeship model for licensed family child care providers, a group that is currently left out of most registered apprenticeship programs, despite being the dominant form of care in rural Minnesota, Young says, and an option preferred by many families.

If it gets approved, thats a really big win, Young notes. It opens the door for other states to do it.

No such thing as a silver bullet

Although many early childhood advocates view the apprenticeship model as a promising strategy for workforce retention and improvement, theyre also quick to caution against overweighting its potential.

In early childhood, we tend to [want] a single solution to a complex problem. That does not work. The problems of child care in this country are very complicated, says Smith of the Buffett Early Childhood Institute. Apprenticeships are never going to be the only answer.

The model, while exciting, has its limitations, Smith adds.

Right now, apprenticeship cohorts tend to be quite small, with around five to 25 early childhood educators enrolled. Rhode Island graduated 16 apprentices in its pilot cohort and has another 17 enrolled now. Minnesota had 19 apprentices enrolled as of June.

Thats because apprenticeship programs are demanding, resource-intensive and very costly.

In Minnesota, for example, where early childhood apprenticeship costs fall on the high end, Young budgets $20,000 to $24,000 per apprentice per year. Apprenticeships there run for at least two years, she says.

That estimate includes covering 85 percent of the cost of college tuition and books, as well as giving apprentices an annual $2,000 stipend to help with transportation, internet access and their remaining 10 percent of tuition costs, and awarding them a small bonus at the end of their apprenticeship year.

It also includes an annual $5,000 stipend to employers to offset the costs of hosting an apprentice. In Minnesota, employers chip in the final 5 percent of tuition costs, and they are expected to give apprentices a $1 an hour raise at the end of each year, which typically works out to be about $2,000 a year, Young says. It can be hard for employers to budget for that right away, she notes. Mentors also receive a $3,500 annual stipend.

Its expensive, to be sure, but Minnesota recently received $5 million from the state earmarked specifically for apprenticeships, Young says.

Theres not going to be one silver bullet, Young acknowledges, but professionalizing the field, reducing turnover and increasing compensation is going to have to happen, and I am hoping the data will show this is one positive strategy that moves the needle on that.

Now 27 and finished with her apprenticeship, Gundy has received her CDA and been promoted to lead teacher in her toddler classroom. Shes also pursuing her bachelors degree in early childhood education.

It was nice to get the science behind what I did, Gundy shares about her apprenticeship experience. It answered why  why are we doing it this way, why is play important.  It helped me be an overall better teacher.

This article was originally published in EdSurge, a nonprofit newsroom that covers education through original journalism and research. Sign up for their newsletters. Emily Tate Sullivan is a senior reporter for EdSurge covering early childhood and K-12 education.
A beluga whale suspected to have been trained as a spy by Russia has been found dead off the Norwegian coast.

Nicknamed Hvaldimir, a combination of the Norwegian word hval for whale and the first name of Russian president Vladimir Putin, the animal was described as a spy in the West after it was spotted in Norwegian waters five years ago with a GoPro camera attached to a harness that read Equipment of St Petersburg.

Hvaldimirs carcass was found floating in the Risavika Bay in southern Norway on Saturday by a father and son fishing in the waters, Norwegian public broadcaster NRK reported.

The animal was lifted out with a crane and moved to a nearby harbour for investigation into the cause of its death.

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.

The beluga whale lived in the waters off Norways coast (AP)

Mr Strand, who worked with an NGO called Marine Mind and monitored Hvaldimirs movement for the past three years, said the whale was in good condition until Friday.

Its absolutely horrible, Mr Strand said. He was apparently in good condition as of Friday, so we just have to figure out what might have happened here.

Hvaldimir was estimated to be 15 years old, relatively young for a Beluga whale, which can live up to 60 years.

The animal was first spotted in April 2019 near the island of Ingoya in Norways north, about 300km from Russias maritime border.

It showed interest in people and responded to hand signals, leading Norways intelligence agency to presume that it had been held in captivity as part of a research programme before arriving in Norwegian waters.

It appeared as if Hvaldimir arrived in Norway by crossing over from Russian waters, where it is presumed he was held in captivity, Marine Mind said on its website.

It was seen swimming off Swedens coast, about 2,000km to the south, last May. It moved quickly and swam several hundred kilometres before arriving in waters off Swedens west coast.

The Barents Observer, a Norwegian news site, claimed to have used satellite images to identify whale pens near Russian naval bases in the northwest region of Murmansk, the implication being that the country trained marine mammals such as dolphins and whales for military purposes.

Russia has never responded to the allegations.
President Biden said he is devastated and outraged by the death of Hersh Goldberg-Polin  an Israeli American who was being held hostage by militant group Hamas.

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 said in a Saturday statement.

Hersh Goldberg-Polin was one of the six hostages whose bodies were recovered by the Israeli military over the weekend. Their deaths come as the U.S. and its partners have pushed for a cease-fire deal to release the hostages without any concrete agreement.

A White House official told The Hill that Biden spoke Sunday morning with Rachel Goldberg-Polin and Jon Polin, the parents of Hersh Goldberg-Polin, to offer condolences about the death of their son. The parents have been outspoken advocates for a hostage-release deal to get their son and others being held in Gaza home.

The family said in a statement Sunday it was devastated to announce the death of their beloved son and brother and thanked those who offered their support to the family.

Biden said in his statement he admired and grieved with the parents, who spoke at the Democratic National Convention last month.

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, he said.

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, he added.

National security adviser Jake Sullivan also spoke to the families of Americans who are being held hostage by Hamas on Sunday. He shared the news of Goldberg-Polins death and discussed the U.S.s continued push for a deal that will secure the release of the remaining hostages, according to a White House pool report.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
By Jeff Mason, Steve Holland and Kanishka Singh

PITTSBURGH (Reuters) -Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris said on Monday that U.S. Steel should remain in domestic hands, making a pitch alongside President Joe Biden to working-class voters in Pennsylvania who are also being courted by her rival.

The event on Labor Day, a U.S. holiday that signifies the start of the post-summer sprint to the Nov. 5 election, marked Harris and Biden's first appearance together at a campaign rally since she officially became the Democratic nominee.

Harris used campaign events on Monday in Michigan and Pennsylvania, two battleground states, to court the crucial labor vote. At a packed union hall in Pittsburgh, she echoed Biden's concern over U.S. Steel Corp being acquired by Japan's Nippon Steel.

"U.S. Steel is a historic American company, and it is vital for our nation to maintain strong American steel companies," Harris said at the rally. "U.S. Steel should remain American-owned and American-operated."

Biden said Harris would build on the progress they had made during his administration to improve the lives of union workers and that he would do everything he could to help.

"I'll be on the sidelines," he said.

The Harris campaign has sought to appeal to union workers in much the same way as Biden has throughout his presidency. The Democrats aim to keep union workers from being tempted to vote for former Republican President Donald Trump, who also has blue-collar appeal.

At the rally in Pittsburgh, Todd Hamer, 48, said he thought Bidens support for labor would help Harris.

Shes new, Hamer said. Were all still learning (about her), but she does have a deep history and I think shes going to continue to stand by labor leaders and unions to help support unions and their cause.

Trump, who is locked in a tight race with Harris, stayed off the campaign trail on Monday. His campaign has announced several events for later in the week, including in North Carolina and Wisconsin.

The Harris campaign mocked Trump's lack of public appearances on Monday. "Trump ... golfing?" the Harris campaign said on X.

A Trump campaign aide said Harris' decision to rally voters with Biden gave the Trump team another opportunity to tie the Democrats together politically.

Trump has said he would move to block the U.S. Steel deal, a potential merger that has stirred anxiety among some unionized workers, a key voting bloc in Pennsylvania and the other "Rust Belt" swing states likely to determine the results of the election.

Story continues

Responding to Harris' criticism, U.S. Steel said it was committed to the deal with Nippon Steel. Both companies aim to close the deal by the end of the year depending on regulatory approvals.

In emailed comments, Nippon Steel said that acquisition of U.S. Steel will revitalize the American steel rust belt, benefit local workers and communities along with national security "in a way no other alternative can."

"We believe that a fair and objective regulatory review process will support this outcome, and we look forward to closing the transaction as soon as possible," it said.

GAZA WAR CASTS SHADOW

Both Harris and Trump are expected to ramp up outreach to voters in the coming weeks, especially in swing states that could prove decisive in the election.

Harris is hoping to keep up the enthusiasm her entry into the race has sparked among Democrats, who are donating record amounts of money and volunteering by the tens of thousands.

A recent Reuters/Ipsos poll found Harris was leading Trump nationally 45% to 41%.

On Monday, developments in the Middle East over talks on a deal to reach a Gaza ceasefire and release hostages cast a shadow on campaigning.

Over the weekend, Israel recovered the bodies of six hostages from a tunnel in Gaza where it said they were recently killed by Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, sparking sharp criticism of the Biden administration's Gaza ceasefire strategy.

Biden told reporters earlier on Monday he did not think Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was doing enough to secure a hostage deal.

Late on Monday, Biden said he would eventually talk to Netanyahu but declined to specify when.

Some 1,200 Israelis were killed in Hamas' surprise attack on Oct. 7 and around 250 were taken hostage, according to Israeli tallies.

Health authorities in Gaza say more than 40,000 Palestinians have been killed in the Israeli assault on the enclave since that has also displaced nearly its entire 2.3 million population, caused a hunger crisis and led to genocide allegations at the World Court that Israel denies.

Biden and Harris also met with the U.S. hostage negotiation team in Washington on Monday and discussed the next steps in efforts to free the remaining captives.

The war is weighing on the U.S. election, with pro-Palestinian activists threatening to ramp up protests against Harris on the campaign trail. Thousands of pro-Palestinian activists opposing U.S. support for Israel's war in Gaza held a protest in New York City on Monday.

(Reporting by Steve Holland, Jeff Mason and Kanishka Singh; additional reporting by James Oliphant, Stephanie Kelly and David Shepardson, Katya Golubkova in Tokyo, writing by Kanishka Singh; Editing by Colleen Jenkins, Deepa Babington and Stephen Coates)
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 2. The Armenian government will consider a regulation (rules of procedure) on joint work of commissions on delimitation with Azerbaijan at a meeting on September 5, Trend reports.

According to the information, the document envisages the organization of delimitation works and adoption of relevant documents, drawing up of delimitation map of appropriate scale, and work of expert groups.

To note, following the Protocol of the eighth meeting of the State Commission on State Border Delimitation between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Armenia and the Commission on State Border Delimitation and Border Security between the Republic of Armenia and the Republic of Azerbaijan signed on April 19, 2024, the commissions completed the work on agreement of the Regulations on Joint Activities. The Regulation on Joint Activity of the Commissions was signed on August 30, 2024.

Presently, the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Armenia have initiated domestic procedures.
Biden to join Harris in Pittsburgh for Labor Day campaign event in swing-state

President Joe Biden embraces Vice President Harris during a campaign rally in Pittsburgh at IBEW Local Union #5 on Labor Day. Photo by David Muse/UPI

Sept. 2 (UPI) -- President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris were together in Pittsburgh on Monday for a Labor Day campaign event in the Steel City in their first joint event since she accepted the Democratic nomination.

On Monday, Harris joined Biden by calling for U.S. Steel to "remain American owned and American operated" in her remarks, which ended just before 6:30 p.m. EDT. Earlier, Harris campaigned in Detroit.

"My name's Joe Biden and I'm from Scranton, Pennsylvania," he told the crowd as he regaled attendees with stories and recognized other officials who attended.

The event at IBEW local number five union hall in Pittsburgh was filled with tables and attended by members and officials of local unions such as United Steelworkers and AFSCME in union-friendly Allegheny County.

"Wall Street did not build America," Biden said as he noted "unions built America."

Vice President Kamala Harris speaks during a campaign event in Pittsburgh at IBEW Local Union #5 on Labor Day. Photo by David Muse/UPI

Harris became the Democratic nominee in the running to replace Biden as president against former President Donald Trump, the Republican nominee.

Trump and vice presidential nominee J.D. Vance were not on the campaign trail Monday.

President Joe Biden speaks during a campaign rally for Vice President Kamala Harris in Pittsburgh at IBEW Local Union #5 on Labor Day. Photo by David Muse/UPI

"Donald Trump is ditching workers on Labor Day because he is an anti-worker, anti-union extremist who will sell out working families for his billionaire donors if he takes power," campaign spokesperson Joseph Costello said in a statement.

Harris' event began a little after 5 p.m., opening with the state's first Black lieutenant governor, Austin Davis of Allegheny County.

Vice President Kamala Harris greets the daughter of Pennsylvania Lt. Gov. Austin Davis (seen holding her) before departing for a Labor Day rally with labor leaders in Pittsburgh. Photo by Archie Carpenter/UPI

A union official introduced Biden by describing him as the "most pro-Union president in history" before the outgoing Democratic president took the stage ahead of Harris amid chants of "thank you, Joe."

Biden, who spoke for nearly an hour, talked about his admiration for unions as he recognized some in the crowd with a sprinkling of union names.

President Joe Biden greets local Pennsylvania dignitaries and their families at the 171st Air Refueling Wing before departing for a rally with labor leaders in Pittsburgh on Labor Day. Photo by Archie Carpenter/UPI.

He said America is the "strongest economy in the world today -- without question -- because of unions."

"A job is about a lot more than a paycheck," said Biden, quoting a maxim his father once told him and that the president often restates during speeches.

They were joined by Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro -- who had been in contention to be Harris' vice presidential pick -- along with Sen. Bob Casey, D-Pa., who is seeking re-election this year; Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., Pittsburgh Mayor Gainey and Reps. Summer Lee, Madeleine Dean and Chris Deluzio, who all represent districts in the state.

"We are the greatest manufacturing economy in the world and we will remain that way," Biden promised as he said his administration had created 16 million new jobs, 800,000 of which were in the manufacturing sector.

Biden added that he and Harris had "protected pensions for over 1 million workers" as he highlighted some of their other achievements.

Pennsylvania received $17 billion from Biden's bipartisan $1.2 trillion infrastructure law with more than 2,000 new projects in the Keystone State.

Trump "didn't build a damn thing," Biden said about his predecessor's failed promise to expand infrastructure.

Private companies have committed $4 billion to invest in clean energy in Pennsylvania, Biden said, with "project labor agreements" where union terms are laid out before work begins.

He said he believes in "American-owned and -operated" steel companies, saying how U.S. Steel's possible sale to a Japanese company should not go through and the company should remain in the United States.

"Everyone in America deserves a fair shot," he said talking about the "dignity of work."

He said picking Harris to be the nation's first female vice president was "one of the best decisions" he made, adding that she will be a "pro-union president."

Harris has received the backing of several unions, including United Auto Workers President Shawn Fain, and has indicated her plans to largely continue Biden's labor policies.

The Pennsylvania swing was part of a Labor Day campaign blitz for Harris, who spoke to supporters at Northwestern High School in Detroit about building strong unions.

She was joined by Michigan politicians: Sen. Debbie Stabenow, U.S. Rep. Elissa Slotkin, Attorney General Dana Nessel and Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.

In western Pennsylvania, Harris talked about fighting for a future where every person "can not only get by, but get ahead" as she outlined her plans for an "opportunity economy" so Americans can, for example, buy a home or start a business to see a "future that matches their dreams and aspirations and ambitions."

"It is good to be in the house of labor," Harris opened with saying she was glad to be back in Pittsburgh. "I love Labor Day."

Harris was in Pittsburgh late last month with her vice presidential pick to kick off their bus tour.

"I have spent more time with extraordinary human beings with no cameras in the room, when the heat was high," Harris said as she praised Biden.

"Sometimes it's good when no cameras are in the room," Harris joked about Biden. "History will show what we here know: Joe Biden has been one of the most transformative presidents the United States ever witnessed."

"Everywhere I go I tell people you may not be a union member but you should thank unions for that five-day work week," family leave, vacation and other workplace policies because, Harris said, "when union wages go up everyone's wages go up.

"When unions are strong, America is strong" Harris said. Pittsburgh, she said, "has shaped the history of the labor movement" in the U.S.

Harris said she is "fighting to build an economy that works for all working people," saying how "that has always been the vision of the labor movement. And that is the vision of our campaign."

Her campaign is "focused on the future," she said, adding that Trump is "focused on the past."

"The true measure of a leader is based on who you lift up," the Democratic nominee said. "Do you fight for workers? Do you fight for families?" she asked.

"This election is a fight for the promise of America."

"One of the highest forms of patriotism," she said, is to fight for American ideals she said among chants of "we're not going back."

Trump, she said, supported "right to work" laws, blocked overtime pay benefits "for millions of workers," opposed efforts to raise the minimum wage and appointed "union-busters" to national labor relations board.

And if re-elected, Trump "intends to give more tax cuts to billionaires and big corporations" as well as cuts to Social Security, Medicare and other public safety net programs, Harris claimed Monday.

"America has tried those failed policies before and we are not going back," she told the electrified crowd.

Harris said she is fighting for an America where no person "goes broke for being sick"

"I will always have the back of America's steel workers," Harris pledged on Monday in Pittsburgh.

Meanwhile, Walz was farther north in Erie.

He spent the day in Milwaukee with his wife, Gwen.

Multiple vehicles traveling in the motorcade in Milwaukee crashed. Walz was not hurt and the crash involved three vans with members of the press and staff members.

"Passengers reported injuries considered to be non-life-threatening and were treated by medical personnel prior to transport to an area hospital," Secret Service Public Affairs Specialist Joe Biesk said.

Harris' husband, second gentleman Doug Emhoff, was at a campaign event later in Newport News, Va.
Biden says Netanyahu isnt doing enough to get hostage deal

Biden says Netanyahu isnt doing enough to get hostage deal

President Biden on Monday said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is not doing enough to secure a hostage deal, adding pressure on the Israeli leader to reach a cease-fire agreement after six more hostages were found dead in Gaza over the weekend.

Biden was asked by reporters outside the White House on Monday if Netanyahu was doing enough to reach a hostage release agreement, to which he said, No.

When asked if mediators are prepared to present a final hostage deal this week to both Israel and Hamas, Biden said, We are very close to that, adding, Hope springs eternal.

Biden made the remarks as he arrived at the White House for a Situation Room meeting with advisers involved in cease-fire and hostage deal negotiations.

During the Situation Room meeting, Biden and Vice President Harris received an update from the U.S. hostage deal negotiation team on the proposals status, according to the White House. They discussed the next steps in securing the release of hostages, including continuing consultations with co-mediators Qatar and Egypt, the White House said.

Additionally, Biden expressed his devastation and outrage at the killing of the hostages and reiterated the importance of holding Hamass leaders accountable, according to the White House.

Bidens remarks to reporters came a day 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 autopsies found the hostages were shot at close range and died either Thursday or Friday, The Associated Press reported.

The recovery of the bodies sparked massive protests in Israel on Sunday, with tens of thousands of Israelis demanding Netanyahu reach a cease-fire deal with Hamas that would secure the release of the remaining hostages. Israels largest trade union, the Histadrut, called for a general strike to take place Monday in response.

Roughly 250 hostages were taken captive during Hamass surprise assault on Oct. 7 that killed more than 1,100 people. About 100 of the hostages were released late last year during a weeklong cease-fire.

Netanyahu on Sunday said Hamas members will pay the price for the hostages 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.

Meanwhile, Hamas has claimed it 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 reported.

Netanyahu has remained steadfast in waging the war until Hamas is destroyed and argues military pressure is needed to bring the hostages home.

Israels retaliatory campaign to eliminate 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, according to local and international health officials.

Biden, who spoke with Goldberg-Polins parents, said he was devastated and outraged to be informed of the Israeli Americans death.

I know all Americans 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.

National security adviser Jake Sullivan also spoke to the families of Americans who are being held hostage by Hamas on Sunday. He shared the news of Goldberg-Polins death and discussed the U.S.s continued push for a deal that will secure the release of the remaining hostages, according to a White House pool report.

Updated at 12:32 p.m. EDT

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
WASHINGTON  President Joe Biden indicated Monday that he believes Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu should do more to seal a hostage deal and secure a cease-fire in Gaza.

Asked if Netanyahu should do more on the issue and whether he thinks the Israeli leader is currently doing enough, Biden offered a firm "no" as he spoke to reporters outside the White House.

He did not elaborate on the remarks.

U.S. President Joe Biden arrives and speaks to press on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, U.S., September 2, 2024. REUTERS/Annabelle Gordon

Biden also told reporters that Middle East negotiators are "very close" to being able to present a final agreement to Israel and Hamas.

His comments came a day after the body of Israeli-American Hersh Goldberg-Polin was found in a tunnel under the city of Rafah. His funeral took place in Jerusalem on Monday.

Goldberg-Polin was one of six Hamas-held hostages whose bodies were recovered by Israel's military on Sunday, prompting mass protests and a general strike that was intended to put pressure on Netanyahu to accept an agreement.

"I've spoken to the American hostage, I spoke to his mom and dad, and we're not giving up. We're going to continue to push as hard as we can," Biden said.

In response to a request from USA TODAY for clarification on Biden's remark on Netanyahu, a U.S. official said in a statement, "The President has been clear that Hamas is responsible for killing Hersh and the others, and Hamas leaders will pay for their crimes. He is also calling for urgency from the Israeli government in securing the release of the missing remaining hostages."

Seven Americans are still believed to be among the 101 Hamas-held hostages, who were kidnapped from Israel by Hamas-led militants almost 11 months ago on Oct. 7, 2023. The Israeli government estimates that a third of the missing are dead.

Netanyahu, in televised remarks, said Monday after Biden's comments that he'd asked for forgiveness from the families of the six recently deceased hostages. "I'm asking for your forgiveness that we didn't manage to bring them back alive. We were very close, but we couldn't make it," he said in Hebrew, per a translation.

Biden was later asked by a reporter as he left the White House for a Labor Day event what he meant by his comment that Netanyahu needed to do more. He did not respond.

He pressed Netanyahu on part of the hostage deal under discussion during a call nearly two weeks ago. No calls have taken place between the two since, although a U.S. official said their teams have stayed in contact.

"We're still in negotiations  not with him, but with my colleagues from Qatar and from Egypt," Biden said on Monday afternoon in response to a question at Netanyahu's press conference.

Negotiators have been going back and forth between Cairo for weeks in an attempt by the U.S., Egypt and Qatar to broker a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas.

Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris met with U.S. national security officials in the Situation Room on Monday morning, shortly after Biden returned to the White House. In the afternoon, he flew to Pittsburgh to campaign for Harris.

When he arrived at the White House in the morning, Biden told reporters that he would be briefed on the demonstrations in Israel and would comment on them afterward.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Biden says Netanyahu isn't doing enough to bring Israel's hostages home
Biden says Netanyahu not doing enough to seal hostage deal amid take it or leave it Israel-Hamas ceasefire talks

President Joe Biden speaks to reporters on Monday at the White House. The president said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is not doing enough to secure a hostage deal (EPA)

President Joe Biden told reporters that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is not doing enough to secure a hostage deal in the Israel-Hamas war.

Biden made the remark to a Reuters reporter at the White House on Monday morning. This comes as the Biden administration irons out a take it or leave it deal alongside Egypt and Qatar to present to the Israeli government and Hamas, The Washington Post reports. Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris also met in the White House situation room on Monday morning to receive an update on the deal and discuss next steps with their co-mediators.

You cant keep negotiating this, an anonymous senior Biden administration official told the Post. This process has to be called at some point.

If both sides fail to accept the deal, the official told the outlet, it could mark the end of US-led negotiations in the Israel-Hamas war.

Officials from the US, Egypt and Qatar were already working on the deal before Israel recovered the bodies of six hostages held by Hamas in Gaza over the weekend. The Israel Defense Forces said the hostages were killed shortly before they were set to be rescued.

Hostages (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) (AP)

The unnamed senior administration official told the Post that US officials also believe the hostages were killed shortly before the rescue operation was set to take place.

US officials are going to be burning up the phones over the next 48 hours to see if a deal can still be reached, another unnamed senior official told the Post.

Israeli-American Hersh Goldberg-Polin was among the six hostages found dead. After his parents met with world leaders to campaign for the release of hostages over the last 11 months, Goldberg-Polin became one of the best-known hostages in Gaza.

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. The family thanks you all for your love and support and asks for privacy at this time.

Meanwhile, tens of thousands of Israelis have held protests demanding Netanyahu agree to a ceasefire deal that will help bring the hostages home. Histadrut, a major Israeli labor union, also called for a nationwide general strike on Monday to pressure the prime minister.

The delay in signing the deal has led to their deaths and those of many other hostages, the Hostage Family Forum said in a statement about the six hostages.

Israeli forces have killed more than 40,000 Palestinians  most of them civilians  according to the Hamas-run health ministry, and displaced most of the 2.3 million people in Gaza. The military action began after October 7, when Hamas militants launched a surprise attack on Israel, killing more than 1,200 people and taking some 250 people hostage.

In a statement the White House said: Today, President Biden and Vice President Harris met in the White House Situation Room with the U.S. hostage deal negotiation team following the murder of American Hersh Goldberg-Polin and five other hostages by Hamas. President Biden expressed his devastation and outrage at the murder, and reaffirmed the importance of holding Hamass leaders accountable.

During the meeting, President Biden and Vice President Harris received an update from the U.S. negotiation team on the status of the bridging proposal outlined by the United States, Qatar, and Egypt. They discussed next steps in the ongoing effort to secure the release of hostages, including continuing consultations with co-mediators Qatar and Egypt.
A man takes cover as an explosion send smoke and dust skywards during an Israeli strike that reportedly targeted a school in the Zeitoun district on Sunday - Omar al-Qattaa/AFP via Getty Images

Israel has accused the UK of rewarding Hamas terrorists after it announced plans to suspend some arms export licences.

David Lammy, the Foreign Secretary, told MPs a two-month review had found a clear risk that UK arms may be used in serious violations of international humanitarian law.

He said Britain would immediately suspend 30 arms export licences to Israel, including components for military aircraft, helicopters and drones.

On Monday night, a senior Israeli official told The Telegraph the UK decision was a reward for Hamas, coming on the same day as the burial of six hostages executed by the terrorist organisation during the weekend.

It also prompted a backlash in the UK, where MPs accused the Government of having made the decision in response to demands from pro-Palestinian activists.

There were reports on Monday night of friction with the US over the decision. Washington has said there is no basis for a suspension of arms exports.

But US administration official pointed to different legal standards over arms sales in the UK and suggested there was no animosity between the White House and Downing Street over the decision.

Yoav Gallant, Israels defence minister, said: This comes at a time when we fight a war on seven different fronts  a war that was launched by a savage terrorist organisation, unprovoked.

At a time when we mourn six hostages who were executed in cold blood by Hamas inside tunnels in Gaza. At a time when we fight to bring 101 hostages home.

A senior Israeli official told The Telegraph that Israel was furious with the decision that the UK should think about the signal it sends to the world two days after hostages were executed.

Israel Katz, the foreign minister, said: A step of the type taken by Britain now sends a very problematic message to the terrorist organisation Hamas and its agents in Iran.

Yaakov Amidror, a former national security advisor to Benjamin Netanyahu, Israels prime minister, said it was another example of ignorance, anti-Semitism and a rotten moral attitude. He added: This is not about Israel, but about the UK.

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Asked on Monday night to define his vision of victory in the war, Mr Netanyahu said: I would define the end of the war when Hamas no longer rules Gaza. We throw them out.

He also revealed he had asked the families of the murdered hostages for forgiveness, saying: We were close, but we didnt achieve it. Hamas will pay a very heavy price for this.

During the general election campaign, Labour faced pressure from pro-Palestinian campaigners to take a tougher stance on Israel to win seats with large Muslim populations.

Five constituencies previously held by Labour MPs were taken by pro-Gaza independents. On Monday, the independents  including Jeremy Corbyn, the former Labour leader  formed an Independent Alliance to boost their voice in the Commons.

On Monday night, Conservatives accused the Government of appeasing the hard Left with the arms sale decision.

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Robert Jenrick, who is standing for the Tory leadership, said: This is shameful gesture politics to appease the hard Left. Britain should be standing with our ally Israel as it defends itself, and the world, against Irans war of state-sponsored terrorism.

Andrew Mitchell, the shadow foreign secretary, claimed the step had all the appearance of something designed to satisfy Labours backbenchers, while at the same time not offending Israel, an ally in the Middle East. I fear it will fail on both counts.

Government sources insisted the security assessment leading up to the decision was taken by the same officials, and using the same parameters, as under the Tories. However, it could make it easier for Mr Lammy to avoid an embarrassing defeat over Gaza policy at this months Labour Party conference.

Announcing the decision to MPs, he said: It is with regret that I inform the House today that the assessment I have received leaves me unable to conclude anything other than that for certain UK arms exports to Israel there does exist a clear risk that they might be used to commit or facilitate a serious violation of international humanitarian law.

I have informed the Business and Trade Secretary, and he is therefore today announcing the suspension of around 30 from a total of approximately 350 to Israel, as required under the Export Control Act. These include equipment that we assess is for use in the current conflict in Gaza.

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Boris Johnson accused Sir Keir and Mr Lammy of abandoning Israel with the decision.

The former Tory prime minister, added his voice to the criticism on Tuesday morning.

He tweeted: Hamas is still holding many innocent Jewish hostages while Israel tries to prevent a repeat of the 7th October massacre. Why are Lammy and Starmer abandoning Israel? Do they want Hamas to win?

While pro-Gaza MPs welcomed the move, a spokesman for Labour Friends of Israel said: We are deeply concerned by the signal this sends to Iran, the worlds leading sponsor of state terrorism and Vladimir Putins closest ally in Ukraine.

Phil Rosenberg, the president of the Board of Deputies of British Jews, said: We have relayed our deep concern to the Government at the highest levels about the decision, and its timing today, to institute a partial arms sales suspension against Israel.

Mr Lammy asked his departments lawyers to review advice on arms exports to Israel on the day he became Foreign Secretary.

The Foreign Office is understood to have concluded there is a risk of violations in the areas of humanitarian provision and access and treatment of detainees. There was not enough evidence to draw a definitive conclusion about Israels campaign in Gaza, but the scale of destruction and civilian suffering raised serious concerns.

The suspensions represent one tenth of the 350 UK arms licences to Israel.

Lord Polak, honorary president of Conservative Friends of Israel, said Mr Lammys announcement was appalling. He added: On the one hand they are saying they support Israels right to defend itself, but on the other they are deciding to tie one hand behind Israels back. Britain is supposed to be a friend of Israel.

Israeli protesters call for an end to the war in Gaza during David Lammy's visit to Jerusalem last month - IMAGO/SAEEDQAQ/Avalon

The Jewish Leadership Council said Mr Lammys decision could place in jeopardy the long-standing defence and intelligence partnership between the UK and Israel, which is key to the UKs own security.

Despite the anger in Israel at the decision, it is not believed the country is planning a diplomatic reaction.

The UK has exported arms worth over 576 million to Israel since 2008, issuing 108 arms export licences between October 7 2023 and May 31 this year.

The export, which totalled 18.2 million in 2023, ranges from components for submarines, helicopters, F-15, F-16 and F-35 fighter jets, as well as non-military equipment, such as telecommunications and chemical manufacturing equipment.

The F-35s are particularly important as they give Israels military air superiority in the region, being the only country in the Middle East to possess the fighters.

While Israel imports some 69 per cent of its arms from the US and less than one per cent from the UK, Giora Eiland, the former head of the Israeli National Security Council, told The Telegraph that the arms embargo could have critical implications and long-lasting effects for the Israeli army.

It might create a delay of months or even more, said Mr Eiland. For Israel, its very severe.

On Monday, Joe Biden accused Mr Netanyahu of not doing enough to reach a hostage deal as thousands of demonstrators shut down parts of Israel. The US president said a final deal to release Israelis held by Hamas was very close, but added that Mr Netanyahu was not doing enough to bring it over the line.

Thousands of Israelis held a protest over Mr Netanyahus failure to free all Israeli prisoners in Gaza on Monday amid a nationwide strike. The general strike, announced by the Histadrut workers union, shut down kindergartens, banks, universities, the airport and many businesses.

The Chief Rabbi, Ephraim Mirvis, said: It beggars belief that the British Government, a close strategic ally of Israel, has announced a partial suspension of arms licences, at a time when Israel is fighting a war for its very survival on seven fronts forced upon it on Oct 7, and at the very moment when six hostages murdered in cold blood by cruel terrorists were being buried by their families.

Sadly, this announcement will serve to encourage our shared enemies. It will not help to secure the release of the remaining 101 hostages, nor contribute to the peaceful future we wish and pray for, for all people in the region and beyond.

Britain and Israel have so much to gain by standing together against our common enemies for the sake of a safer world. Surely that must be the way forward, he added.

06:03 PM BST

Thats all for today

Thank you for following our live coverage of the UKs decision to suspend some arms exports to Israel and the general strike across Israel earlier today.

We will be back soon with more updates and analysis from the Middle East.

05:51 PM BST

Israeli official calls UK decision reward for Hamas

A senior Israeli official told the Telegraph that the UK decision is a reward for Hamas.

The official called it a miserable and insensitive decision which comes the same day as we bury hostages executed by Hamas.

05:46 PM BST

Gallant deeply disheartened by UK

Yoav Gallant, Israels defence minister, said he was deeply disheartened to learn of the UKs suspension of some export licenses to Israel.

He wrote on X: Deeply disheartened to learn of the sanctions placed by the U.K. Government on export licenses to Israels defense establishment. This comes at a time when we fight a war on 7 different fronts - a war that was launched by a savage terrorist organization, unprovoked.

At a time when we mourn 6 hostages who were executed in cold blood by Hamas inside tunnels in Gaza. At a time when we fight to bring 101 hostages home.

Deeply disheartened to learn of the sanctions placed by the U.K. Government on export licenses to Israel's defense establishment. This comes at a time when we fight a war on 7 different fronts - a war that was launched by a savage terrorist organization, unprovoked. At a time    - Yoav Gallant (@yoavgallant) September 2, 2024

05:39 PM BST

Israels foreign minister calls arms suspension very problematic

Israel Katz, Israels foreign minister, said Britains decision to suspend some arms exports to Israel sends a very problematic message.

A step of the type taken by Britain now sends a very problematic message to the terrorist organization Hamas and its agents in Iran, he said in a statement.

Israel is disappointed by the series of recent decisions made by the British government, including the latest decision on defense exports to Israel, its decision to withdraw its request to submit a friendly position to the ICC, and its position regarding UNRWA, as well as the recent British conduct and statements in the UN Security Council.

David Lammy, Foreign Secretary, meets with Israel Katz, Israel's foreign minister, on Aug 16 - Reuters

05:27 PM BST

UK also announces sanctions on IRGC officials

David Lammy also announced sanctions against three individuals within the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Quds Force and an IRGC unit for threatening the stability of the Middle East.

These targets seek to destabilise the region by sponsoring and providing weapons to Iranian proxy groups and partners across the region such as Lebanese-Hezbollah, the foreign office said in a statement following the Foreign Secretarys Commons speech.

05:19 PM BST

Israel furious with UK decision, says senior official

A senior Israeli official told The Telegraph that Israel is furious with the decision by the UK and that they should think about the signal it sends to the world following Hamass execution of six hostages.

05:18 PM BST

Arms export suspension will be kept under review

David Lammy said the Governments position on arms exports to Israel will be kept under review.

We will continue to work with our allies to improve the situation, he added. And foreign policy of course involves tough choices. But I will always seek to take such decisions in line with our principles  and I will keep this the House updated, in line with my previous commitment.

05:02 PM BST

Clear risk of serious violation of international law, says Lammy

Britain will immediately suspend 30 of its arms export licenses with Israel because there is a clear risk such equipment might be used to commit serious violations of international humanitarian law, Foreign Secretary David Lammy said on Monday.

David Lammy speaking in the Commons on Monday as he announced a partial suspension on arms exports to Israel

04:50 PM BST

We do not take this decision lightly

David Lammy told the Commons that the decision to suspend 30 out of 350 export licenses to Israel was not taken lightly.

We do not take this decision lightly, Mr Lammy said, adding that it was not an arms embargo.

Britain is among a number of Israels longstanding allies whose governments are under growing pressure to halt weapons exports because of the toll of the 11-month-old war in Gaza.

04:44 PM BST

Suspension will not affect F-35 components

David Lammy said the suspension of some export licenses will not be applied to UK-made components of the F-35 jet, unless they are bought directly by Israel.

Most F-35 components are sold via an international pool of parts to which Israel, and other countries, have access.

04:41 PM BST

Lammy: UK continues to support Israels right to self defence

Britain still supports Israels right to self defence in accordance with international law, David Lammy told parliament after he announced the suspension of 30 arms export licences to Israel.

Let me leave this house in no doubt: The UK continues to support Israels right to self defence in accordance with international law, he said.

We will continue to work with Israel to tackle the threat from Iran, Mr Lammy added.

04:37 PM BST

Watch: Commons live

Watch a livestream below inside the Commons after David Lammy announced a partial ban on arms exports to Israel.

04:28 PM BST

UK to suspend some arms exports to Israel

Britain will stop exporting some military equipment to Israel after concluding there is a risk they may be used in breach of humanitarian law in Gaza.

Around 30 licenses for the export of arms to Israel out of 350 will be affected, David Lammy has announced.

Aircraft, drones, helicopters and ground targeting equipment will be withheld.

The decision was made under the strategic export licensing criteria, which bans the export of items if there is a risk of them being used for violation of humanitarian law in the areas of humanitarian provision and access, treatment of detainees, and prosecution of military campaigns.

Mr Lammy asked his departments lawyers to review advice on exports to Israel the day he became foreign secretary.

03:33 PM BST

Netanyahu will not bow to pressure from a general strike

Benjamin Netanyahu has told his cabinet that Israel will not bow to the pressure of a general strike and dilute its negotiating position on a ceasefire with Hamas.

Israels security cabinet met on Monday afternoon as protesters staged demonstrations across the country in the wake of the killing of six hostages in Gaza on Saturday.

Mr Netanyahu told the ministers that Israel will not relent on its key demand  to keep control of the buffer zone separating Gaza from Egypt  as part of any ceasefire agreement.

The Israeli prime minister insisted there would be a strong response to the killing of the hostages but it would not involve ceding control of the buffer zone, known as the Phildadelphi Corridor.

Mr Netanyahu was referring to a US-led proposal that Israel would leave the corridor during the first six weeks of the first phase of a ceasefire with Hamas in Gaza.

An Israeli official told The Telegraph that Mr Netanyahu said: Everyone who says that it is possible to leave the Philadelphi Corridor for 42 days, knows very well that it will be for 42 years.

The world will not allow us to return. Everyone understands the importance of Philadelphi and [Hamas leader] Sinwar understands it best. That is why he insists, Mr. Netanyahu added, according to the official.

If we change the cabinets decision, it will be rewarding terrorists, you will not bring back the hostages.

03:28 PM BST

Biden says Netanyahu not doing enough to reach hostage deal

Joe Biden said a final hostage release deal between Israel and Hamas was very close but that Benjamin Netanyahu was not doing enough to complete it.

The US president was speaking to reporters at the White House after Israeli forces recovered the bodies of six murdered hostages in Gaza over the weekend.

Asked whether he thought Mr Netanyahu was doing enough, Mr Biden said no, without further elaborating.

Earlier, the US, Egypt and Qatar said they had planned to present a final take it or leave it deal to Hamas and Israel. You cant keep negotiating this. This process has to be called at some point, one official told the Washington Post.

03:10 PM BST

Israeli air strike kills two civilians in southern Lebanon

An Israeli air strike killed two civilians travelling in a car along Lebanons southern coast on Monday, security sources said. One was an employee of a cleaning company contracted by the United Nations peacekeeping force in Lebanon.

The force, known as Unifil, confirmed that a vehicle driven by the cleaning worker was hit near the southern Lebanon town of Naqoura, killing both the driver and passenger.

Unifil deplores that so many people have been hurt or killed since Oct 8. Attacks on civilians are violations of international humanitarian law. They must stop, said Unifil spokesperson Kandice Ardiel.

There was no immediate comment from the Israeli military.

02:59 PM BST

In pictures

Humanitarian aid is loaded onto a military aircraft for an airdrop over the Gaza Strip - Jordanian army/AFP via Getty Images

Israeli protesters light up smoke bombs as they block a road in Tel Aviv - ATEF SAFADI/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

Joe Biden arrives at the South Lawn of the White House on Marine One - AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein

People gather to pay their respects at the funeral of Hersh Goldberg-Polin, an Israeli hostage killed by Hamas - REUTERS/Ilan Rosenberg

02:21 PM BST

More on the funeral of hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin

Jon Goldberg-Polin (foreground), father of Hersh Goldberg-Polin - MENAHEM KAHANA/AFP via Getty Images

Scores of mourners waving Israeli flags held a procession on Monday from the home of US-Israeli man Hersh Goldberg-Polin, taken prisoner and killed by Hamas, to the Jerusalem cemetery where he was to be buried.

Some in the crowd that gathered on Monday wore red T-shirts with Goldberg-Polins picture and the word sorry.

Jean-Marc Liling, a friend of Goldberg-Polins family for two decades, told AFP that before Sunday he believed Hersh would come back alive.

Unable to hold back his tears, Mr Liling described Goldberg-Polin as someone who believed in co-existence with Palestinians.

02:06 PM BST

Opposition leader Lapid attends protests

Yair Lapid, the Israeli opposition leader, has been pictured at the nationwide strike.

Mr Lapid called on every Israeli whose heart was broken to join protests in Tel Aviv on Sunday, and on Israels main labour unions, businesses and city authorities to go on strike.

Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid attends a rally by families and supporters of hostages - JACK GUEZ/AFP via Getty Images

01:56 PM BST

Thousands attend funeral procession of murdered hostage

Israelis pay their respects near the family home of killed US-Israeli hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin - MENAHEM KAHANA/AFP via Getty Images

Thousands of people have lined Jerusalems streets to pay their respects to the murdered hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin.

Goldberg-Polin, a 23-year-old American-Israeli, was one of 40 people taken hostage at an outdoor dance festival where thousands of people were partying in the dawn hours of Oct 7 when the attackers struck.

He was shown in a hostage video released by Hamas earlier this year, with part of his left arm missing. He said he had been here for almost 200 days and called on his parents to stay strong for him.

On Sunday he and five other hostages were found dead in a tunnel in Rafah.

He is set to be interred at 4pm local time.

01:22 PM BST

Trade union chief thanks protestors

Arnon Bar-David  the chairman of Histadrut Labour Federation, Israels main trade union, which launched the strike  has thanked protestors and said he respects the decision by the labour court to end the strike at 2:30pm.

It is important to emphasise that the solidarity strike was a significant measure and I stand behind it. Despite the attempts to paint solidarity as political, hundreds of thousands of citizens voted with their feet, he said in a statement, reported by the Times of Israel.

I thank every one of you  you proved that the fate of the hostages is not Right-wing or Left-wing, there is only life or death, and we wont allow life to be abandoned, he reportedly said.

01:09 PM BST

Far-right minister welcomes court judgement

The labour courts ruling that todays strike must end has been welcomed by Israels finance minister.

In a post on social media, Bezalel Smotrich said the court agreed with him that the strike was political and illegal.

According to local media, Mr Smotrich had filed an injunction against the action with the court.

01:07 PM BST

ICYMI: Israeli protesters clash with police as fury over Gaza hostage deaths escalates

01:00 PM BST

Talks not reached their goals

An Israeli official has told The Telegraph that Hamass execution of six hostages, and subsequent chaos in Israel, show how important it is for the US, Qatar and Egypt to use their influence to get a ceasefire.

The talks at the moment have not reached their goals. The last two days have clearly illustrated that it is up to the mediators to pressure all parties to agree to a deal, the official said.

12:46 PM BST

Hostage families call on public to continue strike

The Hostages and Missing Families Forum has encouraged the public to continue the mass strike despite Israels labour court ordering it to end.

This is not about a strike, this is about rescuing the 101 hostages that were abandoned by [Benjamin] Netanyahu with the cabinet decision last Thursday, the forum said, referring to the vote on Israeli forces maintaining control of the Philadelphi Corridor, the strip of land between Egypt and Gaza.

Click here to view this content.

12:38 PM BST

48 Palestinians killed in 24 hours, say Gaza authorities

Israeli forces killed at least 48 Palestinians in the past 24 hours across the Gaza Strip as they battled Hamas-led militants, Palestinian officials claimed on Monday.

Seven Palestinians were killed in two Israeli air strikes on Gaza City, the officials said, while two air strikes killed six others in Bureij and Nuseirat, two of the Gaza Strips eight historic refugee camps.

There was no immediate comment from the Israeli military.

12:12 PM BST

In pictures: Mondays nationwide strike

Protesters at a rally in Tel Aviv call for a hostage release deal - JACK GUEZ/AFP via Getty Images

Demonstrators demand a ceasefire deal and the immediate release of hostages held by Hamas - AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg

Protetsors rally outside the defence ministry - REUTERS/Florion Goga

11:55 AM BST

General strike must end early, Israeli court rules

Israels labour court in Tel Aviv has ruled that the general strike must end at 2.30pm local time  three and a half hours earlier than expected.

11:43 AM BST

Saudi-owned vessel attacked in Red Sea

A Saudi-owned vessel has been attacked in the Red Sea, two sources with knowledge of the matter told Reuters on Monday.

It was unclear if the ship was attacked by Iran-aligned Houthi militants.

Earlier, British maritime agencies reported that a merchant vessel was hit by a drone some 50 nautical miles off Yemens Hodeidah, a Red Sea port just south of Saleef.

11:22 AM BST

Police clash with protesters in Israel as fury over hostage deaths grows

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10:52 AM BST

Gaza authorities claim 40,786 Palestinians killed since Oct 7

At least 40,786 Palestinians have been killed and 94,224 wounded in Israels military offensive on Gaza since Oct 7, the Hamas-run health authority said on Monday.

10:49 AM BST

Strike actions brings parts of Israel to halt

Protests on the Israeli costal road outside Kibbutz Yakum - Ilia yefimovich / Avalon

Strike action has brought parts of Israel to a halt in a bid to pressure the government to secure the release of the remaining hostages in Gaza, after the military recovered the bodies of six captives that the health ministry said had been murdered by Hamas.

Relatives and demonstrators have accused Benjamin Netanyahus government of not doing enough to bring the hostages back alive, and during mass rallies on Sunday called for a truce deal to help free dozens who remain captive.

Several major cities across Israel joined the strike, closing schools and other services for several hours.

10:45 AM BST

Israeli protester waves flag near blaze as protests in Israel continue

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10:37 AM BST

Ben Gurion International Airport begins checking people in

Ben Gurion International Airport has slowly begun checking people in after staff stopped working this morning as part of the general strike.

Long lines were seen at the airport, which has not announced when it will resume full work capacity. Services were planned to restart at 10:00 AM local time.

10:32 AM BST

In pictures

Members of the Australian Jewish community during a memorial service following the deaths of six hostages found in a tunnel under Gaza - DAVID GRAY/AFP via Getty Images

The remains of a car that was hit by an Israeli drone on the road leading to the southern Lebanese coastal town of Naqour - AFP via Getty Images

10:18 AM BST

US, Egypt and Qatar to present final take it or leave it deal

The US, Egypt and Qatar plan to present a final take it or leave it deal to Hamas and Israel, according to a senior US official.

You cant keep negotiating this. This process has to be called at some point, the official told the Washington Post, adding that Washington, Cairo and Doha had been preparing a final proposal before the execution of six hostages in Gaza.

Does it derail the deal? No. If anything, it should add additional urgency in this closing phase, which we were already in, the official added.

The White House said on Monday that Joe Biden, the US president, will sit down with Washingtons ceasefire negotiators.

09:58 AM BST

Strike to end tonight

The chairman of Histadrut, the General Federation of Labour in Israel, announced that the strike will end tonight at 6pm local time.

09:53 AM BST

Hamas claims responsibility for two attacks in West Bank

Hamass armed wing al-Qassam brigades claimed responsibility for two attacks against Israelis in the occupied West Bank on Friday, the group said in a statement on Monday.

Three Israelis were injured in two separate attacks that occurred in the Karmei Tzur settlement and the Gush Etzion Junction.

09:44 AM BST

Counter protestors say general strike is prize for Hamas

Right-wing counter-protestors in Jerusalem are calling on the public not to turn their anger against the government but against Hamas.

The protestors say the general strike is a prize for Hamas.

This is encouraging terror, said one protestor.

"    ":    ""            @VeredPelman

:   pic.twitter.com/FoCYDGacXT    (@kann_news) September 2, 2024

09:36 AM BST

Israel will respond with full force after hostage deaths

Israels foreign minister, Israel Katz, said his country will respond with full force after the discovery of the bodies of six hostages at the weekend.

Mr Katz wrote on social media:

The Hamas terror organization brutally executed six hostages to instil fear and attempt to fracture Israeli society. Israel will respond with full force to this heinous crime. Hamas is responsible and will pay the full price.

The Hamas terror organization brutally executed six hostages to instill fear and attempt to fracture Israeli society. Israel will respond with full force to this heinous crime. Hamas is responsible and will pay the full price.   " Israel Katz (@Israel_katz) September 2, 2024

09:15 AM BST

Israeli strike disrupts flights and buses

Services including banks, hospitals and transport in several Israeli districts have been disrupted by the countrys general strike, which is aimed at pressuring Benjamin Netanyahu into agreeing to a deal to bring Israeli hostages in Gaza home.

Some flights at Ben Gurion Airport, Israels main air transport hub, are suspended, although incoming planes are still landing. Bus and light rail services in many areas are either cancelled or only partially functioning.

An empty waiting area at the Ben Gurion International Airport - ABIR SULTAN/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

Workers at Israels main commercial port Haifa are also on strike.

Hospitals are only partially operating and banks are not working.

Many private sector businesses are open  but employers are allowing staff to join the strike.

08:51 AM BST

Government files injunction to halt general strike

Israeli media are reporting that the government has filed an injunction with the National Labour Court against the general strike.

Bezalel Smotrich, the finance minister, contacted Gali Baharav-Miara, the attorney general, on Sunday requesting a petition for an injunction. It appears she approved the request on Monday, according to Haaretz.

The Regional Labour Court will hear a request for injunctions at 10.30am local time (8.30am BST) submitted by the Gevurah Forum, a group which opposes the hostage deal.

Gevurah Forums request states this is clearly a political strike, blatantly illegal, carried out in a bullying manner.

08:38 AM BST

Biden and Harris to meet US negotiating team on Gaza hostage deal

Joe Biden, the US president, will sit down on Monday with US negotiators pushing for a hostage-release deal, the White House said, after the deaths of six captives in Gaza, including an American citizen.

Mr Bidens official schedule was revised to make time for the meeting at the White House, which will also be attended by vice president Kamala Harris, who is running to succeed him in Novembers presidential election.

A statement announcing Mr Bidens updated schedule said he and Ms Harris would meet the US hostage deal negotiating team following the murder of American citizen Hersh Goldberg-Polin and five other hostages by Hamas on Saturday, and discuss efforts to drive towards a deal that secures the release of the remaining hostages.

The United States, along with fellow mediators Egypt and Qatar, has spent months pushing for a hostage-prisoner exchange and ceasefire in the war in Gaza.

08:27 AM BST

Dozens protest against government of death

A number of protestors are carrying printed signs reading Against the government of death, according to The Times of Israel.

The protestors are gathered at Karkur Junction in northern Israel. Last night activists shut down traffic on Route 65 at the junction, the site of weekly rallies during the 2023 anti-government protests.

08:24 AM BST

Red Sea ship attack

A suspected attack by Yemens Houthi rebels targeted a ship in the Red Sea on Monday, authorities said.

Two projectiles hit the vessel, and a third explosion occurred near the ship, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations centre said.

Damage control is underway, the centre said. There are no casualties onboard and the vessel is proceeding to its next port of call.

The Houthis did not immediately claim responsibility for the attack. However, it can take the rebels hours or even days to acknowledge their assaults.

The Houthis have targeted more than 80 vessels with missiles and drones since the war in Gaza started in October.

The rebels maintain that they target ships linked to Israel, the US or the UK 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.

08:17 AM BST

In pictures: last nights protests

People block a road as they protest on Sunday night - AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg

Israeli Police officers detain a protester - JACK GUEZ/AFP via Getty Images

A drone view of protesters in Tel Aviv - REUTERS/Or Hadar

07:57 AM BST

Netanyahu to push for deal only when streets are burning

Benjamin Netanyahu will push for a deal with Hamas only when the streets are burning, an Israeli minister said as the countrys nationwide general strike began.

Its unpleasant to admit, but Netanyahu will push for a deal only when the streets are burning, one minister from the prime ministers own party told Haaretz newspaper. Right now, he fears [far-right ministers Itamar] Ben-Gvir and [Bezalel] Smotrich more than he fears the families of the hostages.

Mr Netanyahu is widely accused of making a deal with Hamas impossible, due to opposition from far-right cabinet members in his government. They have said they will leave his coalition should he agree to a ceasefire, meaning Mr Netanyahu may have to face long-standing corruption allegations.

07:51 AM BST

Watch: Protests erupt across Israel following hostage deaths

Israelis are holding a nationwide general strike in a bid to pressure Benjamin Netanyahu into accepting a Gaza ceasefire deal.

Arnon Bar-David, the head of the Histadrut labour union, on Sunday called for all civilian workers to join the strike, which is planned to last one day but could be extended.

07:37 AM BST

Protesters plan to block major roads

The Hostages and Missing Families Forum have announced more than a dozen protest locations around Israel.

These are mostly major roads and intersections around Tel Aviv and the north, where protesters plan to block traffic.

The protests are a continuation of those seen yesterday, in which thousands took to the streets to call for the government to accept a deal that would see the remaining hostages returned to Israel.

07:14 AM BST

Polio vaccine campaign under way in Gaza

A large-scale polio vaccine campaign started this weekend in the Gaza Strip, after it recently reported its first polio case in 25 years, which left a 10-month-old boy paralysed in his leg.

The World Health Organization says the presence of a paralysis case indicates there could be hundreds more who have been infected but are not showing symptoms.

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.

Gazas Health Ministry said more than 72,600 children received vaccines on Sunday.

The World Health Organization 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 on 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.

06:31 AM BST

Who is striking across Israel?

Unions have threatened to paralyse the economy with a nationwide shutdown on Monday.

The following groups are also reportedly backing the strike:

the Israel Business Forum, which represents most private-sector workers from 200 major companies

the Israel Bar Association, which called on all lawyers to stop work

the Teachers Union

the Association of University Heads

the Manufacturers Association of Israel

major bus companies

Disruptions to flights to and from the Ben Gurion international airport are also expected.

06:01 AM BST

Palestinians search for bodies in school rubble

The bodies of at least 11 Palestinians have been recovered from the Sadaf school so far following Israels strike on the Zeitoun neighbourhood of Gaza City on Sunday.

The search continues.

Palestinian residents of the area, together with civil defense teams, carry out search and rescue operations after the Israeli army attacked the Safad School

Palestinian residents of the area, together with civil defense teams, carry out search and rescue operations after the Israeli army attacked the Safad School

05:40 AM BST

Report: US planning to present a take it or leave it deal

The US is in discussions with mediating partners Egypt and Qatar about the details of a final take it or leave it deal that it could present to Hamas and Israel in the coming weeks, the Washington Post reports.

An unnamed Biden administration official told the Post that if Israel and Hamas fail to accept the proposal, the US could stop leading negotiation efforts.

You cant keep negotiating this. This process has to be called at some point, they were quoted as saying.

05:34 AM BST

Strike on ship

Were hearing reports of a ship being attacked northwest of Yemen.

Details are scant but an advisory note from the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said that a merchant vessel was hit by two unknown projectiles.

No casualties have been reported.

Iran-aligned Houthi militants have launched attacks on international shipping near Yemen since November in solidarity with Palestinians.

05:18 AM BST

PMs call for immediate ceasefire

Anwar Ibrahim, the Malaysian prime minister, and his New Zealand counterpart Chris Luxon said they were united in calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and an attempt to negotiate a two-state solution between Israel and Palestine.

We both are very united in calling for an immediate ceasefire, getting the parties around the negotiating table and finding a two-state solution, Mr Luxon said at a joint press conference.

Mr Anwar said prospects for a ceasefire did not look encouraging, saying there was a lack of commitment from governments who could exert influence to stop the conflict.

The only hope is to engage the United States to take a stronger stance, he said.

Muslim-majority Malaysia is a staunch supporter of the Palestinian cause and has long advocated a two-state solution to the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians.

05:14 AM BST

In pictures: protests across Israel

Israelis block a highway while protesting for hostage release

Protesters, wearing a yellow blindfold, sit on the ground during an anti-government rally

Protesters climb down a wall during an anti-government rally

05:09 AM BST

Protesters will block major roads

As well as staging walkouts, activists are planning to block city intersections.

The Hostages Families Forum Headquarters will stage a series of protests on at least 15 different roads and bridges from 7am local time, according to the Times of Israel.

05:04 AM BST

Strike begins

Many major businesses and schools are closed this morning and protesting Israelis are refusing to go to work.

Israels largest trade union, the Histadrut, called for the general strike with the aim to disrupt major sectors of the economy, including banking, health care and the countrys main airport. It began at 6am local time.

The Histadruts call was also taken up by the Israel Business Forum, which represents most private-sector workers from 200 of the countrys largest companies.

Israels Manufacturers Association said it supported a strike and criticised the government for failing to bring hostages back alive, which it called a moral duty.

There were reports on Sunday that flights would not take off from Ben Gurion Airport as of 8am, however local newspapers now report that services will likely continue.

04:55 AM BST

In pictures: protesters arrested in Tel Aviv

Israeli Police officers detain a protester during clashes following an anti-government rally calling for the release of Israelis held hostage by Palestinian militants in Gaza

Israeli Police officers detain a protester during clashes in Tel Aviv

Israeli police officers face protesters during an anti-government rally calling for the release of Israelis held hostage

04:47 AM BST

Largest demonstration yet

Tens of thousands of grieving and angry Israelis marched in the streets overnight, chanting Now! Now! as they demanded that prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu reach a deal with Hamas.



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.

An estimated 300,000 people gathered on the streets of Tel Aviv and another 200,000 took part in demonstrations in other cities.

04:45 AM BST

Good morning

Israelis began striking at 6am local time as grieving families of hostages killed in Gaza continued to express outrage at their governments failure to reach a ceasefire deal with Hamas.

Follow this blog for updates on Monday.

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.
Donald Trump at a campaign event in Potterville, Mich., on Thursday.

Bilingual billboards in English and Spanish calling former President Donald Trump an "anti-unionist" went up on Labor Day in high-traffic areas in Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.

The Democratic National Committee, which released the billboards, said in a news release provided first to NBC News: "We have unions to thank for gains in fair wages, worker protections, and health care."

The release praised Vice President Harris and her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, a former union member, saying they "know that workers are the engine powering this country, and thats why they have always had their backs."

DNC spokesperson Maddy Mundy criticized Trump as a "union buster who sought to withhold pay from union workers" and weakened unions as president "to fatten the pockets of multi-billionaire executives who donate to his campaign."

"Simply put: Trump is a union scab," Mundy stated.

The billboards, which read "anti-sindicalista" (anti-unionist) in large letters, come as both parties focus on battleground states and as Harris is tightening her race with Trump, according to polls.

The Biden-Harris administration has boosted organized labor. President Joe Biden made history in 2023 when he became the first president to visit a picket line of striking autoworkers who were demanding higher wages and protesting against cost-of-living increases.

In 2020, Biden won labor households by a 16-point margin over Trump, and Harris has the support of the AFL-CIO and other big unions.

But Trump also has garnered the backing of some of the nation's 14 million union members who say his support for corporations strengthens the economy and improves their wages.

The percentage of Latino workers nationally who are members of a union is 9%, compared to 9.8% for whites and 11.8% for Blacks.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
A billionaire hopes to change our understanding of sea life and save the oceans with a research vessel straight out of 'Star Trek'

A billionaire hopes to change our understanding of sea life and save the oceans with a research vessel straight out of 'Star Trek'

OceanXplorer, a 285-foot research vessel, contains cutting-edge tools for ocean science.

Billionaire Ray Dalio bought the former oil ship and helped transform it into a world-leading research vessel.

Ray Dalio's son wants the ship to inspire ocean conservation through advanced research and documentaries.

The OceanXplorer is both science and spectacle.

The 285-foot research vessel gives ocean scientists access to virtual reality, submersibles, a helicopter, and onboard laboratories, all in a setting designed to evoke a Marvel movie.

"It has basically every tool a researcher could dream of for exploring the deep," Eric Stackpole, a remotely operated vehicle expert, told Business Insider.

Stackpole is part of a team that traveled on the ship from a volcanic archipelago in the North Atlantic to just south of the North Pole for National Geographic's new show "OceanXplorers."

See what it was like to follow polar bears from the sky and study sharks from the seafloor.

OceanX converted a former oil vessel into a research ship.

The helicopter approaches the OceanXplorer off the coast of Svalbard. Mario Tadinac/National Geographic

Billionaire Ray Dalio bought the boat in 2016. It was an oil ship at the time and he and his son Mark Dalio spent the next four years transforming it into a one-of-a-kind research vessel capable of real-time scientific analysis. Experts from the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution consulted to ensure scientists would have everything they needed on board.

For example, it might take a typical research vehicle several years to get DNA sequencing results back and then return to the same location equipped with that data.

With OceanXplorer's onboard lab, researchers can collect samples, process the data in real-time, and then make informed decisions based on what they find.

"We feel like it's a lot more efficient," said Mark Dalio, co-CEO of OceanX, the company that owns OceanXplorer.

It's helping scientists solve some of the sea's greatest mysteries.

A shark swims near an OceanXplorer submersible. National Geographic

The vessel's pair of three-seater submersibles can descend over 3,000 feet and stay on the seafloor for 12 hours.

As a passenger in one, biologist Nigel Hussey witnessed something he'd never seen before, a Greenland shark feeding in its own habitat.

The sharks can live for over 400 years, the longest of any vertebrate, but they spend much of their time in deep, difficult-to-access waters of the Arctic.

"To actually witness and see an animal that you've committed a huge amount of time, blood, sweat, and tears to studying, it's indescribable how fabulous it is," Hussey said in National Geographic's show.

Seeing the cautious way the shark approached food could indicate one reason the species lives so long, Hussey said. Some researchers want to learn more about these animals in the hopes of lengthening human lifespans.

It was built for many kinds of science.

Eric Stackpole holds a camera tag for sharks on the OceanXplorer. Mario Tadinac/National Geographic

On board, scientists can use the four labs to analyze samples, sequence DNA, and study specimens. Meanwhile, ROVs explore the deep; sonar maps the seafloor; and a sampling tool measures the water's temperature, pressure, and salinity.

"I think the most unique kind of throughline is the cross-disciplinary nature of the ship," Mark Dalio said. Meaning researchers who study sharks, whales, squid, and polar bears can all make use of the vessel.

OceanX not only helps scientists reach locations from the subtropical Bahamas to freezing Svalbard, it brings along filmmakers and photographers to document the work as it's taking place.

The National Geographic show highlights the work of researchers who used the ship's helicopters to study polar bears' disappearing habitats and another group who dove deep in submersibles to study sperm whales' prey.

"Ultimately, our goal is to help raise awareness of what this majority of our planet is like," Stackpole said. "If you don't understand it, you can't affect it."

Some of the technology feels like living in the future.

The "OceanXplorers" team looks at a Greenland shark on the ship's Hololab. National Geographic

OceanX partnered with Microsoft to create a "holographic laboratory" on the ship. The cutting-edge technology makes complex data easy to visualize.

Scientists wearing HoloLens headsets can view a simulated ocean floor. It can help turn numbers in a graph into a representation of an underwater environment, incorporating data from sperm whale location tags, sonar readings, and temperature and salinity information.

"We were able to stand around this table and in three dimensions, manipulate a map of what the bottom looks like," Stackpole said of an ocean-floor visualization. "It felt like living in the future."

There are some bonuses to being on a billionaire's boat.

Asha de Vos and Eric Stackpole look at footage of humpback whales on the OceanXplorer. National Geographic

The vessel was built for scientists, but it still has some amenities you might not typically find on a research ship.

"There was a drawer that was just filled with ice cream you could get whenever you want," Stackpole said. "That felt like an indulgence for an open ocean expedition."

It's not quite like going on a luxury cruise, though. There's room for about 72 people on board, but passengers have to share rooms with bunk beds.

The ship is supposed to look like something out of 'Star Trek.'

Aldo Kane and Melissa Marquez discuss their observations on the OceanXplorer. National Geographic

Mark Dalio worked as a National Geographic filmmaker in the past and always wanted the OceanXplorer to be used for scientific storytelling.

Director James Cameron and his team  who have experience designing the filmmaker's former research vessel  offered advice about creating spaces that were both functional and futuristic. Specifically, Cameron suggested they take inspiration from a "Star Trek" spacecraft.

"If you're going to do all that work, make it look and feel like something like the 'Starship Enterprise' of the oceans," Dalio said. "Make it inspirational and aspirational for the next generation of scientists and students and educators."

Art director Page Buckner, who worked on "Iron Man 2," "Jurassic World," and other movies, also helped make the ship camera-ready.

"Everything can be ready to go from a filmmaking standpoint" when scientists are seeing something new or exciting, Dalio said. "It allows us to be a lot more in the moment during that and really capture that in a way that is very authentic."

In fact, most of the ship was designed with documentaries in mind.

The next big project is a focus on fish.

The bridge of the OceanXplorer, an oil ship turned into a research vessel. National Geographic/Mario Tadinac

Mark Dalio plans to keep the ship in Southeast Asian waters for the next five years. The Phillippines is a hot spot for a variety of marine life.

One goal is to learn more about the region's biodiversity to help find ways to protect vulnerable species.

Techniques like whole genome sequencing will give scientists a clearer picture of what fish are present and what animals are eating them.

Other research will focus on gathering data to document climate change, studying coral reefs, and finding potential areas for preservation that could be used for carbon credits.

All this feeds into OceanX's overarching goal, which is to foster the next generation of ocean scientists. "We need a next generation of ocean scientists and ocean storytellers," Dalio said.

Read the original article on Business Insider
CHILTON COUNTY, Ala. (WIAT)  A Birmingham man was killed in a single-vehicle crash in Chilton County over the weekend.

On Sunday, Vernon Cooper, 57, was driving on I-65 near mile marker 213 when his vehicle left the roadway, struck an embankment and overturned. According to state troopers, Cooper was not wearing a seatbelt at the time and was ejected from his car during the crash.

3 men killed in Bessemer gas station shooting

Cooper was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash.

The crash happened roughly two miles north of Clanton.

Troopers with ALEAs Highway Patrol Division continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CBS 42.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 2. Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump has said that if he wins the election, he will be able to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict on his first day in office. Trend reports.

"Our Country and our amazing people are not safe under [US President] Joe Biden, and will be less safe under [US Vice President] Kamala Harris. This terror would have never happened if I were President, and it will stop the day I am back in the Oval Office," - Trump wrote on his X page.

Trump added that Biden and Harris' decisions not only put lives at risk, but they directly responsible for unnecessary deaths that should have never happened.
UPDATE: Kambree Johnson was located safe, according to the Birmingham Police Department early Monday morning.

ORIGINAL: Birmingham Police searching for missing 22-year-old

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT)  The Birmingham Police Department is searching for a missing 22-year-old.

According to BPD, Kambree Johnson was last seen Sunday at 3 a.m. on the 200 block of 4th Terrace N. Johnson is 5-foot-9 and weighs about 140 pounds.

Johnson was last seen wearing blue jeans, a white shirt and Jordan shoes.

Anyone with information on Johnsons whereabouts is encouraged to contact BPD at 205-328-9311.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CBS 42.
Black bear charges at hiker in Ferry County, injuring her

Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) says a woman and her dogs were charged by a black bear in Ferry County this weekend.

The incident happened Sunday near Mink Creek Road.

The woman told WDFW Officers that she was hiking on private property when her dogs got between two black bears.

She said one of the bears chased her dogs and then charged her.

WDFW says the hiker was taken to a hospital in Spokane to be treated for her injuries.

On Monday, WDFW Officers, with help from the Stevens/Ferry Counties Wildlife Specialist and houndsmen, located one of the bears and killed it.

Officers donated the black bear meat to the U.S. Air Force.

In general, black bears avoid people, but theyre naturally curious animals, WDFW said in a release.

If a bear walks toward you, identify yourself as a human by standing up, waving your hands above your head, and talking in a low voice. Back away, avoiding direct eye contact. Dont run from a bear.

WDFW recommends making noise, leashing pets, and carrying bear spray while hiking.
OSAGE COUNTY, Mo.  Two people have died and five others were injured in a boating accident in the Gasconade River in Osage County Sunday evening.

According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol (MSHP) crash report, around 7 p.m., a 2002 Gatorboat occupied by seven people, including four juveniles, was going upstream on the Gasconade River from Pointers Creek when the boat struck a root and collided with a rock bluff.

Springfield man arrested, accused of posting threats to kill cops, Republicans

30-year-old Reven N. Newbound from Owensville and a seven-year-old girl were pronounced dead at the scene by the Osage County Coroner. Four others, including three juveniles, were taken to the University of Missouri Hospital with serious injuries. One other person suffered minor injuries and was treated on scene.

This is the third and fourth boating fatality in MSHP Troop F in 2024.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOLR - OzarksFirst.com.
RUSSELL COUNTY, Ky. (FOX 56)  The Russell County Coroner has identified a body found on Sunday night.

According to the coroner, the body was found in an overgrown field some distance away from a nearby residence. The body has been identified as the owner of the residence, Walter Emery Thomas.

LATEST KENTUCKY NEWS:

The cause of death has not been determined, and the body was taken to the state medical examiners office in Frankfort.

The investigation is ongoing.

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Law enforcement and rescue crews retrieved a body Sunday night in Russell County.

In a Facebook post, Russell County Search & Rescue said its teamalong with local and state law enforcement, emergency services, coroner, and emergency managementrecovered the body from an overgrown field.

Read more of the latest Kentucky news

We extend our deepest condolences to the family and friends of the deceased during this difficult time, Russell County Search & Rescue said in the Facebook post.

The identity has not been released at this time, and FOX 56 News is working to learn more.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 56 News.
A South Carolina man suspected of killing his roommate has been arrested and charged with murder after the woman's body was found buried under a firepit earlier this summer.

Penni Whiteside had been missing for more than two years before police in June searched the yard outside her Myrtle Beach home to find her remains. Whiteside was 51 years old when she was last seen in the spring of 2022, according to a statement from the Myrtle Beach Police Department.

On Thursday, police arrested 54-year-old Sheridan Dirk Fogle, who was living with Whiteside at the time. Police said Fogle was being charged with murder in connection with the woman's death.

Penni Whiteside went missing in May 2022

Based on her Facebook page, Whiteside had been making plans as early as April 2021 to move from Surfside Beach in South Carolina to Myrtle Beach.

By May 2022, she was reported missing, prompting Myrtle Beach police to begin an investigation into her disappearance. According to a now-inaccessible listing on the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System, the last contact with Whiteside was on Jan. 3, 2022.

For more than two years, Whiteside's fate remained a mystery until neighbors told police they had reason to believe the woman was buried under the firepit in the backyard of a home she shared with Fogle. Investigators obtained a search warrant on June 12 for the property, where they uncovered human remains, police said.

On Thursday, the Horry County Coroner's Office confirmed that the remains were those of Whiteside. That same day, Fogle was arrested in Orangeburg, a South Carolina town about 140 miles west of Myrtle Beach.

In a statement, police called Whiteside's death "a tragic loss of life and a senseless crime of violence," and asked the community to "continue to pray for the family and friends of the victim."

Cause, manner of Whiteside's death unknown

Chief Deputy Coroner Tamara Willard told USA TODAY on Monday that the coroners office has not yet released a cause or manner of death in the case.

It also remains unclear whether investigators have determined a motive in Whiteside's slaying.

USA TODAY left a message Monday morning for Myrtle Beach police that was not immediately returned.

Fogle appeared in court on Friday, where a judge decided against setting a bond for his release, WPDE-TV reported. Fogle is next due in court Oct. 25.

Neighbors who spoke with WMBF-TV expressed shock about Whiteside's death.

"You have kids playing at the park here every day, and birthday parties, weddings," Nikolai Zaitsev told the outlet. "And Im sure nobody around here had a clue about what was actually going on.

Eric Lagatta covers breaking and trending news for USA TODAY. Reach him at elagatta@gannett.com

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Woman missing since 2022 found buried under firepit in Myrle Beach
Boeing factory workers say they're overworked and under pressure to 'make miracles happen,' report says

Boeing factory workers say they're overworked and under pressure to 'make miracles happen,' report says

A Boeing employee told The Seattle Times they face pressure "to make miracles happen."

Others told investigators that planes move down factory lines with defects to maintain production speed.

A team captain said there's a high turnover of staff because it's a

"stressful job."

Boeing factory workers have expressed concerns about pressures on production speed as the planemaker's processes are scrutinized in the wake of January's Alaska Airlines blowout.

At the firm's plants, the work is divided into different stations called "flow days"  but employees say aircraft can move down the line with incomplete work in order to maintain speed.

A technician at the planemaker's 737 Max factory in Renton, Washington, told The Seattle Times there is "pressure just to make miracles happen."

Speaking to National Transportation Safety Board investigators in April, another Renton factory employee, who works on seat installation, said there were problems with time management.

"You just got to work around it," he said. "So if like, another crew is behind, we'll just work on the next plane we need to work on."

Asked what could make the process perfect, he said: "Probably making sure when it gets to our flow day, everything will be ready, like, complete."

He added that 60% to 70% of the aircraft that come through to his station are still waiting for other work to be done.

"They travel defects constantly. The line has to keep going," a line worker at Boeing's factory in Everett, Washington, told The Seattle Times.

Another staffer at the Everett factory, which builds the 777 and 767, told the newspaper that this spring, a plane arrived at their workstation "nowhere near ready" for the team.

They added that the firm decided, "We're behind on deliveries, we've got to get deliveries out, we're going to take this plane because it's close enough."

According to the NTSB's preliminary report, the Alaska Airlines 737 Max that lost a door plug left Boeing's factory missing key bolts.

In March, the then-Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun said production needed to "slow down" to ensure quality.

737 Max production has been limited since the blowout, but some Boeing employees say they still face pressure.

The Seattle Times reported that at a recent union rally, Patric Boone, a machinist at the Everett plant, said employees are "overmanaged and undersupported."

"The house is on fire, and they're concentrated on turning the lights off," he added. "They're not seeing the problem."

In March, a team captain at the Renton factory told NTSB investigators: "Sometimes morale, right, can be low. We have a lot of turnover specifically because, you know, this can be a stressful job."

Boeing did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Business Insider, sent outside regular working hours on the Labor Day holiday.

Read the original article on Business Insider
On 2 September, a bomb disposal team retrieved the wreckage of a Kh-101 cruise missile near the city of Kyiv, which remained after the recent Russian missile strike.

Source: press service of Ukraines State Emergency Service (SES)

Quote: "At the scene, bomb disposal experts from Ukraine's State Emergency Service's Mobile Rescue Centre for Rapid Response seized the wreckage of a Russian Kh-101 strategic cruise missile of the air-to-ground class."

Photo: Ukraines State Emergency Service

Background: On the morning of 2 September, the Russians carried out a combined air attack on the city of Kyiv, using more than 10 cruise missiles, about a dozen ballistic missiles and an attack drone.

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The first new biography of one of Vermonts founding leaders to be published since 1928 is about to be released. The Vermont Historical Society has published Ira Allen: A Biography.

Former VHS executive director Kevin Graffagnino wrote the book. He noted that although Ira Allen is nowhere near as well known as his oldest brother, Ethan Allen, any account of the Green Mountain States formative years is incomplete without him.

Hes not noble, Graffagnino said. Hes not a brave military leader like Ethan. He wasnt well-liked in his own time, and its tough to warm up to him now.

Graffagnino said Ira Allen may have often acted in both Vermonts interests and his own interest simultaneously.

Ira was a nuanced, complicated man, but there were times when it was all about whats good for Ira Allen, Graffagnino added. And thats one of the reasons Vermonters dont particularly care for him.

Ira Allen grew up in Connecticut with almost no formal education and moved to Vermont as a young man.

But he publishes some 2,500 pages of books (and) pamphlets, Graffagnino said. Hes our most prolific 18th-century Vermont writer.

Ira Allen helped create Vermont as an independent republic in 1777 and a U.S. state in 1791. He designed Vermonts state seal and he donated to the state the land that the University of Vermont was built upon.

It doesnt matter whether you like him (or not), Graffagnino said. Youve just got to have him in the picture because hes involved in everything, so I hope the book will help get Ira up on the stage where he belongs.

Ira Allen: A Biography will be available for sale starting Friday, September 13.

The interview with Graffagnino that was used for this story will form the basis of two upcoming installments of This Place in History, which airs each Thursday on ABC 22 and Fox 44. These installments will air this Thursday, September 5 and Thursday, the 12th, just before the book goes on sale.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC22 & FOX44.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 2. Four people were killed in a shooting in the US state of Hawaii, two more were injured, Trend reports.

According to the information, the incident occurred due to a dispute between neighbors. At this time, the criminal fired a gun and killed three people, but he was also shot by one of the residents of the house. The man who killed the shooter was later arrested by police.

The injured were hospitalized, their condition is serious. An investigation is underway.
Booted NYC bar patron comes back with a gun and blasts cook  then gets shot by off-duty parole officer

An off-duty parole officer shot and wounded a ticked-off bar patron who was kicked out of a Bronx bar, police and sources said.

A wild shootout erupted at a Bronx bar Monday, when a booted patron came back with a gun and blasted a cook  before being shot himself by an off-duty parole officer and futilely trying to make a getaway in his SUV.

Padrika Thompson, who was free on a separate 2023 shooting rap, allegedly sparked the Labor Day gun play shortly after 1:45 am. at Kutty Bar & Lounge on Boston Road, according to sources.

The 40-year-old gunman had been kicked out of the watering hole, before grabbing a gun from his vehicle and coming back shooting, hitting the bars 37-year-old cook in the right leg.

Padrika Thompson allegedly opened fire in a local bar early on Labor Day and was shot by an off-duty parole officer, crashing his SUV nearby while trying to flee. G.N.Miller/NYPost

But an off-duty and armed state parole officer was at the scene and returned fire, hitting Thompson multiple times in the torso, according to police and sources.

The wounded shooter managed to make his way out to his white SUV and tried to flee, but crashed into a pole nearby.

I heard a boom, an eyewitness told The Post on Monday. Like a car crash. I looked out the window and I saw a car crashed into a pole.

There are a lot of fights in there, he said of the bar, describing the pubs clientele as street people.

I dont go in there. Its not the type of place I would go.

Police said both victims were rushed to Jacobi Hospital, where the cook is listed in stable condition and the gunman is listed in critical condition following the early-morning shootout.

The incident is under investigation.

One local, pizzeria worker Juan Hernandez, maintained that Kutty Bar & Lounge has not been a neighborhood concern.

They dont have a lot of riff-raff, said Hernandez. Its an isolated case. Most of the people who come in are older gentlemen. Their patrons are usually mature people like 30 or 40.

Cops got a call to Kutty Bar & Lounge on reports of a shooting victim around 1:45 a.m. Monday. The accused shooter, Padrika Thompson, is now in critical condition. G.N.Miller/NYPost

According to sources, Thompson already has an open shooting case stemming from an Oct. 29 shooting on White Plains Road in the Bronx.

He allegedly fired nine rounds in a drive-by shooting and struck a 34-year-old man in the buttocks, the sources said.

Thompson is due back in court on that case on Thursday.
Brattleboro, VT.  A 39-year-old man was arrested Monday morning after police recognized and pursued him for several arrest warrants.

Jeffrey King of Brattleboro was initially recognized by police riding a bicycle down Main Street.

King then fled from officers into Hinsdale, New Hampshire. He later returned to Brattleboro and was found by police on the railroad tracks.

Police say they removed King from his bicycle at the scene. King struggled against the officers until they used a taser and took him into custody.

King is being charged with resisting arrest, unlawful trespassing, and more. He is set to appear in court September 3 at 12:30 p.m.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC22 & FOX44.
Brazils Supreme Court on Monday upheld a ban on Elon Musks social media platform X  effectively shutting out more than 200 million people from using the popular app.

A majority of three out of five judges on the panel voted in a virtual session to affirm the decision by Justice Alexandre de Moraes, who last Friday ordered X blocked for failing to name a local legal representative as required by law.

X will remain offline until it complies with de Moraes orders and pays outstanding fines that as of last week exceeded $3 million, according to the courts website.

Musk and other free speech advocates have denounced de Moraes decision as a draconian act of censorship and a crackdown on freedom of expression  while the judge has insisted that X needs hate speech regulations.

The worlds richest man, who acquired the site formerly known as Twitter in late 2022 with the goal of allowing unfettered speech on the app, slammed de Moraes shortly before Mondays ruling.

He violated the constitution of Brazil repeatedly and egregiously, after swearing an oath to protect it, Musk posted on X.

In another post, Musk said de Moraes actions are against the will of the Brazilian people he is supposed to represent.

Musk and X did not immediately comment after the ruling.

The Supreme Court headquarters in Brasilia, Brazil as of March 20, 2024. AP

The dispute over X has its roots in a Moraes order from earlier this year that required the platform to block accounts implicated in probes of alleged spreading of distorted news and hate.

De Moraes ruling also imposed a daily fine of nearly $10,000 against anyone who utilizes a virtual private network (VPN) in order to circumvent the ban so as to log on to X.

The proposed fine is particularly onerous given that most Brazilians earn an annual wage that is less than $10,000.

Prior to Mondays decision, Musks satellite internet provider, Starlink, told Brazils telecommunications regulator that it will defy the court order to block X until its local accounts are unfrozen.

De Moraes last week ordered all telecom providers in the country to shut down X. The move led to the freezing of Starlinks bank accounts in Brazil.

Elon Musks X social network account displayed on a mobile screen, following suspension by Brazils telecommunications regulator. REUTERS

The largest South American country, and the seventh most populous nation in the world, is one of Xs biggest markets.

According to the research group Emarketer, some 40 million Brazilians access the site at least once per month.

Tensions between X and de Moraes began two years ago when the judge ordered the suspension of accounts linked to supporters of former President Jair Bolsonaro.

It has been alleged that the far-right Bolsonaro sought to undermine the voting system in the 2022 election which brought to power the current leader  President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.

In April, de Moraes ordered authorities to investigate X on suspicion that it reactivated some of the banned pro-Bolsonaro accounts.
The logo of social media platform X is seen on a mobile phone next to a reflection of Brazil's Supreme Court in this illustration taken August 30, 2024, in Brasilia

By Ricardo Brito and Luciana Magalhaes

BRASILIA/SAO PAULO (Reuters) -Tensions between Brazil and Elon Musk's business empire ratcheted up further as the country's telecoms regulator threatened to sanction his satellite broadband company Starlink hours after its top court stood behind a controversial decision to ban social network X from the country.

Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva also backed the top court's Judge Alexandre de Moraes' decision to suspend X. The judge found that X allowed postings of hate messages and falsehoods about the country's electronic voting system that undermined Brazils democracy.

"The Brazilian judiciary may have given an important signal that the world is not obliged to put up with Musk's far-right ideology just because he is rich," Lula said in an interview with CNN Brasil released on Monday.

Reacting to the judge's earlier move to freeze Starlink's accounts for possible use to pay fines owed by X, Musk said in an X posting that he would seek a reciprocal seizure of Brazilian assets, but did not say how.

Starlink on Monday again found itself in Brazilian authorities' crosshairs by refusing to obey Moraes' order for all internet providers to block domestic access to X.

A senior official at telecommunications regulator Anatel said sanctions against Starlink for noncompliance could include the revocation of its license to operate in Brazil.

Anatel commissioner Artur Coimbra told Reuters that the regulator is inspecting all Brazilian telecom operators to make sure they have shut down Musk's messaging platform.

Starlink is the only company that has told Anatel it will not comply with the judge's ruling, Coimbra said.

Starlink did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Monday.

It previously told Anatel it was refusing to remove X from its service until the freeze on its Brazilian bank accounts was lifted, the telecom regulator confirmed to Reuters earlier on Monday.

Moraes last week froze Starlink's accounts after X did not pay fines imposed for failing to obey judicial orders.

SIXTH-BIGGEST MARKET

Earlier on Monday, a Supreme Court panel voted unanimously to uphold the suspension of X in the country for defying a court order.

Moraes last week ruled that X should be suspended in Brazil because it did not name a local legal representative as required by law and ignored a deadline for compliance.

Justices Flavio Dino, Cristiano Zanin, Carmen Lucia and Luiz Fux sided with Justice Alexandre de Moraes. Three of the justices on the panel said the suspension could be reversed if the platform complied with previous rulings.

X did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the panel's decision.

X was taken down for most Brazilians in the early hours of Saturday following Moraes' decision although some people continued to access it through VPNs and other means. Moraes has also threatened to levy a fine of 50,000 reais ($8,902.66) a day on those using VPNs to access the social network, although it remains unclear how enforceable that threat is.

Brazil is X's sixth-biggest market globally with about 21.5 million users as of April, according to Statista.

Moraes and Musk, who owns a controlling share in Starlink, have been locked in a months-long feud after the social media platform challenged orders to block accounts accused by investigators of spreading misinformation and hate.

While Moraes' defenders see him as a crusader in the defense of democracy, critics accuse him of using heavy-handed methods on politicians and businessmen.

Musk has argued that Moraes sought to censor users and closed the X office in Brazil in August without appointing a new representative, triggering the suspension.

On Monday, Musk replied, "Exactly," to a post that described the suspension as an attack on freedom of expression and Brazilians' rights.

Chief Justice Luis Roberto Barroso, who was not on the review panel, said that removing legal representatives to avoid complying with court decisions "is a behavior that would not be acceptable anywhere in the world."

X remained inaccessible for most users in Brazil.

($1 = 5.6163 reais)

(Reporting by Luciana Magalhaes and Luana Maria Benedito in Sao Paulo, and Ricardo Brito in Brasilia; additional reporting by Andre Romani in Sao Paulo; Editing by Aurora Ellis and Christian Plumb)
The X platform logoo ssen on the screen of a smartphone and on the display of a laptop. Monika Skolimowska/dpa

A Brazilian Supreme Court panel has upheld the ban of Elon Musk's social media platform X amid the judiciary's long-running dispute with the billionaire.

The majority of the court's panel agreed with the earlier decision of Supreme Court justice Alexandre de Moraes to block X in Brazil, the news portal G1 reported on Monday.

On Friday, the judge had ordered "immediate and complete suspension" of X, formerly Twitter, throughout the country until the court's judicial decisions are complied with and the fines imposed are paid.

De Moraes accuses X of taking insufficient action against the spread of hate speech and fake news. Musk, for his part, accuses the judge of censorship and labelled him an "evil dictator."

The judge demanded that X block the accounts of right-wing activists who spread conspiracy theories and false information. Musk described the demand as unlawful, the online platform did not comply with the request - nor did it pay the fine imposed.

Musk then had the tech company's office in Brazil closed in mid-August on the grounds that he feared the company's representative in the country would be arrested.

De Moraes on Friday gave X an ultimatum, saying the platform's access in the country would be suspended if the company failed to appoint a legal representative within 24 hours. Musk let the deadline pass without appointing anyone.

The ban will remain in place until X has paid the fine of more than 18 million reais (nearly $3.3 million) and appointed a legal representative.

According to media reports, X has around 20 million users in Brazil.
A light breeze cooled down eager children, ready for a share of candy, during the annual Springfield Labor Day Parade on Monday morning.

Organized by the Springfield Central Labor Council, a partner of United Way of the Ozarks, the parade started on Missouri State University's campus, near Robert W. Plaster Stadium, traveled down Grand Street and concluded at Fassnight Park on Campbell Avenue. A picnic and car show were held at the park afterward.

Brandi VanAntwerp, president and CEO of United Way of the Ozarks, was this year's Grand Marshal. She was joined in the parade by several political candidates, eager to chat with voters about the upcoming general election, including Democrat gubernatorial candidate Crystal Quade, Missouri House District 136 Rep. Stephanie Hein, House District 135 Rep. Betsy Fogle, District 132 candidate Jeremy Dean and Missouri Senate District 29 candidate Ron Monnig.

Grand Street was serenaded with music provided by the Central High School Kiltie Drum & Bugle Corps and Parkview High School Lassies Drum & Bugle Corps. Numerous labor unions and local companies also joined the parade.

Greta Cross is the trending topics reporter for the Springfield News-Leader. She has more than five years of journalism experience covering everything from Ozarks history to Springfields LGBTQIA+ community. Follow her on X and Instagram @gretalcross. Story idea? Email her at gcross@news-leader.com.

This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Community gathers for annual Springfield Labor Day Parade
There has been a series of anti-tourism demonstrations across Spain this summer - Emilio Morenatti/AP

British holidaymakers drove a boom in tourists to Spain in July despite widespread protests against foreign visitors.

Spain received a record 10.9 million visitors in July, up by 7.3 per cent from July 2023, according to data published on Monday.

The increase, driven by British and German visitors, is expected to boost Spains economic growth to 2.4 per cent in 2024, significantly above the 0.7 per cent expected for the eurozone or Germanys 0.3 per cent.

Data from the National Statistics Institute showed that in the first seven months of 2024, spending by foreign visitors rose 18.6 per cent to 71 billion (60 billion).

Despite a 0.2 per cent dip in Germanys second-quarter domestic consumption, German tourists increased their spending in Spain by almost 10 per cent to an average of 1,340 (1,128) per visit.

Britons, who account for one in five visitors to Spain, spent 7.5 per cent more, or an average 1,389 (1,170), in July.

The figures suggest that anti-tourism protests have done little to discourage either nationality from visiting the country.

Protests are planned in Barcelona next weekend against the Americas Cup, with activists claiming the sailing race is elitist and offers little benefit for the citys residents.

Anti-tourism protesters sprayed tourists with water pistols in July in Barcelona

Demonstrators plan to form a human chain along Somorrostro Beach, one of the primary spots to view the race, on Saturday

The organisation, No to the Americas Cup, said the protest is designed to show the conflict between the popular occupation of the beaches and the privatisation of spaces such as the Americas Cup.

It is the latest protest against the impact of mass tourism in Spain this summer.

In July, widely shared footage filmed in Barcelona showed tourists being squirted with water pistols in the citys popular areas and crowds chanting Tourists go home.

In August, 80 protesters refused to stop walking across a zebra crossing in the Spanish village of Hio, Galicia, causing long tailbacks.

The demonstrators were unhappy about the traffic congestion caused by an influx of visitors in the summer months and feared the beaches were becoming degraded.

However, the anger directed at tourists is not shared by everyone.

In August, residents of Binibeca Vell, an idyllic village on Menorca, voted in a referendum to reject a total ban on tourists and instead opted to widen the hours they can visit the island.

Pedro Fiol, president of the Association of Balearic Travel Agents, said: I live here and I want to enjoy this beautiful island, but weve all got to make a living and that living, for the vast majority of people, comes from tourism.

The UK and Germany are the pillars of our tourist industry and we have got to make sure they remain strong because we cant afford to see the industry falter.

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 European Commission is calling on Mongolia to fulfill its obligations to the International Criminal Court (ICC) and place Vladimir Putin under arrest during his ongoing trip to the country.

"Mongolia is a state party to the Rome Statute of the ICC since 2002 with the legal obligations that it entails. We have raised our concern about the visit and stated our position of the ICC clearly via our delegation in Mongolia," a Commission spokesperson said on Monday, referring to the treaty that underpins the tribunal.

"The EU supports the investigation by the prosecutor of the ICC in Ukraine and we call for the cooperation by all state parties."

Putin's visit represents the first time the Russian president has ventured into the territory of an ICC party since the court issued an arrest warrant against him over war crimes committed in Ukraine. A previous trip to South Africa, another state party, was cancelled following an international outcry.

Putin and one of his deputies, Maria Alekseyevna Lvova-Belova, are accused of being responsible for the deportation and transfer of Ukrainian children from occupied areas to Russia. The Kremlin has described the charges as "outrageous and unacceptable," dismissing the ICC decision as "legally void."

Russia is not a party to the Rome Statute.

By contrast, Mongolia is and is therefore expected to comply with the arrest warrants issued by the court. The Hague-based tribunal does not have the means to enforce its decisions and relies on state parties to provide the necessary resources, including by placing under arrest any suspect who sets foot on their soil.

Mongolia has made no indication that it would move ahead and fulfill the request during the high-profile visit, organised at the invitation of Mongolian President Ukhnaagiin Khurelsukh. The heads of state are expected to hold official talks on Tuesday and celebrate several milestones in bilateral relations.

The Kremlin's spokesperson, Dmitry Peskov, previously said there were "no worries" about the trip. "We have a wonderful dialogue with our friends from Mongolia," he said.

The ICC did not immediately reply to a request for comment.

Last week, an ICC spokesperson reminded Mongolia of its obligations under the Rome Statute and said that "in case of non-cooperation, ICC judges may make a finding to that effect and inform the Assembly of States Parties of it. It is then for the assembly to take any measure it deems appropriate," without specifying the nature of those measures.

Human Rights Watch also weighed in on the debate, urging Mongolia to either deny entry to Putin or place him under arrest.

"Welcoming Putin, an ICC fugitive, would not only be an affront to the many victims of Russian forces' crimes, but would also undermine the crucial principle that no one, no matter how powerful, is above the law," said Maria Elena Vignoli, senior international justice counsel at Human Rights Watch.

The organisation noted that Mongolia was among the 94 countries that signed in June a joint statement declaring their "unwavering support" for the ICC after Prosecutor Karim Khan faced backlash for seeking arrest warrants against two Israeli officials, including Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and three Hamas leaders.

One of the sitting ICC judges, Erdenebalsuren Damdin, is from Mongolia.
CHEROKEE COUNTY, S.C. (WSPA)  Fire crews responded to a business fire Sunday in Spartanburg County.

The Cowpens Fire Department said agencies responded to a call regarding a fire at the Mermet Manufacturing on North Main Street.

Firefighters said the fire was contained within fifteen minutes after first responders arrival.

According to the fire department, the plant was closed due to Labor Day Weekend. The cause of the fire may have been due to the ductwork system, officials said.

No injuries were reported.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Libbie Luevanos-Herrera has been in activism before  mainly on teenage suicide.

But the 28-year-old recently joined SOMOS, a program of trainings run by the American Civil Liberties Union of Idaho to foster Latino leadership and advocacy, as well as fight against the narratives around immigration ahead of the presidential election.

Luevanos-Herrera said she wanted to connect more with her community, and immigration has touched her life. Shes a DACA child  the acronym for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, referring to the federal program that protects children brought by their parents to the United States at a young age without having permanent legal status.

DACA rules her entire life, she said. Luevanos-Herrera basically lives in two-year cycles of applying to get reapproved to keep the programs protections for her in place.

Latino advocacy is heating up, Luevanos-Herrera said, standing in a hallway at the Idaho Hispanic Community Center. I feel like the younger generations are seeing what their parents went through or what they themselves went through, and they understand what power looks like. Theyre understanding that they can drive narratives.

Idahos Hispanic population has grown 36% since 2010, and it is up 26% nationwide in the same time frame, according to the U.S. Census Bureau and the Pew Research Center.

And many immigrants face rhetoric referring to them as nefarious or criminals, as seen in Eagle recently during a campaign to make the town a nonsanctuary city. This sort of rhetoric also causes anxiety for U.S.-born Latinos, according to previous reporting.

That day in early August at the ACLU of Idaho event, staff members stood in front of around two dozen people tucked into a meeting room at the community center, part of the SOMOS trainings.

On two white pieces of paper taped to the wall, participants first discussed the general publics thoughts about immigrants, often in what they described as negative terms. Then they wrote down what they think immigrants actually are: hard workers, taxpayers, family-oriented. The group agreed that immigrants arent seen enough in that more positive light.

How do we take that power back? one of the staff members asked the group.

In part, the goal of the program is for people to understand their past and heal, while they also get involved in the community.

Leonardo Gonzalez, 25, said the program helped him realize that a lot of his past behavior was a result of feeling unaccepted.

I felt like I was just a part of a system that didnt want me to succeed, Gonzalez said. I actually would like to be a lot more involved. ... I didnt even realize this was a thing.

Theres a long, rich history of Latino advocacy and activism in Idaho, from fighting for a farmworker minimum wage and immigrant rights marches in 2006, to protests against a potential Immigration and Customs Enforcement center in Jerome in 2017.

I dont think its ever gone away, said Irene Ruiz, executive director of the Idaho Organization of Resource Councils. We were more reactionary when it came to the Trump administration.

But Idaho Latino activism is expanding into more facets, Ruiz said.

There have been immigration issues to address under both recent presidential administrations, said Estefania Mondragon, executive director of PODER of Idaho, who agreed that Latino activism is broadening into areas such as environmentalism.

There are many issues we can be a part of and that we should be a part of, Mondragon said.

Its amazing. Theres a renaissance coming here in Idaho, of Latino voices, Latino art and Latino culture in the state, Mondragon said. Its like a building of identity for Latinos here in Idaho.

Annai Aguilera Gonzalez, 20, attended the SOMOS program sessions. She said she got her start in activism in middle school, when she saw young students worrying about ICE patrols.

There are amazing organizations to join, Aguilera Gonzalez said, and even more that are on the rise as Latino communities work to have their voices heard.

I have a lot more hope for (activism), Aguilera Gonzalez told the Statesman. Especially after coming to programs like these. ... Its going to get strong.
This year's Geneva Watch Days showcased an impressive array of new releases. Discover them all in our Geneva Watch Days Gallery

What better way to explore the watch industrys key novelties than in images? The Geneva Watch Days were lively this year, with 33 new releases being published on WorldTempus. Discover them right below!
Coroner identifies 7 victims killed in Mississippi bus crash on way from Atlanta to Dallas

Investigators with the National Transportation Safety Board have released new details from a Mississippi bus crash that killed seven people and injured 37 others.

The NTSB confirmed that the bus was traveling from Atlanta to Dallas, Texas at the time of the crash.

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Investigators said the 2018 Volvo bus was on Interstate 20 westbound when a tire failed causing the bus to overturn in an embankment early Saturday morning just east of Vicksburg.

A preliminary report is expected within 30 days of the crash, but the NTSB said a full investigation may take up to two years.

Warren County Coroner Doug L. Huskey released the names of the victims to ABC News on Monday:

Miguel Ariaga, 61, of Mexico

Victor Aviles Garcia, 32, of Mexico

Moises Aviles Garcia, 30, of Mexico (Victors brother)

Kain Gutierrez, 8, of Mexico (initially identified at 6 due to a language barrier)

Perla Gutierrez, 16, of Mexico (Kains sister)

Elia Guzman, 63, of Mexico

Angelica Palomino, 16, of Mexico

CNN reports that the bus belongs to Autobuses Regiomontanos, a company that transports passengers between Mexico and the United States, according to a spokeswoman.

All of the passengers go through proper immigration checkpoints and must show their passports or visas to enter either Mexico or the United States, Miranda Fernandez told CNN.

TRENDING STORIES:

ABC News and CNN contributed to this report.

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IN OTHER NEWS
Good morning and welcome to the A.M. Alert!

THE BELL TOLLS FOR SB 94

In the end, it just couldnt make it to the floor for a vote.

In the waning days of the legislative session, the Assembly last week opted not to bring SB 94, the troubled criminal justice reform bill by Sen. Dave Cortese, D-San Jose, for final consideration. bringing an end to a two-year bill process that saw many ups and downs.

After two years of negotiations and over a dozen deliberated amendments, I am incredibly disappointed that SB 94 was not granted the opportunity to be heard and the amendments considered for vote by the full Legislature. The bill, like those it wouldve helped, did not get its day in court, Cortese said in a statement.

SB 94 would have granted certain incarcerated individuals serving life in prison without the possibility of parole the opportunity to petition for re-sentencing, provided they were sentenced before June 5, 1990, and that they have served a minimum of 25 years. The bill wouldve exempted sex offenders and people found guilty of killing police officers.

The California model of rehabilitation often works, but we must do better. We must continue the conversation and revisit racist, inconsistent and harmful sentencing that has disproportionately impacted Californians for over twenty years, and will continue to wreak havoc until fixed, Cortese said.

Legislative Republicans, who loudly opposed the bill, were equally loud to cheer its failure.

The radical SB 94 was a direct assault on the rights of California families who have suffered the unimaginable loss of a loved one at the hands of violent criminals, said Senate Minority Leader Brian Jones, R-Santee, in a statement. Thank you to Californians for standing up for justice, victims rights, and public safety. Together, weve ensured that when violent murderers brutally take a life, they lose their right to freedom  forever.

Assembly Republican Leader James Gallagher, R-Yuba City, added that Violent murderers deserve to be punished for their crimes. Im proud we were able to amplify the voices of victims demanding justice, and grateful for the unwavering support from members of law enforcement and district attorneys who helped kill this harmful bill.

Cortese defended his bill in his statement, saying that the proposed amendments would have narrowed SB 94 substantially, and demonstrated our constant attention to the voices of concern while keeping intact its original intent  judicial equity.

SB 94 would not let a single person out of prison, it is not a risk to public safety nor does it tie judges hands in favor of resentencing. We must have faith that our judicial system, parole board and executive branch act to ensure safety and justice, Cortese said.

TUBBS NOTCHES HIS OWN ENDORSEMENTS

Last week, we revealed that Democrat Sen. Steven Bradford has garnered the support of a number of his Sacramento colleagues in his bid to be lieutenant governor in 2026.

This week, fellow Democrat Michael Tubbs, former mayor of Stockton, has notched his own endorsements, including from former state senator and current Los Angeles County Supervisor Holly Mitchell.

His work as Stocktons mayor and leading statewide and national advocacy groups exemplify the type of leader we need as lieutenant governor  someone who will lead on better education, a healthier environment, and a fairer economy for all, Mitchell said in a statement.

Tubbs made a name for himself as mayor when he unveiled a guaranteed basic income program for some of his constituents, providing them with no-strings-attached money to help them pay for lifes necessities.

He now serves as special adviser to Gov. Gavin Newsom, as well as the founder of the group Mayors for a Guaranteed Income.

Tubbs and Bradford are two top Democrats seeking the office of lieutenant governor  a springboard to higher office for many, including Newsom. California State Treasurer Fiona Ma is a third. No prominent Republican has entered the race yet.

QUOTE OF THE DAY

When California voters passed Proposition 1 in March, we promised you transformational change. Today, were continuing to show our work  for you, the people of California. Counties have the tools to create change, and now Californians will have the tools to track their countys progress. Its up to all of us to make sure these life-saving transformations are happening urgently on the local level.

- California Gov. Gavin Newsom, discussing the launch of a new website intended to hold the government accountable for the implementation of Proposition 1, the 2024 measure to expand mental health and substance abuse treatment in the state.

Best of The Bee:

California lawmakers approve banning synthetic food dyes in schools. Will Newsom sign it? Via Nicole Nixon .

Bill seeking to close California state workers pay gaps has final hurdle: Gavin Newsoms desk, via William Melhado .

California lawmakers plan to give out $500M in electric bill refunds, streamline clean energy, via Ari Plachta.
With college students returning to campus, and the brutal war in Gaza continuing unabated, many schoolsincluding mineare bracing for renewed protests. As president of Wesleyan University in Connecticut, I have already received demands from Pro-Palestinian undergraduatesnot to mention emails from students, parents, and alumni demanding that I silence those undergraduates. Throw in the heightened tension of a presidential election in two months, and the coals on many campuses may only get hotter.

Thats a good thing. Colleges and universities should not retreat into some fantasy of neutrality. They should help students practice something that has become a prominent theme in the presidential race: freedom.

In the West, the student has long been conceptualized as someone on the path to freedom, to thinking for oneself in the company of others. Its an idealized notion, to be sure, but a practical one as well. The proof of a good education is that ones capacity to learn continues to grow after graduationand thats precisely what economies that prize innovation, and democracies that encourage deliberation and change, need from their participants. The student, practicing freedom on a path to maturity, learns how to attend to others; and paying attention is a key step in creating opportunities, righting wrongs, or helping those who are suffering. The good student turns out to be a good thinker, a good provider, and a good neighbor.

The good student doesnt do this alone. Deeply embedded in the culture of American higher education is the notion of what literary historian Andrew Delbanco calls lateral learning, the proposition that students have something important to learn from one another. While we expect professors to offer instruction in the fields in which they have expertise, most American colleges, especially residential ones, promise that learning will be a communal journey in which ones peers help one to flourish. But if these peers are too much like oneself, if a student too easily fits in at a college, then the journey wont go far.

Homogeneity in the student bodynot only in terms of racial or ethnic identity, but also in points of view, belief systems, aspirations, interests, and so onundermines colleges mission to help students develop personal autonomy. Thats why its so important for schools to recruit students from every part of the country (and, if possible, from around the world). Its also why the Supreme Court decision ending race-based affirmative action was so pernicious: It privileges (questionable) notions of individual fairness over community diversity, causing the community as a whole to learn less. Lateral learning really only works when students, both inside and outside the classroom, have to navigate differenceits a critical element to practicing freedom.

At the same time, if we truly believe in the benefits of diversity, we in higher education should take to heart criticism of our own insularity and our role in effectively reinforcing forms of inequality and elitism. If our students are learning to look down on anyone who lacks the same level of education, then our talk about diversity can seem just a cover for defending the current economic and cultural hierarchy. Wearing the mantle of progressivism doesnt get you off the hook. Just because you believe you are on the right side of history doesnt justify contempt for those who dont share your vision of the future.

In education, insularity should be the enemy. Yet we liberal-arts academics, despite celebrating broad learning, often nurture niche cultures and speak in esoteric dialects that would seem foreign to many Americans. At the same time, extreme parochialism has been growing in the public sphere, thanks in part to fear-based politics. This is antithetical to liberal learning, whether it is conducted under the reactionary guise of various nationalist causes or the progressive guise of defending the latest version of a minoritized identity. In both cases, certain kinds of people are too often dismissed as having nothing to teach us.

Writing off people with whom one disagrees will always be easier than listening carefully to their arguments or attending to their creative endeavors. But without tolerance and open-mindedness, inquiry can be at best just a path to self-congratulation, and at worst, violent scapegoating. By contrast, a liberal education should deepen ones ability to learn from people unlike oneself and with whom one doesnt agree. Such a relation to others can help calm the politics of resentment raging about us.

But does it? Critics of higher education say its a phony meritocracy, accuse faculty of indoctrinating students, and claim that students pad their resumes with meaningless credentials and demand straight As merely for having completed the assignments. The charges of unfair student admissions that underpinned the legal assault on affirmative action, like the criticisms above, attack the integrity of learning as a path to freely thinking for oneself. After all, if the opportunity to study is unevenly made available to people, then it should be rejected by a thoughtful person who recognizes that such education is really corruption. If going to college means participating in ones own indoctrination, then one can find no enlightenment there.

Campuses have long been screens upon which the broader culture expresses its anxieties about political and social change, economic dislocation, and the decline of traditional mores. Critics on both the left and the right havent been questioning the modern Enlightenment idea of learning as a journey to maturity so much as doubting whether students were actually on that path. Whether accusing students of radicalism or conformism, apathy or grade-grubbing, nearly all critics bemoan the inability of undergraduates to think for themselves.

Critics of higher education want it to live up to the ideal of being an opportunity for learning freedom. So do its defenders. And so do many of its students. To that end, there are two fundamental pragmatic goals for the university: to preserve culture and to stimulate inquiry for the sake of social progress. Of course, we will debate with one another about how much we should be preserving and what really counts as progress. But those debates help higher education fulfill its purposesby offering an opportunity, to paraphrase John Dewey, to teach students to share in the arts of living. Civilization is uncivil, he wrote, because human beings are divided into non-communicating sects, races, nations, classes and cliques. We practice freedom to break down those artificial divisions and to open up possibilities of meaning, of joy, and of productive work.

Practicing freedom can be messy, as it surely will be on many campuses this fall. Thinking for yourself in the company of others, especially when the coals are hot, is not easy. But our disagreements will teach us lessons that will serve us well long after the coals have cooled.
Re-elect Mark Paige for state rep.

To the Editor:

I am writing to express my wholehearted support for Mark Paige for re-election as a state representative (D-Exeter). I have known Mark for over ten years as my neighbor and friend. He is the calm, compassionate voice of reason we need in our State House right now. He truly listens to his constituents and brings issues that matter to Congress, making positive change.

Mark is a public education champion, disability rights advocate, and strong civics supporter. He was the board chair and project manager to fund and build an Exeter facility for one of the largest non-profit early childcare providers in the state, and was the prime sponsor of legislation requiring voter registration assistance for all disabled students with an Individualized Education Program. This legislation was signed into law in 2021 during Mark's first term, which is an incredible testament to his ability to reach across the aisle and make positive change. He tirelessly advocates for democracy and is the prime sponsor of multiple bills to expand voter access, increase voting accessibility, and instruct youth in voter registration and civic responsibilities.

Mark is also a strong advocate of women's rights and will fight to ensure NH women are able to make their own decisions about their bodies and their futures. As a father of three amazing young women, Mark voted for codifying abortion rights in the New Hampshire Constitution, voted against extreme abortion bans, and continues to advocate for equal rights. He is a perceptive, emotionally intelligent leader who puts citizens interests first.

Please vote to re-elect Mark Paige as a state representative on Sept. 10 so he can continue to protect and advance equal rights and democracy in New Hampshire.

Laura Knott

Exeter

A call to action to address Hampton Beach marsh flooding

To the Editor:

The recurring issue of marsh flooding at Hampton Beach, particularly the brackish water seeping into homes, calls for immediate attention and intervention from the state of New Hampshire.

The problem lies in the soils on the marsh side of Ashworth Avenue, specifically the Ipswich Mucky Peat with a staggering depth of 80 inches, according to the National Cooperative Soil Survey (NCSS). The detrimental impact on homeowners, especially senior citizens, cannot be overlooked, as the costs associated with raising individual properties are exorbitant. It is imperative that the state undertakes a comprehensive study to assess the problem and proposes effective solutions, such as the construction of a berm, to mitigate the adverse effects of flooding.

The state of New Hampshire should take urgent steps toward examining the flooding issue at Hampton Beach. A detailed analysis is essential to comprehensively understand the problem and its root causes. By collaborating with experts in the field, New Hampshire can develop a well-informed strategy that can protect homes from the destructive intrusion of marsh water. As the financial burden of repeatedly raising individual properties is unreasonable, it becomes imperative for the government to step in and provide a cost-effective solution that benefits all residents, particularly the elderly, who often struggle to bear the expenses.

One possible course of action is to study the response and measures undertaken by other coastal cities facing similar challenges. For instance, Norfolk, Virginia, has invested heavily in a $2.6 billion project with flood gates, levees, and pump stations in collaboration with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Evaluating and learning from their approach could provide valuable insights and potential solutions for Hampton Beach. By adopting such proactive measures and engaging in collaborative efforts with relevant stakeholders, New Hampshire can significantly mitigate the damage caused by marsh flooding.

In conclusion, the marsh flooding at Hampton Beach requires immediate attention from the state of New Hampshire. The state must conduct an in-depth study of the problem and propose effective solutions that can protect residents from the damaging effects of brackish water intrusion. The construction of a berm and exploring innovative measures employed by other coastal cities can help facilitate long-term protection and enhance the resilience of Hampton Beach against the threat of recurrent flooding. By taking prompt action, New Hampshire can alleviate the financial burden on its residents and provide a secure and sustainable living environment for all.

Ken Sheffert

Hampton state rep. candidate

Warmington, an ethical campaigner

To the Editor:

Campaign tactics can distinguish one candidate from another. Executive Counsellor Cinde Warmington has distinguished her candidacy by addressing the issues important to N.H. residents. Joyce Craigs campaign is using smear tactics to imply that a brief employment responsibility regarding opioids over two decades ago would influence Cinde Warmingtons actions and ethics as governor.

As a physician, what I knew two decades ago about the risks of opioids is very different from what we now understand. Cinde Warmington has distinguished herself as an advocate combating the opioid epidemic.

I believe that good campaigning ethics reflect an ethical and responsible candidate. I want my governor to be straightforward and honest, and that is why I support Cinde Warmington for N.H. governor.

Skip Berrien

Exeter

Mark Paige has earned another term in the NH House

To the Editor:

I am writing to support the candidacy of Mark Paige (D-Exeter) to represent us in the N.H. Legislature for another term.

Most importantly, he has been a solid advocate for public education. He has been at the forefront of the efforts by the N.H. Democrats to oppose Frank Edelbluts expensive voucher scheme, which diverts valuable tax dollars from public education to private schools and religious schools. He is a product of the public schools himself, and a school law attorney and expert in educational policy. He is well prepared to protect our valuable teachers from claims alleging violations of the unconstitutional divisive concepts law. As an ex-school board member myself, I need someone to take on these important battles in Concord for me.

In addition, Mark has been a strong advocate for a womans right to make her own health care decisions. He voted against the extreme anti-abortion bills in N.H. in two sessions, including the efforts to ban abortion after 15 days. He is the father of three young women himself, and he is looking out for our children and grandchildren who need to have equal rights for healthcare in N.H.

Join me in voting for Mark Paige for the N.H. Legislature in November.

Sally Oxnard

Exeter

Chris Muns understands NH needs more affordable housing

To the Editor:

Today, the average cost of a home on the Seacoast is $831,000. With average statewide household income levels of about $90,000 and an inventory of available homes of only about 1,000 statewide, the American Dream of owning your own home is rapidly becoming out of reach for more and more of our hardworking family, friends and neighbors.

Even finding an affordable place to rent is becoming more of a challenge. The average rent for a two-bedroom in Rockingham County is $1,944. But here, as well, there are only a few units available, and the vacancy rate for two-bedroom apartments is well below 1%.

Statewide, there is currently a shortage of over 23,500 housing units needed to stabilize the housing supply. In total, we will need almost 60,000 new units by 2030  and 90,000 by 2040 - to accommodate estimated population growth.

If we want our children and grandchildren to remain in New Hampshire and have a chance to raise families of their own here, we have got to make addressing this housing crisis a real priority.

Chris Muns understands that, and it is one of the reasons he is running for re-election as one of Hamptons N.H. state representatives. He knows that we cannot afford another two years of inaction on the issues such as this that really matter to us in Hampton.

Thats why I am supporting Chris Muns for N.H. state representative and encourage you to do the same. For more information, go to chrismuns.net.

Jane Ansaldo Church

Hampton

Gannon: Keeping Granite Staters safe is my top priority

To the Editor:

Senate Republicans have worked extremely hard this year to keep New Hampshire the safest state in the nation. We have seen the terrifying consequences of this administrations disastrous border policies in our neighboring states. That is why this year my Republican colleagues and I crafted legislation to protect New Hampshire from the spiraling immigration crisis, both on our southern border and our northern border.

There were nearly 190,000 illegal immigrant encounters along the Northern Border in 2023. Encounters in the Swanton Sector of New Hampshire, Vermont, and New York in 2023 increased by 620% from the prior year. Terrorist screening encounters along the Northern Border increased by almost 800% from 2021 to 2023.

This year, I was proud to sponsor legislation that would ban sanctuary cities in New Hampshire. I voted to invalidate out-of-state drivers licenses issued to illegal aliens. We also protected the Northern Border Alliances ability to stop drug smuggling and human trafficking into New Hampshire and protected the program from attempts to overregulate it, defund it, and end it entirely.

Open borders in the north and south have brought an influx of fentanyl into our country and our state, which is why this year, I sponsored and helped pass in the Senate mandatory minimum sentences for trafficking and distributing large quantities of fentanyl. We also defeated harmful legislation that would have decriminalized illicit drugs such as fentanyl, heroin, and cocaine.

Keeping Granite Staters safe is my top priority as your State Senator. I will never stop working to keep New Hampshire the safest state in the nation.

Senator Bill Gannon

Sandown

Exeter needs Mark Paige back in Concord

To the Editor:

I am writing this letter to express my strong support for N.H. Rep. Mark Paige (D-Exeter), and to urge my fellow independents (and Republicans and Democrats) to vote for him in the upcoming primary (September 10) and general election (November 5).

Mark is in a tough reelection battle, and he deserves all our support to continue the positive work he is doing for the citizens of Exeter and the rest of New Hampshire.

Mark has been a leader in Concord, fighting for reproductive rights against extremists, protecting voter rights, and championing the rights of those with disabilities.

In only two terms, Mark has been named a "Champion of Democracy" for his work promoting voter rights and civic engagement through efforts to modernize the election system, instruct youth in voter registration, and increase voting accessibility for more N.H. citizens.

He has been an outspoken disability rights advocate. In an almost unprecedented achievement as a first-term legislator, he won passage into law of a bill requiring voter registration assistance for all disabled students with an Individualized Educational Program.

In only his second term, he was the prime sponsor of a bill establishing a pilot program to provide accessible voting devices for people with disabilities in city and town elections statewide. That bill recently was signed into law by Governor Sununu.

These bills required Republican votes in the N.H. House and Senate to pass, demonstrating Marks ability to be a model legislator  a bipartisan problem-solver responsive to his constituents needs and those of all N.H. citizens.

Mark is pro-choice and has voted against extreme anti-abortion bills since he was first elected in 2020. He has voted for codifying abortion rights in the State constitution, and, as the father of three young women, he is fighting to ensure they have equal rights.

As an expert in educational policy, a school law attorney, and a former public school teacher, Mark is a staunch advocate for our public school system. He opposes Education Freedom Accounts that divert funds from public education to private and religious schools.

Given the many challenges facing our State, we need Mark back in Concord  now more than ever.

Please vote to re-elect Mark Paige to the N.H. House in September (primary) and November (general election).

Respectfully,

Peter Lennon

Exeter

Mark Paige committed to doing what is right for Exeter

To the Editor:

The first time I met Mark Paige, he was standing on a piece of cardboard, holding a sleeping bag, and preparing to spend the night outside toward the end of March. He was participating in the annual Waypoint SleepOut, an event that raises awareness about youth homelessness in New Hampshire. He had brought along one of his daughters, who also had a sleeping bag as she was joining in too. Mark was simultaneously addressing a serious issue in our state, supporting his daughters decision to do something helpful for other young people, and setting an example as someone willing to take on a challenge in the interests of an important cause.

Mark has been our state representative for two terms, and he is running again to earn the right to return to the State House. Being a legislator has challenges of its own, but Mark knows that even when the going gets tough, the goal of good government is to do whats best for the people it serves. In his time as our State Rep, Mark has worked to address New Hampshires low rate of voter registration for eligible 18-year-olds, sponsoring a bill to include education in High Schools that teaches students the importance of voting responsibly and how to register. He was the prime sponsor of bills that expanded voter access to online registration and assistive technology at the polls. These efforts resulted in recognition as the 2024 Champion of Democracy from Open Democracy.

A former public school graduate, teacher, and school law attorney, he has strengthened our schools by opposing the diversion of taxpayer dollars away from public education to the private sector. His leadership on the Judiciary Committee halted actions that would have promoted the unconstitutional divisive concepts law.

He has voted to advance womens health by opposing extreme abortion bills during both of his terms in Concord.He served as board chair and lead negotiator/project manager to fund and build a non-profit new childcare facility on Rt 27 for Great Bay Kids Co.

In his efforts both as a concerned citizen and as our State Rep, Mark is committed to doing what is right for the people in Exeter and across New Hampshire. He needs your vote in the primary on September 10 and the general election on November 5. This is your opportunity to show that you value what he has accomplished and want to see his service continue. Showing up at the polls may take some time out of your schedule, but it will be a lot easier than sleeping outside on a cold night!

Wendy Gladstone

Exeter

Economic growth and government growth go hand and hand

To the Editor:

In a letter that appeared on August 23, state rep. candidate Ken Sheffert wrote that, we must choose between economic growth and government growth. Really? Havent the economy and government been growing together since our country was founded? Actually, economic growth would not be possible without a growing number of services provided by the government. For example, the enforcement of business contracts depends on the judicial branch.

He concludes with, By promoting and encouraging economic growth, we can empower individuals and families to build their financial legacies and "Let us  focus on fostering an environment, that nurtures economic growth  Who is going to do the promoting, encouraging, and focusing, if not our government?

Milt Lauenstein

Exeter

Mark Paige exemplifies honesty, fairness, and thoughtfulness

To the Editor:

Most of us have entered the polling booth with our ballot in hand, only to realize that there are candidates on the list whose names are unfamiliar to us. My goal in writing this letter is to introduce you to a remarkable Exeter resident who is seeking re-election for the position of NH state representative in the Sept. 10th Democratic primary.

Mark Paige has served two terms in Concord representing Exeter, proving his ability to work across party lines to make a difference for our community. As an attorney specializing in educational policy, he comes by his passion for the public school system honestly. Raised in a family of public school teachers, Mark is a product of public schools, was a public school teacher himself, and has tirelessly advocated for public education; for example, he opposes so-called Education Freedom Accounts that divert taxpayer dollars away from public schools.

He has also supported womens rights and reproductive freedom, voting against extreme abortion bills and in favor of codifying abortion rights in the state constitution. As a father of three young women, he fights to ensure they have equal rights.

Mark finds time to be an engaged leader in our community, serving on numerous volunteer boards and committees. He led the effort a few years ago to help a nonprofit early child care facility build and expand in Exeter so that working families can have affordable child care.

In all he does, Mark exemplifies honesty, fairness, and thoughtfulness. He is approachable and engaged, and he has a willingness to listen closely to the publics concerns and questions.

I enthusiastically endorse Mark and hope that you will consider doing the same.

Please vote on Sept. 10. Your vote is your opportunity to make a difference!

Gwen English

Exeter

Re-elect Mark Paige for state representative

To the Editor:

I am writing to express my wholehearted support for Mark Paige for re-election as a state representative (D-Exeter). I have known Mark for over ten years as my neighbor and friend. He is the calm, compassionate voice of reason we need in our State House right now. He truly listens to his constituents and brings issues that matter to Congress, making positive change.

Mark is a public education champion, disability rights advocate, and strong civics supporter. He was the board chair and project manager to fund and build an Exeter facility for one of the largest non-profit early childcare providers in the state and was the prime sponsor of legislation requiring voter registration assistance for all disabled students with an Individualized Education Program. This legislation was signed into law in 2021 during Mark's first term, which is an incredible testament to his ability to reach across the aisle and make positive change. He tirelessly advocates for democracy and is the prime sponsor of multiple bills to expand voter access, increase voting accessibility, and instruct youth in voter registration and civic responsibilities.

Mark is also a strong advocate of women's rights and will fight to ensure NH women are able to make their own decisions about their bodies and their futures. As a father of three amazing young women, Mark voted for codifying abortion rights in the New Hampshire Constitution, voted against extreme abortion bans, and continues to advocate for equal rights. He is a perceptive, emotionally intelligent leader who puts citizens interests first.

Please vote to re-elect Mark Paige as a State Representative on September 10 so he can continue to protect and advance equal rights and democracy in New Hampshire.

Laura Knott

Exeter

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Sept. 10 state primary candidate endorsements: Hampton/Exeter letters
Car crash involving oil tanker on I-95 leads to road closures in Miami-Dade. Avoid the area

A car crash Sunday afternoon led to a portion of I-95 southbound being shutdown for hours in Miami-Dade.

Aronud 1 p.m., traffic cameras showed multiple vehicle with heavy damage, including an oil tanker truck that rolled over in the southbound lane near NW 119th Street, according to CBS Miami.

Miami-Dade police recommended drivers avoid the area and seek alternate routes.

Lanes were still closed as of 7 p.m. It is unclear if any drivers sustained injuries because of the crash.

This story is still developing.
Executive Director of Better Boundaries Katie Wright talks with supporters after a rally by Better Boundaries on the steps of the state capitol building in Salt Lake City on Monday, Aug. 26, 2024. | Brice Tucker, Deseret News

Should the Utah Constitution say the Legislature can amend or repeal citizen-led initiatives and foreign (out of country) influence should not be allowed to sway Utahns on voting for or against initiatives?

That is a question Utah voters will have to answer on their ballots.

The Deseret News has spoken with Utah majority leaders about why they believe the amendment should be passed, as well as leaders from Better Boundaries, a group opposing the amendment.

Better Boundaries case against the amendment

We, the people, are the final check on the power of politicians, said Katie Wright, executive director of Better Boundaries. And that is why its so important that when were trying to form or reform the very government that is for us and by us, that we have the final say.

Wright said the Utah Supreme Courts decision that said legislators can amend initiatives that alter or reform the government by narrowly tailoring the amendment to a compelling government interest was prudent.

It allows the legislative body to make tweaks and changes as long as there is a compelling interest, and that is a proper and prudent balance of powers, said Wright.

The process leading up to lawmakers putting the amendment on voters ballot was antithetical to a robust thriving republic, said Wright, adding there was only a few minutes of public intent in the committee meeting. There was no debate, no meetings across the state to gauge the publics interest in this.

When Wright was asked why there should be a difference in the way lawmakers can amend laws originating from alter and reform initiatives and laws the legislative body passed themselves, she said giving them the ability to carte blanche change what a majority of Utahns have voted for is giving them unchecked power.

I think the politicians have proven their unwillingness to listen to the people, and thats when we go to court, said Wright, pointing toward the lawsuit over the redistricting maps. She said after the initiative to create an independent redistricting commission passed, lawmakers completely overrode the decisions of the independent commission and put in place the worst gerrymander weve had in our states history.

Wright said this was a prime example of the super-majority Legislature absolutely at every stage discarding the will of the people and acting in very bad faith.

In Wrights eyes, giving the Legislature the ability to amend and repeal initiatives is effectively taking away the right of Utahs to pass initiatives.

What it affirmatively does is make our ability to pass initiatives totally beside the point, said Wright.

Lawmakers also passed a bill requiring themselves to keep the general purpose of an initiative intact when making amendments. Wright said she still thinks it gives the power people have now to politicians.

As for the other part of the amendment  stating foreign influences will not be allowed to sway voters on initiatives  Wright said she thinks it was put in the amendment to entice Utah voters. She said she does not think there should be out-of-country influence on initiatives, but also thought voters will see through the amendment.

If she was speaking to a Utah voter who sees the amendment as necessary for preserving the states constitutional republic, Wright said she would point back toward the Utah Supreme Court decision.

The Utah Supreme Court decision was unanimous and specific that there are guardrails in certain ballot initiatives  what the Legislature can do and those are an appropriate check on power that allow us to ensure the politicians are working for us, said Wright.

The campaign against the amendment will be straightforward, said Wright. Utah voters have the ability to check the power of politicians through this constitutional right and I dont think they will give that up.

Supporters with signs stand on the state capitol building steps during a rally by Better Boundaries in Salt Lake City on Monday, Aug. 26, 2024. | Brice Tucker, Deseret News

Ralph Becker, former Salt Lake City mayor, was one of the co-chairmen of the drive to pass the initiative. Before that, he was minority leader in the Utah House of Representatives during the 2000 redistricting.

My experience is that most state legislators come in and operate with good intentions, and try to do what they think is right for the state, said Becker. But when it comes to redistricting, he thinks there is an inherent conflict of interest because legislators are so directly affected by it.

Becker explained boundaries impact who lawmakers represent, the chances they have to keep their seat and it becomes personal for them. Democrat or Republican, the issue has a partisan layer on top of it, he said.

It maybe makes them blind to the effects that their decisions have in a very fundamental way on how our democracy and elections operate, said Becker.

There are almost always changes to laws, said Becker. But the Utah Supreme Court decision does not prevent the Legislature from amending initiatives, he said. What they did say is you cant impair the basic intent of an initiative when its an initiative to reform government.

To me, thats a very healthy outcome, said Becker. So the Legislature can make changes, they just cant ignore whats the clear will of the people.

The changes to the initiative

After the initiative passed, the Legislature started talking about amending it.

We hired lobbyists. We went up and talked to people, tried to preserve the results of the popular vote and the initiative, said Becker. He said the Legislature took to heart to some extent what the initiative said, but still made changes.

The result of the changes? As opposed to the Legislature adopting the maps from the independent redistricting commission, those maps would be considered a recommendation and the Legislature could implement their own maps.

At the time of the changes, the then-executive director of Better Boundaries said the compromise wasnt perfect, but good policy is all about give and take. The compromise with Better Boundaries came after back-and-forth, and the consideration of a repeal of the initiative.

The commission completed its work and Becker said the Legislature went with its own map as opposed to the commissions.

Becker said he and others tried to provide as much reasonable constructive input as possible. But the outcome was the same as if there had never been a statute passed and never been an independent redistricting commission that did the job that the Legislature asked them to do.

Utah Senate President Stuart J. Adams in a previous interview said Better Boundaries came to lawmakers to make changes to an initiative.

They came to us because when they drafted it, they had an unconstitutional provision in it, said Adams, R-Layton, explaining the provision said if the House speaker and the Senate president did not appoint people to the commission, it would default to the Supreme Court.

Adams said the Legislature made those changes and held a press conference with leaders from Better Boundaries in the Gold Room.

And they needed it, or they would have lost their initiative on constitutional grounds, said Adams. He said the Legislature is not taking away the right of the people, they take their ideas and make them functional.

Senate President Stuart Adams, R-Layton; Sen. Kirk Cullimore, R-Draper; and Rep. Jordan Teuscher, R-South Jordan, talk with media following a special session of Utahs legislature to consider an initiative constitutional amendment at the Capitol in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2024. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News

Utah Majority leaders make their case for the amendment

The night of the Utah Legislatures special session, Adams, Rep. Jordan Teuscher, R-South Jordan, and Sen. Kirk Cullimore, R-Draper, held a press conference to discuss the amendment and its accompanying issues.

When asked what the case for the amendment would be to Utah voters, Adams immediately responded, Dont become like California and keep Utah, Utah.

In the days leading up to Utah lawmakers putting the constitutional amendment on the ballot, Adams and House Speaker Mike Schultz both spoke to the Deseret News about why they believe the amendment would be good for Utahns.

Adams said Utah is the greatest state in the nation, listing off the states rankings on management, the economy and happiness as evidence for his statement.

We dont want it to be California with initiatives and out-of-state money and out-of-state influences determining policies that affect the citizens of Utah, said Adams. Thats what were fighting for.

Schultz, R-Hooper, said, We just want to keep things the way its been for the last 130 years in the state of Utah and to show that were sincere in that we opened up the back end of that for referenda, making it easier for citizens of the state to hold the legislature accountable.
New Castle man sentenced to prison in New York for trafficking guns

A man from New Castle was sentenced to prison in New York for gun trafficking.

The Jamestown Police Department said Christian Arroyo Collazo, 28, was sentenced to three years in prison for his conviction of conspiracy to traffic firearms.

Officials said Collazo transported or tried to transport firearms to the Jamestown area between July 2022 and March 2023.

The guns included pistols, AR-style rifles, handguns, revolvers and high-capacity magazines for a total of 40 firearms, officials said.

Police said Collazo used social media to have gun-related conversations, during which he would send photos to potential buyers.

This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach, officials said.

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Compensating for lack of sleep during the week with extra snooze time at the weekend can mitigate the negative effects of sleep deprivation, research in the UK suggests. Christin Klose/dpa

People who catch up on lost sleep at weekends may potentially lower their risk of heart disease by up to 20%, research suggests.

Data from more than 90,000 people in the UK suggests compensating for lack of sleep during the week with extra snooze time at the weekend can mitigate the negative effects of sleep deprivation.

Findings presented at the European Society of Cardiology Congress 2024 showed sleep-deprived people with the most catch-up sleep at weekends saw their risk of heart disease fall by a fifth, compared to those who had no extra shut-eye or slept even less at weekends.

Study author Yanjun Song, of the National Centre for Cardiovascular Disease, Fuwai Hospital, in Beijing, China, said: Sufficient compensatory sleep is linked to a lower risk of heart disease.

The association becomes even more pronounced among individuals who regularly experience inadequate sleep on weekdays.

For the study, the authors looked at self-reported data from 90,903 people who are part of the UK Biobank project, which holds medical and lifestyle records of half a million individuals.

Of them, 19,816 met the criteria for being sleep deprived.

Hospital records and cause of death registry information were used to identify those who had heart diseases, heart failure, irregular heart rhythm and stroke.

Over a follow-up period of 14 years, the team found people with the most extra sleep (ranging from 1.28 to 16.06 hours of additional sleep during weekends), were 19% less likely to develop heart disease than those with the least amount of compensatory sleep (ranging from losing 16.05 hours to losing 0.26 hours over the weekend).

In a sub-group of people with daily sleep deprivation, those with the most compensatory sleep had a 20% lower risk of developing heart disease than those with the least, the researchers said.

"Our results show that for the significant proportion of the population in modern society that suffers from sleep deprivation, those who have the most catch-up sleep at weekends have significantly lower rates of heart disease than those with the least," study co-author Zechen Liu, also of the National Centre for Cardiovascular Disease, said.

"Lots of us dont get enough sleep due to work or family commitments, and while a weekend lie-in is no replacement for a regular good nights rest, this large study suggests that it might help reduce risk of heart disease," said Professor James Leiper, associate medical director at the British Heart Foundation, commenting on the study.

"We know that lack of sleep can affect our overall wellbeing, and this research is an important reminder of how important it is to try to get at least seven hours sleep every night."
The cause of Sundays house fire remains under investigation in Peoria

PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD)  The Peoria Fire Department extinguished a fire at a one-story home near Westminister Avenue and Wellington Drive on Sunday.

According to Battalion Chief Mike Ralston, fire crews responded to the fire at about 5:56 p.m. When they arrived on the scene, they saw smoke and fire coming from the back of the house and quickly extinguished it.

Peoria Fire Department and paramedics respond to house fire

Firefighters then entered the house and found heavy fire in the attic. Fire crews cut a hole in the roof for ventilation. The fire was extinguished within 15 minutes.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

No injuries were reported during this incident.

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Einat Klein, a native of Kiev, wife of Russian musician Andrei Makarevich, who supports Ukraine in the war, and professional traveler, has laconically responded to criticism from Russian propagandist Margarita Simonyan. The latter decided last October to eloquently call the Kiev woman a fascist because of her comment to a neurosurgeon.

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In it, Einat Klein wrote: "Mr. Doctor, I read you a lot with admiration. Saving a life is above personal emigration? But whose lives are you saving today in Russia, doctor? The murderers, their children? Their mothers? Is it really worth higher?" She called for people to leave the Russian Federation and stop saving the lives of murderers. This position did not please Simonyan, so she hurled criticism at the traveler. Klein reacted to the insult in an exclusive interview with OBOZ.UA.

"I am completely indifferent to what the Russian media writes about me. I have a lot more interesting reading than Simonyan", - Einat Klein laconically expressed.

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Recall, October 23, 2023 Margarita Simonyan published a video in Telegram, in which she called the traveler a fascist. She attributed to her at the right moment that the Kiev woman discriminates against Russians by ethnicity, which gave her the impetus to accuse Makarevich's wife.

"How can you not understand that calls to deny medical care to the children of people who displease you solely on the basis of their ethnicity, those calls are fascism. And if it's not fascism, then fascism doesn't exist in principle, because it's distilled real fascism. Einat, you at least open Wikipedia and read what fascism is, and you will see that fascism is you," the Russian accused.

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In particular, Einat Klein explained to OBOZ.UA that she hopes that in the future in the Russian Federation will still disappear calls for homophobia, fascism and chauvinism, because using these very phenomena, the citizens of the aggressor country have always oppressed Ukrainians and attacked the neighboring state.

Only verified information we have in Telegram-channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
New service center for youth & young adults at risk of homelessness opens in Walla Walla

An Eastern Washington nonprofit has opened a new center to help teens and youth at risk of becoming homeless.

Catholic Charities Walla Walla is hosting a grand opening for The Spark, which offers supportive services and essential assistance for 12 to 24 years old who are experiencing homelessness or are unstably housed, according to a news release from the nonprofit.

The most recent Washington Department of Commerce data shows more than 2,100 people in Walla Walla County are either unsheltered or in unstable housing.

That number has increased by about 100 in just the last year. Of that number, about 1,530 are considered unsheltered or are staying in emergency shelters.

More than 10% of that population is under 25. Thats nearly 200 people unsheltered and even more at risk of becoming homeless.

We are working to connect with at-risk young people who lack permanent housing and help them overcome barriers to set themselves up for success, said Heidi Meliah, Youth Services Director.

Meliah works closely on the project with Ruthell Martinez, program manager for The Spark.

Heidi Meliah, left, and Ruthell Martinez stand outside The Spark, a new Catholic Charities Walla Walla supportive services initiative for youth at risk of becoming unhoused.

Catholic Charities Walla Walla is part of Catholic Charities Eastern Washington, which opened a supportive housing project for adults in Pasco last year.

Bishop Skylstad Commons is a 60-unit apartment project for people experiencing long-term homelessness. Its the first of its kind in Tri-Cities.

The nonprofit also operates about two dozen other housing initiatives in Eastern Washington, including similar projects for families.

Reducing homelessness

The Spark is meant to build on the success of The Loft, a temporary housing project focused on youth in Walla Walla.

The nonprofit said the Loft helped cut Walla Wallas count of homeless young people and youth experiencing homelessness in half between 2020 and 2021, according to the release.

That effort, led locally by Tim Meliah, CCEW regional director, was among the most successful projects of the statewide Anchor Community Initiative to end youth homelessness.

The project was the idea of the nonprofits Youth Action Board, which is made up of 17 young people who have experience with housing instability to help better understand the gaps in services, and to harness their collective voice to implement communitywide efforts.

Were able to offer everything from the initial list developed by the Youth Advisory Board  and more, Heidi Meliah said.

The Spark will offer access to laundry, showers, hygiene products and clothing, computers for homework and employment search, private meeting areas to practice job interviews, and connections to an array of services and support from other community agencies and partners.

On-site case managers and multi-disciplinary teams coordinate services needed by participants, including support for family reconciliation and the identification of other services these youth may need to obtain permanent stable housing.

More services for unhoused

Partnering agencies will be able to refer young people directly to The Spark, who can, in turn, connect them with outside service providers, such as behavioral health or physical health support, education systems, legal support, substance use support and other resources.

We see the young people who need help to access the services that exist to support them and were focused on doing all we can to get these individuals the assistance that will get them on the right track, Martinez said.

The Spark offers different hours for different age groups  concentrating young adult services in the morning when the younger population is in school, then providing after-school assistance for those under 18.

Our goal is to help the youth who walk through the door achieve safety and stability by creating a supportive team, emphasizing the importance of relationships, Martinez said.

Many youth and young adults are often vulnerable and scared, making relationship-building crucial. This begins with our outreach team being present in schools and collaborating with other community partners. By listening carefully, respecting their concerns, and working together to meet their needs, we aim to build the trust and rapport that will help them progress, Martinez said.

The open house celebration is 3-6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 5 at 30 N. Roosevelt St., Walla Walla.
Science is uncovering more novel ways to transform those smelly, spent banana peels decaying in your garbage into something people might actually want to eat. Around a third of the worlds overall food supply is wasted or lost every year. That, according to the UNs World Food Program, adds up to around $1 trillion worth of lost food every year. All of this waste may send as much as three billion new tons of greenhouse gasses emitted into the atmosphere. But new research into Neurospora intermedia, a fungus at the heart of a classic fermented Indonesian dish, may offer a partial solution to this growing agricultural dilemma.

The study, published last week in Nature Microbiology reveals Neurospora may possess a unique ability to remove indigestible plant material found in common food waste and turn that detritus into edible and surprisingly tasty new dishes. Now, multiple Michelin star chefs are using those findings to reimagine normally discarded food scraps as totally new fine-dining dishes. The ultimate goal: use the fungus transformative properties to simultaneously reduce food waste and create tasty treats.

Our food system is very inefficient. A third or so of all food thats produced in the U.S. alone is wasted, and it isnt just eggshells in your trash, former chef and research lead author Vayu Hill-Maini said in a statement. Its on an industrial scale. What happens to all the grain that was involved in the brewing process, all the oats that didnt make it into the oat milk, the soybeans that didnt make it into the soy milk? Its thrown out.

A fungus with transformative properties

Hill-Maini began his research with an exploration of the Indonesian dish oncom, a fermented product traditionally derived from discarded soy leftovers from making tofu. Hill-Maini performed a metagenomic survey of oncom samples to determine what exactly was responsible for turning the soy waste into an edible product. The results revealed Neurospora, in the form of a mold, was dominant. A closer look into the underlying genetic structure of the fungus revealed something even more interesting; multiple enzymes capable of breaking down indigestible plant material like pectin and glucose and transforming it into material digestible by humans. The entire transformational process occurs in just around 36 hours.

Further analyses showed this process works not just for soy byproducts, but around 30 other types of food waste products from almond shells and banana peels, to stale rice bread. In each case, the fermentation process rapidly reimagined these waste products into seemingly new food with unique, often unexpected flavor profiles. Even more surprising, analyses of the Neurospora from the oncom dish sample and Neurospora found in the wild found striking fundamental differences. Indonesian cooks, the study suggests, may have unintentionally created a distinct, domesticated strain of the fungus.

The fungus readily eats those things and in doing so makes this food and also more of itself, which increases the protein content, Hill-Maini said. So you actually have a transformation in the nutritional value. You see a change in the flavor profile. Some of the off-flavors that are associated with soybeans disappear.

Michelin star chefs use Neurospora to create entirely new dishes

Armed with that chemical knowledge, Hill-Maini decided to partner with prominent chefs in the US and Europe to explore whether or not the fungus could be adapted for a more westernized palate. To start, Hill-Maini partnered with Rasmus Munk, head chef co-owner of the Copenhagen-based two Michelin star restaurant Alchemist to conduct a baseline taste test. They presented the traditional red oncom dish to 60 testers who had never tasted it before. They consistently rated it a six out of nine in terms of tastiness. Overall, the tasters said the oncom had an earthy, nutty, and, maybe not unsurprisingly, mushroomy taste to it. At the same time, it was still relatively subtle.

Its flavor is not polarizing and intense like blue cheese, Hill-Maine said. Its a milder, savory kind of umami earthiness. Different substrates impart their own flavors, however, including fruity notes when grown on rice hulls or apple pomace.

Munk and Andrew Luzmore, chef in charge of special projects at a New York-based Michelin star restaurant called Blue Hill, set out to create entirely new dishes based around Neurosporas transformative properties. At Blue Hill, Luzmore experimented by placing the fungus mold on top of several days old bread. Once the 36 hour fermentation process was complete, Luzmore took the concoction and fried it up. The result was something that looked and tasted remarkably like a toasted cheese sandwich even though no cheese or dairy at all was involved.

Its incredibly delicious, Luzmore said in a statement. It looks and tastes like you grated cheddar onto bread and toasted it. Its a very clear window into what can be done with this.

Munk, by contrast, opted to create a fungus-inspired dessert. For his dish, the chef incorporated the fungus sample into a colorless and bland rice custard. After a 60 hour fermentation process, the once bland custard came out sweet with a surprisingly pineapple-ey, fruity flavor profile. Munk is adding the oddball sweet to his restaurants menu, served alongside a jelled plum wine and lime syrup.

We experienced that the process changed the aromas and flavors in quite a dramatic wayadding sweet, fruity aromas, Munk said in a statement. I found it mind-blowing to suddenly discover flavors like banana and pickled fruit without adding anything besides the fungi itself.

Hill-Maini, the researcher, says these culinary experiments were important in order to ensure the study findings dont just stay in the lab. That said, his ambitions are much larger than the limited, rarefied confines of the fine-dining elite. In theory, Hill-Maini believes this natural occurring fermentation process could be applied to on an industrial scale to simultaneously reduce common food waste and introduce new, nutritionally rich protein substitutes into the marketplace. The fact that they seem to taste decent is an added bonus. More fundamentally, Hill-Maini saysquite ambitiouslythat these revelations, rooted in centuries of traditional Indonesian cooking, could help reimagine what we actually consider waste in terms of food.

My long term vision is to look at these large waste things that come out of the food system and look at them as an opportunity, as an ingredient in and of itself, Hill Maini said. Why does it have to be called waste?
WILLOWBROOK, Ill. (WTVO)  A Chicago resident has been charged for shooting at another driver during a road rage incident on Interstate 55.

According to the Illinois State Police, Nicholas Ortiz, 25, fired shots at another vehicle around 7:23 p.m. on I-55 near Route 83 in Willowbrook.

The victim was not struck by the bullet, police said.

Authorities said both Ortiz and the victim exited the interstate and notified police. Ortiz was arrested and charged with Aggravated Discharge of a Firearm.

Police said if you are the victim of road rage or believe a driver is following or harassing you, call 911 and/or go to the nearest police department to report it.

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Teachers conduct a lesson for students on the first day of a school year at an underground school in Kharkiv

Teachers conduct a lesson for students on the first day of a school year at an underground school in Kharkiv

By Vitalii Hnidyi

KHARKIV, Ukraine (Reuters) - As children across Ukraine return for the start of the academic year, in the country's second largest city of Kharkiv they could only do so at an underground school amid Russian bombardment.

Kharkiv's schools have been teaching children online since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022. Throughout the ensuing war, the northeastern city has been near the front lines of fighting.

Only one Kharkiv school, purpose-built in May 2024 in an underground metro station, offers in-person lessons.

On Monday, it held the traditional first day of school festivities that are commonplace in Ukraine and other post-Soviet states, with parents bringing bouquets of flowers and children arriving in their best clothes.

"We brought them here because we thought it is safe and our children won't be afraid of missiles and strikes," said Tetiana Hubina, a mother of a first-year student starting school.

"They will be safe here," she said.

Wide swathes of Kharkiv, whose population is around 1.3 million, were devastated by heavy shelling in 2022 as Russian forces bore down on the city. Although Ukraine managed to beat that assault back, Kharkiv remains just 30 kilometres (18 miles) from the Russian border and is regularly struck by bombs and missiles.

While Kharkiv's children were celebrating their first day of school, a Russian strike elsewhere in the city wounded 13 people. Another strike on Friday killed seven people and wounded dozens when a glide bomb hit a high-rise residential block.

"We are more worried about the time that we spend at home. It was not quiet recently in the area where we live," said Alina Patrusheva, a mother of one of the children at the underground school.

(Reporting by Vitalii Hnidyi; writing by Max Hunder; editing by Mark Heinrich)
The world-famous American writer Stephen King, who openly supports Ukraine in the war against Russia, approves of the AFU operation in Kursk Region. In the author's opinion, the residents of the aggressor country fully "deserve shit", because they themselves invaded the territory of an independent state.

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The 76-year-old writer shared his opinion on the official page in X. In less than a day, the message of the "King of horrors" gained more than 48 thousand likes.

"The Russians are getting their shit back, and they deserve it. After all, they started it all," wrote Stephen King.

Strangely enough, the opinions of online users were divided. Part of the writer's audience fully supported the author's opinion, noting that a country that starts a war should feel the consequences.

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"Russia attacked Ukraine. They deserve everything they get."

"I hope you're right, Stephen. Russia has been trying to conquer the world for over a hundred years."

"History tells us that empires and tyrants fall. Russia and Putin will learn that lesson. Glory to Ukraine."

However, there were also those who consider the writer's opinion to be as much fiction as his works:

"This publication is like most of your books: complete fiction."

"You should leave politics and focus on horror, Stephen."

"As a well-known author, you really can't follow this kind of historical narrative."

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Updated Sep 2, 2024, 8:31am EDT tech East Asia

The News

China threatened a severe economic retaliation against Japan if Tokyo persisted in restricting the sale of chipmaking equipment to Chinese firms.

For months the US has pressured Japan to curb the ability of firms to sell advanced chip tools to China in a bid to blunt Beijings progress in key industries, including artificial intelligence.

Faced with potential sanctions, Tokyo fears its car industry  which generates almost 3% of GDP  could be targeted, with Toyota in particular facing a restriction on minerals critical to car production, Bloomberg reported.

SIGNALS

Semafor Signals: Global insights on today's biggest stories.

China dominates the supply chain for minerals critical to the green transition

Sources: Fortune, Brookings Institute

China has a near monopoly on the production of minerals critical for the green transition, Fortune reported in June citing a JPMorgan report. As of 2022, not only did China produce the vast majority of rare earth minerals  which are used to produce magnets and batteries  and graphite  for lubricants and electric motors  but the country also had a critical advantage in the processing of these minerals, so the majority of the world relied on Beijing to access them. Other countries fear that their high dependence on China could create security risks, the Brookings Institute think tank noted, so their governments, particularly in the US and Europe, are working to build up their own critical minerals supply chains.

The cat and mouse game between the US and China could have global impact

Sources: Bloomberg, Financial Times

Japans restrictions against China are largely a result of US pressure, Bloomberg reported. The US and China have been playing a cat and mouse game that could lead to real shortages of semiconductor materials, and therefore it would start impacting global supply chains, the Financial Times reported. Not everyone in Japan agrees Tokyo should align its strategy with the US, Bloomberg added: Japan should have its own philosophy, decide whats best for the country and stand firm, an analyst told the outlet. But US officials are working with Japan to devise a strategy to ensure continued access to critical minerals, and the US government is confident itll reach an agreement with Tokyo by the end of 2024.

China threat is pushing Japan to increase defense spend

Source: The Associated Press

Growing threats from China and general tension in the region, like in the East and South China seas, have pushed Japan to enhance its security strategy and seek an unprecedented defense budget, The Associated Press reported. A record $59 billion budget was approved at the end of August, as part of a five-year plan that will make Japan the third-highest spending country in the world for military spending following the US and China. Tokyo, which has also faced difficulty with military enrolment, is focusing its efforts toward unmanned drones for surveillance and attack, the outlet added.
China urges EU to be 'objective and fair' on South China Sea issue

BEIJING (Reuters) -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 coastguard 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 EU 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".

Asked about the Chinese response, an EU spokesperson said on Monday the bloc has "a big stake in peace and security in Asia".

"A large portion of the EUs foreign trade passes through the South China Sea," the spokesperson added.

"The European Union calls for de-escalation of tensions and remains committed to supporting its partners seeking to exercise their legitimate rights, in the region and beyond."

(Reporting by Liz Lee, Andrew Gray and Beijing newsroom; Editing by Tom Hogue and Lincoln Feast.)
Decades after she was picked to be Americas first teacher in space, Christa McAuliffe is still a pioneer  this time as the first woman to be memorialized on the grounds of New Hampshires Statehouse, in the city where she taught high school.

McAuliffe was 37 when she was killed, one of the seven crew members aboard the Challenger when the space shuttle broke apart on live TV on Jan. 28, 1986. She didnt have the chance to give the lessons she had planned to teach from space. But people are still learning from her.

Beyond the tragedy, her legacy is a very positive one, said Benjamin Victor, the sculptor from Boise, Idaho, whose work is being unveiled in Concord on Monday, on what would have been McAuliffes 76th birthday. And so its something that can always be remembered and should be.

The 8-foot-tall (2.4-meter) bronze likeness atop a granite pedestal is believed to be the first full statue of McAuliffe, known for her openness to experimental learning. Her motto was: I touch the future, I teach.

To see a hero like Christa McAuliffe memorialized in this way will undoubtedly inspire the next generation of students each time they visit the New Hampshire Statehouse, Gov. Chris Sununu said in a statement. His executive order enabled the McAuliffe statue to join statues of leaders such as Daniel Webster, John Stark and President Franklin Pierce.

McAuliffe was picked from among 11,000 candidates to be the first teacher and private citizen in space. Beyond a public memorial at the Statehouse plaza on Jan. 31, 1986, the Concord school district and the city, population 44,500, have observed the Challenger anniversary quietly through the years, partly to respect the privacy of her family. Christa and Steven McAuliffes son and daughter were very young at the time she died and was buried in a local cemetery. Steven McAuliffe wanted the children to grow up in the community normally.

But there are other memorials, dozens of schools and a library named for McAuliffe, as well as scholarships and a commemorative coin. A science museum in Concord is dedicated to her and to native son Alan Shepard, the first American in space. The auditorium is named for her at Concord High School, where she taught American history, law, economics and a self-designed course called The American Woman. Students rush past a painting of her in her astronaut uniform.

In 2017-2018, two educators-turned-astronauts at the International Space Station recorded some of the lessons that McAuliffe had planned to teach, on Newtons laws of motion, liquids in microgravity, effervescence, and chromatography. NASA then posted Christa McAuliffes Lost Lessons online, a resource for students everywhere.

Victor comes from a family of educators, including his mother, with whom hes shared a number of discussions about McAuliffe as hes worked on the statue  including his recollection of watching the Challenger disaster on television as a second-grader in Bakersfield, California.

It was so sad, but I guess all these years later, the silver lining has been the way her legacy has continued on, he said.

Victor has sculpted four of the statues in the U.S. Capitols National Statuary Hall, the most of any living artist. To represent McAuliffe, he looked at many images and videos, and he met with Barbara Morgan, who participated in the Teacher in Space program as backup to McAuliffe for the Challenger mission. Morgan also lives in Boise and let him borrow her uniform, the same as the one McAuliffe wore.

Getting to talk to Barbara about Christa, just learning even more, its just something thats irreplaceable, Victor said. Just to hear about her character. Its just amazing.

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

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MEMPHIS, Tenn.  A well-known Memphis comedy club has abruptly shut down after canceling multiple shows.

Chuckles Comedy House, a Memphis staple for more than a decade announced it was closing on Sunday.

For over 10 years we have made you laugh and we are proud of that. We are proud to have given this city the recognition it deserves across the comedic board to have comics WANTING to come to Memphis for our intimate audience. Unfortunately, we have to close our doors. We are grateful for Memphis and grateful to have been such a force within the community. Thank you all. Chuckles Comedy House via Facebook

Chuckles was a consistent stop for up-and-coming comedians and celebrities like Sheryl Underwood and Lavell Crawford.

Following the closures of Black Lodge in Crosstown, Save-A-Lot in Parkway Village and Bishop downtown this summer, Chuckles is yet another example of a Memphis business closing its doors.

Black Lodge closes its doors after 5 years

Im in Nashville right now (and) Master P just asked me about Chuckles, promoter Marlo Matthews said. I had to tell him the news.

Matthews has been with the comedy club since the beginning.

It meant a lot for the city and we had a place where we can relax, Matthews said. Denzel would come up, Katt Williams  Chuckles drew a lot of well-known people.

Two weeks ago, a post was made on social media announcing that all of Chuckles August shows were canceled.

Prior to that announcement, a post was made earlier in the month that included six comedians who were set to hit the stage.

Local grocery store forced to close due to frequent thefts

Matthews told WREG that the sudden closure came after Chuckles owner decided to move in a different direction.

Chuckles has ran its course and he is going into other business entities, Matthews said. So, thats why Chuckles closed. It ran its course.

Though the future of Chuckles is unclear and the website is now shut down, Matthews said another Memphis oasis could be on the way.

Its a chapter closing, Matthews said. A lot of powerful people want to get involved with doing something like this. There are things in the works, just stay tuned.

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CRYSTAL RIVER, Fla. (WFLA)  A Crystal River man was arrested after he faked service in the military and forged a DD 214 document, according to the Citrus County Sheriffs Office.

Officials suspected Brandon Jess Cox of forging the document and submitting it to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles last week.

10 arrested in street takeover at Tampa intersection: FHP

A DD 214 document is a Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty in the military. The United States Department of Defense issues a DD 214 to service members after they retire, leave, or are discharged from active duty. These forms also help members access benefits and veteran organizations.

The MacDill Air Force Base Army Criminal Investigation Division searched Coxs records but found no history of military service, the sheriffs office said.

Cox was arrested on charges of knowingly making false statements during the application for a Florida drivers license and violating probation. He was taken to the Citrus County Detention Facility.

Cox, who is also a registered sex offender, is being held without bond.

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"They are barbarians," 80-year-old Mustafa Dzhemilev tells the Kyiv Independent on Sept. 2, as he assesses the damage caused to the Islamic Cultural Center in Kyiv by a Russian missile attack in the early hours of the morning.

"If they targeted a children's hospital, why wouldnt they destroy a cultural center?" he adds, referencing the attack on Okhmatdyt, Ukraines largest childrens hospital, on July 8.

The Islamic Cultural Center is a prominent hub for Ukrainian Muslims and is considered a main religious location for Crimean Tatar Muslims in the country outside of Russian-occupied Crimea.

Early in the morning on Sept. 2, explosions sounded in waves across Kyiv as air defenses intercepted incoming Russian missiles. Ukraine's Air Force said it detected 35 missiles of various types and 23 attack drones launched across the country. Nine Iskander ballistic missiles, 13 Kh-101 cruise missiles, and 20 drones were downed, the Air Force said.

Three people were injured in the attack, authorities reported, with falling debris damaging other buildings across the capital.

The damage to the Islamic Cultural Center was caused by a shock wave when a missile landed in the yard of a building behind it, creating a crater over 20 feet wide and partly collapsing the structure, shattering windows, and bringing down pieces of ceiling in the prayer halls.

Russia has destroyed or damaged over 500 churches, mosques, synagogues, and other religious sites across Ukraine since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, Zelensky said in late August.

There is no official information on whether the area around the mosque was hit by a direct missile strike or falling debris.

"Thankfully, there was no one in the center at the time," Vadym Dashevskyi, deputy supreme mufti of Crimea tells the Kyiv Independent, as he stands outside the damaged prayer hall.

"It is difficult, but the main thing is that no one was hurt. And the walls can be restored."

The hall damaged in the attack was used by President Volodymyr Zelensky and top government officials to host this years traditional Ramadan dinner for Muslims serving in Ukraines military and Crimean Tatars.

The center routinely hosts charity fundraisers, educational events, and several daily prayers, attracting around 250-400 faithful on Fridays.

According to Dashevskyi, the mosque will continue to function, although all the carpets in the prayer halls were dusted by tiny glass shards and are beyond cleaning.

"If not us, who will clean it up?" says Ruslan Aliiev, 37, a mosque regular, who skipped work to help out.

Taking a break from sweeping up debris, around 1 p.m. nearly a dozen men unrolled a spare carpet in the centers yard and kneeled for the afternoon prayer.

Later in the afternoon, Muslim leaders and officials arrived on the site to inspect the damage and express support.

Turkeys ambassador to Ukraine, Mustafa Levent Bilgen, toured the building with Mustafa Dzhemilev, a Ukrainian lawmaker and a prominent Crimean Tatar leader, and Nariman Dzhelial, first deputy chairman of the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar People who was released in a prisoner exchange with Russia on July 28.

We got calls from Pakistan and Indonesia, from friends who pray for us," says Murat Suleimanov, the mufti of the Religious Administration of Muslims of Ukraine "Ummah" which runs parallel to the Religious Administration of Crimean Muslims managing the center.

"The ambassadors of Pakistan and the Republic of South Africa came to our mosque today asking about it," he adds.

"The mosque of Kharkiv and many others in the east were destroyed. It's all the same to (Russians)  a mosque or a church," Dashevskyi says.

"Russia systematically persecutes Muslims (in their own state)," adds Dzhelial, who was recently released from an almost 3-year-long detention in Crimea, where a Russian court sentenced him to 17 years in prison after he participated in a public conference supporting the liberation of Crimea in 2021.

Lenie Ibragimova, 36, a Crimean Tatar artist who was among the first women to show up for cleaning, says that she is "not helping, but fulfilling her duty."

"Russians think that we will ask for peace at any terms if they attack us, but its the other way around. We will clean up, restore it, and we will beat them."

Read also: Just hours after being woken by Russian missiles, Ukraines schoolchildren start the new year

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Clooney says Biden did the most selfless thing that anybodys done since George Washington

Actor George Clooney praised President Biden for withdrawing from the presidential race, saying that Bidens decision was the most selfless thing since George Washington.

Clooney, who was at the premiere of his new movie Wolfs at the Venice Film Festival, spoke Sunday about Bidens decision to withdraw from the race. In a July op-ed for The New York Times, he urged the 81-year-old commander in chief to end his reelection bid over age-related concerns.

When asked about the impact of his op-ed piece, he noted he had not had to answer that question yet, according to The Associated Press.

The person who should be applauded is the president, who did the most selfless thing that anybodys done since George Washington, Clooney told reporters on Sunday evening. 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.

Its very hard to let go of power. We know that. Weve seen that all around the world. For someone to say, I think theres a better way forward? All credit goes to him, he continued.

His op-ed calling on Biden to step aside in July rocked Hollywood as Clooney joined a number of Democrats who also called on the sitting president to withdraw from the race. Clooney had also hosted a star-studded fundraiser for Biden just weeks before the Times piece was published.

Clooney said in a statement after Biden dropped out in July that the president has shown what true leadership is and is saving democracy once again. He also backed Vice President Harriss bid for the White House in that statement.

Were all so excited to do whatever we can to support Vice President Harris in her historic quest, he added at the time.

The Associated Press contributed.

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Coast Guard, Navy team up for daring rescue of mother, daughter and pets near Hawaii

As Hurricane Gilma approached Hawaii, a mother, her daughter and their pets found themselves dangerously in its path while sailing through the Pacific Ocean.

Raging seas and high winds battered the stranded vessel, which bore a French flag. A man, who authorities later said was the sailboat's captain, was dead.

For the woman and her child, the situation was growing increasingly dire. But in a climactic moment that could have come straight from a blockbuster disaster film, the U.S. Coast Guard and the Navy teamed up for a daring rescue in the middle of a turbulent storm.

By the end of the treacherous, days-long operation, both the woman and the girl were rescued, as were their pet cat and tortoise, the Coast Guard said in a news release.

A small boat crew sails away from the French-flagged sailing vessel Albroc after rescuing a woman, child and their pets Aug. 26 in the Pacific offshore Honolulu.

Stranded sailboat sends distress signal to Hawaiian Coast Guard

Stranded about 925 miles off the coast of Honolulu, the sailboat sent out a distress alert on Saturday, Aug. 24 that reached the Joint Rescue Coordination Center Honolulu around 12:33 p.m. local time.

An airplane crew rapidly took off from the Coast Guard's Barbers Point air station near Honolulu to locate the 47-foot vessel, named Albroc. In a mayday call, the 47-year-old woman aboard the sailboat reported that she and her 7-year-old daughter were beset by weather and in need of rescue.

USS William P. Lawrence (DDG 110), an Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer, returns to Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam after rescuing a woman, child, cat and tortoise from their sailing vessel 925 miles off Honolulu, Hawaii, Aug. 29, 2024.

The woman also reported that a dead man was on board.

The plane's crew could not make direct contact with the woman, but they did see her light two flares. At the time, winds were reaching up to 20 miles an hour and waves were rising up to 6 feet tall, the Coast Guard reported.

Because of the tumultuous conditions  a result of Hurricane Gilma, which has since dissipated over Hawaii  a rescue would not be easy. The situation left the Coast Guard with no other choice but to seek aid of its own, prompting the service to request additional crews from the Navy.

Navy responds to pull off daring rescue

The next morning, a Coast Guard airplane crew observed the woman and girl waving their arms before retreating back inside the sailboat's cabin. Though the air crew attempted to reach them via radio, they still were not able to make contact.

By 5:20 p.m. that evening, a tanker crew flying a Singapore flag arrived from 290 miles south, having responded to the Coast Guard's call for assistance. Yet while the tanker got near the boat, its crew were unable to rescue the woman and daughter as weather conditions continued to worsen amid Gilma's approach.

It wasn't until Monday morning, Aug. 26, that the Navy's USS William P. Lawrence, a guided-missile destroyer, arrived to attempt a rescue of the stranded civilians.

But the window for getting the woman and child to safety was quickly closing: The impending weather and deteriorating Albroc vessel gave crews an estimated six hours to safely pull off a rescue.

Woman, daughter and pets brought to safety

Within hours of the Navy's arrival, a small boat crew embarked from the destroyer and headed for the sailboat, where they were able to rescue not only the woman and her daughter, but the pair's cat and tortoise as well.

A 7-year-old girl hugs a Navy sailor after arriving with her mother Aug. 28 at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam in Honolulu, Hawaii. The pair, along with their cat and tortoise, were rescued after their sailboat became beset by weather in the path of the approaching Hurricane Gilma.

The Navy ship then arrived and moored Wednesday evening at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam in Honolulu, where the mother and daughter received care.

The body of the man, identified as the vessel's master, could not be recovered because of the dangerous conditions, the Coast Guard said. His body remains on the sailboat Albroc, which is adrift at sea approximately 1,000 miles east of Honolulu.

When an EPIRB distress alert went off 925 miles offshore Honolulu last Saturday, Joint Rescue Coordination Center... Posted by U.S. Coast Guard Hawaii Pacific on Thursday, August 29, 2024

It's not clear how he died or why the boat was in the path of the hurricane in the first place.

I am extremely proud of the crews professionalism in planning and executing the safe recovery of two persons at sea on a disabled vessel in worsening conditions, U.S. Navy Cmdr. Bobby Wayland, commanding officer of William P. Lawrence., said in a statement. "Very cool to see the Navy / Coast Guard team work together so smoothly.

Eric Lagatta covers breaking and trending news for USA TODAY. Reach him at elagatta@gannett.com

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Coast Guard, Navy rescue of mother, daughter and pets near Honolulu
UPDATE  Columbus Police initially said a suspect was taken into custody, they have since corrected that statement. Police say they took someone in for questioning, but no arrests have been made.

UPDATE 7:46 p.m.  The Columbus Police Department has released new information on the deadly Miller Road shooting.

According to CPD, the shooting is being considered a homicide and an investigation is underway.

UPDATE 12:30 p.m.  The Columbus Police Department has released more details on the Miller Road shooting that occurred early Monday morning.

According to CPD, officers responded to the 5500 block of Miller Road at 2:22 a.m. regarding a shooting that occurred. When officers arrived on the scene they found 34-year-old Brody Birks suffering from a gunshot wound.

Birks was then transported to Piedmont Columbus Regional where he succumbed to his wounds, and was pronounced dead by an ER doctor at 3:52 a.m.

CPD says the Violent Crimes Unit was called to the scene and took the lead on the investigation.

Police say a suspected shooter is in custody at this time.

This is still a developing story, WRBL will update this article when more information becomes available.

UPDATE 12:00 p.m.  The Muscogee County Coroner has confirmed the identity of the shooting victim with WRBL

Muscogee County Corner Buddy Bryan says the victim is 34-year-old Brody Birks.

This is a developing story, WRBL will update this article when new details are available.

COLUMBUS, Ga. (WRBL)  One person is dead and another has been taken in for questioning as the result of a shooting early Monday morning.

Columbus Police say the shooting occurred in the 5500 block of Miller Road. Police have confirmed the suspected shooter was taken into custody and the Muscogee County Coroner says the victim has died.

According to the Muscogee County Coroner Buddy Bryan, the victim was shot and then arrived at Piedmont Columbus Regional at 2:46 a.m. Bryan says the victim was pronounced dead at 3:52 a.m.

Bryan says the body will be sent to Decatur, Georgia for an autopsy by the GBI.

This is a developing story, WRBL will update this article with more information when it is available.

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ComEd energy costs to increase significantly next year, according to watchdog group

ILLINOIS (WTVO)  ComEd customers are expected to see a price increase in electricity rates next summer, according to the Citizens Utility Board (CUB).

The watchdog group said a record price spike at an electricity capacity auction will likely increase the supply price for ComEd customers starting in June 2025.

ComEd raised its metering, administrative and distribution facilities charges on January 1st, 2024.

The utility said its supply price would increase between 1.5  2 cents per kilowatt hour (kWh) over the current supply rate, of just under 7 cents per kWh.

With the capacity auction price spike, CUB Communications Director Jim Chilsen told The Center Square a customer who uses 500-kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity a month would pay $7.50 to $10 extra each month, from June 1st, 2025 to May 31st, 2026.

Capacity prices are extra payments consumers pay power plant operators to have enough reserve electricity available in the event of a sudden spike in demand.

According to CUB, capacity prices jumped 830% when power grid operator PJM Interconnection announced the results of its Base Residual Auction.

The price will be offset by the Carbon Free Energy Resource Adjustment that was included in the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA), which was designed to subsidize Illinois nuclear power plants. The adjustment becomes a bill credit when energy prices go above a certain level because consumer advocates argue that if energy prices go up, nuclear plants earn more and do not need the subsidy.

Chilsen said ComEd will not make money off the increased cost but will pass it along to consumers.

We are concerned that alternative electricity suppliers will go door to door and use this news to try to lure people into bad deals. Weve talked often over the years about how going with an alternative supplier is a gamble that youre likely to lose. Theres a lot of bad deals out there, Chilsen said.

Chilsen said alternative energy suppliers will also be impacted by the price change.

To lessen the impact of the supply price increase, ComEd recommends practicing energy efficiency at home, considering a community solar deal to help ease costs, or installing solar panels.

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The fossils of the new specimen, named Lokiceratops rangiformis, were found in a barren area of Montana. The dinosaur lived about 78 million years ago when the now-arid region was a swampy floodplain bordering a vast sea route in western North America.

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The name means "Loki's horned face, like a caribou". The most noticeable feature of the dinosaur is its two large, blade-like horns that protrude forward and protrude between the eyes, Science News writes.

The new species, Lokiceratops, was named by one of the study's lead authors, Joseph Sertich and Perry Levene, because of its unusual, curved blade-like horns on the back of its frill, a bone shield on the back of its skull, and its asymmetrical horns on top of its frill, which resemble those of a caribou, Tech Explorist writes.

Scientists contributed to the reconstruction of the dinosaur using small pieces. After assembling the head, they discovered that the specimen belonged to a previously unknown species of dinosaur.

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These two antlers, like those of modern caribou or reindeer, are of different lengths. The arrangement of the horns, as well as the ornaments along the edge of the creature's bony neck frill at the back of the head, differ from other species of horned dinosaurs that scientists say existed in the same region and at about the same time.

"It's becoming increasingly clear that horned dinosaurs used bone features as ornaments to attract mates or intimidate rivals of the same species," says Lieven of the University of Utah in Salt Lake City. According to him, this differentiation in ostentatious ornaments is something that evolved on the island, like the bright, expressive plumage of birds.

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The new study suggests that this diversity may be due to the relative isolation of this ancient marsh, cut off from other parts of the mainland by a sea route. Lociceratops, according to Lowen, would be the fifth species of large horned dinosaur to be found in Kennedy Canyon, a dry gorge with exposed rock containing fossils that spans the area of present-day northern Montana and southern Alberta in Canada. Other identified species of ceratopsids include the close relatives Medusaceratops, Wendiceratops, and Albertaceratops, as well as a smaller ceratopsid species called Avaceratops lammersii.

"This is the highest diversity of ceratopsians known anywhere," commented Lowen.

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However, other researchers are not convinced that Lokiceratops represents a new species. "It's possible that the differences in bone ornaments between Lokiceratops, Albertaceratops, and Medusaceratops do not represent separate species, but rather the evolution of ornaments within a single species," said paleontologist Denver Fowler.

According to Fowler, from the Dickinson Museum Center in North Dakota, these differences can only mean age-related changes in the same species.

According to him, previous studies of other ceratopsids, including the well-known triceratops, have shown that these animals can change significantly as they grow. He also notes that Lokiceratops' vine-like brow horns are hollowed out, a feature seen in the largest and oldest Triceratops specimens compared to the more solid horns of younger specimens.

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"Lokiceratops does seem to be very close to Albertaceratops and Medusaceratops, based on the arrangement of bone ornaments on the frills of the dinosaurs. But the way the horns are positioned suggests they may be different species," says Sean DeNary, a paleontologist specializing in ceratopsids at George Washington University in Washington, D.C., who was not involved in the new study.

This is not the first time that researchers have debated whether two closely related ceratopsid specimens represent two separate species, or whether one is simply a juvenile version of the other. Similar debates have erupted over the identity of Triceratops and Torosaurus. Some scientists also consider Albertaceratops and Medusaceratops to be the same species.

"When we have opposing views, we have to highlight them. If we get more data, we will get closer to the truth," the scientists add.

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WASHINGTON (DC News Now)  A community vigil is set to be held on Labor Day for fallen Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) Investigator Wayne David, who died in the line of duty last week after trying to recover a gun from a storm drain.

The vigil will be held at 7:30 p.m. on 18th and Bryant Street in Northeast D.C.

Event organizers said they would use cell phone flashlights as vigil lights to honor David, who served on the force for over 25 years.

Investigator Wayne David (Photo Courtesy: MPD)

According to police, on Aug. 28, MPD officers responded to the 4500 block of Quarles St. for a report of a suspicious vehicle.

Neighbors remember DC officer Wayne David as community man killed in the line of duty

The car stopped, and someone got out, ditching a gun in a storm drain and running onto I-295 before escaping on the back of a motorcycle.

David was trying to recover the gun from the drain when it accidentally fired, striking him.

David died from his injuries at MedStar Washington Hospital Center, according to MPD.

Youngkin issues flag order to honor Hamas hostage with Richmond ties who was killed

MPD, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, along with the FBI, have partnered to offer a reward of up to $50,000 for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the suspect in this case.

Police are searching for a person who is believed to have placed a gun into a storm drain while fleeing from officers. (Courtesy of the Metropolitan Police Department)

The suspect was pictured fleeing on the back of a motorcycle. (Courtesy: @DCPoliceDept)

Police encourage anyone with information about the case to call 202-727-9099. Anonymous tips can also be texted to the departments tip line at 50411.

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A local fire department hosted a car show Sunday evening, bringing all types of cars to Harborcreek.

The Harborcreek Fire Department organized their 10th annual car cruise for anyone to bring in their prized vehicles.

New Erie ice cream shop a dream come true for owner

The event also featured a Chinese auction, a bake sale and awards for the best cars at the show.

This year, people brought in an old firetruck, 1920s hot rods, and several vintage Mustangs.

Medieval times come to Erie with first Gem City Renaissance Festival

Its just something thats nice to do, holiday weekend, get everyone out for a little bit. Weve been lucky for many many years with the weather as far as getting folks out here. Its just a nice, simple thing to do. Its not a huge moneymaker for us, but its a way to just get car guys together and have a little bit of fun, said Charles Ramsey, chief of the Harborcreek Fire Department.

All money raised at the event will benefit the Harborcreek Fire Department.

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SAVANNAH, Ga. (WSAV)  Sandfly BBQ received an outpouring of support over the weekend after it received backlash on social media after Vice President Kamala Harris, Gov. Tim Walz and their campaign bus stopped there to eat on Wednesday.

The campaign stop to the restaurant caused some to post on Facebook a call to boycott the restaurant because of it. However, over the weekend, customers poured into the establishment, some waiting an hour for food.

Gallery: Harris, Walz tour bus stops at Sandfly BBQ

Were just here to support and be here, thats what we do as community, we show kindness, we show love, and we show support. said customer Lillian Grant-Baptiste.

A Facebook user posted, Thank you to the hateful few who are insisting on boycotting Sandfly BBQ!! Because of you they will have a surge in business lines out the door a ton of new customers and a sold out menu everyday!

Another Facebook user posted in part, Savannah friends please visit this establishment not because of who they serve but because of what they serve. These elections are really bring out hatred and racism. It doesnt have to be this way, we can all agree to disagree and respect each other.

A Facebook page that called for the boycott has been made no longer available and according to Facebook, when this happens, its usually because the owner only shared it with a small group of people, changed who can see it or its been deleted.

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MONTICELLO, Ky. (FOX 56)  Weekend storms with strong winds caused major damage to a Lake Cumberland resort in Monticello.

Conley Bottom Resort was hit once again Saturday night after crews had just finished repairs from the last round of powerful storms from Memorial Day weekend.

Read more of the latest Kentucky news

Workers told FOX 56 News that winds knocked out electricity and water, and no injuries were reported.

Crews worked through the night and into Sunday, cleaning up debris and checking the conditions of the docks.

Some of the damage was to our piers once again, Amber Rector, office manager at the resort, said. We had electrical issues. We lost water. So our crews have really been focusing on water and electric today.

LATEST KENTUCKY NEWS:

Resort workers ask residents for patience as they continue to work around the clock to make repairs.

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A conspiracy theorist allegedly called for people involved in the Covid vaccine rollout to be shot by kill squads, a court has heard.

Patrick Ruane, 55, encouraged terrorism through the use of firearms and explosives in a series of posts on the encrypted Telegram app during the pandemic, a jury was told.

He called for an IRA playbook to be implemented after lockdown was introduced and allegedly had a manual that included viable instructions on making the explosive Semtex.

Opening the trial at the Old Bailey on Monday, Julia Faure Walker, prosecuting, said Mr Ruane was angry, frustrated and upset about lockdown policies and the rollout of the vaccine.

The court heard he posted thousands of messages to Telegram users throughout 2021. He believed conspiracy theories about a hidden agenda and was particularly focused on manufacturers of the Covid vaccine and those who administered jabs, said Ms Faure Walker.

Referred to executing politicians

In one post, Mr Ruane allegedly wrote: Im all for hunting them down and f---ing executing them where they stand as too many people have f---ing died and its not going to stop until we start killing them back.

When someone posted about not allowing a satanist puppet to come near his children with that poison jab kill shots, Mr Ruane allegedly encouraged others to find where they live, put a kill squad together and shoot them in their beds.

In response to another post, he allegedly advocated burning all the big pharmas offices manufacturing plants and infrastructure to the ground.

The court heard Mr Ruane referred to executing politicians, saying the manufacture of ammunition for sniper weapons could end corrupt politicians and Davos scum in one shot.

Mr Ruane, an audio producer who worked in films, posted images of Semtex and, when asked about delivery, wrote: Why deliver when you can make it yourself, jurors were told.

He allegedly called for an IRA playbook after Boris Johnson, the prime minister at the time, extended lockdown powers for a further period.

The defendant also allegedly suggested destroying 5G communications, saying in one post: 5g towers are easy, Semtex, easy to make recipies [sic] on the www.

Defendant encouraged serious violence

Ms Faure Walker told jurors that the posts spanned many months and encouraged serious violence and disruption designed to influence the Government or intimidate the public.

The posts reached a very large audience via two Telegram chat groups, one of which had 18,000 users and the other with 8,000, she told jurors.

She suggested some of those who viewed messages could have a range of susceptibilities, adding that the posts could have spread more widely through being forwarded on by others.

On the defendants motivation, she said: He was vehemently against the measures brought in by the then-government in response to the Covid-19 pandemic, including the lockdown and vaccination rollout.

It was this ideological cause that drove the messages. Whatever your personal viewpoint, there is nothing illegal in merely holding views or campaigning to bring about change.

What brings Mr Ruane here, facing terrorism charges, is that rather than restricting himself to advocating change through argument or protest for example, he repeatedly referred to serious violence, even referring to the use of Semtex, as well as serious criminal damage and disruption of electronic communication systems.

The defendants electronic devices were seized when police attended his flat in November 2021. In a police interview, he said he had lost his business during the last lockdown and was drinking a lot.

Ms Faure Walker suggested a potential issue was whether he was using alcohol as an excuse to deny responsibility for his actions.

Mr Ruane, of Paddington, west London, has denied two counts of encouraging terrorism and one charge of collecting information likely to be useful to a person committing or preparing an act of terrorism.

The trial continues.

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Who remembers when Jeremy Corbyn, a man patently unfit to rule, got far closer in 2017 to leading the country than anyone predicted? Now, of course, the former Labour leader is back where he deserves  as a backbencher with no party (he was expelled from Labour in July) and, thank heavens, no chance of ever being in power.

It would be wrong to dismiss him as irrelevant, tempting as it is. Earlier today, Corbyn formed an official grouping in the Commons along with four other MPs elected in July as Independents: Shockat Adam, Ayoub Khan, Adnan Hussain and Iqbal Mohamed.

The formation of this Independent Alliance will surprise no one. All five members were elected on more or less the same anti-Israel platform, with the four Muslim MPs winning on the back of an openly  indeed, proudly  sectarian campaign, appealing directly to Muslims.

It still hasnt been sufficiently understood how profoundly disturbing a development this is for our democracy  although in her campaign launch today, Kemi Badenoch showed that she grasps its importance, attacking what she rightly described as malign and destructive identity politics. She went on: When everyone was talking about the five new MPs from Reform, I was far more worried about the five new MPs elected on the back of sectarian Islamist politics; alien ideas that have no place here. The sort of politics we need to defeat and defeat quickly.

Mrs Badenoch is right to focus on this. But its not the Tories who are  at least for now  in the firing line from the Muslim identity politics represented by the Independent Alliance. Their target is Labour. And a look at the 2024 results shows how vulnerable the party is to such a threat.

There are four million Muslims in England and Wales (6.5 per cent of the population). Until now, they have never acted as a bloc or split from the mainstream towards candidates who campaign directly to other Muslims, stirring up forces of division. In July Labour lost four seats to Muslim independents, with many more almost falling, including those of Cabinet ministers Wes Streeting and Shabana Mahmood. The partys vote actually fell by at least 14 per cent in constituencies with a Muslim population of more than 15 per cent.

The Independent Alliance, now a formal group within the Commons, can focus on widening the divide between Muslim voters and the Labour party. They have a lot of room for headway. In 37 constituencies more than 20 per cent of the population are Muslim, and in a further 73 seats the Muslim population is between 10 and 20 per cent. That means that there is an electorally significant Muslim population in 110 constituencies. But the real impact of this wont be in terms of the Independent Alliance winning more seats, but rather how this voter bloc will sway the decision making of politicians with razor-thin majorities.

A significant number of Labour MPs who gained seats in the last election will be thinking of almost nothing other than how they can keep their jobs in 2029. They will be thinking of the threat posed by sectarian voting  and doing everything they can to contain it. That means pushing a particular agenda.

A pre-election poll showed that one in four British Muslims cited the Israel/Palestine conflict as their most important issue, compared to just 3 per cent of the public. Almost half said Jews have too much power over UK government policy. These attitudes are moving into the political mainstream with the rise of this newly cohesive Muslim bloc vote. The Labour MPs with significant Muslim populations in their constituencies will find excuses to push the same agenda as previously promoted by individual members of the Independent Alliance, such as putting a definition of Islamophobia on the statute books and Ofcom banning so-called Islamophobia from being broadcast.

This is the real concern with the rise of the Independent Alliance. Its not that its members will ever hold power. Rather, it is the fear that comes with their support in individual constituencies, and how this will play out in the mainstream.

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A group of scientists concerned about the thousands of species facing extinction believes that their salvation lies not here on Earth but more than 230,000 miles above it.

If calamity strikes our planet, a team at the Smithsonian argues that the only way to protect the DNA of those at-risk creatures is to get it as far away from Earth as possible.

Their radical plan? Load those samples up onto a cosmic Noah's Ark and ship them off to the moon.

In the proposal, published in July in the journal BioScience, an international team of experts provides an outline for how a lunar biorepository could feasibly be created.

The idea, which has been suggested before, involves storing the DNA of threatened animals in a vault on the lunar surface  Earth's only natural satellite  where conditions are cold enough to preserve the samples. The method would have the added benefit of stationing the biorepository of preserved cells well beyond the reach of any number of disasters that threaten our planet, from climate change to geopolitical strife.

A similar concept was outlined in 2021 by a group of researchers at the University of Arizona, who presented a paper for a "modern global insurance policy" at that year's IEEE Aerospace Conference.

Were the plan to ever be accepted by the global community, it would still be decades before any kind of spacecraft would be making the lunar voyage with the genetic makeup of any number of species on board. But the experts insist urgent  and drastic  action is required to protect a multitude of critically endangered species.

Here's a look inside the proposed lunar Noah's Ark  the plan to essentially build a large freezer to cryogenically preserve animal DNA on the moon.

Why the moon?

Here on Earth, cryogenic preservation requires electricity and liquid nitrogen.

But on the moon, the celestial body's shadowed craters create conditions frigid enough to keep DNA samples frozen year-round without the need for human intervention, the team wrote in their proposal. The deep craters near the polar regions are never exposed to sunlight, which makes those areas of the moon one of few places to reach the ultra-low temperature of minus 410 degrees Fahrenheit  cold enough to preserve cryogenically frozen animal skin and tissue for future cloning.

Of course, a global seed vault already exists in Svalbard, Norway, to safeguard biological samples. The vast repository hundreds of feet underground on a remote Norwegian island in the Arctic Circle contains more than 1 million frozen seed varieties to ensure the worlds crop biodiversity is protected in case of global disaster.

The Svalbard's global seed vault is photographed in 2020 in Longyearbyen, Norway.

But even the Svalbard seed vault has proven vulnerable to Earth-borne dangers when thawing permafrost threatened to flood and destroy the stockpile in 2017.

By virtue of being far, far away from Earth, the moon is not susceptible to planetary disasters of both the natural and human-made variety, the researchers argued. Storing the preserved cells and the crucial DNA within them on the lunar surface would ensure the biorepository would remain relatively protected until the need arises to use the samples to enhance genetic diversity or clone new animals altogether.

A desire to protect critically endangered species

The experts crafted the proposal out of alarm for the growing number of threats making it difficult to protect natural habitats and the animals that call them home.

More than 45,300 species worldwide are threatened with extinction, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List. The extinction rate is so severe that several advocacy organizations have referred to it as a crisis  and one almost entirely of our own making, fueled by habitat destruction, pollution, overharvesting and population growth.

Initially, a lunar biorepository would target the most at-risk species on Earth today, the proposals lead author, Mary Hagedorn, a research scientist at the Smithsonians National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute, said in a statement . "But our ultimate goal would be to cryopreserve most species on Earth."

How creating a lunar Noah's Ark would work

Cryopreservation may conjure with it images and associations straight out of a science fiction movie, but the process is one that has entered the realm of reality.

Already, cryopreservation plays an important role for in vitro fertilization (IVF,) which involves freezing and storing fertilized eggs for later use.

A nurse practitioner in Alabama lifts frozen embryos out of IVF cryopreservation in March.

For the proposed lunar biorepository, the team suggests cryopreservation  or deep freezing the animals' cellular material to induce suspended animation  would be pivotal to ensure the samples' longevity. At low enough temperatures, all biological activity effectively comes to a halt.

The samples could then be stored underground or inside a human-made structure to block out the damaging radiation in space.

If it sounds outlandish, it's a process the Smithsonian researchers have already been testing. The team claims to have already preserved the living cells from the starry goby fish, a creature that is not yet endangered but whose existence helps sustain coral reefs.

For the test, the team preserved the species' skin cells, called fibroblasts. As opposed to other types of commonly cryopreserved cells like sperm, eggs and embryos, fibroblasts are much more easily collected and stored, the team wrote.

Growing interest in lunar exploration

Astronaut James Irwin, lunar module pilot, gives a military salute while standing beside the U.S. flag during Apollo 15 lunar surface extravehicular activity (EVA) at the Hadley-Apennine landing site on the moon, August 1, 1971.

The proposal for the lunar biorepository comes as NASA and other space agencies around the world plan further exploration of the moon in coming years.

For NASA, its Artemis program aims to land astronauts on the lunar surface as early as 2026 for the first time since the agency's Apollo program came to an end in the 1970s.

And once Americans make it back to the moon, they don't intend to leave it anytime soon. In the years ahead, the U.S. space agency hopes to establish a lunar settlement on the south polar region, using the region's abundant water ice for drinking, breathing and as a source of hydrogen and oxygen for rocket fuel to make further deep space exploration possible.

With so many lunar journeys on the docket, Hagedorn and her team don't see why one of those launches couldn't also deliver small parcels containing cryopreserved samples of endangered species.

The team is already at work conducting radiation exposure tests to help design packaging to safely deliver the samples to the moon and is seeking partners for further research and funding.

This is meant to help offset natural disasters and, potentially, to augment space travel," Hagedorn said.

Lunar biorepository may not happen in our lifetime

But a lunar Noah's Ark is still a long way from becoming reality.

The decades-long program, as the team referred to it, would be a massive and costly undertaking, requiring international cooperation. It's ambitious, to be sure, but not unrealistic, Hagedorn says.

For now, the researchers simply hope to get their wild plan out there and perhaps spark some conversation  and even some controversy.

We hope that by sharing our vision, our group can find additional partners to expand the conversation, discuss threats and opportunities and conduct the necessary research and testing to make this biorepository a reality," Hagedorn said in her statement. "Life is precious and, as far as we know, rare in the universe. This biorepository provides another, parallel approach to conserving Earths precious biodiversity.

Eric Lagatta covers breaking and trending news for USA TODAY. Reach him at elagatta@gannett.com

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Lunar Noah's Ark? Inside a plan to store DNA of animals on the moon
Counterfeit car seats on the rise, advocates warn. Heres how to avoid them

Child safety advocates at Primary Children's Hospital warn sales of counterfeit car seats are rising online. (Chuchart Duangdaw via Getty Images)

Child safety advocates at Primary Childrens Hospital in Salt Lake City are urging parents to be cautious of purchasing car seats online, warning that theyve seen a rise in the number of parents unknowingly buying counterfeit car seats.

Many counterfeit car seats  though they may appear legitimate at first glance  dont meet U.S. safety standards and often lack crucial safety features that protect children in car crashes. Advocates worry that using these car seats could be putting childrens lives at risk.

Its hard to tell a car seat is counterfeit from a small picture online, and many parents think they found a great deal from a major retailer, said Michelle Jamison, community health program manager at Intermountain Primary Childrens Hospital. Once they realize theres a problem and try to return it, the site they got it from has already been taken down.

Hospital officials warned that even though car seats purchased online can be enticing because of their discounts, what often confuses parents is that these seats are found on the websites of major national retailers through third-party sellers.

For years, Primary Childrens Hospital has offered in-person and virtual car seat checks to help parents learn how to properly install and use car seats. Its during these checks where caregivers have started noticing more counterfeit car seats pop up, Jamison said.

The counterfeit car seats that Intermountain Primary Childrens Hospital caregivers are seeing look legitimate and can cost hundreds of dollars, the news release said. But many of these are missing key components that keep children safe in a crash, and they worry that using these seats could have deadly consequences.

Jilian Davis is one parent who learned she had a counterfeit car seat from Primary Childrens.

A family member gifted Davis the car seat, which was purchased online. After giving birth in June, Davis daughter spent two weeks in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Intermountain LDS Hospital and Primary Childrens before she went home. As they were preparing to leave the hospital, a car seat tech assisting them realized the car seat was counterfeit, according to hospital officials.

Its completely shocking because this is my fourth child and Ive never heard of this being an issue, Davis said in a prepared statement. Its scary to think I could have been driving around with my child in a car seat thats dangerous.

Primary Childrens gave Davis a car seat to use, but now Davis said she wants to warn other parents and family members who might not know better.

A car seat that meets U.S. safety regulations sits on the left, next to a counterfeit car seat that lacks required safety labels

How do you know if a car seat is counterfeit?

Experts say the best way to avoid counterfeit car seats is to buy directly from the manufacturers website or go to a store in person to purchase the seat, Primary Childrens officials said. All these models will be legitimate and meet safety standards.

While online discounts are tempting, Jamison said its worth paying the extra money to ensure your childrens safety.

Parents may think an in-store purchase is more expensive but what theyre really getting is the peace of mind their childs car seat is safe, Jamison said. While some models are pricey, there are less expensive ones that are still crash tested and safe.

To adhere to federal safety standards, all car seats must have the following:

A manufacturers label, which includes the name of the car seat, date of manufacture, branding, model number, and expiration date. This information is used to register your car seat, which allows manufacturers to notify you of any recalls. Counterfeit car seats dont have the model number, making them ineligible to register.

Warning labels written in both English and Spanish. Theyre found on the back of the car seat, and are also required in the area where the babys head rests near the top of the seat.

A chest clip. Chest clips are required in the U.S., but not other countries, which is why counterfeit car seats usually dont have them.

Counterfeit car seats are often missing the labels, or theyre written in another language, hospital officials said. Sometimes these labels have grammatical errors, and the wording doesnt make sense.

Jamison urged parents to check their car seats. If they discover they may be counterfeit or not adhere to U.S. safety standards, stop using it immediately and contact the retailer to notify them that they sold a counterfeit car seat, Jamison said.

You may be able to recover the cost of the seat if you used a credit card or purchased through a major retailer, she added.

Parents can report counterfeit car seats through STOPfakes.gov, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) or the U.S. Department of Commerce via their contact form.

Hospital officials also encouraged parents to submit a report through their states consumer protection agency.

Parents needing help with their car seat can find a technician in their area. They can also call Intermountain Primary Childrens Hospital to book a virtual or in-person car seat check at 801-662-CARS.

For more information, visit primarychildrens.org/safety.

Utah News Dispatch, a States Newsroom affiliate, produced this story.
On the morning of Monday, September 2, the terrorist country of the Russian Federation attacked the capital with missiles of various types. Air defense forces were working in Kyiv, but unfortunately, the fragments of the downed enemy objects damaged several buildings, in particular in the Holosiivskyi district of Kyiv.

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This was reported by an OBOZ.UA correspondent. Ukrainians were once again urged not to ignore the air raid alert.

Thus, on the morning of September 2, the terrorist country of the Russian Federation struck Kyiv with missiles of various types, and also tried to attack the city with kamikaze drones, which were destroyed on the outskirts. Air defense forces were working in the capital, and some enemy targets were shot down. Unfortunately, the fragments of destroyed Russian ammunition damaged several buildings in several districts of the city.

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In particular, in the Holosiivskyi district, the boiler room building of one of the capital's educational institutions was almost completely destroyed as a result of an enemy attack. The fall of a fragment of a Russian missile caused a fire, which was quickly extinguished by rescuers.

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We would like to add that according to preliminary information, there are victims of the shelling in the capital - two victims are known to be injured and are being provided with all necessary assistance.

As reported by OBOZ.UA, on the morning of September 2, Russian troops launched a combined attack on Kyiv using a large number of cruise and ballistic missiles. Explosions were heard in the city, air defense systems were activated, and destruction and fires were reported in four districts of the capital due to falling debris.

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Only verified information on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
Every year in Sonoma County, steelhead trout and coho salmon return to spawn in creeks along the Russian River that are fed by groundwater.

Environmental advocates have long urged the county to adopt measures that would prevent groundwater pumping and well drilling from drying up these streams and damaging vital fish habitat.

Now, a Sonoma County Superior Court judge has sided with environmental groups, ruling that the county violated state law and failed to meet its obligations to protect so-called public trust resources when officials adopted rules for wells under an amended local ordinance.

We have long known that excessive well pumping can harm our public trust resources, such as salmon and steelhead, says Don McEnhill, executive director of the nonprofit group Russian Riverkeeper. We're seeing major degradation in habitat.

Read more: How a water scientist hopes to save California habitats that could be pumped dry

Coho salmon are listed as an endangered species, while steelhead are listed as threatened. Both spawn in Russian River tributaries including Mill, Mark West and Green Valley creeks.

The courts decision underlines a legal requirement that California counties ensure that unchecked groundwater pumping isnt drying up streams and threatening the survival of species, said Sean Bothwell, executive director of California Coastkeeper Alliance.

Groundwater and surface water are connected, essentially the same thing, and they need to be managed the same way, Bothwell said. We really hope this ruling leads counties to be proactive, to manage the system as a whole.

Bothwell said the environmental groups filed the lawsuit because Sonoma County was just handing out groundwater permits without any review or analysis of the impact to the river.

An exposed gravel bar stretches along the Russian River in Healdsburg, Calif., in June 2021. (Brian van der Brug/Los Angeles Times)

Coastkeeper Alliance initially sued the county in 2021 under the public trust doctrine  the principle that certain natural resources must be preserved for the public. That case was settled in 2022, when county supervisors temporarily paused the issuing of well permits and began work amending the countys well ordinance.

Last year, Sonoma County supervisors approved amendments that, according to the countys website, create a new regulatory process that considers potential adverse impacts on public trust resources, such as habitat for coho salmon, when approving well permits.

However, leaders of the environmental groups argued the measures fell short and lacked sufficient analysis.

Another problem, McEnhill said, was that the county still wasnt requiring well owners to install meters to measure and report how much water they pump.

It was kind of like posting a speed limit on the highway and having no cops enforcing it, he said. When it comes to water, when its a trust me situation, thats never been proven to work in California  or anywhere else in the country.

Plaintiffs argued the county failed to fulfill its obligations under the public trust doctrine as well as the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).

Superior Court Judge Bradford DeMeo agreed in his Aug. 21 ruling, writing that based on previous cases, the state has an affirmative duty to take the public trust into account when making decisions affecting the waters.

Bothwell said this was the first time a California court has required a county to consider public trust resources when issuing permits for new wells.

Sonoma County officials were disappointed with the courts ruling, said Paul Gullixson, a county spokesperson. He said the ruling followed a robust public policy making process with considerable public, scientific, and technical input, that took the public trust doctrine and CEQA compliance seriously.

Gullixson said in an email that county officials are awaiting the final judgment in the case, which will start a 60-day period for filing an appeal.

Until that final decision is issued, the county is continuing its normal process of reviewing applications and issuing permits for wells, Gullixson said. If Sonoma County decides to appeal, any stay of the decision would allow the county to continue issuing permits under the amended ordinance pending the outcome of that case.

Read more: California lawmakers reject proposal to curb well-drilling where nearby wells could run dry

The environmental groups said the ruling means the county will need to analyze the cumulative impacts of allowing the drilling of more wells, and adopt measures to ensure protection of creeks when new wells are authorized.

The decision should lead to science-based limitations on well-drilling and pumping where necessary to protect the flow of streams that fish depend on, McEnhill said.

We see a pathway to resolving this issue, he said. Our goal is to provide enough water so that salmon can persist.

Californias groundwater law includes provisions intended to protect groundwater-dependent ecosystems. But many of these vulnerable natural areas are located outside regulated groundwater basins. Scientists have found that only 1% of the states groundwater-dependent ecosystems are sufficiently protected under measures adopted to date.

McEnhill said thats the case in Sonoma County, where creeks that provide valuable fish habitat and are at risk lie outside areas targeted for measures to address overpumping under the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act.

Bothwell said the goal in Sonoma and elsewhere should be to balance the demands of those diverting surface water and those pumping groundwater with the needs of fish and ecosystems, particularly during severe droughts, which are increasingly being intensified by climate change.

Our biggest goal is to bring the watershed into balance, Bothwell said.

How the county responds is especially important, he said, because the states groundwater law  which calls for addressing overpumping by 2040 in many areas  is moving too slow, quite frankly, to address the issues that the Russian River watershed is dealing with now.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
What happened : The child was reportedly traveling with her grandparents and was crying continuously throughout the flight. The video shows the two passengers inside a locked lavatory with the child. One of them can be heard saying, "We won't let you out unless you stop crying." After the girl quiets down, the woman filming picks her up and says, "If you make any noise again, we'll come back."

Nationwide outcry: The airline initially reported that the two passengers  who are unrelated to the child  had taken her to the restroom to "educate" her with her grandmother's consent. As criticism mounted, however, the airline apologized and condemned the passengers' behavior. Guo, who has since set her Douyin account to private, claimed her intention was to ensure a "restful flight" for others. Still, many accused her of being heartless and bullying the child. Chinese state media outlets also criticized the women's "inappropriate" behavior and called for greater understanding toward young children.
A new academic year is upon us, and colleges and universities are still struggling to uphold the norms of free speech and reasonable discourse on campus. Columbia Universitys president, Nemat Shafik, suddenly resigned last month after intense scrutiny following a semester of protests and encampments, as did three deans over antisemitic texts. Harvard and UCLA face major lawsuits brought by Jewish students seeking relief for discrimination. There are more examples of the turbulent state of higher education, from intrusive oversight by university systems to reversals on long-held positions against boycotts.

Even though many academics and commentators have explored why higher education has gone off trackand how reformers might course-correctit is worth stepping back to notice how todays campus disputes are just one more theater in the culture wars. The intolerance and mutual antipathy of ideological opponents on both the left and the right undermine two of the most important rights and institutions in our liberal democracy: freedom of speech and universities.

These trends are complicated and have multiple causes. Not every instance is morally equivalent or equally important as another. Yet they are symptoms of a dangerous illiberalism metastasizing on both the left and the right. It is therefore worth thinking carefully about how culture wars corrode liberalism and sabotage civil discourse, and to consider ways to stop them from wreaking more havoc on campus.

The culture wars, left and right.

Whenever we think of the culture wars, we typically imagine hyper-charged disputes between ideological adversaries seeking to convert their moral superiority into real-world supremacy. But we often miss that culture wars often involve asymmetrical conflicts between those who hold power and those who do notasymmetries that allow those in power to impose their views on others.

This dynamic is especially prevalent in higher education. Because progressives dominate colleges and universities, the conflicts often involve a conservative minority pitted against progressives in leadership or student groups that are ideologically aligned with the prevailing campus culture. In the spring of 2023 at Stanford Law School, for example, conservative Judge Stuart Kyle Duncan had a speech shut down by students and a diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) dean. Over 500 campus deplatforming incidents have come from the political left over the past decade, according to Greg Lukianoff and Sean Stevens of the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE). This trend reflects the sobering findings of the Constructive Dialogue Institute, which reported that very liberal students are much more likely than conservative students to be offended by the perspectives of their peers (40 percent to 20 percent) and to approve the use of social pressure to punish or cancel the offenders (87 percent to 16 percent).

But in many cases, asymmetries cut in the other direction, too. Right-led speaker cancellations also number in the hundreds, according to Lukianoff and Stevens. Republican lawmakers have implemented sweeping policies that, in the effort to curb DEI and critical race theory excesses, seek to ban controversial ideas and censor speech as well as punish professors who dissent. Sometimes, they even try to overhaul entire institutions. Witness the heavy-handed leadership at the New College of Florida, where senior leaders have denied tenure to or refused to renew the contracts of faculty who oppose the administrations efforts to ideologically overhaul the college.

This is one of the first things that we should acknowledge when assessing what the culture war looks like on campus today. Both the political left and the right target faculty for holding unorthodox views in their scholarship, teaching, public commentary, or for criticizing their institutions. Of the 1,300 incidents tracked in FIREs Scholars Under Fire Database, 49 percent come from the left and 44 percent come from the right. Only 7 percent have no political valence.

A more ambitious view of speech rights.

Whether in higher education or more broadly, culture wars often follow a familiar trajectory: One group weaponizes institutions and cultural power against the other. To prevent this tendency, liberal societies need robust protections for the rights of minorities, especially when they have little institutional leverage or cultural clout.

Of course, everyone likes rights in the abstract. Our country is awash in rights-talk. But it turns out that people are often more jealous of their own rights than zealous about protecting the rights of those whose views they deem to be unacceptable. They only become enthusiastic about rights when they no longer have power. Rights for me, but not for thee. But one-way rights are not rights at all; they are just naked power dressed up in the clothing of liberty.

What is required, then, is a cultural commitment to upholding the rights of all. At minimum, this commitment can be motivated by the self-interested reason that sometimes our group will not possess much institutional power. We cannot protect our own rights while curtailing the rights of others. But we should also be more ambitious; we should strive for something more durable than a pact born out of the threat of mutually assured destruction. It would be better if we wholeheartedly committed ourselves to mutually protecting rights because we agreed that they undergird a free and flourishing society.

Protesters march around University Hall at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island, on April 29, 2024. (Photo by Joseph Prezioso / AFP) (Photo by JOSEPH PREZIOSO/AFP via Getty Images)

Liberty and diversity cannot coexist without tolerance. A liberal culture is one in which people have a wide degree of freedom to follow the dictates of their consciences and live life as they see fit, so long as they do not harm others. A person with a liberal temperament does not view disagreements or differenceseven profound onesas a threat. He or she may have strong political and moral views but respects the rights of others to have an equal place in society and under the law. This principle is codified in the First Amendment and has helped make the United States the most diverse, free, and prosperous society in the world.

But this liberal way of life is caught in the culture-war crossfire between illiberal forces who would silence dissent and enforce ideological conformity. Freedom of speech is not the only casualtyso is the pursuit of truth. It turns out that we should value freedom of speech not only because it is a fundamental right but also because we value the truth and recognize our own fallibility. As the philosopher John Stuart Mill wrote:

If all mankind minus one, were of one opinion, and only one person were of the contrary opinion, mankind would be no more justified in silencing that one person, than he, if he had the power, would be justified in silencing mankind.

Mill goes on to argue in On Liberty that when we silence the views of others, we assume our own infallibility. But because we might be wrong, we should refrain from silencing dissenting voices. Only when we rigorously engage with dissenting views, even wrong views, can we better understand and defend important truths. Epistemic humility is an essential liberal virtue.

Unfortunately, Mills view has little purchase on either side of the culture wars, especially in higher education. Culture warriors fight not for the truth but for their tribes. They have principles, to be sure, but their moral zeal, their epistemic certainty, and their tribal loyalty render them incapable of civil disagreement and susceptible to zero-sum thinking. They often succumb to the temptation to marginalize, silence, and coerce their opponentstrends that impoverish our national discourse and undermine the credibility and mission of colleges and universities.

Perhaps nowhere is the freedom of speech and the principle of open inquiry more important than in higher education. Reasoned speech and inquiry are the foundation of the academic and civic missions of higher education: to seek the truth together through rigorous yet respectful discourse, and to prepare students for democratic citizenship in a diverse society.

In the higher ed culture wars, shouted-down speakers and fired professors may be the targets of opportunity, but students are the collateral damage. The erosion of the norms of civil discourse in the academy is taking a toll on students capacity to engage in healthy dialogue across diverging views. As often as not, students are self-censoring and censorious. A recent survey from the College Pulse and FIRE indicates that less than half of them feel comfortable sharing their views on a controversial topic in the classroom or in their campus residences. Over 30 percent believe it is at least sometimes acceptable to shout down a campus speaker.

Improving campus discourse.

Although the warring factions may never reach a rapprochement, there is much we can do to restore liberal commitments to free speech and reasoned discourse. Cooling off the higher education culture wars will require state lawmakers, in their efforts to shore up the integrity of our public colleges and universities, to avoid censorship and the politicization of public university governance. Furthermore, colleges and universities should pursue three sets of reforms.

First, colleges and universities should strengthen their protections for all speechincluding controversial and offensive speechby students, faculty, and invited speakers. Free expression and academic freedom are the sine qua non of the academy, but they become meaningless if only some views are deemed acceptable. In particular, administrators should ensure that time, place, and manner restrictions are content-neutral and equitably enforced.

Second, colleges and universities should encourage respectful yet robust dialogue across diverse viewpoints. Reversing the trends of affective polarization and self-censorship will require institutions to create spaces through forums, orientations, and gen ed courses for people to disagree with each other in good faith. This requires cultivating empathy and civility and promoting dialogue that employs reasons and evidence rather than dogma and emotion. Faculty and administrators should model these norms for their students.

Finally, colleges and universities should work to enhance viewpoint diversity. Colleges and universities should make concerted efforts to balance the predominantly left-leaning views on campus by hiring ideologically diverse professors and bringing thoughtful conservative speakers to engage with students. Likewise, conservative institutions should commit to viewpoint diversity and uphold the academic freedom of dissenting liberal faculty. Studentswho may come from homogeneous communitiesshould be exposed to peers with different views and experiences. The virtue of toleration on which our democracy depends cannot be practiced in a monoculture.

These reforms would aim to create a space for the rigorous pursuit of knowledge and for students to be habituated in the civic virtues that are indispensable to sustaining liberalism in a pluralistic society. Higher education is not merely an incubator of ideas; it is an inculcator of culture. Colleges and universities can train the next generation of antiliberal culture warriors, or they can educate the next generation of citizens of our liberal democracy. The academy will always be a contested space, but it does not have to be a battlefield in the culture wars.

Read more at The Dispatch

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When a lone beluga whale began rubbing up against Norwegian fishing boats in April 2019, a few alarm bells should have started ringing  not just for conservationists, but also among the suits on the top floor at the headquarters of the Norwegian Intelligence Service in Lutvann.

First, the whale didnt seem to have a pod. Toothed whales (which include beluga, dolphins and orca among other species) are not naturally solitary. They dont roam the high seas alone. They are pack animals  social mammals that move in pods and can sense how another member of their group is feeling (not just physically, but emotionally) through echolocation. Spot one alone and that should be your first indication that something is up. Second, pod or not, he was a good deal further south of the high arctic than he should have been. Third, he appeared to be wearing a harness, which was causing him some distress  enough that he seemed to be approaching boats which would ordinarily scare belugas (white whales have a bloody history of being hunted) to try to get the harness off.

By the time fisherman Joar Hesten donned a survival suit, jumped into the ocean and freed the whale from its harness, further questions had arisen. The harness was fitted with a camera mount. An inscription on the clip gave the first clue as to what the beluga might have been doing. Equipment St Petersburg, it read. And so began the worlds fixation with Whaledimir, the so-called Russian spy whale.

Norways domestic intelligence agency launched an investigation, later telling the BBC the whale was likely to have been part of a Russian research programme. A month after the animal was spotted, The Barents Observer, a Norwegian newspaper, reported satellite images had identified pens thought to house cetaceans at three different locations near Russian naval bases. Such creatures have long been used by Moscow, along with the United States and others, for military purposes. Five years later, on Saturday, a headline on their website read: Whaledimir is dead.

We have taken him out of the water now, Frederik Skarbovik, a maritime coordinator for Stavanger told Norwegian tabloid VG. I can confirm he is dead, unfortunately. Right now he is lying in a truck.

Whaledimir  or Hvaldimir as the Norwegians called him, in a nod to the Norwegian word for whale, hval, as well as Russian President Vladimir Putin  had been found floating in the harbour at Risavika, a busy southwest port. He had no visible injuries. Its not immediately clear what the cause of death is, said Sebastian Strand, a marine biologist who has been monitoring the creature for non-profit organisation Marine Mind for the past three years. Strand told reporters he was devastated by Whaledimirs death. Its absolutely horrible, he said. He was apparently in good condition as of [Friday], so we just have to figure out what might have happened here. An ongoing autopsy may well reveal the cause to be entirely natural, but until then, the sudden death of a whale the world had dubbed a kind of useless but loveable James Bond has been met with speculation that he may have been assassinated.

On Wednesday, claims emerged that the creature had been shot dead. Two conservation groups, OneWhale and NOAH, filed a police report alleging that Whaledimir was killed by gunshot wounds.

The groups shared purported pictures of the whale with what appeared to be holes in its bloodstained, lifeless body, saying there was compelling evidence suggesting that Hvaldimirs death was caused by intentional human-inflicted injury.

One Whale manager Regina Haug with the carcass of Hvaldimir - OneWhale.org

Could Whaledimir have been punished for being a turncoat who escaped his Russian captors in favour of charming the tourists along the Norwegian fjords? Foolish to rule it out, perhaps, though if he ever truly was a spywhale, it has generally been agreed he was a pretty poor recruit.

Soon after he appeared in 2019, Whaledimir settled into the harbour of a small town called Hammerfest. He struggled to feed himself, approaching boats for food. He seemed to like playing fetch and being scratched around the blowhole. When a young woman who had come to see him dropped her phone in the water at the dock, Whaledimir fetched it and brought it back to her. Youd have been hard-pressed to describe him as enigmatic, let alone covert.

Whaledimir was friendly and was well-loved by the locals in the Norwegian harbours he frequented

The Norwegian Directorate of Fisheries urged people not to feed him. Belugas are more docile than orcas, but he was still a wild animal  there were fears he might become at worst aggressive, at the very least dependent on humans for food. Relocating him to a sanctuary in Iceland was debated. Eventually, it was decided he would be fed and monitored in Norway, and from the summer of 2019 the Norwegian Orca Survey deemed him a free-swimming whale, making his way from fjord to fjord, becoming a local celebrity every time he appeared. He made it as far as the west coast of Sweden before returning to Norway, where he died last week.

Russia has never confirmed where Whaledimir came from, though a retired Russian colonel, Viktor Baranets, retorted when asked if they had been using him for spying: do you think we would attach a mobile phone number with the message please call this number? He also told Reuters that scientists in northern Russia had been using beluga whales for tasks of civil information gathering, rather than military tasks. Civil information gathering. That does have a ring of espionage about it, even if Putin hasnt strictly been deploying whales as highly trained marine weapons.

If he was, he wouldnt be the first. There is a storied history of whales, dolphins and even sea lions being put to service, used as mine hunters during the Cold War and, in recent years, to protect Russian naval bases from Ukrainian assaults.

Whaledimir first arrived wearing the harness that sparked speculation that he was no ordinary whale - JORGEN REE WIIG

Writer Philip Hoare, author of Leviathan, or the Whale, which documents our societal fascination with whales, has long hoped to substantiate one claim that the United States used cetaceans during the Vietnam war as underwater assassins. The story which has been widely circulated, he says, is that they were employed to assassinate Viet Cong divers. They were actually using CO2 canisters fixed with a hypodermic needle to their snout which were used to inject Vietcong divers with a fatal dose of carbon dioxide.

Hoare studied whales on Cape Cod in the 1980s. At the time, a lone orca used to frequent the harbour. My landlady used to go out swimming with it. This orca was clearly habituated to human beings. Its likely he was an escapee from a military training camp. A US military training camp.

If you see a single dolphin or killer whale there is something weird because these are entirely social animals. Theyve been taken out of their pods for some reason and that was probably why. [...] Belugas are similar.

The US military has used cetaceans to detect mines, he explains. Sort of the way you train a pig to snuffle out truffles. They very quickly catch on what theyre being asked to do, says Hoare.

They were also used in the Gulf War, he says, and during the 2003 invasion of Iraq to locate mines in the harbour.

It was during the Vietnam War, he adds, that its likely they started to be used for espionage. Later on in the Sixties is probably when the Russians started using trained belugas, dolphins, orca. Its very difficult to tell what was happening there, but they definitely were. It was a kind of space race with cetaceans.

Whaledimir is, says Hoare, very clear evidence of what the Russians have been doing. Could he have been a spy? Impossible to know for sure, but he has definitely been trained to use a camera. So its not going to be for an oceanarium. I think its probably military use, yes.

A conspicuously bright, ivory coloured animal which lacks the killer instinct of an orca might seem an odd choice for espionage. But experts say a beluga could make a perfect recruit for the right mission. Their ability to navigate the murk makes them helpful spies, says Tom Foreman, a natural history television researcher who has spent years filming the animals in waters off northern Norway. Their echolocation is one of the things thats attractive for using them because they can navigate through muddy waters, being more of a coastal animal, he says.

Theyre not particularly deep divers and they are an ice whale.

In Norway, people found it rather entertaining, says Foreman that this supposed Russian spy was quite so friendly and useless. Whaledimirs friendliness could give some clue to his history, says Foreman. Theyre definitely social creatures, which could be why this one was seeking out people rather than other pods. If he was caught young and became used to people it could be he didnt quite recognise or wasnt able to communicate with other pods to join them or didnt have good wild hunting skills.

Fisherman Joar Hesten developed a close relationship with Whaledimir, who didn't seem covert enough to be a fully-fledged Russian spy

If Whaledimir was captured when he was young and deployed by the Russian military, he was simply the latest marine recruit of his kind. During the Cold War, both the Soviet Union and the US used dolphins to detect mines. The Soviet Navy operated its dolphin programme until the early 1990s, using them to defend ships against divers, find submarines, locate mines and attach homing devices to targets. A Soviet beluga whale called Tichka escaped twice in 1991 and 1992, crossing the Black Sea and ending up in Turkey.

The dolphin programme was passed to the Ukrainian Navy after the fall of the Soviet Union. In 2000, the BBC reported it had been relocated to Iran, which bought the animals. But two years later, there were reports Russia had deployed trained military dolphins at its main naval base in the Black Sea, with satellite analysis suggesting they may have been used to protect its fleet stationed at the port of Sevastopol, in Russian-occupied Crimea, from underwater attacks.

The US, meanwhile, has reportedly spent millions of dollars maintaining its marine troops of dolphins and sea lions. Around the time Whaledimir was captured in 2019, the US had about 70 trainable dolphins and 30 sea lions at its naval base in California.

Of greater use to Russia than a sea lion or a dolphin, arguably, is a beluga whale. Theyre used to cold water, says Hoare. That far north you dont get dolphins, so they can be used in colder waters, especially arctic waters. Thats why the Russians would use them.

Unlike an orca, it also has an unusual skill  a quirk of its anatomy that might make it useful to anyone wanting to shoot underwater footage of a stretch of coastline. The thing about a beluga whale is it can really articulate its head at a right angle. So it can look straight at you. A beluga can twist and turn in the water almost as if it were human. When you see them, they almost seem like mermaids, says Hoare. They have this astonishing division in their lower belly which almost makes it look as if they have their legs together.

When Whaledimirs lifeless body was spotted, one onlooker reported sadly: I thought it was sleeping at first. Sleeping with the fishes. A fitting ending for a spywhale.

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SAN ANGELO, Texas (Concho Valley Homepage)  Concho Valley PAWS is asking for the communitys help raising funds for emergency veterinary care after a dog survived being struck by a car.

According to a Facebook post issued by the organization on the morning of Sept. 2, the dog, King, received multiple injuries after a driver hit him with their vehicle. The motorist reportedly kept driving following the collision.

Although King survived the incident, CVPAWS stated that his owner has limited funds. To help cover the cost of the dogs veterinary care, the nonprofit has launched a fundraiser through Facebook.

Emergency vet care especially on a holiday is very expensive, CVPAWS said. We want to help King and his family but we need your help!

$605 has been raised through the Facebook fundraiser as of the time of publication. To donate, visit CVPAWS fundraiser post or visit cvpaws.org/donate.

An image of King, a dog Concho Valley PAWS launched a fundraiser for on Sept. 2, 2024, after he was struck by a vehicle.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ConchoValleyHomepage.com.
(KRON)  Danville residents assisted police in arresting a suspected armed robber, according to Danville Police Department.

A woman contacted the Danville PD when she witnessed her husband being confronted by a suspected robber armed with a knife who broke into their house on Sunday.

At 4:33 a.m., Danville police officers responded to the home on Alexander Lane and learned that the armed suspect fled the scene. Authorities said officers saw Clayton Mackey, 26, of Walnut Creek, running from a neighboring yard.

Despite multiple agencies working to locate Mackey, officers were unsuccessful in finding the suspect.

Slain hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin mourned in Berkeley and Jerusalem

From a Nixle Alert, police received community assistance and were told the suspect was near the Las Trampas Trail. According to the Nixle Alert, Mackey was last seen wearing a black shirt and shorts, a bike helmet with no shoes.

Authorities said they set up several perimeters near the trail when Contra Costa County Sheriffs STARR helicopter spotted Mackey. He was detained in the 100 block of Camino Encanto.

Mackey was arrested and booked at the Martinez Detention Facility on the following charges:

Burglary

Arson of property

Unlawfully causing a fire

Attempted auto theft

Battery on an officer

Threatening an officer

Resisting, delaying, or obstructing an officer

Petty theft

Mackeys bail was set at $350,000.

Danville Police Chief Allan Shields thanked the residents who assisted in Mackeys arrest. Shields expresses gratitude for the residents, contribution to the safety of the community.

Authorities said this case remains open. Anyone with additional information related to this case is encouraged to contact Lieutenant Heather Transue at (925) 314-3702.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
A diver swims next to algae. Ecologists are keen to protect the sea bed, one of the planet's last untouched ecosystems, though companies see opportunity in rocks on the ocean floor which contain valuable minerals. Joel Reyero/dpa

Researchers say the polymetallic nodules that mining companies hope to harvest from the deep-ocean seafloor may be a source of oxygen for the animals, plants and bacteria that live there.

The work about the discovery of this dark oxygen was published in the journal Nature Geoscience.

This study is a really good example of how limited our knowledge of the deep ocean currently is, and how much more we still stand to benefit with further scientific research, said Diva Amon, a marine biologist from Trinidad and a post-doctoral researcher at the University of California, Santa Barbaras Benioff Ocean Initiative.

The excitement is focused on the potato-sized rocks  or polymetallic nodules  found littered across areas of the ocean floor. These nodules contain minerals, such as cobalt and nickel, that green-energy batteries and technologies require.

For years, companies such as Canadas The Metals Co. have been working to persuade the international governing authority to greenlight their plans to harvest these metallic nodules in the Pacific Oceans Clarion Clipper Zone  a stretch of sea that spans 4,500 miles between Hawaii and Mexico.

The company has argued that the metals are essential for building technologies that do not rely on fossil fuels. They say the impact mining will have on the ocean floor is not only minimal, but also doesnt compare with the destruction of rainforests and human communities that terrestrial mining inflicts.

But environmentalists, oceanographers and others say that driving large harvesting machines across the pristine, little-known ocean floor  atop and along areas of sediment three and four miles below the surface  could have unforeseen and disastrous consequences. They are urging lawmakers to postpone or ban the industry from digging up one of the last untouched ecosystems on the planet.

This new research, which was funded by TMC, suggests the toll of mining the area could be greater than anyone had imagined.

Thats because a team of international scientists found that the prized nodules produce oxygen  and may be responsible for enriching this dark, remote ecosystem with one of lifes most important elements.

Jeffrey Marlow, an assistant professor of biology at Boston University and one of the authors on the paper, said he and his team had received funding from TMC to conduct baseline environmental studies, which included sending something to the ocean floor called a benthic chamber.

These structures, which he described as being about 10 feet tall  think of it as just like an overturned box or something that you jab into the seafloor, Marlow said  are watertight and gas tight, and contain instruments designed to take measurements of the sediments chemistry and composition.

The sampling method is pretty standard, he said. Scientists measure the amount of oxygen that is lost, or declines, during a 48-hour period as the chamber sits in place on the ocean floor. The decline serves as a proxy for the amount of life down there  as animals respirate, they consume oxygen.

But when they sent the chambers down for this analysis, they noticed that oxygen levels went up, not down.

Marlow said they were certain the machinery was faulty. They tried again and noticed the same results.

These benthic chamber experiments have been done around the world for decades, he said. So the technology and everything is pretty well established.

He said they spent days, then weeks troubleshooting.

We had a couple of redundant ways of measuring it, so we knew that not one of them was failing. Ultimately, we were forced to conclude that oxygen was being produced.

What the researchers think is happening is that nodules  and the metals in them  are working like a battery, at a chemical level.

These rocks are made up of minerals which have metals that are ... distributed throughout the rock in heterogeneous ways, he said. Each of these metals and minerals is able to hold on to an electrical charge in a slightly different way. So essentially, just the natural variation means that there is charge separation ... in the same way there is on a battery.

That means theres enough voltage to take water and split it open in hydrogen and oxygen.

But not everyone is convinced by  or happy with  the studys conclusion.

TMC, which sponsored the research, sent the Los Angeles Times a critique of the paper, stating the research had been rejected by four scientific publications until finding a home at Nature, which the company described as a journal that has taken a strong view against deep-sea mineral sourcing.

A request for comment went unanswered by the journals communications team, but the periodical is generally regarded as one of the most prestigious and selective publications among scientists.

TMC also said the methodology was flawed, arguing that the teams findings contradicted other work that had been conducted in the Clarion Clipper Zone, but which used a different method.

This inability to reproduce the findings with both methods suggests that elevated oxygen levels are in fact an artifact in the data, said the company in a statement. The company noted it was currently preparing a peer-reviewed paper as rebuttal.

Bo Barker Jorgensen, a microbiologist at Denmarks Aarhus University  who was not involved with the research or on TMCs payroll  said the work elicited more questions than it did answers.

He said he did not think this discovery is important for our understanding of the ocean in general or for deep-sea mining and described the research as a novel and very puzzling process for which the mechanism is still not clear.

The studys authors pushed back on the critiques, stating they too had been puzzled by their findings  but theyd been rigorous in eliminating every other possible scenario.

We were the worst critics of this paper for a long time, said Andrew Sweetman, leader of the Seafloor Ecology and Biogeochemistry research group at the Scottish Assn. for Marine Science, and lead author on the paper. For eight years I discarded the data showing oxygen production, thinking my sensors were faulty. Once we realised something may be going on, we tried to disprove it, but in the end we simply couldnt.

He said he welcomed more research on the topic and urged other scientists to investigate further.

Following the publication of this paper, I have been approached by other researchers with similar data sets also showing evidence of dark oxygen production that they discarded thinking equipment was faulty, he said.

Activists and marine conservationists from Ocean Rebellion hold a protest concert aiming to highlight the damaging effects of deep sea mining on marine life, as companies seek to access valuable rocks on the ocean floor. Joao Daniel Pereira/Atlantico Press via ZUMA Press/dpa
Ukraine's Defence Minister Rustem Umierov and his French counterpart Sebastien Lecornu have held talks in Paris.

Source: European Pravda citing the ministers' social media accounts

Details: Lecornu said that he and Umierov had met in Paris and talked about "the development of the situation at the contact line and the extension of French support". Rustem Umierov gave more details about the meeting, noting that he was accompanied by Major General Volodymyr Horbatiuk, Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine; Lieutenant General Mykola Shevtsov, Head of the Main Logistics Department of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine; and Oleksandr Balanutsa, Deputy Minister of Defence for European Integration.

"The main focus of our dialogue was on strengthening defence cooperation and coordinating efforts to counter Russian aggression," Umierov said.

He stressed that Ukraines priority needs are still air defence systems and long-range weapons, as well as combat aircraft, electronic warfare equipment, unmanned aerial vehicles, artillery and ammunition.

"We paid special attention to the development of cooperation between the Ukrainian and French defence industries. We discussed the creation of joint ventures and co-financing of production. We have specific projects, an action plan and deadlines. Our teams are already actively working on this," Umierov said.

Earlier, Umierov confirmed that Ukraine had handed over to the US a list of targets in Russia that it wants to attack with long-range ATACMS missiles.

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he had raised the issue of investment in the production of Ukrainian long-range weapons in a conversation with Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof, who is on his first visit to Ukraine since taking office.

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Press Release

September 2, 2024 STATEMENT OF SEN. WIN GATCHALIAN ON THE POGO RAID IN CEBU The presence of former POGO workers from Bamban and Porac at the recently raided POGO hub in Cebu suggests that we may have only scratched the surface of the issue. A deeper probe is clearly necessary. Despite the President's clear directive for a total ban, some POGO operators and agents continue to flout the law by merely shifting their activities from one location to another. We need stricter enforcement and more comprehensive measures to ensure that these operations are permanently shut down. There must be a coordinated effort among law enforcement agencies, PAGCOR, and local government units to crack down on these illegal activities and ensure compliance with the government's directive. Maliwanag ang mensahe ng Pangulo: Dapat wala nang namamayagpag na POGO sa bansa.
Residents of big cities often want to go on vacation somewhere quiet and peaceful, away from the bustling crowd. And there is such a city not far from the famous tourist center in Europe.

ADVERTISIMENT

According to the Express, we are talking about Utrecht, a picturesque Dutch city located not far from Amsterdam. You can get here from the capital in just an hour, and in return, you will get similar architecture, picturesque canals, lush greenery, and a much smaller number of tourists on the streets.

Utrecht has no shortage of outstanding and picturesque places to visit. For example, the Cathedral Bell Tower, the Miffy Museum, and the flooded canals of the inner city are definitely worth a look. A walk in the old part of Utrecht will be very pleasant, as its ancient architecture is inspiring. The city is one of the oldest in the Netherlands and has an interesting history.

ADVERTISIMENT

If you're interested in Utrecht, keep in mind that you can't get here by plane  the city doesn't have its own airport. However, it has a convenient train connection to Amsterdam.

A big part of the city's local flavor is its many cafes. In particular, those located on the banks of the canals.

Tourists also praise the service in local hotels and hostels. The staff is very attentive to guests and is always ready to help them with any questions.

Utrecht will be a really good choice for those who want to enjoy hiking. Wherever you go, you will have something to see. And also where to stop to quench your hunger and thirst.

Subscribe to the OBOZ.UA channels in Telegram and Viber to keep up with the latest events.
DeKalb County business owner on a mission to stop violence in the area

People who live and work near Memorial Drive and Hairston Road in DeKalb County said theyve suffered through a violent summer.

The DeKalb County Police Department told Channel 2 Action News on Sunday night. that officers are aware of the increased criminal activity in that area, and theyre taking steps to stop it and arrest those responsible.

This has to be a collective effort, said Lawrence Prescott.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

Prescott has dedicated his career to connecting the Caribbean community in metro Atlanta, and now hes working to connect business owners in the area to stop crime.

He shed light on repeat break-ins in a business plaza on Memorial Dr. last month by sharing surveillance video with the public.

That effort appears to have helped get a man with a history of hurting children off the streets.

Quentin Thompson is in jail with no bond, accused of five burglaries. Records show he spent nearly 12 years in prison after an aggravated child molestation conviction.

This week, crime in the neighborhood escalated to gun violence.

TRENDING STORIES:

Police arrested Jean Princy after they say he shot a woman on the sidewalk between a Texaco gas station and a restaurant called Duckanoo.

Prescott took a look at police crime mapping data in that area.

Depending on the parameters of the search, you will find 67 police reports in a mile radius around Memorial Dr. and Hairston Rd in the past month.

It clearly shows that theres an issue, said Prescott. Its clear as day, and I think seeing that really, really concerns me.

Some business owners are considering taking concerns to county commissioners.

The next chance to do that would be Sept. 10.

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IN OTHER NEWS:
James Denholm was jailed after secretly filming people in their private spaces for over a decade - POLICE SCOTLAND/PA

A depraved electrician who filmed his customers with devices he secretly installed in their homes has been jailed for voyeurism.

James Denholm, 34, recorded more than a dozen people when they thought they were in private, including women in intimate situations.

Some of his victims were former partners, others were customers who had hired him for electrical work. He also recorded in public bathrooms.

He was caught after a victim found a recording device under her bed in May 2022 and called in police, prosecutors said.

Denholm was jailed for two years and eight months at Aberdeen Sheriff Court and was added to the sex offenders register indefinitely.

He had earlier admitted to multiple charges, involving 17 people, including voyeurism and stalking. He admitted possessing indecent images and videos of children between 2007 and 2012.

After police were alerted, a raid was carried out on his Aberdeen home where detectives discovered evidence of his offending on hard drives, SD cards, mobile phones, laptops and cameras.

Videos were found dating from June 2013 until August 2023.

Sickening campaign

Alison McKenzie, procurator fiscal for Grampian, Highlands and Islands, said: James Denholm exploited a position of trust to gain access to his victims during this alarming pattern of behaviour.

He filmed several individuals during private moments in places where they should have felt safe, such as their own homes and in public bathrooms.

His depraved behaviour has had lasting consequences on a number of those targeted during this sickening campaign, which also involved a number of former partners.

I hope this conviction serves as a warning to others that we take crimes of this nature extremely seriously and will use all the tools available to us to seek justice.

Non-harassment orders, banning Denholm from contacting or attempting to contact four victims, were granted by the court.

He was also made subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for seven years.

Police Scotland said they had carried out an extensive investigation after being alerted to suspicions about Denholm.

Det Insp Mark Lambley said: Denholm now faces the consequences of his despicable and distressing actions.

Our thoughts remain with his victims who had their privacy violated. We hope that his sentencing will bring them some comfort.

Sexual crime of any nature will not be tolerated. We will thoroughly investigate any reports made to us, no matter how much time has passed.

I would urge people to come forward and you can be assured of being fully supported by officers and our partner agencies.

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ALOHA, Ore. (KOIN)  A gunfight outside an Aloha church early Monday critically wounded one, injured another, sent bullets into homes in the neighborhood and landed two people in jail as police look for another suspect.

The shooting around 6 a.m. happened in the parking lot of the Eden Presbyterian Church near Southwest 185th Avenue and Selvarosa Court with the houses behind the church and across the street catching the rounds as they flew.

Portland police enforce new Oregon law with 4 arrested, 1 cited for drug possession

Neighbors who spoke with KOIN 6 News said they were badly shaken by the incident.

Angie Hart, whose house was caught in the crossfire, said a bullet landed just feet away from where her granddaughter was sleeping.

A bullet from a gunfight in the parking lot at Eden Presbyterian Church in Aloha pierced the bedroom wall of Angie Harts granddaughter, September 2, 2024 (Angie Hart)

I saw the detectives out here, saw forensics was explaining to my granddaughter what forensics and detectives do, and shes, like, Oh, I wonder why if thats the reason theres a hole in the wall in my room, Hart said. Oh my God, just, you know, a few feet down further and a few feet over she would have been, you know.

A bullet from a gunfight in the parking lot at Eden Presbyterian Church in Aloha pierced the bedroom wall of Angie Harts granddaughter, September 2, 2024 (Angie Hart)

I did hear, like, I dont know, it sounded like six gunshots and I was, like, dead asleep, Crystal Gonzalez said . So I really thought I was, like, dreaming or something. And I guess I wasnt dreaming.

Solomon Garcia said they heard some shots, and since it was so close we kind of got startled.

Following a multi-hour search, deputies reported they had arrested 21-year-old Matteo Greene of Portland and an unnamed 17 year old, also from Portland.

Interviews and surveillance video showed Greene and the 17-year-old attacked two other people before multiple people started shooting at each other, officials in a release. One victim was shot in the stomach and taken to a hospital with critical injuries.

Greene had also been shot in the leg, prompting officials to take him to the hospital for treatment before his arrest. He now faces charges of attempted murder in the second degree, assault in the first degree, and unlawful use of a weapon, and a probation violation.

A gunfight in the parking lot at Eden Presbyterian Church in Aloha wounded 2 and left bullet holes in nearby houses, September 2, 2024 (KOIN)

The teen also faces attempted murder and assault charges and has been placed in custody with the Washington County Juvenile Department.

Magnitude 4.2 earthquake strikes off Oregon Coast

Officials say they believe four people had been involved in the shooting. But Washington County Deputy David Huey told KOIN 6 News they dont yet have a motive for the gunfight.

Investigators found at least five neighboring homes were hit by gunfire, including rounds that went into living rooms and bedrooms, deputies said. No one in the houses was hurt.

Deputies are investigating a shooting that happened in Aloha early on September 2, 2024 (KOIN)

This incident caused Angie Hart to reflect on the state of the area in the last few years.

I just know that in the area, compared to when my grandparents were younger, living here, my parents were here, we didnt have  they didnt have  this kind of violence in the area, Hart said.

The investigation remains ongoing. Anyone who witnessed the incident or who has a security camera set up nearby is asked to contact the Washington County Sheriffs Office.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com.
The front page of the Deseret News in 1955, as Utahns celebrate the Labor Day holiday.

A look back at local, national and world events through Deseret News archives.

Today is Labor Day, celebrated on the first Monday in September.

On Sept. 5, 1882, in New York City, the Knights of Labor union organized a parade up Fifth Avenue and a day off work. The organizers hoped for a turnout of 30,000, but only about a third of that showed up. Most people, The New York Times speculated, preferred to spend the day at Coney Island or in some other leisure pursuit.

In 1894, the United States celebrated the first federal Labor Day holiday, thanks to a designation declared by President Grover Cleveland.

Little seems to have changed through the years. Originally it was dedicated to honoring those who had helped lobby for worker rights, improving works hours and unsafe conditions as well as address fair pay. Now most consider it a long weekend, a chance to wrap up the summer in style and perhaps take a short vacation.

The front page of the Deseret News on Sept. 5, 1955, showcased how Utahns enjoyed the free Monday.

Stories and headlines of the day included a photo of a local family enjoying the day, a piece about local officials enumerating better conditions for the workforce, and a story about the Mormon Tabernacle Choir performing in Copenhagen, Denmark.

The other unfortunate headlines of the day included a recap of a fatal auto accident in Nevada that claimed the lives of three Salt Lake City men, as well as worries that highway deaths in the U.S. would reach all-time highs for the holiday.

Nationally, officials deem the period from Memorial Day to Labor Day as the 100 Deadliest Days of Summer.

Be safe out there.

Here are some stories from Deseret News archives about Labor day and the hard reality of Labor Day travel deaths:

The meaning of Labor Day

True meaning of Labor Day more than holiday from work

Labor Day is an important time of celebration with a turbulent history

Opinion: From violent protests to holiday pay  the history of Labor Day

Opinion: This Labor Day, give thanks for job-ending automation

Utah officials frustrated by 100 Deadliest Days results as traffic deaths rise
The promise of autumn, and the election that comes with it, was in the cool morning air Monday as laborers by the thousands  ironworkers, letter carriers, masons and more  took to the brick-covered streets of Detroits Corktown.

Clad in an array of colors representing different local units, with high school band drums beating and politicians poised to speak, the annual Labor Day parade returned to the city as much a show of solidarity for unions as a rallying call for Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris. Harris did not attend the parade, instead addressing a union rally a few miles away at the citys Northwestern High School, but fervor for the current vice president and the efforts of workers were seemingly one and the same in the show of force as a union town.

Chants echoing a motto of Harris, Were not going back, rang across the crowd as UAW President Shawn Fain spoke at the parades destination in front of the Ford Motor Co.-restored Michigan Central Station.

Its a clear choice this election, Fain told those gathered. Harris and running mate Tim Walz have been on the picket line while Republican candidate and former president Donald Trump will be a disaster for the working class.

Donald Trump is a scab, Fain shouted into a microphone to cheers.

And while his jab wasnt new and neither was the parade, the heat of the political moment did bring a fresh element to the yearly worker celebration.

United Auto Workers President Shawn Fain addresses union members at the annual Labor Day Parade on Monday, Sept. 2, 2024 in Detroit.

Fresh faces

Wearing Teamster gear, Jim Duhadway, 71, of East China Township said hed always wanted to join the parade. His father and grandfather both worked for the county road commission; his grandfather even marched during the 1940s and 1950s.

His mom and her family, too, came from coal country in Pennsylvania.

She said, Without the union, you have nothing. And that always stuck with me, he said.

Monday was his first time joining the parade and rally, motivated by a desire to show some support in this moment. He even pointed to the work of one of Mondays speakers, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.

Union members march in the annual Labor Day Parade on Monday, Sept. 2, 2024 in Detroit.

Since I've retired, I know we've fallen behind and one of the things that Gov. Whitmer mentioned that helped  they stopped taxing pensions, he said. That saves me six to seven hundred dollars a year.

He, like his brother-in-law Jasques Ledent, 65, of Lincoln Park, is enthused with Harris.

Ledent, who worked as a technician at AT&T before retiring, said the U.S. is at a turning point in democracy. Thats what brought him out for the first time.

The big difference between the people who have the money and the people who don't have the money is getting bigger and bigger, and it's time for the people to realize they have power if they get together, he said.

He enjoyed seeing the crowd, even if he wished there were more people there, but said he was disappointed not to see an appearance from Harris herself. He still supports her, but it was a missed opportunity in his book.

We don't mind having her back, but she should show that she has the back of the labor, too, he said.

Toting her 6-week-old daughter Niyah in a stroller, Candice Robinson, 31, of Detroit, had said ahead of the march that she was hopeful to see Harris, but knew it was a busy time.

It was important for Robinson to come out to support the unions and her sister in the UAW, she said. She used to work for Stellantis on the line at the Marysville axle plant and has marched multiple times, even if it was new for her youngest child.

Unions are all about togetherness, and the pay and benefits they help secure goes toward the needs of families, Robinson said.

That's what it's all about, she said. You go to work and you make your money, you come home for your family.

Unions are also a big part of the Detroit community, she said.

They protect the workers and keep jobs secure, said ironworker Willie Chaney, 34, of Detroit, as he held his 3-year-old daughter across his arms. After four years as a union worker, it was his first year at the parade, too.

He was glad to see all the people, all the different unions come together and just celebrating, what we do every day, he said.

Damarqio Williams wears a "Voting is my Black Job" pin at the annual Labor Day Parade on Monday, Sept. 2, 2024 in Detroit.

Political rallying cries

Among the union workers and union families present were the politicians they hope will support their needs going forward.

Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan didnt speak at the rally but did march in the streets of Corktown along with other elected officials, including U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell, D-Ann Arbor; U.S. Rep. Shri Thanedar, D-Detroit; Wayne County Executive Warren Evans; Oakland County Executive David Coulter; and Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson.

Of those, Benson addressed the crowd along with numerous multiple leaders who later attended Harris visit.

Fain, in his more than 10-minute-long, wide-ranging speech, also called to mind 53-year-old Antonio Gaston, a father of four who was reportedly crushed to death while working at an Ohio Jeep factory last month. Fain and Stellantis have already exchanged barbs regarding the death, with Fain pointing to Gaston being transferred to a plant away from his family and the auto company claiming Fain is playing politics with the workers death.

Fain on Monday elaborated on his anger with the loss while also noting the upcoming anniversary of the strike against the three major Detroit auto companies.

Fain said that the fight for workers rights isnt over.

Corporate greed is squeezing human beings past their limits, and workers and our families and our communities continue to pay the price, Fain said. That's what our fights for this Labor Day.  Labor is meant to be a means to an end to a good quality life. Our work and our lives are not meant to be a sacrifice to a handful of billionaires at the top.

More: 5 memorable visits to Detroit by presidential candidates on Labor Day

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer addresses union members at the annual Labor Day parade on Monday, Sept. 2, 2024, in Detroit.

Whitmer, who recalled her city-given moniker of Big Gretch on stage, told the crowd the presidential race wasnt the only key item on the ballot this fall.

Votes are needed to keep the Legislature a Democratic majority, there are key congressional races and the Michigan Supreme Court needs justices like Justice Kyra Harris Bolden and Kimberly Thomas, who both also spoke Monday, she said.

Today is to honor the hardworking men and women who helped build the labor movement in Michigan and in this country, she said. Today is also a reminder of how much we have yet to do. Sixty-three days, let's pull out all the stops and let's get it done.

Editor's note: Many Detroit Free Press employees are represented by a union that took part in the Labor Day march.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Labor Day parade draws out unions with eyes on election
How Disney created a PR nightmare with its response to a wrongful-death lawsuit

A doctor died in 2023 of a severe allergic reaction after eating at Disney Springs in Florida.

Disney faced backlash for how it handled her widower's wrongful-death lawsuit.

A media expert said the company's Disney+ argument was a misstep.

Earlier this month, Disney walked itself into a PR nightmare.

Jeffrey J. Piccolo named the entertainment giant in a wrongful-death lawsuit in February after his wife, Kanokporn Tangsuan, died at a restaurant in Disney Springs in Florida. Piccolo is representing Tangsuan's estate.

Tangsuan, a doctor from New York, experienced a "severe acute allergic reaction" in October 2023 after dining at Raglan Road Irish Pub and Restaurant.

Court documents said that Tangsuan had severe dairy and nut allergies, so her family decided to dine at that restaurant because they believed it would have "proper safeguards." Piccolo and Tangsuan asked a restaurant employee on "numerous occasions" if the establishment served allergen-free options, which the employee confirmed.

Tangsuan was then transported to the hospital after collapsing in Planet Hollywood, according to the lawsuit. A medical examiner's investigation determined that her cause of death resulted from "anaphylaxis due to elevated levels of dairy and nut in her system."

Piccolo requested in excess of $50,000 in damages from Disney and the restaurant's operator, Great Irish Pubs Florida, Inc.

A lawsuit said Kanokporn Tangsuan died in October 2023 after eating at Disney Springs. Disney/Walt Disney World Resort via Getty Images

Disney's response

Disney's motion to compel arbitration might have been to avoid a jury trial, which could have attracted more media attention. But its response had the opposite effect.

In May, Disney argued that Piccolo could not make his case before a a jury because he accepted a Subscriber Agreement when registering for a Disney+ free trial in 2019. Registering for an account includes agreeing to the Subscriber Agreement and Terms of Use, which include a "binding arbitration clause."

Arbitration is when parties involved in a dispute have a neutral third party resolve the matter instead of a court jury.

"The Terms of Use, which were provided with the Subscriber Agreement, include a binding arbitration clause. The first page of the Subscriber Agreement states, in all capital letters, that 'any dispute between You and Us, Except for Small Claims, is subject to a class action waiver and must be resolved by individual binding arbitration,'" court documents said.

Disney said Piccolo agreed to those terms again in September 2023 when he booked tickets to visit one of its theme parks.

Piccolo's lawyers responded to Disney earlier this month by calling the argument "fatally flawed" and "preposterous." Consumers thought so, too.

The surprising legal argument also captured the media's attention, causing the story to go viral.

Disney backtracks

One X user called the Disney+ argument "very dystopian," while others encouraged people to cancel their subscriptions in retaliation. One such X post was liked 93,000 times, while another gained 96,000 likes. Media outlets like The Associated Press published articles describing Disney's argument as a cautionary tale for consumers who click "agree" without reading the fine print.

A Disney spokesperson soon attempted to quell the masses with a statement distancing the company from Raglan Road Irish Pub and Restaurant.

"We are deeply saddened by the family's loss and understand their grief. Given that this restaurant is neither owned nor operated by Disney, we are merely defending ourselves against the plaintiff's attorney's attempt to include us in their lawsuit against the restaurant," the statement said.

Representatives for Disney issued a statement about the wrongful-death lawsuit. Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel/Tribune News Service via Getty Images

David Triana, director of media relations at Axia Public Relations, a top national PR agency, told Business Insider that the Disney+ argument, in tandem with the arbitration request, was a misstep on the company's part.

"I'm honestly surprised that this was even entertained by Disney," Triana said. "We're not talking about losing a little money on a park ticket or sharing a password for your Disney+ account. Somebody died."

Triana said that although Disney might have been thinking from a legal perspective, it lost sight of the human perspective.

"You have to be very empathetic and cautious in a situation like this. Not only toward the people in the situation but also people who plan on going to Disney and will sign the same terms," he said.

Triana said Disney's argument could cause would-be park guests to rethink their decision.

"It might give people pause if they're coming to the parks for the first time or if they are planning on signing up for Disney+," he said. "They'll say, 'Okay, I've signed this. Does that now put me at a disadvantage?'"

Disney's first statement didn't curb the criticism from consumers online. So, less than a week later, Disney said in another statement that it would prioritize "humanity" and reverse course, waiving its right to arbitration.

"At Disney, we strive to put humanity above all other considerations. With such unique circumstances as the ones in this case, we believe this situation warrants a sensitive approach to expedite a resolution for the family who have experienced such a painful loss," Josh D'Amaro, chairman of Disney Experiences, said. "As such, we've decided to waive our right to arbitration and have the matter proceed in court."

Disney waived its right to arbitration following criticism online. The Washington Post/Getty Images

Disney likely wanted to avoid a jury trial

Natela Shenon, a business law attorney in California, told BI that Disney could have changed its legal strategy for two reasons.

Shenon pointed out that Disney neither owns nor operates Raglan Road Irish Pub and Restaurant, so its legal team might be banking on that detail.

Another reason could be that Disney hoped to avoid a jury trial, where sympathy for a multibillion-dollar corporation could be scarce. Shenon said it's not uncommon for large companies to suggest arbitration rather than a jury trial.

"Look at it from Disney's perspective. Let's say that you're on a jury and this case comes up in front of you," Shenon said. "You're like, 'Okay, but this is Disney. They have all this money. Who cares?''

Shenon added, "A layperson might glaze over something like this and say, 'Oh, Disney is a big company. They're not being fair to the small guys.'"

Shenon told BI that arbitration is similar to litigation.

"People still get their day in court, so to speak. It moves faster, and it's more efficient," Shenon said.

When asked if Disney's argument could hold up in a courtroom, Shenon said it depended.

"I think that an argument as far as Disney+ goes would probably be very far-fetched," she said. "Buying tickets through the website would hold water."

Legal proceedings for the lawsuit are still ongoing, but Triana said Disney has the opportunity to mend its public image now through transparency.

"Disney, in my opinion, would need to show in good faith that they've learned from the situation by either removing the arbitration clause or modifying the arbitration clause," he said.

A representative for Disney said it has no additional comments at this time.

Read the original article on Business Insider
WAIANAE, Hawaii (KHON)  A deadly incident unfolded in Waianae Valley last night, leaving four people dead and two others critically injured.

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The violence erupted from a neighborhood dispute, according to Honolulu Police.

The chaos began just after 11:15 p.m. on Aug. 31 when police responded to multiple 911 calls from a residence where a family gathering was taking place.

4 dead in Waianae Valley front loader rampage, shooting

Homicide Lieutenant Deena Thoemmes reported that the calls described a neighbor using a front loadera type of heavy construction machineryto ram multiple cars into the home.

Multiple individuals were in the carport and fled or tried to flee when the suspect opened fire, striking the victims, said Thoemmes during a press conference held on Sunday.

During the incident, a 42-year-old male resident of the home fatally shot the suspect, who was his neighbor.

Upon arrival, officers immediately assessed all injured parties. Five victims sustained gunshot wounds; tragically, three of the five victims did not survive, said Thoemmes.

Recent crime in Waianae prompts increased law enforcement presence, town hall

The deceased victims were three women aged 36, 34 and 29.

Honolulu Emergency Medical Services, once cleared by HPD, transported a 31-year-old man and a 52-year-old woman to the hospital in critical condition.

The 42-year-old male resident who shot the suspect has been arrested for murder in the second degree, said Thoemmes.

Further investigation revealed that the front loader operated by the suspect was carrying four 55-gallon drums filled with an unknown fuel.

Witnesses reported that the suspect had fired shots into the drums.

The Honolulu Fire Departments Hazmat team was called in to safely remove the drums.

Honolulu Police Chief Joe Logan emphasized that the shooting was not a random act but a targeted incident stemming from a dispute between neighbors.

Retaliation, responsibility: Whos to blame for West Oahu violence?

I just want to say and reassure the members of Waianae and Nanakuli/Maili areas that the Honolulu Police Department continues to work in those areas, continues to provide law enforcement officers with our federal and state partners, and we continue to work in that area to help reduce gun violence crimes that we promised to do several weeks ago.

Authorities confirmed that police had responded to a similar incident involving the same neighbor in 2023.

I believe they had an incident in 2023. It was an argument, some type of disagreement with the neighbors, said Thoemmes.

As the investigation continues, police are conducting witness interviews, reviewing surveillance footage and collecting evidence.

Chief Logan urged the community to collaborate with law enforcement to tackle gun violence in Leeward Oahu.

We encourage you to continue that as the Honolulu Police Department works with all of you, our community leaders, the community members themselves, and elected officials to come up with solutions to solve the gun violence problem in that area. How can we better work together to resolve those issues and concerns?

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 KHON2.
A volcanic eruption took place in Iceland. And just as the hot lava began to flow out of the crater, the northern lights appeared above it.

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Incredible footage of the coincidence of two of the most powerful and spectacular natural phenomena in the world was captured by eyewitnesses. And all this extravaganza took place against the backdrop of the night sky, further enhancing the exceptional power and beauty of nature, TheSun writes.

It is known that there are about 130 volcanic mountains in Iceland, many of which are considered inactive. However, many of them still remind us of ourselves from time to time.

This time, the eruption occurred in an area located on the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates. According to experts, earthquakes caused a large crack in the rock in this area. Therefore, this area is particularly active - this is the sixth eruption since December 2023.

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The northern lights are also a common phenomenon in Iceland. However, these two forces of nature have never been recorded together. In the slow-motion video, you can see in full glory the amazing and at the same time dangerous dance of clouds, fire and ash that meet the shimmering green northern lights in the sky.

The video, shared by eyewitness Marco Di, shows huge streams of fire pouring down to the ground like a waterfall. Rivers of molten magma were making their way down the mountainside. And above this dangerous stream, the northern lights are playing with colorful colors.

"It was incredibly strange. I don't think we'll ever see it again," said Xana Denruiter, one of the witnesses of the double natural wonder.

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But this beauty is still dangerous. The area north of Grindavik was evacuated after the eruption began, and local authorities declared a state of emergency in the region around the volcano, despite the fact that much of the area has resembled a ghost town since late 2023.

Almost a year ago, thousands of Grindavik residents were evacuated due to the danger of seismic activity and lava flows around the Sundnukur volcano.

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Only verified information is available in our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
FILE - New Orleans District Attorney Jason Williams talks to the media outside the courthouse at Tulane and Broad streets on Monday, Aug. 1, 2022, in New Orleans. (Chris Granger/The Times-Picayune/The New Orleans Advocate via AP, File)

NEW ORLEANS (AP)  New Orleans District Attorney Jason Williams promised to address the city's history of prosecutorial and police misconduct when he was elected four years ago, but now he's facing an investigation by Republican politicians who are concerned he is abusing his power.

Williams, a Black Democrat in an overwhelmingly conservative state, replaced a hard-nosed, tough-on-crime incumbent when he was elected in 2020. Since then, he's focused on responding to what he describes as the sins of the past in New Orleans, and in a state which has one of the highest incarceration rates in the country. Conservative lawmakers and officials are concerned he is arbitrarily putting people convicted of violent crimes back on the streets given the state's high homicide rates in recent years.

Over the past three years, Williams' office reports having voided convictions or reduced sentences in several hundred cases via a process known as post-conviction relief that allows the court to consider new evidence after all other appeals have been exhausted. The landmark civil rights division of Williams office has reviewed old cases, leading to exonerations and plea-deal releases based on constitutional violations or legal practices his office considers unjust. Critics point out post-conviction relief was employed sparingly in the past by the district attorney's office.

Williams has agreed to appear before a state senate committee on Sept. 5 over his offices use of post-conviction relief.

A new law passed by a Republican-dominated Legislature earlier this year went into effect in August, effectively stripping Williams of his ability to engage in post-conviction relief without the approval of the Republican Attorney General. But state legislators had previously enacted a law in 2021 allowing district attorneys to amend sentences, even in cases without clear legal error, through post-conviction plea agreements with approval from judges.

Since 2021, Williams office reports as of late May having voided more than 140 convictions and reduced sentences in at least 180 cases, often re-sentencing them to lesser charges.

Conservative lawmakers have expressed concern that Williams' office has been acting without transparency. Attorney General Liz Murrill said she is taking a close look at these cases and warned that convictions should not be changed simply because the district attorney has a difference of opinion from the courts and Legislature.

Williams is part of a wave of more than 50 progressive prosecutors who in the past decade have sought to reduce incarceration rates and review past cases where constitutional violations or excessive sentencing may have occurred. These prosecutors have more often faced blowback from ideological opponents at the state level than from the voters who elected them, typically in liberal cities with large Black populations, said Rebecca Goldstein, a law professor at the University of California, Berkeley.

The concerns raised by Louisiana officials are largely in response to a social media campaign driven by Laura Rodrigue, a former prosecutor and daughter of the previous district attorney. Her advocacy group Bayou Mama Bears has warned Williams is endangering public safety and highlighted instances where his office resentenced or released people convicted of violent crimes.

Williams has said there has been no misconduct in his office's use of post-conviction relief and that he is simply following through on his campaign promises.

This is not just waking up and saying, 'Hey, lets try something new, Williams said. This is listening to the community and answering and trying to deliver."

Williams has focused in particular on reviewing non-unanimous jury convictions. A 2020 Supreme Court ruling had declared these convictions unconstitutional. While the ruling did not automatically apply retroactively, Williams has not blocked people convicted prior to 2020 by non-unanimous juries from applying for post-conviction relief on these grounds.

The state has been in the process of reckoning with law enforcement practices rooted in white supremacist history such as non-unanimous jury convictions, said Colin Reingold, legal director of New Orleans-based advocacy group Promise of Justice.

Louisiana has one of the highest incarceration rates in the country, locking up 1,067 per 100,000 of the states residents, according to a recent report from the Prison Policy Initiative.

If incarceration actually provided public safety wed be the safest place in the country, but were not, said Will Snowden, a law professor at Loyola University and former New Orleans public defender.

Following the election of a Republican-dominated state government last year, Louisiana's Legislature convened a special session on crime in February and passed new laws, including expanding methods to carry out the death penalty and eliminating parole for most people in the future.

Republican Governor Jeff Landry has stated these laws are necessary to deliver true justice to crime victims and enact real change that makes Louisiana a safer state for all.

Williams has maintained that rebuilding trust in the criminal justice system helps increase public safety and said his office engages with victims and their families as they consider post-conviction relief cases.

Despite the ongoing clash over post-conviction relief, Williams and the Attorney Generals office have said they are working productively together in other areas such as addressing juvenile crime.

_____

This story has been updated to correct that Williams is a Democrat in a conservative state, not a district.

-

Associated Press journalist Sara Cline in Baton Rouge contributed to this story.

___

Brook is a corps member for The Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues. Follow Brook on the social platform X: @jack_brook96.
DES MOINES, IOWA  A 19-year-old man has been arrested and charged with First Degree Murder after a fatal shooting over the weekend on the south side of Des Moines.

The shooting happened Sunday afternoon in the 3400 block of South Union Street. According to police, Martavius Green was involved in a physical fight at a home in the area. Police say a 21-year-old man, whose name hasnt been released, intervened in the fight and was shot and killed by Green.

Green, an Atlanta, Georgia native, is being held in the Polk County Jail without bond.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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DMACC has partnered with Intel to develop curriculum to train students in AI skills. (Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images)

Des Moines Area Community College is working to incorporate artificial intelligence skills training across its program offerings through a partnership with Intel.

The community college is set to become the first Intel AI for Workforce College partner in Iowa, with more than 110 participating universities spread throughout the U.S. Working with the company, DMACC will develop a non-credit certificate program this fall to teach students how to effectively use AI in the workplace, DMACC President Rob Denson said, with credit courses and AI competency curriculum to be worked into different areas of the college in the future.

Denson said the program first came to the colleges attention about six months ago, and once he heard that no Iowa colleges were involved, he and DMACC staff immediately started working to become the first. Many institutions are looking at how to integrate AI skills into their programming, he said, and having competency in AI is something employers are looking for.

It fits in every area of curriculum every subject matter, whether its technical or arts and sciences, can benefit from the AI process, Denson said.

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DMACC, along with other college partners in the initiative, are provided with more than 700 hours of AI content, according to Intels website, including prepackaged courses, modules, assignments, labs and more. Intel staff also work with colleges to provide teacher training and technical support.

Students will gain technical skills in coding and data science, among other areas, Intel stated, and they will also learn about the ethics that come about with artificial intelligence, how to reduce bias in programs and how to solve problems and build solutions. The goals behind the AI for Workforce initiative are to help people understand and easily work with AI tools, increase their employability for jobs involving AI and show the impact these jobs have on their industries.

While faculty across the community college will be involved with folding teaching elements of the program into their curriculum, a full-time faculty member has also been hired to handle instruction. Denson said faculty have already met with Intel staff to begin the curriculum sharing process, as the company wont have any direct involvement with students.

DMACC is still in the process of gathering information in order to develop a certificate program, Denson said, working with Intel and reaching out to other AI for Workforce colleges to learn about their best practices. The college is also planning to meet with its advisory committees and industry partners to better understand employers needs when it comes to AI skills.

In the future, Denson said, AI will be an important facet in everyones work, and hes worked to ensure that DMACC leadership knows what tools are out there and identify areas where AI could be used. The college president has utilized AI as a thought partner in project development, and while he said it isnt foolproof, it can be helpful.

My expectation is that it will continue to improve, and as AI progresses, Intel will upgrade and update their curriculum accordingly, and again, make it available through us, Denson said.

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Dr Jean Monro, who qualified in 1960, is one of Britain's longest-serving doctors - CAVENDISH PRESS

A doctor still practising at the age of 87 was struck off after giving two children unconventional treatments.

Dr Jean Monro, who qualified in 1960, prescribed unlicensed medication to a girl and made a boy wear an oxygen mask for four hours a day.

The devout Christian, who runs a private clinic with her sons in Hemel Hempstead, was described as a risk to patient safety at a tribunal that concluded last month.

She is believed to be the oldest doctor to have her name removed from the register of medics.

The hearing at the Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service (MPTS) in Manchester, which ran from May to October, heard that Dr Monro had treated a five-year-old girl at her family-run clinic Breakspear Medical in 2020.

It was told the girl became ill after inhaling mouldy water in her grandmothers bathroom after sucking on a rubber duck.

Dr Monro prescribed her the drug cholestyramine, which is not licensed in the UK for children. The treatment can cause malabsorption  difficulties absorbing nutrients from food  which can lead to malnutrition, according to the American Journal of Medicine.

Unable to afford further appointments, the girls parents sought treatment from the NHS, where a paediatrician questioned Dr Monros treatment.

Dr Monro was later reported to the General Medical Council (GMC).

No evidence of regret

At the tribunal, barrister Christopher Hamlet, representing the GMC, said: Dr Monro has produced no evidence of regret or insight and there has been no reflection, no acknowledgement of fault, and no attempt at any remediation by her.

Dr Monro did not attend the hearing but submitted a statement saying: I have caused no harm to this child.

I acted in her best interests at all times and I provided the best advice and guidance to her mother. If you believe that I fell short of the expected standards, I disagree.

Dr Monro had already been suspended for 12 months following a different tribunal last year, which had looked at her treatment of a six-year-old boy in 2015.

Her treatment involved the boy, who had an infection of the lymph nodes, wearing an oxygen face mask for several hours a day. The 2023 tribunal had considered the treatment inadequate.

Taking both cases into consideration, MPTS chairman Debi Gould ruled last month that Dr Monro should be struck off for showing a reckless disregard for the principles of good medical practice.

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Search for something on Google these days, and you don't just see results, but a page topped with ads, often linking to websites built for turning views and clicks into cash. Now after a landmark US court finding, the advertising and tech titan is facing a reckoning. Lukas Schulze/dpa

The founders of internet search and digital advertising giant Google wrote in a 1998 paper that goals for online advertising do not always correspond to useful internet search results.

Now, after Google was found to hold an illegal search monopoly, critics suggest the company that became synonymous with internet search has, as Sergey Brin and Larry Page feared, shifted away from the needs of the consumers.

Google, high-profile technology-industry critic Ed Zitron said in an interview, got greedy.

These days, those who put a search term into Google often find relevant information but also get a page topped with ads, frequently followed by links to websites with content built for turning views and clicks into cash. Lately, search results prominently feature e-commerce websites like Amazon and crowd-sourced sites like Reddit and Googles own YouTube, recent research shows.

Google did not respond to questions about its search product and the monopoly finding in US federal court. In a blog post this year, the company said it has used advanced spam-fighting systems for decades, and in 2022 started adjusting its website ranking systems to reduce unhelpful, unoriginal content and keep it at very low levels, while algorithmic enhancements would help surface the most helpful information.

Last months blockbuster monopoly finding by Judge Amit P. Mehta in the US Department of Justice lawsuit against Google has spotlighted the Mountain View, California, companys wildly popular search engine. Mehta, in the US District Court for the District of Columbia, said Googles conclusion in a 2020 study that it would not lose search revenue if it slashed search quality is proof of illegal monopoly power.

On September 6, Mehta kicks off the next phase of the DOJ case against Google  which he said controls at least 90% of the US internet search market  to strip its monopoly over search. The judge, in his 277-page ruling, zeroed in on the companys payments to companies like Apple and Samsung to make Google the default search engine, saying most devices in the United States come preloaded exclusively with Google.

Critics argue that the companys freedom from competition allows it to shirk quality while the money  $238 billion in advertising revenue last year  rolls in.

Zitron, chief executive of San Francisco public relations firm EZPR and host of the iHeart podcast Better Offline, said internal Google emails revealed in the court case suggest a high-level management shift led to less user-friendly changes to search results.

Five years ago, top Google executives declared a Code Yellow emergency over falling growth in search queries and the hefty ad revenue they generate, the emails show. As Google bean counters sought fixes, search executives fretted over the conflict identified by founders Brin and Page. Search chief Ben Gomes complained his department was being pushed too close to the money and becoming too involved with ads for the good of the product and company.

A little more than a year later, Google lumped search and advertising into one unit under advertising head Prabhakar Raghavan. Gomes, after two decades building search, was exiled to education initiatives.

Google started prioritizing the number of searches over the quality of results, so they can show you as many ads as possible, Zitron contended.

The companys search-results page has in recent years grown top-heavy with ads labeled sponsored that may not help the user but are lucrative for Google. Spammers and marketers use keywords and content trickery to push certain websites higher in results, forcing Google to play catch-up while users pay in wasted time and frustration.

Ive never experienced as many people complaining or citing issues with Googles results as I have in the last year,' said Lily Ray, a vice president at marketing agency Amsive, which researches Google search trends. Im seeing a ton of spam in Google search results. Its never been this visible to me.

Mehta said some evidence shows Googles search spending has declined, and in the rare instances that competition arose, the company quickly invested in improvements. But the judge said innovation can boost already dominant market share, and described Google as techs highest quality search engine.

However, Christopher Hockett, an adjunct professor at UC Berkeleys law school, said the backdrop of all this is that if you had more competition, then you would have higher quality.

Research by Illinois-based Amsive shows Googles updates in recent years made certain kinds of websites less visible, including those using stock images or photos grabbed from social media, or presenting AI-generated content, or lacking expertise, or containing intrusive ads or many cash-for-clicks links. But for product searches, many high-ranking product-comparison websites make money when a user clicks through to a brands site for a purchase, or, Ray noted, are pay-to-play operations that charge brands to be included on their site.

Changes Google made this year appear to have down-ranked product-review sites, while e-commerce stores, especially Amazon, appear up high, often along with YouTube, Amsive said. The New York Times popular Wirecutter website, with product reviews based on extensive testing, now frequently falls below internet forum sites Reddit and Quora in best-product results, Ray said.

Reddits visibility leaped more than 1,000% this year over 2023, Amsive found. In July 2023, the Google search, how to potty train a boy generated only pregnancy and medical sites  plus YouTube  in the top 10 results, with the Mayo Clinic at No. 1. By July of this year, a five-year-old post from Reddit moved from 50th to 2nd position, higher than authoritative sites like the Mayo Clinic, Amsive reported.

Google could have developed technology to seek out the most helpful answers to questions, but appears to have decided to just put Reddit on there, Zitron said.

Thousands of layoffs at Google in recent years have eroded institutional knowledge in search, Zitron said, and they may have fired so many people that the thing doesnt work anymore.

Googles race to compete in the generative AI frenzy kicked off by the release of ChatGPT in 2022 might explain why some things have been left by the wayside on search, Ray said. Also, she added, Theyre a monopoly. Theyre the default search engine. Their stock is going up and up. What incentive do they have to fix it?

Barry Schwartz, chief executive of New York software company RustyBrick and an editor at blogs Search Engine Land and Search Engine Roundtable, said Google is constantly innovating and experimenting in search. I probably see five to 10 new things a day as far as testing, Schwartz said. Probably one of their top things that they focus on is making sure the content in the search results is useful.

Still, Schwartz said, If Google was under competitive fire and they had to do more, I think they would.

A US ruling against Google has been seen as a potentially seismic moment for the company and the tech sector given its control of search and its related advertising business. Andrej Sokolow/dpa
Four environmental groups have accused San Luis Obispo County of operating Lopez Dam in a way that harms multiple endangered species, especially steelhead trout.

On Aug. 14, San Luis Obispo Coastkeeper, California Coastkeeper Alliance, Los Padres ForestWatch and the Ecological Rights Foundation filed a lawsuit in federal court alleging that the county violated the U.S. Endangered Species Act by damaging steelhead trout habitat.

The groups said the county released too little water from Lopez Lake into Arroyo Grande Creek to support steelhead migration to the ocean, while blocking the fish from accessing historic habitat above the dam. The activists blamed the countys actions for a decline in steelhead trout population in the creek.

The county, however, dismissed the activists claims as suspicion and conjecture in a response filed on Wednesday. The activists didnt provide enough evidence to prove that the countys operation of the dam was the true cause of the trouts decline, the county said.

The parties will present their arguments to a judge in a hearing on Sept. 18.

Lopez Lake was at 92.5% of capacity on March 17, 2023.

Lawsuit urges county to release water from Lopez Dam for steelhead trout

Before Lopez Dam was built in 1969, steelhead trout hatched in shaded, slower-flowing portions of Arroyo Grande Creek. The trout migrate downstream to the Pacific Ocean for their adult lives, then return to Arroyo Grande Creek to lay eggs.

Theyre amazing fish, definitely worth preserving and an important part of native culture in California, attorney Christopher Sproul told The Tribune.

The dam, however, created Lopez Lake and blocked the fish from higher elevation areas of the river that had cooler water better suited for laying eggs and raising the newly hatched trout, the complaint said.

The county also consistently fails to release enough water from Lopez Lake into Arroyo Grande Creek to support steelhead trout migration, the complaint said. During some years, the water level is too shallow and narrow for the trout to migrate to the ocean, so they stay in the creek.

Meanwhile, dam operations damage habitat for other protected species like the red-legged frog, the tidewater goby and the southwest pond turtle.

A steelhead trout, about 6 inches long, is collected at the John E. Skinner Delta Fish Protective Facility on April 18, 2024, near Byron. Fish are captured at the facility, so they can be returned to the Delta, before they reach the huge Harvey O. Banks Pumping Plant that feeds the California Aqueduct.

The Endangered Species Act prohibits the take of an endangered species, which includes habitat disruptions that could threaten an endangered species with extinction or prevent its population from recovering to a healthy level.

The dams impact on steelhead trout should be considered a take under the Endangered Species Act, Sproul said.

This would require the county to apply to the National Marine Fisheries Service for a permit to authorize the take of the trout. The permit process would then require the county to form a plan to mitigate any impacts to the trout and support the populations recovery.

The lawsuit asks the court to order the county to connect steelhead trout with their original habitat above Lopez Dam.

The county could build a fishway, which would be a channel built around the dam to assist trout migration, or even remove the dam entirely, Sproul said.

We recognize that the county needs water, he said. But Lopez Dam isnt the only humanly possible way to meet peoples needs, so the solution needs to be studied.

In the meantime, Sproul filed a motion to compel the county to release enough water into the creek to support a healthy steelhead population.

The county, however, said the activists did not prove that dam operations caused the steelhead trout population to shrink. In fact, historical data showed that the size of the trout population in Arroyo Grande Creek fluctuated even before the dam was built, the county said in its response.

This history demonstrates that steelhead abundance in Arroyo Grande Creek is low and heavily influenced by factors other than Lopez Dam, the response said.

Meanwhile, about 48,000 county residents rely on the Lopez Reservoir for drinking water, the county emphasized.

The activists did not provide enough evidence to prove that continuing current dam operations would cause irreparable harm to the trout  so the county cant justify disrupting a critical water source for its residents, the response said.
Does Wichita have the best-tasting water in the state? Heres what a panel of judges said

Wichita has the best-tasting tap water in Kansas, according to a blind taste test at an annual drinking water conference held here last week.

Judges were asked to sniff, sip, slurp, swish and swallow the water, rating samples by each metric.

I just think its a fantastic opportunity to pause and thank our public works and utilities staff who do something that we take for granted everyday, said City Council member Becky Tuttle, who placed a congratulatory item on the agenda for Tuesdays meeting. Especially during the drought, its just another opportunity to remind people of the importance of water, but also in Wichita, apparently great-tasting water.

One in six Kansans get their drinking water from Wichita, which draws from Cheney Reservoir and taps groundwater from the Equus Beds Aquifer. With the reservoir reaching critically low levels amid the ongoing drought, Public Works Director Gary Janzen told the council his team would limit the use of Cheney water to the maximum extent possible while maintaining safe drinking water requirements.

Wichita was one of five municipalities that submitted a sample to the taste-testing competition at the Kansas Water Environment Association and Kansas Section of the American Water Works Association joint conference, hosted at Century II and the Hyatt Regency from Aug. 27-29.

This is the first year Wichita has won the honor of best drinking water since 2009. WaterOne, a utility company in Lenexa, won in 2023 and 2021 and Emporia claimed the top spot in 2022.

Hank Corcoran Boyer, who manages the Kansas section of the nonprofit science and education group that coordinated the conference, said samples have to be room temperature because chilling the water can alter its taste.

Judges include one representative from the Water Environmental Federation, two representatives from the American Water Works Association, somebody who works at the water treatment facility that won the taste test the previous year (winners cant submit samples in back-to-back years) and a local celebrity. This years celebrity was KAKE-TV meteorologist Frank Waugh.

Boyer said this years conference drew almost 800 attendees and more exhibit booths than any other previous year. One focus of the conference was the research papers selected by program chairs for presentation.

A lot of the papers are on topics that either water operators or waste water operators  what they need to know to do their job, Boyer said. They just dont go in and pump the water. Theres all kinds of things. You have the testing of the water and all that.

Other papers addressed sustainability and resilience, how climate impacts the water supply, emergency technology and industry leadership .
EAST HARTFORD, Conn. (WTNH)  A small dog found Thursday shaking in the grass in East Hartford has been euthanized, according to animal control.

Authorities are looking for who abandoned the dog, which was found on Smith Drive. The dog is described as a young female who was white and tan.

She was euthanized due to the severity of her condition, according to animal control, which has not elaborated on potential injuries or conditions.

Desmonds Army is offering a $5,000 reward for anyone who has information that leads to an arrest.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WTNH.com.
Despite the Kremlin's armed aggression, the German clothing brand Ultimo Fashion Group plans to enter the Russian market. However, due to the negative political climate and oversaturation of the market, the prospect of success for these brands looks doubtful.

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Despite Russia's military aggression against Ukraine, economic sanctions, and the negative political climate, some European companies are still considering entering the Russian market.

One of these companies is the German Ultimo Fashion Group, which may start supplying four of its brands to Russia through the distributor Gerry Weber. In July 2024, LiM Holding LLC, which represents the interests of Ultimo Fashion Group in Russia, registered domains corresponding to the names of four German brands from the Ultimo Fashion Group portfolio: Smith & Soul, Milano Italy, HeartKiss, and Elisa.And.Me.

These actions demonstrate the company's intention to enter the Russian market, despite all the political risks and economic difficulties associated with doing business in the country. Ultimo Fashion Group was founded in 1999 by Thomas Engel and Yasin Shafak and has become known for its high-quality European products. These brands are already represented in several European countries, and now the company is looking to expand its presence in Russia.

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It is worth noting that Ultimo Fashion Group products are already available to Russian consumers through the Wildberries marketplace and other online sales channels. However, plans to officially supply and promote the brands in Russia require significant investments.

Despite all these efforts, the promotion of new European brands in Russia remains a challenge. The market is already oversaturated with a variety of offers, and it is becoming difficult for even high-quality products to stand out without significant investment in advertising and strong positioning. These challenges are exacerbated by the negative international perception of the country due to its military actions, which affects the image of brands that dare to operate in Russia.

In addition, Gerry Weber is a mid-price segment brand already present in the Russian market with 141 stores. However, its popularity remains limited due to insufficient representation, especially in the regions where LiM Holding operates through partners. It is not always possible to effectively promote the brand, which affects its competitiveness. At the end of 2023, the company even terminated its commission agreement with the Smart Casual distributor due to weak sales.

ADVERTISIMENT

As OBOZ.UA reported earlier, some Western companies such as Avon, Air Liquide, and Reckitt, despite their initial plans, decided to stay in the Russian market due to difficulties with the sale of their businesses. More than 2,100 multinationals remain in Russia, while approximately 1,600 international companies have left the market or curtailed their operations.

Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
HICKMAN COUNTY, Tenn. (WKRN)  While the recent relief from hot and dry conditions is a welcomed sight, farmers in Tennessee are still facing the hurdles of drought.

The drought conditions this year have been piled on the drought conditions from last year. So its kind of like a two-fold. In my opinion, its the driest here that Ive ever seen it, said Spencer Totty, a fifth-generation farmer in Hickman County.

RELATED: Heartbreaking: Tennessee farmer fears droughts impact on Duck River

Spencer Tottys family have farmed the lands along Duck River since the early 1800s. He said he understands the ramifications a drought can have on their way of life.

One issue that especially concerns him this year: hay production. Typically, farmers will cut hay about three times a season. However, with pastures now dried up, its impossible to do that.

It was cut the last weekend of June, said Totty, pointing down at a field where his cattle roam. So, it will typically go dormant this time of year. But even after being cut, it should have grown up another two or three feet by now.

With their fields too dry to grow back, its unlikely many farmers will get more than one hay cutting this year. With a shortage of hay, Totty said not only will hay prices rise, but farmers will struggle to feed their livestock.

Its pretty much a disaster: Middle TN farmers devastated by drought, intense heat

My prediction is, therell be a cattle shortage, Totty told News 2. Going all around the county and seeing the farms that no longer have cattle on them because drought conditions and high prices both put together, its just the perfect storm for people to sell out.

Ive got about a dozen or so cows up the road, and theyre going to hit the road here before too much longer because were going to have to start feeding hay a lot sooner, Totty added.

Totty considers himself rather lucky since he has plenty of hay stored up on his farmland. However, he says its all basic economics: as supplies dwindle, demand skyrockets, and farmers are forced to make sacrifices.

What is the misconception or misunderstanding that you think people might have that you would want to clear up? asked News 2s Sam Chimenti.

High prices in the stores, everybody would assume that the farmers are making a lot of money. The truth is, were not the ones that are on the get rich quick side of things, Totty replied.

If there is a positive in these trying times, its that farmers dont know when to quit.

 Read todays top stories on wkrn.com

Its a generational thing, said Totty. Farmers are some of the most stubborn people that youre going to find anywhere and theyre going to do everything they can to manage. And, they always say, maybe next year.

Totty called this weekends wet weather merely a band-aid to the conditions he and other local farmers face.

One thing that Totty emphasized  people need to do what they can to help farmers. An example he gave is visiting farmers markets and buying directly from the men and women who help feed America.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Driver in custody after car drives into Ohio bar

A driver is in custody after a car drove into an Ohio bar Sunday night.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

Police and medics responded to Char Bar on North High Street just after 7:30 a.m. on a report of a vehicle into a building, according to our news partner WBNS in Columbus.

A Columbus Battalion Fire Chief told WBNS it was believed the vehicle left the scene after the crash.

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Police say the driver is in custody.

Video and photos from WBNS show the front entrance was damaged.

No injuries were reported.

The crash remains under investigation.

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New Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof arrived in Ukraine's southern city of Zaporizhzhia on Sept. 2 to meet with President Volodymyr Zelensky and announce a new aid package for Ukraine worth more than 200 million euros ($221 million).

This is Schoof's first visit to Ukraine since he took office in early July. He replaced Mark Rutte who was officially appointed to be the next NATO secretary general starting from October.

"Without exaggeration, the leadership of the Netherlands has helped Ukraine protect thousands and thousands of lives. Our relations are stronger than ever. We stand shoulder to shoulder in the pursuit of a just and lasting peace," Zelensky said.

The aid package for Kyiv will be devoted to protection and repair of Ukraine's energy infrastructure and includes additional funding for humanitarian aid.

"People in Ukraine have the right to live in freedom and security. And stopping Russias attacks on Ukraine is in the security interests of both the Netherlands and Europe as a whole," Schoof wrote on X.

According to Zelensky, the leaders discussed new air defense systems for Ukraine, missiles to them, F-16s fighter jets, and "all the necessary weapons for our defense" against Russia.

As Ukraine marks the beginning of the school year, the two leaders visited the first lesson at one of the schools in Zaporizhzhia.

Part of Zaporizhzhia Oblast is occupied by Russian troops. Heavy fighting is raging on about 40 kilometers from Zaporizhzhia, and the city and its nearby areas often endure indiscriminate Russian attacks.

Local authorities plan to open eight more underground schools being built in Zaporizhzhia by the end of the year, Governor Ivan Fedorov said.

Under Prime Minister Rutte, who has held the top office for 14 years, the Netherlands has taken a proactive role in supporting Ukraine.

The Netherlands has allocated 4.4 billion euros ($4.7 billion) to support Ukraine until 2026. The country also spearheaded the fighter jet coalition and joined the drone coalition, pledging to allocate 20 million euros (nearly $22 million) to purchase first-person view (FPV) drones for Ukraine.

Read also: Ukraine Compact is bit of window dressing, says former Dutch defense minister

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Dick Schoof, Prime Minister of the Netherlands, who is on his first visit to Ukraine since taking office, visited the city of Zaporizhzhia on 2 September and announced a new aid package for Kyiv worth over 200 million.

Source: Schoof on X (Twitter), as reported by European Pravda

Details: Schoof said he had stressed during his visit to Zaporizhzhia that Ukraine can count on further support and engagement from the Netherlands. He also expressed his admiration for the residents of the city, who are getting on with their lives just a few dozen kilometres away from the combat zone.

"We must do everything possible to help Ukraine keep going. On the front lines, but also in peoples daily lives. Thats why the Netherlands is providing a substantial new support package worth over 200 million," Schoof announced.

Ukraine can count on the Netherlands continuing support and engagement. That was my message to President @ZelenskyyUa today in Zaporizhzhia.



It is incredible to see how Ukrainians are carrying on with their lives and keeping their country going, in a city just a few dozen pic.twitter.com/xJMnxqs3IF  Dick Schoof (@MinPres) September 2, 2024

Schoof said the package is focused mainly on protecting and repairing energy infrastructure and includes additional funding for humanitarian assistance.

"My first visit to the country as prime minister of the Netherlands has confirmed my conviction that we must continue to support Ukraine," Schoof concluded.

The new Dutch government led by Dick Schoof was sworn in at the beginning of July. The new Cabinet is continuing the policy of its predecessors with regard to military and other support for Kyiv.

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COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH)  Ohioans who want to vote in this falls general election dont have to wait until Nov. 5 to cast their ballots.

Early in-person and absentee voting will start on Oct. 8 in the November election. Voters can cast ballots at county boards of elections most days leading up to the weekend before Election Day, so long as they come with photo identification.

Ohio requires in-person voters to have photo identification in order to vote. That includes an Ohio drivers license, an Ohio ID card, a U.S. passport or passport card, a U.S. military ID, a U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs ID, or an Ohio National Guard ID. Out-of-state drivers licenses are not valid IDs.

If you dont have a valid form of photo ID, you can vote by mail without it. You must first submit a request form for an absentee ballot, available here, and return it by mail or in person to the county board of elections. Mailed absentee ballots must be postmarked by Nov. 4 or returned in person to county elections boards by the time polls close on Nov. 5.

Those whose registration information is up-to-date cane now request an absentee ballot. Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRoses office will begin mailing absentee ballots on Oct. 8 to those who submitted a request, but the deadline to request a ballot is seven days before the election on Oct. 29. Learn more here.

Heres when you can vote early at your county board of elections in the November election:

Oct. 8-11: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Oct. 14-18: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Oct. 21-25: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Oct. 26: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Oct. 27: 1 to 5 p.m.

Oct. 28: 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Oct. 29: 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Oct. 30-Nov. 1: 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Nov. 2: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Nov. 3: 1 to 5 p.m.

LaRose completed in early August an annual maintenance of the voter registration list and removed 154,995 inactive and out-of-date registrations. LaRose checked the records to confirm that each removed registration, for at least four consecutive years, has neither participated in any kind of voter-initiated activity from the registered address nor updated or confirmed their voter registration or responded to mailed notices.

Voters in Ohio can complete or update their voter registration at any time before Oct. 7 here. There are many resources on the Secretary of States website, that will make your trip to the polls easier:

View your sample ballot, once finalized, here.

Find your Nov. 5 polling location 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 NBC4 WCMH-TV.
ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo.  An East St. Louis man was arrested Friday after pointing a gun at a person and running from police, leading to him colliding with a vehicle in South County.

The incident occurred around 5:38 p.m. Friday afternoon on the 200 block of Hoffmeister Avenue in the Lemay neighborhood.

According to police, a witness saw the suspect, Gregory Thompson, 44, point a firearm at a person and threaten to kill them. The witness then watched Thompson walk to a bus stop and hide the firearm in grass behind it.

GoFundMe for surviving family of boating victims raises $30K in two days

When an officer made contact with Thompson, police say Thompson ran across an intersection and collided with a vehicle, damaging its front end. After the accident, Thompson was arrested, and the firearm was seized.

The St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorneys Office charged Thompson with resisting arrest for a felony, unlawful possession of a weapon, and second-degree property damage.

Thompson is being held on a $75,000 cash only, no 10%, bond.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 2.
TYLER, Texas (KETK)  Back in 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic brought East Texass labor issues back to light at Trane Technologies in Tyler and at Prysmian Group near Marshall.

What to know about Labor Day and its history

The strikes and labor disputes in KETKs limited series East Texas Biggest Labor Disputes represent a long history of working people from across East Texas fighting against racism, discrimination and unfair working conditions.

They tell the story of how workers from all different industries fought to keep their jobs, unionize their workplaces, secure wage increases, healthcare benefits and more.

In honor of Labor Day, KETK presents this most recent chapter of East Texas Biggest Labor Disputes.

2020-2021: Tyler, Scottsville/Marshall

Across the country, 2020 was a year where labor activity had a big uptick due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Its no shock that the pandemic also affected workers here in East Texas.

One example comes from a staple of Tylers industrial manufacturing sector, Trane Technologies. Several members of Tranes IUE-CWA Local 86782 picketed for safer work conditions, fairer wages, paid sick leave and a cap on mandatory overtime during the pandemic.

Obviously as essential workers we wanted essential pay and I believe that was the body of that movement, said Local 86782 recording secretary Tierra Zhane. Then obviously we wanted to make sure that our work areas were being cleaned and that the company was going to do their part and make sure to try and keep us safe.

Trane was receptive to most of their demands at the time, according to Zhane.

They gave all of us cleaning stuff to keep our areas clean, they hired people to come in and clean the plant, they gave us hand wash stations throughout the plant, they provided us masks, they made a whole new way, the way you entered the building was completely different. So the informational picket worked, said Zhane.

Trane employees hold informational picket

One thing Zhane said they didnt get was their essential pay. She said they got vaccine incentives and an extra five sick/personal days to use, on top of the anti-COVID measures taken.

Similarly, in the Harrison County town of Scottsville near Marshall, Prysmian Group workers in the United Auto Workers Local 3057 union went on strike after COVID hit.

The Prysmian Group sign outside of the plant near Marshall. Photo courtesy of the Marshall Economic Development Corporation.

Chris Hodge, the president of UAW Local 3057 was interviewed from the picket line by the Dallas AFL-CIO on Facebook.

Hodge said that their first ever strike started because they couldnt come to a new contract with Prysmian Group, an Italian company who had acquired the plant in 2017.

This is the first time, so this is our first rodeo. When I first hired in, it was actually General Cable and two years ago Prysmian Group just bought them out and within the last two years they have just started treating us worse and worse, said Hodge in 2021. To be honest with you, its just going downhill, so thats pretty much where we are now. We felt like we didnt have a choice.

Before the strike, when the pandemic hit in 2020, Prysmian Group and the union negotiated a yearlong contract that they planned to renegotiate after the pandemic ended, according to Hodge.

Labor Day hotel strikes reflect the frustrations of a workforce largely made up of women of color

So we worked through entire the entire pandemic, the whole year, never, never shut down. We [were] deemed essential. So we work the whole time. And we asked them to just shut down the plant a couple of days or something, to sanitize the whole plant, to try to make sure everybody stays safe. And their answer to us was absolutely not. We cant do that. We cant do that. So we had to continue coming to work every day, taking a risk, said Hodge.

At one point during the pandemic, according to Hodge, the plant had run out of soap and hand sanitizer. Then their year-long contract ran out.

So the year ran out and now were back at the table and theyre still trying to cram a unfair contract down our throat and thats why were on strike today, said Hodge.

KETK caught up with Hodge in 2024. According to him, several rounds of negotiations went on for a about a month before Prysmian Group gave the union their best and final offer.

It was pretty ugly, said Hodge.

There were several problems that union members had with several reported Prysmian Group proposals including:

A seven point policy for being late, going to the doctor or missing work for any reason.

Removing overtime refusals.

A five cent raise.

Not recognizing many American holidays.

The companys best and final offer was sent to the union membership and rejected. The deadline to reach a deal came and went and the strike began on the morning of March 27, 2021, according to the Marshall News Messenger.

According to Hodge, the striking workers were out on strike and picketing the plants for the next few months. During that time, Hodge said that the company tried to get the union decertified as the plants bargaining representative through a decertification vote.

So we were up against trying to get a decent contract and trying to keep the union inside the plant so that goes to the education of this East Texas community, said Hodge. A lot of people did not have a clue about the union. They didnt know what all this stands for within the community. So we had a tough time trying to get our message out and trying to communicate, to let them know that, hey, we need some backing because this community is where we spend our money. We keep a lot of businesses out here in the community.

What East Texans think Labor day means while celebrating on Lake Palestine

Eventually they did get more and more community support from family members joining the picket, restaurants donating food and in the plant they won the decertification vote 3 to 1, according to Hodge.

On May 14, 2021, they ratified a new contract that included keeping the things they wanted, language changes and a percentage wage increase, but their trouble werent over yet.

Prysmian Group employees at an expansion groundbreaking ceremony done with the Marshall Economic Development Corporation on June 8, 2022. Photo courtesy of the Marshall Economic Development Corporation.

While on strike, Prysmian Group had reportedly hired around 88 scab employees to replace striking workers like Hodge. Once they had ratified their new contract, the union members replaced went back to work only to be not let back in, according to Hodge.

So they went to the unemployment office to collect their unemployment money and Hodge alleged Pyrsmian Group told the unemployment office that the replaced workers still worked at the plant.

Oh no everybodys back working, everybodys working. We dont have anyone out. That was to prolong us from getting our unemployment, trying to keep us at a hardship, said Hodge.

Then the local union contacted the United Auto Workers international union. UAW leadership made calls and, according to Hodge, they were able to get Local 3057 their unemployment.

UAW strikes at General Motors plant in Texas as union begins targeting the cash cows of automakers

When they started to get their unemployment, Prysmian Group started to send out lists of union workers who could come back to work, according to Hodge.

The Prysmian Group expansion groundbreaking on June 8, 2022. Photo courtesy of the Marshall Economic Development Corporation.

Hodge said the trouble didnt stop for the union workers once they got back in the plant. The workers reportedly didnt get their seniority back, were put on night shifts and were switched between different machines. According to Hodge, they had to get the National Labor Relations Board involved to set everything right like it was before the strike.

East Texas, its rough in East Texas. Were the only UAW local union within, I guess, two hours, two and a half hours. I want to say the next one is GM in Arlington, said Hodge.

Trane Technologies and Prysmian Group were contacted and offered no comment for this article.

To read the rest of this series, visit the following articles:

East Texas Biggest Labor Disputes: The Great Southwest Railroad Strike of 1886

East Texas Biggest Labor Disputes: The Lumber Wars of 19111912

East Texas Biggest Labor Disputes: The Texas Sick Chicken Strike of 1953-1957

East Texas Biggest Labor Disputes: The Lone Star Steel strikes of 1957-1968

East Texas Biggest Labor Disputes: The Showdown at Nacogdoches

East Texas Biggest Labor Disputes: Walmarts first ever successful union vote

East Texas Biggest Labor Disputes: The Tyler Goodyear Strike of 2006

As this article shows, East Texas has a deep history of labor activity and because of that deep history this article is not comprehensive. Many labor disputes, even modern ones, are under-reported on, so theyre often only known about by the people who lived through them.

Anyone who would like to tell us about any labor disputes not covered in this series is invited to email newsroom@ketk.com.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KETK.com | FOX51.com.
Congo holds mass funeral for victims of the fighting between the M23 rebels and the Congolese army, in Goma

Congo holds mass funeral for victims of the fighting between the M23 rebels and the Congolese army, in Goma

(Reuters) - Congo's eastern city of Goma held a memorial service on Monday for 200 victims of the conflict between the army and rebels that are waging a renewed insurgency in the vast central African country's militia-plagued east.

The time and circumstances of the killings were unclear. Authorities said all were direct or indirect victims of the fighting, ranging from unarmed civilians to volunteer defense forces.

The memorial attended by government officials that had traveled from Kinshasa, along with local officials and family members.

The government must find a solution so that we can live in peace. We've suffered enough. We're tired of burying, said Safi Bahuma, a relative attending in memory of a brother.

The M23 rebels have been waging a fresh insurgency in the vast central African country's militia-plagued east since 2022.

Congo authorities, the United Nations, the United States and other Western governments have accused Rwanda of backing the group. Rwanda denies the accusations, which have inflamed relations with Kinshasa.

The fighting has driven more than 1.7 million people from their homes in North Kivu, taking the total number of Congolese displaced by multiple conflicts to a record 7.2 million, according to U.N. estimates.

"We ask ourselves these questions every day: What is so expensive to obtain that it costs the blood of Congolese people? What mineral is so valuable that it must cost the blood of the Congolese?" said Chantal Chambu Mwavita, the minister for humanitarian affairs in North Kivu. Every day, every moment, we're looking for the solution, and I can assure you that we're working on it.

Congo is also the epicentre of an mpox outbreak that the World Health Organization declared to be a global public health emergency last month. Vaccines are set to arrive within days to fight the new strain of the virus.

(Editing by Aurora Ellis)
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM)  Rick LoBello has never seen a Mexican gray wolf in the wild, but has spent the past 46 years trying to help restore the animal as an apex predator into the wild landscapes of West Texas, after it disappeared from the region.

I went to Sul Ross State University and worked on my masters degree and right across the street from my dorm was a Mexican wolf. A few months later, it was poisoned by someone that didnt like wolves, LoBello said.

Its important that we value everything in nature, and that we all get involved in some way to make sure that we keep this ecosystem intact. Because if we dont have a healthy environment, its not going to be good for people, he added.

Today, LoBello is part of the Texas Lobo Coalitions (TLC) Board of Directors, which is committed to the cause of restoring the wolf to its West Texas home.

According to the TLCs website, the Mexican wolf was extirpated from West Texas due to hunting, government-sponsored predator control programs, and habitat loss.

LoBello said the last time a Mexican wolf came close to roaming the landscapes of Texas, was in 2017, when a collared wolf from a recovery program in Mexico was detected traveling through Mount Cristo Rey.

It came right over the edge of the Mexican side of Mount Cristo Rey. So thats emotional for me because it came so close to Texas, LoBello said.

LoBello explained that the wolfs absence in West Texas has negatively impacted the ecosystem by allowing outside exotic species to thrive, and indigenous species to become accustomed to unhealthy patterns.

The ecosystem in the Chihuahuan Desert (is) really messed up. We have a very unhealthy deer herd because wolves would help keep the prey species healthy by getting them to move around so they dont get too close to each other and get diseases that can wipe them out. We have a very unhealthy, pronghorn herd in West Texas, LoBello said.

We also have a really big problem in West Texas with exotic species like aoudads and wild boars. Theyre messing up the environment, LoBello added.

He also said that these animals compete with the indigenous species.

LoBello explained that the Mexican wolf has remained a critically endangered species since he committed himself to these decades-long efforts back in the 1970s, but that it has come a long way.

All we have to do is give the wolf a chance and we can learn to live with it again. People in New Mexico and Arizona are living in harmony with the wolf and it can happen in Texas as well, LoBello said.

The Arizona Game and Fish Department has been reintroducing Mexican wolves into the landscapes of Arizona and New Mexico since 1998, according to their website.

Their efforts sprung from a captive breeding program for the Mexican wolf that was launched in the early 1980s to save the endangered species.

LoBello recalled that in 1978, he captured footage of the last wild-caught Mexican wolf on 8 millimeter film, as part of the captive-breeding program.

Don Diego was the name of the wolf, and would become one of the founders of the populations of wolves that today roam the desert in New Mexico and Arizona, and that live at the El Paso Zoo.

The El Paso Zoo, where LoBello has worked for years, has also launched a cross-fostering program. In 2022, a male Mexican wolf born at the El Paso Zoo but later released through the program found an uncollared mate in the wilderness of New Mexico.

3 Mexican Gray Wolves born at zoo released into wild

But despite the progress made so far, LoBello said there is progress to be made in Texas, and the biggest obstacle is convincing the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department, landowners, ranchers, and other communities who have concerns about reintroducing the Mexican wolf to West Texas, that together they can make things work.

One of the ways that it could look like would be using technology to collar the wolves so that we put them in areas where theres no conflict with cattle. Theres an area called Big Bend National Park, 1,100 square miles., LoBello said.

Right across from (Big Bend) are areas in Mexico that could sustain wolves going back and forth across the border, he added.

LoBello said that the Sierra Club in El Paso sent over 20,000 letters signed by El Pasoans to the Texas Parks & Wildlife almost six years ago, petitioning them to help restore the Mexican wolf to the wilds of West Texas.

LoBello said that to this day, they have yet to receive a response from the TPWD, but is confident that the Borderland is the community that can help keep pushing things forward.

Theres no city in Texas that has done more to help save this critically endangered species than El Paso. Weve formed organizations like the Texas Lobo Coalition. Weve gathered thousands and thousands of letters sent to Texas Parks and Wildlife, LoBello said.

We have people who live here who are on the species survival plan for the Mexican wolf. And now were breeding Mexican wolves at the El Paso Zoo, helping put wolves back out into the wild, LoBello said.

The TLC has launched a GoFundMe campaign to fund efforts to initiate collaboration with concerned communities on how this could work out. You can find the page by clicking here.

To learn more about the Texas Lobo Coalition, you can visit their website by clicking here: https://texaslobocoalition.wordpress.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 KTSM 9 News.
Ukrzaliznytsia has launched a permanent train between Kyiv and Odesa. It will be a daytime train, operated by Intercity+.

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This was reported by the company itself. They noted that

the train was decided to be launched due to the steady demand for tickets among passengers;

the train will make its first trip on September 6;

it received the number 763/764.

"We have weighed the pros and cons, assessed the demand, and decided that nothing will stop the train, whose time has come. "Ukrzaliznytsia appoints the Intercity+ train between Kyiv and Odesa on a regular basis," the statement said.

Train schedule Kyiv  Odesa

According to Ukrzaliznytsia, the train will depart from Kyiv on September 6 on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays at 14:56. It will arrive in Odesa at 22:28.

From Odesa, the train will depart from September 7 on Thursdays, Saturdays, and Mondays at 6:10. It will arrive in the capital at 13:49.

Where to buy tickets

Tickets will be available in the Ukrzaliznytsia app. And also

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on the website;

in the chatbot;

at railway station ticket offices.

How much do train tickets from Kyiv to Odesa cost?

For the September 6 train service from Kyiv to Odesa, tickets are sold for 1st and 2nd class cars. Their prices are as follows:

1st class  983 UAH;

2nd class  504 UAH.

On the September 7 train from Odesa to Kyiv, tickets are also available for 1st and 2nd class cars. They cost:

1st class  897 UAH;

2nd class  UAH 461.

As reported by OBOZ.UA, at the same time, Ukrzaliznytsia will create an inclusive car for group transportation of passengers using wheelchairs. It is expected that the car will have 4 separate compartments, each of which will be able to comfortably accommodate 2 wheelchair users and their attendants.

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Only verified information is available on the OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
A man sits in a polling booth at a polling station as he casts his vote in the state election in Saxony. Below are cameras belonging to photojournalists capturing the voting process for the Prime Minister of Saxony. The state election in Saxony takes place on 01 September. Robert Michael/dpa

Elections officials in the eastern German state of Saxony are reviewing preliminary results after several parties and independent commentators suggested they may have miscalculated the likely distribution of seats in the next Saxony state parliament.

The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), which is projected to finish a close second in the state election behind the centre-right Christian Democrats (CDU), may have been given an extra seat in the preliminary results, the Leipziger Volksanzeiger newspaper reported.

A spokeswoman for Saxony's electoral commission told dpa that they were aware of the reports and were investigating the matter.

Currently, the AfD is projected to hold more than a third of the seats in Saxony's parliament, which would give the party an effective veto over certain judicial appointments and types of legislation that require a two-thirds vote.

But properly calculated results would put the AfD just short of that threshold, known as a blocking minority, the Leipziger Volksanzeiger newspaper reported.

Every other party in Saxony has vowed not to cooperate with the AfD, leaving the far right insurgents frozen out of power.

Incumbent Saxon state Premier Michael Kretschmer of the CDU is expected to start talks to form a new coalition in the coming days.

According to the preliminary results, the CDU led in Saxony with 31.9% of the vote. The AfD came in second with 30.6%.

Kretschmer's current coalition with the centre-left Social Democrats (SPD) and Greens will be short of a majority in the next parliament. The SPD got 7.3% of the vote, according to preliminary results, while the Greens slid to 5.1%.

The newly launched populist Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance is third with 11.8%.

The hard-left Die Linke ("The Left") fell short of the 5% threshold typically needed to take seats in German elections, gathering only 4.5%. But Die Linke will nonetheless remain in parliament after winning two direct mandates in the city of Leipzig.
Elias: Why her gender gets little mention in Harris campaign

Kamala Harris has been a trailblazer in politics for most of the last two decades, giving more and more young women a sense of unlimited possibility.

But on the night she accepted the Democratic presidential nomination, only one national convention speaker stressed the fact she is but the second woman so nominated and just the third female to make a national ticket.

That speaker was Hillary Clinton, the first woman nominated for president and the winner of the popular vote in 2016 by almost 3 million, a margin that once all but guaranteed Electoral College victory but has not for the last two decades, which featured two of only three American presidents elected with a minority of votes.

Clinton, who stressed her then-unique status as a female at the top of a presidential ticket, spoke of cracking this last glass ceiling, and fervently hoped Harris would bust it wide open.

But Clinton has a different perspective from Harris, perhaps because she is almost 17 years older. Its much like younger women today who cannot remember when married or engaged women were denied jobs legally because they might become pregnant. That discrimination was fully authorized until court decisions of the 1980s used an earlier Civil Rights Act to ban it.

Now women occupy positions of authority in a host of fields, including law, medicine and clergy. More than 56 percent of current law school students are women. And in 2023, 54.6 percent of medical school students were females, having become the majority in 2020. Both men and women by now are accustomed to representation and treatment by skilled females.

Millions of American churchgoers also are used to hearing women deliver sermons from myriad pulpits. Every Anglican denomination ordains women priests, along with most Lutheran and Presbyterian churches, while both Reform and Conservative Jewish denominations ordain women rabbis.

But there remains considerable resistance to female clergy, where fields like law and medicine have no problems with women, who occupied less than 5 percent of student slots in those fields just 100 years ago.

The Roman Catholic church remains the largest resistor to women in pastoral roles, but Mormons, Southern Baptists, Southern Methodists, some Pentecostal churches, Muslims and Orthodox Jews also allow no female clergy.

But the indications are more women will be in more positions of authority in the future. Example: Caltech, one of Americas premiere colleges, now has its first majority female freshman class.

Taken together, all this has made it ever easier for both men and women to accept females in positions of authority.

Thats probably one reason Harris gender drew so little note during the four weeks she took to solidify herself as the Democratic nominee before the party convention. Its also likely why her gender was not a major focus of either conventional speeches or her own almost hourlong acceptance speech.

Yes, Harris has had to walk something of a tightrope: Shes had to project strength without aggressiveness, boldness without being strident, physical attractiveness without vanity, and caring without submissiveness.

But shes long handled those complications without much problem. As district attorney of San Francisco, attorney general of California and vice president, Harris burst through previous glass ceilings without offending many very masculine men.

It was the same this summer as she vetted and interviewed possible vice presidential running mates. The likes of Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper, Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly and eventual nominee Tim Walz, the governor of Minnesota, had no qualms about accepting her as their boss.

Some of these men epitomize masculinity, but none quailed at the notion of serving a female occupying arguably the worlds most powerful political position.

Walz displayed nothing but comfort after his selection, seemingly having no trouble ceding the limelight and most public attention to Harris during bus tours and at the convention itself.

So anyone expecting her to act timid or fearful of Trump in their first debate (and others that may follow) probably doesnt know Harris very well.

She may turn out to be the ideal candidate for this time, and if thats so, it will be because of the success of myriad other women who broke through to their own successes and authoritative stature.

Email Thomas Elias at tdelias@aol.com. His book, "The Burzynski Breakthrough, The Most Promising Cancer Treatment and the Governments Campaign to Squelch It," is now available in a soft cover fourth edition. For more Elias columns, visit www.californiafocus.net

This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: Elias: Why her gender gets little mention in Harris campaign
A new ice cream shop made its debut this month while the weather is still warm.

Niagara Creamery at 804 East 38th Street opened its doors last Thursday, and the owner said there have already been lines of people trying to get a scoop.

Medieval times come to Erie with first Gem City Renaissance Festival

The creamery will be open until late October, closing for the colder months. The creamery offers 24 different ice cream flavors as well as slushies, floats, and ice cream sandwiches.

The stores owner said she has always dreamed of opening an ice cream shop in her hometown.

Donatos Pizza closing east Erie location

We have pup cups for the dogs. I cant wait to have the children come up. Weve already had a handful riding their bikes through the neighborhood to come up and enjoy the ice cream. I just hope its a place that for generations to come, they can make memories with their families and say I want to go to the building with the ice cream cone on the front,' said Karla Paris, the owner of Niagara Creamery.

Paris would like to thank the community, the City of Erie, and local contractors for helping to bring her dream to life.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
PRISTINA (Reuters) - An ethnic Greek politician in Albania who also has Greek citizenship was released from jail on Monday in a case that has sparked tensions between Albania and neighbouring Greece.

Fredis Beleris was arrested in May 2023 during a mayoral election campaign in his Albanian hometown of Himare, which has an active ethnic Greek community. He won the vote while in detention but was never sworn in, and was convicted last March of election fraud through vote-buying.

Athens said Beleris, known as Fredi Beleri in Greek, had been wrongly convicted and that the charges were politically motivated.

Greece's ruling conservative New Democracy Party nominated Beleris as one of its candidates for the European Parliament in a gesture of support, and in June he duly won a seat, travelling to Strasbourg to take his oath before returning to jail.

Relations between Albania and its neighbour have periodically been soured by cultural and historical differences as well as the treatment of the many Albanian immigrants in Greece and the Greek minority in Albania.

Beleris' lawyer, Geni Gjyzari, told local media that a court in the town of Fier had accepted a request for early release.

Beleris said in a written statement that, after 16 months of continuous detention, "I am now free and proud, but certainly not happy, because the rule of law and democracy in Albania were not restored".

He has accused Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama of orchestrating a plot against him, an accusation repeatedly denied by Rama, who says the matter is judicial, not political.

A Greek government spokesperson told media on Monday that Athens welcomed Beleris' release "but has by no means forgotten what happened a few months ago".

(Reporting by Fatos Bytyci; Additional reporting by Karolina Tagaris and Angeliki Koutantou in Athens; Editing by Kevin Liffey)
An ethnic Greek politician and EU lawmaker is released on probation in Albania

Fredis Beleris, a former ethnic Greek mayor of an Albanian town whose imprisonment on vote-buying charges has strained Albanian-Greek ties, speaks after his release on probation in Himara, southwestern Albania, Monday, Sept. 2, 2024. (AP Photo/Vlasov Sulaj)

TIRANA, Albania (AP)  A former ethnic Greek mayor of an Albanian town, whose imprisonment on vote-buying charges has strained Albanian-Greek ties, has been released on probation, his office and a lawyer said Monday.

Fredis Beleris was freed after a court in Fier, 100 kilometers (60 miles) south of the capital, Tirana, where he was serving a two-year sentence, accepted his request for early release, lawyer Eugen Gjyzari said.

Scores of supporters rallied to celebrate his freedom in his hometown of Hiamara. They gathered in front of the office of the Democratic Union of the Greek Minority, known as Omonoia, a social, political and cultural organization that promotes the rights for the Greek minority in Albania.

Beleris, 51, was arrested two days before the May 14, 2023, municipal elections in Himara, a town populated by ethnic Greeks on what has been dubbed the Albanian Riviera, a coastal region with burgeoning tourist development that has been rife with property disputes. He was charged and convicted of offering about 40,000 Albanian leks (360 euros, $390) to buy eight votes.

The case against Beleris has strained relations between Tirana and Athens, with Greece threatening to hold up Albanias bid to join the European Union.

Beleris and Athens have claimed his conviction was politically motivated. Albanian officials strongly rejected those claims, citing the independence of the judiciary.

In June, Beleris, a dual Albanian-Greek national, was elected to the European Parliament with Greeces governing conservative party, and was given a five-day leave from prison to attend the parliaments opening session in Strasbourg a month later.

Writing on his Facebook page, Beleris thanked Greeces Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis for including him on his partys ballot, which he said changed the course of my history.

Greek government spokesman Pavlos Marinakis called Beleris' release certainly a positive development.

This doesnt mean well forget the (previous) 17 months and the severity of what happened, he told a press briefing. Because in the person of Fredis Beleris the Greek government sees all the Greek citizens, all the Greek ethnic minority in Albania which we will continue to support.

Beleris said that after pursuing justice at all levels in Albania, he would appeal his case to the European Court of Human Rights, saying "I have been crippled by the Albanian regime.

But now, exercising the duties of the Greek MEP, I will be able to focus on the issues of the Greek ethnic minority and the rule of law, without fear but only with passion, he wrote.

After Beleris was stripped of his title, convicted and imprisoned, an early election was held in Himara for the post of mayor, which was won by the governing Socialist Party candidate.

In the aftermath of the fall of Albanias communist regime in the early 1990s, property that had previously been seized by the state was distributed among residents. But this often led to disputes over ownership claims, and there have been allegations of ethnic bias in land distribution.

Beleris has claimed the case against him was an attempt by Socialist Partys Prime Minister Edi Rama to retain control of Himara and its potential for lucrative future property development

___

Associated Press writer Nicholas Paphitis in Athens, Greece, contributed to this report.

___

Follow Llazar Semini on X: https://x.com/lsemini
With the official Belgian nomination of Foreign Minister Hadja Lahbib on Monday, just eight women have been put forward by EU countries to serve as Commissioners in the European Commission.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is now likely to lead a male-dominated commission after all 25 nominatations were submitted.

After her reelection in July, von der Leyen asked EU countries to nominate both a man and a woman in order to achieve a gender balance in the commission.

The only exception granted to this request was for governments that re-nominated a sitting commissioner like France, Hungary and Latvia have done.

Von der Leyen requested EU countries to submit a male and female candidate to achieve gender parity but more than half of EU governments put forward only one male candidate.

If the nominations do not change, and candidates are ultimately successful in joining the EU executive arm, men could make up around two thirds of the new European Commission cabinet.

Only Bulgaria publicly proposed a man and a woman. Sofia announced on Friday that it would nominate former foreign minister Ekaterina Zakharieva and former environment minister Julian Popov.

Each of the commission's 27 members may nominate one commissioner. Von der Leyen, who is German, is included in this figure.

Currently, 12 of the 27 commissioners are female. The commission is the EU's powerful executive arm. It proposes new laws and monitors compliance with EU treaties and employs around 32,000 people.
EU reminds Mongolia of its obligation to arrest Putin under ICC warrant

The European Union has informed Mongolia of its position regarding the upcoming visit by Russian ruler and war criminal Vladimir Putin to the country and its obligation to arrest him in accordance with a warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC).

Source: Nabila Massrali, spokesperson for the European Commission, at a briefing on 2 September, as reported by European Pravda

Details: Massrali noted that Mongolia has the right to develop its international ties "according to its own interests".

"However, there is an arrest warrant against Putin, issued by the ICC for unlawful deportations and transfer of thousands of Ukrainian children from the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine to Russia. Mongolia has been a state party to the Rome Statute of the ICC since 2002 with the legal obligations that it entails," she stressed.

Massrali added that the EU had raised its concerns and set out its position with regard to Putins visit to the Mongolian government via its delegation in Mongolia.

She declined to answer a question about what measures the EU could take if Mongolia does not arrest Putin.

Putins visit to Mongolia on 3 September will be his first visit to an ICC member-state since the court issued an arrest warrant against him in March 2023.

According to media reports, the Mongolian authorities have assured Putin that he will not be arrested.

Ukraines Ministry of Foreign Affairs has urged Mongolia to fulfil its obligations under the Rome Statute of the ICC and arrest Putin.

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European officials believe Iran will provide Russia with ballistic missiles for first time

European officials believe Iran may deliver ballistic missiles to Russia for the first time since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Source: Bloomberg, as reported by European Pravda

Details: According to Bloombergs sources, the transfer of ballistic missiles could be a worrying development in Russias two-year war against Ukraine.

They refused to provide estimates for the sort of ballistic missiles Moscow could get, the batch size, or the timeframe. However, one source told Bloomberg that deliveries might start within days.

According to the outlet, Western powers, particularly the Group of Seven, are already debating sanctions in the event of Iranian ballistic missile transfers to Russia.

Previous steps suggested by allies include further restrictions on Iranian airlines. Furthermore, according to the sources, the G7 is ready to officially criticise Tehran's conduct and communicate with Middle Eastern countries via diplomatic channels.

Reuters, which originally reported on the imminent transfer of ballistic missiles from Iran to Russia, speculated that it may be a Fath-360 system, which fires ballistic missiles with a maximum range of 120 kilometres and a warhead weighing 150 kilogrammes.

Iran and Russia have been aggressively establishing military collaboration since the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. At the same time, Iran denies providing Moscow with military aid.

Officially, Tehran confirmed that it provided Russia with a small quantity of kamikaze drones prior to the full-scale invasion. However, the media has regularly described how Russia acquires weaponry from Iran.

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Evacuation warnings in place for Record Fire in Riverside County

Crews in Riverside County are battling a fast-moving, wind-driven wildfire that has sent several firefighters to the hospital and prompted evacuation warnings for nearby residents.

The so called Record Fire was first reported just before 2:30 p.m. in the area of Soboba and Gilman Springs roads, north of San Jacinto. Light to moderate vegetation was fueling the estimated five-acre brushfire, though just five hours later, officials reported the fire had grown 650 acres and was 0% contained.

Evacuation warnings remain in place for Poppet Flats, a community a mile south of the Silent Valley Club RV Resort and roughly 12 miles from Banning.

Firefighters in Riverside County on the scene of the Record Fire on Sept. 1, 2024. (KNN)

Firefighters in Riverside County on the scene of the Record Fire on Sept. 1, 2024. (KNN)

Firefighters in Riverside County on the scene of the Record Fire on Sept. 1, 2024. (KNN)

Firefighters in Riverside County on the scene of the Record Fire on Sept. 1, 2024. (KNN)

Firefighters in Riverside County on the scene of the Record Fire on Sept. 1, 2024. (KNN)

Firefighters in Riverside County on the scene of the Record Fire on Sept. 1, 2024. (KNN)

Additionally, out of an abundance of caution, six firefighters have been transported to area hospitals with minor medical symptoms, officials said on X.

Footage of the blaze obtained by KTLA shows heavy winds driving flames along the highway as crews work to extinguish them in very smokey conditions.

Girl, 10, her mother killed by alleged DUI driver in Southern California

Its unclear exactly how the fire started, but in a later update posted to X authorities said, Cal Fire Peace Officers have determined that the fire was human caused.

Officials said the investigation is ongoing.

Approximately 175 personnel are assigned to the fire with two firefighting helicopters, 21 fire engines, four bulldozers, a water tender and eight hand crews.

A care and reception site has been established at Nicolete Middle School in Banning at 101 East Nicolet Street.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
In Ukraine, more than 80% of schools have alternative sources of electricity and heating. This was stated by Minister of Education and Science Oksen Lisovyi.

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According to the official, in the event of unstable schedules and emergency outages, it will be impossible to study remotely, so full-time education should become a center where knowledge can be acquired. Lisovyi said this in an interview with the BBC.

"Today, more than 80% of our schools are equipped with alternative sources of electricity and heating. In the conditions of power outages, especially unclear schedules, especially emergency outages  God forbid attacks continue  the school becomes the only place where you can learn because then there will be no online education," the education minister said.

He noted that the authorities are preparing for the fact that the power may be cut off throughout the country, but are doing everything possible to ensure that access to electricity is maximized.

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As a reminder, Lisovyi emphasized the need for Ukrainian schoolchildren to return to offline learning. According to the head of the Ministry of Education and Science, distance education negatively affects students' socialization skills. In particular, children do not develop the ability to learn, focus attention, interact with each other, with the teacher, and follow the rules of behavior.

If schoolchildren are not returned to offline education, Ukrainians will have to pay for the lost income, as human capital will be lost, the Minister of Education notes. According to him, online learning is particularly disastrous for elementary school students. After all, it is during this period that the formation of basic socialization skills takes place.

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Only verified information is available on the OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
Mexican drug kingpin Osiel Cardenas Guillen, former leader of the notorious Gulf Cartel and Los Zetas criminal gang, was released Friday from a U.S. prison and handed over to the immigration department, officials said.

Cardenas Guillen was captured in 2003 and extradited four years later to the United States, where he pleaded guilty to drug trafficking, money laundering and extortion. A Federal Bureau of Prisons official told AFP that Cardenas Guillen, 57, was released Friday and moved into Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody.

Accused Mexican drug kingpin Osiel Cardenas Guillen, 39, leaves the federal courthouse after pleading not guilty to charges connected to running a cartel, in Houston, Feb. 9, 2007. / Credit: Pat Sullivan / AP

He has several charges pending in Mexico, but it is not yet known whether the U.S. government will move to deport him. An anonymous U.S. official told NBC News the Biden administration planned to transfer Cardenas Guillen to Mexico.

The Gulf Cartel was once one of Mexico's most fearsome criminal groups, but in recent years lost influence and split into multiple factions.

As leader of the cartel, Cardenas Guillen oversaw a drug trafficking empire responsible for exporting massive quantities of cocaine and marijuana into the United States from Mexico.

Nicknamed "El Mata Amigos" ("Friend Killer"), he recruited former Mexican special forces soldiers to form his personal guard, which ended up operating on its own under the name of Los Zetas, one of the country's most bloodthirsty gangs until its collapse.

After his arrest in the northeast border state of Tamaulipas, he was extradited in 2007 to the United States, where he was sentenced in 2010 to 25 years in prison and ordered to pay $50 million.

At that time, the Justice Department alleged that Cardenas Guillen threatened to kill a Texas sheriff's deputy who was working as an undercover ICE agent because he refused to deliver almost 1,000 kilograms of marijuana.

After his capture, the Zetas began operating more independently until they finally broke with the Gulf Cartel in 2010, unleashing a war for control of its drug trafficking routes in eastern and northeastern Mexico.

Gulf Cartel faction behind 2023 killings of Americans

In January, Mexican marines detained one of the top leaders of the Gulf Cartel, the gang that kidnapped four Americans and killed two of them in March 2023. The kidnapping and killing of the Americans was linked to the Gulf Cartel faction known as "The Scorpions."

The four Americans crossed into the border city of Matamoros from Texas in March so that one of them could have cosmetic surgery. They were fired on in downtown Matamoros and then loaded into a pickup truck.

Americans Zindell Brown and Shaeed Woodard died in the attack; Eric Williams and Latavia McGee survived. A Mexican woman, Areli Pablo Servando, 33, was also killed, apparently by a stray bullet.

In an April 2023 interview, Williams said that at one point he lay covered on the floor of a pickup truck, hidden by the dead bodies of Woodard and Brown.

In May 2023, police arrested a top lieutenant of the violent Metros faction of the Gulf drug cartel. The suspect was identified as Hugo Salinas Cortinas, whose nickname "La Cabra" means "The Goat."

Just weeks before that, the brother of Miguel Villarreal, aka "Gringo Mike," a former Gulf Cartel plaza boss, was sentenced in Houston to 180 months in prison for his role in distributing cocaine.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Ex-CNN Journalist Saima Mohsin Says Network Causing Her Psychological, Financial & Physical Stress By Kicking Legal Battle Into Long Grass

EXCLUSIVE: Former CNN journalist Saima Mohsin has criticized the news network for stalling her efforts to sue for unfair dismissal and disability discrimination.

In August 2023, Mohsin won the right to take the news network to an employment tribunal in the UK with her claim that she was wrongly fired after being injured on assignment in Israel a decade ago.

More from Deadline

CNN disputed Mohsins case on territorial grounds, arguing that her employment contract meant that the UK tribunal did not have jurisdiction over her claims.

CNN is now appealing last Augusts ruling. A hearing is set for September 5 at Londons Employment Appeal Tribunal, which Judge Auerbach will oversee.

Mohsin, who now presents Sky News Today with Saima Mohsin at the weekends, told Deadline: CNN is avoiding addressing my discrimination claims by arguing that UK courts should not even hear my case, kicking the matter into the long grass, causing a disabled journalist considerable and unnecessary psychological, financial and physical stress.

I am disappointed CNN has chosen to take this route and appeal, dragging a disabled journalist, injured on assignment, through court rather than honoring their duty of care.

Mohsin was injured in Jerusalem for CNN in 2014 when she was covering the Israel-Palestine conflict. Her cameraman ran over her foot, causing tissue damage and chronic pain, meaning she uses a walking stick and is unable to work full-time. The incident also led to a mental health breakdown and Mohsin suffers from depression. She claims that CNN terminated her contract in 2017 after she requested alternative duties and support during rehab.

Saima Mohsin presenting on Sky News

Until CNNs appeal, her case was set to proceed to a full tribunal on the grounds of dismissal, disability discrimination, victimization, failure to make reasonable adjustments, and equal pay in relation to claims after March 1, 2017.

As a journalist with a disability, I simply asked for reasonable adjustments to continue doing the job I loved and was very good at. Instead, CNN fired me and escorted me out of the building, she said.

Media companies have a duty to include journalists with disabilities and accommodate their needs. Every journalist working in the field right now should be concerned by this. Particularly at a time of so many global conflicts and increased risk for journalists.

Deadline understands that Mohsin has repeatedly indicated her willingness to settle outside of legal proceedings, but CNN has so far declined to do so. The Warner Bros. Discovery-owned network declined to comment.

Mohsin is represented by barristers Paras Gorasia of Old Square, and Jennifer Robinson and Finnian Clarke of Doughty Street Chambers.

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A satellite image shows what is believed to be a deployment site for a Russian nuclear-powered cruise missile, in Vologda

(This Sept. 2 story has been corrected to fix the numeric designation of the missile in paragraph 1)

By Jonathan Landay

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Two U.S. researchers say they have identified the probable deployment site in Russia of the 9M730 Burevestnik, a new nuclear-powered, nuclear-armed cruise missile touted by President Vladimir Putin as "invincible."

Putin has said the weapon - dubbed the SSC-X-9 Skyfall by NATO - has an almost unlimited range and can evade U.S. missile defenses. But some Western experts dispute his claims and the Burevestnik's strategic value, saying it will not add capabilities that Moscow does not already have and risks a radiation-spewing mishap.

Using images taken on July 26 by Planet Labs, a commercial satellite firm, the two researchers identified a construction project abutting a nuclear warhead storage facility known by two names - Vologda-20 and Chebsara - as the new missile's potential deployment site. The facility is 295 miles (475 km) north of Moscow.

Reuters is the first to report this development.

Decker Eveleth, an analyst with the CNA research and analysis organization, found the satellite imagery and identified what he assessed are nine horizontal launch pads under construction. They are located in three groups inside high berms to shield them from attack or to prevent an accidental blast in one from detonating missiles in the others, he said.

The berms are linked by roads to what Eveleth concluded are likely buildings where the missiles and their components would be serviced, and to the existing complex of five nuclear warhead storage bunkers.

The site is "for a large, fixed missile system and the only large, fixed missile system that they're (Russia) currently developing is the Skyfall," said Eveleth.

Russia's defense ministry and Washington embassy did not respond to a request to comment on his assessment, Burevestnik's strategic value, its test record and the risks it poses.

A Kremlin spokesman said these were questions for the defence ministry and declined further comment.

The U.S. State Department, the CIA, the Office of the Director of National Intelligence and the U.S. Air Force National Air and Space Intelligence Center declined to comment.

The identification of the missile's probable launch site suggests that Russia is proceeding with its deployment after a series of tests in recent years marred by problems, said Eveleth and the second researcher, Jeffery Lewis, of the Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey.

Lewis agreed with Eveleth's assessment after reviewing the imagery at his request. The imagery "suggests something very unique, very different. And obviously, we know that Russia is developing this nuclear-powered missile," he said.

Hans Kristensen of the Federation of American Scientists, who also studied the Vologda imagery at Eveleth's request, said that it appears to show launch pads and other features "possibly" related to Burevestnik. But he said he could not make a definitive assessment because Moscow does not typically place missile launchers next to nuclear warhead storage.

Eveleth, Lewis, Kristensen and three other experts said Moscow's normal practice has been stockpiling nuclear payloads for land-based missiles far from launch sites - except for those on its deployed Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) force.

But deploying the Burevestnik at Vologda would allow the Russian military to stockpile the nuclear-armed missiles in its bunkers, making them available to launch quickly, said Lewis and Eveleth.

Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said Russia will make changes to its guidelines on the use of nuclear weapons in response to what it regards as Western escalation in the war in Ukraine, state news agency TASS reported on Sunday.

POOR TEST RECORD

A 2020 report by the United States Air Force's National Air and Space Intelligence Center said that if Russia successfully brought the Burevestnik into service, it would give Moscow a "unique weapon with intercontinental-range capability".

But the weapon's checkered past and design limitations raised doubts among eight experts interviewed by Reuters about whether its deployment would change the nuclear stakes for the West and other Russian foes.

The Burevestnik has a poor test record of at least 13 known tests, with only two partial successes, since 2016, according to the Nuclear Threat Initiative (NTI), an advocacy group focused on reducing nuclear, biological and emergent technology risks.

The setbacks include a 2019 blast during the botched recovery of an unshielded nuclear reactor allowed to "smolder" on the White Sea floor for a year following a prototype crash, according to State Department reports.

Russia's state nuclear agency Rosatom said five staff members died during the testing of a rocket on Aug. 8. Putin presented their widows with top state awards, saying the weapon they were developing was without equal in the world, without naming the Burevestnik.

Pavel Podvig, a Geneva-based expert on Russia's nuclear forces, Lewis, Eveleth, and other experts said it will not add capabilities that Moscow's nuclear forces already do not have, including the ability to overwhelm U.S. missile defenses.

Moreover, its nuclear-powered engine threatens to disgorge radiation along its flight path and its deployment risks an accident that could contaminate the surrounding region, said Cheryl Rofer, a former U.S. nuclear weapons scientist and other experts.

"The Skyfall is a uniquely stupid weapon system, a flying Chernobyl that poses more threat to Russia than it does to other countries," agreed Thomas Countryman, a former top State Department official with the Arms Control Association, referring to the 1986 nuclear plant disaster.

NATO did not respond to questions about how the alliance would respond to the weapon's deployment.

Little publicly is known about the Burevestnik's technical details.

Experts assess that it would be sent aloft by a small solid-fuel rocket to drive air into an engine containing a miniature nuclear reactor. Superheated and possibly radioactive air would be blasted out, providing forward thrust.

Putin unveiled it in March 2018, saying the missile would be "low flying," with nearly unlimited range, an unpredictable flight path and "invincible" to current and future defenses.

Many experts are skeptical of Putin's claims.

The Burevestnik, they say, could have a range of some 15,000 miles (23,000 km) - compared to more than 11,000 miles (17,700 km) for the Sarmat, Russia's newest ICBM - while its subsonic speed would make it detectable.

"Its going to be as vulnerable as any cruise missile," said Kristensen. "The longer it flies, the more vulnerable it becomes because there is more time to track it. I don't understand Putin's motive here."

The Burevestnik's deployment is not banned by New START, the last U.S.-Russian accord limiting strategic nuclear weapon deployments, which expires in February 2026.

A provision allows Washington to request negotiations with Moscow on bringing the Burevestnik under the caps but a State Department spokesperson said no such talks had been sought.

Citing the war in Ukraine, Russia has spurned U.S. calls for unconditional talks on replacing New START, stoking fears of an all-out nuclear arms race when it expires.

Podvig said Moscow might use the missile as a bargaining chip if talks ever resume.

He called the Burevestnik a "political weapon" that Putin used to bolster his strongman image before his 2018 re-election and to telegraph to Washington that it cannot dismiss his concerns over U.S. missile defenses and other issues.

(Reporting by Jonathan Landay; Editing by Daniel Flynn)
The United States has seized Venezuela President Nicolas Maduros airplane after determining that its acquisition was in violation of US sanctions, among other criminal issues. The US flew the aircraft to Florida on Monday, according to two US officials.

Its the latest development in what has long been a frosty relationship between the US and Venezuela, and its seizure in the Dominican Republic marks an escalation as the US continues to investigate what it regards as corrupt practices by Venezuelas government.

This sends a message all the way up to the top, one of the US officials told CNN. Seizing the foreign head of states plane is unheard-of for criminal matters. Were sending a clear message here that no one is above the law, no one is above the reach of US sanctions.

The plane has been described by officials as Venezuelas equivalent to Air Force One and it has been pictured in previous state visits by Maduro around the world.

The Dominican Republics President Luis Abinader said the plane seized by the US on Monday was not registered under the name of the Venezuelan government, but rather under the name of an individual.

Foreign Minister of the Dominican Republic Roberto Alvarez said the countrys Attorney Generals Office received an order last May from a national court to immobilize the plane. The US had requested it be immobilized so they could search it for evidence and objects linked to fraud activities, smuggling of goods for illicit activities and money laundering, he said.

In a statement, US Attorney General Merrick Garland said that the Justice Department seized an aircraft we allege was illegally purchased for $13 million through a shell company and smuggled out of the United States for use by Nicolas Maduro and his cronies.

The plane, a Dassault Falcon 900EX, was purchased from a company in Florida, the Justice Department said, and was illegally exported in April 2023 from the United States to Venezuela through the Caribbean. It was used for Maduros international travels, and flew almost exclusively to and from a military base in Venezuela, according to the Justice Department.

Records show that the planes last registered flight was in March, flying from Caracas to the Dominican capital of Santo Domingo.

A second plane linked to Maduros regime is under 24-hour surveillance by authorities in the Dominican Republic, a source with knowledge of the matter told CNN.

The source did not specify details about the planes model, make or whether the aircraft had been requested to be immobilized.

The Venezuelan government described the Falcons seizure as piracy in a statement on Monday, and accused Washington of escalating aggression toward Maduros government following a contested presidential election this July.

Once again, the authorities of the USA, in a recurring criminal practice that could not be labeled anything but piracy, have illegally seized an aircraft that has been used by the president of the Republic, justifying its action in coercive measures that, illegally and unilaterally, they impose around the world, it said.

The United States has already demonstrated that it uses its economic and military power to intimidate and pressure states such as the Dominican Republic to serve as accomplices in its criminal acts. This is an example of the supposed rules-based order, which, disregarding international law, seeks to establish the law of the strongest, it said.

Multiple agencies involved

For years, US officials have sought to disrupt the flow of billions of dollars to the regime. Homeland Security Investigations  the second largest investigative agency in the federal government  has seized dozens of luxury vehicles, among other assets, heading to Venezuela.

The plane was seized in violation of US sanctions with Venezuela and other criminal matters that were still looking at regarding this aircraft, Anthony Salisbury,

Special Agent in Charge, Homeland Security Investigations told CNN.

A high-ranking official from the Dominican Republic told CNN that Maduros aircraft had been in Dominican territory undergoing maintenance at the time it was seized by US authorities. The source added that the government had no record that Maduros private plane was in the country until it was seized.

US officials worked closely with the Dominican Republic, which notified Venezuela of the seizure, according to one of the US officials.

Multiple federal agencies were involved in the seizure, including Homeland Security Investigations; Commerce agents, the Bureau of Industry and Security; and the Justice Department.

The Dominican Republics Foreign Minister said the government did not participate in the US investigation and only international legal cooperation was required under the two countries bilateral agreements.

One of the next steps, upon arriving to the US, will be pursuing forfeiture, meaning the Venezuelan government has a chance to petition for it, and collecting evidence from the aircraft.

The US recently placed pressure on the Venezuelan government to immediately release specific data regarding its presidential election, citing concerns about the credibility of Maduros claimed victory.

Venezuelas opposition has published more than 80% of tallies printed and collected from voting machines across the country. Though partial, the documentation appears to show that the opposition candidate Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia actually won the vote, several experts told CNN.

The situation in Venezuela has had implications for US politics as millions flee the country, many of whom have chosen to migrate to the US-Mexico border.

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro delivers a speech during a rally to celebrate the results of last month's presidential election, in Caracas, Venezuela August 28, 2024. - Fausto Torrealba/Reuters

Earlier this year, the US reimposed sanctions on Venezuelas oil and gas sector in response to the Maduro governments failure to allow an inclusive and competitive election to take place.

After the controversial reelection of Maduro on July 28, Venezuela suspended commercial flights to and from the Dominican Republic.

Federal agencies, including HSI, have long been going after the Venezuelan government over corruption concerns. Over recent years, HSI has disrupted $2 billion worth of the Venezuelan governments illicit proceeds or resources, including judgements, seizures, liquidation of bank accounts, according to one of the US officials.

In March 2020, the US Department of Justice charged Maduro, together with 14 current and former Venezuelan officials, with narco-terrorism, drug trafficking and corruption.

For more than 20 years, Maduro and a number of high-ranking colleagues allegedly conspired with (Colombian left-wing guerrilla group) the FARC, causing tons of cocaine to enter and devastate American communities., then-Attorney General William Barr said at the time.

The State Departments Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs has offered a reward of up to $15 million for information leading to Maduros arrest or conviction.

In 2017, two nephews of Maduros wife Cilia Flores were sentenced to 18 years in prison by a federal court in New York City for trying to smuggle up to 800 kilograms of cocaine into the United States on a private jet; the two were later released by the United States in a prisoners exchange in 2022.

We see these officials and the Maduro regime basically fleecing the Venezuelan people for their own gain, the US official said. You have people who cant even afford a loaf of bread there and then you have the president of Venezuela jetting around in a high-class private jet.

Poor economic conditions, food shortages and limited access to health care have pushed more than 7.7 million people to flee Venezuela, marking the largest displacement in the Western Hemisphere.

CNNs Denise Royal, Stefano Pozzebon, Abel Alvarado and Hannah Rabinowitz contributed reporting.

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At a time when colleges and universities are closing at the rate of one school per week and American higher education is concerned about college participation, the rate of enrollment in religious universities is exceeding the national average  and has been for decades.

Of course, this seems to conflict with two popular narratives: declining interest in college and weakening religiosity in young people. Whats really happening?

Lets start with the data. Nationally, during the last decade, higher education enrollment has declined gradually. By 2021, the number of 18- to 24-year-olds enrolled in college was down about 2.4 million students from its 2010 peak. Yet overall enrollment at religious colleges and universities is growing and has been for some time. From 1980 through 2020, the National Center for Education Statistics reports that enrollment growth in religious universities (+82 percent) outpaced the national average (+57 percent). Even with the recent declines coming out of the Covid pandemic, religious universities contracted at rates significantly lower than the national average  and today roughly 1.8 million students are enrolled in Americas religious universities.

Our own university networks further reflect this oft-overlooked enrollment growth. For example, from 2000 to 2023, enrollment in universities governed by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, including BYU, BYU-Idaho and BYU-Pathway, grew nearly threefold, increasing from 60,000 students to nearly 150,000 students. Similarly, between 2004 to 2022, institutions within the Council for Christian Colleges & Universities grew by an average of 27 percent.

At a time of rising skepticism about religion, could religious mission be what is driving enrollment at these universities? Our colleague, Rabbi Ari Berman, president of Yeshiva University, a Jewish institution in New York City, recently made the counterintuitive argument about the faith of todays young people, stating, There is a crisis in America today. It is not a crisis of faith but a crisis of meaning. Our youth are seeking purpose, and they are not finding it in the ephemeral answers offered by our consumer society. In a world increasingly adrift, students are looking for deeper meaning, and a growing cohort is finding it in faith-based universities.

But what is attracting these students to religious schools? The first is a sense of belonging. A first-generation student from inner-city Boston recently shared his experience. I grew up as a religious minority. When I arrived at BYU, I felt like I fit in for the first time in my life  there were thousands of other students who shared my values and welcomed me into this community of faith. This experience is common at faith-based universities. Students come for a season to a gathered community of faith but spend the bulk of their professional lives as religious minorities. Their experience at a faith-based university becomes foundational to their extended sense of identity.

A related benefit of faith-based universities is how they create safe spaces for religious students who often feel hostility from an increasingly secular world. According to the Ruffalo Noel Levitz Student Satisfaction Inventory, 72 percent of students attending a CCCU school believe that their campus is safe and secure for all students as compared to 64 percent of students nationally who report feeling their campus is safe and secure.

Our youth are seeking surpose, and they are not finding it in the ephemeral answers offered by our consumer society.

As Eboo Patel, president of Interfaith America, observes, I love that there is a place in our society where the experiences of Black men and women are affirmed (in historically Black colleges and universities). And of course, by that logic, it makes perfect sense that people with a particular religious identity also need a place where they can have their identity supported, especially when that religion has a history of facing bigotry, as the Latter-day Saints, Jews and Catholics certainly have.

Third, religious mission can enable access and affordability at a time when many feel university education is beyond their reach. For many religious communities, making college affordable is part of their pastoral duty of care. Religious schools such as Berea College, BYU-Hawaii and College of the Ozarks all have innovative work-study programs  once students are admitted, their tuition costs are mostly covered. Similarly, BYU-Pathway has used religious purpose to help inspire students who never thought a college education was possible. By teaching the dignity of work and encouraging heavens help in achieving human potential, tens of thousands of first-generation and low-income students are finding the confidence to succeed in college.

Fourth, religious mission can sharpen efforts on retention. The Pell Institute for the Study of Opportunity in Higher Education shows that less than half of students who start college actually complete college. Lower-income students face the most acute challenges. Students from the lowest quartile of household income are nearly six times less likely to complete college than those in the highest quartile. The same pastoral duty of care that encourages religious schools to make college affordable can also motivate faculty and guidance counselors to help students complete their education. From a religious perspective, if God is in relentless pursuit of His children, religious university leaders should do the same. Ilana Horwitz in her book, God, Grades, and Graduation, has shown a strong linkage between religious community and academic persistence. An example of this is Catholic University, where students who attend weekly worship services have higher rates of completion and a great sense of belonging.

While some might say that religious mission does not free faith-based institutions from finding ways to adapt and innovate, our firsthand observation is that religious mission demands it. As national leaders are rethinking important questions in higher education, we hope many will recognize how faith-based universities open access, provide a sense of belonging and increase affordability for a growing number of students who are seeking a leg-up as they enter the postcollege world.

Elder Clark G. Gilbert is a General Authority Seventy and the Commissioner of Education for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Shirley Hoogstra is the president of the Council for Christian Colleges & Universities. They currently co-chair the Commission on Faith-based Universities at the American Council on Education.

This story appears in the September 2024 issue of Deseret Magazine. Learn more about how to subscribe.
CANFIELD, Ohio (WKBN)  A pair of steers has been reunited with their family after a nearly month of searching.

Afton and Zoey Douglas of New Springfield lost three of four steers they were planning to show at the Canfield Fair just four weeks before it started. One was returned but passed away, and the other two were roaming for weeks. A local man caught them Saturday night, and they were brought home Sunday morning.

While its too late to sell them for the fair, the sisters are happy theyre back home.

It does suck that we could not have brought them here. If it had been a week earlier, we probably couldnt have showed them, but maybe they couldve at least sold, Zoey said.

Zoey was at the fair when she got the news of their return.

I cant believe this. It just  I didnt expect it to happen, not at least this week or in the middle of the fair out of nowhere. I just cant believe this. Its just over like that. I mean, were done. We dont have to worry about it anymore, she said.

Zoey said the steers look like theyre in good condition and theyll sell them after the fair. While she thinks they probably wont make a profit, she said its still a better outcome than they expected.

Its nice that we at least have them back and we can sell them to people that want the meat anyways, and we get some ourselves and its not a complete waste, she said.

This was supposed to be their last year showing steers for the fair. However, the sisters dont want to end on a bad note.

Were going to do it again next year. Only one each. Were not going to do the four again. Just with how everything went this year, we dont want it to be our last year. It was kind of a sucky last year, Zoey said.

The Douglas family says theyre grateful for everyone who took the time to help them search for the steers.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKBN.com.
Federal authorities seized a plane in South Florida Monday that is regularly used by Venezuelas President Nicolas Maduro, in an enforcement action stemming from violations of U.S. sanctions against his government and breaches of export control laws.

The plane, used by Maduro for personal and professional reasons, was flown from the Dominican Republic, where it had been detained, to the executive airport in Fort Lauderdale, authorities said. The seizure was a joint operation among the departments of Homeland Security, Justice and Commerce, among other federal agencies. Homeland Security Investigations was in charge of bringing the plane to the United States.

The plane is a Dassault Falcon 900EX, a French-built corporate jet, with blue and red stripes and a white body. It is valued at $13 million, according to the Justice Department. The plane has been documented previously visiting St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Cuba and Brazil, often with Maduro on board. The plane appears to be currently registered in the European republic of San Marino. The prefix on the airplanes registration, T7, is the nationality mark for aircraft registered in the landlocked microstate within Italy.

The Justice Department said on Monday that individuals affiliated with Maduro had bought the plane using a shell company in the Caribbean, and used the purchase through the third country to hide the purchase and smuggle it into Venezuela. The small jet has almost exclusively flown to and from a Venezuelan military base over the last year and a half, the Justice Department said.

Let this seizure send a clear message: aircraft illegally acquired from the United States for the benefit of sanctioned Venezuelan officials cannot just fly off into the sunset, Assistant Secretary for Export Enforcement Matthew S. Axelrod of the Department of Commerce said in a statement.

Dominican authorities assisted the United States in Mondays operation. El Listin Diario, a Santo Domingo-based newspaper, had previously reported that Dominican prosecutors had detained a plane with a similar tail number at the international airport in the city of Higuero back in May.

The planes seizure represents the latest escalation in the tense relations between Venezuela and the United States, which have been exacerbated by the recent elections in which Maduro claimed victory despite widespread evidence from the political opposition and media analysis that the governments results were fraudulent.

The planes registration in the United States was canceled in January 2023, according to public records from the Federal Aviation Administration, because it was exported to St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Records from the FAA show that a Florida-based company sold the plane to a Limited Liability Company there, but the St. Vincent and the Grenadines company registry records do not appear to have a company by that name.

it is unclear whether the Caribbean countrys government was aware of the sale of the plane to Venezuela. Grenadiness Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves congratulated Maduro on his recent claimed electoral victory.

Not the first seized plane

Earlier this year, the U.S. government took possession of a Boeing cargo plane in the Miami area that had been sold by a sanctioned Iranian airline to a Venezuelan company in violation of federal export control laws, the Justice Department said.

The 747-300M plane, flown from Argentina to Miami in February, was owned by Mahan Air, an Iranian company targeted by the U.S. government for its support of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-Quds Force, officials said.

The Islamic force is a branch of the Iranian military and designated by the United States as a terrorist organization. The Justice Department, with assistance from the U.S. Attorneys Office in Miami, obtained a seizure warrant in July 2022 to confiscate the plane in Buenos Aires, Argentina, where it was grounded until the jets arrival at Miami-Opa-locka Executive Airport in Miami-Dade County.

Since 2008, the Department of Commerce has issued and renewed an order prohibiting Mahan Air from engaging in any transaction involving any commodity exported from the United States. Mahan Air violated that order in October 2021 when it sold the Boeing aircraft to the Venezuelan state-owned cargo company, Emtrasur, without U.S. approval. Further violations occurred when the Venezuelan cargo airline flew the plane from Caracas to Tehran and Moscow between February and May 2022, authorities said.

Over a half-billion dollars seized

Since targeting Venezuelan government corruption in 2017, Homeland Security Investigations and the U.S. Attorneys Office have seized more than a half-billion dollars in bank accounts  along with luxury real estate properties, show horses, high-end watches, expensive cars and a super-yacht.

The assets belonged to dozens of top Venezuelan government officials and business people who committed bribery and currency schemes involving the state-owned oil company, PDVSA, according to federal authorities.

Almost all of the defendants charged in South Florida have been convicted of laundering the tainted proceeds into the banking systems of the United States, Switzerland and other countries. A handful of others are still awaiting trial or have died while under indictment.

The seizure of this aircraft is another significant action by Homeland Security Investigations working with our domestic and international partners against the illegal activities of the Maduro regime, Special Agent in Charge Anthony Salisbury of Homeland Security Investigations Miami said in a statement, after federal authorities announced the seizure of the plane on Monday.
In the evening of September 1, Russian terrorist forces hit the building of an educational institution in Sumy with a missile, which houses a center for social and psychological rehabilitation of minors and an orphanage. There are 13 known victims (as of 23:40 on Sunday).

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The shelling was reported by the press service of the regional military administration on Telegram. "Russian terrorists have once again committed a crime against the civilian population of Sumy region," the regional military administration emphasized.

The damaged facility is located in the middle of a residential neighborhood. As of 10:55 p.m., according to preliminary information from Deputy Mayor Stanislav Polyakov, there were no casualties, four people were hospitalized. Up to 400 windows in the houses were damaged.

Suspilne Sumy at about 22:50 said that among the wounded were a boy of seven and a girl of 13.

At 23:40, the city council clarified that 13 victims were known. Four were hospitalized, the same number received medical care on the spot, and five will be treated on an outpatient basis.

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"We will never forgive the enemy for his atrocities! He will be responsible for the tears of our children!" said local authorities.

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It should be noted that the alarm was raised in Sumy region at 20:24. The enemy carried out a series of attacks. The regional military administration called for compliance with safety rules and not to ignore the sirens.

The Ukrainian Air Force warned about the activity of Russian tactical aviation and the threat of the enemy using ballistic weapons.

As reported by OBOZ.UA, in the afternoon of September 1, Russian aviation attacked two industrial enterprises in Sumy. There is at least one victim. Then three explosions were heard - the enemy launched guided aerial bombs at the infrastructure.

Only verified information is available on the OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!

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(Photo by Scott Eisen/Getty Images)

The Biden administration will seek bids on developing two wind energy sites off Oregons southern coast in October.

The announcement on Aug. 29 followed an environmental assessment of the sites off Coos Bay and Brookings by the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management. The analysis found the sites would pose no significant impact on people or the environment.

The advancement of the first offshore wind sale in Oregon marks years of engagement with state partners, tribes, ocean users and industry, and the administrations commitment to building a thriving and sustainable clean energy industry, Interior Secretary Deb Haaland said in a release.

The release said the sites could generate more than 3.1 gigawatts of renewable energy if fully developed, enough to power 1 million homes.

The sites would cover 61,200 acres off the coast of Coos Bay and 133,808 acres off the coast of Brookings. The Coos Bay site is 30 miles from the coast and the Brookings area is 20 miles away. The Department of the Interior said the granting of any leases would not constitute approval of development plans. To move forward, they would need to pass an environmental, technical and public reviews, including input from tribes, state and federal agencies and the public.

Five Oregon and California tribes, members of the seafood industry and some locals oppose the developments. Critics said federal officials have failed to be forthright about their plans, and last November, the tribal council of the Confederated Tribes of the Coos, Lower Umpqua and Siuslaw Indians passed a resolution against the sites. It said the bureau had failed to show that the development would not harm the tribes. In November, Coos County residents will vote on a ballot initiative on the development. A coalition of independent fishing boat operators, seafood companies and industry groups also have asked Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek to intervene to stop the development.

Oregon needs to switch from fossil fuels to clean, renewable energy to meet its emission-reduction goals. The current Climate Protection Program by the Department of Environmental Quality  which needs final approval  set a target of reducing emissions from fossil fuels by 50% by 2035 and by 90% by 2050.

Wind energy could inch Oregon towards that goal but it only accounts for a fraction of the states energy use. The Oregon Department of Energys latest energy report said wind power accounted for 7% of energy consumption in 2000.

Nationwide plans

The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management has auctioned five areas off the California coast to develop floating wind energy projects, and it has approved six projects on the East Coast. Theyre part of the Biden administrations plan for up to a dozen offshore wind energy auctions through 2028. The administration is targeting a total of 30 gigawatts of wind energy to be deployed by 2030  enough to power more than 10 million homes for a year.

Four companies have qualified to bid on Oregon leases: Portland-based Avangrid Renewables, the Spanish companies BlueFloat Energy and Ocean Winds, and the Irish company Mainstream Renewable Power, according to the ocean energy bureau.

Leases are likely to be awarded before Oregon releases its plan for offshore wind development in 2025, and construction would likely take place over the next five years. The projects would need electric transmission systems along the coast to undergo major upgrades.

The states planned Offshore Wind Roadmap is part of House Bill 4080 passed this year to lay the foundation for offshore wind energy that complies with labor standards and with community input.

Minor impacts

In its environmental assessment, officials determined that building wind projects in the two areas off Oregons Coast would have negligible to moderate impacts on marine mammals and sea turtles due to noise from underwater surveying and potential entanglement in mooring systems and buoys. The most important factors that could affect marine animals and sea turtles, officials said, are vessels striking wind turbine infrastructure. For marine and coastal birds, the potential harm from underwater noise, boat and air traffic, trash and debris and accidental fuel spills were deemed negligible.

Commercial fisheries are likely to experience minor issues related mainly to increased marine traffic while the projects are being built, officials wrote. The companies developing projects would be required to work with local fisheries to coordinate traffic while installation and surveying is underway. Recreational fishing, specifically albacore and tuna fisheries in Coos County or near Coos Bay, could be adversely affected intermittently over a five year term, but the report said officials said they expect a full recovery to recreational fishing once construction is done.

The projects would bring an economic boost to coastal ports and counties by creating jobs and bringing people to the area during construction. But the report said the economic impact would be short term and difficult to measure.

The report identified few economic bonuses for nearby tribes, including the Confederated Tribes of the Coos, Lower Umpqua and Siuslaw Indians, and the agency said it would consult with tribes on any project proposals and would include tribes in the environmental reviews.

This article was first published by the Oregon Capital Chronicle, part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Oregon Capital Chronicle maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Lynne Terry for questions: info@oregoncapitalchronicle.com. Follow Oregon Capital Chronicle on Facebook and X.
Before Oct. 7, I used to see the streets of Gaza as very beautiful, with its many new projects and buildings, its luxurious restaurants and thriving businesses. It used to make me smile; when the taxi driver took me around in those streets, I was proud that there was life in Gaza, despite the many wars it has experienced.

But I also had a great fear that another war would come and destroy all of this. We live in a constant state of fear. This isnt the first war where weve been displaced. And I, too, got used to it, though I didnt like it. I was one of the stubborn ones. Previously, I had always told my family that I did not want us to leave our home when there is a war in Gaza. I do not like being displaced and its difficult circumstances. I want to die at homebut the wish remains only words. A person continues to fight for survival. During this war, Ive relented. Weve tried displacement several times, all in order to escape death.

I am 30 years old, and I have a small family, two sisters and one brother. One of my sisters is married and has two children. My sister lives west of the city of Khan Yunis, while I live in the east of it, in the area next to the European Hospital. At the beginning of the war, we began to suffer from a lack of water. I started carrying large gallons to the second floor to fill the water tanks on the roof of the house, using a rope pulled by my brother or father. I wash our clothes by hand up there, because there is no electricity to operate the washing machines. There is also no gas for cooking; so many are forced to light a fire in order to cook food, the food that we have all craved, because it has been banned from entering the Gaza Strip. I do not like the canned food spread in the market and distributed as aid to the people of Gaza. My stomach does not accept it, and neither does my family. For a time, we were trying to cook some simple dishes from vegetables, and we relied more on cheese sandwiches.

It is a very different war. I live between the cities of Khan Yunis and Rafah. When the ground operation began in the city of Khan Yunis last December, my area was separated from the city. We could not go there the normal way, on the main road. But we were looking for other ways that we could go, to check on my sister, who was staying in the citys refugee camp. The communications outage was a major obstacle, and we had great fear and anxiety that we would lose someone, possibly even without knowing it, if we didnt do something. So we decided: We would venture to Khan Yunis, even if it wasnt allowed. We would make sure my sister was OK and come back.

On our way, we heard the sounds of intense bombardment in the city, heavy missiles and powerful explosions. Eventually the assault forced us to flee to the nearby European Hospital because the danger of being hit with shrapnel became too great. The bombs were powerful, and they reached our residential area. Fleeing, though, was not a good option eitherit was dangerous. We could die trying to reach the hospital. But I felt forced to do so because my mother, who is in her 50s, has a spinal cord disease, and her movement is very weak. She was afraid that an explosion would come soon, hindering her ability to escape death. So I went with her to the hospital, and we took shelter for her safety.

When we arrived, we could not find a place to stay because of the large number of displaced people there, and we spent the night in the buildings garage. I felt humiliated at the time that I was near my house and could not sleep in it. I was looking at my mother, who was frozen from the cold, and praying that the time would pass. It was a difficult and very cold night. So difficult that at dawn, we decided we couldnt do this night after night, or even one more night. So we returned home, with warplanes and drones overhead, but we got back quickly and survived.

The many explosions in the city did not stop. I was wondering whether we would know our city after this ground operation. Will our favorite places be destroyed, or will they survive? Many questions were killing us. We knew there was intense bombing all around us, but we didnt really know what was happening to the city.

In January, a month after the start of the ground operation in Khan Yunis, my sister was forced to move from her home to our homefrom the west of the city to its eastbecause the Israeli army had penetrated the camp where she lived. This was the camp in which I was born and lived for eight years. I left it in the year 2000 because the Israeli army bulldozed it. We spent two years homeless and displaced before we moved to live in our current home. Still, the storming of the camp during this war was a shock to me. Its where my sisters house has always been, where she gave birth to her two children, Adam and Rital, who are still just 3 and 5 years old. She came to us fleeing from death. She describes the scene of her displacement from the camp like an action movie: Tanks were shooting at their car, and the car driver was forced to keep going over the bodies of citizens who were killed.

Once my sister arrived, we were trying to support her psychologically, telling her that her house would not be harmed, and that she was with us and we would all be fine. But inside me there was great concern that the army would ask my area to evacuate, too. Then where would we go? We had already failed to travel through the Rafah land crossing into Egypt when we tried in May. So we came back. Nowhere is safe. My mother is very sick and the war conditions are difficult, and we are trying to endure. We live with it, but it makes all of our bodies very tired.

Unfortunately, we were wrong. My sister lost her house. It was severely damaged and became unfit for living during the ground operation. Many people spoke in shock about the massive destruction that befell Khan Yunis, and the Israeli army was proud of decimating it, but I had not seen it yet. I was running away. My brother, father, and brother-in-law were saying that the city was completely destroyed. There was nothing left that we knew. The streets had erased their features. After the Israeli army withdrew in March, I finally went, and I saw it. I was stunned.

Ruwaida Amer

My taxi passed through the streets as we approached the city, and I was in a state of shock. There were some intersections that were so well known to us, that were considered some of the citys transportation centers. There was a mall where I used to buy fruit, vegetables, and cleaning supplies that was newly opened a year before the war. It was a beautiful project and a comfortable space; I could find everything we needed there and return home quickly after a long day of work.

Now I cant find anything. Its all gone. The streets had become sandy, and there were mountains of sand. I wondered how the army had the free time to create this devastation with bulldozers. The schools are also destroyed. In the center of the city, which we call the vital and commercial center, there is nothing intact. Everything is destroyed and not fit for use at all. You feel that this area was struck by a huge earthquake. The entire city, without exception, is destroyed, and what remains of it is uninhabitable. Nothing has survived.

Ten days before writing this, at the beginning of July, the Israeli army asked the eastern areas of the city of Khan Yunis to evacuate and move to the west of the city. This city, where a ground military operation took place for three months at the beginning of the year, was completely destroyed. But the army requested evacuation again. Its baffling; what is left to destroy? My residential area is among those being asked to flee again. Hearing it, I felt that my soul was being taken from me. I was looking at my mother, who was crying bitterly. Everyone was crying, and the question was the same: Where should we go? My sister, whose house was so damaged, was crying but trying to help us find a place. She suggested that we go to the apartment shed moved into and make a little room to stay therebetter there than in the tents, because our mother is still sick. She cannot survive in the tents. There was no place else for us, so we accepted.

We thought we had endured enough from the heavy bombing of Khan Yunis, and then during the ground operation in Rafahremember that at first, we lived between the two cities. At each stage, we could hear the heavy bombing in the area around us, and then we had to endure the displacement yet again. When it came time to flee once more, I did not sleep all that night.

Everyone was trying to collect important things, and I was in a deep state of sadness and pain. I escaped death several times during the past wars. How would I leave my home yet another time? Would I ever return to it, or not? This hurt my heart. I was exhausted.

I heard the sound of intense bombing. That night passed with difficulty. In the morning, we started transferring our belongings to a truck. All the neighbors left their homes and moved their belongings. I could hear the echo of my voice because the area had become empty of residents. We moved our belongings, said goodbye to our home, and got into the truck.

The road was long, and the destruction all around us was great. My mother looked at it in shock; it was the first time she had seen the city after the armys withdrawal. The road was overwhelmed, thousands of displaced people in cars and trucks, many of them walking on foot. There were no cars to transport them due to the extreme lack of fuel. My heart was crying at this scene. I hear my mothers voice speaking and asking: What was here? Where is that place? In other ways I was entering the city as if it were the first time. The driver asked passersby where this and that road leads. We have all lost the landmarks of the city, and know nothing about it now.

Ruwaida Amer

We arrived at my sisters home, an apartment on the fourth floor. The building was burned, but her place was the most destroyed. It was the first time I had entered it. The kitchen was burned, and the walls had been consumed by fire. The walls of all the rooms were destroyed. But we began to reclaim the place. We closed the walls with reinforced nylon. We tried to clean the kitchen from the ashes of the fire, though fully clearing it was impossible. It was still so dangerous. The walls were cracked by shells and missiles, and when a place next to us was bombed, we felt that the house would fall on us.

The apartment was in the same camp we had lived in as children, the one we left in 2000. In that way it was a homecoming, though not our first. Wed returned to that camp in every war when we had to flee. So this place received us again, even though it, too, was completely destroyed. It was the only safe place, or at least, the safest of the options. This camp has known us since our childhood, and it knows that there is no other place for us. Our old house is gone. The infrastructure is destroyed. There is no water. You need to walk several kilometers to get water just for daily use. The sight of rubble, dust, and smoke from fires and the sound of bombing are terrifying, but we are trying to live. We have no other choice. We cannot escape to another place in order to breathe a little and feel safe. The crossings are closed.

Ruwaida Amer

People in the camp have been waking up in the dawn hours to fetch water from faraway places. The surrounding area is flattened. The neighbors are trying to return to what remains of their homes, as we did to my sisters apartment. My sister helps clean the neighbors places, and I can hear the sounds of stones and rubble coming out of the peoples homes as she works. The thing that has transfixed me most is one of the neighbors whose building was destroyed. I think it was three or four floors tall. The house was targeted by several missiles, and is not suitable for living at all. It has no walls; the floor columns are damaged and may fall at any moment. But these peoplethey were cleaning the second floor in order to put a tent inside it and live in it. It is difficult for anyone to leave their house, the house that was their safety, their dreams, and the future. That is why the people in the camp chose to return to their homes, even if they were unfit for living. The nostalgia for it is fatal.

The sound of rubble being thrown aside from houses used to bother me very much. It felt like my dreams were being thrown away. I would look out the window at that house and find the family sitting on a sofa and lighting a fire in front of them to prepare tea or coffee. Some of us used to joke when lighting a fire to keep warm that it was summer now; winter was over. A very silly joke in a very painful and sad reality. I used to wake up to the sound of gas cylinders that people were trying to fill, even if it was with a very small amount of gas.

Everything is very difficult. Nothing we get is easy. We get tired when we walk a few steps, because our health is bad due to the lack of food and because the streets have become ugly. The atmosphere is very polluted. Sand dust and smoke from fires and cars make breathing difficult. Taxis no longer transport us. Modern cars are the only cars that operate now, because the motors can carry cooking oil instead of fuel. There is really no fuel for cars in Gaza due to the closure of the crossings, and when it shows up, its price is very high. A liter of diesel costs $30. This is a large sum for a taxi driver.

I am still waiting to return to my home again. I still feel like a stranger in the city that I no longer know. I am afraid of its streets, because the destruction in them hides what they hold. I want to stay at home. I do not want to go out. And I never want to see the city like this. I have wished so much that this was just a nightmare, and that it would end. But it isnt, and it doesnt.
CHICAGO  Felony charges have been filed against two Chicago residents accused of carjacking a man at gunpoint on the citys South Side on Friday night.

Chicago police say 18-year-old Randle Archie, a South Chicago resident, and 18-year-old Mercedes Jones, a South Shore resident, have each been charged with one felony count of aggravated vehicular hijacking with a firearm.

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Archie faces an additional felony charge of aggravated unlawful use of a loaded weapon without a FOID card.

Chicago police say 18-year-old Randle Archie, a South Chicago resident, and 18-year-old Mercedes Jones, a South Shore resident, have each been charged with one felony count of aggravated vehicular hijacking with a firearm.

18-year-old Mercedes Jones has been charged with one felony count of aggravated vehicular hijacking with a firearm.

18-year-old Randle Archie, a South Chicago resident, has been charged with aggravated vehicular hijacking with a firearm and aggravated unlawful use of a loaded weapon without a FOID card in connection with an armed carjacking on the South Side.

According to police, the charges stem from the duos role in an alleged carjacking that unfolded just after 8 p.m. in the 8100 block of South Escanaba Avenue in South Chicago.

Officers said the two allegedly held a 37-year-old man at gunpoint before stealing his car.

LATEST CASES: Missing people in Chicagoland

Both Archie and Jones were located by police within 20 minutes of the carjacking and taken into custody.

The two appeared in court for a detention hearing on Sunday.

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LUDLOW, Mass. (WWLP)  The Festa in Ludlow is celebrating Portuguese culture and faith for the fourth day this holiday weekend.

Man arrested in connection with vandalizing Ludlow church

Sunday night is known to draw in people from all over the country, some traveling as far as Syracuse, New York. Festa hosts two outdoor masses and a candlelight procession each year on the fourth day of the event.



They want to keep their traditions, their faith alive and I think this really helps do that to a great degree, shared Vincent Govoni, Festa organist.



Our Lady of Fatima Parish is hosting the event for its 76th year. This years evening mass featured a special visit from the auxiliary bishop of Poland and a friar from Brazil.



Gates opened as early as 7 a.m. Sunday for family and friends who laid out candles for loved ones before the evening mass.



They put the candles there with the intention of family or for someone that is sick, someone that needs help you know from the Our Lady of Fatima, shared Mara Filip.



The final tradition of Sunday evening brought the Portuguese community to the streets of Ludlow for a candlelight procession.



Each year Festa connects tradition and culture to bring the Portuguese community together stronger than ever.

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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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(Bloomberg) -- Finland unveiled plans for a full ban on property acquisitions by some foreign nationals as security concerns surfaced over purchases with links to Russia near critical infrastructure.

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Defense Minister Antti Hakkanen on Monday presented a proposal to stop Russians from making any acquisitions in the Nordic NATO member that shares the blocs longest land border with its main adversary. A draft law is expected to be submitted to the parliament before the year-end.

This is based on the war of aggression conducted by Russia and the assessment made about it, Hakkanen told reporters in Helsinki, while adding that the proposal wont explicitly name the neighboring country.

The law would apply to citizens of countries whose homeland has violated the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of another state and could threaten Finlands security. The ban would also involve legal entities domiciled in the territory of such a state or who are owned or influenced by a citizen or entity of such a state, the statement said.

The government will also look into more effective expropriation and oversight of assets central to societys safety and security of supply, it said.

National security concerns among Finnish security planners, politicians and the public have intensified over property acquisitions by people from, or with links to, Russia. Finland  which joined the North Atlantic Treaty Organization in April last year  has already pushed through legislation that allows the state to intervene on national security grounds in real estate transactions before they happen and subsequently blocked a number of purchases, such as the sale of a former nursing home in the west of the country near an army site.

Over the years there have been numerous reports in Finland highlighting suspicious properties, some of which have contained fortifications with helipad fields, loss-making hotels kept afloat with owners linked to Russia as well as purchases in locations near critical infrastructure.

Finlands Prime Minister Petteri Orpo said in an interview with Bloomberg News in June that the risk is that such properties could be used for some acts of damage or possibly as a bridgehead in connection with some larger operation.

The proposal to prevent Russians from acquiring properties in Finland comes less than two months after a law was passed that allows pushing back migrants sent to its eastern border by Russia as part of Kremlins hybrid warfare. That temporary law is intended to counter what Helsinki deems is an attempt by the Kremlin to undermine the countrys national security through migration along the 1,300-kilometer (800-mile) border between the nations.

(Updates with details from second paragraph.)

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Defence ministers of the NATO-Ukraine Council meet in Brussels

By Essi Lehto

HELSINKI (Reuters) - Finland's government is proposing to ban most Russian citizens from buying property in the Nordic country in a move to protect national security, Defence Minister Antti Hakkanen said on Monday.

Relations between Finland and neighbouring Russia have soured since Moscow's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, which prompted Helsinki to join the NATO military alliance after decades of non-alignment.

The proposed ban on real estate purchases would exempt dual citizens and Russians with permanent residence in Finland or other European Union nations, and is subject to expert consultations before a later vote by parliament.

"The regulations are aimed at preventing possible hostile influences against Finland," Hakkanen told a press confrence.

Finland is already monitoring some 3,500 properties in the country linked to Russian owners, the minister said without elaborating.

Helsinki has for some time sought to limit Russian citizens' property acquisitions near strategic locations based on existing regulations, blocking three in October last year and another three in January this year.

Finland, which shares a 1,340 km (830 miles) border with Russia has shut all crossings between the countries and accused the Kremlin of weaponising migration by encouraging Asian and African migrants to seek asylum there.

(Reporting by Essi Lehto, editing by Louise Rasmussen, Terje Solsvik and Angus MacSwan)
SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI)  Several people were displaced after a fire broke out at a Lincoln Park apartment complex Sunday afternoon, the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department reports.

Firefighters arrived to smoke billowing from a second floor apartment on the 5000 block of Logan Ave in the Lincoln Park neighborhood of San Diego around 4:30 p.m. Sunday.

Man, 18, dies after shooting on I-5 ramp near Chicano Park: police

The fire-rescue department says it took firefighters around 20 minutes to knock down the fire inside the unit.

The fire impacted three units. The unit below the apartment that caught on fire had significant water damage after the fire department finished dousing the fire, while the unit next door had smoke damage, the department said.

18-year-old Navy sailor killed in downtown San Diego shooting

Fire damages apartments, displaces residents in Lincoln Park (FOX 5/KUSI)

Fire damages apartments, displaces residents in Lincoln Park (FOX 5/KUSI)

Fire damages apartments, displaces residents in Lincoln Park (FOX 5/KUSI)

No one was taken to the hospital, but SDFD did confirm young children next door trying to escape the fire were treated at the scene for minor burn injuries.

The department said a total of eight people were displaced by the fire.

Woman severely burned in 7-Eleven fire dies from injuries

Logan Avenue in Lincoln Park was shut down to traffic in that area until 7 p.m. Sunday.

San Diego Fire-Rescue Battalion Chief Oscar Rodriguez used the opportunity to remind the public the importance of making sure your smoke detectors are working twice a year as the end of Daylight Saving Time for the year is approaching on Sunday, November 3, 2024.

3 die after plane crashes into Oregon townhomes

The City of Chula Vista and the City of National City assisted the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department with this fire.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News.
CAMDEN COUNTY, Mo.  One day after an Osage Beach police officer died in a fiery crash while pursuing a suspect in rural Camden County, the driver accused of fleeing from that officer has been charged.

According to the Missouri State Highway Patrols crash report, the crash happened just after 1:30 a.m. Saturday on Route A, just east of Route C. The crash scene is approximately 18 miles east of Camdenton.

Osage Police Chief Todd Davis said Officer Phylicia Carson was on patrol just before 1:20 a.m. when she noticed a speeding vehicle on westbound Highway 54 near Passover Road. Carson activated her police lights and attempted to conduct a traffic stop, but the offending driver sped off. Police have identified the driver as Christopher Aaron Bishop Wehmeyer, 23.

Carson pursued Wehmeyer onto Route A when her car began to skid, according to the crash report. Carsons vehicle went off the road, struck a tree, and caught fire. Carson perished in the crash. She was 33.

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Wehmeyer was later apprehended in the area of Route A and Canary Lane, Chief Davis said.

The Camden County Prosecuting Attorneys Office charged Wehmeyer on Sunday with resisting arrest by fleeing. Wehmeyer remains jailed without bond. No additional information on upcoming court appearances was available as of late Sunday afternoon.

However, during a news conference on Saturday, Prosecuting Attorney Richelle Grosvenor said Wehmeyer would face an additional felony charge under the newly-implemented Valentines Law and that other charges could be forthcoming.

According to online Missouri court records, Wehmeyer has two prior misdemeanor convictions: unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia in 2019 and two charges related to improper use of a boat in 2022. He avoided jail time and paid fines in both cases.

Chief Davis said Officer Carson joined the department in June 2023. She leaves behind a husband and their six children.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 2.
SOMERSET COUNTY, Pa. (WTAJ)  Dozens of Jeeps gathered in Duncansville over the weekend for a convoy to the Flight 93 Memorial.

The convoy, which consisted of dozens of jeeps, brought drivers from around Pennsylvania, Maryland and Virginia. The riders made eight stops, with the final one being at the memorial plaza.

When drivers arrived at the plaza, they listened to the story of Flight 93 and paid respect to those who lost their lives. The event was free but only open to Jeep owners.

We are getting involved with a lot of other communities and everything. And, we have gotten to the point where other groups are getting involved with ours, Derik Roberson, volunteer firefighter, said. So, a lot of those groups are trying to come in from this event and trying to make this event bigger.

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Robertson brought his own Jeep, which was notably very special. His Jeep was one of only three dedicated as a 9/11 Tribute Jeep. This was the second annual Jeep convoy to the Flight 93 Memorial, and contributors say they hope to see it grow in the coming years.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WTAJ - www.wtaj.com.
SpaceX has resumed launches of its Falcon 9 reusable boosters despite an ongoing investigation by the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) into the recent rocket explosion during landing. The American company launched two spacecraft one after the other within 65 minutes and landed them successfully.

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The Falcon 9 launches took off from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida and Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. The rockets launched 42 Starlink Internet satellites into orbit, Space.com reports.

"Great job by the SpaceX team," wrote CEO Elon Musk after the two successful missions.

The rocket launches took place a day after SpaceX received permission from the Federal Aviation Administration to resume Falcon 9 launches. Despite the fact that the FAA continues to investigate the catastrophic landing of the launch vehicle on August 28.

As a reminder, the rocket, numbered B1062, launched 21 Starlink satellites into orbit, but at the final stage of its mission, after landing on the A Shortfall of Gravitas unmanned ship in the Atlantic Ocean, it suddenly burst into flames and overturned.

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After the crash, the Federal Aviation Administration suspended the Falcon 9 rocket. However, when SpaceX requested a return to flight, the FAA granted the company permission the very next day.

"The SpaceX Falcon 9 launch vehicle may return to flight while the overall investigation of the anomaly during the Starlink Group 8-6 mission remains open, provided that all other license requirements are met," FAA officials said.

SpaceX is also preparing to launch its historic first private spacewalk. This crewed flight, called Polaris Dawn, has already been postponed three times due to technical issues and unfavorable weather conditions. However, billionaire entrepreneur Jared Isaacson, who is financing the mission, said he was ready to wait for the right time to launch for safety reasons.

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Only verified information is available on the OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
Indonesia is currently building a new capital city on Borneo, which is slowly taking shape. Nusantara is set to become a futuristic smart city - complete with flying taxis. The first tests have now been carried out. Ary Ardan/dpa

Indonesia's futuristic dream for its new capital, Nusantara, took a step closer to reality with the successful test flight of a flying car prototype.

The prototype successfully completed a 10-minute test flight on July 30, performing a figure-eight manoeuvre at 50 km per hour and an altitude of 50 metres at the airport in Samarinda, about 100 kilometres from Nusantara, Indonesias new capital still under construction.

"Indonesia's unique geography and rapid urbanization make it an ideal testing ground for urban air mobility solutions," said said Cheol-ung Kim, a executive in charge of urban air mobility business development Hyundai Motor Group. "We're committed to collaborating with the Indonesian government and industry to make this vision a reality."

The flying taxis, equipped with distributed electric propulsion and multiple rotors, can take off and land vertically, eliminating the need for long runways, officials said. They are also designed to be quieter than helicopters, reducing noise pollution in urban areas.

While the technology is still in its early stages, the Indonesian government is optimistic about its potential to transform transportation in the archipelago nation.

Nusantara, located on the island of Borneo, is being designed as a smart and sustainable city, and flying taxis are seen as a key part of that vision.

Muhammad Ali Berawi, deputy for green and digital transformation at the Nusantara Capital City Authority, hailed the test as a significant milestone.

"Nusantara is designed as a living laboratory for innovation, and this successful test flight is a testament to our commitment to cutting-edge technologies like urban air mobility," he said.

Outgoing President Joko Widodo, popularly known as Jokowi, unveiled plans in 2019 to establish a new capital. As he nears the end of his presidency this October, after a decade in power, the relocation of the capital to Nusantara stands as his signature initiative.

Critics, however, have raised concerns over the accelerated timeline for developing the new site, suggesting that it may be more about cementing Jokowi's political legacy than practical urban planning.

Nusantara, expected to be completed by 2045, is designed to be a sprawling metropolis, home to approximately 1.9 million people across 260,000 hectares.

Jokowi plans to spend an increasing amount of time in the new capital, according to his aides, so officials are working diligently to ensure that essential infrastructure is in place.

Also, in a break from tradition, this year's Independence Day ceremony in mid-August was held in Nusantara, alongside celebrations in Jakarta, marking a new chapter in the nation's history.

Jokowi led a flag-raising ceremony, along with President-elect Prabowo Subianto, who is due to assume office in October.

Jokowi said he experienced a restless first night at the presidential palace in Nusantara.

"I didn't sleep well, to be frank with you," he told reporters, attributing the unease to the novelty of the situation.

Despite this, he said he was prepared for busy days ahead.

"Today I have started receiving officials for meetings here, in the presidents office."

As he met with other officials, thousands of workers were working tireless to finish essential infrastructure in the new city, including hospitals, the airport, housing for civil servants and schools.

"I dont want to disrupt their work," he said.

Jokowi said essential services such as water, electricity, and internet connectivity were working well.

"This is a big job. It can take 10, 15, 20 years. This is not a job that takes one or two years," he said

He also praised the unique topography of Nusantara, which offers a stark contrast to Jakarta's flat landscape.

But not everyone is happy with the new capital project.

Alpian, a resident of Pemaluan village, is one of many individuals grappling with the impact of the Nusantara capital project. His ancestral land has been taken over for road construction without compensation.

"The land was handed down from my parents to me," Alpian said. "It's not just me who has been affected, there are others who have lost their land as well."

He said that promises of payment have not been fulfilled, leaving him in a state of uncertainty.

"They said this land will be paid for, this land is still being processed, but it's been a year, the process is very long, right?" Alpian said, expressing his frustration with the lack of transparency and the slow pace of resolution.

He also raised concerns about the government's handling of the project, accusing them of prioritizing industrial interests over the rights of local residents.

"It is as if we are being colonized," he said.

Nusantara, expected to be completed by 2045, is designed to be a sprawling metropolis, home to approximately 1.9 million people across 260,000 hectares. -/Walhi/dpa
Former Hall County Solicitor General Stephanie Woodard pleaded guilty Friday to unlawfully using funds from the county and the Prosecuting Attorneys Council of Georgia (PAC) to cover personal expenditures.

Woodard was charged with one count of unprofessional conduct for claiming a number of travel expenditures for which she was not entitled and misusing Local Victim Assistance Program funds.

Mrs. Woodard took advantage of our state by violating the same laws that she was elected to uphold, Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr said. She has now been held accountable for her actions.

Hall County citizens entrusted Solicitor General Stephanie Woodard to serve the community with honesty and integrity, added Chris Hosey, director of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. However, Woodard betrayed that trust for her personal gain.

Woodard was sentenced under the First Offender Act to 12 months of probation and ordered to pay $1,190.48 in restitution to the PAC and $1,028.80 to Hall County. As part of her plea, she was also required to resign as Hall County solicitor general, backdated to Aug. 9.

The case was investigated by the GBI and prosecuted by Senior Assistant Attorney General Laura Pfister, who head the attorney generals White Collar and Cyber Crime Unit.
Several former students who attended Elevations Residential Treatment Center in Utah say they were worse off when they left.

Elevations Residential Treatment Center in Syracuse, Utah, says on its website that it strives to provide guidance, support, and relief to students of all genders in a safe, therapeutic environment.

But some former students say that description bears little resemblance to the facility they attended.

Two recent attendees say they incurred serious injuries while being restrained by staff. In the past five years, Elevations employees have failed to follow mandatory reporting requirements for child abuse, improperly secluded children for days on end and have conducted unauthorized strip searches, according to state records.

They need to close their business down, said Chloe Gilliland, 18, who attended Elevations from July 2023 to June 2024. I dont understand how they can go to sleep at the end of the day.

Elevations is part of Family Help & Wellness, a company headquartered in Oregon that operates 10 treatment programs in four states for adolescents with behavioral and mental health challenges. Many, like Elevations, attract children from other states.

Chloe Gilliland graduated from Elevations in June.

Earlier this year, one of those programs, a North Carolina wilderness camp called Trails Carolina, lost its license after a 12-year-old suffocated in the weather-proof sack he was required to sleep in. The death, which was ruled a homicide, happened within 24 hours of the boys arrival. Trails Carolina has denied wrongdoing, and no one has been criminally charged in the death, though the investigation is ongoing.

Several other Family Help & Wellness programs have run afoul of state regulations for failing to notify the state of critical incidents, such as those in which children were injured or allegedly abused, and preventing children from calling licensing agencies, among other violations.

Child welfare experts and advocates say multiple incidents at facilities within the same organization highlight the need for closer scrutiny of companies that run youth treatment centers and more communication among the states they are based in.

If you have an entity that has numerous places, and youre hearing about problems that are similar across several of them, why arent you looking at all of them, and why arent you asking the tough questions about that? said Nate Crippes, a supervising attorney with the Disability Law Center of Utah, which he said has received complaints about Elevations.

NBC News interviewed four former staff members and 11 former students who attended Elevations in the last five years, many of whom are active on a grassroots Instagram page where alumni share concerns and push for more oversight of the facility.

Finn Pool was sent from his home in Washington, D.C., to Elevations in 2021.

Nearly all described a chaotic environment where staff members were spread thin and physical restraints and self-harm were common.

I genuinely left worse than when I came in, said Stella Downey, 20, who attended Elevations from June 2020 until February 2021. Downey said she frequently had to intervene when peers, including her roommate, harmed themselves.

I would see her covered in blood, she said. It definitely has scarred me.

A 2022 statement posted on both the Elevations and Family Help & Wellness websites asserts that the former clients criticizing its programs and the industry at large are unreliable narrators who mischaracterize their treatment, and that children are safer in its programs than in public schools. Elevations leaders did not respond to interview requests. Through an attorney, Elevations declined to comment on specific allegations, citing privacy laws.

Elevations RTC has helped nearly 700 children and families in crisis, the attorney, Christopher Droubay, said in an email. It is often the last hope for families who have exhausted all other options to help their child.

Elevations, in Syracuse, Utah, is one of 10 youth programs across the country that are part of Family Help & Wellness.

But in recent years, there has been a steady increase in calls to police from Elevations, rising from 15 in 2019 to 56 in 2023. Syracuse Chief of Police Garret Atkin said Elevations is on track to nearly double last years tally by the end of 2024. Most of the calls involve clients alleging that they have been mistreated by the facility staff, or children assaulting a peer or employee, he said.

From May 2023 to May 2024, Elevations reported at least 105 incidents of self-harm and 138 uses of physical restraints, according to state records.

Miranda Goodwill, 20, said she was violently restrained face-down by a staffer for throwing books at a wall in 2019. Another student at the time said she witnessed this incident and described it similarly to NBC News.

I got up, and there was a bunch of blood coming down my ear, Goodwill said. They made me tell the people at the hospital that I just fell instead of telling them what actually happened.

Youth rights advocates said they hoped the closure of Trails Carolina would result in more regulatory scrutiny of Elevations, but thus far it has not. In Idaho, North Carolina and Utah, where the Family Help & Wellness youth programs are based, officials said they do not take violations at affiliated facilities in other states into account when evaluating programs. Only the child welfare agency in New Mexico, where one treatment center is, said it is currently looking into that programs association with Family Help & Wellness, though its actions are limited to the facilities in its state.

I genuinely left worse than when I came in, said Stella Downey.

Kelly Webster, board treasurer for the National Association of Therapeutic Schools and Programs, a trade association to which Elevations belongs, said she understands why prospective families might want to draw connections between related programs. But she urged caution.

I dont think its reasonable to assume that just because something awful happened at a program in North Carolina, because its owned by some of the same corporate-backing as a place that serves a totally different population, does different things in the name of treatment in Utah, that theyre also going to be bad and that a tragedy like that will occur there, too, she said.

Katie England, a spokesperson for the Utah Department of Health and Human Services, which oversees facilities like Elevations, said that it does not have the statutory authority to use facility violations or adverse incidents in other states when making Utah-specific licensing decisions.

Recent changes in Utah have increased the number of state inspections of treatment centers and required more tracking of critical incidents, such as restraints and self-harm. But theres little national data available on the frequency of those incidents, something industry experts and advocates hope to change with the Stop Institutional Child Abuse Act. The bipartisan bill would establish a federal interagency work group to improve communication among state licensing and child welfare agencies, and create the first national database of restraints and seclusion in youth treatment centers.

Ben Jones, director of legal and policy initiatives for the youth advocacy group Lives in the Balance, said the bill is a necessary step in the right direction because at this point, we have no centralized oversight whatsoever. If families are sending kids away from home for treatment, he said, then we should damn well be sure that theyre safe and getting good stuff for all this money.

School districts in at least seven states have paid millions in total to send students to Elevations.

To Rachel Jonas, Elevations seemed like a sanctuary for her daughter. The facility advertised an LGBTQ-affirming environment, and Jonas was optimistic that Elevations would help Sabrina, who is transgender, with her suicidal thoughts. She was relieved when the San Diego Unified School District agreed to cover the tab for her Elevations tuition under a 2009 Supreme Court ruling requiring accommodations for children with special needs.

Jonas trust turned to distress in July 2023, a month into her daughters stay, when Sabrina revealed in a family therapy session over Zoom that another teenager at Elevations had grabbed her by the hair and slammed her into a chair, fracturing her tooth. Sabrinas therapist at Elevations then abruptly ended the call, she and her mom said.

I was sobbing and crying, Sabrina, now 18, said, adding that she was told to return to class instead of continuing the discussion.

Sabrina Jonas' Elevations tuition was covered by the San Diego Unified School District.

Sabrina later told her mom that she had also been sexually harassed and groped multiple times by a student at Elevations. She said she told her therapist, but he took no action.

Jonas said she felt like she was conned by Elevations. As she looked for a new placement for Sabrina, Jonas said she complained about her daughters treatment to administrators at her school district, who in turn promised to investigate.

When contacted about Sabrinas case, the San Diego Unified School District said it was not currently using Elevations.

In October 2023, the California Department of Education found that Elevations had failed to refer allegations of sexual abuse to the appropriate authorities in a timely manner, according to an investigation report that closely mirrors Sabrinas description of events. The education department ordered Elevations to show that it had provided mandated reporter training to all appropriate staff to stay on approved status with California.

In a statement, the department said it monitors nonpublic schools on a regular basis and can impose corrective actions where appropriate. It did not say whether Elevations had provided the training but noted that nine students from the state are currently attending the school.

Sabrina Jonas' tooth was damaged in an altercation at Elevations.

At least 28 school districts in seven states have paid millions in total to send students to Elevations, according to data from GovSpend, a database that tracks government spending. Of the 16 that answered questions from NBC News, only one said that it was aware of recent violations at the facility, and six said the information would make them reconsider whether they would use Elevations again.

Family Help & Wellness was founded in 2008. After getting a nearly $15 million infusion in 2014 from Trinity Hunt Partners, a private equity firm in Dallas, the company took over a treatment center known then as Island View, where former students alleged they were subjected to cruel punishments and aggressive restraints. Family Help & Wellness renamed the facility Elevations and defended the program at the time as in line with state regulations. The allegations of mistreatment continued.

In 2018, a former Elevations student sued the facility, alleging that she suffered a traumatic brain injury three years earlier that went untreated for about six days as a result of being slammed to the ground during a restraint. Elevations disputed in a court filing that the staff member had violently grabbed or slammed the student, and settled the suit for a confidential amount, according to the students lawyer. Elevations did not respond to requests for comment on the case or settlement.

Elevations is one of six Family Help & Wellness facilities for adolescents in Utah.

Trinity Hunt Partners did not respond to a request for comment.

Elevations charges more than $500 per day to house and treat a child at its facility, and is approved to hold 90 students at a time. Yet Elevations was consistently understaffed, three former staff members said. Erica Ulii-Suyat, who worked at Elevations from 2021 to 2023, said sometimes there werent enough employees to escort everyone to the cafeteria, so students would be forced to stay in their dorms all day.

These kids were just wasting away in the hallways, looking at these brick walls day in and day out, especially on the weekends, Ulii-Suyat said. Then they would wonder why they would have freakouts  I wanted to freak out.

Finn Pool was placed at Elevations by his father, whom he was living with at the time, in August 2021 as he struggled with suicidal ideation.

Finn Pool became an activist pushing for more oversight of the troubled teen industry.

In November 2021, Pool said he told his therapist at Elevations, Ryan Faust, that his father had sexually assaulted him earlier that year. Faust responded that he did not believe Pool and called his father to discuss the allegations, according to a lawsuit Pool filed against Elevations in January. Faust did not immediately report the allegations to authorities.

I just felt like, maybe in my heart, there was a chance that he could have helped me, said Pool, 18, who called it crushing that Faust didnt believe him. I mean, he could have at least just reported it.

Jennifer Wilde, Elevations executive clinical director, said in a January statement that Faust delayed reporting the allegations while he reviewed the matter and that Pools father was investigated but ultimately not charged.

Faust entered a guilty plea in August 2023 for failure to report child abuse, a misdemeanor, according to court records. A three-member state panel ruled on Aug. 5, 2024, that Elevations appeared more interested in keeping Pool in their facility for monetary reasons rather than his best interests as a minor. The lawsuit is still pending.

Faust and an attorney representing him did not respond to requests for comment.

Derek J. Williams, an attorney for Pools father, said that Pools allegations were part of a series of false accusations. Williams said the father placed Pool at Elevations to try to keep his son alive.

Pool, pictured with his mother, said it was "crushing" when his therapist didn't believe his allegations of abuse.

Pool was released to his mothers care in 2022 and, since filing his lawsuit, has become outspoken on social media and visited Capitol Hill this year as an advocate for tougher oversight of the troubled teen industry. He was recently accepted to the University of California, Berkeley.

Jonas said her daughter, Sabrina, is also doing better after leaving Elevations last September. Sabrina was placed at the San Diego Center for Children, where she was allowed to frequently call her family and where she felt safe. She finished her senior year with As, learned to play guitar and has made new friends.

But her mother still regrets Sabrinas time at Elevations.

I thank God every day that shes out of that hellhole, Jonas said. We are traumatized from that place.

If you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline or chat live at 988lifeline.org. You can also visit SpeakingOfSuicide.com/resources for additional support.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
(Bloomberg) -- Ko Wen-je, ex-mayor of Taipei and former presidential hopeful, was released from detention after being arrested in a graft investigation that could threaten the political future of the politician and his upstart Taiwan Peoples Party.

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Ko, who campaigned on a promise to rid the government of corruption, was freed early Monday after the Taipei District Court said there was insufficient evidence to hold him, the Central News Agency reported. He was arrested over the weekend after he balked at the continued interrogation since Friday and asked to leave the prosecutors office.

Ko, a former trauma surgeon who won just over a quarter of the votes in Januarys leadership election, was suspected of corruption involving the redevelopment of a shopping center that was approved while he was mayor of the Taiwanese capital.

The investigation could hurt the TPPs image further after the party, Taiwans third largest, was accused of misreporting campaign finances in a separate inquiry and apologized for it. Ko said last week he would temporarily step down as leader of the party, whose handful of lawmakers hold the balance of power in Taiwans legislature.

TPP thanked the the court for Kos release and said it will help Ko defend himself in a statement.

The Taipei District Prosecutors Office plans to appeal the decision, CNA reported. Core Pacific, the developer being investigated for corruption, said in a statement on August 29 that the companys operation is unaffected by the case and it would follow guidelines for corporate governance.

Polls conducted in the last two weeks show the alleged mishandling of election funds and Kos suspected role in the alleged corruption case have dented the popularity of both the TPP and Ko, whose outsider reputation had found popularity among young voters.

Former Taipei Deputy Mayor Pong Cheng-sheng, who has no official party affiliation, remains in detention following his questioning last week after the court ruled he was highly involved in the case, according to a separate report by CNA.

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Theres treasure in Washingtons mountains, beaches and creeks. It comes in the form of crystals and agates, fossils and petrified wood. The state is rock hounding paradise, say those who pursue the hobby.

Youve just got to know where to look.

A mid-August weekend outing by the 500-plus member Puyallup Valley Gem and Mineral Club and the Washington State Mineral Council revealed veins, rock hills and hidden digging pits in the mountains above Greenwater.

Experienced and amateur rock hounds gathered at the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest ranger station in Enumclaw early on the morning of Aug. 17, where club president Tony Johnson and others had spread rocks of varying types on folding tables. Petrified wood, geodes, opal and jasper shone in a variety of colors.

From their exteriors, the gray and brown rocks are as dull as a russet potato. But sliced or cracked open, they glow with colors and patterns.

Ill take somebody up here (to a rock site) and they dont see it, Johnson said of potentially spectacular specimens. They walk right past it.

Caravan

Trucks, SUVs, vans and even a few brave sedan drivers followed club leaders from the ranger station, up state Route 410 and onto Forest Service road 70, just past Greenwater. Participants drove from Seattle, Long Beach and Walla Walla for the adventure.

The groups first stop was at a scree-filled slope. Here, the goal was to find moss agate. The veterans in the group immediately began pounding rocks with rock hammers and spraying the stones from water bottles. The water acts as a temporary polish, allowing colors and patterns within the rocks to briefly emerge.

Herds of passing Jeeps and motorbikes kicked up clouds of dust and temporarily drowned out the sound of hammering.

With the help of dog Milo, Randy Bjorklund of Bonney Lake digs for lily pad jasper and petrified wood at a site in the mountains above Greenwater during a field trip with amateur rock hounds Aug. 17.

Hounding together

The Internet is full of information on rock hounding in Washington. But finding the exact location of sites can be confusing. Thats what prompted Milton couple Tasha Parker and Nate White to join the club.

Thats why we joined, just to kind of get people to show us exactly where to go and where to dig, Parker said near a seam of green and white agate. We just found our people and love it.

Parker and White are both lifelong hikers and enjoy wilderness.

It kind of combines being outdoors, hiking around in the woods, and then the treasure hunting, she said.

Lapidary

Some rock hounds like to leave the specimens they find in their natural state. Others are more ambitious.

Delicate minerals, like the examples found sparkling in museums, often require little modification for their beauty to shine. But many of the rocks found in the Cascades need cutting and polishing to reach their full glory.

Lapidary is the term used to describe the transformation of rocks into display items, jewelry and art.

The Puyallup club has a variety of machines used for lapidary work. Rock hounds know the joy of cutting open an ugly, unremarkable geode to find a sparkling center of crystals. Children are wide-eyed when the dull stones they put into tumblers come out in crayon-like colors and patterns.

Nate White of Milton and a member of the Washington State Mineral Council shows a piece of cut and polished petrified wood while on a field trip with amateur rock hounds in the Cascade foothills Aug. 17.

Duds and diamonds

Not all finds are precious stones. Johnson tries to dissuade some rock hounds from slicing open stones he knows are duds.

You dont really want to waste time cutting this up because, yeah, its garbage stuff, Johnson said. But, everybody thinks they got a prize.

Johnson says a snowmelt is a good time to find rocks in the mountains.

They just pop out, he said.

Some stones, particularly red and orange carnelian agates, can be found in creeks and on Washingtons beaches. One proliferate agate hunter, Chris Sims, who goes by the handle Carnelian Chris, has 180,000 follows on TikTok.

Parker and White use their finds to make cabochons  polished stones with a flat back and rounded front that are made into necklaces and other jewelry.

There are so many different creative people that do different things (in the club), Parker said. Inlay, sculptures, wind chimes ... they wrap things in leather ... walking sticks.

Family affair

Deep in a fir forest, the rock hounds spread out. As Ryan and Megan Armstrong of Tacoma looked for spots to dig, son Vorian, 6, was already pounding away with his rock hammer.

Is this a rock down here, he asked as he dug in a small hole. Yeah! he answered as he pulled up what, for him at least, was a major find.

Ryan Armstrong said he was a rock collector as a boy. The family has been taking rock vacations around the west since getting hooked on the hobby in 2023 when they went looking for geodes near a fire lookout in eastern Washington.

We found a couple pieces, and then its all been downhill since then, he said.

Ethics

Some rocks can be found next to Forest Service roads, or in some cases, in the road. Other sites require a hike.

After showing participants where a seam of agate ran down a hillside, across a road and into a rock slide, White led them to a gated road. The group, carrying buckets, shovels and rock hammers, descended into a mother lode of petrified wood and common opal.

White reminded the enthusiasts to not undercut tree roots while they dug and fill in holes when they were done.

Some of the best stuff Ive ever found has been in peoples tailings, he said, referring to the dug out and picked over remains of a mining or digging operation.

Club members arent mining operations. They carry buckets and bring home only what they can work with, White said. The Forest Service allows small scale rock hounding on the land it administers. Rock hounding on private property requires the owners permission.

First time rock hounds

Amiera Abdel-Fattah traveled from North Seattle for the venture. After an hour, she had a filled the bottom of a bucket with her finds.

Im amazed at how much material is just around, Abdel-Fattah said. I kind of thought itd be harder to find, but its abundant.

Her mother, Jasmine Campbell, came along to support her 25-year-old daughter. But she was quickly bitten by the rock hounding bug.

Ive gotten the excitement, its so infectious, she said. Im actually excited by the stuff that Im seeing, and Im grabbing this, grabbing that, grabbing this.

Abdel-Fattah said she collected rocks as a girl and recently became interested in them again.

I just think the rocks are really pretty and theres something fun about the hunt, searching for something thats a little bit hard to find sometimes, she said.

Washington state locations

The state Department of Natural Resources maintains a website with rock hounding locations.

Heres an abbreviated list of rocks and where to find them.

Crystals: Hansen Creek, Snoqualmie Pass.

Geodoes: Walker Valley, near Mount Vernon.

Agates: Damon Point, south of Ocean Shores.

Petrified wood: Saddle Mountains, east of Yakima.

Groups

Puyallup Valley Gem and Mineral Club (Puyallup) PVGAMC@gmail.com

Washington State Mineral Council (statewide)

Shelton Rock and Mineral Society (Shelton) SRMS242@yahoo.com

Washington Agate and Mineral Society (Olympia) WAMSolympia@gmail.com
A shorter work week is almost within your grasp. The Government is preparing to make flexible working a default option, meaning bosses turning down requests must justify why they arent acquiescing.

The proposals will include any demands for compressed hours  the holy grail of a longer weekend but a full-time salary. Work longer hours four days a week and then tack an extra day on to the weekend.

The demands will pile up. Why would any office worker not want to squish five days into four? Childcare costs are extortionate and many who want to cut their hours cant afford to lose a days pay for a shorter week.

Although theres nothing stopping staff from asking their bosses for compressed hours today, most know the answer will be no. If the Government rebalances the power dynamic so that companies have to explain why a four-day week wont work, many staff will understandably try their luck.

This could be transformative for staff as well as the economy  fewer hours has been shown to boost productivity, creating a more focused and energised workforce.

So say supporters of the idea at least. But what is rarely acknowledged is how easily this system can be exploited. If getting five days work into four without any hit to pay sounds too good to be true, that could be because in many cases it is.

Bosses who are against the idea of a shorter week but are forced to sign off on compressed hour requests will likely let the length of days when staff are working snowball. There could be an unhealthy mentality where employees feel pressure to be always on for days where they are working.

Highly competitive sectors could be particularly vulnerable to this sort of mindset. If five balanced days become four long, stressful ones then there are unlikely to be any mental health or productivity benefits. A study from California State University found that overtime causes productivity to decline.

Some big companies that have run four-day week pilots, such as Asda, Morrisons and Domestic & General (D&G), have scrapped the idea following complaints. At Asda workers said the longer shifts were physically demanding, left them exhausted on their day off and created difficulties with school pick-ups.

Women would be most impacted by any changes. Female workers are already three times more likely than men to work part-time, according to Trades Union Congress (TUC) data, earning 5.40 less an hour on average as a result. A condensed week on a full-time salary should in theory be a huge equaliser.

But a study looking at flexible workers in Germany between 2003 and 2011 found that men continued to get pay rises after switching to flexible hours whereas women didnt. Heejung Chung, a sociologist at the University of Kent who conducted the study, wrote at the time that employers tend to believe women use flexibility mainly for family-friendly purposes, which results in women not being rewarded in the same way as men when using flexibility.

Chung added: Contrary to what you might expect, those with more control over their work schedule work more than those with less control. She thinks this could be down to what academics call a gift exchange theory: staff treat the freedom from their boss like a gift and seek to prove they deserve it with even harder work. A parent saving a fortune on childcare after being allowed to condense five days into four may feel pressure to earn the right every day, fearful that bosses will reconsider and colleagues may grow resentful.

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Andre Spicer, a professor at Bayes Business School, says staff must accept longer working days as a trade-off if they shift to compressed hours. But demanding bosses could use a compressed week to make staff feel like they can never say no to requests.

A toxic workplace isnt going to transform just because of pressure to let staff work condensed hours. There are deep-seated problems that need to be tackled first. Presenteeism in too many offices has fostered widespread burnout and contributed to a lack of productivity and a miserable workforce. There are also too many employers who expect staff to pretend they have no other commitments in life.

Working from home has exacerbated these issues as the lines between home and work have become increasingly blurred. Manchester University academics coined the term leavism for working while on holiday a decade ago. Post-pandemic that concept has spread into every moment of downtime. A four-day week might officially hold staff hostage to a timetable that doesnt suit them.

There are plans in motion to stop staff overworking, such as a right to disconnect. But its not clear how that idea would work when someone has condensed five days into four, so has agreed to work longer hours.

Labour insists it has no plans to force companies to introduce a short week; rather it only wants workers to be offered more flexibility. Bosses will hope that staff angling for an extra day a week off will accept alternatives that give employees more control over their working routine.

A consultancy in Australia has been offering staff the Gift of the Fifth (GOTF)  the gift of a Friday off for those who get their work done in four normal length days. Other employers are letting staff set their own schedules but keeping a five-day work week. Employees must clock on each day but on hours that suit them.

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On Monday, friends and family members leave balloons and stuffed animals at the scene of a four person homicide at 329 Knapp Ave in Irondequoit.

The fires were multiple, set throughout the Irondequoit home, in what appeared to be a clear effort to cover up the gruesome scene that was left inside.

Alerted to calls of smoke and a possible fire, Irondequoit fire departments were quick to get to the home at 329 Knapp Ave. and douse the interior fires before they could significantly expand.

Inside they found four bodies, a man and woman and their two small children. While police are not saying how the four died, investigators have acknowledged that they were the victims of a multiple homicide.

Irondequoit Police Chief Scott Peters, who has been in law enforcement for 32 years and at numerous homicide scenes, called it the "worst thing I've ever seen." Peters, visibly shaken at a news conference Monday, said he and his colleagues want to "bring these monsters to justice."

Killed in the homicides were:

Fraime Ubaldo, 30

Marangely Moreno-Santiago, 26

Evangeline Ubaldo-Moreno, 4

Sebastian Ubaldo-Moreno, 2

Ubaldo and Moreno-Santiago were the parents of the two youngsters.

Irondequoit Supervisor Andrae Evans said he has assured the department and Peters that it will have the necessary resources for the investigation.

Saying that the police investigation will be exhaustive and continuing, Peters said, "These kids deserve it. They had a whole life in front of them."

The initial fire reports

The Irondequoit Police stated they found several individuals dead inside a home on Knapp Avenue while responding to a fire.

The fire was first reported shortly after 5:20 a.m. Saturday. Firefighters had to extinguish "multiple fires" and found the bodies inside, according to Shane Metcalfe, chief of the Irondequoit Fire District.

"Due to the conditions of the bodies, it was readily apparent that this was going to be a homicide investigation," the police said in a news release.

Investigators and fire technicians have worked methodically for the past two days, Peters said. The official cause has yet to be determined as arson, just as the causes of death have not yet been definitively decided, but evidence strongly suggests that the fires were an attempt to destroy the crime scene.

The Irondequoit Police Department said it is working closely with the Monroe County District Attorney, Monroe County Fire Bureau Arson Investigators, and New York State Fire Investigators on this incident.

Offering help

Police said the investigation will be exhaustive and continuing. "These kids deserve it. They had a whole life in front of them."

The first responders have been offered peer counseling in the aftermath of the homicides.

Peters said there are leads with the investigation, but it is too early to say just what motives might be or who suspects might be. The police are asking for anyone with information to call the department at (585)336-6000 or, if one wants to be anonymous, Crimestoppers at (585)423-9300.

Moreno-Santiago's close friend Xiomara Weeks said that Moreno-Santiago has stayed at home in recent years with the children and Ubaldo has been employed.

This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Four killed in Irondequoit, including two young children: IDs released
FOREST PARK, Ill. (WTVO)  Police said four people were killed in a shooting Monday on a Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) Blue Line train.

According to Forest Park police, three people were pronounced dead at the Forest Park station, an above-ground stop.

A fourth victim died at a local hospital.

The shooting occurred around 5:30 a.m. Forest Park Deputy Chief Chris Chin told the Associated Press that the suspect was later arrested on another train, on a different route.

This heinous and egregious act of violence should never have occurred, nonetheless on a public transit train, the CTA said. As soon as this matter was reported, CTA immediately deployed resources to assist the Forest Park Police in their investigation into the matter, including review of all possible security camera footage, which proved to be vital in aiding local enforcement.

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Police say they received a 911 call at about 5.27am that three people were shot on a train at the Forest Park CTA Blue Line station.

Police say they received a 911 call at about 5.27am that three people were shot on a train at the Forest Park CTA Blue Line station. Photograph: Kyle Mazza/REX/Shutterstock

Four people were shot and killed on a Chicago metro train early Monday, according to news reports.

Police said they had received a 911 call at about 5.27am that three people were shot on a train at the Forest Park CTA Blue Line station.

Forest Park police officers arrived to find four victims. Three were pronounced dead at the scene. A fourth was transported to hospital, where they also later died.

Police said the suspect fled the scene but was apprehended on a CTA Pink Line train after police got a description from surveillance video. Police said a gun was recovered.

Officials said the incident appears to be isolated and there is no further threat to the public.

Although this was an isolated incident, this heinous and egregious act of violence should never have occurred, none the less on a public transit train, the CTA said in a statement.
Drivers in the police were not satisfied with the electric car Tesla Model Y. This is the most affordable crossover of the American manufacturer, which is liked by some civilian buyers. But police officers have been disappointed with it.

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The Menlo Park police station in California, USA, tested several Tesla Model Y from January 2023 to January 2024. About it tells Autoevolution. The cars were tested in the usual operating mode to determine their suitability for service.

Among the benefits found were savings compared to familiar gasoline-powered patrol cars. Electricity was found to be cheaper than fuel. And because the battery and motors did not have to be repaired or replaced (which is very expensive in the case of EVs), maintenance costs were also saved.

But the problems turned out to be bigger than that. Low ground clearance is suitable only for flat roads on flat terrain. Uniformed patrolmen are uncomfortable in the cramped interior. In addition, Tesla, in the usual manner, itself decided at what moment to turn on certain functions.

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Also - incorrect operation of the autopilot. All owners of these cars complain about it, but it is especially inconvenient for police officers on duty. And the control of many functions is "packed" in a multimedia system, which is difficult to understand, and it is inconvenient to do during the chase.

Many of the problems tried to solve with the company that deals with the conversion of electric cars into special vehicles. However, this is impossible because of the lack of support from Tesla.
(Bloomberg) -- President Emmanuel Macron will meet with Bernard Cazeneuve, a former Socialist Party official and ex-premier, on Monday as he heads toward naming Frances next prime minister.

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He also plans to meet well-known conservative politician Xavier Bertrand, according to an official at the presidents Elysee Palace. Cazeneuve and Bertrand have at different times been considered front-runners for the post, which has been up for grabs since July when an early legislative election called by Macron shook up French politics.

Macron may announce a decision in the next few days. He also plans to confer on Monday with former presidents Francois Hollande, a Socialist, and Nicolas Sarkozy of the center-right, according to the Elysee official.

Consultations on a prime minister began last month in a bid to line up French political leaders behind a compromise to end weeks of uncertainty after no group won a majority in the National Assembly in Paris.

While Macron doesnt have a legal deadline, finding a new head of government is increasingly urgent as France needs to prepare next years budget. A caretaker administration has governed France since the election.

Investors are watching closely after dumping French assets and driving up the countrys borrowing costs on uncertainty over whether the new government can tackle large deficits.

Cazeneuve, 61, served briefly as prime minister between 2016 and 2017 in the twilight of Hollandes presidency. Often characterized as a centrist, he left the Socialist Party two years ago to found his own movement in protest against its alliance with the far-left France Unbowed.

He was Hollandes interior minister during the 2015 terror attacks in Paris and also his budget minister. Hollandes term was marked by broad-based tax increases to reduce the budget deficit, followed by a partial reversal in 2014 of more pro-business measures that aimed to reduce levies companies paid on labor.

Bertrand, 59, runs the working-class, northern region of Hauts-de-France, where Marine Le Pens far right has made electoral gains that have helped propel her movements bid in the 2027 presidential election. Bertrand has positioned himself as a bastion of traditional parties, regularly clashing with Le Pen and her allies.

Bertrand served as health minister and labor minister under Sarkozy. He quit the Republicans party in 2017, but rekindled ties by running in its presidential primary in 2021.

Macron threw French politics into disarray in June by dissolving the National Assembly, Frances top legislative body, after the far-right National Rally trounced his centrist alliance in nationwide elections to the European Parliament.

The New Popular Front coalition, which includes the moderate Socialists and France Unbowed, claimed the right to name a premier to build a cabinet after winning the most seats. The party proposed Lucie Castets, a public servant who works at Pariss city hall.

Macron dismissed the proposal, arguing the NPF didnt have enough support to survive a confidence vote, and NPF proposals for big tax and spending increases have been a sticking point in talks on forming a new government.

Well vote against any government not led by Lucie Castets, Mathilde Panot, head of France Unbowed, said on France 2 Monday, calling for protests on Saturday against Macrons refusal to name the NPF candidate. Cazeneuve would be someone who will continue with Macrons policies.

Macron has said he wants parties that represent republican forces to build a broad majority from the political center, which would effectively exclude France Unbowed and the far right. Presidential aides have privately suggested the new government should resemble a so-called cohabitation, in which the president and prime minister are from rival parties.

Appointing Cazeneuve could help Macrons strategy to divide the left and attract moderate socialists to his coalition. Picking Bertrand could help secure the support of moderate right-wing legislators.

--With assistance from William Horobin, Ania Nussbaum and Tara Patel.

(Updates with France Unbowed comment in the 14th paragraph.)

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FRANKFORT, Ky. (FOX 56)  According to the Human Society of the United States, 80-90% of owned dogs and cats in the United States are spayed and neutered, but the small percentage of animals that arent can lead to a big problem.

That proved true when L.I.F.E. House for Animals in Frankfort stepped in after getting a call in April about a house being overrun with dogs. Now, theyre stressing the importance of controlling the pet population.

Read more of the latest Lexington & central Kentucky news

They (the dog owners) had very good intentions. They loved their animals. They were well taken care of, but unfortunately, they (the dogs) started reproducing, and they just got overwhelmed, said L.I.F.E. House for Animals Dog Adoption Coordinator, Melanie Moore, who is working to spread awareness about an animal hoarding situation the shelter has reportedly been dealing with since April.

We took in seven dogs, and then we took in another seven dogs. Then one of them was a female that had five puppies. And so we ended up with 19 dogs at that point, said Moore.

That wasnt the end of it, though. They took in four more litters of puppies plus some additional dogs from the house over two years, according to shelter staff.

Moore said, He unfortunately was not neutered at the time, and they had three female dogs that were not spayed. So, all of these dogs, they went from 4 to 42 in 2 years. And they are all descendants of Willie.

Fortunately, L.I.F.E. House staff said most of the dogs had been rehomed so far, but this is just one example of a bigger problem.

There are animals out here that need homes, but they dont have any space in the shelters. And if we can get just one person to go get their unaltered pet altered, then that can drastically reduce the amount of, extra animals that are out in the world, said Moore.

Moore said she recognizes that getting a pet sterilized can be costly, but some programs can help. She said there are local human societies and rescue organizations that offer low-cost spay and neuter programs.

As for 3-year-old Willie, a Jack Russell mix, hes living a pretty good life now in a loving home with one of what his new dad, Robert Collins, called, one of his kinfolk.

He just wanted somebody to love him, said Collins. Thats what he wanted. And hes got that I go back to what Bob Barker said. Spay and neuter your pets.'

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Collins did rename Willie to Luka, which he said means bringer of light, but even he still gets caught up calling pup Willie.

L.I.F.E. House for Animals staff said the shelter still has some of Willies offspring in foster care and available for adoption. You can find more information about all the dogs and cats they have available for adoption here.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 56 News.
Wife waives anonymity in trial against men who raped her every night on husbands orders

Gisele Pelicot (centre) sits beside her daughter and son at the courthouse during the trial of her husband - AFP

A 72-year-old woman appeared in court to face 51 men accused of sexually assaulting her while she was drugged unconscious by her husband.

Gisele Pelicot has waived her right to anonymity to insist that her rape trial remains public so this never happens again.

In a case that has appalled France, Dominique Pelicot, 71, a retired electricity worker and father of three, is charged with inviting men to have intercourse with Gisele, his wife of almost 50 years, via a now-banned website in a section called a son insu (without her knowledge).

Police counted 92 rapes committed by 72 men, of whom 51 were formally identified, over 10 years.

According to her lawyers, Mrs Pelicot was so heavily sedated with date rape drugs that she had no recollection of the abuse she suffered at the couples large home with a swimming pool in the village of Mazan near Carpentras in Provence.

Defence lawyers and the prosecuting magistrate had called for the trial, which began on Monday at the Vaucluse Criminal Court in Avignon, to be held behind closed doors as is often the case in rape cases.

They pointed out that footage shot by the husband would be shown to the court and that not only would it be dangerous to hold the proceedings in public, but it would also undermine the dignity of the individuals concerned. Some defence lawyers also called for the trial not to become a spectacle.

Co-defendants speak with a lawyer at the courthouse. Fifty men stand accused of rape alongside Dominique Pelicot who is accused of drugging his wife and recruiting the men over 10 years of abuse - Christophe Simon/AFP via Getty Images

But Mrs Pelicot insisted the trial should not be shut to the public and journalists because thats what her attackers would have wanted, said Antoine Camus, one of her lawyers.

She is completely determined to face them and her husband with whom she lived for 50 years but whom she knew nothing about, as she discovered at 68, he added.

Before police revealed footage of the abuse she unwittingly endured, she had described her husband as a kind and caring father and grandfather. But Mrs Pelicot, who has begun divorce proceedings, told the judge: He disgusts me, I feel dirty, soiled, betrayed. Its a tsunami, Ive been hit by a high-speed train.

Stephane Babonneau, another lawyer, said: She was dreading this moment but is relieved that the hearing is open and that she will not be locked up for four months with her assailants.

She wants to raise awareness as widely as possible about date rape drugs so that this never happens again.

Mrs Pelicot arrived in court in dark glasses and with the couples three children, two sons and daughter Caroline Darian, who has written a book inspired by the case called And I Stopped Calling You Daddy.

Protesters from two feminist groups, Les Amazones dAvignon and Osez le feminisme 84, demonstrated outside the courthouse on Monday chanting: Rapists, we see you, victims, we believe you.

Caroline Darian and her brother Florian arrive at the courthouse for their father's trial - Christophe Simon /AFP via Getty Images

Mr Pelicot, a white-haired retiree in a black T-shirt, appeared only to confirm his address, telling the judge: You know my home, its prison.

The defendants, 18 of whom have been in detention awaiting the trial, were aged from 21 to 68 at the time of the alleged rapes. They include a fireman, lorry driver, municipal councillor, IT worker in a bank, prison guard, nurse and a journalist.

Some were single, others married or divorced, and some family men. Most participated just once in the alleged sexual assault of Mrs Pelicot, some up to six times.

Police began to investigate Mr Pelicot in September 2020 when he was caught by a security guard secretly filming under the skirts of three women in a shopping centre.

Examining his computer, they found thousands of pictures and videos of his wife, visibly unconscious. He would then meticulously film and archive their sexual acts, keeping the footage in a file called ABUSES on a USB.

According to the 400-page indictment, the abuse started in 2011 when the couple were living near Paris and continued after they moved to Mazan two years later until 2020.

The suspect is said to have given the men strict instructions when they abused his wife during the night. Tobacco and perfume were banned to avoid strong smells that could awaken her.

The men are accused of washing their hands in hot water to avoid a sudden change of temperature and undressing in the kitchen to avoid leaving any clothes in the bedroom. The prosecution claims they also parked near a school and walked in the dark to the house to avoid arousing neighbours suspicions.

Protesters outside the courtroom hold placards and detonate smoke bombs - Christophe Simon/AFP via Getty Images

Beatrice Zavarro, Mr Pelicots lawyer, said her client felt huge remorse.

He is ashamed of what he has done, its unforgivable, she told reporters, adding that his criminal acts were part of a form of addiction.

He recognises what he has done, she added.

Most defendants maintain they believed they were taking part in the consensual fantasies of a libertine couple. One denied it was rape, saying: Its his wife, he does what he likes with her.

However, Mr Pelicot told judges that everyone knew that his wife was drugged and unconscious.

The investigating magistrate also argued that each individual had free will and could have left the premises.

They face up to 20 years behind bars.

Mrs Pelictots lawyer, Mr Camus, said the family hopes the trial will shed light on the true nature of the patriarch.

Who is this man that they thought they knew? How far did he go? When did this all start and what else has he done? he asked.

In a separate case, Mr Pelicot has also been charged with raping and murdering a 23-year-old estate agent in Paris in 1991, which he denies, and an attempted rape in 1999, to which he admitted after DNA testing.

Experts said he does not appear to be mentally ill but reportedly concluded that he needed to feel all-powerful over the female body in assessments included in court documents.

Mr Pelicot, who said he himself was raped by a male nurse when he was nine, is ready to face his family and his wife said his lawyer, Ms Zavarro.

The trial continues.

03:59 PM BST

Thats all for today

Our live coverage has ended. We will be back soon with more updates from the trial.

03:57 PM BST

Trial ends for day

The trial has ended for the day.

On Tuesday, the presiding judge will read out her summary of the 400 page-long indictment.

The investigators will be interviewed on Wednesday and Gisele Pelicot and other family members starting on Thursday.

03:52 PM BST

Pictured: Gisele Pelicot arrives at the court house

Gisele Pelicot arrived at the courthouse on Monday for the trial of Dominique Pelicot and 50 other men. Ms Pelicot has expressed a wish for for complete publicity of the trial until the end.

Gisele Pelicot (centre) arrives at the courthouse during the trial of her husband accused of drugging her for nearly ten years - AFP

03:42 PM BST

Gisele Pelicot is dreading trial, but relieved

Stephane Babonneau, one of Gisele Pelicots lawyers, said: She was dreading this moment but is relieved that the hearing is open and that she will not be locked up for four months with her assailants.

She wants to raise awareness as widely as possible about date rape drugs so that this never happens again.

03:18 PM BST

Suspect admits giving wife powerful tranquilisers

Dominique Pelicot, the main suspect who is pleading guilty, admitted to investigators that he gave his wife powerful tranquillisers, especially Temesta, an anxiety-reducing drug.

The pills were allegedly crushed up into Gisele Pelicots food and drink to put her to sleep before he and others raped her, police said.

03:13 PM BST

Gisele Pelicot refused closed-door trial as thats what her attackers wanted

Gisele Pelicot, the wife of the suspect, did not want a closed door trial because thats what her attackers would have wanted, according to Antoine Camus, her lawyer.

The trial will nonetheless be a horrible ordeal for her, said Mr Camus.

For the first time, she will have to live through the rapes that she endured over 10 years, he told AFP, adding that his client had no recollection of the abuse that she discovered only in 2020.

02:29 PM BST

Children hold mothers hands in united front

The children of Dominique Pelicot have put up a united front in their fathers trial, according to reports.

Le Figaros Margaux dAdhemar wrote: The family, united and dignified, sat on the prosecution bench. Heads held high. They all held each other by the arms, the hands, close to each other. A united front, solid, anchored.

At the heart of the case is the issue of date rape drugs, namely any substances that incapacitate another person and render that person vulnerable to sexual assault, including rape.

One of Pelicots daughters, Caroline Darian, who has written a book based on her fathers crimes, is a leading proponent of raising awareness over such substances that lead to chemical submission.

02:08 PM BST

Suspect ashamed of actions

Speaking to the press on Monday morning, Beatrice Zavarro, Pelicots lawyer, said her client felt huge remorse.

He is ashamed of what he has done, its unforgivable, she told reporters, adding that his criminal acts were part of a form of addiction. My clients line of conduct is that he recognises what he has done and that has not been in dispute one iota since the beginning, she said.

Many defendants maintain that they believed they were taking part in the consensual fantasies of a libertine couple.

However, Pelicot told judges that everyone knew that his wife was drugged and unconscious. The investigating magistrate also argued that each individual had free will and could have left the premises.

Only two people contacted via the website coco.gg, used to recruit strangers to have intercourse with his wife, pulled out of coming to the couples home but neither filed a complaint to police.

01:53 PM BST

Tobacco and perfume banned to avoid strong smells that might awaken wife

Dominique Pelicot is alleged to have banned the other men from using tobacco or perfume to prevent strong smells from waking his wife while she was being abused.

The men are also accused of washing their hands in hot water to avoid sudden change of temperature, undress in the kitchen to avoid leaving any clothes in the bedroom, park near a school and walk in the dark to the house to avoid arousing neighbours suspicions.

01:20 PM BST

Main suspect pictured

Main suspect Dominique Pelicot

Dominique Pelicot, 71, stands accused of recruiting more than 50 strangers online to rape his wife in their Provence home.

01:14 PM BST

Welcome to the blog

Welcome to The Telegraphs live coverage of Dominique Pelicots trial in Avignon.

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CHICAGO  Thousands of mourners gathered Monday at Mount Hamenuchot cemetery in Jerusalem for the funeral services for Hersh Goldberg-Polin, one of the six hostages killed in Gaza over the weekend after being held for more than 330 days.

The services, streamed live on the internet, were viewed locally at gatherings at area synagogues and organizations, including Skokie Valley Agudath Jacob Synagogue, where Goldberg-Polins aunt attends services.

I pray that your death will be a turning point in this horrible situation we are in.  Sweet boy, go now on your journey. I hope its as good as the trips you dreamed about, his mother, Rachel Goldberg-Polin, said at the funeral. Because finally, my sweet boy, finally, finally, finally, finally youre free. I will love you and I will miss you every single day.

Jonathan Polin (R) and Rachel Goldberg (2nd-R), parents of killed US-Israeli hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin whose body was recovered with five other hostages in Gaza, attend the funeral in Jerusalem on September 2, 2024, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas. The six were among 251 hostages seized during Hamass October 7 attack that triggered the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas. (Photo by GIL COHEN-MAGEN / POOL / AFP) (Photo by GIL COHEN-MAGEN/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Jonathan Polin (C-L) and Rachel Goldberg (C-R), parents of killed US-Israeli hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin whose body was recovered with five other hostages in Gaza, attend the funeral in Jerusalem on September 2, 2024, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas. The six were among 251 hostages seized during Hamass October 7 attack that triggered the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas. (Photo by GIL COHEN-MAGEN / POOL / AFP) (Photo by GIL COHEN-MAGEN/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Mourners gather for the burial of killed US-Israeli hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin whose body was recovered with five other hostages in Gaza, during the funeral in Jerusalem on September 2, 2024, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas. The six were among 251 hostages seized during Hamass October 7 attack that triggered the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas. (Photo by GIL COHEN-MAGEN / POOL / AFP) (Photo by GIL COHEN-MAGEN/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Goldberg-Polin was among the hostages seized by militants at a music festival in southern Israel on Oct. 7. He lost part of an arm in the attack. The 23-year-olds parents, both Chicago-area natives, addressed a hushed hall at the Democratic National Convention at the United Center in Chicago, where the crowd chanted: Bring them home.

According to the Israeli Health Ministry, Goldberg-Polin and five other hostages were killed shortly before Israeli forces were set to rescue them. They were shot at close range and their bodies were recovered from a tunnel under the city of Rafah in the Gaza Strip.

Weve had this unbelievably intimate and strong connection since the 7th since Hersh was taken from the festival, so it feels to me like one of my family members has been taken from me, Lonnie Nasatir, the president and CEO of the Jewish United Fund of Metropolitan Chicago told WGN. We are heartened by the fact they made it this far and yet they couldnt find a solution to get them out.

According to separate statements, both President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris reportedly spoke with Goldberg-Polins parents to offer their condolences.

Illinois senators Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth in separate statements called for a ceasefire and release of all remaining hostages.

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson in a social media statement said no parent or family should ever have to experience such pain, and my deepest condolences to all suffering in this war.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGN-TV.
(BCN)  Hours before the Legislature prepared to wrap up for the year, Gov. Gavin Newsom tonight called a special session to address gasoline prices  giving him more time to persuade lawmakers to act on a package of energy bills that he failed to jam through in the final weeks of the regular session.

But the special session may already be in jeopardy, after the leader of the state Senate immediately rejected the governors call for the Legislature to meet this fall, during what would normally be a crucial campaign period for lawmakers leading up to the Nov. 5 election.

In what has become a frequent move, Newsom earlier this month proposed sweeping plans to bring down energy costs for Californians just as the annual legislative session was drawing to a close, leaving lawmakers little time to react or negotiate with the governor. Increasingly frustrated with the strongarm tactics, the Legislature split this time in its response, sinking Newsoms measures as the Assembly refused to take them up.

With his special session, Newsom has now extended the clock that ran out tonight until Nov. 30, when the two-year legislative term formally ends, and has injected a renewed sense of urgency into what has become an increasing focus of his political agenda  taking on the oil industry.

What is the Chase glitch? Social media trend is fraud, plain and simple, bank says

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, he said in a press release.

The governors order requires the special session to begin today, but it did not say when the actual hearings would begin. While the Assembly promptly gaveled into the special session, Senate President Pro Tem Mike McGuire, a Santa Rosa Democrat, threw cold water on the idea in a statement that seemed to reference bubbling inter-house tension over the legislative package.

The Senate always had the votes and was ready to get these important measures across the finish line this legislative year, McGuire said. 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.

While the state constitution gives the governor authority to call a special session and lays out some scope of what can be discussed, there is no enforcement mechanism if the Legislature decides not to meet, according to longtime lobbyist Chris Micheli.

Newsoms move followed Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas refusal earlier this week to push through bills that havent been sufficiently vetted with public hearings.

But Rivas enthusiastically embraced the governors special session declaration, telling reporters that the Assembly was excited to do this work. He said he would meet with the Newsom administration next week to sort through the logistics and he expected hearings to begin by the week after that, despite McGuires insistence that the Senate would not participate.

I believe when the governor issues a proclamation, its our constitutional obligation to get that work done, Rivas said.

The governors office said Newsom and the Legislature had been working together on the proposal for months, noting that the first policy recommendation was shared with the Legislature in January, and that there were legislative committee hearings on the topic in May.

McGuire told reporters after adjournment that he spoke with the governor earlier today, and that he and Rivas met with Newsom Friday night. And despite his rejection of the special session, McGuire insisted they were working collaboratively: There is a difference of opinion of bringing the Legislature in for the session or not. Thats fine. But I firmly believe that we had the opportunity to be able to get the votes and provide Californians with the relief they need at the gas pump and on their utility bills.

Senate Republican leader Brian Jones of San Diego, however, thanked McGuire for pushing back against the governor: Its blatantly undemocratic for Newsom to finally show up to his day job and demand the Legislature instantly cave to his demands, all so that he can feel relevant again and get a splashy headline.

The package of energy-related bills included Senate Bill 950, authored by Democratic Sen. Nancy Skinner, which would regulate refinery maintenance to prevent supply problems and price hikes.

Newsom responds to Berkeley native, Israeli hostages death

Another bill in the package was Assembly Bill 3121 by Assemblymembers Cottie Petrie-Norris and Gregg Hart, which would have given households a one-time credit of between $30 and $70. Petrie-Norris, a Democrat from Irvine, pulled the bill from the Senate energy committee Friday afternoon. The governor called the session before the fate of the full package of bills was determined.

Its the second time in two years that Newsom has called for a special session focused on gas prices: In 2022, he convened one in December to push for a tax on oil industry profits. That session, while initially aimed at taxing excessive oil profits, resulted in the creation of a watchdog division at the California Energy Commission to analyze and potentially regulate oil profits.

Newsom referenced the ongoing work of that division in his new proclamation but said California remained vulnerable to price spikes when refineries undergo maintenance.

In his new proposal, the governor wants to give the energy commission more authority to impose minimum fuel inventories at refineries and require them to lay out plans during maintenance.

The oil industry has already voiced opposition, calling it regulatory malpractice and warning that the additional rules would lead to price increases.

Gas prices today in California average $4.64 a gallon, according to the American Automobile Association, compared to the national average of $3.34.

Copyright  2024 Bay City News, Inc.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRON4.
George Clooney Praises Bidens Selfless Choice to Let Go of Power Following the Actor Calling For Him to Step Aside | Video

George Clooney addressed his July op-ed in the New York Times publicly for the first time while promoting his newest film Wolfs at the Venice Film Festival on Sunday. Asked if the op-ed had any impact on President Joe Bidens decision to withdraw his candidacy ahead of the 2024 election, Clooney responded, The person who should be applauded is the president, who did the most selfless thing that anybodys done since George Washington, and thats true.

And so anybody, all the machinations that got us there, none of thats going to be remembered, and it shouldnt be, Clooney argued. What should be remembered is the selfless act of someone who  you know, its very hard to let go of power. We know that, weve seen it all around the world. And for someone to say, I think theres a better way forward, thats, all the credit goes to him.

Clooneys July 10 op-ed made it clear that the actor did not believe Biden could have won the 2024 election if he remained in the race.

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 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.

The actor also said that hed had private conversations with senators, members of Congress and governors who all agreed with him, irrespective of what he or she is saying publicly.

Top Democrats  Chuck Schumer, Hakeem Jeffries, Nancy Pelosi  and senators, representatives and other candidates who face losing in November need to ask this president to voluntarily step aside, Clooney continued.

Watch Clooneys exchange with members of the press at the Venice Film Festival in the video from The Hollywood Reporter above.

The post George Clooney Praises Bidens Selfless Choice to Let Go of Power Following the Actor Calling For Him to Step Aside | Video appeared first on TheWrap.
During the Russian attack on Kyiv on September 2, the building of the Islamic Cultural Center of the Spiritual Administration of Muslims of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the mosque located there were damaged. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said afterward that Russia "despises spiritual and human values, does not respect any religion or faith."

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The head of state reacted to the attack on Monday morning. On his X (Twitter) account, he showed photos of the destruction. It should be noted that the post was published in two languages: Ukrainian and English.

The aggressor state "does not stop its devastating campaign against the Ukrainian people, trying to destroy all our communities and even shrines."

In total, on the night of September 2, the Russian army fired 35 missiles, including ballistic missiles, and 23 drones at Ukraine.

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"The world must see that Russia's war is not only against Ukraine, but also against humanity, dignity and human life. Such barbaric actions have no place in the modern world," Zelenskyy emphasized.

He called on the international community to strongly condemn and respond to the brutal actions of the occupiers.

"We must stand together against Russian aggression and demand the restoration of a just peace based on the Peace Formula and the UN Charter," the President summarized.

As a reminder, there were no casualties in the Islamic Cultural Center of the Religious Administration of Muslims of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea.

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As reported by OBOZ.UA:

 On the morning of September 2, Putin's troops launched a combined attack on Kyiv using a large number of cruise and ballistic missiles. Explosions were heard in the city, and air defense systems were activated. Destruction and fires were reported in four districts of the capital due to falling debris.

 Debris from downed enemy targets damaged several buildings, including in Holosiivskyi district.

Only verified information is available on the OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
UPDATE (12:33 p.m.): Missing Andrews teen Noah Robinson has returned home safely.



ANDREWS, S.C. (WCBD)  Georgetown County Sheriffs Office is asking for the publics help in locating a 16-year-old boy reported as missing.

Noah Robinson was last seen wearing blue jeans, boots, and a dark sleeveless shirt on Sunday walking from his residence on Huckleberry Road, Andrews, around noon.

He is 58 tall and weighs 120 pounds with dark blond hair and blue eyes.

Photo from Georgetown County

Anyone with information about this individual should call Georgetown County Sheriffs Office at 843-546-5102.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCBD News 2.
SAVANNAH, Ga. (WSAV)  The Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Law Enforcement Division (LED) said they had a successful helicopter rescue mission on Sunday.

According to LED around 1 p.m. on Sunday, game wardens were contacted in reference to a 66-year-old woman who sustained an ankle injury at Panther Creek Falls in Habersham County, which is located in a remote area of the Chattahoochee National Forest.





(Law Enforcement Division  Georgia DNR)

LED said DNRs Aviation Unit, Habersham EMS and Rabun EMA teams hiked to the woman and administered fluids and pain medications to her.

Lt. Ryan Buller, Cpl. Kalem Burns, and GW Matt Kiracofe with DNR Aviation performed a short haul extraction from Panther Creek Falls about 3 miles west, to Habersham Fire Station 17, where LED says the patient was turned over to EMS personnel for transport to Northeast Georgia Medical Center.

Over 10 ft. shark spotted feeding near Tybee shore

(Law Enforcement Division  Georgia DNR)

DNRs Aviation Unit supports state and federal agencies and directly support game wardens in law enforcement activities including search and rescue, hunting and boating enforcement, and special operations.

The Unit utilizes three Bell 407 helicopters.

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MUNICH  German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Monday pleaded with mainstream parties to not change course and decide to enter a coalition with the first far-right party to come first in a state legislature election since the Nazis held power 80 years ago.

Our country cannot and must not get used to this, Scholz, a lawmaker for his center-left Social Democratic Party (SPD), said a day after Alternative for Germany (AfD) triumphed in Thuringia and came a close second in Saxony.

The AfD is damaging Germany. It is weakening the economy, dividing society and ruining our countrys reputation, he added.

The anti-immigrant and anti-Islam party is being monitored for extremism by the countrys domestic intelligence agency.

While mainstream parties have traditionally boycotted the AfD, meaning they will not form governing coalitions with the movement, its growing popularity is believed to have pulled other parties right. Meanwhile, traditional parties have lost ground in Germany, as in other parts of Europe, amid growing voter anger at mainstream politics.

Bjorn Hocke, leader of the far-right AfD party in Thuringia.

After the AfD received 32.8% of Sundays vote in Thuringia, Bjorn Hocke, the partys leader in the state, was jubilant as he celebrated with his colleagues and party members. I think the mood is very clear. People want change, said Hocke, who was fined twice this year by German courts for using the Nazi-era slogan Everything for Germany at two AfD events in recent years. He has appealed the rulings.

There were similar scenes in Saxony where the party came a close second behind the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) after securing 30% of the vote.

Ahead of the elections, the conservative CDU, which came second in Thuringia, said it would not work with the AfD.

AfD leaders indicated that they were hoping their strong showings would induce the CDU to join with them in governing coalitions, which are common in Germany.

The voter has decided. He wants the AfD to participate in the government, Alice Weidel, the AfDs national party leader, said in an interview with Germanys ZDF broadcaster.

Saxony and Thuringia lie at the heart of what was once communist East Germany, the half of the country that had strong ties to the then-Soviet Union.

The AfDs success was also condemned by Josef Schuster, president of the Central Council of Jews in Germany.

Bjorn Hocke celebrates as he leaves an AfD election party in Thuringia.

More and more people are voting for the AfD out of political conviction, a right-wing extremist ideology manifested through protest. A populist BSW still leaves a lot unknown, but what we know about this new party and its top personnel does not bode well, he wrote in an op-ed in Bild Germanys highest selling tabloid.The left-wing Bundnis Sahra Wagenknecht (BSW) or Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance, a new party around its leader Sahra Wagenknecht, also won seats but is unlikely to work with the AfD.

Founded in April 2013 as a movement against the euro currency, the AfD has shifted its focus to Islam and immigration. It has grown in popularity at both local and national levels ever since, particularly in the former East Germany, which has lagged economically behind the west of the country.

Polling ahead of Sundays vote showed there is more skepticism about NATO and Germanys support for Ukraine in its war against Russia. Both played roles in the AfD's triumph, Sebastien Maillard, an associate fellow at the London-based think tank Chatham House, told NBC News on Monday.

Immigration was the main issue for voters as they headed to the polls, he added.

More than 1 million people benefited from then-Chancellor Angela Merkels decision to open Germanys doors to asylum-seekers in 2015, making the country by far the largest European destination for refugees. But the issue of integration is a thorny one and the AfD harnessed hostility toward foreigners as it emerged from the fringes.

It became an even hotter topic after three people were killed and eight wounded in a knife attack in the city of Solingen last month, for which the Islamic State terrorist group claimed responsibility.

The suspect is a 26-year-old Syrian citizen, identified by the German federal prosecutors office as Issa Al H, who had applied for and failed to gain asylum in Germany. It later emerged that he could have been deported to Bulgaria where he was first registered as an asylum-seeker, but that authorities failed to do so, a fact that was seized upon by the AfD.

That just gave help to that trend, but that was already there, Maillard said. Its a worrying vote for Scholz and his coalition who really are weakened by these results.

While Scholzs SDP won small percentages of the votes in Thuringia, their federal coalition partners, the environmentalist Green Party and the pro-business Free Democrats, were not able to get the minimum 5% of the vote required for a seat in the state. Both the SDP and the Greens won a small percentage of the vote in Saxony.

At a national level, Maillard added that the three-party coalition was almost crippled, because its always contradicting itself, the chancellor is always being challenged by the vice chancellor, so it looks quite weak.

This could have longer-term effects on both next Septembers federal elections and at the European level, he said.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
BERLIN  German Chancellor Olaf Scholz called the results of two regional elections that saw big wins for the far-right AfD and losses for his coalition "bitter" and urged mainstream parties to form governments without "right-wing extremists".

The Alternative for Germany (AfD) became the first far-right party to win a state legislature election in Germany since World War II, with its result in weekend voting in Thuringia. It came a close second behind the conservatives in Saxony, projections late on Sunday showed.

But the AfD, deemed "right-wing extremist" by security officials in both of the east German states, is unlikely to be able to govern as other parties have so far refused to collaborate with it to form a majority.

Still, the nationalist, anti-migration, and Russia-friendly party could end up with enough seats in both states to block decisions requiring a two-thirds majority such as the appointment of judges or top security officials, giving it unprecedented power.

"The results for the AfD in Saxony and Thuringia are worrying," Scholz said in a statement to Reuters. He clarified he was talking as a lawmaker for his center-left Social Democrats (SPD).

"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 country's reputation."

With a year to go until Germany's national election, the results on Sunday punished Scholz's fractious coalition, which could aggravate infighting. All three ruling parties lost votes, with only his SPD comfortably clearing the 5% threshold needed to stay in the two states' parliaments.

Populist leftist newcomer, the Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance (BSW), founded by a former member of the East German Communist Party, did better than all of three coalition partners in its first state elections, coming in third place.

"Sunday's election results are bitter - for us too," Scholz said. But he noted that the more dire predictions, that the SPD might fall out of a state parliament for the first time, had not materialized.

Junior coalition partners the Greens and pro-business Free Democrats both fell out of the Thuringia state assembly.

Sunday's results could also pressure the government to be tougher on immigration and intensify the debate over support for Ukraine, issues that dominated the campaign.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Germany elections: Olaf Scholz worried after far-right party victories
(Bloomberg) -- Political parties in two eastern regions moved to block the Alternative for Germany from power after the far-right party won Sundays election in Thuringia and came a close second in neighboring Saxony.

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The AfD, classified by security services as right-wing extremist in both states, took 32.8% of the vote in Thuringia, according to preliminary results, the first triumph for a far-right party in a German state ballot since World War II.

The other parties in the regional parliament have said they wont join a coalition with the AfD, meaning the second-placed Christian Democrats  who won in Saxony  are most likely to lead the next administration in the state capital Erfurt.

The outcome of the elections in the two eastern German states represented another humbling for Chancellor Olaf Scholzs Social Democrats and his two partners in the deeply unpopular ruling coalition in Berlin  the Greens and the Free Democrats.

With just over a year until the next scheduled national election, they got less than 15% between them in each of the two states. The FDP was nowhere near the 5% threshold for getting into either regional parliament and the Greens fell short in Thuringia.

The coalition has failed to generate trust among people and, above all, confidence that we can implement what we promise, Saskia Esken, a co-leader of Scholzs SPD, said in an interview with public broadcaster Phoenix. Thats why we have to campaign even more, explain things, and get out there.

With Germanys economy stagnating and migration a key concern among voters, nationwide support for the three ruling parties has slumped to record lows. Populist forces of the extreme right and left took more than 60% of the vote in Thuringia and almost half in Saxony, highlighting the crumbling of Germanys political center in some parts of the country.

National backing for the conservative CDU/CSU alliance is around 32%  roughly the same as the SPD, Greens and FDP combined  and the AfD is in second place on about 18%.

The battering for Scholzs alliance prompted fresh claims from opposition lawmakers that the government is a spent force, as well as renewed calls for the next election to be brought forward. It may also fuel debate about whether Scholz should be the Social Democrat chancellor candidate if the coalition survives until next September.

As an alternative, the party could consider the defense minister, Boris Pistorius, who is the countrys most popular politician, according to opinion polls.

With the government in dire straits, optimism that Germany would rebound in 2024 from two years of almost zero growth has faded. An anticipated jump in consumer spending failed to materialize and the countrys industrial sector continues to struggle.

Bickering over how to tackle the challenges facing the worlds third-largest economy, apparently without being able to offer effective solutions, has fueled frustration with the three ruling parties.

Theyre likely to suffer another drubbing in a state ballot in three weeks in Brandenburg  the region that surrounds the capital Berlin and is home to Scholzs Potsdam constituency.

The CDUs solid performance Sunday could feed into their decision on a conservative chancellor candidate. The party leader, Friedrich Merz, seems likely to secure the nomination and received backing from the CDU premier of Hesse, Boris Rhein.

The CDU is very strong in Saxony and constructive politics is also not possible in Thuringia without us, Rhein was quoted as saying Monday by the Funke media group. This is clearly also a success for our federal chairman Friedrich Merz.

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.

In Sundays elections, a new far-left party, the Buendnis Sahra Wagenknecht, won 15.8% in Thuringia and 11.8% in Saxony, according to preliminary results.

Founded only in January after Wagenknecht split from the Left party, its likely to play a key role in keeping the AfD out of power in Thuringia. Like the far-right party, the BSW wants to curb immigration and stop aid to Ukraine.

With little prospect of the AfD winning power at the national level anytime soon, impact should be limited from the state votes on financial markets, which were unsettled by the recent rise in popularity of French fringe parties. Germanys DAX index hit a record high last week, topping its previous peak of May 15.

--With assistance from Arne Delfs, Michael Nienaber and Chris Reiter.

(Adds detail on defense minister in 10th paragraph)

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Germany and far-Right electoral breakthroughs dont mix well. So it is no surprise that the populist Alternative fur Deutschland (AfD) topping the poll in state elections in Thuringia, a region where the Nazis enjoyed early electoral success, and coming close to doing the same in neighbouring Saxony, is cause for international consternation. But how significant is it?

The AfD scored just under 33 per cent of the vote in Thuringia, up nearly 10 percentage points from the last state election five years ago, and 30 per cent in Saxony, up a much more modest 3 per cent. In neither is the AfD at all likely to lead, or indeed even be part, of the new state government as other parties are all pledged to have nothing to do with them  and the AfD commands no majority in either of the legislatures elected under a form of proportional representation.

Whilst in other places the so-called firewall against the populist Right is fraying, this is unlikely to happen in Thuringia. The local leader of the AfD, Bjorn Hocke, heads up the most volkish, hardline wing of the party and has convictions for using Nazi era, albeit ambiguous, language.

The AfD has had a different trajectory from other populist, insurgent parties. Whilst most have over time moderated their message and tried to present themselves as more salonfahig, the opposite is the case with the AfD. Founded by a group of pro-market economists in 2013 to oppose further EU integration and attempt to disentangle Germany from the mess that is the Euro, successive leaderships of the party have been forced out as the AfD moved in an ever more nationalist direction. First the economists left, saying new leader Frauke Petry was too far to the Right; Petry followed the same path, as in turn did her successor.

The rise of the AfD is clearly a symptom of deep public disquiet about mass migration, with recent stabbings and high profile crimes further fuelling an already febrile atmosphere. Thuringia is actually a part of Germany which has seen fewer incomers than most regions, although the fact that immigration is a hot political issue in areas least affected by it is not unusual.

But that is not the whole story. It is no coincidence that Thuringia and Saxony are in the former East Germany. Neither has the appearance of a post industrial wasteland. The many billions poured into reconstruction since unification in 1990 have caused an outward transformation of these states. Saxon cities Dresden and Leipzig and Thuringias Weimar are amongst the most attractive in Germany (admittedly perhaps not a very high benchmark thanks to the efforts of the RAF and the rapid post-war, anything goes so long as it has a roof-type reconstruction of places like Cologne). And even obscurer Thuringian places, like Erfurt and Altenburg, have their charm.

Whilst lagging behind their western counterparts their economic data too is not dire  certainly considerably better than that for parts of the UK. As Germans never tire of pointing out, regional economic disparities today are lower in their country than the UK, despite the economic basket case that was the former East Germany at the time of its dissolution in 1990.

But what this hides is the steep decline in population these regions have experienced: Thuringias population has fallen from 2.7 million in 1990 to 2.1 million today, Saxonys from 4.8 million to 4 million. And this understates the level of depopulation, because whilst regional hubs such as Dresden have not seen population falls, they have been all the steeper in rural areas and small towns. In the same period, the population of Bavaria (just south of Thuringia, but in the old West) has risen from under 11 million to nearly 13.5 million.

35 years on from the fall of the Berlin Wall, large parts of the former East Germany are still in decline  and this has political repercussions.

The rise of the AfD is perhaps not even the most striking story of these elections. In Thuringia especially, the Left Party  the successor of East Germanys former ruling party (well, to be precise, the successor of its successor) has been a major political force. In the 2019 elections it was the largest party, securing 31 per cent of the vote.

As the Left Party sought to expand into the former West Germany, it has taken on-board the usual concerns of Western radicalism: wokery and identity politics. This has led the partys star performer Sahra Wagenknecht to break away and set up her own movement. This party  campaigning on far-Left economics, combined with anti-greenery, anti-wokery, Russophilia and calls for a robust stance on immigration  coming from zero, gained nearly 12 per cent of the vote in Saxony and 16 per cent in Thuringia. The Left Party hung onto 13 per cent of the vote in the latter.

What should be the real takeaway from these elections is that parties outside the democratic mainstream gained nearly 60 per cent of the vote in Thuringia and 47 per cent in Saxony. That should be the real cause for concern and suggests that the project of completing the integration of the former East Germany into the West is far from complete  indeed it may be going into reverse.

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Bjorn Hocke (AfD), party and parliamentary group leader of the AfD in Thuringia and top candidate, walks through the state parliament. State elections were held in Thuringia on Sunday. Jacob Schroter/dpa

National leaders of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) claimed a right to join coalition governments in the German states of Thuringia and Saxony after making strong gains in elections on Sunday.

The AfD led in Thuringia with 32.8% of the vote, while the party finished a close second in Saxony with 30.6%, only 1.3 percentage points behind the centre-right Christian Democrats (CDU), according to preliminary official results.

It's unclear when final election results will be available.

"Of course we have a claim to government," AfD co-chairwoman Alice Weidel said during a Monday morning appearance on public broadcaster ZDF.

The AfD is almost certain to remain frozen out of power in both states, despite the strong results, as every other party has categorically ruled out any coalition talks with the far right.

Politicians from other parties have denounced the AfD as a threat to Germany's democratic traditions and far too extreme to govern.

Domestic intelligence agencies have classified the AfD's state-level organizations in both Saxony and Thuringia as known far-right extremist groups.

But Weidel said she doesn't believe other parties will be able to maintain the firewall against the AfD: "Let's see how the CDU will behave in the long term."

AfD co-chairman Tino Chrupalla added in a separate interview with Deutschlandfunk radio that the CDU's Michael Kretschmer, the conservative incumbent state premier in Saxony, would be able to deliver his policies in partnership with the far right.

"Who does he want to realize his election promises with? That would work better with us than, I think, with the SPD or the Greens, for example," Chrupalla 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. Jacob Schroter/dpa

The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) made historic gains in a pair of closely watched state elections on Sunday, with preliminary results giving them a clear victory in Thuringia, while they were behind only by a narrow margin in Saxony.

The AfD's win in Thuringia marked 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) secured a razor-thin lead over the AfD, according to preliminary results from the electoral office.

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 German 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

Despite strong gains, the AfD are to be well short of a majority and were unlikely to find coalition partners in both Thuringia and Saxony as politicians from other camps again denounced them.

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 saying it 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 73.6% and 74.4% of eligible voters taking part respectively, 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

Preliminary results from the electoral commission put the AfD at 32.8% of the vote in Thuringia.

That gave the party a clear lead over the CDU, which collected 23.6%.

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 came in third in Thuringia with 15.8% of the vote, according to preliminary results.

Ramelow's Die Linke finished fourth with 13.1%, a major slide from 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 collected 6.1% of the Thuringia vote.

His national coalition partners, the Greens and the pro-business liberal Free Democrats (FDP), fell short of the 5% threshold required to take seats in German elections.

The Greens finished with 3.2% of the vote, while the FDP trailed with 1.1%.

Tight race in Saxony

Preliminary results showed the CDU secured a narrow win over AfD in Saxony.

After all the votes had been counted, CDU secured 31.9% of the vote, the election office said, just ahead of AfD which received 30.6%.

BSW received 11.8%, while the SPD won 7.3%.

The Greens secured 5.1% of the vote, while Die Linke party slipped to 4.5% but will return to the state parliament after winning two direct mandates.

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 have enough for a majority.

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 form 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
On August 27, a Russian missile nearly destroyed a Polish military cemetery in the Bykivnia Graves National Historical and Memorial Reserve in Kyiv Oblast. Its fragments fell near the main monument of the necropolis, and a fire broke out.

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This was reported by the head of the Bykivnia Graves complex, Bohdan Netreba, in a commentary to PAP on September 1. The warhead of the missile did not detonate  if it had, nothing would have remained of the monument.

"Thank God it didn't explode, it just set the grass in the forest on fire," Netreba said.

The enemy missile had a 700-kilogram explosive charge. It fell near the monument, 30-50 meters from the Polish cemetery.

"The Bykivnia Graves is a nationally protected reserve (since 2006), the largest burial place in Ukraine for victims of mass political repression of 1937-1941. The International Memorial to the Victims of Totalitarianism was erected in 2012, designed by Ukrainian architect Larysa Skoryk and her Polish colleagues Robert Glowacki and Marek Moderau.

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The Polish military cemetery was created in 2011-2012. The remains of 3,435 Polish citizens from the so-called "Ukrainian Katyn list", killed in 1940 by NKVD officers, are buried there.

As reported by OBOZ.UA, on the morning of August 27, explosions were heard in Kyiv during an air raid due to another combined Russian attack. Within the capital and the region, the defenders destroyed enemy targets, then several fires were recorded as a result of falling debris.

Only verified information is available on the OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
Bjorn Hocke, the far-right AfD party chair for Thuringia, attends a TV debate at the regional parliament of Thuringia in Erfurt, Germany, On Sunday when voting began. He is projected to be the state's new premier. Photo by Clemens Bilan/EPA-EFE

Sept. 2 (UPI) -- Germans in the two states of Thuringia and Saxony voted in regional elections on the weekend, with exit polls showing Monday that a far-right political party has secured its first election victory in the country since World War II.

Voters in the two states headed to the polls on Sunday.

In the central German state of Thuringia, the anti-immigration, far-right Alternative fur Deutschland -- or Alternative for Germany in English -- had secured the most votes at 32.8%, according to German public-service television broadcaster ZDF.

In second was the traditionally conservative Christian Democratic Union, which was once led by former Chancellor Angela Merkel. It had secured 23.6% of the vote.

In third was the newly founded leftist Bundis Sahra Wagenknecht -- or the Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance -- which won 15.8%.

The victory for AfD is the first by a far-right political party since Nazis ruled the country.

The AfD also finished a close second in the race for the eastern Saxony state that neighbors Thuringia.

The state broadcaster reported AfD had 30.6% of the vote in Saxony, just a hair behind the CDU that had nearly 32%. Again in third was BSW with 11.8%.

Meanwhile, the results deal an embarrassing defeat to the ruling center-left Social Democratic Party of Germany.

The party of Chancellor Olaf Scholz finished fourth in both contests, securing 6.1% of the vote in Thuringia and 7.3% in Saxony.

The results, which come ahead of next year's general elections, are being seen as a barometer for Scholz's coalition government.

Tino Chrupalla, a co-leader of AfD, congratulated Bjorn Hocke, chair of the party in Thuringia, and Jorg Urban, who leads the party in Saxony, for securing more than 30% in their respective elections.

"We want to take responsibility in order to bring about a change for the better!" Chrupalla said on X.

Alice Weidel, the other half of AfD's top leadership, described the early results as "a hug success" for their party.

The AfD was founded in 2013, and the election results position Hocke to be the party's first state premier.

"This fills me with so, so much pride and satisfaction," he told supporters in the Thuringia state capital of Erfurt, state state-owned broadcaster DW reported.

"We are ready to take government responsibility."

Hocke is a controversial figure, who has been accused of supporting Nazi ideology, has been fined twice for using Nazi-era phrases during his campaign and had participated in a neo-Nazi march in 2010.

Nazi Germany of 1933 to 1945 oversaw the murder of more than 6 million Jews and initiated World War II. Images and slogans associated with the party are now banned in the country.

The AfD's policy calls for encouraging larger families to deal with Germany's declining birthrate, while calling for a "paradigm shift" to the country's immigration system.
Battered and unloved, Germany's coalition likely to hang on after regional losses to far right

By Sarah Marsh and Thomas Escritt

BERLIN (Reuters) -The far right's first victory in a German state election in the post-war era prompted soul-searching in Berlin on Monday, but Chancellor Olaf Scholz's battered and unloved coalition looked as if it would hold together.

All three parties in Scholz's centre-left coalition suffered painful losses while the nationalist Alternative for Germany (AfD) and a new anti-establishment populist party booked record gains in the eastern states of Thuringia and Saxony on Sunday.

Scholz, a Social Democrat, described the results as "bitter" but Finance Minister Christian Lindner rejected suggestions that his neoliberal Free Democrats (FDP), who fared the worst of all coalition partners, should quit the government.

With a year to go to national elections, the results are nonetheless likely to foment tensions in a coalition riven by ideological differences and struggling to deal with the fallout from the Ukraine war including a cost-of-living crisis.

The AfD became the first far-right party to win a state legislature election in Germany since World War Two with its 32.8% showing in Thuringia. And it came a close second, at 30.6%, behind the mainstream conservative Christian Democrats in neighbouring Saxony.

The FDP were crushed, turfed out of the Thuringia parliament and unable to reach the 5% threshold to re-enter the Saxony legislature. At a news conference, Thomas Kemmerich, the FDP's vanquished candidate in Thuringia, said the result showed it was time for the FDP to plough its own path.

"No," said Lindner. "There we don't agree. It's absolutely essential that we give the economy more stimulus," he added, saying the pro-business FDP was needed in government to do that.

The final week of the campaign was overshadowed by the killing, allegedly by an illegal immigrant, of three people in a stabbing attack that lent momentum to the AfD.

In that light, Lindner said the FDP was prepared to countenance changes to Germany's post-war democratic constitution or European law that would help curb immigration.

Analysts warn that the far right's growing clout could damage Europe's largest economy by deterring investors and skilled labour. "It's a bad signal for international investors," said DekaBank strategist Jochim Schallmayer.

The AfD, deemed "right-wing extremist" by security officials in the two eastern German states, will not govern for as long as other parties stick to their pledge to join ranks to keep it out of power.

But a jubilant AfD said it was the government in Berlin that needed to go and insisted that it had a mandate to govern.

"Voters want fresh national elections," said joint party leader Alice Weidel. "Scholz and his coalition partners should pack their bags."

'RUINING GERMANY'S REPUTATION'

Still, the nationalist, anti-migration and Russia-friendly party has enough seats in Thuringia to block decisions requiring a two-thirds majority, such as appointments of judges or top security officials. This "sperrminoritaet" - German for blocking minority - would give it unprecedented clout in opposition.

"The results for the AfD in Saxony and Thuringia are worrying," Scholz said in a statement to Reuters made in his capacity as a member of parliament for his centre-left Social Democrats (SPD).

"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 country's reputation."

A populist leftist newcomer, the Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance (BSW), founded by a former member of the old East German Communist Party, did better than all of three Berlin coalition partners in its first state elections, coming in third place.

That makes the former Communist a likely kingmaker, but Wagenknecht was cagey on how she would leverage that position.

She told a news conference that any coalition partner would have to acknowledge her party's demand for more diplomacy to end the war in Ukraine and opposition to stationing U.S. missiles in Germany.

"Half the people in Germany are scared of being drawn into a big war," she said of her demand that Ukraine stop receiving German weapons to defend itself against Russia's invasion.

"Two thirds of easterners oppose U.S. missiles," she added - remarks that seemed to reflect Kremlin talking points.

(Reporting by Andreas Rinke and Sarah Marsh; writing by Thomas Escritt; editing by Mark Heinrich)
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  Ghost guns  that is 3D-printed guns, guns with no serial numbers, guns that cant be detected by X-rays and guns built at home using separately purchased parts  are now banned on Oregon streets.

These ghost guns became illegal on Sunday when Oregon House Bill 2005 finally took effect. A federal lawsuit filed last month argued the ban violated the 2nd Amendment of the US Constitution, US District Judge Adrienne Nelson denied it.

Oregons immoral ghost gun ban challenged in federal lawsuit

In 2022, investigators found a ghost gun manufacturing operation at a home in Salem. Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum made it a priority in 2023 to get them banned. And even though House Bill 2025 was passed last year, it took until now for the law to finally take effect following a series of legal challenges.

Its a nationwide problem. The US Department of Justice said it recovered 25,000 ghost guns during domestic seizures in just 2022.

This past April, Manhattan law enforcement showed how easy it is for children to come upon step-by-step gun printing videos on YouTube.

Oregon official makes the case for ghost gun ban effective Sunday

Now in Oregon, anyone convicted will forfeit the gun, plus violators face a fine of up to $1000. Three or more violations will be a felony and repeat offenders could face jail time.

To get into compliance, the gun, frame and receivers can be taken to a federally licensed gun dealer to be serialized.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com.
A 27-year-old man accused of killing a woman and her daughter, as well as injuring several others, in an alcohol-related head-on collision has been charged with murder, officials announced last week.

In a news release from the Los Angeles County District Attorneys Office, prosecutors allege that Diego Santoscruz had been drinking on Aug. 17 when he slammed head-on into the Argueta family just after 1 p.m. near the intersection of Temple City Boulevard and Gidley Street in Temple City.

Jennifer Argueta and her 10-year-old daughter Sabrina, both passengers in the vehicle the suspect hit, were killed. Authorities said Sabrinas father, who was driving, was also injured.

A kind woman begging for her life: Trial in grisly killing of UCLA student begins

A fourth person, a passenger in Santoscruzs vehicle, suffered injuries as well.

Our community is devastated by the senseless loss of Jennifer Argueta and her daughter, Sabrina Argueta, said District Attorney Gascon. This tragedy serves as a stark and heartbreaking reminder of the severe consequences that come with driving under the influence. Our office is committed to ensuring that the individual responsible for this horrific incident is held fully accountable for their actions. Our Bureau of Victim Services remains ready to assist the victims and their families during this unimaginably difficult time.

Study finds California the most catfished state in the U.S.

The 27-year-old has been charged with two counts of murder; two counts of gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated and two counts of driving under the influence of an alcoholic beverage causing injury.

Prosecutors have requested that the defendants bail be set at more than $4 million. He is scheduled to appear in court in late September.

If convicted as charged, Santoscruz faces the possibility of life in state prison.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA.
Eleven people, including a nine-month-old girl, have died in a severe tropical storm battering the Philippines.

Tropical Storm Yagi  known locally as Enteng  saw heavy rain cause floods and landslides. Across much of the northern part of the country there was travel chaos, with ferries and flights cancelled.

Schools and government offices were closed in the capital region, with thousands preparing to evacuate from flood-prone villages near rivers, and coastlines subjected to winds of 47mph and gusts of up to 56 mph.

The eastern city of Naga was among the hardest hit as the storm reached its coast overnight, leaving two dead, including the baby girl who drowned as flood waters rose, rescuers said.

The floods were above head height in some areas, Joshua Tuazon from the citys public safety office said, adding that hundreds of residents had been rescued.

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A landslide hit two hillside villages close to the city of Antipolo, west of the capital Manila, on Monday, killing at least three people, including a pregnant woman, authorities said. Four other villagers drowned in swollen creeks.

On Sunday, two landslides in the central city of Cebu killed two people and destroyed five houses.

Storm warnings have also been raised across Luzon, the countrys most populous region, and sirens sounded along the crowded banks of the Marikina River on the eastern fringes of the capital to warn residents of the risk of rising waters.

In Northern Samar province, the coast guard used rubber boats and rope to evacuate 40 villagers on Sunday in two villages that were engulfed in waist- to chest-high floods.

Sirens have sounded to warn people of yet more rising waters - Reuters/Eloisa Lopez

Storm Yagi may soon move towards southern China, according to the US Joint Typhoon Warning Centre.

The Philippines, which lies in the Pacific Ring of Fire, is prone to natural disasters, including earthquakes, and the archipelago is hit by about 20 storms and typhoons every year.

In 2013, Typhoon Haiyan, one of the strongest recorded tropical cyclones in the world, left more than 7,300 people dead or missing and displaced more than five million in the central Philippines.

In July, more than 30 people died in floods and landslides caused by Typhoon Gaemi.

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Golden Retrievers And Palomino Ponies To The Rescue: In After The Rain, Ukrainian Children Abducted By Russia Find Healing With Help From Animals

EXCLUSIVE: Russian atrocities in Ukraine have been powerfully documented in a range of nonfiction films  among them, 20 Days in Mariupol, Freedom on Fire, The Cranes Call, and the short documentary Bucha 22. But one stunning dimension of Russias brutal war of conquest has received comparatively scant attention: the Kremlin scheme to abduct thousands of Ukrainian children and deport them to Russia. A new feature documentary directed and produced by Sarah McCarthy at last puts the focus on that shocking reality.

After the Rain: Putins Stolen Children Come Home, executive produced by doc legend Sheila Nevins, held a preview screening last week hosted by the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child in Geneva. McCarthy attended the event with the films main protagonist, 15-year-old Veronika Vlasova, who was seized by Russian forces after they captured her village in Eastern Ukraine in the early days of the invasion. Veronika was first sent to a camp in Russia, then to an orphanage where she was held for over a year. Her grandma, Vera, working with the Ukrainian Child Rights Network, managed to win Veronikas release.

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Veronika Vlasov on horseback in After the Rain

After the Rain centers on a handful of children, including Veronika and Sasha Mezhevoy, repatriated after suffering the nightmare of separation from their families. To help them cope with their traumatic experiences, the kids are offered the chance to spend time at a nature reserve in Estonia. Therapists  human, canine and equine  are there to bring comfort.

Deep in a forest by the Baltic Sea, a group of Ukrainian families come together to start the healing process with the help of golden retrievers and palomino horses at an animal therapy retreat, notes a description of the film. In the safety of the forest, the childrens memories of being illegally deported to Russia and their families struggles to rescue them are unraveled with the help of skilled and sensitive counsellors. The joy and humor the children discover during their time in the forest make it easy to forget that their stories are the reason the International Criminal Court recently issued an arrest warrant for Vladimir Putin. Nearly 20,000 abducted children remain in Russian institutions.

Director Sarah McCarthy with documentary protagonist Veronika Vlasov in Geneva.

Following the screening in Geneva, Veronika, her grandmother, and McCarthy addressed the UN gathering, including committee chair Prof. Ann Skelton. This is my third film about the Russian states systematic use of child-parent separation as a tactic of war, the filmmaker said in a statement. Seeing the UN Committee members laugh, cry, and connect with Veronika and Vera [Wednesday night] was a profound experience.

The whereabouts of most of the children abducted by Russia remain a mystery. Some have been sent as far away as Siberia and elsewhere in Russias Far East. The documentary sheds light on a sensitive and troubling issue: while Russia continues to engage in dialogue with the UN Committee, a press release about the film states, it remains evasive about providing specific details on the childrens locations, citing concerns about privacy after what they describe as evacuations. Critics argue that this is a cover for a darker reality of indoctrination and, in some cases, forced adoption into Russian families.

According to an investigation by the Yale School of Public Heaths Humanitarian Research Lab, the Russian camps where Ukrainian children have been taken appear to serve a range of purposes, including what Yale HRL terms re-education, an effort to ostensibly make children more pro-Russia in their personal and political views. Whats more, the report said, In some cases, children also undergo military training.

The Yale HRL investigation also found the program of camps and re-education is centrally coordinated by Russias federal government and involves every level of government.

The nature retreat in Estonia.

EP Nevins, who previously ran HBO Documentary Films and later MTV Documentary Films, said of After the Rain, This is an important film, Americans need to know that there are nearly 20,000 children who have been stolen and are now being brainwashed, we need to feel it in our hearts and know it in our bones and this film can make that happen.

In an email exchange with Deadline, McCarthy told us about the circumstances in which one of her protagonists was shipped off to Russia.

Sasha Mezhevoy swims with a golden retriever in After the Rain

Sasha Mezhevoy was only five-years-old when she was evacuated from Mariupol with her father, Yvgeny, and her two siblings. On April 7, 2022, Yvgeny was separated from his children at a military checkpoint in the Bezimenne village, one of the main sites where so-called filtration was taking place in the Donetsk region, McCarthy wrote. Sasha was told she would see her Dad again in a few hours. But Sasha and her siblings were then illegally deported to an orphanage in Moscow where they were threatened with forcible adoption into a Russian family.

McCarthy continued, Sashas father was held in a correctional facility for 45 days before being released, he is still unclear as to why they released him. When he discovered his children had been taken to Moscow a bolt of rage shot through me (this is how he describes it in the film). He had no money, no home and no way of retrieving his children so he reached out to a volunteer network. This volunteer network helped Yvgeny and Vera return their children.

The official world premiere date for After the Rain: Putins Stolen Children Come Home is expected to be announced in October. McCarthys most recent documentary, 2022s Anastasia, was shortlisted for the Academy Awards.

In a directors statement, McCarthy writes of After the Rain, My mother is Ukrainian and this film is a way for me to say thank you for all the meals she cooked, tears she dried and the home she created for me as a child. Her care passes through me and into my child now and the thought of being separated from him is unimaginable.

Yet we live in a world where 20,000 children are separated from their parents. The children are alive and, in many thousands of cases, the parents are too. The Russian government claims they are working to reunite families but the fact that only 388 children have been released so far suggests otherwise.

McCarthy continues, The fates of thousands of illegally deported Ukrainian children include forced adoptions into Russian families, issuing of Russian passports which change the childrens names and dates of birth, indoctrination with Russian propaganda and, for teenage boys, military training with the intention of sending them to war to fight against their Ukrainian compatriots.

Russian President Vladimir Putin on December 14, 2023 in Moscow.

In March of last year, the International Criminal Court in The Hague issued its arrest warrant for Pres. Putin and Maria Alekseyevna Lvova-Belova, Putins Commissioner for Childrens Rights. It accused them both of alleged responsibility for the war crime of unlawful deportation of population (children) and that of unlawful transfer of population (children) from occupied areas of Ukraine to the Russian Federation (under articles 8(2)(a)(vii) and 8(2)(b)(viii) of the Rome Statute). The crimes were allegedly committed in Ukrainian occupied territory at least from 24 February 2022. There are reasonable grounds to believe that Mr. Putin bears individual criminal responsibility for the aforementioned crimes, (i) for having committed the acts directly, jointly with others and/or through others and (ii) for his failure to exercise control properly over civilian and military subordinates who committed the acts, or allowed for their commission, and who were under his effective authority and control, pursuant to superior responsibility

The odds of Putin facing justice for this war crime appear slim (former Russian Pres. Dmitry Medvedev, a current member of Russias Security Council, threatened to unleash a missile attack on The Hague in response to the arrest warrants). The fate of abducted Ukrainian children remains uncertain as well, but international attention and pressure from the U.N. could prove decisive.

After the Rain: Putins Stolen Children Come Home

McCarthys film, about a few children fortunate to make it back home, and their effort to heal at an Estonian retreat, will bring more attention to the cause.

[F]rom the outset I wanted to make sure the film would care for audiences in the same way as therapists care for the participants of the retreat, McCarthy writes in her directors statement. I hope the forest, sea and animals will bring the same comfort and release to people seeing the film as they did to our families.

During filming, it was clear to me how much value there is in spending time in a place where nature, beauty, tenderness and safety can heal the traumas of war. As the children and parents release the war inside themselves into the forest and the sea, I also want to give audiences a chance to relieve some of the pain of being alive in a time of war.

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As a kid who grew up on a farm in rural Wisconsin and was fortunate to study industrial relations at UW-Madison, I watched in dismay over the years as the state lost so many good manufacturing jobs and abandoned its longstanding reputation as a champion for worker rights when the governor and legislature gutted collective bargaining for teachers and other public sector workers and undermined unions by enacting a so-called right-to-work bill.

So I understand and respect workers and families who felt abandoned by both Democratic and Republican politicians and why some turned to Donald Trump, given his blustery rhetoric and claims he would be workers voice and salvation.

Throughout my career, I have used my Wisconsin education to study and promote worker rights to earn a fair days pay for a fair days work and union-management relations that deliver real gains for workers and follow responsible business practices.

The good news: worker activism, interest in joining unions is growing

The good news is that after suffering through decades of wage stagnation and growing income inequality, the nation is now experiencing a major upsurge in worker activism. Workers are once again demanding and getting a stronger voice and a better deal at work. My own research shows that interest in joining a union is at an all-time high, led in particular by younger workers. Moreover, in the last two years, workers and their unions have used collective bargaining to achieve the biggest improvements in wages and benefits in decades across industries from autos to parcel delivery, airlines, health care, education, hotels, and others. We need to keep this momentum going if American workers and their families are to reverse the losses they have suffered for the past four decades.

No longer Made in America: Harley-Davidson kicks American workers in the teeth

Disappearing farms: We feared for dads life after selling our cows. Finding hope while friends faced loss.

The upsurge in worker activism has caught the attention of both the Trump-Vance and the Harris-Waltz campaigns as they vie for the support of working-class voters. So lets look at the actions, not the rhetoric, of the candidates for President and Vice President to see who will best support workers and their families to sustain the momentum.

The Biden-Harris Administration has been the strongest advocate for workers right to form unions and advance their interests through collective bargaining of any Administration since Franklin Roosevelts. They appointed professionals to key positions at the National Labor Relations Board and the Department of Labor who have strengthened the enforcement of workers rights to form a union, cracked down against employers employing teenagers in hazardous jobs, and ensured workers exposed to excessive heat get needed rest breaks. With the bi-partisan support of Congress, they are making large investments in infrastructure, clean energy, and high technology that are rebuilding our manufacturing base and producing thousands of new, high-quality jobs.

Both President Biden and Vice President Harris have stood shoulder to shoulder with workers and their unions on picket lines and urged labor and management leaders to negotiate contracts that help workers gain their fair share in the profits they helped their employers generate And Kamala Harris has put the principle that every worker should be able to have a union at the center of her economic policy agenda.

Under Tim Walzs leadership, Minnesota has enacted more worker and family-friendly practices than any state in the country, including providing paid family and sick leave for all workers and fair workplace standards for nursing home workers.

Trump has a long history of fighting unions in his businesses

Donald Trump has a long history of fighting unions in his businesses, breaking contracts with workers and suppliers, and calling on non-union auto workers to trust him rather than the union that is fighting for them. When he was President he cut the budget of the Labor Department and the National Labor Relations Board, issued Executive Orders that seriously weakened collective bargaining for federal government employees, and rolled back overtime pay for low-wage salaried workers.

Bringing It Home: Our series on how manufacturing is returning to the U.S.

Now JD Vance is endorsing a host of anti-worker and anti-union proposals written into an agenda for the next administration called Project 2025 by former Trump appointees. This includes ending collective bargaining rights for all public sector workers, eliminating workers ability to collect overtime after working forty hours in one week, and weakening enforcement of race and gender discrimination statutes that have been the law of the land since the 1960s.

Wisconsin voters will play a pivotal role in this election. Helping put Kamala Harris and Tim Walz in office will ensure the nation has leaders in charge who will do whats needed to sustain the momentum workers have started to rebuild their family incomes and the voice they need to achieve a fair days pay for a fair days work.

Thomas A. Kochan is a professor emeritus at the MIT Sloan School of Management and the Institute for Work and Employment Research and the co-author of Shaping the Future of Work: A Handbook for Action and a New Social Contract.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Project 2025 aims to end collective bargaining, roll back OT rights
Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris speaks at a campaign event at Northwestern High School in Detroit, Monday, Sept. 2, 2024. via Associated Press

A political action committee founded by Republicans is running digital ads in Michigan arguing Vice President Kamala Harris stands with Israel amid Israels ongoing military campaign in Gaza. The ads also link to a video saying Harris put supporters of a free Palestine in their place.

The ad campaign seems to be aimed at convincing Muslim, Arab and other voters who may be sympathetic to Palestinians not to support Harris by highlighting her pledges to back Israel in an approving tone.

The ads, which are running on Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat, are targeted at a handful of communities in Michigan, according to Meta and Snapchats political ad disclosures. Only a small amount of money has been spent on the ads so far.

The targeted zip codes include Dearborn, the first and only Arab-majority city in the United States and a center of the uncommitted movement, which refused to back President Joe Biden in the 2024 Democratic primaries. Other towns with substantial Arab or Muslim populations targeted include the Detroit enclave of Hamtramck and the rural city of Coldwater in southern Michigan.

Vice President Harris has chosen a side  the right side, a female narrator says in the 30-second video the ads link to. Harris has made herself clear: She stands with Israel and the Jewish people. She has, again and again. She understands the unbreakable bond between the U.S. and Israel. So when [Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin] Netanyahu came to D.C., Harris hosted the prime minister at the White House. And when supporters of a free Palestine stood up for Gaza, Harris put them in their place.

And supporters of a free Palestine? the narrator continues. They hate her.

The Future Coalition PAC, which was formed in July, is paying for the ad. Despite its liberal-sounding name, Federal Election Commission documents indicate its treasurer is Ray Zaborney, a Pennsylvania-based Republican operative. The group has yet to report any fundraising to the FEC.

Two email addresses associated with the PAC did not immediately respond to HuffPosts messages.

Democrats in Michigan immediately labeled the ad a dirty trick from Republicans.

Clearly, this ad is designed to get low-information and low-engagement Arab-American and left-leaning voters to oppose Harris, a classic ratfucking operation by a PAC that is helping a former President that uses Palestinian as a slur, said one Michigan Democratic operative, who used a slang term for political sabotage and requested anonymity to discuss a sensitive topic in Democratic politics.

The Harris campaign did not immediately respond to HuffPosts email seeking comment.

Republicans have long mused about aiming ads hyping Biden and Harris support for Israel at Muslim communities in Michigan, a critical swing state where the small Muslim community backed Biden by overwhelming margins in 2020.

Progressives were hopeful the July elevation of Harris as the Democratic Partys presidential nominee would lead to changes in American policy and rhetoric towards the war, which has become a hotly divisive topic within the Democratic Party, following the Hamas-led attack on Israel that killed some 1,200 people, and Israels subsequent retaliatory campaign in Gaza, which has killed some 40,000 Palestinians since then.

Biden, in particular, has come under criticism for what has been largely unconditional U.S. support for Israel during its campaign, despite alleged human rights abuses and the mounting number of civilians killed, including via famine, proliferation of diseases and lack of medical care.

So far, however, Harris has not broken with Bidens approach, even if reports indicate she would be willing to take a harder line on Israel and its right-wing prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu. The meeting with Netanyahu cited in the ad resulted in Harris making a direct pitch for a cease-fire in the war and the release of hostages, something Netanyahu has so far resisted.

The incident in which Harris purportedly put supporters of a Free Palestine  in their place likely refers to a rally in Michigan not long after Harris took over the partys nomination where she shut down a group of pro-Palestinian protesters. At rallies since, Harris has adopted a more conciliatory tone when interrupted.

Trump, meanwhile, was an unquestioning ally of Netanyahu while in office and would likely allow Israel to take an even freer hand in attacking Gaza. Hes also vowed to expand his ban on visitors from Muslim-majority countries and bar refugees from Gaza entirely.

Andrew Arenge, the director of operations at the University of Pennsylvanias Program on Opinion Research and Election Studies, first noted the ads on social media.

Daniel Marans and Jonathan Cohn contributed reporting.
Multiple hikers have died this summer in the Grand Canyon National Park  a U.S. West landscape known not only for its rugged beauty, but also for its perilous weather extremes.

Within the past week, National Park Service (NPS) officials have reported three fatalities in a region plagued by both excessive, dry heat and flood-fueled river rapids.

Rescue personnel on Wednesday located the body of a 60-year-old man who had lost contact with family on a solo, multiday trip on Thunder River Trail in the parks north. Although a Thursday report did not elaborate on the cause of death, NPS materials describe Thunder River access as difficult, sometimes impossible, but with a promise of something close to canyon perfection.

The backpackers body was found during an already deadly week. On Sunday morning, the officials announced they had found the body of a 33-year-old woman, Chenoa Nickerson, above the confluence of Havasu Creek and the Colorado River. A multiday search-and-rescue mission took place after Nickerson disappeared in a torrential rainstorm.

The same day Nickerson went missing, the resident Havasupai Tribe likewise reported devastating flash floods, which damaged the main trail to Supai Village, trails within the village, tribal member homes, public utility systems and the campgrounds.

It is unclear whether climate change-induced weather conditions have contributed to the onslaught of Grand Canyon deaths this year.

Heather Klein Olson, executive director of the American Hiking Society, said she believes the fatalities stem from a combination of factors, including a climate-driven increase in intense and more frequent rainfall events, as well as land use changes that have altered water flow.

In addition to such shifts, which include both park-adjacent development and deforestation, Klein Olson pointed to increased foot traffic over the past couple years, especially since COVID.

That pandemic-linked influx of visitors to park lands has effectively exposed a greater pool of people to flood-related risks, she explained.

Everyone is interested and wants to get outside, and its beautiful, and we love our outdoors, Klein Olson continued. But theres also a variety of factors that have to be considered when we get outside.

There have been 14 fatalities at Grand Canyon National Park this season, just below than the annual average of about 15 deaths, NPS spokesperson Rebecca Roland told The Hill. With the monsoon period  July to September  still underway, she stressed that hikers should remain aware of flash floods and excessive heat.

The arid, sparsely vegetated environment here means that rainfall quickly generates runoff because the ground doesnt absorb it well, Roland said in an emailed statement. This runoff moves rapidly through narrow canyons and steep terrain, turning dry streambeds into torrents of water within minutes, even from relatively small storms.

Roland suggested that visitors refer to the NPS Grand Canyon Weather Dangers website for detailed guidelines, adding that parks officials and Grand Canyon Conservancy volunteers operate an active, preventative search and rescue team. This group, she explained, also educates hikers on-site, asks them critical questions and encourages people to turn back if there is a concern.

Last Sunday, the same day Nickersons body was discovered, parks personnel responded by helicopter to an alert about an 80-year-old man whose boat had flipped over, sending him into the Colorado River. Resuscitation attempts proved unsuccessful, according to the NPS.

Earlier in the month, on Aug. 6, NPS personnel identified the body of a 20-year-old woman, noting that despite facing inclement weather and hazardous terrain, the team has undertaken significant risks to complete these missions. Less than a week before, rangers located the body of a man who had tried to BASE jump  a forbidden sport that involves jumping from fixed objects  and that of a 20-year-old man who died in a fatal fall.

These incidents followed three reports of male hiker deaths: a 50-year-old on July 7, a 69-year-old on June 29 and a 41-year-old on June 17. With the death toll on the rise, the NPS warned visitors that trail temperatures could reach over 120F (49C) in the shade.

From 2007 through the end of June, there were 216 deaths in Grand Canyon National Park, according to an NPS mortality dataset that is updated on a quarterly basis.

Of all the deaths since 2007, 48 occurred during hikes and 23 were related to either swimming or vessel-use, which mostly resulted in drowning incidents. Seven people died while taking photos, six while walking, two while climbing and two during BASE jumping. Another 27 deaths were deemed suicides, while the causes of most others were either undetermined or not reported.

Klein Olson drew particular attention to photography as a distracting endeavor, noting the dangers of selfies, walking while taking photos, getting too close to the edge of a cliff and taking photos.

Our natural spaces have been around for as long as we have, and longer, she said. It is really up to [the] individual, to take care of themselves and to know the risks and to prepare themselves.

They are natural environments. They are dangerous, she added.

Klein Olson recommended that hikers always refer to the American Hiking Societys Ten Essentials list, which includes the top-priority items that should go into a trekking pack.

Those items include appropriate footwear, navigation tools, water, food, weather-adaptive layers, safety supplies, a first aid kit, a knife, sun protection and shelter.

Klein Olson likened the preparation necessary for a Grand Canyon hike to the steps she needs to take prior to scuba diving. Recognizing that its dangerous to scuba dive, she stressed the importance of preparing for an unknown environment.

When youre hiking a trail youve never hiked before, thats an unknown environment, Klein Olson said, reiterating the need to prepare for all the possible elements.

Unfortunately, thats contributing to a lot of the accidents, she added.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Poe vows push for stronger animal welfare law

Sen. Grace Poe affirmed her advocacy for animal

rights, and said she would continue pushing for the passage of her bill strengthening the country's animal welfare law.

Poe also lauded the initiatives of private groups and individuals helping improve the situation of animals.

"Kapag sama-samang kumikilos ang mga pribadong grupo at indibidwal para sa isang adbokasiya, marami talagang matutulungan," Poe said.

"Ako naman sa Senado, patuloy nating pinaglalaban ang karapatan ng mga alaga nating aso at pusa kasama ng mga pet owners," she added.

Poe on Sunday joined fellow animal welfare advocates at the second anniversary of Biyaya Animal Care in Mandaluyong City.

More than 4,000 people showed up during the event, which gave free neutering and spaying to dogs and cats, among other services.

Poe is the author of Senate Bill No. 2458 seeking to strengthen the Animal Welfare Act.

The bill pushes to equip barangays with animal welfare programs to allow them to act effectively against cruelty indicents.

The measure aims also to establish standards geared towards engendering responsible pet ownership, as well as ethical behavior and accountability from all those who have control over or provide care to animals.

Poe said she and several senators have proposed a budget for local governments and concerned agencies to ramp up free neutering and spaying services nationwide, and to provide free anti-rabies vaccines to victims of animal bites.

The senator added city and municipal pounds should also be funded to equip them in caring for stray animals.

Her bill likewise carries stiff penalties for animal cruelty and neglect.

"May nabalitaan tayo na naiwan yung mga aso at pusa sa city pound nung bumaha. Habang naparusahan na ang responsable sa insidente, ayaw na nating maulit ang ganong kapabayaan," Poe said in her message.

Poe recalled her grandfather, the father of Fernando Poe Jr. (FPJ), dying from rabies.

Despite this, she said FPJ never harbored ill feelings for animals, particularly dogs.

FPJ took care of her dog when she left for abroad to study. At home, the dog was always by her father's side, like a member of the family.

"I have no doubt that responsible pet owners are somehow responsible pet owners, too. Kung nakakagawa tayo ng mabuti para sa ating mga alaga, magagawa rin natin ito para sa ating kababayan," Poe said. #
The Romanian government has approved a bill that provides for the transfer of the Patriot air defense missile system to Ukraine. The document was sent to the parliament for a final vote.

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In case of a positive decision, Bucharest will transfer one of its two Patriot missile defense systems to Kyiv. This was reported by Reuters.

The government approved a draft law allowing the transfer of the Patriot missile defense system to Ukraine on September 2. Now the final decision must be made by the Parliament.

It is worth noting that in June 2024, the Romanian authorities announced that they were ready to transfer one of the two Patriot missile defense systems operating in the country to Ukraine under one condition. Bucharest hopes to receive a similar air defense system from its allies.

"After the parliament approves the law, the government will be able to make a decision that will make the donation valid," said government spokesman Mihai Constantin.

In addition, the bill also states that Romania will send letters to the United States with a proposal to replace the Patriot battery and expects to pay about $60 million in taxes and fees.

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As a reminder, Romania's National Defense Council, headed by President Klaus Iohannis, decided to transfer one Patriot system to Ukraine on June 20. The decision was made after the Ministry of Defense presented an analysis of the status, use, and importance of Patriot systems for national and collective defense and how the transfer of one system to Ukraine could change the situation.

Earlier, the White House suspended all open orders for Patriot systems and missiles to redirect supplies to Ukraine.

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Grief and fury on Israels streets, as hostage killings pile pressure on Netanyahu to secure ceasefire deal

From bustling Tel Aviv to the southern Israeli city of Eilat, tens of thousands of Israelis took to the streets in one of the biggest nationwide protests since the outbreak of Israels war on Hamas as they called on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to secure a ceasefire-for-hostages deal.

Anger at Netanyahu  who has been accused of stalling efforts for a deal by some hostage families and their supporters  reached a boiling point Sunday as protesters responded in fury to the news that another six captives had been found killed in Gaza. Israels largest labor union called for a general strike on Monday and threatened to shut down the entire Israeli economy.

The extent of the strike early Monday was not yet clear but supporters have vowed a national response.

Three of the six hostages found dead, including Israeli-American Hersh Goldberg-Polin, had been expected to be released in an eventual ceasefire, Israeli officials told CNN. Autopsies showed they were shot at short range on Thursday or Friday morning; Israeli forces announced the recovery of their bodies from an underground tunnel in Rafah on Saturday.

The details of their deaths fueled anger that was palpable across the country as protesters blocked highways, waved Israeli flags, and chanted, we wont abandon them in reference to the more than 100 hostages, including 35 believed to be dead, being held in Gaza, according to data from Israeli Prime Ministers Office. The vast majority of those hostages were taken during Hamas October 7 attack on Israel, when some 1,200 people were killed and more than 200 taken captive.

In Tel Aviv, a group of protesters stood behind a mock cemetery while holding signs saying named after Benjamin Netanyahu, as they cast blame on the prime minister for the deaths of the hostages.

Later in the evening, police threw stun grenades at protesters blocking the Ayalon highway in the city, according to video verified by CNN. Naama Lazimi, a member of Israels parliament who was present at the demonstration, said on X that stun grenades were thrown toward both sides where the demonstrators were standing in complete surprise and without any advance warning.

Israeli police also fired foam from a water cannon at protesters on the highway  prompting demonstrators to chant, Officer, who are you keeping safe?

Police use water canon during the protest in Tel Aviv on Sunday. - Tomer Appelbaum/Reuters

Police arrested 29 people in the city, accusing them of vandalism, disorderly conduct and attacking officers.

The Hostages and Missing Families Forum said at least 700,000 people took part in protests across Israel, with an estimated 550,000 of them in Tel Aviv. CNN cannot independently verify the figures and has asked Israeli police to provide an estimation of the crowd size.

In Tel Aviv, crowds were visibly emotional; many shouted sorry as the names of the six hostages were recited on a loudspeaker during the protest, which organizers said was the biggest since the start of the war.

One protester told CNN said she was there to show support for her cousin, whose body was repatriated by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) overnight. Im here every week, I wanted to show her father and other parents that we are here for them, she said. And on the other side, were incredibly angry at the government. What theyve been doing is unforgivable.

In Jerusalem, protesters called for Netanyahu to resign as the government held a cabinet meeting. Eden Kramer, who attended the rally with a toddler in a stroller, said she was also demonstrating for the childs future. We hope everyone will come out today to bring a message to the government: We cant keep up like this anymore, she said.

Protesters fill a street in Tel Aviv, Israel, on September 1. - Or Adar

Deal thrown into question

The discovery of the six hostage bodies has thrown negotiations for a deal into question.

Skepticism has mounted over Netanyahus willingness to strike one given fierce opposition from far-right ministers in his coalition. The Israeli prime ministers political future largely depends on his far-right coalition partners  several of whom have already threatened to leave the government and cause its collapse if he agrees to the deal.

During a cabinet meeting on Sunday, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant lambasted the Israeli government for what he said was prioritizing control of a key border area known as the Philadelphi corridor over a deal to free hostages, calling it a moral disgrace.

The Philadelphi corridor, a 14-kilometer (8.7 mile) stretch that runs along the border between Gaza and Egypt, is currently controlled by the IDF. The deployment of Israeli troops along the corridor during the first phase of a ceasefire agreement has been a major point of contention between Israel and Hamas, with Hamas saying Israeli troops must withdraw from the border zone. Netanyahu says control of the corridor is needed to prevent Hamas from resuming arms smuggling through tunnels underneath it.

Thousands of Israelis, including the families of hostages, attend a rally outside 'The Hostages Square' near Tel-Aviv Museum of Art in Tel Aviv, Israel, on August 31, 2024. - Gili Yaari/NurPhoto/Getty Images

Gallant, who has increasingly found himself isolated within Netanyahus cabinet on the issue of a hostage deal, warned his colleagues Sunday that if we continue on this path, we wont manage to achieve the goals that we set for ourselves.

He added, If we want the hostages alive, we dont have time.

A senior US official said the killings of the hostages called into question how serious Hamas is about reaching a deal as three of them were set to be released as part of the ceasefire agreement.

US officials had been working on a final package together with Qatar and Egypt. The package included Hersh (Goldberg-Polin) and a number of the hostages who were just executed, the senior US official said Sunday.

This calls into question Hamas seriousness about a deal, even as pressure also builds on Israel and Netanyahu personally.

A source familiar with the ceasefire talks told CNN it wasnt clear how the killings would affect the discussions, adding that the impact will likely be seen in the next day or two.

The situation is complicated, the source said. There are currently no in-person joint negotiations with the parties, but the source said discussions continue through the regular channels.

US President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris will meet in the Situation Room on Monday with the US team negotiating a deal, according to the White House.

In a downward spiral

Israels far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has asked the countrys attorney general to request urgent injunctions to prevent the planned nationwide strike on Monday.

In a letter addressed to Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara, Smotrich argued that a strike would hurt the economy during wartime and set a dangerous precedent. The attorney generals office has not yet commented on the request.

He had earlier instructed the finance ministrys salary department to pass on a directive that anyone who joins the strike on Monday will not be paid.

The chairman of Israels largest trade union, known as Histadrut, warned on Sunday that the country was in a downward spiral, and we dont stop receiving body bags.

Arnon Bar-David, who called for the strike, told a press conference that 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.

He added that the strike would include the shutdown of Ben-Gurion Airport. In a statement, Ben-Gurion Airport said it would be open for flights and landings on Monday, September 2.

The Hebrew University of Jerusalem said it would join the strike, which it described as a response to the tragic news of the murder of our student Carmel Gat, along with five other Israeli hostages.

Gat, a 40-year-old occupational therapist, was taken by Hamas from her parents home in the border kibbutz of Beeri in southern Israel on October 7.

A spokesperson for the university said the shutdown would be more extensive than previous measures taken since the beginning of the war, such as a partial strike in June.

CNNs Eyad Kourdi, Jeremy Diamond and Mike Schwartz contributed to this report.

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Video: SeaWorld San Diego releases two Guadalupe fur seals back into ocean

SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI)  Three marine mammals found in need of help in Southern California this spring have been released back into the Pacific Ocean after a successful rehabilitation, SeaWorld San Diego has announced.

Marine rescue teams in San Diego, Orange County and Los Angeles stepped in to help after two baby Guadalupe fur seals were found in Southern California in April, along with an adult California sea lion.

Visit SeaWorld for free the rest of the year with the purchase of a 2025 Fun Card

The marine mammals were released back into their natural ecosystems on Tuesday, Aug. 27, 2024, by SeaWorld San Diegos Rescue Team.

Guadalupe fur seal pups rescued from SoCal released back into ocean by SeaWorld San Diego (Photo: SeaWorld San Diego)

Guadalupe fur seal pups rescued from SoCal released back into ocean by SeaWorld San Diego (Photo: SeaWorld San Diego)

Guadalupe fur seal pups rescued from SoCal released back into ocean by SeaWorld San Diego (Photo: SeaWorld San Diego)

SeaWorld San Diego says on April 13, 2024, a male Guadalupe fur seal pup was found emaciated, dehydrated and lethargic on the rocks at Goff Island Beach in Laguna Beach. The pup was rescued and brought to the Pacific Marine Mammal Center weighing 13 pounds, and was transferred to SeaWorld San Diego on April 15 for continued care and rehabilitation.

Watch: Baby dolphin defies all odds, survives broken jaw after SeaWorld rescue

Now weighing 36 pounds and able to dive and eat fish, SeaWorld noted he was ready to be released back into the ocean.

Video: SeaWorld San Diego releases fur seals rescued from Southern California

Then, in late April, a female Guadalupe fur seal pup was found injured on a dock at Cabrillo Marina in the San Pedro neighborhood of Los Angeles. SeaWorld says she was first taken to the Marine Mammal Care Center in LA for treatment of a cut on her rear flipper as well as low white blood cell count.

The seal pup was transferred to SeaWorld San Diegos Rescue Center for continued treatment that included tube feeding in May 2024. Initially weighing only 11 pounds, the female seal pup is now 46 pounds and is able to be released back into the ocean, SeaWorld says.

Thanksgiving rescue: Baby sea lion saved from highway

Once nearly extinct, Guadalupe fur seals are listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act and depleted under the Marine Mammal Protection Act.

The marine mammals can be found in the waters off southern California and the Pacific coast of Mexico, according to NOAA. Their breeding grounds are on Guadalupe Island, Mexico, although there are some small populations off Baja California on San Benito Archipelago and off southern California at San Miguel Island.

SeaWorld San Diego sends expert to help care for walrus calf rescued in Alaska

In addition to the two Guadalupe fur seal pups, SeaWorld San Diego also released an adult female California sea lion back into the ocean from a SeaWorld San Diego Rescue Boat.

Video: SeaWorld releases California sea lion back into ocean

NOAA Fisheries and its partners work to conserve and promote the recovery of the Guadalupe fur seal population.

Learn more about SeaWorld San Diegos animal rescue, rehabilitation and return efforts online at seaworld.com.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News.
CHICAGO  An investigation is underway after two gunmen opened fire on a coffee shop in the Loop early Monday morning.

Chicago police said the gunfire erupted just after 2:30 a.m. in the 100 block of North Wabash Avenue.

Man critically injured after argument leads to stabbing on Red Line train

Officers were called to the scene following reports of shots fired in the area and when they arrived, they found the window of the Starbucks Coffee, at the corner of Washington and Wabash, had been damaged by what appeared to be gunfire.

Following a preliminary investigation, officers determined that two unidentified gunmen fired shots at the coffee shop before fleeing the scene in a white vehicle.

Currently, it is unclear what led to the gunfire.

According to police, no arrests have been made in connection with the shooting and an investigation is now underway.

LATEST CASES: Missing people in Chicagoland

Anyone with information is asked to contact CPD Area Three Detectives at 312-744-8263 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.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGN-TV.
Hamas says hostage guards in Gaza have been operating under new instructions

Abu Ubaida, the spokesman of the Izz el-Deen al-Qassam Brigades, gestures as he speaks during an anti-Israel military show in the southern Gaza Strip

By Nidal al-Mughrabi and Jaidaa Taha

CAIRO (Reuters) -Hamas' armed wing said on Monday that since June the group has been operating under new instructions on how to handle hostages should Israeli forces approach their locations in Gaza.

The announcement comes days after the Israeli military recovered the bodies of six hostages from a tunnel in the southern Gaza city of Rafah, saying they had been shot dead by their captors as Israeli forces got close.

Abu Ubaida, spokesperson for Hamas' al-Qassam Brigades, did not provide details on what the instructions were. He said his group holds Israel responsible for the hostages' deaths.

The new instructions, Ubaida said, were given to guards of hostages after a rescue operation by Israel in June. At that time, Israeli forces freed four hostages in a raid in which dozens of Palestinians, including women and children, were killed.

"Netanyahu's insistence to free prisoners through military pressure, instead of sealing a deal, means they will be returned to their families in shrouds. Their families must choose whether they want them dead or alive," he said.

Later on Monday, the Hamas armed wing published a pre-recorded video of one of the six dead hostages. It was unclear when the video was made.

Netanyahu said in a press conference on Monday that the hostages had been shot in the back of the head, and promised that Hamas would pay a heavy price.

Senior Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri said Netanyahu's accusations against Hamas were an attempt to escape responsibility for their deaths.

"Netanyahu killed the six prisoners and he is determined to kill the remaining ones. The Israelis should choose between Netanyahu or the deal," Abu Zuhri said.

Similarly, Ezzat El Rashq, a member of the Hamas political bureau, said in a statement published by the group on Monday: "The resistance's hostages can immediately return to their families, the [one] stalling their return and responsible for their lives is Netanyahu."

Israel and Hamas have failed to reach a deal that would end the war and see the release of Israeli and foreign hostages held by Hamas in Gaza in return for many Palestinians jailed by Israel.

Hamas wants an agreement to end the war and get Israeli forces out of Gaza while Netanyahu says the war can only end once Hamas is defeated.

(Reporting by Nidal Al-Mughrabi and Jaida Taha. Additional reporting by Adam Makary; Editing by Mark Porter and Stephen Coates)
ST. LOUIS  It was another Sunday morning of sometimes heated but always civil political debate on Hancock and Kelley for Sunday, Sept. 1, 2024.

Republican consultant John Hancock and Democratic consultant Michael Kelley discuss the following topics:

St. Louis County Executive Sam Page faces an ethics probe for allegedly working a second job at St. Louis University Hospital, two years after voters approved a measure explicitly prohibiting secondary employment for the county executive. Page says its a volunteer position, even though state records show Medicaid reimbursements for his services as an anesthesiologist. He says hes received none of that money.

St. Louis County Councilman Dennis Hancock is removed from office under court order for trying to hire his stepdaughter as a legislative aide in violation of the state constitution. A judge later reinstated him. Hancock says the hire was never officially approved, she received no pay, and that he regrets the mistake.

Former U.S. Senator from Missouri John Danforth, a Republican, endorses third-party candidate Jared Young in the current U.S. Senate race over incumbent and fellow Republican Josh Hawley.

New SLU/YouGov polling shows a measure to reinstate abortion rights in Missouri has 52% support and 34% opposition. It also shows all Republican candidates for statewide office enjoy double-digit leads.

Vice President Kamala Harris, now the Democratic nominee for president, finally sits down for an interview and says though her positions on key policies have changed, her values have not.

Former President Donald Trump says he favors mandated insurance coverage for IVF but does not favor a ban on abortions after just 6 weeks.

A Cole County judge rules a proposal to allow a new casino on the Osage River near the Lake of the Ozarks should go before voters on the November ballot.

Our quote of the week was from Green Party presidential candidate Jill Stein, who lambasted what she called the anti-Democratic Party for its efforts to keep her off the Wisconsin ballot for November. A judge ruled she will indeed be on the ballot.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 2.
A politician with every reason to be satisfied, but Kyiv has every reason to be concerned: co-leader of Germany's AfD Alice Weidel - Lisi Niesner/REUTERS

On Sunday, the 85th anniversary of the Nazi invasion of Poland coincided with the first victory of a far-Right party in a German state election since the Second World War.

What makes this coincidence especially ominous is that both Hitler and Stalin invaded and partitioned Poland, under the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact. Today, the leading German apologists for Putins Russia are the Alternative for Germany (AfD), which has just triumphed in the eastern provinces of Thuringia and Saxony.

Combined with the rise of the populist far-Left party led by a charismatic ex-communist, Sahra Wagenknecht, the electoral success of the AfD poses a serious threat to liberal democracy in Germany.

That democracy has been remarkably stable in the postwar Federal Republic. Yet it is no coincidence that both extremes of the German political spectrum are united in their pro-Russian sympathies and their hostility to Ukraine, Nato and the United States.

Hence the impact of the AfD and Wagenknecht success in Sundays elections  likely to be amplified later this month in Brandenburg  will be felt far beyond the borders of Germany.

The grip of anti-war and pro-Putin propaganda on German public opinion is fuelling the rise of radical nationalism in the East. Meanwhile the mainstream parties are in full retreat from military and financial support for Kyiv.

Already the present German government is planning to halve its aid next year and reduce it to almost nothing by 2027. Ukraines second biggest contributor in the West is collapsing under the pressure of domestic politics.

Across the Continent, the German political crisis is bound to exacerbate the uncertainties created by the US election. A victory for Donald Trump would in any case plunge the Atlantic alliance into chaos. He has promised to end the war immediately, on terms presumably dictated by the Kremlin.

If Germany is no longer committed to resisting the Russian invasion, not only is this catastrophic for Ukraine, but it could deal a fatal blow to Nato, too.

At present, Europe is bitterly divided on the war. The frontline nations, such as Poland and the Baltic states, are rearming and preparing for the Russian threat. But countries more remote from the conflict are still spending far too little on defence. Under the guise of calls for ceasefires and peace talks, some are inclined to appease Moscow.

Germany is the pivotal Nato member state, with the size and strength to swing the alliance either way. Europe cannot hold the line on Ukraine without German economic muscle.

Britain, too, will be affected by the political upheaval in Berlin that will flow from Sundays debacle in East Germany.

Last week Sir Keir Starmer flew to the German capital for talks with Chancellor Olaf Scholz  one of the Prime Ministers few centre-Left soulmates in Europe. Both leaders hope this will result in a bilateral treaty covering everything from trade and culture to defence and security.

But the humiliating defeats suffered by all three coalition parties means that Scholz is a dead man walking. Next years federal elections will sweep him and his partners out of office, to be replaced a centre-right government dominated by the Christian Democrats (CDU).

The new Chancellor will, barring accidents, be Friedrich Merz, who has already responded to the challenge of the AfD by promising to refuse entry to asylum seekers from Syria and Afghanistan  anathema to a human rights lawyer such as Sir Keir.

Not only will Merz have little time for Starmers progressive agenda, but he may well ignore British pleas for more generous military aid to Ukraine.

Then there is the threat of anti-Americanism. Bjorn Hocke, the hardline AfD leader in Thuringia, accuses the CDU of being a vassal of the US  an echo of the Nazi and Communist eras. It will be fascinating to see if Merz maintains his partys traditional Atlanticism even under a Trump presidency.

Whether Kamala Harris or Trump wins in November, Europe will remain vulnerable to Russian aggression and American isolationism.

After 1945, the German Question was temporarily solved by the division of the country between East and West. Now a new German question is emerging.

Will the German people stand by the Western civilisation which they fully rejoined only after the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989? Or is Germany now becoming once again the free worlds weakest link?

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.
FAIRPORT HARBOR, Ohio (WJW)  This Labor Day, a Lake County pizza shop is making sure its employees feel appreciated for their hard work serving up slices to customers.

According to a post on Regos Brickhouse Pizza Facebook page, at the end of business Monday, Regos staff will split all sales evenly.

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No matter if its credit or cash. At the end of the shift we will cash them out, thank them, and appreciate them. They work hard, the post said.

People in the comments are praising Regos, with many saying they plan to place an order to show their support.

The post went on to encourage other business owners to consider a similar practice, and asked customers to show love to the staff by ordering food from the pizza shop.

Local man reveals the strategy behind his lottery win

Also mentioned in the post is that while many corporate restaurants give their employees small discounts on food while theyre on the clock, Regos has a 100% discount for its staff.

Regos Brickhouse Pizza is located at 325 New Fourth St. in Fairport Harbor. Labor Day hours are 3 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Fox 8 Cleveland WJW.
Vice President Harris and President Biden will appear together in Pennsylvania at a Labor Day campaign event Monday as the vice president seeks to shore up support from union workers ahead of November.

The event in Pittsburgh will mark Biden and Harriss first joint appearance on the campaign trail since she replaced him atop the Democratic presidential ticket.

Harris has indicated she intends to carry out much of the same labor policies as Biden, who has long touted himself as the most pro-union president in history. Biden, for example, joined striking autoworkers on the picket line last year, marking the first time a sitting president has done so.

Harris has received support from several major organized labor groups since becoming the Democratic Partys presidential nominee, including the United Auto Workers (UAW). The unions president, Shawn Fain, cited Harriss track record with workers.

In a memo released last month, the Harris campaign argued union workers would be a key part of the Democratic tickets success in November. The memo, obtained first by The Hill, showcased Harris and Bidens record of support for organized labor.

Harris has sought to contrast herself from former President Trump, who has insisted union members will back his campaign even in the wake of a public feud with Fain, who has called him a scab.

The Trump-Vance record of attacking and undermining unions at every turn is toxic to working families, Harris campaign manager Julie Chavez Rodriguez wrote in the memo. Vice President Harris and Governor Walz have spent their entire career delivering for unions and American workers, and now the nations leading unions are putting the full strength of their organizing prowess along with hundreds of millions of dollars to send them to the White House and defeat Trumps anti-worker agenda.

The Harris campaign emphasized that while unions have historically played a large role in blue wall states including Michigan and Pennsylvania, they are equally vital in Sun Belt states like Arizona and Nevada.

Trump on Monday posted a Labor Day message to Truth Social in which he also slammed Harris on the economy.

Happy Labor Day to all of our American Workers who represent the Shining Example of Hard Work and Ingenuity, he wrote. Under Comrade Kamala Harris, all Americans are suffering during this Holiday weekend  High Gas Prices, Transportation Costs are up, and Grocery Prices are through the roof. We cant keep living under this weak and failed Leadership..

Mondays stop in Pittsburgh is part of a Labor Day blitz for the Harris campaign. She will spend the earlier part of the holiday campaigning in Detroit, a union hub in the battleground state of Michigan.

Harriss running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D), is expected to spend the day in Milwaukee along with his wife, while second gentleman Doug Emhoff will be at an event in Newport News, Va., according to the Harris campaign.

The vice presidents trip to the battleground state of Pennsylvania comes as Harris and Trump remain in a tight race, both nationally and in swing states. Harris quickly consolidated Democratic support since replacing Biden atop the Democratic ticket and has threatened the healthy lead Trump had over Biden when he was in the race.

According to a polling index by The Hill and Decision Desk HQ, Harris has a 3.8-point national lead over Trump.

Trumps allies have contended that taking away even some of Bidens support among organized labor could make a difference in the race. The former president lost union members by 14 percentage points in 2020 against Biden.

Updated at 12:34 p.m. EDT

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Vice President Kamala Harris campaign held a string of Labor Day-themed events in Michigan, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania on Monday, marking the unofficial launch of the fall campaign sprint in the states that will determine the November election.

The events come as Harris seeks to extend her momentum over the next two months. While the Democratic presidential nominee has sought to expand the map of states where she is competitive, the Labor Day stops point to the importance of winning those three blue wall states that propelled President Joe Biden to victory in 2020.

Biden joined Harris for a rally in Pittsburgh on Monday evening, the presidents first joint campaign appearance with the vice president since ending his reelection bid and endorsing her.

Ill be on the sidelines, but Ill do everything I can to help, Biden said. Are you ready to make Donald Trump a loser again?

Harris used the Pennsylvania event to say that US Steel should be owned domestically and that she opposed the companys purchase by the Japanese-owned Nippon Steel.

The president mentioned it: US Steel is a historic American company, and it is vital for our nation to maintain strong American steel companies. And I couldnt agree more with President Biden, US Steel should remain American owned and American operated, Harris said to a crowd of union members.

In a statement, a Nippon Steel spokesperson defended the deal, arguing that U. S. Steel and the entire American steel industry will be on much stronger footing under the acquisition.

Harris remarks in Pennsylvania largely echoed an earlier event in Detroit, where she emphasized the dignity of work and vowed to strengthen protections for collective bargaining to a crowd of union members and leaders, while drawing sharp contrasts with opponent Donald Trump.

We celebrate unions because unions helped build America, and unions helped build Americas middle class, she told a packed high school gymnasium here in Michigan.

Harris was joined onstage by national union leaders, including United Auto Workers president Shawn Fain, American Federation of Teachers president Randi Weingarten and National Education Association president Becky Pringle.

The vice president reiterated her support for the PRO Act, legislation that would ensure workers rights to unionize and collectively bargain for workplace changes, and vowed to end union busting once and for all.

Mondays events come 64 days ahead of Election Day and, as Harris noted in her remarks, 24 days before mail-in absentee voting begins in Michigan and 14 days before it begins in Pennsylvania. The vice president echoed previous warnings that the race would be close to the end.

Im telling you we know how they play, we know what they do, she said. So lets not pay too much attention to the polls. Lets know, like labor always does, we are out here running like we are the underdog in this race because we know what we are fighting for.

Meanwhile, her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, proudly boasted his ties to organized labor at a union event in Milwaukee, celebrating Labor Day by declaring himself in the pocket of unions and daring Republicans to roll the damn dice if they want to criticize his support for labor.

Walz detailed his union membership as a former public school teacher, his record of backing unions in Congress and as Minnesotas governor, and highlighted Harris support for unions.

Trump and his running mate, Ohio Sen. JD Vance, had no scheduled events Monday. Trump used his social media site to bash Harris over high gas and grocery costs and tout his work renegotiating Americas trade deal with Mexico and Canada.

We cant keep living under this weak and failed Leadership, Trump said on Truth Social.

The Harris campaign knocked the former president for not holding any events on the holiday.

Donald Trump is ditching workers on Labor Day because he is an anti-worker, anti-union extremist who will sell out working families for his billionaire donors if he takes power, campaign spokesperson Joseph Costello said in a statement.

Ahead of Harris Labor Day remarks in Detroit, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer praised the vice presidents record and bashed the Republican ticket as disconnected from the common man.

Look, if your most famous line is Youre fired, you sure as hell dont understand workers, Whitmer later said, referencing Trumps catchphrase on his former reality show The Apprentice. I want our next President to say to workers, whomever she might be, Ive got your back.

Whitmer said Harris has been part of the most pro-labor administration in American history, and praised Harris work as a senator and attorney general to stand with picketing workers and take on big banks and pharmaceutical companies, as well as Walzs work to bring infrastructure investments to his state and raise minimum wage for delivery drivers.

Trump has been critical of labor leaders, including the United Auto Workers Fain, but has sought the support of workers in the same Rust Belt states Harris and Walz campaigned in Monday. The former president has focused his attention on the Biden administrations efforts to boost the production and purchase of electric vehicles, which Trump has argued will come at the expense of autoworkers.

Michigan Trump allies railed against Harris on the issue of auto manufacturing ahead of the Democratic presidential nominees Labor Day visit to Detroit.

What makes America great, part of it, is our economy, and the Harris administration is coming after autoworkers jobs, Rep. Lisa McClain, a Michigan Republican, told reporters on a call Monday morning. There will continue to be more layoffs.

McClain, who represents the northern part of the metro Detroit area, as well as Republican Rep. John James, who represents a neighboring district, both argued that Biden-Harris administration policies meant to increase the producing of electric vehicles in the US are unrealistic.

The Harris campaign has pushed back on previous claims by Trump and Vance, including that the vice president supported a mandate for all electric vehicles. The administrations goal is to have EVs comprise half of all new vehicle sales by 2030.

This story has been updated with additional reporting.

CNNs Samantha Waldenberg and Aaron Pellish contributed to this story.

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At this stage of the war, Kherson is not in danger of a land offensive by Russian troops. Ukrainian footholds on the left bank will allow us to hold back the enemy.

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However, Putin's army is shelling the right bank, including the regional center, every day. Dmytro Lykhovii, a spokesman for the Tavria operational and strategic group of troops, reported on the situation on the air of the United News telethon.

"There are no grounds to say that Kherson is threatened by any land assaults. Yes, unfortunately, Kherson experiences severe l attacks from Russian MLRS every day, but it is not threatened by a Russian offensive," the military said.

The General Staff of Ukraine reports that on September 1, two attempts by the occupiers to seize our positions took place in the Naddniprianskyi direction. The enemy's actions were unsuccessful.

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Likhovii clarified that the invaders conducted these assaults without armored vehicles in small groups on Ukrainian footholds on the left bank. "Our troops did not lose any positions. The enemy has retreated," said the spokesman for the Tavria Brigade.

Taking into account Russian activity in other areas, especially in Pokrovsk, the situation in the area of responsibility of the Tavria Brigade can be described as more or less calm.

As reported by OBOZ.UA:

 On September 2, Russian invaders shelled the village of Kindiyka near Kherson from the left, temporarily occupied bank. At least three civilians were injured.

 On the evening of September 1, Russian troops attacked a civilian in Kherson. The criminals dropped explosives from a drone on an elderly man. The 79-year-old resident was injured and hospitalized.

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The race for the Sun Belt states of Arizona, Nevada and Georgia is tightening, as Vice President Harris closes the gap former President Trump had built on President Biden when he was the presumptive Democratic nominee.

Harris is polling slightly ahead of Trump in Nevada and Georgia, according to an Emerson College Polling/The Hill poll released Thursday, while Trump is slightly ahead in Arizona in the same survey.

Harris enjoyed a 2-point average edge over Trump in Arizona, Georgia and Nevada according to a Bloomberg News/Morning Consult poll released Thursday while Fox News polls on Wednesday showed Harris leading by 1 point in Arizona, 2 points in Georgia and 2 points in Nevada.

Biden won all three states in 2020 after Trump won Georgia and Arizona in 2016. North Carolina, which Trump won in 2016 and 2020, is also in play after Cook Political Report declared the state a toss up last week.

Wins by Harris in any of the states would be a big blow to Trump, while a sweep would make it unlikely hed win reelection absent big surprises elsewhere in the Electoral College.

The biggest thing her candidacy has done is opened up multiple paths in the Electoral College and that route now runs through states like Nevada, Arizona, Georgia and North Carolina just as much as the Blue Wall states, said Clayton Cox, former Democratic National Committee (DNC) national finance director.

The newfound momentum behind Harris in the Sun Belt has put states in play Biden had been trailing Trump, especially in the final throes of his reelection campaign.

In the days before Biden withdrew, Trump had a 4-point lead over Biden in Georgia, a 5.8-point lead in Nevada, a 5.7-point lead in Arizona, and a 4.9-point lead in North Carolina, according to the DDHQ/The Hill aggregation of polls.

Harris has now closed that gap, but shes up by the thinnest of margins.

The current aggregation of polls has Harris with a 0.1-point lead in Georgia, a 0.7-point lead in Nevada, and a 0.1-point lead in Arizona. Trump and Harris are tied in North Carolina.

Nationally, Harris has a 3.8-point lead over Trump, according to the DDHQ/The Hill aggregation of polls as of the end of August. Thats a flip from the 3.3-point lead Trump had over Biden right before the president withdrew his candidacy, according to the aggregation at the time.

Biden caved to pressure by his fellow Democrats, particularly congressional leaders, to drop out after internal electoral maps started showing in July that not only did Biden have a long shot to win against Trump, but the party would also struggle in House and Senate races.

Enter Harris, and Democrats now have new-found hope they have a shot at winning 2024, as evidenced in part by the enthusiasm that has followed her around the country. Democrats chalk part of her success up to a messaging strategy that seems to be resonating.

Kamala Harris has an inclusive, forward-looking message, paired it with authentic delivery and as a result has begun building a coalition that creates multiple paths to 270 whereas Trumps regressive, divisive message has seemingly narrowed his options, said Adam Abrams, a communications official on former President Obamas 2008 campaign and a partner at Seven Letter.

The Fox News polls that showed Harris with a 1-point lead over Trump in Arizona marks a 6-point gain over Biden, who trailed Trump in the state by 5 points in a June poll.

Meanwhile, Harriss 2-point lead over Trump in Georgia and Nevada is an 8-point and 7-point gain, respectively, over Bidens June polling in those states. That survey irked the Trump campaign, which dubbed it atrocious polling.

While Trump has a 1-point lead over Harris in North Carolina, Harris has managed to close the gap there too. Trump was ahead of Biden in the Tar Heel State by 4 points.

Harriss campaign travel shows a concentrated effort to target places like Savannah, Ga.; Phoenix and Las Vegas with recent rallies and fundraisers to help pad her campaign war chest.

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D) this week fundraised in North Carolina, and Harris and Walz launched a bus tour across southern Georgia that culminated in their first joint prime-time interview since riding to the top of the Democratic ticket.

Harris has made an effort to appeal to voters in the swing states, who may be independents, undecided or moderate Republicans. The interview with CNN highlighted changes in her posture on fracking and at the border compared to when she ran in the 2020 primary.

In an August memo, the Harris campaign stressed it has multiple paths to 270 electoral votes but has increased its investments significantly in Sun Belt states. Compared to Bidens 2020 run, the Harris campaign is investing four times as much in television ads in Georgia and nearly six times as much in Nevada.

Harris closing the polling gap in those essential Sun Belt states is reminiscent of former President Obamas coalition that sent him to the White House twice, which included young college-educated voters, Cox argued. While Obama never carried Arizona or Georgia, he won Nevada in 2008 and 2012 and North Carolina in 2008.

Every presidential campaign has their own path and their own coalitions which will lead them to victory. The Harris-Walz campaign appears to be building a coalition similar to the one that sent Barack Obama to two terms, he said, This coalition is younger, more diverse and relies more on college educated voters which happens to reflect more of the Sun Belt.

Updated at 7:30 a.m. EDT

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
A Republican pollster believes that the upcoming debate between Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris will be "everything" when it comes to setting the stage for the 2024 US presidential election in November.

Frank Luntz appeared on CNN, where he was asked what the presidential candidates had left to do in the final stretch between now and the election.

The debate is everything, Luntz said.

CNN anchor John Berman then asked him to elaborate.

Everything, Luntz repeated. When the voter sees side by side the two candidates and they listen to what they say, not just the answers, its the body language. Is there contempt? Does someone fold their arms? Do they look at the individual when theyre speaking? Do they seem presidential in their approach?

Vice President Kamala Harris and former president Donald Trump will face off in their first presidential campaign debate on September 10 on ABC. Republican pollster Frank Luntz said the debate would be everything for the candidates campaigns (REUTERS)

The upcoming debate has been scheduled for September 10 in Philadelphia.

There has been some recent controversy over the debate's rules, as the Trump and Harris campaigns disagreed over microphones. Harris's campaign wants the microphones to remain live throughout the debate, which is a departure from previous debate rules.

The Associated Press obtained the debate rules from a senior Trump official, which reportedly said there would be no live audience, no written notes and that the mics would be muted when the other candidate is speaking.

The Harris campaign told the AP that they are still discussing the mic issue with ABC.

Its interesting that Trumps handlers keep insisting on muting him, despite the candidate himself saying the opposite, Harris spokesman Ian Sams told the AP. Why wont they just do what the candidate wants?

If the mics are live, Trump will have the opportunity to interrupt Harris and potentially derail the debate, a point Luntz highlighted during his CNN segment.

For Trump, can he keep quiet? Can he actually listen to a response, or does he have to respond to everything, Luntz said. For Harris, does she seem open-minded? Does she seem willing to take in information not just project?

With two months left in the 2024 election and swing-state polls showing a statistical tie, the September 10th presidential debate will matter more than ever.



I told @JohnBerman what Kamala Harris and Donald Trump need to do during the debate to pull ahead in the race. pic.twitter.com/8uw95L0PnN  Frank Luntz (@FrankLuntz) September 2, 2024

Trump recently said he didn't care if the mics were muted, and went on to talk about his disdain for ABC News.

Each of them has different goals for that debate, but each one, in the end, has to prove that theyre ready, not just for that moment, but voters are thinking who do I want to represent me two years from now, three or four years from now? Luntz continued.

As for Harris, Luntz said the vice president would have to show the public that she has improved since her 2020 Democratic primary debate - where she was panned.

She has to prove she has the capability to do it and Trump has to prove that he doesnt treat her rudely, obnoxiously, because he lost a lot of female voters in 2020 who would have voted for him over policy but would not vote for him because of his persona, Luntz said.
Harris and Walz blitz the Blue Wall while Trump phones it in on Labor Day

Welcome to the end game of the presidential campaign. While the last two months feel like a decade has passed, Labor Day and the days afterward are historically when voters begin to pay attention and, more importantly, begin to decide how they will vote.

Last week, Vice President Kamala Harris made a swing through rural Georgia as well as her first sitdown television interview with CNN. That came after polling showed her strength in the Sun Belt states like Arizona and Nevada as well as the southeastern swing states including Georgia and North Carolina.

Meanwhile, former president Donald Trump hit the midwestern states of Michigan, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania, where in 2016, he shocked the world by flipping and winning the presidency.

But unlike in the days of 2016, when Trump would hold multiple events within one day, Trump only did one event in Michigan and Wisconsin, before he did an event in Johnstown, Pennsylvania and made a stop at the Moms for Liberty conference for a sitdown chat.

Those events largely got lost amid his continuing war of words about his photo opp with the Gold Star families of US servicemembers who died at Abbey Gate in Afghanistan. Over the weekend, he posted videos of the family members defending him appearing at Arlington National Cemetery after he faced criticism for shooting a campaign video at the cemetery where many American servicemembers are buried.

Similarly, Trumps scattershot positions on abortion and in vitro fertilization have also led him to receive criticism from his own base.

Harris and her running mate are blitzing the swing states (AP)

But the Labor Day holiday allows for a bit of a reset and so far, it looks like Harriss campaign is leaving nothing to chance. On Monday, Harris was set to campaign in Michigan, a state that essentially set the parameters for the labor movement, before she heads to Pittsburgh with President Joe Biden. Biden famously earned plaudits from organized labor when he marched in a picket line last year during the United Auto Workers trike.

Meanwhile, Harriss running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, departed from his homestate and was set to campaign at Milwaukees Laborfest in Wisconsin. Democrats have long been afraid of losing Wisconsin ever since Hillary Clinton failed to campaign there and Mandela Barnes lost his Senate race to incumbent Ron Johnson in 2022.

Walz will later engage on his first solo tour of Pennsylvania. Incidentally, one mark against picking Walz over Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro was that Shapiro would help lock up Pennsylvania, another Blue Wall state that Trump flipped and where he has considerable appeal.

Conversely, Trump nor his running mate, Ohio Senator JD Vance, were set to have any public events on Labor Day, despite the fact that both have tried to refashion the Republican Party as a pro-worker party. Indeed, when Vance spoke at the International Firefighters conference, he was booed the day after Walz spoke to them and received a warm welcome.

The Harris campaign wasted no time slamming Trump and Vance in a statement.

Donald Trump is ditching workers on Labor Day because he is an anti-worker, anti-union extremist who will sell out working families for his billionaire donors if he takes power, campaign spokesman Joseph Costello said in a statement. Vice President Harris is the only candidate for president who stands firmly on the side of labor and working Americans, and she is fighting to build up the middle class by cutting taxes, lowering costs, and creating opportunity.

Indeed, the one event Trump has on the calendar is a video call with current and retired members of the United Auto Workers, UPI reported.

Trump has repeatedly clashed with Shawn Fain, the head of the UAW, who notably wore a shirt saying Trump is a scab at the Democratic National Convention and later during a labor council meeting at the convention, attendees welcomed Fain by chanting Trumps a scab.

This does not mean that Trump will be silent this week. He will hold a rally in Mosinee, Wisconsin on Saturday.

But Trumps staggered schedule shows that he is not able to do the barnstorm schedules he did in 2016 or even 2020 while Harris is doing a Blue Wall Blitz.
In their first joint campaign event since the Democratic convention, President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris celebrated Labor Day by addressing a packed Pittsburgh union hall Monday night.

The pair delivered informal remarks as part of the campaigns Labor Day blitz around the country, making a concerted effort to court union workers ahead of the November election.

As attendees wore shirts with phrases like Pittsburgh Proud, Union Strong, Biden and Harris touted their pro-labor record in office and contrasted it with former President Donald Trumps.

Its good to be in the house of labor, Harris said, heaping praise on Biden for his commitment to protecting unions. Joe Biden has always stood with the workers of America and labor unions of America. Always, always," she added.

PHOTO: President Joe Biden holds up Vice President and Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris's hand during a campaign rally at the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 5 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on Sept. 2, 2024. (Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images)

Speaking before Harris, Biden described his labor record as a joint achievement with Harris.

Kamala and I are damn proud that we protected the pension of over 1 million workers, retirees, the president said, speaking also about the job creation numbers under his watch: 60 million new jobs so far, 800,000 manufacturing jobs!

MORE: Jared Polis defends Harris' shifts on policy

Biden pledged that the vice president would build on his union record if she wins the election.

Folks, we made a lot of progress, and Kamala and I are going to build on that progress, and shes going to build on it. I will be on the sidelines, but I will do everything I can to help, he said.

And Kamala, believes as I do, he said, emphasizing their shared beliefs. Unions are the spine of this economy. She will be a historic pro-union president.

PHOTO: Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris speaks at a campaign event at Northwestern High School in Detroit, Sept. 2, 2024. (Jacquelyn Martin/AP)

Earlier Monday, Harris kicked off the Labor Day blitz in Detroit, meeting with union members and delivering brief remarks. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist, Sen. Debbie Stabenow, Rep. Elissa Slotkin and Rep. Debbie Dingell joined Harris.

"The way we celebrate Labor Day is we know that hard work is good work; we know that when we organize, when we bring everyone together," Harris said at Detroit's Northwestern High School gym. "It's a joyful moment where we are committed to doing the hard work of lifting up America's families, and I want to thank everyone here for that work and the way you do it every day."

"So, on Labor Day, and every day, we celebrate the dignity of work," she later added. "The dignity of work, we celebrate unions because unions helped build America, and unions helped build America's middle class."

She also credited union labor with many current workplace standards.

Everywhere I go, I tell people, look, you may not be a union member, you better thank a union member; for the five-day work week, you better thank a union member; for sick leave, you better thank a union member," she said. For paid leave you better thank a union member for vacation time. Because what we know is when union wages go up, everybody's wages go up.

PHOTO: The campaign bus carrying Democratic presidential nominee and Vice President Kamala Harris and vice presidential nominee Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz is seen as they visit Savannah, Georgia, U.S., Aug. 28, 2024. (Elizabeth Frantz/Reuters)

Union leaders, including United Autoworkers President Shawn Fain and American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten, stood behind Harris on stage as he delivered her remarks. They took the stage shortly before Harris.

Walz and his wife, Gwen, started off the day meeting with laborers in St. Paul, Minnesota, before attending Laborfest in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. In addition to prominent labor groups, including SEIU, Teamsters, and United Autoworkers, Gov. Tony Evers, Sen. Tammy Baldwin, Rep. Gwen Moore and Mayor Cavalier Johnson were there.

PHOTO: Democratic vice presidential nominee Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz speaks during a campaign stop at Laborfest, Sept. 2, 2024, in Milwaukee. (Morry Gash/AP)

Harris' husband Doug Emhoff was in Newport News, Virginia, to participate in Rep. Bobby Scott's annual Labor Day Cookout and deliver remarks, the campaign said.

"Vice President Harris always put workers first and held powerful interests accountable. As California's attorney general, she fought wage theft to make sure workers got the pay they earned. As senator, she fought tirelessly for the most vulnerable workers, walking the picket line with UAW and McDonald's workers and introducing a domestic workers' bill of rights," the campaign said in a statement.

"Vice President Harris chairs The White House Task Force on Worker Organizing, which made it easier for working people to exercise their right to join a union," the campaign continued.

"Meanwhile, Trump was one of the most anti-worker and anti-union presidents in history," the Harris campaign later added, criticizing former President Donald Trump. "He stacked the National Labor Relations Board with anti-labor advocates. He hurt autoworkers, shipped jobs overseas, and lined the pockets of the super wealthy and big corporations at the expense of the middle class."

Harris and Biden make pro-labor pitch on Labor Day in Pittsburgh originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
Harris widens advantage over Trump among women in new survey

Vice President Harris widened the gap with former President Trump among women in a new poll that highlights a notable boost from a major voting group that could be a key for the Democratic nominee in November.

The ABC News/Ipsos poll, released Sunday, found Harris is leading Trump 54 percent to 41 percent among women. Before last months Democratic National Convention, Harris edged Trump out by 6 points among this demographic.

Trump, who has struggled with female voters, led Harris 51 percent to 46 percent among men in the new survey.

Pollsters noted the gender gap between Harris and Trump is now more aligned with recent elections. The gap has typically been about 19 points in exit polls since 1996.

The movement among women and men in the new survey occurred the most among white voters, pollsters found. Trump had a 13-point advantage among white women before the Democratic convention and now has a 2-point edge. By comparison, the former president had a 13-point advantage among white men prior to the convention and now has a 21-point edge.

Women are seen as a key voting bloc that has powered Harriss successful presidential campaign rollout.

After Trump took office in 2016, women boosted the blue wave of Democratic wins during the 2018 midterms. The voting bloc was again galvanized after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022, ending federal protections for abortion.

The new poll also found Harris did not see a significant boost in overall support following the Democratic convention, though she maintained her slight national lead over Trump.

Harris edged out Trump 50 percent to 46 percent among all adults and registered voters. When it came to likely voters, Harris led Trump 52 percent to 46 percent.

Those findings are similar to those from a poll in August, pollsters noted. According to an ABC News/Washington Post/Ipsos poll before the convention, Harris had support from 49 percent of registered voters, while Trump had 45 percent.

The new polling follows a series of other surveys showing Harris holding on to a razor-thin edge over Trump, who has largely dismissed the boost in support for the vice president.

According to a polling index by The Hill and Decision Desk HQ, Harris has a 4.1-point national lead over Trump.

The latest ABC News/Ipsos poll was conducted Aug. 23-27 and included 2,496 completed interviews. The margin of sampling error is 2.1 percentage points at the 95 percent confidence level.

Julia Mueller contributed.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Harrods staff are being trained to intervene to stop assaults and to sensitively respond to allegations of sexual harassment - chrisdorney/iStock Editorial

Harrods is training staff to intervene if shoppers or colleagues are harassed in the luxury department store amid a rise in attacks against women in public places.

The retailer has brought in mandatory training for staff on sexual harassment awareness and bystander intervention, its latest accounts revealed.

This involves teaching workers to recognise when help is needed and strategies for intervening safely.

The move by Harrods comes amid growing concern over crime in the capital. Earlier this year, a 56-year-old man was charged with kidnapping a nine-year-old girl from outside the luxury department store, drugging and sexually assaulting her.

Harrods staff at the time worked with police officers to try to locate the girl who had been shopping with her family before she went missing. The man has denied the charges and the case is set for trial next month.

Businesses are seeking to clamp down on the rise in attacks against women in public places.

Figures from the British Transport Police last month revealed that incidents of sexual harassment against women on railways had more than doubled since 2021, with only one in five witnesses reporting cases to law enforcement.

Det Ch Supt Paul Furnell, from the British Transport Police, has urged people to watch out for each other while catching the train or tube.

In some cities, councillors have urged business leaders to take action to prevent inappropriate behaviour in bars, pubs and clubs. Milton Keynes City Council earlier this year called for nighttime businesses to sign their workers up to active bystander training.

Businesses have also stepped up efforts to protect their own staff following a wave of abuse against retail workers over the past few years. Violence and abuse of retail workers jumped by 50pc in the year to Aug 31, 2023.

Co-op warned that female staff and employees from ethnic minority backgrounds were being targeted with racist and misogynistic abuse on a regular basis.

As part of Harrodss sexual harassment policy, it now has a network of specifically trained individuals able to sensitively respond to allegations of sexual harassment. In total, it has around 50 of these workers across different areas of the business and different levels of seniority.

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.
Michael Kretschmer Christian Democratic Union of Germany (CDU), Minister President of Saxony, attends committee meetings of the federal CDU after the state elections in Saxony and Thuringia. Michael Kappeler/dpa

The incumbent premier in the eastern German state of Saxony, Michael Kretschmer, said on Monday in the wake of fresh elections in his state that his centre-right Christian Democrats (CDU) could find common ground with the upstart populist Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance (BSW).

Kretschmer's CDU scored a narrow victory with 31.9% of the vote, according to preliminary official results. But his current coalition with the centre-left Social Democrats (SPD) and Greens won't hold a majority in the next parliament.

That's in part due to big gains by the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), who surged to 30.6%, according to the preliminary results. But the CDU and every other party has categorically ruled out any cooperation with the AfD, who are viewed as too extreme and beyond the bounds of mainstream German politics.

That makes the BSW, which finished third with 11.8% of the vote, a crucial potential partner. The party has campaigned on a mix of opposition to immigration, far-left economic policies and right-wing stances on some social issues such as gender policy.

But the BSW's roots in Germany's extreme left make it an uncomfortable fit for the CDU. The party's founder and namesake, Sahra Wagenknecht, was once a member of communist East Germany's ruling SED party and in the 1990s and 2000s was a leading figure of the communist fringe.

"It won't be easy, it will take time, but it is possible," Kretschmer said about an alliance with the BSW in a Monday morning interview with Deutschlandfunk radio.

Kretschmer warned that there could be months of tough coalition talks ahead. He said his CDU would follow its "values" but set "party ideologies" aside to focus on the "content" of any deal.

"We are not forming a coalition with Ms Wagenknecht, but with people who have been elected to the Saxon state parliament," he said.
What was making news in our area during this week in years past? The History Museum offers these newspaper excerpts to give you an idea.

Sept. 1, 1900: The city board of health held an important meeting in Mayor Colfaxs office Friday evening and during a two hours session discussed the diphtheria epidemic which now prevails in the city. The spread of the disease in August was so great as to cause serious alarm, 110 cases and eight deaths being reported. Hereafter there will be no favors shown and any person showing neglect in obeying the rules and regulations will be punished according to law.  The South Bend Tribune

Sept. 2, 1916: Twelve heavy steel cars comprising New York Central passenger train No. 5, passed through South Bend early this morning carrying but two passengers. The explanation for the small passenger list lies in the danger of a nation-wide railroad strike.  The South Bend Tribune

Sept. 3, 1927: More than 2,000 children, including those from the Orphans home, were guests Friday afternoon of Playland park, the Chicago, South Bend & Northern Indiana Railway company and The Tribune in a back-to-school frolic held in the park. Children from the Orphans home were conveyed to and from the park in special cars while many other children in South Bend and Mishawaka went to the park on street cars, using free ride coupons taken from The Tribune.  The South Bend Tribune

Sept. 4, 1935: One of the largest naturalization classes in St. Joseph countys history will appear next Tuesday and Wednesday in circuit court to seek citizenship papers from Circuit Judge Dan Pyle. The class numbers 160 applicants of virtually every nationality. Preliminary examinations from scores of others will be conducted in the court house by a representative of the naturalization bureau in Chicago.  The South Bend Tribune

Sept. 5, 1943: Holiday travelers jammed railway and bus terminals here Saturday and trains and busses were filled to capacity although the operating companies reported that they had hauled out every piece of equipment they could muster to handle the crowds. The air lines servicing South Bend also reported that every seat was taken on every plane but added that this was not unusual."  The South Bend Tribune

Sept. 6, 1953: A total of 1,063 visitors registered at the museum of the Northern Indiana Historical Society, 112 S. Lafayette Blvd., during August, according to Mrs. Thomas E. Stanfield, curator. Represented were 17 states, Canada and Ireland. This number included a group of 4-H Club members from Butler, Ind., touring South Bend, she said. The society also installed two new cases.  The South Bend Tribune

Sept. 7, 1962: The awarding of a $6.7 million contract to the Bendix Products Aerospace Division of the Bendix Corp. in South Bend for landing gear and actuators was announced today by the McDonnell Aircraft Co. of St. Louis, Mo. The landing gear and actuators will be used on McDonnells Phantom II aircraft, produced for the Navy and Air Force. The Phantom II is a supersonic fighter-attack aircraft. The Navy version of the airplane is carrier based.  The South Bend Tribune

This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: 1935: 160 from South Bend area will apply to be citizens
Ukraine will be part of NATO as a sovereign and independent country within the 1991 state borders. Other options have not been discussed.

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This was stated by Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration Olha Stefanishyna in an interview with a Ukrainian media outlet. When the interviewer asked her opinion on joining the North Atlantic Alliance "in parts," i.e., within the territory controlled by Ukraine, the government representative replied:

"I do not believe that Ukraine should propose any solutions now before the allies have offered Ukrainian membership in the Alliance."

Kyiv will hold talks with each of the 32 NATO nations and listen to the allies. The dialog will be open and public.

"We will never raise the question of certain restrictions or redistribution in the issue of NATO membership. There is Ukraine within the 1991 borders, a sovereign, independent country that is joining NATO," Stefanishyna emphasized.

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So far, there is no format with a thorough discussion of this issue.

As reported by OBOZ.UA:

 Earlier, Czech President Petr Pavel suggested that our country's accession to NATO should not depend on the de-occupation of the territories. He is convinced that the country can be accepted within the borders that it will control at the time of accession.

 Ukrainian diplomat, Ambassador of Ukraine to Poland (2014-2022) Andriy Deshchytsia noted that the path to NATO is long and lobbyists among partners should be involved.

 Polish President Andrzej Duda expressed hope that Kyiv would be invited to join the Alliance at the 2025 summit in The Hague (Netherlands). But for this, the country must win the war with the Russian Federation.

Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and in Viber. Do not fall for fakes!

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Our hearts break for their families; Ohio lawmakers react after 6 more hostages die in Gaza

Ohio lawmakers are reacting after Israel announced it has recovered the bodies of six hostages captured during Hamas Oct. 7 attack.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

Among the bodies recovered was Israeli American Hersh Goldberg-Polin, according to the Associated Press.

Goldberg-Polin and four other hostages were taken from a music festival where Hamas Palestinian militants killed scores of people, the AP said.

Dayton-area Congressman and House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence Chairman Mike Turner released a statement Sunday about the news.

Today, we mourn the loss of six innocent lives that were taken from us by Hamas, including Israeli American Hersh Goldberg-Polin.

These brutal murders, after the atrocities of October 7th and the kidnapping of hostages from Israel, is further evidence of Hamas terrorist roots and Iran as a state sponsor of terrorism.

Iran and its terrorist proxies cannot be permitted to determine the future of the Middle East.

Today, we mourn the loss of six innocent lives that were taken from us by Hamas, including Israeli-American Hersh Goldberg-Polin.



These brutal murders, after the atrocities of October 7th and the kidnapping of hostages from Israel, are further evidence of Hamas terrorist roots https://t.co/oOLkcDSTeC  US Rep. Mike Turner (@RepMikeTurner) September 1, 2024

TRENDING STORIES:

Cincinnati-area Congressman Rep. Greg Landsman from Ohios 1st Congressional said everyone in Gaza would be alive if not for Hamas.

Hamas took them on October 7th and brutally murdered them this week. Theyd be alive, along with all the Israelis and Palestinians who have been killed, if it werent for the barbaric and unprecedented terrorism of Hamas.

Hamas took them on October 7th, and brutally murdered them this week.



Theyd be alive, along with all the Israelis and Palestinians who have been killed, if it werent for the barbaric and unprecedented terrorism of Hamas. https://t.co/VnyZHFHwVt  Congressman Greg Landsman (@RepGregLandsman) September 1, 2024

Rep. David Joyce from Ohios 14th Congressional District also released a statement on social media on Sunday.

I am heartbroken to hear of the murder of Hersh Goldberg-Polin and several other hostages held by Hamas. Their loss is a poignant reminder to the world that this terrorist organization is unequivocally horrific. I will continue to stand with Israel.

I am heartbroken to hear of the murder of Hersh Goldberg-Polin, and several other hostages held by Hamas. Their loss is a poignant reminder to the world that this terrorist organization is unequivicollay horrific. I will continue to stand with Israel.  Dave Joyce (@RepDaveJoyce) September 1, 2024

Rep. Bob Latta from Ohios 5th Congressional District said on social media that the United States must continue to stand with Israel.

Marcia and I are saddened to learn six innocent hostages held by Hamas terrorists were murdered, including one American, Hersh Goldberg-Polin. Our hearts break for their families and loved ones. The U.S. must continue to stand with Israel and work to get all the hostages back home safely.

Marcia and I are saddened to learn six innocent hostages held by Hamas terrorists were murdered, including one American, Hersh Goldberg-Polin. Our hearts break for their families and loved ones. The U.S. must continue to stand with Israel and work to get all the hostages back  Rep. Bob Latta (@boblatta) September 1, 2024

The Israeli army identified the others as Ori Danino, 25; Eden Yerushalmi, 24; Almog Sarusi, 27; Alexander Lobanov, 33; and Carmel Gat, 40, the AP reported.

>>RELATED: Israelis erupt in protest to demand a cease-fire after 6 more hostages die in Gaza

Tens of thousands of grieving and angry Israelis surged into the streets Sunday night and chanted, Now! Now! as they demanded that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reach a cease-fire with Hamas to bring the remaining captives home.

We will update this story.

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American journalist Steven Sotloff (center with black helmet) talks to Libyan rebels on the Al Dafniya front line, 25 km west of Misrata, Libya, on June 2, 2011. Credit - Etienne de MalglaiveGetty Images

On September 2, 2014, journalist Steven Joel Sotloff was murdered by a member of the Islamic State of Iraq and Greater Syria (ISIS). The brutal event was captured on video and then distributed for the whole world to see. Today, on the 10-year anniversary of Sotloffs death, Marc Marginedasa fellow reporter who was in captivity in Syria, as wellremembers Sotloffs courage, humor, and relentless quest for justice, despite the incredible dangers theyd experienced.

It didnt surprise me to see the expression of acceptance on Steven Sotloffs face. He knew very well his fatethat he was consuming the last instants of his short but productive life. Two weeks before that, he had witnessed James Foleys execution, and he had been presented by the leader of our captors, Mohammed Emwazi, the infamous man that the press called Jihadi John, as the next prisoner to be assassinated. Im sure that you know by now who I am, and why Im appearing before you," he started saying calmly, before repeating the propaganda statement against his country that our captors forced him to read before his demise. But that was Steven, my best friend in captivity in Syria, my dearest and most admired colleague during the hardship. Over six months, I had witnessed how this young and brilliant journalist, 14 years younger than me, had dealt with the harrowing situation he was put in with serenity, efficiency, honesty, and enormous bravery, becoming an example for me and, very likely, for others.

On paper, we didnt have so much in common. He was American, I was European; he was Jewish, I was Catholic. But our bond was based on something more important than ideologies or cultural backgrounds. It was about values. Steven had a strong sense of justice, believed in professional excellency and in establishing links with people with different upbringings, qualities that I deeply admired. And on top of that, he had something that made him very reliable in captivity: He wasnt ready to maximize his chances of survival at the expense of others, something that some people could feel tempted to do in extreme and challenging environments, where the best but also the worst of human nature always surfaces.

In fact, there was a critical moment in mine and Stevens captivity, but one I still remember very clearly. Due to fighting between the Islamic State and the Syrian rebel factions, we had to leave the place that we called The Mansion, a big house that our captors wanted to convert into their version of Guantanamo Bay for its prisoners. We were first sent temporarily to a very precarious and exposed location that we called The Office. The situation was indeed dangerous. There were bombings every day by the Syrian airforce, and we could hear the shootings coming from the battles between the armed militias not so far from us. Our guards were busy fighting, so we were given very little food: a piece of bread and processed cheese in the morning, and a few dates in the evening. We were more hungry than usual.

One night, Steven noticed that one of us took more dates than he was supposed to, a behavior that we had already identified in that particular person in the past. The following night, Steven stood up, went to the centre of the chamber and said that this was not going to happen in that room as long as he was there. He stated in a firm voice that, from then on, the person who delivered the food would make sure that everybody got an equal ration. It was very important that he took this step. Unlike most of us, weakened by months of hunger and deprivation, Steven, an experienced sportsman, was strong and big. With his physical presence, he could deter anybody who was trying to abuse power within the group.

Read More: Murdered Journalist Sought to Give Voice to the Voiceless

Steven Sotloff working from his home in Israel, before he was grabbed working as a journalist at the Turkish border into Syria. Courtesy of the Sotloff family

It was amazing that Steven, a typical guy who liked hanging out with his buddies, enjoyed my sense of humor, which I imagine was very far away from his universe of friends and acquaintances in Miami. But he did, amazingly. I remember how we burst into laughter one afternoon during one of the Spanish sessions that we used to have, so he could keep his brain alive even in captivity and improve his language skills. He couldnt pronounce correctly the word cafe (coffee), and instead he said something like cafey. I told him that Anglo-Saxons, when speaking Spanish, always have problems with stressing the "e," and that he should make an effort to correct that mistake. Otherwise, he would sound like July Andrews singing Shady Dame from Seville in the film Victor Victoria, saying oley instead of ole. We couldnt stop laughing for at least 20 minutes.

All joking aside, Steven dealt with the situation very skillfully. He knew that his religion made him even more of a target in the eyes of our kidnappers. They kept on beating him to force him to confess that he was Jewish, but he remained firm and never lost his facenever told them.

He knew very well what to do in such situations and had learnt the lesson that as a hostage, you shouldnt even share controversial details of your private life with colleagues who could eventually be put under pressure. And indeed he did. He only told me that he was Jewish, holding an Israeli passport as well as an American one, when it was safe for himwhen it was clear that I was going to be the first one to be released after a few days. Later on, I learnt that those times when he told us that he was too sick to eat where the days that he was observing Jewish fasting dates, and that he used to pray subtly, without us noticing it.

I now know where Stevens sense of justice and faith came from. He got it from his parents, Arthur and Shirley, who gaveand are still givingback to journalism despite their 10 years of grief. He got it from being the grandson of Holocaust survivors from Auschwitz, in particular being inspired by his grandmothers Holocaust stories. Through his family, he was encouraged to be the voice for the weaker who had none.

I will never forget Steven. In captivity, I promised him that we always would remain friends. Unfortunately, the only thing I can do for him, his family, and the rest of hostages who died, is to make sure that his and their memory will remain alive. And to ensure that full justice is achieved, not just with the individuals who kept us in jail, but with those murky forces that contributed to the creation and expansion of the Islamic State, a terrorist group that has brought violence and terror worldwide.

For more information about Steven Sotloff, please visit www.2livesfoundation.org.

Contact us at letters@time.com.
The Finnish government has proposed banning most Russian citizens from buying real estate in the country to ensure national security, Reuters reported Sept. 2, citing Finnish Defense Minister Antti Hakkanen.

Relations between Finland and Russia have deteriorated since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. In response to the war, Finland joined NATO in April 2023, extending the NATO-Russian border by roughly 1,340 kilometers (830 miles).

The proposed ban would not apply to dual nationals or Russians permanently residing in Finland or other European Union countries. The restrictions are subject to expert consultation before a parliamentary vote.

"The regulations are aimed at preventing possible hostile influences against Finland," Hakkanen said.

Finland is tracking about 3,500 properties related to Russian owners, Hakkanen said, without providing further details.

Helsinki has been attempting to limit the acquisition of real estate by Russian citizens near strategic facilities, blocking three deals last October and three more in January 2024, according to Reuters.

In 2023, Finland closed all checkpoints on the border with Russia and accused Moscow of weaponizing migration by encouraging migrants from countries like Syria and Somalia to cross the border, an assertion the Kremlin denies.

Helsinki believes Moscow is promoting the crossings in retaliation for Finland joining NATO, which supports Ukraine against Russia's unprovoked war.

Read also: Finland passes law to prevent migrants from crossing border from Russia

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Participants in a demonstration by Kurds and left-wing groups wave the flag of the banned Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK). An official with the banned Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) has been sentenced to four years and three months in prison in Germany. Lukas Schulze/dpa

An official with the banned Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) has been sentenced to four years and three months in prison in Germany.

Hamburg's Hanseatic Higher Regional Court announced on Monday it considered it proven that the man was a member of a terrorist organization abroad.

The 50-year-old Turkish citizen was found to have served the PKK in Germany for more than one and a half years. According to the court, he held the highest-ranking position within the group in Germany.

The accused was arrested in Cyprus in March 2023 on the basis of a European arrest warrant issued by Germany, and legal proceedings against him began in November last year.

The federal public prosecutor's office demanded four and a half years in prison; the defence wanted an acquittal. Monday's judgment is not final.

Germany categorizes the PKK as a foreign terrorist organization responsible for attacks and assassinations in Turkey. It has been prohibited from operating in Germany since 1993.
AMHERST, Mass. (WWLP)  The Amherst Fire Department faced a busy Labor Day weekend with a surge in emergency calls, many related to the return of college students.

Dorm fire at UMass sparks late-night evacuation

Two major incidents over the holiday weekend required the involvement of multiple agencies, including a hiker rescue and a fire in a UMass dormitory.

On Saturday evening, Amherst emergency services received a call involving a woman in her 50s who had become stranded in the rugged terrain of Bare Mountain in the Holyoke Range. The Amherst Communications Center received a 911 call at 7:45 p.m. from the hiker, who reported she had slid down an embankment after going off the trail.

Amherst Police and Fire departments, along with rangers from the Department of Conservation Services (DCR), were able to locate the woman about an hour later. However, due to the challenging landscape, the Western Massachusetts Technical Rescue Team was called to assist. Using ropes and harnesses, the team successfully pulled the hiker back to safety after nearly four hours of effort.

The woman was evaluated by paramedics and found to be in good condition, not requiring medical treatment. The rescue operation involved approximately 20 responders from multiple agencies.

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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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A local TV meteorologist who was arrested and charged with OVI last Thanksgiving is no longer employed by WKYC Studios.

Hollie Strano, who had been with WKYC Channel 3 News for more than 20 years, posted about her termination Monday morning.

"I am sad to share that after 22 plus years of dedicated work, WKYC and Tegna decided to terminate my employment after I shared my recovery journey publicly," Strano stated. "I believe the actions of WKYC and Tegna demonstrate the stigma surrounding addiction that so many in our community experience every day."

Strano pleaded guilty to one count of OVI, a first-degree misdemeanor, after she crashed her car on Akron-Peninsula Road. A Cuyahoga Falls police officer reported she had been going 70 mph in a 35 mph zone. Strano had a blood alcohol level of 0.244%, more than three times the legal limit of 0.08%. Since then, she had made posts about her recovery efforts.

A representative from Tegna, which operates WKYC and is headquartered in Tysons, Virginia, could not be reached for comment.

As well as serving as a meteorologist, she also was a host on WKYC's "GO" morning show and a host on "It's About You."

Reporter April Helms can be reached at ahelms@thebeaconjournal.com

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: WKYC terminates meteorologist Hollie Strano 9 months after OVI arrest
TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras (AP)  An incriminating admission by the brother-in-law of Honduras' president just days after the country announced it would end its longstanding extradition treaty with the U.S. is feeding fears among Hondurans that the country's legacy of corruption is continuing.

President Xiomara Castro had inspired hope when she was elected the Central American nation's first female leader in 2021 on a promise to pull Honduras out of the abyss we have been buried in by neoliberalism, a narco-dictator and corruption.

Despite being married to former President Manuel Zelaya Rosales  ousted in a coup in 2009  she was a breath of fresh air for many Hondurans after the presidency of Juan Orlando Hernandez, who in June was sentenced to 45 years in prison by a U.S. federal court for drug trafficking.

But as gang violence has continued to roil Honduras and several scandals have plagued Castro's government, frustration has replaced that initial optimism for many Hondurans who now see her as the same brand of corrupt leader that has long ruled their country.

We thought that corruption would end with Xiomara Castro, because they were supposed to be different from previous governments, but they have turned out to be the same or worse, said 44-year-old Gabriel Hernandez, who works in marketing in the capital, Tegucigalpa.

The latest blow came this weekend, when Castros brother-in-law, Carlos Zelaya, part of Libres leadership team in the Congress, admitted that he had met with a leader of the drug trafficking organization Los Cachiros in 2013.

Zelaya, brother of the former president, revealed the details to the press when he went to the Public Prosecutors Office on Saturday to give a statement related to an investigation into his alleged links to drug trafficking.

He said the drug trafficker offered support to Libres campaign that year, when Castro made a failed first bid for the presidency. Zelaya explained that at the time, he did not know that people in the meeting were linked with drug trafficking.

Eleven years ago I was invited to participate in a meeting in which there was a group of businessmen who wanted to make a contribution to the campaign, Zelaya said as he left the Public Prosecutors Office. I am convinced that that meeting and everything that happened there was recorded. I fell into a trap, I assume my responsibility.

His admission came just days after Castros foreign affairs minister announced Honduras was ending an extradition treaty with the United States following a spat with an American diplomat. The treaty had been in place for over a century and since 2014, 64 Hondurans have been extradited to the U.S., largely on drug trafficking charges. Among those was former president Hernandez.

I dont think this is a coincidence, I dont think its random ... This is an issue that could be a turning point in Castros presidency, Breda said. Unless Castro steps back and reestablishes the extradition treaty, this move will inevitably be seen as a way to protect their family.

Those suspicions were shared by Hondurans like Hernandez, the marketing worker, who said that even an ordinary person like me" knows that it was not a coincidence.

The discontent may be a major political burden for Castro and her Liberty and Refoundation Party (Libre) in the lead up to next year's elections, said Tiziano Breda, a is a Latin America expert at the conflict analysis organization ACLED. The recent moves by the government weaken the argument that brought Libre to power, which was basically to kick out the corrupt elite that was in cahoots with drug trafficking organizations," he said.

The frustrations among Hondurans coincide with sliding approval numbers for the president. Compounding that discontent is also unemployment, economic turmoil and failures to reduce the level of violence.

Its common for politicians to play these kinds of games, looking for ways to escape justice, not be accountable to the people, to hide their misdeeds and thus continue their legacy of corruption, which ultimately never ends, marketer Hernandez said.

Its not the first time Castro has faced criticism for perceived corruption.

Last year, the director of a Honduran anti-corruption organization fled the country with her family over threats she received after publishing a report on nepotism in the Castro administration. The organization had warned of a concentration of power from government posts going to the children and other relatives of Castro and her husband, the former president.

Carlos Zelayas announcement was followed by another from his son, Honduras Defense Minister Jose Manuel Zelaya Rosales, who tendered his resignation in an effort to ensure no favoritism would be shown to his father.

On Sunday, Castro announced that Zelaya Rosales, her nephew, would be replaced as defense minister by presidential hopeful Rixi Moncada Godoy.

Moncada Godoy will raise our flag high and remind us that our true value lies in dignified, strong and determined people who forge their own destinies, Castro said.



Janetsky reported from Mexico City.
Labor Day celebrates the Labor Movement and workers' rights, but we often forego celebrating those who achieved those rights for usand history points out that sisters were doin' it for themselves. Women by and large led the Labor Movement, organizing unions, leading strikes and, in some cases, even laying down their own lives and livelihoods for the cause. So, in honor of Labor Day on September 2, meet 10 influential women union heroes who will inspire you to achieve inclusion, equality and better conditions, no matter where you work.



Related: When Is Labor Day 2024? How To Celebrate the Long Weekend

10 Most Influential Women Union Heroes in History

1. Dolores Huerta

Dolores Huerta and Fred Ross started the Community Service Organization in Stockton, California, designed to improve the lives of the Latinx community in 1955. Five years later, Huerta co-founded the Agricultural Workers Association, aimed at registering members to vote. In 1962, Huerta co-founded the National Farm Workers Association (later called the United Agricultural Workers Organizing Committee) with Cesar Chavez. In 1965, Huerta and Chavez organized the Delano grape strike, which lasted five years and obtained fair wages and working conditions for farm workers.

Among many other issues, Huerta also lobbied for several initiatives including:

The 1960 bill to permit Spanish-speaking people to take the California driver's test in Spanish

1963 legislation to extend the federal program Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) to ban the pesticide DDT in 1972

California farm workers and the 1975 California Agricultural Labor Relations Act

She's actively fought not just for the rights of workers and Latinx community members, but also for women's rights and political representation.

Related: Labor Day History

2. Addie L. Wyatt

Rev. Addie L. Wyatt was the first African American woman to hold a senior position in the Labor Movement: she was elected President of Local 56 of the Packinghouse Workers (UPWA) in 1954. In 1956, Wyatt and her husband worked alongside Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. fundraising for the Montgomery Improvement Association, and she organized a multi-racial coalition of workers for the UPWA to get equal pay long before the Equal Pay Act passed in 1963. President John F. Kennedy appointed Wyatt to his Commission on the Status of Women in 1962, and a year later co-founded the National Organization of Women. She co-founded the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists (CBTU) in 1972 and the Coalition of Labor Union Women in 1974, and throughout the rest of that decade was chair of the Coalition of the CBTU's National Women's Committee.

3. Elizabeth Gurley Flynn

Elizabeth Gurley Flynn organized for the Industrial Workers of the World, supporting New York restaurant workers, Pennsylvania garment workers, New Jersey silk weavers, Massachusetts textile workers and miners across several states. Flynn fought for free speech, women's suffrage and birth control and was one of the founding members of the American Civil Liberties Union. She was arrested numerous times throughout her life, largely due to her protest activities as well as involvement with the Communist Party, and served two years in prison, which she chronicled in The Alderson Story: My Life as a Political Prisoner.



Related: Should You Expect USPS Mail Delivery on Labor Day?

4. Pauline Newman

Pauline Newman was the first woman organizer appointed to the International Ladies Garment Workers Union (ILGWU), organizing a 20,000-deep strike in 1909. She worked with the union for over 70 years as an advocate and activist for not just the Labor Movement, but also for suffrage (especially working class) and tenants' rights. Newman worked closely with Eleanor Roosevelt in efforts to improve the lives of women. She stood up for workers at the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory, famously writing in a letter about their timed bathroom breaks and 12-hour days, "All we knew was the bitter fact that after working 70 or 80 hours in a seven-day week, we did not earn enough to keep body and soul together."



In 1923, Newman founded the Union Health Center in New York City, where she focused most of her efforts for the next 60 years, but she didn't stop there: The U.S. Department of State and Labor enlisted Newman to review German post-war factory conditions after World War II, and she served as a consultant to the U.S. Public Health Service for President Harry Truman's presidency.



Related: 125 Labor Day Weekend Instagram Captions To Let the Good Times Roll

5. Lucy Gonzales Parsons

Born into slavery in Texas, labor activist and outstanding orator Lucy Gonzalez Parsons was once described as "more dangerous than a thousand rioters." She and her white socialist husband, Albert Parsons, were often at risk of racist attacks and violence. They fled to Chicago to pursue a safer life there, where they participated in the first May Day Parade in 1886demanding an eight-hour workdayand the Haymarket Affair. Albert was arrested, convicted and sentenced to death for his alleged participation in the Haymarket bombings, even though he and the others convicted were never actually proven to be involved. Lucy continued her activism after his death, writing for a number of pro-labor publications and becoming one of only two women co-founders of the International Workers of the World Union.



Related: Wait, Are Banks Open on Labor Day?

6. Clara Lemlich

Clara Lemlich was a key figure in the women's Labor movement. She immigrated to the United States just six years earlier, fleeing antisemitism in Ukraine, and worked at a shirtwaist factory in New York for meager wages. She joined the International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union (ILGWU) when she was 17 and wrote passionate editorials and organized a series of strikes to improve working conditions, often risking her life in the process: She was once hospitalized after being badly beaten at a picket line.



In November 1909, Lemlich led the Uprising of the 20,000 in New York City, a strike lasting months, with a rousing speech in her native Yiddish: "I am a working girl, one of those who are on strike against intolerable conditions. I am tired of listening to speakers who talk in general terms. What we are here for is to decide whether we shall strike or shall not strike. I offer a resolution that a general strike be declared now." She and 15,000 others marched the following day and won concessions from several factories for higher wages and shorter work days.

7. Ai-Jen Poo

Ai-Jen Poo is the co-founder of the National Domestic Workers Alliance. She began organizing domestic workers in 1996 and established Domestic Workers United (DWU), which focused on domestic workers' rights for women of color. DWU pushed New York to enact the Domestic Workers Bill of Rights, granting domestic workers three days of paid leave, overtime pay and legal protections from discrimination and harassment in 2010.

8. Mother Jones

Mother Jones, born Mary G. Harris, was an Irish-Catholic immigrant. She started her career as a teacher at a Michigan convent, then left for Chicago and Memphis, where she married husband and National Union of Iron Moulders organizer, George E. Jones, in 1861. In 1867, George and all of his and Mary's children died of yellow fever. She returned to Chicago and worked as a dressmaker, but faced more hardship when she lost her home and all of her possessions in the Great Chicago Fire in 1871.



Inspired by efforts to rebuild Chicago after the disaster, Mary Jones joined the Knights of Labor and began organizing workers' strikes, some of which were deadly at the hands of police. The Knights of Labor dissolved after the Haymarket Affair, at which point Jones led strikes for the United Mine Workers union and often got workers' wives and children to march in protests. In 1903, after adopting her "Mother Jones" moniker, she led the "Children's Crusade" march of child mine workers from Philadelphia to then-President Theodore Roosevelt's home in Oyster Bay, New York, and continued her union activism until her death in 1930.

9. Luisa Moreno

Guatemalan immigrant Luisa Moreno worked as a seamstress to support her family during the Great Depression and organized a garment workers' union for herself and her colleagues, most of whom were also Latina. In 1935, she began working as an organizer for the American Federation of Labor and unionized cigar rollers, most of whom were people of color. She joined the Congress of Industrial Organizations and became editor of the Spanish-language United Cannery, Agricultural, Packing, and Allied Workers of America (UCAPAWA) newspaper in 1940. While working for the UCAPAWA, she organized pecan shellers and cannery workers in several states, taking a year off to organize El Congreso de Pueblos de Hablan Espanola (The Spanish-Speaking People's Congress).



Moreno organized tirelessly for the rights of migrant workers, saying in one speech, "These people are not aliens. They have contributed their endurance, sacrifices, youth and labor to the Southwest. Indirectly, they have paid more taxes than all the stockholders of California's industrialized agriculture, the sugar companies and the large cotton interests, that operate or have operated with the labor of Mexican workers." She fought discrimination against Hispanic and Latinx workers in the defense industry, as well as police brutality. She was deported in 1950 amid Operation Wetback, which targeted Mexican and Latin Americans, especially labor activists.

10. Hattie Canty

What happened in Vegas didn't stay in Vegas, and thank goodness for that: Hattie Canty was a labor activist in Las Vegas who led a 75-day strike of casino workers determined to achieve better conditions and health insurance benefits through the Las Vegas Hotel and Culinary Workers Union Local 226. She became president of the union in 1990 and led several more strikes, including a 1991 strike of 550 workers at New Frontier Hotel and Gambling Hall that was the longest ever, clocking in at six and a half years.

Canty also led efforts to increase training and education for workers, as well as for fair and living wages, as well as encouraging people of color to seek socioeconomic advancement and workplace equality.

Up Next:

Related: 10 Great Films that Celebrate American Working Class Heroes for Labor Day
The operation of the Ukrainian Armed Forces in the Kursk region is fulfilling its tasks and is going according to plan. And it may affect the situation in Donbas.

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This was stated by President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy during his working visit to Zaporizhzhia. He stated that the situation in the Pokrovsk and Toretsk directions is currently difficult.

"The Kursk operation is fulfilling its tasks and is going according to plan. As for the difficulties in the Pokrovsk and Toretsk directions, we believe that the Kursk operation may also have an impact on this. There may be a decrease in the aggravation due to a reduction in the number of Russian troops. But so far, it is difficult there," Zelenskyy said.

The President added that it was in this direction that the most combat-ready Russian brigades have always been concentrated. For Russian dictator Vladimir Putin, the complete occupation of Donbas has been the main goal since the beginning of the war.

"This has always been the main goal  Donbas, the complete total occupation of Donbas. There has been no progress there for two days. This is what the chief of the army reported to me," the president said.

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As a reminder, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy came to Zaporizhzhia on a working visit with Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof. They discussed important steps to strengthen the defense and development of the region.

As reported by OBOZ.UA, Zelenskyy offered the Netherlands to take patronage of Zaporizhzhia, which includes support in rebuilding infrastructure, humanitarian aid, and ensuring normal life in the face of war. During the trip, the President of Ukraine and the Prime Minister of the Netherlands also discussed the supply of new air defense systems and missiles for F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine.

Only verified information on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
The Horrifying Aftermath of A Man and His Pit Bull Being Asked to Leave a Pizza Shop

A typical, slow evening shift this month inside a Manhattan pizzeria turned into a nightmare after a defiant customer refused to take his pit bull outside. Believe me whatever you think happened, what really happened was worse.



The scene unfolded at the Roma Pizza shop on 5th Avenue in the Flatiron District. NYPD officials say the evening of Aug. 19, 35-year-old Tyshaun Watson entered the restaurant with his pit bull, who wasnt on a leash. One Roma employee tells PIX11 Watson refused to leave when the evening manager, Zack, asked according to the New York City law that prohibits dogs in public places to be unleashed. The two then got into a heated argument.

Due to sanitation laws, there are no pets allowed in the store. Apparently, told him to go eat outside and the guy took it personal, they said.

The argument quickly turned into a physical altercation. Police said surveillance camera footage captured Watson dragging the manager outside the pizzeria, slamming his body onto the ground and punching him repeatedly. He then took a break before returning to kick Zack in the head several times, authorities said.

Where was the K-9 during this ordeal, you ask? Police say Watsons pit bull joined the fight, jumping on top of the manager and biting him all over his body. The incident left Zack with life-threatening injuries. Authorities said he was in critical condition at the time he was rushed to Bellevue Hospital and had to be intubated.

While Zack fights for his life in the hospital, Watson is about to fight for his life in the courts after being charged with first-degree assault and second-degree attempted murder. While headed to court Tuesday, Watson told reporters with The New York Post he was sorry for his actions and that he didnt mean to do it.

My thoughts and prayers go out to the victim. I wish him a speedy recovery, said Watson.

Oh! And his dog was taken by the NYPD.

For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
The bodies of five attendees of the Supernova Festival, which Hamas attacked on Oct. 7 igniting the Israel-Hamas war, were recovered on Saturday, Israel officials said on Sunday, the Associated Press reports. The body of a sixth hostage was also recovered. The news sparked protests across Israel on Sunday.

Among those killed were Israeli-American Hersh Goldberg-Polin, 23, who attended the festival; Eden Yerushalmi, 24, who was bartending the event; Alexander Lobanov, 33, served as a bar manager during the festival; Almog Sarusi, 27, attended the festival with his girlfriend, who was killed during the attack; and Ori Danino, 25, who was kidnapped while driving back to help others escape. Carmel Gat, 40, was also killed; Gat had been abducted from a nearby community after militants broke into her parents home where she was staying and kidnapped her the day of the festival; her parents were killed in the attack.

Israeli forces were working to rescue the hostages, but they had been killed by Hamas and their bodies were found in an underground tunnel in the Gaza city of Rafah, the military said. Israel Defense Forces spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said (via Axios) the hostages were killed shortly before IDF forces reached them.

The news of the killing of the hostages has sparked protests in Israel, with tens of thousands taking to the streets of Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, and other cities on Sunday, calling for the release of the remaining hostages. Protesters accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his government of not doing enough to secure a cease-fire deal to save the remaining hostages.

Meanwhile, Israels largest labor union, Histadrut, has called for a nationwide general strike to begin on Monday to call for a hostage deal.

President Joe Biden addressed the death of Israeli-American Goldberg-Polin on Saturday. I am devastated and outraged. Hersh was among the innocents brutally attacked while attending a music festival for peace in Israel on October 7, Biden said in a statement. He lost his arm helping friends and strangers during Hamas savage massacre. He had just turned 23. He planned to travel the world.

Goldberg-Polins parents, Rachel Goldberg-Polin and Jon Polin, began advocating for the captives release days after the festival massacre. Their impassioned plea was one of the most stirring moments at the Democratic National Convention last month, where they called for the release of hostages, including eight American citizens, and for a cease-fire deal that ends the suffering of the innocent civilians in Gaza.

On Sunday, the family confirmed the news of Hershs death in a statement: 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.

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Bryan, Tx (FOX 44)  A 23-year-old Houston man was being held in the Brazos County Jail Monday following a Saturday morning kidnapping incident during which gunshots were fired at a Bryan police officer.

Kevin Alexander Henriquez was hit by return fire from one officer and was treated for a gunshot wound before being transported to the jail.

Officers were called to an apartment complex in the 600 block of South Ennis at 1:35 a.m. Saturday on a report of a kidnapping in progress. At 2:44 a.m. as they searched the complex they encountered a man holding a firearm while controlling the victim. Multiple shots were fired at one officer who returned fire, hitting the man. Despite his wound, the suspect was able to flee, get to his vehicle and drive away. The vehicle was found in the 800 block of South Texas Avenue at 2:58 a.m. Police got the vehicle stopped and a man identified as Kevin Alexander Henriquez was taken into custody. He was treated for his wound at a local hospital, then cleared for transport and taken to the Brazos County Jail.

The victim received minor injuries but did not require medical treatment.

The officer who returned fire during the incident received minor injuries related to the gunfire that did not require medical treatment.

The officer has been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of an investigation being conducted by Texas Rangers. Bryan police are handling the kidnapping and assault incident.

Henriquez remained in the Brazos County Jail Monday on charges of aggravated kidnapping with a deadly weapon, aggravated assault against a public servant, and assault causing bodily injury family violence. His bond was set at a total of $380,000.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KWKT - FOX 44.
NEW YORK (PIX11)  Hundreds of people gathered in different parts of New York City after six hostages were found dead in Gaza Saturday. The pressure is on for a cease-fire agreement.

Authorities in Israel said the six hostages were killed just before getting rescued by Israeli forces.

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Grief, anger, and frustration, following the discovery of six bodies of hostages in Gaza Saturday, captured during the October 7th attack by Hamas.

Seal the deal, save people, more important than anything else in the world. Devastated just absolutely devastated. Feel like they couldve been saved, they shouldve been saved and we failed, said Leat Corinne Unger, one of the many individuals who gathered in Central Park Sunday morning.

According to the Israeli military, the bodies of two women and four men were recovered from a tunnel beneath the Gaza city of Rafah. Among them, is American-Israeli Hersh Goldberg-Polin.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated Israel will hold Hamas accountable for killing the hostages in cold blood. He also blamed Hamas for the delayed ceasefire negotiations and added Whoever murders hostages doesnt want a deal.

Biden speaks with Netanyahu as US prods Israel and Hamas to come to agreement on cease-fire deal

But loved ones of those that have been murdered and of those who remain in captivity, are saying this latest tragedy couldve been prevented if a cease-fire agreement had been reached.

I cried last night in bed when I saw their names. Bibi keeps saying it is bad. He doesnt care because if he did those six people would be alive today, stated the uncle of one of the hostages.

Sunday evening, outside of the Israeli consulate, six candles were lit, in a memorial to the 6 hostages found dead.

They were shot in different parts of their body. They were brutalized. This is what Hamas is all about, brutalization, barbarism, Said Dov Hikind from Americans Against Antisemitism 2:19

According to authorities in Israel, 101 hostages are believed to remain in captivity, including 35 who are thought to be dead.

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After six of the hostages kidnapped by Hamas last year were found executed in Gaza on Sunday, hundreds of Americans gathered at Los Angeles Nova exhibit to pay their respects.

Five of the six hostages  Hersh Goldberg-Polin, Ori Danino, Carmel Gat, Alexander Lobanov, Almog Sarusi and Eden Yerushalmi  were taken from the Israeli music festival on Oct. 7, 2023.

Rabbi Joel Nickerson led the Sunday night memorial that featured Scooter Braun and Noa Tishby as guest speakers. Cindy Crawford, Eve Barlow, WME agent Brad Slater and Stranger Things star Brett Gelman were among those in attendance.

Nova Exhibit, Los Angeles (Jeff Lorch Photography)

The six hostages were murdered by Hamas terrorists with several close-range gunshots, Israeli health ministry spokesperson Shira Solomon told Agence France-Presse on Sunday, as IDF spokesperson Daniel Hagari said, According to our initial estimation, they were brutally murdered by Hamas terrorists a short time before we reached them.

Meanwhile, Hamas blamed Israel for the deaths, noting that three of the hostages were supposed to be released as part of the failed July 2 cease-fire agreement.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a taped statement, adding, 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 Aug. 16  we agreed, and Hamas again refused.

However, the volunteer-run Hostages Families Forum had its own response, telling Netanyahu to stop blaming everyone and to take responsibility for the thwarting [of a deal.] Take responsibility for the neglect. Take responsibility for the hostages who were murdered in captivity.

Today, The Families will Bring the Nation to a Halt As Foot-Dragging Continues, Hostages Are Dying After 11 months of neglect of 107 hostages, the Hostages Families Forum call on the public to join a massive demonstration, demanding a complete halt of the country and the immediate implementation of a deal to release the hostages, fellow organization Bring Them Home Now urged. Today, the entire nation will stand alongside the hostages families to protest the cabinets ongoing neglect of the hostages. They will also call upon leaders of the world to exert all possible pressure on Hamas to sign the deal.

Nova Exhibit, Los Angeles (Jeff Lorch Photography)

The Oct. 7 memorial exhibition, 06:29 am  The Moment Music Stood Still, originally launched with a 10-week run in Tel Aviv. It was subsequently brought to California in August by U.S. partners Braun, Rebel founder Joe Teplow and former Alphasense exec Josh Kadden after three months in New York City.

Braun said at the time that the exhibit will help pay tribute, heal and find a community amongst each other after the death of more than 370 concertgoers and the abduction of 44 more from the festival, part of the estimated 1,200 killed in the attacks. Our hope is that opening in L.A. gives an opportunity for people of all views and communities to come together as one. We refuse to stay in the darkness. We will stand in the light and we will dance again.

The post Hundreds Gather at LAs Nova Exhibit to Honor Israeli Hostages Executed by Hamas appeared first on TheWrap.
SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI)  Hundreds of unionized hotel workers at the Hilton San Diego Bayfront in downtown walked off the job over the weekend as negotiations for their latest contract have hit an impasse.

The union representing the Hilton staff, UNITE HERE Local 30, says its demands for living wages and measures to improve working conditions and workloads have not yet been met by the latest contract offers.

Union members voted almost unanimously to strike last week, ahead of their previous agreements expiration on Saturday, Aug. 31.

Whats closed Labor Day in San Diego?

We havent been getting any answers, weve been frustrated, because every time they come to the table they dont give us nothing, Cynthia Lopez, a housekeeper at Hilton Bayfront, said on Sunday. Were going to be out here as long as we can  striking until we get what we need.

The over 700 striking workers at the downtown hotel, which include bellhops, dishwashers, housekeepers, front desk agents, cooks, servers and bartenders, are among thousands of hotel workers across eight cities nationwide who walked off the job over the weekend.

Similar grievances are at the center of each of the strikes for the workers, who argue chronic staffing shortages amid cost-cutting efforts at many of the major hotel chains have saddled staff with unmanageable workloads.

Some workers have also had hours slashed in spite of the industrys rebound from the pandemic, limiting their income.

Our members cant live in San Diego on what theyre being paid, Bridget Browning, president of UNITE HERE Local 30, said on Sunday. They just cant survive the way things are going, between rent and groceries and all their other bills.

According to Browning, some of their lowest-paid members earn around $24 per hour  a wage she says does not go very far in San Diego, especially for those with families to support.

They have two decisions to make, fight for a better contract or go get a second job. It isnt fair to ask workers to work 80 hours a week just to be able to live in San Diego, she continued.

In a statement to FOX 5/KUSI, a Hilton spokesperson said that its negotiating team remains committed to reach a fair and reasonable agreement that is beneficial to both our valued Team Members and to our hotels.

Long-term agreement reached for San Onofre State Beach

According to UNITE HERE, a total of 15,000 workers have voted to authorize strikes across the U.S. at two dozen Hyatt, Hilton, Marriott and Omni locations so far. More are anticipated to join in the coming days as contract talks continue to stall.

With these strikes, the union hopes to build on recent success with collective bargaining efforts in Los Angeles and Orange County over the last year that won workers significant wage hikes, increased employer contributions to pensions and guarantees for a fair workload.

Under the latest contracts won by UNITE HERE, some roles will see wages get pushed to upwards of $35 an hour by July 2027.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News.
Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Rafael Grossi speaks during a press conference at the German Foreign Office. Wolfgang Kumm/dpa

The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Grossi, is travelling to Kiev again on Tuesday.

He will also visit the Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant in the south-east of the country, the IAEA announced in Vienna on Monday.

Europe's largest nuclear plant has been controlled and occupied by Russia since 2022. The facility has been the target of repeated attacks and acts of sabotage for which Moscow and Kiev trade blame.

Grossi said in mid-August that the security situation was "deteriorating." He spoke after a blast in the immediate vicinity of the plant, which IAEA experts believe was caused by a drone with an explosive charge.
KYIV (Reuters) - Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Monday that he will meet the head of the international nuclear agency in Kyiv after the official visits the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant that has been in Russia's hands since early in the war.

Rafael Grossi, director of the International Atomic Energy Agency nuclear watchdog, said late on Monday in a post on X that he was on his way to the plant to "to continue our assistance & help prevent a nuclear accident."

The plant in Ukraine's southeast - Europe's largest nuclear power plant and now in "cold shutdown" - fell to Russian troops in the first days of Moscow's full-scale invasion in 2022.

Both sides have since frequently accused each other of shelling the plant and both Moscow and Kyiv deny the accusations.

Zelenskiy and Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof visited Zaporizhzhia on Monday, a city that lies across the Dnipro's wide riverbed to the northeast of the plant, where the Ukrainian leader repeated his pleas for the West to supply more long-range weaponry to Kyiv.

Zelenskiy said that after Grossi visits the plant, he is set to come to Kyiv for a meeting with the Ukrainian leader, according to a video from Zelenskiy's office on social media.

He also said that at this point of the war, it is not possible for Ukraine to take back control of the plant.

"It is safer for Ukraine to control the Zaporizhzhia plant, but so far, from the point of view of the battlefield, I do not see such possibilities, and those that probably exist, they are dangerous," Zelenskiy said.

Russian agencies reported on Monday that a high-voltage power supply line at the plant automatically disconnected, but the plant's needs are supplied from another line. There was no reason given for the automatic disconnection.

(Reporting by Oleksandr Kozhukhar in Kyiv and Lidia Kelly in Melbourne; Writing by Lidia Kelly; Editing by Cynthia Osterman)
Identities released for 7 passengers who died after bus carrying 43 people crashed in MS

Authorities have released the identities of the seven people who died after a bus crashed in Warren County.

On Saturday, a 2018 Volvo Commercial Passenger bus filled with 41 passengers and two drivers overturned on Interstate 20 West near Bovina shortly after 12:30 a.m. The crash resulted in the death of seven people and injured 30 others.

The Mississippi Highway Patrol reported Regiomontanos Autobuuse, the bus company, was en route from Atlanta to Dallas. The National Transportation Safety Board attributed the crash to a left tire of the bus failing, which caused the bus to wreck.

Mississippi Highway Patrol officials released Monday the following identities of the victims who died:

Miguel Arriaga, 61 of Mexico

Victor A. Garcia, 32 of Mexico

Moises A. Garcia, 31 of Mexico

Kain Gutierrez, 8 of Mexico

Perla Gutierrez, 16 of Mexico

Elia Guzman, 63 of Mexico

Angelica Palomino, 16 of Mexico

Kain Gutierrez, 8, died at Merit Health in Vicksburg, while the other six victims were pronounced dead at the scene, according to MHP. Dozens of other passengers who were injured were transported to a local hospital for treatment.

A passenger bus crashed in Warren County on Saturday, killing seven passengers and injuring dozens more.

More on: Seven dead in I-20 MS bus crash between Vicksburg and Jackson

National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) member Todd Inman said during a briefing on Sunday, the agency will be in Mississippi for at least a week to investigate the crash, along with MHP and the Mississippi Commercial Transportation Enforcement Division.

According to Inman, the NTSB expects to release a preliminary report about the crash within 30 days. A final report by the agency is expected to be completed within 12 to 24 months.

This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Mississippi bus crash overturn left 7 dead, identities released
The European Union expects Mongolia to fulfill its obligations under the current arrest warrant for Russian dictator Vladimir Putin, who is scheduled to visit the country on September 3. The EU reminds that Mongolia is a state party to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court.

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This position was voiced at a briefing on September 2 by Nabila Massrali, a representative of the EU External Action Service. "Mongolia is a state party to the Rome Statute of the ICC. Given the legal obligations it entails, we expressed our concern about the visit (of Putin  Ed.) and clearly stated the position of the ICC through our delegation in Mongolia," she said.

According to the diplomat, "of course, the European Union supports" the ICC prosecutor's investigation in Ukraine and calls on all participating states "to cooperate fully."

Nabila Massrali said that the EU is aware of Putin's planned visit to Mongolia.

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"Mongolia, like all other countries, has the right to develop its international relations in accordance with its interests. However, Putin is subject to an arrest warrant issued by the ICC for the illegal deportation and transfer of thousands of Ukrainian children from the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine to Russia," the EU representative said.

The international human rights organization Human Rights Watch (HRW) also made a statement about Putin's intentions to visit Mongolia. They said that Ulaanbaatar should ban the dictator from entering the country or arrest him if he does.

Human rights activists recalled that the dictator has been wanted by the ICC since March 17, 2023, when an arrest warrant was issued for him and the Russian Presidential Commissioner for Children's Rights Maria Lvova-Belova for war crimes related to the illegal deportation and illegal transfer of children from the occupied regions of Ukraine to the Russian Federation.

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"Mongolia will violate its international obligations as a member of the ICC if it allows Russian President Vladimir Putin to visit the country without arresting him," said Maria Elena Vignoli, HRW's senior international justice adviser.

As OBOZ.UA reported, earlier the Kremlin said that Putin would go to Mongolia to celebrate the 85th anniversary of the victory of Soviet and Mongolian troops over the Japanese army near the Khalkhin Gol River. He must be arrested there, as Mongolia ratified the Rome Statute of the ICC in 2002.

However, according to Bloomberg, Putin's visit to Mongolia will take place without the threat of arrest, as Ulaanbaatar has assured Moscow that it will not detain the Kremlin leader.

Mykhailo Podoliak, an adviser to the head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, also expressed doubts about the likelihood of Putin's arrest in Mongolia. He warned that this threatens to completely nullify the ICC's reputation, and Putin is doing this deliberately.

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Recently, Mexico, which is a party to the Rome Statute, invited Putin to the inauguration of its new president, Claudia Sheinbaum, on October 1. Ukraine and the EU have called on Mexico to arrest the dictator if he arrives.

Earlier, Swiss President Viola Amherd said that Putin would not be arrested in her country if he came to the next Peace Summit and that they were ready to make an exception for the sake of negotiations on the war in Ukraine.

Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
Illinois man arrested after going 140 miles per hour during 11-mile-long pursuit in Wisconsin

LODI, Wis. (WFRV)  Authorities in central Wisconsin say an Illinois man was arrested after he allegedly led deputies on an 11-mile-long pursuit and reached speeds of 140 miles per hour.

According to a release from the Columbia County Sheriffs Office, Deputies were monitoring traffic near I90-94 and Highway 78 in Caledonia Township when at 9:15 p.m. they saw a black 2023 Dodge Charger SRT Scat Pack pass them and begin to accelerate at a speed well over the posted 70 miles per hour speed limit.

Standout UW-Whitewater gymnast shot to death at off-campus apartment, man arrested

As the suspect vehicle was heading east on I90-94, deputies attempted to conduct a traffic stop on the vehicle which refused to stop leading to a pursuit.

Officials say the pursuit went on for 11 miles with the driver reaching speeds up to 140 miles per hour before exiting onto Highway 60 and heading west towards the City of Lodi.

The pursuit was brought to a halt after an officer with the Lodi Police Department successfully deployed a tire deflation device on Highway 60 near Lindsay Road.

The vehicle came to a stop and both people inside were ordered out and arrested with the adult passenger later being released.

Green Bay Metro Fire Department receives $755,000+ Assistance to Firefighters Grant

As for the driver, deputies say 48-year-old Pedro Cortina of Park Ridge, Illinois was arrested and is being held on the following charges:

Fleeing/ Eluding (Felony)

2nd Degree Reckless Endangering Safety (Felony)

Officials add that Cortina was also issued several additional traffic citations for this incident.

Fleeing/Eluding law enforcement in the State of Wisconsin is a felony offense. The Columbia County Sheriffs Office has zero tolerance for this behavior and has made it a priority to locate, arrest, and charge suspects that attempt to flee from law enforcement and endanger the public. The Columbia County Sheriffs Office

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFRV Local 5 - Green Bay, Appleton.
Updated, Sept. 3

Just weeks after Massachusetts attorneys flagged two school districts for allegedly denying newcomer students their legal right to an education, researchers examining Oregon and Michigan state data found that English learners were less likely than other students to be enrolled in the core classes they need to graduate.

Both of these issues were called out in a June undercover investigation by The 74 that revealed rampant enrollment discrimination against older immigrant students. These newer findings show many such barriers remain in various parts of the country.

Boston-based Lawyers for Civil Rights and Massachusetts Advocates for Children asked the state attorney generals office on Aug. 28 to investigate Saugus Public Schools for practices they say single out immigrant children: The school system currently bars entry to students whose families did not complete the annual town census.

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While local census data collection is mandatory in Massachusetts, lawyers say it cant be tied to student enrollment.

With school starting in Saugus this week and the School Committee digging in its heels, it is imperative that the Attorney General intervene, Erika Richmond Walton, an attorney with Lawyers for Civil Rights, said in a statement last week. No child in Massachusetts should be denied the right to an education based on exclusionary policies.

In an earlier interview, attorneys said that the district also applies overly-stringent residency and proof-of-identity requirements that make it difficult for children  especially immigrants  to register, violating their rights under federal and state law.

A spokesperson for the attorney generals office did not respond to requests for comment.

Saugus Public Schools, 11 miles north of Boston, served 2,462 students in 2023, up from 2,297 two years earlier. In the 2023-24 school year, English was not the first language of 31% of Saugus students and 13% of students were classified as English learners. The district was 29.6% Hispanic in the 2022-23 school year, slightly higher than the state at 24.2%.

Related

Hundreds of High Schools Wrongfully Refused Entry to Older, Immigrant Student

The 74s enrollment investigation also found that some school personnel who were willing to admit an older immigrant student wanted to severely limit his participation, including allowing him to take only ESL classes. Researchers in Oregon looked at the practice they call exclusionary tracking in their own state and Michigan.

Source: English Learners Access to Core Content study based on Oregon and Michigan state education department data. Note: All Core indicates students enrolled in English Language Arts, math, science and social studies.

Analyzing statewide data from the 2013-14 to 2018-19 school years, they found that just 55% of English learners in Oregon were enrolled in all the required core classes compared to 69% of those students who had graduated from the English learner program and 67% who were never enrolled in it.

In Michigan, 66% of English learners were enrolled in all of the core classes compared to 71% of former English learner students and those who were never enrolled in the program, according to the most recently available statewide data from the 2011-12 to 2014-15 school years. Under federal law, public schools must ensure that English learners can participate meaningfully and equally in educational programs, including having access to grade-level curricula so they can be promoted and graduate.

Researchers said race and socioeconomics were critical factors in exclusionary tracking, noting that English learners in Oregon were more likely to take standalone English language development classes and live in poverty than those in Michigan.

The scope of the problem is pretty large, said Ilana Umansky, an associate professor at the University of Oregon who co-wrote the report. Its so important that kids can get through high school and graduate with a regular diploma.

Immigrant advocate Adam Strom called the actions in all three states an outrage.

Exclusionary tracking and denial of registration for immigrant students not only violate their legal rights, he said, but also rob the entire school community of the rich cultural and intellectual contributions these students offer.

Unwelcome to America

Senior reporter Jo Napolitano spent nearly a year and a half calling 630 high schools around the country trying to enroll a 19-year-old newcomer whose education had been interrupted after the ninth grade. Napolitano posed as the students aunt and told schools Hector Guerrero had recently arrived in their district from Venezuela with limited English skills.

Hector was turned away 330 times, including more than 200 denials in the 35 states and the District of Columbia where he had a legal right to attend based on his age.

Those who refused our test student predicted that he would not graduate, a factor that should not have played a part in such a decision, several state education department officials said. Thirteen states and three major cities have now said they are taking action to bolster newcomer students educational rights as a result of The 74s reporting.

Three schools in Massachusetts, where students have a right to attend until age 21, denied our test student and two more said they were likely to. Education officials there told The 74 last month they would call those districts to discuss the findings, but planned no other statewide corrective measures.

Related

States Move to Correct Enrollment Discrimination After The 74s Investigation

Saugus schools Superintendent Michael Hashems secretary, Dianne Vargas, handles enrollment in the North Shore district. She told The 74 last week that its policies are lawful and that shes in regular contact with the state education department and state attorney generals office.

She maintained that the requirement that (f)amilies who move to Saugus must complete the Town of Saugus census to be eligible to register their children is waived for incoming immigrant students and that the rules were in place before August 2023, when the attorneys say they were adopted.

But, she said, the district does require other forms of paperwork  all meant to protect these students welfare.

We want to make sure they are with a parent or guardian  that they actually have someone who is caring for them so we dont have doubling up and people arent passing children around, she said. We have a good amount of scattered living or sheltered students who are refugees or migrants and they cannot be left without guardianship. We have a translator  we have everything up to date and make sure these people feel welcome.

She said her office asks for  but does not require  a birth certificate and medical records. But Diana I. Santiago, a senior attorney and director at Massachusetts Advocates for Children, said Sauguss enrollment policies effectively barred at least two immigrant families from enrolling their children in a timely manner, resulting in substantial time out of school.

The enrollment policy warns that parents, guardians or any others who violate or assist in violation of this policy by submitting false documentation, aiding, abetting or conspiring to admit a child as a student of Saugus Public Schools, shall be subject to all applicable criminal and civil penalties.

It also pledges that if a students family moves out of the district during the school year, that students immigration records required by law, shall be transferred immediately to the school in the city or town where they are residing.

Related

What Barring Immigrant Students from School Would Mean for Them  & the Country

Its unclear why the district would be in possession of a students immigration records. Schools cannot, under federal law, turn away students based on their immigration status, although conservative forces are now looking to challenge those protections. At an Aug. 30 Moms for Liberty gathering, GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump said the country is being poisoned and that immigrant students are going into the classrooms and taking disease, and they dont even speak English.

Closing doors

Santiago described the language used throughout Sauguss enrollment policy  including terms like legal residents and immigration paperwork  as coded and meant to target the citys growing immigrant community.

Diana I. Santiago, senior attorney Massachusetts Advocates for Children (Massachusetts Advocates for Children)

Its just inserted there as another way to try to keep students out, especially immigrant students, she said.

Massachusetts is generally considered a national leader in education. The state attorney generals current guidance to school districts on its website said its critical they ensure that all children residing in their jurisdictions have equal access to public education by allowing them to enroll and attend school without regard to race, national origin, or immigration or citizenship status. They must also avoid information requests that have the purpose or effect of discouraging or denying access to school based on those factors.

In another Bay State case that set off alarms in late July, Norfolk Town Administrator Justin Casanova-Davis said a change in the states emergency shelter system meant children temporarily housed at one location will not be enrolled in Norfolk Public Schools or the King Philip Regional School District. After pushback from immigrant advocates, he reversed the statement.

The 74s investigation revealed a litany of ways that districts make enrollment arduous or unwelcoming for immigrant students. A principal in Green River, Wyoming, said our test student could be admitted but wouldnt get to participate in extracurriculars, while a Caldwell, Idaho, principal said he would maybe allow him to enroll in math and science classes, but not English or history.

The Oregon researchers said the practice of keeping English learners out of core classes is significant and undermines Lau v. Nichols, a pivotal 1974 Supreme Court case that requires districts to meet their students language needs.

Umansky and co-author Karen D. Thompson, associate professor at Oregon State University, have spent years researching educational inequity for English learners.

Thompson said exclusionary tracking goes against high schools mission to graduate students college and career ready. Improved teacher training, added instructional time and an adequate number of school counselors, they said, can boost student access.

We want students who are classified as English learners to be able to learn and thrive and have all of the opportunities they can, she said. If their access to core content is restricted, some future doors might be closed to them.
Tourists sits inside a Tuk Tuk in the streets of Madrid. The number of international tourists arriving in Spain reached its highest figure in the first seven months of 2024, touching 53.4 million, an increase of 12% over the previous year, according to data from the National Statistics Institute (INE). Jesus Hellin/EUROPA PRESS/dpa

Spain is being visited by more people from abroad this year than ever before, despite the increasing protests against mass tourism in the country.

The national statistics authority INE said in Madrid on Monday that by July 31, the number of visitors had risen by around 12% compared with the same period last year, to a record of almost 53.4 million.

Spending by tourists and business travellers increased by almost 19% to around 71.1 billion. In July alone, Spain was visited by 10.9 million people from abroad, 7.3% more than in July 2023, according to INE.

They spent more than 15.5 billion in the country, almost 12% or 1.7 billion higher than the previous year, which was a record high for July.

Once again, visitors from Britain were mainly responsible for the records, with a total of 10.5 million visitors between January 1 and July 31, up 8.6% from the same period last year.

This was followed by the French, with more than seven million (up 10.6%), and Germans with 6.8 million (up 10.1%).

The most visited region was Catalonia with almost 11.5 million, ahead of the Balearic Islands (just over 8.7 million), the Canary Islands (just under 8.7 million) and Valencia (just under 6.8 million).

Visitor numbers in Spain surged steadily for years before the coronavirus pandemic caused a slowdown. However, since 2022, records have been consistently breaking once again.

In recent months, there have been demonstrations in holidaymaker strongholds such as Mallorca, Barcelona, Malaga and the Canary Islands.

Above all, the rapidly growing housing shortage, which is attributed to the increase in holiday flats, is annoying the locals - but traffic jams, noise and dirt are also big concerns.

Tourism accounts for almost 14% of Spain's gross domestic product (GDP) but in some regions the figure is significantly higher. On Mallorca and the rest of the Balearic Islands, for example, it stands at around 35%.

Tourists walk in the streets of Madrid. The number of international tourists arriving in Spain reached its highest figure in the first seven months of 2024, touching 53.4 million, an increase of 12% over the previous year, according to data from the National Statistics Institute (INE). Jesus Hellin/EUROPA PRESS/dpa
UPDATE: Police have canceled a Silver Advisory for Donna Morgan. According to the Independence Police Department, Morgan was located safe as of 2:30 p.m. on Monday, September 2.

KANSAS CITY, Mo.  Police are searching for a missing 67-year-old woman with dementia who was last seen leaving her home Monday morning in Independence, Missouri.

According to the Independence Police Department, Donna Delrise Morgan was last seen leaving her home near South Huttig Avenue and South Cedar Avenue just after 7 a.m. Monday.

Officers said Morgan suffers from the early stages of dementia, has been prescribed several medications and may have suffered a stroke last week.

Plane forced to make emergency landing in field near Odessa, Missouri

Morgan stands at 5 foot 2 inches tall and weighs approximately 190 pounds, the police report said. She was last known to be wearing a white t-shirt, black scrub pants and brown sandals.

Police said she also has a tattoo on her right shoulder.

If you or anyone you know has information regarding Donna Delirse Morgans whereabouts, police ask that you call 911 or the Independence Police Department at (816) 325-7300.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports.
New initiative awards nearly $200 million for crucial school upgrades  here's what's being done to improve facilities

Hundreds of public school facilities are set to receive part of a massive $190 million grant from the United States government. The funds will be dedicated to making key energy improvements in and around the schools.

The 2024 Renew America's Schools Prize and Grant is to be issued by the Department of Energy (DOE), with the goal of creating healthier, cleaner, and safer learning spaces for children nationwide.

Around 320 school facilities in 25 states will see the impacts of the funds, which will benefit over 123,500 students and 9,100 teachers.

To determine where the funds would go, the DOE used a three-phase model to identify Local Educational Agencies (LEA) and partners that built portfolios of 10 or more school facilities needing improvement. They also needed to outline a process to address the issues.

On Aug. 5, the agency named 21 LEAs, which won $300,000 for their work in the first phase. Sixteen of those winners have since advanced into the second and third phases of the program, where they will enter into cooperative agreements with the DOE. These LEAs will now be awarded an additional $7.5-15 million to better their schools. You can find the complete list of impacted areas here.

Some of the changes students can expect include: Installing clean energy technologies, new heating systems, and new HVAC systems to improve indoor air quality. Lighting upgrades are also on the slate, as is the increased use of electric vehicles instead of dirty fuel-powered ones (which release toxic fumes linked to health issues such as asthma and can lead to reduced attendance at school).

There will also be increased workforce development, such as apprenticeships, university programs, and job shadowing.

Many public schools have been forced to operate with outdated energy systems, costing thousands for repairs, so these upgrades should help the schools and local taxpayers save hundreds.

Additionally, the DOE said 10 LEAs vowed to use local labor unions and workers to install these changes, helping boost the local economy.

By embracing clean energy technologies such as electric vehicles, these school facilities will help cut their contribution to heat-trapping pollution, keeping the air cleaner for these young children.

"Schools are the centers of our communities, and the need for investment in our children's learning environments is key to ensure their overall well-being and ultimate success." U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm said, per CleanTechnica. "With today's funding, DOE is creating new pathways for districts and partners so thousands of students can learn in safe, sustainable schools creating a healthy environment for all."

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.
People have lost respect for the mountains: A recipe for disaster in Iceland

Standing in the cavernous spa of the Blue Lagoons Retreat hotel, covered head to toe in a fishy, algae-based mud pack, a terrible thought sprang to mind: What if I had to evacuate the premises right now?

For the past few weeks, staff at the luxury property on the Reykjanes Peninsula have been on high alert for a volcanic eruption. On August 22, that moment came when a large fissure opened up east of Sylingarfell mountain. Continuing to ignite night skies while showering fibreglass splinters known ominously as witchs hair, its the sixth large-scale lava spew since December.

We managed to clear the Blue Lagoon and our two hotels  the Retreat and Silica  in 42 minutes, says Sigurur orsteinsson, the head of brand, design and construction at Blue Lagoon Iceland. He praises a well-honed evacuation plan capable of clearing 1,200 people to safety within half an hour. Were in very good co-ordination with the Icelandic Met Office. We have drivers and buses waiting on the premises.

Tourists and visitors watched the eruption from a distance at the intersection between Reykjanesbraut and the road to Grindavik, August 22 2024 - Marco di Marco/AP

Living on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, where the American and Eurasian tectonic plates are moving apart, Icelanders are no strangers to seismic activity. Of the countrys 30 active volcanoes, six have erupted regularly in recent years. By following appropriate construction guidelines, the team behind Blue Lagoon Iceland see no issue in forging ahead with several new projects  including one in the shadow of the Hekla volcano.

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But the increasing frequency of eruptions, coupled with the effects of climate change, is a reminder that this millennia-old landscape is dynamic and ever-evolving. A swelling number of tourists with a growing appetite for adventure tourism has put inevitable pressure on a fragile environment, illustrated by a fatal accident in an ice cave last week.

Inspired by images on Instagram of crystal-like glacial caverns, hundreds of tourists visit these tunnels carved by summer melt water beneath the ice sheets. Most tours happen during the winter season, but there has been an increasing demand to visit throughout the year.

I would never visit an ice cave in the summer, says the Spanish-born mountain guide Ruben Perez, whos been leading tours in Iceland for many years. We are talking about ice that can have cracks, that is melting, that is moving.

Last week an ice cave collapsed while being explored by tourists - Vilhelm Gunnarsson/Reuters

When caves reach a certain temperature, the structure becomes unstable. But many believe the incident at Breiamerkurjokull glacier in Vatnajokull National Park, which left one American tourist dead and another hospitalised, wasnt simply down to the forces of nature.

Highlighting cracks in a system that run far deeper than any crevasses, Stephen Mantler (who blogs as Step Man), a glacier and mountain guide certified by the Association of Icelandic Mountain Guides, writes: This is a systematic problem that has pervaded the entire industry. The first symptoms have been showing up for years, and critical voices were constantly ignored.

Since 2000, the number of tourists visiting Iceland has grown significantly from 595,000 to more than two million. A remote, wind-swept island with a few hot springs has transformed into an adventure playground offering other-worldly experiences in landscapes alien to most of the urban world. Ever edgier activities include crawling into lava tunnels, snowmobiling across ice sheets and soaring above magma flows on helicopter rides. New driving route the Volcanic Way connects eight major volcanoes.

But despite regulations being introduced, these arent always observed. The government is currently investigating why safety warnings were ignored during the recent ice cave tragedy.

One of the biggest problems, which Perez refers to as a shadow no one talks about, is the quality and training of guides. High demand has created a gold rush fever, with several newer operators employing less-experienced staff, leading to a Wild West scenario in the frozen north.

There are both local cowboys and international cowboys coming in, warns orsteinsson. And this combination gets a bit dangerous.

Mountain guides only need a short conversion course to lead tours on glaciers. Yet it is the guides responsibility to assess the terrain and make a judgment on whether it is safe.

If you are inexperienced or new as a guide, you will not want to cancel any trip, because you will want to prove yourself, says Perez. You want to be the guy that always goes, and the companies will be happy with you.

People watching the lava flowing at the scene of the newly erupted volcano at Grindavik, Iceland on August 3 2022 - Getty

The other big change in Iceland over the years has been the type of tourist the destination attracts. According to orsteinsson, who played a key role in developing the Highland Base hotel in the remote Central Highlands region, hardy hikers carrying backpacks have been replaced with city slickers pulling wheelie suitcases.

The tourist coming now, compared to 10 years ago, is less prepared, he complains. People might be heavily equipped with nice Patagonia shirts, but they are not experienced.

Both orsteinsson and Perez report an increase in incidents, due largely to poor planning and a disregard for rapidly changing weather conditions. The desire to fill Instagram feeds with daredevil posts is also causing problems. Not so long ago, a tourist suffered severe burns after walking through an area of hot springs while trying to take a photo.

People have lost respect for the mountains, says Perez, blaming increased ease of access and an underestimation of the wilderness.

We are speaking to the tourist board, government and rescue teams to see how we can better inform them, adds orsteinsson. Nature is beautiful, but nature can be dangerous.

Oddny Arnarsdottir, the head of Visit Iceland, adds: Visitors to Iceland need to be aware of the many forces of nature our country lives alongside and exercise sensible caution when exploring all the country has to offer.

Following the accident in Vatnajokull National Park, permits for summer ice cave tours have been temporarily suspended and there have been calls for more restrictions and better enforcement of regulations already in place.

But could more rules, metal barriers and roped-off areas dilute the spirit of adventure that made this tiny nation so famous?

Its tricky, admits orsteinsson. If you want to have a good experience and be safe, you need to plan better, you need to spend a little bit more  which is something some smaller companies may struggle to do.

Mantler believes one of the solutions is transparency. He has pledged to publish a safety report for all his tours and is offering free training sessions to guides.

In a rapidly evolving environment, complacency can be fatal.

I want to live in a world where nature in all her beauty is enjoyable, exciting, an adventure, writes the guide and blogger. But first, and above all, safe.

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Representatives of international financial organisations have expressed concern over Volodymyr Kudrytskyi's potential dismissal as CEO of Ukrenergo, Ukraine's electricity transmission system operator, and are calling for major management decisions to be put on hold until Ukrenergos supervisory board is formed.

Source: a letter to Ukraine's Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal obtained by Ekonomichna Pravda

Details: "In the current extremely challenging situation, in which the continuity of Ukrenergos operations is crucial for Ukraines security and winter preparations, any changes in the companys senior management must be carefully considered and thoroughly prepared," the letter says.

The international representatives are concerned about a delay in appointing a seventh independent member to Ukrenergos supervisory board.

They emphasise that an independent supervisory board is essential to secure financing for Ukrenergo from the EU and other international donors. The letters authors request that any decision to replace Kudrytskyi should consider the views of the entire board.

It is therefore imperative, they say, that all management decisions should be suspended until the independent seventh member of Ukrenergo's supervisory board has been selected.

The letter was signed by Katarina Mathernova, EU Ambassador to Ukraine; Arvid Tuerkner, Managing Director for Ukraine and Moldova at the EBRD; Ines Rocha, Regional Director for Europe at the IFC; and Roman Waschuk, Business Ombudsman at the Business Ombudsman Council.

Background: Ukrenergo CEO Volodymyr Kudrytskyi may soon be dismissed.

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Devi (not her real name), 65, has spent much of her life feeding her eight children  four boys and four girls  with limited resources. Widowed at a young age, her husband left her a small plot of land to farm in her village of Chhaktala, in the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh. Although the family managed well at first, over the last decade the land has become virtually unusable for cultivation for most of the year.

Devis youngest daughter Rashmi (not her real name), 12 years old and tired of the situation, told her mother in April 2022 that she had found a job in construction in the town of Alirajpur, near her village. Rashmi was not the first girl in her area to seek and accept such employment. The land that once sufficed to feed and support families like Devis has long since failed them, and young people have no choice but to seek often precarious work. Every member of the family has to work in our village; age doesnt matter, says Devi. The teenager went to the nearby market to buy new clothes for her job, and that evening she did not return.

Madhya Pradesh has the highest number of cases of missing minors, as well as missing girls and women, in the country. In just two years between 2019 and 2021, nearly 200,000 women and girls disappeared in Madhya Pradesh, according to data presented to parliament by the Ministry of Home Affairs  there is no information on how many were located. In 2022 alone, an average of 32 children went missing every day in Madhya Pradesh, of whom 24 were girls, according to a report prepared by the NGO Childrens Rights and You (CRY). Police and the government often dismiss these cases as girls running away with boyfriends, but there is one crucial factor that seems to be causing a large number of disappearances and is often overlooked: climate change.

More than three months after Rashmis disappearance, and after Devis persistent efforts to get help from the police and NGOs, the family received a call from an unknown number. On the other end of the line, Rashmi asked them to come and fetch her from a village in the neighboring state of Gujarat, over 600 kilometers (370 miles) away. She refused to reveal how she had gotten there, and with whom. Receiving no help from the local police, Devi contacted the NGO ChildLine, whose members tried to piece together the story and concluded that Rashmi had most likely been trafficked.

Every member of the family has to work in our village; age doesnt matter Devi, mother of trafficking victim Rashmi

On arriving in Gujarat, the NGO workers and Devi learned that Rashmi had been married off. A man  her self-proclaimed father-in-law  insisted that he had paid nearly $4,000 to buy the teenager. Rashmi was unable to leave until the police intervened and threatened to report him for a child marriage offense, as it is not legal for girls under 18 to marry.

After being rescued, Rashmi revealed that she had heard about an opportunity to work in Gujarat as a laborer, but knew that her mother would never allow her to go there for an extended period of time, so she ran away. She also explained her reasons for seeking employment so far away: My mother would cry every evening when returning from the fields. She had to feed all of us, with hardly any income from our land. I wanted to learn dressmaking, but we didnt even have the money to buy a sewing machine. So, one day, out of helplessness, I decided to take a bus to Gujarat, says Rashmi. On arrival, the contractor who had promised her a job sold her to a man who married her off to his son.

Manisha Bagole (left) with another ChildLine worker on October 10, 2023, in Alirajpur. Fatima Khan

Forced migration

Madhya Pradesh has the largest tribal population (as India labels the most disadvantaged socio-economic groups) in the country, with more than 16 million inhabitants who fall into the category, or over 21% of the states population. The western districts, much of which is dominated by the Indigenous population, share borders with three states: Gujarat, Rajasthan and Maharashtra. Every few months, there is a massive outmigration of workers from tribal districts of Madhya Pradesh to these states, as was the case with Rashmi.

Experts say it is impossible to address the problem of missing persons without taking climate change and forced migration into account. The question we need to ask ourselves is why do these people have to move out en masse to look for jobs? Why they need to undertake such long and potentially risky journeys? asks Nitesh Alawa, an activist with the Indigenous rights organization Jai Adivasi Yuva Shakti.

In recent decades, Madhya Pradesh has witnessed frequent floods and long drought seasons. Although climate change is a global phenomenon, the most vulnerable are those who depend directly on the land for their livelihood. Villages near the Narmada River [the largest river in Madhya Pradesh] are frequently flooded, says Alawa. Even if these people are given new lands by the government, they may not be as fertile, or enough to support entire families. The real tragedy is that tribals, who are native to all the forests and rivers, are today struggling to sustain themselves. The land has been corrupted; it is no longer enough to sustain them.

In September 2019, more than 175 villages along the Narmada River were submerged after the Sardar Sarovar dam reached its maximum capacity. Migrating to other states permanently, and not just for a few months, is also not a viable option. Asking tribals to give up their land is not fair. Even if it is a small plot and not fertile all year round, it is still their land. So they have to shuttle between states where they get small labor jobs and come back home for their land, explains Radiya Padiyar, a childrens rights activist.

Women and girls wait to be hired at a labor market on October 9, 2023 in Alirajpur. Fatima Khan

Precarious labor markets

The impact of climate change on womens lives also manifests itself in a place that has become quite normal in the tribal belt of Madhya Pradesh: the labor markets. Shortly after dawn, women and girls, sometimes as young as 13, queue up waiting for men on motorcycles to arrive and offer them temporary employment. They briefly negotiate the rate, which is usually around 150-200 rupees (around $2) a day.

Our daughters are being forced to auction themselves on the streets. Thats how dire the situation is Harsing, a tribal activist

One of the girls in the line is 16-year-old Dhani, who says this is the third time she has come to the market. I got two jobs before this. Both were to do cement work. They paid me a little over 200 rupees a day, which is not a lot, but its something, she says. All of the women point to their families inability to support themselves on what their land produces. In the brief, pithy conversation between the women and the men, there is no discussion of working conditions, nor is there any verification of where the men are from. The women then ride pillion on the mens bikes and are transported to the work site.

Harsing, a tribal activist, describes the labor markets as something akin to an auction. What else is it? Our daughters are being forced to auction themselves on the streets. Thats how dire the situation is. By agreeing to work for anyone who offers them some cash, they are likely to come in harms way. Even if they do make it back, the entire process is traumatizing and humiliating, it takes a toll on their whole sense of being and their self-confidence.

Hera displays a photo of his niece, Sakari, who disappeared four years ago, on October 10, 2023 in Alirajpur. Fatima Khan

The family burden of stigma

Although Rashmi was found and brought home, many young women never are. Sakari has been missing for four years. Her family says she left her village, Haraswat, for Ahmedabad, more than 200 kilometers (miles) away in search of employment, as was common in the village. Her family never heard from her again. We kept hoping she would return someday, but she never did. And now we dont think she will, says Hera, her uncle. Missing persons cases are highly stigmatized, so most families do not talk about them publicly or file police reports. Initially, we didnt want people in the village to find out she was missing, admits Hera, who, years later, still carries a photo of his niece on his phone, in case he ever runs into someone who might know of her whereabouts. Families whose daughters go missing are viewed with suspicion. But now, everyone has figured out that our daughter is missing, and we are treated differently, Hera says.

In other cases, families of missing girls are accused of having daughters of loose character who have eloped with a boy. Families are apprehensive about talking about missing girls, says Rem Singh Dodwa, chairman of the Child Welfare Committee (CWC) in Alirajpur. Most people around them make it a character issue and dont address the root cause of the matter: that these are often young girls running away to escape certain conditions, such as the land simply not being enough to feed them.

Rem Singh Dodwa, in his office at the center where missing girls are investigated, on October 10, 2023 in Alirajpur. Fatima Khan

Mental health impact

Ruma Bhattacharya, a psychiatrist and board member of the Indian Psychiatric Society, notes: Climate change is affecting people in every sphere of life. But for tribals and agriculturalists, whose entire livelihood depends on a small piece of land, the impact is extremely grave. Rashmi recounted that, after she was trafficked and forcibly married off, she was made to lift heavy construction material, such as cement and rocks, and scolded if she could not do it. But her mother, Devi, is convinced there was more going on. Its been two years since the girl returned home, but she still wont talk about what happened. Ive tried asking her what they did to her. But she changes the subject or leaves the room whenever I try to probe. So, I dont bother her anymore. I am worried about her and what this incident has done to her, she confesses.

Its evident that most rescued girls have undergone severe trauma, says Manisha Bagole of the NGO ChildLine, who participated in the mission to rescue Rashmi. We need experts to treat and counsel them. Such mechanisms do not exist in villages and small towns, where this problem is most prevalent. The lack of such mechanisms means that rescued women never receive proper counseling. We have mandatory physical checkups for these girls. This needs to change, says Bagole.

Unfortunately, mental health counseling and therapy are not part of these medical checkups. When a girl runs away trying to escape drought or other financial issues caused by climate change, and if she is eventually found, it takes years for her to really recover from the trauma, stresses Bhattacharya, who is based in Bhopal, the capital of Madhya Pradesh. The most prominent symptom is adjustment disorder, along with long-term depression, insomnia, nightmares, and post-traumatic stress disorder. They fled thinking they are moving toward greener pastures, but often encounter great distress. Once back, they have to adjust to a life they were not happy with in the first place, she adds.

Once Im gone, no one else in the family is equipped to follow up on this case. So I dont know what happens next Baholi, father of missing girl Ila

Dodwa, of the Child Welfare Committee, adds that the mental health of the families is also greatly affected. I know mothers who turned suicidal when their child has been missing for many months. The worst thing is that these are mostly poor families, who have to keep working and living from hand to mouth while they search for their missing girls. In rural areas there are no therapists. Often, in addition to doing my job, I have to double up as their counselor and as their older brother to guide them, he explains.

Baholi and Ginas 16-year-old daughter, Ila, went missing in June 2023 from the village of Ghata. For months, the couple heard rumors that she had run away with a young man from a neighboring village. Besides the stigma, there is another cruel fact that Baholi and Gina are all too aware of: they simply cannot afford to spend too much time searching for Ila. Soon, I will have to go to Gujarat [a large city more over 1,100 kilometers away] to look for work. I cant put it off any longer. I have four other children to feed, Baholi says. When we have harvested everything after the monsoon, there is nothing left to do here. The fields wont produce enough to feed my family. And once Im gone, no one else in the family is equipped to follow up on this case. So I dont know what happens next.

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Attorney Todd Apo, CEO of Iole, joins producer/host Coralie Chun Matayoshi to discuss a brand-new nonprofit research center and scientific laboratory that will gather academic experts, Native Hawaiian practitioners, and community, student, and government leaders to develop sustainability solutions rooted in ancestral knowledge and indigenous practices, with a focus on food and energy security.

Q. Tell us more about Iole.

Hawaii Community Foundation, University of Hawaii, and Arizona State University have come together to create a Global Resilience Hub based out of 2,400 acres in North Kohala that was donated to HCF. The intent is to develop models that can help the community, island, state and globally with initial pillars focused on Food Security, Energy Security and an educational global resilience hub. Core to this work will be integrating native Hawaiian knowledge and practice with todays science to create models that can be replicated with any regions indigenous knowledge.

Q. Can you give us an example of what a model might look like?

We are in the planning stages of a 200-acre project that, simply put, will remove invasive species and replant native plants and forestry. It will include native forest, agroforestry, and silvopasture, as well as educational elements and plants that are often sought for native gathering.

Q. What is silvopasture and how can it help diversity farm income and possible wildfire prevention?

Silvopasture is the practice of integrating trees, forage, and the grazing of domesticated animals in a mutually beneficial way to produce multiple products on the same acreage. Grazing can serve as a cost-effective vegetation and weed control method which can help prevent wildfires from spreading. Other benefits include naturally improving soil health, increase in biodiversity, and more sustainable land use. All of these help agricultural efforts. But like any solution, it needs to fit the specifics of the location. Thats some of the experimenting that we can do at Iole.

Q. How will your ventures be different from many other reforestry projects around the state?

With our university partners, we will look to have both baseline data and real time evolution data as the project progresses. This will show us how revitalizing the land affects soil content, water capture and flow, birds, bats, and other wildlife. I think one of the key elements will be around water  not only what happens on these 200 acres, but how it affects downstream flows. Thats the kind of modeling we talk about and the benefit of having 2,400 acres that runs mauka to makai  we have instant access to that system impact.

Q. Many situations has shown us the importance of water  do you have any other examples?

Another project we are working on with a set of Kohala landowners is a regional water system to provide water for agriculture. About 3 years ago, the water flow in the Kohala Ditch stopped due to a landslide in a remote area of Pololu Valley. While the State has allocated funds for its repair, it is likely years away. Regional farmers are having to use (and pay for) county potable water for agriculture. We are working to put a new pipe in the Kohala Ditch and put water into that system. Whats interesting is that climate change has caused it to rain less often, but for those rains to be heavier. So, part of this project is to capture and collect that rainfall to make it available to regional agriculture during dry periods. ut we must also use this project to find ways to put water back into streams and in a more regulated way  so as opposed to flash flood type run off during heavy rains, regular flow that serves a healthier waterway.

Q. What are some of your ideas around energy and food security using indigenous practices?

Hawaiians took care of the aina and managed their resources well. Technology and other advancements have allowed society to become lazy with land use and management. Melding indigenous knowledge/practice with todays science has to opportunity to get the best of both worlds. Its finding a balance that can increase energy and food security while being fully cognizant of the impact on the aina. We are yet to come up with any specific projects in this area  but it is an important goal for us. UH, especially through the work of Kamuela Enos (UH Office of Indigenous Knowledge and Innovation), is helping us shape this work. An example of what might be possible is the work of PVS and Hokulea. Their continued practice of traditional navigation is combined with awareness and study of whats happening to our ocean.

Q. How does your work fit with the States climate goals?

There are many great organizations working in this area. We are a part of that. We hope to help bring a collective effort around those efforts for greater impact. For example, with all four counties having climate offices, with our partners, how can we bring collective action to avail our State to great federal funds and philanthropic dollars to create greater impact?

To learn more about this subject, tune into this video podcast.

Disclaimer: this material is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. The law varies by jurisdiction and is constantly changing. For legal advice, you should consult a lawyer that can apply the appropriate law to the facts in your case.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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Iran may send ballistic missiles to Russia 'within a matter of days,' Bloomberg reports

Iran may begin delivering ballistic missiles to Russia "within a matter of days," Bloomberg reported on Sept. 2, citing an unnamed European official.

The news outlet's sources declined to estimate the type or the scope of the missiles. Reuters reported in August, citing unnamed intelligence sources, that Moscow may receive "hundreds" of Fath-360 and other ballistic missiles from Tehran.

Iran is one of Russia's closest allies. The two countries have deepened their military and political cooperation since the start of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

Tehran has provided Moscow with thousands of Shahed kamikaze drones since the start of the all-out war. In February, Reuters also reported that Tehran sent "a large number of powerful surface-to-surface ballistic missiles" to aid Russia's invasion, but Kyiv has not yet registered any use of Iranian ballistic missiles by Moscow.

Bloomberg's sources believe that the potential transfer of ballistic missiles "would mark a worrying development in the conflict." The G7 countries are expected to immediately condemn any delivery and voice their concerns to governments in the Middle East through diplomatic channels, the unnamed source told the outlet.

Undisclosed Iranian sources told the New York Times on Aug. 5 that Iran has requested modern air defense systems from Russia as it prepares for a possible war with Israel, with deliveries already underway.

Western and Ukrainian officials have confirmed the use of North Korean artillery shells and missiles used by Russian forces.

Read also: Iran shows off new Mohajer-10 drone at Russian arms fair

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
The building of the Islamic Cultural Centre and the mosque on its premises have suffered significant damage as a result of the missile strike on Kyiv on 2 September.

Source: Refat Chubarov, Chairman of the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar People, on Facebook

Quote: "This morning, as a result of yet another large-scale missile strike by Russian barbarians on Kyiv, significant damage was inflicted on the building of the Islamic Cultural Centre of the Spiritual Administration of Muslims of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea (the mosque in Nyvky (neighbourhood in Kyiv  ed)."

Photo: Chubarov on Facebook

Details: He said the buildings of the Islamic Centre, particularly the mosque located within it, will require repairs.

Photo: Chubarov on Facebook

Military chaplain Suleiman Khairullaiev, the Deputy Mufti of the Muslims of Crimea, reported that there were no casualties.

Photo: Chubarov on Facebook

"Yet more proof that Russia is a country of absolute evil," Chubarov noted.

Background:

Air defence systems were responding in the city of Kyiv and Kyiv Oblast on the morning of 2 September, with wreckage seen falling, fires breaking out and one person being injured.

Kyiv City Military Administration said the Russians attacked the capital using more than 10 cruise missiles, about a dozen ballistic missiles and an attack drone.

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A truism has it that Israel needs to lose only one war for its modern history to come to an early close. That has never been more obvious than today, with the IDF locked in combat with Hamas in the south, Hezbollahs rockets raining down in the north and the Ayatollah within touching distance of a nuclear bomb. If Israel laid down its arms there would be a second Holocaust, but if the enemy did so there would be peace. Another truism, also so called for a reason.

But in its recent conflicts, Israel has been held to a draw. Regardless of the numbers of civilians killed, it seems that while the West is happy to win wars for itself, whether against Nazi Germany, Saddam Husseins Iraq or the Islamic State, different rules apply to the Jews.

Take the last three land conflicts in Gaza  Protective Edge of 2014, Pillar of Defence of 2012, and 2008s Cast Lead  which followed Israels 2005 withdrawal from the Strip. Israel had thought leaving Gaza would bring peace. But all three were sparked by Hamas provocations, including abductions, bombings and rocket fire.

Lasting between a week and a month, these conflicts left Hamas degraded but undeterred. Each time, they deployed the same propaganda playbook, flooding the world with pictures of civilian suffering while censoring evidence of dead terrorists. (In 2014, Indian journalists captured rare footage of militants launching rockets beside their hotel. Hamas was furious. It never happened again.) Each time, the media lapped it up. Each time, the international community obliged Gazas Islamist overlords by demanding that Israel remove its boot from their throats.

Benjamin Netanyahus concept evolved during this period. Under that doctrine, Jerusalem would rely on its military superiority to contain Hamas, punishing it when provoked but avoiding a fight to the death. The logic seemed sound: Israel doubled the size of its economy during those years, while its military, technological and diplomatic achievements soared. The hope was that Hamas would shrivel and its sponsor, Iran, would collapse under the weight of its own oppression.

That looks painfully naive today. If October 7 provided one lesson, it was this: a neighbouring enemy who wishes to destroy you, and makes no secret of that fact and builds the capability to do so, will sooner or later break through. That is the principal reason why Netanyahu is holding out against a hostage deal that would leave Hamas undefeated. This time it has to be different.

But as evidenced by the protests that flared across Israel in the wake of the execution of the six hostages, it is not just international pressure that forces the Jewish state to compromise its own security needs. Israel is a democracy and sometimes the pressure comes from within.

In 1982, the war with Hezbollah ended inconclusively. The IDF withdrew to a buffer zone along the Israeli frontier, remaining there to prevent Hezbollah from returning. In 1997, two Israeli military helicopters collided while servicing the zone, claiming 73 lives.

In the aftermath of the tragedy, the four mothers movement, led by parents of serving soldiers, became instrumental in stoking public resentment. This pressured Israel into pulling out of southern Lebanon in 2000. Hezbollah then crept back to the border, triggering a further war in 2006.

That round of hostilities ended with a full Israeli withdrawal, aligned with United Nations Resolution 1701, which demanded that Hezbollah be disarmed and kept north of the Litani river, some 19 miles from Israel. Hezbollah simply ignored this; consequences came there none. As I write, it is pounding Israel once again with rockets.

Israel is a country deep in anguish. Thirsty for peace and fatigued by war, the crowds on the streets blame the deaths of the hostages on a venal Netanyahu. But the curse of the Jews is that suffering lies along every path. That will not change unless the jihadi enemy is defeated.

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(Bloomberg) -- Israelis took part in labor strikes and protests nationwide, their strongest push yet to force Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus government to agree to a cease-fire with Hamas and secure the release of hostages in Gaza.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Some civil servants at government ministries stayed away from offices or took to the streets. Many post offices and bank branches were closed, while Ben Gurion, the countrys main airport, suspended take-offs between 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. local time.

In a move led by a forum of Israels top 200 business leaders, a number of shopping malls closed, affecting outlets of international brands such as Inditex SA-owned Zara and Nike Inc. Many hi-tech firms shut their offices, including Lemonade and Qumra Capital venture capital fund.

The strike was called by the Histadrut labor federation, though a court order ruled Monday that it should end at 2.30 p.m. We did not find any economic argument in the announcement on the strike, the court decision said.

Anger is rising among Israelis after the bodies of six hostages taken by Hamas on Oct. 7 were found in a tunnel in Gaza. They had been executed by their captors, according to Israel. Each was shot repeatedly from short range not long before being discovered, medical examiners said.

Hundreds of thousands of Israelis demonstrated across the country on Sunday, the largest protests since the deadly invasion by Hamas militants that triggered the ongoing war nearly 11 months ago.

Critics accuse Netanyahu of prolonging the conflict  thereby reducing the chances of early elections that polling suggests he would lose  rather than prioritizing the safe return of the roughly 100 remaining hostages still held in Gaza. Hostilities have spread to the West Bank, another Palestinian territory, and to neighboring Lebanon, threatening to engulf the region in a wider war.

Netanyahu has defended his stance on a cease-fire as necessary to ensure Hamas isnt able to rearm, and has been steadfast in his ultimate aim of destroying the Iran-backed group. Should Hamas endure, government officials have warned, Israels enemies would be emboldened and more hostage-taking could take place in the future.

Defense Minister Yoav Gallant has urged Netanyahu to drop an 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. A security cabinet meeting ended Sunday evening without action on his proposal.

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 public pressure, there is no sign Netanyahu is prepared to shift course.

Those who murder hostages do not want a deal, he said in a statement on Sunday, warning Hamas: We will pursue you, we will find you and we will settle accounts with you.

US President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris will meet Monday 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 with Egypt and Qatar about the outline of a take-it-or-leave-it deal to present to Israel and Hamas after months of deadlock, citing an unidentified senior administration official.

It is no longer possible to stand idly by, Arnon Bar-David, the chair of Histadrut, a labor group representing the majority of Israels trade unionists, said when calling for the 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.

Israels economy has struggled under the weight of war-related policies, growing by 2% last year, almost half the rate the finance ministry expected prior to the outbreak of the conflict. The shekel weakened by 0.7% against the dollar on Monday, though he Tel Aviv Stock Exchange traded slightly higher.

The slain hostages included a 23-year-old Israeli-US citizen, Hersh Goldberg-Polin. His parents were among the most high-profile advocates for the abductees, meeting with Biden and other world leaders, and speaking at the US Democratic National Convention to a standing ovation.

Hamas said the hostages found at the weekend 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 Gazas Hamas-run health ministry, which does not distinguish between combatants and civilians.

(Updates with court decision on strike in fourth paragraph.)

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Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed that Israel will not give up control over the Philadelphi Corridor, a 14-kilometre strip on the border between the Gaza Strip and Egypt, despite an outpouring of grief and anger by protesters.

"We will not be leaving," Netanyahu told a press conference on Monday, calling Israel's military presence a strategic and political necessity for Israel.

But if the military remains in the area, then an agreement on a ceasefire in Gaza and a release of the hostages still being held by Hamas is likely to be extremely difficult.

Both Hamas and Egypt are demanding that Israel withdraw its troops.

Netanyahu went on to say that Hamas would pay a "very high price" for the deaths of six Israeli hostages whose bodies were discovered in an underground tunnel in the south of the Gaza Strip over the weekend.

According to media reports, the Israeli Health Ministry stated that the hostages had been shot at close range around 48 to 72 hours before the autopsy.

"I ask your apology that we did not succeed in bringing them home alive," a contrite Netanyahu added.

At several demonstrations in Israel on Monday, thousands of people called for an agreement on the release of the hostages.

They accuse Nentanyahu of prioritizing military control over the Gaza-Egypt border at the expense of efforts to free Israeli hostages.

The main point of contention in the negotiations is currently the question of how long Israeli troops may remain stationed in the Philadelphi Corridor. Israel's security Cabinet recently voted to maintain control of the corridor.

Israel argues that several Hamas tunnels allowing for weapons smuggling between Egypt and Gaza are underneath the corridor, a claim Egypt has denied.

"Your decisions lead to their deaths," Israeli media quoted from the speech of a man whose brother is still being held in the Gaza Strip.

Protests with several hundred participants also took place near Netanyahu's home a few hours after the funeral of a hostage who had been killed.
BEIRUT (Reuters) - An Israeli airstrike killed two civilians travelling in a car along Lebanon's southern coast on Monday, security sources said, including an employee of a cleaning company that is contracted by the United Nations peacekeeping force in Lebanon.

The force, known as UNIFIL, confirmed that a vehicle driven by the cleaning worker was hit by a strike near the southern Lebanon town of Naqoura, killing both the driver and passenger.

"UNIFIL deplores that so many people have been hurt or killed since 8 October. Attacks on civilians are violations of international humanitarian law. They must stop," said UNIFIL spokesperson Kandice Ardiel.

There was no immediate comment from the Israeli military.

The security sources said the strike was Israeli and that the two men travelling in the car were cousins. Lebanese armed group Hezbollah later said it had fired Katyusha rockets into Israeli territory in retaliation for the strike near Naqoura.

Nearly 140 civilians have been killed by Israeli bombardment of Lebanon since Oct. 8, when hostilities broke out between the Israeli military and Hezbollah in parallel with the war in Gaza.

In May, an Israeli strike on a village in southern Lebanon killed a technician contracted by a telecoms company to fix a phone tower.

(Reporting by Maya Gebeily, Editing by William Maclean)
Support for democracy is declining among Spains young adults. One in four men (25.9%) aged between 18 and 26, known as Generation Z, believes that in some circumstances authoritarianism may be preferable to the democratic system, compared with 18.3% of women. In the next generation up, the millennials (who are between 27 and 42 years old) there is a wider gap: 22.9% of men see an authoritarian regime as acceptable, compared to 12.7% of women.

These views are captured by the latest 40dB survey for EL PAIS and SER radio network, The democratic disorder in Spain, which offers an extensive x-ray of the public perception of the current political situation, and shows that a pessimistic view prevails. Most Spaniards believe that democracy is not working well, that it is deteriorating, and only half feel represented by a political party. In addition, society is predominantly against a greater participation of immigrants in politics.

Among the general population, only one in eight (12.6%) would opt for an authoritarian regime over a democratic one, although the percentage is higher among voters of far-right parties: 24% among Vox voters and 21.3% among supporters of Se acaba la Fiesta (The Partys Over), Alvise Perezs party, which stormed into the European elections in June, winning three seats.

When it comes to evaluating the functioning of Spanish democracy, 33.3% of voters have a negative opinion, compared to 25.7% who have a positive view, although 38.6% rate it as average. The most critical are the voters of Se Acabo la Fiesta (70.5%) and the most optimistic are those of the Socialist Party (PSOE): only 7.3% believe that it is going badly or very badly.

The survey shows that 68.5% of the population considers that democracy in Spain is deteriorating, and that it is doing so to a greater extent than in Europe (57.8%) and the rest of the world (65.9%). In 51.8% of cases, Spaniards point to corruption as the main problem of democracy, followed by the failure of politicians to keep their promises (35.1%) and the lack of equality before the law (29.6%). Nationalist and pro-independence movements are in fifth place (22.4%) of concerns and in ninth place is political activism by judges (16.9%). The lack of independence of the media and the publication of false information about politics are not among the top 10. These last issues have taken up a large part of the package of measures on democratic regeneration presented by Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez in parliament, which will be negotiated with the political groups with congressional representation in the coming months.

In another section of the poll, a majority of respondents (56.2%) say they come across fake news at least once a week, with social media being the channel where they perceive it the most (56.9%), followed by television (34.3%), influencers or YouTubers (25.2%), digital-only newspapers (18.4%) and newspapers with both a web and paper edition (16.8%). Only 6.8% say they come across fake news on the radio, 3.8% in podcasts, and 2.9% in magazines.

Immigration

In a particularly tense summer for the immigration debate, with a strong polarization in the political arena, the poll also reflects a widespread rejection by Spaniards of the participation of immigrants in politics: 36.2% believe that things would get worse if a greater number of people from another country took an active role in it, while only the voters of the leftist parties Sumar and Podemos believe that it would improve. In general, left-wing voters consider it positive to have greater political participation by underrepresented groups. Those on the right, however, only see the inclusion of more women, young people and private sector workers as beneficial and are more opposed to the participation of immigrants. Among members of Gen Z, there is a tremendous gap in opinion regarding the greater political participation of women and members of the LGBTQI+ community. While women in this age group believe politics would benefit, men believe it would deteriorate.

At a time of disaffection with politics, only 51.2% of citizens surveyed feel that there is at least one party that represents them, and only 14.1% say that most politicians care about what ordinary people think, with PSOE voters being those who most believe that politicians take their opinions into account.

Political tension

Almost nine out of 10 citizens (86.6%) consider that the political debate is very or quite tense. The older generations, ages 59 and up, are those who perceive this situation to a greater degree. National political leaders appear to be those who are contributing the most to the deterioration of the public debate. Those surveyed think this way in 41.3% of the cases, while in 30% they assign the blame to politicians, citizens, and the media.

Also of note is the fact that only 30.7% of citizens feel that the European Unions actions have a positive influence on the functioning of democracy.

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Family, friends and supporters of Israeli hostages taken by Hamas in Gaza take part in a protest on the Israeli costal road outside Kibbutz Yakum. A day after the discovery of the bodies of six hostages in the Gaza Strip, a major strike led by Israel's trade union umbrella organization Histadrut began on 02 September in protest against the government's failure to end the conflict. Ilia yefimovich/dpa

A court in Israel ordered an end to strikes across a range of sectors on Monday that was called to protest the government's failure to agree to a deal to return hostages after the discovery of the bodies of six hostages in the Gaza Strip.

The major strike led by Israel's trade union umbrella organization Histadrut began in protest against the government's failure to end the conflict.

In many cities, kindergartens, banks and government offices remained closed. Public transport was also affected, and there were disruptions and delays to air traffic at Ben Gurion International Airport near Tel Aviv.

Many cities and communities joined the protest, while others refused to do so, being more closely aligned with Netanyahu's right-wing religious government.

Government supporters slammed the protest movement, saying it plays into the hands of Hamas and encourages it to maintain a tough negotiating position.

Later, a labour court ordered an early end to the strike, on the grounds that it was politically motivated.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said on Sunday that troops had recovered the bodies of six hostages from a tunnel in Gaza.

The four men and two women were kidnapped during the Hamas-led terrorist attack on October 7, the IDF said.

The Israeli Health Ministry said the hostages were shot at close range some 48 to 72 hours before the autopsy of the bodies. But a Hamas spokesman said that the hostages had been killed by an Israeli bombardment.

A spokesperson for the German Foreign Office called the murder of six other Hamas hostages "almost unbearable" after it emerged that one of them was a "person with a German family." When asked, the ministry said the person concerned was not a German citizen, but their family had a connection to Germany.

Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz vowed a harsh response following the hostage deaths. "The terrorist organization Hamas has brutally executed six hostages in order to sow fear and attempt to divide Israeli society," Katz said in a post on X. "Israel will respond with full force to this shameful crime. Hamas is responsible and will pay the full price."

Airport operations disrupted

Air traffic at Ben Gurion International Airport near Tel Aviv was disrupted and delayed, according to reports, although the airport authority had said operations would go according to plan.

An Israeli labour court then ordered the union to end the strike, which was supposed to last 24 hours, at 2.30 pm (1130 GMT), after a request by Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, Israeli media reported.

Smotrich, like far-right Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, opposes concessions to Hamas and has repeatedly threatened to withdraw from the government, which would trigger its collapse.

Clashes in Tel Aviv

In the largest mass protests since the beginning of the Gaza war, demonstrators demanded an immediate agreement on Sunday evening. There were clashes with the police in Tel Aviv and other cities during the night and 29 people were arrested, according to police reports.

Participants in the rally blocked a motorway in the evening and threw stones, fences, nails and metal objects onto the carriageway, lit a fire and shot fireworks into the air, reports said. The police cleared the road and used stun grenades.

"We will not abandon them," chanted demonstrators in Tel Aviv, referring to the hostages, as they marched through the city.

Negotiations at a standstill

The indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas, in which the US, Qatar and Egypt are acting as mediators, have been stalled for months.

The mediators aim to present the parties to the conflict with a final proposal for an agreement in the coming weeks, according to a US media report.

If both sides again fail to accept this, it could mean the end of the negotiations, a senior official in US President Joe Biden's administration was quoted as saying.

The main point of contention in the negotiations is currently the question of how long Israeli troops may remain stationed in the Philadelphi Corridor on the border with Egypt. Israel's security Cabinet recently voted to maintain control of the corridor.

Polio vaccination campaign for children under way

Meanwhile in Gaza, following the start of a vaccination campaign, more than 72,000 children have been immunized against polio, according to the Health Ministry.

After the first case of polio in 25 years was reported in Gaza, around 640,000 children are to be vaccinated against the highly contagious virus, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Two doses of the vaccine are usually administered four weeks apart.

The vaccination campaign began on Sunday and is set to last just over a week and be extended to other parts of Gaza.

The war in Gaza was triggered by the worst massacre in Israel's history, with Hmas and other extremists killing more than 1,200 people on October 7.

As Israel seeks to eliminate Hamas more than 40,700 Gazans have been killed, according to the health authority, in figures that do not distinguish between combatants and civilians.

Family, friends and supporters of Israeli hostages taken by Hamas in Gaza take part in a protest on the Israeli costal road outside Kibbutz Yakum. A day after the discovery of the bodies of six hostages in the Gaza Strip, a major strike led by Israel's trade union umbrella organization Histadrut began on 02 September in protest against the government's failure to end the conflict. ilia yefimovich/dpa
By Nidal al-Mughrabi and Ramadan Abed

CAIRO/GAZA (Reuters) -Israeli forces killed at least 48 Palestinians in the past 24 hours across the Gaza Strip as they battled Hamas-led militants, Palestinian officials said on Monday, while medics conducted a second day of polio vaccinations for children in the enclave.

Palestinian and UN officials said more than 80,000 children had been vaccinated in central areas of Gaza on Sunday, the first day of the campaign.

Hamas and Israel have agreed to brief pauses in fighting to allow the campaign to vaccinate some 640,000 children to go ahead. No violations have been reported near vaccination facilities.

Seven Palestinians were killed in two Israeli air strikes on Gaza City, Palestinian officials said on Monday, while two air strikes killed six others in Bureij and Nuseirat, two of the Gaza Strip's eight historic refugee camps.

There was no immediate comment from the Israeli military.

The armed wings of Hamas and the Islamic Jihad said fighters had confronted Israeli forces in north, south and in some central area of Gaza with anti-tank rockets and mortar fire.

UNRWA, the U.N. Palestinian refugee agency, repeated its call on Monday for an immediate ceasefire to help ensure a successful and safe polio vaccination campaign.

"On 1st day only, @UNRWA teams & partners reached around 87,000 children according to @WHO. Efforts are ongoing to provide children with this key vaccine, but what they need most is a #CeasefireNow," it said on the X social media platform.

Israel and Hamas have continued to trade blame for the failure to conclude a ceasefire, that would end the war, and see the release of Israeli and foreign hostages held in Gaza and many Palestinians jailed in Israel.

DEADLY DISEASE

Parents continued bringing their infants to be vaccinated at medical facilities on Monday. The World Health Organization (WHO) says a drop in routine vaccinations in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, including Gaza, has contributed to the re-emergence of polio in the area.

Polio myelitis is a highly infectious virus that can cause paralysis and death in infants, with under-2s most at risk.

The 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.

"I am happy that I vaccinated my children against polio so that they don't suffer from anything in the future, God willing. Hopefully all Gazan children get vaccinated not only against polio but against other diseases too," said Waffa Abdelhadi after getting her two daughters, aged five months and five years old, vaccinated at a medical facility in Deir Al-Balah.

She had to navigate roads devastated by war, with wrecked residential buildings on all sides, to reach the facility.

"We don't (only) want vaccinations. We want them to stop the war," said Abdelhadi, adding she had been displaced with her family seven times in recent months.

Palestinians say a key reason for the return of polio is the collapse of the health system and the destruction of most Gaza hospitals. Israel accuses Hamas of using hospitals for military purposes, which the Islamist group denies.

The 11-month old war in Gaza 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, an estimated 40,786 Palestinians have been killed and more than 94,000 injured in Gaza, the enclave's health ministry said on Monday.

Israeli protesters took to the streets for a second day on Monday and the largest trade union launched a general strike to press the government to reach a deal to return hostages still held by Hamas, after six more captives were found dead in Gaza.

(Reporting and writing by Nidal al-Mughrabi. Additional reporting by Ramadan Abed in GazaEditing by Gareth Jones)
There were widespread disruptions across Israel on Monday as members of the country's largest labor union went on strike to pressure Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to agree to a deal to bring home the remaining hostages held by Hamas in Gaza.

The leader of the Histadrut union, which has hundreds of thousands of members in Israel, called for the strike on Sunday after news broke of the recovery of the bodies of six hostages who had previously been known to be alive, including Israeli-American Hersh Goldberg-Polin.

The Israel Defense Forces said all six were killed a short time before their bodies were found by Israeli troops inside a tunnel in Gaza.

People pay their respects on the street on the day of the funeral of Hersh Goldberg-Polin, one of six Israeli hostages whose body was recovered from Hamas captivity in Gaza, in Jerusalem September 2, 2024 / Credit: Ronen Zvulun / REUTERS

"My message to Prime Minister Netanyahu is that my brother Keith and all the remaining hostages need to be home immediately," Israeli-American Lee Seigel, whose brother Keith is among the roughly 75 hostages still believed to be held alive in Gaza, told CBS News at a protest on Sunday that drew hundreds of thousands of Israelis onto the streets.

Seigel said a deal was needed immediately for "those who are alive, to start rebuilding, as the country needs to rebuild, and those who are deceased, for a proper burial. Eleven months, almost 11 months of war is too much, too long," he said.

While many private sector businesses were open as usual on Monday, municipal services as well as services at Israel's main air transport hub, Ben Gurion Airport, were at least partially disrupted. Banks were closed and hospitals were only partially operating, the Reuters news agency reported.

Israel's labor court ruled that the general strike would need to end by 2:30 p.m. local time on Monday, and the ruling was accepted by the union.

The nationwide strike came after months of regular protests led by the families of the hostages over Netanyahu's handling of negotiations aimed at securing a cease-fire and hostage release agreement.

As negotiations have taken place between Israel and Hamas through mediators including Qatar, Egypt and the United States, one of the biggest recent sticking points has been whether Israel would agree to pull back its troops from the border area between Gaza and Egypt known as the Philadelphi Corridor after any deal.

"The country needs quiet. The region needs quiet," Seigel told CBS News. "Politics are driving the speech, the [cease-fire] non-negotiations negotiations, and are driving an extreme government in attempts to hold on to their power."

Seigel said the killing of the six additional hostages meant President Biden should rethink the way the U.S. supports the Israeli government.

The war "serves political interests that do not jibe with the needs of our country, nor the region, nor Gaza," Seigel said. "President Biden we know you will not give up. But not giving up at this point means doing whatever is necessary. The United States can leverage many different interests, issues within Israel, within the region They need to make some very, very hard decisions now that we have crossed a red line, where everything is available in the arsenal of the United States government to bring a cease-fire, to bring quiet and return hostages."

Mr. Biden met in the Situation Room Monday with the U.S. hostage deal negotiating team after the murders of Goldberg-Polin and five others.

Today, @VP and I met in the Situation Room with the U.S. hostage deal negotiation team following the murder of Hersh Goldberg-Polin and five other hostages by Hamas.



We are devastated and outraged. Make no mistake, Hamas leaders will pay for these crimes.



We also discussed next pic.twitter.com/5aLADss2CS  President Biden (@POTUS) September 2, 2024

Asked by reporters Monday if he thinks Netanyahu is doing enough to secure the return of the hostages, the U.S. president responded, "No."

This combination of six undated photos shows hostages, from top left, Hersh Goldberg-Polin, Ori Danino, Eden Yerushalmi, from bottom left, Almog Sarusi, Alexander Lobanov, and Carmel Gat, who were held hostage by Hamas militants in Gaza. On Sept. 1, 2024, the Hostages Families Forum announced their deaths while in Hamas captivity. / Credit: The Hostages Families Forum via AP

The six hostages whose bodies were recovered were Hersh Goldberg-Polin, Carmel Gat, Eden Yerushalmi, Alexander Lobanov, Almog Sarusi, and Master Sgt. Ori Danino. The Israeli Ministry of Health said that autopsies showed they had each been shot at close range on Thursday or Friday.

"Finally you are free!"

Hersh Goldberg-Polin's family became two of the most high-profile relatives of hostages on the international stage. During their desperate fight to free their son, they met with Mr. Biden, Pope Francis and others. They also addressed the United Nations and the Democratic National Convention, urging the release of all hostages.

On Monday, thousands of people thronged a Jerusalem cemetery to pay their respects.

His mother Rachel said it had been a period of "torment" and "such a specific type of misery" that she had never before experienced."

Many in the crowd erupted in sobs she said goodbye to her son and told him, "Finally, finally, finally you are free!"

"I will love you and I will miss you every single day for the rest of my life but you're right here," she said, pointing to her heart. "I know you're right here. I just have to teach myself how to feel you in a different way. And Hersh, there's one last thing I need you to do for us. Now I need you to help us stay strong and I need you to help us survive."

Jonathan Polin and Rachel Goldberg, parents of killed US-Israeli hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin whose body was recovered with five other hostages in Gaza, attend the funeral in Jerusalem on September 2, 2024. / Credit: GIL COHEN-MAGEN/POOL/AFP via Getty Images

His father said they hoped his death might at least be a turning point in drawn-out negotiations for a cease-fire and hostage release

"We failed you, we all failed you. You would not have failed you," Jon Goldberg-Polin said. "Maybe your death is the stone, the fuel, that will bring home the 101 other hostages."

"Sorry Hersh, sorry we couldn't bring you back alive," Israel's President Isaac Herzog said in a eulogy.

Mourners gather for the burial of killed US-Israeli hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin. / Credit: GIL COHEN-MAGEN/POOL/AFP via Getty Images

President Biden, who spoke to the Goldberg-Polin family, said he was "devastated and outraged" by their son's killing.

"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," Mr. Biden said.

Netanyahu blamed Hamas for the stalled cease-fire negotiations, saying "Whoever murders hostages doesn't want a deal."

Hamas on Monday released a video showing the six hostages before they died and said a longer video would be released in the coming hours.

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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.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
Benjamin Netanyahu, Israels increasingly besieged prime minister, has been right about at least one thing: Hamas is responsible for the terrible, cold-blooded murder of six hostages.

In a statement, Israel Defense Forces (IDF) spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said that after surviving 11 months, the hostages were killed right before Israeli forces reached them. Their bodies were then recovered from an underground tunnel in the Rafah area of southern Gaza, before they were laid to rest.

Their funerals have inflicted fresh trauma on many families, and serve as a reminder of the origins of this present phase of the conflict in the Middle East: the atrocities committed by Hamas on 7 October.

But the scale, disproportionate violence and the conduct of the IDF since then  attracting allegations of war crimes and genocide  cannot erase that horror.

Evidently, the latest killings have made Mr Netanyahu even more determined to continue to prosecute his merciless war, which is, by now, the longest by far in his countrys history, heading for its first anniversary, and with the most grievous loss of life  including more than 40,000 Palestinian citizens, according to the countrys health authorities.

Israelis, on the whole, support the war, even though it has failed utterly in its stated objectives  to destroy Hamas and bring the remaining hostages home. Virtually the entire territory of Gaza has been razed to the ground and the fighting grinds on, always threatening escalation.

Indeed, Israel is now  geopolitically and locally  in a less secure position than it was on, say, 6 October last year. Whatever else may be said for it, Mr Netanyahu has not won his war, and the resignation of opposition leader Benny Gantz from the war cabinet in June was powerful evidence of the impatience many are feeling about the situation.

Mr Netanyahu seems relatively unconcerned about this, but his more immediate problem is that the anger about the failure of his administration to conclude a hostage deal with Hamas is provoking significant unrest in Israel itself. More than half a million Israelis, hardly allies of Hamas, have come out to vent their feelings, bringing Tel Aviv to a standstill, and the Israeli trade unions initiated a general strike.

Even this remarkable political survivor must wonder about his future. Mr Netanyahu has been a seemingly permanent fixture on the regional and international scene for the last three decades, and been premier, on and off, for 17 years. But he is not invincible, and he is now faced by people desperate to rescue other hostages, before it is too late.

If Mr Netanyahu shows no interest in a ceasefire deal with Hamas, then the hostages have no more value to Hamas, and their lives fall into even deeper danger. The people of Israel realise this harsh reality, and they are reacting to the diplomatic stalemate with a great sense of urgency.

The internal pressure for a hostage deal, inevitably with a ceasefire, is becoming intense  and it may yet make the difference, at least as far as the Israeli government is concerned. Israels friends and allies in the West, especially the United States, are still working as hard as ever for an agreement.

The British decision to cancel a proration of its arms export licences to Israel is an indication of how frustrated they are with the way the war is dragging on. President Biden has even gone so far as to say Mr Netanyahu isn't doing enough to get a deal.

Those nations in the area that Israel has made peace with, and those who also seek peace, such as Egypt, Qatar, the UAE and Saudi Arabia, are also doing all that they can. With such goodwill, which has endured throughout these many months of killing and cruelty, Israel has the possibility of not only rescuing the hostages, but actually ending the war in Gaza, and rebuilding that network of regional peace treaties envisaged in the Abraham Accords, one of President Trumps rare diplomatic breakthroughs.

Mr Netanyahu, who may have to face the electors sooner rather than later if the unrest creates parliamentary instability, should think carefully about snatching such an unlikely prize from the present danger.

Realistically, he may continue to be his own stubborn self, judging that winning the war is still possible and judging (correctly) that America will not abandon him. Also realistically, it is by no means clear that Hamas is as keen for a ceasefire and a deal as they should be, despite their notional position of political leadership.

There have been more than a dozen attempts at a peace deal of some kind, with the likes of President Biden proclaiming that an end to the fighting is in hand  but the high, last-minute failure rate suggests a degree of insincerity in one or, just as likely, both sides in this conflict.

Perversely, both Mr Netanyhu and Hamas think they have something to gain from continuing the conflict, and even in dragging in America and Iran respectively.

As too often, it is the Palestinian people of Gaza who have suffered the most, but rank lowest in the calculations of those around them. Now, the anguished voices of the people of Israel may make some difference.
Family, friends and supporters of Israeli hostages taken by Hamas in Gaza take part in a protest on the Israeli costal road outside Kibbutz Yakum. A day after the discovery of the bodies of six hostages in the Gaza Strip, a major strike led by Israel's trade union umbrella organization Histadrut began on 02 September in protest against the government's failure to end the conflict. ilia yefimovich/dpa

A day after the discovery of the bodies of six hostages in the Gaza Strip, a major strike led by Israel's trade union umbrella organization Histadrut began on Monday in protest against the government's failure to end the conflict.

Many cities and communities joined the protest, while others refused to do so because they are more closely aligned with the right-wing religious government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Contrary to what had been announced, air traffic at Ben Gurion International Airport near Tel Aviv ran largely normally.

On Sunday, Histadrut said it planned to bring the country to a standstill by calling for a one-day general strike. The aim is to increase the pressure on Netanyahu to agree to a deal for the release of the remaining hostages.

In many cities, kindergartens, banks and government offices remained closed. Public transport was also affected.

On Sunday, hundreds of thousands had already demanded an immediate agreement with the militant Palestinian Hamas organization in the largest mass protests since the start of the Gaza war almost 11 months ago.

"We cannot continue to stand by and watch," the Ynetnews website quoted Histadrut leader Arnon Ben-David as saying on Sunday. "That Jews are being murdered in the tunnels of Gaza is unacceptable. We have to make a deal [with Hamas], a deal is more important than anything else."

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced on Sunday that troops had recovered the bodies of six hostages from an underground tunnel in the south of Gaza. According to the military, they had been killed by Hamas militants only a short time before.

The four men and two women were kidnapped during the Hamas-led terrorist attack in southern Israel on October 7, the IDF said.

However, a Hamas spokesman said that the hostages had been killed by an Israeli bombardment.
The resounding impact of the Supreme Courts decision to neuter an obstruction charge used in Jan. 6 cases will face fresh scrutiny Wednesday when a rioters resentencing tests whether prison terms in such cases must be reduced.

Since the high courts June decision, scores of rioters have asked judges to push back or reconsider already-imposed sentences. Prosecutors have said in court filings that a case-by-case analysis of the obstruction cases is underway to determine how to move forward and whether harsher sentences can stand.

Now, attorneys are preparing to put the litmus test to Thomas Robertson, a former Virginia police officer, who was sentenced to more than seven years in prison after a jury in 2022 convicted him of six charges, including obstruction of an official proceeding.

Prosecutors said Robertson entered the Capitol with the first wave of rioters and used his specialized training in law enforcement to impede officers attempting to push back the mob, using a large wooden stick to strike at least two officers.

The rioters 87-month sentence was initially vacated and ordered redone in May due to a separate ruling by a federal appeals court that affected the guidelines for his sentencing. But the appeals court also said the rioters lower court judge could consider the Supreme Courts then-pending decision on the obstruction charge when handing down a new sentence.

At Robertsons resentencing, a federal judge will determine how much time  if any  the Supreme Court justices ruling should shave off the rioters prison term.

Prosecutors say that sentence shouldnt budge. But Robertsons counsel is seeking a much lower term, suggesting the rioter has been a model inmate for the last three years on top of his sentencing guidelines having now dramatically changed.

More than 350 rioters were charged with obstruction of an official proceeding after the Capitol attack. The statute, Section 1512(c)(2), makes it a crime to corruptly obstruct, impede or interfere with official inquiries and investigations by Congress.

The Justice Department initially used it to prosecute rioters who interrupted Congresss certification of the 2020 presidential election results, but one rioter, Joseph Fischer, challenged that approach, contending that prosecutors unlawfully retooled a charge that once criminalized document shredding to encompass the conduct of those who stormed the Capitol that day.

The Supreme Court sided with 6-3 with Fischer, not along ideological lines, writing that it would be peculiar to conclude that Congress hid away a catchall provision reaching far beyond the evidence destruction that initially prompted the legislation.

The better conclusion is that subsection (c)(2) was designed by Congress to capture other forms of evidence and other means of impairing its integrity or availability beyond those Congress specified in (c)(1), Chief Justice John Roberts wrote for the majority.

Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, who sided with the courts conservative majority, claimed that there is still a path forward for such Jan. 6 cases. Offering a roadmap to prosecutors, she suggested that Congresss certification of the electoral vote inherently involved certain records, including the electoral votes themselves.

It might well be that Fischers conduct, as alleged here, involved the impairment (or the attempted impairment) of the availability or integrity of things used during the January 6 proceeding in ways other than those specified in (c)(1), Jackson wrote. If so, then Fischers prosecution under 1512(c)(2) can, and should, proceed.

At the recent sentencing of Michael Sparks, the first rioter to enter the Capitol building on Jan. 6, the Justice Department tested out its own route in the already-tried case.

Prosecutors contended at the sentencing last week that Sparkss obstruction conviction should still hold weight in deciding his sentence, despite their dismissing the count following the Supreme Courts ruling.

Their argument was twofold and focused specifically on evidence Sparks destroyed: the rioter permanently shuttered his Facebook account after the FBI informed him of a warrant for his arrest, and he erased text messages between himself and another rioter.

This was a targeted effort, Assistant U.S. Attorney Emily Allen told the judge last week.

Sparkss attorney countered that deleting a Facebook account could not qualify as obstruction, when apps like Snapchat or Signal automatically delete content as part of their services.

But U.S. District Judge Timothy Kelly sided with prosecutors, ruling that the context of Sparkss actions  that the erasures occurred once he knew he was wanted by authorities  is key. The judge chose to weigh the offense and significantly depart from federal guidelines to sentence Sparks to more than four years in prison.

Handing down that sentence, Kelly also noted that a jury found Sparks guilty of obstructing Congresss certification of the 2020 election, despite the later dismissal.

I do find you had that intent, too, the judge said.

In Friday filings for Robertsons case, Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth Aloi pointed to Sparks as the first defendant convicted at trial of the obstruction charge where the government did not also proceed to sentencing on that count. She brought Kellys harsh sentence to the attention of Robertsons judge, suggesting a similar roadmap for Robertsons own resentencing.

The applicable guidelines calculation did not account for Sparks clear intent to disrupt a government function, Aloi wrote.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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Palmetto State Armory is currently offering Labor Day deals. An AR-15, the rifle most commonly used in mass shootings, can be purchased for 50 percent off. The bargain price of 25 cents per round is on offer for a box of 1,000 rounds of 9mm ammunition. Last chance to get a .45mm Glock for $600, says the Columbia, South Carolina-based manufacturer. Palmetto makes its mission clear on its website: We want to sell as many AR-15 and AK-47 rifles as we can and put them into common use in America today.

Thats the promise of a gun store that caters to gun enthusiasts obsessed with the idea that they will one day have to take up arms against a tyrannical government. Its rifles, however, fuel a war that is taking place thousands of miles away. In October 2020, the Mexican Army recovered a high-powered rifle sold by Palmetto after a confrontation with suspected hitmen in the Mexican state of San Luis Potosi. Mexican authorities have recovered 543 weapons manufactured by Palmetto over the past nine years; all of these weapons had crossed the border to swell the arsenal of organized crime.

The above case is part of The Iron River of Weapons, a recent report by the organization Stop US Arms to Mexico. It is well known that the weapons that fuel violence in Mexico come from the United States, but the document helps to understand the volume of trafficking in high-powered rifles and guns with which tens of thousands of homicides are committed each year. These are traded from practically every corner of the country. From Fort Fairfield, a town in Maine on the border with Canada, where a weapon recovered in Mexico in 2020 came from. To places like Yuma, Arizona, where 593 weapons were sold between 2015 and 2022. Of these, 591 ended up in Mexico (119 were recovered in 2022 alone). The remaining two were found in Guatemala and El Salvador.

Weapons come from all over the country, but they are trafficked especially from cities in Texas or Arizona; border cities in these states are the most important source, says John Lindsay-Poland, the coordinator of the report and member of the organization that released it. The five cities that exported the most weapons to Mexico between 2015 and 2022 are Houston, Texas (2,452); Tucson, Arizona (2,156); Phoenix, Arizona (1,745), El Paso, Texas (1,658) and San Antonio, Texas (1,340).

Lindsay-Poland produced the document using information obtained through legal challenges and three years of information requests from the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). Industry lobbyists, with the help of Congress, have drawn a thick curtain that makes it difficult to trace the origin of the 250,000 firearms that make the journey south each year. The work of Lindsay-Poland and a group of attorneys helped get around a law known as the Tiahrt Amendment, which bars the ATF from sharing gun-tracing information with virtually anyone other than an enforcement agency specifically investigating a crime.

Destruction of weapons seized by the Mexican Army from organized crime groups in Santa Maria Rayon, in the State of Mexico, in March 2023. Eyepix Group (Future Publishing via Getty Imag)

On October 1, the administration of President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador will come to an end, making way for president-elect Claudia Sheinbaum. With more than 200,000 murders recorded during his six-year term, the period will go down as the most violent in Mexican history since records have been kept. With the increase in armed violence, the number of weapons recovered by Mexican authorities has also increased. This figure grew by 45% between 2015 and 2022.

The serial numbers of the rifles and guns are then sent to the ATF for analysis. They show that two out of three weapons were manufactured in the United States or came from a gun factory there. The figure could be even higher, since the country of origin of the remaining third cannot be determined because some of the gun manufacturers have plants in European countries as well as the United States. Thirty percent of the seized weapons were manufactured by four companies: Smith & Wesson, Colt, Glock and Beretta. The Mexican government has filed a lawsuit against these and seven other gunmakers seeking millions in damages caused by gun violence.

Lindsay-Poland points out that the information in the hands of the ATF also indicates that many of the weapons recovered in Mexico were previously on a secondary market. This means that they could have been purchased in the United States in 2010 and then recovered in Mexico in 2022. We dont know if they were circulating in the United States all that time or were already in Mexico. It is a sign of why the market must be regulated now, because it has implications in the future, in 10 or 20 years, because these weapons can kill then, says the activist in a video call.

Over the past eight years, Mexico has recovered 800 .50-caliber rifles, weapons of war with the capability to damage armor and military structures from more than a mile away, twice the range of the AR-15. The vast majority of these are manufactured in Tennessee by Barrett. The Giffords Center says these are some of the most destructive weapons in existence and should have no place in homes or shooting clubs. Despite this, anyone over 18 who passes a background check can get one.

The Iron River report points to another problem when it comes to tracing illegal gun trafficking: the buyers. The number of individuals who buy the guns is almost as large as the number of guns themselves, Poland says. Its not just one guy working for a cartel who buys a large number of rifles. These are huge numbers, he adds. Despite the volume, the purchases are made one by one by different individuals, called straw buyers. The 942 guns purchased in Maricopa County, Arizona, and recovered in Mexico two years ago, were purchased by 874 people. Only one in 10 individuals bought a second gun from the same seller, the report says. This is done to reduce the risk of being arrested by U.S. authorities.

The Mexican Army arms itself

Lindsay-Poland has not only obtained the information through the Freedom of Information Act. He also made requests in the Mexican system, where he learned that the Ministry of National Defense legally acquired some 62,000 firearms during Lopez Obradors six-year term, from 2018 to 2023. The Army, the intermediary with the arms industry, later sold these weapons to different police corporations. They are not weapons for military use or for private individuals.

The activist warns that the Mexican government is on a buying spree at the close of the Lopez Obrador administration. In April, May and June 2024, the country imported 10,571 military rifles from the United States, becoming the second largest buyer in the world behind Jordan. The figure is more than double the number imported by Israel (5,001), according to the U.S. International Trade Commission. The Mexican Army also imported 453 machine guns from its northern neighbor.

Mexico continues to import extraordinary numbers of firearms. Compared to the rest of the world, the Sedena [Mexican Secretariat of National Defense] is experiencing a frenzy. I would love for someone to ask the Army what for and why now, of all times. We dont have answers to those questions, says Lindsay-Poland.

Stop US Arms to Mexico believes that the United States does not respect the foreign policy principle that prevents selling weapons to those who have committed violent crimes, including institutions that have violated human rights. There are many police agencies in Mexico that are in collusion with organized crime. There are units of the Navy and the Army that are in collusion, not by supplying them with weapons, but by manipulating by strengthening or weakening different organizations in their home places, explains Lindsay-Poland.

This expert believes that the sale of weapons abroad should follow the same guidelines as the regulation within the United States. The criminal record will look for evidence that you have committed a crime, and not only that, it will look for restraining orders in case you have been violent with a partner. If there are such precedents, they will not sell you weapons, he maintains. For the moment, the river of weapons to the south seems to have no brakes.
Japan accuses China of sailing into its waters just days after a Chinese spy plane violated Japanese airspace

Japan says a Chinese Navy survey ship sailed into its territorial waters on Saturday.

The incident comes just days after a Chinese military spy plane flew into Japanese airspace.

China asserted that the two incidents weren't linked, adding that the ship's passage was legal.

Japan accused China of sailing into its territorial waters just days after one of Beijing's spy planes violated Japanese airspace for the first time.

The incidents, which China asserted aren't linked, are sparking further tensions between the two nations.

Japan's Ministry of Defense confirmed the incursion on Saturday, detailing that at around 6 a.m., the Chinese Navy vessel moved eastward into territorial waters west of Kuchinoerabu Island, which is located in the Tokara Strait southwest of the country's four biggest islands.

The Chinese Schuppan-class survey ship remained in that area before departing southwest of Yakushima Island at around 7:53 a.m.

A map published by the defense ministry showed the movement of the Chinese vessel.

A map from the Japanese Ministry of Defense showing the sailing path of a Chinese Navy survey vessel. Japanese Defense Ministry

In response, Namazu Hiroyuki, director-general of the Japanese Foreign Ministry's Asian and Oceanian Affairs Bureau, said the ministry "issued Japan's strong concern and protest" to China's embassy in Tokyo, highlighting "past activities of Chinese naval vessels and others in the waters around Japan."

Hiroyuki also noted the recent violation of Japan's airspace by a Chinese military spy plane just last week.

Japan said a Chinese Y-9 intelligence-gathering plane briefly entered Japanese airspace near the Danjo Islands, located southeast of Nagasaki. The plane was in Japanese airspace for three minutes, and Japan's Air Self-Defense Force scrambled fighter jets in response.

Maps showed the plane's flight path. While it was the first reported Chinese airspace violation of Japan, Japan previously scrambled jets over 600 times between April 2023 and March 2024, mostly in response to Chinese military aircraft.

A map of a Chinese Y-9 aircraft's flight path in Japanese airspace. Japanese Defense Ministry

While the quick succession of both incidents raised concerns in Tokyo, China said they weren't linked.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said Monday that the Tokara Strait "can be sured for international navigation, and by sailing through the strait, the Chinese vessel was exercising its right of transit passage, which is fully lawful and legitimate," citing the United Nations' international maritime laws.

She added that there was "no need to arbitrarily link or interpret" the two incidents.

China and Japan find themselves at a particularly sensitive moment in their relations as they attempt to work through critical issues, such as Japan's release of treated radioactive water from the Fukushima nuclear power plant last fall and Beijing's rising tensions with Taiwan.

Read the original article on Business Insider
By this time next year, the childhood home of Baltimore philanthropist and university namesake Johns Hopkins is likely to be history, said its new owner, Sam Asgari.

The historic Gambrills house is headed toward either demolition or collapse if it doesnt receive a major cash infusion soon, said Asgari, who recently purchased actor Kevin Spaceys Baltimore condo for $3.24 million.

When the Potomac-based real estate investor purchased the 13-acre Hopkins property in January for $915,000, Asgari said he planned to turn it into a museum and inn or wedding hall.

Then he toured it.

Broken windows line the 18th-century homes front exterior, staircases sag, and chandeliers are shattered. The flooring is stained and warped, and drywall is crumbling from the ceiling exposing the underlying foundation of the floor above.

We knew we were getting something thats complicated, but not this complicated, Asgari said.

It appeared, to Asgari, that the property hadnt been maintained in several years, despite a nonprofit, Johns Hopkins House Inc., spending six years fundraising for its restoration.

Hopkins was born in 1795 to Quaker parents, and raised on the property and former tobacco plantation also known as Whites Hall, according to the Johns Hopkins University. Quaker edict dictated followers liberate the people they enslaved decades before emancipation. Evidence suggests Hopkins family followed that directive and freed or created terms to free the people they enslaved there before 1800. Emancipation wouldnt become law in Maryland until 1864.

Johns Hopkins left home at 17 and moved to Baltimore to work for his uncle in the wholesale grocery business.

The philanthropist is best known for the work he did after leaving Gambrills. According to the school, that included financing Americas first research university; a hospital designed to treat people of all races, ages, and genders; and an orphanage serving Black children in Baltimore.

Last fall, the state shut down the nonprofit fundraising for the home for allegedly misleading donors. A few months later the parcel was sold to Asgari at a foreclosure auction.

Upon assessing the house at the start of the year, Asgari started to lose hope in his ability to restore it and protect its history. Not only were the aesthetics of the home in dire need of triage, but the very structural integrity of the building was at stake, he learned.

The roughly 24-inch foundation was cracking and the buildings middle support beams were sinking drastically, said Gustavo Martinez, Asgaris general supervisor for the property, adding it was also missing its copper piping, leaving the building without running water.

Improvements would likely total around $1 million, Martinez said. Asgari wasnt eager to spend more money fixing the house than he bought it for in the first place, he said.

He attempted to acquire financial assistance from Anne Arundel County and from contacts of his at the university. Neither could or was willing to provide help.

The local government doesnt typically allocate funds to private property owners, wrote C. Jane Cox with the countys historic preservation program. Meanwhile, the university isnt interested in maintaining another historic parcel, said university spokesperson J.B. Bird.

Asgari conceded and listed the home for sale, gradually lowering the price from about $1.9 million to around $1.5 million.

Everyone who looks at it is like: No, its in really bad shape,' he said.

If the home is not purchased or he doesnt somehow receive substantial financial assistance, he said, hell have to tear down the structure. However, the houses fate may not be up to him.

Without help, that house is going to come down by itself, Asgari said. In less than a year.

Losing the Hopkins house could curtail further research into the lives of Hopkins and his family members, Quaker history and the complexities of how slavery functioned and concluded in the 18th and 19th centuries, according to historians, professors and archivists knowledgeable about Hopkins life.

Questions about Hopkins and the values with which he led his life still swirl today among historians and professors. Whether he enslaved people, despite being known as a staunch abolitionist, has been debated since the university announced in 2020 the finding of documents indicating enslaved people may have lived in his home.

Hopkins did, however, draft a very consequential will, making contributions that led to the Johns Hopkins University and hospital. Thats something he may not have done without having the upbringing he did in that home, said Sydney Van Morgan, a senior lecturer at the university who is teaching a class about Hopkins in the fall and writing a biography on his life.

It was those Quaker principles and the discipline that led him to have the life that he did  not a perfect life, and certainly not looking back from the viewpoint of the 20th century  but he did a lot of good with what he had, she said.

Show Caption1 of 14

Aug. 20, 2024: The Johns Hopkins House: Built in circa 1780, Whites Hall, also referred to as Whiteshall or Whites Hall Farm, is the birthplace and boyhood home of famous Maryland native Johns Hopkins., who went on to found the world-renowned university and hospital that bear his name. (Jeffrey F. Bill/Staff photo)

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For Democrats to maintain Senate control, Senator Jon Tester (D-MT) needs to win reelection in a state Donald Trump won by 16.4 percentage points in 2020.

That brutal reality is reflective of the vicious Senate map Democrats were handed this year in a chamber already tilted against them. After Sen. Joe Manchins (D-WV) retirement, Republicans can confidently add that seat to their roster, bringing them to 50 senators, assuming they return their incumbents (whose losses would be major upsets). Testers loss would give them the majority.

If Tester wins, and Democrats win the White House and flip the House, that means a 2020-like environment with the possibility of major legislation and the certainty of judicial confirmations. If he does not, Congress would return to 2022s legislative graveyard, now with a Republican Senate that would likely block many judicial confirmations and move to stop a President Kamala Harris from filling any Supreme Court vacancies that arise. If Republicans win the presidency and keep the House, of course, Democrats losing the Senate opens the door to a no-holds-barred, full-scale Trump agenda.

The perennial survivor, the last statewide Democrat in an increasingly MAGAfied Montana, has to turn in the political performance of a lifetime, and do something hes never done before  overcome those headwinds in an election where Trump is on the ballot.

Oh yes, Mike Dennison, currently a political analyst and the former longtime chief political reporter at the Montana Television Network, said when TPM asked if Tester could win in these conditions. Although itll probably be the most difficult test in his career.

Tester is now a singular breed in the Senate, the last stronghold in a state that has, particularly in the past four years, completely repudiated his party. Sens. Sherrod Brown (D-OH)  also in the fight of his life  and Susan Collins (R-ME) have historically pulled off a similar feat, but still operate in more hospitable environments than Tester. In 2018, the other Tester-like incumbents in the Senate  Democrats Joe Donnelly in Indiana, Claire McCaskill in Missouri, Heidi Heitkamp in North Dakota  got wiped out, presaging the death of ticket-splitting among an increasingly polarized electorate. Tester hung on by 3.6 points.

Now, Tester finds himself in a curious moment. President Joe Biden, whose drag Tester felt acutely enough to publicly beseech him to leave the race, has done so. Democrats have a new nominee in Vice President Kamala Harris, bringing with her an exuberant and newly generous voting base.

Experts have told TPM that an energized Democratic base can only help Tester and Brown, that a rising tide lifts all boats, that any factor lessening the number of Trump voters they have to win over is a boon. But Tester hasnt exactly been acting like it. He declined to endorse a candidate for president and thus far, per experts in the state, has maintained his strategy of keeping his party at arms length.

If he continues here with the anti-Biden perspective, which tangentially impacts Harris as well, that would hurt him longterm, said Paul Pope, a political scientist at Montana State University Billings.

I dont understand why Tester isnt saying, look, here are things Democrats have done that are good for Montana: the COVID relief bill, the infrastructure bill, advancing green energy, Dennison said, framing the hypothetical argument as hey, maybe you dont like Democrats, but heres some things theyve done that Ive voted for that are good for the state.

When he posed that question to the politically keyed-in in the state, some have offered that the Democratic brand is so damaged in Montana that its best for Tester to abandon it altogether.

Instead, Tester has tried to keep the race hyper-local, focusing on issues like public land rights and downplaying that his victory would likely seal Democratic control of the upper chamber.

Polling in the state has been scarce, and much of what has been released comes from partisan pollsters. A recent poll paid for by KULR-TV in Billings had Republican Tim Sheehy up six points; an Emerson poll put into the field a few days before had him up two. Dennison told TPM hes seen a private poll of 6,000 people from the last couple weeks that had Tester up one.

Its a testament to Testers talent that election projectors including the Cook Political Report and the University of Virginias Sabatos Crystal ball have his race in the tossup category.

Recent historical trends suggest both of them to lose, Kyle Kondik, managing editor of Sabatos Crystal Ball, told TPM of Tester and Brown in a recent interview. Thats not a prediction  its just what history tells us. Just because ticket-splitting has been on the decline for a while doesnt mean it has to continue to.

Some onus will fall to Harris to stem the bleeding. Theres no question that shell lose Montana, but she needs to keep the margins low enough that Tester can overcome the delta. The recent KULR-TV poll showed her down 14 points, improving on Bidens 2020 margin; Dennison estimated that if she can keep her loss in the neighborhood of 12-14 points, it would give Tester a fighting chance.

Harris entry isnt the only factor that could shake up Testers race. Last Tuesday, the Montana secretary of states office certified a constitutional amendment to protect abortion rights, which will appear on the ballot in November. Abortion rights are popular in Montana, which currently protects the procedure until viability.

Everything looks like the abortion ballot measure to protect reproductive rights is most likely to pass, Pope said.

The presence of the amendment also wont guarantee Testers path to victory; in other red states, voters have consistently demonstrated their comfort with the cognitive dissonance of voting for abortion rights and Republican lawmakers who oppose them on the same ballot.

Testers opponent, political newcomer Sheehy, called abortion sinful, saying last December at a Fulton County Republican Women open house, I think its terrible. I think its a repulsive thing to do, per the Heartland Signal, the newsroom for progressive, Illinois-based radio station WCPT820. He also said that he wants it all to end tomorrow.

Still, to the extent that the initiative  like Harris candidacy  energizes Tester-friendly voters and motivates them to turn out, it cant hurt.

It can only help Tester  I dont know how much, but I think its to his benefit, Dennison said. Its going to draw more Democratic-leaning voters to the polls and more women to the polls, who are more supportive of Tester.
CAIRO (Reuters) - Jordan's health ministry has recorded an mpox case for a non-Jordanian resident, state news agency Petra said on Monday, adding that the case was currently in isolation.

The health ministry said the case was not the first for the kingdom, as it recorded one back in 2022.

The ministry said the case was a 33-year-old male, without identifying his nationality.

(Reporting by Jaidaa Taha and Ahmed Elimam; Editing by Alex Richardson)
Reality Check is a Star series holding those with power to account and shining a light on their decisions. Have a suggestion for a future story? Email our journalists at RealityCheck@kcstar.com.

Sen. Josh Hawley watched from home as the balloons fell in Milwaukee at the third Republican National Convention christening former President Donald Trump as the partys nominee.

Hawley had said two years ago that he wasnt interested in running for President in 2024, a year ago that he wasnt interested in being Trumps Vice President and that month that he wasnt interested in a cabinet position in a potential Trump administration.

Being in the Senate is a lot better job, Hawley said at the Capitol last month. Its true. I just thought I could be more effective here. And also, I want to represent my state.

But as Hawley pulled himself out of the presidential conversation, one of his closest ideological allies, Sen. JD Vance, rose in Trumps esteem. Just two years after winning a hotly contested Republican primary for Senate in Ohio in 2022  with backing from Hawley  Vance became the Republican vice presidential nominee.

It was a victory for Hawleys branch of the Republican Party. In elevating Vance, Trump doubled down on his populist message and indicated that the partys working-class base was his focus.

But Vances rise also means that Hawley, who is seen as a future presidential candidate, is out of the national spotlight while his ideological ally is positioned to become the future of the party.

Hawley does not appear bothered. He says his focus is on representing Missouri, that he likes his independence and has never been particularly interested in becoming vice president.

This is Trumps moment, and its a hugely important moment, Hawley said. Because this moment will alter the trajectory of the future.

Focusing on Missouri

Hawley was first elected to the Senate in 2018, as one of the first Republican candidates of the Trump era. The Missouri Republican quickly set to work trying to take Trumpism and turn it into a legislative agenda.

He drew national attention for his criticism of the technology industry  particularly social media companies. He was the first Senator to say he would object to the certification of the 2020 presidential election. And he was among the first Senators to oppose military aid for Ukraine, after Russia invaded the country in 2022.

Its the first sort of spark of, wow, okay, this is what it might look like on a whole suite of issues ranging from economic nationalism to foreign policy to immigration to culture and more, said Saurabh Sharma, the president of American Moment, a conservative non-profit. He was very much a maverick, doing some really interesting things in those early days in the Senate.

The moves also had the benefit of attracting attention from national media, helping Hawley position himself for a potential presidential run. But when it appeared clear that Trump would run for reelection, Hawley quickly said that he wasnt interested in running for president in 2024.

Instead, he doubled down on Missouri issues. His highest profile issue over the past two years has been the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act  an effort to get medical benefits for people in the St. Louis area, and across the country, who were exposed to radiation as a result of the federal governments efforts to develop nuclear weapons in World War II.

As Hawleys likely Democratic opponent toured the state, seeking endorsements from labor organizations, Hawley, too, attempted to win the support of private labor unions  and showed up to the picket line of striking United Auto Workers.

He later was praised by Teamsters president Sean OBrien in a speech at the Republican National Convention, as one of the Republican senators who is trying to make the party more supportive of labor.

Hes shown political dexterity this cycle, said Jeff Smith, a Democrat and former state Senator. The minute hes running for reelection instead of President, the target is no longer a national Republican primary voter. The target is a Missouri general election voter.

And, while he has an 11 percentage point lead according to a recent poll by St. Louis University and YouGov, Hawley has been quick to dismiss any speculation about joining a Trump administration should Republicans win the White House.

Im running for reelection, Hawley said. So Im not gonna go to the people in my state and say, Please elect me for six more years. And by the way, as soon as I get the opportunity to take a different job in the cabinet, Im gonna go do that. Im just not gonna do that.

A new direction

In a speech a week before the Republican National Convention, Hawley laid out his vision for the Republican Party.

He said Republicans should build their policy around an ideology of faith, family and work -- particularly by supporting economic policies that make it easier for families to get by, like an expansion of the child tax credit.

Today two parents have to work to make the kind of money, with the kind of purchasing power, that one wage got you 50 years ago, Hawley said, advocating for increased wages to allow parents more flexibility in how they want to raise their families.

Vance has similarly said Republicans should focus on helping families. But where Hawley was advocating for a family wage, Vance drew Democratic ire for criticizing single women, calling them childless cat ladies.

Hawley called those comments a poor choice of words, but doubled down on the idea of helping people have more kids  saying a lot of families want to have children but cant afford it.

Much of what Vance has talked about on the campaign trail is similar to path Hawley carved out in the Senate  from supporting private labor unions, criticizing large businesses, advocating for states to set policy on abortion rights and arguing against U.S. military support for the war in Ukraine.

Hes smack dab in the lane that Hawley envisioned for himself in national politics, and hes even younger than Josh, Smith said. And so thats poison for a guy who wants to be president. And I would imagine that, as much as hes going to tie himself to Trump, he wouldnt be too disappointed if JD Vance is not the vice president.

Populist conservatives argued that Vances success doesnt take away from Hawleys. They saw Trumps choice of Vance as a political decision  a rust belt politician who grew up working-class and could help appeal to voters in several swing states  but one that helped move the Republican Party in a more populist direction.

Trump has done so many great things to the party, but where do we go from here? said Jon Schweppe, the policy director for the American Principles Project, a socially conservative political advocacy group.

And having somebody like Vance in there, as opposed to say (North Dakota Gov. Doug) Burgum, right? I think Vance sets us up to be in a position where we can continue Trumps legacy and continue pushing towards a more socially conservative, economically Populist Party.

Regardless of whether Trump and Vance win, Hawley is likely to get even more ideological allies in the Senate. Republican candidates in states like Ohio, Indiana, West Virginia and Arizona, are campaigning more like Hawley than like former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley.

Hawley declined to speculate on what Vances vice presidential nomination meant for his future, though stressed his belief that the Republican Party needs to focus on the working class.

Youve gotta think about, where does this lead us in the next 10 years, 20 years, 30 years, Hawley said. Thats why I say its hard to have this conversation until we see what happens in November. We gotta win in November. If we dont want to November then, you know, this is gonna look a lot different.
HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WHNT)  Juan Laws, the man charged in the shooting death of Huntsville police officer Garrett Crumby, is set to appear in court Tuesday.

On August 27, court documents were filed for Laws to appear at a motion docket on September 3 at the Madison County Courthouse.

Laws, 24, was charged with capital murder after the shooting that killed Officer Crumby, and seriously wounded Officer Albert Morin.

Somerville Police: 74-year-old arrested for assault after injuring brother with knife

The Huntsville Police Department said that on March 28, Officers Crumby and Morin were answering a shots fired call at the Governors House Apartments, when they were both shot by Laws.

The officers were taken to Huntsville Hospital with life-threatening injuries, where Crumby later died. Officer Morin underwent emergency surgery, but remained in critical condition. He was released on April 14 in order to recover at home.

Laws previously filed a motion asking to waive assistance from legal counsel. He signed his Waiver of Counsel on April 10.

On Friday, May 26, the State of Alabama filed a notice of intent to seek the death penalty against Laws, two days after a preliminary hearing detailed the minute-by-minute events leading up to the incident.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHNT.com.
Vice President Kamala Harris has made it a point to emphasize over the past few weeks her plan to tackle Americas rising cost of living if shes elected president.

In the midst of a two-day bus tour last week in Savannah, she sat down with her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, for her first in-depth, televised interview with a major media outlet since President Joe Biden ended his bid for reelection and endorsed her to become his successor in July.

Among the topics covered in the wide-spanning conversation with CNNs Dana Bash, Harris elaborated on the economic policies shes aiming to implement if shes elected president  issues that weigh heavily on the minds of Black voters in Georgia.

One of my highest priorities is to do what we can to support and strengthen the middle class, Harris said when asked about her day-one aim of implementing an opportunity economy.

Ive already laid out a number of proposals in that regard, which include what were gonna do to bring down the cost of everyday goods, what were gonna do to invest in Americas small businesses, what were gonna do to invest in families, she continued, reiterating talking points from previous campaign stops and at last months Democratic National Convention in Chicago.

Some of those proposals are especially relevant to the financial challenges Black people in Atlanta are experiencing, which include affordable housing and inflated food prices. Heres what Harris economic strategy could mean for residents within the city and throughout the state.

Tackling the housing crisis

From 2014 to 2023, metro Atlanta home prices have appreciated four times faster than metro Atlanta wages, according to the Community Foundation of Atlanta, an organization focused on addressing economic inequality in the city. Black residents face an increasing burden from high housing costs and low wages.

According to the citys latest homeless census, which was conducted on Jan. 22, Black people represented 86% of the Atlanta residents living on the streets, in shelters, or in temporary housing.

Harris said she plans to push forward strategies to increase the housing supply and lift up first-time buyers.

By the end of my first term, we will end Americas housing shortage by building 3 million new homes and rentals, Harris said during a campaign rally in Raleigh, North Carolina, earlier this month. While we work on the housing shortage, my administration will provide first-time homebuyers with $25,000 to help with the down payment on a new home.

Harris also wants to create a $40 billion federal fund to help promote construction and expand an existing tax credit for businesses that build affordable rental housing. Shes proposing to make federal lands eligible to be repurposed for affordable housing developments.

Any increase in affordable housing will go a long way to support families with children who are either homeless, on the verge of homelessness, or are in a low-income environment, said Cameron Turner, the executive director of the Atlanta Childrens Day Shelter, a nonprofit that provides services like free child care to unhoused families.

Valerie Wilson, a labor economist with EPI Action, said that while increasing the housing supply is an important step in addressing the countrys housing issues, building 3 million homes and rentals is an ambitious goal. But she believes it is worth pursuing, adding that its more likely to come to fruition if Democrats gain a numbers advantage in both houses of Congress.

Wilson said Harris plan to offer $25,000 on a house down payment for first-time buyers could be a tactic used to help bridge the gap in homeownership between Black and white Americans.

That down payment is often a major barrier for a number of first-time Black homeowners, because there is less generational wealth and they are less likely to be in a position where parents can provide that down payment support or even purchase a first home for you, said Wilson.

Gregory Price, an economics professor at the University of New Orleans, said Harris proposed efforts to increase the housing supply are sound ideas on a federal level if they could be implemented, but warned that factors like a citys zoning and housing code could be barriers for affordable housing to trickle down on a local level.

He said restrictions like a minimum lot size requirement a regulation that stipulates the smallest area of land on which housing can be built  could present affordability barriers for some residents.

There may be some people who want housing but cant afford a 2,000-square-foot house and can only afford 1,000-square-foot housing, but zoning may not require that, said Price. Those are some of the things that could limit housing for some segments of the population  even when you increase supply.

Algernon Austin, the director of race and economic justice at the Center for Economic and Policy Research, said Harris housing policies are a good first step in addressing the nations housing crisis, but more can and should be done to address housing for low-income and unhoused populations.

We definitely need more housing units, likely even more than what Vice President Harris is calling for, particularly in terms of affordable housing, he said. But overall, I think those policies are addressing a very serious and important problem, and they should be effective.

Reeling in grocery price gouging

Another issue Harris plans to address is the cost of food, which comes at a time in which Georgia food bank workers say theyre seeing increased levels of food insecurity.

According to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the cost of groceries has climbed by roughly 25% since February 2020. Kyle Waide, president and CEO of the Atlanta Community Food Bank, said nonprofit organizations are seeing an increase in demand for food assistance from Georgia residents  and that Black residents are being impacted greatly.

There have been significant increases in food insecurity really across all demographic groups over the past couple of years, Waide said. But Black families are significantly more likely to experience food insecurity than white families, for sure, and more likely to experience food insecurity than any other large demographic group in our state.

Earlier this month, Harris told the audience at her North Carolina rally that she would push for the first-ever ban on price gouging on food, although details of how she would do so are unclear. Additionally, her economic plan includes cracking down on food corporation mergers and acquisitions that undercut competition and allow for inflated grocery prices.

Recently, theres been attempted mergers of major grocery chains  I think that is something that contributes to higher prices with having fewer producers or providers in the market, said Wilson. To the extent that there can be policies that see that markets are competitive, then that is something that helps with pricing issues.

Austin echoed Wilsons sentiments and agreed that when it comes to lowering grocery prices, preventing mergers of food companies is more promising than a federal price gouging ban.

Increasing the Child Tax Credit

In Georgia, parents spend on average more than $8,400 per year for an infant in family child care and more than $11,000 per year for center-based child care, according to Child Care Aware of America, an organization that works for more affordable child care.

Expenses for everything have gone up over the last four years, and so any kind of additional tax credit for low-income or homeless families is going to be instrumental in stabilizing that family and helping them long term, said Turner.

We do not charge anybody for our services and our child care because we want to alleviate the stress that the cost of child care has on low-income families, she added. By allowing that freedom of not paying $500 or $800 [per] week for child care, they can spend those resources on other things that they need.

Harris plan to alleviate these financial burdens is to boost the Child Tax Credit to provide a $6,000 tax cut to families with newborn children in the first year of the childs life.

She also wants to restore the expansion of the Child Tax Credit that was passed as part of the American Rescue Plan, which provided up to $3,600 per credit for some families.

Margot Crandall-Hollick, a research associate at the Urban-Brookings Tax Policy Center, said those with newborns face a perfect storm of financial struggles due to extra expenses coupled with a potential decrease in paid working hours.

When people have children, their income often declines  and it can decline quite substantially, Crandall-Hollick said, noting that many Americans dont get paid when they take time off work to tend to a newborn.

We know that investment in kids, when theyre really young, has big payoffs in terms of improving their health and education outcomes and even their future employment outcomes, Crandall-Hollick added.

How do Trumps policies compare?

Former President Donald Trump speaks about the economy during a campaign event in Potterville, Michigan. (Jeff Kowalsky/AFP via Getty Images)

Former President Donald Trump also unveiled some of his economic policies earlier this month.

According to a press release from his team, Trump is aiming to preserve individual and business tax cuts he enacted through the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. He also wants to bring down energy prices.

Trump has said throughout his campaign that he wants to impose new taxes on imported goods and to conduct mass deportations of immigrants.

Earlier this month, Trumps running mate, Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance, mentioned the idea of increasing the Child Tax Credit to $5,000  $1,000 less than Harris plan.

Americans trust President Trump to lead the country in a positive direction because, unlike Kamala Harris, he already has the record to prove it, said Janiyah Thomas, Black media director for Trumps reelection campaign. Our message to Black Americans struggling to make ends meet in this economy is simple: Vote for the candidate with the proven track record of economic success.

Austin, with the Center for Economic and Policy Research, said hes happy to hear Harris and Trump are both looking to expand the Child Tax Credit, which he sees as a useful tool to reduce childhood poverty. But Austin had concerns about some of Trumps other policies.

Those tax cuts had a disproportionate benefit to higher-income households, and if we keep them, theyre going to increase deficits, Austin said in reference to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.

Austin said Trumps push to decrease energy prices should take into account the impact those plans could have on climate change. He also questions the impact mass deportation would have on the economy.

Adelaide Bullock, communications director for Harris for Georgia, said Trumps policies favor corporations over working families and reelecting him would be an economic disaster.

The two presidential hopefuls will have a chance to lay out their agendas to voters in their first debate, which will take place on Sept. 10 at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia.

The post What Kamala Harris Economic Plan Could Mean for Black Atlanta Residents appeared first on Capital B News - Atlanta.
In a city steeped in labor history, Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris promised to protect workers' rights if elected and cast her Republican opponent former President Donald Trump as a foe to workers during a Labor Day speech on Monday at Detroit's Northwestern High School.

"Always good to be in the house of labor," Harris said at the beginning her brief speech in the high school's gymnasium. When she took the stage, Harris hugged a group of union presidents who greeted her under a blue banner that read, "Union Strong for Harris-Walz."

"Don't we love Labor Day?" Harris asked the sea of workers wearing their union T-shirts who applauded her. She repeated a familiar Democratic campaign refrain that unions helped build the middle class in the U.S.

Harris said all workers  even those who do not belong to a union  have benefited from strong unionized workplaces.

Everywhere I go I tell people, Look, you may not be a union member. You better thank a union member,  Harris said, prompting cheers. For the five-day workweek, you better thank a union member. For sick leave, you better thank a union. For paid leave. You better thank a union for vacation time.

Harris criticized Trump as a fierce opponent of workers' rights, saying he blocked overtime benefits for millions of workers, opposed efforts to raise the minimum wage, appointed "union busters" to the National Labor Relations Board and supported right-to-work laws that allow workers covered by collective bargaining agreements to opt out of paying union dues and fees.

"Trump's a scab," the crowd chanted in response to the litany of attacks against Trump.

"But here's the thing, we have a choice here," Harris said. If elected, she vowed to pass the PRO Act to give workers more power to organize.

Harris follows in the footsteps of the many presidential candidates who have visited the Motor City on Labor Day to campaign. And Harris' visit marks her first in Michigan  a key battleground  since she formally accepted her party's nomination in Chicago at the Democratic National Convention.

The latest Free Press poll shows Trump one percentage point ahead of Harris in both a head-to-head matchup and a four-way race that included Robert F. Kennedy Jr.  who suspended his campaign and endorsed Trump  and Green Party candidate Jill Stein. The poll from Lansing-based EPIC-MRA surveyed 600 active and likely Michigan voters between the last day of the Democratic National Convention and last Monday and had a margin of error of plus or minus four percentage points.

"We know this is going to be a very tight race," Harris said.

With labor and union representation in the background, including UAW President Shawn Fain, Vice President Kamala Harris speaks at Northwestern High School in Detroit during a Labor Day rally on Monday, Sept. 2, 2024.

Launched after President Joe Biden dropped out in late July, Harris' truncated presidential campaign has tried to position her as a champion for workers' rights while characterizing Trump as an ally of the billionaire class who won't advocate for the middle class.

Laborers' International Union of North America General President Brent Booker kicked off the Harris rally. He touted Harris' advocacy for workers' rights, saying she has joined striking workers on the picket line and led a task force on worker organizing. Booker said that he'd never seen a more pro-union president than Biden and declared Harris would continue Biden's legacy.

Michigan Democrats also took to the stage to highlight Harris' support for labor unions and denounce Trump as a candidate who wants union members to support his campaign but will turn his back on them once in the White House.

"Union workers deserve better than the failed anti-worker policies of the Republican Party and Donald Trump. Look, if your most famous line is, 'You're fired,' you sure as hell dont understand workers," said Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, a national co-chair of Harris' campaign. She characterized Trump as an out-of-touch rich man. By contrast, Whitmer said the middle-class roots of Harris and her running mate Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz help them understand the economic challenges voters face.

A look back: 5 memorable visits to Detroit by presidential candidates on Labor Day

If elected, Harris has repeatedly said she would make building up the middle class a key aim of her presidency. It's an economic message Dwan McGrady, 55, of Detroit, who attended the Harris event, said the vice president should continue to focus on as she tries to shore up support for her campaign. McGrady is a special needs preschool teacher with Detroit Public Schools Community District and a Harris supporter who said having a pro-union president is very important to her and said on that front, Harris stands in stark contrast to Trump.

"She's very pro-union," McGrady said of Harris.

Outside of the event, about a couple dozen Harris critics angered by her refusal to call for an embargo on sending U.S. arms to Israel screamed pro-Palestinian chants and nicknamed the vice president "killer Harris" within earshot of her supporters waiting in line to see Harris.

Pro-Palestine protesters march to Northwestern High School hours before Vice President Kamala Harris speaks at the high school in Detroit during a Labor Day rally on Monday, Sept. 2, 2024.

Trump had no campaign events scheduled Monday, but his campaign hosted a news briefing with autoworkers supporting Trump.

Team Trump Michigan Communications Director Victoria LaCivita said Harris' policies would hurt workers, citing energy initiatives to mitigate climate change, including industrial policies to transition the auto industry to electric vehicles, which LaCivita described as a ban on gas-powered cars while Harris' campaign has said the vice president does not support an electric vehicle mandate. "President Donald Trump will return us to an all of the above energy plan, protect Michigan's auto jobs and support American workers," LaCivita said.

After stopping in Detroit, Harris was scheduled to appear in Pittsburgh for a campaign event with Biden, their first joint campaign appearance after he dropped out of the presidential race and endorsed Harris as his replacement. Harris' running mate Walz campaigned earlier Monday in Milwaukee.

In 2016, Trump won Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin  dubbed "blue wall" states because they hadn't backed a GOP presidential candidate since the 1980s. Biden won all three states in 2020 to defeat Trump and the trio of swing states could once again decide the election this fall.

Contact Clara Hendrickson: chendrickson@freepress.com or 313-296-5743. Follow her on X, previously called Twitter, @clarajanehen.

Looking for more on Michigans elections this year? Check out our voter guide, subscribe to our elections newsletter and always feel free to share your thoughts in a letter to the editor.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Kamala Harris, in Detroit, vows to protect workers' rights
HONOLULU (KHON2)  The nurses of Kapiolani Medical Center for Women and Children voted in favor of a strike over the weekend, according to the Hawaii Nurses Association.

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The sentiment and frustration level of the nurses came through loud and clear in the vote,

said Rosalee Agas-Yuu, HNA president. The retaliation for speaking the truth and exposing

unsafe staffing issues has become unbearable. We will not be silenced. The strike will expose

Hawaii Pacific Healths unfair labor practices and culture of retaliation, intimidation and

bullying to all in the community.

The voting began on Friday and closed Sunday evening, after which HNA said an overwhelming majority of the nurses are in favor of a strike.

In a news release HNA said that they had been encouraging bedside nurses to document unsafe conditions or patient safety concerns and that had resulted in retaliation.

Kapiolani Medical Center nurses vote on potential strike

The union and nurses will decide the date and duration of the strike.

This is the second strike by the Kapiolani nurses in 2024, with the first being a one-week strike in January.

Kapiolani Medical Center provided the following statement.

While the Hawaii Nurses Associations decision is disappointing, we value our nurses and are committed to moving forward together. We have a negotiation session scheduled with the union this Thursday, Sept. 5, and want to reach an agreement so our nurses can benefit from a new contract.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
The intent of the requirement was not concealed: to block the ignorant Mexican vote. This was stated bluntly in a local newspaper editorial that strongly advocated for the passage of a measure in Arizona in 1909 that required taking an English literacy test to be eligible to vote. Since the end of the Civil War and slavery in the United States, laws had been pushed in territories across the country to restrict voting among Black people, and within a few decades strategies began to be adapted to limit access to voting for the Latino population as well. In addition to language tests, some states imposed special taxes to exclude the lower classes, or else racial discrimination measures that were not illegal at the time. Thus, for as long as records exist, Latinos have consistently been the group that votes in the lowest proportion. The difference is known as the Turnout Gap and behind it is not only an alleged political apathy or failed assimilation, but a long offensive to suppress the Latino vote.

Even the Voting Rights Act of 1965, passed at the height of the civil rights movement, did not end suppression. While the legislation, which ensured that anyone born or naturalized in the United States had the right to vote and prohibited states from depriving voters of the right on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude, was aimed at the African-American population that had suffered decades of segregation in the South, it also benefited the growing Latino population. Even more so when the law was expanded in 1975 following efforts by Latino organizations and activists to include protections for linguistic minorities, as many language restrictions remained in effect. Since then, it has been possible to translate election material into Spanish, and also into other languages, opening the door to thousands of new voters.

The law included special provisions that applied to specific jurisdictions. The most relevant was preclearance, which applied to states with a history of suppressing minority votes and dictated that the Attorney General or the District Court in Washington must approve any changes to election rules to ensure that no new rules disproportionately affect a particular group. However, in light of the legal reinforcements, new ways of restricting voting were devised that at first glance do not have the objective of suppressing the vote of Latinos and other minorities, but in practice do exactly that. This category includes gerrymandering, which is the redistribution of electoral districts to minimize the impact of minority votes, although this had been done for a long time. And although participation increased gradually among Latinos, from 30% until 2000 to over 50% in 2020, it remained almost 20 points below the average.

During that time, however, there was some important action on the legal front. In 2013, the Supreme Court made a key decision. In its 5-4 ruling in Shelby County, Alabama v. Holder, it struck down preclearance from the Voting Rights Act. Justice John Roberts wrote for the majority that while the Voting Rights Act had been necessary in the past, it was no longer needed and was therefore unconstitutional because it placed too much of a burden on the States. In a dissent, Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg replied: Throwing out preclearance when it has worked and is continuing to work to stop discriminatory changes is like throwing away your umbrella in a rainstorm because you are not getting wet.

Within 24 hours, Texas, Mississippi and Alabama introduced strict voter ID laws, which disproportionately affected minorities. For example, in Texas only some official IDs are allowed, such as a gun permit, but not a college student ID. Beto ORourke, a former Democratic representative in the House for the state, issued his own verdict: For 144 years, Texas has perfected the science of voter suppression at the polls.

And since Donald Trump burst onto the political scene a little less than a decade ago and spread unsubstantiated conspiracy theories of massive voter fraud involving non-citizen immigrants, efforts to suppress the Latino vote have only intensified. In 2019, Texas state officials singled out 95,000 voters they identified as non-citizens and accused them of voter fraud. After a review, it turned out that many of those individuals were naturalized and did indeed have the right to vote.

In 2021, Republican Governor Greg Abbott signed SB1 into law, which bans 24-hour voting, eliminates drive-thru voting, establishes new ID mandates for mail-in voting, makes it a felony for public officials to widely mail ballots, gives more power to partisan poll watchers, and requires the Texas Secretary of State to conduct monthly checks of voter rolls. These provisions directly impact the Latino electorate, who benefited from expanded voting methods, as their work schedules often make it impossible for them to go to a polling station on Election Day.

When Abbott approved that there should be only one ballot box per county to collect mail-in ballots, supposedly to protect the integrity of the election and stop illegal voting, he received numerous criticisms, including a lawsuit from LULAC, one of the oldest organizations that watch over the rights of Latinos in the country. The judge of Harris County, one of the most populous in the nation and with a majority Hispanic population, spoke out via Twitter, noting that the county is larger than Rhode Island: This is not security, it is suppression. But it is not just Texas: in many other states, such as Kansas, Ohio or Georgia, similar rules have been approved recently.

In the last week, the issue has come back into focus with more controversies centered on Texas. On the one hand, LULAC has accused the attorney general, Ken Paxton, of criminalizing the Hispanic vote after house searches of Latino leaders in which local prosecutors entered the homes of Democratic supporters and activists of the organization as part of an investigation into alleged electoral fraud and vote planting. The director of LULAC in Texas, Gabriel Rosales, insisted that Paxtons investigation and intimidation will not stop them. We are going to continue working on this, no matter what this AG thinks he is going to do. It will only add more fuel for us to continue doing what we know. We have not broken any law. All we have done is go out to increase the participation of the Latino community, he said.

Abbott also announced this week that since he signed the new package of laws aimed at restricting voting in 2021, more than a million names have been removed from the list of potential voters, mostly people who moved out of the state, who have died, or whose whereabouts cannot be confirmed. And although only 6,500 of the removed voters correspond to people without U.S. citizenship, Abbotts focus was on alleged illegal voting.

Despite the obstacles that have been historically put in place and which have intensified in some states in recent years, as well as the attempts to undermine confidence in the process, the Latino electorate is growing more than any other, simply due to demographic inertia. And a larger population, better assimilated than in the past and more organized, has the capacity to confront the imposed obstacles and is expected to bring more Latinos to the polls than ever before.
(Bloomberg) -- Kazakhstans president reiterated a call for a more just tax burden on the countrys lenders, which he said were considered among the most profitable in the worlds resource-rich countries, as the government struggles to shrink a budget deficit.

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Kazakh banks must pay taxes proportionate to their shareholder dividends, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said during a state-of-the-nation address in Astana on Monday. We need a new bank law to stimulate economic activity and the further development of the fin-tech sector, he said.

The large, landlocked country sandwiched between Russia and China boosted budget spending in the aftermath of deadly riots in 2022, which Tokayev called a coup attempt. At the same time, Tokayev has pursued more revenue from higher bank taxes and sought to face down oligarchs, pushing ahead with a law to recover assets deemed to have been acquired illegally.

It needs to be said clearly that a major miscalculation by the previous and current governments was the failure to implement the revenue side of the republics budget, Tokayev said. It is unacceptable for this problem to become systemic and hinder development.

Central Asias largest oil producer has yet to follow through on earlier calls for higher taxes on banks, and so far only a few major businessmen have returned large assets to the state. Kazakhstans largest lender, Halyk Bank, is controlled by the daughter and son-in-law of Tokayevs predecessor Nursultan Nazarbayev.

Tokayev also ordered the approval of a new tax code delayed to next year, saying the government needs to make successful fiscal reforms, including by increasing the efficiency of tax breaks.

Tokayev repeated that he wants tycoons to spend more capital at home and proposed an amnesty for business leaders who invest in the countrys economy, and added that should be formalized in law.

Those that the state believes have unlawfully acquired their assets could receive the possibility to make a deal without recognizing the illegality of transferred assets, he said. But they must make advances toward the government in terms of directing money to the budget, and without bargaining about each tenge.

Businesses are also obliged to invest significant money into the construction of schools, hospitals and other social projects, Tokayev said.

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FRANKFORT, Ky. (FOX 56)  Kentucky voters may see a new design on the classic stickers they receive each election at the polls.

The Secretary of State held Kentuckys first contest for a custom I Voted sticker design.

RELATED | Kentucky students asked to design new I Voted stickers

Middle schooler Lillian Bonczkiewicz said drawing is what she does to pass the time.

Its a pretty big hobby. I like to do it when Im bored or have nothing else to do, Lillian told FOX 56.

The Carlisle County homeschoolers design won over a majority of visitors to this years Kentucky State Fair. At the Secretary of States booth, fairgoers found a poll no different than the one theyll see in November. Out of more than 2,200 votes between the nine finalists, Lillians design came out as the favorite.

Lillians winning design (Secretary of State Michael Adams)

Well, I was thinking the flag which would represent freedom and an unbridled spirit, thats what they have in Kentucky, Lillian said.

Its going to be amazing knowing that I created it and seeing it on everybodys shirts. Yeah. Because everybody in school says theyre going to go vote so they can have my sticker, she added.

LATEST KENTUCKY NEWS:

Lillians mom, Elizabeth, told FOX 56 that they heard about the contest on the morning news and that shes very proud.

Another finalist will also have some unique memories of the contest but for different reasons. Third grader Cash Litzler of Flemingsburg won over the internets humor with his drawing that was less conventional than others.

I didnt know what to draw. So, I watched the Spider-Man movies like three days before it and I was just drawing. And then mom told me about the contest, and I wanted to enter it, Cash told FOX 56 wearing a shirt bearing the now-iconic image.

Lizardman, Spider-Man universe villain by Cash (Secretary of State Michael Adams)

Cashs mom said his thinking was, If lizard man can vote, you can too. His sister has ordered their own custom stickers for when they head to the polls.

Read more of the latest Kentucky news

Lillians winning design will be available in stickers in the November election, depending on if theyre requested by the local county clerk.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 56 News.
BOSTON (WWLP/AP)  The man wanted in Massachusetts to face murder charges has been extradited from Nairobi, Kenya almost a year after he left the United States.

Man sentenced in Springfield for using dark web to fund Chicago rappers lavish lifestyle

According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Kevin Kangethe was wanted for allegedly killing his girlfriend, whose body was found in an SUV at Logan International Airport last October. Kangethe left Kenya on Sunday and is set to face murder charges at Suffolk Superior Court on Tuesday.

His girlfriend, Margaret Mbitu, was a health care aide in Halifax and was last seen leaving work on October 30th and reported missing by her family. The preliminary investigation showed she had left her workplace and traveled with Kangethe to Lowell. Kangethe was also found in possession of personal items belonging to the deceased.

Kangethe was also involved in an escape from a police cell after his Kenyan lawyer visited him in January, according to the Associated Press. Disciplinary action was taken against the four police officers who were on duty when he escaped. He was rearrested a week later, and his extradition case continued.

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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A Kenyan man facing murder charges has been extradited and is back in Massachusetts nearly a year after he fled the United States, authorities said Monday.

Kevin Adam Kinyanjui Kangethe is wanted for allegedly killing his girlfriend, Margaret Mbitu, and leaving her body in a car at Logan Airport on Oct. 31.

Kangethe left Kenyas capital, Nairobi, on Sunday, and hes set to face murder charges at Suffolk Superior Court in Boston on Tuesday, Kenyan Director of Public Prosecutions Renson Ingonga said.

I wish to reiterate my commitment and support, whenever needed, to the United States of America, and in particular the prosecution team as they proceed with the next phase of the case, Ingonga said Monday.

The prosecution said that the extradition order had earlier been issued by the court in July.

I am deeply grateful for all of the state, federal and Kenyan authorities who have worked so diligently to return Kevin Kangethe to Boston. I am particularly grateful that Maggie Mbitus family and friends will finally see the man charge with her death appear in court, District Attorney Kevin Hayden said.

Whitman police searching for missing woman last seen in Halifax

Kangethe, who has renounced his U.S. citizenship, was involved in a dramatic escape from a police cell after his Kenyan lawyer visited him in January. Disciplinary action was taken against four police officers who were on duty when he escaped. He was rearrested a week later, and his extradition case continued.

Massachusetts State Police said in early November that Kangethe had left Mbituss body in a car at Logan Airport and boarded a flight to Kenya. Massachusetts officials said they were working with Kenyan authorities to locate him, and he was arrested in a nightclub on Jan. 30 after being on the run for three months.

Family, friends of slain Whitman woman pray for justice, alleged killer remains on the run in Kenya

Mbitu, a health care aide in Halifax, was last seen leaving work on October 30 and reported missing by her family. The preliminary investigation showed Mbitu had left her workplace and traveled with Kangethe to Lowell, where he lived, the prosecution said.

We are deeply grateful to the District Attorney, investigators, police, and victim advocates who have supported our family and are ensuring Maggies killer is held responsible, the Mbitu family said in a statement. We will have no further comment before tomorrows court hearing and request that the media respect our familys privacy at this difficult time, they added.

Kangethe is expected to appear in Suffolk Superior Court on Tuesday morning.

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

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A Kenyan man wanted in Massachusetts for allegedly killing his girlfriend has been extradited

FILE - Kevin Adam Kinyanjui Kangethe is escorted out of the courtroom at the Milimani law court in Nairobi, Kenya, on Feb. 14, 2024. A Kenyan man wanted in Massachusetts to face murder charges has been extradited nearly a year after he fled the United States. (AP Photo/Brian Inganga, File)

NAIROBI, Kenya (AP)  A Kenyan man wanted in Massachusetts to face murder charges has been extradited nearly a year after he fled the United States, authorities said Monday.

Kevin Adam Kinyanjui Kangethe is wanted for allegedly killing his girlfriend, Margaret Mbitu, whose body was found in a car at Logan International Airport in Boston on Oct. 31.

Kangethe left Kenya's capital, Nairobi, on Sunday, and he's set to face murder charges at Suffolk Superior Court in Boston on Tuesday, Kenyan Director of Public Prosecutions Renson Ingonga said.

I wish to reiterate my commitment and support, whenever needed, to the United States of America, and in particular the prosecution team as they proceed with the next phase of the case, Ingonga said Monday.

The prosecution said that the extradition order has earlier been issued by the court in July.

Kangethe, who has renounced his U.S. citizenship, was involved in a dramatic escape from a police cell after his Kenyan lawyer visited him in January. Disciplinary action was taken against four police officers who were on duty when he escaped. He was rearrested a week later, and his extradition case continued.

Kangethes girlfriend Mbitu was a health care aide in Halifax, Massachusetts, and was last seen leaving work on Oct. 30 and reported missing by her family.

The preliminary investigation showed Mbitu had left her workplace and traveled with Kangethe to Lowell, Massachusetts, where he lived, the prosecution in Kenya said during the extradition case hearing.

Kangethe was also found in possession of personal items belonging to the deceased, prosecutors said.
Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson said in a new interview she would consider supporting an enforceable mechanism of the Supreme Courts code of ethics.

CBSs Norah ODonnell asked Jackson in an interview that aired on CBS News Sunday Morning about whether she sees a problem with President Biden backing a binding code for the justices that would enforce gift disclosures and refusals. This comes as other justices on the bench have faced scrutiny over a failure to disclose luxury gifts and trips.

So, you know, a binding code of ethics is pretty standard for judges. And so I guess the question is, Is the Supreme Court any different? And I guess I have not seen a persuasive reason as to why the court is different than the other courts, Jackson replied.

When ODonnell pressed Jackson further on whether she would support an enforcement mechanism for the justices, Jackson indicated she would.

I am considering supporting it as a general matter. Im not gonna get into commenting on particular policy proposals. But from my perspective, I dont have any problem with an enforceable code, Jackson said.

Her comments follow Justice Elena Kagans call last month to create a way to enforce the Supreme Courts code of ethics. Kagan said at an annual judicial conference held by the 9th Circuit last month that it would make sense to have a system to enforce the code, The Associated Press reported.

Both in terms of enforcing the rules against people who have violated them but also in protecting people who havent violated them  I think a system like that would make sense, Kagan said, according to the AP.

The Supreme Court adopted a code of ethics last year after some of its justices faced scrutiny over its standards when it came to undisclosed gifts and trips. However, the code of conduct does not include any enforcement mechanism.

Biden unveiled a three-pronged proposal for the Supreme Court in July, including implementing Supreme Court term limits, a binding code of ethics and a constitutional amendment to counteract the justices recent presidential immunity decision. While his push echoes other Democrats who have called for reforms to the highest court, it faces an uphill battle.

The Associated Press contributed.

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WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW)  The Kansas Humane Society is hosting a free vaccine and microchip clinic this month.

The clinic will be on Saturday, Sept. 14, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Orchard Recreation Center, 4808 W. 9th St. N.

The following services will be offered:

Microchips

Rabies vaccine for cats and dogs

Bordetella vaccine for dogs

DHPP vaccine for dogs (distemper parvo)

FVRCP vaccine for cats (panleukopenia & more)

Mandatory microchips: How the new city ordinance may affect Wichita pet owners

The clinic is first come, first serve to the first 200 animals.

All dogs must be on a leash, and all cats must be in carriers. Kittens must be at least six weeks old, and puppies must be at least two months old. Please have one handler per pet.

This event is also being put on by the City of Wichita, COX Communications, and PetCo Love.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSN-TV.
Do some kids learn better online? A new Kansas City virtual academy thinks so

Students pick up laptops and other school supplies during orientation for Brookside Virtual Academy on Aug. 20 in Kansas City. Brian Wilson (left) said he and his wife like giving individual attention to their kids education at home (Vaughn Wheat/The Beacon).

Bridget Bolder sent her daughter, Mia, to kindergarten at a neighborhood public school. After all, it seemed the normal, regular thing to do.

But Bolder started to worry that some of her daughters classmates were exposing her to inappropriate topics. Early in the school year, Mia had to tell a teacher about a boy groping some of the other girls.

Im like, shes a baby, Bolder said. Bring her home a little while longer before I throw her to the wolves.

Brian Wilson and his wife homeschooled three of their children last year. They struggled to juggle home life, both parents jobs and teaching the kids.

The family briefly switched to in-person school, but Wilson said it only validated the parents theory that the individual attention the kids got at home had been working.

They seemed like head and shoulders above all the other kids when it comes to learning, he said. My son, Aaron  hes the youngest  he was actually helping kids in his class.

Both families have turned to the new Brookside Virtual Academy so they could keep their kids at home and still rely on professional teachers to lead their schooling.

The academy is attached to Brookside Charter School and bills itself as Kansas Citys only virtual program where teaching happens on live, interactive video calls.

Online school isnt widely popular. Its been blamed for some of the learning loss that set kids back during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Kansas City Public Schools closed its virtual academy for kindergarten through fifth grade this year because of shrinking enrollment, district spokesperson Shain Bergan said in an email.

But for a girl with severe social anxiety? A boy with leukemia? A young athlete with a rigorous training and travel schedule?

Leslie Correa, who helped design the KCPS program, said certain students and families need the option. So she found a home for the program at Brookside, where shes now the virtual academy principal.

The students that virtual works for, it works really well for, she said. We cannot close the door to them for having a great education.

Who succeeds in virtual education?

For some students, the computer screen provides a layer of distance that makes them braver, Correa said. Learning from home can also reduce distracting sensory overload for some kids with autism.

For example, loud or persistent background noise, visually busy environments or other students bumping into them could overwhelm some children.

Other students might need virtual school for logistical reasons.

That could include students who are barred from in-person school for disciplinary issues, traveling athletes, kids going through intensive medical treatment like dialysis or chemotherapy, or parents who struggle with transportation.

Some families identify as homeschoolers but want professional help teaching reading and math, Correa said. Since virtual school is more concise, it leaves more flexibility in the day.

Parents fears can also push them toward keeping kids at home.

Anytime that there has been a violent occurrence in one of our schools in Kansas City, I get a big uptick in enrollment, Correa said. They feel scared and theyre looking for an alternative.

When virtual learning doesnt work

To figure out if its a good fit, Correa starts by asking parents why theyre interested in virtual school.

If its, you know, I dont have day care and I need my 12-year-old to be home to watch my kid, its kind of an alarm, she said. Im not the one to judge what their decision is, but I am the one to help arm them with information.

The virtual academy serves students in kindergarten through eighth grade. Because Kansas City-area charter schools can only operate within the boundaries of KCPS, its students have to be from that area.

The virtual academy doesnt turn students away based on their reason to enroll, Correa said, but it monitors their progress. If a student isnt thriving, she meets with a parent to make a plan, like tutoring or switching the child to in-person school.

Schools can deny virtual education if they document that its not in the students best interest.

My goal before getting to that point is always to have the parent make that decision for themselves through very hard conversation, Correa said. But it does happen.

Problems can arise when the virtual school doesnt think it can fulfill an individualized education program, or IEP, often used to support students with disabilities.

The parent has the option to return to in-person learning or waive the IEP, and then their student does not get that support, Correa said. They almost never waive the IEP.

Students can also get removed from virtual school, and referred for truancy, if they stop signing in or engaging at all for too many days.

Correa said shes also attentive to offering ways for virtual students to get more comfortable with in-person interaction.

Virtual school students can attend optional in-person events and participate in Brookside clubs and sports.

If they want to kind of test the water, the opportunity is there, she said. If a student is saying to me, I am ready to go in a building, then OK. But then also, if a student is saying to me, I need out of the building, OK, Im here. I just dont want to disrupt their education.

How virtual learning works

Right before the school year started, Brookside Charter Schools STEAM lab was set up for virtual academy orientation.

Teachers and school leaders passed out laptops, hot spots for internet access and school supplies.

The supply bags include books, basics like pencils and glue, whiteboards and dry erase markers (extra for younger kids, who tend to leave the caps off), and individually packaged science kits for lessons on the solar system, geology or density.

But first, families settled in for a presentation to learn the basics.

Brookside Virtual Academy starts at 9 a.m. with a lesson on leadership.

Most days, students then launch into reading class, followed by math. Wednesdays are for science.

Students spend about two and a half hours in live virtual lessons each day, and another 90 minutes online working through a task list that includes social studies and science.

Live classes use video calls and technology that lets teachers monitor what students are looking at and control their screens.

Parents arent responsible for teaching their kids, but theyre expected to keep in touch and generally make sure the students are online and on task.

Connecting with families

For some parents, being extra involved in part of the draw.

Wilson, the parent of three kids in the program, said he appreciates that it cuts the school day down to essentials, allowing parents to be more strategic about where they put time into their kids education.

Bolder, the parent of a first grader, said shes looking forward to more easily monitoring what her daughter is learning so she can help supplement that.

Virtual education makes it easier to connect with families, said Tina Duvall, a reading and math interventionist for kindergarten through fourth grade.

I get to be in their home with them. It takes away a whole lot of anxiety for kids, she said. I thought in my years past teaching that I knew  really, really knew  my students families, but not like this.

Duvall will be working with breakout groups of students, grouped by grade or ability level.

With about 100 students as of Aug. 20, two or three grades are combined under each of four virtual academy teachers. But staggered schedules and help from interventionists like Duvall will allow each grade to learn separately.

The biggest challenge, Duvall said, is not being able to sit by a student to point things out or hand them what they need.

You just want to reach through the screen and help, she said.

Bolder and Wilson said they have their kids in in-person activities so they can socialize. But theyre not sure if theyll ever go to in-person school.

There shouldnt be such a thing as a bad school, Wilson said. But because there is, until were able to put our kids in a good school  then we feel like were more suited to teach our kids at home.

This article first appeared on Beacon: Kansas City and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.
Inmate firefighting crews received a special visit from a major celebrity last week.

Celebrity Kim Kardashian visited Crew 3, Crew 5 and Pine Grove Youth Conservation Camp at the Growlersburg Conservation Camp on Thursday to learn more about the fire programs operated by the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation and Cal Fires Amador-El Dorado unit.

These incredible men are incarcerated firefighters saving our state, homes and communities from fire, the star wrote in a caption on her Instagram Saturday. The photo shows her and her half-sister Kendall Jenner posing with a group of incarcerated firefighters.

California has long depended on inmates to battle wildfires through its conservation camp programs. Last year, CDCR expanded the Growlersberg program to include inmates aged 18 to 26. Participants earn $6 to $10 a day and may have the opportunity to fully expunge their felony record after their release. The program is also intended to serve as a gateway for those interested in a career in firefighting upon release.

Celebrity Kim Kardashian visited Crew 3, Crew 5 and Pine Grove Youth Conservation Camp at the Growlersburg Conservation Camp to learn more about the fire programs operated by the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.

Kardashian, known for her familys reality show and business ventures, has taken an interest in criminal justice reform in recent years. In April, she met with Vice President Kamala Harris at the White House for a roundtable discussion on criminal justice reform. Previously, she met with former President Donald Trump to encourage him to commute the sentence of Alice Johnson, a 63-year-old woman serving a life sentence without parole for a nonviolent drug offense.

Celebrity Kim Kardashian visited Crew 3, Crew 5 and Pine Grove Youth Conservation Camp at the Growlersburg Conservation Camp to learn more about the fire programs operated by the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.
As president, I will never waver in defense of Americas security and ideals. Because, in the enduring struggle between democracy and tyranny, I know where I stand  and where the United States of America belongs, said Vice President Kamala Harris in her speech at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago. In her first interview last Thursday after assuming the partys presidential nomination, she addressed the war in Gaza to say that, if she wins the November election, she will maintain the same line as her predecessor, Joe Biden, i.e. demanding an immediate ceasefire but continuing to provide arms to Israel.

Little by little the Democratic candidate, who in the first weeks avoided providing details about her foreign policy proposals, is being more open about her plans if she were to occupy the Oval Office. From the outset, she made efforts to present herself as a strong and experienced leader (I will make sure [...]we strengthen  not abdicate  our global leadership) who will follow in the footsteps of her predecessor yet make her own decisions. She also aimed to mark a radical contrast with the America first of Donald Trump, who has repeatedly questioned Harriss ability to confront autocrats such as Kim Jong-un or Vladimir Putin.

Whoever takes office on January 20, 2025 will face a highly complex scenario. In Europe, the bloodiest war since 1945. In the Middle East, an abyss is in sight. In the Indo-Pacific region, there is a cold war raging in trade and technology. We are witnessing an ever-increasing rapprochement between Russia, China, North Korea and Iran. And the specter of disinformation and cyber interference looms around the world.

Meanwhile, as a result of an era in which Trump pushed U.S. allies to invest more in their own defense and Biden launched a web of new regional alliances, military spending is multiplying. NATO has expanded and modernized; in the Indo-Pacific, cooperation between Japan, South Korea, the Philippines and Australia is strengthening.

Harris and her campaign argue that she is, other than Biden himself, the most recent candidate with foreign policy experience in 35 years, dating back to the days of George Bush Sr. The vice president recalls that during her three and a half years in office she has traveled to 21 countries and met with nearly 150 foreign leaders. During her years in the Senate she served on the Intelligence and National Security committees, which gave her access to some of the thorniest and most classified issues in American foreign policy and security.

She has been in either the Oval Office or the Situation Room every time there has been a major foreign policy decision. President Joe Biden values her advice. Its not like shes a newbie on the first day, shell have been familiar with these issues for four years, during a period that has been quite turbulent in international politics, recalls Colin Kahl, former under secretary of defense for policy during Bidens term and now at Stanford University.

Continuity

Throughout her speech to the Democratic convention, Harris stressed the importance of being firm in promoting U.S. values abroad, and promised that as commander-in-chief, she will ensure America always has the strongest, most lethal fighting force in the world. She also highlighted the importance of alliances, her commitment to NATO and her support for Ukraine against the Russian occupation. All of these are pillars of Bidens foreign policy and contrast radically with Trumps proposals. The Republican candidate asserts that he would end the war in Ukraine within 24 hours and he has threatened not to respect the principle of mutual assistance if an Atlantic Alliance partner that does not meet military spending targets is attacked.

The principles of American foreign policy will be consistent with those of the Joe Biden administration. Kamala Harris believes in strong American leadership, where our values and our strength must be combined for the well-being and security of Americans, but also for the benefit of the global common good, says Susan Rice, a National Security Advisor under President Barack Obama and now at Harvard University, about a hypothetical Harris administration. It will strengthen our alliances around the world, not only in Europe and Asia, but also in places like Latin America, Africa and the Middle East.

As vice president, Harris was charged with trying to tackle the root causes of immigration from Central America; as a candidate, she has promised to push through the bipartisan border control bill, which failed in Congress earlier this year amid Republican pushback after Trump criticized the measure. I think immigration will continue to be a central issue in the hemisphere, just because of the numbers, particularly of Venezuelans, that continue to be on the move, former State Department official and Harris aide Roberta Jacobson told Americas Quarterly.

But Harriss foreign policy will not be identical to Bidens, Susan Rice believes: We will see differences in emphasis, differences in tone, predicts the former U.S. ambassador to the U.N.

Part of it is a question of mindset. Biden is an old-school politician, forged in the ideological constraints of the Cold War. Harris, a former California attorney general and member of the generation that entered adulthood when the Berlin Wall fell, sees things through the prism of legality. As the daughter of immigrants and political activists, she is also aware of other views in the rest of the world regarding imperialism, globalization or the problems in the Middle East.

It is precisely around this region, and the war in Gaza, where it had been anticipated that there could be a greater distance between the current tenant of the White House, who has resolutely supported Israel since the beginning of the conflict, and his vice president. Asked in her CNN interview on Thursday about her position on a possible arms embargo against Israel, Harris assured that she does not differ from Bidens views, and does not contemplate such a veto.

Israel and Gaza

The candidate stressed that her position is unequivocal and unwavering in her commitment to Israels defense and its ability to defend itself. But she also pointed out that this right must be exercised in accordance with international law. And she stressed that far too many innocent Palestinians have been killed  more than 40,000  have died in this war. We have got to get a deal done for a ceasefire and an exchange of hostages, she insisted. Only in this way can the war end and a path begin that will allow a two-state solution and a life of dignity for the Palestinians.

Harris has been much less explicit about one of the major axes of Democratic and Republican U.S. foreign policy in recent years: the rivalry with Beijing. As president, she said in Chicago, she will ensure that America  not China  wins the competition for the 21st century in areas such as artificial intelligence and space.

The Democratic electoral platform, drafted before Bidens withdrawal and approved at the Chicago convention, provides a little more detail in its 91 pages: close collaboration with allies to respond to the intense strategic competition with the Asian giant; resistance to Chinese coercion and what Washington considers biased trade practices; strengthening the American industrial base; and, at the same time, collaboration with Beijing in areas of common interest, such as the fight against climate change or fentanyl trafficking. The platform also criticises Trumps plans to impose 10% tariffs on all imports, and 60% on Chinese products, considering it a reckless step that would end up harming American consumers.

In Latin America, Roberta Jacobson believes that Harris experience as a former prosecutor gives her knowledge about the security challenges in the region, whether its firearms coming from the United States, or financing and money laundering, to understand how best to collaborate in these areas. The vice president, she says, is also very interested in labor rights in the region. And she will devote attention to reforming the immigration system.

If the Democratic candidate wins in November, Mexico and the United States would have their first female presidents: Claudia Sheinbaum and Harris, both representatives of a change of generation in the politics of their respective nations. I am hopeful that the two will be able to create a true partnership, says the former U.S. ambassador to Mexico, who points to the fight against climate change as areas of potential collaboration. But its important to recognize that from time to time, Mexican presidents have to demonstrate their independence from the United States, and the most important thing is that U.S. presidents, at those times, dont get sucked into a spiral of recriminations.
A Knox County man accused in a home invasion early Monday faces charges of attempted murder and first-degree burglary, the Laurel County Sheriffs said.

Joseph Collett, 26 from Gray, Kentucky, was arrested after law enforcement received a report of a shooting shortly after midnight. A 38-year-old male victim had been shot in the leg in his home, southeast of London, Kentucky, Laurel County Sheriff John Root said in a news release.

Collett allegedly shot and killed a dog on the victims front porch, forcibly entered the home, shot the victim in the leg and then fired several rounds inside the home.

A 4-year-old child was in the home, with gunfire narrowly missing the child, according to the sheriff. Another was child also in the home.

Collett then left the house, fired several more rounds into it and fled the scene. No other injuries were reported other than the homeowner, who was treated by emergency services on the scene and not transported for additional treatment. The incident is believed to be related to a domestic issue, the sheriffs office said.

Knox County Sheriffs deputies located and arrested Collett shortly after 3 a.m. He has been charged with attempted murder, first-degree burglary, possession of a handgun by a convicted felon, two counts of first-degree wanton endangerment and second-degree cruelty to animals, according to the sheriffs office.

He is being held in the Laurel County Correctional Center.
Protest condemning the rape and murder of a trainee medic at a government-run hospital, in Kolkata

Protest condemning the rape and murder of a trainee medic at a government-run hospital, in Kolkata

By Sakshi Dayal and Subrata Nag Choudhury

KOLKATA (Reuters) - Five years ago, the government of West Bengal state in India pledged to clamp down on violence against doctors. It promised public hospitals better security equipment, female guards to support female physicians and controlled entry points, according to an internal government memo seen by Reuters.

None of these measures had been implemented at the public hospital where a young female doctor was sexually assaulted and killed on Aug. 9, allegedly by a police volunteer, four trainee doctors there told Reuters.

Instead, in the days leading up to the homicide-assault, which prompted nationwide outrage and a doctors strike, only two male guards manned R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital, they said. They were supplemented by a few closed circuit cameras that did not comprehensively cover the sprawling premises, according to the trainees.

One of the doors of the lecture hall where the doctor had been resting during a 36-hour shift when she was attacked had no lock, said two other trainee doctors who had also slept there. The air conditioning in the designated break room had malfunctioned, they said.

After two doctors at a different hospital were assaulted by a patient's relatives in 2019, West Bengal had promised to install "effective security equipment and systems," regulate entry and exit to hospital premises and create a compensation policy for assaulted staff, according to the state health department memo dated June 17, 2019.

The two-page document, which is reported by Reuters for the first time, was prepared after chief minister Mamata Banerjee met that day with trainee doctors protesting the attack on their colleagues as a "record note" of the interaction. The memo did not state to whom it was addressed.

Banerjee had directed officials to take "effective and prompt" action "within a specified timeframe," according to the document. It did not detail the preparation period.

"If those measures had been taken, this incident may never have happened," said Dr Riya Bera, a postgraduate trainee at R.G. Kar, of her colleague's death.

Asked by Reuters about the 2019 assurances, West Bengal Health Secretary N S Nigam said the COVID-19 pandemic had disrupted improvements for two years but "a lot" had been done since 2021, including strengthening CCTV coverage and engaging private security in hospitals.

"We are committed to do the remaining work and fill the gaps that emerged after the R.G. Kar incident," he said.

Banerjee on Aug. 28 also announced that $12 million would be spent to begin work on improvements such as better lighting in health facilities, resting spaces and female security staff.

The chief minister's office, as well as R.G. Kar hospital, did not respond to calls seeking comment.

Authorities continue to investigate the Aug. 9 incident, for which no charges have yet been filed.

'PATRIARCHAL ATTITUDES AND BIASES'

The assault on the doctor in Kolkata, who cannot be named under local laws, recalled memories of the 2012 gang rape of a physiotherapist in a Delhi bus, which convulsed India in anger and triggered protests.

Reuters interviewed 14 female doctors at government hospitals in West Bengal and elsewhere in India about their challenges in a country where women's safety is a long-standing concern.

They described poor working conditions, including aggressive treatment from the families of patients and having to sleep on benches in dimly-lit corridors due to a lack of rest facilities.

Some doctors spoke of napping in break rooms with no locks during lengthy shifts, only to have people barging in. Others described confronting male patients who photographed them without permission, claiming that they were documenting evidence of their treatment.

Indian Medical Association (IMA) President RV Asokan told Reuters that while the Aug. 9 homicide-assault appeared to be unique in its brutality, "the fact that anybody can walk in shows the vulnerability of the place, and this when more and more women are joining the profession."

Some doctors have taken self-defense measures: One doctor at a hospital in Odisha state, which neighbours West Bengal, said her father gave her a knife to ward off potential attackers.

And Dr Gauri Seth, a post graduate trainee at Medical College, Kolkata, told Reuters that after the Aug 9. incident, she would not go on duty again without carrying a pepper spray or scalpel to defend herself.

About 60% of India's doctors are female, and three-quarters of them have described being victims of verbal abuse, physical attacks and other harassment while on duty, according to the IMA, the nation's largest group of physicians.

"Due to ingrained patriarchal attitudes and biases, relatives of patients are more likely to challenge women medical professionals...(they) also face different forms of sexual violence at the workplace," India's Supreme Court wrote in a Aug. 20 ruling ordering the creation of a taskforce on medical workers' safety.

India introduced tough laws governing crimes against women following the 2012 Delhi gang rape, including expanding the definition of rape to include all penetration without consent, as well as criminalizing voyeurism and stalking.

But the situation remains bleak, according to activists and government data.

Almost 450,000 crimes against women were reported in 2022 - the most recent year for which data is available - up 4% on 2021, government data show. More than 7% of the alleged crimes were rape-related.

Lawyer and rights activist Vrinda Grover blamed inadequate training for police investigators and broader cultural issues.

"What is very disturbing in this case is the ordinariness of what the victim was doing: she was in her workplace," she said. "There is something wrong with a society where such conduct is so commonplace."

LIVING HER DREAM

The 31-year Kolkata physician, whose battered, half-naked body was found by colleagues, had always wanted to be a doctor, family members and friends told Reuters.

"When I bumped into her last year, she told me she was very happy and was living her dream," said Somojit Moulik, who had studied with the victim in medical school.

When Reuters visited the victim's family home, the nameplate bore only her name with the prefix Dr, in an indication of how highly her relatives valued her achievements.

Her aunt said in an interview that her niece had been set to marry a physician she had studied with later this year, and that she had not complained about safety issues at work.

But in the wake of her death, colleagues are speaking out. Dr Shreya Shaw, a postgraduate trainee at R.G. Kar hospital, said she found two strangers shaking her awake at around 3 a.m. when she was sleeping in a designated rest room, which did not have locks.

"It was initially quite scary to wake up to unknown men in the dark," she said, adding that she was shocked the patients could enter the floor where she was resting without being stopped.

($1 = 83.9000 Indian rupees)

(Additional reporting by Sahiba Chawdhary in Kolkata, Tora Agarwala in Guwahati, Jatindra Dash in Bhubaneswar; Writing by Sakshi Dayal; Editing by Sanjeev Miglani and Katerina Ang)
Experts at the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) who have analysed surveys in Russia have said that the operation by the Ukrainian defence Forces in Russias Kursk Oblast has caused concern among Russians. However, the Kremlin's information operations are mitigating domestic war fatigue and allowing the Russian authorities to choose a strategy for a protracted war of attrition against Ukraine.

Source: ISW

Details: The report noted that recent Russian domestic polls indicate that Ukraine's operation in Russias Kursk Oblast has not yet reduced support for the war in Ukraine in the short term and that support for the war in Russia has remained high since 2022.

The Russian sociological organisation Levada Center released the results of its monthly poll on 30 August and found that about 78% of respondents support Russian military operations in Ukraine, up from 75% in July 2024 and 77% in June 2024.

Experts said that the Levada Center poll indicates that the lowest level of Russian support for the war against Ukraine was in February 2022, when 68% of respondents supported the war. Moreover, it was pointed out that support for the war among respondents has not fallen below 70% since March 2022.

In August 2024, the Levada Center also asked respondents about the Ukrainian operation in Russias Kursk Oblast and found that 91% of respondents were concerned about Ukrainian military operations on Russian territory.

In addition, the Levada Center reported that 57% of respondents do not expect a second wave of mobilisation and 60% do not see the need for one in the coming months  both figures are down from 65% and 69%, respectively.

Quote: "Levada Center's polling data indicates that the Kremlin's refusal to fully transition Russian society at large to a wartime footing and the Kremlins ongoing domestic information operations aimed at normalising the war to Russian society have mitigated against domestic war weariness thus far and that the Ukrainian incursion into Kursk Oblast has not changed this mindset.

The fact that Russian society in general appears to not be experiencing war fatigue likely grants the Kremlin flexibility in how it strategises to wage a protracted war of attrition against Ukraine."

To quote the ISWs Key Takeaways on 1 September:

Ukrainian forces reportedly conducted the largest series of drone strikes against targets within Russia on the night of 31 August-1 September.

Ukrainian forces continued to conduct assaults in Kursk Oblast on 1 September, but there were no confirmed Ukrainian advances.

Recent Russian domestic polls suggest that Ukraine's incursion into Kursk Oblast has not yet degraded Russian domestic support of the war in Ukraine in the short-term following the Kursk incursion and that Russian support for the war has remained high since 2022.

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan confirmed at an 31 August press conference that "Armenia has frozen its participation in the [Russian-led Collective Security Treaty Organization] CSTO at all levels," after Armenia has effectively abstained from participating in the CSTO for nearly a year.

Russian forces recently advanced north of Kharkiv City, southeast of Kupiansk, southeast of Pokrovsk, and southwest of the city of Donetsk.

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Detail of a mural inside the Madison Labor Temple building celebrating unions and worker rights. (Wisconsin Examiner photo)

Each year as Wisconsinites move through the age-old cycle in which summer gives way to fall, the transition is marked on the calendar by Labor Day. For many people, its a day off for picnics and barbeques, a last chance to enjoy the Midwestern summer before the snow flies. For union members, the day has a deeper meaning. It is a chance to celebrate the many contributions organized labor has made to the lives of Wisconsin workers and to our society as a whole.

Wisconsins labor movement has always been at the forefront of the quest for economic justice. Unions pushed for the first laws protecting young workers in 1899, with union advocacy pushing the state legislature to set maximum hours of work for children, prohibiting kids from being exploited in dangerous occupations. This was followed by the nations first workers compensation law in 1911 and the first unemployment compensation law in 1932.

Looking at multiple indicators of economic, personal and democratic well-being, its clear that unions not only benefit our members, but have a substantial positive effect on our communities more generally. Supreme Court Justice Louis Brandeis once noted, we can either have democracy in this country or we can have great wealth concentrated in the hands of a few, but we cant have both. In this grim dichotomy, unions are among the most effective agents of democracy. In U.S. states with the highest union density, union and non-union workers alike enjoy higher average wages, with lower gender and racial wage gaps. Workers covered by a union contract also use fewer public benefits, and higher union wages mean more tax revenue to fund government services.

The role unions play in creating and maintaining a robust and healthy middle class is clear. For generations of workers, union membership has been the path to achieving the American Dream, the difference between getting by and getting ahead. But as Wisconsinites saw during the tenure of Gov. Scott Walker, the positive impact of unions can be abruptly undermined by politicians intent on stripping workers of basic economic rights in favor of their wealthy friends.

Polls consistently show unions today enjoy levels of popular support not seen in decades. But still the fight for economic justice rages on, with our neighbors and family members in unions on the front lines.

Project 2025, the now infamous playbook for a second Donald Trump presidency, outlines a series of unprecedented steps to empower corporations at the expense of working Americans. It calls for the banning of all public employee unions, replacing civil servants with political appointees; it would eliminate prevailing wage and project labor agreements and make it easier for employers to get rid of unions in the middle of a contract; it would gut the National Labor Relations Boards ability to enforce worker protections and allow states to ban labor unions and undermine overtime; it would turn back the clock by eliminating child labor rules that protect children from working in mines, meatpacking plants, and other dangerous workplaces. In short, it would undo a century of hard-won progress toward a more just U.S. economy, tipping the scales in favor of wealthy corporations.

Fortunately, another benefit unions provide our democracy is increased civic engagement among our members. Where more workers are organized, voter turnout is higher. Greater voter engagement in our democracy should be universally welcomed regardless of which party you support. In these final days before the election, Wisconsins union men and women will be doing all we can to elect pro-labor candidates up and down the ballot so that next Januarys inauguration ceremonies mark the continuation of an opportunity agenda for Americas workers.

So this year as you fire up the grill and pop open that first cold one of the Labor Day holiday, remember Justice Brandeis stark warning and take a moment to think about the many ways labor unions are making Wisconsin and America a better place for us all.

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This Labor Day, see the workers around us and call out injustice against them

The world celebrates Labor Day as International Workers Day on May 1. The United States is an outlier, even though the May 1 solidarity day began in Chicago in 1886 as a result of police violence against people demonstrating for an eight-hour workday.

President Grover Cleveland opposed the United States celebrating International Workers Day, but signed legislation in 1894, designating the first Monday in September as Labor Day. Cleveland did not want the U.S. union movement associated with a day he considered socialist-inspired.

The purpose of Labor Day or International Workers Day is to honor workers and recognize their tireless efforts worldwide, regardless of profession or social class. It celebrates workers vital role in building and maintaining economies and communities, the fabric of society.

Construction worker Joseph Miller takes a break from building a new condominium tower in the Rainey Street Historic District on June 28, 2023. The Texas legislature took away the legal ability for cities to require breaks for workers. (Credit: Jay Janner/American-Statesman)

Labor Day should be a platform to raise awareness about workers' rights, including fair wages, safe working conditions, protection from exploitation, and the need for continuous improvement in labor standards and regulations. It underscores social justice and equitable opportunities for workers, eliminating discrimination and creating a fair labor environment.

The U.S. capitalist system has adeptly eliminated Labor Day commemorations of American workers and diminished their visibility as a workforce. Labor Day has been reduced to an end-of-summer holiday. Few Americans, I wager, have a clue about the origins of the day, let alone its original purpose of lifting up workers.

Texas politicians bend over backward to oppress workers. The legislature, at Governor Greg Abbotts bidding, took away the legal ability of cities to require water and rest breaks for workers. Imagine construction workers under the hot Texas summer sun being told by their employer, Sorry, no water or rest break for you.

Wage theft is endemic. Even though I retired from the Texas Civil Rights Project eight years ago, I am still handling wage theft cases because people cant find attorneys or government entities to help them. That occurs frequently with people building and readying the fancy apartment and office complexes all around us. The company gives the money to a middleman, whom the company claims is an independent contractor. It is a subterfuge: pay the contractor who in turn does not pay the workers and keeps the money. Nobody believes this happens by chance. The workers most exploited by wage theft are immigrants.

The current discussion about not taxing tips for service and restaurant workers underscores another point. The minimum wage law should not have an exception that depends on the random benevolence of customers possibly giving tips so that workers might make the minimum wage, as low and pathetic as it is. Nor is there any guarantee all the workers share the tipping, not just the recipient. We accept and dont challenge this incongruity and injustice.

Most Texans enjoy the benefits of the labor movement: five-day work weeks, overtime pay, medical benefits, paid vacation, and retirement. But we dont see the other workers, those who dont have these benefits, yet upon whom society depends to do the labor no one else will do and at wages no one else would accept.

This denigrates the unseen workers in our community, and its a lack of solidarity with those who do the dirty work and build the economic foundation of our society. And on Labor Day, of course, all kinds of people will be working in low-paying jobs so the rest of us can celebrate the long weekend, providing services, recreation, food (thanks to farm workers), and so on

Workers' rights are based on their inherent dignity. Workers are not a means of production like raw materials and capital. They are entitled to work in good conditions that offer fair pay. We need to see them and stand up for them.

This Labor Day is a good time to start doing better at seeing the workers around us and raising our voices loudly against injustice. And keep politicians from further exploiting workers in our name.

Harrington is the retired founder of the Texas Civil Rights Project.

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Workers are out of sight, out of mind. Change that this Labor Day.
Vice President Harris addressed a crowd of union members in Detroit on Labor Day, criticizing former President Trump for blocking overtime benefits and cutting taxes for the wealthy.

Tyrese West, a member of Laborers International Union of North America, introduced Harris on Monday. She was joined on stage by several union leaders, including United Auto Workers President Shawn Fain.

Harris said Trump intends to pull us back to a time before workers had the freedom to unionize.

As president, we will always remember Donald Trump blocked overtime benefits from millions of workers  Tyrese talked a bit about this  and opposed efforts to raise the minimum wage, Harris said. He appointed union busters to the National Labor Relations Board, and he supported so-called right to work laws.

Harris used her now-popular catchphrase, telling the crowd were not going back.

She said if Trump were reelected, he would give tax cuts to billionaires and big corporations. He would impose taxes on everyday products that would cost a typical American family an extra $4,000 per year, Harris said.

If elected, Harris said she will fight for a future where every worker has the freedom to organize. As president, she said she would pass the Protecting the Right to Organize Act and end union busting once and for all.

Harris highlighted Detroits role in the labor movement and celebrated the achievements unions have made for everyday Americans.

Everywhere I go, I tell people, look you may not be a union member, you better thank a union member for the five-day work week, you better thank a union member for sick leave, you better thank a union member for paid leave, you better thank a union member for vacation time, she said.

When union wages go up, everybodys wages go up. When union workplaces are safer, every workplace is safer, Harris continued. When unions are strong, America is strong.

Harris concluded her remarks and is now heading to Pennsylvania, where she will join President Biden for another Labor Day event, likely focused on the states organized labor. Shes expected to voice opposition to the U.S. Steel sale.

In a Monday post on his Truth Social site, Trump criticized Comrade Kamala for the number of Americans who are suffering during this Holiday weekend.

High Gas Prices, Transportation Costs are up, and Grocery Prices are through the roof, Trump wrote. We cant keep living under this weak and failed Leadership.'

Updated at 3:40 pm.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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For my entire adult life, Labor Day has prompted commentators to pronounce the labor movement dead. Occasionally youll see somebody argue that organized labor is regaining strength, but the evidence is always anecdotal. Final word must go to the Bureau of Labor Statistics annual report on union membership, which is perennially, relentlessly, dismal. Union density (i.e., the percentage of jobs covered by a union contract) is today half of what it was when those Labor is dead commentaries started appearing in the early 1980s. In the private sector, union density is 6 percent, down from its historic peak of 34 percent at the end of World War II. Excepting a tiny bump here or there, union density has tumbled steadily downward since the 1950s.

I will now attempt to make a plausible case for optimism about labors future. We begin with the assumption that union density, however definitive, is a lagging indicator. Unions wont come back until union density comes back, but maybe something elsesome kind of catalysthas to emerge first.

One such catalyst might be popularity. As recently as 2009, unions were unpopular; Gallup showed only 48 percent approved of them (against 45 who disapproved and 7 percent who had no opinion). That was an outlier; in most years, labors approval rated somewhere between 50 and 60 percent. But after 2009s dismal showing, labors approval rating started climbing. After Donald Trump was elected president it climbed into the low 60s and then the high 60s. This year, unions approval rating is 70 percent, the highest its been since the mid-1960s (with the exception of 2022, when it was 71 percent). People dont just approve of unions; they like them a lot. Even some Republicansaccording to Pew, more than one-thirdlike labor unions. Among moderate Republicans, more than half view unions favorably, and among conservative Republicans more than one-quarter do.

Another catalyst, or indicator, of imminent recovery might be union organizing. A new report by the sociologists Ruth Milkman and Joseph Van Der Naald of City University of New York says organizing is on the rise as well. Petitions to the National Labor Relations Board, or NLRB, to hold union elections rose after Joe Biden was elected president, especially during the last three years, and so did union victories in NLRB elections. Petitions and union victories had both mostly declined during the previous 20 years.

CUNYs statistics dont include instances in which management recognizes a union voluntarily based on the informal collection of union authorization cards (card check). The Center for American Progress claimed last year that voluntary recognition is increasing too, but it offered only anecdotal evidence. According to the CUNY report, voluntary recognitions today represent 8 percent of all successful union drives. That doesnt seem very many. When a union asks the boss to recognize it, the boss still usually says no.

Next, lets consider demographics. Much like the Democratic Party, the labor movement is becoming more amenable to Joe College. Indeed, the proportion of college grads who belong to a union now exceeds slightly the proportion of high school grads who do (9.5 percent versus 9.2 percent, per CUNY). This reflects stepped-up organizing efforts in prestige fields where wages are falling, such as journalism and higher education, and, over the longer term, the larger role of public employee unions, which scarcely existed before the 1960s. Another likely driver is corporations growing solicitude since the 1970s toward stockholders at the expense of employees.

I dont know whether to count the gentrification of organized labor a favorable indicator, as Noam Scheiber of The New York Times seems to, or an unfavorable one. It will be a bad thing if it drives a deeper financial wedge between so-called skilled (i.e., college-educated) and unskilled labor. At the labor movements height, a union card was the financial equivalent of a college degree. If a union card now becomes, instead, a sort of accessory to a college degree, then the result will be greater economic inequality.

But on the other hand: Unionization tends to breed more unionization. As more college professors and newspaper reporters vote union, the proletariat may resolve not to be left out. In the 1970s, economists thought labor organizing increased economic inequality. That turned out to be wrong. Lets hope it continues to be wrong. Labor strength has always been, and, I believe, still remains, a central working-class concern.

Which brings us to the 2024 election. To become president, a Democrat needs to win a working-class majority. Thats been my mantra. Lately, polls have shown support shifting from Trump to Harris, which is good. But Harris still isnt winning the working class, and thats bad. As Ruy Teixeira wrote, August 22, on The Liberal Patriot, Democrats Are Super Happy, Working Class Voters Are Not.

Teixeira cited a Washington Post-ABC News-Ipsos poll conducted August 9 to 13 that showed Harris leading Trump among all registered voters, 49 percent to 45 percent, but trailing Trump among working-class voters (defined as those who lack a college degree), 44 percent to 51 percent. Biden lost this group by two percentage points in 2020, according to exit polls; Harris is behind by seven. As with Biden in 2020, the problem appears to be leakage among nonwhite (mainly Latino) working-class voters. In 2020 Biden won nonwhite working-class voters by 46 percentage points, which sounds great until you consider that in 2016 Hillary Clinton won this group by 50 percentage points. Harris, who is nonwhite, leads among that group by considerably less than even Biden did: 29 percentage points. Thats really bad.

Look, maybe Im wrong. Maybe Harris can win without a working-class majority, just as Biden did in 2020. Biden was the only Democrat to do this going back 100 years. He made himself an exception because he was running against Trump, who was mishandling the Covid pandemic in spectacular fashion. Maybe Harris can repeat Bidens trick. Trump is, after all, the Republican nominee once again. Hes no longer botching the governments response to a deadly pandemic, but perhaps his conviction on 34 felony counts, plus his increasingly erratic personal behavior (most recently concerning Arlington National Cemetery), will prompt some sort of equivalent revulsion among college-educated voters of the sort that gave Biden his crucial boost. Harris does a little better with college-educated voters than Biden did.

Still, I wouldnt count on it, because the overwhelming majority of voters are not college graduates. As I noted last week, Harris has a detailed labor platform close to hand in the form of a 2022 report from a task force she chaired on worker organizing. Yet Ive never heard Harris even say the words worker organizing. Trump has close to hand Project 2025s Mandate for Leadership, which would, among other things, undermine union contracts, eliminate the voluntary recognition of unions, invite states to opt out of overtime rules, eliminate child labor protections  and so on. (Click here for an overview by the AFL-CIO.) If voters start actually believing Trumps claim that he knows nothing about Project 2025, theres always Trumps own terrible labor record as president to fall back on. And dont forget Trump telling Elon Musk, less than a month ago: You walk in, you say, You want to quit? They go on strike, 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.

Especially today, Harris needs to publicize her strengths and Trumps weaknesses in supporting organized labor. Breezy generalities wont do the job. The New York Times reported last week that Harriss wealthier donors are trying to persuade her not to raise their taxes. Lord only knows what theyll say when they find out she chaired a task force to strengthen and expand union representation. But pledging to build on President Joe Bidens pro-labor policies, reciting specifics, is the fastest and best way to reach working-class voters whose support she needs. Things may be looking up for labor, but without a Democrat in the White House its winning streak wont continue.
The General Drivers strike of 1934 turned bloody when police began firing into crowds of picketers. Photo courtesy of the Minnesota History Society.

This year marks the 90th anniversary of the 1934 Minneapolis Teamsters strikes. These strikes changed the course of history and the lives of tens of thousands of working people. They transformed Minneapolis from one of the countrys most notorious anti-union citadels into a union town and inspired labor organization from Fargo to Omaha and Duluth to St. Louis. The story of this transformation still resonates with the challenges faced by working women and men in 2024.

In the late 19th century a vibrant and diverse labor movement surged across the state of Minnesota. Its ranks included native-born and immigrant workers employed as flour millers and barrelmakers, railroad engineers, firemen, brakemen and track workers, garment workers and laundresses, horse and wagon drivers, building trades craftsmen, longshoremen and stevedores, skilled machinists and shop workers. They were affiliated with the Knights of Labor, the American Federation of Labor, the railroad brotherhoods, the Teamsters and the American Railway Union, and they created cooperatives, mutual benefit societies and a broad-based movement for the eight-hour day. These workers participated in the Great Northern Railroad and Pullman strikes of 1894 and built political alliances with farmers. In the early 20th century, many of them took part in the creation of the Industrial Workers of the World and the Socialist Party, and they challenged some of the biggest businessmen in the U.S., including James J. Hill, Andrew Carnegie and Charles Pillsbury.

But bankers, businessmen and their political representatives launched a powerful counteroffensive to regain control of their workplaces and secure their domination of the city and the state. The core of their strategy was to eliminate unions through a double-blacklist (a refusal to hire union members and a refusal to extend loans to employers who bargained with unions). They created a new organization with a slippery rhetorical name  the Citizens Alliance  to implement their strategy and to spin it as a defense of individual independence. Their effectiveness won them the accolades of the National Association of Manufacturers, the National Civic Federation, Chambers of Commerce and employers organizations across the country. Minneapolis became an icon of non-unionism.

The Citizens Alliances success was devastating not just for unions but also for working men and women. Over the course of the 1910s and 1920s, workers were disciplined, fired and blacklisted at the whim of employers. Although productivity rose with the introduction of new modes of work organization and new technologies, wages lagged. Workers struggled to support their families and find economic security. And when workers organized to challenge the Citizens Alliance  such as the St. Paul streetcar workers strike of 1917 or the election of Socialist trade unionist Thomas Van Lear to the mayoralty of Minneapolis in that same year  businessmen trumpeted the ideology of wartime loyalty and leveraged state government to provide resources, such as the Public Safety Commission, to limit workers gains. The reign of the Citizens Alliance seemed untouchable, despite the establishment of the Farmer Labor Party in 1924, the crash of the national economy in 1929, the election of Floyd B. Olson as governor in 1930 and the election of Franklin Delano Roosevelt to the presidency in 1932.

Then, in the winter of 1934, a small group of experienced, dedicated labor activists began to change the course of history.

Several of them had been working in the citys coal yards, earning miserable wages for handling and delivering the coal that Minneapolitans used to heat their homes, apartments and businesses. The 75-member Teamsters Local 574 initiated a strike on Feb. 7, which within three hours spread to 65 of the citys 67 coal yards. They organized inside (warehouse and coal yards) and outside (drivers and helpers) workers together in an industrial strategy, and they ignored both the New Deals weak labor board system and the cautious advice of the Teamsters national leadership. They relied on cruising pickets that shut the entire industry in the midst of a cold snap. Two days later, the coal employers offered the union a settlement, and the strike ended. An estimated 3,000 trucking and warehouse workers signed up to join Local 574. The inspiration was spreading.

In May, Local 574 called a larger strike, all across the citys market district. Again, they linked inside and outside workers, ignored the weak mechanisms of the government labor board, and relied on cruising pickets. Activists built an impressive infrastructure  a rented garage as a strike headquarters from which mobile pickets could be dispatched; a soup kitchen and an infirmary, fully staffed by volunteers, many from the newly organized womens auxiliary; a committee of 100, mostly stewards from individual shops and warehouses, to make key decisions for the union; a committee of the unemployed to prevent strike-breaking and advocate for those without jobs; a network of farmers to bring food for strikers and their families. They also secured the support of other unions and the Central Labor Council. The strike, which lasted 10 days, revolved around control of the streets. Despite police violence, the roving pickets were effective, and on May 25, employers offered an agreement, which the union accepted.

The ink had hardly dried on the agreement, however, when employers began to violate its terms. More than 700 complaints of discrimination were logged in June and early July. On July 17, Local 574 renewed its strike. This time, there were more than 10,000 participants, while 35,000 other workers engaged in a sympathy strike. The union mobilized its resources, adding a new weapon, a daily strike bulletin (the first ever in the U.S.) which they called The Organizer. Once again, control over the streets was central to the effectiveness of the strike and, this time, there was more violence, even deaths on both sides. One hundred thousand union members and sympathizers took part in a funeral procession for striker Henry Ness. The dispatch of the National Guard and the arrests and imprisonment of many union leaders could not bring the strike to an end. With pressure exerted by Roosevelt through the Reconstruction Finance Corporation, the Citizens Alliance finally yielded on Aug. 21, and employers were ordered to hold union elections, almost all of which ended in victories for Local 574 and the negotiation of collective bargaining contracts. This broke the more than two decades reign of the Citizens Alliance.

Here begins the story of Minneapolis transformation into a union town. Some 10,000 truck drivers, helpers, warehouse workers, coal heavers and other unskilled workers won substantial raises and got seniority provisions and a grievance procedure, both of which held a promise of justice in the workplace itself. Their defeat of the Citizens Alliance and their success inspired other workers in Minneapolis and St. Paul, across Minnesota and the Midwest, that they, too, could organize and improve their work lives. Rank-and-file teamsters participation in the strikes and their continuing participation in the life of the union gave them a new awareness of their class position, in contrast with employers and in solidarity with other workers. Their experiences also fueled their sense of their own capacity and power. They shared their new consciousness with their family members, their neighbors and other workers. They also embodied it in expressions of solidarity, from support for the women workers in the Strutwear Knitting strike a year later to the building of an interstate network of trucking workers, and the unionization of packinghouse workers, timber workers, iron miners and steelworkers from Lake Superior to the Iowa border and more. Minneapolis had become a union town and workers activism there was becoming a rising tide to lift all boats.

This situation persisted for half a century, for two generations. It became normal for workers throughout the Midwestern economy to earn a living wage, to enjoy health care benefits, vacations and pensions, to gain access to easier assignments as their seniority grew, and to expect a safe workplace and to be treated respectfully on the job. This was especially true in unionized workplaces, but non-union employers felt pressure to provide similar conditions, as did all levels of government. It was not a labor paradise; workers still worked hard and often felt they deserved a larger share of the wealth they created. But many were able to buy cars and homes, send their children to college and expect to enjoy their retirement years.

This changed abruptly in the 1980s and 1990s. Employers closed plants and exported manufacturing jobs abroad. They reorganized work through outsourcing and subcontracting. They chipped away at benefits, then wages, then unionization itself. While legislatures and judges weakened workers rights to picket, employers threatened those who still dared to strike with permanent replacement. The unionized cohort of the working class no longer enjoyed economic security, their ability to improve their own conditions was greatly diminished and, increasingly, their role as trendsetters for all workers faded. By the turn of the 21st century, Minneapolis could no longer be called a union town. For that matter, neither could St. Paul or anywhere else in Minnesota and the Midwest.

But workers situations have not simply deteriorated; they have changed. Immigrants play an increased role in the economy and are more vocal, visible and significant in the labor movement. Public employees, white-collar workers, retail, service and fast-food workers have come to the fore. Teachers and educational assistants, and health care workers  from doctors and nurses to personal care assistants  see that unionization enables them to provide the care that brought them into their occupations in the first place. Younger Americans  struggling for economic security since the recession of 2008-10  are bringing new energy into the labor movement. We are living in exciting times.

This year is a great time to look back at 1934, to learn how a wide range of workers changed the course of history, and to consider how todays workers might change this course themselves. A diverse group of activists, some of them descendants of the 1934 strikers, have organized events to curate a series of conversations between the past and the present. Join us! Please see rem34.ampmpls.com for details.
Members of the Laborers International Union of America protest June 21, 2024, in Bismarck to raise awareness about the NextEra Energy Resources Oliver IV wind project hiring primarily out-of-state workers. The company declined to provide information about its workforce, but said it's committed to hiring local workers when possible. (Provided by LIUNA)

A company building a wind farm in central North Dakota told state regulators it would hire as much local labor as possible, but the project appears to be primarily staffed by out-of-state workers, leaders of a labor union say.

The Laborers International Union of America supported the Oliver IV wind project thats under construction in Oliver and Mercer counties. Union leaders received assurances from developer NextEra Energy Resources that the company would work with the union to staff the project with North Dakota workers, said Kevin Pranis, marketing manager for LIUNA.

Labor union member Jessie Smith was among those who testified in support of the project during a January North Dakota Public Service Commission hearing.

Smith, who lives in Hensler in Oliver County, said in an interview she has experience working for nearby coal-fired power plants and she wants to gain experience in the wind industry.

It sounds like the coal-fired power plants are being replaced, Smith told the North Dakota Monitor. Wind power is the future and wed like to hop on that bandwagon.

Clay Cameron, director of development for NextEra Energy, said during the hearing that its engineering, procurement and construction hiring contractor is responsible for hiring, but we commit that our EPCs will hire as much local labor as possible.

We agree with LIUNA that using local labor is good for the community, Cameron told commissioners. Its also good for the project because it reduces travel and expenses.

The labor union did an informal survey of vehicle license plates at the job site, finding that nearly 40% of the vehicles had Texas plates and about 5% had North Dakota plates, Pranis said.

He said that figure likely undercounts the number of Texas-based workers since they tend to carpool from their housing units while North Dakotans likely drive themselves.

Its a bait and switch with more Texans than North Dakotans on the project, Pranis said.

In total, the union estimates that more than 90% of the workforce is from out of state based on its informal survey.

A NextEra representative declined to answer questions about how many local workers it hired for the project.

NextEra Energy Resources respects the role labor unions have in the construction industry and recognizes the value of prioritizing local hiring, to the extent possible in the states where our projects are located, Sarah Borchardt, marketing and communications leader, said in a statement.

Julie Fedorchak, a member of the Public Service Commission, said business hiring practices are beyond the scope of the commissions permitting process, and applicants pledge to hire local talent when its available.

We dont get involved in the company hiring decisions at all, Fedorchak said.

The new wind farm will feature 71 wind turbines and employ up to 200 during construction, according to the companys website. It is expected to generate more than 200 megawatts of electricity once construction is completed by the end of 2024. The project was estimated to cost $390 million for construction of the wind farm, corresponding substation and transmission lines, Cameron said during the hearing.

In June, LIUNA organized a protest outside of a Bismarck Verizon store to raise awareness about the hiring practices on the project. Verizon has an agreement to purchase the power produced by the wind project.

Smith, a 25-year union laborer who was between coal jobs this summer, said she thinks she has experience that would be comparable to some positions on the wind farm project. Instead, she has watched from her home as equipment is transported to and from the job site.

Multiple times a day I see parts for the wind farm going out, she said. I wish I couldve been working this summer on that project.

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EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, expressed the EU's "deep" and "growing" concern about Georgia's current trajectory during remarks at a press conference following the informal meeting of Foreign Affairs Ministers on August 29, 2024, in Brussels."We briefly discussed the situation in Georgia. We are extremely, increasingly concerned about the trajectory of this country moving away from the European Union," stressed Josep Borrell.The European Union has actively criticised the ruling Georgian Dream party for its adoption of the Foreign Agents Law, increased anti-Western rhetoric, and anti-democratic actions. The EU has stated on several occasions that it is keeping all options open to respond to GD's decisions. Due to the government's anti-democratic actions, the EU has halted Georgia's accession process. It has also frozen EUR 30 million from the European Peace Facility (EPF) earmarked for the Georgian Ministry of Defense."MEP Anna Fotyga arrived in Georgia, where she honoured the memory of Lech Kaczynski, the late President of Poland who died in an air crash. Speaking with journalists, Fotyga emphasised that the main purpose of her visit is to show support for the Georgian people and demonstrate that they are not alone.Addressing the current political situation in Georgia, Fotyga stressed the importance of political parties as vital guarantees of democracy. She stated that any restrictions on their activities are unacceptable and hinder the democratic development of the country."People outside of Georgia are concerned about the events unfolding here. On one hand, we are trying to assist the Georgian people, and on the other, we aim to guide Georgia towards a Western direction.It is very difficult for us to make this decision, but we will closely monitor the situation in the country both before and after the elections. If nothing changes, sanctions will be imposed," she said.
If Florida voters come out in support of Debbie Mucarsel-Powell, 53, on November 5, she will be the first Latina immigrant to hold a seat in the U.S. Senate. Born in Ecuador, she arrived in her adopted country at the age of 14 and her first job was working in a donut store.

With the Democratic Party, she sat in Congress between 2019 and 2021 but failed to be reelected. Now, after winning the Democratic primary with a big lead on August 20, she will square up against Republican millionaire Rick Scott, senator and former governor of the Sunshine State. He has been a favorite in the polls until now, but Mucarsel-Powell is closing the gap.

The murder of Mucarsel-Powells father in Ecuador shaped her career, and fighting for gun control is one of her main campaign promises. Womens reproductive rights, the extension of Medicare and lower insurance rates are other issues close to her heart.

Question. What is the Kamala Harris effect on your campaign?

Answer. The vice presidents nomination has greatly energized voters in the State of Florida and across the country. People are rejecting the extreme politics that we got during the Donald Trump Administration. Senator Rick Scott has used the same type of extremist tactics to bombard and confuse voters, specifically Latino voters, with misinformation.

Q. Trump won in Florida in 2016 and in 2020. The governor, Ron DeSantis, is also a Republican, and Senator Rick Scott is ahead in the polls. The Democratic Party has a challenge on its hands.

A. We won in 2008 and in 2012 with Obama. In 2016, the state started moving in the other direction. When you have a swing state, it swings back, and thats what Ive been seeing in every county Ive traveled through, both Democratic and Republican. People are rejecting the Republicans because theyve crossed the line into extremism, and the people who live here are much more centrist and independent.

Q. Since the Supreme Courts ruling on Roe v. Wade, there has been a succession of states passing anti-abortion laws. The legislation passed by DeSantis is among the most restrictive. What role do reproductive rights play in your campaign?

A. Abortion is central not only to my campaign, but to all the people of Florida. It is central to making sure that women have their rights and freedoms protected, and it is central to protecting democracy in this country. I am a woman. I have three children, two of them girls, and reproductive rights are central to their health and dignity. Latin American countries like Colombia, Mexico and Argentina have already lost the right to choose. When we have extreme laws, like the one in Florida, there are higher rates of violence against women and higher rates of maternal mortality. That is why those countries passed those laws, because they are more conservative. In Florida we are already hearing stories of women who are being told by doctors that they cannot help them even though the fetus is not developing and the pregnancy is putting their health at risk. A few weeks ago, a woman in Miami lost a lot of blood and almost died because of that law.

Q. One of your initiatives as a congresswoman was to extend the eligibility of the Medicare public health program. What are the challenges facing public health today and what policies are you proposing?

A. My mother lives with me. I watched her work 12 hours a day, in two jobs, to be able to pay for the benefits that are included in Medicare  Social Security. And what the Republicans, including Rick Scott, are proposing is its elimination. In Congress, I put forward a bill to expand Medicare coverage for seniors. We need to look at how to expand that coverage and lower drug prices. In Congress, we worked hard to allow Medicare to negotiate with the drug companies. Rick Scott wants to eliminate negotiation, which would mean that people who have diabetes, instead of paying $35 a month would pay up to $500. The challenge is to stand up to those companies and facilitate access to these important medicines, especially for Latinos, who have higher rates of diabetes than other groups.

Q. The budget is a determining factor in a campaign. In your case, you are facing a candidate who is a millionaire and self-financing while you depend on donations. Does that give him the upper hand?

A. It becomes more difficult. To win races in this country you have to have a lot of money. And there are no limits here. I am up against a politician who has a lot of money and in the United States, money dictates political communication. That includes a lot of misinformation and unfounded attacks. So those are the challenges I face. But voters have been supporting me with contributions of $5, $10, $20 and Ive raised almost $15 million. Florida knows Rick Scott. Hes been here 15 years, and no amount of funding is going to help him at this point because his record is so toxic to the people of Florida.

Q. Your father was shot and killed so its no surprise that the issue of gun control is especially important to you.

A. I was 24 and getting my masters degree when I got a call to tell me that my father had been shot dead in Ecuador. That call changed my life and also that of my family. I changed direction and wanted to work to protect our communities from violence and to get more justice. In countries in Latin America, you lose loved ones and nothing happens. There is no justice. We dont have a strong judicial system like in the United States. I have met too many families who have lost loved ones to guns.

I worked at the Gifford Foundation to educate our communities and attract investment to reduce violence. There is a law that we have not yet passed that does not prevent people from buying their own gun, but requires background checks. In this country, the leading cause of death for Latino youth between the ages of 14 and 19 is gun violence. We have taken steps to reduce the level of cancer in children, why not take steps to reduce violence?

Q. Venezuela is experiencing an institutional crisis and you have called for an international coalition to force Nicolas Maduro out of power. What can the United States do?

A. The U.S. has taken the correct steps by supporting Maria Corina Machado, who has been at the head of the opposition movement, and presidential candidate Edmundo Gonzalez, recognizing that he won the July 28 elections. Venezuelas opposition needs to lead that international coalition to help it take office and return Venezuela to the kind of democracy it had many years ago. We must include Spain and Mexico in that coalition as they are critical to what is happening. They have to get Maduro out of there. His is a narco-regime. There are many ways to put pressure on him. We have Russia and Iran helping Maduro. We have to put pressure on Russia to back out of there.

Q. You came to the United States from Ecuador when you were 14. Adolescence is not an easy age for such a big cultural change. Did you suffer discrimination?

A. Yes. When I first arrived in the U.S., I would hear people speaking with a Spanish accent and wanted to speak to them in Spanish, but many of them didnt want to. They didnt want to have anything to do with Latinos or recognize the Hispanic language or be proud of their culture and race. That was a shock. I didnt understand why people would be ashamed to be who they were.

I had an accent too and it was made fun of. That happens to many [Latino] people who live here. But that is to underestimate us. If you get to know us you can see that we are a people who never stop fighting, we work hard, we want to contribute to the economy and were not looking for a free lunch. We want to have the same opportunities as the other people who are living in this country. Now Latinos are the largest ethnic group and can determine the election outcome and I remind them not to forget that power.

Q. What strategy are you employing to win the Latino vote?

A. Family is the most important thing for us. Protecting our children, giving them a better future. Having economic opportunities is extremely important. I am talking about a bill I want to take to the Senate that would lower the cost of insurance by 25%. I talk about education and the environment. I touch on the issues that are important to Latinos. We are not going to have everyones vote, because it is a diverse community and each person has their political affiliation, but if you talk to them about the issues that are important to them, they will come to us.

Q. The immigration crisis has been at the center of the Republican election campaign and there has been a succession of anti-immigrant measures, such as the pause of the Parole in Place program. Anti-immigrant sentiment seems to be growing.

A. Obviously it has grown because extremists like Rick Scott have been using language that criminalizes immigrants. Theyve been blaming them for every problem we have. And thats not the reality. Everybody agrees that we have to invest in homeland security at the border and support the patrol officers. But we also have to take legal steps so that people can come in and continue to contribute to the American economy.

We have to go back to the moment we had with Ronald Reagan, who was a Republican president who understood the contribution immigrants make. There are also immigrants who are fleeing violence and we have a law to give them asylum.

Q. The presence of Latinos in the upper echelons of politics and business does not match their numbers.

A. We dont have as much representation as we should have. Thats why I remind Latino communities that no one is going to advocate for them like I will, as someone who was born in Latin America and lived under a military dictatorship. I want to be on the foreign relations committee to give us a voice that we dont have right now. I shouldnt be the first Latina from the State of Florida running for the Senate: its 2024. But I definitely dont want to be the last.

Q. Your first job was selling donuts. Your rival in the election also had a business relationship with the same product.

A. I worked in a donut store for minimum wage and Rick Scott bought donut stores to give his mom something to do. Thats the difference between us. I understand what its like to have to count every dollar to buy your first car. Its unacceptable that we live in a country that is still the most significant economic and military power in the world, and the largest democracy, and yet there are families that cant pay their bills, or their education, or their medicine.

Q. After Republican vice-presidential candidate J.D. Vance campaigned in a donut store, you posted on X that you didnt think he had ever walked into one because he didnt even know the name of the types of donut. Did you?

A. Of course I did. Devils food, my favorite, is chocolate fudge. Then theres blaze, sprinkles and bear claw, all of which I loved.
The success of the last governments education reforms, which saw England rise to fourth in the world for reading and 11th for maths, has drawn the attention of other countries, eager to learn how this was achieved. Two key principles underpinned those reforms: autonomy and accountability.

By autonomy, I mean freeing schools from the control of local authorities, wedded as they were to progressive education orthodoxies that had led to the gradual decline of British education. This autonomy was achieved by converting schools into academies, independent schools funded directly by central government.

Greater freedom has led to the creation of high-achieving schools such as Mercia School in Sheffield, Dixons Trinity Academy in Bradford and Michaela Community School in Brent. At Michaela, in this summers GCSE results, half were at grade 9 (thats equivalent to A**) and yet 70 per cent of its pupils speak English as a second language and a third are on free school meals.

But with autonomy must come strong accountability. We all have a boss, and that applies to head teachers, too. Accountability is delivered through the publication of league tables and transparent school inspection by Ofsted. Nothing concentrates the mind of school leaders more than knowing that their SATs or GCSE results will be published.

Ofsted was established by the 1988 Education Reform Act and has been crucial ever since in providing a more rounded view of a schools performance than just its test and exam results. But the terrible tragedy of the death of a respected head teacher in Caversham last year after a poor Ofsted judgement has shaken confidence in Ofsted as an institution. Cavendish Primary Schools SAT results were very high; the school failed on its safeguarding processes, a more important concern than even academic outcomes. Following that tragedy, the last government and Ofsted made changes to enable schools that failed on safeguarding grounds the chance to put right their procedures and be regraded. This was an essential reform.

An incoming government will of course want to reset its relationship with the teaching profession. It was right to accept the 5.5 per cent rise as recommended by the independent pay body.

The decision to replace the one-word Ofsted judgment of a schools performance with four separate judgments, meanwhile, is designed to ease the pressure on head teachers facing an inspection. The Governments ultimate goal is a Report Card, setting out a narrative view of the school.

But while the motivation is right, the decision is nevertheless a mistake.

Currently, after an Ofsted inspection, schools are judged as Outstanding, Good, Requires Improvement, or Inadequate. Nearly 90 per cent of all schools are now either Good or Outstanding. So the debate about how Ofsted categorises the performance of a school only really impacts the 10 per cent that need to improve. Having a one-word judgment is clear to parents in a way that a Report Card providing a full and comprehensive assessment of how schools are performing will not be. Rather like a theatre review, schools will extract the phrases they like and promote these.

For accountability to be effective, it needs to be clear and understandable to the public and parents. If the Government reduces the effectiveness of the accountability mechanism, the recent success of Englands schools in international league tables will be in jeopardy and, more importantly, so will the life chances of more than eight million children.

Nick Gibb was minister for school standards

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In the latest sign of their capitulation to teaching unions and low standards, the new Labour Government are scrapping the one-word descriptors that categorises a schools overall review from Ofsted. Im sure that many voters could already think of a few one-word reviews of the Governments time in office so far, and this decision is unlikely to encourage any of them to be outstanding.

These one-word reviews are part of a stricter inspection regimen that has driven up standards in schools across England since 2010, one of the major successes of the Conservatives in office. When the Tories came to power, only two thirds of schools were either good or outstanding; now it is over 90 per cent. They may have been the cause of stress and headaches for those working in schools, but these sorts of key performance milestones are completely normal in the private sector. More than that, they have been responsible for an incredible improvement in the school system, from which the whole country will benefit.

Of course, it is a tragedy to hear that the stress of these inspections (of which the one-word summary is only a part) may have contributed to the suicide of a much-loved headteacher. But the work of Government is to look at issues in the round, supporting those with poor mental health shouldnt come at the expense of high standards for millions and millions of pupils, and the very success of our whole future.

Teaching unions are already so emboldened by the weakness at the top of the DfE that they are demanding that both times tables tests and grammar exams should be scrapped. Far from preparing children for the real world, the unions are claiming these tests cause high levels of anxiety in children.

Beyond the fatuousness of claiming that the lowering of expectations is somehow in a pupils best interests, this supposed concern for childrens anxiety is massively hypocritical. When I was the special adviser to the Education Secretary through the Covid omicron wave, I pushed back as hard as I could on the unions demands to force children to wear masks all day, even in classrooms.

With the help of then-Conservative MP Miriam Cates, I got the Department officials (against whom I fought on the issue) to agree to commission a report into the downsides of masks on children. It took months, but even the DfE quietly admitted its study showed high numbers of students, especially those with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities, were rendered anxious by them. Not a peep of contrition came from the same unions who now pretend to be concerned for students wellbeing.

What then is the reason for scrapping tests and one-word Ofsted scores? Simply, this is a hatred of high standards and the excellence they bring because they are more difficult for unions to maintain their grip on organisations, and because they may be considered unfair to those students in schools that dont benefit from strong leadership or good values.

It is the same attack that previous generations used against grammar schools, and it will have the same result; making pupils less well-educated than they could have been, parents more powerless to help their children, and trades unions holding the reins of power over the Labour government. And it comes as they also launch their attack on a different kind of class, taking charitable status away from independent schools.

Not only does modelling from the Adam Smith Institute show that this is as likely to cost money as raise it (and harm special educational needs children disproportionately), it will also threaten to overwhelm the state sector with other students just as they remove the standards that have been helping it catch up with the private schools.

This is the same thing that is happening in other parts of the public sector. The Danegeld was paid to the train drivers and to doctors, with no improvements requested in return. As the dog returns to its vomit, so the fool returns to his folly and Labour fall into the same trap in sector after sector. This policy doesnt just require improvement, it is wholly inadequate.

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Since embarking on this assignment a few days ago, I've had thoughts and visions of my grandfather, Paul Villa, in my head, dressed in his swanky Knights of Columbus uniform, shiny sword and fancy, feathery chapeau that made him such a grand vision to a young boy.

I wish he could be here for this, because my grandfather was a true believer in the Roman Catholic faith and all of its mysteries, including that of Our Lady of Guadalupe, the title given to Mary, who all Christians believe was the mother of Jesus, and which is associated with four separate visions of Mary to Juan Diego at Tepeyac Hill outside present day Mexico City in December 1531.

Now, Pensacola Catholics will also be able to share in the mysteries of Our Lady of Guadalupe on Sept. 13 when the Knights of Columbus Silver Rose programs rolls into town  stewarded by Knights on Bikes motorcycle squad  bringing a blessed Silver Rose to three local Catholic churches, St. Thomas More, St. Paul, and the Basilica of St. Michael the Archangel.

The Pensacola stop is part of the rose's pilgrimage across the continent, from Canada, through various regions of the United States, then to its final stop at the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Monterrey, Mexico on Dec. 12, the Catholic Feast Day of Our Lady of Guadalupe. The Silver Rose coming to Pensacola is one of eight that are traveling different routes and regions to Mexico.

Rev. Joseph Fowler talks about the Silver Rose program at Basilica of St. Michael the Archangel in Pensacola on Friday, Aug. 30, 2024. There will be a prayer service on Sept. 13th when one of the Silver Roses stops in Pensacola on its way from Canada through the United States and on its way to Mexico.

"This is to recognize all that Our Lady of Guadalupe has done for us,'' said Charlie Goodreau, Grand Knight of Knights of Columbus Council 8589, the council of the Pensacola basilica. "She helped bring nine million new Catholics and inspired us to celebrate the sanctity of life."

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The Silver Rose tradition began in 1960 when a Knights of Columbus youth group wanted to honor Our Lady of Guadalupe by carrying a rose from Canada to the Basilica in Mexico. The next year, the Knights of Columbus created a silver rose for what would become an annual pilgrimage across North America. The Knights, a worldwide Catholic fraternal organization established in 1882, have shepherded the journey of the Silver Rose, now eight roses, ever since.

Roses are significant in association of Our Lady of Guadalupe because, according to the belief of many Catholics, an apparition of Mary appeared amid blooming roses though it was winter. Diego, most often described as a "Mexican peasant," picked some of the roses and delivered them to the local bishop as proof of his vision. According to the legend, when he spilled the roses out before the bishop, an apparition of Mary then appeared on Diego's cloak. The cloak is now kept of the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City. The apparition inspired the conversion of millions of Mexicans, then under Spanish control, to Catholicism and is still one of the most important religious symbols to those of Mexican and Hispanic heritage.

"She sent a message in roses,'' said the Rev. Joe Fowler, priest at the Basilica of St. Michael the Archangel. "I think we need reminders of love and light, and the symbol of the silver rose reminds us of Mary's motherhood to us as Catholics, and, really, for the whole world. And what's more comforting that the love of a mother?"

Catholics do not worship Mary, but do venerate her as the "Mother of God."

The silver rose will be placed prominently on the side altar featuring a statue of Mary on the left of the main altar  the left because when looking from the sanctuary, Mary appears on the right hand of Jesus on the cross. In 1904 Pope Pius X confirmed what was long believed among many Catholics  "Mary sitteth at the right hand of her Son."

More: Historic St. Joseph Catholic Church, established in 1891, undergoes $2 million renovation.

The Silver Rose will arrive at the Basilica of St. Michael the Archangel at noon, allowing visitors to the 12:15 p.m. daily mass to see it. St. Michael the Archangel's Pensacola parish began in 1781, becoming the first Catholic church in the city. In 2011, St. Michael Church was elevated to the status of a minor basilica by His Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI. Though there are minor basilicas worldwide, there are only four basilicas classified as major, and all are located in Rome.

The Silver Rose will make its first stop at St. Thomas More Catholic Church  a beautiful parish where I served as altar boy for four years on Barrancas Avenue  arriving at 7:30 a.m., journey to the basilica at noon, and then to St. Paul Catholic Church on Hyde Park later in the afternoon.

But Goodreau said there is something extra special about the Silver Rose visiting Pensacola's oldest Catholic parish and church.

"It's more than a standard church,'' he said. "It's a major church and just a very appropriate location for the Silver Rose."

My grandfather would agree. He was a parish member there at St. Michael, either before or after joining the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart Parish at one time. My only time serving as altar boy at St. Michael was upon the marriage of my Uncle Mike, gone now, back in the 1970s. My three brothers and I served as altar boys for the ceremony. My grandmother, Beatrice, made sure all of the altar boys names were mentioned in the wedding announcement.

Both my grandparents would surely visit with the Silver Rose at the Basilica of St. Michael if they were still alive. Though my grandfather would probably push as close as he could to be near it, more so than my grandmother, because he was always more hardcore.

Sorry for the personal story. But this made me think of the old bald Italian guy a lot. He'd probably be disappointed a bit that the Knights of Columbus lost the fancy hats with the plumes in favor of berets, but he'd wear whatever for his church and his faith.

A Silver Rose program poster is displayed at Basilica of St. Michael the Archangel in Pensacola on Friday, Aug. 30, 2024. There will be a prayer service on Sept. 13th when one of the Silver Roses stops in Pensacola on its way from Canada through the United States and on its way to Mexico.

Charlie Goodreau, Knights of Columbus Grand Knight, talks about the Silver Rose program at Basilica of St. Michael the Archangel in Pensacola on Friday, Aug. 30, 2024. There will be a prayer service on Sept. 13th when one of the Silver Roses stops in Pensacola on its way from Canada through the United States and on its way to Mexico.

Charlie Goodreau, Knights of Columbus Grand Knight, talks about the Silver Rose program at Basilica of St. Michael the Archangel in Pensacola on Friday, Aug. 30, 2024. There will be a prayer service on Sept. 13th when one of the Silver Roses stops in Pensacola on its way from Canada through the United States and on its way to Mexico.

Charlie Goodreau, Knights of Columbus Grand Knight, left listens as Rev. Joseph Fowler talks about the Silver Rose program at Basilica of St. Michael the Archangel in Pensacola on Friday, Aug. 30, 2024. There will be a prayer service on Sept. 13th when one of the Silver Roses stops in Pensacola on its way from Canada through the United States and on its way to Mexico.

The side altar that is dedicated to the Virgin Mary at Basilica of St. Michael the Archangel in Pensacola on Friday, Aug. 30, 2024. There will be a prayer service on Sept. 13th when a Silver Rose, in honor of Mary, stops in Pensacola on its way from Canada through the United States and on its way to Mexico.

The side altar that is dedicated to the Virgin Mary at Basilica of St. Michael the Archangel in Pensacola on Friday, Aug. 30, 2024. There will be a prayer service on Sept. 13th when a Silver Rose, in honor of Mary, stops in Pensacola on its way from Canada through the United States and on its way to Mexico.

This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Our Lady of Guadalupe "Silver Rose" visits Pensacola.
Lake County deputy injured in ambush released from hospital, officials say

The Lake County Sheriffs Office said Deputy Stefano Gargano has been released from the hospital a month after an ambush.

Investigators said Gargano was injured during what investigators said was a disturbance call at a home along Brookside Drive in Lake County.

Officials said Gargano was shot multiple times in the abdomen and groin.

Read: Woman accused of ambush attack that killed Lake County deputy to make first court appearance

In the ambush at the Eustis home, Master Deputy Bradley Link was killed, and Deputy Stefano Gargano was injured.

Gargano was part of a unit that formed to go into the residence to rescue Link, according to LCSO.

See our other coverage below:

Who is your God?: Report gives details about woman after Lake County deputies shot

Former stepmom of Lake County deputies shooting suspects speaks out

Woman arrested in ambush attack that left Lake County deputy dead, 2 other deputies injured

WATCH: Procession held for Lake County deputy killed in the line of duty

Its horrific: Lake County deputies mourn the death of one of their own

Deputy killed, 2 other deputies injured in shootout at Lake County home

Central Florida officials react to shooting in Lake County

Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
Laken Riley murder: Suspect wants some evidence thrown out before trial

The suspect accused in the murder of a Georgia nursing student and his attorneys are asking a judge to throw out some of the prosecutions evidence.

Laken Riley was jogging on the universitys campus on Feb. 22 when she was attacked and killed. Police arrested and charged Jose Ibarra, who a grand jury indicted on 10 counts, including murder.

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Defense attorneys representing Ibarra filed the motion on Friday to suppress evidence collected in the days and months after Rileys death. The motion claims some evidence seized by authorities was collected in an unlawful manner.

The attorneys specifically mentioned two cell phones that belonged to Ibarra, DNA samples taken from Ibarra, the contents of his social media accounts, including Snapchat, and Google location data.

The motion accused law enforcement officers of entering Ibarras apartment without a proper warrant the day after Riley was killed. The motion claims that other search warrants issued in March werent based on probable cause and were fruit of the poisonous tree.

Athens-Clarke County records do not list a hearing date for when the judge will hear the motion. Jury selection for the Ibarra trial is currently set to begin on Nov. 13 with opening statements scheduled for Nov. 18.

Prosecutors previously announced that they will not seek the death penalty against Ibarra.

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The Los Angeles Police Department announced the arrest of a suspect and the seizure of 43 pounds of crystal meth during a drug bust.

According to LAPD Central Bureau Assistant Commanding Operations Officer Lillian L. Carranza, the Narcotics Enforcement Detail recovered the meth during a raid.

The exact date and location of the raid were not disclosed.

In addition to the drugs, police also recovered $11,000 in cash and a handgun.

Metro bus slams into 3 cars trying to start street takeover in South L.A.

In the past, this [would] be a seizure by [Los Angeles County District Attorneys] Major Narcotics Division, Carranza said in a post to X. These days, [its] so much more commondrug dealers come from other areas to [prey] on those addicted to drugs in Skid Row.

The identity of the person taken into custody was not released.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  Those in the northwest Las Vegas valley have noticed some unwanted changes to their local park, telling 8 News Now that they fear the water in the pond may be killing wildlife.

Floyd Lamb Park is one of the greenest spots in the valley with its array of wildlife. However, now its pond is closed off to fishing and those who frequent the park told 8 News Now they believe its due to toxic water.

We come here every day so we did notice signs that its closed to fishing so I just thought they were doing some restocking or something of that nature, Kobey Matsushige said. Just in general we know that fresh water in hot places tends to have bacteria.

Frequent park visitors like fisherman Diego Suarez said hes seen an increase in dead wildlife around the pond in the past couple of weeks.

There were geese just all in the shoreline, Suarez said. We see one or two, but for it to be five, 10, 15, thats alarming.

Its still unclear why that may be happening, but the city said it is taking precautions. In a statement, the city said workers are cleaning the pond and are conducting precautionary water testing, which is why fishing is not allowed at this time.

Floyd Lamd had always been a place we could go to experience nature, Suarez said. To see that place closed for the first time that we can all remember, it raises questions big time.

Suarez also noted that the pong has looked different in the recent months.

The ones all the way in the back get really bad. Thats where we see a lot of the birds and fish floating, he said. If its not safe everyone should know.

It is unclear at this time when the pond will open back up for fishing. As for the park itself, it is still open but visitors must pay a $6 per vehicle entrance fee.



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SIOUX CITY, Iowa (KCAU)  Thousands of people from far and wide gathered in downtown Sioux City for the annual ArtSplash festival.

Art Splash The 30th Edition, said Todd Behrens, with the Sioux City Art Center.

Art Splash is my favorite show of the year, said Frank Costanzo, an ArtSplash vendor.

The biggest change this year is weve always in the past charged for the craft activities for kids. Those are all free. We got a band from the Gilchrist Foundation, so now we are offering adult art activities for free. So theres more free stuff than ever at art class this year, said Behrens.

Many Siouxlanders spend Labor Day weekend camping

So last year we had in the upper fifties, I cant remember what the total was, but this year we have 75 artists. So, its nice weve been trying, our goal has been to fill our two streets, the third block of Third Street and Pierce Street that we occupy. And this year its full-on art for both streets, said Behrens.

I mean, coming up here at least a dozen years, probably sort of pop culture, a little bit of my weird brain and Andy Warhol, Betamax, if anybody knows whose that is. I grew up in the sixties, so I got a lot of music, Beatle whiskey-type paintings, things like that, said Costanzo.

My sales are always really good up here, so thats the main thing. But Ive never been to another festival anywhere that does it up the way the people do here. They are just top notch, so I cant believe the way they take care of the artists here. Its fantastic. Ive told other shows they need to follow suit of Sioux City, so, said Costanzo.

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Police in Lawrence are seeking the publics help in finding a missing woman.

Carol Flaz-Burgos, 37, was last seen in the area of 590 Broadway, police said in a statement shortly after 3 p.m. Monday. Police also shared her photograph on social media.

At 2 p.m. Saturday, police received a report that Flaz-Burgos was missing.

Since receiving the initial missing person report the Lawrence Police Patrol Division and Detectives Division, with the assistance of the Massachusetts State Police have been investigating this case, police said Monday.

We have been and will continue to follow up on all leads and any other information we receive, police said.

Anyone with information about the whereabouts of Flaz-Burgos is urged to call Lawrence Police at 978-794-5900.

Please continue to share her picture and information, police said.

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

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Nicholas Cartel, left, and wife Singa Bui had their law licences provisionally suspended in April after millions of dollars in client money went missing from the trust account of their firm, Cartel & Bui LLP. He denies any involvement; through a lawyer, she has also said he isn't at fault. (Cartelbui.com)

A pair of Toronto lawyers accused of embezzling nearly $7 million from real estate clients has been found in contempt of court for failing to hand over financial records and answer questions about where the money went.

Singa Bui and her husband Nicholas Cartel face penalties that could include fines or even imprisonment, and will likely also draw misconduct charges from Ontario's professional regulatory body for lawyers, two experts in professional legal discipline said.

"Although they must know what happened to the funds, they have refused to provide this information," Ontario Superior Court Justice William Chalmers ruled in late August.

"Instead of attempting to comply with the orders to the best of their ability, I find that the defendants have taken active steps to hide their finances and to frustrate the court's efforts to determine what happened."

It's the latest development in a case that has underscored how anyone buying or selling a home  typically the most expensive transaction of one's life  can be vulnerable to fraud by the very lawyers who are required by law in some provinces to handle the transaction, with scant guarantee of any protection from the legal profession itself.

In a phone call last week, Cartel told CBC News he thinks the judge's decision is mistaken and he intends to challenge it.

"He ignored the facts," Cartel said. "I've delivered all documents in my possession, delivered thousands of pages of real estate files I will be bringing a motion to either address this, to have it set aside or varied in some regard."

Trust account deficits

Bui and Cartel were the only partners at the now-defunct firm Cartel & Bui LLP, based in a smartly decorated loft space in Toronto's Liberty Village neighbourhood.

Bui mostly handled home sales, while Cartel dealt with class actions and litigation.

At some point by 2022, cash started to go missing from the firm's trust account, a forensic audit filed in court shows.

Lawyers' trust accounts are tightly regulated by provincial law societies because the money in them doesn't belong to the firm but to its clients.

Cartel has repeatedly claimed his wife managed their firm's and their household's finances and he had no knowledge of, or hand in, any misappropriation. A judge found that 'inconceivable.' (Evan Mitsui/CBC)

The court-ordered forensic audit of that account found "possible inappropriate" payments such as $2,190 a month for child care and more than a million dollars in transfers to American Express cards, which were used for purchases at Christian Dior and Hermes, among other things.

Initially, the shortfalls were covered by new money coming in, but starting in February 2023, payouts to clients of their proceeds from real estate deals began to stall.

Cartel took out a $1.2 million mortgage on his and Bui's family home. While he later testified under oath that the loan was to pay for repairs after "massive pipes blew up spewing a street's worth of sewage into the house," the forensic audit found that the money was in fact deposited into the Cartel & Bui trust account and used to cover shortfalls.

A mortgage lender has moved to seize Cartel and Bui's family home in midtown Toronto after they defaulted on loan payments. A separate forensic audit found that the couple mixed home loans with funds in their law firm's trust account. (Jocelyn Shepel/CBC)

Then, in seven home sales last fall during which the firm acted for the sellers, it didn't pay off its clients' mortgages as it was supposed to, according to lawsuits by the buyers. It took the buyers' money, paid out the home equity to the sellers, but held on to the rest, totalling $3.3 million, the lawsuits allege.

In perhaps the worst alleged embezzlement, some homebuyers who had agreed to buy a house in Toronto forwarded more than $2 million to Cartel & Bui in November toward the purchase. But within days, most of the funds disappeared from the firm's trust account, the deal never closed and the homebuyers have not recovered the money.

Judge rejects husband's denials

Cartel has repeatedly claimed that Bui managed the firm's and their household's finances and he had no knowledge of, or hand in, what was going on in their various accounts. He's also repeatedly said that Bui has been ill since late November and was hospitalized with a mental-health condition in February, making it difficult or impossible for him to recover all their firm's files or ask her what happened to the missing money.

In December, Bui said through her lawyer, in a letter to the Law Society of Ontario, that Cartel was "not responsible for the improper transferring of trust funds, nor is any other associate or employee of the firm."

The judge addressed that directly in his contempt ruling, calling it "inconceivable" that Cartel doesn't know what happened to the money and "inconsistent with common sense" that he wouldn't have asked his wife about it.

The Law Society of Ontario put the firm of Cartel & Bui LLP into trusteeship in May and took over its files and materials, leaving the former offices empty as of June. (Jocelyn Shepel/CBC)

CBC News was unable to reach Bui via email or through three lawyers who have represented her in previous hearings.

The judge will next have to hear submissions about an appropriate penalty for the couple, though in almost every contempt case, the violators can escape sanction and "purge" their contempt by complying with the original court orders.

Matthew Wilton, a Toronto litigator whose practice includes representing other lawyers in disciplinary hearings, said that in the worst-case scenarios, some lawyers held in contempt have been thrown in jail, but there are plenty of lesser penalties, such as an order to pay costs.

Cartel and Bui's law licences have been provisionally suspended since April while the law society investigates their actions. The contempt finding doesn't change their status, a spokesperson for the society said last week.

But it could strengthen the case for both of them to be eventually disbarred.

Justin Jakubiak, who represents lawyers and other licensed professionals in regulatory matters, said a finding of contempt against a lawyer is "incredibly serious" because it strikes at one of the core obligations of the profession. (Jakubiak works for the same Toronto law firm that is representing two plaintiffs against Cartel and Bui, but he has had no involvement in the case).

"Lawyers have to be seen to be respecting the legal process, respecting judges and the overall court process. So if a lawyer is not doing that, then how can they be expected to practise appropriately?"
Some Lebanese who fear war is coming have an unusual backup plan: Moving to Syria

FILE - Lebanese citizens watch Hezbollah leader Sheik Hassan Nasrallah speak on television as black smoke rises following Israeli attacks on a Hezbollah stronghold in the southern suburbs of Beirut, Lebanon, on July 16, 2006. (AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian, File)

BEIRUT (AP)  Residents of Beirut's southern suburbs have been scrambling to make contingency plans since an Israeli airstrike on an apartment building in a busy neighborhood killed a top Hezbollah commander and touched off fears of a full-scale war.

For most, that means moving in with relatives or renting homes in Christian, Druze or Sunni-majority areas of Lebanon that are generally considered safer than the Shiite-majority areas where the Hezbollah militant group has its main operations and base of support.

But for a small number, plan B is a move to neighboring Syria.

Although Syria is in its 14th year of civil war, active fighting has long been frozen in much of the country. Lebanese citizens, who can cross the border without a visa, regularly visit Damascus. And renting an apartment is significantly cheaper in Syria than in Lebanon.

Zahra Ghaddar said she and her family were shaken when they saw an apartment building reduced to rubble by the July 30 drone strike in her area, known as Dahiyeh. Along with Hezbollah commander Fouad Shukur, two children and three women were killed and dozens more were injured in the targeted Israeli attack.

Previously, the Lebanese capital had been largely untouched by the near-daily cross-border clashes that have displaced around 100,000 people from southern Lebanon and tens of thousands more in Israel since Oct. 8. That's when Hezbollah began firing rockets into northern Israel in support of its ally Hamas, which a day earlier led a deadly raid in Israel that killed some 1,200 people and took another 250 hostage. Israel responded with an aerial bombardment and ground offensive in Gaza that has killed more than 40,000 Palestinians.

In recent weeks, the conflict in Lebanon appeared on the brink of spiraling out of control.

Ghaddar said her family first considered moving within Lebanon but were discouraged by social media posts blaming displaced civilians, along with Hezbollah, for the threat of all-out war. Also, surging demand prompted steep rent hikes.

We found the rents started at $700, and thats for a house we wouldnt be too comfortable in, she said. That amount is more than many Lebanese earn in a month.

So they looked across the border.

Ghaddars family found a four-bedroom apartment in Aleppo, a city in northwestern Syria, for $150 a month. They paid six months' rent in advance and returned to Lebanon.

Israel periodically launches airstrikes on Syria, usually targeting Iranian-linked military sites or militants, but Bashar Assad's government has largely stood on the sidelines of the current regional conflict.

Israel and Hezbollah fought a bruising monthlong war in 2006 that demolished much of southern Lebanon and Beirut's southern suburbs. At the time, some 180,000 Lebanese took refuge in Syria, many taking shelter in schools, mosques and empty factories. Those who could afford it rented houses. Some put down permanent roots.

Rawad Issa, then a teenager, fled to Syria with his parents. They returned to Lebanon when the war ended, but Issas father used some of his savings to buy a house in Syrias Hama province, just in case.

That way, if another war happened, we would already have a house ready, Issa said.

The house and surrounding area were untouched by Syrias civil war, he said. A few weeks ago, his sister and her husband went to get the house ready for the family to return, in case the situation in Lebanon deteriorated.

Issa, who works in video production, said he initially planned to rent an apartment in Lebanon if the conflict expanded, rather than joining his family in Syria.

But in safe areas of Beirut, they are asking for fantastic prices, he said. One landlord was charging $900 for a room in a shared apartment. And outside of Beirut, its not much better.

Azzam Ali, a Syrian journalist in Damascus, told The Associated Press that in the first few days after the strike in Dahiyeh, he saw an influx of Lebanese renting hotel rooms and houses in the city. A Lebanese family  friends of a friend  stayed in his house for a few days, he said.

In a Facebook post, he welcomed the Lebanese, saying they made the old city of Damascus more beautiful.

After the situation appeared to calm down, some went back and some stayed here, but most of them stayed, he said.

No agency has recorded how many people have moved from Lebanon to Syria in recent months. They are spread across the country and are not registered as refugees, making tracking the migration difficult. Anecdotal evidence suggests the numbers are small.

Of 80 people displaced from southern Lebanon living in greater Beirut  including Lebanese, Syrians and Palestinian refugees  at least 20 said they were considering taking refuge in Syria if the war in Lebanon escalated, according to interviews conducted by researchers overseen by Jasmin Lilian Diab, director of the Institute for Migration Studies at the Lebanese American University.

Diab noted that the Lebanese considering this route were a niche group who had existing networks in Syria, either business networks, family or friends.

The threat of war has also not prompted a mass reverse migration of Syrians from Lebanon. Some 775,000 Syrians are registered with the U.N. Refugee Agency in Lebanon, and hundreds of thousands more are believed to be unregistered in the country.

While fighting in Syria has died down, many refugees fear that if they return they could be arrested for real or perceived ties to the opposition to Assad or forcibly conscripted to the army. If they leave Lebanon to escape war they could lose their refugee status, although some cross back and forth via smuggler routes without their movements being recorded.

Many residents of Dahiyeh breathed a sigh of relief when an intense exchange of strikes between Israel and Hezbollah on July 25 turned out to be short-lived. But Ghaddar said she still worries the situation will deteriorate, forcing her family to flee.

Its necessary to have a backup plan in any case, she said.
WACO, Texas (FOX 44)  The 2024 Levitt AMP Waco Music Series is back for the fall season!

The series is presented by TFNB Your Bank for Life, and returns to Wacos Bridge Street Plaza this Wednesday with the Waco Downtown Wednesday Night Farmers Market. According to Creative Waco, this means five weeks of free concerts, local vendors, live art and endless fun for all!

Each concert ranges from featuring local gems to regional favorites and national talents. There is also a vast list of genres  rock, blues, gospel, pop, hip-hop, Latin and more!

The complete schedule of performers is below, courtesy of Creative Waco:

Wednesday, September 4:

Blue Cactus is a North Carolina duo creating a celestial soundscape of Dream Country. Their music blends grit, glitz, groove and twang, evoking mid-century heartbreak and drawing comparisons to iconic artists like Bobbie Gentry, Fleetwood Mac and David Bowie.



Breathing Space is Wacos newest indie/pop sensation. They are bringing their dreamy, soothing sound to the scene, so get ready to be transported to a world of tranquility and melodic bliss.

Wednesday, September 11:

Holly Tucker has captivated audiences from Central Texas to the world! After her breakout on The Voice, shes leaving her mark on the country music scene with her soulful voice and deep Texas roots.



Larissa Boyd is a Texas country sensation blazing a trail with her gritty, raw sound. She is influenced by the legends of the Lone Star State, and is crafting a unique style thats all her own. Larissa has already racked up millions of streams!

Wednesday, September 18:

Marquos smooth, soulful voice is about to sweep you off your feet. He is passionate about creating music that uplifts and inspires. Marquos songs are a blend of heartfelt lyrics and infectious melodies. Its like a warm embrace on a cold day.



If you missed DJ The Sweetest T last season, she is returning to Bridge Street Plaza to bring the good vibes and her signature mixes!

Wednesday, September 25:

The Lindsley Brothers are fresh off their American Idol debut, and continue to captivate audiences with their unique blend of acoustic funk. This dynamic duo delivers a sound thats both soulful and inspiring.



S U E D E is bringing their talents back to Bridge Street! Get ready to be blown away by their high-energy performances, infectious grooves and see how SUEDE flows.

Wednesday, October 2: This inclusive concert also features ASL interpretation and a bilingual performance.

Larry & Joe are a GRAMMY-nominated duo who seamlessly marry Venezuelan Joropo and Appalachian bluegrass! Grab your musical passport because youre about to journey across borders with their captivating music, bilingual storytelling, and infectious energy.



Smooth Nature blends R&B with soul, rock and jazz for a progressive sound which inspires and motivates. They are influenced by the greats, and their music is a journey of self-discovery and love.

All concerts will take place between 5 p.m. and 9 p.m. The Bridge Street Plaza is located at 200 E Bridge Street.

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MORRISTOWN, Tenn. (WATE)  License plate reader cameras and a mobile video surveillance system could be coming to Morristown. The city council is set to review the proposed purchase of a License Plate Reader System from Flock Safety and the Rapid All-Terrain Tower (RATT) from Critical Tech Solutions on September 3.

The agenda summary said the Flock system would allow the Morristown Police Department to integrate with other state agencies and local businesses.

Vols set for primetime clash on 6 News against NC State

Several surrounding agencies are currently using the system or are in the process of installing it. Integration with these systems would allow us access to more regional data, which increases our investigative capabilities. Some of the agencies they would integrate with will include Hamblen County Sheriffs Department, Jefferson City, Sevierville, Pigeon Forge, Knoxville, Kingsport, Maryville, Alcoa, as well as other law enforcement agencies, reads the agenda summary.

The summary added that the system would cost $34,150, which is $4,150 more than what was budgeted due to price increases. The police department will have to budget savings to cover the additional costs, according to the agenda.

Unions in 15 East TN counties backed by Knoxville-Oak Ridge Labor Council

The RATT system is a mobile video surveillance system designed for quick deployment. According to the summary, it would be used by the police department to monitor special events, critical incidents and areas in need of enhanced surveillance. This system would cost $34,990, which the agenda said was budgeted for the Fiscal Year 2025 budget.

Both systems have been recommended for approval. The city council is set to meet at 5 p.m. on September 3 and meetings can be watched live online. Agenda review and citizen forum are held at 4 p.m. ahead of the meeting.

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Linda Deutsch, the Los Angeles-based special correspondent for The Associated Press whose 50-year career with the news service included covering many of the most attention-getting trials in Hollywood history, died Sunday of pancreatic cancer at her Los Angeles home surrounded by family and friends. She was 80.

Her death was announced by the AP. Deutsch had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2022. Although she underwent successful treatment at the time, the cancer returned this summer, according to the AP.

More from Deadline

In her long career covering courts for the AP, Deutsch penned articles about such major criminal and civil cases as the murder trials of Charles Manson, O.J. Simpson, Phil Spector and the Menendez Brothers. She covered trials involving Michael Jackson, Patty Hearst, and the police officers charged in the beating of motorist Rodney King, among many others.

DEADLINE RELATED VIDEO

Deutschs courts career began with the 1969 trial and conviction of Sirhan Sirhan, the convicted assassin of Sen. Robert F. Kennedy.

When a big trial loomed, APs assignment editors didnt have to ask who should get the assignment, said APs former executive editor and CEO Louis D. Boccardi in Deutschs AP obituary. No, the instant question was, Is Linda available? She mastered the art of celebrity trial coverage and, in the process, became something of a media celebrity herself.

Survivors include uncle Marvin Sosna; cousins Elaine Deutsch, Lisa Deutsch and Lana Sternberg; and godson Luke Rattray.

Funeral arrangements are pending.

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CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD)  Are you out of work or looking for a new job? Several industries will hold job fairs looking to hire for vacant positions throughout September.

SC Works Trident is hosting three job fairs in Berkeley, Dorchester, and Charleston counties as part of Workforce Development Month. Economic development leaders from all three counties will be onsite looking to connect with job seekers.

No preregistration is required. Attendees should bring an updated resume, be prepared for an on-site interview, and email their updated resumes to employers if needed.

If you need resume assistance, you can book an appointment with a career coach by clicking here.

Berkeley Workforce Career Fair : Wednesday, September 4 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Berkeley County Administration Building on 1003 Highway 52 in Moncks Corner.

Dorchester Workforce Career Fair : Wednesday, September 18 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Trident Technical Colleges Dorchester Campus on 10055 Dorchester Road in Summerville.

Charleston Workforce Career Fair: Wednesday, September 25 from 10 a.m. to 1 a.m. at ECPI University on 3800 Paramount Drive in North Charleston.

The workforce career fairs are in partnership with the Berkeley-Charleston-Dorchester Council of Government program.

The United States Postal Service is holding in-person and virtual hiring events in September to fill open jobs for Rural Carrier Associates and Assistant Rural Carriers across South Carolina.

VIRTUAL: September 3 from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Phone one-tap: US:+15033361236,,1615892395#,,,,*628227# Meeting URL: https://usps.zoomgov.com/j/1615892395?pwd=SpzZYJvTxcO3SaaQy4NckONamxts3Z.1 Meeting ID: 161 589 2395 Passcode: 628227

IN-PERSON: September 10 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Hollywood Post Office on 6345 Highway 162 in Hollywood.

VIRTUAL: September 17 from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Phone one-tap: US: +15033361236,,1617553766#,,,,*159915# or +1952-229-5070,,1617553766#,,,,*159915# Meeting URL: https://usps.zoomgov.com/j/1617553766?pwd=PyRSpMdpeRKvynaAwC0baKbxkSI57t.1 Meeting ID: 161 755 3766 Passcode: 159915

IN-PERSON: September 24 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Walterboro Post Office on 333 E. Washington in Walterboro.

Attendees must submit applications online at www.usps.com/careers. To apply, you must be 18 or older, have a valid SC Drivers License, have a personal vehicle, and be able to pass drug screening and criminal background investigation.

You also must be available to work weekends and holidays.

USPS employees will be onsite to assist attendees at the hiring fairs.

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Need a little treat? These are the top 5 ice cream flavors in Texas, new study says

Summer time is winding down, but that doesn't mean people stop eating ice cream.

A recent study by Affordable Seating examined Google search data for over 100 ice cream flavors throughout the United States. This study aimed to determine each state's preferred ice cream flavor.

Here were the five most popular ice cream flavors in Texas.

Top five ice cream flavors in Texas

Neapolitan

Vanilla

Rocky Road

Chocolate

Cookies And Cream

What were the most popular ice cream flavors in the U.S.?

Neapolitan

Vanilla

Superman (aka Krazy Kolors)

Spumoni

Rocky Road

Texas brands of ice cream

Texas has both large-scale ice cream producers and small, artisanal shops.

Major companies like Blue Bell Creameries, headquartered in Brenham, are well-known, but there are also many smaller, local brands and gourmet ice cream makers.

Here are some local ice cream eateries in Texas:

Amys Ice Creams : Amy's Ice Creams was founded in 1984 by Amy Simmons and her business partner Scott Shaw. The company started as a small, family-owned business and has since grown significantly. Amy's is known for its creative and unique ice cream flavors.

Nadamoo! : Nadamoo! specializes in dairy-free ice cream made from coconut milk, making it a popular choice for those with lactose intolerance or following a vegan lifestyle.

Heritage Creamery : Based in Waco, Heritage Creamery is known for its artisanal methods, focusing on creating rich and flavorful ice cream using traditional techniques.

Sweet Ritual : If you're looking for an alternative to ice cream, this could the place. At Sweet Ritual, the emphasis is on dairy-free alternatives. Instead of using milk, they embrace a variety of plant-based options such as nuts, coconut milk, sunflower seeds, sesame seeds, hemp seeds, and even avocado.

Mikes Old Fashioned Soda Fountain: Its designed to replicate the nostalgic feel of a mid-20th-century soda fountain, complete with vintage decor and traditional soda-making equipment. They offer a variety of old-fashioned treats like malts, shakes, and sundaes. They might also have classic candy and snacks from the past.

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Top five ice cream flavors in Texas includes vanilla and chocolate
Cincinnati Mayor Aftab Pureval will join other local leaders of the Hamilton County Democrats in opposing a directive from Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose. The new rules limit when people can submit ballots for other voters.

Leaders of Hamilton County Democrats are calling on Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose to rescind his attempts to suppress the vote.

Party leaders have scheduled a Tuesday press conference to address the latest undemocratic power grab by LaRose, they said in a press release.

U.S. Rep. Greg Landsman, Cincinnati Mayor Aftab Pureval and Hamilton County Commissioners Alicia Reece and Denise Driehaus are scheduled to speak at the 9 a.m. event, following what they call the Republican secretary of states effort to limit the voices of our citizens by placing undue restrictions on those who vote absentee.

U.S. Rep. Greg Landsman will join other local leaders of the Hamilton County Democrats in opposing a directive from Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose. The new rules limit when people can submit ballots for other voters.

LaRose on Saturday issued a directive that anyone delivering a ballot for another person must do so inside county board of elections offices, not in drop boxes outside those offices. Additionally, the directive tells local election officials to post a sign about the change on drop boxes and tells people delivering ballots for others they must sign a form that they are complying with all applicable voting laws.

It is important to ensure the integrity of each vote delivered on behalf of an absent voter, LaRoses directive reads.

The move is designed to prevent ballot harvesting or returning absentee ballots for other people without accountability, LaRose said.

But it could pose a hardship to people delivering ballots when board of elections offices are closed. In Hamilton County, the offices at 4700 Smith Road in Norwood generally run 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., with expanded hours on select dates as the Nov. 5 election approaches.

A directive from Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose would limit the hours that people can drop off ballots for other voters.

LaRose letter to legislators seeks other changes

LaRose signaled his plans last week in a letter to Ohio legislative leaders.

In addition to suggesting the new procedures for dropping off absentee ballots, he floated the idea of banning drop boxes all together.

He also asked for legislative action to require proof of citizenship to vote. If the General Assembly takes such action, he wrote, I will immediately require front-end citizenship verification for all state-prescribed forms.

He said he is preparing to take legal action to compel U.S. administrators to give his office access to data from the Department of Homeland Security related to citizenship. In Ohio, 597 non-citizens registered to vote and 138 cast a ballot, LaRose alleged, without citing when.

LaRose also wants lawmakers to require voters to cast provisional ballots when the information tied to their voter registration does not match information they provided to the Bureau of Motor Vehicles or the Social Security Administration. Provisional ballots require election boards to verify voters' status before counting their votes.

The General Assembly cannot act on such requests before the elections, however, because it is not in session again until afterward.

Oct. 7 is the deadline to register to vote. Early voting begins the next day.

Absentee ballots can be requested up to seven days before the election. They must be received by the close of polling on Election Day or be post-marked the day before.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Hamilton County Dems call change to ballot drop-off a 'power grab'
Local governments need 12K people to function. Experts say you could be one of them

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 keep their communities running 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 regarding essential 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 the commonwealth.

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 Pennsylvanias 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.
EAST PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI)  Multiple local elected officials put out statements in response to the news of six hostages held by Hamas being found dead in Gaza.

READ MORE: Israelis erupt in protest to demand a cease-fire after 6 more hostages die in Gaza

My family & I mourn with the families of Hersh, Carmel, Eden, Alexander, Almog and Ori, Massachusetts Congressman Jake Auchincloss wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter. May their memory be for a blessing.

Auchincloss noted that one of the hostages, Israeli-American Hersh Goldberg-Polin, 23, had strong connections to Mass. and that he met 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, Auchincloss said.

Hamas murdered these hostages, knowing that rescue was imminent, Auchincloss continued. It is further evidence of the unbounded depravity of these terrorists. Together, the United States and Israel will get justice.

Congressman Gabe Amo, who is on the Houses Committee on Foreign Affairs, told 12 News since in office hes met with the families of those taken hostage by Hamas, which included a roundtable in July attended by Goldberg-Polins parents.

I am devastated for the loss of their American-born son, Hersh, along with five other Israeli hostages who were brutally murdered by Hamas over the weekend, Amo said. I grieve alongside the families and loved ones of Hersh Goldberg-Polin, Eden Yerushalmi, Carmel Gat, Almog Sarusi, Alexander Lobanov and Ori Danino.

Amo also emphasized his calls for a lasting ceasefire that results in the release of all hostages and surges humanitarian aid into Gaza.

Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey spoke about the topic Sunday on CBSs Face the Nation, echoing the sentiment shared by Vice President Kamala Harris.

Shes been very clear about the need for America to continue to stand by Israel, for the hostages to come home, for there to be a ceasefire and a peaceful resolution here, Healey said. And I think the way she has articulated this has been both with compassion and also with a very clear understanding about what needs to happen.

Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island President and CEO Adam Greenman told 12 News theres just profound sadness that this has happened.

Anger that these hostages were murdered by Hamas as their rescuers were getting close, Greenman said, adding that these feelings of sadness have been going on since Oct. 7, 2023.

Greenman also reacted to the increased calls for a deal to get the remaining hostages back home.

Were clearly seeing many, many Israelis are looking for these hostages to come home, for a deal to be made to bring these hostages home, he said. I think its something that our local community and Jews across the country are praying for every single day.

A vigil is being held at Dwares JCC in Providence on Oct. 7 at 7 p.m.

The gathering will include prayers for the hostages and speeches by those who were impacted by what happened on that day last year.

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LONDON, Ky. (FOX 56)  September is National Suicide Prevention Month, which London Mayor Randall Weddle said was an important month not just for the city he serves, but all Kentuckians.

The City of London posted on Facebook Sunday to highlight resources for those in London suffering from depression and mental illness. The post featured a video message from Weddell, who talked about the services that Kentucky and London law enforcement offer to those who may be struggling.

Labor Day kick-off event held for Estill County hero

We dont want anybody in our community to feel alone, Weddle said in the message, And I want you to know from my office, you are never alone. I believe that our faith teaches us that God is with us, and when we feel that he isnt, we need to reach out to somebody.

Mayor Weddle mentioned that those in need of assistance are encouraged to contact the Laurel County 911 dispatch at ((606) 878-7000 to reach either the mayor himself, or local law enforcement willing to help with any issue a caller may have.

The Facebook post on Sunday also said that Kentuckians in need of an ear to listen can call the states Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by dialing 9-8-8. Doing so will connect you to will connect you with suicide prevention, mental health, and substance use counselors across the Commonwealths 13 call centers, according to the service website.

Why are teal ribbons lining Lexingtons streets?

We need to be available, Mayor Weddle said, My office is available, my team is available, and as always, you will have the national suicide prevention hotline that will also be linked to this.

Mayor Weddle concluded his message to the people of London by saying, Be active in the community, be an ear to somebody, or if you see someone down, maybe say a kind word. Help us raise the awareness this month, and if you are feeling suicidal, talk to somebody, because no matter how alone you feel, you are not.

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Long Island House race offers competitive rematch as GOP looks to capitalize on recent victories

A Long Island congressional race considered one of the closest in the state may have ramifications beyond November  as local Democrats and Republicans duke it out for a message win.

The rematch election battle between first-term Republican Anthony DEsposito and Democrat Laura Gillen is an opportunity for Dems to get their mojo back on the island after getting trounced in three election cycles  while the GOP is looking for a victory that would prove the area is becoming reliably red.

Democrats  who took some bruising in the area in recent years due to backlash over the state legislatures liberal criminal justice reforms  are hoping this go-round that Gillen can unseat DEsposito in the 4th district just two years after he beat her by more than 10,000 votes.

Rep. Anthony DEsposito is facing off against Democrat Democrat Laura Gillen in Long Islands 4th Congressional District. CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images

In the rematch DEsposito is up by 6 percentage points, leading 48% to 42% in the district, which borders New York City, according to an internal campaign poll conducted by McLaughlin Associates in mid-August.

Laura Gillen has been rejected twice. She will be rejected a third time, DEsposito said of his opponent, who lost her own re-election bid in 2019 after she was the first Democrat to hold the seat in a century.

Gillen said shes campaigning as an independent, pro-safety Democrat who condemned a state law that blocked judges from setting cash bail for numerous crimes. She also said she backs tougher border security.

We need to seal our border. [DEsposito] failed to get this done, she said.

The congressman said he supports policies to deport migrants who entered the country illegally, especially those committing crimes  and he bashed Gillen for her support for President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris who he called the two people who created the disaster at the border.

DEsposito won the seat after defeating Gillen in the 2022 election.

Gillen is following a similar playbook as some other Democrats in this years elections, saying shell protect abortion rights in the first election since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. She has criticized her opponent for allegedly shifting on the issue.

I have consistently been an advocate for reproductive rights, she said.

DEsposito countered, I would never support a nationwide abortion ban. I never have and never will.

DEsposito at the third night of the 2024 Republican National Convention in Milwaukee on July 17, 2024. Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images

He said he supports in-vitro fertilization and called Gillens abortion push as her whole campaign.

The 4th District includes portions of Nassau County on the border with Queens, including Hempstead, Valley Stream, Uniondale and Freeport. Some 40% of the districts voters are registered Democrats, with 30% registered Republicans and 30% registered independents.

Jewish residents account for 20% of the electorate, including a growing number of orthodox residents in the 5 towns that are voting Republican, according to analyses.

Gillen accused DEsposito of failing to seal the border. lauragillen.com

With the presidential race at the top of the ticket some insiders say Democratic nominee Harris is a wild card if she has strong support against GOP candidate Donald Trump from the sizable black population in the district.

DEspositos internal poll showed Trump and Harris tied at 46% while independent Robert Kennedy Jr.  who has since dropped out of the race  had 5%.

President Biden carried the district over Trump 55% to 45% in 2020 but trailed Trump by 7-percentage points in a previous internal campaign poll in June. Harris has closed that gap since Biden dropped out of the race, the poll showed.
A longtime Russian ally says it's frozen its participation in Putin's NATO 'at all levels' after a year of snubs

A longtime Russian ally says it's frozen its participation in Putin's NATO 'at all levels' after a year of snubs

Armenia said it doesn't see any need to engage with Putin's Collective Security Treaty Organization.

Its prime minister said it has "frozen" participation in the military alliance "at all levels."

It's snubbed the CSTO, considered to be Putin's answer to NATO, for almost a year, per a think tank.

A key Russian ally said it doesn't feel the need to engage with the Collective Security Treaty Organization, a group widely considered to be President Vladimir Putin's answer to NATO, after snubbing it for almost a year.

Nikol Pashinyan, the prime minister of Armenia, one of six member states of the CSTO, made the statement during a press conference on Saturday, according to local media reports.

"Armenia has frozen its participation in the CSTO at all levels," he said, according to a translation by US think tank the Institute for the Study of War.

Pashinyan said the Armenian public and other officials may hold different opinions about Armenia's choice, but his government does not see the need to reconsider the decision.

However, he added that Armenia may "see the need to make another decision" in the future, per the ISW.

Pashinyan announced his decision to leave the CSTO  a military alliance made up of Russia, Armenia, Kazakhstan, Belarus, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan  in February.

But since mid 2023, Pashinyan and Armenian representatives have failed to participate in several CSTO events, including military exercises and political meetings.

In doing so, Armenia has effectively abstained from participating in the CSTO for almost a year, the ISW reported.

Experts told BI earlier this year that Armenia's actions have damaged what Putin hoped to achieve through the alliance, which is to project the image of Russian power.

Tensions have risen between Russia and Armenia since Putin's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, which Pashinyan has repeatedly refused to support.

In June 2023, Pashinyan said his country was "not Russia's ally in the war with Ukraine" and that it felt caught between Russia and the West.

Armenia's discontent also comes from its conflict with neighboring Azerbaijan, and the CSTO's response to it.

The CSTO has a clause similar to NATO's Article 5, where members are supposed to aid each other when one is attacked. But when Armenia asked for help during clashes with Azerbaijan in 2022, the CSTO did not send troops.

Pashinyan called the response "depressing" and "hugely damaging to the CSTO's image both in our country and abroad."

Tensions between Armenia and Russia have worsened since then, and Armenia appears to have strengthened its ties to the West, including by buying Western weapons and holding military exercises with the US.

Pashinyan then announced in Armenia's parliament in June that he was taking the country out of the CSTO altogether.

At the time, Dmitry Peskov, a Kremlin spokesperson, said that Russia "will continue to work with our Armenian friends" to clarify their position.

Other CSTO members have also snubbed Russia since it launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

Kazakhstan, for example, denied Russia's request to send troops when the invasion began, and has sent aid to Ukraine.

Tajikistan's president, meanwhile, seemed to berate Putin during a meeting of central Asian leaders in October, demanding more respect for his country, despite its small size.

However, these countries have kept their opposition to a minimum.

Experts on the region previously told BI that Russia, as the leader of the group and by far its biggest member, holds so much power over member countries that it is unlikely that other members will leave the alliance.

Thomas Graham, cofounder of Yale University's Russian, East European, and Eurasian studies program, told BI earlier this year that Armenia was never as close to the other members as it is to each other and to Russia, making it the most likely to leave.

Read the original article on Business Insider
People walk past a Heritage Foundation welcome sign for the Republican National Convention (RNC) at the Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport on July 12, 2024 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The Heritage Foundation is the group responsible for the controversial "Project 2025." (Photo by Michael M. Santiago | Getty Images)

Theres a lot being said and written about Project 2025, a so-called blueprint for the next Republican President.

Im taking a little different slant  as I have actually found some good suggestions under the hood in the Labor Department chapter. And note that one of the accomplishments of the 45th Presidency was expanding unemployment benefits to independent contractors. With more service jobs, telework, information creators, shortages, etc., it just makes some sense to reevaluate the linchpins after almost a hundred years.

Dont get me wrong: There are far too many way-offs and already-in-place concepts throughout this section. Yet, there just may be somethings for either major party or industry to take forward. For further context, one might consider that much of the status quo criticism comes from the small business franchisor community and not the Koch Brothers. And some of our inspectors do sometimes view interactions with entrepreneurs like the plague.

Overall, the premise of 2025s new and improved Labor department would be to guide workplace conduct without radical human resources ideological social engineering (at least, according to the chapters). This false narrative that shows a lot of ignorance about how day to day employer-employee transactions actually work. (And its quite short on payment mechanisms). Nonetheless, heres some more promising take-aways:

Eliminate conventional EEO data collection and get such tabulations to better reflect family/marital/social realities.

Create a new class of entity called Employee Involvement Organizations to consider non-compensation issues (predictable scheduling, safety, productivity and the like). Also give them and labor unions a role in appointing a workplace representative to corporate boards.

Incentivize on-site childcare.

Find a way for those who are self-employed to have access to cheaper pooled benefits like health insurance.

Continue to increase non-traditional apprenticeships.

Provide more robust training/technical assistance for labor regulations (not to label it ideological marketing as has happened in the past).

Take another look at Sunday work schedules that have affected family routines.

Do something about gender pay gaps.

Double pension contribution thresholds for families with stay-at-home spouses.

Block state efforts that prohibit employers from helping employees secure abortion services.

Allow structured waivers to experiment with initiatives that improve service, access and efficiency at the workplace; subject them to review-and-comment like public rules hearings that follow new and updated legislation.

Provide mechanisms for ascertaining whether a union is a good steward of collected funds, trusts, etc.

Fully fund a reconsideration of Davis-Bacon and similar floors/ceilings

Sadly, neither party has such matters in their platform. Nor does NO Labels, the independents champion. But a now former governor, did sign legislation to reduce degree-based practices in Marylands Civil Service. Its my opinion that a bachelors-prepared person can better explain some things in their field, instruct others on the whys of practice and have more long-term career opportunity. If the object is to get all of our unemployeds and underemployeds in to a new position this year, that might be a notion of success.

Noting the new staffing for any one of the above, this is not a federalist solution by a long-shot. Nor does it speak to forty years of flat median household incomes, despite two-paycheck families, side-hustles, or supported employment of persons with disabilities  that could be the answer to many of those help wanted signs.

To be sure, workplace improvements are not the stuff of culture wars. The market, along with the concept of supply and demand still guide a lot. Unemployment Insurance is the farthest thing from unaccountable. But the vitriol vortex we find ourselves in will never move our increasingly critical workforce forward. Perhaps it would be a nice time to institute a four-day workweek?

Cherry is a retired human resources executive and lives in Helena.
Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson meeting with voters in Davidson County on Tuesday

LEXINGTON, N.C. (WGHP)  North Carolina Lt. Gov. and Republican North Carolina gubernatorial nominee Mark Robinson will be meeting with voters in Davidson County on Tuesday morning.

The meetings will be a part of five stops that Robinson will be making throughout the Tar Heel State.

Lt. Gov. Mark Robinsons campaign calls NCDHHS review of wifes nonprofit politically motivated

Robinsons first stop will be at the Village Grill on 31 West 2nd Avenue in Lexington at 9 a.m. on Tuesday.

From there he will then make stops in Cabarrus, Stanly, Montogomery and Chatham Counties throughout the day.

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Macron Quizzes Predecessors as He Tries to Decide on New Premier

(Bloomberg) -- Emmanuel Macron met with former French presidents Nicolas Sarkozy and Francois Hollande on Monday as he tries to decide who to name as prime minister in order to end weeks of uncertainty over the countrys next government.

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He also held talks with ex-Socialist premier Bernard Cazeneuve and will speak with conservative politician Xavier Bertrand at the Elysee Palace in Paris later in the day, according to an official. Both have at different times been considered front-runners for the post.

Macron began consulting political leaders last month in a bid to garner support for a compromise candidate for the job after snap legislative elections this summer failed to deliver any group capable of forming a majority in the National Assembly.

While the president doesnt have a legal deadline, finding a new head of government is increasingly urgent as France needs to prepare next years budget, which must be presented to parliament by 0ct. 1. A caretaker administration has governed France since the election.

Investors are watching closely after dumping French assets and driving up the countrys borrowing costs on uncertainty over whether the new government can tackle large deficits.

Appointing Cazeneuve could help Macrons strategy to divide the left and attract moderate socialists to his coalition. Picking Bertrand could help secure the support of moderate right-wing legislators.

According to Agence France-Presse, the little-known head of the Economic, Social and Environmental Council (CESE) advisory body, Thierry Beaudet, has also emerged as a possible candidate.

Cazeneuve, 61, served briefly as prime minister between 2016 and 2017 in the twilight of Hollandes presidency. Often characterized as a centrist, he left the Socialist Party two years ago to found his own movement in protest against its alliance with the far-left France Unbowed.

He was Hollandes interior minister during the 2015 terror attacks in Paris and also his budget minister. Hollandes term was marked by broad-based tax increases to reduce the budget deficit, followed by a partial reversal in 2014 of more pro-business measures that aimed to reduce levies companies paid on labor.

Bertrand, 59, runs the working-class, northern region of Hauts-de-France, where Marine Le Pens far right has made electoral gains that have helped propel her bid for the 2027 presidential election. Bertrand has positioned himself as a bastion of traditional parties, regularly clashing with Le Pen and her allies.

He served as health minister and labor minister under Sarkozy. He quit the Republicans party in 2017 but rekindled ties by running in its presidential primary in 2021.

Macron threw French politics into disarray in June by dissolving the lower house after the far-right National Rally trounced his centrist alliance in European Parliament elections.

The New Popular Front coalition, which includes the moderate Socialists, Greens, Communists and France Unbowed, claimed the right to name a premier to build a cabinet after winning the most seats. The party put forward Lucie Castets, a public servant who works at Pariss city hall.

Macron has rejected that proposal, arguing the alliance doesnt have enough support to survive a no-confidence vote in parliament. Its proposals for big tax and spending increases have been a sticking point in talks on forming a new government.

Well vote against any government not led by Lucie Castets, Mathilde Panot, head of France Unbowed, said on France 2 Monday, calling for protests on Saturday against Macrons refusal to appoint her. Cazeneuve would be someone who will continue with Macrons policies.

Macron has said he wants parties that represent republican forces to build a broad majority from the political center, which would effectively exclude France Unbowed and the far right. Presidential aides have privately suggested the new government should resemble a so-called cohabitation, in which the president and prime minister are from rival parties.

--With assistance from Ania Nussbaum, Tara Patel and William Horobin.

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I made Ina Garten's 5-ingredient burger patties. They tasted amazing and came together so quickly.

I made Ina Garten's recipe for high-quality burgers using grass-fed beef.

The recipe for the patties required ground beef, olive oil, salt, pepper, and mustard.

The burgers were really easy to make and tasted amazing.

For my family, there's something special about sinking our teeth into well-seasoned burgers at a nice restaurant. But like many people choosing to cook at home nowadays, we like to make our meals from the comfort of our own kitchen.

Recently, I came across Ina Garten's recipe for high-quality burgers and knew I had to try it myself. Garten's recipe calls for beef from Niman Ranch, a company with a network of US farmers and ranchers who work to humanely and sustainably raise livestock.

But I had trouble finding Niman Ranch meat at the grocery stores near me, so I opted for grass-fed ground beef that was 80% lean and 20% fat.

I was excited to try Garten's recipe and see how high-quality these burgers actually tasted. Here's how it went.

I started by gathering the ingredients for the burgers and the caramelized-onion topping.

I gathered ground beef, mustard, salt, pepper, and olive oil for the burgers. Terri Peters

Garten's burger recipe called for 2 pounds of ground beef, 1 tablespoon of Dijon mustard, 3 tablespoons of olive oil, and 1 teaspoon each of salt and pepper.

Normally, I buy inexpensive ground beef, which costs about $4 per pound. Luckily, I found grass-fed ground beef at Walmart for just more than $6 per pound, which worked perfectly for this recipe.

Following Garten's instructions, I also planned to serve the burgers on English muffins and top them with caramelized onions.

So, I gathered halved English muffins; 2 pounds of yellow onions; 2 tablespoons each of olive oil, unsalted butter, and sherry-wine vinegar; half a teaspoon each of pepper and fresh thyme; and 1 teaspoon of salt.

Next, I mixed the ground beef and seasonings with a fork.

I used a fork to mix the meat and seasonings, which worked pretty well. Terri Peters

In the recipe's corresponding YouTube video, Garten mixes the burger ingredients with a fork to keep the meat tender. I'd normally mix burger meat with my hands, so Garten's method was a departure from my usual process.

But lightly mixing the ground beef, mustard, olive oil, salt, and pepper with a fork was surprisingly easy. I kept my hands clean, and everything in the bowl was well combined.

I used a food scale to evenly divide the ground-beef mixture.

The food scale was very helpful when I measured the ground beef. Terri Peters

Garten recommends making each burger about  pound, so I pulled out my food scale to ensure I had six evenly formed patties. I weighed each burger before placing it onto a plate.

This recipe yielded six burger patties  perfect for feeding a family of four and having leftovers the next day.

After shaping each burger by hand, I let the patties chill in the refrigerator for a bit.

I plated the six patties before chilling them in the fridge. Terri Peters

In the video, Garten chilled the burgers in the refrigerator before grilling them, so I did the same. I figured this step would allow for the flavors of the mustard, pepper, and salt to meld with the beef.

I made my hamburger patties early in the afternoon, so I let them sit on a plate in the refrigerator for a few hours before dinnertime.

Next, I made caramelized onions to go on top of the burgers.

I thinly sliced and weighed the yellow onions. Terri Peters

Garten's burger recipe also included instructions for making caramelized onions using 2 pounds of sliced yellow onions.

Again, I broke out the food scale, thinly slicing the yellow onions until I reached 2 pounds. In total, I used about six medium-sized onions.

Between gathering the ingredients and slicing the onions, I'd already spent about 20 minutes working on one topping  this was more time-consuming than I anticipated.

I caramelized the sliced onions in a deep pot on the stovetop.

The flavors of the caramelized onions, thyme, vinegar, salt, and pepper melded together. Terri Peters

I added the onion slices, thyme, butter, and olive oil to a large pot, put the lid on, and let everything simmer over medium-low heat for about 10 minutes.

Then, I uncovered the pot and cooked the onions for about 30 minutes, occasionally stirring them to prevent them from sticking to the bottom of my pan. Once the onions were translucent and perfectly caramelized, I added the vinegar, salt, and pepper.

Finally, it was time to head to my patio to grill the burgers and toast the English muffins.

I toasted the English muffins and cooked the burgers on my charcoal grill. Terri Peters

I placed the six burger patties on the grill, let them cook for about five minutes, flipped them over, and added the halved English muffins face-down on the grate.

After about five more minutes, the burgers were cooked to a perfect medium temperature. I placed them on a plate with the English muffins and brought them inside to finish garnishing.

All that was left to do was dress the burgers and serve them.

I topped the burgers with caramelized onions and spread mayonnaise on the English muffins. Terri Peters

Garten's recipe suggested topping the burgers with mayonnaise and caramelized onions. I dressed four burgers exactly as Garten recommended  slathering each with my favorite Duke's Mayo and a heaping scoop of onions.

Because I had less-adventurous teens at my dinner table, I plated two burgers on regular hamburger buns and topped them with American cheese. I liked that the patties were simple enough to please picky eaters but still paired well with unique buns and toppings.

Garten has yet to lead me astray, and I'd make these burgers again.

My family enjoyed the burgers, and I'd definitely make them again. Terri Peters

The burgers tasted amazing  each patty was juicy and moist (probably from adding olive oil to the ground-beef mixture), with a slight tang from the Dijon mustard. The burgers had incredible grill marks and tasted charred and smoky.

The caramelized onions didn't disappoint, either. The finished onions were flavorful and tangy, with the perfect amount of saltiness and spice from the black pepper.

I also thought the nooks and crannies of the English muffins paired perfectly with the mayonnaise. The creamy, tangy condiment settled nicely into the bread.

I've made a few other recipes from Garten this summer, and the celebrity chef has yet to lead me astray. These burgers will become my new go-to recipe, as the patties were simple to make and full of flavor.

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GRENADA COUNTY, Miss. (WJTV)  Two people, including a Madison-Ridgeland Academy (MRA) student, were killed during a two-vehicle crash in Grenada County.

The crash occurred on Highway 7 around 3:15 p.m. on Sunday, September 1.

Officials with the Mississippi Highway Patrol (MHP) said a 2024 Subaru Crosstrek, driven by 18-year-old Robert Noah, of Jackson, was traveling south on the highway when it collided with a 2024 Jeep Wagoneer, driven by 35-year-old Peaches McMurry, of Batesville, that was traveling north.

Grenada County man dies after car collides with embankment

Troopers said Noah, who was a student at MRA, received fatal injuries from the crash and was pronounced deceased at the scene. The passenger in the Jeep, 74-year-old Lizzie Tucker, of Texas, also died during the crash.

MRA officials released a statement after the death of Noah.

Words fail to adequately express the immense grief that our MRA Family has experienced in the loss of our friend and classmate Robert Noah. We pray specifically for the Noah family, along with our students  especially the senior class, and our MRA faculty and staff. MRA

This crash remains under investigation by MHP.

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By Masakatsu Ota, KYODO NEWS - Sep 2, 2024 - 09:26 | All, Feature

While many in the United States believe the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki hastened the end of World War II, a renowned U.S. historian argues that these attacks were needless because Washington knew that Japan intended to surrender.

"Bombing the second city, Nagasaki, was not necessary. Also, I would argue that even Hiroshima was not necessary," Kai Bird said in a recent online interview with Kyodo News.

The United States dropped an atomic bomb over Hiroshima on Aug. 6, 1945, killing an estimated 140,000 people by the end of that year. Three days later, a second one was detonated over Nagasaki, with an estimated 74,000 people dead there by year's end.

"It's quite clear that by the summer of 1945, Harry Truman, the president of the United States, was reading intercepted cable traffic called 'Magic' of Japanese diplomatic cables," Bird said.

He wrote the book "American Prometheus: The Triumph and Tragedy of J. Robert Oppenheimer" with the late historian Martin Sherwin.

The movie "Oppenheimer," which depicts the life of Robert Oppenheimer, known as the "Father of the Atomic Bomb," was based on their book.

Under the "atomic bomb justification theory," the use of these devastatingly powerful weapons on the two cities hastened Japan's surrender and spared countless lives on both the American and Japanese sides.

"It's very important to remind the world of the atomic bomb. I think we've become far too complacent after more than 70 years living with the bomb," Bird said.

"And it's important to understand the history, why it was created. Oppenheimer himself understood how dangerous they were, and (that) we, human beings, could still destroy ourselves with these weapons. But at the same time, he was in anguish worrying about whether humanity was ready to deal with the atomic age."

In a lecture in November 1945, three months after the end of the war, Oppenheimer made startling remarks regarding the atomic bombing of Japan.

"Most interestingly enough for a Japanese audience, he said that these were weapons that had been used in the first instance on an enemy that was already, essentially, defeated," Bird said.

"So this raises a question about whether they were 'necessary.' And that's an argument that, here in America, is very controversial because the standard historical narrative is that the bombs were necessary to end the war early and to avoid a massive American invasion of the Japanese home islands."

Bird and Sherwin have made full use of many official documents to challenge the justification theory that persists in United States.

"Truman was shown intercepted Japanese cables between Tokyo and its ambassador in Moscow, and they were explaining that...Japan was militarily defeated, and that it was necessary to negotiate a surrender, and that the only obstacle to peace was an assurance that the institution of the emperorship would survive."

On July 12, Japanese Foreign Minister Shigenori Togo sent an urgent cable to Naotake Sato, the ambassador to the Soviet Union, on behalf of Emperor Hirohito, instructing him to ask Moscow, which still maintained a neutrality pact with Japan, to mediate a peace process.

However, the Soviet Union, which had decided behind the scenes to enter the war against Japan, did not accept, and on July 20 Sato advised Togo to conclude a peace deal close to unconditional surrender on the premise that the emperor system would be maintained.

"Truman scribbled in his handwritten diary dated July 18, summarizing the cable, received a cable from the Japan Emperor today 'asking for peace.' And there was a vigorous debate going on inside the White House, the State Department and the War Department about whether we could take this seriously, whether the Japanese would surrender if we gave this assurance about the emperorship."

Bird indicated that the U.S. administration, which was looking ahead to the postwar period, used atomic weapons against Japan in an apparent attempt to restrain the Soviet Union as well.

"And there were some advisors of Truman who were arguing that we needed to demonstrate the bomb, and use it in a dramatic fashion. And part of this argument was that it would be good to use the bomb to end the war in Japan in this dramatic fashion because it would also send a message to the Russians," he said.

Related coverage:

Dialogue critical to avoid nuke war: grandson of 'father of A-bomb'

Oppenheimer reportedly apologized in 1964 meeting with A-bomb victim

Japan reassesses anti-war actions of woman labeled "Mother of A-bomb"
As Trump allies seek to justify deploying the military at home  be it to round up undocumented immigrants, quell protests, or simply make an aggressive point  theyre looking again and again to the early 2000s. The nation is in crisis. An invisible enemy has attacked, requiring a powerful presidency to confront a novel threat.

These Trump allies are looking towards the work of an attorney who was stationed at the time in the Justice Departments Office of Legal Counsel. Its John Yoo, the lawyer best known for authoring a series of 2002 memos that gave legal justification to the use of torture during the War on Terror.

The most striking example of Yoos current influence comes in a March 2024 policy brief that made an extensive argument for why the military could be deployed domestically in order to protect the southern border. The memo was written by Ken Cuccinelli, the Trump-era acting DHS deputy secretary, and was published by a think tank run by Project 2025 associate and former Trump OMB chief Russ Vought.

But Yoos influence in Trumpworld extends beyond his justification of domestic deployment of the military in an emergency situation. Hes also engaged with the MAGA concerns of the day: after a Manhattan jury found Trump guilty on 34 felony counts, Yoo demanded tit-for-tat prosecutions of Democrats by Republicans. Hes popped up at various points in Trumps defense against accountability: he testified for John Eastman in his disbarment proceedings; a longtime Yoo co-author also appeared as a witness for Trump in a Colorado proceeding over whether he should be disqualified from running for office due to his 2020 coup attempt. According to texts obtained by TPM, in December 2020 Trump legal aide Boris Epshteyn asked fake elector attorney Ken Chesebro if he had Yoos number; the next day, the messages show, Chesebro told Epshteyn that he hoped he would be able to woo Yoo into being involved.

Rolling Stone reported last month that, lately, Yoo has become a guiding light to some in Trumpworld, saying that his legal theories had been presented to the former President. Now, Trump allies are citing Yoos work justifying the use of the military on American soil as the GOP candidate himself muses about deploying the military domestically. (Most recently, Trump retruthed a post calling for public military tribunals.)

TPM asked Yoo about the 2020 election messages, and any influence he might be having on what may be the worst potential excesses of a Trump second term. Yoo replied that his apparent influence came as a surprise.

But I have had no contact with the Trump campaign on these issues and I have no idea what Trump allies are saying nor what they plan to do should Trump win a second term, Yoo wrote. I was not aware of this policy brief until you brought it to my attention.

He added in the email that, to his knowledge, he had never met nor ever been on any phone call, email, or text with Chesebro or Epshteyn.

If they were trying to get me involved in their activities, they certainly failed, Yoo wrote.

The Cuccinelli paper cites an October 2001 memo that Yoo co-wrote for the Bush administration. The document, titled Authority for Use of Military Force To Combat Terrorist Activities Within the United States, argues that the military can be deployed domestically in operations against terrorists.

It presents a breathtakingly broad view of presidential power, one that permits the President to, for example, use the military to detain U.S. citizens on American soil, provided that theyre determined to be enemy combatants.

Yoo argues in the memo that if the military is serving a national security purpose while operating domestically, and not a law enforcement purpose, then certain constitutional provisions either do not apply or have been already met. The Fourth Amendment requirement for a warrant, for example, would not apply; the First Amendment, Yoo argued, could be subordinated to the overriding need to wage war successfully.

The president has ample constitutional and statutory authority to deploy the military against international or foreign terrorists operating within the United States, Yoo wrote along with a co-author, attorney Robert Delahunty Jr.

The presence of Yoos memo in the piece suggests that Trump advisers arent merely touting the prospect of a domestic military deployment to terrify and provoke liberals (though theyre surely doing that). Its akin to a general dusting off decades-old plans for a wartime emergency, preparing to put it into action.

All of this is contingent on something thats conspicuously absent from todays United States: a national emergency.

Though many civil liberties advocates regard the memo as a high water mark of the Bush administrations overreach after 9/11, there was an actual crisis at the time that it was drafted: Al-Qaeda had launched surprise suicide attacks on New York and Washington, shocking the nation.

There is, of course, no equivalent crisis today. Theres nothing that even bears a passing resemblance. But many in Trumpworld are speaking and acting as if there is one. One Heritage Foundation official warned TPM about the terrorist element coming out in force if Trump wins the 2024 election.

Yoo took questions on C-SPAN last year, and one listener asked about a November 2023 Washington Post article which reported that Trump aides were discussing a similar, but distinct means to deploy the military domestically: invoking the Insurrection Act to quell protests on day one of his second term.

Yoo emphasized that any application of the Presidents domestic military powers would have to come in response to some form of emergency.

It does allow the President to call out troops, but not just because a President feels hes surrounding by enemies or surrounded by resistance to his administration, Yoo said. And not simply to respond to protests. It has to be civil unrest that prevents law and order, that prevents law enforcement, that prevents the execution of the laws from occurring.

Yoo then addressed the prospect of Trump ordering politically motivated prosecutions. He said that he believed such prosecutions would be inappropriate, and that DOJ attorneys would refuse to carry that out.

I dont think prosecution as properly used in our system is for going after your enemies or investigating your opponents, Yoo said in the December 2023 conversation.

But after Trump was convicted in New York state court, Yoo reversed himself and began to demand that Republicans use banana republic means to prosecute Democrats wherever they have the power to do so.

You have to retaliate, Yoo said at a July conference. You have to retaliate in the same way, until you restore some amount of deterrence.
Major bridge repairs planned for Route 66 and I-49 in Southwest Missouri

SOUTHWEST MISSOURI  Two major roadways in Southwest Missouri will soon undergo some restoration work.

The first project will focus on the Route 66 bridge that travels over Route 249 in Duenweg.

MoDOT says crews will repair and resurface the bridge decks and driving surface.

Permanent pavement striping will also be added to the roadway.

MoDOT says the bridge will be closed to traffic  beginning at 8:00 p.m. on Friday, September 6, and lasting until 6:00 a.m. on Monday, September 9.

Drivers are encouraged to find an alternate route.

As soon as that project finishes  crews will head south and conduct the same project on the I-49 bridges that cross Shoal Creek.

Thats south of Joplin  between the Diamond and Tipton Ford  Missouri Route 175 exits.

MoDOT says at least one lane of traffic will be open in both directions during the project  but expect delays.

This project will repair and resurface bridge decks and driving surfaces.

Drivers are encouraged to find an alternate route.

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Davis School District Superintendent Dan Linford, left, assistant superintendent Fidel Montero, center, and Bernard Gassaway at district headquarters in Farmington on Wednesday. They say efforts to address harassment issues are yielding results. | Tim Vandenack, KSL.com

FARMINGTON  When details emerged of a U.S. Department of Justice probe into charges of racial harassment and discrimination at Davis School District in the fall of 2021, some found the information hard to believe.

At first, "This community saw that report and said, 'That doesn't seem like it's us; that doesn't feel fair,'" said Dan Linford, the district superintendent. The department uncovered instances of "severe, pervasive and objectively offensive race-based harassment" in schools and said the district didn't adequately respond to them.

The news prompted headlines across Utah, and district officials launched efforts to comply with an Oct. 21, 2021, agreement with the Department of Justice to address the problems, even as the district faced blistering criticism. Davis School District, the second-largest school system in the state, encompasses all of Davis County and has more than 70,000 students.

"Rather than focusing on, I think, 'Why us?' We're saying, 'Hey, let's take this as an opportunity to really continue to grow, to continue to get better,'" said Fidel Montero, an assistant district superintendent tasked with overseeing the response.

Nearly three later, efforts continue to comply with the settlement agreement with the Department of Justice as federal officials monitor things. Linford and Montero said in an interview with KSL.com that the multifaceted initiative is yielding results, though they're not yet done.

"We're making progress in each of these areas that we're measuring, absolutely," said Montero. "We still have a long way to go  don't get me wrong  and we still have progress to make."

In fact, the efforts are likely to continue even after the Department of Justice deems the district has complied with the settlement agreement, which is anticipated in 2025. "This work is ongoing, so whether or not our settlement's complete in 2025, the work that we're doing, the things that we've described, by and large, won't change," said Linford.

News of the Department of Justice probe of Davis School District, divulged with the release of the settlement agreement on Oct. 21, 2021, came as a surprise to some. Others who had earlier lodged complaints with the district on race problems involving their kids  which figured in the launch of the probe  weren't shocked. The probe found that African American and Asian American students, in particular, faced harassment and discrimination.

"These incidents took place on a daily or weekly basis. Some students, now in middle and high school, said they had experienced racial harassment each year since they were kindergarteners," reads a Sept. 15, 2021, notice from the Department of Justice on its probe of the district. What's more, the department determined the district "was deliberately indifferent" to race problems in some schools and that Black students at times received harsher discipline than their white counterparts for similar offenses.

Among the key changes since the implementation of the settlement agreement have been increased training of staff on race issues and educational outreach efforts to students. Significantly, the district has launched the Office of Equal Opportunity to foster a sense of belonging among all students and created an online system to report incidents: the Harassment and Discrimination Reporting System. Multicultural councils made up of students have been formed in junior high and high schools.

Of the varied efforts, Linford singles out increased training of district staff on race and harassment issues as perhaps the most important change. He also emphasizes that the overarching aim of the efforts extends to all students. "We want students to learn at high levels, and we know that if students don't feel connected to school, that's our biggest challenge, regardless of their background," Linford said.

The settlement agreement zeroed in on the treatment of Black and Asian students, noted Bernard Gassaway of KND Consulting Group, an adviser to the district. But the district's approach is "that all students should be included under that umbrella, if you will, of being supported," he said.

'A team effort'

During the 2023-2024 school year, 2,461 incidents were reported via the discrimination reporting system, with 2,043 of them amounting to violations of the district's nondiscrimination policy and 570 deemed to be harassment. "A point worth noting is that most students who violated the policy appear to correct their behavior and were not repeat offenders, which we attribute to our intervening measures," reads a report issued in July on district efforts last year on race and harassment issues.

Indeed, the report notes advances, as well as some persisting issues.

"From students' reports, there is a marked reduction in teachers' bystander behavior and more allyship and support. However, the racial slurs from peers continue, but these are now largely in unsupervised spaces such as hallways, school buses and bathrooms," the report reads. Assemblies, the multicultural councils and the district's "zero-tolerance approach" to bullying and harassment are "noticed by students as new, and these initiatives are showing progress. These interventions are credited by students as reducing the volume of racial slurs."

Aided by consultants, the district has forged its own path. It's easy to find resources to help, say, improve students' reading or math scores, "but when it comes to addressing racial harassment in particular, there's just not a blueprint for this," Montero said.

As the initiative continues, though, officials across the district are on board with the efforts. Theres just a team effort in making our schools and our community just a little bit better, he said
SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI)  Homicide detectives are investigating a fatal shooting that happened overnight on an I-5 on-ramp in San Diego.

The San Diego Police Department reports an 18-year-old man died at Paradise Valley Hospital after a shooting early Sunday.

18-year-old Navy sailor killed in downtown San Diego shooting

San Diego Police say the injured man arrived at the hospital in a vehicle with several other men at 2:10 a.m. Sunday. First responders gave him CPR and tried to save him, but he was pronounced dead at the hospital shortly after.

California Highway Patrol (CHP) took over the investigation after learning the shooting happened on the I-5 south on-ramp from Logan Avenue.

During the investigation, CHP reports they found the gunshots were fired from the area of Chicano Park.

Starting just after midnight Sunday, San Diego Police Officers from the Central Division responded to three separate reports of gunshots in the area of Chicano Park  at 12:12 a.m.; 1:08 a.m. and 2:06 a.m. Police report multiple casings and a vehicle riddled with bullet holes were found during the second call that night.

Authorities have not yet identified the victim, pending family notification.

NFL rookie shot during alleged robbery attempt released from hospital

San Diego Homicide Detectives are investigating, searching the area for evidence, interviewing witnesses, and working to gather surveillance footage. They are also asking the public to come forward if they have surveillance footage that may have captured the shootings Sunday night.

Anyone with more information is asked to call the Homicide Unit at 619-531-2293 or Crime Stoppers at 888-580-8477.

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A man accused of killing his girlfriend and leaving her body at Bostons airport has been extradited to the US

A man accused of killing his girlfriend in Boston and fleeing to Kenya has been extradited back to the United States  the latest twist in an international case that saw his arrest at a Nairobi nightclub and his escape from jail.

Kevin Kangethe, 42, is accused of killing nurse Margaret Maggie Mbitu, whose body was found in a parked car last November at Bostons Logan International Airport, two days after she was reported missing. Authorities say he then immediately boarded a flight and fled the country.

For months, the suspect eluded authorities after he arrived in Kenya. In January, investigators spotted Kangethe at a nightclub in Nairobi and arrested him. He escaped from jail days later and was on the run for a week before he was rearrested in Nairobi in early February.

Kenya has an extradition treaty with the United States.

Kangethes extradition Sunday returns him to the jurisdiction of his alleged crime, some 7,000 miles away. He is expected to face a murder charge at Suffolk Superior Court on Tuesday, said Renson Ingonga, Kenyas director of public prosecutions.

I wish to reiterate my commitment and support, whenever needed, to the United States of America, and in particular the prosecution team as they proceed with the next phase of the case, Ingonga said in a statement Monday.

He boarded a flight the day before her body was found

Mbitu, 31, lived in Whitman, a Boston suburb, and was the youngest in a family of health care workers. Her two older sisters and her mother are all nurses.

She was reported missing in late October after she didnt show up for work, which was uncommon for her.

Maggie Mbitu was 31 when she was killed last fall. - Ann Mbitu/GoFundMe

Her family notified the police and called nearby hospitals to check if she was a patient. Investigators believed her boyfriend was a suspect, according to a criminal complaint from the state police.

With the help of surveillance cameras, police tracked his Toyota SUV to the airport and found it in a parking garage. Inside they found Mbitus bloodied body with slash wounds on her face and neck, Massachusetts State Police said in an affidavit.

The day before her body was found, Kangethe boarded flights from Boston to Kenya. Surveillance footage showed him leaving the parking garage and entering an airport terminal, police said.

Investigators learned he had bought a plane ticket the previous morning, state police said.

Why her? her sister, Ann Mbitu, told CNN in November. Nobodys daughter deserves this, but why my sister? Why Maggie? Im so angry, Im still trying to process everything. At 31, were not supposed to be planning her funeral. Were supposed to be planning celebrations, birthdays, weddings, travel.

The fugitive was arrested in a Nairobi nightclub but escaped from jail a week later

Kangethe has been arrested twice with the help of tipsters.

After he arrived in Kenya, he eluded authorities for three months. Then in late January, someone alerted police that a man at a nightclub in Nairobi resembled images of the suspect theyd seen on social media, Kenyan authorities said.

An undercover officer tracked him down and struck up a conversation with him, a police official told CNN. Within hours, authorities identified the man as Kangethe, whom authorities in Massachusetts had obtained an arrest warrant on a murder charge.

A week later, a man claiming to be his lawyer appeared at the police station where he was being held and asked to speak with him. Officers released the suspect from his cell and left them alone in an office. The suspected escaped on foot and evaded authorities for days, police said.

He was re-arrested a week later at a relatives house in a suburb of Nairobi after another tip-off, Kenyan police said.

Kevin Hayden, District Attorney of Suffolk County in suburban Boston, thanked the US State Department, the FBI, the state police, the Kenyan government and Kenyan law enforcement agencies for facilitating the arrest.

Their tremendous and untiring efforts will provide Margarets family and friends the opportunity to see Kevin Kangethe face justice for this terrible crime, Hayden said in a statement in February.

Investigators have not revealed a motive in the killing.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
Man arrested for stabbing another man in Jamaica Plain, police say

A man has been arrested for stabbing another man in Jamaica Plain on Sunday night, police said Monday.

Alex Pena, 50, of Hyde Park, was charged with assault and battery by means of a dangerous weapon and driving a motor vehicle with a suspended license, police said. He is expected to be arraigned in West Roxbury District Court.

Around 9:42 p.m. Sunday, officers responded to the area of 383 Centre St. for a report of a person stabbed.

When officers arrived, they found an adult man suffering from a stab wound. An ambulance took the victim to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, police said.

Boston Police issued an alert with description of the suspect and a fleeing vehicle.

Minutes later, at about 9:59 p.m., police located the vehicle and conducted a traffic stop in the area of 1251 Hyde Park Ave.

Officers approached the vehicle and immediately placed Pena, the driver, into handcuffs, police said. Officers later determined that his drivers license was suspended.

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

Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts.

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Man cited for DUI, speeding after becoming pinned beneath his motorcycle in crash

HANOVER, Ill. (WTVO)  A Galena man was airlifted to a Rockford hospital on Saturday after police said he crashed his Harley Davidson motorcycle while driving drunk.

According to the Jo Daviess County Sheriffs Office, Matthew Steele, 30, of Galena, was driving north on S. Blanding Road around 6:58 p.m. when he lost control of the bike while negotiating a curve.

Steele was pinned beneath the motorcycle when it came to rest on top of him.

Members of the Elizabeth EMS and Hanover Fire Department treated him at the scene before he was evacuated by helicopter to OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center in Rockford for treatment.

His current condition is unknown.

Police cited Steele for failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident, operating a vehicle with expired registration, and driving under the influence of alcohol.

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DES MOINES, Iowa  The Des Moines Police Department is investigating the death of man shot on South Union Street.

Around 1:40 p.m. on Sunday, DMPD and DMFD responded to a report of a shooting at a residence in the 3400 block of South Union Street.

Responders arrived and immediately began lifesaving measures on a 21-year-old male suffering from a gunshot injury. He was transported to a local hospital, where he died.

Two arrests made in connection to dead Marshalltown man

The firearm was recovered at the scene. There is no evidence of ongoing danger in the neighborhood.

DMPD detectives have opened an investigation. They are currently interviewing witnesses, examining evidence, and following possible leads.

Information will be released to the public as it becomes available.

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WASHINGTON (DC News Now)  The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) said it is investigating a stabbing that killed a man and injured a woman in Northeast D.C. on Sunday afternoon.

MPD said that shortly before 3 p.m., police officers responded to the 900 block of Division Ave. for the report of a stabbing.

Before officers arrived, a man suffering from stab wounds took himself to the Sixth District police station to seek help.

5 people taken to hospital with serious injuries after crash in DC

DC Fire and EMS took the man to a hospital in the area. Despite life-saving measures, he died there.

Police identified the man as 23-year-old Gray Hall, of Northeast.

Once on the scene, officers found a second person, a woman, suffering from stab wounds. Responders took her to the hospital for non-life-threatening injuries.

MPD encourages anyone with information to call police at (202)-727-9099 or text a tip to 50411.

The department currently offers a reward of up to $25,000 to anyone who provides information that leads to an arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for a homicide committed in the District of Columbia.

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By Donican Lam, KYODO NEWS - Sep 2, 2024 - 12:19 | Feature, All, Japan

Convenience stores, often referred to as "conbini" in Japan, have increasingly become a must-visit for tourists, offering a wide range of foods often heralded as higher quality than those found in visitors' home countries. But the experience is now extending beyond fried chicken to fun with fashion.

Since launching its Convenience Wear clothing brand in 2021, FamilyMart Co. has seen its "Famima socks" explode in popularity, with Japanese celebrities like Takuya Kimura even spotted donning the now iconic green-and-blue-striped fashionwear.

Sales in the socks category, now available in a variety of colors and styles, surpassed 20 million pairs as of the end of May 2024, with revenue in fiscal 2023 exceeding 10 billion yen ($70 million), according to the company.

Takehiko Sugai, who oversees the Convenience Wear lineup at FamilyMart, said it was the global reputation of the Japanese conbini as trendy that inspired the line socks' design.

"Our corporate colors are perceived by international customers as very cool and sophisticated, even as fashion items. In fact, it's common to see people wearing our line socks in places like Paris," said Sugai.

As part of efforts to capture the growing inbound market, FamilyMart also collaborates with Fuji Rock Festival's organizers to release exclusive products under its Convenience Wear brand, such as socks and sweat towels.

"Customers are purchasing Convenience Wear as souvenirs," said Sugai. "At Fuji Rock, which attracts many foreign visitors every year, there were many overseas customers at the Convenience Wear sales booth."

As a subsidiary of major trading house Itochu Corp., which originated in the textile industry, FamilyMart is able to efficiently procure materials and reduce sales costs by having its parent company involved in the manufacturing process.

The convenience store also held the industry's first fashion show in Tokyo's Yoyogi National Stadium last November. Dubbed "Fami-Fest," the event featured a diverse range of models including guests of FamilyMart franchise stores, with around 2,000 people attending, according to Sugai.

Other major convenience store operators have since jumped on the fashion bandwagon, with Lawson Inc. this year launching socks and a handkerchief bearing blue and pink stripes in a nod to its classic branding.

While Lawson has been selling Muji branded clothing in its stores since 2022, its corporate color socks and handkerchief, made in collaboration with the brand's operator Ryohin Keikaku Co., are the first in its exclusive lineup.

The move comes as people are increasingly buying clothing at convenience stores, with sales per store in the Muji apparel category increasing by over 30 percent in the March to May period compared to the previous year, according to Lawson.

Meanwhile, Seven-Eleven Japan Co., the largest of the three major convenience stores in Japan by number of outlets, has yet to release any striped socks in its corporate colors.

But its convenience stores sell bare essentials like socks and briefs under its Seven Premium Lifestyle brand.

Booming tourism has boosted convenience store sales in Japan, with same-store sales of seven major convenience store operators totaling 1.01 trillion yen in July, eclipsing the previous year's figures for the eighth straight month, according to the Japan Franchise Association.

Julia Lu and Kim Mendoza, two American tourists in their 20s who were browsing beauty products in a Lawson outlet in Tokyo's Azabu-Juban district, said that the ubiquitous nature of convenience stores in Japan makes them an essential stop for any traveler.

"Even if it's not on the travel list because there's so many, you'll eventually find yourself in one," said Lu, while Mendoza added that their 24-hour availability makes them "the only thing that's really open in the morning."

The pair agreed that Japanese convenience stores also generally offer a more high-quality and diverse range of products than those back home, including those of famous brands.

"There's a lot of stores here that focus on health, like little vitamin C shots and stuff. In the United States, it's more just fueling energy with sugar," said Mendoza, who noted that convenience stores in her home state of Texas are usually just for quick stops at gas stations.

Aiming to cater to the increase in overseas visitors, Lawson earlier this month became the first major Japanese convenience store chain to introduce a badge for staffers to voluntarily wear to indicate foreign languages they can speak.

The company said it chose the seven languages covered -- English, Chinese, Korean, Thai, Vietnamese, Indonesian and Nepali -- based on those most commonly spoken by foreign tourists as well as the nationalities of staffers.

The global fascination with the Japanese conbini has also led some online merchandisers to resell popular Japanese snacks for overseas fans, with Sugoi Mart launching a "Conbini Box" in May 2023.

With its themed design adding to the novelty, the box is "a consistent best-seller" that is especially popular as a gift, said Spencer Sugimoto, senior director of brand management at Bokksu Inc., the operator of Sugoi Mart.

Priced at $39.99, it contains an assortment of hand-picked treats, anime-themed goods, and other seasonal items from convenience stores in Japan, as well as a pair of FamilyMart's viral socks.

"The FamilyMart socks gained popularity among young people in Japan with the very recognizable colors, and we see customers on social media thrilled when they discover that these are included," Sugimoto said.

FamilyMart, whose Convenience Wear lineup has now expanded to the point where customers can coordinate entire outfits, aims to normalize buying clothes at convenience stores, Sugai said.

"FamilyMart challenges itself by breaking free from conventional thinking to consistently create things that make people think, 'this would be great to have'," said Sugai. "In terms of scale and the range of apparel products available, FamilyMart is unparalleled worldwide."

Related coverage:

FEATURE: After Olympic debut, Alexandre eyes para table tennis gold

FEATURE: Research shows dragonflies have long been on menu in northeast Japan

FEATURE: School for underserved Koreans marks 30 years of student empowerment
Man spent his 40th birthday tying woman down in bathtub and choking her to death

Leonard Buddy Church (left) has been sentenced for the brutal murder of Jennifer Leyanna (Delaware State Police)

A man has been given 65 years behind bars for the brutal murder of a woman in Delaware four years ago.

Leonard "Buddy" Church, 43, was sentenced on Wednesday after pleading guilty to the death of Jennifer Leyanna, according to the Delaware News Journal.

Her remains were found in February 2022  over a year since the 41-year-old was last seen or heard from on October 9 2020.

Leyanna, from Felton, was reported missing by her mother on November 1 2020, per reports from Law&Crime, and her disappearance would shake her family to the core.

Her daughter, Natalie Dehorty, said her 20th birthday was the first her mother had ever missed, writing in an impact statement, I deeply knew something was wrong, and I spent 16 months wondering where she was, she wrote, according to the News Journal.

Leyanna was reported missing in 2020. Over one year later, her remains were discovered (Delaware State Police)

During the four-year investigation, Delaware State Police (DSP) said they, "conducted extensive follow-ups, numerous interviews and received countless tips or information on the circumstances and whereabouts of Leyanna."

Officials eventually learned she was last seen at a Henderson residence belonging to Church, where Esther Wright (formerly Hurtado-Chavez), of Clayton, was also staying.

There, Church reportedly restrained, beat and tortured Leyanna on the day of his 40th birthday, with assistance from Wright, who retrieved tape for him to use on their victim, and helped him to bury her body in his backyard.

According to the News Journal, court records show she died of multiple injuries  numerous broken ribs and other blunt force traumas to her torso and head, and her hyoid neck bone had been broken by a belt placed around her throat.

As a motive for her horrific murder, officials deduced that a drug-fuelled Church believed Leyanna had stolen his wallet, with his warrant saying he became highly agitated and said it was a 'crime of passion'" before clamming up, when questioned on the subject.

Church told police the murder was a crime of passion (Delaware State Police)

The outlet also reported Leyanna had struggled with substance abuse since her late teens or early 20s, according to life-long friend Angie Bowen, and although she had gone missing before, her family reportedly knew this time was different as she would always contact her mother or daughter after at least a week.

A witness had reportedly seen the mother beaten while bound in the bathtub, with a police search later discovering her blood there.

After unsuccessful interviews with Church and Wright, the case eventually found a foothold when Wright reportedly told someone where Leyanna's body was buried. They went on to contact police with this information, according to court documents.

They were arrested on the same day as Leyanna's remains were found on "unrelated criminal charges," according to an update from DSP as the time.

Church was extradited from Caroline County Detention Center, Maryland, to Delaware State Police Troop 3 where he was charged with first degree murder per a DSP news update.

This has been one of the most traumatic experiences a person can endure, Leyannas mother said in an impact statement, per the News Journal. "When death occurs at the hands of another human being, especially in the manner which you took my daughter's life, there never really is closure, just more questions."

Speaking to Leyannas family before passing the sentences, Judge Green-Streett said, This court cannot imagine, on any level, the pain, grief, loss, anger and deep devastation that your family has gone through and continues to go through.

She continued, What was done to Ms. Leyanna was wicked, depraved, tortuous and excessively cruel.

Churchs 65 years in prison is a suspended sentence of 90 years, while Wright was awarded 25 years for her role in Leyanna's death.
Man swimming with family at NC island dies after hes pulled from surf

OAK ISLAND, N.C. (WNCN)  A man who was swimming on the North Carolina coast Sunday died after he was pulled out of the surf at Oak Island on Sunday afternoon, police said.

The incident was reported as a missing swimmer at 5:15 p.m. near the beach access location at SE 75th Street, according to an Oak Island Police Department news release.

Brannon Rife, 37, of Reynoldsburg, Ohio, was swimming with family when they lost sight of him in the water, police said.

About two minutes after the 911 call, bystanders were able to find Rife, who was unresponsive, and bring him to the beach, according to police.

NC island warns swimmers of dangerous marine life amid numerous stings in surf

They began to perform CPR as Fire Department crews arrived. Additional life saving measures were taken before Mr. Rife was transported by EMS to Novant Health Brunswick Medical Center, where he was pronounced deceased, officers said in the release.

Police are investigating the incident they are calling an accidental drowning, the news release said. Oak Island is located in Brunswick County, south of Wilmington.

There were no reported signs of distress, and no adverse water conditions were apparent at the time; surf conditions were at green flag, police said.

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SIOUX CITY, Iowa (KCAU) More than 17 million people are expected to be traveling this Labor Day weekend, according to the Transportation Security Administration. And some of these people have chosen to spend their days camping.

Over at Stone State Park, several camping spots were taken up by campers, RVs, and tents by folks wanting to relax over the three-day weekend.

Volunteers help clean up flood debris from McCook Lake

One camper says its nice to get away from the buzz of the city and spend time with family.

Its the quiet and the peace, and its like you can get away without spending beaucoup bucks. And you its a different like a different set of walls, you know? said Kathy Bateman, a Stone Park camper.

According to the American Camp Association, more than 26 million children and adults camp during the summer each year.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to SiouxlandProud | Sioux City, IA | News, Weather, and Sports.
Many trans people are murdered simply because they try to be themselves, pupils told

More than half of Scottish secondary schools, and dozens of primaries, have signed up to a radical LGBT charity's inclusion scheme

An Edinburgh school has been accused of teaching propaganda to teenage pupils after they were told transgender people are regularly murdered.

Teaching resources seen by The Telegraph show that children are being told that many transgender people are killed simply because they try to be themselves in a lesson about hate crime.

The information also implies that the Brexit referendum led to a large rise in racist murders in England.

On Monday, the City of Edinburgh council was unable to provide any evidence to back up the claims, with no known murder of a trans person ever to have taken place in Scotland.

Deceptive mess

A parent of a teenager at the prominent state school, which she asked not to be named to protect the identity of her child, claimed teachers were peddling myths spread by trans rights activists who regularly insist members of the minority group are facing a genocide.

A worksheet states that pupils will face an exam on its contents and adds that young people often become criminals because they tend to have a lot more free time.

The school is a member of a charter scheme run by the controversial charity LGBT Youth Scotland, which has faced accusations that it is promoting unscientific ideologies in classrooms across the country.

The statistics being presented to children are a deceptive mess, with no context or anything to back them up, the parent said.

Narrative embedded in schools

While they focus on trans people, there is no mention of the domestic abuse which many women face, or disabled people, who are a very vulnerable minority.

To me, it just seems like propaganda and misinformation, which they are telling students to accept as part of a narrative being embedded in Scottish schools.

Theyre shepherding children towards believing things that arent true, which is the opposite of what education should be about.

More than half of Scottish secondary schools, and dozens of primaries, have joined the charter scheme run by LGBT Youth Scotland, an organisation that endorses puberty blockers and claims there are at least 17 different genders.

Members must agree to allow the organisation to train school staff and some have rewritten policies to state that parents should not always be told if their child socially transitions to live as a member of the opposite sex, for example, by adopting a new name.

Scared of being vilified

The parent added: Scottish schools and the government now seem obsessed with normalising the idea you can be born in the wrong body, which I think is really destabilising for many children.

There are a lot of LGBT flags around the schools, pronouns everywhere. A lot of parents and pupils are completely sick of it, but nobody wants to talk about it because theyre scared of being vilified.

The teaching materials state that assigned sex is based on reproductive organs, which for trans people do not match who they are.

It adds: Often transgender people have been abused and killed simply because of who they are.

While statistics on UK murders of trans people are not officially collated, a fact check carried out by Channel 4 News in 2018 based on available data found that in Britain, a trans person is less likely to be murdered than the average person.

The school resource also states that since the EU referendum there has been a large rise in the number of racist incidents in England against ethnic minorities including murders.

Fiona McAnena, director of campaigns at the charity Sex Matters, described the school exercise as disgraceful and said it marked a new low in how sex and gender was being taught in Scottish schools.

Impressionable teenagers

Its hard to fathom how anyone involved in developing educational material can be so irresponsible as to tell impressionable teenagers the falsehood that people who identify as the opposite sex are often killed, she added.

Whoever drafted this worksheet has ignored the many ways in which women are disproportionately victims of crime. It seems designed to sideline women and girls, and position every other group in society as more in need of sympathy.

Edinburgh council was approached for comment and said it was looking into the matter.

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The coal-fired Brandon Shores Power Plant in Baltimore, in a 2018 photo. Critics say that PJM, which is responsible for coordinating the flow of electricity in 13 states and the District of Columbia, should have been prepared for the retirement of Brandon Shores. Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images.

After years of climbing electric prices nationwide, customers in the United States largest power market are about to get squeezed harder.

This summer, PJM, which coordinates the flow of electricity for an area that includes all or parts of 13 states stretching from the Midwest to New Jersey plus the District of Columbia, released capacity auction results that hit a record high.

The auction, held by the regional transmission organization to ensure theres enough power generation to meet demand spikes, such as during severe weather and other grid emergencies, produced a price of nearly $270 per megawatt day for much of the footprint (with some areas spiking much higher) compared to nearly $29 per megawatt day during the last auction. That more than 800% increase will cost customers across the region of 65 million people nearly $15 billion for the period covered by the auction (June 1, 2025, to May 31, 2026) the Maryland Office of Peoples Counsel noted in a report released last month.

The costs will not hit equally across the PJM footprint, however, since utilities that own and operate their own power plants, like Virginias Dominion Energy, are both sellers and buyers in the capacity market, which will blunt the impact for their ratepayers. But Exelon, a company that owns six so-called wires-only utilities with 10.5 million customers in PJM states, expects the capacity prices to trigger double-digit rate increases for some customers, Utility Dive reported.

What makes the capacity costs tougher to swallow is that much of the increase can be laid at the feet of planning shortcomings, market design failures and governance problems at PJM, the organizations critics contend.

The tools to enhance reliability are in PJMs hands, said Clara Summers, campaign manager for Consumers for a Better Grid, a watchdog group that is part of the Citizens Utility Board of Illinois. Instead PJM is dragging its feet on the clean energy transition and doing everything it can to keep fossil fuel plants online, and ultimately ratepayers are the ones who suffer from this shortsightedness.

All sorts of problems

In particular, critics point to PJMs long delayed interconnection queue, which is the waiting list for generation projects looking for permission to connect to the grid. They say that even as PJM complains about fewer power plants entering its capacity auction and the increasing pace of old generating station retirements, it is seeking exemptions to a landmark new federal rule intended to streamline interconnection processes and get new power resources online quickly.

PJM is the place with the most acute need for interconnection reform and theyre refusing to do what theyve been told to do on it rather than be proactive on it, said Tom Rutigliano, a senior advocate at the Natural Resources Defense Council who focuses on PJM.

Jeff Shields, a PJM spokesman, said the organization has been working hard to fix its interconnection process and clear the backlog. He pointed out that many projects that have cleared the queue still arent getting built because of supply chain, financing or permitting problems that are beyond PJMs control.

We are not arguing about whether we need queue reform, we have only taken issue with some details, he said.

The shaded area shows where PJM, a regional transmission organization, coordinates the movement of wholesale electricity. Graphic courtesy of PJM.

David Lapp, Marylands peoples counsel, an advocate for the states residential utility customers, said interconnection delays are just part of the problem at PJM.

Transmission costs  because of a lack of competitive bidding of projects and a failure to plan for the long term, watchdogs argue  have also climbed over the past decade. And a deficient process for managing power plant retirements, along with market errors, have also hurt customers, Lapp said.

Our customers are bearing the consequences of all sorts of problems at PJM, whether they be problems with the market structure, problems with the interconnection queue, problems related to planning failures or just mistakes, Lapp said in an interview with States Newsroom. PJM really needs to start taking the interest of customers more seriously into account in terms of how it develops its policies.

How the retirement of Brandon Shores, a Talen Energy coal-fired power plant southeast of Baltimore, has been handled, exemplifies a lot of whats wrong with PJM, Lapp added. Lapp and others, including members of Marylands congressional delegation, say PJM was caught flat-footed by the plants retirement, which should have been foreseeable given the limited amount it was running, a deal with the Sierra Club to quit burning coal and financial troubles for its operating company. PJM counters that it was told the plant would switch to burning oil and continue running.

It is not reasonable to expect PJM to have anticipated the imminent deactivation of the Brandon Shores units when numerous public statements and direct conversations between PJM and Talen all supported the notion that Brandon Shores was on a path to remain online, albeit using a different fuel source, PJM President and CEO Manu Asthana wrote in a December letter to the Sierra Club.

How much sense does that make?

Regardless, PJM now has pushed for an urgent suite of transmission projects that will cost Maryland ratepayers about $800 million to bring in enough power to make up for the loss of the Brandon Shores station and another nearby Talen plant, Wagner, that is also retiring. PJM will also keep both plants running under what are known asreliability must run arrangements that could cost Maryland ratepayers $629 million through 2028, the Peoples Counsel report says, and comes with no guarantee they will actually be able to produce power when called upon.

It also means the plants will exit the capacity market, which is designed to increase prices as energy supply tightens to encourage more generation sources to enter the market.

The logic was that you want to treat them as gone to send a price signal for new entry, Rutigliano said. But even if a new generation source wanted to take advantage of the high capacity prices in the zone affected by the plant closure, the interconnection queue delays mean it could be years before it can participate in the auction.

With PJMs interconnection process so far behind, that simply doesnt work, Rutigliano said. Price signals are worthless if youve got a six-year delay in responding to them.

And since PJM has already decided on a transmission solution to make up for the plants retirement, forcing customers to bear the high capacity prices doesnt make sense, Rutigliano said.

They exclude them from the market to get a high price signal but build transmission to ease the load pocket. Those are contradictory, he said.

The upshot is that Talen gets a windfall (the Office of the Peoples Counsel report found the companys revenues for the 2025-2026 delivery year are $360 million higher than what they would have been had Wagner and Brandon Shores participated in the capacity market) and electric customers in Maryland will be paying extra for plants that may not run much at all. They will also be paying extra for the loss of that plant to the capacity market in order to create a market signal that wont matter because of the transmission solution PJM has already decided upon, which will also be paid by local customers. Lapp called it a triple whammy.

We have the illogical situation where customers are paying big dollars for a plant that is not going to run almost all the time, Lapp said. They still have no performance obligation. There are no consequences if PJM says Were hitting a peak time. We need you to run. And Talen says We cant.  How much sense does that make?

Shields, the PJM spokesman, says PJM will continue working to improve markets, transmission planning and generator interconnection. But he added that, of the PJM states, Maryland has the second-fewest projects in the queue over the next few years.

We encourage Maryland policymakers to analyze why and what can be done to encourage development, Shields said. There is no debate  Maryland needs energy infrastructure. Maryland needs generation to produce power for and transmission to move power to the customers who need it. The Maryland Office of Peoples Counsel knows all of this to be true, and these critical issues deserve a better discussion than ongoing exercises in finger pointing.

Seeking variances

Particularly frustrating for PJM reformers are the exemptions it is seeking to a new new rule by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to speed the connection of new power resources to the grid, which seems counterintuitive for an organization that has worried about having enough power to meet demand. PJM did begin its own interconnection reforms prior to the FERC order, and its request for variances indicates it wants to stick to that plan rather than conform completely to the new FERC rules, per a coalition of environmental and consumer organizations that are challenging the request before the commission.

The interconnection queue in PJM is among the longest in the nation, whether measured by the number of projects, total electric capacity, or how long projects languish awaiting studies, the groups wrote in an FERC filing, noting that PJM wont review new interconnection applications until 2026 at the earliest. At the same time, PJM is sounding the alarm about a reliability crisis because new generation cannot come online quickly enough to replace retiring power plants.

To accelerate interconnection and bring new generation online to avoid reliability challenges from foreseeable retirements, PJM should welcome Order No. 2023s reforms with open arms. Instead, PJM resists reform to its interconnection process, they wrote.

Mainly PJM is seeking permission for increased study timelines and a laxer penalty structure and wants to sidestep reporting requirements on how it evaluates grid-enhancing technologies, which can save time and money over traditional transmission solutions. It also wants to avoid the requirement to realistically consider how energy storage resources will affect peak load.

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Grid-enhancing technologies have been used for years elsewhere in the world to get more out of existing power systems and in many cases are faster and cheaper than building new transmission lines, but theyve been slow to catch on in the U.S., in part because American utilities make more money by building big, expensive projects rather than more cost-effective solutions, proponents have said.

PJM wants out of a requirement to demonstrate that it has considered those technologies, said Katie Siegner, a manager who works on markets and electric grids at the Rocky Mountain Institute, a nonprofit focused on decarbonization.

What theyre saying is, We already consider them but dont make us show you how, she said.

The other major exemption PJM wants deals with battery storage resources and what grid upgrades are needed to accommodate them. Some grid operators, including PJM, want to continue to use a worst-case assumption  that the batteries will charge at times of peak electric demand. That flies in the face of the economic model for grid-connected batteries, which seek to charge when prices are low and discharge when they spike.

Assuming that storage will charge during a time of peak load is one of those worst-case conditions even though its antithetical to the action it will take in the market, Siegner said. And even if PJM was concerned about that happening, it could write a prohibition into an interconnection agreement, rather than requiring storage developers to pay for expensive grid upgrades that might never be needed, she added.

Its just a nonsensical way of studying these resources that has to change, Siegner said.

The bigger problem, said Summers of the Citizens Utility Board, is that at PJM, fossil fuel generators, big utilities and transmission companies hold a lot of sway.

Many of these companies came of age in the fossil fuel era and their incentives are to try to prevent the fossil fuel transition or make it as expensive as possible. PJM has a pattern of dragging its feet on the energy transition, Summers said.

Indeed, how PJM is governed and how stakeholders are voting in lower level meetings is drawing increasing scrutiny from state lawmakers. Four blue state governors with decarbonization goals, including Maryland Gov. Wes Moore, also recently called for a robust process for states to engage with PJM on planning decisions.

And for many of PJMs critics, the fact that projects have made it through the queue but havent gotten built doesnt excuse the mess the interconnection process has become.

PJM must take responsibility for its role in establishing and maintaining an effective interconnection process, Siegner said. The faster that interconnection requests are processed, the easier it is to get financing and navigate supply chain hurdles. Its a lot harder if youre waiting in the queue for five years and you have no idea what your network upgrade costs will be.
A great blue heron finds a resting spot in Chesapeake Bay. Stock.adobe.com photo by flownaksala.

Progress and potential. That is how the Environment Protection Agency (EPA) described current Chesapeake Bay cleanup efforts in its latest two-year milestone report.

In its report, the EPA commended states achievements toward our 2025 pollution reduction goals. They included reducing pollution from wastewater treatment facilities and agriculture, as well as forest buffer initiatives.

But with Maryland reporting 83% to 100% achievement toward its goals for nutrient and sediment pollution reduction, some might wonder  why arent we seeing more improvement in Bay water quality?

To answer that question, we must dive deeper. Buried in the Chesapeake Bay Programs (CBP) overview are areas where pollution is actually increasing. The worst offender: stormwater. According to CBP data, between 2009 and 2023, Maryland has made 0% progress reducing stormwater pollution. But we have a chance to change that.

Stormwater pollution occurs when oil, grease, sediment and toxins on roads, parking lots, buildings, industrial sites and other hard surfaces get swept by rain and run through communities and directly into our waterways. Maryland has struggled to make progress on stormwater management in urban and suburban areas. To be clear, 0% progress doesnt mean that Maryland has been resting on its laurels. Rather, the pollution loads from stormwater have outpaced improvements due to intense development pressure and more intense rainfall from climate change.

Yet despite these challenges, Marylands stormwater regulations have remained par for the course. Current permits do not keep up with pollution loads, do not account for the latest rainfall data  which has increased 2.63 inches per decade from 2000 to 2020  and often prioritize check-the-box practices versus meaningful restoration solutions.

Agricultural, which is the largest land use in Maryland, has achieved progress. Why shouldnt stormwater?

 Allison Colden, Evan Isaacson and Kim Coble

Its not just the environment that suffers. Urban and suburban communities are plagued by repeated and sometimes catastrophic flooding, widespread property damage, exposure to harmful chemicals, and tragically, even loss of life. It is often underserved and overburdened communities that bear the brunt of stormwater impacts due to a long history of discriminatory disinvestments in infrastructure. Improving stormwater management is essential for not just water quality, but Marylands safety and resilience against climate change.

Stormwater and agriculture pollution are caused by rain-induced runoff, making it harder to address than pollution flowing through a single pipe. But we know how to deal with this type of pollution. In fact, not long ago, Maryland was considered a national leader in green infrastructure, which stops runoff before it can harm Marylands people, properties and waterways.

According to EPAs evaluation, Maryland is predominantly relying on agriculture to meet its remaining 2025 pollution reduction targets. While there is still room for improvement, the agriculture sector has increased conservation, expanded its forest buffer network, and achieved notable reductions for nitrogen and phosphorus since 2009.

Agricultural, which is the largest land use in Maryland, has achieved progress. Why shouldnt stormwater?

Maryland has several upcoming opportunities to follow suit. Earlier this year, Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) sought public feedback on a new stormwater permit for the State Highway Administrations (SHA) extensive network of roads, bridges and highways. MDE must use this opportunity to improve their permits by including updated rainfall data, requiring the most effective mitigation practices, expanding monitoring requirements, and tracking and addressing pollutants like polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).

These are basic, very achievable changes that can be made right now and have long-lasting impacts on water quality. MDE will soon begin issuing the next round of county and municipal stormwater permits, and improvements to SHAs permit will set an important precedent.

As an example of whats at stake, earlier this month Gunpowder Riverkeeper in Harford County had to file an intent to sue the 100-acre Ridgelys Reserve housing development because of its repeated sediment runoff during rain events. The construction site has caused noticeably muddy water and a decline in underwater grasses in Foster Branch, Gunpowder River and the Chesapeake Bay.

Despite repeated violations, multiple complaints and citations, and media attention, corrective actions have been unsuccessful at stopping the pollution. Gunpowder Riverkeeper and Chesapeake Legal Alliance stepped in to exercise the communitys environmental rights under the Clean Water Act. While agencies have increased inspections of industrial runoff pollution, its critical that the next round of stormwater permits are more protective of community health and calibrated to restore the Bay.

We can no longer stay the course on stormwater. The opportunity for corrective action is present, and the many clear solutions outlined should be a top priority for MDE and Gov. Wes Moores administration if Maryland wants to meet its pollution reduction goals.
The Second Amendment to the United States Constitution undisputedly protects the individual right to own and carry firearms for self-defense, sport, and other uses. But the amendment actually says nothing about guns; it refers to "the right of the people to keep and bear Arms," of which firearms are just one example of what dictionaries define as "a means (such as a weapon) of offense or defense." In Massachusetts, last week, that resulted in a decision by the state's highest court striking down a law against switchblade knives.

Protected by the Second Amendment

"We conclude switchblades are not 'dangerous and unusual' weapons falling outside the protection of the Second Amendment," wrote Justice Serge Georges Jr. for the court in an opinion in Commonwealth v. Canjura that drew heavily on two landmark U.S. Supreme Court cases: Bruen (2022) and Heller (2008). The decision found the state's ban on switchblade knives unconstitutional and dismissed charges against the defendant.

The case involved a 2020 dispute between David E. Canjura and his girlfriend, during which Boston police officers found a switchblade knife on Canjura while searching him. As is often noted, "everything is illegal in Massachusetts" and "a switch knife, or any knife having an automatic spring release device" is only one of a long list of weapons proscribed under state law. Canjura was accordingly charged.

Such absolute prohibitions on arms aren't permitted in the wake of the Heller decision, so Canjura and his public defender, Kaitlyn Gerber, challenged the ban on switchblades, citing the federal decisions. They also relied on Jorge Ramirez v. Commonwealth (2018) in which the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court overturned a similar prohibition on stun guns on Second Amendment grounds.

"We now conclude that stun guns are 'arms' within the protection of the Second Amendment. Therefore, under the Second Amendment, the possession of stun guns may be regulated, but not absolutely banned," the court found in that case.

Canjura required similar analysis based on the same earlier decisions, this time with Ramirez in the mix.

The Second Amendment Protects All 'Bearable Arms'

Citing Heller, Justice Georges pointed out, "the Second Amendment extends, prima facie, to all instruments that constitute bearable arms, even those that were not in existence at the time of the founding." Importantly, though, knives and other bladed weapons have a long history, extending back well before the birth of the country.

"A review of the history of the American colonies reveals that knives were ubiquitous among colonists, who used them to defend their lives, obtain or produce food, and fashion articles from raw materials," commented Georges. Folding knives, in particular, grew in popularity to the point they became "almost universal." The court saw no significant difference between the many types of folding knives used over the centuries and spring-assisted varieties developed somewhat more recently, finding "the most apt historical analogue of a modern-day switchblade is the folding pocketknife."

Bruen, the court continued, specified that Second Amendment protections extend to arms that are in "common use" and are not considered "dangerous and unusual." Given that switchblades are just variations on folding knives and that "only seven States and the District of Columbia categorically ban switchblades or other automatic knives, and only two States impose blade length restrictions of less than two inches," they're clearly in common use.

The Massachusetts justices decided, by contrast to some other courts, that "dangerous and unusual" is a separate standard from "common use" that weapons must meet to be eligible for Second Amendment protection. But they emphasized "in the most basic sense, all weapons are 'dangerous' because they are designed for the purpose of bodily assault or defense" and, as mentioned above, they concluded "switchblades are not 'dangerous and unusual' weapons falling outside the protection of the Second Amendment."

So, switchblade knives join stun guns and most firearms as weapons that Massachusetts can't outright ban. But you might expect the state's rules-happy lawmakers to try their hands at some restrictions. Note, too, that the rest of the verbiage in the affected law remains in place for now, including restrictions on many guns, knives, blowguns, blackjacks, nunchaku, brass knuckles, shuriken, and evenI kid you notstudded leather armbands. Massachusetts didn't stop being Massachusetts, it just improved a tad with this decision.

"We commend the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court for its level-headed application of the law," commented Jan Billeb, executive director of the American Knife and Tool Institute (AKTI). "The ruling strengthens our position for advocating for legal ownership of automatic knives in all 50 states."

AKTI, which favors abolishing knife restrictions across the country, maintains a guide to which states do and don't restrict automatic knives, as well as a broader directory of state knife laws. These can rival firearms laws in complication, so they're worth referencingespecially if you're traveling.

Knife Rights, which also advocates for freedom when it comes to bladed tools, similarly hailed the decision. "It is extremely gratifying to see this switchblade ban struck down on Second Amendment grounds in one of the most notoriously anti-Second Amendment states," said Knife Rights Chairman Doug Ritter.

Still Work To Be Done

But Knife Rights emphasized that the Massachusetts decision stands in contrast to a recent federal court decision from California which concluded, oddly, that switchblades "are not bearable arms protected by the Second Amendment." Knife Rights plans to appeal the decision as it challenges California restrictions.

That means there's still work to be done. But as a longtime fan of all things sharp and pointy, I see the Massachusetts decision, with its solid reasoning, as a step in the direction of more freedom, Besides, I'm Italian-American, and who else do you expect to bring a knife to a gun fight?

But Canjura isn't just a victory for people who fancy automatic knives. Building on language from Heller, standards set by Bruen, and precedent in Ramirez, the court in Massachusetts acknowledged that Americans have a right to own and carry arms, whatever forms they may take now and in the future. The Second Amendment doesn't protect guns; it protects the human right to self-defense.

The post Massachusetts Switchblade Ban Overturned on Second Amendment Grounds appeared first on Reason.com.
Medieval times come to Erie with first Gem City Renaissance Festival

A brand new festival came to Erie Sunday, bringing medieval times to the 21st century.

The Gem City Renaissance Festival made its debut Sunday, attracting knights, lords and wizards to Frontier Park.

Britty Lea has been planning the Gem City Renaissance Festival for months, and today, she finally got to transform Frontier Park into a medieval fair.

I wanted to make something accessible and local and fun, and I knew there were enough people in the area that wanted to attend, she said.

Car fire slows traffic along Peach Street Sunday afternoon

Until Sunday, she said the closest Renaissance fair was in Geneva, Ohio, but now people of Erie can enjoy a Renaissance fair in their own city.

The festival featured food trucks, vendors, medieval music, and quests sending attendees on a scavenger hunt around the fairgrounds.

But the festival also gave people a chance to show off their extravagant costumes.

Im kind of going for a little jester, the jester devil of the bells, said Vernon Wasserman who attended the fair.

Red Cross hosts basic life support course with message that everyone should learn

Oh, this is my royal robes, I tried to wear something that wasnt too warm, but I failed, said Lady Elwoen who also attended.

Im part of a group called Bloodhorde, hence the symbol, the color schemes, all that, said Valgon, another attendee.

The Renaissance fair is home to elves, wizards and kings, but also expert swordsmen.

Steelhead Western Martial Arts, a fencing group from Erie, came to the fair as knights, putting on duels for attendees to watch.

Donatos Pizza closing east Erie location

Ive been doing this for seven years now. I actually started this club with some friends from Pittsburgh who were part of another fencing club. They moved home and this became my problem ever since. We meet once or twice a week for practice, some of us travel for tournaments, said Nick Chiappazzi, a Steelhead Western Martial Arts instructor.

He said the swordplay mimics what fencing looked like before the Olympics, creating much more physical fights beyond a simple jab to the chest.

Attendees at the festival were also welcomed to enjoy renaissance dancing from the fifteenth century., Even getting a chance to partake in the historic dancing themselves.

But whether a knight or a jester, the Renaissance fair had something for all types of medieval characters to enjoy.

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The event organizer says she hopes to bring the Gem City Renaissance Festival back next year.

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Men arrested at Boron underground marijuana grow said they were told theyd be growing vegetables

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET)  They said an advertisement promised work growing vegetables. The job instead involved maintaining a massive underground marijuana grow.

Recently released sheriffs reports provide new details about a drug operation in Boron in which buried shipping containers were used to grow and dry thousands of marijuana plants. The facility had electricity and water, plenty of lights and a cooling system.

Large fire at building in downtown Bakersfield

Photo: Kern County Sheriffs Office

Three men found at the site and identified as Chinese nationals said food, water and fuel arrived every three to five days.

One said hed been living there only a few days. Another said a trailer on the property had been his home for almost a year.

Qingxue Zhang, 57, Siyun Cao, 32, and Xiyyu Zou, 53, face conspiracy and drug-related offenses. Charges were filed last week and a hearing is scheduled in March.

On Aug. 6, authorities raided a location northwest of Sequoia Boulevard and Occidental Street, locating and destroying 17,650 marijuana plants and seizing 1,069 pounds of processed marijuana, officials said.

Above ground, trash and hundreds of empty fertilizer and pesticide containers covered the property. Industrial-sized cooling fans were dumped in a pile. Fifty-five-gallon drums containing pesticide, fuel and unknown chemicals were found.

West of the east entrance, camper trailers were parked together in an area that had been severely excavated, according to the reports. The underground grow was located past them.

After arresting the men  two tried to flee  detectives questioned them separately. They gave similar stories about responding to an online advertisement seeking employees to help grow vegetables, according to the reports.

With the assistance of a Mandarin Chinese interpreter, Cao told detectives he quickly realized what the actual work involved. He said he watered and trimmed plants.

Cao and the others said they could not remember the name of the agency they contacted or who runs the operation.

Having only been there a few days, Cao said he hadnt been paid. He told detectives he was supposed to make $3,000 a month.

The others reported making between $3,500 to $4,000 a month.

One of the men  his name was redacted in the reports  told detectives the difficulty of finding employment led him to stay at the grow site for nearly a year.

(Name redacted) told me he works at the marijuana grow because he could not find work anywhere else, and he has bills to pay, an investigator wrote.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KGET 17.
KYODO NEWS - Sep 2, 2024 - 13:54 | All, Japan

Shinkansen bullet trains between Tokyo and Hakata fully resumed operations Monday after nearly four days of disruptions due to slow-moving Typhoon Shanshan.

The Tokaido Shinkansen Line between Tokyo and the western city of Osaka and Sanyo Shinkansen Line connecting Osaka and Hakata in western Japan had been fully or partially suspended or operating with a reduced number of trains from late Thursday to Sunday.

With services returning to normal from the beginning of the day, many people were waiting in line at ticket counters at Tokyo Station on Monday morning.

"I was eager to see my grandchild," a 58-year-old woman from Kyoto Prefecture said, after she delayed her trip to visit her daughter by one day.

"When you're up against nature there is nothing you can do, but frequent disruptions are an inconvenience" she added.

Typhoon Shanshan weakened to a tropical storm on Sunday after being nearly stationary off the Pacific coast of central Japan, bringing heavy rains.

The Japan Meteorological Agency warned of lightning and torrential rain from Hokkaido in northern Japan to the Tokai region in central Japan on Monday as atmospheric conditions are likely to be unstable.

Related coverage:

Typhoon Shanshan weakens to tropical storm as central Japan soaks

Japan rail disruption spreads as typhoon crawls eastward

Typhoon weakens but train, flight disruption continues in Japan
UPDATE 09/02/2024 10:19 AM

Multiple neighbors have confirmed to News 4 that their water was turned back on Sunday afternoon.

ORIGINAL STORY

OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR)  Many metro neighborhoods were without water over the holiday weekend.

Michael Butterfield lives in a neighborhood near 122nd and Council. He says hes been without water for more than 24 hours.

LOCAL NEWS: Epic Charter Schools losing student records, per OK parent

Its surprising when you dont have water, what you cant get done. Cant get clothes or wash or anything, says Butterfield.

He also says, You just hope and pray that youre going to get water the next day.

Butterfield tells News 4, water main breaks happen frequently in his neighborhood.

Its been about three or four in the last couple of months at least, if not a little bit more, says Butterfield.

News 4 reached out to Oklahoma Citys Water/Sewer 24/7 Emergency Line. A woman confirmed over the phone, as of Sunday evening there are about 10 water main breaks across the metro.

LOCAL NEWS: Curbside Apparel providing work, training for the homeless

Butterfield says hes frustrated with the lack of communication regarding the breaks.

He says he thinks the construction in his neighborhood may be to blame for all the water main breaks.

The woman from Oklahoma Citys Water/Sewer 24/7 Emergency Line said all water main breaks should be restored by Monday morning.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City.
The News

Thousands of people protested in Mexico City as part of a student-led demonstration against a controversial judicial overhaul due to be voted on this week.

Under President Andres Manuel Lopez Obradors proposal, all judges would be fired and replaced by popular vote, likely giving the ruling party control over the countrys courts.

Market concerns have led to a sharp depreciation of the peso, as well as uncharacteristic criticism from the US and Canadian ambassadors to Mexico that has strained diplomatic ties. Incoming President Claudia Sheinbaum has tried to assuage investors fears, saying they have nothing to worry about. But they do  and so does she, The Economist wrote.
Student-led protest against the judicial reform proposed by the Mexican government, in Mexico City

Student-led protest against the judicial reform proposed by the Mexican government, in Mexico City

By Diego Ore

MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - Mexico's Lower House of Congress is slated to open debate on Tuesday on a controversial judicial reform and is expected to pass the legislation later in the week, Ricardo Monreal, the ruling party leader in the chamber said on Sunday.

The judicial overhaul, proposed by outgoing president Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador and backed by incoming president Claudia Sheinbaum, has sparked a strike by judicial workers, strained relations with the United States and spooked foreign investors.

The backbone of the constitutional reform would see more than 7,000 judges and magistrates elected by popular vote. It would reduce the number of judges on the Supreme Court from 11 to 9, and shorten their terms from 15 to 12 years. It would also create a new body to supervise judges.

Supporters of the reform say it is necessary to address Mexico's high level of impunity for violent crimes.

Monreal said on Sunday that lawmakers would debate and vote on the reform on Tuesday and Wednesday and then send the legislation to the Senate. The ruling Morena party and its allies hold a two-thirds supermajority in the lower house and are only one seat short in the Senate.

On Sunday, university students and judicial workers protested in front of the Senate headquarters in opposition to the measures.

Obrador says the reforms are necessary because the judicial system is "not at the service of the people" and instead "responds to the interests of organized crime."

But experts say that much of this impunity is driven by prosecutors, police and state-level attorney general offices, who have limited resources and whose offices are often plagued with corruption. These entities would not be affected by the judicial reform.

The unions representing judicial workers say the proposed changes would trample on labor rights and that the popular election of judges risks allowing special interests - including criminal groups - to seize control of the judiciary.

(Reporting by Diego Ore in Mexico City, Writing by Laura Gottesdiener; Editing by Michael Perry)
March for Workers Rights and Economic Justice in Detroit on Oct. 19, 2023 | Ken Coleman

Michigan has fallen even further into the bottom half for best states to work in, ranked in 31st place by Oxfam, a global organization focused on inequality and poverty. Michigan was ranked at 26th in 2023.

As it has done each year since 2018, Oxfam released its annual Best States to Work Index ahead of Labor Day, including a database and interactive map that measure policies and programs in place that protect workers abilities to organize, maintain wellness and be paid fairly in all 50 states, plus Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia.

In fact, the District of Columbia earned the top spot in the index as the best state for workers, followed closely by California (No. 2), Oregon (No. 3), New York (No. 4) and Washington (No. 5). By contrast, North Carolina falls at the very bottom of the index as the worst state for the third year in a row, followed by Mississippi (No. 51), Georgia (No. 50), Alabama (No. 49) and South Carolina (No. 48).

When states invest in strong labor policy landscapes, it pays off in a serious way. Measures of both worker wellbeing and economic outlook are strongly correlated with high placement on our index, and its clear these policies benefit everyone, said Kaitlyn Henderson, report author and senior researcher at Oxfam America. Continued federal inaction on basic things like living wages and paid leave has trapped millions of families across the U.S. in cycles of working poverty and exacerbated inequality along lines of race, class, and gender. Federal policymakers should take inspiration from the states at the top of our index. We have the models, and we know they work.

As for Michigan, the Oxfam report noted the states minimum wage was just $10.33, or 26.8% of the cost of living for a working family. By comparison, Illinois, which was ranked highest in the Great Lakes region at No. 7, has a minimum wage of $14 per hour, or 34% of what it takes a family of four to cover basic costs in the state. Michigan was also ranked down for not allowing municipalities to independently raise minimum wages, unlike the District of Columbia and California, which were ranked No. 1 and No. 2 respectively.

However, that will soon change after the Michigan Supreme Court ruled on July 31 that the Legislature subverted the rights of citizens in 2018 by using an adopt-and-amend strategy to kill two ballot initiatives in the same session. The effect of the decision is that starting in February, the minimum wage will rise significantly and sub-minimum tipped wages will begin to be phased out.

The ruling also affirmed a new paid sick leave policy that will take effect requiring employers with fewer than 10 employees to offer up to 40 hours of paid sick time annually and employers with 10 or more employees to give up to 72 hours.

Paid sick leave was among the policies that the Oxfam report graded each state on, which based its index on 20 policies among three overall categories: wages (40% of overall score); worker protections (35% of overall score); and rights to organize (25% of overall score). All of the data was based on laws and policies that were in effect as of July 1.

Other areas in which Michigan was marked down included a failure to provide a heat safety standard for outdoor workers, providing protections for warehouse workers and failing to maintain child labor protections.

On that last issue, a bill looking to address child labor concerns by updating the states process for permitting young workers did receive a hearing earlier this year, but has yet to advance out of committee.

As for heat standards, while the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Act (MIOSHA) does require employers to provide a workplace free of hazards that can cause serious injury or death, which would include extreme heat, Michigan lacks any specific regulation on the subject, while three of the five states at the top of the list (California, Oregon, and Washington) do have specific heat standards for outdoor workers

While Illinois sits atop the Midwest rankings, Michigan places in the middle, outranking Wisconsin at 38th and Indiana at 33rd. Ohio, however, sits well ahead of Michigan in 22nd place, largely due to the Buckeye States right-to-organize policies for unions and labor agreements, ranking fifth in the nation in that category. Two policies that Ohio was given credit for, which Michigan lacks, were fully legalizing project labor agreements to ensure a fair wage to workers on contract, and protecting workers against retaliation if they report wage theft.

One state that the report said distinguished itself in 2024 was Minnesota, which was grouped in the Plains region. The report noted that Minnesota had a busy legislative session in 2023 presided over by Gov. Tim Walz, the Democratic partys vice presidential nominee. Since the last Oxfam report, Minnesota laws went into effect that eliminated the subminimum tipped wage, provided paid leave, and created a warehouse worker protection policy, which helped push it up to No. 11 from No. 17 in 2023.

Michigan did, however, score better in the fourth edition of Oxfams Best States for Working Women, which ranked states based on policies that either directly or disproportionately support women workers, such as equal pay, flexible scheduling, and paid leave. In that Index, Michigan was ranked No. 26, with policies to provide collective bargaining and wage negotiations to teachers and mandating equal pay across gender and race.

Oregon was ranked as the best state for working women, followed by New York (No. 2), California (No. 3), the District of Columbia (No. 4), and Illinois (No. 5).

Oxfam says the Best States to Work Index is meant to inspire a race to the top for states by identifying for policymakers areas in need of improvement at both the state and federal levels.

Oxfam recommends policy initiatives to help support workers and their families, including:

Raise Wages: Increase wages at both the state and federal levels. Subminimum tipped wages should be abolished, minimum wage exclusions of certain workers must end, and the minimum wage needs to be lifted.

Strengthen Worker Protections: Enact more robust worker protections at the state and federal levels, including paid family and medical leave, stronger equal pay laws, heat protection standards, paid pumping breaks, and protections for domestic workers.

Protect Rights to Organize: Protect and expand workers rights to organize and collectively bargain at the federal level. States must repeal Right to Work laws, which undermine worker power; protect public employees rights to collectively bargain; and extend organizing rights to excluded workers.

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BANGKOK (AP)  Myanmar will hold a national census next month to compile voter lists for a general election and to analyze population and socioeconomic trends, the head of the military government said.

Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaings announcement on Sunday comes as Myanmar is roiled by a civil war in which the army has been forced onto the defensive against pro-democracy militants as well as ethnic militias seeking autonomy in much of the country.

A group that leads the pro-democracy struggle, the National Unity Government, expressed skepticism that the military government intends to hold an election any time soon and advised people to use caution in complying with any census questions.

Min Aung Hlaing said the ultimate mission of the ruling State Administrative Council is to hold a free and fair multiparty democratic election" and that the census would be used to build voter lists, but did not specify a date for polling. He previously has pledged to hold an election in 2025.

He also said the data would be used for present and future development projects.

In the text of his televised speech published Monday in the state-run newspaper The Mirror, Min Aung Hlaing said the census -- which is taken every 10 years -- will be carried out all over the country from Oct. 1 to Oct. 15, and that people need to answer all its questions without anxiety or doubt.

The ruling military has declared that elections are its goal since seizing power from the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi in February 2021. It originally announced elections would be held in August 2023, but has repeatedly pushed back the date.

The military sought to justify its 2021 takeover by claiming that the landslide victory of Suu Kyis National League for Democracy party in the November 2020 general election was marred by widespread electoral fraud, a charge rejected by independent election observers.

The armys seizure of power was met with widespread protests, whose violent suppression triggered armed resistance, and large parts of the country now are embroiled in conflict.

The anti-junta National Unity Government, or NUG, decried the census plans and called the military government a terrorist group.

If the people give their information to the terrorist organization, it will only use this information to use other methods to terrorize the public, NUG spokesperson Nay Phone Latt told The Associated Press. The election is just an excuse. A terrorist group has no legitimacy to hold the elections. Therefore, it is important for the public to exercise caution when providing the information.

Critics believe that any general election organized by the military would be an attempt to normalize its seizure of power through the ballot box.

Critics have already said that the elections would be neither free nor fair because there is no free media and most of the National League for Democracy party leaders have been arrested. Suu Kyi, 79, is serving prison sentences totaling 27 years after being convicted in a series of politically tainted prosecutions.

The country's security situation poses a serious challenge to verifying voter lists, because the military is believed to be in control of less than half the country.

The Institute for Strategy and Policy, an independent think tank, said in a July report that at least 14,374 clashes have occurred across 233 of Myanmars 330 townships since the military take-over. It said pro-democracy guerrillas and ethnic minority militias have seized as many as 60 towns.

At a meeting at the end of July, Min Aung Hlaing said the data-collecting process for the census would be prioritized in areas under the military's control. He also said that the election will be held in the peaceful areas first, state-run media reported.

In January 2023, when elections were still expected later that year, the military had made an initial effort at compiling voter lists. The three-week survey activities were attacked by resistance forces, and about a dozen people including two police officers and local officials were killed and four military government personnel captured.

The National Unity Government, which considers itself to be Myanmar's legitimate government, at that time warned that those who helped collect survey information would face reprisals.

In a separate development, state-run MRTV television reported Monday night that three of the most powerful armed ethnic organizations that have been warring with the army have been declared terrorist organizations by the military government.

The report said that the Taang National Liberation Army, the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army and the Arakan Army have been committing terrorist acts causing serious losses of public security, lives and property.

The three groups, who joined as the Three Brotherhood Alliance, launched a surprise offensive last October and have since gained strategic territory in the countrys northeast and the west. The terrorist designation will not affect the battlefield situation but criminalizes support and organizing for the groups as well as contact with them.
MINDEN, La. (KTAL/KMSS)  The City of Minden is mourning one of its beloved community leaders, former councilman and mayor Joe Cornelius Sr.

Joe Cornelius Sr. (Source: City of Minden)

Often known as Mister Joe, Cornelius was known for his community activism.

Cornelius founded the Concerned Citizens of Minden in 1990 while serving as a city councilman for District B. He started the initiative after 10-year-old Tray Day told him there was nothing for kids to do in the summer. In addition to dances and community events, the group raises funds for college scholarships for local kids.

He also served the community through the Minden Black History Committee and the Head Start Policy Council and led the Christmas lighting efforts for the City of Minden for many years.

Minden Police Chief to hold news conference about shooting death of Joe Cornelius, daughter Keisha

Joe Cornelius to head todays parade, The Times, 12-5-2006 (Source: Newspapers.com)

With over a year left in his term, former Minden Mayor Bill Robertson passed away in 2013. At the time, Cornelius was serving as councilman for District A. Cornelius took over as interim mayor to cover the citys daily operations in his absence.

Cornelius also served as a Deputy Ward Marshal for the Webster Parish Sheriffs Office until his retirement in 2022.

Many children in Minden also knew him as the ice cream man.

Community member Patti Hadland Porter said of Corneliuss passing, This breaks my heart. He was so kind. I remember him coming through my neighborhood about seven years ago; the boys got ice cream, but I had limited money. They wanted stuff I couldnt afford at the time. He said just pay what you can, but they can get anything they want. I was concerned that he would lose money on this. He told me, ITS NOT ABOUT THE MONEY, I DO THIS FOR THE KIDS. He was one of a kind.

An entry in the National Gun Violence Archive said Cornelius and his daughter, 31-year-old Keisha Miles, were fatally shot Sunday at his home in the 100 block of Austin St. He was 82.

Minden Mayor Nick Cox confirmed that there was a double homicide in Minden on Sunday involving Cornelius and Miles. They were both found with multiple gunshot wounds. Officials said a Juvenile has been arrested for the murders.

Cox released a statement on Corneliuss passing Sunday.

It is with deep sadness that we mourn the loss of Joe Cornelius Sr., a former long-time Minden City councilman and former appointed mayor of Minden.

Joe Corneliuss years of service to Minden were marked by his commitment and dedication to the betterment of our community. On a personal note, I am grateful for his friendship and the many ways he supported me and others in our city.

During this incredibly difficult time, I ask that we all keep Joes family in our thoughts and prayers. May they find comfort and strength in the midst of this tragedy.

Let us come together as a community to honor Joes memory and support one another through this time of grief.

The community shared an outpouring of love and support for Cornelius and his family, sharing condolences and special memories of him.

A GoFundMe was set up by Miless 17-year-old son, Uriah Miles, to cover funeral costs and help the family.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTALnews.com.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine has commented on the decision of the Mongolian authorities to allow war criminal Vladimir Putin to come to the country despite the arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC).

Source: European Pravda citing a comment by Foreign Ministry spokesperson Heorhii Tykhyi on X (Twitter)

Details: Tykhyi said that Mongolia's refusal to comply with the ICC's mandatory arrest warrant for Putin "is a heavy blow to the International Criminal Court and the international criminal justice system".

"Mongolia allowed the indicted criminal to escape justice, thereby sharing responsibility for his war crimes. We will work with partners to ensure that this has consequences for Ulaanbaatar," the Foreign Ministry spokesperson added.

Background:

Putin's visit to Mongolia on 3 September is his first visit to a state signatory to the ICC Rome Statute since the court issued the arrest warrant on him in March 2023.

Media reports said that the Mongolian authorities assured Putin that they will not arrest him.

The Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs called on Mongolia to fulfil its obligations under the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court and arrest Putin.

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MONROE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS)  Apprentice Academy of North Carolina announced Saturday that the charter school will be closing its doors permanently.

The decision came after an emergency board meeting at 9 a.m. on August 31, in which a vote resulted in the surrendering of the charter and the closure of the school.

The decision was due to several reasons within the charter, one of which was a decline in enrollment.

The enrollment had dropped to 160 students after the first day of school, which officials say was far below the number needed to sustain operations, making it no longer financially feasible for the school. In an email sent to parents from the principal Barry Ross, it also mentioned that the school was not performing well academically.

Charlotte City Council to vote on O-line purchase, transit sales tax Tuesday

The arguably biggest reason for the closure comes after the City of Monroe Fire Marshal informed the school on Friday, August 30th that the Certificate of Occupancy had expired five years ago. The school was closed for safety reasons and an emergency meeting was called for the Board of Directors.

Around 8 p.m. Saturday, an email was sent to staff and parents that the school was closing. Students and staff were notified at the same time that the school was closing, only one week after school started.

The website has the next steps for parents and guardians to take.

Queen City News has reached out to the City of Monroe Fire Marshall and the school for comment.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News.
KYODO NEWS - Sep 2, 2024 - 19:19 | All, Japan

Japan's ruling party agreed Monday it will seek to specifically mention the name of the Self-Defense Forces in a revised Constitution, laying out a list of envisaged key changes ahead of an election to select its new leader who will likely carry them through.

To tackle the divisive issue of amending the supreme law for the first time and end the debate over the constitutionality of the SDF, the Liberal Democratic Party proposed to keep the wording of the war-renouncing Article 9 but add a new section to explain the SDF.

The decision made Monday by the LDP's panel on constitutional reform will have a bearing on whoever wins the next presidential election on Sept. 27, and incumbent Fumio Kishida urged his successor to respect the list.

In the forthcoming race, candidates are expected to make it clear where they stand on revising the U.S.-drafted Constitution that came into force in 1947.

Under Article 9, Japan forever renounces war, declaring that "land, sea, and air forces, as well as other war potential, will never be maintained." The SDF is treated in Japan as an "armed organization" for the defense of the country.

Former Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba, among the 10 or so potential contenders for the LDP race, has underscored the need to change the wording of Article 9 to mention the SDF, rather than adding a new section. The LDP's junior coalition partner Komeito party, meanwhile, has taken a more cautious stance on the article, calling for a thorough discussion.

Kishida, whose current three-year term ends later in the month, said Monday's decision sets the stage for lawmakers to deepen their debate and put a package of proposals to amend the Constitution to a national referendum.

"We must move it all at once," Kishida told party members. As the end of his tenure approaches, he urged the party to compile a list of major points for constitutional reform in August.

Japan sets a high hurdle for any constitutional revision. Any amendment proposal needs to be approved by a two-thirds majority in both houses of parliament before it can be put to a national referendum.

Ishiba said Monday he is on the same page with other LDP members over the need to clearly state the SDF in the Constitution. To do so, however, he will continue to call for the deletion of part of Article 9.

When the Constitution is revised, the LDP also wants to state that the government can get greater authority and issue emergency orders without parliamentary approval to respond to natural disasters and other crises.

Related coverage:

Record field, tight race expected in Japan governing party contest

Ex-LDP member Manabu Horii resigns as lawmaker over monetary donations

Outgoing Japanese PM mulls skipping speech at U.N. General Assembly
Native Vote 2024.Char-Koota News, the official news publication of the Flathead Indian Reservation, on Thursday published an article that contains audio of Montana GOP senatorial Tim Sheehy making racist and disparaging comments about Native Americans.

In an audio clip recorded at a fundraiser on November 6, 2023, Sheehy brags about roping and branding with members of the Crow Nation. He says its a great way to bond with the Indians while theyre drunk at 8:00 a.m.

Four days later, while speaking at a Hamilton campaign event, Sheehy told the audience he rode in the Crow Fair parade. Theyll let you know when they like you or not, if Coors Light cans flying by your head They respect that, was heard on another audio clip.

Sheehy has a pattern of speaking about the Crow, according to Char-Koosta. At other events, Sheehy mimicked Crow tribal members calling him white boy and throwing Coors beer cans at his head when he misses a double-heel shot at their rodeo.

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Sheehy is in a tight race against three-term U.S. Sen. Tester (D-MT), a member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Indian Affairs. In an article published on Friday, August 30, 2024, Sheehy leads the race by 3.5% points in an average of 13 polls, according to The Hill.

In Montana, there are eight federally recognized tribes and seven Indian reservations. And, there are 74,130 Native American of the voting age in the state, according to Four Directions Native Vote.

Native News Online reached out to the Sheehy for Montana campaign for a comment. At press time, there was no response.

About the Author: "Levi \"Calm Before the Storm\" Rickert (Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation) is the founder, publisher and editor of Native News Online. Rickert was awarded Best Column 2021 Native Media Award for the print\/online category by the Native American Journalists Association. He serves on the advisory board of the Multicultural Media Correspondents Association. He can be reached at levi@nativenewsonline.net."

Contact: levi@nativenewsonline.net
Moscow says it will revise its nuclear doctrine over Western 'escalation' in Ukraine

The News

Russia said it will change its nuclear protocol to reflect what it perceives as Western escalation in connection with the war in Ukraine.

The announcement on Sunday came as Kyiv again pushed allies to allow it to use long-range missiles as it persists with its offensive inside Russia.

Some of Russias military analysts have urged Russian President Vladimir Putin to lower the requirements for nuclear weapons use, as a way to sober up Ukraines Western allies, according to Reuters.
Most Pa. counties seeing shrinking workforce since 2017. See how your county ranks

While unemployment rates in Pennsylvania have bounced back from the record highs at the start of the coronavirus pandemic  and then some  the commonwealths labor force is down in most counties.

Only 22 of 67 counties had more people over the age of 16 that are employed or looking for work in 2023 than in 2017, according to a review of annual unemployment estimates from the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Even with most of the state seeing diminishing eligible worker pools, Pennsylvania saw some meager labor force growth over that six-year period.

Pennsylvania added about 33,092 more workers in 2023 compared 2017, with roughly 11,866 of those workers coming after 2020.

More than half of all Pennsylvania counties have seen their pools of working age adults decline since 2017, according to a review of data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, part of the U.S. Department of Labor Department.

Some experts have warned Pennsylvania is at the start of a decades-long population decline which could have significant economic and social impacts on the commonwealth.

A December report by the Center for Rural Pennsylvania estimated that most of Pennsylvanias counties will see their populations shrink over the next 30 years, and census estimates released in March seem to be showing the start of that trend as 41 of 67 counties saw shrinking residents between 2022 and 2023.

Despite a meager increase in the workforce, unemployment rates in every county are down between 1.1 to 2.5 points compared to 2017, with the statewide unemployment rate in 2023 at about 3.4%.

Which Pa. counties grew or shrank the most?

Philadelphia, Montgomery and Chester counties are the top three areas for total labor force growth between 2017 and 2023, adding between 31,054 to 14,946 working-age adults over that time.

Although Philadelphia tops that six-year comparison, Pennsylvanias largest city only had about 4,604 workers added since the start of the pandemic in 2020.

Montgomery and Chester counties still top that list, with 13,575 and 12,103 more workers between 2020 and 2023, respectively, but Bucks County takes third place with 8,345 more workers compared to three years earlier.

Western Pennsylvania has seen some of the biggest drops in the labor force.

Allegheny County went from 651,933 workers in 2017 to 632,239 workers in 2023, a drop of about 19,694 people, with most of that decline happening after 2020.

Neighboring Westmoreland County lost nearly 7,000 from its workforce and Erie County is down almost 5,500 workers since 2017, with about half of those drops in each county occurring after the pandemic.

See the table below to see labor force changes in each Pennsylvania county over the years.

This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: Labor force data show drop in workers across Pennsylvania since 2017
A Columbus neighborhood remains in shock after a mother and her two children were found dead inside their home.

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On Thursday, officers with the Columbus Division of Police found 25-year-old Journey Fletcher dead alongside her 5-year-old son Jalani and 3-month-old Harmoni, our news partners at WBNS-10 TV reported.

A handgun and three spent shell casings were recovered at the scene, according to records.

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The childrens deaths were declared homicides. Police said they are not searching for a suspect, however, the circumstances are still being investigated.

Neighbors gathered on Sunday for a vigil. They had raised concerns to police when they realized it had been dayssince they saw Fletcher and her children.

The baby was so beautiful. Well, the mama was beautiful too, and her son, he loved my dog. Always wanted to pet my dog, Dora Evans, one of Fletchers neighbors said.

Evens was close to the children and even helped Fletcher deliver Harmoni in the front yard in May.

Every time she would hand the baby to me, she would say, Say hi to grandma and she had such a pretty little smile, Evans said.

Evans and other neighbors said there was no indication that something might be wrong.

I didnt know what she was going through, but I told her I am always here. All you gotta do is call me throw a rock, knock on the door, Evans said.

Neighbors said if Fletcher needed help, they wished she would have reached out.

All we can do now is just hope they rest in peace, said another neighbor, Elaine McCarroll.

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TOPEKA (KSNT)  A motion was filed to dismiss one of the charges a former Topeka City Council candidate faced in connection to the Jan. 6 riots.

Nine people have been arrested in Kansas in connection to the Stop the Steal rally on Jan. 6, 2021. Two of those arrests were made in Topeka.

One of the individuals arrested in Topeka had a list of charges and was indicted by a Grand Jury. The man, William Alexander Pope, was seen in a Facebook live video allegedly marching towards the Capitol with his brother. Pope, a former Topeka City Council candidate from the 2019 District 2 seat race, was the third Kansas man taken into custody by the FBI, with two from Olathe arrested earlier in 2021.

Crews working fire in SE Topeka

On Jan. 8 a witness was interviewed by the FBI and provided a Facebook live video from Popes Facebook page. In the video, Pope said he was marching to the Capitol and introduced his brother.

An image was shared of Pope being restrained by a Capitol police officer. He was arrested on the following charges:

Civil disorder Obstruction of an official proceeding. Entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds. Disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds. Impeding ingress and egress in a restricted building or grounds. Disorderly conduct in a capitol building. Impeding passage through the capitol grounds or buildings. Parading, demonstrating, or picketing in a capitol building.

Time to get your ducks in a row! A look ahead at the 2024 Sertoma Great Topeka Duck Race

On May 13, 2024, the government dropped counts five and seven. On Aug. 23, the government submitted a motion to dismiss count two of obstruction of an official proceeding. Pope has a trial date scheduled for Dec. 2, 2024 for counts one, three, four, six and eight.

Another individual arrested in Topeka pleaded guilty to four counts including knowingly entering or remaining in any restricted building or grounds without lawful authority, violent entry and disorderly conduct on capitol grounds. The individual was sentenced to 24 months of probation, 30 days of home detention, 60 hours of community service, a $2,000 fine and $500 in restitution.

For more crime news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here.

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ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC)  A motorcyclist was taken to the hospital with what were described as minor injuries after a crash in Parma Sunday afternoon.

The Monroe County Sheriffs Office reported the crash on West Avenue around 3:30 p.m. A portion of the road was shut down as deputies investigated. It reopened around 5 p.m.

The motorcyclist was taken to Strong Memorial Hospital. Theyre expected to recover. The sheriffs office would not elaborate any further.

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A new federal rule is aimed at reducing coal miners exposure to silica dust, a leading cause of black lung disease. (Getty Images)

This Labor Day, as a new federal rule is being rolled out to prevent deadly black lung disease in miners, Christopher Williamson is remembering the coal miners who fought for the creation of his agency and who werent afforded the protections that current and future workers hopefully will.

Williamson, assistant secretary for the Mine Safety and Health Administration, is a Mingo County native. Since he entered his federal position about two years ago, hes focused heavily on developing and now implementing the new silica rule that was finalized earlier this year.

I come from the southern coalfields. I know mining. This issue is not one that needed to be explained to me  it was a priority for me from the moment I got confirmed and walked in the door at MSHA, Williamson said. Looking and reflecting on it in the context of Labor Day  especially in the context of all the labor history in West Virginia that Im very familiar with and happened in my backyard  all these miners in West Virginia fought for my agency to be created, fought for these regulations that are in place, fought for the Mine Act to be put in place.

When the Federal Mine Safety & Health Act of 1977 was passed, Williamson said, its main goal was made clear in the first sentence on its first page: the first priority and concern of all in the coal or other mining industry must be the health and safety of its most precious resource  the miner, the act reads.

Today, Williamson said, the new silica rule will, hopefully, do just that.

The new rule  initially proposed in July 2023  implements for the first time ever a separate exposure limit for silica dust in mines, cuts the maximum exposure limit to 50 micrograms per cubic meter for a full-shift and creates an action level for when exposure comes at 25 micrograms per cubic meter for a full shift. It also establishes uniform exposure monitoring and control requirements for mine operators to follow as well as increasing sampling requirements. It was finalized in April and most of it began to go into effect in June.

The rules implementation comes more than five decades after the federal government first recommended limiting silica exposure among workers based on a wide body of evidence and years after other industries adopted similar standards to enforce the exposure limits of silica.

It also comes as younger coal miners in the region are being diagnosed with the disease at rates unseen by their predecessors due to a lack of easily accessible coal and an increase in the amount of silica-rich sandstone they have to dig through to reach what remains.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 20% of coal miners in central Appalachia are suffering from black lung  the highest rate detected for the disease in more than 25 years. One in 20 of those coal miners are living with the most severe form of the condition, and fatalities tied to black lung are steadily increasing in central Appalachia faster than the rest of the country.

Unfortunately, theres been too many generations of miners in West Virginia and other places that have had to sacrifice their lungs just to support their families, Wiliamson said. This rule is a huge step forward to try to prevent those types of things from happening.

The rule grants MSHA, for the first time, the authority to issue citations at mines that report elevated levels of silica dust without efforts to remediate. When levels are too high, the agency can issue a withdrawal order, meaning workers must leave the mine until the levels drop and corrective actions are taken. Williamson said this alone is an improvement that will change how the agency is able to perform its oversight responsibilities.

We have all these enforcement tools that we cant use, Williamson said. For the first time, were going to be able to use the full suite of MSHAs enforcement authority to protect miners from exposure to silica, and thats huge. We hope we dont have to use those things, but we will if we have to.

The rule isnt without its challenges, no matter how unlikely they may be to take hold.

In Congress, an appropriations bill for the federal Department of Labor is awaiting consideration by the U.S. House of Representatives. It contains a rider that, if adopted, would halt the use of any Department of Labor funding for the implementation of the rule. That bill previously passed a House subcommittee and the appropriations committee. The Senates version of the same appropriations bill, however, does not contain the same language.

Coal mining advocates have decried the efforts to stop the funding, which would complicate enforcement of the rule. Even if its not adopted  which is likely  theyve said efforts by Rep. Robert Aderholt, R-Ala., to include the language is unconscionable, indefensible and frankly insulting to the nations miners.

For Williamson, until something affecting the rule is actually passed, the efforts in congress are little more than background noise. Officials at MSHA, he said, are staying busy educating those in the mining community about the new policies and ensuring resources are available to become compliant before enforcement starts next year.

I appreciate the process and I appreciate that [congress goes] through it, but were full steam ahead. Were implementing this thing, Williamson said. Weve got a mission to complete, weve got miners to protect, and unfortunately, there are too many that are out there that need this rule and need these health protections. Were not going to sit around and wait. Were moving full steam ahead.

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KYODO NEWS - Sep 2, 2024 - 19:38 | World, All, Japan

China justified the entry of its navy survey ship into Japan's territorial waters off its southwestern islands over the weekend, saying Monday that the passage was "completely legitimate" and that the vessel was simply exercising its right of transit.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning told a press conference the sea area is used "for international navigation" according to the U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea.

Earlier in the day, Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi said Tokyo has lodged a protest with Beijing over the incident Saturday and vowed that Japan will monitor Chinese military activities near the country.

It marked the 10th entry by a Chinese survey ship into Japanese waters off Kagoshima Prefecture since November 2021.

The latest case came after Japan on Aug. 26 confirmed for the first time that a Chinese military spy plane violated Japanese airspace over waters in the East China Sea off islands in the southwestern prefecture of Nagasaki.

Asked how Beijing explains the two recent incidents, Mao said there is no need to "deliberately associate or over-interpret" them. Last week, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian said China's military aircraft have "no intention to intrude into any country's airspace."

Related coverage:

China enters Japan waters days after air violation protested

Philippines says China rammed coast guard ship in South China Sea shoal
A 16-year-old is dead and a 14-year-old has been charged with murder after a shooting Sunday in Gulfport, according to Harrison County Sheriff Matt Haley.

According to Haley, officers responded to a disturbance in the 13000 block of Robindale Road around 2:30 p.m. and found the 16-year-old boy in the street with a gunshot wound to the abdomen. The victim was taken by helicopter to USA Childrens Hospital for treatment, where he later died.

Haley said that, according to the investigation, it was determined that the suspect and victim were involved in a fist fight, which led to the shooting.

The 14-year-old has been booked into the Harrison County Adult Detention Facility and charged with second-degree murder. The juvenile is being held in lieu of a $1 million dollar bond set by Justice Court Judge Brandon Ladner.
PIKESVILLE, Md. (DC News Now)  Members of the Maryland State Police (MSP), Maryland Car Rally Task Force, the Baltimore Regional Auto Theft Task Force (RATT) and other police agencies broke up 11 illegal exhibition driving events, or car meetups, in Baltimore, Prince Georges and Anne Arundel counties on Saturday night.

Police responded to multiple locations where up to 200 people had gathered in the parking lot and reportedly attempted to shut down intersections in the area.

These are some of the locations and times:

10:40 p.m.: 5710 A Wabash Ave., Baltimore, Md.

11:10 p.m.: 2880-2894 Rolling Road, Windsor Mill, Md.

11:49 pm: 3030 Liberty Heights Ave., Baltimore, Md.

12:07a.m.: 1801 Washington Blvd, Baltimore, Md.

12:40 a.m.: N Eutaw at W. North Ave., Baltimore, Md.

12:34 a.m.: I-195 Park and Ride, Catonsville, Md.

1:40 a.m.: 7900 Governor Ritchie Highway, Glen Burnie, Md.

2:22 a.m.: 12705 Laurel-Bowie Road, Laurel, Md.

3:25 a.m.: Konterra Drive and Sweitzer Lane, Laurel, Md.

3:30 a.m.: I-95 at Ebenezer Road/Philadelphia Road, White Marsh, Md.

4:00 a.m.: 812A Oregon Ave., Linthicum Heights, Md.

Police arrested seven people and recovered a stolen vehicle as well as an illegal firearm.

MPD: Man charged in connection to deadly stabbing of woman in Southeast DC

According to MSP, those arrested and charged include:

20-year-old Daniel Linton of Port Deposit. He is being charged with assault on police, malicious destruction of property and related traffic offenses.

24-year-old ShNard Martinez-Eric Pope of Baltimore, 19-year-old Chase Andrew Cover of Halethorpe and 22-year-old Alycia Destiny Cropper of Middle River were arrested and charged in connection to a stolen vehicle.

21-year-old Christian Thayn Dean, of Columbia, Md., was charged with disorderly conduct.

21-year-old William Starkey of Baltimore was charged with disorderly conduct.

33-year-old Marcellus Cortez Swann of Baltimore was arrested for a DUI and charged criminally for reportedly carrying a handgun while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC.
(Bloomberg) -- When Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni visits New York later this month to receive a global citizenship award, Elon Musk will be the one to hand her the prize.

Most Read from Bloomberg

The Tesla Inc. chief executive and X owner will present Meloni with the Atlantic Councils Global Citizen Award at a ceremony on Sept. 23, according to people familiar with the matter. Previous recipients include Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen.

In a post on the Atlantic Councils website in February, fellows Kaush Arha and Paolo Messa credited Meloni with being instrumental in ensuring much-needed European aid to Ukraine. Since taking office, they added, the Italian leader has emerged as a powerful interlocutor across Europe and the world stage.

Musk and Meloni have met on a number of occasions, including at a political festival last December thrown by the prime ministers right-wing Brothers of Italy party. Appearing on stage, Musk discussed Italys demographic crisis  the country has one of the lowest birth rates in Europe  and exhorted the crowd to make more Italians.

As simple as it sounds, if people do not have children there is no new generation, Musk told the audience, echoing a prominent concern of Melonis. The billionaire also warned of the dangers of the woke mind virus  a favorite talking point  and unchecked migration.

The Atlantic Council event wont be the only meeting this month between Meloni and the worlds richest man. Theyre also scheduling a closed-door conversation to discuss investment opportunities in Italys space and artificial intelligence sectors, the people said.

Italy approved a new regulatory framework in June that grants foreign space companies permission to operate in the country, according to a statement by the minister of industry. Italy expects to generate 7.3 billion ($8.1 billion) of investment in the space sector by 2026.

Musk, whos also CEO of Space Exploration Technologies Corp., already has a head start. Italy is among the countries serviced by Starlink, which delivers broadband Internet through a global network of more than 6,000 SpaceX satellites.

Last April, Starlink claimed that Telecom Italia SpA, the countrys largest telecom provider, was obstructing the rollout of its high-speed internet services.

Representatives for SpaceX declined to comment, as did a spokesperson for the Italian government.

(Adds detail about Atlantic Councils writing about Meloni in third paragraph.)

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

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The News

Elon Musks satellite internet provider Starlink said it wont comply with a court order banning Musks social platform X in Brazil unless Starlinks accounts in the country are unfrozen, Reuters reported.

Brazils Supreme Court on Monday upheld the ban on X, backing their colleagues decision last week to ask all telecom providers to shut down the platform after the company refused to appoint a legal representative in the country.

The X ban also led to Starlinks bank accounts being frozen in the country.

SIGNALS

The ban could be a boon for some of Xs rival platforms

Sources: The Verge, Fortune

The X ban has prompted many Brazilians to move over to Bluesky, a similar social media platform built on a decentralized network, the Verge reported: Bluesky said it had gained half a million users as of Friday. Another social network, Mastodon.social, also reported an increase in signups from Brazil. Part of the reason for the migration could be that Brazilians face fines of up to 50,000 Brazilian reais (about $8,000) if they access X through a VPN. The fine is far higher than the countrys average salary of about $530, Fortune noted.

Supreme Court faces backlash over the decision

Source: Financial Times

Prominent right-wing commentators and legal experts criticized Brazils Supreme Court for the ban, particularly its threat to fine those who use VPNs to access X. Such a fine represents a serious affront to the fundamental rights enshrined in the constitution, the Brazilian Bar Association said in a note Saturday. However, one law professor told the Financial Times that fining those who use VPNs was logical, otherwise you would have thousands of Elon Musk fanboys using them to brag that the ban on X is useless.

Losing Brazil is a further hit for Musks businesses

Sources: PBS, Social Media Today, The New York Times, CNN

Brazil is one of the largest markets for X and a huge growth opportunity for Starlink, PBS noted. The loss of advertising dollars from Brazil could further hit Xs struggling ad business, and compounds the reported loss of about 5 million users in Europe this year, according to Social Media Today. Xs US revenue was down 53% in Q2 this year compared to 2023, The New York Times reported. Meanwhile, Starlink is reportedly used by about a quarter million people in Brazil, and remote areas like the Amazon rainforest rely on it for wireless internet connection. The service is also used by academics, tourism operators, public officers, and Brazilian Army units deployed in the region, CNN reported.
Mysterious tomb reveals what Mongolia was like before Genghis Khan

Mysterious tomb reveals what Mongolia was like before Genghis Khan

An elite grave from the 12th century uncovered in Mongolia sheds fresh light on the poorly understood period before the rise of the worlds greatest conqueror, Ghengis Khan.

The grave, now called the Khar Nuur burial, was built in the years between the collapse of the Khitan Empire around 1125AD and the rise of the Mongol Empire in 1206AD.

Historical records of this era are mostly restrospective accounts written decades or even centuries after Ghengis Khan established the Mongol Empire.

The Khitan Empire, which was established in the 10th century and covered most of eastern and central Mongolia at its peak, started collapsing in the early 12th century.

A short period of conflict followed after which the Mongols under Ghengis Khan rose to power in about 1206AD.

But what exactly happened between 1125AD and 1206AD is poorly understood. Any new information on issues such as the identity of people active in this region during the 12th century, their cultural, commercial, and political affiliations is of great interest, scientists studying the gravesite said.

A drone photo showing location of excavated burial, marked in a red circle (Dan Golan)

The ongoing study, a part of which was published recently in the journal Archaeological Research in Asia, is analysing a series of long walls and linked structures spanning around 4000km in Mongolia, northern China and Russia built between the 11th and 13th centuries.

It is unclear when exactly the structures were built, who built them, and what their intended function was.

At a section called Khar Nuur in Mongolia, researchers found a noble womans tomb within the enclosure wall of a fortress from the Khitan era.

The elite grave was created between 1158 AD and 1214 AD when the fortress was already in use. This burial context raises important questions about the dynamics of funerary practice and social memory during a time of imperial collapse and transformation, scientists said.

Researchers suspect the choice to bury the woman inside the fortress could be a poignant symbol of identity, memory, and power in a time of transition.

The womans skeletal remains show signs of mild osteoarthritis in joints and spine conditions, hinting that she had an active lifestyle.

She also seems to have lost nearly all of her teeth before death.

The woman was buried with a yellow silk robe and silk textiles were placed under her head.

Gold bracelet and two earrings found in grave (Tal Rogovsky)

There were also remenants of silk headgear, golden ornaments, beads made of different materials in the grave as well as fragments of a bronze vessel, a silver cup, a gold bracelet, and a sheathed iron knife.

From the nature of this older womans burial, she probably belonged to a prestigious lineage of some political standing and her community was on the receiving end of wealth transfers, scientists wrote.

They hypothesise that the burial may have been a deliberate display of power and possession of land by local communities during this conflict period.

Golden ornaments with textile backing found in grave (Gideon Shelach-Lavi et al, Archaeological Research in Asia)

The findings indicate that people inhabiting the Khar Nuur area during this time were involved in macro regional political struggles.

The Khar Nuur burial represents a unique window into the complex social and political landscape of 12th century Mongolia, study co-author Gideon Shelach-Lavi said.

It demonstrates how local elites may have used symbolic connections to past empires to legitimise their own power and status, even as they navigated a rapidly changing political environment.

Alternatively, archaeologists say nomads may have used the abandoned Kitan fortress for burial to assert their own claim over the land.

They hope further analysis of the burial will provide more insights into this pivotal transition period in world history.
Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore took off from Cape Canaveral in June on a one-week mission - Joe Skipper/REUTERS

An astronaut stranded on the International Space Station (ISS) has reported a strange noise coming from the faulty spacecraft that led him to be stuck there.

Butch Wilmore, a Nasa test pilot, contacted the Johnson Space Centre in Houston, Texas, on Saturday. He reported a concern with the Boeing Starliner pod, which encountered a problem during its journey to the ISS in June.

Wilmore and colleague Sunita Williams travelled to the ISS in the pod for a planned one-week mission  but must now spend at least eight months there until a different craft can bring them back.

Wilmore told mission control: Ive got a question about Starliner. Theres a strange noise coming through the speaker and I didnt know if you can connect into the Starliner ... I dont know whats making it.

Mr Wilmore played the sound to Nasa officials on Earth by holding his phone up to the Starliner speaker.

Butch, that one came through, mission control told him. It was kind of like a pulsating noise, almost like a sonar ping.

After playing the sound again, the astronaut told them: Ill let you figure it out.

Good recording, thanks Butch, mission control replied. We will pass it onto the team and let you know what we find.

Click here to view this content.

Boeing has been humiliated by the stricken Starliner, which made the journey to the ISS with five faulty thrusters while leaking helium.

The two astronauts it transported must remain on the space station until February when a craft provided by Elon Musks SpaceX will collect them.

The Starliner pod will return to Earth on autopilot and land in New Mexico within days, but Nasa said at a press conference on Aug 24 that it would be too risky to bring the astronauts home on board.

SpaceXs Crew Dragon spacecraft will take Nick Hague, a Nasa astronaut, and Aleksandr Gorbunov, a Russian cosmonaut, to the ISS on Sept 24. They will return to Earth next year with the stranded pair.

Ms Williams and Mr Wilmore pictured on the space station - Nasa

The Starliner spacecraft was developed with $4 billion of US taxpayers money but was hit by a series of technical failures from its launch day onwards.

It is the latest setback for Boeing, the American aerospace manufacturer, which is facing legal action by the US government over failures with its 737 Max planes.

In January, a door plug blew out of a Boeing plane operated by Alaska Airlines during takeoff, leaving passengers terrified they would be sucked out of the fuselage.

The companys share price has dropped by more than 20 per cent in the last year, and Dave Calhoun, its chief executive, has said he will step down at the end of the year.

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NATCHITOCHES, La. (KTAL/KMSS)  The Natchitoches Police Department is investigating a homicide that happened on Lake Street Sunday night.

According to a media release, on Sunday night, around 8:30 a.m., officers were dispatched to the 1000 block of Lake Street in reference to a gunshot victim.

Three suspects arrested in Natchitoches shooting

Officers found the victim, 24-year-old Kadarius Miller suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Miller was pronounced deceased by the Natchitoches Parish Coroners Office.

This investigation is ongoing and the Natchitoches Police Department will release more details as they become available.

If you would like to report suspicious activity please contact the Natchitoches Police Department at (318) 352-8101 or if you have additional information in regards to this investigation please contact Detective Davanta Stevenson at (318) 357-3817.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTALnews.com.
In todays newsletter: Massive protests erupt in Israel to demand a cease-fire after six hostages held by Hamas were found dead in Gaza. The White House says Biden and Harris werent invited to Arlington National Cemetery. And former students report injuries at a Utah facility for troubled teens.

Heres what to know today.

Israelis begin nationwide strike as hostage deaths spark renewed calls for cease-fire

Protests in Tel Aviv, Israel over the killing of hostages held in Hamas captivity on Sept. 1, 2024. (Reuters; Bloomberg; Getty Images)

A nationwide strike has begun in Israel, with the countrys biggest union vowing to shut down the economy in a furious push for the government to agree to a cease-fire deal after the deaths of six hostages taken during Hamas Oct. 7 terror attack.

The strike is expected to bring much of Israel's economy to a grinding halt, and to shut government offices, schools and private businesses. Flights were also briefly halted from Israel's international airport this morning.

Hundreds of thousands of people took to the streets in cities across Israel last night, in one of the biggest eruptions of anger since the war began. Aerial footage showed Tel Avivs main highway filled with protesters holding flags with pictures of the slain hostages, while protesters in Jerusalem blocked streets and demonstrated outside the prime ministers residence.

A funeral will be held on Monday for Israeli American Hersh Goldberg-Polin, 23, whose body was recovered along with five other hostages from tunnels underneath Rafah.

Goldberg-Polin was among those taken during the attack on the Supernova music festival in the Israeli desert. His parents have been visible and outspoken advocates for bringing the hostages home via a cease-fire deal, making an impassioned plea for his release at the Democratic National Convention last month.

Follow the live coverage here.

Biden and Harris werent invited to join Trump and families at the Arlington cemetery, White House says

Joe Biden and Kamala Harris. (Brendan Smialowski / AFP - Getty Images)

Gold Star families did not invite President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris to Arlington National Cemetery to commemorate the third anniversary of the attack at Abbey Gate in Afghanistan, a White House official and a Harris aide told NBC News, rebutting separate claims made by GOP Sen. Tom Cotton and former Rep. Tulsi Gabbard.

During an interview on NBC News Meet the Press, Cotton told Kristen Welker: These families, Gold Star families, whose children died because of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris incompetence invited [Trump] to the cemetery and they asked him to take those photos... You know who the families also invited? Joe Biden and Kamala Harris. Where were they? Joe Biden was sitting at a beach. Kamala Harris was sitting at her mansion in Washington, D.C.

Gabbard echoed Cotton, telling CNN on Sunday: 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.

The two were speaking about former President Donald Trumps visit last week to Arlington National Cemetery, where he has drawn criticism for posing for photos with Gold Star families in a section of the cemetery where photos are traditionally prohibited.

Read the full story here.

More coverage related to the election:

Harris condemned Trump and his campaign for their actions at Arlington National Cemetery.

Public polls detail how the battleground map has re-expanded for Kamala Harris, as well as a familiar mark for Donald Trump.

Former students report injuries and isolation at Utah facility for troubled teens

Elevations Residential Treatment Center. (Kim Raff for NBC News )

Elevations Residential Treatment Center in Syracuse, Utah is part of Family Help & Wellness, a company headquartered in Oregon that operates 10 treatment programs in four states for adolescents with behavioral and mental health challenges. Many of these programs attract children from other states.

Former students who attended the treatment center say they were worse off once they left. They need to close their business down, said Chloe Gilliland, 18, who attended Elevations from July 2023 to June 2024. I dont understand how they can go to sleep at the end of the day.

Two recent attendees say they got serious injuries while being restrained by staff. Within the past five years, Elevations employees have failed to follow mandatory reporting requirements for child abuse and have conducted unauthorized strip searches, according to state records. Several other Family Help & Wellness programs have run afoul of state regulations for failing to notify the state of critical incidents, such as those in which children were injured or allegedly abused.

NBC News interviewed four former staff members and 11 former students who attended Elevations, and nearly all described a chaotic environment.

Extreme heat worsens chronic health conditions in millions of Americans

Large parts of the South and Southeast, including Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Texas, Virginia and the Carolinas, are under heat warnings today, according to the National Weather Service.

Extreme heat can be dangerous for anyone, of any age, but many people living in areas affected by extreme temperatures are especially vulnerable to their potentially life-threatening health effects.

In states such as Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, Georgia and South Carolina, the rates of chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease and kidney disease are among the highest in the U.S. Those diseases make it harder for bodies to cool themselves effectively during heat waves. Heres a reminder on how to stay safe in the heat.

Politics in Brief

Supreme Court: Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson said she is open to proposals to implement an enforceable code of ethics for justices.

Reproductive rights: Republican Sen. Tom Cotton, said he and most other Republicans would be open to supporting Trumps proposal to have either the government or insurance companies pay for in vitro fertilization services.

Labor Day ads: The DNC is using bilingual billboards calling Trump an anti-unionist in Spanish, putting them up on Labor Day in parts of Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.

Musk attacks: Elon Musks endorsement of former President Donald Trump was meant to buoy the candidates chances, but it may have backfired as the Democrats step up attacks focused on workers rights.

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Staff Pick: The psychological draw of extreme foods

Illustrated chip bags with fire burning within them. (Domenick Fini / NBC News)

From scorchingly spicy chips and sauces to mouth-puckering sour candies, extreme food challenges are proliferating across social media. Alexandra Byrne and Steven Romo wanted to know why some people are so drawn to these products, despite the pain. Psychologists say its akin to watching a horror movie: The experience stimulates a flight-or-flight response in the brain, leading to a flood of endorphins and dopamine that make people feel good.

 Sara G. Miller, health editor

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Adele said she'll perform at her Las Vegas residency for five more weeks <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/pop-culture/music/adele-says-fans-wont-see-incredibly-long-time-residency-ends-rcna169177?cid=eml_mrd_20240902" target="_blank"><strong>before taking a break.</strong></a>

Defending champion Coco Gauff <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/sports/tennis/defending-us-open-champion-coco-gauff-loses-emma-navarro-fourth-rcna169173?cid=eml_mrd_20240902" target="_blank"><strong>lost in the U.S. Opens fourth round</strong></a> to Emma Navarro.

The Cure keyboardist Roger ODonnell <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/news/-cure-keyboardist-roger-odonnell-reveals-lymphoma-diagnosis-rcna169162?cid=eml_mrd_20240902" target="_blank"><strong>revealed his lymphoma diagnosis</strong></a> in a series of posts on social media.

ESPN networks, ABC and Disney channels <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/business/business-news/espn-abc-disney-channels-go-dark-directv-busy-night-sports-rcna169185?cid=eml_mrd_20240902" target="_blank"><strong>went dark on DirecTV</strong></a> during a busy night for sports.

NBC Select: Online Shopping, Simplified

Work hard, shop hard. Today is the perfect day to use some of your hard earned money to take advantage of Labor Day sales before theyre gone. Some of the best discounts on camping and outdoor gear, mattresses and small kitchen appliances are happening today. For easy access, NBC Select rounded up all the best Labor Day Deals in one place, and the editors are updating the deals all day.

Sign up to The Selection newsletter for hands-on product reviews, expert shopping tips and a look at the best deals and sales each week.

Thanks for reading the Morning Rundown. Todays newsletter was curated for you by Elizabeth Both.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
Photo illustration by KFF Health News.

Its not easy to make public health decisions without access to good data. And epidemiologists and public health workers for Native American communities say theyre often in the dark because state and federal agencies restrict their access to the latest numbers.

The 2010 reauthorization of the Indian Health Care Improvement Act gave tribal epidemiology centers public health authority and requires the federal Department of Health and Human Services to grant them access to and use of data and other protected health information thats regularly distributed to state and local officials. But tribal epidemiology center workers have told government investigators thats not often the case.

By July 2020, American Indians and Alaskan Natives had a COVID-19 infection rate 3 times that of non-Hispanic whites. Problems accessing data predated the pandemic, but the alarming infection and death rates in Native American communities underscored the importance of making data-sharing easier so tribal health leaders and epidemiologists have the information they need to make lifesaving decisions.

Tribal health officials have repeatedly said data denials impeded their responses to disease outbreaks, including slowing contact tracing during the pandemic and an ongoing syphilis outbreak in the Midwest and Southwest.

Were being blinded, said Meghan Curry OConnell, the chief public health officer for the Great Plains Tribal Leaders Health Board and a citizen of the Cherokee Nation. The sharing of data has improved somewhat in recent years, she said, but not enough.

Federal investigators and tribal epidemiologists have documented a litany of obstacles keeping state and federal public health information from tribes, including confusion about data-sharing policies, inconsistent processes for requesting information, data thats of poor quality or outdated, and strict privacy rules for sensitive data on health issues like HIV and substance misuse.

Limiting the ability of tribes and tribal epidemiology centers to monitor and respond to public health issues makes historical health disparities difficult to address. Life expectancy among American Indians and Alaskan Natives is at least 5 years shorter than the national average.

Sarah Shewbrooks and her colleagues at the Great Plains Tribal Epidemiology Center are among those whove found themselves blinded by bureaucratic walls. Shewbrooks said the data dearth was particularly evident during the covid pandemic, when her team couldnt access public health data available to other public health workers in state and local agencies. Her team was forced to manually record positive cases and deaths in the 311 counties of North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, and Iowa  the region the center serves.

Shewbrooks, director of the centers data-coordinating unit and its lead epidemiologist, estimates staffers spent more than a years worth of their time during the pandemic scraping together their own datasets to steer information to tribal leaders making decisions about closing down reservations and asking residents to isolate at home.

She said the process was frustrating and stressful, especially since it robbed her team of hours they couldve spent trying to save lives in the communities they serve. The tribes in their region were doing incredible things, she said, by providing food and shelter for people who needed to quarantine.

But they were having to do it all without being given real-time understanding of whats going on around them, Shewbrooks said.

Contact tracers who work for state governments cover Native American populations, but its important to have people from within the community take the lead, Shewbrooks said. Tribal workers are better equipped to move around within their communities and meet people where they are.

Shewbrooks said state contact tracers relied on calling and texting patients, which is often not the most effective method. Tribal members can be a hard-to-reach community for state workers whose protocol is to move on to the next case if they dont get a response.

So many cases were just getting closed, Shewbrooks said.

In 2022, the Government Accountability Office published a report that confirmed concerns raised by tribal health officials, including at the Great Plains tribal epidemiology center. Federal investigators found that health officials working to address public health issues in Native American communities dealt with federal agencies lacking clear processes, policies, and guidelines for sharing data with tribal officials.

In one example, officials said that as of November 2021, 10 of the 12 tribal epidemiology centers in the U.S. had access to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention covid data, but not all had full data. Some centers had access to case surveillance data that included information on positive cases, hospitalizations and deaths. Only half said they also had access to covid vaccination data from HHS.

The GAO report also found that staffers responding to data requests at HHS, the CDC, and the Indian Health Service did not consistently recognize tribal epidemiology centers as public health authorities. Center officials told federal investigators that theyd sometimes been asked to request data they needed as outside researchers or through the Freedom of Information Act.

The report recommended agencies make several corrections, including responding to tribal epidemiology centers as required by law and clarifying how agency staffers should handle requests from epidemiology centers.

HHS officials agreed with all the recommendations. The agency consulted with tribal leaders in fall 2022 and, this year, published a draft policy that clarifies what data centers can access.

Some tribal leaders say the proposal is a step in the right direction but is incomplete. Jim Roberts, senior executive liaison in intergovernmental affairs at the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium, a nonprofit organization that provides care and advocacy for Alaskan tribes, said the GAO report focused on tribal epidemiology centers, which operate separately from tribal governments, each serving dozens of tribes divided into regions. The report left out tribes, which he said have a right to their data as sovereign nations.

HHS officials declined an interview request, but Samira Burns, principal deputy assistant secretary for public affairs, said the agency is reviewing feedback and recommendations it received from tribal leaders during consultation on the draft policy and will continue to consult with tribes before its finalized.

Stronger federal policy on tribal data sharing would help with relationships with states, too, Roberts said. Tribal officials say problems theyve experienced at the federal level are often worse in states, where laws might not recognize tribes or tribal epidemiology centers as authorities that can receive data.

At the Northwest Tribal Epidemiology Center, which works on behalf of tribes in Washington, Oregon, and Idaho, forging a data-use agreement with state governments in Washington and Oregon before the pandemic helped their response by providing immediate access to near real-time data on emergency room and other health care facility visits. The centers staff used this data to monitor for suspected covid-related visits that could be shared with tribal leaders.

It took seven months for the center to get access to COCID surveillance data from the CDC, said Sujata Joshi, director of the Northwest centers Improving Data and Enhancing Access project, and about nine months for HHS vaccination data after vaccinations became available. Even after getting the information, she said, there were concerns about its quality.

KFF Health News is a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues and is one of the core operating programs at KFFan independent source of health policy research, polling, and journalism.
CANBERRA, Sept. 2 (Xinhua) -- Australia's national research agency has launched a new bioplastics research facility to end plastic waste.

The Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) on Monday opened the Bioplastics Innovation Hub in collaboration with Murdoch University.

Researchers at the 8 million Australian dollar (5.4 million U.S. dollar) facility will work with industry partners to develop a new generation of biologically-derived plastic that is 100 percent compostable.

CSIRO Research Program Director Andy Whiteley said the hub would bring together experts in microbiology, molecular genetics, synthetic biology, biochemical engineering, advanced manufacturing and circular economy to work on a plastic that can entirely break down in compost, land or water.

"Our primary focus is the development of 100 percent compostable, bio-derived packaging for use as sprays, films, bottles, caps and wrappers which are engineered to fully break down in compost, land and aquatic environments," he said in a media release.

The CSIRO previously set a goal of reducing plastic waste entering the Australian environment by 80 percent by 2030.

The new hub is based at Murdoch University's main campus in Perth, the capital city of Western Australia (WA).

Peter Eastwood, deputy vice-chancellor of Research and Innovation at Murdoch University, said innovative technological solutions would be critical to managing the growing plastic waste crisis.

"Together with CSIRO, Murdoch University will fast-track the production of novel compostable bioplastic and introduce a green plastic to the market, which will significantly minimize the requirement for non-sustainable plastic production," he said.

A research published by the CSIRO in April found up to 11 million tons of plastic pollution on the ocean floor globally. 
NATO reacts to Polish foreign minister's call to shoot down Russian missiles over Ukraine

NATO has responded to Polish Foreign Minister Radosaw Sikorski's call to shoot down Russian missiles over Ukrainian territory, noting that while members of the Alliance have the right to protect their airspace, such actions could have consequences for the entire Alliance.

Source: a NATO spokesperson in a comment to Europa Press news agency, as reported by European Pravda

Details: The NATO spokesperson stated that the Alliance "has a responsibility to prevent further escalation of the war unleashed by Russia" and emphasised that it "is not a party to the conflict and will not become a party to the conflict" in Ukraine.

They acknowledged the right of each Ally to defend its airspace but warned that actions by individual states in support of Ukraine "could also affect NATO as a whole".

"That is why the Allies must continue close consultations," the spokesperson added.

Background:

Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski stated that Poland and other countries bordering Ukraine have a "duty" to shoot down Russian missiles before they enter their airspace.

Ukraine has previously pointed out that Western powers could help it repel large-scale Russian missile attacks against critical and energy infrastructure by authorising Kyiv to strike missile carriers deep inside Russian territory with Western-supplied weapons.

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 kind of objects they are.

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SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI)  The U.S. Navy has identified the man killed in a shooting in downtown San Diego over the weekend.

The community came together for a vigil Sunday to honor 18-year-old Albert Lee Soto, who was killed in a shooting near 9th and F Streets in East Village just after midnight Saturday.

18-year-old Navy sailor killed in downtown San Diego shooting

The Navy on Monday identified Soto, saying he was an Operations Specialist Seaman Apprentice assigned to the USS Pinckney (DDG 91) which is homeported at Naval Base San Diego.

He enlisted in the Navy just last year in October 2023, and was from New York, the Navy said.

Man, 18, dies after shooting on I-5 ramp near Chicano Park: police

Police are continuing to investigate the circumstances that led up to the fatal shooting and are working to determine if a fight between the victim and a group of men inside a nearby nightclub prior to the shooting that night was related.

San Diego Police are still searching for four suspects believed to be involved in the shooting.

In a statement to FOX 5/KUSI, the Navy said, Our thoughts are with the Sailors family, friends, and shipmates.

WATCH: Coast Guard medevacs woman from cruise ship off San Diego coast

The investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with more information is asked to call the Homicide Unit at 619-531-2293 or Crime Stoppers at 888-580-8477.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News.
Braxton Winston II (left) and Luke Farley (right) are running to become North Carolina's next Labor Commissioner. (Courtesy photos)

North Carolina will have a new commissioner of labor in 2025. Republican incumbent Josh Dobson, a former state representative, is not seeking reelection after a single four-year term. He replaced the states most well-known commissioner, Cherie Berry, a Republican who served in the office for 20 years and embraced the label elevator lady because her picture was plastered on certificates hanging in every elevator in the state.

Now, after a quarter century in which Republicans with a pro-business slant have controlled the department, Democrat Braxton Winston II  a pro-labor union member from Charlotte  is seeking to effect a turnaround in what he and many critics say has been a sleepy and understaffed agency. Meanwhile, Republican nominee Luke Farley  an arch-conservative Raleigh attorney  is promising more of the same.

Berry has endorsed Farley in the General Election.

Braxton Winston and some smiling young supporters in front of a "welcome to North Carolina" sign

A Democrat promises change and new energy

The labor commissioner is a constitutional officer elected statewide. The commissioner serves a four-year term that runs concurrently with governor and other members of the Council of State. The commissioner is head of the Department of Labor and is charged by statute to promote the health, safety and general well-being of the states more than four million workers. The laws and program administered by the department affects every worker in the state.

Democrat Braxton Winston II, a former Charlotte city council member who works as a union stagehand and grip in the Queen City, wants to bring about a sea change in the agency. He says the two Republican commissioners have intentionally eroded safety protections for state workers.

A top priority, Winston told PBS North Carolina, will be to adequately staff the Labor Department with safety compliance officers to conduct inspections. He contends a quarter of such jobs are unfilled.

My Number One priority will be to make sure that this department is not just fully staffed, but adequately staffed to do the important jobs that need to be done  those safety inspections that we rely on, whether its responding to reports of dangerous and unhealthy working conditions or times that workers have been retaliated against or being taken advantage of by their employers, Winston said.

In addition to working to fully staff the department, Winston pledges on his campaign page that he will also ensure worker safety, advocate for fair wages, defend workers rights and take a whole worker approach to leading the department.

According to his campaign page, the whole worker approach includes:

Working to eliminate poverty in the state workforce.

Closing the digital divide and training the next workforce.

Working with partners to increase access to health care for all workers.

Advocating for accessible and well-funded child care.

Providing dependable access to transportation.

Working with partners to increase access to affordable housing and eliminating homelessness in North Carolina with a focus on the veteran population.

Reducing the number of workers living in food deserts.

I understand the challenges that working families face all across this state day-to-day, Winston said during a PBS North Carolina interview. Im a guy who clocks in and clocks out. That, combined with being the former Mayor Pro Tem on the Charlotte city council where I served three terms, Ive certainly come to believe that our state has everything it takes to be No.1 for both business and workers.

Winston also said that unions help to promote fairness for workers and employers. Its through unions that workers and employers hold each other accountable, he said.

Frankly, we dont have enough of that fairness in our workforces throughout the state, Winston said. I think it could go a long way, again, to making us the No. 1 state for businesses and workers if we had a stronger labor movement.

Conservatives make peace, back Republican nominee

Farley, whose law practice focuses on construction law, offers a very different platform. He says he wants to make North Carolina the safest place on earth to work and the best place to do business.

Luke Farley

This office can be North Carolinas secret weapon for economic development, Farley said during the PBS interview. If this office is well run, if our labor and employment laws are enforced in a fair and even-handed way, it tells people that this is a place where you want to do business.

Despite Farleys pledge, the conservative North Carolina Chamber of Commerce initially sounded an alarm about the Republicans far-right politics, lumping him in with Michele Morrow, the GOPs far-right candidate for state Superintendent of Public Instruction, as major threats to the states robust business reputation.

The Chamber had backed Farleys primary opponent, state Rep. Jon Hardister. At first, the group lamented Farleys far-right positions, which includes banning vaccine requirements for employees and his perplexing call to make elevators great again.

Didnt we learn anything from big governments first shutdown of our schools and businesses? Farley said on his campaign website in January. We dont need any new COVID workplace mandates. On my first day as Labor Commissioner, Ill immediately start working to repeal any new mandates that are imposed.

Soon after Farleys primary victory, however, the Chamber changed its tune. In an editors note to its March 6 post attacking Farleys candidacy, the organization said it now saw an opportunity to work well with Mr. [Luke] Farley should he be elected commissioner. Farley is a sharp contrast to his opponent, the chamber said.

Our vision for North Carolina includes maintaining our competitive position as a right-to-work state and Mr. Farley shares that vision, he note said. Additionally, Mr. Farley has proven a tremendous grasp on the business communitys concerns with the first-ever Federal Heat Standard (a set of regulations designed to protect workers) looming from the Biden administration. We look forward to seeing additional distinctions between these two candidates positions emerge and will continue to update our membership accordingly.

Farley told PBS North Carolina that the state has enjoyed 24 good years of commonsense leadership under Berry and Dobson.

Im going to be a commissioner in the mold of Cherie Berry and Josh Dobson, doing that commonsense leadership that promotes job growth in North Carolina, Farley said.

In her final term, Berry was roundly criticized for her COVID-19 response, including a ruling that the virus isnt a workplace hazard, so no rules were needed to protect workers. Berry was also the subject of several media investigations during her tenure in which she was accused of not protecting the health and safety of workers. Farley features her image and endorsement prominently on his website.
Near-death experiences, also known as NDEs, are extremely common. In fact, as many as 1 in 5 people who almost die in a medical facility report having one  if they are asked. However, only 2% self-report if not asked.

In 2017, Missouri Medicine became the first medical journal to publish a comprehensive physician-oriented study of this well-documented phenomenon. Doctors are generally not trained to recognize or treat these experiences. Consequently, the journals articles generated a great deal of international attention  so much so that Missouri University Press subsequently published an expanded version in book form. The Science of Near-Death Experiences, which I edited, remains a primary source for educating doctors about NDEs as a frequent and important medical syndrome.

A recent case I know about tells a familiar story: A 48-year-old patient was having an exploratory surgery at North Kansas City Hospital. His liver was inadvertently lacerated, and he went into hemorrhagic shock, complicated by uncontrolled bleeding and cardiac arrest. He was at the point of death for 40 minutes and was defibrillated several times, but he survived. He spent 45 days in the hospital, with more than 10 of them in the intensive care unit.

While in the ICU, he told his physicians and nurses, When I was dead, I went to heaven. They told him he imagined that trip, which they said was the result of his brain being deprived of oxygen. They told the patient not to tell anyone about his hallucination, warning that others would think he had suffered brain damage.

In a subsequent trip to see relatives in Italy, he told physicians there about his experience. They confirmed he had had a near-death experience  and told him they are common, and that most people lose their fear of death and live better lives after having one.

Later, at a neighborhood picnic back in Kansas City, the patient told me about his NDE. He said he had suddenly felt at peace, left his body and looked down to see surgeons and nurses pumping blood into both his arms. He entered a tunnel of light and went to heaven, where he was greeted by his mother. There, he also met and became one with the deity, whom he described as a brilliant ball of loving light.

He had been raised Catholic, telling me: Heaven is everything I hoped it would be and more. I cant begin to describe how at peace I was. During this experience, his mother told him it was not his time, and that he had to go back to Earth  but they would be together again not too far in the future.

This patient said, We have nothing to fear when we die. He was upset that his American physicians and nurses did not believe him.

Human beings are not guinea pigs

If physicians and health personnel tell those who have near-death experiences that these life-changing events are imagined and advise them, Dont talk about it or people will think you are not of sound mind, they create consequences that often adversely affect patients and their families for the rest of their lives.

Proper medical treatment is simple and forthright: systematic inquiry about having NDEs in people who return from the brink of irreversible death, sympathetic listening and validation, education of the patient and their family about those experiences, and finally appropriate referral to support groups, national NDE organizations and thoughtful study of the many excellent books on the topic.

I found the news story Psychedelic drugs may give a glimpse into near-death experiences in the Aug. 27 Star interesting, especially in its unique and insightful study of individuals who have both had a NDE and used psychedelic drugs. Conversely, disturbing was the storys mention of the intentional use of psychedelic drugs as a powerful tool to study near-death experiences in otherwise healthy people, as proposed by Dinesh Pal, an associate professor at the University of Michigan.

I find this practice dangerous and unethical. As many as 10% of NDEs are distressing and like a visit to hell, patients report. They terrify some people for life. It would be tragic and indefensible to induce even one of these upsetting experiences in a healthy human being used as a guinea pig.

Like any medication, psychedelic drugs can have adverse reactions, some serious. While they offer great promise for treatment of a variety of mental disorders, if properly used and studied, their side effects and long-term consequences have not been fully delineated. These risks may be appropriate for people with major psychiatric disorders, but not for researchers with idle curiosity about near-death experiences to experiment on healthy, normal people.

Such research is risky and serves no ethical purpose. Doctors, first do no harm.

John C. Hagan III is editor of Missouri Medicine: The Journal of the Missouri State Medical Association and the book The Science of Near-Death Experiences. He is former president of the Kansas City Medical Society, the Missouri Society of Eye Physicians & Surgeons and the Clay-Platte County Medical Association.
NEGAUNEE, Mich. (WJMN)  In celebration of solidarity, the City of Negaunee celebrated Labor Day September 2 with its 35th annual Labor Day parade, followed by a community picnic and a rally at Jackson Mine Park.

The theme of this years parade, Labor Votes! Its better to be in a Union, emphasizes the power of union representation and collective action.

No matter what your job is, were showing the community that we stand together. Its a gathering and a march in solidarity and celebration of union pride, said Rick Edward, organizer/field staff representative for AFSCME Michigan.

The Marquette Alger Community Labor Counsil and the U.P. Regional Labor Federation organized this years parade and festivities.

Following the 11 a.m. parade, the community gathered for $7 pasty and ice cream meals or hot dogs with chips and soda or alcoholic beverages.

At the afternoon rally, attendees enjoyed live music, family-friendly activities and speeches from union officials.

The Marquette Alger Community Labor Counsil, AFL-CIO, represents a diverse group of unions and workers in the region, advocating for fair labor practices and workers rights.

The U.P. Regional Labor Federation, AFL-CIO, works to strengthen the labor movement across the Upper Peninsula, promoting union values and improving working conditions for all workers.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJMN - UPMatters.com.
By Ari Rabinovitch and James Mackenzie

JERUSALEM (Reuters) -Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday rejected calls to soften his demand to keep troops in the southern Gazan border area as the price for a ceasefire deal, saying it was vital for Israel to control a key lifeline for Hamas.

The issue of the so-called Philadelphi corridor, on the southern edge of the Gaza Strip bordering Egypt, has been a major sticking point in efforts to secure a deal to halt the fighting in Gaza and return Israeli hostages held by Hamas.

Hamas has rejected any Israeli presence, while Netanyahu has insisted that Israel will not abandon the corridor, where Israeli troops have uncovered dozens of tunnels they say have been used to smuggle weapons and ammunition into Gaza.

"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.

"Hamas insists for that reason that we not be there, and for that reason, I insist that we be there," he said.

If Israel were to pull out of the corridor, international pressure would make it difficult to return, he said.

Netanyahu's stance on the negotiations, which have been continuing for weeks while showing little sign of a breakthrough, has frustrated allies, including the United States and widened a rift with his own defence minister, Yoav Gallant.

On Sunday, Gallant, who has clashed repeatedly with Netanyahu and other ministers, called on the cabinet to reverse an earlier decision to keep troops in the Philadelphi corridor in order to reach a deal to bring more hostages home.

Asked whether he would fire his defence minister, Netanyahu said they could keep working together "as long as there is trust". Netanyahu sacked Gallant last year over a separate issue only to back down in the face of massive public protests.

"But this trust requires one thing before all else - that all ministers, without exception, are beholden to government and cabinet decisions," he said. "And that is the main thing that is now being tested."

PRESSURE FROM BIDEN

U.S. President Joe Biden said Netanyahu was not doing enough to secure a hostage deal, an issue that has gained renewed urgency following the recovery of the bodies of six hostages on Sunday, only hours after they were shot dead.

The killing of the six hostages drew hundreds of thousands of Israelis to the streets on Sunday to press for a deal and protests continued into Monday with demonstrators attempting to disrupt Netanyahu's news conference.

Asked about Biden's comments, Netanyahu said the pressure should be applied to Hamas, not Israel, particularly after the killing of the hostages, who he said had been shot in the back of the head by their captors.

"And now after this we're asked to show seriousness? We're asked to make concessions? What message does this send Hamas? It says, kill more hostages," he said.

He said he did not believe Biden or anyone serious about achieving peace would ask Israel to make more concessions: "We've already made them. Hamas has to make the concession."

Opposition leader Yair Lapid called Netanyahu's comments in the news conference "baseless political spin" aimed at ensuring his own political survival by placating his coalition partners Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben-Gvir, who lead two hardline parties that reject any accommodations to reach a deal.

"The Philadelphi corridor is not really what bothers him, rather the Ben Gvir-Smotrich axis," Lapid said.

(writing by James Mackenzie, editing by Deepa Babington)
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sought forgiveness from the families of the six hostages recently killed in Gaza as he faces mounting criticism over not reaching an agreement with Hamas to secure the release of the remaining hostages.

I told the families, and I repeat and say this evening: I am asking for your forgiveness that we didnt manage to bring them back alive. We were very close, but we couldnt make it, Netanyahu said during a Monday press conference, per a CNN translation.

The Israeli leader said the country will not ignore this massacre, vowing Hamas will pay a heavy price for the deaths.

Were going to exact a heavy price from Hamas; Im not going to tell you what the price is going to be and what were going to do; theres going to be an element of surprise here, Netanyahu said during the news conference, per CNN.

Israels military confirmed on Sunday it recovered the bodies of six hostages in Gaza, including Hersh Goldberg-Polin, a native of Berkeley, Calif. The six hostages were shot at close range and died either Thursday or Friday before forces reached them in an underground tunnel in Rafah, according to Israeli health and military officials.

The recovery of their bodies prompted massive protests in Israel on Sunday and Monday. Tens of thousands of Israelis publicly called on Netanyahu to reach a cease-fire and hostage release deal as negotiations have dragged on for months.

Israels largest trade union, the Histadrut, called for a general strike to take place Monday in response.

Roughly 250 hostages were taken captive during Hamass Oct. 7 attack on southern Israel, which killed more than 1,100 people. About 100 of the hostages were released late last year during a weeklong cease-fire.

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, according to local and international health officials.

President Biden on Monday said Netanyahu is not doing enough to secure a hostage deal and told reporters mediators are very close to presenting a final hostage deal this week to both Israel and Hamas.

Netanyahu said Sunday efforts to free the hostages are continuing constantly and alleged Hamas has refused to hold genuine negotiations.

Meanwhile, Hamas has claimed it 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 reported.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Netherlands ban on mobile phones in schools gets under way

A student holds a mobile phone during a lesson at a classroom. Schools in the Netherlands began a complete nationwide ban on mobile phones on 02 September. Jens Kalaene/zb/dpa

Schools in the Netherlands began a complete nationwide ban on mobile phones on Monday.

Phones in secondary school classrooms have been forbidden since the beginning of the year, a measure that has now been extended to primary schools from the start of the new school year.

The Ministry of Education in The Hague says mobile phones distract pupils and reduce their ability to concentrate, which has a detrimental effect on learning performance.

Phones may still be used in class if they are necessary for the content of the lesson, for example when learning about media skills.

Pupils are also allowed to use mobile phones if they are dependent on them for medical reasons or due to a disability. Schools have been given responsibility for the practical implementation of the ban on site.

In schools where mobile phones are also banned during breaks, the atmosphere also improves, the broadcaster NOS reported.

"Breaks are more sociable because pupils end up talking to each other more often," said researcher Loes Pouwels from Radboud University in Nijmegen.

A ban on mobile phones in schools had previously been the subject of controversial debate in the Netherlands. Several ministers of education initially did not believe in a nationwide regulation and school heads also argued in favour of local rules, the broadcaster reported.

At the same time, a number of parents argued that children of primary school age should not have smartphones at all, precisely because of the addictive potential of social media.

Greece and Italy have also banned mobile phones from classrooms, while Germany has been discussing such a move for some time.

A recent study by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) advised limited and responsible use of mobile phones in schools.
Chinese Vice President Han Zheng holds talks with Ugandan Vice President Jessica Alupo, who is in Beijing for the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 2, 2024. (Xinhua/Liu Weibing)

BEIJING, Sept. 2 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Vice President Han Zheng on Monday held talks with Ugandan Vice President Jessica Alupo, who is in Beijing for the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC).

Han said China is willing to join hands with Uganda to deepen exchanges and cooperation in various fields, promote solid progress in cooperation, and contribute more to building a high-level China-Africa community with a shared future.

He made three suggestions for the future development of China-Uganda relations: continuously deepening mutual trust and expanding exchanges, adhering to win-win cooperation and jointly pursuing development, and continuing to uphold peace and safeguard justice.

Alupo expressed hope that Uganda and China will continuously achieve new results in cooperation in various fields such as education, grain, digital area, climate change and infrastructure construction. 

Chinese Vice President Han Zheng holds talks with Ugandan Vice President Jessica Alupo, who is in Beijing for the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 2, 2024. (Xinhua/Liu Weibing)
Netherlands ban on mobile phones in schools gets under way

A student holds a mobile phone during a lesson at a classroom. Schools in the Netherlands began a complete nationwide ban on mobile phones on 02 September. Jens Kalaene/zb/dpa

Schools in the Netherlands began a complete nationwide ban on mobile phones on Monday.

Phones in secondary school classrooms have been forbidden since the beginning of the year, a measure that has now been extended to primary schools from the start of the new school year.

The Ministry of Education in The Hague says mobile phones distract pupils and reduce their ability to concentrate, which has a detrimental effect on learning performance.

Phones may still be used in class if they are necessary for the content of the lesson, for example when learning about media skills.

Pupils are also allowed to use mobile phones if they are dependent on them for medical reasons or due to a disability. Schools have been given responsibility for the practical implementation of the ban on site.

In schools where mobile phones are also banned during breaks, the atmosphere also improves, the broadcaster NOS reported.

"Breaks are more sociable because pupils end up talking to each other more often," said researcher Loes Pouwels from Radboud University in Nijmegen.

A ban on mobile phones in schools had previously been the subject of controversial debate in the Netherlands. Several ministers of education initially did not believe in a nationwide regulation and school heads also argued in favour of local rules, the broadcaster reported.

At the same time, a number of parents argued that children of primary school age should not have smartphones at all, precisely because of the addictive potential of social media.
The next would-be assassin may be a drone pilot. US law enforcement doesn't look ready.

The danger that extremists and insurgents can attack political leaders with drones are growing.

Drones are becoming weapons of choice that threaten to migrate from foreign battlefields.

"Nobody is really doing countermeasures against drones," one private security leader warned.

The July assassination attempt against Donald Trump came within an ear's breadth of killing a presidential candidate. It also featured a familiar weapon: a rifle, similar in many ways to firearms that have killed American political figures over the years, including President John F. Kennedy six decades ago.

But what if the would-be Trump assassin had instead used a drone rigged with explosives?

This is becoming a weapon of choice in Ukraine and across the Middle East, a remote-controlled flying bomb that would likely have more seriously wounded the Republican candidate. Security experts warn that inexpensive drones can be easily transformed into dangerous weapons by extremist groups in the West.

For the US Secret Service and other executive protection agencies, keeping prominent figures safe from traditional threats  guns, knives, bombs  is challenging enough. Drones offer a new and dangerous threat that law enforcement isn't ready for.

"It is the easiest thing in the world to hook a small piece of explosive to a drone, and send it over an event," Kent Moyer, president of World Protection Group, a California-based private security firm, told Business Insider.

When it comes to protecting dignitaries, or stadium events such as sports and concerts, "nobody is really doing countermeasures against drones," said Moyer.

In fact, the Secret Service has established drone-free zones that prohibit flights within a 30-mile radius of presidential speaking engagements. The Secret Service also jams drone signals near the White House.

Nonetheless, the 20-year-old gunman who wounded Trump at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania on July 13 used a drone to scan the site just hours before he climbed the roof of a nearby building with a rifle. The FAA did impose restrictions on aerial drone flights for about two hours around the time of Trump's speech, though it is unclear whether jamming was in effect. But given a litany of security foul-ups that day, such as failure to secure nearby rooftops, and lack of coordination between the Secret Service and local police, there is ample reason to doubt whether the rally was drone-proof.

Secret Service agents rush to protect former President Donald Trump during the July 13 assassination attempt. Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post via Getty Images

Assassination by drone is hardly new, at least for militaries and spy agencies. The US, Britain, Israel and other nations have done it for more than two decades, using larger drones such as the $30 million MQ-Reaper, armed with laser-guided missiles filled with explosives or even sharp metal blades that shred the target. But the danger now is that an insurgent or extremist can weaponize a $300 drone and strike a person within a half dozen miles with little warning.

Despite the proliferation of small drones in private hands, including terrorist groups such as Islamic State, they have not really been employed for non-state-sanctioned attacks on public figures. But the omens are there, notably in 2018, when Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro survived an attack by explosive drones while giving a speech in Caracas.

Even in the best of times, there is a near-infinite variety of ways to harm a prominent public figure: snipers with telescopic sights, fanatics and lunatics with knives, car bombs, and humans who turn themselves into walking bombs. Four US presidents were assassinated between 1865 and 1963 with old-fashioned rifles and pistols.

In that sense, drones are just another iteration in an assassin's kit. They can be used to surveil a target zone, as happened at the Trump rally. They can carry explosives, as in the Venezuela attack, or even chemical or biological weapons, thus effectively becoming a stand-off strike weapon like a missile or mortar that has a larger kill zone. A small quadcopter can be purchased online for a few hundred dollars, and flown by someone with minimal training and experience.

This doesn't mean that drones will necessarily become the tool of choice for aspiring assassins. Under some circumstances, such as the presence of jamming or bad weather, drone attacks may be difficult. One possibility is using aerial drones and ground robots to distract a dignitary's bodyguards, facilitating attack by conventional means.

"Often, the use of a drone in concert with another platform might be the optimum approach," Daniel Gerstein, a drone expert for the RAND Corp. think tank, told Business Insider.

Defense against drones is hard even for troops on the battlefield, as shown in the Ukraine war, where Russia and Ukraine have lost large numbers of personnel and equipment despite the use of jammers and anti-aircraft guns and missiles. But knocking down drones during a crowded event, such as a politician's stump speech, is much more tricky.

"Even simple measures such as jamming GPS signals can be effective," Gerstein said. "Of course, one must worry about collateral damage if a drone is engaged and falls out of the sky. The debris could be deadly to civilians."

Michael Peck is a defense writer whose work has appeared in Forbes, Defense News, Foreign Policy magazine, and other publications. He holds an MA in political science from Rutgers Univ. Follow him on Twitter and LinkedIn.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Nicky Gavron with a trial emission-free fuel-cell bus at City Hall in 2003: 'strong enough to fight for what she believed in and brave enough to change her mind' - Geoff Pugh

Nicky Gavron, who has died aged 82, was an influential figure in London government for nearly four decades as Haringey councils planning lead, deputy mayor to Ken Livingstone and a 22-year member of the London Assembly, chairing its planning and housing committee.

Labours original choice for mayor in 2004 before Livingstones readmission to the party, she did not share his hard Left instincts. In 2012 she voiced her complete exasperation at his having dropped her as his deputy years before, and her concerns over the way he ran his administration.

She was also the Jewish communitys go to person at City Hall. In 2017 she was among the signatories of a letter from Jewish Labour expressing disgust over Livingstones history of inflammatory remarks against our community and urging the party to expel him again.

She was the driving force behind Londons environment and planning policy as it regained under Tony Blairs government the powers it had lost when Margaret Thatcher abolished Livingstones Greater London Council.

Nicky Gavron with Ken Livingstone at the first meeting of the Mayor's Advisory Cabinet in 2000 - Photoshot / Avalon

As a member of the Mayors Advisory Cabinet, holding the portfolio for spatial development and strategic planning, she oversaw the 2008 London Plan, with its then-futuristic emphasis on carbon-neutral buildings powered by a network of clean power stations dotted across London.

She championed factory-built homes, which she argued could be high quality, digitally designed, precision-engineered, environmentally friendly and affordable, and tried to rid them of the dismal reputation of the postwar prefab.

Having served on environment secretary John Gummers Thames Advisory Group when John Major was prime minister, she was depressed to note that, 30 years later, there was still no overall strategy or authority  a glaring error, she said  for how to develop the riverside, which falls into 17 different boroughs but often at their neglected boundaries.

She protested the insidious sale of public space in the city, what she called Londoners outdoor living rooms, to private bodies who exercised less-than-transparent control over who could access them. Boris Johnson, as mayor, kept her 2006 policy of 10 square metres of play space per child on new developments, but she was a strident critic of his complete absence of ambition in meeting Londons overall need for new housing.

The Royal Institute of British Architects made her an honorary member in 2001. Her long-term Conservative adversary Andrew Boff called her strong enough to fight for what she believed in and brave enough to change her mind when the evidence demanded it.

Nicky Gavron also won worldwide acclaim for her campaigning on environmental issues. She was a co-founder of the London Climate Change Agency and the C40, an action group representing the worlds largest cities, and from 2010 to 2016 advised the Joint US-China Collaboration on Clean Energy.

Business Week in 2006 rated her one of the worlds 20 most important people in combating greenhouse gas emissions, saying she aimed to turn London into a model of a sustainable future for all the worlds great cities. That year, she called for a Low Carbon Act to fight climate change, with low-carbon zones rolled out across the country as smokeless zones had been in the 1950s.

She mocked the craze for patio heaters, calling them an indulgence too far and suggesting people wanting to eat and drink al fresco in winter should put on a jumper, instead of enjoying a cocktail of carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide and goodness knows what else.

She was born Felicia Nicolette Coates in Worcester on November 24 1941, the daughter of Clayton Coates and Elisabet Horstmeyer. Her mother had fled from Nazi Germany in 1936; she had been chosen to dance before Hitler in the opening ceremony of the Berlin Olympics until the authorities discovered she was Jewish.

From Worcester Girls Grammar School, Nicky took a degree in Art History at the Courtauld Institute in London. She went on to lecture at Camberwell School of Art and the St Martins School of Art.

Nicky Gavron campaigned in the 1970s against the widening of the Archway Road in North London, part of the A1. She told The Guardian: It was in the days when everyone thought road widening was the answer, but the penny dropped for me that it was part of the problem.

She became active in the community, helping found the nearby Jacksons Lane community centre, and in 1986 was elected to Haringey council for Archway ward. She served for 16 years, chairing Haringeys development control, planning, technical and environmental services committees.

From 1989 to 2000 she led the Labour groups on the London Planning Advisory Committee  chairing the body from 1994 until it was absorbed into the Greater London Authority  and the South East Regional Planning Conference.

Campaigning in Tottenham High Street in 2000 - Evening Standard

With Labours new governing structure for the capital in place, she was elected Assembly member for Enfield and Haringey in 2000. The parallel mayoral election was won by Livingstone, standing as an independent after being expelled by Labour for challenging its official candidate, Frank Dobson.

Livingstone announced that he would rotate the position of deputy mayor between the parties represented in the Assembly  Labour, the Conservatives, Liberal Democrats and Greens  and offered it for the first year to Nicky Gavron. After some political manoeuvring, she accepted.

Her first spell as deputy mayor  during which she was also director of the GLAs children and young peoples strategy group  lasted from May 2000 to June 2003, when Livingstone appointed the Greens Jenny Jones to succeed her. In 2001 Livingstone decided not to offer a Conservative the role, saying it would be disruptive, and in 2002 the Lib Dems declined to nominate a candidate, saying they could better scrutinise the mayor from an independent position.

Nicky Gavron was chosen as Labours candidate to take on Livingstone at the 2004 mayoral election, but she stepped aside when he was invited to rejoin the party. In those elections, she was re-elected as a London-wide member on the party list. Shortly afterwards, Livingstone again appointed her to be his deputy  this time for his four-year mayoral term.

Two years later, she was supposed to serve as acting mayor after Livingstone was suspended for four weeks by the Adjudication Panel for England for comparing a Jewish Evening Standard reporter to a Nazi concentration camp guard. However, the High Court froze the suspension  a decision which Nicky Gavron herself termed absurd.

Boris Johnsons defeat of Livingstones bid for a third term at the 2008 mayoral elections ended her tenure as deputy mayor. She was again re-elected as a London-wide Assembly member, and went on to chair its housing and planning committee and be Labours lead spokesperson on planning matters. Re-elected twice more, she stood down at the 2020 Assembly election.

Nicky Gavron chaired the Local Government Association (from 1997 to 1999), the National Planning Forum, Commission for Integrated Transport and the London Association of Arts Centres. She was vice-president of the Town & Country Planning Association, and at various times vice-chairman of the Association of Municipal Authorities, the Association of London Authorities, Global Urban Development, the London Forum of Amenity and Civic Societies, the London Arts Board and, recently, the London Rewilding Taskforce.

She was a board member of London First, and a member of the Metropolitan Police Authority, the UK Sustainable Development Commission and the European Commissions Smart Cities and Communities Initiative.

She was a constituency representative on Labours National Policy Forum from 2000 to 2022, and president of Hornsey & Wood Green Labour Party.

Nicky Coates married the publisher Robert Gavron (later Lord Gavron) in 1967; he was a widower with two children. They were divorced in 1987 and he died in 2015. She is survived by their two daughters, the film director Sarah Gavron and the lawyer Jessica Gavron, her stepson, the writer Jeremy Gavron, and Cato Marks, a godson whom she informally adopted.

Nicky Gavron, born November 24 1941, died August 30 2024

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Nonprofit launches massive youth climate funding program in 100 cities worldwide: 'We are the custodians of the future'

The energy and passion of the youth has been one of the driving forces behind change since the beginning of history. Young people have been making waves for generations by defying the odds, standing up for their futures, and demanding action when no one else is.

In the spirit of this movement, Bloomberg Philanthropies launched the Youth Climate Action Fund to help 100 cities worldwide embrace the voices of people aged 15 to 24 to develop and enact climate-friendly policies.

As 84% of youth worldwide are worried about our planet's climate, the initiative believes now is the time to rely upon young people to make a change

Former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg created the nonprofit, which aims to bring new and innovative perspectives to climate advocacy. It focuses on cities and countries most in need of urgent climate solutions and where tens and hundreds of thousands of dollars can significantly impact them.

As Grist reported, selected cities receive initial $50,000 disbursements and then additional $100,000 grants to propel youth-led efforts forward.

Bloomberg's new fund stands out because it is a direct response to young people's feelings that the government is not doing enough to avoid climate-related catastrophes.

As Nozinhle Gumede, a 21-year-old climate activist from Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, told Grist: "We are the custodians of the future. So, I believe that we have a right to be a part of some sort of leadership or advisory board to see how this money shapes our future."

Numerous Bloomberg-funded cities are now establishing youth-populated climate councils to address how rising temperatures and extreme weather events adversely impact their lives.

Many of today's youth want to create a brighter, cleaner tomorrow, and these councils are giving them a positive, productive, and meaningful outlet to spark change that will affect their future children and grandchildren.

The fund builds upon existing youth-led climate efforts  like when Colorado high school students campaigned for their buses and buildings to run on renewable energy, or when a 20-year-old rose to TikTok fame for her climate advocacy.

Tree planting, waste-reduction initiatives, and disaster preparedness programs are examples of youth-led climate initiatives being pursued. Bloomberg Philanthropies' Youth Climate Action Fund already reaches over 62 million people in 38 countries.

"We want to help bring more and more powerful voices into climate activism," James Anderson, who leads Bloomberg's government innovation programs, shared with Grist. "And we also want to make sure and help local governments invite all of the people that want to make a difference in their city on climate into the effort in ways that are meaningful to them."

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.
IZMIR, TURKEY (WAVY)  U.S. service members aboard the Norfolk-based USS Wasp were victims of an assault in Izmir Monday, according to the U.S. Embassy in Turkey.

The U.S. Embassy there confirmed the reports.

We thank Turkish authorities for their rapid response and ongoing investigation, the U.S. Embassy in Turkey said in a post on X.

USS Waspte gorevli ABDli askeri personelin bugun Izmirde saldrya maruz kaldgn ve su an guvende oldugunu teyit ederiz. Olaya hzl mudahale etmelerinden ve olayla ilgili sorusturma baslatmalarndan dolay Turk makamlarna tesekkur ederiz.



//



We can confirm reports that  U.S. Embassy Turkiye (@USEmbassyTurkey) September 2, 2024

Reuters and the Associated Press reported that a nationalist anti-American Turkish youth group physically assaulted two U.S. soldiers in the city, according to the U.S. Embassy in Turkey and the local governors office.

The report noted that five U.S. soldiers joined in after witnessing the incident, and that police got involved. It said all 15 attackers were detained.

The USS Wasp had arrived in Izmire Sunday following joint training with Turkish assault ships in the Mediterranean Sea, AP reported.

The nationalist Turkish youth group, the Turkey Youth Union, affiliated with the small, nationalist Patriotic Party that does not hold any parliament seats, posted a video on X showing a group holding down a man who it said was a soldier aboard the USS Wasp, which had been on a port visit to Izmir this week, according to news reports.

The group posted a video of the incident on the X social platform, and said they put sacks over the heads of soldiers who had gotten off the USS Wasp, according to the AP. The video showed some men yelling, Yankee go home! while restraining a man and trying to put a ack over his head.

We are troubled by this assault on U.S. service members and are appreciative that Turkish police are taking this matter seriously and holding those responsible accountable, National Security Council spokesman Sean Savett said.

Back in May, a landing craft from the USS Wasp was involved in an incident that left 30 sailors and Marines hurt. That incident involved two air cushion landing craft crews, one from the Wasp and the other from the USS New York off the coast of Jacksonville.

Previously: Norfolk-based USS Wasps landing craft involved in incident that left 30 hurt

The USS Wasp is an 843-foot-long multipurpose amphibious assault ship, and is behind only the USNS Comfort when it comes to medical capabilities at ships based at Naval Station Norfolk.

The Norfolk-based assault ship entered the eastern Mediterranean Sea in late June and carries F-35 fighter jets as the U.S. positioned warships to try and keep fighting between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon from escalating into a wider war in the Middle East.

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North Carolina men sentenced in Oklahoma for possession of more than 40 kilos of meth

SEQUOYAH COUNTY, Okla. (KNWA/KFTA)  Two North Carolina men were recently sentenced for possessing more than 40 kilograms of methamphetamine, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office Eastern District of Oklahoma.

Teon Raynard Robbins, 45, and Antwon Marquise Williams, 33, were sentenced on Friday for federal drug charges.

Robbins was sentenced to more than 24 years in prison and Williams was sentenced to six and a half years for federal drug possession and distribution charges.

Investigators said on March 1, 2023, law enforcement stopped Williams and Robbins on Interstate 40 in Sequoyah County for speeding.

Two Arizona residents sentenced in Oklahoma for possessing counterfeit pills containing fentanyl

Their vehicle was searched and authorities found more than 40 kilograms of methamphetamine packaged in 100 plastic bags. The bags were inside three duffle bags in the back seat of the vehicle, the release said.

Williams pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine on November 29, 2023. Robbins pleaded guilty to the same charge on December 4, 2023.

Both will remain in U.S. Marshal custody pending transportation to a Bureau of Prisons facility to serve non-paroleable sentences of incarceration.

The charges came from investigations by Oklahoma Highway Patrol and the Drug Enforcement Administration.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KNWA FOX24.
(FOX40.COM)  Four people, all from Sacramento County, were arrested earlier in the week after Northern California police officers found them with over $5,000 worth of stolen merchandise.

The Lodi Police Department said the suspects, aged between 20 and 32, stole a large amount of beauty products from a CVS and Target in Lodi within one hour of each other before officers in unmarked cars pulled them over.

CHP shuts down Northern California illegal gambling operation, recovers nearly $80,000

A vehicle search revealed over $5,000 worth of stolen merchandise from CVS and Target, Lodi police said. In addition, officers located about $1,300 worth of stolen merchandise from two additional thefts that had not yet been reported.

All four suspects were booked into jail on grand theft and conspiracy charges, police said.

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WARREN COUNTY, Miss. (WJTV)  Officials with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) said a team will be in Mississippi for at least a week to investigate a fatal bus crash that happened in Warren County.

NTSB member Todd Inman said the team wants to understand what happened and why it happened, as well as recommend changes to prevent something like this from happening again.

7 killed, dozens injured after passenger bus crashes in Mississippi

The crash occurred on Interstate 20 near Bovina around 12:40 a.m. on Saturday, August 31, according to the Mississippi Highway Patrol (MHP). The bus was traveling from Atlanta, Georgia, to Dallas, Texas. Inman said there were 41 passengers on the vehicle, along with the driver and the co-driver.

Troopers said a 2018 Volvo commercial passenger bus was traveling westbound on I-20 when the vehicle left the roadway and overturned. Six passengers were pronounced deceased at the scene, and one died at Merit Health River Region in Vicksburg.

A crash involving a passenger bus in Warren County killed seven passengers early Saturday morning. (Courtesy: Warren County Fire Service)

A crash involving a passenger bus in Warren County killed seven passengers early Saturday morning. (Courtesy: Warren County Fire Service)

A crash involving a passenger bus in Warren County killed seven passengers early Saturday morning. (Courtesy: Warren County Fire Service)

A crash involving a passenger bus in Warren County killed seven passengers early Saturday morning. (Courtesy: Warren County Fire Service)

This picture shows the damage to a bus after a crash in Mississippi killed seven people on Saturday, Aug. 31, 2024. (WJTV)

This picture shows the damage to a bus after a crash in Mississippi killed seven people on Saturday, Aug. 31, 2024. (WJTV)

This picture shows the damage to a bus after a crash in Mississippi killed seven people on Saturday, Aug. 31, 2024. (WJTV)

The dead included a 6-year-old boy and his 16-year-old sister, according to Warren County Coroner Doug Huskey. They were identified by their mother. Authorities were working to identify the other victims, he said. Specialists are providing assistance to the survivors and their families.

According to MHP, multiple passengers were transported to different hospitals in Vicksburg and Jackson with unknown injuries. Troopers said the co-driver was not transported to a hospital.

The NTSB is investigating the crash in conjunction with MHP. Inman said the NTSB will also look at the carriers safety record and protections for bus occupants. He said the team is collecting evidence that will be sent off or analysis. They will look at the mechanical condition of the vehicle, the injuries of the occupants and the roadway conditions at the time of the crash.

The bus was operated by Autobuses Regiomontanos. A woman who answered the phone at its Laredo, Texas, office said it was aware of the crash, but she didnt answer questions or provide her name.

Grenada County man dies after car collides with embankment

The transit company says it has 20 years of experience providing cross-border trips between 100 destinations in Mexico and the U.S. Its website promotes a modern fleet of buses that receive daily maintenance, and offers trips with a special price for workers.

According to Inman, the NTSB expects to release a preliminary report about the crash within 30 days. A final report by the agency is expected within 12 to 24 months. Witnesses with information about the crash can email the NTSB at witness@ntsb.gov.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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NYC man claims bus driver choked him  but he was the one arrested for the caught-on-video attack

A Brooklyn man claims a bus driver choked him in a caught-on-video attack  but he was the one who ended up in cuffs and facing career fallout from the publicity.

Malachi Houston, 27, said he was wrongly charged with attempted murder for the June 8 fight with driver Isaac Egharevba, 60, while he was riding on the B99 bus in the East New York section of Brooklyn, according to two legal notices mounted against the city.

Houston claims after a manhunt was launched against him by cops and surveillance photos of him were blasted out in the news for allegedly stabbing Egharevba in the neck, he lost his job as a delivery driver and hes been unable to secure a new job since.

Malachi Houston was charged with attempted murder for allegedly stabbing an MTA bus driver in Brooklyn in June. Paul Martinka

Surveillance footage shows driver Isaac Egharevba choking Houston during the altercation. Obtained by the NY Post

I have my life on a stand still right now, Houston told The Post in an exclusive interview. I want to clear my name. I want the truth to come out.

Houston filed two notices of claim last month against the city, the MTA and the NYPD  the legal precursor to suing city agencies. He will be seeking $30 million in damages for the alleged attack, wrongful arrest and prosecution, and for harming his reputation.

A minute-long surveillance video obtained by The Post appears to show Houston briefly lean over into the drivers seat area of the bus before the transit worker bursts from behind his drivers seat door into the main cabin.

The door smacks Houston before the driver puts one hand on Houstons neck and pins him against the railing inside the bus while the two struggle against each other, the video shows.

Houston said that Egharevba attacked him after he asked to be let off of the bus following several missed stops. Obtained by the NY Post

The same day, the police and Egharevbas union put out statements claiming the transit worker was stabbed during the altercation.

TWU Local 100 union said in a press release that Egharevba, a 17-year bus operator, was violently attacked and added he was performing his duties as assigned, when an unknown assailant unexpectedly sliced him on the left side of his face.

Houston  of Bedford-Stuyvesant  said he was forced to take the bus after leaving his sons kindergarten graduation because the subway was down.

Houston said he acted in self defense and that a bottle he was holding may have cut the driver during the scuffle. Obtained by the NY Post

But people on the No. 3 shuttle bus became irate because of an unexplainable route detour, according to a Houstons notice of claim.

I noticed that he passed my stop, Houston said of the driver. I noticed other people were going up to him and there was some type of commotion on the bus because he was skipping stops.

When Houston first asked the bus operator to let him off, he snapped, Get out of my face, Houston claimed.

Egharevba then started screaming at another passenger, prompting Houston to ask him again why are you not stopping the bus? Are you trying to take us hostage or something? according to Houston.

Police officers investigating the scene of the alleged stabbing on the bus in Brooklyn on June 8, 2024. Kevin C. Downs for The New York Post

He started cursing and calling us names and stuff, Houston claimed. I got upset and I cursed back at him too. We got into a verbal dispute.

Then when the bus stopped, I tapped the front of the bus like let me off  and thats when he lunged out, Houston claimed.

Houston said he reached into the driver area and tossed a piece of paper right before Egharevba unleashed on him  but he said he never tried to hit the driver.

He busted out of the booth, he hit me with [the booth door] and started attacking me, Houston said. He started choking me. He pinned me up again the railing.

Blood seen inside the MTA bus after the altercation. Kevin C. Downs for The New York Post

I had a bottle in my hand. The bottle broke in the midst of him charging at me, Houston said, explaining the broken bottle may have cut Egharevba in the scuffle.

Houston claims Egharevba was choking me for about a minute before he released him. Houston then ran to the back of the bus and forced the doors open and ran out, he said.

I was panicking for my life at that moment, Houston said.

Houston explained that eventually the police issued a warrant for his arrest so he turned himself in on July 8 and had to spend five days in Rikers Island before a grand jury declined to indict him and he was released on July 13.

Houston pictured with his advisors, uncle Darryl Dockery (left) and cousin Shahid Dockery (right). Paul Martinka

If a grand jury doesnt indict Houston by his next court date in October prosecutors will be forced to drop the case entirely, a spokesman for the Brooklyn District Attorneys Office confirmed.

I was attacked by a bus driver, almost strangled, Houston said. And they framed me and made it seem like I tried to kill him.

Houston said ever since the incident hes been opting to take cabs and Ubers because Ive been scared to get on the bus.

Houston said he was framed for stabbing the driver. Paul Martinka

Houston is facing two other criminal cases in Brooklyn for a March 18 incident when he was allegedly found with fraudulent credit cards and for a May 15 reckless driving incident. Houston denies the allegations in those cases.

His lawyer Mark Shirian said he believes the video totally vindicates his client, who was simply defending himself against the assault.

Egharevba lost his temper [and] he voluntarily got himself involved in a physical altercation, Shirian said. He got himself injured and hes now blaming it on the passenger.

Egharevba denied the allegations.

He was the one who attacked me, the bus driver maintained in a brief phone call. Someone attacked me while I was doing my job.

The MTA said this incident is under review and confirmed that Egharevba still works as a bus driver for the transit agency.

The city Law Department and the NYPD both declined to comment.
ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC)  The New York State Fair closed early Sunday night after reports of gunfire, according to the New York State Police.

BREAKING NEWS: @NYSFair to close early tonight.



A spokesperson cites: an abundance of caution after New York State Police received reports of violence within the fairgrounds. The fair is continuing to work with law enforcement and emergency personnel to assess the situation. https://t.co/kD0mJzlwy4  Andrew Donovan (@AndrewDonovan) September 2, 2024

According to our sister station in Syracuse, State Police confirmed there was no evidence to support a shooting happened, despite reports of shots fired. Troopers cited numerous false reports. WSYR reported that people were seen running from a concert around 8:30 p.m.

A spokesperson with The Fair said they were working closely with law enforcement, adding, The decision was made to close The Fair early on Sunday night out of an abundance of caution after New York State Police received reports of violence within The Fairgrounds.

Officials said the safety of staff and fairgoers is a top priority and deferred to State Police for any further inquiries. The Fair is expected to reopen Monday at 9 a.m. for its final day.

This is a developing story, check back later for more details.

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People taste grapes at a grape fair in Turpan, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Aug. 17, 2024. (Xinhua/Chen Shuo)

BEIJING, Sept. 2 (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. 
Juliane Nagel (Die Linke) sits in the polling booth at a polling station before casting her vote. The state election in Saxony takes place on Sunday. Jan Woitas/dpa

Provisional election results in the eastern German state of Saxony have been corrected, with the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) now projected to receive one seat fewer in the next state parliament.

Saxony's electoral commission said on Monday morning that a software error was to blame for the incorrect calculation of seats based on preliminary results from Sunday's vote.

That means the AfD will in fact not hold a so-called blocking minority of more than a third of seats in Saxony's parliament, which would have given the party an effective veto over certain legislation and judicial appointments that require a two-thirds majority.

It remains unclear when final election results will be released in Saxony or in the German state of Thuringia, which also elected a new state parliament on Sunday.
If you've ever wondered how invasive species can cost the United States $20 billion every year, the emerald ash borer is here to show you.

What's happening?

Since arriving in the United States from Asia, the beetle has killed an astounding 100 million trees. It wasn't detected in Oregon until 2022, but conservationists there say its newly discovered presence in three counties shows that it could have evaded notice for over five years, as Oregon Public Broadcasting reported.

Marion, Yamhill, and Clackamas Counties are the latest areas to suffer the effects of the insect, whose larvae eat the inner bark of ash trees, including the Oregon ash, which prevents them from absorbing nutrients such as food and water.

A couple of things tipped off officials about a potentially devastating proliferation of the beetle in Oregon. It had not been seen outside Washington County, but traps that caught multiple beetles in Marion County and a possible infestation there near the Clackamas border sounded the alarm.

"I was shocked," Oregon Department of Forestry invasive species specialist Wyatt Williams said of the latter situation. "I immediately saw dead trees up and down this drainage.  My heart kind of sank. I did find an infested tree right away."

Why is this important?

Part of the reason the beetles can go undetected is that the trees they infest can take up to five years to die. Washington County has been quarantined, but that has not stopped the emerald ash borer from wrecking shop miles away.

The aforementioned traps  large purple sticky sheets  only serve to alert to potential problems. If there are "that many [five] beetles on a single trap," that means "there is a significant population in that area," Williams told OPB. But local ash trees can still appear healthy, as was the case in Marion County.

Trees that show signs of the beetle can have tears in the bark, dead branches, and D-shape exit holes. But that likely means it's too late.

And that could be devastating for the state, which is not the only one under attack from the ash borer. One ash tree can pull 48 pounds of carbon dioxide out of the air and generate the oxygen needed for two people.

What's being done about the emerald ash borer?

OPB reported that land managers are cutting down infested trees, treating healthy ones, and monitoring for the borer to help protect property and landowners, who can plant other species and treat their ash trees with pesticides before they're infected.

The Washington County quarantine, which could grow to encompass other counties, bans the transport of firewood, where the beetle can hide out. People are also not allowed to move logs, lumber, nursery stock, wood, or mulch, according to OPB.

Even those in other areas should avoid moving any of those items.

"We want to protect the rest of Oregon for as long as possible to give communities more time to prepare," Cody Holthouse, the state Department of Agriculture insect pest prevention and management program manager, told OPB.

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.
GANS, Okla. (KNWA/KFTA)  Oklahoma Highway Patrol says it is investigating a single-vehicle crash that happened on Saturday night killing a Roland man, according to a crash report.

Gary Phillips, 64, was driving a 1989 Ford F350 on E Cherokee Street near S 4680 Road around 8:41 p.m. when he was killed in a crash.

Oklahoma man killed in Interstate 49 crash

The cause of the crash and the drivers condition at the time of the crash are under investigation, OHP said in the report.

Phillips was reportedly not wearing his seatbelt at the time of the accident and he was pronounced dead at the scene.

OHP reported conditions were clear and dry at the time of the crash.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KNWA FOX24.
Rebekah Christensen had recently sold a house in East Sacramento when her daughter spotted the tiny home that would become her escape.

My daughter turned the corner and she picks up the phone and she goes, Oh my God, Mom, I found this place. I found this place, and its just this tiny little house, and it looks like you could pick up the roof and move in, Christensen said.

So began another phase of life for one of the central citys most unique properties, the 632-square-foot, circa 1890 home at 909 22nd St. that Christensen has owned since 2001 and calls Little House.

The house, which will be on a Sept. 22 tour of Boulevard Park led by local historian Bill Burg, is one of a scattered number throughout the city where owners have forgone selling the property to developers in favor of preserving history. Some of these properties might be on the historic registry and cant be torn down or redeveloped. Others, like Christensens tiny house, represent owners who fell in love with a house that evokes an earlier time.

These owners take on the cost and work of restoring the houses to good order and knowingly sacrifice some modern conveniences knowing the houses will never be smart homes. But these people get something else for their money.

Four little houses

Originally, it wasnt just Christensens small house on 22nd Street. There were three equivalent-sized houses directly alongside it, leading to an alley midway through the block.

When built sometime around 1890, the four houses might have been affiliated with Union Park Racetrack. This early horse racing venue appears to have been located between B and H streets to the north and south and 20th and 23rd streets to the west and east, based on a review of an 1895 Sanborn map that included an unnamed racetrack.

Michael Schoenleber, a retired attorney whose family has owned an office building next door to Christensens house since 2000, said hed heard that the four houses were either residences for the horse track employees or they were tack houses for the horses.

It makes sense these houses might have accommodated jockeys. Christensens house is a shotgun-style home with one room opening onto another. The entire lot is just 1,742 square feet, about one-third the size of an average lot. Theres no garage and only a small back patio.

This racetrack land got developed in the early 1900s, but for many years, the little houses stayed, with the Christensens attracting different people.

Rebekah Christensen stands in front in the front room of her 632-square-foot Boulevard Park home she calls Little House on Sunday, August. 25, 2024. The historic home built in the 1890s has survived years of redevelopment.

The cottage hosted a revolving door of residents: a mattress maker, a foreman, and even a hopeful woman seeking laundry work, Christensen wrote in a history of her house. The 1910s saw a subtle yet significant shift, with an interracial couple residing at 909, a quiet defiance of the prevailing norms of the time.

It was a definite defiance of those times, with interracial marriage banned in California until 1948 and not legalized throughout the United States until 1967.

Burg has written of perhaps the houses most notable resident, Grant Cross, co-founder of the West End Club, a social organization for African American people. Cross and his wife Rose Cross lived in a variety of homes around Sacramento, but Christensens is the only one still standing, Burg noted.

A 1949 picture from the Center for Sacramento History shows all four houses standing. As late as the early 1960s, newspaper listings advertised when the cottages were coming up for rent, though times would soon change.

Why three houses are gone and one remains

By the early 1960s, Neva Cimaroli and Adele Taylor had done well enough in their real estate business to construct offices at 911 22nd St.

Cimaroli and Taylor had a building with ground-floor offices and second-floor apartments constructed on land formerly occupied by the little houses at 911 and 913 22nd St. A small parking lot sits today on the parcel where 915 22nd St. had stood.

Michael Corbett, who is now 83 and lives in Davis, designed the office building not long after studying architecture at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. His stepfather A. R. Hensley, whod been acquainted with Cimaroli, was the listed builder for the project.

Corbett had a capable person to work with on the project in Cimaroli, who would forge a long career in local development and was named Woman of the Year by the California Legislature in 2001, according to her 2014 obituary when she died at 87. She was interested in doing good projects and not just making money, Corbett said.

Sandy Smoley, who served on the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors from 1972-1992, remembered how prepared Cimaroli used to be when she would meet with her about projects. She was kind of like a pioneering woman, Smoley said.

For the office project, Corbett had to make use of tight space, with the parcel measuring just over 3,000 square feet.

I was very interested in kind of a modern approach and I thought the front elevation with the exposed staircase coming up and office below, I just thought it was a pretty good design for that piece of property, Corbett said.

Years after designing Cimaroli and Taylors building, Corbett would win international acclaim for helping develop another project that made use of tight space, the sustainable Lincoln Village in Davis.

Corbett didnt remember Christensens house, either why it was spared from demolition or when the other houses came down to build the office. But it seems implicit that the land at 909 22nd St. might have been useful for the project. The Sacramento Bee noted in early 1965 that Cimaroli and Taylor had been exempted from providing off-street parking due to hardship.

Around this time, though, 909 22nd St. had been embroiled in litigation that might have complicated a title transfer. Mabel C. Clark, whod bought the house on contract from Philipp Peterson, won a court order in 1963, two years after Petersons death, for the property to be transferred to her.

It appears to have taken until 1976, however, for this transfer to be finalized with an additional deed of conveyance, based on a review of records at the Sacramento County Clerks Office.

What Little House is today

Around the time that Rebekah Christensen bought 909 22nd St. in November 2001, she began dating Keith Christensen, who she would marry in 2003. He would also prove useful for the heavy amount of work that the house has needed to be brought back. The house was technically habitable at its time of purchase but needed someone willing to put time in to make it shine.

Keith is just meticulous, she said.

For such a small house, there was one project after another waiting to be tackled over the course of multiple renovations through the years. Seven layers of linoleum flooring came out of the kitchen. The original hardwood floors were brought back, but only after carefully sanding off paint. There was plumbing, sewer and electric work and much more.

Little House of Innovation is written on the wall inside Rebekah Christensens tiny home on 22nd Street in Boulevard Park on Sunday, Aug. 25, 2024.

Keith Christenesen owned a house in the Sacramento area, so he worked on the house for a year before he and Rebekah spent their first night there. They would live in the house part-time for some years.

Little House became our midtown escape and it became the reason that we wanted to live down here, Rebekah Christensen said.

Today, the Christensens own a four-story house which is within walking distance at 22nd Street and Capitol Avenue. They rent Little House out for events, sometimes as often as a few times a week. The house has also served as a base for business efforts Rebekah Christensen has been involved in, including her nonprofit One World Institute and a government program CAL-IPGCA.

Its even helped foster the artistic interests of the Christensens 19-year-old grandson Vincent Patella, who painted a mural of a rooster on a neighboring garage thats visible from the houses living room. Another part of the garage has a second mural by an artist who told Rebekah Christensen they didnt want to be publicly named.

Patella admits that design-wise, the house reflects his grandparents.

Its cute and, like, homey, which is definitely how I describe the relationships my grandparents have, Patella said. But its  theres a deep amount of love and care put into the house that Id say is reflected deeply in who they are as people.

Rebekah Christensen stands in the courtyard of Little House on Sunday, August. 25, 2024, where she had a butterfly mural painted with her dog Bingo. The historic home built in the 1890s has survived years of redevelopment.

More information

What: Preservation Sacramentos 2024 Home Tour takes place in the Boulevard Park historic district.

When: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sept. 22

Cost: $25 members, $30 non-members

Where to buy: $30 day-of-tour tickets can be bought at ticket booth and street fair at 23rd and F streets, the former Rite Aid parking lot.

Website: preservationsacramento.org/hometour

If you want to learn more about Little House, here is the website at littlehouseon22nd.com
One confirmed case of West Nile Virus found in Richmond County

RICHMOND COUNTY, Ga. (WJBF)  A case of the West Nile Virus has been confirmed in Richmond County.

That makes a total of 6 now in Georgia as of August 27th.

Richmond County Health Departments shared some symptoms of the virus in its website.

ALSO ON WJBF: Getting bugged? Richmond County setting mosquito surveillance traps, sharing tips for prevention

Milder symptoms include:

 Fever

 Headache

 Tiredness

 Body Aches

 Occasional Skin Rash

 Swollen Lymph glands

Severe symptoms include:

 Headache

 High Grade fever

 Neck Stiffness

 Coma

 Tremors

 Convulsions

 Muscle weakness

 Paralysis

To keep help keep mosquitos away, use repellent, trim grass, and throw out any standing water.

Richmond County Mosquito Control offers free services to help, just call 311.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJBF.
One person was killed and three others were injured in a single-car crash that occurred Sunday afternoon in Monroe County.

The crash happened around 3 p.m. on Hanover Road, approximately a quarter mile west of Illinois Route 3, according to a Monday morning news release from Illinois State Police. The state agency is assisting the Monroe County Sheriffs Department in the ongoing investigation of the crash.

Shortly before the crash, a Waterloo police officer saw the car involved traveling at a high rate of speed on Route 3, the release stated.

One person was pronounced deceased at the scene by the Monroe County Coroners office, according to state police. Another person was airlifted to an area hospital with life-threatening injuries and two other juveniles were transported by ambulance with non-life-threatening injuries.

The victim has been identified Sunday as Crawford Bryant, a sophomore soccer player at Columbia High School.

This tragic incident has profoundly affected multiple families, as well as our dedicated first responders, Sgt. Justin Biggs of the Monroe County Sheriffs Department wrote in a statement Sunday night. On behalf of Sheriff Neal Rohlfing, we respectfully request that the public allows time for the grieving process and respects the privacy of those involved.

Christ Community Lutheran Church in Columbia scheduled a prayer vigil for 6-8 p.m. Monday in response to the crash.
In March 2023, I noticed a disturbing silence about the messaging platform Telegrams ties to the Kremlin, despite Russias ongoing war against Ukraine. It was like a Trojan horse  right in the pockets of 70% of Ukrainians.

I quickly compiled years of notes on its founder Pavel Durov, and his connections to Russian authorities. My findings were previously published in Ukrainska Pravda and the Kyiv Independent, sparking significant interest and leading to the creation of Kremlingram, a non-profit focused on investigating Telegrams ties to Russia.

Telegram responded with a refutation, which only raised more questions. Following this, I was contacted on behalf of Mike Radovnikas, Telegrams Vice President of Communications, who offered to meet with Durov in Dubai to discuss making Telegram "safe for Ukrainians." When I suggested starting with a Zoom call, he declined, and communication ended there.

Over the past year and a half, Kremlingram has published numerous articles exposing Telegrams questionable ties: from its opaque funding to meetings between company representatives and Russian officials. We've also investigated the lack of proper encryption, government access to user communications, and the blocking of opposition voices.

Read also: Opinion: The Kursk incursion underlines the urgency of unrestricted support for Ukraine

In February 2023, we received an email containing alleged data on Durovs border crossings between 2016 and 2021  over 120 instances of entering and exiting Russia. This contradicted Durovs narrative that he had been exiled and unable to return to Russia, suggesting he had misrepresented his conflict with the Russian authorities.

The narrative that Russia failed to block Telegram  a story embraced by Western media  didnt seem fully convincing, given the platforms successful blocking in other countries with less technological potential, like Pakistan and Cuba. The narrative served as free advertising for Telegram, portraying it as a secure messenger.

The leaked data, if accurate, undermines Durovs claim of exile and raises questions about why he misled the public. We needed to verify the information, so we shared it with journalists and activists. Despite extensive efforts, including reaching out to special services and using contacts in Russia, the European Union, and the United States, we couldnt confirm the data. I began to suspect the email might be disinformation.

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However, in August 2024, the independent Russian media outlet Meduza reported a large leak of the Russian Federal Security Services (FSB) border data, including Durovs crossings, adding credibility to our findings.

The leaked data matches the information from our source, suggesting its authenticity. Our dataset includes 24 entries and exits in 2015, 39 records for 2016, 39 records for 2017, 15 entries for 2020, starting June 18, and 8 entries for 2021. "We should note that both data leaks are anonymous, and we dont know their motives or whether they came from the same source. It would be easy to confirm or deny this data for any countries Pavel traveled to."

Demonstrators hold a stylized icon painting of Telegram founder Pavel Durov, protesting the app's blocking in Russia during a May Day rally in Saint Petersburg on May 1, 2018. (Olga Maltseva / AFP via Getty Images)

There are no records of Durov entering Russia between 2018 and mid-2020, despite multiple exit records because Russia's telecommunications regulator Roskomnadzor began blocking IP addresses used by Telegram.

The next entry is dated June 18, 2020, at 7:13 p.m., showing Durovs departure by plane from Pulkovo-1 Airport in St. Petersburg to Belgrade, Serbia. Notably, between 2017 and 2020, the database has no record of Durov re-entering Russia. This suggests his entry was either undocumented or the data from 2018-2020 was erased.

Moreover, on June 18, 2020  the same day Telegram was "unblocked"  Durov flew out of St. Petersburg to Belgrade. This timing suggests the unblocking might have involved an agreement with Durov.

More interestingly, on June 18, 2020, at 3 p.m. Moscow time, a message appeared on the Roskomnadzor website announcing Telegrams unblocking in Russia. In practice, it changed little, as the app was already operational, and according to Durov, its audience had doubled over the previous two years. He posted about the unblocking on June 22, 2020.

Durov has consistently portrayed himself as an exile through numerous interviews, emphasizing there is no way back for him, particularly when responding to Kremlingrams 2023 piece about his potential ties to Russia by stating he has no connections to Russia. Yet, the leaked data shows over 60 trips to Russia, indicating a deliberate effort to maintain the illusion of exile.

Before publishing this piece, the independent Russian media outlet Vazhnye Istori reported similar findings, confirming Durovs multiple crossings between 2015 and 2021. Their data aligns with our source and provides additional context.

Read also: The Counteroffensive: How Ukraine uses The Lord of the Rings to frame its battle for survival

Our conclusions:

Durov concealed his visits to Russia between 2015 and 2021. Despite claiming that the FSB took control of Vkontakte in 2014, his relationship with Russian authorities was closer than he admitted. Durov misled the public, falsely claiming exile and denying Telegrams ties to Russia. His claims of dual citizenship in France and the UAE, presented as proof that he is no longer connected to Russia, are misleading; he also holds a valid Russian passport.

In view of all this, I once again draw the attention of Ukrainian society and the authorities to the fact that in the context of a full-scale war with Russia, we cannot continue to rely on the use of Telegram for 70% of Ukrainians who use it for both news and correspondence.

I also draw the attention of Telegram users around the world  given these facts, you should reconsider how much you are willing to rely on the encryption and privacy of a service whose founder hides his visits to Russia.

Editors Note: The opinions expressed in the op-ed section are those of the authors and do not purport to reflect the views of the Kyiv Independent.

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No woman has ever been Americas defense secretary. No woman has been chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. And no woman has ever served as commander in chief, the president.

This is the bullseye. It has to be hit to crack the fabled Glass Ceiling, which has kept any woman from winning the presidency.

Do you trust a woman to fight and win for America?

In next weeks presidential debate, voters will see a sharp contrast in the candidates competing to be the next commander in chief. On one side will be a heavyset 78-year-old man who ducked military service during the Vietnam War and has a history of disparaging prisoners of war. He even puts down soldiers who died in war.

Standing on the other side will be a woman.

She is much younger at 59-years-old, physically fit and also with no military service. But she is also being embraced by several hawkish leaders with military experience.

To defend our country against tyrants and terrorists, we need Kamala Harris behind the Resolute Desk, former Defense Secretary and CIA director Leon Panetta said in his speech to the Democratic National Convention in Chicago last month.

She understands what our military is for. The role of our military is to defend us from foreign enemies, It is not to threaten Americans, and it sure as hell isnt to put immigrants in camps.

Perhaps the most compelling endorsement of Harris as the next commander in chief comes from a military man who served in the Trump administration.

After over a year in this job, I cannot understand [Russian President] Putins hold on Trump, former Trump National Security Advisor H.R. McMaster said in a recent interview about his new book. Putin, a ruthless former KGB operator, played to Trumps ego and insecurities with flattery, McMaster wrote in his book.

This tracks with what Harris had to say about Trump as a military leader at the Democrats convention in Chicago.

I will not cozy up to tyrants and dictators like Kim Jong-Un, who are rooting for Trump, said Harris. Because they know he is easy to manipulate with flattery and favors, the vice president said. They know Trump wont hold autocrats accountable  because he wants to be an autocrat.

That critique of Trumps time as a military commander is bolstered by his many denigrating comments about people in uniform.

He recently said the civilian Congressional Medal of Freedom was better than the militarys Medal of Honor. The military people who earn the honor, he said, are in very bad shape because theyve been hit so many times by bullets or they are dead.

That was not a moment of errant speech. Trump famously mocked the late Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), who won the GOP presidential nomination in 2008, as not a war hero, because Trump said he thought better of people that werent captured. McCain had been held as a prisoner of war and tortured for five years in Vietnam.

Trump also famously told a popular radio talk show host, Howard Stern, that he viewed avoiding service in the military much like avoiding sexually transmitted diseases. Recall he dodged the draft with dubious claims of bone spurs.

And last week, Trump created another uproar when he went to Arlington National Cemetery. Families of Americans who died during the evacuation of Afghanistan had invited him but efforts by Trumps campaign to take photographs for potential use in political advertising led to a confrontation with cemetery officials.

Trump has directly sought to disparage Harriss capacity to lead. I dont think shes a very smart person, he said. And he claims that leaders of other nations would treat Harris, a woman president, as a play toy.

He also reposted a picture of Harris and Hillary Clinton, his opponent in the 2016 presidential race, along with the crude comment that blowjobs impacted both their careers.

While Trump hammers his opponent for being a woman, Harris has worked to show she can lead the military. She has strengthened her case to be the commander in chief by naming as her vice president a man with 24 years of military service in the National Guard, Tim Walz, the governor of Minnesota.

Also, at the Chicago convention, Democrats in Congress who served in the military appeared in a mass on stage to wave to the crowd and the television audience.

In addition, a Republican veteran was given a speaking slot. As a Republican speaking before you, Im putting our country first, said former Illinois Republican Rep. Adam Kinzinger, who served in the Army. Because the fact is, I do belong here. I know Kamala Harris shares my allegiance to the rule of law, the Constitution, and democracy, and she is dedicated to upholding all three in service to our country. Whatever policies we disagree on pale in comparison with those fundamental matters of principle, of decency, and of fidelity to this nation.

Feminist scholar Camille Paglia once said, If youre going to be a woman president, she must communicate strength, reserve, and yet compassion. So far, Vice President Harris scores sky-high on all three of those criteria.

And she is getting validation from defense hawks, both Republicans and Democrats, as she heads into next weeks debate with Donald Trump.

Locked and loaded  the bullseye is in sight.

Juan Williams is an author and a political analyst for Fox News Channel.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Indicted war criminal Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in Mongolia today. As a member of the International Criminal Court (ICC), which issued an arrest warrant for Putin back in March 2023 for the deportation and transfer of children from Ukraine, Mongolia is legally obligated to arrest him.

There are no worries, we have a great dialogue with our friends from Mongolia, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said ahead of Putins scheduled visit, noting that all aspects of the visit have been thoroughly prepared.

In its turn, the ICC has urged Mongolia to arrest Putin, stating that in case of non-cooperation, the ICC may take any measure it deems appropriate.

International criminal law is deeply flawed but not entirely toothless. In 2006, Serbian President Slobodan Milosevic died in a Hague prison cell while on trial for war crimes. Former Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir is currently facing trial at the ICC. Since the Nuremberg trials, countless war criminals have been convicted worldwide. Today, dozens of organizations work to combat impunity for crimes committed in Ukraine.

Read also: Opinion: The Kursk incursion underlines the urgency of unrestricted support for Ukraine

Despite its flaws, international criminal law is at a critical juncture. The systems integrity would be undermined if Putin is allowed to travel to an ICC member state without consequences. If Mongolia fails to arrest Putin, ICC members should strongly reprimand the country and reinforce the principle that there can be no safe haven for war criminals.

The Rome Statute, adopted in 1998 by more than 100 countries, established the ICC as a pillar of international justice. The courts mandate is to investigate and prosecute core international crimes: aggression, genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes. The ICC is currently active in over 12 countries, including Ukraine since March 2022.

However, the ICCs reach is not universal. Just over half the worlds countries are ICC members, and Ukraine recently announced plans to ratify the Rome Statute. Of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council, only France and the U.K. are ICC members. Russia and China openly reject the court, while U.S. hostility has long undermined its efforts to support international law.

A woman holds a banner that says "Get war criminal Putin out of here" as part of a protest ahead of a controversial visit by Russian President Vladimir Putin in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, on Sept. 2, 2024. (Byambasuren BYAMBA-OCHI/AFP via Getty Images)

Mongolia joined the ICC in 2002. When countries sign the Rome Statute, they commit to enforcing international law on their territory, including honoring ICC arrest warrants.

This situation is not unique. In 2023, South Africa faced a political crisis over Putins potential visit to a BRICS conference, with opposition leaders insisting on adherence to Rome Statute obligations. Ultimately, after political pressure and the risk of arrest, Putin canceled his trip. Mongolia had a similar option. Activists and legal experts worldwide warned that Putins arrival would leave the country at a crossroads.

There is no world police force to enforce international law, but that doesnt mean it's powerless.

Countries can respond to violations through countermeasures, a legal mechanism that allows them to "punish" offenders by breaking certain rules themselves. Sanctions, like those imposed on Russia since 2014, are a prime example of countermeasures. The goal is to pressure countries into ending violations of international law, at which point the sanctions should be lifted.

Read also: Opinion: Ukraines oligarchs were once kingmakers. Where are they now?

Mongolia is geographically and politically wedged between Russia and its steadfast ally. It is unlikely to provoke the Kremlin by arresting Putin. However, if it fails to act, all 124 ICC member states are within their rights to impose sanctions on Mongolia.

The international community must make clear that harboring indicted war criminals is unacceptable. ICC members should exert their financial and diplomatic power, ideally through the Assembly of States Parties, the courts governing body. Options range from diplomatic warnings to economic sanctions, allowing countries to demonstrate their commitment to international justice.

Though Putin's arrest may seem unlikely, holding Mongolia accountable would send a message that further isolates Russia. As Moscow seeks to delegitimize the ICC, each countrys stancewhether explicit or tacitaffects the court's strength.

It is in the collective interest of ICC members to resist Russian efforts to weaken the court and punish any state complicit in such actions. In the end, the goal must be to make the world intolerably small for indicted war criminals.

Editors Note: The opinions expressed in the op-ed section are those of the authors and do not purport to reflect the views of the Kyiv Independent.

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Wang Huning, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) National Committee, speaks at a consultation session held by the CPPCC National Committee to discuss pursuing high-standard opening up, in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 2, 2024. (Xinhua/Rao Aimin)

BEIJING, Sept. 2 (Xinhua) -- The National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), China's top political advisory body, held a consultation session on Monday to discuss pursuing high-standard opening up.

Wang Huning, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the CPPCC National Committee, attended the session and made remarks on the topic.

Wang stressed the need to focus on improving the high-standard opening up of institutions and mechanisms as well as expanding institutional opening up.

He also highlighted efforts to reform the management systems for inward and outward investment, optimize the layout for regional opening up, and improve the mechanisms for high-quality cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative.

Wang called for active deliberation and contribution of suggestions to facilitate the effective implementation of relevant reform measures.

At the session, about 21 political advisors spoke on expanding institutional opening up and building a high-standard market system, among other topics.

He Lifeng, a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and vice premier of China, attended the meeting, listened to the opinions and suggestions of political advisors on site, and delivered a speech.

He stressed thoroughly implementing the reform measures released after the conclusion of the third plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee.

Nearly 100 political advisors attended the meeting. 
Opinion - We need a National Right to Work Act, making payments to unions voluntary

Its hard to find agreement on anything in the realm of politics, but polls consistently show that more than eight in 10 Americans support the Right to Work principle  namely, that union dues should always be voluntary.

In a recent survey conducted by the Rasmussen Media Group, 82 percent of registered voters agreed that workers should never be forced to join a union or pay dues to a union as a condition of employment.

That includes 79 percent of those who said they are currently members of a union.

Twenty-six states have Right to Work laws, which allow workers to pay union dues if they choose to, but ensure they will never be fired for refusing to give money to union bosses.

These state-by-state Right to Work laws are a great start, but they still leave millions of workers unprotected.

Forced union dues are authorized by language in two federal laws, the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) and the Railway Labor Act (RLA).

The NLRA was amended to give individual states the option to pass Right to Work laws, protecting workers from forced union dues. No such option exists for the RLA, meaning railway and airline workers can be forced to pay union dues even in Right to Work states.

To protect every worker in all 50 states, we need to pass the National Right to Work Act, a bill introduced in the House by Rep. Joe Wilson (R-S.C.) and the Senate by Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.).

Its a one-page bill that doesnt add a single word to federal law. It simply repeals the forced dues authorization language in the NLRA and the RLA.

The National Right to Work Act would make union financial support strictly voluntary for every worker in America. Thats good news for workers currently trapped under the monopoly control of a union that doesnt deserve their money.

Seven top union officials from the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers union were indicted in August for embezzling $20 million in workers dues money, a scandal that mirrors one that landed several United Autoworkers union bosses in federal prison from 2017 to 2022 and triggered oversight of the union by a federal monitor that will likely last until 2027.

The federal monitor is currently probing allegations that the leadership of the UAW embezzled union money for personal purposes. It should be up to each individual worker to decide whether the union has rebuilt enough trust to deserve a part of their paycheck.

Right to Work states give workers the option to withhold dues from union officials they do not support  non-Right to Work states force them to pay no matter what.

It should come as no surprise that people prefer to live and work in Right to Work states.

In the decade since 2013, forced unionism states lost 2.4 percent of their residents aged 35 to 54, while Right to Work states saw a 5 percent increaseamong that age group in the prime of their working years.

Right to Work states outpace their forced unionism counterparts in almost every aspect of economic growth.

The number of people employed in the private sector has grown at nearly double the rate in Right to Work states compared to forced-unionism states, according to an analysis of government data by the National Institute for Labor Relations Research.

In the critical field of manufacturing, Right to Work states have grown employment nearly five times as fast as their forced-unionism counterparts.

Right to Work is a simple, popular policy thats good for the economy and provides vital protections to American workers. Its time for Congress to make union membership and dues payment voluntary for everyone in the country by passing the National Right to Work Act.

Mark Mix is president of National Right to Work Committee.

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Labor Day isnt just about picnics and barbecues; the holiday serves as a moment to reflect on the choices that will define our future.

With just nine weeks to go until one of the most consequential elections in modern history, workers across America are at a crossroads. Early voting begins soon, and the stakes couldnt be higher.

At the heart of this election is the future of our workforce. There is a fierce battle underway to shape perceptions over which party can claim the mantle of standing with workers, especially union members and workers fighting to form unions  a critical voting bloc with the power to decide elections up and down the ballot in November.

But the facts are clear: Democrats are the party of labor, and the Biden-Harris administration has been the most pro-labor administration in our lifetime.

From Day One, this administration has prioritized working families, investing in good union jobs and championing the care economy, an often-overlooked foundation of our society. Care workers, many of whom are women of color, provide essential services to our communities, caring for children, the elderly and people with disabilities. They are the backbone of our society, yet their contributions have long been undervalued and underpaid.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, care workers were on the front lines, risking their lives to protect and serve others. Recognizing their invaluable role, the Biden-Harris administration took bold action to support these workers. They created new rules for safe staffing in nursing homes, made historic investments in home care and child care, and introduced policies that ensure families have the support they need to thrive.

But that doesnt mean the Harris-Walz campaign can take support from union members and union households for granted. A key component of their worker-centered agenda must be continued investment in the care economy. This includes fighting for paid family and medical leave, affordable child care and home care for older adults and people with disabilities. These policies not only uplift care workers but also strengthen our communities and our economy.

As we look ahead, the choice we face in this election couldnt be more stark. One path leads to a brighter, more inclusive future for all workers  a future where economic, gender and racial justice go hand in hand. The other path seeks to turn back the clock, dismantling the progress weve made and putting corporate interests ahead of working families.

One particularly troubling sign of the oppositions intentions is the Heritage Foundations recently unveiled Project 2025. This sweeping, 900-page plan outlines a vision for a second term under Donald Trump that would devastate workers rights.

Crafted by Trumps closest allies, Project 2025 would make it easier for employers to dismantle unions mid-contract and ban all public employee unions. It would allow states to outlaw labor unions, eliminate overtime protections and ignore the national minimum wage. They even want to roll back child labor laws that protect kids from dangerous jobs in meatpacking plants and mines.

Despite Team Trumps attempts to distance itself from these proposals, the facts speak for themselves: More than 140 people who worked in Trumps first administration contributed to this blueprint. The same individuals who orchestrated policies that hurt workers during his first term are now plotting an even more aggressive anti-worker agenda for a potential second term.

In contrast, Vice President Kamala Harris and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D) are dedicated to ensuring that workers rights are protected and expanded. Harriss commitment to signing the Protect the Right to Organize (PRO) Act into law is just one example of how this administration will continue to advocate for higher wages, better benefits and safer working conditions. Walz has already demonstrated his leadership in Minnesota by delivering on many of these policies, proving himself a steadfast ally of unions and working families.

This Labor Day, as we celebrate the hard-won victories of the labor movement, we must also remember the work that lies ahead. Unions are not just crucial to our economic future, they are vital to the future of our democracy. Research consistently shows that when workers have more power, states develop more equitable economies, stronger social structures and healthier democracies. In these polarized times, worker organizing also leads to greater civic engagement and increased support for policies that benefit all communities.

Every day from now until Nov. 5, we will demonstrate that it is Democrats who truly have workers backs. The Biden-Harris administration has shown that with strong leadership and a commitment to justice, we can build a future that works for everyone  not just the wealthy few.

April Verrett is president of SEIU and Pamela Shifman is president of the Democracy Alliance.

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As the anniversary of 9/11 approaches, I find myself asking out loud a question Ive whispered to myself often since the Twin Towers came down: Is the U.S. relationship with Israel worth it?

This was a lot easier to answer during the Cold War, when the U.S. supported Israel in order to counterbalance Soviet influence in the region. But, that was a long time ago, and though the Russians are still active in the Middle East, its not on the same scale.

Stable oil markets are also a longtime reason we have supported Israel, but that situation is changing too, as the U.S. is now the leading producer of oil on the planet.

Of course, Israel continues to help the U.S. in many important ways politically in the region. But I still feel compelled to ask: Is that enough?

The U.S. has paid a heavy price for our relationship with Israel over the years  not just in treasure, but also in blood. According to the 9/11 Commission, U.S. support for Israel was a key reason for the attacks on Sept. 11, 2001.

Khalid Sheikh Mohammeds animus toward the United States stemmed not from his experiences (in the U.S.) as a student, but rather from this violent disagreement with U.S. foreign policy favoring Israel, reads the commissions report.

If you are old enough to remember the U.S. energy crisis in the 1970s and the gasoline rationing that came with it, you may also remember that the fuel shortage was the result of Arab nations cutting the United States oil supply because they were angry about American support for Israel during the Yom Kippur War.

Or perhaps you remember the 1983 bombing of a U.S. Marine barracks in Lebanon, in which 241 U.S. service members were killed. At the time, it was viewed as a lesson in the danger for the U.S. of stepping in the middle of a conflict between Israel and one of its neighbors.

Today, as tensions in the region escalate, experts are concerned that the chance of an assault on the U.S. is also growing. U.S. intelligence officials say that theres a rising risk Lebanese Hezbollah militants will strike Americans in the Middle East  even potentially hit inside the United States.

I was alarmed to read in the 9/11 Commission report that the attacks were supposed to be much more severe than they were, involving 10 planes, not just three; and that Osama Bin Laden had wanted the attacks to occur much earlier  as a response to Israeli prime minister Ariel Sharons highly controversial visit to a contested holy site in Jerusalem the year before. I could not help but be struck by Bin Ladens determination to punish Americans for something Sharon had done.

The message seemed clear. As long as the U.S. supports Israel, American lives are at risk.

Hamass attack on Israel on Oct. 7, was nothing short of cold-blooded murder. Nearly 1,200 innocent Jewish civilians were killed, and 250 hostages were taken.

In pursuit of Hamas militants, Israeli forces have killed an estimated 40,000 Palestinians and displaced hundreds of thousands more, according to the Associated Press.

All suffering is regrettable. But, as a concerned American, with vivid memories of the World Trade Center bombings, what frightens me most about this recent stretch of violence is all of the suffering children. Specifically, I worry that a whole new generation of young Gazans are being radicalized against Israel and the United States.

Yahya Sinwar, the mastermind of the Oct. 7 attacks and Hamass new leader, was once one of those children. He was born in Gaza, and was deeply affected by his familys displacement during the early wars that helped shape Israel. He joined Hamas as a young man and rose quickly through its ranks, building a reputation for brutality so severe that it earned him the nickname, The Butcher of Khan Younis.

Today, as I look at the images of all the suffering young people in Gaza, I cant help but wonder how many young Yahya Sinwars walk among them.

According to a recent report by the International Rescue Committee, more than 19,000 children in Gaza have been orphaned by the fighting. Children comprise more than 47 percent of Gazas population and half of the Palestinian deaths are thought to have been women and children.

Over 90,000 people have been injured and a million displaced  many of them children. The International Rescue Committee is concerned about the long-term effects on them from the war as they endure, family separation, abandonment, physical and environmental dangers, injuries, and psychosocial and emotional distress.

International aid groups are doing what they can to ease the suffering and build a future for the children of Gaza. But I know Im not alone in thinking that, if I were a 12-year-old Gazan boy, who had watched my family and friends die in an Israeli strike and had to live in refugee camps far from my home, surrounded by poverty and despair, Im not sure there are enough free Hersheys chocolate bars or donated toys on the planet to make me forget about it.

K. Ward Cummings is a writer who lives in Baltimore.

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This article was originally published in The Conversation.

The phenomenal growth in artificial intelligence tools has made it easy to create a story quickly, complicating a readers ability to determine if a news source or article is truthful or reliable. For instance, earlier this year, people were sharing an article about the supposed suicide of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus psychiatrist as if it were real. It ended up being an AI-generated rewrite of a satirical piece from 2010.

The problem is widespread. According to a 2021 Pearson Institute/AP-NORC poll, Ninety-five percent of Americans believe the spread of misinformation is a problem. The Pearson Institute researches methods to reduce global conflicts.

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As library scientists, we combat the increase in misinformation by teaching a number of ways to validate the accuracy of an article. These methods include the SIFT Method (Stop, Investigate, Find, Trace), the P.R.O.V.E.N. Source Evaluation method (Purpose, Relevance, Objectivity, Verifiability, Expertise and Newness), and lateral reading.

Lateral reading is a strategy for investigating a source by opening a new browser tab to conduct a search and consult other sources. Lateral reading involves cross-checking the information by researching the source rather than scrolling down the page.

Here are five techniques based on these methods to help readers determine news facts from fiction:

1. Research the author or organization

Search for information beyond the entitys own website. What are others saying about it? Are there any red flags that lead you to question its credibility? Search the entitys name in quotation marks in your browser and look for sources that critically review the organization or group. An organizations About page might tell you who is on their board, their mission and their nonprofit status, but this information is typically written to present the organization in a positive light.

The P.R.O.V.E.N. Source Evaluation method includes a section called Expertise, which recommends that readers check the authors credentials and affiliations. Do the authors have advanced degrees or expertise related to the topic? What else have they written? Who funds the organization and what are their affiliations? Do any of these affiliations reveal a potential conflict of interest? Might their writings be biased in favor of one particular viewpoint?

If any of this information is missing or questionable, you may want to stay away from this author or organization.

2. Use good search techniques

Become familiar with search techniques available in your favorite web browser, such as searching keywords rather than full sentences and limiting searches by domain names, such as .org, .gov, or .edu.

Another good technique is putting two or more words in quotation marks so the search engine finds the words next to each other in that order, such as Pizzagate conspiracy. This leads to more relevant results.

In an article published in Nature, a team of researchers wrote that 77% of search queries that used the headline or URL of a false/misleading article as a search query return at least one unreliable news link among the top ten results.

A more effective search would be to identify the key concepts in the headline in question and search those individual words as keywords. For example, if the headline is Video Showing Alien at Miami Mall Sparks Claims of Invasion, readers could search: Alien invasion Miami mall.

3. Verify the source

Verify the original sources of the information. Was the information cited, paraphrased or quoted accurately? Can you find the same facts or statements in the original source? Purdue Global, Purdue Universitys online university for working adults, recommends verifying citations and references that can also apply to news stories by checking that the sources are easy to find, easy to access, and not outdated. It also recommends checking the original studies or data cited for accuracy.

The SIFT Method echoes this in its recommendation to trace claims, quotes, and media to the original context. You cannot assume that re-reporting is always accurate.

4. Use fact-checking websites

Search fact-checking websites such as InfluenceWatch.org, Poynter.org, Politifact.com or Snopes.com to verify claims. What conclusions did the fact-checkers reach about the accuracy of the claims?

A Harvard Kennedy School Misinformation Review article found that the high level of agreement between fact-checking sites enhances the credibility of fact checkers in the eyes of the public.

5. Pause and reflect

Pause and reflect to see if what you have read has triggered a strong emotional response. An article in the journal Cognitive Research indicates that news items that cause strong emotions increase our tendency to believe fake news stories.

One online study found that the simple act of pausing to think and reflect on whether a headline is true or false may prevent a person from sharing false information. While the study indicated that pausing only decreases intentions to share by a small amount  0.32 points on a 6-point scale  the authors argue that this could nonetheless cut down on the spread of fake news on social media.

Knowing how to identify and check for misinformation is an important part of being a responsible digital citizen. This skill is all the more important as AI becomes more prevalent.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
A view over Labyrinth Canyon and the Green River from an EcoFlight above one of the areas that will be impacted by the Labyrinth Canyon and Gemini Bridges Travel Plan on Friday, Sept. 22, 2023. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News

Last week I was on a mountain top in the West, looking over a vast expanse of our nations public lands. A young couple was nearby, and I offered to take their photo. Suddenly, the young man went on bended knee, proposing to his beloved. He had planned it for months. They had travelled from the Midwest, hundreds of miles, for this moment. I was delighted but not surprised: Public lands often serve up lifetime memories.

Each and every American owns our public lands. They provide so much: wildlife habitat, clean water and energy, food and timber, solace and recreation and more. Balancing these values is the job of the Bureau of Land Management, for both current and future generations.

Its not easy, but it is vital to get that balance right. Our challenges are urgent and growing, including bigger, hotter wildfires; longer droughts; invasive weeds; and watersheds struggling with less water. This comes as visitors seek recreation and renewal at record rates  that young couple was just two of roughly 82 million annual visitors.

We work hand-in-hand with the public, and while most agree that we have a shared responsibility to manage public lands for their health and with an eye toward the future, we often hear differing ideas on how best to get there. Listening to the public and incorporating diverse ideas makes our work better. We are grateful for every interaction and humbled by the opportunity to serve such an important mission.

Working together with the public, weve accomplished a lot in the last three and a half years.

In the Public Lands Rule, we recognize what Congress told us nearly 50 years ago: that conservation is equal to other uses of our public lands. We commit ourselves to be guided by assessments of landscape health, and through restoration and mitigation leases, we provide opportunities for Americans to work on conserving and improving our public lands, not merely extracting resources from them.

We are putting people to work restoring vital landscapes and watersheds in the West through the Biden-Harris administrations historic Investing in America initiative.

For example, were investing more than $27 million in Utah in 2024 and 2025 to improve habitat for wildlife, clean up abandoned oil wells and mines, and restore streams and rivers to allow for longer flows through hot summer months.

Funding is being focused on conserving landscapes around the Upper Bear River, northeast of Salt Lake City, where we are working with others to conserve healthy, intact sagebrush. In Color Country Converging, near St. George in southwest Utah, we are responding to a more than 500% increase in visitation to public lands since 2013. There, we are improving recreation infrastructure and access and addressing impacts to wildlife habitat.

This comes in addition to the remarkable investments made possible by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to address drought and wildfire, clean up abandoned oil wells and mines and improve access to recreation. This body of work is a true investment in our country and our future.

Were leading the way to a clean energy economy, surpassing our clean energy goals and crafting thoughtful policy to guide the work. Our Renewable Energy Rule and Western Solar Plan provide the responsible approach we need to realize the Biden-Harris administrations vision for a clean energy transition. We have already surpassed the goal enshrined in law of permitting 25 GW of clean energy by 2025  enough to power 12 million homes  and now we are processing 66 proposed projects that could more than double that amount.

Weve updated antiquated oil and gas regulations because traditional fuels will continue to play an important role during the transition to clean energy. Through updated royalty rates, meaningful bonding requirements and thoughtful guidance on where best to develop these resources, we are discouraging irresponsible actors, better protecting communities and wildlife and ensuring fair returns to American taxpayers.

Were becoming the recreation agency the public expects us to become. Weve crafted a blueprint for 21st-century recreation, a major shift in how the agency prioritizes and supports outdoor recreation.

Were publishing land use plans that truly and responsibly balance all uses across our public lands rather than allowing one industry or one extractive use to dominate.

Were doing all of this as we honor the federal governments trust responsibility to tribes in deeper and more meaningful ways, through incorporating indigenous knowledge, engaging in co-stewardship and ensuring respect for and protection of sacred sites.

There are two reasons Im so confident we will continue to succeed in our charge to take care of the health of our public lands and waters as we deliver important resources to the American public. First, BLM employees are the most pragmatic, can-do and dedicated bunch of public servants Ive ever had the honor to work with. Our nation is indebted to them. Second, the American peoples love of public lands is growing, and it endures. That young couples engagement story will doubtless be told for generations. Multiply that by 82 million people who visited BLM lands last year, and thats a heck of a charge to do right by the lands and people we serve.

Tracy Stone-Manning was confirmed as the 19th director of the Bureau of Land Management in September 2021. She has served as chief of staff for former Montana Governor Steve Bullock and as the director of Montanas Department of Environmental Quality, where she led numerous conservation efforts.
In what counts as one of the bizarre attacks of this years presidential race, Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic presidential nominee, stands accused of wrongly characterizing herself as a daughter of Oakland. According to an investigative report in The New York Times, Harris was born in the adjacent Berkeley, California.

Jesse Watters at Fox News went so far as to hold up Harris birth certificate with that Berkeley home address listed. As awful as that was, Watters using Harris birth certificate as some kind of gotcha was not only a reminder of the birther attacks on President Barack Obama, but it also revealed what this inquisition is really about: portraying Harris as sneaky, inauthentic and unworthy of trust.

Americans give a lot of attention to where a candidate is from and presidential candidates spend a lot of time emphasizing where theyre from  or at least emphasizing the place theyve chosen to say theyre from. For example, as a candidate, and even as a president, Joe Biden has rarely missed an opportunity to mention his scrappy Scranton, Pennsylvania, roots. Yes, thats where he was born, but Bidens family relocated to Delaware when he was in elementary school. Its likely that relatively few people know which cities in that state he called home as a child and teenager, but we know Biden eventually ended up in Wilmington where many residents affectionately refer to him as Delaware Joe.

All politicians, Harris included, are aware that the question of where theyre from is more about identity, or at least the identity we want to project, than geography. Home isnt just a matter of where we say were from, its also about where others decide it makes the most sense for us to be from. If I tell you Im from Detroit, then that conjures up not just associations, but expectations and explanations that are different than what theyd be if I told you I grew up in Boulder, Colorado. Geographers, city planners and urban designers call this place-based identity. Politicians call this useful.

As someone who was born in the Bay Area and then lived in Evanston, Illinois; Madison, Wisconsin; and Montreal, Canada, before returning to the East Bay, there are a lot of places for Harris to gesture toward as potential homes and homes-away-from home. She chose Oakland.

Harris supporters like that shes the celebrated daughter of a city we want to root for, too. They like the association for the same reason that her critics want to question it: it is politically useful, just like Bidens beginning in gritty Scranton, or her running mate Tim Walzs in small-town Nebraska. After all, the Black Panther Party was founded in Oakland in 1966 and organized a host of social services for low-income families such as legal aid, health clinics and free breakfast programs for kids. At least since then, Oakland has become synonymous with Black resistance, racial pride and self-reliance. It kind of reminds us of the underdog Harris says she is.

Barack Obama always put his Kansas roots (where his mother grew up) alongside his Hawaiian birthplace even as he claimed the South Side of Chicago as a home. Jeb Bush and George W. Bush shedding their ties to coastal Maine helped them get elected the governors of Florida and Texas respectively, and the Texan was twice elected president. Donald Trump is from Queens but has always wanted to be seen as the king of Manhattan.

Rightfully or not, a candidates hometown ends up symbolizing something profound about the individual, what the person stands for and, as importantly, whom the candidate will fight for. Its why some of Harris' Republican critics insist she was raised in Canada.

Harris may be fudging things slightly when she calls herself the daughter of Oakland, but she shouldnt be singled out for it. Many people who grew up next to a big city call that bigger city home. Instead of asking whether its technically true that shes from Oakland and whether she ought to be corrected for slighting Berkeley, we ought to be asking whether we put more demands on Black candidates to authenticate who they say they are, and whether their answers are more closely scrutinized.

By all indications, Oakland loves Harris and claims her back and doesnt care where she went to primary school. Republicans who profess to be upset about it are, in keeping with Trumps insulting attack on her identity, suggesting that she is falsely trying to claim Blackness. When shes only doing what all politicians do: naming a place of origin that signals her politics. Yes, Harris gains bona fides from being associated with a city that symbolizes Black working class grit and activism, and not the image of white elitism and radicalism associated with San Francisco but especially Berkeley.

But JD Vance made a name for himself by highlighting his Appalachian roots and using that to illustrate how far hes come even though Appalachia isnt where hes actually from.

Candidates such as Harris and Obama are subjected to more questions about their origins not because politicians as a rule give wholly truthful and clear declarations about their origins, but because theyre seen as not belonging in the first place.

Writer Zadie Smith summed it up nicely in 2008 when she said that many of the publics reservations about Obama stemmed from their inability to pinpoint where exactly he was from and who exactly he represented. To these people, he appeared too chameleonlike, too skilled at speaking to the many faces of American society. Smith said it was less a matter of Obama changing himself depending on his location, and more that he was from more than one place all at the same time, none truer or fuller than another.

Where are you from? is a loaded question that on its surface seems simple. The answer isnt clear-cut for me, and it isnt clear-cut for many of us. Are we talking about where I was born or where I grew up? What do we say if our family moved around a lot or if we spent some formative years abroad? We might answer differently depending on whos asking, why we think theyre asking or what we feel comfortable sharing.

As for Harris, its not that important where home is according to her birth certificate. She had no say in that matter. Where she chooses to say shes from tells us a lot more.

This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
Oregons 2020 drug decriminalization law expired Sunday, ending the first-in-the-nation experiment that made possession of small amounts of hard drugs punishable by a ticket and maximum $100 fine.

As of Sunday, possession of personal-use quantities of illicit drugs will be a misdemeanor, punishable by up to six months in prison.

The new law, passed in March, recriminalizes drug use and makes it easier for police to combat public drug use, introducing harsher penalties for those selling drugs in parks.

The new law also overhauls the 2020 ballot measure, which 58 percent of Oregon voters approved in November 2020, as a novel approach to dealing with issues in the criminal justice system, while trying to get drug addicts the treatment they needed.

Supporters of the decriminalization law argued prison was not an effective way of curbing drug abuse and called for treatment as a response instead.

The 2020 effort redirected hundreds of millions of dollars the state generated in cannabis taxes to addiction services.

But state auditors found the system was not equipped to get new addiction programs up and running  especially as the fentanyl crisis caused a spike in deadly overdoses and health officials had to deal with ongoing COVID-19 issues.

The new law also establishes ways to try to provide treatment as the first remedy for those apprehended for personal use drug-related offenses. The new law encourages counties to create programs that would welcome those people, diverting them from the criminal justice system, but some have raised concerns about several aspects of the program.

Some raise concerns that relying on counties to establish diversion treatment programs creates an unequal playing field that might confuse professionals and advantage certain individuals over others.

The Oregon Criminal Justice Commission said 28 of the states 36 counties have already applied for grants to create a fund, and $20 million is expected to be distributed throughout the next year, The Associated Press reported.

The Republican leader in the Oregon House, Minority Leader Jeff Helfrich, expressed concern that there was no time to establish these programs.

Unfortunately, I think were kind of setting people up for failure, Helfrich said.

The Associated Press contributed.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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A replacement driver gets labeled a scab during a 2003 strike by supermarket workers in California. (Photo by David McNew/Getty Images)

Over its long history, the American labor movement has displayed a remarkably rich vocabulary for shaming those deemed traitors to its cause.

Some insults, such as blackleg, are largely forgotten today. Others, such as stool pigeon, now sound more like the dated banter of film noir. A few terms still offer interesting windows into the past: Fink, for example, was used to disparage workers who informed for management; it seems to have been derived from Pinkerton, the private detective agency notorious for strikebreaking during mass actions like the Great Railroad Strike of 1877.

No word, however, has burned American workers more consistently, or more wickedly, than scab.

Any labor action today will inevitably lead to someone getting called a scab, an insult used to smear people who cross picket lines, break up strikes or refuse to join a union. No one is beyond the reach of this accusation: United Auto Workers President Shawn Fain called former president Donald Trump a scab in August 2024, after Trump suggested to Elon Musk that striking workers at one of Musks companies ought to be illegally fired.

While working on my book Sellouts! The Story of an American Insult, I discovered that labors scabs were among the first Americans identified as sellouts for betraying their own.

Reinforcing class solidarity

The use of scab as an insult actually dates to Medieval Europe. Back then, scabbed or diseased skin was widely seen as the sign of a corrupt or immoral character. So, English writers started using scab as slang for a scoundrel.

In the 19th century, American workers started using the word to attack peers who refused to join a union or worked when others were striking. By the 1880s, periodicals, union pamphlets and books all regularly used the epithet to chastise any workers or labor leaders who cooperated with bosses. Names of scabs were often printed in local papers.

Scab likely caught on because it directed visceral disgust at anyone who put self-interest above class solidarity.

Many of labors scabs clearly deserved the label. During a strike of Boston railroad workers in 1887, for instance, the union bombarded its chairman with cries of traitor and scab and selling out, because he gave in to company demands prematurely, just as the unions funds were also mysteriously depleted.

The most powerful expression of this shame comes from the pen of Jack London. Best remembered today for adventure tales such as White Fang, London was also a socialist. His popular 1915 missive Ode to a Scab captures the venomous contempt many have felt about those who betray their fellow workers:

After God had finished the rattlesnake, the toad, and the vampire, He had some awful substance left with which He made a scab a two-legged animal with a corkscrew soul Where others have hearts, he carries a tumor of rotten principles No man has a right to scab as long as there is a pool of water deep enough to drown his body in.

In 1904, however, London had written a longer and less famous essay, The Scab. Instead of shaming scabs, this essay explains the conditions that drive some workers to betray their own.

The capitalist and labor groups, London writes, are locked together in a desperate battle, with capital trying to ensure profits and labor trying to ensure a basic standard of living. A scab, he explains, takes from [his peers] food and shelter by working when they will not. He does not scab because he wants to scab, London insists, but because he cannot get work on the same terms.

Rather than treat scabs as vampire-like traitors, London asks his readers to see scabbing as a moral transgression driven by competition. It is tempting to imagine society as divided into the two classes of the scabs and the non-scabs, London concludes, but in capitalisms social jungle, everybody is preying upon everybody else.

Driven to scab

Londons words ring with a harsh truth, and we can illustrate his point by looking at the discomforting status of Black strikebreakers in American labor history.

During their heyday from the 1880s through the 1930s, major labor organizations such as the Knights of Labor and American Federation of Labor did include some Black workers and at times preached inclusion. These same groups, however, also tolerated openly racist behavior by local branches.

Historian Philip S. Foner tells the story of Robert Rhodes, a union bricklayer in Indiana whose white union brothers refused to work with him. The Bricklayers and Masons International Union of America did have a fine of $100 for such discriminatory practices, but Rhodes was stymied in efforts to get any money, and his racist co-workers punished him for trying. He ended up being accused of scabbing by the union, and, in a brutal irony, fined. Rhodes quit and changed his career.

Civil rights activist W.E.B. Du Bois once noted that among the major working-class trades in America only longshoremen and miners welcomed Black workers. In most fields, they had to try to join unions that were often implicitly  if not explicitly  segregated.

To find work as masons, carpenters, coopers  or any other skilled trades dominated by unions that would often discriminate based on race  Black laborers often had to work under conditions that others would not tolerate: offering their services outside the union, or taking over work the union had done while its members were striking.

In short, they had to scab.

Class and race collide

It shouldnt be hard to see the competing moral claims here. Black workers who had struggled with racial discrimination claimed an equal right to work, even if this meant disrupting a strike. Unions saw this as a violation of working-class solidarity, even as they overlooked discrimination within their ranks.

Managers and corporations, meanwhile, exploited this racial friction to weaken the labor movement. With tensions high, brawls often broke out between Black strikebreakers and white strikers. An account of the 1904 Chicago miners strike noted, some one in the crowd yelled scab, and instantly a rush was made for the negroes, who fought back the mob with knives and pistols before city police intervened.

As this ugly pattern repeated itself, a stigma began to cling to Black workers. White laborers and their representatives, including American Federation of Labor founder Samuel Gompers, often called Black people a scab race.

In reality, Black workers were just a small percentage of strikebreakers. Most often, strikebreakers were white immigrants, who, like their Black counterparts, could face discrimination by unions. Black Americans also had a long history of labor activism, struggling for union membership, improved working conditions and better wages in cities such as New Orleans and Birmingham.

In his 1913 essay The Negro and the Labor Unions, educator Booker T. Washington urged unions to end their discriminatory practices, which forced Black Americans into becoming a race of strike-breakers. Nonetheless, this racial stigma persisted. Horrendous racial violence in the Red Summer of 1919 followed close on the heels of the Great Steel Strike, during which nonunion Black workers had been called in to keep steel production humming along.

Preventing fissures among workers

While terms like scab and sellout have often been used to reinforce labor unity, these same terms have also worsened divisions within the movement.

Its too reductive, then, to simply shame scabs as sellouts. Its important to understand why people might be motivated to weather scorn, rejection and even violence from their peers  and to take steps toward removing that motive.

In 2024, Canadas Parliament passed landmark anti-scab legislation, which prohibits 20,000 employers from bringing in replacement workers during a strike.

This law will not only force companies to listen to their workers needs during a time of crisis, it will also create fewer divisions within the labor movement  and fewer opportunities for any worker to become a scab.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
NUKU'ALOFA, Tonga (AP)  Turmoil over Chinas push for influence in the South Pacific has overshadowed the regions most important diplomatic summit after a Pacific island leader apparently pledged to erase an affirmation of Taiwans involvement in the meeting from its closing statement, at Beijings behest.

The Pacific Islands Forum  a group of 18 island nations, plus Australia and New Zealand  initially included a reassertion of the standing of self-governing Taiwan, which China claims as its own territory, in a public communique Friday outlining leaders agreements after their weeklong annual meeting. But it was then removed on Saturday.

Officials at the summit in Nukualofa, Tonga, did not explain why the statement had changed. But video posted by a news outlet late on Sunday appeared to show a Pacific leader assuring China's special envoy to the Pacific, Qian Bo, that the reference to Taiwan would be removed after Qian demanded it in remarks to reporters.

The document row highlights a fraught, largely private regional debate about Chinas role in the region that Pacific nations had sought to publicly quash ahead of the meeting. The chaotic end to the annual summit  at which member nations had emphasized regional unity and rejected major powers' jostling for influence in their affairs  shows how difficult it is for some of the worlds tiniest nations to balance the demands of larger countries who see them as geopolitical pawns, analysts said.

The ability of the (forum) to pursue increasingly demanding regional agendas ... and at the same time manage the geopolitical interests of external actors is clearly at risk, said Anna Powles, a professor at Massey Universitys Center for Defense and Security Studies.

The public display of Chinas influence-wielding as it denounced the summit's mention of Taiwan was deeply troubling and provoked questions about autonomy for the regions top diplomatic body, she added. In 2019, six Pacific nations recognized Taiwan as an independent democracy  a snub to Beijing  but Taipei's allies in the region have since dwindled to three.

The Pacific Islands Forum began in 1971 for leaders to coordinate responses to the issues confronting a remote, diverse region where individual nations hold little solo sway on the global stage. Its leaders, from low-lying islands imperiled by rising seas, were at the forefront of urging action on climate change.

Annual meetings were not widely attended until the Pacific Ocean in recent years emerged as the site of an intense geopolitical contest for influence over waters, resources and political power. As Beijing wooed Pacific leaders with loans, diplomacy and security agreements, Western alarm about its foothold in the region grew, prompting a rapid expansion of attendance of forum summits.

This year, Pacific leaders sought to channel the global clamor toward their preferred topics  the climate change havoc and crises of debt, health and security, including fundraising for a Pacific-led climate and disaster resilience facility in Tonga  while warning major powers against overshadowing the summit with geopolitical squabbling.

We dont want them to fight in our backyard here. Take that elsewhere, Baron Waqa, the forums secretary-general and a former president of Nauru, told reporters in July.

For most of the five-day summit, an uneasy calm prevailed, at least in public, with superpowers making unusual overtures of cooperation to opponents.

As the forums partner nations presented their offerings to Pacific leaders on Wednesday, U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell said the United States and China had pledged to work together to find areas of cooperation on Pacific projects. In response, China's emissary, Qian, said Campbells words were encouraging and that cooperation between Beijing and Washington was in the regions best interests  although those remarks were not recorded in a public version of his statement.

Its a different approach, thats for sure, said Mihai Sora, director of the Pacific Islands Program at the Lowy Institute, an Australian think tank, adding that in the past the United States and China had each cast the other as the regions aggressor. I remain deeply skeptical about what potential there would be for any credible cooperation.

Still, it reflected an effort by superpowers to display new restraint. Even the announcement of a regional policing program, which Australia will fund to apparently counter Chinas offers to equip and train Pacific police, did not provoke rancor from Beijing.

China welcomes all parties to make concerted efforts for the development and prosperity of the Pacific Island countries, said Chinas Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian when asked about the initiative Wednesday.

Campbell was later recorded on a reporters microphone candidly telling Australias Prime Minister Anthony Albanese that the United States had stepped aside in the Pacific policing matter to allow Australia to take the lead.

At the summit's final news conference, Pacific nations underlined health care and climate initiatives as their central concerns for the year ahead. Their final communique set out a new tiered structure for partner nations, who must now prove their genuine involvement with a number of Pacific nations to secure permission to attend the annual summit. It also included a sentence affirming the forums 1992 agreement on Taiwan's standing with the organization.

That suggested leaders, who had spent Thursday in closed-door discussions, had privately agreed to allow Taiwans ongoing attendance at the summit even though the new tiered structure might otherwise exclude it.

Taiwan was allowed to be in Tonga and have meetings with its partners and that continues to be the understanding going forward, Surangel Whipps Jr, president of Palau, one of three Pacific nations to recognize Taiwan, told The Associated Press on Saturday.

The apparent assurance that Taiwans attendance would continue unchanged enraged Beijing, which has intensified pressure on Taipei's remaining allies to sever ties. Qian told reporters on Friday that the sentence in the leaders final statement must be a mistake and insisted a correction was required.

Soon after, the Pacific summits communique was unlinked on its website. The next day, officials circulated a new document to reporters with the line affirming Taiwans involvement removed  and no explanation for the change.

The version as finalized does not change nor impact the decisions of the meeting, nor any standing decisions of the forum leaders, a forum spokesperson, Lisa Williams-Lahari, told the AP in a written statement.

On Sunday night, however, Radio New Zealand published footage taken in public by a reporter that showed Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown apparently telling the Chinese envoy, Qian, well remove it, in reference to the document, as the pair shook hands. Brown did not immediately respond to APs request for comment.

Taiwan's foreign ministry said in a statement supplied to the AP Monday that the communique did not jeopardize its position in the forum or remove its right to participate.

Taiwan expresses the strongest condemnation to Chinas arrogant intervention and unreasonable behavior that undermines regional peace and stability, spokesperson Jeff Liu said.

The Solomon Islands, which severed diplomatic ties with Taipei in 2019 in favor of Beijing, will host the 2025 summit. Before then, the forum should urgently develop guardrails to prevent further disruption and undermining of regional unity, Powles, the analyst, said.



Associated Press writers Emily Wang contributed reporting from Beijing and Johnson Lai from Taipei.
BRUSSELS, Sept. 2 (Xinhua) -- Belgium's King Philippe has reappointed Bart De Wever, leader of the Flemish nationalist N-VA party, to lead talks on the formation of a new government.

The Royal Palace announced the decision on Monday after King Philippe met with royal mediator Maxime Prevot, who has been mediating since August 23.

Prevot, leader of Les Engages party, has reported that the five involved parties -- the French-speaking Reformist Movement (MR), Les Engages, the N-VA, the Flemish Christian Democrats (CD&V), and Vooruit -- are now ready to resume negotiations.

De Wever is now tasked with restarting coalition talks as soon as possible.

De Wever resigned on August 22 due to major disagreements, which had arisen over a proposed capital gains tax aimed at raising 500 million euros (553 million U.S. dollars) annually. 
The Asset Recovery and Management Agency (ARMA) received expert conclusions about the confiscated paintings that belonged to Viktor Medvedchuk, a former Ukrainian businessman and pro-Russian politician who is also known for his connections to Putin.

Source: Olena Duma, the head of ARMA

Details: Of the 284 paintings confiscated, 148 will be handed to the National Art Museum of Ukraine and become the property of future generations of Ukrainians. The other 136 paintings that do not have significant cultural value will be sold through the Prozorro system.

Olena Duma further emphasised that the agency previously lacked a legislative basis for transferring seized assets and cultural resources to national institutions. And, owing to the idea of Anastasiia Radina, the head of the Verkhovna Rada's Committee on Anti-Corruption Policy, this legal mechanism will be established this week.

This concerns the draft law No. 11280-1, which addresses the unique aspects of managing cultural property and other assets.

"Thus, the arrested works of art will be used as efficiently as possible in the interests of the state: valuable exhibits will be preserved for future generations, and funds from the sale of paintings that do not have signs of cultural heritage will be directed to the needs of Ukraine's defence forces," Duma stated.

Background:

Viktor Medvedchuk's watch collection, estimated at UAH 10.6 million (about US$257,400), is being auctioned online using the Prozorro.Sale system.

On 15 August, state adviser Viktor Medvedchuk's Maybach automobile (2003) sold for UAH 1.83 million (about US$44,500).

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UPDATE: The suspect is in custody. According to PCPD, all officers are unharmed and there is no longer a threat to the public.

The suspect has been located and is surrounded by authorities in Lynn Haven, Panama City Police Department said.

PCPD said to avoid the area of Arthur Dr. near Merrick Industries, the scene is unsafe.

PANAMA CITY, Fla. (WMBB)  Panama City Police are searching for a suspect in a shooting near Hotel Indigo Monday morning.

Police have identified the suspect as Demarcus Lykes, a black male, who is driving a black GMC Yukon with an Alabama license plate of A0M1XX, the Panama City Police Department said.

The suspect is considered armed and dangerous. Officials said if you come into contact with Lykes or spot his car, please report to law enforcement at 850-872-3100.

We have a reporter on the scene. We will update this story as more information becomes available.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to mypanhandle.com.
Spain has seen many overtourism protests this year, but one small village has been making its grievances known in a very unusual way.

In the Galician village of O Hio in northwest Spain, locals took it upon themselves to protest against the volume of tourists by blocking zebra crossings.

Walking up and down them for a total of 37 minutes, they caused total traffic gridlock - worsening the exact problem they hoped to highlight.

Nevertheless, residents stand by their decision.

Why are Spanish locals blocking zebra crossings?

Traffic problems are already common, but this year they have tripled at least, resident Mercedes Villar told local newspaper La Voz de Galicia. Its an avalanche of cars that not only pollutes but also affects everyone's lives because they park wherever they want. We have the right to live too.

Locals from the small coastal village say, while theyre not against tourism per se, they want authorities to find a mutually beneficial solution so that residents and visitors can co-exist happily.

They say their driveways are being blocked, traffic accidents are increasingly common and that parking-controlling yellow lines are being ignored.

The protest was meant to raise awareness and sound the alarm, another villager told La Voz. We want people to be civil and understanding and, if they see that there is no parking space, to leave, as we all have to do in any city.

Rogue parking by tourists creates danger for locals

Villar, who is the spokesperson for the residents association, added that while locals tend to park their cars properly, visitors who dont are creating a situation of insecurity and danger.

Villagers raised concerns that the situation causes access problems for emergency vehicles, citing residents who needed to be collected by ambulance, but found the exits from their houses blocked or their transport delayed due to the sheer number of vehicles on the streets.

Speaking to La Voz, Villar added that the significant amount of traffic had led to uncivil behaviour, including visitors littering the roads and parking areas.

She also says that too much traffic has led to the deterioration of some roads. We want orderly and polite tourism that respects the environment. This is a paradise, but paradises also get ruined, she said.

Related

Locals have been invited to discuss their complaints

Like many Spanish people protesting against overtourism, Villar believes that the growing popularity of her local area has a lot to do with social medias impact.

This is sold as a beautiful place with no people, but now that is not true, she explained, adding that residents tend to avoid beaches during tourist season as they are simply too busy.

She hopes that the zebra crossing protests will have laid bare how annoyed locals are with the situation.

It seems to have worked - in response, the local council has invited disgruntled locals to a meeting to discuss their complaints later in September.

From Cantabria in the north to Malaga in the south, growing numbers of Spanish people are calling for the government to change the face of mass tourism, which they believe is getting out of hand.

They say its impact is having a negative effect on property prices and rents as well as standard of living for residents.
HENDERSON, Ky (WEHT)  A 3-month-old child is in a hospital outside of Evansville after having multiple brain bleeds and injuries, according to EPD.

Officials state on Sunday at just after 6 a.m., officers were called to Deaconess Gateway ER in reference to a report of child abuse.

According to an affidavit, the childs mother said her three-month-old son was returned home by his father, Ali Murray, 22, at about 2 a.m. that morning. The affidavit states that Murray had the child for his first overnight visit on Shanklin Avenue.

Officials say the mother thought Murray wasnt ready for overnight and suggested the baby be returned home. Murray allegedly agreed and returned the baby to the mother.

Officials also say after the mother changed the babys diaper, she noticed multiple bruises on his body. Murray allegedly denied knowing of any bruises.

Tests and X-rays revealed the baby had multiple brain bleeds, fractures to his skull, both legs and right arm, busted lip and bruising to the gum, forehead, neck and stomach area.

The affidavit says the injuries seemed to have occurred after 9 p.m. that night.

Due to the injuries, the baby was air lifted to another hospital for more extensive treatment.

EPD says that Murray told them he picked the child up at about 12:30 p.m. and was alone with the child until 5 p.m.

EPD says when told the extent of the childs injuries, Murray didnt show much emotion, say anything and never asked about the condition of the baby.

Murray is being held in the Vanderburgh County Jail on a $50,000 bond and facing battery charges.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Eyewitness News (WEHT/WTVW).
Ken Paxton arrives on the Senate floor for his impeachment trial last September. He was acquitted on all charges. (Credit: Jay Janner/American-Statesman)

I am a third-generation Texan. I have three degrees from the University of Texas. I have traveled around the country and around the globe and proudly claim my Texas roots. I have never been ashamed of my Texas heritage until Monday, when I first heard of Attorney General Ken Paxtons illegal raids against Latino activists, 87-year-old retired teachers and Latino candidates for election.

Claiming to be the result of an as yet-unfounded investigation into voter fraud, Paxtons flimsy justification for these predawn raids is straight out of the petite dictator's playbook and has no place in the United States. Paxton should be impeached (again) and his actions renounced in the strongest terms.

Darrick W. Eugene, Austin

Texas Republicans target felons while

campaigning for a felon for president

Does anyone else see the irony of our Governor and AG throwing felons off the voter registration lists while they actively campaign for a felon running for President? A felon who in fact is not allowed to vote in his own home state.

Need I ask, what is wrong with this picture?

Paula Hyatt, Austin

Cornyn criticizes Harris but the

border is Congress' responsibility

Re: Aug. 29 article: 'Cornyn accuses Democrat Kamala Harris of flip-flops in presidential race'

I find it laughable that Senator Cornyn, who is seeking the U.S. Senate minority/majority leadership position, does not understand that border security is the responsibility of Congress.

Cornyn, along with his colleagues, had the opportunity to address the border security issue under both the Trump administration and the Biden administration, and they did nothing. There was a bipartisan border security bill introduced during the current session of Congress and the Republicans refused to pass that bill to ensure the GOP presidential, Senate and House of Representative candidates could run on the border security issue during the November elections.

Cornyn who is a former Texas Supreme Court judge, wants Texans to vote for a convicted felon for the highest office in the nation. Hypocrisy? Or Texas Republicans burying their heads in the sand when it comes to elected members of their party.

Norma Hackler, Austin

Trump might be trying to make up

for not visiting cemetery in France

It appears that every time former President Trump has any connection with military cemeteries, he puts his fake bone-spurred foot in his mouth. All reports say that his recent visit to Arlington National Cemetery broke federal law that no political/campaign photos are allowed on that hallowed ground. My guess is that he may be trying to counteract the prior negative publicity about his refusal to visit the cemetery in France where some of our military heroes are buried  heroes he referred to as losers.

Uncles on both sides of my family served in WW II, and fortunately, they all returned alive. But if Trump were to visit any cemetery where they are now buried, I would consider his visit to be an offensive, grotesque insult.

Ben Liles, Salado

Our differences aside, we can all

agree that blood is life - donate

The American Red Cross has reported an emergency blood shortage caused by the extreme heat this summer, along with a busy travel season and a drop in donors. A lack of blood donations could cause the loss of many lives.

Despite our disagreements on the finer points of politics, religion and social issues, we all agree that life is a beautiful miracle. We understand that saving a life is saving all humanity.

I urge every able and healthy Texan to join me in donating blood in the coming days. It all starts with finding a blood drivelook for ones arranged by churches, mosques or your employer and scheduling an appointment. The rest of the steps are simple: eat healthily, hydrate well, and donate. May God bless every donor with good health.

Hidayatullah Ahsan, Round Rock

How to submit a letter to the editor

Send letters of no more than 150 words by using our online form at https://bit.ly/3Crmkcf or send an email to letters@statesman.com.

We welcome your letters on all topics. Include your name and city of residence; we do not publish anonymous letters.

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Paxton's raids on Latinos are like from a dictator's playbook
PCK oil refinery to remain under German government control for now

Technical facilities for processing crude oil on the premises of PCK-Raffinerie GmbH. Patrick Pleul/dpa

The German government has renewed its trusteeship of Russian oil company Rosneft's PCK refinery, sources told dpa on Monday, as Berlin looks ahead to a potential sale of the assets.

Two German subsidiaries of Rosneft were effectively taken control of by Berlin in September 2022, after the government decided to stop Russian oil from being imported following the invasion of Ukraine.

Those two subsidiaries hold a majority stake of 54% in the PCK refinery, located in the eastern German state of Brandenburg.

The trusteeship had been due to expire on September 10, but was extended by another six months.

A possible sale of Rosneft's shares in the refinery could soon get under way, with the Gulf emirate of Qatar rumoured to be interested in a purchase.

The German government is holding talks on the deal, sources told dpa last week, confirming a report by Business Insider.

The deal would not be made by the German government, but would be a bilateral transaction between Rosneft and Qatar. The German government would scrutinize the deal under the Foreign Trade and Payments Act. Rosneft is thought to be willing to sell.

Brandenburg's state economics minister, Jorg Steinbach, thinks that Rosneft is seriously interested in selling its majority stake.

He said that such a process generally takes several months. "It would be a particularly fast procedure if we were to receive some form of signal in this regard by the end of the year."
People from all over head to Presque Isle for Labor Day weekend

What better way to spend Labor Day weekend than a trip to Eries famous state park?

Hundreds flocked to the beaches of Presque Isle Sunday to celebrate the three-day weekend.

Red Cross hosts basic life support course with message that everyone should learn

Some travelers outside of Erie also made the trek to the peninsula to lay in the sand, go for a swim or have a picnic.

One traveler from Philadelphia said he came up for the weekend to spend time with some friends, and he cant get away from the area.

Donatos Pizza closing east Erie location

Just the weather in the summertime. I mean, its never too hot here, theres always a nice breeze going, the waters always beautiful in the summertime, said Dan Tanaskovic, a traveler.

Beaches Three, Six and Eight will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday for Labor Day.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJET/WFXP/YourErie.com.
Pet Patrol: How to submit pet food complaints to FDA after well-known brand is investigated

Pet Patrol: How to submit pet food complaints to FDA after well-known brand is investigated

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (WBTW)  Allegations swirling on social media over the past year about the safety of pet food have put one popular brand under fire.

We all want the best for our pets, and that includes providing them with safe and healthy food. However, rumors and reports began to spread about the well-known brand Purina, and there were calls for the Food and Drug Administration to investigate.

More than 1,300 reports and complaints were filed to the FDA from pet owners saying that Purina pet food caused their pets to get sick. The reports were filed between Nov. 22 up until April 15.

Most of the reports included symptoms impacting gastrointestinal, renal, hepatic and even neurological functions. The Office of Surveillance and Compliance along with the Veterinary Laboratory Investigation and Response Network set out to find some answers.

That included testing both unopened and opened products for contamination. The food was tested for mycotoxins like mold and fungi, along with excess vitamin D, salmonella, E. coli and pesticides, all of which came back negative.

Most of the reports were linked to the Purina facility in Clinton, Iowa. The FDA conducted an inspection, and overall, no direct cause was found.

There was no direct or consistent connection between the wide range of adverse events submitted to the FDA, and the evidence does not conclusively link the reported adverse events to Purina pet food, Senior Director of Corporate Communications for Purina, Lorie Westhoff, said. The FDAs investigation confirmed that there are no quality or safety issues with Purina pet foods. We always encourage consumers to contact us directly if they have any questions about Purina products and to consult their veterinarian if they have questions about their pets health.

Overall, thats good news. If you file to report a pet food complaint, you can do so electronically through the safety reporting portal, or call your states FDA consumer complaint coordinator.

The phone number for South and North Carolina is 404-253-1169.

For those wondering about your pets food, just know the best pet food varies on your pets age, breed and size, so you might have to do some research to find what suits them.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WBTW.
A petition asking President Volodymyr Zelensky to lower the upper age limit for mobilization from 60 to 50 to "improve the economic situation" in Ukraine has garnered over 25,000 signatures since it was posted on July 5.

Under Ukrainian law, an electronic petition to the president must receive at least 25,000 signatures within three months to be considered. There are 34 days remaining to collect signatures for the petition.

The petition's author, Andrii Azarov, did not explain in the description how reducing the upper age limit for mobilization would benefit Ukraine's economy amid Russia's full-scale invasion.

Some sectors of Ukraines economy are facing a labor shortage, as many workers are serving in the army, internally displaced, or have moved abroad to escape the war.

The problem has intensified in recent months due to a recruitment push and a new law requiring employers to maintain and share updated military registration records for employees.

As a result, more men are avoiding formal employment, where conscription officers can easily locate them, by moving into the "grey" market or stopping work altogether.

In June, a survey by the American Chamber of Commerce Ukraine of more than 100 of its members, including some of Ukraine's largest employers, found that 81% of respondents said that mobilization is affecting their business operations.

Ukraine's parliament adopted an updated mobilization law in mid-April to ramp up mobilization amid Russia's ongoing war. The new law simplifies the process for identifying eligible conscripts and includes additional penalties for those dodging the draft.

Another law, signed by the president just before the mobilization law was passed, lowered the minimum age of compulsory military service from 27 to 25.

After the new law on mobilization came into force in Ukraine on May 18, military-aged men were given 60 days to update their personal data so that the state could locate them. The deadline for updating data expired on July 17, 2024.

From May 18 to July 16, 4,690,496 military-aged men updated their data by the July 17 deadline, according to the Defense Ministry.

Read also: Ukrainian companies desperately need workers. There just arent enough

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Chinese companies have actively participated in Afghanistan's post-war reconstruction, providing crucial aid to address economic and social challenges, and creating job opportunities for local communities. #GLOBALink
PFLUGERVILLE, Texas (KXAN)  There are thousands of jobs in fields like construction, transportation and utilities that need to be filled in Central Texas.

Pflugerville Public Library hopes to chip away at that number through its new online platform called Blue Career.

It gives you the opportunity to kind of dive into the professions, see what kind of trainings are necessary, if theres apprenticeships available or search for jobs, said Pflugerville Public Library Assistant Director Daniel Berra.

The Pflugerville Library said people can access the site from home, as long as they have a library card. (Photo: KXAN)

The Pflugerville Library said people can access the site from home, as long as they have a library card. (Photo: KXAN)

Berra said the library partnered with the Pflugerville Community Development Corporation to create this.

The online platform offers the following:

Career assessments

Access to training programs and internships

Job listings

Its accessible to anyone with a Pflugerville Library card.

This one kind of filled a gap that we felt like we werent exactly filling before. It kind of fits in that whole idea of just helping people in the community find rewarding careers and better their lives. Daniel Berra, Pflugerville Public Library Assistant Director

The workforce need

According to Workforce Solutions Capital Area, this area will need about 10,000 more workers annually to deliver on various projects in the works.

We have a lot of different infrastructure jobs coming here to Austin, including Project Connect, the airport expansion, I-35 expansion and more. Amber Warne, Workforce Solutions Capital Area

Theres only about 6,000 people in skilled trades programs at the moment, according to Warne.

The delta that we need to reach that 10,000 goal annually, the 10,000 demand, is about 4,000 [people] per year, Warne said.

Warne said Workforce Solutions also recently partnered with Austin Public Libraries community resource hub program to help promote career opportunities to individuals and help them get connected to different services.

Were really trying to meet people where theyre at and be in the community so they know that Workforce Solutions Capital Area is here to support them, not only in finding that job that they need now, but also building out a career for what theyre looking for in the future, Warne said.

Workforce Solutions said there are career counselors on site at the Austin Public Librarys Little Walnut Creek Branch location and the Southeast Branch location.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin.
(Bloomberg) -- The Philippines has expressed its displeasure to China after their ships collided again in the South China Sea on Saturday, according to its top envoy.

Most Read from Bloomberg

We have made necessary approaches to China in terms of contacting them through various means to express our complaint and displeasure, Manilas Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo told reporters on Monday.

The nation is also concerned that China is raising tensions over what was basically just innocent movement by a Philippine vessel, Manalo said.

Asked whether a legal action is being considered, the foreign affairs chief said the government is contemplating, at the moment, possible approaches to this issue.

Read: Chinese, Philippine Ships Collide Amid Growing Tensions at Sea

--With assistance from Andreo Calonzo.

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2024 Bloomberg L.P.
DENVER (KDVR)  For the second time in a week, first responders were called to the Platte River for a car that rolled into the river, ending up on its side.

This time, the crash was in Sedalia at the intersection of Highway 67 and Y Camp Road, and not along Interstate 25 in Denver.

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The Douglas County Sheriffs Office reported the crash occurred Sunday, and posted about it at about 5:30 p.m.

A group of teens was heading to the river for some fishing, the agency reported. The driver lost control of the vehicle while driving too fast and slid off a curve into the Platte River.

Douglas County Sheriffs Office Deputy Mitchell took this picture of a car that slid off a curve into the Platte River on Sept. 1, 2024.

Douglas County Sheriffs Office Deputy Mitchell took this picture of a car that slid off a curve into the Platte River on Sept. 1, 2024.

None of the teens had serious injuries, but the Douglas County Sheriffs Office took the opportunity to remind drivers to drive safely at all times, especially on holiday weekends when many are heading out to enjoy recreational activities.

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A Pittsburgh man is facing charges for an alleged kidnapping.

According to the criminal complaint, officers were called to Crucible Street for an assault on Aug. 30 at around 4:40 p.m. Upon arrival, the caller told police her mother had been kidnapped.

Witnesses reported a man named Jewell Hall arrived at the house because two people inside owed him money, court documents said. They said he assaulted and choked one of the victims and threatened to kill another if he didnt get the money he was owed. Hall told the witnesses he was taking the mother to the bank to get the rest of the money, and if he wasnt paid, he was going to take her to Ohio and kill her.

The suspect vehicle returned to the house around 20 minutes later. The victim initially told officers she was fine, but once in the house, she confirmed what witnesses had previously told responding units, as well as said Hall had choked her as well.

Court documents said Hall told officers the victim went with him per her own request as a favor, but the other victim was upset he was not taken as well. Hall denied any altercation took place.

Hall was taken into custody at the house. Officers seized his phone and money, and Hall then told them the victims owed him.

Hall is charged with robbery, simple assault, kidnapping, false imprisonment, strangulation, terroristic threats and several drug counts.

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Kamala Harris is reportedly focusing on ways to rattle Donald Trump as she prepares for their Sept. 10 presidential debate.

Harris team views the optics of her face-off with the former president as crucial, according to sources close to the vice president, one of whom told NBC News her campaign wants to remind people of what it was like during Donald Trumps years.

Of the issues she is likely to address, Harris is expected to drill the former president on his role in Republicans backing out of a bipartisan border bill in February. The Democratic presidential nominees other goals reportedly include articulating how she thinks her presidency would serve everyday Americansand staying focused amidst what are sure to be personal attacks.

Remaining unfazed, the source said, is critical because Harris is a real person.

Just How Bonkers Will the Harris-Trump Debate Actually Be?

Harris and Trump, who have never formally met, are set for a primetime face-off next Tuesday. It will be held at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia and hosted by ABC.

The vice president has hunkered down to prepare for the debate with a small group of advisers, according to The New York Times. She participated in at least two mock debates last month.

Her opponent is being played by Philippe Reines, who reportedly dons an oversized suit, shoes with a three-inch lift, and long tie to get into character. Reines also played a Trump stand-in for Hillary Clinton, for whom he worked as a senior adviser, during the 2016 election cycle.

Harris-Walz Interview Ratings Nearly Double Trumps Last Big CNN Sit-Down

Trump, on the other hand, does not need traditional debate prep, his national press secretary Karoline Leavitt said.

President Trump has proven to be one of the best debaters in political history as evidenced by his knockout blow to Joe Biden she wrote in a statement to NBC. He has a command of the issues, frequently sits down for interviews, and takes questions from hostile news media almost every day.

Trump told reporters late last month that he wasnt training for the debate at all.

Im not, really, Im not. Im not spending a lot of time on it, he said in a clip aired by CNN. I think my whole life Ive been preparing for a debate.

But it was reported last month that the former president had tapped former Hawaii Rep. Tulsi Gabbard to play Harris in at least one practice session at Mar-a-Lago. Sources told The New York Times that Gabbard, who left the Democratic Party in 2022, was picked in part because of her performance in a 2019 primary debate, when she ripped into Harris for her record as a prosecutor.

Kamala Harris Will Dog Walk Trump in Debate, Charlamagne Tha God Predicts

Even if Gabbard holds the key to trouncing Harris in a debate, it remains to be seen whether Trump will attempt to overcome his penchant for behaving in often bizarre, unsettling, or disrespectful ways during debates.

Memorably, he stalked Clinton around the stage in 2016, hovering over her shoulder as she answered an audience question in a way that made her skin crawl, she later wrote. It was also during that debate that he coined the racially divisive phrase bad hombres.

His other Hall of Debate Infamy moments from that election include slamming moderator Megyn Kelly for not being nice enough to him (and implying the next day that she may have been menstruating); waving his hands around in an effort to prove they werent small; and hushing Jeb Bush as he tried to speak, then implying the booing audience was full of Bush family donors.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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In this photo provided by Poland's Institute of National Remembrance, a view of several of the 188 coffins holding recently uncovered remains of more than 700 victims of Nazi Germany's World War II mass executions in northern Poland, during burial ceremonies, in Chojnice, Poland, Monday, Sept. 2, 2024. (Mikoaj Bujak/Poland's Institute of National Remembrance, via AP)

WARSAW, Poland (AP)  Poland held a state burial Monday for more than 700 victims of Nazi Germanys World War II mass executions, whose remains were recently uncovered in the so-called Valley of Death in the countrys north, decades after their deaths.

The observances in the town of Chojnice began with a funeral Mass at the basilica, leading to an interment with military honors at a local cemetery of the victims of the Nazi crimes. The remains were contained in 188 small wooden coffins with ribbons in national white and red colors across them.

Joining the events were relatives of the victims, an aide to President Andrzej Duda, local authorities and top officials of the state National Remembrance Institute, which carried out and documented the exhumations.

We want to give back memory, we want to give back dignity to the victims of the crimes in Chojnice, presiding Bishop Ryszard Kasyna said.

Duda said in a message that the only reason the victims were killed by the Nazis was because they were Polish and said they would always be held in the national memory.

The remains of Polish civilians, including 218 asylum patients, were exhumed in 2021-2024 from a number of separate mass graves on the outskirts of Chojnice. Personal belongings and documents helped identify around 120 of the victims of an execution in early 1945. Among them were teachers, priests, police officers, forestry and postal workers, and landowners.

Historians have established that the Nazis, shortly after invading Poland on Sept. 1, 1939, executed some of the civilians, in a drive to subdue the nation. The remains of another 500 victims are from the January 1945 execution, when the Germans were fleeing the area. Bullets and shells from handguns used by German forces were found in the graves.

Experts will continue to comb the area for more mass graves of the so-called Pomerania Crime.

Poland lost 6 million citizens, or a sixth of its population, of which 3 million were Jewish, in the war. The country also suffered huge losses to its infrastructure, industry and agriculture.

___

This story has been corrected to show that an aide to President Andrzej Duda attended the events, not Duda himself.
Poland once again scrambles its aircraft due to Russian large-scale attack on Ukraine

Polish and allied aircraft were scrambled early on the morning of 2 September to secure Polish airspace after Russia launched large-scale strikes on Ukraine.

Source: Operational Command of the Polish Armed Forces, as reported by European Pravda with reference to RMF24

Quote: "The southeastern part of Poland borders Ukraine. Intense activity of the Russian Federation's long-range aircraft related to strikes on targets located on Ukrainian territory was observed last night. The last time such heightened activity of Russian long-range aircraft was recorded was on 27 August."

"All necessary procedures to ensure the security of Polish airspace have been activated and the Polish Operational Command is continuously monitoring the situation," the statement added.

Previously: Several loud explosions were heard in the city of Kyiv on the morning of 2 September. Russia attacked the city with cruise and ballistic missiles. Wreckage from the intercepted missiles fell in several districts, with fires being reported.

Background:

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.

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, citing sources in the military, reported that they were inclined to believe that the drone was a Shahed and had remained in the country's airspace for at least 33 minutes.

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Poland has right to shoot down Russian missiles over Ukraine for national security, Polish FM says

Poland and neighboring countries to Ukraine are "responsible for protecting their own airspace," despite NATO's opposition, Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski said in an interview with the Financial Times published on Sept. 2.

Russian drones and missiles have previously entered Poland's airspace during attacks on Ukraine. However, Polish allies advised the government to exercise restraint when dealing with unidentified airspace violations, according to Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk.

"Membership in NATO does not trump each country's responsibility for the protection of its own airspace  it's our own constitutional duty," Sikorski told the Financial Times.

"I'm personally of the view that, when hostile missiles are on a course of entering our airspace, it would be legitimate self-defense (to strike them) because once they do cross into our airspace, the risk of debris injuring someone is significant."

In early July, Ukraine and Poland signed a bilateral security agreement, which included a commitment by both sides to examine "the feasibility of possible intercepting in Ukraine's airspace missiles and UAVs fired in the direction of the territory of Poland, following necessary procedures agreed by the states and organizations involved."

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, in turn, was skeptical about this point of the agreement, saying that it puts the alliance at risk of "becoming part of the conflict."

Sikorski began to insist on Poland's right to shoot down air targets after a Russian drone reportedly crossed the country's border in an attack against Ukraine on Aug. 26. The minister said that the risk of Polish casualties increases the closer a missile is to its target when intercepted, so it was better to shoot it down at a higher altitude over Ukraine.

"Ukrainians have told us: you're welcome," Sikorski added.

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.

Previously, 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: Poland and Ukraine to form a military unit from Ukrainians in Europe. Will it be effective?

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Police say 1 teen dead, another injured in shooting at outside Michigan State Fair

NOVI, Mich. (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 p.m. Saturday. The shooting took place in the fairs 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 kilometers) northwest of Detroit. The state fair ends Monday.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WOODTV.com.
ISTANBUL, Sept. 2 (Xinhua) -- Turkiye set a new record in its August exports, reaching an unprecedented 22.1 billion U.S. dollars, Turkish Trade Minister Omer Bolat said here on Monday.

"This is the highest August export figure in the Republic's history," the minister said, highlighting that the volume represents a 2.4 percent increase compared to the same month in 2023.

In the first eight months of 2024, exports increased by 3.9 percent compared to the same period last year, totaling 170.8 billion dollars, according to the minister.

During the same period, imports decreased by 8.7 percent from the previous year, totaling 225.7 billion dollars, Bolat said.

The foreign trade deficit decreased by 33.6 percent year-on-year in the first eight months of 2024, dropping to 54.9 billion dollars, he added.

"The trend of decreasing imports continues, and we are experiencing a strong downward trend in our foreign trade deficit and our current account deficit," Bolat said. 
SAN FRANCISCO (KRON)  There was police activity in the area of Union Square on Sunday evening, the San Francisco Department of Emergency Management said.

SFDEM advised the public to avoid OFarrell Street between Mason Street and Powell Street. The scene is now clear.

The Handlery Union Square Hotel, located on Geary Street between Powell Street and Mason Street, confirmed there was police activity outside the hotel. Guests were not being allowed inside the hotel as police searched for a suspect. They were since allowed in.

The San Francisco Police Department said it is helping the Oakland Police Department with an investigation on the 200 block of OFarrell Street. There are no injuries involved, SFPD said.

Video shows 49ers player Ricky Pearsall moments after shooting

Oakland police said a chase began when officers attempted to stop a vehicle that committed a vehicle code violation in the 900 block of International Boulevard at 4:45 p.m.

The car did not yield, eventually going into San Francisco. An OPD helicopter followed it across the bay. The suspect successfully escaped police after abandoning the car on the 200 block of OFarrell Street.

The police activity disrupted Muni service. The inbound 38 and 38R buses were rerouting at OFarrell and Mason.

It has been a busy weekend at Union Square, as San Francisco 49ers rookie Ricky Pearsall was shot in that area in an apparent attempted robbery on Saturday.

This is a developing story. Stick with KRON4 for updates.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRON4.
Cranston man accused of DUI crash with child in backseat

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI)  A Cranston man was arrested Sunday night after a three-car crash, accused of driving under the influence with a child in the car.

Rhode Island State Police said troopers arrested 22-year-old Alan S. Chhim around 9:19 p.m. following the crash on Route 95 South, north of Smithfield Avenue in Pawtucket.

Witnesses reported that Chhim was driving erratically and at high speed in a Toyota Camry before losing control.

According to R.I. State Police Lt. Erik Yanyar, a 3-year-old boy was in a car seat in the backseat. He was taken to Rhode Island Hospital with face and nose abrasions and an injured shoulder. No other injuries were reported.

Police are unsure of Chhims relationship with the child.

In addition to the crash, Yanyar said police found two pistols and a large amount of ammunition scattered on the highway, which they believe were ejected from the vehicle.

Yanyar said Chhim failed sobriety tests and was taken into custody on suspicion of DUI.

He faces charges of driving to endanger resulting in physical injury, reckless driving, and first-offense DUI, along with a charge for having a child under 13 in the car. Additionally, he is charged with two counts each of carrying a pistol without a license and carrying a weapon while intoxicated.

Chhim was processed and held overnight at Lincoln Woods Barracks.

Chhim was processed and held overnight at Lincoln Woods Barracks. His bail was set at $50,000 surety during Monday mornings arraignment, but he could not post it and was transported to the ACI. He is expected back in District Court Tuesday morning.

Every child deserves a designated driver, Jennifer ONeil, MADD R.I. Victim Advocate, told 12 News in a comment on the incident.

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Police detain 3 people after weekend shooting in coastal town in Massachusetts

Police have detained three people in connection with a shooting that injured one person in Fairhaven on Sunday night.

At about 9:20 p.m. Sunday, police received a report of a shooting near the intersection of Main Street and Harding Road, police said.

When officers arrived, they found the victim suffering from a gunshot wound, police said. That person was taken by ambulance to St. Lukes Hospital in New Bedford. The victims condition was not known on Monday.

State Police attached to the Bristol County District Attorneys Office are assisting police in their investigation.

Anyone with information on the shooting is asked to call Fairhaven Police at 508-997-7421.

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

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HENDERSON, Ky (WEHT)  An Ohio man is behind bars in Vanderburgh County after police say he crashed his SUV while drunk with three children in the backseat.

KSP to conduct traffic safety checkpoints

According to an affidavit, Evansville Police officers were dispatched to the 200 block of Eagle Crest Drive for a person down. Arriving officers state they found a silver SUV that had driven over the curb and into the bushes at the entrance of a hotel.

EPD also states they saw a man passed out in the drivers seat with three children asleep in the back, and the SUV was still running and in drive. The driver was later identified as William Jackson.

ISP troopers working to keep Indiana streets safe during Labor Day weekend

EPD says Jackson had glossy and bloodshot eyes and could also smell the odor of alcohol. Officers say they saw an open container of alcohol in the cup holder.

Jackson admitted later to police that he had a drink and a wine cooler before driving. EPD states Jackson blew a .122 and a chemical test had a reading of .117/210 L.

Local law enforcement team up on DUI checkpoint

Jackson was booked into the Vanderburgh County Jail on Operating a Motor Vehicle While Intoxicated, Driving with License Suspended Prior and three counts of Neglect of Dependent.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Eyewitness News (WEHT/WTVW).
14-year-old girl last seen in Forest Park found

14-year-old girl last seen in Forest Park found

UPDATE 09/03/2024 6:32 AM

According to police, 14-year-old Grace Langkeit-Hammon has been located.

ORIGINAL STORY

OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR)  The Forest Park Police Department and the Oklahoma County Sheriffs Office are searching for 14-year-old Grace Langkeit-Hammon.

Authorities say she was last seen Friday in the Forest Park area near her home.

Police say the teen has a history of running away from home, but has never been gone longer than 24 hours.

Forest Park Police Chief Thomas Gipson says, I believe she was in high school. And another note, she is on medication. She does have a little history of mental issues.

Chief Gipson says the teen does not have her medicine with her.

They just want her home safe. Thats everyones biggest concern, is making sure she gets home safe, whatever that takes. Thats what were trying to do.

Authorities ask if you see Grace, to call 9-1-1. You can also contact the Forest Park Police Department or Oklahoma County Sheriffs office.

This is a developing story.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City.
Former GA city commissioner found dead days after he vanished

A former Georgia city commissioner has been found dead days after he vanished, WALB reports.

Kenderson Hill, 64, is a former city commissioner in Albany. Police said he was last seen leaving his home around 4 a.m. Saturday. Police classified him as critically missing.

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A search party began looking for Hill on Monday morning.

On Tuesday morning, police found Hills body near the Georgia Power dam.

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Police said Hill left his home on foot.

Police have not released Hills cause of death or said if they are searching for any suspects.

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The family has been notified of his death.




Caller: This man has been shot. Please call the police, please hurry up. NOW!

Dispatch: Do you have a street that your close to on Gettysburg? If you dont see an address or like a cross street?

Caller: No, I dont know an address. Its just across the street from Churches.
Police: Woman seriously injured, driver facing OUI charges after crash on Route 24 in Brockton

A woman was seriously injured and a driver is facing OUI charges after a crash on Route 24 in Brockton Saturday night, police say.

Massachusetts State Police cruisers responded to a crash on Route 24 North near the 31A exit around 9:20 p.m.

Responding troopers found a woman suffering from serious injuries.

A male driver was also arrested and will face OUI charges, state police say.

The exit 31A ramp was closed while crews investigated before it was reopened around 11:47 p.m.

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

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WARSAW, Poland  Last Octobers general election triggered a change in government in Poland, but it has not dented Warsaws appetite for new weapons. As Russias invasion of Ukraine continues to drive Polands military modernization efforts, domestic and foreign defense companies are gearing to promote their products at the upcoming MSPO show in Kielce.

Over the past years, the event, scheduled to run between Sept. 3 and 6, has established itself as a leading trade show in the region. Since February 2022, when the Russian military launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, allies along NATOs eastern flank have replied by boosting their defense budgets. Poland has led the way, aiming to spend about PLN 160 billion (US$41.5 billion), or some 4.2 percent of the countrys GDP, on its armed forces this year.

Speaking on Aug. 15 at a military parade in Warsaw, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said his centrist governments goal is to develop one of the largest European militaries.

We must promise today to our compatriots, but also to the soldiers of the Polish Armed Forces, that we will build a most modern military  because today, innovation is power, Tusk said during the event.

The nations record-high 2024 military expenditure is to be financed from the ministrys budget, but also from the Armed Forces Support Fund, a financial instrument designed to fund purchases of new weapons and gear.

In 2025, Poland could further expand its defense budget which, if Warsaw spends the earmarked funds this year, could place Poland this year above all other NATO member states in terms of spending as a share of GDP.

In a July 4 statement, which made a thinly veiled reference to an increasingly belligerent Russia, the Polish Ministry of Defence said: Next year, we plan to increase the budget for the military by 10 percent, which is an element of a long-term national security strategy, aiming to strengthen our armed forces in the face of the current geopolitical challenges.

Tomasz Smura, the program director and management board member at the Warsaw-based Casimir Pulaski Foundation, told Defense News the government is continuing a number of programs launched by the previous administration, buying gear from U.S. and South Korean companies. However, there is also a noticeable intensification in activities by European groups who hope the change in power could pave the way for more contracts, he said.

Since the change in government, Polands relations with Germany and France have noticeably improved, so it is natural that defense companies from these countries are demonstrating an increased interest in cooperating with Polands defense industry on joint projects, Smura said. Warsaw is planning to buy new submarines, fighter jets, but also various vehicles for the Polish land forces. This brings a number of opportunities for foreign manufacturers.

The ministry is preparing to launch a number of acquisitions for the countrys air, naval, and land forces. Some of the potential purchases include:

A further 32 fighter jets for the Air Force, with officials in Warsaw mulling plans to acquire more fifth-generation jets on top of the already ordered 32 F-35s. Also in the running is the Eurofighter Typhoon and Boeings F-15EX, according to local observers;

New training helicopters and ship-based helos to replace the Polish Armed Forces outdated SW-4 Puszczyk and Kaman SH-2G Seasprite aircraft, respectively;

More combat and surveillance unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for the militarys dedicated Drone Force, a new group within the armed forces;

Three to four new submarines for the countrys Navy to boost its operational capacities in the Baltic Sea. Last year, the Polish ministrys Armament Agency announced that 11 entities supplied their initial bids as part of a market consultation process. These included companies from Germany, France, Italy, Spain, South Korea, and the U.K.

Tusks government, which came to power in December 2023, has inked a number of major deals to buy weapons from the United States and South Korea, but also from Polish defense industry players.

Most of the large contracts this year went to U.S. manufacturers. These include the $10 billion contract to buy 96 Boeing AH-64E Apache attack helicopters from July, the $2.5 billion deal from February to acquire Northrop Grummans Integrated Battle Command System , or IBCS, to synchronize Polands air- and missile-defense weapons under development, and the $1 billion deal from May to purchase four aerostat-based early warning radar systems from the United States.

Last May, the ministry also inked an executive deal to buy 72 K239 Chunmoo multi-barreled missile launchers from South Koreas Hanwha Aerospace for some $1.6 billion. The latter deal was widely treated as a sign that Tusks cabinet will keep buying weapons under the framework contracts inherited from the previous government, covering FA-50 light attack aircraft, K9 howitzers , K2 Black Panther tanks, and Chunmoo launchers.
GAZA, Sept. 2 (Xinhua) -- The al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, claimed responsibility on Monday for shooting and bombing attacks earlier this week in the city of Hebron in the southern West Bank.

The Brigades identified the attackers as Mohammed Marqa and Zahdi Abu Afifa, members of the armed group, who executed the two attacks in settlements near Hebron.

"Marqa managed to detonate a booby-trapped vehicle at a gas station in the Gush Etzion settlement with the aim of luring soldiers to the place, while he attacked the force that arrived with automatic weapons, killing and wounding them," said the statement.

"Abu Afifa was able to storm the Karmei Tzur settlement after running over its guard and opened fire on a group of settlers before detonating his vehicle inside the settlement," it added.

The statement said that the al-Qassam Brigades will continue to deliver "more painful and major surprises for the treacherous occupier" in all cities of the West Bank.

The Palestinian Health Ministry said in a statement on Saturday that it had been notified of the deaths of Marqa and Abu Afifa, who were reportedly killed by Israeli army fire north of Hebron on Friday night.

Also on Saturday, Israeli army spokesperson Avichai Adraee said in a statement that "a burning car exploded at the gas station at the Gush Etzion Junction. The forces that arrived at the scene 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 entered the town," Adraee said, adding that Israeli forces then killed one of the "terrorists."

Since the outbreak of the conflict 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. 
Corrected at 17:50: Changed the headline and revised the first paragraph of the news piece.

The Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs clarified that the statements of Minister Radosaw Sikorski about the need to shoot down missiles over Ukrainian territory are the minister's own opinion.

Source: Ukrinform, as reported by European Pravda

Quote: "This is the personal opinion of Minister Sikorski, and not the position of the Polish government."

Sikorski believes that it is the states duty to protect Poland's airspace to prevent tragedies for its citizens.

However, the foreign ministry official warned that the possibility of shooting down Russian missiles and drones at high altitudes in Ukrainian airspace must be "judged by the Polish military, and this applies to each specific case".

"If such a possibility arises, and Ukraine agrees, we must take advantage of it. But this is the minister's personal opinion," Wronski concluded.

Background:

Polish Foreign Minister Radosaw Sikorski said in an interview with the Financial Times that Poland and other countries bordering Ukraine have a duty to shoot down Russian missiles before they enter their airspace.

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. Debris from the drone has yet to be found.

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Poland's Foreign Minister Radosaw Sikorski believes Warsaw has a duty to shoot down Russian drones and missiles approaching his country from Ukraine before they enter Polish airspace.

In an interview published on Monday by the British newspaper The Financial Times, Sikorski opposed the official NATO stance, which is that such a policy would risk an escalation of the war through a possible direct confrontation with Russian forces.

The defence alliance has so far rejected intervening against Russian drones and missiles over Ukraine as well as Kiev's demand for a no-fly zone over the country.

Sikorski told the FT that he believes the move would be "a legitimate act of self-defence if enemy missiles are on their way into our airspace, because once they have entered the risk of someone being injured by debris is considerable."

Membership of NATO is not above the duty of every country to protect its own airspace, he said.

NATO Deputy Secretary General Mircea Geoana said that he disagreed with Sikorski's approach. "Of course we respect the right of every ally to ensure its national security. But within NATO, we have always consulted with each other before taking action that could have consequences for all of us," he told the newspaper.

Poland had always consulted with its allies in this regard up until now, he said.

Last week, the Polish army used radar to detect the intrusion of an unspecified flying object from Ukraine.

The PAP agency reported, citing the military, that the altitude and speed of the object indicated a Russian Shahed combat drone of Iranian design, as used by Russia against Ukraine.
Poland's Foreign Minister Radosaw Sikorski believes Warsaw has a duty to shoot down Russian drones and missiles approaching his country from Ukraine before they enter Polish airspace.

In an interview published on Monday by the British newspaper The Financial Times, Sikorski opposed the official NATO stance, which is that such a policy would risk an escalation of the war through a possible direct confrontation with Russian forces.

The defence alliance has so far rejected intervening against Russian drones and missiles over Ukraine as well as Kiev's demand for a no-fly zone over the country.

Sikorski told the FT that he believes the move would be "a legitimate act of self-defence if enemy missiles are on their way into our airspace, because once they have entered the risk of someone being injured by debris is considerable."

Membership of NATO is not above the duty of every country to protect its own airspace, he said.

NATO Deputy Secretary General Mircea Geoana said that he disagreed with Sikorski's approach. "Of course we respect the right of every ally to ensure its national security. But within NATO, we have always consulted with each other before taking action that could have consequences for all of us," he told the newspaper.

Poland had always consulted with its allies in this regard up until now, he said.

Last week, the Polish army used radar to detect the intrusion of an unspecified flying object from Ukraine.

The PAP agency reported, citing the military, that the altitude and speed of the object indicated a Russian Shahed combat drone of Iranian design, as used by Russia against Ukraine.

Russian missiles have violated Polish airspace several times during the on-going attacks on Ukraine.

In 2022, two people were killed when a missile crashed in eastern Poland. In this case, the cause was a misguided Ukrainian air defence missile.
Politicians mourn hostages, express outrage at Hamas and renew calls for an end to the war

A candle with an image depicting the slain hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin on a table during a vigil in his memory in Jerusalem on Sunday.

WASHINGTON  Condolences from the White House, members of Congress and political campaigns poured in after the Israeli Defense Forces recovered the bodies of six hostages.

Politicians from both sides of the aisle mourned the deaths of the six hostages, including American citizen Hersh Goldberg-Polin. The IDF identified the other hostages as Carmel Gat, Eden Yerushalmi, Alexander Lobanov, Almog Sarusi and Master Sgt. Ori Danino.

President Joe Biden said in a statement that he was "devastated and outraged," emphasizing that "Hamas leaders will pay for these crimes." Similarly, Vice President Kamala Harris said in a statement, "[M]ay Hershs memory be a blessing," invoking a phrase Jews use to mourn the dead.

"Hamas is an evil terrorist organization," Harris said in the statement, which was issued in her official capacity as vice president, not as a political candidate. "With these murders, Hamas has even more American blood on its hands."

Harris' running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, also called Hamas a "brutal terrorist organization" and wrote on X, "We condemn their continued atrocities against both Americans and Israelis in the strongest possible terms."

Jon Polin and Rachel Goldberg.

Both Biden and Harris spoke with Goldberg-Polin's parents, Rachel Goldberg and Jon Polin, on Sunday, according to the White House and a post by Harris on X. National security adviser Jake Sullivan also held a virtual meeting Sunday with families of American hostages, discussing Goldberg-Polin's killing and diplomatic updates, according to the White House.

Former President Donald Trump said on X that "we grieve the senseless death of the Israeli Hostages" but placed the blame for the deaths at the feet of Biden and Harris.

"Our Country and our amazing people are not safe under Joe Biden, and will be less safe under Kamala Harris," he said. "This terror would have never happened if I were President, and it will stop the day I am back in the Oval Office."

From top left, Hersh Goldberg-Polin, Ori Danino and Eden Yerushalmi. From bottom left, Almog Sarusi, Alexander Lobanov and Carmel Gat. The six were held captive by Hamas since the Oct. 7 terrorist attacks, and their deaths were announced Saturday.

Unlike Trump's, reactions from members of Congress were largely nonpolitical, zeroing in on expressing heartbreak and outrage at Hamas, rather than directing their ire at American politicians.

"His death, and the murder of the five other hostages recovered, shows how brutal Hamas is and how urgent it remains to free all the hostages now," Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said on X.

Democratic House Minority Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., said he was "heartbroken," adding, "Every hostage must be released. Bring them all home."

"I hope theres going to be pressure on Hamas and Netanyahu to end this war, release the hostages," Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., said on NBC News' "Meet the Press."

Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., blamed the hostages deaths on Iran and urged the Biden administration and Israel to hold Iran accountable.

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, Graham said in an interview Sunday on ABC News This Week.

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.

He also criticized Harris for missing Netanyahus address to Congress in July, saying she had boycotted it, sending a signal to Hamas and Iran that America does not really have Israels back. At the time, Harris was scheduled to be in Indianapolis during Netanyahu's address with her then-nascent presidential campaign, but she met with Netanyahu privately afterward.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., said on X that he was heartbroken by news of Goldberg-Polins death and called on Israel to finish the job.

Heartbroken by news of Hersh Goldberg-Polins death at the hands of Hamas. The savages who killed this U.S. citizen and continue to hold others hostage must pay a heavy price. Israel should finish the job to end this Iran-backed terror, and America must support this effort without caveat/conditions, he wrote.

Rep. Michael McCaul, R-Texas, who chairs the Foreign Affairs Committee, wrote on X that the hostages should be home with their families but instead were murdered.

I am absolutely heartbroken by the deaths of several hostages held by Hamas, including US citizen Hersh Goldberg-Polin. These innocent people should all be home today with their families; instead they were murdered by terrorists. My heart is with all of the bereaved families, including the Goldberg-Polin family, who I met earlier this summer, McCaul wrote.

Members of Congress from both sides of the aisle skewered Hamas as "an organization of true evil," as "monsters" and as "brutal, barbaric, religious Nazis."

For months, the White House has pushed for a cease-fire proposal that would lead to the release of hostages. However, negotiations have not proven successful. As thousands of Israelis protested for a hostage deal in the streets of Tel Aviv on Sunday, American politicians reiterated calls for hostages to be returned home.

"Only a ceasefire will bring the hostages safely home and every day without a deal risks their lives, the lives of Palestinians, and every innocent life in Gaza," Rep. Ayanna Pressley, D-Mass., said on X.

World leaders also expressed horror and called for an end to the war.

French President Emmanuel Macron in said on X that he felt "shock and indignation," emphasizing that "there must be an immediate ceasefire and the release of all hostages, including our compatriots Ohad Yahalomi and Ofer Kalderon."

"Canada stands with the victims families in your grief," Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on X, adding that Hamas must have "no future in the governance of Gaza."

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said on X that the news was "a devastating reminder of the need for the unconditional release of all hostages and an end to the nightmare of war in Gaza."

Over 1,200 people were killed in Israel and around 250 others, including the six people whose bodies were discovered yesterday, were taken hostage during Hamas terrorist attack on Oct. 7.





This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
The News

Pope Francis on Monday began a 12-day tour of Southeast Asia and South Asia, marking one of the longest foreign trips any pope has embarked on in the Holy Sees history.

The 87-year-old Catholic leader is first due in Indonesia before heading to Papua New Guinea, East Timor, and Singapore. The trip  originally planned for 2020 but delayed to do the pandemic  will focus on promoting interfaith dialogue, highlighting climate change threats, and reinforcing the Catholic Churchs importance in Asia, The Guardian reported.

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Francis has previously visited several other Asian countries and has emphasized diversifying the Churchs leadership with Catholics from Asia. His visit to Indonesia  the worlds most populous Muslim nation  and Papua New Guinea  one of the worlds most ethnically diverse countries  will emphasize the Churchs role in promoting coexistence, religious leaders told CNN.

The Catholic Church is no longer a Eurocentric or western institution but one where churches in Asia, Africa and Latin America have a growing voice, CNNs Vatican correspondent wrote.

The trip is also an attempt to promote closer ties to China, The New York Times reported. China and the Holy See do not have official diplomatic ties and no pope has been able to visit China. But Francis in 2018 made a secretive deal with Beijing for the appointment of bishops, and this trip is seen as an opportunity to talk to countries he cant go to, a professor of theology told the Times.

Francis has also pledged concrete commitment to tackling climate change ahead of his trip, given that Southeast Asia is particularly susceptible to environmental catastrophes of floods and extreme heat.

Still, many are worried that Francis is too frail for such a grueling tour that involves more than 43 hours of air travel and meetings: He canceled an appearance at a Dubai summit last year because of health problems.
By Joshua McElwee

ABOARD THE PAPAL FLIGHT, Sep 2 (Reuters) - Pope Francis left Rome on Monday for Jakarta, where the 87-year-old leader of the global Catholic Church will start an ambitious 12-day tour to four countries in Southeast Asia.

The flight carrying the pope and his entourage left Fiumicino airport for an overnight flight of more than 13 hours to the Indonesian capital.

The pope will be in Indonesia until Friday. He is then scheduled to visit Papua New Guinea, East Timor and Singapore before returning to Rome on Sept. 13.

Francis, who has stressed the importance of environmental issues throughout his 11-year papacy, is expected to urge global action on climate change during the voyage.

Each of the countries on his tour is facing dangers from the warming global climate, including rising sea levels and increasingly severe and unpredictable heat waves and typhoons.

Francis is set to travel nearly 33,000 km (20,500 miles) throughout the visit, and will headline more than 40 events. It is the longest trip yet by the pontiff, who now regularly uses a wheelchair due to knee and back pain and has had bouts of ill health.

He was in a wheelchair as he boarded the flight on Monday, using a mobile lift to gain access to the aircraft.

At a press briefing on Friday, the Vatican said it was not taking any unusual medical precautions for the pope on this trip.

"We are taking the same precautions that we always take," said Matteo Bruni, director of the Vatican press office.

(Reporting by Joshua McElwee; Editing by Angus MacSwan)
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  Its official: Drug possession is once again illegal in Oregon.

The states new drug law to recriminalize the possession of small amounts of hard drugs went into effect on Sunday, effectively reversing the voter-approved Measure 110 that has been the subject of controversy for years.

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The new law, House Bill 4002, gives people the choice between being charged and treatment when they are caught carrying drugs like fentanyl and meth. Treatment includes completing a behavioral health screening and participating in a deflection program in order to sidestep fines.

They should have never decriminalized it in the first place because now theyve got worse than a pandemic on their hands of addictsthat are stuck in a rut and believe its OK to do drugs, Steven Coleman, a person experiencing homelessness, said. How you gonna arrest somebody that you told it was OK to do drugs, and now suddenly, its not OK to do drugs?

According to data from Gresham and Portland police, six people so far have been arrested for drug possession, one was cited, and two qualified for deflection and accepted services. However, that data excludes numbers from the Multnomah County Sheriffs Office and transit police, both of which said they would not have information until Tuesday.

Adults who are found with small amounts of controlled drugs are eligible for deflection only if they have no other charges, warrants, or holds, are medically stable and non-violent, and can agree to deflection instead of jail.

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If a person meets these requirements, officers will call the countys deflection dispatch line to provide basic information, determine eligibility and connect them to a mobile behavioral health outreach team that will have 30 minutes to make contact.

These mobile outreach teams will take on the deflection process while Multnomah County finalizes plans for its deflection center that was recently put on pause through mid- to late October. The push was the result of a lack of staffing, though county leaders said they also hope to bolster community support for the site at 900 SE Pine Street.

4-D Recovery is one of the few mobile outreach providers working with the county to offer deflection services on the ground. According to Executive Director Tony Vezina, the providers have so far engaged with four people since Sunday morning.

One of them, we were able to get into detox right away yesterday. That was really awesome, he said. Two of them were unable to get in services right away, but we created a service plan for them.

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Those who are offered deflection will be required to answer all peer questions, sign a release, accept referrals to services, and engage with at least one service within 30 days. If they fail, they will not be eligible for deflection  and could be arrested if caught with drugs again within the same 30 day window.

However, law enforcement can only offer deflection from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday and Monday for the holiday weekend before officers shift to a schedule of 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday due to the countys limited behavioral health availability.

Vezina told KOIN 6 news that 4-Ds biggest challenge so far has been the lack of immediate access to residential detox and recovery housing.

That next call to get them into services they need is really critical, but if theyre not there, man, you know, how can we blame the person so much, right? Vezina said. Thats the biggest issue, we dont have enough residential, detox, recovery, housing, sober living beds.

In one case, a woman was unable to get connected to services, because they were all closed.

Shes already participating in treatment, still using some other drugs, understands recovery, and wants to get back re-engaged fully, Vezina said. So were going to be working with her on a plan to do that.

Additionally, the number of people who qualify for defection is very slim compared to the number of arrests. This is something Portland Police Bureaus Chief Bob Day predicted during his press conference last Friday.

Stay with KOIN 6 News as this story develops.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com.
A coalition of six power-house publishers, several authors and Florida parents are taking the Florida Department of Education to court in an effort to challenge parts of the states law regulating what content can appear on library shelves, according to our sister station WJAX.

Several smaller challenges, mostly directed at individual school board decisions on specific books, have been filed in recent months, but the new challenge attempts to get to the heart of the matter by taking direct aim at the state law led to the book challenge frenzy in Florida.

The 99-page lawsuit was filed in a federal court in Orlando.

Read: Lake County deputy injured in ambush released from hospital, officials say

The suit cites examples of classics plaintiffs argue have been arbitrarily removed from school library shelves like For Whom the Bell Tolls, Slaughter-House Five and The Color Purple.

Florida is at the epicenter of this, unfortunately. And theres a lot of hurt and pain going on there, Daniel Novack, Associate General Counsel at Penguin Random House, said.

Read: Flagler County beach renourishment project completed early, in time for Labor Day weekend

Penguin Random House is one of the publishers challenging the states library restriction laws.

Novak explained that the main issue with that law is the loose definition of content that is harmful to minors, which serves as the standard for determining whether a book must be removed or restricted.

This is about taking a law that purports to target pornography, but in effect, removes thousands of books in mass with no consideration of their literary value, Novak said.

In response to the suit, the Florida Department of Education issued a statement to Action News Jax.

This is a stunt. There are no books banned in Florida. Sexually explicit material and instruction are not suitable for schools, FDOE Communications Director Syndey Booker said.

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State leaders have argued that content in school libraries is government speech and therefore not subject to full First Amendment protections.

But Novak argues the First Amendment does apply.

He contends school library shelves are more akin to the marketplace of ideas.

Read: Several cars get stuck in flooding during heavy rainfall in downtown Orlando

Were just asking for the right for our ideas to compete alongside everyone elses and let the best ideas win, Novak said.

Unlike many of the more local and individual challenges filed in this space, the outcome of the new lawsuit has the potential to impact every school in the state.

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BEIJING, Sept. 2 (Xinhua) -- China's State Council on Monday announced that Tian Shihong will no longer serve as deputy head of the State Administration for Market Regulation and head of the country's Standardization Administration. 
Presidential candidates will be focused on getting their supporters out to vote, local experts say

(WKBN)  Although weve been hearing about the race for the White House for months already, many believe Labor Day is the start of the home stretch, with just 64 days left until the November Election.



Political Science professors Paul Sracic, from Youngstown State University, and Michael Coulter, with Grove City College, both agree that the campaigns of Kamala Harris and Donald Trump will be focused on two key missions: getting out the vote and pulling still-undecided voters over to their side.

Thats the other thing that the campaigns are going to be doing is targeting voters with special messages that might help turn them out, or might help convince them one way or the other, Coulter said.

Undecided voters are difficult because the reason theyre undecided is theyre not that into politics, right? They dont follow things that closely. If youre into politics right now, youre probably decided. You follow issues. You have strong positions, Sracic said.

The professors believe the vast majority of voters  perhaps 80 or 90 percent  already have an idea of who theyll be voting for, but in the tight election, those remaining voters could have a big impact on the outcome on November 5.

The campaigns themselves are going to be concerned with voter turnout sort of below the radar screen, below what were seeing from the candidates. Youre gonna see a lot of organization, you know, down below, trying to make sure that these people whove already decided end up showing up, Sracic said.

Theyve got to keep the enthusiasm of their supporters up because, at this point, the focus isnt as much on changing peoples minds. Thats always hard. But the focus is on keeping the enthusiasm up so your voters turn out, Coulter said.

Both professors believe the Harris and Trump campaigns will be putting out very focused messages through social media and the mail  targeting voters to keep them motivated to either return their early ballots or get to the polls in person on November 5.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKBN.com.
CHICOPEE, Mass. (WWLP)  Massachusetts residents are getting ready to head to the polls on Tuesday for the state primary.

Overnight ramp work to close lanes on Mass Pike in Westfield

Across the state, there is a contested Republican primary for the U.S. Senate. The candidates for that race are engineer Robert Antonellis, Quincy City Councilor Ian Cain, and Pro-Cryptocurrency Attorney John Deaton. The winner of that race will challenge Senator Elizabeth Warren in the November general election.

Warren has no Democratic primary opponent. Here in western Massachusetts, there are a few contested legislative primaries, all are on the Democratic side. That includes the Hampden District of the State where incumbent Senator Adam Gomez is being challenged by Springfield City Councilor Malo Brown. Then over in the State House of Representatives, in the 11th Hampden District incumbent State Rep. Bud Williams is being challenged by Johnnie McKnight.

In the third Berkshire District, there is a three-way race for an open seat. The candidates are Great Barrington Select Board Vice Chair Leigh Davis, Stockbridge Select Board member Jamie Minacci, and Stockbridge Select Board Member Patrick White.

All polling locations on election day are open from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. You can visit WhereDoIVoteMA.com and enter your address to find your specific assigned polling location or call your local city or town hall.

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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CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD)  For the 21st consecutive year, the College of Charleston has been recognized as one of the nations best institutions for undergraduate students by The Princeton Review.

The college has been featured in the companys annual college guide, The Best 390 Colleges: 2025 Edition, further cementing its reputation as a top choice for students seeking a high-quality liberal arts education.

The Princeton Review lauds the College of Charleston for offering a mid-sized liberal arts experience to its 10,000 undergraduates, all within the vibrant and historic city of Charleston. This unique combination of academic rigor and cultural immersion makes the institution stand out among its peers.

One student at the College of Charleston shared that professors are supportive and help students find opportunities through networking and general encouragement, highlighting the facultys commitment to student success.

The Princeton Review selects colleges for its guide based on data gathered from surveys of 2,000 college administrators, as well as feedback from students attending the schools. Only about 14% of Americas 2,700 four-year colleges are included in the publication, making this an elite distinction.

Rob Franek, editor-in-chief of The Princeton Review, praised the College of Charleston for its outstanding academics and numerous other impressive offerings, recommending it as an ideal choice for students searching for their best-fit college.

Located in the heart of Charleston, South Carolina, the College of Charleston is a nationally recognized public liberal arts and sciences university. Established in 1770, it is one of the countrys oldest universities, known for its combination of historic charm and modern academic facilities. The Colleges beautiful campus, diverse programs, and dedicated faculty continue to attract students from across the U.S. and around the world, making it a top destination for those seeking an exceptional college experience.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCBD News 2.
MANHATTAN, N.Y. (PIX11)  Thousands of pro-Palestinian protesters flooded some of the busiest areas in New York City on Labor Day, according to Citizen App videos.

The crowds gathered in Union Square and Washington Square Park before marching along Fifth Avenue up to the New York Public Library, according to videos of the scenes. The protesters were waving flags and signs supporting the Palestinians.

From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free, the protesters chanted.

We are here to change the narrative to expose the lies, to show the truth that masses stand with Palestine, the protesters said.

Several NYPD officers were seen patrolling Union Square. It was unclear if there were any arrests during the rallies, police said.

On Monday, President Joe Biden met with the U.S. negotiators to work on a cease-fire in Gaza and the release of the hostages, accoridng to White House officials. The Isreal-Gaza conflict began on Oct. 7, 2023.

American Hersh Goldberg-Polin and five other hostages were killed by Hamas. President Biden stressed the importance of holding Hamass leaders accountable, officials said.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11.
A volunteer of East SOS assists a resident who is evacuating his home because of Russian advances in Selydove near Pokrovsk

MOSCOW (Reuters) -Russian forces are advancing faster in eastern Ukraine than they have done for a long time, taking several square kilometres per day, President Vladimir Putin said on Monday as Moscow's forces tried to smash through a Ukrainian defensive line.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy acknowledged the difficulties in the east, particularly near the city of Pokrovsk, but said Russia's military had made no further advances in the past two days.

Russian forces, which control 18% of Ukraine, have been advancing in eastern Ukraine since the failure of Kyiv's 2023 counter-offensive to achieve a major breakthrough.

Despite a Ukrainian incursion into Russia's southern Kursk region that began on Aug. 6, the numerically stronger Russian army has been thrusting though settlements in eastern Ukraine on the approach to logistically important Pokrovsk.

"We have not had such a pace in the offensive in Donbas (region) for a long time," Putin told children at Secondary School No. 20 in Kyzyl, in the remote region of Tuva, about 4,500 km (2,800 miles) east of Moscow.

"Now we are not talking about moving 200 or 300 metres (660 or 1,000 feet) forward ... The Russian armed forces are already bringing territories under control not by 200 to 300 metres but by square kilometres."

THE EASTERN FRONT

Zelenskiy said Ukraine faced difficulties in confronting "the most combat-focused Russian brigades" on the eastern front.

Addressing journalists in the Ukrainian-held city of Zaporizhzhia alongside Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof, he said he had been in discussion about the situation for two days with Commander in Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi.

"In the Pokrovsk sector, no matter how difficult it is, there has been no (Russian) advance for two days," he said.

Military blog DeepState also reported a stabilised situation in villages near Pokrovsk.

Yuri Podolyaka, a Ukrainian-born, pro-Russian military blogger, said intense battles were gripping Selydove, 20 km (12 miles) south of Pokrovsk, and Ukrainsk, 14 km south of Selydove.

He said both sides were pushing forces into the battles for the towns, which had populations of over 20,000 and 10,000 respectively before full-scale war began in February 2022.

Russian state news agency TASS said that Ukrainian forces had been driven out of a part of Selydove.

Russian forces have taken control of the village of Skuchne, east of Pokrovsk, Russia's Defence Ministry said on Monday.

Ukraine's General Staff, in an evening account, reported fighting around Selydove and Russian attacks on Ukrainsk.

By pushing south towards the town of Kurakhivka, Russian forces are seeking to break through Ukrainian defensive lines while increasing their sway over the Pokrovsk-Donetsk road and encircling a chunk of territory, Russian bloggers said.

Russia has been trying to expel Ukrainian forces from Kursk region after Kyiv's incursion, designed partly to pressure Russia to scramble forces from other parts of the front.

(Reporting by Reuters Writing by Guy Faulconbridge, Additional reporting by Oleksandr Kozhukhar in Kyiv; Editing by Ron Popeski and Stephen Coates)
This photo released by the European Union's Operation Aspides naval force shows the Greek-flagged oil tanker Sounion burning in the Red Sea following a series of attacks by Yemen's Houthi rebels on Monday, Sept. 2, 2024. (European Union's Operation Aspides via AP)

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP)  An attack by Yemen's Houthi rebels targeted a Panama-flagged oil tanker in the Red Sea on Monday, authorities said, as a nearby Saudi-flagged tanker ship also allegedly came under fire from the group.

The attacks are believed to be the latest in the Iranian-backed rebels campaign that has disrupted the $1 trillion in goods that pass through the Red Sea each year over the Israel-Hamas war in the Gaza Strip and has halted some aid shipments to conflict-ravaged Sudan and Yemen.

The new attacks on oil tankers also come amid efforts to salvage the still-burning Sounion oil tanker earlier hit by the Houthis, seeking to head off the potential ecological disaster posed by its cargo of 1 million barrels of crude oil.

In Monday's first assault, two ballistic missiles hit the oil tanker Blue Lagoon I and a third exploded near the ship, the multination Joint Maritime Information Center overseen by the U.S. Navy said.

All crew on board are safe (no injury reported), the center said. "The vessel sustained minimal damage but does not require assistance."

Houthi military spokesman Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree claimed responsibility for the attack on the Blue Lagoon I late Monday night.

The Blue Lagoon I is traveling south through the Red Sea to an unlisted destination. The vessel was coming from Russia's port of Ust-Luga on the Baltic Sea and had been broadcasting that it had Russian-origin cargo on board.

In recent months, the Blue Lagoon I traveled to India, which gets more than 40% of its oil imports from Russia despite Moscow's ongoing war on Ukraine and the international sanctions it faces over it.

The Greek-based firm operating the ship could not be reached. The Joint Maritime Information Center said it assessed that the ship was targeted due to other vessels within its company structure making recent port calls in Israel. Saree also cited that as the reason the Houthis attacked the vessel.

Later on Monday morning, the British military's United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations center reported a second attack off the Houthi-controlled port city of Hodeida. The private security firm Ambrey said an aerial drone hit a merchant ship, though no damage or injuries were reported. The attack happened only a few kilometers (miles) from where the Blue Lagoon I attack occurred, Ambrey said.

The U.S. military's Central Command, which oversees American operations in the Mideast, identified the second vessel as the Saudi-flagged oil tanker Amjad and blamed the attack on the Houthis. The Amjad carried 2 million barrels of oil, it said.

These reckless acts of terrorism by the Houthis continue to destabilize regional and global commerce, as well as put the lives of civilian mariners and maritime ecosystems at risk, Central Command said.

The U.S. military also destroyed two Houthi missile systems in strikes on Monday, the command added.

The Houthi group did not immediately claim responsibility for the attack on the Amjad. However, it can take the rebels hours or even days to acknowledge their assaults.

In the case of the Amjad attack, the Houthis likely did not claim it given a yearslong, de facto cease-fire in which the group has not attacked Saudi Arabia as the kingdom tries to reach a peace deal with the rebels. Saudi Arabia also reached a Chinese-mediated detente with Iran, the Houthis' main benefactor, last year that's still holding.

Saudi Arabia launched a war against the Houthis in March 2015 in support of Yemen's exiled government, which earlier had been thrown out of the capital, Sanaa, by the rebels.

Saudi Arabia similarly did not acknowledge the attack on the Amjad, possibly to lower any pressure on it to respond militarily. Yemen's war has killed more than 150,000 people, including fighters and civilians, and created one of the worlds worst humanitarian disasters, killing tens of thousands more.

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 on Monday, a salvage effort appeared to be underway to tow away the Sounion oil tanker, which was earlier hit by the Houthis and abandoned by its crew. Jamel Amer, an official with the Houthis, wrote online Saturday that tugboats assigned to pull the Sounion away should arrive Sunday.

However, NASA fire satellites showed a blaze at the site where the Sounion had been abandoned on Monday morning. Later photos published by the European Union's Operation Aspides naval mission in the Red Sea of the Sounion taken on Monday showed no tugboats near the still-burning vessel.

Private companies are involved in the salvage operation that is about to start, the operation said. Upon their request, EUNAVFOR ASPIDES will provide protection to the tugboats, that will deal with the salvage operation and facilitate their efforts to prevent an environmental disaster.

It added: Currently, several fires continue to burn on the vessels main deck. The vessel remains anchored without drifting, and there are no visible signs of an oil spill.

The Sounion was carrying about 1 million barrels of oil when the Houthis initially attacked it on Aug. 21 with small arms fire, projectiles and a drone boat. A French destroyer operating as part of Operation Aspides rescued the Sounions crew of 25 Filipinos and Russians, as well as four private security personnel, after they abandoned the vessel and took them to nearby Djibouti.

Last week, the Houthis released footage showing they planted explosives on board the Sounion and ignited them in a propaganda video, something the rebels have done before in their campaign.
Anti-government demonstrators gathered in the Israeli cities of Tel Aviv and Jerusalem for a second day of protests after the killing of six hostages, demanding that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu conclude a cease-fire and hostage-release deal with Hamas.

Street protests resumed across the country on Monday, coinciding with a general strike called by Israels largest trade union -- Histadrut, or the General Organization of Workers in Israel, which has hundreds of thousands of members -- which has caused disruptions to services in some areas of the country.

Protesters broke through barriers near Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus residence in Jerusalem on Monday as they demanded progress on a deal to return the hostages in Gaza.

PHOTO: Israeli border guards prevent a demonstrator from trying to remove a barricade near the Israeli Prime Minister's residence in Jerusalem on September 2, 2024, during an anti-government protest. (Menahem Kahana/AFP via Getty Images)

The current wave of demonstrations were sparked by the recovery of the bodies of six hostages from a tunnel in the southern Gaza Strip on Saturday -- among them Israeli-American citizen Hersh Goldberg-Polin. The Israel Defense Forces said the captives were killed by militants "shortly" before their discovery.

The killings prompted fury in Israel, where some place blame for the deaths on Netanyahus months-long failure to reach a cease-fire deal with Hamas.

During a press conference Monday evening, Netanyahu asked for forgiveness from the families of the six slain hostages.

"I ask you for forgiveness that we did not succeed to bring your loved ones back alive. We were close, but we did not succeed," Netanyahu said.

Amid the protests, airlines operating out of Ben-Gurion International Airport temporarily halted some flights on Monday morning due to the strike, according to the airport. The union said Sunday the strike was only expected to affect some departing flights. The general strike was expected to last until Monday at about 2:30 p.m. local time, according to union Chairman Arnon Bar-David.

Opposition leader Yair Lapid said in a statement while expressing his support for the general strike: They were alive. Netanyahu and the death cabinet decided not to save them. There are still live hostages there, a deal can still be made. Netanyahu is not doing it for political reasons.

PHOTO: Protesters rally together against the government and to show support for the hostages who were kidnapped during the deadly Oct. 7 attack, in Tel Aviv, Israel, Sept. 2, 2024. (Florion Goga/Reuters)

MORE: Israel-Gaza live updates: Protest erupts in Tel Aviv over cease-fire, hostage deal

Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, meanwhile, posted on X linking the deaths of the six captives to Netanyahus reported decision last week to retain military control of the Philadelphi Corridor -- the strip of land running along the Gaza-Egypt border -- despite Hamas objections. Gallant called for the security cabinet to immediately reverse the decision in order to save the remaining hostages.

Public anger flared on Sunday night with hundreds of thousands of Israelis taking to the streets, with some engaging in clashes with police. Authorities said 29 people were arrested in Tel Aviv, as protesters set fire to barricades and launched fireworks.

Netanyahu blamed Hamas for the continued failure of cease-fire and hostage-release talks.

Whoever murders hostages  does not want a deal, the prime minister said in a statement released on Sunday. Hamas is continuing to steadfastly refuse all proposals.

The government of Israel is committed, and I am personally committed, to continue striving toward a deal that will return all of our hostages and ensure our security and our existence, he added.

Hamas accused Netanyahu of intentionally sabotaging negotiations by adding unacceptable new demands, which it said were aimed at obstructing reaching an agreement to preserve his power.

PHOTO: Protesters rally together against the government and to show support for the hostages who were kidnapped during the deadly Oct. 7 attack, in Tel Aviv, Israel, Sept. 2, 2024. (Florion Goga/Reuters)

Some of Netanyahus far-right coalition partners have pushed back on the protesters demands for a deal.

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, for example, noted in a post on X that he was seeking legal action to break up the general strike. Its organizers, he said, will not be allowed to turn the country upside down.

Strikers, he added, serve the interests of [Hamas leader Yahya] Sinwar and Hamas.

ABC News' Joe Simonetti contributed to this report.

Demonstrators march on Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu's home as cease-fire protests continue originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
Protesters in Nigeria face possible death penalty as accusation of treason brings outrage

ABUJA, Nigeria (AP)  At least 10 protesters in Nigeria faced a possible death penalty on Monday after being charged with treason over their participation in recent demonstrations against the countrys worst-in-a-generation economic crisis.

The protesters were arraigned in the capital, Abuja, and accused of acting with intent to destabilize Nigeria  and intimidate the president during the protests. They pleaded not guilty and will remain in prison until a Sept. 11 bail hearing.

A British citizen was named among the suspects still at large. The British High Commission did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Nigeria police spokesman Muyiwa Adejobi accused Andrew Wynne of working with the protesters as a foreign mercenary and building a network of sleeper cells to topple the government and plunge the nation into chaos. He did not provide any evidence to back up the claim.

At least 22 protesters were shot dead by security forces during the demonstrations, Amnesty International has said. Authorities have denied it. The Associated Press confirmed at least three killings.

Little is known about the fate of hundreds of other protesters arrested.

There have been growing concerns in Nigeria about human rights abuses under the government of President Bola Tinubu, who was elected last year after promising positive change.

The protesters were charged under Nigerias Penal Code, which critics have described as one of the country's harshest laws and one used by authorities to clamp down on dissent. The treason charge carries the death penalty.

The trial was widely condemned in Nigeria.

Some of the charges show how far Nigerian authorities can go in misusing the criminal justice system to silence critical voices. These are blatantly trumped-up charges that must be immediately withdrawn, Amnesty country director Isa Sanusi said in a statement.

___

Associated Press writer Chinedu Asadu in Abuja, Nigeria, contributed.
Protests roiled Israel for a second day and a general strike caused disruptions across the country after the military recovered the bodies of six hostages over the weekend.

Tens of thousands of protesters took to the streets on Sunday night to pressure Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to reach a cease-fire and hostage release deal with the militant group Hamas after nearly 11 months of conflict.

A general strike was held Monday, The Associated Press reported, called by Israels largest trade union, the Histadrut. Street protests also resumed across the country.

Late Monday, several thousand demonstrators gathered outside Netanyahus private home, chanting, Deal. Now, according to the AP.

The families of the deceased hostages have blamed Netanyahu, contending they could have been saved through a deal with Hamas, according to the AP. President Biden also said Monday that Netanyahu isnt doing enough to secure a hostage deal.

Netanyahu pushed back against the pressure for a cease-fire, saying hell continue to insist on Israeli control of the Philadelphi Corridor along Gazas border with Egypt. He also sought forgiveness for the hostage deaths and vowed consequences for Hamas.

I told the families, and I repeat and say this evening: I am asking for your forgiveness that we didnt manage to bring them back alive. We were very close, but we couldnt make it, Netanyahu said during a Monday press conference, per a CNN translation.

Hamass surprise assault last year left more than 1,100 people dead, and roughly 250 hostages were taken captive, sparking the ongoing 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.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
TUNIS, Sep. 2 (Xinhua) -- Tunisia's Independent High Authority for Elections (ISIE) on Monday announced the final list of three candidates for the upcoming presidential elections scheduled for October 6, reported the Tunis Afrique Presse.

The list includes Tunisian President Kais Saied, who will run for a second five-year term, Secretary-General of the People's Movement Zouhair Maghzaoui and Secretary-General of the Azimoun Movement Ayachi Zammel, according to the report.

However, Zammel's team said earlier in the day that Tunisian police had arrested him on charges of falsifying popular endorsements.

The election campaign will kick off on September 14 and wrap up on October 4. The ISIE will announce the final election results before November 9. 
(Reuters) - The West is openly persecuting Russian journalists, President Vladimir Putin said in remarks published on Monday, days after Moscow banned dozens of U.S. journalists from entering the country.

"In order to hide from inconvenient facts, from truthful information, the West, which considers itself the standard of freedom, has launched an open persecution against Russian correspondents," Putin told the Mongolian newspaper Onoodor on the eve of his visit to the country, according to a transcript provided on the Kremlin's website.

His remarks come after Moscow said on Wednesday it was banning entry to Russia for 92 U.S. citizens, including journalists, lawyers, and the heads of what it said were key military-industrial firms, over what it described as Washington's Russophobic stance.

They also follow years of the Kremlin's suppression of independent media and Moscow's swift blocking of dissenting voices in Russian-language media outlets at the start of Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

Putin said that in Russia, media are free.

"The only requirement for them is compliance with Russian legislation," he said. "Foreign correspondents accredited in our country should understand this."

Russia has frequently accused Western countries of imposing unfair restrictions on its media abroad, including bans on some state-backed news outlets.

Putin told the Mongolian newspaper that Russian journalists face "direct censorship" in almost all Western countries.

"The only thing our media do is to convincingly convey the Russian point of view on current modern problems and processes taking place in the world," Putin said.

In May, Russian lawmakers passed a bill giving prosecutors powers to shut foreign media bureaus in Moscow if a Western country has been "unfriendly" to Russian media.

Washington has imposed sanctions against some state-run Russian TV stations, which it says have spread disinformation to bolster Russia's war in Ukraine.

(Reporting by Lidia Kelly in Melbourne; Editing by; Raju Gopalakrishnan)
Putin arrives in Mongolia, authorities reminded of obligation to arrest him  video

Russian leader Vladimir Putin has arrived in Mongolia on an official visit.

Source: Kremlin-aligned Russian news agency RIA Novosti

Details: The Kremlin ruler will reportedly "attend celebrations to mark the 85th anniversary of the joint victory of the Soviet and Mongolian Armed Forces at Khalkhin Gol". [Khalkhin Gol was a series of battles fought in 1939 between Soviet-Mongolian forces and the Japanese Empire along the border of Mongolia and Manchuria, resulting in a decisive Soviet victory  ed.]

In addition, the two sides will hold talks in restricted and extended formats.

Quote: "Vladimir Putin and Mongolian President Khurelsukh Ukhnaa will exchange views on current international and regional issues, as well as discussing prospects for the further development of bilateral relations of comprehensive strategic partnership."

More details: The Kremlin's press service noted that the talks are expected to result in the signing of bilateral documents.

Background:

Ukraine's Foreign Ministry has urged Mongolia to fulfil its obligations under the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court and arrest Russian leader Vladimir Putin during his visit to the country.

Dmitry Peskov, spokesperson for the Russian leader, stated that the Kremlin has no concerns about Putin's visit to Mongolia despite the country recognising the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court.

The International Criminal Court has highlighted that, as a state party to the Rome Statute, Mongolia is obligated to arrest Vladimir Putin, who is subject to an arrest warrant for his involvement in the abduction of Ukrainian children.

The European Union has also reminded Mongolia that it is obliged to arrest Putin because of the ICC warrant.

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MOSCOW (Reuters) - The Kremlin said on Monday that Russian President Vladimir Putin had arrived for a state visit in Mongolia, which lies on the route of a planned new gas pipeline connecting Russia and China.

Russia has been in talks for years about building the pipeline to carry 50 billion cubic metres (bcm) of natural gas a year from its Yamal region to China via Mongolia.

The project, Power of Siberia 2, is part of Russia's strategy to compensate for the loss of most of its gas sales in Europe since the start of the Ukraine war. It is the planned successor to an existing pipeline of the same name which already supplies Russian gas to China and is due to reach its planned capacity of 38 bcm per year in 2025.

The new venture has long been bogged down over key issues such as the pricing of the gas. However, Putin said on the eve of his visit that preparatory work, including feasibility and engineering studies, were proceeding as scheduled.

He is due to hold talks with Mongolian President Ukhnaagiin Khurelsukh on Tuesday.

Ukraine urged Mongolia last week to arrest Putin on a warrant issued by the International Criminal Court warrant last year, when it accused him of the war crime of illegally deporting hundreds of children from Ukraine.

The Kremlin has dismissed the accusation, saying it is politically motivated, and has said it has no worries about Putin making the trip.

The warrant obliges the court's 124 member states, including Mongolia, to arrest Putin and transfer him to The Hague for trial if he sets foot on their territory.

Asked whether there had been discussions with Mongolian authorities about the ICC warrant, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said last week that "all of the aspects of the visit have been thoroughly discussed."

(Reporting by Reuters, writing by Mark Trevelyan; Editing by Andrew Osborn)
Putin arrives in Mongolia, a member of the ICC that issued an arrest warrant for him

Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived Monday in Mongolia, a member of the international court that issued an arrest warrant for him.

The official visit, in which he is to meet Tuesday with Mongolian leader Ukhnaa Khurelsukh, is Putins first to a member country of the International Criminal Court since it issued a warrant for his arrest nearly 18 months ago on charges of war crimes in Ukraine.

Ukraine has called on Mongolia to arrest Putin and hand him over to the court in The Hague. A spokesperson for Putin said last week that the Kremlin isnt worried about the visit.

Members of the international court are bound to detain suspects if an arrest warrant has been issued, but the court doesnt have any enforcement mechanism.

Mongolia, a sparsely populated country between Russia and China, is heavily dependent on the former for fuel and electricity and on the latter for investment in its mining industry.

The ICC has accused Putin of being responsible for the abductions of children from Ukraine, where the fighting has raged for 2 years.

Putin and the Mongolian leader on Tuesday are to attend a ceremony marking the 1939 victory of Soviet and Mongolian troops over the Japanese army that had taken control of Manchuria in northeastern China. Thousands of soldiers died in months of fighting in a dispute over where the border was between Manchuria and Mongolia.

Though Putin has faced international isolation over the invasion of Ukraine, he visited North Korea and Vietnam in June and has also visited China twice in the past year.

He joined a meeting in Johannesburg by video link last year after the South African government lobbied against him showing up for the BRICS summit, a group that also includes China and other emerging economies. South Africa is an ICC member.
Russian leader Vladimir Putin has said that Russian occupation forces are advancing in Ukraines east at a significant pace and noted that it was not in metres but in kilometres.

Source: RIA Novosti, a Kremlin-aligned Russian news outlet

Details: During an open lesson with Russian schoolchildren, Putin began to boast that "now it's not about moving 200 to 300 metres forward" in Donbas.

He claimed that such a pace of advance had not been seen for a long time. "The Russian Armed Forces are now capturing not 200 to 300 metres daily, but square kilometres," Putin said.

Putin also called the Ukrainian Armed Forces' operation in Russias Kursk Oblast a "provocation" and an attempt to stop Russia's offensive in Donbas, which has supposedly failed.

Background:

On 1 September, Oleksandr Syrskyi, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, reported that the situation was difficult in the area of the Russians main offensive, in Donetsk Oblast. Nonetheless, he said that all necessary decisions at all levels are being made without delay.

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported on 2 September that a total of 182 combat clashes had taken place on the front line over the past 24 hours alone, with 63 Russian assaults occurring on the Pokrovsk front.

Michael Clarke, visiting professor in defence studies at Kings College London, forecast that Russian troops could capture the whole of Donetsk Oblast and threaten Dnipropetrovsk Oblast in the spring of 2025.

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Russian President Vladimir Putin holds an operational meeting in Novo-Ogaryovo. Putin praised the speed with which his troops are occupying new territories in neighbouring Ukraine on Monday. During an appearance in front of schoolchildren, he said that Ukraine's attempt to halt the advance of Russian troops in the Donbass with its counterattack in the Kursk region had been in vain. -/Kremlin/dpa

Russian President Vladimir Putin praised the speed with which his troops are occupying new territories in neighbouring Ukraine on Monday.

During an appearance in front of schoolchildren, he said that Ukraine's attempt to halt the advance of Russian troops in the Donbass with its counterattack in the Kursk region had been in vain.

"We are not talking about advancing 200 or 300 metres," Putin said, according to Russian news agencies. "We haven't had this kind of pace in the offensive in Donbass for a long time."

Putin stopped off in the Siberian republic of Tuva on his way to Mongolia, to give a lesson in the new subject introduced after the start of the war, "Conversations about the important things." The lessons, laden with propaganda, are intended to familiarize children with the Kremlin's political course.

Putin repeated the claim that the war he ordered was in defence of his own country. "We are protecting both the people living in the Donbass and the future of Russia, because we cannot afford to have hostile structures created under our noses that are harbouring aggressive plans against our country," he said. Putin was apparently alluding to Kiev's hopes of joining NATO.

Putin called the Ukrainian soldiers involved in the counterattack on the Kursk region "bandits" with whom Russia must settle accounts.

The Ukrainian troops still have the initiative in the Kursk region, partly because Russia has refrained from withdrawing soldiers from the main attack area in Donetsk to repel the attack.
Putin suddenly changes his mind again and says he never refused to negotiate

Russian leader Vladimir Putin, following his spokesman's recent statement that negotiations with Ukraine have "lost their relevance", has suddenly started talking again, claiming that he has never refused to engage in dialogue.

Source: Russian propaganda outlet RIA Novosti

Quote from Putin: "Russia has never refused peace talks, but we need to deal with the bandits who have entered the country." [Putin is probably referring to Ukraine's successful operation in Kursk Oblast of the Russian Federation - ed.]

Why it matters: Russia invaded and occupied Ukrainian Crimea and part of Donbas back in 2014. In 2022, the Russian Federation launched the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, attacking civilian settlements across the country at night with missiles and bombs. It was noteworthy that Russian propagandists in the early days actively spread statements that "Russia will take Kyiv in 3 days", and Russian soldiers advancing on Kyiv were carrying their full-dress uniforms to parade down Khreshchatyk [main street in Kyiv  ed.] during these "3 days".

However, the Armed Forces of Ukraine managed to drive the Russians out of Kyiv, Chernihiv and Sumy oblasts. And they are continuing to hold back the Russians on other fronts.

Sensing that it would not be possible to achieve victory, Russia began to promote the idea of alleged peace talks through which it wants to retain all the occupied territories. At the same time, the Russians are continuing to terrorise Ukraine, striking at energy and civilian infrastructure and residential buildings. Most often, they do this at night.

Despite the huge number of weapons and equipment, the Russian army is suffering heavy losses. And as of 2 September 2024  after more than 10 years of war and more than two and a half years of full-scale invasion  the Russians have not been able to achieve even the smallest strategic victory: occupying the whole of Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts. In the cities and villages in the east of Ukraine, battles continue for every street and house. The Russians are trying to look for weapons and mercenaries in other countries.

Putin continues to distort reality in his speeches and statements, trying to make Russia the victim while seeking support from China and North Korea. In particular, he is buying missiles from North Korea which he launches at peaceful settlements in Ukraine.

The operation in Kursk Oblast began on 6 August. On 10 August, on the fifth day of the Ukrainian army's offensive deep into Russia, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy acknowledged that Ukraine had brought the war to Russian territory.

As of 20 August, Ukrainian forces controlled more than 1,260 sq km of territory and 93 settlements in Kursk Oblast, Russia.

On 27 August, Oleksandr Syrskyi, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, said that since the beginning of the operation in Kursk Oblast in Russia, Ukraine had captured 594 Russian soldiers and controlled more than 100 settlements or 1,294 square kilometres.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that such actions are aimed at creating a buffer zone to prevent Russian military operations against Ukraine.

Read also: Commander-in-Chief Syrskyi's raid: how the Ukrainian offensive in Russia's Kursk Oblast is progressing and what to expect next

Background:

On 26 August, Dmitry Peskov, the spokesman for Russian leader Vladimir Putin, stated that negotiations with Ukraine had "lost their relevance".

On 27 August, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine, stated that at this stage, there is no point in dialogue with Russian ruler Vladimir Putin, as the latter does not want a diplomatic end to the war unleashed against Ukraine.

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Vladimir Putin arrived in Mongolia on Sept. 2, 2024, the first time the Russian president has visited an International Criminal Court (ICC) member country since the body issued a warrant for his arrest in 2023. While officially commemorating a Soviet-Mongolian military victory in World War II, Putins visit will test the small central Asian countrys policy of neutrality and the reach of international institutions.

Mongolia, a country of just 3.3 million people but with huge geographical territory, has long navigated its foreign policy in the shadow of Russia and China, with whom it has extensive historical and economic ties.

The country has attempted to bolster its independence from its more powerful neighbors by developing cordial relations with so-called third neighbor countries that include the United States, Germany, Japan and South Korea.

Through this approach, Mongolia has attempted to carve out a niche on the international stage, presenting itself as a neutral diplomatic meeting ground. Its annual Ulaanbaatar Dialogue, for example, is an opportunity for regional countries and other invited nations, including from the U.S. and EU member states, to discuss issues ranging from climate change to regional security and critical minerals.

As scholars of Mongolia and China, we attended the last such dialogue in June 2024 and witnessed Mongolias diplomatic efforts firsthand. It is a strategy that has worked for the country, but as events like Putins visit highlight, it can be a tough balancing act.

A closely watched visit

The timing of Putins trip is officially linked to history. It marks both the 85th anniversary of the Battle of Khalkhin Gol  in which joint Soviet-Mongolian forces defeated Japanese troops in World War II  and the founding of Mongolias national railway operator by the two countries 75 years ago.

Yet it is a third historical marker, the fifth anniversary of a comprehensive Russian-Mongolian strategic partnership, that highlights the visits significance from a modern geopolitical perspective.

Alongside its friendly relations with third neighbors, Mongolia has maintained a close relationship with Moscow despite Putins pariah status in much of the international community. Most recently, in July, Mongolian President Ukhnaagiin Khurelsukh met with Putin at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit.

Yet Putins visit now  the first he has made to the country since 2019  poses a challenge for Mongolia as it seeks to balance its obligations and alliances with the Western-led international order, of which the ICC is a part, and its desire to remain friendly with its powerful neighbors.

Few things demonstrate this diplomatic tightrope walk like Mongolias membership in the ICC, which issued an arrest warrant for Putin over his alleged role in the unlawful deportation and transfer of Ukrainian children to Russia. Ukraine has urged Mongolia to detain Putin, citing the ICCs founding treaty, the Rome Statute, which instructs member countries to take action if subjects to a court warrant enter their territory.

However, the ICC lacks an effective enforcement mechanism, and member states may also be exempt from carrying out arrests if doing so conflicts with certain treaty obligations or diplomatic immunity offered to another party.

Putins visit is expected to demonstrate how little can be done to rein in Moscow. Given the power imbalance between the states, Mongolia will likely show just how far it is willing to go to accommodate its powerful neighbor.

Mongolias Third Neighbor policy

For almost 70 years, Mongolia was closely allied with the Soviet Union. But the fall of communism and subsequent geopolitical reorientation of the post-Cold War order forced the country to alter its economic and political relations.

In so doing, Mongolia became the only former communist state in Asia to adopt a democratic political system and open economy. It won favor with the U.S. and other Western countries who embraced the country as a role model for the region.

Putins expected trip is but the latest in a series of recent high-profile state visits as Mongolia seeks to maintain close relations with its neighbors, while also expanding partnerships with other nations.

So far in 2024, Mongolia has received heads of state or foreign ministers from the U.S., Slovenia, the Philippines, Belarus, the United Kingdom and Germany. In 2023, Mongolian Prime Minister Luvsannamsrain Oyun-Erdene traveled to the U.S. and met with Vice President Kamala Harris, and to China to see President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang.

Both French President Emmanuel Macron and Pope Francis have recently visited Ulaanbaatar.

Mongolia cant escape geography

While soft power efforts have won Ulaanbaatar goodwill and friends around the globe, they do not trump geography. Landlocked between Russia and China, Mongolia remains vulnerable to the whims of its two giant neighbors.

Mongolia is dependent on Russia for almost all its gasoline and diesel supplies and a substantial part of its electricity. Further, due to a legacy agreement from the Soviet era, Russia retains 50% ownership in several key infrastructure and mining projects in Mongolia. In particular, Russia is a partner in the Mongolian railway system, which has grown in importance as a trade corridor between China and Russia, and China and Europe.

Mongolia fears that its fuel supplies and transportation network will be disrupted if Russia prioritizes its own energy needs in the midst of war over the interests of its neighbors, however deep those ties may be.

Similarly, Mongolia is dependent on China for the majority of its non-energy imports, including food, consumer and industrial products. And China is the destination for 90% of Mongolias exports, primarily coal and copper.

Both Russia and China have used their economic and political muscle as leverage over Mongolia in the past due to perceived slights, such as Chinas disruption of trade and a key loan in 2016 in protest of a visit to Mongolia by the Dalai Lama.

Mongolia and the new China-Russia alignment

Mongolia and other states in Central Asia face new challenges as Russia and China grow closer politically and economically.

Mongolia played the role of a buffer state between the Soviet Union and China for much of the 20th century, and counted on the rivalry between the two superpowers to gain and maintain its independent status.

But the growing friendship between China and Russia  highlighted by Putin and Xis declaration of a no limits partnership in February 2022, just days before Russian troops invaded Ukraine  raises the question whether China and Russia will begin to act in concert to gain even more leverage over Mongolia and other smaller states in region.

It is these geopolitical concerns that Ulaanbaatar may be fixated upon during Putins visit. Even as Mongolia has been affected by the sanctions placed on Russia, seeing transportation and business links disrupted, the country has steered clear of confrontations with Moscow in international settings.

Along with China, Mongolia routinely abstains from United Nations resolutions condemning Russias invasion of Ukraine. But in a sign that Mongolia remains committed to its third neighbor policy, it has also been careful not to violate the sanctions imposed on Russia by the U.S. and its allies.

While Mongolia recognizes the importance of Putins visit to maintain good ties and the flow of fuel to the country, it will also be concerned with how the visit and its anticipated non-enforcement of ICC sanctions will hurt the countrys standing with global institutions and powers outside the region.

In a shifting world order, Mongolia is working hard to maintain independence by emphasizing its role as a neutral state and friend to all. But visits such as Putins show how difficult that endeavor can be.

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: Christopher K. Tong, University of Maryland, Baltimore County and Charles Krusekopf, Royal Roads University

Read more:



Charles Krusekopf is affiliated with the American Center for Mongolian Studies.

Christopher K. Tong does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
A nursing assistant in Pierce County whose license was suspended after she was accused of stealing from her deceased clients bank account has pleaded guilty to an identity theft charge and must pay the victims estate $4,000, court records show.

Jennifer Wenski, 53, was originally charged in January 2023 with 18 counts of second-degree identity theft and possession of stolen property. The state Department of Health previously said Wenski made approximately $20,000 worth of purchases and ATM withdrawals with her deceased clients debit card and also twice used the victims EBT card.

On Aug. 16, Wenski pleaded guilty in Pierce County Superior Court to just one count of second-degree identity theft. As part of a plea deal, she was ordered to pay restitution, undergo a chemical dependency evaluation and sentenced to a year of community custody, avoiding jail time, court records show. For a first-time offender like Wenski, the charge had carried a standard sentencing range of up to 90 days of confinement.

In her plea, Wenski admitted to knowingly us(ing) a means of identification or financial information of another person ... with the intent to obtain money in the amount less than $1,500 over a roughly week-long period, according to a court document.

Adam Faber, spokesperson for the Pierce County Prosecuting Attorneys Office, said that the state agency that licenses nurses would ultimately decide whether the conviction affected Wenskis ability to reapply for her certified nursing assistant license.

Beyond that, theres not much to add, Faber said in an email. Its a first time offender situation.

A message left for Wenskis legal counsel was not returned. Her lawyer, John Michael Sheeran, previously told The News Tribune that Wenski had no intent to defraud the victim or the victims estate.

Wenski, who worked for an in-home care service, was a caregiver for the victim for nearly two years until the victims death in January 2021, court and state health records show. The victims bank account dwindled from more than $26,000 at the time of her death to roughly $5,000 within a few weeks before the account was frozen, according to the criminal cases charging document.

In 2021, the states Adult Protective Services made a referral to the Puyallup Police Department in regard to fraudulent activity on the victims bank account, charging papers show.

On the day of her death there were numerous online purchases through Amazon as well as other online purchases and ATM withdrawals, the charging document said. Even after (the clients) death  the purchases and ATM withdrawals continued.

To track in-store purchases, Puyallup police reviewed surveillance videos from businesses and copies of transaction receipts within the first month following the victims death. Authorities concluded that Wenski had shopped at Costco, Winco, Rite Aid, Walgreens and Walmart. In each trip, prosecutors alleged, Wenski used her clients debit card to buy $5 to $196 worth of merchandise.

Wenski was unsure if she had been grocery shopping after the death with (her clients) debit card but ... after being shown some of the surveillance evidence she admitted that was her, the charging document said. She agreed that she had no right to take the money from (her clients) account. She could not estimate how much she had taken.

Wenski had also claimed that she had used money to pay for her clients cremation, attributed large withdrawals to illicit drugs that she alleged were used by her client and her clients recently deceased husband, and told police that she had settled related drug debts. She said she believed she gave the victims debit card to her clients stepson within a week after her client died.

The victims family disputed Wenskis claims.

The victims sister, Linda Davis, said in an interview Friday that Wenski had isolated her sister from the family and convinced her sister that she cared about her.

It tears my heart out whenever I think about it, Davis said. I think she had long-time plans to do this to my sister.

Davis, 73, formerly a nurse and caregiver, said she recognized red flags and reported Wenski to the states Adult Protective Services before her sister passed.

She should never be able to be a caregiver again ever, Davis said.

In June 2023, Wenskis certified nursing assistant license was suspended. State health records noted that she could not reapply for reinstatement for three years.

The state Department of Health didnt return a message seeking to learn more about how Wenskis conviction might affect license reinstatement. Under Washington regulations, identity theft is on a list of crimes disqualifying convicted individuals from having unsupervised access to adults or minors receiving certain services, including home-care programs.
Zhao Leji, chairman of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, meets with Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, president of the Republic of Equatorial Guinea in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 2, 2024. Obiang is in Beijing for the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). (Xinhua/Zhang Ling)

BEIJING, Sept. 2 (Xinhua) -- China's top legislator Zhao Leji on Monday met with Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, president of the Republic of Equatorial Guinea, who is in Beijing for the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC).

Zhao, chairman of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, said China is willing to work with Equatorial Guinea to implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state. Within the frameworks of the Global Development Initiative, the Belt and Road Initiative, and the FOCAC, the two sides should further synergize development strategies, deepen cooperation in fields such as infrastructure, health, energy minerals and agriculture, as well as create new growth points for collaboration.

The NPC of China is willing to maintain friendly exchanges and cooperation with the Parliament of Equatorial Guinea, supporting the development of bilateral relations, Zhao noted.

Obiang said Equatorial Guinea will steadfastly support the series of global initiatives proposed by China. Adhering to the one-China principle, Equatorial Guinea is willing to work with China to deepen bilateral relations and advance pragmatic cooperation in various fields. 

Zhao Leji, chairman of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, meets with Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, president of the Republic of Equatorial Guinea in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 2, 2024. Obiang is in Beijing for the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). (Xinhua/Zhang Ling)
BANGKOK (AP)  For three months in 2016, a British journalist working in Myanmar traveled across the Southeast Asian country on trains with a mission to find out where they led, who built them, and why.

Clare Hammond arrived in Myanmar during a period of hope amid a transition to civilian rule, as Aung San Suu Kyi was coming to power after her decades of struggle against military rule.

Hammond recounts her travels in On the Shadow Tracks: A Journey through Occupied Myanmar, published in June, which began after she came across a map showing a far more extensive railway network than she had anticipated.

The rails carried troops and supplies deep into Myanmars interior, first on behalf of the British and later the Myanmar military. Following these tracks, Hammond uses the railways as a lens to understand the recent troubled history of Myanmar, formerly Burma.

As Hammond confronts Myanmars successive rulers records of coerced labor, environmental degradation, and repression, she also grapples with the promise and limitations of Myanmars short period of democratization  which the Myanmar military brought to an end when it seized power in February 2021.

Now the country is mired in civil war after nonviolent protests against the takeover segued into a nationwide armed resistance.

The Associated Press asked Hammond to explore what her time traveling on Myanmars trains reveals about the countrys past, present and future.

This interview has been edited for clarity and length.

___

AP: Did the railroads achieve the militarys goals?

HAMMOND: Before they built the railways and the attendant massive military expansion that took place, many parts of the country were not really controlled by the state. They were controlled by various different ethnic armed groups, and they werent really connected to the central Burmese state.

After the railways were built, those parts of the country were tied much more closely to the central Burmese state. So broadly, in military terms, I think that probably is considered a success.

Obviously, it wasnt successful for the people, who suffered because of it.

AP: You write about public memory of how the armed forces became so powerful. How do the railroads come into play?

HAMMOND: Yes, it was a strategy. It was no coincidence that the stories that people told me all across the country were so similar to one another.

I think they built these railways purposefully to strengthen themselves. I think the interesting parallel that we could make with what the British did as well was that there was this kind of element of deception  of propaganda.

In all official documents and media reports and so on, they talked about how what they were doing was for the people. It was to develop the nation. It was to bring in modernity. It would help rural people bring their produce to market. Thats what a lot of the British railway reports focused on as well: the local economy.

But really these projects were  like the colonial railways  tools of violent military expansion. The infrastructure that was built was the infrastructure of occupation.

AP: At different points in your journey, you seem to be hinting at the imminent unraveling of civilian rule. Was it inevitable?

HAMMOND: I see it not so much as the unraveling of civilian rule, as a step that is perhaps inevitable on the path to ending military rule.

During those years, the military had designed a system that worked for itself. The military had written the constitution and designed the way that parliament would work. It had control over certain ministries and it also had kept certain parts of the economy for itself.

I saw a growing discontent and growing realization that this wasnt going to work for Myanmar. There was this increasing push-back from the civilian government and from elements of civil society against the systems that the military put in place.

The military was refusing to budge because it had dedicated all of this time to building itself into this position of power. So, something had to give.

AP: Was there anything from this train journey that gave you hope about Myanmars future?

HAMMOND: I was traveling along the railways that the military built, and so I was traveling through places that were under military control. Just beyond these places, everywhere I went, community life was thriving.

I go beyond the edge of the railway network and find this incredible group of people. These are Karenni (ethnic minority) armed groups, and theyve built for themselves everything they need.

Since the coup, theyve been at the forefront of the revolution. Theyve started putting in place local governance systems that other parts of the borderlands are learning from, and people are talking to each other and sharing ways of governance. In a lot of the borderlands, they govern their own land and resources brilliantly. Theres a huge amount of knowledge about how to govern land and resources in ways that work for people all over the country.

The problem is that people havent been able to do that because of the British colonial expansion and then the expansion of Myanmars military. But the ideas are there, and now, as the revolutions territorial gains increase, I think there is hope of a different type of future for Myanmar.
Rager for the broleteriat: UNC frats party at Flagstock, but not all support the event

After riding a monthslong wave of social media fame that even led to an appearance at Julys Republican National Convention, UNC-Chapel Hill fraternity brothers who held up the American flag during an April campus protest will get the rager that a $515,000 GoFundMe promised to throw them.

Flagstock 2024, an invite-only concert featuring country musicians Big & Rich and Lee Greenwood, among others, will be held Monday evening at an off-campus location in Chapel Hill. Organizers are not disclosing the location ahead of the event in an effort to prevent protests, John Rich of Big & Rich told reporters in a virtual press conference last week.

Flagstock, which is not sponsored by the university, stems from a tense day of protests on the Chapel Hill campus this spring.

Police in the early hours of April 30 disbanded a four-day, pro-Palestinian Gaza Solidarity Encampment on Polk Place, charging three dozen protesters with trespassing, including six who were arrested. The UNC chapter of Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) organized the encampment as part of the groups efforts to demand the university disclose and divest from investments it holds in companies supporting Israel and to end study abroad programs to Israel.

Hours after the encampment was disbanded, protesters returned to the quad for a rally, which ended in demonstrators pulling down the American flag from the main campus flagpole and replacing it with a Palestinian flag.

UNC Chancellor Lee Roberts led police onto the quad shortly afterward to restore the American flag to the pole. Their efforts lasted only a few minutes, though, with pro-Palestinian protesters attempting to pull down the flag once more. But a group of counter-protesters  largely made up of the fraternity brothers  gathered to hold up the flag and keep it from touching the ground before taking it to police.

The moment went viral online almost immediately, gaining the attention of former President Donald Trump and others  including John Noonan, a former conservative political adviser who organized a GoFundMe to raise funds for a rager in honor of the triumphant Brohemians who protected the flag.

With an original goal of $15,000, the fundraiser eventually garnered more than $515,000 in less than a week.

UNC SJP did not respond to The News & Observers request for comment on Flagstock.

Organizers said Monday that they distributed about 3,000 tickets and expected about 1,000 people to attend. Those numbers were down from a previous estimate organizer Susan Ralston  formerly a special assistant to President George W. Bush  gave reporters last week. At that time, Ralson said organizers planned to distribute between 6,000 to 7,000 tickets, with 2,500 to 3,000 expected to attend.

All of the universitys fraternities and sororities, as well as the campus ROTC, were invited to the event, with 10 core fraternities that had members at the flagpole on April 30 were invited to be VIP guests. A June update to the GoFundMe originally identified six fraternities as part of that group: Pi Kappa Phi, Alpha Epsilon Pi, Delta Upsilon, Delta Kappa Epsilon, Phi Gamma Delta and Zeta Beta Tau.

Rich said last week he believes this event is going to be like nothing anybodys ever seen and that it would promote patriotism over any particular political stance or belief.

But not all of the fraternities are on board with Flagstock, or how their actions during the April protest have been portrayed ahead of the event.

A group of counter protesters hold up a United States flag after pro-Palestinian protesters replaced the flag with a Palestinian flag on Tuesday, April 30, 2024 at UNC-Chapel Hill. Pro-Palestinian protesters clashed with police while the Palestinian flag was removed and the American flag was replaced.

Differing views on Flagstock, protest

Brendan Rosenblum, a UNC student and a member of Jewish fraternity Alpha Epsilon Pi who held the flag up in April, agrees with onlookers assessment that he and other fraternity members participated in a patriotic act that day.

But he views the event and the rhetoric that has surrounded it in a more somber way. While others may view the pro-Palestinian protesters as a mob  as one member of the campus Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity said at the Republican National Convention in July  Rosenblum sees them as his fellow students, and views the events of April 30 as a failure from multiple groups to foster civil discourse about the war in Gaza.

I think we were there that day to try to, you know, represent our beliefs, Rosenblum said. But also, everyone was there because they cared about an issue, and whether or not I agree with them, it doesnt matter.

He worries that Flagstock will cause more division, and that the event is a distraction  both from what he and his fraternity brothers were trying to accomplish that day, and from the ongoing war in Gaza.

Despite some organizers ties to Republican leaders and some fraternity members appearance at the RNC, Flagstock organizers have emphasized that the event is not intended to be political.

Marc Oswald, manager for Big & Rich, told reporters on Monday that the events name, which hearkens back to the 1969 Woodstock musical, was intentional on Richs part, saying Rich wanted the event to symbolize a cultural statement of the times. That statement, Oswald said, lets students and others across the country know that its OK to wave the flag.

Theres nothing wrong with it, Oswald said. Its great.

Jason Calderon, a UNC student and member of the Jewish fraternity Zeta Beta Tau, told reporters last week that the fraternities actions during the protests and the larger Flagstock event should be seen as a patriotic thing, not a political thing.

Rich echoed that sentiment, saying: I believe patriotism crosses all boundaries.

Still, Rosenblum was at home in New York on Monday, not at Flagstock.

To go out and drink right now, especially when this war is still going on, especially when we still have a lot of problems on campus trying to respect each others opinions, and were in this divisive place, Rosenblum said, is not what I want to do.

Katie Jenkins, an owner of Red Moose Brewing Company in Pittsboro, sets a flag on their Mobile Moose Kaboose before Flagstock 2024, an invite-only concert featuring country musicians Big & Rich and Lee Greenwood, among others, at a location in Chapel Hill, N.C., Monday, Sept. 2, 2024. Flagstock started after a GoFundMe raised over $515,000 for a rager for UNC-Chapel Hill fraternity brothers who held up the American flag during an April campus protest.

Potential charitable donations

The funds raised through the GoFundMe are largely being used to throw Mondays concert, with any leftover money expected to be donated to charities chosen by the core fraternities.

Several aspects of the event are being donated at-cost by sponsors, Ralston said last week. That includes the stage set-up, provided by TAG Live of New Jersey, and food and beverage for the VIP fraternities, with barbecue from Mission BBQ, beer from Red Moose Brewing Company of Pittsboro and wings from Hooters  served by Hooters Girls.

But organizers still expected to spend as much as $100,000 on the stage and about $80,000 on private security, accounting for nearly half of the roughly $500,000 budget, not including other expenses. That makes it unclear how much money will be left for the charities, though organizers have vowed to be transparent and share more details after the event.

Calderon said last week the charities selected by the core fraternities include the Wounded Warrior, Children of Fallen Patriots, Back the Blue NC and the Zeta Beta Tau Foundation, which sponsors programming to combat antisemitism.

Noonan, though, said the charitable donations were a secondary consideration to the concert and party, adding that the donations would be an additional element of helping us say thank you to these great guys who did a great thing.

Thats largely because GoFundMes regulations require organizers to use the money they raise only for the specific purposes originally stated in the fundraiser. Noonans original post to the fundraiser asked for donations to to throw these frats the party they deserve  not for charitable causes.

Our brains are trained to think: charitable donations, good; giant frat ragers, bad and frivolous, Noonan said. But in this case, its completely flipped on its head, right?

Organizers also set up an online Flagstock merchandise store in recent weeks, which Noonan said would help further offset the costs of the event, though he was not sure by how much.

I dont think, at the end of the day, the merch store is going to be a very big part of those cost offsets, Noonan said. But its an opportunity for people who may have missed that 48-hour donation window to have a little piece of Flagstock and take it home with them.

Rosenblum said he would have rather seen the money for the party used to support organizations fighting antisemitism, to support relief efforts in Gaza or to provide spaces on campus for dialogue about the war.

There could have just been so much done with that money, he said.

Flagstock details, livestream

Flagstock 2024 will be livestreamed online beginning at 7:30 p.m. Monday. The stream will be available at flagstock.live.

The list of performers includes: Big & Rich, Lee Greenwood, Five for Fighting, Aaron Lewis and Cowboy Troy, among others.
Barely two months into his role as Prime Minister and Sir Keir Starmer has wasted no time showing us the kind of leader he is and the kind of Government he runs.

Telegraph readers have collectively argued that he is authoritarian, runs a two-tier society that shuts down dissent and gives a free pass to people who are politically and ideologically aligned with Labour.

Following a spat with tech entrepreneur Elon Musk, who criticised Sir Keirs handling of the UK riots and publicly embarrassed him by popularising the two-tier Keir (2TK) epithet, the Prime Minister has vowed to introduce controls on social media to limit fake news and he has scrapped the incoming cancel culture law that would have protected free speech at universities.

To punish those involved in the Southport riots, the Prime Minister set up fast-track courts that made an example of a woman by giving her a 15-month custodial sentence for posting a distasteful Facebook post. Meanwhile, the leader of a Left-wing advocacy group was not charged for his false claims on X, formerly Twitter, about an acid attack on a Muslim woman.

Labour now wants to reclassify rioters as terrorists.

Telegraph readers are in agreement that Sir Keirs moves to place controls on free speech is an over intrusion by the Government and that he is ignoring the underlying issues of the civil unrest, instead focusing on waging war against ordinary people with unacceptable opinions.

Theyre coming for your thoughts

In the wake of the Southport riots where a mob attacked a mosque and another group a hotel with migrants, those involved in the civil unrest were largely labelled far-Right by the Government and subsequently the media.

Telegraph reader Nicola Cane believes this to be a deliberate misrepresentation to shut down protesters legitimate concerns on illegal migration.

She says: To write all this off as far-Right thuggery as Starmer has done, is wrong.

Its a comforting narrative for our out of touch ruling class (Left and Right) because if all this can be pinned on far-Right thuggery, or even terrorism then theres no need to listen to the protesters, search for the root cause, or treat their concerns as valid.

Ms Cane believes there is a double-standard with the language used by politicians and the media to report on rioters from white communities: When it was ethnic minorities and migrants rioting in Harehills we were told a riot is the language of the unheard.

Why is the media so keen to describe white rioters as far-Right but when a journalist is forced to stop broadcasting by an Asian mob, including shooting gestures and stabbing the tyres of their van, its portrayed as mostly peaceful?

This is why many people are talking about a two-tier society, two-tier policing, two-tier media, two-tier politics and 2TK.



Matthew Clifton questions whether blaming online misinformation for causing the riots has been used as a pretext by the Prime Minister to introduce stricter social media controls: 9/11 was used to justify attacks on Afghanistan and Iraq and introduce massive electronic surveillance of US citizens by the intelligence services.

Riots in the UK used to prosecute the posting of fake news on social media providers i.e. intimidate them and their users to accept the media and governments narrative and spin.

He continued: Never waste a good crisis as they say. In America it is often said of the Left, theyre coming for your guns, here in the UK, theyre coming for your thoughts. Very dangerous territory ahead.



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Authoritarian and dangerous

After Mr Musk suggested Britain was heading for a civil war, Sir Keir hit back, indirectly blaming content shared on X.

He promised to review social media law to prevent further disorder so content that is nebulously described as legal but harmful would have to be suppressed or removed by social media firms.

Uneasy that content on social media could be assessed for its truthfulness an anonymous reader argued: If its not illegal, it should be permitted. We cant have the Government deciding what posts will and will not be permitted. Its authoritarian and dangerous.

In a similar vein another anonymous reader asks: None of us can even begin to question what is fake news, and that leads to the obvious question... what is the definition of fake news? Could you remove someones liberty based on a retweet of a tweet their mate sent? Who will police this?

Karen Warner, mocking the Governments intrusive approach, ironically offers a solution: Bring in the Ministry of Truth to save us all.



However, Javier Navarro-Reverter is in no mood to entertain such a notion. He says: When Musk bought Twitter he revealed that the digital platforms were being manipulated by the intelligence services that controlled the information the people could receive.

Why do you think the British Government blocked the takeover of The Telegraph by a foreign investor? Is it strategic value? National security? Think again.

The intention is to make the population afraid

Following the Southport riots, readers have questions about the unjust decisions to charge and punish some people and not others for writing and sharing online controversial posts.

A 53-year-old grandmother was jailed for 15 months for a Facebook post calling for a mosque to be blown up. The judge cited that it might have been read by her 5,000 friends. The Prime Minister has fast-tracked riot-related cases through the courts to act as a deterrent for others.

Brian Johnston labelled the judicial response to the recent troubles as deeply concerning. With respect to the grandmothers online comments he argued, I do feel a dangerous precedent has been set. Every day, there are tens of thousands of posts that are no worse than those referred to in this piece on many different subjects. Is it okay in some circumstances to make such comments but not in others?

He adds: Legal clarity is needed regarding freedom of expression. Expressing public opinion feels like it is being suppressed and certain punishment out of all proportion to the alleged crime.

During the riots, Nick Lowes, the head of anti-fascist group Hope Not Hate, posted a false report on X that a Muslim woman had acid thrown over her which he described as absolutely horrendous. The post was seen by over 100,000 people however Cleveland Police denied any reports of it and he was not questioned or arrested.

P. Malone wondered why there was a difference in how cases are being handled: How was his spreading of this inflammatory misinformation any different from the misinformation about the Southport murderer being a recent boat arrival?

Sylvia Jones sceptically said: Lets hope he feels the full force of the law as promised by the Home Secretary to those fuelling hate online.

Arriv Edirci weighs in believing that the disparity could be ideology-based: Anyone, even remotely critical of any socialist idea can very quickly expect to be smeared as a racist, xenophobe, homophobe, transphobe, sexist, misogynist or working-class thicko. They also, understandably, fear a rattle on the front door from the local flatfoot.

Finally, an anonymous reader fears the chilling repercussions of the Prime Ministers two-tier society that punishes some opinions and not others. He explains: The Nazis were masters at inventing new language. By imposing greater control over what the Government prescribes as acceptable behaviour, the ordinary citizen becomes increasingly fearful of inadvertently breaking the law.

He continued: The intention is to make the population afraid. Already, whenever a conversation turns to subjects like race, gender, immigration etc., people tend to lower their voices. My grandkids often tell me you cant say that grandad.

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Recent vote by Chattanooga Volkswagen workers to join UAW signals new support for labor

CHATTANOOGA, TENNESSEE - APRIL 19: United Auto Workers (UAW) President Shawn Fain, right, speaks as local organizers raise their fists at a UAW vote watch party on April 19, 2024 in Chattanooga, Tennessee. With over 51% of workers voting yes the UAW won the right to form a union at the plant. (Photo by Elijah Nouvelage/Getty Images)

CHATTANOOGA, TENNESSEE - APRIL 19: United Auto Workers (UAW) President Shawn Fain, right, speaks as local organizers raise their fists at a UAW vote watch party on April 19, 2024 in Chattanooga, Tennessee. With over 51% of workers voting yes the UAW won the right to form a union at the plant. (Photo by Elijah Nouvelage/Getty Images)

April 19, 2024.

For many Tennesseans, this was just an ordinary Friday.

Working families throughout our state, however, likely remember this date for a different reason.

In fact, the historic accomplishment associated with it is a big reason why theres even more for our movement to celebrate this Labor Day.

After two disappointing defeats over the past decade, workers at the Volkswagen plant in Chattanooga overwhelmingly voted to join the United Auto Workers (UAW).

The results werent exactly a nail-biter: nearly 75% of the workers who cast ballots decided that they wanted to become union members.

On behalf of our affiliates and members, Id like to once again congratulate the UAW on this statement-making victory.

What was perhaps the most powerful part of this entire successful organizing campaign was the fact that it was conducted in the midst of a never-ending stream of scare tactics.

From attempting to cast doubt in the workers minds about the long-term effects of their decision, to issuing public statements predicting an economic fallout if the UAW was welcomed at Volkswagen, several elected leaders throughout the South  including Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee  couldnt help but insert themselves into a decision that was absolutely none of their business.

For decades, the South has been written off as a labor wasteland  a place where employers flock to if theyre looking to skirt unions instead of working productively with them, but that's beginning to change.

I say it often, but Ill say it again: the choice on whether to join a union solely belongs to workers without interference from any outside groups or individuals.

If you happened to follow the lead-up to the two previous elections at Volkswagen in 2014 and 2019, youll probably remember that history seemed to be repeating itself once again.

In 2014, U.S. Sen. Bob Corker announced that if workers voted against affiliating with the UAW, Volkswagen would add a new product to be manufactured at the Chattanooga plant. Volkswagen denied Corkers assertion and while theres no way to prove the union loss was due to his statements, the damage was done and efforts to unionize failed.

Fortunately, the results were different this time, but either way, old habits clearly die hard in Tennessee.

In spite of the pro-business, anti-worker environment thats often touted in the Volunteer State, the Volkswagen vote broke the mold.

So what happened? What truly made the third time the charm?

For me and all of the members of my Tennessee labor family, the answer is simple: more and more workers are recognizing that its better in a union.

More workers want a voice on the job that comes from standing together in solidarity.

More workers across the political spectrum are seeing the many benefits of union membership.

More workers are tired of letting corporate special interest groups and big business call the shots and make decisions that affect their well-being.

Leveling the playing field and ensuring that everyone has a seat at the table are what the labor movement is all about.

Thats why what happened in Chattanooga back in April is so inspiring and effectively set the tone for whats to come for organizing throughout the region.

For decades, the South has been written off as a labor wasteland  a place where employers flock to if theyre looking to skirt unions instead of working productively with them.

Now, things are finally beginning to change.

We are particularly mindful and aware of these shifting tides as we celebrate Labor Day.

Ill be honest with you: during all of my years as a proud union member, Ive never witnessed the level of solidarity and enthusiasm amongst working families that were seeing right now.

Its a moment thats worth harnessing as we look to build and strengthen our movement for generations to come.

To all Tennesseans and especially those who we are fortunate enough to count amongst our membership, Happy Labor Day.

Thank you for your dedication to working families, your members, and your tireless efforts to make Tennessee a place where all workers can thrive.

Together in solidarity, lets show our state, the region, and the country that life really is better in a union.

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A plane drops fire retardant on the Record fire in Riverside County on Sunday afternoon. (OnScene.TV)

A human-caused brush fire near San Jacinto stood at 650 acres Monday as firefighters had made significant progress in containing its growth overnight.

Fire crews first responded to the Record fire at 2:17 p.m. Sunday near Soboba and Gilman Springs roads in Riverside County. The blaze quickly grew by hundreds of acres, leading to evacuation warnings and sending six firefighters to local hospitals, according to fire officials.

Several firefighters were taken to area hospitals on Sunday amid the Riverside County brush fire, which was holding at 650 acres at 8:30 p.m. (OnScene.TV)

The evacuation warnings, which remained in effect Monday morning, were issued in the Poppet Flats region, according to fire officials. That area includes the Silent Valley Club RV resort. A map of the area covered by the warning can be found here. The firefighters were transported to area hospitals with minor symptoms "out of an abundance of caution," the Riverside County Fire Department said Sunday evening.

Crews battling the blaze reached 15% containment as of 8 a.m., according to Cal Fire.

"Firefighters will continue to work throughout the day, strengthening containment lines and addressing any remaining hotspots," the agency said in a statement.

Helicopters will assist ground crews, but with temperatures in the area expected to reach 110 degrees, conditions remain challenging, the agency said.

#RecordFire [UPDATE 9/2/24, 8:00 a.m.] The fire remains at 650 acres, and containment has increased to 15%.



For additional fire information, including a searchable map of the Evacuation Warning area, please visit: https://t.co/PDAXaQ7bZl



The Record Fire, initially reported at pic.twitter.com/dky6WEpiGT  CAL FIRE/Riverside County Fire Department (@CALFIRERRU) September 2, 2024

Cal Fire said the fire was human-caused but did not provide any specifics. The agency said the investigation remained ongoing.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Luke Sanderson drove the quiet, curving road to the back of his neighborhood, steering his black pickup truck over bumpy tire tracks into a clearing. He stopped and stared at the stacks of dry wood piled high in the dirt.

I wouldnt assume theyd try to burn this, said Sanderson, a young homeowner whose Jackson County neighborhood is still scorched from a wildfire that tore through last month. But who knows?

The burning of felled trees has long frustrated residents of this growing Mississippi Coast subdivision, where fresh homes are rising up in place of tall pines.

But after two wildfires erupted in the area in August, the burning is also stoking new suspicion.

Burned trees line Bayou Talla Road in Jackson County on Friday, Aug. 30, 2024. A forest fire on Aug. 8 came very close to the nearby neighborhood of Talla Pointe.

An official cause of the fires is still unclear, and the Jackson County Sheriffs Office said no charges had been filed in connection to the blaze. But neighbors say that for months, construction crews have cut trees, stacked brush in piles across the dirt and burned them to ash instead of trucking the debris to a dumpster.

Sanderson and others say they saw one pile of branches burning near a building site off Old Fort Bayou Road on the day their neighborhood ignited.

A wildfire sent flames through the woods of the Talla Pointe subdivision, where Sanderson lives, torching 126 acres and threatening 55 homes. Another fire north of Old Fort Bayou Road and across from the Espana Woods subdivision burned 25 acres and threatened several more properties. Flames crackled through backyards in Talla Pointe, but authorities said, miraculously, no homes were damaged.

Smoke is seen rising above the Talla Pointe subdivision in St. Martin on Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024, as a woods fire burns nearby.

Fires burn often in Jackson County

Neighbors say even before the wildfires, their streets had been smoky for months.

Josh Pitts, who has lived with his family in Talla Pointe for five years, said ashes have fallen on his home and car. Weve had to deal with the constant smell of smoke, he said.

In hot, dry weather, he said he noticed the burns weekly. The subdivision has expanded since his family moved in, and the construction and burning shifted to the outer edges of the land.

He said once there were days he could not play in his yard with his children.

The smell, he said, would almost suffocate you outside. You come back inside and you just reek of a bonfire.

Laurri Garcia, another neighbor, said she saw proof of the smoke even when she could not smell it: Her white-bottomed pool collected dark soot at the bottom. She swept and cleaned more often than usual.

Once, she said, she came home in the evening after the construction crews had left and saw a pile smoldering, its small flames still flickering. It was in the middle of a dirt patch, she said, far from any homes.

It was most definitely still burning, she said, and there was nobody in sight.

Burned plants line Bayou Talla Road in Jackson County on Friday, Aug. 30, 2024. A forest fire on Aug. 8 came very close to the nearby neighborhood of Talla Pointe.

Is open burning allowed?

Sanderson wanted the burns to stop.

In late January, he posted a photo of a large bonfire releasing smoke at dusk on his neighborhood Facebook page. We have to do something about the fires off of Bayou Talla Drive, he wrote. The entire neighborhood is in a cloud of smoke.

Sanderson started making calls, he said, including to the fire department and the county. Nothing panned out. I couldnt find who would ultimately be responsible, he said.

Burning comes with rules. Mississippi prohibits open burning of waste except in several cases, including the burning of land-clearing debris. People burning branches or felled trees cannot use rubber tires, plastics or other starter fuels that would lead to excessive smoke. Fires cannot cause traffic hazards and cannot happen if the area is under a high fire danger alert or emergency air pollution warning. Burning of old trees and branches is prohibited within 500 yards of an occupied home.

Counties can also adopt their own rules under the states guidelines, such as requiring contractors to notify local departments or get local burn permits. Jackson County fire officials did not return phone calls about local ordinances. Troy Ross, who represents the neighborhood on the Board of Supervisors, said he was not aware of local regulations unless a burn ban is in effect.

Ross said many local contractors burn felled trees on construction sites because trucking them away takes longer and is far more expensive. He also said builders and contractors usually alert the fire department if they choose to burn.

But he urged caution. Exercise good old fashioned common sense, Ross said. In hot, dry weather, if you burn something, it could spread.

Shannon Coker, communications director for the Mississippi Forestry Commission, said Jackson County was not under a burn ban when the fires hit in early August. Neighbors said they worried about the controlled burns that day because they remembered it was windy. Earl Etheridge, the countys emergency manager, said his team did not notice a controlled burn the day of the fires: When they got to the neighborhood, the woods were already burning.

Piles of torn down trees and other plant debris sit in piles on a construction site near Talla Pointe on Friday, Aug. 30, 2024.

MS Coast neighborhood still scorched

The calls came fast from neighbors. Sanderson and his wife were headed to New Orleans, he said. They heard the news and turned around.

I was in shock, he said. He found burnt pine needles in his driveway. His neighbors air filters were black with ash. Sanderson said he went to buy his own filter, to cleanse his home of the bonfire smell. The store was sold out.

Wildfires are still unexpected in South Mississippi, which is far more accustomed to storms and floods. But they are also common. Crews fought five blazes in April, including a grass fire near Interstate 10 in Moss Point that slowed cars for several hours as startled drivers passed through a cloud of smoke. Another fire burned 419 acres in Hancock County last February.

But none of the recent fires burned more dangerously than Talla Pointe. Flames soared above neat rows of homes and raged straight to the edge of manicured backyards. Behind a street called Smokey Court, the woods are still singed brown.

Sanderson kept driving through the scars. This was all nice and green, he said. Its just completely burned.

He said he has not seen anyone light the piles since. He hopes it stays that way.

That, he said, would make us all happy.

Piles of torn down trees and other plant debris sit in piles on a construction site near Talla Pointe on Friday, Aug. 30, 2024.
JERUSALEM, Sept. 1 (Xinhua) -- Hundreds of thousands of Israelis rallied across the country on Sunday, demanding Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu negotiate a ceasefire with Hamas to secure the return of hostages held in Gaza.

According to Israel's Ynet news site, around 700,000 people participated in demonstrations on main roads and at junctions nationwide, with 550,000 attending the central rally in Tel Aviv. The protests began in the morning after the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced the recovery of six hostages' bodies and continued through the night.

In Tel Aviv, an emotional demonstration took place outside the Kirya military base, the IDF's headquarters. Protesters waved Israeli flags and chanted "A deal -- Now!" Many carried posters featuring the hostages. There are still 101 hostages in Gaza, with about half presumed dead due to either Hamas attacks or Israeli bombings.

Einav Zangauker, mother of hostage Matan Zangauker, addressed the crowd, claiming that there is "a deal proposal on the table" but that Netanyahu refuses to accept it to avoid losing support from his coalition of pro-settler leaders.

Later in the night, thousands of protesters in Tel Aviv set fire on the Ayalon Highway, temporarily blocking the main freeway. Police said they dispersed the crowd and reported at least 12 arrests nationwide.

By nightfall, cinemas, theaters, museums, universities, restaurants, cafes, pubs, and other businesses across the country closed in solidarity with the protest.

The demonstrations are expected to continue into Monday with a general strike. Arnon Bar-David, secretary-general of the Histadrut, Israel's largest workers' organization, announced the strike on live television, accusing Netanyahu of hindering the deal due to "political considerations."

The protests followed the recovery of the bodies of two women and four men from Gaza. The IDF said they were killed in a Hamas tunnel shortly before soldiers arrived.

The six had been captured alive on Oct. 7, 2023, during Hamas's surprise attack on Israeli communities, which killed about 1,200 people and resulted in the capture of approximately 250 others. 
Video above: Twenty-four artificial reefs deployed into Sarasota Bay

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA)  The SS United States, a massive retired ocean liner thats been docked in Philadelphia for nearly three decades, could soon have a new resting place  at the bottom of Floridas Gulf Coast.

The worn-out 1,000-foot vessel is under a contingent contract with Okaloosa County, Florida to potentially be converted into the worlds largest artificial reef in Destin-Fort Walton Beach.

Missing 18-year-old kayakers body found after several agencies search Polk County lake

However, nothing is set in stone quite yet as the SS United States Conservancy, which owns the massive ship, said the next chapter of the ships history is still being written.

The ocean liner, which is more than 100 feet longer than the Titanic, was court-ordered to move out of a Philadelphia port along the Delaware River by Sept. 12. According to WPVI in Philadelphia, the vessel still holds the transatlantic speed record it set more than 70 years ago.

FILE -In this Nov. 22, 2013, file photo, the SS United States sits moored in Philadelphia. Officials of the Crystal Cruises luxury travel company held a news conference Thursday, Feb. 4, 2016 to announce plans to overhaul the SS United States at a cost of at least $700 million. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File)

We must emphasize that this proposal remains subject to various contingencies, including a successful negotiation with pier operator Penn Warehousing to extend the ships stay beyond the September 12 deadline, while the complex logistics of moving and reefing the ship are worked out, the conservancy said in a Facebook post.

The group added that reefing is not the preferred scenario for the SS United States and would rather see the ship stay safely afloat.

With our hand being forced by Penn Warehousing, and scrapping being the only other viable option, we believe reefing is the more dignified outcome, the group said. They also mentioned that they have conducted a massive nationwide search for a new temporary location.

10 arrested in street takeover at Tampa intersection: FHP

The Okaloosa Board of County Commissioners is set to review the proposal on Tuesday, which asks for a $9 million budget for acquisition, towing, cleaning, preparation and deployment offshore.

If the vessel was successfully deployed to Floridas Gulf Coast, the county said it would put two of the worlds largest artificial reefs in northwest Florida which would in turn bolster Destin-Fort Walton Beachs status as a premier fishing destination.

Since the first public artificial reef site was created in 1976, more than 500 reef sites have been deployed in the waters off Destin-Fort Walton Beach. The reefs not only attract marine life but also fishers, divers and snorkelers.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA.
NARRAGANSETT, R.I. (WPRI)  Rhode Islanders are heading home after spending their Labor Day weekend outside the state.

I had an amazing weekend, Wanda Brown, who headed to Washington D.C. for a conference, told 12 News. Glad to be home, though.

Brown said her traveling to and from D.C. were smooth, but there were a lot of people at the airport.

In late August, the Transportation Security Administration said this years holiday weekend was expected to be the busiest Labor Day travel period on record.

Other people, which included out-of-state visitors, also decided to head to Scarborough State Beach.

This is great access for the beach as opposed to the Cape for us, which has a lot more traffic, Deb Henderson of Grafton, Massachusetts, said. Its beautiful there, but just a lot of traffic.

According to AAA, one of the best times for those who traveled to head home and beat the traffic will be Tuesday after 1 p.m.

Rhode Islands Department of Environmental Management also issued a reminder that Monday is the last day state beaches will be staffed with lifeguards and have its facilities open.

NEXT: Thousands of US hotel workers strike over Labor Day weekend

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Ride along: See how FWC keeps boaters safe during Labor Day weekend

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA)  Officers with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission will be out in full force looking for dangerous boating violations on Labor Day Monday.

To see how the agency prepares for the holiday, WFLA joined FWC officers on the water in Manatee County.

Everything in this zone is now a slow speed, you have to go slow speed minimum wake, settled in the water maintaining control of your vessel, FWC officer Aaron Gonzales said.

Several agencies searching for person who went missing on Polk County lake

We made a stop on the Intracoastal waterway near Anna Maria Island where boaters were crammed on the water.

Officers kept a close eye on the people behind the helm, issuing citations to boaters who didnt follow the rules of the water.

Officer Gonzales, Florida Fish and Wildlife, just stopping you to do a boater safety check  can you show me enough life jackets for everyone on board really quick? the officer asked a boater.

I think we may be slightly short; we are going from here to there, that is all we are doing, the boater replied.

Gonzales said good boaters pay attention, and they also make sure everyone is safe.

One of the things we have zero tolerance for is not enough life jackets, Gonzales told a boater in the water.

Florida sees the most boating accidents nationwide, which is why FWC officers said keeping life jackets on at all times could prevent a possible tragedy.

10 arrested in street takeover at Tampa intersection: FHP

The citation I am giving you is for inadequate number of life jackets, alright, is a $140 ticket and youre going to have 30 days to pay it, Gonzales said while issuing the citation.

The officer said many people treat their vessel like a car, but its not.

Its a fiberglass hole, its protecting you and thats about it. So, people get ejected. They dont have access to their life jackets. They might not be great swimmers and have access to a lot of emergency equipment youre supposed to have, and that usually would lead to a lot of fatalities, Gonzales said.

After six years on the dive search and recovery team, Officer Gonzales said he has seen it all when it comes to being on the water.

Even with the distance you are from shore right now with the current, youve been under a lot of stress. The chances that you make it over there could be low. So, I would say dont risk it, wear a life jacket, Gonzales said.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA.
LEWISBURG, WV (WVNS)  The Robert C. Byrd Clinic is welcoming a new executive director!

The clinic, located on the campus of the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine (WVSOM), announced that the former chief operating officer, Mary Page Nemcik, began her role in August.

Nemcik started at the Robert C. Byrd Clinic as the chief operating officer in 2021, and due to this transition, she will be responsible for overseeing the daily operations of the clinic in all capacities.

Local doctor calls for a change in obesity treatment protocol

This is an exciting time of growth and change at the clinic. Im surrounded by a team of talented providers and staff who are dedicated to serving our community, ensuring patients receive exceptional care and providing educational opportunities for resident physicians and medical students. Mary Page Nemcik | Executive Director, Robert C. Byrd Clinic

The president of WVSOM, James W. Nemitz, Ph.D., noted the clinics important role within the community and in relation to the medical school, and expressed his delight over Nemcik being chosen for her new role.

Besides its invaluable role in providing health care to the residents of Greenbrier County, the Robert C. Byrd Clinic is vital to the success of WVSOM, whose medical students gain important clinical experience there under the supervision of physicians. Im appreciative for the excellent leadership Mary Page will provide in her new position, helping to ensure the clinic is sustainable and successful in achieving its mission. James W. Nemitz, Ph.D. | President, WVSOM

In terms of education, Nemcik attained a bachelors degree in public relations from West Virginia University, moving on to attain a masters degree in journalism and communications from Marshall University. After earning her degrees, she moved into the health care field by being hired as the director of marketing for Greenbrier Valley Medical Center. She later took on the role of the director of marketing and operations with at the Greenbrier Medical Arts Pharmacy in Lewisburg, serving in that position for over 15 years.

She has also worked alongside Community Health Systems, serving the Greenbrier Valley Medical Center and Plateau Medical Center.

$10 million awarded to Princeton Health Care Center for new facility

The current chief operating officer, Drema Hill, Ph.D., has worked as the Robert C. Byrd Clinics interim chief executive officer since February of this year. She expressed her confidence that Nemcik is the best choice to guide the clinic into the future.

Ive had the pleasure of working closely with Mary Page Nemcik in the past months as we have stabilized and grown the Robert C. Byrd Clinic together. Our patients are fortunate to have someone with her intelligence, kindness, and business sense at the helm of this patient-centered medical practice and teaching facility. Drema Hill, Ph.D. | Interim Chief Executive Officer, WVSOM

As for Nemcik, she states that Dr. Hill and David Meadows, MBA, chief financial officer of WVSOM and interim chief financial officer at the clinic, were vital in keeping the clinics operations going as the search for the new director was underway.

Were grateful for our partnership with WVSOM, and I applaud the work that Dr. Hill and Mr. Meadows have provided during this time of transition. Mary Page Nemcik | Executive Director, Robert C. Byrd Clinic

Visit their websites for more information on the Robert C. Byrd Clinic and the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WVNS.
ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC)  Today is Labor Day  and the City of Rochester held the annual Labor Day Parade and press conference.

Local union representatives, community organizations, politicians, and candidates showed support for workers in Rochester. The press conference itself was held at the NYSUT building on North Union Street.

Right after the conference, the parade kicked off at 11 a.m. on East Avenue and Union Street. The route of the parade went towards Main Street and the Liberty Pole.

Last year, the Rochester Union of Nurses and Allied Professionals led the parade. The president and vice president of that union were the grand marshalls of the parade.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to RochesterFirst.
Here's a roundup of recent incidents and announcements from Ventura County agencies:

Man admits money laundering tied to real estate wire fraud

Abdoul Aziz Bah

A 30-year-old Georgia man pled guilty last week to money laundering in connection with what prosecutors said was the defrauding of a Newbury Park family who attempted to buy a local home.

Abdoul Aziz Bah pled guilty to a single felony count of money laundering connected to the family's wiring of more than $200,000 last year to an account allegedly under the defendant's control and not the victims' escrow company. He allegedly created multiple false corporations to receive and launder large amounts of cash stolen from real estate transactions. Shortly after receiving the Newbury Park family's money, he allegedly separated the money into smaller amounts and then transferred the funds to bank accounts under the control of a codefendant.

The codefendant, identified as a 39-year-old woman from Georgia, also used false corporations to open bank accounts for receipt and laundering of money stolen from real estate transactions, according to the District Attorney's Office.

Speaking with the aid of a French interpreter, Bah entered his plea Tuesday before Ventura County Superior Court Judge Ryan Wright. Bah is due to be sentenced Sept. 26, when he faces up to three years in jail.

Bah tendered $5,000 as partial restitution, but the court has ordered payments exceeding $201,000, according to the court docket.

Bah is being held in county jail on $200,000 bail. His codefendant is being held in county jail with bail set at $1 million. An early disposition conference is set for her at the end of the month.

In announcing the conviction, the DA's office warned the public to take precautions before wiring funds during a real estate transaction. If buyers are told by an escrow office by email, phone or text message to send money via wire or cashiers check, they should independently verify the instructions by calling the escrow agent on that specific transaction before sending money, officials said.

They also should not reply directly to the email or phone number sending any wire instructions, the DA's office said. Furthermore, officials warned that it is highly unusual to receive emails or text messages claiming the escrow company one is working with has recently changed banks.

"This should be viewed as highly suspicious," the DA's office said in a statement.

Bahs conviction is the result of an investigation by the real estate fraud unit of the District Attorneys Office, authorities said. Aiding in the investigation was the Ventura County Sheriffs Office Fugitive Unit, which handled the extradition of both defendants to Ventura County.

2 arrested after gun threat during robbery

Port Hueneme Police Department officers arrested two men in connection with a robbery Wednesday where the victim was threatened with a gun.

The incident was reported around 8:25 p.m. in the 500 block of East Surfside Drive, the department said in a news release.

The suspects, a 22-year-old Port Hueneme man and a 25-year-old Oxnard man, demanded property from the victim and threatened to shoot him, according to police. The victim saw one man had a handgun in his waistband. The two suspects fled with the victim's property in a dark Honda sedan.

The victim was not injured.

Officers located the car as it was leaving the area with both suspects inside. They were arrested on suspicion of robbery and booked into county jail. The 25-year-old was released on a bail bond Friday, jail records show.

The 22-year-old pleaded not guilty to a second-degree robbery charge Friday in Ventura County Superior Court and remained at the county's main jail Saturday with bail set at $105,000.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Sergeant Jesus Chavez at 805-986-6615 or jchavez@cityofporthueneme.org.

These items may be updated.

This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: Roundup: Man admits money laundering, 2 arrested in Port Hueneme heist
Roxbury man cut himself while stabbing tire of victims moped, police say

A Roxbury man suffered a laceration after he allegedly threatened another person with a knife and then stabbed a tire of the victims moped, police said.

Erick Pierre Louis, 26, of Roxbury, was arrested at about 3:15 p.m. on Thursday, police said in a statement on Monday. He is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon, malicious destruction of property, and assault and battery to collect a loan. He is expected to be arraigned in Boston Municipal Court.

On Thursday afternoon, officers responded to the area of 569 Boylston Street for a report of a person with a knife, police said. Responding officers had earlier received a description of the suspect.

When officers arrived, they immediately located the suspect, later identified as Pierre Louis, and saw a knife protruding from his pocket, police said.

Officers placed Pierre Louis into handcuffs, and saw that he had a laceration to his finger.

A preliminary investigation found that Pierre Louis threatened a victim with a knife and demanded money that he believed was owed to him, police said.

Pierre Louis stabbed the rear tire of the victims moped, which resulted in the knifes handle to break. Police said Pierre Louis suffered an accidental laceration after stabbing the tire.

He was taken by ambulance to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, and was booked after his release from the hospital.

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

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RUSK, Texas (KETK)  Due to a main line leak, Rusk Rural Water Supply issued a boil water notice for customers in certain areas on Monday morning.

Boil water notice dos and donts

The water utility company said customers in the following areas are under a boil water notice:

Highway 69

FM 2972

Meadowlark Lane

County Roads: 1501, 1502, 1503, 1505, 1506, 1507, 1523, 1524, 1525, 1526, 1527, 1528, 1536, 1537, 1539, 1540, 1605, 1608, 1609, 1618, 1619, 1620, 1630

To ensure destruction of all harmful bacteria and other microbes, water for drinking, cooking, and ice making should be boiled and cooled prior to use for drinking water or human consumption purposes, Rusk Rural Water Supply said. The water should be brought to a vigorous rolling boil and then boiled for two minutes.

The water utility company said once the boil water notice is rescinded, they will issue another notice to inform customers.

If customers have questions, they are asked to contact Rusk Rural Water Supply at 903-683-6178.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KETK.com | FOX51.com.
An explosion after a Russian missile strike on Kyiv before dawn on Monday morning - Gleb Garanich/Reuters

Russia launched more than 20 missiles at Kyiv early on Monday morning before children started the first day of the new school term.

Residents of Ukraines capital were awoken by a succession of loud explosions and the sound of air-defence interceptors being sent skywards.

Images showed a bright orange explosion illuminating the night sky over the citys skyline during the barrage.

Ukraines air force said in total it destroyed 22 out of the 35 cruise and ballistic missiles and 20 of the 23 attack drones launched by Moscow.

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Air raid sirens rang out across the country for nearly two hours before the skies were declared clear at 6.30am local time.

The Kharkiv and Sumy regions were also targeted.

Back to school

Across the war-torn country, the start of the school year had been celebrated and heralded as a moment for Ukrainians to attempt to continue with life as normal.

Yevheniias six-year-old daughter, Margo, was due to start school for the first time on Monday.

Her hands were shaking, we woke up. Our apartment started to stink of smoke, but we still need to go to school, right? We are Ukrainians, the 33-year-old mother told Reuters.

Rescue workers battle a fire in Kyiv after a missile strike on Sept 2 - AFP via Getty

Debris from intercepted missiles and drones rained down on every district in Kyiv, authorities said, sparking fires and damaging homes and infrastructure.

Parents often mark the start of the new school year by buying bouquets of flowers for their children. Florists preparing for the busy day of sales were caught up in the carnage.

Kateryna, 34, had come out to buy flowers for her children. Some of the florists were here from five in the morning, they had to drop and hide, she said.

Metro station bombed

Vitali Klitschko, the citys mayor, said the entrance to a metro station, which serves as a bomb shelter during Russias long-range raids, was hit in the Svyatoshynksyi district of the city.

Three people were injured, the capitals military administration announced.

A sports complex reduced to rubble in Kyiv on Sept 2 - Valentyn Ogirenko/Reuters

In the Sumy region, which borders Russia, a rehabilitation centre for orphans was struck by Russian munitions, local officials said.

There were no children in the institution at that time. However, 18 residents of nearby houses were injured, including six children, nine women and three men, the local prosecutors office reported.

Polish response

Poland scrambled its air force to potentially intercept Russian missiles launched in its direction.

The jets were launched after Warsaw had called on its Nato allies to help protect the skies over Ukraine with cross-border air-defence systems.

Membership in Nato does not trump each countrys responsibility for the protection of its own airspace  its our own constitutional duty, Radoslaw Sikorski, the countrys foreign minister, told the Financial Times.

Im personally of the view that, when hostile missiles are on a course of entering our airspace, it would be legitimate self-defence (to strike them) because once they do cross into our airspace, the risk of debris injuring someone is significant.

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In 2025, Kazakhstan will finalise a major project to lay a fibre-optic communication line across the Caspian Sea, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev announced in his national address, Azernews reports.

This development is crucial for enhancing digital infrastructure and connecting to international data corridors, he said. Tokayev emphasised the importance of advancing telecommunication networks, data centres, global cybersecurity standards, and specialist skills. The project, involving a joint venture between AzerTelecom and Kazakhstantelecom, will be a key component of the "Digital Silk Way," a new digital corridor linking Europe and Asia.

The Trans-Caspian Fibre-Optic (TCFO) line will run from Aktau, Kazakhstan, to Siyazan, Azerbaijan, with an additional reserve channel from Kurik to Buzovna.

This initiative aims to create a high-capacity data transmission route through the Caspian Sea, bolstering connectivity between Azerbaijan and Central Asia.
BEIJING, Sept. 2 (Xinhua) -- China's modernization process has made great strides with amazing development speed in southwest China's Chongqing Municipality, reporters and media representatives from the Belt and Road countries and beyond have said.

During a field trip organized by the All-China Journalists Association (ACJA) in late August, nearly 100 representatives of journalist organizations and media outlets from 50 countries and regions gathered in Chongqing, where they got a firsthand experience of Chinese modernization and vigorous city growth.

As a significant transportation and logistics hub under the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), Chongqing serves as a key hub of the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor, stretching to 523 ports in 124 countries and regions, connecting global trade networks via railways, sea routes and highways.

According to data from the coordination center for logistics and operation of the corridor, more than 30,000 China-Europe freight trains have run through the trade corridor. From 2019 to 2023, the annual freight volume through the trade corridor from Chongqing increased by 50, 45, 54, 32 and 21 percent year-on-year, respectively.

"It is far from what I expected and it's very mind-blowing. I am very impressed," Kirtan Bhana, director and editor of The Diplomatic Society, a media outlet in South Africa, told Xinhua regarding Chongqing as a logistics hub.

"In order to grow economy, find new markets and services and to exchange, countries have to open up to have the interactions and exchanges of knowledge and skills," he said, praising the Chinese wisdom of connecting with the world.

Some journalists were impressed by Chongqing's rapidly growing infrastructure and the fact that a large proportion of the city's construction is an adaptation of old buildings instead of complete demolition.

"To me, who was here ten years ago, the city has changed so much that it is almost unrecognizable, with skyscrapers, bridges, highways, and new subway lines. It's as if the city has been transformed over the past decade," said Moritz Nicolaus Lohmann, co-founder of "Hamburg Welcomes You" from Germany, adding that Germany can learn from Chongqing's reconstruction of deserted industrial areas into art and creativity zones.

At the 2024 Belt and Road Journalists Forum held in Chongqing on Saturday, representatives of BRI journalists associations also spoke highly of Chongqing's development, an epitome of China's modernization, lauding China's wisdom of modernization and common prosperity.

Yophiandi Kurniawan from Indonesia Cyber Media Network said he is deeply impressed by the local people's preservation of history and tradition, their efforts to achieve food security, and their commitment to protecting the ecosystem while advancing technological development.

"What I have seen has further proved my view that the Chinese government and people are on the right track for progress," he said.

At the opening ceremony of the forum, He Ping, chairman of ACJA, said in a keynote speech that news media should align with the trends of peace, development, cooperation and mutual benefits, calling for joint efforts to construct new narrative frameworks and modes of expression that "transcend ideology, social systems and levels of development."

Attendants 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.

"My renewed impression of China is not just admiration for the high pace of development, but also an understanding that this country sets the vector of the future for the whole world," said Timur Shafir, executive secretary of the international department of the Russian Union of Journalists.

"New approaches to development, peaceful interaction and innovation are being born here, which will determine the future not only of this country, but also of the whole world," he said.

"China is determined not only to achieve its goals, but also to create a common peaceful future where everyone can get their share of prosperity," he said.

Tania Georgieva Glouhtcheva, head of the international department of Bulgaria's DUMA Newspaper, echoed Shafir's remarks. "China is the best teacher when it comes to giving -- not only material things, but also millennial wisdom and good examples when it comes to politics and improving lives," she said.

"More and more countries and international organizations joined the (Belt and Road) initiative. Countless roads, railways, ports, airports, hospitals, schools -- the list is endless -- have been built. People from different continents are connected and enjoy a life they've never imagined," she said.

"The Solomon Islands can learn from the hard work, technology, and innovation of China and the Chinese people in terms of not competing with each other, but leading for a better future," said Elizabeth Sade, an executive member of the Media Association of Solomon Islands. "China has been giving a helping hand to other countries and small countries like the Solomon Islands to go forward," she said. 
First graders yawn as they attend a ceremony marking the start of classes at a school as part of the traditional opening of the school year known as "Day of Knowledge" in Makiivka, Russian-controlled Donetsk region, eastern Ukraine, on Monday, Sept. 2, 2024. (AP Photo/Alexei Alexandrov)

KYIV, Ukraine (AP)  Russia launched an overnight barrage of drones and cruise and ballistic missiles at Kyiv, officials said Monday, as children were returning to school across Ukraine. Some pupils found classes canceled because of damage from the attack.

Several series of explosions rocked the Ukrainian capital. Debris from intercepted missiles and drones fell in every district of Kyiv, wounding three people and damaging two kindergartens, the Interior Ministry said. City authorities reported multiple fires.

After more than 900 days of war, Russia and Ukraine show no sign of letting up in the fight or moving closer to the negotiating table. Both sides are pursuing ambitious ground offensives, with the Ukrainians driving into Russias Kursk region and the Russians pushing deeper into the Donetsk region of eastern Ukraine that is part of the industrial Donbas region.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said Monday that Ukraines Kursk assault won't prevent Russian forces from advancing in eastern Ukraine.

The main task that the enemy set for themselves  to stop our offensive in Donbas  they havent achieved it, Putin told students during a trip to Siberia. He predicted that the Kursk offensive will fail and that Kyiv officials will want to move to peace talks.

Speaking in the southern city of Zaporizhzhia, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said his countrys operation in Kursk had drawn Russian troops away from southern Ukraine, but acknowledged that it had not yet succeeded in diverting Russian forces from the eastern frontlines, where the city of Pokrovsk is at risk of falling.

We see that it is difficult there, and the most combat-ready Russian brigades have been concentrated in this area because it has always been their main target  Donbas. The complete, total occupation of Donbas: Donetsk and Luhansk regions, Zelenskyy said.

He said last month that the aim of the Kursk incursion is to create a buffer zone that might prevent further attacks by Moscow across the border.

Russia launched 35 missiles and 26 Shahed drones at Ukraine overnight from Sunday to Monday, the Ukrainian air force said. Nine ballistic missiles, 13 cruise missiles and 20 drones were downed, it said.

Kyiv residents hurried into bomb shelters.

Oksana Argunova, an 18-year-old student, said she was still shaking after the scare.

I woke up, my neighbor was shouting: Lets go down (to the shelter), there are big explosions. We all ran, Argunova told The Associated Press.

Monday was the first day back at school after the summer vacation. In Ukraine, the day involves ceremonies and rituals, with students and often teachers wearing traditional costumes.

But the massive air assaults have taken a toll. In one last week, an F-16 warplane that Ukraine received from Western partners crashed. The pilot, one of the few Ukrainians trained to fly the jets, was killed.

Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof, visiting Ukraine for the first time since taking office, traveled with Zelenskyy to Zaporizhzhia, 40 kilometers (25 miles) from the front line.

They visited an underground school, and Schoof announced his government would give Ukraine 200 million euros ($221 million) to help protect and repair the electricity infrastructure targeted almost daily by Russian bombs.

It must never be normal for children to have to go to school underground. It must never become normal for peoples homes to be cold because power plants have been bombed, Schoof said.

He said the Netherlands would continue providing F-16 fighter jets and munitions to Ukraine and noted a plan floated last month by Republican U.S. Sen. Lindsay Graham to let retired F-16 pilots from other countries join the fight in Ukraine.

That would be an interesting idea, because then you can just speed up the process of deploying the F-16s. But we have to look into those things, with all the countries involved with the F-16 coalition, Schoof said.

In Kyiv, children and parents gathered outside a damaged school as firefighters put out flames and removed rubble.

One mother arrived with her 7-year-old daughter, Sophia, unaware it had been hit. It was Sophias first day at a new school, her mother said, after a frightening night.

We hid in the bathroom, where it was relatively safe, said the mother, who gave only her first name, Olena.

Ukraine and Russia are battering each other with regular long-range drone and missile strikes, sometimes launching more than 100 weapons in aerial attacks that suggest they are still pouring resources into weapon production.

Russian air defenses intercepted 158 Ukrainian drones overnight, including two over Moscow and nine over the surrounding region, the Defense Ministry said.

The Ukrainian headquarters of the Danish humanitarian organization DanChurchAid was destroyed by missile fragments, its head Jonas Nddekr said.

Elsewhere, 18 people were injured in a Sunday evening strike on a center for social and psychological rehabilitation of children and an orphanage in Ukraines northeastern city of Sumy, regional authorities said. The regional prosecutors office said there were no children in the facility, and the injured included people in nearby homes.

___

Associated Press writers Lori Hinnant in Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine; Emma Burrows in London; and Jan. M. Olsen in Copenhagen, Denmark, contributed to this report.

___

Follow APs coverage of the war in Ukraine at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine
Russia has no advance near Pokrovsk over past 2 days, Zelensky claims

The situation in the Pokrovsk sector in Donetsk Oblast is "difficult," but Russian troops have not advanced over the past two days, President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Sept. 2, citing Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi.

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.

Asked whether it was appropriate to launch the Kursk incursion, Zelensky said that Russia had redeployed a "sufficiently large number" of troops from Zaporizhzhia and Kherson sectors to Kursk Oblast.

As Kyiv's incursion into Kursk Oblast enters its fourth week, Ukraine reportedly controls over 1,290 square kilometers (500 square miles) and 100 settlements, Syrskyi said in late August.

Ukrainian soldiers also have taken over 600 Russian captives, Zelensky said.

The Kyiv Independent could not verify these claims.

"The Kursk operation is fulfilling its tasks and is going according to plan... We believe that the Kursk operation can also affect the (Pokrovsk) direction, where the pressure may be reduced due to a decrease in the number of Russian troops," the president said at a press conference with Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof.

According to Zelensky, Russia has long concentrated the most combat-ready Russian brigades in the area, as Moscow's main goal is the complete occupation of Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts.

"But so far we see that it is difficult there... In any case, no matter how difficult it is, there has been no advance in the Pokrovsk sector for two days," he added.

Russian troops accelerated their advance towards Pokrovsk over the past week, the U.K. Defense Ministry reported on Sept. 1.

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.

Read also: Undistracted by Kursk offensive, Russia cuts deeper toward Pokrovsk in Donetsk Oblast

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By Pavel Polityuk and Vladyslav Smilianets

KYIV (Reuters) - Loud explosions rocked Ukraine's capital Kyiv early on Monday as Russia launched a barrage of missiles, sparking fires and damaging homes and infrastructure, officials said.

Residents across the city were awoken by a quick succession of bangs and the sound of air defence missiles blasting off skyward to intercept targets.

The air force said it had destroyed 22 out of 35 missiles and 20 of 23 attack drones. It listed several types of cruise and ballistic missiles used by Russia.

Air raid alerts sounded across Ukraine for nearly two hours before the air force declared the skies clear at 6:30 a.m. (0330 GMT). Neighbouring NATO member Poland activated Polish and allied aircraft to keep its airspace safe during the attacks.

The broad bombardment, a week after Russia unleashed its largest air attack on Ukraine since full-scale war began early in 2022, coincided with the return to school for many children.

Yevheniia, a 33-year-old mother, tried to put on a brave face as she took her 6-year-old daughter Margo to her first ever day of school.

The occasion is celebrated in Ukraine, much as it is in Russia, with parents buying large bouquets of flowers for their young children.

Her hands were shaking, we woke up. Our apartment started to stink of smoke, but we still need to go to school, right? We are Ukrainians, she said, while her little daughter nodded.

A boiler house at a Kyiv water plant was partially damaged, as was the entrance to a metro station doubling as a bomb shelter in Svyatoshynksyi district, Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said on Telegram, although the station was still operating.

The district is home to a cluster of universities and schools.

The attack injured three people, city military authorities said, adding that two of those were taken to hospital.

Cars were set ablaze across the city as well as at a non-residential building in the Shevchenkivskyi district, mayor Klitschko said.

Emergency services rushed to several locations, including the Svyatoshynskyi, Solomyanskyi and Holosiivskyi districts, where debris had fallen from destroyed missiles.

The Solomyanskyi district is home to a major train station and Kyiv's main airport. The historic Svyatoshynskyi district is on the city's western edge, while Holosiivskyi is in the southwest.

Kateryna, 34, had come to the market in Svyatoshyno to buy flowers for her child starting school.

"Some of the florists were here from five in the morning, they had to drop and hide," she said.

An Islamic centre was also badly damaged in the attack, Crimean Tatar leader Refat Chubarov said on Telegram.

Reuters journalists in Kyiv heard a series of loud explosions from what sounded like the work of air defence units, some in the central area.

Last Monday, Russia fired more than 200 missiles and drones at Ukraine, killing seven people and striking energy facilities nationwide in what Kyiv called the war's "most massive" attack.

Russia denies targeting civilians in the 30-month-old war.

(Reporting by Pavel Polityuk, Vladyslav Smilianets, Valentyn Ogirenko; Writing by Lidia Kelly in Melbourne and Max Hunder in Kyiv; Editing by Clarence Fernandez and Kevin Liffey)
Russia says Telegram boss Durov is a victim of his own independence

FILE PHOTO: Founder and CEO of Telegram Pavel Durov delivers a keynote speech during the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona

MOSCOW (Reuters) - Pavel Durov, the Telegram boss arrested in France, was "too free" in his approach to running the social media platform, and this was his undoing, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Monday.

A French judge put Russian-born Durov under formal investigation last week for suspected complicity in running an online platform that allows illicit transactions, child sex abuse images, drug trafficking and fraud.

His lawyer has said it is "absurd" to suggest he should be held responsible for any crimes committed on the app, which has nearly 1 billion users and is widely popular in Russia, Ukraine and other former Soviet countries.

Lavrov, in a speech to students at Moscow's elite MGIMO university run by the foreign ministry, echoed the Kremlin's position that the probe into Durov is part of a larger political ploy by the West to exert power over Russia.

"Pavel Durov was too free," Lavrov said. "He didn't listen to Western advice on moderating his brainchild."

Russia, after years of pressure on Durov and his tech ventures, has rallied behind him.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said last week that there were no negotiations between the Kremlin and Durov, who also holds passports from France and the United Arab Emirates.

"The main thing is that what is happening in France does not turn into political persecution," Peskov said last Thursday.

"We know that the president of France has denied any connection (of the case) with politics, but on the other hand, certain accusations are being made."

French President Emmanuel Macron has denied any political motive in the tech entrepreneur's detention.

Lavrov earlier warned that Durov's arrest - the first of a major tech CEO - had plunged relations between Moscow and Paris to a new nadir.

(Reporting by Reuters; Writing by Lucy Papachristou; editing by Guy Faulconbridge)
Russia launched an overnight barrage of drones and missiles at Kyiv as children in Ukraine prepared to return to school, officials said early Monday.

Debris from intercepted missiles and drones fell in Kyiv and air raid alerts lasted until 6:30 a.m. local time before children set out to begin their school year.

Ukraine said it destroyed 22 out of 35 missiles and 20 of 23 attack drones, Reuters reported.

Ukraines Ministry of Internal Affairs shared photos online, saying each district in Kyiv was hit. Three people were injured, it added, and two kindergartens were damaged.

Today, Ukrainian children went to school and woke up not to alarm clocks, but to the sounds of alarms and explosions, the ministry said. We will never forgive the enemy for such meanness and cynicism.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he is grateful for everyone who made the first day of the school year possible in the country.

The strikes come as both Ukraine and Russia are continuing their aggressive ground offensives. Ukraine has continued into Russias Kursk region, and Russia is pushing further into the Donetsk region of Ukraine, The Associated Press reported.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said Monday that Ukraines mission in Kursk wont prevent his forces from continuing in eastern Ukraine.

He predicted the Kursk offensive will fail and Ukraine will want to move to peace talks, the AP added.

Zelensky acknowledged that the Kursk offensive drew Russian troops away from southern Ukraine but said it hadnt yet forced soldiers to be withdrawn from the east.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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The scene of the attack in Sumy. Photo: Ukraines National Police

The police have clarified that thirteen people had been injured as a result of the Russian missile strike on the city of Sumy, including four children. An educational institution and at least five apartment buildings have also been damaged.

Update: The Ministry of Internal Affairs reported on the morning of 2 September that the number of people who had sustained injuries in the Russian attack on Sumy had increased to 18, including 6 children.

Source: Communication Department of the branch of the National Police in Sumy Oblast

Quote: "An educational institution and at least five apartment buildings were damaged. All the appropriate services are working at the scene. Residents of the damaged buildings are receiving the necessary assistance."

Aftermath of the attack in Sumy.

Photo: the branch of National Police in Sumy Oblast

Details: The National Police added that investigators are documenting the damage and collecting evidence of the war crime committed by Russia.

Aftermath of the attack in Sumy.

Photo: the branch of National Police in Sumy Oblast

Quote: "A criminal case has been opened under Art. 438 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine, violation of the laws and customs of war."

Aftermath of the attack in Sumy.

Photo: the branch of National Police in Sumy Oblast

Background: Russian troops launched a missile attack on a centre for the social and psychological rehabilitation of children and on an orphanage in Sumy. Thirteen people were reported to be injured.

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Number of civilians injured in Russian attack on Kharkiv and Ruska Lozova rises to 14  photos

The aftermath of the latest Russian attack on Kharkiv Oblast. Photo: Oleh Syniehubov on Telegram

On 2 September, Russian forces dropped a guided aerial bomb on Ruska Lozova in Kharkiv Oblast and attacked Kharkivs Kyivskyi district, injuring 14 civilians.

Source: Oleh Syniehubov, Head of Kharkiv Oblast Military Administration, on Telegram; Ihor Terekhov, Mayor of Kharkiv, on Telegram; Viacheslav Zadorenko, Head of Derhachi City Military Administration

Quote: "The invaders dropped guided aerial bombs on Ruska Lozova. A house has been damaged. Early reports say one person was injured. The information is being updated."

Details: Syniehubov added that the Russians also hit the Kyivskyi district of Kharkiv.

"There are no reports of injuries at the moment. A car was damaged. The investigation continues," he added.

Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov later stated that four women were injured as a result of the attack on the Kyivskyi district. Syniehubov also reported that garages were on fire in the area of the attack.

The aftermath of the latest Russian attack on Kharkiv Oblast.

Photo: Oleh Syniehubov on Telegram

Viacheslav Zadorenko, Head of the Derhachi City Military Administration, said a 68-year-old man sustained shrapnel wounds as a result of the strike on Ruska Lozova. At the moment his condition is stable, and he is receiving the necessary medical treatment. At least one house was damaged.

Update: At 15:58, Terekhov said the attack had hit a densely populated residential neighbourhood.

The aftermath of the latest Russian attack on Kharkiv Oblast.

Photo: Oleh Syniehubov on Telegram

Quote from Terekhov: "Garages are on fire at the site of one of the strikes, windows in nearby buildings have been broken, and there is damage to an insulated pipe. All the relevant services are working at the scene. The areas affected by the enemy guided aerial bombs are being examined."

Details: A few minutes later, Terekhov noted that five people are now known to have been injured in the Russian attack on Kharkiv's Kyivskyi district. The Russians also damaged a sports facility.

The aftermath of the latest Russian attack on Kharkiv Oblast.

Photo: Oleh Syniehubov on Telegram

Syniehubov reported at 16:23 that in Kharkiv, two Russian guided aerial bombs struck a garage cooperative located near residential buildings in the Kyivskyi district. A fire broke out at the site of the hit.

"Another hit has been recorded on the territory of a higher education institution. Five civilians have been injured. The inspection is ongoing," Syniehubov said.

The aftermath of the latest Russian attack on Kharkiv Oblast.

Photo: Oleh Syniehubov on Telegram

The aftermath of the latest Russian attack on Kharkiv Oblast.

Photo: Oleh Syniehubov on Telegram

Syniehubov later reported that seven people have been injured in the city of Kharkiv: "A woman aged 60 and a man aged 40 are in a critical condition. Five women are in a moderate condition."

Updated at 17:16: Syniehubov reported that the number of people injured in the Russian attack on Kharkiv had increased to 11.

Later, the head of Kharkiv Oblast Military Administration reported 13 casualties.

Background: On the night of 31 August-1 September, the Russians launched two attacks on the village of Slatyne in Kharkiv Oblast, injuring six people, including a pregnant woman.

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Russia launched a missile attack on a center for social and psychological rehabilitation of children and an orphanage in Ukraine's northeastern city of Sumy on Sep. 1. Sumy, home to over 250,000 people, is located some 350 kilometers (217 miles) east of Kyiv.

Earlier, the Sumy city council reported that at least 13 civilians were wounded in the attack, including four children. Four of the injured were transferred to the local hospital.

Later, Ukraine's Interior Ministry revised the estimated number of casualties to be 18 wounded, including six children.

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, at least 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 war latest: Russia launches attack on Kharkiv, injuring at least 47 people



.

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MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Monday that young members of his family speak fluent Mandarin, though he told school children they should not forget the importance of English too despite the growing popularity of Chinese.

Putin has two daughters with his ex-wife Lyudmila and they speak Russian, English, German, and French. Putin, who divorced his wife in 2014, rarely speaks about his family but has at least three grandchildren, according to Russian media.

"Some of my family members, the little ones, speak Chinese too - they speak it fluently," Putin told pupils of Secondary School No. 20 in Kyzyl, Tuva, about 4,500 km (2,800 miles) east of Moscow.

Amid a growing partnership between China and Russia, Mandarin has been growing in popularity across Russia as a foreign language of choice, a trend Putin said was due to developing contacts across economics, politics and society.

Putin, who speaks fluent German but has also taken lessons to improve his English, said that pupils should not forget the importance of English.

"English is a great language, it has given humanity a great deal in terms of combining knowledge and uniting people in the field of culture, and so on," Putin said.

Russian, English, Tatar, German and Chechen are the most widely spoken languages in Russia, according to the 2022 census. While Mandarin is spoken far less, it has been growing swiftly in popularity in recent years as a foreign language.

Putin and China's President Xi Jinping in May pledged a "new era" of partnership between the two most powerful rivals of the United States, which they cast as an aggressive Cold War hegemon sowing chaos across the world.

China and Russia declared a "no limits" partnership in February 2022 when Putin visited Beijing just days before he sent tens of thousands of troops into Ukraine, triggering the deadliest land war in Europe since World War Two.

English is the world's most spoken language with about 1.5 billion speakers, followed by Mandarin Chinese with about 1.1 billion speakers, and then Hindi, Spanish, Arabic, French, Bengali, Portuguese, Russian and Urdu, according to Ethnologue, a language research center.

(Reporting by Guy Faulconbridge; Editing by Andrew Osborn and Gareth Jones)
BEIJING, Sept. 2 (Xinhua) -- The General Administration of Customs has decided to resume the import of Wendan pomelo from Taiwan starting Monday, a mainland spokesperson confirmed.

Wendan pomelo to be imported into the mainland from Taiwan must come from registered orchards and packaging plants, said Chen Binhua, a spokesperson for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office. 
Salvage operation of MV Sounion oil tanker about to start, no signs of oil spill, EU naval mission says

CAIRO (Reuters) - The salvage operation of the oil tanker MV Sounion, which was recently attacked by Iran-aligned Houthi militants, is about to begin, the European Union's mission in the Red Sea, Aspides, said on Monday.

Aspides said in a statement that "several fires" continued to burn on the Greek-registered vessel, which is laden with about 1 million barrels of crude oil, adding that there were no visible signs of an oil spill.

The salvage operation is likely to be complex and if a spill occurs, it has the potential to be among the largest from a ship in recorded history and could cause an environmental catastrophe in an area that is particularly dangerous to access.

"The MV SOUNION, due to the large amount of crude oil it carries, presents a significant environmental threat. Private companies are involved in the salvage operation that is about to start," Aspides said on X.

A source familiar with the matter told Reuters that tug boats were ready to operate but it would require an on-spot inspection before a decision is made on whether to transfer the cargo to another vessel or move the ship to a safe port first.

The EU's naval force said on Monday it will provide protection to the tug boats that will deal with the salvage operation.

The Iran-aligned Houthis have been waging a campaign against commercial shipping to support Palestinians in the war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.

On Monday, a Saudi-owned crude tanker and a Panama-flagged oil ship were attacked in the Red Sea off Yemen, two sources familiar with the matter said, although it was unclear if the vessels were hit by Yemeni Houthi militants.

(Reporting by Jaidaa Taha, Ahmed Elimam and Renee Maltezou in Athens; Editing by Tomasz Janowski)
FILE PHOTO: The logo of French drugmaker Sanofi is seen at the Sanofi Genzyme Polyclonals in Lyon

By Ludwig Burger

(Reuters) -Sanofi's most advanced multiple sclerosis drug candidate has missed the main goal of two late-stage trials to treat relapsing forms of the disease, but in a positive surprise succeeded in a study on a less common form of progressive MS.

Investors focused on the good news, with analysts saying the trial failure for tolebrutinib in the common relapsing form of the disease, where isolated flare-ups temporarily subside, had been widely expected as a similar compound had fallen short.

The shares jumped as much as 4.5% on Monday and were 3% higher at 0731 GMT, reaching a ten-month high.

"Despite mixed news, tolebrutinib now appears a largely de-risked perhaps $1-2 billion opportunity," Jefferies analysts said in a research note.

The French drugmaker said on Monday that two Phase III trials showed that experimental daily pill tolebrutinib was not better than its established MS drug Aubagio in reducing relapse rates in the common relapsing type of MS.

In a mitigation of the setback, Sanofi said a separate third late-stage trial showed that tolebrutinib met the main goal to treat a progressive - or steadily worsening - form of MS, which is less common, and which currently cannot be treated.

In that trial, the Sanofi drug candidate slowed disability progression when compared with a placebo, an ineffective dummy drug.

"Tolebrutinib represents an unprecedented breakthrough as a potential first-in-disease treatment option with clinically meaningful benefit in disability accumulation," said Houman Ashrafian, Sanofi's head of research & development.

The company added it would discuss those results with regulators, aiming to file for approval by the end of 2024.

Sanofi is pursuing several opportunities in MS, a debilitating nerve disease, to offset revenue losses after the recent end of the Aubagio pill's patent protection, part of a push to become a powerhouse in anti-inflammatory drugs.

CEO Paul Hudson has been trying to regain investor confidence in the pharma pipeline since he unexpectedly abandoned 2025 margin targets last October to boost drug development spending.

Shares have bounced back somewhat over recent months on the strength of drug launches including Beyfortus to protect infants against a common respiratory infection.

Tolebrutinib, from the $3.7 billion takeover of Principia in 2020, belongs to a class of compounds known as Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitors, which has also attracted Novartis, Roche and Merck.

They are designed to selectively block the harmful autoimmune reaction behind MS for a more targeted approach than standard immunosuppressant drugs.

Investors however have been kept on edge over revenue prospects because of a possible link to liver damage and uncertain efficacy.

In 2022, concerns over liver damage led to a halt in the enrolment of new patients in three of Sanofi's tolebrutinib studies that were still recruiting volunteers at the time.

On Monday, Sanofi only said liver safety was consistent with previous studies, with more data to be disclosed on Sept. 20.

Merck's BTK inhibitor last December failed to beat off-patent Aubagio on efficacy in MS trials, hitting confidence in the wider drug class.

Roche subsidiary Genentech is still in the race, but safety concerns also emerged last November. Rival Novartis has said its BTK drug candidate had shown no signs of liver damage.

Sanofi on Monday only provided a brief summary of the trials, holding off details for a medical conference in Copenhagen on Sept. 20.

Another Phase III study known as PERSEUS in another progressive form of MS is still ongoing, with results expected in 2025, Sanofi added. The French group is also working on MS candidate frexalimab in earlier development stages.

(Reporting by Ludwig Burger; Editing by Marguerita Choy and Jan Harvey)
Tourists take photos as the sun sets in Santorini - Matej Kastelic / Alamy Stock Photo

The Greek government is to ban new hotel builds in Santorini as the volcanic island faces a toxic mix of overdevelopment and mass tourism.

Authorities plan to suspend all construction licences in Santorinis caldera zone, the spectacular, sheer-sided rim of the island from where hordes of tourists pose for sunset photos.

The draft legislation by the environment ministry will be voted on by parliament. It will target all new building work, including extensions to existing structures and swimming pools.

Santorini, along with Mykonos, has seen a boom in tourist numbers in recent years, fuelled by social media, short-term rental apps such as Airbnb and a post-pandemic surge in travel.

Tourists try to get a view of the sunset in Santorini - Alkis Konstantinidis/REUTERS

Santorini has 25,000 inhabitants but each year is swamped by 3.4 million tourists, which has contributed to environmental damage and water shortages.

The issue of overtourism was thrown into sharp relief last month when a tour guide posted footage of hordes of tourists disembarking on Santorini, squeezing shoulder to shoulder along narrow streets between whitewashed houses.

Click here to view this content.

Santorinis surging visitor numbers are echoed across Greece, with data forecasting that 2024 will outstrip last years record of 33 million arrivals.

The ban on new building along the caldera was proposed partly in response to impassioned appeals by Santorinis mayor, who has demanded construction be restricted.

Nikos Zorzos, 64, has asked that the government halt the construction of all types of hotel units, short-term rentals, and especially strategic investments, not only for the caldera but for the entire island of Santorini.

Since his first term as mayor in 2011, he has lobbied successive governments to restrict what he terms irrational tourist development, which consumes the character of the island.

Tourists queue as they wait to get a cable car to the village of Fira in Santorini - ARIS OIKONOMOU/AFP

He has argued developers threaten to destroy the breathtaking landscape that draws visitors in the first place.

When the needs keep increasing, new consecutive problems will build up which we wont be able to resolve - the increasing need for water and electricity, for instance, which we have worked hard to get to their present level, and (which) we keep working on, Mr Zorzos, who was voted into office this year for a third term, told the Greek Reporter.

The mayor also wants a cap on the number of cruise ship visitors who are allowed to disembark each day, down from 17,000 to 8,000, arguing the crush of tourists makes the island unbearable.

Tourists wait for the sunset in the village of Oia in Santorini - ARIS OIKONOMOU/AFP

Greeces centre-Right government is starting to sit up and take notice of the islands that are buckling under the pressures of overtourism.

In June, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, the prime minister, said Athens was looking at capping cruise ship arrivals to Greeces most popular islands. I think well do it next year, he said, conceding that Santorini and Mykonos are clearly suffering.

Greece not only faces soaring visitor numbers, it is also on the front line of climate change. Longer, hotter summers are causing water shortages, environmental degradation and wildfires.

But any measures by the government to rein in mass tourism must be balanced by the huge economic benefits that the sector brings.

Tourism contributes between 62.8 billion and 75.6 billion to Greeces economy, roughly a third of GDP annually.

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A protestor carries a poster at a mass demonstration condemning Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his handling of the hostages being held in Gaza by Hamas, in Tel Aviv on Sept. 1, 2024. Credit - David SilvermanGetty Images

There is a word that until now was not used by Israelis to describe their Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu. Yesterday it was everywhere: in red on handmade signs at the protests that broke out across the country, on angry social media posts in Hebrew, and in the mouths of outraged citizens:

Murderer.

The judgment followed the bitter news on what was supposed to be a joyous first day of the school year, Sept. 1. Not only were six more Israeli hostages in Gaza found dead. The details of their deaths shocked the country to the core. All six were killed just hours before Israeli soldiers found their bodies. The army said each died by multiple gunshot wounds to the head, apparently by execution.

Hersh Goldberg-Polin, 23, Eden Yerushalmi, 24, Ori Danino, 25, Almog Sarusi, 27, Alex Lobanov, 32, and Carmel Gat, 40, had survived almost a year as hostages. When their bodies were discovered in a tunnel in southern Gaza, many Israelis blamed Netanyahu for their deaths, saying they would be alive if the Prime Minister had agreed to a cease-fire freeing them.

I couldnt believe it, said Dudu Cohen, 73, who traveled with his wife from the West Bank settlement of Efrat to the protest outside the Prime Ministers Office in Jerusalem. Its terrible. If there had been a deal last week, they would be alive.

A demonstrator holds a murderer sign in West Jerusalem on Sept. 1, 2024. Saeed QaqAnadolu/Getty Images

Something broke for many Israelis on Sunday. The reaction to the deaths was spontaneous and widespread. Some half a million people took to the streets, demonstrating on bridges, blocking highways, marching through cities across the country in what were likely the largest protests since Oct. 7. The largest union in the country, the Histadrut, declared a strike for Monday. Someone painted Netanyahu is a murderer on one of the Prime Ministers cars.

I directly accuse our Prime Minister of murder, Ido Bruno, a professor of industrial design and former director of the Israel Museum, declared over the shouts at the Jerusalem protest. Although Hamas were the ones that pulled the trigger, Netanyahu was the one who wrote the verdict. He executed them.

Netanyahu claimed that Israel has been holding intensive negotiations with the mediator in a supreme effort to reach a deal to bring back the hostages. But Israeli Channel 12 News reported on Friday that Netanyahu had given up on talks. During the Thursday meeting of the Israeli war cabinet, Netanyahu reportedly told Defense Minister Yoav Gallant that keeping Israeli soldiers along the Gazan border with Egypt (known as the Philadelphi Corridor) was more important than saving the lives of the remaining hostages in Gaza. A shouting match ensued with Gallant reportedly saying, The significance of this is that Hamas wont agree to it, so there wont be an agreement and there wont be any hostages released, to which Netanyahu reportedly replied: This is the decision.

While most of the world is preoccupied by the massive death toll among Palestinians in Gaza, some 40,000 of whom have been reported killed, Israelis remain focused on the fate of the 250 hostages taken into the enclave on Oct. 7, when Hamas launched a surprise attack that killed some 1,200 in Israel. Scores of the captives have been recovered in an earlier prisoner exchange and a few in rescue operations, but some 100 remain in Gaza, a third of whom are thought by Israeli authorities to be dead.

Bruno, like many other Israelis, blames Netanyahu for blocking an agreement with Hamas to release them, because it would provoke defections in the coalition government that relies on far-right parties. He has done everything in his power over the last 11 months to prevent any sort of a deal, said Bruno. Its very clear his only interest is to continue the war as long as possible because thats the only way he can stay in power.

The recent deaths of the six hostages exposed the deep rift in Israeli society among those who prefer to continue the military operation in Gaza and those who believe the state has a moral duty to first and foremost bring home the people who were snatched from their beds, the Nova festival, or their workplaces.

People wont rest until they have (Hamas leader Yahya) Sinwars head on a stick, but its not worth the price and its not going to happen anytime soon, said Naama Kenan, a tech worker and mother of two, at the Jerusalem protest. Kenan, 40, was taking turns with her husband: She attended the Jerusalem protest, while he took care of the kids and she would take care of the kids while he went to the Tel-Aviv protest. I dont understand how people have come to the point that they think sacrificing people is just for any cause. Sacrificing soldiers, sacrificing hostages. I cant grasp this.

In Tel-Aviv, some 300,000 people came out to protest, carrying six symbolic coffins. They blocked the main highway and lit a bonfire in its midst. Police threw stun grenades and blasted water cannons at demonstrators and detained 29 of them.

Six symbolic coffins rest on a stage during protests in Tel Aviv on Sept. 1, 2024. David SilvermanGetty Images

Einav Zangauker, mother of Matan, who was kidnapped from the music festival, was on the podium. Zangauker has been traveling from protest to protest for months, speaking at gatherings of even a couple dozen. On Sunday she declared to several hundred thousand that Netanyahu is murdering the hostages. He decided to sentence them to death.

Of the man she says she had voted for, Zangauker said: The history books will not have sufficient space to record the magnitude of the disaster he has brought upon the country and the nation. Your time is up. I, Einav Zangauker, a Likudnik from Ofakim, tell you, its over.

Go to the streets, people of Israel. Go to the streets!

They already had. In Jerusalem, thousands shouted and blew whistles and eardrum-bursting trumpets outside the Prime Ministers office. We will not give this security cabinet a moment of quiet until all the hostages are released! one man yelled into the loudspeaker, encouraging protesters to Shout, shout, shout! A mother of a hostage shared her anguish in a cracking voice: This cant go on, this is unreal, enough, ENOUGH! A woman in a black dress sat down on a large rock and sobbed.

Yuval Kaminsky maneuvered through the throngs wearing his newborn daughter on his chest while his wife, Yam Gal, kept hold of their two-year-old son. Kaminsky, a filmmaker, believed the news was a watershed moment for Israelis, and he pondered how a breakthrough could be made. We are horrified. Its a feeling that we cant continue this way anymore. Although, we are continuing this way for a long time. We are just waiting for an excuse to go out and end this once and for all. Because it wont end without people taking to the streets.

There was, however, a sense of impotence amid the unity, public opinion having failed for months to move the nations political leadership. Kaminsky said that something extreme was needed to bring about change. We dont need a wave of protests. We need one really, really big one  and a little violence I suppose. Thats how things happen, apparently, he said. I dont think Im in favor of physical violence, but  it needs to be aggressive, very aggressive. Damage property.

Among the dead were the two hostages who became icons in Israel: Hersh Goldberg-Polin and Carmel Gat. Hersh, the Israeli-American who was seen in the back of a Hamas pick-up truck in an Oct. 7 video with his arm blown off, was thought likely dead until Hamas released a video in April of him alive. Pictures of him are everywhere in Jerusalem, hanging from balconies and covering bus stops. His mother, Rachel, had become an international ambassador for the hostage families, calling on the government to agree to a deal in order to save the nation as well as her son. Carmel Gat was taken hostage from Kibbutz Beeri and taught other hostages yoga and meditation to help them survive captivity.

People felt very close to Hersh and Carmel without knowing them, said Bruno. It touches you in a different place. We cant bear the thought that we know that these people were alive and could still have been alive.

Cohen, the settler, is among the few Israelis who believe that Israel should have accepted Hamas offer on Oct. 7 to exchange all the hostages for all the Palestinian prisoners and detainees in Israeli jails. I think that on the 8th of October, we should have announced to them that they struck us and that we are prepared to do a deal of all of theirs for all of ours, said Cohen. And then we needed to find the opportunity to strike them as we should after the hostages are back with us. There is always an opportunity to strike them. Hostages are something that is perishable.

Contact us at letters@time.com.
Scientists issue dire warning about the fate of the Great Barrier Reef: 'Our generation will likely witness the demise of one of Earth's great natural wonders'

Scientists are sounding an alarm after a new study finds coral reef temperatures have reached their highest in at least four centuries, per an article published in the New York Times. According to the researchers, rising global temperatures will likely cause the end of the Great Barrier Reef within our generation.

What's happening?

A startling new study has revealed the devastating effects of pollution and increasing global temperatures on the Great Barrier Reef  the largest coral reef system in the world. Published in the journal Nature, the study not only highlighted the dramatic increase in coral reef temperatures but also identified the cause of that increase: the burning of dirty energy.

The researchers analyzed data as far back as their models allowed  a total of four hundred years  and found that the temperatures in the Coral Sea are at the highest recorded level.

"The heat extremes are occurring too often for those corals to effectively adapt and evolve," paleoclimatologist at the University of Melbourne and author of the new study Ben Henley told the New York Times. "If we don't divert from our current course, our generation will likely witness the demise of one of Earth's great natural wonders, the Great Barrier Reef."

Why are coral reefs important?

Coral reefs are a fragile and integral part of marine ecosystems. They provide food and shelter for thousands of underwater species, supporting the ocean's vast biodiversity, according to the National Ocean Service.

However, extreme heat causes the coral to bleach and lose the algae they rely on for survival. If sustainable changes aren't made and temperatures continue to rise, the coral reefs will most likely die, threatening the thousands of marine species that rely on them.

What's being done about rising global temperatures?

Scientists are continuing to study the impact of rising temperatures on the coral reef system in an effort to catalyze climate solutions. In Australia, the government is also taking the necessary steps to reduce emissions with the hope of protecting the Great Barrier Reef from demise.

Biologists and climate experts discussed the importance of the new paper and the dire situation facing coral reefs across the globe.

"It's a stunningly important summary of the history of the world's largest reef system," marine biology Professor Stephen Palumbi told the New York Times. "The paper lays out the danger that corals all around the world face from this heat."

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Chlamydia may have a secret hiding spot in the human body where it can avoid antibiotics.

Researchers at the University of Wurzburg in Germany have found evidence that the human gut is an overlooked "natural niche" for this all too common sexually transmitted infection (STI).

If the team is right, it could help explain why Chlamydia trachomatis reinfections in treated patients often involve the exact same bacterial strain.

"It is therefore reasonable to assume that the bacteria find a niche in the body where they are not yet vulnerable, that they form a permanent reservoir there and can become active again later," explains chlamydia expert and microbiologist Thomas Rudel from the University of Wurzburg.

That's a dangerous prospect, because the longer chlamydia sticks around in the body, the higher the risk of infertility issues and ovarian cancer. Oftentimes, a chlamydia infection causes no symptoms or only mild ones, such as pain, discharge, or itchiness. As a result, doctors recommend retesting for the STI three months after finishing a dose of antibiotics.

Chlamydia is the most common STI worldwide, so it is vital that scientists stay on top of effective treatments. If there really is a reservoir of bacteria hiding out in the body, it could result in growing antibiotic resistance.

To investigate further, Rudel and his colleagues in Germany studied three organoids, or mini cellular models: one of the stomach, one of the small intestine, and one of the colon or large intestine.

Though these self-organized clumps of human cells lacked a natural microbiota or an immune system, they were equipped with a blood supply and could demonstrate how chlamydia might infect gastrointestinal cells.

Ultimately, the team found that the tissue lining the inside of the human intestines was effective at keeping C. trachomatis out. Only when the tightly arranged cellular structure was damaged could the bacteria infiltrate.

If the bacteria made its way into blood circulation, however, researchers found chlamydia repeatedly bypassed the gut's physical barrier and established an infection in deeper parts.

This suggests that chlamydia can infect the gut very easily via the blood but not so easily via the intestinal lining. Clinical trials are now needed to confirm that idea.

"This is the first report of C. trachomatis infection in human primary intestinal epithelial cells," write lead author microbiologist Pargev Hovhannisyan and his colleagues, "supporting a possible niche for chlamydial infection in the human intestinal tissue."

Chlamydia is known to infect a wide range of cell types, including those in the cervix, urethra, testicles, mouth, throat, anus, and eyes. But most experiments on the bacteria so far have focused on its infection in the genital tract.

Some studies, however, have found the DNA of C. trachomitis in the intestinal biopsies of patients, and this suggests the infection can penetrate deeper into the body than we realized.

While C. trachomitis is a human-specific pathogen, other species of chlamydia that can infect wild or domesticated animals can, and often do, make it to the gastrointestinal tract.

In fact, when mice are orally inoculated with the human-specific pathogen, chlamydia cells cross the gastrointestinal barrier and establish "long lasting non-pathological colonization in the large intestine."

Non-pathological means though the bacteria are alive inside the cells they aren't actively replicating. When threatened by antibiotics or other stressful events, the microbes can enter a dormant state to survive, reawakening only when conditions are appropriate to seed new infections elsewhere.

As a result, some scientists have proposed that the human GI tract is a possible secret hiding spot for persistent chlamydial infections, and the new experiments support that hypothesis.

The team now wants to test which cells in the gut are most susceptible to chlamydia infection, and why.

The study was published in PLOS Pathogens.

Related News
Seattle Police search for person who stabbed man near Pier 66

Seattle police are searching for the person who stabbed a man several times near Pier 66.

It happened on August 17 during a thunderstorm.

At 9:22 p.m., patrol officers responded to a report of a man with multiple stab wounds on Alaskan Way.

Officers secured the scene and provided emergency medical aid until the Seattle Fire Department arrived and continued treatment.

The victim, 56, was stabilized and transported to Harborview Medical Center via Medic One transport. He sustained serious injuries and required surgery.

Offices determined the man was riding a scooter and parked it near the pier. Thats when police say someone approached him and violently attacked him. The suspect fled the scene and was not located by responding officers. No arrests have been made at this time.

This is an open and active investigation. Detectives with the Homicide & Assault unit have been assigned to this case.

If anyone has information about this incident, please call SPD Violent Crimes Tip Line at (206) 233-5000 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.
ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo.  A St. Louis County man was arrested last week and is in custody on a $1 million cash-only bond for his role in a 2022 fatal shooting in Spanish Lake.

According to Sgt. Tracy Panus, a spokeswoman for the St. Louis County Police Department, the shooting happened just after 1:30 a.m. on June 29, 2022, in the 11900 block of Iguana Terrace.

Police found the victim, identified as Rahmello Stewart, suffering from a gunshot wound. Stewart was taken to a local hospital but later died of his injuries. He was 24.

On March 9, 2023, police arrested Amanuel Taylor-Hutt, 18, for the killing. However, because Taylor-Hutt was 17 at the time of the crime, he was taken to the St. Louis County Juvenile Detention Center. On Aug. 21, 2023, the St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorneys Office certified Taylor-Hutt as an adult and charged him with second-degree murder, armed criminal action, and delivery of a controlled substance.

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Police said witnesses saw Taylor-Hutt fleeing the scene after the shooting, and his cell phone location was at or near the location at the time.

According to investigators, Taylor-Hutt said he went to Iguana Terrace to exchange ecstasy pills for Xanax pills.

Bureau of Crimes Against Persons detectives were eventually able to identify a second suspect, Joshua Grace. Police said Grace, 22, made several incriminating statements on his Instagram account, including threats against the victim and using slang terminology to reveal details of the shooting that had not been made public.

Grace was apprehended on Aug. 30, 2024. The St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorneys Office charged Grace with first-degree murder and armed criminal action.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 2.
Seedy NYC street overrun with hookers and thieves gets even worse  with prostitutes doubling in 2 months

A crime-infested stretch of Jackson Heights  where hookers openly ply their trade and brazen shoplifters run amok  has gotten even worse since The Post blew the whistle nearly five months ago.

Roosevelt Avenue near 91st Street in Queens, which has been marred by an illegal open-air migrant market and dozens of sidewalk sex workers, now has twice as many hookers pacing the block, locals say.

Thieves have gotten so defiant that they threaten to take revenge on merchants when theyre nabbed, locals said Sunday.

A man cuddles up to a sex worker on Roosevelt Avenue in Jackson Heights, where everything from women to stolen goods are up for sale in broad daylight. NYPJ

Roosevelt Avenue retailers complain that migrants are peddling their stolen merchandise at a discount on the sidewalk. NYPJ

Its getting worse, said Jesus Diaz, manager of Bravo Supermarket on Roosevelt Avenue. It used to be when we catch them stealing, they saying, Oh, Im sorry, please, Ill never do it again.

Now, theyre getting angry. Theyre trying to punch you, telling you, Youre going to have a problem, telling you, Were coming back and youre going to have some real trouble,' Diaz said. You call and tell the cops that you caught them stealing and that youre holding them waiting for them and the cops, they dont even want to come, they dont want to arrest these people.

Meanwhile, the Market of Sweethearts that has flourished on the block has doubled.

Too many beautiful ladies standing outside my door, a jewelry store owner in the neighborhood said. I just asked them not to stand directly in front and block the door. What can I do?

Too much ladies in front of my door. This is not like before. Before it was very clean here.

She added: There is the brothel across the street and then the brothel behind us here. Everyone knows.

The Post reported on the problematic block in April, when residents and store owners alike complained about migrants ripping off their stores and hawking the hot goods on the sidewalks outside.

Roosevelt Avenue has only gotten worse since The Post first reported on the open-air sex market.

Residents and merchants along a stretch of Roosevelt Avenue in Jackson Heights said the number of sex workers blatantly plying their trade has doubled in recent months. NYPJ

Sex workers on Roosevelt Avenue pick up clients and take them a nearby brothel, frustrated residents say. NYPJ

Residents said the cops have swept through the neighborhood, but the illicit activity always returns. NYPJ

Stolen goods ranging from power tools to mouthwash are available at a discount  with the retailers unable to do anything about it, they griped.

Meanwhile, sex workers cruise the block, approaching potential customers as they stroll by and hopping into makeshift brothels inside local apartments when they land a john.

In July, when The Post returned for a second look, merchants were fuming.

The police do nothing  nothing! a worker at a nearby cellphone store said then. Drugs, prostitution, alcohol  its terrible.

Watches and toys are sold at Jackson Heights illicit open-air market  alongside a stencil of an automatic rifle. NYPJ

Everything from power tools to mouthwash  all stolen from retailers  is up for sale on the sidewalk along a stretch of Roosevelt Avenue. NYPJ

They were still up in arms on Sunday.

People dont want to come to the pharmacy because of the sidewalks here, Mi Pharmacia pharmacist Jenny Leal said, pointing to the more than 50 illegal vendors set up along the block.

The cops come, do sweeps. Two weeks ago, two Sundays ago, the police came, cleaned them out and no people were here the last Sunday. But look, today, all the people come.

The number of prostitutes have doubled in the last two months, Leal added. Theyre starting to act like they are part of the community now. We see them every day.

This was the situation on Roosevelt Avenue when The Post last visited in April. The open-air sex market has only gotten more blatant since then, neighbors say. NYPJ

The NYPD has carried out raids along Roosevelt Avenue, shutting down illegal vendors. Cops are seen here in April  But the crooked hawkers simply come back and start over. James Keivom

One neighborhood resident who asked to be identified only as Bill said hes given up hope that things will go back to normal along his slice of Jackson Heights.

I gave up, he said. Look, this is it. They got it, better get used to it.

We went to the precinct, and its not like the cops are not doing their jobs or they dont give a st, he added. Theyre outnumbered  really outnumbered.
Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with President of Seychelles Wavel Ramkalawan, who is in Beijing for the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 2, 2024. (Xinhua/Zhai Jianlan)

BEIJING, Sept. 2 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping and President of Seychelles Wavel Ramkalawan jointly announced here on Monday the elevation of bilateral relations to a strategic partnership.

The two countries should continue to give priority to supporting each other on issues involving their respective core interests and major concerns, and adhere to strategic mutual trust, common development, common security and traditional friendship, Xi said when meeting with Ramkalawan, who is in Beijing for the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC).

Xi welcomes Seychelles to continue to participate in the China-Indian Ocean Region Forum on Development and Cooperation to accelerate the sustainable development of ocean resources, and translate the potential of its blue economy into a driving force for development.

China is ready to strengthen cooperation with Seychelles in emergency response and disaster prevention and mitigation, and supports the country in combating piracy and other illegal activities, Xi said.

China supports the launch of direct flights with Seychelles, encourages bilateral tourism, and welcomes more students from Seychelles to study in China, Xi said.

Xi added China is willing to work with Seychelles and other parties to ensure a successful summit and promote China-Africa cooperation to bear more fruit.

Ramkalawan said the friendship between Seychelles and China is based on mutual respect and mutual benefits.

Expressing gratitude for China's help to Seychelles, he said that thanks to Chinese vaccines, Seychelles quickly overcame the COVID-19 epidemic and resumed economic and social development.

Ramkalawan expects the opening of direct flights to further promote the two countries' friendship, and welcomes the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy hospital ship "Peace Ark" to visit Seychelles again.

During the summit, China and Seychelles will sign bilateral cooperation documents on Belt and Road cooperation plans and subnational collaboration, among others. 

Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with President of Seychelles Wavel Ramkalawan, who is in Beijing for the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 2, 2024. (Xinhua/Zhai Jianlan)
The News

Senegals decision to set up a commission to re-examine its oil and gas contracts has been greeted with calls for transparency by energy industry insiders.

The committee will review agreements and seek to rebalance them in the national interest, Senegals Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko said on Aug. 19 when he announced the first meeting of the committee. Sonko and President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, who took office in April, vowed to renegotiate energy contracts when they were in opposition.

The offshore Sangomar oil field, operated by Australian energy company Woodside, is likely to be one of the main assets to be scrutinized. It was discovered 10 years ago and is expected to produce 100,000 barrels per day.

Another project is the Greater Tortue Ahmeyim (GTA) liquefied natural gas (LNG) project, operated by energy giant BP, which straddles the Senegal-Mauritania border. It is expected to produce on average 2.3 million tonnes of gas per year.

The non-profit Natural Resource Governance Institute, in a new report, said renegotiations could maximize long-term benefits for the state if the process was transparent and well-managed.

An opaque process could damage relations with partners, discourage future investments, and undermine citizens trust in the governance of their natural resources, the report warned. It also said that now is a tricky time to consider renegotiation, as several extractive projects in Senegal are entering production.

Saul Kavonic, an analyst at the equities research firm MST Marquee, told Semafor Africa that making retrospective changes to existing projects will do irreparable damage to Senegals reputation.

Such reputational damage could extend to deter investment in other sectors well beyond oil and gas, he added.

Know More

Senegal is forecast to have one of the fastest growing economies in Africa this year, with an annual rate of 8.3%, according to the International Monetary Fund. That forecast was predicated on the countrys oil and gas production coming fully on stream and is expected to transform the nations economic fortunes.

NABC/Flickr

Sonko did not provide a timeline for the work of the committee. It comprises around 20 members who are legal, tax and energy experts, including the CEO of Senegals national oil and gas company.

Since taking power in April, the new government has undone many decisions made by the former administration. In July, it broke a $775 million contract signed with the Saudi company Acwa Power for the construction of a water desalination plant.

It has also launched tax audits of various industries, including the media and the mining sector.

Step Back

African countries like Nigeria have a long history of negotiating oil deals that fail to benefit the wider populace through economic growth and jobs.

As a result, a new generation of African politicians, including military leaders, are wary of oil companies agreeing deals that fail to benefit a countrys citizens.

Joels view

It remains unclear how oil and gas contracts will be renegotiated, if that course of action is deemed necessary.

While Senegals national energy company Petrosen holds an 18% interest in Sangomar, Woodside  with 82%  has made most of the investments necessary, including more than $420 million in capital expenditure in between October 2023 and March 2024. The company has also extended a credit line of up to $450 million to Petrosen to fund the public companys share of Sangomar costs.

Under the production sharing contract, the Perth, Australia-based company, which became the Sangomar field operator in 2016, is expected to recoup these investments from oil revenues. Woodside CEO Meg ONeill has said 75% of revenues will go to recover the costs, and 25% are to be shared between the company and the government, on which corporate income and branch taxes will be applied.

Breaking such a contract would be tricky and would likely threaten the countrys reputation.

It will come down to a possible renegotiation of the agreements between Woodside and Petrosen on downstream oil marketing, an advisor to Senegals energy ministry told me. The commission will also be insistent in checking the real costs incurred and the reality of the investments made.

The View From Perth

We have absolute confidence that the costs that we have booked were appropriately booked and were appropriate costs to develop the assets, ONeill, Woodsides CEO, told Australian financial analysts in June.

Woodside respects the right of governments to determine the legal and regulatory frameworks that govern oil and gas development, a Woodside spokesperson emailed Semafor Africa.

Our experience has shown that the most successful jurisdictions have been those that work in partnership with industry, respect contract sanctity, and create investment certainty, they added. The company said it has spent around $177 million with local suppliers and generated more than 4,400 local jobs.
This column is part of a weekly round-up of notable grand jury indictments and court decisions, following through on cases reported by Savannah Morning News public safety reporter Drew Favakeh. If there are cases you're curious about, email Drew at AFavakeh@Gannett.com.

The Judge's Bench for State Court Judge Gregory Sapp inside the Chatham County Courthouse.

Prosecutors file multiple motions on eve of murder trials

In late August, Chatham County prosecutors filed multiple motions in the murder trials of State of Georgia v. Jorelle Horne and State of Georgia v. Stanley Jivens.

In February 2021, a Chatham County grand jury indicted Jivens and Horne with one count of malice murder, three counts of possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, two counts of felony murder, armed robbery and aggravated assault, for the shooting death of 17-year-old Islands High School student Ty Carter at a gas station.

According to previous reporting by the Savannah Morning News, Carter finished sixth place at 152 pounds at the GHSA Class 3A state individual tournament in 2020. Carter was selected to the All-Greater Savannah wrestling team as an honorable mention in 2020. He also played on the schools lacrosse team.

The first motion was filed by prosecutors on Aug. 28 in the State of Georgia v. Jorelle Horne, requesting a reconsideration of the defendants motion to suppress. On May 30, the court granted suppression of Hornes clothes, which were seized by law enforcement at the hospital where Home was being treated on the day of the shooting. Prosecutors now are alleging that Hornes clothing in this case should not be suppressed from presentation to a jury...In this case, the evidence was found in plain view at the hospital.

Also on May 30, Hornes attorney alleged that his client's cell phone, which was recovered from Horne's bedroom, was "unlawfully seized" as was the following search of the cell phone.

Chatham County Assistant District Attorney Harrison Pratt argued in his Aug. 28 motion that suppression of this evidence in this case is an unwarranted and extreme sanction, given that (l) the search warrant was testified to in the hearing for the Court's consideration of relevant facts to consider against the Defendant's written and oral arguments, (2) the Defendant never argued against the legality of the search warrant, (3) the search warrant was lawfully obtained by law enforcement prior to searching the Defendant's phone and (4) the search warrant and contents therefrom were turned over through the discovery process over 3 years ago, well before trial.

On Aug. 23, Pratt filed an amended notice of stipulations in the State of Georgia v. Stanley Jivens. In the motion, Pratt requested the court take judicial notice of two stipulations, including that medical examiner, Dr. Edmund Donoghue, will appear virtually to testify as the states witness, and for the court to confirm that over 270 photos taken on Sept. 22, 2020, by a Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) Agent are authentic and admissible.

Jury trial is scheduled for Sept. 3.

More: Garden City Police, GBI searching for suspect in September shooting death of Islands High student

More: After pleading guilty to making a bomb threat, Savannah man faces up to five years in prison

More: In Session: All trafficking cases adjudicated in Operation Not For Sale

SCAD files suit over parking lot use

The Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) filed a declaratory judgment in Chatham County State Court on Aug. 13 against a limited liability corporation that obtained property SCAD uses as a parking lot for its Gulfstream Center for Design building at 3116 Montgomery St., according to reporting by Savannah Agenda.

On Aug. 22, 1995, Alko Distributors Inc. conveyed the property to American Port Services, Inc., according to the suit. As part of the transaction, Alko Distributors conveyed an appurtenant easement to American Port Services Inc., the suit claims.

Since the college purchased the adjacent property for its design center in October 2002, SCAD has been using the parking lot.

On Feb. 14, 2024, 3126 Montgomery Street LLC was conveyed the property.

Despite ongoing discussions, Defendants have given notice to Plaintiff that they plan to erect [a] parking control device system on the property to limit vehicle access and to have any parked vehicles towed, which will obstruct Plaintiff's ability to use its easement, according to the suit.

3126 Montgomery Street LLC planned to begin its parking control system on Aug. 15, which SCAD claims is in violation of the terms of agreement.

In an answer, 3126 Montgomery Street LLC argued that the easement does not include the right to use the property for parking.

SCAD is seeking a court ruling that would allow the university to continue to use the property for parking, according to the reporting by the Savannah Agenda and the suit. An injunction, granted on Aug. 16, disallows the limited liability corporation from implementing a barricade blocking SCADs access to the parking lot, but defendants are permitted to install pay for parking signs with QR codes that may include towing language, the consent order states.

Bench trial is scheduled for Sep. 19.

Drew Favakeh is the public safety and courts reporter for the Savannah Morning News. You can reach him at AFavakeh@Gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: chatham county georgia court updates for week of Aug 31 2024
TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA)  The search for an 18-year-old man who went missing while kayaking on Lake McLeod in Eagle Lake on Sunday afternoon is over after his body was pulled from the lake, the Polk County Sheriffs Office said on Monday.

Multiple agencies began searching for Aaron Tillman, 18, of Eagle Lake, after crews received an initial drowning call around 3:07 p.m.

A total of five boats searched for him, but he wasnt found until the next day.

According to the Polk County Sheriffs Office, Tillman and a 19-year-old woman were kayaking about 150 yards from shore in water that was about 12 to 15 feet deep when the woman jumped into the water to swim.

Body of missing kayaker, boat pulled from Polk County lake

However, when she resurfaced, she saw Tillman in the water, struggling to stay above the surface. She told detectives she did not know if he fell or intentionally got into the water.

Tillmans family members told deputies that he could not swim and had never been on a kayak before. PCSO said neither the 18-year-old nor the woman were wearing life jackets.

Despite the womans efforts and a nearby witness who went into the water to help, Tillman disappeared in the water, deputies said.

10 arrested in street takeover at Tampa intersection: FHP

We have had several boats from the Polk County Sheriffs Office, FWC, and Polk County Fire Rescue looking for this young man, and we will remain on scene until he is found. Our thoughts and prayers are with Mr. Tillmans family and friends, and were going to look for him like he was one of our own relatives, Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said in a statement.

Tillman was a student at Ambassadors Christian Academy of Winter Haven, where he was a member of the football and wrestling teams.

Credit: Polk County Sheriffs Office

Credit: Polk County Sheriffs Office

Credit: Polk County Sheriffs Office

Credit: Polk County Sheriffs Office

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Winter Haven Public Safety Department, and Polk County Fire Rescue are aiding the Polk County Sheriffs Office, which is in command of the search.

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.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Several cars in Tim Walzs motorcade involved in crash leaving pool staffer with broken arm

One staff member of the traveling pool suffered a broken arm after a car crash among vehicles in Tim Walzs motorcade on Monday (Pool)

Several cars in vice presidential candidate Tim Walzs motorcade crashed on Monday afternoon, leaving one person injured.

The crash happened just before 1pm local time as Kamala Harriss running mate was en route to a Labor Day celebration in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. A staff member of the traveling press pool who was inside the press van appears to have a broken arm. Other reporters suffered scrapes and bruises, while one reported a bloody nose. Another person in the van was concerned they had a concussion but continued on to the event, the Associated Press reports.

Walzs vehicle was not involved in the crash.

The press van was hit from behind, which caused it to lurch forward into the next car, according to the pool report.

President Joe Biden later called Walz from Air Force One to check in following the crash. Harris also checked in with Walz as she left a Labor Day event in Detroit, Michigan.

A similar incident happened as the Harris-Walz motorcade traveled through Georgia last week. On August 28, Savannah, Georgia police officer David Bates crashed while riding a motorcycle as part of the motorcade. He was injured and transported to a local hospital. Bates was reportedly in stable condition as of late last week.

Police attend to Savannah, Georgia police officer David Bates, who crashed as part of the Harris-Walz motorcade on August 28 (AFP via Getty Images)

The Harris-Walz campaign is out in full force this Labor Day to win over voters in swing states.

We know exactly who built this country. It was labor that built this country, Walz said at the Milwaukee Labor Day celebration. When unions are strong, America is strong.

Harris was set to appear in Pennsylvania after her event in Detroit. Her husband, Second Gentlemen Doug Emhoff, was also set to appear in Newport News, Virginia.

Meanwhile, Donald Trumps campaign is holding a single virtual event to celebrate Labor Day with the United Auto Workers union. The union, however, has endorsed Harris.

Tim Walz at Milwauekes Laborfest on Monday shortly after members of his motorcade were involved in a crash (AP)

The Democratic National Committee is also running 19 digital billboards in the swing states of Michigan, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania this Labor Day. The billboards, which will appear in both English and Spanish, feature a photo of Trump with the caption, Trumps an anti-union scab!

The billboards are an homage to UAW President Shawn Fains appearance at the DNC in Chicago, Illinois last month. During his speech at the convention, Fain wore a shirt that read, Trump is a scab. Vote Harris.

We were really kind of channeling Shawn Fain with that choice, Brad Woodhouse, a senior adviser to the DNC, told HuffPost.

Harris currently has a 3.2-point lead over Trump, according to the latest average of national polls. The vice president has a growing lead in six major swing states, including those that she and her team are visiting this Labor Day.
Several people shot near Ohio high school, police say

Several people were shot near an Ohio high school early Monday morning.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

East Cleveland Police Chief Ken Lundy confirmed multiple were hurt in a shooting near Shaw High School, according to CBS affiliate WOIO in Cleveland.

The school was hosting a weekend-long high school reunion, East Cleveland City Council President Antwon Billings said.

Officers responded to the scene and taped off a portion of a gas station, WOIO reported.

TRENDING STORIES:

Chief Lundy did not confirm the exact number of people shot or their conditions, WKYC said.

All victims were transported to an area hospital, WEWS TV reported.

The shooting remains under investigation.

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Several cars get stuck in flooding during heavy rainfall in downtown Orlando

Several people needed to be rescued from their cars on Sunday after strong storms caused roads to flood in downtown Orlando

The flooding has slightly subsided along the road, but it remains closed.

Channel 9 spoke to the owners mother of one vehicle that submerged in the water.

Read: Flood Advisory for Downtown Orlando and surrounding areas

She said her daughter was stuck along Summerlin when the rain became heavy. She said the water levels became so high that her daughter couldnt tell where the sidewalk and the road met.

She said her daughter nose-dived the car into a flooded front yard of a business that sits right behind Lake Olive.

The city of Orlando has fixed the streetlight that has been out because of the storm.

Read: Firefighters put out RV fire in Marion County

Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO)  A Sioux Falls nonprofit is continuing a one-of-a-kind project. Members of the Legacy Foundation gathered in northern Sioux Falls Sunday to convert a school bus into a mobile medical equipment lending library.

Converting this bus has been in the works for months.

I had a wild idea that maybe we could get a bus and turn it into a mobile library, and the universe delivered, Eleanor Turner said.

Turner is the president and co-founder of The Legacy Foundation. Once the project is complete, Turner will name it after her son, Owen, who died in 2021.

We benefited from a similar program out in Milwaukee when we lived there, and we wanted to pay it forward. We discovered that Sioux Falls didnt have a medical equipment lending library, and after he passed away, we thought this would be a great way to honor his legacy, Turner said.

89-year-old Sioux Falls disabled veteran surfs for the first time

The goal for Sunday was to rip out most of the interior to make room to deliver anything from a syringe to a hospital bed.

This is going to be so phenomenally important to the community because a lot of the calls that we get are people in rural areas or people who are immobile, who arent able to pick up the equipment we have, so being able to transform this bus, wed be able to actually reach out to those who are either homebound or further away, volunteer Tyler Hill said

And the volunteers who came out Sunday know they are making a difference.

We see the impact we have on the community, the amount of people who come in here, the amount of thanks we get from people who are just unable to purchase these items or people who dont have insurance. Were able to help them, and we can see that impacts on not only the community but on their faces, Hill said.

An anonymous donor gifted the bus. AARP and the South Dakota Community Foundation provided funding. Students from Southeast Tech will also help with the exterior, and their goal is to finish the bus by the spring.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KELOLAND.com.
Six goal-game and volleyball milestone: Vote for the Nashville girls athlete of the week

We're back with a new set of names which means a new winner for this week's Nashville area girls athlete of the week.

Here are the candidates for this week's poll.

Mallory Dobbs, BGA: Dobbs had 17 assists and the senior recorded her 1,000th career assist in Monday's 3-0 loss to Father Ryan last Monday.

Elia Dinsmore, Independence: The junior outside hitter had 24 kills, four aces, seven digs and a block in Indy's 3-2 win over Franklin last Tuesday. She also had 10 kills, three aces, a block and eight digs against Summit.

Emily Kuhn, East Hickman: Kuhn had 32 kills with a block to help East Hickman beat Santa Fe, 3-2 last Thursday.

Campbell Leathers, Eagleville: Leathers led Eagleville with 17 kills, three aces and two blocks last Monday. She also added 7 kills and six digs in a 3-0 win over Culleoka last Tuesday.

TN Preps Player of the Week

Lillian Opie, Stewarts Creek: Opie had six goals as Stewarts Creek captured a 7-3 win over Grace Christian last Thursday.

Cailey Sturgill, Coffee County: Sturgill had nine kills, one block, one assist and one dig as in a 3-1 win over Lincoln County (25-23, 25-20, 23-25, 25-21) last Thursday.

Ava Sullivan, Fairview: Sullivan led Fairview with five goals and two assists as Fairview crushed Creek Wood 9-0 last Thursday.

Katrina Young, Valor Prep: Young scored four goals against Smyrna in a 6-0 win and has eight goals and an assist in five games this season last Thursday.

Vote now before the poll closes at noon on Thursday. Click on the image below to make your selection.

Reach sports writer George Robinson at georgerobinsontheleafchronicle.com and on the X platform (formerly Twitter) @Cville_Sports.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Vote for the Nashville area high school girls athlete of the week
Six people shot at West Indian parade in New York

The West Indian Day Parade was targeted by a gunman who is still at large - AP/Andres Kudacki

At least six people were shot at a West Indian Day Parade, in New York, on Monday in an intentional act by an armed assailant.

One male victim was reportedly shot in the head, while others were shot in the torso, arm and wrist at around 2.35pm local time in Brooklyn.

The gunman was still at large on Monday night, but police said they did not believe it was an active shooter situation.

In a press conference following the attack, John Chell, the NYPDs Chief of Patrol, said police were investigating one person intentionally going after a group of people [who] tried to ruin the day for everybody.

Emergency services tend to one of six people shot at the Brooklyn parade - AP/AP

He said the shooting was an intentional attack by one person going into a group, firing his weapon.

This was not random. Its too early to say what started this, the spokesman said.

When you fire a gun into a large crowd, weve got to figure out who was intended [to be shot], who was not. We do not know that right now.

An NYPD spokesman said that the gunman is still at large but not an 'active shooter' - Kyle Mazza/Anadolu via Getty Images

A police source told the New York Post that at least one person was likely to succumb to their injuries.

The parade is an annual celebration of Caribbean culture and on Monday drew a crowd of around one million people to Crown Heights, a neighbourhood in Brooklyn.

Monday is Labor Day, a federal holiday in the US.

Mr Chell called for any video evidence of the attack to be shared with police, and said that multiple cops would be working very hard this weekend to keep this parade safe.

The West Indian Day Parade has been a site of violence in previous years. At least two people were shot and a third person stabbed on the parades route last year.

Police had established a strong presence at this years parade after previous incidents, and screened crowd members with 300 handheld metal detectors to search for guns and knives.

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The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division is investigating the death of a Dorchester County police dog that happened in July.

SLEDs investigation is active and ongoing, said agency director of public information Renee Wunderlich on Monday.

Wunderlich said the Dorchester County Sheriffs Office requested SLED on Aug. 29 to investigate the death of the police dog, commonly referred to as a K-9.

That day, the sheriffs office posted a notice on its Facebook page saying the office is ACTIVELY investigating the untimely death of one of our K-9 officers.

According to news accounts, the five-year-old police dog  whose name wasnt given  died in its handlers patrol car on July 28.

The Dorchester County Sheriffs Offices webpage says its K-9 unit has 11 certified K-9 Officers that assist with ensuring the safety of the citizens of Dorchester County. The K-9 unit performs vehicle, residential, or area sweeps for narcotics and are used for in-progress calls to assist with tracking and locating possible suspects.

All K-9 officers maintain a high-level of proficiency and skills necessary to maintain their certification, they continue to attend various training classes and also train together as a unit, once a week. This prepares the canine officer and officer handler for the many situations in which the dogs abilities and keen senses are needed to better serve their fellow officers and citizens in the community.

South Carolina police dogs have been in the news in the last year.

Last month, a former Florence County deputy was charged with assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature after his unleashed police dog entered a mobile home and attacked an innocent occupant, a 72-year-old man, severely mauling him.

In June, SLED K-9 Coba, a Belgian Malinois mix who joined SLED in 2021, was shot and killed by a suspect in Newberry County. The suspect was shot and taken into custody.

In September of 2023, K-9 Rico, a 3-year-old Belgian Malinois mix, was shot and killed by a suspect fleeing from officers on Johns Island. The suspect, Ernest Robert Burbage III, who was wanted on a fugitive warrant, was then shot and killed by police. Burbage had shot and wounded two people, police said.
TOKYO, Sept. 2 (Xinhua) -- Japan's weather agency said Monday that the country witnessed its joint hottest summer this year since records began, tying the previous record logged in 2023.

According to the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA), the national average temperature between June and August was 1.76 degrees Celsius higher than the standard value, the joint highest since records began in 1898 and making it the hottest summer in two consecutive years.

The average temperature is calculated from observation results at 15 locations selected to avoid regional bias and to be less susceptible to environmental changes due to urbanization. The benchmark is the overall monthly average recorded between 1991 and 2020.

Japan just experienced its hottest July on record, toppling a previous record average for the month that was set only last year, with the variation across the archipelago 2.16 degrees Celsius higher than usual, the JMA said.

In central Tokyo alone, 123 mostly elderly people died of heatstroke in July, with the total number of emergency ambulance dispatches in the capital coming to 91,614, the highest monthly number ever, according to the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Medical Examiner's Office.

With the heat expected to continue in September, weather officials urged measures to prevent heatstroke, such as using air conditioning and staying hydrated. 
Small kit aircraft crashes near residence in Odessa, Missouri Highway Patrol says

A small kit aircraft crashed near a residence in Odessa on Monday morning, according to the Missouri State Highway Patrol.

Shortly after 9 a.m. Monday, troopers responded to the 6800 block of Oakwood Drive in Odessa, where the aircraft had crashed with two occupants on board.

The small plane was a Zenith CH601XLB, described as an experimental, kit type aircraft, according to Cpl. Justin Ewing, spokesman with the Missouri State Highway Patrol.

Ewing said the plane took off from Grain Valley and was traveling to Marshall, Missouri when it crashed. Both people inside the plane were treated and released at the scene.

It is not yet known exactly what caused them to go down, Ewing said.

The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating the incident with help from the Missouri State Highway Patrol.
By Jack Kim

SEOUL (Reuters) - South Korea's health ministry said on Monday it was deploying military doctors to assist in some hospital emergency rooms due to a shortage of medical staff, but disputed a warning by some physicians that the system was on the verge of collapse.

A strike by young doctors has increased strain on the medical system, but Vice Health Minister Park Min-soo said that while some hospitals had shortened the hours of emergency room (ER) operations and were working with fewer doctors reports that some major hospitals had suspended ER operations were false.

"The overall emergency medical capacity is such that there are some difficulties but it's not a situation where we have to worry about a collapse as some people are warning," Park told a briefing.

The government plans to initially send 15 military doctors to emergency rooms that had been particularly badly affected and assign 235 military doctors and community doctors who will be rotated in to troubled hospitals from Sept. 9, he said.

Earlier on Monday, the national association of medical school professors said in a statement many emergency rooms were not providing normal services and a collapse of the healthcare system had already started.

Thousands of trainee doctors, including interns and resident doctors, walked off the job in February to protest against a plan to lift medical student numbers by 2,000 a year to meet what authorities project will be a severe shortage of doctors.

Hospitals which had relied on trainee doctors across multiple medical disciplines have had to turn away patients at emergency rooms, citing a shortage of staff, while existing doctors have experienced heavier workloads, the government said.

There are particular concerns about the impact of a three-day autumn holiday starting Sept. 16, which could put more pressure on ER operations. The government said it is readying 4,000 local clinics and smaller hospitals that would open in turn during the holidays.

(Reporting by Jack Kim; Editing by Ed Davies)
The Spectrum: State of the presidential election; Race for Ohios 2nd Congressional District

The Spectrum: State of the presidential election; Race for Ohios 2nd Congressional District

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH)  This week on The Spectrum:

Election Day is just over two months away, and former President Donald J. Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris are aggressively courting voters.

Republican vice presidential candidate Sen. JD Vance and Democratic Rep. Joyce Beatty weighed in on the state of the race and how its been changed by Harris.

The presidential and senatorial races arent the only statewide contests Ohioans will see on the ballot this fall, there are also three seats up for grabs on the Ohio Supreme Court.

Experts are telling voters to pay close attention to these often overlooked races.

Voters in Ohios 2nd Congressional District will be sending a new representative to Congress in January.

Meet the two candidates: Republican David Taylor, who calls himself an America First conservative, and Democrat Samantha Meadows, who says she wants to be an advocate for workers.

Full interview with Taylor:

Full interview with Meadows:

Democratic strategist Derrick Clay and Republican strategist Mike Gonidakis join the roundtable to discuss the matchup between Trump and Harris, the Columbus data leak, and Ohios race for U.S. Senate.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV.
SPRINGFIELD, Mo.  The Springfield Police Department says they were called to an incident at a parking garage where shots were fired overnight on Sunday, September 1.

According to Springfield police, they received a report of an assault at the Bear Park South parking garage on 920 S. Holland Ave. just after midnight.

The incident involved 30 subjects, with one of those involved assaulting two victims.

During the incident, three shots were fired but the gunfire struck no one.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOLR - OzarksFirst.com.
ST. CHARLES COUNTY, Mo.  A St. Charles man is accused of attacking an elementary school student this past spring in an act of retaliation.

According to the St. Charles County Police Departments probable cause statement, the attack happened on the afternoon of March 4. Several days prior to the that, the victim in this case had been involved in an unrelated assault at a school.

Cortney M. Ward, a relative of one of the children who was the target of that attack, wanted to exact revenge on a particular student, police said.

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Ward allegedly waited until the student in question got off the school bus and attacked the child, punching and kicking him.

Police said the incident was recorded on doorbell security footage.

The St. Charles County Prosecuting Attorneys Office charged Ward with third-degree assault and first-degree endangering the welfare of a child. A warrant for Wards arrest was issued on August 23.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 2.
ST. GEORGE, Utah (ABC4)  A St. George man has been arrested for murder after his wife was found dead inside their home on Sunday, according to St. George Police.

Police said that officers were dispatched to the area of 2800 S 2300 E on a cardiac arrest call just after 8:30 p.m. on Sept. 1.

Upon arrival, police found Niki A. Sampson, 47, dead inside the home. Police said that the circumstances around her death were suspicious and upon further investigation, her husband, Eric L. Sampson, 50, was identified as a suspect and arrested. He was booked into the Purgatory Correctional Facility and charged with DV Aggravated Assault and Murder.

The case is open and still under investigation. Police are asking that anyone with information related to the case call the St. George Police Department tip line at 435-627-4338.

Our deepest sympathies go out to the family and friends affected by this tragic incident, St. George Police said.

Eric was arrested for a previous assault against Niki in July of this year. He had pled not guilty and was set for a pretrial conference on Oct. 30. According to the probable cause statement, Niki reported she was attacked by her husband and he held her down and pulled her hair.

Eric reportedly told police he was grabbing Niki to calm her down. He alleged she had hit and kicked him. According to police, Eric had no visible injuries and smelled strongly of alcohol, had bloodshot eyes, and made repetitive statements.

This is a developing story. ABC4 will update this post as new information becomes available.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah.
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP)  St. Mark Armenian Church hosted its biggest fundraiser of the year Sunday with its annual festival.

PVTA workers strike called off after tentative agreement reached

The Armenian festival marks its 36th year in Springfield. People who attended say they came for traditional food, good music, and to gather with friends.

All of the funds raised will be donated to the church.

It really brings our whole community together, its really a testament to how strong and hard-working we are and so its a big celebration, says Ani Jermakain, from Springfield.

One woman looking forward to the annual celebration hasnt missed one yet. Shes been a member of the church for more than 50 years. Her message; it is important to the community.

A lot of the ethnic people are losing their identity and I think its nice to have it, says Sally Kulungian.

Ninety-seven-year-old Kulungian encourages people to stay active and find a community where they feel at home.

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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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WWLP.
Tustin police are investigating a fatal stabbing and hit-and-run causing severe injury that occurred at the same location in the early morning hours of Monday.

At about 12:15 a.m., officers responded to the Arbor Ranch Apartments, 15482 Pasadena Ave., for reports of a vehicle striking a pedestrian and a stabbing, the Tustin Police Department said in a news release.

Upon arrival, officers located a man and a woman on nearby Nisson Road after he had been stabbed and she had been hit by a car that fled.

The man later succumbed to his wounds at a local hospital, though the woman is currently in stable condition and communicating but has significant injuries, police said.

About two hours after the incident, police arrested 18-year-old Jan Daniel Lopez of Santa Ana while he was driving in the 1200 block of North Kramer Avenue.

Lopez is accused of the stabbing and being the driver in the hit-and-run, police told KTLAs Chip Yost.

Jail records show Lopez is being held in the Intake Release Center. His bail amount and next scheduled court date were not listed.

Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Schultz at 714-573-3200.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA.
ADEN, Yemen, Sept. 2 (Xinhua) -- A merchant vessel came under attack approximately 70 nautical miles (about 130 km) northwest of Saleef, Yemen, reported the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) on Monday.

The master of the affected vessel said that the ship was struck by two unknown projectiles, prompting immediate damage control measures, according to the agency.

It added that a third explosion was heard close to the vessel, further escalating the emergency.

Despite the attack, there were no reported casualties among the crew.

In response to the attack, the UKMTO has issued an advisory to all vessels transiting the area, urging them to proceed with caution and report any suspicious activity.

The attack occurred amid rising tensions in the region, particularly in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, where Houthi rebels from Yemen have been targeting commercial ships in recent months. While no group has yet claimed responsibility for the latest incident, it bears similarities to previous Houthi attacks on maritime traffic, according to Yemeni officials.

The Houthi-launched maritime attacks are part of a series of assaults by Houthi forces on ships in the Red Sea. The group claims these actions are in solidarity with Palestinians amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.

In response to the Houthi maritime attacks, the U.S.-led naval coalition operating in the region has stepped up strikes on Houthi military sites. However, this has only spurred the tit-for-tat exchanges, with the Houthis vowing to continue targeting vessels they claim are linked to Israel. 
STAFFORD COUNTY, Va. (DC News Now)  A Stafford County deputy answered the call to a goose on the loose Friday.

The Stafford County Sheriffs Office (SCSO) said in a post that a deputy responded to a report of an injured Canadian goose on Aug. 30 near the Garrisonville Elementary School area.

PHOTOS: Stafford County deputies rescue snake, injured egret

[The deputy] reported the goose flunked flight school and will need to repeat the course next semester, the sheriffs office stated in the post.

SCSO said the goose, named Goose Springsteen, was sent to a rehabilitation center.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC.
Java mega-chain Starbucks is testing compostable lids for its cold drinks in an effort to reduce plastic waste, Sustainability Magazine reported.

The company is partnering with sustainable packaging company Huhtamaki to develop the lids and is testing them out in select stores in California and Minnesota.

This is part of a larger initiative by the company to make all of its consumer-facing packaging 100% reusable, recyclable, or compostable by 2030, according to the publication. Only 49% of its packaging met these standards in fiscal year 2022.

Each year, the world produces more than 440 million tons of plastic waste, including packaging like cups and lids. In the U.S. alone, around 14.5 million tons of plastic containers and packaging were generated in 2018, with about 70% of that ending up in landfills, according to data from the Environmental Protection Agency.

When plastic waste degrades in landfills, microplastics are released into the environment, contaminating soil, groundwater, and surface water. These microplastics have become a growing concern in the scientific community, having been discovered in a number of foods like salt and chicken nuggets, along with drinking water.

They're in our bodies too  scientists found microplastics in every human semen sample tested in one study, and they've also been found in various organs like our lungs. These plastic invaders endanger human health in many ways. For instance, they have been linked with susceptibility to a variety of lung disorders and pregnancy complications.

Microplastics also affect wildlife. For instance, one researcher found these tiny particles in the digestive tracts of every tilapia fish sampled in the Nile.

As big corporations like Starbucks move to reduce their plastic waste, it can help in the fight against dangerous microplastics. Other initiatives include Pepsi's tests of reusable packaging to replace plastic bottles and McDonald's UK's ban on plastic cutlery. By supporting eco-friendly initiatives by your favorite brands, you can help to ensure these policies continue.

Robert Little, sustainability strategy lead at Google, which recently orchestrated a Single-Use Plastics Challenge to encourage other companies to reduce their plastic waste, applauded Starbucks' new partnership.

"As more companies like Starbucks embrace more sustainable practices, we can hope to see an 'up and to the right' reduction in waste and a shift towards a more circular economy," he said, per Sustainability Magazine. "While the sustainability road is long, winding and has many cul de sacs, these steps are certainly encouraging."

Meanwhile, Ann O'Hara, president North America at Huhtamaki, told the publication that the new partnership put her company "one step closer to being everyone's first choice in sustainable packaging solutions."

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.
Custom Fitness of Cedar Rapids is now engaged in two lawsuits related to government oversight of its swimming pool. (Photo via Google Earth)

The state of Iowa is contesting a Cedar Rapids companys legal efforts to reopen a swimming pool that allegedly poses a threat to public health.

Custom Fitness, which is owned by Jason Bailey and Whole Health Natural Foods LLC, is suing the Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals and Licensing in Polk County District Court. Also named as a defendant is Linn County, which is currently suing Custom Fitness over the companys alleged refusal to comply with orders that the pool remain closed to protect the public health.

The county filed that lawsuit in 2022, shortly after a case of legionellosis, also known as legionnaires disease, was identified in Linn County. The individual who was sickened had attended swim classes at Custom Fitness and had to be hospitalized, the county alleges.

Court records indicate that Custom Fitness, which currently has about 1,800 members, had its pool inspected by Linn County and the Iowa Department of Public Health in October 2020, after which the pool was declared out of compliance with state regulations.

In January 2021, IDPH issued a notice stating that unless the deficiencies were corrected, the pool would be closed. Custom Fitness then submitted drawings and plans for bringing the pool and spa into compliance. The state, the company claims, has failed to review and approve those plans over the past three years.

The company is now seeking a court declaration that the replacement of electric water heaters and filters in the pool do not constitute reconstruction that would require a permit, and its seeking compensation for financial losses the company has incurred.

In response, lawyers for the state told the court this week that the company never appealed IDPHs decision to revoke the license  which the state calls a registration  to operate a swimming pool and spa.

Because (the companys) registration has been revoked, they will not be legally able to reopen their swimming pool and spa until they first apply for and receive a registration, the state alleges. The state argues that even if the court were to grant the order sought by Custom Fitness, the company would still be unable to reopen the pool and spa.

In the meantime, Linn Countys lawsuit against Custom Fitness over its alleged defiance of orders to keep the pool closed is continuing.

In that lawsuit, the county alleges that in March 2021, it posted notices at Custom Fitness notifying the public that pool was closed, but that someone removed the signs and the pool was reopened without state or county authorization.

A trial in that case is scheduled for Dec. 17, 2024.
NEW YORK STATE FAIRGROUNDS (WSYR-TV)  The New York State Fair will reopen as scheduled for its final day Monday. It was closed early Sunday as a result of what New York State Police are calling false reports of a shooting.

State Police tell NewsChannel 9 that investigating troopers have found no evidence of a shooting, despite people running in terror away from the Suburban Park concert venue.

People were seen running from the concert area and the Midway around 8:30 p.m., some of them claiming a shooting had happened.

The false information spread across social media.

The State Police Assistant Director of Public Information, Technical Sergeant Jack Keller, said he knows at least three phone calls to the 911 center or State Fair dispatch. Those calls reported possible shots fired at Suburban Park, the Midway, and the Eatery building.

Were trying to determine exactly why someone would report this, Technical Sergeant Jack Keller said. We dont know if they thought they heard shots fired if they were thinking thats what they heard, but the reality was theres no evidence of any kind of shooting that occurred at the Fairgrounds.

Those calls with false reports were made within a few minutes.

Keller calls the brief duration another good indicator that something nefarious was going regarding a fake call, whether it was swatting, whether it was something else.

A Fair spokesperson cited an abundance of caution for closing the Fairgrounds.

After consulting with law enforcement, the decision was made to close the fair early on Sunday night out of an abundance of caution after New York State Police received reports of violence within the fairgrounds. The fair is continuing to work with law enforcement and emergency personnel to assess the situation. The safety of fairgoers, staff, and vendors is the highest priority of The Great New York State Fair. Spokesperson for the Great New York State Fair

Latest local news

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSYR.
SAN ANGELO, Texas (Concho Valley Homepage)  A car was reported stolen on Angelo State Universitys Campus on Sept.1, 2024, around 4:52 a.m.

According to a social media post by Angelo State University Police Department, the stolen vehicle was taken by someone wearing a black hoodie in the Centennial Village parking lot. The vehicle that was stolen was a 2012 silver Hyundai Elantra with a Texas license plate.

If you have any information on this theft, please contact University Police at (325) 942-2071.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ConchoValleyHomepage.com.
STONE COUNTY, Ark.  Deputies with the Stone County Sheriffs Office are investigating after a Saturday evening shooting left a juvenile injured.

According to a post on Facebook, deputies responded to reports that a person was shot in the Luber area near Mountain View at 5 p.m.

Deputies said that when they arrived, they learned that the teen had been hit in the back by a bullet from a 22-caliber rifle and sustained non-life-threatening injuries. Medical care was rendered on the scene and the victim was flown to Little Rock for further treatment.

Pine Bluff police: 1 dead, 2 injured in fatal Sunday afternoon collision

Detectives said that after speaking with witnesses to the incident and the person that shot the gun for statements and interviews, a suspect is in custody.

The alleged shooter is expected to face multiple charges, including endangering the welfare of a child and aggravated assault. Officials said the teen was fishing with another person when the shooting occurred.

This is a developing story, please check back for updates.

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Jonathan Polin and Rachel Goldberg, with their daughters Orly and Leebie, speak at the funeral of their son, Hersh Goldberg-Polin, in Jerusalem. (Gil Cohen-Magen / Associated Press)

Tearful funerals, furious political rhetoric, striking workers: Israels deep divisions over the war in Gaza were on full view Monday, galvanized by the killings of six Israeli hostages whose release had seemed tantalizingly within reach.

A day after the country learned of the deaths of the six, whose bodies were recovered over the weekend from a tunnel beneath southern Gaza, pressure intensified on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to strike an accord to free what may be dozens of living captives still held by Hamas and other Palestinian militants.

Israel said the latest hostages to die had been killed execution-style, shot at close range.

A full 36 hours after the army announced the identities of the slain hostages, Netanyahu, who had remained largely out of sight, surfaced Monday evening for a combative address to the nation.

He decried huge international pressure to make concessions unacceptable to Israel, including an Israeli pullback from a narrow strip of land between the borders of Egypt and Gaza.

But opposition to Netanyahu's approach was palpably broadening.

For the first time since the war broke out nearly 11 months ago, Israels largest labor federation called a general strike to protest the lack of a hostage deal. By midafternoon, an Israeli court had curtailed the walkout, which had been observed unevenly across the country, causing some disruptions but falling well short of paralyzing work stoppages.

Instead, much of the countrys attention was fixated elsewhere: on a round of funerals scattered across the country. In Jerusalem, thousands turned out to pay tribute to Hersh Goldberg-Polin, a 23-year-old Berkeley native who was the only U.S. citizen among the six.

Now I no longer have to worry about you  you are no longer in danger, his mother, Rachel Goldberg, said in a eulogy addressed to her son.

Read more: California-born man among six hostages Israel says Hamas shot dead

Referring to the final text message to his parents on Oct. 7, when he was taken hostage after fleeing a music festival that came under attack by Hamas-led militants, she said, You wrote to us Im sorry, because you knew how crushing it would be for us to lose you. So you fought to stay alive.

Wearing dark glasses, her voice steady and composed but occasionally close to breaking, Goldberg spoke of the sickening feeling that we could not save them  her son and the two women and three men killed alongside him. He was the youngest of the group; the eldest was 40.

We hoped that perhaps a deal was near, she said. It tasted close, but it was not to be so.

Read more: This Israeli couple's son is in enemy hands. They're determined to get him back

Israeli news reports, citing official sources, said that at least three of the six hostages  Goldberg-Polin, Eden Yerushalmi and Carmel Gat  were on a list of the next tranche of captives to be released. But in July and August, the negotiations foundered, with many Israelis blaming Netanyahu for resisting an accord in favor of pressing ahead with a devastating war that aligned with his own political agenda.

The Israeli leader has reiterated his determination to crush Hamas, and lashed out at those insisting instead that saving the remaining hostages lives should be the main imperative.

In his evening appearance  billed as a news conference but in fact an hourlong lecture, complete with maps and a pointer  the prime minister called for national unity against a cruel enemy, insinuating that his political opponents were playing into the hands of the militants.

The message is Murder us, and well compromise'? he said, describing what he said militants would infer from Israel yielding under pressure. Hamas wants us divided, weakened, defeated.

Earlier, taking angry exception to Mondays general strike, Netanyahu reportedly declared that the walkout would only serve to hearten Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar.

Its telling Sinwar, You murdered six people. Here, we support you,' Israeli news outlets cited the prime minister as telling Cabinet ministers.

His hard-line supporters in government made similar assertions. One of them, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, said in a radio interview that the labor federation chief, Arnon Bar-David, was making Sinwars dream come true.

The labor federation said it would consider calling additional strikes in coming days. For several hours on Monday, the strike delayed some flight departures at Ben Gurion international airport, curtailed some nonemergency hospital services, and temporarily shut down light-rail systems in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. Schools and some businesses were also affected.

An umbrella group representing hostage families also appealed for a continuation of the massive street protests in which thousands of people turned out in several Israeli cities Sunday night, in some of the largest such demonstrations since the war began.

Since the Oct. 7 attack in southern Israel in which militants killed about 1,200 people and took some 250 hostage, Netanyahu has insisted that Hamas must be destroyed. Israel's subsequent attacks in Gaza have killed more than 40,000 Palestinians, according to health officials in the Hamas-run territory, destroyed much of the enclave and led to a humanitarian disaster.

Read more: As Gaza death toll passes 40,000, corpses are buried in yards, streets, tiered graves

Some of the hostages have been released in an earlier pause in the fighting, others rescued or found dead. Israel believes that of about 100 hostages remaining in Gaza, around one-third are dead.

In Tel Aviv, as night fell Monday, a growing crowd of demonstrators, many waving Israeli flags, gathered near Israels defense ministry, demanding a hostage deal. Police hastily erected barricades outside the headquarters of Netanyahu's Likud Party as chanting protesters massed outside.

More protesters assembled outside the prime minister's residence in Jerusalem, carrying portraits of hostages living and dead, displaying yellow banners to symbolize the call for their freedom.

In Washington, President Biden gave a one-word answer when asked whether Netanyahu was doing enough to secure a deal for the hostages release.

No, he told reporters at the White House.

Asked if his administration would be presenting a final hostage accord to both sides, the president replied: Were very close to that.

Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic presidential nominee, said in a statement that she and Biden had met with the U.S. team taking part in the talks. It is long past time for a ceasefire and hostage deal, she wrote on X.

In a grim coda, Hamas on Monday released a brief black-and-white video on the Telegram messaging app, showing each of the six hostages briefly identifying themselves, and signaled its intention to release a longer clip. It was unclear when the recordings were made.

In past months, Hamas has put out other videos showing other captives in custody. Israeli news outlets generally no longer air them, considering them propaganda meant to demoralize the public.

We will show their last messages, said a superimposed text. Wait for us.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
CHICOPEE, Mass. (WWLP)  College students are moving back all across the country, and right here in western Massachusetts, Elms College had its move-in day for students.

Chicopee ice cream shop gaining national attention

Enjoy the Elms College experience and make the most of it, because it goes away before you know it, expressed Elms College President Harry Dumay. He offered a bit of sage advice for students moving back to campus.

The college warmly welcomed students Sunday, with a schedule of events allowing them to socialize with their classmates and get acclimated to college life. The transition to college can be difficult, but Dumay encourages students to channel that nervous energy and use it to enhance the experience.

Not to be nervous. To enjoy, take the moment, make new friends, said Dumay. This is an exciting time to meet new people because you know some of these people theyre meeting today might be the friends that they have for the rest of their lives.

Each year, the Office of Campus Ministry invites first-year students to be part of the First-Year Encounter program. This program aims to ease any nerves by offering students opportunities to encounter the local community through service work, campus life, and recreational activities including food trucks and movie nights.

Junior Nursing Student, Emma Coleman told 22News, Elms College has such a sense of community in the first couple weeks just to get everybody involved in campus life, and to make sure everybody has at least one friend on campus.

Elms College students spoke about what they were most excited for this year and offered advice of their own to fellow classmates.

My classes. Getting a start to see, a new feel for it, its a smaller school than Im used to, so Im excited to get closer to the community, expressed First Year Student Lashion Mohr.

The transition is honestly the worst part, like getting into college life and learning time management skills, its tough, added Coleman. But, once you have it down, it really isnt that bad. Good luck, I hope you have a lovely year. College is a fantastic experience. It really is a good time of life.

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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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New study names North Carolina the worst state for workers

RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN)  North Carolina is the worst state in the country for workers.

This is from the latest study by Oxfam, a nonprofit whose mission is to quote, fight inequality to end poverty and injustice.

It is the third year of the poor ranking for North Carolina.

A step back: Durham Public Schools underpays dozens of employees after licensing mistake

But what goes into the study?

Three main components are wage policies, worker protections, and rights to organize.

One of the three things that hurt North Carolina in the ranking is the low minimum wage at $7.25.

Despite matching the minimum federal standard, many states have increased the amount.

Also, a lack of paid leave laws.

North Carolina is a right-to-work state, which is viewed as a law that hinders labor organizing.

The bottom five states are all in the south  South Carolina, Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, and us.

The best on the rankings were Washington DC, California, Oregon, New York, and Washington state.

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SYDNEY, Sept. 2 (Xinhua) -- Australia has reported its hottest August on record, the Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) confirmed on Monday.

According to official data released by the BoM, the national average temperature in August was 3.03 degrees Celsius above the 1961-1990 long-term average for the month.

It breaks the previous national temperature August record of 2.56 degrees Celsius above the long-term average set in 2009.

The 2024 winter, which spanned from the start of June through to the end of August, was also Australia's second-hottest on record going back to 1910, the BoM said, behind only the winter of 2023.

The national average temperature was 1.48 degrees Celsius above the long-term average for the 2024 winter, the data revealed, compared to 1.54 degrees Celsius above average in 2023.

"Australia has never recorded a winter month anywhere near as warm as August 2024," meteorological service Weatherzone said on Monday.

The states of Western Australia (WA), Queensland and South Australia all set new record-high winter temperatures in the second half of August.

Yampi Sound in remote northwestern WA recorded a maximum temperature of 41.6 degrees Celsius on Aug. 26, setting a new all-time national record for the highest winter temperature.

It beat the previous winter record of 41.2 degrees Celsius set in the nearby town of West Roebuck in August 2020.

At the time, the BoM attributed the unseasonal heat to persistent high-pressure systems over central and northern Australia that brought clear skies and consistent daytime heating from the sun over a large area.

Simon Grainger, a senior BoM climatologist, said on Monday that very high ocean temperatures around Australia in July had set the groundwork for the record-breaking August.

"When we get these significant heat events, they can break records by quite a large margin," he told Guardian Australia, the local digital version of the British newspaper.

The Australasian Fire and Emergency Services Authorities Council will release its outlook for the risk of spring bushfires around Australia at its annual summit, which begins in Sydney on Tuesday and runs until Friday. 
Jacksonville is the 12th rudest city in America this year, according to a Preply study.

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The tutoring company surveyed dozens of cities, asking people questions like how often residents witness others committing rude acts, how they perceive native residents versus transplants, and more. Preply applied scores to responses that indicated a higher frequency of rudeness and calculated the average score for each city. Finally, scores were adjusted on a scale of 0 to 10, with 10 representing the rudest.

Jacksonville got a total score of 8.05 out of 10.

The city with the highest rudeness score in America IS Miami. It scored 9.88.

Preply found that lack of awareness in public, loudness in shared places, and rudeness to service staff members are just some of the behaviors that branded Miami as the rudest.

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Tampa is the third rudest city with a score of 8.88.

In Georgia, Atlanta is the 23rd rudest city with a score of 7.65.

Omaha, Nebraska ranked lowest in rudeness with a score of 6.24.

The study also found the top three most common rude behaviors people witness: lack of self-awareness, talking on speakerphone in a common space, and being loud in a common space.

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(WKBN)  September marks National Suicide Prevention Month, shedding light on the resources available to help those in need.

Five Ohioans die of suicide every day, according to the Health Policy Institute of Ohio.

With the cooler months right around the corner, it inevitably causes people to stay indoors, increasing that feeling of isolation. Social media also plays a role in decreasing face-to-face interactions.

Its particularly a theme among young people, and health officials are urging parents to have a conversation with their kids.

So you really have to hit it early. You have to talk about healthy habits, to begin with, as youre raising your kids  what are good boundaries, and what are good relationships, and what are not so good things to do. I dont think you hide things from kids, but I dont think you overexpose them to things either. Its just sitting down and showing them that genuineness, and kindness and honesty with your kids, said Mike Tornow, Belmont Pines Hospitals director of Clinical Services.

Those struggling with suicidal thoughts can call 988 to talk to someone.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKBN.com.
The New Jersey Legislature failed to pass a workplace heat standard before the summer began despite bipartisan support. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

by Make the Road New Jersey member Elder Portillo

As we celebrate Labor Day today, with a barbeque on the patio or a final pool party, think of the workers like me who labored under extreme heat this summer.

For more than five years, Ive worked as a mason, laying custom walkways, patios, driveways, and pools in backyards across New Jersey. My work allows our clients to enjoy their backyards or pools and cool off and relax during the summer. Almost every day, I work ten-plus hour shifts, even during extreme weather conditions. This is how I have been supporting my family for years.

However, what usually is a rewarding job has become a nightmare during this summers record-breaking heatwaves.

Working under extreme heat conditions is not only uncomfortable, it can be deadly. Between the intense sun and the concrete magnifying heat back at me during a 10-plus hour shift, my skin broke and burned. I have burn scars over my forearms, my shoulders, and my back.

On the hottest days this summer, I felt dizzy and vomited from the heat. The effects of the intense heat stayed with me even after my shift. On my drive home, I often had a headache and couldnt focus. Even when I got home, I didnt have an appetite to eat the food my wife made for me, I was so nauseous.

There were plenty of warning signs, but my employer was under no obligation to provide any type of protection.

Workers lives are at risk. Last year, 2,300 heat-related fatalities were recorded in the United States, more than three times the annual average from 2004 to 2018. In New Jersey and surrounding areas, heat-related hospitalizations rose dramatically, with nearly one thousand people seeking emergency room care between May and early August this year.

Thats why Im fighting for a workplace heat standard  I want to make it home to my family every day.

The New Jersey Legislature failed to pass a workplace heat standard before the summer began despite bipartisan support. The heat standard would provide basic protections to both outdoor and indoor workers working in extreme heat. Workers like me can stay safe working in the heat, but we need adequate protections: access to water, shade or cooling stations, water breaks, and education on how to identify the symptoms of heat illness and heat stroke. Without all this, our health and safety is in jeopardy, even though heat-related illnesses are entirely preventable

This Labor Day, legislators will participate in parades and issue statements in support of workers rights. But the hundreds of thousands of workers like me wont be celebrating because were still waiting for them to pass the workplace heat standards that will keep us safe once the next summer season begins.

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SYRACUSE, N.Y. (WSYR-TV)  College students are now back on campus.

Many of those campuses were at the center of the news cycle last academic year  when pro-Palestinian encampments began popping up, over the war in Gaza.

NewsChannel 9s Rachel Polansky sat down with SUNY Chancellor John King at the fairgrounds and asked him about his plans should encampments and demonstrations start up again this fall.

Look, the top priority for us at SUNY, is to make sure our students are safe  and that we have campus climates where students can engage with big ideas  and disagree agreeably and engage in civil discourse. But its gotta be safe and its gotta be respectful, King said.

College leaders around the country faced criticism from both the left and the right  for their handling of encampments and demonstrations on campus.

At USC, in Los Angeles, law enforcement was called in.

Here in Central New York, we covered encampments at Cornell and Syracuse University.

When it came to SUNY schools  our local campuses did not report demonstrations  but some downstate did, and even down the thruway at the University of Buffalo.

Since the last academic school year wrapped up, Chancellor King said campus leadership teams have undergone extensive training.

So that theyll come into the school year ready to maintain a safe, orderly environment for civil discourse, King said. We have no tolerance for antisemitism or islamophobia or hate of any kind.

Governor Kathy Hochul also sent out a warning about campus safety last week  urging New York colleges and universities to develop emergency safety plans.

The governors announcement comes after pro-Palestinian activists vandalized a part of Cornells campus on the first day of school, damaging and spray painting a building.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSYR.
The genes of modern Japanese people may have been hiding a long-lost line of ancestors, who once migrated to the top of the archipelago from the northeastern mainland of Asia.

The discovery supports emerging evidence, which suggests that modern Japanese people are descended from not two but three ancestral lineages.

Until recently, the dominating hypothesis was that Japan's population was formed through the mixing of two groups of ancestors: the Indigenous Jomon people  who arrived in Japan from ancient East Asia more than 10,000 years ago  and the rice-farming people from northeast Asia  who migrated from the continental mainland starting around 2,300 years ago.

In 2021, however, a genetic study detected a third wave of migrants for the first time, initiating a competing origin story.

Geneticist Chikashi Terao, senior author of the newest analysis, says he and his colleagues have revealed Japan's "subpopulation structure on a fine scale". Their results are "beautifully classified" across seven regions, running the length of the nation.

Sequencing the DNA of more than 3,200 people from these locations, Terao and his team have produced what they claim is one of the largest genetic analyses of a non-European population to date. It reveals insights into the population's genetic structure that could have potential for personalized medicine.

"We reasoned that rare variants can sometimes be traced back to specific ancestral populations, and could be informative in revealing fine-scale migration patterns within Japan," explains Terao, who works at the RIKEN Center.

Comparing modern and ancient genetic data, the team used both common and rare variants to identify three main clusters of ancestry within most of Japan's population.

The results suggest that today, Jomon ancestry is most dominant in the south of Japan. Meanwhile, people in the west of Japan are more closely related to Han Chinese, who continued to migrate from the East Asian continental mainland until about 800 CE.

People in northeastern Japan, however, have a different dominant ancestry. The genetic makeup of this population is less clear, the team says, though it may be explained by a two-way mixing of Korean ancestry and Han Chinese ancestry.

Historical records suggest the northeast region was once inhabited by yet another old lineage, the Emishi people, in the fifth century CE. This name literally translates to "shrimp barbarians", and while no one really knows where the Emishi came from, it has been suggested that they are descended from people that lived on what is now the Korean peninsula.

The study also helped identify the likely roots of two genes linked to inherited breast cancer in Japanese people. For example, a BRCA1 mutation specific to the Japanese population with a significantly higher frequency in eastern Japan, appears to have originated in people with northeastern Japanese ancestry and spread to other regions of the country.

"This comprehensive genetic dataset enables us to delve into uncharted territories concerning population and medical genetics of the Japanese population," write the authors of the genetic analysis.

Ancient genome samples are hard to come by, which limits our ability to compare genetic quirks seen in people today to those of the past. As many as 40 percent of the genetic variants identified by researchers in the current study were unregistered.

Terao and his colleagues caution uncertainty still persists in their data, though their findings match the 'tripartite' origin hypothesis across most regions of Japan.

Nevertheless, emerging evidence suggests that the makeup of Japan's population is more complex than scientists originally thought. To better understand human history and health, including diverse populations in genetic research is important.

The study was published in Science Advances.

Related News
Giulio Fornasar

Over the previous few decades, surveillance tools have been interwoven into the education system. These technologies have been sold to K-12 schools across the US with promises of greater safety and improved academic outcomes. Overworked teachers, frustrated administrators, and frightened parents welcomed programs such as Gaggle, Securly, Bark, and others into the classroom. But these technologies have failed to deliver on their promises. Worse, what they have delivered is a blow to some of the most basic requirements of quality education and an unprecedented violation of student privacy. The impact is particularly acute on communities of color, who are far more likely to attend high-surveillance high schools than white students.

In our new book Surveillance Education: Navigating the Conspicuous Absence of Privacy in Schools, we document the history of these tools and the problems associated with them. We also offer actionable strategies to push back against spying in schools for students, parents, schools, teachers, community members, and elected officials.

As long-time educators, we are particularly concerned about how this all-pervasive and intrusive technology compromises the ability of teachers and students to speak freely in the classroom. Education requires open discussion, debate, and the freedom to make mistakes. Trust is vital to this process and it is that very trust that surveillance undermines. Students who know they are being watched are much less likely to take the kind intellectual risks that are essential to learning and honing critical thinking skills.

While we have no illusions about the enormity of the challenges that surveillance in schools poses, we wholeheartedly believe that informed students and communities can mount an effective resistance to it. It starts with understanding just how these technologies are transforming the classroom and robbing students of their right to learn in a supportive and vital setting. As surveillance tools continue to quietly spy on students, its time to make some noise about them.

The following excerpt is reprinted with permission from Routledge, copyright  2024.

There is strong evidence that surveillance comes at the expense of the learning process. Researchers have warned that ed-tech surveillance undermines students autonomy by nudging, directing, and socializing their behaviors and attitudes. An effective education results in students becoming autonomous and free individuals, yet studies show that students lose autonomy and self-efficacy when they are under strict surveillance. For example, studies show that rather than act independently, surveillance pressures students to change their behavior such as their responses in discussion forms to appease whoever it is they think is surveilling them.

Learning requires students to take risks and make mistakes, but when there is fear that those mistakes and risks can be utilized for harm, it creates a chilling effect where students resist the urge to participate fully, if at all in the learning process. Early childhood educator Kate, introduced in Chapter 2, notes that she works to foster trust both with the toddlers in her classroom as well as their families, all of whom live with high poverty and high crime as part of their daily lives. For these families, Kates classroom may be the most stable part of their lives, thereby making that trust relationship incredibly important. In her space, Kate is required to document every behavioral infraction of her students. She refuses to do this because she sees it as a violation of her ability to bond with the children and help them see that adults can be reliable. If she sees a child misbehaving in a way that can be managed through conversation, or may be reflective of larger, more pressing issues  such as becoming unhoused, or moving in with a new foster family  she does not record the behavior A lot of times, a kid will say a bad word, and they know they said it. They said it by accident. So well have a quick conversation where Ill say We dont use those words here, but its not something I record or bring up with the parent because weve just dealt with it.

Hannah, a white female executive director of a national non-profit that develops social justice curriculum argues that one reason her organization is able to ignore offers made by surveillance technologies is because of the trust built with teachers, Our mission is about having an impact on students, via their teachers. We are laser focused on our work with teachers. Nearly half a million teachers have used the curricula built by her organization and part of the reason why it is successful is because of the pedagogical value placed on the relationship between teachers and students. Lisa, the school psychologist in Northern California, works with a highly vulnerable population and her top priority is to foster a connection where the students will recognize that the resources she is offering are to be trusted

Some of these things are not necessarily surprising because we know our students. Weve got a relationship with our students. We already see this stuff before the technology sees it because we are working with the student in a different capacity.

When students are afraid of making mistakes, they may participate less, which undermines the learning process. A 2021 survey revealed that almost 60% of students reported censoring things they were writing, and 80% censored their web searches due to an awareness of monitoring. This puts educators in quite the conundrum as they need to procure student participation, but must be cognizant of the fact that by centering student participation, they simultaneously encourage students to compromise their privacy. Research reveals that students react to surveillance by behaving in an inauthentic and docile way to appease their instructor. Educators know that trust is essential for fostering a successful learning environment. However, studies show that rather than develop an inclusive environment, when schools surveil students, students feel as though they are not trusted and reciprocate with waning trust toward the school. Indeed, rather than feel safe when surveilled, students may feel villainized by the school and their teachers, leading to a breakdown in trust.

Surveillance tools that purport to enhance education are actually replacing learning with vapid forms of engagement, and in the process normalizing ignorance. The widespread use of digital tools has come at a cost: They change the ways young peoples brains develop, and as a result, students increasingly have a shorter attention span, weaker memory, and underdeveloped critical thinking skills. Jean Twenge and W. Keith Campbell argue that the utilization of these tools contributes to a narcissism epidemic, where students feel that they are smarter than they actually are, and are unable to accept feedback that could improve their skills. Many families and teachers make the mistake of thinking that technology use is, in and of itself, a learning process that is good for the student, when in fact not all technology use is the same. Studies show social media can be good for promoting a schools image, professional development for educators, but beyond engaging students it is not clear how it is improving learning. Media literacy education scholar David Buckingham notes that too much attention to technology as technology obfuscates how technology manipulates  and is manipulated by  users. What we do with technology influences technology as much as technology influences humans and yet, for the most part, technology is bestowed with a fascination and power that, on its own, cannot be upheld. The technology itself is not the problem, it is the way it is utilized to undermine human autonomy in the classroom.

Surveillance at the Expense of Student Autonomy

This loss of human autonomy is a feature, not a bug, of surveillance capitalism. Stewart Brands Whole Earth Catalog, which communicated the philosophy of early Silicon Valley, argued that the goal of tech was to change civilization. Companies such as Google interpreted this to mean that the human brain would be made irrelevant as technology grew more efficient. This line of thinking is repeated in industry rhetoric that falsely claims that technology is smart and humans are not, and inventions such as driverless cars which claim that the human driver needs to be replaced for the objective machine. However, lost in this line of thinking is that humans will have less autonomy as technology makes more determinations about human behaviors and actions. Maria, the middle-school science teacher in New York City, feels a degree of discomfort in monitoring her students, even though, as shown in Chapter 1, she also knows it is an effective tool for classroom management

Sometime I get weirded out when theyre on their free time and I have to look at [GoGuardian] because Im like, Ugh, this makes me feel like a little spy and I dont like it, but its like, they have certain websites they cant go on.

Joni, the pre-service teacher in North Carolina, is uncomfortable with the monitoring that happens on school-issued laptops.

Every kid has a laptop that Ive worked with. Theyre given laptops, but its a big thing that sometimes the kids use those laptops at home to play games or while in school, when they should be on task. A lot of times teachers would have to access their screens to make sure they are staying on task.

Western critics have warned that the potential for algorithms to undermine human autonomy on a national scale has occurred with Chinas social credit system. Announced in 2007, Chinas social credit system utilizes data to determine a citizens trustworthiness and behavior. Data from digital applications, unpaid bills, and minor infractions such as jaywalking or playing music too loud are cataloged and analyzed by algorithms that determine whether or not a citizen is eligible to participate in the economy. Some argue that the utilization of nations such as the United Kingdom and the United States have used a lighter and economic focused version of the social credit system since the 1980s. During the 1980s, the internet entered the commercial sphere, promulgating great hope in its transformative potential to deliver boundless information to users. It also brought about new opportunities to track and surveil users. In the 1980s, the hegemony of consumer reporting agencies, which had existed previously, was expanded thanks to computing. Computing enabled these agencies to perform large-scale data collection and analysis to determine consumers fiscal responsibility in the form of a credit score. This necessitated documenting consumers financial behavior and providing it to lending institutions. It remains to be seen if a social credit system will expand beyond China, but what is taking place in schools is eerily similar. The privileging of market value over education in the neoliberal era, has resulted in the creation of surveillance technologies such as digital wallets, a digital repository for credentials and employment history, that act as a form of social currently where students can document their market value.

Ed-tech surveillance acts as an exploitative force that profits from unpaid user labor and industry practices that reduces users to commodities that can be mined for a precious resource: Data. Critics warn that current practices of ed-tech surveillance threaten to reduce users who are digital serfs who must give up their privacy to participate in necessary and required platforms.

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Suspect dies after chase with stolen vehicle from NC to SC

RUTHERFORD COUNTY, N.C. (WSPA)  A driver died following a chase that began in North Carolina and ended in a crash in South Carolina.

The Rutherford County Sheriffs Office said on Friday, August 30, deputies attempted to conduct a stop on a car that was reported stolen.

A chase ensued and led into Cherokee and Spartanburg counties in South Carolina. The Chesnee Police Department and Spartanburg County Sheriffs Office assisted with the pursuit.

During the pursuit, the stolen vehicle was involved in a crash yet continued fleeing from authorities according to deputies.

Law enforcement deployed stop sticks on SC 11 which deflated one of the rear tires of the vehicle. The car then left the roadway and came to a stop, deputies said.

Officials observed that the driver was suffering from a self-inflicted gunshot wound which is believed to have occurred before the car left the roadway.

Law enforcement rendered aid to the driver until EMS arrived, deputies said. However, the suspect was pronounced dead at the scene.

The Spartanburg County Coroners Office identified the man as 23-year-old Jaden Kain Beheler of Forest City.

The incident remains under investigation by the SCSO and the South Carolina Highway Patrol.

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ATHENS, Ga. (WJBF)  Jose Ibarra, the man charged with killing nursing student Laken Riley at the University of Georgia in February, is seeking to suppress evidence.

Ibarra argues he was unlawfully detained when officers searched his apartment without a warrant.

The trial is set to begin in November.

Laken was out on a run on UGAs campus in late February when Ibarra allegedly beat her with an object and dragged her body to a secluded area off the jogging path in an attempt to conceal her body.

Preliminary autopsy reports suggest the 22-year-old victim died of blunt force trauma to the head.

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GEDDES, N.Y. (WSYR-TV)  The Syracuse Fire Department Hazardous Materials Response Team (HAZMAT) was called to the New York State Fairgrounds around 11 a.m. on Monday, September 2, for a leaking propane tank.

SFD HAZMAT was called to assist Solvay Fire, New York State Fire and New York State Police with the situation.

When they arrived, SFD HAZMAT burned off the leaking propane, which is a controlled method of burning the fuel to erase the possibility of an explosion, SFD said.

SFD HAZMAT then began to drain the tank and safely burned off all the propane in roughly 11 minutes.

There were no injuries.

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Female spies who spot any women breaking the Taliban's laws are told to call in male officers with rifles - EBRAHIM NOROOZI/AP

The Taliban is using female workers to spy on other women to enforce harsh new laws.

Since returning to power in 2021, the Afghan regime has banned women from working outside the home or attending school and university.

But some women are still employed at the Ministry for the Propagation of Virtue and Prevention of Vice (MPVPV), the body that polices the restrictions, and more recruits are wanted.

They are needed to handle other women, said an official from the ministry.

The official said the Taliban has hired women to monitor Instagram pages and report instances where women post pictures with uncovered faces.

You know how Instagram works  they can hide their pages so no one can see them, but we have women who are our eyes, said the official, who works at the ministrys womens department.

He added that some women are coerced into this role, while others are paid for their work, which also includes accompanying male Taliban members on street patrols.

Armed Taliban security personnel ride an armoured vehicle during a street patrol. The regime has imposed new restrictions banning women from looking at men or speaking loudly in public - OMER ABRAR/AFP

Some women were arrested and released only on the condition that they inform the ministry of any illegal activity they observe from the women they follow, the official said.

It is acceptable when women assist us in combating prostitution, he added when questioned about whether female members of the Taliban speaking to men violates the rules.

The ministry needs more women across the country, but the current situation is not good and few are volunteering to work at the ministry.

The Taliban set up its MPVPV in the premises of the former womens affairs ministry in 2021, doing completely the opposite job.

One of the women working for the MPVPV is a female informant known as Golnesa. The 36-year-old spends her days monitoring and reporting on her fellow Afghan women  some of the most oppressed in the world.

It varies from day to day, she said. Some days, I patrol the city to look for those who do not adhere to the rules of chastity.

Other days, I visit different locations to find women who are not following the dress code, I go to busy supermarkets and womens clothing shops.

When she spots a woman with an uncovered face or visible ankles or a woman laughing with shopkeepers, she refrains from intervening personally.

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They would say Oh, you are a woman too, why are you doing this?

Instead, she contacts male officers who arrive with American rifles slung over their shoulders.

Its their job to handle the situation with these women, and many of them are taken to police stations, she says.

I dont support women who protest in the streets and claim to represent all women, she says. They dont represent me or many other Muslim women who are tired of seeing indecency.

Supporting the infidels isnt freedom, she added. True freedom means women should stay at home, raise their children, serve their husbands and not worry about anything else.

This is an Islamic country, our brothers fought so hard to kick the infidels out, we cannot just let a few women endanger the religion.

I am proud to be helping the brothers implement the new rules, women initially thought our brothers were joking, but now everything is law and passed by Amir al-Muminin, she says, referring to the Talibans supreme leader. I have a holy duty.

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One of the women caught by such an informant was Dr Zahra Haqparast after she organised a protest rally in Kabul following the Talibans takeover of Afghanistan in 2021.

We always knew that the Taliban would eventually use women against other women, she said.

There were girls who infiltrated our WhatsApp groups posing as activists, and they assisted the Taliban in arresting many of the protesters.

I was arrested because one of these women infiltrated our WhatsApp group and provided my home and office addresses to the Taliban.

One reason some women work for the Taliban is financial desperation, many were previously employed by the former government.

Dr Haqparast recounts that during the womens rallies advocating for their basic rights, many were beaten and tortured by women working for the Taliban.

Shame on you

Girls were screaming and saying other girls were running after them during protests, she says.

Now based in Germany, the former dentist lost her job when the Taliban returned to power.

She says the number of women working for the Taliban is increasing.

We protested and sacrificed everything for our fellow women, she says. Yet, some women do everything they can to harm others of the same gender. I can only tell them, shame on you.

Despite promising a more moderate government, the Taliban quickly returned to harsh punishments such as public executions and floggings, similar to those from their previous rule in the late 1990s.

Last week, the Taliban imposed new restrictions banning women from looking at men, speaking loudly in public and even within their own homes.

Women who defy the new rules will be arrested and sent to prison, the Taliban said.

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Guests communicate outside the venue of the fifth Qingdao Multinationals Summit held at Qingdao International Conference Center in Qingdao, east China's Shandong Province, Aug. 28, 2024. (Xinhua/Li Ziheng)

JINAN, Sept. 2 (Xinhua) -- At last week's Qingdao Multinationals Summit, in east China's Shandong Province, "green and low-carbon" is one of the hot topics, with many leaders of multinational corporations believing that China's green and low-carbon transformation is unleashing new opportunities for those to invest and develop in China.

Garrett Motion, a U.S. turbocharger manufacturer, has boosted its investment in zero-emission vehicle technology, with over 50 percent of last year's research and development budget allocated to this field, according to Mark Rodrigues, the company's senior vice president, at the summit that concluded on Thursday.

Rodrigues said Garrett Motion has established a local research system for fuel-cell vehicles in China and plans to gradually expand it. Its global goal of 1 billion U.S. dollars in zero-emission technology by 2030 aligns with China's goal of peaking carbon dioxide emissions by 2030.

The global energy industry is experiencing unprecedented changes and challenges, necessitating technological and model innovations for traditional petrochemical energy companies seeking sustainable development.

Eni Group, headquartered in Italy, is partnering with China on low-carbon energy, clean energy and the circular economy.

In the future, the company hopes to actively participate in China's energy transformation and green development strategy, providing cleaner, more efficient and more reliable energy solutions for the Chinese market through technological innovation, according to Gianni Di Giovanni, chairman of the Eni China.

According to a report released at the summit, multinational corporations are actively integrating into China's green and low-carbon development.

They are leveraging their accumulated advantages and technological capabilities in green, low-carbon and circular economy, getting involved in the energy-saving and carbon reduction transformation of traditional industries in China, including energy, industry, construction and transportation, said the report.

Alstom is one of the world's important manufacturers of rail transit equipment, having established its presence in the Chinese market for over 60 years.

The company attended the summit for the first time as it saw huge potential for growth in the Chinese market, especially in areas such as technological innovation and green intelligence integration.

Geng Ming, Alstom China managing director, said that rail transit, as a green and low-carbon means of transportation, receives warm policy support with huge market demand in China.

Alstom will maximize its technological and innovative advantages, and develop and promote green intelligent transportation solutions, while increasing investment in digital solutions to assist in the intelligent upgrading of China's railway and urban rail systems, Geng said.

In recent years, a new generation of information technology, new-energy vehicles, clean energy, new materials, environmental protection equipment and other emerging industries have flourished in China, nurturing vast market demand.

Kurt Van Rysselberge, head of Bekaert China and VP of Operations Global Engineering and Operational Excellence, said they see huge potential in green buildings, new energy and new materials in China, and the company will invest more to ensure ever-increasing product sales. 
American Federation of Teachers (AFT) President Randi Weingarten suggested Sen. JD Vance (R-Ohio) must really be disconnected from life in response to resurfaced comments in which he called out the union head for not having children.

It was just a bizarre thing for him to double down on it now because every parent and every teacher and every kid in August and September are thinking about the new year and what it means and that engagement, Weingarten said Sunday on MSNBCs Inside with Jen Psaki. So he must really be disconnected from life.

Weingarten was responding to a resurfaced clip from 2021 of Vance speaking to the Center for Christian Virtue  an Ohio policy group  about left-wing ideology in schools.

You know, so many of the leaders of the left, and I hate to be so personal about this, but theyre people without kids, trying to brainwash the minds of our children. And that really disorients me, and it really disturbs me, Vance said in the clip.

Randi Weingarten, whos the head of the most powerful teachers union in the country, doesnt have a single child, Vance added. If she wants to brainwash and destroy the minds of children, she should have some of her own and leave ours the hell alone.

The clip was shared by the Harris campaign on the social platform X, where it has more than 11.9 million views.

Weingarten reposted the clip last week, calling the Vance comments gross and sad and insulting to millions of modern families, and school teachers including Catholic nuns

Weingarten said Sunday the comments were strange when they were initially made, but it was even stranger when Vance doubled down on them last week in the midst of backlash as the Republican vice presidential candidate.

And we have 50 million kids in the United States, and they are our future, she said. And whether you go to public school or parochial school or private school, this is that moment that parents and teachers and kids are all bonding together, like its that moment of engagement. Its that moment of the teachers trying to create safe and welcoming environments.

Vances spokesperson, Taylor Van Kirk, said in a statement to The Hill, There are a lot of great teachers across the country, and JDs criticism of Randi Weingartens actions is not about them.

There is no bigger threat to American children than the left wing indoctrination being forced on our schools by elites like Randi Weingarten, with the support of Kamala Harris and Tim Walz, Van Kirk wrote.

Its essential that our schools focus on teaching reading, writing, math, and the basics, and get out of the business of forcing anti-American propaganda into the curriculum, Van Kirk added. Senator Vance is committed to ending the leftist indoctrination in our schools and will continue to loudly call this stuff out to defend our kids.

Vance has come under scrutiny in recent weeks over his remarks about family planning and single adults. He faced a firestorm around resurfaced remarks that the country was being run by childless cat ladies, which he has since called a sarcastic comment.

The AFT endorsed Vice President Harris shortly after she replaced President Biden atop the Democratic Party ticket.

The only other thing I would say is this, I dont care about myself. You know, were  Im used to this. Im a big girl, Weingarten remarked about Vances comments. But what I care about is we really need to create this kind of environments of engagement for kids. And this is the kind of bullying and divisiveness that I think Kamala Harris and Tim Walz are saying weve got to turn the page, and weve got to actually look at what the promise of America is, and our future and have some joy and hope and togetherness in terms of going ahead in our future.

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Attached video: Chirs Haire speaks as officers honored for highway rescue in 2022

CLEVELAND (WJW)  The Fox 8 I-Team has found the community rallying around the family of a man whod spent countless hours helping to protect citizens and law enforcement on the highways.

Last Monday, Chris Haire, who ran the North Coast Emergency Services, passed away suddenly at home.

Bad as an accident can be: Officials call for safe driving following fatal Cleveland crash

When you saw Cleveland Police handling the scene of a crash in the middle of the night, there was a good chance a volunteer group would be helping to block traffic.

NCES operated a volunteer safety patrol by blocking traffic and helping police at the scenes of crashes and other emergencies. When not assisting police, NCES operated as a roadside assistance company for drivers.

Now, the community is rallying to help the family of Chris Haire.

A GoFundMe account has been set up and a vigil and ceremony will be held involving towing companies and law enforcement this week.

Local man reveals the strategy behind his lottery win

Integrity Recovery Services has organized the event including a moment of silence and reflection, along with a lighting as vehicles will turn on their emergency lights.

That will happen Wednesday, Sept. 4, from 6-8 p.m. at 6953 w130 in Parma Heights.

On Sunday, Sept. 8, two kids in Brooklyn will open up a lemonade stand to raise money in honor of Chris Haire. That will take place on Vandalia Ave. in Brooklyn between 2 and 6 p.m.

In 2022, the Cleveland Police Foundation honored NCES. The Foundation wrote, Since their service began in 2016, North Coast has responded to thousands of calls for service

Cleveland Police First District Administrative Sgt. James Bezak stated The dedicated volunteers of North Coast Emergency Services work tirelessly assisting with traffic control and securing a safe zone for public safety personnel in the Cleveland area. Their efforts help keep public safety officials safe from traffic hazards as they perform their duties. North Coast Emergency Services and the work done by these volunteers is a tremendous asset to the City of Cleveland.

Northeast Ohios Labor Day events

Upon receiving that award, Chris Haire said, We are extremely grateful for this recognition. As many folks know, we voluntarily provide our traffic management service to the Cleveland Division of Police to help keep officers and other first responders safe whether on the city streets or local highways. By doing this, we believe this allows officers/first responders to focus on the job at hand it also enhances officer safety. For the last 5 years, we have forged a great relationship with officers within the CPD, so this has become personal to us. We feel that our traffic management services allow first responders to focus on more pressing matters, and our dedicated team members believe this is a great way to give back to our community

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CANFIELD, Ohio (WKBN)  A teenager who deputies said had a gun at the Canfield Fair on Sunday is facing charges.

Mahoning County Sheriff Jerry Greene said a person alerted them that a 17-year-old boy from the Youngstown area had a pistol in his waistband.

Greene said this led to a brief foot chase that happened around 8 p.m., and the chase ended near the grandstand. No injuries were reported and shots werent fired, according to Greene.

The boy is charged with aggravated menacing and criminal trespass. Deputies said that weapons violations would also be added after consultation with the Mahoning County prosecutor.

The boy is in the Mahoning County Juvenile Justice Center.

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Teen wakes from coma and asks to see her family, eat some candy

WORCESTER  Among her first words when she awoke from a coma and started talking were the names of her parents, brothers and sisters. Ayuen Leet, 13, who was struck by a car in July as she was attempting to cross Shrewsbury Street in Worcester was discharged from the intensive care unit early Monday morning and released to a regular nursing floor.

We are happy and hopeful, said Jok Leet, one of her older brothers. The teenager who was struck and injured eight days after her birthday, will be released to the Spaulding Rehabilitation Center, run by Massachusetts General and Brigham and Women's hospitals. Her family, parents and four siblings have been at her side throughout the more than three weeks she was unconscious and will follow her rehabilitation at the center.

Her father, who works in a plastic manufacturing company, and her mother, a housekeeper at the Pyramid Hotel in Marlborough, were with her during the days; her older brothers, during the nights, giving their parents some respite. Ayuen Leet is the baby of the family. The family settled in central Massachusetts after immigrating to the United States from South Sudan.

Ayuen Leet was leaving the African Community Education, a nonprofit organization that provides instruction and mentorship to African refugees and immigrants in Worcester where she was taking summer classes, when she was struck while crossing in the westbound lanes of Shrewsbury Street across from the Boulevard Diner. She was struck at 3:50 p.m.

More: Driver cited in Shrewsbury St. pedestrian crash, teenager remains hospitalized

The doctors were surprised she made it. Thats how bad it was, said her father Jok Mayak Leet in an earlier interview. She had a fracture of her skull. She had a brain bleed and a lot of swelling. So they had to take off the right side of her skull.

Her siblings now have reason for hope  her eldest brother lives and works in Boston; her brother, Jok Leet, is a medical assistant at the Reliant Clinic at St. Vincent Hospital; and her older sister is a certified nursing assistant at the Jewish Health Care Center.

She asked for some candy, but she cant eat yet so it will have to wait, said Jok Leet. The ordeal has been tough, but manageable, thanks in part to community support and the GoFundMe account set up to help the family maintain the vigil at Ayuen Leets bedside. Updates on her conditions are posted by the family on Facebook.

The teenagers injury  coupled other crashes involving pedestrians and motor vehicles including the death of 13-year-old Gianna Rose Simoncini who was struck by a vehicle while crossing Belmont Street between Plantation Street and Lave Avenue in June  has reawakened debates over whether to lower city speed limits.

At the last City Council meeting, residents discussed road safety, speeding and distracted driving, as well as protecting vulnerable road users such as pedestrians. The six-hour City Council meeting that went into early morning Wednesday ended with councilors sending various traffic-related orders to City Manager Eric D. Batista. A special standing committee meeting to consider reducing the statutory speed limit has been scheduled for Wednesday.

The city has dealt with the following serious crashes in recent months:

June 25, a 1-year-old girl was struck by a vehicle on Lincoln Street. She suffered a head injury.

June 27, Simoncini was fatally injured when she was struck by a motor vehicle while crossing Belmont Street between Plantation Street and Lake Avenue.

July 19, a vehicle struck a man riding a stand-up electric scooter on June Street between Edgewood and Carlisle streets. A 26-year-old man identified as Jacob Tetreault was taken to the hospital with serious injuries. He is expected to survive, according to police.

July 26 was the day Leet was struck by a car and suffered serious injuries. The motorist, Van Nguyen, 18, has been cited for operating to endanger, speeding and failure to yield to a pedestrian in the roadway.

August 11, a 40-year-old woman was hit by a car while walking on Greenwood Street. She is now conscious and has been released from the hospital, according to police.

Most recently, a police spokesperson said that late in the afternoon of Sunday, August 25, an 80-year-old female pedestrian was struck by a truck traveling west on Pleasant Street toward Airport Drive. A preliminary investigation revealed that she was in the Airport Drive crosswalk. The crash is under investigation.

At the beginning of April, Batista and Mayor Joseph M. Petty declared a road safety and traffic violence crisis, to raise awareness of safety issues on roads. In their declaration, Petty and Batista listed the two speed-limit proposals as ways the city was responding to the crashes.

This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Teen wakes from coma after nearly a month and asks to see her family
UPDATE: Teenager who died after being pulled from river was Fort Moore trainee

UPDATE 9/3/2024 11:43 a.m.  The 19-year-old who died after being pulled from the Chattahoochee River has been identified as a Fort Moore trainee.

According to Muscogee County Coroner Buddy Bryan, Cutter Baird of Goldthwaite, Texas was a 19-year-old soldier at Fort Moore.

This is still a developing story, WRBL will update this article with more information when it becomes available.

UPDATE 4:42 p.m.  The Muscogee County Coroner has informed WRBL the 19-year-old who died after jumping off the Dillingham Street Bridge was a solider stationed at Fort Moore.

UPDATE 3:55 p.m.  The Muscogee County Coroner says the teenager pulled from the Chattahoochee river near the Trade Center has died.

According to Muscogee County Coroner Buddy Bryan, the 19-year-old died as a result of blunt force trauma to the chest.

According to Bryan, he jumped from the railroad bridge just south of Dillingham Street Bridge, chest first, into the water. He then got out of the water and collapsed due to the trauma to his chest and cardiac system.

Its like hitting a concrete slab, Bryan said.

COLUMBUS, Ga. (WRBL)  The Muscogee County Coroner says a 19-year-old was pulled from the river near the Trade Center in downtown Columbus.

Muscogee County Coroner Buddy Bryan has informed WRBL the 19-year-old is being transported to the Piedmont Columbus Regional emergency room.

This is a developing story, WRBL will update this article when more details are available.

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ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC)  As tens of thousands of Israelis overseas take to the streets in grief and fury following the announcement that six hostages, including one American, was killed in Gaza  community members in Rochester joined their pleas for peace Sunday night.

Not only are they mourning the loss of the most recent wave of hostages killed, but the six others who were reportedly killed just two weeks ago.

Israelis erupt in protest to demand a cease-fire after 6 more hostages die in Gaza

Temple Beth El hosted the candlelight vigil to remember the lives lost, and voice calls for an end to the conflict. Organizers said they are fighting for the return of 101 hostages who are still being held.

Michal Spivak is one of the many people behind the scenes who put together the vigil. She shared some insight into the collective message they said theyre hoping to share with the Greater Rochester community.

If you can, speak to your elected officials. If you can, reach out to a member of the Jewish community, just to show your support, she said. Its unfortunate that this is what brought us together, but I think that we all feel so isolated when these things are happenings and its so important for all of us to come together and feel that we have the support of a community.

She also called this a humanitarian crisis, adding, the suffering on both sides should end.

Hamas-led militants killed over one thousand people Oct. 7, mostly civilians, reports said. Meantime, Israels retaliatory offensive has reportedly killed over 40 thousand Palestinians, displacing thousands more. Thats according to health officials. They do not differentiate between militants, and civilians.

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NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN)  Tennessees population is growing rapidly. In fact, researchers expect at least eight million people to reside in the state by 2040.

News 2 spoke with the experts behind the data who said where people are choosing to settle in the Volunteer State is changing.

There are three main factors changing Tennessees population: births, deaths, and net migration. According to Matt Harris, migration is sending the states population higher and higher.

2 Middle TN suburbs named among the fastest-growing in America

2021 and 2022 were both massive years for net migration, said Harris. Weve seen people coming to Tennessee in large numbers.

Harris and a team of researchers at the University of Tennessees Boyd Center for Business and Economic Research were amazed by the recent net migration numbers.

For example, from 2010 to 2020, about 400,000 people moved to Tennessee. In just the past three years  2020 to 2023  that number has already moved up, researchers said. Keep in mind, there are still six years left in this decade.

Tennessee State Parks launches How To program series to teach basic outdoor skills

Another interesting pivot in the data, many of the newcomers are choosing rural parts of the state over the cities.

More people have moved into rural counties from 2020 to 2023 than they did the whole last decade combined, said Harris. Were seeing an across the state kind of rebalancing of where people are moving to. Only about 35% of the net migration is going into the Nashville core statistical area, which is still a lot, but its not 60%.

The data also projects Tennessee becoming a more diverse state with all races continuing to grow, but Hispanics are forecast to grow the most, doubling by 2040.

A big question is: How strong will net migration remain as a key population driver for the volunteer state? Thats the million dollar question, according to researchers.

 Read todays top stories on wkrn.com

Kind of the open question is  Is that going to persist or is that going to taper off a bit?

Heres an example of net migration.

McMinn County in East Tennessee saw more deaths than births since 2020. So, one would expect their population to drop, but in reality, its not. McMinn County is growing, and fast too. Thats because more than 3,000 people migrated into the rural county in just the past three years.

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Tens of thousands in Mexico cheer on president's proposed judicial reforms as protesters reject them

Outgoing President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador waves after delivering his last State of the Union at the Zocalo, Mexico City's main square, Sunday, Sept. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Felix Marquez)

MEXICO CITY (AP)  Tens of thousands of supporters of President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador crowded around him Sunday as he began his last month in power by calling again for support of his judicial reform plan.

In a rebuke to critics, Lopez  who has spent six tumultuous years in office demanded a show of hands in a symbolic vote on one of his most criticized initiatives: the proposed judicial reform plan that opponents warn would weaken democratic checks and balances.

A sea of hands rose in favor of one proposal: having judges elected by popular vote.

Let our friends and neighbors in the United States internalize it, Lopez said, referring to one of the proposals biggest critics.

Opponents have warned such a change could lead to politically biased judges with limited experience, and protesters took to the streets again on Sunday, some with signs reading, There's no future without justice. Demonstrators also rallied on Aug. 25.

Mexicos Congress, where the governing coalition has the majority, is expected to soon vote on the controversial constitutional reforms that Lopez has proposed. Among the proposals is eliminating seven autonomous bodies, including the National Institute of Transparency.

The Chamber of Deputies was scheduled to meet Sunday afternoon following the mass rally in the morning for its first session since June elections when the presidents Morena party and its allies clinched big victories.

Critics had complained in the courts about what they describe as an unusual and fast-track procedure of the proposed reforms, with a judge ruling that a discussion and vote on the issue could not be held Sunday. The issue also will go before the Senate after the deputies vote on it.
Thailands New Cabinet Lineup Ready for Royal Endorsement This Week, PM Says

(Bloomberg) -- Thailands new Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra said she has finalized the lineup of her cabinet and expects to submit the ministerial appointments for royal endorsement this week.

Most Read from Bloomberg

All candidates have been vetted after a lengthy process, and the list of 35 ministers will be submitted as soon as this week, Paetongtarn told reporters on Monday.

READ: What to Know About Thailands Youngest Prime Minister: QuickTake

The new coalition government led by Paetongtarns Pheu Thai Party is expected to officially take office by mid-September, acting prime minister Phumtham Wechayachai has said earlier.

Paetongtarn became prime minister on Aug. 16, after Pheu Thais Srettha Thavisin was disqualified for ethics violations by a court ruling after less than a year in power.

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2024 Bloomberg L.P.
Regional collaboration and economic impact: The proposed Schengen-type visa, discussed with leaders from Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar and Vietnam, could potentially increase tourism revenue and enhance regional connectivity. A common visa could entice long-haul travelers to make an easier decision, Marisa Sukosol Nunbhakdi, former president of the Thai Hotels Association, told Bloomberg, highlighting the economic benefits of extended visa validity. Meanwhile, Nguyen Van Tai, CEO of VietSense Travel, told the Vietnam News Agency that a joint visa region would help Vietnam overcome current visa barriers, enabling it to compete more effectively with other major Asian tourism markets.
BEIRUT, Sept. 2 (Xinhua) -- Lebanese Minister of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants Abdallah Bou Habib on Monday called for the comprehensive implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701 to avoid further escalation in the region.

"Implementing all UN resolutions in the region would build a lasting peace," he said, adding that "military options would exacerbate the conflict."

Bou Habib made the remarks in a phone call with his Swiss counterpart, Ignazio Cassis, to discuss the latest developments in the region.

Lebanon has repeatedly reaffirmed its commitment to UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which was adopted in 2006, and set in motion a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah, the withdrawal of Israeli forces from southern Lebanon and the establishment of demilitarized zone.

During the talks, Bou Habib also stressed "the importance of adopting unified standards in the ongoing conflict in Gaza and the West Bank, and moving urgently and seriously to ensure a ceasefire in Gaza, as well as the necessity of implementing all relevant international resolutions to ensure the establishment of a viable Palestinian state."

For his part, the Swiss minister expressed his appreciation for "the distinguished relationship that links Lebanon and Switzerland," and "their keenness to adopt international law as a basis for resolving disputes."

Tensions along the Lebanon-Israel border escalated on Oct. 8, 2023, following a barrage of rockets launched by Hezbollah toward Israel in solidarity with Hamas' attack on Israel the day before. Israel then retaliated by firing heavy artillery toward southeastern Lebanon. 
There's no honeymoon for new UK leader Keir Starmer after a summer of unrest

Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer attends a joint news conference with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, after talks at the Chancellery in Berlin, Wednesday Aug. 28, 2024. (Justin Tallis/Pool Photo via AP)

LONDON (AP)  There was no summer honeymoon for Keir Starmer.

Britains new prime minister, elected in a landslide less than two months ago, had to cancel a planned vacation after anti-immigrant unrest erupted across the country. He has spent his first weeks in office dealing with the aftermath, and issuing stark warnings about the state of the nation and the economy.

As lawmakers returned to Parliament on Monday after a shortened summer break, Starmers left-of-center Labour Party government was preparing for a budget statement next month that's likely to include tax rises or public spending cuts  or both.

The mood music is in stark contrast to the campaign song used by former Prime Minister Tony Blair, the last Labour leader to win an election: Things Can Only Get Better.

Frankly, things will get worse before they get better, Starmer told voters in a televised speech last week.

Starmer is seeking to hammer home the message that the right-leaning Conservative Party, booted out by voters in the July 4 election, presided over 14 years of rot thats left Britain weakened economically, structurally and even morally.

During the election campaign, Starmer vowed to get the countrys sluggish economy growing and restore frayed public services such as the state-funded National Health Service.

Since winning power hes said the situation is worse than we ever imagined, with an unexpected 22 billion pound ($29 billion) hole in the public finances. Labour has decided not to increase taxes on working people, but it has to find money somewhere. It has already scaled back a payment intended to help pensioners heat their homes in winter.

Starmer said last week that a budget statement coming on Oct. 30 will be painful and involve short term pain for long term good.

Conservative economy spokeswoman Laura Trott accused Starmer and his government of trying to run from responsibility for the tax rises they always planned but hid from the public during the election.

Paul Johnson, who heads economic think-tank the Institute for Fiscal Studies, has said Labour is being disingenuous when it claims to be surprised by the state of the finances, but that the Conservatives had left Labour a mess to clear up.

Rob Ford, professor of political science at the University of Manchester, said Starmers government was going to have to grasp the nettle and confront the fact that two key pledges  improving public services and not raising any of the main taxes  arent both achievable.

Starmer faced a big test within weeks of taking office when anti-immigrant violence erupted after three children were stabbed to death in the town of Southport. The violence, fueled by online misinformation blaming a migrant and stirred up by far-right groups, spread across England and Northern Ireland over several days.

Starmer responded firmly, condemning a mindless minority of thugs fueled by the snake-oil of populism and pledging swift justice and tough sentences for rioters. But he says he was hobbled by past Conservative spending cuts that have left courts overstretched and prisons overcrowded.

Amid alarm from some Labour lawmakers about the gloomy messaging, the government is now trying to sound more positive. It notes that in his first weeks in office, Starmer scrapped the Conservatives stalled and controversial plan to send some asylum-seekers who arrive in the U.K. to Rwanda, struck deals with public-sector unions to end a wave of strikes and began to mend fences with the European Union after years of acrimony over Britains departure from the bloc.

The government is promising what it calls a packed parliamentary agenda to address some of voters main bugbears, including unreliable trains, sewage-dumping water companies and soaring rents. In the coming weeks it plans legislation to take public ownership of the railways, set up a state-owned green energy firm, impose tougher rules on water firms and strengthen workers rights.

After 14 years of the Conservatives, weve had to act quickly and act drastically to stop the rot at the heart of our countrys finances, our public services and our politics, House of Commons leader Lucy Powell said Sunday.

The opposition Conservatives have questioned Starmer's judgment and accused him of cronyism after several Labour backers were given civil service jobs. But the defeated party is occupied with a leadership contest to replace Rishi Sunak, which may give Starmer some breathing room.

Still, Ford said Starmer is taking a big gamble on voters patience.

If you look at all the polling, it suggests people are very aware of the severity of the crisis, and I think that will buy them some time, he said. But I think any strategy that is built around disappointing voters and asking them for patience is inherently risky.
Things you should do to stay safe on a boat this Labor Day

MEMPHIS, Tenn.  Some people are wrapping up the summer with time spent on the water for Labor Day. But the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency is encouraging everyone to prioritize safety while having fun on the lake or river.

As boats roll off the dock into the Mississippi River for the holiday, Wildlife Officer Andy Tweed with the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency says before you celebrate, being safe can help prevent tragedies.

The weather is starting to cool down. Water still warm. A lot of people are going to be on the boat, Tweed said. But, Life jackets float, You dont!

 See more breaking news, local news and weather from WREG.com for Memphis and the Mid-South.

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Tweed adds a life jacket doesnt work if you dont put it on and fasten it.

We had a fatality last month and the individual did not have a lifejacket on. And unfortunately, hes deceased, Tweed said.

So far this year, there have been 16 deaths in the state of Tennessee. Tweeds says there are things you should have on your boat to protect yourself and others.

A throw cushion that you need to have if somebody falls overboard, youre able to throw it out there to them if theyre not wearing their lifejacket, he said. You also want to have a fire extinguisher in your boat. A whistle, good. Paddles, good.

He says not wearing a life jacket and drinking while boating are some of the things that will get you in trouble with the law.

Were trying to get all the impaired boaters off, Tweed says.

On top of boat safety, you also want to protect yourself from the sun. So, bring out a hat, make sure to put on sunscreen, and you do want to stay hydrated.

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'Things we want to get done:' CLU interim president readies for fundamental changes

John Nunes, California Lutheran University's interim president, laughs during an interview Thursday. Nunes was hired to serve two years as interim.

John Nunes leaned forward across the conference table in his new suite of offices at California Lutheran University, a blue-stoned signet ring flashing on one finger.

"I know what institutions that are in precarious positions look like," Nunes said of the Thousand Oaks liberal arts college. "This place isn't even close."

Nunes  pronounced like "newness"  stepped into Cal Lutheran's top job in July. His predecessor, Lori Varlotta, resigned after tensions with university faculty boiled into a sweeping vote of no confidence in her leadership.

He inherited a campus with enrollment down by about 25% since 2018 and revenue beginning to dip, according to financial documents.

The university's Board of Regents announced Nunes at the same time as Varlotta's resignation, giving him a two-year contract as interim president. Nunes, a Lutheran minister, academic and writer, was serving as pastor at Pilgrim Lutheran Church in Santa Monica.

Nunes was born in Montego Bay, Jamaica and raised near Toronto, Canada. He moved to the U.S. in 1981 and got his first university job  as an adjunct professor  at Buffalo State University in 1988. He earned his doctorate from the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago in 2011, studying postcolonial identity, and in 2013 became a professor at Valparaiso University in Indiana.

Board Chair Ann Boynton said CLU's regents were drawn to Nunes' pastoral reputation and "incredibly broad" experience  including tenures as president and CEO of the nonprofit Lutheran World Relief and president of Concordia College in New York until its closure in 2021.

The Bronxville, New York campus was one of four in the Lutheran Concordia College system to close in the space of eight years. Nunes told Inside Higher Ed at the time of the closure's announcement in January 2021 that the decision was preemptive, avoiding both a "precipitous close" or a "long, lingering threadbare existence."

Two months into his tenure, Nunes said there is "zero" chance he'll reprise that moment at Cal Lutheran.

Nunes said the factors that led to Concordia's closure  among them a backlog of deferred maintenance and precarious finances  aren't in play at Cal Lutheran.

More: Cal Lutheran's tax filings

The university still has issues. After a 2018 peak of nearly 4,400 graduate and undergraduates, enrollment has dropped six years in a row. This fall, the university announced, that number was just above 3,300.

Boynton said higher education has seen a "seismic" post-pandemic shift toward alternatives to traditional undergraduate degree programs and Cal Lutheran needs to adapt. It's the reason the board gave Nunes a two-year runway as interim president.

"Being an interim can be very freeing for someone in that position," Boynton said.

Nunes said the university has made "incremental" cuts over the summer, laying off six people and eliminating another 30-odd open roles. But Nunes said he's using his tenure to look at more fundamental changes like outside partnerships and new fields of study.

"One year (would have been) a placeholder. Two years means there's some things we want to get done," he said. "Our board has good business sense, and they have an appetite for thinking big."

"Who knows, wouldn't it be exciting if we had some, some radical plan to...," Nunes paused. "You know, schools are merging with everybody now  hospital systems, I mean, all kinds of interesting things."

Two months in, Boynton said, Nunes has impressed.

"We did not make the wrong choice. I will say that emphatically," she said. "He is focused on the right things. He is insightful and perceptive."

John Nunes was hired to serve two years as interim president of California Lutheran University in Thousand Oaks. Nunes, sporting colorful socks, sits down for an interview Thursday.

Rebuilding trust

Varlotta's May resignation came after a Jan. 16 faculty assembly resolution  passed 122-3  that accused the third-year president of eroding the university's "historically close" community.

Boynton attributed some of the uncertainty on campus during Varlotta's tenure to the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, but said she believes that regents have also lost some campus trust.

"I am incredibly sorry that happened," she said. "We need to work on ensuring that people are heard."

Kristine Butcher, a chemistry professor and faculty senate member, said Friday that she and others are relieved that Varlotta is gone. She's cautiously optimistic about Nunes' tenure, she said, after he invited some faculty to cabinet and board events over the summer.

"I found him funny and thoughtful," she said. "I appreciate those efforts to reach out to us."

Varlotta's tenure was also marked by an acrimonious court battle with former U.S. Rep. Elton Gallegly over a research center on campus that bears his name. The first phase of that civil proceeding closed Aug. 7 and awaits a decision from Ventura County Superior Court Judge Henry Walsh.

Nunes declined to talk about the ongoing case.

"It would be foolish of me to try to weigh in on this," he said. "I look forward to the day when it's behind us."

Isaiah Murtaugh covers education for the Ventura County Star in partnership with Report for America. Reach him at isaiah.murtaugh@vcstar.com or 805-437-0236 and follow him on Twitter @isaiahmurtaugh and @vcsschools. You can support this work with a tax-deductible donation to Report for America.

This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: CLU interim president readies for fundamental changes
WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR)  While it is almost unheard of for an independent or third-party candidate to win a presidential election, history shows they can have an impact on the outcome, especially in close races.

Before Robert F. Kennedy Jr. suspended his presidential campaign and announced he would support former President Donald Trump, there were questions over whether Kennedys presidential bid would hurt or help Trump. Some Republicans argue that Kennedys decision to suspend his campaign could help Trump pull in more votes. While others say it wont make much of a difference for Trump.

RFK Jr. sues North Carolina elections board over ballot

There are several other third-party and independent candidates running in the 2024 election, including Green Party nominee Jill Stein, Independent Cornell West and Libertarian candidate Chase Oliver.

While George Washington was the first and last independent to win the presidency in 1789, third-party and independent candidates have made an impact in presidential elections.

2016 election

The most recent election in which third-party candidates made a notable impact was in 2016. Both Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton had relatively low approval numbers. According to the Pew Research Center, this paved the way for former New Mexico Gov. Gary Johnson to receive just over 3% of the popular vote.

Green Party nominee Jill Stein also gained some support, earning just over 1% of the vote.

Political analysts have suggested that third-party candidates helped Trump in the 2016 election. Some analysts speculate that if votes for Stein had gone to Clinton in a few of the close states, Clinton could have won the Electoral College.

However, analysts have argued this is not the case, citing exit polls that show most of Steins voters would not have voted at all rather than voting for Clinton.

2000 election

In the tightly contested 2000 election, Green Party candidate Ralph Nader received 2.7% of the vote, which made a difference in such states as Florida and New Hampshire. Some believe Nader tapped enough votes from Democratic nominee Al Gore to give Republican George W. Bush an edge.

Political analysts point to Florida, where the race was so close it led to a statewide recount. Ultimately, Bush won by less than 600 votes. According to History.com, if a small percentage of the 100,000 people who voted for Nader in the Sunshine State had instead gone to Gore, then Gore could have won the election.

Got an unaffordable or incorrect medical bill? Calling your hospital billing office will usually get you a discount

Nader also picked up 22,000 votes in New Hampshire, which Bush also won by a small margin. If New Hampshire had gone to Gore, that wouldve sealed his win as president.

1992 election

Another close election involving an independent candidate was in 1992 between George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton. Texas billionaire Ross Perot gained popularity and earned nearly 19% of the vote. It was the best showing by an independent candidate in 80 years.

Perot ran again in 1996 but did not garner as much support.

1980 election

In the 1980 race between Democrat Jimmy Carter and Republican Ronald Reagan, third-party candidate and Republican Congressman John Anderson won more than 6% of the national popular vote.

Ultimately, Reagan won the election in a decisive victory with 489 electoral votes to Carters 49.

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Some 10,000 hotel workers formed picket lines in eight cities across the United States on Sunday as they called for better wages and the restoration of job cuts made during the COVID-19 pandemic. Photo courtesy of UNITE HERE/X

Sept. 2 (UPI) -- Thousands of hotel workers have gone on strike across the United States following months of failed negotiations on higher wages, fairer staffing and better workloads.

The UNITE HERE union said some 10,000 hotel workers at 24 hotels including the Hilton, Hyatt and Marriott walked off the job and formed picket lines Sunday in the cities of Boston, Mass.; Greenwich, Conn.; Honolulu and Kauai, Hawaii; San Diego, San Francisco and San Jose, Calif.; and Seattle, Wash. According to a statement from the union, each city's strikes will last two or three days.

Strikes have also been authorized for Baltimore, Md.; New Haven, Conn.; Oakland, Calif.; and Providence, R.I.; with the union stating those work actions could begin at anytime.

The union has accused the hotels of taking advantage of the COVID-19 pandemic to cut staffing and guest services amid low demand, but have not resumed hiring with the resumption of tourism.

The response from hotels not only caused workers to lose their jobs but created painful working conditions and increased workloads for those who remained on the frontlines, it said.

The strike, it said, is in demand of increasing wages and reversing the COVID-19-era cuts as well as improving staffing and workload conditions.

"Ten thousand hotel workers across the U.S. are on strike because the hotel industry has gotten off track," Gwen Mills, international president of UNITE HERE, said in the statement.

"During COVID, everyone suffered, but now the hotel industry is making record profits while workers and guests are left behind."

Mills said too many hotels haven't restored standards and services to pre-pandemic levels, affecting daily housekeeping and room services, while workers on staff are needing to get a second job to deal with rising living costs.

"Many can no longer afford to live in the cities that they welcome guests to, and painful workloads are breaking their bodies," Mills said.

"We won't accept a 'new normal' where hotel companies profit by cutting their offerings to guests and abandoning their commitments to workers."

Videos and images of picket lines formed outside of hotels were plastered on the union's social media accounts Sunday.

"Tick Tock! Time has run out and we are outside rewriting history," UNITE HERE Local 26, the union for Massachusetts and Rhode Island hotel workers, said in caption to a video showing picketing workers.

Tick Tock! Time has run out and we are outside rewriting history! 99% of hotel workers voted YES to strike and we are on strike at 4 hotels chanting that sweet song of solidarity! Come join a picket line at Hilton Logan Airport Hotel. pic.twitter.com/U9dwLCHv0V UNITE HERE Local 26 (@UNITEHERE26) September 1, 2024

Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass, posted a message of support online.

"I sand in solidarity with Local 26 because one job should be enough," she said on X. "I support these workers now as they fight for a fair contract."

Ed Flynn, a Boston City council member, described the strike as being about "social and economic justice for working families."

"These working men and women @UNITEDHERE 26 are on strike. Fighting for a new contract and to be treated with dignity and respect," he said on X.
Thousands of protesters took to the streets in Israel after the military recovered the bodies of six hostages over the weekend.

Tens of thousands of protesters poured into the streets across Israel on Sunday night to demand Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reach a cease-fire with militant group Hamas, The Associated Press reported. The protests came hours after the Israeli military said it recovered the bodies of six hostages, including one Israeli American.

Many protesters were chanting, Now! Now!, to demand a cease-fire, according to AP.

The Israeli Health Ministry said the autopsies found the hostages were shot at close range and died Thursday or Friday, according to the AP, which also reported three of the six hostages found dead were apparently scheduled to be released in the first phase of a cease-fire deal that was discussed in July.

Thousands of people gathered outside Netanyahus office in Jerusalem, while the relatives of the hostages in Tel Aviv marched with coffins to mark the death toll, the AP reported. CNN reported Sunday that Israeli police said they arrested 29 people during mass protests in Tel Aviv.

Netanyahu has repeatedly vowed to eliminate Hamas since the militant group attacked Israel on Oct. 7. The attack left more than 1,100 people dead, and approximately 250 people were taken as hostages into Gaza.

The U.S. and its partners in the region have been working to get a cease-fire deal between Hamas and Israel, but there has been no concrete agreement yet. In a statement about the hostage deaths, Netanyahu said Hamas was refusing its proposals.

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, he said.

Whoever murders hostages  does not want a deal, he added.

Israels largest trade union, the Histadrut, also called for a general strike to take place Monday to call for a cease-fire as protesters took to the streets in the wake of the hostage deaths.

The Associated Press contributed.

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Three people arrested in series of retail thefts at Erie County Walmart

(WJET/WFXP)  Three people were arrested after a series of retail thefts at an Erie County Walmart.

According to a Sept. 2 report, Pennsylvania State Police were called to the Walmart in Summit Township  1825 Downs Dr.  for the reported thefts where over $800 in merchandise was stolen.

Union City woman scammed out of $60K

On Aug. 25, Walmart employees told police that two suspects had stolen $106.12 in items on Aug. 24. Additionally, police were informed the same suspects also stole $207.79 worth of items back on June 28.

Police identified the suspects as a 39-year-old woman and a 51-year-old woman, both of Jamestown, NY, and charges have been filed against them.

Corry man arrested after threatening police, standoff: Corry Police

In another incident, state police in Erie were contacted on Aug. 28 by the Summit Twp. Walmart for another retail theft.

Employees told police a suspect walked out with $548 worth of items without paying and gave police the suspects description as they were reportedly known from previous thefts.

Police were able to locate and arrest the suspect  identified as a 52-year-old Erie woman. She was taken to Erie County Prison awaiting a preliminary hearing.

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Ticketmaster logo - Credit: NurPhoto via Getty Images

The U.K. Government will investigate Ticketmaster and other online sellers dynamic pricing strategy after Oasis reunion tour tickets nearly tripled in price due to the large demand of fans trying to nab seats to the summer 2025 shows.



After millions of fans endured long virtual wait times and multiple site crashes while trying to secure tickets to the much-anticipated reunion tour, it was a further blow that general admission tickets listed in the pre-sale for 150 ($197) had long disappeared by Saturday morning. Instead, new tickets called In Demand Standing were available for upwards of 400 ($525).



The hike is part of Ticketmaster and others controversial pricing strategy that causes ticket prices to fluctuate dramatically when there is high demand for a particular show. In recent years, its prompted outrage among fans when trying to secure tickets to see Bruce Springsteen and other artists. (A spokesperson for Ticketmaster previously told Rolling Stone that promoters and artist representatives set pricing strategy and price range parameters on all tickets, including dynamic and fixed price points.)



Following the Oasis ticket fiasco, U.K. culture minister Lisa Nandy told the BBC that the government plans to investigate companies use of dynamic pricing to stave off rip-off resales and ensure tickets are sold at fair prices. It was depressing, Nandy said, to see vastly inflated prices excluding ordinary fans from having a chance of enjoying their favorite band live.



The government already had a meeting on the books to discuss ticket resale websites and their practices in the fall, Nandy said, with dynamic pricing now becoming a focal point of the talks.



Nandy wasnt the only official to decry the practice. Labour MP David Baines said it was shocking to hear that Ticketmaster UK are now using dynamic pricing to fleece fans and rake in the cash  [and its] especially insulting for those who have queued all day. And Dublin official Regina Doherty said Irelands governing body should also investigate the matter.



Oasis reunion tour is highly anticipated, and in an effort to protect fans from price-gouging scalpers (some tickets listed for $8,300 on resale sites), the band said only tickets bought on the primary market or at face value ticket exchange through Ticketmaster will be honored.



Tickets sold in breach of the terms and conditions will be canceled by the promoters, the band posted on X.



Oasis reuniting comes 15 years after their dramatic breakup in 2009. The guns have fallen silent, the band said in a statement about the comeback. The stars have aligned. The great wait is over. Come see. It will not be televised.



More from Rolling Stone

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ISLAMABAD, Sept. 2 (Xinhua) -- Pakistan's eastern Punjab province reported 10 new dengue cases during the last 24 hours, said a statement on Monday.

The Primary and Secondary Healthcare Department of Punjab released the latest statistics on dengue cases, saying that the cases were reported from three different districts, including five from Lahore, four from Rawalpindi, and one from Chakwal district.

The department added that 54 cases of dengue were recorded in the last week across the province.

According to the statement, the new cases had increased the overall tally of the province to 357 cases reported this year.

The health department affirmed that all necessary arrangements for dengue prevention are being adopted with an adequate supply of medicines available in all public hospitals.

"Health officials are closely monitoring the situation. However, the public should adopt precautionary measures and report any symptoms promptly to help prevent further spread," added the statement. 
Tim Walzs motorcade was involved in a car accident on Monday, but the Democratic Vice Presidential nominee was not injured, TheWrap has learned. The crash happened amid a Labor Day press event in Milwaukee.

Shortly before 1 p.m., three support vehicles participating in a motorcade movement were involved in a collision in Milwaukee County, just outside Milwaukee, Wis., a statement obtained by TheWrap from the Harris and Walz campaign reads. Passengers reported injuries considered to be non-life-threatening and were treated by medical personnel prior to transport to an area hospital. There was no impact to the protectee and the traffic incident is being investigated by the Milwaukee County Sheriffs Office.

According to journalists on the scene, the crash involved cars near the end of the motorcade as opposed to the front, which is where Walz was located. Vice President Kamala Harris campaign said she spoke to Walz and confirmed he was uninjured. The press and staff involved in the accident arrived at LaborFest roughly an hour later.

Walz is in Milwaukee for a campaign stop to speak at LaborFest, a festival organized by local unions. He was also spotted earlier this weekend with his wife Gwen and their daughter Hope at the Minneapolis state fair.

This is part of a big push for Democratic campaigning around blue-collar workers as the 2024 election approaches. Over the weekend, Harris appeared in both Detroit and Pittsburgh. President Joe Biden joined her in the latter city as his first campaign appearance with Harris since ceding the Democratic nomination to her.

As for their Republican opponents, neither Donald Trump nor his VP pick Ohio Sen. JD Vance have any public events planned until later this week.

The Harris and Walz campaign has taken note of Trump and Vances absence, telling the New York Times in a statement, For a candidate that claims to be rallying the support of workers why is Donald Trump M.I.A. on Labor Day?

The post Tim Walz Not Impacted by Milwaukee Motorcade Accident, Other Passengers Sustain Non-Life-Threatening Injuries appeared first on TheWrap.
Sen. Tom Cotton (R-AR) is yet again defending Donald Trumps decision to take photos with military families in a restricted area of Arlington National Cemetery called Section 60.

In a contentious exchange on Meet the Press Sunday, Kristen Welker pressed Cotton on whether or not Trump broke the law by making campaign content out of the pictures and videos taken there.

Trump attended a wreath-laying ceremony honoring 13 service members who died withdrawing from Afghanistan in 2021. One of the soldiers, Marine Staff Sgt. Taylor Hoover, is buried in Section 60. Trump posed for photos with the Hoover family at his grave. Trumps spokespeople have denied any wrongdoing, claiming they were given permission to film ahead of the visit. Cemetery and defense officials have denied this.

Trump Takes No Blame After Controversial Arlington Cemetery Visit

Further adding to the chaos, a scuffle allegedly occurred between a member of the cemetery staff and Trump campaign staffers when the cemetery worker tried to stop Trumps entourage from taking photos. In a statement earlier this week, the Trump campaign also denied the physical altercation took place.

13 brave Americans were killed in Afghanistan three years ago because of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris's failure to plan for a withdrawal, Cotton wrote in response last week on X.

Good for President Trump to honor the service and sacrifice of those fallen heroes and their loved ones.

The scandal is not that Pres. Trump honored 13 brave Americans killed in Afghanistan, he wrote in a later post. The scandal is Biden and Kamala sent those heroes into a needlessly dangerous situation.

Doubling down on his comments Sunday on NBC, Cotton told Welker: He didnt take campaign photos there. These families, Gold Star families, whose children died because of Joe Biden and Kamala Harriss incompetence, invited him to the cemetery They wanted President Trump there. They wanted to take those photos, Cotton said.

Welker then brought up Master Sergeant Andrew Marckesano, a fallen solider whose gravestone was visible in photos Trump took with the Hoovers. Following the controversy, Marckesanos sister asked that the soldiers buried at Section 60 are honored and respected accordingly.

Tom Cottons Staggering, Shameful Hypocrisy Over Trumps Arlington Debacle

When asked if the Marckesanos wishes were honored, Cotton said: No, Kristen, they honored the wishes of the 13 families whose children died at Abbey Gate. Those families wanted the photos. 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.

Coincidentally, Cotton has a special tie to the sacred site. Its where he served for 16 months in The Old Guard. Soldiers assigned to The Old Guard guard the Tomb of the Unknown Solider, another holy site in the cemetery, among other duties.

In his 2019 book Sacred Duty, Cotton details his time at Arlington and gives his thoughts on conduct while visiting.

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.

Ironically, his tune has changed as he went to bat for the former president.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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One of the North Seas biggest oil field developments is in jeopardy after developers put the project on hold following a crackdown by Ed Miliband.

NEO Energy on Monday announced a slowdown of investment in various UK schemes, including the large Buchan Horst redevelopment, 93 miles off the coast of Aberdeen.

Buchan is the third-biggest upcoming North Sea project and is conservatively expected to yield about 70m barrels of oil, with peak production likely to hit about 35,000 barrels per day. It was expected to begin production in 2027.

But NEO claimed a tax raid and new consultation launched by the Labour Government had plunged the scheme into uncertainty.

Rachel Reeves, the Chancellor, is working with Energy Secretary Mr Miliband to increase the windfall tax on oil and gas businesses.

Mr Milibands department is also reviewing the environmental assessment process for North Sea oil and gas developments in a consultation due to run until the spring.

This was announced last month in response to a landmark Supreme Court ruling which said the scope 3 emissions  those that would indirectly result from a development, such as cars running on petrol  must be taken into account.

The ruling has already led the Department of Energy Security and Net Zero to announce it will not defend previous decisions to grant licences for the major Rosebank and Jackdaw developments in court  although these have not yet been revoked  with other North Sea operators also facing limbo while the Government decides what the ruling means for future schemes.

Sir Keir Starmer, the Prime Minister, and Mr Miliband previously vowed not to grant any new oil and gas licences if they won power in Julys election.

The review has prompted the Offshore Petroleum Regulator for Environment and Decommissioning, which handles development applications, to impose a temporary moratorium on applications that are already in motion as well, NEO Energy said.

The company said that combined with the harsher tax environment, this had implications for investment.

It added: Against this uncertain backdrop, NEO and its owner HitecVision have taken the decision to materially slow down investment activities across all development assets in its portfolio.

In relation to the Buchan Horst project, NEO awaits clarity regarding the UK regulatory and fiscal framework so that the full impact can be assessed.

This will inevitably delay first oil timing in relation to the project which was previously forecast to be late 2027.

Offshore Energy UK, which represents developers, has urged ministers to speed up the Energy Department consultation.

In a separate report published on Monday, the lobby group warned Labours tax raid on UK oil and gas companies would drive investment overseas and cost the country 13bn.

It said plans to further increase the windfall tax on oil and gas profits and scrap tax breaks would virtually halt all further investment into the North Sea.

New levies drawn up by Ms Reeves and Mr Miliband will result in North Sea oil and gas producers paying 78pc tax on profits from November, the highest rate of any UK industry.

Meanwhile, the landmark decision by the Supreme Court in June has dealt another blow to the industry. It ruled that emissions from burning fossil fuels must be considered when approving new drilling sites.

Greenpeace and fellow climate campaign group Uplift subsequently secured judicial reviews of oil licences already issued by regulators, including the North Sea Transition Authority, which approved Rosebank and Jackdaw and is ultimately overseen by Mr Milibands department.

Sarah Finch, a campaigner, after a landmark ruling that fossil fuels must be considered when approving new drilling sites - Carl Court/Getty Images Europe

A final decision on the licences will depend on the companies and the courts, but if the Government refuses to defend the case the environmental groups are almost certain to win.

Equinor is developing Rosebank, 60 miles west of Shetland, which contains up to 500m barrels of oil and was planned to operate until at least 2050.

Jackdaw, which would produce 40,000 barrels a day for two decades or more, is being developed by Shell.

The Government said its retrospective decision not to defend the granting of licences for the two schemes would save taxpayers money.

Brendan Long, director of research at investment company Zeus Capital, previously warned that Mr Milibands decision would put wider investment in Britain at risk.

A spokesman for Mr Miliband has been contacted for comment.

A spokesman for the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero pointed to previous comments by Michael Shanks, the Energy Minister.

He said: This Government is committed to making Britain a clean energy superpower, helping to meet our first mission to kickstart economic growth. While we make that transition the oil and gas industry will play an important role in the economy for decades to come.

As we support the North Seas clean energy future, this Government is committed to protecting current and future generations of good jobs as we do so.

We were elected with a mandate to deliver stability, certainty and growth. Every action we take will be in pursuit of that.

We will consult at pace on new guidance that takes into account the Supreme Courts ruling on environmental impact assessments, to enable the industry to plan, secure jobs, and invest in our economy.

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Top WME Agent at Center of Firestorm After Screw the Left Kill All Text Reacting to Killing of Israeli Hostages

Brandt Joel, a top agent at WME who represents the likes of Jason Momoa and Matthew McConaughey, has become embroiled in a bigotry storm at the company after sending, and then deleting, an incendiary text to a WhatsApp group in reaction to the killing of six Israeli hostages over the weekend.

On Sunday, Israels military said it has recovered the bodies of six hostages killed by Hamas militants in Gaza  including an Israeli-American captive.

More from The Hollywood Reporter

In a group chat showing solidarity with Israel that contains WME employees, but that is not officially affiliated with the company, the news of the death of the hostages was being discussed after someone shared President Joe Bidens official statement on the incident. In screenshots of the group chat obtained by The Hollywood Reporter, WMEs Nancy Josephson and Katie Slater remark on the tragedy of the killings. Joel then texted in response to the news, Screw the left kill all.

Joel Brandt Texts 3 - Publicity - P 2024

A source told THR that Joel deleted the message a few minutes later.

Joel, a senior partner at WME who also represents Justin Timberlake and Mahershala Ali, had previously spent four years in the U.S. Navy and served in Iraq before becoming an agent.

Joel Brandt Texts 2 - Publicity - P 2024

A source tells THR that this isnt the first time Joel has sent divisive messages in the group chat, and shared a previous text where Joel had said WME had been weak on clients who had spoken out about the ongoing war in Gaza. We have been weak every department has clients we should have fired and we didnt and it shows we are weak and we have tolerated abhorrent behavior, Joel texted, although it is unclear which clients he is directly referring to and what behavior he deemed abhorrent.

Joel added, This is all polyanna crap. Nobody took a stand on this chat that Im aware of except Richard and addressed it. Thankfully there are very few outliers yet we have not fired one and its shameful.

Joel Brandt Texts 1 - Publicity - P 2024

The bloody and brutal war in Gaza has created a great deal of tension in Hollywood, with controversy following those who have spoken out about the conflict. In October, a few weeks after the Oct. 7 Hamas-led terrorist attack on Southern Israel when some 1,200 people were killed and more than 200 taken captive, CAA was engulfed in a firestorm after power agent Maha Dakhil posted comments on her personal Instagram. On Oct. 18, Dakhil reposted a statement from an account called Free Palestine that read, Youre currently learning who supports genocide. Dakhil added, Thats the line for me. She then posted a photo captioned, Whats more heartbreaking than witnessing genocide? Witnessing the denial that genocide is happening.

Dakhil quickly apologized and stayed with the company, but was fired by her client Aaron Sorkin over the social media comments and in the immediate aftermath of the incident had to step down from her role as CAAs co-head of motion pictures and resigned from the agencys internal board. She has since regained a leadership role and was promoted to managing director at the company.

In November, actress Melissa Barrera, a WME client, was fired from Scream VII after a series of social media posts about the situation in Gaza. Gaza is currently being treated like a concentration camp, she wrote in one post on Instagram stories. Cornering everyone together, with no where to go, no electricity no water. People have learnt nothing from our histories. And just like our histories, people are still silently watching it all happen. THIS IS GENOCIDE & ETHNIC CLEANSING.

Reports at the time suggested that WME was also considering dropping Barrera over her stance, but the actress told THR in a March interview that she always felt supported by her reps. Its definitely hard, because I was just in such a cloudy state of mind, but I was very fortunate, she said through tears as she recalled the turbulent moment. I had a lot of support from the people around me: my team and specifically my publicists  they just carried me.

A previous version of this story identified Idris Elba as one of the stars Brandt Joel represents. He no longer represents the actor.

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(L-R) Friedrich Merz, CDU federal chairman and CDU/CSU parliamentary group leader in the Bundestag, stands next to Michael Kretschmer (CDU), Minister President of Saxony, and Mario Voigt, CDU state chairman in Thuringia, at the start of the federal CDU committee meetings following the state elections in Saxony and Thuringia. Michael Kappeler/dpa

Politicians in the German states of Thuringia and Saxony began wrangling over potential coalitions on Monday after state elections saw big gains for the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), further complicating the already fractured state parliaments.

It appears likely that the centre-right Christian Democrats (CDU), who eked out a narrow victory on Sunday in Saxony and finished second to the AfD in Thuringia, will end up leading coalitions in both states.

AfD leaders tried to claim a mandate to govern on Monday, pointing to their clear victory in Thuringia and a close second-place finish in Saxony, according to preliminary results from state election authorities. It's not yet clear when final official results will be published.

Yet despite the AfD's show of strength, the insurgent far right appeared destined to be frozen out of government after every other party rejected the AfD as too extremist and again ruled out any possible deal with them.

AfD wins big in Thuringia

The AfD's breakthrough victory in Thuringia behind its firebrand state leader Bjorn Hocke marked the first time since the defeat of the Nazis in World War II that a far-right party has won a statewide election in the country.

Hocke, who's become well-known in Germany for his fiery extremist rhetoric and use of banned Nazi slogans, lost his own constituency election to a CDU rival and will only take a seat in Thuringia's parliament through the party list.

Hocke's bid to host coalition talks was pre-emptively rejected by every other party. Sahra Wagenknecht, the founder and namesake of the upstart Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance (BSW), denounced Hocke's "volkisch," or ethno-nationalist, world view as too fringe and extremist to consider.

That leaves the CDU's top candidate in Thuringia, Mario Voigt, as the man most likely to lead the next coalition government in the state. The CDU finished second in the election with 23.6% of the vote.

Calculations will be tricky, however - especially since CDU party policy has long ruled out any cooperation with the hard-left Die Linke ("The Left"), which remains a strong force in the state. The AfD and Die Linke would take 44 of the 88 seats in Thuringia's parliament, based on preliminary results.

Voigt warned that talks could be drawn out as he arrived as CDU national headquarters in Berlin on Monday.

"You don't decide something like this overnight," Voigt said. "But it is also clear that the CDU has made gains and now has the task of conducting the talks, and that is what we will now do."

A possible CDU coalition with the BSW appears necessary, but would also be difficult. The CDU, the BSW and the centre-left Social Democrats (SPD) would together account for 44 seats, a single seat shy of the necessary majority.

Wagenknecht, the BSW's leader, has demanded clear signs of opposition to Germany's military aid for Ukraine and opposition to stationing US missiles in Germany as a condition for coalition talks.

Voigt on Monday morning retorted that "world politics are not decided in Thuringia."

Wagenknecht's background as a member of the former communist East Germany's SED ruling party and a long-time icon of the German extreme left also make her an uncomfortable ally for many in the traditionalist CDU.

She belonged to Die Linke before quitting the party after repeated conflicts over her anti-immigration views and right-wing stances on some social issues.

Thuringia's current state premier, Bodo Ramelow of Die Linke, said on Sunday night that Voigt has the responsibility of forming the next coalition - and vowed to do everything he could to support a pro-democracy government that excludes the AfD.

Ramelow has been leading a minority left-wing government with the tacit support of the opposition CDU in state parliament.

Saxony leader says deal with BSW 'possible'

Saxony's incumbent CDU state premier, Michael Kretschmer, has expressed confidence that he'll remain in office at the head of a new coalition, and said on Monday that the CDU could find common ground with the BSW.

But Kretschmer warned that months of difficult negotiations may lie ahead. His current coalition with the centre-left Social Democrats (SPD) and Greens will not hold a majority in the next parliament.

"It won't be easy, it will take time, but it is possible," Kretschmer said about an alliance with the BSW in an interview with Deutschlandfunk radio.

He said his CDU would follow its "values" but set "party ideologies" aside to focus on the "content" of any deal. Like Voigt, Kretschmer has also stressed that foreign policy matters won't be decided at the regional level in Germany.

Election officials in Saxony on Monday corrected an error in the way preliminary results were calculated, giving the AfD one seat fewer than previously projected.

According to the corrected result, the CDU has 41 seats and the AfD 40. The BSW has 15 seats, the SPD 10 and the Greens 7. Die Linke has 6 seats and the small Free Voters party 1 seat. There are a total of 120 seats in the Saxon state parliament.

That would leave the AfD just shy of holding a so-called blocking minority which could veto certain types of legislation or judicial appointments that require a two-thirds vote.

In Thuringia, however, the AfD will hold enough seats to exercise that kind of veto power, adding a further challenge for whatever multi-party coalition emerges from the talks.
LEBANON COUNTY, Pa. (WHTM)  Firefighters put out a fire that occurred at a Lebanon County landfill last Friday.

According to a Facebook post from Union Water Works Fire Company #1, on Friday, August 30 at 8:06 p.m., firefighters were dispatched to the landfill at 1610 Russell Road for a reported fire. The post says that upon arrival, crews encountered a fire at the top of the landfill, which was seated in a trash pile.

Firefighters worked quickly to extinguish the flames and prevent further damage.

No word on the cause of the flames or any injuries, at this time.

This is a developing story. Stay with abc27 News as more information becomes available

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC27.
BEIJING, Sept. 2 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Felix Tshisekedi, president of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), here on Monday.

Tshisekedi is in Beijing for the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC).

Recalling that China and the DRC elevated the bilateral relationship to a comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership in May 2023, Xi said the two sides have been advancing practical cooperation in various fields since the upgrade of bilateral ties and have become a model for developing countries to jointly promote modernization.

China is willing to consolidate political mutual trust and seek common development with the DRC, deepen bilateral cooperation in agriculture, mineral processing and vocational training, and continue to help the DRC turn resource advantages into growth drivers, he said.

Xi stressed that at the upcoming FOCAC summit, China and Africa will announce a new positioning of China-Africa relations and a series of major measures for jointly advancing modernization, thereby drawing a new blueprint for China-Africa relations. 
Truck becomes fully engulfed in flames on I-15, starts grass fire in Washington County

WASHINGTON COUNTY, Utah (ABC4)  A truck became fully engulfed in flames on I-15 Sunday afternoon, causing a nearby grass fire, according to Utah Highway Patrol.

A Ford F-150 was heading northbound on I-15 near milepost 39 in Washington County, according to Cpl. Luis Silva, UHP.

Moped driver struck by SUV, killed in American Fork

The truck had experienced unknown mechanical issues, Silva said, and the driver pulled over. Both the driver and passenger were able to get out safely with no injuries.

The truck caught fire and became fully engulfed, catching nearby grass on fire. Two right lanes on I-15 were closed for around 20 minutes as crews worked the scene.

The fire has successfully been put out, Silva said.

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.
Former President Trump has openly explained his name-calling strategy to reporters: "All we have to do is define our opponent as being a communist or a socialist." (Alex Brandon / Associated Press)

Over the six weeks since Kamala Harris succeeded President Biden as the Democratic presidential nominee, Donald Trump has charged relentlessly that she's a radical whose views are out of step with voters.

Shes a Marxist. Shes a fascist, the former president declared last week, weirdly combining labels that normally contradict each other.

Trump claimed, without a shred of evidence, that Vice President Harris, whom he has dubbed Comrade Kamala, wants this country to go communist.

Trump has openly explained his strategy to reporters: All we have to do is define our opponent as being a communist or a socialist.

But his wild punches arent landing.

A barrage of public opinion polls shows that Harris has risen steadily in voters eyes and holds a narrow lead in the national popular vote. A Wall Street Journal poll released last week found that the vice president is viewed positively by 49% of voters, a gain of 14% since July.

The same poll found that 59% of voters consider Trump too extreme to be president, but only 46% consider Harris too extreme. (That number, 46%, roughly matches already committed Trump voters share of the electorate.)

Read more: Column: Donald Trump's Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Convention Week

So why is Trumps free-swinging rhetoric failing?

For one thing, Harris isnt  and never has been  a Marxist, and most voters appear to recognize that.

In her abortive presidential campaign in 2019, she cast herself as a progressive  but she was still closer to the center than candidates like independent Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, who (unlike Harris) describes himself as a democratic socialist.

To be doubly certain, I consulted a leading historian of American Marxism, Paul Buhle, a retired lecturer at Brown University. He said he had looked into Harris history and found no evidence of Marxist leanings. Its a slur, he wrote in an email.

For another thing, Harris has moved quickly and effectively to define her positions as squarely within the mainstream of current Democratic thinking: liberal, but a long way from anything resembling Marxism, which calls for government ownership of major industries.

Read more: Polls: Harris leads Trump in post-DNC afterglow

At the Democratic convention in Chicago, and in her interview with CNN last week, Harris made it clear that she has abandoned several of the progressive policies she briefly adopted in the heat of her campaign in 2019.

Her convention-speech promise that she would work with small business owners and entrepreneurs and American companies to create jobs was pro-capitalist enough to draw mild yelps from a few progressive critics.

She has made some arguably progressive campaign proposals, including a federal ban on price-gouging by grocery stores; Trump denounced the idea as Soviet-style price controls. But it turned out to be broadly popular: An Economist-YouGov poll last month found that 60% of voters like the idea, including about half of Republicans.

Read more: Column: Trump asks why Harris hasn't done all she's promised. The answer: Because she's VICE president

Campaign strategists from both parties say Trumps attacks on Harris suffer from another flaw: Theyre scattershot and unfocused. In addition to calling her both a communist and fascist, Trump has argued both that Harris is more liberal than Biden and that she would continue the president's policies.

He hasnt settled on what his argument is, said Doug Sosnik, a Democratic strategist who helped President Clinton win reelection in 1996. I think hes tried out about eight different arguments.

Several Republican strategists say they think Trump is aiming at the wrong target  firing up enthusiasm among voters who already support him, but offering little to undecided voters.

Read more: Column: Trump has big plans for California if he wins a second term. Fasten your seatbelts

Name-calling is great for turning out your base, but it isnt going to work for voters in the middle, said a GOP strategist who asked not to be identified as he critiqued his partys nominee. People already know her record. They want to know how the candidates are going to make the economy grow.  Every time hes calling her a name, hes not talking about the economy.

Harris is succeeding in casting herself as a change agent, said Alex Conant, a former advisor to Republican Florida Sen. Marco Rubio. In 2016, one of the reasons Trump won was that he claimed the mantle as the change candidate. He said he would 'drain the swamp, and that appealed to independent voters. But I cant remember the last time I heard him use that phrase.

The strategists say Harris still has vulnerabilities that Trump could exploit more consistently than he has.

They said a more effective campaign would tie her more closely to Bidens economic record, since most voters hold the president responsible for high prices and think Trump could do a better job.

Read more: New promise, awkward moments: 5 takeaways from Harris and Walzs first interview

Trump needs to make the election a referendum on the Biden-Harris record, Conant said.

And they said some voters have doubts about Harris ability to lead in a crisis, a measure on which Trump outscores her in surveys.

Trumps television commercials, designed by the professionals who run his campaign, already focus on those themes. Instead of white-hot charges like Marxist, they use a more traditional  and more accurate  label: San Francisco liberal.

But in public appearances, Trump has been unable to stick to that more disciplined message.

While Harris continues improving her image among undecided voters who may choose the next president, Trump's rally speeches are exercises in self-indulgence.

The name-calling and wild punches aren't helping him win more votes. But Trump wants to be Trump, free from the discipline his aides have sought vainly to impose. He just keeps swinging away.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Trump: Id like to think that God thinks that Im going to straighten out our country

Trump: Id like to think that God thinks that Im going to straighten out our country

Former President Trump said in a new interview that he thinks God believes he will straighten out the country after he survived an assassination attempt in July.

Fox News host Mark Levin asked the former president whether he believes in God more following the attempted assassination of him during a Pennsylvania rally on July 13. A shooter opened fire at Trump during his rally on July 13, grazing the former president in the ear, killing one attendee and injuring two others.

I think you think like, if you believe in God, you believe in God more. And somebody said like, why? And Id like to think that God thinks that Im going to straighten out our country, he said in the interview that aired on Fox Newss Life, Liberty & Levin.

Our country is so sick and its so broken. Our country is just broken. And maybe that was the reason, I dont know. I dont know, a lot of people have said that, he added.

The former president has previously suggested it was because of God that he survived the incident. He said in the new interview the gunman was rushed when he took a shot at the former president.

I think you believe more, because when you speak to experts, like my sons who are shooting experts. But when you speak to experts, they said there was no chance that he could have missed from that distance, he said.

I think he was hurried. I think he was rushed because people were starting to say, like, you know, theres a guy up there with a gun. And I think he was probably rushed, he continued.

He also praised the Secret Service agents who moved to protect him that day, saying they were very brave and jumped on him within seconds. He said the sniper who took down the gunman was amazing, but he acknowledged someone should have been on the rooftop where the shooter was.

Now, obviously, somebody should have been on top of that roof. And there was some problems. But I have to tell you  Secret Service. They were on top of me and they were bullets were flying over us  and there wasnt one of them that said, Oh gee, Im not doing that, Trump said.

The Secret Service has faced scrutiny in the months since the assassination attempt as questions swirl over how the shooter was able to take a shot at the former president. Kimberly Cheatle resigned from her post as Secret Service director after numerous people called for her to step down.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
A new Labor Day billboard campaign has labeled Donald Trump an anti-union scab, referencing a major union leaders speech at the Democratic National Convention last month.

The Democratic National Committee will run 19 digital billboards in the swing states of Michigan, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania this Labor Day. The billboards, which will appear in both English and Spanish, feature a photo of Trump with the caption, Trumps an anti-union scab!

The billboards are an homage to United Autoworkers Union President Shawn Fains appearance at the DNC in Chicago, Illinois last month. During his speech at the convention, Fain wore a shirt that read, Trump is a scab. Vote Harris.

We were really kind of channeling Shawn Fain with that choice, Brad Woodhouse, a senior adviser to the DNC, told HuffPost.

UAW President Shawn Fain wore a shirt at the DNC that read, Trump is a scab. Vote Harris (Getty)

The billboards have been strategically placed by considering the potential route of a Trump motorcade  which could draw crowds near the billboards  and how much traffic the areas see, Woodhouse told the outlet.

Vice President Harris and Governor Tim Walz, a former union member himself, know that workers are the engine powering this country, and thats why they have always had their backs, DNC spokesperson Maddy Mundy said in a statement.

In contrast, Trump is a union buster who sought to withhold pay from union workers and weaken unions as president in order to fatten the pockets of multi-billionaire executives who donate to his campaign, Mundy continued.

The Independent has contacted the Trump campaign for comment.

The DNC has paid for digital billboards that say, Trumps an anti-union scab in three major swing states (Democratic National Committee)

Last week, The Independent exclusively reported that Democrats in Michigan and Wisconsin also erected billboards highlighting Trumps potential cost to Americans if hes elected for a second term.

The English and Spanish billboards said, Donald Trumps Project 2025 will raise taxes on middle-class families by $3,900.

Project 2025 is a 900-page document developed by the Heritage Foundation, a far-right think tank, that lays out a blueprint for Trumps potential second term.

The document proposes a massive overhaul of the government, including replacing thousands of bureaucrats with politicos loyal to Trump, stripping civil rights from LGBTQ+ people, destroying access to reproductive healthcare, and slashing key federal agencies.

Trump has repeatedly tried to distance himself from the project and denied any involvement. However, at least 140 people who worked for Trump were part of Project 2025, CNN reported earlier this summer.

These billboard campaigns come less than ten weeks before Election Day on November 5.

Vice-President Kamala Harris has a 3.2-point lead over Trump, according to the latest average of national polls. The vice-president has a growing lead in six major swing states, including those that will feature the new Labor Day billboards.
Trump and Harris, with starkly different records on labor issues, are both courting union voters

Union members cheer as Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris and her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, appear at a campaign rally at United Auto Workers Local 900 on August 8, 2024 in Wayne, Michigan. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)

Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris and Republican nominee Donald Trump are in a tight race for the White House. Every voting bloc will count  including members of labor unions and other people in their households.

The majority of union leaders have over generations endorsed Democratic candidates, and this race is no exception. Although rank-and-file union members have also historically sided with the Democratic Party by large margins, that support has wavered for at least the past 45 years. In 2016, exit polls indicated that voters in union households supported Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton over Trump by only 8 percentage points, down from 18 percentage points in 2012 when Barack Obama was on the ballot.

No Democratic presidential nominee had fared worse with union voters since Ronald Reagans wins over Jimmy Carter and Walter Mondale in 1980 and 1984.

Union voters are particularly prominent in Michigan, Pennsylvania and Nevada, three swing states where the share of voters who belong to unions is above the national average of 10%.

A late 2023 New York Times/Siena College poll of six swing states that Joe Biden won in 2020  those three plus Arizona, Georgia and Wisconsin  shows that Biden and Trump were tied at 47% among union voters when they were asked who theyd vote for in 2024. Biden had an 8 percentage point advantage with these same voters in 2020, according to a different survey.

3 key issues

Union voters, like all U.S. citizens, are concerned about many issues. But they are more likely than most people to seriously consider a candidates record in terms of support for workers and organized labor. Labor historians generally concur that the Biden administration has the second-strongest labor-friendly record, after Franklin D. Roosevelt.

And I find that historian Nelson Lichtenstein, who contends that Trumps years in office were bad for organized labor, is representative of how labor experts see his track record.

In my view as a labor studies scholar, three aspects of the candidates records are the most likely to sway union members one way or the other.

Federal workers

Trump signed three executive orders in 2018 that restricted the labor rights of approximately 950,000 federal government employees who belong to unions. In 2020, he signed another measure, known as Schedule F, that The Washington Post described as designed to gut civil service job protections.

Biden rescinded those executive orders. He also established a White House task force charged with making recommendations for how to streamline the procedures for federal worker union organizing, which Harris chaired. The number of federal employees in unions has risen by tens of thousands during the Biden administration.

Union elections

Rules governing how elections are conducted once workers express an interest in forming a union date back to the 1930s, when Roosevelt signed the National Labor Relations Act into law. The National Labor Relations Board, created by that legislation, oversees union elections.

In 2019, when Trump appointees held a majority of the NLRBs five seats, the board overturned an Obama-era NLRB ruling mandating speedy elections. In 2023, when Bidens appointees were in the majority, the board issued a ruling favorable to unions that rolled back that Trump-era ruling.

Today, when a majority of workers in a workplace say they want union representation, an employer must either recognize and bargain with the union or seek an election. If that employer violates labor law in the period before the election, the election is called off and the NLRB may order the employer to recognize and bargain with the union.

OSHA

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration, a Labor Department agency, is responsible for U.S. workers health and safety.

Fewer workplace inspections occurred during the Trump administration than during Obamas second term. This decline is largely attributable to the slow hiring of new OSHA inspectors to replace those who had retired.

The number of inspections is rising again. However, by OSHAs calculations, workplace accidents and fatalities have increased during the Biden administration.

The Trump administration issued no workplace rules about coronavirus safety, leaving hundreds of thousands of people employed in health care, groceries, meatpacking and education at risk.

By comparison, two days after taking office in 2021, Biden issued an executive order that established masking guidelines, and his administration made health and safety protocols on the job during the rest of the COVID-19 pandemic a high priority.

Compared with the inaction by the Trump administration during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Biden administration has been more active in proposing health and safety measures. For example, in July 2024 it proposed rules designed to protect some 36 million workers from health risks associated with extreme heat. After a period for written comments, public hearings will be held on the bill.

When Trump tried cutting OSHA funding for 2018 by approximately US$10 million, Congress blocked his efforts. The Biden administration is seeking a 3.7% increase in OSHAs budget for the 2025 fiscal year.

Legislative and gubernatorial records

Harris was a U.S. senator before she became vice president; her vice presidential running mate, Tim Walz, is the governor of Minnesota and was a member of Congress before that; and Republican vice presidential candidate JD Vance is currently a U.S. senator as well. The candidates records in those positions are also indicators of what they might attempt to do in the White House.

The AFL-CIO, the largest umbrella organization for U.S. unions, gave Harris a lifetime score of 98% on her Senate voting record. Walz got a 93% rating for his votes from the AFL-CIO when he served in the House of Representatives. He belonged to the National Education Association, the nations largest labor union, while working as a high school teacher.

As Minnesotas governor, Walz signed into law paid sick days for the states workers and a measure that made Minnesota the first state to establish a minimum wage for Uber and Lyft drivers. In 2023, Walz also signed a law that established the Nursing Home Workforce Standards Board to oversee the health and welfare of nursing home workers.

The AFL-CIO has given Vance a 0% rating for his Senate votes as of mid-2024. Among other things, Vance opposed the nominations of several judges and government officials with pro-labor track records.

Addressing auto workers

Perhaps the most visible sign of Bidens support for labor unions came when he walked a Michigan picket line with striking members of the United Auto Workers in September 2023. He was the first president to do so.

Trump turned up nearby the next day. He gave a speech at a nonunion auto parts plant.

More recently, Trump did himself no favors with labor voters and their allies when, in a highly publicized conversation with Tesla, SpaceX and X CEO Elon Musk, he praised Musk for firing employees who spoke out on workplace problems and attempted to unionize.

How union households will vote in 2024 is not clear. But theres no doubt that the Harris and Trump campaigns are certain that it will matter, just as it did in 2020, when Biden narrowly won Michigan, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania  and in 2016, when Clinton lost those states.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
Donald Trump on Sunday shared statements from some families of the soldiers who died during the chaotic evacuation from Kabul as the former president faces increasing criticism over his visit with the families to Arlington National Cemetery.

Allegations arose last week that a member from the Trump campaign was involved in a physical altercation with an official from the cemetery who was attempting to stop the campaign filming in a restricted section of the site. The Trump campaign has denied the allegations, despite cemetery and defense officials confirming an incident took place.

Trump shared a statement from the Trump campaign to his Truth Social page Sunday, describing it as a MUST READ AND WATCH.

Army Confirms Trump Staffer Pushed Woman Who Works at Arlington Cemetery

Trump also took to X for a longer statement Sunday, in which he thanked the families of our Great Warriors who have been lost to us for the way they came together as one, and thanked me for attending, at their request, the Celebration of their wonderful family members who, because of the Incompetence of Kamala Harris and Joe Biden, are no longer with us.

Trump thanked the family for saying you wanted me to stand with you at Arlington National Ceremony, and take pictures, that it was your request, not mine, but it was my Great Honor to do so.

He added, I WILL NEVER FORGET!

Trump campaign adviser Chris LaCivita, posting video of the families messages to X, added, Enough said .

I want to thank the families of our Great Warriors who have been lost to us for the way they came together as one, and thanked me for attending, at their request, the Celebration of their wonderful family members who, because of the Incompetence of Kamala Harris and Joe Biden, pic.twitter.com/ewkbVniBC0  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 1, 2024

In the group statement, seven of the 13 families that were with Trump hit back at Kamala Harris after she criticized his involvement with the controversy, claiming he disrespected sacred ground, all for the sake of a political stunt. The families said they invited Trump to be there and that Harris lacks empathy and basic understanding.

The group statement says, in part: We, the families of the brave service members who were tragically killed in the Abbey Gate bombing, are appalled by Vice President Kamala Harris recent attempts to politicize President Trumps visit to Arlington National Cemetery. President Trump was invited by us, the Gold Star families, to attend the solemn ceremonies commemorating the three-year anniversary of our childrens deaths. He was there to honor their sacrifice, yet Vice President Harris has disgracefully twisted this sacred moment into a political ploy.

Mark Schmitz, father of Marine lance corporal Jared Schmitz, said in one video: Why did we want Trump there? It wasnt to help his political campaign. We wanted a leader. That explains why you and Joe didnt get a call.

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While still facing the fallout from his controversial visit to Arlington National Cemetery last week, Donald Trump has launched a new line of attack on his Democratic presidential rival Kamala Harris: baselessly claiming that she is lying about working at McDonalds in the 1980s.

Harris has repeatedly mentioned her brief stint holding down a summer job at the fast food joint while at college since she ascended to the top of the Democratic partys ticket.

And, for some reason, it appears to have gotten under Trumps skin.

Over the weekend, the former president has repeatedly accused Harris  without any evidence  of lying about working at McDonalds.

He first made the accusation while speaking at the Moms for Liberty convention in Washington on August 30: She also said, I worked at McDonalds.

Turned out she didnt work at McDonalds, he declared to the crowd, bizarrely adding that: After an exhaustive study that took about 20 minutes, they found out she never worked there.

He later fired out a post on Truth Social again accusing Harris of lying about her stint in a Golden Arches cap.

Trumps newest obsession seems to be Harris brief stint as a McDonalds employee four decades ago (Getty Images)

Complete with a fake image  another of his latest obsessions  Trump scathingly wrote: Comrade Kamala Harris lied about working at McDonalds. SHE NEVER WORKED THERE, they think shes nuts.

He then launched a McFlurry of other allegations that Comrade Kamala has supposedly been lying about: Likewise, she lied about Fracking, the Border, Crime, the Economy, and the Democrats Suckers and Losers HOAX, concerning our great military. She also lied about Arlington Cemetery and Afghanistan. She lies about everything!!! DJT.

He went on to make another post, writing on Truth Social that: Kamala said she worked at McDonalds - she never did. Lie!

Then, at a California press conference on Friday, Trump repeated the claim yet again: She never worked at McDonalds, its a lie.

She said she stood over those french fries when they were being fried, and it was so tough work, he continued. She never worked there. Shes a liar.

Harris briefly worked at a McDonalds restaurant in Alameda during a summer back in California between college semesters in the early 1980s.

She mentioned her brief stint on the fryer she joined a Las Vegas picket line with fast food workers in 2019 and again during an appearance on The Drew Barrymore Show in April.

If we want to talk about these Golden Arches being a symbol of the best of America, well, the arches are falling short, she said in Las Vegas. We have got to recognize that working people deserve livable wages.

I did the french fries and I did the ice cream, she told workers.

She acknowledged in her remarks at the time that she did not rely on the job to support a family unlike many workers who do rely on income from typically lower-wage fast food work.

There was not a family relying on me to pay the rent, put food on the table and keep the bills paid by the end of the month, she added. But the reality of McDonalds is that a majority of the folk who are working there today are relying on that income to sustain a household and a family.

The Democratic presidential candidates campaign and her running mate Tim Walz have underscored their middle-class upbringings to set them apart from their Republican rival, who has an estimated net worth of around $4.1 billion, and whose father famously gave him a small loan of a million dollars when Trump was starting his career.

Trump has launched an attack on Harris working at McDonalds in the 80s (@realDonaldTrump/Truth Social)

Two middle-class kids, Harris wrote in an X post.

One, a daughter of Oakland, California, who was raised by a working mother and had a summer job at McDonalds. The other, a son of the Nebraska plains, who spent summers on the farm, she added.

Only in America is it possible that the two of us would be running together all the way to the White House.

Right-wing outlet Free Beacon first questioned Harriss time at McDonalds in an article suggesting that she is lying because she did not include it on a resume when she was applying for unrelated law clerk positions in the late 1980s.

It took Trump less than 20 minutes to bash Harris after her campaigns post.

Two middle-class kids.



One, a daughter of Oakland, California, who was raised by a working mother and had a summer job at McDonalds.



The other, a son of the Nebraska plains, who spent summers on the farm.



Only in America is it possible that the two of us would be pic.twitter.com/le6xrf55E0  Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) August 31, 2024

In an effort to deflect from his Arlington National Cemetery visit, where he filmed a campaign video, smiled in front of gravestones, and two senior members of his campaign allegedly pushed and verbally abused a cemetery official, Trump has attacked far more than just Harriss resume.

The GOP presidential candidate blamed a complete lack of American Strength and Leadership by Harris and President Joe Biden for the deaths of six Israeli hostages, including one US citizen, over the weekend, comparing the situations to the Debacle of the Afghanistan Withdrawal, he said in another Truth Social post.

He also proclaimed their deaths would have never happened if he were president.
How Georgias pro-Trump election board could help him steal an election

Donald Trump speaks at a rally in Georgia on August 3, celebrating three state election board members who changed vote certification rules that critics warn will make it easier to cast doubt about results (REUTERS)

At a rally in Georgia days before a crucial vote at the states election board, Donald Trump praised three of the boards five members as pit bulls fighting for victory.

I dont know if youve heard, but the Georgia State Election Board is in a very positive way, Trump said in Atlanta on August 3. Theyre on fire. Theyre doing a great job.

Those members  Rick Jeffares, Janelle King and Janice Johnston  ultimately voted for sweeping rule changes to how counties can certify election rules in a state that the former president lost by narrow margins in 2020, and where he is now criminally charged for his attempts to reverse that loss.

Election analysts predict the state could come down to even smaller vote margins in November, potentially inviting challenges from Trump-allied groups to do what Trump couldnt in 2020, thanks to new, potentially illegal rules that could invite partisan investigations. The Democratic Party and a group of Georgia Democrats  with the support of Kamala Harriss campaign  are now suing over the changes.

Everyone who cares about American democracy and who wants to make sure their vote counts should be alarmed, Georgia Democratic Representative Sam Park told The Independent.

With the first days of early voting approaching, theres a lot of cause for alarm, according to Park, and theres a lot of fear and concern among voters in his district who are worried about what happens to their ballots after they cast their votes.

Election workers are under an incredible amount of undue pressure from voter suppression threats, Park explained, and the brazen effort in which unelected partisans have taken over the local elections boards, where elected leaders have conceded to their base, to the far right, in continuing to base changes on fear and conspiracy theories.

Donald Trump speaks to supporters in Atlanta on August 3 (EPA)

The pro-Trump majority on Georgias election board has drawn national scrutiny for a rule that allows county boards to make reasonable inquiries before certifying election results.

But the rule does not define what a reasonable inquiry is, nor does it place any limits on how long an inquiry can last, or what documents members can demand (and then take home with them), before reconvening to certify  or reject  the results. There are 159 counties in the state, so there could end up being 159 ways that county boards interpret the changes.

The rules, critics warn, effectively bake into a clerical certification process what Trump and his allies tried to do with their spurious efforts to challenge election results in 2020.

Next month, the board will take up another rule that would require counties to perform hand recounts of ballots at the local precinct level, on election night, which opponents fear could compromise ballot integrity and open a window for legal challenges from pro-Trump groups to cast doubt on results.

Our State Election Board exists to protect the right to vote for all Georgians, not to favor any single candidate in any election, Georgia congresswoman and state party chair Nikema Williams said in a statement shared with The Independent.

The board is determined to establish a new power of not certifying an election result should their preferred candidate lose  as he did in 2020, she added. Thats why were fighting back, and we will beat them in court like we will beat them at the ballot box this fall.

State-level changes to election administration in the wake of 2020s election denialism are a democracy catastrophe and an ethics disaster, according to legal scholars Norm Eisen and Richard Painter.

Right-wing legal groups across the country are endorsing proposed legislation and launching legal battles to try to assert authority over certification processes, underscoring how far the former presidents allies will go, down to the local level, to contest the results of an election he could lose.

After championing election integrity with discredited claims of voter fraud, some Republicans are now seeing the certification of elections as a discretionary act, not as a ministerial or clerical responsibility to voters.

More than 30 officials in eight states who refused to certify 2020 results are set to return to their positions to potentially do it again in 2024, according to a report from democracy watchdog group Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington.

An empowered elections board in Georgia has a very direct tie to all the disinformation and voter suppression and attempted overturning of election results after state lawmakers approved a sweeping elections law in 2021, according to Lauren Groh-Wargo, CEO of voting rights organization Fair Fight.

The rules changes have set the table to successfully do what they failed to do last time, she told reporters this week, and weaponize the certification process to get the results they wanted.

Certification is a clerical process that should not be interfered with, she said.

Quintin Fulks, deputy campaign manager for the Harris campaign insisted that a few unelected extremists cant just decide not to count your vote.

Certifying an election is not a choice, its the law, he said.

Georgias Governor Brian Kemp, pictured greeting Donald Trump in 2019, is asking whether he has authority to take action after ethics complaints to the states election board (AP)

Emails obtained by Rolling Stone and American Doom also appear to show a pro-Trump member of the state board working with the former presidents allies and election-denying county-level board members from across the state, months before the rule changes, to advance unsubstantiated claims of fraud.

Its all a reflection of just how deeply embedded the false notion of a stolen election has become among Republicans, according to Andra Gillespie, a political science professor at Georgias Emory University.

Do you really want people who are sympathetic to the idea of the 2020 election being stolen in a position of power, where they can delay their own certification? Gillespie told The Independent. Is that the right type of structure you want to set up?

Politically appointed board members, borne out of the same election denialism miasma as the officials who put them in power, are ramping this up with the MAGA disinformation goal in mind after the election, according to Groh-Wargo said.

Courts are ultimately going to do the right thing, but the delay and confusion is going to have real consequences, she said.

Georgia congresswoman Lucy McBath joined state lawmakers who spoke out against the states election board after sweeping rule changes that could imperil certification (AP)

Georgias Republican Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger  famously on the receiving end of Trumps call to find enough votes to win the state in 2020  has also criticized the election boards certification rules, and that the boards three Trump-allied members Johnston, King, and Jeffares have engaged in activist rule-making that would undermine voter confidence and burden election workers.

Governor Brian Kemp has also asked state attorney general Chris Carr to determine whether he has authority over ethics complaints directed at the board.

But the board is now entertaining a barrage of craziness from activist groups that dont have anything to do with whats before them for certifying an election, according to Cathy Woolard, a former chair of Fulton Countys elections board.

This really goes to the heart of the election process, according to Georgia attorney Allegra Lawrence Hardy. It seems almost impossible that we wont have at some point this weighed in on at the federal courts and the Supreme Court.

This story was first published on September 2.
Explaining his opposition to legal marijuana a couple of years ago, Sen. Marco Rubio (RFla.) warned that black-market weed is "laced with fentanyl." When former President Donald Trump invoked "fentanyl laced marijuana" on Saturday, his logic made a lot more sense: He cited that hazard as a reason to support Amendment 3, a Florida ballot initiative that would legalize recreational marijuana in that state. But both arguments suffered from the same flaw: As far as we can tell, "fentanyl laced marijuana" is an imaginary threat.

Since it is a constitutional amendment, Florida's marijuana initiative would require support from 60 percent of voters to take effect. In two of three polls conducted this month, support fell shy of that threshold. The third poll put support at 63 percent, but the margin of error was plus or minus 4.6 percentage points. In a Truth Social post that implicitly endorsed Amendment 3, Trump nevertheless took it for granted that voters will approve the initiative in November, and he offered a few reasons to welcome that outcome.

"Someone should not be a criminal in Florida" for possessing marijuana "when this is legal in so many other States," Trump declared, saying such arrests "ruin lives & waste Taxpayer Dollars." He added that "no one should grieve a loved one because they died from fentanyl laced marijuana." It is hard to disagree with that statement or with the implicit premise that marijuana sold by state-licensed dispensaries is apt to be more reliable than marijuana purchased from black-market dealers. But there is no solid evidence that anyone has ever "died from fentanyl laced marijuana."

That scenario is doubtful on its face. Replacing or fortifying heroin with fentanyl, which is more potent and cheaper to produce, makes economic sense. So does pressing fentanyl into tablets disguised as pain pills that sell for $5 to $25 each on the black market. But it is not clear why pot dealers would surreptitously mix their product with fentanyl.

"Illicit-market weed sells for anywhere from $5 to $30 a gram in most states," Leafly writer Calvin Stovall noted in 2022. "Fentanyl is worth about $40 per 25 microgram patch (the low-end dosage for a cancer patient treating severe pain). A pure gram of fentanyl is worth up to $200. That means a weed dealer would have to spend $40 on a fentanyl patch, successfully extract the drug from the patch, and then 'lace' a $30 gram of their best weed to live up to these fantasies. In a best-case economic scenario, the dealer is losing $10 on every sale. Worst case, they are poisoning loyal customers and wasting fentanyl that could sell for more at a lower volume."

Stovall consulted a black-market pot dealer, who agreed that business strategy is highly implausible. "You can make money off of fentanyl by the microgram, just by cutting the dope with it," the dealer said. "Weed goes by the pound, though. So why put something expensive in a cheaper product? And for free?" The dealer, who could barely contain his laughter, added that "you definitely don't need to mix them up," since "they both sell just fine without each other."

Even if a pot dealer for some perverse reason was inclined to mix his product with fentanyl, the temperatures at which marijuana is smoked would burn up the fentanyl before it could be absorbed in the lungs. Ryan Marino, a medical toxicologist, emergency physician, and addiction medicine specialist at University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, notes that "fentanyl breaks down/decomposes so quickly/easily at such low temp[eratures]" that adding it to smoked marijuana is not a practical delivery method. "Could a commercial vape be used for fentanyl?" he writes. "It is possible but it would have to be very intentional."

Back in 2021, Robert Lawlor, an intelligence officer working for the New England High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area, expressed similar skepticism. "Marijuana [mixed with] fentanyl has been sort of an urban legend for a couple years now," Lawlor told Forbes writer Chris Roberts. "From a business standpoint, it doesn't make sense to put fentanyl on marijuana."

When someone buys legal marijuana products, New York's Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) noted last October, "they are lab tested and labeled accurately

according to those lab tests." But to its credit, especially given the difficulties that New York has encountered in trying to displace the black market, the OCM did not claim that such information protects consumers against fentanyl in marijuana.

"Misinformation related to the danger of accidental overdose due to cannabis 'contaminated' with fentanyl remains widespread," the OCM said. "Anecdotal reports of fentanyl 'contaminated' cannabis continue to be found to be false, as of the date of this publication." Although "there is no guarantee that any unregulated cannabis product is free from contaminants or harmful ingredients," it added, "there have been zero verified incidents of fentanyl 'contamination' in cannabis." And since "fentanyl is not found in the cannabis supply," the OCM advised, "it is not recommended to use fentanyl test strips to test cannabis."

One example of the "misinformation" that the OCM mentioned was a November 2021 announcement from the Connecticut Department of Public Health (DPH), which said it had received 39 reports since the previous July of "patients who have exhibited opioid overdose symptoms and required naloxone for revival" but who "denied any opioid use and claimed to have only smoked marijuana." As the OCM notes, "many people who use opioids are stigmatized in health care settings," which "contributes to mistrust that can result in inaccurate self-reporting or failure to disclose opioid use due to fear of inequitable care or punitive interventions by law enforcement."

According to the Connecticut DPH, just one sample of marijuana had tested positive for fentanyl. That finding attracted a lot of attention at the time. But CT Insider later reported that an investigation revealed it "was probably caused by accidental contamination."

Police periodically claim to have discovered evidence of fentanyl-laced marijuana. But as Stovall noted, those reports always prove to be unfounded.

In a country where more than 60 million people use marijuana every year, you would expect to see many fentanyl overdoses among pot smokers if this were a real problem. The lack of confirmed cases provides further reason to believe it is not.

The OCM's take is notable because New York's marijuana regulators, who want consumers to patronize state-licensed retailers instead of unauthorized dealers, have a strong incentive to emphasize the potential dangers of black-market marijuana. You likewise might expect the Partnership to End Addiction (PEA), formerly known as the Partnership for a Drug-Free America, to hype the hazards of pot smoking. The organization nevertheless joins the OCM in describing fentanyl-laced marijuana as a myth.

"You might have heard some worrying stories or rumors saying that marijuana may be laced with fentanyl," the PEA says. Those rumors "are false," it declares. "There is no solid evidence that marijuana is being laced with fentanyl."

Fentanyl "is destroyed when it is burned including when it is in a joint, blunt or other means of smoking marijuana," the PEA explains. "This means that even if it is mixed with marijuana flower it will have no effect on a person who is smoking it."

What about vape pens? "Most commonly available vape pens don't reach temperatures over 450 degrees Fahrenheit," the PEA says. "This is because higher temperatures will destroy the substances they are intended to be used with including marijuana. Vape pens would have to reach temperatures closer to 900 degrees Fahrenheit to vaporize fentanyl. Even if the marijuana is contaminated or mixed with fentanyl, the fentanyl would be destroyed before it's absorbed." As for fentanyl in marijuana edibles, "the risk is very low because fentanyl is broken down by the liver, with little chance of reaching the brain."

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has warned the public about fentanyl in heroin, "fake prescription pills," cocaine, and methamphetamine. But as the PEA notes, the DEA has never issued an alert about fentanyl-tainted marijuana. Last year, when I asked the DEA if it had any evidence of cannabis or nicotine vape products contaminated by fentanyl, the best it could muster was a September 2020 report of an overdose involving intentional vaping of fentanyl.

The Utah Department of Public Safety nevertheless claims "marijuana laced with fentanyl is a very real threat to young adults." The Claudia Black Young Adult Center, a drug treatment provider in Arizona, likewise insists that "fentanyl-laced marijuana is on the rise," citing the 2021 report from Connecticut.

Given the persistence of such unvalidated claims, it is not surprising that politicians like Rubio and Trump continue to echo them. At least Trump drew the logical conclusion from this imaginary threat, since it is prohibition that creates the hazards associated with drugs of unknown composition.

The post Trump Repeats an 'Urban Legend' by Invoking 'Fentanyl Laced Marijuana' appeared first on Reason.com.
Trump says he had 'every right' to interfere in 2020 election

By Jasper Ward and Kanishka Singh

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Republican former U.S. President Donald Trump, who faces federal and state charges accusing him of trying to overturn his 2020 election loss to Democratic President Joe Biden, insists he had "every right" to interfere in that election.

"Whoever heard you get indicted for interfering with a presidential election where you have every right to do it?" Trump said in a Fox News interview that aired on Sunday.

A federal indictment accuses Trump of defrauding the U.S. by attempting to prevent Congress from certifying Biden's victory and deprive voters of their right to a fair election. He faced a revised federal indictment last month accusing him of illegally trying to overturn his 2020 election loss.

Trump's supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, in an unsuccessful attempt to prevent Congress from certifying the 2020 election results after weeks of false claims by Trump that he had won.

Trump faces similar charges in Fulton County, Georgia, where he was also charged with racketeering, which is used to target members of organized crime groups and carries a penalty of up to 20 years in prison.

That case, which is on hold while a state appeals court weighs the district attorney's role, stems from a Jan. 2, 2021, phone call in which Trump urged Georgia's top election official, Brad Raffensperger, to "find" enough votes to reverse his narrow loss in the state. Raffensperger declined to do so.

Trump, who is the current Republican candidate for president, has not said whether he would unconditionally accept the results of the Nov. 5 election if his Democratic rival, U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris, wins.

In a statement on Monday, Harris' campaign said Trump's latest comments to Fox News and his previous remarks "make it clear that he believes he is above the law."

"Now, Trump is claiming he had 'every right' to interfere in the 2020 election. He did not," a Harris campaign spokesperson said in the statement.

(Reporting by Jasper Ward and Kanishka Singh; Editing by Ross Colvin, Mark Porter and Sandra Maler)
Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov highlighted the importance of ongoing meetings between Serbia and Azerbaijan during a joint press conference with Serbian Foreign Minister Marko Djuric, Azernews reports.

Bayramov emphasized that the discussions covered not only bilateral relations but also collaboration in international organizations. He underscored that mutual support, respect, and non-interference in each others internal affairs are key principles in the Azerbaijan-Serbia partnership. The ministers also explored opportunities for cooperation related to Azerbaijan hosting COP29 in 2024, with plans for COP29 President Mukhtar Babayev to visit Serbia.

Economic cooperation remains a major focus, with a significant increase in trade turnover anticipated in early 2024. Azerbaijani gas will start being delivered to the Serbian market this year, with plans to expand supplies to 1 billion cubic meters.

Serbian Foreign Minister Marko Djuric affirmed Serbias active participation in COP29 and praised the 20-year relationship between the two countries. He noted that the discussions in Baku were highly productive and expressed a commitment to further enhancing cooperation. Djuric also emphasized the importance of advancing climate initiatives and developing economic ties to strengthen people-to-people connections.




RAMALLAH, Sept. 1 (Xinhua) -- Three Palestinians were killed by the Israeli army in two incidents in the West Bank on Sunday, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry.

Two Palestinians were brought to Ibn Sina Specialized Hospital in Jenin after being shot in Kafr Dan, northwest of Jenin. Israeli forces reportedly opened fire on their vehicle and blocked Red Crescent medics from providing aid, resulting in their deaths, the ministry said.

Israeli forces are continuing their military operation in Jenin and its refugee camp for the fifth consecutive day. Troops have begun demolishing streets and commercial properties in downtown Jenin, Palestine's official WAFA news agency reported. There was no immediate comment from the Israeli army.

In a separate incident, the Health Ministry reported that 34-year-old Muhannad Muhammad Mahmoud Al-Aswad was killed by Israeli gunfire in Hebron. Israeli forces surrounded a house in the city, firing live ammunition and a shell, killing Al-Aswad, according to WAFA.

The IDF stated that forces encircled the residence searching for a suspect in a shooting attack earlier that morning. It confirmed the death of a militant at the scene and is investigating the incident.

Three Israeli police officers -- a woman and two men -- were killed in a shooting attack at the Tarqumiyah checkpoint in the southern West Bank. The gunmen arrived in a car, fired at a police vehicle, and fled the scene, according to the Israeli army.

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.

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 Palestine-Israel conflict in October 2023. 
Donald Trump told ally Mark Levin that he had every right to interfere with the 2020 election in comments aired on Fox News on Sunday.

Trump was talking to the host of Life, Liberty and Levin to spruik his latest book in part two of the pre-recorded interview. At one point, Levin discusses the former presidents legal troubles and the Department of Justices intentions to keep smearing you; notably Jack Smiths revival of the DOJs federal election interference case.

Its so crazy that my poll numbers go up. Whoever heardyou get indicted for interfering with a presidential election where you have every right to do ityou get indicted and your poll numbers go up, Trump said. Its such nonsense.

Trump: Who ever heard you get indicted for interfering with a presidential election where you have every right to do it. pic.twitter.com/EneMFJg7kD  Acyn (@Acyn) September 2, 2024

Smith filed a superseding indictment in the case last week, an updated version of allegations against the 78-year-old after the Supreme Court's presidential immunity ruling. Trump faces four federal charges in the case. He has pleaded not guilty to the charges and alleges the case is politically motivated by the Biden administration.

Criming and then confessing to the criming. Thats a Trump specialty, Katie Phang from MSNBCs The Katie Phang Show said on X in response to Trumps comment.

Trump: China paid me hundreds of billions of dollars pic.twitter.com/kbXEWA90eH  Acyn (@Acyn) September 2, 2024

The former president also echoed a number of his usual talking points in the interview, including his relationships with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russias Vladimir Putin. I remember President Xi saying, if youre soft on me, Id hate to see you bad. And by the way, Putin said the exact same thing.

Asked about the assassination attempt against him at a Pennsylvania rally in July, Trump said he felt clear-headed as the bullets inched past his head. I knew I got hit in the ear. I felt I was 100 percent OK...bullets were flying right over me.

He added that had the shooter not been killed within seconds, it would have been like in Las Vegas, that horrible attack in Las Vegas with the crazy man up in the building shooting down into the crowds, thats what you would have had here. These crowds were bigger.

Trump was referring to the Oct. 1, 2017, mass shooting on the Las Vegas Strip, when 64-year-old Stephen Paddock fired more than 1000 rounds onto a crowd attending the Route 91 Harvest music festival, killing 60 people.

PRESIDENT TRUMP: We have the enemy from outside, then we have the enemy from within  who are trying to jail their top political opponent. These are truly SICK, VICIOUS people and they're destroying our country. pic.twitter.com/41qXzdqDeP  Trump War Room (@TrumpWarRoom) September 2, 2024

Id like to think that God thinks that Im going to straighten out our country, Trump continued. Our country is so sick and its so broken. Our country is just broken. And maybe that was the reason, I dont know. I dont know, a lot of people have said that, he added.

Trump also brazenly said that the way Vice President Kamala Harris treated Mike Pence was horrible, referencing the viral moment from the 2020 vice presidential debate in which Harris tells Pence, Im speaking as he interrupted her.

Pence and Trumps relationship has been icy ever since the Capitol riots on Jan. 6, 2021. Pence has publicly said he will not endorse Trump in 2024.

They say [Kamala] has many deficiencies, but shes a nasty person, the way she treated Mike Pence is horrible, the way she treats people is horrible, Trump said.

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Former Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (D-Hawaii) on Sunday warned Donald Trump that Kamala Harris is not to be underestimated in the ABC News debate next week.

In an interview with CNNs State of the Union, Gabbard was asked to assess whether the vice president could prove a challenge for former President Trump on the debate stage as Harris campaign has noted they expect him to be a formidable opponent.

Yeah, I think Kamala Harris has a lot of experience, Gabbard replied. She is not to be underestimated.

Gabbard argued the debate will offer an opportunity for voters to compare and contrast the two candidates records, noting Harris four years of service as vice president in Joe Bidens administration.

Gabbard has been helping Trump prepare for the Sept. 10 face-off. The former Hawaii congresswoman shared the stage with Harris during a debate amid the 2020 Democratic presidential primary, when she also ran for president. She dropped out in March 2020 and offered Biden her full support.

In her CNN interview, Gabbard suggested that Trump should focus on the evolution of Harris policy positions since she was a candidate in the primary.

If I can be helpful to President Trump in any way, it really is just 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, she told CNN.

Gabbard, who announced her departure from the Democratic Party in October 2022, endorsed Trump last month despite previously calling him corrupt.

Gabbard was reportedly on Trumps vice presidential shortlist before he eventually picked Ohio Sen. JD Vance (R). Trump has named her as a member of his presidential transition team, and Gabbard also moderated a town hall with the former president in Wisconsin last week.

Gabbard has previously signaled interest in the prospect of serving in a potential second Trump administration, potentially as secretary of state or defense, but told CNNs Dana Bash she hasnt had a chance to discuss the possibility with Trump himself as she remains focused on helping him secure victory in November.

Meanwhile, Trump has again left the door open to pulling out of the ABC debate last minute, claiming the network is unfair and has terrible journalists.

ABC is probably the worst in terms of fairness, Trump told Fox News Mark Levin in an interview broadcast Sunday.

The debate is set to take place in Philadelphia and will be moderated by David Muir and Linsey Davis.
A Tunisian flag flutters atop of the Palace of Justice building in Tunis

By Tarek Amara

TUNIS (Reuters) - Tunisian police arrested presidential candidate Ayachi Zammel on Monday, a member of his campaign told Reuters, amid growing fears among rights groups and the opposition that prominent rivals to President Kais Saied will be excluded from the race.

The electoral commission is preparing to announce on Monday the final list of accepted candidates for the presidential elections scheduled for Oct. 6.

Mahdi Abdel Jawad said police had arrested Zammel at his home at about 3:00 a.m. on suspicion of falsifying popular endorsements and added that "the matter has become absurd and aims to exclude him from the election".

The electoral commission and the interior ministry did not immediately comment.

Last week, the Administrative Court, the highest judicial body that adjudicates electoral disputes, reinstated three prominent candidates, Mondher Znaidi, AbdelLatif Mekki and Imed Daimi, to the election race after the electoral commission had rejected their candidacy filing.

They joined accepted candidates Ayachi Zammel, Zouhair Maghzaoui and Saied, the current president.

However, electoral commission head Farouk Bouasker said the commission would study the Administrative Courts decision and other judicial decisions against candidates before issuing the final list.

Bouasker's position sparked widespread anger among rights groups and politicians, who expressed their fear that the statement was a clear signal pointing to the exclusion of the three candidates from the race.

They said that the commission was no longer independent and its sole goal had become to ensure an easy victory for Saied. The commission denies these accusations and says it is neutral.

Tunisian constitutional law professors said the election commission must implement the administrative courts decision as is, or the elections will completely lose credibility.

Political parties and human rights groups called in a join statement for a protest on Monday near the election headquarters to demand implementation of the courts decision to reinstate the candidates and stop "arbitrary restrictions" and intimidation.

Saied, who dissolved parliament and seized control of all powers in 2021 in a move described by the opposition as a coup, said last year "he would not hand over the country to non-patriots".

(Reporting by Tarek Amara, Editing by Timothy Heritage)
TUNIS, Tunisia (AP)  Tunisias electoral authority on Monday definitively approved just two candidates to challenge President Kais Saied in elections next month in the struggling North African country  and one of them was promptly arrested.

Businessman candidate Ayachi Zammel was taken into custody Monday in an investigation into allegations relating to falsification of signatures from registered voters, his lawyer Saber Laabidi told the Associated Press. Last month, authorities arrested the treasurer of Zammel's former party on similar charges.

Also Monday, Tunisia's electoral authority confirmed that only incumbent Saied, Zammel, who leads a small pro-business party, and Zouhair Maghzaoui, a former left-wing pan-Arabist member of parliament, could run for president in the Oct. 6 election. A total of 17 candidates had initially sought to join the race.

Observers have expressed alarm at growing signs of democratic backsliding in Tunisia ahead of campaigning, which kicks off Sept. 14. Saied has imprisoned political opponents, suspended parliament and rewritten the constitution, consolidating his grip on the presidency in the country that set off democratic uprisings around the region a decade ago known as the Arab Spring.

The electoral authoritys decision Monday flew in the face of a decision last week by Tunisias highest administrative court, which ruled in favor of reinstating three other candidates who had initially been barred from running by the electoral commission.

The electoral commission refused to reinstate them, arguing Monday that it didnt receive the administrative courts ruling within the legal deadlines. Electoral commission president Farouk Bouaskar also cited a shortage of endorsements or the required financial deposit of 10,000 dinars (3,000 euros).

Critics called the commissions decision politically motivated. Faycel Bouguerra, a spokesperson for the administrative court, told local radio Diwan FM that the failure to implement the rulings of the administrative court is unprecedented.

Members of NGOs and opposition parties demonstrated outside the offices of the electoral commission against the exclusion of the three candidates.

Those approved didnt include Saieds most prominent critics: the Free Destourian Partys imprisoned leader Abir Moussi on the right and a former figure from Islamist party Ennahda Abdellatif Mekki, both of whom filed papers to run.

Despite expectations of a barely-contested vote, Saied has upended Tunisias political sphere in recent months. Last month he sacked the majority of his cabinet and his critics decried a wave of arrests and gag orders on leading opposition figures as politically driven.

The country has seen political participation wane since Saied took office in 2019. Large segments of Tunisias population continue to support him and his populist rhetoric targeting corrupt elites and foreign interference into domestic affairs. Last years local election saw a turnout of just 11%.
KANSAS CITY, Mo.  Two people are dead after a head-on crash in the Northland Sunday night.

According to the Kansas City Police Department, officers responded to the scene of a deadly crash near Northeast 42nd Street and Parvin Road in Kansas City, Missouri at about 8:20 p.m.

Preliminary investigations revealed that a Mitsubishi Outlander had been speeding eastbound on Parvin Road before crossing the double yellow lines and hitting a Ford Transit van head-on.

KC Metro area sees a surge of traffic crashes on Labor Day weekend

The driver of the Mitsubishi was pronounced dead at the scene, and according to officers, two child passengers were taken to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

As for the Ford, all three occupants were taken to a hospital: a driver, an adult passenger, and a child passenger. The crash report said the driver later died from their injuries, and the two other passengers received non-life-threatening injuries in the crash.

The driver of the Ford has been identified as 33-year-old woman Christa R. Brodigan. The driver of the Mitsubishi has been identified as 36-year-old woman Amber Rainey.

KCPD said it is unknown why the Mitsubishi crossed into the opposite lanes of traffic, but officers confirmed the crash is currently under investigation.

This is a developing story. Stay tuned at FOX4 News for the latest updates and information.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports.
SIOUX FALLS S.D. (KELO)  Two South Dakota men have been charged with distributing a substance that resulted in death, according to a news release from the U.S. Attorneys Office.

Evan Wylde Nelson,18, of Yankton and Udda Ambi Kobaba, 19, of Sioux Falls were indicted in federal court in late August. The pair are charged for intentionally distributing fentanyl that resulted in the death of the victim.

Krajewski takes home silver in Paris

In May of 2024, Nelson was indicted by a Yankton County Grand Jury on three felony counts: one

count of distribution of a controlled substance to a minor resulting in death; one count of

distribution of a controlled substance to a minor; and one count of unauthorized possession of a

controlled substance, according to the release.

All state charges are now dismissed because of the federal indictment.

If convicted, the two could face a minimum sentence of 20 years in prison.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KELOLAND.com.
Two people injured and buildings, cars, company premises and boiler house damaged  Kyiv Mayor on attack aftermath  photos

Firefighters extinguish a fire after a Russian attack on Kyiv on 2 September. Photo: State Emergency Service of Ukraine

Two people have been injured and four cars, a boiler house, company premises and non-residential buildings in three districts of Kyiv have caught fire as a result of a Russian missile attack on the early morning of 2 September.

Source: Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko on Telegram

Quote from Klitschko: "Russia once again launched a missile attack on Kyiv on the morning of 2 September. Emergency services are working in the Sviatoshynskyi, Holosiivskyi and Shevchenkivskyi districts.

As of 06:25, two adults have sought medical help, and one of them was taken to hospital."

Firefighters extinguish a fire after a Russian attack on Kyiv on 2 September.

Photo: State Emergency Service of Ukraine

Details: Early reports indicate that four cars were burning at one of the places where the debris fell in the Sviatoshynskyi district, and the fire had been extinguished.

A two-storey non-residential building was also on fire, and kiosks near the Sviatoshyn metro station and the windows of the metro station building have been damaged. The station is currently open and functioning.

Firefighters extinguish a fire after a Russian attack on Kyiv on 2 September.

Photo: State Emergency Service of Ukraine

The building of a boiler house in Holosiivskyi district has been damaged, and the fire has been extinguished.

Firefighters extinguish a fire after a Russian attack on Kyiv on 2 September.

Photo: State Emergency Service of Ukraine

A fire broke out on the premises of a company in the Shevchenkivskyi district.

"Dealing with the aftermath of the enemy attack continues. All emergency services are working at the scenes," Klitschko summed up.

Firefighters extinguish a fire after a Russian attack on Kyiv on 2 September.

Photo: State Emergency Service of Ukraine

Background:

On the morning of 2 September, Ukrainian air defence was responding to a Russian attack in Kyiv and Kyiv Oblast. Missile debris fell in three districts of Kyiv, fires broke out, and one person was injured.

Kyiv City Military Administration noted that the Russians had attacked the capital using more than 10 cruise missiles, about 10 ballistic missiles and an attack drone.

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Two people taken to the hospital after medical episode causes crash in WI

LA FARGE, Wis. (WFRV)  Authorities in Wisconsin say a medical episode is to blame for a crash that sent two people to the hospital Saturday night.

Illinois man arrested after going 140 miles per hour during 11-mile-long pursuit in Wisconsin

According to a release from the Vernon County Sheriffs Office, Deputies responded around 7:30 p.m. for reports of a single-vehicle crash on State Highway 82 near Spry Road to the east of the village of La Farge.

The driver of the crashed 2000 Dodge Dakota pickup, 25-year-old Kyle Ray Stout from Kendall, reportedly told deputies that he was experiencing a medical episode as the vehicle left the roadway before crashing into a culvert and coming to rest upright in a field.

Courtesy of the Vernon County Sheriffs Office

Courtesy of the Vernon County Sheriffs Office

Deputies say Stout and a passenger, 28-year-old Hailey Christine Rogers from Madison, were both hurt in the crash and taken by ambulance to the hospital.

At this time, no other information is available and an investigation into the crash 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 WFRV Local 5 - Green Bay, Appleton.
VILNIUS/RIGA, Sept. 2 (Xinhua) -- Several schools in Lithuania and Latvia received bomb threats via email on Monday, the first day of the new school year, according to police reports.

As of 9 a.m. local time, the police in Lithuania had received 26 reports of threats to blow up educational institutions in the capital city of Vilnius, as confirmed by Revita Janaviciute, a spokeswoman for the Lithuanian police, to the Baltic News Service (BNS).

Currently, there is no information on any school evacuations. The Police Department, through its social media, advised schools not to panic and to maintain normal operations, emphasizing that evacuations should only occur if a suspicious item is found.

In a related development, over 200 emails containing bomb threats were received by several schools across Latvia on Monday morning, as confirmed by Latvia's state police chief Armands Ruks. He described these emails as "low-risk threats," adding that there was no need for evacuation.

The incidents follow a series of hoax bomb threats in October 2023, when thousands of schools, kindergartens, and municipal buildings across Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia were targeted with similar emails. 
Two US service members attacked by anti-American youth group in Turkey

Two US service members attacked by anti-American youth group in Turkey

Two US service members have been assaulted by an anti-American youth group in Turkey, officials confirmed on Monday.

The service members were aboard the USS Wasp and attacked in the coastal city of Izmir, where the vessel had docked. The US Embassy in Ankara confirmed in a post to X that the service members were now safe. There were no reported injuries to the Americans.

We thank Turkish authorities for their rapid response and ongoing investigation, the embassy said in a statement.

The local governors office confirmed news of the attack, also in a statement posted to X.

A group of 15 people, two women and 13 men, members of the Turkish Youth Union (TGB), physically attacked two US military personnel in civilian clothes, the governors office stated.

According to the post, five plain clothes police officers saw the incident from a distance and got involved. Fifteen suspects have been taken into custody and a judicial investigation has begun over the matter.

The USS Wasp in Izmir, Turkey during a scheduled port visit on September 1. Two US service members were attacked in the city during the visit (Seaman Apprentice Soren Quinata/ US Navy)

The TGB is a national youth and student group with anti-imperialist ideals. The group is tied to a nationalist political party in Turkey called the Vatan Party.

The USS Wasp arrived in Izmir for a scheduled port visit, the US Department of Defense said, signifying deep defense cooperation between the two countries.

As part of the visit, sailors were scheduled to participate in tours organized by the ships Morale, Welfare and Recreation team, including a visit to the Ephesus historical site, snorkeling and scuba diving.

I have never been to Turkiye before so, as a fan of history, I am looking forward to discovering Izmirs unique historical sites, said Master Chief Electricians Mate Anthony Haywood, Wasps Maintenance and Material Management Coordinator, in a written statement before the excursion.

In November 2014, three US sailors were victims of a similar attack in Istanbul. The assault was videotaped and then posted to the internet. The sailors had been on leave from the USS Ross when about 20 people with the youth union began verbally and physically assaulting the sailors.

We define you as murderers and killers and want you to get out of our land, one youth group member told the sailors.

The service members were able to remove themselves from the situation without sustaining injuries. The US Embassy called the video of the assault appalling.
By Michael Holden and William James

LONDON (Reuters) -Britain will immediately suspend 30 of its 350 arms export licences with Israel because there was a risk such equipment might be used to commit serious violations of international humanitarian law, foreign minister David Lammy said on Monday.

Lammy said the decision to suspend the licences did not amount to a blanket ban or an arms embargo, but only involved those that could be used in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas in the Palestinian enclave of Gaza.

"We recognise, of course, Israel's need to defend itself against security threats, but we are deeply worried by the methods that Israel's employed, and by reports of civilian casualties and the destruction of civilian infrastructure particularly," Lammy told parliament.

Soon after the Labour Party won an election in July, Lammy said he would update a review on arms sales to Britain's ally Israel to ensure these complied with international law.

"It is with regret that I inform the House (of Commons, lower house of parliament) today the assessment I have received leaves me unable to conclude anything other than that for certain UK arms exports to Israel, there does exist a clear risk that they might be used to commit or facilitate a serious violation of international humanitarian law," Lammy said.

British exports amount to less than 1% of the total arms Israel receives, and the minister said the suspension would not have a material impact on Israel's security, and Britain continued to support its right to self-defence.

Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz said the decision was disappointing and "sends a very problematic message" to Islamist militant group Hamas and its patrons in Iran.

Both Israeli and Palestinian leaders are being investigated for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity in the wake of the Oct. 7 attacks by Hamas in southern Israel, which killed 1,200 people, by Israeli tallies.

The Israeli response in Gaza has killed more than 40,700 people, according to Palestinian health authorities.

Lammy said Monday's decision was not a judgment on whether Israel had breached international law or not.

Israel and Palestinian leaders have dismissed allegations of war crimes.

"This is a forward looking evaluation, not a determination of innocence or guilt, and it does not prejudge any future determinations by the competent courts," he said.

According to information provided by government officials to Reuters and data from the Department for Business and Trade's Export Control unit, the value of permits granted for the sale of military equipment to its ally fell by more than 95% to a 13-year low after the start of the war in Gaza.

Many of the licences approved in the period after the start of the conflict were for items listed for "commercial use" or non-lethal items such as body armour, military helmets or all-wheel drive vehicles with ballistic protection.

Despite winning a landslide victory in July, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer's party did suffer significant setbacks in areas with large Muslim populations and he has been under pressure from some of his lawmakers to take a firmer line with Israel over the conflict.

MILITARY COMPONENTS

Among the items included under the arms export suspension will be components for military aircraft including fighter jets, helicopters and drones.

But, parts for F-35 fighters will be exempted, except where going directly to Israel, as the government said it was not possible to suspend these without prejudicing the jets' entire global programme.

"The governments statement today that it is suspending 30 arms export licences to Israel is a belated, but welcome move, finally acting upon the overwhelming evidence of Israeli war crimes in Gaza," said Sam Perlo-Freeman, Research Coordinator for Campaign Against Arms Trade said.

"But exempting parts for Israels F-35 is utterly outrageous and unjustifiable."

Unlike the U.S., Britain's government does not give arms directly to Israel but rather issues licences for companies to sell weapons, with input from lawyers on whether they complied with international law.

Earlier this month, the United States approved the sale of $20 billion in fighter jets and other military equipment to Israel.

(Reporting by Michael Holden and William James in London and Ari Rabinovitch in Jersualem, editing by Elizabeth Piper, Angus MacSwan and Sharon Singleton)
(Bloomberg) -- Prime Minister Keir Starmers government drew criticism from Israel and the UKs Chief Rabbi over its decision to suspend some arms licenses due to concerns the use of British components in Gaza risks violating international humanitarian law.

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Foreign Secretary David Lammy on Monday told the House of Commons that Britain would suspend some 30 of the UKs 350-odd export licenses to Israel, covering components used in F-16 fighter aircraft, helicopters, drones and naval systems, as well as items that facilitate ground targeting. He didnt announce the duration of the suspension, saying only ministers would keep the matter under review.

https://t.co/zYxUB7231f pic.twitter.com/e800ile0Bl

 Bloomberg Politics (@bpolitics) September 2, 2024

The assessment I have received leaves me unable to conclude anything other than that for certain UK arms exports to Israel, there does exist a clear risk that they might be used to commit or facilitate a serious violation of international humanitarian law, he said.

The decision by the Labour government  in power for just two months  opens it up to criticism both by supporters of Israel, who say Britain is pulling support from a key ally of the West and a bastion of democracy in the Middle East  and by critics of Israels military action in Gaza, who say the suspension of about 10% of licenses doesnt go far enough.

Starmers spokesman, Dave Pares, told reporters on Tuesday that Britain had communicated its decision to the US, Israel and other allies before announcing it on Monday.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus office called the UK decision shameful, pointing out that Hamas is still holding more than 100 hostages  including five Britons  11 months after its terrorist attack on Israel sparked the current conflict. Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said he was deeply disheartened by the move.

Phil Rosenberg, president of the Board of Deputies of British Jews, told the BBC it sent a terrible, terrible message to announce the move while Israel was still reeling from the deaths of six hostages held by Hamas since the group  branded a terrorist organization by the UK and others  attacked the country on Oct. 7 last year. UK Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis, meanwhile, said the decision beggars belief and warned the announcement will serve to encourage our shared enemies.

Defence Secretary John Healey told BBC radio on Tuesday that the government chose Monday to announce the decision because it was Lammys earliest opportunity to report to Parliament after the legal review was completed over summer.

This is a government with a duty to the rule of law, he said. Its not a decision about pleasing any side.

Lammys decision  communicated to the US administration on Sunday  followed a review of the UK arms export regime, which grants permits to defense firms making military equipment for Israel. The UK government is not among countries like the US in sending weapons to Israel directly.

The foreign secretary said the suspension doesnt amount to an arms embargo and wont have a material impact on Israels security. He added that the government has not and could not arbitrate on whether or not Israel has breached international humanitarian law.

UK components for the F-35 fighter program will be excluded from the suspension, except when going directly to Israel, to avoid impacting the global fleet.

Amnesty International said the UK move is too limited and riddled with loopholes, while Zarah Sultana  whos sitting as an independent Member of Parliament after being suspended by Labour  criticized the government for halting just a fraction of arms licenses to Israel, saying all should be banned.

While the UK provides less than 1% of Israels weapons and is not a state supplier, the Labour government  and the Conservative one before it  have come under increasing pressure to review arms exports. The previous administration resisted calls to halt the sale of British arms to Israel in part over concern it would impact its relationship with the US, which is leading efforts to reach a cease-fire deal.

Vice President and Democrat nominee Kamala Harris told CNN last week that she doesnt intend to withhold some weapons shipments to Israel, and instead wants to prioritize getting a cease-fire.

The move comes after the current governing party suffered some unexpected losses during its landslide election victory two months ago, as Labour candidates in areas with large Muslim populations were ousted over Starmers staunch backing for Israel in the conflict in Gaza. Taking a harder line against Netanyahus prosecution of the war could help soften dissent ahead of the Labour Partys annual conference later this month.

But it also falls at a time when Western allies are increasingly concerned about Irans involvement in the conflict. Irans nuclear-fuel levels rose over the last three months, the United Nations watchdog said last week, potentially ratcheting up tensions that have threatened to spill into a regional war.

Labour Friends of Israel said it doesnt believe the restrictions will help bring an end to the conflict in Gaza and is deeply concerned by the signal this sends to Iran.

We fear therefore that these restrictions risk encouraging Israels enemies, leading to greater escalation rather than deescalation, it said.

--With assistance from Ethan Bronner and Isobel Finkel.

(Updates with US engagement, Amnesty International comment starting in fifth paragraph.)

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Ukraine carries out one of its biggest-ever drone attacks on Russia

Ukraine launched one of its biggest-ever drone attacks on Russia over the weekend, hitting a refinery and power station deep inside the country, according to videos posted on social media and geolocated by CNN.

The short videos show plumes of smoke rising from targets in Moscow and the neighboring Tver region.

The Russian Defense Ministry acknowledged the size of the Ukrainian attack, but downplayed its effectiveness, saying Sunday that 158 Ukrainian UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles) were destroyed and intercepted by on-duty air defense overnight in 15 regions, including over the capital.

A view shows an explosion caused by a drone that hit the Moscow oil refinery in Moscow, Russia September 1, 2024, in this screengrab from a social media video obtained by Reuters. - Obtained by Reuters

Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin said two drones were shot down in the area of the Moscow Oil Refinery. No casualties were reported, but the second downed drone damaged a technical building at the refinery and caused a fire, which the mayor said had been localized and did not affect the plants operation.

The Tver regions governor, Igor Rudenya, said on social media that a fire caused by the drone attack on the Konakovo district has been extinguished and that gas and electricity services to the area were operating normally.

The Ukrainian drone strikes follow others in the past week, including one last Thursday that set fire to oil reservoirs at a refinery in the Rostov region of Russia, according to the Ukrainian Defense Ministry.

Social media video geolocated by CNN showed a large cloud of black smoke billowing from the Atlas oil depot in Rostov following the strike.

The recent wave of Ukrainian attacks on Russian territory began last month, when Kyivs troops launched a cross-border incursion into the Kursk region on August 6.

Just on Monday, Russian President Vladimir Putin acknowledged that people are going through tough ordeals, especially in the Kursk region, as Ukrainian forces attempt to destabilize the situation along the border. But the attack has not stifled Russias offensive in the eastern Donbas region, added Putin.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky the Kursk offensive is going according to plan, but admitted difficulty in the eastern Ukrainian cities of Pokrovsk and Toretsk.

Rostov Oil Fire - Telegram

Zelensky said the most recent drone assaults deep inside Russia were justified by Moscows repeated attacks on his country.

Just in the past week, Russia has launched over 160 missiles of various types, 780 guided aerial bombs, and 400 strike UAVs of different kinds against our people, Zelensky said in a post on X.

On Monday, at least three people were wounded by strikes in Kyiv, as well as the eastern Kharkiv and Sumy regions, according to Ukrainian authorities. Those came after 41 people were injured following a Russian attack on civilian infrastructure in Kharkiv, Ukraines second-largest city, local authorities said.

Russia is once again terrorizing Kharkiv, striking civilian infrastructure and the city itself, Zelensky said on X, calling on allies to give Ukraine everything it needs to defend itself.

It is entirely justified for Ukrainians to respond to Russian terror by any means necessary to stop it, Zelensky said, reiterating his call for Western countries to lift restrictions on the use of long-range weapons, which have that prevented their use to hit targets inside Russia.

This includes decisions to carry out long-range strikes on Russias missile launch sites, destroy Russian military logistics, and conduct joint efforts to shoot down missiles and drones  everything that will help us resist Russian evil, Zelensky said.

Russia has repeatedly targeted Ukraines energy infrastructure with missile and drone attacks since its invasion.

Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov told CNN last week that he has presented the Biden administration with a list of targets inside Russia that Kyiv wants to hit with US-supplied long-range weapons, including the Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS).

Fired from mobile launchers, ATACMS have a range of up to 300 kilometers (186 miles) and can deploy single high-explosive warheads or up to 900 submunitions, according to the Missile Defense Project at the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

Ukraines Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba also urged allies to abandon baseless fears and lift restrictions on the countrys legitimate right to self-defense.

Ukraine is forced to fight with hands tied behind its back, Kuleba said on Monday.

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 an interview with CNNs Alex Marquardt.

But a US official said many of Ukraines high-value targets in Russia are outside the range of ATACMS. Russias military has pulled its high-value military assets far away from the front lines, including the aircraft launching glide bombs that have wreaked havoc on Ukrainian targets.

Umerov has pushed back on the assessments, saying Ukraine has presented the US a list of targets they would use ATACMS to strike.

An analysis last month from a Washington-based think tank, the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), supported Ukrainian claims there are high-value targets inside Russia within range of ATAMCS.

ISW said it had identified 233 Russian targets  large military bases, communications stations, logistics centers, repair facilities, fuel depots, ammunition warehouses, and permanent headquarters  in range of ATACMS that are immobile assets, meaning Moscow cannot move them out of harms way.

And ISW said Ukraine would only need to use ATACMS to strike some of those targets to have a significant impact on Russias ability to fight on the front lines.

While it pushes for the US to lift the ATACMS restrictions, Ukraine has been developing new longer-range indigenous weapons.

Zelensky announced last month that his country has a new jet-powered drone that can strike deep into Russia.

He said the Palianytsia missile-drone had been used in combat for the first time and was much faster and more powerful than the countrys existing fleet of drones, according to Ukrainian state media.

The Ukrainian president said he wouldnt give any more specific details on the Palianytsia. But he hailed the new weapons long-range capabilities, hinting that it may surpass the up to 1,500-kilometer (932 miles) range of Ukraines current drone fleet.

CNNs Alex Marquardt, Isaac Yee, Darya Tarasova, Maria Kostenko, Chris Liakos and Anna Chernova contributed to this report.

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(Reuters) - Ukraine's Foreign Ministry said on Monday that Mongolia's failure to arrest visiting Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin, wanted on an international warrant, dealt a severe blow to the international criminal law system.

Putin arrived in Mongolia on Monday for talks likely to focus on a new gas pipeline connecting Russia and China.

An International Criminal Court arrest warrant issued last year against Putin obliges the court's 124 member states, including Mongolia, to arrest the Russian president and transfer him to The Hague for trial if he sets foot on their territory.

Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Heorhiy Tykhyi said Mongolia's failure to detain Putin was "a heavy blow to the International Criminal Court and the system of criminal law.

"Mongolia has allowed an accused criminal to evade justice, thereby sharing responsibility for the war crimes," he wrote on the Telegram messaging app. Ukraine, he said, would work with its allies to ensure Mongolia felt the consequences.

Ukraine urged Mongolia last week to arrest Putin during his visit.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Moscow had no worries about any action in connection with the warrant, saying Russia had "a great dialogue" with Mongolia and all aspects of the visit had been discussed in advance.

The ICC warrant accuses Putin of illegally deporting hundreds of children from Ukraine. The Kremlin has dismissed the accusation, saying it is politically motivated.

(Reporting by Ron Popeski; Editing by Cynthia Osterman)
Ukraine faces rising questions over whether the F-16 and pilot it lost were shot down by friendly fire from a Patriot missile battery

Ukraine faces rising questions over whether the F-16 and pilot it lost were shot down by friendly fire from a Patriot missile battery

Questions of friendly fire are mounting around Ukraine's first loss of an F-16 in late August.

Several outlets and a local MP reported that early investigations suggest it may have been downed by a Patriot missile.

Ukraine hasn't confirmed those allegations but dismissed its air force chief just after the crash.

Ukraine is facing allegations that its first loss of an F-16 may have involved friendly fire with a Patriot missile battery, though its armed forces haven't confirmed those reports.

It's still unclear exactly what caused the crash, which killed the Ukrainian Air Force pilot Oleksiy Mes and was reported by Kyiv on Thursday.

Ukraine said the pilot, a 30-year-old lieutenant colonel, was killed in combat on August 26 and had downed three cruise missiles and one attack drone before his death. Mes was posthumously promoted to the rank of Colonel.

Mes was posthumously promoted to the rank of Colonel and given a funeral in Shepetivka. Libkos/Getty Images

The crash is still being investigated, but The Telegraph reported on Saturday that early findings suggest the aircraft was shot down by a US-provided Patriot missile battery.

The Wall Street Journal, which first reported on the crash, also cited unnamed US officials who said preliminary investigations indicated the aircraft wasn't destroyed by enemy fire.

The New York Times published a similar account on Friday, citing an unnamed Western official who had been briefed on the investigation.

There were "indications," the official told The Times, that a Patriot missile may have brought down the F-16. However, they added that other causes weren't being ruled out.

A day later, the outlet published another report citing two unnamed senior US officials who said it was unlikely that the cause of the crash was friendly fire.

But further questions have been raised by Ukrainian parliament member Mariana Bezuhla, who claimed on Thursday that she had received information pointing to a friendly fire incident with a Patriot missile due to miscoordination between units.

Mes had been flying as Ukraine fought to repel one of Russia's fiercest aerial attacks, which involved what Kyiv said was over 200 missiles and drones.

Bezuhla later challenged the Ukrainian air force to refute her claims, accusing the organization of attempting to cover up its mistakes and failing to analyze friendly-fire incidents properly.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy dismissed the country's air force chief, Lt. Gen. Mykola Oleschuk, on Friday. His office did not say why.

Lt. Gen. Kryvonozhok Anatoliy Mykolayovych is expected to replace Oleschuk.

The losses of both the F-16 and Mes are significant blows to Ukraine, which started receiving the Western fighters this summer and had pressed hard for its allies to supply them.

Mes, known by the callsign "Moonfish," helped campaign for the West to provide the F-16s, publicly saying they were like upgrading from an old Nokia to an iPhone, and was one of Ukraine's precious few pilots who could fly them.

The arrival of the F-16s, which cost between $20 million to $70 million each, was widely believed to bolster Ukraine's air defenses and enable it to carry out better, if limited, raids on high-value targets.

But observers say the aircraft will unlikely be a game changer for Ukraine. Zelenskyy has often pointed to equipment like the F-16s taking too long to reach the war and in limited numbers.

Ukraine is expected to receive about 85 of the fighters, but it is having difficulty getting pilots trained quickly.

Bezuhla, the Ukrainian defense ministry, and the press team for Zelenskyy's did not immediately respond to requests for comment sent outside regular business hours by Business Insider.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Following a meeting with Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Ukrainian intelligence provided the Netherlands with information about EU and US-made components that are still found in Russian missiles despite sanctions.

Source: Interfax-Ukraine, as reported by European Pravda

Quote: "Today, our intelligence, our military intelligence agencies, have provided Prime Minister [Schoof] and his team with all of the necessary information, including the types of missiles Russia uses on a daily basis, as well as the number of Western components in them, components from other countries and companies from various countries around the world, both American and European."

Details: The President emphasised that Ukraine appreciates the Netherlands' efforts to advance the sanctions regime against Russia.

Zelenskyy also urged the Netherlands to join with other partners to ensure that sanctions against the Russian Federation "are really effective, so that they absolutely work against this war."

Background: On 2 September, Dick Schoof, Prime Minister of the Netherlands, visited the city of Zaporizhzhia on his first visit to Ukraine since taking office and announced a new aid package for Kyiv worth over 200 million.

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NAIROBI, Sept. 2 (Xinhua) -- Kenyan aviation workers on Monday held a peaceful demonstration at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) in Nairobi, the capital of Kenya, protesting plans to lease the airport to an Indian company.

The strike, organized by the Kenya Airports Authority workers, caused significant flight delays, leaving passengers stranded even after checking in.

The workers are opposing a Public-Private Partnership that would allow Adani Group Holdings to take over operations at one of the East Africa's busiest airports. The disruption came despite a previous announcement by Kenya Aviation Workers Union Secretary General Moses Ndiema that the strike would be postponed for seven days to review the lease agreement.

On Monday, however, Ndiema said that the delays were due to workers marching to present their grievances to airport management. Passengers said that the check-in process took as long as three hours. One frustrated traveler said "the transfer desk is overwhelmed because one machine has broken down, and no one is here to help us." The disruptions began Monday at 5 a.m., local time.

The workers expressed concern that the Adani deal could jeopardize their jobs, favoring foreign workers instead. Despite the opposition, Kenyan President William Ruto has defended the proposed deal, saying "let's be honest, Kenyans. The airport we have in Nairobi is made of canvas. This is a temporary structure we built almost seven years ago. Ethiopia has a brand new airport, and Rwanda the same. That's why we need to work with investors to build a new airport in Nairobi."

The union is calling for a halt to all stakeholder engagements regarding the deal until they have had time to thoroughly review the documents presented by the government. According to the Ministry of Roads and Transport, JKIA handles 80 percent of network passengers and 90 percent of cargo operations, with the capacity to process 35 aircraft per hour.

Ndiema said that the "intended sale of JKIA" to the Indian company does not meet legal requirements for public participation and excludes union members, who are key stakeholders. The government, however, has denied that the airport is being sold, emphasizing that no final deal has been reached regarding the proposed public-private partnership.

The agreement with the Indian firm includes the construction of a new passenger terminal and the refurbishment of existing facilities under a 30-year build-operate-transfer contract. 
Ukraine will join the North Atlantic Alliance as a sovereign and independent country within its 1991 borders, and no other options have been discussed.

Source: Olha Stefanishyna, Ukraine's Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration, in an interview with RBC-Ukraine, as reported by European Pravda

Details: Journalists asked Stefanishyna about the possibility of Ukraine joining NATO "in parts", meaning the territories Ukraine currently controls de facto. She responded that Ukraine should not propose any solutions before the Allies offer Ukrainian membership in NATO.

She said Ukraine will listen to all its allies and negotiate with each of the 32 NATO member states.

Quote: "We will never raise questions regarding any limitations or redistribution concerning NATO membership. There is Ukraine within its 1991 borders, a sovereign and independent country that is joining NATO," she said.

The Deputy Prime Minister also explained that when it comes time to ratify the decision to admit Ukraine to NATO, Kyiv will communicate openly with everyone involved.

"But at this stage, there is no format established between Ukraine and the allies where such discussions can take place," she concluded.

Background:

The Ukrainian authorities have acknowledged that NATO will not extend an invitation to Kyiv to join until the war is over.

Petr Pavel, President of Czechia, believes that Ukraines NATO accession should not depend on regaining full control over all its territory.

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Ukraine launched Kursk incursion without West's guidance, and look how well it worked, says ex-NATO commander in Europe

Editors Note: This interview has been edited for clarity.

Even as Ukraine's daring incursion into Russian territory brought the full-scale war back to the headlines around the world, Moscow's forces keep grinding on the eastern front, with dire implications for the entire Donbas region.

Though Kyiv's operation achieved an undeniable tactical success, the strategic calculus behind it remains unclear. Russia not only keeps up its pressure on Ukrainian forces but also continues to occupy roughly a fifth of Ukraine's sovereign territory, with no clear pathway toward its liberation in sight.

The Kyiv Independent sat down with retired U.S. Air Force General Philip M. Breedlove, the former NATO Supreme Commander in Europe, at the Globsec forum in Prague on Sept. 1 to get his assessment of the battlefield situation at Kursk, Pokrovsk, and the war at large.

Drawing on his experience as the Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR) between 2013 and 2016, General Breedlove explains NATO's past follies regarding Russian expansionism and warns against repeating these mistakes.

As a retired Air Force officer who knows the F-16 cockpit well, he also reveals that NATO knew Ukraine needed Western fighter jets from the very start of Russian aggression 10 years ago.

The Kyiv Independent: General, let's start with the main topic of the past few weeks: Ukraine's incursion into Kursk. How would you evaluate it both in terms of its tactical accomplishments and strategic implications for the war?

Philip M. Breedlove: Let's start with tactical. I think it's a complete success... a bold decision. Because, as you know, we have other things going on in Donbas. I think that (the incursion) has accomplished some very good strategic objectives in how it's affecting the mental calculus of Russians and so forth.

I don't want to get too technical, but some of the things that the Ukrainians have done in this effort, the way they have married electronic warfare (EW) to drone capabilities, the first-person-view (FPV) kind of capabilities, is quite good.

And they have used this combination of EW and the specific type of drones to (create) a bubble where they can not only protect their troops, but they can project power onto the Russian troops in a really intelligent, new-thinking kind of way.

And I congratulate this, I think it's going to be one of those important lessons learned.

I think that we can all tell from what we see in the press and the reactions of the world  and to the degree that we know what's going on in Russia  that it has been a tactical success.

The last time Russia was invaded was an awful long time ago. And this is not just some excursion that goes in and comes back out  it has staying power. I think that's going to present a real problem for Mr. (Vladimir) Putin and his leadership in both military and internal ways in how the Russian people see their leadership and Ukraine's ability to invade.

I think it's too young yet to say that it is a great strategic success. I believe it is, but I think we need to watch it a little more and inform more permanent judgments.

The Kyiv Independent: You touched upon Donbas, where Russians keep advancing toward Pokrovsk, a key logistics hub. Are you worried that Ukraine deploying experienced brigades in Kursk Oblast may undermine Ukraine's defense around Pokrovsk?

Philip M. Breedlove: So let's both agree and accept that the Russians are making incremental gains towards Pokrovsk. While the push to Pokrovsk is important, there are other signals of (Russia's) weakening capability. I have heard that the Russian military was given a directive to take Pokrovsk by September. They have failed again to accomplish that objective.

And in a larger sense, in any conflict, the leadership of a country  and we in the West believe in the loyalty of the military to the civilian leadership  has to make tough decisions. I call it ruthless prioritization.

History will tell us, but clearly, the leadership in Ukraine has decided that it is important to make this advance into Kursk. And sometimes, that comes with a little risk. No operation is without risk.

I think that history will record this as a good decision.

Read also: Undistracted by Kursk offensive, Russia cuts deeper toward Pokrovsk in Donetsk Oblast

The Kyiv Independent: Some say that the war in Ukraine, specifically on the eastern front, has devolved into a sort of war of attrition. How can Ukraine win in such a conflict if it doesn't have the same manpower, ammunition, and resources that Russia has?

Philip M. Breedlove: I think this is an amazing question, and I kind of hoped you would ask it because I think we can draw a contrast.

In the other portions of Donbas, Russia dictated the terms of the fight. And because Russia is unable to truly use its air force to support its ground troops, and because Russia has proven unable to do what we call classical maneuver warfare, it has settled into this linear defense attritional World War I-style of war. And Ukraine has had to respond to that.

But now, in this Kursk incursion, Ukraine has shown classic new-age maneuver warfare and what it can accomplish. And this whole idea of this bubble of electronic warfare, FPV drones, and other capabilities to move forward with their troops and to perform some of the things that classical airpower used to do... this is an incredible new way to fight.

I think that classical airpower would make it even better, but the fact of the matter is Ukraine dictated the terms of this fight, whereas Russia dictated that attritional, linear, World War I-style fight.

And Ukraine has demonstrated a real ability for maneuver warfare.

The Kyiv Independent: Whatever the results of the fighting in Kursk or Pokrovsk may be, the fact remains that Russia continues occupying roughly one-fifth of Ukraine's territory, while last year's counteroffensive that was supposed to liberate the territory largely failed...

Philip M. Breedlove: I don't like that word. I think the West and others put a lot of limits on Ukraine. Ukraine had to fight on terms of the Russian style of fighting. This (Kursk) incursion was taken without a lot of guidance from the West, and look how well it worked. I believe if Ukraine had been able to use that kind of initiative last year, we would have had a different result.

So I never use the words you just used, that last year's counteroffensive "failed." I think it is a misjudgment of Ukraine's capability.

I'm going to say something I've said many times, and some people don't like it. I believe this war will end exactly how Western policymakers want it to end. Right now, Western policymakers are unable to morally or intellectually understand what a Ukrainian win would mean. Putin defeated, Russia's military defeated.

Putin has convinced the West that if that happens, there will be immense consequences. The most successful weapon that Putin has in this war is intimidation or, in military parlance, his ability to restrict Western actions by his threats.

If Ukraine is able to strike Russian equipment supply and personnel before they get to Ukraine, I think Ukraine can win this war. If we can get Western policymakers to allow Ukraine to fight like we allow Russia to fight from the sanctuary that we allow it to have, if we change those dynamics, Ukraine can win this war.

Read also: Ukraines Kursk incursion demonstrates that Russia is at the limit of its capabilities, says former US NATO ambassador

The Kyiv Independent: I want to ask you one question specifically because you are from the Air Force, you were an F-16 pilot. The lack of F-16s or comparable Western fighter jets was often cited as one of the key things that restricted the counteroffensive of 2023. Do you think that now, when Ukraine finally has the F-16s, they can still become a decisive factor in liberating Ukraine's territory? Or did Russia already get too much time to adapt?

Philip M. Breedlove: See, I think that this is not one of the encouraging points. The F-16s are coming on so slowly because we have to train pilots. We have only a certain amount of F-16s that are being introduced gradually.

The F-16s will have an impact on today's fight, but they will not have the same impact they would have if we had started (supplying) F-16s five years ago or six years ago. Now (Ukraine would have) a larger, mature force of F-16s that would have a dramatic impact on today's fight.

Rather, what's happening now is that this capability and impact is going to grow slowly and gradually over time. And sadly, it's not going to have a huge decisive impact  in my opinion  in the next couple of months, maybe even six months.

But as (Ukraine) begins from there out to have more numbers of pilots and airplanes, the F-16s will have a large impact on the fight. And it would have had (that) impact last year.

By the way, everybody talks about how "they've been yelling for F-16s for a year and a half." No, that's wrong too.

We identified, over 10 years ago, that Ukraine needed fourth-generation fighters. We didn't identify what kind  that would have been inappropriate  but what we needed to do over 10 years ago... (was) looking at how to help Ukraine's military be more "Western."

We identified these needs over 10 years ago, and the world has reacted extremely slowly to supply them.

Read also: Russian POWs on their capture in Kursk Oblast: Commanders just disappeared

The Kyiv Independent: You were in office as Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR) when the occupation of Crimea happened; when the war in Donbas started. What was the reaction, and what lessons did NATO take from this aggression?

Philip M. Breedlove: The good lessons were at the beginning of the Wales conference (in 2014), which happened while I was SACEUR. We started making big changes to NATO readiness.

During the "peace dividend years," the years after the (Berlin) Wall fell, we were all downsizing our militaries and letting our readiness slip. Our forces weren't exercising (and) flying as much as they needed.

So we had settled into a place where we were trying to make at least a partner out of Russia. Then Russia invaded Georgia in 2008, and even then, we sort of said, "Oh, that's an aberration, it's only a moment in time, we'll get back to having peace with Russia."

We kept limiting our ability to fight, and the military became more of a peacetime machine.

The good news is (that) since 2014, starting with the Wales conference and every summit thereafter, we have truly increased the readiness of NATO. We've increased the force sizes and structures in Europe, and we are making ourselves much more ready to fight.

Read also: Lithuanian FM: West chose to be caught off guard by Russias invasion

The Kyiv Independent: So you think that by now, the European NATO is ready for a confrontation with an actor like Russia?

Philip M. Breedlove: No, but we're way more ready than we were in 2014.

We have a way to go... Russia has demonstrated that it will amass an army, march across an internationally recognized border, and invade its neighbor (as it did) three times: in 2008, 2014, and 2.5 years ago.

We are now focused on current readiness, exercises, equipment, supplies, fixing things mechanically, and getting what we own ready to fight. (The tough part ahead is that) now, we have to make the decision of how much money we spend on that and how much we spend on future readiness.

Are we ready to fight in five years or 10 years? That's a tough decision for lawmakers to make, but that's where we are today.

The Kyiv Independent: Looking from the other perspective, Russia has lost considerable capability in Ukraine, manpower, equipment... How soon do you think Russia would be ready to confront an adversary like NATO?

Philip M. Breedlove: It depends on how we conduct the rest of this conflict.

If we now capitulate and reward bad behavior for a third time by giving Russia a bigger piece of Ukraine... then Russia can immediately begin to get ready for the next fight. And there will be a next fight.

We rewarded bad behavior in 2008, we let (Russia) hold on to 20% of Georgia. We rewarded bad behavior in 2014 by allowing Russia to hold on to about 12-13% of the most important commercial parts of Ukraine. And now, we're talking about... capitulating yet again and rewarding bad behavior a third time by giving (Russia) more Ukrainian land.

If we do that, bad behavior is rewarded, and there will be more bad behavior. Keeping the pressure on means they have less ability to prepare for the next bad behavior. And I will say again, there will be one.

The Kyiv Independent: What key military lessons can NATO learn from Russia's war against Ukraine?

Philip M. Breedlove: May I answer a little different question? Because I think there are lessons we do not want to learn and there are lessons we do want to learn.

Some of the innovative ways (Ukraine) has developed in drone warfare, incredible electronic warfare capabilities, these are the lessons we absolutely want to learn.

But partially, we're learning these things because traditional ways of fighting have failed. The Ukrainian Air Force has done a magnificent job with what they have, but they have not been able to establish battlefield air superiority, nor air superiority over their whole country, which is a Western way of war.

We (the West) do create air superiority. And so we want to remember that while drone warfare is a necessary way of doing this when your traditional air capabilities fail, they're going to work a whole lot better if the air forces... are able to establish air superiority.

I heard someone from Ukraine recently say they're going to buy over 1.6 million drones next year, and they would expect to lose half of those drones  800,000  in the war.

If you have air superiority, you're not going to lose 800,000. You may not have to buy 1.6 million because your drones will be able to act very differently in a zone where you own the sky.

And so we want to learn the lessons of EW, drone warfare, and other things that Ukraine does so well. But we don't want to accept that those are a replacement for the ability of the nation to own the airspace.

Note from the author:

Hi, this is Martin Fornusek. I hope you enjoyed this interview.

Our team strives every day to bring you in-depth insights into Russia's ongoing war and Ukraine's resistance, but we wouldn't be able to do so without the support of readers like you. To help us continue in this work, please consider supporting our reporting.

Thank you very much.

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Ukraine has not received all the weapons promised by the West, President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Sept. 2 during a press conference with Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof.

Western countries have largely allowed Ukraine to use their arms in the Kursk incursion, but the U.S. and the U.K. have maintained their restrictions on the use of long-range missiles like ATACMS or Storm Shadow to hit deep inside Russia.

"We need not only permission, but we also need (the actual weapons). We have not received everything we want to use," Zelensky said.

Permission to use certain long-range arms on Russian soil depends on the U.S., the U.K., France, and Germany, which have relevant drones and missiles, he added, adding that "he permission alone is not enough today."

Ukraine had an agreement that it would receive such weapons, and is "more positive" about the prospects of getting permission from its Western partners to carry out long-range strikes inside Russia, according to Zelensky.

Kyiv has long argued that restrictions on the use of long-range weapons are stifling its war effort, while Washington claimed that allowing Ukraine to hit deep into Russian territory with its weapons could escalate the situation.



Ukraine has dismissed these arguments and has ramped up pressure to lift the ban in recent weeks amid the ongoing incursion into Russia's Kursk Oblast. The White House has not budged on its position, despite some U.S. politicians backing Kyivs demands.

Read also: Restrictions on long-range strikes inside Russia reveal Wests unclear goals, ex-US commander says

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The continued rise of Alternative for Germany (AfD) entered a new chapter on Sept. 1, when the controversial far-right party came first in Thuringia's state election.

AfD won around 33% of the vote in Thuringia, a state of 2 million people in Germany's east. The results mark the first time a far-right party won a state election in Germany since the Second World War - 85 years to the day that Nazi Germany invaded Poland.

The leader of the AfD in Thuringia, Bjorn Hocke, is widely considered to be an extremist within an already extreme party.

Germany generally bans the word "fascist" from public rhetoric due to fears about disproportionate comparisons. A court in Thuringia ruled in September 2019, however, that describing Hocke as a fascist is nonlibelous due to his public rhetoric.

Read also: Rise of Germanys AfD signals growing support for pro-Russian policies

Anti-war, anti-Ukraine

In line with the rest of the AfD, Hocke has repeatedly urged for dialogue with Moscow and is against sending military aid to Ukraine. The AfD has a well-documented history of links with Russia and has established a foothold in parts of former East Germany.

Before February 2022, the party barely made efforts to conceal its warm relations with Russia. Co-leaders of the party Tino Chrupalla and Alice Weidel visited Russia in 2020 and 2021 respectively.

In May 2023, Chrupalla and party founder Alexander Gauland attended a reception at the Russian embassy, celebrating Russia's "Victory Day." Chrupalla claimed he attended the event because "dialogue should not be allowed to break down in times of crisis."

More recently, Hocke caused controversy when he declared in January 2024 that if he ever became German Chancellor, his "first trip abroad would take me to Moscow," rather than Washington, D.C.

Bjorn Hocke, lead candidate of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) in Thuringia, speaks to the media at the Thuringia State Parliament following Thuringia state elections in Erfurt, Germany on Sep. 1, 2024. (Sean Gallup/Getty Images)

Hocke has previously been fined for saying "Alles fur Deutschland" ("Everything for Germany"), a Nazi-era slogan that is illegal in Germany, during a rally in 2021. He repeated the first two words of the phrase during a campaign in December 2023, leaving the audience to complete the phrase. A court ruled in July he should be fined again.

AfD's campaign in Thuringia included the slogan "diplomacy instead of weapons," referring to Germany's position as the world's second-largest supplier of military aid to Ukraine after the U.S.

At a local campaign event prior to the state elections, he told the crowd that Germany "is on the brink of war with Russia, this country is on the brink of atomic war with Russia."

"Friends, we as Germans, we as Thuringians, we as voters say  no more war," he said.

On the day of the election, Hocke was pictured arriving at a polling station in a Russian-made Lada Niva - a Soviet cult classic car rarely seen on the streets of Europe.

New far-left party makes gains

Thuringia was not the only region where AfD saw success on Sept. 1. The neighboring state of Saxony also held elections, where the AfD placed second, with around 31% of the vote, inches behind the center-right Christian Democratic Union (CDU) won 32%.

Another party that frames itself as "anti-war" and has been actively supporting Moscow and opposing aid to Ukraine did well in the regional elections. The populist Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance (BSW) party came third in both Thuringia and Saxony, with 16% and 12% respectively.

Both the AfD and the BSW consider peace negotiations a priority above sending Ukraine military aid. MPs from both parties left the Bundestag in protest of President Volodymyr Zelensky's speech in June 2024.

BSW leader Sahra Wagenknecht, a former leader of the Left Party (Die Linke) who split to form her own party in late 2023, claimed Zelensky is promoting escalation of the war.

German left-wing politician Sahra Wagenknecht speaks at the first party congress of the new Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance - Common Sense And Justice political party (Buendnis Sahra Wagenknecht  Vernunft und Gerechtigkeit") at the Kosmos theater in Berlin, Germany on Jan. 27, 2024. (Maja Hitij/Getty Images)

Like the AfD, the BSW is "effectively anti-Ukraine," Andreas Umland, an analyst at the Stockholm Centre for Eastern European Studies, told the Kyiv Independent.

"They supposedly want peace, and (they believe) the road to peace is to not give Ukraine weapons," a logic that ignores "the fact that the main problem is (Russian President Vladimir) Putin."

According to Umland, Wagenknecht is also "being promoted in Russian state media, where she is portrayed in a positive light."

Wagenknecht suggested on a political talk show on July 11 that the Okhmatdyt children's hospital, which was hit by a Russian missile on July 8, may have been instead damaged by debris caused by Ukrainian air defense.

Russia's Defense Ministry and Russian state propagandists made the same claim on the day of the strike. A U.N. assessment found "a high likelihood" of a direct hit by a Russian Kh-101 cruise missile.

Read also: Would you blame Hungarians for Soviet invasion? - Von der Leyen criticizes those who muddy the waters on Ukraine

During the same talk show appearance, Wagenknecht also inflated the numbers of German defense spending, claiming that "we spend 90 billion euros on weapons."

She was corrected by another panelist, political scientist Claudia Major, that the true number for the German defense budget is around 72 billion euros.

"I think I have a different relationship to facts than you do," Major told Wagenknecht.

Parties from Germany's ruling coalition, made up of the Social Democratic Party (SPD), the Free Democratic Party (FDP), and the Greens, were notably absent from the top of the polls in both Thuringia and Saxony.

The three ruling parties have gained a cumulative 10% to 12% in both regions.

National impact

Though the two parties  AfD and BSW  appear to agree on policies regarding Russia's invasion of Ukraine, they "are very far away ideologically from each other," Umland said. Wagenknecht has said she will refuse to form a coalition with the AfD.

"The question is how the centrist parties will relate to the extreme parties - whether the center-right will cooperate with the extreme right or whether the center-left will cooperate with the extreme left."

A broad coalition that includes the mainstream parties  SPD, Greens, and CDU  is likely to work together in Saxony, where they would still hold a slight majority. In Thuringia, a coalition without the extreme is impossible.

Alice Weidel (2nd left) and Tino Chrupalla (2nd right), the federal chairmen of the AfD, together with the AfD state chairmen Stefan Moller (left, Thuringia) and Jorg Urban (right, Saxony), comment on the results of the state elections in Saxony and Thuringia at a press conference at the AfD federal office in Berlin, Germany, on Sep.2, 2024. (Bernd von Jutrczenka/picture alliance via Getty Images)

While the state elections will not have a direct impact on Germany's foreign policy, the "pro-peace" narrative pushed by Wagenknecht and Hocke may indirectly influence how voters view Russia's invasion.

The failure of governing parties to gain a foothold in the elections could also lead to a potential destabilization of the federal government, which could result in early elections.

"I wouldn't exclude that there could be snap elections already before 2025," Umland said. One silver lining for Ukraine is that the elections could see the CDU, generally considered a pro-Ukraine party, gain votes.

The results in Saxony and Thuringia, however, signal a change in the political landscape that is "in general not to the advantage of Ukraine," Umland concluded.

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
The wiring of machines cranking out red-hot steel bars and ingots drowns out the shouts of workers donning sooty hard hats and protective jumpsuits. The noise is deafening inside global steel giant ArcelorMittals plant in Kryvyi Rih in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast  Ukraines largest steel plant  but quiet compared to pre-war.

Russias full-scale invasion has eaten away Ukraines metallurgy industry, with only six remaining plants producing 6.2 million metric tons last year. This is a far cry from the bumper year in 2021 when nine plants produced 22 million metric tons.

This years prediction of over 7 million metric tons is more positive. But experts warn that Ukraine has reached its full current production potential.

Blackouts, a workforce deficit, high electricity prices, and disrupted supply chains, are holding back production. In the last 10 months, Ukrainian crude steel production flatlined at around 500-550,000 metric tons per month, according to Stanislav Zinchenko, CEO of the GMK Center, a metallurgy consulting company.

Tetiana Filyaeva, comms manager (L) and Vladyslav Tyurin, senior foreman at the continuous casting shop (R), in Kryvyi Rih, Ukraine June 25, 2024. (Nick Allard / The Kyiv Independent)

ArcelorMittals continuous casting shop, where molten steel is turned into billets and ingots, used to operate three casting machines with 250 employees. Now, only two machines and 120 employees remain at the shop.

We are at the critical level. We cannot physically increase, said the shops senior foreman Vladyslav Tyurin.

Ukraine is proud of its strong steel-making culture, which contributed to a tenth of its pre-war GDP. While steel producers have no doubt they will play a vital role in rebuilding the country, once reconstruction projects get going, the industry will need $62 billion in investment over 20 years for a full recovery, according to a report by Oxford University. But for now, big investments are on hold.

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Steel producers are based in Ukraines southern and eastern industrial heartland, which falls into direct firing range from Russian-occupied territory. ArcelorMittal Kryvyi Rih is around 80 kilometers from the front lines  a distance that Russian missiles can cover in two minutes from the occupied parts of Zaporizhzhia Oblast.

The situation is even more dire for metallurgy giant Metinvest, Ukraines largest steel producer. The company  which is majority-controlled by the countrys richest man Rinat Akhmetov  lost two huge plants in Mariupol in 2022, Illich and Azovstal, and around 65% of its business. Now, their coal mines in Pokrovsk, Donetsk Oblast, are under threat from an escalating Russian advance.

But there is one saving grace, notes Zinchenko: Ukraines rich iron ore deposits, the biggest in Europe. Global industrialists are hungry for iron ore, a core component of steel, and Ukraine can feed the demand.

It's why the Ukrainian iron and steel industry is still alive, he said.

Front-line production

The start of Russias full-scale invasion caused all but one steel plant to stop production in the initial months. In Kryvyi Rih, ArcelorMittal workers were forced shut down the blast furnaces and mothball the machinery, a process that took a week.

Tyurin watched the news in horror as Russian soldiers tore apart Metinvests Azovstal plant during the siege of Mariupol, where he worked for two years. ArcelorMittals workers were determined not to let their Kryvyi Rih plant fall to the same fate and produced anti-tank defenses and bulletproof vests for the army.

Fortunately, Russian forces never reached Kryvyi Rih. As the front lines stabilized in April 2022, the plant restarted one of its three blast furnaces and reignited a second in spring 2023 once the initial wave of winter blackouts stopped.

The company is now working around the current power outages brought on by renewed Russian attacks on energy infrastructure with powerful diesel generators and by alternating electricity between different sections of the plant.

With two blast furnaces running, ArcelorMittal is churning out more products compared to 2022 and 2023. Operating at full capacity is still out of reach due to the companys depleted workforce.

We should stabilize now at around 50% run rate, Mauro Longobardo, CEO of ArcelorMital Kryvyi Rih, told the Kyiv Independent.

If the company stopped producing, nearly 20,000 employees would lose their jobs and Kryvyi Rih would suffer an economic disaster, said Longobardo. Contributing to the economy is crucial in keeping the country alive, he added.

Metinvest is facing a similar situation. With two mills left, one in Zaporizhzhia and the other in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, the company is operating at 70-75% of its current capacity. Of the companys combined seven blast furnaces, just five are working, Metinvests chief operations officer Olexandr Myronenko told the Kyiv Independent.

An employee supervises the only operational blast furnace at the ArcelorMittal SA steel plant in Kryvyi Rih, Ukraine, on June 29, 2022. (Julia Kochetova/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

Inside ArcelorMittal SA steel plant in Kryvyi Rih, Ukraine June 25, 2024. (Nick Allard / The Kyiv Independent)

While a second Mariupol doesnt look likely for now, Russia has still targeted steel factories from a distance. At ArcelorMittal, a late-night missile attack blew up a storage warehouse in November 2022, killing an employee who was crushed by a concrete slab. There would have been more deaths and injuries if it were not for a blackout at the plant that meant fewer employees were working, Hennadiy Kuznetsov, deputy head of the section rolling shop, told the Kyiv Independent.

At Metinvests mines in Zaporizhzhia and Pokrovsk, several attacks have injured and killed workers. Occasionally the mines trap low-flying missiles into the underground holes, acting as an accidental air-defense system, Myronenko said. The company has no air defense systems to protect its assets.

The bigger issue, notes Myronenko, is frequent Russian attacks on residential neighborhoods in Zaporizhzhia and Pokrovsk. Metallurgy is the heart of the cities and the company employs thousands of residents who are at times among the killed and injured during strikes. Many have evacuated from front-line regions and with the Russians advancing on Pokrovsk, the situation only looks worse. Metinvest didnt comment on the Pokrovsk situation out of safety concerns.

Metallurgy is the heart of the cities and the company employs thousands of residents who are among the killed and injured during strikes.

Workers that remain in industrial cities are often scooped up by the army. Zinchenko estimates that 15-25% of all steelworkers have been conscripted. Despite companies appealing to the government for protective measures against mobilization, attracting new blood is a Sisyphean task under the watching eyes of military recruiters.

My outflow (of people) is higher than the inflow, said Longobardo. One month ago I needed to hire 1,000. Now I need to hire 1,100 because more people left in the meantime.

Soaring costs

There is very little domestic demand for steel as war continues to ravage the country. Reconstruction remains a distant prospect for many Ukrainians.

The only option for producers to sell their products is through exports, a problem when Russias navy blocked the main route through the Black Sea. Trains replaced boats to transport goods to neighboring EU countries, but railways incur higher costs as different track sizes mean products have to be unloaded, stored, and reloaded at the border.

This extra cost means you already erode all your margin and you practically sell with losses, said Longobardo.

Ukraines military managed to carve a route through the Black Sea late last summer, partially opening up a route to metallurgy exports, although also at great expense. While Ukrainian producers were back on the market, they found themselves lagging behind international competition.

Ukrainian companies are paying far higher costs than competitors, especially for electricity. Due to Ukraine's diminished energy grid, industrial producers must purchase 80% of their electricity from EU countries like Slovakia, Poland, and Romania.

ArcelorMittal Kryvyj Rih integrated steel company's factory in Kryvyi Rih, Ukraine, on June 25, 2024. (Nick Allard / The Kyiv Independent)

Imports mean additional costs. Ukrainian steel producers saw electricity prices rise by 60% in June to 112 euros ($124) per megawatt and they are likely to increase again this winter, Zinchenko said. In comparison, German counterparts paid 67 euros ($74) and French 35 euros ($39).

Steel plants use immense amounts of electricity. The ladle furnace in the continuous casting shop in ArcelorMittal uses 20 megawatts (MW) per hour (for reference, 1MW can power around 800 U.S. homes), while electricity makes up 25% of running costs for a blast furnace.

This winter will be hard, Longobardo said, noting that Ukraine has lost half of its energy-generating capacity due to Russian attacks. Plants will also lose solar-powered energy in the colder months, he added.

On the other hand, competitors like Russia, India, and China are not suffering the same production issues and their logistics cost two or three times less than Ukraines, according to Zinchenko.

Ukrainian producers also lost customers at the start of the full-scale war after being forced to shut down operations. China, Turkey, Russia, and India, took Ukraines place and are the big winners, noted Zinchenko.

ArcelorMittals old market, largely the Middle East, Africa, and Asia, is no longer an option. Instead, new markets have opened up in Europe and North America and Longobardo hopes to sell 1 million metric tons of products to each region this year.

Even Ukraines Western allies are opting for alternatives to Ukrainian products, including from Russia. Last year, Europe brought 3 billion euros ($3.3 billion) worth of Russian iron and steel despite sanctions on certain goods, according to the GMK Center.

With our higher costs and destroyed capacity, we cannot compete with Chinese, Russian, or Indian steel products, said Zinchenko.

A slump in global steel prices hasnt helped producers either. However, while steel exports have nosedived, Ukrainian iron ore exports have soared.

Blast furnace at the ArcelorMittal Kryvyj Rih integrated steel company's factory, in the city of Kryvyj Rih, Ukraine, on Sep. 21, 2022, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine. (Genya Savilov / AFP via Getty Images)

Ukraine rarely exported its iron ore, instead using it for its own steel production. But iron ore pellets and powdered concentrate are in high demand from countries like China that produce 65% of the worlds steel but dont have large reserves of their own. Beijing purchased 9 million metric tons of Ukrainian iron ore in the last seven months, according to the GMK Center.

The Black Sea passage green lit iron ore exports for Metinvest, in turn boosting production in its mines from 750,000 metric tons per month to 2 million metric tons per month. Seaports export 65-70% of the companys iron ore products, mainly to China, with railways carrying the rest to Slovakia and Poland.

ArcelorMittal is in a similar boat. By increasing steel production capacity to 50%, Longobardo notes that the company has a larger surplus of iron ore concentrate that they can sell abroad for the first time.

In this current situation, with electricity and (lack of) people, we don't have any choice but to increase the export of (iron ore) concentrate, he said.

Read also: Ukrainian companies desperately need workers. There just arent enough

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Ukraine uses its Palianytsia drone missile against targets in Crimea for first time - media

Ukrainian defence forces used the Ukrainian long-range Palianytsia drone missile against a military target in the territory of the Crimean peninsula temporarily occupied by Russia for the first time in August this year. ["Palianytsia", a type of bread, is a Ukrainian word that Russians find difficult to pronounce properly. Since the full-scale Russian invasion started, Ukrainians have used the word as a means to identify Russian military or saboteurs  ed.]

Source: video project of the Ukrainian media outlet Oboroncast (Defencecast); Ukrainska Pravda sources

Quote from the journalist Roman Romaniuk: "President Zelenskyy announced to the whole world on Ukraine's Independence Day that Ukraine had used its drone missile named Palianytsia for the first time. Everyone was very interested in what was hit by this drone.

We can say that the drone was used during one of the attacks on the Crimean peninsula in August this year. Unfortunately, we can't say which target this drone was used against, but we know that it was a complex operation and that the target was successfully hit by the Palianytsia."

Details: In the show I'm Impressed, where hosts Roman Romaniuk and Bohdan Miroshnychenko recall the most high-profile cases of Russian targets being hit by Ukrainian weapons, this time they talked about Russian oil depots struck by drones, a ferry in the port of Kavkaz destroyed by Neptune missiles, and the first time the Ukrainian Palyanytsia was used.

Background:

President Volodymyr Zelemskyy reported that the Ukrainian army had attacked the Russian army for the first time on 24 August with a new weapon, the Palianytsia drone missile.

Zelenskyy said that Ukraine's new weapons solutions, including the Palianytsia drone missile, the first use of which he had announced earlier, were a real way for Ukraine to act while its partners were "slowing down" in making decisions.

The development of the Ukrainian long-range drone missile Palianytsia was completed in eighteen months, with several dozen Russian military air bases falling within its range.

Zelenskyy also urged Ukraine's friends to put pressure on the allies to authorise Ukraine to use Western-supplied long-range weapons on Russian territory.

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Ukraine war latest: Poland has right to shoot down Russian missiles over Ukraine, Polish FM says

Key developments on Sept. 2:

Russia launches missile strike on Kyiv

Russia has no advance near Pokrovsk over past 2 days, Zelensky claims

Poland has right to shoot down Russian missiles over Ukraine for national security, Polish FM says

Dutch PM makes surprise visit to Ukraine, announces new aid package

Iran may send ballistic missiles to Russia 'within a matter of days,' Bloomberg reports

Poland and neighboring countries are "responsible for protecting their own airspace," despite NATO's opposition, Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski said in an interview with the Financial Times published on Sept. 2.

Russian drones and missiles have previously entered Poland's airspace during attacks on Ukraine. However, Polish allies advised the government to exercise restraint when dealing with unidentified airspace violations, according to Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk.

"Membership in NATO does not trump each country's responsibility for the protection of its own airspace  it's our own constitutional duty," Sikorski told the Financial Times.

"I'm personally of the view that, when hostile missiles are on a course of entering our airspace, it would be legitimate self-defense (to strike them) because once they do cross into our airspace, the risk of debris injuring someone is significant."

In early July, Ukraine and Poland signed a bilateral security agreement, which included a commitment by both sides to examine "the feasibility of possible intercepting in Ukraine's airspace missiles and UAVs fired in the direction of the territory of Poland, following necessary procedures agreed by the states and organizations involved."

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, in turn, was skeptical about this point of the agreement, saying that it puts the alliance at risk of "becoming part of the conflict."

Sikorski began to insist on Poland's right to shoot down air targets after a Russian drone reportedly crossed the country's border in an attack against Ukraine on Aug. 26. The minister said that the risk of Polish casualties increases the closer a missile is to its target when intercepted, so it was better to shoot it down at a higher altitude over Ukraine.

"Ukrainians have told us: you're welcome," Sikorski added.

Read also: Most Poles believe Poland should down Russian drones over Polish airspace, survey shows

Russia launches missile strike on Kyiv

Several waves of explosions were heard in Kyiv shortly after the air alert sounded at around 5:30 a.m. local time, Kyiv Independent journalists reported on Sept. 2.

Serhii Popko, the head of the Kyiv City Military Administration, said that Russia had used cruise and ballistic missiles in the attack.

Air defense was active in the capital and Kyiv Oblast.

Ukraine's Air Force said that it had detected 35 missiles of various types and 23 attack drones across the country. Nine Iskander ballistic missiles, 13 Kh-101 cruise missiles, and 20 drones were downed, the Air Force said.

Mayor Vitali Klitschko said that emergency services were called to the city's Sviatoshynskyi, Holosiivskyi, and Shevchenkivskyi districts.

As a result of the missile strike, Popko said that debris fell in at least four districts of the city, causing damage to cars and non-residential buildings. The extent of the damage is still being investigated, he said.

Local authorities said that at least three people were injured in the city.

A mosque and other religious buildings in Kyiv's Nyvky neighborhood were damaged in the attack, said Refat Chubarov, the chairman of the Crimean Tatar Mejlis.

Read also: Putin arrives in Mongolia, Ukrainian lawmakers call for his arrest

Russia has no advance near Pokrovsk over past 2 days, Zelensky claims

The situation in the Pokrovsk sector in Donetsk Oblast is "difficult," but Russian troops have not advanced over the past two days, President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Sept. 2, citing Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi.

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.

Asked whether it was appropriate to launch the Kursk incursion, Zelensky said that Russia had redeployed a "sufficiently large number" of troops from Zaporizhzhia and Kherson sectors to Kursk Oblast.

As Kyiv's incursion into Kursk Oblast enters its fourth week, Ukraine reportedly controls over 1,290 square kilometers (500 square miles) and 100 settlements, Syrskyi said in late August.

Ukrainian soldiers also have taken over 600 Russian captives, Zelensky said.

The Kyiv Independent could not verify these claims.

"The Kursk operation is fulfilling its tasks and is going according to plan... We believe that the Kursk operation can also affect the (Pokrovsk) direction, where the pressure may be reduced due to a decrease in the number of Russian troops," the president said at a press conference with Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof.

According to Zelensky, Russia has long concentrated the most combat-ready Russian brigades in the area, as Moscow's main goal is the complete occupation of Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts.

"But so far we see that it is difficult there... In any case, no matter how difficult it is, there has been no advance in the Pokrovsk sector for two days," he added.

Russian troops accelerated their advance towards Pokrovsk over the past week, the U.K. Defense Ministry reported on Sept. 1.

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.

Read also: Undistracted by Kursk offensive, Russia cuts deeper toward Pokrovsk in Donetsk Oblast

Dutch PM makes surprise visit to Ukraine, announces new aid package

New Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof arrived in Ukraine's southern city of Zaporizhzhia on Sept. 2 to meet with President Volodymyr Zelensky and announce a new aid package for Ukraine worth more than 200 million euros ($221 million).

This is Schoof's first visit to Ukraine since he took office in early July. He replaced Mark Rutte who was officially appointed to be the next NATO secretary general starting from October.

"Without exaggeration, the leadership of the Netherlands has helped Ukraine protect thousands and thousands of lives. Our relations are stronger than ever. We stand shoulder to shoulder in the pursuit of a just and lasting peace," Zelensky said.

The aid package for Kyiv will be devoted to protection and repair of Ukraine's energy infrastructure and includes additional funding for humanitarian aid.

Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof and President Volodymyr Zelensky visiting a school in the city of Zaporizhzhia on Sept. 2,2024. (President's Office)

"People in Ukraine have the right to live in freedom and security. And stopping Russias attacks on Ukraine is in the security interests of both the Netherlands and Europe as a whole," Schoof wrote on X.

According to Zelensky, the leaders discussed new air defense systems for Ukraine, missiles to them, F-16s fighter jets, and "all the necessary weapons for our defense" against Russia.

As Ukraine marks the beginning of the school year, the two leaders visited the first lesson at one of the schools in Zaporizhzhia.

Part of Zaporizhzhia Oblast is occupied by Russian troops. Heavy fighting is raging on about 40 kilometers from Zaporizhzhia, and the city and its nearby areas often endure indiscriminate Russian attacks.

Local authorities plan to open eight more underground schools being built in Zaporizhzhia by the end of the year, Governor Ivan Fedorov said.

Read also: Just hours after being woken by Russian missiles, Ukraines schoolchildren start the new year

Iran may send ballistic missiles to Russia 'within a matter of days,' Bloomberg reports

Iran may begin delivering ballistic missiles to Russia "within a matter of days," Bloomberg reported on Sept. 2, citing an unnamed European official.

The news outlet's sources declined to estimate the type or the scope of the missiles. Reuters reported in August, citing unnamed intelligence sources, that Moscow may receive "hundreds" of Fath-360 and other ballistic missiles from Tehran.

Iran is one of Russia's closest allies. The two countries have deepened their military and political cooperation since the start of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

Tehran has provided Moscow with thousands of Shahed kamikaze drones since the start of the all-out war. In February, Reuters also reported that Tehran sent "a large number of powerful surface-to-surface ballistic missiles" to aid Russia's invasion, but Kyiv has not yet registered any use of Iranian ballistic missiles by Moscow.

Bloomberg's sources believe that the potential transfer of ballistic missiles "would mark a worrying development in the conflict." The G7 countries are expected to immediately condemn any delivery and voice their concerns to governments in the Middle East through diplomatic channels, the unnamed source told the outlet.

Undisclosed Iranian sources told the New York Times on Aug. 5 that Iran has requested modern air defense systems from Russia as it prepares for a possible war with Israel, with deliveries already underway.

Western and Ukrainian officials have confirmed the use of North Korean artillery shells and missiles used by Russian forces.

Read also: Sikorski: We want to help Ukraine, but you must decide how long you are ready to go on

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(Reuters) - Some kindergartens will shut for a week in the Russian city of Belgorod near Ukraine's border while several schools will hold online classes after a Kyiv attack destroyed a child care facility on Monday, the region's governor said.

"It's a bad morning for the Belgorod region," the governor, Vyacheslav Gladkov, said in a post on social network VKontakte the day classes were set to resume after the summer vacation.

"A kindergarten in the city of Belgorod has been almost completely destroyed."

After the attack, authorities decided that several schools in the city's large district of Kharkovskaya Gora would hold classes online, while kindergartens would be shut for a week, Gladkov said.

Russia's air defence units destroyed one Ukraine-launched drone overnight, the defence ministry said on the Telegram messaging app.

Reuters could not independently verify the reports. Ukrainian forces have long subjected the city of Belgorod and nearby districts to shelling and other attacks. Kyiv says its attacks target infrastructure key to Moscow's war efforts.

Both sides deny targeting civilians in the 30-month-old war unleashed by Moscow's invasion of its smaller neighbour.

On Sunday, Gladkov said Ukraine's shelling killed one person and injured more than a dozen in the region, the administrative centre of which is the city of Belgorod.

(Reporting by Lidia Kelly in Melbourne; Editing by Clarence Fernandez)
Russia bombarded Ukraine using 58 airborne assets on the night of 1-2 September, and Ukrainian air defence destroyed 9 ballistic missiles out of 16 launched by the Russians, as well as 13 cruise missiles and 20 kamikaze drones.

Source: press service for Ukraines Air Force on social media

Details: The Russians launched a missile attack on Kyiv, Sumy and Kharkiv oblasts using ballistic, cruise and anti-aircraft guided missiles. They also attacked with Shahed-type attack UAVs from the south.

It is noted that the air surveillance troops detected and monitored 58 air targets (35 missiles of various types and 23 attack UAVs):

16 Iskander-M/KN-23 ballistic missiles that were launched from Russias Bryansk, Voronezh and Kursk oblasts;

14 Kh-101 cruise missiles that were launched by Tu-95MS strategic bombers from Russias Volgograd Oblast;

4 S-300/S-400 anti-aircraft guided missiles that were launched from Russias Belgorod Oblast;

a missile of an unspecified type that was launched from Russias Belgorod Oblast;

23 Shahed-131/136 attack UAVs that were launched from the Russian city of Primorsko-Akhtarsk.

As a result of combat efforts by anti-aircraft missile troops, electronic warfare units of the Air Force, and mobile firing groups of the Ukrainian defence forces, the following targets were shot down:

- 9 Iskander-M/KN-23 ballistic missiles;

- 13 Kh-101 cruise missiles;

- 20 Shahed-131/136 attack UAVs.

Quote: "In addition, as a result of active counteraction by the Ukrainian defence forces, one Kh-101 cruise missile and three attack UAVs did not reach their targets and were lost on radar. The information is being confirmed.

Combat operations took place in Kyiv, Kharkiv, Dnipropetrovsk, Poltava, Mykolaiv and Zaporizhzhia oblasts."

Background:

As a result of a missile attack on Kyiv on 2 September, the building of the Islamic Cultural Centre and a mosque on its premises were significantly damaged.

Air defence systems were responding in the city of Kyiv and Kyiv Oblast on the morning of 2 September, with wreckage seen falling, fires breaking out and one person being injured.

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Just hours after being woken by Russian missiles, Ukraines schoolchildren start the new year

On the morning of their first day of school, the sons of Anna Sushko, 6 and 7 years old, were at a bomb shelter in Kyiv, hiding from Russias missile attack.

In the early morning of Sept. 2, when Ukrainian children and college students start their school year, Russia hit Ukraine with 35 ballistic and cruise missiles as well as 23 attack drones. Apart from the capital, they targeted Sumy and Kharkiv oblasts.

"We expected that our neighbor (Russia) would 'congratulate' us (at the start of the school year) with an overnight attack, so we stayed at our parents home that has a bomb shelter," Sushko told the Kyiv Independent.

"We went to the bomb shelters as soon as the air raid alert went on. I heard everything, of course, and tried to distract my children with cartoons," Sushko said.

"They had just under four hours of sleep before school," she added.

Despite the stress and the sleepless night, Sushkos sons went to school this Monday morning, like thousands of other children all over the country. Traditionally, Ukraines school year starts on Sept. 1, marked as Knowledge Day. Since it fell on Sunday, the actual back-to-school day shifted to Sept. 2.

"Everyone looked a bit tired, but it went well overall," Sushko said. Her sons started first and second grade.

Russias war has brought drastic changes and challenges to the schools across Ukraine. Since Feb. 24, 2022, 365 Ukrainian educational institutions have been completely destroyed by Russian attacks, and over 3,400 have been damaged. The war has killed over 570 children and injured over 1,560, according to Ukrainian officials.

The war-torn Donetsk Oblast has seen the biggest number of destroyed institutions, 111, while the biggest number of damaged ones, 704, has been recorded in Kharkiv Oblast, according to Ukraines Education and Science Ministry.

Over 230 educational institutions have been damaged by Russian attacks in Kyiv Oblast and over 150 in the capital itself.

The Sept. 2 attack didnt spare the Kyiv schools, too: Kyiv Major Vitali Klitschko reported that two schools in Shevchenkivsky and Sviatoshynsky neighborhoods (central and western Kyiv) suffered damage, such as broken windows, in the latest missile strike. Despite the damage, the schools opened to students, according to Klitschko.

Not all Ukrainian children had a chance to go to class in person. The threat of Russian attacks has forced some 900,000 Ukrainian children to study remotely, as only schools equipped with bomb shelters are allowed to operate offline.

Last year, only one-third of Ukrainian children were able to attend schools in person, according to the United Nations. Roughly one-third studied online, and one-third studied in a hybrid mode, mixing online and offline classes, due to the threat of attacks.

For Ukrainian children, this comes on top of two years of remote classes during the Covid-19 pandemic, meaning that many children have had almost no in-person classes in four years.

Children stand in front of memorial plaques for late students who have been killed by the Russian war on the first day of the new school year in Lviv on Sept.2, 2024. (Yuriy Dyachyshyn/AFP via Getty Images)

Ukrainian schoolchildren sing the national anthem during a bell ceremony on the first day of the new school year in Lviv on Sept. 2, 2024. (Yuriy Dyachyshyn/AFP via Getty Images)

President Volodymyr Zelensky on Aug. 30 said that "the maximum possible number of schools should open for in-person attendance.

"It's a matter of availability of shelters and readiness of the energy systems for the current challenges," Zelensky said. In the last week of August, Russia renewed its attacks on Ukraines energy facilities, leading to frequent power cuts.

While for Kyiv and other cities far from the front line, it would be easier to carry out Zelenskys recommendation that classes are held in-person, children in the towns closer to the combat zone and border with Russia, which are targeted more frequently, might have to continue studying online.

The grandson of Halyna Averyna from Sumy is starting his senior year of high school. On Sept. 2, he didnt get to have his actual first day of school  which would have been the last back-to-school day for him.

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.

"In our city (Sumy), all students have started classes online," Averyna told the Kyiv Independent. "And even during the first class, the air raid siren went off, and they had to stop the class. The Russians could not do without a 'gift' to us on this day."

"Sumy Oblast is under fire every day, so our children are forced to study online until better times," she added.

According to Averyna, the Russian war "has stolen the childhood of our children, taking away their opportunities for social interaction."

"Elementary school students and their parents suffer the most," she said.

Sushko, who co-founded a kindergarten and elementary school outside Kyiv, said being in constant war-caused stress affects children in various ways and can cause anxiety, sleep, and eating disorders.

Averyna, on her part, remains optimistic about the future of Ukrainian children.

"I hope this year will be better than last," she said.

The shadows of Ukrainian schoolchildren attending a bell ceremony on the first day of the new school year in Lviv on Sept. 2, 2024. (Yuriy Dyachyshyn/AFP via Getty Images)

Note from the author:

Hi! Daria Shulzhenko here. I wrote this piece for you. Since the first day of Russia's all-out war, I have been working almost non-stop to tell the stories of those affected by Russias brutal aggression. By telling all those painful stories, we are helping to keep the world informed about the reality of Russias war against Ukraine. By becoming the Kyiv Independent's member, you can help us continue telling the world the truth about this war

Read also: The little victims: Russias war killed these children

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ANKARA, Sept. 1 (Xinhua) -- The Turkish military has "neutralized" 17 "terrorists" in operations in northern Iraq and northern Syria, the country's Defense Ministry said on Sunday.

The ministry said 15 Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) members were neutralized in northern Iraq. In a separate operation in the northern Syrian city of Manbij, two members of the Syrian Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) were also neutralized.

Turkish authorities often use the term "neutralized" in their statements to imply that the "terrorists" in question surrendered, were killed, or were captured.

The PKK, listed as a terrorist organization by Turkiye, the United States, and the European Union, has rebelled against the Turkish government for more than three decades. Turkiye sees the YPG group as the PKK's Syrian branch.

Turkiye has been conducting cross-border operations in Iraq and Syria to target PKK and YPG hideouts. 
A group of six Ukrainian lawmakers appealed to their counterparts in Mongolia to execute the International Criminal Court arrest warrant issued against President Vladimir Putin when the Russian leader visits the nation this week.

In a letter provided to ABC News, the parliamentarians -- all members of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's Servant of the People Party -- requested that Mongolian authorities detain Putin under to the ICC warrant issued in March 2023 related to the alleged unlawful deportation and transfer of Ukrainian children to Russia during Moscow's full-scale invasion of its neighbor.

Ukraine and Mongolia are both signatories to the Rome Statute, which underpins the ICC and grants it jurisdiction over crimes in the categories of genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes and crimes of aggression.

PHOTO: This photograph taken on Aug. 23, 2024, shows a Ukrainian flag fluttering over the Verkhovna Rada building, on the Day of the National Flag, in Kyiv, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine. (Roman Pilipey/AFP via Getty Images)

"The abduction of Ukrainian children is just one of the many crimes for which Putin and the rest of the military and political leadership of the Russian Federation must face justice," the Ukrainian politicians wrote in their letter to members of Mongolia's State Great Hural parliament.

"As members of the Ukrainian parliament, we call on the Mongolian authorities to execute the binding international arrest warrant and hand over the head of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin, to the International Criminal Court in The Hague," the letter said.

"We look forward to your support," the letter concluded.

Oleksandr Merezhko -- one signatory of the letter and the chair of the Ukrainian parliament's foreign affairs committee -- told ABC News that the lawmakers were yet to receive a response as of early Monday morning. ABC News reached out to Mongolian officials for comment.

Mongolia will be the first Rome Statute signatory to host Putin since the ICC arrest warrant against him was issued. The Russian leader decided not to travel to summits in South Africa and Brazil -- both also Rome Statute signatories -- last year.

PHOTO: Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks with pupils as he visits a local school to mark Knowledge Day in Kyzyl in the Republic of Tuva, Russia, Sept. 2, 2024. (Sofia Sandurskaya/Sputnik via Reuters)

Merezhko acknowledged there is "little hope" that Mongolia will deliver Putin to the ICC when he visits on Tuesday.

"Putin wants to create a precedent that the ICC arrest warrants are not respected," Merezhko said. "He failed to do it with South Africa and Brazil, and decided to use Mongolia."

The nation -- wedged between China to the south and Russia to the north -- is heavily dependent on its mammoth neighbors. Putin, Merezhko suggested, is seeking to "abuse" this influence to undermine the ICC warrant.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told reporters at a press conference last week that the administration had "no worries" about the planned visit.

"We have an excellent rapport with our partners from Mongolia," Peskov said. "Of course, all aspects of the president's visit have been carefully prepared."

Ukraine's Foreign Ministry said in a statement that Kyiv "hopes that the government of Mongolia is aware of the fact that Vladimir Putin is a war criminal," adding: "We call on the Mongolian authorities to execute the binding international arrest warrant and transfer Putin to the International Criminal Court in The Hague."

The Rome Statute allows for signatories to raise disputes against others via the body's Assembly of States Parties. Merezhko hinted that Kyiv may look to do so if Putin's visit proceeds smoothly.

"If Mongolia violates the Rome Statute, there must be serious consequences," he said.

Ukrainian politicians urge Mongolia to arrest Putin ahead of Tuesday visit originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
As the world watched Ukraines stunning cross-border offensive into Kursk Oblast, celebrating an unexpected blow to Moscow, Russian forces advanced with alarming speed in Ukraines east.

One month later, new front lines in the Russian border region formed in the wake of the Kursk incursion have begun to stabilize, but in Donetsk Oblast, Russia has continued to advance on the key city of Pokrovsk.

Speaking remotely at a major forum of Ukraines leadership on Aug. 27, Oleksandr Syrskyi, Commander-in-Chief of Ukraines Armed Forces, made a surprisingly candid admission.

Forcing Russia to peel away its forces from offensives along the front line in eastern Ukraine was indeed one of the main goals of Ukraines surprise offensive in Kursk, Syrskyi said.

But where it mattered the most, the plan failed.

Of course, the enemy understands this (the intent to draw forces away from Pokrovsk), Syrskyi said, which is why they continue to concentrate the most forces in the Pokrovsk direction, where their most combat-effective units are located.

Artillerymen of the 110th Marko Bezruchko Separate Mechanized Brigade are firing an RM-70 multiple rocket launcher in the Pokrovsk direction in Donetsk Oblast, Ukraine, on Aug. 7, 2024. (Ukrinform / NurPhoto via Getty Images)

While claiming that over 30,000 Russian soldiers had been transferred to the Kursk Oblast theater, Syrskyi openly acknowledged that Moscow made sure not to take the foot off the pedal around Pokrovsk.

The enemy is trying to divert forces from other sectors, but in the Pokrovsk sector, is doing the opposite and only increasing its forces, he said.

As of the first days of September, Russian forces are now, according to open-source mapping of the front line, less than eight kilometers away from the edge of Pokrovsk and less than four kilometers from the southern outskirts of Pokrovsks sister city, Myrnohrad.

Over the past weeks, thousands of people have been evacuated from the two cities and other surrounding settlements in face of the imminent wave of the Russian offensive.

Now, with Moscow riding out the embarrassment of losing territory in Kursk and doubling down in Donbas, whether or not Ukraine can stop hemorrhaging its own territory and stabilize its defensive posture looks to prove decisive for the development of the war as a whole over winter.

Losing control

The approach of Russian forces to Pokrovsk began after the fall of the city of Avdiivka, about 40 kilometers to the southeast, in February 2024, after a brutally intense battle that lasted four months, with heavy casualties on both sides.

Despite claims by Ukraines military leadership that the front had stabilized along a prepared line of defense in the open fields behind Avdiivka, Russian forces continued to take Ukrainian positions at a slow but steady rate.

The situation turned notably for the worse in April, when a botched rotation of parts of two Ukrainian mechanized brigades was exploited by Russian forces near the small town of Ocheretyne.

Catching the rotating Ukrainian units unprepared to defend, Russian forces took the town, including the first line of prepared fortifications that Ukraine had built in the area, and promptly began expanding the salient both in depth and width.

While initial signs pointed to Russia intending to cut off the T0504 highway between Pokrovsk and Kostiantynivka, the offensive instead continued to follow the curve of the railway line towards Pokrovsk itself.

In another moment of poor coordination between Ukrainian brigades, Russian forces made another breakthrough in July, taking the settlement of Prohres in a reported near-encirclement of Ukrainian forces.

Outflanked to the north by the rapid Russian advance and to the south by a secondary push on the key village of Karlivka, Ukrainian forces in the neighboring sector were forced to retreat behind the Vovcha River and soon withdrew further west, despite the river once being touted as a useful natural defensive barrier.

A visualization of Russian advances around Pokrovsk, Donetsk Oblast, over summer 2024. (Nizar al-Rifai/The Kyiv Independent)

By the time the Kursk incursion had begun, the situation was out of control, despite official reports continuing to describe it as difficult but stable.

Lacking in manpower and ammunition, and retreating too quickly to consolidate along a prepared line of defense, Ukrainian units  both front-line infantry and supporting drone, tank, and artillery units  struggled to operate and coordinate effectively.

Over the next few weeks, as the world watched Ukrainian troops tear down Russian flags in Kursk Oblast, the tricolor was raised in one ruined Ukrainian settlement after another near Donetsk.

In a damning example of how bad the situation was, Russian troops overran the small city of Novohrodivka  the substantial built-up area of which should have offered decent conditions to mount a solid defense  in a matter of days.

The reason for the defense of the area spiraling out of control is impossible to reduce to one single factor, though clear patterns also do emerge, said Emil Kastehelmi, an analyst at the Finland-based Black Bird Group, which has provided detailed coverage of the war from a range of open sources.

Join our community Support independent journalism in Ukraine. Join us in this fight. Support Us

Well-known as being consistent problems plaguing the Ukrainian military, the lack of manpower, ammunition, and poorly-prepared fortified lines of defense have placed a heavy burden on Ukrainian units in the area.

When, after taking losses, these exhausted brigades are forced to rotate out of their sector, these moments create perfect conditions for Russian forces to surge forward, argued Kastehelmi.

These rotations have been the Achilles heel of Ukraine; losing a certain area because of rotation wouldn't be the first time that something like that has happened, he said.

In the end, it's mostly the fault of the higher command that these areas are not being prioritized, and that the defenders there haven't been given the tools to actually stop the Russian advance.

Distraction or exacerbation

Given the already very difficult situation near Pokrovsk at the outset of the Kursk operation, many observers were quick to ascribe the diversion of forces away from Donetsk Oblast as one of the obvious strategic goals of the incursion.

However, according to Kastehelmi, this initial logic, if truly part of the calculus, was flawed from the start.

I wouldn't have really thought that that would have been one of the Ukrainian objectives, he said, because from a doctrinal point of view, it would have been extremely surprising if the Russians would have pulled forces from one of the most important directions where they already had some success over summer.

Nonetheless, less than half an hour after Syrskyi said that the plan to redirect Russian forces from Pokrovsk failed, President Volodymyr Zelensky made the opposite claim in his own press conference.

Was the advance on Pokrovsk ongoing before the Kursk operation? Zelensky said in a heated parry to a question from the Kyiv Independent about how the cross-border incursion could be used in negotiations if the defense of Donetsk Oblast was so unstable.

Were they advancing slower or faster before? I think faster. Are these things connected? They are, but not in the way you might think.

President Volodymyr Zelensky during a press conference in Kyiv on Aug. 27, 2024. (Vitalii Nosach/Global Images Ukraine via Getty Images)

Calculations based on open-source mapping of front-line movements show that in comparison to the weeks before the Kursk incursion began on Aug. 6, the advance of Russian forces in the Pokrovsk area has in fact only sped up.

It's clear that during the Kursk operation, the pace of the offensive for the Russians has been accelerating, said Kastehelmi.

At the moment, we see daily gains for the Russians, which are not just one treeline here or there, but more like a village a day.

Though it is unclear what information Zelensky based his assertion on, the comment raised questions about the understanding of the situation on the ground among the countrys top leadership.

Due to the very different nature of the battles near Pokrovsk compared to Kursk Oblast, drawing serious conclusions about the causal relationship between developments is difficult.

But ultimately, said Kastehelmi, the argument that the ammunition and combat-effective forces used in Russia could have helped prop up the defense of Donbas is hard to ignore.

Of course, sometimes in war you have to take risks, he said, but it comes to the question of prioritizing the available resources.

Pokrovsk is a really important direction, one that should be defended. And it's been shown that the Ukrainians are able to stop the Russians, if they have the right manpower and resources.

Read also: Kursk operation: What Ukraine achieved so far and potential future gains

The next moves

As Russian forces approach the outskirts of Pokrovsk and Myrnohrad, questions arise as to what the final battle for Pokrovsk will look like.

The agglomeration of larger cities, themselves defended on the outskirts by some prepared defensive lines, will undoubtedly prove a major challenge for Russian forces, themselves tired out after months of endless assaults.

Although open-source mapping shows that Ukraine is understood to have dug some fortified positions outside cities like Pokrovsk and Myrnohrad, the poor performance of fortifications in the area so far shows that they are not a guarantee of a successful defense on their own.

As a general rule, fortifications are just something magical that stops the enemy, said Kastehelmi, you need to have artillery, reconnaissance capabilities to know what kind of threats you are against, there need to be anti-tank capabilities to stop the mechanized attacks."

And most importantly, there needs to be enough manpower and reserves; you need the ability to put new people in the trenches if the previous defenders are dead or wounded.

People walk past a heavily damaged university building following an attack in Pokrovsk, in the eastern Donetsk Oblast, Ukraine on Aug. 4, 2024, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine. (Roman Pilipey / AFP via Getty Images)

If the price is deemed too high, Moscow could choose to delay a frontal assault on the city and instead sweep southward.

In the wide open fields of southern Donetsk Oblast, Ukrainian units have put up a solid defense over two years, beating back regular large Russian offensives and giving up ground only at a high price.

But with successful gains near Pokrovsk and Russian forces entering the village of Ukrainsk further south, large pockets of Ukrainian-held territory, criss-crossed by rivers, could come under threat of encirclement.

There's no major encirclement at the moment, there's a threat slowly developing, said Kastehelmi.

The Russians seem to acknowledge that they could widen their flanks and widen at the salient pretty significantly by pressing a bit more south.

Note from the author:

Hi, this is Francis Farrell, the author of this article. Last month, let's be honest, was quite the whirlwind, but as the dust settles, it is clear that as much as the Kursk offensive shook things up in a big way, Russia's basic plan of grinding forward in eastern Ukraine at whatever cost has not changed... yet. The Kyiv Independent will head down there soon, and will bring you back the freshest updates from the ground. Please consider supporting our reporting.

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
ROCHELLE, Ill. (WTVO)  Union Pacifics Big Boy No. 4014, the worlds largest steam engine train, is set to return to northern Illinois this week, and heres where you can see it.

The Big Boy 4014 is on a Heartland of America tour, running through 10 states to offer the public a chance to see the classic train up close.

It is one of 25 built in the 1940s, and the only one to remain in operation today. The train, built to conquer mountains, last visited Rochelle in 2019 and was viewed by thousands of onlookers.

In Rochelle, on Sunday, September 8th, the train will stop for a free public display from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. at Union Pacifics Global III Terminal, at 2701 Intermodal Drive.

Admission is free and open to the public.

The train will also make whistle stops in Sterling, on Friday, September 6th, from 1:30  1:45 p.m. at 111 W. 2nd Street; Rochelle, on Monday, September 9th, from 8:45 a.m.  9 a.m. at Rochelle Railroad Park, 124 N. 9th Street; Wateska, on Monday, September 9th, from 5 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at North Street Crossing; and in Nokomis, on Tuesday, September 10th, from 12:15 p.m. to 12:45 p.m. at Maple Street Crossing.

The train will then make its way to Houston and Fort Worth, Texas.

The locomotive has 7,000 horsepower and stands 17 feet tall, 11-and-a-half feet wide, and is 135 feet long. The train weighs as much as 3 Diesel locomotives.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to MyStateline | WTVO News, Weather and Sports.
A US Army vet moved to Japan with his wife and bought an abandoned house for $35,000. They have no plans to leave.

A US veteran moved to Japan and bought an abandoned house, or akiya, with his wife. Coco Lencho Japan.

Lawrence Covian, 53, and his wife moved to Japan from the US in 2017.

They bought an abandoned house, or akiya, in the countryside for 5 million Japanese yen, or about $35,000.

He says his mental and physical health has improved since he started living in the countryside.

When Lawrence Covian's five-year employment contract came to an end, he had no interest in returning to the US.

Covian and his wife, Chiyoko, had moved to Japan from North Carolina in July 2017 because of his job with the US government. The initial idea was to return to the US after, but as they settled into their new lives, they realized they didn't want to leave.

"After being here for five years, I was comfortable and liked it here, and we decided we were going to stay here one way or another," Covian told Business Insider.

Lawrence Covian and his wife, Chiyoko, moved to Japan in 2017. Coco Lencho Japan.

In order to stay in Japan, he decided to continue working for the US government as a contractor.

Around the same time, the couple  who met as young adults in California and have been married for more than 30 years  decided they wanted to put down more permanent roots in the country.

As a fan of old houses, Covian was already interested in the idea of buying and renovating one of Japan's 8.5 million abandoned homes, known as akiya, in the countryside.

"I've always liked how older houses have more space and character, but really, it was the lower prices that kind of led us to go down this route," Covian said.

Choosing an akiya over a new house

Covian isn't alone in being drawn to these old, vacant homes in the Japanese countryside.

Covian and his wife bought an akiya in the Yamaguchi prefecture. Coco Lencho Japan.

In Japan, the shrinking population and internal migration have resulted in millions of unoccupied houses in rural areas, causing a " ghost town " problem.

But thanks to the low price tag and the lack of restrictions on foreigners purchasing property, more and more foreigners are choosing to snap up these old homes  which many see as a way to achieve homeownership without the same kind of financial stress as buying real estate in their home countries.

The akiya had been empty for five years. Coco Lencho Japan.

Covian's job had brought him to Iwakuni, a city in the Yamaguchi prefecture, all those years ago, and the US veteran knew he wanted to continue living in the area because of its proximity to his workplace.

Iwakuni is about 20 miles from the nearest major city of Hiroshima and about 400 miles from Tokyo.

Years ago, the couple had stumbled onto the nearby small town of Miwa while riding bikes, and Covian remembered how much he loved the location, thanks to its gorgeous mountainous landscape and rice fields.

He decided to concentrate his search for akiya in the town through an akiya bank, a database maintained by the local municipalities for abandoned or vacant houses.

Furniture and other items belonging to the previous owner were still in the house. Coco Lencho Japan.

"One popped up in a small local real-estate agent, and so we contacted him through the website," Covian said.

Viewing the akiya was quite an overwhelming experience because of the condition the house was in, he added.

The property had been empty for about five years, with furniture and other household items left behind. Outside, overgrown weeds and vines had taken over the yard.

"My wife and I were excited  but not too excited  because it looked bad, and I did not know a carpenter that could help us with the work," he said.

Covian and his wife cleared out all the items on their own. Coco Lencho Japan.

But a chance encounter with a local cafe owner led to the couple being introduced to a man who ran a carpentry business in the area.

After looking at the akiya together with the carpenter, Covian and his wife decided to buy the property. The couple paid 5 million Japanese yen, or about $35,000, for it and hired the carpenter to renovate it.

The akiya was listed for 6 million Japanese yen, but the real-estate agent offered the couple one million Japanese yen off the listing price if they were willing to clear out the house on their own.

"I told them, 'OK, I'll take care of it.' There were beds, sheets, clothes, pots, pans, and a lot of personal stuff, unfortunately, left behind," Covian said. "I bought one of those little trucks for $1,200, and we took everything out ourselves."

Blending Japanese and Western design influences

They renovated the akiya with help from a local carpenter. Coco Lencho Japan

The entire property includes the two-story main house, a guest house, a garage, a storage building, and three-quarters of an acre of land. It's about a 40-minute drive up the mountains from his workplace.

The renovated main house features a blend of traditional Japanese and Western features.

Covian had kept the tatami room and the engawa  the little hallway that runs along the windows  in the house but also added a pantry and a laundry room, which aren't commonly found in traditional Japanese homes.

The renovated akiya features lots of wood accents and furniture. Coco Lencho Japan

He also didn't want any small ledges in the house  save for the entrance step.

"I told him I wanted a Roomba to be able to go through the whole house and not get stuck," Covian said. "But it wasn't really about the Roomba. It was more for if someday, God forbid, that me or my wife is in a wheelchair, and we can't move out of one room because we have those steps."

The house features a blend of Japanese and Western design influences. Coco Lencho Japan

Covian estimates the renovation costs totaled about $230,000. He acknowledges that it's on the higher end compared with what people expect, but he has no regrets.

"A lot of things that we did were not necessary, so we could have saved a lot of money if we wanted to," he said, adding that he and his wife wanted the place to be beautiful and comfortable in the exact way they envisioned.

With the amount they spent, they could have bought a brand-new house, but that was never the dream.

Covian says he loves every part of his home. Coco Lencho Japan

"I don't want one of those new houses. They're little cookie cutters; everything's plastic or vinyl. No character," Covian added.

Most importantly, the renovated akiya is a home that the couple can proudly call their own; Covian's even started a YouTube channel documenting his akiya journey.

"Before, we were moving every few years, so our walls were never painted, and we never hung up pictures," Covian said. "But this a place that I can call mine. It's ours."

Covian has even started a YouTube channel documenting his akiya journey and his life in Japan. Coco Lencho Japan

Life in the Japanese countryside

Prior to moving to Japan, Covian had been to the country a handful of times to visit his mother-in-law, but those trips were never long enough for him to explore the countryside.

Even though he's been living in Japan for seven years, every day still feels like an adjustment.

Covian has been taking regular Japanese language classes, but he still struggles with communicating in certain situations.

Covian is looking forward to his retirement, which he plans to spend traveling around Japan in a campervan. Coco Lencho Japan.

"Daily life, I'm fine, but for example, the other day I had to go to the hospital to get a procedure done, and the medical terminology and all that, that's just above me," Covian said. "So I have to rely on my wife, and I think that's how it's going to be for many years."

That said, he loves being in the countryside.

"When I drive up the mountain, I am at peace. I always joke with my wife that I can spend the whole time up here  just me, myself, and I, outside. And I am perfectly happy," Covian said. "I don't like going to Tokyo. I don't like going to the big cities. It stresses me out."

The slower pace of life and being surrounded by nature have been good for his mental and physical health, too. He said life in the Japanese countryside had been very different from life in the US, where it was a "constant rat race."

Covian says living in the countryside has allowed his health to improve. Coco Lencho Japan.

"Of course, we like nice things in life, but still, in the United States, you get drawn into keeping up with the Joneses, having the newer car, and nice this and nice that," Covian said. "Before you know it, you're just constantly working and working with no end in sight."

Although Covian still works in Japan, he's been thinking about traveling around Japan in a campervan when he retires.

"I don't want to become 60, 70, and become ill, and then have regrets because I didn't pursue other things I wanted to do," he said.

Have you recently built or renovated your dream home? If you've got a story to share, get in touch with me at agoh@businessinsider.com .

Read the original article on Business Insider
US seizes jet used by Venezuela's Maduro in the Dominican Republic

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro speaks at a press conference in the Miraflores presidential palace three days after his controversial re-election. Jeampier Arguinzones/dpa

The United States has seized a luxury jet belonging to the authoritarian president of Venezuela, Nicolas Maduro, for violating sanctions and export controls.

The US Department of Justice said on Monday the Dassault Falcon 900EX jet, which is owned and operated by Maduro and his entourage, was confiscated in the Dominican Republic and transferred to Florida.

US Attorney General Merrick Garland explained in a written statement that the aircraft had been purchased illegally for $13 million and smuggled out of the US "for use by Nicolas Maduro and his cronies."

The jet was purchased in Forida by a shell company and taken to the Caribbean in April 2023, the Justice Department said, adding that it was used for domestic and international flights.

"Let this seizure send a clear message: aircraft illegally acquired from the United States for the benefit of sanctioned Venezuelan officials cannot just fly off into the sunset," said Assistant Secretary for Export Enforcement Matthew S Axelrod of the Department of Commerce.

The US government has imposed a raft of sanctions that prohibit Americans from doing business with members of the Maduro government, which the US does recognize as legitimate. There are also restrictions on exports to Venezuela.

Maduro, who has been in power since 2013, secured a third term in a disputed election held on July 28. The opposition accuses the government of electoral fraud and claims victory for its candidate, Edmundo Gonzalez. Washington also says Maduro lost.
US seizes plane belonging to Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro and flies it to Florida

US seizes plane belonging to Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro and flies it to Florida

US officials have seized a $13m plane belonging to the President of Venezuela, Nicolas Maduro, the Justice Department announced.

The aircraft, a Dassault Falcon 900EX equivalent to the countrys Air Force One, was seized in the Dominican Republic on Monday and transported to Florida, the DOJ said. Officials claim the planes purchase violated US export control and sanctions laws.

Following the seizure, photos appeared to show federal agents collecting boxes of evidence from the aircraft.

The US has imposed sanctions in the Latin American country for years, and has seized dozens of luxury vehicles bound for Venezuela.

This morning, the Justice Department seized an aircraft we allege was illegally purchased for $13 million through a shell company and smuggled out of the United States for the use by Nicolas Maduro and his cronies, Attorney General Merrick B Garland said in a written statement.

Maduros jet, a Dassault Falcon 900 was confiscated for sanction violations on Monday (EPA/CRISTOBAL HERRERA-ULASHKEVICH)

The Department will continue to pursue those who violate our sanctions and export controls to prevent them from using American resources to undermine the national security of the United States.

The plane had been at the Dominican Republics Higuero-Doctor Joaquin Balaguer International Airport in Santo Domingo since May 19, according to Listin Diario, a Dominican newspaper.

After the aircraft arrived in the country, the Dominican attorney generals office said the plane was being detained but the reasons were not publicly disclosed at the time.

The aircraft is seen at the Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport in Florida (EPA)

Later, the Dominican Institute of Civil Aviation said it was due to a judicial problem, the outlet reported. The Justice Departments International Affairs Office worked with Dominican authorities to seize the aircraft. The Dominican government alerted Maduros office of the seizure, CNN reported.

Venezuela suspended commercial flights to and from the Dominican Republic on July 28 after Maduros widely-disputed reelection. Several Western countries asked the Venezuelan government to publish voting tallies in full after Maduro claimed victory, despite evidence suggesting opposition candidate Edmundo Gonzalez won 67 percent of the vote.

At least 23 protesters have been killed in demonstrations following the election. Approximately 2,400 have been arrested, the United Nation claims. Maduro has served as the countrys president since 2013. He succeeded his political ally, the left-wing firebrand Hugo Chavez.

The Independent has emailed the DOJ and the Venezuelan and Dominican governments for comment.

Maduro at a rally in Caracas, Venezuela in August (AP)

Maduro is accused of violating executive order 13884, which prohibits US citizens from conducting transactions with anyone representing the Venezuelas government.

Between 2022 and 2023, people close to Maduro used a Caribbean-based shell organization to conceal their involvement in the planes illegal purchase from a Florida-based company, the DOJ alleges.

The plane was then taken from the US to Venezuela through the Caribbean in April 2023. Since May 2023, the aircraft has been flown from the Caribbean to a military base in Venezuela with either Maduro or his representatives on board. The Venezuelan president has also used the aircraft for international travel.

The long range jet has been in production since 1995. It can seat up to 16 passengers. Maduros model is white and decked out with red and blue stripes on the sides.

The Department of Commerces and Department of Homeland Security are investigating the case. The Venezuelan government will have a chance to petition the planes seizure.

The State Departments Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs has offered a reward of up to $15m for information leading to Maduros arrest or conviction. In March 2020, the DOJ charged Maduro, together with 14 current and former Venezuelan officials, with narco-terrorism, drug trafficking and corruption.
The U.S. government has seized a plane used by Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro after officials determined its purchase violated sanctions and export control laws, the Justice Department (DOJ) announced Monday.

The Dassault Falcon 900EX was seized Monday morning in the Dominican Republican and transferred to federal officials in Florida, the DOJ said in a statement.

This morning, the Justice Department seized an aircraft we allege was illegally purchased for $13 million through a shell company and smuggled out of the United States for use by Nicolas Maduro and his cronies, Attorney General Merrick Garland wrote.

A U.S. investigation found people affiliated with Maduro allegedly used a Caribbean-based shell company to hide their involvement in the illegal purchase of the aircraft from a Florida-based company in late 2022 and early 2023, the DOJ said. This was done to circumvent a 2019 executive order that prohibits U.S. persons from business transactions with the Maduro regime, officials alleged.

The plane was then illegally exported to Venezuela in April 2023 and has been used by Maduro and his representatives to and from a military base in Venezuela.

The seizure of this aircraft is another significant action by Homeland Security Investigations working with our domestic and international partners against the illegal activities of the Maduro regime, said Special Agent in Charge Anthony Salisbury with the Homeland Security Investigations of Miami.

CNN first reported the plane seizure.

The seized plane was the one to carry several Americans imprisoned for years in Venezuela to the Caribbean Island of Canouan last December, when they were swapped in exchange for Maduros ally, businessman Alex Saab, who was jailed in the U.S. on money laundering charges, The Associated Press reported.

The plane flew to the Dominican Republic for what was believed to be maintenance but did not leave, the news wire added.

The U.S. has sanctioned 55 Venezuelan-registered planes owned by state owned oil company PDVSA, per the AP.

The Venezuelan governments centralized press office did not immediately return the APs request for comment Monday.

The announcement comes nearly a month since Venezuela held their presidential elections in which Maduros electoral authorities declared him the winner without any detailed results to back this up. Election tallies showed the oppositions Edmundo Gonzalez received nearly double the votes of Maduro.

The controversy sparked massive protests in the country, though Maduro and his allies have remained steadfast in their victory claims.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
PHNOM PENH, Sept. 2 (Xinhua) -- Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Royal Palace Minister Kong Sam Ol died on Monday at the age of 94 due to illness, the country's Prime Minister Hun Manet said.

"My wife and I are deeply saddened to learn that Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Royal Palace Kong Sam Ol passed away on Sept. 2, 2024 at 8:35 a.m. local time at the age of 94 due to illness," Hun Manet said in a condolence message.

The prime minister expressed his deepest sympathy to the bereaved family, saying that the death of Sam Ol was a great loss not only for the family members, but also for the nation.

He added that Sam Ol had always sacrificed his physical and mental energies to safeguard the kingdom's independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity as well as the throne and the constitutional monarchy.

Sam Ol had served as minister of the Royal Palace since 1998. 
The U.S. has seized Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's plane, the Justice Department announced on Monday.

A Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) led investigation discovered the plane in the Dominican Republic, a source said.

After the U.S. government seized the plane, it was flown to Florida on Monday, according to the source. Maduro was no on board, the source said.

The plane is the Venezuelan equivalent to Air Force One, and flight records show it is a Dassault 900.

PHOTO: Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro gestures as he delivers a speech during a rally in Caracas, on Aug. 28, 2024. (Pedro Rances Mattey/AFP via Getty Images)

"This morning, the Justice Department seized an aircraft we allege was illegally purchased for $13 million through a shell company and smuggled out of the United States for use by Nicolas Maduro and his cronies," Attorney General Merrick Garland said in a statement. "The Department will continue to pursue those who violate our sanctions and export controls to prevent them from using American resources to undermine the national security of the United States."

The head HSI agent in Miami also lauded the seizure.

PHOTO: The U.S. has seized a plane belonging to Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and brought it to the Fort Lauderrdale-Hollywood International Airport, on Sept. 2, 2024. (WPLG)

MORE: Pressure mounts on Venezuela's Maduro government to release vote tallies: ANALYSIS

"The seizure of this aircraft is another significant action by Homeland Security Investigations working with our domestic and international partners against the illegal activities of the Maduro regime," said Special Agent in Charge Anthony Salisbury of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Miami.

PHOTO: Officers stand in front of an airplane that, according to the authorities, belongs to Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro at the Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., Sept. 2, 2024. (Cristobal Herrera-Ulashkevich/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock)

Earlier, a U.S. National Security Council spokesperson confirmed the seizure of "an aircraft used by Maduro and his representatives."

"Over the past month, as demonstrated by a wide variety of independent sources, Maduro and his representatives' have tampered with the results of the July 28 presidential election, falsely claimed victory, and carried out wide-spread repression to maintain power by force," the spokesperson said.

PHOTO: Officers extract boxes labeled as evidence from an airplane that, according to the authorities, belongs to Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro at the Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., Sept. 2, 2024. (Cristobal Herrera-Ulashkevich/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock)

"Last week, one of Venezuela's own National Electoral Council rectors further validated that Maduro has provided no evidence that he won this election. The United States, in coordination with our partners, is working to ensure that the will of the Venezuelan people, as expressed through the July 28 election, is respected," the spokesperson said.

"Today, the U.S. Department of Justice took action to enforce U.S. sanctions -- seizing an aircraft used by Maduro and his representatives. This is an important step to ensure that Maduro continues to feel the consequences from his misgovernance of Venezuela," the spokesperson said.

CNN was first to report the plane's seizure.

US seizes Venezuelan President Maduro's plane, DOJ says originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
The United States has seized the Venezuelan presidential jet used by Nicolas Maduro over what it says are violations of American sanctions.

The plane was flown to Florida from the Dominican Republic, where it has been stationed in recent months, by US officials on Monday.

It came as Venezuelas attorney general on Monday requested an arrest warrant for Edmundo Gonzalez, the opposition leader, accusing him of incitement and other crimes.

The US government is investigating what it has claimed are corrupt practices by the Venezuelan government, and says the jets acquisition was in violation of American sanctions.

The Justice Department said the plane had been illegally purchased in the US via a shell company, and smuggled out to Venezuela.

Mr Maduro's plane is the Venezuelan equivalent of the US's Air Force One jet - CBS News

This sends a message all the way up to the top, an official told CNN. Seizing the foreign head of states plane is unheard of for criminal matters.

Were sending a clear message here that no one is above the law, no one is above the reach of US sanctions.

The Venezuelan government said the USs actions cannot be described as anything other than piracy.

Joe Biden, the US president, agreed to ease sanctions on Venezuela in exchange for Mr Maduros promise to hold a free and fair election this year, but had his hopes dashed after the apparently fraudulent results were reported and the socialist leader claimed another six-year term in office.

The US has questioned the validity of the result, calling for Mr Maduros government to immediately release specific results data and recognising his election opponent, Mr Gonzalez, as the winner.

On Monday a Venezuelan court granted an arrest warrant Mr Gonzalez, which the prosecutors office said was for serious crimes.

The office had earlier published its request to the court on social media, in which it listed the alleged crimes that stem from the oppositions insistence that Mr Maduro and his allies stole the July 28 vote.

Protests have filled the streets of Caracas, the countrys capital, in a fresh bout of opposition to the result. More than 80 teenagers arrested in protests after the election were released over the weekend.

The seizure of Mr Maduros plane is the latest incident in a years-long pursuit of the strongman by the US Department of Justice, which charged him in March 2020 with narco-terrorism, drug trafficking and corruption.

The State Department has offered a $15 million reward for information leading to his arrest.

Homeland Security Investigations, an American law enforcement agency, has previously seized dozens of vehicles that were in the process of being shipped to South America from the US.

Mr Maduros plane, a Dassault Falcon 900, is the Venezuelan equivalent of the USs own Air Force One jet, and is used to transport him and other high-ranking government officials. He has been pictured travelling on the plane on official visits around the world.

The US estimates it is worth about $13 million. It will be impounded in the US, where authorities will collect evidence from it while the Venezuelan government petitions for its release.

US officials have previously accused members of Mr Maduros government of syphoning off public money for themselves.

The US official told CNN: We see these officials and the Maduro regime basically fleecing the Venezuelan people for their own gain, the US official said.

You have people who cant even afford a loaf of bread there and then you have the president of Venezuela jetting around in a high-class private jet.

Merrick Garland, the US Attorney General, said: This morning, the Justice Department seized an aircraft we allege was illegally purchased for $13 million through a shell company and smuggled out of the United States for use by Nicolas Maduro and his cronies.

The Department will continue to pursue those who violate our sanctions and export controls to prevent them from using American resources to undermine the national security of the United States.

Matthew S Axelrod, the Department of Commerces assistant secretary for export enforcement, added: Let this seizure send a clear message: aircraft illegally acquired from the United States for the benefit of sanctioned Venezuelan officials cannot just fly off into the sunset.

It doesnt matter how fancy the private jet or how powerful the officials  we will work relentlessly with our partners here and across the globe to identify and return any aircraft illegally smuggled outside of the United States.

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Interstate 40 lanes open after Labor Day morning vehicle fire caused closures and diversions in Pulaski County

Interstate 40 lanes open after Labor Day morning vehicle fire caused closures and diversions in Pulaski County

PULASKI COUNTY, Ark.  Eastbound traffic flow was impacted on Interstate 40 just outside of North Little Rock due to a vehicle fire, according to Arkansas highway officials.

Just after 8:30 Labor Day morning, the Arkansas Department of Transportation released that officials are working to clear a vehicle fire about 0.8 miles outside of North Little Rock that shutdown all eastbound lanes.







The vehicle was burning near mile marker 162 at Valentine Road, according to iDrive cameras.

At 10:30 a.m. traffic began moving between exit 161 and the burned 18 wheeler. Officials said all other traffic will be diverted to Highway 70 at exit 161.

Just after 1 p.m. Monday afternoon, all lanes on I-40 were open for travel and just the right shoulder as blocked as workers continued to clear debris from the fire.

Officials have not released the cause of the fire or if there are any injuries.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KARK.
By Vivian Sequera and Mayela Armas

CARACAS (Reuters) -Venezuela's attorney general's office said on Monday a court has issued an arrest warrant for opposition leader Edmundo Gonzalez, accusing him of conspiracy and other crimes amid a dispute over whether he or President Nicolas Maduro won a July election.

Attorney general Tarek Saab shared a photo of the warrant with Reuters via a message on the application Telegram.

The issue of an arrest warrant against Gonzalez would amount to a major escalation in Maduro's government's crackdown against the opposition following the disputed election.

Venezuela's national electoral authority and its top court have said Maduro was the victor of the July 28 election with just over half of the votes, but tallies shared by the opposition show a resounding victory for Gonzalez.

The warrant follows weeks of comments from top government officials saying Gonzalez and other members of the opposition should go to jail.

"This man has the nerve to say he doesn't recognize laws, he doesn't recognize anything. What's up with that? That's unacceptable," Maduro said in a broadcast on state television. "Citizens agree that laws have to work and that officials do their job."

The opposition, some Western countries and international bodies like a United Nations panel of experts have said the vote was not transparent and demanded publication of full tallies, with some outright decrying fraud.

A Gonzalez spokesperson said they were awaiting any notification of a warrant but made no further comment. The opposition has always denied any wrongdoing.

"They have lost all notion of reality," opposition leader Maria Corina Machado said on X. "Threatening the President-elect will only achieve more cohesion and increase the support of Venezuelans and the world for Edmundo Gonzalez."

The opposition has published what it says are copies of over 80% of ballot box-level tallies on a public website, while the electoral council says a cyber attack on election night has prevented its publication of the full tallies.

The warrant request appeared to be the government's latest salvo in what the opposition says is a crackdown on dissent.

Saab has also launched criminal probes into Machado and the opposition vote tally website itself and detentions of opposition figures and protesters have continued in the weeks since the vote.

Protests have led to at least 27 deaths and some 2,400 arrests.

Gonzalez ignored three summons to testify about the website, allowing a warrant to potentially be issued for him in that case.

The warrant was issued after prosecutor Luis Ernesto Duenez requested Gonzalez be arrested for usurpation of functions, falsification of public documents, instigation to disobey the law, conspiracy and association, all allegedly committed against the Venezuela state.

Lawyers consulted by Reuters said that Venezuelan law does not allow those over 70 to serve sentences in jails, instead requiring house arrest. Gonzalez, who turned 75 last week, is married and has two daughters; one lives in Caracas and the other lives in Madrid.

The U.S. has drafted a list of about 60 Venezuelan government officials and family members who could be sanctioned in the first punitive measures following the election, two people close to the matter told Reuters.

Since the vote, the ruling party-controlled national assembly passed a law tightening rules on NGOs and unions denounced alleged forced resignations of state employees espousing pro-opposition views.

The warrant request came hours after the Biden administration said an aircraft used by Maduro had been confiscated in the Dominican Republic after determining that its purchase violated U.S. sanctions, a move the Venezuelan government slammed as an act of "piracy."

(Reporting by Vivian Sequera and Mayela ArmasWriting by Julia Symmes Cobb and Oliver Griffin; Editing by Sandra Maler)
(Bloomberg) -- Venezuela ordered the arrest of the oppositions Edmundo Gonzalez, according to a warrant posted on Instagram.

Most Read from Bloomberg

The Venezuelan Public Prosecutors office had warned it would issue the warrant against the opposition leader and former presidential candidate if he failed to comply with a summons regarding a criminal investigation.

Gonzalez ran against President Nicolas Maduro in the July 28 vote.

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2024 Bloomberg L.P.
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (WFLA)  The plane belonging to Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro was seized by U.S. officials and flown to south Florida, according to Homeland Security officials.

The plane arrived at Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport from the Dominican Republic on Monday, just one month after mass protests were sparked by Maduro declaring himself the winner of a disputed election.

A news release from the U.S. Department of Justice stated the plane was seized based on violations of U.S. export control and sanctions laws.

This morning, the Justice Department seized an aircraft we allege was illegally purchased for $13 million through a shell company and smuggled out of the United States for use by Nicolas Maduro and his cronies, Attorney General Merrick B. Garland said in a statement. The Department will continue to pursue those who violate our sanctions and export controls to prevent them from using American resources to undermine the national security of the United States.

(WTVJ)

According to federal investigators, Maduros associates used a Caribbean-based shell company to illegally purchase a Dessault Falcon 900EX valued at $13 million. The plane has flown almost exclusively to and from a military base in Venezuela and has been used for the benefit of Maduro and his representatives, the DOJ news release stated.

Let this seizure send a clear message: aircraft illegally acquired from the United States for the benefit of sanctioned Venezuelan officials cannot just fly off into the sunset, Assistant Secretary for Export Enforcement Matthew S. Axelrod of the Department of Commerce said in a statement. It doesnt matter how fancy the private jet or how powerful the officials  we will work relentlessly with our partners here and across the globe to identify and return any aircraft illegally smuggled outside of the United States.

Sanctions enacted in 2019 forbid U.S. citizens or companies from doing business with persons affiliated with Maduro and the Venezuelan government. The U.S. Department of Commerce enacted additional restrictions on exports intended for use by the Venezuelan military.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA.
The attorney generals office of the Nicolas Maduro regime requested on Monday the arrest of Venezuelan opposition presidential candidate Edmundo Gonzalez, accusing him of forging public documents, conspiring against the government and promoting public disobedience, among other charges.

The request, published on Instagram, was introduced to the judge assigned to oversee the investigation of top opposition leaders, following their denunciation that the Venezuelan strongman committed fraud during the July 28 presidential election.

The Venezuelan judiciary, which has often been described by the United Nations and other international organizations as a persecution tool subservient to Maduro, claims that Gonzalez and opposition leader Maria Corina Machado led a plot against the government by forging the election tallies backing their claim that the Venezuelan strongman lost the election.

They also accuse them of hacking into the National Electorate Council in order to prevent officials from being able to gain access to the vote tallies, preventing them from being able to make them public.

Both Machado and Gonzalez have been in hiding in Venezuela for some time, suspecting that the regime would eventually move to arrest them alongside the close to 2,000 people Maduro has already detained as part of his latest wave of repression.

Last month, Maduros attorney general, Tarek William Saab, said his office was considering charging Gonzalez and Machado with murder, blaming them for the deaths of the more than 25 Venezuelans who have lost their lives during the protests that followed the election.

At any moment, any of them could be charged and held responsible as the intellectual authors of all these events, Saab answered when asked if Machado is in the process of being charged with homicide.

Claiming that Gonzalez defeated Maduro by margin of more than 2-1, the opposition published the official vote tallies, known as actas, gathered in more than 80% of the countrys voting stations.

Doubts about the electoral councils results have also spread to the international community, leading a number of governments to repeatedly ask Maduro to produce the documentation proving his victory. To date, the regime has failed to do so.
TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV)  The Vigo County History Center is hosting its Septembers Time Travelers Club event at the Goldsmith House nestled within the Terre Haute Farringtons Grove Historic District.

The Goldsmith House is an Italianate-style home built 1876 by ice merchant Luther Hager. In 1907, it was purchased by its namesake Frederick Goldsmith, a wholesale grocer. In the 1950s, the house was converted and enlarged to function as a funeral home.

The historic Goldsmith house is most commonly known as the P.J. Ryan Funeral Home, said Curator of the Vigo County History Center, Suzy Quick. Most people are familiar with the building, so we are looking forward to getting inside and learning more about its history and actually getting a tour of the place and seeing some of the renovations that have been done,

Today, it has been bought back to its 1907 size and converted into a bed-and-breakfast location. The bed-and-breakfast is even available for reservations.

You can join the Vigo County Travelers Club on Tuesday, September 3rd at 5:30 p.m. to learn more about this historic Terre Haute building.

The event is free for members of Indiana Landmarks and/or the Vigo County History Center. And Additional attendees costs just $7 dollars per person.

Admission for non-members can be purchased at the History Center or on the History Center website.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to MyWabashValley.com.
Chinese President Xi Jinping and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa witness the signing of a raft of bilateral cooperation documents after their meeting at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 2, 2024. Xi held talks with Ramaphosa, who is in Beijing for the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) and a state visit, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Monday. (Xinhua/Yao Dawei)

BEIJING, Sept. 2 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on Monday announced the elevation of bilateral ties to an all-round strategic cooperative partnership in the new era.

Xi held talks with Ramaphosa, who is in Beijing for the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) and a state visit.

Xi said strengthening solidarity and cooperation between China and South Africa is in line with the two peoples' common expectations and the historical process of the Global South's growth.

The Chinese president called on the two countries to lead the bilateral relationship forward with high-level strategic mutual trust and stressed joint efforts to promote high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, enhance cooperation in the digital economy, artificial intelligence and new energy, and strengthen exchanges and cooperation in human resource development.

Xi said China will open its door wider to African countries, adding that the country stands ready to work with South Africa and other African countries to create new momentum for cooperation and promote high-quality development of China-Africa cooperation.

The more complex the international situation becomes, the more the Global South countries must uphold independence, strengthen unity and cooperation, and jointly safeguard international fairness and justice, Xi said.

Ramaphosa said South Africa will remain a trustworthy and reliable friend of China.

By seizing the opportunity of building the all-round strategic cooperative partnership in the new era, South Africa will expand and deepen pragmatic cooperation with China in fields such as economy, trade, investment, infrastructure, new energy and poverty reduction. It will also boost people-to-people exchanges and educational and cultural cooperation with China, the president said.

Ramaphosa noted that cooperation under the FOCAC framework has delivered massive benefits to African countries, including South Africa.

South Africa supports the six common understandings on the political settlement of the Ukraine issue jointly proposed by China and Brazil, he said, adding that the country will continue to boost communication and collaboration with China under the BRICS, G20 and other multilateral frameworks.

After the meeting, the two heads of state witnessed the signing of a raft of bilateral cooperation documents in areas such as the application of the BeiDou Navigation Satellite System. The two sides also released a joint statement on building their all-round strategic cooperative partnership in the new era.

Prior to the meeting, Xi held a welcoming ceremony for Ramaphosa at the Great Hall of the People. 

Chinese President Xi Jinping holds talks with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, who is in Beijing for the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) and a state visit, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 2, 2024. (Xinhua/Zhai Jianlan)

Chinese President Xi Jinping holds a welcoming ceremony for South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, who is in Beijing for the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) and a state visit, in the Northern Hall of the Great Hall of the People prior to their meeting in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 2, 2024. Xi held talks with Ramaphosa at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Monday. (Xinhua/Li Xueren)

Chinese President Xi Jinping holds a welcoming ceremony for South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, who is in Beijing for the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) and a state visit, in the Northern Hall of the Great Hall of the People prior to their meeting in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 2, 2024. Xi held talks with Ramaphosa at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Monday. (Xinhua/Li Xueren)

Chinese President Xi Jinping holds a welcoming ceremony for South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, who is in Beijing for the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) and a state visit, in the Northern Hall of the Great Hall of the People prior to their meeting in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 2, 2024. Xi held talks with Ramaphosa at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Monday. (Xinhua/Zhai Jianlan)

Chinese President Xi Jinping holds talks with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, who is in Beijing for the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) and a state visit, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 2, 2024. (Xinhua/Li Xueren)

Chinese President Xi Jinping holds a welcoming ceremony for South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, who is in Beijing for the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) and a state visit, in the Northern Hall of the Great Hall of the People prior to their meeting in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 2, 2024. Xi held talks with Ramaphosa at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Monday. (Xinhua/Yao Dawei)
ARTHUR, Ill. (WCIA)  The Village of Arthur is getting ready to say goodbye to its longtime Police Chief.

Chief Michael Goodman has spent the last 30 years with the Village Arthur. Now, as he retires, the village is planning to send him off with a community celebration.

Allmon ready to fill in as Campbell exits role as Sangamon County Sheriff

They will host an open house later this month on Sept. 28. It will take place at the Arthur Community Building from 2 to 4 p.m. with special remarks planned at 2:30.

Anyone who has pictures, stories and well-wishes for Chief Goodman can send them to admin@arthur-il.gov.

Photo courtesy of the Village of Arthurs Facebook page

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCIA.com.
Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda expressed scepticism on Monday that the EU will be able to agree on any sanctions on two far-right members of the Israeli government.

"Incitement to hatred is evil, regardless of which side it comes from," said Nauseda, the BNS agency reported.

However, responding to a proposal for sanctions put forward by EU foreign affairs chief Josep Borrell, he said he had "serious doubts" about the plan, because "it seems to me that he himself does not believe in the success of this initiative."

EU countries are different and have very different approaches to the conflict, Nauseda said, "and sometimes these views are diametrically opposed."

At the end of August, Borrell proposed to the EU states that Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir be placed on the EU sanctions list for incitement to hatred and human rights violations.

If approved, this would mean that they would no longer be allowed to enter the EU and that any assets they may have in the EU would have to be frozen.

Both Smotrich and Ben-Gvir are far-right coalition partners of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and both recently caused outrage with statements against Palestinians.

In addition, both support the settlement policy in the occupied territories in the West Bank, which are illegal, according to the highest UN court.

Decisions on sanctions must be taken unanimously in the European Union. Germany, the Czech Republic and Hungary have so far been critical of calls for sanctions on Israel.
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D) made an appearance at the Minnesota State Fair on Sunday, marking his first attendance as the vice presidential nominee.

No better place than the Minnesota State Fair, he wrote on the social platform X.

Walz posted several photos and a video on X of him attending the Minnesota State Fair, including several shots of him taking photos with the workers and handing out ice cream cones. This comes more than a week after he accepted the Democratic Partys nomination to be Vice President Harriss running mate last month.

He posted a video of himself with a pork chop on a stick to X.

All right, Minnesota breakfast of champions: pork chop on a stick. Ive traveled to a lot of state fairs. While Iowa has a nice one, it does not compare with Minnesota. And the pork chops here  the best, he said in the video.

The Associated Press reported Walz attended the fair alongside his wife, Gwen, and their daughter, Hope. The news service detailed how Walz surveyed many of the food vendors, many of which were offering some sort of food on a stick.

The AP reported that Walz acknowledged his presence may have brought more disruption than usual for the state fair, but he thought the attention was a chance to promote his states culture.

I think people are seeing that were getting to talk about Minnesota across the country, talk about the economy here, talk about things like the state fair, talk about agriculture, Walz said, according to AP.

WCCO, a CBS News station in Minnesota, reported that Walzs visit lasted just more than a half hour as the Secret Service and local law enforcement surveyed the area. He served milkshakes and ice cream to visitors at the Dairy Building, according to the outlet.

The Associated Press contributed.

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WAMEGO (KSNT)  The Wamego Police Department (WPD) was proud to announce they had recovered a couple of stolen dinosaur statues.

Around 9:30 a.m. on Sunday, Sept. 1 the Wamego Police Department took to social media asking for assistance in finding a couple of Sinclair gas station dinosaurs that were stolen overnight on Aug. 31. Police said a citizen was offering a reward for information that would lead to the recovery.

After the initial post, the owner of the dinosaurs, Eric Artzer, was surprised by the amount of community support in finding the statues.

When will Topekas biggest highway road work projects end?

The community was all behind posting rewards, all sorts of help, assistance, anger and disappointment, Artzer said. It reaffirmed my faith in people with the outpouring of concern.

On Sunday, the Wamego Police Department asked for community assistance in finding a couple missing dinosaur statues.

On Monday, the Wamego Police Department announced they had found the missing dinosaur statues.

Artzer said the thieves had to cut a logging chain and hoist the dinosaurs away. He said the smaller dinosaur weighed 100 pounds and the bigger one weighed between 150 and 200 pounds.

On Monday, Sept. 2 the WPD announced it had received a tip that led to the recovery of the dinosaurs. The police department shared a photo of the recovered dinosaurs in the back of a pickup truck.

The Wamego Police Department thanked an officer with the Saint Marys Police Department for his assistance in recovering the dinosaurs.

Motion to dismiss Jan. 6 charge of former Topeka Council candidate

The WPD didnt announce whether any arrests were made in connection to the incident. More information will be added to the article as it becomes available.

Thats still in the works with the police, they know who the perpetrator is, Artzer said.

For more local news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNT 27 News.
An Olympic marmot. (Photo by Kiley Barbero, courtesy of Center for Biological Diversity)

Washington wildlife officials are beginning to plan for how to conserve the states species and habitats for the next decade.

The Department of Fish and Wildlife is updating its State Wildlife Action Plan, a roadmap for how the state should focus conservation efforts and what species and habitats to prioritize.

It will take about a year of research and community engagement before the plan is finalized, but once it is, it will help guide the work of state agencies and conservation groups.

Over the next year, the department is opening public comment and surveys on the plan and encouraging anyone interested to get involved. The final document is due to the federal government by Oct. 1, 2025.

Biodiversity helps everyone in Washington, said Wendy Connally, State Wildlife Action Plan coordinator.

If youre interested in habitat at home, theres a place for you in the SWAP, she said. If youre interested in walking in the park in an urban area, theres a place for you in the SWAP. If you want to be in the wildlands and climb rocks and watch birds, theres a place for you in the SWAP.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service requires states to create a comprehensive plan for conserving wildlife and update it every 10 years to receive some federal funding.

Washington completed its first such plan in 2005 and updated it in 2015.

The federal government requires the plans to include certain elements, including a list of species of greatest conservation need, related habitats and systems, threats and possible conservation actions.

Connally said Washingtons plan has evolved into a comprehensive document based on the best available science that many state programs and conservation organizations can look to for years to come. Washington has also tied the wildlife action plan to their 25-year strategic plan to better coordinate resources and communicate the states conservation priorities.

The plan isnt going to create a magic bullet, Margen Carlson, the departments director of conservation policy, said during a public meeting last week. But hopefully, we can all agree that having a place where we try to get accurate data, we try to take an objective look at the status of fish and wildlife is something we can all agree is important.

A key part of the plan is the Species of Greatest Conservation Need list, which highlights species in Washington that the state should focus on.

The 2015 list includes more than 200 species, from Olympic marmots to grizzly bears to bald eagles to chinook salmon in the Snake River.

A species on the list is not necessarily imperiled in any way or even state or federally endangered, though some of them are, Connally said.

Some of these are species that we think are potentially on the verge of being in trouble because their habitats are severely threatened, she said.

Putting them in the 10-year plan can help the state use its resources to better understand what might need to be done to preserve that habitat and species for years to come, Connally added.

She said she anticipates there will be species that were put on the list 10 years ago that are not included in this update, though the department is still in the process of determining which those might be.

Connally said the plan can be used to inform other state agency guidance, but it is not regulatory in any way.

This update will be slightly different than the previous two, Connally said.

The previous plan can be overwhelming to those unfamiliar with it, she said. This update will aim to be more organized and easier to read. It will be separated by region and focus more on the importance of habitat systems as a whole, not just on specific species.

The work we do is very species-specific, Connally said. Thats all still really important, but that work does not happen or is not as effective if it happens without consideration for the context.

There will be another public engagement meeting early next year, and the department is expected to have a draft by spring.

In the meantime, those who want to submit comments or information to the department can do so at swap2025@publicinput.com.

The department will also open a survey in September for the public to contribute information, ask questions and give suggestions for which species they think should be included on the list of species with greatest conservation needs.
Watch: Former prison officer who had sex with an inmate mocks ankle tag

Linda De Sousa Abreu

Click here to view this content.

A former prison officer who had sex with an inmate has been filmed mocking her ankle tag.

Linda De Sousa Abreu, 30, pleaded guilty to misconduct in a public office in July after having sex with a male inmate in a cell at HMP Wandsworth, and is due to be sentenced in November.

Following her plea at Isleworth Crown Court, she was granted conditional bail which imposed a curfew, monitored by an electronic tag worn around her ankle.

A recent video filmed at a daytime club in Fulham, however, shows De Sousa Abreu appearing to mock her ankle tag, prompting critics to accuse her of not taking her punishment seriously.

In the video, the former prison officer can be seen lifting her foot onto a table, showing off the tag. With friends laughing in the background, she says of the tracking device: It looks good. Very mindful. Very cutesy. Very demure.

De Sousa Abreus description of the ankle tag as demure is a reference to a recent viral trend popular with Gen Z. Popularised by influencer Joolie Lebron, the term has spawned thousands of similar videos using the turn of phrase to poke fun at expectations of female behaviour  particularly in the workplace.

Linda De Sousa Abreu worked as a prison officer at HMP Wandsworth - Julian Simmonds for The Telegraph

De Sousa Abreus actions have prompted a furious reaction, with an anonymous source telling The Sun that she has disgraced herself in a public office and now she has no care whatsoever for the punishment.

The source added: Clearly if she thinks her ankle tag is like a piece of jewellery, she didnt think it was a big deal.

De Sousa Abreu, who is Brazilian, was originally arrested in June at Heathrow Airport after a video emerged of her having sex with an inmate at HMP Wandsworth, where she worked as an officer.

The footage was taken on illegally held phones and circulated among inmates.

Her Portuguese passport remains in police possession, and she is not allowed to apply for any international travel documents.

In court, De Sousa Abreu was described by Gayathri Yogarajah, her lawyer, as a young mother and a person of good character.

She will be sentenced on November 7.

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Vice President Harris is slated to deliver remarks Monday in Detroit at a campaign rally.

The stop is part of a Labor Day campaign blitz for the Harris-Walz ticket. Both Harris and her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D), last visited Michigan on Aug. 7.

Harris will also join President Biden in Pittsburgh on Monday after leaving Detroit, while Walz will be in Milwaukee.

The Harris event in Detroit is scheduled to begin at 1:15 p.m. EDT.

Watch the video above.

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Scientists monitor the health of sea turtles living in Guanabara Bay in Rio de Janeiro

By Renato Spyrro

RIO DE JANEIRO (Reuters) - Sea turtles in the Guanabara Bay of Rio de Janeiro are getting healthier after struggling for years with a tumor disease that hampers their movement, sight and feeding, and ultimately leads to their death.

Scientists said it came after authorities made an effort to clean up the water of the natural harbor that shapes the identity of the region.

Research has linked fibropapillomatosis, a benign tumor in sea turtles, to both a virus and environmental factors.

Kassia Coelho, a professor of veterinary pathological anatomy at the Federal Fluminense University, said samples taken from the animals and the water pointed to a much healthier environment.

"It's about analyzing health by collecting blood and tumors from these turtles, and also biometrics of the animals, seeing their growth over the years and monitoring these animals from one year to the next," she said.

"Many of these turtles are recaptured and we can assess whether they've grown, whether they're heavier, whether they've lost weight, whether they have more tumors or fewer tumors."

Surrounded by a dense urban population, Guanabara Bay was once a nursery for marine life but has over the years suffered from sewage and other garbage being dumped there.

In 2022, scientists found that three quarters of sea turtles there were carrying the tumors.

While research is still ongoing, Gustavo Baila, an oceanographer and professor at the Federal University of Rio Grande, said sea turtles have been healthier since 2023.

"These are very important species for marine conservation," he said. "We had observed a high incidence of sea turtles with tumors, with deformities that ended up being very serious for the development of these animals."

Brazil is home to five of the seven species of sea turtles that exist worldwide. However, their natural habitat is sometimes severely impacted by humans. Conservationists have called for stricter measures to protect these animals.

Alexandre Bianchini, a vice president at Brazilian water and sewage treatment company Aegea, said some 2 billion reais ($356.42 million) had been invested into cleaning up the water in the area. "Now, nature responds," he said.

($1 = 5.6113 reais)

(Reporting by Renato Spyrro; Writing by Stefanie Eschenbacher; Editing by Sharon Singleton)
Waterbury Fire Department prepares for any terrain with their water rescue training

WATERBURY, Conn. (WTNH)  The Waterbury Fire Department were out at Lakewood Lake Sunday morning training to conduct water rescues.

The Fire Department ran through a variety of drills to better prepare themselves in the event of an emergency in a body of water.

Battalion Chief Sean Maynard told News 8 that the training sessions mean more him near the Labor Day holiday.

Were always concerned about people as they play and congregate around water during the summer, said Chief Maynard. Were practicing saving a victim who might be in trouble from the shore  additionally, we have a victim in the water, were practicing saving victims from a motorboat.

The Fire Department used the Farmwood Road Causeway as an entrance to the water to help them have better access to the lake.

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A Palestinian child receives a polio vaccination in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza Strip, Sept. 1, 2024. A polio vaccination campaign started in the Gaza Strip on Sunday as over 2 million people in the Palestinian enclave are still grappling with a severe humanitarian crisis due to the ongoing conflict between Hamas and Israel. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua)

GAZA, Sept. 1 (Xinhua) -- A polio vaccination campaign started in the Gaza Strip on Sunday as over 2 million people in the Palestinian enclave are still grappling with a severe humanitarian crisis due to the ongoing conflict between Hamas and Israel.

The campaign began in central Gaza, including the city of Deir al-Balah and the refugee camps of al-Nuseirat, al-Maghazi, and al-Bureij. The second phase is scheduled for September 5 in Khan Younis in southern Gaza, with northern Gaza set to be covered on September 9.

The Palestinian Health Ministry, in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO), the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), has established vaccination centers in hospitals, clinics, schools, and shelters.

The United Nations has delivered 1.2 million doses of the oral polio vaccine, targeting approximately 640,000 children.

Each child from birth to 10 years old is to receive two doses, said Iyad al-Jabri, director of al-Aqsa Hospital in Deir al-Balah. He accused the Israeli army of deliberately destroying the medical system in Gaza, which has contributed to the spread of diseases among the local population, especially children.

Residents, such as Saeed Sobh, have expressed their concern about the outbreak. Sobh, who was at the Red Crescent Society in Deir al-Balah, said, "We need to vaccinate our children against polio because diseases in the Gaza Strip have increased due to the Israeli war."

The first confirmed case of polio in Gaza in 25 years was reported in Deir al-Balah in mid-August. Jihan Mansour, 29, expressed relief after her children received their vaccinations, saying she was initially hesitant but felt reassured after confirming the vaccine's safety.

Mohammed Abu Rahma, director of Public Care at the Red Crescent Society, noted that preparations for the campaign began immediately following the discovery of the polio case. He emphasized the importance of vaccination as the primary prevention method for polio.

UNRWA reported that over 1,000 of its employees are participating in the campaign, aiming to reach more than 600,000 children. Sam Rose, acting director of UNRWA Operations in Gaza, stated that teams would be working across clinics, health points, and shelters to administer vaccines.

UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini urged for a permanent ceasefire to ensure the success of the vaccination campaign, expressing gratitude to the UN teams involved.

A statement from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office on Saturday dismissed reports of a general ceasefire for vaccination, confirming only a humanitarian corridor and designated safe areas for vaccine administration. 

A Palestinian child receives a polio vaccination in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza Strip, Sept. 1, 2024. A polio vaccination campaign started in the Gaza Strip on Sunday as over 2 million people in the Palestinian enclave are still grappling with a severe humanitarian crisis due to the ongoing conflict between Hamas and Israel. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua)

A Palestinian child receives a polio vaccination in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza Strip, Sept. 1, 2024. A polio vaccination campaign started in the Gaza Strip on Sunday as over 2 million people in the Palestinian enclave are still grappling with a severe humanitarian crisis due to the ongoing conflict between Hamas and Israel. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua)
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO)  The Wellmark Foundation donated nearly half a million dollars to assist Iowa schools affected by the June flooding, according to a Wellmark release.

The funds will be used by schools in Rock Valley, Spencer, Greenfield and Minden to restore their learning environments for the present school year.

The area was vastly affected by extreme flooding earlier this year.

June 2024 flood: 1 for the history books

The four communities were identified by Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds, the Iowa

Department of Education (DOE) and Director McKenzie Snow, as needing urgent support and facing significant challenges. The funds will assist restore the operation of school buildings and replace instructional materials, technology and buses.

I want to thank the Wellmark Foundation for generously contributing to schools in disaster-

impacted communities and for supporting the states recovery effort in such a meaningful way,

remarked Governor Kim Reynolds. These donations have given students, teachers, and entire

communities even more to look forward to with the start of a new school year.

In addition, the Wellmark Foundation coordinated a fundraising effort with more than 1,900 of their employees in Iowa and South Dakota, matching all employee donations in July and August.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KELOLAND.com.
Israeli officials on Sunday said they recovered the bodies of six hostages in Gaza, adding that each appeared to have been killed "shortly" before they were found -- a development that sparked mass protests and ratcheted up tensions in the Middle East.

The bodies of Carmel Gat, Eden Yerushalmi, Israeli-American Hersh Goldberg-Polin, Alexander Lobanov, Almog Sarusi and Master Sgt. Ori Danino were recovered in a tunnel in Rafah by the Israel Defense Forces and the Israel Securities Authority, IDF officials said in a statement. Three of those killed were supposed to be released in the first phase of a cease-fire deal, according to a proposal from July.

PHOTO: Hostages Ori Danino, Carmel Gat, Hersh Goldberg-Polin, Eden Yerushalmi, Alexander Lobanov, and Almog Sarusi, who were kidnapped by Hamas during the October 7 attacks, and whose bodies have been found underground in the Rafah area of the Gaza Strip. (Bring Them Home Now via Reuters)

"They were all taken hostage on October 7 and were murdered by the Hamas terrorist organization while in captivity in Gaza," the statement said. "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."

Their bodies were found as the latest round of cease-fire discussions appears to have reached an impasse. Hamas blamed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for the hostages' deaths, saying Israel insists on continuing the war and "evading" a cease-fire agreement. There are 97 hostages remaining in Gaza.

On Monday, Hamas released a video of Yerushalmi, the first of what Hamas claimed would be released footage of all six of the victims taken before their deaths.

In the video, Yerushalmi talks to the camera, saying she loves her family and calls on the Israeli people to reach a cease-fire deal.

Hersh Goldberg-Polin

PHOTO: Israeli American Hersh Goldberg-Polin, who was taken hostage by Hamas during the October 7 attacks, and whose body has been found underground in the Rafah area of the Gaza Strip. (Bring Them Home Now/via Reuters)

Goldberg-Polin, a 23-year-old Israeli-American, was taken hostage by Hamas at the Supernova music festival in Israel on Oct. 7, 2023.

Goldberg-Polin was a "curious," "laid-back person" who "loves learning about people and the world," his mother, Rachel Goldberg, told ABC News' "Good Morning America" a few weeks after he was taken hostage.

President Joe Biden in a statement said he was "devastated and outraged," adding that he had gotten to know Goldberg and Hersh's father, Jonathan Polin.

"[Hersh] lost his arm helping friends and strangers during Hamas savage massacre," Biden said. "He had just turned 23. He planned to travel the world."

Goldberg-Polin's funeral procession began in Israel on Monday morning.

MORE: Israel-Gaza live updates: Funeral underway for slain American hostage

Carmel Gat

PHOTO: Carmel Gat, who was taken hostage by Hamas during the October 7 attacks, and whose body has been found underground in the Rafah area of the Gaza. (Bring Them Home Now via Reuters)

Gat, 40, was taken hostage from her parents' home in Kibbutz Beeri, where she grew up, according to the Hostage and Missing Families Forum, a group calling for the return of all hostages taken by Hamas.

"Kineret, her mother, was murdered and [Gat] was kidnapped by Hamas terrorists," the Forum said.

"There [are] a kind of small moments of let's say happiness and assurance that everything can happen and we can bring everyone home back because some of them got back, but besides that, it's really horrible, horrific," Or Gat, Carmels brother, told ABC News in December 2023.

Eden Yerushalmi

PHOTO: Eden Yerushalmi, who was taken hostage by Hamas during the October 7 attacks, and whose body has been found underground in the Rafah area of the Gaza. (Bring Them Home Now via Reuters)

Yerushalmi, 24, was working as a bartender at the Nova Music Festival on Oct. 7, according to Israeli officials.

We share with great sorrow that our beloved Eden was murdered in Hamas captivity," her family said in a statement released by Israel on Sunday.

An Israeli security official confirmed to ABC News on Sunday that Goldberg-Polin, Gat and Yerushalmi appeared in a July draft of the cease-fire deal as being slated for release in the first phase of the proposed agreement.

Alexander Lobanov

PHOTO: Alexander Lobanov, who was taken hostage by Hamas during the October 7 attacks, and whose body has been found underground in the Rafah area of the Gaza. (Bring Them Home Now via Reuters)

Lobanov, 32, was from the southern coastal city of Ashkelon. He is survived by his two-year-old child and five-month-old children, the youngest having been born while he was in captivity in Gaza.

Lobanov was taken from the Nova festival on Oct. 7, where he was working as a bar manager, according to the Hostage and Missing Families Forum. Witnesses said Lobanov helped others escape the attack, fleeing with a group to the nearby Be'eri forest where he was captured by militants.

Almog Sarusi

PHOTO: Almog Sarusi who was taken hostage by Hamas during the October 7 attacks, and whose body has been found underground in the Rafah area of the Gaza. (Bring Them Home Now via Reuters)

Sarusi, 27, was from the city of Raanana -- just to the north of Tel Aviv -- and one of four siblings. He was also kidnapped from the Nova festival, which he was attending with his girlfriend of five years, Shahar. Sarusi was captured by militants while trying to help the wounded Shahar, who did not survive.

Sarusi was described on the Hostages and Missing Families Forums Instagram page as "a vibrant, positive person who loved traveling around Israel in his white jeep with his guitar.

Master Sgt. Ori Danino

PHOTO: Ori Danino, who was taken hostage by Hamas during the October 7 attacks, and whose body has been found underground in the Rafah area of the Gaza. (Bring Them Home Now via Reuters)

Danino, 25, was from Jerusalem and the eldest of five siblings. He was engaged to his partner Liel. He had been planning to begin academic studies in electrical engineering.

Danino -- an off-duty noncommissioned officer -- was captured at the Nova music festival, having driven back into the area to help others escape the unfolding attack.

Ori was known for his ambition, love for people, and was beloved by all, an Instagram post by the Hostages and Missing Families Forum said. He loved nature and was very handy.

The six hostages whose bodies were recovered Saturday in Gaza appeared to have died "shortly before" they were found, the Israeli military said Sunday.

"According to the initial assessment we have, they were brutally murdered by Hamas terrorists shortly before we reached them," said Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari, an Israel Defense Forces spokesperson.

Who were the 6 hostages killed in Gaza? originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
Though AI jobs are concentrated in some areas of the country, nearly every U.S. state had thousands of AI-specific jobs in 2023. (Getty Images)

The desire for artificial intelligence skills in new hires has exploded over the last five years, and continues to be a priority for hiring managers across nearly every industry, data from Stanford Universitys annual AI Index Report found.

In 2023, 1.6% of all United States-based jobs required AI skills, a slight dip from the 2% posted in 2022. The decrease comes after many years of growing interest in artificial intelligence, and is likely attributed to hiring slowdowns, freezes or layoffs at major tech companies like Amazon, Deloitte and Capital One in 2023, the report said.

The numbers are still up a lot from just a few years ago, and in 2023, thousands of jobs across every industry required AI skills.

What do those AI jobs look like? And where are they based, exactly?

Generative AI skills, or the ability to build algorithms that produce text, images or other data when prompted, were sought after most, with nearly 60% of AI-related jobs requiring those skills. Large language modeling, or building technology that can generate and translate text, was second in demand, with 18% of AI jobs citing the need for those skills.

Those skills were followed by ChatGPT knowledge, prompt engineering, or training AI, and two other specific machine learning skills.

(Stanford University graphic)

The industries that require these skills run the gamut  the information industry ranked first with 4.63% of jobs while professional, scientific and technical services came in second with 3.33%. The financial and insurance industries followed with 2.94%, and manufacturing came in fourth with 2.48%.

Public administration jobs, education jobs, management and utilities jobs all sought AI skills in 1- 2% of their open roles, while agriculture, mining, wholesale trade, real estate, transportation, warehousing, retail trade and waste management sought AI skills in 0.4-0.85% of their jobs.

Though AI jobs are concentrated in some areas of the country, nearly every U.S. state had thousands of AI-specific jobs in 2023, the report found.

California  home to Silicon Valley  had 15.3%, or 70,630 of the countrys AI-related jobs posted in 2023. It was followed by Texas at 7.9%, or 36,413 jobs. Virginia was third, with 5.3%, or 24,417 of AI jobs.

Based on population, Washington state had the highest percentage of people in AI jobs, with California in second, and New York in third.

Montana, Wyoming and West Virginia were the only states with fewer than 1,000 open roles requiring AI, but because of population sizes, AI jobs still made up 0.75%, 0.95% and 0.46% of all of the states open roles last year.

Though the number of jobs dipped from 2022 to 2023, the adoption of AI technologies across business operations has not. In 2017, 20% of businesses reported that they had begun using AI for at least one function of their work. In 2022, 50% of businesses said they had, and that number reached 55% in 2023.

For those that have incorporated AI tools into their businesses, its making their workers more productive, the report found. The report said studies have shown that AI tools have allowed workers to complete tasks more quickly and have improved the quality of their work. The research suggested that AI could be also capable of upskilling workers, the report found.

The report acknowledges that with all the technological advances that the AI industry has seen in the last five years, there are still many unknowns. The U.S. is still awaiting federal AI legislation, while states make their own regulations and laws.

The Stanford report predicts two futures for the trajectory of the technology  one in which the technology continues to develop and increase productivity, but theres a possibility that its used for good and bad uses. In another future, without proper research and development, the adoption of AI technologies could be constrained, researchers said.

They are stepping in to encourage the upside, the report said of government bodies. Such as funding university R&D and incentivizing private investment. Governments are also aiming to manage the potential downsides, such as impacts on employment, privacy concerns, misinformation, and intellectual property rights.

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Where we stand in Holtecs efforts to restart Palisades Nuclear Plant

COVERT TWP.  Although still awaiting official approval from the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Holtec continues to make progress in its efforts to restart Palisades Nuclear Power Plant.

Palisades ceased power operations in May 2022, and was sold to Holtec for decommissioning shortly after. Just a few months later, in September, a plan to restart the plant was announced. An initial funding request was denied, but a second, ongoing effort was launched early in 2023.

Holtec recently shared a handful of updates on its restart effort, highlighting progress in training, hiring and other restart project activities proceeding on schedule. In its update, Holtec said the recent developments will help bring Palisades back to operations by the fourth quarter of 2025.

More: Has Palisades secured $1.5B? Despite reports, owner says not yet

More: Public mixed on reactions to possible Palisades restart

More: Hiring, training for Palisades reopening is well underway

In early August, Palisades received initial accreditation for its operations and maintenance and technical training programs with unanimous approval from the National Nuclear Accreditation Board. The initial approval covers training, analysis, design and development programs. Final accreditation is expected next year.

Additionally, 26 former licensed operators at Palisades have completed a requalification program to restore their NRC operating licenses. More operators are on track to receive licenses in the spring as part of classes that began earlier this year.

Around 100 additional full-time staff have been hired since Holtecs last update in May. There are now over 470 employees working at the plant, with 240 brought in in 2024. The staff includes people who worked at Palisades prior to the shutdown and newcomers to the plant.

The Palisades Nuclear Power Plant near South Haven will be sold to Holtec International for decommissioning after its closure in 2022, pending approval by federal regulators.

Their varied expertise, supported by hundreds of experienced industry contractors, vendors, and skilled trades, undergirds our ongoing march to a punctual restart, Holtec wrote.

Several inspections, tests, maintenance projects, and system and equipment upgrades are being done as part of the restart efforts as well. Most recently, internal inspections of the reactor vessel were complete. Holtec is now conducting steam generator cleaning and inspections within the Reactor Building.

In July, a first-ever chemical cleaning of the plants primary coolant system was conducted, which Holtec said resulted in "a significant reduction in background dose rates.

Holtec is seeking several regulatory approvals from the NRC  including the reinstatement of the plant's operating license.

According to a page on the NRC website dedicated to the Palisades restart, Holtec has several requests and applications filed with the NRC. The documents have estimated completion dates ranging from Dec. 31, 2024, to June 30, 2025.

Holtec has cleared several hurdles on its track to restart Palisades. The most significant was a conditional loan commitment of up to $1.52 billion from the U.S. Department of Energy, announced by Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm in March.

The loan requires Holtec to satisfy certain technical, legal, environmental and financial conditions.

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Other developments include a funding commitment from the state of Michigan and a power purchase agreement with Wolverine Power and Hoosier Energy.

Holtec is also seeking to build its first two small modular reactors, SMR-300s, at the Palisades site, which would add at least 600 megawatts to the plant's 800-megawatt generating capacity. Preliminary activities are underway and Holtec plans to file a construction permit application for the SMRs in 2026.

 Contact reporter Mitchell Boatman at mboatman@hollandsentinel.com.

This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: Where do we stand in Holtecs efforts to restart Palisades?
White House ramps up talk of Harriss role in foreign policy as she moves to the top of the Democratic ticket

The White House appears to be making a point of increasing Kamala Harriss visibility in foreign policy after President Joe Biden ended his re-election campaign and endorsed his vice president for the Democratic nomination.

Administration officials have increasingly stressed Harriss participation in calls with world leaders and other foreign policy measures since her entry in the presidential race in July, according to Politicos review of White House statements and briefings from across the administration.

While it is not unusual for the White House to promote the vice presidents involvement, the frequency of the administrations mentions, and her joining critical calls alongside the president, suggests an attempt to promote her experience and head off Republican attacks as she moves to the top of the ticket.

Donald Trump and his allies, however, have been promoting Harriss experience for entirely different reasons  by pivoting from attacks on Bidens alleged foreign policy failures by trying to argue that it was Harris all along who was responsible for them.

Shortly after Biden and Harris had entered office in 2021, Harris was appointed to travel to and work with Mexico and Latin American countries to address the root causes of migration to the US-Mexico border.

Those efforts and subsequent foreign travel received relatively little press attention at the time, but Trumps campaign has now spun Harris as the border czar responsible for the open border and unleashing a migrant crime wave.

Kamala Harris, speaking to supporters in Michigan on September 2, has been increasingly mentioned in foriegn policy memos from President Joe Bidens administration. (REUTERS)

Harris, who served on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee when she was a California senator, touted her foreign policy experience as vice president during her keynote address to the Democratic National Convention.

We must also be steadfast in advancing our security and values abroad, she said in her speech. As vice president, I have confronted threats to our security, negotiated with foreign leaders, strengthened our alliances and engaged with our brave troops overseas.

She pledged that the US would maintain the strongest, most lethal fighting force in the world, if she is elected. Harris also sought to draw a contrast between her potential administration and Trumps when it comes to dealing with world leaders.

I will not cozy up to tyrants and dictators like Kim Jong Un who are rooting for Trump, Harris said. They know he is easy to manipulate with flattery and favors. They know Trump wont hold autocrats accountable because he wants to be an autocrat himself.

Today, @POTUS and I met with the U.S. hostage deal negotiation team. The murder of Hersh Goldberg-Polin and five other hostages was a brutal, barbaric act by Hamas terrorists. As @POTUS said, Hamas leaders will pay for these crimes.



It is long past time for a ceasefire and pic.twitter.com/HCX95DWk4a  Vice President Kamala Harris (@VP) September 2, 2024

She also used her speech to remind voters how closely she was involved with the Biden administrations major foreign policy decisionmaking, including US support for Ukraine and Israel.

Five days before Russia attacked Ukraine, I met with President Zelenskyy to warn him about Russias plan to invade, she said. I helped mobilize a global response over 50 countries to defend against Putins aggression.

Following Bidens call on August 1 with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, a White House summary noted that Harris also joined the call. Another White House pool report last month noted that Harris joined a call between Biden and Netanyahu during the DNC in Chicago.

On September 2, a White House summary noted that Harris joined Biden in the situation room after six Israeli hostages were found dead in Israel.

President Joe Biden and Harris greet reporter Evan Gershkovich at Andrews Air Force Base following his release as part of a 24-person prisoner swap between Russia and the United States on August 1. (AP)

Administration officials have also emphasized the role Harris played in securing a landmark prisoner swap that saw the release of Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, Radio Free Europe/Radio Free Liberty reporter Alsu Kurmasheva and Paul Whelan from Russian custody.

Harris also greeted them at the airport upon their return to US soil.

According to The Wall Street Journal, Harris urged both German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Slovenian Prime Minister Robert Golob separately during Februarys Munich Security Conference to get the German government to agree to swap Vadim Krasikov as part of the deal.

Last week, when asked whether Chinas Xi Jinping had asked administration officials about her views on China, national security adviser noted that Harris has been a central member of the Biden foreign policy team, a leading member, and that she has been involved in the design and execution of the administrations Indo-Pacific strategy.
The White House wants you to know that Harris was on the call

The White House has increasingly touted Vice President Kamala Harris role in foreign policy since President Joe Bidens decision that he wouldnt run for reelection, according to a POLITICO review of transcripts and other official documents.

Recent mentions of Harris have included noting that she joined calls with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, details of Harris involvement in high-profile negotiations and unusually pointed comments by national security adviser Jake Sullivan at a news conference in China.

Asked whether Chinese leader Xi Jinping had inquired about Harris views on China, Sullivan instead trumpeted her contributions to the administrations Asia strategy.

Vice President Harris has been a central member of the Biden foreign policy team, a leading member, and has been part of the design and execution of the overall strategy in the Indo-Pacific, Sullivan told reporters following their meeting Thursday.

Name-checking Harris  or any vice president, for that matter  is unusual and suggests an attempt to buttress her credentials as she faces questions about her ability to manage international affairs and confronts an experienced opponent in former President Donald Trump.

POLITICOs review of pool reports, readouts, transcripts of administration briefings and comments by the nations top diplomats and military officials found that the administration increased its mentions of Harris in public statements about foreign engagements since July, when Biden announced he would drop out of the presidential election and endorsed his vice president.



It has extended to noting when shes in the room for important meetings. An official summary of an Aug. 1 phone call between Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ended with the line Vice President Harris also joined the call. An Aug. 21 pool report the same day included a White House note that she also joined a call between Biden and Netanyahu during the Democratic National Convention in Chicago.

Previously such mentions were rare. In fact, between Oct. 7, the day Hamas launched its attack on Israel, and July 25, POLITICO did not find a single mention of Harris in the official summaries and pool reports about Bidens calls with the Israeli leader.

The White House has more recently said that the vice president has been present for all of Bidens conversations with Netanyahu and pictures released by the White House of October calls between Biden and Netanyahu do show Harris physically in the room.

The fact that the vice president is present for these calls is itself significant, said Halie Soifer, who served as her national security adviser in the Senate.

You don't typically have both the President and the Vice President on calls unless it is of critical importance, said Soifer, who now leads the Jewish Democratic Council of America. The fact that she has participated in more than 20 calls along with President Biden, with Israeli government officials says a lot about how much Israel is a priority for this White House and the Vice Presidents commitment to Israels security.

The increased references to Harris in national security conversations come as the vice president has leaned into her role in the Biden administrations biggest foreign policy wins, especially on Ukraine and in the Indo-Pacific. In her Aug. 22 speech at the Democratic National Convention, Harris pointed to her work rallying support for Ukraine in the wake of Russias February 2022 invasion and argued that she confronted threats to our security, negotiated with foreign leaders, strengthened our alliances and engaged with our brave troops overseas as vice president.

Republicans have sought to highlight Harris role in administration foreign policy  for a very different reason. They have sought to link her to the administrations setbacks in Afghanistan and the Middle East and questioned her ability to keep the country safe and advance U.S. interests.

It now appears that the White House is trying to puff up a relatively limited foreign policy resume, argues John Hannah, a foreign policy aide in both Democratic and Republican administrations who served as Vice President Dick Cheneys national security adviser.

The flurry of announcements to highlight her deepened involvement in several recent events is clearly of a piece with that effort to play catch up and do the best they can to plug what is obviously a potential weakness, said Hannah, who is now a senior fellow at the Jewish Institute for National Security of America.

Before becoming vice president, Harris had only some foreign policy experience as a member of the Senate Intelligence and Homeland Security committees and wasnt seen as a major foreign policy player on Capitol Hill. The same could be said of past presidents, including Trump, Barack Obama, George W. Bush. and Bill Clinton.

The White House and Harris allies argue she has played a consequential role in shaping the Biden administrations major foreign policy decisions. Since day one, President Biden has relied on the vice presidents judgment and partnership to tackle the biggest foreign policy challenges and opportunities our country faces, the administration said in a recent statement.



White House efforts to share information about Harris foreign policy contributions have largely focused on her role in the administrations Asia policy. The vice president has developed ties with the leaders of Japan and the Philippines. Administration officials recently highlighted her role in securing an agreement with the government of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to resettle Afghan refugees in the southeast Asian country while they await visa processing to enter the United States.

A senior administration official told The Washington Post that Harris suggested the idea to Marcos during a visit to Manila in November 2022 and raised the proposal in two separate meetings with him.

And in a joint op-ed published in The Washington Post on Aug. 5, Sullivan, Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin wrote that the administrations efforts to bolster ties with partners in the Indo-Pacific is one of the most important and least-told stories of the foreign policy strategy advanced by President Biden and Vice President Harris.

The White House has also promoted her role in transatlantic diplomacy with European allies. Earlier in August, senior administration officials also emphasized Harris role in securing the multi-country prisoner swap that saw the release of Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, Radio Free Europe/Radio Free Liberty reporter Alsu Kurmasheva and Paul Whelan.

At an Aug. 1 press briefing, Sullivan told reporters that Harris played a key role in persuading Germany to agree to major provisions of the swap agreement. Part of that effort, a senior official told The Wall Street Journal, included Harris proposing that the German government trade Vadim Krasikov, a key component of the deal, on the sidelines of the 2024 Munich Security Conference. Harris also Harris helped convince Slovenian Prime Minister Robert Golob to include two Russian spies in the deal, per German and American officials.

For Harris supporters, this recognition, even if delayed, shows that the vice president has been a partner to Biden on foreign policy.

By every measure, she has exceeded what one would expect from a vice president, said Soifer. It's high time that the American people see that she's played a leading role in both the shaping and implementation of foreign and domestic policy priorities for this White House.
DENVER (KDVR)  Colorado Republican party infighting continued throughout Labor Day weekend with a contingent of the partys central committee meeting Saturday in Castle Rock and voting to retain Dave Williams as chairman.

The meeting comes exactly a week after another group of Colorado Republicans gathered in Brighton to vote Williams out of his position  77 party members gathered for the meeting, alongside 104 proxies. Party members moved to oust Williams after he sent an email from the state party stating that God hates flags, and then posting to X that Americans should Burn all the #pride flags this June.

Both sides appear to be boycotting the others meetings, and Williams touted in a Colorado GOP email that 191.5 votes were cast for his retention as chairperson, while 10 members of the Colorado Republican State Central Committee voted against Williams (some committee members cast fractional votes, per the party rules).

Caraveo opens up on depression, talks policy

According to Williams, 204 members gathered on Saturday and approved bylaw amendments to go into effect on Jan. 1, 2025. The group, which met for nearly five hours, also upheld and amended a statement from the State Central Committee reaffirming that the meetings organized and held by Todd Watkins et al are invalid along with any actions taken as a result of his improper meeting efforts.

Watkins is the El Paso County Republican Party vice chair and has been a key player against Williams, as has Nancy Pallozzi, the chair of the Jefferson County GOP. One of the votes held Saturday affirmed a ruling by the Colorado GOP executive committee stating that Watkins and the meetings he held are invalid and have no effect.

The fight has also moved into the courts. Both sides have filed legal documents, each purporting to be on behalf of the Colorado GOP, in different jurisdictions during the past week.

Parliamentary opinion: Meetings were improperly called

Williams also provided a parliamentary opinion from Aug. 11, that he commissioned by Al Gage regarding the ongoing meetings called by Watkins and the votes therein. The opinion states that while the initial meeting, held on July 6, was proper, the following meeting on Aug. 24 was improper because a preceding meeting called for July 27 was not held due to court action.

Gage concluded that the only legitimate meetings of the Colorado Republican Central Committee were on July 19 and Aug. 31, and the meetings on July 27 and Aug. 24 were illegitimate and any action taken there was or will be null and void b because they do not constitute properly called meetings of the CRC.

The majority has spoken, and your true State Party Leadership team will jealously defend these results against a vocal minority in and out of court, Williams wrote in an email declaring his position as the republican chairman.

With that all said, now is the time to move forward together, as one State Party, to elect President Donald J. Trump and all of our down ballot nominees, Williams said. We can no longer afford to be distracted by those impersonating State Party Officials (or those who enable them). We invite all Party members in joining us as we focus on the most important election we have ever experienced.

Williams also released a GOP party email on Aug. 28, calling party members to the Saturday meeting, declaring the Republicans who had met and voted he be removed as chairman a minority and said the group have never shared your values.

Coloradans will vote on whether to use ranked-choice voting in future elections

They are supported by previous discredited and corrupt leadership teams and a cabal of consultants that bilk candidates of resources, Williams claimed. The self-anointed emperor of this grade school charade, Eli Bremer  who once declared, the Trump Era is now officially over  is now masquerading as if he were a properly elected party official.

These identity thieves and their gullible band would continue to allow non-Republicans to vote in our primaries, Williams wrote. Those non-Republican voters would continue to vote for the softest candidates in our primaries  ensuring if a Democrat doesnt win, the weakest Republican will be steamrolled by the Democrat machine.

Williams also told followers they will see plenty of fraud in the November elections, and called the rival faction Republicans in name only.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
WILLIAMSON COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) Williamson County is continuing its efforts to crack down on people illegally dumping their trash.

Many times authorities said they find the trash down rural roads, or even on peoples land.

Unfortunately, we are the prime target here in Williamson County, said Williamson County Precinct 4 Constable Paul Leal. If you dump on us in Williamson County Precinct 4, we will do everything we can to find out who you are and we will put you in jail for it.

In 2021, the department launched the You dump it, you clean it program, which gives the offender an opportunity to clean up the trash they dumped.

We say you go out, clean it up, you take it to the landfill and provide us a receipt and we will reduce it to a class C misdemeanor, Leal said.

If the person declines, they could face a state jail felony, according to Leal.

Why is trash piling up in Williamson County? Constable now looking for culprits

The county has set up about 100 cameras to catch the people dumping their trash, but they also rely on tips from people living in the county.

In 2019, Precinct 4 needed more than 650 tons of roadside debris picked up, Leal said.

In two years of launching this program and aggressively going after violators, we got that to just under 200 tons, Leal said.

Leal added this saves taxpayers big, since crews dont have to be paid to clean it up.

When you put that in dollars, you are talking about $750,000 worth of savings to Williamson County taxpayers, Leal said.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin.
Wisconsin man turns himself in day after shooting that hospitalized one

LA CROSSE, Wis. (WFRV)  A 34-year-old Wisconsin man turned himself in to the authorities on Monday following a shooting incident that left one hospitalized.

According to a release, on Sunday, September 1, shortly after 2:30 p.m., officers with the La Crosse Police Department responded to a report of shots fired in the 2100 block of George Street.

Four-year-old dead in northern Wisconsin after ATV crash involving three under the age of ten

During the initial investigation, authorities determined that an altercation occurred between three individuals and one person was shot. The victim was transported to a nearby hospital for a non-life-threatening gunshot wound.

On Monday, Ryder Ott, 34, turned himself into the La Crosse County Jail for the shooting incident. He was subsequently arrested for attempted first-degree intentional homicide and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

Two people taken to the hospital after medical episode causes crash in WI

The La Crosse Police Department says this was an isolated incident, and there is no threat to the community. Officers are continuing to investigate this incident.

Anyone with information regarding attempted first-degree homicide is encouraged to contact the La Crosse Police Department at 608-782-7575. No additional details were provided.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFRV Local 5 - Green Bay, Appleton.
COLOMBO, Sept. 2 (Xinhua) -- Sri Lanka Customs has transferred approximately 3 million cigarettes confiscated during the first half of 2024 at Colombo Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) for destruction, state media reported on Monday.

The estimated street value of the cigarettes handed over to the Ceylon Tobacco Company (CTC) for destruction exceeds 75 million rupees (250,000 U.S. dollars), said the report.

If these cigarettes had reached the Sri Lankan market, the South Asian country would have lost roughly 480 million rupees (1.6 million U.S. dollars) in duties and other levies, according to the report.

The cigarettes were primarily smuggled by passengers arriving by air, said the report.

CTC, a subsidiary of British American Tobacco (BAT), holds the monopoly of cigarette and tobacco sales in Sri Lanka, where cigarettes are subject to high taxation. 
Tension over the violence in the Middle East spilled into a WME chat thread this weekend when the agent to Matthew McConaughey, Jason Momoa, Kevin Hart and more, lashed out following the Hamas killing of six Israeli hostages wrote, Screw the left kill all, TheWrap has learned.

Top WME agent Brandt Joel deleted the text a few minutes later, but not before a number of colleagues upset by the violence of the message took a screenshot.

Despite the deletion, His tacit (or explicit) endorsement of violence  genocide?  against the Palestinians was shocking, wrote a fellow agent to TheWrap, who declined to be identified. They noted that they shared Joels messages from the private groupchat due to what they described as Brandts virulent racism.

An individual close to the agency told TheWrap that Joels message was referring to killing terrorists.

The agents message had been sent in a Jewish affinity group that included WME partner Nancy Josephson and agent Katie Slater, both of whom expressed their sorrow at the death of the hostages. The groupchat shared President Joe Bidens statement on the hostages deaths.

His message left WME colleagues shocked, a source tells TheWrap, with everyone messaging each other asking whats wrong with him.

The message comes as emotions run high following the killing of more hostages nearly a year after Israel was initially attacked by terrorist group Hamas with 1,200 Israelis killed in the initial attack and around 250 hostages initially taken, leading to a protracted military conflict in Gaza. Joel is a U.S. military veteran who spent four years in the Navy and was deployed to the Persian Gulf before pivoting to work in Hollywood.

The outrage over six dead Israelis (which is AWFUL), and total disregard for whats happening to tens of thousands of Palestinians, is absurd, a fellow agent wrote. That source shared with TheWrap that this wasnt the first concerning message Joel had sent.

Joel previously slammed the agencys continued representation of some clients via the groupchat, writing, We have been weak every department has clients we should have fired and we didnt and it shows we are weak and we have tolerated abhorrent behavior.

Thankfully there are very few outliers, he went on to add, yet we have not fired one and its shameful.

An individual who spoke to TheWrap said he was referring to clients who expressed support for Hamas.

Actress Melissa Barrera was a high-profile example of someone who spoke out against Israel and in support of Palestine during the continuing conflict, which led to her being fired from her lead role in the forthcoming Scream sequel. Barrera is represented at WME, though not by Joel.

Joels high-profile clients also include Hugh Laurie, Mahershala Ali, Jonah Hill, John Malkovich, Ted Danson, Matt LeBlanc, Justin Timberlake, Peyton Reed and others.

Both Joel and WME declined to comment for this story.

Sharon Waxman contributed to this story.

The post WME Agent Brandt Joel Texts Colleagues Screw the Left Kill All Following Hamas Killing of Israeli Hostages | Exclusive appeared first on TheWrap.
SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI)  A 66-year-old woman was hospitalized with life-threatening injuries on Sunday after a vehicle ran over her while she was lying in Hillcrest roadway, according to San Diego police.

The incident occurred just before 10:30 p.m. in the area of 500 University Ave. The woman was lying in the westbound No. 2 lane of University Avenue when she was struck by the right front tire of a Jeep Wranger, SDPD said.

The driver of the Wranger, identified as a 49-year-old man, then came to a controlled stop while she was still under the vehicle. San Diego Fire-Rescue crews had to extricate the woman from under the car.

15-year-old driving SUV seriously injured after colliding with pole: SDPD

According to SDPD, the woman sustained a left hip fracture, brain bleed and hemorrhagic shock. She was transported to a nearby hospital for treatment. Her current condition and identity are not known at this time.

An investigation by SDPDs Traffic Division remains ongoing, although driving under the influence has been ruled out as a contributing factor in the incident.

Anyone with information that could aid in the investigation is asked to contact the Traffic Division or leave an anonymous tip with CrimeStoppers at 888-580-8477.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News.
ROOSEVELT, N.Y. (PIX11)  An 80-year-old woman allegedly attacked a police officer during her arrest on Long Island on Sunday, according to the Nassau County Police Department.

It happened at an East Clinton Avenue home in Roosevelt around 1:45 p.m. Officers met with 80-year-old Betty Cater inside the residence while investigating a complaint, according to authorities.

More Local News

Cater was allegedly angry and punched a police officer in the face and scratched him on the neck, per police. She was allegedly combative and resisted arrest, according to authorities.

The injured police officer was treated at a local hospital for pain, bruising and a laceration.

Cater was charged with assault, obstructing governmental administration and resisting arrest.

Submit tips to police by calling Nassau County Crime Stoppers at 1-800-244-TIPS (8477), visiting nassaucounty.crimestoppersweb.com or downloading the P3 Tips mobile app.

Erin Pflaumer is a digital content producer from Long Island who has covered both local and national news since 2018. She joined PIX11 in 2023. See more of her work here.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11.
A Pittsburgh woman is facing charges in the death of her granddaughter found on Pittsburghs North Side.

>> Pittsburgh Police investigating suspicious death of young female

Pittsburgh police said emergency crews were called to the 200 block of East Ohio Street in Allegheny Center at 11:30 a.m. on Sunday for an unconscious, not breathing and obviously deceased female.

According to the criminal complaint, Ayla Miller, 3, was found to be cold to the touch, had an injury to the right side of the neck and her hip, significant bruising to both sides of the face, a scratch or scar in the area of the sternum, bruising on her arm, and blood on the bed she was lying in. The injuries to her face appeared to be dark bruising near the right eye with some sort of impact point in the center of the bruise. She also had an infected wound and a mark consistent with a cigarette burn on her ankle.

Aylas mother said the toddler had been in the custody of her grandmother, Denise Johnson, for a month and a half at the time of her death, the complaint said.

Denise Johnson - WPXI

According to court documents, police spoke with someone who had a nine-minute conversation with Johnson a few hours after Ayla was found dead. Johnson immediately said she was sorry and that two days prior, she had punched Ayla in the face which caused her to fall backwards and hit her head off a coffee table. She then put Ayla in the bed for the next few days until she died.

Johnson further told police that she was sorry and admitted in a lengthy text that she beat her butt for not listening, the complaint said.

Another witness told police that they saw Johnson beat Ayla with a large wood stick alongside several other implements like a belt. They said Ayla could not move anymore because of the beating and they saw blood on her head and nose.

Police recovered evidence consistent with the statements from the witness regarding the beating, the complaint said.

Johnson, 56, is facing charges connected to the death, including criminal homicide, aggravated assault, endangering the welfare of children and abuse of a corpse.

Johnson was arrested and is being held in the Allegheny County Jail.

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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.
ALTOONA, Pa. (WTAJ)  An alleged assault left a woman intubated at UPMC Altoona and a man arrested, according to police.

Elliot Thomas Creek, 24, was arrested Thursday night, Aug. 29, and charged with aggravated assault with extreme indifference and public drunkenness after Altoona police arrived at the area of E. Hudson Street for a report of a man and woman fighting in the street.

According to a criminal complaint, police arrived to find the victim covered in blood in nothing but a bra and sweatpants while Creek was in boxers and a t-shirt. The victim was said to have been hysterical and afraid of EMS touching her at first. Police noted that when she was finally placed on a gurney, she pleaded for someone to hold her hand, unable to answer any questions.

When speaking with Creek, he alleged that he was the one that was assaulted and when he tried to call 911, the victim kept kicking the phone from him, saying they would both be arrested. He claimed he left the home, but couldnt answer how the woman got his handgun.

It should be noted that police said the handgun appeared to have failed to fire, likely because someones hand got in the way.

Confirmed: Tornado touches down in Blair County

The woman was taken to UPMC Altoona with serious injuries where she remained hysterical and ultimately had to be intubated. Police noted she was able to tell nurses she was sexually assaulted by Creek and it wasnt the first time. Police said she had cuts and abrasions all over her face and body, including bruises to both sides of her ribs.

Police said the front door of the home was open and they were able to do a sweep of the residence and found blood in the bedroom and kitchen. A further search after getting a warrant found bloody clothes and a phone plugged into a charger, the complaint reads. The phone allegedly belonged to Creek, showing that his claims of trying to call 911 and the victim kicking his phone away didnt add up.

One witness told police they stopped in their truck in the road to ask the two what was going on and the woman grabbed onto the truck. They said they then drove off and she fell to the ground. Police noted in the complaint that some injuries may have happened at that point, but the extent of her injuries couldnt have been from falling off the truck.

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According to charges, Creek ultimately refused to answer any more questions without legal representation.

Creek was arraigned early Friday morning and placed in Blair County Prison with bail set at $100,000. A mugshot was not available at the time this story was published.

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OGDEN, Utah (ABC4)  Police issued a warrant on Thursday for a Pleasant View woman who allegedly punched another woman with brass knuckles on Friday, Aug. 23.

Theresa Reyes, 31, is charged in Weber County with aggravated assault (third-degree felony), obstruction of justice (class A misdemeanor), false information to a law enforcement officer (class B misdemeanor), criminal mischief (class B misdemeanor), and propelling a bodily substance (class B misdemeanor).

At around 3 p.m. on Aug. 23, police responded to an assault call at the Kwick Stop drive-thru at 506 26th Street in Ogden. The victim was sitting in her car with her 4-year-old child when Reyes allegedly attacked her, punching her with brass knuckles.

Check out these fun events for your Labor Day weekend

It is unclear how the conflict began, but the victim reportedly tried to roll up her car window and Reyes punched, scratching the window as well.

A witness saw the event unfold and tried to intervene, police said. As the witness approached Reyes, Reyes replied Oh I got a .22 in the car for you, according to an affidavit of probable cause.

The witness then reportedly backed away from the situation, fearing for the safety of himself and his own daughter.

The suspect fled the scene, police said, but the victim was able to show officers a video she took of Reyes, including the license plate of her vehicle. After doing a records check, police found Reyes at her residence and approached her.

When asked if she was Theresa Reyes, she reportedly told police that she was not, giving them an Oregon drivers license of a different name. The officer spotted brass knuckles inside the center cup holder of Reyes vehicle, and began typing up a request for a warrant on Reyes.

While doing so, Reyes took the brass knuckles out of the vehicle, went inside the home briefly, and fled, police said.

No further information is available at this time.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah.
In some bizarre and tragic news, a woman from Tripoli, Greece, intentionally set wildfires in hopes of flirting with firefighters. Memezars recent Instagram post revealed that on August 24 and August 25, the woman ignited two separate fires on agricultural land in the Kerasitsa village. A statement later alleged that she committed the offense as she enjoyed watching firefighters and flirting with them, reported UNILAD. Authorities have since confirmed the perpetrator is facing prison time and a hefty fine.

Woman arrested for setting wildfires in Greece

Memezar revealed that the fire department confirmed the 44-year-old womans arrest since she set up the two fires in Greece. She allegedly committed the crimes hoping to watch the firefighters in action and flirt with them. Her presence at the scene of the incidents triggered suspicion, resulting in her ultimate arrest. Officers from the Police Department of Tripoli have not revealed the perpetrators name but confirmed that they arrested her on August 26.

The post stated that the woman received a three-year suspended prison sentence for causing the fires in Greece. Reportedly, this means she would not have to go to prison immediately. Additionally, the local court fined her 1,000 (approximately $1,106) besides handing her a prison sentence.

Fortunately, the wildfires only affected small plots of land, only causing minimal damage. The fire department quickly contained the flames and prevented them from spreading. The concerning incident occurred as the country already faces horrific wildfires in 2024.

This particular case from Greece made news because of the womans peculiar motive for setting the wildfires. Instagram users are commenting on Memezars post, requesting immediate action against the arsonist. A few others quipped, leaving comments such as, Shes just a girl ? Another comment read, She burned down two national forests just to see me.. and that kids is how I met your mother, while referencing Ted Mosbys line from the hit sitcom How I Met Your Mother.

The post Woman Started Wildfires to Flirt With Firefighters in Greece appeared first on Mandatory.
Our world is falling apart: Father, son both suffering from incurable lung disease as their former employer faces dozens of OSHA citations

For almost 24 years, Antonio Campos dedicated his life to cutting stone at Florenza Marble & Granite Co., a small countertop manufacturer on the citys West Side. It was a job that gave him enough money to provide for his family in Mexico and care for his relatives in Chicago. Seven years ago, he recruited his son, Jose Gomez, to work alongside him.

Sitting on a brown couch at his daughters home in the Pilsen neighborhood, connected to an oxygen tank, Campos stared at a black marble table he once helped make at the company. Campos, 58, is awaiting a lung transplant. His 32-year-old son has already received one.

Both father and son were diagnosed with silicosis, an occupational lung disease caused by the inhalation of toxic crystalline silica dust, which is kicked up when workers cut and grind stone. Some people with silicosis will need lung transplants, and the disease can be fatal. Experts say the incurable disease is preventable when manufacturers take appropriate safety measures to protect their employees.

It is a disease that Hippocrates wrote about. It is an ancient disease, said Robert Cohen, Campos and Gomezs pulmonologist at Northwestern Medicine. If we engineer the dust out of the workplace, then its entirely preventable, which is so tragic.

Last month, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration cited Florenza, where Campos and Gomez worked, for dozens of safety violations, alleging the company failed to properly protect its workers from silica exposure and inform them of the risks of their work. The agency hit the company with more than $1 million in proposed penalties.

Florenza now has until the second week of September to either comply with the citations, request an informal conference with OSHA or contest the findings with the agency.

Florenza owner Brad Karp did not respond to multiple requests for comment.

The citations issued against Florenza come as experts have grown particularly concerned over silicosis cases connected with the use of artificial stone made mostly of quartz, typically called engineered stone within the industry. Silica is found in natural stone like granite and marble, but its found in much higher and more dangerous concentrations in engineered stone, which is often used to make countertops. At Florenza, workers fabricated both engineered and natural stone, according to OSHA.

Australia prohibited the use of engineered stone entirely in a ban that took effect July 1. And last month, a jury in Los Angeles County found businesses that make or distribute engineered stone at fault in the case of a 34-year-old stonecutter with silicosis who needed a double lung transplant, according to the Los Angeles Times.

Theres an epidemic of this worldwide, Cohen said.

When inspectors arrived at Florenza in February, OSHA said in a news release, they found workers there laboring in a haze of dust. Workers at Florenza were exposed to silica at levels up to six times greater than the agency considers permissible, OSHA said, and the company had few safety controls in place to reduce workers exposure to silica.

Gomez said his illness started with a recurring cough that would not go away, then fatigue and trouble breathing. He received a lung transplant this spring, which became possible when he got health insurance through his wifes work. Many times, I didnt think I would make it, he said. But he held onto his faith.

Still, he spends most days in his home, which like his fathers is filled with oxygen tanks and countless religious images. There are times when he still has trouble breathing. He has rehab two times a week and doctor appointments almost three times a month.

His father is still awaiting a lung transplant. Joseph Brancky, an attorney representing both Gomez and Campos in workers compensation cases, said the same insurance company that eventually approved Gomezs transplant has not yet approved a transplant for his father.

In Illinois, immigrant workers are entitled to workers compensation when injured on the job despite their status, just as people who are citizens. Gomez is receiving weekly workers compensation benefits but his father, whose case remains under investigation, is not, Brancky said.

Campos, who is uninsured, has been hospitalized at least four times over the last several months, unable to breathe.

His daughter Irma Gomez has been helping to care for him since he stopped working four months ago and could no longer take care of himself.

This has been extremely difficult, we dont know what else to do, Irma said, sitting next to her father. When I heard him cough we feared it was the same illness, but he refused to stop working because we needed the money.

Over the last year, doctors told Campos his cough was related to pneumonia. It wasnt until four months ago when he could no longer breathe that the family took Campos to see the same doctor that was treating Gomez at Northwestern.

When they got the news that he also had silicosis, he panicked, Campos recalled. It was then that he told his supervisor, who hes known for over two decades, that he could no longer go to work. He also shared the news with some of his coworkers.

I want them to know what can happen. I want them to take care of themselves because this is very difficult and painful. I dont wish this upon anyone else, Campos said in Spanish.

Campos said that he and other workers began to use the proper mask while performing their job a few weeks after his son was diagnosed with silicosis last year. For some time, he thought he would be safe.

Tenia miedo. I was scared, he said. But I had to keep working.

Citing Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates, OSHA said the life expectancy for people diagnosed with silicosis is reduced by 11 years on average. The chances of surviving for more than 15 years after a lung transplant is less than 11%, the agency said.

When people breathe in silica dust, their lungs try to process the toxic particles but arent able to, which results in severe scarring.

People cant breathe. They cant get oxygen into their blood. They cant get rid of carbon dioxide, said Cohen, who is also the director of occupational lung disease at Northwestern.

Those who do live with lung transplants often find themselves in and out of hospitals and clinics. They must take medications that suppress their immune system to prevent their body from rejecting the new organ. Youre really exchanging one chronic disease for another, Cohen said.

Last year, a study published on silicosis cases associated with engineered stone in California found that nearly all of those affected were Latino immigrant men. Their median age at diagnosis was 45, and the median age at death for those who died was 46.

Many of the men who work at Florenza are from the same town in Michoacan, Mexico, where Campos and Gomez emigrated from, Gomez said. OSHA said a third Florenza employee, 47, has also been treated for an unresolved, work-related lung disease for over three years.

In 2017, OSHA updated its safety standards related to silica dust exposure and last year, the agency launched an initiative to enhance enforcement of silica standards in the engineered stone industry.

OSHA inspectors found Florenza failed to comply with many aspects of its silica standards, including by exposing workers to levels of silica dust up to six times higher than the allowed limit, not using the proper controls to limit the concentration of silica dust in the air, not providing medical surveillance to workers exposed to silica and not ensuring that workers who fabricated engineered stone were informed of the dangers of silica dust.

The inspectors also cited Florenza for safety issues related to protective respirator use, finding, for example, that respirators were not stored properly to prevent contamination from silica dust particles.

Since 2022, two different insurance providers have refused to provide workers compensation coverage to Florenza because the company did not provide air sampling or proof it protected workers, the agency said. Some of the citations OSHA issued against Florenza were categorized as willful, which the agency issues when it finds a business owner either purposefully disregarded safety standards or acted with plain indifference to worker safety.

Karp was indifferent to his employees suffering and refused to accept any responsibility for protecting them, even after two insurance carriers dropped the company for its egregious defiance of workplace safety standards, OSHA regional administrator Bill Donovan said in a statement.

When Campos first noticed he had developed a cough similar to his sons about a year ago, he hoped to return to his native Michoacan.

I wanted to go back and at least die there, he said. But I couldnt leave my son. I was also hopeful it was just something else.

Now, as he awaits the lung transplant, his hope is to still return one day. His three other children and his wife live in Mexico.

The family is relying on friends and family to help cover medical costs for Campos. His daughter Irma Gomez, who has three children of her own and works in a factory, has given up some of her shifts to take care of her brother and now her father.

Our world is falling apart, Irma Gomez said.

The father and son said they decided to tell their story with the hope that more people can be aware of the dangers they face in a workplace that does not provide proper protection.

My life has completely changed, but I have faith, Gomez said.
The National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (Nice) deemed the new drug too costly to be available on the NHS

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The approval of the breakthrough Alzheimers treatment lecanemab was described as a bittersweet moment for patients and their families. The good news: it was the first ever dementia drug given the green light by the UKs medicines regulator, the MHRA, that could actually slow the disease in its early stage. The bad news: for now at least, it would not be made available on the NHS. The benefits were simply too small to justify the costs, said the National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (Nice) in draft guidance.

While their decision is provisional, it means that for the foreseeable future the only way to obtain lecanemab in England and Wales will be via private prescription. And the cost of doing so will undoubtedly be steep: insiders estimate private clinics are likely to charge up to 50,000 per year, though prices are still being finalised.

For many families, such a price tag is prohibitive. Even for those with the means, there remains a tough decision to be made: should you potentially spend your life savings on a treatment whose effects have been described as modest? Here, we consider the questions Alzheimers patients and their families are asking now.

How great are the benefits of lecanemab really?

In a clinical trial of 1,800 patients over an 18-month period, the drug was shown to slow cognitive decline by 27 per cent and reduced the loss of quality of life by up to 56 per cent. Administered intravenously, lecanemab works to clear the build-up of amyloid protein found in the brains of Alzheimers patients. This build-up is thought to be toxic to brain cells, leading to the symptoms of the disease.

But while the drug appears to slow its progression in those at an early stage, it does not actually improve symptoms, says Prof Paresh Malhotra, the head of the Division of Neurology at Imperial College London. It seems to make people have less of a decline over an 18-month period, he says.

Put another way, the drug can buy patients the equivalent of four months where they are not declining as sharply as they would without it. Its a case of trying to explain that very clearly to patients and their families  that it doesnt lead to an improvement, it leads to a slowing of decline, and that 27 per cent in this context is not a huge effect, says Prof Malhotra. Youre still declining [even while taking the drug].

At the end of the 18 months, you would continue declining at the same rate as before, but starting from a slightly better point. But theyre quite small differences, Prof Malhotra stresses. The words my colleagues and I use are small to modest to describe the size of the effect.

Several of his colleagues say the effect over an 18-month period is almost too small to notice. Its not quite like taking an antibiotic for pneumonia or a curative treatment for cancer, he adds. Saying its useless is not true, but saying its a wonder drug isnt true either.

What should a family consider before going ahead?

Receiving lecanemab is not as easy as popping a pill. It involves a fortnightly intravenous infusion at a clinic and regular MRI scans to monitor possible side effects. These can include brain swelling or bleeding, though mostly this is said to be mild or moderate and treatment can be paused and then re-started.

Not everyone with mild Alzheimers will be eligible. Those who have a significant degree of vascular damage  for instance if they have already suffered significant strokes or multiple small bleeds on the brain (micro-haemorrhaging)  would not be able to receive lecanemab. Patients with two copies of the APOE4 gene (a combination that gives someone a relatively high risk of Alzheimers) will also be excluded.

Prof Malhotra has been discussing lecanemab frankly with his patients for the past 18 months. Some have remained keen and some have been put off by hearing about the twice-monthly infusions or the potential side effects, he says. Then theres the very significant cost as well.

What would an expert advise a relative with mild Alzheimers?

Without even bringing cost into it, first it depends on an individuals understanding about the risks versus the benefits, says Prof Malhotra. The benefits are modest but do appear to affect the speed of decline. The risk is about 20 to 25 per cent of people having some bleeding or swelling on the brain, and theres also the quite intensive nature of the treatment.

Its important each patient appreciates what the treatment involves and what it will and wont do, he says. Its not quite the same situation as antibiotics when someones got sepsis, where obviously Id tell a relative you should have it straight away, this is going to save your life.

Even if lecanemab was available on the NHS, Prof Malhotra says he would still advise a patient to think it through carefully before starting the treatment. If someone is considering it, the most important thing is they get all the information needed to make a decision. Then it becomes a personal choice.

Dr Emer MacSweeney, a principal investigator for clinical trials and a consultant neuroradiologist, sees the development of lecanemab as a significant and much-needed breakthrough for Alzheimers treatment. She believes it is paving the way for a new class of similar medications, but acknowledges the cost of the drug is a major barrier for most patients and advises those unable to afford it to sign up for trials instead. These provide a very safe, secure environment in which to access new generation medications and there are lots of even newer generation medications coming down the pipeline, she says.

Re:Cognition Health, a leading clinic for delivering trials of Alzheimers treatments, where Dr MacSweeney is chief executive and medical director, is enrolling patients for eight or nine trials currently, as well as offering lecanemab as a private treatment. It is hoped the drugs being tested now will offer greater benefits than those already coming onto the market.

For most patients, spending huge sums on lecanemab may not be the best way forward, Dr MacSweeney suggests, pointing out that drugs can be obtained for free on trials. Even those taking a placebo in her clinics trials will receive the drug itself eventually.

What would the first steps be when enrolling for treatment?

Clinics offering the treatment would need to have a standard procedure in place. This would include a DNA test for the APOE gene, which can be related to patients risks of side effects, as well as checks for micro-haemorrhaging and an assessment to ascertain the stage of the disease, says Prof Malhotra. A PET scan of the brain or lumbar puncture (testing spinal fluid) would be needed to show whether or not the patient has the amyloid protein build-up, plus a clinical assessment including cognitive and memory tests to determine the severity of the condition.

Does the UK have the capacity to deliver all these PET scans?

There is a limit to how many PET scans (a technique that produces three-dimensional images using a radioactive marker) can be done either within the NHS or privately, explains Prof Malhotra. But its not yet known how much demand there will be for lecanemab among private patients. Currently Im sure the system would be tested if lots of people came forward for it, he says. This could change as Alzheimers drugs become more effective and the system evolves alongside the scientific advances.

What does the future hold?

Experts hope that in a few years time, we could be in a much better place when it comes to Alzheimers medications. Prof Malhotra believes its likely that in future doctors will be treating the disease at different points in its progression. Hopefully some sort of combination therapy will help us deal with it more effectively as time goes on, he says.

Finding a way to stop, rather than merely slow, patients decline would be the next step, ideally. Ongoing trials are assessing whether drugs like lecanemab might be helpful before signs of Alzheimers even appear to prevent the disease from starting.

Theres a lot to be done, says Prof Malhotra. But its going in the right direction. Dr MacSweeney agrees Alzheimers research is at a promising point. There are going to be so many more medications that will follow [lecanemab], she says.

Within the next few years, there will 100 per cent be a whole variety of treatments available, which are currently being trialled, she adds. Were just seeing the tip of the iceberg.

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TEHRAN, Sept. 1 (Xinhua) -- Iran's new Defense Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh and his Syrian counterpart Ali Mahmoud Abbas held a phone conversation on Sunday, calling for expanded bilateral cooperation, according to Defa News, the Iranian Defense Ministry's news outlet.

During the call, Nasirzadeh reaffirmed Iran's support for Syria's security and territorial integrity, emphasizing the need to implement existing bilateral agreements to strengthen ties between the two nations.

Abbas congratulated Nasirzadeh on his appointment and expressed Syria's commitment to fostering robust relations with Iran. He highlighted the interconnected security of Syria and Iran and praised the efforts of the "resistance axis" in countering "Israeli threats" in Gaza, Syria, and Yemen.

Both ministers condemned Israeli actions in the region, including its activities in Gaza, and criticized international organizations for failing to take adequate measures against these actions, according to Defa News. 
Its not just young veterans who face trouble finding good jobs. Labor Department officials have found a growing number of veterans who have held civilian posts for years asking for help with resume writing and networking to facilitate their next career step.

Oftentimes, when veterans first get out of the military, theyre landing in a job because thats what they need to be economically sustainable, James Rodriguez, assistant secretary for the Veterans Employment and Training Service, said in an interview with Military Times.

But after theyve got some education and some additional training, now they want to get connected to different careers.  And sometimes you need someone to help you navigate through all of that noise, help you understand how to leverage your military training, all the professional development that you had and how to land one of these great-paying career opportunities.

That demand has been one of the revelations of the Labor Departments Off-Base Transition Training Program, launched as a pilot in early 2022 to assist veterans, troops and their spouses in accessing job training assistance on issues like interviewing, professional outreach and resume writing.

Young veterans more likely to get dangerous jobs than civilian peers

Now in its third year, the program has expanded to 37 cities in 10 states, all targeted as areas with lower veteran employment rates than the national average. Through the first nine months of fiscal 2024, the program had 9,983 participants  up nearly 160% from the total for all of fiscal 2023.

Of the nearly 18,000 enrollees, about 55% have been out of the ranks for more than 4 years and roughly 40% left the military more than 10 years ago.

Program organizers have focused on ways to guide participants to in-demand jobs with higher pay and strong career advancement opportunities, appealing to both newly separated troops and veterans out for several years. That includes ways to target pitches to employers looking for those skills and connecting with local businesses looking for employees.

In Texas or New York, where theyre planning to build these giant factories to build microchips, we want the veterans to understand that those types of occupations are going to exist, Rodriguez said. So thats a big part of what our employment navigators do.

Rodriguez, who served 21 years in the Marine Corps, said hes also continuing his own pitch to business leaders about hiring veterans, both young and old.

Its a consistent conversation we have to have, he said. Our veterans outperformed their nonveteran peers (in the civilian workforce). We contribute to the economy at a higher rate than our nonveteran peers. We stay at an organization longer than our nonveteran peers, if the right culture fit is there.

So those types of things are good for business, and thats the message I constantly give to employers.

The next step, he said, is getting more veterans ready for those employers to hire. The program is on track to expand to 20 states by 2027, but department officials will need additional funding approved by Congress to continue the effort past the planned five-year pilot timeline.

More information on the Off-Base Transition Training Program and other job help resources is available through the Labor Departments website.
MANHATTAN, Kan. (KSNW)  The Riley County Police Department says it continues to investigate after a young woman from the Wichita area was injured early Friday in Manhattan. The woman was rushed to Stormont Vail Hospital in Topeka.

Friends have said the woman was with them in Aggieville late Thursday, but they became separated as they were leaving.

This embedded content is not available in your region.

The Riley County Police Department said the woman was walking home and was communicating with her friends until 2:13 a.m. Friday. But something happened, and she was found injured in the 800 block of Laramie, a few blocks east of Aggieville. The call to 911 came in around 2:30 a.m.

While friends and family have said the woman was assaulted, the Riley County Police Department did not use that word in its news release. It said it is investigating an incident.

We are currently reviewing surveillance footage from Aggieville and surrounding areas and are following up on any leads to determine the cause of these injuries, police said in a news release Tuesday morning.

Person injured in overnight shooting at Old Town parking garage

Ashley Tokoi, a police spokesperson, said police are aware of a social media message that has been circulating, but she said it includes some misinformation.

We understand the concerns that have been raised on social media regarding the safety of our community, the news release said. It is important to note that based on the information available at this time, there is no evidence to suggest there is an ongoing threat to the public. While we take all reports seriously, it is critical to rely on verified information rather than speculation.

The police department is asking the community to give officers time to thoroughly investigate what happened.

If you have any tips that could help police, call 785-537-2112. If you want to remain anonymous, call Riley County Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS (8477).

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSN-TV.
Alice Weidel (l) and Tino Chrupalla, the federal chairmen of the AfD, comment on the results of the state elections in Saxony and Thuringia at a press conference at the AfD federal office. Bernd von Jutrczenka/dpa

Younger German voters, in particular, flocked to the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), helping power the party to historic results in a pair of eastern state elections on Sunday, according to exit polls.

In both Thuringia and Saxony, voters between the ages of 18 and 29 overwhelmingly backed the AfD, which in both states has been branded a far-right extremist group by domestic intelligence agencies.

The AfD on Sunday won 36% of younger voters backed in Thuringia and another 30% in Saxony, according to polling by the research firm Forschungsgruppe Wahlen.

Overall, the AfD placed first in Thuringia with 32.8% and a narrow second place in Saxony with 30.6%.

The centre-right Christian Democrats (CDU), which appears likely to lead the next coalition governments in both states, significantly underperformed among younger voters, the pollsters found.

The CDU won in Saxony with 31.9% of the vote, but won only 15% of those under 29 years old. In Thuringia, the CDU placed second with 23.6% - but among younger voters finished tied with the hard-left Die Linke ("The Left") with just 13%.

In Thuringia and Saxony, polls put support for the AfD among younger voters up dramatically since the most recent state elections in 2019.

Researcher Rudiger Maas, who has studied the AfD's appeal among young people, credited the party's adept use of social media, cultivation of influencers and focus on issues like immigration that often go viral.

Maas said that it's also a sign of the party's normalization among younger people, who are less likely than older Germans to view the AfD as a repellent extremist group or a threat to democracy.

He said the traditional division of the political landscape into left and right is becoming less important for young voters. He found in a recent study that many young people who describe themselves as political centrists nevertheless cast ballots for the AfD.

"As a result, these extreme parties are not slipping to the margins," Maas said.

He said that fewer young people report that the AfD is considered taboo or a fringe extremist group among their circles of friends.

"Many young people have told us: 'The far-right won't hurt us, they're not evil.' It's older people in particular that seem to recognize this danger," Maas said, adding that he views the phenomenon as a "completely underestimated" factor.

Maas said he expects similar results when voters in the eastern German state of Brandenburg go to the polls to elect a new state parliament on September 22.

Young people, fuelled by social media, tend to perceive the AfD as a party that is unfairly disadvantaged by others, while mainstream political parties like the centre-left Social Democrats (SPD) and centre-right Christian Democrats (CDU) have difficulty finding traction online.

According to Maas, other parties would only have a chance to challenge the AfD for the youth vote if they invested a lot of money quickly and also relied on high-reach personalities online.

Alice Weidel (2-L) and Tino Chrupalla (2-R), the federal chairmen of the AfD, together with the AfD state chairmen Stefan Moller (left, Thuringia) and Jorg Urban (right, Saxony), comment on the results of the state elections in Saxony and Thuringia at a press conference at the AfD federal office. Bernd von Jutrczenka/dpa
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN)  Many people want to know where they come from, but when their family history involves the Youngstown mob, it can make tracking down the truth a little more difficult.

That is something that Cassandra Vega, of Youngstown, wants to explore in her directorial debut.

Her film called Tuneup explores her family history and the struggles of having a loved one who is involved in organized crime.

Her movie loosely follows the car bombing death of Nicholas Alexander, Jr. on June 25, 1975, at an apartment in Austintown. According to previous news reports, his family was involved in the local gambling rackets in the 50s and 60s.

Something that nobody really knew, and a lot of people still dont know to this day is that he had a child, and that child was my father, Vega said.

Alexanders son, Vincent, was about 8 at the time. His mom, Pam, remarried, and his step-father, Albert Vega, raised him.

Cassandra spent her childhood growing up on the West Side and didnt learn the truth about her biological grandfather Nicholas until she was much older.

It was something that was not talked about in my family. It was something that, you know, made my grandmother cry whenever it was brought up, she said.

Though the movie is about the mob and explores a fictional timeline where Vincent went into the family business, Cassandra said its not really a mob movie at its core. Tuneup explores the ripple effect of generational trauma organized crime can cause in a family.

This was something that our ancestors, I guess, did out of survival, Cassandra said.

Vincent Vega passed away in 2022. Cassandra is making the movie in his honor.

He inspired it all, you know. Thats why were here, Cassandra said.

Tuneup will be filmed in the Youngstown area next year. Vega is hoping to release it in 2026.

Vega is crowdfunding for the pre-production phase of the movie. You can follow films progress on Facebook at Tuneup Movie.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKBN.com.
KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters) -Malaysia and New Zealand said on Monday they plan to increase bilateral trade by 50% by 2030 and will also review an existing free trade agreement.

The two countries will eliminate non-tariff trade barriers that impede the flow of goods between their borders, New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Luxon said at a joint press conference with Malaysian counterpart Anwar Ibrahim.

"We're (also) working on e-certification and new customs cooperation to smooth flows at the border," Luxon said.

The countries' trade ministers will meet next year to discuss reviewing the Malaysia-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement, Luxon said, without providing details on how they would increase trade by 50% by 2030.

Luxon also said New Zealand would expand defence cooperation with Malaysia and was deploying one of its air force's P-8A Poseidon patrol and reconnaissance aircraft to Butterworth in Malaysia's northern Penang state for a joint exercise.

Anwar and Luxon also called for an immediate ceasefire in the 11-month conflict in Gaza and for a two-state solution between Israel and Palestine to be found.

Luxon, who is on a three-day visit to Malaysia, said New Zealand and Malaysia had different positions on the Palestinian militant group Hamas but were working towards finding a peaceful resolution in the region.

"We both are very united in calling for an immediate ceasefire, getting the parties around the negotiating table and finding a two-state solution," he said.

Anwar has good relations with the political leadership of Hamas but has said he has no involvement in its military apparatus. New Zealand has designated Hamas as a terrorist entity in its entirety.

Anwar said prospects for a ceasefire did not look encouraging at present, adding there was a lack of commitment from countries, particularly the United States, who could exert their influence to stop the conflict.

"The only hope is to engage the United States to take a stronger stance," Anwar said.

More than 40,000 Palestinians have died in the Israeli military offensive on Gaza since Oct. 7, when Palestinian militant group Hamas attacked southern Israel, killing 1,200 people and abducting 250.

(Reporting by Danial Azhar and Rozanna Latiff; Editing by Martin Petty and Christopher Cushing)
Zelenskiy says West should permit long-range attacks, supply weapons to carry them out

(Reuters) -President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Monday Ukraine's Western allies should not only allow their weapons to be used for strikes deep inside Russia, but also supply Kyiv with more of the arms themselves.

Ukraine has long urged partners to allow it to fire Western weapons at targets far into enemy territory, and those calls have grown louder as Russian airstrikes on Ukrainian energy installations, other infrastructure and residential buildings intensify.

After a meeting with Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof in the southeastern Ukrainian city of Zaporizhzhia on Monday, Zelenskiy said Kyiv was "more positive" about the prospects of getting such permission.

"For today, only to allow  is also not enough," he said, adding that allies should ensure deliveries of weapons to use for such attacks. "We didn't get everything we would like to use," Zelenskiy added.

Zelenskiy added that some agreements on supplies had not been fulfilled.

He said he discussed with Schoof strengthening Ukraine's air defences. He mentioned there were "some ideas" on how to increase the fleet of F-16 jets donated by allies, one of which was lost in a crash in Ukraine last week.

"We will keep providing air defence equipment, and F-16s, and funding for munitions," Schoof said.

Schoof added that the Netherlands would provide Ukraine with around 200 million euros ($221.4 million) in support to repair energy infrastructure and for humanitarian assistance.

The Netherlands will deliver refurbished gas turbines with a total value of 29.5 million euros and has allocated 45 million euros for repairing energy infrastructure, the Dutch foreign ministry said in a statement.

The money comes from a 400-million-euro aid fund the Dutch government pledged to Ukraine earlier this year.

Zelenskiy also commented on the situation on front lines, saying that Ukraine's cross-border incursion into Russia's western region of Kursk was moving "according to the plan".

He added that Ukraine believed the operation could help to ease pressure on the Pokrovsk front in Ukraine's east, where Russia has accelerated its advances.

So far, he said, the situation there remained difficult.

($1 = 0.9033 euros)

(Reporting by Sergiy Chalyi, writing by Yuliia Dysa and Bart Meijer; editing by Toby Chopra and Mark Heinrich)
Editor's note: This article has been updated to reflect comments made by a spokesperson for Ukraine's Foreign Ministry.

Vladimir Putin arrived in Mongolia on Sept. 2, amid calls from Ukrainian lawmakers for the country to execute an international arrest warrant and detain the Russian president.

Video published by Russian state media showed Putin's plane landing before he disembarked with a guard of honor.

A group of Ukrainian lawmakers from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's party have written an open letter to their Mongolian counterparts, urging the arrest of Putin during the visit.

"As members of the Ukrainian parliament, we call on the Mongolian authorities to execute the binding international arrest warrant and hand over the head of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin, to the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague," the letter dated Aug.31, reads.

"The Rome Statute is the key international treaty that established the International Criminal Court. This document is the basis of global efforts to strengthen the rule of law and prevent impunity, in particular for war crimes."

The International Criminal Court (ICC) issued an arrest warrant for Putin in March 2023 for the forcible transfer of Ukrainian children to Russia from areas of Ukraine that Russia has occupied since its full-scale invasion launched in early 2022.

Putin is visiting Mongolia at the invitation of Mongolian President Ukhnaagiin Khurelsukh, his first trip to an ICC member country that has ratified the Rome Statute, which obligates signatories to arrest him if he enters their territory.

"Putins visit to Mongolia is a well-planned provocation," Oleksandr Merezhko, Ukrainian MP and chair of the parliament's foreign affairs policy, and one of the signatories of the letter, told the Kyiv Independent on Sept. 2.

An open letter obtained by The Kyiv Independent written by a group of Ukrainian lawmakers from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's party has urged Mongolian authorities to arrest Vladimir Putin during a visit to their country this week. (Courtesy of Oleksandr Merezhko)

"He wants to show that no one cares about the ICCs arrest warrant. If there is no reaction to his provocation then the ICCs reputation will be badly damaged. And it will show the weakness of international law in general," added Merezhko, one of six lawmakers from Zelensky's Servant of the People party who signed the letter.

The letter follows an Aug. 30 public statement by Ukraine's Foreign Ministry that also urged Mongolia to arrest Putin.

"The Ukrainian Side hopes that the Government of Mongolia is aware of the fact that Vladimir Putin is a war criminal ... The abduction of Ukrainian children is just one of numerous crimes for which Putin and the rest of the Russian military and political leadership must be brought to justice," it read.

"We call on the Mongolian authorities to execute the binding international arrest warrant and transfer Putin to the International Criminal Court in The Hague," the ministry statement added.

Heorhii Tykhyi, a spokesperson for Ukraine's Foreign Ministry, wrote on X that Mongolia would face "consequences" for its decision to not arrest Putin.

"Mongolia allowed the indicted criminal to escape justice, thereby sharing responsibility for his war crimes," Tykhyi wrote. "We (Ukraine) will work with partners to ensure that this has consequences for Ulaanbaatar."

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said on Aug. 30 that the visit is being prepared "carefully," adding that the Russian government has "no concerns" about the trip.

"We have a great dialogue with our friends in Mongolia," Peskov told Russian state-controlled media outlet Sputnik.

Last year, the Russian president skipped the BRICS summit in South Africa after the host country indicated it would have to comply with the ICC warrant.

Mongolia has not actively supported Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine but has also refrained from voting to condemn it at the United Nations.

Read also: Why Chinese banks are curbing Russian transactions

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Dick Schoof in Zaporizhzhia on 2 September. Photo: Office of the President of Ukraine

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said that he raised the issue of investing in Ukrainian long-range weapon production during a conversation with Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof.

Source: Volodymyr Zelenskyy at a joint press conference held by the leaders in Zaporizhzhia, as reported by European Pravda

Details: Zelenskyy had been asked about the work being done by the Ukrainian authorities to compensate for issues with the supply of Western long-range capabilities or restrictions on the use of these weapons.

He said the issue had been discussed at a meeting with Dick Schoof.

Quote from Zelenskyy: "We have started producing our own long-range drones, and we have also started working on the missile programme  and it is working well too. Today we need money to invest in our production. I have talked to the Prime Minister and other partners about this. We are working to ensure we can get the money we need."

"We dont have enough money in our country for mass production right now. That is, we are already producing a very large number of long-range drones. But to stay ahead of Russia we need more, and we need them faster," the president added.

Zelenskyy also commented on the situation around obtaining permission from Western partners for Ukraine to use their long-range weapons to strike deep into Russian territory. He explained that the issue is not just obtaining permission, but also receiving weapons capable of inflicting such strikes.

Background: Dick Schoof announced an aid package worth over 200 million during his first visit to Ukraine as prime minister.

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Labor Day is here and that means a 3-day weekend and plenty of Labor Day deals. Weve already had some coverage on Labor Day monitor deals, but wanted to explore more in what Best Buy had to offer. We found a pair of deals on curved OLED monitors that, at a precursory glance, were statistically similar  the LG UltraGear 45-inch OLED Curved and the Samsung 49-inch Odyssey OLED G9. Theyre both excellent OLED monitors, have a 240Hz refresh rate, 0.03ms GtG response times, have FreeSync, HDR 400, and countless other little statistical similarities. Plus, theyre both exactly $600 off and within $100 of each other in final price. In other words, a headache for anybody that cares to quickly sort them out.

Ultimately, there are two ways to sort them One is the easy way, you can choose the monitor that is boxy or the monitor that extra wide. Or, you can do the due diligence on the monitors and find all of the extra details that differentiate them further than stats and shapes. Here are the two monitors presented, their sale prices, and the special tidbits that make them unique to help you make the final decision as to which one is right for you.

The LG UltraGear 45-inch OLED  $1,100, was $1,700

LG

Despite being 45 inches, not 49, the LG makes a big case for itself as being the bigger monitor. LGs curved OLED displays in a 3440 x 1440 resolution, or a 21:9 aspect ratio, which  as LG helpfully points out  actually gives it a bigger screen size than a 49-inch screen with a 32:9 aspect ratio (see Samsungs monitor, below) which weve also found to be somewhat impractical at times. The LG has a gentler 800R curve remains quite immersive and usable for gaming. To see what using a monitor of this shape and brand is like, check out our LG UltraGear 45-inch OLED review, being careful to note that its a slightly different model.

BUY NOW

Samsung 49-inch Odyssey OLED G9  $1,200, was $1,800

Samsung

Samsungs Odyssey OLED is big in its own way, however, as one of the classic ultrawide monitor styles that get you locked into the action from all sides, including your peripheral. It has an intense 1800R curve and 5120 x 1440p resolution across its 49-inch display. So, if you like being in a very immersive environment that wraps around your head, this is the one to go for. Plus, the Samsung Odyssey OLED G9 has access to Samsungs Gaming Hub, a cloud gaming source. That makes it almost like a console in and of itself. Check out our Samsung Odyssey OLED G9 review for a hands on look at a model that is close to, but not exactly like, this monitor.

BUY NOW
Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, meets with Guinean President Mamady Doumbouya in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 2, 2024. Doumbouya is in Beijing for the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). (Xinhua/Li Xiang)

BEIJING, Sept. 2 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang on Monday met with Guinean President Mamady Doumbouya, who is in Beijing for the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation.

Ding, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said the two countries have set a shining example of sincere cooperation and mutual benefit.

China is willing to safeguard traditional friendship with Guinea, jointly promote cooperation in various fields for more fruits, and bring more benefits to the two peoples, he noted.

Doumbouya said that Guinea will accelerate pragmatic cooperation with China, and elevate the bilateral relationship to a new level. 
(Reuters) -China has warned of severe economic retaliation against Japan if it further restricts sales and servicing of chipmaking equipment to Chinese firms, Bloomberg News reported on Monday, citing people familiar with the matter.

Toyota Motor privately told Japanese officials that Beijing could react to the curbs by cutting Japan's access to minerals required for automotive production, the report said.

Several Chinese officials had repeatedly outlined the position with their Japanese counterparts in recent meetings, the report added.

China's foreign ministry said the country has always been firmly opposed to the "artificial disruption" of global production and supply chain stability, the politicisation of normal economic and trade cooperation, and scientific and technological blockades against China.

"China has always been committed to maintaining the safety and stability of the global production and supply chain, and has always implemented fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory export control measures," spokesperson Mao Ning said, when asked for a comment at a regular news briefing.

A Toyota spokesperson said the automaker was constantly considering the best procurement strategies, not limited to mineral resources, to meet the needs of its customers.

Japan began restricting exports of 23 types of semiconductor manufacturing equipment, aligning its technology trade controls with a U.S. push to curb China's ability to make advanced chips in July.

(Reporting by Gnaneshwar Rajan in Bengaluru, Liz Lee in Beijing and Daniel Leussink in Tokyo; Editing by Kim Coghill, Christian Schmollinger and Gareth Jones)
Trump 'has a lot on his plate', misunderstands Taiwan's chip role, minister says

TAIPEI (Reuters) - Former U.S. President Donald Trump "has a lot on his plate" and misunderstands Taiwan's role in the semiconductor industry, possibly because others have misinformed him, the island's Economy Minister Kuo Jyh-huei said on Monday.

Trump, the Republican nominee in November's presidential election, unnerved democratically governed Taiwan, which is claimed by China, by saying in July, "Taiwan should pay us for defence," and that it had taken American semiconductor business.

His remarks pummelled shares of Taiwan's TSMC, the world's largest contract chipmaker and a major supplier to companies such as Apple and Nvidia.

Speaking to reporters in Taipei ahead of this week's Semicon Taiwan exhibition, set to be attended by top executives from TSMC, Samsung and SK Hynix, Kuo rejected Trump's remarks.

"Taiwan did not steal the U.S. chip industry," said Kuo, previously a senior executive of a TSMC supplier, Topco Scientific.

Taiwan helps complement the U.S. chip industry in manufacturing, and makes chips as commissioned by U.S. industry, he added.

"This is a misunderstanding on Trump's part. The president has a lot on his plate; maybe a friend or a competitor in Taiwan told him that," Kuo said.

TSMC is spending billions building new factories overseas, including $65 billion on three plants in the U.S. state of Arizona, though it says most manufacturing will stay in Taiwan.

TSMC's Arizona factories are a crucial part of the Biden administration's efforts to boost the chips supply chain and ensure the United States is less reliant on chips made overseas.

In 2022, the U.S. Congress approved the Chips and Science Act to boost domestic semiconductor output with a programme of $52.7 billion in research and manufacturing subsidies.

Taiwan received strong backing from Trump's 2017-2021 administration, including arms sales, which have continued under the government of President Joe Biden.

Trump spoke to then-Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen in 2016 shortly after he won the election, prompting anger in Beijing, as the United States does not officially recognise Taiwan's government, and glee in Taipei.

Taiwan's government rejects China's sovereignty claims.

(This story has been refiled to say 'Republican', not 'Republic,' in paragraph 2)

(Reporting by Ben Blanchard; Editing by Clarence Fernandez)
Hungary is ready for the heating season and natural gas supplies are continuous from the south, Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said in St Petersburg, adding that the countrys energy security was guaranteed in the long term.

Szijjarto held talks with Aleksei Miller, the CEO of Russias state gas company Gazprom, and the foreign ministry quoted him as highlighting the importance of the Turk Stream gas pipeline in terms of Hungarys gas supplies, as well as Hungarys 15-year gas purchase agreement with Gazprom, signed in 2021.



The long-term agreement and the secure transit route in the south guarantee that natural gas delivery for Hungary is uninterrupted and stable despite an extremely difficult geopolitical environment, Szijjarto said, according to a ministry statement.



Gazprom is meeting its commitments taken in the 2021 agreement; Turkiye, Bulgaria, and Serbia, as reliable transit countries, ensure a continuous supply of gas from Russia to Hungary, the minister said.



He noted that Hungary had received some 5.6 billion cubic metres of gas via Turk Stream last year, while since the beginning of 2024, the volume of gas received had amounted to 4.8 billion, highlighting the increasing importance of the southern route.



Our gas storage facilities are 89% full  an amount which could cover 57% of Hungarys annual demand, Szijjarto said, adding that the European average of gas reserves was 27% of the total storage capacity.



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Budapest has become a hub of Hollywood activity as the third installment of the Now You See Me series is currently being filmed in the city. Jesse Eisenberg, who plays a key role in the films, recently visited a local magic shop, where he explored the world of magic beyond his on-screen character.

The shop owner, Szabo Istvan, was pleasantly surprised by Eisenbergs genuine interest in magic.



Although the magic tricks in the Now You See Me films are often movie effects or performed by hand doubles, Jesse Eisenberg, perhaps influenced by his character, has developed a serious interest in magic, Szabo explained. Eisenberg was particularly interested in specific tricks, including a linked flat card deck, and showed curiosity across various magic disciplines.



Szabo also shared how Eisenberg took the time to learn a few tricks. My colleague Vince demonstrated many tricks to him. He was intrigued by the micro-magic trick Wheres the Red? and even purchased a mentalist trick, Szabo recounted. Eisenberg received a quick ten-minute lesson on the technique, which he might use in real life or possibly even in the movie.



The ongoing filming of Now You See Me in Budapest underscores the citys growing appeal as a prime location for major international productions. Eisenbergs visit to the magic shop not only highlights his dedication to his role but also his personal interest in the art of magic. As production continues, fans are eager to see if any of the tricks learned in Budapest will appear in the film.



Photo: Courtesy of Figaro Shop



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Bill Murray, the much beloved Hollywood actor, was recently spotted in Hungary. He was here visiting his old friend, Michael Stenger, and Michaels wife Eva, in Tokol.

This visit marked a special reunion as Murray and Stenger share a friendship that spans over three decades.



On Monday, the duo, along with Eva, explored the Kaali Auto and Motorcycle Museum in Dorgicse. It was there that Blikks reporters caught up with Murray.



The actor shared that he has known Michael for 35 years, starting when Stenger worked as his chauffeur in New York. Michael, who emigrated from Hungary in 1956, initially formed a professional relationship with Murray, which eventually blossomed into a deep friendship.



Although Michael had invited Murray to Hungary several times, the actors busy schedule always posed a challenge. Currently filming in Germany, Murray decided to seize the opportunity for a brief visit. This trip marked his first time in Hungary, and he planned to continue his travels to Greece on Tuesday.



Murray shared with Blikk that he has a unique morning routine: waking up early and having dessert for breakfast.



I feel great here; this is a beautiful country, he remarked. He described their journey across the Hungarian countryside, noting the endless driving and the beauty they encountered.



Their exploration also took them through Budapest, where they experienced the citys charm.



One highlight of the trip was attending a wine festival, where Murray was particularly impressed by the traditional Hungarian liqueur, Unicum. He found it so soothing that it almost completely relaxed him, he is reported to have said.



However, the search for live gypsy music proved challenging, and despite their efforts, they couldnt find any. Undeterred, Murray mentioned they might consider inviting musicians to their place if the search remained fruitless by Monday.



Michael Stenger also shared his perspective with Blikk, reminiscing about the first time he chauffeured Murray 35 years ago during the actors stint on Saturday Night Live in New York.



Over time, Stenger became Murrays regular driver, and their relationship evolved from professional to personal. Stengers family was genuinely surprised when Murray sent a message from the plane, saying, Im on my way to you.



Follow this link to watch a video and see photos published by Blikk.



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David Pressman, the US ambassador to Budapest, is a leading figure of the Hungarian opposition, and his statements must be handled as such, the foreign minister said.

At a press conference after an informal European Union foreign ministers meeting in Brussels, Peter Szijjarto said in response to a question concerning Pressmans criticism of Hungarys peace mission that the US ambassador was an opposition activist and one of the leading figures of the Hungarian opposition.



His statements must be assessed accordingly, Szijjarto said, according to a ministry statement.



And if I want to talk about the contents of his opposition activist statements, then I could say that interestingly, when the Italian prime minister went to China, and said that China was an essential partner for dialogue in the current fragile international situation, then the opposition activist did not activate himself.



Or when President Zelensky called Donald Trump, he did not express any condemnation, or when the Ukrainian foreign minister recently visited China, we could not hear any criticism from him, he added.



So it is obvious that his statements came from and were inspired by his opposition position, he said.



Commenting on criticism voiced by his Lithuanian counterpart, Szijjarto said Gabrielius Landsbergis was one of the most pro-war politicians in Europe.



He is competing for the title of most pro-war politician; he regularly criticises Hungarys pro-peace position. I believe his assessment of the situation cannot be considered realistic in any aspect, he added.



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Woody Allens newest theatrical venture, Brooklyn Story, is set for its world premiere at the Belvarosi Szinhaz in Budapest. Scheduled for October 4, this debut is a significant event in the Hungarian cultural scene, presented by the Orlai Production Office.

Brooklyn Story, penned by Allen during the pandemic, delves into the philosophical question of whether art possesses the transformative power to improve individuals or steer those who have gone astray back to the right path. The narrative revolves around a gangster and his family, intricately linked to a stolen Raphael painting that becomes the target of an intense search across Europe.



The play promises a compelling storyline enriched with Allens characteristic wit and depth. Directed by the acclaimed Mate Szabo, the production boasts a talented ensemble of Hungarian actors, ensuring a high-quality theatrical experience.



This premiere marks a notable addition to Woody Allens extensive body of work and highlights the global reach of his influence in the arts. Theatre enthusiasts in Budapest are eagerly anticipating the debut, which underscores the citys vibrant cultural landscape.



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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."
VILNIUS, Sept. 2 (Xinhua) -- Several schools in Lithuania's capital Vilnius received bomb threats via email on Monday, the first day of the new school year, according to police reports.

As of 9 a.m. local time, the police had received 26 reports of threats to blow up educational institutions in Vilnius, as confirmed by Revita Janaviciute, a spokeswoman for the Lithuanian police, to the Baltic News Service (BNS).

Currently, there is no information on any school evacuations. The Police Department, through its social media, advised schools not to panic and to maintain normal operations, emphasizing that evacuations should only occur if a suspicious item is found.

The incident follows a series of hoax bomb threats in October 2023, when thousands of schools, kindergartens, and municipal buildings across Lithuania, as well as in Latvia and Estonia, were targeted with similar emails. 
Betty was born and raised in Budapest, a city she knows like the back of her hand after 28 years living here, she says. From a young age she was drawn to tourism and events, which naturally led her to pursue a career in these fields, add Betty.

Betty has traveled extensively abroad, experiencing the world in many diverse ways, but her heart has always called her back to Budapest.



She currently serves as the manager of Massage House, an outstanding erotic massage salon in Budapest, where she is responsible for maintaining the high standards of the establishment, ensuring client satisfaction, and managing the content on the salons websites, she explains. Massage House is famous for its professional and quality massage services, she says, and thanks to her dedicated efforts, it continues to be recognised as one of the citys top salons.



With her marketing, sales, and event planning experience, Betty plays a crucial role in the salon's success, she says. Although she previously worked as an erotic masseuse herself, she explains that now she focuses entirely on managing the salon. She is said to be precise, punctual, and has a great sense of humor, always striving for excellence and ensuring that every client leaves satisfied.



Her dedication to Massage House is evident in her attention to the details, she says, from the services offered to client feedback. Betty says her personal motto is Always strive to be the best, and never settle for mediocrity.

1. Where did you grow up?

I grew up in Budapest, which is an amazing city filled with culture and history. Even as a child, I was always proud to call it home.



2. If you could be an expat anywhere in the world, where would you choose?

I would probably choose Japan. The countrys blend of tradition and modernity has always fascinated me.



3. What would you miss most if you moved away from Hungary?

I would miss walking along the Danube in Budapest, the cozy cafes, and the local cuisine, especially goulash.



4. Friends are in Budapest for a weekend - what must they absolutely see and do?

We would start with a stroll around the Castle District, then explore the surroundings of the Basilica, and finish with a visit to a famous bathhouse like Szechenyi.



5. What is your favorite food?

My favorite dish is Teriyaki Salmon, especially the way my mother makes it.



6. What is your favorite sport / form of exercise?

I love yoga because it benefits both my body and mind.



7. What is your favorite place in Hungary?

The Balaton Uplands, where nature and winemaking come together in perfect harmony.



8. What career other than yours would you love to pursue?

I would love to be a travel blogger, combining my passion for tourism with writing.



9. Whats a job you would definitely never want?

I would never want to be an accountant. I respect those who do it, but the numbers game is not for me.



10. Where did you spend your last vacation?

I spent my last vacation in Vietnam, where I was captivated by the exotic culture and serene environment.



11. Where do you hope to spend your next one?

I hope to visit New Zealand next and immerse myself in its charm firsthand.



12. What was your favorite band, film, or hobby as a teen?

As a teenager, I loved Green Day, the movie Moulin Rouge, and I was passionate about dancing.



13. Apart from temptation, what cant you resist?

I can never resist a good dessert, especially ice cream.



14. Red wine or white?

Red wine, particularly the rich reds from Hungarian wine regions.



15. Book or movie?

Although I enjoy watching movies, books have always been my primary source of relaxation.



16. Morning person or night person?

Im definitely a night owl; Im most productive during the evening.



17. Which social issue do you feel most strongly about?

I feel strongly about equal opportunities, especially for women and those from disadvantaged backgrounds.



18. Buda or Pest side?

Ive always lived on the Pest side, and I love the vibrant life it offers but I think Buda is much more beautiful.



19. Which achievement in your life are you most pleased about?

Im most proud of helping to establish Massage House as a respected and successful salon in Budapest.



20. What would you say is your personal motto?

Always strive to be the best, and never settle for mediocrity.
Bhadrapada Amavasya, also known as Pithori Amavasya, is a significant Hindu observance that falls during the Bhadrapada month. This day holds great spiritual significance as it is dedicated to honoring ancestors through rituals such as Pitru Puja. This day is also considered auspicious for performing Kaal Sarpa Dosha Puja, which is believed to alleviate the negative effects of this astrological condition. In Rajasthan, this Amavasya is celebrated as Pithori Amavasya, where devotees pay homage to Rani Sati by visiting the Rani Sati Temple in Jhunjhunu.

Understanding Bhadrapada Amavasya, Krishna Amavasya 2024

Amavasya, the lunar phase of the new moon, holds profound spiritual significance in Hinduism as a time to honor and seek blessings from ancestors. Bhadrapada Amavasya, which falls in the Bhadrapada month, is also known by different names in various regions, such as Avani Amavasya in Tamil Nadu and Bhado or Bhadi Amavasya in the Marwari community. This year, it will be observed on September 2, 2024.

Date and Time of Bhadrapada Amavasya, Krishna Amavasya 2024

As per Drik Panchang, Amavasya Tithi Begins on September 2, 2024, at 05:21 AM. Amavasya Tithi Ends on September 3, 2024, at 07:24 AM.

Significance of Bhadrapada Amavasya

Bhadrapada Amavasya is a day of deep spiritual and religious importance for Hindus. It is a time for performing various puja rituals to honor ancestors, seeking their blessings for prosperity and peace. Common practices include performing Pitru Puja and Pitru Tarpan, which involve offering prayers, food, and water to ancestors.

On this day, many families invite priests to their homes to conduct rituals, offering them food, clothes, and donations (dakshina). Devotees also visit the banks of sacred rivers like the Ganges to take a holy dip, which is believed to purify the body and soul.

Acts of charity, such as feeding cows, dogs, crows, and ants, are considered especially rewarding on this day. Some devotees also engage in spiritual activities like chanting mantras, performing hawan (fire rituals), and meditation.

Bhadrapada Amavasya is also considered an auspicious day for conducting Kaal Sarpa Dosha Puja, a special ritual for those afflicted by this astrological condition. It is believed that performing this puja can help individuals overcome the negative effects of past sins associated with this Dosha.

Pithori Amavasya in Rajasthan

In Rajasthan, Bhadrapada Amavasya is known as Pithori Amavasya and holds special significance. This day is dedicated to Rani Sati, a revered figure symbolizing sacrifice and devotion. A grand celebration takes place in Jhunjhunu, where many devotees gather to visit the famous Rani Sati Dadi Temple to seek her blessings.

Rani Sati is honored as a divine figure who sacrificed her life on her husband's funeral pyre, and married women pray to her for the longevity and well-being of their husbands, while unmarried women seek blessings for a good match.

Rituals of Bhadrapada Amavasya, Krishna Amavasya 2024

1. Early Morning Bath: Devotees begin the day with an early morning bath, considered a purifying act before performing any rituals.

2. Holy River Bath: Many devotees visit sacred places to take a dip in holy rivers like the Ganges, which is believed to cleanse sins and bring blessings.

3. Offering Water to Sun God: Devotees offer water to Lord Surya (the Sun God) as a gesture of respect and pray for overall well-being.

4. Pitru Puja and Tarpan: Performing Pitru Puja and Tarpan on this day is essential for ensuring peace to ancestors' souls.

5. Charity and Donations: Donating food, clothes, and money to the needy, especially to Brahmins, is considered highly meritorious.

6. Feeding Animals: Offering food to cows, dogs, ants, and crows is believed to bring good karma and blessings.

7. Prayers and Meditation: Engaging in spiritual activities, such as chanting mantras and meditation, adds to the positive spiritual energy of the day.

Bhadrapada Amavasya, or Pithori Amavasya, is an auspicious day that allows devotees to connect with their ancestors and seek their blessings. The rituals performed on this day are believed to bring peace, prosperity, and protection to the family.
Joy Alukkas, the chairman of Joyalukkas, one of the largest jewelry brand in India is a billionaire. However, the jewelry tycoon experienced an incident in which he visited a showroom to purchase a Rolls-Royce. He was humiliated by the salesman who had shown him the door to a different showroom.

In a recent interview with CNBC-TV18, the 67-year-old billionaire, recalled an incident that occurred when he visited a Rolls-Royce showroom in 2000. He went to purchase the high-end vehicle, but one of the sales representatives made him feel inferior by telling him he couldn't afford it. I said I want to see the car, a Rolls Royce." To which the salesperson said, No, no, no. If you want to buy a car, you go to the Mitsubishi showroom, you will get a car there.

Alukkas stated that he was embarrassed by this behavior. But he chose to purchase the car rather than turn around and leave. I felt ashamed of this type of behavior, he said. I decided to buy the car the same car. I purchased it, he said.

But after purchasing the luxury vehicle, Alukkas thought he no longer needed it. So, he decided to give away the Rolls-Royce to the winner of an annual raffle draw that his jewelry chain ran in the UAE. So, in 2001, Alukkas became the first UAE jeweler to announce Rolls-Royce as a prize in a promotional campaign.

Alukkas added a Rolls-Royce Cullinan, worth Rs 6 crore, to his collection in March of this year.

Who is Joy Alukkas?

Joy Alukkas, son of a jewelry store owner and school dropout, traveled to the Middle East in 1987 to launch the family's first international business in Abu Dhabi. Later, he parted ways with his father's jewelry business to start his own, Joyalukkas, which has since grown to have over 100 stores in India and 60 overseas. In Chennai, the group also has the world's biggest retail gold jewelry outlet.

The real-time net worth of Joy Alukkas is estimated at $4.4 billion according to Forbes. Bollywood celebrities are the brand ambassadors of Joyalukkas. Joy Alukkas' autobiography, "Spreading Joy", has been recently released which he describes as his humble attempt to inspire others to chase their dreams and never give up in the face of adversity.
IIT JAM 2025: The JAM Online Application Processing System (JOAPS) for JAM 2025 opens tomorrow, September 3. Candidates can apply for the Joint Admission Test for Masters through the "Candidate Portal" on the official website  jam2025.iitd.ac.in. The registration deadline is October 11. Candidates must first register on the JOAPS website by providing their name, email address, mobile number, and password. After successful registration, an enrolment ID and OTP will be sent to their email and mobile number for verification. This enrolment ID, email address, and password will be required later for applying, so they should be kept safe and confidential.

The application fee for female, SC, ST, and PwD candidates is Rs 900 for one test paper and Rs 1250 for two test papers. For all other categories, the fee is Rs 1800 for one paper and Rs 2500 for two test papers. A fee of Rs 300 is applicable for changing the examination cities, test papers, category, or gender.

The exam is open to candidates of all nationalities, with no age restrictions. Those who will complete their qualifying degrees in 2025 are eligible to apply. JAM is held annually to fill seats in various postgraduate programs, including M.Sc., M.Sc. (Tech.), M.Sc.-M.Tech. Dual Degree, MS (Research), Joint M.Sc.-Ph.D., and M.Sc.-Ph.D. Dual Degree programs. This year's exam is organized by the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IIT Delhi).

IIT JAM 2024-25: Steps to apply here

Step 1: Log in to your profile after completing the registration process.

Step 2: Enter your credentials, including personal information, parents name, and address.

Step 3: Upload your photograph, signature, category certificate (if applicable), and proof of date of birth.

Step 4: Pay the application fee using the electronic payment method.

Step 5: Verify that the application form is marked as completed, then download a copy for future reference.

JAM 2025 scores will be used for admissions to over 2,300 seats across institutions such as the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), National Institutes of Technology (NITs), Defence Institute of Advanced Technology (DIAT), Indian Institute of Engineering Science and Technology (IIEST), Indian Institutes of Science Education and Research (IISER) Pune and Bhopal, Indian Institute of Petroleum and Energy (IIPE), Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR), and Sant Longowal Institute of Engineering and Technology (SLIET).
New Delhi: Director Anubhav Sinha's latest web-series IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack has stirred controversy ever since its release on Netflix. The crime thriller drama mini-series has caused an uproar on the Internet we well with netizens calling out the makers for its narrative and concealing of facts. In the latest development reported, Netflix India Content Head has been summoned by the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting over the same.

IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack Controversy

ANI quoted sources and tweeted on X, "Netflix Content Head has been summoned tomorrow by the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting over the 'IC814' web series content row: Sources"

Netflix Content Head has been summoned tomorrow by the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting over the 'IC814' web series content row: Sources  ANI (@ANI) September 2, 2024

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.

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.

IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack Row

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.

(With IANS inputs)
Amid relentless rainfall, parts of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana are grappling with flood-like conditions. The torrential downpour on Sunday triggered widespread flooding and waterlogging, severely disrupting road and rail traffic. The heavy rain claimed at least 10 lives in the two states on Sunday. In response to the forecast of continued heavy rain, all educational institutions in Hyderabad will be closed on Monday.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday had a phone conversation with Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, assuring him of all possible assistance from the Centre. Modi also inquired about the ongoing flood situation in the state.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy has instructed the officials concerned to be alert. Reddy also reviewed the situation in the rain-affected areas on Sunday, spoke to ministers and enquired about the relief operations in the submerged regions.

Relief Operations Underway

Officials announced on Monday that 26 National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams are being deployed to assist with flood relief and rescue operations in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.

Currently, 12 teams are already on the ground, with an additional 14 teams being dispatched. Of these, eight teams are being airlifted from various locations across the country. The NDRF teams are equipped with inflatable boats, pole and tree cutters, and basic medical aid supplies.

Nearly 6,000 passengers at Rayanapadu, Kondapalli, Tenali, Vijayawada, Nidubrolu, and Bapatla railway stations were given breakfast and drinking water, reported PTI. The Chennai-bound Tamil Nadu Express was stopped at Rayanapadu, where passengers received packed meals and lunch arrangements.

In response to the disruptions, the railways established emergency control rooms and helplines, and arranged alternative travel options by deploying 84 buses from Rayanapadu to Vijayawada and from Kondapalli to Vijayawada.

Trains Cancelled, Diverted

The South Central Railway (SCR) zone, based in Secunderabad and encompassing the Vijayawada Division, cancelled 140 trains and diverted 97 others on Sunday, according to PTI.

According to the South Central Railways (SCR) announcement, 21 trains were cancelled, including the Chennai Central to Chhapra (12669), Chhapra to Chennai Central (12670), Chennai Central to New Delhi (12615), and New Delhi to Chennai Central (12616). Additionally, trains such as the Tirupati to Secunderabad (12763), SMVT Bengaluru to Patliputra (22352), Mannargudi to Bhagat Ki Kothi (22674), Vishakhapatnam to New Delhi (20805), and six others were diverted. Due to heavy water flow at Rayanapadu, two more trains, SMVB Bengaluru to Danapur and Danapur to SMVB Bengaluru, were also redirected, according to the SCR bulletin.

Due to heavy rains and waterlogging over the tracks at several locations on the South Central Railway, several trains have been diverted. pic.twitter.com/tzIvVJniqK  ANI (@ANI) September 2, 2024

(With inputs from ANI, PTI)
Durga Puja is one of the most significant and widely celebrated festivals in West Bengal, where communities come together to honor Goddess Durga with grandeur and devotion. A tradition deeply embedded in the festival is the use of sacred soil, often collected from a unique and symbolic place: Sonagachi, Asias largest red-light district. This soil, mixed with clay from the riverbanks, is believed to hold special significance, symbolizing inclusivity and humanity. However, this year, a heart-wrenching decision has been made  Sonagachi will not contribute its sacred soil for the Durga Puja festivities.

In Bengali culture, the soil from Sonagachi, known as punya mati, holds a sacred place in the rituals of Durga Puja. This soil, taken from the threshold of a brothel, is considered auspicious. It symbolizes the acceptance of all, regardless of their societal status, under the divine mothers blessings. The soil from Sonagachi has long served as a poignant reminder of Durgas universal embrace, welcoming everyone with open arms, including those marginalized by society.

The tradition challenges societal norms and prejudices. By incorporating soil from a place associated with social taboo, the ritual confronts and seeks to break down the stigmas attached to sex workers. It asserts that no one is beyond the reach of the goddess's compassion and blessings.

Why Sonagachi Refused To Provide Soil For Durga Puja 2024?

As the controversy over the RG Kar case continues, rumors have been spreading on social media that the sex workers of Sonagachi are refusing to provide soil for Durga idol-making in protest of the incident. However, the sex workers have made it clear that their decision to withhold the soil has nothing to do with the RG Kar case.

"This is not a recent issue. For many years, the soil has not been provided. We still do not have acceptance of sex work as a profession in society. We have long been seeking recognition for sex work," a female sex worker from Sonagachi told the media.

For many sex workers, this tradition represents a rare moment of acknowledgment and respect from a society that often marginalizes them. Their involvement in the creation of Durga idols can be seen as a subtle form of inclusion in a festival that otherwise might overlook them. However, as highlighted by the recent decision to withhold the soil, the gap between symbolic recognition and real-life dignity remains significant.

In essence, the tradition of using soil from a brothel for Durga idols serves as a potent reminder of the goddess's all-encompassing love and protection, and it calls on society to reflect on its values of compassion, inclusion, and justice.

(This article is intended for your general information only. Zee News does not vouch for its accuracy or reliability.)
The Cabinet Committee on Security approved the proposal for procurement of 240 aero-engines (AL-31FP) for Su-30 MKI aircraft of the Indian Air Force (IAF) under Buy (Indian) category from Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) at an estimated cost of Rs 26,000 crore.

As per a Defence Ministry release, the delivery of these aero-engines would start after one year and complete over a period of eight years. The engines will have indigenous content over 54 per cent, enhanced due to indigenisation of some key components of aero-engines. These would be manufactured at Koraput division of HAL.

Su-30 MKI is one of the most powerful and strategically-significant fleet of IAF. The supply of these aero-engines by HAL would meet the fleet sustenance requirement of IAF to continue their unhindered operations and strengthen the defence preparedness of the country.

Earlier in the day, the Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi approved the proposal of Kaynes Semicon Pvt Ltd to setup a semiconductor unit in Sanand, Gujarat. As per an official release, the proposed unit will be setup with an investment of Rs 3,300 crore. The capacity of this unit will be 60 lakh chips per day.

The chips produced in this unit will cater to a wide variety of applications which include segments such as industrial, automotive, electric vehicles, consumer electronics, telecom, and mobile phones.
In Uttarakhand, outrage over the alleged molestation of a local minor girl has brought people to the streets. The incident occurred in Nand Nagar, Chamoli, where a Muslim youth was accused of molesting the girl. When locals protested the incident, the accused fled the scene. Demanding his immediate arrest, the residents staged demonstrations and shut down markets in the area. The anger also spread to the nearby town of Gopeshwar, where locals expressed their fury over the incident.

Protesters voiced their concerns about the safety of their daughters, citing the changing demographics in Devbhoomi Uttarakhand as a major reason for the rising insecurity. They repeatedly demanded strict action from the administration, stressing their fears for the safety of their sisters and daughters.

The protests have centered around four individuals: Arif, Shahid, Ayub, and Ahmed, whose names have sparked widespread unrest in Chamoli.

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In the wake of the recent heinous rape and murder incident in Kolkata, questions about the safety of daughters across the country have intensified. In Nand Nagar, when news of the molestation incident broke, enraged locals vandalized the accused's shop, threw its contents onto the street, and forced the closure of nearby markets.

As tensions escalated, police forces were deployed to the streets, but the anger among the people remained unabated. The protestors even marched to the police station, leading to heated exchanges with the officers.

In recent times, there have been several reports in Uttarakhand involving Muslim boys and local girls. In May, a Muslim youth in Uttarkashis Purola was accused of attempting to kidnap a Hindu girl. The same month, two minor sisters in Chamoli accused two Muslim youths of rape. In July, a girl in Dehradun claimed that a Muslim youth raped her after concealing his identity.

While the main accused in the Chamoli molestation case has been apprehended, three others remain at large. The repeated pattern of such incidents has led locals to unite against Muslim suspects.

The molestation of the minor girl in Chamoli and the fact that the accused belong to the Muslim community have once again sparked debates over the growing Muslim population in Devbhoomi Uttarakhand. Demographic changes in the state, particularly in districts like Nainital, have become a focal point of concern.

In the 2001 census, Hindus comprised 84.95% of Uttarakhand's population, while Muslims accounted for 11.92%. By the 2011 census, the Hindu population had decreased to 82.97%, and the Muslim population had risen to 13.95%, marking a 2% increase over ten years. Uttarakhand recorded the second-highest growth rate of Muslim population in the country during this period, following Assam.

District-wise, Haridwar has the highest Muslim population at 34.28%, followed by Udham Singh Nagar at 22.58%, Dehradun at 11.91%, and Nainital at 12.65%. The rapid increase in the Muslim population in hill districts like Nainital highlights the ongoing demographic changes.

Last year, videos went viral on social media, showing unauthorized shrines being built on forest land, leading to claims that Muslims from outside the state were constructing shrines on vacant lands and in forests. In response, the Dhami government launched a bulldozer campaign against illegal shrines.

The controversy over shrines in Uttarakhand mirrors a similar situation in another hill state, Himachal Pradesh, where illegal mosque constructions have sparked protests.

In Shimlas Sanjauli area, clashes erupted after an illegal mosque construction was reported. The situation escalated when two groups engaged in a physical altercation, injuring a local named Yashpal. Following the altercation, a crowd gathered near the mosque site, chanting slogans. To calm the situation, police and administrative officials intervened, but the crowd remained firm in their demands: the illegal mosque construction must stop, and the Muslim individuals involved in the altercation should face attempted murder charges.

The controversy over the mosque in Sanjauli, built on Waqf Board land, arose after it was discovered that the construction had exceeded the permitted height. Although local authorities denied that the construction took place during the COVID-19 pandemic, residents claimed otherwise. They also alleged that such constructions were altering the region's demographics and contributing to a rise in crime in Shimla.

The mosque controversy in Shimla has escalated from a dispute over illegal construction to a broader debate about changing population patterns in Himachal Pradesh. A report by the Hindu Jagran Manch highlighted a rapid increase in the number of mosques in the state, particularly during the pandemic.

According to the report, 127 new mosques were built during the COVID-19 period, bringing the total number of mosques in Himachal Pradesh to 520, compared to 393 before the pandemic. The number of madrasas has also increased to 35. The states Muslim population, now approximately 150,000, is served by over 500 mosques, with an average of one mosque for every 300 Muslims.

Sirmaur district has the highest number of mosques at 130, followed by Chamba with 87, Kangra with 40, Bilaspur with 34, and Shimla with 30. The 2001 census recorded Muslims as 1.96% of Himachal Pradesh's population, which increased to 2.18% in 2011, indicating ongoing demographic changes in the state.
TRIPOLI, Sept. 2 (Xinhua) -- The International Organization for Migration (IOM) on Monday said that 979 migrants were intercepted and returned off the coast of Libya in the past week.

"From 25 to 31 August 2024, 979 migrants were intercepted and returned to Libya," IOM said in a statement.

The migrants included 74 women and 33 children, IOM said, adding that seven bodies of migrants were recovered, and eight others went missing off the Libyan coast.

A total of 15,117 migrants have been intercepted this year, while 434 died and 611 others went missing off the coast, it said.

According to IOM, 17,190 migrants were intercepted and returned to Libya in 2023.

Since the fall of Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, the ensuing instability in Libya has led many migrants, primarily from Africa, to attempt perilous crossings of the Mediterranean Sea in hopes of reaching Europe. 
Congress leader Simi Rosebell John was expelled from the grand old party on Sunday after claiming that women leaders require "sponsorship" from party leaders to advance in the ranks. The Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) said in a statement that disciplinary action was taken because the party believed John's actions were a serious breach of discipline.



Women leaders of the KPCC's political affairs committee, female PCC office-bearers, and the Mahila Congress chief all filed a joint complaint with the party leadership to take action against John, a former AICC member, according to the statement. According to the statement, Congress's Kerala unit president K Sudhakaran took action against Simi Rosebell John as a result of this.

The leader made the allegations with an objective to defame and mentally harass lakhs of women leaders and workers of the Congress, the party leadership further charged.

In her reply to the charges by the Congress, Simi Rose Bell John in a news conference in Kochi lashed out at the Congress. The woman leader said women of dignity and pride cannot work in the Congress party.

If the party leadership has any evidence to prove their allegations, it should be released, she told reporters in Kochi. "Thus, they have expelled a person who has worked for the party for a long time. They should explain the reason for their action. If they are alleging conspiracy with the CPI(M), they should release evidence for that," John said.

Rosebell, in her recent interview to a TV channel, had made these allegations and had claimed that those not in the good books of party leaders, like Satheesan, are sidelined. She had also alleged that she was denied certain opportunities in the party due to the objections of leaders like Satheesan and Hibi Eden.

In view of her allegations, the ruling CPI(M) on Saturday took a dig at the Congress by claiming that the grand old party has a "power group" similar to the one allegedly in the film industry. The Kerala film industry has been rocked with comparable claims of sexual harassment, coinciding with the controversy.

Unsettling stories of sexual assault and intimidation suffered by women employed in the Malayalam film industry were exposed last week when a portion of the Hema Committee report was made public. More women have come forward to share their own terrifying experiences since the publication of the report.
Delhi's political climate has once again intensified following the arrest of AAP MLA Amanatullah Khan. This development came after the Enforcement Directorate (ED) arrested AAP MLA Amanatullah Khan on Monday morning after conducting a raid at his home. The raids were part of an investigation into alleged irregularities concerning the recruitment process for the Delhi Waqf Board. The ED team, supported by Delhi Police and CRPF personnel, conducted the search. Early in the morning, Khan took to social media, posting a video on X to update the public about the raid.

Sources suggest that this operation is part of a larger probe into money laundering related to the alleged irregularities within the Delhi Waqf Board. The ED carried out these actions under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

In response to the raids, AAP leaders rallied in support of Khan, with Manish Sisodia accusing the BJP and the ED of trying to suppress dissent. "The ED's sole purpose now seems to be to stifle any voice raised against the BJP. They break those who resist and arrest those who refuse to surrender," Sisodia stated. AAP MP Sanjay Singh also condemned the ED's actions as "ruthless," pointing out that Khan had recently cooperated with the investigation and had requested additional time due to his mother-in-laws serious illness.

The BJP took the opportunity to criticize the AAP, alleging widespread corruption, especially concerning the Delhi Waqf Board's staff recruitment. This controversy dates back to September of the previous year when Khan, representing Delhis Okhla constituency, was arrested by the Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB) for alleged financial mismanagement and other irregularities within the Delhi Waqf Board. At that time, AAP accused the BJP of targeting its leaders in connection with the forthcoming Gujarat elections. The BJP demanded Khans immediate removal from office.

In addition to the political squabbling, it is important to examine the financial irregularities that led to Khan's arrest. Khan was first arrested by the ED in April but was later granted bail by the Delhi Rouse Avenue Court, with a personal bond of Rs 15,000 and one surety of the same amount. According to the ACB, the initial FIR in this case was filed in January 2020 under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, along with Section 120B of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

Later, Section 13 of the Prevention of Corruption Act and Section 409 of the IPC were also included. During the investigation, a witness revealed issues related to the tenancy of Waqf properties, alleging that in 2021, he had submitted the highest bid of Rs 30,000 for a Waqf Board shop at Fatehpuri Masjid but was asked to pay Rs 10 lakh. When he refused, he was instructed to withdraw, and Khan subsequently accepted a lower bid of Rs 19,000 from another bidder, leading to financial loss for the Delhi Waqf Board, according to the Investigative Officer in court.

Additionally, the ACB obtained a statement from a female employee of the Delhi Waqf Board, who claimed that files related to the Waqf Assets Management System of India (WAMSI) project were removed at Khan's direction. She alleged that Khan sought to avoid transparency regarding Waqf Board properties to conceal his alleged illegal activities.

The WAMSI project aimed to computerize Waqf Board properties. Following a two-year investigation, the ACB summoned Khan on September 16 and conducted raids at four locations linked to him, uncovering incriminating evidence. Khan was initially placed in four-day police custody, which was extended by five days on September 21, as the ACB needed more time for interrogation due to Khans health issues.

In October 2023, the ED also conducted searches at several locations related to Khan, focusing on illegal recruitment at the Delhi Waqf Board and Khans alleged personal gains from unfairly leasing Waqf Board properties during his tenure from 2018 to 2022. The ED claimed that Khan had obtained large sums of money through illegal recruitment practices and used these proceeds to acquire assets in the names of his associates.

In January, the ED carried out additional searches at nine locations connected to Khan, investigating money laundering linked to the Delhi Waqf Board case. In February, the Delhi High Court denied Khan immediate relief against the ED summons in a Rs 36 crore property case, revealed through diaries of his close aide, Hamid Ali Khan. These diaries indicated significant transactions between Khan and Javed Imam Siddiqui, including the purchase of a Rs 36 crore plot in Tikona Park, Okhla. Hamid Ali Khan was arrested by the Delhi Police's anti-corruption branch in September 2022.

Later that month, Amanatullah Khan withdrew his plea challenging the ED summons. In April, the Supreme Court refused to grant relief to Khan, criticizing his repeated absences from ED summonses. Following this decision, the ED interrogated Khan for 13 hours and informed the Rouse Avenue Court of their intention to maintain their complaint against him for "non-compliance," leading to his arrest.
NEW DELHI: In a big shot in the arm for BJP in poll-bound Haryana, two Jat faces, Devender Singh Babli and Sunil Sangwan, on Monday joined the party in the presence of national General Secretary Arun Singh. While Jannayak Janta Party (JJP) rebel Babli is the former minister in the government led by Manohar Lal Khattar, Sangwan took voluntary retirement from the post of Jail Superintendent.

Sangwan is the son of Satpal Sangwan, a former minister in the state government. They are likely to contest Assembly elections from Tohana and Charkhi Dadri, respectively. A day earlier, three rebel MLAs of the JJP joined the BJP in the presence of Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini and state election co-incharge Biplab Deb at a rally in Jind.

The MLAs who joined the BJP were Ram Kumar Gautam from Narnaund, Jogi Ram Sihag from Barwala and former minister and JJP MLA from Uklana (reserved) Anoop Dhanak. While all of them had resigned from the JJP, two -- Sihag and Dhanak -- had tendered their resignations from the state Assembly too.

However, JJP's Narwana (reserved) MLA Ram Niwas Surjekhera, who was booked in a rape case, did not turn up in the rally. Sources said the criminal charges against him were the reason for not joining the BJP.

During the electioneering, Chief Minister Saini, who is leading it by travelling far and wide across the state, is listing out measures taken by the BJP government to compensate the farmers, the Dalits and the poor. Countering the Congress' 'Haryana Maange Hisab' campaign, he accused the Opposition of spreading lies.

Just two months after the parliamentary elections, politics in Haryana heated with the Election Commission (EC) announcing the Assembly polls for 90 seats in a single phase on October 5. Political observers say the ruling BJP, which is confident of its return to power with a majority for the third-consecutive term under the leadership of first-time Chief Minister and Other Backward Class (OBC) leader Saini, has been facing anti-incumbency and farmers' anger.

The BJP's main rival, the Congress, which ruled the state for a decade till 2014, has an edge over it with the support of farmers, traders and government employees. Senior Congress leader and two-time chief minister Bhupinder Hooda is working hard to return to power amid the party's internal 'war of supremacy'.

Even the AAP has launched its campaign by targeting the BJP government over the issues of unemployment, law and order and the Agnipath scheme. Contesting solo on all seats, the party launched the 'Kejriwal Ki 5 Guarantee' campaign, promising free electricity, free medical treatment, free education, Rs 1,000 per month to every woman and employment for the youth.
Haryana, Jammu and Kashmir Assembly Elections 2024 Live Update: As the Jammu and Kashmir and Haryana assembly polls approach, political parties are gearing up for the elections. In Jammu and Kashmir, former Hurriyat member Syed Salim Geelani joined the People's Democratic Party (PDP) led by Mehbooba Mufti, who emphasized the party's agenda of reconciliation and dialogue with Hurriyat leaders. Meanwhile, several workers of the Awami Ittehad Party (AIP) joined the National Conference (NC), giving the party a major boost.

In Haryana, three former Jannayak Janata Party (JJP) leaders joined the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ahead of the October 5 assembly polls. Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini attended a Jan Ashirwad rally, highlighting various schemes and decisions taken by the government for the people's welfare.

The Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) announced its first list of seven candidates for the Haryana assembly election, including Arjun Singh Chautala, son of Abhay Chautala, and Sheela Rathi, wife of slain party leader Nafe Singh Rathi.

The Election Commission of India (ECI) revised the polling day for Haryana Assembly polls from October 1 to October 5 and moved the counting of votes for both Jammu and Kashmir and Haryana assemblies from October 4 to October 8 to honor the Bishnoi community's traditions. With the elections nearing, political parties are intensifying their campaigns, and the stage is set for a crucial battle in both states.
Mumbai police on Sunday arrested journalist Rishabh Chakravorty for assaulting a cab driver near Asalpha village in Ghatkopar, police said. After the arrest, he was produced before the court where he was sent to police custody for 7 days. Police have added an attempt to murder charge after the victim suffered serious head injuries in the attack, added the police.

The incident happened on Friday and was captured on a nearby CCTV camera, which took place in Ghatkopar. Santosh Ghatekar, the senior police officer of the Parksite Police Station said "Rishabh Chakravorty dashed the cab with his car near Asalpha village in Ghatkopar after which the cab driver stopped him and asked to compensate for the damage caused to his vehicle."

"But Chakravorty drove away without paying any attention. After this the cab driver followed Chakravorty to his residence on LBS Marg in Ghatkopar and when Chakravorty stopped his car, the cab driver dashed his car from behind, after which Rishabh and a woman who was in the car got out and started slapping the cab driver.

He then lifted the driver and slammed him onto the ground, causing serious injuries to his head and body," added the police official. The statement of journalist Rishabh Chakravorty and his wife has been recorded by the police.

Following this, Rishabh and a woman who was in the car got out and started slapping the cab driver. He then lifted the driver and slammed him onto the ground, causing serious injuries to his head and body.

As per the police, Qureshi, a resident of Govandi, was taken to Rajawadi Hospital by security personnel. However, due to the severity of the injuries on his head, he was later admitted to JJ Hospital.

Once he regained consciousness, the police registered a case. They have issued notices to the driver and the woman involved, and further investigation is ongoing.
Caste census has been a bone of contention between the BJP and the Congress with Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi promising it as a cure for socio-economic inequalities and alleged reservation disparity. As Congress continues to pitch for the nationwide caste census, the Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS), the ideological parent of the BJP, today cleared its stand on the contentious issue while sending a message to the Congress as well.

At its conference in Kerala, the RSS emphasized that the issue of caste census is highly sensitive and should be approached with seriousness, rather than being used for election campaigning. On the first day of a three-day coordination meeting in Palakkad district, the RSS subtly cautioned opposition leaders and parties opposed to the BJP, warning them not to exploit the issue as a political tool.

"This is a sensitive issue of caste and caste relations and should be dealt with very seriously. This is not just for election campaigning...In cases where special attention is needed, the government needs the numbers. Then there is no problem... but it should be for welfare only. Should not be used as a political tool. We draw the line there," said RSS chief spokesperson Sunil Ambekar.

The RSS convention also shed light on the alleged numerous conversion activities by missionaries in Tamil Nadu stating these will be taken seriously.

"Many organisations reported as their ground report from Tamil Nadu--lot of conversions--missionary conversion activities are reported from the state of Tamil Nadu. It is very worrisome. In the coming days, it was noted that it will be taken seriously and the details will be taken from the ground," Ambekar said.
The Jammu and Kashmir elections are witnessing an unexpected turn of events. After decades of advocating separatism and boycotting elections, Hurriyat leaders and members of Jamaat-e-Islami are now showing faith in democracy. Syed Salim Gillani, a prominent Hurriyat Conference leader, has joined the mainstream by becoming part of the People's Democratic Party (PDP), a move that marks a significant departure from Hurriyat's longstanding opposition to electoral politics in Jammu and Kashmir. Notably, this time, the Hurriyat has not issued any boycott call against the ongoing elections, a change attributed to the altered ground situation following the abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019.

"I believe violence is not the solution. No one should be killed, and I chose the PDP because it advocates for the reconciliation of the Jammu and Kashmir issue. I will campaign for PDP candidates," said Gillani. He added, "I felt that I could work for the people in a better way by joining this stream. The solution to the Kashmir issue lies on the table, not through guns, stones, or sticks. Only through dialogue and reconciliation can we resolve the issues."

The shift in ideology is not limited to Hurriyat leaders alone. Jamaat-e-Islami Jammu and Kashmir, an organization known for its pro-Pakistan stance, has also indicated its willingness to participate in elections if the ban imposed on it by the Centre is lifted. This development has surprised many and marks a significant shift away from the separatist narrative that once dominated the region. Mainstream political parties have welcomed this change.

Omar Abdullah, Vice President of the National Conference, acknowledged the change in separatist ideology. "Elections are here, and they are now ready to contest. For years, they called for election boycotts, but today, they are preparing to participate themselves. Their ideology has changed, and what we have been saying since the 1990s has been proven right. If they now have faith in democracy, it is a success for us," he stated.

The People's Democratic Party (PDP), known for its soft separatism stance, is providing space within the party for these leaders, hoping it will help them regain ground in Kashmir. Wahid Para, PDP Youth President, expressed openness to collaborating with Jamaat-e-Islami, saying, "If we had known that Jamaat-e-Islami would contest elections, PDP would have given them its constituency as well. We would have made space for them, but they did not approach us."

The local unit of the BJP in Jammu and Kashmir believes this shift is a result of the bold policies implemented by the BJP government, including the abrogation of Article 370 and the heavy crackdown on terrorism and the separatist ecosystem. These measures have, according to BJP leaders, disrupted the network of separatists and terrorists, leading to a more prosperous and democratic Jammu and Kashmir.

Sajid Yousuf, BJP Spokesman for Jammu and Kashmir, remarked, "The decision made in 2019 was in the best interests of the people. Now, even those who once opposed voting are participating in the electoral process. Democracy is getting stronger, and ideologies are changing, thanks to the Prime Minister's policies."

Experts suggest that the changing socio-political landscape and the realization among the people of Jammu and Kashmir that political instability is detrimental to their future, along with the crackdown on terror networks, have finally compelled separatists to rethink their stance. This shift in ideology is seen as a positive sign for the future of a prosperous Jammu and Kashmir.
The Supreme Court (SC) on Monday allowed a plea filed by former Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) communications incharge Vijay Nair, seeking bail, in the money laundering case linked to the alleged Delhi excise policy scam. A Bench presided over by Justice Hrishikesh Roy noted that the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in October last year, while opposing the bail plea of co-accused Manish Sisodia, had assured the apex court that trial in the excise policy case should be concluded within six to eight months.

In the case at hand, the petitioner has been incarcerated for around 23 months and his incarceration cannot be treated as a mode of punishment without the trial having been commenced. The universal rule of 'bail being the rule and jail being the exception' will be defeated if the petitioner is kept incarcerated without trial being started, said the Bench, also comprising Justice SVN Bhatti.

"The right of liberty guaranteed under Article 21 is a sacrosanct right and requires to be respected even in cases where stringent provisions are incorporated in special enactments," the apex court added.It ordered Nair to be forthwith released on bail on furnishing a bail bond of Rs 10 lakh, adding that he will not make any attempt to tamper with evidence or influence the witnesses and will deposit his passport with the trial court.

The Supreme Court clarified that its order granting bail would not prejudice the conduct of trial on merits. During the hearing, senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, representing Nair, submitted that his client suffered incarceration of nearly two years, which is more than half of the possible maximum punishment. Singhvi cited the judgment of the top court, which had allowed bail pleas of senior AAP leader and former Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia and BRS leader K Kavitha in the excise policy case.

The senior counsel added that both Sisodia and Kavitha, who purportedly acted as mastermind (as per the ED) in formulation of the excise policy, did not have benefit of bail in the predicate offences but Nair has been granted bail in the corruption case and continues to remain behind bars for allegedly committing offences under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

Opposing this, Additional Solicitor General (ASG) SV Raju, representing the ED, said that Nair was roped in as a middleman to receive kickbacks from liquor businessmen. ASG Raju contended that Article 21 of the Constitution would not come to rescue an accused who himself is employing tactics to delay the completion of trial. He submitted that Nair failed to satisfy the twin conditions for grant of bail provided under Section 45 of the PMLA.In the previous hearing, the top court reluctantly deferred the proceedings after the counsel appearing for the ED sought a week's time to file a reply to Nair's bail plea.

Deprecating the central agency's request to adjourn the hearing, the SC noted that the ED's counsel had already entered an appearance quite some time back but a counter affidavit has not been filed. On August 12, the Supreme Court issued a notice to the ED on Nair's plea and asked the federal anti-money laundering agency to file its reply within two weeks.In July last year, a Bench of Justice Dinesh Kumar Sharma of the Delhi High Court denied bail to Nair. He had moved the Delhi HC challenging a trial court order rejecting his bail application.

Observing that the "allegations are quite serious", Delhi's Rouse Avenue Court had denied bail to Nair and four others  Sameer Mahendru, Abhishek Boinpally, Sarath Chandra Reddy, and Benoy Babu. The trial court held that there was enough incriminating evidence to show the entire "modus operandi" adopted by the accused persons for the commission of offences under the PMLA.

On the allegations and the role of Nair, it said, "Though he was only the media and communication incharge of AAP, it has been revealed during the investigation that he was actually representing the AAP and GNCTD in different meetings that took place with stakeholders of the liquor business at different places.

"His participation in the meetings in this capacity is to be viewed in light of the facts that he was residing in the official accommodation allotted to a senior Minister of AAP, and once he was even alleged to have represented himself as an OSD in the Excise Department of GNCTD. Further, none from the government or AAP officially participated in these meetings."
One Indian Army soldier was injured on Monday when terrorists opened fire at Jammu's Sunjwan military station, news agency ANI quoted officials as saying. According to Defence officials, terrorists fired from a standoff distance outside the base. More details awaited.

On Thursday, the Indian Army successfully neutralized three terrorists who were attempting to cross the Line of Control (LoC) into the Machhal and Tangdhar sectors of Jammu and Kashmir.

According to an official statement, "Reliable information was obtained from intelligence agencies and further confirmed by J-K Police about potential infiltration attempts from these regions. Based on this information, the Indian Army, along with JKP and BSF, set up ambushes on the suspected infiltration routes in both the Machhal and Tangdhar sectors."

On the evening of August 28, suspicious activity was detected, leading to a firefight that lasted until the early morning of August 29. This operation marks the sixth such action in the Kupwara district this year, culminating in the elimination of ten terrorists, including foreign infiltrators.
Mumbai: 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.
SANAA, Sep. 2 (Xinhua) -- Yemen's armed Houthi group on Monday claimed responsibility for attacking the Panama-flagged "BLUE LAGOON I" oil ship in the Red Sea.

"We carried out a qualitative military operation targeting the ship, BLUE LAGOON I, in the Red Sea, with a number of appropriate missiles and drones, and it was directly hit," Houthi military spokesman Yahya Sarea said in a statement aired by Houthi-run Al-Masirah TV.

He said that the ship was targeted because the company owning it has dealings with Israel.

According to multiple media reports, "BLUE LAGOON I" is a Greek-owned ship that sails under the Panama flag.

"We renew our warnings to all companies dealing with the Israeli enemy that their ships will be targeted while passing through the (Houthi) declared naval operations areas and regardless of their destination," Sarea said.

The attacks against ships would continue until "Israel stops its war in Gaza," he added.

According to Al-Masirah TV, there were many other attacks against "Israeli-linked" cargo ships on Monday and in the past months, but Houthis did not declare responsibility for those attacks for "political reasons."

Earlier in the day, Britain's Maritime Trade Operations reported an attack against a cargo ship in the Red Sea, off the Houthi-controlled Yemeni port city of Hodeidah.

Meanwhile, residents in the neighboring Yemeni province of Al-Mahwit told Xinhua by phone on Monday morning that they saw two missiles fired from a Houthi-controlled military position towards the Red Sea.

Since November 2023, the Houthis have targeted what they describe as "Israeli-linked" cargo ships in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden to show solidarity with the Palestinians amid the ongoing Gaza conflict.

The Houthis have controlled much of northern Yemen since late 2014, forcing the internationally recognized government out of the capital, Sanaa. 
Star couple Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas never miss an opportunity to showcase their love for each other publicly. Recently, Nick took to Instagram to share a series of romantic pictures with Priyanka from a wedding they attended.

In the photos, Priyanka dazzles in a stunning black embellished dress by David Koma, while Nick looks stylish in a pink suit. One of the pictures captures a sweet moment where Nick is seen holding Priyanka close, gazing at her lovingly.

Nick captioned the post, "Congrats @deleasakathleen and @nickmirchuk loved being there to celebrate you," which left fans swooning. Have a look at his post here:

Admirers of the couple couldnt hold back their excitement, with comments like "Adorable couple" and "Beautiful." Many fans also showered the couple with heart emojis.

Priyanka and Nick tied the knot in a grand wedding ceremony at Jodhpur's Umaid Bhawan Palace on December 1 and 2, 2018, celebrating both Christian and Hindu traditions. In January 2022, the couple announced the arrival of their daughter, Malti Marie, born via surrogacy.

On the work front, Priyanka recently wrapped up shooting for her upcoming film 'The Bluff' and shared glimpses of the wrap-up with her family, including Nick, Malti Marie, her mother Madhu Chopra, and the film's cast. Directed by Frank E. Flowers, 'The Bluff' also stars Karl Urban.

Set in the 19th-century Caribbean, 'The Bluff' follows the story of a former female pirate, played by Priyanka, who must protect her family when her past catches up with her. The film, produced by the Russo Brothers' AGBO Studios and Amazon MGM Studios, promises to be an exciting adventure.

In addition to 'The Bluff,' Priyanka is set to star in 'Heads of State' alongside John Cena and Idris Elba.
New Delhi: Bollywoods favorite couple, Ranveer Singh and Deepika Padukone, are captivating their fans with a heartwarming maternity photoshoot as they prepare to welcome their first child. The couples latest photos have taken social media by storm, showcasing their journey into parenthood with style and elegance.

In the newly released photos, Deepika Padukone shines with the radiant glow of pregnancy. Her wardrobe choicesranging from a sheer dress that highlights her baby bump to a cozy cardigan, a chic blazer, and a stylish sweaterdemonstrate a perfect blend of maternity fashion and sophistication. Each outfit accentuates her natural beauty and sets a new standard for maternity fashion.

Ranveer Singh stands proudly by Deepikas side, exuding the excitement and enthusiasm of an expectant father. His affectionate gaze and supportive presence reflect the couples deep bond and shared joy as they prepare for this new chapter in their lives.

The photoshoot has quickly generated a wave of excitement among fans and followers, marking the arrival of Ranveer and Deepikas child as one of the most anticipated moments in Bollywood. The couples previous glimpses into their lives as future parents have only heightened the anticipation, with many eagerly awaiting the first official photo of their baby.

As they embrace this new phase, the couples joy and the overwhelming support from their admirers underscore the deep connection they have with their audience. With every update, excitement for the arrival of their child continues to grow, making this period one of the most cherished in their storied relationship.
Mumbai: Right now Murshid show starring Kay Kay Menon in the lead on ZEE 5 has become the talk of the town. The show is receiving an astounding response, while one actor too who stood out with his outstanding performance is none other than actor Tanuj Virwani. Tanuj has been in several OTT shows and has proved his versatility over the years. Zee News exclusively spoke to the actor about his journey from Bollywood to OTT and more.

Talking about his current show Murshid, when quizzed if he was doubtful about doing the role, he said, " Every time an actor signs up for different roles, there is the confidence that he will do it, but also there is doubt will the audience will accept this time, we constantly have to wrestle that, once you sign up you have to give your 100 per cent otherwise you will get caught in the camera. Also doing Murshid was a good change, I am not a trained actor, but I got the opportunity to work with very good talent, and at the same time it is not a main lead, but a strong supporting role and I was okay with it. If you see my trajectory, I have not been the guy who only wants to do a main role, and do roles that create an impact"

Tanuj gives all the credit to the OTT platform for surviving as an actor, he recalled, "When I signed up for Inside Edge People told me, 'What's wrong with you, this is not even television, this is YouTube content.' I don't think I would have had a career or survived it if OTT hadn't been there. I was clear that I didn't want to do television., so yes, OTT made me survive. And not just me, many actors had the talent but not the platform to showcase it."

Not many know but Tanuj is also the son of Bollywood's veteran actress Rati Agnihotri, when asked about the struggle despite being an outsider he said, "I don't know about other star kids, luckily I never got tagged as a star kid, because I didn't have a big launch. Everything happened in my life very gradually, my mom (Rati Agnihotri) never reached up to anyone to ask for work for me. When you see failure, you strive for more success, Nobody has got a 100 percent success rate, so you need to keep experimenting."

When asked if there was a time he questioned about being in the wrong profession, he said, " It is a very tricky and up-and-down industry, when work doesn't come it can get pretty lonely and dark, but you have to ask yourself, if you have it in, and if the answer is yes, then just keep on your process. This industry is not for the faint-hearted. The biggest superstars have to struggle, everyday they have to work on getting better", he concluded.
New Delhi: Indias homegrown e-commerce marketplace Flipkart's annual flagship event --Big Billion Days - will go live from September 30, if online search results are to be believed.

As per Google Search listing, Flipkart Big Billion Days 2024 will start on 30th September 2024, with early access for Flipkart Plus members on 29th September. From what appears like an accidental teaser of the Flipkart's flagship event, users can get best deals and discounts at Flipkart on the said dates.



However, when we tried opening the "teaser" page, it redirected us to another webpage citing error message. It reads, "Just a quick repair needed. Hang on, were doing everything we can to fix this".

As has been Flipkart's regular fare, customers during the Big Billion Days event will have been given offers from a wide range of products such as mobile, TVs & Appliances, Electronics & Accessories, Fashion, Beauty, Food, Toys, Baby Care, Home & Kitchen, Furniture, Grocery and more.

Flipkart consumers shopping during The Big Billion Days have in the past given opportunity to avail a 10% instant discount through their ICICI, Axis and Kotak Bank Credit Cards. Furthermore, no-cost EMIs will be made available to consumers through offers from Bajaj Finserv.
New Delhi: Rumour mill is yet again active in the online sphere, spilling out details and information regarding the anticipated product launches on September 9.

As per latest reports in the media, on September 9, when Apple is set to kickstart its event themed Its Glowtime, the company might also showcase the iPhone SE 4. A Bloomberg report has suggested that a host of Apple products --including the iPhone SE 3 -- due for an upgrade are thin on their stocks. Bloomberg has indicated that iPhone SE 3 could well have its successor --the iPhone SE 4 --being announced.

However, an Android Authority report, on the contrary claimed that the chances of debuting of the iPhone SE 4 are slim. The report indicated at March or April 2025 launch date instead.



Apple event on 9 September 2024

Meanwhile, Apple has officially announced the launch date for its much anticipated iPhone series -- the launch of iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max in India.

The Cupertino-headquartered company has sent out invites for the launch of iPhone 16 at the event on 9 September 2024. The Apple event themed Its Glowtime. The event will broadcast from Apple Park in Cupertino, California, in the US.

Expected Product Launches during Apple Glowtime Event On September 9

The special Apple event will be held on September 9 during which the company is expected to unveil all the above mentioned four models of in the iPhone 16 series. Alongside, Apple is also expected to launch the Watch Series 10, Watch Ultra 3, Apple Watch SE in an affordable range, AirPods 4

Reports say that Apple is also slated to confirm the rollout date of iOS 18 coupled with software updates for its devices at the Glowtime event.



Apple iPhone 16 Event Official Launch Date: Check India Timings

Apple said that people can watch the Apple event on 9 September at 10:30 PM IST. They can tune in at apple.com or on the Apple TV app to watch the event.

IANS quoting reports said, "the iPhone 16 lineup will be Apples flagship rival to the new Pixel 9 series and Samsung Galaxy Z Fold devices. Apple Intelligence (AI) will be a huge leap for Apple device ecosystem at the event hosted by its CEO Tim Cook. Among the big changes coming to the iPhone 16 and 16 Plus is expected to be a switch to a vertically-aligned camera system on the back."

It is expected that the iPhone 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max phones may get bigger screens, featuring a new bronze colour.

In line with the iPhone 15, all the four models of the iPhone 16 might have the Action Button and a new button dedicated to capturing photos and videos.

IANS further quoting sources said, the Make in India iPhone 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max models available in the country right after the global launch this fall. The India-assembled Apple devices will be available within 1-2 months of the global launch in partnership with leading manufacturer Foxconns facility in Sriperumbudur, Tamil Nadu.

The iPhone 16 is set to be made available on the first day of global sales in India, just like last year when iPhone 15 arrived in the domestic market on the very first day of the global sale. It will be shortly followed by iPhone 16 Plus models, sources told IANS.

With Agency Inputs
Realme Narzo 70 Turbo 5G India Launch: Chinese smartphone brand Realme has announced the official launch date of the Realme Narzo 70 Turbo 5G smartphone in India. It is expected to be the first Turbo model in the Narzo series.

According to a company's official press release, the Realme Narzo 70 Turbo 5G will launch in India on September 9 at 12pm IST. The handset is expected to come with a Motorsport-inspired design with a black and yellow back panel.

Realme Narzo 70 Turbo 5G Availability:

Consumers can purchase the upcoming smartphone via Amazon India and Realmes online store. However, the key details about the handset is yet to be revealed by the brand.

Realme Narzo 70 Turbo 5G Specifications (Expected)

The smartphone is expected to be powered by the Mediatek Dimensity 7300 Energy chipset. The company claims that it is the fastest chipset in the segment. The phone could house a square camera module housing three sensors and an LED flash along with a 7.6mm slim body.

The phone could come in three colour options: purple, yellow, and green. It may offered in 6GB + 128GB, 8GB + 128GB, 8GB + 256GB and 12GB + 256GB storage models. On the Optics front, the Realme Narzo 70 Turbo 5 is rumoured to feature a 50MP camera, and an 8MP or 16MP front camera with electronic image stabilisation (EIS) support.
Mumbai: Sudhanshu Pandey's exit from the Anupamaa show came as a shocker for all the fans. He played the pivotal role of Vanraj and till now there has been no replacement of the actor. As Sudhanshu makes an abrupt, exit, he claims he is at peace. While there is a lot of ongoing chatter about his cold war with producer Rajan Shahi and co-star Rupali Ganguly, Sudhanshu has chosen to keep his mum over the so-called rift. As Sudhanhsu quits Anupamaa, there is strong speculation about him participating in Bigg Boss 18, while the actor was even quizzed if his fans will get to see him in a reality show.

In an interview with Indian Express, Sudhanshu claimed that the news of him joining Bigg Boss 18 after his departure from Anupamma is fake, but someday he definitely wishes to host the show, "Its fake news about me joining Bigg Boss 18. In any case, that show is not meant for an actor like me. God willing, one day I will host it for sure, but wont be there as a participant."

Earlier speaking to the same portal when asked about his sudden exit from Anupamaa, he said, " I would say is that when it is time for something, God gives you a signal. I have always believed that I am being given a signal. I felt it was time and I needed to move on. I was happy for four years, it was a great space to be in. I did a fantastic show, the show did fantastically well for everyone. It was a blessing all the way. I had my run for four years and I did my best. As an artiste one should recognise when it is time to move on and experiment with other things. As an actor, there is a lot more that is going to come in the near future".

Sudhanshu and Rajan Shahi have unfollowed each other on social media too after the actor made his departure from Anupamaa.


Authorities are continuing their search to locate an Indian national, Vijaya Lakshmi Gali, who fell into a sinkhole in Malaysia's Kuala Lumpur on August 23, the Indian High Commission in Kuala Lumpur said on Wednesday.

According to the Indian High Commission in Kuala Lumpur, search and rescue (SAR) teams have been methodically deducing newer probable paths and likely locations of the missing Indian woman.

Vijaya Lakshmi Gali (48) a tourist in the country disappeared after falling into the 8m-deep hole, Malaysia-based The Star reported. She was walking to a temple for breakfast when the ground suddenly caved in.

In a post on X, the Indian High Commission in Malaysia stated, "The search continues to locate Indian citizen (Ms Vijaya

Lakshmi Gali) who fell into a sinkhole in Kuala Lumpur on Friday 23 Aug. The SAR teams are methodically deducing newer probable paths and likely locations of the missing Indian national. Local authorities, apart from Police, Fire & Rescue Dept, Indah Water Consortium, KL Federal Territories agencies, are now supported by Civil Defence Forces and specialised scientific teams with sophisticated equipment involved in the search."

After flushing through portions of the drain system, a search is conducted with specialised techniques like high-pressure water jets to remove obstacles. The Indian High Commission stated adding that officials remain in touch with family members to extend continued support.

"After flushing through portions of the drain system, search is being augmented with specialised techniques including high-pressure water jets to remove obstacles, remote cameras, and ground penetrating radars to map inaccessible areas. @hcikl is in close contact with the relevant agencies engaged in the search efforts as the search has entered its fifth day. @hcikl officers are also in touch with the family members to extend continued support," the Indian High Commission in Kuala Lumpur posted on X.
Large-scale protests have erupted across Israel, with citizens demanding a ceasefire and the return of captives held by Hamas, as reported by Al Jazeera. The demonstrators, chanting "Now! Now!", are calling on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to negotiate a ceasefire with Hamas and secure the release of the remaining captives.

Al Jazeera notes that confrontations between protesters and security forces occurred Sunday night, marking one of Israel's biggest anti-government demonstrations since the Gaza conflict began almost 11 months ago. Protesters in Tel Aviv blocked roads and rallied outside Netanyahu's office in West Jerusalem.

The Hostages and Missing Families Forum, representing the families of those held in Gaza, attributed the death of six hostages to Netanyahu's inability to broker a ceasefire. The forum stated that these individuals were killed recently after enduring nearly 11 months of mistreatment, torture, and starvation under Hamas.

Gil Dickmann, a relative of Carmel Gat, one of the deceased hostages, has called for increased public pressure on the government. Dickmann's message implores Israelis to protest and paralyze the country until all captives are returned, believing they can still be rescued.

In an unprecedented move since October 7, the Histadrut, Israel's largest trade union federation, has announced a general strike to compel the government to agree to a ceasefire.

Since the onset of the Gaza war on October 7, the Israeli military has reported at least 40,738 casualties and 94,154 injuries. On the same day, Hamas-led attacks resulted in approximately 1,139 fatalities in Israel, with around 250 individuals captured by the group.
WASHINGTON, Sept. 2 (Xinhua) -- The United States has seized Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's airplane in the Dominican Republic, citing sanctions laws, the Justice Department announced Monday.

"This morning, the Justice Department seized an aircraft we allege was illegally purchased for $13 million through a shell company and smuggled out of the United States for use by Nicolas Maduro and his cronies," said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland.

"The Department will continue to pursue those who violate our sanctions and export controls to prevent them from using American resources to undermine the national security of the United States," said the attorney general.

The aircraft, which is a Dassault Falcon 900EX, was seized in the Dominican Republic and transferred to the Southern District of Florida at the request of the United States "based on violations of U.S. export control and sanctions laws," according to the statement.

This incident, which came a little over a month after Maduro's re-election, represents the latest chapter in the longstanding tense relations between the United States and Venezuela.

The United States has been pursuing a policy of economic sanctions and diplomatic isolation against the Maduro government in support of opposition leaders.

An Executive Order issued in August 2019 prohibits U.S. persons from engaging in transactions "with persons who have acted or purported to act directly or indirectly for or on behalf of, the Government of Venezuela," according to the Justice Department statement.

In March 2020, the Justice Department indicted Maduro and his aides on narco-terrorism charges, accusing Maduro and other Venezuelan officials of conspiring "with the FARC (Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia), causing tons of cocaine to enter and devastate American communities."

Meanwhile, the U.S. State Department offered a reward of up to 15 million U.S. dollars for information leading to the arrest or conviction of Maduro.

Also on Monday, Venezuela ordered the arrest of presidential candidate Edmundo Gonzalez, who is accused of crimes including forging a public document, incitement to disobedience of laws, conspiracy and sabotage, according to a report by Bloomberg. 
BEIJING, Sept. 2 (Xinhua) -- The People's Republic of China and the Republic of South Africa on Monday issued a joint statement on the establishment of an all-round strategic cooperative partnership in the new era.

Please see the attachment for the full text of the statement.

Full Text: Joint Statement between China, South Africa on the Establishment of All-Round Strategic Cooperative Partnership in the New Era
DOHA, Sept. 2 (Xinhua) -- Qatari and British officials met here on Monday to discuss efforts to reach a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.

On social media platform X, Qatari Foreign Ministry spokesperson Majed bin Mohammed Al Ansari posted a photo of him meeting with British Ambassador to Qatar Neerav Patel.

He said in the feed that Qatar appreciates Britain's "continued role with regional and international partners to reach a ceasefire in Gaza and allow access to humanitarian aid."

Responded on X, Patel said that it was good to discuss with the Qatari official Britain's support to "Qatar's essential mediation" concerning the ceasefire.

"An immediate ceasefire in Gaza is vital and urgent -- to stop the suffering, address the humanitarian emergency, get out hostages, and build stability," he said.

Earlier on Monday, British Foreign Secretary David Lammy informed lawmakers in parliament that around 30 licenses, out of a total of approximately 350, were being suspended.

Lammy stated that assessments had indicated a clear risk that British arms could be used to commit or facilitate serious violations of international humanitarian law.

The Foreign Office said that a two-month review had raised concerns about Israel's conduct in the conflict in Gaza. 
ANKARA, Sept. 2 (Xinhua) -- The Turkish defense and aviation industry's export revenues grew by 9.8 percent in the first eight months of 2024 compared to the same period last year, reaching 3.7 billion U.S. dollars, according to figures released by Turkiye's Defense Industry Agency (SSB) on Monday.

In August alone, the country's defense and aerospace exports reached 423 million dollars, up by 12.6 percent compared to the same month of the previous year, SSB President Haluk Gorgun announced on the social media platform X.

He noted that the main goal of Turkiye's defense industry's export strategy is to achieve a sustained increase in the export of high-value-added products, adding that his company has exported to 171 countries in 2024.

Turkiye has been striving to reduce its reliance on defense imports and establish itself as a key player in the global market.

The country has become a leading exporter of drones in recent years. Turkish exports of defense and aerospace products reached 5.5 billion dollars in 2023, a 27 percent increase from the previous year. 
JERUSALEM, Sept. 2 (Xinhua) -- Israel's Foreign Ministry on Monday condemned Britain's decision to suspend some arms export licenses to Israel.

In a statement, Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz called the move "a step that sends a very problematic message" to Hamas and its backers in Iran.

Katz expressed Israel's "disappointment" with the latest suspension by Britain's new Labor government, as well as with previous decisions Britain made regarding Israel's military operations in the Gaza Strip.

"Israel is a law-abiding nation," Katz said, adding that he expects "friendly countries like Britain to recognize this."

He voiced hope that "the deep friendship between Britain and Israel, which has endured since Israel's founding, will continue in the future."

Earlier on Monday, British Foreign Secretary David Lammy informed lawmakers in parliament that around 30 licenses, out of a total of approximately 350, were being suspended.

Lammy stated that assessments had indicated a clear risk that British arms could be used to commit or facilitate serious violations of international humanitarian law.

The Foreign Office said that a two-month review had raised concerns about Israel's conduct in the conflict in Gaza. 
BEIJING, Sept. 2 (Xinhua) -- China's top political advisor Wang Huning on Monday met with Lesotho Prime Minister Sam Matekane, who is here for the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC).

Wang, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, said that China stands ready to work with Lesotho to strengthen exchanges and mutual learning on development philosophies and reform experience, and deepen cooperation in various fields.

Matekane expressed the hope to deepen practical cooperation and enhance inter-party exchanges with China, and learn from China's experience in governance. 
LONDON, Sept. 2 (Xinhua) -- The United Kingdom (UK) government announced on Monday the suspension of some arms export licenses to Israel.

Foreign Secretary David Lammy informed lawmakers in parliament that around 30 licenses, out of a total of approximately 350, were being suspended.

Lammy stated that assessments had indicated a clear risk that UK arms could be used to commit or facilitate serious violations of international humanitarian law.

The Foreign Office said that a two-month review had raised concerns about Israel's conduct in the conflict in Gaza. 
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.
A health worker gives a dose of the polio vaccine to a child in the Al-Maghazi refugee camp, central Gaza Strip, on Sept. 2, 2024. Initial reporting shows over 86,000 children in the central Gaza Strip received a polio vaccine on Sunday, the first day of the polio campaign in the coastal enclave, Director-General of the World Health Organization Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on social media platform X on Monday. (Photo by Marwan Dawood/Xinhua)

GAZA, Sept. 2 (Xinhua) -- The Palestinian death toll from ongoing Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip has risen to 40,786, Gaza-based health authorities said in a statement on Monday.

During the past 24 hours, the Israeli military killed 48 people and wounded 70 others, bringing the total death toll to 40,786 and injuries to 94,224 since the Palestinian-Israeli conflict broke out in early October 2023, it added.

Meanwhile, initial reporting shows over 86,000 children in the central Gaza Strip received a polio vaccine on Sunday, the first day of the polio campaign in the coastal enclave, Director-General of the World Health Organization Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on social media platform X on Monday.

"We call on all parties to continue fulfilling their commitment on the humanitarian pauses so that all children in need get the vaccine," he said.

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 Oct. 7, 2023, during which about 1,200 people were killed and about 250 taken hostage. 

A boy receives a dose of the polio vaccine in the Al-Maghazi refugee camp, central Gaza Strip, on Sept. 2, 2024. Initial reporting shows over 86,000 children in the central Gaza Strip received a polio vaccine on Sunday, the first day of the polio campaign in the coastal enclave, Director-General of the World Health Organization Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on social media platform X on Monday. (Photo by Marwan Dawood/Xinhua)

A child receives a dose of the polio vaccine in the Al-Maghazi refugee camp, central Gaza Strip, on Sept. 2, 2024. Initial reporting shows over 86,000 children in the central Gaza Strip received a polio vaccine on Sunday, the first day of the polio campaign in the coastal enclave, Director-General of the World Health Organization Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on social media platform X on Monday. (Photo by Marwan Dawood/Xinhua)

A boy receives a dose of the polio vaccine in the Al-Maghazi refugee camp, central Gaza Strip, on Sept. 2, 2024. Initial reporting shows over 86,000 children in the central Gaza Strip received a polio vaccine on Sunday, the first day of the polio campaign in the coastal enclave, Director-General of the World Health Organization Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on social media platform X on Monday. (Photo by Marwan Dawood/Xinhua)

A child receives a dose of the polio vaccine in the Al-Maghazi refugee camp, central Gaza Strip, on Sept. 2, 2024. Initial reporting shows over 86,000 children in the central Gaza Strip received a polio vaccine on Sunday, the first day of the polio campaign in the coastal enclave, Director-General of the World Health Organization Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on social media platform X on Monday. (Photo by Marwan Dawood/Xinhua)

A health worker gives a dose of the polio vaccine to a child in the Al-Maghazi refugee camp, central Gaza Strip, on Sept. 2, 2024. Initial reporting shows over 86,000 children in the central Gaza Strip received a polio vaccine on Sunday, the first day of the polio campaign in the coastal enclave, Director-General of the World Health Organization Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on social media platform X on Monday. (Photo by Marwan Dawood/Xinhua)
CAIRO, Sept. 2 (Xinhua) -- Egypt has reiterated its rejection of Israeli presence at the Philadelphi Corridor and the Rafah crossing, Egypt's Al-Qahera News TV channel reported on Monday, citing a senior Egyptian official.

"The continuation of the current war in Gaza and the possibility of its regional expansion is extremely dangerous and portends dire consequences," said the anonymous source, adding that the Israeli government is responsible for not reaching a truce agreement in Gaza, as it is seeking to impose a new reality on the ground.

The Israeli army took control of the Philadelphi Corridor, a 100-meter wide and 14-km-long buffer zone along the Egypt-Gaza border, and the Palestinian side of the Rafah crossing in May, which halted the entry of humanitarian aid trucks from Egypt into Gaza.

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.

During several rounds of ceasefire talks, Egypt has repeatedly emphasized its demand that the Israeli army must completely withdraw from the Philadelphi Corridor and the Rafah crossing.

However, Israel's security cabinet voted last week in favor of maintaining Israeli troops along the Gaza-Egypt border as part of any potential ceasefire. 
GUIYANG, Sept. 2 (Xinhua) -- The 2024 Spirits Selection by Concours Mondial de Bruxelles (CMB) is being held in the city of Renhuai, southwest China's Guizhou Province.

The event, which runs from Sunday to Friday and includes a competition and other activities, aims to promote integration and mutual learning between Chinese and foreign spirits cultures, and deepen exchange and cooperation between Chinese and foreign spirits industries.

Over 2,800 spirits from 59 countries and regions, including 990 from China, will be blind-tasted by 155 professional judges from 40 countries and regions over the course of a three-day competition starting on Monday.

Baudouin Havaux, CMB's chairman, said the competition aims to showcase the development of the spirits industry and promote more trendy spirits products.

Havaux added that holding the competition in Renhuai is also the best way to promote Chinese baijiu (distilled spirits) to the world.

Renhuai is home to Moutai, China's top baijiu brand, which is produced by Kweichow Moutai Co. Ltd. There are nearly 1,000 baijiu producers in the core sauce aroma baijiu production area of Renhuai, including 32 companies with annual sales of more than 100 million yuan. 
GAZA, Sept. 2 (Xinhua) -- New instructions have been issued to the fighters charged with guarding the prisoners regarding how to deal with them if the Israeli army approaches the detention site, Hamas said on Monday.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the Israeli army alone "bear full responsibility for the deaths of prisoners after they deliberately obstructed any prisoner exchange deal for narrow interests, in addition to their deliberate killing of dozens of them through direct aerial bombardment," Abu Obeida, the spokesman for the Al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas, said in a statement.

"Netanyahu's insistence on releasing the prisoners under military pressure instead of closing a deal will result in them returning to their families in coffins and their families having to choose whether they are dead or alive," Abu Obeida added.

The statement came after the recovery of the bodies of two women and four men from Gaza. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said they were killed in a Hamas tunnel shortly before soldiers arrived.

Hundreds of thousands of Israelis rallied across Israel on Sunday, demanding Netanyahu negotiate a ceasefire with Hamas to secure the return of hostages held in Gaza. 
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen speaks at the opening of the Bled Strategic Forum in Bled, Slovenia, on Sept. 2, 2024. The European Union (EU) enlargement will be expedited under the new European Commission set to be formed in the coming months, incumbent and future Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced at an international political conference in Slovenia on Monday. (Daniel Novakovic/STA/Handout via Xinhua)

BLED, Slovenia, Sept. 2 (Xinhua) -- The European Union (EU) enlargement will be expedited under the new European Commission set to be formed in the coming months, incumbent and future Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced at an international political conference in Slovenia on Monday.

"Enlargement is an investment in our collective strength and security," von der Leyen said in her speech at the opening of the Bled Strategic Forum, Slovenia's largest annual international political event.

She emphasized the critical importance of integrating the Western Balkans into the EU, noting that "a larger European Union gives us a strong voice in the world."

Slovenian President Natasa Pirc Musar urged global action against climate change, saying, "We should learn how to live with less but better."

The host of the forum, Slovenia's Foreign Minister Tanja Fajon, called on countries to recognize Palestine as a sovereign state and to help end the violence in Gaza. Slovenia recognized the Palestinian state in June. 

Slovenian President Natasa Pirc Musar speaks at the opening of the Bled Strategic Forum in Bled, Slovenia, on Sept. 2, 2024. The European Union (EU) enlargement will be expedited under the new European Commission set to be formed in the coming months, incumbent and future Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced at an international political conference in Slovenia on Monday. (Bostjan Podlogar/STA/Handout via Xinhua)

Slovenian Foreign Minister Tanja Fajon speaks at the opening of the Bled Strategic Forum in Bled, Slovenia, on Sept. 2, 2024. The European Union (EU) enlargement will be expedited under the new European Commission set to be formed in the coming months, incumbent and future Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced at an international political conference in Slovenia on Monday. (Bostjan Podlogar/STA/Handout via Xinhua)
NAIROBI, Sept. 2 (Xinhua) -- Representatives of civil society organizations from Kenya and South Sudan on Monday pledged support toward the ongoing peace talks in Nairobi, the Kenyan capital, aiming to bring lasting stability to the world's youngest country.

The Nairobi peace talks, also known as the Tumaini (literally meaning hope in Swahili) Initiative, have been taking place since May, bringing together members of South Sudan's Transitional Government of National Unity, opposition groups, and civil society.

Parties to the Tumaini Initiative have signed a pact, reiterating their commitment toward durable peace, stability, and inclusive growth in South Sudan, which descended into civil strife in December 2013.

Rajab Mohandis, a delegate to the Nairobi peace talks and representative of the People's Coalition for Civil Action, a civil society organization, said South Sudan deserves a new dawn characterized by cohesion, inclusivity, and long-term growth after enduring more than a decade of civil strife.

"Peace in South Sudan is an urgent demand for all our citizens," said Mohandis, who has a long history of advocating for democracy and human rights in South Sudan, told journalists in Nairobi. "The ultimate objective of the Tumaini Initiative should be to lay the foundation for a stable, just, peaceful, and prosperous South Sudan for the present and future generations."

South Sudan President Salva Kiir, in December 2023, requested his Kenyan counterpart William Ruto to assume the lead role in mediating peace talks, taking over from the community of Sant'Egidio in Rome, Italy.

Nagomoro Bridget, a woman representative at the Nairobi talks, said their success will be hinged on goodwill, mutual trust, sincerity, and the spirit of compromise by all parties.

According to Nagomoro Bridget, women, children and youth have borne the brunt of South Sudan's conflict, hence their proactive role in the Nairobi talks is geared toward cessation of hostilities, reforms and inclusive growth in the country.

Leocadia Gaudencia, the founder of Ustawi Kenya, a good governance lobby, suggested the ongoing Nairobi talks should birth a new constitution for South Sudan, besides promoting accountable governance and strengthening institutions.

Gaudencia said Kenyan civil society is ready to offer its expertise in peace negotiations, constitutional reforms, electioneering, and strengthening governance to help South Sudan embark on the journey of renewal. 
MOGADISHU, Sept. 2 (Xinhua) -- The African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) said it has wrapped up a month-long training for more than 100 Somali police officers to sharpen their skills to address crime and violent extremism in local communities.

The training on community policing, organized jointly with the Somali Police Force (SPF), forms part of a series of training sessions to enhance the capacity of the force to maintain peace and security in population centers and newly liberated areas, ATMIS said.

"I am confident that the police and community volunteers will enhance their collaboration and improve their partnership to detect, prevent and combat crime within our communities," Deputy Head of ATMIS Siyuvile Bam was quoted as saying in a statement issued in Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia, Sunday evening.

He underlined the commitment of ATMIS and the Somali government to training and equipping the Somali police force to counter violent extremism.

Somalia's security landscape is complex, and therefore, it is important to have a tailored approach to community policing, Bam said.

ATMIS Police Commissioner Hillary Sao Kanu said since January, ATMIS Police, together with the SPF, have conducted 18 capacity-building training programs across Somalia, benefiting 352 police officers.

"We need to work together to build a future where peace and security are the cornerstones of our society," Kanu said.

ATMIS Police is mandated to provide specialized training, advice, mentoring and operational support, including joint patrols and protection of vital installations, in line with the Somalia Transition Plan. 
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)
by Olatunji Saliu

ABUJA, Sept. 2 (Xinhua) -- Nigeria deems China a "very strategic partner" in the global economy, and their strategic partnership will continue, said a government spokesman ahead of 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) to be held in Beijing from Sept. 4 to 6.

In an interview with Xinhua in the capital of Abuja, Ajuri Ngelale, the main spokesman for Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, said bilateral relations feature mutual respect and a deep understanding of the importance of win-win cooperation.

The brotherly China-Nigeria relationship, as well as the expanded China-Africa cooperation, has been well demonstrated by the Belt and Road Initiative, FOCAC, and various cultural exchange programs, he said.

Nigeria, Africa's most populous country and major economy, plays an important role in regional and international affairs.

The West African nation has become China's largest project contracting market in the region, as well as second-largest export market, third-largest trading partner, and a major Chinese investment destination in Africa.

In their fruitful cooperation, the two countries currently have many projects on stream in different sectors such as agriculture, rail, and power, while some others are in the pipeline due to the growing mutually beneficial ties.

Ngelale underscored the pivotal role Nigeria plays in continental cooperation with China, particularly in the context of the FOCAC.

"Nigeria will always be central to any conversation about cooperation between Africa and other regions," he said.

Nigeria's participation in the FOCAC "will be crucial" and also focus on upgrading Nigeria-China relations, as the president will lead a delegation of top government officials to the summit, Ngelale added. 
CANBERRA, Sept. 2 (Xinhua) -- A major search by sea, land and air is underway for a teenager who was swept away by a wave in South Australia (SA).

Mehdi Habibi, 17, was visiting Granite Island - a small island off the coast of the town of Victor Harbor approximately 70 kilometers south of the state capital of Adelaide - with family on Sunday when he was swept from rocks by a wave at approximately 3:15 p.m. local time.

His disappearance triggered a major search and rescue operation that resumed on Monday morning after being suspended on Sunday night due to challenging conditions.

Speaking at a press conference on Monday, Sahil Habibi - the missing boy's younger brother - said he was with his brother on the southern side of the island when he was hit from behind by a giant wave.

"He slipped, he dipped under the water," he said.

Sahil said he saw his brother struggling in the water before vanishing.

Their aunt, Fahema Habibi, said the family was on the island - a popular spot for penguin spotting - for a picnic.

She said that Mehdi arrived in Australia seven months ago from Pakistan and was attending school in Adelaide.

"Everyone is worried, everyone is not sleeping," she said.

SA Police and PolAir were on Monday searching waters around the island using boats and several helicopters while police officers and volunteers from the State Emergency Service were conducting foot searches of the area.

"The search is ongoing this afternoon - conditions out there are not favorable - however, we will continue searching until we locate him," SA Police Inspector Gene Vaninetti said.

"The family is extremely devastated. They are on the island under the guidance of police, but naturally, they are devastated."

Granite Island has been closed to the public while the search is ongoing. 
Currently, the regulations have been agreed upon between the parties (Armenia and Azerbaijan). Under the agreement, the basis and framework are created for the delimitation process to proceed. Upon mutual understanding conditions, the process will continue on a bilateral basis. The border delimitation process is absolutely bilateral in nature, Hikmet Hajiyev, Assistant to the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan and Head of the Foreign Policy Affairs Department of the Presidential Administration, told journalists, Azernews reports.

Considering the progress of the process between the two states in the light of peace and mutual understanding, we believe that there is no longer a need for the European Union border mission to operate near the Azerbaijan-Armenia border on the Armenian side, Hikmet Hajiyev added.

Touching on the recent remarks of the Armenian Prime Minister, Nikol Pashinyan, the President's Assistant added: "There are quite contradictory and inaccurate aspects in the statements of the Armenian Prime Minister. Armenia is pursuing the militarization policy, which is a fact. A number of Western countries, especially France, provide serious support to Armenia in implementing its militarization policy, which in turn, serves to create the tension in the South Caucasus region.
SYDNEY, Sept. 2 (Xinhua) -- One person has died and tens of thousands of Australians have been left without power after powerful storms swept across the country's southeast, authorities said on Monday.

Authorities in Australia's most populous state of New South Wales (NSW) confirmed that a woman was killed by a falling tree in the early hours of Monday morning during a night of severe weather. Another man was slightly injured and taken to a nearby hospital.

Strong winds and heavy rainfall caused widespread damage across southeastern Australia on Sunday night.

In Victoria, Australia's second-most populous state, over 140,000 properties were without power as of 8 a.m. on Monday morning.

Parts of the state recorded winds of up to 146 km per hour on Sunday night and the State Emergency Service received more than 1,000 calls for help, including 800 for fallen trees and 200 for building damage.

The Bureau of Meteorology forecast more strong winds for Victoria on Monday, with hail and thunderstorms also possible, before conditions ease on Tuesday.

Electricity provider United Energy warned that it could take several days to restore power to the entire state.

Lily D'Ambrosio, Victoria's energy minister, said at a press conference on Monday morning that it was too dangerous to make repairs to fallen power lines in some areas.

An additional 7,000 households were affected by blackouts in South Australia on Sunday night while several flood warnings were issued in the island state of Tasmania.

Total fire bans have been put in place across Sydney and in southern NSW due to the extreme winds. 
ULAN BATOR, Sept. 2 (Xinhua) -- Mongolia officially commenced the 2024-2025 academic year on Monday, with educational institutions across the country reopening their doors for students at all levels.

In his address to mark the start of the academic year, Minister of Education and Science Purevsuren Naranbayar outlined several key priorities for the coming year.

Naranbayar pledged to focus on enhancing teacher support, which includes increasing salaries for educational staff. He also emphasized efforts to improve the overall quality and environment of education.

Additionally, he highlighted plans to optimize the curriculum and reduce the workload for both teachers and students, aiming to create a more balanced and effective learning experience.

For the 2024-2025 school year, there are 1,294,800 students enrolled in 2,451 educational institutions across the country, which has a population of 3.5 million people, according to the Ministry of Education and Science. 
BERLIN, Sept. 2 (Xinhua) -- German automotive giant Volkswagen is considering closing its production plants in Germany to cope with rising costs, said the company on Monday.

Vehicle plant and component factory closures can no longer be ruled out in the current situation, barring rapid countermeasures, German Press Agency quoted the carmaker as saying.

Alongside these potential closures, the company has also hinted at possible layoffs. Volkswagen said it had to cancel a long-standing agreement with labor unions in Germany, which has been in place since 1994 and aimed to prevent compulsory redundancies until 2029. The step has not yet been agreed with the employee side. 
PARIS, Sept. 2 (Xinhua) -- Though described by European leaders as a "friend and partner," Keir Starmer, who assumed the British premiership in July, has given no indication of reversing Brexit or rejoining the European single market.

However, eight years after Brexit strained Britain's relations with the EU, Starmer's choice of Germany and France for his first visits signals a desire to recalibrate relations, particularly in trade with EU members.

SEEKING FRESH START

At the 4th meeting of the European Political Community (EPC) held in Britain in July, Starmer indicated readiness to reset Britain's strained post-Brexit relations with Europe, especially as the region confronts "generational challenges."

Following the long tradition of viewing Germany as key to improving relations with Europe, Starmer kicked off his EU visit in Germany where he met with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.

During the meeting, Scholz said that he was "pleased" with the Starmer's announcement that he would seek a "fresh start" in relations with the EU.

"Given the common challenges our two countries face, we are convinced that the time has come to take our bilateral relations to the next level," said a joint declaration on deepening and enhancing UK-Germany relations issued during Starmer's visit.

Both permanent members of the UN Security Council with nuclear weapons, Britain and France maintained frosty relations during the years of Brexit negotiations.

It was not until 2023 that French President Emmanuel Macron and then British PM Rishi Sunak broke the ice with a financial deal on the illegal migration, followed by Britain's King Charles III's first-ever state visit to France.

After Starmer's meeting with Macron on Thursday, the British foreign ministry said that the two leaders "agreed on the importance of further strengthening and broadening the close relationship between the UK and France in the coming months."

"The reset so far is on atmosphere rather than substance," Peter Ricketts, chairman of the House of Lords European Affairs Committee, told European news website Euractiv. "It's focused on goodwill and good intentions, a commitment to working together, and shared interests."

It's the right thing for Britain to have good relations with the EU in defense and immigration cooperation and there has to be a renegotiation of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement, Professor Iain Begg from the London School of Economics and Political Science, told Xinhua.

REBUILDING ECONOMIC BASE

Amid high government debt and sluggish economic growth, it is believed that Starmer was chosen by the British people to "fix" the country's economic foundation.

A major study by the Resolution Foundation, a leading British think tank, revealed that the British economy has been stagnating for 15 years, leaving low- and middle-income households "much poorer" than their counterparts in advanced economies such as France and Germany.

The British economic outlook remains bleak, with the International Monetary Fund forecasting a GDP growth of just 0.7 percent in 2024 and 1.5 percent in 2025.

According to the British government figures, Germany was Britain's second-largest trading partner in the four quarters to the end of the first quarter of 2024, accounting for 8.5 percent of its total.

Germany and Britain were looking to "place their relations on a completely new footing" by concluding a treaty on bilateral cooperation, Scholz said at a joint press conference with Starmer.

For his part, Starmer said that the upcoming new bilateral cooperation treaty would reflect "our status as the closest of partners in Europe" and closer links in science, technology and business would strengthen trade ties with Germany while creating jobs both in Germany and Britain.

Describing economic growth as his government's top priority, Starmer said, "building relationships with our partners here in Germany and across Europe is vital to achieving it."

During his short stay in France, Starmer also met with business leaders. "My Labour government will provide the economic stability needed for international business to invest in the UK. When business thrives, we all do," he said on X, formerly Twitter.

MORE CONSENSUS ON ILLEGAL MIGRATION

Before the bilateral summit held in 2023 that fixed the frosty relations, Britain and France had clashed over issues including French fishermen's fishing licenses, illegal migration through the English Channel, and Australia's decision to cancel the submarine contract with France for British nuclear-powered alternatives.

Although economic growth has been declared as a priority of his government, Starmer seemed to focus on another more urgent issue in discussions with Macron -- illegal migration.

Following his visit to France, the two sides reaffirmed their desire to deepen cooperation on illegal migration in the English Channel, not least in the face of human trafficking rings.

During the 2023 bilateral summit, France and Britain reached a controversial new deal to combat illegal migration across the channel, under which London would pay Paris millions of euros from 2023 to 2026, and a detention center should be built in northern France.

British government statistics showed that between Aug. 25 to 31, 2024, 1,758 irregular migrants attempted to cross the channel in small boats without permission to enter Britain.

According to British journalist Philip Turle, the France-Britain relationship has been strained for years over the crossing of illegal migrants through the channel.

"Those who voted for Brexit believed that it would allow better control of immigration. They saw clearly that it had no effect," Turle told news channel France24. "The challenge for the British as well as for the Europeans is to work better with the countries of origin to reduce these migratory flows."

Turle noted that Starmer's visits were also a way of expressing his worries over the rise of the far right in Europe, especially after riots on home soil, the French far-right wing party's win of more seats in the National Assembly, and rocking support for right-wing Alternative for Germany (AfD) party after recent attacks.

But for Begg, Starmer's trips to Germany and France were not just visits to Berlin and Paris.

They aim to establish stronger relations with a big neighbor, a key trading partner, and an important source of potential cooperation on critical issues, including illegal migration and direct investment into their countries, he told Xinhua. 
LOS ANGELES, Sept. 1 (Xinhua) -- Four people, including the suspect, were dead, with another two getting injured in a shooting Saturday night in Honolulu County in the U.S. state of Hawaii, authorities said on Sunday.

Shortly after 11:15 p.m. Saturday local time (0915 GMT on Sunday), police officers responded to a residence in the Waianae Valley area, according to the Honolulu Police Department.

Multiple 911 calls coming from the Waianae residence reported that their neighbor was operating a front loader and using it to ram multiple cars into the home. Multiple individuals were in the carport and fled or tried to flee when the suspect opened fire, striking the victims, said the department in a press release, adding that at some point, a 42-year-old male resident of the home fatally shot the suspect with a handgun.

The resident who shot the suspect has been arrested for murder in the second degree, according to the press release.

"Three individuals, including the suspect, were pronounced dead at the scene. Additional people were taken to the hospital," said the department earlier in a Facebook post.

Hours later, the department confirmed in an update that one of the wounded died at a hospital and the other two remain hospitalized.

Honolulu police held a press conference on Sunday to discuss the incident. "There have been several incidents in the previous months and weeks, but this incident is not related to those. This incident happened as a result of neighbors," Honolulu Police Chief Joe Logan was quoted as saying by local news outlet HawaiiNewsNow, adding that the shooting "is not a random act, but a targeted one."

Waianae Valley area is located on the west coast of the island of Oahu, which is home to the state capital, Honolulu.

The shooting is the latest in a spate of violent crimes in West Oahu.

Local residents said they are "frustrated and fed up about the recent string of violence that's causing chaos in the community" after multiple shootings and homicides -- many involving teens, reported local KITV television station weeks ago, adding that "the recent tragedies are forcing state leaders to get involved, increasing law enforcement here." 
Jamal Lewis: A Premier League Talent Set to Shine in Brazil

In a surprising turn of events, Northern Ireland defender Jamal Lewis is poised to make a remarkable move from the Premier League to the Brazilian Serie A, joining the prestigious Sao Paulo FC. The move, which is still pending official confirmation, has already generated significant buzz, with Lewis expressing his enthusiasm for the challenge ahead. According to the Belfast telegraph.

This potential transfer marks an intriguing shift in the career of the 26-year-old left-back, who has spent the last few years plying his trade in Englands top flight.

Embracing a New Challenge in Brazil

Jamal Lewis is no stranger to adversity. After a promising start at Newcastle United following his 15 million transfer from Norwich City in 2020, Lewis found himself out of favour and eventually loaned out to Watford last season. Despite being reintegrated into Newcastles squad over the summer, his exclusion from the first three matches of the new Premier League season indicated that his future at St James Park was uncertain.

Now, with the opportunity to join Sao Paulo, Lewis is eager to bring his Premier League experience to South America. The Premier League is intense, its tough, it has a lot of quality, so hopefully I can bring a lot of that and contribute to Sao Paulo, he told reporters upon his arrival in Brazil. His excitement is palpable, as he added, I want to try and win Cups and push up the League. Im super excited to meet all the Sao Paulo fans. Ive seen some games and I cant wait to step out on that pitch.

The Importance of This Move for Lewis

For Lewis, this move represents more than just a fresh startits a chance to reinvigorate his career. Having not played for Newcastle since December 2021, his prospects in England seemed limited. The shift to Sao Paulo offers a unique opportunity to showcase his skills in a different environment, potentially reigniting his international career with Northern Ireland as well.

Northern Ireland manager Michael ONeill has shown support for Lewiss decision, noting, Jamal is planning to join us later in the week after he completes his Visa requirements and medical checks in Brazil. We wish him the best of luck in his new move to Sao Paulo.

What Sao Paulo Gains from This Deal

Sao Paulo FC, one of Brazils most storied clubs, stands to benefit immensely from Lewiss Premier League experience. The intensity and high level of competition in Englands top tier have honed Lewis into a player capable of making a significant impact in Brazil. His defensive acumen, coupled with his ability to contribute to attacking plays, could make him a valuable asset as Sao Paulo aims to climb the league table and compete for silverware.

As this move edges closer to completion, both Lewis and Sao Paulo fans alike will be watching with anticipation. Should the deal go through, it will mark a fascinating chapter in the career of a player who still has much to offer on the global stage.

Statistical Analysis by EPL Index

Jamal Lewis has often been a player who divides opinion among fans and pundits alike. His recent performance data, provided by Fbref, sheds light on his contributions and areas for improvement over the last 365 days. This analysis delves into the numbers, offering a deeper understanding of his role as a full-back.

Possession Metrics Highlight Lewiss Strengths

One of the standout aspects of Jamal Lewiss performance data is his ability to contribute in possession. With a pass completion rate in the 72nd percentile and progressive passes in the 54th percentile, Lewis demonstrates his reliability on the ball. His ability to carry the ball forward is further underscored by his 61st percentile ranking in progressive carries and a solid 92nd percentile in touches. These figures suggest that Lewis is comfortable in possession and capable of driving play forward, an essential quality for modern full-backs.

Defensive Data Reveals Areas for Improvement

While Lewis shows promise in possession, his defensive statistics reveal potential areas for growth. His percentile ranks for clearances (28th) and blocks (20th) indicate that his contributions in these areas are below average for a full-back. Additionally, his 3rd percentile ranking for aerial duels won and 44th percentile for tackles and interceptions suggest that he could struggle in more physical defensive situations. These stats highlight the need for improvement if he is to compete at the highest level consistently.

Attacking Contributions: More to Offer?

Attacking-wise, Lewiss data points to some potential, with a 71st percentile in assists and 66th percentile in shot-creating actions. However, his non-penalty goals and expected non-penalty xG are relatively low, at the 28th and 39th percentiles, respectively. While he offers creative support, he may need to enhance his direct goal contributions to become a more complete attacking full-back.

In summary, Jamal Lewiss performance data presents a mixed picture. While he excels in possession, there are clear areas for improvement defensively and in goal-scoring contributions. These insights offer a valuable perspective as Lewis continues to develop his game.
Suze Orman frequently offers financial advice to those who write into her "Women & Money" podcast. Recently, 54-year-old Kim reached out about how to make the most of her $12,000 savings.

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Kim disclosed that she doesn't have any retirement plans or investment assets. The only money she has saved is that $12,000. Her employer offers a 401(k), but they don't offer a match on it, so she hasn't started it. The only debt she has is $4,000 left on a car loan. "I want to create the most security for my future, especially at my age," Kim wrote.

See Also: The number of 401(k)' Millionaires is up 43% from last year  Here are three ways to join the club.

Immediately, Orman advised against starting the employer 401(k). "Given the fact that your company does not match the 401(k), I dont want you to put a penny in their 401(k). Useless."

From there, Orman outlines three things Kim should do to maximize her savings. First, Orman tells Kim to put $8,000 into a Roth IRA. She recommends putting it into a money market account, making around 4%.

In 2024, the contribution limit for Roth IRAs is $8,000 if you're 50 or older ($7,000 if you're younger than 50). The benefit of this strategy is that Kim can still access her contributions tax and penalty-free, as long as she doesn't touch her earnings on those contributions.

Trending: Founder of Personal Capital and ex-CEO of PayPal re-engineers traditional banking with this new high-yield account  start saving better today.

The second piece of advice Orman gives Kim is to open an Ultimate Opportunity Savings Account with Alliant Credit Union. "I would put $100 a month in every single month," Orman says. "It will be earning 3.1 percent interest. Again, if you need it, you can get it any time you want, but it will be earning 3.1 percent interest. But at the end of those 12 months, they will give you $100."

The last thing Orman addressed was Kim's car loan. She advised Kim to pay that off quickly with anything she had left. The fewer expenses Kim has, the more she'll be able to save and put toward securing her financial future.

Trending: How do billionaires pay less in income tax than you? Tax deferring is their number one strategy.

Kim isn't alone in this situation. According to an AARP survey, 20% of Americans ages 50 and up don't have retirement savings. And 61% of this demographic are worried they won't have enough money to support themselves in retirement.

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"America is facing a serious retirement crisis. AARP has a long history of supporting legislation to expand access to retirement savings. Still, Congress must act more swiftly to provide the financial support older Americans need and deserve," said Nancy LeaMond, AARP Executive Vice President and Chief Advocacy & Engagement Officer.

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This article 54-Year-Old Woman With No 401(k) And Only $12,000 In Savings Seeks Suze Orman's Advice, Orman Says 'Put $8,000 Into A Roth IRA' originally appeared on Benzinga.com

 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.
Key Insights

Significantly high institutional ownership implies Tesco's stock price is sensitive to their trading actions

A total of 24 investors have a majority stake in the company with 50% ownership

Ownership research along with analyst forecasts data help provide a good understanding of opportunities in a stock

Every investor in Tesco PLC (LON:TSCO) should be aware of the most powerful shareholder groups. And the group that holds the biggest piece of the pie are institutions with 77% ownership. That is, the group stands to benefit the most if the stock rises (or lose the most if there is a downturn).

Since institutional have access to huge amounts of capital, their market moves tend to receive a lot of scrutiny by retail or individual investors. Hence, having a considerable amount of institutional money invested in a company is often regarded as a desirable trait.

Let's delve deeper into each type of owner of Tesco, beginning with the chart below.

Check out our latest analysis for Tesco

What Does The Institutional Ownership Tell Us About Tesco?

Many institutions measure their performance against an index that approximates the local market. So they usually pay more attention to companies that are included in major indices.

As you can see, institutional investors have a fair amount of stake in Tesco. This implies the analysts working for those institutions have looked at the stock and they like it. But just like anyone else, they could be wrong. When multiple institutions own a stock, there's always a risk that they are in a 'crowded trade'. When such a trade goes wrong, multiple parties may compete to sell stock fast. This risk is higher in a company without a history of growth. You can see Tesco's historic earnings and revenue below, but keep in mind there's always more to the story.

Institutional investors own over 50% of the company, so together than can probably strongly influence board decisions. We note that hedge funds don't have a meaningful investment in Tesco. BlackRock, Inc. is currently the largest shareholder, with 8.4% of shares outstanding. In comparison, the second and third largest shareholders hold about 5.1% and 3.5% of the stock.

A closer look at our ownership figures suggests that the top 24 shareholders have a combined ownership of 50% implying that no single shareholder has a majority.

While studying institutional ownership for a company can add value to your research, it is also a good practice to research analyst recommendations to get a deeper understand of a stock's expected performance. Quite a few analysts cover the stock, so you could look into forecast growth quite easily.

Story continues

Insider Ownership Of Tesco

The definition of an insider can differ slightly between different countries, but members of the board of directors always count. The company management answer to the board and the latter should represent the interests of shareholders. Notably, sometimes top-level managers are on the board themselves.

Insider ownership is positive when it signals leadership are thinking like the true owners of the company. However, high insider ownership can also give immense power to a small group within the company. This can be negative in some circumstances.

Our data suggests that insiders own under 1% of Tesco PLC in their own names. As it is a large company, we'd only expect insiders to own a small percentage of it. But it's worth noting that they own UK4.6m worth of shares. In this sort of situation, it can be more interesting to see if those insiders have been buying or selling.

General Public Ownership

The general public, who are usually individual investors, hold a 19% stake in Tesco. While this group can't necessarily call the shots, it can certainly have a real influence on how the company is run.

Next Steps:

I find it very interesting to look at who exactly owns a company. But to truly gain insight, we need to consider other information, too. Consider for instance, the ever-present spectre of investment risk. We've identified 1 warning sign with Tesco , and understanding them should be part of your investment process.

But ultimately it is the future, not the past, that will determine how well the owners of this business will do. Therefore we think it advisable to take a look at this free report showing whether analysts are predicting a brighter future.

NB: Figures in this article are calculated using data from the last twelve months, which refer to the 12-month period ending on the last date of the month the financial statement is dated. This may not be consistent with full year annual report figures.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.
AIA Singapore has partnered with the Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS) to introduce the country's first Minor in Insurance Fundamentals programme.

This collaboration, formalised through a memorandum of understanding, aims to nurture a future-ready workforce for the insurance sector and support Singapore's status as a leading financial hub.

The joint initiative is set to commence in January 2025, with enrolment beginning later this month.

It is tailored for full-time and part-time undergraduates at SUSS, as well as working adults, including those enrolled in the university's Continuing Education and Training (CET) and SkillsFuture Career Transition Programme Certificate in Personal Banking.

Upon completion, participants will be awarded a Certificate in Insurance Fundamentals.

The Minor in Insurance Fundamentals curriculum is crafted to impart a comprehensive understanding of insurance principles, compliance and financial expertise.

Students will delve into subjects such as customer relationship management, contract and agency law, and financial markets, preparing them for roles in financial planning, brokerage and agency management.

An exclusive six-week internship at AIA Singapore will be accessible to all full-time second year SUSS undergraduates.

Some participants may also secure full-time positions at AIA Singapore after they graduate.

Third-year students pursuing the minor who meet the prerequisites can join AIA Singapore's workforce while continuing their studies through SkillsFuture Work-Study Degree (WSDeg).

The WSDeg programme integrates work and study, allowing students to apply academic theories in practical settings and gain professional experience.

Furthermore, AIA Singapore and SUSS will co-develop reskilling programmes for AIA employees, in compliance with Workforce Singapore's Information and Communications Jobs Transformation Map.

Approximately 100 AIA employees will be upskilled in AI and related technologies over the coming years.

This initiative complements SUSS's position as a Training Partner with the Infocomm Media Development Authority to offer reskilling courses for AI professionals, contributing to the countrys agenda for reskilling and upskilling.

AIA Singapore chief human resources officer Aileen Tan said: Despite the rise in online platforms and digital touchpoints, we continue to see a growing demand among customers for personalised advice and guidance from financial consultants.

This demand, coupled with Singapore's shifting demographic, signals the need for a direct and formal pathway for professional development in insurance, which is currently lacking.

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"AIA Singapore, SUSS launch Minor in Insurance Fundamentals programme " was originally created and published by Life Insurance International, a GlobalData owned brand.







The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site.
Air New Zealand (NZSE:AIR) Full Year 2024 Results

Key Financial Results

Revenue: NZ$6.75b (up 6.7% from FY 2023).

Net income: NZ$146.0m (down 65% from FY 2023).

Profit margin: 2.2% (down from 6.5% in FY 2023). The decrease in margin was driven by higher expenses.

EPS: NZ$0.043 (down from NZ$0.12 in FY 2023).

AIR Operational Performance

Available seat kilometres (ASK): 42.07b (up 23% from FY 2023).

Passenger load factor: 81.5% (down from 84.7% in FY 2023).

Total aircraft: 110 (up by 4 from FY 2023).

All figures shown in the chart above are for the trailing 12 month (TTM) period

Air New Zealand Revenues Beat Expectations, EPS Falls Short

Revenue exceeded analyst estimates by 1.7%. Earnings per share (EPS) missed analyst estimates by 10%.

The primary driver behind last 12 months revenue was the New Zealand segment contributing a total revenue of NZ$4.12b (61% of total revenue). Notably, cost of sales worth NZ$5.02b amounted to 74% of total revenue thereby underscoring the impact on earnings. The largest operating expense was Depreciation & Amortisation (D&A) costs, amounting to NZ$716.0m (45% of total expenses). Explore how AIR's revenue and expenses shape its earnings.

Looking ahead, revenue is forecast to grow 3.2% p.a. on average during the next 3 years, compared to a 6.1% growth forecast for the Global Airlines industry.

Performance of the market in New Zealand.

The company's share price is broadly unchanged from a week ago.

Risk Analysis

You should learn about the 2 warning signs we've spotted with Air New Zealand.

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.
Activites held to promote youth communication between China, Africa

Xinhua) 10:15, September 02, 2024

A boy gives a "high five" to a volunteer during a hands-on experience session at the Angola pavilion of a permanent exhibition hall of the China-Africa Economic and Trade Cooperation Promotion Innovation Demonstration Park in Changsha, central China's Hunan Province, Aug. 30, 2024. Various activities promoting youth communication between China and Africa were organized here during the summer vacation. With the help of African volunteers from local universities, Chinese students were able to feel the charm of African culture by learning traditional African dance, music, folk arts, and making immersive tours of African customs via VR devices. (Xinhua/Chen Sihan)

A volunteer demonstrates African music during a hands-on experience session at the Angola pavilion of a permanent exhibition hall of the China-Africa Economic and Trade Cooperation Promotion Innovation Demonstration Park in Changsha, central China's Hunan Province, Aug. 30, 2024. Various activities promoting youth communication between China and Africa were organized here during the summer vacation. With the help of African volunteers from local universities, Chinese students were able to feel the charm of African culture by learning traditional African dance, music, folk arts, and making immersive tours of African customs via VR devices. (Xinhua/Chen Sihan)

A volunteer helps a kid to put on VR device during a hands-on experience session at the Mali pavilion of a permanent exhibition hall of the China-Africa Economic and Trade Cooperation Promotion Innovation Demonstration Park in Changsha, central China's Hunan Province, Aug. 30, 2024. Various activities promoting youth communication between China and Africa were organized here during the summer vacation. With the help of African volunteers from local universities, Chinese students were able to feel the charm of African culture by learning traditional African dance, music, folk arts, and making immersive tours of African customs via VR devices. (Xinhua/Chen Sihan)

Volunteers introduce stone painting to children during a hands-on experience session at the Malawi pavilion of a permanent exhibition hall of the China-Africa Economic and Trade Cooperation Promotion Innovation Demonstration Park in Changsha, central China's Hunan Province, Aug. 30, 2024. Various activities promoting youth communication between China and Africa were organized here during the summer vacation. With the help of African volunteers from local universities, Chinese students were able to feel the charm of African culture by learning traditional African dance, music, folk arts, and making immersive tours of African customs via VR devices. (Xinhua/Chen Sihan)

A volunteer plays African drum with children during a hands-on experience session at the Angola pavilion of a permanent exhibition hall of the China-Africa Economic and Trade Cooperation Promotion Innovation Demonstration Park in Changsha, central China's Hunan Province, Aug. 30, 2024. Various activities promoting youth communication between China and Africa were organized here during the summer vacation. With the help of African volunteers from local universities, Chinese students were able to feel the charm of African culture by learning traditional African dance, music, folk arts, and making immersive tours of African customs via VR devices. (Xinhua/Chen Sihan)

A volunteer grinds coffee beans with children during a hands-on experience session at the Ethiopia pavilion of a permanent exhibition hall of the China-Africa Economic and Trade Cooperation Promotion Innovation Demonstration Park in Changsha, central China's Hunan Province, Aug. 30, 2024. Various activities promoting youth communication between China and Africa were organized here during the summer vacation. With the help of African volunteers from local universities, Chinese students were able to feel the charm of African culture by learning traditional African dance, music, folk arts, and making immersive tours of African customs via VR devices. (Xinhua/Chen Sihan)

Volunteers introduce stone painting to children during a hands-on experience session at the Malawi pavilion of a permanent exhibition hall of the China-Africa Economic and Trade Cooperation Promotion Innovation Demonstration Park in Changsha, central China's Hunan Province, Aug. 30, 2024. Various activities promoting youth communication between China and Africa were organized here during the summer vacation. With the help of African volunteers from local universities, Chinese students were able to feel the charm of African culture by learning traditional African dance, music, folk arts, and making immersive tours of African customs via VR devices. (Xinhua/Chen Sihan)

A volunteer grinds coffee beans with children during a hands-on experience session at the Ethiopia pavilion of a permanent exhibition hall of the China-Africa Economic and Trade Cooperation Promotion Innovation Demonstration Park in Changsha, central China's Hunan Province, Aug. 30, 2024. Various activities promoting youth communication between China and Africa were organized here during the summer vacation. With the help of African volunteers from local universities, Chinese students were able to feel the charm of African culture by learning traditional African dance, music, folk arts, and making immersive tours of African customs via VR devices. (Xinhua/Chen Sihan)

A volunteer teaches children African dance during a hands-on experience session at the Angola pavilion of a permanent exhibition hall of the China-Africa Economic and Trade Cooperation Promotion Innovation Demonstration Park in Changsha, central China's Hunan Province, Aug. 30, 2024. Various activities promoting youth communication between China and Africa were organized here during the summer vacation. With the help of African volunteers from local universities, Chinese students were able to feel the charm of African culture by learning traditional African dance, music, folk arts, and making immersive tours of African customs via VR devices. (Xinhua/Chen Sihan)

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
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 Vu?i? 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 Vu?i?s greetings and asked Marko Djuric to pass on his own regards to the President of Serbia.

Fondly recalling his meetings with President Vu?i? 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.
We recently compiled a list of the 10 Best Specialty Chemical Stocks To Buy Now. In this article, we are going to take a look at American Vanguard Corporation (NYSE:AVD) against the other specialty chemical stocks.

The chemical industry includes companies that produce industrial, specialty, and commodity chemicals, serving as a cornerstone of the modern world economy. In 2023, the global chemical industry stood at $5.1 trillion and is expected to grow to $7.8 trillion in 2028, with a whopping yearly growth rate of 8.7%, according to estimates by the Business Research Company.

Global Specialty Chemicals Market

Within the broader chemical industry, the specialty chemicals segment plays a crucial role. This segment includes performance chemicals used to improve industrial processes and as ingredients in final products to enhance technical and performance attributes. These chemicals include plastic & rubber additives, oilfield chemicals, water treatment chemicals, advanced ceramic chemicals, and several other types of performance chemicals.

In 2023, the global specialty chemicals market was valued at $627.7 billion and is expected to grow to $1 trillion by 2032 at a CAGR of 5%, according to Fortune Business Insights. This exceptional growth is driven by the packaging industry, particularly in food and cosmetic packaging, driven by the growth of e-commerce platforms.

In addition to packaging, the automotive industry boosts demand for specialty chemicals, which play a crucial role in producing parts like tires, coatings, and adhesives. Additionally, demand for specialty chemicals is strong in the construction industry where they help keep the structures safe and improve their lasting period.

The global food and beverage market is expected to grow from roughly $6.5 trillion in 2023 to $8.8 trillion by 2028, according to Fortune Business Insights. This means increasing demand for food additives and packaging which further bolsters growth prospects of the specialty chemicals industry.

Despite the wide usage of such chemicals, they are often subject to government regulations to protect workers, the environment, and customers. This is due to the specialty chemicals industry being the 3rd largest contributor to CO2 emissions from the industry.

However, the specialty chemicals industry has started evolving towards green and sustainable practices. This shift aims to lower energy emissions, improve safety standards, and lower compliance costs. Hydrogen fuel cells are expected to reduce the industrys CO2 emissions, while Artificial Intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) can optimize processes, make materials discovery easier, and enhance predictive modeling.

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Specialty Chemicals Market in USA

Based on their types and serving industries, the specialty chemicals market is divided into multiple segments including dyes, construction, pharmaceuticals, and others.

The U.S. specialty chemicals market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 3% mainly driven by the increased production of vehicles which directly increases the demand for paints, coatings, and additives. The U.S. automotive industry is one of the largest ones in the world; 15.5 million new light vehicles were sold in the country in 2023 alone, as we reported in our article about the 15 Fastest Growing Automotive Brands in the World.

The growing infrastructure of the U.S. is also a major consumer of specialty chemicals in the paint and coatings segment; the U.S. is the second biggest exporter of all types of paints.

Our Methodology

To curate our list of the 10 Best Specialty Chemical Stocks To Buy Now, we gathered a list of all companies that are operating in this segment using the Finviz stock screener. We then further narrowed them down on the basis of several metrics like market capitalization, institutional ownership, the number of analysts watching the stock, and the overall financial health of respective stocks. We ranked the finest remaining companies by their upside potential, as predicted by the analysts. Finally, we ranked the top stocks based on the number of hedge funds that were bullish on the stock as of Q2 2024. Hedge Fund data was acquired from the Insider Monkeys hedge fund database that tracks the activity of 920 hedge funds. For stocks with equal number of hedge fund holders, we used their upside as the tiebreaker.

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 farmer inspecting the health of soil in a green and lush field.

American Vanguard Corporation (NYSE:AVD)

Upside Potential: 184%

Number of Hedge Funds Holders: 19

The next stock on our list of the 10 Best Specialty Chemical Stocks To Buy Now is American Vanguard Corporation (NYSE:AVD). It develops and markets specialty chemicals for use in the agriculture, commercial and consumer segments. The company also produces biological and chemical products for crop applications. Based in California, the company distributes its products with the help of national distribution companies and sales offices.

The company reported net sales of $128.2 million in the second quarter of 2024 which are slightly lower than the sales of $132.8 million of the second quarter in 2023. However, half-year sales of 2024 were higher with $263.4 million reported in the first half of 2024 compared to $257.7 million in the prior year. It recorded a double-digit sales increase in the non-crop and green solutions business. This increase was driven by stronger demand in Central America.

Although the sales registered a growth, the profitability of American Vanguard Corporation (NYSE:AVD) declined, as adjusted EBITDA of $6.2 million reported in second quarter of 2024 was lower than $10.7 million in the prior year. This decline was driven by one-time costs, including severance of the former CEO as well as restructuring costs.

Despite the one-time nature of these costs, the company announced immediate steps to improve liquidity and cost structure. It has also set in motion multiple initiatives to reduce inventory downward and maximize cash. Nevertheless, American Vanguard Corporation (NYSE:AVD) announced a cash dividend of $0.03, reflecting the financial strength of the company.

The company faced a challenging situation when it had to cancel all registrations for its Dacthal herbicide products following a suspension order from EPA (Environmental Protection Agency). Despite its reservations with the EPA decision, the company is prioritizing the removal of product from market.

Meanwhile, 19 hedge funds have collectively invested $43 million in the companys stock. Additionally, three analysts have forecasted an upside potential of 184% in the share.

Overall AVD ranks 5th on our list of the best specialty chemical stocks to buy. While we acknowledge the potential of AVD as an investment, our conviction lies in the belief that some AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns and doing so within a shorter timeframe. If you are looking for an AI stock that is more promising than AVD 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.
Billionaire stock portfolios can unearth top investment ideas. Most billionaire investors, after all, have superb track records when picking equities.

Point72, a global asset manager led by billionaire Steven A. Cohen, has been steadily buying shares of gallium nitride (GaN) power integrated circuit specialist Navitas Semiconductor Company (NASDAQ: NVTS) since the first quarter of 2023.

After adding another 4.12 million shares in the second quarter of 2024, Point72 now owns a 2.34% stake in the next-generation semiconductor company. This investment is intriguing for several reasons.

First, Navitas shares trade at a mere $3.02 per share, a price point that typically keeps professional investors on the sidelines. Next, the semiconductor company isn't in the best financial shape either. More on that in a moment.

Yet Cohen's aggressive buying over the past year and a half warrants attention by investors on the hunt for the next big growth play. Let's dig deeper to better understand Navitas' core value proposition and risk profile.

Image Source: Getty Images.

Navitas: A next-generation semiconductor player

Navitas designs, develops, and markets gallium nitride power integrated circuits, silicon carbide, and associated components used in power conversion and charging. Its products find applications in mobile devices, consumer electronics, data centers, solar inverters, and electric vehicles (EVs). The company operates globally, with its principal executive offices in Torrance, California.

Founded in 2013, Navitas is pioneering the GaN market with a proprietary GaN power IC platform shipping in mass production to tier-1 companies like Samsung, Dell, Lenovo, and Amazon. The company's solutions offer faster charging, higher power density, and greater energy savings compared to silicon-based power systems.

Core strengths and market opportunities

Navitas' core strength lies in its industry-leading IP position, including a comprehensive patent portfolio and proprietary process design kit (PDK). The company's research and development activities, primarily located in the U.S. and China, consumed approximately 90% of its revenue in the first half of 2024.

The company is targeting several high-growth markets. In the Enterprise/AI Data Center segment, Navitas is developing AC-DC power platforms up to 10 kW to meet Nvidia's demanding Hopper-Blackwell-Rubin roadmap. The EV/eMobility division is seeing strong growth in its customer pipeline, with over 200 projects in development.

The Appliance/Industrial segment is poised for a revenue ramp in 2025 across diverse applications. In the Solar/Energy Storage market, Navitas is displacing legacy silicon chips with both SiC and GaN technologies, according to its latest 10-Q.

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The gallium nitride market: Heating up for future demand

The power gallium nitride device market is projected to grow significantly in the coming years. This market is set to expand from $126 million in 2021 to $2 billion in 2027, representing a compound annual growth rate of 59%, according to market research firm Yole Developpement. This parabolic growth is primarily driven by increasing demand in consumer electronics, data centers, and electric vehicles.

However, the robotics revolution could serve as a future catalyst for even more explosive growth in the GaN market. Artificial intelligence (AI) is expected to power advanced robotics from 2025 to 2035, potentially unlocking trillions in economic value. While this isn't the primary driver of current GaN market growth, it represents a significant future opportunity that could sustain and potentially accelerate the market's expansion.

Navitas' technology could play a crucial role in addressing the power consumption challenges that currently hold back the robotics field. As robots become more integrated into daily life, they will require access to rapid recharging systems that can meet their enormous power requirements. Navitas appears to have intellectual property rights to technology that could address this critical need, positioning the company to potentially capitalize on this future demand.

Financial challenges and risks

However, Navitas faces significant financial challenges. As of June 30, 2024, the company had $112.0 million in cash and cash equivalents. Its GAAP loss from operations for the most recent quarter was $31.1 million. Over the past five years, Navitas' number of outstanding shares has also increased substantially due to dilution, while its share price has declined sharply.

NVTS Chart

NVTS data by YCharts

Barring a sudden revenue uptick, possibly from its data center business, this trend may continue. While sales are growing by double-digits, Navitas is only expected to generate around $148 million in revenue in 2025, according to Wall Street's most optimistic forecast. The company is also projected to remain cash flow negative next year, potentially straining its remaining cash reserves.

Is this speculative AI stock a buy?

Steven Cohen's hedge fund seems to be positioning itself ahead of a potential shift in the semiconductor industry from traditional silicon-based chips to GaN semiconductors. Navitas, as a leader in this niche, could benefit enormously from this trend. Its shares also offer exposure to the coming robotics revolution.

However, investors should carefully weigh the company's growth potential against its financial risks before following in Cohen's footsteps. Navitas is far from a slam dunk and serious challenges lie in its path to success.

What's the bottom line? This AI stock screens as a potential buy for aggressive investors with a high tolerance for risk. That being said, Navitas probably shouldn't account for more than 1% of your stock portfolio at this early juncture, and investors will want to keep a close eye on the company's progress.

Should you invest $1,000 in Navitas Semiconductor right now?

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The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now and Navitas Semiconductor wasnt one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years.

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John Mackey, former CEO of Whole Foods Market, an Amazon subsidiary, is a member of The Motley Fool's board of directors. George Budwell has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Amazon and Nvidia. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

A Billionaire-Led Hedge Fund Is Gobbling Up This Speculative Artificial Intelligence Stock. Should You? was originally published by The Motley Fool
In the latest twist in Bolt's aggressive fundraising efforts, the fintech companys CEO appears to have made a veiled threat of legal action against Silverbear Capital, the investment bank whose involvement in the deal remains in some dispute.

We believe there was some internal miscommunication at Silverbear Capital, one of our lead investors, which has caused unnecessary confusion, CEO Justin Grooms wrote in an email reportedly viewed by Forbes. The fact is, they signed a binding term sheet committing $200 million. Our exceptional legal team at Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher stands ready to represent the company in seeking to enforce our rights vigorously.

Bolt, which offers tools for one-click e-commerce checkout, did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Silverbear partner Veronica Welch told Forbes that this never had anything to do with any miscommunications and that the deal was never discussed or approved in the company.

Earlier this month, a leaked term sheet showed that Bolt was aiming to raise $200 million in equity funding and $250 million in marketing credits at a $14 billion valuation, with an unusual pay-to-play deal structure that would essentially force existing backers to either invest or lose their stakes in the company.

While Silverbear was initially reported to be leading the equity round, the firms partner Brad Pamnani recently told TechCrunch hes actually putting the deal together through a special purpose vehicle (SPV) managed by a private equity fund based in the United Arab Emirates.

At the beginning, I used my Silverbear email to respond to some things and that caused some confusion but Silverbear was never actually looking at this deal, Pamnani said.

Meanwhile, the London Funds CEO confirmed in an interview with TechCrunch that the firm is contributing marketing credits to the deal. However, the London Fund released a statement Friday saying that it has not seen and cannot confirm the validity of any part of a document leaked to the press.

We can confirm that there have been discussions between The London Fund and Bolts management; however, at no point have we stated that a transaction has concluded, the firm said.
By Ricardo Brito and Luciana Magalhaes

BRASILIA/SAO PAULO (Reuters) -Tensions between Brazil and Elon Musk's business empire ratcheted up further as the country's telecoms regulator threatened to sanction his satellite broadband company Starlink hours after its top court stood behind a controversial decision to ban social network X from the country.

Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva also backed the top court's Judge Alexandre de Moraes' decision to suspend X. The judge found that X allowed postings of hate messages and falsehoods about the country's electronic voting system that undermined Brazils democracy.

"The Brazilian judiciary may have given an important signal that the world is not obliged to put up with Musk's far-right ideology just because he is rich," Lula said in an interview with CNN Brasil released on Monday.

Reacting to the judge's earlier move to freeze Starlink's accounts for possible use to pay fines owed by X, Musk said in an X posting that he would seek a reciprocal seizure of Brazilian assets, but did not say how.

Starlink on Monday again found itself in Brazilian authorities' crosshairs by refusing to obey Moraes' order for all internet providers to block domestic access to X.

A senior official at telecommunications regulator Anatel said sanctions against Starlink for noncompliance could include the revocation of its license to operate in Brazil.

Anatel commissioner Artur Coimbra told Reuters that the regulator is inspecting all Brazilian telecom operators to make sure they have shut down Musk's messaging platform.

Starlink is the only company that has told Anatel it will not comply with the judge's ruling, Coimbra said.

Starlink did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Monday.

It previously told Anatel it was refusing to remove X from its service until the freeze on its Brazilian bank accounts was lifted, the telecom regulator confirmed to Reuters earlier on Monday.

Moraes last week froze Starlink's accounts after X did not pay fines imposed for failing to obey judicial orders.

SIXTH-BIGGEST MARKET

Earlier on Monday, a Supreme Court panel voted unanimously to uphold the suspension of X in the country for defying a court order.

Moraes last week ruled that X should be suspended in Brazil because it did not name a local legal representative as required by law and ignored a deadline for compliance.

Justices Flavio Dino, Cristiano Zanin, Carmen Lucia and Luiz Fux sided with Justice Alexandre de Moraes. Three of the justices on the panel said the suspension could be reversed if the platform complied with previous rulings.

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X did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the panel's decision.

X was taken down for most Brazilians in the early hours of Saturday following Moraes' decision although some people continued to access it through VPNs and other means. Moraes has also threatened to levy a fine of 50,000 reais ($8,902.66) a day on those using VPNs to access the social network, although it remains unclear how enforceable that threat is.

Brazil is X's sixth-biggest market globally with about 21.5 million users as of April, according to Statista.

Moraes and Musk, who owns a controlling share in Starlink, have been locked in a months-long feud after the social media platform challenged orders to block accounts accused by investigators of spreading misinformation and hate.

While Moraes' defenders see him as a crusader in the defense of democracy, critics accuse him of using heavy-handed methods on politicians and businessmen.

Musk has argued that Moraes sought to censor users and closed the X office in Brazil in August without appointing a new representative, triggering the suspension.

On Monday, Musk replied, "Exactly," to a post that described the suspension as an attack on freedom of expression and Brazilians' rights.

Chief Justice Luis Roberto Barroso, who was not on the review panel, said that removing legal representatives to avoid complying with court decisions "is a behavior that would not be acceptable anywhere in the world."

X remained inaccessible for most users in Brazil.

($1 = 5.6163 reais)

(Reporting by Luciana Magalhaes and Luana Maria Benedito in Sao Paulo, and Ricardo Brito in Brasilia; additional reporting by Andre Romani in Sao Paulo; Editing by Aurora Ellis and Christian Plumb)
By Joanna Plucinska and Tim Hepher

(Reuters) -Hong Kong's Cathay Pacific Airways said on Monday it had started inspecting all its Airbus A350 jets after the in-flight failure of an engine component, sending shares in British engine supplier Rolls-Royce down sharply.

The carrier said it had cancelled 24 return flights operating until the end of Tuesday, and that a number of aircraft would be out of service for several days while the process, which it described as precautionary, was completed.

An Airbus spokesperson referred questions to the airline and to Rolls-Royce, which said it was aware of the incident and was committed to working closely with Cathay, Airbus and authorities conducting an investigation.

Shares in the company - the sole engine provider for the Airbus A350 family of long-haul jets - closed down more than 6% and dragged Europe's defence and aerospace index down 2.8%

According to Flightradar24 data, the problem apparently unfolded several minutes after take-off as flight CX383 initially headed out over the sea, south of Hong Kong.

Instead of immediately turning north for the roughly 12-hour journey to Zurich, the aircraft performed two wide circles before returning to Hong Kong where it landed safely about 75 minutes after take-off, according to the tracking data.

Cathay did not describe the failed engine component in detail but said it was the first of its type to suffer such failure on any A350 aircraft worldwide.

"Thus far we have identified a number of the same engine components that need to be replaced. Spare parts have been secured and repair work is underway," it said.

A person familiar with the matter said the incident involved a problem with a fuel nozzle, a component that directs fuel inside the engine.

Experts say such problems are rare but, barring a deeper flaw, generally raise fewer alarms than the failure of one of the major rotating parts such as a turbine blade. However, any widespread further inspections could be disruptive to airlines.

HONG KONG PROBE

Industry sources said Hong Kong's Air Accident Investigation Authority had quickly launched an investigation. The bureau could not be reached for comment outside office hours.

Britain's Air Accidents Investigation Branch said it would support any investigation carried out in Hong Kong.

According to Flightradar24 data, the diverted aircraft is an A350-1000, the larger of two models of twin-engined A350. These are powered by the XWB-97, Rolls' largest civil jet engine.

Cathay operates 18 of the largest twin-engined Airbus planes as part of a mixed fleet of Airbus and Boeing jets.

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It is one of the largest users of the A350-1000 alongside British Airways, which also has 18 in operation, but behind the largest operator, Qatar Airways, according to Airbus data.

There were no immediate reports of similar findings at other airlines. Other operators of the A350-1000 did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is responsible for overseeing Airbus jets and has the power to order fleet-wide checks or repairs, did not rule out taking action but said it would wait for the results of the probe.

"We will be monitoring any information coming out of the technical investigation and will take decisions on any fleet level action as required," a spokesperson said.

In total, Cathay operates 48 A350 jets including the smaller and more widely used A350-900, which runs on a different member of the Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engine family called the XWB-84.

The airline said it was coordinating with the Hong Kong Civil Aviation Department and the jet and engine manufacturers.

Cathay has around 100 planes currently on order including freighters, narrow-bodies and wide-bodies, with rights to acquire another 80.

(Additional reporting by Himanshi Akhand in Bengaluru; Editing by Alex Richardson, Christina Fincher and Tomasz Janowski)
Chinese President Xi Jinping will host the ninth Forum on China-African Co-operation Summit on Thursday (4 August) to encourage the 50 African nations in attendance to purchase more of its renewable energy technologies, according to Reuters.

In exchange for purchasing its clean energy technologies, China pledges to increase loans and investments across the continent.

The Asian nation aims to increase its green energy tech exports before Western tariffs, mainly on EVs and solar panels, kick in.

However, unfulfilled pledges from the previous summit in 2021 could prevent collaboration with some African countries. For instance, China has yet to purchase $300bn worth of goods from the continent as promised.

The country must also provide assurance on pledged infrastructure projects such as a railway link designed to connect China with the greater East-African region. Eric Olander, co-founder of the China-Global South Project, said: "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.

"That's a big ask for a continent that generally has very poor China literacy."

As tariffs on Chinese exports draw closer, President Xi Jinpings government has placed priority on buyers for its EVs and solar infrastructure in emerging markets.

According to Boston University's Global Development Policy Centre, the total amount of loans China offered to Africa equalled $4.6bn in 2023, the highest since 2019, with $500mn for the deployment of hydropower and solar infrastructure.

President Xi Jinping is expected to meet with leaders from Gambia, Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa and Zimbabwe to discuss Chinas green industry. The only African nation that will not be in attendance is Eswatini.

China will also want to discuss increasing its trade and access to raw materials such as copper, cobalt and lithium in countries like Botswana, Namibia and Zimbabwe but will be cautious around funding commitments due to debt restructuring in economies such as Chad, Ethiopia and Zambia, Reuters reported.

To not lose all market share in Africa to China, the US, UK, Italy, Russia and South Korea have all hosted summits with African leaders regarding renewable development.

"China to host summit to increase clean tech exports to African nations" was originally created and published by Power Technology, a GlobalData owned brand.







The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site.
China has confirmed that one of its naval surveying vessels sailed close to Japanese territory over the weekend, but insisted it was a "legal passage" through international waters.

Tokyo has expressed "strong concern" and lodged a protest with the Chinese embassy over the incident, which happened days after a Chinese reconnaissance aircraft entered Japanese airspace.

The Japanese defence ministry said the ship spent around two hours in the country's territorial waters off the southwest of Kuchinoerabu, a small island in the Tokara Strait to the southwest of the country's four biggest islands.

Do you have questions about the biggest topics and trends from around the world? Get the answers with SCMP Knowledge, our new platform of curated content with explainers, FAQs, analyses and infographics brought to you by our award-winning team.

Mao Ning, a spokeswoman for the Chinese foreign ministry, said on Monday there was "no need to deliberately link or over-interpret" the two incidents.

She said the ship "was exercising its rights of transit" and the passage was "completely legitimate and legal".

"According to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, the Tokara Strait is used for international navigation," she said.

The Chinese naval survey vessel pictured near the Japanese island in an photo issued by the Japanese defence ministry's joint staff office. Photo: AFP alt=The Chinese naval survey vessel pictured near the Japanese island in an photo issued by the Japanese defence ministry's joint staff office. Photo: AFP>

Japan's foreign ministry said Namazu Hiroyuki, the director general of the Asian and Oceanian Affairs Bureau, had lodged a protest with the Chinese embassy in Tokyo and received an explanation.

The protest also took into account "the recent intrusion into Japan's territorial airspace by a Chinese military plane", according to the ministry.

Last Tuesday a Chinese Y-9 reconnaissance plane entered Japan's airspace above the southeastern Danjo-gunto islands for about two minutes.

Japan said the incursion was "utterly unacceptable" and foreign vice-minister, Okano Masataka summoned Shi Yong, the interim charge d'affaires to issue a "very severe protest"

Beijing said it has "no intention of breaching any country's airspace" adding that it had "maintained communication through existing working channels".

Saturday's incident was the 10th time Chinese survey ships have entered waters administered by the Kagoshima prefecture since November 2021, according to Kyodo News.

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Japan has repeatedly raised concern about Chinese military activities in the East China Sea and has confronted Chinese coastguards in waters around the disputed Diaoyu, or Senkaku islands. In recent years, the country has also been increasing defence spending and strengthening security ties with the US and its allies.

On Friday the defence ministry requested a record budget of 8.5 trillion yen (US$59 billion) for next year, citing threats from China, especially to its southwest island chain which includes Okinawa.

This article originally appeared in the South China Morning Post (SCMP), the most authoritative voice reporting on China and Asia for more than a century. For more SCMP stories, please explore the SCMP app or visit the SCMP's Facebook and Twitter pages. Copyright  2024 South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved.

Copyright (c) 2024. South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved.
(Bloomberg)  China has threatened severe economic retaliation against Japan if Tokyo further restricts sales and servicing of chipmaking equipment to Chinese firms, complicating US-led efforts to cut the worlds second-largest economy off from advanced technology.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Senior Chinese officials have repeatedly outlined that position in recent meetings with their Japanese counterparts, according to people familiar with the matter. One specific fear in Japan, Toyota Motor Corp. (TM, 7203.T) privately told officials in Tokyo, is that Beijing could react to new semiconductor controls by cutting Japans access to critical minerals that are essential for automotive production, the people said, declining to be named discussing private affairs.

Toyota is among the most important companies in Japan and is deeply involved in the countrys chip policy, partly reflected by the fact that it has invested in a new chip campus being built by Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSM, 2330.TW) in Kumamoto, according to one of the people. That makes its concerns a major consideration for Japanese officials, in addition to those of Tokyo Electron Ltd. (TOELY, TKY.HA), the semiconductor gear-maker that would be principally affected by any new Japanese export controls.

The US has been pressuring Japan to impose additional restrictions on the ability of firms including Tokyo Electron to sell advanced chipmaking tools to China, part of a long-running campaign to curtail Chinas semiconductor progress. With those talks, senior US officials have been working with their Japanese counterparts on a strategy to ensure adequate supplies of critical minerals, some of the people said, especially since China imposed restrictions on the exports of gallium, germanium and graphite last year.

The concern about Toyota has some historical precedent. In 2010, China temporarily suspended exports of rare earths to Japan after a clash in waters of the East China Sea claimed by both sides. The move shook Japans electronics sector and threatened to choke off global supplies of high-power magnets produced in Japan employing rare earths from China. Tokyo has since worked with mixed success to reduce its reliance on Chinese rare earth imports.

Shares of Japans chip-related companies fell after Bloombergs report of the China-Japan clash. Tokyo Electron shares fell as much as 1.9%, while Lasertec Corp. (6920.T) and Disco Corp. dropped as much as 2.8% and 3.3% respectively.

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Some in Japan pushed back on the idea that the Tokyo government should fall into line with Washingtons latest geopolitical strategy.

Japan shouldnt tighten its export control just because the US is making such a request, said Akira Minamikawa, an analyst with the research firm Omdia. Japan should have its own philosophy, decide whats best for the country and stand firm.

The Biden administration is confident that they can assuage Tokyos concerns and reach an agreement with Japan by the end of this year, some of the people said.

But there are more aggressive options: Behind the scenes, the US has been wielding a power known as the foreign direct product rule, or FDPR. The rule allows Washington to control sales of products made anywhere in the world, provided they use even the smallest amount of American technology.

In the current talks, American officials so far have refrained from invoking that authority against Japan and other key allies, which see the rule as a draconian step. A senior administration official said the US would prefer to reach a diplomatic solution but would not rule out the use of FDPR.

The timing of any deal is complicated by the US presidential election in November and the planned resignation of Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida this month. But Kishida stepping down should not impact the negotiations for further curbs, the senior administration official said, because Tokyo has built consensus for the policy across its government.

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.. REUTERS/Liesa Johannssen (Reuters / Reuters)

Japans Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry didnt have immediate comment when contacted by Bloomberg News. Tokyo Electron declined to comment. A Toyota spokesperson said the automaker is constantly considering optimal procurement strategies, not limited to mineral resources, to meet the needs of its customers.

The US Commerce Departments Bureau of Industry and Security, which is in charge of export controls, declined to comment.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry said in a statement that it opposes efforts by any individual nation to politicize normal trade and lure other countries to join any technology blockade against China.

The US first unveiled sweeping chip export controls in October 2022  focused on both equipment and cutting-edge processors  and Japan and the Netherlands later followed suit with their own, less restrictive measures. Washington has since then been trying to convince allies to fully align with the original US controls, particularly by limiting Dutch supplier ASML Holding NV (ASML, ASML.VI) and Tokyo Electrons ability to repair restricted machines that are already in China  something US firms are barred from doing. The Hague is planning to impose some servicing restrictions, Bloomberg News has reported.

Now, the US is eyeing more American curbs on high-bandwidth memory chips  an essential AI component  and additional chipmaking tools, as well as measures targeting specific Chinese companies. Thats triggered a second, parallel set of negotiations with officials in Japan and the Netherlands, as Washington pressures both governments to match the potential new US measures, which currently have a carveout for allies. The Biden administration is under pressure from US industry  and some lawmakers in its own party  to secure an agreement with key allies before moving ahead with its own measures.

We are deeply concerned about the harm being done to US companies and US leadership in semiconductor innovation by unilateral export controls with questionable national security benefits, wrote Representative Zoe Lofgren and Senator Alex Padilla, both California Democrats, in an August 13 letter to senior Commerce Department officials. They are even more troubled by the possibility of another round of unilateral controls in the near term, they wrote.

ASML and Tokyo Electron have both posted large sales increases in China since the US imposed its rules. US firms including Applied Materials Inc. (AMAT), Lam Research Corp. (LRCX), and KLA Corp. (KLAC) have also continued to sell large amounts of gear to China, as businesses there stockpile less-advanced equipment in an effort to get ahead of potential new US restrictions.

A senior Biden administration official downplayed the impact of stockpiling, saying it only pertains to less advanced machinery and that Beijings ability to innovate has been severely hampered by a lack of access to cutting-edge tools.

I think this points to new restrictions from the US shortly, said Andrew Jackson, head of Japan equity strategy at Ortus Advisors Pte., referring to the Japan-China standoff. I am telling my clients to keep shorting names with high China sales weightings.

US lawmakers urged the administration to use all forms of leverage available to secure alliess cooperation. If necessary, they said, they would support tariffs on chipmaking tools from allied countries that directly compete with US firms for market share. US firms, similarly frustrated, had earlier suggested signaling to allies that their companies could face additional export licensing requirements if they continue to service customers in China that American firms are barred from working with.

South Koreas trade minister, Cheong Inkyo, said the US should offer incentives and more flexibility to encourage allies to collaborate on China chip controls.

For countries or companies trying to comply with the US in good faith, there should be some kind of carrots, Cheong said in his first interview with media since he took office in January. That would help US policy be embraced more easily.

With assistance from Tsuyoshi Inajima, Philip Glamann, James Mayger, Aya Wagatsuma and Sam Kim.

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2024 Bloomberg L.P.
We recently compiled a list of the Billionaire Carl Icahn's Top 10 Stocks. In this article, we are going to take a look at where CVR Partners, LP (NYSE:UAN) stands against Carl Icahn's top stock picks.

One would expect legendary investor Carl Icahn to go slow and cherish his extraordinary and successful career on Wall Street. However, that is not the case as he continues to push to shake up corporate America in pursuit of shareholder value.

At 88 years old, Icahn remains one of the most feared and revered hedge fund managers because he can move the markets as he wishes. While he is often compared to legendary investor Warren Buffett, Icahn deploys a far more aggressive investment strategy beyond value investing.

READ ALSO: 18 Best 52-Week Low Stocks to Buy Now According to Short Sellers and Top 10 ADR Stocks To Buy According to Hedge Funds.

The founder of Icahn Enterprises has built a reputation as a "corporate raider" and a ferocious activist investor. Icahn is recognized for his bold investment strategies, where he purchases a share in a company and leverages his power to achieve quick gains in the company's stock value. This frequently includes participating in proxy battles, issuing public requests, and initiating a takeover campaign.

Likewise, he boasts of one of the most impressive track records on Wall Street, with his investment firm, Icahn Enterprises, having generated an annualized rate of return of about 14% between 2000 and 2022, according to Financhil. In contrast, the S&P 500 enjoyed an average annual return of 6% over the same period, while Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway recorded an annualized return of about 9%.

Similarly, Icahn has seen an impressive 31% annualized return since 1968. Meanwhile, Buffett achieved a return of 19.5% over a similar timeframe. However, when considering the power of compounding, Buffett's wealth generated from investment returns is significantly less than that of Icahn. Icahn's investment prowess has led to a return of $65 for every $1 generated by Buffett.

The high returns that Icahn has succeeded in generating stem from implementing a high-risk, high-reward strategy. Therefore, Billionaire Icahn's top 10 stocks involve stocks likely to benefit from short-term volatility to generate big gains.

Similarly, Icahn has never avoided cutting his losses when things go wrong. The corporate raider was forced to sell all his equity stakes in one of his holdings when the company filed for bankruptcy in 2020.

Unlike most hedge fund managers, Icahn focuses on an opportunistic investment strategy rather than on specific sectors. In this case, billionaire Icahn's top 10 stocks are usually spread across various sectors, from technology to healthcare and energy. He also takes a keen interest in companies undergoing restructuring or radical changes.

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Icahn has consistently advocated for change within company boards as a corporate raider and activist shareholder throughout his career. However, in recent years, he has experienced a reversal of fortune.

Icahns publicly listed firm faced significant scrutiny in 2023 when it was the focus of criticism from short-seller Hindenburg Research, which alleged that the company was overvalued and engaged in a Ponzi-like economic scheme.

In its report, Hindenburg alleged that Icahn has been running a Ponzi-like scheme by taking money from new investors to pay dividends to old investors. The allegations have since escalated, with the US Securities and Exchange saying that the billionaire investor had pledged up to 82% of shares in his companies to secure billions of dollars of margin loans.

Hindenburgs modus operandi, which is to publish scurrilous and unsupported allegations, did damage to IEP and its investors. We are glad to put this matter behind us and will continue to focus on operating the business for the benefit of unit holders, said Icahn, according to CNN.

Icahn and his firm have since agreed to settle the charges for failing to disclose pledges of the companys securities as collateral in billions of dollars worth of personal loans. Consequently, Icahn and his company will pay $1.5 million and $500,000 in civil penalties to settle the charges.

Our Methodology

To compile the list of billionaire Icahn's top 10 stocks, we screened Carl Icahn's investment portfolio and scanned for his biggest holdings. Next, we ranked the stocks based on the value of the billionaire investor's stakes in the company, as of Q2 2024. The stocks are ranked in ascending order.

We also mentioned the total number of hedge funds that had bought these stocks per Insider Monkeys data. 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).

The Biggest Vertical Farming Company

A farmer in traditional attire inspecting a field of nitrogen fertilized crops.

CVR Partners, LP (NYSE:UAN)

Icahn Capital LPs Equity Stake: $294.47 Million

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 4

CVR Partners, LP (NYSE:UAN) is a basic materials company that produces and sells nitrogen fertilizer. It is one of billionaire Icahn's top 10 stocks specializing in offering ammonia products for agricultural and industrial customers.

Billionaire investor Icahn acquired stakes in the basic materials company in the first quarter as he sought to take advantage of the company's high dividend yield of 10.07%. Additionally, CVR Partners, LP (NYSE:UAN) appears fairly valued while trading at an earnings multiple of 14.

The company delivered strong results for the second quarter of 2024, recording a net income of $26 million, or $2.48 per unit, and an EBITDA of $54 million from sales of $133 million. The company increased its combined ammonia production to 102%, producing 221,000 tons of ammonia and 337,000 tons of UAN.

CVR Partners, LP (NYSE:UAN) is well positioned to deliver better-than-expected results for the rest of the year, going by the strong demand for nitrogen fertilizer at prices higher than 2023. Therefore, it should generate more free cash flow to continue rewarding its investors with higher dividend payouts.

By the end of this years second quarter, four of the 912 hedge funds part of Insider Monkeys database had invested in CVR Partners, LP (NYSE:UAN). The firms largest shareholder is Carl Icahns Icahn Capital LP, with a $294.47 million stake.

Overall UAN ranks 5th on our list of Carl Icahn's top stock picks. While we acknowledge the potential of UAN as an investment, our conviction lies in the belief that AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns, and doing so within a shorter timeframe. If you are looking for an AI stock that is more promising than UAN, 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.
"There is significant global interest in the elections held in Azerbaijan. Most of the international observers have extensive experience in elections, and their opinions are important," said Mazahir Panahov, Chairman of Azerbaijans Central Election Commission (CEC), during a press conference on Sunday regarding the commencement of the parliamentary elections, Azernews reports.

Panahov also noted that approximately 65,000 local observers, representing 25 political parties, are monitoring the elections.

Elections are held in 6,478 polling stations in 125 constituencies across the country. Some 54 of them are in the liberated territories.
Cyprium Metals has secured a A$40m ($27m) senior loan facility from Glencore for offtake financing and corporate purposes.

The loan facility, which has a four-year term, is intended to support various corporate initiatives including the advancement of early works and feasibility studies at the Nifty copper complex near Port Hedland in Western Australia (WA).

The binding term sheet also outlines that the funds from the loan will be allocated towards repaying an existing senior secured facility and covering general corporate purposes.

Cyprium Metals has also committed to raising an additional A$20m before the end of the current calendar year through various means including an equity raise, asset sales, royalty sales, and the exercise of existing options and warrants.

Upon closing the deal, Cyprium Metals and Glencore will execute the previously announced copper cathode and copper concentrate offtake agreements.

These agreements are now fully negotiated and will be implemented simultaneously with the loan facility's closure.

Cyprium executive chair Matt Fifield said: We are pleased to announce that we have signed a binding term sheet with Glencore for a A$40m Loan Facility. This new loan completes the refinancing of our near-term maturities, which has been a top corporate priority.

Commercially, we have advanced our relationship with Glencore significantly. First, our offtake agreements for copper products are in final form. We expect to execute them alongside the Loan Facility in the coming weeks.

Next, we have been working with Glencore to streamline our access to their downstream processing facilities  the Townsville Copper Refinery and the Mt Isa Smelter. We have already executed a small sale of off-spec material to work through logistics from Nifty mine site to Townsville.

Finally, we have settled the physical specifications in our concentrate sales terms. The Nifty orebody makes a clean concentrate that is low in certain impurities. We expect it will be a useful component of blended ore feed at Mt Isa as it becomes available.

Cyprium Metals is an Australian stock exchange-listed copper company, with its flagship property being the Nifty copper mine in WA, which earlier produced significant copper from both oxide and sulphide resources.

"Cyprium Metals secures $27m senior loan facility from Glencore" was originally created and published by Mining Technology, a GlobalData owned brand.







The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site.
CAMBRIDGE, England, September 02, 2024--(BUSINESS WIRE)--EDX Medical Group plc, which develops innovative digital diagnostic products and services supporting personalised treatments for cancer, heart disease and infectious diseases, announces today it has signed a distribution agreement with Caris Life Sciences (Caris), a leading US-based next-generation AI TechBio and precision medicine company.

Under the agreement, EDX Medical and Caris will work together on a mutually exclusive basis in the United Kingdom (UK) and Nordic countries for a minimum of three years to distribute Caris portfolio of advanced and comprehensive molecular profiling services for clinical and research use.

Caris best-in-class molecular profiling, combined with proprietary artificial intelligence, enables physicians to make more precise and individualized cancer treatment decisions. This profiling approach assesses DNA, RNA, and proteins, revealing a molecular blueprint that identifies treatment options specific to each patients cancer. Caris has developed one of the world's largest and most informative platform for cancer analysis, featuring the most advanced tumour profiling available, including Whole Exome and Whole Transcriptome Sequencing across over 23,000 genes. By analysing biomarkers found in tumours, Caris helps healthcare providers make informed choices for personalised care.

Caris solid tumour and liquid (blood) biopsy molecular profiling services, as well as AI solutions, will be available exclusively via EDX Medical immediately in the UK, Sweden, Denmark, Norway and Finland, with additional regions and products to follow.

Professor Sir Chris Evans, OBE, founder of EDX Medical, said: "The signing of this agreement signifies a further major step forward in our strategy to provide clients with access to world-class diagnostic tools and services that can change the detection, treatment and outcome of illness for patients.

"The pace of scientific advancement is such that for a patient with cancer who may only be able to provide one sample and urgently needs to start optimal treatment, reviewing their whole exome and transcriptome rather than a smaller selection of genes limited by current knowledge is clearly the most robust clinical approach. We could not wish for a better partner in this field than Caris."

Dr Mike Hudson, CEO of EDX Medical, said: "EDX Medical and Caris are both pioneer companies unified by their focus on providing doctors with access to the best biological information possible from valuable human samples. We are proud to have been selected by Caris to play a key role in jointly bringing these incredibly useful cancer tumour profiling services to the UK and key areas of Europe."

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Dr David Spetzler, MS, PhD, MBA, Caris Life Sciences President, said: "Caris is pleased to partner with EDX Medical to distribute our molecular profiling services within the United Kingdom and Nordic countries. This collaboration aligns with Caris goal of enabling clinicians worldwide to make the best individualised treatment choices for their patients and ultimately helping to improve patient outcomes."

Notes for Editors:

About EDX Medical Group

EDX Medical Group plc is listed on the Apex Segment of the AQSE Growth Market (TIDM: EDX). The Company operates its own facilities in Cambridge and Oxford, UK, and provides doctors, hospitals and insurers/payers with access to a portfolio of innovative clinical diagnostics products and services. www.edxmedical.com.

About Caris Life Sciences

Caris Life Sciences (Caris) is a leading next-generation AI TechBio company and precision medicine pioneer that is actively developing and delivering innovative solutions to revolutionize healthcare and improve the human condition.

Headquartered in Irving, Texas, Caris has offices in Phoenix, New York, Cambridge (MA), Tokyo, Japan and Basel, Switzerland. Caris or its distributor partners provide services in the U.S., Europe, Asia and other international markets. CarisLifeSciences.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240901077038/en/

Contacts

EDX Medical Group plc

Dr Mike Hudson (Chief Executive Officer)

+44 (0)7812 345 301

Oberon Capital

Nick Lovering (Corporate Adviser)

Adam Pollock (Corporate Broking)

Mike Seabrook (Corporate Broking)

+44 (0)20 3179 5300

Media House International

Ramsay Smith

+44 (0)7788 414856

ramsay@mediahouse.co.uk

Gary McQueen

+ 44 (0)7834 694609

gary@mediahouse.co.uk

IFC Advisory (Investor Relations)

Tim Metcalfe

Graham Herring

+44 (0) 203 934 6630
On 1 September, at this years European Society of Cardiology (ESC) conference, during a late-breaking Hot Line session the highly anticipated results of the Phase III FINEARTS-HF trial were presented. The Phase III trial demonstrated the use of Bayers Kerendia (finerenone) resulted in a statistically significant reduction in the composite cardiovascular (CV) death and total first and recurrent heart failure (HF) events, defined by either unplanned hospitalisation for HF or urgent clinic visits, by 16% (rate ratio, 0.84; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.74 to 0.95; P = 0.007). The study enrolled patients with HF and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) of 40% or greater compared to placebo in addition to a patients treatment regimen.

The aging global population will lead to an increase in the prevalence of HF, leading to an expansion of the market as well as a growing need for more therapeutic options. However, the widespread use of generic HF drugs continues to make it difficult for high-priced branded therapies to fully penetrate the market. GlobalData believes this study could be of high clinical value to cardiologists who are seeking an optimal treatment of choice for patients with HF with mildly reduced or preserved ejection fraction.

Finerenone is a non-steroidal mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist (MRA). Compared to steroidal MRAs, finerenone has a shorter half-life, and has a more balanced distribution between the heart and the kidney. FINEARTS-HF is a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter, event-driven Phase III trial to assess the efficacy and safety of finerenone for the reduction of risk of CV death and HF events in patients with a diagnosis of symptomatic HF (New York Heart Association class II-IV) with an LVEF of 40% or greater. The findings presented at ESC showed that in patients receiving finerenone, hyperkalemia was more common, and hypokalemia was less common. In addition, findings from the trial were consistent across prespecified subgroups, including LVEF and in those on sodium glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors. The large number of patients in the FINEARTS-HF study will likely drive a better understanding of the effects of finerenone in HF across a broad range of patients.

A major trend in the HF treatment landscape is that many companies with approved therapies in other CV diseases are testing them in HF patients for potential label extension. For example, HF and kidney disease often co-exist and exacerbate each other; using a combination of drugs for both indications slows the progressive decline of both organs. A prime example of this strategy is with the use of SGLT2 inhibitors, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, and MRAs indicated for HF and various types of kidney disease. As Kerendia has only been used in myocardial infarction and kidney disease, cardiologists may be unfamiliar with it and will require guidance on dosage and monitoring instructions for use in HF.

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Kerendia received FDA approval in July 2021 to reduce the risk of sustained estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) decline, end-stage kidney disease, CV death, non-fatal myocardial infarction, and hospitalisation for HF in adults with chronic kidney disease associated with type 2 diabetes. Bayer is planning to discuss submission for regulatory approval for HF with the FDA.

"ESC 2024: FINEARTS-HF trial sheds positive light on Kerendia for HFmrEF/HFpEF" was originally created and published by Clinical Trials Arena, a GlobalData owned brand.







The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site.
By Tassilo Hummel

PARIS (Reuters) -French IT firm Atos on Monday said it would have less cash at hand over the next few years as sales are being dragged down by a weaker business environment, but added this would not impact the key terms of its financial restructuring plan.

Atos - once seen as one of Europe's champions in the software and technology sector - has been teetering on the brink of financial collapse in recent months, although it secured a crucial restructuring deal with banks and bondholders in June.

Atos said it now forecast a full-year 2024 group revenue of 9.7 billion euros ($10.72 billion), down from 9.8 billion euros previously estimated. The company added it still saw positive, but somewhat lower, cash generation in 2026.

The group's operating margin will come in at 2.4% of revenue this year, down from 2.9% previously targeted.

The company's leverage ratio is also now expected to come below a multiple of 2.0 during 2027, later than a previous end-2026 deadline, and Atos also lowered its 2027 revenue and operating margin targets.

A court hearing for the approval of the accelerated safeguard plan will take place on October 15, Atos said.

Atos' restructuring plan, which is expected to result in massive dilution of existing shareholders, is set to be implemented following the court approval, with several capital increases and debt issuance planned from November 2024 until January 2025.

The company last month posted a wider first-half operating loss, citing impairment charges and lower sales in the Americas and a slowdown in public-sector orders in Europe.

($1 = 0.9048 euros)

(Reporting by Tassilo Hummel;Editing by Sudip Kar-Gupta)
TEL AVIV, Israel (AP)  Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday pushed back against a new wave of pressure to reach a cease-fire deal in Gaza after hundreds of thousands of Israelis protested and went on strike and U.S. President Joe Biden said he needed to do more after nearly 11 months of fighting.

In his first public address since Sunday's mass protests showed many Israelis' furious response to the discovery of six more dead hostages, Netanyahu said he will continue to insist on a demand that has emerged as a major sticking point in talks  continued Israeli control of the Philadelphi corridor, a narrow band along Gaza's border with Egypt where Israel contends Hamas smuggles weapons into Gaza. Egypt and Hamas deny it.

Netanyahu called the corridor vital to ensuring Hamas cannot rearm via tunnels. This is the oxygen of Hamas, he said.

And he added: No one is more committed to freeing the hostages than me. ... No one will preach to me on this issue.

Israelis had poured into the streets late Sunday in grief and anger in what appeared to be the largest protest since the start of the war. The families and much of the public blamed Netanyahu, saying the hostages could have been returned alive in a deal with Hamas. A rare general strike was held across the country on Monday.

Late Monday, several thousand demonstrators gathered outside Netanyahus private home in central Jerusalem, chanting, Deal. Now." and carrying coffins draped in the Israeli flag. Scuffles broke out when police snatched away the coffins, and several protesters were arrested. Thousands more marched outside Netanyahus Likud party in Tel Aviv, according to Israeli media.

But others support Netanyahus drive to continue the campaign in Gaza, which was triggered by Hamas' Oct. 7 attack into Israel and has killed tens of thousands of Palestinians in the territory. Netanyahu says the assault will force militants to give in to Israeli demands, potentially facilitate rescue operations and ultimately annihilate the group.

Key ally the United States is showing impatience. Biden spoke to reporters as he arrived at the White House for a Situation Room meeting with the U.S. mediation team in the negotiations. Asked if Netanyahu was doing enough, Biden responded, No.

He insisted that negotiators remain very close to a deal, adding, Hope springs eternal.

Hamas has accused Israel of dragging out months of negotiations by issuing new demands, including for lasting Israeli control over the Philadelphi corridor and a second corridor running across Gaza. Hamas has offered to release all hostages in return for an end to the war, the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces and the release of a large number of Palestinian prisoners, including high-profile militants  broadly the terms called for under an outline for a deal put forward by Biden in July.

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Netanyahu has pledged total victory over Hamas and blames it for the failure of the negotiations. On Monday, he said he is ready to carry out the first phase of the cease-fire  a plan that would include the release of some hostages, a partial pullout of Israeli troops and the release of some prisoners held by Israel. But he rejected a full withdrawal from Gaza, saying he saw no other party that could control Gaza's borders.

Israeli media have reported deep differences between Netanyahu and top security officials, including Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, who say the time is ripe for a cease-fire.

An official confirmed a shouting match between Gallant and Netanyahu at a security cabinet meeting Thursday, where Netanyahu held a vote in favor of maintaining control over the Philadelphi corridor.

Gallant cast the lone vote against the proposal, saying Netanyahu was favoring border arrangements over the lives of hostages. The official spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the closed-door meeting. Gallant on Sunday called on the security cabinet to overturn the decision.

Khalil al-Hayya, the Hamas official leading the negotiations, told the Qatari network Al Jazeera late Sunday that Netanyahu had deemed keeping the Philadelphi corridor more important than winning the hostages' release.

Al-Hayya also said Hamas had offered great flexibility, including reducing its demand for 500 Palestinian prisoners to be released in exchange for each captive Israeli soldier to 50, and from 250 Palestinian prisoners or each Israeli civilian hostage to 30. He accused Israel of introducing new conditions including increasing the number of prisoners who would be deported upon release and banning the release of elderly or ill prisoners serving life sentences.

Israel said the six hostages found dead in Gaza were killed by Hamas shortly before Israeli forces arrived in the tunnel where they were held.

Hamas armed wing, the al-Qassam Brigades, appeared to say in a statement Monday that it now had a policy of killing any hostages that Israel tries to rescue. It said that after Israeli troops rescued four hostages in a deadly raid in June, it issued new orders to its fighters guarding hostages on how to deal with them if Israeli troops approach. It said that Netanyahus insistence on using military pressure instead of reaching a deal will mean they (hostages) will return to their families in coffins.

Three of the slain hostages were reportedly among those who would have been released in the first phase of the cease-fire proposal outlined by Biden in July.

Thousands attended the funeral Monday for one of the six, Israeli-American Hersh Goldberg-Polin. He was one of the best-known hostages, with his parents leading a high-profile campaign for the captives release, meeting with Biden and Pope Francis and addressing the Democratic National Convention last month.

The general strike, called by Israels largest trade union, the Histadrut, ended early after a labor court accepted a petition from the government calling it politically motivated.

It was the first such strike since the start of the war, aiming to shut down or disrupt major sectors of the economy, including banking and health care. Some flights at Israels main international airport, Ben-Gurion, either departed early or were slightly delayed.

Theres no need to punish the whole state of Israel because of what is happening, overall, it is a victory for Hamas, said one passenger, Amrani Yigal.

But in Jerusalem, resident Avi Lavi said that I think this is fair, the time has come to stand and to wake up, to do everything for the hostages to come back alive.

Municipalities in Israels populated central area, including Tel Aviv, participated. Others, including Jerusalem, did not.

Some 250 hostages were taken on Oct. 7. 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.

Roughly 100 hostages remain in Gaza, a third of whom are believed to be dead.

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.

The war has displaced the vast majority of Gazas 2.3 million people, often multiple times, and plunged the besieged territory into a humanitarian catastrophe, including new fears of a polio outbreak.

Meanwhile, Israel continued its six-day raid on the Jenin refugee camp in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. AP reporters saw bulldozers tearing up roads. The Palestinian Red Crescent said Israeli forces were blocking their ambulances from reaching the wounded.

Palestinians in a town outside Jenin held a funeral for a 58-year-old man, Ayman Abed, who was arrested the day before and died in Israeli custody. The Israeli military said he died from a cardiac event, but did not provide details. Human rights groups have reported abuses of Palestinians detained by Israel, and the military has confirmed the deaths of at least 36 Palestinians in its detention centers since October.

Israel says it has killed 14 militants in Jenin and arrested 25 militants. Palestinian health officials say at least 29 people have been killed, including five children.

Mohannad Hajj Hussein, a Jenin resident, said electricity and water were cut off. We are ready to live by candlelight and we will feed our children from our bodies and teach them resistance and steadfastness in this land, he said. We will rebuild what the occupation destroyed and we will not kneel.

___

Associated Press writers Julia Frankel and Melanie Lidman in Jerusalem and Zeke Miller in Washington contributed.

___

Follow APs war coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war
Genting Malaysia Berhad (KLSE:GENM) last week reported its latest second-quarter results, which makes it a good time for investors to dive in and see if the business is performing in line with expectations. Revenues came in 3.3% below expectations, at RM2.7b. Statutory earnings per share were relatively better off, with a per-share profit of RM0.077 being roughly in line with analyst estimates. Earnings are an important time for investors, as they can track a company's performance, look at what the analysts are forecasting for next year, and see if there's been a change in sentiment towards the company. We thought readers would find it interesting to see the analysts latest (statutory) post-earnings forecasts for next year.

Check out our latest analysis for Genting Malaysia Berhad

Following last week's earnings report, Genting Malaysia Berhad's 13 analysts are forecasting 2024 revenues to be RM10.9b, approximately in line with the last 12 months. Statutory earnings per share are predicted to shoot up 45% to RM0.14. In the lead-up to this report, the analysts had been modelling revenues of RM11.1b and earnings per share (EPS) of RM0.15 in 2024. So it looks like there's been a small decline in overall sentiment after the recent results - there's been no major change to revenue estimates, but the analysts did make a minor downgrade to their earnings per share forecasts.

The consensus price target held steady at RM3.18, with the analysts seemingly voting that their lower forecast earnings are not expected to lead to a lower stock price in the foreseeable future. There's another way to think about price targets though, and that's to look at the range of price targets put forward by analysts, because a wide range of estimates could suggest a diverse view on possible outcomes for the business. There are some variant perceptions on Genting Malaysia Berhad, with the most bullish analyst valuing it at RM4.00 and the most bearish at RM2.65 per share. There are definitely some different views on the stock, but the range of estimates is not wide enough as to imply that the situation is unforecastable, in our view.

These estimates are interesting, but it can be useful to paint some more broad strokes when seeing how forecasts compare, both to the Genting Malaysia Berhad's past performance and to peers in the same industry. We would highlight that Genting Malaysia Berhad's revenue growth is expected to slow, with the forecast 1.4% annualised growth rate until the end of 2024 being well below the historical 5.0% p.a. growth over the last five years. By way of comparison, the other companies in this industry with analyst coverage are forecast to grow their revenue at 4.2% per year. Factoring in the forecast slowdown in growth, it seems obvious that Genting Malaysia Berhad is also expected to grow slower than other industry participants.

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The Bottom Line

The most important thing to take away is that the analysts downgraded their earnings per share estimates, showing that there has been a clear decline in sentiment following these results. Fortunately, the analysts also reconfirmed their revenue estimates, suggesting that it's tracking in line with expectations. Although our data does suggest that Genting Malaysia Berhad's revenue is expected to perform worse than the wider industry. The consensus price target held steady at RM3.18, with the latest estimates not enough to have an impact on their price targets.

Following on from that line of thought, we think that the long-term prospects of the business are much more relevant than next year's earnings. At Simply Wall St, we have a full range of analyst estimates for Genting Malaysia Berhad going out to 2026, and you can see them free on our platform here..

Plus, you should also learn about the 3 warning signs we've spotted with Genting Malaysia Berhad (including 1 which makes us a bit uncomfortable) .

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.
HAFFNER ENERGY





Haffner Energy and IunnH2 sign a key agreement to reduce costs and secure carbon supply for Icelands largest e-SAF project

Vitry-le-Francois, France / Reykjavik, Iceland  September 2, 2024 (6.00 pm CEST / 4.00 pm GMT)

Haffner Energy, a leading biomass-to-clean fuels solutions provider, and IunnH2, a green hydrogen developer, have signed an agreement aimed at integrating Haffner Energys unique technology in the 65,000 tonnes/year e-SAF facility under development by IunnH2. The project is located near Keflavik International Airport in Iceland. It is slated to combine green hydrogen from Icelands renewable power grid with competitive biogenic carbon from Haffner Energys patented biocarbon gasification technology to produce Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) for use on todays aircraft.

E-SAF, which is projected to account for half of total SAF production by 2050 in Europe, is made from combining green hydrogen with recycled carbon, ideally from a biogenic source. Biogenic carbon typically comes in the form of biogenic CO 2 , a costly gas to capture, transport, and store. This cost issue is typically compounded by the challenge facing many large-scale hydrogen and e-fuel projects: they are often located in areas with good access to renewable power, but limited access to biogenic carbon, as is the case in Iceland.

Haffner Energys groundbreaking innovation consists in supplying solid biocarbon (also known as biochar, a byproduct of its biomass thermolysis technology) and gasifying it onsite generating a fundamental change in the economics of e-SAF production.

Accessing biogenic CO 2 from a reliable partner like Haffner Energy is essential to the development of e-SAF and other e-fuels needed to complete Icelands energy transition. The agreement with Haffner Energy will help us direct Icelands renewable power onto Icelands aircraft fleet, to not only to decrease emissions, but also to reduce Icelands import dependence, improve air quality around Keflavik Airport and bolster energy security, IunnH2 co-founder and CEO Auur Nanna Baldvinsdottir says.

We are thrilled about this exciting project with IunnH2. Biocarbon is far easier and cheaper to transport and store than CO 2 , which will make many e-SAF projects economically viable, Philippe Haffner, Haffner Energy co-founder and CEO, points out.

We are excited to embark on this e-SAF project with IunnH2 in Iceland, an ideal location for competitive hydrogen production. This agreement bridges the technological and geographical gap, paving the way for competitive e-SAF production with innovative technology, Marcella Franchi, Head of SAF at Haffner Energy, adds.

IunnH2s 300MW e-SAF facility in Helguvik, Iceland, will produce 65,000 tons of carbon-neutral SAF, thanks to green hydrogen from wind, geothermal and hydropower. SAF will be blended onsite with traditional jet fuel and used on existing fleets and infrastructure. Production is scheduled to start in 2028.

The project aligns with the SAF EU mandate. Supplying the equivalent of 15% of Iceland's projected 2028 total jet fuel demand, this e-SAF facility will allow airlines at Keflavik Airport to exceed the 2030 blending requirement. Icelandair has already committed to using up to 45,000 tonnes each year.

About Haffner Energy

The company, co-founded in France by Marc and Philippe Haffner, supplies cleantech technology for competitive clean fuels production. With 30 years of experience, its operational innovative and patented biomass thermolysis and gasification technology makes it possible to produce Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), as well as renewable gas, hydrogen, and methanol. The company also contributes to the regeneration of the planet through the co-production of biogenic CO 2 , biochar and biocarbon. Further information is available at www.haffner-energy.com

About IunnH2

Hydrogen development company IunnH2 was established in the fall of 2020 by Nanna Baldvinsdottir and Gylfi Mar Geirsson, two seasoned and well-connected experts on the unique Icelandic energy landscape. IunnH2 leverages the exceptional production conditions in Iceland to create commercially viable hydrogen and e-fuel projects at scale, for the benefit of Icelanders and our shared climate. Further information is available at www.idunnh2.com

Media contacts

Haffner Energy

Laetitia Mailhes

laetitia.mailhes@haffner-energy.com

+33 (0)6 07 12 96 76

IunnH2

Nanna Baldvinsdottir

nanna@idunnh2.com

+354 694 1604

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What Happened in Crypto Today: Bitcoin To Hit 64K?

Bitcoin's September stumble is right on schedule.

The crypto king kicked off the month with a 2% dip, now hovering around $58,000.

August wasn't kind either, closing 8.6% down. So much for the usual 1.75% monthly gain.

But hold on, not all hope is lost. Some analysts are eyeing the mid-$60,000 range as a short-term target. A classic case of delulu or do they have something to base this optimism on?

Meanwhile, the derivatives market is giving us the cold shoulder. Funding rates are predicted to stay "negative or low." Seems like even the risk-takers are taking a step back.

And with that in mind, we've got a whole collection of news to dig into today.

Here's your TLDR:

Bitcoin stumbles into September with a 2% drop. So more dumps incoming? What do experts think? 

Vitalik shifts millions in ETH . Is he selling all his ETH? 

And we finally know how much revenue Telegram is generating through crypto! 

Coinbase CEO reveals AI crypto traders. But why do we need them? 

Solana's meme coin morphs into a real church. Wait, what?? 

Lets dive in!

Bitcoin's September Blues

The OG crypto cant catch a break!

It kicked off September with a stumble, dropping over 2% to $57,273.

August wasn't kind to Bitcoin either, ending down 8.6%. That's far from its usual 1.75% monthly gain.

And now we're in September, historically Bitcoin's least favorite month, with an average 4.5% loss.

The CoinGlass liquidation heatmap looks like a bearish fireworks display, with potential short liquidations stretching up to $64,000. Traders are betting on more downside, but a price jump could trigger a short squeeze.

So more dumps incoming? What do experts think? Read the full story!

Vitalik's $10M ETH Move

Vitalik Buterin just made waves with a $10 million ETH transfer to exchange-linked wallets.

Arkham Intelligence's data paints an even bigger picture: Since 2015, Buterin's address has seen 422,000 ETH ($1.04 billion) flow out. In the last two years alone, that number's jumped to 840,000 ETH.

With ETH trading 180% above its 2022 low, speculations are running wild. Is Vitalik cashing out?

Not so fast, says the man himself.

Buterin took to social media to set the record straight: He hasn't sold ETH for profit since 2018.

So what about these transfers? Wheres all this money going? Read the full story!

We Know About Telegram's Crypto Stash!

Telegram's got more than just messages in its vault.

Turns out the messaging giant was sitting at $400 million in crypto at the end of 2023.

This detail comes from Telegram's 2023 financial statement, surfacing right as CEO Pavel Durov's arrest.

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Telegram raked in $342.5 million in revenue last year, but still ended up $108 million in the red. The interesting part? About 40% of that revenue came from crypto-related activities.

But how did they generate revenue through crypto? Read the full story!

Digital Money Bots Are Here!

Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong has managed to get AI agents to trade crypto with each other.

One AI bot used crypto tokens to buy more AI tokens from another bot. It's not just moving money; it's AI evolving through transactions.

But why is this a big deal? Well, AI's been hitting a wall when it comes to real-world tasks. Booking flights? Nope. Hotel reservations? No dice. Paid social media promotions? Not a chance. The problem? They can't handle transactions.

Armstrong's solution? Crypto wallets for AI. "AI agents cannot get bank accounts, but they can get crypto wallets," he points out.

Anyway, these digital money bots can now use USDC on Coinbase's Base network to deal with humans, businesses, and even other AIs.

But whats the significance of it? How can it help crypto as a whole? Read the full story!

Solana's Chicken Fish Church Goes Legit

The Church of the Smoking Chicken Fish (SCF) is taking its meme game to the next level.

This Solana-based meme coin is now a bona fide nonprofit, with plans to build an actual church in Marfa, Texas.

Pastor Kelby, the mastermind behind SCF, has lined up $130,000 from "whales" to buy real estate. Talk about faith moving mountains  or at least, buying land.

But why is it going mainstream all of a sudden? And do they have the kind of community support to make them legit? Read the full story!

And a Quick Analysis

As you know, Bitcoin's price took a dip below $58,000 this week - but don't hit the panic button just yet. Let's zoom out and look at the bigger picture.

Bitcoin whales (those holding 100+ BTC) are on a feeding spree, buying up over 133,000 coins worth $7.6 billion in the last month alone (you can track this data here). And when the big fish start circling, it's often a sign of nice stuff to come (NFA).

Now, let's talk about the overall mood in the market.

The Fear and Greed Index is sitting at 26, firmly in "Fear" territory. The last time we saw numbers this low was in January 2023, right before Bitcoin decided to take a rocket ship to $45,000.

When fear is high, it often means we're near the bottom.

Warren Buffett didn't say "be greedy when others are fearful" for nothing.

Of course, crypto isn't stocks, but market psychology often works the same way.

But it's not all about Bitcoin. Let's shift gears and talk about the hottest topic rn: AI.

Nvidia's recent earnings report showed a 122% increase in revenue, largely driven by AI demand. This isn't just Silicon Valley hype - it's real money flowing into AI development.

So what does this mean for crypto?

Well, blockchain and AI are starting to become best buddies. You can follow how this report pumped AI coins this week here!

So What Should You Do?

Given these trends, here are some steps to consider:

1. Keep a close eye on whale movements. Tools like CMC Bitcoin Analytics can help you track large wallet activities.

If you see continued accumulation, it might be a sign that the big players are expecting a price increase.

2. Don't let fear drive your decisions. The current market sentiment could present buying opportunities but always invest within your risk tolerance.

3. Research blockchain projects that are integrating AI technology. Look for those with solid use cases and partnerships in the AI space. But remember, hype can outpace development, so focus on projects showing real progress.

Remember, the crypto market is known for its volatility. Always do your own research and never invest more than you can afford to lose.
We recently compiled a list of the 10 Best Middle East and Africa Stocks To Buy According to Analysts. In this article, we are going to take a look at where Harmony Gold Mining (NYSE:HMY) stands against the other Middle East and Africa stocks.

MENA's Economic Outlook for 2024 and the Rising Interest in Private Equity and Venture Capital Investments

According to the Middle East and North Africa Economic Update report published by the IMF in April 2024, the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region will experience modest growth of 2.7% in 2024, up from 1.9% in 2023. Both oil importers and exporters in the region are expected to grow at similar rates in 2024. The forecasted growth difference between the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) economies and developing oil importers (excluding Egypt) is nearly 1%. GDP per capita is expected to rise by just 1.3% in 2024, driven almost entirely by the GCC economies. The impact of ongoing conflicts has ceased economic activity, particularly in Palestine. In Gaza, economic activity has nearly dropped by 86% in the fourth quarter of 2023 compared to the same quarter in 2022. The Palestinian economy's outlook remains highly uncertain, heavily dependent on the conflict's progression. The disruptions in maritime transportation, particularly through the Suez Canal, affected both regional and global trade.

Over the past decade, most MENA economies have seen increases in their debt-to-GDP ratios as MENA oil importers struggle to reduce their debt-to-GDP ratios due to high oil prices. Additionally, oil importers have been unable to lower their debt-to-GDP ratios through inflation, mainly due to exchange rate fluctuations and off-budget factors, known as stock-flow adjustments, highlighting the need for greater debt transparency. On the other hand, for MENA oil exporters, periods of high GDP growth are typically associated with smaller increases in nominal debt stocks, leading to a slower rise or even a decrease in the debt-to-GDP ratio.

However, interest in private equity (PE) and venture capital (VC) has been surging in the Middle East and Africa, reflecting a notable shift in investment preferences within the region. According to recent data, provided by Preqin, in collaboration with the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), approximately 65% of investors in the region are either planning to maintain or increase their exposure to private equity this year. Similarly, 56% of investors are keen to do the same with their venture capital investments. This growing interest is partly due to the region's historical under-investment combined with an optimistic outlook on the regional economic and market conditions.

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Despite challenges due to geopolitical tensions, venture capital remains a critical component of the investment ecosystem. The sector is expected to recover as it adapts to the current economic conditions. In the Middle East, investor sentiment towards VC and PE is generally positive. A significant portion of regional investors have reported that their PE and VC investments have met or exceeded expectations. Sectors such as fintech, technology, healthcare, and infrastructure are particularly attractive to investors.

The Middle East and North Africa region is poised for a modest economic recovery in 2024, however, geopolitical tensions and conflicts continue to pose significant challenges. As MENA economies navigate through fluctuating global conditions and regional disruptions, the interest of private equity and venture capital investors reveals the region's promising outlook for investors and economic stakeholders.

Our Methodology

For this article, we used Finviz and Yahoo Finance stock screeners plus online rankings to compile an initial list of the 40 largest companies in the Middle East and Africa by market cap. From that list, we narrowed our choices to the 10 stocks that analysts see the most upside to. The list is sorted in ascending order of analysts average upside potential, as of August 23. We also included the market cap of the companies as of August 23. The list is sorted in ascending order of their average upside potential as of August 23.

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).

An open pit mine with heavy excavation machinery toiling away against the backdrop of a hidden valley.

Harmony Gold Mining (NYSE:HMY)

Upside Potential: 92.52%

Market Cap: $6.33 Billion

Harmony Gold Mining (NYSE:HMY) is one of the largest gold mining companies in South Africa by production. Almost all of its gold mine assets are located in South Africa, which contributes to 90% of its total gold output. However, the company also has gold and copper assets in Papua New Guinea, and Australia. The company focuses on assets where it believes it can acquire the highest mineral grades to maintain strong operating margins.

Harmony Gold Minings (NYSE:HMY) gold production has shown impressive stability over the past three years. At the start of the financial year 2024, the management had projected that its production would remain stable as compared to the previous year. However, the company significantly exceeded expectations, as the gold production increased by 12% year-over-year in the first half of FY24, reaching 832,000 ounces. This remarkable performance was driven by an 11% increase in recovered grades from its underground gold mines. The strong production momentum continued into the third quarter and the management raised its full-year production target to 1.55 million ounces, surpassing the initial expectation of 1.38 million to 1.47 million ounces. In the latest operational update released on August 26, Harmony Gold announced that it will achieve a full-year production volume of 1.56 million ounces, marking a 6% increase year-over-year, with recovered grades also up 6% to 6.11 g/t.

Gold prices reached an all-time high of $2,531.70 per ounce on August 27, driven by strong demand and favorable market conditions. J.P. Morgan Research forecasts that gold will maintain a stable price of $2,500 per ounce by the end of 2024 and rise to $2,600 per ounce in the first half of 2025. Harmony Gold is exceptionally well-positioned to capitalize on the upward trend in gold prices. This leverage, combined with stronger-than-expected production growth from its core underground assets, sets Harmony Gold apart from its competitors.

Harmony Gold Mining (NYSE:HMY) is trading 11.11 times its earnings, which is a 31% discount compared to the sector median of 16.10. The companys earnings are expected to grow by 68.61% this year. In the second quarter, Harmony Gold Minings (NYSE:HMY) stock was held by 17 hedge funds with stakes worth $171.88 million. Kopernik Global Investors is the largest shareholder in the company with a stake worth $26.90 million as of June 30. Industry analysts have a consensus on the stocks Buy rating, setting an average share price target at $10.30, which represents a 92.52% upside potential from its current level.

Overall HMY ranks 1st on our list of the best Middle East and Africa stocks to buy according to analysts. While we acknowledge the potential of HMY as an investment, our conviction lies in the belief that AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns and doing so within a shorter timeframe. If you are looking for an AI stock that is more promising than HMY 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.
What are the early trends we should look for to identify a stock that could multiply in value over the long term? Ideally, a business will show two trends; firstly a growing return on capital employed (ROCE) and secondly, an increasing amount of capital employed. Basically this means that a company has profitable initiatives that it can continue to reinvest in, which is a trait of a compounding machine. Having said that, from a first glance at Jersey Electricity (LON:JEL) we aren't jumping out of our chairs at how returns are trending, but let's have a deeper look.

What Is Return On Capital Employed (ROCE)?

For those who don't know, ROCE is a measure of a company's yearly pre-tax profit (its return), relative to the capital employed in the business. To calculate this metric for Jersey Electricity, this is the formula:

Return on Capital Employed = Earnings Before Interest and Tax (EBIT)  (Total Assets - Current Liabilities)

0.045 = UK15m  (UK365m - UK25m) (Based on the trailing twelve months to March 2024).

Therefore, Jersey Electricity has an ROCE of 4.5%. In absolute terms, that's a low return and it also under-performs the Electric Utilities industry average of 7.4%.

View our latest analysis for Jersey Electricity

roce

In the above chart we have measured Jersey Electricity's prior ROCE against its prior performance, but the future is arguably more important. If you'd like, you can check out the forecasts from the analysts covering Jersey Electricity for free.

How Are Returns Trending?

In terms of Jersey Electricity's historical ROCE movements, the trend isn't fantastic. To be more specific, ROCE has fallen from 6.1% over the last five years. On the other hand, the company has been employing more capital without a corresponding improvement in sales in the last year, which could suggest these investments are longer term plays. It's worth keeping an eye on the company's earnings from here on to see if these investments do end up contributing to the bottom line.

The Key Takeaway

In summary, Jersey Electricity is reinvesting funds back into the business for growth but unfortunately it looks like sales haven't increased much just yet. And investors may be recognizing these trends since the stock has only returned a total of 23% to shareholders over the last five years. So if you're looking for a multi-bagger, the underlying trends indicate you may have better chances elsewhere.

One final note, you should learn about the 2 warning signs we've spotted with Jersey Electricity (including 1 which is concerning) .

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While Jersey Electricity isn't earning the highest return, check out this free list of companies that are earning high returns on equity with solid balance sheets.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.
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, Azernews reports citing AZERTAC.

The President of the Republic of Turkiye Recep Tayyip Erdo?an made a speech and congratulated the graduates at the ceremonies.

Director General presented diplomas to Azerbaijani young officers, excelled in education.

During 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, the ministry said.
LONDON (AP)  Hewlett Packard Enterprise said Monday it won't drop its U.K. claim for damages against the estate of British tech mogul Mike Lynch, who was killed when his superyacht sank last month.

Britain's High Court in 2022 ruled mostly in favor of the U.S. technology company, which accused Lynch and his former finance director of fraud over its $11 billion takeover of his software company Autonomy. Hewlett Packard is seeking up to $4 billion in damages and the judge is expected to issue a decision on the final sum soon.

Lynch died when his yacht, the Bayesian, sank in a storm off Sicily on Aug. 19. His widow, Angela Bacares, could now be liable for the damages.

Months before the sinking, Lynch was acquitted in a separate U.S. criminal trial of fraud and conspiracy charges in the deal.

Hewlett Packard initially celebrated the costly acquisition of Lynchs company in 2011 but quickly came to regret it. The company said in a statement Monday that it had substantially succeeded in its civil fraud claims against Lynch and Sushovan Hussain, the former finance director.

It is HPEs intention to follow the proceedings through to their conclusion.

However, the judge in the U.K. civil case has already ruled that the amount payable in damages would be substantially less than the company is seeking.

A spokesperson for Lynch's family declined to comment.

Lynch and his daughter Hannah were among six passengers who died when 56-meter (184-foot) luxury yacht went down. One crew member, the boat's chef, also died, while 15 people survived the disaster. They had gathered on the yacht to celebrate Lynch's acquittal.

Officials initially said the yacht was struck by a tornado over the water, known as a waterspout, but the weather phenomenon was re-identified as a downburst. Prosecutors in Italy are investigating the captain on possible charges including manslaughter.
(Reuters) -Hewlett Packard said on Monday it would continue legal proceedings to seek up to $4 billion in damages from British billionaire Mike Lynch's estate in the UK.

The U.S. company had been seeking compensation over its acquisition of British tech firm Autonomy amid claims of fraud masterminded by its co-founder Mike Lynch to inflate the company's value.

Lynch, who died in August when his yacht sank off the coast of Sicily, had denied any wrongdoings.

"It is HPE's intention to follow the proceedings through to their conclusion," the company said in an emailed statement to Reuters.

HP had bought Autonomy for $11.1 billion in 2011 in one of the UK's biggest tech deals. But in late 2012 the company said it had discovered a massive accounting scandal at the British tech firm.

In 2022, HP won a civil case against Lynch but a High Court judge said that any damages would be less than the $5 billion HP had claimed.

A spokesperson for Lynch's family said they did not have any comment to share at this stage.

The company had filed the lawsuit against both Lynch and Autonomy's former chief financial officer, Sushovan Hussain.

(Reporting by Sourasis Bose in Bengaluru; Additional reporting by Catarina Demony; Editing by Mark Porter)
Insiders who bought Intelicare Holdings Limited (ASX:ICR) stock in the last 12 months were richly rewarded last week. The company's market value increased by AU$4.3m as a result of the stock's 33% gain over the same period. As a result, their original purchase of AU$100.0k worth of stock is now worth AU$200.0k.

While insider transactions are not the most important thing when it comes to long-term investing, we would consider it foolish to ignore insider transactions altogether.

View our latest analysis for Intelicare Holdings

The Last 12 Months Of Insider Transactions At Intelicare Holdings

Notably, that recent purchase by Gregory Leach is the biggest insider purchase of Intelicare Holdings shares that we've seen in the last year. Although we like to see insider buying, we note that this large purchase was at significantly below the recent price of AU$0.016. Because the shares were purchased at a lower price, this particular buy doesn't tell us much about how insiders feel about the current share price.

The chart below shows insider transactions (by companies and individuals) over the last year. By clicking on the graph below, you can see the precise details of each insider transaction!

Intelicare Holdings is not the only stock that insiders are buying. For those who like to find small cap companies at attractive valuations, this free list of growing companies with recent insider purchasing, could be just the ticket.

Insider Ownership

For a common shareholder, it is worth checking how many shares are held by company insiders. I reckon it's a good sign if insiders own a significant number of shares in the company. Based on our data, Intelicare Holdings insiders have about 2.3% of the stock, worth approximately AU$177k. We prefer to see high levels of insider ownership.

So What Does This Data Suggest About Intelicare Holdings Insiders?

The recent insider purchase is heartening. And an analysis of the transactions over the last year also gives us confidence. But on the other hand, the company made a loss during the last year, which makes us a little cautious. On this analysis the only slight negative we see is the fairly low (overall) insider ownership; their transactions suggest that they are quite positive on Intelicare Holdings stock. So these insider transactions can help us build a thesis about the stock, but it's also worthwhile knowing the risks facing this company. Every company has risks, and we've spotted 5 warning signs for Intelicare Holdings you should know about.

Of course Intelicare Holdings may not be the best stock to buy. So you may wish to see this free collection of high quality companies.

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For the purposes of this article, insiders are those individuals who report their transactions to the relevant regulatory body. We currently account for open market transactions and private dispositions of direct interests only, but not derivative transactions or indirect interests.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.
When you buy a stock there is always a possibility that it could drop 100%. But on the bright side, you can make far more than 100% on a really good stock. For example, the The Descartes Systems Group Inc. (TSE:DSG) share price has soared 160% in the last half decade. Most would be very happy with that.

With that in mind, it's worth seeing if the company's underlying fundamentals have been the driver of long term performance, or if there are some discrepancies.

View our latest analysis for Descartes Systems Group

In his essay The Superinvestors of Graham-and-Doddsville Warren Buffett described how share prices do not always rationally reflect the value of a business. One way to examine how market sentiment has changed over time is to look at the interaction between a company's share price and its earnings per share (EPS).

Over half a decade, Descartes Systems Group managed to grow its earnings per share at 28% a year. This EPS growth is higher than the 21% average annual increase in the share price. Therefore, it seems the market has become relatively pessimistic about the company. Of course, with a P/E ratio of 71.03, the market remains optimistic.

You can see how EPS has changed over time in the image below (click on the chart to see the exact values).

We know that Descartes Systems Group has improved its bottom line lately, but is it going to grow revenue? This free report showing analyst revenue forecasts should help you figure out if the EPS growth can be sustained.

A Different Perspective

It's nice to see that Descartes Systems Group shareholders have received a total shareholder return of 32% over the last year. That gain is better than the annual TSR over five years, which is 21%. Therefore it seems like sentiment around the company has been positive lately. In the best case scenario, this may hint at some real business momentum, implying that now could be a great time to delve deeper. It's always interesting to track share price performance over the longer term. But to understand Descartes Systems Group better, we need to consider many other factors. To that end, you should be aware of the 1 warning sign we've spotted with Descartes Systems Group .

If you like to buy stocks alongside management, then you might just love this free list of companies. (Hint: many of them are unnoticed AND have attractive valuation).

Please note, the market returns quoted in this article reflect the market weighted average returns of stocks that currently trade on Canadian 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.
SHANGHAI (Reuters) - China's State Administration of Market Regulation (SAMR) said on Friday that Alibaba Group had completed three years "rectification" following a record $2.75 billion fine levied in 2021 for monopolistic practices.

The regulator said Alibaba had achieved "good results" and that it would continue to "guide" the e-commerce giant to "regulate its operations and improve its compliance and quality".

Here is a timeline of key events leading up to and following the fine.

NOV. 10, 2020 - CHINA PUBLISHES DRAFT ANTI-MONOPOLY RULES FOR INTERNET PLATFORMS

China published draft rules aimed at preventing monopolistic behaviour by internet platforms, increasing scrutiny of online marketplaces and payment services of firms such as Alibaba.

APR. 10, 2021 - REGULATOR HITS ALIBABA WITH RECORD FINE

China imposed a record 18 billion yuan ($2.75 billion) fine on Alibaba after an anti-monopoly probe concluded that the firm had been "abusing its market dominance" since 2015 by preventing merchants from using other e-commerce platforms.

DEC. 6, 2021 - ALIBABA REPLACES CFO, REORGANISES E-COMMERCE BUSINESSES

Alibaba said it will reorganise its international and domestic e-commerce businesses and replace its chief financial officer. The changes came at a time of heightened competition and slowing economic growth as well as increased regulatory scrutiny.

APR. 30, 2022 - CHINA SIGNALS EASING OF TECH SECTOR CRACKDOWN

The Politburo, following a meeting chaired by President Xi Jinping, said it will increase policy support, including for the so-called platform economy, to stimulate economic activity after a period of growth-sapping COVID-19 containment measures.

MAR. 28, 2023 - ALIBABA BREAKS UP BUSINESS INTO SIX UNITS

Alibaba announced the biggest restructuring in its 24-year history, saying it will split into six units and explore listings for most of them, as the government vowed to ease a sweeping regulatory crackdown and support private enterprises.

JUNE 20, 2023 - ALIBABA GROUP CEO STEPS DOWN

Alibaba said then-Chief Executive Officer and Chairman Daniel Zhang would step down to focus on its cloud division. Eddie Yongming Wu, chairman of Alibaba's Taobao and Tmall, took over as CEO and Executive Vice Chairman Joseph Tsai became chairman.

SEPT. 10, 2023 - DANIEL ZHANG QUITS CLOUD BUSINESS

Zhang quits the cloud business, in a development that took market watchers by surprise. Wu takes over the unit.

NOV. 16, 2023 - ALIBABA SCRAPS CLOUD UNIT LISTING

Alibaba announced it would not spin off its cloud business as previously planned, citing uncertainty created by U.S. export curbs on chips used in artificial intelligence applications.

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DEC. 20, 2023 - CEO WU FURTHER CONSOLIDATES POWER BY TAKING OVER DOMESTIC E-COMMERCE

CEO Wu began to directly oversee Alibaba's domestic e-commerce arm, a core area for attention and investment as it fends off competition from low-price rivals such as PDD's Pinduoduo.

MAR. 26, 2024 - ALIBABA SCRAPS LOGISTICS UNIT LISTING

Alibaba shelved plans to list Cainiao and said it would instead buy the rest of the stock it did not already own in the logistics unit for as much as $3.75 billion.

AUG. 15, 2024 - ALIBABA MISSES REVENUE ESTIMATES AMID CHINA CONSUMER MALAISE

Alibaba reported April-June revenue that grew 3.9% though missed market expectations and fell far short of the 30% growth of the same quarter three years earlier. Its stock was down 72% since the anti-monopoly rules announcement in November 2020, putting its value at $200 billion versus its $830 billion peak.

AUG. 30, 2024 - REGULATOR SAYS ALIBABA HAS COMPLETED THREE-YEAR 'RECTIFICATION'

Alibaba described the regulator's announcement as a "new starting point for development" and said it would continue to "promote the healthy development of the platform economy and create more value for society".

(Reporting by Casey Hall; Editing by Miyoung Kim and Christopher Cushing)
Key Insights

The projected fair value for Hartalega Holdings Berhad is RM2.35 based on 2 Stage Free Cash Flow to Equity

With RM2.47 share price, Hartalega Holdings Berhad appears to be trading close to its estimated fair value

Analyst price target for HARTA is RM3.06, which is 30% above our fair value estimate

How far off is Hartalega Holdings Berhad (KLSE:HARTA) from its intrinsic value? Using the most recent financial data, we'll take a look at whether the stock is fairly priced by estimating the company's future cash flows and discounting them to their present value. One way to achieve this is by employing the Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model. Before you think you won't be able to understand it, just read on! It's actually much less complex than you'd imagine.

Companies can be valued in a lot of ways, so we would point out that a DCF is not perfect for every situation. If you still have some burning questions about this type of valuation, take a look at the Simply Wall St analysis model.

See our latest analysis for Hartalega Holdings Berhad

Crunching The Numbers

We're using the 2-stage growth model, which simply means we take in account two stages of company's growth. In the initial period the company may have a higher growth rate and the second stage is usually assumed to have a stable growth rate. To begin with, we have to get estimates of the next ten years of cash flows. Where possible we use analyst estimates, but when these aren't available we extrapolate the previous free cash flow (FCF) from the last estimate or reported value. We assume companies with shrinking free cash flow will slow their rate of shrinkage, and that companies with growing free cash flow will see their growth rate slow, over this period. We do this to reflect that growth tends to slow more in the early years than it does in later years.

Generally we assume that a dollar today is more valuable than a dollar in the future, and so the sum of these future cash flows is then discounted to today's value:

10-year free cash flow (FCF) forecast

2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 2031 2032 2033 2034 Levered FCF (MYR, Millions) RM144.1m RM191.6m RM251.9m RM452.0m RM488.0m RM517.3m RM544.5m RM570.4m RM595.4m RM620.1m Growth Rate Estimate Source Analyst x4 Analyst x6 Analyst x6 Analyst x1 Analyst x1 Est @ 6.00% Est @ 5.27% Est @ 4.75% Est @ 4.39% Est @ 4.14% Present Value (MYR, Millions) Discounted @ 8.7% RM133 RM162 RM196 RM324 RM322 RM314 RM304 RM293 RM281 RM269

("Est" = FCF growth rate estimated by Simply Wall St)

Present Value of 10-year Cash Flow (PVCF) = RM2.6b

After calculating the present value of future cash flows in the initial 10-year period, we need to calculate the Terminal Value, which accounts for all future cash flows beyond the first stage. The Gordon Growth formula is used to calculate Terminal Value at a future annual growth rate equal to the 5-year average of the 10-year government bond yield of 3.6%. We discount the terminal cash flows to today's value at a cost of equity of 8.7%.

Terminal Value (TV)= FCF 2034  (1 + g)  (r  g) = RM620m (1 + 3.6%)  (8.7% 3.6%) = RM12b

Present Value of Terminal Value (PVTV)= TV / (1 + r)10= RM12b ( 1 + 8.7%)10= RM5.4b

The total value, or equity value, is then the sum of the present value of the future cash flows, which in this case is RM8.0b. To get the intrinsic value per share, we divide this by the total number of shares outstanding. Compared to the current share price of RM2.5, the company appears around fair value at the time of writing. The assumptions in any calculation have a big impact on the valuation, so it is better to view this as a rough estimate, not precise down to the last cent.

dcf

The Assumptions

We would point out that the most important inputs to a discounted cash flow are the discount rate and of course the actual cash flows. If you don't agree with these result, have a go at the calculation yourself and play with the assumptions. The DCF also does not consider the possible cyclicality of an industry, or a company's future capital requirements, so it does not give a full picture of a company's potential performance. Given that we are looking at Hartalega Holdings Berhad as potential shareholders, the cost of equity is used as the discount rate, rather than the cost of capital (or weighted average cost of capital, WACC) which accounts for debt. In this calculation we've used 8.7%, which is based on a levered beta of 0.923. Beta is a measure of a stock's volatility, compared to the market as a whole. We get our beta from the industry average beta of globally comparable companies, with an imposed limit between 0.8 and 2.0, which is a reasonable range for a stable business.

SWOT Analysis for Hartalega Holdings Berhad

Strength

Debt is well covered by earnings.

Weakness

Dividend is low compared to the top 25% of dividend payers in the Medical Equipment market.

Expensive based on P/E ratio and estimated fair value.

Opportunity

Annual earnings are forecast to grow faster than the Malaysian market.

Threat

Debt is not well covered by operating cash flow.

Moving On:

Although the valuation of a company is important, it is only one of many factors that you need to assess for a company. DCF models are not the be-all and end-all of investment valuation. Preferably you'd apply different cases and assumptions and see how they would impact the company's valuation. If a company grows at a different rate, or if its cost of equity or risk free rate changes sharply, the output can look very different. For Hartalega Holdings Berhad, we've put together three further aspects you should assess:

Financial Health: Does HARTA have a healthy balance sheet? Take a look at our free balance sheet analysis with six simple checks on key factors like leverage and risk. Future Earnings: How does HARTA's growth rate compare to its peers and the wider market? Dig deeper into the analyst consensus number for the upcoming years by interacting with our free analyst growth expectation chart. Other Solid Businesses: Low debt, high returns on equity and good past performance are fundamental to a strong business. Why not explore our interactive list of stocks with solid business fundamentals to see if there are other companies you may not have considered!

PS. The Simply Wall St app conducts a discounted cash flow valuation for every stock on the KLSE every day. If you want to find the calculation for other stocks just search here.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.
By Nia Williams and Arunima Kumar

(Reuters) -Oil prices edged higher on Monday, recovering some losses from late last week, as Libyan oil exports remained halted and concerns about higher OPEC+ production from October eased.

U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude rose 49 cents, or 0.7%, to $74.04 by 1924 GMT. Brent crude futures settled up 59 cents, or 0.8%, at $77.52 a barrel. Trading volumes were light as Monday marked a public holiday in the U.S. market.

On Friday Brent and WTI lost 1.4% and 3.1%, respectively.

Oil exports at major Libyan ports were halted on Monday and production curtailed across the country, six engineers told Reuters, continuing a standoff between rival political factions over control of the central bank and oil revenue.

The country's National Oil Corp. (NOC) also declared force majeure on El Feel oil field from Sept. 2.

The current disturbances in Libya's oil production could provide room for added supply from OPEC+. But these fluctuations have become quite normal over the last few years, meaning any outages will probably be short-lived; with the news flow indicating signals for a restart of production have already been given," said Bjarne Schieldrop, chief commodity analyst at SEB.

Libya's Arabian Gulf Oil Company resumed output of around 120,000 barrels per day (bpd) on Sunday, to feed a power plant at the port of Hariga.

The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and its allies, together known as OPEC+, is set to proceed with planned increases to oil output from October, six sources from the producer group told Reuters.

Eight OPEC+ members are scheduled to boost output by 180,000 barrels per day (bpd) in October as part of a plan to begin unwinding their most recent supply cuts of 2.2 million bpd while keeping other cuts in place until the end of 2025.

News of increased production helped push oil prices lower last week but the scale of the sell-off was overdone, said Phil Flynn, an analyst at Price Futures Group.

"The market over-reacted to how much supply is coming on and now it seems like the market has put that report into perspective," Flynn said.

However Brent and WTI have posted losses for two consecutive months as U.S. and Chinese demand concerns have outweighed recent disruptions in Libya and supply risk related to conflict in the Middle East.

More pessimism about Chinese demand growth surfaced after an official survey showed on Saturday that manufacturing activity sank to a six-month low in August as factory gate prices tumbled and owners struggled for orders.

(Reporting by Nia Williams in British Columbia, Arunima Kumar in Bengaluru and Florence Tan in Singapore; editing by David Goodman, Jason Neely and Aurora Ellis)
We recently compiled a list of the 10 Best Alternative Meat Stocks to Invest In. In this article, we are going to take a look at where Performance Food Group Company (NYSE:PFGC) stands against the other alternative meat stocks.

The alternative meat industry, encompassing both plant-based and cultivated meat products, is poised for significant growth as it addresses global challenges related to health, sustainability, and animal welfare. This burgeoning sector has captured the attention of consumers, investors, and policymakers alike, with a future outlook that is both promising and complex. To understand where the industry is headed, it is essential to explore current trends, market projections, and expert opinions. The alternative meat market has seen rapid expansion over the past decade, with global sales of plant-based meat alone surpassing $7 billion in 2020. According to a report by Allied Market Research, the plant-based meat market is expected to reach $35.5 billion by 2027, growing at a compound annual growth rate of 15.8% from 2021 to 2027. This growth is fueled by increasing consumer awareness of the environmental impact of traditional meat production, as well as concerns about health and animal welfare.

Cultivated meat, though still in the early stages of commercialization, is also projected to become a major player in the alternative protein market. The Good Food Institute (GFI) estimates that the cultivated meat industry could reach $25 billion by 2030, driven by advancements in cell-culturing technologies and increasing consumer acceptance. One of the key drivers of this growth is the potential to significantly reduce the environmental footprint of meat production. Traditional livestock farming is a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, land degradation, and water consumption. The Food and Agriculture Organization estimates that the livestock sector accounts for 14.5% of global greenhouse gas emissions, with beef production being the most intensive. In contrast, plant-based meats have a much lower environmental impact. A study published in the journal Science found that producing plant-based meat alternatives generates up to 90% fewer greenhouse gas emissions, uses 93% less land, and consumes 46% less energy compared to conventional beef production. Cultivated meat also holds promise for reducing the environmental impact, though its full potential will depend on the scalability of production and improvements in energy efficiency.

Health concerns are another significant factor driving the adoption of alternative meats. Diets high in red and processed meats have been linked to various health issues, including heart disease, cancer, and obesity. In contrast, plant-based meats typically offer lower levels of saturated fat and cholesterol, making them a healthier alternative for consumers looking to reduce their meat intake without sacrificing taste and texture. Moreover, advancements in food technology are enabling companies to fortify alternative meats with additional nutrients, such as vitamins, minerals, and omega-3 fatty acids, to further enhance their health benefits. However, some critics argue that many plant-based meats are still highly processed and contain high levels of sodium, which could pose health risks if consumed in large quantities.

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Despite the positive trends, the alternative meat industry faces several challenges that could impact its future growth. Consumer acceptance remains a significant hurdle, particularly for cultivated meat. While plant-based meats have gained widespread popularity, with brands like Beyond Meat and Impossible Foods becoming household names, cultivated meat is still met with skepticism by some consumers due to its novel production process and perceived unnaturalness. A survey conducted by GFI in 2021 found that while 40% of consumers in the United States were willing to try cultivated meat, only 30% were willing to make it a regular part of their diet. To overcome this challenge, companies in the cultivated meat space are focusing on transparency, education, and marketing efforts to build consumer trust and familiarity with their products.

Price parity with conventional meat is another critical factor that will influence consumer acceptance. Currently, alternative meats are often more expensive than traditional meats, which can be a barrier to widespread adoption. However, as production scales and technologies improve, experts predict that the cost of alternative meats will decrease, making them more accessible to a broader audience. A report by Boston Consulting Group suggests that by 2035, alternative proteins could reach price parity with conventional meat, further accelerating their adoption. Investment in the alternative meat industry has skyrocketed in recent years, reflecting growing confidence in its long-term potential. According to GFI, investment in alternative proteins reached a record $3.1 billion in 2020, with significant contributions from venture capital firms, corporate investors, and even traditional meat companies like Tyson Foods and Cargill.

This influx of capital is driving innovation across the industry, with companies exploring new sources of plant-based proteins, such as algae, fungi, and insects, as well as advancements in cell-culturing techniques for cultivated meat. The development of hybrid products that combine plant-based and cultivated ingredients is also an emerging trend, offering a middle ground between the two approaches and appealing to a wider range of consumers. The regulatory environment will play a crucial role in shaping the future of the alternative meat industry. In 2020, Singapore became the first country to approve the sale of cultivated meat, a landmark decision that could pave the way for other countries to follow suit. In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration and the US Department of Agriculture are working together to establish a regulatory framework for cultivated meat, which is expected to accelerate the commercialization of these products.

However, regulatory approval is just one piece of the puzzle. Labeling requirements, food safety standards, and intellectual property protections will also need to be addressed as the industry grows. Clear and consistent labeling will be particularly important to ensure that consumers can make informed choices about the products they purchase. The future of the alternative meat industry is bright, with strong growth prospects driven by consumer demand for sustainable, healthy, and ethical food options. However, the industry must navigate several challenges, including consumer acceptance, pricing, and regulatory hurdles, to fully realize its potential. As innovation continues to drive the development of new products and production methods, and as investment flows into the sector, the alternative meat industry is well-positioned to play a key role in the global food system of the future.

Our Methodology

For this article, we selected food stocks that offer lab-grown or alternative meat products by sifting through ETFs and online rankings. We selected the 10 stocks that were the most popular among hedge funds, as of Q2 2024. The hedge fund data was sourced from Insider Monkey's database.

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).

5 Countries That Waste the Most Food

A friendly grocery store team stocking shelves with foodservice products.

Performance Food Group Company (NYSE:PFGC)

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 42

Performance Food Group Company (NYSE:PFGC) markets and distributes food and food-related products in the United States. The company has a healthy alternative meat portfolio, with popular plant-based brands such as Beyond Meat, Impossible Foods, and Gardein featuring in stores across the US. These products are widely used in foodservice operations, including restaurants and institutional dining, to offer customers meat-free options that closely mimic the taste and texture of traditional meat.

Performance Food Group Company (NYSE:PFGC) recently announced the purchase of Cheney Brothers, a Florida-based food distributor, for $2.1 billion. The deal will help expand the geographic reach of the firm, as the distribution footprint of the latter in key geographies enhances the existing distribution platform and overall density of the former.

Overall PFGC ranks 6th on our list of the best alternative meat stocks to invest in. While we acknowledge the potential of PFGC as an investment, our conviction lies in the belief that some stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns, and doing so within a shorter timeframe. If you are looking for a stock that is more promising than PFGC, 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.
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
Uh-oh. It looks like NASA's Office of Inspector General is mad at Boeing (NYSE: BA) again. And this time it could be serious.

Maybe serious enough to finally get rid of NASA's white elephant Space Launch System, and replace it with cheaper rockets from SpaceX and Blue Origin.

A litany of complaints

Over the years, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Office of Inspector General (OIG) has raised numerous complaints about the Space Launch System project, a project led by Boeing, but involving Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT), Northrop Grumman (NYSE: NOC), L3Harris (NYSE: LHX) -- really, pretty much everybody who is anybody in America's space industry.

In 2022, for example, it was OIG that broke the news to taxpayers that "the current production and operations cost of a single SLS/Orion system [will be] $4.1 billion per launch for Artemis I through IV." (Artemis is NASA's name for the multibillion-dollar effort to return astronauts to the moon.) The cost of SLS alone is estimated at $2 billion, or roughly 4 times the estimated cost back when Artemis was first proposed.

In 2023, OIG tallied up all the costs involved in Artemis to date, and projected the total price tag will hit $93 billion sometime next year. Even if Washington, D.C., where folks are used to big numbers, OIG called that cost "enormous."

And now, OIG is back with more bad news.

What OIG says about SLS

OIG's report focuses on SLS Block 1B, an upgraded version of the original SLS rocket that flew to the moon and back (sans astronauts) in 2022. Upgraded for 40% better payload capacity, Block 1B is designed to carry both an Orion spacecraft (built by Lockheed) and also an "I-HAB" (provided by the European Space Agency) Lunar Gateway space station habitat module, to the moon for Artemis.

As OIG explains, Boeing is responsible for developing a new Exploration Upper Stage (EUS) for SLS Block 1B, powered by four L3Harris RL10 engines (instead of just one engine in Block 1). Problem is, NASA budgeted less than $1 billion to develop EUS initially, but OIG now says it'll cost $2.8 billion.

Plus other increases, Block 1B will probably end up costing $5.7 billion just to develop (meaning building and launching each Block 1B rocket will cost more). On top of the $24 billion already spent to develop Block 1, this lifts total SLS development costs (again, development, not including production and launch) to nearly $30 billion.

It almost goes without saying that, in addition to being over budget, Boeing is also behind schedule in developing Block 1B. Initially planned to be ready in early 2021, it's now looking more likely to finished in early 2027.

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While this would be (barely) in time for the planned 2028 launch date for Artemis IV (NASA's second planned landing of astronauts on the moon this century), OIG warns there's a real risk that Boeing's poor quality control could cause NASA to miss that date.

What's wrong with Boeing

OIG makes no bones about Boeing being to blame for these delays and cost overruns. "Boeing's quality management system ... does not adhere to ... NASA requirements," complains OIG. "From September 2021 to September 2023," the Defense Contract Management Agency notified Boeing of no fewer than 71 separate "corrective actions" needed on its work.

Not only does OIG call this "a high number" and indicative of "a recurring and degraded state of product quality control." When notified of deficiencies, OIG says Boeing's been "inadequate" and "ineffective" at fixing the issues identified, and even "nonresponsive in taking corrective actions when the same quality control issues reoccur."

And it gets worse. OIG has traced the problem to its source: "the lack of a sufficient number of trained and experienced aerospace workers at Boeing."

What this means for investors

That a company of Boeing's reputation -- Boeing helped make the Apollo moon landings in the 1960s and 1970s a success, and was prime contractor on the International Space Station -- has deteriorated to the point where it now lacks the expertise to build a decent space rocket is alarming. Unfortunately, it's backed up by the facts -- most notably, the highly publicized problems with Boeing's Starliner spacecraft these past few weeks.

Potentially worse for investors, all of these revelations are coming just months ahead of an expected change of administration in Washington. Might the next president decide to curtail use of Boeing SLS rockets in favor of SpaceX's Starship or Blue Origin's New Glenn, for example? I don't think we can rule that out. Might the new administration decide that cost overruns on SLS are so out of control that Artemis should happen without any use of SLS? That, too, is a risk.

Indeed, given the central role SLS plays in Project Artemis as a whole, Boeing's issues with SLS could potentially lead a new administration to cancel plans to return to the moon entirely -- much like the Obama administration canceled the Bush-era Constellation moon program in 2010. And that could have ramifications all across the space industry, from Boeing to Lockheed to Northrop to L3Harris, and beyond.

Admittedly, this a doomsday scenario. But it's also a realistic worst-case outcome of Boeing's difficulties with SLS. Space investors need to be aware of the risk.

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If we want to find a potential multi-bagger, often there are underlying trends that can provide clues. In a perfect world, we'd like to see a company investing more capital into its business and ideally the returns earned from that capital are also increasing. If you see this, it typically means it's a company with a great business model and plenty of profitable reinvestment opportunities. So when we looked at Timah Resources (ASX:TML) and its trend of ROCE, we really liked what we saw.

Return On Capital Employed (ROCE): What Is It?

Just to clarify if you're unsure, ROCE is a metric for evaluating how much pre-tax income (in percentage terms) a company earns on the capital invested in its business. The formula for this calculation on Timah Resources is:

Return on Capital Employed = Earnings Before Interest and Tax (EBIT)  (Total Assets - Current Liabilities)

0.0099 = RM539k  (RM55m - RM529k) (Based on the trailing twelve months to June 2024).

So, Timah Resources has an ROCE of 1.0%. In absolute terms, that's a low return and it also under-performs the Renewable Energy industry average of 8.7%.

See our latest analysis for Timah Resources

roce

While the past is not representative of the future, it can be helpful to know how a company has performed historically, which is why we have this chart above. If you want to delve into the historical earnings , check out these free graphs detailing revenue and cash flow performance of Timah Resources.

So How Is Timah Resources' ROCE Trending?

It's great to see that Timah Resources has started to generate some pre-tax earnings from prior investments. The company was generating losses five years ago, but now it's turned around, earning 1.0% which is no doubt a relief for some early shareholders. Additionally, the business is utilizing 28% less capital than it was five years ago, and taken at face value, that can mean the company needs less funds at work to get a return. The reduction could indicate that the company is selling some assets, and considering returns are up, they appear to be selling the right ones.

What We Can Learn From Timah Resources' ROCE

In a nutshell, we're pleased to see that Timah Resources has been able to generate higher returns from less capital. Given the stock has declined 35% in the last five years, this could be a good investment if the valuation and other metrics are also appealing. That being the case, research into the company's current valuation metrics and future prospects seems fitting.

One final note, you should learn about the 4 warning signs we've spotted with Timah Resources (including 3 which don't sit too well with us) .

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While Timah Resources may not currently earn the highest returns, we've compiled a list of companies that currently earn more than 25% return on equity. Check out this free list here.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.
(Bloomberg) -- Rightmove Plc, the UKs biggest property portal by market share, is working with UBS Group AG and Morgan Stanley on its response to unsolicited takeover interest from Australias REA Group Ltd., people with knowledge of the matter said.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Rightmove is speaking to the banks about its next steps after REA Group, part of Rupert Murdochs sprawling empire, said its considering a possible cash and stock offer for the London-listed company, according to the people. The British firm said Monday it hasnt received an approach yet from REA and told shareholders to take no action, without naming its advisers.

REA earlier disclosed that its working with Deutsche Bank AG. The German lender traditionally serves as Rightmoves corporate broker, but is now conflicted.

Shares of Rightmove soared 27% on Monday in London, the biggest daily gain on record, boosting its market value to 5.6 billion ($7.3 billion). REA fell 5.3% in Sydney, the most since December 2022, giving it a market value of A$27.4 billion ($18.6 billion).

Representatives for Rightmove, UBS and Morgan Stanley declined to comment. Under the UK takeover code, REA has until 5 p.m. on Sept. 30 to announce a firm intention on whether to make a bid.

A combination of the two businesses would provide a significant opportunity to unlock shareholder value, REA said in a statement after media speculation about its plans to make an acquisition abroad.

While Rightmove enjoys the largest market share in the UK property portal market, rival OnTheMarket Plc recently launched an expansion drive after being acquired by US real estate firm CoStar Group Inc.

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2024 Bloomberg L.P.
US-based Bourbon distiller Saga Spirits Group has reportedly announced plans to inject a $92.5m sum into a new distillery in Kentucky.

Reports from local publication the Lexington Herald-Leader suggest the investment in Woodford County is being partially supported by the state government.

Last week, the Kentucky Tourism Development Finance Authority is said to have approved a $4.2m fund for the group in tourism tax incentives. The local government also reportedly issued Saga Spirits around $1m in incentives in 2023.

In addition to the distillery, Saga Spirits also intends to build a visitors centre, retail space, tasting room, restaurant and accommodation. The site will sit on 150 acres of land in the city of Versailles.

Some of the funds are also expected to go towards building event and accommodation space, in addition to a bar and restaurant at hotel venue Kentucky Castle, located nearby.

Once operational, the distillery and tourism project combined are expected to create 89 new jobs.

Work on the new site is expected to start in the third quarter of this year, CEO Wes Henderson said in a release viewed by Lexington Herald-Leader.

It has been a huge blessing to be members of the Kentucky bourbon industry for many generations. To begin this next chapter for the Henderson family, we have chosen Versailles and Woodford County. We are humbled and honored by the support we are receiving from government officials, tourism development, businesses and residents, he added.

We are also looking forward to the groundbreaking this fall. Our team is composed of experts in distilling, distilling finance, supply chain and logistics, marketing, packaging and hospitality, with combined expertise of more than a century of success in the industry. Wonderful things are ahead for us and the entire community.

Saga Spirits Group was established in March 2023 by Wes Henderson, founder of the now Bacardi-owned Angel's Envy Bourbon, which was snapped up by the rum giant in 2015.

Local reports indicate Saga Spirits has applied to launch two SKUs under the brand name True Story.

"Saga Spirits Group to build new Kentucky distillery" was originally created and published by Just Drinks, a GlobalData owned brand.







The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site.
Saudi Arabia is seeking cooperation with Chinese companies in the car sector and automation as a top industrial official kicks off a tour of East Asia this week.

Saudi industry and mineral resources minister Bandar Alkhorayef is leading a delegation to visit Guangzhou, Hong Kong and Singapore from Sunday until September 8, according to a statement from his office. The trip is aimed at improving relations and exploring joint venture opportunities.

China and Saudi Arabia have strengthened ties in recent years while their relations with the United States have soured. Riyadh is looking to diversify its economy and become an industrial hub in the Middle East, while the region is gaining appeal for Chinese companies that want to explore overseas markets in the face of growing containment by the US.

Do you have questions about the biggest topics and trends from around the world? Get the answers with SCMP Knowledge, our new platform of curated content with explainers, FAQs, analyses and infographics brought to you by our award-winning team.

"The visit of the delegation to China aligns with [the country's] objective to become a key automotive hub in the region and a leader in innovative [and] eco-friendly vehicle solutions," Alkhorayef's office said.

Key meetings in Guangzhou, capital of the southern Chinese province of Guangdong, will include discussions with GAC Group, a major electric vehicle (EV) maker, as well as lithium battery producer General Lithium and communication tech giant Huawei, the statement said.

Saudi Arabian industry and mineral resources minister Bandar Alkhorayef's visit to Guangzhou, Hong Kong and Singapore is aimed at improving relations and exploring joint venture opportunities. Photo: Handout alt=Saudi Arabian industry and mineral resources minister Bandar Alkhorayef's visit to Guangzhou, Hong Kong and Singapore is aimed at improving relations and exploring joint venture opportunities. Photo: Handout>

Chinese EV makers are facing punitive tariffs from the European Union and the US, which have accused China of flooding their markets with subsidised EVs that pose a national security risk with their "connected" car technology.

According to Alkhorayef's office, the automotive sector is a key focus of Saudi Arabia's national industrial strategy, which emphasises developing the car industry and incorporating innovative technologies.

It added that the talks with Huawei will discuss opportunities for collaboration in "innovative smart solutions" and leveraging technologies for the "Fourth Industrial Revolution", referring to a 21st century wave of hi-tech progress aided by advancements in artificial intelligence, robotics and the Internet of Things.

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"Saudi Arabia aims to attract high-quality investments in 12 promising industrial sectors, including automotive, pharmaceuticals, and food, supported by a stimulating investment environment," the statement said.

"The visit is expected to result in partnerships that [focus] on mutual growth through high-quality investments, sustainable development, and economic diversification, particularly in strategic industrial sectors."

According to figures from Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources, China is the Middle Eastern kingdom's biggest trading partner, with trade exceeding US$100 billion in 2023.

The data also shows that Chinese investment in Saudi Arabia last year included US$5.6 billion in original equipment manufacturing for the automotive industry and US$5.26 billion in the minerals sector, with semiconductor investment amounting to US$4.26 billion.

According to official Chinese data, the total value of goods exported to Saudi Arabia from January to July was US$27.55 billion, an increase of nearly 12 per cent compared to the same period last year. Meanwhile, the total value of goods imported from Saudi Arabia decreased by 7.3 per cent compared to the same period last year to US$34.97 billion.

In Hong Kong, the delegation will meet the city's chief executive as well as officials in charge of technology and industry development.

In Singapore, the Saudi delegation will meet the deputy prime minister and senior trade and science officials.

This article originally appeared in the South China Morning Post (SCMP), the most authoritative voice reporting on China and Asia for more than a century. For more SCMP stories, please explore the SCMP app or visit the SCMP's Facebook and Twitter pages. Copyright  2024 South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved.

Copyright (c) 2024. South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved.
Avoiding paid work to focus on video games is something most people would expect a teenager to do. However, Mark from Austin, Texas has leveled down to this lifestyle at 46.

On a recent episode of Caleb Hammers YouTube show Financial Audit, Mark described how he gave up a full-time job and cashed out his retirement savings to pursue acting and online streaming, but ended up spending all his money and time on video games. Nearly broke, Mark now relies on his elderly parents for financial support.

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Hammer called him a selfish, immature baby. However, Marks detachment from the workforce is a growing trend in America.

Male labor crisis

The number of men in their prime working years has declined over the last 70 years, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The participation rate for men between the ages of 25 and 54 declined from 98% in September 1954 to 89% in January 2024.

Education and mismatched skills in the evolving job market could have a role to play, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco. Economists Anne Case and Angus Deaton found that there was a decline in physical and mental health for this cohort, which could be contributing to the trend.

Mark told Hammer he had major surgery on two bulging discs in his back after lifting weights for a previous job. That left him on disability for six weeks. However, his medical condition cannot fully explain his recent financial decisions.

Mark briefly worked at FedEx earning $50,000 a year with medical benefits and paid time off. He described it as a good job but said he quit because he hated it. After his departure, Mark cashed out his 401(k) account for $5,250 (after taxes), intending to use the funds to finance a Twitch streaming career.

But he admitted to squandering the money on a PlayStation 5 and 4K television screen, and frittering away nine weeks playing video games for leisure instead.

My 401(k) is gone. Its gone! he confessed.

Mark says he did make up to $6,000 a month from a brief stint streaming on Twitch but had to give up on the dream after burning out from exhaustion. He now drives for Uber and Lyft to make ends meet.

Story continues

Read more: Car insurance rates have spiked in the US to a stunning $2,150/year  but you can be smarter than that. Here's how you can save yourself as much as $820 annually in minutes (it's 100% free)

Marks enablers

Marks gig work with Uber and Lyft delivers between $650 to $750 on a good week, he said. But thats not enough to fund his lifestyle, so he relies on payday lenders and his elderly parents for money.

Last month he borrowed $750 from a payday lender, which is the largest deposit on his monthly statement according to Hammer. Roughly 12 million people use payday loans annually, according to Pew Research, and the annual percentage rate (APR) on these loans can be as high as 400%, according to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

Expensive loans can be a hefty burden for someone without a stable income. However, Mark does have an extra player with coins: his parents. A month before his appearance on Financial Audit, he received $209 from his dad and $589 from his mom. Both his parents are retired and in their 70s.

You are borrowing from your mid-70s parents so that you can sit on your a, Hammer said bluntly.

According to USA Today, 65% of American parents provide financial support to their adult children. However, one-third of these parents admit that this support also causes financial strain for them.

To pull himself out of this cohort, Hammer recommended a tighter, bare-bones budget to allow Mark to pay off debt. He added that Mark needs to look for gainful employment to pwn his financial woes.

Parents who are experiencing financial stress because their children are constantly coming back to the well should discuss their situation with a financial advisor, suggests insurer The Hartford. That way parents can revisit their retirement plan and work on a strategy to cut the umbilical line.

If an abrupt stop seems too harsh, parents can introduce their children to their financial advisor and suggest apps that can teach them how to budget properly. Sometimes teaching them financial skills is the best 1-up a parent can give.

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This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
By Luciana Novaes Magalhaes

(Reuters) - Elon Musk-controlled satellite internet provider Starlink has told Brazil's telecom regulator Anatel it will not comply with a court order to block social media platform X in the country until its local accounts are unfrozen.

Anatel confirmed the information to Reuters on Monday after its head Carlos Baigorri told Globo TV it had received a note from Starlink, which has more than 200,000 customers in Brazil, and passed it onto Brazil's top court.

Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes last week ordered all telecom providers in the country to shut down X, which is also owned by billionaire Musk, for lacking a legal representative in Brazil.

The move also led to the freezing of Starlink's bank accounts in Brazil. Starlink is a unit of Musk-led rocket company SpaceX. The billionaire responded to the account block by calling Moraes a "dictator."

The decision to freeze Starlink's accounts stems from a separate dispute over unpaid fines X was ordered to pay due to its failure to turn over some documents.

The Supreme Court did not respond to a request for comment.

On Monday, a five-member panel of the court is set to decide whether to uphold Moraes' ruling.

Law experts consulted by Reuters have said they believe the panel will likely confirm Moraes' ruling.

(Reporting by Luciana Magalhaes; Editing by Mark Porter)
(Bloomberg) -- Taiwans economy minister pushed back at criticism of the island by Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump, and denied the island took the US chip industry.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Of course Taiwan is not stealing the chip industry from the US, Minister of Economic Affairs Kuo Jyh-huei told reporters in Taipei on Monday. The chips we made are commissioned by US companies, which still have the highest gross margin. Trump might have some misunderstanding on such matters, and we will clarify that.

Trump rattled Taiwan officials and the islands markets with comments published July 16 in Bloomberg Businessweek that criticized the island over its chip sector and pushed Taiwan to pay the US for protection. That has raised fears that if Trump succeeds President Joe Biden, who has repeatedly said the US will defend Taiwan from a Chinese attack, he will be less committed, viewing Taiwan in transactional terms.

Taiwan took our chip business from us, Trump said at the time. I mean, how stupid are we? They took all of our chip business. Theyre immensely wealthy.

Since Trumps comments, the islands officials have tried to talk up Taiwans efforts to uphold its part of the relationship. In response to Trumps call for Taiwan to pay the US for protection, Premier Cho Jung-tai said the island has increased defense spending and extended the conscription period.

Its our shared responsibility and goal to maintain the peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and the Indo-Pacific region, Cho said on July 17.

The economy minister, who was doorstepped by reporters, also said Taiwans government plans to set up a business park in Kyushu, Japan, to help Taiwanese companies operating there.

The park will follow the one-stop service model similar to the science parks we have in Taiwan, Kuo said. As each prefecture is providing different conditions, we will establish a new company providing services and helping Taiwanese companies swiftly settle in Japan.

--With assistance from Cindy Wang.

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2024 Bloomberg L.P.
Passive investing in index funds can generate returns that roughly match the overall market. But one can do better than that by picking better than average stocks (as part of a diversified portfolio). For example, the Glacier Bancorp, Inc. (NYSE:GBCI) share price is up 51% in the last 1 year, clearly besting the market return of around 23% (not including dividends). That's a solid performance by our standards! In contrast, the longer term returns are negative, since the share price is 9.9% lower than it was three years ago.

With that in mind, it's worth seeing if the company's underlying fundamentals have been the driver of long term performance, or if there are some discrepancies.

See our latest analysis for Glacier Bancorp

To quote Buffett, 'Ships will sail around the world but the Flat Earth Society will flourish. There will continue to be wide discrepancies between price and value in the marketplace...' By comparing earnings per share (EPS) and share price changes over time, we can get a feel for how investor attitudes to a company have morphed over time.

Over the last twelve months, Glacier Bancorp actually shrank its EPS by 34%.

So we don't think that investors are paying too much attention to EPS. Since the change in EPS doesn't seem to correlate with the change in share price, it's worth taking a look at other metrics.

Unfortunately Glacier Bancorp's fell 10% over twelve months. So the fundamental metrics don't provide an obvious explanation for the share price gain.

The graphic below depicts how earnings and revenue have changed over time (unveil the exact values by clicking on the image).

We're pleased to report that the CEO is remunerated more modestly than most CEOs at similarly capitalized companies. It's always worth keeping an eye on CEO pay, but a more important question is whether the company will grow earnings throughout the years. If you are thinking of buying or selling Glacier Bancorp stock, you should check out this free report showing analyst profit forecasts.

What About Dividends?

As well as measuring the share price return, investors should also consider the total shareholder return (TSR). The TSR incorporates the value of any spin-offs or discounted capital raisings, along with any dividends, based on the assumption that the dividends are reinvested. Arguably, the TSR gives a more comprehensive picture of the return generated by a stock. In the case of Glacier Bancorp, it has a TSR of 57% for the last 1 year. That exceeds its share price return that we previously mentioned. The dividends paid by the company have thusly boosted the total shareholder return.

Story continues

A Different Perspective

It's nice to see that Glacier Bancorp shareholders have received a total shareholder return of 57% over the last year. Of course, that includes the dividend. Since the one-year TSR is better than the five-year TSR (the latter coming in at 7% per year), it would seem that the stock's performance has improved in recent times. Given the share price momentum remains strong, it might be worth taking a closer look at the stock, lest you miss an opportunity. 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. Consider risks, for instance. Every company has them, and we've spotted 2 warning signs for Glacier Bancorp you should know about.

If you like to buy stocks alongside management, then you might just love this free list of companies. (Hint: many of them are unnoticed AND have attractive valuation).

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.
A new crypto project promoted by Donald Trump has been hijacked by scammers, who have lured tens of thousands of people to a group promising fake cryptocurrency giveaways.

The Trump-backed World Liberty Financial platform has attracted more than 230,000 subscribers to its official Telegram channel since launching last month, despite offering no information about the project beyond a promise to challenge the dominance of big banks.

A rival channel operated by cyber criminals has managed to place ads on the official channel in an attempt to profit from the hype surrounding the venture, drawing in more than 70,000 Telegram users.

Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump speaks at the Bitcoin 2024 conference in Nashville on 27 July, 2024 (AP)

The channel associated with the scam, called World Liberty Financial Airdrop, claims to offer up to $15,000 worth of cryptocurrency for anyone who connects their crypto wallet, according to posts seen by The Independent. Such an action would expose any funds within a wallet, but it is not clear how many of the subscribers have fallen victim to the scam.

The Independent has reached out to Telegram for further information and comment. The apps chief executive, Pavel Durov, was arrested last week in France following an investigation into moderation on the platform, some of which related to cyber crime.

The official Telegram channel for World Liberty Financial warned against the fake channel, and also changed the bio of its account on X to deter followers against scams, fake tokens and airdrop offers circulating on the Elon Musk-owned platform.

We have been made aware of some ads circulating on Telegram claiming to be from us, offering fake airdrops or token sales, a warning posted to the groups official Telegram channel stated on Thursday, 29 August.

Please do not click on any ads or links that claim to be associated with World Liberty Financial. We are not doing any airdrops or selling any tokens at this time.

Just below the warning was an ad for a fake World Liberty Financial Airdrop, which has remained in a prominent position on the channel for four days without being removed.

To celebrate passing 100,000 subscribers, World Liberty Financial launched an epic meme contest that saw hundreds of entrants share images, gifs and videos promoting Mr Trump in his bid to retake the White House. Some took the opportunity to call-out the official project as a scam, while others have labelled it the latest grift from the billionaire.

Mr Trump has described himself as the crypto president in recent months, promising to create a national bitcoin stockpile and form a crypto presidential advisory council if elected in November.
Voter turnout has been notably high at polling station No. 124 of the Shusha-Aghdam-Khojavand constituency No. 46 in Shusha city, as Azerbaijan holds its extraordinary parliamentary election, Azernews reports via Trend.

Voting commenced at polling station No. 46, located in the building of full secondary school No. 1 in Shusha city. The polling station opened at 7:50 AM in the presence of observers, who oversaw the sealing of ballot boxes before voting began at 8:00 AM.

This election follows a decree signed by President Ilham Aliyev on June 28, which dissolved the sixth convocation of the Azerbaijani Parliament and set the extraordinary election for September 1.

Across the country, 6,421,960 registered voters, including 374 who turned 18 on election day, are eligible to cast their ballots at 6,478 polling stations, which include 6,343 permanent and 135 temporary locations.

In the territories liberated from occupation, 54 permanent polling stations have been established, while 574 polling stations have been set up for internally displaced persons (IDPs) across 10 electoral districts, serving 397,862 voters. Over 42,000 voters are expected to participate in the liberated areas.

This election also sees 51,141 first-time voters, with the oldest female voter aged 134 and the oldest male voter aged 109. Exit polls will be conducted at approximately 2,500 polling stations, with three international organizations registered to carry out these polls.

The election process is being monitored by 112,749 local observers, including over 65,000 political party representatives, and 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 were nominated by 25 political parties, while 371 are party members not officially nominated by their parties, bringing the total number of candidates affiliated with political parties to 676.

To enhance transparency, webcams have been installed at 1,000 polling stations nationwide, allowing for direct and continuous online observation of the voting process. Portable ballot boxes are also being used across all polling stations for the election.
If you're like most people, you work hard to make a living. That work can be mentally and physically draining. Since you already work hard, shouldn't your hard-earned money start working for you?

A great way to put your money to work for you is by investing some of what's left each month into income-producing investments, like dividend-paying stocks. They can be a great source of passive income, which you can use to help offset your living expenses in the future so that you don't need to work quite so hard. Here are three great options to consider.

The name says it all

Realty Income (NYSE: O) is a real estate investment trust (REIT) focused on income-producing properties. It owns freestanding commercial buildings net leased to tenants in a variety of industries. Those leases provide it with very stable rental income that tends to rise steadily each year.

The REIT pays out less than a quarter of that income to investors via dividends. Realty Income's payout currently yields a little more than 5%. At that rate, every $100 invested in its stock would produce over $5 in passive dividend income each year. The more you invest, the more passive income you can collect.

Realty Income steadily increases its dividend, which it pays monthly. It has raised its payment 126 times since coming public in 1994, including for 107 straight quarters. The REIT has grown its dividend at a 4.3% compound annual rate during that period.

It's in an excellent position to continue paying a growing dividend. The REIT invests billions of dollars each year to expand its portfolio of income-producing properties. It has a strong financial profile and massive market opportunity, giving it a long runway to continue growing its dividend.

Piping passive income into your pocket

Kinder Morgan (NYSE: KMI) is one of the country's largest energy infrastructure operators. It operates an extensive network of pipelines, storage terminals, and other assets. These assets generate very stable cash flow backed by long-term contracts, government-regulated rate structures, and hedging agreements.

The pipeline company pays out a little more than half of its stable cash flow in dividends each year. It retains the rest to fund expansion projects, repurchase shares, and maintain its financial flexibility. The company currently has $5.2 billion of high-return expansion projects under construction that should come online through the end of 2028. They provide it with lots of visibility into the future growth of its cash flows.

Kinder Morgan's growing cash flow should support a steadily rising dividend. The company has increased its payout, which currently yields over 5%, for seven straight years.

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The cash flow connection

Verizon (NYSE: VZ) hardly needs an introduction as one of the country's largest wireless and broadband service providers. It generates billions of dollars in cash flow each year as customers pay their wireless and internet bills.

The telecom giant has produced $16.6 billion in cash flow from operations through the first half of this year. Capital spending consumed less than half of that cash, leaving it with over $8.5 billion in free cash flow. That easily covered the company's $5.6 billion of dividend payments to shareholders. Verizon's payout currently yields over 6%, enabling its investors to generate more income for every dollar they invest.

Verizon expects its free cash flow to grow in the future, driven by rising revenues and falling costs. That should enable the company to continue increasing its dividend. It delivered its 17th consecutive dividend increase late last year, the longest current streak in the U.S. telecom sector.

Get your money to start making money for you

Most people work hard to make money. So it shouldn't sit idly in a bank account, barely earning any interest -- unless, of course, you're saving it for something specific like an emergency or down payment on a house. You should put it to work so it can make more money on your behalf. Investing in high-quality dividend stocks is a great place to start. They can provide you with an attractive and growing passive income stream. The more you invest, the more passive income you can collect, which could eventually allow you to work less.

Should you invest $1,000 in Realty Income right now?

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Matt DiLallo has positions in Kinder Morgan, Realty Income, and Verizon Communications. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Kinder Morgan and Realty Income. The Motley Fool recommends Verizon Communications. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Tired of Laboring for Your Income? These Dividend Stocks Can Put Your Money to Work and Make You Some Passive Income. was originally published by The Motley Fool
As global markets navigate mixed signals from inflation data and consumer spending trends, investors are increasingly looking for stable opportunities amid the volatility. One key indicator of a solid investment is high insider ownership, which often aligns company leadership's interests with those of shareholders and can signal confidence in long-term growth potential.

Top 10 Growth Companies With High Insider Ownership

Name Insider Ownership Earnings Growth Lavvi Empreendimentos Imobiliarios (BOVESPA:LAVV3) 11.9% 20.3% Archean Chemical Industries (NSEI:ACI) 22.9% 33.7% People & Technology (KOSDAQ:A137400) 16.5% 35.6% Seojin SystemLtd (KOSDAQ:A178320) 30.6% 52.1% On Holding (NYSE:ONON) 28.4% 24.4% Calliditas Therapeutics (OM:CALTX) 12.7% 51.9% Credo Technology Group Holding (NasdaqGS:CRDO) 14.1% 60.9% Plenti Group (ASX:PLT) 12.8% 106.4% HANA Micron (KOSDAQ:A067310) 21.3% 106.2% EHang Holdings (NasdaqGM:EH) 32.8% 78.8%

Click here to see the full list of 1499 stocks from our Fast Growing Companies With High Insider Ownership screener.

Let's take a closer look at a couple of our picks from the screened companies.

Simply Wall St Growth Rating: 

Overview: MLP Saglik Hizmetleri A.S. provides healthcare services in Turkey, Azerbaijan, and Hungary with a market cap of TRY68.60 billion.

Operations: MLP Saglik Hizmetleri generates revenue primarily from its Healthcare Facilities & Services segment, totaling TRY25.77 billion.

Insider Ownership: 15%

Earnings Growth Forecast: 26.9% p.a.

MLP Saglik Hizmetleri reported strong revenue growth for Q2 2024, with sales reaching TRY 7.70 billion, up from TRY 6.50 billion a year ago. Despite a slight dip in net income to TRY 1.05 billion from TRY 1.09 billion, the company's earnings are forecast to grow significantly at an annual rate of 26.91% over the next three years, with revenue expected to increase by 33.9% annuallyoutpacing market averages and trading at a discount to its fair value estimate.

IBSE:MPARK Ownership Breakdown as at Sep 2024

Simply Wall St Growth Rating: 

Overview: Aspen Pharmacare Holdings Limited, with a market cap of ZAR106.78 billion, manufactures and supplies specialty and branded pharmaceutical products worldwide through its subsidiaries.

Operations: Aspen Pharmacare generates revenue from its Manufacturing segment, which contributed ZAR12.81 billion, and from Segment Adjustments totaling ZAR29.89 billion.

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Insider Ownership: 17.2%

Earnings Growth Forecast: 26.5% p.a.

Aspen Pharmacare Holdings is trading at 51.3% below its estimated fair value and has high insider ownership. Although its Return on Equity is forecast to be low at 9.4% in three years, the company's earnings are expected to grow significantly by 26.49% annually, outpacing the ZA market's growth rate of 21.2%. Revenue growth is projected at a slower pace of 9.4% per year but still exceeds the ZA market average of 3.6%.

JSE:APN Ownership Breakdown as at Sep 2024

Simply Wall St Growth Rating: 

Overview: Shenzhen Hello Tech Energy Co., Ltd. focuses on the research, development, manufacture, and sale of portable power products in China and has a market cap of CN8.95 billion.

Operations: The company's revenue segments include the research and development, manufacture, and sale of portable power products in China.

Insider Ownership: 24.2%

Earnings Growth Forecast: 65.2% p.a.

Shenzhen Hello Tech Energy, with substantial insider ownership, is forecast to grow its revenue by 24.2% annually, outpacing the CN market's growth rate of 13.7%. Despite a low projected Return on Equity of 4.1%, the company is expected to become profitable within three years. Recent earnings for H1 2024 showed sales rising to CNY 1.14 billion and net income turning positive at CNY 72.84 million from a prior loss, indicating strong performance momentum.

SZSE:301327 Earnings and Revenue Growth as at Sep 2024

Taking Advantage

Click through to start exploring the rest of the 1496 Fast Growing Companies With High Insider Ownership now.

Are any of these part of your asset mix? Tap into the analytical power of Simply Wall St's portfolio to get a 360-degree view on how they're shaping up.

Take control of your financial future using Simply Wall St, offering free, in-depth knowledge of international markets to every investor.

Searching for a Fresh Perspective?

This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.The analysis only considers stock directly held by insiders. It does not include indirectly owned stock through other vehicles such as corporate and/or trust entities. All forecast revenue and earnings growth rates quoted are in terms of annualised (per annum) growth rates over 1-3 years.

Companies discussed in this article include IBSE:MPARK JSE:APN and SZSE:301327.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team@simplywallst.com
Vietnam and Hong Kong ICT Partnership to Foster Strong Industry Collaboration

HONG KONG, Sept. 2, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Vietnam ICT Service Conference 2024, organized by Vietnam ICT Alliance, will take place at Inno Centre, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong on September 24th - 25th, 2024. This event aims to strengthen industry collaboration and drive innovation by bringing together leading technology firms from Vietnam and major players in Hong Kong's ICT sector, addressing the critical talent shortage in Hong Kong's rapidly growing tech industry.

The Hong Kong Software Industry Association Limited (HKSIA) reports that Hong Kong's tech industry has been developing rapidly recently, fueled by government investments expected to reach US$31.2 billion by 2023 and an increasing demand for digital solutions. Despite this growth, the Talent Shortage Survey 2023 highlights a significant challenge: 74% of local enterprises are struggling to fill essential roles due to a severe talent shortage. In contrast, Vietnam, which produces approximately 57,000 IT graduates annually from 153 institutions, is emerging as a top destination for ICT talent. According to Kearney's Global Services Location Index (GSLI), Vietnam ranks a strong 7th in Asia, making it an ideal partner to help bridge the talent gap in Hong Kong.

By facilitating partnerships between Vietnamese and Hong Kong companies, the Vietnam ICT Service Conference 2024 aims to create a dynamic exchange of expertise, resources, and innovative solutions, ultimately benefiting the ICT sectors of both regions.

A space for networking and knowledge exchange

The Vietnam ICT Service Conference 2024 offers a unique opportunity for networking and knowledge exchange, with participation from over 200 companies. This event promises to be a key gathering of high-level executives, managers, and industry experts from across the ICT sector. Attendees will not only gain valuable insights from expert speakers but will also have unparalleled opportunities to connect with leaders in Hong Kong's IT industry. By joining this conference, participants can expand their professional networks, explore new business opportunities, and stay at the forefront of technological advancements, positioning themselves for future success in the rapidly evolving tech landscape.

Conference and Technology Consulting to Run in Parallel Tracks

One of the key highlights of the Vietnam ICT Service Conference 2024 is the participation of prominent speakers who will offer expert insights into the industry outlook for Vietnam and Hong Kong's ICT sectors. The conference will begin with a keynote on the Hong Kong IT market, delivered by Mr. Felix Kan, CEO of Cyberbay, who brings over 10 years of experience in cybersecurity. This will be followed by an in-depth analysis of Vietnam's IT landscape by Mr. Vu Van Tu, CEO of MOR Software. On the second day, Mr. Liam Nguyen, Head of Growth at AMELA Technology, will present an evaluation of key IT outsourcing hubs.

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The event will also feature success stories from Hong Kong companies collaborating with Vietnamese ICT firms, shared by Mr. Joseph Lam, Business Development Manager at LYF Consulting; Mr. Victor Sin, CTO of NextGen Solutions, with over 23 years of experience in software development; and Mr. Neil Chan, CEO of El Dorado. Between the keynotes and case studies, there will be a panel discussion hosted by Mr. Kyosuke Kawamura, CTO and Co-founder of Accel Hack from Japan, with all guest speakers participating in the conversation.

At the Vietnam ICT Service Conference 2024, attendees will have the opportunity to engage in 1:1 meetings with Vietnamese ICT companies to address questions related to collaborating with Vietnamese developers. The organizers highlight that Vietnamese outsourcing companies have a proven track record of over 10 years of successful collaborations with clients from the US, Europe, and Japan. These companies bring a wealth of experience across diverse fields such as web and app development, blockchain, IoT, machine learning, and the metaverse.

MOR Software was honored as Top 10 Vietnam ICT Companies

MOR Software JSC, honored as one of the Top 10 Vietnam ICT Companies in both 2021 and 2023, has solidified its status as a premier leader among Vietnam software outsourcing companies by consistently delivering world-class IT solutions to the global market. Complementing this, AMELA Technology , distinguished among the Top 10 Vietnam ICT companies in 2022, dominates the IT outsourcing market in Hong Kong and Singapore, delivering comprehensive technology solutions. HB Lab , based in Vietnam, excels in providing custom software solutions tailored to the dynamic needs of businesses. As part of the organizing committee, Fabbi JSC also showcases its expertise as an offshore development company, delivering high-quality IT outsourcing services to international markets.

AMELA Technology with a Team of Talents

This cohesive collaboration among leading Vietnamese ICT companies at the conference underscores their collective strength and commitment to driving innovation and fostering global partnerships.

About Vietnam ICT Alliance

The Vietnam ICT Alliance stands as a beacon of innovation and collaboration, dedicated to bridging Vietnam's ICT sector with the global market. It comprises leading technology firms in Vietnam, united by a spirit of solidarity and a "win-win mindset." In 2024, the Vietnam ICT Alliance, featuring key players such as AMELA, MOR, Fabbi, and HBlab, will bring their collective expertise to Hong Kong to organize the Vietnam ICT Service Conference.

Conference Information

Time: September 24th - 25th, 2024

Address: The Academy - Studio 1 & 2 of Inno Centre, 72 Tat Chee Ave Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong.

Register link: https://www.itosummit.com/vietnam-ict-service-conference

Cision

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/vietnam-ict-service-conference-2024-bridging-the-talent-gap-and-driving-innovation-302234794.html

SOURCE MOR Software JSC
FRANKFURT, Germany (AP)  Germany's Volkswagen says auto industry headwinds mean it can't rule out plant closings in its home country - and must drop a longstanding job protection pledge in force since 1994 that would have barred layoffs through 2029.

The European automotive industry is in a very demanding and serious situation," Oliver Blume, Volkswagen Group CEO, said in a statement Monday.

He cited new competitors entering the European markets, Germany's deteriorating position as a manufacturing location and the need to act decisively.

Thomas Schaefer, the CEO of the Volkswagen Passenger Cars division, said efforts to reduce costs were yielding results but that the headwinds have become significantly stronger.

European automakers are facing increased competition from inexpensive Chinese electric cars. The company's half-year results indicate it will not achieve its target for 10 billion euros in costs savings by 2026, the company said.

The discussion around closures and layoffs is for the company's core Volkswagen brand. The core brand saw operating earnings sag to 966 million euros ($1.1 billion) from 1.64 billion euros in the year-earlier period.

The group also includes luxury makes Audi and Porsche, which have higher profit margins than the mass-market vehicles made by Volkswagen, as well as SEAT and Skoda.

The company has sought to cut costs through early retirements and buyouts that avoid forced layoffs, but is now saying those measures may not be enough. The additional measures affecting plants or job guarantees would be negotiated with worker representatives.

A plant closing would be the first since its U.S. plant in Westmoreland, Pennsylvania closed in 1988, according to the dpa news agency.

Union officials and worker representatives attacked the idea of closings or layoffs. Management's approach is not only shortsighted, but dangerous, as it risks destroying the heart of Volkswagen, Thorsten Groeger, chief negotiator with VW for the IG Metall industrial union, said on the union's website.

Top employee representative Daniela Cavallo said that management has failed... The consequence is an attack on our employees, our locations and our labor agreements. There will be no plant closings with us.

The governor of Germany's Lower Saxony region, Stephan Weil, who sits on the company's board of directors, agreed the company needed to take action but called on Volkswagen to avoid plant closings by relying on alternative ways to reduce costs: The state government will pay particularly close attention to that, he said in a statement reported by the dpa news agency.
Billionaire investor Warren Buffett shared some career advice as his company, Berkshire Hathaway, hit a $1 trillion market cap  a milestone that coincides with Buffetts 94th birthday.

What Happened: The Oracle of Omaha has had a significant week. Berkshire Hathaway reached a market capitalization of $1 trillion on Wednesday. Buffett also celebrated his 94th birthday on Friday, with no intentions of retiring.

Buffett, who has led Berkshire Hathaway since 1965, offered his unique viewpoint on career decisions. He suggested to those seeking employment to take the job that you would take if you didnt need the job.

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"You want to be doing something you would do if you didn't need the money. And most people do need the money. But if you're in the position where you don't, you should be doing what you would if you didn't need the money," Buffett once told Fortune.

He added that he still finds joy in his role at Berkshire Hathaway, despite not needing to continue to work out of financial necessity.

Buffett admitted that his energy levels arent as high as they used to be, but feels lucky to be in an industry that allows him to continue working. He also confirmed that Greg Abel, his chosen successor, will assume control when he chooses to retire.

Trending: These five entrepreneurs are worth $223 billion  they all believe in one platform that offers a 7-9% target yield with monthly dividends

"I am fortunately in a business where even though my muscles are gone, my balance is gone, my stamina is gone, it doesn't make any difference in what I do, so I am very lucky in that way," Buffett added.

Why It Matters: Buffetts career advice comes at a time when his company has reached a significant milestone. His insights, drawn from decades of experience in the industry, could be invaluable for those navigating their career paths.

Furthermore, the confirmation of Greg Abel as his successor provides a sense of continuity for Berkshire Hathaway, ensuring that the company is in capable hands when Buffett decides to step down.

Read Next:

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This article Warren Buffett's Career Advice: 'Don't Think About Money, Take The Job That You Would Take If You Didn't Need The Job' originally appeared on Benzinga.com

 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.
Yuki Watanabe used to spend 12 hours every day toiling away in the office. And thats considered a short day.

A typical 9-to-9 workday is the bare minimum. The latest I would leave [the office] would be 11 p.m., said the 24-year-old, who used to work for some of Japans largest telecoms and e-payment companies.

So intense were the demands that Watanabe - who used an alias to speak to CNN, for fear of jeopardizing future job prospects - began to develop health problems. She had shaky legs and stomach issues.

She knew she had to quit, but there was one thing in the way: Japans notoriously top-down work culture.

Asking to leave work on time or taking some time off can be tricky enough. Even trickier is tendering a resignation, which can be seen as the ultimate form of disrespect in the worlds fourth-biggest economy, where workers traditionally stick with one employer for decades, if not for a lifetime.

In the most extreme cases, grumpy bosses rip up resignation letters and harass employees to force them to stay.

Watanabe was unhappy at her previous job, saying her former supervisor often ignored her, making her feel bad. But she didnt dare resign.

I didnt want my ex-employer to deny my resignation and keep me working for longer, she told CNN during a recent interview.

But she found a way to end the impasse. She turned to Momuri, a resignation agency that helps timid employees leave their intimidating bosses.

For the price of a fancy dinner, many Japanese workers hire these proxy firms to help them resign stress-free.

The industry existed before Covid. But its popularity grew after the pandemic, after years of working from home pushed even some of Japans most loyal workers to reflect upon their careers, according to human resources experts.

There is no official count on the number of resignation agencies that have sprung up across the country, but those running them can testify to the surge in demand.

I cant do this anymore

Shiori Kawamata, operations manager of Momuri, said that in the past year alone they received up to 11,000 enquiries from clients.

Located in Minato, one of Tokyos busiest business districts, the firm launched in 2022 with a name that seeks to resonate with their helpless clientele  Momuri means I cant do this anymore in Japanese.

At a cost of 22,000 yen (about $150)  or 12,000 yen for those who work part time  it pledges to help employees tender their resignations, negotiate with their companies and provide recommendations for lawyers if legal disputes arise.

Some people come to us after having their resignation letter ripped three times and employers not letting them quit even when they kneel down to the ground to bow, she said, in another illustration of the deferential workplace culture embedded in Japan.

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Pedestrians including office employees cross a street in Tokyo's Shimbashi area at lunchtime on April 1, 2021. - Charly Triballeau/AFP/Getty Images

We sometimes get calls from people crying, asking us if they can quit their job based on XYZ. We tell them that it is okay, and that quitting their job is a labor right, Kawamata added.

Some workers complain that bosses harass them if they try to resign, she said, including stopping by their apartments to ring their doorbell repeatedly, refusing to leave.

For another quitter, what would have been a straightforward business took a bizarre turn. The person was dragged to a temple in Kyoto by their boss. [The worker] was told to go to Onmyoji temple because they were cursed, she said.

Kawamata said people who reach out often work for small to medium-sized businesses, with those in the food industry most vulnerable, followed by healthcare and welfare.

Death by overwork

Japan has long had an overwork culture. Employees across various sectors report punishing hours, high pressure from supervisors and deference to the company. These employers are widely known as black firms.

Human resources professor Hiroshi Ono, from Hitotsubashi University Business School in Tokyo, said the situation had become so pressing that the government had begun publishing a list of unethical employers to hamper their ability to hire, and warn job seekers of the dangers of working for them.

There are some issues with black firms, where working conditions are so bad, theres no psychological safety, and some employees might feel threatened, he said.

More than 370 companies have been blacklisted by labor bureaus across the country since the list was published in 2017.

The stress has proven fatal for decades, as exemplified by a phenomenon called karoshi, or death by overwork.

According to the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, 54 people died from work-induced brain and heart conditions and were granted compensation in 2022, which is actually a major decline from the 160 recorded two decades ago.

But the number of people filing claims over mental stress at work is on the rise, shooting up to 2,683 from 341 over the same period of time.

A 31-year-old political reporter from national broadcaster NHK died in 2017 after suffering heart failure caused by spending long hours on the job. She worked 159 hours of overtime in the month before her death.

Five years later, a 26-year-old doctor from a hospital in Kobe died by suicide after working more than 200 hours of overtime in a single month.

Hisakazu Kato, an economics professor at Meiji University in Tokyo, said the country has labor laws in place to protect workers and make sure they are free to resign.

But sometimes the atmosphere in the workplace makes it difficult to say so, he said.

Changing youth work culture

So why did these resignation agents only emerge in recent years? That, experts say, is down to young peoples changing approach to work.

When one party is unhappy, you could end up in a divorce. But like a divorce, nobody is 100% faultless, right? Ono, from Hitotsubashi University, said.

As the country grapples with a labor shortage fueled by a rapidly aging population and declining birth rates, young people now have more say in the market than their predecessors.

Many of them no longer subscribe to older generations thinking that one should do whatever they are told regardless of the jobs nature, Ono said, adding that when there is a mismatch of expectation, they wont hesitate to quit.

But that doesnt mean they want to march into their bosss office and quit in a blaze of glory  preferring to let a third party handle it.

People commuting to work in the morning walk down a street in Tokyo on February 15, 2024. - Kazuhiro Nogi/AFP/Getty Images

I think that younger people these days are more non-confrontational, the expert said, noting that many have been deprived of social interactions at work due to Covid. As a result, young workers prefer to quit without having direct contact with their bosses.

But Ono suggested that its always good to have a discussion and not to burn bridges with employers, so he would recommend against accessing such services.

Kawamata, from Momuri, somewhat agreed.

We honestly think that our resignation agency service should disappear from society and we hope for that. We think its best if people can tell their bosses themselves, but hearing the horror stories of our clients, I dont think that our business will disappear anytime soon, she said.

For now, Momuri offers a 50% discount for those who seek their service to resign the second time.

Chris Lau contributed to this report.

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Vince Bzdek, executive editor of The Gazette, Denver Gazette and Colorado Politics, writes a weekly news column that appears on Sunday.
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.
A Colorado Springs man turned himself in to police on Sunday after calling 911 and claiming to have killed his wife, law enforcement officials said.

Stephen Chan, 79, faces first-degree murder and kidnapping charges, according to a news release from the El Paso County Sheriffs Office.

Just before 7 a.m. on Sunday, EPCSO operators received a call from a man who said he had killed his wife, the release stated. The man hung up, but a trace indicated that the phone was near Walsen Road in unincorporated El Paso County.

Not long after the first call, a second caller told law enforcement that a body had been dumped near the 600 block of Walsen Road. Responding deputies found a deceased female at that location.

The first callers phone number led to a possible address in the 13800 block of Horsetail Terrace in Colorado Springs. A Stephen Chan is listed at 13870 Horsetail Terrace.

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Colorado Springs police were called to make a welfare check at that address, but Chan had already turned himself in at the Falcon substation.

The victims name is being withheld pending official identification by the El Paso County Coroners Office. The investigation is still open, according to the Sheriff's Office.
A media release from the Glenwood Springs Police Department confirmed that police responded to a "violent event" at the Glenwood Meadows Shopping Center on Monday afternoon.

At a press conference several hours after the shooting Glenwood Springs Police Chief Joseph Deras confirmed that the suspect was deceased, and no one else was injured.

A press release from police earlier in the day stated that the suspect was in custody.

Deras stated that the shooting began when a Glenwood Springs police officer attempted to make contact with an individual who had a warrant, and that the individual drew a "high-capacity firearm" on the officer, leading to shots fired.

Police stated in the release that the area of the shooting will remain closed to the public for approximately eight hours.
Thieves smashed a stolen Kia into a southeastern Colorado Springs pawn shop and took off with an unknown amount of merchandise, police said Labor Day Monday.

Officers responded around 3:30 a.m., Monday to the First Cash Pawn at 1891 South Academy Blvd. near Chelton Road and found a stolen Kia smashed into the front of the building.

The vehicle was left on scene, but the suspect or suspects were gone when police arrived, Colorado Springs police Sgt. Mike Freeman said.

An employee working at the store around 11:20 a.m. pointed The Gazette to its corporate headquarters, based in Fort Worth, Texas, for more information about the incident. FirstCash Holdings, Inc. did not immediately respond to a voicemail late Monday morning seeking comment.

Colorado Springs news stations KRDO and KKTV reported the crash caused about $30,000 in damage to the front of the shop.

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Freeman told The Gazette merchandise was taken from the store but could not say what kinds of items were stolen, nor their total value.

KRDO reported an Xbox and other small items were taken from the store.

More than 20 smash-and-grab incidents have occurred across the city throughout the summer, mostly targeting vape shops and gun shops.

Six thieves most recently broke into Glass Act Smoke Shop along North Academy Boulevard in the early morning hours of Aug. 20, where they stole items from the shelves.

Local police have said they've seen similarities among smash-and-grab crimes in Colorado Springs.

Many involve stolen Kias, smoke shops and juveniles, with the youngest caught being only 12 years old, police previously said.

It is unknown whether juveniles are believed to have been involved in Monday's pawn shop theft.
Colorado Springs firefighters extinguished a fire at a downtown hotel Labor Day morning.

The Colorado Springs Fire Department posted on X at 7:11 a.m., Monday that crews were on scene at 714 North Nevada Ave. near East Monument Street, fighting a working second-alarm structure fire at an Econo Lodge hotel.

Second-alarm fires require more equipment and resources.

At 7:19 a.m., the department reported it had shut down a gas line and "knocked down the fire" at the back of the building.

By 7:45 a.m., the department said on X the fire is under control and fire investigators are responding to determine the origin and cause of the blaze.

Colorado Springs police were assisting with traffic control in the area.

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"There have been no reports of injuries related to the fire," Lt. Alan Vantland with CSPD said around 8:09 a.m.

Between 30-40 people staying at the hotel were temporarily evacuated and by 9 a.m. had been allowed to return to their rooms, the hotel's manager, Paul, who declined to give his last name, told a reporter on scene.

There was no damage to the interior of the building, he said.

Firefighters on scene about 9 a.m. were gathered around a gas meter at the back of the building, a reporter observed. A pile of what appeared to be soaking wet white towels lay on the asphalt, some with what appeared to be black singe marks along their edges.

Firefighters declined to provide further detail about the possible cause of the blaze, saying official word will come from the Colorado Springs Fire Department.

Police said travelers should seek alternate routes as several emergency vehicles are in the area.
Firefighters late Monday morning contained a structure fire in Peyton, northeast of Colorado Springs.

The Peyton Fire Protection District did not immediately return a voice message from The Gazette Monday afternoon seeking more information about the blaze.

Colorado Springs news station KKTV reported firefighters with the Peyton Fire Protection District responded around 11 a.m. to calls of a fire burning in Peyton. A shop caught fire and caused minor damage to a nearby home, but firefighters contained the blaze, the station said.

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One person was treated for smoke inhalation and later released, according to KKTV reports.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Fire crews from Peyton, Falcon, Calhan and Ellicott responded to the incident.
Khankendi reports highest voter turnout by 5:00 p.m., said head of the Information Center at the Central Election Commission, Azernews reports via Trend.





As such, voter turnout in Khankendi stood at 49.48 percent, he said during a briefing.





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.
Rachel Gabel is a longtime agriculture writer and the assistant editor of The Fence Post Magazine.
Fourth grade teacher Karina Hoppner works with her students in their teams on some math problems Thursday at Audubon Elementary School.
Luke Niforatos is the executive vice president of the Foundation for Drug Policy Solutions and an international drug policy expert.
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.
Until recently, Ascaris azure, known as the Diaz blueworm, and Ascaris tropica, known as the Costa Rican heatworm, were thought to be different species of roundworm. The heatworm is about 0.5 centimeters long, and lives within the bark of huge cecropia trees in Southeast Asian rain forests. The blueworm, barely visible with the naked eye, is found in frigid seafloors. Despite these apparent differences, the Institute of Helminthological Studies has officially stated that both species are actually Diaz blueworms.



Dr. Ginny Bolton, examining roundworm samples collected in Borneo, noticed that the heatworms tiny cilia (hairlike organelles) appeared to beat in a single direction, aiding in the expulsion of food. Dr. Bolton later determined that the cilia also made it much easier for the heatworm to live in the stifling confines of tree bark. The cilia project from a cuticle that is made of keratin, a protein that protects the worms epidermis from drying out and overheating. The cilia help regulate the proliferation of the keratin, and the force of the cilias movements varies as the external temperature changes, allowing for a highly responsive thermostatic system, constantly adjusting the amount of keratin so that the worm would be neither overexposed nor stifled.



Knowing that the only other roundworm with directional cilia is the blueworm, Dr. Bolton consulted with several blueworm specialists. The thermostatic system that served the heatworm so well proved to be identical to the one used by oceangoing blueworm. However, the blueworm, which has been known to colonize methane ice mounds, uses the keratin to protect itself from frigid temperatures. The cilia sensed when the temperature was high enough to allow the production of keratin to slow down. Without the surrounding wall of keratin, the worm can more easily graze on bacteria.



Genetic testing showed that the blueworm and the heatworm were not merely structurally similar; to the scientists surprise, the worms were identical. This was startling, not only because of their vastly differing habitats, but also because of the difference in size. The answer again was to be found in the keratin, a tough substance that normally inhibits growth, keeping the hydrostatic pressure very high within the worm. The relatively large worm found in the rainforest molts as it grows, allowing the worm to increase its volume a very small amount each time it does, but the smaller worm cannot afford this much exposure. The freezing temperatures trigger the production of keratin so quickly that the worm has little chance to grow, thus keeping its volume approximately one-fourth that of the larger worm.

We don't know anything about the food of roundworm.

The passage doesn't talk about hydro static pressure

We can't say this. We just know they are found in the barks of tree. Who knows if required, they could survive in ocean as well.

It is just the opposite of what is stated in the passage

Correct. " The freezing temperatures trigger the production of keratin so quickly that the worm has little chance to grow, thus keeping its volume approximately one-fourth that of the larger worm " --From here we can infer that keratin is replaced at a slower pace in roundworm than in blueworm.

Show Spoiler E

We know that cilia helps in the regulation of keratin. If the temperatures are freezing the level of keratin will be higher. Now higher levels of keratin inhibit growth. As a result, this choice is opposite of what is stated in the passage.

If the worm can't sense warm water, cilia would keep the levels of keratin high, thus warm would never freeze

Correct. " Without the surrounding wall of keratin, the worm can more easily graze on bacteria " -from here we can say that keratin barrier creates problem in the intake of food (bacteria). As a result as per the explanation given in option A above, if the levels of keratin are high, then the barrier will make it even more difficult for the worm to feed on anything.

How? If the worm can't sense temperature changes, then how will it do so?

hydro static pressure is not mentioned in the passage

Show Spoiler C

Incorrect

Incorrect

Incorrect

Correct. " Knowing that the only other roundworm with directional cilia is the blueworm, Dr. Bolton consulted with several blueworm specialists "

Incorrect

Show Spoiler D

The passage is concerned about the discovery

still being made?

wrong

Correct

wrong

Show Spoiler D

Not stated in the passage

Correct. " the blueworm, which has been known to colonize methane ice mounds, uses the keratin to protect itself from frigid temperatures. The cilia sensed when the temperature was high enough to allow the production of keratin to slow down "

some? wrong

hydro static pressure is not mentioned in the passage

wrong. blueworm are found in ocean

Show Spoiler B

1. It can be inferred from the passage that, compared to blueworms found in the sea, heatworms found in rainforests ___________.(A) do not graze on bacteria -(B) do not have high levels of hydrostatic pressure -(C) cannot survive in water -(D) have little chance to grow because of extreme temperature -(E) replace keratin more slowly -2. It can be inferred from the passage that if the cilia of a blueworm found on the seafloor were to become damaged, preventing the sensing of warmer temperatures, the worm ______________.(A) could grow to a length of 0.5 centimeters -(B) would be in danger of freezing -(C) might not be able to gain access to enough nourishment to sustain life -(D) would be forced to find its way to warmer temperatures -(E) would experience a sudden drop of hydrostatic pressure -3. According to the passage, researchers were able to make the discovery of the unlikely relationship between the two worms because of which of the following?(A) Both worms have mechanisms to produce keratin. -(B) Both worms exist in extreme temperatures. -(C) Both worms are researched by the Institute of Helminthological Studies. -(D) Both worms feature directional cilia. -(E) Both worms molt as they grow. -4.Which of the following is the primary purpose of the passage?(A) To present an overview of the function of keratin in roundworms -(B) To give an example of the kind of discoveries that are still being made in the natural sciences -(C) To show the ways in which scientists who are highly specialized need to work together -(D) To provide some of the details of a surprising scientific discovery -(E) To show how genetic testing is an invaluable scientific tool -5. According to the passage, in what way do the blueworms cilia aid the worm in coping with extreme heat and cold?(A) They help with the removal of food from the worms system. -(B) They provide a mechanism by which the production of keratin can be regulated. -(C) They collect the bacteria on which some blueworms graze. -(D) They keep the hydrostatic pressure within the worm high. -(E) They keep it securely attached to the bark of the cecropia tree. -
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.
GLADE SPRING, Va.  When a Glade Spring soup kitchen recently found itself in need, the community responded greater than anyone ever dreamed.

Debbie Bise, manager of the Southern Manna Soup Kitchen, along with other volunteers, organized a fund-raising dinner earlier this month to help raise money for a new stove.

And a wave of donations came forth.

Ask and ye shall receive, said Bise who is overwhelmed by the generosity of community members who have donated as much as $9,000 to the nonprofit that serves nearly 200 meals each Friday.

But, one of the greatest acts of kindness came from a Bristol, Virginia, businessman who visited the soup kitchen after learning about the need from an earlier article published by Bristol Herald Courier.

She (Bise) was trying to do this mass production with two older residential stoves. So, I decided I was going to buy them a new commercial grade range, said Bart Long of Bart Long & Associates Realty and Auction.

What they are doing at the soup kitchen is very important for the rural community, especially for seniors who cant travel to other resources, said Long.

Long purchased a ten-burner gas commercial range locally from Herbs Restaurant Supply and Equipment in Bristol, Virginia.

He also made arrangements for Air Movers in Bristol Tennessee to donate services to install a gas line to the soup kitchen.

The range was signed, sealed, and delivered last Thursday, said Long, who said hes thankful hes in the position to help others.

At the end of the day, weve been very blessed and I think were supposed to bless others in return.

According to Bise, all monetary donations from the dinner will go into the soup kitchens operating fund. My budget for last year was $20,000, she said.

Groceries are so high especially to feed 200 people. Most weeks I try to keep it under $400. Thats still only $2 a meal.

The manager said donations are still trickling in. I got another call today from someone whos sending money. They know we already have the stove but they still want to help.

Bise said she is grateful to the many people who want to help and to be part of their mission. One caller even wants to volunteer here at the soup kitchen, she said.

Our treasury was getting low. We were down to $539 before the fundraiser. I would have had enough for this weeks meal, but I was at the point where I constantly worried about whether we would have enough.

Now, we have enough, smiled Bise.

Southern Manna Soup Kitchen, located at 110 Town Square in Glade Spring (next to Surber & Son), serves meals from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Fridays.

To learn more about becoming a volunteer or how to make donations, call Bise at (276) 608-4873.
The town of Granite Falls announced that Linda Story, its former town manager, was awarded the Public Power Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2024 ElectriCities Annual Conference.

The award recognizes Storys significant contributions to public power and her many years of service to the community, Granite Falls said in a news release.

Storys career with Granite Falls began as the town clerk before she became the interim town manager in 1981 and the full-time town manager in 1982. A pioneer as one of the first female managers in North Carolina, Story led the town for over 27 years until her retirement in 2009.

During her tenure, Story was instrumental in securing approximately $10 million in grant funds, significantly enhancing town services and ensuring high-quality services for residents, the news release said.

Under her leadership, the town successfully navigated various challenges from infrastructure improvements to economic development initiatives.

We are incredibly proud of Linda Story and her many contributions to Granite Falls, said Mayor Caryl B. Burns.

Her dedication and leadership have left a permanent mark on our town. Receiving the Public Power Lifetime Achievement Award is a fitting recognition of her exceptional service.
CONCORD  In 2015, the Ruby Dickerson Whitfield Memorial Scholarship was created at Cabarrus College of Health Sciences to honor Ruby Dickerson Whitfield. This scholarship was established by her daughter, Connie King, and her husband, John King, highlighting Mrs. Whitfields lifelong dedication to assisting others.

Whitfield, born on Feb. 3, 1934, in rural North Carolina, was a woman of remarkable dedication and compassion. Raised by hardworking farmers, Mrs. Whitfield grew up with the values of hospitality and helping others, instilled by her parents, Walter Gray Dickerson and Amber Harris. These values guided her throughout her life and career.

Whitfields journey into nursing began in 1969, after feeling helpless during her fathers stroke. Despite the challenges of being a single parent, she excelled in nursing school and emphasized the importance of patient care and proper documentation. Her dedication to her profession was evident in her work at the Kernodle Clinic in Alamance County, where she was mentored by John Robert Kernodle.

On Aug. 27, 2024, Connie and John King endowed the scholarship in Whitfields honor with a generous donation to Cabarrus College of $50,000. The couple, both successful entrepreneurs and philanthropists, wanted to honor her memory and support aspiring nurses who shared her passion for helping others. The donation will allow the scholarship to expand its reach and impact, benefiting more students and communities in the future.

Dr. Kelly Propst, the interim president of Cabarrus College, praised the Kings for their generosity and vision, and said that their donation will help the college achieve its strategic goals. Ruby Dickerson Whitfield was a remarkable nurse and a role model for our students. She embodied the values of Cabarrus College and made a lasting impact on the health care community. We are honored to have a scholarship named after her, and we are grateful to Connie and John King for making it possible, Propst said.

Connie King, said that her mom was the most courageous and resilient person she ever knew, and that she never gave up on her faith or her mission to help others. I want to continue my mothers legacy by supporting the scholarship and encouraging more students to follow in her footsteps, King said.

To date, the Ruby Dickerson Whitfield Memorial Scholarship has provided more than $20,000 in financial support to nursing students at Cabarrus College.

Cabarrus College of Health Sciences is deeply grateful to Connie and John King for their generous donation and their continued support. Their contribution will make a significant difference in the lives of many nursing students who aspire to follow Mrs. Whitfields example of excellence, compassion, and service, said Christine Corsello, dean of Student Affairs and Enrollment Management.

Cabarrus College hosts a scholarship awards dinner each fall to honor all generous donors who support the education of students and the outstanding recipients who demonstrate academic excellence and leadership. The dinner gives donors and scholarship recipients the chance to meet, share their stories, and express their gratitude. It also showcases the impact of the scholarships on the students success and the colleges mission.

For more information on Cabarrus College of Health Sciences, visit CabarrusCollege.edu.
COMPANY NEWS: Fortinet reaffirms its commitment to train one million people in cybersecurity by 2026 through a first-of-its-kind partnership to equip Victoria Police veterans with essential cybersecurity skills.

Nicole Quinn, Head of Government Affairs, APAC at Fortinet

This partnership with Police Veterans Victoria (PVV) marks a first-of-its-kind partnership for Fortinet. As part of the Fortinet Training Institutes commitment to increase access to cybersecurity training, this new collaboration recognises the invaluable contributions of police members and helps to address the challenges of identity loss that can occur during their transition out of active duty. Fortinets Veterans Program is designed to close the cybersecurity skills gap with a more skilled, inclusive, and diverse workforce. We look forward to working with Solve Transition, who is helping lead the pilot, and PVV, as participants receive comprehensive training and certification, expanding their career opportunities in cybersecurity.

News Summary

Fortinet, the global cybersecurity leader driving the convergence of networking and security, today announced a partnership with Police Veterans Victoria to provide its comprehensive cybersecurity training at no cost to veterans of Victoria Police through the Fortinet Training Institutes Veterans Program. The collaboration aims to identify and train suitable police veterans for employment in the rapidly growing field of cybersecurity while also helping to address the current cybersecurity skills gap by creating a more skilled, inclusive, and diverse workforce.

Delivering advanced cybersecurity skills

Fortinets Network Security Expert (NSE) Certification program will be offered to Victoria Police veterans through this partnership, equipping them with advanced cybersecurity skills to meet the needs of an ever-changing threat landscape. This initiative underscores Fortinets commitment to enhancing cyber resilience globally through its extensive ecosystem of public and private partnerships.

Professor Neil Curtis, Chief Executive Officer and Founder of Solve Transitions, will provide one-on-one mentoring to individuals, ensuring a smooth and supportive transition into the cybersecurity industry.

Certification programs usher in next career phases for police veterans

The Fortinet NSE Certification program includes a range of self-paced and instructor-led courses, as well as practical, hands-on exercises. The certification program assesses specific levels of cybersecurity expertise, from foundational knowledge to advanced architecture.

Participants in this program will have access to various NSE courses, including Fortinet Networking Fundamentals (non-certification course), Fortinet Certified Fundamentals (FCF), Fortinet Certified Associate (FCA), and Fortinet Certified Professional (FCP).

A widening cyber skills gap threatens cybersecurity

According to Fortinets 2024 Global Cybersecurity Skills Gap Report, the cybersecurity workforce faces a significant shortage, with an estimated 3.4 million positions globally unfilled:

In Australia and New Zealand, 70 per cent of respondents believe that the cybersecurity skills shortage creates additional risks for their organisation.

Nearly 90 per cent of company leaders globally (87 per cent) said they experienced a breach that they can partially attribute to a lack of cyber skills.

This alarming skills crisis not only hampers organisations ability to defend against evolving cyber threats but also highlights the urgent need for targeted training initiatives. By partnering with Police Veterans Victoria, Fortinet is committed to equipping Victoria Police veterans with essential cybersecurity skills, facilitating their reintegration into the workforce and helping to bridge this critical skills gap.

Supporting quotes

This partnership between Police Veterans Victoria and Fortinet reinforces how important police veterans are to our society. We are excited to see how veterans move into the next phases of their careers with Fortinets support and commitment.

 Nicole Quinn, Head of Government Affairs, APAC at Fortinet

The transition from active duty to civilian life can be challenging for veterans, often leading to feelings of uncertainty and a lack of purpose. By providing the opportunity for police veterans to train in cybersecurity, these individuals are empowered to develop new, in-demand skills that not only enhance their professional qualifications but also instil a renewed sense of purpose.

 David McGowan, Chief Executive Officer, Police Veterans Victoria

As a police veteran myself, I understand as veterans engage with the complexities of cybersecurity, they can leverage their past experiences and discipline to thrive in this critical field. This opportunity not only opens doors to rewarding career prospects but also creates a sense of belonging within a growing community of cybersecurity professionals, helping them to redefine their identities post-service and make meaningful contributions to society.

 Professor Neil Curtis, Chief Executive Officer and Founder, Solve Transition

About Fortinet

Fortinet is a driving force in the evolution of cybersecurity and the convergence of networking and security. Our mission is to secure people, devices, and data everywhere, and today we deliver cybersecurity everywhere you need it with the largest integrated portfolio of over 50 enterprise-grade products. Well over half a million customers trust Fortinets solutions, which are among the most deployed, most patented, and most validated in the industry. The Fortinet Training Institute, one of the largest and broadest training programs in the industry, is dedicated to making cybersecurity training and new career opportunities available to everyone. Collaboration with high-profile, well-respected organisations from both the public and private sectors, including CERTs, government entities, and academia, is a fundamental aspect of Fortinets commitment to enhance cyber resilience globally. FortiGuard Labs, Fortinets elite threat intelligence and research organisation, develops and utilises leading-edge machine learning and AI technologies to provide customers with timely and consistently top-rated protection and actionable threat intelligence. Learn more at https://www.fortinet.com, the Fortinet Blog, and FortiGuard Labs.
COMPANY NEWS: Macquarie Technology today announced its results for the year ended 30 June 2024, which were in line with guidance.

Chairman Peter James said, Our 10th consecutive year of Ebitda growth is underpinned by the consistent execution of our digital infrastructure strategy.

Key Points

Ten consecutive years of Ebitda growth.

Group Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, and amortisation (Ebitda) of $109.1 million, an increase of 13.9% over the last 3 years.

Conversion of Ebitda to operating cash flows generated total operating cash flows of $117.8 million during the year. Strong 103.8% cash conversion of EBITDA into operating cash flows, after excluding tax received and interest.

Completed acquisition of 17-23 Talavera Rd, Macquarie Park for $174 million plus transaction costs, including a $90 million loan note from the vendor.

Successful institutional investor capital raising of $100 million to support acquisition of 17-23 Talavera Rd, Macquarie Park.

Capital expenditure was $51.1 million before acquisition of Macquarie Park driven by Growth Capex of $24.0 million, Customer Related Capex of $18.5 million and Maintenance Capex of $8.6 million.

Chief executive David Tudehope said, The acquisition of the Macquarie Park Data Centre Campus land, along with the $100 million equity raise, has positioned us for the growth of our digital infrastructure platform for the years ahead.

Outlook

The companys Ebitda is expected to grow in FY25, which would be 11 consecutive years of growth.

Due to demand from the AI megatrend, we are looking to increase IT load of IC3 SuperWest from 38MW to 45MW. This increase would take the campus from 56MW to 63MW (subject to regulatory approvals which are underway).

Access to 63MW of power is available upon opening of IC3 SuperWest.

Phase 1 construction cost is expected to be circa $350 million and will deliver powered core and shell along with 6MW of IT Load fitted out.

Expect Phase 1 construction of IC3 Super West to be completed by Q3 2026.

Our data centre assets have been aligned into a new corporate structure to facilitate future growth and external funding opportunities.

We are investing in our capabilities to support the growth in the MDC platform.

Focused on acquiring a new campus in Sydney to enable our growth plans to ensure capacity runway for our customers and prospects.

We see strong demand for cloud and cyber security services. However, the revenue and Ebitda growth rate in Macquarie Cloud Services and Macquarie Government will slow in FY25 due to US tech vendors increasing global pricing beyond CPI. We have not been able to fully pass on these additional costs to Government customers due to contract terms. We are addressing this in FY25 with new government contracts and changing to new tech vendors.

We are continuing to invest in people to grow our business.

Telecom business has evolved to a managed connectivity and network security business via SDWAN.

Telecom focused on maintaining operating efficiencies and generating free cash flow.

Group wide leveraging of AI internally and designing infrastructure and services to enable AI for our customers.

Depreciation and amortisation for FY25 is expected to be $49 million to $54 million. The net impact of the Keppel transaction is expected to decrease depreciation and amortisation by $1 million. Hosting depreciation and amortisation is expected to be at $40 million to $44 million and Telecom depreciation $9 million to $10 million in FY25.

The company plans to make further investment in growth and customer growth capex during FY25. Total capex before IC3 Super West is expected to be between $34 million to $40 million consisting of: Customer Growth - $20 million to $22 million, Growth Capex - $2 million to $4 million, Maintenance Capex - $12 million to $14 million.


Australian-listedf environmental intelligence technology company Envirosuite has announced that Hitachi Construction Machinery has agreed to invest $10m to acquire approximately 12% of Envirosuites share capital at a price of $0.058 per share.

Enviroauite says the deal is in accordance with a subscription agreement signed earlier today, withthe price representing a premium of 29% to latest closing price and a premium of 32% to the 7-day VWAP.

Under the Subscription Agreement, the shares will be issued in two tranches, with the first tranche of 158.5 million shares expected to be issued on or around 4 September 2024 under Envirosuites available ASX Listing Rule 7.1 placement capacity.

The second tranche is subject to shareholder approval under ASX Listing Rule 10.11, which will be sought at Envirosuites annual general meeting later this year.

Enviroauite says funds from this strategic investment will be used to advance the Companys EVS Industrial solutions and market penetration particularly in the mining sector, with a specific focus on delivering solutions that assist customers with site productivity improvements and their ESG priorities, including GHG reductions, through digital technology.

Envirosuite CEO, Jason Cooper said:



"We are thrilled to be launching into the top tier of global mining services with Hitachi Construction Machinery and their subsidiaries. Together, we expect to set new standards in operational management and environmental responsibility for the Mining industry globally which aligns strongly with both companies visions for a sustainable world.

The $10 million investment and Collaboration Agreement represents definitive industry validation of our technology at the highest level, and will showcase our ability to help customers achieve their productivity and ESG goals through an innovative site-wide digital solutions approach. This is a significant untapped opportunity in the Mining industry." Hitachi Construction Machinery Vice President and Executive Officer, President of Mining Business Unit Eiji Fukunishi said:

We are excited to be investing in a strategic relationship with Envirosuite. Their decades of experience and commitment to environmental and social responsibility while helping customers achieve their productivity goals aligns perfectly with Hitachis vision for ensuring a prosperous land and society for the future, and contributing toward realizing a safe and sustainable society.

Envirosuites culture of honesty, integrity and commitment to customers and the communities we all serve is the foundation of both of our businesses. Through this investment, we hope to leverage Envirosuites solutions, data scientists analytical capabilities, and its findings and know-how in subscription business in order to further refine Hitachi Construction Machinerys solutions in the Mining business."

Envirosuite also announced that Hitachi GM New Business Strategy and Wenco executive VP Eric Winsborrow has been appointed as a director of Envirosuite

Envirosuite said Eric Winsborrow brings over 30 years Silicon Valley experience to the Envirosuite Board of Directors, introducing next generation technology solutions to global markets for Networking, Cyber Security and Industrial IoT.

Envirosuite notes that Eric Winsborrow is currently responsible for helping to create and execute the long-term digital strategy for Hitachi Construction Machinery and group companies.

Prior to Wenco, Mr. Winsborrow was the CEO of Distrix Networks, a company that developed secure next generation sensor networks for the US Government and Industrial IoT customers worldwide. Mr. Winsborrow was also CEO of Shadow Networks, an advanced cyber security company using Software Defined Networks to deceive attackers that were already operating inside government and corporate networks.

Prior to running startups, Mr. Winsborrow served in senior product leadership positions of leading Silicon Valley companies such as Cisco Systems, Symantec and McAfee, introducing disruptive new technologies to customers globally, and served as an Entrepreneur in Residence for Yaletown Venture Partners, performing due diligence on over one hundred technology firms.

Eric Winsborrow majored in engineering physics and economics at McMaster University in Canada, and has an MBA in International Business from McMaster University and the Institute for International Studies in Japan.

Envirosuite CEO, Jason Cooper said: We are very pleased to welcome Eric to the board. He has helped steward the investment and collaboration with Hitachi Construction Machinery, and we deeply value his experience and contact network particularly in the North American and Asian regions. We look forward to working with Eric as we move forward into this new era for the Company.
Bendigo and Adelaide Bank has made some changes to its executive team to support the next phase of its strategy and deliver on its vision to be Australias bank of choice.

The bank says that after making significant progress on its transformation program, it is focused on tapping the strong pipeline of demand that exists for its products and services.

Bendigo and Adelaide Bank CEO and Managing Director Richard Fennell said the changes would support the Banks growth agenda while ensuring it retained its position as Australias most trusted Bank.

We have entered the financial year with momentum and growth on our side. This has been made possible by the strong foundations we have created by simplifying, modernising and digitising the Bank, Richard Fennell said.

The time is right to accelerate the next phase of our development by continuing to invest in the areas that will help us deliver sustainable growth such as our digital bank Up, the Bendigo Lending Platform and the Business and Agri transformation.

After carefully considering the capabilities we need to deliver against our objectives and to continue meeting the evolving needs of our customers, I am pleased to announce the following changes and additions to the executive team.

The bank also announced that Taso Corolis has been appointed Chief Customer Officer, Consumer Banking with a focus on continuing to drive portfoliogrowth and productivity enhancements for the benefit of our customers. Taso has fostered a deep connection with the customer since joining Rural Bank in 2008 and has been a strong advocate for our customers in times of difficulty, such as natural disasters and the pandemic. Taso has spent the last six years as the Banks Chief Risk Officer.

Bendigo Bank notes that Sarah Bateson has been appointed Chief Marketing Officer to form a new Brand, Marketing and Communications Division. - and will be based in Bendigo and brings with her considerable experience in leading Marketing and Customer teams in Australia and internationally.

Her experience is highly valued as the Bank unites its communication and marketing resources for greater impact. She will be a strong voice for creative growth at the Bank, as she continues to build national awareness for the Bendigo Bank brand and its purpose.

Xavier Shay has been appointed Chief Digital Officer in addition to his current role as CEO of Up. Xavier will bring together the Banks digital capabilities and will be responsible for driving greater penetration of our digital offerings across the Bendigo and Up brands.

Xaviers experience in leading high performing digital teams at Up and as Director of Payments Engineering and Analytics at Square will support the growth of the business and continue to improve returns for shareholders.

Bendigo Bank says the changes are effective immediately with the exception of the appointment of Taso Corolis, who will commence his new role on October 7 when he returns from a period of leave.

Richard Fennell congratulated the new appointments and additions to the executive team, saying renewal was important to ensure the Bank could continue to deliver on its purpose of feeding into the prosperity of its customers and the community.

Over the last five years the Bank has made significant progress in reducing complexity, investing in capability and telling our story, Fennell concluded.
Check Point Software Technologies Ltd . (NASDAQ: CHKP), a leading cyber security platform provider of AI-powered, cloud-delivered solutions, announces the appointment of Ruma Balasubramanian as President for the Asia Pacific & Japan (APAC) region. Ruma succeeds Sharat Sinha who left earlier this year to take on another role in the industry. She will lead Check Points overall business across APAC, collaborating closely with sales, marketing, product engineering, and customer success teams. With her extensive experience in cloud and digital transformation, Ruma is set to drive Check Points growth through strategic partnerships and innovative, AI-powered security solutions.

Rumas recent leadership roles at Google Cloud, where she managed high-growth segments across APAC, and her previous tenure as Vice President and Chief Transformation Officer for Ciscos Asia Pacific, Japan, and Greater China business, have equipped her with deep expertise in scaling technology solutions and driving market expansion. Her global background includes key roles at Hewlett Packard Enterprise Services, AT Kearney, and IBM, making her well-positioned to advance Check Points mission of delivering cutting-edge cyber security solutions tailored to APACs diverse needs.

Ruma is passionate about building inclusive teams and empowering women in technology fields. She serves as an Independent Director for RightShip, an ESG-focused digital maritime platform, where she chairs the Digital Transformation and Cyber Security Committee.

"Im thrilled to join Check Point at this critical time," said Ruma Balasubramanian. "As cyber threats become more sophisticated, its crucial for organisations to partner with a cyber security leader that enables them to securely scale through AI, data, and cloud. Check Points prevention-first approach and 3Cs frameworkcomprehensive, collaborative, and consolidated securitydemonstrate our commitment to innovation and trust."

Sherif Seddik, President of International Sales noted, "We are excited to welcome Ruma to our management team. Her experience in customer transformation and partner development makes her the ideal leader for our growing business in APAC as cyber security demand continues to expand. We are appreciative of Sharats contributions to our APAC business and wish him the best. We look forward to Ruma taking us to our next level of growth.
The New Azerbaijan Party is expected to secure over half of parliamentary seats, Azernews reports citing Trend.

This is evident from the exit poll results conducted by Italy's SWG S.p.A. research company.

According to SWG, 63 out of the 125 MPs to be elected represent the New Azerbaijan Party.

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.
For nearly 90 years, Social Securitys programs and services have been a lifeline to people throughout the United States, including the Hispanic community. Our retirement, disability and survivors benefits are just as important for Hispanics. Our Spanish-language website, Seguro Social, at www.ssa.gov/espanol, provides information for those whose primary language is Spanish. People can learn, in their preferred language, how to get a new or replacement Social Security card, plan for retirement, apply for benefits, manage their benefits and much more.

We also provide many publications in Spanish at www.ssa.gov/espanol/publicaciones. Popular topics include:

Retirement, disability and survivors benefits

Medicare

Supplemental Security Income

Social Security cards

Fraud and scams

Appeals

Benefits for children

Payments outside the U.S.

Customers who prefer to conduct business in Spanish can reach a Spanish-speaking representative by calling our toll-free number at 1-800-772-1213. For more information on how we support the Hispanic community, visit our "Social Security and Hispanics" webpage at www.ssa.gov/people/hispanics. Please share these resources with friends and family who may need them.

Medicare

Q: If I have a question about my Medicare bill, who should I contact?

A: First, contact your provider. If you are unable to get your question answered or the problem resolved, then contact 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). For more information about Medicare benefits, visit www.medicare.gov.

Q: How do I apply for Extra Help with Medicare prescription drug plan costs?

A: You have several options for applying. You can:

Apply online by visiting www.ssa.gov/medicare/part-d-extra-help.

Call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) to schedule an appointment to apply at your local Social Security office, apply over the phone, or request an application.

Anyone who has Medicare can get Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage. Some people with limited resources and income are also eligible for Extra Help to pay for the costs  monthly premiums, annual deductibles, and prescription co-payments  related to a Medicare prescription drug plan. Learn more at www.ssa.gov/medicare.
Update: Obiomachuckuka Njokanma was arrested Tuesday in Lincoln, according to a news release by the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services.

Law enforcement officials are searching for a woman who went missing from the Community Corrections Center-Lincoln on Sunday.

The Nebraska Department of Correctional Services said Obiomachuckuka Njokanma left the community custody facility  which allows inmates to participate in work opportunities, attend school or religious services  and did not return.

The Community Corrections Center-Lincoln is the lowest custody level and least restricted facility operated by the Department of Correctional Services.

Njokanma, 48, was serving 6-10 years for first degree assault and terroristic threats out of Lancaster County. She was scheduled to be released in 2026.

Njokanma is 5-foot-6 and approximately 260 pounds, according to the department.

Anyone with knowledge of her whereabouts is asked to contact local authorities or the Nebraska State Patrol.

Top Journal Star photos for August 2024
1. Yes. They look better and require less maintenance. Most high-end housing areas have them.

2. Yes. Wood fences can weather and look unsightly, plus masonry walls help to block sound.

3. No. Residents should have a choice of what kind of barriers are put up near their homes.

4. No. Allowing a variety of materials will be better for aesthetics, and costs may be lower.

5. Unsure. Its hard to say. Masonry walls may be sturdier, but mandating them is problematic.

Vote

View Results
Feature: China-built power station boosts green development in Cote d'Ivoire

Xinhua) 10:33, September 02, 2024

ABIDJAN, Aug. 31 (Xinhua) -- Rising from Cote d'Ivoire's Sassandra River basin, the Soubre hydroelectric power plant stands as the nation's largest hydropower facility.

Built by the Power Construction Corporation of China (PowerChina) and officially commissioned in November 2017, the landmark project has provided the region with clean, reliable power for nearly seven years, boosting economic growth and improving the lives of local communities.

With an installed capacity of 275 megawatts, the plant has already generated around 9.5 billion kWh of electricity, increasing Cote d'Ivoire's national power generation capacity by nearly 14 percent.

Kone Messamba, then-governor of the Soubre province, highlighted the plant's role in addressing power shortages and contributing to Cote d'Ivoire's aim of achieving emerging economy status by 2020. The station has also enabled the export of electricity to neighboring countries, benefiting the wider West African region.

Beyond energy production, the Soubre project has been a catalyst for social and economic empowerment.

Wazi Goffry, 20, an electrical engineering graduate and operator at the station, credits the project with providing invaluable job opportunities and skills training.

Deng Yue, PowerChina's deputy representative in Cote d'Ivoire, said during the construction phase, the project created over 3,000 direct jobs and 5,000 indirect posts.

The success of the Soubre station has led the Ivorian government to entrust PowerChina with downstream projects, including the Gribo-Popoli, Boutoubre, and Louga hydropower plants.

Many local workers who contributed to the Soubre's construction have since stepped into leadership roles at the new Gribo-Popoli hydropower station, showcasing the long-term benefits of the project.

Yao Michel N'guessan is one of the workers who rose from an electrician to a team leader through dedication and hard work. This achievement not only fulfilled his professional aspirations but also enabled him to support his two children and help his younger brothers pursue better education.

Deng further emphasized that the project has brought stable power to the residents of the Soubre region, greatly contributing to the growth of local industries, including food service, handicrafts, agro-processing and tourism.

Before construction, the project teams worked to minimize the disruption to local communities, reducing the number of affected villages from 38 to three.

Esther Siagbe, who moved to a resettlement village built by the Chinese company, now enjoys improved living conditions.

"Thanks to the Soubre station, we've moved into a new, bright, and spacious house with stable electricity," Siagbe said.

The project's design also integrated environmental considerations. The Soubre plant maintains an ecological flow to protect the Nawa Falls and downstream ecosystems, safeguarding local tourism and culture.

"The Soubre Hydroelectric Power Plant is our pride," said Bonaventure Tiegbe, former secretary-general of the Soubre provincial government, adding that the station has become a regional landmark, attracting tourists and uplifting the spirits of the local people.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
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.
Kevin Boone

They dont make em like that any more: the 3.5mm headphone jack socket

If it aint broke, replace it with something that is.

About five years ago I was suddenly, unexpectedly taken ill. Not just thats a bit nasty ill, but prepare for the worst ill. One thing that kept my spirits up in hospital, in the long watches of the night, was listening to comedy shows and audiobooks. I used my smartphone for this, since I had it with me, and a pair of old, wired headphones that I just had time to grab on my way to the ambulance.

I survived, of course, as evidenced by my continued ramblings on this site. But it was an unpleasant experience, made just a little better by a simple piece of technology: the 3.5mm headphone jack.

Now, of course, I do own wireless headphones and earbuds  I think almost everybody does. I also own several of those irritating USB dongles, that provide a 3.5mm port for devices that dont have one. But heres the problem: I cant use my Bluetooth earbuds while theyre charging. And I cant easily charge my phone whilst its connected to the USB dongle. In a critical-care facility, its hard enough to find one free mains socket to connect a charger to, let alone two.

In the debate about the benefits of wired and wireless headphones, I doubt anybody is thinking What if I get sick? It certainly wasnt something I was thinking, either, until I actually did. Still, that experience made me think about all the advantages of having a headphone jack, some of which Id thought about before, and some I hadnt.

Sound quality is better. Maybe that wont always be the case, but it is now. All decent headphones have an analog jack.

Almost any headphone or earphone will work with almost anything with a standard jack socket. That isnt the case for USB dongles. Maybe that wont always be the case, but it is now.

I can use the headphone jack to connect my phone or tablet to an amplifier, should the need arise. For certain headphones, that need does arise.

I can charge my phone whilst listening to music, which I do all day.

I dont have to carry around a stupid dongle, which I will invariably lose.

Ordinary wired earbuds can be small enough to wear whilst sleeping. Ive never seen Bluetooth earbuds that are.

The headphone jack is a just works kind of technology: theres nothing complicated about it, and its not encumbered by patents, so anybody can make compatible equipment.

So, although What if I get sick? probably isnt at the top of the list of questions that will guide your buying decision, we have to wonder what other things we lose, by replacing a well-established, robust technology with a complicated, flaky one.

On the other hand, the advantages of doing away with the headphone jack are:

Your cellphone is about ten pence cheaper.

Er thats it.

What makes the loss of the headphone jack so hard to bear is that it wasnt done for the consumers benefit. To be sure, manufacturers made certain claims about the alleged benefits of losing the jack, but few of them stand up to much logical scrutiny.

The first manufacturer to make a point of dropping the headphone jack (I believe) was not Apple  as is commonly believed  but Oppo, and back in 2014. Their reason for doing so was at least a credible technical one: they said it made their phones about half a millimetre thinner. Maybe that was a selling point, maybe it wasnt. But Apple couldnt fall back even on this claim, because people found ways to fit a 3.5mm jack socket into the iPhones that lacked one, and even posted videos on Youtube showing how they did it. It wasnt easy, but it was clearly possible. If Apple genuinely thought that omitting the jack would leave more room for other features, they didnt actually provide any.

Its notable that a number of companies mocked Apples decision to drop the headphone jack, before quietly doing the same themselves: Samsung and Google in particular. Samsung even cynically tried to withdraw all the advertising in which they had mocked Apple. Of course, nothing is ever really gone on the Internet, so we can continue to marvel at Samsungs barefaced duplicity.

Some manufacturers claimed that the presence of the headphone jack made it difficult to keep their phones waterproof; but theres a whole range of good-quality phones from around 2019-2020 that are waterproof to a reasonable degree, without sacrificing the jack.

No. All of these weak excuses are simply distractions from the real reason Apple, Samsung, and Google dropped the headphone jack: they all have a substantial investment in the manufacture of wireless headphones.

Apple owns Beats  this was a multi-billion dollar investment, in a company that manufactures Bluetooth headphones.

Samsung owns Harmon, which is know for the Harmon-Kardon and JBL audio brands. Again, these were multi-billion dollar acquisitions for Samsung, in companies with a strong interest in wireless audio.

Google owns Synaptics, Dysonics, RevX, and Tempow, all of which are active in the development of wireless audio. Google also hired Peter Liu from Bose, who was one of the original developers of the Bluetooth Low Energy specification.

It is very much in the interest of companies like Apple, Samsung, and Google to encourage their customers to buy into wireless Bluetooth headphones. Or, better yet, to force them to do so, by taking away the means to do anything else. After all, their executives have to justify the billions of dollars theyve spent, acquiring suppliers and developers of wireless audio equipment.

The 3.5mm headphone jack has almost nothing to recommend it, technically speaking. It was criticized by hi-fi enthusiasts almost from its inception. The only things it has going for it are its simplicity, and the fact that everybody uses it. Well, everybody outside the world of mobile gadgets, anyway. This simplicity and ubiquity is a great benefit to consumers, which is why Apple, et al., dont want to provide it  they have nothing to gain if consumers spend less money on their products.

The loss of the headphone jack would have hurt even if there were good technical reasons for it. As it turns out, there are none  its just another cynical way for big businesses to gouge consumers. A side effect of their strategy is that wired headphones themselves are becoming less available, as cellphone users were until recently major purchasers of these devices. Its not difficult to get top-quality headphones with a jack  they all have one; but there are fewer and fewer mid-priced wired earbuds on the market.

The way to discourage companies behaving this way is for us all to take our business elsewhere. Its still possible to get decent cellphones from Motorola, Asus, and Sony that retain the 3.5mm jack. I dont believe that anything recent from Apple, Samsung, or Google has one, for reasons I explained earlier. Still, there are older cellphone models from these suppliers that do have a jack, and which are still good phones. I own the Samsung S10+, S10e, and Note 9, for example. Theyre a few years old, but they still do everything I want and more.

If youre a fan of the 3.5mm jack, its time to vote with your wallet.
Experts and people in the space industry say NASA's decision to send Boeing's Starliner capsule home without astronauts was not unexpected. They also said it follows years of problems with Boeings space business.

Taking NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams to the International Space Station (ISS) was supposed to have been a turning point for Starliner. The operation had suffered years of delays and technical problems.

Reuters news agency examined financial securities reports for Boeing and reported on what it had found. Reuters estimated that Starliner has cost Boeing $1.6 billion in cost overruns since 2016.

The Starliner spacecraft was launched from Cape Canaveral, Florida, on June 5. Astronauts Wilmore and Williams were to stay at the ISS for about eight days. But problems with Starliner have extended that NASA mission to eight months.

Starliner's propulsion system failed, and NASA judged the thrusters were not safe to attempt a return to Earth with a crew.

Instead, NASA announced that a SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule will return Wilmore and Williams to Earth in early 2025. SpaceX, led by Elon Musk, is the other company that NASA has contracted to develop crewed space vehicles. The June mission was meant to be a final test for NASA to approve Starliner for normal spaceflights.

Questions for Boeing and its leadership

Boeing's new leader Kelly Ortberg now must decide whether to continue developing the program or sell it. Ortberg also faces problems from failures by the companys airplane manufacturing business.

NASA administrator Bill Nelson said he spoke to Ortberg recently. Nelson reported that the talk left him completely sure that Starliner would fly astronauts again.

Reuters asked Boeing representatives if the company would stay in the program after Starliner's current operation. A Boeing spokesperson chose not to comment on the question, telling Reuters that the company is centering its attention on getting the spacecraft back safely.

"I am not sure the decision will ultimately be NASA's," said Lori Garver. Garver is a former NASA deputy administrator and a main designer of NASA's Commercial Crew Program.

Ortberg started as Boeings leader on August 8. He is trying to persuade Boeing workers, investors, airlines and the public that safety problems at the company are now under control.

Experts say Boeing will probably keep Starliner in operation. They say this is partly because Boeing has experienced similar cost overruns in its defense business.

In the future, Starliner could serve customers other than NASA. These could include operators of private space stations meant to replace the ISS after 2030.

NASA faces decisions

NASA considers Boeing an important backup to Musk's SpaceX.

Boeing has spent more than half of its $4.5 billion NASA contract, which was given in 2014. Starliner has not yet received certification, or final approval for normal use. The contract includes six Starliner missions after the capsule is certified. Although the contract has a fixed price, NASA increased its value by $300 million.

SpaceX's Crew Dragon was certified in 2020. It has carried out 10 missions for NASA with a crew. The companys first contract was worth $2.6 billion. NASA bought more Crew Dragon missions to take the place of Boeing's delayed missions. As a result, the value of SpaceXs contract rose to $4.9 billion.

Boeing may have to carry out the same astronaut mission to the ISS again in order to get NASA certification for the capsule. The company already had to repeat an uncrewed 2022 mission at a cost of nearly $500 million. It has been five years since Starliner's first uncrewed test failed because of several important software problems.

In 2019, NASA's inspector generals office estimated both companies cost per mission. It said Crew Dragon's mission price of carrying one astronaut into space was about $55 million while Starliner's cost was $90 million.

Questions about workforce and suppliers

For years, Boeing's space business has been losing skilled employees. Many former employees joined competitors SpaceX and Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin. Ten people who spoke to Reuters and who worked for Boeings space business said the company's structure made designing spacecraft more complex than it is for SpaceX.

Boeing, in a statement to Reuters, said the company is proud of its Starliner workforce. It also said that it has admitted problems with its workforce and with suppliers when reporting on its earnings to shareholders.

Throughout Starliner's development, the propulsion system and sometimes the software have failed. New problems were found just hours before the spacecraft made its first attempt to launch this summer. Helium gas, used to pressurize the propellant, was leaking through a small opening.

NASA considered the leak low risk. The agency permitted Starliner to launch. But officials said the propulsion system had a "design vulnerability" that Boeing must deal with before its next mission.

The Space Launch System, or SLS, is another problem for Boeing's space division. The SLS is expected to be the launch vehicle for Americas program to return to the moon. But the program has faced years of delays and is billions of dollars over budget.

NASA's inspector generals August report said there were deep problems with quality control at Boeing. The report added that Boeing's SLS workforce in Michoud, Louisiana, lacks enough "aerospace production experience, training, and instruction."

A Boeing representative said the company disagrees with much of the report, "including any suggestion that our Michoud workforce is unqualified."

Unlike Starliner, NASA pays the cost of delays and development problems with SLS. Inspector general reports have repeatedly said that the cost overruns are not fully known because NASA does not account for them correctly.

NASA is trying to give ownership of SLS to Boeing and co-contractor Northrop Grumman to bring the costs down. However, experts say such a deal is unlikely.

Richard Aboulafia is an aerospace business adviser. He said Boeing's other businesses are strong, but he wonders about its space division. He thinks Ortberg will negotiate with NASA to make Starliner workable. However, he is not persuaded that that move is the right one.

"If I were an adviser to Kelly Ortberg, which I'm not, I'd say...for space, well boss, you might want to consider selling it," Aboulafia said.

Im Caty Weaver. And I'm Mario Ritter.

Joey Roulette reported this story for Reuters. Caty Weaver adapted it for VOA Learning English.

Quiz - Experts Question Boeing's Space Business after Starliner Failures Start the Quiz to find out Start Quiz

____________________________________________

Words in This Story

capsule  n. a part of a spacecraft that carries astronauts or the most important equipment in the vehicle system

overrun n. a situation when more money is needed to complete a project than had been planned

mission n. a space flight (or an official task) which as a specific set of goals and requirements

propulsion n. a system that causes a vehicle to move

thruster n. a device that helps control a spacecraft in space

backup n. another choice that can be used if something fails

vulnerability n. a weakness

instruction n. things that need to be taught to a person so they can complete a task
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.
First Lady of Ukraine Olena Zelenska congratulated Ukrainian schoolchildren on the new school year. The President's wife recorded a video message not only for students but also for those who have long since completed their studies at school.

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"Even adults wake up on this day with childlike anticipation of new things: impressions, acquaintances, emotions. So I congratulate all of us, both former and current students, on the beginning of the new school year, on the fact that our country has once again won it for new generations of children," she said on her official Telegram channel.

Zelenska appeared in front of the camera wearing a milky embroidered shirt made of natural linen and covered with black floral patterns. The model by the Ukrainian brand Gaptuvalnya is a loose-fitting shirt.

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The symbols on the embroidered shirt are traditional Rozha embroidery inspired by ancient Ukrainian ornaments. "Rozha (or rose) is a talisman of a person's spiritual roots. We have brought the traditional ornament into the modern age while remaining faithful to the ethnic heritage," explained the brand's representatives. The price of the product is UAH 9,500.

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A stand-up collar, which can be tied with thin ribbons, adds an accent to the sophisticated look. However, the first lady did not cover her neck with a collar, instead wearing a minimalist piece of jewelry  a shiny round pendant on a silver chain. The look was complemented by massive earrings.

Zelenska has been seen in such an elegant outfit before. Last year, the president's wife chose a white and black Gaptuvalnya embroidered shirt to celebrate Flag Day.

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The first lady fell in love with embroidered shirts from the Ukrainian brand: for example, in the spring of 2024, she wore a delicate white model for Vyshyvanka Day.

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Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
Japanese officials have signed the act of unconditional surrender, finally bringing to an end six years of world war.

In the presence of 50 Allied generals and other officials, the Japanese envoys boarded the American battleship Missouri in Tokyo Bay to sign the surrender document.

Within half-an-hour of the signing, a convoy of 42 US ships entered Tokyo Bay and landed 13,000 American troops.

The Supreme Commander of the Allied powers, US General Douglas MacArthur, briefly addressed the dignitaries on the deck of the battleship urging them to comply with the terms of the surrender fully, promptly and faithfully.

He continued: It is my earnest hope and, indeed, the hope of all mankind, that from this solemn occasion a better world shall emerge out of the blood and carnage of the past; a world founded upon faith and understanding, a world dedicated to the dignity of man and the fulfilment of his most cherished wish, for freedom, tolerance and justice.

He also referred to the nuclear bomb attacks on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, saying they had revised the traditional concept of war. The world had had its last chance, he said, and if it did not devise some greater and more equitable system Armageddon would be at its door.

Under the terms of the ceasefire, Japan has agreed to end all hostilities, release all prisoners of war, and comply with the terms of the Potsdam declaration, which confines its sovereignty to the four main islands which make up Japan.

It has also agreed to acknowledge the authority of the US supreme commander. Although Emperor Hirohito will be allowed to remain as a symbolic head of state.

From today the occupying force will be rapidly increased to about 500,000. British landing forces are expected to be relieved by US Army troops within a few days. Some will return home to Britain, others may be deployed for the reoccupation of surrendered ports.

Courtesy BBC News

In context

The Allies celebrated victory over Japan on 15 August 1945, and that date as well as 2 September are both known as VJ Day.

Japan enjoyed a series of early victories from its entry in the war at Pearl Harbor in December 1941, followed by the conquest of Hong Kong, Burma, the Philippines, Malaya and Borneo.

But the war effort drained the countrys economy and hardship prevailed. By 1943 defeats at Midway and Guadalcanal the previous year had contributed to Japans decline.

Japan suffered further defeats in 1944, then in March 1945 Tokyo came under sustained assault from US bombers. Tens of thousands died and much of the city was razed to the ground.

On 6 August 1945, the US dropped the first atomic bomb on Hiroshima and three days later a second on Nagasaki. With that and the Soviet declaration of war on 8 August, the Japanese were forced into a surrender that was virtually unconditional.

Emperor Hirohito offered to take the blame for war atrocities committed by the Japanese at a meeting with General MacArthur later in September 1945 but his offer was rejected. He was never tried for war crimes, instead the Americans used him to help push through some democratic reforms that transformed Japanese politics.
Chief Executive candidate Sam Hou Fai emphasized the numerous hopes and demands of Macau residents during a meeting with cultural subsector members from the Chief Executive Election Committee on Saturday.

The former top judge said that, in light of significant internal and external structural changes, Macau faces a range of challenges that impact its development and prosperity.

The general population has many new demands and expectations for a better life, which places greater demands on the SARs governance, Sam stated, according to a press release from his campaign office.

He sought insights and support regarding the development of the citys news media and cultural sectors during the meeting, which was attended by 24 committee members at the headquarters of Macau Daily News.

Participants proposed various initiatives, including increased investment in cultural resources, enhancing cultural exchanges between China and the West, and promoting a tourism + culture strategy. They also discussed the importance of establishing a cultural platform connecting Macau and Hengqin to elevate the citys cultural status.

Some members of the cultural sub-sector have put forward proposals to increase investment in cultural resources, tap the unique advantages of cultural exchanges between China and the West, increase art exhibition facilities and revitalize existing resources.

The nomination period began on Aug. 29 and will continue until Sep. 21.

His bid has garnered support from several prominent political figures, including first Chief Executive, Edmund Ho, and other notable legislators and NPC deputies, underscoring a strong backing for his campaign.

Since yesterday, Sam has been reaching out to gather opinions from a wide range of social sectors. He invites xwritten feedback regarding his candidacy through specified channels to his campaign headquarters, as cited in a press statement released yesterday. Staff reporter
As Macaus population continues to age, researchers argue that the region needs to adopt a smart aging support platform to better meet the growing demand for elderly care services.

A study published in the Journal of Public Administration in Macau proposes an integrated, technology-driven system to provide a network of intelligent care for the elderly. The study, conducted by researchers from the City University of Macau and Liaoning University, suggests that Macaus current institutional care model is unable to meet the real needs of its aging population.

Existing institutional care in Macau is unable to meet real needs, the study states.

The proposed smart aging platform aims to link the demand-side needs of the elderly with supply-side service providers and management systems. On the demand side, the platform seeks to address seniors physiological, safety, emotional, esteem, and self-realization needs. The supply side would facilitate cooperation between government agencies, medical institutions, and private companies.

The management side comprises four modules: feature development, operational management, information management, and evaluation and feedback, striving to realize the systematic operation of the smart elderly care platform and create a robust intelligent ecosystem, the researchers added.

The study stresses the importance of laws ensuring elder rights and interests for successful intelligent care. It also calls for market research and senior-friendly technologies, such as hands-free phones and voice command devices.

An open, inclusive, favorable, and respectful environment is needed to encourage seniors participation and stimulate demand, the researchers say.

While the platform faces challenges in design, data integration, and privacy protection, the researchers assert that effective connections between terminals can improve the quality of life for seniors and alleviate social and family burdens. The platform connects multiple institutions, so its operation requires mutual collaboration, the study concludes. Victoria Chan
Taiwan investigators are expected to rule on the further detention of a former leader candidate amid graft allegations that have sparked minor street protests by his supporters.

Ko Wen-je, chairman of the Taiwan Peoples Party, was held overnight and had a hearing yesterday.

Supporters gathered outside the prosecutors office in Taipei, holding signs and chanting slogans demanding Kos release and alleging judicial oppression. Investigators refused Kos 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 Kos 2014-2022 term as mayor. Kos 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 years election, which was won by the DPPs 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. CHRISTOPHER BODEEN, TAIPEI, MDT/AP
The Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO) led a delegation to the Holiyaay! Travel Fair 2024 in Surabaya, Indonesia, showcasing Macau as a premier travel destination. The office has set up a Macau Pavilion, highlighting a diverse range of Tourism + experiences aimed at attracting Indonesian and Southeast Asian travelers. As one of Indonesias largest consumer travel fairs, hosted by the Indonesian Travel Agents Association (ASINTDO), this event ran from Aug. 29 to Sep. 1. MGTOs participation is expected to elevate Macaus international profile and boost visitor numbers from Indonesia.

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Non-Chinese permanent residents can apply for car entry permits to Guangdong province, marking a significant shift in cross-border travel policies as of yesterday.

The northbound driving scheme, which began in late December, permits private cars to cross the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge into Guangdong. At its launch, up to 80,000 vehicles were eligible for the scheme.

In a statement, the Transport Bureau stated that foreign residents from Macau and Hong Kong are required to have a valid permit to enter mainland China and must possess a motor vehicle registered in their name.

According to the Guangdong Department of Transport, from July 1 to August 8, the Zhuhai end of the bridge recorded nearly 3 million entries and exits, with over 600,000 car crossingsan increase of 62% and 74%, respectively. Both figures set new records.

Under the scheme, a vehicle should stay no longer than 30 days on one trip each year 180 days in Guangdong Province, which is the only provincial jurisdiction open to the scheme.

The scheme allows a maximum of 2,000 cars per day, with Secretary for Transport Raimundo Arrais do Rosario noting that the daily quota is usually met only on weekends.

Since the entry permit system launched on July 10, more than 30,000 foreign applicants from Macau and Hong Kong have booked their visits to mainland China, according to the National Immigration Administration (NIA).

The newly issued permits are valid for five years and allow multiple entries, with each visit lasting up to 90 days. Holders of these permits have reported swift customs clearance on the same day they received their permits.

The immigration authorities aim to enhance exchanges between mainland China and Hong Kong and Macau through this initiative.

Updated with additional details about the scheme
Gaming operators reported a significant rebound in gross gaming revenue (GGR) for August, reaching MOP19.8 billion (USD2.46 billion), a 14.8% increase year-on-year and a 6.2% rise from July, according to the Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau (DICJ). This figure, which is the citys second-best post-pandemic revenue, represents 81.5% of the GGR recorded in August 2019, when revenues were at MOP24.3 billion ($3.02 billion).

The month-to-month growth can be attributed to seasonal trends, as the summer vacation period typically sees increased visitor numbers and gaming activity. Moreover, August benefited from an advantageous calendar, featuring five Fridays, five Saturdays, and four Sundays, leading to 14 weekend days compared to just 12 in July.

For the first eight months of 2024, total GGR reached MOP152.1 billion ($18.9 billion), marking a 33.4% increase from the same period last year.

Despite the positive trends, analysts caution that a recent crackdown by authorities on illicit money exchange operations may pose challenges. Vitaly Umansky, an analyst at Seaport Research Partners, noted that this crackdown could deter some visitors and negatively impact money flow into Macau. However, he anticipates that the situation will stabilize in the medium term.

Macaus gaming sector is also facing scrutiny regarding its economic dominance.

Former top judge Sam Hou Fai, poised to become the citys new leader in October, expressed concerns about the unchecked expansion of the gaming industry, suggesting that a lack of diversification could harm the territorys long-term development.

He emphasized the need for a balanced approach to economic growth, warning that reliance on a single industry could limit opportunities for the younger population.

The government projects that the citys GGR for casinos in 2024 will reach MOP216.0 billion.

As of August, the casino sector has generated MOP133 billion in revenue. Nadia Shaw
Pedestrian safety has come under the spotlight in Macau as calls grow for stricter traffic laws and harsher penalties in the wake of a disturbing accident caught on video.

Macau has seen a concerning spike in traffic accidents, with the latest government data showing a 24.3% year-on-year increase in July, resulting in 1,405 accidents and 491 injuries. The worrying trend has continued in the first seven months of the year, with 9,071 accidents, two fatalities, and 3,212 injuries.

The issue came to the forefront last Friday, when a 24-year-old woman was struck by a car while crossing a zebra crossing in the Ilha Verde district.

According to the Public Security Police (PSP), the woman suffered various injuries including to her head, but no life-threatening injuries.

The 50-year-old driver, who passed a breathalyzer test, failed to yield to the pedestrian, and no brake marks were found at the scene.

Footage of the incident, which has circulated onto social media, shows the vehicle approaching the crossing without slowing down, colliding with the unsuspecting pedestrian.

The incident has sparked public outrage, with calls for stricter regulations and harsher penalties for reckless driving. These people should be permanently suspended and must be severely punished! commented one social media user, echoing the sentiments of many who are calling for harsher consequences for this sort of behavior.

Lei Chong Sam, a member of the Transport Consultative Committee, emphasized the need for the authorities to review and strengthen existing traffic regulations. As far as the authorities are concerned, I hope they will be able to tighten up the law enforcement. I think that is the way to improve road safety, he said.

Another user shared multiple dash cam videos showing close calls at zebra crossings, writing, I hope the law enforcement departments can take a square look at the traffic chaos, it is not just a matter of one or two times. Drivers should remember that they have a powerful machine in their hands, and pay more attention to the pedestrians, then there will be less accidents.

One of the videos shows two young girls under the age of 10 holding each others hands while crossing a zebra crossing, as a reckless car zoomed straight past them, almost hitting the two children. The close calls of these incidents caused the comment sections to erupt in outrage over the lack of regulations and penalties for road safety.

Support heavy sentences! If Macau is really serious about this, there would not be so much chaos in Macau, no demerit points system, no heavier penalties, no matter what you say #TransportAffairsBureau, said one comment.

Lei that the ongoing road projects could be contributing to the problem, as vehicles and pedestrians are forced to share the road due to construction.

He has called on the authorities to review and strengthen the existing traffic regulations. He also suggested the installation of speed bumps at zebra crossings as a measure to enhance pedestrian safety. Victoria Chan
The meeting between Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov and Serbian Foreign Minister Marko ?uri? has commenced, Azernews reports citing the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The discussions are taking place as part of Serbian Foreign Minister ?uri?'s official visit to Azerbaijan.
The World Health Organization (WHO) hosted a consultation meeting from Aug. 28 to Aug. 29 in Seoul, South Korea to discuss the draft of the WHO Traditional Medicine Strategy 202534. Over 50 representatives from 20 member countries participated, focusing on integrating traditional medicine into health systems. Dr Saia Mau Piukala, WHOs regional director, emphasized the role of traditional medicine in addressing health challenges exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic. Macaus World Health Organization Collaborating Center for Traditional Medicine director Mo Hui, amongst other representatives from Macau, highlighted advancements in regulatory frameworks for traditional Chinese medicine. The finalized strategy will be presented at the 78th World Health Assembly in 2025.

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Question: How can the Upper Midwest get such high dew points every year?

Answer: The dew point temperature is a measure of the amount of water vapor in the atmosphere and is also a good way to tell how uncomfortable you might feel on a hot day. Hot days and high water vapor contents are a serious health risk for some. High water vapor content is also a key fuel for severe thunderstorms.

There are three primary sources of water vapor that address this question: advection of water vapor largely from the Gulf of Mexico, evaporation over the Great Lakes, and transpiration from corn fields. The contribution from the Great Lakes in summer is minimal in comparison with the other factors, except maybe near the shorelines.

Southerly winds help bring warmer temperatures to the Upper Midwest, but they also transport moisture from the Gulf of Mexico. This leads to higher dew points over Wisconsin and the Midwest. Studies have demonstrated that summertime precipitation in the Midwest is strongly correlated with the strength of this Great Plains low-level jet stream, which transports relatively warm, moist air northward from the Gulf of Mexico.

Transpiration is the release of water vapor from plant leaves. Transpiration has three main steps: The plants roots take water up from the soil, the water moves through plant tissues, and the leaves release water vapor into the air through their stomata. During summer months, maturing cornfields become a huge source of water vapor to the atmosphere. Studies suggest a single acre of corn can transpire 3,000 to 4,000 gallons of water per day. On calm days, an analysis of dew points over the Midwest can identify the location of the Corn Belt. This transpiration by corn is sometimes referred to as corn sweat.

Together, these factors can result in summer dew points in the low to middle 70s for the Upper Midwest.
Eden Turner Education/Politics Reporter Follow Eden Turner 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

TWIN FALLS  At the close of the 2020 general election that November, Idaho heard the results before local elections offices began counting ballots, said Kristina Glascock, Twin Falls county clerk.

Across the country, voters demanded ballot recounts, banging on the glass doors of their county offices and threatening the safety of election officials.

But locally, in Twin Falls, Glascock said that none of the 37,028 voters asked for a recount, considering how the results were spread. In Twin Falls, 25,897 voters cast ballots in support of the former president, Donald Trump, while 9,391 voters supported President Joe Biden.

To me, Idaho just doesnt have the issues that you see (nationally), she said. Even the voting equipment that we use has to certified federally and through the state before you can even use the equipment Were very fortunate to live in Idaho.

Overall, the state counted 287,021 votes toward President Joe Biden and 554,119 toward former president Donald Trump.

Cyrl Lootens, Jerome county clerk, said many residents had questions about what they were seeing on the national news. He remembers residents asking about absentee ballots that hadnt been counted yet, and repeating rumors about ballots being counted multiple times.

None of these things happened in Idaho or in our county, Lootens said.

Recently, there has been an increased usage of terms such as election fraud, election denial and voter security. But Glascock told the Times-News this shouldnt be a concern on the forefront of voters minds.

Local election offices follow a series of checks and balances while preparing and carrying out an election season. New laws are passed every year to ensure the security of ballots. Recently, the Idaho Legislature updated regulations and prohibitions regarding voter registration, public logic and accuracy tests, ballot harvesting and electioneering.

We do what we always do, Glascock said.

Heightened awareness for safety

Glascock has noticed a heightened awareness for personal, physical and cyber-safety during elections after what happened in the U.S. in 2020. As the county clerk, she works with local law enforcement to ensure poll workers remain safe as they help people exercise their right to vote on election day.

We train the poll workers (and say), If theres an issue, dont be afraid to call 911, she said. We tell them their personal safety is No. 1.

Lootens said that Jerome is providing escalation training for chief judges at each polling place. If a voter is angry or upset, the chief poll worker should be able to talk them down from a crisis. If that approach doesnt help, poll workers can ask the sheriffs office for assistance.

Over the years, Glascock said that new safety measures have been implemented due to the change of time. Currently, the elections office is remodeling the early voting office to provide additional safety features for poll workers.

Neither Glascock nor Lootens anticipate major safety concerns on Nov. 5, but both believe everyone involved should remain prepared.

Objective information key

After the results of the 2020 elections were made official, Twin Falls Commissioners Don Hall, Jack Johnson and Brent Reinke, along with other local officials, sent a letter to former Idaho Attorney General Lawrence Wasden, urging him to join Texas in suing Pennsylvania, Georgia, Michigan and Wisconsin to challenge the of the states election results.

We as a commission sent a letter to the Attorney General to look at the constitutionality and legal issues surrounding the election, Commissioner Hall told the Times-News. We knew there were some shenanigans occurring in other states.

Wasden rejected the proposal, stating after the fact, as reported by Idaho Press  I defended the state of Idaho, I defended our sovereignty, I defended the Constitution, both the United States and the states constitutions.

Commissioner Reinke said that commissioners have to act as conduits of information to the public. Reinke doesnt think that commissioners opinions influence those of the residents, especially leading up to election season.

Its something we try to be careful about, he said. The public should vote on how they want to vote.

Jerome County Commissioner Charles Howell agreed with Reinke.

As county commissioner, I try not to be involved in the political part. Giving (the public) correct and accurate information is very important, Howell said.

Burnout an issue

After the 2020 elections, many poll workers and election officials faced major burn-out. Not only was it a tough year for election administration as they mailed absentee ballots during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, managed PPE protection, and maintained rising stress levels, in Jerome county, the older poll workers did not want to return for another election season.

Were they burned out, or was it just a coincidence? Im not sure, but either way, we did struggle for help for quite a while, Lootens said.

Leading up to elections, he said that Jerome county residents are willing to help, but they dont continue volunteering once the election is over. Its a struggle to find poll workers during primary seasons.

Glascock mentioned that election administrators tend to leave their role because of the harassment they face. In April, the Bipartisan Policy Center reported a significant increase in election administration turnover rates since 2004. The turnover rate was 38.7% in 2022  the highest since the study began.

Between burn out, stress and harassment, Glascock said its difficult to find people to work in these positions.

At some point, it does take a toll when youre trying to do your job, youre doing the best you can, youre upholding the laws, and youre still seeing people harassing you, Glascock said.

It makes it harder to get people to want to work elections, and it takes a lot of poll workers to work elections.

As Twin Falls County gears up for the November election, Glascock said theyll need 200 poll workers to monitor polling locations throughout the city and surrounding areas. During general elections, voter turnout increases, and Twin Falls expects 80-85% of registered voters will fill out a ballot in November.

Lootens said the biggest challenge since 2020 has been trying to maintain confidence in elections with the public. As residents tune into national news and concerns, their opinions can become influenced by what they learn.

Still, Lootens and the rest of the Jerome County election team reassure voters that they are available to answer any questions that may arise leading up to the November election and afterwards.

It goes back to people watching the national news and seeing sensational headlines and stories that are either not true, or are not in any way related to Idaho elections, he said, but it doesnt stop people from asking questions and being concerned.

We are happy to answer questions and show (the public) that we are doing things right. Our elections are secure and true.

Glascock said that the more she and the election office can make information available to the public, the more they will understand their vote matters. She and other county clerks vouch for and support each other, especially when things become challenging. At the end of the day, she and her colleagues have a job to do  to ensure that every resident can exercise their right to vote.

You have to make sure everybody has the right to vote, can show up and feel safe and secure administering their sacred ballot. We have to protect that right to democracy, she said.

I think with democracy, you have to accept the results of the election, which is key. If we lose that, weve lost control of our democracy.

Your news on your smartphone Your story lives in the Magic Valley, and our new mobile app is designed to make sure you dont miss breaking news, the latest scores, the weather forecast and more. From easy navigation with the swipe of a finger to personalized content based on your preferences to customized text sizes, the Times-News app is built for you and your life. Dont have the app? Download it today from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.
Zoho Corporation, a leading global technology company, recognizes the significant growth opportunities for Philippine businesses through effective software solutions. According to Statista, leveraging digital technologies could unlock US$101.3 billion in annual economic value by 2030 in the Philippines. However, the digital skills gap among the workforce remains a key challenge. As Zoho continues to innovate with new product features and AI enhancements, it remains crucial for us to engage customers actively, ensuring their employees are equipped with the necessary skills to maximize the benefits of our solutions.

This year, Zoho has intensified its training and outreach initiatives to enhance the technological capabilities of employees in Philippine businesses. Zoho CRM, the companys flagship product for managing sales processes and customer relationships, hosted a Customer Experience Workshop in Manila. This event trained over 100 attendees, helping them explore the softwares extensive features and set up automated workflows to improve process efficiency. Beyond Manila, Zoho expanded its reach by organizing Discover Zoho, an introductory workshop highlighting key Zoho products, in Cebu. Additionally, Zoho participated in DEVCONs 2024 Summit in Mindanao, further extending its engagement with the local tech community.

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Zohos User Conference, Zoholics, convenes in Manila with the biggest attendance in South East Asia

In our constant effort to engage more closely with our customers, Zoho hosted its annual user conference, Zoholics, on August 30, 2024, at Edsa Shangri-La in Manila. The event featured four distinct tracks covering customer experience, developer tools, collaboration solutions, finance, HR, and various other applications essential for business operations. Attendees benefited from insightful presentations by Zohos product teams, live demonstrations of product updates, and engaging customer panels where Philippine business owners shared their experiences with Zoho solutions.

With over 400 attendees, the Manila edition of Zoholics remains Zohos most highly attended event in the region. This underscores the vibrant enthusiasm within the Manila business community for discussions on digital transformation and their proactive search for support across various Zoho products. This event culminates Zohos extensive local engagement initiatives in the Philippines, facilitating direct interaction between users and our product teams. It serves as a cornerstone in nurturing stronger relationships with our clients and partners.

Zohos Enhanced Top Products in the Philippines

In the dynamic business landscape of the Philippines, Zohos suite of products continues to thrive, with year-over-year customer growth exceeding 20%. Zoho is positioned as a trusted partner for businesses embarking on their digital transformation journey. For more than a decade, Zoho has integrated AI (Zia) across its product portfolio, leveraging proprietary technology hosted on its private cloud to drive Generative AI capabilities within Zoho solutions now. The key products favored by businesses in the Philippines include:

Zoho CRM: Streamlining customer relationship management and sales processes, Zoho CRM enhances interactions with customers. Powered by Generative AI, users can extract and summarize key information from customer records, provide predictive deal analysis, create personalized emails and templates, and perform grammar checks, among other functionalities. Attendees at Zoholics Manila will also be the first users in Zouth East Asia to preview CRM for Everyone, a new update to Zoho CRM that will help businesses improve the customer journey, by reducing communication gaps, shorten turnaround time and improve the quality of customer experience that can be delivered by existing teams. Zoho One: Offering an integrated suite of over 40 applications, Zoho One is the preferred choice for organizations seeking comprehensive solutions to streamline operations and enhance productivity. Zoho Workplace: Empowering teams with collaboration and communication tools, Zoho Workplace supports efficient teamwork and project management. Generative AI enhances productivity tools by suggesting headlines, titles, improving word choices, punctuation, and content length in documents. Additionally, users can ask questions within Writer and seamlessly integrate answers. Zoho Desk: Ensuring exceptional customer support and ticket management, Zoho Desk enables businesses to deliver superior service. Leveraging Generative AI, customer management agents can automatically summarize tickets, analyze customer mood based on tone, generate replies from knowledge base articles, and more, significantly boosting agent effectiveness and efficiency. Zoho Creator: Enabling businesses to develop custom applications without coding, Zoho Creator provides flexibility and customization tailored to unique business needs.

Accelerating Growth: Zohos Vision for the Future of Philippine Business

Zoho remains committed to driving the digital transformation journey for Philippine businesses, empowering them with innovative solutions and robust support. As we look ahead, we are dedicated to expanding our local presence, fostering deeper engagements through educational initiatives and community partnerships. With our comprehensive suite of products and unwavering commitment to customer success, Zoho is poised to continue playing a pivotal role in shaping the future of business operations in the Philippines.

Zoho Privacy Pledge

Zoho respects user privacy and does not have an ad-revenue model in any part of its business, including its free products. More than 100 million users around the world, across hundreds of thousands of companies, rely on Zoho everyday to run their businesses, including Zoho itself. For more information, please visit: https://www.zoho.com/privacy-commitment.html
The Group of Seven (G7) countries expressed strong support for the Philippines following the latest collision incident near Escoda or Sabina Shoal, reiterating their strong condemnation of Chinas destabilizing actions against Manilas vessels in the West Philippine and South China Seas.

In a statement, US State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller recounted multiple incidents throughout August 2024, where the Peoples Republic of China (PRC) aggressively interfered with lawful Philippine aerial and maritime operations in the regional waters.

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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, Miller said.

He reiterated the US unwavering commitment to the Philippines, reaffirming that Article IV of the 1951 United States-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty covers armed attacks on Philippine armed forces, public vessels, or aircraftincluding those of its Coast Guardanywhere in the South China Sea.

The European Union (EU) also released a statement supporting the Philippines. It denounced the collision incident as an endangerment to the safety of life at sea and a violation of the right to freedom of navigation and overflight, rights that all nations are entitled to under international law.

The EU condemns all unlawful, escalatory and coercive actions that undermine these principles of international law and threaten peace and stability in the region. The European Union calls for de-escalation of tensions, and remains committed to supporting its partners seeking to exercise their legitimate rights, in the region and beyond, it said.

Japan, South Korea, France, Australia, and New Zealand also called out China and urged it to respect international laws, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the 2016 Arbitral Award, which is legally binding on the parties.

Another unacceptable development around Sabina Shoal. Any harassment & actions which increase tensions or obstruct freedom of navigation are not tolerated, Japan Embassy in the Philippines said in an X post.

This latest incident, with a CCG (China Coast Guard) vessel ramming a Philippine vessel, is profoundly troubling and fits a recent pattern of dangerous and destabilising actions in the region, the New Zealand declared.
TAIPEIA Taiwanese court on Monday ordered the release of a former Taipei mayor and presidential candidate arrested over the weekend as part of a graft probe, citing insufficient evidence to justify his detention.

Ko Wen-je, leader of the Taiwan Peoples Party, ran as a third-party candidate in Januarys presidential election, winning about a quarter of the vote.

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But he was arrested Saturday over his alleged role in a property development scandal that occurred when he was mayor of Taipei from 2014 to 2022.

The Taipei district court ruled Monday that prosecutors did not have enough evidence to continue detaining Ko, saying there is still room for other reasonable explanations for the evidence presented by prosecutors.

The level of a high possibility of committing the crime is not reached, the court said in a statement after Ko was released.

It cannot be concluded that the defendant knowingly violated the law.

After his release, Ko told reporters outside the court there was no evidence of his involvement in the property scandal.

Ko has repeatedly denied all wrongdoing in that case, but he and his party have acknowledged that campaign funds used during his presidential run were misreported  a separate issue that has emerged in recent weeks.

He apologised to his followers last week over this revelation, announcing Thursday he was taking a three-month personal leave from the partys leadership role.

During the January election, TPP garnered eight seats in Taiwans fractious parliament, securing it a kingmaker status in the legislature.

Neither the ruling Democratic Progressive Party nor Kuomintang, Taiwans largest opposition group, won enough seats for a clear majority.

Earlier this year, TPP and KMT passed controversial reforms that sought to expand the parliaments powers, with proponents arguing it was needed to curb corruption.

The reforms  opposed by DPP  are currently being reviewed by Taiwans constitutional court.
KYIVUkraine said Monday it had downed 22 Russian missiles headed towards Kyiv and two other regions overnight during an attack in which two people were wounded.

In the northeastern city of Sumy, a social welfare center for children and an orphanage suffered damage after a missile strike on Sunday evening, injuring 13 people including four children, the mayor Oleksandr Lysenko said on Telegram.

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On Sept. 2 overnight, the Russian occupiers carried out a missile attack on Kyiv, Sumy and Kharkiv regions using ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and anti-aircraft guided missiles, and attacked with Shahed-type UAVs from the south, the Ukranian air force said.

It said Ukrainian defence forces had shot down nine ballistic missiles, 13 cruise missiles and 20 attack drones.

Kyiv mayor Vitali Klitschko said two adults were injured and four cars caught fire from falling debris.

Vyacheslav Gladkov, the governor of Russias Belgorod region which borders Ukraine, said an overnight aerial attack by Ukrainian forces wounded one person and damaged a shop and an infrastructure facility in the eponymous capital Belgorod.

Last week, NATO countries condemned indiscriminate heavy Russian strikes across war-battered Ukraine, the Western military alliance said, after a meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Council in Brussels.

Russia fired a wave of attack drones and missiles at Ukraine on Monday and Tuesday, killing at least 11 people and battering the countrys already weakened energy grid.

NATO members reaffirmed their commitment to stepping up their military aid to Ukraine, NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg said, following the meeting of ambassadors with Ukrainian officials at Kyivs request.

We must continue to provide Ukraine with the equipment and munitions it needs to defend itself against Russias invasion. This is vital for Ukraines ability to stay in the fight, Stoltenberg said in a statement.

Several NATO countries also called for lifting restrictions on Kyivs use of weapons supplied by Western allies, especially long-range missiles, to help Ukraine better defend itself against deadly strikes, a diplomatic source said.

Ukrainian Defence Minister Rustem Umerov briefed allies about the situation on the ground, NATO said.

The Ukrainian army is struggling in the east, where Russian troops have been steadily advancing for several months.

The Russian army has captured several towns and villages in recent days, even as Moscow scrambles to fight off a Ukrainian counterattack into its western Kursk region.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has called for European air forces to help Kyiv down drones and missiles in the future.

In our various regions of Ukraine, we could do much more to protect lives if the aviation of our European neighbors worked together with our F-16s and together with our air defense, Zelenskyy said.

The air attacks on Ukraine are some of the largest in recent weeks, with 15 Ukrainian regions targeted by a total of 236 missiles and drones, Kyiv said, of which it claimed it shot down 201.
A correctional officer who worked in McDowell County was charged with eight counts of a child sex offense on Tuesday.

Andrew Clay Devinney, 30, of Morganton, was charged with eight counts of second-degree sexual exploitation of a minor, according to warrants filed at the Burke County Courthouse.

Charges against Devinney came after a joint investigation by the Burke County Sheriffs Office and the FBI after allegations were made about the distribution of child pornography, according to a release from the sheriffs office.

A search warrant was executed at his home on Ridge Court. A second search warrant was executed at another location, the release said. The release did not specify the second location.

The arrest warrants said Devinney sent videos of unknown girls ages 8-14 engaged in various sex acts to at least one person.

Devinney has been a corrections officer for the North Carolina Department of Adult Correction since 2017, according to information from the department. Brad Deen, a spokesperson for the agency, said Devinney is on investigatory leave with pay. He could be separated from employment, pending the outcome of the investigation or he could resign before the investigation is over, the release said.

Devinneys bond was set at $500,000 secured, the release said.
On September 2, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva visited the city of Kalbajar to inspect the construction of a residential complex that will provide housing for 524 families, Azernews reports.

To be updated....




The United Nations allocated $100 million from its Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) on Friday to support critically underfunded humanitarian operations in some of the worlds most pressing crises.

Over a third of the funds are earmarked for Yemen and Ethiopia, receiving $20 million and $15 million respectively. These allocations aim to address severe humanitarian needs, including hunger, displacement, diseases, and climate-related disasters affecting civilians in these regions.

Myanmar will also receive $12 million, Mali $11 million, Burkina Faso $10 million, Haiti $9 million, Cameroon $7 million, and Mozambique $7 million.

Countries like Burundi and Malawi, facing El Nino-induced drought and flooding, will also benefit, with $5 million and $4 million allocated respectively. Some of this funding will support climate-smart humanitarian efforts.

Joyce Msuya, acting Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, noted the critical need for these resources. In too many emergencies, a lack of funding hinders aid agencies from delivering life-saving assistance, which is heartbreaking, she said.

CERF funding provides a crucial emergency cash injection to prevent the worst and save lives when other humanitarian resources fall short. We urgently need increased and sustained donor support for these underfunded crises.

This $100 million allocation marks CERFs second for underfunded emergencies in 2024. The first allocation of the same amount was made in February for seven countries, including Chad, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Honduras, Lebanon, Niger, Sudan, and Syria.

OCHA noted that the combined $200 million allocated this year is the lowest in the past three years, highlighting a growing gap between humanitarian needs and available funding.

The global humanitarian community seeks approximately $49 billion this year to aid 187 million vulnerable people. So far, only 29% of this funding has been secured, leaving a shortfall of $35 billion.
In South Africa, Sunday, September 1, marks a historic moment as Judge Mandisa Maya, 60, begins her tenure as Chief Justice, becoming the first woman to lead the judiciary and head the Constitutional Court. This appointment is a landmark achievement, as the position has traditionally been occupied by men.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has appointed Maya, who was previously the Deputy President of the Supreme Court of Appeal, to this prestigious role. Her appointment is seen as a significant step forward for gender equality in South Africas judicial system.

Thoba Poyo-Dlwati, president of the South African branch of the International Association of Women Judges, expressed optimism about this milestone. She stated, This appointment recognizes that women are equally capable of holding top leadership positions within the branches of government. In 1994, there were only a few female judges out of 174, and none were Black. Today, of 248 judges, 115 are women.

Although there is still progress to be madesuch as the fact that only five out of fifteen highest court magistrates are womenthis appointment provides hope. It signifies a shift in attitudes and serves as an inspiration for women judges and future generations. With continued efforts to challenge stereotypes and advance gender equality, we can expect further improvements in the representation of women in the judiciary.
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An extract of the concordance used to connect the expenditure information provided by the SLHD and the financial information contained within the inputoutput table. A value of 1 represents a connection between the sector in the row and the sector in the column, a value of 0 designates no connection between the sector in the row and the sector in the column. Credit: Frontiers in Public Health (2024). DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2024.1386826

Health care is a leading contributor to the world's carbon footprint. New analysis on the environmental impact of two common heart procedures shows it is possible to make changes within cardiac care, without compromising on quality of health care.

A team of researchers at the University of Sydney, including a sustainability analyst, a sociologist and cardiologist, has been able to map the carbon footprint of a cardiac patient, from hospital admission to discharge.

The study found that in Australia, the carbon footprint of a patient with two blocked heart vessels going to hospital for elective open-heart surgery was 4.9 times greater than a patient receiving a coronary stent (a tube used to keep open a blood vessel).

This is the first time researchers have been able to compare the carbon footprints of two clinical procedures that included the patient's entire stay at a hospital.

"The aim is never to compromise quality of care; but to introduce carbon emissions as one of the possible considerations in decision making, especially as this issue becomes more relevant to everyone's health," said senior author Professor David Celermajer, from the Sydney Medical School, and Charles Perkins Centre.

The analysis in Frontiers of Public Health uses a mathematical method known as EEIO (environmentally extended input output) analysis, that paints a more systemic picture of health care's carbon footprint than previously available. This was because it treats a patient's stay as not isolated to the immediate impacts of a single medical procedure and considers the full supply-chain impact of the patient's stay in hospital.

The calculation considered the intricate systems behind health care, including the greenhouse gases emitted to support each step of the patient's stay at the hospital. This included greenhouse gases produced to conduct medical tests, manufacturing and delivering surgical equipment and supplies, as well as disposing of the resulting waste.

The researchers say EEIO is a valuable tool to help map carbon footprints in health care for other medical fields, not just cardiology.

"The results offer a unique and more complete picture of the full climate change impact of health care," said the study's first author Dr. Fabian Sack from the Sydney Environment Institute and the Centre for Integrated Sustainability Analysis, in the School of Physics.

"Health care contributes to seven percent of Australia's total carbon footprint. The study shows medical professionals that, armed with the right data, we can keep both patient and planet in mind when it comes to clinical decisions and health care administration, and without compromising standards of care," he said.

Professor David Celermajer , who is also from Royal Prince Alfred Hospital said, "Clinical decision making is complex and is driven mainly by the likely medical outcomes, as discussed between patients, their families and their doctors.

"We hope that our findings will influence patients and doctors to also consider carbon emissions, as a part of their decision-making processesespecially where two alternative treatment choices may have quite similar medical outcomes.

Deputy Director of the Sydney Environment Institute, Professor Danielle Celermajer, said, "This landmark study provides a crucial proof of conceptthat the method we used can offer medical professionals and policymakers alike a holistic picture of the environmental impact of health care.

"As the impacts of fossil fuel emissions on all aspects of life, including on human health, become ever greater, communities are going to have to take seriously the contributions that all industries make to those emissions. How and to what extent we factor in emissions profiles into institutional design and decision making are critical questions that lie before us; but we cannot begin to answer them without the data," she said.

"This research is pointing to how we can more efficiently and effectively collect that data."

More information: Fabian Sack et al, Healthcare-related carbon footprintinglower impact of a coronary stenting compared to a coronary surgery pathway, Frontiers in Public Health (2024). DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2024.1386826 Journal information: Frontiers in Public Health
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The Food and Drug Administration approved and granted emergency use authorization on Aug. 22, 2024, for the newest, updated version of the COVID-19 vaccine. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention quickly endorsed the new shot to protect against severe illness.

The 2024 summer wave of COVID-19 cases is a good reminder of why people need to stay up to date with their vaccines.

As the fall and winter seasons approach, the usual seasonal respiratory viruses, including flu and respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV, will also be on the rise. Vaccines are now available to help protect against these viruses.

The Conversation asked epidemiologist Annette Regan to explain why officials recommend that people get these shots over the coming months.

What strain is the new COVID-19 shot based on and why?

The COVID-19 vaccine has been updated several times since the original shot in 202021 to keep up with how the SARS-CoV-2 virus is changing.

In September 2023, the CDC recommended that all people get the newly updated vaccine that was designed to protect against XBB.1.5, the variant that had been dominant in the U.S. that summer, regardless of whether they had received all recommended shots in the past.

Now, in August 2024, the XBB.1.5 variant is no longer around and has been replaced by the KP.2 and KP.3 variants, which make up more than 60% of variants currently detected.

Moderna and Pfizer both made updated formulations of the COVID-19 shot that target this new KP.2 variant. It is a monovalent vaccine, which means it includes only the KP.2 strain.

This strain was selected because it was the most common variant at the time the choice was made. Even when new variants such as KP.3 emerge, we researchers expect the updated vaccine to protect against the newer strains. For example, the 202324 vaccine was designed to target the XBB.1.5 strain, and studies showed that it continued to protect against the JN.1 variant that later emerged.

COVID-19 is still killing hundreds of Americans every week.

The CDC recommends a single shot for everyone 6 months and older, with some exceptions. Children 6 months to 4 years old who have not received any prior shots of COVID-19 vaccine still need two or three shots of the updated 202425 vaccine. Adults 65 and older and children and adults with certain health conditions may require an additional shot as well.

People who recently had a SARS-CoV-2 infection may consider delaying their shot for three months after the illness, since risk of reinfection is thought to be low during the months after infection.

How did the 2023 updated vaccine perform?

Recent studies have shown that people who received the 202324 vaccine were 54% less likely to develop symptomatic COVID-19 illness, 39% to 51% less likely to visit an emergency department or urgent care with COVID-19, and 50% to 53% less likely to be hospitalized with COVID-19 compared with unvaccinated people.

The vaccine was most effective among those who had received their shot more recently.

What is the best timing for the shots?

COVID-19 hospitalizations and deaths have been rising since May 2024, with the highest rates seen in adults 65 and older and infants under 6 months old. Therefore, public health experts are recommending that people get the COVID-19 shot as soon as possible to protect against severe illness.

Because infants younger than 6 months are not old enough to be directly vaccinated, COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy is the best way to protect these babies.

When it comes to the flu, cases and hospitalizations seem to rise steeply between November and December. Some years, however, such as the 202223 flu season, they start as early as October.

It's important to remember that vaccines do not offer immediate protection. You need about two weeks for your body to generate enough antibodies to offer protection. September or early October is a good time to get the flu shot to ensure you are protected in time. However, if you aren't able to get the shot before November, it's important to know that it is still helpful to get the shot as long as flu is around.

The updated shots should be available within days.

Is it OK to get both the COVID-19 and flu shots at the same time?

Getting the COVID-19 and flu shots together can certainly make it easier to get up to date with these recommended vaccinations. Data shows that getting the flu shot and the COVID-19 shot together is safe and effective.

Some vaccine companies are working to develop a combined flu/COVID-19 vaccine to reduce the number of shots needed. This vaccine still needs to be approved by the Food and Drug Administration but could become available soon.

Who should get the RSV shot and when?

RSV is another common respiratory virus that can cause severe illness in young children and older adults. There are two groups of people who should get one of the three currently available RSV vaccines: adults 60 years and older and pregnant people. The CDC recommends a single dose of either GSK's AREXVY, Moderna's mRESVIA or Pfizer's ABRYSVO for all adults 75 years and older and adults between the ages of 60 to 74 who are at increased risk of severe RSV disease.

Unlike the COVID-19 and flu shots, additional RSV doses are not currently recommended, because research suggests that the vaccine offers protection for at least two RSV seasons. These vaccines are relatively new, however, and more data will be needed to see how long this protection really lasts. Additional doses may be recommended in the future.

The CDC recommends only Pfizer's shot for people in weeks 32 to 36 of pregnancy between September and January. The Pfizer vaccine is the only RSV vaccine that has been licensed and approved for use in pregnancy.

These vaccines are different from the antibodies that can be given to infants at or after birth, called Beyfortus (nirsevimab). The CDC recommends one dose of nirsevimab for infants who are younger than 8 months old born during or shortly before their first RSV season. For some children who are 8 to 19 months old and are at increased risk of severe RSV disease, a dose of nirsevimab may also be recommended during their second RSV season.

Both the RSV vaccine and nirsevimab offer safe and effective options for preventing RSV in young babies.

Pregnant people should get advice from their health care professionals about which option is best for them.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
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In two trials, one in frail elderly patients, evening administration of BP-lowering medications had no clinical benefits over morning administration, according to late-breaking research presented in a Hot Line session August 31 at ESC Congress 2024.

Principal Investigator, Professor Scott Garrison from the University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada, explained the rationale behind the trials. "We know that BP typically follows a circadian rhythm that peaks after waking and troughs during sleep. Major cardiovascular events such as myocardial infarction and stroke are associated more strongly with high BP at night.

"Whether preferential lowering of nighttime BP could lower cardiovascular risk has been previously studied but with varying results. We conducted the BedMed trial in the general primary-care population and the BedMed-Frail trial in nursing-home residents and while evening dosing was safe, it conveyed no additional advantages."

In the open-label, pragmatic BedMed trial, Canadian primary-care patients, with no history of glaucoma, who were prescribed at least one once-daily antihypertensive medication were randomly assigned (1:1) to take all amenable antihypertensives either in the morning or at bedtime.

The primary outcome was major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), defined as all-cause death, hospitalization/emergency department (ED) visit for stroke, myocardial infarction/acute coronary syndrome or congestive heart failure. Secondary outcomes included all-cause unplanned hospitalization/ED visits and visual-, cognitive- and fracture-related events.

The BedMed-Frail trial had a similar design except that participants were residents of Canadian continuing care wards. They were assigned to either bedtime dosing or to usual care (predominantly morning use). Additional secondary outcomes included skin ulceration and deteriorated cognition.

In the BedMed trial, 3,357 adults were randomized, with a median age of 67 years and 56% were female. Over a median follow-up of 4.6 years, the primary outcome of MACE occurred in 9.7% of participants in the bedtime group and 10.3% in the morning group (adjusted hazard ratio [HR] 0.96; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.771.19; p=0.70). There were no differences in safety outcomes and all-cause hospitalization/ED visits and safety outcomes between the groups.

In the BedMed-Frail trial, the 776 participants had a median age of 88 years and 72% were female. Over a median of 415 days, the primary outcome of MACE occurred in 40.6% of participants in the bedtime group and 41.9% in the usual care (morning) group (adjusted HR 0.88; 95% CI 0.711.11; p=0.28), and in both groups it was mostly driven by deaths.

Secondary efficacy and safety outcomes were no different between groups, except for all-cause unplanned hospitalization/ED visits, which favored bedtime use (HR 0.74; 95% CI 0.570.96; p=0.02).

Summing up, Professor Garrison said, "We found bedtime vs. morning administration to provide no difference in MACE, nor in potential hypotensive, visual, cognitive or other safety events in a general population and importantly, in frail older patients, a subgroup who are generally excluded from clinical trials.

"We can now dismiss the treatment timing as being important and advise patients to take their BP medication when they are least likely to forget."
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Tri.fr trial PICOT scheme Designed by Alex Sticchi. Source: PCRonline

Tricuspid transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (T-TEER) significantly reduced the severity of secondary tricuspid regurgitation and improved quality of life after one year, according to research presented in a Hot Line session August 31 at ESC Congress 2024.

Tricuspid regurgitation (TR) can result from intrinsic abnormalities of the tricuspid valve (i.e., primary TR), remodeling of right heart chambers (i.e., secondary TR) or cardiac implantable electronic devices. It can cause fatigue and accumulation of fluid in the abdomen and lower limbs. Patients may have severe functional deficits because of reduced cardiac output, with renal and liver impairment.

Professor Erwan Donal from the Hospital of Rennes, France, explained why the Tri.fr trial was conducted. "Patients with severe secondary TR often have reduced quality of life and a poor prognosis, with many ineligible for surgery due to the associated risks.

"In common with others, we were interested in exploring T-TEER as a new treatment option and we conducted the investigator-led Tri.fr trial to test this approach on top of optimal medical therapy. The benefits of T-TEER plus strict medical therapy and management in terms of reducing the impact of TR on patients' daily lives are highly encouraging."

The Tri.fr trial was an open-label randomized trial conducted in patients who had symptomatic, severe secondary TR despite medical management, were stable for at least 30 days and were ineligible for surgical correction. Participants were randomized in a 1:1 ratio to receive either T-TEER in addition to optimal medical treatment or optimal medical treatment alone.

The primary endpoint was the Packer composite score (combining New York Heart Association [NYHA] class, patient global assessment [PGA] and major cardiovascular events: all-cause mortality, cardiovascular mortality, tricuspid valve surgery, heart failure hospitalizations, cardiovascular and non-cardiovascular hospitalizations). Secondary endpoints included components of the primary composite, severity of TR assessment and quality-of-life improvement using the Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire score (KCCQ).

In total, 300 patients were recruited from 24 centers in France and Belgium. The mean age was 78 years and 54% were women. In total, 40% had been hospitalized for heart failure within one year before enrollment, and 15% had a cardiac implantable electronic device.

Rates of clinical composite endpoint improvement were higher in the T-TEER group than in the control group (74.1% vs. 40.6% respectively; p<0.0001). After one year, the severity of TR significantly improved in the intervention vs. the control group: the probability of a better TR grade (ordinal variable <4+, 4+ or 5+) was 0.73 (95% confidence interval 0.680.78; p<0.0001).

Lower rates of hospitalization and death were observed in the T-TEER group, although the trial was not designed to detect statistically significant differences in these outcomes.

Quality of life significantly improved in the intervention vs. the control group. The overall KCCQ score at 1-year follow-up was 69.9 (standard deviation [SD] 25.5) with the intervention compared with 55.4 (SD 28.8) in the control group (p<0.0001). Patient-reported outcomes were considerably better in the T-TEER group and consistently improved over time. Three-quarters of patients (74.6%) in the T-TEER group compared with 39.5% in the control group had an improved PGA.

"We clearly showed the benefits of T-TEER, as seen in the TRILUMINATE trial,2 but using T-TEER as part of a global approach and treating heart failure with guideline-directed medical management and follow-up.

"A key message of the Tri.fr trial is that implementing rigorous multidisciplinary medical management resulted in a low event rate, even in very ill patients with secondary TR. Using T-TEER with optimal medical management also led to important quality-of-life improvements.

"It remains to be seen if patients with a particular phenotype of severe TR derive more benefit from T-TEER than others. We expect to provide more insightful outcomes data in the coming years as we continue to follow-up the trial participants," concluded Professor Donal.

More information: Study overview: Multicentric randomised evaluation of the transcatheter edge-to-edge repair in the treatment of severe isolated secondary tricuspid regurgitation
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An international cardiology working group has published a consensus report on atrial cardiomyopathy in Europace. Twenty-one scientists from the rhythmological societies of Europe (European Heart Rhythm Association), North America (Heart Rhythm Society), South America (Latin American Heart Rhythm Society) and the Asia-Pacific region (Asia Pacific Heart Rhythm Society APHRS) were involved.

The expert group was led by AFNET board member Prof. Andreas Goette, Paderborn, Germany. He presented the results on August 31, 2024 at the annual congress of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) in London.

Atrial cardiomyopathy (AtCM) refers to pathological changes in the heart's atria, including the atrial muscle cells. They contribute to the development of atrial fibrillation, can cause blood clots and strokes and are therefore of fundamental clinical importance.

The consensus document developed by the international group of experts within two years summarizes the current knowledge on atrial cardiomyopathyfrom basic pathophysiological research to innovative imaging and diagnostic procedures to recommendations for therapy. It is already the second global consensus paper on atrial cardiomyopathy. In 2016, an international group of experts met for the first time on this topic and proposed a standardized definition and classification scheme for atrial cardiomyopathies.

Prof. Goette, who also headed the working group at that time, explained the background of the expert consensus, saying, "Our aim is to further improve the prevention and treatment of atrial fibrillation. Atrial fibrillation has many different causes. It is therefore important to describe the underlying pathology and develop tailored therapies for atrial fibrillation based on the actual causes. The classification enables individualized therapy that offers patients the best possible treatment success."

Since the first global consensus document eight years ago, research in the field of atrial cardiomyopathy has made considerable progress. Prof. Goette summarizes the key findings of the current consensus document, to which AFNET board member Prof. Ulrich Schotten, Maastricht, NL, also made a significant contribution, "There is a scientific update to the previous document from 2016. For the first time, we have introduced a clinically applicable grading of atrial cardiomyopathy with three stages (stage 1, 2 and 3) as a consensus. Imaging has also been presented in great detail in order to detect atrial pathologies non-invasively."

However, there are still numerous knowledge gaps that need to be filled in the future. The experts therefore also made recommendations for future studies in the consensus paper.

The international consensus document was drawn up in collaboration with the European research consortium MAESTRIA. Prof. Dobromir Dobrev, Essen, Germany, Prof. Stephane Hatem and Dr. Laurie Soulat-Dafour, both Paris, France, from the MAESTRIA consortium were involved.

More information: Andreas Goette et al, Atrial Cardiomyopathy RevisitedEvolution of a Concept. A Clinical Consensus Statement of the European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA) of the ESC, the Heart Rhythm Society (HRS), the Asian Pacific Heart Rhythm Association (APHRS), and the Latin American Heart Rhythm Society (LAHRS), Europace (2024). DOI: 10.1093/europace/euae204

Provided by Kompetenznetz Vorhofflimmern e.V. (AFNET)
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Interaction of organizational factors, inequalities, digital tools, and investigative efforts in Medication-related Challenges. Credit: PLOS ONE (2024). DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0299770

Researchers at the University of Liverpool have captured important evidence across primary and secondary care to explore the barriers to implementing effective structured medication reviews (SMRs). These new findings have the potential to help up to 14 million patients across the UK who have multiple long-term health conditions (MLTCs).

The paper, "A qualitative exploration of barriers to efficient and effective Structured Medication Reviews in Primary Care: Findings from the DynAIRx study" was published in PLOS ONE.

SMRs aim to enhance shared decision-making in medication optimization, particularly for patients with MLTCs (two or more long-term health conditions) and polypharmacy (use of multiple medicines). Despite its potential, there is limited observational evidence on the implementation of SMRs, and the challenges faced in the process.

This study forms part of the University's project, DynAIRx (Artificial Intelligence for dynamic prescribing optimization and care integration in multimorbidity), which aims to introduce Artificial Intelligence (AI) to SMRs through novel machine learning and AI visualization tools for people living with MLTCs.

Along with collaborators at the Universities of Glasgow, Leeds, Manchester, Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust, and Powys Teaching Health Board in Wales, researchers explored how SMRs are currently undertaken and what barriers are experienced by those involved in them. This was done through a series of interviews and focus groups with health care professionals including GPs, pharmacists, clinical pharmacologists and psychiatrists, as well as people living with MLTCs.

Analysis of the interviews and focus groups found limitations in the efficiency and effectiveness of SMRs in practice including: the scarcity of digital tools for identifying and prioritizing patients for SMRs; organizational and patient-related challenges in inviting patients for SMRs and ensuring they attend; the time-intensive nature of SMRs and the need for multiple appointments and shared decision-making; poor communication and data sharing issues between primary and secondary care; and difficulties in managing mental health medications.

Dr. Lauren Walker, co-lead of the DynAIRx program said, "The DynAIRx project is finding ways that Artificial Intelligence (AI) can help people living with multiple health problems by improving how their medicines are prescribed and reviewed. This paper provides an invaluable building block on which to continue our work.

"Our research shows there is a need for a prescribing support system that can identify and prioritize people who would benefit most from a review of their medicines and reduce the time taken to understand the patient journey. This is particularly difficult for busy clinicians who need to deal with large volumes of disparate clinical information in electronic health records. Continuing to monitor the effects of medication optimization changes would be very helpful for both clinicians and patients."

Capturing and understanding lived experience was a key element of the research. Farheen was a public advisor on the project, as someone who has herself, along with family members, experienced multimorbidity.

She said, "Through this project, we seek to learn more about how to enhance and speed up medication reviews for patients. I am familiar with the difficulties related to managing our medications, so my observations have helped researchers in understanding the problems in the real world."

DynAIRx is a flagship research program and forms part of the medicines optimization strand of work at the University's Civic Health Innovation Labs (CHIL). CHIL brings together scientists, engineers, residents and health professionals to drive advances in care and well-being. CHIL's unique NHS secure data environment allows researchers to address local and global health challenges by developing new artificial intelligence (AI) and other data-driven advances.

More information: Aseel S. Abuzour et al, A qualitative exploration of barriers to efficient and effective structured medication reviews in primary care: Findings from the DynAIRx study, PLOS ONE (2024). DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0299770 Journal information: PLoS ONE
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A fentanyl vaccine developed by researchers at the University of Houston is expected to head to clinical trials sometime in the middle of next year, with the hope of being a groundbreaking solution to a deadly crisis.

The vaccine, which has shown success in animal studies, is designed to stop the highly addictive opioid from entering the brain and causing an overdose. Biopharmaceutical startup Ovax acquired the license to produce and test the vaccine in November 2023 and raised over $10 million toward that effort by June.

"We're all incredibly excited," said Collin Gage, the start-up's co-founder and chief executive officer. He added that his company is starting at "ground zero," but he is confident it will one day have a fentanyl vaccine available to the public.

That day may be a long time from now. While public health emergencies, like the COVID-19 pandemic, can accelerate a vaccine's development, testing a new vaccine can take anywhere from five to 10 yearssometimes longer.

Meanwhile, fentanyl overdose deaths have been on the rise in Texas, from less than 80 in 2014 to nearly 2,300 in 2023, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services. The synthetic opioidmade illegally but also available by prescriptionis 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times stronger than morphine, making it the deadliest drug in the opioid crisis.

For fentanyl vaccines, adjuvants are key

The idea of creating an opioid vaccine has drawn scientific attention since the 1970s. Unlike bacteria or viruses, opioids aren't recognized by our immune systems as foreign invaders. But the immune system can be trained to make antibodies in response to an opioid like fentanyl through a vaccine that links bits of the drug to noninfectious bits of bacteria and uses substances called adjuvants.

Adjuvants are designed to enhance immune response, and are particularly important in vaccines targeting substance use disorders. Past attempts to make these vaccines have been unsuccessful in part because the adjuvants weren't effective enough, said Jay Evans, director of the Center for Translational Medicine at the University of Montana. Evans is also the chief scientific and strategy officer of Inimmune, a Montana-based biotech company developing and testing a variety of vaccines including ones targeting fentanyl and heroin addiction.

The adjuvant in the University of Houston's fentanyl vaccine is an enterotoxin, a chemical produced by the bacteria Escherichia coli and modified to be noninfectious. It was first developed at Tulane University in Louisiana in the early 2000s and has been used in a variety of vaccines, said Colin Haile, a research associate professor of psychology at the University of Houston who led its fentanyl vaccine development. Haile is also an Ovax co-founder and adviser.

"It has been in 15 human clinical trials in combination with other vaccines," he said, referring to the adjuvant used in his team's vaccine. "There have been studies in infants where the results have been fantastic, nearly no side effects."

Other researchers such as David Dowling and Dr. Ofer Levy, both Ovax co-founders, are using adjuvants that haven't been tested in humans but appear to effectively enhance the immune response to vaccines targeting substance use disorders, at least based on animal studies, Dowling said.

Clinical trials littered with challenges

Phase I clinical trials for the University of Houston vaccine are planned to begin in the second quarter of 2025. Ovax is also in licensing negotiations with Boston Children's Hospital for a fentanyl vaccine developed by Dowling and Levy. If those negotiations are successful, Phase I clinical trials could begin in early 2026.

These trials will aim to establish the vaccine's safety level, potential side effects and optimal dosage. Finding people to take part in them will be a challenge, Evans said.

"Compared to a normal infectious disease clinical trial, it will be more difficult. The FDA (Food and Drug Administration) is pretty adamant that you're not going to test this vaccine in healthy individuals that don't already have some sort of opioid addiction," he said.

"So we need to target patients in Phase I who have a history of opioid use disorder, and that's a harder population to try to recruit. It's going to take longer; the patient population will have more adverse events because they're drug users and they will be harder to track."

Evans added that the stigma around addiction and drug use might make people reluctant to disclose their condition and participate in a clinical trial.

Ovax has yet to decide where it plans to run its Phase I clinical trials, Gage said, but it has been looking at sites in Australia and the Netherlands.

"We're also looking in the United States," he said, "but it's difficult to find the right patient population."

Future clinical trials would need to determine the effectiveness of the vaccine, who would benefit the most and how long immunity would last.

Vaccines as part of the solution

Some critics of fentanyl vaccines say they pull resources from existing treatments for opioid addiction such as buprenorphine, methadone and naltrexone. Some have questioned whether people would seek out the vaccine.

"People have to say they want to be injected, and they have to choose to keep coming back for each injection or infusion," Keith Humphreys, a Stanford University professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences, told The Washington Post in 2023. "The vaccines do nothing to reduce craving or withdrawal or to motivate anyone to return for more care."

For Haile, a fentanyl vaccine is not the sole solution but another weapon in the fight against the opioid crisis. He and his colleagues at the University of Houston have conducted animal studies investigating how the vaccine affects treatment with buprenorphine, a medication commonly prescribed to manage withdrawals and drug cravings.

The findings have yet to be published but are "quite impressive," Haile said, noting fentanyl vaccines could improve the effectiveness of existing treatments.

"The most important thing to keep in mind is that we're moving as fast as we can go.  We need to get something to market as quickly as possible to address this terrible problem," Haile said. "The ultimate goal is to protect people and save lives."

2024 The Dallas Morning News. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
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Male doctors from abroad are much less likely than their British counterparts to be promoted to consultant in the NHS since the pandemic began, new research shows. However, women doctors are catching up with male British doctors in the rate they are promoted, the study shows.

Professor Carol Woodhams and Dr. Yuanyuan Huo, of the University of Surrey, and Dr. Andrie Michaelides and Dr. Christiana Ierodiakonou, of the University of Cyprus, analyzed data on 10,485 NHS junior hospital doctors from 20172023.

In the three years before the pandemic began in 2020, around 43% of male British and non-British NHS junior doctors reaching or at the end of their training were promoted to consultant, compared with 25% of British women doctors and 32% of non-British women doctors.

Because many consultants retired during the pandemic, the chances of promotion for junior doctors increased for all groups after March 2020.

During 20202023, 56% of male British junior doctors reaching or at the end of their training were promoted to consultant, compared with 49% of non-British male doctors and 48% of British and non-British women doctors.

This meant that a gap of 13% (7 percentage points) opened up between male British and non-British doctors, who were promoted in equal portions before the pandemic. It also means that British women doctors closed the gap with male British doctors from 42% in 20172020 (18 percentage points) to 14% (8 percentage points) in 20202023, and non-British women doctors also closed the gap, from 26% to 14% (11 to 8 percentage points).

Professor Woodhams will tell the British Academy of Management conference at the Nottingham Business School, Nottingham Trent University, on Thursday [5 September]. She said, "Because of the extraordinary departure rates of consultants during COVID-19, there is much greater likelihood of promotion for all. At the broader level, this health crisis has led to an expansion of the health care sector, creating opportunities for more junior doctors to progress as consultants.

"But promotion opportunities are unequally experienced. The British male is a winner in both periods, but the fortunes of both groups of female doctors have considerably improved. It is only non-British male doctors whose promotion prospects have not improved, and have fallen behind their male British counterparts."

The researchers studied junior doctors grade ST5-ST8 in all specialties from March 2017 to February 2020 and from March 2020 to Feb 2023, who did not leave the NHS or transfer to a non-training or GP training route. These groups have undertaken many years of postgraduate medical training and were nearing or at the end of their training for a consultant post.

The researchers found that the widening gap between British and non-British doctors was not due to the latter leaving the NHS or going part-time.

Professor Woodhams said that the research had looked at why male non-British doctors, many from an ethnic minority, had fallen behind in promotion. "Considering that two- thirds of health care workers who died from COVID-19 were from an ethnic minority background, it is possible that the members of those groups suffered more losses in terms

of social and personal resources, which are core to career development," she said.

"International doctors experienced severe personal, social and financial challenges during the pandemic, increasing their vulnerability."

However, their research found that all groups of junior doctors were more likely to stay in the NHS and to work full-time after COVID began than they were before.

Provided by British Academy of Management
"Armenia is constantly trying to involve the USA, the European Union, and Paris in the process of normalizing relations with Azerbaijan, but first of all, it is necessary to agree with Azerbaijan. There is no other way," Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said during his speech to the teachers and students of Moscow State University, Azernews reports citing TASS.

Lavrov emphasized that the delimitation of the state border between Azerbaijan and Armenia should involve consultations with Russia, but this process is stalled due to Armenia's refusal. "No, they don't want to, and at the same time, they are constantly trying to involve the West, the United States, the European Union, and Paris to take any processes under their auspices. It is their choice, but Yerevan must first negotiate with its Azerbaijani neighbors. There is no other way," Lavrov added.

He also highlighted the importance of restoring transport links between the main part of Azerbaijan and Nakhchivan, as stated in the Trilateral Declaration of the leaders of Azerbaijan, Russia, and Armenia. Lavrov pointed out that although it was agreed that railway and road connections would be restored, Armenia had previously refused the highway option.

"Azerbaijan did not see any reason here, but agreed," Lavrov continued. "Then Armenia said there will be no participation of Russian border guards, although this is clearly written. This issue is not clear to us. Azerbaijanis say that the level of mistrust and even hostility is still very high. When they pass through the territory of Armenia and go to Nakhchivan, they want to be sure of their safety in the first stage."

Lavrov stressed the importance of dialogue and negotiation between the parties to resolve issues, expressing concern that the tripartite agreements from several summits held between Russia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan from 2020 to 2022 are not being implemented. He noted, "The tripartite commission that deals with the restoration of transport links practically no longer holds meetings. If Yerevan believes that the issue should be resolved directly with Azerbaijan, for God's sake, but only if they can do it."
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Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

Minnesota health officials are urging families to stay up to date on measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccines as more unvaccinated children in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area are getting ill from a measles outbreak.

Since May, 30 cases of measles have been reported in the state, affecting children from 7 months to 10 years old. One of the 30 cases involved an adult. One in three of the cases required the person to be hospitalized.

Health officials say measles is a "highly contagious rash illness that spreads easily by coughing, sneezing or even being in the same room with someone who has measles. It can be spread before someone shows symptoms. The virus can remain in the air for up to two hours after an infected person leaves an area. Measles can cause serious disease leading to hospitalization and even death."

Anyone who is not vaccinated is at risk of getting sick with measles.

"Measles is currently circulating, and infections can be severe," said Dr. Ruth Lynfield, state epidemiologist and medical director at the Minnesota Department of Health. "I urge all parents to be sure that their children are vaccinated because we know that vaccination offers the best protection."

"While parents may not be able to protect their kids from all the risks that come with childhood, you can protect your child from measles," said Dr. Abdul Abdi, pediatrician at Children's Minnesota. "Some families seem concerned that the MMR vaccine is somehow linked to autism, but this is a myth."

The Minnesota Vaccines for Children program provides free or low-cost vaccines for children in Minnesota who are uninsured, enrolled in a Minnesota health care program like Medical Assistance or MinnesotaCare, or children who are American Indian or Alaska Natives. Over 750 health care providers in Minnesota are enrolled in MnVFC and approximately half of Minnesotan children are eligible, officials said.

2024 MediaNews Group, Inc. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
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Trends in toxicological findings in unintentional deaths due to stimulants 20122021. (a) Opioids detected in deaths due to stimulants. (b) Stimulants detected in deaths due to stimulants. NSO, novel synthetic opioids. Credit: Drug and Alcohol Review (2024). DOI: 10.1111/dar.13918

For the last decade, people who use drugs in Quebec have been partially sheltered from Canada's drug overdose epidemics. But since 2020, the picture has changed.

The contamination of the drug market is now present in Quebec, and what happened in British Columbia and Ontario is now happening here, says expert Sarah Larney.

In a recent study published in Drug and Alcohol Review, the Universite de Montreal researcher analyzed datasets of accidental deaths between 2012 and 2021 that were determined by the coroner to be due to opioids or stimulants.

And what she found is worrying: the drug-related mortality rates in Quebec increased over time, peaking in 2020 and remaining high in 2021.

In addition, fentanyl and new synthetic opioids are on track to soon become the most commonly detected substances in opioid poisoning deaths. These drugs often contain adulterants, active pharmaceutical ingredients added to enhance or mimic the expected effects of the illicit substance being used.

"In the recent past, people used to buy heroin and there were adulterants in it, but those adulterants didn't kill you," said Larney, a professor in UdeM's Department of Family Medicine and Emergency Medicine.

"Now you can only buy fentanyl, which is far more potent than heroin, and the adulterants are much more deadly as well," said the professor, an investigator at the Canadian Research Initiative in Substance Misuse (CRISM).

On the eve of International Overdose Awareness Day, we asked Larney to tell us more about what her study revealed.

The drugs currently offered on the illegal market in Quebec (fentanyl and derivatives) are not the same as in 2019. How do you explain this market shift when Quebec traditionally differentiated itself from British Columbia?

It coincides with the COVID-19 pandemic, even though there were signs that fentanyl was on the rise before that. The opioid overdose epidemic has been made worse in Canada by this "big event," which had escalated from approximately 3,700 drug poisoning deaths in 2019 to more than 7,300 deaths in 2022.

The pandemic disrupted the drug market, catalyzing and accelerating the change in what people were buying and using. In fact, a key change is the greatly increased presence of fentanyl and new synthetic opioids in opioid poisoning deaths recorded in Quebec since 2020.

Toxicological findings from drug-related deaths suggest that Quebec potentially may have entered a new era of elevated overdose mortality at this time.

You also found that deaths were often due to a combination of opioids and benzodiazepines. Why is this a concern from a public health perspective?

Most overdoses involve more than one drug. For a long time, overdoses in Quebec involved well-known benzodiazepines like Valium. But now we are seeing potent new benzodiazepines (synthetic tranquilizers) being combined with opioids, intentionally or not.

This novel combination is of particular concern. The sedative effects of benzodiazepines, combined with the tendency of opioids to slow the central nervous system and respiratory system, increase the risk of overdose and reduce the effect of naloxone to wake someone up.

The risk of overdose is higher than before; the risk of not recovering from an overdose is also higher. It is a very scary situation.

Despite all the overdose prevention campaigns, overdose mortality rates have gone up. What do you think should be done to tackle this issue more effectively?

With nearly 45,000 opioid overdose deaths recorded between 2016 and 2023, Canada continues to grapple with a drug poisoning epidemic.

Interventions are essential. Naloxone, safer supply, and accessible supervised consumption sites are part of the answer, but they are not enough today even though we know harm reduction works.

Now, with the lethality of the drug supply, we need to look at drug law reform, such as drug decriminalization or even legalization. We can take inspiration from a fairly successful model in Portugal, which has reduced overdoses and HIV cases, and try it at the city level in Montreal, for example.

Moreover, the literature tells us that criminalization and punishment do not work. Instead, we should invest in social policy reforms that address the root causes of problematic drug use: poverty, income inequality, and the housing crisis.

Our study draws attention to what the most recent data say, things have changed and we need to respond.

More information: Uyen Do et al, Trends in toxicological findings in unintentional opioid or stimulant toxicity deaths in Quebec, Canada, 20122021: Has Quebec entered a new era of drugrelated deaths?, Drug and Alcohol Review (2024). DOI: 10.1111/dar.13918 Journal information: Drug and Alcohol Review
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Spine plasticity is dependent on how many neighboring spines potentiate, the size and the spatial distribution of that "social network" determines the amount of plasticity each spine can have. Credit: Thomas Chater

Researchers from Bonn and Japan have clarified how neighboring synapses coordinate their response to plasticity signals: Nerve cells in the brain receive thousands of synaptic signals via their "antenna," the so-called dendritic branch. Permanent changes in synaptic strength correlate with changes in the size of dendritic spines. However, it was previously unclear how the neurons implement these changes in strength across several synapses that are close to each other and active at the same time.

The researchersfrom the University Hospital Bonn (UKB), the University of Bonn, the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University (OIST) and the RIKEN Center for Brain Science (CBS)assume that the competition between spines for molecular resources and the spatial distance between simultaneously stimulated spines affect their resulting dynamics. The results of the study have now been published in the journal Nature Communications.

Neurons are the computing units of the brain. They receive thousands of synaptic signals via their dendrites, with individual synapses undergoing activity-dependent plasticity. This synaptic plasticity is the mechanism underlying our memory and thinking and reflects long-lasting changes in synaptic strength.

When learning new memories, particularly active synapses strengthen their connections in a process known as "long-term potentiation" (LTP). However, how neurons allocate resources to translate synaptic strength changes through space and time among neighboring synapses has been unclear. Until now, it was assumed that each synapse decides independently of the others how it changes

The study suggests a new perspective on how neighboring synapses coordinate their response to plasticity signals. Researchers from Bonn and Japan have found that the sharing of proteins and calcium makes synaptic plasticity a collective action in which the behavior of one synapse influences how the others can respond.

"When several synapses want to potentiate at the same time and are close to each other, they compete with each other so that each synapse potentiates less than if it were alone. On the other hand, the simultaneous potentiation of a few synapses can facilitate the plasticity of other synapses through the overflow of activated resources," says Prof. Tatjana Tchumatchenko, from the Institute for Experimental Epileptology and Cognition Research at the UKB and member of the Transdisciplinary Research Area (TRA) "Modeling" at the University of Bonn. She led the study together with Prof. Yukiko Goda from the OIST in Japan.

Studying spine dynamics following sLTP induction. Credit: Nature Communications (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-51919-0

Strong competition among neighboring spines

The researchers from Bonn and Japan used the release of glutamate, an important excitatory neurotransmitter in the brain, in conjunction with computer-assisted models to investigate the molecular processes of the plasticity of several spines. Spines, mushroom-shaped protrusions of nerve cells, are found in the brain and can strengthen synaptic connections.

"Glutamate release allows precise manipulation of selected synapses, which allowed us to observe exactly how many synapses potentiate and to what extent," explains Dr. Thomas Chater, who conducted the research at the RIKEN Center for Brain Science in Japan.

"This data allowed us to design a model and adjust its parameters to a set of three stimulated spinous processes, i.e. spines, to then predict how seven or fifteen spinous processes would behave," explains Dr. Maximilian Eggl, who until recently was a Postdoc at the University of Bonn and conducted research at the UKB. Chater and Eggl are both co-first authors of this study and worked closely together.

Study leaders Prof. Tchumatchenko and Prof. Goda were particularly surprised by the extent of competition among neighboring spinous processes, which was strongest in the first two to three minutes after plasticity was triggered and influenced the direction and extent of plasticity.

"Our results show that the spatial arrangement of simultaneously stimulated synapses significantly influences the dynamics of spine growth or shrinkage, suggesting that multiple memories stored on the same dendrite may influence each other," explains Prof. Goda.

The principal investigators are confident that understanding how neurons manage synaptic resources will contribute to a better understanding of cognitive processes in the healthy brain and thus to the development of new strategies to combat Alzheimer's disease, autism spectrum disorders and other cognitive impairments.

More information: Thomas E. Chater et al, Competitive processes shape multi-synapse plasticity along dendritic segments, Nature Communications (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-51919-0 Journal information: Nature Communications
High Court Judge Roselyn Aburili has issued a strong warning to educational institutions and the public against using school buses for private events.

The judge made the ruling in a case involving a school bus accident, wherein the bus was insured under a policy specifically designed for educational use.

On April 23, 2023, the school hired out the bus to transport attendees to a church event. On the day of the accident, the bus collided along the Kakamega-Kisumu road, injuring several church members who were not covered by the policy.

In this case, the plaintiff, Old Mutual General Insurance Kenya Limited, filed a lawsuit to avoid liability under their insurance policy. They argued that the defendant, Oder Boys Boarding Special School, had breached the policy terms. The central issue was whether the insurance company should be liable for claims arising from an accident involving unauthorized passengers.

Old Mutual contended that the insurance policy explicitly excluded coverage for passengers who were not part of the schools staff or student body. Old Mutual argued that the insurance coverage was voided because the bus was used in a manner contrary to the policys restrictions.

The insurers position was clear: the insurance policy was designed to cover only school-related activities. The policys exclusions were specific, stating that the insurer would not cover liabilities arising from the buss use for purposes other than those outlined in the policy.

The head teacher admitted that, on the day of the accident, the bus was transporting church members, not students or staff. He argued that while the insurance policy was valid, it only covered the vehicle for school-related activities.

Justice Aburili ruled in favor of Old Mutual General Insurance, determining that the insurer was not liable for any claims arising from the accident involving unauthorized passengers. The court emphasized that the policys terms explicitly excluded coverage for unauthorized passengers.

Justice Aburili highlighted a common yet risky practice where schools, after purchasing and insuring buses for educational purposes, rent them out for private events such as weddings, funerals, and other non-educational activities. She warned that this practice poses significant risks because such activities often fall outside the scope of the insurance policys coverage. Institutions violate their insurance terms by using school buses for commercial purposes.

The Judge cautioned that accidents occurring under these circumstances could lead to the insurance policy being voided.

Voiding coverage leaves injured passengers or their families without compensation, as the schools involved may find it challenging to meet the financial demands of legal claims, she said. She observed that it is not unusual to see school buses, painted in their distinctive yellow color, being used for various events.

It is especially common during crusades and other religious gatherings in major cities to see all school vehicles lined up in their bright yellow colors, she added.

She stressed that compelling an insurance company to cover claims not contemplated by the policy or the law would undermine the contractual agreement and impose undue burdens on the insurer. The insured often assumes risks out of ignorance, while unauthorized passengers are unaware of the potential dangers, she noted.

Justice Aburili advised schools to strictly adhere to their insurance policies and avoid using their buses for unauthorized purposes. This includes refraining from renting out buses for private events without securing appropriate insurance coverage, she stated.

She highlighted the importance of confirming whether an insurance policy covers passengers who are not affiliated with the school before hiring such vehicles.

Additionally, the Judge called for greater transparency and diligence in understanding insurance contracts. She ordered that the judgment be distributed to all schools through the County Directors of Education to raise awareness about the risks of using school buses for non-educational purposes.

I trust and hope that this judgment will reach all schools through the County Directors of Education to alert School Management Boards about the dangers associated with this practice, she said.

Justice Aburili also noted that the government invests between Kes.300 million and Kes.400 million annually in insurance for public school vehicles.
Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka has accused President William Ruto of employing divide-and-rule tactics to weaken the opposition and fragment Azimio.

Kalonzo alleged that Ruto is exploiting ODM leader Raila Odingas bid for the Africa Union Commission chairmanship to target opposition strongholds and lure Azimio MPs away.

Kenya Kwanza should not use Railas departure to stir confusion within Azimio by moving across the country and enticing leaders, Kalonzo said.

Speaking in Mombasa, Kalonzo clarified that the recent warming of relations between President Ruto and Raila Odinga should not be interpreted as a political alliance between the government and the opposition. He reiterated his position as the prime candidate for the 2027 presidential election on the Azimio ticket and urged ODM leaders not to be deceived into supporting Ruto.

We know who has left Azimio to join the Kenya Kwanza government. As Azimio, we have not consented to join any government, Kalonzo stated.

ODM Deputy Party Leader Abdulswamad Nassir confirmed that ODM remains firmly aligned with Azimio.

Politically, ODM is still with Azimio, and I am aware that Kalonzo is in regular communication with Raila. We expect these discussions to continue, Nassir said.

DAP-K Leader Eugene Wamalwa suggested that if Raila Odinga secures the AUC chairmanship, Kalonzo Musyoka would naturally assume leadership of Azimio due to his seniority in the coalition.

Kalonzo is the right candidate. Raila should pass the leadership to Kalonzo, who has always supported him. Junet Mohammed, the Suna MP, is the Azimio opposition leader in Parliament, Wamalwa added.

At the Mombasa Gymkhana, Kalonzo reiterated that no political pact exists between Kenya Kwanza and Azimio. He claimed that those who moved from Azimio to Kenya Kwanza had been misled and assured that there is no leadership vacuum within Azimio.
Double standards are a strange phenomenon and defy logic. For all their blatant immorality, they are shamelessly used by people who seem to be not deprived of intelligence. And this causes a certain crisis in the perception of what has been said and surprise.





"Ukraine has the right to self-defense. And, according to international law, this right does not end at the border with Russia," NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg told Welt am Sonntag. Kiev must decide for itself how to conduct its military campaign, he believes.





Earlier, Matthew Miller, a representative of the US State Department, voiced the same position at a briefing. Ukraine has the right to independently determine which operations to carry out and which goals to pursue, he said.

Undoubtedly, every country has the right to self-defense. No one disputes this. The right to self-defense is granted to countries subjected to military aggression, Article 51 of the UN Charter. Despite the nuances and attempts to distort this provision of the Charter of the main organization of the planet, the right to self-defense remains in force. Every country has the right to defend itself in case of aggression. She also has every right to choose how to defend herself, of course, without going beyond the bounds of civility and international norms. No one argues with this either.

Azerbaijan has used its right to self-defense to put an end to the Armenian occupation. He acted in accordance with the very Article 51. The only question is that for some reason no one recognizes this right for our country. The strange selectivity in evaluating the same situations is outrageous and ugly. It's probably high time we got used to this kind of diversity, but we don't want to do that. Azerbaijan respects itself too much for this. Statements on Kursk from NATO and the State Department once again convince that the world order is changing today for a reason - it has become too unscrupulous.

The same, by the way, applies to the statement of the European Commission regarding the detention of Telegram founder Pavel Durov in France.





"This is a national investigation, we do not intend to comment on it," the EC said.





Which, in principle, could be called logical if it were not for the endless "concerns" of Western structures and officials about the internal affairs of Azerbaijan. These interventions continue almost constantly, although all the issues that are puzzled in the State Department or the European Union are precisely a national investigation. Of course, we are not so naive as not to notice "two big differences". We are now talking about the system according to which. In Orwell's words, "all animals are equal, but some are more equal."

The right to defend one's integrity and security, when it comes to Azerbaijan, is beginning to be compromised revisions. And self-defense qualifies as aggression. Meanwhile, all the steps taken by our country are in the logic of the right to self-defense.

Let's recall some moments of the post-war years. September is on the calendar, and this month is full of dates that are disastrous for Armenia. This is the day of the beginning of the Second Karabakh War, and the day of the liberation of Khankendi, and this is the month when the Azerbaijani army managed to eliminate the Armenian threat in a number of directions.

"The European Parliament strongly condemns the large-scale military aggression against numerous targets on the sovereign territory of Armenia in September 2022," and blah blah blah.

Aggression?... Recall that on the night of September 13, 2022, the Armenian Armed Forces staged a large-scale provocation in the Dashkesan, Kalbajar, Lachin and Zangilan directions. The Azerbaijani Armed Forces retaliated by suppressing enemy firing points, and measures were taken to prevent the proliferation of clashes. At the same time, the Armenian side suffered losses. And the Azerbaijani side has taken advantageous positions. As President Ilham Aliyev said about those events, as a result of the September clashes on the border, "we managed to insure ourselves against big problems in the future," because revanchist forces are raising their heads in Armenia.

Can someone forbid Azerbaijan to exercise its right to self-defense? He acted solely within the framework of this right. It would be beneficial for Armenia to turn the conditional border into a zone of constant tension. This was especially necessary for the Armenians and their patrons at that time. Some of the territories were still under Armenian control, and this gave hope of overplaying the situation.

The same thing happened in the Zangezur direction a year earlier.

In May 2021, Deputy head of the State Department's press service, Jalina Porter, said at a briefing that "the US authorities consider Azerbaijan's actions on the border with Armenia provocative and urge them to stop."

As in all other cases, Azerbaijan did not heed the calls. Because he was right and exercised his legitimate right to self-defense. The Azerbaijani army was accused of allegedly infiltrating the sovereign territory of Armenia and seizing Lake Garagel. In fact, the Azerbaijani side was only returning its own and eliminating the threat posed by the occupying country, which was trying with all its might to keep at least something.

Let us turn again to the words of the President of Azerbaijan. At the ceremony of raising the national flag in Kalbajar, the head of state stated that we are strengthening the state border in the direction of Kalbajar and Lachin: "This border has been in the hands of Armenians for almost 30 years, and in May, when the snow came down, we went to these borders, took up our positions, settled in Zangezur and consolidated there. This is our land. The thoughts coming from the Armenian side are absolutely unfounded. We are on our own land. Garagel is ours, other places are ours too. We came. This territory has been in the hands of Armenians for 30 years. If this border was where they say it was, then they would be standing on this border. If they were standing, they would say that this is the border. What happened? After we came and stood up, they said, no, we're standing in the wrong place. We are standing in the right place, we are standing where we need to be, and if we want to, we will stand where we think it is necessary."

That's it. Clearly and to the point. Azerbaijan knows its rights very well and implements them very effectively.

There were many such situations in the four post-war years. Every success of Azerbaijan is met with either hysteria or tacit rejection. By returning what belongs to us by right, who only we were not - both "aggressors" and "provocateurs". Few people were happy about our success. And none of the powerful of this world has ever told us in Stoltenberg's words: Azerbaijan has the right to self-defense. And, according to international law, this right does not end at the border with Armenia.

It's time for our opponents to appear and press their fists to their chests to say: "You don't understand. This is different."
The Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) is calling on parents and school principals across Kenya to withdraw students from schools as the teachers strike escalates.

KUPPET Secretary General Akello Misori stressed the importance of prioritizing the safety of both schools and students, especially for those principals who may have been misled by incorrect information.

Misori announced that teachers plan to stay home for at least the next week. You cannot keep students in schools without teachers. Parents who continue to send their children during this period do so at their own risk. KUPPET will not be held responsible, he stated.

He further cautioned that teachers remain committed to their strike, urging principals to refrain from actions that might endanger the safety of schools.

Simultaneously, Misori criticized the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) for its divisive tactics, claiming that the commission has consistently undermined the unions efforts to enhance teachers welfare. He urged parents and principals to exercise due diligence before engaging in what he termed the TSCs mischievous arrangement of issuing threats to teachers.

We ask parents and principals to conduct due diligence and refrain from participating in this deceptive scheme by the TSC that involves threatening teachers, he said.

According to Misori, the ongoing strike has evolved into a larger struggle for teachers rights, especially regarding their career progression. This industrial action has now transformed into a struggle. Without a review of career progression, the situation remains untenable, he asserted.

He pointed out that even when teachers have loans to pursue further education, the current education system demands that teachers possess research skills. Teachers with masters and PhD degrees will significantly contribute to this country, he added.

Misori emphasized that when teachers move from one grade to another, their status is elevated, yet the employer has refused to acknowledge this elevation.
Three individuals are behind bars in Nairobi after orchestrating a sophisticated fake gold scam that defrauded two foreign nationals of over Kes. 340 million.

The scam, which spanned nearly two years, took root in June 2022, when Mr. Marco Colombo Conti, a business associate of Mr. Satbinder Singh, arrived in Kenya to purchase 100kg of gold. Marco had been introduced to Mr. Allain Mwadia Nvita, who presented himself as a legitimate gold seller.

The initial phase of the transaction seemed legitimate, as Marco paid approximately 400,000 US dollars(approx.Kes.51,672,600) through Squire AfriLaw Consult Limited, a law firm, to cover duty and other associated charges. In return, he received 12kg of gold, which he was told he could carry out as hand luggage to offset the costs he had already incurred.

The Beginning of the Gold Scam: A Promising Deal Turns Sour

However, just as Marco was preparing to leave Kenya with the gold, Mwadia informed him that he could not take the 12kg with him, as it was part of a larger 112kg consignment that Marco was purchasing. Mwadia suggested that Marco store the gold securely at Mysafe Vaults, located at the Village Market in Gigiri, Nairobi, a proposal that Marco accepted.

Convinced that the deal was still solid, Marco returned to Kenya on February 5, 2024, this time accompanied by his business associate, Mr. Satbinder Singh, who was also interested in purchasing the gold. Upon arrival, Satbinder was introduced to Mwadia, as well as two other key figures in the scam: Lehman John Raymond and Daniel Ogot of Patvad Trading Co. Ltd. A Tanzanian agent, Frank Kateti, was also involved in facilitating the transaction.

The group discussed the possibility of Satbinder buying the 112kg consignment, with Mwadia agreeing to provide 31kg of gold to cover the funds Marco had paid in 2022, as well as any additional expenses Satbinder might incur while shipping out the full consignment.

On the same day, Daniel Ogot invoiced Satbinders company, Asianic Limited, for 162,240 Euros (Kes.23,187,340) and 548,830 Euros(Kes.78,438,783), directing that these amounts be paid into an escrow account at Stanbic Bank under the name Mosota Abunga & Associates Advocates, LLP.

Further charges were invoiced on February 7, 2024, for freight costs, totaling 14,112 Euros(Kes.2,016,887). By February 8, 2024, Satbinder had made all the necessary payments, encouraged by assurances from Kateti that everything was in order. The 31kg of gold was deposited into Mysafe Vaults at the Village Market.

The Elaborate Fraud: How the Scam Unfolded

The following day, the foreign investors collected the 31kg of gold from the vault and proceeded to the clearing agents office, where the gold was divided into two parts, packed into blue metallic boxes, and sealed. They were assured that the consignment and the necessary documentation would be delivered to them at the airport, but Ogot and Kateti failed to show up, leaving the investors stranded.

Left with no other option, Marco and Satbinder flew out of Kenya with the belief that their gold was still secure. While in Italy, Ogot contacted them, claiming that a mistake in declaring the consignments weight had resulted in its confiscation by the Customs Department.

To add to the investors woes, Ogot informed them that a fine equivalent to 20% of the consignments value, totaling 1,562,000 US dollars(Kes.201,781,503), had been imposed, threatening the loss of the entire consignment if the fine was not paid.

Alarmed but still hopeful of salvaging the deal, Satbinder flew back to Kenya and paid 1,438,460 Euros(Kes.205,584,703) through the same escrow account, believing it would help resolve the customs issue. He was even introduced to a woman named Susan Oketch, who was purported to be a customs official. She not only confirmed the authenticity of the fine but also provided what seemed to be legitimate ownership documents.

The Investigation and Arrest: How Authorities Brought the Scammers to Justice

However, after returning to the UK on March 20, 2024, Satbinder became increasingly suspicious as the scammers continued to string him along with fake airway bills and empty promises of delivery. Realizing the deal was unraveling, he wrote to the Commissioner General of the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) to verify the authenticity of the documents.

The matter was promptly referred to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), which launched an in-depth investigation. The findings were damning: all the documents provided to the complainants were forged, the supposed customs officials were impostors, Patvad Trading Co. Ltd was not licensed to trade in minerals, and the airway bills were fabricated. In total, the complainants had been swindled out of 2,168,258.91 Euros, equivalent to KES. 341,949,292.

The three suspects involved in the scam have since been arraigned in court. The investigation into the conduct of the advocate managing the escrow account has been forwarded to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) for further review and action.
Geoffrey Monari, CEO of the Universities Fund, attributed the incorrect banding of university students to false information, laxity, and inadequate network infrastructure.

He stressed the importance of accurate data in the re-categorization process, which heavily relies on the socio-economic details applicants provide. This process will also factor in affirmative action measures, socio-demographic characteristics, and family education expenses to determine final funding bands.

Food security is currently a top priority in this country, so students enrolled in agriculture-related courses have a high chance of being placed in the first funding band, Monari explained. He also mentioned that students from families with parents who have disabilities, chronic illnesses, or extended family dependents are classified as needy.

Since the Higher Education Portal opened, the fund has received 134,029 applications for loans and scholarships, out of which 127,591 have been approved. These students were placed into different financing bands based on their needs, aiming to ensure fair allocation of funding and prioritizing those who are most financially vulnerable.

Monari acknowledged that some students were not satisfied with their initial placement. Approximately 12,000 students have filed appeals, believing they were unfairly categorized.

We have received numerous appeals from Kenyans concerned about the bands they were placed in, Monari said. The fund has reviewed nearly 1,000 appeals and made adjustments to funding bands for students found to be in genuine need.

He explained that the governments multi-agency approach, involving collaboration with the National Educational Management Information System (NEMIS), the Kenya Revenue Authority, and the Ministry of Interior, aims to enhance transparency, efficiency, and accountability in the university financing system.

We validated the information provided by students with other institutions. Seventy percent of the applicants claimed zero income. However, upon validation, we found that many of them were actually earning more, Monari explained.

He urged students who believe they were incorrectly banded to log into the Higher Education Financing portal and reapply, ensuring accurate information for a fair assessment.
One of the worlds fine-wine pioneering nations  France  has produced quality wine for hundreds of years dating to well before the United States was a country.

Over decades, certain French regions displayed such fine vinous features that they became commercially successful. Many image-conscious producers made lots of money and some of their products sold well at home and to neighboring countries.

This became a trade bonanza for France.

Smaller French wine regions also developed cultures of making wine. Even though these lesser areas revenues were smaller, France depended on this commodity, so it aided its expansion because of demand at home and in nearby nations. Again, the French government was aware of the benefits.

As wine sales grew, French officials increasingly supported wine. It was good for trade. (Germany, with historically cold weather, couldnt reliably grow red wine grapes. To this day, Frances red wines are popular in German households.)

The French revolution in 1789 led to widespread changes in many French wine regulations. But because wine was such a valued commodity, some new laws applied to quality and were aimed at enhancing French wines prestige. As a result, the regulations required certain quality mandates. Violators risked significant fines.

Because these laws entailed technical assessments, the French government established offices that it staffed with grape and wine experts. In his superb 1978 book "The Winemasters," author Nicolas Faith frequently mentions Frances Fraud Prevention Squads. They routinely staged winery inspections to make certain rules are followed.

(Faiths book examines the 1972 Cruse fraud case that most of todays wine lovers know nothing about.)

In fact, similar government wine fraud offices today exist in Germany, Spain, Italy, Portugal, and several other countries where wine is a major money-generating enterprise  and a product vital in international trade.

The United States has no such agency. Historically, Wine in the United States had always been a very small part of the economy. So the government saw no reason to support it with either funding or research.

American wine producers needed no federal wine agency from 1919 to 1933, during Prohibition. And the simple language of the 21st amendment to the Constitution that ended Prohibition said nothing about how wine was to be made. In 1933 and the years that followed, American wine quality was poor, and international wine trade was not an issue.

Meanwhile, throughout Europe, and soon in other countries, quality-wine regulations increased. Italy, which has tinkered with its wine regulations for decades, established formal and informal working relationships between government officials and wineries. Many government officials formerly worked in either vineyards or wineries. And most of them knew technical details of wine.

France had a similar informal vintner-inspector set-up. At a dinner in the mid-1990s, a Bordeaux winemaker told me that French government inspectors he knew were friends and that minor technical issues often were worked out informally  often over a glass of wine.

This sort of informal arrangement does not exist to any degree in the United States.

In this country, the wine regulators come from the Treasury Departments Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB), the successor to the old Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF). Post-1933, the Bureau of Prohibition was changed into the ATU  the Alcohol Tax Unit, whose main responsibility had been tax collection.

And for the next 55 years, very little changed. Tax collection was ATF/TTBs main responsibility.

In the long history of ATF/TTB, only one employee ever earned a degree in enology! That was the highly respected Richard Gahagen, who eventually rose to the position of Wine Technical Director for the agency.

Later he lectured on wine technical issues at Fresno State University.

Other than Gahagan, most of the employees of the agency are dedicated to arson, firearms, explosives, and related terrorist activities. Wine, a rather benign aspect of TTBs responsibilities, still has wine inspectors, but the agency is so underfunded that its impact on the wine industry recently has been essentially nil.

In 1989, I flew back to Washington, D.C., and had a several-hour interview with five members of the Beer and Wine Branch of ATF. One reason was to obtain a story.

Another reason was to inform them, if they didnt already know, that most of their agents were desperately in need of a basic wine education, and that most winemakers in California had told me that ATF personnel they had encountered seemed unaware of anything related to wine.

About technical issues, ATF agents usually were clueless.

I have covered this industry for 50 years. If anything, TTB agents today know less than they ever have. And the agency seems not to care.

(My 1989 interview at ATF headquarters turned out to be an exercise in obfuscation. The director did most of the talking and revealed almost nothing, as if it was top-secret. I believe he thought of me as a spy. Da.)

I recently called a friend and winemaker for 40 years. I asked him about TTB inspections. When I got into the business, most of the inspections were about ticky-tack infractions. And there were a couple of ladder climbers who were a pain in the butt, he said.

And recently? I asked.

I havent seen an inspector in 30 years, he said. And he added, Our industry has become so technical that I doubt any of the current inspectors would have any idea whats going on. He implied that most of the inspectors seem to be more bureaucratic than technically oriented.

By contrast, Germany requires each fine wine label to contain an official A.P. number, which identifies the wine. The government runs chemical analysis on all wines to see if they conform to regs, and there is a taste analysis by winemakers and other experts. If a wine fails either test, the A.P. number is denied, meaning the wine may not be sold.

Those inside the German industry and those involved in German government regulations know each other as peers. When problem arise, they work cooperatively to solve the problem within the confines of the regulations, which are published and available to the industry  in a set of five large books.

I asked my winemaker friend about U.S./TTB wine regulations. Theyre in a pamphlet, he said. It sure would be nice if TTB knew something about how wine is made these days.

European wine regulations vary, of course, from country to country. And the guidelines can be fairly rigid, although anecdotally, European winemakers often tell me that they ignore the guidelines when it makes a better wine, partially because they know the inspectors extremely well.

In 1990, I learned how this works when I visited Tuscany and taste today's superb wine that was listed as Chianti  but the wine did not conform to county regulations. The winemaker explains why the wine was out of compliance. He said, The laws, they are made in Rome; the wine, it is made here.

And since wine quality is paramount, many European inspectors look the other way.

A recent article written by a California writer spoke of a proposal that California consider adopting European-style wine regulations. It was proposed that various areas adhere to rules similar to those found in other countries regarding approved grape varieties, maximum yields per acre, vine spacing, irrigation, and aging requirements, among others.

I believe that such regulations, if enacted here, would instantly stifle experimentation  the very trait that allowed Robert Mondavi to go from no winery in June 1966 to making a world-class Cabernet in October 1968!

Doug Fletcher, retired winemaker at Chimney Rock in Stags Leap, in a rebuttal article on wine-searcher.com opposing European-style regulations here, said many such euro laws were set in stone so long ago that they don't reflect modern viticultural practices or the changing environment.

Most people today believe that implementation, in 1968, of the Ag Preserve in Napa was a critical factor in assisting the wine industry to discover the greatness of Napa Valley wines and allowing the wineries to flourish without annoying and artificial restrictions.

In his essay opposing new wine and grape regulations, Fletcher said, Implicit in the Ag Preserve statute is the right to farm. To me, that means you can grow whatever you want, with some obvious controls, such as water use.

Fletcher wrote, market forces are a much better driver for determining what should be planted [in specific soils]. The Europeans are stuck with regulations that are cumbersome, scientifically out of date, and favor the least common denominator.

Letting the consumer decide [what to buy] is a simple and elegant method of finding what's best. It also invites innovation.

Moreover, if new regulations were imposed, who would police them? Certainly not the current posse comitatus of TTB inspectors, given their astounding naivete about wine production. The agencys track record in wine recently is woeful.

The agencys label approval division alone causes nothing more than headaches for winemakers, marketers, and even consumers. Please do not ask for examples. Theyd fill a book.

I will admit that the proposal to impose new regulations on how fine wine is produced appeals to me academically. I have been personally disappointed that there are no parameters either mandated or suggested for how fine wines are produced. And not just here. France has his own issues.

I paid $40 for a bottle of a supposedly excellent Pouilly-Fume recently. I tasted it and immediately thought of returning it to the store. It was terrible. Pouilly-Fume should be crisp. This particular wine was sweet and had no regional aroma or taste. I cant understand how a quality French producer could get away with such mediocrity. Did the Pouilly-Fume rules force him to do something he didnt want to do?

Also, Californians have done rather well making wine using innovation, creativity, and sheer brainstorming. The last things creative winemakers need are ankle cuffs and straitjackets.

Moreover, I dont trust all wine scientists conclusions. Some of them with letters after their names have bizarre ideas that have never been proven in the real world  in the dirt where wine is really created.

Wine of the week: 2021 Miro Cabernet Sauvignon, Chalk Hitchcock Vineyard ($42)  Im rarely impressed by concentrated red wines  they normally dont have the proper acid. But Miro Tcholakov has long produced Cabernets that have the structure and balance I like, even when the alcohol is higher than I prefer. This wine has a dense, rich blackberry/cassis aroma and substantial tannins for aging. After decanting, it responded in an hour. Miro said it underwent a whole-berry fermentation. Given its 14.9% alcohol, I was struck by how nicely balanced it was with a moderate 3.5 pH.

Throwback Thursday: Premiere Napa Valley through the years
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."
Ukraine has launched a wave of overnight drone attacks on Russia, causing fires at two Russian energy facilities, Azernews reports via BBC.

According to Russias defence ministry, more than 158 Ukrainian drones targeted 15 regions of the country, including the capital Moscow.The Russian military claimed that these drones were intercepted and destroyed.

But as a result of the attack a fire has broken out at an oil refinery in Moscow in a separate technical room, the city's mayor said.

Sergei Sobyanin reported that at least 11 drones targeted the capital city and the surrounding areas.

Meanwhile, 75 miles (120km) from the Russian capital, in the Tver region, loud blasts were heard close to the Konakovo Power Station/=.

Ukraine has not commented on the claims.But Ukrainian forces have been stepping up long-range strikes inside Russia over the past few months, launching scores of drones simultaneously at strategic targets several times a week.
08:40

The United Kingdom said it will suspend 30 out of 350 arms export licences to Israel, citing a 'clear risk' that the weapons could be used in serious breaches of international humanitarian law in the ongoing Gaza conflict, Al Jazeera reported.





Foreign Secretary David Lammy stated in the parliament on Monday that the partial ban covers items 'which could be used in the current conflict in Gaza' against Hamas but did not include parts for F-35 fighter jets.





Lammy clarified that it is not a complete ban on arms exports to Israel and that it continues to support Israel's right to self-defence, as per Al Jazeera.





"It is with regret that I inform the House [of Commons] today the assessment I have received leaves me unable to conclude anything other than that for certain UK arms exports to Israel, there does exist a clear risk that they might be used to commit or facilitate a serious violation of international humanitarian law," Lammy said.





In response, Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz said in a statement that his country was 'disappointed by a series of decisions' made by the British government, including the decision regarding defence exports.





Katz said the move 'sends a very problematic message' to the Palestinian group Hamas and its patrons in Iran.





British exports amount to less than 1 per cent of the total arms Israel receives, and Lammy told parliament the suspension would not have a material impact on Israel's security.





According to Al Jazeera, soon after the Labour Party won the general election in July, Lammy said he would update a review on arms sales to Britain's ally Israel to ensure they complied with international law.





On Sunday, Israelis took to the streets in large numbers, demanding a ceasefire deal and the return of captives held by Hamas.





The protesters chanted 'Now! Now!' and demanded that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reach a ceasefire deal with Palestinian group Hamas to bring the remaining captives home.





Scuffles between the protesters and security forces were reported on Sunday night in one of the largest anti-government demonstrations in Israel since the Gaza war began nearly 11 months ago, as per Al Jazeera.





Many protestors blocked roads in Tel Aviv and demonstrated outside Netanyahu's office in West Jerusalem.





The Hostages and Missing Families Forum, which represents the families of captives held in Gaza, said the death of the six hostages was the direct result of Netanyahu's failure to secure a deal to halt the fighting and bring their loved ones home.





"They were all murdered in the last few days, after surviving almost 11 months of abuse, torture, and starvation in Hamas captivity," the forum said. -- ANI
Adani Energy Solutions Ltd (AESL) on Monday stated that it has completed SPV acquisition of Khavda Phase IV Part-A transmission project after receiving a letter of intent (LOI) from REC Power Development and Consultancy. The company also added that the award of this project further strengthens AESL's position as a leader in India's energy transition and consolidates its position as the largest private sector transmission player in India. Khavda IVA Power Transmission, a special purpose vehicle (SPV,) set up by RECPDCL for evacuating 7 GW of Renewable Energy (RE) from Khavda RE park, under Phase IV Part A package, has been acquired by AESL to execute the project. The company added that the Khavda IVA transmission line, part of National Grid, will help evacuate 7 GW of RE by connecting 765 kV double circuit lines from Khavda to Lakadia and Khavda to Bhuj (both in Gujarat) and setting up transformation capacity of 4,500 MVA. As per the statement by the company, Khavda, the world's largest renewable energy park, with a planned generation capacity of 30 GW, will immensely contribute to India's decarbonization journey. The award of this project to AESL boosts the availability of critical transmission infrastructure required for evacuation of clean energy. The Adani Group's focused approach will also ensure the transformation of Khavda from a barren stretch of land into a landmark in India's net zero journey. "As the world's largest renewable energy park, Khavda demands power evacuation infrastructure that is not only world-class but also resilient and future-ready, this investment will not only establish the critical transmission network required to evacuate the planned 30 GW of green power that Khavda will generate but also provide the much-needed grid stability. AESL is proud to be part of this initiative as this network will play a very important role in the seamless flow of green energy to the national grid, bolstering India's journey towards net zero" said Kandarp Patel, Chief Executive Officer, AESL. The company won the project through the Tariff-Based Competitive Bidding (TBCB) process and will commission the project in the next 24 months on BOOT (Build, Own Operate, and Transfer) basis and maintain it for the next 35 years. The company will invest approximately Rs 4,091 crore to build the approx. 298 km (596 ckm) transmission project. The project also includes setting up of 300 MVAr STATCOM and 3x1500 MVA, 765/400 kV Inter-connecting Transformer (ICTs) with 1x330 MVAr, 765 kV and 1x125 MVAr, 420 kV bus reactors. (ANI)
After the GST collection for the August showed a month-on-month decline in growth terms, the economic experts pointed out that the decline on month-on-month growth basis is not an appropriate way of looking at the numbers in view of the buoyancy in both direct and indirect taxes. The experts also noted that the GST collection since its inception has shown a remarkable growth. The Goods and Services Tax revenue collection for August 2024 stood at Rs 1,74,962 crore, marking a 10 per cent increase compared to Rs 1,59,069 crore collected in August 2023. "The August figures may seem a monthly decrease in growth terms on sequential basis. But this would not be an appropriate way of looking at things in view of the buoyancy in both direct and indirect taxes, tax slab rationalisation during the seven-year period" said Manoranjan Sharma, Chief Economist, Informerics Ratings. "In other words, when considered in a proper historical and comparative perspective, the GST collection has risen remarkably since its inception. It's difficult to record a consistently high growth rate on a constantly rising and much higher base. This base effect needs to be factored in for a comprehensive assessment of the evolving GST collection scenario in India," he added. Goods and Services Tax (GST) collections in August, in gross terms, were at Rs 1.74 lakh crore, with a yearly jump of 10 per cent however, the GST collections in July were Rs 1.82 lakh crore. In May and June, the collections were at Rs 1.73 lakh crore and Rs 1.74 lakh crore, respectively. Experts also pointed out that the decline in the GST revenue is because of the increase in the refunds. "Despite a decline in net GST revenue due to increased refunds, the continued growth in gross GST collections indicate a robust economy. The government's commitment to reduce working capital costs for businesses facing inverted duty structure is demonstrated by the higher domestic GST refunds" said Saurabh Agarwal, Tax Partner, EY He also highlighted that "By rationalizing rates, the government aims to address this issue over time. The positive growth in GST collections in Nagaland, Assam, Andaman & Nicobar, and Ladakh indicates holistic economic development across India". According to the data, so far in 2024, the total GST collection has been 10.1 per cent higher at Rs 9.13 lakh crore, as against Rs 8.29 lakh crore mopped up in the corresponding period of 2023. (ANI)
NewsVoir Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], September 2: TVS Motor Company recorded monthly sales of 391,588 units in August 2024 with a growth of 13 per cent as against 345,848 units in the month of August 2023. Two-Wheeler Total two-wheelers registered a growth of 14% with sales increasing from 332,110 units in August 2023 to 378,841 units in August 2024. Domestic two-wheeler registered growth of 13% with sales increasing from 256,619 units in August 2023 to 289,073 units in August 2024. Motorcycle sales registered a growth of 11% with sales increasing from 153,047 units in August 2023 to 170,486 units in August 2024. Scooter registered a growth of 15% with sales increasing from 142,502 units in August 2023 to 163,629 units in August 2024. Electric Vehicle EV sales registered a growth of 4% with sales increasing from 23,887 units in August 2023 to 24,779 units in August 2024. International Business The Company's total exports sales registered a growth of 14% with sales increasing from 87,515 units in August 2023 to 99,976 units in August 2024. Two-wheeler exports registered a growth of 19% with sales increasing from 75,491 units in August 2023 to 89,768 units in August 2024. Three-Wheeler Three-wheeler sales registered sales of 12,747 units in August 2024 as against 13,738 units in August 2023. TVS Motor Company (BSE:532343 and NSE: TVSMOTOR) is a reputed two and three-wheeler manufacturer globally, championing progress through sustainable mobility with four state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities located in India and Indonesia. Rooted in our 100-year legacy of trust, value, and passion for customers, it takes pride in making internationally accepted products of the highest quality through innovative and sustainable processes. TVS Motor is the only two-wheeler company to have won the prestigious Deming Prize. Our products lead in their respective categories in the J.D. Power IQS and APEAL surveys. We have been ranked No. 1 Company in the J.D. Power Customer Service Satisfaction Survey for four consecutive years. Our group company Norton Motorcycles, based in the United Kingdom, is one of the most emotive motorcycle brands in the world. Our subsidiaries in the personal e-mobility space, Swiss E-Mobility Group (SEMG) and EGO Movement have a leading position in the e-bike market in Switzerland. TVS Motor Company endeavours to deliver the most superior customer experience across 80 countries in which we operate. For more information, please visit www.tvsmotor.com. (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by NewsVoir. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)
Recently we have come across news about Jerusalems Armenian Quarter, allegedly a historic community dating back to the 4th century, being under a serious threat. This was reported by Armenias famous lobbyist scales  The Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) and its Canadian Committee on X.

As it was reported, the major distress for Armenian Quarter residents is that it is the last undeveloped space of the Old City, a plot of 3 acres that has been the focus of takeover efforts by Jewish settler organizations. Recently, a company owned by an Israeli-Australian businessman has managed to lease the plot and several adjacent buildings from the Armenian Patriarchate into the next century, for the laughable sum of only $2 million. This may have sounded quite normal, until you come against a sentence claiming Armenian community is one of Jerusalems oldest, with the first Armenians arriving as early as the 4th century CE and the Armenian Patriarchate being active in the city since the 7th century. Just to note that the post also claims the quarter calls the violent attempt to seize Jerusalem's sacred Armenian Quarter represents an attack against all Armenians, each Christian, and every faith tradition around the world.

Its noteworthy to say that the Armenian American National Committee (ANCA), one of the largest political organizations of the Armenian lobby, was engaged in protecting the interests of the Armenian diaspora, Armenia, and Garabagh separatists. It has offices in many cities in America and Europe. Looks like this unfortunate organization deprived of all opportunities, now has decided to claim this quarter as Jerusalems so-called sacred place. But there it raises genuine questions: Is this quarter indeed, a sacred place as it was mentioned in the post? Or is it another provocative, separatist attempt of the Armenian lobby?

To analyze the issue in more detail, the Azernews correspondent decided to talk to an Israeli expert.





While an ordinary purchase and sale transaction in any other city would not make headlines, when it comes to Jerusalem, even a plot of land used as a parking lot can suddenly become "sacred," Dr.Hay Eytan Cohen Yanarocak of Tel Aviv University stated.

Dr. Yanarocak also suggested that the matter is being politicized.

The final decision will again be made by an Israeli court. However, it seems that when it comes to the Jewish state of Israel, Armenians are trying to weaken the sovereignty of this state in its capital on an international level by labeling a parking lot as "sacred."

Visit the Armenian neighborhood in Jerusalem. You will see Armenian flags and Armenian signs everywhere. ANCA's claims are no different than creating a storm in a spoonful of water, they are malicious, he concluded.
The Department of Telecommunication on Monday notified the 'Telecommunications (Administration of Digital Bharat Nidhi) Rules, 2024' According to the Ministry of Communication, the new rules aims to enhance the management and implementation of 'Digital Bharat Nidhi' initiative which is established under section 24(1) of the Telecommunications Act, 2023 The Universal Service Obligation Fund which was created under the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885 has now been rechristened as 'Digital Bharat Nidhi' vide section 24(1) of the Telecommunications Act, 2024, and it now addresses new areas which may require support from 'Digital Bharat Nidhi' in changing technological times. Union Minister of Communications Jyotiraditya M Scindia in a post on X described the new rules as the reflection of Government's commitment to ensure equal access to telecom services and strengthen India's mission towards Viksit Bharat. The minister said "@DoTIndia is proud to share that the first rules of The Telecom Act 2023, 'Digital Bharat Nidhi' are now in effect. This reflects our commitment to ensure equal access to telecom services and in turn strengthen India's mission of becoming Viksit Bharat @ 2047" The rules stipulate that funds from the Digital Bharat Nidhi will be allocated to projects aimed at improving telecommunication services in underserved and remote areas and for underserved groups of the society, such as, women, persons with disabilities and economically and socially weaker sections. The schemes and projects funded under the Digital Bharat Nidhi need to meet one or more of criteria stipulated in the rules. These include projects for provision of telecommunication services, including mobile and broadband services and telecommunication equipment required for delivery of telecommunication services, and enhancing telecom security; improving access and affordability of telecom services and introduction of next generation telecommunication technologies in underserved rural, remote and urban areas. The criteria for undertaking schemes and project under 'Digital Bharat Nidhi' also include promoting innovation, research and development; promotion and commercialisation of Indigenous technology development and associated intellectual property including the creation of regulatory sandboxes. The criteria also include developing and establishing relevant standards to meet national requirements and their standardisation international standardisation bodies; encouraging start-ups in the telecommunications sector; to create bridge between the academia, research institutes, start-ups and industry for capacity building and development; and to promote sustainable and green technologies in telecommunications sector. These projects are aimed at achieving the goal of Atmanirbhar Bharat. It is also provided that any Implementer, receiving funding from the 'Digital Bharat Nidhi' for establishing, operating, maintaining or expanding a telecommunication network, shall share and make available such telecommunication network/services on an open and non-discriminatory basis. The Telecommunications Act, 2023, was passed by the Parliament in December 2023, it received the assent of President of India on December 24, 2023 and was published in the official Gazette on the same day. The ministry added that guided by the principles of Samavesh (Inclusion), Suraksha (Security), Vriddhi (Growth), and Tvarit (Responsiveness), the Act aims to achieve the vision of Viksit Bharat (Developed India). The provisions related with Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN) are contained in Section 24-26, Chapter V of the Act. (ANI)
PRNewswire Dubai [UAE], September 2: Flytxt, a pioneer in AI-powered Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) solutions that maximise customer lifetime value (CLTV) for subscription businesses, has announced the appointment of Vickram Nagi as Senior Vice President and Head of Global Sales. Vickram brings over 25 years of experience in enterprise sales, strategic business development, managed services, and business transformation for major technology and digital service providers. Prior to joining Flytxt, he held leadership positions at Kyndryl Holdings (an IBM spin-off), IBM, BigCash Online Gaming, iiNet Australia, and Primus Telecom Australia. Flytxt has a presence in four continents and over 80 clients across multiple sectors. In his new role, Vickram will be responsible for driving sales and top-line revenue growth. His appointment comes at a significant stage in Flytxt's growth trajectory as the company seeks to expand the global footprint for its AI-driven customer experience solutions across markets and industry verticals. Vickram is a seasoned business leader with extensive experience successfully driving profitable growth through strategic alliances and sales initiatives in highly competitive markets. He is renowned for his pivotal role in leading business transformations for many Fortune 500 companies, enhancing sales and operational efficiency on a global scale. Dr Vinod Vasudevan, CEO of Flytxt, commented on the appointment: "We are extremely pleased to welcome Vickram Nagi to the Flytxt leadership team. Vickram's distinguished ability to navigate complex business environments, build strategic relationships and uphold best practices will help us accelerate market growth and deliver high-quality customer interactions." Expressing his enthusiasm, Vickram Nagi said, "Flytxt's portfolio of AI-driven products and solutions is not only innovative but also validated by market success. I am excited to join Flytxt and look forward to directing global initiatives to scale sales operations, penetrate new markets, and deepen engagement with key strategic accounts." About Flytxt Flytxt empowers the world's biggest brands to solve one of the fundamental challenges of subscription and usage-based businesses- how to maximize customer lifetime value (CLTV). It is the trusted technology partner of 80+ enterprises across more than 50 countries, as well as of top CX platform vendors for CLTV maximization. Flytxt's award-winning, proprietary CLTV AI has been designed and well-trained using real-world insights and patterns from more than a billion consumers and trillions of data points. The firm has a corporate office in Dubai, global development centers in India, and presence in Mexico, the Netherlands, Colombia, Malaysia, Czech Republic, Spain, and Kenya. For more information, visit www.flytxt.com Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2493381/Vickram_Nagi.jpg Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2096851/Flytxt_Logo.jpg (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by PRNewswire. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)
PRNewswire Siliguri (West Bengal) [India], September 2: A world of opportunities has opened up before students studying hospitality management at the International Institute of Hotel Management (IIHM), as a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between IIHM and Courtyard by Marriott Siliguri on August 31, 2024. A mutual understanding and agreement to enhance the learning experience of hospitality education and training at IIHM, the two global brands, one for Hospitality Education and one for Hospitality Operations, signed an MoU to collaborate towards enhancing the learning experience of the students of Hospitality Management at IIHM, to create highly employable graduates. According to the MoU, Courtyard by Marriott Siliguri will train the IIHM students doing Bachelors and Diploma courses in Hospitality Management in IIHM. They will provide mentorship, career guidance, guest lectures and assistance in project work, to impart industry trends and enhance the learning experience of students. Further, students of IIHM will get first preference to be placed in Marriott hotels across India, for their industrial training programmes. "IIHM and Marriott share a significant bond, and this MoU will strengthen the bond between us and help us to work closely. It is wonderful that Courtyard by Marriott Siliguri is thinking about bringing the industry and academia to work together and garner real talent. IIHM students will get to do their internship at Courtyard by Marriott, and if they pass the selection criteria, they will also be selected for placement at the hotels," said Dr Suborno Bose, the Founder and Chairman of IIHM. Sanjeev Agarwal, General Manager, Courtyard by Marriott Siliguri, said, "It is a proud moment for us to start this association. The IIHM students have a great opportunity to experience the industry and reap the benefits of interacting with experts from the Marriott family. As the industry grows, it is very important for us to nurture the talent and prepare them to be the future leaders of Hospitality Industry." Elaborating on other aspects of the MoU, future students of IIHM will be delighted for the privilege to be a part of this exemplary programme. Securing their future, Courtyard by Marriott will extend first preference to recruit qualified students of IIHM. Through this association, IIHM and Marriott have created another bond of camaraderie towards supporting and mentoring the hospitality leaders of the future. About IIHM IIHM (International Institute of Hotel Management) is one of the largest chain of premier hospitality and hotel management schools across India that started its journey in 1994, at Kolkata. IIHM is a part of Indismart Group, the conglomerate that operates the Indismart Hotels. IIHM campuses are located across eleven National and International cities, with the associate institute IAM-IHM located in Kolkata and Guwahati. Students passing out of IIHM are armed with an international degree from the University of West London and equipped with global hospitality skills that enable easy placements in any hospitality brand across the world. IIHM is dedicated to its pursuit of excellence in teaching and placements. Real time experience is the key to success in hospitality and that makes the institute popular. In recent years, IIHM has been instrumental in organizing the world's biggest culinary olympiad, Young Chef Olympiad, with the participation of over 50 countries, a unique idea and initiative inviting young culinary talents across the world. It has MoUs with over 50 countries for student and faculty exchange, bringing the best of education for its students from around the world. The institute has bagged several prestigious awards in the past 24 years. The list includes the Best Education Brand Award from Economic Times, consecutively 7 years in a row in 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2022, 2023 and 2024; Most Valuable Global Hospitality Education Brand 2023 by Zee; Institute of Excellence in Domestic and International placement by TV9 Bangla; Excellence in Academics at Institutional Infrastructure by Times Excellence Awards; and Best Placement Institute by ASSOCHAM 2021 & Educational Excellence Award by ASSOCHAM 2023. It was also featured in Forbes Magazine as Great Indian Institute and Great Place to Study consecutively in the year 2018-2019 and 2019-2020. IIHM was also awarded as one among the World's Greatest Brands & Leaders 2015-16 by URS International (IMEA - Process Reviewer PriceWaterhouseCoopers PL) and also received the Best Institute in Hospitality Education 2017 Award by ASSOCHAM from Dr Mahendra Nath Pandey, Minister of State for HRD (Higher Education), Govt. of India. Please visit for more information: www.iihm.ac.in Contact Abdullah Ahmed Abdullah.ahmed@iihm.ac.in 011-43204700 Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2494166/IIHM_MarriiottSiliguri_MoU.jpg Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2256068/4694127/IIHM_Logo.jpg (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by PRNewswire. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)
PRNewswire Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], September 2: In a historic first, the award-winning work and critical insights from Cannes Lions, the International Festival of Creativity, were presented in an exclusive event across Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Gurugram. Hosted in collaboration with Medulla Communications, India's leading healthcare advertising agency, the event brought together industry leaders to explore the creative and strategic trends that will shape the future of pharma and healthcare marketing in India. Revolutionizing Pharma and Healthcare Marketing This one-of-a-kind event provided a platform for India's top pharma and healthcare marketing professionals to analyse and discuss the most impactful campaigns from Cannes Lions 2024. The discussions revealed several emerging trends that are set to redefine the industry, highlighting the importance of creativity, technology, and patient-centric approaches in driving future success. Rise of Customer-Patient Experience -- Highlight from Mumbai, Day 1 (27th Aug) Patient centricity is rapidly becoming the cornerstone of modern healthcare. With patients' expectations evolving -- fuelled by the seamless experiences offered in other industries -- healthcare providers are increasingly prioritizing patient-centred approaches to enhance overall care. Achin Gupta, CEO - One India Business, Cipla, shared, "It is happening today; all of that is changing towards what we are now calling 'patient centricity'. It's been around for a while, but there are newer dimensions to it, starting with awareness, which is a very important thing, especially for emerging markets like India where there's lot of prevalence but lot less awareness about the disease." Integrating Healthy Habits -- Highlight from Mumbai, Day 2 (28th Aug) Adopting new behaviours is often challenging for patients and consumers, especially when it comes to managing complex health conditions. The event highlighted the barriers consumers face in integrating new habits into their daily lives, such as the lack of awareness about lifestyle factors and the psychological resistance to change. Shivam Puri, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Cipla Health Ltd., said, "One of the first things we were taught when we started marketing was to try to stay away from categories which are doing category development. And, within a couple of years, I was taught another fact, which was to try not to do category development in categories which involve habit change. So, categories which require consumers to shift their habits -- stay away from those categories, because it becomes very difficult for you to succeed. Now, you know at Cipla Health, you actually realize there is a 3rd category in this, where you are trying to do category development in categories which require a habit shift where the habit is one of the stickiest habits that exists." Do Doctors Know Everything? -- Highlight from Bengaluru, Day 3 (29th Aug) Disease awareness has become a critical component of pharmaceutical marketing, aiming to educate both healthcare professionals (HCPs) and consumers. These campaigns not only help HCPs make informed decisions but also empower consumers to recognize early symptoms and seek timely medical intervention, ultimately improving health outcomes. Vikrant Shrotriya, Managing Director & Corporate Vice President, Novo Nordisk, went on to say, "I'm not here to prove to you that doctors know everything, but I'll put across a point that they are part of the ecosystem in terms of the treatment which is provided to the patients. Many a times we call them customers because we do sell like doctors, sell their practice." Increasing Access in Healthcare through Technology -- Highlight from Gurugram, Day 4 (30th August) Technology is revolutionizing healthcare, making it more accessible and efficient. The event showcased how advancements in AI, machine learning, and telemedicine are transforming patient care and experiences. From improving diagnostic accuracy to enabling real-time health tracking through smart devices, these technological innovations are empowering patients and healthcare providers alike. Aditi Sood, Business Leader - Sleep & Respiratory Care, Indian Subcontinent, Philips India Ltd., spoke on access through technology and said, "Coming to how technology can really unlock access to healthcare: So, when we talk about healthcare, of course, technology is there in multiple ways. You know it could be patient, doctor, or industry facing. But when we look at it specifically from the consumer or the patient lens, this then is typically the health continuum. You have watches which tell you ECG; you even have for more serious diseases, such as cancer, AI-powered machines which can diagnose solid organ cancers, which was not possible before -- the era of robotic surgery. Now coming to India, robotic surgery does not eliminate the need of a doctor. But, in fact, it makes it more accurate and precise, which means organs which were not accessible before and tumours of the lung, which a doctor could not access in surgery before are today possible." Other trends that emerged: * HCPs are Humans Too * CMOs in Today's Times * Does Being Socially Inclusive Pay for Brands? * Hospital Communication Can Touch Lives Just Like Hospitals Do * Being Socially Inclusive The event offered invaluable insights into the evolving pharma and healthcare landscape, sparking discussions on the future direction of the industry. With creativity and technology at the forefront, the future of pharma and healthcare marketing in India is poised for significant advancements, paving the way for improved outcomes for both healthcare professionals and patients. About LIONS As The Home of Creativity, LIONS powers the marketing segment, Ascential, and is a destination for those in the business of creativity. As the definitive benchmark of creative excellence and with unparalleled access to insight on how it works, LIONS provides those on the journey to creative excellence all they need, at whatever stage they are and wherever they are. Our annual five-day festival, Cannes Lions, is the meeting place for the global creative marketing community and a celebration of the world's most excellent and effective work. About Medulla Communications Founded by Praful Akali in 2008, Medulla Communications has consistently been recognized as one of the top healthcare agencies, globally. The agency has been honoured as the Healthcare Agency of the Year at Cannes Lions and ranked as the #4 Most Effective Independent Agency globally by Effies, and the #4 Most Effective Specialist Agency globally by WARC. For media inquiries, please contact: leonie@medulla.in (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by PRNewswire. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)
NewsVoir Pune (Maharashtra) [India], September 2: In a sparkling celebration of design and artistry, Zoya from the House of Tata unveiled its much-anticipated flagship boutique. Nestled in the 'it' neighborhood of ITI Road in Aundh, the launch, graced by Ajoy Chawla, CEO of Titan Jewellery Division, was a sophisticated affair that drew the city's elite to this exquisite new space. The boutique, a gallery of wearable art, embodies Zoya's vision of redefining the fine jewellery experience in India through a deeply meaningful product and an experience of warm luxury. A true reflection of Pune's cultural vibrancy, contemporary design meets deep-rooted traditions in Zoya's new boutique, making it a cherished addition to the city's luxury landscape. "Zoya is truly the crown jewel of Tata's, bringing to life the rich tapestry of Indian craftsmanship through meaningful, wearable art. Zoya, which means 'alive,' embodies our belief that every woman is on a heroine's journey. It is in those moments when she reconnects with her true self that she feels most alive," said Ajoy Chawla. "We are delighted to open our first boutique in Pune, a celebration of Zoya's distinctive design language, showcased through our patented stone cuts and innovative settings." Every facet of Zoya's new 2,500-square-foot boutique speaks with immersive eloquence of a love for fine jewellery. Every detail reflects the journey of the Zoya woman, the muse behind each rare creation. The visual language is contemporary and modern while doffing its hat ever so subtly to the power of the artisanal. Handcrafted displays by local artisans complement the feminine interiors bathed in shades of skin, pearl white and blush, while inviting guests to connect deeply with the distinctive design language of each piece. Inside, the boutique flows seamlessly from open gallery spaces to intimate zones, allowing clients to explore bespoke creations at their leisure. Private viewing areas, softly lit and elegantly decorated, offer a serene environment for discovering the collections. Conversations with Zoya's experts, accompanied by hand-brewed filter coffee and gourmet hors d'oeuvres, ensure every interaction is personalized and enriching, an indulgent journey into Zoya's exquisite world. Zoya's new Pune boutique is a beacon of luxury, where every detail is crafted to perfection, inviting the Zoya woman to discover not just jewellery, but a celebration of her unique journey. For more, please visit www.zoya.in Zoya, the House of Tata's exquisite diamond boutique, is India's leading brand of fine, luxury jewellery. Celebrated for its exceptional artistry, masterful craftsmanship, and unique design language, Zoya curates meaningful pieces of wearable art for the discerning modern sophisticate. Rooted in India with an eye on the world, each creation is a rare labour of love, born from narratives that celebrate the Zoya woman's journey towards her true self. As the brand enters its fifteenth year, it continues to redefine the luxury jewellery experience in India. With eleven exclusive boutiques across Mumbai, Delhi, Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, Pune and Hyderabad, and Zoya galleries in Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Kolkata, Chennai, and Chandigarh, Zoya showcases luxury in its purest form. Now, Zoya further elevates its personalized service by offering video-assisted jewellery consultations and home trials. (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by NewsVoir. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)
Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas, Hardeep Puri, on Monday assured the industry of the stability in the prices of ethanol. Addressing the IFGE's India Bio-Energy and Tech Expo in New Delhi, Puri said, "The continued policy of the government in providing price stability and remunerative prices for ethanol suppliers has helped in reducing the pending of sugarcane farmers. The government is committed to advancing alternative fuels, such as ethanol, for future automobiles. To reduce pollution along with achieving energy security goals, the government has set up 2G (Second Generation) refineries to make ethanol from Stubble (Parali) in Panipat (Haryana), and bamboo in Nomaligarh (Assam), said the Union Minister. "We have set up 2G refineries to make ethanol from parali in Panipat, and bamboo in Nomaligarh with the twin objective of reducing pollution along with achieving energy security goals. These initiatives are also empowering the transformation of our farmers from Annadatas to Urjadatas," the Union Minister said while addressing the IFGE's India Bio-Energy and Tech Expo in New Delhi. Speaking during the event, Puri said that India's energy blending programme has been a major success. He said that the ethanol blending percentage has gone up from 1.53 per cent in 2014 to 15 per cent in 2024. "Buoyed by the success, we advanced the 20 per cent target by five years to be completed by the ethanol blending year for 2025, which will be by October 2025. And I am very happy to inform you that we are on track to achieve that," Puri stated. Puri said that India's ethanol blending program has brought many benefits in the last 10 years. He mentioned that foreign exchange saved in the period between 2014 and 14 July 2024, was Rs. 99,014 crores. The carbon dioxide emissions lowered till 14 July 24 for this 10-year period, 519 lakh metric tonnes. Crude oil substitution achieved till 14 July 24, 173 lakh metric tonnes. The amount paid to the distillers by EMCs (Ethanol Manufacturing Companies), is Rs 1,45,930 crores, and the amount paid to the farmers till this date stood at Rs 87,558 crores. Praising the automobile industry for supporting the fuel transition, Puri said, "During this transition, support is also being provided to facilitate the use of transition fuels in older vehicles. I would like to commend the automobile industry for not only manufacturing new vehicles that are compliant with E20 fuel but also for their efforts in developing retrofit kits for older vehicles." (ANI)
VMPL New Delhi [India], September 2: Samunnati, a leading agri-value chain enabler, is set to host its 4th edition of FPO (Farmer Producer Organization) Conclave at Hyderabad, Telangana, on the 3rd & 4th of September 2024. This year's theme centres on "Sustainable agriculture solutions", aiming to empower small-holder farmers and agribusinesses across 20+ states with the presence of 500+ FPO representatives while driving innovative, eco-friendly solutions for the sector. The event has garnered significant national attention as the Union Minister of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare and Minister of Rural Development, Shivraj Singh Chouhan will be virtually addressing the FPOs representatives and the agri-tech stakeholders at the inaugural function. The event will be inaugurated in the presence of chief guest Faiz Ahmed Kidwai, Additional Secretary, Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Government of India, and special guest M. Raghunandan Rao, Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, Telangana. Representatives from NABARD and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FPO) will also be present to share their insights on fostering a sustainable agricultural ecosystem in the Indian agricultural landscape. The FPO conclave will feature an impressive lineup of prominent Agri-tech industry players, including Olam Agri, Bayer, Farmers One, Credit Access Life, Bioseed, Indofil Industries, Accel Sine, Villgro, and many others, making it a powerhouse gathering of innovators and thought leaders in the agricultural sector. The event takes place at a pivotal moment for India's agricultural sector. In recent years, the government has highlighted the crucial role of FPOs in tackling the challenges faced by both traditional and sustainable farming practices. Additionally, it has called for increased financial support to strengthen these organizations. Anil Kumar SG, Founder and CEO of Samunnati, highlighted the importance of sustainability in agriculture, stating, "The 4th Samunnati FPO Conclave is a great symbol of our collective resolve to create a platform for FPOs to connect, grow, and thrive sustainably. With the presence of key policymakers and stakeholders, this event will reinforce the significance of building a future-ready, eco-conscious agricultural system." The event features carefully curated panel discussions around the theme: Business case for sustainability in Agriculture, Development of sustainable agri Value chain, ecosystem players on climate-smart Agriculture Innovation, and input players gearing up for climate-smart agriculture opportunities. Apart from these, there will be interactive talks between FPOs and expert speakers on the sustainable practices and initiatives taken by FPOs in India. Through these two days of interactive engagement, esteemed FPO representatives and thousands of farmers come together to discuss, learn and exchange dialogues on the feasibility and practicality of enabling sustainable agriculture practices that aim towards a sustainable India. (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by VMPL. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)
As the trend of "festive tourism" is rising, Indian travellers are showing a clear preference for longer vacations, with trips extending from the traditional three days to anywhere between six and fifteen days, Thomas Cook (India) Limited, along with its Group Company, SOTC Travel, has launched an array of festive tours tailored for Dussehra, Durga Puja, and Diwali. According to Thomas Cook, this shift is also reflected in spending habits, with a year-on-year increase of 10-15 per cent. The younger generation, in particular, is embracing extended trips that combine weekends with festival holidays, creating opportunities for both relaxation and exploration. Thomas Cook and SOTC Travel have crafted special tours to cater to the varied interests of Indian travellers. For Durga Puja, travellers can opt for all-inclusive tours with fixed departures to popular destinations such as Europe, France, Switzerland, Great Britain, Japan, Vietnam, and the USA. Additional offerings include domestic tours to the Andaman Islands, Kashmir, and Kerala, ensuring there is something for every travel preference. For Diwali, the focus shifts to destinations like Himachal Pradesh, the North East, and international spots like Bhutan, Bali, and select European locales. Notably, personalised holidays, co-curated by Thomas Cook and SOTC holiday experts, offer travellers the flexibility to tailor their experiences. Among the favourite domestic destinations are Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, the Andaman Islands, Kerala, Rajasthan, Goa, Karnataka, the North East, and Sri Lanka. International hotspots include Dubai, the Maldives, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Australia-New Zealand. Emerging destinations such as Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and Georgia are also gaining popularity, offering travellers unique experiences and vibrant autumn colours. Destinations with visa-free or easy visa access, like Thailand, Sri Lanka, and the UAE, continue to be in high demand, simplifying travel plans for many. Traditionally, Indian festivals were celebrated with family gatherings at home. However, a growing number of families, including multiple generations, are now opting to celebrate these occasions by travelling together. School holidays that coincide with major festivals have further encouraged families to use this time for both bonding and exploration. Young professionals, too, are combining festive breaks with weekends for extended relaxation. Recognising the continued importance of spirituality during festivals, Thomas Cook and SOTC have introduced "Pilgrimage Plus" tours to destinations like Kashi, Ayodhya, Rameswaram, Tirupati, Amritsar, and Sri Lanka. These tours are designed to cater to the festive-religious fervour, offering a blend of spiritual fulfilment and travel. The companies are also tapping into the growing potential of tier 2 and tier 3 cities in India. With regional departures from Karnataka, West Bengal, Gujarat, and Maharashtra, they are making travel more accessible to these emerging markets. There is a trend towards premium and affordable luxury travel, with destinations like France, Switzerland, and Scandinavia being particularly popular. In addition, cruises across domestic waters, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East are gaining traction, offering travellers a unique festive experience. To stimulate demand, Thomas Cook and SOTC are providing exclusive discounts on their festive tours. This initiative is expected to attract a broad audience, eager to celebrate festivals in a novel way. Rajeev Kale, President and Country Head, Holidays, MICE, Visa, Thomas Cook (India) Limited, said, "We are observing a discernible shift in how families are celebrating festivals. Travel has become non-negotiable, with customers increasingly using festival periods as an opportunity to both celebrate and explore new destinations. He added, "Our specially curated festive tours are crafted to cater to this evolving trend, seamlessly blending cultural celebrations with immersive travel experiences. This approach not only meets the growing demand but also enhances the way customers engage with both festivals and travel." Daniel D'Souza, President and Country Head, Holidays, SOTC Travel Limited, said, "As we celebrate our 75th year, we are delighted to offer specially curated festive tours that reflect our deep understanding of the Indian traveller. Our new portfolio addresses the increasing demand from family/multi-generational and young India, ensuring a memorable festive season for all." He added, "Additionally, our SOTC Holiday Bazaars across key markets highlight offer customers easy access to book their holidays - right at their doorstep!" (ANI)
The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved seven key schemes with a total financial outlay of Rs 13,966 crore. According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, these initiatives are designed to address various challenges in agriculture, with a focus on sustainability, income enhancement, and climate resilience. The Digital Agriculture Mission, with an allocation of Rs 2,817 crore, is at the forefront of this transformative effort. This mission leverages modern technology to improve the lives of farmers, building on the foundation of Digital Public Infrastructure. The initiative will employ tools such as artificial intelligence (AI), big data, and geospatial technologies to revolutionise agricultural practices. Key components of the mission include the Agri Stack, a comprehensive digital repository of agricultural data; the Farmers Registry and Village Land Maps Registry, which will create a digital record of landholdings and farmers; and the Krishi Decision Support System, which will assist in crop monitoring and decision-making. Additionally, the mission aims to enhance market connectivity by directly linking farmers with buyers, thereby reducing the influence of middlemen. Another major initiative, Crop Science for Food and Nutritional Security, has been allocated Rs 3,979 crore. This scheme is focused on ensuring food security and enhancing the nutritional value of crops by 2047. It emphasises strengthening agricultural research and education, with a particular focus on genetic improvement and resource management for food, fodder, pulses, oilseeds, and commercial crops. The initiative also aims to prepare farmers for the challenges posed by climate change, ensuring that India's agricultural sector remains resilient in the face of environmental shifts. To modernise agricultural education and research, the Cabinet has allocated Rs 2,291 crore for the Strengthening Agricultural Education, Management, and Social Sciences scheme. This initiative aligns with the New Education Policy 2020 and seeks to equip the next generation of agricultural professionals with the skills needed to address contemporary challenges. The scheme will incorporate advanced technologies such as AI, Big Data, and remote sensing, while also promoting natural farming and climate resilience. Recognising the importance of livestock and dairy farming in enhancing farmers' incomes, the Cabinet has approved the Sustainable Livestock Health and Production scheme with a budget of Rs 1,702 crore. This initiative covers a broad spectrum of activities, including animal health management, veterinary education, dairy production, and technology development. It also focusses on the genetic improvement of livestock breeds and the promotion of efficient production practices. The Sustainable Development of Horticulture scheme, with an outlay of Rs 860 crore, is aimed at increasing farmers' income through the cultivation of a diverse range of horticultural crops. This scheme will support the development of tropical, sub-tropical, temperate, root, tuber, and bulbous crops, as well as commercial and medicinal plants. By promoting horticulture, the government hopes to diversify agricultural income sources and boost overall productivity. In addition to these initiatives, the Cabinet has earmarked Rs 1,202 crore for the strengthening of Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs). These centers play a crucial role in disseminating knowledge and best practices to farmers across the country, helping to improve their productivity and income. The strengthening of KVKs will ensure that farmers have access to the latest agricultural techniques and innovations. Finally, the Natural Resource Management scheme, with a budget of Rs 1,115 crore, is focused on the sustainable management of natural resources. This initiative is essential for ensuring the long-term viability of agricultural practices while also protecting the environment. By promoting sustainable resource management, the government aims to safeguard the future of Indian agriculture. (ANI)
At the opening session of the India Bio-Energy & Tech Expo 2024 (IBETE), Hardeep Singh Puri, the Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas, mentioned that the ethanol blending percentage has risen from 1.53 per cent in 2014 to 15 per cent in 2024. According to the Ministry of Petrolium and Natural Gas, the government has set a goal of reaching 20 per cent blending by 2025 and is making strides towards this target. Over the past decade, this initiative has yielded substantial benefits, such as saving Rs 99,014 crore in foreign exchange, cutting CO2 emissions by 519 lakh metric tons, and substituting 173 lakh metric tonnes of crude oil. The program has also made a significant economic impact, with Oil Marketing Companies paying out Rs 1,45,930 crore to distillers and Rs 87,558 crore to farmers. Minister Puri highlighted that bioenergy is becoming an increasingly vital alternative to fossil fuels, offering both environmental benefits and economic prospects, especially in rural areas. In his speech, Minister Puri detailed the Indian government's strategic efforts to promote bioenergy, stressing its importance in reducing dependence on imports, conserving foreign exchange, and fostering a circular economy. The government's strategy covers a range of areas, including ethanol and biodiesel blending, Compressed Biogas (CBG), Sustainable Aviation Fuels, biomass utilisation (such as pellets and briquettes), Biohydrogen, and waste-to-energy solutions. Minister Puri also highlighted the widespread availability of E20 fuel, which is now offered at more than 15,600 retail outlets across the country. He praised the Pradhan Mantri JI-VAN Yojana for its crucial role in financing advanced biofuel projects, essential for building a sustainable ethanol production system. The Petroleum Minister outlined several key government initiatives aimed at boosting ethanol production and minimising environmental impact. Notably, two second-generation (2G) refineries have been set up in Panipat and Numaligarh to convert agricultural residues like Parali and bamboo into ethanol. These refineries are crucial for reducing pollution, enhancing energy security, and transforming farmers into active contributors to the energy sector. To support the ethanol industry, Minister Puri noted that the government has introduced various incentives for ethanol production. These include Rs 9.72 per litre for ethanol from maize, Rs 8.46 per litre for ethanol from damaged rice, and Rs 6.87 per litre for ethanol from C-heavy molasses. These incentives have significantly increased the contribution of maize to ethanol production, which has risen to 36 per cent in the 2023-24 Ethanol Supply Year (ESY) from 0 per cent in 2021-22. Additionally, the government has resumed supplying FCI rice to ethanol distilleries, allowing for the purchase of up to 23 lakh tonnes through e-auctions from August to October 2024. From November 2024, the supply of sugarcane juice and syrup to distilleries will also begin, marking the start of the 2024-25 Ethanol Supply Year. Puri emphasized the need to diversify feedstocks for ethanol production to ensure security and avoid over-reliance on a single source. The government's policy of providing stable and profitable prices for ethanol has effectively reduced pending arrears for sugarcane farmers, decreased crude oil import dependence, and contributed to foreign exchange savings while benefiting the environment. A major milestone in ethanol fuel expansion was the successful launch of E100 fuel at over 400 retail outlets nationwide. Minister Puri urged Nitin Gadkari, Minister of Road Transport & Highways, to encourage automobile manufacturers to produce vehicles compatible with E100 fuel. Puri said, "E100 Fuel Launched at Over 400 Retail Outlets Nationwide." He addressed common misconceptions about ethanol blending, clarifying that blending ethanol with petrol not only enhances engine performance by increasing the octane number but also improves engine efficiency. Contrary to some concerns, ethanol helps prevent pre-ignition knock and improves overall engine operation. Drawing from global practices, Puri cited Brazil's successful use of high ethanol blends--up to 60-70 per cent in vehicles--demonstrating the feasibility of high ethanol content. He assured that India is committed to scaling up E20 production and supporting the transition with measures to facilitate the use of transition fuels in older vehicles. Puri also praised the automobile industry for its proactive approach, noting that manufacturers are not only producing new E20-compliant vehicles but are also developing retrofit kits for older models. These kits, which can be installed during regular servicing, represent a significant advancement in accommodating older vehicles and promoting biofuel adoption. Puri underscored the essential role of biofuels in reducing fossil fuel dependence and emissions, paving the way for a cleaner and more sustainable future. He also discussed the Global Biofuels Alliance (GBA), established during India's G20 presidency, which serves as a collaborative platform for sharing knowledge, advancing technology, and developing policies to tap into the USD 500 billion biofuels opportunity and accelerate global adoption through technology transfer. The India Bio-Energy & Tech Expo 2024, organized by the Indian Federation of Green Energy (IFGE) and MMACTIV Sci-Tech Communications Ltd., is being held at Yashobhoomi, Dwarka, from September 2nd to 4th, 2024. Gadkari and Puri inaugurated the event, which focuses on driving growth in India's bioenergy sector, highlighting key government policies such as the National Policy on Biofuels 2018 and the SATAT Scheme on Compressed Bio Gas (CBG), as well as initiatives like specific blending targets for ethanol, CBG, and SAF; the Repurpose Used Cooking Oil (RUCO) initiative; Galvanizing Organic Bio-Agro Resources Dhan (GOBARdhan); and the Samarth Mission. (ANI)
By Alimat Aliyeva

China is conducting joint naval exercises with Singapore, which started the day before and will last until Thursday, Azernews reports.

The opening ceremony of the exercises took place yesterday in the Zhanjiang City District in the Chinese province of Guangdong. They are attended by the Type 054 frigate and the Type 082-II minesweeper of the Chinese Navy, as well as the Singapore ship RSS Stalwart from the "stealth" series of frigates of the "Formidable" type.

This is the third of a series of similar events after they began in 2015. The previous time they took place in the Singapore area in May 2023, SCMP recalls.

The defense ministries of the two countries previously stated that the current exercises will include joint strikes on surface targets, resupply at sea, search and rescue operations, helicopter landing on deck, artillery firing and maneuvering in the coastal zone.

The publication notes that the maneuvers are taking place against the background of growing tensions between China and the Philippines in the disputed waters of the South China Sea. So, last Saturday, August 31, the coast guard of China and the Philippines again entered into conflict at Xianbin Reef (English name - Sabine Shoal) - for the third time in August, the parties accuse each other of deliberate attempts to ram.
PNN Agra (Uttar Pradesh) [India] September 2: The International Youth Development Foundation (IYDF) joined forces with A Dawaizone Pharmacy to organize a heartfelt charity event at the Roti Help Foundation. The event aimed to support 70 children from the Shiv Nagar community by providing them with educational and food supplies, with the goal of enhancing their learning experience and overall quality of life. Event Overview The event was organized by Mohd Isha, with a dedicated team of volunteers, including Mohd Ishan, Saif Ali Khan, Abdul Arshad, Anoop John, Manoj Kumar, and Nadeem Ahmad. Together, they played a crucial role in making this meaningful initiative a success. The event kicked off at 1:00 PM and continued until 5:00 PM, during which the children and volunteers shared a joyous and memorable time. Support and Supplies The volunteers thoughtfully prepared a range of supplies for the children, focusing on both educational and nutritional needs. The educational materials provided included books, pens, pencils, erasers, sharpeners, colored pens, water bottles, and lunch boxes. On the nutritional side, the children enjoyed cold drinks, pizza, biscuits, and Kurkure snacks. These items were not only practical but also added a splash of color and joy to the children's daily lives. Event Atmosphere Throughout the event, volunteers engaged warmly with the children, who participated in various games and activities. The atmosphere was filled with laughter and happiness, with each child's face lighting up with smiles. The volunteers, too, were deeply touched by the pure joy and enthusiasm radiating from the children. This event provided not just material support but also emotional encouragement and care, making a lasting impact on everyone involved. Community Feedback Manoj Kumar and Nauseen Abbas, representatives of the Roti Help Foundation, expressed their sincere gratitude to IYDF and A Dawaizone Pharmacy for their invaluable support. They noted that the donations had a significant impact on the lives of the community's children, greatly enriching their educational and recreational experiences. Organizer's Reflections Reflecting on the event, Mohd Isha shared, "We all thoroughly enjoyed the event. Seeing the children's smiles and feeling their happiness made every effort worthwhile. The event was incredibly fun, and we gained immense joy from being part of it." Conclusion The charity event concluded on a high note, filled with warmth and joy. The collaboration between IYDF and A Dawaizone Pharmacy not only provided tangible assistance to the children of Shiv Nagar but also spread the message of the power and warmth of charitable work. Moving forward, IYDF remains committed to such initiatives, continuing to bring care and hope to more children in need. (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by PNN. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)
SMPL Dahej (Gujarat) [India], September 2: Ratnakar India Ltd., a leading name in the agrochemical sector, proudly announces the launch of its new technical manufacturing unit in Dahej, Ankleshwar. This state-of-the-art facility marks a significant milestone in the company's growth and underscores its commitment to supporting the agricultural community with high-quality pesticides, insecticides, and fungicides. The new unit, spread across 20,000 square meters (approximately 5 acres), is designed to produce essential raw materials for the agrochemical industry, primarily targeting the technical manufacturing of pesticides, insecticides, and fungicides. With an initial investment of Rs. 60 crores in Phase 1, the plant is set to revolutionize the supply chain by reducing India's dependence on imported raw materials, particularly from China. A Strategic Investment in India's Agrochemical Sector - Phase 1 of the Dahej plant will have a production capacity of 12,000 metric tons per month, significantly enhancing Ratnakar India Ltd.'s ability to meet the growing demand for agrochemical products. The total investment for the entire project, including Phase 2, is projected to reach Rs. 150 crores by 2025. Phase 2, set to commence next year, will further expand the production capacity, positioning the company as a key player in the global agrochemical market. Speaking on the occasion, Ashish Joshi - Managing Director of Ratnakar India Ltd. said, "The launch of our Dahej manufacturing unit is a testament to our unwavering commitment to advancing the agrochemical industry in India. By investing in this new facility, we are not only increasing our production capacity but also reducing our reliance on imports, particularly from China. This strategic move will help stabilize the supply chain and provide our customers with reliable and high-quality products." Expanding Global Reach with Cutting-Edge Manufacturing - Ratnakar India Ltd.'s new plant is equipped with the latest technology to ensure the highest standards of production and quality control. The facility is designed to adhere to stringent environmental and safety regulations, reflecting the company's dedication to sustainable manufacturing practices. In addition to serving the Indian market, the Dahej unit will also cater to international markets, particularly Brazil, Europe & OECD countries, where the demand for high-quality agrochemical raw materials is substantial. By exporting these materials, Ratnakar India Ltd. aims to bridge the gap between supply and demand, further solidifying its position as a global leader in the agrochemical sector. Participation in Global Agrochemical Events - To further showcase its capabilities and connect with industry stakeholders, the company has actively participated in several prestigious agrochemical events. The company made its presence felt at Agritech Africa earlier this year and the PMFI in New Delhi last year. Continuing this trend, Ratnakar India Ltd. will participate in CAC China, PMFI New Delhi, and Dubai in the coming months, highlighting its commitment to innovation and industry leadership. About Ratnakar India Ltd.: Founded with a vision to revolutionize the agricultural landscape, Ratnakar India Ltd. is a premier manufacturer of over 400 agrochemical products, including pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, and plant growth regulators. The company's extensive product portfolio is designed to meet the diverse needs of farmers across India and beyond, ensuring superior quality and efficacy. With 11 strategically located depots across India, Ratnakar India Ltd. ensures timely and efficient distribution of its products, reaching even the most remote farming communities. The company's dedication to excellence has earned it numerous industry awards for innovation and quality in agrochemical manufacturing. At the heart of Ratnakar India Ltd.'s operations is a relentless focus on innovation. The company's research and development team continuously work to develop new solutions that address the evolving challenges faced by farmers. The launch of the Dahej unit is a prime example of this commitment to innovation, as it will significantly enhance the company's production capabilities and contribute to the overall growth of the agrochemical industry. In addition to its manufacturing prowess, the company is deeply committed to community engagement. The company actively participates in workshops and government farmer meetings, empowering farmers with the knowledge and tools needed for better crop management. Recent collaborations, such as the one with Talala Gir Farmer Producer Company in Jasapur and Talala, highlight the company's dedication to grassroots development. As Ratnakar India Ltd. embarks on this new chapter with the launch of its Dahej manufacturing unit, the company remains focused on its core values of quality, innovation, and community. The successful launch of this facility not only strengthens the company's market position but also reinforces its commitment to supporting the agricultural sector with world-class products. For more information, please visit: www.ratnakarindia.com (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by SMPL. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)
NewsVoir Chennai (Tamil Nadu) [India], September 2: Today ROCKWOOL announced it will build a new factory located in Cheyyar, 90 km from Chennai in the southern state of Tamil Nadu. ROCKWOOL plans to invest Rs. 550 Crores and expects to create job opportunities for more than 150 people in the local communities. The new factory will produce ROCKWOOL's non-combustible, recyclable, and long-lasting stone wool insulation. Start of operations is expected in Q1 2026. "India is the world's most populated country by population, and by 2030, it is expected to be the world's third largest economy, so the growth potential is substantial. We are currently a small player in the Indian insulation market and want to position ourselves to contribute to India creating new generations of energy efficient, acoustically comfortable, and fire-safe buildings. The Indian market's strong potential aligns well with ROCKWOOL's mission to provide sustainable, innovative solutions globally," says Thomas Kahler, Chairman of the Board, ROCKWOOL Group. With a focus on renewable energy and energy efficiency Technologies the state of Tamil Nadu is at the forefront when it comes to India's green transition. Moreover, Tamil Nadu is one of the leading states in India to encourage innovative companies to scale up operations. The region is attracting notable industrial investment and economic development, creating employment opportunities and supportive engagement that local communities have welcomed. "With our investment in Cheyyar, Tamil Nadu, we are enhancing local employment opportunities as well as contributing to the region's industrial and economic advancement. We look forward to using our expertise in stone wool solutions to address India's growing demand for energy efficiency and sustainability across various sectors. We are in it for the long-term," says Darryl Mathews, Managing Director, ROCKWOOL Asia. FACTSHEET: ROCKWOOL in India Since 2011, ROCKWOOL has been operating in India through ROXUL ROCKWOOL Technical Insulation India Private Limited. It's a state-of-the-art factory in Dahej, Gujarat with a manufacturing capacity of 40,000 metric tons producing stone wool based sustainable insulation products. The new ROCKWOOL site is well located in South India, 90 km from Chennai city. It's close to major highway networks and local transport hubs, Cheyyar and Kanchipuram, which will be good for logistics sourcing and product distribution. Significant major markets are well located within a 500 km radius from the proposed factory site. There is good availability of local labour in the area with numerous colleges in and around Chennai offering a good pool of well qualified employees to support factory operations. ROCKWOOL in Asia ROCKWOOL in Asia is one of the largest insulation producers in the region, manufacturing and supplying a full range of sustainable insulation systems and solutions for the entire building envelope and process industries. Through six stone wool factories located in China, Japan, India, Malaysia and Thailand as well as offices in China, Japan, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam ROCKWOOL serves the needs of customers all across South Asia as well as neighbouring countries of Australia, New Zealand and South Korea. Founded in Denmark in 1937, ROCKWOOL is committed to enriching the lives of everyone who experiences our products and services. We help our customers and communities tackle many of today's biggest sustainability and development challenges, from energy consumption and noise pollution to fire resilience, water scarcity and flooding. Our product range reflects the diversity of the world's needs, while supporting our stakeholders in reducing their own carbon footprint. Stone wool is a fully recyclable, versatile material that forms the basis of all our businesses. With approximately 12,000 dedicated colleagues in 40 countries and sales in more than 120, ROCKWOOL is the world leader in stone wool products. (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by NewsVoir. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)
PNN New Delhi [India], September 2: The International Youth Development Foundation (IYDF) and Eyes Charity Vision and Eyewear Center successfully hosted a heartwarming charity event at the Jahonda Children's Orphanage on August 31. Organized by Ravi Kumar, the event brought together a dedicated team of volunteers, including Komal Bala, Adesh Rajat, Krishna Honey, Ajay Atul, and Aarti Vaibhav, under the guidance of Mr. Omkar, the orphanage's director. Providing Essential Supplies The event focused on supporting 28 orphans by providing them with essential supplies that would significantly improve their daily lives. The donations included large quantities of rice, cooking oil, noodles, lentils, soap for both bathing and laundry, and a variety of snacks such as KitKat chocolates and baked goods. In addition to food and hygiene products, the children received badminton sets, books, pencil cases, lunch boxes, and notebooks. These supplies not only met the children's basic needs but also enriched their recreational activities and educational opportunities. Engaging Activities The day was filled with creative and educational activities, including a drawing competition and a reading session. These interactions provided the children with more than just material support; they also stimulated their creativity and learning. The volunteers spent quality time with the children, fostering a joyful and relaxed atmosphere. Reflections from Organizers and Volunteers Ravi Kumar, the event organizer, shared that the experience was deeply rewarding for everyone involved. "This event was a wonderful experience," he said. "Our team was delighted to spend time with the children, helping them feel relaxed and happy. We are grateful for the support from IYDF and look forward to organizing more such events in the future." The volunteers echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that events like these not only benefit the children but also strengthen the sense of community. Conclusion The collaboration between IYDF and Eyes Charity Vision and Eyewear Center provided the children with much-needed supplies while also bringing joy and inspiration through engaging activities. This event highlighted the ongoing commitment of both organizations to improving the living conditions of children, injecting new hope and energy into their futures. About IYDF The International Youth Development Foundation (IYDF) is dedicated to enhancing the living conditions and educational opportunities for youth worldwide through various charitable activities and initiatives. About Eyes Charity Vision and Eyewear Center Eyes Charity Vision and Eyewear Center is a compassionate organization committed to improving the lives of underprivileged children by providing essential supplies and educational support. The organization's contributions, including food, school supplies, and daily necessities, make a tangible difference in the growth and development of children. (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by PNN. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)
Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved the Digital Agriculture Mission on Monday, with an outlay of Rs 2,817 crore, including the central share of Rs 1,940 crore. The Mission is conceived as an umbrella scheme to support digital agriculture initiatives, such as creating Digital Public Infrastructure, implementing the Digital General Crop Estimation Survey (DGCES), and taking up other IT initiatives by the central government, state governments, and academic and research institutions. For a transformation of the agriculture sector, the government announced the building of Digital Public Infrastructure for agriculture in the Union Budget 2023-24. Further, in the Budget 2024-25, the augmentation of the Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) initiative for the agricultural sector has also been announced. The Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) for agriculture aims to provide comprehensive and useful data on farmers comprising of authenticated demographic details, land holdings, and crops sown. It will include cultivators and tenant farmers, as per the policy of the respective state government. "It would also connect to relevant Digital Public Infrastructure of the State Governments and Ministries of the Government of India to use data of farmers on livestock, fisheries, soil health, other vocations, family details, and schemes and benefits availed, leading to innovative farmer-centric digital services in the agriculture sector. Aligned with the vision of Viksit Bharat@2047, the DPI for Agriculture forms the core of the Digital Agriculture Mission," an official statement from the government said. The three DPIs to be built under the Mission are Agristack, Krishi Decision Support System, and Soil Profile Mapping. AgriStack is a farmer-centric DPI that will enable efficient, easier, and faster services and scheme delivery to farmers. It consists of three foundational registries or databases in the agriculture sector, i.e., the Farmers' Registry, Geo-referenced village maps, and the Crop Sown Registry, all created and maintained by the State Governments/ Union Territories. Under AgriStack, farmers will be given a digital identity (Farmer ID) similar to Aadhaar, which will be a trusted 'Kisan ki Pehchaan'. This 'Farmer ID' will be linked dynamically to the State's land records, livestock ownership, crops sown, demographic details, family details, schemes and benefits availed. Crops sown by farmers will be recorded through mobile-based ground surveys - Digital Crop Survey to be conducted in each season. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) is being signed between the Centre and state governments to create and implement the DPI for Agriculture. So far, 19 states have signed MoUs with the Ministry of Agriculture. The Krishi Decision Support System will create a comprehensive geospatial system to unify remote sensing-based information on Crops, Soil, Weather, water resources. The Digital General Crop Estimation Survey (DGCES) will provide yield estimates based on scientifically designed crop-cutting experiments. This initiative will prove very useful in making accurate estimates of agricultural production. (ANI)
On Sunday, they were spotted exiting the Mumbai airport.

In the visuals captured by the shutterbugs, Alia was seen holding her daughter Raha Kapoor, who was fast asleep in her arms. Before entering her car, Alia looked at the paps and smiled.

Sharvari also greeted the paps by waving at them. Both divas opted for casual airport looks.

A few days ago, they shared a scenic photograph from the Kashmir shoot.

The image, posted on the actresses' social media accounts, features the two stars looking away from the camera against the backdrop of Kashmir's breathtaking natural scenery.

Alia and Sharvari were seen embracing each other with one arm draped over the other's shoulder while forming a heart shape with their hands.

https://www.instagram.com/p/C_TAF_ozXF5/?hl=en

Alia Bhatt, dressed in a creme jacket, and Sharvari, clad in a sleek black leather jacket, appear immersed in the serene beauty of their surroundings.

The post was accompanied by the caption "Love, ALPHA" and a collision emoji, further enhanced by the movie's theme music.

In a recent Instagram update, Sharvari shared her enthusiasm for the project by posting a picture with director Shiv Rawail, expressing her excitement about the journey ahead.Her caption read, "It doesn't get bigger than this! Super stoked to start my #Alpha journey today! Trust me... I have manifested this moment super prepped but can feel the butterflies in my tummy...Thank you Adi sir for your faith & @shivrawail for your belief in me! Letssss gooooo!!"

The film, directed by Shiv Rawail, marks a significant addition to Yash Raj Films' esteemed spy universe.The studio, known for its successful ventures like the Tiger franchise, 'War,' and 'Pathaan,' has generated considerable buzz with the release of a title reveal video.

Alia Bhatt's voiceover in the video said, "Greek alphabet ka sabse pehla akshar Aur humare program ka motto.. sabse pehle, sabse tezz, sabse veer. Dhyaan se dekho toh har sheher mein ek jungle hai. Aur jungle mein hamesha Raj karega.. ALPHA!" (ANI)
The actor was seen attending the 'amfAR Gala' during the 81st Venice International Film Festival on Sunday, September 1, one month after the incident in Spain, according to PEOPLE.

Efron looked stylish at the event, wearing an all-black outfit, including a black blazer, T-shirt, and pants, along with black sunglasses. He was photographed alongside other stars, including Richard Gere and Gere's wife, Alejandra Silva. The trio were seen smiling and chatting together. Richard Gere, 75, received amfAR's Award of Inspiration at the event.

The Gala, hosted by Kate Beckinsale, also honoured Antonio Banderas and film producer Mohammed Al Turki. The evening featured performances by Kelly Rowland and Rumer Willis.

Efron's appearance comes after his representative confirmed to PEOPLE that he had a "minor swimming incident" on August 2 while staying at a villa in Ibiza. Efron was hospitalised as a precaution after ingesting water into his lungs during a dive. Security at the villa pulled him out of the water when he showed signs of distress. After X-rays confirmed that no water remained in his lungs, Efron was released from the hospital the next morning.

On August 4, Efron shared a photo of himself lifting weights, writing, "Happy and healthy. Thanks for the well wishes."(ANI)
Veteran actor Pankaj Kapur is gearing up for the release of his next film, 'Binny and Family', which is all about bridging the generation gap and making the family bond stronger. He shared that every generation needs to learn from each other and narrow the communication gap. In a conversation with ANI, he said, "I there should be an effort from both sides. The problem with today's youngsters is that they have a lot of answers available on the internet, such as on Google. There are many other sources from which they feel that they can get the answers. Somewhere or the other, it is not wrong. It is correct. But the experience of parents, grandparents, and elders can also help them achieve things that may not be available on the internet or Google. So there should be a mix of both so that both generations can learn from each other. The most important thing is to develop trust, closeness and togetherness within the family." He continued, "Today's generation is advanced in many ways from other generations as they have more information. What is lacking is experience. That experience, and wisdom, can be obtained from our elders. And the elders should try to recognise the energy and communication skills of today's generation." The 'Maqbool' actor praised the writer and director of the film Ssanjay Tripaathy, saying, "He has written the script so well and made my character a professor. His father was also a professor and mine too." While elaborating on his character and how the director has created it in the film, he shared, "So, professors have an amazing quality that they work with youngsters. It is very easy for them to relate with youngsters. And they are related to education. So, it is also easy for them to learn and teach. Mentally, they are also ready for the fact that if someone teaches, they will learn more and impart it." "In the film, when my character (Pankaj Kapur) realises that his granddaughter is trying to communicate with him he thinks that he should also try to understand the perspective of the young generation. So, this is a character of an educated person who is not only ready to teach but learn also." Actor Varun Dhawan's niece Anjini Dhawan, who is making her debut with the film shared that the film deals with tackling the issue in families because of the generation gap. She said, " It's not a generation gap, it's a communication gap. So I think a lot of people around my age think that our grandparents or parents won't understand us. But if you don't talk to them, you won't even know that they might understand. So, I encourage everyone that you spend some more time with your parents. Sit with them, sit with your grandparents. Because whatever you learn from them, no one else can give you in life. I think it is very important to trust our parents and discuss your issues with them." 'Sarabhai vs Sarabhai' fame Rajesh Kumar added that to bridge the gap between the generations it is important to stop creating fear and boundaries. "It is important that we should not create fears in the minds of any generations or the boundaries like 'I am your father' or 'grandfather' then the communication gap can be narrowed down between the generations." Talking about the film, recently makers unveiled the trailer which is 2 minutes and 39 seconds long. It gives a glimpse into the life of Binny, a young girl who likes to live on her own terms. The story takes an interesting turn when her grandparents move in with her parents, leading to conflicts due to the generational gap. The film promises to be an entertaining watch. Written and directed by Ssanjay Tripaathy, Binny and Family is set to release on September 20. (ANI)
Taking to his X handle, Rajinikanth shared his thoughts in a statement.

https://x.com/rajinikanth/status/1830598980801007893

"I saw director Mari Selvaraj's movie 'Vaazhai'. A wonderful, quality film is coming in Tamil Cinema after a long time. Mari Selvaraj has taken us back to his young days. It feels like we are experiencing the sufferings and hardships experienced by that boy. At the climax, when the boy wanders about starving, when the mother screams that my boy has not eaten a morsel, our hearts are pounding," the statement read.

He added, "Mari Selvaraj has proved that he is a great director with this film. My sincere appreciation and best wishes to Mari Selvaraj."

'Vaazhai' is based on true events from Mari Selvaraj's life. In Vaazhai (Banana), he presented a film through the eyes of a child but it is not a children's film.

Meanwhile, on the work front, Rajinikanth will be seen in 'Coolie'.

While details about 'Coolie' remain under wraps, the makers dropped a teaser that hinted at Rajinikanth's action-packed role, wielding a belt made of gold watches to confront goons. The teaser, presented in monochrome with gold accents, left fans intrigued.

'Coolie' marks the debut collaboration between Lokesh Kanagaraj and Rajinikanth. Backed by Sun Pictures, the film also reportedly stars Sivakarthikeyan in a pivotal role, with music composed by Anirudh Ravichander. The release date for the film is yet to be announced.

Apart from 'Coolie' Rajinikanth will be seen in 'Vettaiyan' alongside superstar Amitabh Bachchan.

Rajinikanth has completed the shoot of the upcoming movie, directed by TJ Gnanavel.

'Vettaiyan,' which is Rajinikanth's 170th film, is scheduled for a worldwide release in October this year. (ANI)
New Delhi [India], September 2 (ANI) A Special Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB) Court has expressed its displeasure over the investigating officer (IO) not taking sanction to investigate public servants, including some senior police officers, in an alleged illegal parking case in south Delhi's Saket area. The investigation officer took sanction to investigate only one officer, the court said. The court also pulled up the ACB for not investigating how, despite cancellation, illegal parking was running in the Saket area. "The Anti-Corruption Branch shall, on the next date, report whether it intends to seek approval for investigating the other officers/offenders named in the complaint," Special Judge Ashish Agarwal ordered on August 14. The matter has been listed for hearing on September 29. The ACB court has been dealing with a complaint filed by an advocate, Vikas Bakshi, seeking registration of an FIR for an investigation into the allegations that parking has been running illegally despite the cancellation of a license, and money has been extorted from the public. He alleged that this has been done by the parking mafia in connivance with police and MCD officials. The court observed, "No attempt has been made by the Anti-Corruption Branch to examine as to why MCD officers, despite the cancellation of allotment of parking, did not make any effort to recover possession of the land and to allot the parking site to someone else." "Why did they turn a blind eye to the said person who was allegedly illegally running the parking site and collecting money in the name of discharging a municipal function," the court added. The court also raised a question on why no action was taken by MCD to recover the money owed to it by the entity to whom the parking site had been allotted and why the allotment was made to an entity with an incomplete or incorrect address. " The Anti-Corruption Branch also has not made any attempt to find out if all of the aforesaid had been happening because of money exchanging hands," the court remarked. "This is tell-tale of the slipshod working of the Anti-Corruption Branch," the judge said. Additionally, the court has asked to send a copy of the order to the Chief Secretary of Government of NCT, Delhi, to look into the workings of the Anti-Corruption Branch and to make sure that there are suitable persons who have the capacity and willingness to sincerely discharge their duties. The court has taken a serious view over non-action by the ACB's IO. The court said, "It is all the more strange that while Delhi Police itself has stated in its status reports submitted before the Court of Ld. Metropolitan Magistrate, Saket, that several persons were involved in the crime and they are being investigated, the investigating officer of the Anti-Corruption Branch wants to believe that no crime has been committed." The court said that the IO holds this belief without investigating the matter, and based on the said opinion, he has chosen not to even seek approval for initiating an investigation against respondents officers. Further, the court said that the question before this Court is not whether illegal parking was taking place at the site. The allegations made in the complaint are of the offence of corruption by officers who may have decided, after taking a bribe, not to enforce the cancellation of the allotment of the parking site, allowing extortion activity to take place on the site, allowing the government to lose revenue. Allegedly there is rampant collection of monthly and weekly bribes from parking mafia by officers of police and of MCD, the court said. The court remarked, "If the officers themselves are asked whether they are committing the said crime, they are unlikely to admit their involvement." In the present case, in their report to the Lokpal, they would not have admitted the acceptance of the bribe and their claim of being innocent may not have been refuted because there has not been any detailed investigation in the present case, the court said. The court also referred to the order of Lokpal and said that there is no finding of fact in the order of the Lokpal, which would be binding on this Court and by which it can be irrefutably concluded that the offences of corruption, as alleged in the complaint, did not take place. " Even where a criminal case is filed before a Court, and if the accused is discharged without trial, an investigating agency is not precluded from investigating the offence, collecting evidence and filing a fresh charge-sheet against the offenders for their trial to take place," the court pointed out. The observations of the Honorable Lokpal certainly do not prevent the police from investigating the matter and from trying to unravel the truth. An investigation is only an attempt to arrive at the truth, and it prejudices none. Even Section 57 of the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013 provides that the said Act is in addition to other statutes, the court observed. The complainant, Vikas Bakshi, an advocate, has sought directions to SHO, Anti-Corruption Branch, to register an FIR and to investigate the matter. As per allegations, on a land of about 4-5 acres behind Select City Walk Mall, Saket, New Delhi, MCD had allotted parking rights to M/s. Sanjay Kumar Technocrate Pvt. Ltd., Post and District Sheikhpura, Bihar. It is alleged that the persons controlling the said entity are using the parking site illegally and unauthorizedly for the unlawful activity of extortion of money. It is further alleged in the complaint that the address of the said company is incomplete and the place mentioned therein does not exist. It is also mentioned in the complaint that a substantial sum of money that was owed by the allottee to MCD, was not paid, and the parking allotment had been cancelled by an order of 17.07.2023. It is further mentioned that despite the cancellation of the allotment and failure to deposit the said dues, the parking site continued to remain functional and running. It is stated in the complaint that an FIR on 27.09.2023 of offences under Sections 384/506 of IPC was registered against the parking mafia and the company at Police Station, Saket. It is also alleged that Subodh Kumar, who is Inspector, SHO Police Station Saket, Vikas Tripathi, Additional Commissioner, and Amit Kumar, Deputy Commissioner, along with Vinod Kumar, Administration Officer, are complicit with the parking mafia and are receiving weekly/monthly bribes from the said parking mafia to allow them to continue with their activity. This is stated to be causing a huge loss to the government of around Rs 3 crore, the court order noted. (ANI)
Beijing hosts event on China-African media exchanges, cooperation

Xinhua) 10:37, September 02, 2024

BEIJING, Aug. 31 (Xinhua) -- 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.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
The British government's plan to raise the windfall tax on North Sea oil and gas producers is expected to lead to a nearly 12 billion ($16 billion) drop in state revenue and accelerate a decline in output, according to industry group Offshore Energies UK (OEUK), Azernews reports citing Reuters.

The Labour government, elected in July, aims to use these changes to boost renewable energy and shift away from oil and gas to reduce carbon emissions and combat global warming. However, OEUK forecasts that the new tax regime will cut tax revenue by 12 billion between 2025 and 2029, compared to the current system.

Capital investment in the sector is projected to plummet from approximately 14 billion to 2.3 billion over the same period. OEUK CEO David Whitehouse warned that the proposed tax changes would lead to an accelerated decline in domestic oil and gas production, reducing tax revenue, job support, and overall economic value.

NEO Energy, which holds a 50% stake in the Buchan Horst development project in the UK North Sea, expressed concerns that the increased fiscal and regulatory uncertainty would hinder investment across its portfolio.

Production in the North Sea has significantly decreased from a peak of 4.4 million barrels of oil equivalent per day (boed) at the turn of the millennium to around 1.3 million boed today. The North Sea Transition Authority (NSTA) projects that production could fall below 200,000 boed by 2050.

Following its election, the Labour government announced it would raise the Energy Profits Levy (EPL) from 35% to 38% starting November 1, increasing the overall tax rate on oil and gas activities to 78%, among the highest globally. The duration of the levy has also been extended to March 2030, and the 29% investment allowance, which allows companies to offset tax from reinvested capital, will be eliminated.

A Treasury spokesperson stated: "We are committed to maintaining a constructive dialogue with the oil and gas sector to finalize changes to strengthen the windfall tax, ensuring a phased and responsible transition for the North Sea."
Amid ongoing protests in West Bengal over the rape and murder of a junior doctor at the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, two more cases involving alleged molestation of minor girls has surfaced in Madhyamgram, North 24 Parganas district and at the state run hospital in Howrah district. A nine-year-old girl was allegedly molested by a man while she was on her way home from a shop in Madhyamgram. Police later arrested the accused who also belongs to the same village. As soon as the alleged sexual assault came to light on Saturday night, locals started protesting in front of the home of the accused. A local Panchayat member's alleged remark ignited widespread public anger. The minor girl's father speaking to ANI said, "My daughter was going to the shop from home...He (accused) took my daughter to the shop and molested her. We did not see this, the person next to us told us that this was done to my daughter...When I asked my daughter about this, she said that this was done to her by beating and scaring her." "I called the Panchayat member, and he told us that the accused would be punished, but he went to the accused's house and started supporting him...An FIR has been registered. The accused was caught at 4 am, he is in custody. We want the person who did this to my 9-year-old daughter to get the harshest punishment," the man said. Meanwhile, the molestation of a minor girl at the Howrah Government Hospital has come to light, the superintendent of the hospital said on Sunday. According to Superintendent of the Howrah Government Hospital, Narayan Chattopadhyay, 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 superintendent of HGH also informed that they are providing security to the victim and her family members. Following the incident, BJP leader Dilip Ghosh lashed out at Mamata Banerjee over the alleged attempt of rape of a minor girl at the Howrah Hospital and said that despite being a woman the West Bengal Chief Minister cannot protect or respect women. (ANI)
All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) Chief Asaduddin Owaisi criticised the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024 and called for a nationwide protest on Monday in a protest gathering at Telangana. In a protest meeting against the bill, the AIMIM chief said that the All India Muslim Personal Law Board has decided to launch a nationwide protest, "We have gathered here today on behalf of All India Muslim Personal Law Board because of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024 that has been brought by the Modi government." The All India Muslim Personal Law Board has decided to launch a nationwide protest and make people aware of how this Bill is against the Constitution...", the AIMIM chief said. The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, Waqf Act provides for the renaming of the Waqf Act, 1995, as the Unified Waqf Management, Empowerment, Efficiency and Development Act, 1995. It seeks to clearly define "Waqf" as Waqf by any person practising Islam for at least five years and having ownership of such property and ensure that the creation of Waqf-alal-aulad does not lead to the denial of inheritance rights to women. The bill seeks to omit Section 40 relating to the powers of the Board to decide if a property is Waqf property, provide for filing of accounts of waqf by Mutawallis to the Board through a central portal for better control over their activities, reform the Tribunal structure with two members, and provide for appeals against the orders of the Tribunal to the High Court within a specified period of ninety days. The bill also seeks to provide for the establishment of a separate Board of Auqaf for Boharas and Aghakhanis. The government had introduced the bill in the budget session of Parliament and it was decided to send the legislation to a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) for further scrutiny. On August 30, the second meeting of the JPC headed by MP Jagadambika Pal was held in the Parliament House Annexe. The committee had called the All India Sunni Jamiyatul Ulama, Mumbai, the Delhi-based Indian Muslims for Civil Rights, the Uttar Pradesh Sunni Central Waqf Board and the Rajasthan Board of Muslim Waqf to register their views. As per the sources, the Muslim bodies pointed out many clauses of the bill, which are a matter of concern for Muslims. Sources said that ''Waqf by Users'' was the key issue of heated discussion in the meeting. The Muslim side raised their concern and said that it is a matter of religious faith and practice. So, the government should not try to interfere in this. The JPC has also invited views and suggestions from the public, NGOs, experts, stakeholders and institutions as per a press communique by the Lok Sabha Secretariat. (ANI)
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday described Bhartiya Janata Party's membership drive as a movement to connect individuals from the spirit of 'Nation First'. According to UP CM Yogi, BJP's nationwide membership drive, beginning today, wants to encourage the vision of "Developed India-Self Reliant India" "The Bharatiya Janata Party's membership drive starting today is a movement to connect the individual with the spirit of Nation First, the resolve to serve the people, the vow of Antyodaya and the vision of 'Developed India - Self-reliant India'," CM Yogi said on X. CM Yogi further urged the BJP workers to make the membership drive successful by "assimilating the mantra of 'Sabka Sath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas and Sabka Prayas." "Come, let all of us workers of @BJP4India make this national task successful with full energy and commitment by assimilating the mantra of 'Sabka Sath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas and Sabka Prayas' given by the respected Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi ji," CM Yogi said on X. He said that workers should make sure that no house, no person, and no class is left out in this drive. BJP launched a nationwide membership drive on September 2. Earlier on Saturday, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav met with Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) office bearers and workers in the state capital of Bhopal and informed them about the upcoming party membership drive. The meeting was organised at booth number 111 of Dakshin Paschim assembly seat in Hindi Bhavan in Bhopal. CM Yadav said that the party has set a target of making 1.5 crore members under the party's membership drive. "I am happy that the Bharatiya Janata Party is running a big membership campaign, and because of this, meetings are being held today in over 10.5 lakh booths across the country to start the membership campaign. In Madhya Pradesh alone, meetings are being held simultaneously at 64,871 booths. Today, I came to hold a meeting of party workers at booth number 111 of Dakshin Paschim assembly seat in the city," CM Yadav told reporters. (ANI)
After ED officials arrived at the house of AAP MLA Amanatullah Khan on Monday, Union Minister Giriraj Singh said that the party is sorrouned by criminals and if there are any allegations against the AAP leader, then the court will decide on it. "AAP is a party surrounded by criminals. The party whose chief minister is in jail, someone is in jail for one scam and someone for another... no person is above the law. If there are any allegations against Amanatullah Khan, then the court will decide on it," he said. AAP MLA's cousin Minnatullah Khan said that despite investigation by Anti-Corruption Bureau and Central Bureau of Investigation, nothing has been found yet. He said, "His mother-in-law has been operated on recently, she is a cancer patient. Despite investigation by ACB and CBI, nothing has been found yet...Now ED is investigating." Earlier today, Amanatullah Khan on Monday claimed that the Enforcement Directorate officials have arrived at his house in Okhla in the national capital to arrest him. In a post on X, Khan said, "ED people have just arrived at my house to arrest me." In a self-made video, the AAP MLA said that the investigative agency has been continuously harassing him for the past two years. "It is seven in the morning, and the ED has come to arrest me in the name of a search warrant. My mother-in-law has cancer, and she is currently at my home. I have written to them, and I have also replied to each of their notices. These people have been harassing me continuously for the last two years. Their only aim is to break our party. We are not going to bow down, and we are not going to break," Khan said. "I am hopeful that the way we got justice in the court earlier, this time too we will get justice. This is a case that is completely fake," he added. AAP leader and Delhi Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj accused the centre of misusing agencies. "The central government wants all the government departments in Delhi to remain vacant... The whole country is seeing how the agencies are being misused and as the elections come closer, these people will increase this kind of pressure even more," he said. Earlier in April this year, the Rouse Avenue Court granted bail to Khan in connection with the Enforcement Directorate's recent complaint filed against him for alleged non-attendance of the summons in the Delhi Waqf Board money laundering case. ED recently moved a complaint against him for not appearing before the agency and not joining the probe in the case related to the alleged irregularities in appointment in Delhi Waqf Board and leasing of its properties. The federal probe agency had alleged that Khan has elevated his role from witness to accused by filing an anticipatory bail plea and running away from the investigation. ED's lawyer further stated that they were never able to conclude the probe against him because he was not presenting himself before the agency. A charge sheet has already been filed against four accused persons and one firm. It has been alleged that Rs 100 crore Waqf Properties were given on lease illegally. It is also alleged that 32 contractual employees were appointed in the Delhi Waqf Board during the chairmanship of Khan, who flouted the rules. (ANI)
Former Corporator of the Pune Municipal Corporation, Vanraj Andekar was shot dead by unidentified assailants on Sunday night at Imaandar Chowk area of the city, police said. According to the police, Andekar who belonged to the former Nationalist Congress Party (undivided) was attacked with a sharp weapon before the assailants opened fire at him. Sharing details of the incident Joint Commissioner of Police, Pune, Ranjan Kumar Sharma said, "Around 9:30 pm Vanraj Andekar (Former Corporator of Ajit Pawar's NCP faction) was standing with his cousin at Imaandar Chowk. Some people came and attacked them. During this attack, five rounds were fired, as per the information received at first sight and they were also attacked with sharp weapons." Andekar was rushed to King Edward Memorial Hospital where he was declared brought dead. His body was sent to Sassoon Hospital for a post-mortem examination. Some known people whose names have appeared in this are being questioned, the DCP said, adding that the death was due to a sharp weapon. "Our crime branch and other zone teams are working on this. They are engaged in finding the accused and arresting them. Till now it is not clear who the accused are and why they attacked them. Some known people whose names have appeared in this are being questioned...Death was due to a sharp weapon...," the police official said. (ANI)
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, on Monday assured that there will be investigation without any prejudice following Nilambur MLA P V Anvar's allegations against senior police officers. At a public function of police association meeting at Kottayam, CM Vijayan said, "There has been several allegations in the past day. Government's stand is very clear, there will be investigation without any prejudice." He also mentioned that a police officer of the highest rank will enquire into this. "Any indiscipline will not be tolerated in police, there will be action against those," CM Vijayan added. Left backed independent MLA, PV Anwar had raised serious allegations against Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan's political secretary P Sasi, ADGP law and order M R Ajith Kumar, Pathanamthitta SP Sujit Das. He said that CM's political secretary and ADGP breached the trust of the CM and they failed to deliver their responsibilities honestly. PV Anvar also alleged that he was doing a sting operation like recorded telephone conversations with officers, to bring out the conspiracy against the government. He mentioned further that with ADGP's knowledge, non-bailable offences were slapped against many CPI(M) workers who prevented a set of politically motivated YouTubers from disrupting CM's Navkerala Sadas, a public outreach programme at Arikode in Malappuram in November last year. The Nilambur MLA also accused the police of lording over a gold smuggling network that helped some prominent jewellery shop chains in North Kerala. Earlier on August 21, the Kerala Chapter of the IPS Association strongly condemned the alleged "derogatory, malicious, and defamatory" remarks made by Anvar. The Association urged the MLA to retract his statements and issue a public apology. In its statement, the IPS Association highlighted that Anvar's comments were not only baseless but also highly troubling. "The MLA's public comments are deeply troubling and unwarranted. He has labelled the District Police Chief as a fascist, likening the situation to Bangladesh, suggesting that people may be driven to extreme measures," the statement read. The IPS Association also pointed out that Anvar made sweeping accusations against IPS officers in general, alleging that many engage in "disgraceful behaviour," the IPS Association had said. (ANI)
Amid the heavy rainfall in Andhra Pradesh, Governor S Abdul Nazeer has expressed concern over the heavy rain and floods causing disruption of normal life in Vijayawada and surrounding areas. The Governor cautioned people to remain in safer places and not to venture outside except in emergency situation with the help of government authorities. He said "those who are stuck in inundated areas should contact government authorities so that the NDRF teams can be deployed to rescue them and take them to safer places." The Governor also requested the Red Cross, Scouts and Guides, and other NGOs to coordinate with the government authorities and actively participate in the rescue and relief operations and distribution of food, medicines and other essential items to the affected people. Abdul Nazeer expressed profound grief over the loss of lives due to rain related incidents in Vijayawada and other places in the State and offered his condolences to the bereaved family members. Meanwhile, Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu inspected the situation the area on Monday. Aerial visuals from Vijayawada have shown several areas of the city inundated in the flood water. Speaking to ANI, CM Naidu said, "We are streamlining the system, and 110 boats are currently working to supply food and provide medical assistance. I am regularly monitoring the floods, and officials are actively working on the ground. Since last night, I have visited many flood-affected areas. The public should not panic. We are setting up command and control centers in the flood-affected regions." The incessant downpour has caused waterlogging at the Budameru Canal and Singhnagar. The rising floodwater levels have led to an increase in the water level in the Budameru Canal. Meanwhile, officials are monitoring the situation for timely rescue operations and supplying food to the public. Earlier, a railway track near Intakanne railway station connecting Kesamudram and Intakanne was washed away on Sunday due to heavy rains in the region. The restoration work for the track are ongoing and will be completed by tomorrow evening, according to officials. The South Central Railways, Secundrabad Division, Chief Project Manager Subramaniam said that there have been six main breaches on the track, with the major breaches being around 50-70 meters. "We are attending the breach at kilometre 418. The breach is set mainly at 418, 432 and 433 km. At 418 km, out of six breaches we have attained five main breaches. The main breach we are attending right now is a major breach and the length is around 70 meters. It can take some time...We are attending the kilometre 433 main breach now which is around 50 meters in length. So these two are the main breaches. We are attending these 2 main breaches right now", said Subramaniam while speaking to ANI. (ANI)
Former Jannayak Janta Party leaders Sunil Sangwan, Sanjay Kablana and Devender Singh Babli joined the BJP on Monday. Arun Singh, National General Secretary of Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP) welcomed the former JJP leaders into the party in a statement. "Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the party is growing. Today there is a BJP government in 20 states in the country. The party has also come to power for the third time in the centre, this has happened for the time in sixty years." "The winds in Haryana are in favour of BJP for the upcoming elections. The people are excited for a third term of the BJP government in the state, because BJP has done exceptional work for the people in the state", added the BJP general secretary. He further praised Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Saini and his government, saying that the state government has done more than a 100 things for the people. "The government has done great work for the poor and the youth. The Chief Minister counted a few days ago that the state government has 108 things for the people. This is the reason why leaders from other political parties are leaving their organisation and joining BJP. BJP will definitely form the government for its third term in the state", added Singh. Former Chief Minister of Tripura and Member of Rajya Sabha, Biplap Deb also congratulated the new members of the party and mentioned that three other ex-MLAs joined BJP on Sunday, including the mayor of Ambala. "with so many people joining the BJP, it certainly shows that people favour the BJP government in the state", added Deb. Haryana BJP state president and state assembly member Mohan Lal Badoli was also present for welcoming the three new members of BJP The elections in Haryana will be held in a single phase on October 5 and the counting of votes will happen on October 8. (ANI)
Amid the heavy rainfall for the last two days in Telangana, the Paleru Reservoir and Munneru River in the Khammam district started overflowing on Monday. Water has reportedly entered multiple homes of villagers in Cheruvu bazar with villagers complaining that the state government is not giving adequate relief measures. Salman, a villager said that around 20 to 25 houses in the area have been have been flooded. He claimed that apart from the local corporator, there has been no other help offered from the state government. "In our mohalla around 20 to 25 houses have been flooded, look at our stuff, we have no help or preparations for this. Our local corporator helped us a lot, but apart from that we have no help from the state government. Our locals, our women in the area helped us, and some other people in our area helped us with food. We are requesting the government to look at us and give us some help." Another villager from Cheru Bazar, Razia complained of her house being flooded due to the rains. "A lot of water has entered our house, with our clothes and our belongings being soaked, but no one has come to help us in our time of need", said Razia. "When it comes to votes, they come here, meet us, salute us and call us amma, but no one has come here now. The Khammam collector has not come here, we tried calling them, but no one came. Everyone in the area is really angry and upset with the government. We wanted to have some food arranged for us but nobody listened", she added. Earlier on Sunday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi interacted with Telangana's CM Revanth Reddy on the phone and enquired about the flood situation in the heavy rain-hit areas and the damages caused by the floods, a release from the Telangana CMO said. Meanwhile the IMD on Monday in its 24-hour forecast said, "Very heavy to extremly heavy rain likely to occur at isolated places in Nirmal, Nizamabad, Vikarabad, Sangareddy, Medak and Kamareddy districts of Telanga. Thunderstorm and gusty winds to occur at isolated place in many districts." (ANI)
Former Jannayak Janta Party (JJP) leaders Sunil Sangwan, Sanjay Kablana and Devender Singh Babli joined the BJP on Sunday and said that the BJP will be forming the government for a third term in the state. Devender Singh Babli said that another term for the BJP government in Haryana is imminent and that he is ready to work hard and make the people aware of the work done by the state government. "Today I am feeling very proud that I will get a chance to work under the leadership and vision of PM Modi. The coming time is for the BJP party...We have formed a government (at the Centre) and in the upcoming time with hard work, we will form a government in Haryana...We will make aware of the work done by the party, to the public and will form the government with majority.", said the new BJP member. Similarly, Sunil Sangwan was also confident of a BJP government, he said, "BJP is going to form the government in Haryana for the third term...We will work hard in the party..." BJP National General Secretary Arun Singh, Former Chief Minister of Tripura Biplab Deb and Haryana BJP state president Mohan Lal Badoli welcomed the new members into the party earlier today. "The winds in Haryana are in favour of BJP for the upcoming elections. The people are excited for a third term of the BJP government in the state, because BJP has done exceptional work for the people in the state", said Arun Singh. Former Chief Minister of Tripura and Member of Rajya Sabha, Biplap Deb also congratulated the new members of the party and mentioned that three other ex-MLAs joined BJP on Sunday, including the mayor of Ambala. "with so many people joining the BJP, it certainly shows that people favour the BJP government in the state", added Deb. The elections in Haryana will be held in a single phase on October 5 and the counting of votes will happen on October 8. (ANI)
The Supreme Court on Monday said that farmers' protest must not be politicised and constituted a high power committee to look into the issues of the agitating farmers at Shambhu border near Ambala, where they have been camping since February 13. A bench Justices Surya Kant and Ujjal Bhuyan said that five-members committee will be headed by Justice Nawab Singh, former judge of Punjab and Haryana High Court, and directed the committee to convene its first meeting with farmers within a week. The top court asked the committee to reach out to and request the agitating farmers to remove their tractors, trolleys etc. from the Shabmhu border at the National Highway so as to provide relief to the general public. The apex court said that there is a sizeable population of agricultural communities in the two States that belong to marginalised communities and living below the poverty line, and deserve empathy. "The High powered committee should reach out to and request the agitating farmers to remove their tractors. We hope the farmers will listen to the committee and vacate their vehicles from the border to provide huge relief to the general public...," said the bench. The apex court said that protesters can shift their agitation to an alternate. It further asked the Chief Secretaries and DGP of both States to help the committee and consult the Chairperson for the needful. Earlier, the top court had asked both the states to submit a list of names of persons who could be included in the committee to hold negotiations with the protesters and the governments. The Supreme Court was hearing an appeal against the July 10 Punjab and Haryana High Court order by which it had directed it to open the highway and clear the barricading within seven days. In February, the Haryana government had set up barricades on the Ambala-New Delhi national highway farmers bodies announced that farmers would march to Delhi in support of various demands, including a legal guarantee of minimum support price (MSP) for crops. (ANI)
Leader of Opposition and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi on Monday expressed grief over the flood situation in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana and urged Congress leaders to mobilise aid to support the ongoing relief and rescue efforts in both the States. "My thoughts are with the people of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh as they endure relentless rainfall and devastating floods. I extend my deepest condolences to the families who have lost their loved ones. I urge Congress leaders and workers to mobilize all available resources to support the ongoing relief and rescue efforts," Gandhi said in a post on X. The Congress leader emphasized that the Telangana Government is working tirelessly to manage the crisis and initiate the rebuilding process. He further posted, "I strongly urge both the Central Government and the Andhra Pradesh Government to swiftly provide comprehensive rehabilitation packages for all those affected by this disaster." The Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy today declared the immediate assistance of Rs 5 crore to the flood-hit districts on the State of Khammam, Bhadradri Kothagudem, Mahbubabad and Suryapet. Chief Minister Reddy also announced Rs 5 Lakh ex-gratia to the kin of people who died in the floods. He instructed authorities to respond quickly to the damage caused to the public. He also assured that the compensation will be increased for the loss of cattle, goats and sheep. According to the Chief Minister's Office, the State Government will submit a comprehensive report on flood damages to the Central government. Chief Minister Reddy said he will write a letter to the union government seeking immediate assistance and flood relief and appeal to the Centre to declare the floods in the State as a national calamity. Andhra Pradesh Governor S Abdul Nazeer expressed concern over the heavy rain and floods causing disruption of normal life in Vijayawada and surrounding areas. Governor Nazeer cautioned people to remain in safer places and not to venture outside except in emergency situation with the help of government authorities. Meanwhile, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu inspected the situation in flood today. Aerial visuals from Vijayawada have shown several areas of the city inundated in the flood water. Speaking to ANI, Chief Minister Naidu said, "We are streamlining the system, and 110 boats are currently working to supply food and provide medical assistance. I am regularly monitoring the floods, and officials are actively working on the ground. Since last night, I have visited many flood-affected areas. The public should not panic. We are setting up command and control centres in the flood-affected regions." (ANI)
The content head of OTT platform Netflix has been summoned on September 3 by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting over the series 'IC-814 - The Kandahar Hijack' which has triggered a row on social media over the depiction of the hijackers. In the OTT series, the five hijackers of the flight from Kathmandu are referred to as Chief, Doctor, Burger, Bhola and Shankar. "I vividly remember IC-814. I was very aware of that accident and very involved in following that. Every man and woman in India and indeed in South Asia knows that the hijack of IC-814 from Kathmandu was committed by Pakistan's ISI-backed terrorists. Now, nobody thinks that there were some people from India who did the hijacking. So how the people have Hindu names in that movie, I don't know. But I'm very happy that the I&B Ministry and the GoI have taken cognizance of this and have summoned Netflix" BJP leader Rajeev Chandrasekhar said. The Hijack drama created by Anubhav Sinha and Trishant Shrivastava stars actors Naseeruddin Shah, Pankaj Kapur, Vijay Varma, Arvind Swamy, Patralekhaa and Dia Mirza. The six-episode series is based on real events. On December 24, 1999 flight IC 814 an Indian Airlines Airbus A300 enroute to Delhi gets hijacked after take off from the Kathmandu Tribhuvan International Airport in Nepal shortly after it entered Indian airspace. Soon after take-off, five hijackers, who were posing as passengers, took control of the plane. The hostage crisis lasted for seven days and ended after the then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee government agreed to release three militants. There were 191 passengers on board including 15 crew members, where one person was stabbed, who succumbed to his injuries, while several others were wounded. IC 814, an Indian Airlines Airbus A300 en route from the Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, Nepal to Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi was hijacked on Friday, December 24, 1999, shortly after it entered Indian airspace. Soon after take-off, five hijackers, who were posing as passengers, took control of the plane. The hostage crisis lasted for seven days and ended after the then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee government agreed to release the three militants. There were 191 passengers on board including 15 crew members, where one person was stabbed, who succumbed to his injuries, while several others were wounded. IC 814, an Indian Airlines Airbus A300 en route from the Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, Nepal to Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi was hijacked on Friday, December 24, 1999, shortly after it entered Indian airspace. BJP's IT cell chief Amit Malviya had posted 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." Malviya further posted, "This will not just weaken / put in question India's security apparatus in the long run, but also shift the blame away from the religious cohort, that is responsible for all the bloodshed." In a suo motu statement by then External Affairs Minister Jaswant Singh in Parliament stated that the hijacked IC-814 aircraft made several landings at Amritsar, Lahore, Dubai before being taken to Kandahar in Afghanistan. The government, then led by Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, was forced to release three terrorists -- Masood Azhar, Ahmed Omar Saeed Sheikh and Mushtaq Ahmed Zargar -- from Indian prisons to secure the release of the hostages. As per a January 6, 200 statement by the Union Home Ministry the names of the hijackers were identified as Ibrahim Athar, Bahawalpur; Shahid Akhtar Sayed, Karachi; Sunny Ahmed Qazi, Karachi; Mistri Zahoor Ibrahim, Karachi and Shakir from Sukkur city "To the passengers of the hijacked place 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," the statement read. (ANI)
BJP Haryana state president Mohan Lal Badoli commented on the ongoing preparations to choose the candidates for the Haryana Assembly elections on Monday. He said that suggestions from every level of the party is being taken, after which the central leadership will be taking a decision. While speaking to journalists, he said,"There was a long list, everyone is being surveyed. Feedback is being taken from below. After that, the central leadership will make the final decision." Earlier on Monday, former Jannayak Janta Party (JJP) leaders Devender Singh Babli, Sunil Sangwan, Sanjay Kablana also joined the BJP. They were welcomed by the National General Secretary of BJP, Arun Singh and Haryana BJP state president Mohan Lal Badoli in a press conference today. When asked whether Devender Babli will be contesting the election, Mohan Lal Badoli said that the party does not induct people based on giving them a ticket, first the person joins the party then there are deliberations on whether the person will be contesting the elections or not. After joining the BJP, Devender Singh Babli said that he is feeling proud of getting a chance to work under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and that another term for the BJP government in Haryana is imminent. "Today I am feeling very proud that I will get a chance to work under the leadership and vision of PM Modi. The coming time is for the BJP party...We have formed a government (at the Centre) and in the upcoming time with hard work, we will form a government in Haryana...We will make aware of the work done by the party, to the public and will form the government with majority.", said Babli. The BJP Central Election Committee (CEC) has already finalised 55 candidates for the Haryana Assembly in a meeting on August 29. However, the BJP is set to announce the names of its candidates gradually rather than all at once. The elections in Haryana will be held in a single phase on October 5 and the counting of votes will happen on October 8. (ANI)
Legal experts have emphasised the importance of collaboration between the Bar and the Bench to address the concerns raised by President Droupadi Murmu. They argue that both legal professionals and the judiciary must work together to tackle the issues of adjournments and improve access to justice, especially for the poor and vulnerable. This collective effort is seen as essential for reforming the judicial system to better serve all citizens. Former Additional Solicitor General Pinki Anand highlighted President Murmu's focus on the detrimental culture of adjournments in the judiciary, which discourages citizens from seeking justice. She underscored the need for cooperation between the Bar and the Bench to address these challenges. Anand also noted that new criminal laws and updated provisions in the Civil Procedure Code and Arbitration Act include strict timelines for procedures. She stressed that legal practitioners must rigorously adhere to these laws, both in their arguments and in practice. Former Union Law Secretary P.K. Malhotra commented that the President of India, as both the head of state and the first citizen, wields significant executive, legislative, judicial, and financial powers. This role includes addressing Parliament at the start of each budget session to discuss government policies and schemes. In the current political and economic climate, the President must actively engage and not merely serve as a figurehead. Malhotra emphasised that the President's recent concerns about the judicial system's accessibility and effectiveness, particularly regarding delays and inefficiencies, require serious attention. He noted that such issues are not new; past Chief Justices have also raised similar concerns, yet substantial improvements remain elusive. Advocate Sumit Gehlot, an expert in constitutional matters, agreed with President Murmu's concern about delays in heinous crimes such as rape, stating that such delays are critical. Any unnecessary delay not only prolongs the victim's suffering but also obstructs the delivery of timely justice. Gehlot suggested additional mechanisms in courts, such as minimising survivors' appearances, treating them with sensitivity, conducting cross-examinations of victims without delay, and holding the accused accountable for actions that cause delays. He also advocated for the adoption of advanced technologies in trials, such as sending warrants and summons via email, recording evidence through videoconferencing, and utilising forensic laboratories. He called for the establishment of a separate investigation branch for sexual offences, with properly trained and equipped police officers handling these cases. Senior Advocate Geeta Luthra welcomed President Murmu's focus on judicial delays and stressed the importance of judges and lawyers collaborating effectively to ensure the prompt disposal of cases. She also highlighted the need for the Secretariat to work proactively to support this goal, facilitating a more efficient workflow for both judges and lawyers. Ramesh K. Vaidyanathan, Managing Partner at BTG Advaya, discussed the challenges in accessing and delivering justice highlighted by President Murmu. He pointed out that existing laws have not kept pace with the growing caseload and population and noted a significant shortfall in investment in technology, infrastructure, manpower, and quality judicial appointments. Vaidyanathan added that these delays lead to forgotten testimonies, unavailability of key participants, low conviction rates, and eroded public trust. He also noted that Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) methods have not been effective due to a lack of awareness among litigants, insufficient initiative from judges, and disinterest from lawyers. Additionally, he suggested that plea bargaining, which is common in many countries, is rarely used in India and could help alleviate the burden on the judicial system. Vaidyanathan stressed the urgent need for reforms to address these issues and enhance the efficiency of the judicial process. Rajesh Narain Gupta, Founder and Chairman of SNG and Partners, Advocates and Solicitors, remarked, "Justice delayed is justice denied." He expressed concern that even after 75 years of independence, India still struggles with internal deadlock in such a crucial organ of government. Gupta called for strong political will and serious intervention from stakeholders to address the delays and make the judicial system work efficiently. He noted that while the rich and famous still get hearings, for the poor and downtrodden, it's a nightmare. Gupta suggested that empowering lok adalats to settle existing cases, reducing government litigation, increasing the number of courts and judges, providing meaningful training for the judiciary, especially at lower levels, and strictly monitoring judicial systems and processes could lead to a paradigm shift. He concluded that with the right intent, nothing is unsolvable, and government direction, along with the cooperation of the Bar and the Bench, is crucial. (ANI)
The Supreme Court on Monday granted bail to Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's aide Bibhav Kumar, accused of assaulting AAP Rajya Sabha member Swati Maliwal. A bench of Justices Surya Kant and Ujjal Bhuyan took into note that Kumar is in custody for 100 days and chargesheet has already been filed in the case. It also considered that there are more than 51 witnesses proposed by the prosecution for examination and the conclusion of the trial will take some time. "Petitioner is in custody for 100 days. Chargesheet filed. Injuries are simple. It's a case for bail, you should not oppose. You can't keep a person in jail in such case," said the apex court to ASG SV Raju, representing Delhi police, who was opposing the grant of bail to Kumar. The bench said trial court shall make an endeavour to finish examination of important and vulnerable witnesses first within three months. It also imposed certain conditions on Kumar saying he shall not be restored as PS of Delhi Chief Minister or political office associated with the CM office. The top court further said that Kumar shall not enter Chief Minister's residence till all witnesses are examined. Kumar shall not make any public comment on the case which is sub judice before trial court, it added. During the hearing, senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, appearing for Kumar, submitted that the injuries to Maliwal are simple and the invocation of the offence under Section 308 of the Indian Penal Code (attempt to commit culpable homicide not amounting to murder) was not justified. He further said that witnesses are the officials of the Delhi police itself and hence there was no scope for intimidating or influencing of witnesses. ASG Raju argued that the bail should be deferred till the examination of private witnesses are complete. Kumar had approached the apex court challenging Delhi High Court's order denying him bail. On July 12, High Court had dismissed Kumar's bail plea, saying he enjoys "considerable influence" and no ground to grant him the relief was made out. The High Court had said that it cannot be ruled out that witnesses may be influenced or evidence tampered with in case Kumar is released on bail. On May 16, an FIR was registered against Kumar under various provisions of the Indian Penal Code, including those related to criminal intimidation, assault or using criminal force on a woman with the intent to disrobe, and attempt to commit culpable homicide. Kumar had moved the High Court after a Tis Hazari court here dismissed his bail plea on May 26. Approaching the High Court, Kumar sought bail and claimed the allegations were false and his custody was no longer required as the investigation was over. The Delhi Police had opposed Kumar's bail plea saying that releasing him on bail may influence the probe. Kumar is accused of assaulting Maliwal at the Chief Minister's residence in New Delhi on May 13. (ANI)
The Delhi High Court, on Monday, dismissed the plea by Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and other AAP leaders challenging the defamation proceedings against them, stating that citizens have the right to truthful and accurate information. The court further stated that mudslinging by political parties is not permissible. Justice Anoop Kumar Mendiratta emphasised that in a democracy, citizens are entitled to truthful and accurate information. He underscored that mudslinging by political parties cannot be tolerated. The court found that the allegations made by Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) were defamatory and intended to malign the BJP to gain undue political advantage. The court, while passing the order, also vacated its interim order that had stayed the summons issued by the trial court to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, Atishi, and other AAP leaders. The court has now ordered all parties to appear before the trial court. Kejriwal and other AAP leaders had challenged 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 from the Delhi electoral rolls, primarily from 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 seeking 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 in the matter. Rajeev Babbar claimed the statements of AAP leaders were intended to damage the BJP's reputation by targeting specific voter groups, including Bania, Poorvanchalis, and Muslims, causing irreparable harm to the complainant's reputation. Arvind Kejriwal had moved the Delhi High Court in 2020, arguing that the defamation complaint was not maintainable as it was vague and did not disclose who the "person aggrieved" was. The trial court, in February 2020, observed that the allegations made by Kejriwal and others were prima facie defamatory and referred to the BJP. Babbar has argued that the voters' list is the prerogative of the Election Commission, not the BJP. (ANI)
A bench of justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra dismissed the plea filed by West Bengal government.

A complaint was lodged by the Sub Inspector of the New Market Police Station on August 27 alleging that the Sayan Lahiri along with other around 150 agitators assembled at Jawharlal Nehru Road and SN Banerjee Road crossing commonly known as Dorinna crossing under the banner of Paschim Banga Chhatra Samaj and called for Nabanna Abhijan.They unlawfully assembled there without any permission, blocked the road and disrupted normal vehicular and pedestrian movement.

They raised slogans over the issue of the RG Kar Hospital incident, the police said.

In the evening of August 27, Sayan Lahiri was detained by the police of the Maidan Police Station and was taken into custody.

Sayam's mother moved the Calcutta High Court seeking relief for his son. The Calcutta High Court on August 30 granted him bail in the matter.

On August 27, a protest march to West Bengal Secretariat 'Nabanna' was organised by the 'Paschim Banga Chatra Samaj' and other organisations, which aimed to protest the recent rape and murder of a woman trainee doctor in Kolkata.

The rally termed "Nabanna Abhijan" started from the College Square in the capital of West Bengal, amid heightened security around the West Bengal state secretariat with protestors gathering at the Santragachi area in Howrah.

The sexual assault of the trainee doctor has sparked massive outrage and shaken the conscience of the country.

The case was transferred to the CBI from the Kolkata police following an order from the Calcutta High Court.

The trainee doctor was found dead in the seminar hall of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata on August 9. (ANI)
On the 30th anniversary of the Mussoorie firing incident, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami paid tribute to the martyred agitators at the Shaheed Smarak in Mussoorie on Monday. Addressing the gathering, Dhami stated that the state government is committed to realising the dreams of those who sacrificed their lives for Uttarakhand. "The state government is working to fulfil the dreams envisioned by the martyred agitators for Uttarakhand. The Khatima incident occurred on September 1, Mussoorie on September 2, and the Rampur Tiraha incident on October 2. These three dates are marked as a dark chapter in our state's history. We can never forget the supreme sacrifice of our immortal martyrs," he said. Dhami also mentioned that the martyred agitators had aspired to create an Uttarakhand where everyone has equal rights, and the state government is advancing with this goal in mind. He further highlighted that Uttarakhand had recently secured the top position in the Niti Aayog's Sustainable Development Goals ranking. Alongside development, special attention is being paid to maintaining environmental balance. "To make this decade the decade of Uttarakhand, rapid progress is being made across all sectors. In the next ten years, Uttarakhand will reach the pinnacle of development and progress. This is being achieved through the coordination of ecology and economy," he said. "The government has expressed its gratitude to the state agitators by implementing a 10 per cent horizontal reservation for them and their dependents, and pensions are being provided," he added. Dhami also acknowledged the significant role of 'Nari Shakti' (women's power) in the state movement and announced that the state government has decided to grant 30 per cent reservation to women in government services. "A strict anti-copying law has been enforced in the state, leading to the imprisonment of more than 100 individuals involved in exam malpractices. Additionally, stringent laws have been introduced to prevent forced conversions and anti-riot measures have been implemented. Strict action has also been taken against 'land jihad' to prevent demographic changes in the state," he said. Dhami further noted that over 16,000 appointments have been made in government departments in the past three years, and recently, the final result of the 2021 State PCS Examination and the preliminary result of the 2024 examination were released in a single day. "Most of the candidates selected in these examinations are from Uttarakhand," he added. Dhami also promised to establish a museum in memory of the martyrs at the Shaheed Smarak in Mussoorie. On this occasion, state agitators expressed their gratitude to Dhami for implementing the 10 per cent horizontal reservation system. After the program, Dhami paid tribute to Indramani Badoni by garlanding his statue. (ANI)
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) workers on Monday clashed with police as they 'Gherao' District Magistrate's (DMs) office in Cooch Behar over the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital rape-murder. Earlier today, in Siliguri, BJP workers staged protests outside the SDO Office demanding justice for the victim of the RG Kar case and calling for the resignation of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. A BJP protester, while speaking to ANI, said they will also protest at every block office in Bengal on September 4. A protesting BJP worker told ANI, "After the Chief Minister came to power, there is no security for women in West Bengal. We are demanding justice for RG Kar and the resignation of the Chief Minister for this reason. We will protest at every block office in Bengal on August 4, and we will conduct a chakka jam (roadblock) from 12 pm to 2 pm on August 6." In Kolkata, junior doctors protested, demanding the immediate resignation of Kolkata Police Commissioner Vineet Goyal in connection with the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital case. In Alipurduar, Kolkata, BJP workers protested against the incident, leading to the police using water cannons to disperse the crowd. In Kolkata's Alipore area, BJP workers protested outside the DM office, demanding action over the rape and murder case. These protests come amid widespread outrage over the rape and murder of a woman trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. The trainee was found dead in the seminar hall of the hospital 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)
A first in India, the Vande Bharat Sleeper Train is a new expansion to the Vande Bharat portfolio, meticulously designed to combine aesthetic appeal with functional excellence, offering the passengers an experience on par with European standards and set to revolutionise long-distance rail travel in India. According to an official release from the South Central Railway, "The Vande Bharat Sleeper Train offers a fusion of advanced technology and comfort, setting a new standard for rail travel. The train will run at a maximum speed of 160 kilometres per hour, ensuring a swift and graceful journey." Crafted with world-class facilities and superior interiors, the Vande Bharat Sleeper train set marks a significant leap forward in India's rail capabilities, offering a passenger experience on par with European standards. All materials and components used in the train set adhere to the highest fire safety standards. Set to revolutionise long-distance rail travel in India, this segment meets new benchmarks for comfort, safety, and efficiency. The Vande Bharat Sleeper train is equipped with a range of world-class features. These features include austenitic stainless steel train sets, crash worthy features in train sets for passenger safety, best-in-class interiors with GFRP panels, aerodynamic exterior looks, modular pantry, fire safety, special berths and toilets for differently abled, automatic exterior passenger doors, sensor based intercommunication doors, remotely operated fire barrier doors at the end wall, an ergonomically designed odour free toilet system, modern passenger amenities and spacious luggage rooms, among others. Minister for Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw and Minister of State for Railways V Somanna introduced the production of the Vande Bharat Sleeper Version train set at Bharat Earth Movers Limited, (BEML), Bengaluru. Earlier on August 31, Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off three Vande Bharat trains via video conferencing and said that the expansion of Vande Bharat trains reflects our nation's progress towards the goal of Viksit Bharat with modernity and speed. The three routes on which PM Modi flagged off trains are Meerut - Lucknow, Madurai - Bengaluru and Chennai - Nagercoil. Speaking on the occasion, PM Modi said, "Today, from the north to the south, another chapter is being added to the country's journey of development. The expansion of Vande Bharat trains reflects our nation's progress towards the goal of a developed India with modernity and speed. These trains have provided connectivity to important religious places in the country. The Temple City of Madurai is now directly connected to the IT City of Bengaluru via Vande Bharat. This train will also prove beneficial for pilgrims." "On the Chennai-Nagercoil route, students, farmers, and IT professionals will greatly benefit. Wherever the convenience of Vande Bharat has reached, the number of tourists has increased, which means that there has been a rise in the income of businesses and shopkeepers. New employment opportunities are also being created in our region," he added. Further, the Prime Minister asserted that to achieve the goal of Viksit Bharat, the rapid development of southern states is crucial. (ANI)
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) workers staged protests outside the SDO Office in Siliguri on Monday, demanding justice for the victim of a rape and murder incident at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. They also called for the resignation of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. A BJP protester, speaking to ANI, stated that they plan to protest at every block office in Bengal on September 4. A protesting BJP worker told ANI, "Since the Chief Minister came to power, there has been no security for women in West Bengal. We are demanding justice for the RG Kar case and the resignation of the Chief Minister. We will protest at every block office in Bengal on September 4, and we will conduct a chakka jam (roadblock) from 12 pm to 2 pm on September 6." Earlier today, junior doctors in Kolkata protested, demanding the immediate resignation of Kolkata Police Commissioner Vineet Goyal in connection with the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital case. In Alipurduar, BJP workers protested against the incident, leading to the police using water cannons to disperse the crowd. In Kolkata's Alipore area, BJP workers also protested outside the DM office, demanding action over the rape and murder case. These protests come amid widespread outrage over the rape and murder of a woman trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. The trainee was found dead in the seminar hall of the hospital on August 9. Doctors have been holding protests in different states, demanding justice for the victim and enhanced security measures for healthcare professionals. The incident has sparked a war of words between the BJP and the state government, with the BJP demanding the resignation of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. The case has been transferred from the local police to the Central Bureau of Investigation 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)
Former Maharashtra Chief Minister and Congress leader Prithviraj Chavan criticised the Mahayuti government on Monday over the collapse of the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj statue in Sindhudurg and blamedthat administration put pressure to complete the statue within three months because Prime Minister Narendra Modi had plans to inaugurate it on December 3. Speaking to ANI, Prithviraj Chavan said "The administration is completely responsible for the incident. The pressure was put to complete the statue within three months. When the sculptor said that it would take three years to make that statue you forced them to do it as PM had plans to inaugurate the statue on December 3." He expressed skepticism about the effectiveness of the inquiry committee formed to investigate the incident and called for action against those responsible. "An enquiry committee has been formed but I don't think that it will work. It will try to save the government," said the senior Congress leader. Expressing his doubts about the effectiveness of the current investigation, suggesting it may not be conducted fairly until a new state government is formed, he said that that the collapse of the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj statue has caused hurt to the people of Maharashtra. "The people of Maharashtra are hurt over this incident. Action should be taken against those responsible for the incident. Who decided to complete the statue within three months? The investigation into the incident will not be conducted until a new state government is formed," former Chief Minister of Maharashtra said. Chavan accused the Chief Minister Eknath Shinde of trying to protect himself and demotivate others, claiming that his party has already completed their own investigation and assigned responsibility for the incident. "The Chief Minister is working towards demotivating the soldier. The CM is trying to save himself. We have completed the investigation and fixed the responsibility," he added. Earlier on Sunday, Shinde condemned the collapse of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's statue in Sindhudurg and urged the opposition to stop doing politics over the incident. Speaking to reporters, the CM said that the state government would take strict action against the perpetrators. "Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is the biggest God for us; he is a worshipped deity, his statue falling suddenly is a condemnable incident, strict action will be taken by the government against the person whose mistakes have caused this incident, but I want to say to the opposition party leaders that they should stop doing politics on this," CM Shinde told reporters. "You people should come together and cooperate in how to make this excellent statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj again at the same place as soon as possible, do not do politics for this. The state government has involved big artists in this and soon we will make the statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj again at the same place," he added. During his visit to Palghar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi apologised to Shivaji Maharaj and those hurt by the collapse of the warrior king's statue in Maharashtra's Sindhudurg district. Notably, 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)
Uttarakhand Chief Secretary Radha Raturi on Monday approved the proposal for constructing "8.2 km long canal-covering" from Panchakki Square to Kamaluwaganja in Kaladhungi town of Nainital in the meeting of the Expenditure Finance Committee held in the state secretariat. An official release said that people of Chauphala, Kathgharia, Kamaluwaganja, Ghuni, Bhagwanpur and Ramni will benefit with the increase in the width of the road due to the covering and strengthening of the canal. The release said that Chief Secretary has given instructions to complete this work in a timely manner while maintaining the quality of construction. The work is expected to be completed in a year and the cost of the scheme is Rs 1245.64 lakh. The Chief Secretary gave instructions to pay special attention to ground water recharge and plantation during the construction of the project. She said by covering the canal and widening the portion from Coltax-Panchakki to Chaufula-Kathghariya, this road will work as two-lane bypass. It will prove useful for the passengers going from Nainital to Delhi or Dehradun via Bajpur or Ramnagar, Corbett National Park and would reduce traffic density of Haldwani city. Senior officials including those from Public Works Department and Irrigation Department were present in the meeting. (ANI)
Gujarat Home Minister Harsh Sanghavi convened a meeting on Monday to discuss flood relief efforts in Vadodara, as the state continues to experience heavy rainfall. Speaking to ANI, Sanghavi assured that the state government would ensure that the affected people receive the necessary assistance from the insurance companies. He added that the government will ensure that relief material is being provided to the flood-affected people. "A meeting was convened to discuss the flood situation...Details were taken on the restoration process. The first round of the restoration process has been completed...In the second round of restoration, it will be ensured that the people affected by floods get the required assistance from the insurance companies...It is being ensured that the relief material is being provided to the flood-affected people," Sanghavi told ANI. Meanwhile, Vegetable prices soar in Gujarat's Ahmedabad amid heavy rainfall in the state. In another development, a 34-year-old home guard, identified as Devesh, died after being swept away in the heavy rains. The body of a home guard soldier was retrieved by the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), NDRF officials confirmed on Sunday. On September 1, Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel appreciated the help of the Indian Army in rescue operations amid a flood-like situation in the state saying, "help of Indian Army has added great vigour to the state government's rescue operations." https://x.com/Bhupendrapbjp/status/1830275055307399533 Large parts of Gujarat have been ravaged by floods since August 27. The rising waters in 6 districts of Vadodara, Jamnagar, Rajkot, Surat, Dwarka and Kutch have disrupted life and left countless families needing help, the Indian Army said in a post on X. https://x.com/adgpi/status/1830231645799989679 Large numbers of troops and specialised equipment are deployed around the clock to rescue people. Indian Army is also providing food as well as door-to-door medical assistance, they added in the post. Additionally, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) constituted an Inter-Ministerial Central Team (ICMT) to assess the damage caused by rainfall and floods in Gujarat. The IMCT, led by the executive director of the National Insititute of Disaster Management (NIDM), will be visiting the flood-affected districts of the statement, according to a statement by the ministry. Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had a telephone conversation with Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and assured him of all possible support and assistance from the Central government. (ANI)
The Lalbagh ka Raja Trust is preparing for an extraordinary Ganesh Mahotsav with the highly anticipated Lalbagh ka Raja Ganesh statue. This renowned statue from Mumbai will be displayed once again in New Delhi. It first made its appearance in Delhi in 2015. A press conference at the Constitution Club in New Delhi on Monday unveiled the details of the event. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Manoj Tiwari, a member of the organising committee, announced the festival. "People from across the country travel to Mumbai to have darshan of Lalbagh ka Raja. Since 2015, we've also brought the Lalbagh ka Raja to Delhi. I invite everyone in Delhi NCR to join us," Tiwari said. The Ganesh Mahotsav will be a grand affair, running from 7th to 16th September. Tiwari elaborated, "The pandal will cover an area of 600,000 square feet, featuring complete wooden flooring and can accommodate approximately 500,000 people. It will include dedicated sections for discourses by Baba Bageshwar Ji and Aniruddhacharya Ji Maharaj, as well as cultural programmes and musical performances in the evening. The venue is conveniently located near a metro station." Rakesh Bindal, Chairman of the Lalbagh ka Raja Trust, also provided insights into the festival. "The celebration will feature a giant adventure wheel and various attractions, expected to draw between 100,000 and 500,000 devotees. Attendees can enjoy cultural programmes, musical performances, and a wide range of food stalls offering regional dishes," he said. The Mahotsav will be held at the DDA Ground, near Sanat Nirankari Samagam, Burari, from 7th to 16th September. The Ganesh statue will be an exact replica of the Mumbai idol, crafted at the same location as the original. It will be an eco-friendly statue, to be immersed in a specially prepared pit at the event site. Meanwhile, ahead of the Ganesh Chaturthi, the preparation for the festival has begun with great pomp and show. Idol makers are making eco-friendly statues of Lord Ganesh, with the market bustling with full festive fervour in the city. Sculptors are busy giving final touches to the idols of Lord Ganesha. Idols of different sizes, designs, and colours are available in the market. Buyers are visiting shops to book their favourite idols. However, there is a high demand for eco-friendly idols, prompting sculptors to use less plaster of paris and more clay in most of the idols. Along with this, they are decorated with herbal colours, which do not pollute water like chemical colours.(ANI)
The opposition parties in the Himachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly submitted a no-confidence motion against the Speaker, Kuldeep Singh Pathania, on Monday following a controversial statement made by him on Friday. On the fifth day of the monsoon session of the Himachal Legislative Assembly, the opposition parties handed the notice to the Assembly Secretary, demanding Pathania's resignation. This move occurred before the House proceedings commenced. On Friday, BJP MLA Inder Dutt Lakhanpal objected to a statement made by the Speaker and demanded an apology. This led to a significant uproar in the Assembly, with opposition members expressing strong dissent. Earlier today, prior to the start of the House proceedings, the opposition submitted a notice under Rule 274, formally filing a no-confidence motion against the Speaker and calling for his resignation. Leader of Opposition and BJP MLA Jairam Thakur stated that the Speaker's conduct towards the opposition in the House and his use of what Thakur described as "unconstitutional language" outside the House would not be tolerated. As a result, the opposition parties in the Legislative Assembly convened a meeting and decided to file a no-confidence motion against the Speaker. "Today, during the BJP legislative meeting, it was decided that if the Speaker of the Himachal Assembly does not address the concerns of the opposition, we will submit a resolution for his removal. According to the rules, whenever such a resolution is submitted, the Speaker must step down. However, the Speaker seems to consider himself above the law, as he did not allow the opposition MLA to speak. The state government is not interested in hearing the concerns of the opposition, and thus we (BJP) walked out of the assembly session," Thakur said. (ANI)
During the operations carried out on September 1 and 2, areca nuts worth Rs 54,000 in the international market was recovered. The officials said that the recovered items were handed over to Custom Department, Moreh for further investigation.

As per the officials, during a routine border guarding drills Assam Rifles teams in general areas Pangal Basti, Border Pillar 76, Border Pillar 78 and H Munnom Village of Moreh along IMB, teams thwarted various illegal crossing attempts of suspicious individuals with contraband items entering the India.

On August 29, Assam Rifles along with the Indian Army, Border Security Force and Manipur police recovered arms and ammunition and war-like stores in the Sekmajin area of the Kakching district.

The recovered items included one Sten Machine Gun, two 9mm Pistols, two single barrel guns, ten Grenades, ammunition and war like stores in Sekmaijin Area. (ANI)
After the Congress' Central Election Committee meeting, AICC in-charge of Haryana Deepak Babaria said that the party's list for the Haryana polls will be out within two days, adding that the party will clarify about Olympian wrestler Vinesh Phogat on Tuesday whether she fights the Haryana election on a Congress ticket or not. "Discussion on 49 seats was taken up and 34 of them have been declared. 15 seats have been sent for review. Out of the 34 cleared seats, 22 are MLA seats. The pending names will be cleared in the next 2-3 days," Babaria told ANI on Monday. When asked about Vinesh Phogat contesting the elections on a Congress seat, he said that that party will clarify this on Tuesday. "We will clarify about Vinesh Phogat tomorrow. The list would also be out within two days," he added. At the Paris Olympics, Vinesh was disqualified from the 50 kg gold medal bout after she was found to be 100 gms overweight. The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) also dismissed her petition to be awarded a joint silver. She announced her retirement from wrestling on August 8, a day after her disqualification. Since her return home there has been intense speculation that she would enter active politics like her cousin Babita who is a BJP MLA. Earlier, a Congress Central Election Committee meeting was held at AICC to select the candidates for the Haryana Assembly Polls. The meeting was chaired by Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, LoP in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi was present in the meeting along with other members of CEC. The elections in Haryana will be held in a single phase on October 5, and the counting of votes will happen on October 8. Notably, the Election Commission of India (ECI) on August 31, revised the polling day for Haryana Assembly polls 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)
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Monday reviewed the heavy rains in various districts of Marathwada and directed the divisional commissioners to immediately assess the damage. "Hingoli, Jalna and Parbhani received heavy rain last night. Therefore, the agricultural loss will be accurately estimated by tomorrow. A team of SDRF has been deployed in Nanded district. Jayakwadi Dam is 88 per cent full. 4 people have lost their lives and 17 people have been injured in this heavy rain," Office of Fadnavis posted on X. "88 animals have died in this heavy rain, and 160 crude houses have collapsed. Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has also directed that the administration should provide immediate help by making Panchnama for other damages including agriculture," informed Office of Fadnavis on X. Many parts of the country have been reeling under heavy rains and floods. Meanwhile, Gujarat Home Minister Harsh Sanghavi convened a meeting on Monday to discuss flood relief efforts in Vadodara, as the state continues to experience heavy rainfall. Speaking to ANI, Sanghavi assured that the state government would ensure that the affected people receive the necessary assistance from the insurance companies. He added that the government will ensure that relief material is being provided to the flood-affected people. In Telangana's Khammam district, the water level of the Munneru River has increased. Congress MP from Khammam, Ramasahayam Raghuram Reddy said that the floods have caused damage to houses and the people have been rescued. "It's not raining now...But due to the flood houses have been damaged...People have been rescued...Food relief has been provided...Rehabilitation work is also underway..." said the Congress MP. Telangana CM Revanth Reddy ordered officials to set up a call centre to monitor relief and rescue operations. "A call centre should be set up in the collectorates and linked with the command control center. Police battalions should be trained on NDRF model for emergency services during heavy rains. 5 lakh financial assistance to the families of those who died due to floods," read the post. Compensation should be increased for cattle, goats and sheep that died in floods. A comprehensive report on the flood damage should be given to the Centre. Write a letter seeking central assistance immediately." the Telangana CM said. (ANI)
Delhi State Haj Committee Chairperson and BJP leader, Kausar Jahan, on Monday urged the opposition parties not to oppose the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, merely for political reasons. Her comments follow a call for a nationwide protest by All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) President Asaduddin Owaisi against the bill. She also urged opposition parties, including Asaduddin Owaisi's party, Trinamool Congress and Samajwadi Party, not to oppose the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024 or risk going down in history as those opposing efforts for the betterment of Muslims. "I would like to tell the opposition parties that please don't oppose just for the sake of opposition and politics of opposition... It should not happen that when history is written, it is recorded that Owaisi sahib's party, Trinamool Congress party, Samajwadi Party and other opposition parties opposed the steps being taken for the betterment of Muslims," Kausar told ANI. She also highlighted the need for transparency and accountability in the operations of any board. "Owaisi sahib is a member of the JPC and he is only making such statements. Does he have no faith in the Constitution?...Waqf ka sudhaar toh bahut pehle hi ho jana chahiye that. There is a lot of corruption right now. Any board is more effective when there is transparency and accountability in its operations," she added. On September 1, All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) Chief Asaduddin Owaisi criticised the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024 and called for a nationwide protest on Monday in a protest gathering at Telangana. "We have gathered here today on behalf of All India Muslim Personal Law Board because of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024 that has been brought by the Modi government." The All India Muslim Personal Law Board has decided to launch a nationwide protest and make people aware of how this Bill is against the Constitution," the AIMIM chief said on Sunday. The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, Waqf Act provides for the renaming of the Waqf Act, 1995, as the Unified Waqf Management, Empowerment, Efficiency and Development Act, 1995. It seeks to clearly define "Waqf" as Waqf by any person practising Islam for at least five years and having ownership of such property and ensure that the creation of Waqf-alal-aulad does not lead to the denial of inheritance rights to women. The bill seeks to omit Section 40 relating to the powers of the Board to decide if a property is Waqf property, provide for filing of accounts of waqf by Mutawallis to the Board through a central portal for better control over their activities, reform the Tribunal structure with two members, and provide for appeals against the orders of the Tribunal to the High Court within a specified period of ninety days. The bill also seeks to provide for the establishment of a separate Board of Auqaf for Boharas and Aghakhanis. The government had introduced the bill in the budget session of Parliament and it was decided to send the legislation to a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) for further scrutiny. On August 30, the second meeting of the JPC headed by MP Jagadambika Pal was held in the Parliament House Annexe. The committee had called the All India Sunni Jamiyatul Ulama, Mumbai, the Delhi-based Indian Muslims for Civil Rights, the Uttar Pradesh Sunni Central Waqf Board and the Rajasthan Board of Muslim Waqf to register their views. As per the sources, the Muslim bodies pointed out many clauses of the bill, which are a matter of concern for Muslims. Sources said that 'Waqf by Users' was the key issue of heated discussion in the meeting. The Muslim side raised their concern and said that it is a matter of religious faith and practice. So, the government should not try to interfere in this. The JPC has also invited views and suggestions from the public, NGOs, experts, stakeholders and institutions as per a press communique by the Lok Sabha Secretariat. (ANI)
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday said that PM Modi has envisioned Viksit Bharat by 2047 and expressed confidence that it will be realised by the party organisation through endeavours of party members. Speaking at the launch of party's 2024 membership drive 'Sanghatan Parva, Sadasyata Abhiyan 2024', Amit Shah said that BJP started its politics on the basis of ideology and continued its work even as it suffered defeats and also registered victory in elections. "PM Modi has envisioned a Viksit Bharat by 2047. We aspire to celebrate India's century of independence by making her a leader in every field. BJP is the means to achieve this goal," he said. He said BJP is not only the biggest political party but is also unique. "BJP goes ahead with an ideology. We started our politics on the basis of our ideology. We struggled for years, we suffered several defeats, we also suffered massive defeats and we also witnessed victory. But we continued our work," he said. "As JP Nadda told us, ours is the biggest party of the world but it is also a unique party. No other political party in India runs its Sadasyata Abhiyan democratically every six years. BJP is the only party political that has kept this tradition intact and taken it forward," he added. Amit Shah recalled the work done by the BJP-led government in the past 10 years. "In the last 10 years, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, we provided Rs 5 lakh insurance to 60 crore people. Our country has achieved new feats in every sector be it rural development, urban development, energy sector, space sector, digitalisation, strengthening infrastructure, internal and external security, health sector, and education sector," the senior BJP leader said. He also recalled construction of Ram Temple following the Supreme Court verdict, removal of Article 370 and law against triple talaq. Amit Shah said BJP workers work as bridge between the government and organisation and also connect people with the government. He said no booths will be excluded from the membership drive and people from every community, caste, religion, and age group will be included. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday launched the BJP's nationwide membership drive 2024 by renewing his membership. (ANI)
Odisha Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida launched the BJP government's 'Subhadra Yojana' portal at the Lok Seva Bhavan in Bhubaneswar on Monday. Speaking to ANI, the Deputy CM said, "Subhadra Yojana is a flagship scheme under the Odisha government in which there are over 1 crore women beneficiaries." "Beneficiaries willing to apply for the flagship scheme can now visit the official website of Subhadra and avail the benefits by sharing the necessary details. It will be launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on September 17," said Deputy CM Pravati Parida. Earlier, Odisha Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida emphasised the key aspects of the Subhadra Yojana, revealing that the scheme has allocated a budget of Rs 10,000 crore, adding that a list of 1.5 crore women has been compiled, and a standard operating procedure will be established to determine the distribution of funds. Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi had earlier announced that the state government was planning to launch the Subhadra Yojana in Odisha in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi on September 17, coinciding with his birthday. Replying to the discussion on the motion of thanks on the governor's address in the Assembly, the chief minister said the Odisha government has decided to pay Rs 50,000 to women, who comprise 50 per cent population of the state. "No development can be achieved by ignoring women. The dream of every woman for financial independence and empowerment will be fulfilled with the implementation of the scheme," he said. Majhi further said the BJP government has been formed to fulfil the hopes, aspirations and dreams of 4.5 crore people in Odisha.The government has started to establish 'Odia Asmita' and bring all-round development through a transparent administration. "The first duty of the state government is to protect Odia Asmita through enrichment of language, literature, culture and heritage, for which a corpus fund of Rs 200 crore has been established. The government has started implementing these from the first day of coming to office," he said. The Odisha government has launched the Subhadra Yojana to empower women by providing Rs 50,000 in financial assistance. (ANI)
Earlier on August 24, CBI had officially registered an FIR against Dr Ghosh, following orders from the Calcutta High Court.

The investigation into alleged corruption was initiated after a single bench of the High Court directed the CBI to probe the matter.

That morning, a Special Investigation Team (SIT) from the Calcutta High Court visited the CBI office at Nizam Palace, handing over crucial documents related to the case. The CBI, acting promptly, filed the FIR after receiving these documents and then submitted the FIR copy to the Alipur Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) Court on that day.

On Friday, the Indian Medical Association (IMA) of Kolkata, suspended the membership of former Sandip Ghosh, amid a CBI probe into the corruption case.

Earlier on August 26, the CBI also concluded a second round of polygraph tests on Dr Ghosh as part of their investigation into the rape-murder of a woman doctor at the institution.

The Calcutta High Court has granted the CBI three weeks to submit a progress report on the investigation, which is to be presented on September 17.

Earlier in the month, the Supreme Court ordered the security of Kolkata's RG Kar Medical College and Hospital to be handed over to the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) while hearing the suo motu case concerning the incident.

The trainee doctor was found dead in the seminar hall of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata on August 9. (ANI)
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), has taken suo motu cognizance of media reports that over 300 photos and videos were allegedly taken from the washroom of the girls' hostel of an Engineering College in Krishna district of Andhra Pradesh, with the help of a hidden camera. The incident unfolded when a group of students discovered the camera and raised an alarm triggering protest. Reportedly, some students in the boys hostel bought these videos for which a student is being questioned by the police. Earlier this month, a hidden camera was, reportedly, discovered in the washroom of a popular eatery in Bengaluru. The Commission has observed that the contents of the media reports, if true, raise a serious issue of human rights violation. Such incidents indicate that the authorities concerned have not been able to provide a safe and secure environment to the women, which is a matter of concern. The Commission has issued notices to the Chief Secretaries and Directors General of Police of Andhra Pradesh calling for a detailed report in the matter including the status of the FIR registered by the police. The report should also mention the steps taken/ proposed by the authorities to ensure that such incidents do not recur. The response from the authorities is expected within Two weeks. An incident of hidden camera reportedly found inside a hostel toilet at an engineering college in Andhra Pradesh's Krishna district triggered outrage with students staging a protest against the failure of the institution's management to take action. A protest was held by students of Gudlavalleru Engineering College on Thursday night who claimed that the management was attempting to cover up the incident. According to students, the camera had been secretly recording women. (ANI)
Delhi Transport Minister, Kailash Gahlot, addressed thousands of delivery partners, commonly known as gig workers, at an event organised by Zomato and Blinkit at Talkatora Stadium on Monday. The event focused on the benefits of electric vehicles (EVs) for delivery partners and provided valuable guidance on selecting the right vehicle. Leading industry players, including EV two-wheeler manufacturers, fleet operators, charge point providers, and financing experts, shared their insights with the attendees. In his address, Transport Minister Kailash Gahlot expressed deep gratitude to the delivery partners and called them 'Pradushan Yodha'. "You are the backbone of India's economy, ensuring that millions of people can receive household essentials in minutes and enjoy meals from their favourite restaurants with just a click. Your dedication keeps our cities running smoothly. Your commitment to your work and to protecting the environment is truly inspiring. The Kejriwal government is with you every step of the way. Together, let's make Delhi pollution-free by adopting electric vehicles," he said. Kailash Gahlot further emphasised the importance of transitioning to electric vehicles, saying, "Embracing EVs is more than just a technological change--it's a crucial move to reduce pollution in our city. I encourage all platform partners to take an active role in this transition, helping to pave the way for a cleaner, greener Delhi." "The Delhi government, under the visionary leadership of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, remains committed to fostering an environmentally conscious city. We fully support the shift to EVs, recognising their significant environmental and economic advantages, and commend initiatives like EV Bazaar by companies like Zomato and Blinkit, which aim to raise awareness among gig workers," he stated. During the event, the Transport Minister also engaged with various electric two-wheeler original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and explored different lease models aimed at reducing the upfront cost of EVs, making the transition smoother for delivery partners. Commenting on the event, Anjalli Ravi Kumar, Chief Sustainability Officer, Zomato, said, "At Zomato, we are committed towards facilitating 100 per cent EV-based deliveries by 2030. Building on the success of previous EV melas and bazaars, which influenced around 5,000 delivery partners to switch from petrol-based bikes in FY23, the EV Bazaar further supports Zomato's mission to reduce last-mile delivery emissions. The event is designed to ensure that delivery partners are well-informed about the benefits of EVs and supported in their transition." Transport Minister Kailash Gahlot also highlighted the recently notified Delhi Motor Vehicle Aggregator and Delivery Service Provider Scheme, 2023, which outlines a phased transition to electric vehicles for aggregators' fleets. The scheme mandates that by April 1, 2030, the entire fleet of aggregators must be electric, marking a significant move towards sustainable urban mobility in the capital. (ANI)
The Rouse Avenue Court on Monday remanded AAP MLA Amanat Ullah Khan to four days of Enforcement Directorate (ED) custody in the Delhi Waqf Board Money Laundering case. He has been arrested in connection with the alleged money laundering case linked with the purchase of a 1200-square-yard plot worth Rs 36 crore in Okhla. Special judge Rakesh Syal granted four days of custody remand of Amanat Ullah Khan to ED. He is to be produced before the court on September 6 ED had sought 10 days remand. Khan was produced before the Rouse Avenue Court on Monday after a fresh arrest in the day. The court has also allowed the AAP MLA to have legal meetings, meetings with family, home-cooked food and medicine during the ED custody. Special Public Prosecutors (SPPs) Manish Jain and Simon Benjamin alongwith Snehal Sharda appeared for the ED. The agency said that Amanat Ullah is the main accused in the case and the proceeds of crime are laundered through the purchase of land. It is also said that a prosecution complaint has already been filed. Four accused were arrested earlier. Cognizance has been taken. SPP Manish Jain submitted that the anticipatory bail of accused Amanat Ullah Khan was dismissed. It was also submitted that 14 summons were issued to him and the accused was in defiance of the summons. ED said that the property in question was of Rs 36 crores but an agreement to sell was fabricated to show that it was of Rs 13.4 crores. It was submitted that Rs 4 crores were paid and the rest amount was paid through the banking channel. It was further submitted that another agreement to sell was recovered from the mobile of one of the accused. In this agreement, the consideration price of the property was Rs 36 crores. ED said that out of the said amount Rs 9 crores were paid through banking channel, Rs 27 crores were paid in cash. Accused Amanat Ullah Khan paid Rs 8 crores, and the remaining amount was paid through other accused persons. The ED also said the diaries of Qausar Imm Siddiqui show financial transactions of high value. During searches various incriminating evidence were recovered. Hand writing of Qausar Imam Siddiqui has been proved by the FSL. He wrote the diaries in his handwriting. While seeking remand, ED said that Khan's custody is required as he is the main person behind the case. He needs to be confronted with the material, the ED said At the time of arrest accused did not have his phone. He said that he doesn't have a phone, it is difficult to believe. His custody remand is necessary to interrogate him, the SPPs for ED submitted. Senior advocate Vikram Chaudhari alongwith Rajat Bhardwaj, Kaustubh Khanna appeared for Amanat Ullah Khan. Senior counsel for the accused submitted that there is nothing new in the grounds of arrest and grounds to believe. It was also submitted that the accused was granted bail in the CBI and ACB case. Senior advocate further submitted that the present ED's charge sheet was filed after 6 years of CBI's FIR. Advocate Rajat Bharadwaj submitted that in the ACB case, a chargesheet has not been filed. In the CBI case, arguments on charges are about to end. The ED said that the ground of arrest had been handed over to the accused within 24 hours. The accused has been produced before the court within 24 hours, ED said. The arrest of the accused is in consonance with the law. Senior advocate Vikram Chaudhari said that the accused was arrested by the CBI on September 16, 2022. The same day this ED's case was registered. The accused was granted bail in the CBI and ACB matters. Advocate Bhardwaj said that there is no material to show that the accused is connected with the same. He also said that Under section 19 of PMLA, it is for the ED to show that the act of arrest is justified. In January, The Rouse Avenue court took Cognizance of the Prosecution Complaint (Charge sheet) filed by the Enforcement Directorate (ED). ED had charge-sheeted four persons Zeeshan Haider his partnership firm Sky Power, Javed Imam Siddiqui, Dawood Nasir, and Qausar Imam Siddiqui. ED has alleged money laundering in the purchase and sale of Rs 36 crore property on the behest of AAP MLA Amanat Ullah Khan. Special CBI judge Rakesh Syal had taken cognizance of the charge sheet and directed to supply copies of the charge sheet to counsel for the accused. SPP Manish Jain had submitted that the allegations in predicate offence related to irregularities in Delhi Waqf Board is how the main accused Amanat Ullah was involved in corrupt practices. The allegations are that Rs 100 crore property was misappropriated and jobs were provided to people in Delhi Waqf Board. There are allegations of Misappropriation and siphoning of of funds. It was also submitted that during the investigation of this PMLA case, ED considered the FIRs were registered earlier, by the CBI, ACB and Delhi police. It was further submitted that ACB requested for investigation under PMLA against MLA and then chairman Amanat Ullah Khan. Properties allegedly were made in Delhi, Telengana and Uttrakhand with alleged ill-gotten money. ACB conducted searches at the premises owned and controlled by Hamid Ali Khan and Qausar Imam Siddiqui. Incriminating evidence and illegal weapons were recovered. During the searches, three diaries were also recovered. Qausar Imam Siddiqui maintained these diaries. In relation to the recovery of illegal weapons, an FIR was registered at police station Jamia Nagar under section of the Arms Act. It was also alleged that he purchased properties in the name of his benamidar Zeeshan Haider. SPP Jain had also submitted that diaries reveal high value transactions between Amanat Ullah and Javed Imam Siddiqui including purchasing of a plot measuring 1200 Square Yards in Tikona Park, in Okhla. This particular property was purchased for Rs. 36 crore and this transaction is supported by the diary. Rs. 8 crore cash was handed over by Amanat Ullah. Rs. 9 crore was paid through the banking channel by accused Zeeshan and Dawood Nasir to Javed Imam Siddiqui. The court asked who was the original owner of this property. SPP Jain said that the original owner of the property is Aisha Kanwar who bought it in 2019. It was sold to the accused Zeeshan and Dawood in 2021. ED submitted that this property was bought at the behest of Amanat Ullah Khan. Qausar Imam Siddiqui is the cousin brother of Javed Imam Siddiqui. (ANI)
In recent guidelines, the CAA has decided that no passenger will be denied boarding due to disagreements in PNR at the time of ticket booking and travel.

According to ARY News, the CAA took the decision after numerous complaints from passengers who were denied boarding because their PNR details differed between booking and travel.

The CAA has issued directives to all airlines to ensure that passengers are not stopped from boarding on the basis of PNR discrepancies, as per ARY News.

According to the CAA's guidelines, airlines are now required to strictly adhere to this directive. The CAA has also mandated that airlines update their PNR policies on their websites, ensuring transparency and preventing future inconveniences for passengers.

Additionally, travel agents have been instructed to comply with these policies during the booking process, thereby reducing the likelihood of passengers facing issues at the time of boarding.

Meanwhile, according to the recent reports, the privatisation process of the debt-ridden Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) will be completed by October 1, Privatisation Commission Secretary Usman Akhtar Bajwa told Senate Standing Committee on Privatisation, Dawn reported.

Bajwa said that the PIA's deficit had reached Pakistani Rupees (PKR) 500 billion, Dawn reported.

"Whoever buys the PIA will also have to clear liabilities of PKR 200 billion and spend PKR 400 million on ship repairs and other issues," Dawn quoted Bajwa as saying.

He said that six companies were finalised for the PIA bid: Fly Jinnah, Air Blue, Arif Habib Corporation, YB Holdings, Pak Ethanol, and Blue World City, Dawn stated.

Bajwa stated that Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif did not want to postpone the process further.

"We are trying not to let the date exceed," Dawn reported quoting Bajwa. (ANI)
A helicopter carrying 22 people crashed in the country's Far East, Russia's Emergencies Ministry announced. None of those on board survived, CNN reported, citing Russian state media TASS. Seventeen bodies of those on board had been found by Sunday evening local time, the ministry said. The helicopter, which had 19 passengers and three crew members on board, took off near the Vachkazhets volcano on Saturday and was headed to the village of Nikolaevka when it went down, the governor of the Kamchatka region, Vladimir Solodov, said Saturday on Telegram after the search began. "The helicopter had taken off near the region's Vachkazhets volcano, a tourist attraction in the remote Kamchatka Peninsula, and was heading towards the village of Nikolaevka," Solodov said. On Sunday, Solodov said that the wreckage of the helicopter, an Mi-8, had been found and that "we are doing everything possible to get specialists to the scene as quickly as we can." A rescue team found the wreckage on Sunday at an altitude of 900 metres, or almost 3,000 feet, not far from where the helicopter's crew had last made contact, Russia's ministry of emergencies said on Telegram. According to the Ministry, the rescue crew found 17 bodies. The emergency service told the state news agency Tass that, based on the condition of the wreckage, no survivors were expected. Further, the agency posted a photo and video on Telegram that showed shards of a helicopter lying on the side of a steep hill in a mountainous region. According to the Kamchatka Department of Hydrometeorology and Environmental Monitoring, fast-changing, harsh, and sub-Arctic weather often buffets the peninsula, and there was fog, drizzle, and poor visibility in the area on Saturday. In 2021, another Mi-8 helicopter carrying tourists crashed into a deep volcanic crater lake in Kamchatka, killing eight people. (ANI)
The protesters chanted "Now! Now!" and demanded that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reach a ceasefire deal with Palestinian group Hamas to bring the remaining captives home.

Scuffles between the protesters and security forces were reported on Sunday night in one of the largest anti-government demonstrations in Israel since the Gaza war began nearly 11 months ago, as per Al Jazeera.

According to Al Jazeera, many protestors blocked roads in Tel Aviv and demonstrated outside Netanyahu''s office in West Jerusalem.

The Hostages and Missing Families Forum, which represents the families of captives held in Gaza, said the death of the six hostages was the direct result of Netanyahu''s failure to secure a deal to halt the fighting and bring their loved ones home.

"They were all murdered in the last few days, after surviving almost 11 months of abuse, torture, and starvation in Hamas captivity," the forum said.

Gil Dickmann, a cousin of Carmel Gat, whose body was among those returned, urged Israelis to put more pressure on their government.

Dickmann posted on X, "Take to the streets and shut down the country until everyone returns. They can still be saved,"

Meanwhile, in a first since October 7, Israel''s largest trade union federation, the Histadrut, has called for a general strike to pressure the government into signing a ceasefire deal.

The Israeli military has killed at least 40,738 people and wounded 94,154 in its war on Gaza since October 7. An estimated 1,139 people were killed in Israel during the Hamas-led attacks on October 7, with some 250 people seized by the group. (ANI)
The Army and Navy each ordered 250 Stinger missiles in 2019 and 2015, respectively. However, Taiwanese forces urgently require more effective countermeasures and deterrence, prompting the Army to order 1,985 more Stinger missiles from the US for approximately NT$55.54 billion,Taiwan News reported, citing Liberty Times.

The Army will procure 549 launch systems and 549 identification, friend or foe (IFF) systems. The missiles are expected to be delivered by 2031, according to the MND's 2025 budget report.

The Navy also plans to buy 45 man-portable Stinger missiles, 15 launch systems, and 15 IFF devices, scheduled for delivery by 2031.

However, the military has not commented on whether these purchases are included in the Army's procurement plan.

Taiwan's Navy has been pushing the US to speed up the delivery of 250 Stinger missiles, sending 11 letters since March.

This is part of a larger issue, as Taiwan has faced delays in receiving arms from the US since 2019, hindering its efforts to boost defences against China.

Talks of purchasing additional Stinger missiles from the US first came about under then-President Tsai Ing-wen to meet air defence needs and prepare for more live-fire target practice as conscript service increased to one year. (ANI)
World leaders have expressed shock over the killing of six Israeli hostages by Hamas in Gaza and offered condolences to their loved ones. They have also called for the release of hostages and an agreement from all parties on a ceasefire deal. The statement of world leaders came after the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) said that the bodies of six hostages abducted alive by Hamas on October 7 were recovered from a tunnel in southern Gaza''s Rafah overnight, shortly after they were killed by Palestinian group. The deceased hostages have been identified as Hersh Goldberg-Polin (23), Eden Yerushalmi (24), Ori Danino (25), Alex Lobanov (32), Carmel Gat (40), and Almog Sarusi (27). Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said that it is "devastating" to learn that six Israeli hostages were killed by Hamas. Taking to X, he stated, "It is devastating to learn that six Israeli hostages have been killed by Hamas. Australians offer our deepest sympathies to their loved ones and all those who grieve their loss. Every innocent life matters." Emmanuel Macron expressed "shock and indignation" over the discovery of six Israeli hostages being killed by Hamas in Gaza. He called for an immediate ceasefire and release of all hostages. In a post on X, Macron stated, "Shock and indignation at the discovery of the six hostages killed by Hamas in Gaza. My thoughts are with their loved ones. There must be an immediate ceasefire and the release of all hostages, including our compatriots Ohad Yahalomi and Ofer Kalderon." UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer called for the release of all hostages by Hamas. He further said that 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 posted on X. US President Joe Biden said that he was devastated and outraged by the killing of Israeli hostages. He said that Israeli-US citizen Goldberg-Polin was among the people killed by Hamas. In a statement shared by White House, Biden stated, "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 added. Calling Hersh Goldberg-Polin''s parents "courageous, wise, and steadfast," Biden said that he admires them and grieve with them more deeply than words can express. Biden stated, "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." US Secretary of State Antony Blinken stressed that killing of hostages further confirms "Hamas''s depravity" and called for the immediate release of all hostages. In a post shared on X, Blinken stated, "Hersh Goldberg-Polin is an American hero who will be remembered for his kindness and selflessness. 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." He added, "The killing of these hostages only further confirms Hamas''s 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 Israel Defence Forces (IDF) said an Israeli American citizen, Goldberg-Polin, who had become a symbol of the hostage crisis, was killed by Hamas along with five other hostages before their bodies were recovered in Gaza on Saturday, CNN reported. Goldberg-Polin, Yerushalmi, Lobanov, Sarusi, and Danino were abducted from the Nova music festival near Kibbutz Re''im, while Gat was taken from Kibbutz Be''eri, according to The Times of Israel report. Citing an examination conducted by Abu Kabir Forensic Institute, Israel''s Health Ministry said their bodies were found with multiple gunshot wounds. According to the ministry, hostages were murdered between 48 and 72 hours before their autopsy, meaning between Thursday and Friday morning. IDF spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said the six victims were "brutally murdered" by Hamas shortly before troops arrived, The Times of Israel reported. While addressing a press conference, Hagari said, "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." He stated, "Their bodies were found during the fighting in Rafah, in a tunnel, about a kilometer away from the tunnel from which we rescued Farhan al-Qadi a few days ago." The IDF stated that it was not aware of the exact location of the hostages, however, they had indications of a general area where the six hostages could have been held, and was therefore operating carefully in the area. Daniel Hagari said, "Since Farhan was found, troops were given an emphasis on operating carefully even more than usual, because of the understanding that additional hostages may be in the area. We did not have information on the exact location of the hostages," The Times of Israel reported. Troops started to carry out a search in the tunnel complex, some 20 meters underground, on Saturday and found the hostages, dead, in the afternoon. Their bodies were found in Gaza overnight and brought to Israel for identification. The IDF stated that there were no clashes with Hamas terrorists inside the tunnel and the guards who likely killed the six had fled from the site. However, soldiers battled terrorists aboveground in the area where the tunnel was located. It is believed that 97 of the 251 hostages taken captive by Hamas on October 7 now remain in Gaza, including the bodies of at least 33 confirmed dead by the IDF, according to The Times of Israel report. Hamas released 105 civilians during a weeklong truce in later November and four hostages were released before that. Troops rescued eight hostages alive and the bodies of 37 hostages were found, including three mistakenly killed by the military as they attempted to escape their captors. Hamas is also holding two Israeli civilians who entered the Gaza Strip in 2014 and 2015, and the bodies of two IDF soldiers who were killed in 2014. Israelis have taken to the streets in large numbers, demanding a ceasefire deal and the return of captives held by Hamas, Al Jazeera reported. The protesters chanted "Now! Now!" and demanded that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reach a ceasefire deal with Palestinian group Hamas to bring the remaining captives home. Scuffles between the protesters and security forces were reported on Sunday night in one of the largest anti-government demonstrations in Israel since the Gaza war began nearly 11 months ago, as per Al Jazeera report. The Hostages and Missing Families Forum, which represents the families of captives held in Gaza, said the death of the six hostages was the direct result of Netanyahu''s failure to secure a deal to halt the fighting and bring their loved ones home. (ANI)
Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) Senator Kamran Murtaza said that his party might protest on issues of its choosing but will not participate in any protests orchestrated by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) despite multiple meetings between the senior leadership of the two parties, Pakistan-based Dawn reported. On August 23, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders visited JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman at his home, stressing that both parties had decided to cooperate on an "issue to issue and agenda to agenda" basis. Later, the leaders of two parties held a meeting again. Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and President Asif Ali Zardari met the JUI-F chief, who had announced a "solo flight" against the government, according to Dawn report. Zardari met Maulana Fazlur Rehman after the JUI-F chief reportedly agreed with Imran Khan's party to have a joint strategy to give a tough time to the government. Shehbaz Sharif visited JUI-F chief on Friday to gather support and call on him not to participate in any agitation campaign against the government. Some political experts stressed that the meeting was a significant move, connecting it with the upcoming National Assembly and Senate sessions, while others believe that the president might have attempted to stop Maulana Fazlur Rehman from announcing any agitation against the government and might have made some "offers" to him in return, according to Dawn report. In his remarks on DawnNewsTV programme Doosra Rukh, Senator Kamran Murtaza said that the meetings with Shehbaz Sharif and Asif Ali Zardari were "social" in nature. He said, "There were political conversations definitely, but you could call this more of a social meet than a political one." Regarding the talks between leaders of PTI and JUI-F, Murtaza said that the JUI-F during the meeting clarified the extent to which they would stand with them. Murtaza confirmed that Senator Shibli Faraz, Lawyer Gohar Khan and Pakistan's former National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser attended the meeting, according to the report. He said, "We have told them some things with clarity as to how far we would go with them and to what end we would not." Kamran Murtaza said that "the party (JUI-F) would protest on the streets on their issues but, for the time being, they won't be party to another party's protest." (ANI)
Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has hinted that former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan might face a military trial, ARY News reported. Speaking at a private news channel's talk show, Asif stated that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has to issue an apology to the country over the May 9 events, otherwise, there will be no dialogue, as per a report in ARY News. He said that 24 civilian cases trailed in the military court during the PTI-led government. He further said that out of these 24 cases, many were sentenced to death. In a recent interview, Khawaja Asif said that if the PTI founder Imran Khan is tried in a military court, it would be an open trial. Speaking at a private news channel, he called an open trial important to expose "negative" designs of the PTI founder. He said that Imran Khan-found party was 'involved in the attack on national institutions on May 9, the report said. He said, "The nation must know about the sinister designs of PTI against the security institutions. If former PM's case refers to a military court then open trial is necessary to tell the public about PTI's leader." Pakistan Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said that the relationship between Imran Khan and former Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) chief Faiz Hameed continued even after May 9, ARY News reported. He added, "The two (PTI founder and Faiz Hameed) had a common goal, which is why they had a relationship." On May 9, last year, PTI workers held protests across the country after the arrest of Imran Khan from the Islamabad High Court. The protest, however, turned into riots with some mobs found attacking military installations. PTI had urged people of Pakistan to come out and protest against Imran Khan's arrest. Imran Khan, who served as Pakistan's Prime Minister from 2018 to 2022, has been incarcerated in Adiala Jail since August 2023 on multiple charges, including the Toshakhana case, the cypher case, and the unlawful marriage case. His wife Bushra Bibi has also been behind bars for months. The court, however, suspended Imran Khan's sentence in the Toshakhana case, while other courts overturned his convictions in the cypher and iddat cases, respectively, Geo News reported. The chances of Imran Khan's release from prison further dimmed after the Lahore Police declared his arrest in various cases related to the May 9, 2023, riots, that started after his arrest from Islamabad High Court (IHC) premises last year. (ANI)
The Indian Navy's P-8I aircraft has landed at Air Base 125 Istres-Le Tube in France, marking its first-ever deployment in Europe, to participate in the 22nd edition of Exercise Varuna with the French Navy. This deployment comes 63 years after the Indian Navy's Alize aircraft, operating from the erstwhile INS Vikrant, last flew at Hyeres Airbase, according to a statement released by the Indian Navy. The India-France bilateral naval Exercise Varuna is set to be conducted in the Mediterranean Sea from September 2-4. The exercise will include advanced tactical exercises underscoring the deepening synergy and interoperability between the navies of India and France. In a post on X, an Indian Navy Spokesperson stated, "Soaring High in Indo-French Cooperation! #IndianNavy's P-8I aircraft touched down at Air Base 125 Istres-Le Tube, marking its #firstever deployment in Europe for the 22nd edition of Exercise #Varuna with the #FrenchNavy." "This deployment comes 63 years after the Indian Naval Alize aircraft, operating from INS Vikrant, last flew at Hyeres Airbase. This advanced tactical exercise underscores the deepening synergy & mutual respect b/n our navies," the spokesperson added. The Indian and French Navy bilateral naval exercise was initiated in 1993. It was later christened as 'Varuna' in 2001 and has since become a hallmark of the robust India-France strategic bilateral relationship, the Ministry of Defence said in an earlier press release. Having grown in scope and complexity over the years, this exercise provides an opportunity to learn from each other's best practices and procedures, according to the Ministry of Defence earlier press release. The exercise also facilitates operational-level interaction between the two navies to foster mutual cooperation for good order at sea, underscoring the shared commitment to ensuring security, safety, and freedom of the global maritime commons. (ANI)
While speaking at a press briefing on Monday, the Secretary East in the Ministry of External Affairs, Jaideep Mazumdar, said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Singapore on September 4, and this visit comes after six years. Mazumdar said that PM Narendra Modi's visit to Singapore is important for trade and investment. "From the point of trade and investment also PM's visit to Singapore is significant. Singapore is India's largest trade partner in ASEAN. It is a leading source of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in the last financial year. Singapore is India's sixth largest trade partner worldwide," he said. Prime Minister Modi will also address the CEOs in his visit. "Investments have also been very large. Since 2000 till now, we have an accumulative FDI of USD 160 billion dollars. There will be an interaction with business leaders in the PM's visit. This will be an important element of the visit as Prime Minister will address the CEOs in his visit, where they will hear India's growth story first hand," Mazumdar said. Mazumdar recalled the beginning of India-Singapore ties. "His [PM Modi's] first visit to Singapore was in his first term as the Prime Minister. This visit is of great significance as it's his visit early in his term, and also as the new Prime Minister Lawrence Wong has taken oath recently and Singaporeans are excited to welcome PM Modi. This is an opportune time to set the stage for India-Singapore's vibrant bilateral relations for the next stage of India-Singapore bilateral relations. Our ties have evolved and we have a dynamic strategic partnership encompassing diverse areas from our shared history and people-to-people ties, which form an important link between us," he said. Mazumdar said that the trade relations between India and Singapore has seen steady growth. "Our trade and investment flow have shown a steady growth. We have robust defence cooperation and growing exchanges in culture and education. We have identified new anchors of our partnership under the India-Singapore ministerial roundtable framework. The visit will also take place in the light of our 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations which we're celebrating in 2025 and 10th year of our strategic partnership with Singapore," he said. Mazumdar said that PM Modi is also likely to exchange MoUs in Singapore. "During the recently concluded India-Singapore Ministerial Roundtable, which is a unique forum between ministers on both sides on diverse areas, a number of new forward-looking futuristic areas were identified in digitization, skill, sustainability, health, advanced manufacturing and connectivity. We are likely to exchange a number of MoUs in these areas in the forthcoming visit of the PM," he said. (ANI)
Secretary East, Ministry of External Affairs, Jaideep Mazumdar, said on Monday, that that discussion on the maritime security will be held with Singaporean leadership during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Singapore. While addressing a special briefing ahead of PM Modi's upcoming visit to Singapore, Mazumdar said that the two nations have congruence of views on maritime security and safety. Asked whether discussions on maritime security will be held with Singapore leadership, he responded, "On maritime security and safety, ofcourse, you know India's position on South China Sea. In the case of Singapore as well, it is important for them to maintain sea lines of communication that are safe, secure, free." "So, we have congruence of views on that and no doubt such issues will be discussed. I can't say to what degree, it will be discussed but these are issues that are important for all of our countries in the region and therefore, I have no doubt that they will be discussed," he added. Jaideep Mazumdar also said that the situation in the neighbourhood and neighbours always comes up during bilateral visits. He stated that he expects Myanmar situation to be discussed during PM Modi's visit to Brunei and Singapore. When asked whether issue of Myanmar situation will come up during PM Modi's visit to Singapore and Brunei, Mazumdar said, "As common member of ASEAN, for both Singapore and Brunei, these discussions regarding region will of course come up in whenever there are bilateral visits. The situation in the neighbourhood and neighbours always comes up. So, I expect that it will also be discussed." Detailing the Prime Minister's visit to Brunei and to Singapore, the MEA official said that PM Modi is travelling to Brunei at the invitation of Sultan of Brunei Haji Hassanal Bolkiah. Following this, he will travel to Singapore on September 4-5 at the invitation of Singapore PM Lawrence Wong. Speaking about PM Modi's visit to Brunei, Mazumdar said, "This will be the first-ever bilateral visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Brunei and it coincides with the 40th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic ties between our two countries this year. Some of you may recall that Sultan His Majesty Haji Hassanal Bolkiah paid state visits to India in 1992 and in 2008 and he also attended the ASEAN India Commemorative Summits in 2012 and in 2018. In the last visit, he was also Chief Guest for Our Republic Day along with other ASEAN leaders." He underscored that the two countries share "warm and friendly relationship" and the engagements cover several sectors, including defence, trade and investment, energy, space, technology, health, capacity, building, culture and people-to-people exchanges. During the visit, the MEA official said Prime Minister will engage in bilateral discussions on all aspects of our bilateral relations and cooperation with Brunei and also explore new areas for cooperation. "As you know, we share a very warm and friendly relationship with Brunei and our engagements cover multiple areas such as defence, trade and investment, energy, space, technology, health, capacity, building, culture and vibrant people-to-people exchanges. The Indian diaspora in Brunei is about 14,000 and they comprise a substantial number of doctors and teachers in Brunei who have earned goodwill and respect for their contributions to Brunei economy and society," he said. Highlighting Brunei's support for India in the space program, Mazumbdar said, "We have received valuable support from Brunei in our space program. We have three MoUs with Brunei in this area. We have established a telemetry tracking and command station in Brunei in 2,000 and this tracks and monitors all our eastward launches of satellites and satellite launch vehicles." Mazumdar termed Brunei as an important partner for India's Act East Policy and its vision for the Indo Pacific. Stressing that defence is an important pillar in bilateral cooperation, he noted the two nations signed an Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in 2016 and it was renewed in 2021 "Defence is another important pillar in our bilateral cooperation. We have an MoU on Defence which was signed in 2016 and has since been renewed in 2021. It provides a framework for our collaboration that covers regular exchanges at high levels, naval and coast guard ship exchange visits, training and joint exercises, and participation in each other's exhibitions," Mazumdar said. "We are also working towards establishing a Joint Working Group for cooperation in the area of defence. Brunei is an important partner for India's Act East Policy and our vision for the Indo- Pacific and as we mark a decade of our Act East policy this year, the visit assumes additional significance. Brunei has been our Country Coordinator in ASEAN from 2012 to 2015 and played a key role in our further engagements with ASEAN and continues to do so today," the MEA official said. (ANI)
India's High Commissioner to Brunei, Alok Amitabh Dimri, has called Prime Minister Narendra Modi's upcoming visit to Brunei "historic moment" in bilateral ties and the Indian community in Brunei. In an interview with ANI, Alok Amitabh Dimri said that PM Modi's visit is historic in many ways as both nations have been civilizational neighbours. He also elaborated on influence of Indian culture in Brunei. Asked about significance of PM Modi's visit for two nations, Dimri said, "Well you see Honorable Prime Minister is on a two-day official tour to Brunei Darussalam on 3rd and 4th September. In our four decades of diplomatic relationship, this is the first bilateral official visit by the Prime Minister of India to Brunei Darussalam. It is a historic moment in our bilateral relationship and also for the Indian community in Brunei Darussalam that high-level bilateral engagement between Prime Minister Shri Modi and His Majesty the King is going to take place." "This visit is historic in many ways that Brunei and India have been civilizational neighbors as you know that India shares a deep historical roots and bonds with Southeast Asia. The Malayan tradition of this geography which is located in the Borneo Island of Southeast Asian Seas derives deep linkages be it, linguistic, anthropological, ethnic, architectural, religious motives, customs and traditions, norms from India, South India, including words say for example 'deerghayu', 'anugrahhariguru'. There are co-traditions where the Indian manner of greeting the namaskar and pranam is the official manner of greeting the His Majesty," he added. PM Modi will be on a visit to Brunei from September 3-4. This will be the first ever bilateral visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Brunei. The visit coincides with 40th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic ties between India and Brunei. Highlighting the deep linkages between two nations, he said that India and Brunei have had trade linkages. He called Brunei a location of one of the depeest natural harbours. He noted that Indian diaspora in Brunei is 100 years old and termed it a layered phenomenon that began with discovery of oil in Brunei. The Indian envoy said, "We have shared very deep historical linkages, especially from the southern part of India from the ports of Tamil Nadu from the historic times. In the pre-modern and the colonial era and pre-colonial era also, there had been trade linkages with the traders of Malabar and Gujarat coast coming into this geography." "So we have traded our sailors, traders, merchant pilgrims have applied these waters these oceans for centuries for millennium and then these these exchanges were layered over time with the colonial contacts, the spice trade, the seafarers also, the Buddhist pilgrim routes, the preachers of the Buddhism who would access the Southeast Asia and the countries of Far East through these oceans," he added. Speaking about the Indian diaspora in Brunei, he said, "As you are aware, Brunei is a location of one of the deepest natural harbors, ancient harbors in this geography which is as we speak, about ten miles north from here, where plentiful of Indian vessels merchants merchandise have been coming to these oceans and in modern times, Indian diaspora here is practically 100 years old that also is a very layered phenomenon that began with the discovery of oil here in 1929- 1930s." "In modern times, that was, you know, supplemented by professionals like doctors, teachers. engineers. In earlier days, a lot of bluecollar workers but now more professionals. So, it's an ongoing relationship exchange and bond and with the coming with the visit of the Prime Minister of India, obviously these exchanges will be fortified, consolidated and they will get a new direction," he added. Alok Amitabh Dimri called teh Act East Policy a signature initiative of PM Modi. He stressed that ties between India and ASEAN have been "traditional and deep" and added that Act East Policy has come as a propyling force in carrying that ties further. On key objectives of PM Modi's visit to Brunei, he said, "As you see that the Act East Policy has been a signature initiative of Prime Minister Modi and India-ASEAN relations have been very traditional and deep and this initiative has comes as a propyling force carrying that relationship further. So, essentially with the emergence of India as a global power as a global entity of force, be it, demography, economy, society and in any other sense essentially that natural...of that evolution of India as a country has begun finding its footprint in geographic locations." He stressed that many of the Southeast nation countries east of the Malacca Strait traditionally have been far more closer to India than many of the Central Asian nations which are geographically far closer. Indian envoy said, "It may not be as close to India geographically, but as we say that in terms of geoeconomics and geopolitics, it's the frequency and the ability of access which determines your neighbors, not the geographical distance. And in that, sense Brunei and many of the Southeast nation countries east of the Malacca Strait traditionally have been far more closer to India as neighbors than you know many of the Central Asian countries which are geographically far closer but separated by inhospitable terrain." "So, the point being Brunei and Malaysia and basically the Malayan Federation of Southeast Asia along with Indonesia have been very close neighbors of India where our interactions exchanges ships and vessels. So essentially this visit is about taking a stock of ongoing exchanges and consolidating those bonds and finding new ways of taking this relationship forward," he added. Addressing a special briefing in the national capital on PM Modi's visit, Secretary East, Ministry of External Affairs, Jaideep Mazumdar said that defence constitutes an important pillar of cooperation between India and Brunei. Detailing the Prime Minister's visit to Brunei and to Singapore, the MEA official said that PM Modi is travelling to Brunei at the invitation of Sultan of Brunei Haji Hassanal Bolkiah. Following this, he will travel to Singapore on September 4-5 at the invitation of Singapore PM Lawrence Wong. (ANI)
The Karachi Police on Monday apprehended a second suspect in connection with the brutal gang rape and murder of a 12-year-old girl. The victim's body was discovered on August 25, stuffed inside a bag and abandoned near a garbage dump in the Lucky Star area of the city, Dawn News reported. An autopsy later confirmed that the girl had been raped and strangled. The second suspect was captured during a police "encounter" on Abdul Sattar Edhi Avenue in Defence's Phase 8. Deputy Inspector General (DIG)-South Syed Asad Raza announced the arrest, stating that the suspect was found in an injured condition. However, it remains unclear whether the suspect sustained these injuries during the encounter or if he was already wounded prior to the police pursuit, reported Dawn. DIG Raza further explained that the suspect was wanted in connection with the heinous crime of raping and murdering the 12-year-old girl. After committing the crime, the suspect is believed to have disposed of the victim's body near Lucky Star. The DIG also mentioned that an accomplice of the suspect had already been apprehended last week. This earlier arrest had been described by the police as involving the "prime suspect," who was identified as a watchman at Bara Market near Cantonment Railway Station. While the prime suspect is now in custody, DIG Raza revealed that two additional accomplices, who were employed at the Shalimar bus terminal, remain at large, reported Dawn News. The case has garnered substantial attention, with Sindh Governor Kamran Tessori and Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah both taking notice and demanding swift action from the police to bring the culprits to justice. The crime has shocked the community and intensified concerns about the safety of women and children in Karachi. The incident is part of a broader pattern of sexual violence in the city. According to Police Surgeon Dr Summaiya Syed, who leads the team of medico-legal officers in Karachi's major hospitals, there were 522 cases of sexual assault reported against women and underage girls in Karachi alone during 2023. Additionally, over 4,040 cases of physical assault on women were reported in the same period, and 22 bodies were exhumed based on court orders for further investigation, Dawn reported. The issue of child abuse extends beyond Karachi. In March 2024, the NGO Sahil, which works for children's welfare, released data revealing that 4,213 child abuse cases were reported across Pakistan in 2023. The report included cases from all four provinces, as well as the Islamabad Capital Territory, Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), and Gilgit-Baltistan (GB). A gender analysis of these cases showed that 53 per cent of the victims were girls, while 47 per cent were boys. Children between the ages of 6 and 15 were found to be the most vulnerable to abuse, with more boys than girls falling victim within this age group. Disturbingly, even children as young as 0 to 5 years old were subjected to sexual abuse. The report also highlighted that the majority of abusers were people known to the victims, including relatives, family members, acquaintances, and even women who acted as accomplices. (ANI)
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Monday virtually addressed the Ambassadors Conference of Austrian Foreign Ministry at the invitation of Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg. Jaishankar shared Indian perspective on global situation and the prospects of bilateral relationship and European Union. In a post on X, Jaishankar said, "Pleased to address the Ambassadors Conference of Austrian Foreign Ministry today. Thank FM Alexander Schallenberg for the invitation. Shared with them Indian perspective of the global situation, as well as the prospects for our own bilateral relationship and that with the European Union." https://x.com/DrSJaishankar/status/1830546101725736999 Meanwhile, Schallenberg lauded Jaishankar and emphasised that during such challenging times, effective foreign policy relies on continuous engagement with key partners outside of Europe more than ever. "On the occasion of our annual ambassadors conference, great to hear from my good friend @DrSJaishankar. In these challenging times, effective foreign policy relies on continuous engagement with key partners outside of Europe more than ever," posted the Austrian Foreign Minister on X. Notably, Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid an official visit to Austria on July 9-10, 2024, this was the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Austria in 41 years, marking the 75th year of diplomatic relations between the two countries. The visit aimed to elevate bilateral relations to new heights through enhanced cooperation in various sectors, including technology, economy, and global security. PM Modi and Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer emphasised that the shared values of democracy, freedom, international peace and security, a rules-based international order with the UN Charter at its core, the shared historical linkages, and the long-standing ties between the two countries are at the centre of the growing enhanced partnership. They reiterated their commitment to continue their efforts towards deepening and widening bilateral, regional and international cooperation for a more stable, prosperous and sustainable world. Both nations reaffirmed their commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific region, ensuring maritime security and adhering to international laws such as United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). Discussions included assessments of developments in Europe and West Asia, with a shared focus on restoring peace and adherence to international law, notably concerning the Ukraine conflict. The leaders welcomed the launch of the India-Middle East-Europe Corridor (IMEC) and Austria's interest to engage with this initiative. The leaders agreed on a future-oriented economic partnership focusing on green and digital technologies, infrastructure, renewable energy, and smart cities.The first high-level bilateral Business Forum was convened, promoting partnerships across sectors and encouraging CEO-level interactions to explore new opportunities. Recognizing their commitments under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), both countries pledged to collaborate on renewable energy, with a specific focus on Austria's Hydrogen Strategy and India's Green Hydrogen Mission. As parties to the UNFCCC and committed to limiting the global temperature increase to below 2C, leaders acknowledged the importance of reducing climate change risks. They noted the EU's target for climate neutrality by 2050, Austria's goal for 2040, and India's aim for net zero emissions by 2070. Initiatives such as the Start-Up Bridge and exchanges under Austria's Global Incubator Network and India's Start-Up India were highlighted as crucial for fostering innovation and entrepreneurship. They also acknowledged the increasing importance of digital technologies in industrial processes (Industry 4.0), including in the sustainable economy. Both leaders reiterated their commitment to multilateralism and supported comprehensive reforms of the United Nations. India reiterated its support for Austria's UNSC candidature for the term 2027-28, while Austria expressed its support for India's candidature for the period 2028-29. India invited Austria to join the International Solar Alliance (ISA), highlighting collaboration in renewable energy and sustainable development. (ANI)
Abidjan [UAE], September 2 (ANI/WAM): Under the patronage of Sheikh Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, and as part of the initiative for poetry forums in Africa, the Republic of Ivory Coast witnessed the launch of the third edition of the Arabic Poetry Forum. The event was organised by the Department of Cultural Affairs at the Sharjah Department of Culture in collaboration with the Vision Foundation for Culture and Training in the capital, Abidjan, and featured the participation of 15 poets. The forum was held in the conference hall in the Plateau district, in the heart of the capital, and was attended by Ali Yousef Al Nuaimi, UAE Ambassador to Ivory Coast; Rana Rizk, representative of the Lebanese embassy in Ivory Coast; Fadiga Moussa, President of Al Furqan University; Mohamed Al Amin, Vice President of the Islamic African University in Ivory Coast; and heads of Arab diplomatic missions, as well as university professors, institutes, and other figures interested in literature, science, and culture. At the beginning of the event, Bamba Issiaka, General Coordinator of the forum, said, "We welcome you to this joyful event that has come to us from Sharjah, the capital of Arabic poetry. In this context, we extend our thanks and appreciation to His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah for providing support and care for the Arabic language in Ivory Coast. It is the language of science, knowledge, culture, and Islamic civilisation, and most manuscripts in Africa have been written in it." Ali Al Nuaimi delivered a speech in which he said, "Three editions of enjoying poetry, impactful words, imagination, and metaphors in these African countries, which are rich in creative talents in literature and in various domains." The participants delivered a series of vibrant readings, with poetic themes ranging from national, romantic, and social, to humanitarian. The forum concluded with a speech by the General Coordinator, who praised the participation of the poets, followed by the distribution of awards and certificates to the poets and participants in the forum. (ANI/WAM)
Abu Dhabi [UAE], September 2 (ANI/WAM): In a strategic move to enhance the healthcare framework in the emirate, the Department of Health - Abu Dhabi (DoH), the healthcare regulator of Abu Dhabi, has established the first Emirati Advisory Doctors Committee. This committee comprises DoH executive leaders and 14 distinguished Emirati clinicians and researchers from leading healthcare providers in Abu Dhabi. Chaired by Mansoor Ibrahim Al Mansoori, Chairman of DoH, the Advisory Doctors Committee aims to create a continuous dialogue platform between DoH and on-ground practitioners. The committee will evaluate the evolving healthcare landscape and identify opportunities for improvement across various medical disciplines, including oncology, diabetes, primary care, gynaecology, infant health, mental health, cardiovascular diseases, kidney diseases, orthopaedic surgery, emergency medicine, internal medicine, genetic and genomic medicine, and cosmetic surgery. Serving as Deputy Chairman is Noura Al Ghaithi, Under-Secretary of DoH. The committee fosters a two-way communication channel, allowing DoH to gain insights into the challenges faced by healthcare providers and enabling practitioners to offer feedback on new standards and guidelines. As experts in their fields, committee members will provide strategic insights on research, innovation, and industry trends to shape the future of healthcare in the emirate. Their contributions are expected to enhance patient care, raise the standard of treatment, and position Abu Dhabi as a global hub for healthcare research and innovation. Al Mansoori expressed enthusiasm for the initiative, stating: "The establishment of the Advisory Doctors Committee represents a significant advancement in our mission to foster a healthier Abu Dhabi and elevate the Emirate's healthcare sector on a global scale. By regularly engaging with leading minds from our world-class healthcare facilities in Abu Dhabi, we ensure that our guidelines and standards are informed by the latest research and invaluable on-ground insights, facilitating more effective implementation. This collaborative effort is set to substantially improve patient outcomes, raise the standard of care, and deliver a superior healthcare experience for all residents and visitors." The committee held its inaugural meeting and scheduled quarterly gatherings to address industry trends and challenges, and to seek feedback on enhancing the healthcare sector in Abu Dhabi. The members, chosen to represent a wide range of healthcare specialties from prominent facilities in Abu Dhabi, include Ghadeera Saeed Al Mansoori, Adult Congenital Heart Disease Consultant at Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City (SSMC) Abu Dhabi; Khaled Al Dahmani, Chair of Medicine Endocrinology at Tawam Hospital; Abdulla Alhmoudi, Emergency Medicine Physician at SSMC; Ahmed Abdul Karim Al Hamadi, Consultant in Internal Medicine and Infectious Diseases at Tawam Hospital; Fayez Ibrahim Al Shamsi, Consultant in Internal Medicine and Critical Care at Tawam Hospital; Ahmed AlMaazmi, Consultant in Paediatrics and Neonatology at SSMC; Humaid Obaid Bin Harmal Al Shamsi, Consultant and Director of Oncology Services at Burjeel Holdings; Amal Mohamed Al Tenaiji, Metabolic Genetics Consultant at Sheikh Khalifa Medical City; Mohamed Yahya Alseiari, Consultant in Nephrology at Sheikh Khalifa Medical City; Muqdad Al Hammadi, Consultant Plastic Surgeon at Elyzee Hospital, Abu Dhabi; Yaaqoub Al Hammadi, Deputy Chief Medical Officer and Chief of Orthopaedics Department at Sheikh Khalifa Medical City; Ali Alshamsi, Consultant Interventional Cardiologist, Head of Cardiology, and Chair of Internal Medicine Department at Tawam Hospital; Shamsa Abdul Mannan Al Awar, Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist at Tawam Hospital; and Nahida Nayaz Ahmed, Chief Medical Officer at SAKINA Mental Health and Well-being Services. In collaboration with healthcare specialists across Abu Dhabi, DoH aims to further strengthen its regulatory framework and empower healthcare professionals to shape the future of healthcare in the emirate. This initiative aligns with DoH's overarching goal of maintaining the physical and mental well-being of the community through comprehensive and agile healthcare services. (ANI/WAM)
Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te stated on Sunday that China aims to annex Taiwan not out of concerns for "territorial integrity" but to "transform the rules-based global order" and "achieve hegemony," according to Central News Agency Taiwan. An interview on the local tv network published by Taiwan President Lee emphasised that China's goal of annexing Taiwan is not motivated by issues of territorial integrity. Supporting his statement, he questioned, "If the issue is truly about maintaining territorial integrity, then why don't they reclaim the land ceded to Russia under the Treaty of Aigun?" Lai referred to the 1858 agreement between the Qing dynasty and the Russian Empire, which ceded approximately 600,000 square kilometres of land in Manchuria to Russia. The interview primarily focused on Taiwan's sovereignty and its position regarding China's increasing assertiveness in the Asia-Pacific region. President Lai reiterated that Taiwan "can never agree to the 'One China' principle of the '1992 consensus'" because doing so would mean "effectively ceding Taiwan's sovereignty" to China. Furthermore, President Lai also affirmed his commitment to continuing the policies of his predecessor, Tsai Ing-wen. This includes modernizing military training to make the armed forces "more confident" and advancing Taiwan's submarine-building program. The Taiwan-China issue remains a deeply entrenched geopolitical conflict with roots in the Chinese Civil War. This war concluded in 1949 when the Communist Party established the People's Republic of China (PRC) on the mainland, while the Nationalist government retreated to Taiwan, continuing to assert sovereignty over all of China. Recently, Taipei also condemned Beijing's escalated pressure tactics, particularly criticizing severe penalties proposed for key separatist figures. According to Xinhua, Beijing's new directives are aimed at individuals advocating for "Taiwan independence," with the death penalty reserved for those deemed to have caused significant harm to the state, and lengthy prison sentences for others involved. Taiwan vehemently rejects these Chinese regulations, arguing that Beijing lacks legal jurisdiction over Taiwan and dismissing the guidelines as non-binding on Taiwanese citizens. The Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) has characterized these measures as provocative and harmful to cross-strait relations. The MAC has also advised Taiwanese nationals in China to exercise caution in light of the increased pressure. China's intensified stance reflects its long-standing claim that Taiwan is an inseparable part of its territory, despite Taiwan's effective self-governance since 1949. Tensions have been further heightened by Taiwan's international diplomatic engagements and Beijing's efforts to isolate Taiwan diplomatically. (ANI)
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Monday extended greetings to his Vietnamese counterpart, Bui Thanh Son, on the 79th anniversary of Vietnam's National Day. Jaishankar affirmed his commitment to deepening the comprehensive strategic partnership between India and Vietnam, a key ASEAN and Indo-Pacific partner. In a post on X, Jaishankar stated, "On the 79th anniversary of their National Day, I extend warm greetings to DPM & FM Bui Thanh Son, the Government, and the people of Vietnam. We will continue working on deepening our comprehensive strategic partnership with our key ASEAN and Indo-Pacific partner." Jaishankar also highlighted high-level interactions, sharing images of meetings between Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, and himself with their Vietnamese counterparts. He noted Vietnam's participation in the Third edition of the Voice of Global South Summit. Regarding development cooperation, Jaishankar mentioned the restoration of the A10 Temple at the UNESCO World Heritage Site of My Son by the Archaeological Survey of India. In August 2024, the Army Software Park was established at the Telecommunications University in Vietnam with Indian assistance. India contributed to the construction of classrooms as Quick Impact Projects under the Mekong-Ganga cooperation at Nguyen Van Dinh Primary School, building a two-storey, four-classroom facility for Nga Phu Primary School. Approximately 150 Vietnamese nationals attend Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) and Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) courses each year. Under economic cooperation, the 18th India-Vietnam Joint Commission was held in Hanoi in October 2023. Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) were signed for cooperation in Information Technology and Cyber Security in June 2022. Bilateral trade for the fiscal year 2023-24 stood at USD 14.82 billion. India was the Guest of Honour at the 33rd Vietnam Expo 2024 in Hanoi in April 2024. The Vietnam-India Business Forum was held at the Vibrant Gujarat Summit in January 2024. In Defence Cooperation, the crew of the Vietnam Corvette 20 participated in Milan 2024 in Vizag in February 2024. INS Kiltan visited Cam Ranh Bay Port in May 2024, and INS Kirpan was presented to the Vietnamese Navy in July 2023. The Vietnam-India bilateral exercise on United Nations Peacekeeping (VINBAX 2023) was held in Vietnam in 2023. A new Joint Vision Statement on India-Vietnam Defence Partnership towards 2030 was concluded in June 2022. Twelve high-speed guard boats were handed over to Vietnam under India's USD 100 million defence Line of Credit in June 2022. Highlighting the cultural ties between India and Vietnam, Jaishankar mentioned that a Joint Postage Stamp was unveiled in 2023 to mark the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations. The 10th International Day of Yoga was celebrated in 48 provinces of Vietnam. The ICCR-sponsored troupe, Alpana, performed at the Hanoi Opera House in August 2024. Vietnam addressed the General Assembly of the International Buddhist Confederation in Delhi in November 2023. An 'India Fair' was organised in November 2023. The Northeast India festival was held in Ho Chi Minh City in October 2023. Vietnam also attended the Global Buddhist Summit in Delhi in April 2023. (ANI)
China's aim of annexing Taiwan is not driven by concerns for "territorial integrity" but as part of its goal to "transform the rules-based global order" and "achieve hegemony in the western Pacific region and internationally," Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te said in an interview with Taiwanese local media. According to a report in Focus Taiwan, Lai, who was speaking in an interview on cable TV network ERATV broadcast on Sunday evening, said if China's claims on Taiwan were really about territorial integrity, why "don't they take back the land that was signed away and occupied by Russia in the Treaty of Aigun?" The Taiwanese president was referring to the 1858 treaty signed by the Qing dynasty that ceded around 600,000 square kilometres of land in Manchuria to the Russian Empire. China has laid claim to Taiwan, which it views as its own territory while the government of the self-governed island has rejected the claims. The interview, according to Focus Taiwan, dwelled mostly on issues related to Taiwan's sovereignty and Taiwan's position vis-a-vis growing Chinese assertiveness in the Asia-Pacific region. Lai was cited by the publication as reiterating his government's opposition to the so-called "1992 consensus," which the opposition Kuomintang in power at the time, has described as a tacit agreement with the Chinese Communist Party that there is only one China, with each side free to interpret what that means. The consensus was used as a formula to facilitate talks and closer ties between Taiwan and China when the KMT was in power from 2008 to 2016, but Lai's Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) has never accepted it. Lai stated in the interview that Taiwan "absolutely cannot accept the 'One China' principle of the '1992 consensus'" because that would "be equivalent to transferring Taiwan's sovereignty" to China. Lai also noted Taiwan's cooperation with various "democratic camp" alliances, such as the Quadrilateral Security Alliance (QUAD), AUKUS, and the Five Eyes Alliance that he said are "increasingly standing together." (ANI)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will embark on two-nation visit to Brunei and Singapore from September 3-5 to to promote economic, strategic and cultural relations with the vast Asia-Pacific region at different levels. Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's upcoming visit to Brunei and Singapore, the Ministry of External Affairs shared a video on its official X handle regarding the importance of the two-nation visit which will take place from September 3-5. This trip will not only be PM Modi's first visit to Brunei but also the first bilateral visit by an Indian Prime Minister to the Southeast Asian nation. The visit underscores a milestone in the 40-year diplomatic relationship between India and Brunei. During the first leg of his visit, PM Modi will travel to Brunei, where he is scheduled to meet with Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah. https://x.com/MEAIndia/status/1830586082968342750 The Sultan previously visited India in January 2018 as a Chief Guest for the Republic Day parade and participated in the ASEAN-India Commemorative Summit, the highlights of the video shared by MEA stated. PM Modi and Sultan Bolkiah last interacted during the 18th ASEAN-India Summit in October 2021 and on the sidelines of the East Asia Summit in Manila in November 2017. The visit to Brunei highlights the robust relationship between the two nations, particularly in trade, defence, and cultural exchanges. Bilateral trade reached USD 286.2 million in the fiscal year 2023-24. Defence cooperation remains a cornerstone of the relationship, with regular exchanges, training, and joint exercises. Recent visits by Indian naval vessels such as INS Jalashwa, INS Shivalik, and ICGS Samudra Paheredar emphasize strong maritime relations between India and Brunei. Moreover, cultural and people-to-people ties are also significant, with approximately 14,000 Indians residing in Brunei. Indian professionals, including doctors and teachers, have earned considerable respect and fostered goodwill for India within the Bruneian community. During the visit, Prime Minister Modi will engage in bilateral discussions on all aspects of bilateral relations and cooperation with Brunei and explore new areas of collaboration. Indian diaspora is deeply entrenched in Brunei, despite the country's small size and economy. He noted that there are many different communities in Brunei, including Tamilians, Malyalis, Sindhis, Punjabis, Marathas, and Gujaratis. Brunei is an important partner in India's 'Act East' Policy and its vision for the Indo-Pacific. Following Brunei, PM Modi will head to Singapore for the second leg of his visit from September 4-5. "This will be PM Modi's fifth visit to Singapore, having previously travelled there in 2015 and 2018. His recent meeting with Singaporean Prime Minister Lawrence Wong in September 2022 further solidified the close relationship between the two countries," the text in the video shared by MEA read. "Singapore stands as India's largest trade partner in ASEAN, with bilateral trade amounting to USD 36.6 billion in 2022-23. It is also the largest source of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) into India, with FDI equity inflows totalling USD 11.774 billion. Cumulative FDI from Singapore to India since April 2000 has reached USD 159.943 billion, while India's FDI outflow to Singapore stands at USD92.051 billion," the video further added. The two countries have collaborated extensively in various fields, including fintech, with the linkage of India's UPI and Singapore's PayNow launched in February 2023. "Defence cooperation remains strong, with recent activities including the Defence Policy Dialogue in New Delhi in October 2023, Indian Air Force Sarang Helicopter Display Team's participation in the Singapore Air Show 2024, and the 30th SIMBEX naval exercise held in Singapore in September 2023. Additionally, skill centre projects supported by Singapore have been completed in several Indian states, and scientific collaboration continues to thrive," according to the video shared by MEA. PM Modi will be visiting Singapore after a nearly six-year hiatus, coinciding with the new leadership of Prime Minister Lawrence Wong. This timely visit aims to usher in a new era of India-Singapore relations. Singapore is India's largest trade partner in ASEAN and a leading source of foreign direct investment. Notably, PM Modi's forthcoming visit to Brunei and Singapore is poised to further enhance the strategic, economic, and cultural ties between India and these key partners in Southeast Asia. Brunei is an important partner in India's 'Act East' Policy and its vision of the Indo-Pacific. PM Modi's visit will further strengthen India's cooperation with Brunei in all existing sectors, including defence cooperation, trade and investment, energy, space technology, health cooperation, capacity building, culture and people-to-people exchanges and explore avenues for cooperation in newer sectors, the MEA press release stated. On August 26, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal and Union Minister of Information and Broadcasting Ashwini Vaishnaw participated in the second India-Singapore Ministerial Dialogue (ISMR). The two nations explored cooperation in digital, skill development, sustainability, healthcare, connectivity and advanced manufacturing. (ANI)
Two policemen were injured in an ambush on a checkpost in Mianwali by more than a dozen Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) terrorists -- branded as Kharijis (outcasts) by the government--late on Sunday night, Dawn reported citing a statement issued by the Punjab police today. The spokesperson for the Punjab police said that the attack was repelled successfully, but the attackers escaped. "Around 12-14 Khawariji terrorists took advantage of the darkness of the night to attack the Qubal Khel checkpost with rocket launchers and hand grenades," the spokesman said. The TTP was designated as Fitna al-Khawarij by the government in late July, and any other terrorists connected to the group were labelled as Khariji, or outcasts. According to the spokesperson, the attack was stopped because the Punjabi police officers stationed at the checkpoint were "on alert." Upon visiting the checkpost, Mianwali DPO Akhtar Farooq commended the staff for thwarting the ambush, according to Dawn. "The search operation is going on in the area, and there is a possibility of causing heavy loss to the fugitive terrorists," the spokesperson added. DPO Mianwali and the police officers stationed at the checkpost were lauded by Punjab's Inspector General, Dr Usman Anwar, for stopping the attack. According to him, this was the ninth terrorist attack that has been foiled against the Punjab Police in recent months," reported Dawn. "The interprovincial border posts have a lead-hardened wall against terrorists," and the police "will crush the evil intentions of the enemy in the future too," he said. (ANI)
Nepali Army spokesperson posted on X, "The visiting head of the National Defense College (India) Delegation, Senior Directing Staff (Navy) Rear Admiral Sandeep Singh Sandhu pays a courtesy call on the officiating Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) Lt Gen Ashok Raj Sigdel at Army HQs on September 02, 2024."

Earlier on August 9, the spokesperson said, "COAS Gen Prabhu Ram Sharma hands over the responsibility of officiating Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) to VCOAS Lt Gen Ashok Raj Sigdel during a handover ceremony organized at the Army Headquarters on August 08, 2024."

https://x.com/NaSpokesperson/status/1821758582133584027

Ashok Raj Sigdel has been appointed as the Chief of Army Staff of the Nepal Army.

President Ram Chandra Poudel appointed Sigdel to the position, effective from September 8, according to a statement from the President's Office.

The current Chief of Army Staff, Prabhu Ram Sharma, is set to retire on September 8. Since Sharma went on leave a month before his term ended, Sigdel has been serving as the acting Chief of Army Staff.

India had played a leading role in helping the Nepal Army (NA) in its modernisation through the provision of equipment and training. More than 180 training slots are provided every year for training of NA personnel in various Indian Army training institutions.

The Chief of Army Staff of the Indian Army is given the honorary rank of a General in the Nepal Army and a reciprocal honour is conferred on the Chief of the Nepal Army. (ANI)
Amid growing tension in the South China Sea between China and the Philippines, US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller condemned China's aggressive actions. In a post on X, Miller stated, "The United States stands with our Philippine allies and condemns the dangerous and escalatory actions by the PRC against lawful Philippine maritime operations near Sabina Shoal in the South China Sea." The US response followed accusations from both China and the Philippines of ships ramming each other. On August 29, 2024, the Philippine Coast Guard reported that a Chinese vessel had "deliberately rammed" one of its ships three times near Sabina Shoal, a feature in the Spratly Islands. The ongoing tensions between China and the Philippines in the South China Sea have intensified recently, with both nations accusing each other of provocative actions. The dispute centres around the South China Sea's strategic and resource-rich waters, which are claimed in part or in whole by several countries, including China, the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Brunei. Recent tensions between China and the Philippines have heightened significantly, primarily due to ongoing disputes in the South China Sea. The conflict centres around conflicting territorial claims, with China asserting dominance over almost the entire sea based on its "nine-dash line," while the Philippines relies on the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) to justify its exclusive economic zone (EEZ). In July 2016, an international tribunal in The Hague ruled in favour of the Philippines, invalidating China's extensive claims, but China dismissed the decision and persisted in its activities in the disputed waters. By April 2020, reports emerged of increased harassment by Chinese vessels against Philippine fishing boats and military ships. The situation further escalated in March 2021, when the Philippines protested the presence of numerous Chinese fishing boats in the Whitsun Reef, prompting international concern over China's aggressive maritime actions. Tensions continued into April 2022, when a Chinese coast guard ship reportedly used water cannons against a Philippine resupply mission near Ayungin Shoal, leading to intense diplomatic exchanges. (ANI)
The Indian community in Brunei is abuzz with excitement as they prepare to welcome Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his maiden visit to the Southeast Asian nation, scheduled for September 3-4. The visit is seen as a significant step in bolstering ties between the two nations. Members of the vibrant and diverse Indian diaspora in Brunei have expressed their enthusiasm and support for PM Modi's visit. Speaking to ANI, Ramesh Jeewatram Bhavnani, a prominent community member, highlighted the importance of the visit, saying, "The Prime Minister's visit is a testament to his commitment to the Indian community in Brunei. He is coming here for the Indian community that resides here, this is very important." Bhavnani emphasised the significance of Brunei in Southeast Asia and praised Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah for his fair treatment of all communities in the country. "Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah treats every community equally; he does not treat anyone differently. We are grateful to our PM who is coming for us. India has always shown the way to the world and PM will come here to guide us. We hope tourism and trade increase between the two countries," he said. Another enthusiastic voice from the community, Hitesh Ramesh Bhavnani, echoed similar sentiments. He said that the Indian community is very excited about the Prime Minister's visit. "People are preparing for it and are excited that he is coming here. PM Modi does something good everywhere he goes. He always gives his 200 per cent," said Hitesh. The Indian diaspora in Brunei has long contributed to the country's development in various fields, including education, healthcare, engineering and more. Venkat Ramana Rao, a long-time resident of Brunei, reflected on the journey of the Indian community over the years. He said, "When we came here in 2002, we were unknown. But today we have gained respect because of our contributions as teachers, doctors, nurses, engineers, inspectors, and blue-collar workers. The news of Prime Minister Modi's visit has excited not just the Indian community but also the local Bruneian population. We are very much delighted and we are excited to receive Prime Minister Modi, who made us proud and made India proud all over the globe." Meanwhile, a member of the Indian Chamber of Commerce Vazeer Khan said that PM Modi's visit to Brunei which will start from tomorrow will bolster the ties between the two nations even further. "We welcome the Prime Minister. This is the first bilateral visit and it will create good relations between India and Brunei... We are extremely excited. Hopefully, there will be more visits from political leaders..." he told ANI. Another member of the Indian Chamber of Commerce, Md Irfan said, "We warmly welcome the Prime Minister to Brunei. His visit will play a significant role in trade, bilateral relations and cultural exchange between India and Brunei..." Prime Minister Modi's visit to Brunei comes at a time when India is seeking to strengthen its engagement with Southeast Asian countries as part of its "Act East" policy. The visit is expected to include discussions with Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah on bilateral relations, trade, investment, and people-to-people exchanges. Modi's presence is also seen as a morale booster for the Indian diaspora in Brunei, who have been eagerly awaiting this historic visit. (ANI)
Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, inaugurated the Abu Dhabi campus of the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IIT Delhi Abu Dhabi) today. He also welcomed its first batch of undergraduate (UG) students today, marking a historic milestone in international engineering education under the prestigious brand of IIT. The inaugural batch of 52 students will pursue B. Tech degrees in Computer Science and Engineering, and Energy Engineering, an official press release by the Embassy of India relayed. Setting up of a campus of IIT in the UAE was part of the Vision Document launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan in February 2022 which is a roadmap for expansion of the India-UAE relationship into new areas of collaboration. The students for the UG programs were selected through the prestigious JEE Advanced exam and the newly introduced Combined Admission Entrance Test (CAET) specifically designed for international students. The inaugural UG cohort has a mix of Indian, Emirati and international students. Before the UG programs, IIT Delhi - Abu Dhabi had launched its first Masters of Technology (M. Tech) in Energy Transition and Sustainability in January 2024. The first M. Tech cohort met Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to Abu Dhabi in February this year. India and the UAE have been working in earnest to make the IIT Delhi Abu Dhabi campus a world-class and state-of-the-art institution. In November 2023, India's Minister of Education visited the campus while it was in the early stages of its construction. The sprawling campus inaugurated by Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed today is a testimony to the untiring efforts of the two countries. The campus, with its beautifully landscaped surroundings, is emblematic of the ever-growing India-UAE partnership, the press release stated. The visit of Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed to the campus today is a testament to the importance accorded by the UAE to bilateral collaboration in the field of education and the value attached by the UAE leadership to the IIT Delhi campus in Abu Dhabi. During his visit, Sheikh Khaled was accompanied by Sunjay Sudhir, the Ambassador of India to the UAE, Prof. Dr. Rangan Banerjee, Director of IIT Delhi, and Emirati dignitaries. In a significant segment of the event, IIT Delhi signed key Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) of strategic importance with several top academic and research institutions in Abu Dhabi, including Mohammed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI), Khalifa University, Zayed University, and Sorbonne University-Abu Dhabi. These collaborations aim to enhance Abu Dhabi's academic, research, and innovation ecosystem, fostering partnerships that will support cutting-edge research and the local start-up ecosystem, as per the press release. With its commitment to academic excellence, cutting-edge research, and global exposure, IIT Delhi Abu Dhabi is poised to play a leading role in transforming the landscape of engineering education and research in the UAE, the Middle East, and beyond. (ANI)
The core committee of employees working on an ad-hoc basis in different departments across Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir's Muzaffarabad held a protest outside the Central Press Club. The demonstrators displayed placards and banners with various slogans demanding the release of their salaries. They reported that the suspension of their salaries over the question of merit has led to children being expelled from schools and severe financial difficulties at home. The protesters also stated that, while employees in other parts of Pakistan have been granted permanent positions, those in PoJK are facing unemployment due to the government's failure to address their plight. "We were also hired here based on merit, and we did not receive our employment letters from home. As per the constitution and the law, we were employed according to our qualifications. So, how is it possible that after so many years, people are now claiming that we were hired against merit? Everywhere in the world, both qualifications and experience are valued. But in our region, experience holds no importance. For those who have been doing excellent work for many years, questioning their merit and dismissing them seems to me an injustice and unfair," said Maqsood Ahmed Abbasi, a protesting lecturer. According to reports, in the year 2021, the PoJK assembly enacted a law to regularise the employment status of specific categories of contractual, ad-hoc, or temporary government workers. However, protests rose due to the government's failure to enforce this legislation, highlighting significant frustration among the affected employees. An affected employee Raja Akhter Ali Khan said, "From 1991 to the present day, various governments have made appointments according to their own preferences. There are people here with 30 to 35 years of experience, some of whom have passed away, and others who are over 60 years old. Considering this situation and the laws enacted in all four provinces, an act was established in 2021. We want that act to be implemented." The problem of ad-hoc employment in regions such as PoJK is a long-standing and contentious issue. Ad-hoc employees, hired temporarily without permanent contracts, face job insecurity and often receive lower wages than permanent staff despite performing similar duties. The lack of progress in resolving these issues has led to protests and advocacy efforts by the affected employees. (ANI)
Dubai [UAE], September 2 (ANI/WAM): Under the guidance of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, Dubai Humanitarian (DXB-H) has facilitated urgent relief supplies to Chad's capital, Ndjamena, to support over 70,000 Sudanese people, alleviating their suffering and safeguarding lives in the region. In a swift response to the escalating humanitarian crisis, a Boeing 747 cargo flight departed from Al Maktoum International Airport on Saturday, 31st August at 9:00 am carrying 90 metric tonnes of essential medical supplies, shelter materials, and relief items provided by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). These critical resources are expected to support over 70,000 Sudanese people, alleviating their suffering and safeguarding lives in the region. Giuseppe Saba, CEO and Board Member of Dubai Humanitarian said: "In these critical moments, the speed of our response can mean the difference between life and death. Our ability to mobilise and deliver aid quickly is a testament to the strong partnerships and unwavering support from the leadership of Dubai. This airlift to Chad highlights our ongoing efforts to support vulnerable communities worldwide. "In response to the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Sudan, the World Health Organisation is delivering 37 metric tonnes of life-saving infusions to treat thousands in need of immediate medical assistance. This charter flight provided by the Dubai Humanitarian is vital to overcoming logistics challenges and represents a tremendous support to WHO's ongoing health emergency response", said Robert Blanchard, Emergency Operations Manager, WHO Global Logistics Hub. "With the generous support of Dubai Humanitarian, UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency is delivering 53 metric tonnes of critical supplies to meet the dire humanitarian needs in Sudan. "This airlift will allow UNHCR to assist 68,000 people in the Darfur region displaced by heavy floods and already hit by famine," said Benjamin Safari Head of Supply Management Service, UNHCR. The cost of the relief airlift, amounting to AED1.48 million (USD405,000), was fully funded by Dubai Humanitarian's Global Humanitarian Impact Fund. This fund, established by DXB-H, is dedicated to supporting critical humanitarian missions from Dubai to the world. (ANI/WAM)
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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SARCOXIE, Mo.  The Jasper County Sheriffs Office is investigating a Sunday afternoon shooting in Sarcoxie.

Around 1:30 yesterday afternoon, Sarcoxie Police and Jasper County Deputies responded to a report about a person with a gunshot wound at a residence on 12th Street.

Thats where they found Bryan Jones, 39, of Sarcoxie suffering from a gunshot wound. Police say he was shot once in the stomach with a handgun. Jones was transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

Investigators say they have identified the shooter and that person is cooperating with law enforcement. Officers say the shooting appears to be self-defense and the shooter has not been arrested.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNF/KODE | FourStatesHomepage.com.
ALMA, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA)  An Oklahoma man was killed in a single-vehicle crash on Friday night on Interstate 49, according to a crash report.

Drew Weber, 39, of Westville, Okla., was traveling south on I-49 in Crawford County near mile marker 21 around 10:55 p.m. when his 2014 Buick left the roadway and hit multiple trees.

Bentonville man killed in Centerton motorcycle crash involving semi-truck

The vehicle came to a stop facing south on the west side of the interstate, the report said.

Weber sustained fatal injuries as a result of the crash.

The report said conditions were clear and dry at the time of the accident.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KNWA FOX24.
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.

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.

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.
TOKYO, Sep 02 (News On Japan) - The mayoral election for Odate City in Akita Prefecture, which took place on the 1st, concluded with the election of former city council member Kensuke Ishida. At 27 years old, Ishida is now the youngest mayor in Japan.

Three candidates ran for the Odate City mayoral election, and Ishida emerged victorious, marking his first win in a mayoral race.

According to the Japan Association of City Mayors, Ishida, at 27, is the youngest person to hold the office of mayor nationwide.

The day after his victory, Ishida reported for his first day at city hall, where he spoke about his aspirations as the new mayor.

Kensuke Ishida, New Mayor of Odate City

"The real work starts now. My biggest goal is to build a city where future generations, including our children and grandchildren, can live prosperously."

Ishida has emphasized the need to attract businesses that interest the younger generation and to address population decline as key aspects of his agenda.

Source: ANN
NAGOYA, Sep 02 (News On Japan) - Rescuers were unable to save an elderly couple after a local fisherman reported seeing a car plunge into the sea off Nagoya's Minato-ku on Sunday.

Firefighters conducted a search in the water and discovered the vehicle. The couple's bodies were recovered and taken to a hospital where they were pronounced dead.

It is believed that the car fell into the sea from the quay under Kinjo Bridge. The police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident in detail.

Source: ANN
Assyrians Commemorate Saint Gabriel in Turkey

Hundreds of Syriac Orthodox Christians gathered at Mor Gabriel Monastery in Tur Abdin in Mardin (Merdin), southeast Turkey on Saturday to honour Saint Mor Gabriel, a revered figure known for his miracles and healing powers.

The ceremony, led by Mor Timotheos Samuel Aktas, the metropolitan bishop of Tur Abdin and Mor Gabriel Monastery, saw the participation of local clergy and faithful from the region.

Saint Mor Gabriel, also known as Saint Gabriel of Beth Qustan, who lived between 594 and 688 CE, is celebrated annually for his role in the monastery's "golden age" and his miraculous acts, including raising three people from the dead. According to tradition, 130 years after his death, a plague struck the region. His body was exhumed to pray for relief, and it is believed to that this miraculously ended the outbreak. His severed right hand, kept as a holy relic, is believed to bring blessings and continues to be venerated by the community.

During the ceremony, worshippers sang hymns in Syriac and prayed for the blessings of Mor Gabriel. "The blessing of Saint Mor Gabriel continues to spread," said participants, who believe that touching the relic of the saint's hand brings divine favour. The annual ritual remains a significant cultural and spiritual event for the Syriac Orthodox community, reflecting their deep respect and devotion to the saint.

Tur Abdin is a historical region located in southeastern Turkey, primarily in the province of Mardin, with parts extending into the neighbouring provinces of Srnak (Sirnex) and Batman (Elih). It is a mountainous area known for its significant Syriac Orthodox Christian heritage, having many ancient monasteries, churches, and villages. The name "Tur Abdin" means "Mountain of the Servants [of God]" in Syriac.

The region has been a centre of Syriac Christian life for centuries and remains a cultural and spiritual heartland for the Syriac Orthodox community. The Mor Gabriel Monastery, one of the world's oldest functioning monasteries, is located in this region.
Wakayama, Sep 02 (News On Japan) - The former wife of the wealthy businessman known as the 'Don Juan of Kishu,' who is accused of murdering him, has been sentenced to three years and six months in prison for defrauding another man out of a large sum of money.

According to the court ruling handed down Monday by the Wakayama District Court, Sudo Saki, 28, was found guilty of defrauding a 61-year-old man from Sapporo on three occasions over the past nine years. She falsely claimed the money, totaling approximately 29.8 million yen, was needed for "overseas study preparations."

During the trial, Sudo argued that the victim was aware of the deception and gave her the money to take advantage of her physically. She denied the charges of fraud, challenging the court's findings.

However, in today's ruling, the Wakayama District Court recognized the fraud charge, stating, "While it is conceivable that the victim may have been motivated by a desire to win the favor of a young woman, the act of exploiting such feelings to fraudulently obtain a large amount of money is malicious." As a result, the court sentenced Sudo to three years and six months in prison.

Sudo is also accused of murdering her husband, the wealthy businessman Yukisuke Nozaki, who was 77 years old at the time of his death. Her first trial for the murder charge is scheduled to begin on September 12th.

Source: TBS
Atiku

By John Alechenu

 says its in compliance with PIA

Former Vice President of Nigeria Atiku Abubakar, has demanded that the President Bola Tinubu-led administration immediately list the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL) on the stock exchange in line with the Petroleum Industry Act.

Atiku said this while reacting to the decision of the NNPCL to hand over the Warri and Kaduna refineries to private operators who are expected to manage and operate them.

In a statement signed by his Media, Adviser , Paul Ibe, in Abuja, on Sunday, Atiku said, The NNPCL is supposed to have been listed on the stock exchange in line with the Petroleum Industry Act. This would make the company more profitable and enhance transparency and corporate governance.

Currently, the NNPCL claims to be private, but this is only a ruse to fool the feeble-minded because it remains the ATM of the Federal Government. Anything short of listing the NNPCL on the stock exchange is nothing but a cosmetic development, he added.

He further stated that the NNPC Limited continues to provide a cover of political protection to the Tinubu governments policy inconsistency on the payment of subsidy, raising questions about the independence that the PIA requires of the NNPC Limited as a private business concern.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Presidential candidate in the 2023 election explained that previous arrangements and concessions had not worked because of a lack of transparency in the contract award process as well as the failure of the government to attract investors.

The Turakin Adamawa also noted that for such a deal to succeed at all, the Bureau of Public Enterprise (BPE) and a credible technical partner like Standard and Poors must be part of the process.

Atiku added, Former President Olusegun Obasanjo revealed recently that even Shell, one of the worlds wealthiest oil companies, rejected the offer to operate Nigerias refineries. This is because the NNPCL has, for years, been a cesspool of endemic corruption.

This is why over $20bn that has been spent on the refineries in the last 20 years has led to nowhere. It is also curious that a government that is still paying petrol subsidy is trying to make its refineries profitable. Which businessman will invest in a refinery that has been programmed to operate at a loss?

Atiku also queried the feasibility of the NNPCs latest plan even as he pointed out that such arrangements in the past had not been profitable.

He added, The manage and operate approach has not always worked. The Manitoba Hydro International, which was handed the Transmission Company of Nigeria led to nowhere. Similarly, Global Steel Limited, which was handed the Ajaokuta Steel Company, was not able to make the facility profitable.

The contract was questionably revoked by the Umaru Musa YarAdua administration, and Nigeria ended up paying Global Steel a compensation of nearly $500m while Ajaokuta remains comatose 17 years later.

He advised the NNPCL not to make the contract process opaque like it did with OVH last year, which was not only dubious but has still failed to boost the NNPCLs petrol sufficiency as evidenced by the months long fuel scarcity.

Atiku further said, In 2022, Nueoil, an unknown and newly registered company, acquired OVH and Oando filling stations. Barely four months later, NNPCL Retail bought Nueoil and took control of all its assets, including the Oando filling stations.

Barely eight months later, OVH turned around to take over NNPCL Retail. This convoluted transaction was done in order to hide the corruption involved.

If this is the approach that the NNPCL wants to use in handing over its refineries to private hands, then Nigerians should not expect any positive development whatsoever.
Hours after a British national, Andrew Wynne and a Nigerian, Lucky Ehims were declared wanted by the Nigerian security agents, Police on Monday placed N20m (Twenty Million Naira) bounty on them.

Police in a statement on Monday afternoon said a reward sum of N10,000,000 awaits any person(s) with information leading to the arrest of each of them.

Vanguard had reported how Police had launched a comprehensive investigation into the activities of a foreign national and subversive elements plotting to undermine the democratically elected government in Nigeria through unconstitutional regime change and orchestrating violence across the country.

Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Muyuwa Adejobi said Following extensive intelligence gathering and collaboration with other security agencies, nine suspects have been apprehended, who received substantial financial backing from foreign sources to destabilize the country.

Preliminary findings suggest they orchestrated and funded violent protests, disseminated false information, and engaged in other unlawful activities to create anarchy and justify their illegal plot to overthrow the democratically elected government.

Investigations have identified a foreign mercenary, Andrew Wynne (also known as Andrew Povich or Drew Povey), a British national, who built a network of sleeper cells to topple the government and plunge the nation into chaos.

He rented a space at Labour House, Abuja, for an Iva Valley Bookshop and established STARS of Nations Schools as a cover for his subversive activities.

Documentary evidence and confessions revealed that Andrew Wynne issued directives, monitored progress, and provided finance and operational guidance to achieve unconstitutional regime change in Nigeria.

He mobilized and deployed several billions of naira to his Nigerian collaborators, urging them to mobilize the public to violently storm police facilities and military barracks, anticipating a bloodbath that would instigate international condemnation of the Nigerian government.

These acts are in clear violation of the Terrorism (Prevention) Act 2011 and other relevant laws.

Since the commencement of investigations, Andrew Wynne has fled the country. He and one of his local coordinators, one Lucky Ehis Obiyan have accordingly been declared wanted and global hunting for them has commenced in connection with this investigation.

The ten other suspects already apprehended have been arraigned before a competent court of law on Monday, September 2, 2024, for Criminal Conspiracy, Terrorism Financing, Treasonable Felony, Subversion, and Cybercrime.

They include; Angel Love Innocent (Female), Opaluwa Eleojo Simeon, Michael Tobitoba Adaramoye aka Leni, Suleiman Yakubu, Buhari Lawal, Mosiu Sadiq, Abayomi Adeyemi, Abdulsalam Zubairu (M), Nuradeen Hamis, and Bashir Bello.

These acts are in clear violation of the Terrorism (Prevention) Act 2011 and other relevant laws

The force also appealed to the public to assist in any useful information that will help their investigations, saying if Andrew Wynne and Lucky Ehims are seen, they should be arrested and hand over to the nearest Police Station, or to the office of the Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Department of Force Intelligence, Force Headquarters, Abuja, or call 08035179870, 09133333785, 09133333786. A reward sum of N10,000,000 awaits any person(s) with information leading to the arrest of each of them.
Police in Edo have detained a 19-year-old native doctor, Timothy Dauda, for allegedly shooting his client, Alex Ezekiel, to death during an anti-bullet charm trial.

The Commands Public Relations Officer, SP Moses Yamu, confirmed the incident to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday.

Yamu said that the incident happened on August 20 in Onumu Community, near Igara, Akoko Edo Local Government Area of the state.

He said that the suspect was arrested by operatives from Igarra Divisional Police Station in Akoko-Edo.

NAN learnt that the suspect allegedly claimed to specialise in preparing charms against gunshots and machete cuts.

A source further told NAN that the deceased had visited the native doctors home to obtain the charm.

It said that in a shocking turn of events, Dauda attempted to test the efficacy of the charm by shooting the client with a gun.

The charm was said to have failed as he sustained fatal injuries.

When he was rushed to a hospital in Igarra, he was pronounced dead by a medical doctor, the source further said.

Meanwhile, the police spokesman said that the suspect would face prosecution as soon as investigations were concluded
By Kingsley Omonobi

In furtherance of operations to decimate the activities of terrorists and apprehend their arms and logistics suppliers, troops of the Nigerian Army in collaboration with other security agencies, acting on credible intelligence, have successfully captured 15 terrorist gun-runners and logistics suppliers and neutralized one, in an encounter.

A statement by the Army said, The operations, conducted across various locations in the country, also led to the recovery of arms, ammunition, and substantial logistics.

On 30 August 2024, troops conducted a raid on terrorist gun runners and logistic suppliers at Mararaba Donga and Manya village in Donga and Takum Local Government Areas of Taraba State.

The operation, executed with precision, resulted in the arrest of 5 suspects.

The troops recovered 3 AK-47 rifles, 2 fabricated rifles, 2 single-barrel guns, 2 dane guns, one rifle butt, 61 rounds of 7.62 mm (special) ammunition and 8 live cartridges.

Other items seized by the troops include 2 extra AK-47 rifle magazines, one pistol holster, one magazine holster, one pair of handcuffs, 3 daggers, one police helmet, one axe, one point of sale (POS) machine and 10 mobile phones.

In Yobe State, troops have arrested 3 Boko Haram logistic suppliers at Jimbal Village of Tarmuwa Local Government Area.

During preliminary investigation, the suspects revealed that they had been in the business for more than two years, evading security checks by collaborating with some local vigilantes in the area.

Items recovered from the suspects include 3 vehicles, 5 motorcycles, a large quantity of motorcycle tyres, numerous spare parts, and a significant quantity of drugs.

Troops also seized rolls of fabrics used by terrorists to sew uniforms and the sum of Forty-eight thousand (N48,000.00) naira.

In another operation in Kaduna State, troops have arrested 4 terrorist gun runners and logistic suppliers at Rijana village in Chikun Local Government Area.

Troops recovered 30 rounds of 7.62mm (special) ammunition and 3 mobile phones from the suspects.

The troops also found One Hundred Thousand (N100,000) naira worth of recharge cards and the sum of One million, five hundred and thirty-two thousand, nine hundred naira (N1,532,900.00) on the suspects.

In another sting operation, vigilant troops deployed in Esan South East Local Government Area of Edo State neutralized a notorious kidnapper belonging to a syndicate that has been terrorizing commuters around Ubia community.

The troops recovered one AK-47 rifle, one semi-automatic pump-action gun, and 18 live cartridges.

In a separate operation, troops deployed to Plateau State have apprehended 3 wanted kidnap suspects at Kabong community in Jos South Local Government Area.

The troops recovered one fabricated pistol and live a cartridge from the suspects.

The Chief of Army Staff, while commending the troops for their resilience, dedication and vigilance in executing these operations, emphasized the importance of sustaining the momentum of the offensives to ensure the continued safety and security of the nation.

He noted that the Nigerian Army remains committed to eradicating terrorism and associated crimes towards ensuring peace and stability across the country.
The Horn of Africa is buzzing with tension as Ethiopia eyes a recent defense agreement between Egypt and Somalia with growing unease. This diplomatic move has stirred up a complex web of regional disputes, threatening to upset the delicate balance of power in this strategically crucial area.

At the heart of the matter are two major conflicts involving Ethiopia. The first is a long-standing disagreement with Egypt over the massive dam Ethiopia is building on the Blue Nile. Egypt fears this project could devastate its water supply, while Ethiopia sees it as vital for its energy needs.

The second dispute pits Ethiopia against Somalia over the breakaway region of Somaliland. Ethiopias efforts to gain Red Sea access through a deal with Somaliland have angered Somalia, which still claims the territory as its own.

Now, with Egypt potentially deploying troops to Somalia, Ethiopia feels increasingly encircled. The prospect of Egyptian forces on its doorstep has set alarm bells ringing in Addis Ababa, prompting stern warnings about regional stability.

This situation highlights the intricate dance of alliances and rivalries in the Horn of Africa. As countries jockey for position and resources, the risk of miscalculation grows. The regions future stability may hinge on how these nations navigate their competing interests in the coming months.
Gabon is marking a year since its military coup with a mix of celebration and cautious optimism. The overthrow of the Bongo familys 56-year rule was widely hailed as a liberation by Gabonese tired of corruption and economic stagnation.

In Libreville, the capital, crowds gathered to cheer interim president General Brice Oligui Nguema. Theres a palpable sense of hope among many, who see the coup as a chance to turn the page on decades of mismanagement.

Yet, significant challenges loom. Gabons economy remains heavily dependent on oil, with poor infrastructure and high poverty rates. The junta has taken steps towards transparency, but the path to real economic diversification is long.

Critics point out that progress on promised reforms has been slow. Questions remain about the timeline for elections and whether military leaders will step aside for civilian rule.

Despite these concerns, many Gabonese are giving the new leadership the benefit of the doubt. They recognize that undoing half a century of entrenched practices wont happen overnight.

As Gabon navigates this crucial transition, the world watches closely. The countrys ability to transform its political landscape while addressing economic woes could serve as a model  or a warning  for other nations grappling with similar challenges.
At the Indonesia-Africa Forum, Indonesian authorities learned lessons from the laxism of Japanese authorities with participants by imposing that only participants with a valid badge with a nametag can take part in the event, leaving Algeria unable to smuggle the Polisario agents as it did in Tokyo.

Algeria has violated diplomatic norms in the Japan-Africa TICAD meeting last month, offering diplomatic cover to Polisario agents, whom it smuggled into the meeting room using fake badges.

The Polisario agent smuggled into the room a nameplate of the self-declared RASD entity, despite African Unions decision earlier in July that only UN member states shall take part in international meetings involving international partners.

Japan has made it clear that it does not recognize the Polisarios self-declared SADR entity.

The meeting was marred by a violent attack on a Moroccan diplomat by an Algerian agent who knocked him down as the Moroccan was protesting the presence of the provocative and uninvited Polisario agent.
Moroccan foreign minister Nasser Bourita highlighted the fundamentals of Moroccos foreign policy regarding the African continent, stressing the need to promote south-south and trilateral cooperation and advance the Royal initiative to help landlocked Sahel countries access the Atlantic ocean.

Speaking at the Indonesia-Africa Forum, in which he represented King Mohammed VI, Bourita said that under the Royal Atlantic initiative, Morocco would offer its infrastructure, roads, rail network and ports to landlocked Sahel countries willing to access global trade.

In this respect, he also highlighted the relevance of the gas pipeline, to connect Nigeria to Morocco, while benefiting 13 west African countries.

The project has been described as conducive to regional economic cooperation and energy security.

Morocco also advocates cooperation on food security amid rapid demographic growth and worsening climate change effects in the continent.

During the forum, Indonesia plans to sign deals worth some $3.5 billion, according to Indonesian media.
Civil rights and community leaders, residents and more will march to the Opelika Police Department on Sept. 7 to protest the death of Tias Cobb, a 25-year-old Auburn man who authorities said was shot and killed by a police officer during an altercation at Century Park Apartments.

Civil rights leaders and dozen of residents gathered at Christ Temple Holiness Church on Thursday for the "Justice for Tias Cobb" event. They spent hours planning the march, which is set for noon on Saturday.

"That's one of the things the lawyer asked us to do. We would organize and that we would march and we would keep it before them that we're not going anywhere," said Bishop A.L. Dowdell, who spoke at Thursday's meeting.

Organizers said the march will start at the intersection of Toomer Street  also known as Magnolia Street  and Martin Luther King Boulevard and lead to the Opelika Police Department at 501 South 10th St.

Cobb family seeks video evidence of deadly encounter

Opelika police said they responded to a "suspicious incident" at Century Park Apartments on Aug. 18. Officials said the officer who responded to the scene at approximately 3:07 a.m. encountered a subject armed with a firearm."

Police said there was an altercation that resulted in the officer discharging their weapon and shooting the subject who was later identified as Cobb. They said medical assistance was immediately rendered, but Cobb died on the scene.

Opelika Police Chief Shane Healey said the officer involved has been placed on paid administrative leave, which is the standard across the country.

He declined to release the officers name, but said he was not a rookie and "well past his training."

Attorney Ryan Williams of the RCW Law Group represents the Cobb family. He called into Thursday evening's meeting. Williams will visit Opelika to do his own thorough investigation and called on all members of the community to come together and help find every sample of video evidence.

"If we don't get it from the community, I can't trust what we're going to get from law enforcement," Williams said.

Williams said he has already made requests for bodycam and dash cam footage, but that he does not know when it will be released to the family and that law enforcement can "take as long as they want to."

The Opelika-Auburn News has filed a public records request with ALEA for any documents of footage in this case. We are still waiting on a response as of Monday morning.

Racial Justice Network supports the Cobb family

Williams said he knows the kind of tragedy the Cobb family has been experiencing, because his brother was shot and killed three years ago. Williams said he grew up in Alabama and that he has "witnessed what Alabama can do to a person's spirit. He emphasized his commitment to supporting the family and fighting for them. He stressed that the community must stand with them as well.

"Two weeks from now, people start to forget your name. They start to forget your presence and your essence. They stop fighting for you and they stop marching for you in the streets. But I'm asking y'all, please do not give up on this case until we get the answers that we are asking for," Williams said.

Elder James Johnson is the CEO of the Racial Justice Network, a group he described as the fastest growing civil rights organization in the country. Johnson said this was the third time he has been in Lee County for a situation like this.

The first was to hold a press conference on the death of Lucius Gibbs, a South Carolina man who was shot and killed by the Lee County Sheriff's Office. The second, was to hold a press conference following the death of Ricardo Gary, who died in Auburn police custody. And now for Cobb.

"What we have to do here today is to organize. When we organize, we win. I want to say that again, when we organize, we win," Johnson said. "Because it could be your son tomorrow, your grandson the next day, and your grandson, your husband the next day. And trust me, if we don't organize, it will happen."

In addition to Johnson representing a national organization, several local community leaders were present. Dowdell, a former Auburn City councilmember, directed the meeting. Concerned Citizens of Opelika President Oscar Penn and Lee County NAACP President Laticia Smith were in attendance.

"The key thing is people want to feel like they're doing something, that they're helping, that they're giving whatever information that we can," Smith said. "People want to help. People want to do something, and we want to make sure that people understand that we want to know what happened, and we want to make sure that there is justice."

Before the meeting drew to a close, Johnson highlighted the work the RJN is doing and he said he planned to start a RJN chapter in Lee County. Several people in attendance signed up to join the organization and Johnson emphasized that after all the legal discussions, the most important thing the community can do is make their voices heard.

"To make changes in Lee County, it's up to you all, nobody else but you all, because you know you hold most powerful weapon there is and that is the vote," Johnson said.

What's next?

The Alabama Law Enforcement Agencys State Bureau of Investigations continue to investigate the incident. Authorities said all evidence and videos have been turned over to SBI for their investigation.

Once the investigation is complete, the results will be turned over to the Lee County District Attorneys Office and the findings will be presented to a grand jury.

OPD said any further inquiries about the investigation should be directed to SBI or the Lee County District Attorneys Office.
For decades, nuclear energy has been treated as the black sheep of the energy universe thanks to major drawbacks including high costs, high-profile nuclear accidents and hazardous by-products of nuclear energy production. Currently, there are thousands of metric tons of used solid fuel from nuclear power plants worldwide and millions of liters of radioactive liquid waste from weapons production sitting in temporary storage containers, some of which have begun leaking their toxic contents. Nuclear waste is notorious for the fact that it can remain dangerously radioactive for many thousands of years. Thankfully, the world has just come closer to finding a permanent solution to its nuclear menace: Finland has built the worlds first deep-earth repository where it will bury nuclear waste for 100,000 years starting 2026.

Dubbed Onkalo, the repository is entombed in a bedrock more than 400 meters below the forests of southwest Finland. The facility sits atop a warren of tunnels sited next to three nuclear reactors on the island of Olkiluoto, approximately 240 kilometers from the capital of Helsinki. The Onkalo project is based on the so-called KBS-3 method developed by the Swedish Nuclear Fuel and Waste Management Company. KBS-3 is based on a multi-barrier principle whereby if one of the engineered barriers were to fail, the isolation of the radioactive waste is not compromised.

Basically, the Onkalo project is that we are building an encapsulation plant and disposal facility for spent fuel. And its not temporary, its for good, Pasi Tuohimaa, head of communications for Posiva, told CNBC via videoconference. Posiva is tasked with the responsibility of handling the final disposal of spent nuclear fuel rods at Onkalo.

Related: Oil Prices Drop as OPEC+ Considers Increasing Production in October



The first-of-its-kind geological disposal facility has been hailed as a game-changer thats likely to increase the appeal of nuclear energy, Having a solution for the final disposal of spent fuel was like the missing part of the sustainable lifecycle for nuclear energy, Tuohimaa said. According to Finnish Climate Minister Kai Mykkanen, Onkala provides the world with a model for sustainable nuclear waste management.

Deep Geological Repositories

But Finland is not alone. About a dozen European countries, including Finland and Switzerland, are planning deep geological repositories for their nuclear waste. Here in the U.S., government officials have proposed storing the countrys nuclear waste in a repository beneath Yucca Mountain in Nevada about 300 m below ground level and 300 m above the water table. However, this idea has gone in and out of favor with changes in the presidency. For now, nuclear waste simply accumulates mainly where its generated--at the power plants and processing facilities, with some having been sitting in interim storage since the 1940s. In Hanford alone, more than 200 million liters of radioactive liquid waste--a mix of liquid, sediment, and sludge--has been sitting in tanks waiting to be processed. Obviously, storing this kind of high-level liquid waste indefinitely is not sustainable.

Finlands Onkalo is likely to bring nuclear energy a step closer to mainstream acceptance. According to the World Nuclear Association, nuclear energy currently provides about 9% of the worlds electricity. However, last year at the COP28 summit, 22 countries including the U.S., Canada, the UK, and France pledged to triple nuclear power capacity by 2050 (from 2020 levels).

Onkalo is also likely to increase the appeal of small modular nuclear reactors (SMRs). SMRs are advanced nuclear reactors with power capacities that range from 50-300 MW(e) per unit, compared to 700+ MW(e) per unit for traditional nuclear power reactors. SMRs can be sited in locations not suitable for larger nuclear power plants, such as retired coal plants; offer significant savings in cost and construction time, and can also be deployed incrementally to match increasing power demand.

However, studies like these can potentially throw a spanner in the works and increase public resistance to SMRs.

Our results show that most small modular reactor designs will actually increase the volume of nuclear waste in need of management and disposal, by factors of 2 to 30 for the reactors in our case study. These findings stand in sharp contrast to the cost and waste reduction benefits that advocates have claimed for advanced nuclear technologies, said study lead author Lindsay Krall, a former MacArthur Postdoctoral Fellow at Stanford Universitys Center for International Security and Cooperation (CISAC). The study found that one of their key attractions--small size--is also their major Achilles heel because SMRs experience more neutron leakage than conventional reactors, which in turn affects the amount and composition of their waste streams. The study also discovered that spent nuclear fuel from SMRs will be discharged in greater volumes per unit of energy produced and can be far more complex compared to waste from conventional reactors.

Thankfully, the advent of deep geological repositories could improve the bull case for SMRs.

By Alex Kimani for Oilprice.com

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Fortescue is a large Australian mining group that has articulated ambitious plans to become a clean energy giant, especially in the hydrogen market, where it has begun several large international green projects and entered into numerous partnerships with other firms. Earlier this year, however, Fortescue began to exhibit signs of getting cold feet. Metals prices were not so hot, meaning less available cash to sink into non-cash producing projects. Earnings missed expectations and may fall in the coming fiscal year. Moreover, electricity prices have risen, and electricity is a key ingredient in the production of clean hydrogen. Higher power prices make green hydrogen even less price competitive. In midyear, Fortescue announced a delay of its green initiatives and it fired 700 employees.

Okay, it's not the first company pulling back from overambitious green energy plans. But we were more interested in what happened next. At the end of August, Fortescue agreed to buy for $14 million a 40% share in a small Australian firm established to drill for white hydrogen (the hydrogen found underground that results from the reaction of rainwater to certain minerals) which can be classified as a renewable source of energy. Abandoned wells in areas selected for drilling, incidentally, show a high concentration of helium with the hydrogen  icing on the cake, one might say. The target firms acreage is located in Kansas and Nebraska, conveniently near pipelines and potential users. Drilling to determine the commercial viability of the findings will commence in late 2024 or early 2025. Drilling for hydrogen by another Australian company in Fortescues home state of Western Australia will commence late in 2024, too. (Australias abandoned wells also show high concentrations of helium.)

Related: Turkeys Gas Hub Plans Boosted by 10-Year LNG Deal With Shell

Now back to motivation. If estimates are correct, white hydrogen will cost one-third as much as green hydrogen (produced using non-fossil fueled electricity), the stuff that Fortescue and others presently plan to market from their hydrogen production facilities. So, if there turns out to be enough white hydrogen, why bother producing green hydrogen at a much higher cost? And if there is enough white hydrogen, government subsidies for green hydrogen production projects may turn into a waste of money. Why buy expensive green hydrogen when you can buy cheaper white hydrogen instead? A lot of ifs. So here is the final one.

White hydrogen, if found in sufficient quantities and at enough locations (potential locations in the eastern U.S. and Europe have been identified) will turn hydrogen into an economical energy source rather than a specialty product purchased by environmental do-gooders.

Within a half year, uncertainty could morph into enthusiasm, and OilPrice readers will be talking about the hydrogen rush. And if that happens, remember that you read it here first.

By Leonard Hyman and William Tilles for Oilprice.com

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The Dangote refinery in Nigeria, Africas biggest and newest crude processing facility, is set to soon begin production of gasoline, potentially upending global gasoline flows.

For years, Nigeria has been importing the gasoline it consumes, but the newly operational refinery is poised to turn OPECs largest African crude oil producer from a gasoline importer to a gasoline exporter, impacting fuel market balances, especially in Europe.

The Dangote refinery began the production of fuels in January 2024, marking the start-up of the plant that has seen years of delays.

The facility has yet to begin production of gasoline, but it is on the brink of producing large volumes of the fuel, sources familiar with the operations told Bloomberg on Monday.

The refinery is primarily using Nigerian crude, but it is also buying U.S. crude and Brazilian crude as feedstock.

The facility, which has a processing capacity of 650,000 barrels per day (bpd), will meet 100% of Nigerias demand for all refined petroleum products and will also have a surplus of each of the products for export.

It is expected that once the refinery is fully operational at some point in 2025, more than half of its processing capacity will be earmarked for gasoline production.

The Dangote refinery expects to export diesel to customers in Europe, as well as gasoline to Latin American and African markets. However, production of Euro V gasoline, the gasoline complying with Europes emissions standards, is not expected to be produced until late 2024, according to analysts at Facts Global Energy.

In the middle of June, the Dangote groups president Aliko Dangote told Nigerian media that the refinery was delaying the start of gasoline deliveries after the middle of July.

Back then, Dangote, Africas richest man, said that the refinery would be able to take gasoline to the market by the third week of July.

This timeline has slipped, and most industry analysts expect considerable volumes of gasoline out of Nigeria to hit international markets next year.

By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com

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The consortium developing the Aphrodite gas field offshore Cyprus has submitted a development plan to the countrys government putting the price tag for the field at $4 billion, Reuters has reported, citing one of the partners.

According to the updated plan, the production and processing of natural gas from the reservoir will be carried out through the construction of an independent floating production facility to be positioned above the Aphrodite reservoir, Israeli NewMed Energy said.

NewMed Energy partners with Chevron and Shell for the development of the Aphrodite field, which is seen producing some 800 million cu ft of natural gas per day at peak capacity. The gas extracted from the field would be sent to Egypt. There are also plans to turn some of the gas into LNG and export it globally, according to NewMed Energys website.

The biggest potential buyers for Cypriot gas are Europeans. The opportunity made headlines two years ago amid the European gas crunch when Chevron, Shell, and NewMed Energy were drilling exploration wells at Aphrodite.

Europe is a good potential customer for Cypriot gas as the EU has confirmed that natural gas will remain a bridge fuel up to 2049 as part of the green transition so companies now have the comfort of being able to secure long-term contracts, Cyprus energy minister Natasa Pilides told Bloomberg at the time.

Yet the development of the Aphrodite field was delayed due to negotiations on changes in the production sharing scheme between the three partners and the Cypriot government following Chevrons acquisition of the original holder of the exploration license, Noble Energy.

Now these seem to have been settled and development could move forward. The same may be true of other gas discoveries offshore Cyprus, such as the Glaucus field, discovered by Exxon and Qatar Petroleum, and the Calypso field, a project of Eni and TotalEnergies.

By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com

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Finnish power utility Fortum has announced that it has successfully started using nuclear fuel from U.S.-based Westinghouse Electric as it seeks to replace Russian supply. For years, Fortum's Loviisa power plant in Finland has sourced its nuclear fuel from TVEL, a subsidiary of Russias Rosatom; however, Fortum began hunting for a new fuel source two years ago after Russia invaded Ukraine. The new fuel includes uranium, the fuel assemblies, and also the enrichment process originating from Western sources. Fortum's two nuclear reactors in Loviisa account for around 10% of total power production in Finland.

"The loading of the new fuel is a significant milestone that guarantees a reliable Western alternative for fuel. Fortum said in a statement, adding that the first Westinghouse fuel had been loaded during the power plant's annual outage in August

"For the first time in Loviisa's history, we have fully Western fuel," Fortum's head of nuclear generation Petra Lundstrom said. However, CEO Markus Rauramo has said that Fortum would respect its existing contracts with TVEL, which run until 2027 and 2030. Although Europe has been trying to distance itself from Russian energy, including oil and gas, its still heavily dependent on some Russian commodities.

"When it comes to fuel fabrication, Westinghouse could supply all that the European Union needs but today Russia is very dominant in conversion and enrichment," Choho told Reuters.

Other than Finland, four more EU states namely Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Hungary and Slovakia are working with Westinghouse Electric to replace Russian nuclear fuel.

Last week, Finland unveiled the worlds first deep-earth repository where it will bury nuclear waste for 100,000 years starting 2026. Dubbed Onkalo, the repository is entombed in a bedrock more than 400 meters below the forests of southwest Finland. The facility sits atop a warren of tunnels sited next to three nuclear reactors on the island of Olkiluoto, approximately 240 kilometers from the capital of Helsinki. The Onkalo project is based on the so-called KBS-3 method developed by the Swedish Nuclear Fuel and Waste Management Company. KBS-3 is based on a multi-barrier principle whereby if one of the engineered barriers were to fail, the isolation of the radioactive waste is not compromised.

By Alex Kimani for Oilprice.com

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Germany expects to extend for another six months its trusteeship over the German assets of Rosneft while Qatar and the Russian oil giant are reportedly in talks over a sale to the gas-rich Gulf nation, sources with knowledge of the situation told Reuters on Monday.

Schwedt is the fourth-largest refinery in Germany, it is 54% owned by the Russian state oil giant, and it gets its oil from the Druzhba oil pipeline from Russia. The Schwedt refinery supplies 90% of the fuel needs of Germanys capital city Berlin.

In September 2022, a few months after the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Germany put the local business of Russias Rosneft under trusteeship, handing control over the Schwedt refinery to the countrys energy market regulator.

With the trusteeship, the threat to the security of energy supply is countered and an essential foundation stone is set for the preservation and future of the Schwedt site, the German government said at the time.

Now the extension of the trusteeship, which ends on September 10, is reportedly in anticipation of the negotiations for the sale of the Rosneft assets to Qatar, according to Reuterss sources.

The extension would be the fourth time Germany has prolonged the period of trusteeship since September 2022.

Rosneft is Germany's third-largest petroleum refinery company, processing roughly 12.5 million tons of crude oil per year. That's more than 12% of Germany's total processing capacity, according to Rosneft Germany.

Last week, reports emerged that Qatar is reportedly in talks to purchase Rosnefts stake in the PCK Schwedt refinery.

Qatar Investment Authority (QIA), the Qatari sovereign wealth fund, owns a 19% stake in Rosneft.

According to a report by Bloomberg, citing unnamed sources, Qatar is the last bidder for the refinery, with a delegation visiting Berlin in recent weeks. Bloombergs unnamed sources also said that the German government would agree to a deal with Qatar, and that the ball is now in Rosnefts court.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

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Guyana booked an increase of 49.7% in its real gross domestic product for the first half of the year, led by oil and gas revenues, the countrys government said in an update.

Growth in the oil and gas sector specifically stood at 67.1%, local media reported, while growth from the non-oil part of the economy stood at 12.6% over the six-month period.

Guyana has seen its GDP triple over the past three years as oil production began in earnest. Commercial production began in 2019, and since then, it has ramped up fast. Between 2019 and 2023, output grew at an average annual rate of 98,000 barrels daily, taking the total from zero to 645,000 barrels daily last year.

All of Guyanas oil currently comes from the Stabroek Block, which is operated by a consortium of Exxon, Hess Corp., and Chinas CNOOC. Since the start of their operations there, the three have made 30 discoveries, tapping over 11 billion barrels in reserves. Production from the Stabroek Block is seen by Exxon reaching 1 million barrels daily in 2027.

These developments have turned the tiny South American country into a major oil supply growth engine and spurred predictions it could turn into the second-largest oil producer on the continent.

Output in Guyana is seen rising to over 1.6 million barrels daily by 2030, as the government seeks to maximize returns from the industry before the predicted demand growth peak. If the peak demand predictions fail to materialize, the outlook for Guyanas oil industry is even brighter.

Meanwhile, the oil industry is making billions both for Guyana and for the companies producing that oil. Last year, Exxon made a net $2.9 billion from its Guyana operations, with Hess Corp. earning $1.88 billion and their third partner CNOOC booking profits of $1.52 billion from the Stabroek Block.

The Guyanese government itself gets a cut of less than 20% but this appears to still be enough to push its economic growth close to 50%.

By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com

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Russian natural gas pipeline exports to Europe declined by 2% in August compared to both August last year and July 2024, according to estimates by Reuters published on Monday.

Last month, gas giant Gazproms average daily pipeline shipments to Europe fell to 89.6 million cubic meters, down by 2% month-on-month and down by 2.3% from August 2023, per the Reuters calculations based on data from European gas transmission group Entsog and Gazproms daily reports on gas transit via Ukraine.

Natural gas flows from Russia to Europe via Ukraine continued last month despite clashes at the Russia-Ukraine border near the only gas metering station that still sends Russian gas west to Europe. The Ukrainian ground assault on the Russian region of Kursk across the border hasnt affected supply via the Sudzha gas transfer and measuring stations in the Kursk region.

After the Sokhranivka entry point for Russian gas transit via Ukraine was closed, Gazprom had to divert all the gas it can send to the Sudzha entry point.

Gazproms pipeline exports via Ukraine accounted for nearly half of all pipeline shipments from Russia to the EU in August, according to Reuterss calculations.

So far this year, Gazproms shipments to Europe have increased compared to the very low levels of 2023. Year to date in August, these have jumped by 19.2%, per the Reuters estimates.

Gazprom stopped reporting monthly export data at the beginning of 2023.

Russia has seen its gas exports to Europe significantly reduced since the invasion of Ukraine. The major drop in Gazproms gas deliveries was due to the halt of Russian pipeline gas exports to nearly all European countries.

Before the start of the war in Ukraine, Russia supplied around one-third of all the gas to Europe and was the single biggest supplier.

Norway has now replaced Russia and has become the top supplier of gas to Europe.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

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On Monday, Turkey signed a ten-year agreement with Shell under which the supermajor will supply Turkish state energy firm BOTAS with LNG for ten years starting in 2027, in a boost to Turkeys plans to become a regional gas hub for Europe and the Mediterranean.

The agreement envisages Shell supplying up to 4 billion cubic meters of liquefied natural gas per year to BOTAS from its U.S. and global portfolio, the Turkish company said on Monday.

The agreement will enable BOTAS to expand its LNG access and use its terminal and pipeline infrastructure to help Turkey diversify its natural gas supply and become a major regional gas hub, the Turkish firm noted.

Russia is currently Turkeys top natural gas supplier, followed by Azerbaijan, Algeria, Iran, and the United States.

Turkey imports all the natural gas it needs via pipelines and LNG import facilities. The country is also betting on recent gas discoveries in the Black Sea to slash its gas imports and diversify its energy sources. Turkey has big plans to become a hub for natural gas supply and trading.

Our goal in natural gas, 99% of which we imported until the discovery of Black Sea Gas, is to diversify the supply side and offer natural gas to our citizens and industry in a more competitive and affordable rate, Turkish Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, Alparslan Bayraktar, said.

We are also pleased that BOTA? will acquire new capabilities in the field of LNG transport via ships by receiving the LNG at the loading port within the scope of the agreement, the minister added.

Such agreements make significant contributions to the supply security of not only our country but also the region, the official said.

As part of its efforts to diversify gas supply, BOTAS signed in May this year an agreement with ExxonMobil, under which the U.S. supermajor will deliver up to 2.5 million tons of LNG every year for 10 years.

By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com

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The planned additional hike in the UKs windfall tax on North Sea oil and gas operators could lead to $16 billion (12 billion) lower tax receipts for the country compared to the current tax regime, offshore industry group OEUK warned in a new report on Monday.

The Labour Party, which came to power after a landslide victory in the July general election, has pledged to further raise the already high windfall tax on oil and gas profits in the North Sea and scrap tax relief for operators for part of the investments in oil and gas assets they have made.

In July, the Labour government said that it intends to raise the rate of the Energy Profits Levy (EPL) to 38% from 1 November 2024, from 35% now, bringing the headline rate of tax on upstream oil and gas activities to 78%, up from 75% currently. The levy will be further extended by a year to 2030.

The proposed changes, expected in the Autumn Statement at the end of October, will have a material negative impact on the sector and the UK economy and supply chain, according to the OEUK industry body.

Apart from reducing revenues for the state, the tax hike is set to reduce viable capital investment on the UKCS from $18.5 billion (14.1 billion) to just $3 billion (2.3 billion) in the period 2025 to 2029, OEUKs analysis has found.

As much as 63% of additional production that could be sanctioned under the current regime would be uneconomic under the future proposal in the long term, OEUK said. Thus, the UK would be more reliant on other countries to meet the UK energy demand at a cost to the UK economy and net zero, the industry body warned.

In addition, OEUK said that around 35,000 jobs are at risk in 2029 alone due to projects not going ahead.

Last week, Equinor, the operator of one of the major new field developments in recent years, Rosebank, said it awaits clarity on the UK tax regime by the Labour government before strategizing and committing to investments in the UK North Sea.

As a result of the planned hike in the windfall tax, UK North Sea producers have already warned they are considering moving to more fiscally stable jurisdictions such as Norway.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Lagos Zonal Office, on Wednesday, March 20, 2019, arraigned Olamide Salvador and Richard Olusegun Olatunji before Justice Sherifat Solebo of the Special Offence Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos on a five-count charge bordering on stealing, forgery and conspiracy to the tune of N24, 183, 120 (Twenty Four Million, One Hundred and Eighty-Three Thousand, One Hundred and Twenty Naira).

The first defendant, Salvador, allegedly conspired with the second defendant, Olatunji, a manager in Stanbic IBTC, and some others now at large to defraud one Foster Ene of the said sum of money.

One of the counts reads, that you, Olamide Salvador, trading under the name and style of Stringent Global Concept; Richard Olusegun Olatunji trading under the name and style as Richard Ventures, Tiwa Onoja (now at large) and Mary Osagie Abiodun (now at large) sometime in December 2016, in Lagos within the Ikeja Judicial Division, conspired to steal the sum of N18, 183, 120 (Eighteen Million, One Hundred and Eighty  Three Thousand, One Hundred and Twenty Naira) only property of Foster Ene, being part of the money he paid to you to secure the United States Dollars and committed an offence contrary to Section 409 of the Criminal Code Law of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2011.

Another count reads, that you, Olamide Salvador, trading under the name and style of Stringent Global Concept, Tiwa Onoja (now at large) and Mary Osagie Abiodu (now at large) sometime in December 2016, in Lagos within the Ikeja Judicial Division, dishonestly converted to the use of Kenechukwu Okafor, the sum of N6, 000, 000. 00 (Six Million Naira Only) property of Foster Ene, being part of the money he paid to you to secure the United States Dollars and committed an offence contrary to Section 278 (1) (b) and (2) (f) of the Criminal Code Law of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2011.

The defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges preferred against them. In view of their plea, the prosecution counsel, G.C. Akaogu, asked for a trial date and prayed that the defendants be remanded in prison custody.

However, counsels to the defendants, I. T. Oyedepo and Abdulrahman Dirisu respectively informed the court of bail applications on behalf of their clients.

Oyedepo, counsel to Salvador, (first defendant) prayed the court to grant his client bail in liberal terms in an application dated March 8, 2019. Dirisu, counsel to Olatunji, (second defendant), also pleaded same for his client, pending the determination of the case.

Justice Solebo granted each of the defendants bail in the sum of N10, 000,000.00 (Ten Million Naira) and two sureties in like sum. The sureties must be resident in Lagos with proof of residence, proof of employment and tax payment in the past three years.

One of the two sureties for each of the defendants must also be a property owner in Lagos, which will be verified by the registrar of the court.

Justice Solebo, however, ordered the defendants to be remanded in prison custody pending the fulfilment of their bail conditions and adjourned the matter to April 29 and 30, 2019.

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The Lagos State Police Command has arrested a 22-year-old domestic staff, Joseph Ogbu, for allegedly killing his employer and her 89-year-old mother two days after being employed at Surulere area of the state.

The State Police Commands Spokesperson, DSP Bala Elkana, said in a statement that the suspect committed the murder at about 3am on June 20.

On June 20, 2019, at about 3am, Surulere Police Station received a distress call from No. 4 Ogunlana Drive, Surulere that one Joseph Ogbu; 22, who was employed as a domestic staff on June 18, 2019, murdered his employer, Oreoluwa John; 38 and her 89 years old mother, Adejoke John.

The suspect confessed to the crime. In his statement, he averred that, his employer asked him to clean the house at about 9pm of June 19 but an argument ensued between them, which prompted him to stab her with a knife.

The shock of her death made her aged mother to slump and died.

Considering the fact that they are dead, he moved some valuable properties such as electronics, handsets and household items into the employers Toyota Camry Salon Car and attempted to escape to where he cannot be found, before he was apprehended by policemen on patrol at Ogunlana point.

The vehicle and items stolen were recovered. The crime scene was sealed off and corpses of the two victims were taken to Mainland Hospital Yaba for autopsy.

The Commissioner of Police Lagos State, CP Zubairu Muazu MNI has ordered the State Criminal Investigation Department, Yaba to take over the investigation and charge the suspect to court, he said.




The Katsina State branch of the Nigerian Union of Journalist, on Tuesday announced the suspension of its two top officials, (NUJ) in Katsina, for hosting a press conference with one Bishir Sada Tsanni at the NUJ Press Centre which it said contravened the unions constitution.





The union, in a statement jointly signed by the Chairman, Mr. Buhari Mamman Daura, and the Secretary Tukur Hassan Dan-Ali, said the suspended members are Abdullahi Izma Yamadi of the Katsina State Television Chapel and Danjuma Muhammad of the Correspondents Chapel.





The statement further disclosed that the suspension is with immediate effect.





It stated Consequently, the union has dissolved the Press Conference Committee which the suspended members happened to be the Chairman and Secretary respectively and constituted a nine-man committee to investigate the suspended members and report to the union for further action.





Meanwhile, the Katsina State Government have called on the media in the state to partner with it to bring to an immediate end, the various security challenges facing the state and restore peace and stability





The Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Mustapha Mohammed Inuwa who made the called at a workshop organized for the Journalists in the State, tagged News Reporting for National Stability ,organized by None Violent Peace Institute in conjunction with Absolute Press, Abuja, said efforts by the state government to address insecurity in the state is been overshadowed by some media reports that lay emphasis on the atrocities committed on the communities by the bandits rather than highlighting successes recorded by government and security agencies





He further noted that such reports often chase away potential investors and discourages increased investments into the states economy





He said while we have strived to contain the situation, the negative reports are hindering us, thus while I call on the organizers of this workshop to bring anomalies of this nurture to the fore, may I also appeal to practicing journalists to ensure that they discharge their civic responsibility within the boundaries of reason and moderation

It is therefore my hope and prayer that at the end of this workshop, the participants would strive to become reporters of conscience with an ardent desire and drive for responsible journalism
Absa Bank Ghana Limited has awarded five of its loyal customers in its maiden Change Your Story campaign held at the Kempisky Hotel on Friday, August 30, 2024, with each customer receiving forty thousand Ghana cedis (Ghc 40, 000).



In July 2024 introduced the Change Your Story campaign, a campaign which is aimed at rewarding customers who have used their cards in transacting businesses, thereby embracing the digital banking solutions.



In a lottery draw powered by the National Lottery Authority (NLA), five customers were randomly selected to win the exciting cash price as a way of motivating them to continuously embrace the digital banking experience while encouraging other customers to join in the migration to online and digital banking and business transactions.



In a media engagement, the Executive Director, Retail and Business Banking, Mr. Kobla Nyaletey said, The change your story campaign is aimed at encouraging and inculcating in Ghanaians, the use of digital and card media to make payment. We, as an economy want to move to the use of cards, digital and online channels to make payments moving away from cash. We also launched this campaign to encourage our customers and all Ghanaians as well as rewarding them for adopting the use of our cards..."



In addition to the GHC 40,000 awarded to each customer, the use of the card does come with benefits. For instance, anyone who uses any of the Absa cards gets discounts when they shop with partner institutions of up to 40%.

Source: Kobina Darlington/peacefmonline.com









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The Eastern Region is set to host the second edition of the 2024 Regional Townhall Meetings and Exhibitions on Tuesday, September 3, 2024.



The event will take place at the Centre for National Culture in Koforidua and promises to be a significant platform for showcasing the governments achievements under the Akufo-Addo and Bawumia-led administrations.



The town hall meetings, organized by the Ministry of Information, aim to enhance citizen engagement and promote inclusive governance.



The initiative kicked off in the Greater Accra Region on August 6, 2024, at the Teachers Hall, where the first event provided a platform for government officials to interact with the public, answer questions, and present updates on developmental projects.



During the Greater Accra event, the Regional Minister, Daniel Titus Glover, along with Finance Minister Dr. Mohammed Amin Adam and Information Minister Fatimatu Abubakar, outlined several key projects and government initiatives, including efforts to stabilize the economy and improve the regions infrastructure.



The upcoming meeting in Koforidua will continue this engagement, allowing residents to interact directly with government officials, including the Eastern Regional Minister, Seth Kwame Acheampong, Deputy Minister for Finance, Dr. Alex Ampaabeng, Presidential Advisor on Health, Dr. Anthony Nsiah-Asare and other key stakeholders. Participants will have the chance to ask questions on various issues, including healthcare, education, and infrastructure development, while also exploring the various projects on display.



The Eastern Regional event is part of a nationwide series that will cover all 16 regions, culminating in a national forum where feedback and recommendations from all regions will be consolidated and presented to the government for implementation.



The Ministry of Information believes these town hall meetings are vital in bringing governance closer to the people and ensuring that the government's actions align with the needs and expectations of citizens across the country.

Source: Peacefmonline.com









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Commentary: Finding right course for China-U.S. relations with right strategic perception

Xinhua) 10:54, September 02, 2024

BEIJING, Aug. 31 (Xinhua) -- U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan has wrapped up his visit to Beijing. The meetings he had with China's top leader and senior diplomatic and military officials showed that the two major countries are making efforts to find a right way to get along with each other.

It was the first visit to China by a national security advisor to the U.S. President in eight years, seen as an important step to implement the common understandings of the two presidents.

An air of engagement and responsible diplomacy was evident this week. Over the course of more than 11 hours of strategic communication, the two sides discussed the management of a number of tough issues. It is unrealistic for the two sides to have identical views, but it's always good to see them committed to in-depth, candid, substantive and constructive engagement, and willing to handle the relationship in a far-sighted and broad-minded manner.

Keeping the China-U.S. relations in the right direction needs the strategic guidance of the two presidents. As emphasized by President Xi Jinping, when China and the United States, two major countries, engage with each other, the top issue is to develop a correct strategic perception.

A strategic misperception on China by the U.S. side is a key factor that has led to the deterioration of bilateral relations. Meanwhile, China's stand on its relations with the United States has remained consistent.

As Xi has stated, China's commitment to the goal of a stable, healthy and sustainable China-U.S. relationship remains unchanged, its principle of handling the relationship based on mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation remains unchanged, its position of firmly safeguarding the country's sovereignty, security and development interests remains unchanged, and its efforts to carry forward the traditional friendship between the Chinese and American people remain unchanged.

The two sides agreed on a number of specific matters including maintaining high-level exchanges and communication at various levels, continuing cooperation in areas such as anti-narcotics initiatives, law enforcement and repatriation of illegal immigrants, and tackling climate change.

The Chinese side also highlighted four red lines at these meetings: Taiwan, democracy and human rights, path and system, and the right to development. China made it clear that "touching these red lines would take away the floor for China-U.S. relations and render the guardrails useless."

On questions related to economic, trade and technological issues, the South China Sea and Ukraine, the U.S. side is still stuck in its old-fashioned mentality and rhetoric. Also, its misconceptions concerning China and its mentality of seeking absolute security and absolute advantage remain unresolved. It really needs to behave in a manner that is conducive to regional peace and stability, while refraining from smearing, scapegoating or shifting the blame onto China.

The Pacific Ocean is big enough for both China and the United States. China's foreign policy is transparent and its strategic intentions are aboveboard, as it follows a path of peaceful development. In this changing and turbulent world, the likes of solidarity, coordination, openness and mutual progress can deliver better results than division, confrontation, exclusion and regression.

When both China and the U.S. act responsibly, they truly become a source of stability in the quest for world peace and a propeller driving common development. The talks in Beijing this week were indeed a good move, and the U.S. side needs to make correct decisions and do right things to keep this positive trend going.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
New Patriotic Party (NPP) Parliamentary Candidate for the Adentan Constituency, Akosua Asaa Manu (Kozie), has taken a significant step towards enhancing security in the constituency by donating 10 motorbikes to the Adentan Divisional Police Command.



This gesture forms part of her broader commitment to prioritizing the safety and well-being of residents in her constituency.



The motorbikes will benefit several police stations under the Adentan Divisional Headquarters, including Lakeside, Ogbojo, Sraha, Nmai Dzor, Fafraha (Foster Home), SSNIT Market, and Oyibi, all of which play a crucial role in maintaining law and order within their respective jurisdictions.



Adentan, a rapidly growing area within the Greater Accra Region, has been grappling with security concerns, including frequent reports of theft and other crimes. Infrastructural challenges such as untarred roads and inadequate lighting in some parts contribute to these insecurities.



The motorbikes will therefore provide the police with easy mobility, allowing them to respond more quickly to incidents, particularly in areas with poor road networks. This initiative is expected to improve the overall security situation in the municipality, covering a wider area more efficiently, especially in hard-to-reach locations like Lakeside, Ogbojo, Sraha, and Nmai Dzor.



The Adentan District Police Commander, Chief Superintendent Richard Boateng, who received the motorbikes on behalf of the Inspector General of Police, expressed gratitude to Akosua Asaa Manu for her initiative.



He indicated that the motorbikes would be instrumental in the police's efforts at combating crime and maintaining law and order. With these new resources, the police service will be better equipped to patrol neighbourhoods, respond to emergencies swiftly, and increase our presence in crime-prone areas, he stated.



Security is central to Akosua's campaign. She recognizes that safety and security are fundamental to the community's overall well-being and development. Her donation of the motorbikes is a practical step towards creating a safer environment, which she believes is essential for fostering economic growth and improving the quality of life for residents.



As a Parliamentary candidate, Kozie is keen to demonstrate that she is attentive to the needs of the Adentan community.



Her actions reflect her understanding of the importance of security in driving development and creating a conducive environment for residents to thrive.



The inclusion of multiple police stations such as those in Lakeside, Comm 8, Ogbojo, Sraha, Nmai Dzor, Fafraha (Foster Home), SSNIT Market, and Oyibi in the distribution plan ensures that every part of the Adentan constituency benefits from this security enhancement.

Source: Peacefmonline.com









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Ghanas leading import and supplier of fertilizers, affiliated to some global leading producers of Agric-input -based in North Africa, Eastern Europe, Asia, and the Americas, BH-FERTAGRO has made donations to the Nsawam Prison.



The company today donated items worth over GHC 70,000 which included over 150 bags of NPK fertilizers for their current 47-acre land project, toiletries for staff, over 600 bags of sachet water, 25 boxes of soap.



Receiving the items on behalf of the commander and the Nsawam prisons, the Assistant Director of Prisons, Mr Andrews Osei thanked the company for the kind gesture stating that the facility really needs support especially in the area of agriculture to support the government in feeding.



He also mentioned that the donation has come in time especially with the current farming project they are about to embark on adding that the gesture will also encourage others to come to their aid.



The Managing Director of fertiliser company, BH-Fertagro Limited, Mr Robert Ayittey who presented the donation expressed the joy of the company in doing such a gesture in appreciation of the good work the prison service is doing for the country.



The gesture is part of the Corporate Social Responsibility of BH-Fertago to support the Ghana prisons to support their agriculture sector.



The General Manager of the company, Mr Alex Kwame Donyinah in his speech emphasized on the companys commitment in giving back to society. He stated that the company is quite impressed with the work the Ghana Prisons is doing towards human development and also appreciates the challenge the facility is facing in feeding the inmates.



We are hopeful that the fertilizer will help them increase their yield and expand their cultivation to be able to have enough food to feed the inmates and alleviate the challenges that they have in managing them," he added.



Last year during the Akosombo spillage, the fertilizer company presented over GHC 100,000 worth of relief items to the people of Mepe, Bator, Sogakope and its environs.





Source: Prince Baffour Asamoah/Peace FM Newsroom









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Renowned entrepreneur and global peace ambassador, Amb (Dr.) Kamaldeen Taiwo Kuku, has made a significant impact in the fields of technology, leadership, and international diplomacy. As the founder and CEO of Redkam Technologies Ltd., Dr. Kuku has been recognized for his innovative contributions to the tech industry.



Recently, Dr. Kuku was honored with the Emerging Africa Creativity Award for Innovation and Technology at the prestigious 100 Most Notable African Leadership and Business Summit 2024, held in Kigali, Rwanda. The event brought together notable African and international leaders, including former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan, Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal, and Dr. GD Singh, Founder of Asian-African Chamber of Commerce and Industry (AACCI).



Dr. Kuku's achievements are a testament to his dedication to excellence and his commitment to making a positive impact on the global stage. With Redkam Technologies Ltd. poised to establish operations in Ghana, Dr. Kuku aims to provide top-notch cybersecurity and surveillance security services, further solidifying his position as a leader in the tech industry.



As a Global Peace Ambassador, Dr. Kuku continues to inspire and empower individuals and organizations to strive for greatness. His vision for Redkam Technologies Ltd. is to revolutionize the tech landscape in Africa and beyond, providing innovative solutions that drive progress and prosperity.



Congratulations to Amb (Dr.) Kamal Kuku on his well-deserved recognition, and we look forward to witnessing the continued growth and success of Redkam Technologies Ltd. under his visionary leadership.

Source: Peacefmonline.com









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Renowned Chairman of the Brogya Resources Limited and the Dompiahene of Agogo Traditional Area, Nana Bediako Brogya Sarpong has been crowned Ghana's Most Outstanding Personality in Business Development at the just-ended 8th edition of the Corporate Ghana Hall of Fame Awards 2024 held at the La Palm Royal Beach Hotel in Accra on Friday, August 30th, 2024.



Nana's recent award is in cognizance of all the hard work he has exhibited in developing societies through employment and charity over the years as chief and businessman.



His stunning leadership qualities and exceptional dedication to providing quality business opportunities and services automatically induct him as part of the "Corporate Ghana Hall of Fame" winners which is the topmost connective corporate network platform in Ghana.



The Hall of Fame initiative is an executive association that embodies top CEOs and Group Chairmen placed on a platform on which members can more easily reach out for assistance in a required field without incurring costs.



Interacting with the media after receiving the all-important honor, Chairman of the Brogya Resource Limited, Nana Bediako Brogya Sarpong said, the award is a testament to the team's commitment to excellence in every aspect of their operations.



According to him, this reflects his commitment to delivering the highest standards of quality customer satisfaction in all aspects of his business.



" This is indeed a big win for me and the rest of the team. This award will propel us to new heights and continuous to motivate us to keep working hard always. I dedicate this to my staff, the Board of Directors at Brogya Resources Limited and our cherished customers across the country. To the good people of Agogo, I say thank you and I'm very grateful", Nana stated.



Brogya Resources Limited is positioning itself as a leader in the industry with credibility and reputation in the market.



ABOUT NANA BEDIAKO BROGYA SARPONG (CHAIRMAN, BROGYA RESOURCES LIMITED)



Nana Bediako Brogya-Sarpong, known in private life as Carl Brogya-Sarpong, is the Dompiahene of Agogo Asante Akyim Traditional Area. Nanas exemplary leadership and unique way of potraying and selling Ghanas rich culture to the world accorded him a slot on the red carpet at the just ended BET 2024 awards at the Peacock Theatre, Los Angeles.



Nana Brogya was a Banker and worked with Barclays Bank Ghana, now Absa for almost a decade, He started from the Corporate Services Center and rose to become an AML (Anti-Money Laundering )Analyst at the Compliance Unit. The Bank ultimately sponsored him to pursue an Executive Education in Compliance Career Academy (CCA) at University of Cambridge Judge Business School (UK) and after a decade of service at the bank Nana found new opportunities in Ghanas oil and gas industry and left to found Brogya Resources Limited, an Upstream and Downstream Oil & Gas, Haulage and Logistics Company.



Nana is also the founder of Daakye Farms Food Hub, a farming, food and Beverage company which supplies their clients with fresh farm produce directly from the farms to the door steps of their client or processed to exceed their expectations.



Nana is also the Chairman of Legible Ink Consults Ltd. A security and a general printing firm.



He is also the founder and President of the Brogya Foundation which is a non-governmental organization that seeks to promote the well-being of children from disadvantaged backgrounds, especially those of women who lost their lives due to childbirth complications.



The Dompiahene of Agogo Traditional Area, Nana Bediako-Sarpong, founded this foundation in honor of his younger sister, the late Sandra Afrakomah Brogya who lost her life while giving birth to her second child.



Nana Bediako Sarpong and his wife, Mrs. Sheila Brogya, adopted the baby and his elder brother and cared for them.

This got the couple asking about the fate of kids who lose their mums in similar situations but do not have the benefit of receiving love and attention from close family members.

This question led the couple to establish the Brogya Foundation to support such children.



The foundation will promote every child's right and total well-being, leaving no child behind. Areas of support for the children will include education, health and wellness, skills development, etc.



The foundation in partnership with Bayport financial services provided infant incubators and phototherapy equipment to the Agogo Presbyterian Hospital children's ward to help reduce infant mortality.



The foundation also contributes yearly to the welfare of orphans, the vulnerable and the physically disabled children by donating educational materials and relief items to support them whilst focusing on a multi-purpose complex to house and cater for these under-privileged children to give them hope for their future.

Source: Peacefmonline.com









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Air travellers who hoped the era of "tiny toiletries" was nearly over are facing fresh disappointment, as European airports re-introduce strict cabin bag rules.



Some EU destinations had scrapped the 100ml limit for liquids being carried in hand luggage.



But from Sunday, they must all bring it back due to a "temporary technical issue" with new security scanners. It follows a similar move by the UK earlier this summer.



It means if you have been on holiday, you cannot buy a large bottle of suncream, perfume or a local tipple before you get to the airport and expect to carry it home in your hand luggage.



But why has it happened? And will the relaxed rules that had started in some locations ever return?



What is happening in the EU?



Airline passengers around the world had grown used to strict 100ml restrictions on liquids, pastes and gels, which had to be put in a clear plastic bag.



But new scanning machines which use CT X-ray technology should in theory enable larger volumes of liquids to go through, and laptops to stay in bags.



Some EU airports, for example in Rome and Amsterdam, had already put them in place and eased their rules. Most had not yet. Some others have been trialling the new technology.



The Europe branch of the Airports Council International (ACI) estimates around 350 of these scanners are now in use across 13 EU countries such as Germany, Ireland, Italy, Lithuania, Malta, the Netherlands, and Sweden.



However, the EU has reinstated the 100ml limit so a technical issue with the new equipment can be addressed, although it has not said what this issue is.



Reports have suggested that the scanners were not accurate for some liquid containers being carried in bags.



In July, ACI Europe criticised the restriction as a "setback for the passenger experience and a blow to major investments made by airports".



Its director general, Olivier Jankovec, said security was the top priority, but added that those "which have been early adopters of this new technology are being heavily penalised both operationally and financially".



He also argued that restricting their use "questions the trust and confidence the industry can place in the current EU certification system for aviation security equipment".



What happened in the UK?



Predictions that all the UKs airports would scrap their hand luggage liquid limits this year did not come to pass.



The previous Conservative government had required state-of-the-art scanning equipment to be installed in security lanes by June 2024.



It hasnt proved that straightforward.



Some smaller airports, which have fewer lanes to update, did meet a deadline of June 2024.



London City, Teesside, Newcastle, Leeds-Bradford, Aberdeen and Southend had complied on time and dropped the old liquids rules.



However, the likes of Heathrow, Gatwick and Manchester didn't. Reasons varied from the need for construction work, to supply chain problems. They were given more time to get the new kit in place.



But in mid-June, the Department for Transport suddenly announced 100ml liquids limits must be re-introduced where they had been dropped.



Those airports that had scrapped the rule needed to swiftly change their processes and airport bosses were angry at the sudden U-turn.



Why has the rule been brought back?



The European Commission announced in late July that the maximum size allowed for individual liquid containers would revert back to 100ml.



There is no date for when the rules will be relaxed again.



The Commission said this wasn't "in response to any new threat but addresses a temporary technical issue" with the new generation of scanners.



It said it was taking the action "in alignment with the EUs international partners", and that "swift technical solutions" would be developed.



The UK government previously said the systems needed improving after new information came to light.



However it has also given no end date for the 100ml limit, so it's unclear how long the situation will last.



The Department for Transport said it was "working with manufacturers, airports and international partners to lift restrictions when possible.



So for the foreseeable future it's best for passengers to assume the old 100ml restrictions apply, and check the rules at both departure and retur

Source: BBC









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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The Flagbearer of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, has joined in the call for peace ahead of the December 7, 2024 elections.



According to Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, Ghanaian voters are required to prioritise peace before, during, and after the upcoming December 7 general elections.



During his campaign tour to the Weija-Gbawe constituency in the Greater Accra region on Sunday, Dr. Bawumia admonished congregants in various churches within the Constituency to strive in maintaining peace and order, stating that while elections are crucial in shaping the nations future, they should choose the exchange of ideas over electoral violence.



Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia was thronged by some parliamentary aspirantas and party members including the Greater Accra regional minister, Nii Kwartei Titus-Glover, Weija-Gbawe Parliamentary aspirant Jerry Ahmed Shaib, Anyaa-Sowutuom Member of Parliament, Dr. Dickson Adomako Kissi, former NPP General Secretary Kwabena Agyapong, and other party leaders.



During his visit to the churches, Dr. Bawumia called on the clergy to pray for him as well as the parliamentary candidates in order to come out victorious in the elections.



During his visit to the Anyaa-Sowutuom Constituency, Dr. Bawumia was warmly received by traders and pedestrians at the Ablekuma-Pokuase intersection, where he shared his Bold Solutions to the crowd assuring them that if elected President, he would create employment opportunities by training a million youth in digital skills thereby reducing the rate of youth unemployment in the country.



Dr. Bawumia also engaged with local clergy, imams, chiefs, and opinion leaders at Pentecost University, where he discussed the governments policies, including the Free SHS and free technical and vocational education training programs.



He highlighted the significance of restoring nursing and teacher training allowances and the construction of Agenda 111 hospitals.



Dr. Bawumia highlighted the governments introduction of the Zongo Development Fund, which aims at developing the Zongo communities through ICT centers, improved sanitation, and scholarships for students from these communities to study medicine in Cuba.

Source: Kobina Darlington/peacefmonline.com









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Founder and leader of the Movement for Change, Alan Kyerematen has vowed to implement comprehensive measures to enhance the lives of all Zongo community residents if elected.



A key aspect of his plan is the integration of Arabic school teachers into the Ghana Education Service (GES), ensuring they receive regular salaries for their essential work.



Mr Kyerematen also pledged to enrol teachers at Arabic schools (Makaranta) in a government salary scheme if he becomes president.



Its unfortunate that Makaranta teachers are not recognized as part of the Ghana Education Service because teachers are teachers everywhere. I am committed to ensuring that when I become President, Makaranta teachers will be integrated into the GES, he stated.



Speaking at the launch of Zumunta, the Zongo wing of his party at Darkuman in Accra, Mr. Kyerematen criticized both the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) for neglecting Zongo communities despite receiving significant electoral support from them.



He highlighted the need for change and shared his vision for a better Ghana.







Source: adomonline.com









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Former Chief Executive Officer of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Henry Kwabena Kokofu has waded into the 'resetting', 'upgrading' debate insisting Ghana needs an upgrade and not a reset.



Former President and the flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), delivering a speech at his manifesto launch, emphasized the need for Ghana to be reset.



Tomorrow, we take the first step towards resetting our dear nation Ghana. We face challenges that have held us back for too long but now its time to build the Ghana we all want togetherTomorrow, we begin the journey together, Mahama, said.



However, his main opponent Vice President and flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia says the country rather needs an upgrade and not a reset.



What this country needs is an upgrade, not a reset. And if given the mandate, I will roll out the measures outlined in our recently launched manifesto to revamp the economy, adding I represent the future, and Ghana needs an upgrade, not a reset.



Kokofu speaking to the issue on Peace FM's morning show 'Kokrokoo' suggested that Mahama would not have given Kwame Nkrumah Circle a new look if Ghana needed a 'reset'



Listen to him in the video below





Source: Peacefmonline.com









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The opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) has been urged to show the people of Zongo the records of former President Mahama in the Zongo communities and stop their politics of insults.



In a statement, a youth development advocacy group called "Zongo Movement for Development" accused the NDC of engaging in a "campaign of calumny" in the Zongos against NPP flagbearer, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, by launching "unprintable insults" against his person.



The group said it is disrespectful to "Zongo Chiefs, Imams and our mothers" for the NDC, instead of telling the people the works of former President John Mahama for the Zongos under his reign as President, to meet the leaders and residents in the communities while they have resorted to insulting Dr. Bawumia.



"As the 2024 Presidential Election gets closer and the campaign heats up, the Zongo Movement for Development (ZOMOD) has noticed a disrespectful mode of campaigning by leadership of the NDC, with regards to the Zongo community."



"Rather than showing the people of Zongo respect and telling us the record of former President Mahama, if any, in the Zongos, when he was Vice President and President between 2009 and 2017 respectively, the NDC has rather chosen the brutish path of launching insulting attacks on the person of Alhaji Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, anytime it meets a Zongo audience", the statement said.



The statement cited instances where national executives of the NDC including their National Chairman, Johnson Asiedu Nketia, General Secretary, Fiifi Kwetey and leading member, Alhaji Sinare have been raining scathing verbal attacks at Dr. Bawumia before a Zongo audience.



The group, on the other hand, hailed the New Patriotic Party stating they are decent and stick to issues by telling the people of Zongo the good works of the party and their flagbearer, Dr. Bawumia, for them.



"We are not surprised that, unlike the NDC, the NPP and the Bawumia Zongo Campaign, has been propagating the achievements and record of its party and candidate during its meetings with the Zongo community. What is even more remarkable is that the Bawumia Zongo campaign, has catologued every project it has built in the Zongos throughout the country and provided locations for verification", they emphasized, adding "again, unlike the NDC leadership, the Bawumia campaign shows decency to the people of Zongo and do not come around engaging in insults".



Read full statement below:













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A youth development advocacy group called "Zongo Movement for Development (ZOMOD)" says the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) is "panting for breath" in Zongo communities which, hitherto, was their stronghold.



With the emergence of Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party, as a formidable leader, the NDC is said to have lost significant support in the Zongos.



The opposition party is tipped to lose more support as Dr. Bawumia is the first Muslim flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party.



The Zongo group, in a statement, diagnosing why the NDC is losing support, emphasized that the party's fortunes have dwindled because they "took Zongos for granted" but Vice President Dr. Bawumia has always been "supportive and impactful" in the Zongo community.



"Rather than wage a baseless war against Bawumia, the NDC leadership should be asking themselves how their party, which hitherto, used to enjoy massive support in the Zongos, is now panting for breath. They should ask themselves why many, in Zongos across the country, are now embracing Dr. Bawumia and the NPP?



"The answer is simple! Dr. Bawumia, has remained truthful, respectful and impactful to the people of Zongo in his dealings. Through his effort as Vice President, Dr. Bawumia got the NPP Government to fulfill the promise of Zongo Development Fund to as a statutory vehicle for the development of Zongos."



"Today, the ZDF has not only made significant impact in infrastructure in many Zongos, it has become a reliable vehicle providing educational and vocational opportunities for young people in the Zongos. Today, we can count up to 70 classroom blocks, ICT centres and educational grants through the Zongo Development Fund.



"Today, 40 needy students from Zongo communities are studying to be medical doctors in Cuba. All these are due to the vision and efforts of Dr. Bawumia, as Vice President", portions of the statement read.



The group added; "We are therefore, not surprised that, unlike the NDC, the NPP and the Bawumia Zongo Campaign, has been propagating the achievements and record of its party and candidate during its meetings with the Zongo community. What is even more remarkable is that the Bawumia Zongo campaign, has catologued every project it has built in the Zongos throughout the country and provided locations for verification."



"For a party that cancelled allowances for Arabic instructors in various makaranta, introduced by President Kufuor, we can, perhaps, understand why the NDC is avoiding politics of issues in the Zongos."

Source: Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









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Nana Ohene Ntow, a member of the Movement for Change led by Alan Kyerematen, says Ghanaians should vote out the ruling New Patriotic Party on December 7 for failing to fight galamsey.



It could be recalled that President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, before coming into government, put his Presidency on the line saying he will abdicate his seat if he is not able to stop this illegal mining.



But after nearly 8 years in power, galamsey continues to ruin the country's water bodies.



The Ghana Water Company Ltd. has warned the citizenry of the major threat of galamsey saying "about Sixty percent (60%) of the catchment capacity is silted as a result of illegal mining (galamsey) compromising the quality of raw water. We are currently recording an average turbidity of 14,000 NTU instead of 2000 NTU designed for adequate treatment.



Nana Ohene Ntow, discussing the issue, blamed both President Nana Akufo-Addo and former President John Mahama stating, "galamsey is a very clear evidence that governments have failed...The problem of Ghana is the human being".



He stressed; "It saddens me that when we talk about galamsey today, it is a winning and losing election issue."



He further took a swipe at President Nana Addo, cautioning Ghanaians against voting his successor, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, in power.



"If the President knew that galamsey was so critical, so sensitive that if a President fails to curb galamsey, he must step down and he said this before coming into power, then President Akufo-Addo together with his party, government officials and especially the sector Minister in charge of environment and natural resources, both past and incumbent, has greatly disappointed Ghanaians," he told host Kwami Sefa Kayi.



To him, both the New Patriotic Party and National Democratic Congress under Ex-President John Dramani Mahama have nothing better to do to stop galamsey, so called on them to vote for Alan Kyerematen who he believes has comprehensive plans and is ready to make galamsey a thing of the past.



"It is a political issue. It is an issue for which President Mahama should not be voted into power. NPP should not be voted into power. This particular issue alone is enough unless Ghanaians are not serious people," he emphasized.



Watch video below





Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









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Plot of the pair density correlation function, a quantity that characterizes crystallization, in the quantum anomalous Hall crystal. Arrows on the boundary denote the topological edge states. Credit: Sheng et al.

Moire superlattices, structures that arise when two layers of two-dimensional (2D) materials are overlaid with a small twist angle, have been the focus of numerous physics studies. This is because they have recently been found to host novel fascinating unobserved physical phenomena and exotic phases of matter.

Researchers at California State University Northridge, Stockholm University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) recently predicted the emergence of a new quantum anomalous state of matter in fractionally filled moire superlattice bands. Their paper, published in Physical Review Letters, predicts the existence of this state of matter in the twisted semiconductor bilayer MoTe 2 .

"Moire materials host a variety of electron phases, including topological quantum liquids and electron crystals," Liang Fu, co-author of the paper, told Phys.org. "Broadly speaking, crystallization and topology are rooted in an electron's particle and wave aspect respectively."

Inspired by recent studies focusing on moire superlattices, Fu and his colleagues set out to explore the dual nature of electrons in these materials. After calculations and considerations, they predicted the emergence of a topological electron crystal in these materials that had never been observed before.

"Our primary objectives were to understand what new quantum phases can be realized, given the distinct characteristic features of moire superlattice systems with a richer interplay between kinetic energy and interaction, as well as how to characterize them," said Donna Sheng, co-author of the paper.

The new state of matter discovered by the research team exhibits an intriguing combination of intertwined ferromagnetism, charge order and topology. This combination of properties is highly unusual, as generally topology and local charge order compete and are not observed together.

"This class of states may be quite common in moire superlattices, with telltale experimental signatures including a quantized and surprisingly large zero-field Hall conductance," said Emil J. Bergholtz, co-author of the paper.

"What makes this even more remarkable is that strong Coulomb interactions drive this state. Without these interactions, the system would behave like a simple metal. However, the topology of the strongly interacting system is nevertheless manifested in terms of effectively non-interacting fermions in the form of a Chern insulating state."

The team's prediction of this new state of matter is grounded on extensive numerical calculations, using data from studies examining twisted bilayer semiconductors. The researchers also created a simple phenomenological model that captures the main qualitative features of the new state, offering a better understanding of its underlying physics.

"Our study identified a new and unexpected phase of matter that combines different aspects of quantum phenomena that arise in strongly interacting materials such as crystallization and topology," said Ahmed Abouelkomsan, co-author of the paper.

"This phase is found to be competing with neighboring phases such as the composite fermi liquid phase that doesn't exhibit crystallization. Our findings therefore serve as a guide to current experiments on moire materials which try to identify the possible underlying phases."

This recent study opens new possibilities for the study of exotic phases of matter in moire superlattices. Recent studies gathered the experimental observation of a quantum anomalous Hall crystal in twisted bilayertrilayer graphene, which closely resembles the state predicted by the team at California State University Northridge, Stockholm University and MIT.

In their next studies, Fu, Sheng and their colleagues plan to continue investigating the state of matter they predicted and hopefully unveil other exotic states in moire superlattices. Based on their results, they predict that integer Chern insulator crystals at fractional moire band filling play an important role in the phenomenology of moire superlattices.

"Such states had been observed under a finite magnetic field prior to our work and have since been observed at zero field in several graphene-based moire systems," Aidan Reddy, co-author of the paper, said.

"This phenomenology raises many theoretical questions. For instance, how should we think about the energetic competition between these states and fractional Chern insulators? How should we understand the relationship of the crystal's filling factor and Chern number to the Chern number of the underlying moire bands?

"We are excited to continue thinking about these questions among others."

More information: D. N. Sheng et al, Quantum Anomalous Hall Crystal at Fractional Filling of Moire Superlattices, Physical Review Letters (2024). DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.133.066601 Journal information: Physical Review Letters

 2024 Science X Network
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This artists rendition shows NASAs Parker Solar Probe approaching the sun. Credit: Steve Gribben/Johns Hopkins APL/NASA

Our sun drives a constant outward flow of plasma, or ionized gas, called the solar wind, which envelops our solar system. Outside of Earth's protective magnetosphere, the fastest solar wind rushes by at speeds of over 310 miles (500 kilometers) per second. But researchers haven't been able to figure out how the wind gets enough energy to achieve that speeduntil now.

Our team of heliophysicists published a paper in August 2024 that points to a new source of energy propelling the solar wind.

Solar wind discovery

Physicist Eugene Parker predicted the solar wind's existence in 1958. The Mariner spacecraft, headed to Venus, would confirm its existence in 1962.

Since the 1940s, studies had shown that the sun's corona, or solar atmosphere, could heat up to very high temperaturesover 2 million degrees Fahrenheit (or more than 1 million degrees Celsius).

Parker's work suggested that this extreme temperature could create an outward thermal pressure strong enough to overcome gravity and cause the outer layer of the sun's atmosphere to escape.

Gaps in solar wind science quickly arose, however, as researchers took more and more detailed measurements of the solar wind near Earth. In particular, they found two problems with the fastest portion of the solar wind.

For one, the solar wind continued to heat up after leaving the hot corona without explanation. And even with this added heat, the fastest wind still didn't have enough energy for scientists to explain how it was able to accelerate to such high speeds.

Both these observations meant that some extra energy source had to exist beyond Parker's models.

This artists rendition shows the European Space Agencys Solar Orbiter orbiting the sun. Credit: NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center Conceptual Image Lab

Alfven waves

The sun and its solar wind are plasmas. Plasmas are like gases, but all the particles in plasmas have a charge and respond to magnetic fields.

Similar to how sound waves travel through the air and transport energy on Earth, plasmas have what are called Alfven waves moving through them. For decades, Alfven waves had been predicted to affect the solar wind's dynamics and play an important role in transporting energy in the solar wind.

However, scientists couldn't tell whether these waves were actually interacting with the solar wind directly or if they generated enough energy to power it. To answer these questions, they'd have to measure the solar wind very close to the sun.

In 2018 and 2020, NASA and the European Space Agency launched their respective flagship missions: the Parker Solar Probe and the Solar Orbiter. Both missions carried the right instruments to measure Alfven waves near the sun.

The Solar Orbiter ventures between 1 astronomical unit, where the Earth is, and 0.3 astronomical units, a little closer to the sun than Mercury. The Parker Solar Probe dives much deeper. It gets as close as five solar diameters from the sun, within the outer edges of the corona. Each solar diameter is about 865,000 miles (1,400,000 kilometers).

NASAs Parker Solar Probe and ESAs Solar Orbiter missions measured the same stream of plasma flowing away from the Sun at different distances. Parker measured lots of magnetic waves near the edge of the corona  called the Alfven surface  while Solar Orbiter, located past the orbit of Venus, observed that the waves had disappeared and that their energy had been used to heat and accelerate the plasma. Credit: Arya De Francesco

With both these missions operating together, not only can researchers like us examine the solar wind close to the sun, but we can also study how it changes between the point where Parker sees it and the point where the Solar Orbiter sees it.

Magnetic switchbacks

In Parker's first close approach to the sun, it observed that the solar wind near the sun was indeed abundant with Alfven waves.

Scientists used Parker to measure the solar wind's magnetic field. At some points they noticed the field linesor lines of magnetic forcewaved at such high amplitudes that they briefly reversed direction. Scientists called these phenomena magnetic switchbacks. With Parker, they observed these energy-containing plasma fluctuations everywhere in the near-sun solar wind.

Magnetic switchbacks are brief reversals in the solar winds magnetic field.

Our research team wanted to figure out whether these switchbacks contained enough power to accelerate and heat the solar wind as it traveled away from the sun. We also wanted to examine how the solar wind changed as these switchbacks gave up their energy. That would help us determine whether the switchbacks' energy was going into heating the wind, accelerating it or both.

To answer these questions, we identified a unique spacecraft configuration where both spacecraft crossed the same portion of solar wind, but at different distances from the sun.

The switchbacks' secret

Parker, close to the sun, observed that about 10% of the solar wind energy was residing in magnetic switchbacks, while Solar Orbiter measured it as less than 1%. This difference means that between Parker and the Solar Orbiter, this wave energy was transferred to other energy forms.

We performed some modeling, much like Eugene Parker had. We built off modern implementations of Parker's original models and incorporated the influence of the observed wave energy to these original equations.

By comparing both datasets and the models, we could see specifically that this energy contributed to both acceleration and heating. We knew it contributed to acceleration because the wind was faster at Solar Orbiter than Parker. And we knew it contributed to heating, as the wind was hotter at Solar Orbiter than it would have been if the waves weren't present.

These measurements told us that the energy from the switchbacks was both necessary and sufficient to explain the solar wind's evolution as it travels away from the sun.

Not only does our measurement tell scientists about the physics of the solar wind and how the sun can affect the Earth, but it also may have implications throughout the universe.

Many other stars have stellar winds that carry their material out into space. Understanding the physics of our local star's solar wind also helps us understand stellar wind in other systems. Learning about stellar wind could tell researchers more about the habitability of exoplanets.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
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Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

The U.S.-Mexico border is once again dominating a U.S. presidential election.

With voters ranking immigration high on their list of concerns, both Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris and Republican contender Donald Trump have been pledging to boost border security and curb the flow of asylum-seekers across the country's southern border.

As an academic researcher and the daughter of immigrants, I wanted to understand what restrictive migration policies have accomplished in the past. Digging into newspaper archives, government reports and accounts by nongovernmental organizations from the early 1990s to the present, I found that while laws and policies intended to slow migration at the U.S.-Mexico border have not generally curbed migration, they have consistently led to more migrants dying along the journey.

I also found that mobile phone-based innovations meant to make asylum safer and easier may not help as much as intended.

More migration

Since 1993, decades of economic instability, political instability, intensifying violence and the effects of climate change across Latin America have spurred increasing migration rates into the U.S. as people flee life-threatening situations. In 2023, U.S. Customs and Border Protection reported approximately 2.5 million apprehensions and deportations of migrants at the U.S.-Mexico border. That's up 750% since 1992.

This uptick in the early 1990s roughly coincided with Operation Blockade, a federal government effort to tighten security at the then-relatively porous border checkpoint in El Paso, Texas. By stationing about 450 border patrol officers across a 20-mile stretch of border to verify that all people entering the U.S. had a visa or other authorization, the U.S. aimed to stop unlawful crossings in El Paso.

To avoid documentation checks, a growing stream of migrants began taking longer and more dangerous routes through the desert to cross into the U.S.

Many of them were asylum-seekers, fleeing persecution and other dangers at home, whose goal was to reach the U.S. and file a claim for asylum protection. This is called filing a "defensive" asylum claim, as opposed to an "affirmative" claim, which is filed before traveling to the U.S.

It's a once-common process that's gotten only more difficult in recent years. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Trump administration's Title 42 began requiring migrants to stay in Mexico and file their affirmative U.S. asylum claim from there. After that rule lapsed in May 2023, the Biden administration created a new federal rule allowing border officials to deny asylum to almost any migrant at an official port of entry along the U.S.-Mexico border who has not previously applied for asylum en route to the U.S.

This new rule requires asylum-seekers to request affirmative asylumthat is, before they arrive at the borderusing U.S. Customs and Border Protection's new mobile phone app, CBP One.

This mobile phone innovation was meant to streamline the asylum process. The app is notoriously glitchy, however, and the agency did not add enough additional time slots to its calendar for the flood of new affirmative asylum appointments that would otherwise have been "defensive."

Unable to cross legally into the U.S. until their claims are filed, asylum-seekers now remain trapped on the Mexican side of the border for an average of seven months awaiting their appointment with Customs and Border Protection.

Migrants staying at shelters in Mexican border towns say they live in fear that the persecutors they fled will find them there. They are also vulnerable to the violence and kidnapping targeting asylum-seekers along the border.

Death now or later?

As the U.S. has hardened security at official border checkpoints over the years, as it did in El Paso, migrants have in turn taken to crossing the border in the remote reaches of Arizona's Sonoran Desert.

This treacherous route has made an already dangerous trek even more deadly. The U.S. Government Accountability Office found that border-crossing death rates had more than doubled from 1995 to 2005 despite no increase in the number of recorded migrant entries into the U.S. during this time period.

In 2023, nearly half of the 686 migrants who died trying to cross the U.S.-Mexico border died in the Sonoran and Chihuahuan deserts, mainly from extreme heat and cold. Before Operation Blockade, less than a third as many people died trying to make their way into the U.S.205 in 1993.

"The punishment handed out by difficult terrain" is its own migration policy, to paraphrase scholar Jason De Leon in his 2015 book "The Land of Open Graves."

In an effort to reduce migrant deaths in Arizona's deserts, in 2008 the humanitarian organization Humane Borders negotiated with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to have public safety communications equipment installed on the observation towers going up along the border that year. This equipment enabled migrants to call 911but nobody elseto request emergency services.

By calling 911, however, migrants expose themselves to deportation. A 2023 report by the humanitarian organization No More Deaths found that almost all 911 calls for help by suspected migrants in Pima County, Arizona, were redirected to Customs and Border Protection rather than receiving immediate search-and-rescue support. Border officials can then identify the caller's location using the towers' surveillance equipment, including radar, imaging sensors and edge computing hardware.

Like local emergency dispatchers, border officials are required to assess needs and provide emergency medical assistance. But they may also then detain unauthorized migrants for deportation.

"As soon as you try to call somebody to come for you," one migrant told researchers in a 2017 study, border patrol agents "know where you are, and they will go looking for you."

Those struggling with dehydration or injury face a grim choice. If they don't call 911, they may die in the desert. If they do call, they may die later, either in U.S. immigration detention centerswhere dozens of people die of preventable medical or mental health conditions each yearor back home, if they are sent back to the dangers they fled.

Research suggests that while some migrants do feel safer with a phone, knowing that they or their smugglers can call for help in case of emergency, others are too afraid of detection to carry or use their mobile device.

The opportunity to call for emergency aid has prevented some deaths in America's borderlands. Tucson's 911 call center reported receiving about 40 calls a day from the border region in 2021 alone. But restrictive border policies impede the mobile phone's lifesaving potential.

The need and desire to migrate to the U.S. has only grown in recent decades, but the U.S.'s embrace of immigration has waned, with deadly consequences.

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Credit: CC0 Public Domain

Zion National Park is home to a California condor, an endangered bird with a wingspan of more than 9 feet, that soars the same skies she shared with her brother before he died.

Both sibling birds had fallen victim to lead poisoning. But while the sister, known as 1111, survived her ordeal, the brother, known as "1K," did not, according to a joint statement by federal officials and wildlife advocates last month.

Condor's death 'premature and preventable'

Now those who want to see the condor thrive are reminding the public of the dangers that lead-based ammunitionused by hunters to kill animalscan pose to the giant birds, who feed on animal carcasses.

"1K's death is a tragedy because it was premature and preventable," said Shawn Farry, California Condor Program Manager for the Peregrine Fund. "He had a wonderful way of endearing staff and visitors to the condor and its story, and for that, he will be missed by so many who were lucky to catch a glimpse of 1K soaring through Zion Canyon."

1K was the first-ever condor to successfully fledge, or develop wing feathers large enough for flight, at Zion National Park, according to the Peregrine Fund, a raptor conservation organization.

He was also the 1,000th condor to hatch as part of the California Condor Recovery Program, an effort led by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to revive the species.

A joint statement by the Peregrine Fund, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Zion National Park called 1K's hatching "a pivotal moment" for the program.

'Particularly vulnerable' to lead poisoning

But when a radio tag that biologists used to track 1K stopped moving, the scientists were "devastated to find him dead," the fund's statement said. "Necropsy results confirmed what the team had suspected as the cause of death: lead poisoning. 1K died just short of his fifth birthday."

According to the Peregrine Fund, California Condors are "particularly vulnerable" to lead poisoning because, as scavengers, they feed on animal remains. If an animal is shot with a lead bullet, scavengers who feed from the carcass may consume lead.

1K's sister 1111, who was the second wild-fledged condor in Zion National Park, was trapped and tested in January 2024, the fund said.

The team found high levels of lead present and 1111 was transferred to Liberty Wildlife, a wildlife rehabilitation center in Phoenix, Arizona, for treatment.

"When a lead-based bullet hits an animal, it often fragments into hundreds to thousands of small, little pieces of lead," said Tim Hauck, Peregrine Fund's California Condor Program Director.

Those fragments of lead then get eaten by condors, Hauck said.

When condors eat, they store food in storage areas in their body called crops, Hauck explained. Hauck continued, saying that their crops allow condors to keep food over a long period of time because they never know when their next meal is.

"That allows those little lead fragments to slowly break down in those really strong stomach acids, and then it gets absorbed into the blood, and it gets absorbed into tissue," Hauck explained.

The Peregrine Fund said 1111 was released back into the wild on May 17. Her brother 1K had died during her absence, with field tracking efforts locating his body in early March.

Hauck warned that the California condor is an indicator species.

"They're called obligate scavengers, because that's all they do, is eat things that are dead. And so they play this vital function of cleaning up the environment and helping to stop the spread of disease," Hauck said.

Without scavengers like condors, Hauck said, diseases like rabies could run rampant in wildlife populations.

Protection efforts underway

Efforts to protect wildlife against lead poisoning are advocated for by organizations like the North American Non-lead Partnership and the Hunters Helping Condors Program.

The Hunters Helping Condors Program, launched in Utah in 2011, offers prizes to hunters who use non-lead ammunition.

The Utah Division of Wildlife issues coupons to hunters prior to each hunting season to get free or heavily discounted non-lead ammunition.

"There is credible and substantial scientific evidence showing that lead ammunition can cause unintended impacts on our wildlife resources," the North American Non-lead Partnership's site reads.

"Lead is the leading cause of diagnosed death for California condors, and about 50% (die from lead poisoning), both in California and the Southwest," Hauck said.

"We have to focus our efforts on the preventable causes of death to ensure inevitable, unforeseen causes won't be the breaking point for the population," Hauck said in a statement.

"The truth is lead poisoning is the number one cause of death for condors and a preventable one at that," Hauck urged.

2024 Las Vegas Review-Journal. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
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Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

California lawmakers have approved a bill that could help strengthen regulations around the use of paraquat, a powerful weedkiller associated with Parkinson's disease and other serious health issues.

Assembly Bill 1963 was introduced in January by Assemblymember Laura Friedman, D-Glendale, and originally sought to sunset the use of paraquat in California beginning in January 2026.

However, the final legislation has been amended so that it now will require the California Department of Pesticide Regulation to complete a reevaluation of the herbicide by Jan. 1, 2029, and determine whether to retain, cancel or suspend its registration, or to create new restrictions. The bill passed the Senate 23 to 8 and now awaits a signature from Gov. Gavin Newsom.

Paraquat is banned in more than 60 countries. Many environmental and advocacy groups had been hoping for an outright ban in California, but said the bill still marks a step forward by fast-tracking its safety reviewa process that can sometimes take decades.

"We are encouraged by the progress being made in California setting the example for other states to act when it comes to evaluating the safety and toxicity of chemicals with long term neurological and other health implications," read a statement from Julia Pitcher, director of state government relations for the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research. "We strongly urge the passage of this legislation and look forward to Governor Newsom signing it into law soon."

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency describes paraquat as highly toxic noting that "one sip can kill"yet California remains one of the nation's top users of the chemical. The state sprays millions of pounds annually on crops such as almonds, grapes and cotton.

An Environmental Working Group report published earlier this year found that the state's farmworkers and low-income Latino people, in particular, are disproportionately exposed to paraquat in their communities, with more than 5.3 million pounds sprayed in Kern County alone between 2017 and 2021.

The bill faced opposition from a coalition of opponents including pesticide manufacturers, chemical industry trade associations and agriculture trade organizations.

By the time it wound its way through the legislature, including the Senate Agriculture Committee, it had lost much of its teeth, said Bill Allayaud, California director of government affairs with EWG.

"It's still a good bill, because without this, DPR probably wouldn't do anything," he said. "Hopefully the governor will sign it and agree that this is at the top of the list of things we don't want people exposed to, especially farmworkers."

Paraquat has been the subject of thousands of lawsuits from people seeking damages related to exposure to the product, including people who say it has given them Parkinson's disease, a neurodegenerative disorder that affects movement.

The bill's legislative analysis notes that at least 10 epidemiological studies have linked paraquat exposure to Parkinson's disease, including a 2019 meta-analysis of 13 studies that found exposure to the herbicide was associated with a 1.64-fold increase in the risk of the disease.

Other studies have found no clear link, however, and the product's manufacturers continue to reject any claims of a connection.

In a statement, Friedman said AB 1963 will have "very real results."

"I'm happy with where the bill landed," Friedman said. "We never thought we'd get a full ban through the Legislature. But we had to push as hard as we could."

She noted that the Legislature provided the Department of Pesticide Regulation with additional funding this year with a requirement that the agency do more reevaluations of toxic chemicals.

"I have full confidence, that should AB 1963 get signed into law, that DPR will do a thorough reevaluation of paraquat, and either ban it outright, or place greater restrictions on its use," Friedman said.

Advocacy groups remain committed to seeing the chemical controlled.

The EWG this week launched a campaign with the Michael J. Fox Foundation urging President Biden and the EPA to ban paraquat nationwide. The federal agency will have until Jan. 17 to make a decision.

There is some reason for optimism: The EPA last month issued a rare emergency order to stop the use of another weedkiller, dachthal, that poses a significant risk to fetuses.

2024 Los Angeles Times. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
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A statue of America's first teacher in space, Christa McAuliffe, who died when the space shuttle Challenger broke apart in 1986, is seen after its unveiling on what would've been her 76th birthday, Monday, Sept. 2, 2024, in Concord, N.H. Credit: AP Photo/Nick Perry

Decades after she was picked to be America's first teacher in space, Christa McAuliffe is still a pioneerthis time as the first woman to be memorialized on the grounds of New Hampshire's Statehouse, in the city where she taught high school.

McAuliffe was 37 when she was killed, one of the seven crew members aboard the Challenger when the space shuttle broke apart on live TV on Jan. 28, 1986. She didn't have the chance to give the lessons she had planned to teach from space. But people are still learning from her.

Benjamin Victor, the sculptor from Boise, Idaho, whose work was unveiled on Monday on what would have been McAuliffe's 76th birthday, said McAuliffe's "inspiration hasn't been lost in the disaster and her memory will go on forever."

Steven McAuliffe, her former husband, said Christa McAuliffe was proud to represent teachers and would be enthusiastic about being honored "as long as it was shared with all teachers and educators."

"It is a great honor for Christa. And at the same time it is a great and deserving honor for teachers and educators across this country," he said. "I hope teachers everywhere will come and see it. I hope they take pride in their noble work. I hope that students will come and see. And I hope that they will be inspired to pursue their dreams," he said.

This Sept. 26, 1985 photo made available by NASA shows astronaut Christa McAuliffe. Credit: NASA via AP

The 8-foot-tall (2.4-meter) bronze, depicting McAuliffe walking in stride in a NASA flight suit, is believed to be the first full statue of McAuliffe, known for her openness to experimental learning. Her motto was: "I touch the future, I teach."

Gov. Chris Sununu's executive order enabled the McAuliffe statue to join statues of leaders such as Daniel Webster, John Stark and President Franklin Pierce. He said Monday that he's eager for schoolchildren who visit the Statehouse each year to see the statue honoring "our hero teacher" and reflect on all that's possible.

McAuliffe was picked from among 11,000 candidates to be the first teacher and private citizen in space. Beyond a public memorial at the Statehouse plaza on Jan. 31, 1986, the Concord school district and the city, population 44,500, have observed the Challenger anniversary quietly through the years, partly to respect the privacy of her family. Christa and Steven McAuliffe's son and daughter were very young at the time she died and was buried in a local cemetery. Steven McAuliffe, who was then a lawyer and now is a federal judge, wanted the children to grow up in the community normally.

In this Sept. 13, 1985 file photo, Christa McAuliffe tries out the commander's seat on the flight deck of a shuttle simulator at the Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas. Credit: AP Photo, File

But there are other memorials, dozens of schools and a library named for McAuliffe, as well as scholarships and a commemorative coin. A science museum in Concord is dedicated to her and to native son Alan Shepard, the first American in space. The auditorium is named for her at Concord High School, where she taught American history, law, economics and a self-designed course called "The American Woman." Students rush past a painting of her in her astronaut uniform.

In 2017-2018, two educators-turned-astronauts at the International Space Station recorded some of the lessons that McAuliffe had planned to teach, on Newton's laws of motion, liquids in microgravity, effervescence and chromatography. NASA then posted "Christa McAuliffe's Lost Lessons" online, a resource for students everywhere.

Victor, the sculptor, comes from a family of educators, including his mother, with whom he's shared a number of discussions about McAuliffe as he's worked on the statueincluding his recollection of watching the Challenger disaster on television as a second-grader in Bakersfield, California.

In this 1985 file photo, high school teacher Christa McAuliffe rides with her children Caroline, left, and Scott during a parade down Main Street in Concord, N.H. Credit: AP Photo/Jim Cole, File

"My heart goes out to the family but there's a silver lining in all of this and that's what we're here to celebrate today. And that is that her lesson is continually taught," said Victor, who has sculpted four of the statues in the U.S. Capitol's National Statuary Hall, the most of any living artist.

The event on Monday also featured one of McAuliffe's students, Kris Coronis Jacques, who's now a teacher, along with a student essay winner, Nathaniel Dunlap, who said McAuliffe inspired him to "look out for all opportunities and take them," a chorus from Concord High School that sang "see the light, be the light;" and James Scully, chair of the commission tasked with creating the memorial in just 18 months.

Pam Melroy, NASA's deputy administrator, told the crowd that McAuliffe's death was not in vain and spurred advancements in spacecraft design, risk management and the safety of human space flight.

Space teacher Christa McAuliffe responds to a question at a press conference at the Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas, Dec. 13, 1985. Credit: AP Photo/R.J. Carson, File

Teacher Christa McAuliffe smiles after she was suited up for her space flight at the Kennedy Space Center, Florida, Jan. 27, 1986. Credit: NASA via AP, File

The crew for the Space Shuttle Challenger flight 51-L leaves their quarters for the launch pad, Jan. 27, 1986, at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Front to back are Commander Francis Scobee, Mission Spl. Judith Resnik, Mission Spl. Ronald McNair, Payload Spl. Gregory Jarvis, Mission Spl. Ellison Onizuka, teacher Christa McAuliffe, and pilot Michael Smith. Credit: AP Photo/Steve Helber, File

"The statue will stand as a symbol of the resilient human spirit that Christa embodies, reminding us of both the risks and rewards of space exploration. Christa's impact on NASA transcends time. Her mission catalyzed change, leading to a safer, more inclusive and more educationally focused space program," she said.

 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
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Climate adaptation projects like Zambia's seed banks need devolved finance. Credit: Mzingo Ngoma Botha

Beaming with smiles, Zambian farmer Mary Dimba points to a newly harvested crop of maize on her silo. The mother-of-four from Mpande village in Zambia's Lusaka Province tells how the beginning of the last cropping season was less stressful than previous ones.

Funds that would have gone into buying seeds during the planting season paid for her youngest child's school books. This season she sourced seeds for free from the community seed bank.

"Per the agreed laws governing our seed bank, any farmer that borrows two kilograms of seed must return the same quantity or more so others can call on it in the next season," Dimba told SciDev.Net as she packaged seeds in plastic containers to send to the bank.

In the past, Mary and others like her wished she could plant her local seed varieties but lacked the knowledge and skills to be able to select, process and store seeds from their harvests.

"We have different local varieties of seeds that require less fertilizer to grow, thrive in dry spells and give good yields. That is why we prefer our seeds to others," says Mary, who has more than 20 years' experience of farming.

Community seed bank

Now Mary is one of around 250 smallholder farmers, dotted across three localities, who have seed banks in their local communities, enabling them to loan seeds to each other.

This was made possible thanks to micro-grants issued by the Adaptation Research Alliance (ARA), a global coalition responding to the urgent challenges faced by vulnerable communities as a result of climate change.

For centuries, peasants and small-scale farmers in Africa have produced biodiverse, ecologically resilient seeds that can adapt to the changing climate and other challenges.

Modernization and government systems led to the discontinuation or limitation of this production in many countries, making way for seeds from foreign countries, which can be costly for farmers and not always suited to their needs.

The Women's Life and Wellness Foundation (WLWF), a Zambian not-for-profit organization focused on the welfare of women, has worked to facilitate the re-introduction of the seed banks under its Farmer Managed Seed Systems initiative.

Every seed bank stores 35 seed varieties and is manned by an elected executive body and farmers have a loan threshold of up to 3kg of any variety, Mzingo Ngoma Botha, a representative of the foundation, told SciDev.Net.

The initiative seeks to help farmers build resilience to climate impacts and contribute to food security and sustainability.

Botha explains how community members played a major role in suggesting the location of the seed bank, rules to govern its operations and who should lead.

"It is a joy to see farmers having a choice regarding selecting varieties they feel will serve their purpose, are dependable and withstand vulnerabilities and contribute to the global goal of adaptation," she says.

Locally led research

For Jesse DeMaria-Kinney, head of Secretariat at the Adaptation Research Alliance, mobilizing funding for local organizations to identify burning issues in their communities is one way the alliance contributes to the Global Goal on Adaptation, established under the 2015 Paris Agreement.

With about GBP 700,000 (US$ 925,500), ARA has supported more than 55 local organizations across Africa, Asia-Pacific, Latin America and the Caribbean to implement inclusive, locally led, action-oriented research projects for adapting to impacts of climate change.

Thematic areas range from climate smart agriculture and flood adaptation, to climate advisory services, nature-based solutions and disaster management.

"The micro-grantees are diverse in organization types and structures and we work with them to understand their current grant management capacity in order to link them to other funders and opportunities to scale their initiatives," says DeMaria-Kinney.

Negotiations on climate finance are on-going on at the international level, which the ARA supports.

The UN climate conference, COP 29, to be held in Baku, Azerbaijan later this year, has been billed as "the finance COP," with all eyes on commitments from the private sector.

However, DeMaria-Kinney believes that climate actions at the local level must also occur and accelerate, regardless of global decisions.

"There are still a lot of unknowns around specific climate impacts at the local level so we need more research to be done," he says.

"Micro-grants are a way for us to get this contextualized understanding while driving action now. In addition, we are able to bring up these local issues and voices into the global conversation so solutions can be tailor-made to local contexts."

Funding 'unpredictable'

Climate change manifests differently in different places, which requires localized assessment as well as bespoke solutions, says Antwi-Boasiako Amoah, acting director for climate vulnerability and adaptation at Ghana's Environmental Protection Agency and an experienced climate negotiator.

"I just witnessed a situation in the northern part of Ghana where crops on the field have not received rain in a month," he told SciDev.Net. "This would not have happened if it was under irrigation. That would have been a proper adaptation in the lens of climate change."

Whichever adaptation actions frontline countries need to takedeveloping seed systems in communities, establishing sustainable irrigation, addressing the health impacts of climate changerequires money.

"Seeds are now an issue in our part of the world," says Amoah, stressing that finance for local projects is central to increasing resilience.

"The owners are depriving farmers of seeds so if you want to establish a seed bank then you need finance to mobilize the seeds, train people on the processes and find a storage facility," he adds.

Currently the lead negotiator for G77 and China on national adaptation plans, Amoah believes countries cannot implement their climate action plans without financial support from external sources.

For years, developing countries have been calling for funding, without success, says Amoah, who is also a board member of the Green Climate Fund for climate finance.

"Even if it comes, it is not predictable and is small in scale," he adds. Multiple projects at the Green Climate Fund are competing for what small funds are available, says Amoah, adding: "We need proper funding now."

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Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

With rising consumer concerns for animal welfare worldwide, the poultry industry is starting to let their hens roam around in bigger spaces. This shift from conventional battery cages to cage-free systems allow layer hens greater freedom of movement and a chance to engage in natural behaviors, from foraging to dust-bathing.

Indonesia, the second-largest egg producer worldwide, is also experiencing this transition, as many multinational and Asian food companies are committing to improving animal welfare standards and sourcing exclusively cage-free eggs by 2025.

But for farmers, the transition to cage-free eggs can be costly.

Our study shed light on farmers' perspectives across Asia on this transition to cage-free, with most survey respondents being from Indonesia. This research highlights the feasibility, challenges, and potential solutions to adopting the cage-free systems.

Why are cages a problem?

Historically, traditional free-range methods were widely used in poultry farming in Indonesia. However, in the late 20th century, increasing population and economic demands led to the adoption of more industrialized farming techniques, including battery cages. These cages, first introduced in the United States and Europe, aimed to increase egg production efficiency but have been criticized for compromising the hens' quality of life.

In battery cages, each hen is typically confined to a space of about 500 to 600 cm per bird. This limited space restricts their ability to move freely, spread their wings, or perform normal behaviors such as perching, nesting and dust bathing. This leads to various welfare issues.

Our research

Our study investigated farmers' views on the feasibility, challenges and potential solutions related to cage-free egg farming.

We surveyed 202 egg producers in Indonesia, China, Thailand, Japan, Malaysia, and the Philippines, with 108 of these in Indonesia. Of the 202 farmers, 165 used battery cages, while a smaller group of 37 had cage-free systems. The vast majority of hens in Indonesia are kept in battery cages (greater than 90%).

Our findings

Among all cage-free farmers polled (from all countries), we identified some key challenges.

The cost of production ranked as the biggest challenge, representing 22% of all responses to the question on this topic. This shows the economic issues that farmers have to think about as they make the switch. System management (14%) and disease prevention (14%) were also big issues, showing the transition can be complicated.

However, perhaps the most telling figure is the overwhelming majority of cage-free egg producers (81%) said they needed more support in maintaining their farms.

When we spoke with farmers who currently still use cages, they were optimistic about the prospect of cage-free systems (65% responded "yes" or "maybe" when asked if they consider cage-free systems to be feasible in their country). However, they also reported [a need for more support] in the adoption of cage-free systems, in the form of technical advice, training and resources.

While there has been significant progress in the sourcing of cage-free eggs, these results may help explain the difficulty in finding cage-free eggs in Asia and the relatively low rate of procurement by food companies in the region.

Building support systems

We also asked farmers to suggest potential solutions to the challenges. Cage-free farmers told us "improving on-farm practices" was most important when it came to keeping their farms operating. This includes lowering expenses and raising production efficiency, as well as advice on establishing procedures, supplying the necessary resources, and enhancing best practices in flock management. The findings indicate a recognition among farmers that switching to cage-free systems requires changes not only in infrastructure but also farming practices.

Farmers also told us they needed better marketing. This means that the success of this transition depends on improved awareness of cage-free eggs among consumers. A solutions-oriented, co-designed approach will involve the relevant stakeholders, such as researchers, egg producers, companies, and international animal protection non-government organizations.

Farmers need more support

This study highlights some of the challenges that farmers face when adopting cage-free systems. Results imply that the most effective approach to address the concerns of egg producers and enable food companies to fulfill their cage-free commitments may be to provide information for producers in the form of education, training and resources on cage-free systems to the egg industry. Examples of existing initiatives in the country are the University of Gadjah Mada's [Cage-Free Innovation and Welfare Hub] in Yogyakarta, Indonesia.

Food companies could also support their egg producers by providing capacity building and training of their egg producers. Such support may help to improve the availability and the price of cage-free eggs in their local region.

As of today, 16 companies have fully transitioned to sourcing 100% cage-free eggs in Indonesia. Worldwide, there are 79 companies listed in Compassion in World Farming's 2023 EggTrack Report, although only 56% are reporting progress on their cage-free commitment.

As the egg industry addresses the challenges and moves forward with cage-free egg production across the region, our research shows that farmers need more support in the switch to cage-free to meet consumer expectations for more humane treatment in egg production.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
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A policeman walks past the collapsed facade of a building in Melbourne as wild storms batter Australia.

One woman has died, schools have been shuttered and tens of thousands of people were without power Monday, as wild storms lashed Australia.

Police said a 63-year-old woman died after a tree fell on a cabin in the country's southeast.

"Destructive" winds of more than 110 kilometers (68 miles) per hour are lashing the region, leaving about 150,000 people without power.

Victorian state premier Jacinta Allan warned power outages could take up to three days to fix.

"There are some areas where the conditions remain too dangerous to make repairs," she said.

Meanwhile, coastal areas have been hit by high tidesin some cases swallowing up sand dunes.

People have been warned to avoid unnecessary travel, while some schools have closed.

Authorities in New South Wales were concerned the damaging winds would increase fire danger on Monday, with many areas on high alert.

New South Wales Rural Fire Service inspector Ben Shepherd warned Sydney and surrounding areas that they would see the worst of the fire danger on Monday, but conditions would ease in the afternoon.

Parts of Tasmania have been inundated by flooding and destructive windswith gusts peaking at 150 kilometers (93.2 miles) per hour over the weekend.

A man photographs the waves in Port Phillip Bay in Melbourne as tens of thousands of people were left without power due to wild storms battering Australia.

Bureau of Meteorology senior forecaster Christie Johnson said a series of cold fronts sweeping across Australia's southeast had caused "damaging to destructive winds".

But conditions were set to ease Tuesday, she said.

Johnson warned further cold fronts would impact the country later in the week, but she did not anticipate conditions to be as extreme.

Australia's exposure

Australia is highly exposed to extreme weather events, given its remoteness in the Pacific Ocean.

The country recorded its warmest winter last month, with the mercury hitting 41.6 degrees Celsius (106.7 degrees Fahrenheit) in part of its rugged and remote northwest coast.

Official data shows average temperatures for Australia steadily rising, with climate change fueling more intense bushfires, floods, drought and heat waves.

A man walks along a pier leading into Port Phillip Bay in Melbourne as winds of more than 110 kilometres (68 miles) per hour lash the region.

Shepard told AFP there was a high risk that the coming summer would see increased fire danger due to the rapid drying of vegetation.

With a few days of hot and windy weather, this vegetation would be primed for fire.

Climate scientists have already predicted that 2024 will be the planet's hottest year on record.

Temperature records have tumbled worldwide in recent decades as human-caused carbon emissions have risen.

Record temperatures have been recorded in the Mediterranean Sea and Norway's Arctic Svalbard archipelago in the past few weeks alone.

 2024 AFP
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Cross plot of 18O carbonate vs 13C carbonate of Baltica and Laurentia records. Although Baltica has lower  47 -Temperatures than Laurentia, both have similar ranges in 18O carbonate. Credit: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (2024). DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2400434121

An international team of ocean, Earth and marine scientists has found evidence supporting a theory that a certain oxygen isotope ratio in seawater has changed slowly over the past 540 million years. In their study, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the group analyzed rocks from the Ordovician period.

Over the past half-century, earth scientists have debated the possibility of changes in the ratio of 16O to 18O (written as 18O) in seawater over the past 540 million years. Some have put forth arguments claiming no change has occurred, while others report evidence that it has increased.

The researchers in this study found new evidence supporting the latter theory. They note that settling the argument is important because the ratio impacts the prediction of ocean temperatures during certain times in the distant past.

Researchers believe that there are two factors that can force changes to the ratiohydrothermal alteration due to hot water coming into contact with certain rock formations, and to a lesser extent, weathering of continental crust.

To learn more, the research team pulled drill cores from a location on Estonia's Baltic basin. Those, along with rock samples collected at above-ground sites in the region, were analyzed using clumped isotope thermometrya technique that can measure the 13C that has become bound to 18O encased in carbonate minerals. It can be used to estimate ocean temperatures because the binding process is temperature dependent.

The measurements showed that during the Ordovician, the seawater in which the rocks had been covered had a lower 18O and was cooler than previous estimates had suggested, which shows that the ratio has been slowly changing over the past half-billion years.

The findings are not definitive proof of such a change, of course, which means that the ratio debate will continue until more concrete evidence can be found.

More information: Nivedita Thiagarajan et al, Reconstruction of Phanerozoic climate using carbonate clumped isotopes and implications for the oxygen isotopic composition of seawater, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (2024). DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2400434121 Journal information: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences

 2024 Science X Network
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Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

SpaceX got the OK to fly again from the Federal Aviation Administration and didn't waste any time knocking out launches from both Florida and California early Saturday, but the crewed Polaris Dawn launch remains on hold because of weather.

The FAA had grounded SpaceX's workhorse Falcon 9 after a launch from Cape Canaveral earlier this week ended with its first-stage booster toppling over in a fiery landing in the Atlantic.

"The SpaceX Falcon 9 vehicle may return to flight operations while the overall investigation of the anomaly during the Starlink Group 8-6 mission remains open, provided all other license requirements are met," the FAA said in a statement released Friday night. "SpaceX made the return to flight request on Aug. 29 and the FAA gave approval on Aug. 30."

With the OK to go, SpaceX first sent up a Falcon 9 from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station's Space Launch Complex 40 with 21 Starlink satellites launching at 3:43 a.m.

It marked the 61st launch among all providers from the Space Coast with SpaceX responsible for all but four.

Its first-stage booster made its 18th flight and stuck the landing without issue on the droneship Just Read the Instructions in the Atlantic Ocean.

Less than an hour later, SpaceX sent up another Falcon 9 with another 21 Starlink satellites from Vandenberg Space Force Base's Space Launch Complex 4E.

Its first-stage booster flew for the ninth time, landing on the droneship "Of Course I Still Love You" stationed in the Pacific Ocean.

It was the 24th West Coast launch for SpaceX, making it the company's 85th operational mission of the year, not including two test flights of Starship and Super Heavy from Texas.

SpaceX now also has the green light to send up what would be its next human spaceflight, the Polaris Dawn mission set to return billionaire Jared Isaacman to space along with three crewmates.

Isaacman first flew with SpaceX on the Inspiration4 mission in 2021, marking the first all-commercial crewed spaceflight.

He returns now in a partnership with SpaceX for the first of up to three spaceflights under the Polaris Program. The first mission's highlight will be the first commercial spacewalk when Isaacman and crewmate Sarah Gillis, a SpaceX employee, venture outside the spacecraft on a 12-foot-long tether.

Also flying on the mission are Scott Poteet, a former Air Force pilot and one of Isaacman's friends, and another SpaceX employee, Anna Menon. All four crew will be wearing new extravehicular activity (EVA) suits since the entire Crew Dragon will be vented of its atmosphere and subjected to the vacuum of space.

The quartet were set to launch early Tuesday this past week, but a helium leak on the launch pad forced SpaceX to scrub that attempt. Then as they geared up for a retry early Wednesday, SpaceX announced the weather conditions in the forecast for five days ahead of the potential landing sites on either coast of Florida were not good enough to launch. They took both the Wednesday and Thursday opportunities off the board.

That's when the launch and first-stage landing failure occurred from Cape Canaveral, forcing the FAA to call for an investigation grounding the rocket for a couple days.

In the meantime, SpaceX posted on Friday that weather was still an issue, so the chances for any weekend launch opportunities were already unlikely.

"Latest forecasts continue to show unfavorable weather conditions in the areas along Florida's coast where Dragon would splash down upon returning from space," the company posted on X. "Once teams identify the next best opportunity for launch and return of the Polaris Dawn mission, we'll provide an update. Falcon 9 and Dragon remain healthy and vertical on the pad at 39A."

The Space Force has cleared the Falcon 9 to launch from KSC as early as Wednesday at 3:38 a.m., the first of three opportunities that span a launch window that runs until 7:15 a.m. Backup launch options fall to Thursday and Friday next week with the same launch window.

"The crew remains in quarantine, staying productive, keeping fit, and ready to launch within approximately 30 hours of receiving a favorable forecast," Isaacman posted to X this week.

2024 Orlando Sentinel. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
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Workflow of evaluating the density of Aedes aegypti breeding container detections for modeling immature mosquito abundance at flight range scale in the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The mapping of Aedes aegypti breeding containers was carried out using satellite and street view imagery by applying and fine-tuning single-stage object detection networks (left). Container densities were calculated within a circular flight range buffer of 1000 m around ovitrap locations. For the evaluation of the research question, univariate negative binomial regression models were trained using temporally aggregated egg and larva counts from entomological surveillance (middle). Entomological surveillance data about immature abundance of Aedes aegypti was collected by the municipal health ministry of Rio de Janeiro (right). Credit: Scientific Reports (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-67914-w

The Aedes aegypti mosquito is responsible worldwide for the spread of infectious diseases such as dengue, Zika, chikungunya, and yellow fever. To combat the widely transmitted diseases affecting millions, detailed mosquito distribution maps with data on the spatial and temporal spread of populations are of major importance.

Led by geoinformation scientists of Heidelberg University, an international research team has developed a new AI-supported method for mapping mosquito populations. Satellite and street view images are analyzed to more precisely assess the environmental conditions that favor the presence of Aedes aegypti. This is to improve planning of intervention measures and achieve more targeted disease control.

Also known as the Egyptian tiger mosquito, Aedes aegypti is mostly found in tropical and subtropical regions of the worldespecially in cities, where it prefers to breed in man-made water containers such as drinking water tanks, car tires, trash, or plant pots. Because the global availability and acceptance of vaccines for the diseases it transmits are still limited, except for yellow fever, controlling mosquito populations is currently the most effective intervention.

Among the partly very cost-intensive measures of vector control are spraying insecticides as well as releasing mosquitoes infected with the naturally occurring bacterium Wolbachia. The bacterium can prevent virus transmission by Aedes aegypti and affect its propagation.

Implementing these control measures requires urban mosquito distribution maps, particularly in especially affected major cities such as Rio de Janeiro (Brazil).

"Precise maps are not only interesting from a financial standpoint to effectively plan mitigation measures but are also ecologically relevant, because some of these interventions, like extensive spraying of insecticides, harbor the risk of resistance development," states Steffen Knoblauch, doctoral candidate at the Institute of Geography of Heidelberg University.

Until now, mosquito distribution maps have mostly been based on manual field measurements of single mosquito traps for a monthly count of eggs and larvae. In large urban areas, however, countless traps would have to be set up and large numbers of personnel deployed to maintain a reliable overview of the spread of mosquito populations.

Yet another challenge is the limited flight range of the mosquitoes, which is approximately 1,000 meters without wind assistance. This makes it difficult to derive distribution maps for major urban areas from mosquito trap measurements.

To overcome this problem, the geoinformation scientists of Heidelberg University developed a new approach to mapping mosquito populations.

"It utilizes the fact that the density of known breeding sites can be a significant predictor for the number of eggs and larvae measured in the traps, as shown by the investigations in Rio de Janeiro," explains Prof. Dr. Alexander Zipf, head of the Geoinformatics/GIScience research group at the Institute of Geography and Director of the Heidelberg Institute for Geoinformation Technology (HeiGIT).

By leveraging artificial intelligence, the researchers analyze satellite and street view images to detect and map possible breeding sites in cities. In combination with field measurements, it is then possible to assess the environmental conditions that favor the presence of Aedes aegypti more precisely than before.

Together with researchers from Brazil, Prof Zipf's team is also working on the analysis of mobile communications data to model the movement of people in Rio de Janeiro. In combination with precise mosquito distribution maps, these data can contribute to better trace the occurrence of infectious diseases transmitted by Aedes aegypti and incorporate the acquired knowledge into intervention maps. One challenge is the modeling of human movement patterns at different times of day since the mosquito tends to be active in the early morning and evening hours.

In addition to the Heidelberg geoinformation scientists, researchers from Austria, Brazil, Germany, Singapore, Thailand, and the U.S. contributed to the work. The research results were published in the journal Scientific Reports and the International Journal of Applied Earth Observation and Geoinformation.

More information: Steffen Knoblauch et al, High-resolution mapping of urban Aedes aegypti immature abundance through breeding site detection based on satellite and street view imagery, Scientific Reports (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-67914-w Steffen Knoblauch et al, Semi-supervised water tank detection to support vector control of emerging infectious diseases transmitted by Aedes Aegypti, International Journal of Applied Earth Observation and Geoinformation (2023). DOI: 10.1016/j.jag.2023.103304 Journal information: Scientific Reports
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Credit: UC Davis

Gun-free zones have often been blamed for making schools, malls and other public areas more attractive to shooters; however, there have been no quantitative studies examining those claims. Now, in a first of its kind study published in The Lancet Regional Health - Americas, researchers at UC Davis Health and other institutions have shown that gun-free zones may, in fact, reduce the risk of mass shootings.

"Our most significant finding is that gun-free zones don't attract active shooters," said the study's first author, Paul Reeping, an injury epidemiologist and postdoctoral scholar at the Violence Prevention Research Program at UC Davis. "The study actually shows that gun-free zones have a preventive effect. The biggest takeaway is that the claim that gun-free zones are more dangerous is simply not true."

Gun-free zones vary by federal, state and local statutes. In Texas, for example, if more than 50% of a bar's revenue comes from alcohol, that establishment is considered gun-free. While most people might think the designation mostly applies to schools, theaters, sporting venues and other public places, private companies can also implement them at their own discretion.

A unique study design to match places at risk

The study included researchers from Columbia University and the University of Michigan. The team looked at 150 places in the U.S. that had experienced active shootings between 2014 and 2020. The researchers also found 150 places that could have experienced a shooting but did not, and designated them as controls. These control places were matched to the group with shootings by county, year and type of establishment.

"For a long time, people didn't think this work could be done," Reeping said. "We used a unique design that matched places based on similar criteria but very different outcomesin this case, shootings."

The team found that 72 (48%) of the shootings happened in gun-free zones. Looking at the 150 controls that had no shootings, 92 (61.3%) were gun-free. Their study suggests that the gun-free zones may have reduced the risks of a mass shooting.

"After accounting for matched pairs, our analyses showed that active shootings were 62.5% less likely to occur in gun-free establishments than in gun-allowing places," Reeping said. "Therefore, it is very unlikely that active shooters are targeting gun-free zones; conversely, gun-free zones may be protective."

This work could have significant policy implications. The Supreme Court's 2022 Bruen decision gave Americans the right to carry loaded firearms in public. However, gun-free zones provide a constitutional carve-out that some governments have embraced, although these carve-outs are still being challenged in court.

Still, more work must be done to confirm these findings. "This is the first time this type of study has ever been done, and we hope more will follow," Reeping said. "Most people believe gun-free zones are actually more dangerous, and the evidence from our study doesn't support that."

Study co-authors included Christopher N. Morrison, Charles C. Branas, Ariana N. Gobaud and Sonali Rajan of Columbia University, and Douglas J. Wiebe of the University of Michigan.

More information: Paul M. Reeping et al, Gun-free zones and active shootings in the United States: a matched case-control study, The Lancet Regional Health - Americas (2024). DOI: 10.1016/j.lana.2024.100837
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Microscopic image of various types of wood fibers, automatically identified by genus. Credit: Thunen Institute

The new European Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) is intended to prevent goods marketed in the EU from contributing to the spread of deforestation. When a wood product is brought into the EU market, for example, there must be documentation of which types of wood were used to produce it, along with proof of their legal origin.

Depending on the material, even the initial review of the declared type of wood is no easy task. Paper, for example, requires time-consuming examination by specialists.

Now, a new AI-based analytical tool for determining wood types is being developed to simplify and accelerate this process. Researchers from the Fraunhofer Institute for Industrial Mathematics ITWM are working closely with the Thunen Institute of Wood Research to develop the automated image recognition system for large-scale review of declarations of wood type.

Illegal logging is one of the consequences of the rising global demand for lumber. The European Union Timber Regulation (EUTR), the predecessor of the EUDR, entered into force back in 2013 with the aim of curbing the unlawful use of wood.

Since then, commercial enterprises have been required to document the types of wood used in their products and their origins, thereby demonstrating the legal origins of the wood used in goods they import into the EU market.

The same applies to wood products such as particle board, fiberboard, paper, and cardboard. But how can the types of wood used in fiber materials be identified without a doubt?

As things currently stand, responsibility for examining wood products falls to people such as the employees of the Thunen Institute, a research institute in the portfolio of the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL). They receive numerous product samples from industry and government agencies so they can check the types of wood usedand the numbers are rising.

The samples are then sent for expert analysis under a microscope, which is an extremely time-consuming process. With paper and fiberboard, the wood cells are separated from the material, dyed and then prepared on a slide. The cells can then be classified based on their appearance when viewed through a microscope.

But because this preparation and examination process is so time-consuming and more and more samples are coming in for testing, the specialists can only handle a limited number of expert reports.

A new AI-based analytical tool is being developed to help with this situation by relieving some of the workload on highly qualified experts, accelerating and automating the examination process, and enabling fast, efficient controls.

Researchers from Fraunhofer ITWM and the Thunen Institute of Wood Research in Hamburg have teamed up in the KI_Wood-ID project, using machine learning to develop the new automated image recognition system to identify types of wood.

Dr. Stephanie Helmling from the Thunen Institute uses a microscope to examine samples. Credit: Thunen Institute

Algorithms to curb the illegal lumber trade

The researchers' first area of focus in the project is hardwoods, especially those originating from plantations grown worldwide for cellulose production. Artificial intelligence can be used to determine the type of wood based on vascular tissue, which varies in cell structure, shape, and size.

Using reference preparations from the Thunen Institute's vast collection of wood samples, the researchers from Fraunhofer ITWM are training neural networks until the AI is capable of independently identifying and classifying the characteristic features of particular species so it can detect the types of wood present in the microscopic image of an unknown sample.

Training for each different category, such as birch, beech, and poplar, takes place separately. In the individual images, the analytical tool first marks the cells that are key to identifying the particular types of wood.

"A sample is considered anomalous if it contains characteristics that don't match the declared types of wood," says Dr. Henrike Stephani, the KI_Wood-ID project manager and deputy head of the Image Processing department at Fraunhofer ITWM in Kaiserslautern.

The overarching goal, she says, is to use AI to strengthen the legal wood trade and consequently protect consumers. Ramin is one kind of wood that is under special protection. Ramin forests are a key habitat for orangutans in places like Borneo.

"A few years back, chips of this type of wood were sent to the Thunen Institute for identification after Greenpeace collected them from the warehouse at a pulp mill in Asia," Stephani explains. "If not only wood from plantations but also protected or endangered species like ramin are processed into pulp and then paper, the goal is to use our method to identify those cells in the final product and hold the manufacturers responsible."

Preventing deforestation around the world

An initial prototype of the analysis system has been trained on reference samples to the point that it can already identify eleven types of hardwood. The next step will involve identifying softwood. The prototype, which features a graphical user interface (GUI), is initially available to the Thunen Institute.

In the long term, the AI-based image recognition tool is to be rolled out to support testing labs and government agencies worldwide in monitoring the international wood trade.

"Ultimately, deforestation and the illegal timber trade can only be prevented at the global level, so we hope testing organizations that are approved worldwide will be able to benefit from our system in the future," Stephani says.
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A Butch- and Suni-less Boeing Starliner has been given a date to return to Earth by NASA.

Teams with NASA and Boeing gave the green light to undock what will be the uncrewed spacecraft from the International Space Station as early as Sept. 6 at 6:04 p.m., leaving behind NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, who flew up on board Starliner when it launched from Cape Canaveral on June 5.

The duo arrived on the ISS a day later, but because of thruster issues and helium leaks on Starliner's propulsion module, NASA opted to play it safe and keep the astronauts on board the station to await a rescue ride home from Boeing's competitor, SpaceX.

If the weather is clear for the landing site, Starliner will autonomously undock from the ISS, something it was able to do back in 2022 during the second of its two uncrewed test flights. It then faces a six-hour flight back to Earth with a desert landing target of White Sands Space Harbor in New Mexico at 12:03 a.m. Sept. 7. After the parachute and air-cushioned landing, it will be shipped back to Boeing's Starliner factory at Kennedy Space Center.

Wilmore and Williams will at that point officially become part of the Expedition 71/72 crew on the station.

And while the SpaceX Crew-9 mission with the Crew Dragon Freedom is set to launch as early as Sept. 24 to relieve the current SpaceX Crew-8 on board the ISS, Williams and Wilmore won't be getting back home until Freedom's mission ends aboard the ISS in Februarymeaning they will have spent between eight and nine months on board when they do finally return.

They will, however, be only the second and third people to ever fly on four spacecraft, joining Orlando's John Young who flew on Gemini, Apollo, the Apollo lunar module and the space shuttle. Both Wilmore and Williams so far have flown on the space shuttle, Russian Soyuz and Starliner spacecraft. Their SpaceX Dragon flight will become the fourth.

To make room for Williams and Wilmore, NASA plans to only fly up two of what were planned to be four announced crew on the forthcoming SpaceX mission, although which two of the three NASA astronauts and one Russian cosmonaut to be left behind has yet to be announced.

But before it can arrive, Starliner has to leave as the ISS has only two parking spaces available for the likes of the Boeing and SpaceX spacecraft.

The two companies were originally awarded contracts as part of NASA's Commercial Crew Program to bring back U.S.-based launches to ferry astronauts to and from the ISS after the end of the Space Shuttle Program and end reliance on Russian Soyuz launches.

While SpaceX managed its first crewed test flight in May 2020, Boeing's Starliner faced a series of delays that saw Wilmore and Williams' mission, called the Crew Flight Test, not getting off the ground until four years later.

Now, Boeing faces a decision of whether to continue with the troubled program on which it has spent more than $1.6 billion without being able to cash in on the majority of the fixed-price contract's $4.2 billion for what is supposed to be six operational crew rotation flights to the ISS.

It's unclear if NASA would consider qualifying Starliner for that first mission, Starliner-1, without reflying a version of Starliner beforehand that would have addressed the thruster and leak issues, especially since the original contract called for the CFT to include flying crew up to the ISS, but also having them return.

SpaceX, meanwhile, has flown its fleet of four Crew Dragons 13 times with 50 humans on board so far. That includes two aboard the first Demo-2 flight and four each across eight NASA missions to the ISS, three private commercial flights that featured former NASA astronauts in command for Axiom Space to the ISS, and one orbital mission called Inspiration4 that flew billionaire Jared Isaacman on what was the first all-commercial crew.

Isaacman is awaiting a return to space on the Polaris Dawn flight, which was delayed from launch this week because of: first a helium leak on the launch pad at Kennedy Space Center; then the forecast of poor weather conditions off the coast of Florida during what would be its target landing date; and then because SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket was grounded by the Federal Aviation Administration after one of the Falcon 9's first-stage boosters failed to stick the landing on a Starlink launch.

If SpaceX completes an investigation into the booster failure quickly, and it's approved by the FAA, the Polaris Dawn mission could still be the next human spaceflight from Florida. If not, it might be Crew-9.

SpaceX also has a different all-commercial mission dubbed Fram2 taking four passengers on the first polar orbital crewed mission that could fly before the end of the year. Then, in 2025, it has Crew-10 slated for February, a fourth Axiom Space mission as early as spring and then likely Crew-11 no earlier than August.

Starliner's next flight is TBD.

2024 Orlando Sentinel. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
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A United Nations special rapporteur recently released a damning report describing Canada's Temporary Foreign Worker program as a "breeding ground for contemporary forms of slavery." The report detailed the many ways migrant workers have been mistreated in Canada, including excessive work hours, limited breaks and physical abuse.

The report's revelations have intensified scrutiny of the broader reliance on temporary foreign workers in Canada. The structural dependency on such workers spans various sectors of the Canadian economy and has become a pointed site of critique.

In response to the UN report, the Trudeau government announced on Aug. 26 that it plans to dramatically reduce the size and scope of the Temporary Foreign Worker program. Several industries, however, will be exempt from changes to the program, including food processing.

Research we have conducted since 2020 on Canada's beef processing sector has uncovered the industry's predatory reliance on low-wage immigrant and temporary migrant workers. The strategic selection of workers who are new to Canada and heavily dependent on their employers is a tactic that we call intentional precarity.

This tactic exploits the vulnerable position of these workers, allowing employers to maintain a workforce that is less likely to demand better conditions or fair wages.

Low wages

The beef processing industry is characterized by low wages and work that is dirty, difficult and dangerous. While business lobbies and firms argue they can't find enough workers, the real issue is that few are willing to endure such intensely hard work for such low wages.

The industry relies on the Canadian government to supply these low-wage workers through programs like the Temporary Foreign Worker program, which advocates have long critiqued and which economists argue suppresses wages.

A meatcutter at JBS in Brooks, Alta., for example, starts at $21.85 an hour, which works out to about $41,000 a year. This is below Alberta's median hourly wage of $28.85.

To put this into perspective, renting an apartment in Brooks or High River, Alta. is comparable to Calgary. In addition, workers usually must own a vehicle and car insurance to commute to work due to a lack of public transportation infrastructure.

Wages in this industry have not always been so low. Prior to 1984, meatpacking paid eight to 12 percent above the average manufacturing wage. This meatpacking wage then plummeted to just 82 percent of the industry average from the mid-1980s to 1997. The industry further consolidated, and firms moved out of Alberta's big cities and into more rural areas, out of sight.

High profits

Meanwhile, meat processing firms have been yielding incredible profits. Beef production is highly profitable for the transnational corporations that dominate the industry.

In Alberta, 70 percent of all the beef in Canada is slaughtered at two foreign-owned firms: the U.S.-owned Cargill plant in High River and the Brazilian-owned JBS Canada plant in Brooks, Alta. Running 24 hours a day and seven days a week, these plants slaughter between 4,000 and 4,500 cattle per day and employ between 2,000 and 2,800 workers each.

Both Cargill and JBS are ranked on Forbes Global 2000 list, which ranks the largest companies in the world based on sales, profits, assets and markets. In 2023, JBS posted profits of US$3 billion while Cargill, the largest privately held company in the U.S., saw its revenues decline from US$177 billion in 2023 to US$160 billion in 2024.

In 2021, the year following the deaths of three people in connection with the COVID-19 outbreak at its High River plant, Cargill posted record profits of US$5 billion.

Exploitation of temporary workers

According to the 2021 Census, the Alberta meatpacking industry relies heavily on immigrants. Seventy-two percent of workers in the Alberta meatpacking sector are immigrants, including a significant number of resettled refugees (19 percent). An additional 10 to 30 percent of the workforce are temporary foreign workers.

This trend can be traced back to the early 2000s, when Lakeside Packers started recruiting resettled refugees as workers after being unable to fill positions with local workers. When Lakeside Packers in Brooks (now JBS Foods) expanded in the 1990s, they sought to fill positions at the plant with Canadian workers from Atlantic Canada and British Columbia. However, word of the poor working conditions quickly discouraged potential employees.

Between 2000 and 2005, approximately 2,000 former refugees from Sudan and Somalia resettled in Brooks to work at Lakeside. Then, in 2005, Lakeside workers went on strike to obtain a union contract.

Following the strike, Lakeside's labor recruitment strategy shifted toward hiring workers through Canada's Temporary Foreign Worker program. Specifically, the industry stated it was interested in hiring workers "accustomed to physical labor." Temporary foreign workers are viewed as a preferred labor pool by employers because they are tied through their work permit to their employer and less likely to assert rights to workplace safety.

A dangerous trend for all

The fundamental issue in southern Alberta's meatpacking sector is not a shortage of labor, but rather insufficient wages. The industry is dominated by large, foreign-owned firms that constantly push for greater profits at the expense of employees, perpetuating a cycle of under-payment and poor working conditions.

The government's facilitation of long-term very low-wage jobs performed by temporary foreign workers is deleterious for all workers in the sector.

As the beef industry continues to extract record-breaking profits, it's clear that the terms of employment have to change. The current model is unsustainable and demands urgent review and adjustments to create a fairer and more just labor market.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
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The COVID-19 pandemic not only gave us a global health crisis but also an infodemic, a term coined by the World Health Organization (WHO) to describe the overwhelming flood of informationboth accurate and misleadingthat inundated media channels. This information complicated the public understanding and response to the pandemic as people struggled to separate fact from fiction.

Researchers writing in the International Journal of Advanced Media and Communication suggest that a lot of attention has been paid to tracking and mitigating the spread of misinformation, but there has been less focus on the characteristics of the messages and sources that allow information to spread. This gap in the research literature has implications for how we might develop better strategies to counteract misinformation, particularly in times of crisis.

Ezgi Akar of the University of Wisconsin, U.S., looked at social media updates, "Tweets" as they were once referred on the Twitter microblogging platform. Twitter has since been rebranded as "X." At the time of the pandemic, Twitter had famously risen to the point where it was a powerful tool that could shape public discourse and at the time played an important role in the dissemination of information and social interaction, and, unfortunately, the spread of misinformation.

The research hoped to reveal how the content of a given update and the credibility of its source might contribute to its spread, or reach, across the social media platform, and beyond. The aim would be to see what factors might then be influenced to reduce the spread of false information, often referred to as fake news in the vernacular of the time

Akar's model used three main theoretical frameworks: the Undeutsch hypothesis, which examines the credibility of statements; the four-factor theory, which looks at the various aspects that influence how believable a message is; and source credibility theory, which explores how the perceived reliability of a source affects the dissemination of information. He then used the model to analyze a dataset of tweets, both true and false to look for patterns.

The findings of the study reveal that while the content of an updatesuch as the use of extreme sentiments, external links, and media, such as photos and videosaffects the likelihood of the update being "liked" or shared "retweeted," the credibility of the source has more effect on how widely the information spreads. This suggests that users will engage more with content from seemingly credible sources, even if the content itself is not particularly compelling.

An additional finding, that updates in all capital letters were more likely to be shared if they were providing true information. Usually, messages written in all capital letters are perceived as aggressive, akin to shouting, or naive. But, "all caps" in the case of an important and urgent message seems to override typical user behavior in certain situations.

More information: Ezgi Akar, Unmasking an infodemic: what characteristics are fuelling misinformation on social media, International Journal of Advanced Media and Communication (2024). DOI: 10.1504/IJAMC.2024.140646

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The Philippines is under global scrutiny as it proceeds with the controlled rollout of an unproven African swine fever (ASF) vaccine from Vietnam amid doubts from experts about its safety and efficacy.

ASF is a highly contagious viral disease that affects domestic and wild pigs and has a mortality rate that can reach 100%, according to the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH).

There is no internationally approved vaccine against the virus which has led to huge losses in pig populations following an upsurge in the disease since 2022.

"There is a very big concern," said Ramon Clarete, a professor of economics at the University of the Philippines Diliman who specializes in agricultural productivity. "We really must be careful about this [vaccine], because the swine industry is a very important industry in agriculture."

The concerns stem from a perceived lack of transparency from Vietnam about its trial data and the nature of the ASF vaccine, which consists of a live virus that has been weakened by deleting important parts of its genes. This type, called a live-attenuated vaccine, may still pose a serious risk of mutation and reversion to its viral form.

"The risk with a live-attenuated vaccine is that it may still have a little bit of virulence that can cause either the disease or some form of discomfort or disease," said Baptiste Dungu, professor at University of Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo and vaccinologist with more than 30 years in veterinary vaccine research, manufacturing, and commercialization.

A 2023 study published in Nature tested the virus strain in ten pigs and found that while it did not gain back its virulence, a virus variant emerged in one pig, which eventually spread through all ten pigs. The variant appeared to be slightly more replicative and had an increased risk of "shedding," the study claims.

"Shedding is when a virus is excreted by the animal that has been vaccinated and then it goes to another animal," explained Dungu.

"This phenomenon did not occur in any of the previous studies, but it is relevant because it could also happen in the field during intensive use," the authors said in the paper.

The Philippine Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said they had carefully reviewed the field trial data before granting the vaccine a Certificate of Product Registration under Monitored Release (CPR MR), which allows its controlled use in the country.

"CPR MR is issued by the FDA for new drugs and vaccines that have successfully met the stringent safety, efficacy and quality standards required for approval," the agency told SciDev.Net.

The vaccine, named the AVAC ASF LIVE vaccine, is created by AVAC Vietnam JSC and imported into the Philippines by KPP Powers Commodities Inc. It is derived from a virus strain called ASFV-G-MGF, or MGF for short.

However, on 27 October 2022, the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) issued a public notice about the withdrawal of MGF from the select agent regulatory exclusions because "it has evaluated new information and determined that they have the potential to pose a severe threat to animal health or animal products."

"It has also determined that the virus strain is not safe for use in pigs because its genome is unstable, potentially leading to reversion of virulence," the notice warned.

Genome loads detected in different tissues during passages 1-4. Credit: npj Vaccines (2023). DOI: 10.1038/s41541-023-00669-z

APHIS cited two journal articles published by the Harbin Veterinary Research Institute in China as the basis for the decision, saying that the studies "identified instability within the MGF genome segments."

In December 2023, WOAH issued a warning on "the use of sub-standard vaccines" following announcements of export deals between the vaccine maker AVAC Vietnam JSC and Southeast Asian countries including the Philippines. The warning urges authorities to only use high-quality vaccines with proven safety and efficacy.

Despite these concerns, the controlled rollout will proceed next month, with 150,000 doses to be distributed in pig farms on a voluntary basis. The campaign will begin on 2 September, in Lobo, Batangas, the "ground zero" of ASF outbreaks, according to agriculture assistant secretary and spokesman Arnel de Mesa.

Last month, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel claimed on the state television PTV that "the vaccine from Vietnam really works."

The Department of Agriculture did not respond to SciDev.Net's requests for more information about the field trials.

The FDA said that field trials have been ongoing in the Philippines for almost two years now and claimed that the vaccine has a 100% efficacy with no side effects. However, no trial data has been made public.

When asked for the field trial documents, the FDA said that they follow strict confidentiality protocols and that "direct access to them is not permitted."

Former Agriculture Undersecretary Jose Reano questioned the credibility of the trials, explaining that he had not seen the field trial documents.

"If the results were really positive, they should be proud and share the data with the public," Reano told SciDev.Net, while adding that the government should not rely on the vaccine as the main form of intervention.

Last year, the trials were scrutinized in a senate hearing with Senator Cynthia Villar questioning KPP Powers Commodities Inc. about its involvement in the trials. The senator noted a conflict of interest and said the Department of Agriculture should independently conduct the field trials.

SciDev.Net reached out repeatedly to the company KPP Powers but did not receive a response in time for publication.

"I am for the introduction of this [vaccination] if it has been found by experts that it is safe to use," said Clarete.

However, he said that the FDA should be more transparent with the trials.

The Philippines is one of the 19 Asian countries affected by ASF since 2019, according to data from the UN Food and Agriculture Organization. It has since spread to 74 of its 82 provinces and reduced the swine population from 12.7 million in 2019 to 9.9 million in 2023.

As of July 2023, the hog industry lost at least Php200 billion or about US$3.5 billion, according to Nicanor Briones, AGAP party-list representative and chair of the Pork Producers Federation of the Philippines.

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The 1969 moon landing? Fake. The assassination of President John F. Kennedy? Cuba really did it. Thomas Jefferson's bitterly contested election in 1800? Choreographed by hidden hands.

Political conspiracy theories have long found receptive audiences in the U.S., often on the fringes of society. Among the best-known today is QAnon, a set of fabricated claims that a group of Satan-worshiping pedophiles controls American politics and media. At its center is an anonymous oracle known as "Q."

Since 2021, QAnon belief among Americans jumped from 14% to 23%, while the percentage of skeptics declined from 40% to 29%, according to a national survey published last fall by the nonpartisan Public Religion Research Institute (PRRI).

A new book, "The Quiet Damage: QAnon and the Destruction of the American Family," delves into the private lives of some believers, chronicling the painful emotional and financial toll this elaborate conspiracy has taken on ordinary people.

Author Jesselyn Cook, a tech reporter who joins Harvard this fall as a 20242025 Nieman Fellow, spoke to the Gazette about why so many have fallen under the spell of QAnon and why the Big Tech platforms are only partly to blame. Interview has been edited for clarity and length.

How did QAnon go mainstream and what was so compelling about it that you became interested in the human toll it took?

October 2017 was the first post from Q on the online forum 4chan. Very few people knew it existed back then. This was around the time Pizzagate [a false conspiracy theory about a pedophile ring run by the Hillary Clinton presidential campaign from a Washington, D.C., pizzeria] was starting to blow up with the 2016 election.

The platforms that it migrated onto didn't do much. They allowed it to spread and grow. By the time Facebook and then Twitter and YouTube took action, most people already knew the name QAnon.

I had been lurking on some of these online forums for a while, watching QAnon in these dark corners of the internet, feeling like it was a little maddening to see it unfold, and no one really talking about it.

But then, in 2020, it became something we couldn't ignore anymore. I think it was a lot of things coming together all at once. COVID put a lot of people in a really vulnerable place. There were these huge information voids that QAnon influencers rushed to fill quite effectively. They tried to answer questions with a lot of misleading and weaponized false information and took advantage of people's fear. We're very aware of what it's done to our democracy and to our public health, but we don't really see what's going on behind closed doors with families.

You call QAnon not just a conspiracy theory, but 'a movement.' Why?

You don't hear today the word QAnon as much. "Q," the figure at the center of the movement, is no longer posting, but the ideas have really been normalized and seeped into our culture.

The polling by the nonpartisan Public Religion Research Institute suggests that around one in five Americans believes that our financial, media, and government worlds are controlled by a cabal of Satan-worshiping pedophiles, which is the core of the belief system.

The reason I call it a movement more than just a theory is because every conspiracy theory out there can be stitched into QAnon. It's so much more than just this idea of "the cabal" and Donald Trump and "the storm" [a foretold conflict in which Trump defeats the cabal].

It's now antivaxx conspiracy theories; you'll see some flat Earth stuff in there; and every little idea that there's corruption going on gets woven into it. People have devoted their lives to this; they really do feel like digital soldiers in a movement. And so, to call it just a theory feels like it's really not representative of the big picture.

The book focuses on five very different QAnon believers, but you interviewed hundreds of people in your reporting. Did you find any common psychological and sociological factors among believers or their families?

I did. I think there's this misconception that the people who are susceptible to QAnon-type falsehoods have a low IQ or they're mentally unstable. But what I found in talking to so many people is that they're not fulfilled in their lives. They're not doing well; they're not happy. There's some unmet need they have, and conspiracy theories fill that. Whether it's purpose or meaning, they want something hopeful to latch onto and QAnon makes all these grand promises.

Also, something that all these characters, maybe with one exception, have in common is a sense of powerlessness. To be a conspiracy theorist really demands a victim mentality because you're convinced that there's some grand entity, some evil, shadowy network working against your interests.

For a lot of people, they come by this mentality naturally because they have been victims of oppression and abuse, maybe for generations or centuries. A lot of minorities and marginalized groups, in particular, can be vulnerable because they have very legitimate reasons not to trust the people in power and to be very skeptical and suspicious of our public institutions.

On the other end of the spectrum, the more privileged people can be conditioned to feel powerless. With one mother in the book, it was on Fox News where she's told again and again "Your rights are being trampled all over, the powers that be are going to take away everything you care about."

When you're conditioned to feel like a victim of the establishment, it's much easier to fall for anti-establishment conspiracy theories. So, there are a lot of different pathways into this, but it really comes down to feeling unfulfilled, feeling disenfranchised, feeling powerlessfor valid reasons or otherwise.

There is a perception that believers have been hoodwinked, and if only presented with facts, they'd snap out of it. You found that's not the case. Why not?

I think a lot of the loved ones I spoke to have been very frustrated by that. Because logically, it makes sense. If someone is spewing fiction, you bring them facts, and that should help. But what I found through my reporting is that this isn't about the truth. The truth is almost beside the point when you get to the QAnon level of conspiracy theory espousal.

If someone is drawn to QAnon because it makes them feel important, it makes them feel like they belong, it makes them feel like they matter, gives them a sense of hope, that's where you need to start. What is really going on here? What's drawing them to this movement in the first place? You need to understand, how can we help you restore purpose outside of QAnon? How can we find a hobby or a volunteer effort or a job that's going to give you that sense of fulfillment and sense of purpose?

In the success stories that I've seen, that's where it started. I think [believers] know on some level that what they're holding onto isn't true, but it feels good, so they're clinging on regardless. That's why facts just aren't going to chip away in the way that you might think they should.

You say we're looking at this as a social media problem, when it's really 'a wellness crisis' because believers are drawn to these conspiracy theories as a coping mechanism for unresolved trauma. What led you to that conclusion?

I definitely went into writing this book with the impression that this was just a tech problem. I've been a tech reporter for many years, and I looked at social media as the sole cause of this crisis. Some people would go on Facebook and be sucked into rabbit holes and others wouldn't. It came down to this underlying vulnerability that I hadn't given as much thought to. It's clear right now is a difficult time.

Many people just aren't doing well. COVID was a big factor, loved ones and jobs and opportunities were lost, the world we came back to was, in many ways, worse than the one we left behind. Conspiracy theories can serve as a crutch [and] can act in a similar way to drugs and gambling.

I don't want to say that social media isn't a factor because, of course, it is. Social media has dumped gasoline on this problem and made it harder to get out and maybe easier to fall in. But the people who do go down the rabbit hole, in almost every case that I reported on, they were vulnerable in some way in the first place. And so, if we can shift our approach by looking at it also as a wellness crisis and intervene in that way, I think we'll see people being less susceptible. If people have better coping mechanisms and if they're doing better in general, they're not going to be as susceptible even in this treacherous online landscape.

What are some successful strategies people have used to pull family members out?

The expert recommended strategies I saw to be effective, and that many people recommended to me, were Socratic questioning and motivational interviewing.

Motivational interviewing is putting aside the true and false and saying, "Let's step back and look at the big picture. What is this doing to your life?"

In so many cases, people who get really deep into something like QAnon cause immense destruction to a lot of things they hold deardemolishing relationships, jeopardizing their careers, losing a lot of money, and compromising their dignity. You're not getting caught up in trying to fact-check or trying to change minds. You're trying to give a little more perspective and do it with compassion. Same with the Socratic questioning method.

It's hard because when people get to the QAnon level, it's not just something they believe, it becomes part of who they are. And when people latch onto these ideas so tightly, anything that contradicts their conspiracy theories feels like an attack, and so they get very defensive.

For the loved ones who are trying to shake some sense into them, they can become the target of hostility and cruelty and personal attacks, and it can wear you down. Sometimes, stepping away is the best thing you can do for yourself, which is hard.

More information: Cook, J. The Quiet Damage: QAnon and the Destruction of the American Family

This story is published courtesy of the Harvard Gazette, Harvard University's official newspaper. For additional university news, visit Harvard.edu.
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.
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Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

Schemes linking corporate executives' pay to how far their firms cut their greenhouse gas emissions are ineffective, new research says.

Emmanuel Morrison, of Teesside University, analyzed data on 1,970 multi-national corporations based in 50 countries, including the UK, and found that the schemes were merely "engaging in superficial impressions."

Many large companies have brought in schemes offering executives bonuses for cutting their firms carbon dioxide emissions. But Mr. Morrison's research found that among the multi-nationals he studied, the bonuses had almost no effect.

He told the British Academy of Management conference at the Nottingham Business School, Nottingham Trent University, "Multi-national corporations might invest in certain board sustainability characteristics to portray a false positive image but still produce high emissions. This is further backed by the notion that multi-national corporations with high environmental threats are more inclined to invest in sustainability as an image management tool to preserve their legitimacy.

"The global community faces challenges in establishing sustainable business practices to enhance sustainability and lower greenhouse gas emissions. There is, however, minimal evidence on the potential of corporate governance processes in tackling or mitigating climate change risks."

The total greenhouse gas emissions comes from sources that are owned or controlled by the company including its electricity, cooling, heat, steam and similar sources. In 2023, the 1,970 firms studied emitted 9.13 billion metric tonnes of carbon dioxide.

Mr. Morrison found only that when a corporation's initiatives on sustainability were backed up by a sustainability committee set up by the corporation and a proper reporting framework were they successful, and then only reducing emissions by around 1.2%. However, only a minority have these procedures.

He studied firms in 67 different types of industries from 2002 to 2022, and adjusted to data to exclude effects caused by the country, industry and the year the data came from, to isolate the effect of executive compensation and initiatives on cutting emissions. Of the 1,970 firms studied, 211 were based in the UK.

Provided by British Academy of Management
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Credit: Pavel Danilyuk from Pexels

Even moderate levels of school absence, not just extreme absences, can have a negative impact on exam results and career prospects, but they are frequently overlooked, according to a University of Strathclyde report.

In England, pupils with consistently moderate absences across schooling were found to account for more than a quarter of all pupils and to be 8.7 percentage points less likely than those with consistently low absences to gain five or more GCSEs.

The report on the short-term and long-term impact of absence in England, Wales, and Scotland, found that, while absences at all levels of education are detrimental, those occurring during the transition from primary to secondary school had the greatest impact on achievement. Absenteeism has an impact on educational attainment, in part because it increases risky and problem behaviors in students while decreasing educational motivation.

Another finding was that absences not only affect academic achievement but also reduce students' chances of entering the labor force after they leave school.

Targeted strategies

The problem of absenteeism has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, and the researchers have called for it to be addressed at all levels, not solely in cases where it is persistent, and with equal emphasis on authorized and unauthorized absences.

In addition, they recommend targeted strategies to reduce absenteeism and "break the cycle" of disadvantage by addressing the underlying causes of absenteeism. These should include physical and mental health screenings and interventions for students, which have become increasingly important since the pandemic began.

Commenting on findings from the detailed report, Dr. Markus Klein, of the Strathclyde Institute of Education, co-leader of the study with his colleague, Professor Edward Sosu, said, "The current policy focus is on persistent or unauthorized absences, which means moderate and authorized absences are not being targeted. Our findings show that they should receive the same level of attention.

"All pupils should be supported to improve their attendance, and in catching up on missed learning during the period of absence. The benefit of this support is likely to extend to pupil behavior and educational motivation.

"This is particularly important at the time when pupils are making the transition from primary school to secondary, where they are dealing with a new school environment, a new curriculum, new teachers and fellow pupils.

Dr. Emily Tanner, program head at the Nuffield Foundation said, "The long-term detrimental effects of missing school identified in this report are deeply concerning following another year of high absence rates. We need a better understanding of the complex reasons for school absence in order to develop effective solutions."

The research examined data from the 1970 British Cohort Study, which tracks more than 17,000 people born in England, Wales, and Scotland in that year, the Millennium Cohort Study, which follows around 19,000 people born in the U.K. between 2000 and 2002, and school administrative data from England, Wales, and Scotland.
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Tropical Storm Yagi slammed into the main island of Luzon after brushing past the Bicol region southeast of Manila, with more heavy rain forecast.

Floods and landslides killed 11 people after a fierce tropical storm dumped heavy rain on the Philippines for a second day, officials said Monday.

Tropical Storm Yagi slammed into the main island of Luzon on Monday after brushing past the Bicol region southeast of Manila overnight Sunday, with more heavy rain forecast which the state weather service said could cause flooding and more landslides.

As a precaution, schools and government offices across the capital were shut for the day, ferry services in some areas were suspended and 29 domestic flights were cancelled due to the weather.

Three people, including a pregnant woman, were killed in a landslide Monday in Antipolo, near equally rain-soaked Manila, city information officer Relly Bonifacio told AFP.

He said the bodies of four other people, all drowning victims, were recovered Monday in three other areas of the hilly community, hours after creeks overflowed overnight.

The Bicol city of Naga was also hard-hit, with a man electrocuted as floodwaters rose and a baby girl drowning, rescuers said.

"The floods were above head height in some areas," Joshua Tuazon of the city's public safety office told AFP, adding that hundreds of residents had been rescued.

People frollick in storm surge along Manila Bay during heavy rain brought by Tropical Storm Yagi.

More than 300 people were at evacuation camps Monday, with local officials saying the floodwaters in the city of 210,000 people were slow to ebb.

Two landslides killed two people and damaged five houses in the central city of Cebu on Sunday, the local disaster office there told AFP.

The storm also unleashed strong currents and big waves that wrought chaos in Manila Bay on Monday, hurling a barge and an oil tanker onto the seawall and causing another barge to run adrift, the coast guard said.

A tug and a small passenger ship also collided while both were anchored, causing a fire aboard the second vessel, it said in a statement.

Eighteen people on the passenger ship, all crew members, were later rescued and a coast guard vessel arrived to put out the blaze.

Yagi slammed into the municipality of Casiguran northeast of Manila on Monday afternoon with sustained winds of 85 kilometers (53 miles) an hour, the state weather service said.

The storm was forecast to churn through north Luzon overnight before moving out over the South China Sea early Tuesday.

A tug and a small passenger ship collided while both were anchored in Manila Bay, causing a fire aboard the second vessel.

About 20 big storms and typhoons hit the Philippines or its surrounding waters each year, damaging homes and infrastructure and killing dozens of people.

The storm was forecast to churn through north Luzon overnight before moving out over the South China Sea early Tuesday.

The weather service also warned of a "minimal to moderate risk" of huge coastal waves threatening seaside communities of northern Luzon.

About 20 big storms and typhoons hit the Philippines or its surrounding waters each year, damaging homes and infrastructure and killing dozens of people.

 2024 AFP
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This image made of satellite data shows the regions of Earth covered by forests with trees at least five meters (16.5 ft.) tall. Image Credit: NASA/LandSat

The term "habitable zone" is a broad definition that serves a purpose in our age of exoplanet discovery. But the more we learn about exoplanets, the more we need a more nuanced definition of habitable.

New research shows that vegetation can enlarge the habitable zone on any exoplanets that host plant life.

Every object in a solar system has an albedo. It's a measurement of how much starlight the object reflects back into space. In our solar system, Saturn's moon, Enceladus, has the highest albedo because of its smooth, frozen surface. Its albedo is about 0.99, meaning about 99% of the sun's energy that reaches it is reflected back into space.

There are many dark objects in space with low albedos. Some say that another of Saturn's moons, Iapetus, has the lowest albedo.

Earth, the only living planet, has an albedo of about 0.30, meaning it reflects 30% of the sunlight that reaches it back into space. Many factors affect the albedo. Things like the amount of ice cover, clouds in the atmosphere, land cover vs. ocean cover, and even vegetation all affect Earth's albedo.

We live in an age of exoplanet discovery. We now know of more than 5,000 confirmed exoplanets, with many more on the way. Though all planets are interesting scientifically, we're particularly interested in exoplanets that are potentially habitable.

A team of Italian researchers is examining exoplanet habitability through the lens of vegetation and albedo. Their work is in a paper accepted for publication in the Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society titled "Impact of vegetation albedo on the habitability of Earth-like exoplanets." The lead author is Erica Bisesi, a Postdoctoral Researcher at the Italian National Institute for Astrophysics' Trieste Astronomical Observatory.

"Vegetation can modify the planetary surface albedo via the Charney mechanism, as plants are usually darker than the bare surface of the continents," the researchers write in their paper. Compared to a dead planet with bare continents, an exoplanet with vegetation cover should be warmer if they're both the same distance from similar stars.

The Charney mechanism is named after Jule Charney, an American meteorologist who is considered by many to be the father of modern meteorology. It's a feedback loop between vegetation cover and how it affects rainfall.

In their work, the researchers updated the Earth-like Surface Temperature Model to include two types of dynamically competing vegetation: grasslands and forests, with forests included in the seedling and mature stages.

"With respect to a world with bare granite continents, the effect of vegetation-albedo feedback is to increase the average surface temperature," the authors explain. "Since grasses and trees exhibit different albedos, they affect temperature to different degrees."

Since grasses and trees affect albedo differently, vegetation's effect on planetary albedo is linked to the outcome of their dynamic competition. "The change in albedo due to vegetation extends the habitable zone and enhances the overall planetary habitability beyond its traditional outer edge," the authors write.

The researchers considered four situations:

Complete tree dominance (forest worlds).

Complete grass dominance (grassland worlds).

Tree/Grass coexistence.

Bi-directional worlds

In a bi-directional world, vegetation converges to grassland or to forest, depending on the initial vegetation fractions. In these worlds, seed propagation across latitudes widens the region where forests and grasslands coexist.

The researchers found that vegetation cover lowers a planet's albedo and warms the climate, nudging the outer limit of the habitable zone. However, they also arrived at more specific results.

They found that the outcome of dynamic competition between trees and grasses affected how vegetation is distributed across latitudes. "The achieved temperature-vegetation state is not imposed, but it emerges from the dynamics of the vegetation-climate system," they explain.

This figure from the research shows how Earths liquid water habitability index is shifted outward by different vegetation regimes. Its based on Earths modern distribution of continents. Credit: Bisesi et al. 2024.

The researchers worked with the idea of a 'pseudo-Earth." The pseudo-Earth has a constant fraction of oceans at all bands of latitude, affecting the distribution of continents and vegetated surfaces relative to the equator, where most of the sun's energy strikes the planet.

This figure from the research shows how a pseudo-Earths liquid water habitability index is shifted outward by different vegetation regimes. Its based on an equal distribution of oceans at all bands of latitude. Credit: Bisesi et al. 2024.

The researchers also worked with a hypothetical dry pseudo-Earth. On this Earth, ocean cover is limited to 30%, while the Earth and the pseudo-Earth both have 70% ocean cover.

The simulated dry pseudo-Earth has less ocean coverage than Earth, meaning theres more surface area for vegetation to cover. Credit: Bisesi et al. 2024.

The team reached some conclusions about vegetation cover, albedo, and habitability.

The more continents a planet has, the greater the climate warming effect from vegetation. When the simulations resulted in a grass-dominated world, the effect was weaker because grass raises albedo. When the simulations resulted in a forest-dominated world, the effect was greater.

The researchers' key point is that none of this is static. Outcomes are driven by the competition between grasslands and forests for resources, which in turn is driven by the average temperature in each latitudinal band. "In general, thus, the achieved temperature-vegetation state is not imposed, but it emerges from the dynamics of the vegetation-climate system," they explain.

This is especially pronounced on the dry pseudo-Earth. Because there is so much land cover, vegetation has an even stronger effect on albedo and climate. "However, the ocean fraction cannot be too small, as in this case, the whole hydrological cycle could be modified," the researchers add.

Overall, vegetation's effect on albedo and climate is small. But we can't dismiss its effect on habitability. Habitability is determined by a myriad of factors.

This issue is very complex. For instance, on a planet where grasslands and forests coexist, external factors like stellar luminosity and orbital variations can be buffered depending on where the continents are and how much their vegetation affects albedo purely by location.

The authors consider their work as a basic first step in this issue. They only included certain types of grasslands and forests, didn't include the relative availability of water, and didn't include atmospheric CO 2 concentrations.

"The dynamics explored here are extremely simplified and represent only a first step in the analysis of vegetation habitability interactions." they write. "Future work will also include a simplified carbon balance model in the study of planetary habitability."

"This endeavor should be seen as a first step of a research program aimed at including the main climate-vegetation feedbacks known for Earth in exoplanetary habitability assessments," they write.

More information: E Bisesi et al, Impact of vegetation albedo on the habitability of Earth-like exoplanets, Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society (2024). DOI: 10.1093/mnras/stae2016 Journal information: Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
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Credit: CC0 Public Domain

Yosemite National Park is famous for towering waterfalls, giant sequoia trees and massive granite cliffs. But at an out-of-the-way spot near the park's western boundary few visitors ever see, a landmark of a different type is taking shape.

Workers are making progress this summer on an ambitious plan to turn a 400-acre property that was used for generations as a cattle pasture back into a healthy Sierra Nevada meadow.

The project at Ackerson Meadow, the largest wetlands restoration in Yosemite's history, involves filling in massive amounts of erosionincluding a 3-mile long gully that is 14 feet deep and 100 feet widewith hundreds of truckloads of dirt and mulch, along with planting 425,000 native plants and more than 700 pounds of wildflower seeds.

The work, by crews overseen by Yosemite officials, began last year and is scheduled to finish next summer. The goal is to restore natural conditions not seen in the scenic meadow between Yosemite's Big Oak Flat entrance station and Hetch Hetchy Reservoir since before the 1880s, when cattle grazing, logging and homesteading began there.

"It's an amazing location, with amazing resources. This meadow is a rare oasis in the Sierra," said Frank Dean, president of the Yosemite Conservancy, a non-profit group based in San Francisco that is helping fund the $17.7 million restoration project. "It's an incredibly rich place."

Ackerson Meadow is home to great gray owls, black bears and at least 55 species of birds, including the endangered little willow flycatcher. The property is closed to the public during construction but afterward is expected to be open again.

It was included in the original boundaries of the park in 1890, then removed a few years later when Congress made adjustments to the map. Perched on the boundary of Yosemite and Stanislaus National Forest, it remained in private hands for more than a century.

The landscape, at about 4,600 feet elevation, had been coveted by developers for years as the site of a possible resort or other development.

In 2016, the Trust for Public Land, a non-profit group based in San Francisco, paid $2.3 million to purchase the property from Robin and Nancy Wainwright, members of a longtime ranching family in the area. The land trust donated the land to Yosemite, and it became the largest expansion of the 750,000-acre park since 1949.

That year in an interview with the Associated Press, Robin Wainwright said his family had turned down a higher offer from developers who planned to build a resort there. He said the property bloomed with vibrant wildflowers in the spring, and he often saw bears wandering through the area and owls gliding overhead.

"To have that accessible by everyone to me is just a great thing," he said. "It was worth losing a little bit of money for that."

The transfer was not without controversy, however. It was opposed by some ranchers and members of the Tuolumne County Board of Supervisors.

Shaun Crook, a board member of the Tuolumne County Farm Bureau, said in 2016 when Yosemite announced the deal that the property had been used for logging and to fatten beef cattle.

"That will no longer happen," he said at the time. "I fear we'll lose the value of that meadow."

Yosemite's meadows, including Ackerson, are home to hundreds of plants and animal species. Only 3% of Yosemite is in meadows, but they are the location of one-third of all of the plant species found in the park, according to the National Park Service. They are also a key source of water for the Bay Area, filtering snow melt that eventually runs into rivers that provide water for San Francisco, the Peninsula, parts of San Jose and the East Bay.

"During the westward expansion of our country, a lot of homesteaders and businesses looked at meadows like this as a place to build and settle," said Guillermo Rodriguez, California director of the Trust for Public Land.

"This meadow has been actively used for decades upon decades," he said. "The water was diverted and channelized. The natural state was completely changed. The idea of the restoration work is to let nature get back to what it does well."

Meadows act as sponges, soaking up water and allowing plants, insects, birds and other wildlife to flourish. Cattle grazing, dirt road building, logging and other activities over the years caused the soil to be compacted. That led to erosion, which carved the deep gullies. These lowered the water table, drying out the property.

Crews have been filling the gullies with 150,000 cubic yards of dirtabout 15,000 dump trucks fullfrom nearby hillsides that burned in the 2013 Rim Fire. To form a mulch, they have been mixing the dirt with wood chips from firs, pines and other trees that have grown overly thick in the nearby Merced Grove of giant sequoias and been selectively removed to reduce fire risk.

"It's a win-win," Dean said.

"Ackerson Meadow is a regionally critical wildlife corridor that supports an amazing amount of biodiversity," said Yosemite spokesman Scott Gediman. "The project truly exemplifies what can be achieved with a dedicated partnership."

2024 MediaNews Group, Inc. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Adirondack Pub and Brewery celebrated completion of its expanded brewing operation, Friday Aug. 30, and expansion that includes new equipment made possible by a New York State Development Craft Beverage Micro Grant.

We are incredibly grateful to the State of New York and Empire State Development for this generous grant, which helps support economic growth and jobs in the Lake George Area, said John Carr, the Pubs owner.

This grant not only allows us to meet the growing demand from our customers but also reinforces our commitment to contributing to the local economy and community, he said in a statement.

The expanded footprint adds 3,000 square feet adjacent to the pub, bringing the total size to approximately 15,000 square feet.

The expansion supports the brewery and also a selection of beverages that include canned hard lemonades and teas, hard ciders made from New York State apples, hard seltzer, and the popular Bear Wizz Root Beer.

Among the new offerings introduced since the expansion is a canned hard strawberry lemonade, Cliff Jumper.

This is the companys 25th year of business, Adirondack Pub and Brewery is open year-round, and more than one local leader focused on that during the remarks, a statement from the company said.

The craft brewing industry in New York State has exploded in popularity and success over the last 25 years, said Assemblyman Matt Simpson, District 114, in a statement. Near the forefront of it all is John Carr. Adirondack Pub and Brewery has served as a blueprint for whats possible, borne out of a vision of Johns to do more than simply brew a delicious product. The Brewery represents a cornerstone in the regional tourism economy where both residents and visitors alike come together in celebration of community.

Lake George Town Supervisor Vinnie Crocitto added: Were grateful John Carr took a chance 25 years ago by establishing Adirondack Pub and Brewery long before the craft beverage industry took off in New York State. Adirondack Pub and Brewery has long been an essential part of Lake Georges cultural and economic landscape, and this expansion is a clear indication of their ongoing commitment to quality. Their success continues to drive tourism, create local jobs, and strengthen our community.

Lake George Village Mayor Ray Perry focused on the community.

Adirondack Brewery is open year-round, providing jobs in every season for Lake George Village. Their events also bring visitors to the area during the shoulder seasons and have raised more than $135,000 for charity over the years. A heartfelt thank you to Empire State Development for investing in Adirondack Breweryand, by extension, in our community, Perry said.
Stewarts will raze homes on Bacon St.

GLENS FALLS  The Common Council approved permits for the Stewarts Shops to tear down two homes it recently purchased for $855,000 in total on 1 and 3 Bacon St. in the city. The company purchased the properties as part of a plan to redevelop their store at the corner of Glen Street and Sherman Avenue. Steve Thurston

Water filters available at cost

SOUTH GLENS FALLS  The village board is moving to purchase a number of in-home water filters, which the village will make available to residents at cost.The offer comes as the board pursues several options in solving a water quality issue along Ferry Boulevard. For months residents have had dirty water flowing into their homes from a swath of bad water pipes. Rather than offer filtering to the people most affected, the board chose in August to purchase the filters at a bulk discount and offer them to any resident who might want one, at cost. Officials say the devices are extremely easy to install, and instruction can be offered to anyone who needs a helping hand. Alex Portal

McPhillips, Fitzgerald & Cullum LLP names partner

GLENS FALLS  The Glens Falls law firm of McPhillips, Fitzgerald & Cullum, LLP, has announced the addition of Brian C. Borie as a new partner with the firm. Borie has a depth of experience in the areas of estate planning, estate administration, elder law and real estate. He will join the firms other attorneys in its estate department, further expanding the firms capacity to assist the Glens Falls community in this critical area. He joined McPhillips, Fitzgerald & Cullum in 2020 after having been partner of his own firm in Glens Falls prior to that. He is a graduate of Siena College and Albany Law School, and lives in Queensbury with his family. McPhillips, Fitzgerald & Cullum, located at 288 Glen Street in Glens Falls. from a press release

The Queensbury Senior Citizens welcome Briana Lyons

QUEENSBURY  The Queensbury Senior Citizens has named Briana Lyons as their new Marketing Assistant. Lyons will focus on updating the QSC website, managing the organizations social media pages, creating content, and designing the monthly newsletter for their growing membership. The QSC is a nonprofit organization aimed at helping people in this region age well. Lyons brings over ten years of experience in social media management, content creation, and digital marketing to the role. In addition, she has a Master of Gerontology/Management of Aging Services from UMass Boston and a Master of Social Work from SUNY Albany. from a press release

Moreau restricts nighttime parking near Big Bend Preserve

MOREAU, Big Bend Preserve  Town officials are reminding nocturnal park-goers that when the Big Bend Preserve closes its parking lot gate in the evening, there is to be no parking along the road outside the gate. Residents who live across the way from the recently opened satellite site to the Moreau State Park have expressed concerns that cars parked along the road so night-hikers can access the trail, narrows the roadway and creates hazards. Theyve also reported several instances of cars parking in their front yards. To mitigate these issues, road crews will install No Parking signs along the preserve side of the road.

Millennials and housing

A new study from Construction Coverage looks at the locations where millennials  people born between1981 and 1996  are buying the most expensive homes. Home prices for millennials eased slightly but still grew by 40.7% since 2018 while their incomes only rose 31.6%. The report looks at where this demographic is spending the most for homes. For the Glens Falls, NY metro area:

Millennials earned a median income of $106,000 last year.

Median home purchase price for millennials in 2023 nationally was $415,000

Median home purchase price for millennial buyers in Glens Falls was $275,000.

Millennials in Glens Falls are spending the same on their homes than what is typical across all buyers in the metro ($275,000).

Glens Falls is one of 82 small U.S. metros where millennials are paying about the same for a home as all home buyers on average, the report finds. from a press release

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Visitors take photos of the Gongchen Bridge over the Grand Canal in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, June 12, 2024. With a history of more than 2,500 years, the Grand Canal, connecting Beijing and Hangzhou in east China's Zhejiang Province, served as a significant transportation artery in ancient China. The canal was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in China in June 2014. Recent years, local authorities have prioritized the protection of the site while continuously promoting the protection of cultural heritage, the reuse of industrial relics and the inheritance of intangible heritage culture, gradually building the bank area of the Grand Canal into a region featuring rich culture, nice environment and thriving tourism. (Xinhua/Weng Xinyang)

A sharing meeting focusing on reviving Chinese traditional culture in a combination with the Grand Canal, was held in Yangzhou, a city known for its profound cultural deposits and abundant cultural sites along the Grand Canal on Friday.



Scholars, experts and online celebrities from both home and abroad have long-time immersed themselves in Chinese traditional culture and shared their understanding of the Grand Canal and exchanged views on the artistic creation of this waterway at the meeting.

Gu Feng, former head of the Yangzhou Cultural Heritage Bureau, said the Yangzhou section of the Grand Canal has played a pivotal role in grain transportation and agricultural irrigation in a long history since the Sui Dynasty (581-618).

He underscored that the Grand Canal has connected China's major water systems and broken the boundaries of regional civilizations, creating conditions for the Great Reunification (Dayitong) and consolidating the country.

"The Grand Canal bears witness to history and serves as a source of artistic inspiration. Painting enables us to capture the beauty and legend of this waterway, and preserve its culture," said Li Manyuan, a Chinese-style painter known online as Yuyuhetaotao.

"The Grand Canal is the precious heritage left by our ancestors. Blending traditional culture and canal chic with the millennium Grand Canal helps us inherit this heritage," said Liu Jiaxi, another painter known online as Lumingshan.

Indonesian painter Dr HC MAS Hedi Suryatna said that only by maintaining cultural art reserves and promoting them through social media, can these reserves show tourism value for the world.

"The Grand Canal holds immense cultural significance. It's a melting pot of traditions where diverse cultures converge and exchange ideas. I hope that its future will be just as rich as its past," said Meerim Dzhunuhalieva, a Kyrgyzstan student majoring in painting.

The meeting was part of Canal Chic: Reviving China's Heritage Jiang tour, hosted by China Daily Website and supported by local cyberspace administration authorities in East China's Jiangsu province.

Spanning 790 kilometers in Jiangsu, it links eight cities from south to north: Suzhou, Wuxi, Changzhou, Zhenjiang, Yangzhou, Huai'an, Suqian and Xuzhou. The section has also been appraised by experts with the richest cultural heritage.
The 2024-25 school year is now in full swing for most Quad-City school districts.

Students, teachers, staff and superintendents have been busy. Hayes Elementary School recently celebrated 100 years since the school opened, and Riverdale Elementary School out in Port Byron held "Ag Day," where K-5 students got to learn about a range of agriculture-related topics, such as dairy, sheep, apples, corn and soybeans, farm equipment and much more. If you haven't already, I'd highly recommend you check out my colleague Katelyn Metzger's photos from the event.

But amid all the excitement, QC school leaders are moving forward on other, district-wide business items and discussions.

Davenport and Pleasant Valley held regular school board meetings last Monday, and Rock Island-Milan held a Committee of the Whole meeting focused on student mental health Tuesday.

Like our local schools, I'm sure our readers are busy, too. Keeping that in mind, here's a "rapid-fire" roundup of recent school board highlights and other education items.

Davenport schools

What board members approved:

Headphones for students in kindergarten through eighth-grade, totaling $105,672.

Renewing the district's Transition Alliance Program (TAP) partnership with Iowa Vocational Rehabilitation Services, for about $238,300. Students in TAP have access to job exploration and work-based learning opportunities, counseling, self-advocacy instruction and workplace readiness training year-round.

Professional development for the Amplify CKLA, HMH Into Math and Lexia LETRS curriculums.

A laundry list of board policy revisions, including: policy 502.06, "Weapons," 707.03, "Publication of Financial Reports" and 710.01 "School Nutrition Program."

Employing school resource officers at each district attendance center where students in grades 9-12 regularly attend classes, per Iowa Association of School Boards guidelines.

What they discussed:

Shifting to a new, 8-period high school schedule for the 2025-25 school year. This change aims to boost graduation rates, give students more choice and flexibility in their course loads and create more intervention time.

Developing a "Portrait of a Graduate" design/stakeholder engagement process.

Other board policy updates, impacting policy 501.09, "Chronic Absenteeism and Truancy" and 505.02, "Student Promotion Retention Acceleration."

Next board meeting: Monday, Sept. 9 at 5:30 p.m.

Pleasant Valley schools

What board members approved:

Updates to board policies 507, "Parent and Family Engagement," 507.E1, "Title I Home-to-School Partnership" and 507.R1, "Parent and Family Engagement / Building Level Policy"

What they discussed:

Ongoing facilities construction projects, including the following updates:

Pleasant Valley Junior High and Forest Grove Elementary School's addition and renovation projects wrapped up just before school started, though the junior high is awaiting final touches to its new family and consumer science classroom. Upgrades to PV elementary school playgrounds are complete.

Spartan Stadium's new scoreboard will be operational in early October.

District leaders, stakeholders and project partners  Bill Bruce Builders and FRK Architects + Engineers  are meeting weekly to assess construction plans for future additions and renovations to Pleasant Valley High School. As previously reported, this project will add roughly 75,000 square feet to the high school and create room for approximately 700 more students.

Recent back-to-school events, professional development and other district-wide updates.

Next board meeting: Monday, Sept. 9 at 6:00 p.m.

Rock Island-Milan schools

What board members approved:

Hiring Gretchen Hampsey as an accounting supervisor for the district, at an annual salary of $83,028 (retroactive to July 1, 2024).

Hiring Jennifer Walthall as the district's director of accounting and financial reporting, at an annual salary of $111,909 (retroactive to July 1, 2024).

What they discussed:

School counseling, social work and mental health awareness, featuring Rock Island-Milan staff. The district employs 18 school counselors across 14 buildings; offers Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) supervision, "Compass," a comprehensive counseling curriculum and universal screener for grades K-12, and was invited to present at International School Counselor Association (ISCA) conferences in 2022, 2023 and for November 2024. As part of Committee of the Whole, this item was an open discussion  to watch Tuesday's meeting recording, visit www.rimsd41.org/apps/pages/BOE and click the "Board Meeting Videos" tab.





Rock Island-Milan board members recognized Rock Island Academy counselor Amy Zero, the ISCA's 2024 Counselor of the Year honoree. They also saw presentations about Rock Island Academy Presentation, led by principal Thomas Ryan, and district students' participation in Spring Forward's Summer Enrichment Camp, led by executive director Robert McIntyre.

Next meeting: Tuesday, Sept. 10 at 6 p.m.

Other upcoming school board meetings include Moline-Coal Valley and United Township at 6 p.m. and North Scott at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 9. Bettendorf will hold a regular school board meeting on Wednesday, Sept. 11 at 6 p.m., and East Moline's next school board meeting is scheduled for Monday, Sept. 23 at 6:30 p.m.

Student Shout-outs:

2023 PV High School graduate Cale Claussen recently received the American Degree in FFA, the highest degree awarded by the organization formerly called Future Farmers of America. Fewer than 1% of the FFA members in Iowa receive the degree each year. Claussen participated in the North Scott FFA chapter and completed agriculture coursework concurrently with North Scott High School while he was a PV student.

Five recent Moline High School graduates received a combined total of more than $15,000 in Moline Rotary Club scholarship grants, including Baylie Farmer, of the University of Illinois, Jolie Martinez, of Drake University, and Sidney Schlitz, of Augustana College. These three earned $5,000, $3,000, and $2,000, respectively, in Moline Rotary Scholarship Foundation awards by exemplifying the Rotary International mantra of "Service Above Self." Carlin Rosas and Liliana Blanford also earned STRIVE scholarships to attend Black Hawk College tuition-free.

Mason Goche, a 2024 Bettendorf High School graduate, recently earned a $500 scholarship from the Iowa Association of Business and Industry to pursue advanced manufacturing at Hawkeye Community College.

Sarah Eckert, of Davenport, recently received a 2024-25 Robert D. Blue scholarship award from the Iowa Centennial Memorial Foundation. These are awarded annually to seven Iowa students based on financial need, an original essay, academic achievement and recommendations. Eckert is attending the University of Iowa this fall.

Photos: Riverdale Elementary hosts 11th Annual Ag Day
If youre a teacher, you can get free coffee from Wawa throughout Virginia from Monday to Sept. 15.

The program is part of Wawas Cheers to Classrooms initiative to show appreciation to schoolteachers.

To redeem the offer, teachers and school staff should inform the associate at the register that they are a member of a local school system. The offer is valid in-store only, not on the Wawa app and delivery services, for any size coffee in Wawas mid-Atlantic operating area.

As everyday heroes of the classroom return back to school, were delighted to toast a new year by providing free coffee to teachers and school staff for the first two weeks of September, said Dave Simonetti, a spokesperson for Wawa. We hope this small gesture shows our deep appreciation for everything educators and school staff do for children in the community.
Rachel Goldberg recalled how she had made her sons bed, the way she surely did when he was a boy growing up in Richmond.

After his kidnapping by Hamas on Oct. 7, she dared to hope that one day he might return home. At times, she had become certain he would return.

But over the weekend, that hope was dashed when the Israeli military released photos of six young hostages recovered from a tunnel system in Gaza. The hostages had died, and Goldbergs son, Hersh Goldberg-Polin, was among them.

On Monday, Rachel and her husband, Jon Polin, said farewell to their 23-year old son at a funeral livestreamed from Israel. The two shared heartbreaking memories of an empathic boy enchanted by the world. And they prayed his death might finally move the needle toward a cease-fire and the return of more than 100 remaining hostages in Hamas captivity.

The Goldberg-Polin family lived in Richmond for four years when Jon Polin worked for Capital One. Rachel Goldberg recalled the familys time living in a home off Patterson Avenue in Richmonds West End. They attended synagogue at Keneseth Beth Israel.

Rachel previously described the time as great years for the family, who later transplanted to Israel.

It was there that the family held his funeral, which was attended by thousands of Israelis and livestreamed across the world by multiple news stations.

The 23 years of life that we had with you were a blessing, said Jon Polin. We now will work to make your legacy a similar blessing.

Polin said he was moved by a note from a well-wisher, who wrote: May his memory be a revolution.

Rachel Goldberg described the months of agony endured as the family tried by any means to bring Hersh home. At times, she even believed his return was inevitable.

We became absolutely certain that you were coming home to us alive, Goldberg said. How do we live the rest of our life without you?

Hersh was one of more than 360 hostages taken prisoner by Hamas while they were attending the Tribe of Nova trance music festival.

On Oct. 7, Rachel Goldberg woke up to bomb sirens. She broke Sabbath norms to turn on her phone, where she saw WhatsApp messages from her son. They read I love you and Im sorry.

I knew immediately something was horribly wrong, Goldberg said.

Details later emerged about Goldberg-Polins kidnapping. He and 28 other attendees were hiding in a bomb shelter that was being peppered with Hamas grenades. His best friend, Aner Shapira, would pick up and throw the grenades out of the shelter.

A medical examiner would later find Shapira died with a grenade in his hand, Rachel Goldberg told CNN, suggesting that one of his final acts was to protect the many refugees  and Hersh.

A video of Goldberg-Polin being thrown into a truck with four other hostages was released in April via CNNs Anderson Cooper, who realized after interviewing his parents that an Israeli soldier had shown him a video of Hersh that the family had never seen before.

Goldberg-Polins parents said the video gave them a dose of strength despite seeing that their son was missing most of his left arm.

Hes handling a horrible situation and hes doing it with composure, Jon Polin said during an interview with CNN.

While their son was a hostage, Rachel would send him blessings from the familys porch. At his funeral, she described him as irreverent, energetic, kind and pensive.

Hersh, for all these months, I have been in such torment, for every single millisecond of every single day, she said during Mondays service. It closed my throat and made my soul throb with third-degree burns.

Orly Lewis, CEO of the Weinstein JCC in Henrico County, said the family was incredibly important to the community here in Richmond.

Lewis, who kept in touch with Rachel Goldberg, said she fought relentlessly to bring Hersh home.

He was such a beautiful soul, Lewis said. His obituary said that he was a child of love, peace and light. And that is really who Hersh was.

The news of Hershs death sent shockwaves through Israel. Hundreds of thousands of protesters took to the streets on Sunday and Monday to protest Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus intractability in negotiating for a cease-fire. And the countrys president attended Hersh Goldberg-Polins funeral in Jerusalem to apologize to his family.

Maybe, just maybe, your death is the stone, the fuel, that will bring home the remaining 101 hostages, his father said.

Photos: Protests over Gaza met with arrests at Washington University in St. Louis
BUENA VISTA  Second gentleman Doug Emhoff rallied with Virginia Democrats at Rep. Bobby Scotts annual Labor Day cookout in Newport News on Monday, while Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., and his Republican opponent, retired Navy Capt. Hung Cao, traded a few jabs at Buena Vistas 53rd Labor Day festival, but the two did not have their forecast first meeting.

Labor Day marks the traditional kickoff of the sprint to Election Day in Virginia, though its now an election season, with early voting beginning on Sept. 20.

In a 13-minute speech at Scotts 47th annual Labor Day event, Emhoff, the husband of Vice President Kamala Harris, saluted organized labor and urged Democrats to be focused and disciplined in the campaigns last two months.

With all of this excitement, all of this celebration, we havent won anything yet, he said. As for Virginia, Emhoff said: I think were looking good here, but weve got work to do.

In addition to Emhoff, Scotts cookout in Newport News drew an array of Virginia Democrats from around the state, including Kaine; Rep. Abigail Spanberger, D-7th, who is running for governor next year; Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney, one of the candidates seeking the partys nomination for lieutenant governor; Rep. Jennifer McClellan, D-4th; and assorted members of the General Assembly, as well as union leaders.

In Buena Vista, Cao, who spoke at the GOP Labor Day Breakfast and marched in the towns annual parade, did not stay for the political speeches that followed, saying he had a separate parade to attend. He could not recall where the next parade was, and his campaign spokesman did not respond to a request regarding the location.

Cao said he intends to meet Kaine for the first time at their Oct. 2 debate at Norfolk State University.

I look forward to speaking to him then, Cao said. Well, not so much speaking with him as at him.

Kaine remarked on Caos absence during his speech at the Glen Maury Park Pavilion later in the day.

I had hoped to meet my opponent today, Kaine said. I have not met my opponent yet. He was invited to speak to you all today, but he decided he had better things to do.

Cao has been polling behind Kaine, with the most recent numbers from Roanoke Colleges polling indicating he is 11 percentage points behind. (The survey had a margin of error of plus or minus 4.5 percentage points.)

Cao hopes support from state and national Republicans, including presidential candidate Donald Trump, will help him close the gap. Cao took the opportunity to speak about Kaine during his remarks at the GOP breakfast before the parade.

Tim Kaine is a weak man in dangerous times, Cao said. In times like these, we need strong people to rise up. Strong alpha males and alpha females.

Great to join @BobbyScott4VA3, @SpanbergerForVA and @timkaine to welcome @douglasemhoff to Virginia for Rep. Scotts annual Labor Day Cookout. Democrats are fighting to ensure workers have the protections, benefits, and rights they deserve. #LaborDay2024 pic.twitter.com/Dx2qzXvGMi  Jennifer McClellan (@JennMcClellanVA) September 2, 2024

The festival in Buena Vista is traditionally a major stop along the road to election for politicians in Virginia. According to Kaine, its the point at which people running for office can see the finish line.

The speeches that immediately follow the parade mark a chance for politicians running against each other to give dueling addresses. Members of the crowd that gathers to hear the speeches tend to separate themselves by political affiliation. The effect is a raucous event, with eruptions of booing and cheers springing up simultaneously throughout.

Gov. Glenn Youngkin, who led the parade, was the first to speak, and gave an endorsement to both Cao and Rep. Ben Cline, R-6th, who is running for reelection. Youngkins remarks focused largely on curbing immigration, repeating throughout that, under Biden/Harris, every state has become a border state.

We have seen record numbers of illegal immigrants coming into this country, Youngkin said. There have been stories of young women being sexually assaulted by illegal immigrants; there are record amounts of illegal drugs being brought into this country.

When a wave of boos came from the Democratically aligned end of the room, Youngkin indicated that they loved illegal druhgs and fentanyl.

It is always great to be in the Annual Buena Vista Labor Day Parade! The energy at Glen Maury Park was incredible, with so many Virginians ready to expand our House majority, take back the Senate, and return strength back to the White House this November! pic.twitter.com/I8NvI61gXm  Glenn Youngkin (@GlennYoungkin) September 2, 2024

Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears, a potential Republican candidate for governor in 2025, received a similar reception when she made remarks about immigration, eventually accusing the Democrats in the room of racism for telling a Black woman to get off the stage.

Other speeches were given by Cline and Ken Mitchell, his Democratic opponent. Much of the crowd had left following a speech by state Sen. Chris Head, R-Botetourt, who endorsed Cline.

47 election front pages from the Times-Dispatch archives 1904 1908 1916 1920 1924 1928 1932 1936 1940 1944 1948 1952 1956 1960 1961 1964 1965 1968 1969 1972 1973 1976 1977 1980 1981 1984 1985 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020
Authorities report Cancun hospital bomb threat prank call

Cancun, Q.R.  The report of a bomb threat at the Jesus Kumate Hospital in Cancun has been said to be a prank. Late Sunday afternoon, Cancun officials were alerted to an explosive device at the hospital which lead to an evacuation.

Police, dogs, military personnel and Civil Protection were part of the team that arrived in response to the 5:00 p.m. report. After a thorough search, the threat was reported to be a prank.

In an official statement late Sunday, the Government of Quintana Roo posted Following a call alerting about an alleged explosive device at the Jesus Kumate Hospital in Cancun, action and evacuation protocols were activated.

Elements of the Sedena, National Guard, SSC, Firefighters and Civil Protection performed an evacuation in coordination with authorities of the municipality of Benito Juarez.

An evacuation was carried out as well as the inspection protocol in all areas, reporting everything in order and indicating that it was a prank call. Citizens are urged to stay informed through official sources and to make responsible use of emergency lines.

In August, police in Chetumal determined an early afternoon bomb threat inside a shopping plaza to be a false alarm after someone also placed a prank 9-1-1 call.
Citizen report gets pair arrested for stealing live sea turtle

La Paz, Baja California Sur  Two people are under investigation after being found attempting to steal a live sea turtle. Baja California Sur police were tipped off about the men who were at a beach and in the process of lifting the turtle into the back of a truck.

By the time police arrived, the men had the live sea turtle loaded in the bed of their pickup and were about to drive off. They were arrested and charged with a crime against biodiversity, which is a federal offense.

The Attorney General of the Republic (FGR) said the investigation began as a result of a phone call from Municipal Police officers in La Paz, BCS, who reported the arrest in flagrante of two people who were aboard a vehicle, in which they had a live turtle in the bac.

The above occurred as a result of following up on a citizen report in which it was indicated that the detainees were loading the aforementioned marine specimen into a vehicle near a beach located in Colonia El Centenario where the arresting elements arrived, who arrested them upon confirming the events.

Francisco V and Jose L were arrested and placed at the disposal of the Federal Public Ministry (MPF) who is compiling an investigation against them for the possible commission of a crime against biodiversity, provided for and sanctioned in the Federal Penal Code, the FGR reported.

The sea turtle was returned to its natural habitat unharmed. Photo: FGR

In coordination with personnel from the Federal Attorneys Office for Environmental Protection (PROFEPA), the Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) of the Citizens Observers Network and the MPF, they released the turtle in a feeding area in the sea of La Paz, BCS, returning this marine species to its natural habitat.
Drivers in remote communities issued new license from mobile units

Riviera Maya, Q.R.  Drivers living in remote communities around the state will not have to travel as far to get a new license. Over the weekend, the state government began dispersing mobile Imoveqroo (Mobility Institute of Quintana Roo) units.

The fully equipped units are manned by Instituto de Movilidad del Estado de Quintana Roo (Imoveqroo) staff who will issue a new license in about 10 minutes.

Governor Mara Lezama says the mobile units will be available to people mainly in remote communities so they do not have to travel to the cities to obtain a new license.

Governor Lezama said the issuance of licenses is a safe and expeditious process that can take about 10 minutes. She confirmed the procedure can be carried out inside the units where biometric data, fingerprints, photographs and printing of the document are recorded.

Mara Lezama highlighted the transparency in the payment of the cost of the license to combat corruption, because when that is done, the peoples money goes further, and as an example, she mentioned the acquisition of these mobile units.

The units issue a new printed license in about 10 minutes. Photo: CGC August 31, 2024.

The Governor ordered that the mobile units for issuing licenses be available to residents of remote communities so that they do not have to leave their localities to carry out these procedures, which is necessary for orderly mobility, she said.
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.
Suspects in fatal hit and run of two PDC hotel employees identified

Playa del Carmen, Q.R.  Two men arrested in the fatal hit and run of two women over the weekend have been identified. In custody is 30-year-old Daniel N from Quintana Roo and 23-year-old Hermelindo N from Guatemala.

The pair were arrested from the car they were traveling in Saturday night after two women were struck on the federal highway outside Playa del Carmen. The women, both hotel employees, were killed. The driver of the car failed to stop.

The car that allegedly hit them was described by witnesses, which were hotel coworkers of the now-deceased women. The car was located heading north on the federal highway after police received several motorist reports of a heavily damaged car heading toward Puerto Morelos.

The vehicle was intercepted and the two males inside arrested by Solidaridad Police. Inside the car in front cup holders were two beer cans. The interior of the front was found with shattered glass from the broken windshield.
Email Thomas Elias at tdelias@aol.com. His book, "The Burzynski Breakthrough, The Most Promising Cancer Treatment and the Governments Campaign to Squelch It" is now available in a soft cover fourth edition. For more Elias columns, visit www.californiafocus.net
LINCOLN  A new Nebraska tax credit program can help working parents with young children pay the rising cost of child care.

Related credits can benefit child care workers and child care programs, as well as the businesses and organizations that bolster Nebraskas child care options.

But first, those parents, providers and others have to apply for the credits through the Nebraska Department of Revenue. A campaign launched Tuesday aims to spread the word about the new income tax credits and the application process.

State Sen. Eliot Bostar of Lincoln, who introduced the legislation creating the credits, said he doesnt want a repeat of the states experience offering income tax credits for property taxes paid. Only about half of those credits were claimed by property tax payers before the program was replaced this summer.

He joined Bryan Slone, president of the Nebraska Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and leaders of First Five Nebraska, a nonprofit organization focused on early childhood years, to promote the new credits.

The importance of child care for Nebraska cannot be overstated, Bostar said, adding that child care makes it possible for more people to hold jobs and contribute to the states economy.

Slone said that having available and affordable child care is key to attracting and keeping young families in the state, as well as maximizing the number of people who can fill jobs in a labor-short state. He said child care concerns consistently rank among the top three concerns Nebraska business owners have.

This is one of the most important things we have to do in the state, he said.

About 74% of Nebraska children under age 6 have all available parents in the workforce, yet the state does not have enough child care capacity to meet those needs, according to First Five. Since 2019, licensed child care programs have declined by 12% statewide.

Elizabeth Everett, deputy director of First Five, said the hope is that the new tax credit programs will make a difference. She said the organization will be studying the impact as the credits roll out.

These are the available child care tax credits

Under legislation passed last year, Nebraska will offer four tax credits for people to claim when they filed their 2024 income taxes.

Parents of children age 5 or younger may qualify for refundable income tax credits. Those with household incomes of $75,000 or less can get a $2,000 credit per child in child care. Those with incomes between $75,000 and $150,000 can get a $1,000 credit per child in care. Special provisions apply for parents with incomes below the federal poverty level.

To qualify, parents have to apply using applications from the state Revenue Department. The applications will not be available until later this year. But parents who delay submitting the application could miss out. The Legislature allocated a maximum of $15 million for the parent credits, enough to help 15,000 children at most.

Businesses and others who contribute to helping improve the availability of child care may qualify for nonrefundable credits, worth either 75% or 100% of their donation. Applications for these credits already are available from the Revenue Department. As of Aug. 8, $422,525 of the $2.5 million allocated for the credits has been reserved.

Information about the parent credits and the donor credits is available at: https://nebraskachildcaretaxcredit.org/

Other credits are available for child care programs that participate in Nebraskas Step Up to Quality program and serve children on subsidies and for child care professionals who work in a Step Up to Quality program and have completed 12 hours of in-service training. The credit amounts vary and will be approved until the total for both programs reaches $7.5 million.

Information about both provider credits is available at: https://schoolreadinesstaxcredit.org/
New paper about detecting climate misinformation on Twitter/X

Posted on 2 September 2024 by John Cook

Together with Cristian Rojas, Frank Algra-Maschio, Mark Andrejevic, Travis Coan, and Yuan-Fang Li, I just published a paper in Nature Communications Earth & Environment where we use the Computer Assisted Recognition of Denial and Skepticism (CARDS) machine learning model to detect climate misinformation in 5 million climate tweets. We find over half of climate misinformation tweets involve personal attacks or conspiracy theories. This new paper builds on work published in 2021 which I wrote about in the article How machine learning holds a key to combating misinformation.

Here is the abstract of our open access paper "Hierarchical machine learning models can identify stimuli of climate change misinformation on social media":

Misinformation about climate change poses a substantial threat to societal well-being, prompting the urgent need for effective mitigation strategies. However, the rapid proliferation of online misinformation on social media platforms outpaces the ability of fact-checkers to debunk false claims. Automated detection of climate change misinformation offers a promising solution. In this study, we address this gap by developing a two-step hierarchical model. The Augmented Computer Assisted Recognition of Denial and Skepticism (CARDS) model is specifically designed for categorising climate claims on Twitter. Furthermore, we apply the Augmented CARDS model to five million climate-themed tweets over a six-month period in 2022. We find that over half of contrarian climate claims on Twitter involve attacks on climate actors. Spikes in climate contrarianism coincide with one of four stimuli: political events, natural events, contrarian influencers, or convinced influencers. Implications for automated responses to climate misinformation are discussed.

We used the taxonomy from Coan et al. (2021) where we developed the CARDS model for detecting misinformation claims. There are 5 categories of misinformation: it's not real, it's not us, it's not bad, solutions won't work, experts aren't reliable:

This taxonomy provides a comprehensive overview of the frequently employed main claim and its corresponding subarguments utilized to bolster contrarian perspectives on climate change. Source: Coan et al. (2021)

We found that spikes in climate misinformation coincided with external events - usually political events like climate legislation going through Congress or a COP summit, but also extreme weather events like Hurricane Ian.

Number of tweets related to climate change published during the second semester of 2022.

We also found misinformation spikes instigated by influencers, both contrarian influencers promoting misinformation & convinced influencers who provoked misinformation backlash. I have to confess, I never thought I'd coauthor a climate misinformation paper mentioning @RobSchneider and @RealJamesWoods!

Percentage of contrarian tweets detected by the CARDS and Augmented CARDS models.

The major take-home from this research is that 40% of climate misinformation tweets are ad hominem attacks and 20% are conspiracy theories. The majority of climate misinformation involves discrediting climate actors and eroding public trust in climate science.

Breakdown of the five most relevant categories detected by the Augmented CARDS model on Twitter in 2022. The percentages of these categories are relative to the total proportion of contrarian claims identified by the binary model.

Reference:

Rojas, C., Algra-Maschio, F., Andrejevic, M. et al. Hierarchical machine learning models can identify stimuli of climate change misinformation on social media. Commun Earth Environ 5, 436 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s43247-024-01573-7
Ever since Donald Trump lost the 2020 election, hes been constantly ranting about voter fraud and that election being stolen from him. (It wasnt.) Over the past four years, this has galvanized Republicans across the country to pass a slew of restrictive voting laws, right in time for Trumps third attempt at the White House.

Since these changes happen bit by bit over time at the local level, you could easily have missed thembut the big picture of how much things have changed since 2020, especially in some key swing states, is pretty troubling. Republican-controlled statehouses have created new barriers to voting and eliminated many of the COVID-era concessions that made voting easier. And in an election year when Vice President Kamala Harris and Donald Trump seem to be neck and neck, even a small blip in turnout because of these new laws could have a significant impact in states like North Carolina, Georgia, Arizona, and Michiganexactly where some of the countrys most restrictive voting laws are being passed.

Heres a rundown of the biggest changes since the last election that we should all be keeping an eye on.

North Carolina

Over the past few years, North Carolina Republicans have been on a mission to pass a voter ID law that they have argued is necessary to suppress voter fraud. It temporarily took effect in 2013, but a federal judge slapped it down in 2016. The court concluded that the state Legislature passed the law with racially discriminatory intent, noting it came about in the immediate aftermath of unprecedented African American voter participation in a state with a troubled history and racially polarized voting. (In 2018, another version of this law passed, and again was shot down by both state and federal judges.) But last year, North Carolina Republicans won two seats on the states Supreme Court, cementing a conservative majority, and the court was quick to overturn the 2016 voter ID decision.

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Nearly 29 million voting-age U.S. citizens did not have a nonexpired drivers license in 2020, according to the Center for Democracy and Civic Engagementabout 12 percent of the total population. And over 7 million, or 3 percent, did not have any other form of nonexpired government-issued photo ID. Most of these Americans were between the ages of 18 to 29 and were nonwhite.

Yet for the first time in a presidential election, voters in North Carolina will have to show a physical ID verifying their identity in order to receive a ballot in November. If they dont have an acceptable ID, they can cast a provisional ballotbut in order for it to count, theyll either have to complete an exception form or bring an acceptable physical ID to the office of their county board of elections by the second Thursday following Election Day, so by Nov. 14.

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There are also big changes to mail voting, with voters now being required to have two witnesses present when they sign their ballot or have the ballot notarized and include a photocopy of an acceptable ID in the envelope of their completed ballot. And once a voter follows all of those steps, they must mail their ballot and ensure it arrives at their county board of elections office by 7:30 p.m. on Election Day in order for it to be counted, whereas in previous years, voters had until three days after Election Day.

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To be sure, if you dont have a state-approved ID, you can get a free Voter Photo ID at the Board of Elections office in your county, Kate Fellman, who is the founder and executive director of You Can Vote, a voting rights group in North Carolina, said in a statement. But you have to already be registered to vote in your county and you have to be able to get thereeven if the office is many miles away, or you dont have a car, or a friend who can drive, or public transportation in your county.

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Liz Avore, a senior adviser at the Voting Rights Lab, a nonprofit that studies voting and election law, told Slate she believes North Carolinas mail voter identification law is the strictest in the country right now, but its also not the most logical way to verify a voter whos not present with a photo ID.

Related From Slate The Supreme Court Just Signaled What It Will Do If the Election Is Close Read More

New Hampshire

New Hampshire voting law is a bit complicated. Election Day voters can prove their identity by providing valid photo ID, having their identity verified by an election official, or completing an affidavit. However, if a voter is registering to vote for the first time in New Hampshire on Election Day without valid photo ID and an election official cannot verify their identity, the voter can cast a type of provisional ballot called an affidavit ballot. An affidavit ballot is counted on Election Day, and the voter has seven days from the date of the election to provide proof of their identity to the New Hampshire Secretary of States Office. If the voter fails to do this, the voters affidavit ballot is retrieved, and the votes on that ballot are deducted from initial election results.

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Republicans in New Hampshire have been trying to get rid of the use of these affidavitstheyve sent a slew of restrictive voting bills to Republican Gov. Chris Sununus desk that would end their use for people who want to register to vote on Election Day in person at their polling place, but dont have all the required paperwork in hand.

If Sununu signs this bill, New Hampshire would be the first state in the country to stop offering these affidavits to voters on Election Day. Avore believes it would likely be considered unconstitutional, since the Supreme Court has previously ruled that requiring citizenship documents to vote is a violation of federal voting law.

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Every state requires that citizens verify their citizenship on a form by attesting under penalty of perjury that they are in fact U.S. citizens, Avore said. This federal voter registration form does not require proof of a voters citizenship but does ask for ID that would verify a persons address. Because of this, many states dont require voters to again bring in a physical ID to vote at their local polling station. To check if a voter is eligible, election officials always have the option to verify their name against the states voter rolls, the Department of Motor Vehicles database, or Social Security Administration records. Its also worth noting that it is exceedingly rare for noncitizens to try to vote. The conservative Heritage Foundation found only 24 instances of noncitizens voting between 2003 and 2023.

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Sununu has yet to sign this bill and has given zero indication which direction hes leaning. And raising the stakes even further, the bill is written to take effect 60 days after passage currently the election is a couple of months away.

Georgia

This state drew Trumps ire in the aftermath of the 2020 election when he demanded Georgia Secretary of State of Brad Raffensperger find 11,780 votes so he could eclipse Joe Biden and be declared the victor of the states 16 electoral votes. (That phone call plays a role in two ongoing federal and state criminal cases in which Trump faces multiple felony charges.) Since then, Georgia Republicans have been on a mission to tighten voting procedures, passing a new law that allows election officials to adjust how many voting machines are placed in each polling station depending on their projections of expected voter turnout. Some polling stations could end up with far fewer machines than in the past, resulting in long lines for voters.

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The new law also limits the number of ballot drop boxes a county can have: just one per 100,000 registered voters. This change is especially going to take a toll on Fulton County, a Democratic enclave with a majority-Black population where more than half of registered voters used drop boxes in 2020.

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Other new changes this year include a requirement that all poll workers be U.S. citizens and another law that allows Georgia citizens to challenge a persons voter registration if they believe that voter cast a ballot in a county they no longer live in, used a nonresidential address, or died.

Last week, the state election board also gave local election officials the authority to investigate ballot counts before they are officially certified, including allowing hand recounts of votes that could potentially delay the states vote certification. This basically allows Georgia officials to pause vote certification if they disagree with the direction its going, and thats concerning in a state like Georgia, Avore said, where in 2020 Biden flipped the state by only about 11,000 votes.

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Michigan

Democrats earned a supermajority in the Michigan Legislature after the 2022 elections, and theyve used that power to push through a package of laws that increase access to the ballot box, collectively known as the Michigan Voting Rights Act.

Now any voter can request a mail ballot without having to provide a reason, and the state has to pay for postage and tracking. And if an election clerk feels that a voters signature on their mail ballot does not match their signature on file, or the signature gets left off altogether, that voter must be notified immediately and allowed to correct their ballot.

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Ballot drop boxes are also mandated in every Michigan county now. And anyone who applies for, updates, or renews their drivers license or state ID will automatically be registered to vote. Individuals who are released from incarceration will also automatically be registered to vote Michigan is the first state to implement such a law. Michiganders will also be allowed to register to vote on Election Day with only proof of residency.

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Arizona

In 2020, Arizona was home to a lot of controversy after Fox News called the state for Biden. Arizonas Maricopa County became a hotbed for election conspiracy theories, drew hundreds of protesters, and was a target in the Trump teams fake electors scheme.

In response, Arizona Republicans introduced a law that requires residents to submit proof of citizenship in order to register to vote. It was challenged all the way up to the Supreme Court, which ruled last week that Arizona could ask for proof of citizenship, but only on state-created voter registration forms. Any voter who cannot confirm their citizenship status has the option to register to vote using a federal form, which does not require proof of citizenship.

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According to Votebeat, a nonprofit news organization, since 2013 Arizona has been splitting the states voters into two buckets: those who have provided documented proof of citizenship and those who have not. The have-nots are subsequently placed on a federal-only list and are allowed to vote in federal elections, but not state. As of 2023, there were at least 32,000 federal-only voters, and Votebeat found that theyre mostly young voters and those who identify as Democrats.

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Republican Gov. Doug Ducey also signed a new law that removes voters names from the states early voting list if they did not vote early at least once in a primary, general, or municipal election during two consecutive election cycles. (Voters will receive a notice if they are being removed from this list and have an opportunity to stay on it.) In previous years, voters on Arizonas early voting list automatically received a mail ballot for every election. Democratic Arizona Secretary of State Katie Hobbs wrote a letter to Ducey saying these changes arent just unnecessarytheyre detrimental to voters.

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Texas

In 2020, Texas Harris County, home to 4.7 million residents and the most ethnically diverse county in the state, voted overwhelmingly for Biden.

In 2021, Texas Republicans got to work passing a series of laws that banned voting practices popular in Harris County, including 24-hour voting, drive-thru voting, and having more than one ballot drop box per county. Texans will also be required to include their drivers license number or the last four digits of their Social Security number on their mail-in ballots, while public officials could face a felony charge if they send any voters a mail-in ballot application that the voter did not first request themselves. Local officials also cannot give voting rights groups mail ballot request forms for any get-out-the-vote initiatives.

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The law also targets Harris County by stripping the power of local election officials who oversee counties of over 3.5 millionHarris County is the only one of Texas 253 counties that has a population larger than thatand allows the state to handle election oversight.

Texas Democrats staged a 38-day walkout in protest of the law, abruptly bringing the states Legislature to a complete stop. They flew to Washington to try to put pressure on Congress to enact federal legislation that would expand voting rights and supersede Texas own law, but ultimately their efforts failed. A few months after the dramatic walkout, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott signed the contested voting bill into law. However, last year, a federal judge in Texas ruled that the law was unconstitutional, but the state appealed to the Texas Supreme Court. Harris County requested an emergency order to prevent the law from taking effect while the legal battle plays out, but was denied. The law will take effect on Sept. 1.
Before Oct. 7, I used to see the streets of Gaza as very beautiful, with its many new projects and buildings, its luxurious restaurants and thriving businesses. It used to make me smile; when the taxi driver took me around in those streets, I was proud that there was life in Gaza, despite the many wars it has experienced.

But I also had a great fear that another war would come and destroy all of this. We live in a constant state of fear. This isnt the first war where weve been displaced. And I, too, got used to it, though I didnt like it. I was one of the stubborn ones. Previously, I had always told my family that I did not want us to leave our home when there is a war in Gaza. I do not like being displaced and its difficult circumstances. I want to die at homebut the wish remains only words. A person continues to fight for survival. During this war, Ive relented. Weve tried displacement several times, all in order to escape death.

I am 30 years old, and I have a small family, two sisters and one brother. One of my sisters is married and has two children. My sister lives west of the city of Khan Yunis, while I live in the east of it, in the area next to the European Hospital. At the beginning of the war, we began to suffer from a lack of water. I started carrying large gallons to the second floor to fill the water tanks on the roof of the house, using a rope pulled by my brother or father. I wash our clothes by hand up there, because there is no electricity to operate the washing machines. There is also no gas for cooking; so many are forced to light a fire in order to cook food, the food that we have all craved, because it has been banned from entering the Gaza Strip. I do not like the canned food spread in the market and distributed as aid to the people of Gaza. My stomach does not accept it, and neither does my family. For a time, we were trying to cook some simple dishes from vegetables, and we relied more on cheese sandwiches.

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It is a very different war. I live between the cities of Khan Yunis and Rafah. When the ground operation began in the city of Khan Yunis last December, my area was separated from the city. We could not go there the normal way, on the main road. But we were looking for other ways that we could go, to check on my sister, who was staying in the citys refugee camp. The communications outage was a major obstacle, and we had great fear and anxiety that we would lose someone, possibly even without knowing it, if we didnt do something. So we decided: We would venture to Khan Yunis, even if it wasnt allowed. We would make sure my sister was OK and come back.

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On our way, we heard the sounds of intense bombardment in the city, heavy missiles and powerful explosions. Eventually the assault forced us to flee to the nearby European Hospital because the danger of being hit with shrapnel became too great. The bombs were powerful, and they reached our residential area. Fleeing, though, was not a good option eitherit was dangerous. We could die trying to reach the hospital. But I felt forced to do so because my mother, who is in her 50s, has a spinal cord disease, and her movement is very weak. She was afraid that an explosion would come soon, hindering her ability to escape death. So I went with her to the hospital, and we took shelter for her safety.

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When we arrived, we could not find a place to stay because of the large number of displaced people there, and we spent the night in the buildings garage. I felt humiliated at the time that I was near my house and could not sleep in it. I was looking at my mother, who was frozen from the cold, and praying that the time would pass. It was a difficult and very cold night. So difficult that at dawn, we decided we couldnt do this night after night, or even one more night. So we returned home, with warplanes and drones overhead, but we got back quickly and survived.

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The many explosions in the city did not stop. I was wondering whether we would know our city after this ground operation. Will our favorite places be destroyed, or will they survive? Many questions were killing us. We knew there was intense bombing all around us, but we didnt really know what was happening to the city.

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In January, a month after the start of the ground operation in Khan Yunis, my sister was forced to move from her home to our homefrom the west of the city to its eastbecause the Israeli army had penetrated the camp where she lived. This was the camp in which I was born and lived for eight years. I left it in the year 2000 because the Israeli army bulldozed it. We spent two years homeless and displaced before we moved to live in our current home. Still, the storming of the camp during this war was a shock to me. Its where my sisters house has always been, where she gave birth to her two children, Adam and Rital, who are still just 3 and 5 years old. She came to us fleeing from death. She describes the scene of her displacement from the camp like an action movie: Tanks were shooting at their car, and the car driver was forced to keep going over the bodies of citizens who were killed.

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Once my sister arrived, we were trying to support her psychologically, telling her that her house would not be harmed, and that she was with us and we would all be fine. But inside me there was great concern that the army would ask my area to evacuate, too. Then where would we go? We had already failed to travel through the Rafah land crossing into Egypt when we tried in May. So we came back. Nowhere is safe. My mother is very sick and the war conditions are difficult, and we are trying to endure. We live with it, but it makes all of our bodies very tired.

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Unfortunately, we were wrong. My sister lost her house. It was severely damaged and became unfit for living during the ground operation. Many people spoke in shock about the massive destruction that befell Khan Yunis, and the Israeli army was proud of decimating it, but I had not seen it yet. I was running away. My brother, father, and brother-in-law were saying that the city was completely destroyed. There was nothing left that we knew. The streets had erased their features. After the Israeli army withdrew in March, I finally went, and I saw it. I was stunned.

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My taxi passed through the streets as we approached the city, and I was in a state of shock. There were some intersections that were so well known to us, that were considered some of the citys transportation centers. There was a mall where I used to buy fruit, vegetables, and cleaning supplies that was newly opened a year before the war. It was a beautiful project and a comfortable space; I could find everything we needed there and return home quickly after a long day of work.

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Now I cant find anything. Its all gone. The streets had become sandy, and there were mountains of sand. I wondered how the army had the free time to create this devastation with bulldozers. The schools are also destroyed. In the center of the city, which we call the vital and commercial center, there is nothing intact. Everything is destroyed and not fit for use at all. You feel that this area was struck by a huge earthquake. The entire city, without exception, is destroyed, and what remains of it is uninhabitable. Nothing has survived.

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Ten days before writing this, at the beginning of July, the Israeli army asked the eastern areas of the city of Khan Yunis to evacuate and move to the west of the city. This city, where a ground military operation took place for three months at the beginning of the year, was completely destroyed. But the army requested evacuation again. Its baffling; what is left to destroy? My residential area is among those being asked to flee again. Hearing it, I felt that my soul was being taken from me. I was looking at my mother, who was crying bitterly. Everyone was crying, and the question was the same: Where should we go? My sister, whose house was so damaged, was crying but trying to help us find a place. She suggested that we go to the apartment shed moved into and make a little room to stay therebetter there than in the tents, because our mother is still sick. She cannot survive in the tents. There was no place else for us, so we accepted.

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We thought we had endured enough from the heavy bombing of Khan Yunis, and then during the ground operation in Rafahremember that at first, we lived between the two cities. At each stage, we could hear the heavy bombing in the area around us, and then we had to endure the displacement yet again. When it came time to flee once more, I did not sleep all that night.

Everyone was trying to collect important things, and I was in a deep state of sadness and pain. I escaped death several times during the past wars. How would I leave my home yet another time? Would I ever return to it, or not? This hurt my heart. I was exhausted.

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I heard the sound of intense bombing. That night passed with difficulty. In the morning, we started transferring our belongings to a truck. All the neighbors left their homes and moved their belongings. I could hear the echo of my voice because the area had become empty of residents. We moved our belongings, said goodbye to our home, and got into the truck.

The road was long, and the destruction all around us was great. My mother looked at it in shock; it was the first time she had seen the city after the armys withdrawal. The road was overwhelmed, thousands of displaced people in cars and trucks, many of them walking on foot. There were no cars to transport them due to the extreme lack of fuel. My heart was crying at this scene. I hear my mothers voice speaking and asking: What was here? Where is that place? In other ways I was entering the city as if it were the first time. The driver asked passersby where this and that road leads. We have all lost the landmarks of the city, and know nothing about it now.

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We arrived at my sisters home, an apartment on the fourth floor. The building was burned, but her place was the most destroyed. It was the first time I had entered it. The kitchen was burned, and the walls had been consumed by fire. The walls of all the rooms were destroyed. But we began to reclaim the place. We closed the walls with reinforced nylon. We tried to clean the kitchen from the ashes of the fire, though fully clearing it was impossible. It was still so dangerous. The walls were cracked by shells and missiles, and when a place next to us was bombed, we felt that the house would fall on us.

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The apartment was in the same camp we had lived in as children, the one we left in 2000. In that way it was a homecoming, though not our first. Wed returned to that camp in every war when we had to flee. So this place received us again, even though it, too, was completely destroyed. It was the only safe place, or at least, the safest of the options. This camp has known us since our childhood, and it knows that there is no other place for us. Our old house is gone. The infrastructure is destroyed. There is no water. You need to walk several kilometers to get water just for daily use. The sight of rubble, dust, and smoke from fires and the sound of bombing are terrifying, but we are trying to live. We have no other choice. We cannot escape to another place in order to breathe a little and feel safe. The crossings are closed.

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People in the camp have been waking up in the dawn hours to fetch water from faraway places. The surrounding area is flattened. The neighbors are trying to return to what remains of their homes, as we did to my sisters apartment. My sister helps clean the neighbors places, and I can hear the sounds of stones and rubble coming out of the peoples homes as she works. The thing that has transfixed me most is one of the neighbors whose building was destroyed. I think it was three or four floors tall. The house was targeted by several missiles, and is not suitable for living at all. It has no walls; the floor columns are damaged and may fall at any moment. But these peoplethey were cleaning the second floor in order to put a tent inside it and live in it. It is difficult for anyone to leave their house, the house that was their safety, their dreams, and the future. That is why the people in the camp chose to return to their homes, even if they were unfit for living. The nostalgia for it is fatal.

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The sound of rubble being thrown aside from houses used to bother me very much. It felt like my dreams were being thrown away. I would look out the window at that house and find the family sitting on a sofa and lighting a fire in front of them to prepare tea or coffee. Some of us used to joke when lighting a fire to keep warm that it was summer now; winter was over. A very silly joke in a very painful and sad reality. I used to wake up to the sound of gas cylinders that people were trying to fill, even if it was with a very small amount of gas.

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Everything is very difficult. Nothing we get is easy. We get tired when we walk a few steps, because our health is bad due to the lack of food and because the streets have become ugly. The atmosphere is very polluted. Sand dust and smoke from fires and cars make breathing difficult. Taxis no longer transport us. Modern cars are the only cars that operate now, because the motors can carry cooking oil instead of fuel. There is really no fuel for cars in Gaza due to the closure of the crossings, and when it shows up, its price is very high. A liter of diesel costs $30. This is a large sum for a taxi driver.

I am still waiting to return to my home again. I still feel like a stranger in the city that I no longer know. I am afraid of its streets, because the destruction in them hides what they hold. I want to stay at home. I do not want to go out. And I never want to see the city like this. I have wished so much that this was just a nightmare, and that it would end. But it isnt, and it doesnt.
H.R. McMasters At War With Ourselves, a memoir of his 13 months as Donald Trumps national security adviser, has aroused much attention for its stinging criticism of the former (and, God help us, possibly future) president. But the publicity and TV interviews have been too narrowly focused. McMaster also takes dead aim at a vast cast of others who got in his way or disagreed with his views: Secretaries of Defense and State Jim Mattis and Rex Tillerson; Trumps mischief-makers Steve Bannon and Reince Priebus; his successor, John Bolton; White House chief of staff John Kelly; and, not least, Democratic Presidents Joe Biden and Barack Obama.

The hero of this well-written and entertaining tale is H.R. McMaster himself, and its grand theme is what a great shame it was that the president didnt take his advice more often. It is an oddly presumptuous theme for a three-star generala hero of both Iraq warswho was, and is, more intellectual than most of his Army brethren but who had never worked in Washington or engaged in any policy issues outside the Middle East.

During the Iraq war, McMaster thoroughly studied the history and theory of counterinsurgency warfare, then applied his learnings as regiment commander in the province of Tal Afar with remarkable success. Entering Trumps White House, he studied the handbooks and protocols on the division of responsibilities between the national security adviser and the various Cabinet secretariesand thought his mastery would once again guide him to dominance.

He never graspedand still doesnt; not completely anywaythe vast divide between theory and reality in the minefields of Washington politics.

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McMaster led teams of talented analysts in the NSC staff to write impressive documents on geopolitics, a new approach to China, and other weighty matters. Trump, of course, never read them (few presidents peruse such documents); his bureaucratic rivalries had their own priorities, which he was ill-equipped to reconcile. A deputy warns him early on in his tenure that Washington is nothing like your experience in the military. Here, she warns, friends stab you in the chest.

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McMaster does emerge from his adventure with shrewd insights into the commander in chiefs failures, and it is these insights that have (rightly) boosted the books appeal. For instance: Trumps ego and insecurities left him vulnerable to flattery, a fact easily exploited by Vladimir Putin, Kim Jong-un, the Saudi royal family, and his own lackeys, who viewed White House meetings as exercises in competitive sycophancy, in which common phrases included Your instincts are always right and You are the only one who, which encouraged Trump to stray from the topic at hand or to say something outlandishlike Why dont we just bomb the drugs in Mexico or Why dont we take out the whole North Korean army during one of their parades. *

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Trumps lack of historical knowledge made him susceptible to Xi Jinpings self-serving account of Beijings rights to the South China Sea. The fragility of his ego and his deep sense of aggrievement made it particularly easy for Putin to play him like a fiddle.

Still, McMaster saw his role as helping to execute the presidents policiesa role bolstered by his insistence on remaining an active-duty officer (who has a legal obligation to carry out the presidents legal orders). And in this sense, he misunderstood the hostility mounted against him and the president by Mattis and Tillerson.

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Both menMattis a retired Marine four-star general, Tillerson a former Exxon CEOwere supremely self-confident. They each expected McMaster to roll over to their demands; McMaster resisted, thinking his job was to coordinate administration policy. Mattis was especially condescending toward McMaster, viewing the relationship as that of a four-star to a three-starand, in military culture, the supremacy of a four-star over a three-star is enormous.

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McMaster viewed their connivances as purely a competition for control. But much more was going on. As we now know, and knew to a large extent at the time, Mattis and Tillerson viewed Trump as a danger who needed to be contained. Mattis spent much time traveling abroad, downplaying Trumps America-first ramblings, assuring allies that the United States would always have their back; some thought his title should have been secretary of reassurance.

McMaster complains in the book that Mattis slow-rolled Trumps requests for contingency planning on North Korea and Iran. What he omits from his account is that Trump wanted contingency planning for a military strike on those two countries; they thought that he really wanted to initiate a strike and that slow-rolling the request would restrain his impulse toward war. When Kelly, another retired general, started joining the private meetings with Mattis and Tillerson, McMaster thought, Tillerson and Mattis have gotten to him. But in fact, what Kelly got was the supreme danger of Trump. And the three men left McMaster out of their cabal because they knewin part because he still wore the uniformthat hed sworn to take Trumps side. McMaster reveals that, at one point, Kelly told an aide to let him know whenever McMaster was meeting alone with Trump.

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McMaster understands all this to some degree. Tillerson and Mattis were not just confident in themselves, he writes near the end of the book. They often lacked confidence in a president they regarded as impulsive, erratic, and dangerous to the republic.

In a particularly revealing passage, McMaster writes that Trumps incitement of insurrection on Jan. 6, 2021, might be invoked as an ex post facto justification for their [Mattis and Tillersons] behavior. But in August 2017, I was just trying to help the elected president set his course. In fact, Jan. 6 can be seen as evidence that the two Cabinet secretaries were rightand that by helping Trump set his course, McMaster was sharpening the danger.

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But McMaster is correct that Mattis and Tillerson were incompetent plotters. The more independent of the president and the White House they became, he writes, the less effective they would be. And that is what happened. Tillerson was fired even before McMaster was. (He was a terrible secretary of state who, among other things, put the interests of ExxonMobil above those of the United States, perhaps in part because he saw them as identical.) Mattis was an insular defense secretaryhe surrounded himself with fellow Marine officers, many of whom had served with him abroadand had no idea how to deal either with the Pentagons civilians or with the people in the White House, whom he held in contempt, to his ultimate self-defeat.

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Its a shame: On the issues, Mattis and McMaster agreed on much. Had they worked together, they might have steered Trump in a more sustainably sensible direction. That they didnt is more Mattis fault than McMasters. John Bolton had plenty of high-level bureaucratic experience; when he replaced McMaster at the White House, he shut Mattis out completely. (In a remarkable exchange in the book, which takes place when McMaster knew he was on the way out, he tells Mattis, I hope you get John Bolton, because you deserve John Bolton. A red-faced Mattis replies, At ease, Lieutenant Generalat ease being a phrase that senior officers invoke to put subordinates in their placeyou cant talk to me that way.)

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Still, in the books postscript, McMaster hopes that young people who have persevered through these pages will conclude that, even under challenging circumstances, there are tremendous rewards associated with service under any administration.

Alas, the case he presents for a rewarding experience, at least in the Trump administration, is flimsy. Earlier in the book, he notes, Despite the frictions I was encountering, he and his team were helping Trump make sound decisions. He cites as examples Trumps long-overdue correctives to unwise policies toward China, Russia, North Korea, Cuba, and Iran.

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He makes something of a point on China, where the administration was fairly unified in dropping the long-standing hopeheld, to some extent, by every president since Nixonthat engagement would lure Beijing into the Western-dominated global system. But Trumps correctives, mainly levying tariffs and launching a trade war, had little effect other than to hurt American consumers.

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On the other areas, McMasters boast rings hollow. On Russia, Trump caved to Putin at every opportunity. On North Korea, after McMasters departure, and to Boltons frustration, Trump commenced a bromance with Kim Jong-un, again to no effect. His reimposition of sanctions on Cubawhich Obama had started to lifthelped nothing. Scuttling the nuclear deal with Iran had no effect on Tehrans mullahs, except to spur them to revive their uranium-enrichment program, which the deal had halted.

It is worth delving a bit into McMasters comments on Cuba and Iran because they reveal, despite his harsh critique of Trump, a deeply partisan analyst.

He states that Obama pursued a policy of accommodating Iran, which had the effect of strengthening Hezbollah. He avoids noting that Obama retained several sanctions having to do with Irans missile program and its ties to terrorist groups. Nor does he note that under the nuclear deal, Iran was well on its way to dismantling its nuclear program under tight international inspectionsuntil Trump scuttled the deal. As a result, Iran is now closer to building an atom bomb than it has ever been. (McMaster, by the way, writes in agreement with Trump that the accord was the worst deal ever.)

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He also asserts that Biden would resurrect the Obama policy of accommodating Irana claim that is simply puzzling. Biden did not revive the Iran nuclear deal (though I was among many who urged him to do so), nor did he relax the sanctions against Iran that Trump reimposed. Biden has also helped Israel defend and retaliate against Irans attempted attacks. Where is the accommodation?

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In another utterly mystifying (and uncharacteristically far-right) jeremiad, McMaster writes that Obamas attempt to normalize relations with Cuba stemmed from a New Left interpretation of history at Americas top universities, where students learned that the world is divided into oppressors and oppressed and that geopolitics is a choice between socialist revolution and servitude under capitalist imperialism.  This is ridiculous. Obamas policy was driven by a realization that Americas half-century-long isolation of Cuba had done nothing to change the regime and was only hurting the tiny islands people. McMaster also writes, Obama, like Trump, evinced an unseemly affinity for authoritariansa truly bizarre contention.

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And so, while McMaster certainly wont endorse Trump in the November elections or go work for him again (though theres no chance, especially after this book, that hed be asked), its also unlikely that hell endorse Kamala Harris. (He has said hes not endorsing any candidate.)

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One point of this book, I suspect, is rehabilitation. Back when he was an Army major, McMaster wrote a Ph.D. dissertation turned book, called Dereliction of Duty, about how senior officers in the 1960s deliberately misled President Lyndon B. Johnson on the war in Vietnam, telling him what he wanted to hear rather than giving him their honest military advice, thus betraying their constitutional obligations.

A few months into his term in Trumps White House, McMaster was ordered to go talk to the press about reports that, at a meeting in the Oval Office, Trump had revealed classified information to top Russian officials. McMaster recited a carefully written, very deceptive script: a non-denial denial. One of his former colleagues told me at the time that the statement left him heartbroken. A fellow retired Army officer mused, I wonder what title will be given to the book written about him. I should add that, in the book, McMaster refers to the column I wrote at the time:

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The journalist Fred Kaplan, who wrote an essay entitled The Tarnishing of H.R. McMaster, stated that I had been all but incapable of guile but was now soaked in the swamp of deceit in the service of Trump. I was more amused than offended at his hyperbolic criticism.

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The book doesnt come clean about what really happened; most readers, who wont remember the incident, will be left confused.

Still, At War With Ourselves provides McMasternow a senior fellow at the Hoover Institution at Stanford Universitya chance to cut all ties with Trump, to point out the many times that he openly disagreed with Trump and tried to push Trump in the right direction, occasionally successfully. Its an attempt to set the record straight and to fix for himself an honorable legacy, very different from that of the generals and admirals who abetted Lyndon Johnsons horrors in Vietnam. In that, he has for the most part succeeded.
Newly revised textbooks emphasizing traditional Chinese culture, national security and practical skills are being introduced this fall semester in primary and middle schools across China, the Ministry of Education announced.

The revised textbooks for moral education and law, Chinese language and Chinese history have been two years in the making and will be gradually rolled out. The first to receive them will be first graders in primary school and seventh graders in middle school.

By 2026, the new textbooks will be used across all grade levels in China's nine-year compulsory education system.

Liu Hongjie, deputy director of the Ministry's Department of National Textbooks, said the revised books include more content related to traditional Chinese culture and promote education about national security. They also place greater emphasis on labor, national defense, safety and health.

The new language textbooks now feature 353 traditional Chinese cultural works, including excerpts from the Book of Songs and essays by ancient philosophers. They also incorporate more revolutionary classics such as the diary of Lei Feng, a soldier who became a national symbol of selfless service. Additionally, new material highlights the achievements and spirit of astronauts, scientists, educators and front-line workers.

The updated history books, starting with the seventh grade, have expanded by 17 pages and include 25 new images compared with previous versions. Zhang Haipeng, who led the revisions, said they now feature photographs of cultural relics and historical sites to better narrate history. Artifacts and map coordinates from the ancient city of Liangzhu, for example, illustrate the emergence of an early state in the lower reaches of the Yangtze River around 5,000 years ago.

To enhance students' understanding of national security, the revised history books also include information on China's border conflicts with India and Vietnam.

The Ministry of Education said the difficulty level of the textbooks for first graders has been lowered to ensure a smooth transition from kindergarten to primary school. The revisions are based on the new curriculum standards for compulsory education, issued in March 2022, which emphasize developing students' key competencies and practical abilities.
Plenty of untapped opportunities here for German firms, says Marco Trisciuzzi.

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Some of the largest German companies, including global names from the automotive, engineering, chemical and food industries, have had a presence in Slovakia for years.

AHK Slowakei Launched in 2005

-375 member companies, mainly subsidiaries from Germany as well as Slovak companies

https://slowakei.ahk.de

But while the likes of Volkswagen, Schaeffler, Evonik and Meggle, to name a few, have successfully set up shop here, Marco Trisciuzzi, the new executive director of the Slovak-German Chamber of Commerce, AHK Slowakei, still sees plenty of untapped opportunities in Slovakia for German firms.

It is our intention to make more companies aware of the opportunities that lie between the Danube and the Tatras, said Trisciuzzi.

Trisciuzzi took up his position in early August, planning to make use of his experience with the Berlin-based German Chamber of Commerce and Industry as well as his own extensive network of contacts.

The Slovak Spectator spoke with Trisciuzzi about Germanys economic slowdown and its impact on Slovakia, EU tariffs on Chinese electric cars, and an approaching anniversary for AHK Slowakei.

What experience do you bring to your new job and how will you use that in Slovakia?
https://sputnikglobe.com/20240902/eus-imports-of-russian-gas-continue-to-grow-share-reaches-15---russian-foreign-ministry-1119984770.html

EU's Imports of Russian Gas Continue to Grow, Share Reaches 15% - Russian Foreign Ministry

EU's Imports of Russian Gas Continue to Grow, Share Reaches 15% - Russian Foreign Ministry

Sputnik International

Imports of Russian gas by EU countries continue to grow, with its share in the union's total imports reaching 15%, Dmitry Birichevsky, the director of the Russian Foreign Ministry's economic cooperation department, told Sputnik.

2024-09-02T07:11+0000

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"At the same time, despite the EU plan adopted in May 2022 to reduce hydrocarbon imports from Russia, European trade statistics show that Russian gas imports to EU countries are trending upward. Thus, in the first half of this year, the EU imported more natural gas from Russia than in January-June 2023. In general, at the moment, Russian gas in the union's total imports reaches 15%," he said. In the first quarter of this year, France more than doubled its purchases of Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) to 4.4 billion cubic meters, a significant portion of which is being re-exported, Birichevsky added. In March 2022, the EU developed the RePowerEU plan, which sets out measures to gradually reduce fuel imports from Russia, increase the reliability of energy supply and support the green transition, proposing further measures to reduce demand for gas and electricity.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240828/russia-remains-worlds-largest-gas-exporter-in-2023---igu-1119933640.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240902/highly-contagious-covid-strain-could-be-responsible-for-major-future-spike---report-1119982401.html

Highly Contagious COVID Strain Could be Responsible for Major Future Spike - Report

Highly Contagious COVID Strain Could be Responsible for Major Future Spike - Report

Sputnik International

Doctors and scientists are tracking yet another COVID subvariant named XEC which could surpass the latest hyper infectious subvariant, KP.3.1.1 which is believed to be the most common subvariant across the US, currently.

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Doctors and scientists are tracking yet another COVID subvariant named XEC which could surpass the latest hyper infectious subvariant, KP.3.1.1 which is believed to be the most common subvariant across the US, currently.The subvariant XEC was first detected in Germany and is just getting started now around the world and here a California-based doctor told the Los Angeles Times. And thats going to take many weeks, a couple months, before it really takes hold and starts to cause a wave.Currently, the XEC subvariant isnt so widespread and is not being tracked on the US Centers for Disease Control and Preventions (CDC) variant tracker website, the LA Times report explained.Yet, the updated COVID vaccines that US officials approved in late August are designed against the strain KP.2 which is effective against the current circulating variants. It is not, however, effective against XEC, as the latest vaccine was designed against something substantially different from this newer strain that seems to be biding its time.For the two-week period that began on August 18, the strain KP.3.1.1 was estimated to make up over 42% of coronavirus samples across the US, which is up 19.8% a month ago, the report said citing the CDC. It is still believed to be the US most common subvariant.But Dr. Elizabeth Hudson, the regional chief of infectious diseases for Kaiser Permanente Southern California, said she believed the new vaccines would provide generous enough protection against XEC as there is some overlap, because these are all sub, sub, sub-grandchildren of the original Omicron. So there is still going to be some level of protection there.Were not like in a new Greek letter  theyre not that much different; its not like something completely new, the regional chief explained. She added that XEC is a recombination of the sub variants KS.1.1 and KP.3.3, but it is different in the fact that it seems to be showing a growth advantage over JN.1 or the deFLuQE variants or the FLiRT variants.COVID, unlike the flu, is difficult to predict because it seems to come in two waves each year as opposed to one cold season wave.Well really have to watch  because the overall info on it is not super robust now  but I would imagine over the next couple of weeks, particularly if it starts to creep up higher and higher, we will be hearing a little bit more about it, Hudson said.

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240902/iaea-works-on-preventing-possible-use-of-nukes-seeks-to-continue-talks-with-iran---grossi-1119989672.html

IAEA Works on Preventing Possible Use of Nukes, Seeks to Continue Talks With Iran - Grossi

IAEA Works on Preventing Possible Use of Nukes, Seeks to Continue Talks With Iran - Grossi

Sputnik International

The International Atomic Energy Agency keeps in touch with different countries to prevent possible use of nuclear weapons, Director General Rafael Grossi said, adding that he expected to resume dialogue with Iran on its nuclear program as soon as possible.

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"Use of nuclear weapons could lead to unstoppable escalation and to a situation which could be completely out of control. So, we try to engage with countries, we try to help to deescalate the situations that may lead to that," Grossi said in an interview with Al Arabiya broadcaster. He also expressed hope to meet with new Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian as soon as possible in order to discuss the country's nuclear program and the issues associated with it. The IAEAs chief said he is ready to come to Tehran to continue the bilateral dialogue with Iran. Meanwhile, it is "extremely improbable" that Tehran might be secretly developing nuclear weapons behind the backs of international agencies, such as the IAEA, amid the agency's current inspection and verification capability, Grossi added. In 2015, Tehran signed the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action on Iran's nuclear program, also known as the Iran nuclear deal, with China, France, Germany, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States, with the involvement of the European Union. The deal committed Iran to scaling back its nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief. The US withdrew from the deal in 2018 under then-President Donald Trump, leading to the collapse of the deal. In 2021, Tehran voluntarily permitted the IAEA to replace cameras at the nuclear facility in the Iranian city of Karaj, saying, however, that it would provide data of the cameras' footage only after the US cancels its sanctions.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230704/violation-of-iran-nuclear-deal-shows-us-and-europe-never-sincere-about-agreements---scholar-1111656290.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240902/israel-accused-of-buying-google-ads-to-block-unrwa-donations---report-1119980969.html

Israel Accused of Buying Google Ads to Block UNRWA Donations - Report

Israel Accused of Buying Google Ads to Block UNRWA Donations - Report

Sputnik International

The report says that the Israeli government draws search users to a website alleging that the UN agency has not declared whether or not employing Hamas members violates its neutrality.

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The Israeli government is buying false advertising on Google search results for the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) in an attempt to discredit the agency, Wired reported on Monday. The report says that the Israeli government draws search users to a website alleging that the UN agency has not declared whether or not employing Hamas members violates its neutrality and that the agency doesn't investigate its facilities for abuse by extremists, which the agency has strongly rejected.At around the same time that Mara Kronenfeld, the executive director for UNRWA, found the advertisement, Israel had accused 12 of the agencys staff of having participated in the October 7 attack by Hamas last year. UNRWA employs 30,000 people in total, making it the second-largest employer in Gaza after Hamas.As a result, several western countries suspended financing of UNRWA after the accusations surfaced. The UN said in early August that it had fired staff members from the agency after an internal investigation found that they may have been involved in the attack. Overall, the agency fired 13 employees this year including nine whom an oversight body determined may have been involved in last years attack. All donor countries except for the US resumed their funding for the agency.However, the report writes that UNRWA does require independence from military interests and added that an outside review found evidence of facility inspections and added that checkups happen frequently.UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini said in a post on X that Israels defamatory advertisements continue to be used as a weapon in the war in Gaza.According to the report, several current and former Google employees spoke to WIRED and said that this anti-UNRWA campaign is just one of several ad campaigns that Israel had crafted in recent months that has drawn criticism from both inside and outside of the company. As of late August, the slanderous advertisements have remained on Google, a separate report revealed.And according to that report, between May and July when users searched 300 terms related to the agency, Israels ads would pop up 44% of the time as opposed to UNRWA USAs own advertisements which would show up just 34% of the time.UNRWA was first established in 1949, just a year after the Nakba (catastrophe) occurred in which 750,000 Palestinians were forced out of their homes which created an unresolved refugee crisis. UNRWA supporters have claimed that Israel does not want the agency preserving Palestinians refugee status because it would give them a better chance of reclaiming occupied land someday.The agency offers healthcare, education and humanitarian aid to Palestinians in Gaza, the occupied West Bank, Jordan, Syria and Lebanon. Thus far, nearly 41,000 people in the Gaza Strip have been killed while more than 94,000 have been injured as a result of Israels war against Hamas, Al Jazeera reported.

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240902/putin-arrives-in-mongolia-on-official-visit-1119988556.html

Putin Arrives in Mongolia on Official Visit

Putin Arrives in Mongolia on Official Visit

Sputnik International

Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in Mongolia on an official visit on Monday and is expected to take part in celebrations dedicated to the 85th anniversary of the joint victory of the Soviet and Mongolian armed forces at Khalkhin Gol River.

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The countries leaders will hold talks in narrow and extended formats. The parties will exchange opinions on a range of international and regional issues and discuss prospects for further development of the Russian-Mongolian comprehensive strategic partnership. The presidents will also take part in the signing of documents after the negotiations and make a statement to the media, the Kremlin said. Last October, Mongolian President Ukhnaagiin Khurelsukh, during a meeting with Putin in China, invited the Russian leader to visit the country in 2024. The previous Putin's visit to Mongolia took place in 2019.

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240902/putin-delivers-open-lesson-conversation-about-important-things-1119984637.html

Putin Delivers Open Lesson Conversation About Important Things

Putin Delivers Open Lesson Conversation About Important Things

Sputnik International

Today marks the beginning of a new academic year in Russia. September 1 is a nationally celebrated Knowledge Day, dedicated to pupils and higher education students across the country.

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Sputnik is live as Russian President Vladimir Putin takes part in the Conversation About Important Things, a school lesson which covers significant aspects of the countrys life, including national identity, public holidays, and world events.The open lesson is dedicated to the Knowledge Day, a national event traditionally celebrated in Russia on September 1.Follow Sputniks feed to learn more!

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240902/putin-malaysian-chinese-officials-to-partake-in-eef-plenary-session---kremlin-aide-1119987424.html

Putin, Malaysian, Chinese Officials to Partake in EEF Plenary Session - Kremlin Aide

Putin, Malaysian, Chinese Officials to Partake in EEF Plenary Session - Kremlin Aide

Sputnik International

Russian President Vladimir Putin, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and Chinese Vice President Han Zheng will participate in the plenary session of the Eastern Economic Forum (EEF), Kremlin aide Yury Ushakov said on Monday.

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"The main event, of course, is the plenary session on September 5 ... in which our president and invited Prime Minister of Malaysia Anwar Ibrahim and Chinese Vice President Han Zheng will take part," Ushakov told reporters. Putin will also gold negotiations with Han Zheng on the sidelines of the EEF, the official added. President Putin and Prime Minister Ibrahim will hold negotiations on the sidelines of the Eastern Economic Forum (EEF) on September 4."I mentioned Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim as one of the main guests of the forum. [Putin] will hold full-scale negotiations with him on September 4, including a narrow and expanded format, various issues of Russian-Malaysian cooperation, economic issues, as well as issues of international and regional problems will be discussed," Ushakov told reporters.Russia and Malaysia have close positions on most international issues and interact in various international formats, primarily in the UN, the official said.Putin will also hold a meeting with Serbian Deputy Prime Minister Aleksandar Vulin."Another, third meeting is planned also on September 4. [Putin will meet] with the deputy prime minister of Serbia, Aleksandar Vulin," Ushakov said.

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240902/turkish-egyptian-leaders-to-discuss-gaza-ceasefire-at-upcoming-meeting---reports-1119985449.html

Turkish, Egyptian Leaders to Discuss Gaza Ceasefire at Upcoming Meeting - Reports

Turkish, Egyptian Leaders to Discuss Gaza Ceasefire at Upcoming Meeting - Reports

Sputnik International

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Sisi and Turkish leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan are expected to discuss steps towards the Gaza settlement during their meeting on September 4, Turkiye's Milliyet newspaper reported on Monday, citing sources.

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Sisi will visit Turkiye on Wednesday to meet with Erdogan, an Egyptian source familiar with the matter told Sputnik in late August. The meeting comes amid the process of normalization of bilateral relations. During the upcoming meeting, three key issues are expected to be discussed, Milliyet reported. First and foremost, the presidents will address steps towards the Gaza ceasefire and work on the provision of humanitarian aid. Another important issue on the agenda will reportedly be the expansion of cooperation, including boosting bilateral trade from $10 billion to $15 billion. Among the planned defense deals will be an agreement to supply Egypt with unmanned aerial vehicles, the newspaper added. Sisi and Erdogan are also reportedly expected to address regional issues such as the Eastern Mediterranean and Libya. In February, Erdogan arrived in Cairo for the first time in 12 years as part of mutual efforts to normalize relations between Egypt and Turkiye.

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Consistently finishing within the top four all day long, James MacDonald accumulated an insurmountable lead in the point standings with one race still to go in the 44th annual Charity Driver's Challenge contested during Clinton Raceway's season finale on Sunday afternoon, Sept. 1.

MacDonald clinched the Charity Driver's Challenge title with his second winner in the penultimate dash of the eight-race competition, driving the Peter Brickman-trained trotter Lucky Rascal ($15.40) to a 2:01.2 pocket-popping score over favoured Toscano Girl and J Harris.

MacDonald's first win of the driver's challenge came in race three with trainer Mike Horner's pacer Fiscal Policy ($4.50) in 1:59.2 following back-to-back runner-up finishes in the opening legs behind winning horses driven by defending champion Tyler Borth and Garrett Rooney.

After a slow start, Travis Cullen racked up major points with three wins in rein to Rising Dragon ($3.10), Dalhousie ($3.50) and Little T ($5.10) to finish second in the driver's challenge ahead of Travis Henry, who drove the tournament's biggest upset winner, Mr Cheeseman ($42.80). Rooney finished fourth followed by Harris and Borth, with a tie between Todd Ratchford and Samuel Fillion to round out the standings.



Left to right: Garrett Rooney, Travis Cullen, Travis Henry, James MacDonald, Samuel Fillion, Todd Ratchford, Tyler Borth and J Harris.

MacDonald, who is the reigning National Driving Champion and three-time O'Brien Award-winning Driver of the Year, was a winner of the Charity Driver's Challenge in 2014. He added another feather in his cap, finishing no worse than fourth throughout the eight challenge races to top the leaderboard with 79 points.

But the big winner was the Royal Canadian Legion with the participating drivers donating their earnings from the challenge to the Clinton, Seaforth and Exeter branches. Funds were also raised from a 50/50 draw, silent auction and chicken BBQ. More than $10,000 was raised for the local branches.

MacDonald later returned to the winner's circle during the fourth leg of the Ontario Sires Stakes Grassroots Series for two-year-old filly pacers with division leader Tricky Wicky. The homebred McWicked-Dobre Povendane filly remained undefeated in Grassroots competition with a 2:01.1 victory in her $20,000 division for trainer Rene Dion and owners David and John Prushnok.

Cullen also picked up a Grassroots win in rein to the maiden-breaking miss Chillinonthebeach (Sunshine Beach-Hat Trick Honey) in the fastest division, stopping the clock in 1:59.2, for trainer Scott McEneny and owner Brad Grant.

The Charity Driver's Challenge participants swept the Grassroots leg with Fillion guiding the Murray Brethour-trained McSweetie (McWicked-Bay Girl) to a 1:59.4 score for owner Hutt Racing Stable to close out the meet.

Clinton Raceway participated in Standardbred Canada's National Caretaker Appreciation Day on Sunday and the action-packed afternoon concluded with a performance from the RCMP Musical Ride, hosted by REACH and the Bayfield Agricultural Society.

While racing luck was not on Todd Ratchford's side for the Charity Driver's Challenge, the 28-year-old reinsman topped the 2024 driver standings for Clinton's 15-week meet with 23 trips to victory lane. Travis Henry finished just one win behind and J Harris rounded out the top three with 18 victories.

Patrick Bissett, topped the trainer standings with 14 winners from his stable after sharing top honours last season. It was a close contest for second with Kris Haskell (eight) one-upping Lorne House (seven).

The 2025 harness racing season is scheduled to resume next May with a new 400-person capacity grandstand and enlarged patio space as renovations get underway this fall.

A replay of the live stream from Clinton Raceway featuring the Charity Driver's Challenge in races one through eight is available below.

To view Sunday's harness racing results, click the following link: Sunday Results - Clinton Raceway.

(Standardbred Canada)
The General Administration of Customs (GAC) has decided to resume the import of Wendan pomelo from Taiwan starting Monday, a mainland spokesperson confirmed.

Wendan pomelo to be imported into the mainland from Taiwan must come from registered orchards and packaging plants, said Chen Binhua, a spokesperson for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office.

The decision to resume imports of this fruit was based on the overall evaluation of rectification measures from the Taiwan side after Hualien County had submitted relevant documents, and is in accordance with the quarantine regulations of the mainland, Chen said.

The GAC had previously suspended the import of Taiwan citrus fruits, including Wendan pomelo, with effect from Aug. 3, 2022 due to biosecurity and public health concerns. It said mainland customs authorities had detected harmful substances in such fruits on several occasions.

Since this suspension took effect, the Taiwan side repeatedly expressed their desire to resume the export of Wendan pomelo to the mainland and took measures aimed at rectification of the situation, Chen said.

He also noted that the mainland is willing to discuss the import of Taiwan farm produce with relevant authorities on the island, with the goal of seeking benefits for Taiwan compatriots, especially those at the grassroots level.
Driver Jeff Taylor took home gold in the 2024 Coville Cup, hitting the board in three of his four drives in the series to take home the title Sunday, Sept. 1 at Rideau Carleton Raceway.

Established in 2007, the Coville Cup features drivers with less than 100 career victories looking to further breakthrough in the industry. Past winners of the Coville Cup include Travis Henry and Shawn Steacy who won the inaugural edition. The 2024 edition featured nine drivers competing over five races on the 11-race card. Banking 87 points across his four drives, the rookie Ontario native cruised to the title.

Taylor kicked the night off with a bang, winning the first leg in the second race aboard Hes Got A Vendetta for trainer John MacMillan while notching his first career driving victory.

"The biggest thing I'm going to take away from this night is to win with John's horse in the first leg, for all of the work he put into it, he's a champ he just keeps going." Taylor continued, "The guy gave me my first qualifying drives this year, it felt pretty cool to get over the line with his, it was fun."

Leaving from post seven, Taylor took Hes Got A Vendetta back to sixth early while Philip Reid took the field to the quarter in :28 aboard Montysgonemarble. Howies Man and driver Josh Miller took command at the half in :56.2 while Taylor started first-up from sixth. Taylor worked his way to fourth on the outside with Hes Got A Vendetta when stablemate Montysgonemarble provided cover when he pulled from the pocket to take on Howies Man at three-quarters in 1:26.

Montysgonemarble and Howies Man battled around the final turn with Hes Got A Vendetta yet to tip three-wide at the top of the stretch. Montysgonemarble put away Howies Man at the top of the lane when Hes Got A Vendetta found his best stride for Taylor, kicking home in :30 to nail his stablemate by a nose in 1:56.2. Reid and Montysgonemarble were second, with The Colt and Sebastien Turenne finishing third.

"I'd seen a lot of guys leaving hard early and figured if I could get moving a little bit early after the quarter and maybe catch some cover, it worked out," Taylor said afterwards. "That horse kicked home real well, he tries hard and he was just a pleasure to drive."

Taylor didn't have a drive in the second race of the series which saw Josh Miller earn the win in 1:55.3 aboard Wellworththewait for trainer Brian Scott.

Back in action in leg three, Taylor hopped in the bike for trainer Karol Ann Malo-Tetreault aboard Lucky Leonard to the tune of a third place effort to bank 12 more points. After securing the pocket trip throughout, Lucky Leonord was out-kicked in the lane by Realrubies At Play and driver Michel Lagace who won in 1:54.1, while pace-setter Nosportpunintended and Michael Armstrong finished second.

In round four, Taylor and Getyourlicenseliam just missed in yet another thriller. With the entire field finishing within three parts of a length of each other, Getyourlicenseliam sat third throughout before taking aim up the passing lane turning for home. Getyourlicenseliam responded gamely to Taylor urging, shooting up the inside before just getting caught on the wire by Irresistible and driver Sebastien Turenne who swept the entire field in the lane to get up for the victory in 1:55.1 for trainer Mandy Archer.

Hampered by broken equipment in the fifth and final Coville race on the card, Taylor guided Giddy Up Max to a sixth place effort, while Claude Larose led gate to wire in 1:56 aboard the Mandy Archer trained Beef N Cheddar.

"I knew it was going to be tough (going into the last leg), they were close finishes all night so it could have gone any way really," Taylor said. "The horse felt good in the race, they were going pretty hot fractions up front again and I just ran into a broken equipment issue, but the cards fell in my favor in the end."

The 87 points earned prior to the finale proved to be enough for Taylor to earn the title. Josh Miller finished second with 68 points, while the leg five win was enough for Claude Larose to snag the final podium spot with 63 points.

"I've got to watch the Coville Cup for a lot of years as a bystander on the sidelines and it's always interesting to watch, you root for guys and you want to see the guys who don't get as many drives as some guys get out there and show what they can do." Talyor continued, "John, Gordon, Julie, everybody in the NCRHHA did a great job."

Also featured on the Sunday card was a $10,000 Preferred Pace which saw The Light Speed return to the winner's circle with his usual front-end tactics. The Light Speed and driver Guy Gagnon took the field to the quarter in :27 before briefly relinquishing the lead to last week's winner, Early Action (Ryan Guy). The Light Speed popped pocket before taking command once more at the half in :55.3. Revolt (Pascal Berube) took The Light Speed to task first-over at three-quarters in a blistering 1:23.2 before The Light Speed rebuffed the challenge late to win by 1-3/4 lengths in 1:52. Revolt held for place, Early Action was third.

Gagnon trains The Light Speed who has won half of his 22 outings this season for owner Michel Nolette. Having earned $74,160 on the year, the six-year-old gelded son of Moon Beam-Jayma pushed his career earnings beyond $400,000 with the win.

The win was one of two for Gagnon both on the driving and training side of things for the evening.

To view Sunday's harness racing results, please click the following link: Sunday Results - Rideau Carleton Raceway.

(Standardbred Canada; photo, from left to right: Darrell Coville, Jeff Taylor and John MacMillan)
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(left) Solar panels on top of residential roof that is under partial shading by neighboring tree; (right) Schematic depicting the role of polymer hole-transport layer (HTL) and electrochemically stable electrode in stabilizing the perovskite cells under high reverse bias: the role of a good HTL is to block electron injection, suppress reduction events, thus suppressing necessarily-paired oxidation events at the other electron-transport layer (ETL) side; the role of a stable electrode material is to replace more severe metal oxidation with benign halide oxidation. Credit: Dr. Yeechi Chen

Solar cells based on perovskites, a versatile class of materials with promising optoelectronic properties, are gradually making their way toward commercialization. While these solar cells can have notable advantages over existing solar cell designs, including higher power conversion efficiencies and lower fabrication costs, their performance has been found to be significantly impaired in reverse bias conditions.

Reverse bias occurs when one cell in a series-connected solar panel becomes shaded and generates less power. The remaining illuminated cells place a reverse voltage on the shaded cell, trying to push current through it in the wrong direction. This can lead to a serious degradation of the shaded cell.

Researchers at the University of Washington, the University of Colorado (UC) Boulder, Rice University, and the University of Oxford recently developed a new strategy that could help to improve the stability of perovskite-based solar cells under high reverse bias. Their proposed approach, published in Nature Energy, relies on a unique device architecture that combines a polymer hole transport layer with an electrochemically stable back electrode.

"We'd seen Mike McGehee give an inspiring talk on the importance of reverse bias stability and his team's work understanding it," David S. Ginger, Professor of Chemistry at the University of Washington and supervising author of the paper, told Tech Xplore. "We were at a point where Fangyuan Jiang was finishing one project and looking for a new one, and we agreed that this issue might be a good match for some of our research, specifically our surface passivation to stabilize perovskite/electrode interfaces and reduce ionic conductivity."

Initially, the researchers tried stabilizing perovskite solar cells using a surface passivation technique, but this approach proved ineffective. Jiang, the lead author of the paper, then came up with the idea behind their newly proposed strategy, which they first tested at UW and then analyzed further in collaboration with Michael D. McGehee and his team at UC Boulder, as well as the teams of Profs. Aditya Mohite at Rice, and Henry Snaith at Oxford.

"We engineered our solar cells through two steps: using robust polymer hole transport material to block electron injection; using electrochemically stable electrode material to prevent metal oxidation," explained Jiang. "We think that the early-stage cell degradation under reverse bias is an electrochemical process triggered by injected charge carriers."

The novel engineering approach devised by Jiang, Ginger and their colleagues can regulate the electrochemical reactions leading to the early degradation of solar cells under reverse bias. This, in turn, stabilizes the cells in the presence of a relatively high reverse bias.

"Our approach would probably be most suited for a solar module design that incorporated bypass diodes, like has been the case for many silicon solar cell modules," Ginger explained. "I think it gives some hope that one might be able to design all-perovskite stacks that are also stable when passing reverse current, though that could be more challenging."

The researchers used their engineering strategy to create new p-i-n solar cells and assessed their performance. They found that these cells were stable under large reverse voltages, comparable to those that conventional silicon-based cells can withstand.

"We showed that perovskite solar cells are not inherently unstable to reverse voltages," said Ginger. "I think this is really a change in mindset for many. In addition, our study shows that we need to think holistically: it isn't just one interface or another that is the key, it is engineering the entire device stack."

The promising results achieved by Ginger, Jiang and his colleagues could encourage other teams to experiment with their proposed design strategy. This could contribute to the development of more reliable perovskite solar cells that are stable under reverse bias conditions.

"I think the importance of our study also extends beyond solar cells, as our engineering strategy could serve as a source of inspiration for other optoelectronics such as photodetectors and light-emitting diodes (LEDs)," said Jiang. "I am also proud of the rigorous presentation of our work, thanks to a great team. I hope the fundamental electrochemical insights can also inspire future reverse bias studies."

The recent work by this team of researchers could contribute to the future commercialization of photovoltaics (PVs) based on perovskites while also informing the development of other optoelectronic devices. Meanwhile, Jiang, Ginger and their colleagues plan to carry out further research investigating the mechanisms underpinning the degradation of perovskite cells under reverse bias and/or passing high reverse current.

"We'd now like to understand the remaining mechanisms of failure under reverse current flow and see if we can find ways to enable them to pass reverse current close to the max power current operating in the sunlight, but without irreversible damage," added Ginger.

More information: Fangyuan Jiang et al, Improved reverse bias stability in pin perovskite solar cells with optimized hole transport materials and less reactive electrodes, Nature Energy (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s41560-024-01600-z Journal information: Nature Energy

 2024 Science X Network
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Customer Experience Representatives Stanley Solis, center, and other representatives take calls at an Alorica center, Monday, Aug. 19, 2024, in San Antonio. Credit: AP Photo/Eric Gay

Imagine a customer-service center that speaks your language, no matter what it is.

Alorica, a company in Irvine, California, that runs customer-service centers around the world, has introduced an artificial intelligence translation tool that lets its representatives talk with customers who speak 200 different languages and 75 dialects.

So an Alorica representative who speaks, say, only Spanish can field a complaint about a balky printer or an incorrect bank statement from a Cantonese speaker in Hong Kong. Alorica wouldn't need to hire a rep who speaks Cantonese.

Such is the power of AI. And, potentially, the threat: Perhaps companies won't need as many employeesand will slash some jobsif chatbots can handle the workload instead. But the thing is, Alorica isn't cutting jobs. It's still hiring aggressively.

The experience at Aloricaand at other companies, including furniture retailer IKEAsuggests that AI may not prove to be the job killer that many people fear. Instead, the technology might turn out to be more like breakthroughs of the pastthe steam engine, electricity, the internet: That is, eliminate some jobs while creating others. And probably making workers more productive in general, to the eventual benefit of themselves, their employers and the economy.

Nick Bunker, an economist at the Indeed Hiring Lab, said he thinks AI "will affect many, many jobsmaybe every job indirectly to some extent. But I don't think it's going to lead to, say, mass unemployment. We have seen other big technological events in our history, and those didn't lead to a large rise in unemployment. Technology destroys but also creates. There will be new jobs that come about.''

At its core, artificial intelligence empowers machines to perform tasks previously thought to require human intelligence. The technology has existed in early versions for decades, having emerged with a problem-solving computer program, the Logic Theorist, built in the 1950s at what's now Carnegie Mellon University. More recently, think of voice assistants like Siri and Alexa. Or IBM's chess-playing computer, Deep Blue, which managed to beat the world champion Garry Kasparov in 1997.

Customer Experience Representative Cassia Jones-Woodard takes calls at an Alorica center, Monday, Aug. 19, 2024, in San Antonio. Credit: AP Photo/Eric Gay

AI really burst into public consciousness in 2022, when OpenAI introduced ChatGPT, the generative AI tool that can conduct conversations, write computer code, compose music, craft essays and supply endless streams of information. The arrival of generative AI has raised worries that chatbots will replace freelance writers, editors, coders, telemarketers, customer-service reps, paralegals and many more.

"AI is going to eliminate a lot of current jobs, and this is going to change the way that a lot of current jobs function,'' Sam Altman, the CEO of OpenAI, said in a discussion at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in May.

Yet the widespread assumption that AI chatbots will inevitably replace service workers, the way physical robots took many factory and warehouse jobs, isn't becoming reality in any widespread waynot yet, anyway. And maybe it never will.

The White House Council of Economic Advisers said last month that it found "little evidence that AI will negatively impact overall employment.'' The advisers noted that history shows technology typically makes companies more productive, speeding economic growth and creating new types of jobs in unexpected ways.

They cited a study this year led by David Autor, a leading MIT economist: It concluded that 60% of the jobs Americans held in 2018 didn't even exist in 1940, having been created by technologies that emerged only later.

The outplacement firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas, which tracks job cuts, said it has yet to see much evidence of layoffs that can be attributed to labor-saving AI.

"I don't think we've started seeing companies saying they've saved lots of money or cut jobs they no longer need because of this,'' said Andy Challenger, who leads the firm's sales team. "That may come in the future. But it hasn't played out yet.''

Customer Experience Representative Rico Thomas takes calls at an Alorica center, Monday, Aug. 19, 2024, in San Antonio. Credit: AP Photo/Eric Gay

At the same time, the fear that AI poses a serious threat to some categories of jobs isn't unfounded.

Consider Suumit Shah, an Indian entrepreneur who caused a uproar last year by boasting that he had replaced 90% of his customer support staff with a chatbot named Lina. The move at Shah's company, Dukaan, which helps customers set up e-commerce sites, shrank the response time to an inquiry from 1 minute, 44 seconds to "instant." It also cut the typical time needed to resolve problems from more than two hours to just over three minutes.

"It's all about AI's ability to handle complex queries with precision,'' Shah said by email.

The cost of providing customer support, he said, fell by 85%.

"Tough? Yes. Necessary? Absolutely,'' Shah posted on X.

Dukaan has expanded its use of AI to sales and analytics. The tools, Shah said, keep growing more powerful.

"It's like upgrading from a Corolla to a Tesla,'' he said. "What used to take hours now takes minutes. And the accuracy is on a whole new level.''

Customer Experience Representative Cassia Jones-Woodard, right, and other representatives take calls at an Alorica center, Monday, Aug. 19, 2024, in San Antonio. Credit: AP Photo/Eric Gay

Similarly, researchers at Harvard Business School, the German Institute for Economic Research and London's Imperial College Business School found in a study last year that job postings for writers, coders and artists tumbled within eight months of the arrival of ChatGPT.

A 2023 study by researchers at Princeton University, the University of Pennsylvania and New York University concluded that telemarketers and teachers of English and foreign languages held the jobs most exposed to ChatGPT-like language models. But being exposed to AI doesn't necessarily mean losing your job to it. AI can also do the drudge work, freeing up people to do more creative tasks.

The Swedish furniture retailer IKEA, for example, introduced a customer-service chatbot in 2021 to handle simple inquiries. Instead of cutting jobs, IKEA retrained 8,500 customer-service workers to handle such tasks as advising customers on interior design and fielding complicated customer calls.

Chatbots can also be deployed to make workers more efficient, complementing their work rather than eliminating it. A study by Erik Brynjolfsson of Stanford University and Danielle Li and Lindsey Raymond of MIT tracked 5,200 customer-support agents at a Fortune 500 company who used a generative AI-based assistant. The AI tool provided valuable suggestions for handling customers. It also supplied links to relevant internal documents.

Those who used the chatbot, the study found, proved 14% more productive than colleagues who didn't. They handled more calls and completed them faster. The biggest productivity gains34%came from the least-experienced, least-skilled workers.

At an Alorica call center in Albuquerque, New Mexico, one customer-service rep had been struggling to gain access to the information she needed to quickly handle calls. After Alorica trained her to use AI tools, her "handle time''how long it takes to resolve customer callsfell in four months by an average of 14 minutes a call to just over seven minutes.

Over a period of six months, the AI tools helped one group of 850 Alorica reps reduce their average handle time to six minutes, from just over eight minutes. They can now field 10 calls an hour instead of eightan additional 16 calls in an eight-hour day.

Senior Customer Experience Representative Laura Faubion takes calls at an Alorica center, Monday, Aug. 19, 2024, in San Antonio. Credit: AP Photo/Eric Gay

Alorica agents can use AI tools to quickly access information about the customers who call into check their order history, say, or determine whether they had called earlier and hung up in frustration.

Suppose, said Mike Clifton, Alorica's co-CEO, a customer complains that she received the wrong product. The agent can "hit replace, and the product will be there tomorrow," he said. " 'Anything else I can help you with? No?' Click. Done. Thirty seconds in and out.''

Now the company is beginning to use its Real-time Voice Language Translation tool, which lets customers and Alorica agents speak and hear each other in their own languages.

"It allows (Alorica reps) to handle every call they get," said Rene Paiz, a vice president of customer service. "I don't have to hire externally'' just to find someone who speaks a specific language.

Yet Alorica isn't cutting jobs. It continues to seek hiresincreasingly, those who are comfortable with new technology.

"We are still actively hiring,'' Paiz says. "We have a lot that needs to be done out there.''

 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
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Credit: PhotoMIX Company from Pexels

The founders of internet search and digital advertising giant Google wrote in a 1998 paper that goals for online advertising "do not always correspond" to useful internet search results.

Now, after Google was found to hold an illegal search monopoly, critics suggest the company that became synonymous with internet search has, as Sergey Brin and Larry Page feared, shifted "away from the needs of the consumers."

Google, high-profile technology-industry critic Ed Zitron said in an interview, "got greedy."

These days, those who put a search term into Google often find relevant information but also get a page topped with ads, frequently followed by links to websites with content built for turning views and clicks into cash. Lately, search results prominently feature e-commerce websites like Amazon and crowd-sourced sites like Reddit and Google's own YouTube, recent research shows.

Google did not respond to questions about its search product and the monopoly finding in federal court. In a blog post this year, the company said it has used "advanced spam-fighting systems" for decades, and in 2022 started adjusting its website ranking systems to "reduce unhelpful, unoriginal content and keep it at very low levels," while "algorithmic enhancements" would help "surface the most helpful information."

Last month's blockbuster monopoly finding by Judge Amit P. Mehta, in the Department of Justice lawsuit against Google, has spotlighted the Mountain View, California, company's wildly popular search engine. Mehta, in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, said Google's conclusion in a 2020 study that it would not lose search revenue if it slashed search quality is proof of illegal monopoly power.

On Sept. 6, Mehta kicks off the next phase of the DOJ case against Googlewhich he said controls at least 90% of the U.S. internet search marketto strip its monopoly over search. The judge, in his 277-page ruling, zeroed in on the company's payments to companies like Apple and Samsung to make Google the default search engine, saying "most devices in the United States come preloaded exclusively with Google."

Critics argue that the company's freedom from competition allows it to shirk quality while the money$238 billion in advertising revenue last yearrolls in.

Zitron, CEO of San Francisco public relations firm EZPR and host of the iHeart podcast "Better Offline," said internal Google emails revealed in the court case suggest a high-level management shift led to less user-friendly changes to search results.

Five years ago, top Google executives declared a "Code Yellow" emergency over falling growth in search queries and the hefty ad revenue they generate, the emails show. As Google bean counters sought fixes, search executives fretted over the conflict identified by founders Brin and Page. Search chief Ben Gomes complained his department was being pushed "too close to the money" and becoming "too involved with ads for the good of the product and company."

A little more than a year later, Google lumped search and advertising into one unit under advertising head Prabhakar Raghavan. Gomes, after two decades building search, was exiled to education initiatives.

Google started prioritizing the number of searches over the quality of results, "so they can show you as many ads as possible," Zitron contended.

The company's search-results page has in recent years grown top-heavy with ads labeled "sponsored" that may not help the user but are lucrative for Google. Spammers and marketers use keywords and content trickery to push certain websites higher in results, forcing Google to play catch-up while users pay in wasted time and frustration.

"I've never experienced as many people complaining or citing issues with Google's results as I have in the last year," said Lily Ray, a vice president at marketing agency Amsive, which researches Google search trends. "I'm seeing a ton of spam in Google search results. It's never been this visible to me."

Mehta said "some evidence" shows Google's search spending has declined, and in the rare instances that competition arose, the company quickly invested in improvements. But the judge said innovation can boost already dominant market share, and described Google as tech's "highest quality search engine."

However, Christopher Hockett, an adjunct professor at UC Berkeley's law school, said "the backdrop of all this is that if you had more competition, then you would have higher quality."

Research by Illinois-based Amsive shows Google's updates in recent years made certain kinds of websites less visible, including those using stock images or photos grabbed from social media, or presenting AI-generated content, or lacking expertise, or containing intrusive ads or many cash-for-clicks links. But for product searches, many high-ranking product-comparison websites make money when a user clicks through to a brand's site for a purchase, or, Ray noted, are "pay-to-play" operations that charge brands to be included on their site.

Changes Google made this year appear to have down-ranked product-review sites, while e-commerce stores, especially Amazon, appear up high, often along with YouTube, Amsive said. The New York Times' popular Wirecutter website, with product reviews based on extensive testing, now frequently falls below internet forum sites Reddit and Quora in best-product results, Ray said.

Reddit's visibility leaped more than 1,000% this year over 2023, Amsive found. In July 2023, the Google search, "how to potty train a boy" generated only pregnancy and medical sitesplus YouTubein the top 10 results, with the Mayo Clinic at No. 1. By July of this year, a five-year-old post from Reddit moved from 50th to 2nd position, higher than "authoritative sites like the Mayo Clinic," Amsive reported.

Google could have developed technology to seek out the most helpful answers to questions, but appears to have decided to "just put Reddit on there," Zitron said.

Thousands of layoffs at Google in recent years have eroded institutional knowledge in search, Zitron said, and "they may have fired so many people that the thing doesn't work anymore."

Google's race to compete in the generative AI frenzy kicked off by the release of ChatGPT in 2022 "might explain why some things have been left by the wayside" on search, Ray said. Also, she added, "They're a monopoly. They're the default search engine. Their stock is going up and up. What incentive do they have to fix it?"

Barry Schwartz, CEO of New York software company RustyBrick and an editor at blogs Search Engine Land and Search Engine Roundtable, said Google is constantly innovating and experimenting in search. "I probably see five to 10 new things a day as far as testing," Schwartz said. "Probably one of their top things that they focus on is making sure the content in the search results is useful."

Still, Schwartz said, "If Google was under competitive fire and they had to do more, I think they would."

2024 MediaNews Group, Inc. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
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Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

Warfare is no longer confined to physical battlefields. In the digital age, a new front has emergedcyberspace. Here, countries clash not with bullets and bombs, but with lines of code and sophisticated malware.

One of the most recent examples came to light in May this year, when an estimated 270,000 payroll records belonging to the UK's armed forces were found to have been exposed in a data breach. Though not explicitly named by the UK government, several ministers told the press they believed China to be responsible. The Chinese government has denied any involvement.

Of course, this wasn't the first time that governments, their institutions and employees were targeted by cyberattackers. Here are five prominent examples.

1. Stuxnet, 2010

In 2010, the first known major cyberweapon was unleashed. Stuxnet was a sophisticated computer worm (a program that replicates itself in order to spread to other computers) that targeted Iran's nuclear program. Unlike typical malware, Stuxnet was engineered to infiltrate and sabotage Iran's uranium enrichment facilities by causing centrifuges to spin uncontrollably while sending false data to monitoring systems. This made the damage invisible to the people overseeing the systems.

The attack set a new precedent in cyberwarfare, demonstrating how digital tools could cause physical destruction. Believed to be a joint operation by the US and Israel, Stuxnet delayed Iran's nuclear ambitions, but it also brought about new fears about the future of global cybersecurity.

The discovery of the worm highlighted the vulnerability of critical infrastructure worldwide. It also sparked debates over the ethics and dangers of state-sponsored cyberattacks.

2. WannaCry, 2017

In May 2017, the WannaCry ransomware attack wreaked havoc across the globe, locking up hundreds of thousands of computers in more than 150 countries. Ransomware is a malicious type of software that locks your files or computer and demands payment to unlock them.

Exploiting a vulnerability in Microsoft Windows, WannaCry encrypted users' files and then demanded a ransom payment in Bitcoin for their release. The attack hit numerous important sectors, including health care. The NHS was badly hit, with the attack affecting at least 81 health trusts. It forced hospitals to cancel appointments and divert emergency services, and it's estimated to have cost the NHS 92 million.

The rapid spread of WannaCry was stopped by a security researcher who discovered a "kill switch" in the malware, but the damage had already been done. Blamed on North Korean hackers, the attack showed the severe risks posed by outdated software.

3. NotPetya, 2017

Also in 2017, Ukraine was hit by a devastating cyberattack known as NotPetya, which quickly spread beyond its borders, damaging various companies and institutions worldwide.

Initially disguised as ransomware, NotPetya encrypted victims' data, demanding a ransom that could never be paid. It primarily targeted Ukraine's government, financial sector and energy companies, and brought vital services to a halt.

But the malware spread and ended up affecting companies across the globe, including the shipping and logistics company Maersk and the pharmaceutical company, Merck. It cost billions in damages. The White House described NotPetya as the "most destructive and costly cyberattack in history."

Unlike traditional ransomware, NotPetya's purpose was destruction rather than financial remuneration. It has been widely attributed to Russian state-sponsored hackers, who were aiming to destabilize Ukraine, though the Kremlin denied any involvement.

4. SolarWinds hack, 2020

As the world ground to a halt because of COVID-19, several US federal government agencies were targeted by the SolarWinds hack in 2020.

Hackers had infiltrated SolarWinds, a tech company providing IT network management software. They injected malicious code into the company's Orion platform, which is widely used in the public and private sectors. This allowed them to spy on an array of sensitive information across multiple government departments, including the Treasury and Homeland Security.

The breach went undetected for months and showed how vulnerable even the most secure government systems can be. The attack was attributed to Russian state-sponsored hackers, which Russian government officials have denied.

5. OPM data breach, 2015

Five years before the SolarWinds hack, the US Office of Personnel Management (OPM) was rocked by a massive data breach that exposed the personal information of more than 21 million federal employees and contractors.

It was widely believed that state-sponsored hackers from China accessed sensitive data including social security numbers, fingerprints and confidential information from employee background checks. It was a devastating blow to national security and personal privacy, revealing vulnerabilities in the management of US government data.

It took months for investigators to uncover the full extent of the damage, which sparked a nationwide reassessment of data protection methods. Chinese government officials denied any involvement at the time.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

Activists hold eye masks during a protest against deepfake porn in Seoul.

South Korean police said Monday they had launched an investigation into encrypted messaging platform Telegram for allegedly "abetting" the distribution of so-called deepfake porn, including explicit AI generated images of teenagers.

Deepfake porn includes explicit content where the faces of individuals are digitally superimposed onto other pornographic images or videos using artificial intelligence technology.

A South Korean broadcaster reported last month that university students were running an illegal Telegram chatroom, sharing deepfake pornographic material of female classmates, one of a slew of high-profile cases that have stoked public anger.

"In light of these (deepfake) crimes, the Seoul National Police Agency launched their probe last week... for abetting the crimes," said Woo Jong-soo, head of the investigation bureau at the National Police Agency, according to a transcript of a press briefing.

"Telegram has been non-responsive to our previous requests for account information during investigations of earlier Telegram-linked crimes," he said.

Police received 88 reports of deepfake porn last week alone, Woo said, adding they have identified 24 suspects.

The Telegram probe was initiated after Pavel Durov, the founder and chief of Telegram, was arrested last month in France.

Durov, 39, was charged with several counts of failing to curb extremist and illegal content on the popular messaging app.

South Korean police have pledged to "find ways to cooperate with various investigative bodies, including the French, to enhance" their investigation into the platform, Woo said.

AFP has contacted Telegram for comment.

Activists say South Korea is suffering from an epidemic of digital sex crimes, including those involving spycams and revenge porn, with inadequate legislation to punish offenders.

Perpetrators of deepfake crimes have reportedly used social media platforms such as Instagram to save or screen-capture photos of victims, which were then used to create fake pornographic material.

This has fueled public anger and prompted President Yoon Suk Yeol, a former prosecutor, to call for officials to "thoroughly investigate and address these digital sex crimes to eradicate them completely".

 2024 AFP
Consolidated Portfolio Review Corp acquired a new position in shares of Schwab Fundamental U.S. Large Company Index ETF (NYSEARCA:FNDX  Free Report) during the 2nd quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The fund acquired 14,770 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $989,000.

A number of other large investors also recently bought and sold shares of FNDX. Charles Schwab Investment Advisory Inc. raised its stake in shares of Schwab Fundamental U.S. Large Company Index ETF by 1.9% in the 1st quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Advisory Inc. now owns 127,923,658 shares of the companys stock valued at $8,620,775,000 after acquiring an additional 2,406,870 shares during the period. Cetera Investment Advisers increased its stake in shares of Schwab Fundamental U.S. Large Company Index ETF by 641.0% in the first quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers now owns 672,395 shares of the companys stock worth $45,313,000 after buying an additional 581,648 shares during the last quarter. Cetera Advisor Networks LLC increased its position in shares of Schwab Fundamental U.S. Large Company Index ETF by 879.8% in the 4th quarter. Cetera Advisor Networks LLC now owns 492,432 shares of the companys stock worth $30,501,000 after purchasing an additional 442,176 shares during the last quarter. Captrust Financial Advisors grew its stake in Schwab Fundamental U.S. Large Company Index ETF by 7.3% during the 1st quarter. Captrust Financial Advisors now owns 3,019,066 shares of the companys stock worth $203,455,000 after buying an additional 204,998 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Envestnet Asset Management Inc. boosted its position in shares of Schwab Fundamental U.S. Large Company Index ETF by 19.6% during the 4th quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. now owns 1,152,840 shares of the companys stock valued at $71,407,000 after purchasing an additional 189,244 shares in the last quarter.

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Schwab Fundamental U.S. Large Company Index ETF Stock Performance

Shares of NYSEARCA:FNDX traded up $0.62 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $70.84. The company had a trading volume of 279,332 shares, compared to its average volume of 472,726. Schwab Fundamental U.S. Large Company Index ETF has a 1-year low of $53.32 and a 1-year high of $70.91. The company has a fifty day simple moving average of $68.27 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $66.65. The firm has a market cap of $16.22 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 17.79 and a beta of 0.84.

Schwab Fundamental U.S. Large Company Index ETF Profile

The Schwab Fundamental U.S. Large Company Index ETF (FNDX) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the Russell RAFI Large Company US index. The fund tracks a fundamentally selected and weighted Russell index based on sales, cash flow and dividends\u002Fbuybacks. FNDX was launched on Aug 15, 2013 and is managed by Charles Schwab.

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AM Squared Ltd bought a new position in shares of NOV Inc. (NYSE:NOV  Free Report) in the 2nd quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The institutional investor bought 15,400 shares of the oil and gas exploration companys stock, valued at approximately $293,000. NOV accounts for about 0.7% of AM Squared Ltds investment portfolio, making the stock its 13th biggest position.

Other large investors have also bought and sold shares of the company. Rise Advisors LLC bought a new position in NOV during the 1st quarter worth $26,000. Rothschild Investment LLC acquired a new stake in NOV during the 2nd quarter worth about $28,000. Riverview Trust Co acquired a new stake in NOV during the 1st quarter worth about $39,000. SYSTM Wealth Solutions LLC acquired a new stake in NOV during the 1st quarter worth about $78,000. Finally, Signaturefd LLC grew its holdings in NOV by 67.6% during the 2nd quarter. Signaturefd LLC now owns 4,443 shares of the oil and gas exploration companys stock worth $84,000 after acquiring an additional 1,792 shares during the period. 93.27% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

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Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of analysts have weighed in on the company. Barclays increased their price target on NOV from $17.00 to $20.00 and gave the stock an underweight rating in a report on Tuesday, July 30th. Royal Bank of Canada restated a sector perform rating and issued a $24.00 target price on shares of NOV in a research note on Monday, July 29th. Evercore ISI upgraded NOV to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Friday, July 26th. Benchmark reiterated a hold rating on shares of NOV in a research note on Friday, July 26th. Finally, Bank of America cut their price target on NOV from $24.00 to $22.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research note on Monday, July 15th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, five have assigned a hold rating, eight have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $24.58.

NOV Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE:NOV traded down $0.18 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $17.77. The company had a trading volume of 2,619,980 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,598,205. The company has a current ratio of 2.61, a quick ratio of 1.64 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.27. The firm has a market cap of $7.00 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 7.14, a PEG ratio of 0.53 and a beta of 1.70. The companys 50-day moving average price is $18.44 and its 200-day moving average price is $18.45. NOV Inc. has a one year low of $16.77 and a one year high of $21.91.

NOV (NYSE:NOV  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, July 25th. The oil and gas exploration company reported $0.57 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.35 by $0.22. The company had revenue of $2.22 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $2.19 billion. NOV had a net margin of 11.88% and a return on equity of 10.97%. NOVs revenue was up 5.9% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $0.39 EPS. As a group, equities research analysts anticipate that NOV Inc. will post 1.63 EPS for the current fiscal year.

NOV Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, September 27th. Investors of record on Friday, September 13th will be issued a $0.075 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, September 13th. This represents a $0.30 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.69%. NOVs dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 12.05%.

About NOV

(Free Report)

NOV Inc designs, constructs, manufactures, and sells systems, components, and products for oil and gas drilling and production, and industrial and renewable energy sectors in the United States and internationally. It operates through two segments, Energy Equipment, and Energy Products and Services. The company provides solids control and waste management equipment and services, managed pressure drilling, drilling fluids, premium drillpipe, wired pipe, drilling optimization services, tubular inspection and coating services, instrumentation, downhole tools, and drill bits.

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AM Squared Ltd purchased a new position in Mohawk Industries, Inc. (NYSE:MHK  Free Report) during the second quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm purchased 600 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $68,000.

A number of other large investors also recently modified their holdings of the business. Federated Hermes Inc. lifted its position in Mohawk Industries by 1,641.0% in the 4th quarter. Federated Hermes Inc. now owns 1,828 shares of the companys stock valued at $189,000 after purchasing an additional 1,723 shares during the last quarter. Russell Investments Group Ltd. lifted its position in Mohawk Industries by 159.2% in the 4th quarter. Russell Investments Group Ltd. now owns 147,108 shares of the companys stock valued at $15,226,000 after purchasing an additional 90,359 shares during the last quarter. Victory Capital Management Inc. lifted its position in Mohawk Industries by 78.1% in the 4th quarter. Victory Capital Management Inc. now owns 16,980 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,757,000 after purchasing an additional 7,446 shares during the last quarter. New York Life Investment Management LLC lifted its position in Mohawk Industries by 2.6% in the 4th quarter. New York Life Investment Management LLC now owns 13,336 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,380,000 after purchasing an additional 336 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Natixis Advisors L.P. lifted its position in Mohawk Industries by 60.2% in the 4th quarter. Natixis Advisors L.P. now owns 64,607 shares of the companys stock valued at $6,686,000 after purchasing an additional 24,274 shares during the last quarter. 78.98% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research firms have commented on MHK. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their price target on shares of Mohawk Industries from $124.00 to $155.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research report on Friday, August 2nd. Loop Capital boosted their price target on shares of Mohawk Industries from $145.00 to $185.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Monday, July 29th. Truist Financial boosted their price target on shares of Mohawk Industries from $135.00 to $184.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Monday, July 29th. Royal Bank of Canada boosted their price target on shares of Mohawk Industries from $108.00 to $140.00 and gave the stock a sector perform rating in a research report on Monday, July 29th. Finally, Barclays boosted their price target on shares of Mohawk Industries from $118.00 to $161.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research report on Monday, July 29th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, four have issued a hold rating, six have given a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $156.00.

Mohawk Industries Trading Up 1.0 %

NYSE MHK traded up $1.46 during trading on Friday, reaching $155.14. The companys stock had a trading volume of 435,428 shares, compared to its average volume of 574,859. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.22, a current ratio of 1.92 and a quick ratio of 1.04. The business has a 50-day moving average price of $135.76 and a 200-day moving average price of $124.17. Mohawk Industries, Inc. has a 1-year low of $76.02 and a 1-year high of $164.05.

Mohawk Industries (NYSE:MHK  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, July 25th. The company reported $3.00 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $2.75 by $0.25. Mohawk Industries had a negative net margin of 3.30% and a positive return on equity of 8.07%. The business had revenue of $2.80 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $2.84 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the company earned $2.76 earnings per share. Mohawk Industriess revenue for the quarter was down 5.1% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, sell-side analysts expect that Mohawk Industries, Inc. will post 10 EPS for the current year.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other Mohawk Industries news, insider Suzanne L. Helen sold 1,800 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Friday, June 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $111.74, for a total value of $201,132.00. Following the sale, the insider now owns 122,369 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $13,673,512.06. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. In other Mohawk Industries news, insider Suzanne L. Helen sold 1,800 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Friday, June 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $111.74, for a total value of $201,132.00. Following the sale, the insider now owns 122,369 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $13,673,512.06. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. Also, insider Suzanne L. Helen sold 2,300 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, August 23rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $151.15, for a total transaction of $347,645.00. Following the sale, the insider now owns 119,369 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $18,042,624.35. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last quarter, insiders have sold 5,555 shares of company stock valued at $774,555. 17.10% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Mohawk Industries Company Profile

(Free Report)

Mohawk Industries, Inc designs, manufactures, sources, distributes, and markets flooring products for residential and commercial remodeling, and new construction channels in the United States, Europe, Latin America, and internationally. It operates through three segments: Global Ceramic, Flooring North America, and Flooring Rest of the World.

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Commonwealth Equity Services LLC increased its stake in shares of The TJX Companies, Inc. (NYSE:TJX  Free Report) by 5.5% during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The fund owned 356,716 shares of the apparel and home fashions retailers stock after acquiring an additional 18,658 shares during the period. Commonwealth Equity Services LLCs holdings in TJX Companies were worth $39,274,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Other hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the company. Running Oak Capital LLC increased its holdings in shares of TJX Companies by 10.9% during the 1st quarter. Running Oak Capital LLC now owns 111,987 shares of the apparel and home fashions retailers stock valued at $11,358,000 after acquiring an additional 11,036 shares during the last quarter. New Mexico Educational Retirement Board grew its holdings in TJX Companies by 15.9% in the 1st quarter. New Mexico Educational Retirement Board now owns 69,380 shares of the apparel and home fashions retailers stock valued at $7,037,000 after buying an additional 9,500 shares during the last quarter. Options Solutions LLC acquired a new stake in TJX Companies in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $726,000. Advisors Capital Management LLC grew its holdings in TJX Companies by 3.7% in the 1st quarter. Advisors Capital Management LLC now owns 572,324 shares of the apparel and home fashions retailers stock valued at $58,045,000 after buying an additional 20,629 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Ethos Financial Group LLC acquired a new stake in TJX Companies in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $269,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 91.09% of the companys stock.

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TJX Companies Stock Down 0.1 %

NYSE TJX opened at $117.27 on Friday. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $112.92 and a 200-day moving average of $104.19. The stock has a market capitalization of $132.53 billion, a P/E ratio of 29.10, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.96 and a beta of 0.88. The TJX Companies, Inc. has a 52 week low of $86.71 and a 52 week high of $121.13. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.37, a quick ratio of 0.60 and a current ratio of 1.21.

TJX Companies Announces Dividend

TJX Companies ( NYSE:TJX Get Free Report ) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, August 21st. The apparel and home fashions retailer reported $0.96 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.92 by $0.04. TJX Companies had a return on equity of 63.19% and a net margin of 8.56%. The company had revenue of $13.47 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $13.31 billion. During the same period last year, the firm earned $0.85 EPS. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 5.6% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities research analysts forecast that The TJX Companies, Inc. will post 4.15 EPS for the current year.

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, September 5th. Investors of record on Thursday, August 15th will be paid a dividend of $0.375 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, August 15th. This represents a $1.50 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.28%. TJX Companiess dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 37.22%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of research firms have issued reports on TJX. Barclays raised their target price on TJX Companies from $114.00 to $136.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Thursday, August 22nd. StockNews.com lowered TJX Companies from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Thursday. Telsey Advisory Group reaffirmed an outperform rating and issued a $128.00 target price on shares of TJX Companies in a report on Wednesday, August 21st. Loop Capital raised their target price on TJX Companies from $125.00 to $140.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Thursday, August 22nd. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group lifted their price objective on TJX Companies from $130.00 to $140.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Thursday, August 22nd. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and thirteen have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, TJX Companies currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $126.76.

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About TJX Companies

(Free Report)

The TJX Companies, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, operates as an off-price apparel and home fashions retailer in the United States, Canada, Europe, and Australia. It operates through four segments: Marmaxx, HomeGoods, TJX Canada, and TJX International. The company sells family apparel, including footwear and accessories; home fashions, such as home basics, furniture, rugs, lighting products, giftware, soft home products, decorative accessories, tabletop, and cookware, as well as expanded pet, and gourmet food departments; jewelry and accessories; and other merchandise.

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Retireful LLC reduced its position in Dell Technologies Inc. (NYSE:DELL  Free Report) by 10.8% during the 2nd quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The fund owned 15,156 shares of the technology companys stock after selling 1,837 shares during the quarter. Retireful LLCs holdings in Dell Technologies were worth $2,090,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. Capital World Investors acquired a new stake in shares of Dell Technologies in the 1st quarter valued at $835,946,000. DZ BANK AG Deutsche Zentral Genossenschafts Bank Frankfurt am Main increased its holdings in shares of Dell Technologies by 449.8% during the 4th quarter. DZ BANK AG Deutsche Zentral Genossenschafts Bank Frankfurt am Main now owns 3,714,573 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $284,165,000 after acquiring an additional 3,038,891 shares during the last quarter. DekaBank Deutsche Girozentrale raised its holdings in Dell Technologies by 83.4% in the 1st quarter. DekaBank Deutsche Girozentrale now owns 2,224,975 shares of the technology companys stock worth $250,676,000 after acquiring an additional 1,011,512 shares during the period. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. grew its position in Dell Technologies by 311.5% during the first quarter. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. now owns 1,195,871 shares of the technology companys stock worth $136,461,000 after buying an additional 905,279 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Balyasny Asset Management L.P. lifted its holdings in shares of Dell Technologies by 2,466.2% during the 4th quarter. Balyasny Asset Management L.P. now owns 886,409 shares of the technology companys stock worth $67,810,000 after acquiring an additional 851,867 shares during the period. 38.10% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Insider Activity at Dell Technologies

In other Dell Technologies news, Director David W. Dorman sold 75,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Thursday, June 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $135.26, for a total transaction of $10,144,500.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 114,317 shares of the companys stock, valued at $15,462,517.42. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. In related news, Director Lake Group L.L.C. Silver sold 25,381 shares of Dell Technologies stock in a transaction on Tuesday, July 16th. The stock was sold at an average price of $134.42, for a total transaction of $3,411,714.02. Following the completion of the sale, the director now owns 787,669 shares of the companys stock, valued at $105,878,466.98. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Also, Director David W. Dorman sold 75,000 shares of Dell Technologies stock in a transaction 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 sale, the director now directly owns 114,317 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $15,462,517.42. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last three months, insiders sold 7,058,131 shares of company stock valued at $963,293,619. 46.70% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Dell Technologies Trading Up 4.3 %

DELL stock traded up $4.80 during trading on Friday, reaching $115.54. 33,433,633 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 11,410,623. The firm has a market cap of $81.95 billion, a P/E ratio of 23.58, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.43 and a beta of 0.92. Dell Technologies Inc. has a twelve month low of $53.62 and a twelve month high of $179.70. The firms 50 day moving average is $120.21 and its 200 day moving average is $122.49.

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, topping the consensus estimate of $1.49 by $0.40. The firm had revenue of $25.03 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $24.14 billion. Dell Technologies had a negative return on equity of 182.71% and a net margin of 4.32%. The companys quarterly revenue was up 9.1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $1.44 earnings per share. As a group, analysts predict that Dell Technologies Inc. will post 6.86 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Dell Technologies Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, August 2nd. Investors of record on Tuesday, July 23rd were given a dividend of $0.445 per share. This represents a $1.78 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.54%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, July 23rd. Dell Technologiess payout ratio is 36.33%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

DELL has been the subject of a number of recent analyst reports. Loop Capital increased their target price on shares of Dell Technologies from $125.00 to $185.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Tuesday, May 28th. 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 report on Thursday, August 15th. Evercore ISI restated an outperform rating and set a $140.00 target price on shares of Dell Technologies in a report on Wednesday. Raymond James reduced their target price on Dell Technologies from $166.00 to $160.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a report on Friday. Finally, TD Cowen reduced their target price on Dell Technologies from $155.00 to $128.00 and set a hold rating on the stock in a report on Friday. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and fourteen have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $132.88.

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About Dell Technologies

(Free Report)

Dell Technologies Inc designs, develops, manufactures, markets, sells, and supports various comprehensive and integrated solutions, products, and services in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and internationally. The company operates through two segments, Infrastructure Solutions Group (ISG) and Client Solutions Group (CSG).

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Drive Wealth Management LLC raised its stake in Arista Networks, Inc. (NYSE:ANET  Free Report) by 3.8% in the second quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 1,538 shares of the technology companys stock after acquiring an additional 56 shares during the quarter. Drive Wealth Management LLCs holdings in Arista Networks were worth $539,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other large investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Beacon Capital Management LLC grew its position in shares of Arista Networks by 500.0% during the 2nd quarter. Beacon Capital Management LLC now owns 78 shares of the technology companys stock worth $27,000 after buying an additional 65 shares during the period. Benjamin Edwards Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Arista Networks during the 1st quarter worth approximately $26,000. Byrne Asset Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Arista Networks during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $33,000. Sugarloaf Wealth Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Arista Networks during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $35,000. Finally, Thurston Springer Miller Herd & Titak Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Arista Networks during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $35,000. Institutional investors own 82.47% of the companys stock.

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Arista Networks Stock Up 2.0 %

Arista Networks stock traded up $6.79 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $353.38. The stock had a trading volume of 1,548,752 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,486,699. Arista Networks, Inc. has a 12 month low of $168.25 and a 12 month high of $376.50. The firms 50-day moving average price is $344.05 and its 200 day moving average price is $308.70. The firm has a market capitalization of $111.01 billion, a PE ratio of 49.22, a P/E/G ratio of 2.78 and a beta of 1.11.

Arista Networks ( NYSE:ANET Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, July 30th. The technology company reported $2.10 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.72 by $0.38. Arista Networks had a return on equity of 30.50% and a net margin of 39.01%. The business had revenue of $1.69 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.66 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the business posted $1.41 EPS. The firms quarterly revenue was up 15.9% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities research analysts expect that Arista Networks, Inc. will post 7.38 EPS for the current year.

Arista Networks announced that its Board of Directors has authorized a stock buyback plan on Tuesday, May 7th that authorizes the company to repurchase $1.20 billion in shares. This repurchase authorization authorizes the technology company to reacquire up to 1.4% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock repurchase plans are typically a sign that the companys board believes its stock is undervalued.

Insider Buying and Selling at Arista Networks

In other Arista Networks news, SVP Kenneth Duda sold 20,000 shares of Arista Networks stock in a transaction dated Monday, July 8th. The stock was sold at an average price of $370.70, for a total transaction of $7,414,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the senior vice president now owns 3,244 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,202,550.80. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. In other news, SVP Marc Taxay sold 4,493 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Monday, June 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $295.47, for a total transaction of $1,327,546.71. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, SVP Kenneth Duda sold 20,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, July 8th. The stock was sold at an average price of $370.70, for a total value of $7,414,000.00. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president now owns 3,244 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,202,550.80. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 128,296 shares of company stock valued at $44,532,174 in the last quarter. 3.54% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several analysts have recently commented on ANET shares. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their price objective on shares of Arista Networks from $335.00 to $340.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Wednesday, July 31st. Jefferies Financial Group lifted their price target on shares of Arista Networks from $340.00 to $380.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, July 31st. Piper Sandler lifted their price target on shares of Arista Networks from $302.00 to $345.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research report on Monday, July 15th. Evercore ISI lifted their price target on shares of Arista Networks from $340.00 to $400.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Tuesday, July 16th. Finally, Bank of America lifted their price target on shares of Arista Networks from $320.00 to $380.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Thursday, June 20th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, four have assigned a hold rating and sixteen have issued a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $353.38.

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Arista Networks Profile

(Free Report)

Arista Networks, Inc engages in the development, marketing, and sale of data-driven, client to cloud networking solutions for data center, campus, and routing environments in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the Asia-Pacific. Its cloud networking solutions consist of Extensible Operating System (EOS), a publish-subscribe state-sharing networking operating system offered in combination with a set of network applications.

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Essex Financial Services Inc. grew its position in Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY  Free Report) by 5.8% in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 28,183 shares of the companys stock after buying an additional 1,556 shares during the period. Eli Lilly and Company makes up 1.3% of Essex Financial Services Inc.s portfolio, making the stock its 8th largest position. Essex Financial Services Inc.s holdings in Eli Lilly and Company were worth $25,517,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Tidemark LLC bought a new stake in Eli Lilly and Company in the 4th quarter valued at $29,000. Core Wealth Advisors Inc. lifted its position in Eli Lilly and Company by 188.2% in the 4th quarter. Core Wealth Advisors Inc. now owns 49 shares of the companys stock valued at $29,000 after acquiring an additional 32 shares in the last quarter. Lynx Investment Advisory bought a new stake in Eli Lilly and Company in the 2nd quarter valued at $32,000. Frank Rimerman Advisors LLC bought a new stake in Eli Lilly and Company in the 4th quarter valued at $37,000. Finally, St. Johns Investment Management Company LLC lifted its position in Eli Lilly and Company by 123.3% in the 4th quarter. St. Johns Investment Management Company LLC now owns 67 shares of the companys stock valued at $39,000 after acquiring an additional 37 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 82.53% of the companys stock.

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Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Eli Lilly and Company news, EVP Johna Norton sold 7,056 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, June 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $819.38, for a total transaction of $5,781,545.28. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 25,428 shares in the company, valued at approximately $20,835,194.64. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. In other news, major shareholder Lilly Endowment Inc sold 192,794 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, June 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $829.77, for a total transaction of $159,974,677.38. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now owns 98,208,810 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $81,490,724,273.70. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, EVP Johna Norton sold 7,056 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, June 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $819.38, for a total transaction of $5,781,545.28. Following the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 25,428 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $20,835,194.64. 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 quarter. Corporate insiders own 0.13% of the companys stock.

Eli Lilly and Company Stock Performance

LLY traded up $19.82 on Friday, reaching $960.02. The company had a trading volume of 2,555,073 shares, compared to its average volume of 3,625,430. Eli Lilly and Company has a fifty-two week low of $516.57 and a fifty-two week high of $972.53. The stock has a market cap of $912.43 billion, a P/E ratio of 141.39, a P/E/G ratio of 2.91 and a beta of 0.41. The companys fifty day moving average is $892.64 and its 200 day moving average is $822.08. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.74, a quick ratio of 0.87 and a current ratio of 1.11.

Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, August 8th. The company reported $3.92 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $2.64 by $1.28. Eli Lilly and Company had a net margin of 18.86% and a return on equity of 67.52%. The business had revenue of $11.30 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $9.83 billion. As a group, analysts predict that Eli Lilly and Company will post 16.51 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Eli Lilly and Company Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, September 10th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, August 15th will be given a dividend of $1.30 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, August 15th. This represents a $5.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.54%. Eli Lilly and Companys payout ratio is presently 76.58%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

LLY has been the topic of several research reports. Berenberg Bank boosted their price objective on shares of Eli Lilly and Company from $1,000.00 to $1,050.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, August 14th. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their price target on shares of Eli Lilly and Company from $875.00 to $1,000.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Friday, August 9th. Guggenheim boosted their price target on shares of Eli Lilly and Company from $884.00 to $1,030.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Friday, August 16th. Truist Financial reissued a buy rating and set a $1,000.00 price target (up from $892.00) on shares of Eli Lilly and Company in a research report on Tuesday, June 25th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their price target on shares of 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. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seventeen have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $961.76.

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Eli Lilly and Company Profile

(Free Report)

Eli Lilly and Company discovers, develops, and markets human pharmaceuticals worldwide. The company offers Basaglar, Humalog, Humalog Mix 75/25, Humalog U-100, Humalog U-200, Humalog Mix 50/50, insulin lispro, insulin lispro protamine, insulin lispro mix 75/25, Humulin, Humulin 70/30, Humulin N, Humulin R, and Humulin U-500 for diabetes; Jardiance, Mounjaro, and Trulicity for type 2 diabetes; and Zepbound for obesity.

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Farther Finance Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in Invesco S&P MidCap 400 Pure Growth ETF (NYSEARCA:RFG  Free Report) in the second quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The institutional investor purchased 30,797 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,484,000.

Several other large investors also recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Twelve Points Wealth Management LLC boosted its position in shares of Invesco S&P MidCap 400 Pure Growth ETF by 7.4% in the 2nd quarter. Twelve Points Wealth Management LLC now owns 184,675 shares of the companys stock valued at $9,003,000 after purchasing an additional 12,674 shares during the period. POM Investment Strategies LLC purchased a new position in Invesco S&P MidCap 400 Pure Growth ETF in the 2nd quarter valued at $6,304,000. Christopher J. Hasenberg Inc increased its stake in Invesco S&P MidCap 400 Pure Growth ETF by 5.8% in the 2nd quarter. Christopher J. Hasenberg Inc now owns 105,803 shares of the companys stock valued at $5,158,000 after buying an additional 5,819 shares during the period. Ameritas Advisory Services LLC raised its position in Invesco S&P MidCap 400 Pure Growth ETF by 0.4% during the 2nd quarter. Ameritas Advisory Services LLC now owns 58,216 shares of the companys stock worth $2,838,000 after buying an additional 235 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Prosperity Consulting Group LLC purchased a new position in Invesco S&P MidCap 400 Pure Growth ETF during the 1st quarter worth $2,481,000.

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Invesco S&P MidCap 400 Pure Growth ETF Trading Up 0.6 %

Shares of NYSEARCA:RFG traded up $0.31 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $48.70. The stock had a trading volume of 203,852 shares, compared to its average volume of 34,037. Invesco S&P MidCap 400 Pure Growth ETF has a 1 year low of $36.75 and a 1 year high of $51.61. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $48.46 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $48.57. The company has a market capitalization of $349.18 million, a PE ratio of 2.59 and a beta of 1.10.

Invesco S&P MidCap 400 Pure Growth ETF Company Profile

Rydex S&P MidCap 400 Pure Growth ETF (the Fund) seeks to replicate as closely as possible the performance of the S&P MidCap 400 Pure Growth Index (the Index). The Index is narrow in focus, containing only those S&P MidCap 400 companies with strong growth characteristics as selected by S&P. The Fund uses a passive management strategy, known as replication, to track the performance of the Index.

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Fielder Capital Group LLC cut its holdings in Lamb Weston Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:LW  Free Report) by 4.2% in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 4,374 shares of the specialty retailers stock after selling 193 shares during the quarter. Fielder Capital Group LLCs holdings in Lamb Weston were worth $368,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the company. Norges Bank acquired a new position in Lamb Weston during the 4th quarter worth approximately $93,553,000. Artemis Investment Management LLP boosted its holdings in shares of Lamb Weston by 117.2% in the 1st quarter. Artemis Investment Management LLP now owns 1,230,538 shares of the specialty retailers stock valued at $131,035,000 after buying an additional 663,985 shares during the last quarter. APG Asset Management US Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Lamb Weston in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $56,699,000. Ninety One UK Ltd acquired a new stake in shares of Lamb Weston in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $42,518,000. Finally, Montrusco Bolton Investments Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of Lamb Weston by 104.7% in the 4th quarter. Montrusco Bolton Investments Inc. now owns 713,414 shares of the specialty retailers stock valued at $77,113,000 after buying an additional 364,851 shares during the last quarter. 89.56% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Insider Activity

In other news, Director William G. Jurgensen purchased 10,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Friday, July 26th. The shares were purchased at an average cost of $55.43 per share, with a total value of $554,300.00. Following the completion of the purchase, the director now owns 173,377 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $9,610,287.11. The purchase was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Insiders own 1.66% of the companys stock.

Lamb Weston Price Performance

NYSE:LW traded up $0.62 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $61.92. The companys stock had a trading volume of 1,962,884 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,517,182. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $68.91 and a 200-day simple moving average of $83.66. The company has a market capitalization of $8.90 billion, a P/E ratio of 8.27, a PEG ratio of 5.90 and a beta of 0.74. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.92, a current ratio of 1.29 and a quick ratio of 0.59. Lamb Weston Holdings, Inc. has a twelve month low of $52.99 and a twelve month high of $111.88.

Lamb Weston (NYSE:LW  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, July 24th. The specialty retailer reported $0.78 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.24 by ($0.46). The business had revenue of $1.61 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.71 billion. Lamb Weston had a net margin of 11.22% and a return on equity of 44.06%. On average, analysts anticipate that Lamb Weston Holdings, Inc. will post 4.54 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Lamb Weston Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, August 30th. Stockholders of record on Friday, August 2nd were paid a dividend of $0.36 per share. This represents a $1.44 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.33%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, August 2nd. Lamb Westons payout ratio is 19.23%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research firms have recently commented on LW. TD Cowen downgraded Lamb Weston from a buy rating to a hold rating and cut their price objective for the company from $105.00 to $61.00 in a report on Thursday, July 25th. Consumer Edge cut Lamb Weston from an overweight rating to an equal weight rating in a research note on Friday, July 26th. Barclays dropped their price target on Lamb Weston from $96.00 to $70.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, July 26th. Citigroup dropped their price target on Lamb Weston from $106.00 to $104.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, July 10th. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus cut Lamb Weston from a buy rating to a hold rating and dropped their price target for the company from $115.00 to $60.00 in a research note on Thursday, July 25th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have issued a hold rating and eight have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Lamb Weston currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $87.70.

Read Our Latest Analysis on Lamb Weston

Lamb Weston Company Profile

(Free Report)

Lamb Weston Holdings, Inc produces, distributes, and markets frozen potato products worldwide. The company operates through four segments: Global, Foodservice, Retail, and Other. It offers frozen potatoes, commercial ingredients, and appetizers under the Lamb Weston brand, as well as under various customer labels.

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Legacy Advisors LLC increased its holdings in shares of Walmart Inc. (NYSE:WMT  Free Report) by 88.7% in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 24,534 shares of the retailers stock after buying an additional 11,531 shares during the quarter. Legacy Advisors LLCs holdings in Walmart were worth $1,661,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other large investors have also bought and sold shares of WMT. Vanguard Group Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Walmart by 199.4% in the first quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 411,745,334 shares of the retailers stock worth $24,774,717,000 after acquiring an additional 274,229,968 shares during the last quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD increased its position in Walmart by 181.0% during the 1st quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 56,861,234 shares of the retailers stock worth $3,421,342,000 after purchasing an additional 36,625,314 shares in the last quarter. Norges Bank bought a new position in Walmart in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $3,674,652,000. Bank of New York Mellon Corp boosted its position in Walmart by 183.0% in the first quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 29,172,985 shares of the retailers stock valued at $1,755,339,000 after buying an additional 18,865,484 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Swiss National Bank grew its stake in shares of Walmart by 187.4% during the first quarter. Swiss National Bank now owns 13,303,200 shares of the retailers stock worth $800,454,000 after buying an additional 8,674,100 shares during the last quarter. 26.76% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Walmart Trading Up 1.1 %

NYSE:WMT opened at $77.23 on Friday. Walmart Inc. has a 12 month low of $49.85 and a 12 month high of $77.47. The company has a current ratio of 0.80, a quick ratio of 0.22 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.46. The stock has a market capitalization of $621.20 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 33.05, a PEG ratio of 3.87 and a beta of 0.50. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $70.55 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $64.67.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Walmart ( NYSE:WMT Get Free Report ) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, August 15th. The retailer reported $0.67 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.65 by $0.02. Walmart had a return on equity of 21.72% and a net margin of 2.34%. The company had revenue of $169.30 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $168.56 billion. During the same period last year, the business posted $0.61 EPS. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 4.7% compared to the same quarter last year. Analysts expect that Walmart Inc. will post 2.44 EPS for the current fiscal year.

WMT has been the topic of several recent research reports. UBS Group raised their price objective on Walmart from $74.00 to $81.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Friday, August 16th. Tigress Financial lifted their price target on Walmart from $75.00 to $86.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, July 23rd. HSBC upped their price objective on Walmart from $70.00 to $81.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, June 11th. KeyCorp raised their price objective on shares of Walmart from $75.00 to $82.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Wednesday, July 17th. Finally, Robert W. Baird boosted their target price on shares of Walmart from $65.00 to $70.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Friday, May 17th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, twenty-six have issued a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $78.64.

View Our Latest Analysis on Walmart

Insider Buying and Selling at Walmart

In other news, EVP Daniel J. Bartlett sold 2,398 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, July 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $69.50, for a total transaction of $166,661.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 463,871 shares of the companys stock, valued at $32,239,034.50. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. In other news, CEO C Douglas Mcmillon sold 29,124 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Thursday, July 25th. The shares were sold at an average price of $70.61, for a total transaction of $2,056,445.64. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 3,931,301 shares of the companys stock, valued at $277,589,163.61. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, EVP Daniel J. Bartlett sold 2,398 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Monday, July 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $69.50, for a total transaction of $166,661.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now owns 463,871 shares in the company, valued at approximately $32,239,034.50. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last quarter, insiders sold 6,332,089 shares of company stock valued at $422,145,654. Company insiders own 45.58% of the companys stock.

About Walmart

(Free Report)

Walmart Inc engages in the operation of retail, wholesale, other units, and eCommerce worldwide. The company operates through three segments: Walmart U.S., Walmart International, and Sam's Club. It operates supercenters, supermarkets, hypermarkets, warehouse clubs, cash and carry stores, and discount stores under Walmart and Walmart Neighborhood Market brands; membership-only warehouse clubs; ecommerce websites, such as walmart.com.mx, walmart.ca, flipkart.com, PhonePe and other sites; and mobile commerce applications.

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Massachusetts Wealth Management lifted its stake in Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE  Free Report) by 35.3% in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 71,432 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock after purchasing an additional 18,650 shares during the period. Massachusetts Wealth Managements holdings in Pfizer were worth $1,999,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other large investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Olistico Wealth LLC acquired a new stake in Pfizer in the second quarter worth about $25,000. MFA Wealth Advisors LLC bought a new position in Pfizer in the second quarter valued at approximately $29,000. Creekmur Asset Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of Pfizer during the 4th quarter valued at $32,000. Trivant Custom Portfolio Group LLC lifted its stake in shares of Pfizer by 100.0% in the 1st quarter. Trivant Custom Portfolio Group LLC now owns 1,200 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $33,000 after purchasing an additional 600 shares during the period. Finally, Financial Connections Group Inc. bought a new position in shares of Pfizer in the 2nd quarter worth $34,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 68.36% of the companys stock.

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Pfizer Stock Up 1.0 %

Shares of NYSE PFE traded up $0.29 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $29.01. The company had a trading volume of 37,137,599 shares, compared to its average volume of 26,838,326. The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of $28.99 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $28.01. Pfizer Inc. has a one year low of $25.20 and a one year high of $36.29. The company has a current ratio of 0.86, a quick ratio of 0.60 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.65. The company has a market capitalization of $164.39 billion, a PE ratio of -483.42, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.02 and a beta of 0.69.

Pfizer Dividend Announcement

Pfizer ( NYSE:PFE Get Free Report ) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, July 30th. The biopharmaceutical company reported $0.60 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.46 by $0.14. The business had revenue of $13.28 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $12.96 billion. Pfizer had a negative net margin of 4.66% and a positive return on equity of 8.42%. The firms revenue was up 2.1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the business earned $0.67 earnings per share. On average, equities analysts expect that Pfizer Inc. will post 2.66 EPS for the current year.

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, September 3rd. Stockholders of record on Friday, July 26th will be given a $0.42 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, July 26th. This represents a $1.68 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 5.79%. Pfizers payout ratio is -2,799.53%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

PFE has been the topic of several analyst reports. Cantor Fitzgerald reissued an overweight rating and issued a $45.00 target price on shares of Pfizer in a research note on Monday, August 19th. StockNews.com raised shares of Pfizer from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report on Thursday, August 1st. Daiwa America upgraded shares of Pfizer from a moderate buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, August 7th. Daiwa Capital Markets upgraded 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. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company increased their price target on Pfizer from $28.00 to $30.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a report on Wednesday, July 31st. Eight equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, seven have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $34.54.

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Pfizer Profile

(Free Report)

Pfizer Inc discovers, develops, manufactures, markets, distributes, and sells biopharmaceutical products in the United States, Europe, and internationally. The company offers medicines and vaccines in various therapeutic areas, including cardiovascular metabolic, migraine, and women's health under the Eliquis, Nurtec ODT/Vydura, Zavzpret, and the Premarin family brands; infectious diseases with unmet medical needs under the Prevnar family, Abrysvo, Nimenrix, FSME/IMMUN-TicoVac, and Trumenba brands; and COVID-19 prevention and treatment, and potential future mRNA and antiviral products under the Comirnaty and Paxlovid brands.

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Massachusetts Wealth Management trimmed its holdings in FedEx Co. (NYSE:FDX  Free Report) by 7.2% during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 1,295 shares of the shipping service providers stock after selling 100 shares during the quarter. Massachusetts Wealth Managements holdings in FedEx were worth $388,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Vanguard Group Inc. increased its stake in FedEx by 5.6% in the first quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 19,868,165 shares of the shipping service providers stock worth $5,756,602,000 after purchasing an additional 1,056,061 shares during the period. Capital International Investors increased its stake in FedEx by 32.5% in the 1st quarter. Capital International Investors now owns 8,831,084 shares of the shipping service providers stock worth $2,558,718,000 after buying an additional 2,163,622 shares during the period. Putnam Investments LLC lifted its holdings in FedEx by 38.1% during the 4th quarter. Putnam Investments LLC now owns 2,893,781 shares of the shipping service providers stock valued at $732,040,000 after buying an additional 798,084 shares in the last quarter. Norges Bank purchased a new stake in FedEx in the 4th quarter valued at about $700,291,000. Finally, Mawer Investment Management Ltd. grew its stake in FedEx by 43.5% in the 1st quarter. Mawer Investment Management Ltd. now owns 2,258,579 shares of the shipping service providers stock worth $654,401,000 after acquiring an additional 684,679 shares in the last quarter. 84.47% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

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Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of brokerages recently issued reports on FDX. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their price target on FedEx from $275.00 to $300.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a report on Wednesday, June 26th. Evercore ISI lowered their target price on FedEx from $351.00 to $318.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a report on Monday, June 24th. Morgan Stanley raised their price target on FedEx from $210.00 to $215.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research note on Wednesday, June 26th. TD Cowen started coverage on shares of FedEx in a research note on Thursday, August 22nd. They issued a buy rating and a $334.00 price objective for the company. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised shares of FedEx from a neutral rating to an overweight rating and raised their target price for the company from $296.00 to $359.00 in a research report on Wednesday, June 26th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, six have given a hold rating and nineteen have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $313.96.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, EVP Brie Carere sold 1,958 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Thursday, July 18th. The shares were sold at an average price of $310.43, for a total value of $607,821.94. Following the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 19,937 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $6,189,042.91. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. In other news, CEO Sriram Krishnasamy sold 8,421 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, July 17th. The shares were sold at an average price of $310.14, for a total transaction of $2,611,688.94. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 12,246 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $3,797,974.44. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Also, EVP Brie Carere sold 1,958 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Thursday, July 18th. The stock was sold at an average price of $310.43, for a total transaction of $607,821.94. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 19,937 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $6,189,042.91. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last ninety days, insiders sold 32,944 shares of company stock valued at $9,882,355. 8.73% of the stock is owned by insiders.

FedEx Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE FDX traded up $2.52 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $298.77. The company had a trading volume of 1,096,965 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,195,617. FedEx Co. has a 1 year low of $224.69 and a 1 year high of $313.84. The businesss 50-day simple moving average is $293.27 and its 200 day simple moving average is $270.24. The company has a current ratio of 1.36, a quick ratio of 1.32 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.73. The stock has a market cap of $72.99 billion, a P/E ratio of 17.34, a P/E/G ratio of 1.08 and a beta of 1.18.

FedEx (NYSE:FDX  Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, June 25th. The shipping service provider reported $5.41 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $5.34 by $0.07. The company had revenue of $22.11 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $22.04 billion. FedEx had a return on equity of 16.70% and a net margin of 4.94%. The firms quarterly revenue was up .8% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $4.94 EPS. On average, analysts forecast that FedEx Co. will post 20.87 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

FedEx Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, October 1st. Investors of record on Monday, September 9th will be issued a $1.38 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Monday, September 9th. This represents a $5.52 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.85%. FedExs dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 32.04%.

FedEx Profile

(Free Report)

FedEx Corporation provides transportation, e-commerce, and business services in the United States and internationally. It operates through FedEx Express, FedEx Ground, FedEx Freight, and FedEx Services segments. The FedEx Express segment offers express transportation, small-package ground delivery, and freight transportation services; and time-critical transportation services.

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Natixis Advisors LLC increased its position in General Electric (NYSE:GE  Free Report) by 15.4% in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 648,106 shares of the conglomerates stock after buying an additional 86,609 shares during the quarter. Natixis Advisors LLC owned 0.06% of General Electric worth $103,030,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the company. D.A. Davidson & CO. increased its position in General Electric by 12.1% during the 2nd quarter. D.A. Davidson & CO. now owns 34,387 shares of the conglomerates stock valued at $5,467,000 after purchasing an additional 3,719 shares during the period. Telos Capital Management Inc. increased its position in General Electric by 21.8% during the 2nd quarter. Telos Capital Management Inc. now owns 4,684 shares of the conglomerates stock valued at $745,000 after purchasing an additional 837 shares during the period. Mizuho Securities Co. Ltd. increased its position in General Electric by 659.4% during the 2nd quarter. Mizuho Securities Co. Ltd. now owns 1,420 shares of the conglomerates stock valued at $226,000 after purchasing an additional 1,233 shares during the period. Consolidated Portfolio Review Corp acquired a new stake in General Electric during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $1,452,000. Finally, Valmark Advisers Inc. increased its position in General Electric by 1.3% during the 2nd quarter. Valmark Advisers Inc. now owns 7,012 shares of the conglomerates stock valued at $1,115,000 after purchasing an additional 91 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 74.77% of the companys stock.

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General Electric Stock Up 0.6 %

Shares of GE traded up $1.04 during trading hours on Friday, reaching $174.62. The stock had a trading volume of 5,295,576 shares, compared to its average volume of 4,164,248. The company has a current ratio of 1.14, a quick ratio of 0.85 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.95. The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of $165.18 and a 200 day simple moving average of $162.66. General Electric has a 12 month low of $84.42 and a 12 month high of $177.20. The company has a market capitalization of $189.34 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 57.25, a P/E/G ratio of 1.73 and a beta of 1.21.

General Electric Dividend Announcement

General Electric ( NYSE:GE Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, July 23rd. The conglomerate reported $1.20 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.99 by $0.21. General Electric had a return on equity of 16.07% and a net margin of 7.66%. The business had revenue of $9.09 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $8.44 billion. During the same period last year, the business earned $0.68 EPS. The businesss revenue was up 3.9% on a year-over-year basis. Equities research analysts predict that General Electric will post 4.2 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, July 25th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, July 11th were paid a dividend of $0.28 per share. This represents a $1.12 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.64%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, July 11th. General Electrics dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 36.72%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of analysts have weighed in on GE shares. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft increased their target price on shares of General Electric from $195.00 to $209.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Monday, June 10th. Wells Fargo & Company increased their price target on General Electric from $192.00 to $205.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Wednesday, July 24th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their price target on General Electric from $148.00 to $175.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Monday, May 13th. StockNews.com cut General Electric from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Monday, July 29th. Finally, UBS Group increased their price target on General Electric from $201.00 to $209.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Monday, July 1st. Two analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and thirteen have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, General Electric has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $190.38.

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General Electric Company Profile

(Free Report)

General Electric Company, doing business as GE Aerospace, designs and produces commercial and defense aircraft engines, integrated engine components, electric power, and mechanical aircraft systems. It also offers aftermarket services to support its products. The company operates in the United States, Europe, China, Asia, the Americas, the Middle East, and Africa.

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Natixis Advisors LLC increased its stake in shares of Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT  Free Report) by 24.8% in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 1,218,537 shares of the healthcare product makers stock after purchasing an additional 242,239 shares during the period. Natixis Advisors LLC owned approximately 0.07% of Abbott Laboratories worth $126,618,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

A number of other hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the company. International Assets Investment Management LLC increased its stake in Abbott Laboratories by 28.4% in the 4th quarter. International Assets Investment Management LLC now owns 12,257 shares of the healthcare product makers stock worth $1,349,000 after buying an additional 2,714 shares during the period. GUNN & Co INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT INC. acquired a new stake in Abbott Laboratories during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $1,075,000. Gilbert & Cook Inc. lifted its stake in Abbott Laboratories by 17.4% during the 4th quarter. Gilbert & Cook Inc. now owns 7,556 shares of the healthcare product makers stock valued at $832,000 after acquiring an additional 1,120 shares during the period. Victory Capital Management Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Abbott Laboratories by 6.5% in the 4th quarter. Victory Capital Management Inc. now owns 665,391 shares of the healthcare product makers stock valued at $73,240,000 after purchasing an additional 40,702 shares during the period. Finally, Accretive Wealth Partners LLC lifted its stake in shares of Abbott Laboratories by 1.2% in the 4th quarter. Accretive Wealth Partners LLC now owns 13,322 shares of the healthcare product makers stock valued at $1,466,000 after purchasing an additional 152 shares during the period. 75.18% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several brokerages recently commented on ABT. Evercore ISI cut their price target on shares of Abbott Laboratories from $125.00 to $120.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, July 2nd. 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 target price on the stock. Edward Jones cut shares of Abbott Laboratories from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Tuesday, July 30th. Barclays upped their target price on shares of Abbott Laboratories from $140.00 to $143.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Monday, July 29th. Finally, Citigroup lifted their target price on shares of Abbott Laboratories from $119.00 to $127.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Thursday, August 22nd. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eight have issued a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, Abbott Laboratories presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $121.80.

Abbott Laboratories Stock Performance

Shares of ABT traded up $0.51 during trading hours on Friday, reaching $113.27. 4,320,139 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 5,114,636. The firm has a market capitalization of $197.08 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 35.29, a P/E/G ratio of 2.82 and a beta of 0.72. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.33, a current ratio of 1.68 and a quick ratio of 1.18. Abbott Laboratories has a twelve month low of $89.67 and a twelve month high of $121.64. The businesss fifty day simple moving average is $106.97 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $108.74.

Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results 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. 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 for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $10.37 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $1.08 EPS. Abbott Laboratoriess revenue was up 4.0% on a year-over-year basis. Analysts predict that Abbott Laboratories will post 4.66 earnings per share for the current year.

Abbott Laboratories Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, August 15th. Investors of record on Monday, July 15th were issued a $0.55 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Monday, July 15th. This represents a $2.20 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.94%. Abbott Laboratoriess dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 68.54%.

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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nVerses Capital LLC increased its position in HF Sinclair Co. (NYSE:DINO  Free Report) by 833.3% in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 8,400 shares of the companys stock after purchasing an additional 7,500 shares during the quarter. nVerses Capital LLCs holdings in HF Sinclair were worth $448,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the business. Unison Advisors LLC raised its holdings in HF Sinclair by 0.8% in the first quarter. Unison Advisors LLC now owns 21,496 shares of the companys stock worth $1,298,000 after purchasing an additional 179 shares during the period. Capital Advisors Wealth Management LLC boosted its position in shares of HF Sinclair by 2.4% in the first quarter. Capital Advisors Wealth Management LLC now owns 8,135 shares of the companys stock valued at $491,000 after acquiring an additional 190 shares during the period. King Luther Capital Management Corp increased its stake in HF Sinclair by 0.3% during the 4th quarter. King Luther Capital Management Corp now owns 64,018 shares of the companys stock worth $3,557,000 after acquiring an additional 194 shares during the period. Poehling Capital Management INC. lifted its position in shares of HF Sinclair by 0.3% during the 1st quarter. Poehling Capital Management INC. now owns 66,079 shares of the companys stock valued at $3,989,000 after acquiring an additional 203 shares during the period. Finally, Empirical Finance LLC lifted its position in HF Sinclair by 1.2% during the second quarter. Empirical Finance LLC now owns 19,300 shares of the companys stock worth $1,029,000 after purchasing an additional 228 shares during the period. 88.29% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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HF Sinclair Stock Up 3.5 %

Shares of NYSE DINO traded up $1.66 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $49.14. 3,884,604 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,900,543. The company has a quick ratio of 0.97, a current ratio of 2.12 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.26. The company has a market cap of $9.38 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 6.08 and a beta of 1.19. The stocks 50 day simple moving average is $49.19 and its 200-day simple moving average is $54.38. HF Sinclair Co. has a one year low of $44.09 and a one year high of $64.16.

HF Sinclair Dividend Announcement

HF Sinclair ( NYSE:DINO Get Free Report ) last released its earnings results on Thursday, August 1st. The company reported $0.78 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.72 by $0.06. The company had revenue of $7.85 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $7.65 billion. HF Sinclair had a net margin of 3.80% and a return on equity of 11.85%. HF Sinclairs revenue for the quarter was up .2% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the business earned $2.60 EPS. On average, analysts predict that HF Sinclair Co. will post 3.69 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, September 5th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, August 21st will be given a $0.50 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, August 21st. This represents a $2.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 4.07%. HF Sinclairs dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 24.75%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

DINO has been the topic of a number of analyst reports. Wolfe Research started coverage on HF Sinclair in a research report on Thursday, July 18th. They issued a peer perform rating on the stock. Argus raised HF Sinclair to a hold rating in a research report on Wednesday, June 26th. UBS Group reduced their target price on shares of HF Sinclair from $73.00 to $70.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, August 13th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price objective on HF Sinclair from $59.00 to $60.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Monday, August 19th. Finally, Piper Sandler lowered their price objective on shares of HF Sinclair from $65.00 to $58.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a report on Friday, June 14th. Six analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, HF Sinclair has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $62.55.

Check Out Our Latest Research Report on DINO

HF Sinclair Company Profile

(Free Report)

HF Sinclair Corporation operates as an independent energy company. The company produces and markets gasoline, diesel fuel, jet fuel, renewable diesel, specialty lubricant products, specialty chemicals, specialty and modified asphalt, and others. It owns and operates refineries located in Kansas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming; and markets its refined products principally in the Southwest United States and Rocky Mountains, Pacific Northwest, and in other neighboring Plains states.

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Ramsay Stattman Vela & Price Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE:KO  Free Report) by 0.2% in the second quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 154,499 shares of the companys stock after buying an additional 307 shares during the quarter. Coca-Cola accounts for about 1.9% of Ramsay Stattman Vela & Price Inc.s portfolio, making the stock its 20th largest holding. Ramsay Stattman Vela & Price Inc.s holdings in Coca-Cola were worth $9,834,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of KO. Elwood & Goetz Wealth Advisory Group LLC grew its holdings in shares of Coca-Cola by 2.2% during the second quarter. Elwood & Goetz Wealth Advisory Group LLC now owns 6,871 shares of the companys stock worth $437,000 after buying an additional 149 shares in the last quarter. Capital Advisors Ltd. LLC grew its stake in Coca-Cola by 4.4% in the 2nd quarter. Capital Advisors Ltd. LLC now owns 3,631 shares of the companys stock worth $231,000 after acquiring an additional 153 shares during the period. Liberty Capital Management Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Coca-Cola by 3.7% during the 2nd quarter. Liberty Capital Management Inc. now owns 4,319 shares of the companys stock worth $275,000 after purchasing an additional 155 shares during the period. Azzad Asset Management Inc. ADV boosted its holdings in shares of Coca-Cola by 0.4% during the second quarter. Azzad Asset Management Inc. ADV now owns 42,407 shares of the companys stock worth $2,699,000 after purchasing an additional 160 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Joule Financial LLC grew its position in shares of Coca-Cola by 3.6% in the second quarter. Joule Financial LLC now owns 4,867 shares of the companys stock valued at $312,000 after purchasing an additional 167 shares during the period. 70.26% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Coca-Cola Stock Up 0.6 %

Shares of KO stock traded up $0.42 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $72.47. 18,624,227 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 13,806,061. The stock has a market capitalization of $312.34 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 28.99, a P/E/G ratio of 4.05 and a beta of 0.59. The Coca-Cola Company has a one year low of $51.55 and a one year high of $72.57. The businesss 50-day simple moving average is $66.66 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $63.13. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.39, a quick ratio of 0.92 and a current ratio of 1.08.

Coca-Cola Dividend Announcement

Coca-Cola ( NYSE:KO Get Free Report ) last released its earnings results 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 return on equity of 43.62% and a net margin of 22.92%. The company had revenue of $12.40 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $11.78 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $0.78 EPS. Coca-Colas quarterly revenue was up 3.3% compared to the same quarter last year. Sell-side analysts predict that The Coca-Cola Company will post 2.85 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, October 1st. Shareholders of record on Friday, September 13th will be paid a dividend of $0.485 per share. The ex-dividend date is Friday, September 13th. This represents a $1.94 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.68%. Coca-Colas payout ratio is 77.60%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several equities research analysts recently issued reports on KO shares. Morgan Stanley raised their target price 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. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their price objective on shares of Coca-Cola from $70.00 to $73.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 24th. Royal Bank of Canada increased their target price on Coca-Cola from $65.00 to $68.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Wednesday, July 24th. TD Cowen boosted their price target on Coca-Cola from $65.00 to $70.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a research report on Thursday, July 25th. Finally, Barclays raised their price objective on Coca-Cola from $69.00 to $70.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Thursday, July 25th. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and twelve have issued a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $70.73.

Check Out Our Latest Analysis on KO

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, EVP Nancy Quan sold 19,304 shares of Coca-Cola stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, June 11th. The shares were sold at an average price of $63.44, for a total value of $1,224,645.76. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 223,330 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $14,168,055.20. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. In other Coca-Cola news, major shareholder Cola Co Coca sold 598,619 shares of the stock in a transaction on Friday, July 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $925.00, for a total value of $553,722,575.00. Following the sale, the insider now directly owns 1,883,546 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,742,280,050. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Also, EVP Nancy Quan sold 19,304 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction 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 directly owns 223,330 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $14,168,055.20. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last three months, insiders have sold 1,074,910 shares of company stock valued at $585,972,318. Company insiders own 0.97% of the companys stock.

Coca-Cola 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.

Further Reading

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Shoker Investment Counsel Inc. lessened its position in Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY  Free Report) by 10.0% in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 666 shares of the companys stock after selling 74 shares during the period. Shoker Investment Counsel Inc.s holdings in Eli Lilly and Company were worth $603,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other large investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Vanguard Group Inc. grew its stake in shares of Eli Lilly and Company by 1.6% in the first quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 72,745,011 shares of the companys stock worth $56,592,709,000 after purchasing an additional 1,133,810 shares during the last quarter. Capital World Investors lifted its holdings in Eli Lilly and Company by 0.3% during the 4th quarter. Capital World Investors now owns 26,949,773 shares of the companys stock worth $15,709,466,000 after buying an additional 89,720 shares during the period. Norges Bank acquired a new position in Eli Lilly and Company during the 4th quarter worth about $5,992,890,000. Capital Research Global Investors grew its position in shares of Eli Lilly and Company by 6.0% in the 1st quarter. Capital Research Global Investors now owns 8,031,531 shares of the companys stock valued at $6,248,210,000 after buying an additional 453,939 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Capital International Investors increased its stake in shares of Eli Lilly and Company by 5.1% in the first quarter. Capital International Investors now owns 6,972,393 shares of the companys stock valued at $5,424,243,000 after buying an additional 335,560 shares during the period. 82.53% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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Eli Lilly and Company Stock Up 2.1 %

LLY stock traded up $19.82 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $960.02. 2,555,073 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 3,625,430. The company has a quick ratio of 0.87, a current ratio of 1.11 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.74. The firms fifty day moving average price is $892.64 and its 200-day moving average price is $822.08. Eli Lilly and Company has a 52 week low of $516.57 and a 52 week high of $972.53. The company has a market cap of $912.43 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 141.39, a P/E/G ratio of 2.91 and a beta of 0.41.

Eli Lilly and Company Announces Dividend

Eli Lilly and Company ( NYSE:LLY Get Free Report ) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, August 8th. The company reported $3.92 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.64 by $1.28. Eli Lilly and Company had a net margin of 18.86% and a return on equity of 67.52%. The company had revenue of $11.30 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $9.83 billion. As a group, sell-side analysts forecast that Eli Lilly and Company will post 16.51 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, September 10th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, August 15th will be issued a $1.30 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, August 15th. This represents a $5.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.54%. Eli Lilly and Companys dividend payout ratio is presently 76.58%.

Insider Activity at Eli Lilly and Company

In related news, EVP Johna Norton sold 7,056 shares of the stock in a transaction on Monday, June 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $819.38, for a total value of $5,781,545.28. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 25,428 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $20,835,194.64. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. In related news, EVP Johna Norton sold 7,056 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Monday, June 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $819.38, for a total transaction of $5,781,545.28. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 25,428 shares in the company, valued at $20,835,194.64. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, CAO Donald A. Zakrowski sold 750 shares of the 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 sale, the chief accounting officer now owns 7,130 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $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 valued at $972,022,568 over the last 90 days. Insiders own 0.13% of the companys stock.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several brokerages recently commented on LLY. Morgan Stanley reiterated an overweight rating and issued a $1,106.00 target price on shares of Eli Lilly and Company in a report on Tuesday, August 27th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft raised shares of Eli Lilly and Company from a hold rating to a buy rating and upped their price objective for the company from $725.00 to $1,025.00 in a research note on Monday, August 12th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their target price on shares of Eli Lilly and Company from $900.00 to $1,000.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Thursday, July 11th. Truist Financial reaffirmed a buy rating and set a $1,000.00 price target (up previously from $892.00) on shares of Eli Lilly and Company in a research report on Tuesday, June 25th. Finally, BMO Capital Markets boosted their price objective on Eli Lilly and Company from $1,001.00 to $1,101.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Friday, August 9th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seventeen have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Eli Lilly and Company presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $961.76.

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Eli Lilly and Company Company Profile

(Free Report)

Eli Lilly and Company discovers, develops, and markets human pharmaceuticals worldwide. The company offers Basaglar, Humalog, Humalog Mix 75/25, Humalog U-100, Humalog U-200, Humalog Mix 50/50, insulin lispro, insulin lispro protamine, insulin lispro mix 75/25, Humulin, Humulin 70/30, Humulin N, Humulin R, and Humulin U-500 for diabetes; Jardiance, Mounjaro, and Trulicity for type 2 diabetes; and Zepbound for obesity.

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Telos Capital Management Inc. lowered its stake in Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE:WFC) by 1.2% during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 19,166 shares of the financial services providers stock after selling 225 shares during the period. Telos Capital Management Inc.s holdings in Wells Fargo & Company were worth $1,138,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other large investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in WFC. Great Valley Advisor Group Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of Wells Fargo & Company by 21.8% during the 4th quarter. Great Valley Advisor Group Inc. now owns 22,615 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $1,113,000 after buying an additional 4,053 shares in the last quarter. Fisher Asset Management LLC grew its stake in shares of Wells Fargo & Company by 4.5% during the 4th quarter. Fisher Asset Management LLC now owns 25,243 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $1,242,000 after acquiring an additional 1,079 shares during the period. Los Angeles Capital Management LLC grew its stake in shares of Wells Fargo & Company by 64.7% during the 4th quarter. Los Angeles Capital Management LLC now owns 253,298 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $12,467,000 after acquiring an additional 99,508 shares during the period. Summit Global Investments grew its stake in shares of Wells Fargo & Company by 4.9% during the 4th quarter. Summit Global Investments now owns 6,036 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $297,000 after acquiring an additional 283 shares during the period. Finally, 9258 Wealth Management LLC grew its stake in shares of Wells Fargo & Company by 4.1% during the 4th quarter. 9258 Wealth Management LLC now owns 12,972 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $638,000 after acquiring an additional 516 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 75.90% of the companys stock.

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Wells Fargo & Company Trading Up 2.0 %

Wells Fargo & Company stock traded up $1.12 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $58.47. The companys stock had a trading volume of 20,377,255 shares, compared to its average volume of 15,529,581. The company has a 50 day moving average of $57.40 and a 200-day moving average of $57.72. The stock has a market cap of $199.02 billion, a PE ratio of 12.01, a P/E/G ratio of 1.43 and a beta of 1.17. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.11, a quick ratio of 0.85 and a current ratio of 0.86. Wells Fargo & Company has a one year low of $38.38 and a one year high of $62.55.

Wells Fargo & Company Increases Dividend

Wells Fargo & Company ( NYSE:WFC Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Friday, July 12th. The financial services provider reported $1.33 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.29 by $0.04. The company had revenue of $20.69 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $20.29 billion. Wells Fargo & Company had a return on equity of 12.30% and a net margin of 15.17%. Wells Fargo & Companys quarterly revenue was up .8% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted $1.25 EPS. On average, research analysts anticipate that Wells Fargo & Company will post 5.15 EPS for the current year.

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Sunday, September 1st. Stockholders of record on Friday, August 9th will be paid a dividend of $0.40 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, August 9th. This represents a $1.60 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.74%. This is a positive change from Wells Fargo & Companys previous quarterly dividend of $0.35. Wells Fargo & Companys dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 32.85%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of research analysts recently issued reports on the company. Morgan Stanley boosted their price objective on Wells Fargo & Company from $64.00 to $68.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Tuesday, July 30th. BMO Capital Markets upped their price target on Wells Fargo & Company from $55.00 to $57.00 and gave the stock a market perform rating in a research note on Thursday, July 11th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods dropped their price target on Wells Fargo & Company from $62.00 to $61.00 and set a market perform rating for the company in a research note on Monday, July 15th. Evercore ISI restated an outperform rating and issued a $67.00 price target (down from $70.00) on shares of Wells Fargo & Company in a research note on Monday, July 15th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group downgraded Wells Fargo & Company to a hold rating and dropped their price target for the stock from $62.00 to $59.00 in a research note on Friday, August 16th. Thirteen analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, five have given a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, Wells Fargo & Company currently has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $59.63.

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Wells Fargo & Company Company Profile

(Free Report)

Wells Fargo & Company, a financial services company, provides diversified banking, investment, mortgage, and consumer and commercial finance products and services in the United States and internationally. The company operates through four segments: Consumer Banking and Lending; Commercial Banking; Corporate and Investment Banking; and Wealth and Investment Management.

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Weatherly Asset Management L. P. raised its stake in shares of Freeport-McMoRan Inc. (NYSE:FCX  Free Report) by 1.4% in the second quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 34,481 shares of the natural resource companys stock after buying an additional 465 shares during the period. Weatherly Asset Management L. P.s holdings in Freeport-McMoRan were worth $1,676,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of FCX. LRI Investments LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Freeport-McMoRan during the 1st quarter valued at $26,000. Lynx Investment Advisory acquired a new stake in shares of Freeport-McMoRan during the 2nd quarter valued at $26,000. Jones Financial Companies Lllp raised its holdings in shares of Freeport-McMoRan by 422.2% during the 4th quarter. Jones Financial Companies Lllp now owns 658 shares of the natural resource companys stock valued at $28,000 after purchasing an additional 532 shares in the last quarter. RFP Financial Group LLC raised its holdings in shares of Freeport-McMoRan by 261.3% during the 2nd quarter. RFP Financial Group LLC now owns 589 shares of the natural resource companys stock valued at $29,000 after purchasing an additional 426 shares in the last quarter. Finally, POM Investment Strategies LLC bought a new position in shares of Freeport-McMoRan during the 2nd quarter valued at $31,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 80.77% of the companys stock.

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Freeport-McMoRan Stock Performance

NYSE FCX traded up $0.45 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $44.28. The company had a trading volume of 7,811,563 shares, compared to its average volume of 10,888,853. The company has a quick ratio of 1.34, a current ratio of 2.40 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.30. The stock has a market cap of $63.61 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 39.19, a P/E/G ratio of 2.08 and a beta of 1.92. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $45.92 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $46.73. Freeport-McMoRan Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $32.83 and a fifty-two week high of $55.24.

Freeport-McMoRan Dividend Announcement

Freeport-McMoRan ( NYSE:FCX Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, July 23rd. The natural resource company reported $0.46 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.39 by $0.07. The company had revenue of $6.62 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $6 billion. Freeport-McMoRan had a net margin of 7.83% and a return on equity of 7.60%. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 15.5% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the business posted $0.35 EPS. Equities analysts forecast that Freeport-McMoRan Inc. will post 1.68 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, August 1st. Shareholders of record on Monday, July 15th were given a $0.15 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Monday, July 15th. This represents a $0.60 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.36%. Freeport-McMoRans dividend payout ratio is 26.55%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of research analysts have recently weighed in on the stock. BNP Paribas upgraded shares of Freeport-McMoRan to a strong-buy rating in a report on Friday, June 21st. UBS Group raised their price target on shares of Freeport-McMoRan from $41.00 to $54.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Tuesday, May 14th. Raymond James cut their price target on shares of Freeport-McMoRan from $54.00 to $53.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, July 24th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft raised their price target on shares of Freeport-McMoRan from $48.00 to $51.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a report on Monday, June 10th. Finally, Scotiabank dropped their target price on shares of Freeport-McMoRan from $58.00 to $52.00 and set a sector outperform rating on the stock in a report on Monday, August 19th. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, ten have assigned a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, Freeport-McMoRan has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $53.00.

Read Our Latest Research Report on Freeport-McMoRan

About Freeport-McMoRan

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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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Weatherly Asset Management L. P. increased its position in shares of Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA  Free Report) by 0.5% in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 5,599 shares of the credit services providers stock after acquiring an additional 28 shares during the quarter. Weatherly Asset Management L. P.s holdings in Mastercard were worth $2,470,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of the company. Hoxton Planning & Management LLC boosted its stake in shares of Mastercard by 1.4% during the 1st quarter. Hoxton Planning & Management LLC now owns 1,637 shares of the credit services providers stock valued at $788,000 after buying an additional 22 shares during the last quarter. Carolinas Wealth Consulting LLC boosted its stake in shares of Mastercard by 5.0% during the 4th quarter. Carolinas Wealth Consulting LLC now owns 484 shares of the credit services providers stock valued at $206,000 after buying an additional 23 shares during the last quarter. Benin Management CORP boosted its stake in shares of Mastercard by 3.0% during the 1st quarter. Benin Management CORP now owns 794 shares of the credit services providers stock valued at $382,000 after buying an additional 23 shares during the last quarter. Atticus Wealth Management LLC boosted its stake in shares of Mastercard by 1.3% during the 1st quarter. Atticus Wealth Management LLC now owns 1,734 shares of the credit services providers stock valued at $835,000 after buying an additional 23 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Strategic Advisors LLC boosted its stake in shares of Mastercard by 0.3% during the 1st quarter. Strategic Advisors LLC now owns 6,881 shares of the credit services providers stock valued at $3,314,000 after buying an additional 23 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 97.28% of the companys stock.

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Mastercard Stock Performance

Shares of MA traded up $2.54 during trading hours on Friday, reaching $483.34. 2,982,115 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 2,062,331. The firm has a market capitalization of $446.53 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 38.42, a P/E/G ratio of 1.90 and a beta of 1.09. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.95, a current ratio of 1.14 and a quick ratio of 1.14. Mastercard Incorporated has a twelve month low of $359.77 and a twelve month high of $490.00. The businesss fifty day simple moving average is $453.20 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $459.10.

Mastercard Announces Dividend

Insider Activity

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, August 9th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, July 9th were issued a dividend of $0.66 per share. This represents a $2.64 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.55%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, July 9th. Mastercards dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 20.99%.

In other news, major shareholder Foundation Mastercard sold 110,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Monday, June 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $441.43, for a total transaction of $48,557,300.00. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 94,014,308 shares of the companys stock, valued at $41,500,735,980.44. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. In other Mastercard news, CFO J. Mehra Sachin sold 13,439 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Monday, August 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $455.00, for a total value of $6,114,745.00. Following the sale, the chief financial officer now directly owns 27,304 shares in the company, valued at $12,423,320. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, major shareholder Foundation Mastercard sold 110,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Monday, June 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $441.43, for a total transaction of $48,557,300.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now owns 94,014,308 shares in the company, valued at $41,500,735,980.44. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last ninety days, insiders have sold 1,516,959 shares of company stock valued at $686,890,426. Company insiders own 0.10% of the companys stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities analysts have recently commented on the company. BMO Capital Markets reiterated an outperform rating and set a $520.00 target price on shares of Mastercard in a research note on Wednesday, August 14th. Piper Sandler increased their target price on Mastercard from $531.00 to $536.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Friday, August 2nd. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their price objective on Mastercard from $500.00 to $570.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Tuesday, August 20th. Citigroup raised their price objective on Mastercard from $528.00 to $538.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, August 1st. Finally, KeyCorp raised their price objective on Mastercard from $490.00 to $515.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Thursday, August 1st. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, twenty-one have assigned a buy rating and four have issued a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of Buy and an average price target of $512.09.

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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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Abercrombie & Fitch (NYSE:ANF  Free Report) had its price objective lowered by Morgan Stanley from $155.00 to $147.00 in a research report released on Thursday morning, Benzinga reports. The firm currently has an equal weight rating on the apparel retailers stock.

ANF has been the topic of several other research reports. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised Abercrombie & Fitch from a neutral rating to an overweight rating and lifted their price target for the stock from $167.00 to $194.00 in a research report on Monday, July 22nd. Jefferies Financial Group lifted their price target on Abercrombie & Fitch from $155.00 to $215.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, May 29th. Telsey Advisory Group reissued an outperform rating and issued a $208.00 target price on shares of Abercrombie & Fitch in a report on Wednesday, August 28th. UBS Group dropped their target price on Abercrombie & Fitch from $193.00 to $165.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a report on Thursday. Finally, Citigroup boosted their target price on Abercrombie & Fitch from $150.00 to $190.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Thursday, May 30th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $178.43.

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Read Our Latest Stock Report on Abercrombie & Fitch

Abercrombie & Fitch Trading Up 3.8 %

Insiders Place Their Bets

ANF opened at $147.57 on Thursday. The businesss 50-day simple moving average is $160.60 and its 200-day simple moving average is $145.54. The company has a market cap of $7.54 billion, a P/E ratio of 18.35 and a beta of 1.54. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.20, a quick ratio of 1.15 and a current ratio of 1.44. Abercrombie & Fitch has a one year low of $49.24 and a one year high of $196.99.

In other news, Director Kenneth B. Robinson sold 1,300 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Thursday, June 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $171.61, for a total value of $223,093.00. Following the sale, the director now directly owns 5,880 shares in the company, valued at $1,009,066.80. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. In related news, Director Kenneth B. Robinson sold 1,300 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Thursday, June 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $171.61, for a total value of $223,093.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 5,880 shares in the company, valued at $1,009,066.80. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, Director Nigel Travis sold 7,700 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Tuesday, June 4th. The shares were sold at an average price of $173.66, for a total value of $1,337,182.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 19,855 shares of the companys stock, valued at $3,448,019.30. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 3.77% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Abercrombie & Fitch

A number of large investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Teachers Retirement System of The State of Kentucky grew its stake in shares of Abercrombie & Fitch by 9.6% in the second quarter. Teachers Retirement System of The State of Kentucky now owns 29,523 shares of the apparel retailers stock valued at $5,250,000 after buying an additional 2,579 shares in the last quarter. B. Riley Wealth Advisors Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Abercrombie & Fitch in the second quarter valued at about $908,000. Quarry LP grew its stake in shares of Abercrombie & Fitch by 156.0% in the second quarter. Quarry LP now owns 279 shares of the apparel retailers stock valued at $50,000 after buying an additional 170 shares in the last quarter. Invst LLC purchased a new position in Abercrombie & Fitch in the second quarter valued at about $523,000. Finally, Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. boosted its holdings in Abercrombie & Fitch by 8,914.3% in the second quarter. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. now owns 631 shares of the apparel retailers stock valued at $112,000 after purchasing an additional 624 shares during the last quarter.

Abercrombie & Fitch Company Profile

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Abercrombie & Fitch Co, through its subsidiaries, operates as an omnichannel retailer in the United States, Europe, the Middle East, Asia, the Asia-Pacific, Canada, and internationally. The company offers an assortment of apparel, personal care products, and accessories for men, women, and kids under the Abercrombie & Fitch, abercrombie kids, Hollister, and Gilly Hicks brands.

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China-Africa infrastructure cooperation fosters closer people-to-people connections

10:57, September 02, 2024 By Yan Yu ( People's Daily

Photo shows the Kafue Gorge Lower Power Station built by China Energy Engineering Corporation in Zambia. (Photo provided by China Energy Engineering Corporation)

A rehabilitation and modernization project of the Mbuji Mayi-Nguba section of the N1 National Road in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) recently broke ground.

Alexis Gisaro Muvuni, state minister for Infrastructure and Public Works of the DRC, driving a wheel loader, personally launched the Chinese-built project.

Muvuni said the N1 National Road is an artery linking Kinshasa, the capital of the DRC, and Lubumbashi, the country's economic hub.

DRC-China cooperation in infrastructure has yielded fruitful results, and China is working to enhance road connectivity in the DRC, bringing benefits to the Congolese people, the minister added.

Across the vast African continent, such vibrant scenes of construction are unfolding almost daily. Building roads, erecting bridges, constructing buildings, establishing factories...

For many years, numerous Chinese engineers have ventured into Africa, bringing advanced technology and rich experience to help improve local infrastructure, connectivity and integration processes.

Improving infrastructure conditions is a common expectation and urgent desire of African countries. As Moussa Faki Mahamat, Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC), stated, infrastructure development is the cornerstone of Africa's development.

For a long time, weak infrastructure has been a major bottleneck constraining Africa's economic and social development. A study by the Infrastructure Consortium for Africa showed that poor infrastructure such as roads, railways, and harbors has added 30 percent to 40 percent to the costs of goods trade among African countries.

At the opening ceremony of the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) held in 2018, Chinese President Xi Jinping said China will implement eight major initiatives with African countries in the next three years and beyond. Infrastructure connectivity is a key focus of the initiatives.

Under the framework of FOCAC, China has been working with African countries within its capacity to help them improve infrastructure, enhance their capacity for self-growth, and achieve sustainable development.

Photo shows the Chinese-built Addis Ababa-Djibouti Railway, the first electrified transboundary railway in Africa. The railway starts from Addis Ababa, capital of Ethiopia in the west, and stretches eastwards to Djibouti. (Photo/Sun Ruibo)

For instance, the Addis Ababa-Djibouti Railway built by Chinese companies stands as Africa's first electrified transboundary railway, symbolizing a new era of regional connectivity and progress.

The New Wami Bridge in Tanzania opened to traffic in October 2022, helping boost local agriculture, mining, transportation and other sectors with great economic and social significance.

The Chinese-built Kafue Gorge Lower Hydropower Station in Zambia was put into operation in March 2023, generating stable electricity that powers the lives of local residents.

Statistics showed that since the founding of FOCAC, Chinese companies have built and upgraded more than 10,000 kilometers of railways, nearly 100,000 kilometers of roads, roughly 1,000 bridges, nearly 100 ports, and a large number of hospitals and schools in Africa.

Today, the practical cooperation between China and Africa in infrastructure connectivity has achieved fruitful results.

Infrastructure plays a vital role in the growth of industries.

The Foundiougne Bridge in Senegal, constructed by China Railway Seventh Group, was officially opened in 2022. It has not only become one of the main arteries connecting the north and south of the country but has also reduced the time and cost of travel from Senegal to neighboring countries.

The 46MW Biovea biomass power plant currently under construction by China Energy Engineering Corporation in Cote d'Ivoire is expected to be completed and generate electricity by 2025. This project will provide power supply for 1.7 million local people and benefit 12,000 palm growers, increasing their income by about 20 percent.

A joint interview is conducted by Chinese and Ethiopian media at the construction site of Ethiopian Airlines Group's future headquarters. (People's Daily/Ren Yan)

Besides, China General Technology (Group) Holding Co., Ltd (Genertec) has participated in the design, procurement, construction, and operation of more than 2,000 communication towers in Ghana, which serve over 3 million people in the country's rural areas.

All of these vividly illustrate the cooperation between China and Africa to advance infrastructure connectivity and promote economic and social development of African countries.

Well-built infrastructure brings closer people-to-people exchanges.

Since its completion, the Addis Ababa-Djibouti Railway, linking Ethiopia and Djibouti, has provided job opportunities for over 55,000 people in local areas.

In Bissau, capital of Guinea-Bissau, local fishermen say that with the Bandim Fishing Port, constructed with Chinese assistance, it is more convenient to go fishing on the sea, and their income has improved significantly.

In the Kenyan coastal city of Mombasa, the Liwatoni Floating Bridge, the first floating bridge in East Africa built by a Chinese company, has greatly facilitated local residents crossing the sea.

The accelerated advancement of China-Africa infrastructure connectivity is bringing tangible benefits to African people.

It is thrilling to see the continuous development of infrastructure connectivity cooperation between China and Africa, which has been expanded from transportation facilities to production-oriented and life-service-oriented infrastructure connectivity, including logistics centers and industrial parks. Besides, such cooperation has extended into new infrastructure areas such as finance, internet, and digital information.

In recent years, China and Africa have been deepening digital cooperation. Chinese companies are actively participating in the construction of digital infrastructure in Africa, including submarine and land cables, 5G networks, and data centers, bringing more convenience to African users.

Moving forward, by working together to deepen friendly cooperation and advance connectivity, China and Africa will open up more avenues of development and foster stronger people-to-people connections throughout the vast African continent.

(Web editor: Xian Jiangnan, Liang Jun)
African exhibitors promote products via livestreaming at the China-Africa Economic and Trade Cooperation Promotion Innovation Demonstration Park (Gaoqiao Grand Market) in Changsha, central China's Hunan Province, June 30, 2023. [Photo/Xinhua]

China and Africa used to seem so far away from each other. As the British poet W. H. Auden once wrote, "I'll love you, dear, I'll love you till China and Africa meet." However, Africa and China have established an exceptionally close and friendly relationship a long time ago. This September, the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) will be once again held in Beijing. According to announcements from Beijing and Africa, dozens of African leaders are expected to travel thousands of miles against all odds for the gathering, which will undoubtedly underpin Beijing's recent statement that the China-Africa relationship is "in its prime in history".

Why are China and Africa so close, though geographically far apart? It baffles the Western world, which always views Africa as its own sphere of influence. Many have attributed it to China's generous investment in Africa. Well, economic ties do matter. China has proposed the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), which is warmly welcomed by Africa. It has also invested in major infrastructure projects across the continent. Up to now, China's non-financial direct investment stock in Africa has exceeded $40 billion, roughly on par with the United States. China has been Africa's largest trading partner for 15 years in a row, with the trade volume reaching $282.1 billion in 2023, four times that of the U.S.- Africa trade in the same year.

The West has indeed tried to catch up. Since the Obama era, U.S. administrations have launched global initiatives similar to the BRI, with an aim to channel more investment to African infrastructure. They include Power Africa during Obama's tenure, Prosper Africa proposed by Donald Trump, and the Build Back Better World (B3W) and Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment (PGII) initiated by the G7 during the Biden administration. Unfortunately, all these initiatives have become empty promises. They not only faded into obscurity along with the switch of Presidents in the U.S., but also often came with tough political and economic conditions. In contrast, China has always treated Africa as an equal partner and never slackened any efforts before its projects were finally completed. That's why China-aided projects are visible everywhere in Africa today, such as the African Union headquarters, the new ECOWAS headquarters, and Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, not to mention railways and bridges funded by China. China also shares technology and management expertise with Africa in line with principles of equality and respect, helping African countries build capacity for self-generated development.

Equality and respect, they are the secrets behind Africa's trust in and closeness to China. As victims of colonialism, the two sides empathize with each other, and always render mutual sympathy, respect, and support to one another. In the 1950s, the newly founded People's Republic of China spared no efforts to support African countries' national independence movements, and treated them as equals regardless of their size. African countries reciprocated with their support to China in the international arena including the United Nations. Such mutual respect and support, built up over decades, has become an incredibly strong bond connecting Africa and Beijing. This bond has brought about more exchanges in education, art, sports, and tourism, and the two peoples have begun to experience and appreciate each other's culture. Such amity between the people has reinforced the China-Africa friendly ties.

On the contrary, the colonial record of the West still casts a long shadow over the African continent. Western countries still cling to the legacy of the colonial times - arrogance and contempt. How would African countries possibly let down their guard? It has been most obviously shown in the U.S.Africa Leaders Summit 2022, where representatives from 49 African countries and the African Union were invited to Washington for a meeting with the U.S. President. Many African leaders later expressed their feeling of "humiliation". President William Ruto of Kenya once said indignantly in public that, "It is not intelligent for 54 of us to go and sit before one gentleman from another place. And sometimes we are mistreated. We are loaded into buses like school kids. It's not right." The reference to some African countries as "shithole" nations by some former American leader has also offended the entire continent. The Sudanese-born British IT entrepreneur Mo Ibrahim has put it bluntly during an interview with the CNN that "We are not a shithole. We are decent people like everybody else."

Such insults have made African countries more eager to pursue independent and self-sustained development. The rapid growth and modernization of China, a fellow member of the developing world, has brought confidence and hope to African countries, which also explains their closeness to China. African countries have come to realize that, with years of trials and tribulations, following the footsteps of the West will never allow them to catch up, and Westernization is by no means the only way towards modernization. With its own success, China has shown Africa another path to modernization. China's unreserved sharing of its modernization experience will also help Africa accelerate progress and avoid detours.

Furthermore, China, the largest developing country in the world and Africa, the continent with the largest number of developing countries, share more common interests and topics when it comes to inequality and injustice in the international political and economic order created by Western hegemony. The two sides have stood up against Western neo-colonialism, rendered each other support in the international arena, worked together to gain rights and advance interests for other developing countries, and strived to increase the representation and voice of the Global South in global governance.

In conclusion, with common experiences, interests, and aspirations, China and Africa will never cease their efforts to reach out to each other. How could such friendship between the two, with strong intrinsic dynamism, be easily undermined?
Telsey Advisory Group restated their market perform rating on shares of American Eagle Outfitters (NYSE:AEO  Free Report) in a report published on Thursday morning, Marketbeat.com reports. Telsey Advisory Group currently has a $25.00 price objective on the apparel retailers stock.

AEO has been the subject of several other research reports. Morgan Stanley lowered their target price on shares of American Eagle Outfitters from $19.00 to $18.00 and set an underweight rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, May 30th. StockNews.com raised shares of American Eagle Outfitters from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report on Monday, May 27th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, four have assigned a hold rating and five have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, American Eagle Outfitters presently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $25.33.

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American Eagle Outfitters Stock Performance

AEO opened at $20.58 on Thursday. The stock has a market capitalization of $4.04 billion, a PE ratio of 18.54, a P/E/G ratio of 0.96 and a beta of 1.51. American Eagle Outfitters has a one year low of $14.39 and a one year high of $26.44. The businesss 50 day moving average price is $20.83 and its 200 day moving average price is $22.40.

American Eagle Outfitters (NYSE:AEO  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, August 29th. The apparel retailer reported $0.39 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.38 by $0.01. The business had revenue of $1.29 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.31 billion. American Eagle Outfitters had a return on equity of 20.98% and a net margin of 4.58%. The companys quarterly revenue was up 7.5% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted $0.25 EPS. As a group, equities research analysts forecast that American Eagle Outfitters will post 1.79 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

American Eagle Outfitters Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, July 26th. Investors of record on Friday, July 12th were issued a $0.125 dividend. This represents a $0.50 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.43%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, July 12th. American Eagle Outfitterss dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 45.05%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other American Eagle Outfitters news, Director Cary D. Mcmillan sold 2,577 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Thursday, July 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $20.93, for a total value of $53,936.61. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. 7.30% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Institutional Trading of American Eagle Outfitters

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Dana Investment Advisors Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of American Eagle Outfitters by 10.9% in the 2nd quarter. Dana Investment Advisors Inc. now owns 66,708 shares of the apparel retailers stock valued at $1,331,000 after buying an additional 6,558 shares in the last quarter. Impala Asset Management LLC purchased a new stake in American Eagle Outfitters in the second quarter valued at $5,489,000. Shellback Capital LP boosted its stake in American Eagle Outfitters by 40.0% in the second quarter. Shellback Capital LP now owns 875,000 shares of the apparel retailers stock valued at $17,465,000 after acquiring an additional 250,000 shares in the last quarter. The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company grew its holdings in shares of American Eagle Outfitters by 3.9% during the second quarter. The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company now owns 103,514 shares of the apparel retailers stock worth $2,066,000 after purchasing an additional 3,925 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Dark Forest Capital Management LP acquired a new stake in shares of American Eagle Outfitters during the second quarter worth about $1,039,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 97.33% of the companys stock.

About American Eagle Outfitters

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American Eagle Outfitters, Inc operates as a multi-brand specialty retailer in the United States and internationally. The company provides jeans, apparel and accessories, and personal care products for women and men under the American Eagle brand; and intimates, apparel, activewear, and swim collections under the Aerie and OFFLINE by Aerie brands.

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Investment analysts at StockNews.com assumed coverage on shares of Arch Resources (NYSE:ARCH  Get Free Report) in a research note issued to investors on Saturday. The firm set a hold rating on the energy companys stock.

ARCH has been the subject of several other research reports. Benchmark reiterated a buy rating and issued a $180.00 target price on shares of Arch Resources in a research note on Friday, July 26th. B. Riley boosted their price target on shares of Arch Resources from $192.00 to $198.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Monday, July 29th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and two have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $178.25.

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Arch Resources Price Performance

Shares of NYSE ARCH opened at $136.43 on Friday. The stock has a market cap of $2.47 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 8.03 and a beta of 0.64. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.07, a quick ratio of 1.77 and a current ratio of 2.54. Arch Resources has a fifty-two week low of $116.44 and a fifty-two week high of $187.60. The firms 50-day simple moving average is $143.39 and its 200 day simple moving average is $156.57.

Arch Resources (NYSE:ARCH  Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, July 25th. The energy company reported $0.81 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $1.31 by ($0.50). The company had revenue of $608.75 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $562.23 million. Arch Resources had a net margin of 9.24% and a return on equity of 17.91%. The firms revenue for the quarter was down 19.6% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned $4.04 EPS. As a group, research analysts anticipate that Arch Resources will post 12.74 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. CWM LLC raised its holdings in shares of Arch Resources by 132.0% in the 2nd quarter. CWM LLC now owns 174 shares of the energy companys stock worth $26,000 after purchasing an additional 99 shares during the period. Lindbrook Capital LLC raised its stake in shares of Arch Resources by 99.0% in the first quarter. Lindbrook Capital LLC now owns 201 shares of the energy companys stock valued at $32,000 after buying an additional 100 shares during the period. Newbridge Financial Services Group Inc. lifted its position in shares of Arch Resources by 1,900.0% during the 4th quarter. Newbridge Financial Services Group Inc. now owns 200 shares of the energy companys stock valued at $33,000 after buying an additional 190 shares during the last quarter. Blue Trust Inc. grew its stake in shares of Arch Resources by 5,500.0% during the 2nd quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 336 shares of the energy companys stock worth $54,000 after acquiring an additional 330 shares during the period. Finally, Innealta Capital LLC purchased a new stake in Arch Resources in the 2nd quarter worth about $55,000. 88.14% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

About Arch Resources

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Arch Resources, Inc engages in the production and sale of metallurgical products. It operates in two segments, Metallurgical and Thermal. The company operates active mines. It owned or controlled primarily through long-term leases of coal land in Ohio, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, Wyoming, Kentucky, Montana, Pennsylvania, Colorado, and Illinois; and smaller parcels of property in Alabama, Indiana, Washington, Arkansas, California, Utah, and Texas.

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Argus upgraded shares of Newmont (TSE:NGT  Free Report) from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a report released on Thursday, Zacks.com reports.

A number of other research analysts have also recently commented on NGT. Cibc World Mkts upgraded Newmont from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 10th. BNP Paribas upgraded Newmont to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Friday, June 21st. National Bankshares upped their price target on Newmont from C$67.00 to C$68.00 and gave the stock a sector perform rating in a research note on Monday, June 10th. UBS Group upgraded Newmont from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Monday, June 17th. Finally, Scotiabank upgraded Newmont from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Monday, August 19th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and five have assigned a strong buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Newmont has an average rating of Strong Buy and an average target price of C$68.00.

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Newmont Trading Up 0.3 %

NGT opened at C$71.94 on Thursday. Newmont has a one year low of C$39.96 and a one year high of C$72.65. The stock has a market capitalization of C$82.73 billion, a PE ratio of -19.39, a P/E/G ratio of 1.24 and a beta of 0.49. The businesss 50 day moving average price is C$64.96 and its 200 day moving average price is C$56.55. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 31.20, a quick ratio of 1.77 and a current ratio of 2.11.

Newmont (TSE:NGT  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, July 24th. The company reported C$0.99 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of C$0.72 by C$0.27. Newmont had a negative return on equity of 8.09% and a negative net margin of 13.29%. The firm had revenue of C$6.02 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of C$4.79 billion. As a group, equities research analysts expect that Newmont will post 5.5945513 EPS for the current year.

Newmont Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, September 30th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, September 5th will be paid a $0.342 dividend. This is a boost from Newmonts previous quarterly dividend of $0.34. This represents a $1.37 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.90%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, September 5th. Newmonts dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently -37.20%.

Newmont Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Newmont Corporation engages in the production and exploration of gold. It also explores for copper, silver, zinc, and lead. The company has operations and/or assets in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Dominican Republic, Peru, Suriname, Argentina, Chile, Australia, Papua New Guinea, Ecuador, Fiji, and Ghana.

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Banque Cantonale Vaudoise trimmed its position in American Express (NYSE:AXP) by 11.5% during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 31,580 shares of the payment services companys stock after selling 4,092 shares during the period. Banque Cantonale Vaudoises holdings in American Express were worth $7,312,000 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 AXP. Norges Bank purchased a new position in American Express in the 4th quarter valued at about $1,112,747,000. Alphinity Investment Management Pty Ltd purchased a new position in American Express in the 1st quarter valued at about $433,709,000. TD Asset Management Inc lifted its holdings in American Express by 62.1% in the 4th quarter. TD Asset Management Inc now owns 2,399,494 shares of the payment services companys stock valued at $449,521,000 after purchasing an additional 919,337 shares in the last quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of American Express by 21.1% during the 4th quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 3,839,276 shares of the payment services companys stock worth $713,202,000 after acquiring an additional 667,695 shares during the period. Finally, Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD lifted its holdings in shares of American Express by 8.5% during the 1st quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 8,447,441 shares of the payment services companys stock worth $1,923,399,000 after acquiring an additional 662,382 shares during the period. 84.33% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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American Express Price Performance

Shares of AXP opened at $258.65 on Friday. American Express has a 12-month low of $140.91 and a 12-month high of $261.75. The business has a 50-day simple moving average of $242.42 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $232.75. The company has a quick ratio of 1.66, a current ratio of 1.66 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.74. The stock has a market cap of $183.88 billion, a PE ratio of 21.31, a PEG ratio of 1.45 and a beta of 1.21.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

American Express ( NYSE:AXP Get Free Report ) last announced its earnings results on Friday, July 19th. The payment services company reported $3.49 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $3.26 by $0.23. American Express had a return on equity of 32.94% and a net margin of 15.53%. The company had revenue of $16.33 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $16.60 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $2.89 EPS. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 9.2% compared to the same quarter last year. Analysts anticipate that American Express will post 13.12 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

AXP has been the topic of several recent analyst reports. BTIG Research initiated coverage on shares of American Express in a report on Friday, June 7th. They set a neutral rating on the stock. Monness Crespi & Hardt increased their price objective on shares of American Express from $260.00 to $265.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Monday, July 22nd. Compass Point initiated coverage on shares of American Express in a report on Tuesday, July 16th. They set a neutral rating and a $260.00 price objective on the stock. Citigroup initiated coverage on shares of American Express in a report on Monday, June 10th. They set a neutral rating and a $250.00 price objective on the stock. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company increased their price objective on shares of American Express from $275.00 to $285.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Tuesday, July 9th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, thirteen have assigned a hold rating and eleven have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $230.70.

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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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Andrada Mining (LON:ATM  Get Free Report)s stock had its buy rating reissued by Berenberg Bank in a research note issued on Friday, Marketbeat.com reports. They currently have a GBX 10 ($0.13) price target on the stock. Berenberg Banks target price suggests a potential upside of 202.11% from the stocks current price.

Andrada Mining Stock Performance

Shares of LON ATM traded down GBX 0.05 ($0.00) during trading hours on Friday, reaching GBX 3.31 ($0.04). The stock had a trading volume of 2,688,621 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,928,147. The businesss fifty day moving average is GBX 3.52 and its two-hundred day moving average is GBX 4.28. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 25.11, a current ratio of 1.37 and a quick ratio of 0.51. The company has a market cap of 54.62 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -331.00 and a beta of 0.75. Andrada Mining has a twelve month low of GBX 2.84 ($0.04) and a twelve month high of GBX 7.90 ($0.10).

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Andrada Mining Company Profile

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Andrada Mining Limited, together with its subsidiaries, is involved in the exploration and development of projects in Namibia and South Africa. Its flagship asset is the Uis brownfield tin mine located in the Erongo region, Namibia. The company was formerly known as AfriTin Mining Limited and changed its name to Andrada Mining Limited in January 2023.

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BMO Capital Markets restated their outperform rating on shares of Birkenstock (NYSE:BIRK  Free Report) in a research note released on Friday morning, Benzinga reports. The firm currently has a $60.00 price objective on the stock.

Other equities research analysts have also issued research reports about the company. Stifel Nicolaus raised their target price on Birkenstock from $63.00 to $70.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Friday, August 23rd. UBS Group upgraded Birkenstock from a neutral rating to a buy rating and upped their price target for the stock from $52.00 to $85.00 in a research note on Monday, July 1st. Citigroup started coverage on Birkenstock in a report on Monday, July 1st. They set a buy rating and a $65.00 price objective on the stock. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reaffirmed a buy rating and set a $70.00 price objective on shares of Birkenstock in a report on Thursday, June 13th. Finally, Evercore ISI reissued an outperform rating and issued a $77.00 target price (up previously from $63.00) on shares of Birkenstock in a report on Monday, August 26th. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and fifteen have given a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $62.23.

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Birkenstock Stock Performance

Shares of Birkenstock stock opened at $49.90 on Friday. The business has a 50-day moving average of $57.29 and a 200 day moving average of $51.84. Birkenstock has a 12 month low of $35.83 and a 12 month high of $64.78. The stock has a market capitalization of $9.37 billion and a price-to-earnings ratio of 60.60. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.56, a current ratio of 2.87 and a quick ratio of 1.13.

Birkenstock (NYSE:BIRK  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, May 30th. The company reported $0.44 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.35 by $0.09. The business had revenue of $522.51 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $499.98 million. Birkenstock had a return on equity of 5.92% and a net margin of 6.26%. As a group, sell-side analysts forecast that Birkenstock will post 1.41 earnings per share for the current year.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Birkenstock

Large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. GAMMA Investing LLC lifted its position in Birkenstock by 377.1% during the second quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 668 shares of the companys stock worth $36,000 after buying an additional 528 shares during the period. Banque Cantonale Vaudoise purchased a new position in Birkenstock during the first quarter worth about $40,000. CWM LLC raised its holdings in shares of Birkenstock by 358.2% in the 1st quarter. CWM LLC now owns 2,181 shares of the companys stock worth $103,000 after purchasing an additional 1,705 shares during the period. Acadian Asset Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Birkenstock in the 2nd quarter worth about $136,000. Finally, Venturi Wealth Management LLC raised its holdings in shares of Birkenstock by 123.5% in the 1st quarter. Venturi Wealth Management LLC now owns 3,800 shares of the companys stock worth $180,000 after purchasing an additional 2,100 shares during the period. 19.93% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Birkenstock Company Profile

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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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Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (TSE:CM  Free Report) (NYSE:CM) had its target price raised by BMO Capital Markets from C$77.00 to C$81.00 in a report issued on Friday morning, BayStreet.CA reports. The brokerage currently has an outperform rating on the stock.

CM has been the subject of a number of other reports. UBS Group set a C$70.00 price target on Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research note on Tuesday, July 2nd. Bank of America raised Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce from a neutral rating to a buy rating and lifted their target price for the company from C$74.00 to C$90.00 in a research report on Friday. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods raised Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce from a hold rating to a moderate buy rating in a research report on Monday, June 3rd. Canaccord Genuity Group lifted their target price on Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce from C$74.00 to C$75.00 in a research report on Tuesday, August 13th. Finally, TD Securities lifted their target price on Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce from C$76.00 to C$83.00 in a research report on Thursday, August 8th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have given a hold rating and eight have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of C$79.15.

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Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce Stock Performance

CM stock opened at C$78.76 on Friday. Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce has a fifty-two week low of C$47.44 and a fifty-two week high of C$79.62. The businesss 50-day moving average is C$69.53 and its two-hundred day moving average is C$67.29. The company has a market cap of C$74.27 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.02, a P/E/G ratio of 3.01 and a beta of 1.12.

Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (TSE:CM  Get Free Report) (NYSE:CM) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, May 30th. The company reported C$1.75 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of C$1.66 by C$0.09. Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce had a return on equity of 11.92% and a net margin of 29.25%. The company had revenue of C$6.16 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of C$6.11 billion. Equities analysts predict that Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce will post 7.3207171 earnings per share for the current year.

Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, October 28th. Stockholders of record on Friday, September 27th will be issued a $0.90 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, September 27th. This represents a $3.60 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 4.57%. Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerces dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 54.96%.

Insider Activity

In related news, Senior Officer John Hountalas sold 20,808 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Monday, June 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of C$65.97, for a total value of C$1,372,672.55. In related news, Senior Officer John Hountalas sold 20,808 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Monday, June 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of C$65.97, for a total value of C$1,372,672.55. Also, Senior Officer Christina Charlotte Kramer sold 23,782 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Friday, June 7th. The stock was sold at an average price of C$67.50, for a total value of C$1,605,285.00. Insiders own 0.02% of the companys stock.

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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Catalytic Wealth RIA LLC raised its stake in iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (NYSEARCA:IVV  Free Report) by 10.0% during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 4,566 shares of the companys stock after acquiring an additional 416 shares during the period. Catalytic Wealth RIA LLCs holdings in iShares Core S&P 500 ETF were worth $2,499,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Proffitt & Goodson Inc. increased its holdings in shares of iShares Core S&P 500 ETF by 21.2% in the second quarter. Proffitt & Goodson Inc. now owns 103 shares of the companys stock worth $56,000 after purchasing an additional 18 shares during the last quarter. Global Trust Asset Management LLC grew its holdings in iShares Core S&P 500 ETF by 5.3% during the 2nd quarter. Global Trust Asset Management LLC now owns 379 shares of the companys stock valued at $207,000 after buying an additional 19 shares in the last quarter. Unionview LLC increased its stake in iShares Core S&P 500 ETF by 0.6% in the 1st quarter. Unionview LLC now owns 3,293 shares of the companys stock worth $1,731,000 after acquiring an additional 20 shares during the last quarter. Independence Bank of Kentucky raised its holdings in shares of iShares Core S&P 500 ETF by 0.9% during the 1st quarter. Independence Bank of Kentucky now owns 2,134 shares of the companys stock worth $1,122,000 after acquiring an additional 20 shares in the last quarter. Finally, MTM Investment Management LLC raised its holdings in shares of iShares Core S&P 500 ETF by 6.9% during the 2nd quarter. MTM Investment Management LLC now owns 308 shares of the companys stock worth $169,000 after acquiring an additional 20 shares in the last quarter.

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iShares Core S&P 500 ETF Stock Performance

IVV stock opened at $566.75 on Friday. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $551.83 and a 200 day moving average price of $531.63. iShares Core S&P 500 ETF has a fifty-two week low of $411.02 and a fifty-two week high of $568.24. The firm has a market cap of $489.05 billion, a PE ratio of 25.23 and a beta of 0.99.

About iShares Core S&P 500 ETF

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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Consilium Wealth Advisory LLC decreased its stake in Citigroup Inc. (NYSE:C  Free Report) by 31.3% during the second quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 16,267 shares of the companys stock after selling 7,413 shares during the period. Consilium Wealth Advisory LLCs holdings in Citigroup were worth $1,032,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. MONECO Advisors LLC grew its holdings in Citigroup by 2.9% in the second quarter. MONECO Advisors LLC now owns 5,542 shares of the companys stock worth $352,000 after purchasing an additional 157 shares during the last quarter. Pinnacle Wealth Planning Services Inc. grew its holdings in Citigroup by 4.0% in the first quarter. Pinnacle Wealth Planning Services Inc. now owns 4,295 shares of the companys stock worth $272,000 after purchasing an additional 164 shares during the last quarter. NorthRock Partners LLC grew its holdings in shares of Citigroup by 2.7% during the first quarter. NorthRock Partners LLC now owns 6,288 shares of the companys stock valued at $398,000 after buying an additional 165 shares during the last quarter. Legacy Capital Group California Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Citigroup by 1.0% during the second quarter. Legacy Capital Group California Inc. now owns 16,596 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,053,000 after buying an additional 169 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Family Legacy Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Citigroup by 2.9% during the first quarter. Family Legacy Inc. now owns 6,330 shares of the companys stock valued at $400,000 after buying an additional 179 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 71.72% of the companys stock.

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Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of research analysts recently issued reports on C shares. BMO Capital Markets boosted 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. Royal Bank of Canada boosted their target price on shares of Citigroup from $63.00 to $66.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Monday, June 17th. Evercore ISI boosted 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. Piper Sandler boosted 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, Oppenheimer boosted their target price on shares of Citigroup from $85.00 to $86.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Monday, July 15th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, six have given a hold rating and ten have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, Citigroup presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $68.06.

Citigroup Stock Up 1.2 %

Shares of NYSE C opened at $62.64 on Monday. Citigroup Inc. has a 12-month low of $38.17 and a 12-month high of $67.81. 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. The company has a current ratio of 0.94, a quick ratio of 0.94 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.47. The company has a 50-day moving average of $62.53 and a 200 day moving average of $61.09.

Citigroup (NYSE:C  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Friday, July 12th. The company reported $1.52 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.39 by $0.13. Citigroup had a net margin of 4.95% and a return on equity of 6.26%. The business had revenue of $20.14 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $20.07 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted $1.37 EPS. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 3.6% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, sell-side analysts predict that Citigroup Inc. will post 5.82 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Citigroup Increases Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, August 23rd. Shareholders of record on Monday, August 5th were issued a dividend of $0.56 per share. The ex-dividend date was Monday, August 5th. This is a positive change from Citigroups previous quarterly dividend of $0.53. This represents a $2.24 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.58%. Citigroups dividend payout ratio is 62.75%.

About Citigroup

(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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Eukles Asset Management lifted its stake in shares of Gartner, Inc. (NYSE:IT  Free Report) by 1.4% in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 6,659 shares of the information technology services providers stock after acquiring an additional 89 shares during the period. Gartner makes up about 1.3% of Eukles Asset Managements investment portfolio, making the stock its 25th largest holding. Eukles Asset Managements holdings in Gartner were worth $2,990,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

Other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Sheaff Brock Investment Advisors LLC boosted its position in Gartner by 0.5% during the 4th quarter. Sheaff Brock Investment Advisors LLC now owns 4,900 shares of the information technology services providers stock worth $2,210,000 after acquiring an additional 22 shares during the last quarter. TIAA Trust National Association boosted its holdings in Gartner by 3.2% during the first quarter. TIAA Trust National Association now owns 744 shares of the information technology services providers stock worth $355,000 after purchasing an additional 23 shares during the last quarter. Mather Group LLC. grew its position in Gartner by 2.2% in the second quarter. Mather Group LLC. now owns 1,079 shares of the information technology services providers stock valued at $514,000 after purchasing an additional 23 shares in the last quarter. Coldstream Capital Management Inc. increased its stake in Gartner by 1.5% in the 4th quarter. Coldstream Capital Management Inc. now owns 1,715 shares of the information technology services providers stock valued at $774,000 after buying an additional 25 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Mcdonald Partners LLC lifted its position in Gartner by 0.5% during the 2nd quarter. Mcdonald Partners LLC now owns 5,550 shares of the information technology services providers stock worth $2,492,000 after buying an additional 25 shares in the last quarter. 91.51% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

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Gartner Price Performance

NYSE:IT opened at $491.96 on Monday. Gartner, Inc. has a 12-month low of $323.61 and a 12-month high of $509.15. The firm has a market capitalization of $38.19 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 48.95, a P/E/G ratio of 3.83 and a beta of 1.33. The stocks 50 day moving average price is $467.82 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $457.81. The company has a quick ratio of 0.90, a current ratio of 0.90 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.80.

Insider Activity at Gartner

Gartner ( NYSE:IT Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, July 30th. The information technology services provider reported $3.22 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $3.02 by $0.20. Gartner had a return on equity of 142.05% and a net margin of 13.67%. The business had revenue of $1.60 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.58 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned $2.85 EPS. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 6.1% on a year-over-year basis. On average, analysts anticipate that Gartner, Inc. will post 11.59 earnings per share for the current year.

In other news, Director Anne Sutherland Fuchs sold 705 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, June 4th. The stock was sold at an average price of $428.99, for a total value of $302,437.95. Following the transaction, the director now owns 8,524 shares of the companys stock, valued at $3,656,710.76. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. In related news, EVP Alwyn Dawkins sold 1,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, July 31st. The shares were sold at an average price of $505.49, for a total transaction of $505,490.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 56,650 shares of the companys stock, valued at $28,636,008.50. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, Director Anne Sutherland Fuchs sold 705 shares of Gartner stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, June 4th. The stock was sold at an average price of $428.99, for a total transaction of $302,437.95. Following the completion of the sale, the director now owns 8,524 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $3,656,710.76. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last 90 days, insiders have sold 33,123 shares of company stock worth $15,796,036. Insiders own 3.60% of the companys stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several equities analysts have recently weighed in on the company. Robert W. Baird raised their price objective on Gartner from $517.00 to $565.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Wednesday, July 31st. Wells Fargo & Company upgraded Gartner to a strong sell rating in a research note on Tuesday, August 13th. UBS Group boosted their price target on Gartner from $510.00 to $580.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, July 31st. Morgan Stanley increased their price objective on Gartner from $440.00 to $470.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a report on Thursday, July 11th. Finally, Bank of America boosted their target price on shares of Gartner from $525.00 to $580.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, July 31st. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, four have given a hold rating and three have given a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, Gartner presently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $521.00.

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Gartner Profile

(Free Report)

Gartner, Inc operates as a research and advisory company in the United States, Canada, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and internationally. It operates through three segments: Research, Conferences, and Consulting. The Research segment delivers its research primarily through a subscription service that include on-demand access to published research content, data and benchmarks, and direct access to a network of research experts.

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A Palestinian child receives a polio vaccination in Naser hospital in the southern Gaza Strip city of Khan Younis, on Aug. 31, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]

A polio vaccination campaign started in the Gaza Strip on Sunday as over 2 million people in the Palestinian enclave are still grappling with a severe humanitarian crisis due to the ongoing conflict between Hamas and Israel.

The campaign began in central Gaza, including the city of Deir al-Balah and the refugee camps of al-Nuseirat, al-Maghazi, and al-Bureij. The second phase is scheduled for September 5 in Khan Younis in southern Gaza, with northern Gaza set to be covered on September 9.

The Palestinian Health Ministry, in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO), the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), has established vaccination centers in hospitals, clinics, schools, and shelters.

The United Nations has delivered 1.2 million doses of the oral polio vaccine, targeting approximately 640,000 children.

Each child from birth to 10 years old is to receive two doses, said Iyad al-Jabri, director of al-Aqsa Hospital in Deir al-Balah. He accused the Israeli army of deliberately destroying the medical system in Gaza, which has contributed to the spread of diseases among the local population, especially children.

Residents, such as Saeed Sobh, have expressed their concern about the outbreak. Sobh, who was at the Red Crescent Society in Deir al-Balah, said, "We need to vaccinate our children against polio because diseases in the Gaza Strip have increased due to the Israeli war."

The first confirmed case of polio in Gaza in 25 years was reported in Deir al-Balah in mid-August. Jihan Mansour, 29, expressed relief after her children received their vaccinations, saying she was initially hesitant but felt reassured after confirming the vaccine's safety.

Mohammed Abu Rahma, director of Public Care at the Red Crescent Society, noted that preparations for the campaign began immediately following the discovery of the polio case. He emphasized the importance of vaccination as the primary prevention method for polio.

UNRWA reported that over 1,000 of its employees are participating in the campaign, aiming to reach more than 600,000 children. Sam Rose, acting director of UNRWA Operations in Gaza, stated that teams would be working across clinics, health points, and shelters to administer vaccines.

UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini urged for a permanent ceasefire to ensure the success of the vaccination campaign, expressing gratitude to the UN teams involved.

A statement from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office on Saturday dismissed reports of a general ceasefire for vaccination, confirming only a humanitarian corridor and designated safe areas for vaccine administration.
StockNews.com cut shares of Glaukos (NYSE:GKOS  Free Report) from a hold rating to a sell rating in a report published on Friday.

Several other equities analysts have also weighed in on GKOS. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their target price on shares of Glaukos from $108.00 to $110.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Thursday, May 2nd. Jefferies Financial Group upgraded shares of Glaukos from a hold rating to a buy rating and boosted their target price for the company from $84.00 to $125.00 in a report on Monday, May 6th. Truist Financial reiterated a buy rating and issued a $145.00 target price (up from $141.00) on shares of Glaukos in a report on Thursday, August 1st. Citigroup lowered shares of Glaukos from a buy rating to a neutral rating and boosted their target price for the company from $130.00 to $132.00 in a report on Wednesday, July 10th. Finally, Morgan Stanley boosted their price target on shares of Glaukos from $100.00 to $120.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research note on Monday, July 15th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have issued a hold rating and eight have given a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $128.45.

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Glaukos Stock Performance

GKOS opened at $133.89 on Friday. The firm has a market capitalization of $7.36 billion, a PE ratio of -46.49 and a beta of 1.05. Glaukos has a twelve month low of $59.22 and a twelve month high of $136.36. The firms 50-day moving average price is $122.24 and its 200 day moving average price is $107.78. The company has a current ratio of 5.48, a quick ratio of 4.67 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.19.

Glaukos (NYSE:GKOS  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, July 31st. The medical instruments supplier reported ($0.52) earnings per share for the quarter, hitting analysts consensus estimates of ($0.52). The firm had revenue of $95.70 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $88.86 million. Glaukos had a negative net margin of 47.39% and a negative return on equity of 22.51%. Glaukoss quarterly revenue was up 19.0% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the business posted ($0.55) earnings per share. As a group, sell-side analysts expect that Glaukos will post -2.18 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Insider Buying and Selling at Glaukos

In other Glaukos news, COO Joseph E. Gilliam sold 2,250 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, July 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $121.39, for a total value of $273,127.50. Following the sale, the chief operating officer now directly owns 101,845 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $12,362,964.55. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. In other news, COO Joseph E. Gilliam sold 2,250 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Friday, July 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $121.39, for a total value of $273,127.50. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief operating officer now owns 101,845 shares in the company, valued at approximately $12,362,964.55. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this link. Also, COO Joseph E. Gilliam sold 5,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Wednesday, August 21st. The shares were sold at an average price of $129.36, for a total transaction of $646,800.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief operating officer now owns 102,169 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $13,216,581.84. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last three months, insiders have sold 38,500 shares of company stock valued at $4,706,990. Insiders own 6.40% of the companys stock.

Institutional Trading of Glaukos

A number of large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Vanguard Group Inc. boosted its stake in Glaukos by 1.4% during the 1st quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 5,308,897 shares of the medical instruments suppliers stock worth $500,576,000 after purchasing an additional 72,159 shares during the period. Brown Capital Management LLC boosted its stake in Glaukos by 3.4% during the 4th quarter. Brown Capital Management LLC now owns 2,697,794 shares of the medical instruments suppliers stock worth $214,448,000 after purchasing an additional 89,420 shares during the period. Fred Alger Management LLC boosted its stake in Glaukos by 3.8% during the 2nd quarter. Fred Alger Management LLC now owns 1,278,723 shares of the medical instruments suppliers stock worth $151,337,000 after purchasing an additional 47,308 shares during the period. Primecap Management Co. CA boosted its stake in Glaukos by 43.9% during the 2nd quarter. Primecap Management Co. CA now owns 1,220,815 shares of the medical instruments suppliers stock worth $144,483,000 after purchasing an additional 372,180 shares during the period. Finally, Dimensional Fund Advisors LP boosted its stake in Glaukos by 3.5% during the 4th quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 923,526 shares of the medical instruments suppliers stock worth $73,412,000 after purchasing an additional 31,213 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 99.04% of the companys stock.

About Glaukos

(Get Free Report)

Glaukos Corporation, an ophthalmic pharmaceutical and medical technology company, focuses on the development of novel therapies for the treatment of glaucoma, corneal disorders, and retinal diseases. It offers iStent and iStent inject W micro-bypass stents that enhance aqueous humor outflow inserted in cataract surgery to treat mild-to-moderate open-angle glaucoma.

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Gooch & Housego (LON:GHH  Get Free Report) had its price objective reduced by stock analysts at Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft from GBX 675 ($8.90) to GBX 635 ($8.37) in a research note issued on Friday, Digital Look reports. The brokerage currently has a buy rating on the stock. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschafts price objective suggests a potential upside of 35.11% from the companys previous close.

Gooch & Housego Price Performance

Shares of GHH traded up GBX 8 ($0.11) during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting GBX 470 ($6.20). 28,559 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 75,421. The company has a market cap of 117.69 million, a PE ratio of 9,400.00 and a beta of 1.03. The firm has a 50-day moving average of GBX 470.21 and a two-hundred day moving average of GBX 514.33. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 32.88, a quick ratio of 1.66 and a current ratio of 3.66. Gooch & Housego has a 52-week low of GBX 434.15 ($5.73) and a 52-week high of GBX 685.66 ($9.04).

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Insider Activity at Gooch & Housego

In related news, insider Gary Bullard purchased 3,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, June 4th. The stock was bought at an average price of GBX 550 ($7.25) per share, with a total value of 16,500 ($21,759.20). 22.65% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Gooch & Housego Company Profile

Gooch & Housego PLC engages in the manufacture and sale of acousto-optics, electro-optics, fiber optics, and precision optics and systems in the United Kingdom, North America, Europe, the Asia Pacific, and internationally. It offers acousto-optic products, such as acoustic-optic modulators, deflectors, frequency shifters, mode lockers, pulse pickers, Q-switches, tunable filters, and RF drivers; crystal optics, including crystals and nonlinear optics, lithium niobate wafers, and periodically-poled lithium niobite; and electro-optics, such as pockels cells, lithium niobate Q-switches, and pockels cell drivers.

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Hostmore plc (LON:MORE  Get Free Report) insider Julie McEwan acquired 45,711 shares of the stock in a transaction on Friday, August 30th. The shares were acquired at an average cost of GBX 10 ($0.13) per share, for a total transaction of 4,571.10 ($6,028.09).

Julie McEwan also recently made the following trade(s):

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On Wednesday, July 31st, Julie McEwan acquired 32,052 shares of Hostmore stock. The shares were acquired at an average cost of GBX 16 ($0.21) per share, for a total transaction of 5,128.32 ($6,762.92).

On Friday, June 28th, Julie McEwan acquired 29,499 shares of Hostmore stock. The shares were acquired at an average cost of GBX 17 ($0.22) per share, for a total transaction of 5,014.83 ($6,613.25).

Hostmore Stock Down 0.1 %

MORE stock opened at GBX 9.50 ($0.13) on Monday. Hostmore plc has a one year low of GBX 8.40 ($0.11) and a one year high of GBX 24 ($0.32). The stock has a market capitalization of 11.98 million, a PE ratio of -40.41 and a beta of 0.99. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1,145.20, a quick ratio of 0.41 and a current ratio of 0.27. The company has a fifty day moving average of GBX 13.77 and a 200-day moving average of GBX 16.57.

About Hostmore

Hostmore plc operates in the hospitality business. It operates American-themed casual dining restaurants under the TGI Fridays brand; cocktail-led bar and restaurants under the 63rd+1st brand; and fast casual dining restaurants under the Fridays and Go brand. The company was incorporated in 2021 and is based in Edinburgh, the United Kingdom.

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National Bank of Canada (TSE:NA  Free Report) had its price objective raised by Canaccord Genuity Group from C$113.00 to C$123.00 in a report issued on Thursday morning, BayStreet.CA reports.

Several other equities analysts also recently weighed in on NA. Jefferies Financial Group raised their target price on shares of National Bank of Canada from C$119.00 to C$126.00 in a report on Thursday. CIBC raised their target price on shares of National Bank of Canada from C$122.00 to C$134.00 in a report on Thursday. Royal Bank of Canada raised their target price on shares of National Bank of Canada from C$113.00 to C$116.00 in a report on Thursday. UBS Group set a C$123.00 target price on shares of National Bank of Canada and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Tuesday, July 2nd. Finally, TD Securities raised their target price on shares of National Bank of Canada from C$123.00 to C$129.00 in a report on Thursday. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have issued a hold rating and four have given a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, National Bank of Canada has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of C$121.33.

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National Bank of Canada Stock Down 0.4 %

Shares of NA opened at C$123.49 on Thursday. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of C$113.71 and a 200-day simple moving average of 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 has a 52-week low of C$84.27 and a 52-week high of C$127.22.

National Bank of Canada (TSE:NA  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, August 28th. The financial services provider reported C$2.68 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating 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, research analysts anticipate that National Bank of Canada will post 10.4784081 EPS for the current year.

National Bank of Canada Announces Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, November 1st. Investors of record on Monday, September 30th will be given a $1.10 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, September 27th. This represents a $4.40 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.56%. National Bank of Canadas dividend payout ratio is presently 42.84%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, Director Yvon Charest bought 325 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, August 19th. The shares were acquired at an average cost of C$117.24 per share, with a total value of C$38,103.00. In other National Bank of Canada news, Director Yvon Charest purchased 325 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, August 19th. The shares were purchased at an average price 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 firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, June 20th. The shares were sold at an average price of C$107.59, for a total transaction of C$946,792.00. Corporate insiders own 0.21% of the companys stock.

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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Berenberg Bank restated their buy rating on shares of Resolute Mining (LON:RSG  Free Report) in a research note published on Friday, Digital Look reports. The brokerage currently has a GBX 39 ($0.51) price target on the stock.

Resolute Mining Stock Down 3.4 %

LON RSG traded down GBX 1.18 ($0.02) during trading on Friday, hitting GBX 33.22 ($0.44). The companys stock had a trading volume of 529,183 shares, compared to its average volume of 398,130. Resolute Mining has a fifty-two week low of GBX 15.80 ($0.21) and a fifty-two week high of GBX 37 ($0.49). The company has a market cap of 707.59 million, a PE ratio of 1,661.00 and a beta of 1.26. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 15.55, a current ratio of 1.25 and a quick ratio of 0.41. The businesss 50 day simple moving average is GBX 32.09 and its 200-day simple moving average is GBX 26.33.

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Resolute Mining Company Profile

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Resolute Mining Limited engages in mining, prospecting, and exploration for minerals in Africa, the United Kingdom, and Australia. It is involved in mining gold and silver. The company's flagship project is the Syama Gold Mine located in Mali, West Africa. It also owns Mako Gold Mine in Senegal, West Africa.

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SL Green Realty (NYSE:SLG  Get Free Report) and Annaly Capital Management (NYSE:NLY  Get Free Report) are both finance companies, but which is the better stock? We will contrast the two businesses based on the strength of their analyst recommendations, earnings, dividends, valuation, risk, profitability and institutional ownership.

Risk and Volatility

SL Green Realty has a beta of 1.83, meaning that its stock price is 83% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Annaly Capital Management has a beta of 1.53, meaning that its stock price is 53% more volatile than the S&P 500.

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Insider and Institutional Ownership

90.0% of SL Green Realty shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 51.6% of Annaly Capital Management shares are owned by institutional investors. 5.1% of SL Green Realty shares are owned by company insiders. Comparatively, 0.2% of Annaly Capital Management shares are owned by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, large money managers and hedge funds believe a company will outperform the market over the long term.

Analyst Recommendations

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score SL Green Realty 5 6 2 0 1.77 Annaly Capital Management 0 2 6 0 2.75

This is a summary of recent ratings and target prices for SL Green Realty and Annaly Capital Management, as reported by MarketBeat.

SL Green Realty currently has a consensus target price of $53.77, suggesting a potential downside of 19.31%. Annaly Capital Management has a consensus target price of $21.14, suggesting a potential upside of 4.88%. Given Annaly Capital Managements stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, analysts plainly believe Annaly Capital Management is more favorable than SL Green Realty.

Profitability

This table compares SL Green Realty and Annaly Capital Managements net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets SL Green Realty -19.31% -3.92% -1.60% Annaly Capital Management -12.02% 15.24% 1.60%

Valuation and Earnings

This table compares SL Green Realty and Annaly Capital Managements gross revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio SL Green Realty $832.61 million 5.27 -$557.30 million ($8.26) -8.07 Annaly Capital Management $3.73 billion 2.71 -$1.64 billion ($0.97) -20.78

SL Green Realty has higher earnings, but lower revenue than Annaly Capital Management. Annaly Capital Management is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than SL Green Realty, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Dividends

SL Green Realty pays an annual dividend of $3.00 per share and has a dividend yield of 4.5%. Annaly Capital Management pays an annual dividend of $2.60 per share and has a dividend yield of 12.9%. SL Green Realty pays out -36.3% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Annaly Capital Management pays out -268.0% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Both companies have healthy payout ratios and should be able to cover their dividend payments with earnings for the next several years. Annaly Capital Management is clearly the better dividend stock, given its higher yield and lower payout ratio.

Summary

Annaly Capital Management beats SL Green Realty on 10 of the 16 factors compared between the two stocks.

About SL Green Realty

(Get Free Report)

3SL Green Realty Corp., Manhattans largest office landlord, is a fully integrated real estate investment trust, or REIT, that is focused primarily on acquiring, managing and maximizing value of Manhattan commercial properties. As of June 30, 2022, SL Green held interests in 64 buildings totaling 34.4 million square feet. This included ownership interests in 26.3 million square feet of Manhattan buildings and 7.2 million square feet securing debt and preferred equity investments.

About Annaly Capital Management

(Get Free Report)

Annaly Capital Management, Inc., a diversified capital manager, engages in mortgage finance. The company invests in agency mortgage-backed securities collateralized by residential mortgages; non-agency residential whole loans and securitized products within the residential and commercial markets; mortgage servicing rights; agency commercial mortgage-backed securities; to-be-announced forward contracts; residential mortgage loans; and agency or private label credit risk transfer securities. It has elected to be taxed as a real estate investment trust (REIT). As a REIT, it is not subject to federal income tax to the extent that it distributes its taxable income to its shareholders. The company was incorporated in 1996 and is based in New York, New York.

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Rice Partnership LLC increased its holdings in shares of American Express (NYSE:AXP) by 2.2% during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 58,795 shares of the payment services companys stock after purchasing an additional 1,273 shares during the period. American Express accounts for 3.0% of Rice Partnership LLCs holdings, making the stock its 12th biggest holding. Rice Partnership LLCs holdings in American Express were worth $13,614,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of the business. Sawgrass Asset Management LLC raised its holdings in American Express by 0.4% in the second quarter. Sawgrass Asset Management LLC now owns 10,384 shares of the payment services companys stock valued at $2,404,000 after acquiring an additional 41 shares in the last quarter. Spire Wealth Management raised its position in shares of American Express by 1.0% during the 1st quarter. Spire Wealth Management now owns 4,315 shares of the payment services companys stock worth $983,000 after acquiring an additional 42 shares in the last quarter. Ignite Planners LLC lifted its stake in American Express by 0.9% during the second quarter. Ignite Planners LLC now owns 4,682 shares of the payment services companys stock worth $1,103,000 after purchasing an additional 43 shares during the last quarter. Willner & Heller LLC boosted its holdings in American Express by 4.1% in the second quarter. Willner & Heller LLC now owns 1,087 shares of the payment services companys stock valued at $252,000 after purchasing an additional 43 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Beacon Capital Management LLC increased its stake in American Express by 18.9% in the second quarter. Beacon Capital Management LLC now owns 271 shares of the payment services companys stock valued at $63,000 after purchasing an additional 43 shares during the last quarter. 84.33% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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American Express Stock Performance

Shares of AXP stock traded down $1.19 during trading hours on Monday, reaching $258.65. 3,442,100 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 2,963,972. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.74, a current ratio of 1.66 and a quick ratio of 1.66. American Express has a 1 year low of $140.91 and a 1 year high of $261.75. The company has a market cap of $183.88 billion, a P/E ratio of 21.31, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.45 and a beta of 1.21. The companys 50 day moving average is $242.42 and its two-hundred day moving average is $232.90.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

American Express ( NYSE:AXP Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Friday, July 19th. The payment services company reported $3.49 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate 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 analysts expectations of $16.60 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business earned $2.89 earnings per share. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 9.2% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities research analysts anticipate that American Express will post 13.12 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Several research analysts have recently issued reports on the stock. Barclays upped their target price on shares of American Express from $221.00 to $223.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a report on Tuesday, July 9th. Royal Bank of Canada raised their price objective on American Express from $265.00 to $267.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Monday, July 22nd. William Blair reissued an outperform rating on shares of American Express in a report on Monday, June 3rd. Jefferies Financial Group upped their target price on American Express from $225.00 to $235.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a research report on Tuesday, July 9th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company lifted their price target on American Express from $275.00 to $285.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Tuesday, July 9th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, thirteen have given a hold rating and eleven have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $230.70.

Check Out Our Latest Analysis on AXP

American Express Profile

(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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Rothschild Investment LLC acquired a new position in Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE  Free Report) in the second quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor acquired 146,854 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock, valued at approximately $4,109,000.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of PFE. Olistico Wealth LLC purchased a new stake in Pfizer during the 2nd quarter valued at about $25,000. MFA Wealth Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in Pfizer during the 2nd quarter valued at about $29,000. Creekmur Asset Management LLC purchased a new stake in Pfizer during the 4th quarter valued at about $32,000. Trivant Custom Portfolio Group LLC boosted its holdings in Pfizer by 100.0% during the 1st quarter. Trivant Custom Portfolio Group LLC now owns 1,200 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $33,000 after acquiring an additional 600 shares during the period. Finally, Financial Connections Group Inc. purchased a new stake in Pfizer during the 2nd quarter valued at about $34,000. 68.36% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Analyst Ratings Changes

Several equities research analysts recently weighed in on the company. StockNews.com upgraded Pfizer from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Thursday, August 1st. UBS Group increased their target price on Pfizer from $30.00 to $31.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Wednesday, July 31st. Cantor Fitzgerald reaffirmed an overweight rating and set a $45.00 price target on shares of Pfizer in a research report on Monday, August 19th. Daiwa America upgraded Pfizer from a moderate buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, August 7th. Finally, Barclays lifted their price objective on Pfizer from $30.00 to $32.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research report on Wednesday, July 31st. Eight analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, seven have given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, Pfizer has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $34.54.

Pfizer Trading Up 1.0 %

PFE opened at $29.01 on Friday. 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 business has a 50 day moving average of $28.99 and a 200-day moving average of $28.01. Pfizer Inc. has a 52 week low of $25.20 and a 52 week high of $36.29.

Pfizer (NYSE:PFE  Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, July 30th. The biopharmaceutical company reported $0.60 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.46 by $0.14. The company had revenue of $13.28 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $12.96 billion. Pfizer had a positive return on equity of 8.42% and a negative net margin of 4.66%. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 2.1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $0.67 EPS. As a group, research analysts predict that Pfizer Inc. will post 2.66 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Pfizer Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, September 3rd. Shareholders of record on Friday, July 26th will be paid a dividend of $0.42 per share. This represents a $1.68 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 5.79%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, July 26th. Pfizers payout ratio is -2,799.53%.

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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Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. (NYSE:CMG  Get Free Report) was the recipient of a significant decline in short interest during the month of August. As of August 15th, there was short interest totalling 32,190,000 shares, a decline of 8.4% from the July 31st total of 35,150,000 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 19,970,000 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 1.6 days.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several analysts recently issued reports on the stock. Citigroup cut their target price on shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill from $71.00 to $69.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, July 25th. Oppenheimer cut their price target on Chipotle Mexican Grill from $70.00 to $65.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a report on Thursday, July 25th. Barclays reduced their price target on Chipotle Mexican Grill from $58.00 to $55.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, July 25th. Piper Sandler lowered their price objective on Chipotle Mexican Grill from $61.00 to $56.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, July 25th. Finally, KeyCorp decreased their target price on shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill from $68.00 to $66.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, July 25th. Ten analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eighteen have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $62.36.

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Read Our Latest Stock Report on Chipotle Mexican Grill

Insider Transactions at Chipotle Mexican Grill

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

In other Chipotle Mexican Grill news, insider Curtis E. Garner sold 17,394 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, August 6th. The shares were 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 approximately $19,591,844. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink . Company insiders own 1.02% of the companys stock.

Several institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Swedbank AB bought a new stake in shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill in the 1st quarter valued at about $53,979,000. Transform Wealth LLC increased its holdings in Chipotle Mexican Grill by 4,760.7% during the second quarter. Transform Wealth LLC now owns 9,527 shares of the restaurant operators stock valued at $597,000 after buying an additional 9,331 shares during the period. First Hawaiian Bank raised its stake in Chipotle Mexican Grill by 4,731.0% in the second quarter. First Hawaiian Bank now owns 17,150 shares of the restaurant operators stock worth $1,074,000 after buying an additional 16,795 shares in the last quarter. Valeo Financial Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in Chipotle Mexican Grill by 4,747.7% during the second quarter. Valeo Financial Advisors LLC now owns 20,409 shares of the restaurant operators stock worth $1,279,000 after buying an additional 19,988 shares during the period. Finally, MJP Associates Inc. ADV boosted its position in Chipotle Mexican Grill by 5,588.0% during the 2nd quarter. MJP Associates Inc. ADV now owns 12,798 shares of the restaurant operators stock valued at $802,000 after acquiring an additional 12,573 shares in the last quarter. 91.31% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Chipotle Mexican Grill Stock Performance

NYSE CMG traded up $0.45 during trading on Monday, hitting $56.08. The stock had a trading volume of 12,845,600 shares, compared to its average volume of 15,073,939. Chipotle Mexican Grill has a one year low of $35.37 and a one year high of $69.26. The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of $120.35 and a 200 day simple moving average of $80.94. The stock has a market capitalization of $77.02 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 59.66, a P/E/G ratio of 2.34 and a beta of 1.24.

Chipotle Mexican Grill (NYSE:CMG  Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, July 24th. The restaurant operator reported $0.34 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.32 by $0.02. The business had revenue of $2.97 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.94 billion. Chipotle Mexican Grill had a return on equity of 44.01% and a net margin of 13.23%. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 18.2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the company earned $12.65 earnings per share. On average, sell-side analysts predict that Chipotle Mexican Grill will post 1.08 EPS for the current year.

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.

Further Reading

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Stiles Financial Services Inc decreased its stake in Edwards Lifesciences Co. (NYSE:EW  Free Report) by 3.5% in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 4,570 shares of the medical research companys stock after selling 165 shares during the quarter. Stiles Financial Services Incs holdings in Edwards Lifesciences were worth $422,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of EW. International Assets Investment Management LLC boosted its holdings in Edwards Lifesciences by 9,720.7% during the 4th quarter. International Assets Investment Management LLC now owns 106,064 shares of the medical research companys stock valued at $8,087,000 after acquiring an additional 104,984 shares during the period. Kestra Private Wealth Services LLC boosted its holdings in Edwards Lifesciences by 9.0% during the 4th quarter. Kestra Private Wealth Services LLC now owns 4,796 shares of the medical research companys stock valued at $366,000 after acquiring an additional 396 shares during the period. Natixis Advisors L.P. raised its position in Edwards Lifesciences by 27.6% during the 4th quarter. Natixis Advisors L.P. now owns 227,837 shares of the medical research companys stock valued at $17,372,000 after purchasing an additional 49,311 shares in the last quarter. Benjamin F. Edwards & Company Inc. raised its position in Edwards Lifesciences by 29.3% during the 4th quarter. Benjamin F. Edwards & Company Inc. now owns 7,682 shares of the medical research companys stock valued at $586,000 after purchasing an additional 1,739 shares in the last quarter. Finally, 9258 Wealth Management LLC raised its position in Edwards Lifesciences by 24.8% during the 4th quarter. 9258 Wealth Management LLC now owns 10,529 shares of the medical research companys stock valued at $803,000 after purchasing an additional 2,093 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 79.46% of the companys stock.

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Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of equities research analysts have weighed in on the company. The Goldman Sachs Group decreased their target price on Edwards Lifesciences from $107.00 to $91.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research report on Friday, July 26th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft decreased their target price on Edwards Lifesciences from $103.00 to $85.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, July 25th. Bank of America lowered Edwards Lifesciences from a buy rating to a neutral rating and reduced their price target for the stock from $105.00 to $75.00 in a research report on Thursday, July 25th. Truist Financial lowered Edwards Lifesciences from a buy rating to a hold rating and reduced their price target for the stock from $110.00 to $82.00 in a research report on Thursday, July 25th. Finally, Piper Sandler reduced their price target on Edwards Lifesciences from $88.00 to $73.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, July 25th. Fourteen research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eleven 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 Moderate Buy and an average price target of $82.10.

Edwards Lifesciences Stock Down 0.2 %

Edwards Lifesciences stock traded down $0.16 during midday trading on Monday, reaching $69.96. The companys stock had a trading volume of 6,521,700 shares, compared to its average volume of 4,127,983. Edwards Lifesciences Co. has a fifty-two week low of $58.93 and a fifty-two week high of $96.12. The company has a quick ratio of 2.87, a current ratio of 3.71 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.08. The company has a market cap of $42.14 billion, a P/E ratio of 30.16, a P/E/G ratio of 2.92 and a beta of 1.11. The business has a 50-day simple moving average of $77.11 and a 200-day simple moving average of $84.77.

Edwards Lifesciences (NYSE:EW  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, July 24th. The medical research company reported $0.70 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.69 by $0.01. Edwards Lifesciences had a return on equity of 22.35% and a net margin of 24.55%. The firm had revenue of $1.63 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.65 billion. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $0.66 earnings per share. The businesss revenue was up 6.7% on a year-over-year basis. On average, research analysts expect that Edwards Lifesciences Co. will post 2.7 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Insider Activity

In related news, VP Daveen Chopra sold 1,250 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Tuesday, August 20th. The shares were sold at an average price of $69.95, for a total transaction of $87,437.50. Following the completion of the sale, the vice president now directly owns 29,333 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,051,843.35. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In other news, VP Donald E. Bobo, Jr. sold 5,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, August 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $66.08, for a total transaction of $330,400.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the vice president now directly owns 46,936 shares of the companys stock, valued at $3,101,530.88. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, VP Daveen Chopra sold 1,250 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, August 20th. The stock was sold at an average price of $69.95, for a total value of $87,437.50. Following the transaction, the vice president now owns 29,333 shares of the companys stock, valued at $2,051,843.35. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 16,250 shares of company stock valued at $1,321,988 over the last quarter. Company insiders own 1.29% of the companys stock.

About Edwards Lifesciences

(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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 Flash

Heavy rains and flooding in Sudan have claimed 173 lives and injured 505 people since the beginning of the rainy season in June, the Sudanese Health Ministry reported.

The floods have impacted 11 of Sudan's 18 states, destroying 18,665 homes and damaging 14,947 others, according to the ministry. The report, released on Saturday, also noted that over 170,000 Sudanese have been affected by the floods.

In Kassala State, flooding from the Gash River has caused significant damage to agricultural land and homes. The collapse of the Arbaat Dam near Port Sudan on August 25 further exacerbated the crisis, resulting in at least 60 deaths and significant damage to infrastructure.

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) announced on Thursday that it has begun distributing food aid in Sudan's Darfur region. Trucks carrying 1,134 tonnes of food, sufficient for approximately 280,000 people, crossed from Chad into Darfur after delays due to flooding.

Sudan experiences annual flooding from June to October, but this year's rains have compounded the difficulties faced by a country already grappling with a protracted conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces.
StockNews.com lowered shares of Bank of Montreal (NYSE:BMO  Free Report) (TSE:BMO) from a hold rating to a sell rating in a research note released on Thursday.

Several other research analysts have also recently issued reports on BMO. Scotiabank cut shares of Bank of Montreal from a sector outperform rating to a sector perform rating and cut their price target for the stock from $123.00 to $112.00 in a report on Wednesday, August 28th. Bank of America cut Bank of Montreal from a buy rating to a neutral rating and reduced their price target for the company from $134.00 to $117.00 in a report on Wednesday, August 28th. Barclays dropped their price objective on Bank of Montreal from $132.00 to $126.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, August 28th. Royal Bank of Canada cut Bank of Montreal from an outperform rating to a sector perform rating in a research report on Tuesday, July 30th. Finally, UBS Group began coverage on shares of Bank of Montreal in a research report on Tuesday, July 2nd. They set a neutral rating on the stock. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have issued a hold rating and two have given a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $119.75.

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Bank of Montreal Trading Up 0.8 %

Shares of BMO stock opened at $83.62 on Thursday. Bank of Montreal has a twelve month low of $73.98 and a twelve month high of $100.12. The company has a current ratio of 0.98, a quick ratio of 0.99 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.13. The businesss 50 day moving average is $84.68 and its two-hundred day moving average is $89.62. The company has a market capitalization of $60.99 billion, a P/E ratio of 13.89, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.30 and a beta of 1.12.

Bank of Montreal (NYSE:BMO  Get Free Report) (TSE:BMO) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, August 27th. The bank reported $2.64 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $2.76 by ($0.12). Bank of Montreal had a net margin of 8.50% and a return on equity of 11.23%. The firm had revenue of $8.21 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $8.25 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $2.08 earnings per share. The businesss quarterly revenue was up .2% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities analysts forecast that Bank of Montreal will post 8.06 EPS for the current year.

Bank of Montreal Cuts Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, November 26th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, October 30th will be issued a $1.123 dividend. This represents a $4.49 annualized dividend and a yield of 5.37%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, October 30th. Bank of Montreals dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 75.25%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in BMO. Strategic Investment Solutions Inc. IL acquired a new stake in Bank of Montreal in the 2nd quarter valued at about $34,000. Clearbridge Investments LLC raised its position in Bank of Montreal by 6.4% during the second quarter. Clearbridge Investments LLC now owns 1,020,683 shares of the banks stock worth $85,588,000 after acquiring an additional 61,083 shares during the last quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers lifted its holdings in shares of Bank of Montreal by 11.5% in the second quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers now owns 19,140 shares of the banks stock valued at $1,605,000 after purchasing an additional 1,969 shares in the last quarter. Fiera Capital Corp grew its position in shares of Bank of Montreal by 2.1% in the second quarter. Fiera Capital Corp now owns 3,403,431 shares of the banks stock valued at $285,789,000 after purchasing an additional 69,111 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. increased its stake in shares of Bank of Montreal by 6.7% during the 2nd quarter. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. now owns 10,220 shares of the banks stock worth $857,000 after purchasing an additional 641 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 45.82% of the companys stock.

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 companys personal banking products and services include deposits, mortgages, home lending, consumer credit, small business lending, credit cards, cash management, financial and investment advice, and other banking services; and commercial banking products and services comprise various of financing options and treasury and payment solutions, as well as risk management products.

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StockNews.com began coverage on shares of Express (NYSE:EXPR  Free Report) in a report issued on Friday morning. The brokerage issued a sell rating on the stock.

Express Stock Up 18.6 %

Express stock opened at $0.83 on Friday. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $0.37 and a two-hundred day moving average of $0.87. Express has a twelve month low of $0.35 and a twelve month high of $17.84. The stock has a market capitalization of $3.11 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 0.00 and a beta of 1.40. The company has a current ratio of 0.98, a quick ratio of 0.19 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.83.

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About Express

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Further Reading

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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Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacifico (NYSE:PAC  Free Report) had its price objective boosted by The Goldman Sachs Group from $177.00 to $205.00 in a research report sent to investors on Friday morning, Benzinga reports. They currently have a buy rating on the transportation companys stock.

Several other equities research analysts also recently issued reports on PAC. Citigroup upgraded Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacifico to a strong-buy rating in a report on Wednesday, August 28th. Bank of America upgraded shares of Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacifico from a neutral rating to a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, August 28th. One analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, three have given a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Buy and an average price target of $205.00.

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Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacifico Price Performance

PAC opened at $177.68 on Friday. Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacifico has a twelve month low of $107.25 and a twelve month high of $197.31. The firm has a market cap of $8.98 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 15.86, a PEG ratio of 1.67 and a beta of 1.46. 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 company has a fifty day simple moving average of $160.21 and a 200 day simple moving average of $164.22.

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. Equities research analysts expect that Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacifico will post 9.66 EPS for the current fiscal 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 paid a dividend of $3.8657 per share. The ex-dividend date was Monday, July 22nd. This represents a yield of 4.7%. This is a boost from Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacificos previous semi-annual dividend of $2.09. Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacificos dividend payout ratio is presently 33.84%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Naples Global Advisors LLC raised its position in shares of Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacifico by 1.3% during the 1st quarter. Naples Global Advisors LLC now owns 5,447 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $889,000 after acquiring an additional 69 shares in the last quarter. Sei Investments Co. grew its stake in Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacifico by 0.6% during the 1st quarter. Sei Investments Co. now owns 12,446 shares of the transportation companys stock worth $2,031,000 after buying an additional 73 shares during the last quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC grew its stake in Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacifico by 112.3% during the 4th quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 276 shares of the transportation companys stock worth $48,000 after buying an additional 146 shares during the last quarter. Albert D Mason Inc. increased its position in Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacifico by 1.4% in the first quarter. Albert D Mason Inc. now owns 12,547 shares of the transportation companys stock worth $2,047,000 after buying an additional 174 shares during the period. Finally, Blue Trust Inc. lifted its stake in 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 buying an additional 176 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 11.73% of the companys stock.

About Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacifico

(Get Free Report)

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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Financial Counselors Inc. cut its stake in The Southern Company (NYSE:SO  Free Report) by 0.1% during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 243,173 shares of the utilities providers stock after selling 150 shares during the period. Financial Counselors Inc.s holdings in Southern were worth $18,863,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of SO. Norges Bank purchased a new position in Southern in the 4th quarter valued at about $631,068,000. Capital International Investors raised its holdings in shares of Southern by 45.9% during the first quarter. Capital International Investors now owns 23,994,733 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $1,721,382,000 after purchasing an additional 7,550,570 shares during the period. Confluence Investment Management LLC acquired a new stake in Southern during the first quarter worth about $128,413,000. Wellington Management Group LLP raised its position in shares of Southern by 36.0% during the 4th quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 3,529,052 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $247,457,000 after purchasing an additional 934,447 shares during the period. Finally, Boston Partners bought a new stake in Southern in the 4th quarter valued at about $56,924,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 64.10% of the companys stock.

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Insider Activity

In related news, CEO Anthony L. Wilson sold 6,900 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, July 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $77.61, for a total transaction of $535,509.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 85,309 shares of the companys stock, valued at $6,620,831.49. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. In other Southern news, CEO Anthony L. Wilson sold 6,900 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Friday, July 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $77.61, for a total value of $535,509.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 85,309 shares of the companys stock, valued at $6,620,831.49. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, EVP Sloane N. Drake sold 12,000 shares of Southern stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, July 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $77.61, for a total value of $931,320.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 16,771 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,301,597.31. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last quarter, insiders have sold 21,280 shares of company stock valued at $1,678,625. 0.18% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Southern Trading Up 0.7 %

SO stock opened at $86.40 on Monday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.66, a current ratio of 0.91 and a quick ratio of 0.66. The stock has a market capitalization of $94.47 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 22.33, a P/E/G ratio of 3.10 and a beta of 0.51. The business has a fifty day moving average price of $82.97 and a 200 day moving average price of $76.65. The Southern Company has a fifty-two week low of $61.56 and a fifty-two week high of $89.68.

Southern (NYSE:SO  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, August 1st. The utilities provider reported $1.10 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.91 by $0.19. The business had revenue of $6.46 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $6.10 billion. Southern had a net margin of 17.67% and a return on equity of 12.88%. Southerns revenue was up 12.4% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $0.79 earnings per share. Analysts expect that The Southern Company will post 4.02 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Southern Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, September 6th. Investors of record on Monday, August 19th will be given a $0.72 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, August 19th. This represents a $2.88 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.33%. Southerns payout ratio is 74.42%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several research analysts have recently issued reports on the company. Wolfe Research cut Southern from an outperform rating to a peer perform rating in a research note on Friday, August 2nd. The Goldman Sachs Group increased their target price on Southern from $83.00 to $94.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Friday, August 2nd. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their price objective on shares of Southern from $80.00 to $87.00 and gave the company an underweight rating in a research note on Monday, August 12th. Barclays lifted their price target on Southern from $66.00 to $71.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a report on Tuesday, July 9th. Finally, Morgan Stanley upped their price objective on shares of Southern from $72.00 to $78.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a report on Friday, August 23rd. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have given a hold rating and seven 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 a consensus price target of $83.71.

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Southern Profile

(Free Report)

The Southern Company, through its subsidiaries, engages in the generation, transmission, and distribution of electricity. The company also develops, constructs, acquires, owns, and manages power generation assets, including renewable energy projects and sells electricity in the wholesale market; and distributes natural gas in Illinois, Georgia, Virginia, and Tennessee, as well as provides gas marketing services, gas distribution operations, and gas pipeline investments operations.

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Embree Financial Group decreased its position in shares of Union Pacific Co. (NYSE:UNP  Free Report) by 2.8% during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 2,023 shares of the railroad operators stock after selling 58 shares during the period. Embree Financial Groups holdings in Union Pacific were worth $458,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in UNP. Forum Financial Management LP grew its stake 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 valued at $1,731,000 after purchasing an additional 41 shares during the last quarter. Berkeley Capital Partners LLC grew its stake 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 valued at $1,007,000 after purchasing an additional 42 shares during the last quarter. Prestige Wealth Management Group LLC grew its stake 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 valued at $741,000 after purchasing an additional 42 shares during the last quarter. Fairhaven Wealth Management LLC grew its stake in shares of Union Pacific by 1.7% in the 2nd quarter. Fairhaven Wealth Management LLC now owns 2,581 shares of the railroad operators stock valued at $584,000 after purchasing an additional 43 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Elevated Capital Advisors LLC grew its stake 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 valued at $312,000 after purchasing an additional 44 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 80.38% of the companys stock.

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Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Union Pacific news, President Elizabeth F. Whited sold 3,552 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, July 30th. The stock was sold at an average price of $246.59, for a total transaction of $875,887.68. Following the completion of the sale, the president now directly owns 64,945 shares in the company, valued at $16,014,787.55. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. 0.28% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Union Pacific Stock Performance

Union Pacific stock opened at $256.09 on Monday. The firm has a market capitalization of $156.25 billion, a P/E ratio of 24.44, a PEG ratio of 2.27 and a beta of 1.06. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $237.66 and a 200 day moving average price of $239.06. Union Pacific Co. has a 52 week low of $199.33 and a 52 week high of $258.66. The company has a current ratio of 1.05, a quick ratio of 0.86 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.89.

Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP  Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Thursday, July 25th. The railroad operator reported $2.74 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.71 by $0.03. The firm had revenue of $6.01 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $6.05 billion. Union Pacific had a return on equity of 42.62% and a net margin of 26.90%. The businesss quarterly revenue was up .7% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $2.57 earnings per share. Equities research analysts anticipate that Union Pacific Co. will post 11.11 earnings per share for the current year.

Union Pacific Increases Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, September 30th. Shareholders of record on Friday, August 30th will be paid a dividend of $1.34 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, August 30th. This is a positive change from Union Pacifics previous quarterly dividend of $1.30. This represents a $5.36 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.09%. Union Pacifics dividend payout ratio is currently 51.15%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of analysts recently weighed in on UNP shares. Sanford C. Bernstein decreased 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. TD Cowen decreased 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. Royal Bank of Canada decreased their price target on Union Pacific from $281.00 to $275.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, July 26th. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus decreased their price target on Union Pacific from $267.00 to $265.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, July 17th. Seven research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, twelve have given 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 $258.79.

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Union Pacific Profile

(Free Report)

Union Pacific Corporation, through its subsidiary, Union Pacific Railroad Company, operates in the railroad business in the United States. The company offers transportation services for grain and grain products, fertilizers, food and refrigerated products, and coal and renewables to grain processors, animal feeders, ethanol producers, renewable biofuel producers, and other agricultural users; and construction products, industrial chemicals, plastics, forest products, specialized products, metals and ores, petroleum, liquid petroleum gases, soda ash, and sand, as well as finished automobiles, automotive parts, and merchandise in intermodal containers.

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Willis Johnson & Associates Inc. raised its stake in Vanguard FTSE Europe ETF (NYSEARCA:VGK  Free Report) by 5.5% during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 1,429,676 shares of the exchange traded funds stock after acquiring an additional 75,050 shares during the quarter. Vanguard FTSE Europe ETF makes up 7.8% of Willis Johnson & Associates Inc.s holdings, making the stock its 3rd biggest position. Willis Johnson & Associates Inc.s holdings in Vanguard FTSE Europe ETF were worth $95,459,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of VGK. Interchange Capital Partners LLC lifted its position in shares of Vanguard FTSE Europe ETF by 12.1% during the 2nd quarter. Interchange Capital Partners LLC now owns 7,380 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $493,000 after buying an additional 794 shares during the last quarter. Commonwealth Equity Services LLC lifted its holdings in Vanguard FTSE Europe ETF by 0.6% during the second quarter. Commonwealth Equity Services LLC now owns 437,398 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $29,205,000 after purchasing an additional 2,466 shares during the last quarter. Private Ocean LLC bought a new position in Vanguard FTSE Europe ETF during the second quarter worth about $316,000. Rothschild Investment LLC purchased a new position in shares of Vanguard FTSE Europe ETF in the second quarter worth about $109,000. Finally, Wolf Group Capital Advisors bought a new stake in shares of Vanguard FTSE Europe ETF in the second quarter valued at approximately $212,000.

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Vanguard FTSE Europe ETF Stock Up 0.2 %

VGK traded up $0.16 on Monday, hitting $70.93. The companys stock had a trading volume of 1,452,700 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,205,156. Vanguard FTSE Europe ETF has a 12 month low of $55.06 and a 12 month high of $71.11. The firm has a market cap of $20.60 billion, a P/E ratio of 14.09 and a beta of 0.85. The companys 50 day simple moving average is $68.11 and its 200-day simple moving average is $67.56.

Vanguard FTSE Europe ETF Profile

Vanguard European Stock Index Fund is an exchange-traded fund. The Fund seeks to track the performance of a benchmark index that measures the investment return of stocks issued by Companies located in the markets of Europe. The Fund on focuses indexing investment approach by investing all, or substantially all, of its assets in the common stocks included in the FTSE Developed Europe All Cap Index.

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Want to see what other hedge funds are holding VGK? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Vanguard FTSE Europe ETF (NYSEARCA:VGK  Free Report).

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HASTINGS  Sunday at approximately 11 a.m. St. Paul man James Jimmy Jacobsen was found deceased by the Hastings Police Department, according to a press release posted to the departments Facebook account.

On. Aug. 31, at approximately 1 p.m. the St. Paul Police Department received a report that Jacobsen was missing. He left home at approximately 9:30 a.m. and was to go to a few businesses in St. Paul. He should have returned a short time later and never did.

Chief Howard requested Howard County Communications activate the St. Paul Volunteer Fire Department and EMS to assist in a search for Jacobsen. The search was called off after an extensive search of St. Paul and Howard County. Jacobsen was entered as a missing person.

Foul play is not suspected in this case. No other information will be given at this time. The Jacobsen family requests privacy and prayer while they grieve, the release says.

Also according to the release, Chief Howard issued thanks to Sheriff Hoff and the deputies of the Howard County Sheriffs Office, Howard County Communications, the Nebraska State Patrol, Nebraska Game and Parks, the St. Paul Volunteers Department, Elba Volunteer Fire Department, Dannebrog Volunteer Fire Department, Palmer Volunteer Fire Department and all the citizens who helped in the search.
The annual Veterans Day program at the State Fair is a good time to appreciate our country and the people whove defended it.

Its an emotional time, watching veterans salute the flag during the posting of the colors. Its even better watching veterans stand as their branch of service is honored during the Armed Forces medley.

The Heartland of America Raptor Band performed the medley as a young man waved the flag of each branch being honored.

Thinking of the service of those individuals and the pride they feel will give you goosebumps.

The annual Veterans Day program, held Monday morning at the Heartland Events Center, also included barbershop music. The energetic vocalists sang God Bless the USA, Battle Hymn of the Republic, God Bless America and Youre a Grand Old Flag.

After those numbers, emcee Ed Meedel said the songs produced a lump in the throat and a tear down the cheek.

The melodious men came from the 1733 Kearney Area Barbershop Chorus, the Hastings Chorus of the Plains and the Grand Island Conestoga Chorus.

The keynote speaker was Michael Ingram, who works for the Department of Veterans Affairs.

He is chief of the center for development and civic engagement for the VAs Nebraska-Western Iowa Healthcare. Those who volunteer for that agency make sure that veterans receive the care they need and the respect that they deserve, he said.

Ingram, a retired Air Force lieutenant colonel, talked about some of the Nebraska veterans hes had the privilege of meeting. One man, lying quietly on his back, had an enemy soldier step on his nose but he remained silent.

He also met a 101-year-old World War II vet. How special is that? Ingram said.

The Grand Marshal was the late Wilma Kellogg, who died Dec. 29 at the age of 102. A Palmer native, she served in the U.S. Army Nurse Corps from 1944 to 1946. In France, she worked at a movable field hospital, where she treated many soldiers who were injured in the Battle of the Bulge. She earned a bronze star for meritorious service in a combat zone.

The invocation and benediction were provided by the Rev. Jeff Pedersen of St. Pauls Lutheran Church. Pedersen recalled visiting the Buchenwald concentration camp in Germany, where he saw a plaque noting that the camp was liberated by U.S. soldiers in April of 1945. That plaque, he said, made him proud to be an American.

An empty chair recognition was held in honor of former prisoners of war and others who are still missing in action. The POW/MIA flag was placed on the chair in honor of soldiers who never returned to the families that continue to carry the burden of their sacrifice, Meedel said.

The colors were posted and retired by the United Veterans Honor Guard of Grand Island.

Various other activities were held throughout the fairgrounds, saluting veterans.

Its a great day, and we thank you for spending part of it with us, Meedel said.

STATE FAIR PHOTOS: A trip to the Sheep Barn Photos from the Sheep Barn on the Nebraska State Fairgrounds in Grand Island. All smiles Barrett McKay, 6, of Ericson is all smiles as he leaves the sheep show pen at the Nebraska State Fair on Friday, Aug. 30. McKay and Diane Bock Babydoll sheep Barrett McKay, 6, and his babysitter, Diane Bock, both of Ericson, pose after showing babydoll sheep at the Nebraska State Fair on Friday, Aug A trip to the Sheep Barn A trip to the Sheep Barn at the Nebraska State Fair. Showing sheep From left, Jackie Swartzendruber, her daughter Lynley Swartzendruber, 18, Barrett McKay, 6, and Diane Bock show babydoll sheep at the Nebraska 80s sheep Wearing a purple leotard and leg warmers, this sheep is channeling the 80s. Getting gussied up Addison Foutch, 14, of Friend, helps Tina look her best at a grooming station in the Sheep Barn at the Nebraska State Fair on Friday, Aug. 30. Sheep Barn A sheep stands ready to get down from the grooming station. Getting gussied up Tina the sheep enjoys the grooming work by Addison Foutch, 14, of Friend. Sheep Meredith Jindra, 2, of Friend enjoys herself while interacting with a sheep at the Nebraska State Fair on Friday, Aug. 30. Off to the Avenue of Breeds Dallas Henry of Blue Hill, left, and Corey Aorth of Blair get a pair of sheep ready to take to the Avenue of Breeds at the Nebraska State Fair Lilac Lilac was named grand champion babydoll southdown ewe at the Nebraska State Fair. She's owned by Jackie Swartzendruber and daughter Lynley, 18 Getting gussied up Addison Foutch of Friend grooms Tina the sheep. Lilac Jackie Swartzendruber and daughter Lynley, 18, both of Shickley, pose with Lilac, their grand champion babydoll southdown ewe in the Sheep Bar Doggos A pair of pups take a look out of a pen in the Sheep Barn at the Nebraska State Fair. Sheep Meredith Jindra, 2, of Friend pokes some straw through the pen to feed a sheep. Sheep Meredith isn't as thrilled when the sheep isn't at the gate. Lilac Lilac was all smiles after her win.

STATE FAIR PHOTOS: Fiesta Latina day shows off culture to State Fair crowds Several Hispanic performing groups to represent their culture for the Fiesta Latina day at the Nebraska State Fair on Sunday, Sept. 1. Parade Flags for several Hispanic countries are carried in the parade on Fiesta Latina day at the Nebraska State Fair on Sunday, Sept. 1. Grupo Folklorico Sangre Azteca Two dancers apart of Grupo Folklorico Sangre Azteca perform on Fiesta Latina day at the Nebraska State Fair on Sunday, Sept. 1. Tlacololeros de Nebraska Dancers from Tlacololeros de Nebraska perform on Fiesta Latina day at the Nebraska State Fair on Sunday, Sept. 1. The story of the Tlacololeros De Nebraska dance Tlacololeros De Nebraska give the story of their dance during two performances on Fiesta Latina day at the Nebraska State Fair on Sunday, Sept. 1. Hispanic Arts Center of Omaha A Hispanic Arts Center of Omaha dancer performs on Fiesta Latina day at the Nebraska State Fair on Sunday, Sept. 1. Mariachi Divas The Mariachi Divas, an all-female mariachi group, perform on Fiesta Latina day at the Nebraska State Fair on Sunday. Tlacololeros de Nebraska A Tlacololeros de Nebraska dancer holds up a animal mannequin while performing on Fiesta Latina Day at the Nebraska State Fair on Sunday, Sept. 1. Hispanic Arts Center of Omaha Two dancers from the Hispanic Arts Center of Omaha play the part of a mourning couple while performing on Fiesta Latina day at the Nebraska St Hispanic Arts Center of Omaha A Hispanic Arts Center of Omaha dancer flays out her dress while performing on Fiesta Latina day at the Nebraska State Fair on Sunday, Sept. 1. Hispanic Arts Center of Omaha A dancer for Hispanic Arts Center of Omaha raises his hat in the air while performing on Fiesta Latina day at the Nebraska State Fair on Sunda Hispanic Arts Center of Omaha A Hispanic Arts Center of Omaha dancer yells to the audience while performing on Fiesta Latina day at the Nebraska State Fair on Sunday, Sept. 1. Parade Several parade girls watch one of the many Hispanic performances occurring on Fiesta Latina day at the Nebraska State Fair on Sunday. Tlacololeros de Nebraska A young Tlacololeros de Nebraska dancer tries to keep up with the performance on Fiesta Latina day at the Nebraska State Fair on Sunday. Hispanic Arts Center of Omaha Hispanic Arts Center of Omaha dancers raise their fake guns towards the audience while performing on Fiesta Latina day at the Nebraska State F Hispanic Arts Center of Omaha Hispanic Arts Center of Omaha dancer swings her dress around while performing on Fiesta Latina day at the Nebraska State Fair on Sunday. Mariachi Divas A member of the Mariachi Divas sings and plays the guitar while performing on Fiesta Latina day at the Nebraska State Fair on Sunday, Sept. 1. Hispanic Arts Center of Omaha Hispanic Arts Center of Omaha dancers form a circle while performing on Fiesta Latina day at the Nebraska State Fair on Sunday, Sept. 1. Hispanic Arts Center of Omaha Hispanic Arts Center of Omaha dancer smiles towards the audience while performing on Fiesta Latina day at the Nebraska State Fair on Sunday, Sept. 1. Tlacololeros de Nebraska A Tlacololeros de Nebraska dancer raises a stick in the air while performing on Fiesta Latina day at the Nebraska State Fair on Sunday, Sept. 1. Hispanic Arts Center of Omaha Hispanic Arts Center of Omaha dancer attracts several of the male dancers while performing on Fiesta Latina day at the Nebraska State Fair on  Hispanic Arts Center of Omaha A young Hispanic Arts Center of Omaha dancer spins in her dress while performing on Fiesta Latina day at the Nebraska State Fair on Sunday, Sept. 1. Hispanic Arts Center of Omaha A Hispanic Arts Center of Omaha dancer taps her foot on the ground while performing on Fiesta Latina day at the Nebraska State Fair on Sunday, Mariachi Divas ABOVE: A member of the Mariachi Divas plays the violin while performing on Fiesta Latina day at the Nebraska State Fair on Sunday. LEFT: A dan Grupo Folklorico Sangre Azteca A young member of Grupo Folklorico Sangre Azteca dances on Fiesta Latina day at the Nebraska State Fair on Sunday, Sept. 1. Tlacololeros de Nebraska Members of Tlacololeros de Nebraska surrounds their tiger dancer while performing on Fiesta Latina day at the Nebraska State Fair on Sunday, Sept. 1. Parade The parade for Fiesta Latina day at the Nebraska State Fair goes down the street on Sunday, Sept. 1.
Sufficient, reliable power supply key for FDI inflow into Vietnam data centers

By Lien Thuong, Hai Yen Mon, September 2, 2024 | 7:44 pm GMT+7

Sufficient and reliable power supply will be a crucial factor in attracting foreign direct investment (FDI) for developing data centers as Vietnam looks to tap the growing global demand for such facilities, experts say.

These days, the Saigon High-Tech Park (SHTP) in Ho Chi Minh City has caught the eye of many tech players looking to develop data centers.

For instance, in May-June 2024, South Koreas Hyosung Group informed the HCMC Peoples Committee that it was interested in investing in a three-hectare data center of tier-3 standards with a capacity of 1,500-4,000 racks.

Inside a data center in Ho Chi Minh City, southern Vietnam. Photo courtesy of Saigon Times.

Several other data center projects have already got the green light from Vietnam, including Hong Kong-headquartered Gaw Capitals 20MW facility at SHTP, Singapore-based Worldwide DC Solutions 30MW data center in Thu Duc city, and a project jointly developed by Japanese telecom giant NTT and South Koreas DQ Tek.

Chinas Alibaba has also announced a plan to build a data center in Vietnam. Hathor DC Vietnam Holdings Pte. Ltd  a subsidiary of Singapores SEvolution Data Centers Group, has asked for approval from the HCMC government to become a strategic investor in the SHTP Data Center project.

Alongside the race for data center development, an equally compelling competition is unfolding in the semiconductor industry.

In early July, a business mission from U.S. chip giant Nvidia visited HCMC to explore investment opportunities. Nvidia officials said they aimed to establish a research, development and training center focused on artificial intelligence; install a supercomputer system; and move some of its GPU production for supercomputers to Vietnam.

Another U.S. tech giant, Marvell Group, is also accelerating the expansion of its chip design centers in Vietnam. In mid-May 2024, Marvell launched a new chip design center in the central city of Danang, complementing two existing centers in HCMC.

Other key factors

On November 24, 2023, the National Assembly, Vietnams parliament, passed the Law on Telecommunications. Effective July 1, 2024, the new law is considered another key factor in attracting foreign investment for developing and operating data centers in Vietnam.

David Jackson, CEO of Avison Young Vietnam, told The Investor that besides the Telecommunications Law, there was a growing effort to spare industrial land for high-tech industries.

With an increasingly open and competitive market, Vietnam was poised to attract more investors into the high-tech sector, he added.

Cleared land (with all site clearance formalities completed) and reliable energy infrastructure were crucial factors for attracting foreign investment, Jackson said, noting that data centers required large and stable power supply.

He recommended that Vietnam in general and HCMC in particular continue to refine legal policies to guide the data center market towards sustainable and green development.

Celina Chua, director of Data Center Client Solutions (APAC) at JLL, a Singapore-based real estate investment advisory firm, remarked that Vietnams Telecommunications Law permits 100% foreign investment in data center services. However, market access restrictions will apply if the data center service provider also offers network connectivity services, she said.

Chua also said that Vietnam ranked high among countries that investors and operators were planning market entry strategies for. The country was becoming a key destination in the Asian data center market thanks to its strategic geographical location, dynamic economic policies, tech-savvy young population, and increasing demand for data localization, she added.

She also said that construction and operational costs gave Vietnam a relative advantage, with building data centers in the country costing $6 million to $13 million per megawatt.

Furthermore, under its latest Power Development Plan (PDP VIII), Vietnam aims to raise total power generation capacity from around 80 GW to 155 GW by diversifying the energy structure, reducing dependence on coal power and shifting to more sustainable energy sources.

Chua said that this transition will be crucial for ensuring stable and reliable energy supply to meet increasing demands of the rapidly expanding, energy-intensive data center sector in Vietnam.

Vietnam now has 33 data centers, mostly in Hanoi and HCMC, far below mature markets like mainland China, Hong Kong, and Singapore.
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Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, meets with South African Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Ronald Lamola in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 1, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Sunday met with South African Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Ronald Lamola and Senegal's Foreign Minister Yacine Fall respectively in Beijing.



Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said that the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) will soon be underway. He also noted that over the past 24 years FOCAC has effectively promoted Africa's development, becoming an important symbol of South-South cooperation and driving international cooperation with Africa.

Wang said China is willing to closely cooperate with African countries to make this summit a grand event that strengthens solidarity and friendship between China and Africa, igniting a new wave of China-Africa cooperation.

He added that China firmly supports African countries in defending their legitimate rights to development and revitalization, and is committed to jointly promoting the building of an equal and orderly multipolar world, along with universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization.

Noting that under the strategic guidance of the two heads of state, the relationship between South Africa and China has been upgraded to a comprehensive strategic partnership, Lamola said South Africa firmly adheres to the one-China policy, supports China's series of global initiatives and is willing to work together with China to promote solidarity and cooperation among Global South countries.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, meets with Senegal's Foreign Minister Yacine Fall in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 1, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]

Fall said that the Senegal-China relationship is exemplary, with both countries demonstrating ongoing respect for one another.

Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye will pay a state visit to China during the summit, marking his first visit to a country outside Africa, Fall said, adding that Senegal looks forward to using the visit to deepen Senegal-China comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership.
South Carolina State University has been awarded a $1.25 million federal grant to establish a new certificate program for professionals who counsel children and adolescents with disabilities.

The grant is from the U.S. Department of Educations Office of Special Education and Rehabilitation Services.

This initiative is important to the field of disability and provides S.C. States Rehabilitation Counseling Program the opportunity to partner with Orangeburg Mental Health and Orangeburg County School District to train graduates to become school-based mental health counselors across the state of South Carolina, said Dr. Bridget Hollis Staten, a professor in the Rehabilitation Counseling Program who serves as the grants project director.

The project is designed to increase the number of qualified personnel from racially and ethnically diverse backgrounds, multilingual professionals and people with disabilities credentialed to work with children and adolescents with mental health and disability-related challenges.

The goal is to improve services for school-age children with mental and disability-related challenges, especially those from racially and ethnically diverse backgrounds, including those who are multilingual.

Students will graduate with a masters degree in rehabilitation counseling or counselor education along with a certificate in counseling children and adolescents with disabilities. Scholars also will be qualified to become licensed and/or certified counselors.

During the projects first year, grant staff will develop a graduate certificate program in counseling children and adolescents with disabilities.

Student scholarships will begin in fall 2025. The scholarship will pay full tuition and fees and will provide a cost-of-living stipend for 11 months. Graduate students will be recruited and trained to complete simultaneously the graduate certificate program and a masters degree of their choice in rehabilitation counseling or counselor education.

For more information about the SCSU Rehabilitation Counseling Program or Counselor Education Program, call 803-516-4765 or visit the universitys website at www.scsu.edu.
(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.
Bahrain has announced the introduction of a domestic minimum top-up tax (DMTT) for multinational enterprises (MNEs) as outlined in Decree Law (11) of 2024.

This Decree Law will apply exclusively to large MNEs operating in the kingdom, with global revenues surpassing the Pillar Two threshold of 750 million ($829 million). Such businesses have been asked to register with the National Bureau for Revenue (NBR) before the deadline specified in the relevant legislation, a Bahrain News Agency report said.

The new framework for MNEs is fully aligned with the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) guidelines, and will be effective January 1, 2025, underscoring Bahrains commitment to promoting global economic fairness and transparency, said the report.

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 MNEs pay a minimum tax of 15 per cent on profits in each country where they operate.

With the introduction of the DMTT, 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 per cent tax on the profits generated in the kingdom, it said.
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The twin baby elephants are pictured at the Wingabaw elephant camp in Bago region, Myanmar, Sept. 1, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]

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 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.

The birth of twin elephants is a rare event in Myanmar, the 12th recorded case since 1960, he said.

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.
The Saudi Fund for Development (SFD) has allocated over $20 billion, financing more than 800 development projects and programmes in vital sectors around the world over the last 50 years.

Celebrating its 50th anniversary in Riyadh under the theme "50 Years of Global Impact", SFD brought together key development partners to reflect on the SFDs significant contributions to sustainable development worldwide.

Over the past five decades, the SFD projects included social infrastructure (education, healthcare, water and sewage, and housing and urban development), communication and transportation (roads, railways, airports and seaports), energy, agriculture, mining and industry, and others.

Critical support

Since its inception in 1974, the SFD has been the international development arm of Saudi Arabia and has provided critical support to over 100 developing nations around the world. With a strong focus on supporting countries to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the SFD has played a pivotal role in driving sustainable development in Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and Small Island Developing States (SIDS).

SFD Chairman Ahmed Al-Khateeb emphasised the importance of collaboration in driving global development. He highlighted that SFD's success is deeply rooted in its partnerships, with 27 development projects and programs in 23 developing countries in 2023 co-financed with other funders.

He also underscored the need to forge new partnerships and strengthen existing ones to create a world where every individual has the opportunity to reach their full potential.

Reflecting on this significant milestone, SFD CEO, Sultan bin Abdulrahman Al-Marshad, stated: As we celebrate five decades of impactful work, we are committed, now more than ever, to supporting developing countries on their journey to economic self-reliance and resilience. Our goal is to ensure that all children can go to school, that education is not a privilege but something every child should have access to, and that families have access to healthcare and basic vital services.

Infrastructure development

Equally, we focus on critical infrastructure development, like building roads and enhancing airports and sea ports, so that countries can thrive and engage in economic activities and trade. This work is not just about financing; its about tangibly improving lives, creating opportunities, empowering communities, and building a more prosperous future.

On the sidelines of the 50th Anniversary Gala, SFD and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) signed a new $25 million agreement to co-finance a renewable energy development project in the Solomon Islands. This marks the first project for SFD in the Solomon Islands. The primary aim of the project is to develop renewable energy infrastructure, reduce dependency on fossil fuels, and promote sustainable development in the region.

This agreement builds on SFD50 years of transformative impact through development projects that have spanned Africa, Asia and the Pacific, Latin America and the Caribbean, and Eastern Europe.

This includes key projects such as the Metolong Dam in Lesotho, which received $25 million in funding and now provides potable water to 280,000 people, enhancing water security and public hygiene and health in the region. This is just one of the 433 projects across Africa, with a total funding of $11.5 billion, which focuses on critical areas such as infrastructure and water security.

271 projects in Asia

In Asia, the SFD has funded 271 projects with a total funding of $7.8 billion. One notable example is the SFDs contribution to the Mohmand Dam Hydropower Project in Pakistan, which has an overall project cost of $240 million. The project contributes to the countrys energy security and flood resilience by generating 800 megawatts of renewable energy and storing 1.6 million cubic metres of water.

In Latin America and the Caribbean, the SFD has financed 21 projects, totalling $951 million. This includes rehabilitating the Water and Sewage System in Havana, Cuba, where the SFD has allocated $35 million to enhance public infrastructure.

Another significant initiative is the rebuilding of St Jude Hospital in Saint Lucia, supported by $75 million funding, which will contribute to providing high-quality health services to citizens in a modern and sophisticated facility and providing sufficient medical supplies and equipment to support the effective operation of the hospital.

In Eastern Europe, the SFD has contributed to 14 projects with a total investment of $303 million. A key initiative is the construction of the Tirana-Elbasan-Chokos-Chalf-Ploce Road, where the SFD provided $73.8 million to rebuild essential roads and bridges, thereby boosting regional economic activities.

Pivotal role

During the celebration, speakers shared insights on the SFDs pivotal role in global development, and in championing critical partnerships and collective action and response. Keynote speakers included:

Prince Turki bin Faisal Al Saud, Founder and Trustee of the King Faisal Foundation

Ahmed bin Aqeel Al-Khateeb, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the SFD

Akinwumi Adesina, President of the African Development Bank Group

Muhammad Al Jasser, Chairman of the Islamic Development Bank

These global development leaders emphasised the SFDs commitment to fostering sustainable growth in countries and communities with the most pressing developmental needs.--TradeArabia News Service
Unique Properties, an award-winning agency in Dubais real estate industry for over 16 years, has brought on board two new sales directors to give a push to its expansion into the secondary market, having secured 36% of its transactions in this segment since January 2024, which accounted for 41% of total transactions in 2023 according to Deloittes Real Estate Predictions 2024.

Chris Jones and Andre Henry Watson with their combined expertise, will spearhead the companys continued growth and strategic direction in this dynamic market. Their addition to Unique Properties' leadership team marks a significant step in the companys strategic growth plan by focusing on this segment of the Dubai market.

With 17 years of experience across UK and UAE real estate, including 15 years in management, Jones recognised the potential growth and established the secondary market division at Unique Properties less than a year ago, and now leads a team of over 30 real estate agents.

Known for his ability to drive sales growth and expand market share, he is responsible for crafting and executing innovative sales strategies, setting ambitious targets, and mentoring his team to achieve exceptional results.

His disciplined, target-oriented approach, combined with exceptional planning and organizational skills, will be key in seizing opportunities in high-demand areas like Downtown, Business Bay, Dubai Creek Harbour, Dubai Marina, Palm Jumeirah, Arabian Ranches, Emaar South, Emirates Living, Jumeirah Living and the townhouse communities surrounding the Al Qudra Road.

In his first year as an agent, Jones was recognised as one of the top two agents out of over 100, showcasing his remarkable sales acumen.

His achievements include receiving the Manager of the Year award in 2009 and orchestrating one of the largest leasing deals in Dubai in 2016.

He has a proven track record of developing talent, having successfully guided brokers from trainee roles to managerial positions and trained numerous real estate professionals who have gone on to become managers themselves. Since 2010, he has led over 200 brokers, reflecting his supreme leadership and ability to drive success in the industry.

Watson has built a remarkable reputation for his exceptional negotiation skills and leadership in the real estate industry, managing sales teams at some of Dubais top real estate firms. With over seven years of experience in both the UK and UAE, he brings a deep understanding of sales management, teamwork, customer experience, and business development.

His strategic approach and ability to elevate team performance have consistently delivered impressive results.

Known for his professionalism and keen insight into client needs, Watson is set to drive substantial growth and success in the competitive Dubai secondary real estate market, leveraging his extensive background to enhance team effectiveness and achieve outstanding outcomes.

Armin Jalili, Partner, and Board Member of Unique Properties, said: "The secondary market offers immense opportunities for growth, with Chris and Watson leading the charge, we are confident in our ability to expand our presence in this critical market segment.

Their leadership will be pivotal in helping us connect more buyers with the exceptional properties Dubai has to offer, further cementing our position as one of the leading brokerage firms in the industry. Chris and Andres expertise will also significantly influence Dubais real estate market, driving innovation and excellence.  TradeArabia News Service
As students return after the long summer break, Swiss International Scientific School Dubai (SISD) has launched tech-free learning weeks for all primary students as the new school term begins.

During the first two weeks of school, SISD will set aside the use of iPads for all students, encouraging a return to traditional learning methods with a strong focus on skill development, particularly the IB Learner Profile skills. This initiative aligns with the schools commitment to fostering a balanced and skills-based approach to education.

In a move designed to emphasise the importance of metacognitive strategies and personal interactions, iPads will remain tucked away for the first two weeks of term. This decision supports SISDs educational philosophy of integrating technology thoughtfully, allowing students to first focus on the critical skills that form the foundation of learning.

Independent and effective

Lisa Thorpe, Deputy Head of Primary and IB PYP Curriculum Coordinator at SISD, explains the motivation behind the tech-free initiative: At the start of the school year, our priority is to help students develop metacognitive skills  teaching them how to think about their own thinking. By dedicating time to these strategies, we empower our students to become more independent and effective learners, capable of understanding their strengths and areas for improvement.

In addition to metacognitive strategies, the first two weeks of school are crucial for building relationships between teachers and students. Understanding each childs learning style, interests and needs helps us tailor our instruction to better support them throughout the year. During this time, we prioritise activities that support communication, collaboration, and a sense of community within the classroom, adds the Deputy Head of Primary.

Throughout the two-week period, SISD will engage students in activities designed to enhance communication, collaboration, creativity, and critical thinkingcore components of the IB Learner Profile and the 6Cs of the schools parent group, Nord Anglia Education.

Each day will focus on a specific attribute such as compassion, commitment, curiosity, and creativity, developing skills that are essential for long-term success. These hands-on, device-free sessions will encourage students to build strong relationships with their teachers and peers, creating an even more supportive and dynamic learning environment.

Educational shift

The initiative also aligns with the UAEs educational shift towards a skills-based curriculum, responding to both the regulatory focus and parental concerns over excessive screen time. Every parent wants their child off a device after a summer of screen time, added Thorpe. By focusing on foundational learning and relationship-building, we set our students up for success in all areas of their education.

After the initial tech-free weeks, iPads will be reintroduced as a powerful tool to enhance and extend learning. Whether through interactive content, educational apps or creative digital projects, technology will be used thoughtfully, supporting the metacognitive skills developed during the first two weeks. This balanced approach ensures that students are not only tech-savvy but also equipped with the critical thinking and self-reflection skills necessary to use technology responsibly.

Swiss International Scientific School Dubai is proud to lead the way in integrating innovative educational strategies that prioritise student well-being, academic excellence and personal growth. As the school embarks on this tech-free journey, it reinforces its commitment to developing reflective, responsible, and engaged learners prepared for the challenges of the future.--TradeArabia News Service
The Saudi Arabian Industrial Investments Company (Dussur) has divested its 55 per cent ownership stake in General Electric Saudi Advanced Turbines (GESAT) to GE Vernova, bringing GE Vernovas ownership to 100 per cent in GESAT.

Since its establishment in 2017, GESAT has played an important role in meeting the kingdom's demand for gas turbines, specifically through the localized completion of high-performance F-class and H-class gas turbines, and the manufacturing of post cast components and accessory modules, said a statement.

GESAT is a successful joint venture that is supplying gas turbines and has manufactured more than 200 gas turbine modules to support power generation plants in up to 10 countries around the world, including Saudi Arabia.

In addition to GESATs above accomplishments, the company placed a great focus on transferring technological and industrial knowledge through trainings of Saudi cadres on gas turbine assembly and manufacturing processes. The trainings were completed at both GE Vernovas Greenville site in the US and the Belfort site in France.

Dussurs decision to sell its shares to GE Vernova follows achieving the investment and development objectives of this investment in GESAT, the company has been able to employ and train a number of young national talents; and transfer knowledge in the field of gas turbine technology, said Dr Raed Alrayes, Chief Executive Officer at Dussur.

He also noted: Dussurs investment policy is to enter partnerships that establish transformational industries that the kingdom needs or support its supply chains. After ensuring the stability and maturity of these industrial capabilities, Dussur exits with the aim of renewing its investments into new industrial opportunities of greater value to the local economy. Today, we are proud of the industrial capabilities that distinguish GESAT and can further grow under the sole ownership of GE Vernova.

Joseph Anis, President and CEO of GE Vernovas Gas Power business in Europe, Middle East, and Africa, said: GE Vernova has been honoured to partner with Dussur on GESAT since 2017. We have a strong legacy of almost 90 years of contributions to the development of Saudi Arabias energy infrastructure, with up to 580 employees in the Kingdom today. We intend to continue supporting economic diversification, localisation, high value exports, and talent development efforts in the country to further the Kingdoms goals under Saudi Vision 2030. We also remain committed to collaborating with various stakeholders to help accelerate Saudi Arabias transition to net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2060.

GE Vernova spun-off from GE and began trading as an independent company on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) on April 2, 2024. With approximately 55,000 wind turbines and 7,000 gas turbines, GE Vernova's technology base helps generate approximately 25 per cent of the world's electricity and has a meaningful role to play in the energy transition in Saudi Arabia and around the globe, it added. -TradeArabia News Service
QatarEnergy has announced its decision to build a new, world-scale urea production complex that will more than double Qatars urea production, playing a pivotal role in enhancing global food production and security.

The new mega project entails building 3 ammonia production lines that will supply feedstock to 4 new world-scale urea production trains in Mesaieed Industrial City.

The new facilities, which are planned to be built, will more than double the State of Qatars urea production from about 6 million tons per annum currently to 12.4 million tons per annum. Production from the projects first new urea train is expected before the end of this decade.

The announcement was made by Saad Al-Kaabi, the Minister of State for Energy Affairs, the President and CEO of QatarEnergy, during a press conference held at the headquarters of QatarEnergy in Doha.

Al-Kaabi said: We have been producing ammonia and urea in Qatar for over 50 years. Today, we are expanding our experience and further solidifying our position by this unprecedented mega project that will make the State of Qatar the worlds largest urea producer, playing a crucial role in ensuring food security for hundreds of millions of people around the globe, day after day."

Al-Kaabi added: Developing this project in Mesaieed Industrial City will ensure the optimum utilisation of the excellent existing infrastructure for the petrochemical and fertiliser industries, including the citys export port, which is one of the largest fertiliser and petrochemical export facilities in the MENA region. It will also establish Mesaieed as the urea production capital of the world.

He stressed that Todays announcement is another concrete step in our efforts and everlasting commitment to supply the world with the energy products needed to achieve continued economic growth and enhanced energy and food security of people around the globe through a balanced approach to meeting ever-growing demand and the sound management of our natural resources.

Al-Kaabi concluded his announcement by expressing sincere thanks and gratitude to His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the Amir of the State of Qatar, for his wise leadership and the continued support of Qatars energy sector. -TradeArabia News Service
QatarEnergy has announced that it will build a new solar power mega project that will more than double the State of Qatars solar energy production, significantly contributing to lower carbon emissions in the framework of a realistic energy transition.

The new project will boost Qatars PV solar power production capacity to about 4,000 megawatts by building one of the worlds largest solar power plants in the Dukhan area, with a production capacity of 2,000 megawatts (MW).

The announcement was made by Saad Al-Kaabi, the Minister of State for Energy Affairs, the President and CEO of QatarEnergy, during a press conference held at the headquarters of QatarEnergy in Doha.

Al-Kaabi said: I am pleased to announce that, in line with our Sustainability Strategy, we will more than double our solar power production capacity to about 4,000 megawatts by 2030 through the world-scale, 2,000 megawatt Dukhan Solar Power Plant.

Al-Kaabi said: I would like to emphasize that developing solar power plants is one of Qatars most crucial initiatives to reduce CO2 emissions, develop sustainability projects, and diversify electricity production, reducing carbon dioxide emissions by more than 4.7 million tons per annum.

The new solar project will be added to QatarEnergys solar power portfolio, which includes the existing Al-Kharsaah solar power plant, which was inaugurated in 2022 with a capacity of 800 megawatts of electricity, and to two solar power projects that QatarEnergy is building in Ras Laffan and Mesaieed industrial cities with a total production capacity of 875 megawatts, and which are expected to start production before the end of this year.

With the addition of the new Dukhan Solar Power Plant, QatarEnergys portfolio of solar power projects in Qatar will reach a capacity of about 4,000 megawatts by the year 2030. This represents approximately 30 per cent of Qatars total electrical power production capacity.

Al-Kaabi concluded his remarks by expressing sincere thanks and gratitude to His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the Amir of the State of Qatar, for his wise leadership and the continued support of Qatars energy sector. -TradeArabia News Service
Four Seasons, a global leader in branded residential sector, said it is leveraging its industry-leading position to expand its portfolio of luxury private residences.

Since entering the residential market nearly 40 years ago, the company has grown to manage close to 6,000 units across 54 properties in 29 countries.

Currently, 65% of the hotel and resort development pipeline at Four Seasons includes a residential component, and Four Seasons standalone portfolio is growing at an exceptional rate with a projected 100% increase in these offerings to open in less than six years, further complementing the companys steadfast market share within the luxury branded residential industry.

Moving forward on this ambitious path of strategic growth, Chris Meredith has joined Four Seasons as the companys first Group Head of Residential.

Responsible for implementing the companys residential strategy, Meredith is tasked with the expansion of Four Seasons standalone portfolio, marketing, sales, refining front-end development, and leading innovation across design, property management, and the resident experience.

With every Four Seasons Private Residence, we set out to create the pinnacle of refined living. Discerning residents worldwide enjoy private homes alongside luxury amenities, dedicated property management, and personalized service  all hallmarks of the Four Seasons experience, said Meredith.

Our global pipeline continues to scale at a rapid pace and were seeing our properties, which benefit from world leading Four Seasons management give residents a luxury living experience that is second to none in every market that we operate.

Driven by a number of new projects coming onto market, $1.2 billion of Gross Sales Value (GSV) were generated in the first six months of 2024, representing a twofold percent increase Year Over Year (YOY) and reflecting strong global demand for premium branded residences by Four Seasons.

Additional growth is being achieved through standalone private residences. These developments cater to discerning buyers who seek unparalleled luxury experiences from the comfort of home, in extraordinary locations that are outside of a Four Seasons hotel or resort.

Four Seasons standalone offerings have already made grand entrances in London, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Marrakech, and Dubai, with new ventures on the horizon in Las Vegas, Lake Austin, and Istanbul.

The first Four Seasons standalone project in Dubai at Jumeirah, featuring expansive private outdoor terraces that look directly onto the Dubai Water Canal, sold out prior to public launch in 2022, leading the way for the brands second standalone project opening in Dubai at DIFC in the years ahead.

Upcoming mixed-use residential developments by Four Seasons are also set to launch in some of the most in-demand locations around the world. Recently announced and opened properties include the Dominican Republic; Bahamas; Cabo Del Sol; Bahrain Bay; and Amaala at Triple Bay in the Red Sea.

With Four Seasons high touch, guest-centric service that defines its brand and upholds its longstanding leadership within luxury hospitality, the company has made significant investments in its digital experience for residents.

The award-winning Four Seasons app and chat function directly connects residents and employees through an average of 500,000 messages exchanged each month.

This means residents can easily manage their homes when they are at home or abroad. Whether its requesting plant care while on an extended vacation, booking a bespoke wellness experience, arranging recurring housekeeping, or connecting with other homeowners  a Director of Residences leads a team of Four Seasons employees to craft seamless living experiences for residents and their guests.  TradeArabia News Service
Rotana, one of the leading hotel management companies in the region with 81 operational properties in the Middle East, Africa, Eastern Europe, and Turkiye (MENAT), has announced the opening of Nova M Hotel Olaya Riyadh, an Edge by Rotana hotel, in Saudi Arabia.

Launched in May 2022, Edge by Rotana is a collection of independent properties that maintain their individuality while benefiting from Rotana's extensive network and systems.

Located on Riyadhs renowned Al Olaya Street, Nova M Hotel Olaya Riyadh is the first Edge by Rotana property to open its doors in the Kingdom, with another four Edge by Rotana properties in the pipeline  three in Riyadh and one in Al Baha. This forms part of Rotanas larger expansion plan, which will see nine new properties launched in the Kingdom by 2028, doubling Rotanas key count in the country to over 4,236.

Philip Barnes, CEO of Rotana, said: Opening our first Edge by Rotana branded property in Saudi Arabia marks a significant milestone for Rotana as we continue to expand our footprint in the region. Saudi Arabia is one of the regions fastest-growing markets, and we are on track to meet our goal of doubling the number of rooms we currently manage in the Kingdom in the next few years. With each new property, we remain committed to fulfilling our brand promise of Treasured Time by providing guests with convenience, modern amenities, and exceptional hospitality.

The hotel features 104 meticulously designed rooms and suites that blend contemporary aesthetics with modern amenities, providing a comfortable stay for both business and leisure travellers.

Guests will also delight in the hotels leisure facilities, which include a Bodylines Fitness & Wellness Club, featuring a fully equipped gym, sauna, steam rooms, and massage room, as well as a refreshing rooftop pool.

Nova M Hotel Olaya Riyadh guests can also enjoy a variety of dining options. The all-day dining venue, Misk Restaurant, serves up global flavours via an international buffet. Sola Lobby Cafe, meanwhile, offers prime coffee, teas, and light bites, while its grab-and-go concept ensures a quick and delicious casual meal option for guests and visitors alike. Additionally, a 24/7 in-room dining menu guarantees quality and speedy service for those who prefer the comfort of their room.

For business travellers, Nova M Hotel Olaya Riyadh offers flexibility and convenience, with three separate meeting rooms able to accommodate medium-sized corporate meetings. All meeting spaces are equipped with the latest technology, elevating the event experience.

Rotana currently operates 81 hotels in the Middle East, Africa, Eastern Europe, and Turkiye, serving more than six million guests per year. Rotanas overall pipeline currently spans 9,049 keys across six superlative brands, including an impressive 36 international hotels. - TradeArabia News Service
SITA, the global leader in technology solutions for the air transport industry, has appointed Selim Bouri as its new President for the Middle East and Africa region.

Selim is taking over the position from Hani El-Assaad who had an extraordinary 30-year career during which he made an invaluable contribution to shaping SITA and the way it operates, said a SITA statement.

Selim is a seasoned leader in aviation, secure communications, and technology. He has held several high-profile roles during an illustrious career in the global aerospace, telecommunications, and security sector, including heading up the Critical Comms and Security business at Airbus for the Middle East/Africa and APAC regions, and spearheading business development across multiple leading telecommunications companies. He holds Masters degrees in Aeronautics, Aerospace Science, and Technology from ISAE-SUPAERO, and Executive Leadership, Strategy, and Business Administration from IMD.

This regional leadership change comes as SITA expands its reach and capabilities, opening an exciting new chapter in our company, to which the Middle East and Africa are absolutely integral. SITAs Executive Team and I are excited to have Selim on board and look forward to his contributions in driving SITAs future growth, said David Lavorel, SITA CEO.

SITA is the industry leader in terms of market share of air transport-related passenger and baggage processing solutions and technologies. In the Middle East and Africa, SITAs dedicated team of 491 experts support 115 airports and 103 airlines using SITA solutions. -TradeArabia News Service
The Natrona County Board of Commissioners on Tuesday will again take a look at the proposed Tatanka major subdivision, which consists of 20 lots on a 320-acre parcel northeast of the I-25 Ormsby Road exit.

Despite opposition, the plan moved forward in July after the Natrona County Planning and Zoning Commissions unanimous approval. The board previously approved Tatanka Run, but the commissioners sent the plan back to Planning and Zoning for clarification and reconsideration.

At the Planning and Zoning meeting, as at the Natrona County Commissioners meeting, several people spoke in opposition to the Tatanka plan put forward by John Miller and Wyoming Land Acquisitions. Several also spoke in support of the project.

In July, interim county planner Shawn Gustafson noted the presence of an easement across the property that allows the Federal Aviation Administration access to a navigational beacon used by commercial and military aircraft. He said the road doesnt have to look exactly as shown in the plan as long as the easement still provides access.

At their June meeting, county commissioners expressed concern about whether the water supply would be adequate. They were also concerned by the number of complaints theyd heard from people who had done business with Miller and were dissatisfied or said they were owed money.

However, the Planning and Zoning Commission faced a proposal that met the approval criteria. And, while county commissioners expressed concerns about water availability and the companys ability to see the project through to its conclusion, the issues arent specified.

Miller has already received an OK from the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality, which typically reviews major subdivision plans. Miller bristled at the notion he does not have the necessary finances for the project and said the criticism against him is mostly personal.

In July, Planning and Zoning Board Chairman Hal Hutchinson said in 12 years on the board, it was the first time a plan was sent back because of concerns about finances.

Neighbors Greg Jarrard and Steven and Jessica Taylor told the board that the proposal could block one of the main routes people use to get to their properties, an issue that is particularly challenging in winter or if theres a fire blocking another route.

The commission asked Miller if he would be amenable to keeping access open. He said he would consider it, although the neighbors would need to come to him.

Gustafson said some roads might be built in phases as parcels are built out.
 Flash

Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with Malian President Assimi Goita, who is in Beijing for the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 2, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday met with Malian President Assimi Goita, who is in Beijing for the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC).

The two leaders jointly announced the elevation of bilateral relations to a strategic partnership.

During the meeting, Xi said China is willing to promote traditional friendship with Mali, continue to support each other firmly, and provide assistance within its capacity for Mali's economic development and improvement of people's livelihood.

China will continue to encourage its enterprises to invest in Mali and deepen cooperation in areas such as agriculture, energy, mineral development and infrastructure construction, he said, expressing the hope that Mali will provide security guarantee and policy convenience for Chinese enterprises.

China has consistently supported African people's right to independently determine their future, and is willing to work with Mali and other African countries to support each other in pursuing modernization paths suited to their national conditions, Xi noted.

Goita said Mali hopes to further elevate the strategic partnership between the two countries and deepen mutually beneficial cooperation in areas such as agriculture, energy, mining and security.

Mali appreciates China's efforts and contributions in promoting regional and global peace and development and looks forward to closer multilateral coordination with China, he noted.
Hyatt farse and outta place. The audacity of them. Saying that in this country they are not 
Airbnb's short-term rental business model is still forbidden in many apartment complexes in Ho Chi Minh City, placing those who have substantial financial resources in a tough situation.

As the popularity of Airbnb rentals grows, these short-term stays have led to tensions with long-term residents.

Recently, several apartments in Ho Chi Minh City have put up signs warning against renting out flats by the day and hour.

In extreme situations, some properties have forbidden Airbnb rental guests from entering the building, ruining vacations and tourism plans.

Nguyen Thuong Hoai from Thu Duc City, Ho Chi Minh City revealed that she invested billions of Vietnamese dong to buy a unit at the River Gate Resident apartment complex in District 4. (VND1 billion = US$40,201)

She also rented other units in the building to sublease and assisted acquaintances in managing them. Presently Hoai manages approximately 15 units as an Airbnb host.

However, during the last two months, apartment building management boards and building management teams in Binh Thanh District and District 4 have begun to rein in Airbnb services, even placing warning signs indicating that "the use of residential apartments to operate hourly or short-term rental services is against the law," prompting concern.

According to Hoai, Airbnb is popular with both international and domestic guests since the rental fee for each apartment is just approximately VND1.2 million ($48) per day, and a unit can accommodate 4-5 people while offering access to all household amenities.

However, these stays have produced certain challenges and inconveniences for long-term apartment tenants, such as rental guests visiting the incorrect unit, pushing the wrong doorbells, and in some cases, getting drunk, banging doors, and making noise late at night.

Long-term tenants also take issue with rental visitors having access to building facilities like a fitness center and swimming pool.

Hoai stated that with the de-facto ban in place, the bigger impact would be felt by local investors, many of whom have spent a significant amount of money acquiring and furnishing these units and are now unable to recoup their investment.

"We are ready to pay taxes, comply with government regulations, and prevent guests from using the gym and pool to minimize the impact on apartment residents, as long as there is a clear legal framework to comply with," he said.

Similarly, Thanh Huong, a District 4 citizen, claimed that the prohibition on short-term rental services in Airbnb units is causing dozens of hosts to struggle.

Many people who acquired units for commercial purposes did so through bank loans and spent hundreds of millions of dong on furniture now face considerable difficulties, including the worst-case scenario of losing it all. (VND1 million = $40)

Huong acknowledged "the frustrations of apartment residents," adding that "completely banning business activities like this will impact investors, among whom are those who've bought multiple apartments to operate under the Airbnb model. In the case of being [formally] banned from doing business, they'd be forced to find people who need long-term rentals, but the difficulty is that there are few tenants looking for apartments with 2-3 bedrooms."

According to property owners using the Airbnb model, the profit per unit is approximately VND5-6 million ($200-250) per month after they subtract service and cleaning charges.

Hosts who own multiple units might earn a profit of up to VND35-40 million ($1,500-1,700) per month after deducting expenses.

Residents and guests enter an apartment building in District 4, Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: T.T.D. / Tuoi Tre

Management vs. prohibition

Speaking with Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper, a property developer in Ho Chi Minh City indicated that many people are purchasing units in District 1 and District 4 for subleasing or operating under the Airbnb model.

In some buildings, the Airbnb business model accounts for 60 percent of the flats. However, the developer has no say in how the apartments are used once owners, apartment management boards, and building management teams take control.

Tran Minh Ai, a senior director from Savills, an international real estate service provider in Ho Chi Minh City, noted that short-term rental services are quite popular in apartment complexes in District 1, District 3, District 4, and Binh Thanh District.

Ai expressed concerns that the Airbnb model negatively impacts the quality of life for long-term apartment tenants by increasing the use of shared facilities, such as elevators, swimming pools, and fitness centers.

The influx of short-term renters places additional strain on these amenities, potentially diminishing the experience for permanent residents.

The 2023 Housing Law explicitly prohibits the following actions in the management and use of apartment buildings: "Intentionally changing the occupancy or use purposes of common property of apartment buildings; using dwelling units for purposes other than residential; altering or damaging load-bearing elements; separating or splitting dwelling units without the permission of competent authorities."

The prohibition on "using apartment units for purposes other than residential" was previously included in the 2014 Housing Law.

Residents and tourists wait at the elevator at an apartment complex in Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Thanh Tu / Tuoi Tre

What does the community say?

The head of an apartment management team stated that clear direction is required from competent authorities, specifically whether Airbnb is permitted to operate.

If Airbnb is allowed, hosts should incur higher service fees due to the greater frequency with which they use shared facilities and clear management restrictions.

Le Hoang Chau, chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City Real Estate Association, said that when apartments are rented out as travel accommodations under the Airbnb model, hosts should be required to register their business, pay taxes, and accept responsibility for ensuring tenant compliance with apartment regulations.

Nguyen Hoang Lan, a tenant in Binh Thanh District, suggested that authorities carefully regulate Airbnb services in apartment complexes, emphasizing that these short-term rentals significantly impact the lifestyle and living spaces of residents, especially during weekends.

Lan argued that robust legal frameworks are necessary to mitigate conflicts between long-term residents and property owners operating Airbnb units.

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NEW YORK -- Some 10,000 U.S. hotel workers began a multi-day strike in several cities on Sunday after contract talks with hotel operators Marriott International, Hilton Worldwide, and Hyatt Hotels stalled, the Unite Here union said.

Unite Here, which represents workers in hotels, casinos, and airports across the United States and Canada, said thousands of workers at 24 hotels are on strike in some major travel destinations including San Francisco and San Diego in California, Hawaii's capital city Honolulu, Boston, Seattle, and Greenwich, Connecticut, with workers from additional cities ready to join the walkout as the Labor Day holiday weekend continues.

The strike is taking place with the industry facing a 9% increase in Labor Day weekend domestic travel compared to last year, according to AAA booking data.

Hotel workers strike in Waikiki as some 10,000 U.S. hotel workers represented by the Unite Here union began a multi-day strike in several cities after contract talks with hotel operators Marriott International, Hilton Worldwide and Hyatt Hotels reached an impasse, in Honolulu, Hawaii, U.S. September 1, 2024. Photo: Reuters

"Strikes have also been authorized and could begin at any time" in Baltimore, New Haven, Oakland, and Providence, the union said in a statement, as hotel workers and operators struggle to agree on wages and on reversing pandemic-era job cuts.

Hotel workers are being stretched thin, according to the union, with management frequently assigning three staff members to do the job of four. This leads to undue stress and a focus on speed over service.

"Since COVID, theyre expecting us to give five-star service with three-star staff, the union said, quoting a staff member at Marriotts Palace Hotel in San Francisco.

Hotel workers strike in Waikiki as some 10,000 U.S. hotel workers represented by the Unite Here union began a multi-day strike in several cities after contract talks with hotel operators Marriott International, Hilton Worldwide and Hyatt Hotels reached an impasse, in Honolulu, Hawaii, U.S. September 1, 2024. Photo: Reuters

Hotel housekeepers in Baltimore are fighting to bring wages up to $20 per hour from their current $16.20. In Boston, where housekeepers make $28 per hour, the union is seeking a $10 per hour raise by the end of four years.

Hilton and Hyatt said they remain committed to negotiating a fair agreement with the union.

Hyatt has contingency plans in place to minimize the impact on hotel operations related to potential strike activity, Michael D'Angelo, head of labor relations at the luxury hotel chain said in a statement.

Marriott did not respond to a Reuters request for comment.

Hotel workers march and protest, while a bus driver waits to cross the road, as they continue their strike in Los Angeles, California, U.S., October 25, 2023. Photo: Reuters

The strike comes as 40,000 Unite Here hotel workers across 20 cities face expiring contracts this year. Negotiations for new four-year contracts have been taking place since May, and about 15,000 of those workers have authorized strikes in 12 markets.

"We won't accept a 'new normal' where hotel companies profit by cutting their offerings to guests and abandoning their commitments to workers," Unite Here President Gwen Mills said, demanding a better deal.

The union has urged travelers to cancel their hotel stays if the workers are on strike, and to demand penalty-free refunds.

Unite Here workers in 2023 won record contracts in Los Angeles following rolling strikes, and in Detroit after a 47-day strike.

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U.S. Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken has congratulated Vietnam on its National Day (September 2), affirming Washington's support for Vietnam to develop independently, affluently, and resiliently.

In a press statement posted on the U.S. Department of States official website on Sunday (U.S. time), Blinken wrote, On behalf of the United States of America, I offer my best wishes to the people of Vietnam on your 79th National Day on September 2.

The diplomat added that this month sees the two countries celebrate the first year of their comprehensive strategic partnership, marking a historic new phase in Hanoi-Washington cooperation.

In honor of the legacy of General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, we recommit to respecting each others independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity, and political systems," Blinken said in the statement.

"We look forward to fulfilling the commitments of the comprehensive strategic partnership in areas of mutual importance, including economic cooperation, education, security, human rights, energy, environment, and health, and our shared desire for a free, open, prosperous, and peaceful Indo-Pacific Region.

He also expressed his excitement to jointly celebrate upcoming significant milestones, including the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two nations in 2025.

General Secretary Trong passed away on July 19 after his age-related serious illness, and his two-day state funeral was solemnly conducted in Hanoi on July 25-26, with the participation of many delegations from other countries, territories, and international organizations.

Blinken, along with a U.S. delegation sent by President Joe Biden, offered incense in tribute to Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and extended condolences to the late Party leaders spouse Ngo Thi Man at their residence in Hanoi on July 27.

Under the Party chief's leadership, the friendship and relations between the two nations continued to develop fruitfully, reaching a comprehensive strategic partnership, the highest level in Vietnams international relations.

Vietnam and the U.S. normalized their diplomatic relations in July 1995 and entered into a comprehensive partnership in July 2013.

Ten years later, both sides lifted their ties directly to the comprehensive strategic partnership on September 10, 2023, skipping the strategic partnership level during President Bidens two-day official visit to Vietnam.

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Read what is in the news in Vietnam today:

Society

-- The Thu Duc market area, a flood-prone zone in Thu Duc City under Ho Chi Minh City, was heavily inundated again after downpours on Sunday afternoon.

-- Authorities in Nha Trang City, the capital of Khanh Hoa Province in south-central Vietnam, are urgently investigating the case of a man who is suspected to have fallen to his death from a high floor of a tourist apartment building on To Hien Thanh Street in Tan Lap Ward on Sunday night.

-- On Sunday, the second day of the four-day National Day (September 2) holiday, police nationwide recorded over 15,200 traffic violations. Among these, 4,049 drivers were found driving under the influence, a significant increase from 2,572 cases on the first day.

-- According to the latest data from the Ho Chi Minh City Center for Disease Control on Sunday evening, 74 percent of the 432 measles cases reported in the city from May 23 to August 27 were in children under five years old. Additionally, 71 percent of these children had not been vaccinated against the illness despite being of eligible age for the vaccine.

-- Many tourists have reported stepping in engine oil on the sand after swimming at several beaches in Nha Trang City, Khanh Hoa Province.

-- During a field trip in Da Nang City on Sunday, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh endorsed the policy of reclaiming land from the sea to create new land resources for the construction of the Da Nang Free Trade Zone.

Business

-- Shopping malls in Hanoi are packed with shoppers during the ongoing National Day (September 2) holiday.

-- Twenty-eight international delegations have confirmed their attendance at the Ho Chi Minh City Economic Forum 2024, scheduled for September 24 to 26.

Lifestyle

-- Google features an image of a flying Vietnamese national flag as part of its efforts to honor Vietnams National Day (September 2).

Sports

-- On Sunday, Vietnamese swimmers Le Tien Dat and Do Thanh Hai qualified for the final of the 100m breaststroke SB5 category at the Paris 2024 Paralympics. Despite their efforts in the final, they were unable to secure a medal.

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Many people gathered at the gate of the Hanoi Opera House at noon on Sunday, hoping to get free tickets for a double-decker bus ride, only to be informed that the offer was fake.

Among the crowd were Huong and her family from Cau Giay District, Hanoi.

They were disappointed to find out that the offer was false and had been circulated by untrustworthy newspapers and social media posts.

We read that Hanoi was giving out free double-decker bus tickets from 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm starting today, Huong said.

Last year, they did something similar.

"Seeing the queue, we arrived around noon, only to be told there were no free tickets.

Similarly, many families with children who came to the Hanoi Opera House gate, where the double-decker buses depart, were surprised by the false information.

People gather at the gate of the Hanoi Opera House in Hanoi hoping to get free tickets for a double-decker bus ride on September 1, 2024. Photo: Ngoc An / Tuoi Tre

Despite this, some families chose to buy tickets to experience the service, but due to high demand, they had to wait over two hours for the next bus.

Adult tickets are priced at VND150,000 (US$6.03) while rides for children over six years old cost VND110,000 ($4.42).

Hung, who traveled from Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi for the National Day (September 2) holiday, lasting from Saturday to Tuesday, also came to the Hanoi Opera House after reading about the free tickets.

He later discovered that neither the official website nor the official Facebook page of the Hanoi double-decker bus service provided any information regarding free tickets.

The Hanoi Department of Tourism clarified that there is currently no promotion for free tickets, and that the misinformation being circulated dates back to 2023.

People take a double-decker bus ride around the downtown area of Hanoi, September 1, 2024. Photo: Ngoc An / Tuoi Tre

A representative from the bus service provider explained that the high demand during the holiday led to the disinformation being posted on social media to attract views.

They advised people to check official sources for accurate information and pricing.

Despite the absence of free tickets, Hung decided to purchase tickets to enjoy Hanoi's double-decker bus service and explore the citys iconic landmarks.

"This has been a long-standing wish -- to travel around Hanoi and see its landmarks," Hung said.

"Even without free rides, the experience was worth it."

Foreign visitors, such as South Korean tourist Lee Geum Dae, also embraced the service, seizing the opportunity to capture photos of Hanoi's streets and historical sites, undeterred by the hot weather.

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Vietnamese professor and doctor Nguyen Thi Ngoc Phuong has become a laureate of the 2024 Ramon Magsaysay Award, internationally regarded as the Asian version of the Nobel Prize, for dedicating her life to studying the harmful health impact of Agent Orange (AO) and helping seek justice for victims of this toxic defoliant.

The Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation (RMAF) is an international wholly independent non-profit organization based in Manila, Philippines.

It aims to recognize and honor individuals and organizations in Asia for their exceptional contributions to public service and social justice.

RMAF was established in 1957 in honor of Ramon Magsaysay, a Filipino president who died in a plane crash the same year.

In 1958, the foundation began the annual Ramon Magsaysay Award program, pursuing the objective of honoring the greatness of spirit in selfless service to the people of Asia.

Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thi Ngoc Phuong, 80, has devoted her life to researching the devastating impacts of AO/dioxin specific to general and reproductive health.

Phuong is a leader in seeking justice for Vietnamese victims of the toxic herbicide used by U.S. forces in the war in Vietnam.

Presently, she is the director of Tu Du Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital and chairs the Vietnam-U.S. Friendship Association in Ho Chi Minh City.

According to RMAF, Prof. Dr. Phuong became a doctor during the war, specializing in obstetrics and gynecology, and carried out extensive research into the long-term effects of AO/dioxin.

She first encountered the evil of AO/dioxin delivering newborns with severe birth defects which no one knew were caused by AO/dioxin.

Witnessing this, she vowed to dedicate her life to uncovering the truth about AO, seeking justice for its victims, and aiding the afflicted through her research and work with the Vietnam Association of Victims of Agent Orange/Dioxin (VAVA), according to RMAF.

The Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation believes Phuong's work serves as a dire warning for the world to avoid war at all costs as its tragic repercussions can reach far into the future.

The foundation also reiterated that Dr. Phuong has offered evidence that it can never be too late to right the wrongs of war and gain justice and relief for its hapless victims."

The five 2024 Ramon Magsaysay Awardees (from left): Nguyen Thi Ngoc Phuong of Vietnam, Karma Phuntsho of Bhutan, Miyazaki Hayao of Japan, Rural Doctors Movement of Thailand, and Farwiza Farhan of Indonesia. Photo: RMA

The Manila Times cited Susanna B. Afan, president of the award foundation, as saying, This award has celebrated those who challenge the status quo with integrity by courageously confronting systemic injustices, transforming critical sectors through groundbreaking solutions that drive societal progress, and addressing pressing global issues with unwavering resilience.

The four other 2024 Ramon Magsaysay Award winners are Karma Phuntsho, a Bhutanese former monk and scholar, Farwiza Farhan, an Indonesian forest conservationist, Miyazaki Hayao, the famous founder of Studio Ghibli, and the Thai organization Rural Doctors Movement, representing a unified force of Thai doctors advocating for healthcare in rural areas.

To date, the Asias Nobel Prizes have been presented to 322 individuals and 26 organizations.

Over 1961-71, U.S. troops conducted 19,905 missions spraying a total of more than 80 million liters of toxic chemicals, 61 percent of which was AO containing 366kg of dioxin, on nearly 26,000 hamlets and villages that covered 3.06 million hectares, or roughly one-fourth of the area of southern Vietnam, according to VAVA.

An estimated 4.8 million Vietnamese people were exposed to AO/dioxin during the war and over three million have suffered illnesses from it, the agency said.

Every year, Vietnam earmarks a budget of more than VND 10 trillion (US$402 million) to cover AO/dioxin victim expenses, monthly allowances, healthcare, and functional rehabilitation, as well as support for areas still severely affected by the toxic herbicide.

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Cisco heeft een firmware-update uitgebracht voor haar Email Security Appliances, die afgekort worden tot ESA. De techniek stamt af van IronPort Systems, dat in 2007 door Cisco werd gekocht. Hoewel dat dus al meer dan een anderhalf decennium geleden is, hoor je ook nog steeds de naam IronPort terugkomen voor deze appliances. Voor de ondersteunde upgrade paths is het raadzaam om de documentatie door te nemen of om contact op te nemen met Cisco's TAC. Deze firmware heet 15.5.2 en kent 15.5.2-018 als exact versienummer. De lijst met vernieuwingen ziet er als volgt uit:

Whats New in AsyncOS 15.5.2-018

Transitioning from SecureX to XDR

Cisco SecureX is transitioning to an enhanced and more robust platform, Cisco XDR (Extended Detection and Response). As part of this transition, it is essential to integrate your Secure Email Gateway with the new XDR platform.



Whats New In AsyncOS 15.5.1-055

Identifying Messages that Violate End-Of-Message RFC Standard

Your email gateway now identifies and filters the messages that violate the end-of-message RFC standard (that is, <CRLF.CRLF>) to detect threats. When email gateway receives a message with an invalid end-of-message sequence, it adds an X-Ironport-Invalid-End-Of-Message Extension Header (X-Header) to all message IDs (MIDs) within that connection until a message that complies with the end-of-message RFC standard is received. You can configure policies in content filters to perform necessary actions on these messages.



Restarting API Server through CLI

You can now restart the API server using a new CLI subcommand - API_SERVER. You can use the API_SERVER subcommand to restart and view the status of the API server. The API_SERVER subcommand is added under the diagnostic > SERVICES subcommand.



Monitoring Vault Service and Sending Alerts

Your email gateway now monitors the Vault service and keeps track of its status, whether it is initialized or not. It also sends appropriate alert messages and logs status information into error_logs.



Configuring Threat Scanner for Threat Detection

In the AsyncOS 15.0 release, the Threat Scanner feature was introduced to detect threats on incoming messages. In this release, you could not directly configure Threat Scanner to detect threats and it was configured in the back end. From this release onwards, you can configure Threat Scanner to detect incoming threats on your email gateway. You can enable or disable Threat Scanner for each incoming mail policy. When you enable Threat Scanner, it scans the incoming messages and influences the Anti-Spam verdict.



Including Additional Attributes for Improved Efficacy of SDR Service

Your email gateway now includes the Additional Attributes (Display name and the complete email address - Username, and Domain) by default as part of telemetry data sent to Cisco TAC for reputation analysis to enhance the efficacy of the Sender Domain Reputation (SDR) service. When the administrator logs into the email gateway, you will receive a warning message informing that the Include Additional Attributes option in SDR is enabled by default so that telemetry data includes the processing of personal data.



C5 Nitro-Instance Support for AWS

From the AsyncOS 15.5.1 release onwards, your email gateway supports c5.4xlarge EC2 instance type for the C600V model deployed through AWS.



Mandatory Usage of Cisco Smart Software Licensing for On-Premises Users

The Cisco Smart Software Licensing usage is mandatory from this release (all releases post AsyncOS 15.0 release) for Cisco Secure Email Gateway.



Configure Threat Defense Connector for individual incoming mail policies

You can now configure Threat Defense Connector for each incoming mail policy. To use this feature, you must have configured and enabled the Threat Defense Connector in your Secure Email Gateway. Go to Mail Policies > Incoming Mail Policies to enable or disable Threat Defense Connector for individual mail policies.



Support of Large Key Size Values for DKIM Verification

You can use the following large key size values for DKIM verification in your email gateway:

 3072 key bits size

 4096 key bits size



No Support for 512 and 768 Key Size Values in New DKIM Verification profile

From this release onwards, the 512 and 768 key bits size values are no longer supported when you create a new DKIM verification profile.



TLS 1.3 Support for SSL Services

You can now configure TLS 1.3 for the following TLS services in your email gateway:

 GUI HTTPS

 Inbound SMTP

 Outbound SMTP

The email gateway only supports the following TLS ciphers when you configure TLS 1.3 for the GUI HTTPS, Inbound SMTP, and Outbound SMTP TLS services:

 TLS_AES_128_GCM_SHA256

 TLS_AES_256_GCM_SHA384

 TLS_CHACHA20_POLY1305_SHA256

Note The email gateway does not allow you to modify the ciphers used for TLS 1.3.

After you configure TLS 1.3, you can use it for TLS communication across the legacy or new web interfaces of your email gateway and the API services.



Obtaining File Hash Lists, RAT, SMTP Routes, Save and Load Configuration, Address List, and Incoming Mail Policy Users Information using AsyncOS APIs

You can now obtain information about File Hash Lists, Recipient Access Table (RAT) entries, SMTP Routes, Save and Load Configuration, Address List, and Incoming Mail Policy Users information in your email gateway using AsyncOS APIs.



Enforcing TLS for Outgoing Messages at Sender or Recipient Level

The existing Destination Controls configuration allows you to override the TLS modes (such as TLS Mandatory, TLS Preferred, and so on) on a per-domain basis. If you need to enforce TLS for outgoing messages based on additional conditions such as  senders, recipients, and so on, you can now use the X-ESA-CF-TLS-Mandatory header. You can configure the Content Filter  Add/Edit Header action to add the X-ESA-CF-TLS-Mandatory header in the Header Name: field based on any content filter conditions and attach the content filter to an outgoing mail policy.



Scanning Password-Protected Attachments in Messages

You can configure the Content Scanner in your email gateway to scan the contents of password-protected attachments in incoming or outgoing messages. The ability to scan password-protected message attachments in the email gateway helps an organization to:

 Detect phishing campaigns that use malware as attachments in messages with password-protection to target limited cyber-attacks.

 Analyze messages that contain password-protected attachments for malicious activity and data privacy.

The following languages are supported for this feature - English, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish, German, French, Japanese, and Korean.



Region-based Polling for URL Retrospective Service

You can configure the URL Retrospective Service region to which the Secure Email Gateway connects for verdict updates. The Secure Email Gateway ESA can update the Retrospective Service regions and associated end-point URLs.



File Analysis Server Region Enhancement

From this release onwards, the File Analysis Server region supports two new regions - Australia and Canada.
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80% of Jenin now rubble after Israeli military operation

The Israeli Occupation Forces have destroyed approximately 80% of the streets and infrastructure in Jenin city in the northern West Bank during its ongoing military operation, now in its fourth day

Monday September 2, 2024 11:33 AM , ummid.com with inputs from Agencies

Ramallah (West Bank): The Israeli Occupation Forces have destroyed approximately 80% of the streets and infrastructure in Jenin city in the northern West Bank during its ongoing military operation, now in its fourth day.

"lsraels aggression on Jenin destroys 80% of the citys infrastructure, including water, electricity and telecommunications systems", Times of Gaza reported.

Bashir Matahen, Director of Public Relations and Media at Jenin Municipality, said the Israeli forces demolished streets to a depth of one to one-and-a-half meters, damaging water, sewage, communication, and electricity networks across an estimated 20 kilometers.

"Water has been cut off from 80% of the city and the entire camp," Matahen said, citing the destruction and the inability of technical teams to redirect networks due to continued gunfire from Israeli forces.

The municipality also reported severe damage to the central vegetable market, hundreds of homes, and vehicles. The Israeli forces have targeted the citys infrastructure extensively, affecting both commercial and residential areas.

The Israeli military launched its largest offensive since 2002 in Jenin, Tulkarm, and the Al-Fara refugee camp on Wednesday, killing at least 22 Palestinians.

On Sunday, Israeli Occupation Forces shot dead two Palestinian brothers and their cousin while they were distributing bread to besieged residents of Jenin refugee camp during the ongoing operation.

Video footages online show Israeli Occupation Forces setting on fire homes and vegetable market, and damaging mosques, shops and vehicles.

New scenes for the lsraeli arson committed in Jenins vegetable market. pic.twitter.com/DN1mCeBpkv  TIMES OF GAZA (@Timesofgaza) August 31, 2024

The Israeli military operation comes amid a broader escalation across the occupied West Bank and Gaza Strip, where more than 40,600 Palestinians, mostly women and children, have died since last October.

The International Court of Justice recently declared Israel's occupation of Palestinian land unlawful and called for the evacuation of all settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem.

In a ruling pronounced July this year , the UN Court also said the Palestinians living under the foreign occupation have right to self-determination.

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For Palestinians in Gaza, Pursuing Education is Act of Resistance, Reclamation

With or without a desk, a reliable network connection, my fancy pens and sticky notes and the safety that I once took for granted, I am wholeheartedly dedicated to my education, a Palestinian student in Gaza writes

Monday September 2, 2024 12:30 PM , Huda Skaik

[Islamic University of Gaza before and after Israeli bombing.]

I didnt register for classes this semester. When I saw on Facebook that the Islamic University of Gaza had opened for online enrollment  online because Israel has destroyed IUGs campus  I considered signing up for classes. But, in the end, I lost my enthusiasm and decided against it.

The situation here is incredibly uncomfortable. Im displaced in a tent in Nuseirat, central Gaza, with about 20 people. The internet is slow, there is constant noise around me, there are unexpected evacuations and my mental health is devastated.

This wouldve been my third year of studies in English literature at IUG. And under ordinary circumstances, the start of the academic semester would feel like a time of promise and new beginnings.

Not this year.

I couldnt imagine participating in formal classes, even online ones. Im now a sophomore student stuck in my second year.

Memories of Building N

This time last year, I was registering for English language and literature courses. I chose this major because I hope to one day be a professor myself.

Every morning as I headed to the university, the streets near campus were crowded with students who had come from all over Gaza to pursue knowledge.

Wed head off to our respective buildings and settle into our seats with our pens and notebooks, waiting for the lectures to begin.

Id go to Building N for lectures on Shakespeare and poetry; the elements of short stories; the Aristotelian plot; Sophocles play about Oedipus; and the art of translation and linguistics. Then, during breaks, Id meet up with friends to chat and catch up on life.

Building N is now completely destroyed. Burned up in an Israeli attack. Also gone is the campus library, where Id spend countless hours reading and studying; the administrative building, where Id meet with professors for office hours; and the conference hall, which was the site of graduations and student exhibitions.

The destruction of these buildings is not just a structural loss. It is a deeply personal loss  the erasure of memories and a way of life, when my daily concerns revolved around being creative and productive.

I long for the days when I could lose myself in the pursuit of knowledge and my textbooks.

Education as Resistance

To pursue learning and education at this moment in time, during this genocide, now feels like an act of resistance and reclamation.

The familiar rhythms of academic life have been upended, replaced by an environment where safety is a luxury and the sounds of conflict are a constant reminder of our reality.

To sit at a desk and read is no longer a possibility but a symbol of a past life that feels increasingly out of reach.

Sometimes, looking back is painful. I think about last year, when I was reciting Tamim al-Barghoutis poem In Jerusalem at the annual festival held by the English department, where students would recite poems, sing or act in plays. It was a chance for us to face our fears and come out of our shells.

I remember the pride I felt while on stage, and the applause that came after. You are all shining stars of the English department, the head of the department told us.

I felt hopeful and determined that the future I envisioned for myself would be a reality.

My Morning Ritual

I didnt enroll in classes, but Im still studying and learning. A friend and I even set aside Fridays to talk about what weve learned during the week, like our own independent study.

Each morning, I wake up to the sounds of artillery explosions or the buzzing of drones. The faintest light comes from through the cracks of our makeshift curtains in the tent. I rise from my mattress on the floor and get on with my day.

My morning ritual is important to me. My first task is to sit alone for a bit, to try and find some peace from the noise and chaos. I read the news in English and write stories and poems.

It is harder now to do things that once came easily. I struggle to upload books to my phone with the slow and often unavailable internet. The pens and notebooks I now use are different and more costly than the ones I once used.

But I know that every line I write and every day that I pursue my own education is a defiant stand against the destruction that encircles me.

With or without a desk, a reliable network connection, my fancy pens and sticky notes and the safety that I once took for granted, I am wholeheartedly dedicated to my education.

[The writer, Huda Skaik, is English literature student, writer and video maker based in Gaza. The article is originally published by Electronic Intifada .]

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Increasing Fear of Islam

The far-right Islamophobic sentiments need to be banished from the political debate everywhere, otherwise theyll once again take the world to its third war or maybe the final apocalypse.

Monday September 2, 2024 2:13 PM , Asad Mirza

[Islamic Center, Mosque and School located in Malmo, Sweden, (Shutterstock file image)]

Sweden

A recent statement by the Swedish Deputy Prime Minister Ebba Busch has stirred a big debate in Sweden. She said that Muslims in Sweden must adapt to Swedish values or leave the country. Her statements have raised questions about cultural integration, religious freedom, and immigration policies, in Sweden and elsewhere.

Busch's comments came after a celebration by Hamas supporters in Sweden. The event sparked discussions on how different cultures can coexist in Sweden. Most Swedes are concerned about the future of multiculturalism in the country. Some agree with Busch, saying that immigrants should follow the values of their new country.

Others believe that such demands are unfair and could lead to discrimination against Muslims. Busch stated:

"I want Muslim girls and boys to feel that we are on their side."

She repeated this message several times, showing her concern for young Muslims in Sweden. However, her comments have been seen as controversial by many.

India

Meanwhile, on 31 August 2024, Sanjeev Sanyal, a member of PM Modis Economic Advisory Council (PM-EAC), criticised the Sweden-based independent research institute Varieties of Democracy (V-Dem).

Apparently, Sanyals critique was triggered by a statement from Ebba Busch, Swedens Deputy Prime Minister, who claimed that Islam must align with Swedish values and that Sharia law has no place in the country.

Through a witty post on his official X account, Sanyal tagged V-Dem and questioned:

Would be interested to know if @vdeminstitutes supercomputer adds or deducts points for these statements from the Deputy PM of its home country.

Sanyal claims that instead of addressing the issue or leaving it alone, the institute - rather than engage with Sanjeev Sanyals critique - chose to block him.

However, we have to be clear here that Sanyals tweet was not in favour of Islam, or condemning the Swedish Deputy PM. Instead, it seems to have been inspired on an earlier report from V-Dem criticising India for its worsening democratic traditions.

In a subsequent post, Sanjeev Sanyal revealed that the V-Dem Institute had blocked him, and he included a screenshot to confirm the action. Sanjeev mocked:

So, @vdeminstitute has now blocked me!! So much for freedom and dialogue. This after I asked them a very common-sense question about their home country.

A survey by V-Dem shows how sovereign governments globally, are perceived through its research and indices, such as The Regimes of the World (RoW). This framework categorises political systems into four types: closed autocracies, electoral autocracies, electoral democracies, and liberal democracies, based on V-Dems Democracy Core indices.

V-Dem Report

Earlier this year, the Varieties of Democracy (V-Dem) Institute released a report labelling India as one of the worst autocratisers globally in recent times. According to the institute, India remained classified as an electoral autocracy in 2023. Their report highlighted that 42 countries, including India, are experiencing a trend toward autocratisation.

The institute noted that India, home to 18% of the worlds population, represents about half of the people living in autocratising countries. The report also claimed that the government under Narendra Modi has used laws on sedition, defamation, and counter-terrorism to suppress dissent.

So basically, this incident has two sides, first the response of the Swedish authorities to increased migration to Sweden by Muslims and secondly, Indias worsening record of late, regarding the safety of minorities in India.

In both the cases the common denominators are - the Muslims, who could be described as a minority in both the countries. And in both the cases the respective governments need to adopt a more unbiased and non-aggressive attitude towards the minorities in their countries.

Firstly, the current debate has also touched on Sweden's immigration policies. Some argue that stricter rules are needed to ensure better integration. Others feel that Sweden should remain open and welcoming to all cultures. This issue has highlighted the challenges of maintaining a multicultural society. It raises important questions about how to balance cultural diversity with national values.

The outcome of this debate could shape Sweden's future immigration policies. Many people are watching closely to see how this situation will develop. It is clear that the discussion about cultural integration in Sweden is far from over. The reactions from both sides show how complex and sensitive this issue is.

Indeed, the issue is complex, if seen through the lens of building a more inclusive and tolerant society. Apparently, the increasing number of Muslims, or people waring the skull-caps or turbans on Swedens streets is increasing. It gives rise to a rather undue fear of Islam and its followers. Instead of engaging with them, they are rather seen as undesirable, outcast non-Europeans, who cant be Swedish in their perspectives on several contentious issues.

Right, but at least the elected representative of an elected government should have given more time to increase her understanding and perception of Muslims. Because due to such Islamophobic outbursts, the right-wing elements have been on an ascendancy in most of the Scandinavian and European countries, which does not augur well to the future of democracy in those countries.

Secondly, as described earlier, apparently Sanyals tweets were in response to the V-Dems report describing India as an electoral autocracy and fast racing towards become an autocracy.

In this regard, perhaps the Institute based its observations on the increasing number of hate speech and hate crimes against the largest religious minority of the country i.e. Muslims. A vindication of which was given by the Leader of Opposition (LoP), Rahul Gandhi in a statement on 1 September, 2024, when he accused the government of giving free hand to the miscreants involved in mob lynching and those attacking Muslims and people from other minority communities (Christians) 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 further 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 Maharashtra .

The sanguine advice in both the cases, is linked somehow tenuously to the principles of multiculturalism, co-existence and tolerance. These needs to be re-examined worldwide and the far-right Islamophobic sentiments need to be banished from the political debate everywhere, otherwise theyll once again take the world to its third war or maybe the final apocalypse.

(The writer, Asad Mirza, is New Delhi-based senior commentator on international and strategic affairs, and a media consultant.)

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HCM CITY  With the Mid-Autumn Festival drawing near the mooncake market is bustling.

People can find a wide array of cakes with all sorts of flavours and eye-catching design and packaging.

This year new brands have made an appearance alongside familiar names to offer a broader range of choices to customers.

The Mid-Autumn Festival, also known as the Childrens Festival in Viet Nam, is celebrated on the 15th day of the eighth lunar month, which falls on September 17 this year.

Mooncakes are commonly given as a gift during the festival.

This year KIDO Group Corporation offers mooncakes under two brands, KIDOS Bakery and Tho Phat, the latter a newbie in the market.

Tho Phat offers traditional mooncakes with fillings like green bean, taro, lotus seeds, coconut milk, lap cheong sausage and mixed fruits, and roasted chicken, while KIDOS Bakery uses premium ingredients such as abalone, shark fin, Alaska shrimp, and scallops.

Phuong Diem Thuan Bakery in District 6 is filled with customers these days.

Phuong Trien Phong, its owner, said people started buying mooncakes in early August, one to two weeks earlier than normal.

The bakery is selling 18 varieties this year, and mooncakes with pineapple, and taro, lotus seed paste and juice of panda leaf are the top sellers, he said.

For the first time, it is selling mooncakes with a scallop and XO sauce filling.

Thanh Long Bakery, one of the oldest mooncake producers in HCM City, is offering eight new mooncake box designs at VN150,000-850,000 each.

Hoang Ngoc Thanh, its sales director, said a distinctive feature of Thanh Long's mooncakes is that it produces and processes the main ingredients using traditional family recipes, giving the cakes a unique and pure flavour.

Other major players in the mooncake market like ABC Bakery, Givral, Brodard, ai Phat, and prominent hotels such as Sheraton Saigon and Caravelle Saigon have also launched new mooncakes.

According to market players, with peoples health awareness increasing, they have launched low-sugar, vegan and gluten-free mooncakes.

Distribution systems such as Saigon Co.op, Central Retail and MM Mega Market are displaying mooncakes in eye-catching positions to make it easier for shoppers.

A Saigon Co.op spokesperson said the co-operatives chains of stores, including Co.opmart and Co.opXtra, are selling a range of mooncakes from affordable to high-end from well-known brands such as Mondelez Kinh o, Nhu Lan, Bao Minh, Kido, and ai Phat.

Its private label, Co.op Bakery, has launched a new mooncake line with both vegetarian and meat options.

The fresh mooncakes are handcrafted by skilled artisans using natural ingredients and without preservatives priced from VN50,900 per piece.

Central Retail in Vietnam (which owns GO! and Big C supermarket chains) is selling 19 mooncake varieties at prices ranging from VN29,000 to VN99,000 per piece, equivalent to VN240,000 to VN500,000 per box.

Nguyen Thi Bich Van, head of communications at Central Retail in Viet Nam, said a new feature of the mooncakes sold by GO! and Big C is that, besides being affordable, they also contain 30 per cent less sugar compared to last year and minimal quantities of preservatives.

It is also offering various promotions like a 15 per cent discount on orders worth VN1 million.

MM Mega Market is selling more than 100 different mooncakes made by big brands such as Mondelez Kinh o, Huu Nghi, Bibica, Richy, and Phuc Long.

Customers who buy mooncakes at any MM Mega Market outlet for VN650,000 or above will receive a voucher worth VN100,000.

With the rise of e-commerce, in addition to traditional brick-and-mortar stores and modern retail outlets, consumers can also order mooncakes from a variety of brands and have them delivered to their doorstep on popular e-commerce platforms such as Shopee, Lazada, Tiki, Grab, and the TikTokshop.

According to mooncake producers, though the prices of inputs have increased significantly this year they have only hiked mooncake prices slightly amid the economic downturn.  VNS
By Mai Huong

In the dynamic landscape of Southeast Asia, Viet Nam is poised on the brink of a technological revolution, aiming to leverage the power of AI to redefine its economy, foster innovation, boost productivity and enhance global competitiveness.

In its July 2024 report, "An AI Opportunity Agenda for Viet Nam", Google emphasised the critical role of digitalisation and AI in transforming Viet Nams economy, making it more diversified and competitive on regional and global scales.

The report estimates that AI could generate up to US$835 billion in economic benefits across six Southeast Asian economies, including Viet Nam, by 2030. To achieve the goal of having the digital economy contribute 30 per cent of GDP by 2030  up from 12 per cent in 2023  Viet Nam must attract significant investment and drive AI innovation.

New driver of economic growth

Google's research highlights that AI will play a crucial role in Viet Nam's digital economy, potentially generating an annual economic impact of VN1.73 quadrillion (US$74 billion) by 2030. The study, covering 43 sectors, found that more than half could achieve breakthroughs through AI.

AI is expected to bolster Viet Nam's manufacturing competitiveness, advance the electric vehicle (EV) industry, and help meet green energy goals. It will also enhance agricultural efficiency, address climate challenges, and support economic growth.

Moreover, AI is vital for Viet Nams ambition to become a high-income developed country by 2045, driving productivity, attracting investment, creating high-tech jobs, and supporting micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), according to the report.

Despite the critical role of productivity growth in economic development, Viet Nam has missed its labour productivity targets for three consecutive years, with the 2024 goal set lower than in 2023.

The "Viet Nams Future Digital Economy towards 2030 and 2045 report estimates that the digital economy could contribute 7-16.5 per cent annually to productivity growth from 2020 to 2030. Although this impact is initially modest, AI could significantly boost productivity, potentially doubling GDP contributions compared to new business models, according to McKinsey.

This isn't merely about typical development; it's about breakthrough growth. Advancing AI applications will also catalyse the growth of tech startups in Viet Nam, said o Tien Thinh, deputy director of the National Innovation Centre (NIC), in an interview with Viet Nam News.

Viet Nam is already harnessing AI to enhance its competitiveness as a manufacturing hub, particularly in high-tech industries like electronics and telecommunications. Leading Vietnamese enterprises such as Viettel, FPT, VinAI, CMC, and VNPT are at the forefront of AI innovation, demonstrating the technologys potential to benefit a wide range of businesses.

Investment in AI is also rising, with over $4.6 billion invested in Vietnamese startups from 2014 to 2023, according to the 2024 Viet Nam Technology and Innovation Investment Report by NIC and Do Ventures. This reflects Viet Nam's burgeoning status as a centre for technological innovation.

Strategic advantages

Oxford Insights, in its early 2024 report, ranked Viet Nam 59th out of 193 countries and territories for government AI readiness, and 5th in the ASEAN region. The report highlighted Viet Nams vibrant economy, youthful and tech-savvy population, burgeoning tech sector, and influx of international investment as fertile grounds for AI innovation.

Research by Thundermark Capital also listed Viet Nam and Singapore as the two Southeast Asian representatives in the global Top 30 for AI research.

Viet Nam's strategic position in AI development is supported by several key advantages.

The countrys burgeoning digital economy, aimed at contributing 20 per cent of GDP by 2025 and 30 per cent by 2030, provides a strong foundation for AI integration. The rapid growth of Viet Nams internet economy, already among the fastest-growing in the world, further strengthens its position.

Viet Nams young, tech-savvy population is also a significant asset. The country has a large pool of engineers and IT professionals, many well-versed in AI technologies. This, combined with a strong emphasis on STEM education, ensures a steady pipeline of talent to drive AI innovation.

Many major international companies see Viet Nam as a promising research and development hub. Recent visits and large-scale conferences featuring foreign tech leaders like Nvidia chairman Jensen Huang and Google AI lead Jeff Dean have underscored Viet Nam's potential in this field.

The government's strong commitment to AI development is another critical factor. The National Strategy on R&D and Application of AI until 2030, issued in March 2021, aims to position the country as a leading hub for AI innovation in Southeast Asia and globally by 2030.

Nguyen Thi Bich Ngoc, deputy minister of Planning and Investment, said that the government had implemented policies to foster AI research and development. The ministry is proposing a project to develop 5,000 AI experts for the semiconductor industry by 2030. Additionally, the National Innovation Centre is tasked with establishing an AI training and research centre to train 7,000 AI experts and incubate around 500 AI startups by 2030.

Navigating challenges

Despite its promising prospects, Viet Nam faces several challenges in advancing its AI sector.

One of the primary obstacles is the shortage of skilled professionals. According to FPT Digitals DxReport Viet Nam has nearly 400,000 engineers specialising in IT, and more than 50,000 IT students graduating each year. However, this talent pool serves just 25 per cent of Viet Nams total demand for IT workers.

To address this, the government is investing in educational programmes and training initiatives designed to cultivate a workforce capable of driving AI innovation. Partnerships with international tech firms and academic institutions are also crucial in bridging the skills gap.

NICs Deputy Director o Tien Thinh said the centre was developing projects to enhance the IT workforce through short- and long-term training programmes that meet international standards and align with business needs. For instance, Googles incubation programme would support 20 AI-driven companies with up to $350,000 each and provide AI training for 200 businesses, alongside offering 40,000 scholarships for basic AI courses on Coursera.

Meta is also supporting the AI ecosystem in Viet Nam by collaborating with the government, participating in the AI4VN event, and hosting Vietnamese students at the Silicon Valley International Inventions Festival. Additionally, Meta will support the Vietnam Innovation Challenge 2024 with expertise and resources for AI and semiconductor sectors.

We believe that open innovation in AI leads to better, safer products, faster innovation, and a larger and more diverse overall market. Meta is providing resources, expertise, and opportunities to develop innovative AI solutions. We will continue to work with the Government of Viet Nam, local businesses and the tech industry to support the country's vibrant AI ecosystem," Dr Rafael Frankel, director of Public Policy, Southeast Asia at Meta, told Viet Nam News.

Another senior NIC expert, Nguyen Thi Ngoc Dung, emphasised the need for significant investment in infrastructure to support AI development. She said that businesses, especially SMEs, needed advanced resources like supercomputers and cloud services. While eager to explore AI opportunities, these businesses required government support in the form of policy frameworks and resource connections.

The AI revolution presents Viet Nam with a unique opportunity to drive economic growth and emerge as a technological leader. By tackling existing challenges and leveraging its strengths, the country can secure a prominent role in the global AI landscape, fostering a future of innovation and sustainable development. VNS
Viet Nam must continue to innovate its growth model by focusing on high technology, supporting innovative startups, and transitioning to a green economy, according to experts.

Last week, Politburo member and Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, head of the sub-committee for socio-economic affairs of the 14th National Party Congress [slated for early 2026], chaired the third meeting of this sub-committee.

The event reviewed the sub-committees work since its last meeting and discussed a draft report on the first five years of implementing the 2021-2030 socioeconomic development strategy. The meeting also considered draft orientations and tasks for socioeconomic development during 2026-2030, ahead of their submission to the Politburo and the 10th session of the current 13th Party Central Committee.

In his address, the PM emphasised that economic development remained the central priority. He called for revitalising traditional growth drivers while vigorously advancing new sources of growth.

At the annual World Economic Forum (WEF) in Dalian, China, in June, PM Chinh highlighted Viet Nams journey of innovation, integration, and development. He said that Viet Nam would continue prioritising growth through flexible policies suited to the countrys conditions, circumstances, and global trends.

Viet Nams strategy involves renewing traditional growth drivers like investment, exports, and consumption while aggressively promoting new ones. Priority sectors include the digital economy, green economy, circular economy, sharing economy, and knowledge economy. The government is focusing on mobilising resources through enhanced public-private partnerships, prioritising public investment to lead private investment, and activating all social resources for growth and development.

Assoc. Prof. Bui Quang Tuan, former director of the Viet Nam Economic Institute, noted that Viet Nam was widely recognised for its robust economic growth. In the first half of 2024, the economy posted a significant GDP growth rate of 6.42 per cent compared to the same period in 2023, with forecasts suggesting nearly 7 per cent growth by year-end. This marks the fourth consecutive quarter of surpassing expectations.

"Viet Nam's economic expansion is driven by various sectors, including agriculture, forestry, fisheries, services, industry, and construction. Emerging contributors like the digital economy, total factor productivity (TFP), labour productivity, and green economy are also playing key roles in boosting GDP growth," Tuan said.

However, he warned that Viet Nams economic growth still relied on an outdated model, with a growing dependence on capital and human resources while the contribution of TFP and labour productivity was gradually diminishing. Investments remained the primary driver of growth, with human capital playing a more crucial role than mere labour input.

Tuan said that while Viet Nams economic structure was gradually transitioning towards modernisation, the pace had been slow over the past five years. The shift to a more service-oriented economy had been challenging, as agriculture, forestry, and fisheries still held significant shares. Weak TFP growth further complicated the situation, exacerbating regional disparities.

Tuan noted the limited progress in growth driven by innovation, technology, skills, and integration into global value chains.

According to Tuan, the current growth model heavily relies on inexpensive labour, resulting in a dual economy with limited spillover effects from the foreign-invested sector, particularly in technological capabilities. Notably, the foreign direct investment (FDI) sectors exports account for 71 per cent of the total.

Viet Nam's investment in science, technology, and innovation is only a quarter of the global average, at about 0.56 per cent of GDP compared to the global average of 2.2 per cent. The countrys institutions for science, technology, and innovation remain underdeveloped, with limited breakthroughs. Private sector investment in research and development (R&D) is also low, at just 0.44 per cent, whereas in South Korea, it exceeds 80 per cent.

Despite some progress, Viet Nams labour productivity growth remains modest. From 2016 to 2020, labour productivity grew at an average annual rate of 5.8 per cent, up from 4.3 per cent during 2011-2015. However, this growth lags Chinas 7 per cent and Indias 6 per cent.

Viet Nams labour productivity is now among the lowest in the region, just above Laos. The private sector, contributing 44 per cent to GDP, has not yet reached its potential, with most Vietnamese enterprises being small and few large corporations existing.

The transition to a green growth model has also had limited impact on sustainable development. The circular economy is still in its early stages, and the blue economy remains largely untapped. Although institutional improvements have been made, significant bottlenecks persist, particularly in science, technology, innovation, and emerging economic sectors like the sharing economy, fintech, and data analytics.

However, Tuan sees significant opportunities for Viet Nam to transform its growth model through innovations in key areas such as the Fourth Industrial Revolution, emerging technology trends, green and digital advancements, continued integration, and the rise of innovation and startup movements. The countrys young population, combined with improved access to cutting-edge technology, positions Viet Nam well to enhance production, distribution, and consumption processes.

"To effectively innovate our growth model, we need to focus on new growth drivers such as science, technology, innovation, digital transformation, and green transformation. Previously, these were just concepts; now we need to implement them to achieve quality growth," Tuan said.

He also stressed the importance of attracting high-quality talent both domestically and internationally. Achieving the vision of becoming a green powerhouse and digitalising the economy would require developing supportive institutions and policies. It was essential to foster green and digital ecosystems, encourage innovation, and create linkages within these ecosystems.

Prof. Hoang Van Cuong, a member of the National Assembly's Finance and Budget Committee, echoed these sentiments, saying that transforming the growth model would require a fundamental shift from relying on resources and cheap labour to embracing science, technology, and green practices.

Viet Nam must overhaul its traditional approaches and fully embrace new trends like digital and green transformations to drive growth, he said.

Economist Vo Tri Thanh said that while discussions about Viet Nam's economic growth model had been ongoing for over a decade, turning the aspiration for innovation into reality was challenging. He emphasised that Viet Nam must be proactive and simultaneous in its efforts to avoid missing opportunities.

Green and creative transformations present golden opportunities for Viet Nam, Thanh said.

These opportunities are particularly significant as the global market is just beginning to explore them. The ongoing industrial revolution, marked by rapid changes, will offer various choices and require adaptive policy shifts.

Pham Anh Cuong, CEO of BestB Start-up Ecosystem, noted that while the rate of new businesses entering the market in Viet Nam was higher than in most Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development countries, sustainable growth required strong support and connections among incubators, business promotion organisations, and creative startup investment funds. Such support was crucial for helping innovative startups refine their ideas, services, and business models while linking them with investors.

In addition to focusing on technological innovation and startups, there is also a strong emphasis on transitioning to a green economy and adopting circular economic development.

These models promote sustainable development by reducing environmental pollution and using resources more efficiently. The integration of new technologies, such as AI, blockchain, and the Internet of Things, not only optimises production processes but also helps mitigate negative environmental impacts. VNS
HA NOI  Spices from Viet Nam were showcased at the 13th Rieti International Chili and Spice Fair 2024, which was held in the city of Rieti in central Italy from August 28 to September 1.

With more than 160 booths, the fair featured 450 varieties of chili from all over the world, along with traditional cultural and culinary activities. This event attracted hundreds of thousands of chili and spice enthusiasts from around Italy, as well as foreign tourists.

The Vietnamese product booth was co-ordinated by the Vietnamese Embassy, the Trade Office in Italy and domestic agricultural export enterprises. The booth introduced to tourists and consumers not only chili products, but also outstanding Vietnamese agricultural products such as pepper, tea, coffee, cinnamon and star anise.

Vietnamese Trade Counselor in Italy Duong Phuong Thao emphasised that with a goal of developing modern, green and sustainable agriculture and a market of 100 million people, Viet Nam is a good opportunity for Italy to expand the market for agricultural, forestry and fishery products in the two countries.

The two sides could strengthen co-operation to effectively exploit resources to develop modern and sustainable agricultural products, said Thao.

Viet Nam is aiming to supply clean, high-quality, low-emission, responsible, transparent and sustainable agricultural products. It is also actively developing and protecting the reputation of Vietnamese agricultural, forestry and fishery products around the world.

Viet Nam's presence at the fair shows the country's support and appreciation for this important event, while also affirming its strengths and commitment to providing unique chili and spice products from Viet Nam, as well as creating opportunities to promote the great potential for co-operation between Viet Nam and Italy in this field.  VNS
PARIS  Assistant Director-General of UNESCO for Natural Sciences Lidia Arthur Brito has commended Vietnam 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. - VNA/VNS
VIENTIANE - President Ho Chi Minh was a great leader who had a comprehensive vision and made wholehearted devotion to the Vietnamese people and nation, Douangmixay Likaya, a Lao writer described the Vietnamese leader, who he met in 1959 when the 78-year-old writer and musician was studying in Viet Nam.

In a conversation with Vietnam News Agency (VNA)s correspondents in Vientiane, Douangmixay showed his great love for President Ho Chi Minh, and the passion to write works honouring the Laos - Viet Nam relationship to contribute to maintaining the special ties between the two countries.

The Lao writer said that he has strived to study and follow President Ho Chi Minh's ideology, moral example and lifestyle.

Particularly, he has applied the leader's short, understandable and memorable writing style to his works.

Douangmixay wrote several music works about President Ho Chi Minh in Lao, Vietnamese and Mong languages, including a two-movement symphony titled Red River-Mekong inspired by President Ho Chi Minh's saying that the friendship between Viet Nam and Lao is even deeper than the water of the Hong Ha (Red River) and the Cuu Long (Mekong River).

On the occasion of the 55th anniversary of President Ho Chi Minh's testament and the 79th anniversary of Viet Nam's National Day, the musician coordinated with the Vietnamese Embassy in Laos to hold a concert on the night of August 30, during which 2-3 songs composed and written by him about President Ho were performed.

He said he has always reminded his relatives and friends that without the leadership of President Ho Chi Minh over the revolution in the three Indochinese countries, they would not enjoy today's independence.

He emphasised that the President was an exemplary role model and a true communist admired by people in Laos, Viet Nam and around the world. - VNA/VNS
QUANG NGAI  Pacific Partnership 2024-2 (PP24-2) and Pacific Angel 2024-3 (PA24-3) wrapped up a two-week mission with a closing ceremony in the central province on August 30.

This is the first time Pacific Partnership and Pacific Angel have worked together to conduct a joint mission. The event marked the culmination of joint efforts to enhance disaster response capabilities and strengthen ties between the US and Viet Nam.

As the largest annual multilateral disaster relief preparedness mission in the Indo-Pacific, the US Navys Pacific Partnership joined forces for the first time with the US Air Forces Pacific Angel to execute a series of humanitarian response exercises.

This years mission brought together approximately 200 participants from Australia, Chile, Japan, the UK, the US and Viet Nam, all working toward a common goal.

US and Vietnamese officials exchanged best practices and lessons learned on critical issues like forest fire prevention, coastal erosion and natural disaster management.

A site survey of the Nghia An anti-erosion embankment offered a hands-on opportunity to assess and discuss real-world challenges and opportunities to strengthen coastal community resilience and international cooperation.

Healthcare professionals played a pivotal role in this mission, conducting 40 expert exchanges and training sessions at hospitals and medical centres across the province. The sessions covered a broad spectrum of topics, from advanced life support to neurology, directly benefiting over 180 Vietnamese healthcare professionals and nearly 100 Vietnamese patients.

The team also successfully conducted numerous surgeries.

Commander of Logistics Group Western Pacific/Task Force 73, Rear Admiral Todd Cimicata said: It has truly been an honour to be in Viet Nam, working alongside the professionals in Quang Ngai, learning from one another, and creating connections with patients, students, fellow citizens and one another. Many thanks for your commitment to the 20th iteration of Pacific Partnership and the 16th iteration of Pacific Angel."

Construction efforts were another cornerstone of the mission, with renovations and repairs enhancing local facilities such as Tinh Minh Kindergarten and Tinh Khe Elementary School.

These projects not only improved infrastructure but also bolstered the resilience of community sites in disaster preparedness, highlighting the spirit of Pacific Partnership and Pacific Angel of building local community resilience and benefiting the local people.

Community engagement added a cultural dimension to the mission. Through a series of cultural exchange programmes, English-language dialogues, sporting events and band performances.

US Navy and Air Force personnel met with approximately 800 students, teachers and administrators throughout Quang Ngai. In addition, American veterans were invited aboard the expeditionary fast transport ship USNS City of Bismarck (T-EPF 9) for a tour.

Reflecting on the experience, US Navy Captain Daniel Keeler, PP24-2 mission commander, said: Our visit was incredibly rewarding and significantly expanded our capacity to respond to natural disasters together.

"We gained valuable insights from each other in the medical field and eagerly supported four building projects. The hospitality of the people of Quang Ngai was outstanding, and we are deeply thankful for the opportunity and the experience.

Major Bradley Emmett, PA24-3 mission commander, summed up the sentiment of the mission: We are extremely grateful for the opportunity given to us to work within Quang Ngai and Quang Nam provinces as part of Pacific Angel 24-3.

"We also appreciate each provinces willingness to host engagements such as Pacific Angel, and truly appreciate the kindness and coordination of these provinces community partners and leaders who ensured this mission was a success.

The completion of PP24-2 and PA24-3 represents a significant milestone in US-Viet Nam relations, coming nearly a year after the two countries upgraded to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

This mission is a testament to the enduring strength and dynamism of the US-Viet Nam relationship, as both nations work together toward shared goals. Quang Ngai Provinces participation in this multinational mission underscores the provinces commitment to global partnerships and disaster preparedness. VNS